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President Obama's Mirage

2010-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

"What we need from the next president is somebody who will not just tell you what you want to hear but will tell you what you need to hear." Barack Obama, February 27, 2008.

According to Newsweek's Robert Samuelson, "Barack Obama has failed."

The miseducation has worsened as the healthcare debate approaches its climax.

Samuelson says, "Almost everything you think you know about healthcare is probably wrong."

He says he sees a parallel to healthcare. Housing.

Robert Samuelson, a long time columnist for Newsweek, has written an exclusive article for their website, "A Cost Control Mirage" in which he looks at some surprising healthcare facts and untruths that have been put forward in the effort to get Obama's plan passed.

Our attention and opposition is primarily focused on certain moral aspects of the healthcare bill---specifically federally funded abortion and related life issues, however, the cost aspects of the "plan" are equally moral in nature.

We do not agree with all Samuelson's positions, however he raises some very interesting points and some very revealing facts and studies regarding universal healthcare, affordable healthcare and the uninsured.

He fails to address tort reform as part of a real solution, but I think his column is particularly informative at this time.

I do not believe healthcare is a right. However, if properly reformed, it can be a great blessing to many in this the greatest country in the history of the world.

Obama's plan will not provide that blessing.

Samuelson concludes:

"What people need to know is that Obama's plan evades healthcare's major problems and would worsen the budget outlook. It's a big new spending program when government hasn't paid for the spending programs it already has. 'If not now, when? If not us, who', Obama asks. The answer is: It's not now, and it's not 'us'. Pass or not, Obama's proposal is the illusion of 'reform' not the real thing."

These are perilous times. Much hangs in the balance.

Be prayerful. Be vigilant. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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95% of Faith Based Physicians May Leave Medicine

2010-03-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Objections to the Obama healthcare plan is so strong that 95% of Christian doctors may leave medicine.

Here's why.

Yesterday the 17,000 member Christian Medical Association urged members of Congress to vote against the Obama healthcare bill approved by the Senate, H.R. 3590.

The idea of a substantial loss of Christian pro-life physicians is one more reason to strongly oppose the Obama healthcare plan.

The following are their reasons in their own words:

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release - March 15, 2010

Christian Medical Association Physicians Oppose Healthcare Bill on Abortion, Conscience

Washington, DC, March 15, 2010 --The 17,000 members of the Christian Medical Association [www.cmda.org] today urged Members of the House of Representatives to vote against the controversial healthcare overhaul bill approved by the Senate, H.R. 3590.

In a letter [www.cmda.org/hr3590letter] to all Members of the House, CMA CEO David Stevens, MD noted that "The CMA strongly opposes this legislation because it fails to provide strong conscience protections for healthcare professionals, allows direct federal funding of elective abortions in community health centers and allows federal funds to subsidize health plans covering abortions."

CMA has led a national coalition of 50 organizations, Freedom2Care [www.Freedom2Care.org], to fight for conscience rights for healthcare professionals.

Dr. Stevens noted in the letter, "A national survey of faith-based physicians shows that the failure to protect the rights of healthcare professionals to decline to participate not only in abortion but also in other morally controversial procedures and prescriptions, may cause up to 95 percent of faith-based physicians to leave medicine. Since faith-based physicians provide much of the care for poor patients and those in medically underserved areas, their exodus would lead to a national crisis of access to care of catastrophic proportion."

Dr. Stevens also wrote, "The CMA strongly supports funding for community health centers, and many of our physicians work full-time, part-time and on a volunteer basis caring for the poor. But we cannot support federal funding for abortions that will result in yet more abortions while violating the clear will of the American people who do not want their tax dollars used to pay for them."

On the issue of federal subsidy of abortions, Dr. Stevens wrote, "Such funding, however cleverly designed to obscure the result, clearly violates the longstanding Hyde amendment and related laws. Such funding also violates the President's oft-repeated pledge to maintain the status quo on abortion funding. Besides the obvious moral wrong of funding abortions, this policy will also have negative economic consequences. Incentivized by new insurance subsidies, abortionists will simply raise prices and increase their profits. Increased abortions will rob the country of much of the younger generation that otherwise would help avert the financial strain of a top-heavy older population."

The letter also noted "government intrusion into physician-patient decision making and the allocation of medical resources, the absence of meaningful tort reform that is desperately needed to prevent the loss of some of our best physicians�especially obstetricians and gynecologists, and the lack of bipartisan and public support that should undergird any legislation of this magnitude."

Dr. Stevens urged Members to "pursue a new bipartisan, measured and focused approach to true healthcare reform. Seven key principles our members look for in healthcare reform include cost containment, quality assurance, access for the poor, economic fairness, ethical protection, prevention focus and personal responsibility."

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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The Government vs The People

2010-03-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

Friday afternoon I got an email from President Obama's "Organizing for America" with the banner message: "Make Sure The People's Voice Is Heard."

The people have spoken and are speaking. They don't want the President's health care bill. What part of the people's voice does he not understand? Or does he just want the folks to speak as a way of releasing their stress?

Today's Rasmussen survey shows 43% favor the Presidents plan, while 53% oppose it. Most, strongly oppose it. The President's approval today is a -16, with 26% strongly approving of his performance and 53% strongly disapproving.

The President told students at Arcadia University, "If you're a young adult, which many of you are, you'll be able to stay on your parent's insurance policy until you're 26 years old."

He is passing out lollipops because a recent PEW Research Poll shows that he is quickly losing support among young people, whom he enchanted during his campaign in 2008.

He is also losing clout among his peers. A Politico article this morning says, "Demand For Obama Wanes Among Moderate Democrats."

The article begins; "Moderate House Democrats facing potentially difficult re-election this fall have a message for President Barack Obama: Don't call us, we'll call you."

So why does the President and his people press on through the night, determined to pass a specific bill that such a large majority of people oppose? Continuing to make statements like, "Make sure the people's voice is heard."

Although support is partisan---resistance is not.

Perhaps there is one driving factor that continues to motivate him.

There can be little question that President Obama is very left leaning, some say socialist, in his beliefs. He has said he is "remaking" America. This health care bill is a leap into socialism.

The New York Times touched the heart of the answer, in an article yesterday afternoon titled "As Health Vote Awaits, Future Of A Presidency Waits Too."

The President's spokesperson has said he would rather be a good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president. But his spokespeople are also saying he wants to hear the peoples voices.

President Obama has made many promises that he simply has not kept. The bloom, as they say, is off the rose in that respect.

He has put so much of himself into this effort, that should he loose by failing to push this particular bill through, he would likely be unable to "remake" the economy and culture with climate legislation, the homosexual agenda and other priorities.

While there is a great deal of ego involved, for sure, I personally believe his ideology---his core socialistic beliefs trump all of that.

He refined his beliefs through his former relationships that concerned some, but not a majority of Americans, his 20-year membership in his former church and in the classroom, where ideas do not have immediate consequences.

This is his main event. And I believe he has a mission that far exceeds mere service.

It is generally believed that if he can't hear us now, he and his colleagues will hear us at election time.

For the sake of country and the generations who are to come, I pray this is so.

God bless you.

