Friday, May 28, 2010

"Does That Flag Still Wave...?"

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On this Memorial Day weekend, we will remember family and friends who have passed away, spend time with those whom we love, have a barbecue, and hopefully have a great time.

Ronald Reagan, capably, reminded the world why we celebrate Memorial Day in his comments at Arlington National Cemetery, May 31, 1982.

He ended his comments by noting that our National Anthem ends with a question: "Oh say does that flag still wave o're the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Concluding, the President said, "That is what we must all ask."
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Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery
May 31, 1982

Mr. President, General, the distinguished guests here with us today, my fellow citizens:

In America's cities and towns today, flags will be placed on graves in cemeteries; public officials will speak of the sacrifice and the valor of those whose memory we honor.

In 1863, when he dedicated a small cemetery in Pennsylvania marking a terrible collision between the armies of North and South, Abraham Lincoln noted the swift obscurity of such speeches. Well, we know now that Lincoln was wrong about that particular occasion. His remarks commemorating those who gave their ``last full measure of devotion'' were long remembered. But since that moment at Gettysburg, few other such addresses have become part of our national heritage -- not because of the inadequacy of the speakers, but because of the inadequacy of words.

I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that stands in silence and remembers those who were loved and who, in return, loved their countrymen enough to die for them.

Yet, we must try to honor them -- not for their sakes alone, but for our own. And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men, surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice.

Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough: The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden. And just as they whom we commemorate were willing to sacrifice, so too must we -- in a less final, less heroic way -- be willing to give of ourselves.

It is this, beyond the controversy and the congressional debate, beyond the blizzard of budget numbers and the complexity of modern weapons systems, that motivates us in our search for security and peace. War will not come again, other young men will not have to die, if we will speak honestly of the dangers that confront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers.

It's not just strength or courage that we need, but understanding and a measure of wisdom as well. We must understand enough about our world to see the value of our alliances. We must be wise enough about ourselves to listen to our allies, to work with them, to build and strengthen the bonds between us.

Our understanding must also extend to potential adversaries. We must strive to speak of them not belligerently, but firmly and frankly. And that's why we must never fail to note, as frequently as necessary, the wide gulf between our codes of morality. And that's why we must never hesitate to acknowledge the irrefutable difference between our view of man as master of the state and their view of man as servant of the state. Nor must we ever underestimate the seriousness of their aspirations to global expansion. The risk is the very freedom that has been so dearly won.

It is this honesty of mind that can open paths to peace, that can lead to fruitful negotiation, that can build a foundation upon which treaties between our nations can stand and last -- treaties that can someday bring about a reduction in the terrible arms of destruction, arms that threaten us with war even more terrible than those that have taken the lives of the Americans we honor today.

In the quest for peace, the United States has proposed to the Soviet Union that we reduce the threat of nuclear weapons by negotiating a stable balance at far lower levels of strategic forces. This is a fitting occasion to announce that START, as we call it, strategic arms reductions, that the negotiations between our country and the Soviet Union will begin on the 29th of June.

As for existing strategic arms agreements, we will refrain from actions which undercut them so long as the Soviet Union shows equal restraint. With good will and dedication on both sides, I pray that we will achieve a safer world.

Our goal is peace. We can gain that peace by strengthening our alliances, by speaking candidly of the dangers before us, by assuring potential adversaries of our seriousness, by actively pursuing every chance of honest and fruitful negotiation.

It is with these goals in mind that I will depart Wednesday for Europe, and it's altogether fitting that we have this moment to reflect on the price of freedom and those who have so willingly paid it. For however important the matters of state before us this next week, they must not disturb the solemnity of this occasion. Nor must they dilute our sense of reverence and the silent gratitude we hold for those who are buried here.

The willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground, and I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines, and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero and, in my lifetime, the heroes of World War I, the Doughboys, the GI's of World War II or Korea or Vietnam. They span several generations of young Americans, all different and yet all alike, like the markers above their resting places, all alike in a truly meaningful way.

Winston Churchill said of those he knew in World War II they seemed to be the only young men who could laugh and fight at the same time. A great general in that war called them our secret weapon, ``just the best darn kids in the world.'' Each died for a cause he considered more important than his own life. Well, they didn't volunteer to die; they volunteered to defend values for which men have always been willing to die if need be, the values which make up what we call civilization. And how they must have wished, in all the ugliness that war brings, that no other generation of young men to follow would have to undergo that same experience.

As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do our utmost to carry out what must have been their wish: that no other generation of young men will every have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice.

Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem -- I can't claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don't know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.

Thank you.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Is The American Promise Slipping Away?

