Friday, January 30, 2009

Senator Val Stevens: They are Trying to Destroy the Institution of Marriage

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Senator Dan Swecker, myself and a number of like minded lawmakers are moving to defeat a series of bills, that are, under the guise of benefits, intended to undermine marriage and remove the legal difference between marriage and homosexual couples, then through litigation, attach the word "marriage" to homosexual relationships.

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Senator Val Stevens: They are Trying to Destroy the Institution of Marriage

As the newest version of homosexual "marriage" legislation is rolling out in Olympia, Senator Val Stevens isn't buying it. And neither are a number of other lawmakers.

Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver), an openly gay Representative told the Seattle PI, "Let's be unambiguous in our discussion of this issue---words are extremely important. Marriage is the word and civil marriage is the goal."

The PI says, "The Washington Legislature has shown increasing support over the past few years for gay and lesbian rights."

Senator Stevens said it should be obvious to other legislators why these bills should fail.

She said, "The people who are in favor of it are trying to destroy the institution of marriage and are taking it apart bit by bit."

Senator Ed Murray (D-Seattle), also openly gay and a leader in the gay rights movement in the Legislature, says gay marriage is, "Still new to a lot of people in this state," so he and his colleagues are gaining rights "little by little," not wanting to lose any small battles in order to win the war.

Some of us are not ready or willing to concede. I believe many of you agree.

There are two reasons why this may not go as planned for the gay activists.

Faith and Freedom has stood against homosexual marriage from the beginning. There are many reasons including the birthing and proper nurturing of children and the issue of procreation.

We have stated three main reasons for our position.

1. The homosexual agenda creates a new class of entitlements, putting them on top of an already broken health care system, social security system and pension and benefit programs that simply can not meet the demand. It's fiscally irresponsible.

2. It is a slippery slope of incremental toward redefining traditional marriage; an institution that has served as the cornerstone of society throughout more than 5000 years of human history.

3. Homosexuality is immoral and condemned as sin in biblical teaching. Every major religion in history has condemned homosexual relations as unacceptable. This deviant behavior must not be enshrined into law as normal behavior.

Regarding #2, the incrementalism of the gay rights movement was denied until the past few years. They have now moved past that phase and are very open with their intentions. See the linked article.

Regarding #3, biblical teaching is what it is. Although political correctness has caused some religious leaders to push back on calling it sin or make some attempt to explain away biblical teaching on the matter, it is clearly not acceptable behavior according to Scripture.

Regarding #1. It is fiscally irresponsible. This is one of the hurdles facing the gay rights movement today. There is not enough money to pay the bill. Governor Gregoire is perhaps, the most vocal, out front, advocate for homosexual rights, but she can't write the check.

Even the PI is admitting that even if this legislation were to pass and I think they are pretty certain it's a done deal, there isn't enough money to fund all of the bills---specifically, employee pensions and survivor benefits, estate taxes and the uniform parenting plan which has to do with adoption.

Their second challenge is that, while not a majority, those of us who support traditional, biblical marriage are on the right side of the issue. The PI points out that the gay activists have a majority in the Legislature, but we feel that some who have gone along with the emotional "benefits" and "rights" stories that proceeded the passage of domestic partnerships, will take a bit different look at marriage itself.

I believe in prayer and I believe that we are on the right side of this matter.

I also believe that many of you agree. I believe you will stand with me and those in the Legislature who are standing in the gap.

Much hangs in the balance.

Your financial support this week, will make a significant difference in helping us communicate with other elected officials and their constituents.

Thanks and God bless you.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Homosexual Agenda for Washington State: "Everything but Marriage"

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As promised, the far left and homosexual activists in the Washington State Legislature have begun their assault on marriage with a very deceptive campaign called, "Everything But Marriage."

They have introduced a series of bills under the guise of "rights" and "benefits" that are intended to equalize the status of traditional marriage with that of homosexual couples. The bills, SB 5674, SB 5688, HB 1745 and HB 1727 are intended to create "marriage" without the name.

For example: SB 5688, new section 3, page 5, "The terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships."

While they are calling this expansion of homosexual benefits, "Everything But Marriage," it is marriage and once these bills are passed, they will litigate to make the word "marriage" apply to homosexual couples because there will no longer be a legal difference. In this way they can subvert the will of the people and the ruling of the Washington State Supreme Court.

Senator Dan Swecker and I are working with other like minded lawmakers to defeat this effort.

We will be sending significant mass mailings into targeted districts where we believe the elected officials vote can be influenced by a response from their constituents.

We will soon be asking those of you who live in those specific districts and in every district to call and write your elected official.

We are asking every person of faith and conservative who believes in traditional marriage to help us with this matter. It is a defining issue in the future of this state and how we respond will be a defining moment for people of faith and Judeo-Christian values.

We cannot do this without your help. This is an expensive undertaking and we are against a lot of special interest money that will work to pass these bills.

We need your donation today. I cannot overstate the urgency of this matter.

Send a check today to:

Faith and Freedom
Box 399
Bellevue, WA 98009

or make a secure online donation.

