Monday, February 16, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
STUPID THINGS REPUBLICAN POLITICIANS SAY, PART ONE
Republican Congressman: Gut Education Funding Because ‘Socrates Trained Plato On A Rock’
Texas Republican: We should send Chuck Norris after ISIS instead of Obama
Montana Republican wants to ban any clothing hat “gives the appearance or simulates” a person’s buttocks, genitals, pelvic area or female nipple
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Another Right Wing Outrage Explosion
The right wing is hyperventilating over some remarks made by President O'Bama this morning. The continued whining of false Christians is something to behold.
Here are the remarks:
Remarks by the President at National Prayer Breakfast
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
9:13 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, good morning. Giving all praise and honor to God. It is wonderful to be back with you here. I want to thank our co-chairs, Bob and Roger. These two don’t always agree in the Senate, but in coming together and uniting us all in prayer, they embody the spirit of our gathering today.
I also want to thank everybody who helped organize this breakfast. It’s wonderful to see so many friends and faith leaders and dignitaries. And Michelle and I are truly honored to be joining you here today.
I want to offer a special welcome to a good friend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama -- who is a powerful example of what it means to practice compassion, who inspires us to speak up for the freedom and dignity of all human beings. (Applause.) I’ve been pleased to welcome him to the White House on many occasions, and we’re grateful that he’s able to join us here today. (Applause.)
There aren’t that many occasions that bring His Holiness under the same roof as NASCAR. (Laughter.) This may be the first. (Laughter.) But God works in mysterious ways. (Laughter.) And so I want to thank Darrell for that wonderful presentation. Darrell knows that when you’re going 200 miles an hour, a little prayer cannot hurt. (Laughter.) I suspect that more than once, Darrell has had the same thought as many of us have in our own lives -- Jesus, take the wheel. (Laughter.) Although I hope that you kept your hands on the wheel when you were thinking that. (Laughter.)
He and I obviously share something in having married up. And we are so grateful to Stevie for the incredible work that they’ve done together to build a ministry where the fastest drivers can slow down a little bit, and spend some time in prayer and reflection and thanks. And we certainly want to wish Darrell a happy birthday. (Applause.) Happy birthday.
I will note, though, Darrell, when you were reading that list of things folks were saying about you, I was thinking, well, you're a piker. I mean, that -- (laughter.) I mean, if you really want a list, come talk to me. (Laughter.) Because that ain’t nothing. (Laughter.) That's the best they can do in NASCAR? (Laughter.)
Slowing down and pausing for fellowship and prayer -- that's what this breakfast is about. I think it's fair to say Washington moves a lot slower than NASCAR. Certainly my agenda does sometimes. (Laughter.) But still, it’s easier to get caught up in the rush of our lives, and in the political back-and-forth that can take over this city. We get sidetracked with distractions, large and small. We can’t go 10 minutes without checking our smartphones -- and for my staff, that's every 10 seconds. And so for 63 years, this prayer tradition has brought us together, giving us the opportunity to come together in humility before the Almighty and to be reminded of what it is that we share as children of God.
And certainly for me, this is always a chance to reflect on my own faith journey. Many times as President, I’ve been reminded of a line of prayer that Eleanor Roosevelt was fond of. She said, “Keep us at tasks too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength.” Keep us at tasks too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength. I’ve wondered at times if maybe God was answering that prayer a little too literally. But no matter the challenge, He has been there for all of us. He’s certainly strengthened me “with the power through his Spirit,” as I’ve sought His guidance not just in my own life but in the life of our nation.
Now, over the last few months, we’ve seen a number of challenges -- certainly over the last six years. But part of what I want to touch on today is the degree to which we've seen professions of faith used both as an instrument of great good, but also twisted and misused in the name of evil.
As we speak, around the world, we see faith inspiring people to lift up one another -- to feed the hungry and care for the poor, and comfort the afflicted and make peace where there is strife. We heard the good work that Sister has done in Philadelphia, and the incredible work that Dr. Brantly and his colleagues have done. We see faith driving us to do right.
But we also see faith being twisted and distorted, used as a wedge -- or, worse, sometimes used as a weapon. From a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris, we have seen violence and terror perpetrated by those who profess to stand up for faith, their faith, professed to stand up for Islam, but, in fact, are betraying it. We see ISIL, a brutal, vicious death cult that, in the name of religion, carries out unspeakable acts of barbarism -- terrorizing religious minorities like the Yezidis, subjecting women to rape as a weapon of war, and claiming the mantle of religious authority for such actions.
