This is from the Heritage Foundation. I wrote a paper on Obamacare (actually, it was in reference to Michael Moore's "Sicko") to expose how bad it will be for America. Well, here's an article written by a group who has been studying Obamacare. Don't say I didn't warn you. As usual, I'll make my own comments in bold red.
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Obamacare includes such a variety and volume of negative policies that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Here is a list of 10 terrible provisions that every American should be aware of:
1. It increases taxes on families earning over $250,000.
In 2013, the employee portion of the Medicare payroll tax will increase from 1.45 percent to 2.35 percent for families earning $250,000 or more and individuals earning $200,000 or more. The income threshold is not indexed for inflation, so more and more middle-income families will be hit by the tax hike as time goes on. And this goes hand in hand with my questing of how Obamacare will be paid for. Nothing provided by man is free. SOMEONE has to pay and it's going to end up being those of us who actual pay taxes.
2. It adds a new tax to investment income.
The increased payroll tax rate is also applied to high-earners’ investment income for the first time beginning in 2013. It will hit capital gains, dividends, rents, and royalties, discouraging investment and harming economic growth. Once again.... Tax the "evil" rich. I wonder if Obama supporters have noticed that Obama is rich. Does the fact that he's rich make him evil too?
3. It puts new limitations on those with HSAs and FSAs.
Starting in 2012, Obamacare restricts the products that consumers may purchase with a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA)—such as over-the-counter medications—and increases the penalty for such non-qualified uses of HSAs. It also limits the amount taxpayers may deposit into an FSA to $2,500 a year in 2013. Ok. So not only will you pay more taxes to cover Obamacare, but you're not going to be able to save as much to pay for your healthcare thus ensuring that you're going on Obamacare.
4. It adds a new tax on those who purchase medical devices.
In 2013, a 2.3 percent excise tax will be applied to medical devices, causing a $28.5 billion tax hike on medical device manufacturers. The industry will pay for this tax by reducing jobs and passing additional costs on to consumers. Are you getting this? I mean, all the extra taxes and all.
5. It penalizes marriage.
Obamacare creates new taxpayer-funded subsidies for the low and middle classes to purchase health coverage, but the structure of the subsidies allows two individuals to claim more in subsidies alone than if married. This discriminates against married couples and discourages marriage at almost all age and income levels. Figure. To me, it shows that Obama is anti-marrage.
6. It violates religious liberty.
The Department of Health and Human Services included the full range of contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs, among the women-specific preventive services that Obamacare requires insurers to include with no cost-sharing. This mandate violates Americans’ conscience rights and religious liberty. Its narrow exemption for religious employers will force many who find these products morally objectionable—including religious charities, hospitals, and schools—to pay for them. What really gets me with this one is that the state HATES when the Church tries to get involved in matters of the state, but the state is more than happy to involve itself in matters of the Church. Talk about a double standard!
7. It puts Medicare decisions in the hands of an unelected board.
The Independent Payment Advisory Board, a board of 15 unelected officials, will have the power to cut Medicare spending without congressional approval. These unaccountable government appointees will be able to restrict seniors’ access to providers, treatments, and services. This goes along with all the other Obama czars that are already in place. They answer to no one but Chairman Maobama only this board will answer to no one at all. And Obamacare supporters said there would be no "death pannels." Well... what do you call that?
8. It puts a premium tax on health insurers.
Obamacare adds a premium tax on health insurers that offer full coverage beginning in 2014. On average, the tax is expected to increase premiums by 1.9 percent to 2.3 percent in 2014 and between 2.8 percent and 3.7 percent by 2023. Combined with the other provisions in Obamacare, this tax will have a huge impact on the cost of premiums. MORE taxes??? SERIOUSLY????
9. It creates a new unsustainable entitlement program.
On top of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, Obamacare created a new long-term care entitlement called the CLASS program. It is actuarially unsound, unworkable, and unsustainable. As a result, the Administration has already put its implementation “on hold.” Yeah.... On hold until Obama is no longer President and doesn't have to worry about re-election. At any rate, no government controlled entitlement program is sustainable.