We must act now.

If you will do what you can do, together we can defeat this effort to re-engineer marriage.

Thank you.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

President Obama to Muslim World: "We are your Friend".

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President Obama has chosen to give his first formal television interview to an Arabic satellite TV network.

His message? "Americans are not your enemy."

I agree. We are not.

In his "hand out" to the Muslim world, Obama is asking them to be our friend and in doing so, violate much teaching in the Koran.

It has been well documented that the teachings of Islam includes violence toward those who do not accept Islam as a personal belief. Oh, I know; not every Muslim is a terrorist and every terrorist is not a Muslim. There are Muslims among us who are both peaceful and non-violent. There are also those among us who seek to kill us.

Their most holy book teaches that Jews and Christians are the enemy.

While President Bush is not a favorite among the left, we have not been attacked since 9-11.

Those Muslims who are terrorists, moved freely about our country prior to 9-11, while planning our destruction, because America has been and continues to be, a friend to all. And the greatest beacon of freedom the world has ever seen.

I sincerely hope our President understands the difference between dialog and appeasement. And cares.

We all want peace.

Winston Churchill once said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."

Europe and the world learned where appeasement could lead prior to World War II, but it is Gandhi and India that has given the ultimate lesson in appeasement and it's consequences.

It is well known that Muslim appeasement was an integral part of Gandhi's doctrine of non-violence.

The personal events that led him to this view are not generally well known---particularly in the West.

While Gandhi was in South Africa he had an encounter that many Indians believe was life altering. (Article).

At that time, the South African government imposed an unfair tax of three pounds on every Indian citizen living in South Africa. Gandhi initiated talks with the government regarding the matter. In conversations, he had expressed some negative comments toward Muslims. This angered Muslims in the country and on February 10, 1908, a group of Muslims entered the home where he was staying, beating him and threatening to kill him.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has carefully chronicled the life of Gandhi, his beliefs and policies. He has found that from that time forward, Gandhi never said anything that could be seen as negative toward Islam or Muslims.

He has been honored for this virtue.

However, Ambedkar has found that following that incident, Gandhi set in motion a policy of appeasement that has reshaped India and the entire region.

India was to become a nation where crimes committed by radical Muslims, were generally overlooked and often not prosecuted because of political correctness.

In 1947, Gandhi told the Indian Congress that if they did not partition the country, due to pressure from Muslims, there would be a reign of chaos. Many felt that in making such a formal statement, he was not only endorsing the partition, but tacitly encouraging the Muslims to act if Congress failed to approve the partition.

As a result, the country was partitioned in 1947 and the shape and character of the country was altered forever in the minds of many Indians. Many Indians believe their country was diminished in ways from which they have never recovered.

This was a result of a pseudo secularism that Gandhi may not have even believed.

While he led Congress to divide the country, he privately expressed his love for country and has been often quoted as saying, "Vivisect me, before you vivisect India."

Clearly he was conflicted.

Several countries in Europe are presently dealing with the expansion of Muslim influence in their country.

I sincerely hope and pray that our President understands that reaching out and becoming the Muslim world's new "BFF" has historically led to appeasement, with an end that is not in our best interest.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

President And The Speaker of the House Seem Conflicted Over Abortion

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Why does the President and the Speaker of the House both say they want to reduce the number of abortions?

The Speaker has said she thinks giving hundreds of millions of dollars to Planned Parenthood and others like them will be good for the economy. She has also said she wants to see the number of abortions reduced.

The new White House website states that the President's statement of purpose is to, "reduce" abortions by "expanding access to affordable contraception, accurate health information and preventative services."

They have told us that Roe v. Wade is about "reproductive freedom" and a "woman's right to choose."

If it really is about freedom and choice and these rights trump life itself, why would they spend any taxpayer funds to try to "reduce" abortion?

If it's okay to abort one baby, why is 100 a problem, or 1000 or 48,000,000?

Star Parker, a nationally syndicated columnist, has written an excellent column asking that question.

She says, "President Obama appealed in his inauguration address for, 'A new era of responsibility,' bemoaned, 'greed and irresponsibility' and 'failure to make hard decisions' ."

Parker asks, "Mr. President, if you condone a culture that has no sense of awe and responsibility toward the greatest miracle of all miracles and mysteries---life itself---how can you expect responsibility elsewhere?"

I strongly recommend you read her column.

The crises we face is one of principle and values more than dollars and cents.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Nancy Pelosi: "Birth Control Will Help Economy"

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Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), expressed concern last week that there were hundreds of millions of dollars in the Democrats stimulus package.

He asked, "How does that stimulate the economy?"

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made her explanation yesterday while appearing on ABC's "This Week" with George Stephanopoulos.

Stephanopoulos asked, "Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus?"

Pelosi's answer: "Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those---one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to federal government."

She added, "We have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy."

One wonders out loud how much of that will go directly or indirectly to perform more abortions. From her view, that too, would "help the economy."

This is a principle that China has used to limit the number of children couples could have, saying if couples had too many children they could not be as productive in the work force and therefore not contribute enough to the economic growth of the country.