We see sectarian war in Syria, the murder of Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, religious war in the Central African Republic, a rising tide of anti-Semitism and hate crimes in Europe, so often perpetrated in the name of religion.
So how do we, as people of faith, reconcile these realities -- the profound good, the strength, the tenacity, the compassion and love that can flow from all of our faiths, operating alongside those who seek to hijack religious for their own murderous ends?
Humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country, slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ. Michelle and I returned from India -- an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity -- but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation.
So this is not unique to one group or one religion. There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our faith. In today’s world, when hate groups have their own Twitter accounts and bigotry can fester in hidden places in cyberspace, it can be even harder to counteract such intolerance. But God compels us to try. And in this mission, I believe there are a few principles that can guide us, particularly those of us who profess to believe.
And, first, we should start with some basic humility. I believe that the starting point of faith is some doubt -- not being so full of yourself and so confident that you are right and that God speaks only to us, and doesn’t speak to others, that God only cares about us and doesn’t care about others, that somehow we alone are in possession of the truth.
Our job is not to ask that God respond to our notion of truth -- our job is to be true to Him, His word, and His commandments. And we should assume humbly that we’re confused and don’t always know what we’re doing and we’re staggering and stumbling towards Him, and have some humility in that process. And that means we have to speak up against those who would misuse His name to justify oppression, or violence, or hatred with that fierce certainty. No God condones terror. No grievance justifies the taking of innocent lives, or the oppression of those who are weaker or fewer in number.
And so, as people of faith, we are summoned to push back against those who try to distort our religion -- any religion -- for their own nihilistic ends. And here at home and around the world, we will constantly reaffirm that fundamental freedom -- freedom of religion -- the right to practice our faith how we choose, to change our faith if we choose, to practice no faith at all if we choose, and to do so free of persecution and fear and discrimination.
There’s wisdom in our founders writing in those documents that help found this nation the notion of freedom of religion, because they understood the need for humility. They also understood the need to uphold freedom of speech, that there was a connection between freedom of speech and freedom of religion. For to infringe on one right under the pretext of protecting another is a betrayal of both.
But part of humility is also recognizing in modern, complicated, diverse societies, the functioning of these rights, the concern for the protection of these rights calls for each of us to exercise civility and restraint and judgment. And if, in fact, we defend the legal right of a person to insult another’s religion, we’re equally obligated to use our free speech to condemn such insults -- (applause) -- and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with religious communities, particularly religious minorities who are the targets of such attacks. Just because you have the right to say something doesn’t mean the rest of us shouldn’t question those who would insult others in the name of free speech. Because we know that our nations are stronger when people of all faiths feel that they are welcome, that they, too, are full and equal members of our countries.
So humility I think is needed. And the second thing we need is to uphold the distinction between our faith and our governments. Between church and between state. The United States is one of the most religious countries in the world -- far more religious than most Western developed countries. And one of the reasons is that our founders wisely embraced the separation of church and state. Our government does not sponsor a religion, nor does it pressure anyone to practice a particular faith, or any faith at all. And the result is a culture where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can freely and proudly worship, without fear, or coercion -- so that when you listen to Darrell talk about his faith journey you know it's real. You know he’s not saying it because it helps him advance, or because somebody told him to. It's from the heart.
That’s not the case in theocracies that restrict people’s choice of faith. It's not the case in authoritarian governments that elevate an individual leader or a political party above the people, or in some cases, above the concept of God Himself. So the freedom of religion is a value we will continue to protect here at home and stand up for around the world, and is one that we guard vigilantly here in the United States.
Last year, we joined together to pray for the release of Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, held in North Korea for two years. And today, we give thanks that Kenneth is finally back where he belongs -- home, with his family. (Applause.)
Last year, we prayed together for Pastor Saeed Abedini, detained in Iran since 2012. And I was recently in Boise, Idaho, and had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Abedini’s beautiful wife and wonderful children and to convey to them that our country has not forgotten brother Saeed and that we’re doing everything we can to bring him home. (Applause.) And then, I received an extraordinary letter from Pastor Abedini. And in it, he describes his captivity, and expressed his gratitude for my visit with his family, and thanked us all for standing in solidarity with him during his captivity.
And Pastor Abedini wrote, “Nothing is more valuable to the Body of Christ than to see how the Lord is in control, and moves ahead of countries and leadership through united prayer.” And he closed his letter by describing himself as “prisoner for Christ, who is proud to be part of this great nation of the United States of America that cares for religious freedom around the world.” (Applause.)