10. It puts over half of all Americans on a government program.
Because of Obamacare’s huge expansion of Medicaid and creation of taxpayer-funded subsidies to purchase health coverage, more than half of all Americans will be dependent on a government health care program (Medicare, Medicaid, or the government exchanges) by the end of this decade. And what worries me is that even those of us on Tricare will have to switch to Obamacare because Tricare coverage will cost too much even though Obama promised NOT to touch Tricare. Yeah... Right... This is the same Obama who said he didn't understand why military vets can't pay for their own healthcare, even the disabled ones.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
The Affirmative Action President by Matt Patterson
As liberal as the Washington Post usually is, here's a writer who finally calls it like it is. Look for some of my comments that I'm going to write in bold red.
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By Matt Patterson - Washington Post
January 8, 2012 Obama: The Affirmative Action President by Matt Patterson (columnist - Washington Post, New York Post, San Francisco Examiner)
Years from now, historians may regard the 2008 election of Barack Obama as an inscrutable and disturbing phenomenon, a baffling breed of mass hysteria akin perhaps to the witch craze of the Middle Ages. How, they will wonder, did a man so devoid of professional accomplishment beguile so many into thinking he could manage the world's largest economy, direct the world's most powerful military, execute the world's most consequential job? It's obvious by now that he can't and hasn't. I think it's OK not to really have such experience so long as you surround yourself with those who do. Having said that, it's not enough to simply surround yourself with those with experience; you must follow their advice. So Obama not only has no experience, but he's surrounded himself with cabinet members who have just as much experience has he does in their appointed positions. Talk about the blind leading the blind.
Imagine a future historian examining Obama's pre-presidential life: ushered into and through the Ivy League despite unremarkable grades and test scores along the way; a cushy non-job as a "community organizer"; a brief career as a state legislator devoid of legislative achievement (and in fact nearly devoid of his attention, so often did he vote "present"); and finally an unaccomplished single term in the United States Senate, the entirety of which was devoted to his presidential ambitions. He left no academic legacy in academia, authored no signature legislation as a legislator. What I also find interesting is that no one remembers Obama. No students.... no professors.... no staff. That and no school records that he's been willing to release to the public. Again, just sayin'....
And then there is the matter of his troubling associations: the white-hating, America-loathing preacher who for decades served as Obama's "spiritual mentor"; a real-life, actual terrorist who served as Obama's colleague and political sponsor. It is easy to imagine a future historian looking at it all and asking: how on Earth was such a man elected president? Considering Obama's lack of experience, what else did we have to go on? Besides, isn't it natural to think that because you associate with someone that you at least share some of the same values?
Not content to wait for history, the incomparable Norman Podhoretz addressed the question recently in the Wall Street Journal:
Let that sink in: Obama was given a pass -- held to a lower standard -- because of the color of his skin. Podhoretz continues:
Podhoretz puts his finger, I think, on the animating pulse of the Obama phenomenon -- affirmative action. And I totally agree with that statement. Not in the legal sense, of course. But certainly in the motivating sentiment behind all affirmative action laws and regulations, which are designed primarily to make white people, and especially white liberals, feel good about themselves.
Unfortunately, minorities often suffer so that whites can pat themselves on the back. Liberals routinely admit minorities to schools for which they are not qualified, yet take no responsibility for the inevitable poor performance and high drop-out rates which follow. Liberals don't care if these minority students fail; liberals aren't around to witness the emotional devastation and deflated self esteem resulting from the racist policy that is affirmative action. Yes, racist. Besides, wasn't it liberals who fought hard to keep segregation? Wasn't it liberals who fought to keep slavery?
Holding someone to a separate standard merely because of the color of his skin -- that's affirmative action in a nutshell, and if that isn't racism, then nothing is. And that is what America did to Obama. What's sad is that this is partly what MLK fought to end; not only judging a person based on the color of his skin, but being treated differenly based on the color of your skin.
True, Obama himself was never troubled by his lack of achievements, but why would he be? As many have noted, Obama was told he was good enough for Columbia despite undistinguished grades at Occidental; he was told he was good enough for the US Senate despite a mediocre record in Illinois; he was told he was good enough to be president despite no record at all in the Senate. All his life, every step of the way, Obama was told he was good enough for the next step, in spite of ample evidence to the contrary. What could this breed if not the sort of empty narcissism on display every time Obama speaks? And it's not only in the way he speaks, but you can see it clearly in his non-verbals; the way he poses for pictures and wants so badly to be in the spotlight. If you listened to his speach after Bin Ladin was killed, it sounds like he's trying to take credit for finding and killing Bin Ladin. Sorry, Mr. President, but it was our intelligence community (of which you bashed during Bush's presidency) that found him and our SEALs that killed him.