I have always believed America was much more than that. Planned Parenthood is not the answer we are looking for.

If we were to follow Pelosi's beliefs, it probably would not be much of a step to also see how much the elderly are costing states and the federal government. Although we may not want to take those steps, because of the downturn in our economy, it would be "moral" and a wise use of our financial resources to invest in the next generation and reduce or eliminate help to those who are non-productive.

The left will push this through, with Pelosi's leadership. While that is concerning, it is even more concerning that some Republicans will line up to support her in the name of "working together--bi-partisanship."

While the economy is urgent--we all agree there is a much greater challenge looming on the horizon of this great country. We have lost our moral compass. We will continue to drift in the sea of relativism and pragmatism until conservatives and people of faith get our act together and elect leadership that is led by principle not mere politics.

God help us.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, January 23, 2009

President Obama's Support for Homosexual Agenda and Abortion Highlighted on his Website

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Our new President has posted on the White House website his plan to move the gay rights agenda forward. He has included his plan to expand abortion.

The President is quoted on the website above the section titled, "Support For the LGBT Community," saying, "Too often the issue of LGBT rights is exploited by those seeking to divide us. But at its core, this issue is about who we are as Americans."

This is a statement often made by pro-homosexual activists as they attempt to re-engineer our culture and redesign marriage and the family. Indeed it is, at its core, who we as Americans really are---and what we believe.

If you do not embrace the homosexual lifestyle and agenda feeling the Bible teaches against it and calls it sin and perversion, you are said to be intolerant, bigoted and in this case, a divider.

Focus on The Family is saying, "This is the most bold and comprehensive pro-homosexual, abortion-friendly administration agenda we've seen."

The President has included several things he is going to do for the homosexual movement and the abortion industry.

Marriage and The Homosexual Agenda

1. He is going to expand federal "hate crimes" legislation to include more and stiffer penalties.

2. He supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and wants to expand the anti-discrimination laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This will have significant impact on hiring practices, particularly churches and other Christian ministry organizations.

3. He supports civil unions and will work to make them beneficially equal to traditional marriage, thus diminishing the unique status of traditional, biblical marriage which has been the social norm for more than 5000 years. Also, undermining the position that marriage is between one man and one woman.

4. He will work to repeal the "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) which defines marriage as between one man and one woman.

5. He will repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" military policy regarding homosexuals in the military, even though federal law states that homosexuality is incompatible with military service.

6. He will expand adoption rights for homosexuals. His site says Obama thinks, "that a child will benefit from a healthy and loving home, whether the parents are gay or not."

Abortion

On his website under, "The Agenda---Women," is a statement noting the President's support for abortion rights. He is described as the, "Consistent, champion of reproductive choice," and promises to stand against any effort to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Note that since Roe v. Wade, when the Supreme Court legalized abortion on demand, more than 45,000,000 babies have been aborted.

The site also affirms Obama will increase funding for, "Family planning and comprehensive sex education." That means he is going to give Planned Parenthood a raise and keep his promise to them, which includes promising them the first bill he will sign will be the so-called, "Freedom of Choice Act." This bill will remove essentially every restrictive law, federal and state, on abortions.

Personal concern

I have many concerns. The President has made many promises to many people about many issues. As he attempts to move his economic plan forward, there is going to be more than a little objection to some of it because there are those who do not want to move America further toward socialism. As his agenda in this area and perhaps others as well, stalls, for the sake of accomplishing the most possible in his first hundred days, he may even accelerate his agenda where marriage, family and life is concerned, because these issues are not primarily economic and could be moved more quickly.

In fact, many are expecting the immediate repeal of the "Mexico City Policy" even though 77 members of Congress have asked him to keep the policy in place. The policy prevents US funds from supporting abortion overseas.

This is not a time for people of faith to grow weary or fearful. It is also not a time to be silent. It is not a time for internal strife and disunity. It is a time to speak and to live out the Judeo-Christian principles that have made this the greatest country, with the greatest mission, in the history of the world.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, January 22, 2009

Gay Portland Mayor Lied About Sexual Relationship with Teenager

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House Bill 1385 (relating to sexual misconduct by school employees) introduced by Rep. Larry Haler, (R-Richland) on January 20, 2009, includes in the definition of sexual misconduct any school employee engaging in or assisting anyone to engage in the sexual involvement with any student up to age twenty. http://www.washingtonvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=70429
Please be aware of this bill. We will advise when the public should respond to lawmakers, although you may want to thank Rep. Larry Haler for his work on this matter.
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Gay Portland Mayor Lied About Sexual Relationship with Teenager

Portland Mayor Sam Adams has been quoted as saying he is the first, "Queer mayor of a major city in the nation."

Adams officially took office at the beginning of this year--three weeks ago. Now the Portland press, not known for their traditional or conservative views, are calling for his resignation. The editorial boards of both The Oregonian and The Portland Tribune say he should go.

Last fall, prior to the election, he was asked about his relationship with Beau Breedlove, a teenage intern.

