Summer 2007

Chavez Turns on Venezuela's Private Schools
By Leandro Prada
CNSNews.com Correspondent
September 18, 2007

Buenos Aires (CNSNews.com) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened Monday to take over and nationalize all private schools that do not accept a new education program promoting his left-wing worldview.

Speaking at the opening of one of 15 new so-called "Bolivarian" schools, the anti-U.S. populist said private Venezuelan schools "shall be subordinate to the constitution and the national education system -- the Bolivarian education system. Those who don't want to will have to close their schools."

"They will be closed down, taken over, nationalized and the government will take up responsibility for the children," he said.

He accused previous Venezuelan administrations of privatizing education "as a plan of the imperialism [the United States] to prevent people from accessing education."

In the late 1990s, Chavez introduced the "Bolivarian revolution," a socialist model named after 19th-century Latin American independence champion Simon Bolivar, of Venezuelan origin. . .

ABN also quoted Chavez as saying: "Children have to know the truth. You have to tell them there is an unfair capitalist system that appropriates everything to get more every time -- a repressive system that clips one's wings." . . . [Read the rest here.]

Kent comments:

What about this can you not realistically imagine Hillary Clinton also doing if she had the opportunity? BTW, Hugo Chavez is much more than a "populist." He is a communist in the tradition of Stalin.

Amidst the remaining ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, the northern spotted owl edges closer to extinction.

Will you help us raise $50,000 by Sept. 25 to fund our efforts at this critical time?

Your gift of $35 will help us continue to fight for the protection of the spotted owl and America's ancient forests.

We know we can succeed when we have the resources. Today, your gift will help us in our efforts to protect these rare and important treasures.

We've seen it happen; together we can have an impact. We'll keep up the fight, but we need you to make it effective. This is a crucial time, and we thank you for your support.

Sorry, Bill, but I won't be sending $35 or even 35 cents. Species come and species go. That's the way the world works. Now, if you and your cronies simply wanted to buy up "ancient forests" I still wouldn't send you any money, but I would respect your right to do so. But you want the state to own all the forests and make sure no humans ever disturb one of your favored birds. While you might be very well-intentioned, that makes you just as dangerous as Stalin and Hitler. The wilderness was made for man, not man for the wilderness!

TIPTON, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said on Sunday that his universal health care proposal would require that Americans go to the doctor for preventive care. "It requires that everybody be covered. It requires that everybody get preventive care," he told a crowd sitting in lawn chairs in front of the Cedar County Courthouse. "If you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor for 20 years. You have to go in and be checked and make sure that you are OK."

It sounds so noble, so caring. The government would simply require that you visit your doctor. Notice, "if you are going to be in the system, you can't choose not to go to the doctor." Put that with "everybody would be covered" and you get state-mandated doctor visits. That such an idea would be offered by a serious (I assume Edwards is serious) candidate for President of the United States tells me one important thing: this is not the land of the free and it is not the home of brave, not anymore, at least.

“The 11th Hour” is the last moment when change is possible. The film explores how we’ve arrived at this moment -- how we live, how we impact the earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course. Featuring ongoing dialogues of experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolsey and sustainable design experts William McDonough and Bruce Mau in addition to over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who discuss the most important issues that face our planet and people.

Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, and written and directed by Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners, The 11th Hour is produced by Leila Conners Petersen, Brian Gerber and Chuck Castleberry.

This is the press release for an "amazing" new movie. With the vast knowledge of climatology found in the mind of Leonardo DiCaprio, how could this not be a must-see production. Notice the named line-up of "experts." How is Mikhail Gorbachev more of an expert on climate than you? Even Stephen Hawking is speaking outside his expertise when he speaks of climate. Also, being a CIA director does not make one an expert on climate. The same is true of "sustainable design experts." This little propaganda piece is rated PG "for some mild disturbing images and thematic elements." The whole thing is more than a little disturbing. It should be rated "S" for stupidity. There is an unfortunate trend for people to accept this equation: an idiot celebrity + sincerity = all we need to know about the topic at hand.

The Astros fan whose marriage proposal was rebuffed in front of 30,000 fans actually struck out twice Monday night.

He didn't get the girl. And now he's stuck with the $300 bill from the Astros, which is the tab for two tickets, the proposal shown on the centerfield scoreboard and a souvenir video of the proceedings. . .