In 2008, many who agreed that he lacked executive qualifications nonetheless raved about Obama's oratory skills, intellect, and cool character. Those people -- conservatives included -- ought now to be deeply embarrassed. And I think they owe America an appoligy. The man thinks and speaks in the hoariest of clichés, and that's when he has his teleprompter in front of him; when the prompter is absent he can barely think or speak at all. True that! He speaks well with the teleprompter, but has a very hard time finding words when he doesn't have his second wife to help him out. Not one original idea has ever issued from his mouth -- it's all warmed-over Marxism of the kind that has failed over and over again for 100 years. And is also the current problem in Europe. They are failing because of Marxism and we're headed down the same road under Obama.
And what about his character? Obama is constantly blaming anything and everything else for his troubles. Bush did it; it was bad luck; I inherited this mess. It is embarrassing to see a president so willing to advertise his own powerlessness, so comfortable with his own incompetence. But really, what were we to expect? The man has never been responsible for anything, so how do we expect him to act responsibly? What I love about Bush in this is that Bush has enough class not to respond. In fact, when asked why he's sad nothing, Bush responded that he's been there and understands the pressure Obama is under. Bush said that Obama doesn't need his criticm even though I think that Bush would have every right to. And when are the Democrats going to stop blaming Bush and start blaming the REAL source of our current problems; namely Chairman Maobama?
In short: our president is a small and small-minded man, with neither the temperament nor the intellect to handle his job. When you understand that, and only when you understand that, will the current erosion of liberty and prosperity make sense. It could not have gone otherwise with such a man in the Oval Office.
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By Matt Patterson - Washington Post
January 8, 2012 Obama: The Affirmative Action President by Matt Patterson (columnist - Washington Post, New York Post, San Francisco Examiner)
Years from now, historians may regard the 2008 election of Barack Obama as an inscrutable and disturbing phenomenon, a baffling breed of mass hysteria akin perhaps to the witch craze of the Middle Ages. How, they will wonder, did a man so devoid of professional accomplishment beguile so many into thinking he could manage the world's largest economy, direct the world's most powerful military, execute the world's most consequential job? It's obvious by now that he can't and hasn't. I think it's OK not to really have such experience so long as you surround yourself with those who do. Having said that, it's not enough to simply surround yourself with those with experience; you must follow their advice. So Obama not only has no experience, but he's surrounded himself with cabinet members who have just as much experience has he does in their appointed positions. Talk about the blind leading the blind.
Imagine a future historian examining Obama's pre-presidential life: ushered into and through the Ivy League despite unremarkable grades and test scores along the way; a cushy non-job as a "community organizer"; a brief career as a state legislator devoid of legislative achievement (and in fact nearly devoid of his attention, so often did he vote "present"); and finally an unaccomplished single term in the United States Senate, the entirety of which was devoted to his presidential ambitions. He left no academic legacy in academia, authored no signature legislation as a legislator. What I also find interesting is that no one remembers Obama. No students.... no professors.... no staff. That and no school records that he's been willing to release to the public. Again, just sayin'....
And then there is the matter of his troubling associations: the white-hating, America-loathing preacher who for decades served as Obama's "spiritual mentor"; a real-life, actual terrorist who served as Obama's colleague and political sponsor. It is easy to imagine a future historian looking at it all and asking: how on Earth was such a man elected president? Considering Obama's lack of experience, what else did we have to go on? Besides, isn't it natural to think that because you associate with someone that you at least share some of the same values?
Not content to wait for history, the incomparable Norman Podhoretz addressed the question recently in the Wall Street Journal:
To be sure, no white candidate who had close associations with an outspoken hater of America like Jeremiah Wright and an unrepentant terrorist like Bill Ayers, would have lasted a single day. But because Mr. Obama was black, and therefore entitled in the eyes of liberaldom to have hung out with protesters against various American injustices, even if they were a bit extreme, he was given a pass.