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There is a growing sense among Americans that something is wrong---very wrong, with the direction our country is moving. Both polls and public outcry reflect the deep discontent.

Our culture is being remade in the image of secular socialism. The very beliefs our Founders fled.

The military has become a social experiment, with the pending repeal of homosexual policies. Marriage (DOMA) is under assault by this administration as it promises to redefine marriage and abortion is being expanded by this administration while the President tells the American people he wants to reduce the number of abortions.

Hypocrisy.

Public education is, too often, used as a vehicle of indoctrination for pro-abortion, pro-homosexual and pro-secular socialist, anti-American and anti-Christian agendas.

Immigration, once a pillar of sustainability for our country, has been turned on its head through refusal to enforce immigration laws---now deeply dividing the country.

President Obama has created more debt in his brief tenure as president than all presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush---combined. He has willing accomplices in the Congressional majority.

Do you still think you need not become involved?

Take a look at this from the Drudge Report:

AMERICA'S NATIONAL DEBT
TOPS $13,000,000,000,000;
DEBT PER TAXPAYER - $117,975;
US DEBT TO GDP RATIO - 90.3%

Now click here and spend a minute watching in real time, the National Debt Clock.

After watching the clock, do you still lack urgency or feel no need to become involved with upcoming elections?

Be Informed. Be Vocal. Be Active. Be Discerning. Be Blessed.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

"Gay on The Hill" Homosexuals Re-Launch Efforts

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Politico reports that the "Gay and Lesbian Staff Association" that spent their early years trying to protect the names of its members who were "closeted congressional staffers," has now taken a sharp turn, encouraging its members to be more public, more vocal and more involved in moving pro-homosexual legislation forward.

Think about that for a moment. These people are not elected officials, but are employees hired to assist those whom we have elected to represent us in the US Congress. And they---staff, are re-launching their efforts to affect legislation---to influence policy.

That is very troubling.

Nancy Pelosi has promised to get the effort to repeal the military policy of "don't ask , don't tell" and the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to the floor before the end of this session.

Scott Simpson, the "Gay and Lesbian Staff Association" president and deputy press secretary for Rep. Marcia Fudge D-Ohio said, "I want to make sure folks know we exist. Being gay on the Hill today is less about survival and more about establishment. We're working on taking it to the next level."

Indeed they are. And the next level is to impact policy.

The White House fully supports a proposal to step up the repeal of the "don't ask , don't tell" policy. Homosexual rights activists in Congress, with all gay staff members hands on deck, are demanding a "quick" vote---even before the military impact assessment is in. They want it as early as this week.

President Obama has been assuring homosexual activists he is on their side on their issues, but has angered them because he has not done enough quickly enough during his first year in office. I suspect the President has been wanting to go slow on these issues so as not to force a vote before the upcoming elections, but they want none of it.

The President, running short on friends according to polls, seems to be responding to the homosexual demands and preparing to let these issues move forward. Thus the "re-launch" of the homosexual staffers organization.

You will recall the homosexuals were irate that President Obama invited Pastor Rick Warren to participate with prayer in his inauguration. Obama's response? He had openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson participate at another event.

The President is saying move slowly---the homosexual activists are demanding he move quickly.

We will never know the full impact of activist staffers on their bosses, but anyone who has ever worked in an office knows that leaders rely, often substantially, on their staff to help them in carrying out their work load.

However, we will soon know whether the White House is setting the schedule or homosexual activists.

One thing is clear and certain. Our President says he believes in traditional, natural marriage, while both he and his wife promise to move the re engineering of family and the redefinition of marriage forward at any cost.

Thank God Republicans have promised to stand united against ENDA and other homosexual attempts to remake the culture.

Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Thanks for your support.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Texas Textbooks and American Exceptionalism - Part II

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Yesterday, I outlined several of what I felt were the more important changes that will occur in the Texas social studies and history textbooks. Because many other states use these textbooks adopted by Texas, what they do impacts not only their state but many others across the nation.

The lead up to adopting the new narrative for the texts has been very contentious and this will continue into the future as people with different views vie for influence in what we will tell our children in the public classroom.

I quoted Education Secretary Arne Duncan as being negative toward the adopted changes and suggested that what a person believes about America may be at the very heart of this debate and others as well.

The ACLU also weighed in last Friday saying the new curriculum, "Is more ideological than ever, despite pleas not to politicize what is taught to Texas school children."

This sounds noble and above the fray if you are unaware of the ACLU's activities over the past 50 years. No single organization has done more harm to our culture and our freedoms, in my opinion, than the ACLU. It just isn't going their way on this issue, so they are calling for restraint and discipline, something they know little to nothing about.

