Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Enjoying Jack Benny 60 years late
I enjoy watching The Jack Benny show on my "rabbit ears" TV--I rarely listened/watched when it was one of the most popular and long running radio/TV shows in history (1932-1955 radio; 1950-1965 TV). I was looking at the FaceBook page and noticed that the wife (4th) of his announcer and side kick Don Wilson was Lois Corbett. That's the same name (not person) as my aunt. But also the photo on the page shows a different Don Wilson, an Asian martial arts guy. Considering what Don Wilson (rotund) looked like, that's hilarious.
Cornelius the Centurion, Acts 10
Interesting passage in Acts for Bible study today (and Sunday sermon) which included Cornelius the Centurion. He was an Italian gentile respected by the Jews, a Roman soldier of high rank, over 30, literate, with administrative skills necessary for his rank and position. He was a spiritual leader of this family and staff. Big cultural divide here between him and Peter. He was not a Christian, but is described as righteous, God-fearing, devout, generous to those in need, prayerful, and had a visit from an angel who said, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." How often Christians think they can't pray or work together with those whose theology or practices are different than their own, who are Mormon or Catholic or Muslim. God apparently has other plans.
The latest change in the law
Obama finally sees the solution for those who can't afford the Affordable Care Act--prioritize your expenses and buy less of optional items like cable and shoes. Would you ask this over spender for advice on your budget?
The most recent change he's made in the law without Congressional approval is to say if it creates a hardship, you don't need to sign on (until after the 2016 elections to save the Democrats). Ironically, he has finally admitted that Obamacare IS THE HARDSHIP for millions.
[T]he individual mandate is probably done for.
I would now assume that no one will pay the individual mandate fine for 2014. The administration may give up on the mandate in the course of the ongoing enrollment period if the political pressure is great enough, or they may keep up the pretense of it through the end of the enrollment period in March (when it will have finished its work, so to speak, since its purpose is to influence choices made during that period) but then exempt everyone from it as they did with the employer mandate for this year. Having now exempted from the fine people whose policies were canceled and who haven’t spent the money to get more expensive and less appealing new coverage, the politics of still applying the fine to everyone else who is uninsured this year will probably just not be sustainable, and the politics of exempting people from it (especially if they can hold out on doing so until after March 31) will be far too appealing for this White House to resist. They may claim the mandate will be back in 2015, but if they do exempt everyone from it in 2014 it will be hard to bring it back. http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/366853/pounding-panic-button-yuval-levin
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Not NSYNC
Lance Bass of the boy band NSYNC gets the name of the health web site wrong. It’s HealthCare dot gov. He plans to help the President flog the health insurance site that has flagged so badly.
Progressives’ War on Women and Poor continues--90+ lawsuits
“Our faith teaches us that in the face of suffering, we can’t stand idly by, and that we must be that Good Samaritan.” So said President Obama during the Prayer Breakfast the other week. So say his progressive allies and friends, and his administration, too . . . all the way to the courthouse.
Begin with the most obvious example: the court case brought against the administration by the Little Sisters of the Poor. The Little Sisters argue that their refusal to comply with the HHS contraception-and-abortifacients mandate on grounds of conscience will incur some $2.5 million in annual fines. That’s $2.5 million that could otherwise feed, house, and warm those for whom they care.
If the appeal doesn’t go their way, the administration will have successfully kneecapped their unique mission among the old, the sick, and the dying, whom they take in and treat as “family” when everyone else has thrown them out.
All of which raises an interesting point. From the perspective of sheer public relations, taking on the Little Sisters should have been the political equivalent of slapping babies. Why wasn’t it?"
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/373053/progressivisms-war-winners-mary-eberstadt#!
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Lerner Report
Lois G. Lerner, the now-retired Director of IRS Exempt Organizations, was extensively involved in targeting conservative-oriented tax-exempt applicants for inappropriate scrutiny. The Lerner report. http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Lerner-Report1.pdf
And I don't believe she made these decisions to target conservative groups without instruction from those above her.
It’s apparent that Lerner became very impatient waiting for changes in the law, and just decided to take matters into her own hands.