Let that sink in: Obama was given a pass -- held to a lower standard -- because of the color of his skin. Podhoretz continues:
And in any case, what did such ancient history matter when he was also so articulate and elegant and (as he himself had said) "non-threatening," all of which gave him a fighting chance to become the first black president and thereby to lay the curse of racism to rest?
Podhoretz puts his finger, I think, on the animating pulse of the Obama phenomenon -- affirmative action. And I totally agree with that statement. Not in the legal sense, of course. But certainly in the motivating sentiment behind all affirmative action laws and regulations, which are designed primarily to make white people, and especially white liberals, feel good about themselves.
Unfortunately, minorities often suffer so that whites can pat themselves on the back. Liberals routinely admit minorities to schools for which they are not qualified, yet take no responsibility for the inevitable poor performance and high drop-out rates which follow. Liberals don't care if these minority students fail; liberals aren't around to witness the emotional devastation and deflated self esteem resulting from the racist policy that is affirmative action. Yes, racist. Besides, wasn't it liberals who fought hard to keep segregation? Wasn't it liberals who fought to keep slavery?
Holding someone to a separate standard merely because of the color of his skin -- that's affirmative action in a nutshell, and if that isn't racism, then nothing is. And that is what America did to Obama. What's sad is that this is partly what MLK fought to end; not only judging a person based on the color of his skin, but being treated differenly based on the color of your skin.
True, Obama himself was never troubled by his lack of achievements, but why would he be? As many have noted, Obama was told he was good enough for Columbia despite undistinguished grades at Occidental; he was told he was good enough for the US Senate despite a mediocre record in Illinois; he was told he was good enough to be president despite no record at all in the Senate. All his life, every step of the way, Obama was told he was good enough for the next step, in spite of ample evidence to the contrary. What could this breed if not the sort of empty narcissism on display every time Obama speaks? And it's not only in the way he speaks, but you can see it clearly in his non-verbals; the way he poses for pictures and wants so badly to be in the spotlight. If you listened to his speach after Bin Ladin was killed, it sounds like he's trying to take credit for finding and killing Bin Ladin. Sorry, Mr. President, but it was our intelligence community (of which you bashed during Bush's presidency) that found him and our SEALs that killed him.
In 2008, many who agreed that he lacked executive qualifications nonetheless raved about Obama's oratory skills, intellect, and cool character. Those people -- conservatives included -- ought now to be deeply embarrassed. And I think they owe America an appoligy. The man thinks and speaks in the hoariest of clichés, and that's when he has his teleprompter in front of him; when the prompter is absent he can barely think or speak at all. True that! He speaks well with the teleprompter, but has a very hard time finding words when he doesn't have his second wife to help him out. Not one original idea has ever issued from his mouth -- it's all warmed-over Marxism of the kind that has failed over and over again for 100 years. And is also the current problem in Europe. They are failing because of Marxism and we're headed down the same road under Obama.
And what about his character? Obama is constantly blaming anything and everything else for his troubles. Bush did it; it was bad luck; I inherited this mess. It is embarrassing to see a president so willing to advertise his own powerlessness, so comfortable with his own incompetence. But really, what were we to expect? The man has never been responsible for anything, so how do we expect him to act responsibly? What I love about Bush in this is that Bush has enough class not to respond. In fact, when asked why he's sad nothing, Bush responded that he's been there and understands the pressure Obama is under. Bush said that Obama doesn't need his criticm even though I think that Bush would have every right to. And when are the Democrats going to stop blaming Bush and start blaming the REAL source of our current problems; namely Chairman Maobama?
In short: our president is a small and small-minded man, with neither the temperament nor the intellect to handle his job. When you understand that, and only when you understand that, will the current erosion of liberty and prosperity make sense. It could not have gone otherwise with such a man in the Oval Office.
Obama and JCS Tell Congress They Are Irrelevant
As I remember, even Obama bashed Bush over his "illegal" war in Iraq; a war that was voted upon and approved by Congress unlike Obama's involvement in Libia. Just sayin'....
It's also interesting that this article was written by a Canadian. Even our neighbors to the north know how bad Obama has been and will continue to be to America.