___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Texas Textbook War---A Battle for the Mind of our Kids

2010-03-12T09:27:00.000-08:00

As of midnight last night the Washington State Legislature used up their 60 days of regular session. The two chambers, both with big Democratic majorities, have been unable to get it done.

A 30-day special session will cost an additional $18,000 per day.
______________________

Over the next few days what happens in Texas will not stay in Texas. It will affect what your child learns in the classroom over the next ten years.

Texas is in the final stages of adopting their standards for social studies textbooks. Because Texas is such a large consumer of textbooks, the publishers use the Texas standards in printing and distributing textbooks to nearly every state in the country.

That's why what they are doing is such a big deal. And it's why secular revisionists are out in full force trying to influence the process of what your child will learn. And what he will not learn.

FOX NEWS says, "A liberal onslaught has been unleashed to try to influence these education standards."

However, the conservatives and people of faith are standing strong for an accurate account of history.

Here is what's happening. You can't make this stuff up.

A recent survey from Rasmussen finds that 60% of Americans believe that most school textbooks are more concerned with presenting information in a politically correct manner than in accuracy.

They've got that right.

The liberals on the panel tried to remove Independence Day, Neil Armstrong, Daniel Boone and Christopher Columbus from the textbook. They even tried to remove any mention of Christmas, but have a section on Diwali.

Conservatives stood their ground and these decisions were reversed.

The panel then tried to remove Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison and feature Mary Kay and Wallace Amos (Famous Amos Cookies). They said this would offer more "diversity" for the kids.

Einstein and Edison are back in the textbooks and so is "BC" and "AD," rather than the "BCE" designation of time before Christ that doesn't acknowledge Christ.

So far the secularists are prevailing in keeping any mention of America's religious heritage out of the textbooks.

Separation of church and state is now under vigorous debate.

Democratic board member Mavis B. Knight has introduced an amendment regarding the separation of church and state which she says, "was intended to inform students that there is a political and legal doctrine out there that addresses the issue," because she says, "I'm afraid the student won't otherwise know about it."

The conservatives are responding that the kids should be taught the truth of the matter, including the background and evolution of that notion. It is yet to be decided.

I have provided a link to the Texas Board of Education web site: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=3643

Professor Larry Schweikart says there are errors in many of the textbooks. He says the first thing he does when he reviews a textbook is to go to the section where they are discussing Ronald Reagan. He says a majority of the books he has reviewed credit Mikhail Gorbachev with ending the Cold War, not Reagan. That, he says, gives you a good idea where the rest of the book stands.

He says that aside from the political bias, there are many factual errors. I have linked the story where he gives several such errors, such as: New Orleans was settled by the French in the 1600's. Fact: It happened in 1718. The Louisiana Purchase extended America to the Mississippi River. Fact: It extended America all the way to the Rocky Mountains.

It cannot be overstated how important it is for parents to know what their children are being taught in the classroom and what is in the child's textbooks. I know it takes effort---but our kids are worth it.

The secular progressives have a plan for your child's education. If you do not prevail, they will.

The question is simply this: What do we teach our kids? There is an all out battle for the mind of your child. The philosophy in the classroom today is the philosophy of the culture in the next generation.

We have a God given responsibility to raise up our children with proper understanding and a biblical world view.

Be very vigilant.

God bless you.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Census 2010: Big Money, Homosexual "Marriage" & Mary and Joseph

2010-03-11T08:27:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Census forms will soon be arriving in homes across the country and the 2010 Census Extravaganza has something for everyone---well, almost everyone. The tax payers get hosed while the Census family of participants party.

The $15 billion budget is three times that of the last Census. And that includes the $3 million Super Bowl ad.

It also includes $200 million for a Chicago-New York based PR firm to oversee the direct marketing efforts, $15 million for the road trip with 13 buses and cargo vans with trailers, traveling to Vegas, the Super Bowl, New Orleans and other exiting events and places. The road trip is creating 223 metric tons of carbon emissions.

The Census Bureau has spent money for 115 focus groups in 37 markets and several billion dollars enlisting 56 million school kids to pester their parents about the Census and create math and social studies lessons that promote the Census.

They have spent $80 million for multi-lingual ads promoting the Census in 28 languages. And a video they produced is teaching a Latin person how to write in his country of origin on the form. Ironically, they have the writing hand misspelling the name of the country.

Mary and Joseph are used for PR purposes and a radical policy shift away from a Bush policy will be used to advance the homosexual agenda of "marriage".

Michelle Malkin has called it, "The Supersized Census Boondoggle."

She says history shows that the more the Census spends on advertising, the lower the response rate is.

Malkin wishes the federal government were as responsible with our money as Pepsi is with theirs. They have been advertising in the Super Bowl for more than two decades, but decided in the present economy it was unwise to spend the $3 million for 30 seconds this year.

She concludes, "The US Census is a decennial census mandated by our Constitution. Should Americans know about it? Sure. Should the p.r. budget become a bottomless slush fund in recessionary times? Surely not."

I recommend you read her column.

This Census Extravaganza reaches beyond the mere waste of billions of dollars. It also has a social and cultural component.

I know you're concerned about the 223 metric tons of emissions from the road trip. Not to worry. Carbonfund.org has partnered with our government and will offset all the carbon from the vehicle emissions. It didn't happen---there is no carbon. All is well.

Literature is being distributed to the Latin community urging people to participate because, "Joseph and Mary participated in the Census."

One can only imagine what else is being said in the various ethnic communities.

On the Census Bureau's own web site a video which gives directions for filling out the form, shows a hand printing the name of a person's Latin country of origin. The hand is printing--C O L U M B I A, however the country is spelled C O L O M B I A.

I know, some are thinking we also have errors on this site from time to time. Keep in mind we don't have a $15 billion budget. The error video was still up this morning, however, it has now been removed.

Some months ago The Washington Post reported a planned shift in policy for the 2010 Census regarding homosexual couples.

The Census is reversing a Bush policy that prohibited the release of gay "marriage" data because DOMA prohibits recognition of marriage as anything other than one-man and one-woman.

While the law has not changed, the beliefs in the White House certainly have.

This administration says, "No," DOMA does not prohibit Census Bureau from releasing data about homosexual "marriage".

This policy shift is considered a victory for homosexual activists.

The New Jersey press says the policy shift could radically reshape demographic profiles of the gay community, because this year the Census will let same-sex couples label themselves as husband or wife even if their relationship is not recognized by law.

The Census is leaving it to responders to characterize their own relationships, regardless of legal status.

Gary Gates, a demographer with the University of California in LA says, "The truth is that the number of kinds of legally married couples in this country is a very complicated situation."

Actually, it is not complicated at all. Under federal law, only one man and one woman are legally married. This is a federal Census.

Gates also correctly says, "Politicians use the Census as a yardstick for a community's power. That in turn affects the enactment of public policies."

Will homosexual numbers be inflated by this, "you decide what you are" policy? Probably.

This "policy shift" is another attempt to confuse the discussion about marriage by creating a problem of sorts, then providing a solution that advances the homosexual agenda of redefining marriage.

It is one of those special "incremental" moments of advancing the re-engineering of marriage that Washington State Senator Ed Murray lives for.

The upcoming 2010 election and the 2012 presidential election is a pivotal time in our country and our culture.

This is not a time for ideas soaked in theory.