We’re going to keep up this work -- for Pastor Abedini and all those around the world who are unjustly held or persecuted because of their faith. And we’re grateful to our new Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rabbi David Saperstein -- who has hit the ground running, and is heading to Iraq in a few days to help religious communities there address some of those challenges. Where’s David? I know he’s here somewhere. Thank you, David, for the great work you’re doing. (Applause.)
Humility; a suspicion of government getting between us and our faiths, or trying to dictate our faiths, or elevate one faith over another. And, finally, let’s remember that if there is one law that we can all be most certain of that seems to bind people of all faiths, and people who are still finding their way towards faith but have a sense of ethics and morality in them -- that one law, that Golden Rule that we should treat one another as we wish to be treated. The Torah says “Love thy neighbor as yourself.” In Islam, there is a Hadith that states: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” The Holy Bible tells us to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Put on love.
Whatever our beliefs, whatever our traditions, we must seek to be instruments of peace, and bringing light where there is darkness, and sowing love where there is hatred. And this is the loving message of His Holiness, Pope Francis. And like so many people around the world, I’ve been touched by his call to relieve suffering, and to show justice and mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable; to walk with The Lord and ask “Who am I to judge?” He challenges us to press on in what he calls our “march of living hope.” And like millions of Americans, I am very much looking forward to welcoming Pope Francis to the United States later this year. (Applause.)
His Holiness expresses that basic law: Treat thy neighbor as yourself. The Dalai Lama -- anybody who’s had an opportunity to be with him senses that same spirit. Kent Brantly expresses that same spirit. Kent was with Samaritan’s Purse, treating Ebola patients in Liberia, when he contracted the virus himself. And with world-class medical care and a deep reliance on faith -- with God’s help, Kent survived. (Applause.)
And then by donating his plasma, he helped others survive as well. And he continues to advocate for a global response in West Africa, reminding us that “our efforts needs to be on loving the people there.” And I could not have been prouder to welcome Kent and his wonderful wife Amber to the Oval Office. We are blessed to have him here today -- because he reminds us of what it means to really “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Not just words, but deeds.
Each of us has a role in fulfilling our common, greater purpose -- not merely to seek high position, but to plumb greater depths so that we may find the strength to love more fully. And this is perhaps our greatest challenge -- to see our own reflection in each other; to be our brother’s keepers and sister’s keepers, and to keep faith with one another. As children of God, let’s make that our work, together.
As children of God, let’s work to end injustice -- injustice of poverty and hunger. No one should ever suffer from such want amidst such plenty. As children of God, let’s work to eliminate the scourge of homelessness, because, as Sister Mary says, “None of us are home until all of us are home.” None of us are home until all of us are home.
As children of God, let’s stand up for the dignity and value of every woman, and man, and child, because we are all equal in His eyes, and work to send the scourge and the sin of modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and “set the oppressed free.” (Applause.)
If we are properly humble, if we drop to our knees on occasion, we will acknowledge that we never fully know God’s purpose. We can never fully fathom His amazing grace. “We see through a glass, darkly” -- grappling with the expanse of His awesome love. But even with our limits, we can heed that which is required: To do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
I pray that we will. And as we journey together on this “march of living hope,” I pray that, in His name, we will run and not be weary, and walk and not be faint, and we’ll heed those words and “put on love.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He bless this precious country that we love.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
Here are the remarks:
Remarks by the President at National Prayer Breakfast
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
9:13 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Well, good morning. Giving all praise and honor to God. It is wonderful to be back with you here. I want to thank our co-chairs, Bob and Roger. These two don’t always agree in the Senate, but in coming together and uniting us all in prayer, they embody the spirit of our gathering today.
I also want to thank everybody who helped organize this breakfast. It’s wonderful to see so many friends and faith leaders and dignitaries. And Michelle and I are truly honored to be joining you here today.
I want to offer a special welcome to a good friend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama -- who is a powerful example of what it means to practice compassion, who inspires us to speak up for the freedom and dignity of all human beings. (Applause.) I’ve been pleased to welcome him to the White House on many occasions, and we’re grateful that he’s able to join us here today. (Applause.)
There aren’t that many occasions that bring His Holiness under the same roof as NASCAR. (Laughter.) This may be the first. (Laughter.) But God works in mysterious ways. (Laughter.) And so I want to thank Darrell for that wonderful presentation. Darrell knows that when you’re going 200 miles an hour, a little prayer cannot hurt. (Laughter.) I suspect that more than once, Darrell has had the same thought as many of us have in our own lives -- Jesus, take the wheel. (Laughter.) Although I hope that you kept your hands on the wheel when you were thinking that. (Laughter.)