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From Canada Free Press
The USA is now being run by a completely criminal and illegal government
Obama Syndicate‘s Panetta: Congress is no Longer relevant governmental body
- Sher Zieve Friday, March 9, 2012
Horrifically, what I wrote and warned about in 2008 (and since then in multiple columns) would happen if Obama was elected has now occurred.
On 7 March 2012, backed up by Obama sycophant Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Obama Dictatorship’s Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (defense of and for Obama—only) advised the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Obama Administration had no responsibility to even consult Congress in matters of waging war.
Panetta said, however, as a courtesy they would be informed.
He further stated that the Obama administration would now seek “international permission” (which he said included NATO and the United Nations) for any of Obama’s war adventures overseas.
General Dempsey (apparently looking for a UN job) said that his “authority” for making this determination was to look toward “an international legal basis.”
As Senator Sessions asked both men questions, never once did either Panetta or Dempsey even mention-in-passing the US Constitution as having any bearing—let alone legal basis—in their decisions at all.
As Sen. Sessions said, their comments are truly “breathtaking.”
Since Obama’s inauguration (aka “coronation”), he has been quickly forcing the USA into joblessness, lack, poverty, bondage and submission.
He has already nullified much of our Bill of Rights and US Law in favor of “ObamaLaw.”
Now, the dictator has advised Congress that the 3 co-equal branches of government no longer exist.
In fact, with a stroke of his pen or a commandment issuing forth from his forked-tongue mouth, he is essentially saying: ‘You—as do the American people—exist only if I say you do‘!
Obama is now saying that Congress is irrelevant. And if its members don’t like it, he will speak them into non-existence.
For years now, under this tyrant, Congress has been warned over and over again to stop him. They have remained silent. We have told them this would happen. Still, they said and did nothing. Despite Speaker of the House John Boehner’s feeble pretense of being strong, he has consistently voted with the dictator. He hoped to keep his job as Speaker—a job he said he has wanted his entire life (and this really dissapoints me about Boehner)!
Some members of Congress have now decided that it’s time to create and pass a resolution to make bypassing Congress an impeachable offense.
However, now the coup has occurred and it includes the Obama syndicate and the leaders of the US Military—headed up by ‘We’re all international Marxists and UN supplicants now’ “General” Martin Dempsey. Too little—too late from an entirely submissive-to-Obama Congress.
The USA is now being run by a completely criminal and illegal government.
The Republic HAS been officially overthrown.
It’s only a matter of time before it starts actively and forcefully going against the American people.
I predict that it will not be long before the real reason for the FEMA camps’ refurbishing and recent activations will be evident. Talk of Hitlerian tactics are now in the wind. This appears to be a 1930’s re-dux.
Despite Rush Limbaugh’s statement, this IS the time for panic. For too long our “leaders” have 7chosen lies over the truth and too many in our population have gone along with them. We-the-people are now only beginning to reap the whirlwind.
“He (the King of the North) shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” - Daniel 11:40-45
It's also interesting that this article was written by a Canadian. Even our neighbors to the north know how bad Obama has been and will continue to be to America.
------------
From Canada Free Press
The USA is now being run by a completely criminal and illegal government
Obama Syndicate‘s Panetta: Congress is no Longer relevant governmental body
- Sher Zieve Friday, March 9, 2012
Horrifically, what I wrote and warned about in 2008 (and since then in multiple columns) would happen if Obama was elected has now occurred.
On 7 March 2012, backed up by Obama sycophant Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Obama Dictatorship’s Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (defense of and for Obama—only) advised the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Obama Administration had no responsibility to even consult Congress in matters of waging war.
Panetta said, however, as a courtesy they would be informed.
He further stated that the Obama administration would now seek “international permission” (which he said included NATO and the United Nations) for any of Obama’s war adventures overseas.
General Dempsey (apparently looking for a UN job) said that his “authority” for making this determination was to look toward “an international legal basis.”
As Senator Sessions asked both men questions, never once did either Panetta or Dempsey even mention-in-passing the US Constitution as having any bearing—let alone legal basis—in their decisions at all.
As Sen. Sessions said, their comments are truly “breathtaking.”
Since Obama’s inauguration (aka “coronation”), he has been quickly forcing the USA into joblessness, lack, poverty, bondage and submission.
He has already nullified much of our Bill of Rights and US Law in favor of “ObamaLaw.”
