Just mentioned this link to a friend of mine… I’ve always thought of MSNBC as a liberal news source. So you know Obama’s popularity is declining when it gets to the point where even MSNBC can no longer ignore it. Here’s the article.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34941329/ns/politics-white_house/
P.S. I’m still going to elaborate on my comments about how far America has strayed from it’s roots, so keep your eye-balls peeled! 
… on waiting until I had an extremely thought-provoking response to the heresy that all non-Jewish governments are also bound by the laws that were handed down to Israel by Moses in the dessert. And if there weren’t enough prepositions in there for ya’, I don’t know what to tell ya’…
Anyways, the contents of my file:
Deut. 12:32 – “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” is often quoted as an argument that we don’t have to follow any of the laws the government makes, as long as they don’t appear in the Bible. I have to say, this is a damnable perversion of scripture. It is, I suspect, intentionally taken out of context. A quick glance through Deut. 12 will reveal that these are laws that were specifically intended ONLY for the children of Israel while they were living in the promised land. The laws didn’t even go into effect for them, until AFTER they possessed their inheritance. (See v. 1, “which ye shall observe to do IN THE LAND…”, v. 10, v. 29. )
Also go back and read the whole of chapter 11, especially v. 8 and vs. 31-32. See also chapter 8, v. 1 and v. 11 – read the whole chapter and then answer this question: to whom did Moses give the commandments. And on what day? (Hint, part of the answer is in chapter 1:1). Also look at chapter 5:1.
Note that this is a continuous dialog. Moses starts his address to the children of Israel in Deut. 1:1 and ends it in Deut. 34:12. You can’t just pull 12:32 right out of the Bible and try to hit us over the head with it. You can’t separate that verse from all the verses that come before it, about how this was a legal code handed down specifically to the nation of Israel, one they were expected to follow once they entered the promised land.
Then there’s Deut. 4:2… which comes right after verse 1. Forget about verse 1. Don’t look at it, don’t think about it. Verse 2 isn’t for the children of Israel, it isn’t a laying down of the law for that particular nation at that particular time. No, that isn’t stated specifically in verse 1 or anything, really. But don’t look at verse 1 to find out whether I’m lying.
Also, the context isn’t further clarified in verse 5; verse 6 doesn’t make any distinction between the way the Israelites live and the way other nations live; and verses 7-8 don’t a rhetorical question which points out that NO OTHER NATION HAS STATUES AND JUDGMENTS LIKE THESE. No, the covenant that the Lord made with the children of Israel on that day (verse 13) was binding on all governments of all nations until the end of time. Also don’t bother to check verse 14 and find out, once again, why I can’t believe the covenant doctrine, or whatever it’s called, is anything but intentional deception.
Even those famous 10 commandments are for the children of Israel. Look at Deut. 6:1-3. I guess those who tell us we are expected to live and die by these 10 commandments, and that we are free to break the law with impunity if it doesn’t limit itself to them, are counting on the fact that most people just look at the commandments all by themselves, and don’t view them as a part of the whole chapter or the whole book, or the whole Bible.
So which parts do apply to me? Well, for starters, probably not the verses that come with an explicit explanation of exactly how and why they don’t apply to me. And for seconds, probably not the infamous verse about how Abraham took up the knife to slay Isaac his son. Boy wouldn’t I be confused, if I had to choose to believe that Isaac was my son, and that I was supposed to take up a knife and slay him? Or that I had already done so? I can’t even begin to fathom what sorts of things would follow from that; In fact, my perception of reality would end up so skewed that it would prevent me from functioning in society. I might even be called insane, because I chose to believe something the Bible clearly was not trying to teach.
This is where that saying, God gave you a brain, use it, comes into play. God doesn’t want us ripping random verses out of the scripture and perverting them to support our anti-social lifestyles. He wants us to compare the way we live to what we find in scripture, honestly. If it doesn’t mesh, then we ourselves, and not our subjective interpretations of scripture, should be adjustmented.
The reason we don’t do this is that we want to give up too early, blaming a faulty understanding of scripture for our own shortcomings, rather than going through the fire and allowing patience to have its perfect work.
But back to the question, which parts of scripture apply to me? Quick answer, Acts 15:1-29. Here the Holy Spirit explicitly states that non-Jews are not to be burdened with Levitican law.
“What then, shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” – Rom 6:1&2 I mean, I can hear you saying, “Abraham, all those laws have to be there for a reason. Surely you don’t mean to tell me there are huge sections of the Bible that aren’t applicable to modern-day Christians!?”