To recap: The Kiss Cam, which encourages couples to smooch on camera, zoomed in on the gentleman with highest hopes for the evening. As happens often — usually once a series when the 'Stros are at home — the schmaltzy music started to play and the man scrambled to his knees and reached for the engagement ring.

Usually the guy slides the ring on his intended's finger, they kiss enthusiastically, then everybody settles back into their seats to watch more baseball. This night, however, the woman looked surprised, then mad at the sight of the ring, either spilled her popcorn or dumped it on the gentleman's head and left amid a chorus of boos. . . The woman didn't return to her seat. The man left amid sympathetic cheers after the top of the sixth.

How, you must be wondering, is this religious news? In this regard: it proves that, no matter what the pressures, it is possible to say "No." [My condolences to the spurned suitor.]

Amsterdam, Aug. 14, 2007 (CWNews.com) - A Dutch Catholic bishop has suggested that Christians should refer to God as "Allah" to promote better relations with Muslims.

Bishop Martinus "Tiny" Muskens of Breda told the "Network" television show that "God doesn't really care how we address Him."

Pointing out that "Allah" is a term already used by Christians who speak Arabic, Bishop Muskens said that humans are needlessly divided over such terminology. God, the bishop said, is above such "bickering."

The Dutch bishop admitted that his suggestion was not likely to gain widespread acceptance. But he predicted that within a century or two, Dutch Catholics would be addressing prayers to "Allah."

First, I don't speak Arabic, so that point is rather moot with me, at least. On another point, in a century or two, if people like the Dutch don't stop acting like such weenies, they will be pretending to be Muslim in order to save their own necks. And finally, if this is just a device to avoid being "needlessly divided over such terminology" then an obvious question comes to mind. Should Dutch Catholics who adopt the Bishop's advice then speak of Jesus as "the Son of Allah" or more to the point, "Allah the Son"? How about that triune Allah of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the three persons of Allah? Finally, check out this interesting comment.

This poll is from the week ending August 18, 2007. At the point I captured it, the sampling was very small. It is also a self-selected poll - you had to opt in, which naturally skews the results. But that makes it even more interesting, because of "evangelicals" willing to answer, 48% seem to think "there is no 'Christian' economic system.

While the Bible is not a book of economic systems, if you can't figure out that any "system" that involves the confiscation and redistribution of wealth is a violation of the Eighth Commandment, you are missing key pieces of equipment! That so many people who call themselves "Christian" cannot understand this is a very sad state of affairs.

Mayor Won't Use Pistol to Start Race

I keep hoping elected officials won't say really stupid things, and I am almost always disappointed. What, exactly, does a starter pistol "symbolize" other than the beginning of a race? People have used automobiles to run people down and kill them. Will the Mayor be walking everywhere from now on?

Nondiscriminatory language – Be aware of language that contains discriminatory connotations. Replace the following terms with suggested alternatives:

"Be aware of language that contains discriminatory connotations" probably really means "Beware." This is exhibit A showing that feminists have already won the battle in our culture. Just like in the novel 1984 it is time to adjust the language to protect the political fiction. Any word containing "man" is forbidden. You shall not use such horrible language. (Never mind that "humankind" still contains the dreaded "man" term!)

Of course, this is culture; this is "the world." It is by nature corrupt and hell-bent. But pay attention and notice how long before all this heavy-handed nonsense makes its way into the church. It won't be long.

The Firing of Ward Churchill: A Good First Step
Colorado should investigate Ethnic Studies department
By George Leef
August 01, 2007

. . . That is why firing Churchill from his $96,000 per year position should only be the starting point. If Colorado University officials are going to act accountably to the people of the state, they should put the "Ethnic Studies" department under a magnifying glass. Looking at the department’s Web site quickly reveals a lot of disquieting information.

We are told, for instance, "A principal focus of our curriculum is the recognition and incorporation of multicultural definitions and values that can become part of the University’s mission." That gives one the impression that "Ethnic Studies" is not about learning a particular body of knowledge, but rather about pushing a certain set of opinions.

The department’s Web site also states that it "encourages participatory, experiential, student-centered learning and empowers students to move beyond existing social, cultural and political paradigms to more inclusive paradigms in which they are the subjects of their own reality. Consequently, all students are encouraged to examine and analyze their own inherited political/economic and social/cultural background and identities." If you doubt that the various sorts of "Studies" programs are mostly exercises in navel-gazing, that paragraph should erase the doubt. . .