He and I obviously share something in having married up. And we are so grateful to Stevie for the incredible work that they’ve done together to build a ministry where the fastest drivers can slow down a little bit, and spend some time in prayer and reflection and thanks. And we certainly want to wish Darrell a happy birthday. (Applause.) Happy birthday.
I will note, though, Darrell, when you were reading that list of things folks were saying about you, I was thinking, well, you're a piker. I mean, that -- (laughter.) I mean, if you really want a list, come talk to me. (Laughter.) Because that ain’t nothing. (Laughter.) That's the best they can do in NASCAR? (Laughter.)
Slowing down and pausing for fellowship and prayer -- that's what this breakfast is about. I think it's fair to say Washington moves a lot slower than NASCAR. Certainly my agenda does sometimes. (Laughter.) But still, it’s easier to get caught up in the rush of our lives, and in the political back-and-forth that can take over this city. We get sidetracked with distractions, large and small. We can’t go 10 minutes without checking our smartphones -- and for my staff, that's every 10 seconds. And so for 63 years, this prayer tradition has brought us together, giving us the opportunity to come together in humility before the Almighty and to be reminded of what it is that we share as children of God.
And certainly for me, this is always a chance to reflect on my own faith journey. Many times as President, I’ve been reminded of a line of prayer that Eleanor Roosevelt was fond of. She said, “Keep us at tasks too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength.” Keep us at tasks too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength. I’ve wondered at times if maybe God was answering that prayer a little too literally. But no matter the challenge, He has been there for all of us. He’s certainly strengthened me “with the power through his Spirit,” as I’ve sought His guidance not just in my own life but in the life of our nation.
Now, over the last few months, we’ve seen a number of challenges -- certainly over the last six years. But part of what I want to touch on today is the degree to which we've seen professions of faith used both as an instrument of great good, but also twisted and misused in the name of evil.
As we speak, around the world, we see faith inspiring people to lift up one another -- to feed the hungry and care for the poor, and comfort the afflicted and make peace where there is strife. We heard the good work that Sister has done in Philadelphia, and the incredible work that Dr. Brantly and his colleagues have done. We see faith driving us to do right.
But we also see faith being twisted and distorted, used as a wedge -- or, worse, sometimes used as a weapon. From a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris, we have seen violence and terror perpetrated by those who profess to stand up for faith, their faith, professed to stand up for Islam, but, in fact, are betraying it. We see ISIL, a brutal, vicious death cult that, in the name of religion, carries out unspeakable acts of barbarism -- terrorizing religious minorities like the Yezidis, subjecting women to rape as a weapon of war, and claiming the mantle of religious authority for such actions.
We see sectarian war in Syria, the murder of Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, religious war in the Central African Republic, a rising tide of anti-Semitism and hate crimes in Europe, so often perpetrated in the name of religion.
So how do we, as people of faith, reconcile these realities -- the profound good, the strength, the tenacity, the compassion and love that can flow from all of our faiths, operating alongside those who seek to hijack religious for their own murderous ends?
Humanity has been grappling with these questions throughout human history. And lest we get on our high horse and think this is unique to some other place, remember that during the Crusades and the Inquisition, people committed terrible deeds in the name of Christ. In our home country, slavery and Jim Crow all too often was justified in the name of Christ. Michelle and I returned from India -- an incredible, beautiful country, full of magnificent diversity -- but a place where, in past years, religious faiths of all types have, on occasion, been targeted by other peoples of faith, simply due to their heritage and their beliefs -- acts of intolerance that would have shocked Gandhiji, the person who helped to liberate that nation.
So this is not unique to one group or one religion. There is a tendency in us, a sinful tendency that can pervert and distort our faith. In today’s world, when hate groups have their own Twitter accounts and bigotry can fester in hidden places in cyberspace, it can be even harder to counteract such intolerance. But God compels us to try. And in this mission, I believe there are a few principles that can guide us, particularly those of us who profess to believe.
And, first, we should start with some basic humility. I believe that the starting point of faith is some doubt -- not being so full of yourself and so confident that you are right and that God speaks only to us, and doesn’t speak to others, that God only cares about us and doesn’t care about others, that somehow we alone are in possession of the truth.
Our job is not to ask that God respond to our notion of truth -- our job is to be true to Him, His word, and His commandments. And we should assume humbly that we’re confused and don’t always know what we’re doing and we’re staggering and stumbling towards Him, and have some humility in that process. And that means we have to speak up against those who would misuse His name to justify oppression, or violence, or hatred with that fierce certainty. No God condones terror. No grievance justifies the taking of innocent lives, or the oppression of those who are weaker or fewer in number.