It is a time for action. I understand action has risk and it costs in a number of ways. Believe me, I understand that.

However, we are in a time when there is no real alternative for those who truly believe in Judeo- Christian principles and believe that this country can continue to thrive, be free and be blessed only, as it embraces godly principles.

It is a time for action. Thank you for standing with us.

God bless you.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Is the Constitution a "God-Less Document"?

2010-03-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

In our blog Monday regarding the lawsuit in which Shirley Dobson was named, we quoted the Freedom From Religion Foundation, an atheist organization, saying in their court arguments against national prayer that the Constitution was "a god-less document," therefore a call to national prayer is unconstitutional. Particularly, the Presidential Proclamation.

We often hear that. Secularists and atheists declare that we are a secular nation. Even President Obama has said whatever we once were, we are not now a Christian nation.

Whether or not our Founders believed we were a "Christian" nation can be debated, however, it is a fact that those who founded America were predominately Christian, there was a consensus that what they were doing was based on Godly biblical principles and they invoked God's blessing on their decisions and actions.

And they infused biblical principles into every aspect of the culture, including our laws.

When we look at the Constitution in relation to the Declaration of Independence, it puts the matter of whether the Constitution is a god-less document in proper perspective.

Michael Farris, a Constitutional lawyer and founder of the Home School Legal Defense League makes an interesting analogy in his book, "Constitutional Law for Christian Students. Revised Edition." He compares the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution to a present day corporation's articles of incorporation and by-laws respectively.

Here's the short version of what he says:

The Declaration of Independence was the charter of our nation. It makes clear what most citizens of the colonies believed.

They believed that they were establishing a new nation based soundly on the Laws of God.

The opening statement of the Declaration expresses these firm beliefs and convictions. "When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them to another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of Nature and Nature's God entitle them..."

They believed freedom was a gift from Nature and Nature's God. They intended to create a government that would protect these God given freedoms---not dispense them.

By basing our right to be a free nation upon God's law, we were also saying by implication that we owed obedience to the law that allowed us to be a separate country from England.

The last paragraph of the Declaration says they are, "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly, publish and declare, that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states;...", ending with, and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor."

Farris says the Declaration is our charter. It the legal document that made us a nation like all the other nations of the world. It doesn't tell us how we are going to run our country---that is what our Constitution does.

In a corporation, the Charter is higher than the By-Laws and the By-Laws must be interpreted to be in agreement with the Charter. Therefore, the Constitution of the United States must be in agreement with the Declaration of Independence, or as Farris sometimes calls it, " The Declaration of the United States."

The most important statement in our Declaration is that we want to operate under the laws of God and we invoke His blessing.

When the courts today are deciding what the Constitution means in regard to specific issues, they should review and remember the "Charter" or the Declaration in regards to original intent.

The Constitution doesn't specifically mention God, because it doesn't have to. The Declaration is the charter or higher document and it clearly outlines our relationship with God and His laws.

The Declaration makes it very clear that we are a nation under God's laws. Therefore all laws of our country should be consistent with the law of God or they violate our national charter.

It was our Founders intent that this would be a nation under God, that would look to God for blessing and guidance.

Our Founding Fathers knew that you could not have a free people for very long without Biblical morality.

Here's what they said:

"Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams.

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin

"Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt." Samuel Adams.

This country and culture is worth fighting for.

Thank you for standing with us.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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DOMA "Stands in the Way"

2010-03-09T10:24:00.000-08:00

On the merit of President Obama's promise to end the military's ban on open homosexuality in the ranks, the discussion as to what must happen to accomplish it is underway. And it is raising some serious questions and producing some interesting comments.

Some Republicans are asking whether the military will deny housing and medical benefits to homosexual spouses, which will potentially produce a morale and readiness issue. And create a lack of equality.

Evan Wolfson with "Freedom to Marry" says, "Gay people serving in the military, defending our country, should have the same rules and same opportunities as any other Americans, no more no less."

They do. Homosexuals have the same "rules and opportunities " as everyone else. No more---no less.

They are asking that the rules be changed just for them. Special rights. And just because of their particular propensity of behavior. What about polygamists? Do they also have equal rights? And what about other specific behavioral groups?

Mr. Wolfson also told the press, "The irony is that if gay people were saying we should have a special right not to serve, the anti-gay groups would be clamoring to force gay people into the military."

Mr. Wolfson misses the irony. Homosexuals already have the right not to serve. We have an all-volunteer military. If you don't want to serve---don't serve. We all have that right. Does that somehow not matter because it is not a "special" right?

And what about housing? Will homosexuals who are "married" get the same benefits as those in a natural marriage? At present, five states allow homosexual marriage. What about, say, those from Washington State who are almost married---everything but the name?

Perhaps those Republican Senators---Sen. Curtis King, 14th District, Sen. Dale Brandland, 42nd District and Sen. Cheryl Pflug, 5th District---who voted against marriage and for homosexual "everything but the word marriage" could explain.

Here's the heart of the problem. DOMA stands in the way.

The Defense of Marriage Act defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The 1993 law that bans open gays in the military, also prohibits service members of the same sex from marrying, with the threat of discharge.

How does he deal with that?

If the President keeps his promise to homosexuals, it will create a wide diversity of benefits between homosexuals who are "married" in the five states that allow it, and those from the other states that are not "married" but have some other recognition, such as domestic partners, civil unions, etc.

Are those from Washington State, who are almost married, eligible for more benefits than those from a state that only allows plain domestic partnerships without having made all parental laws gender neutral as the Washington State Legislature is busy doing this session?

Will the military need to create multiple tiers of benefits?

The obvious answer? Abolish DOMA.

Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon, R-Calif. asked Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates if he will recommend that Congress repeal DOMA to avoid creating these disparities.

Gates' spokesman declined to comment.

Be prepared. The next wave of assault against marriage will come from the President's attempt to keep his promise to the homosexual community and a part of that will be the necessity to repeal DOMA because it is unconstitutional. It discriminates against gays and the military is proof. To not address it could compromise our national security---or something like that.

The assault on everything Judeo-Christian, principles and beliefs upon which our country was founded and has thrived, are under attack.

These are perilous times.

If there is any good news in this, it is that President Obama cannot abolish DOMA by fiat. It is a matter that must come before Congress.

If people of faith and conservatives are active in the upcoming election, perhaps the character of our Congress can be changed for the better before this assault arrives on their desk.

We have a great opportunity to change, not only the character of Congress, but that of the State Legislature in Washington State.

There are some highly qualified people running for office who, I believe, will support and advance our core beliefs.

Faith and Freedom Foundation is preparing an extensive educational campaign regarding the candidates who will be on the ballot this fall. It will be educational, not advocacy.

Our PAC will advocate.

We are in need of funds now so we can have all the preliminary work and research completed so all efforts can be toward distribution of educational information to individuals, churches and community groups across the state.

Your donation today would be very helpful.

Thank you and God bless you.
___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Shirley Dobson Dismissed from Lawsuit

2010-03-08T09:20:00.001-08:00

Last week a federal judge dismissed all claims against Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, in a lawsuit challenging the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the atheist group who placed the anti-God plaque in the Capitol in Olympia a couple of Christmas' ago and a few months ago held their national convention in Seattle, has filed a suit arguing that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

Joel Oster with Alliance Defense Fund said, "The lawsuit against Mrs. Dobson was based on the ridiculous argument that a private citizen can violate the law by praying, and it is just another example of one radical organization's allergic reaction to anything involving God."