Is America exceptional? Does it have a special destiny?

Our Founding Fathers believed that it did.

Even Thomas Paine, not known to be a Christian activist for sure said, "The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind. Where, some say, is the King of America? I'll tell you, friend, He reigns above."

Daniel Webster saw the results of the Founder's actions and said, "Let us not forget the religious character of our origin."

He was reminding his colleagues of their past, so the future could be better understood. His admonition for the future?

"Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened in 6000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world."

Exceptional nation with a special destiny.

President Obama apparently does not agree with him.

A reporter for the Financial Times, questioning President Obama at a news conference during a NATO summit in Strasbourg, France in April 2009, asked the President if he subscribed to the belief that America is "uniquely qualified to lead the world." President Obama responded, "I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism."

America has no special or unique destiny or purpose.

James Rosen, reflecting on the Texas textbook debate says, "Clashes among members of the Texas Board of Education over the content of students' textbooks have come, in part, to focus on a once obscure intellectual concept---'American exceptionalism'---that has now seen the President of the United States weigh in."

President Obama does not stand alone in his "broader view" of America.

Best selling author and Princeton University professor, Joyce Carol Oates, takes exception to the belief that there is a distinctly American idea, one that is distinguishable from the core concepts that have animated Europeans, Scandinavians and other cultures.

In an article in the Atlantic Monthly in November 2007, Rosen quotes Oates saying, "Travel to any foreign country and the consensus is: The America idea has become a cruel joke, a blustery and bellicose bodybuilder luridly bulked up on steroids...deranged and myopic, dangerous."

This is the kind of thinking your child or grandchild is often hearing in the classroom. No wonder we have become a culturally conflicted country.

She continues: "American exceptionalism makes our imperialism altruistic, our plundering of the world's resources a healthy exercise of capitalism and 'free trade'."

"From childhood," Ms. Oates says, "we are indoctrinated with the propaganda that America is superior to other nations; that our way of life, a mass-market 'democracy' manipulated by lobbyists, is superior to all other forms of government; no matter how frivolous and debased, our American culture is the supreme culture, as our language is the supreme language; that our most blatantly imperialistic and cynical political goals are always idealistic, while the goals of other nations are transparently opportunistic."

This is what is wrong with the American classroom. Barack Obama is a product of this kind of thinking and belief system.

Fortunately, not all educators buy in with Professor Oates.

Andrew Roberts, a British historian and best selling author says in his book, "Masters and Commanders: How Four Titans Won The War in the West,1941-1945," that this idea plays well for postmodernists who believe everything has to be related to something else and nothing is truly exceptional. It also plays well to the anti-American folks in Europe and, unfortunately, in this country.

Roberts says, "America is not like any other country. It wasn't born like other countries. It didn't come to prominence like other countries. It's not holding imperium like other countries...It probably won't lose it's supremacy like other countries. And so in that sense it is completely exceptional."

If America is indeed exceptional, and I believe it is, we must look at preserving and restoring our Judeo-Christian cultural as a matter of biblical stewardship. An application of Christ's teaching on the talents.

About an hour ago I re-read John Winthrop's sermon, "A Model of Christian Charity." It was written on board the ship "Arbella" crossing the Atlantic Ocean. It was in this famous sermon that he said, "For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all the people are upon us."

Indeed.

The message from the Board of Education in Texas? "Keep the concepts of American exceptionalism and preserve the Judeo-Christian values that have impacted our law and government."

God help us.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Monday, May 24, 2010

Texas Textbooks and American Exceptionalism Part I

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The Texas State Board of Education adopted a new social studies and history curriculum this past Friday.

About 4.8 million Texas students will be taught from the new material over the next 10 years. In addition, because of the size of the Texas textbook order, the same curriculum will be used in many states across the country.

The process has been contentious and the Associated Press story reflects that. In fact, it is clear that AP is not happy with the final product. They are reporting that the adopted curriculum, "amends or waters down the teaching of the civil rights movement, religious freedoms, America's relationship with the UN and hundred's of other items."

Actually, the new narrative moves toward the truth and away from the political leftward drift of the past 20 years.

Here are several of the important items that will be changed in the new textbooks:

1. Considered by opponents to be one of the most significant changes, students will now be given the opportunity to study the separation of church and state issue more honestly. They will learn those words are not in the Constitution and will be required to compare and contrast the judicial language with the wording in the First Amendment.

The secularists are angry---including AP. In fact AP says, "The board attempted to water down the rationale for separation of church and state."

Sometimes facts are very troublesome.