He forcefully denied any improper relationship with the boy, wrote an open letter to the public denying any wrong doing and taking to task those who were asking, calling their questions, "A nasty smear," saying he was merely the boy's mentor.

A part of Adams' lecture to the press and the public had to do with people trying to stereotype gay men as predatory.

Now he is admitting that he lied---and his explanation is not being well received.

Although this story has been brewing since the election campaign, it broke with his public apology after being caught through the investigative work of a reporter at the Willamette Week. Adams went to Washington D.C. Monday for the inauguration but when the story hit the press, he made an apology to the public through the media and boarded a flight back to Portland on Tuesday.

Knowing he was caught in his deceit, he admitted he was lying and apologized for lying.

No apology for having sex with a teenager.

He told the press, "It was an error in judgement. An anomaly, not a trend."

The apology didn't work. He is now explaining that although he had a sexual relationship with the boy, he didn't have sex with him until he turned 18, even though they had a relationship while the boy was 17.

I lied the first time, but I'm telling the truth this time.

The State Attorney General has announced his office will investigate in response to a formal request from the Portland Police Chief.

Adams had originally said he would not resign but has now said he will resign only if his actions may hurt the forward progress of the city.

The Oregonian wrote, "We don't believe the public makes much of a distinction when it comes to a man over 40 having sex with either a 17-year-old or an 18- year-old. And it makes no difference if the teenager is male or female---it's sexual opportunism, pure and simple."

There is a story circulating here in Washington State regarding a current elected official and a foster child. We are following the story closely and will report anything that is confirmed.

God protect our children.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

President Barack Obama

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Yesterday Barack Obama was sworn-in as the 44th President of the United States of America.

Pastor Rick Warren's invocation was outstanding, sincere, biblical, and well said. It certainly rose to the historic occasion.

President Barack Obama gave an excellent speech. He is a great communicator.

His inauguration was significant because he is our first African-American President. His inauguration will be etched in our history forever---and in the minds of those most impacted by the historical event.

Presidential inaugurations are always significant in that they punctuate the orderly, peaceful transfer of power in the most powerful nation on earth, following the vote of the people.

Inauguration day is a day when Americans, regardless of how they voted, stand together as citizens, then move forward.

In moving forward, how should those who perhaps did not vote for the new President, respond?

First, the Bible is clear that we are to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says,"Pray for those in authority."

Dr. Richard Land has written an article titled, "Let's Pray For Our New President." He puts the teaching to pray for those in authority in biblical perspective and suggests ways in which we can pray for President Obama.

Secondly, there is a biblical mandate for Christians to be salt and light---speak to the culture. In a representative republic such as ours, we are afforded the opportunity and the responsibility to be an active participant in the political process.

We are to work to elect those who uphold righteous principles and hold leaders accountable when they do not.

There are major challenges facing our country, including cultural challenges to the sanctity of life, biblical marriage and the family.

We must pray and be vigilant watchman.

I also want to share a couple of points of interest.

I asked my wife to share her thoughts after watching the events of inauguration day.

As I ponder the events of the day I am left with a feeling of awe for the amazing strength and power of our great country. God is at the helm and our lives and energies are in his hands. I was, as always, encouraged by our roots and our founding fathers, the history of our nation. The reminders through protocol and through tradition that with all of our faults and disagreements we are still a nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. The anthems, poems and hymns that we all share unite us as one country.

I was blessed by all of the prayers that were shared, the evidence of God in the lives of so many. It is the way we do things in this country. Rick Warren's prayer could not have been better.I was so proud of him and what he stands for. It is a strengthening feeling to share in spirit with his spirit for this country. I was encouraged by all of the bowed heads and even many seriously praying and seeking God's blessing and help in the future.

As we move forward in our country and in our dreams for the future, may we continue to pray that God will lead us and that we can continue to say "In God We Trust". May we daily pray for Barack Obama. He will need God's leading and guiding each and everyday as he makes the hard calls and performs the tasks that lie before him. I for one will be praying daily and trusting God to help him and speak to him.

May God Bless the United States of America.

Rev. Ron Jones, pastor of the 5000 member Immanuel Bible Church, which is located a short drive from the White House, wrote an open letter to the President a few days ago regarding the high priority of life. I have given you a link to his letter.

God bless you.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, January 19, 2009

George Walker Bush. A Legacy of Life

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State Representative Dan Kristiansen has given, on behalf of the Republican Party, an official response to Governor Gregoire's State of the State address. (See Response).

Representative Kristiansen can now be heard every Thursday morning in the Seattle area on KSER 90.7 fm at 8:15 AM.
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George Walker Bush. A Legacy of Life

As we approach the inauguration of President Barack Obama, some will be reflecting on the legacy of President George W. Bush

Looking past the continual media assault of the man, it is clear that although you may not agree with some of his policies, he is and has been an unwavering advocate for life---both the born and the unborn.

Robert Robb, at the Arizona Republic says, "Bush has been given remarkably little credit or appreciation for the fact that there has not been a domestic terror attack since 9-11, contrary to universal expectations at the time."