The FFRF argues that the Constitution was "written to be a god-less document" and they are challenging the federal law designating a National Day of Prayer and requiring a National Day of Prayer Proclamation by the President.

The President is named in the suit as well. The case against the President is still ongoing, however, the court has said that it cannot stop future presidential prayer proclamations from being issued.

I sincerely hope the President does not use this suit as an excuse to further distance himself from scheduled prayer events in the future.

Shirley Dobson, as you likely know, is the chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which was founded to express the Judeo-Christian view.

The National Day of Prayer for this year is scheduled for May 6, 2010.

Be Prayerful. Be Active.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Girl Scouts are Panhandlers?

2010-03-05T09:10:00.001-08:00

Seattle City council member Tim Burgess has a plan that if implemented will hurt Girl Scout cookie sales and categorize the Girl Scouts as panhandlers.

Understandably, even those who donate to their church and other organizations involved in providing for the needy, sometimes find panhandling bothersome. And it is often harmful to businesses.

Councilman Burgess' plan "restricts behaviors used by individuals to threaten and intimidate people into giving money." One of the restrictions is the proximity to grocery store entrances, ATM's, etc.

KOMO NEWS is reporting that there are those now suggesting the panhandling plan should apply to the Girl Scouts and their cookie sales. Girl Scouts are panhandlers? I don't think so.

In fact, these kids are learning how the free market works---work and reward, so they won't become panhandlers.

Let's assume Mr. Burgess did not really set out to put the Girl Scouts out of business or label them as panhandlers, but is only trying to address a specific situation.

This, however, raises a separate and different issue; one that often has profound results.

Unintended Consequences.

Wikipedia says, "Any intervention in a complex system may or may not have the intended result, but will inevitably create unanticipated and often undesirable outcomes."

So, what should one do? Nothing, for the sake of safety?

No.

Robert Merton wrote a paper in 1936 titled, "The Unanticipated Consequences of Purposive Social Action." While I do not agree with some of his writings, he listed five possible causes for creating unintended consequences that worth consideration.

1. Ignorance.
2. Error.
3. Immediate interest.
4. Basic values.
5. Self defeating prophecy.

This brings me to what is undeniably the most immediate and value based social issue in our country today.

President Obama's health care plan.

Without judging his motives, it is easy to conclude that he is obsessed with it's passage, regardless of what a majority of Americans want. And it will have devastating long term consequences---intended or unintended.

The Seattle City council will discuss the panhandler/Girl Scout issue on Monday. And they'll probably work something out.

Action is likely on the culturally "transforming" health care plan within the next couple of weeks. The President is absolutely committed to his plan (see picture and story) which will have unimagined consequences. Consequences that cannot be worked out in a Monday morning council meeting, but will change America forever.

Our country needs to reform our health care system. However a "plan" should not reform or "transform" the country and its values.

This issue will either create a new Marxist type euphoria with its passage or will bring us to a time of national restoration with its defeat. I personally believe this issue has that level of consequence.

Take a moment and call your US Senator and Representative or email them and tell them you strongly oppose the Obama health care bill and are asking them to oppose it as well.

Be wise. Be discerning. Be prayerful. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you. Thanks for your support.

___________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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President Obama: "If we want to transform the country..."

2010-03-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, President Obama, in presenting his "American Agenda," was saying, "If we want to transform the country though, that requires a sizable majority." (Video Link).

That was then---this is now.

Although his notion of a sizable majority has changed, his obsession to "transform" the country has not.

Today, he and his administration are preparing to force a health care plan on our country that a majority of Americans do not want.

They resist it for many reasons including; it provides federal funding of abortions, it could bankrupt the country, will destroy the quality of health care in America and will further move America toward socialism and away from our founding principles.

Indeed his health care plan and apparent decision to use "reconciliation," or the "nuclear option," as it is sometimes called as a method to get the bill passed will "transform the country."

I wrote about "reconciliation" in a recent blog titled "Reconciliation: Good Word---Bad Word".

As our far left, so-called progressive President and those who enable him stand poised to "transform the country" using reconciliation, I felt we should take one more look at exactly what reconciliation is and why it is it a threat.

No one is any more qualified to explain it than former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

Yesterday he explained the matter in his newsletter. I recommend you read it.

I along with many of you am concerned about the direction of our culture and country. There are indeed those who are working tirelessly to "transform" it into something very different than the country that has risen to become the most prosperous, most free, most exceptional and most blessed country in the history of civilization.

Growing numbers of Americans are beginning to resist, not because we resist change, but because we resist the direction of the present change.

James Russell Lowell was once asked by the French historian, Francios Guizot, "How long will the American republic endure?"

Lowell responded, "As long as the ideas of the men who founded it remain dominate."

If we as a nation do not soon return our public policy to the Christian consensus of our Founding Fathers and the Biblical principles of law that have provided the freedoms we have enjoyed for well over 200 years, it will only be a matter of time before we lose those freedoms.

Patrick Henry told his contemporaries, "When people forget God, tyrants forge their chains."

May God help us during these trying times.

God bless you. Thank you for your encouraging words and financial support.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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"Not Guilty" ACORN Issues Defiant Threat

2010-03-03T09:15:00.000-08:00

A few comments from Gary, James Garfield and Ben Stein.

You remember the series of videos released last September with ACORN employees coaching a couple posing as a prostitute and her pimp or boyfriend.

The videos captured ACORN employees discussing how the couple could buy a house for "business" purposes and even how to fund bringing under-age girls into the US from Latin America.

Undercover videos were taken in Brooklyn, Baltimore, Washington D.C., California and a couple of other places, with the same results.

Although the videos were initially ignored by the old media, FOX News and then the Internet launched them and within days the world had seen them, there was a political firestorm and Congress partially de-funded ACORN and called for an investigation. ACORN was already dogged by allegations of fraud and embezzlement.

Yesterday, the Brooklyn district attorney's office said they had completed their 5-month inquiry and "no criminal activity was found."

No criminal activity? Corruption.

ACORN'S response? A threat.

Kevin Whelan, an ACORN spokesman said, "Hopefully today's announcement, and similar results from independent reviews, will make politicians and media examine the facts more carefully the next time a valuable community organization is attacked."

Attacked? I've seen the videos a couple of times and am at a loss to see the attack or ACORN's innocence.

ACORN seems quite self assured, and with good reason. They have a friend.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported in August 2008 that US Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign paid more than $800,000 to an "off shoot of the liberal Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) for services the Democrat's campaign says it mistakenly misrepresented in federal reports."

The Obama campaign first said the "child of ACORN" had helped with polling, advance work, and staging major events. Then reconsidered, and reported, "no" they actually just worked for the good of all and only worked to get out the vote.

At the time some said it looked like "old style" Chicago politics, not the transparency and integrity the candidate was promising.

That was a year and a half ago.

Andrew Breitbart, who funded the video investigation said yesterday he has more videos and they will soon be released.

The depth of hypocrisy and corruption in government is stunning.