And so, as people of faith, we are summoned to push back against those who try to distort our religion -- any religion -- for their own nihilistic ends. And here at home and around the world, we will constantly reaffirm that fundamental freedom -- freedom of religion -- the right to practice our faith how we choose, to change our faith if we choose, to practice no faith at all if we choose, and to do so free of persecution and fear and discrimination.
There’s wisdom in our founders writing in those documents that help found this nation the notion of freedom of religion, because they understood the need for humility. They also understood the need to uphold freedom of speech, that there was a connection between freedom of speech and freedom of religion. For to infringe on one right under the pretext of protecting another is a betrayal of both.
But part of humility is also recognizing in modern, complicated, diverse societies, the functioning of these rights, the concern for the protection of these rights calls for each of us to exercise civility and restraint and judgment. And if, in fact, we defend the legal right of a person to insult another’s religion, we’re equally obligated to use our free speech to condemn such insults -- (applause) -- and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with religious communities, particularly religious minorities who are the targets of such attacks. Just because you have the right to say something doesn’t mean the rest of us shouldn’t question those who would insult others in the name of free speech. Because we know that our nations are stronger when people of all faiths feel that they are welcome, that they, too, are full and equal members of our countries.
So humility I think is needed. And the second thing we need is to uphold the distinction between our faith and our governments. Between church and between state. The United States is one of the most religious countries in the world -- far more religious than most Western developed countries. And one of the reasons is that our founders wisely embraced the separation of church and state. Our government does not sponsor a religion, nor does it pressure anyone to practice a particular faith, or any faith at all. And the result is a culture where people of all backgrounds and beliefs can freely and proudly worship, without fear, or coercion -- so that when you listen to Darrell talk about his faith journey you know it's real. You know he’s not saying it because it helps him advance, or because somebody told him to. It's from the heart.
That’s not the case in theocracies that restrict people’s choice of faith. It's not the case in authoritarian governments that elevate an individual leader or a political party above the people, or in some cases, above the concept of God Himself. So the freedom of religion is a value we will continue to protect here at home and stand up for around the world, and is one that we guard vigilantly here in the United States.
Last year, we joined together to pray for the release of Christian missionary Kenneth Bae, held in North Korea for two years. And today, we give thanks that Kenneth is finally back where he belongs -- home, with his family. (Applause.)
Last year, we prayed together for Pastor Saeed Abedini, detained in Iran since 2012. And I was recently in Boise, Idaho, and had the opportunity to meet with Pastor Abedini’s beautiful wife and wonderful children and to convey to them that our country has not forgotten brother Saeed and that we’re doing everything we can to bring him home. (Applause.) And then, I received an extraordinary letter from Pastor Abedini. And in it, he describes his captivity, and expressed his gratitude for my visit with his family, and thanked us all for standing in solidarity with him during his captivity.
And Pastor Abedini wrote, “Nothing is more valuable to the Body of Christ than to see how the Lord is in control, and moves ahead of countries and leadership through united prayer.” And he closed his letter by describing himself as “prisoner for Christ, who is proud to be part of this great nation of the United States of America that cares for religious freedom around the world.” (Applause.)
We’re going to keep up this work -- for Pastor Abedini and all those around the world who are unjustly held or persecuted because of their faith. And we’re grateful to our new Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rabbi David Saperstein -- who has hit the ground running, and is heading to Iraq in a few days to help religious communities there address some of those challenges. Where’s David? I know he’s here somewhere. Thank you, David, for the great work you’re doing. (Applause.)
Humility; a suspicion of government getting between us and our faiths, or trying to dictate our faiths, or elevate one faith over another. And, finally, let’s remember that if there is one law that we can all be most certain of that seems to bind people of all faiths, and people who are still finding their way towards faith but have a sense of ethics and morality in them -- that one law, that Golden Rule that we should treat one another as we wish to be treated. The Torah says “Love thy neighbor as yourself.” In Islam, there is a Hadith that states: "None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.” The Holy Bible tells us to “put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Put on love.
Whatever our beliefs, whatever our traditions, we must seek to be instruments of peace, and bringing light where there is darkness, and sowing love where there is hatred. And this is the loving message of His Holiness, Pope Francis. And like so many people around the world, I’ve been touched by his call to relieve suffering, and to show justice and mercy and compassion to the most vulnerable; to walk with The Lord and ask “Who am I to judge?” He challenges us to press on in what he calls our “march of living hope.” And like millions of Americans, I am very much looking forward to welcoming Pope Francis to the United States later this year. (Applause.)