He suggests that if we were to experience an attack during Obama's watch, the negatives toward Bush would change very quickly.

The National Black Republican Association is expressing today, their deep gratitude to President Bush for his commitment to a number of issues important to them, including his leadership and actions that has kept us safe since 9-11.

History has already recorded that President Bush has kept the country safe from attack by those who seek to kill us. It will also record that he was a strong advocate for the unborn in America and elsewhere.

Steven Ertelt at LIFENEWS says, "Americans may have their dispute with President Bush on other political issues and those issues may have led them to support pro-abortion Barack Obama for President. But pro-life leaders say Bush will leave behind a very strong and lasting legacy as a champion of the pro-life cause."

During the Bush administration, abortions have declined to historic lows.

President Bush made history himself by signing the first measure to ever ban a form of abortion.

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America says, "President Bush's conviction that innocent life deserves respect in law and culture runs deep. From signing pro-life laws, instituting pro-life regulations, to promoting pro-life international policies, he faced vicious opposition, yet did not relent. Bureaucrats worked to undermine and thwart his policies, sometimes working hand-in-hand with pro-abortion groups and hostile media. But he was not deterred."

Ertelt gives an excellent overview of this legacy, quoting a number of pro-life leaders.

Wendy Wright says, "In the annals of history, George W. Bush will be remembered as a president who believed and fought to protect innocent human life."

President Bush signed every piece of pro-life legislation that came to his desk, including the partial-birth abortion ban and a bill to make sure babies who survived botched abortions receive appropriate medical care.

It does not appear that America's next chapter will provide such a champion for life.

May God help us all.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, January 16, 2009

Seattle PI: "Gay Band Will March to the Beat of Obama's Drum"

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Claudia Rowe, at the Seattle PI, says the sight of 177 gay and lesbian musicians playing, "Ode to Joy" as they march up Pennsylvania Ave. during Barack Obama's presidential inauguration next week marks the first time ever an openly gay band has participated in the actual parade and it is more than a mere gesture.
Four Seattle musicians will be part of the band.
While Rowe seems overwhelmed with excitement over the future relationship gays will have with the new President, she is both malicious and dishonest in her comments about Pastor Rick Warren.
Rowe describes Warren, who will give the invocation at the inauguration, as someone who preaches "vociferously" against gay marriage.
"Vociferous"?
Does she know what that means? If so, does she care?
Vociferous, according to Webster's New World Dictionary, means 1. loud, noisy, or vehement in making one's feelings known; clamorous 2. characterized by clamor or vehement outcry--unrestrained shouting.
And this article is supposed to be a news article? This is an example of why the PI is upside down.
I am not Rick Warren's defender, but I can tell you that if anything, people are often concerned about Warren's laid back approach to important cultural issues, not his being vociferous. Clearly the writer of this article is blinded by her own agenda, not any desire to deliver accurate news.
Warren, along with millions of biblical Christians, simply believe the Bible teaches that homosexual relations are wrong and are sin. He, along with millions of others, are not attacking gays but merely standing against their campaign to re-engineer society, marriage and the family.
Ms. Rowe characterizes the gay community as highly energized as they anticipate their new roll in the Obama administration.
Local gay musicians, who will be officially participating in the inaugural parade, are quoted as saying, this is an important milestone, this is the first time they have felt inspired by a politician and proud of a President.
Rowe's celebratory article says Gene Robinson, the gay Episcopal Bishop who was in Seattle earlier this week and is now, after much complaining, also giving an invocation at the inauguration, as an indication of a brighter-than-ever future for their interests in an Obama administration.
Homosexual activists are predicting that the, 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' military policy will be gone under Obama and there will be a civil rights act specifically for homosexuals and possibly gay marriage at the federal level.
One Seattle homosexual activist is quoted as saying, he feels he is about to, "Celebrate a new era in American government."
Indeed he may be. If Obama keeps his promise to them, as President he will eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), expand homosexual adoption and participate in expanding gay rights until they are equivalent with traditional marriage, thus destroying the unique distinctive of traditional marriage between one man and one woman.
Indeed this may well be a new era in American government.
In fact it could be that not only will the gays" be marching to Obama's drum beat," but he may be marching to theirs, as well.
This is a time to be vigilant. And active.

Focus on the Family released this news item late yesterday afternoon. I recommend you read it. "Obama Supported Gay Marriage Before He Opposed It."
______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Alaskan Way Viaduct. Gregoire's Address. Children and Suicide. Teacher-Student Sex OK

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Normally I address only one issue that we feel is important on a given day. Just for today, we are departing from that format to briefly touch on four news stories from yesterday that we feel are worthy of comment.

King County, The City of Seattle and the State all agree on a solution for the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Do you know who was suggesting this very solution two years ago?

As I watched Governor Gregoire's address yesterday, I noticed something happening with the mostly partisan audience.

A book about ways to commit suicide will remain in a school library.

It's Okay for teachers to have sex with students in Washington State.