How did we get to this place? Who is responsible? What is the solution?

I think the answer is found in part in the words of James Garfield in 1887, 100 years after the Constitutional Convention, and in some comments written recently by Ben Stein titled, "We Figured Him Out."

First, Garfield: "Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature---If the next centennial does not find us a great nation---it will because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."

Secondly, Ben Stien: WE FIGURED HIM OUT

Why is President Barack Obama in such a hurry to get his socialized medicine bill passed?

Because he and his cunning circle realize some basic truths:

The American people in their unimaginable kindness and trust voted for a pig in a poke in 2008.

They wanted so much to believe Barack Obama was somehow better and different from other ultra-leftists that they simply took him on faith.

They ignored his anti-white writings in his books.

They ignored his quiet acceptance of hysterical anti-American diatribes by his minister, Jeremiah Wright.

They ignored his refusal to explain years at a time of his life as a student.

They ignored his ultra-left record as a "community organizer," Illinois state legislator, and Senator.

The American people ignored his total zero of an academic record as a student and teacher, his complete lack of scholarship when he was being touted as a scholar.

Now, the American people are starting to wake up to the truth. Barack Obama is a super likeable super leftist, not a fan of this country, way, way too cozy with the terrorist leaders in the Middle East , way beyond na�vet�, all the way into active destruction of our interests and our allies and our future. The American people have already awakened to the truth that the stimulus bill -- a great idea in theory -- was really an immense bribe to Democrat interest groups, and in no way an effort to help all Americans.

Now, Americans are waking up to the truth that ObamaCare basically means that every time you are sick or injured, you will have a clerk from the Department of Motor Vehicles telling your doctor what he can and cannot do.

The American people already know that Mr. Obama's plan to lower health costs while expanding coverage and bureaucracy is a myth, a promise of something that never was and never will be -- a bureaucracy lowering costs in a free society. Either the costs go up or the free society goes away.

These are perilous times.. Mrs. Hillary Clinton, our Secretary of State, has given Iran the go-ahead to have nuclear weapons, an unqualified betrayal of the nation. Now, we face a devastating loss of freedom at home in health care. It will be joined by controls on our lives to "protect us" from global warming, itself largely a fraud if believed to be caused by man.

Mr. Obama knows Americans are getting wise and will stop him if he delays at all in taking away our freedoms. There is his urgency and our opportunity. Once freedom is lost, America is lost. Wake up, beloved America ...

May God help us.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Planned Parenthood Caught Breaking the Law Again

2010-03-02T09:19:00.001-08:00

Planned Parenthood has been caught, red handed, so to speak, violating the law and attempting to lie their way out of a very serious matter.

Pro-Life activist group "Live-Action" has released another under cover video from a Planned Parenthood facility, where instead of obeying the law and reporting what they thought was a 14 year-old girl, pregnant from her 31 year-old boy friend, they counseled her on how to get the abortion without parental knowledge, and without her boy friend getting in trouble.

When caught, they lied. Their lie is exposed on additional video.

Live Action president Lila Rose, posing as a 14 year-old girl, pregnant from her 31 year-old boy friend, is asking the Milwaukee Planned Parenthood about getting an abortion without notifying her parents and not getting her boy friend in trouble. The link above has the video and much more information.

By law, Planned Parenthood is required to report this to the police.

What did they do? They did what seems to be a pattern. They lied.

In the spirit of their "comprehensive health care," instead of reporting the matter to the police as required by law, they are seen and heard on video coaching the young girl on how to obtain a judicial bypass waiver so she can bypass her parents and protect her 31-year-old boyfriend from "getting in trouble."

When the video of this exchange came to light, Teri Huyck, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said publicly, "We were unable to make any report" because the girl didn't give us any identifying information.

A lie.

Now Live Action has released more video which shows the undercover girl giving Planned Parenthood both her name and her birth date.

Note one question in the video that was not forgotten. The issue of who was going to pay for the abortion. Forget the law, but don't forget the money. Don't worry about the girl's well being after being abused by a 31-year-old man, but get that payment.

This is one more profile in the face of evil.

Ignore the law. Lie when caught. Lie again when caught lying. Accuse pro-life pregnancy centers of being incompetent and dishonest. Make regular visits to the White House and prepare to expand the abortion industry with the hoped for $11 Billion from President Obama's health care plan.

A full version of the video has been released to the district attorney and the attorney general. Live Action has conducted several other investigations of Planned Parenthood in other areas with similar results. No parental notification. No information to the police. No problem.

Will elected officials ever find the collective courage to stand in the face of evil and de-fund this expanding enterprise of death?

Likely, no. Not the present class. It is imperative that we elect men and women who believe in life and will act to protect the sanctity of life. And will have the courage to de-fund the face of evil.

Be informed and be inspired to act. Do not be silent.

God bless you.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Perverted Tolerance

2010-03-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

The NCAA has pulled a Focus on the Family ad from their website and the Mayor of Beverly Hills is angry because another Miss California contestant in the Miss USA pageant believes in natural marriage---one man-one woman.

All this in the name of tolerance.

The NCAA (National College Athletic Association) has taken a Focus on the Family ad off their website after homosexuals complained.

The ad features a picture of a father holding his young son. The ad is titled, "Celebrate Life. Celebrate Family."

The caption under the picture says, "All I want for my son is for him to grow up knowing how to do the right thing."

Why is this so controversial that the NCAA would break an advertising agreement made with Focus which included the Tim Tebow ad at the Super Bowl and this ad on the NCAA website?

Is it distasteful or offensive to want the best for your son?

Homosexual activists said the ad had to go because Focus is controversial, because they are pro-life and support natural marriage---one-man, one woman.

Twisted logic. Perverted tolerance.

In another story from Associated Press the mayor of Beverly Hills is angry and is disowning a Miss USA contestant because she does not believe in homosexual marriage.

Lauren Ashley has spoken out against homosexual marriage in recent interviews. She told FOX news she believes same-sex marriage goes against God and the Bible.

Although the pageant rules allow for contestants to choose the area they represent, whether or not they live there, Beverly Hills mayor, Nancy Krasne, is angry saying Ashley doesn't live there and doesn't represent the city in any way, "Which," she says, "has a long history of tolerance and respect."

Tolerance? Respect?

I assure you her address would have never been an issue if she had held the proper beliefs.

Whether it is the NCAA or the city of Beverly Hills or a number of other public entities, there is an increasing trend to re-write or re-define biblical morality, while simultaneously seeking to silence those who believe in it.

It seems tolerance is a one way street and the distaste for biblical Christianity is driving it from the public square, public discourse, education and even the free expression of beliefs in the paid media.

Ironically, intolerance of Christianity and a Christian influenced culture is most often demanded in the name of tolerance.

Christianity must not be tolerated because of the need for greater tolerance. A Perverted Tolerance.

Be informed. Be inspired. Be active.

Thank you for your support of our efforts in this ministry.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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President Obama's " Plan B"

2010-02-26T09:40:00.001-08:00

"Plan B" or the abortion pill, sometimes called the morning after pill, has become a well known and controversial method of abortion.

Walking into yesterday's health care meeting, the President assured a reporter he had a "plan B".