Departments such as Ethnic Studies, Women’s Studies, Chicana/o Studies, African-American Studies, etc., are all recent additions to the university menu. They sprang up in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of demands by campus radicals for new courses and departments that would be "relevant" and would attract "minority" students. The question to ask is whether they are about teaching a body of knowledge -- or preaching a set of political beliefs and attitudes. Since Colorado officials allowed an academic poseur with a big mouth and bad manners to be in charge, they ought to look closely at their "Ethnic Studies " department and find out.

It will be worth your time to use the link for this article and read the whole thing. As one who has been involved with a university for the past twenty-five years, I can only add my "amen" to what this author says. In fact, he is somewhat understating the case. Universities are "far gone" in this matter. Few who can do anything about it care. The very few who do care are often afraid to take action. Expect our culture to continue to decline until there is a serious and severe house-cleaning at universities.

from: Christianity Today, August, 2007

Too 'Sectarian'
Court: Students at some religious schools can't get state funds.
Sarah Pulliam | posted 7/18/2007 08:22AM

Colorado Christian University (CCU) has appealed a federal district court decision that denies state financial aid to its students because of the school's religious affiliation. The case could set an example for other Christian higher education institutions or even schools that apply for K-12 vouchers.

CCU filed a lawsuit against the Colorado Commission on Higher Education in 2004 after the commission deemed the nondenominational school "pervasively sectarian" and denied state-funded tuition grants. A U.S. district judge ruled against CCU on May 18, noting, "even its secular instruction is infused with religious components."

Although the case will only set a precedent for those in the 10th federal district, courts around the country could see this decision as an example for other religious education cases.

This is just another reason why Christians should be opposed to governments funding college students or universities. Sooner or later it will always come down to anti-religious bureaucrats deciding that some university, college, or course of study is too "sectarian" to be eligible for support. If you are stupid enough to pass your money through bureaucrats, don't also be stupid enough to think it will be used the way you think it should.

The "Wall Street Journal" weekend edition, July 14-15, 2007 carried a story entitled, "In Europe, God Is (Not) Dead. Christian groups are growing, faith is more public. Is supply-side economics the explanation?" by Andrew Higgins of Stockholm, Sweden. The article is on page 1 and page 8.

The article tells about the decline of the state-supported churches in Sweden while non-denominational, evangelical groups have started churches that are thriving.

The article on page 8 is telling about a state-run church that has stopped having Sunday School last fall because only 5 children were attending. Then it has the following:

Sounds like more emotionalism while embracing the pop culture attitude of our day to be "cool" and accepted. There was a day and time when the church resisted the culture and tried to be the light and salt of the world. We are supposed to be rubbing off on the world. Sadly, the reverse is true today where we embrace the heathen culture around us and allow it to rub off on us, especially to the point where a guy representing God will swear just to look "cool" to potential converts. How pathetic!

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12.

Christianity Today, July, 2007
DO LIKEWISE
Old-Fashioned Creation Care
Thrift and care for the environment go hand in hand.
David P. Gushee | posted 7/16/2007 08:51AM

Then the creation-care movement came calling. I became involved in various efforts of the Evangelical Environmental Network, helped draft the Evangelical Climate Initiative, and now get to hang out with some of the country's leading environmental scholars and activists. I began to see that concern for creation is both biblically and empirically mandatory.

I also began to see that, as Al Gore has discovered, you must walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk of creation care. There can be no gap between proclamation and practice on this one. Not just because critics with sharp knives are near at hand, but also because integrity demands it.

In one sense, I can appreciate what was said in this article. In sections not included here, the author talks about ways he has attempted to conserve all sorts of things because it saves money to do so. I am a person who tends to save all sorts of things that I think can be re-used at some future date. I have a couple of Pentium I processors tucked away. I'm not sure when I will ever use those, but just in case, I have them. I take the cords off of small appliances I discard. You can put a new end on those and - presto - a new extension cord!

That said, one almost has to question this author's sanity on reading the second paragraph above. Al "environmentAList" Gore has "discovered" that "you must walk the walk if you are going to talk the talk of creation care"??????? AL GORE?!? Has this Gushee fellow ever bothered to ponder the "carbon footprint" (a rather stupid phrase) of ALGORE? Al uses jet planes, limos, and lives in at least one very large house.

If walking the walk of "creation care" is required before one can "talk the talk" then Al Gore should shut up, now and forevermore. On second thought, ALGORE should shut up no matter what. But he is a politician who makes his living yacking on and on about things he believes will get him votes.