2. The board rejected language that would "modernize" the classification of historic periods to the politically correct B.C.E. and C.E.. The intent, I believe, was not so much about "modernizing" as it was about eliminating the references to the birth of Christ.

The kids will be taught B.C. and A.D. for the next 10 years.

3. The new textbooks will require students to evaluate efforts by global organizations such as the United Nations to undermine US sovereignty.

4. Thomas Jefferson will not be presented as an example of an influential political philosopher in a world history class.

5. The new textbooks strengthen requirements on teaching Judeo-Christian influences of the nation's Founding Fathers.

6. The new curriculum requires that the US Government be correctly referred to as a "constitutional republic" rather than democratic.

7. Students will be required to study the decline in value of the US dollar, including the abandonment of the gold standard.

These are but a few of the changes. Liberals, or "secular socialists" are raging.

President Obama's Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, has weighed in saying that school officials "should keep politics out" of curriculum debates.

"Politics," of course refers, in this case, to any view that does not support a far left revision of history which has been in progress for sometime.

Duncan says, "We do a disservice to children when we shield them from the truth, just because some people think it is painful or doesn't fit with their particular views. Parents should be very wary of politicians designing curriculum."

Exactly.

Over the past generation or so a coalition of activist educators, politicians, the ACLU, homosexual advocates and the abortion industry has hijacked public education, misleading an entire generation and in doing so awakened another generation to what they are actually doing to children who have been entrusted to them five days a week.

Public education has all too often become a social experimentation, using our kids to further a radical secular socialist worldview. And public education student scores reflect that in many cities.

In the case of social studies and the study of history, these new textbooks will be most helpful in telling our kids the truth. However, there is a much broader dynamic in play in all this.

It has to do with what you believe about America. Is it an "exceptional nation" with a unique destiny or is it, as our President has said while in Europe, exceptional only to us just like Britain is exceptional to Brits and Greece is exceptional to Greeks. In other words, in his mind, America is not necessarily set aside for noble purposes as our Founders believed---it's just another country---no big deal.

What one believes about this country, under God, is close to the heart of most discussions about our culture.

In tomorrow's Blog, I am going to continue this by specifically addressing American "exceptionalism" and how what one believes is at the heart of our national debate of what we should tell our kids and how we, as a nation, ought to view our culture.

Be Informed. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Friday, May 21, 2010

Comments and Opinions From Our Readers

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Thank you to all who participated in our Candidate Survey. If you want to participate, but have not done so yet, we are leaving the Survey up until Monday.

Your comments and opinions are very, very important and helpful as we are using them as a guide in creating a list of questions that will be sent to every Washington State candidate.

Several elected officials who presently serve in the Washington State Legislature are helping us frame the questions as well.

Universally you told us, "These are all important to me," and "It is difficult to prioritize them." We knew it would be difficult, but your response was helpful in that many, perhaps most lists included comments as to why you listed the issues as you did. Thank you. That was very helpful.

State's Rights was the #1 issue, with education #2 by .02% of a point. Marriage and abortion followed, with many referencing 2nd Amendment Rights and fiscal responsibility by the state government.

Your comments were very consistent, voicing your belief that until we can get government under control and education restructured, it is difficult to advance sanctity of life policies and defend and preserve traditional marriage.

You strongly believe that we must work locally to elect new politicians who believe in and will vote for traditional values.

You also feel that it is very important to restructure public education, because you feel that public education is contributing to our moral decline and we must get a handle on that. Particularly sex-ed.

Some of your comments:

"All of the issues are extremely important to me. It is my opinion that attacking government growth, coinciding with the debt, is the most important. The greater the government, the more Godless the nation..."

"In regards to State's Rights, they are extremely important to protect us from the federal government. Fiscal responsibility affects the tax payer which affects parenting and ability to own property. Marriage is the cornerstone of parenting where the sanctity of life is protected and supported. Education is paramount because the current public education erodes all of the above..."

"All of the above are extremely important to me. They are all #1."

"We must clean up the corruption in education."

"This is really hard."

"Thank you for asking us."

"Education:" We should not be asked to put more of our dollars to support a failing system."

"Marriage-1 man and 1 woman--is the KEY foundation and building block of society."

"These are difficult choices, all very important but keeping the fiscal house in order may help to address some of the other issues. Constitutional rights should never be violated, hence my rating State's Rights and Second Amendment rights in 2nd and 3rd position. God bless you and guide you."

Much was written about defending marriage and eliminating abortion on demand.

And yes, many kind words of encouragement and appreciation for what we are doing. Thank you. That means a lot given the many faces of opposition toward these efforts.

We have a few more questions and surveys over the next few weeks. Thank you in advance for participating.

And thank you in advance for your continuing financial support.