Planned Parenthood's website also features "Plan B" and says it costs between $10 and $70, considerably less than the President's plan.

The Planned Parenthood site also feature's an "Accidents Happen" section which tells you what to do after an accident.

Will the President need a "Plan B"?

President Obama ended yesterday's meeting with a threat.

"If we're unable to resolve differences over health care," he said, "we will move ahead with decisions."

And he added that if voters are unhappy with the results then, "that's what elections are for."

Indeed. We are already preparing for the elections. I'm certain many others are as well.

House Minority Leader, John Boehner R-Ohio, told the President to his face that his new health care bill would indeed allow taxpayer-funding of health plans that cover abortions.

The President essentially brushed him off, saying he was merely repeating the "standard talking points."

Boehner continued pointing out that for 30 years we've had a federal law prohibiting tax payer funding of abortions, but in response, the President declined to respond and accused the Minority Leader of "wasting the group's time."

President Obama's health care bill, as it presently stands in both the House and Senate version, will put $11 Billion of new funding for community health centers, many if not most of them will provide abortions---most will be Planned Parenthood.

One of the great take away lines of the day was Vice-President Biden questioning his own ability to know what Americans think. Apparently his boss does not understand what Americans are thinking either.

The question is what will President Obama do the morning after? Will there have been a malfunction? Will there be a need for emergency measures?

Most feel the President and his team will see that the pro-life people are not going to abandon their beliefs in the sanctity of life, as some have done, which will cause the President to attempt to ram his health care bill through Congress, using reconciliation, with the explanation that both sides are very close, so it's time to move "forward for the people."

Is that dishonesty or ignorance?

And will the people remember that if they don't like it, "that's what elections are for?"

I think they will. They will sip their tea and they will remember. And they will vote.

Fourteen years ago Judge Robert Bork wrote in his book, "Slouching Toward Gomorrah," regarding the rise of secular liberalism or progressiveness and its negative impact on our culture, "An understanding of our problem and the will to resist may be our only hope."

That is the mission of Faith and Freedom, with an expectation that God will intervene in the affairs of our nation, for His purposes, and restore our land.

Thank you for standing with us.

May God help us.

___________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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"Reconciliation" Good Word---Bad Word

2010-02-25T08:22:00.000-08:00

Reconciliation is generally a good word. The process often brings together marriages, families and friends.

In the Christian faith, it is what happens between a person and God, when the individual accepts Jesus Christ, God's Son, as his Savior. The individual's sins are forgiven, he is justified and reconciled to his Creator.

Webster's New World Second College Edition seems to think it's a good thing as well. They say to reconcile is, "to make friendly again or win over to a friendly attitude" or "to bring into harmony."

Bring into harmony?

It's hard to imagine a place where the most divisive thing you could do is called "reconciliation"---but that's where we are in America, in regard to the health care reform bill. And that's exactly what the President and his administration is threatening to do if the so-called bi-partisan health care summit doesn't work today.

When the dust settles from today's meeting, a meeting that syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer calls "mere theater," you will hear the word "reconciliation" soon and often.

It's interesting and revealing what leading Democrats, including Senator Barack Obama, Senator Joe Biden and Senator Hillary Clinton, were saying about "reconciliation" aka., the nuclear option, just a few years ago.

Simply stated, the "reconciliation" is a legislative process that is intended to allow consideration of a budget bill without the threat of filibuster and can be passed by a simple majority.

For more information, I have linked WIKIPEDIA for your convenience.

It is both stunning and revealing what Obama, Biden, Hillary Clinton and others were saying about this process.

I have linked a short video with their comments in 2005 regarding "reconciliation".

Please take a look at it. There is nothing I can say to bring more clarity than they bring in their own words.

While there is some humor in this on the surface, just below the surface is a very troubling matter that is getting worse, not better.

America is deeply polarized.

There are several good reasons to oppose President Obama's health care plan, however, the one that is perhaps most important to many of us is the unwavering commitment of the President and his administration and the Congressional leadership to federally fund and advance abortions in America.

And deny they are doing so.

This is a sad commentary on how far we have drifted from our founding, godly principles.

I firmly believe that for the most part, the contention is not so much partisan or political, but is principle centered.

It is a more than a Democratic or Republican issue.

It is a matter of ideology--- a matter of deeply held personal beliefs.

On the one side there are those who along with the President see abortion as a choice---a right, which trumps the sanctity of life itself.

On the other side there are those who believe life is a gift from God, our Creator, and must be protected above all things. They hold a profound belief in the sanctity of life, which cannot be compromised.

Will the Democratic leadership and the President ram their health care bill, including federally funded abortions, through the Congress? I don't know. We'll see.

However, I am absolutely certain there can be no blessing and continuing prosperity in our land until we are reconciled with our founding principles and the God who gave them.

And that is why we do what we do at Faith and Freedom. Thank you for standing with us.

God bless you. And may God's blessing be fully restored on the greatest country in history.

______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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The President Breaks Another Promise

2010-02-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

President Obama's "new" health care plan includes federal funding of abortions.

He has broken another promise.

In his address to a joint session of Congress in September, President Obama told Congress that the country and the world:

"One more misunderstanding I want to clear up---under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions."

That was not true then and in his "new" plan he has revealed this week, it still isn't true.

The day after the September promise, Douglas Johnson, legislative director for National Right To Life, pointed out that the President's bill will indeed pay for abortions with federal dollars.

He explained how it will work and how the President and his administration is attempting to mislead the public.

Johnson said, "The reality is that the Obama-backed House bill would explicitly authorize the federal government insurance plan to pay for elective abortions and would explicitly authorize subsidies for private abortion insurance----and all with federal dollars."

Marjorie Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, a pro-life organization, said while the President and others are trumpeting an amendment they made as eliminating government funded abortions, it "actually allows it."

Johnson said it's "absurd on it's face, a political hoax."

Mitch Stewart and Addisu Demissie of Organizing for America, sent out an email yesterday on behalf of the President saying, "It's a plan that puts Americans in charge of their own health care, bridges the gap between the Senate and House bills, and adds additional ideas from both parties to fight waste and abuse."

One way to "fight waste and abuse" would be to dismantle the present administration at the upcoming elections before they completely dismantle America.

I have linked an analysis of the "new" health care bill as it relates to federally funded abortions. If you have time, check it out, it is informative.

Johnson told LIFENEWS in September, "Barack Obama needs to learn that the mere repetition of a verbal formula does not change reality."

Apparently neither he nor his leadership in Congress have learned that.

As the President was unveiling his "new" "new" plan this week, none of which stops massive federal funding of abortions, the White House announced the President's support to use the controversial "reconciliation" tactic to ram the bill through Congress. This action would eliminate the ability of pro-life lawmakers to filibuster and delay passage.

I doubt seriously that tomorrow's meeting will have any significant bipartisan aspect other than to be reported by the media as an honest attempt on the part of the President to create a bipartisan effort to help save the people and the country. An effort that was rejected by Republicans and pro-life advocates.

I hope for more, but am convinced that these are defining times for our country and communities. The decisions we, as citizens, make in the upcoming 2010 elections and those of 2012, will determine what America will be for coming decades.