Now, the dictator has advised Congress that the 3 co-equal branches of government no longer exist.
In fact, with a stroke of his pen or a commandment issuing forth from his forked-tongue mouth, he is essentially saying: ‘You—as do the American people—exist only if I say you do‘!
Obama is now saying that Congress is irrelevant. And if its members don’t like it, he will speak them into non-existence.
For years now, under this tyrant, Congress has been warned over and over again to stop him. They have remained silent. We have told them this would happen. Still, they said and did nothing. Despite Speaker of the House John Boehner’s feeble pretense of being strong, he has consistently voted with the dictator. He hoped to keep his job as Speaker—a job he said he has wanted his entire life (and this really dissapoints me about Boehner)!
Some members of Congress have now decided that it’s time to create and pass a resolution to make bypassing Congress an impeachable offense.
However, now the coup has occurred and it includes the Obama syndicate and the leaders of the US Military—headed up by ‘We’re all international Marxists and UN supplicants now’ “General” Martin Dempsey. Too little—too late from an entirely submissive-to-Obama Congress.
The USA is now being run by a completely criminal and illegal government.
The Republic HAS been officially overthrown.
It’s only a matter of time before it starts actively and forcefully going against the American people.
I predict that it will not be long before the real reason for the FEMA camps’ refurbishing and recent activations will be evident. Talk of Hitlerian tactics are now in the wind. This appears to be a 1930’s re-dux.
Despite Rush Limbaugh’s statement, this IS the time for panic. For too long our “leaders” have 7chosen lies over the truth and too many in our population have gone along with them. We-the-people are now only beginning to reap the whirlwind.
“He (the King of the North) shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps. But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.” - Daniel 11:40-45
Top 10 examples of the war on religion
This was an article that was emailed to me by a friend. These are just a few examples of the war on religion that is currently going on here in America, no matter what secularists think.
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Top 10 examples of the war on religion
by Human Events
03/17/2012
Don’t let the secularists tell you otherwise: There has been a war against religion being waged for decades by activist judges, artists, academia, liberal groups and the mainstream media. Judges have misinterpreted the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and have tried to force religion from the public square, while a culture that is becoming increasingly decadent does all it can to denigrate, mock and sneer at people of faith. Find that hard to believe? Here is the evidence:
1. Public prayer ban
Ever since the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 1962 Engel v. Vitale case, prayer has been disallowed in public schools. That precedent has spread to include banning prayers at graduation ceremonies and before high school football games. This out-of-control assault on public prayer reached the height of absurdity last year when a federal judge in San Antonio ruled that graduating high school seniors couldn’t even say “amen, the word prayer,” or ask the audience to bow their heads. And we thought the First Amendment had a free-speech clause.
2. Hollywood’s jihad
From Martin Scorsese’s 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ—with its depiction of Jesus having sex with Mary Magdalene in a dream—to the 2009 The Da Vinci Code—showing a conniving Catholic hierarchy—Hollywood is rarely kind to religious sensibilities. Indeed, characters of faith in movies are invariably portrayed as wild-eyed-fanatics, immoral preachers or judgmental creeps.
3. Violating religious conscience
President Obama’s attempt to force religious institutions to provide contraceptive services with their employees’ health care benefits justifiably caused a considerable uproar. It wasn’t the first time that people of faith have been forced to abandon their conscience or face dire consequences. Pro-lifers have had to fight to enact “conscience clauses,” which permit pharmacists and physicians to opt out of giving services that violate their religious faith, such as providing contraception and performing abortions.
4. Crèches censored
The Supreme Court ruled in the 1984 Lynch v. Donnelly case that crèches could be placed in public places only if accompanied by secular holiday symbols. That bizarre ruling was further muddied by the court’s 1989 stance in Allegheny County v. Greater Pittsburgh ACLU, which stated that including a crèche on public property violated the Constitution, while displaying a menorah on the same spot was fine. Still unsettled is exactly how many reindeers, snowmen and Santa Clauses are needed to make a crèche scene legal.
5. Media mocking
The Washington Post once called evangelicals, “poor, uneducated, and easy to lead.”
That pretty much sums up the media elite’s view of religious conservatives.