“Republicans are fighting back against proposed new IRS rules that they say would make formal the tax agency’s infamous crackdown on Tea Party groups that oppose the Obama agenda, stripping them of their free speech rights during election cycles. The new rules, first unveiled around Thanksgiving when no one was paying attention, would prevent so-called 501(c)(4) social welfare/advocacy groups from participating in certain kinds of political activity. Such nonprofit organizations would be prevented from communicating with voters about candidates or political parties within 60 days of a general election. “Every American needs to know about this abuse of power,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) said in a recent speech on the Senate floor. Although new IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said he did not participate in drafting the rules, he has refused demands to block their implementation. Senate Democrats such as Mark Begich (Alaska) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) are demanding that the IRS crack down further on right-leaning nonprofits like Americans for Prosperity.” CRC Organization Trends, March 2013
Nominee for Surgeon General
![safe_image[1]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQUR6Ia6zdYXlIslmFXIUimKtDu1qQRZaACadbtIYkWRBNeUgHtZF2cWnJrcwBpqaa7SD57Wk4MftKlF3lm2DSakOOV3DXkiJBu6ilztvTUts-8XADBz9BcrHOBV__ojNN2KojA/s1600-h/safe_image%25255B1%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg "safe_image[1]")
Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy doesn’t like the 2nd amendment. Dr. Murthy is the president and founder of Doctors for America, which grew from the campaign organization that was called Doctors for Obama, started in 2008. The organization has advocated for a number of liberal initiatives, including strongly supporting the passage of Obamacare and Medicaid expansion.
The group has also been supportive of the Obama administration’s failed push for expanding gun control laws in 2013.
I've noticed that people who don't like the 2nd amendment usually don't like the first either. . . especially freedom of religion. Then speech, press, and assembly fall next.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Popular Swedish pastor converts to Catholicism
Thirty years ago Ulf Ekman left the Swedish Lutheran Church and founded a very successful nondenominational church in Sweden (Pentecostal/charismatic). He has written over 50 books and established a seminary. I watched a video of one of the services (over 2 hours so you have to move in about 60 minutes to hear him) and they are incredibly up to date in everything dealing with church technology and evangelization. I didn't know the words they were singing, but recognized the repetition, swaying and hand clapping style (voiced translation of the sermon into English is just so-so).
Word of Life’s local church is located in Uppsala, which is the fourth largest city in Sweden, some 70 kilometres (45 miles) north of the capital, Stockholm. The church has around 3,000 members and offers a broad variety of activities, services and gatherings for both young and old, a rich music life, educational facilities and different social projects.
Word of Life has 12 pastors, sharing the responsibility for the church’s everyday life and activities, such as ministry of the Word, prayer groups (also called cell groups), the Bible school, missions, children’s and youth ministry, care for the elderly and sick, as well as outreach projects and social activities.
In the last 7 years Ekman has been moving toward a more classical, historical stance, and yesterday in the Sunday service he announced he and his wife have converted to Catholicism. He retired as senior pastor about a year ago.
http://ulfekman.org/default.aspx?idStructure=8766
“Rev. Ekman was born in Gothenburg, Sweden, and in 1970 – a few days before graduating from high school– he had an encounter with Jesus Christ and became a Christian, an incident that left him totally transformed and that radically changed the direction of his life. He enrolled at Uppsala University and acquired degrees in theology, history and ethnography. In 1976, he met and married Birgitta, daughter of a Methodist pastor and his wife and raised in India where her parents were missionaries. In January of 1979, Rev. Ekman was ordained minister of the Swedish Lutheran Church, and for some years he worked as a student chaplain at Uppsala University.
In 1983 Rev. Ekman founded Word of Life Church and Word of Life Bible Centre in Uppsala, Sweden and resigned from the Lutheran Church and his name and face become known all over the nation. Already from start Word of Life has been the biggest church of the faith movement in Sweden and Ulf Ekman is a highly appreciated and often-invited speaker at churches and conferences of various denominations, not only in Scandinavia but also internationally.”
His blog has not been updated for 2 years, but reading through his own page, I see that the Bible school is being phased out, and the Spring seminar ended last year, as did his ministry at the church.
Young Women of Faith Bible (NIV)
Recently I received a copy of Zonderkidz’ Bible, “Young Women of Faith Bible” to review (c 2001, 2013 www.zonderkidz.com) For this task, I consulted the three grandmothers in our UALC Bible study group. I’m a little out of touch with the niche market of middle school and high school. They loved it! They all thought any young girl or woman would really enjoy the pink illustrations—hearts, butterflies, flowers--the excellent, informative side bars, the use of a journal for personal thoughts, and explanations. It features weekly Bible studies, memory verses and challenges, and “if I were there” questions, as well as the Biblical notes and journal suggestions. And it has what I would have enjoyed at the target age, a topical index and Biblical maps in color. If you already use Zondervan’s “Women of Faith Study Bible,” this Bible coordinates with it.