Be prayerful. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Planned Parenthood Opens Another "Super Store"

2010-02-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

Planned Parenthood opens another "Super Store," this one in Oregon. While many businesses are pulling back because of the bad economy, Planned Parenthood continues to expand, thanks to an increasing flow of money from willing government officials and a complicit President.

The largest abortion clinic in Oregon and one of the largest in the country is now open in Portland.

After closing their older, smaller facility, the abortion king has opened the "super store" closer to their prime customer base.

Gayle Atteberry, director of the Oregon Right to Life, explains the Planned Parenthood decision to expand and relocate and how the pro-life community in Portland is responding.

Also, guess what President George W. Bush was doing this past Sunday?

Atteberry says, "This new one is right on the edge of the African-American community."

She is certain the location was not chosen randomly, but that it was established there to carry out the nationwide goal of Planned Parenthood.

She said, "It is consistent to what they are doing around the nation, and we've seen in the figures that the largest percentage of abortions per-capita are done in the black community."

She and the Portland pro-life community have responded by moving their sidewalk counseling to the new location---on the sidewalk beside the new "super store," with a single purpose: To save the lives of unborn children.

While Planned Parenthood expands their empire of death under the guise of "health care," there are those among us who continue to advocate for life and do all they can to preserve and protect it, while often under attack by Planned Parenthood and their allies. Think Washington State.

One such pro-life person spoke at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas this past weekend.

A spokesman for the church said former President George W. Bush came to help them raise money for the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center---a center dedicated to preserving and affirming the sanctity of life.

The church also said they wanted to honor President Bush for his stand and policies that affirm life---the contribution he has made to the unborn.

Do you miss him yet?

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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President Obama Is "Managing The Decline Of America"

2010-02-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

Representative Mike Pence, R-Ind., said Friday, that President Obama and his administration are "managing the decline of America," rather than reversing that decline.

"And finally," Pence said as he concluded his speech, "to reverse American decline we should recognize that our present crises is not merely economic and political, but moral in nature. We must win back America for the fundamental traditional values of the American people: The sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage."

Pence pointed to Planned Parenthood as, "the largest abortion provider in America," and said they "should not be the largest recipient of federal funding under Title 10."

He said, "The time has come to defund any and all funding to Planned Parenthood of America."

I strongly agree.

However, the relationship between Planned Parenthood and President Obama is stunning when you consider his words regarding abortion---and lobbyists, for that matter.

When speaking to the so-called middle Americans--- those who cling to their guns and Bibles, he has often said, he believes abortion is a choice that women and their doctors should make, however, he has repeatedly said we must work to reduce the number of abortions.

Disconnect.

What he is saying and what he is doing is dramatically different. While saying we should reduce abortions, he is working hard to expand the net of the largest abortion business in the country.

According to White House visitor logs, guess who is in the House on a regular basis, with almost unlimited access to the top White House staff members?

Steven Ertelt with LIFENEWS has been studying the White House visitor's logs and concluded last week that Planned Parenthood has, "Unfettered access to the White House and top staffers."

President Obama, Ertelt found, wasted no time in getting Planned Parenthood into the loop. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, was invited to join a very small "special" group of friends and supporters who gathered at the White House on January 20---Inauguration Day. President Obama's first day on the job.

I have linked Ertelt's report of the significant and frequent access that Planned Parenthood has to the President's top staff.

Planned Parenthood is helping this administration shape its health care policies and sex-ed policies, while in concert, they continue to manage the decline of America.

Indeed, Rep. Pence is right.

America is faced with not only a political and economic crises, but a moral crises. We have lost our way. We are living in a culture where wrong is right and right is wrong and those who stand for what is right are often scorned and mocked.

And things are "true" because, "I said they are true."

We need a moral and spiritual awakening. May God help us.

Thank you for your support of this ministry.

God bless you. Be Prayerful. Do not be silent.

__________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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US Supreme Court Sets Date for R-71 Case

2010-02-18T12:31:00.000-08:00

The US Supreme Court has set an April 28 hearing date for our request for the R-71 names to be permanently sealed. As you will recall, this action was taken after growing threats were made against those who supported the rejection of SB 5688---the "Everything But Marriage" bill.

A decision is expected by early summer.

The Court will be focused on the following two questions:

09-559 DOE #1 V. REED
DECISION BELOW:586 F.3d 671
EXPEDITED BRIEFING SCHEDULE.
CERT. GRANTED 1/15/2010
QUESTIONS PRESENTED:

The district court granted a preliminary injunction protecting against public disclosure, as opposed to private disclosure to the government only, of those signing a petition to put a referendum on the ballot ("petition signers"). The Ninth Circuit reversed, concluding that the district court based its decision on an incorrect conclusion of law when it determined that public disclosure of petition signers is subject to, and failed, strict scrutiny. The questions presented are:

1. Whether the First Amendment right to privacy in political speech, association, and belief requires strict scrutiny when a state compels public release of identifying information about petition signers.

2. Whether compelled public disclosure of identifying information about petition signers is narrowly tailored to a compelling interest, and whether Petitioners met all the elements required for a preliminary injunction. LOWER COURT CASE NUMBER: 09-35818, 09-35826, 09-35863

Those of us who led the R-71 effort have done everything humanly possible to protect those who signed the R-71 petitions and their right to participate in the political process without fear of retribution from homosexual activists.

Thank you for your continuing support. Taking a public stand on such issues often comes with a great price. Your prayers and support have allowed Faith and Freedom to continue to stand in the gap. Your comments of personal support and encouragement have meant more than I could possibly say.

God bless you.

________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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The Message of "AVATAR"

2010-02-17T09:56:00.000-08:00

Evangelical Christians are often "consuming the culture" without even questioning the message.

With "AVATAR," now the highest grossing movie of all time, some Christian leaders are taking a critical look at the actual message of the film.

Some movie goers are slamming the film as completely pantheistic, while others praise it for the Christian Gospel parallels.

A panel of evangelical leaders has given some excellent advice and insight on the message of "AVATAR" and expressed some concern regarding how Christians consume the culture.

And a successful Hollywood screenwriter and author gives some helpful suggestions regarding Christians and the media in our culture.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, JR., President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Mark T. Coppenger, professor of Christian Apologetics, Russell D. Moore, dean of the SBTS' School of Theology and several others commented on "AVATAR" at a panel discussion last week.

Moore says the real danger with Hollywood films is not the blatantly negative or anti-Christian messages that are obvious, but the subtle ones that Christians do not even recognize in today's culture.

Moore says, "What concerns me is not so much the message, but the fact that most people aren't really getting or seeing the message."

"Keep in mind," he said, "this is the same guy (producer James Cameron) who had evangelical Christians standing up and applauding to scenes of fornication in "TITANIC". It's so subtle the way that it works through that you become emotionally connected before you realize what's going on."

Obviously the film has reached a very broad audience, creating $2 billion in worldwide gross revenue so far, setting an all time revenue record.

It taps into some kind of religious longing people have, and in a postmodern world where truth is relative, "AVATAR" has broad appeal.

Ted Cabal, a professor at SBTS said, "Even though its got a mixture of sci-fi where the religion can be explained in naturalist terms, it's still much appealing to the average, what I call, postmodern religionist who's not clear as to what he's after."