Of course not. The Bible is there, as it always has been, to convict us of sin. To reveal the nature of God in contrast with our own sinfulness. To help us grow in faith. I’ll direct you to I Pet. 2:1-3 and Galatians 5-6:1. Also to John 16:7-8. And Romans 7, particularly verse 7.
And finally, to Hebrews 8:10-13. If you need to be taught laws and codes of conduct in order to live right; if your conscience doesn’t tell you what is right and wrong; if it isn’t pricked when you are tempted to live in violation of the teachings of I Peter 2:12-20, (but esp. v. 16), and by the example of the Lord Himself in Matt. 17:24-27; if you can’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit leading you in the right way and convicting you of sin; if the law of love isn’t already written on your heart, then maybe it’s time to find out where you are before the Lord, and whether or not you may be in need of salvation from the death sentence that is found in the law.
If you tell a truly inconsiderate person that they’ve been rude, they will sincerely deny it. This is why we call them “inconsiderate”; they habitually fail to consider or even realize how their actions affect others.
If you respond rudely instead, then over time they will begin to recognize, either consciously or subconciously, the Pavlovian connection between their own inappropriate behavior and your negative response, and they might learn. If they catch on and say, “Why are you being rude? *I didn’t do anything [this time]*,” then you can respond with, “Well neither did I.” 
Justification: the truly inconsiderate do not have a respect for the social contract. They live by the “me first” code. Of course, this wouldn’t work if everyone tried it, but even though they’ve been told this, they stoically await tangible proof. Showing these folks what it would be like “if everybody did” provides them with the undeniable scientific proof they seek. (I was quickly cured of my inconsiderate, “me first” thinking by someone who rewarded me in kind of a minor rudeness. It was nothing nasty but I took the lesson to heart and it changed me permanently.) Also, you have no need to fear karma as long as you don’t go above and beyond what is called for, and as long as your rude behavior is calculated to do more good than harm. (Read carefully)
One final note of warning: if you do try to use this technique, have a strategy in place to avoid hours-long discussions about the minute difference between their rude behavior and your negative response, that one, all-important difference that makes their behavior completely acceptable and condemns yours.
If you are of a heavily liberal leaning inclination, you may be deeply offended by this post. You have been warned.
Now before you read this article, keep in mind two things.
#1. I strongly disagree with Megan’s position on abortion.
#2. There are two PG-rated words in the article. There are also some other issues with the article, so you may want to be careful about showing it to children. (The article is linked to, but not included, here).
There, it has been disclaimed:
http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/06/the_war_on_the_war_on_abortion.php
Having said all that, this is a fairly even-handed, open-minded treatment of the subject… quite a bit more thoughtful than something I would normally expect to come from this quarter. (I’m sorry for the horrible style… I am writing/riding on a lack of sleep.) And I find it very interesting that Megan, had she been pro-life, would have been less tolerant of Dr. Tiller than the professor (from my last post on this topic) would have been. In fact, she has such a good argument for Tiller’s demise that I am tempted to come over to her side.
However, I’m not the least bit tempted by this statement: “Moreover, I don’t think many other people believe [abortion is] murder, either, for all that they profess to. They mostly don’t, for example, want fourteen year old girls who have abortions hauled off to lengthy juvie terms.” Really? She knows what pro-lifers believe even better than they do? Let me tell you (since I am pro-life). No, I don’t want 14-year-old-girls being shipped off to juvenile hall for having abortions… I want them not to have the abortions in the first place. If juvenile hall serves as an adequate deterrent, then yes, send them! Because I do, in fact, consider abortion to be murder, and I would want anyone who committed that crime to be penalized for it.
Of course, you also have to ask yourself who should take the fall for this crime… the doctors, or their victims (the mothers who they deceive)? How easy would it be for abortion doctors to fool them into undertaking this horrific, traumatizing experience if the mothers knew someone who had received a murder penalty for getting an abortion?
Think about it.
heh, parental warning.
Donald Trump is a spineless pervert. I just wanted to say that.
Okay… I’m glad Prejean isn’t going to get kicked out of the Miss California contest for decrying homosexuality. She has a right to her opinion and frankly, she deserves a shot at miss America. Punishing someone for being honest about their beliefs is a criminal act.
However… she should have stopped there, because frankly, I don’t get it. “I don’t believe in homosexuality because I’m a Christian.” Really? Is that also why you pose for inappropriate photos?? So, would that be, um, the other part of your Christian testimony? I mean, if I’m mistaken here, would someone be kind enough to correct me?