The general editor is Susie Shellenberger, a Christian speaker who has written fifty-two books, and lives in Bethany, Oklahoma with her two mini Schnauzers Obie and Amos. Susie is a former youth pastor, high school teacher, and editor. She loves a lot of color with her Scripture.
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Is there really a compassion gap?
Nicholas Kristof wrote about one child and one mother for a story, and got 3 comments which he calls an "outrage" and "compassion gap" and then segues into criticism of all conservatives/Republicans--who actually have a much better record for compassion than liberals in all studies. Plus they believe a job is better for poverty than handouts and marriage is one part of the solution to generational poverty!!
He also equates affluence with being Republican, which is just catering to his base—liberal Democrats. Most who read the first story, didn't comment. During the recession, poverty (line) increased by 16%, but food support increased by 58%. And the recent decrease we heard about was because ARRA temporary funding came to an end 4 years after the end of the recession. There is no compassion gap, but the entire nation is getting weary of the liberals' excuses and their failed programs which keep the poor tied to and dependent on politicians.
And where does he come up with this? The liberals propose abortions and close charter schools that help poor and minority children.
“To break cycles of poverty, we have the tools to improve high school graduation rates, reduce teen pregnancies and increase employment. What we lack is the will to do so.”
Like most liberals, he doesn’t break out charitable giving by faith—and whether rich or poor (the very wealthy contribute by far the most, just like they do taxes). And although he notes the importance of marriage in getting out of poverty, it’s just a throw away line, almost a straw man so he can criticize conservatives who promote it. Even his formula isn’t correct: it’s 1) marriage before having children, 2) finish high school, and 3) a job—any job. He lumps unmarried moms, drugs and crime together.
“Critics [this came out of the Clinton administration] note that if a person manages to get through high school and avoid drugs, crime and parenting outside of marriage, it’s often possible to escape poverty. Fair enough. But if you’re one of the one-fifth of children in West Virginia born with drugs or alcohol in your system, if you ingest lead from peeling paint as a toddler, if your hearing or vision impairments aren’t detected, if you live in a home with no books in a gang-ridden neighborhood with terrible schools — in all these cases, you’re programmed for failure as surely as children of professionals are programed for success.”
This is a horribly depressing home life for any child with no government program in the world that could turn it around, but he blames a compassion gap. But that’s his implication—with enough compassion (there are 79 government transfer programs including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, low income housing, Head Start, Healthy Start, etc.), we could turn this around.
Kristof insults all his readers by judging them based on a few snarky comments on Twitter and e-mail. Man up, Kristof.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/02/opinion/sunday/kristof-the-compassion-gap.html?smid=fb-share&_r=0
Besides, in 2008 Kristof noted that Conservatives were more charitable that Liberals.
Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.
Other research has reached similar conclusions. The “generosity index” from the Catalogue for Philanthropy typically finds that red states are the most likely to give to nonprofits, while Northeastern states are least likely to do so.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/opinion/21kristof.html?_r=0
How many delays before the Democrats wake up?
Remember, he said--Delay the law? That’s not going to happen as long as I’m President.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/11/us-usa-healthcare-obama-idUSBREA1A20T20140211
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304732804579423293276220608?ampmg=reno64-wsj
Saturday, March 08, 2014
Were you a Girl Scout or a Leader?
WAGGGS is The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Supports International Women’s Day. Story about this pro-abortion group.
Girl Scouts have a 40 year relationship with Planned Parenthood, but deny it in their promotional material. Also, God is optional in the pledge.
CPAC 2014
Rand Paul—sounds a little hoarse, but content is good.
“It isn’t good enough to pick the lesser of 2 evils.”
In his CPAC address, Ted Cruz outlined what Republicans should do to win back the Senate and win the hearts and minds of Americans young and old.
“Let’s look back at the past four elections, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012,” Cruz said. “The only election we won was 2010, when we stood unequivocally for principle….Who are the two people who have energized young people? Ronald Reagan and Ron Paul. What did they do? They painted a bold picture of what America can do…. You win elections by standing for principles and believing that there is a better tomorrow.
“How do we inspire people? Number one we tell the truth…. The truth is Washington is corrupt. You are in some of the richest counties in the country. As more and more people make great wealth in Washington, young people, single moms, and small business owners suffer…. Real change is changing the corruption that is here in Washington, D.C.”