His Holiness expresses that basic law: Treat thy neighbor as yourself. The Dalai Lama -- anybody who’s had an opportunity to be with him senses that same spirit. Kent Brantly expresses that same spirit. Kent was with Samaritan’s Purse, treating Ebola patients in Liberia, when he contracted the virus himself. And with world-class medical care and a deep reliance on faith -- with God’s help, Kent survived. (Applause.)
And then by donating his plasma, he helped others survive as well. And he continues to advocate for a global response in West Africa, reminding us that “our efforts needs to be on loving the people there.” And I could not have been prouder to welcome Kent and his wonderful wife Amber to the Oval Office. We are blessed to have him here today -- because he reminds us of what it means to really “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Not just words, but deeds.
Each of us has a role in fulfilling our common, greater purpose -- not merely to seek high position, but to plumb greater depths so that we may find the strength to love more fully. And this is perhaps our greatest challenge -- to see our own reflection in each other; to be our brother’s keepers and sister’s keepers, and to keep faith with one another. As children of God, let’s make that our work, together.
As children of God, let’s work to end injustice -- injustice of poverty and hunger. No one should ever suffer from such want amidst such plenty. As children of God, let’s work to eliminate the scourge of homelessness, because, as Sister Mary says, “None of us are home until all of us are home.” None of us are home until all of us are home.
As children of God, let’s stand up for the dignity and value of every woman, and man, and child, because we are all equal in His eyes, and work to send the scourge and the sin of modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and “set the oppressed free.” (Applause.)
If we are properly humble, if we drop to our knees on occasion, we will acknowledge that we never fully know God’s purpose. We can never fully fathom His amazing grace. “We see through a glass, darkly” -- grappling with the expanse of His awesome love. But even with our limits, we can heed that which is required: To do justice, and love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.
I pray that we will. And as we journey together on this “march of living hope,” I pray that, in His name, we will run and not be weary, and walk and not be faint, and we’ll heed those words and “put on love.”
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may He bless this precious country that we love.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
And so this week in Wingnutlandia, the Republicans voted for the 56th time to repeal Obamacare. But for the very first time they actually offered up their own alternative solution to all of our health care problems....apparently all we need to do is stop vaccinating children and washing our hands.
Who knew??
Who knew??
Marching To The Middle Ages
A Republican (who else?) senator. Of course it is.
GOP senator: Let restaurants ‘opt out’ of handwashing after toilet to ‘reduce regulatory burden’
GOP senator: Let restaurants ‘opt out’ of handwashing after toilet to ‘reduce regulatory burden’
The STUPIDITY is here.
Because "regulatory burden" is soo much worse than sickness, death, grossly polluted drinking water, rotten food, dangerous working conditions, deadly cars, etc. etc. Regulations come into being because of bad behavior by people or because of dangerous conditions that could be prevented but haven't been.
Because "regulatory burden" is soo much worse than sickness, death, grossly polluted drinking water, rotten food, dangerous working conditions, deadly cars, etc. etc. Regulations come into being because of bad behavior by people or because of dangerous conditions that could be prevented but haven't been.
But, by all means FREEDUMB! The FREEDUMB to die early because of someone else's selfishness or ignorance is enshrined in the Constitution. Really? Well, I happen to believe most "regulatory burden" exists to ensure that right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that is an actual Constitutional right. But that's just silly ole me, I guess.
The Daily Banter noted this:
That wasn’t the truly dumb part of Tillis’ idea.
“I said: ‘I don’t have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says “We don’t require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom,” Tillis said.
So, businesses can opt out of the law, but they’re forced by law to put up a sign that says they opted out. Hmm. Okay. In other words, Tillis is trading one regulation for another regulation, only his regulation doesn’t necessarily help anyone. Given the choice between the pair of regulations, since Tillis’ idea creates a new regulation, which would you prefer? Any sane human would take the first one, of course. It takes a special kind of stupid to believe that upon arriving at a restaurant every customer goes to the bathroom to check the hand-washing policy. It seems as if the only people who would know about the opt-out decision would be those who make a b-line for the crapper before sitting down to eat. Everyone else would have to roll the dice on how the staff washed up.
The Daily Banter noted this:
That wasn’t the truly dumb part of Tillis’ idea.
“I said: ‘I don’t have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says “We don’t require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom,” Tillis said.