* King County, the City of Seattle and the State have all agreed that a deep bore tunnel is the solution for the Alaskan Way viaduct. Governor Gregoire's spokesperson, Pearse Edwards, said, "We believe we have a solution that serves all parties and is fiscally responsible." (Article).

This solution, a deep bore tunnel, was suggested by Dino Rossi at least two years ago.

* I watched with interest as Governor Gregoire gave her "State of the State" address yesterday. The atmosphere was circus-like leading up to her swearing in and her speech. However, as she gave what I personally felt was a well-delivered speech, the mostly partisan audience seemed to become more and more subdued. The applause became more scattered and less vigorous as she proceeded. It could have been the absence of detail in her address.

I was impressed with her "Jobs Now" plan and her pledge to reform government. Will she follow through? Can she make it happen? Time will tell. (Article).

*It's okay for a teacher to have sex with a student in Washington State, according to a unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the Washington Court of Appeals.

While the state's code of professional conduct for teachers prohibit sex with students, it is not illegal---as long as it is consensual and the student is over 17. Is anyone looking out for our kids? (Article).

* The ACLU has won again, with intimidation trumping common sense and what is best for our kids. When a book about ways to commit suicide drew wide spread attention, the ACLU wrote a warning letter to the school district that was considering pulling it from the library.

The book in question is a book of cartoons about bunnies who look for different ways to commit suicide titled "The Book of Bunny Suicides." A mother became concerned after her 13-year-old son brought the book home from school. The mother objected and ask that the book be removed from the library.

The Brownsville, Oregon school board caved in to the ACLU warning and voted to keep the book on the library shelf so other kids can have access to it.

I believe in free speech and freedom of expression, as most all of us do, however it is troubling that we can not provide a more helpful and nurturing environment for our kids. Teenagers today face challenges in ways and intensity their parents and grandparents never experienced. Is there no room for considering what is best for the child? Does a book about suicide in any way contribute to the positive development of a child? I don't think so.

But then, we must remember that Oregon has led, with Washington close behind, in the suicide business.

God help us.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Government Promotes Harmony Between Religion and Evolution

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The revision continues. It is sometimes called "Change". This time it is from the classroom.

A government funded website in California is promoting "harmony" between religion and evolution. Christians have filed a lawsuit, which was denied by the 9th Circuit Court and has now been filed with the Supreme Court.

The website, operated by UC Berkeley under a federal grant, urges teachers to challenge students' religious beliefs, that evolution contradicts their faith. The site, to support that position, also points the teachers to statements from religious groups and church denominations that support evolution, while ignoring religious groups that believe in a literal creation.

This is symptomatic of a larger and growing challenge for biblical believers and their families.

Not only is there a growing attempt to redefine and re-engineer family, marriage and our culture, but now to redefine Christianity as well.

A new Barna Group survey suggests it may be working.

Brad Dacus, President of Pacific Justice Institute, who filed the lawsuit said, "We believe government has no place decreeing that some religious views are more correct than others."

I agree.

This is another piece of a greater scheme that is in play.

For example, there is a growing trend to declare, sometimes by a high profile personality, that one is a "Christian" while at the same time denying the basic tenets of faith of biblical Christianity. This past year Oprah declared she is a Christian, yet said she does not believe Jesus is the only way to the Father. Obama has made the same claim.

In this case, education is attempting to teach our children that biblical Christianity has made a mistake---a misunderstanding. There is no conflict between the biblical account of creation and evolution. And the biblical story is probably a story to help us better understand how we and our world have evolved.

Yesterday, I wrote about Bishop Robinson, a gay Episcopal minister, who says the church has gotten it wrong on homosexuality and until Christians embrace homosexuality we will not be properly modeling Christ's love to the world.

The new study from The Barna Group suggests that this revisionism may be working.

Barna's study found that among those who describe themselves as a Christian, nearly half believe that Satan does not exist, one third say they believe Jesus sinned while He was living on this earth and 25% say they don't believe that the Bible is accurate in all of its teachings.

Barna says the shift among many Americans has resulted in an eclectic kind of faith and, "has resulted in an abundance of unique worldviews based on personal combinations of theology drawn from a smattering of world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam, as well as secularism."

There is much more. I recommend you read it.

Clearly this is a call to parents to be sure your children are raised in a Bible believing church and even more importantly, in a home that teaches the Bible and lives it out in personal lives.

It would be well for us all to remember Saint Paul's words to the people in Corinth when he said, "There are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."( ll Corth. 11: 13,14).

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Bishop Robinson, Joel Connelly, Pastor Rick Warren and the Church

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Seattle PI For Sale. The Seattle PI's parent company, the Hearst Corp., announced Friday that it has put the Seattle PI up for sale and will stop publishing unless someone buys the paper in 60 days. The reason? Falling revenue. Governor Gregoire said she is in shock...didn't see it coming.
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Bishop Robinson, Joel Connelly, Pastor Rick Warren and the Church

Bishop V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay Episcopal Bishop and a strong advocate for homosexuals, is in Seattle this week. He spoke at St. Marks Cathedral and Town Hall Seattle yesterday and will be speaking at St. Andrews Episcopal tonight.