Dinesh D’Souza
Obama didn’t like his first film; he will hate the next one.
Friday, March 07, 2014
Friday Family Photo—homeschooling
My husband hosted his young home schooled friends on Thursday. He set the dining room table with paper plates and napkins with Twinkies and milk. He brought them t-shirts and caps from Haiti with a letter for each from a Haitian child. He showed them a video of his recent short term mission trip. Several weeks ago he did an art class instruction for them; I think today was social studies.
They pay him back by being adorable models for his paintings—in the one above his head they are eating ice cream along the lakefront in Lakeside. The other, just finished this week, is a painting of the children in front of the ice cream shop at Lakeside.
Their mother called that tonight to tell him the younger girl prayed at dinner for the children of Haiti, and that they would have enough money to continue their education.
Mumps outbreak at Ohio State University
The Columbus Health Department affirmed that eleven Ohio State students have been diagnosed with suspected mumps. Now, it's possible these are foreign students who were not properly immunized, but they may also be the adult children of mothers who didn't believe in vaccinations. I had it as a child and it's no picnic then--but for adults it's serious. Medical complications include:
Deafness
Orchitis or inflammation of the testes in males that can lead to sterility
Encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or tissues of the brain and spinal cord)
Inflammation of the ovaries
Inflammation of the breasts (mastitis)
Pancreatitis
Mumps in early pregnancy may result in the spontaneous abortion of the fetus.
More tragedies uncovered for Obamacare
If I were an illegal alien living in the USA and Obama promised me that signing up for Obamacare would not endanger me, I think I wouldn't believe him. After all, the entire country was promised when it was passed that illegals wouldn't be covered (many losing the benefits they previously had). Is there anything in that law that passed in 2010 still in place? Yes, the increased costs and what we still need to find--like cutting home health care for seniors which was there, but no one paid any attention. And once the name and details are in the system, no one, not even citizens with impeccable Democrat credentials, have found a way to back out or change it.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/the-inevitability-of-obamacare-for-illegal-immigrants/article/2545114
"When the White House now talks about the “Get Covered” campaign, it’s not about ordinary Americans getting health care. It’s about covering the backsides of the Obama water-carriers who may very well lose their jobs. They’re not just eating their words. They’re choking on Obamacare’s massive, inevitable, job-killing, life-threatening failures." Michelle Malkin
Black teen unemployment in Chicago a disgrace
The teen unemployment rate in the U.S. is 21.4%. In 2006 it was 14%. But I saw a man on Dana Loesch show today who said it was 92% for blacks 16-19 in Chicago. That sounded awfully high, so I checked it. Paul McKinley is very unhappy with Obama and believes he has let blacks down.
http://www.blackyouthproject.com/2014/01/92-of-black-male-teens-unemployed-in-chicago-83-nationally/
The study was released by the Urban League. Nationwide 17 percent of black males 16-19 had some sort of job; 12 percent in Illinois; just 8 percent in Chicago.
I wonder how raising the minimum wage will help unemployed teens?
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Obama tries to rescue Democrats
In a blatant political move to rescue his namesake legislation to help out Democrats running this fall, Obama has changed it again (a violation of the law) so "you can keep your health plan" until after the election, to Oct. 2017, even if the plan isn't compliant. So for 2 years, 60 year old women won't have to pay for birth control or pediatric coverage. New big break for unions, too. Open enrollment will be extended and he's paying off the insurance companies, which must be pulling their hair out trying to figure out the rules. His plan is to make this so unpalatable, that people will beg for something even more expensive, but less confusing--single payer--and will blame the insurance companies for the chaos he has created.
The Democrats' War on Women gearing up.
New Medicare cuts in home health care to help fund Obamacare will affect predominately women. Plus it will disproportionately affect women workers who own and staff the home health industry. Home health care actually drives down medical costs for the elderly. What were they thinking?http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/feb/28/weber-obamacares-punch-to-home-health-care/
On Jan. 1, Medicare’s home health care services, formerly serving 3.5 million elderly beneficiaries across the country, were cut under Obamacare. The cut deleted exactly 14 percent, or an estimated $22 billion, from these lowest-income Americans over four years. News of the forthcoming cut only trickled out the Friday before Thanksgiving, yet another stunning attempt by the Obama White House to reduce Medicare benefits without attracting notice.
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