So, businesses can opt out of the law, but they’re forced by law to put up a sign that says they opted out. Hmm. Okay. In other words, Tillis is trading one regulation for another regulation, only his regulation doesn’t necessarily help anyone. Given the choice between the pair of regulations, since Tillis’ idea creates a new regulation, which would you prefer? Any sane human would take the first one, of course. It takes a special kind of stupid to believe that upon arriving at a restaurant every customer goes to the bathroom to check the hand-washing policy. It seems as if the only people who would know about the opt-out decision would be those who make a b-line for the crapper before sitting down to eat. Everyone else would have to roll the dice on how the staff washed up.
So, Are We Gonna Do Anything About This Or Not?
At last month’s confab of multi-millionaires and billionaires in Davos, billionaire Jeff Greene said the “lifestyle expectations” of average Americans have climbed “far too high and need to be adjusted so we have less things and a smaller, better existence.” Greene owns three mansions in Los Angeles, two more in Palm Beach and the Hamptons, and a 145-foot party yacht.
The ultra-rich say the reason American wages aren't rising is average Americans have priced themselves out of the global labor market and must either content themselves with lower wages or fewer jobs. This view ignores the fact that the U.S. economy is more than twice the size it was thirty years ago, while the median wage is about the same as it was then, adjusted for inflation. All the gains have gone to people like Jeff Greene. The middle classes of other advanced nations, such as Germany, have done far better, while their richest 1 percent rake in a much smaller share of their total economy.
Rather than average Americans living beyond their means, the truth is average Americans are living well below the means the U.S. economy could otherwise provide, if the wealthy didn’t take such a large portion of the gains and have such a strangle hold on the levers of political power.
The ultra-rich say the reason American wages aren't rising is average Americans have priced themselves out of the global labor market and must either content themselves with lower wages or fewer jobs. This view ignores the fact that the U.S. economy is more than twice the size it was thirty years ago, while the median wage is about the same as it was then, adjusted for inflation. All the gains have gone to people like Jeff Greene. The middle classes of other advanced nations, such as Germany, have done far better, while their richest 1 percent rake in a much smaller share of their total economy.
Rather than average Americans living beyond their means, the truth is average Americans are living well below the means the U.S. economy could otherwise provide, if the wealthy didn’t take such a large portion of the gains and have such a strangle hold on the levers of political power.
Monday, February 2, 2015
The Common Core Debate Continues
Common Core was
developed by a task force composed of commissioners of education,
governors, corporate chief executive officers and recognized experts
in higher education. It has been met with acceptance by various
groups and derision by others.
Senator Rand Paul
says Common Core contains anti-American history, but the only history
requirement is an understanding of the Declaration of Independence,
the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln’s
second inaugural address.
In addition to Mr.
Paul, opponents include The John Birch Society, a group best known
for claiming that President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a communist
agent, which describes the standards as a “fiendish” plot by
“globalists” to turn American children into “green global
serfs” who are “ready for the coming ‘green’ and
‘sustainable’ world order.” The ultraconservative Eagle
Forum claims the “ultimate goal” of the Common Core is to set up
“internment or re-education camps.” Glenn Beck calls Common Core
“communism”. Alabama Tea Party activist Terry Bratton claimed
that the Common Core will teach young children that “homosexuality
is OK and should be experienced at an early age and that same-sex
marriages are OK.” dailyrollcall.com calls Common Core a Muslim
conspiracy to take over the US and spread sharia law here. Rick
Santorum says, “We need less common core and more common sense.”
The above companies and groups signed the following statement:
As companies and business organizations, we believe that it is imperative that ALL American
students have access to an education that will prepare them for the opportunities and challenges
they will face after high school. In a competitive world economy where education and/or training
after high school is increasingly the norm for access to good jobs, to prepare students for anything
less is, by definition, to deny opportunity.
Unfortunately, today, too few high school students graduate and, among those who do, too few
graduate well-prepared for life after high school. In order to prepare today’s students for the
challenging world they will encounter, it is critical that we set the right expectations. For this
reason, we believe states need to have K-12 standards that will prepare all students by the end of
high school for success in college and careers.
Currently, each state sets its own standards. This has led to a nation with 50 sets of inconsistent
standards, even though the expectations of colleges and employers in math and English are nearly
universal and are not bound by state lines.
We believe that the Common Core State Standards Initiative, led by the National Governors
Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers, has produced K-12
standards in the foundational subject s of math and English that meet the business community’s
expectations: they are college- and career-ready, grounded in evidence and internationally benchmarked.
We, the undersigned companies and organizations, support the adoption of the
Common Core State Standards by the states.
The Common Core State Standards are an important opportunity to set consistent, focused, rigorous
expectations for all students; a necessary foundation for making the changes needed to improve
student achievement and ensure the United States’ educational and economic preeminence.
