A Sampling of Today's Voters

Just in case you were wondering how we got a screwed up government, maybe this is a little clue?

I'm profoundly confident with the quality of adults our schools are releasing into our nation these days!

(Informal hat tip to Colonel 7.62 at The People's Cube)

The Difference Between Christians & Muslims

Some people just have no respect for religious beliefs!

First, there were cartoons of the prophet Mohammad published in Danish newspapers. The result of which caused an outrage in the Muslim community with mass rioting, protests, threats, and the seizing of an EU office.

Now Somalia has found itself having to deal with a scourge of Christians. Thankfully, the Muslims are up to the task by capturing the vermin and beheading them.

The Palestinians are having a similar problem as well but are working diligently to cleanse the filth from their lands.

Pakistani Muslims are also working hard for religious freedom.

However, an outrage of outrages has happened! Someone dared to question the True Faith and instead converted to Christianity! Thankfully, some kind souls sought reconciliation and discussion of the tragedy in the hopes that peace and understanding will continue.

After all, we all know that Christians are nothing but blood thirsty terrorists who will attack, persecute and in as many ways as possible harm those who do not share their religious beliefs.

Oh, as a side note, an article at Breitbart.com has brought to light the desecration of a Bible at Glasgow's gallery of Modern Art. I know, it's probably not even worth mentioning.

Artist Jane Clarke, a minister at the Metropolitan Community Church, asked visitors to annotate the Bible with stories and reflections, as a way of making it more inclusive.

But visitors to the gallery took the invitation a bit further than she had anticipated.

"This is all sexist pish, so disregard it all," wrote one person, while another described the Bible as "the biggest lie in human history" and a third wrote: "Mick Jagger and David Bowie belong in here."

Read entire article here.

A Tribute to Cops

In a New York Times article by Robert D. McFadden, we are made aware of an incident that happened in New Jersey where 5 cops were shot, two critically.

Thomas J. Comey, the Jersey City police chief, said of the gunman, Hassan A. Shakur, 32, "This individual came fully ready to go to war with us.” Mr. Shakur was killed, along with his companion, Amanda Anderson, 22. The chief said the assailant’s weapon, a pump-action 12-gauge shotgun with a retractable stock and a sling lined with slotted shells, was “a gun meant for nothing other than to hunt a man.”

You either love them or hate them, there's really no middle ground. Most who hate them are either caught doing something wrong, or fear that there are abusers out there that will take away their freedom. Those who love them have learned to do so when cops arrived to save lives.

True, there's the stories of abuse - there is one recently that comes once again from the infamous Cobb county police where they shot and killed an unagressive dog just one day before its first birthday, and also stories about a police chief being upset because people are using internet phone technology to avoid speed traps. The chief calls then "cowardly tactics." I have my own personal views about speed traps and don't like them. For me, speed traps are unconstitutional and just a way to pad the town/county/states' pockets.

That being said, we do have some abuses and there are some petty police officers out there. Yet, I'd say 99.9% of our active police are above all that, and they do their job not because they're on "power trips," but because they want to protect and defend.

The other night I was watching the latest Die Hard movie, "Live Free or Die Hard," and in it Bruce Willis who plays the role of a detective was asked a question. He was asked, "Then why do you do it?" the question was in response to how hard his life was as a police officer. Bruce Willis'
character responded by saying, "Because no one else will."

I think that's the mindset of most cops, the mindset of most heroes. They don't do it because they enjoy being hated, putting their lives on the line every day, and risking divorce from their loved ones (being a cop, they have a very high divorce rate). They do it because no one else will. Quite simply, they are heroes.

I have the particular honor to be good friends with one. I've been able to see through her the human side of what it means to be a cop. My two Tae Kwon Do instructors when I was a teen were cops. One was a sergeant, and the other an officer. The officer worked undercover. He'd come in some days unshaven and looking "rough" to fit in with the criminals he was working against. His job was extremely dangerous. So was the Sargeant's job. Yet they kept on doing those jobs anyway.