His message? "Civil Rights in the 21st Century: Why Religion Matters."

Joel Connelly, in his Seattle PI column says that, "Robinson is a believer in both the divinity and humanity of Christ, the Resurrection, the Nicene Creed and the Holy Trinity."

That's good.

Connelly quotes Robinson as saying of his lectures, "I remind them that there is a difference between God and the church. God never gets it wrong. The church often takes a long time to get it right."

Okay.

However, when you follow Robinson's conclusions, you find that sometimes people also get it wrong---particularly when it involves their personal lifestyle.

Connelly says Robinson said, "I believe in my heart that the church got it wrong about homosexuality."

He says, according to Connelly, "Some how through the grace of God, we need to find our unity at the altar rail in our love of Christ. Time will tell if we are a model for the world or not."

But what are we to model? While unity is certainly a biblical principle, are we to forsake the explicit teaching which forbids homosexual relations in preference to unity?

Does Bishop Robinson believe the Bible to be the Word of God? And if not, how then, would God speak to His people and His church?

If Robinson believes the Bible to be God's Word, how does he justify what Scripture calls an abomination? If he does not believe the Bible to be God's Word, how then can we know the truth?

Is truth relative or merely experiential?

He seems to suggest that unity is the ultimate test of Christianity, and unity, as tolerance, can only be authenticated by affirming homosexuality as normal and biblical.

So those who do not affirm and embrace homosexuality are creating dis-unity in the church and do not model Christ's love.

And speaking of love---Robinson says Barack Obama made a bad move by inviting Pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration.

Why?

"On the issue of homosexuality," Robinson says, "he [Warren] has perpetuated lies about the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual community."

According to Bishop Robinson, Rick Warren is a liar.

Disagreement with the homosexual lifestyle seems to always define love, tolerance and open mindedness. If you embrace their lifestyle, you are modeling Christ's love. If you reject it on the basis of biblical teaching, you are bigoted, hateful and intolerant.

The Associated Press is reporting that Bishop Robinson has now been invited to offer a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial sometime during the inauguration festivities. They say both Obama and Biden are expected to be present.

Robinson says he will not use the Bible. He says while it is a holy and sacred text to him, it is not for all Americans.

__________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Monday, January 12, 2009

Former Terrorist Explains Hamas' Agenda

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Note from Staff: The Faith and Freedom web poll that was being conducted last week on gay marriage, was apparently the target of an organized effort by gay activists from a number of different areas to manipulate the results. After a careful evaluation of the timing and other factors that were not consistent with our normal web site activity, our management company has concluded that a massive number of people voted in a very short period of time, all voting favorable for gay marriage and that most likely a robotic device was used to register even more votes during a very short period of time.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
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Former Terrorist Explains Hamas' Agenda

A former Palestinian terrorist says the West does not understand the HAMAS agenda. With much of the news concentrating on what is happening in the Middle-East, it is interesting and concerning to hear a former terrorist's view compared to what the media is reporting.

The former terrorist says it is not simply about a Palestinian state, there is a much darker agenda at work.

Yet the West continues to proceed on the premise that once Palestine has it's own state, all the problems will be solved.

While Israel continues to defend herself, the press continues to characterize her as a "bully".

And do you know what the word "HAMAS" means?

Walid Shoebat, a former member of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) has converted to Christianity by accepting Christ as his Savior.

ONENEWSNOW is quoting Shoebat as saying, "The core issue is not an issue of land whatsoever. It's an issue of wiping the state of Israel out."

He says this effort is being carried out by a, "huge network of Islamic enemies," naming HAMAS, Hezbolla, Iran and Syria and pointing out that Saudi Arabia has been funding this sort of thing for a long time.

A pastor friend of mine recently sent me an email pointing out the Biblical context of the word HAMAS. Psalms 18:48 says, "He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man."

"Violent Man" in Hebrew is the word "hamas." It is defined as; violence, violent, cruelty, wrong, false, cruel, damage, injustice, unrighteous.

The American press continues to portray Israel as a bully in protecting herself against the efforts to remove her from the face of the earth. As you know, in the context of biblical teaching, the middle-east plays a major role in God's plan.

Please pray for the peace of Israel and for the many Palestinian Christians who live in this area and are often used as human shields by the terrorists.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Friday, January 09, 2009