The US Army supports Common Core:
U.S. Army Accessions Command Supports Common Core Standards
Education Reform
Effort
Fort Monroe, VA — The United States Army Accessions Command (USAAC) commends the
leadership of 48 states, the District of Columbia and two territories in committing to a process to
adopt common high academic standards in mathematics and English language arts for our
Nation’s public school students. The development of these common standards will not only
benefit the thousands of military dependent students whose frequent moves are often at odds
with local standards, but this reform will also allow a national debate on realigning state K-12
education policies and practices, a benefit to all.
“Like the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children that provides
common guidelines for states to follow in handling issues that impact children of military
families as they transition between schools,” the rigor of the proposed academic Common Core
Standards will be a benefit to military dependent students everywhere,” said USAAC
Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley. “Moreover, I fully agree with Secretary
of Education Duncan when he says there is no more important work than preparing our students
to succeed in the global economy. Our national security as well as our national economy hinge
upon education and our ability to adapt to global changes. National standards will raise the bar in
education and, ultimately, serve our Nation by producing high school graduates fully prepared
for higher education, the military, or the workforce.”
###
U.S. Army Accessions Command is responsible for enlisted and officer accessions into the
United States Army and has executive oversight of the Military Entrance Processing Stations
across the Nation. Accession standards are high and completion of high school education is
critical to entering the United States Army, whether officer or enlisted. For more information,
see www.goarmy.com.
Supporters include:
- Achieve
- ACT, Inc.
- Alliance for Excellent Education
- American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
- American Council on Education
- American Statistical Association
- ASCD
- Bill Schmidt, University Distinguished Professor of statistics and education at Michigan State University
- Business Endorsement Letter
- The Business-Higher Education Forum
- The College Board
- Coalition for a College and Career Ready America (CCCRA)
- Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE)
- Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
- Council of the Great City Schools
- Hunt Institute
- Joint statement by: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM), the Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics (ASSM), and the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE)
- Military Child Education Coalition
- National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
- National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE)
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
- National Education Association (NEA)
- National Higher Education Organizations
- National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
- National School Boards Association (NSBA)
- Partnership for 21st Century Skills
- Presentation by Dr. Hung-Hsi Wu
- State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO)
That sounds like good advice, and it comes from a conservative.
It is quite possible that standards might need some tweeking, that deadlines might need to be extended, and that some changes in teaching methods might need to be implemented. But, it is vital that our youth be prepared for a scientific world. Other nations are leaving the USA in the dust educationally-speaking. It is only a matter of time until this situation leads to economic dominance of other nations over the USA.
Monday, January 26, 2015
"Netanyahu is using the Republican Congress for a photo-op for his election campaign and the Republicans are using Bibi for their campaign against Obama... Unfortunately, the U.S. relationship will take the hit. It would be far wise for us to stay out of their politics and for them to stay out of ours."
Shepard Smith, quoting former Ambassador to Israel and political commentator Martin Indyk
Here.
Shepard Smith, quoting former Ambassador to Israel and political commentator Martin Indyk
Here.
High Schoolers Recognize Fox "News" For What It Is, Why Can't You?
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/01/high-schoolers-destroy-fox-news/
Friday, January 23, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
#Krugman on how reality keeps disproving conservative theories, so conservatives just keep denying reality.
It’s now official: 2014 was the warmest year on record. You might expect this to be a politically important milestone. After all, climate change deniers have long used the blip of 1998 — an unusually hot year, mainly due to an upwelling of warm water in the Pacific — to claim that the planet has stopped warming. This claim involves a complete misunderstanding of how one goes about identifying underlying trends. (Hint: Don’t cherry-pick your observations.) But now even that bogus argument has collapsed. So will the deniers now concede that climate change is real?
Of course not. Evidence doesn’t matter for the “debate” over climate policy, where I put scare quotes around “debate” because, given the obvious irrelevance of logic and evidence, it’s not really a debate in any normal sense. And this situation is by no means unique. Indeed, at this point it’s hard to think of a major policy dispute where facts actually do matter; it’s unshakable dogma, across the board. And the real question is why.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Michelle Bachmann Takes Credit For Cheap Gas!
After Fox News blamed O'Bama for high gas prices, then saying O'Bama had nothing to do with lower gas prices, we now have the hilarity of Michelle Bachmann (R-Idiot) taking credit for low gas prices on the Twitters.
Of course, just as O'Bama wasn't responsible for previous high gas prices, no politician is responsible for our current lower gas prices. It's all supply/demand/Saudi Arabia flooding the market with oil. But, of course, Republican politicians are always good for a laugh anyway!
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