Most people don't know or don't understand that cops have it very hard in the social arena. They usually stick together because non-cops simply don't understand, or the cops feel ostracized by the community they swore to protect.

You simply don't become a cop because you're interested in being at the top of a "popularity" contest.

I still feel the grip of terror when I see a cop behind me in my rear-view mirror. I don't like it. I don't like being pulled over, and I don't like dealing with cops in that sort of situation. Well to be blunt, who does? Yet, I am also glad that I do have that issue to deal with because that means that there are men and women out there protecting our freedom, our rights, our privacy, our property, and our very lives because "no one else will." A patrol officer is just doing his or her job - protecting the public and trying to keep the roads safe.

All I ask is that when you read the negative news about cops (which is mostly what the media posts), remember that there are cops multiplied over a thousand times who do their job daily, dieing daily, getting wounded daily to keep you free. Keep stories like this in mind where a bunch of New Jersey cops were faced with a mad man and a shot gun who was determined to bring down some cops with him. Remember that they're human, just like you and I. They're doing their job because "no one else will."

So cops, my hat is off to you, and with all of my heart I say, "Thank you!"

Phil

Yet Another Crime of Hate Speech

Michael Mansur of the Kansas City Star Has reported that city officials are going to pull their support from a spiritual conference scheduled later this month.

According to the article, an official is going to recommend that the city council not approve a $5,000 grant to the organizers stating that “the event violated city requirements that it not be religious in nature.”

What I find hard to understand is why they would ponder supporting the conference in the first place, considering the city requirements in regards to supporting such an event?

Hello? Is it just me, or does the phrase “spiritual conference” conjure up something other then any sort of religious event?

This is itself does not bother me. According to the Constitution, the federal, state, and local governments are not to be proponents of any religion. The Founding Fathers were opposed to any form of State involvement with an individual’s religious freedom. This stance was the result of dealings with the Church of England. You see, it was run by the government - everything from doctrine to control of the religion’s hierarchy.

What does bother me is this:

“At the council’s business session, council member Deb Hermann said the conference would feature a speaker who has used hateful speech against the gay and lesbian community. The council later passed a resolution that condemned hateful, hurtful and harmful speech. It also recognized the gay and lesbian community.”

Who is this “speaker” in question? His name is Todd Hall.

Mr. Hall is a self proclaimed Apostle and Prophet associated with the Shabach Ministry of Praise. On the ministry’s website, he is listed as “the Founder and Overseer of Shabach Christian Church in Orlando, Florida.”

While doing some research, I came across a YouTube posting of a sermon he gave considering homosexuality. While grossly misinterpreting scripture concerning Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot’s two daughters, as well as misinterpreting other scriptures, he does take a firm stand. He states that the lifestyle is “gross and disgusting,” and he has a real issue with homosexual leadership in the church.

Although I disagree with the majority of what this Pentecostal preacher states (such as his emphasis on praise over prayer, as well as his Prosperity teachings), his stand on homosexuality is biblically correct (to a point). What one must be careful of though is to remember that it is not the sinner that one should hate, but the sin. One must also be careful to recognize that all sin is equal in the eyes of the Lord (it all separates us from Him), that is, all sin except for Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (which is the rejection of Christ Jesus). We must approach all sinners with love, just like Christ did. Indeed, everyone is a sinner, so what makes “you” better then the person standing by your side? We should put on an attitude of humbleness recognizing that it is only by the grace of God that we are saved. It has nothing to do with what we have done to earn His favor, nor is there anything we could ever do to gain it.

To view the YouTube video, click here.

No, my issue isn’t with Todd Hall, my issue is with the Kansas City Council. You see, Mr. Hall is preaching a faith, something that should be outside of government regulation. He does not advocate violence, nor is he seeking to overthrow the government. He is merely expressing his faith, which must be respected as personal, even if not agreed with. Yet because of his stance on homosexuality, and his strong wording, “the council later passed a resolution that condemned hateful, hurtful and harmful speech. It also recognized the gay and lesbian community.”