Be Informed. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning.

Be Blessed.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

FEMA Asks Volunteers to Remove Christian T-Shirts

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While shooting a video of the tornado clean-up in Mississippi, Michael Mancino, a federal government employee asked two volunteers to change out their T-shirts.

The reason?

Because, said Mancino, "we don't want anything faith-based."

The T-shirts carried the logo of the Salvation Army, along with WJTV 12 and other sponsors of the clean-up event.

Under most other circumstances the incident would have likely gone un-noticed, however, given the visibility of Ch.12, FEMA was called out on it.

The two volunteers were members of Crossgates Baptist Church. US Representative Gregg Harper also attends and is a member of the church.

Once this became public, FEMA did what is most always done in these kinds of situations. They denounced the action, called Rep. Harper and assured him they do not discriminate against Christians, that FEMA values faith-based organizations and told Rep. Harper that Mancino had been fired.

However, FEMA told WJTV that Mancino had "been transferred out of the area."

Rep. Harper has launched an investigation and the Salvation Army plans to file a formal complaint with FEMA.

Clearly, we all make mistakes. This guy made one. The best case is that he was trying to create video that implied that FEMA was directly responsible for the work being done, when in fact they were not.

However, this once again highlights a pattern that we see all to often. Connect the dots:

*A child is allowed and assisted in leaving Ballard High School, during class, to get an abortion, without her parents knowledge. The parents find out and the school explains, deflects blame, agrees it should never happen, promises to talk to people and hopes it all goes away.

*Children, as young as kindergarten, are given explicit sex-ed materials, often produced or provided by homosexual advocacy groups. The parents find out and strongly object. The district expresses surprise, admits it was a mistake, promises to look into it, perhaps admonishes a teacher and hopes the controversy will all go away soon. While the kids are left with the mental impressions from the materials.

*Candidate Obama. He and his family sat under the ministry of Rev. Wright for 20 years with no discomfort toward his positions regarding America. When the Reverend's sermon videos were circulated publicly, public outrage followed, the Obama family finally left the church with the candidate saying he had never heard anything like that while attending the church for 20 years. The matter went away, the candidate became President and is presently "remaking" America.

Well---the matter sort of went away. The reverend was telling the press just this week that Barack Obama "threw me under the bus."

There is a predictable pattern among secular progressives---particularly regarding matters of faith and morality. Push the agenda as far as possible. If you are not called out, you have advanced your agenda. If you are called out, denounce, apologize, blame someone else, promise it will never happen again and try another day.

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Active. Be Blessed.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Media Pre-Occupied With Elena Kagan's Sexual Orientation. Why?

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Once again The Seattle Times is following the lead of the national press in obsessing over whether President Obama's nominee for the US Supreme Court, Elena Kagan, is homosexual.

The AP story they chose to publish this time is even apologizing for writing about it---but they keep writing.

Why?

It's odd that when people of faith and conservatives stand against the homosexual agenda to redefine marriage and re-engineer the family, they are called bigoted, hateful, and unfair; yet the very news outlets that label them as such have a continuing obsession with a nominee's sexual orientation. They can't seem to let it go.

And while the so-called "mainstream press" writes on, homosexual activists are demanding she "make a statement" about her sexual orientation.

This is where a mix of perversion and political correctness takes us.

There is a mountain of reasons why Elena Kagan should not be confirmed to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Newt Gingrich, while making a speech on Second Amendment rights the other night, digressed for 1 minute and 39 seconds and gave one huge reason why she should never, ever serve on the highest court in the land.

He said, "All you have to know about the President's nominee is..." His remarks will inform and inspire you.

We learned first hand that although it was homosexual activists in the Washington State Legislature that sponsored SB 5688, setting the stage for homosexual marriage in the state, it was three so-called family friendly Republicans that joined in helping pass the legislation.

Although Senators Dan Swecker, Val Stevens, Pam Roach and Representative Matt Shea and others pled with their peers not to pass the legislation because it was the last step to homosexual marriage in the state, Sen. Curtis King of Yakima, Sen. Dale Brandland of Bellingham (42 Dist.) and Sen. Cheryl Pflug of East King County (5th District) broke from their Republican colleagues and voted for the homosexual agenda.

It happens on both the state and national level. You elect someone whom you feel will represent your values and once elected, they vote differently.

I have no doubt that the President's nominee, if confirmed, will work hard to redefine marriage, abolish DOMA, abolish "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," expand abortion and as she has said, "redistribute speech" and further erode personal freedoms.

However, the press may well be feeding this part of her story to simply cloud the overwhelming reasons why we should demand that our elected officials oppose her nomination.

Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Blessed. Be Vocal.

Thanks for your support.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Emanuel Tells Rabbis US "Screwed Up"

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The Jerusalem Post is reporting that US officials are denying that they have changed their view on the Israeli Nuclear Policy.

White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel told a group of rabbis called to a gathering at the White House that the Obama administration has, "screwed up the messaging" about its support of Israel over the past 14 months.

He said it will take "more than one month to make up for 14 months."

Emanuel told the rabbis, "During the elections there were doubts about President Obama's support for Israel, and now they have re-surfaced."

"Concerning policy," he said, "we have done everything that we can that is in Israel's security---and long range interests." It is not difficult to misunderstand and think President Obama isn't much interested in standing with Israel. A history of carefully crafted statements toward Israel and the Middle East and his recent "stiffing" of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the White House could easily cause concern.

And it has. And President Obama is now trying to cover himself.

Some rabbis came away from the meeting impressed and mollified. Some did not. They continued to express doubt or at best restrained optimism.

A point made to the rabbis was that the Obama administration is "frustrated" that what they have done for Israel, "has not been comprehensively and accurately reported."

It must be difficult for a President to have such an "unsupportive" press.

Frustrating.

The Wall Street Journal ran an op-ed piece nearly a year ago (July 3, 2009) by Alan Dershowitch, a Harvard law professor, titled, "Has Obama Turned On Israel?" where he was expressing considerable concern over the President's attitude and actions toward Israel.

His column begins with, "Many American supporters of Israel who voted for Barack Obama now suspect they may have been victims of a bait and switch."

The piece ended with, "So with Iran's burgeoning nuclear threat, it's important to be vigilant for any signs of weakening support for Israel's security---and to criticize forcefully any such change."

Be Vigilant.

America's relationship to Israel involves much, much more than politics and policies.

Pastor John Hagee has given
seven reasons why we support Israel. I strongly recommend you read it.

Be Prayerful. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Vocal. Be Active. Be Blessed.

Thank you for
your support.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Monday, May 17, 2010

Super Mosque To Open Steps From NY Ground Zero

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Plans to build a 13-story super mosque just steps from ground zero in New York are well underway and moving forward. The New York Post first reported it could opened on 9-11-11, however they have removed that article. From all I have read, I don't see how that is possible, however the project is moving forward.

The "Cordoba House" project, as it is called,
is being presented as a collaborative effort of the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative.

The plan for the center was presented to the Community Board of Lower Manhattan last week. The plan includes a mega mosque, swimming pool, meeting rooms, etc., and is located steps from the World Trade Center "Ground Zero" site.

Community friendly.

The board approved with no dissenting votes.

Ro Sheffe, a board member said, "They own the land, and their plans don't have any zoning changes."

Indeed they do own the land. A man named Fasial Abdul Rauf bought the land for $4.5 million through one of his organizations. The payment was made in cash. He says the super mosque will help foster "better relations between the West and Muslims."

Daisy Khan, his wife, however, not generally identified as such by the press,
told CNN, "The time for a center like this has come because Islam is an American religion."

Obviously there is growing concern from many who feel this act opens old wounds rather than healing them. The building where the mosque is being built is so close to the Trade Centers that it was damaged by aircraft debris during the attacks of 9-11.

I have included
a link to an interview by Shaun Hannity with Pam Geller. This link also provides an opportunity to sign a petition to resist the building of this super mosque at Ground Zero.

This project is a Trojan Horse. Fasial Abdul Rauf is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Here's why.

Before you go to that interview, let me share an overview of
an article published this weekend by Alyssa A. Lappen.

To really know what this about, we must take a closer look at the man behind it all, Fasil Abdul Rauf. Lappen has taken an in depth look at this man and his mission.

Lappen shows Rauf's father to be a radical Egyptian contemporary of Muslim Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna.

Fesial Rauf, Lappen says, "has planned for some time to develop his father's US Islamic Expansionism."

Lappen says Rauf's early UK education and familiarization with American popular culture and values made him an acutely adept practitioner of Islamic Tagiyya---a deceptive speech and action to advance the interests and supremacy of Islam. He says, "To further that Islamic advancement, Rauf, in 1997, established the American Society for Muslim Advancement(ASMA)."

This is one of the two organizations leading the Ground Zero project.

Rauf's Kashmir born wife, Daisy Kahn, has run the organization since 2005.

Lappen reveals how Rauf has developed relationships with key people under the guise of religious studies even getting support to build a Muslim House center at New York's Chautaugua Institute under the rubric of "Abrahamic" faiths, a cover for Rauf's Islamic activities.