Most any daily newspaper reader can confirm: conservative Christians remain one of the few groups who can be treated with disdain. The sophisticates in New York and Washington newsrooms are much too enlightened to be duped by the opiate of the masses.
6. Pledge of Allegiance challenge
Atheist Michael Newdow went to court in 2002, challenging whether the recitation in public school of the words “under God” contained in the Pledge of Allegiance was a constitutional infringement of his daughter’s rights. While unsuccessful, the attempt tied up the courts for some eight years and spawned similar challenges in other states. Newdow also lost a lawsuit aimed at stopping an invocation prayer at George W. Bush’s 2005 inauguration.
7. Academia’s assault
It will come as no surprise to any recent college student that academia is not particularly friendly to those with religious convictions, with discrimination common in hiring, promoting and admitting people of faith.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that 40 percent of sociologists would be “less likely to hire” an evangelical.
An astronomy professor sued University of Kentucky for losing a top job because of his Christian belief.
The University of California system discriminated in its enrollment policies against Christian school attendees. And the list goes on.
8. Mojave cross battle
A simple cross in the Mojave Desert, erected in 1934 to honor members of the military killed in World War I, became the target of a decade-long battle by the American Civil Liberties Union (or as I like to call them, the Anti-Christian . During the ensuing court battles, the cross was boarded up so as not to offend the nearby coyotes.
Only after Congress transferred a small area of land containing the cross to a veterans group did the Supreme Court rule in 2010 that the cross was not a constitutional violation. However, within weeks of the ruling, the eight-foot tall cross was stolen by vandals.
9. Artistic antagonism
Artists and musicians think they are being edgy when they mock religious faith.
In 1987, Andres Serrano used funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to produce “Piss Christ”—a plastic crucifix submerged in the artist’s urine.
Madonna’s 1989 music video, “Like a Prayer,” featured religious symbols, a burning cross, and a dream about having sex with a saint, prompting a condemnation by the Vatican.
In 2008, producers of “South Park” brought religious blasphemy to the cartoon world with “The Most Offensive Christmas Song Ever.”
10. Motto challenged
Atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair dedicated her life trying to force religion out of public life and succeeded in winning a landmark case that resulted in banning the reading of religious texts in the classroom.
One case she failed at was her attempt to ban the words, “In God We Trust,” on the nation’s money and coinage.
That phrase was first placed on coins during the Lincoln administration and became the official motto under President Eisenhower.
Both presidents turned to God frequently during times of crisis—which is the best evidence against the atheist’s crusade to separate religion from the public square.
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Top 10 examples of the war on religion
by Human Events
03/17/2012
Don’t let the secularists tell you otherwise: There has been a war against religion being waged for decades by activist judges, artists, academia, liberal groups and the mainstream media. Judges have misinterpreted the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause and have tried to force religion from the public square, while a culture that is becoming increasingly decadent does all it can to denigrate, mock and sneer at people of faith. Find that hard to believe? Here is the evidence:
1. Public prayer ban
Ever since the Supreme Court’s ruling in the 1962 Engel v. Vitale case, prayer has been disallowed in public schools. That precedent has spread to include banning prayers at graduation ceremonies and before high school football games. This out-of-control assault on public prayer reached the height of absurdity last year when a federal judge in San Antonio ruled that graduating high school seniors couldn’t even say “amen, the word prayer,” or ask the audience to bow their heads. And we thought the First Amendment had a free-speech clause.
2. Hollywood’s jihad
From Martin Scorsese’s 1988 The Last Temptation of Christ—with its depiction of Jesus having sex with Mary Magdalene in a dream—to the 2009 The Da Vinci Code—showing a conniving Catholic hierarchy—Hollywood is rarely kind to religious sensibilities. Indeed, characters of faith in movies are invariably portrayed as wild-eyed-fanatics, immoral preachers or judgmental creeps.
3. Violating religious conscience
President Obama’s attempt to force religious institutions to provide contraceptive services with their employees’ health care benefits justifiably caused a considerable uproar. It wasn’t the first time that people of faith have been forced to abandon their conscience or face dire consequences. Pro-lifers have had to fight to enact “conscience clauses,” which permit pharmacists and physicians to opt out of giving services that violate their religious faith, such as providing contraception and performing abortions.