Once again, certain forms of speech can no longer be considered “free.” Although the council doesn’t specify what it considers “hateful,” in the very next sentence they recognize the homosexual community. Thus, one is forced to conclude that speaking out against homosexuality is considered “hate speech.”

As I mentioned before, the Orwellian Thought Police are out in force today, and soon, anyone who does not tow the “party line” will be considered outcasts – or worse.

Upon reading the article, I found myself under the impression that the Kansas City council was more then willing to (unconstitutionally) give a grant to this spiritual conference until they heard who one of the speakers was going to be. Then they removed their support and condemned “hate speech” against homosexuality.

If our politicians and political elite are so concerned with hate crimes, why is there virtually no protest against Muslim countries who hang homosexuals (Iran for example)? Indeed, reading blogs and opinions from all walks of life, the majority of those who oppose what is going on in such countries are homosexual advocacy groups AND Christians!

How can a faith that “preaches hate” defend the rights of those who are being persecuted? The answer is simple. Christianity does not preach hate. Yet in this country, we are now required to not only accept the homosexual lifestyle, but we are to promote it and celebrate it. It doesn’t matter what happens in the rest of the world. It’s the result of our “leaders” who are working hard to impose their own moral agendas upon society. That strikes me as a state controlled religion.

No my friends, true freedom of speech as well as freedom of religion are passing into the great beyond. In their place now are “resolutions” and a politically correct “acceptance.” However, if you disagree then you are committing hate speech. If you are committing Hate Speech, then you are a Thought Criminal. What does a society do with criminals? Stay tuned to find out!

Phil

Way to go Sarah!

As reported at the Washington Times by Ralph Z. Hallow in an exclusive, Mrs. Palin:

“… said in an interview she views the electorate as embattled and fatigued by nonstop partisanship, and she is eager to campaign for Republicans, independents and even Democrats who share her values on limited government, strong defense and ‘energy independence,…’ ‘I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation’ …”

Read the full article here.

In my strongest opinion, this is the type of politician that we need! She doesn’t care about party lines, party affiliations, or any of that other idiotic stuff. She just wants what’s best for America and she’ll work with anyone who desires the same thing.

What she names as important to her is what the conservative movement strongly holds to. She wants a limited government, strong defense, and the US to be energy independent. Could this mean drilling in ANWAR or the gulf? I hope so.

My hat goes off to anyone whose concern for our country is greater then any concern for a political party.

And let’s admit it, the Republican party isn’t what it used to be. The government we have now was helped along with the likes of both of the Bush presidents. The only difference I see between the Republicans and Democrats is the speed at which they expand it.

So here’s to you Sarah, thank you for loving your country more then political parties!

Phil

Hate Crimes?

As predicted, I have not received a response back from the Akron Police Department. However, this issue has me pondering once again the Hate Crime statues.

I, for one, do not agree with the concept of hate crimes. People are no longer being convicted for the results of their actions, but also for their thoughts behind those actions. This is a frightening and slippery slope to be on. Right now, if we see any hint of religious, racial, sexual, etc as part of a motivation behind a crime, stiffer penalties are imposed. This is absolutely
wrong!

Take this hypothetical incident. A white woman was raped and murdered as a result of her attacker hating whites. Its still rape as well as murder. It should be treated as such. We as a society should not give any credence to the thought process behind the action, if that thought process was based on hate. If the criminal planned ahead to rape and murder the woman, that's a pre-meditated act, not something "spur of the moment." And there are already stiffer penalties out there because of that. If the murderer just saw her and committed those acts on the "spur" of the moment, well we have penalties for that as well.

However, Hate Crimes are no longer raising their ugly heads on the streets alone; ministers, artists, writers, and talk show hosts are now being accused of such actions. Have they done anything illegal? No, at least not at the moment (but the laws are coming!). However their thought process does not follow the politically correct "party line."

Remember the riots in Amsterdam resulting from a few cartoons? Remember what happened to the cartoonist? What was he accused of? Hate against Islam.