This is not the kind of witness we need right now. “Yeah, we Christians are just as perverted as the rest of you… but at least we also know how to discriminate.” I know you Christians are thinking, “wait, no, that’s not it… um, you see…”
So for anyone who doesn’t already see through the double standard, okay? The Bible teaches 1) homosexuality is a sin, 2) so is posing for nude photos. There is no double standard in the Bible, just misguided Christians who find it easier and easier to see what’s wrong with everyone else, while they totally miss their own, um, faults… er…
I mean, uh…
Anyway, this whole thing is probably retaliatory libel, and I’d seriously like to hear from anyone who has more info in said vein.
I ran across the new Utada CD during amazon’s $5 album sale today, and I’m giving it a spin. The sound is pretty fresh, and she’s definitely gotten with the times as far as R&B goes, without losing her trademarked style and talent (those of you who’ve listened before know what i’m talking about – this is very hard to describe).
The new album shows talent and it really shows how she’s matured as an artist and a person. Unfortunately, she’s also matured in other ways – this is a nice way of saying that she’s gotten kind of jaded, and as a result she shows more of a willingness on this album to discuss “adult” themes. The other con – what I found was the English CD. Hopefully the Japanese version is floating around out there somewhere.
Scale of 1 to 5? I give this album a 5, just because of this girl’s incredible musical talent, and the fact that she manages to be real without sacrificing the old Utada “funk”.
Seriously, there is no excuse for this- it’s pure stupidity. Now, to be fair, these are just the lyrics; on the actual recording, he does a fairly good impression of each of these characters. But it must take an incredible amount of “spiritual salesmanship” and shameless hypocrisy to try and turn this into some kind of inspiring Christian message. Not to mention the amount of ammunition it gives to Christian-haters and the anti-rock crowd. Does he really think his Christian fans are so rigid and shallow, that fun makes us feel guilty unless it’s the most religious and spiritual kind?
Anyway, here are the lyrics:
I was thinkin’ the other day,
“What if cartoons got saved?
They’d start singing praise
In a whole new way…”
Yeah, I was thinkin’ the other day,
“What if cartoons got saved?
They’d start singing praise
In a whole new way…”
Fred and Wilma Flintstone
Sing “Yabba-dabba-do-lu-yah”
Scooby-doo and Shaggy:
“Scooby-dooby-doo-loo-yah”
And the Jetsons’ dog named Astro:
“Rough-ray-roo-loo-yah”
(repeat chorus)
Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles:
“Cowabunga-loo-yah, Dude!”
Then there’s, “Kermit the Frog here, singing,
High-ho-le-loo-yah”
And that little bald guy, Elmer Fudd:
“How-ay-woo-yah”
(repeat chorus)
Oh that big old moose and his friend Rocky,
“Bullwinkle-loo-yah”
And our favourite bear named Yogi,
“Hey, Boo-Boo-loo-ya”
Then there’s all those little blue guys
And they’d sing, “Hah-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lay-loo-yah”
How about Beavis and that other guy?
“Nah!!”
Now, there’s a point to this looney-tune
I’m not an Anamaniac
But there’s a lot of praisin’ to do
And cartoons weren’t made for that
It’s our job
So, let’s sing hallelujah
“Remember, my son, there is no city in the world where they have a statue of a critic.” This was supposedly said to a famous composer by his father. However, he was wrong. I was able to find the severed head of Bion the Borysthenite, a Roman cynic philosopher, which is now in a museum, but which used to be part of an entire statue.
… you don’t know the difference between football and soccer.
… you remember the Three Stooges, but you don’t remember Saturday Night Live.
… you’re very good at dribbling, but you think it has nothing to do with basketball.
… you think honest Abe was actually honest.
… you can spin wool but you can’t spin yarns.
… you don’t believe in the “separation of church and state” clause.
… you can draw down on a deer and draw up a bath, but you can’t draw a good hand.
… some of your classmates are also your best friends.
… when you travel, your parents request a motel room with no television.
… you think TV is the just a top-level domain for the island nation of Tuvalu.
… you think TV stands for teravolt.
… you go off on someone for a “your mama” joke.
… you think Soda is a modern way of saying that something is stupid. As in, “That is, like, sooo duh.”
… you can tell what country a person is from by which language they are speaking.
… you think the purpose of the Emancipation Proclamation was to free the slaves.
… you think Columbus discovered America.
… you think learning is a hobby.
… you can chop wood, but you can’t chop sticks.
… you have raised 3 children by the age of 10.
… you think America is a country.