While Rauf presents himself as a "moderate" conciliatory Muslim, his words betray him.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald that, "Terrorism will only end when the West acknowledges the harm it has done to Muslims." He said, "The Islamic method of waging war is not to kill innocent civilians...it was Christians in World War II who bombed civilians in Dresdin and Hiroshima, neither were military targets."

Feisal wrote a book in 2004 espousing his agenda of the advancement of Islam titled, "What's Right With Islam". The book has been translated into a number of languages and he has been speaking and promoting his agenda around the world.

In his book he says the US Constitution is sharia-compliant as well as the American political structure.

He told 60 Minutes on September 30, 2001, "The attacks were a reaction against the US Government politically, where we espouse principles of democracy and human rights, [yet] ally ourselves with oppressive regimes in many of these countries---[US] policies were an accessory to the crime that happened."

Note: The crimes the Muslims committed, "Happened".

The Cordoba Institute's name reveals the deceptiveness of the man and his mission.

"Cordoba" was the seat of the Islamic caliphate that ruled most of Spain from Tarig ibn Zayid's 711 invasion through 1248, and controlled parts of Spain clear up until it's full liberation in 1492.

Rauf, along with modern day revisionists of history, have blatantly whitewashed Islam's brutal history in Spain.

Lappen says, "To allow a mosque at a place a Muslim gang destroyed on 9-11 would amount to formally blessing Islam's 1,400 year old tradition of exclusivity and suppression of all persons of all other faiths. It would be a 100% victory of Islam and sharia-law over the Constitution and America's time-honored democracy and pluralism."

I agree.

Be Informed. Do Not Be Silent. Be Blessed.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Friday, May 14, 2010

A Time To Speak - A Time To Act

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Our country, our state, our culture and our communities are at a crossroads. Either we will speak up, be heard and change direction or we will continue to stumble toward tyranny.

Thomas Jefferson said,
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent."

This is not a time to be silent. We are and will be providing a number of opportunities for people to join with other people of like mind to make your voice and beliefs heard. The Faith and Freedom web site has grown to a significant amount of traffic and visibility both in Washington State and now across the country. We are humbled and grateful for the opportunities this provides.

I'm asking you to join in the process of informing citizens as to what candidates for office really believe and how they can be expected to vote if elected.

You can "speak up" now by doing 2 things.

1. Participate in our Candidate Survey. Your input will help us frame the questions we will ask every candidate---in writing. Their answers or non response will be circulated through out the state.

2. Help fund the effort. Your
donation is absolutely necessary.

Thank you to all who have already participated, your input is very valuable. And thanks for the great comments---well 99% of the comments.

Be Prayerful. Be Vocal. Be Active. Be Discerning. Be Blessed.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Obama: "A Voice We Need On The Supreme Court"

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Please participate in our information gathering to create a Candidate Survey Letter that will be sent to every Washington State candidate in the upcoming election. Click here to participate._____________________

In his personal email to "friend"---that would be me in this case, the President told me he is honored to nominate his Solicitor General and friend Elena Kagan to the US Supreme Court.

He says her choice to make the Citizens United case her first to argue before the Supreme Court as Solicitor General shows that she has a commitment to protect our fundamental rights.

He says she will be a "guiding force" and "a voice we need on the Supreme Court."

But where will she guide us? And what kind of "voice" does the President need on the highest Court in the land?

Kagan has raised her "voice" several times. Let me tell you about a couple of them.

In 2005 she spoke strongly against the military policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and against whether Congress could withhold funding from universities that discriminate against the military policy. Two years earlier she had
written in an email to all the Harvard Law students, regarding the military policy,"This [policy] is a profound wrong---a moral injustice of the first order. And it is a wrong that tears at the fabric of our community, because some of our members cannot, while others can, devote their professional careers to their country."

"Our community?" What does that mean?

Kagan and other Harvard Law professors have actively opposed the federal law, passed in 1993 and signed by President Clinton, that directs Congress to use its constitutional authority "to make rules for the government and regulation of the land and natural forces" to prohibit homosexuals from serving in the military.

Her arguments were rejected by the Supreme Court. Following the Court's decision, she told students she looked forward to the day, "When all our students, regardless of sexual orientation, will be able to serve and defend this country in the armed services."

This is an extraordinary comment in that she certainly is not known to be a big supporter of the military. Nor is Harvard. The University has been very adversarial toward any military presence on campus.

Ironically, it is the homosexual community that has been abuzz the last few days trying to determine whether she is gay---not conservatives or people of faith.

But it is her first US Supreme Court appearance as Solicitor General that the President thinks is so very important. And revealing.