Global Warming Didn't Happen in 2008

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Actually, the year 2008 marked the tenth consecutive year of no global warming according to Dr. Michael R. Fox and a host of other climatologists. (Article).
President-elect Obama, after meeting with Al Gore recently, told the press, "The time for delay is over, the time for denial is over."
Gore said of his discussions with the President-elect that, "Climate crises will be a top priority of his administration."
I personally believe all Christians are called to be stewards of the earth and the environment. It is a gift from our Creator. Please understand I am not questioning our responsibility to that biblical commandment, I am questioning the fact that some data gets front page coverage while other data is buried or completely lost in news reporting on the subject.
And there continues to be a growing chorus of qualified scientists that have a very different view of global warming then the one we are most often served on the evening news.
We must also keep in mind the it is well-documented that Mr. Gore is personally and deeply invested in the "green" industry global warming is creating. (Article). I have provided a link to one pretty good article on the subject, but you only have to Google Gore and global warming investments or something similar and there are pages on the subject. If he is successful with his "green" business plan, he stands to make hundreds of millions---some say billions of dollars.
Dr. Richard Lindzen, climatologist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is asking in a paper written just a few months ago, (1) Has the global warming alarm become the goal itself, instead of the result of scientific research? (2) Is climate science really designed to answer questions or promote political goals?
Some scientists are much more direct than Dr. Lindzen.
Climatologist Dr. Richard Keen of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at University of Colorado says, "Earth has cooled since 1998 in defiance of the predictions by the U.N.-IPCC. The global temperature in 2007 was the coldest in a decade and the coldest of the millennium...which is why 'global warming' is now called 'climate change'."
Nobel Prize winner for physics, Ivar Gigever says, "I am a skeptic...global warming has become a new religion."
Dr. Michael R. Fox has done an excellent job putting together a recent overview of how a number of highly qualified climatologists feel about global warming. I recommend you read it, because the new administration is prepared to invest massive amounts of US dollars into a number of Gore's companies. They see it as a way to create new jobs and also cool down the planet.
Not to worry that the planet is apparently cooling itself down. I suppose that is why the time for delay and denial is over. We must act quickly before the next snowstorm closes our streets and highways.
Dr. Eduardo Tonni of the Committee for Scientific Research in Buenos Aires and head of the Paleontology Department at the University of La Plata has said, "The global warming scare mongering has its justification in the fact that it is something that generates funds."
Indeed it does.
Don't forget to take your coat when you go to the next global warming community action meeting.
You may also want to take your boots--it occasionally gets quite deep.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Gregoire Sued for Following Rossi's Economic Plan

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That's right. Washington State Governor Gregoire has abandoned her promises to the left and far left who elected her and is now, to some degree, following Dino Rossi's economic strategy that he laid out during the election campaign.

Those who elected her are now suing her.

As they say in my home town, "She has written a check she can't cover." Neither did my home town contribute to her re-election.

To their credit, the press is reporting the lawsuits that are being filed against her for breaking her promises.

Rossi says he's not surprised.

The Seattle PI Capitol Correspondent, Chris McCann, has written a good article saying, "During her re-election campaign, Gov. Gregoire blasted Republican challenger Dino Rossi for decisions he made as the Senate's lead budget writer in 2003."

"But," McCann says, "After winning re-election Gregoire proposed balancing the next state budget with some of the same types of cuts," as Rossi has used and advocated. Consequently, some of her strongest and most loyal supporters, including two very strong unions on the left and far left, have turned on her and are suing her for not honoring the campaign promises she made to them a couple of months ago.

Rossi says he wasn't surprised to see Gregoire change positions. He says, "There wasn't too much that Christine Gregoire and her friends uttered during the course of the campaign that was actually truthful."

I thought the comments of State Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, were quite telling. She told Rachel LaCorte from The Associated Press, "We can't balance the budget on hope."

We can't balance the budget on hope?

But Senator, you and your people elected a President who has virtually no experience other than organizing communities and running for public office on the mantra of "hope" and "change".

His election facilitated the re-election of Gregoire, with the flood of new liberal voters being drawn to the polls in November by "hope" and "change".

Now that everyone is elected or re-elected, please don't tell us "hope" can't work.

There are a couple of things that I think we should take from this---besides heartburn.

First, before the election, Gregoire said that certain budget cuts, "would be out of step with Washington's values." Now she is proposing those very cuts.

Has Washington lost or changed it's values? Or has she? Or were her values closer to Rossi's and other Washingtonians then she dared say for fear of losing the union vote she had to have for re-election? Or does pragmatism trump core beliefs or even the need for them?

Gregoire's spokesperson, Laura Lockard, has cleared all that up for us. She said, the $1.9 billion decline in state revenue wasn't announced until just after the election. "That November forecast kind of changed the game," she said.

But if Rossi was not even serving in public office during this past campaign, how did he know there were some financial challenges ahead, when the Governor did not know?

Rossi says, "She knew full well what needed to be done."

She wrote a check she couldn't cash.

The end justifies the means.

Now they are suing her... But she got the job.

The Service Employees International Union is suing, Washington's largest state worker union, the Washington Federation of State Employees is suing, a third lawsuit was reported the other day and people in Olympia are telling me there is more to come.

I would suggest you read the article linked if you have not already done so. It gives a pretty good picture of a candidate who was telling the truth during the campaign and one who was not.

Rossi says the way she is setting up her budget cut strategy, "Sets up an end game in which the Legislature can ask the voters to approve new taxes." "Then," he says, "they can say OK, you didn't vote for this, so you are the bad guys cause you obviously don't want it."

He says, "That's not the right thing to do."

Unfortunately, that seems to be a snapshot of the near future they called, "hope" and "change". It is also a lesson in the difference between leadership and opportunism.

Character counts.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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