… people keep asking you how you managed to get into college, but everyone assumes you are good at math.
… you hang out at Walmart.
… you don’t believe in globalization, but you’ve lived in a foreign country.
… you think George Washington and Benjamin Franklin are burning in hell.
… you’ve ever voted for someone who wasn’t on the ballot.
… you knew how to drive by age 12.
… you want to change the world but you’ve never changed a tire.
… the first thing you think of when you hear the name “Freddy” isn’t a demonic serial killer who eviscerates teen-age girls in their sleep.
… you couldn’t stop laughing at the movie “40-year-old Virgin”… because it was so unrealistic.
… you can explain the chemical compounds in various liquors and their effects on the body, but you don’t know what they taste like.
… stupid people don’t just annoy you… they scare you.
… you can build a house but you can’t build rapport.
… you are the only one in the room who laughs at this joke.
… you think Neo from the Matrix was an archetype of Jesus Christ.
… you’ve never been to jail.
… you know how to milk a goat, but you don’t know how to open one of those milk boxes they give you in the school cafeteria.
… you can think of at least 10 different uses for eccinachea.
… you know the difference between global warming and “catastrophic” global warming, and think the latter is an abstract theory that is still open for debate.
… you think “family planning” means saving up for a 15-passenger van.
… you can grow your own food, but you don’t know how to use a microwave.
… you think of evolution as a “very plausible theory.”
… you have never heard of Bart Simpson. (note: all of these jokes were written by a home-schooler.)
… you’ve never seen “Jurassic Park”… but you loved the book.
… you think Marilyn Manson is a woman.
… the other kids have finally stopped trying to beat you up.
… you discuss marriage, directly or indirectly, on your first date.
… you can name at least 4 US presidents.
… you know the difference between the Communist and Socialist platforms, but you can’t tell the difference between the Socialist and Democratic platforms.
… some of your best friends are Libertarians.
… none of your best friends are within 10 years of your age.
… you’ve made your first million by the age of 40.
… you buy American cars because you think they are more fuel efficient.
… you felt guilty when you moved out of your parents’ house.
… your weekly grocery bill is around $10,000.
… people keep asking you what your mom does for a living.
… people think your parents are rich, eccentric geniuses.
… you invented at least 3 instant messenger abbreviations that are now in common use. (mine: TTYL, thx, cya, AYK)
… you were visitor number 127 on yahoo.com, back when they had a hit counter… and when you reloaded the page a few seconds later, you were visitor number 128.
… you are are keeping your eyes open for a fashion catalog that explains “missionary style.”
… when someone asks you to come up with three words that start with “beer,” you think of “berate,” “berieve,” and “beurocrat.” The actual word “beer” never enters your mind.
… you think a whiskey is a special kind of broom.
… your sister wears jeans in front of your parents, just for the shock value.
… your brother drops the names of TV shows like “Hannah Montanna” and “Power Rangers” in front of your parents, just for the shock value.
… your cousin celebrates Christmas, just for the shock value.
… someone you know comes to church with spiked hair, just for the shock value.
… you listen to Sandy Patty, just to annoy your parents.
… you still think communism is a Bad Idea.
… you throw away recyclable garbage to help the environment.
… you think deforestation helps the environment.
… you don’t believe that there are holes in the ozone layer.
… you think overpopulation is a categorical impossibilty.
… one of your friends from church joins the military, just for the shock value.
… some of your college professors feel intimidated by your range of knowledge on the subject.
… you know someone who has been to jail for “political crimes.”
… you think everyone should have at least one good conspiracy theory.
… you know the girl who holds the record for the highest SAT score in US history.
… your IQ is higher than her SAT score.
… your liberal friends think you are too conservative.
… your conservative friends think you are too liberal.
… you don’t care.
… you miss Pavaratti.
… you miss K-mart.
… you miss the Cold War.
… you miss your dial-up modem.
… you think Mr. Rogers was on crack.
… you miss Windows 95.
… you hate cos-play, …
… but you tried it anyway.
… you think Africa isn’t a country.
… you won’t buy a cell phone because you’re afraid of “crossing over.”
… you think “social programming” must be a frightening new method for software design.
… your parents didn’t let you watch the Discovery Channel.
… you think Tiger Woods is a national park.
… you make fun of people’s stereo-types about home-school.
And finally, you know you absolutely, positively were NOT homeschooled, if…
… you think any of these things are even remotely true.
–You’ll notice I’ve crossed out the ones that are potentially offensive; if you want to see them anyway, go to www.teknohazard.com/blog–