How about in Canada where Christian ministers preached from the bible, not taking any scripture out of context, showing how God views the immoral acts of homosexuality. That preacher was charged with a hate crime.

Radio Host Michael Savage, who has never advocated violence towards anyone, has been grouped together on a list with murderers and terrorists. His crime? Preaching "hate" even though all he has done and is doing, is saying what every American with morals believes. He is speaking out against corruption and against CAIR. As far as the "political elite" are concerned, that is hate.

When the bill was first passed, the public was assured that it would only relate to horrendous crimes committed against another person. But now with the watering down of the definition of "crimes," anyone can be accused of hate.

• For the record, I know that homosexuality is immoral and wrong.
  
• For the record, I know that Islam is more of a conquering philosophy then a religion, and that its followers (the so called "extremists") seek death rather then life.
  
• For the record, I know that abortion at any stage is wrong.
• For the record, I support Israel.
  
• For the record, I know that Obama and his socialists liberal cohorts are ruining this country.
  
• For the record, I know that Affirmative Action should be abolished. It is a very racist policy. People should be promoted and rewarded for their honesty, skills, dedication and professionalism. They should not be promoted or hired just so some government quotas can be filled.
  
• I know for a fact that illegal immigration is very wrong,and that we should tighten up our borders.
  
  

Well, according to the Politically Correct, I am guilty of hate crimes. I am a thought criminal. You might as well come and arrest me now, as I'm not about to change my beliefs. As a matter of fact, I proudly stand behind those core beliefs and morals!

So my question to you is this, are you also a thought criminal?

Philip Damon

This is not a hate crime?

As reported by Phil Trexler, a writer for the Beacon Journal, the Marshal family was attacked by a gang of black youths on the 4th of July.

According to the article, the youths were shouting “This is our world'' and ''This
is a black world.''

39 Year old Martin had to stand up to these thugs to protect not only his
wife, but his 14 year old son and 15 year old daughter. Two other male friends
were also injured.

Can you imagine the fear that want through this man’s mind as he fought
to protect his family? What if the youths had won? What would have happened
to his wife and young daughter?

Yet with all of this, according to the article:

“Akron police are investigating. Right now, the case is not being
classified as a racial hate crime. There were no other reports of victims
assaulted by the group that night.”

In response, I sent this email to the Akron police department:

Dear sirs,

I am just writing to ask in regards to the teen mob attack on the Marshal
family, why is this not being classified as a hate crime? The attackers were
yelling "This is our world'' and ''This is a black world.'' What makes
this NOT a hate crime?

I'm willing to bet $100.00 that if it were a group of white people beating
up on a family of blacks yelling, "This is our world! This is a white
world," the phrase "hate crime" would be the moto of the day!

I am a writer for the political blog, "The Troubled Patriot."
I'd appreciate some feedback as to what helped you to determine that this
was not hate.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely
Philip L. Damon Jr.

I seriously wonder if I'll get a reply back.

Our Lady of Freedom

Born in conflict this nation was,
A hope for the world to see.
A fight for freedom from tyranny’s jaws,
By a people who must be free.

A nation to be ruled by a people as one,
No matter what the cost.
So off we sent our daughters and sons,
That this freedom would not be lost.

Freedom called, the nations bled,
As evil played its hand.
So America took this world and led
The charge on foreign sand.

From France to England to the Philippines,
Our nation rose as one.
An army of boys still in their teens,
Sacrificed all ‘til freedom was won.

Terror struck our heart one day,
And mothers learned to weep.
Then American’s rose with one voice to say,
“Our freedom we will keep!”

Through wars and strife our flag yet stands,
Its stars and stripes revealed.
Not on our knees nor on our hands
Will this nation ever yield!

Remember today the cost that was paid,
The price for freedoms held dear.
Many bodies, in graves were laid,
So that our citizens would never fear.

Tyrants and rulers hide in terror,
As America raises her fists.
This lady is our standard-bearer
Flag held by unbending wrists.

Through wars and strife our flag yet stands,
Its stars and stripes revealed.
Not on our knees nor on our hands
Will this nation ever yield!