4. Crèches censored
The Supreme Court ruled in the 1984 Lynch v. Donnelly case that crèches could be placed in public places only if accompanied by secular holiday symbols. That bizarre ruling was further muddied by the court’s 1989 stance in Allegheny County v. Greater Pittsburgh ACLU, which stated that including a crèche on public property violated the Constitution, while displaying a menorah on the same spot was fine. Still unsettled is exactly how many reindeers, snowmen and Santa Clauses are needed to make a crèche scene legal.
5. Media mocking
The Washington Post once called evangelicals, “poor, uneducated, and easy to lead.”
That pretty much sums up the media elite’s view of religious conservatives.
Most any daily newspaper reader can confirm: conservative Christians remain one of the few groups who can be treated with disdain. The sophisticates in New York and Washington newsrooms are much too enlightened to be duped by the opiate of the masses.
6. Pledge of Allegiance challenge
Atheist Michael Newdow went to court in 2002, challenging whether the recitation in public school of the words “under God” contained in the Pledge of Allegiance was a constitutional infringement of his daughter’s rights. While unsuccessful, the attempt tied up the courts for some eight years and spawned similar challenges in other states. Newdow also lost a lawsuit aimed at stopping an invocation prayer at George W. Bush’s 2005 inauguration.
7. Academia’s assault
It will come as no surprise to any recent college student that academia is not particularly friendly to those with religious convictions, with discrimination common in hiring, promoting and admitting people of faith.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that 40 percent of sociologists would be “less likely to hire” an evangelical.
An astronomy professor sued University of Kentucky for losing a top job because of his Christian belief.
The University of California system discriminated in its enrollment policies against Christian school attendees. And the list goes on.
8. Mojave cross battle
A simple cross in the Mojave Desert, erected in 1934 to honor members of the military killed in World War I, became the target of a decade-long battle by the American Civil Liberties Union (or as I like to call them, the Anti-Christian . During the ensuing court battles, the cross was boarded up so as not to offend the nearby coyotes.
Only after Congress transferred a small area of land containing the cross to a veterans group did the Supreme Court rule in 2010 that the cross was not a constitutional violation. However, within weeks of the ruling, the eight-foot tall cross was stolen by vandals.
9. Artistic antagonism
Artists and musicians think they are being edgy when they mock religious faith.
In 1987, Andres Serrano used funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to produce “Piss Christ”—a plastic crucifix submerged in the artist’s urine.
Madonna’s 1989 music video, “Like a Prayer,” featured religious symbols, a burning cross, and a dream about having sex with a saint, prompting a condemnation by the Vatican.
In 2008, producers of “South Park” brought religious blasphemy to the cartoon world with “The Most Offensive Christmas Song Ever.”
10. Motto challenged
Atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair dedicated her life trying to force religion out of public life and succeeded in winning a landmark case that resulted in banning the reading of religious texts in the classroom.
One case she failed at was her attempt to ban the words, “In God We Trust,” on the nation’s money and coinage.
That phrase was first placed on coins during the Lincoln administration and became the official motto under President Eisenhower.
Both presidents turned to God frequently during times of crisis—which is the best evidence against the atheist’s crusade to separate religion from the public square.
At a Tennessee Football Game...Not a Joke
Why is it that Christians are told that there is no such thing as attacks on Christianity, when there really are? Case in point...
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Nice to see that someone else still has balls in this country.
It's time to pass this one on again!!
Christianity is now the target of persecution...
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT
Tennessee Football
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod
"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.
I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.
I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! Means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...
I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."
I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."
However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.
" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!
The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."
Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!
JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."
If you are not ashamed, pass this on ..
I'm not one bit ashamed to pass this on, Are you? THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.
In God We Trust.
-----------------------------------
Nice to see that someone else still has balls in this country.
It's time to pass this one on again!!
Christianity is now the target of persecution...
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON. I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT
Tennessee Football
This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School , Kingston , Tennessee by school Principal, Jody McLeod
"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country."
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.
I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is offended, that's OK.
I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! Means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...
I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."
I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."
However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
Nevertheless , as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.
" However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet."
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box!
The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD."
Somehow, Kingston , Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!
JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."
If you are not ashamed, pass this on ..
I'm not one bit ashamed to pass this on, Are you? THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.
In God We Trust.
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