Indeed it is.
She told the Court last September, on behalf of the Obama Administration, that Congress could constitutionally prohibit corporations from engaging in political speech such as publishing pamphlets that advocate the election or defeat of a candidate for federal office.

Her argument was rejected by the Court, with Justice Anthony Kennedy responding, "When government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source he or she may or may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought."

Censorship to control thought.

Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion, "This is unlawful. The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for our selves."

Chief Justice John Roberts took direct aim at Kagan's argument saying, "The Government urges us in this case to uphold a direct prohibition on political speech. It asks us to embrace a theory of the First Amendment that would allow censorship not only of television and radio broadcasts, but of pamphlets, posters, the Internet, and virtually any other medium that corporations and unions might find useful in expressing their views on matters of public concern."

Roberts pointed out that her ideas would even prohibit newspapers from publishing op-ed and editorial columns.


Yesterday, CNS reported on an article she wrote in the University of Chicago Law Review titled, "Private Speech, Public Purpose: The Role of Governmental Motive in the First Amendment Doctrine."

It is an extensive article which essentially points out that she is disagreeing with the Buckley Principle that says, "Government cannot balance between two competing ideas."

Kagan says the government's motives, not its actions, must be primary in a ruling, defining the process as, 'redistribution of speech'."

This is a troubling leap into relativism in ruling on First Amendment cases. It allows government leadership to say they believe one thing (motive) while doing something very different. Recent examples: President Obama has proclaimed his belief in marriage between one man and one woman while taking every opportunity to undermine the very thing he says he believes. The President has also said he wants to work to reduce abortions, while seizing every opportunity to expand and increase the number of abortions.

This is a snapshot of the "voice" the President "needs" on the Supreme Court. And it tells us a great deal about how her "commitment to protect our fundamental rights" would work. This is the "guiding force" the President seeks to help him in "remaking" America.

Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be Involved. Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

2006 Barney Frank Video Is Stunning

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The video of a speech given by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass, has recently surfaced. Three weeks after making this speech, Frank became Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee.

His comments are stunning. Keep in mind that it is this man who was driving when the country ran off the road into the present financial crises.

As Chairman, he oversees, among other things, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

I doubt that any of us need a reminder as to why we need new leadership in our country---but just in case anyone has had a memory lapse, check this out.

Some notable quotes from the three minute video.

"One of the things we did was try to reduce the reporting requirements from the banks to the financial detectives. Far too much has been reported now, in my judgment."

On the plan to manage Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae funds: "distribute it more fairly."

On plummeting house prices: "I think its a good thing..."

On why it's a good thing: "Fundamentally I don't think that there's a crises..."

America's vote put far left progressives in office, allowing this man and others like him to be elevated to positions of power over the well being of our country.

His quote of the decade? "I'm pretty good with words but I'm not so good with things. I've had a lifelong struggle with things."

What can I say? Except, maybe, just in case you have had a memory lapse as to how we got to where we are, please take three minutes and look at this video.

It will inform you and hopefully inspire you to repeat the famous words---"Never Again".

Be Vigilant. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Thursday, May 06, 2010

Today is National Day of Prayer

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The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952. Although a federal judge in Wisconsin has ruled the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional, millions of Americans will be gathering in tens of thousands of locations for prayer today.

I am including a link to the official web site of National Day of Prayer (
nationaldayofprayer.org). From there you can access prayer conference calls, local events, nationwide and specific teachings on prayer.

The image of George Washington, our first president, kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge, is a symbol of his own personal faith in God through Jesus Christ and that of a new nation born out of a desire for freedom which was based on Judeo-Christian beliefs and values.

Many of our presidents have followed Washington in prayer to God, recognizing their own personal need for strength and Divine guidance as they lead this great country.

To know the man George Washington, is to know his prayers. Here's one of them from his journal:

INTERCESSION
George Washington's Prayer Journal

CBN.com -- Sunday Morning Prayer:

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day, receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me, and since thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draw near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers, so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family, kindred, friends and country, be our God & guide this day and for ever for his sake, who lay down in the Grave and arose again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

From William J. Johnson, George Washington

May the Lord bless you and keep you in your going out and your coming in. May His face shine upon you and your family, may His strength be yours. May He forgive our sins and heal our land, in Christ's name. Amen.

God bless you.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Reminder to Faith and Freedom Supporters

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You recently received an informational letter in the postal mail which included a candidate information survey form. If you have not yet filled it out and returned it, please do so. We are anxious to receive your input as we begin to create the Call To Action; INFORM, INSPIRE, INVOLVE effort.

If you did not receive a form in the mail, we will be asking for further input online next week.

Thanks and God bless you.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith and Freedom

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