"It doesn't matter if it doesn't make a lot of sense," he says, "everything is God impersonally, but you can also pray to this God and so at the end, AWA (the deity in the film) answers prayer. So you're like, 'okay mix a little personal God in there for those Americans who like prayer."

The film contains reference points to the Christian Gospel, but recasts it as a completely different gospel, Mohler believes.

He said, "It includes a 'secular Eden' (Pandora); the reference that every person is 'born twice'---the second time is when you become part of your people forever; and its own metanarrative of creation, fall, redemption and consummation."

In a different, but related story, Andrew Klavan, a successful author and Hollywood screenwriter, has told the press that Christians need to pay close attention to the message from books, television programs and movies.

Klavan, who has worked with Clint Eastwood, Michael Douglas and other high pro-file actors, says that in most cases anyone who is patriotic or Christian are cast as a hypocrite, hater, or worse.

He encourages Christians to be very careful.

We can take at least two things from this.

First, be very discerning. Understand that most all books, TV shows and films have a message. That's the world we live in. Be sure the message is not contrary or damaging to your biblical worldview and that which you are teaching to your children.

Secondly, in the case of "AVATAR," it is apparent that millions of people are paying to see a story that touches on points that are important to them. Dr. Mohler believes this story helps Christians to define their "mission field" and perhaps can lead to opportunities to share the "story of stories"---the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Indeed.

Be discerning. Be active. Do not be silent.

God bless you and thank you for supporting this ministry.

____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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A Conflicted Culture

2010-02-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

NARAL has dedicated their newest status report to the late Dr. George Tiller, who was one of only a few late-term abortionists in the country.

Tiller was shot and killed by a man last year with a history of mental problems.

That was tragic. All premature loss of life is tragic.

In the report NARAL praises President Barack Obama for his pro-abortion policies and for choosing pro-abortion people to serve in his administration, including NARAL's former legal counsel, Dawn Johnsen, who is yet to be confirmed for a senior position in the Justice Department.

The honor bestowed on Tiller is both tragic and sobering.

The report reads, "Through his life's work, Dr. Tiller compassionately and heroically served women from all across the country in order to ensure their right to reproductive health services. Dr. Tiller often spoke of his values---kindness, courtesy, justice, love and respect---which he brought to work every day."

In an era where our Founding Fathers are often trashed or "historically revised" in the classroom, and those who have truly made contributions to our country ignored or discredited, it is troubling that even NARAL would characterize that man's work in that way.

He was a man who even at the time of his death was under investigation for illegal practices in his abortion business.

A man who routinely artificially extracted babies from their mother's womb and destroyed their life shortly before natural birth, should not be honored as "compassionate," nor should he be elevated as "heroic".

And how have we gotten to a place where this practice is associated with "kindness, courteous, just, loving and respectable"?

We truly live in a conflicted culture, where what is right is said to be wrong and what is wrong is said to be right and just.

May God bring restoration and help in our time of need.

God bless you. Thank you for standing with us in the face of darkness.

__________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Confused Leadership in Olympia

2010-02-11T07:23:00.000-08:00

The Washington State Democrats are trying their best to raise taxes, but they are tripping over their own eagerness.

In an attempt to circumvent I-960, which requires that two-thirds of the Legislature approve any tax increase opposed to the normal simple majority, the Democratic leadership has submitted a bill to suspend I-960, because they have a majority, but not a two-thirds majority in the Legislature.

In their rush to raise taxes, they approved the wrong bill this week.

They intended to vote on a bill that would entirely suspend I-960, but instead approved a bill that partially suspended it.

Oops. Not to worry. They promised to get the right bill back for a vote within the next few days so they can completely circumvent the peoples desires. Voters have approved the I-960 mandate three times, yet the Democratically controlled Legislature will not accept the will of the people.

One more reason we need new leadership in Olympia. If they can't get it right on their own bill, people need to take a good look at what else they are not getting right.

This year is a great opportunity to make changes in the Legislature. As we progress through the primaries, Faith and Freedom will be giving you a call to action along with helpful voter information.

Thank you for your support.

God bless you.

_______________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Global Warming: Is It a Religion?

2010-02-10T07:51:00.000-08:00

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wrote a 2008 column highlighting the lack of snow in the Washington D.C. area.

While it was intended to be a hit piece on then vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, parts of it are charming.

He recalls his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, standing erect in a toboggan, in his topcoat, sledding down the hill and the Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, his father, bringing home a delegation of Eskimos for lunch and afterward spending the afternoon building an igloo in the Kennedy's backyard.

Those were the days. Now he says, "snow is so scarce that most Virginia children probably don't even own a sled."

This past weekend over 32 inches of snow fell on the Washington D.C. area, and there is another snow storm moving in today.

Last weekend the family of Senator Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., built an igloo near the US Capitol and put signs on it reading, "Al Gore's New Home" and "Honk If You Love Global Warming."

The left has seen the igloo or at least pictures of it and they are mad. Many are calling Inhofe a "right wing extremist."

Why are they so touchy about this. They're fervent. Their faith in Al Gore and a growing body of flawed facts is impressive, to say the least.

Is global warming a religion? Or maybe a cult? As a youth pastor, I have helped a lot of kids who have gotten involved in cults. I think I see some similarities.

The Copenhagen Climate Summit ended in disaster by nearly everyone's estimation. Collapsing with the discovery of fraud among the scientists who represented the movement and public fighting between the rich nations and the poor nations over the money.

The left's response? Stand firm. Keep the faith.

Monday, the Associated Press reported that President Obama has, you guessed it, proposed a new agency for climate change, aka, global warming.

Washington State's own Gary Locke, the administration's Commerce Secretary said, "Whether we like it or not, climate change represents a real threat."

Keep the faith. Move on. Keep the heat on. Forget the snow.

Is any of this related to the investments of Al Gore and his investors? Who is actually invested in the many green projects Gore has under way, which according to him, can only succeed with government subsidy.

Is the idea of man-made global warming an Earth worshipping religion or cult? With a few at the top profiting from the followers?

Walter Williams, a syndicated columnist, has written an excellent article that explores that very question and suggests that the movement is built on a whole lot of flawed information and an even greater amount of ego. I recommend you read his article.

And remember; the founder of a truly great religion has said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

Be free. Be vigilant. Be active.

_____________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Israel, Iran and Ezekiel 37

2010-02-09T09:45:00.000-08:00

Note: After all the hype about the Tim Tebow ad, the critics have now reversed and are complaining about Tim playfully tackling his mother. Good grief.
__________________

This Thursday, February 11 on our calendar---the 22nd of Bahman on the Persian calendar, is the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran. Iran will likely be prominent in the news as this week progresses, particularly in that Ahmadinejad has said the anniversary will "hearld an important announcement."

Some feel it may be a move toward more peaceful relations in the middle east. Most do not. Regardless of what Ahmadinejad may say, most believe Iran is moving toward deployment of nuclear weapons.

And many feel the inclination to commit terror acts against America will be heightened on February 11.

One thing is abundantly clear. Mr. Ahmadinejad is committed to "wiping Israel off the map."

You may recall that Israel and Iran had close ties during the Pahlavi dynasty, from the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 to 1979.

Recently, Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, said that western support of Israel is, "ineffective and that Israel's obliteration is imminent according to the will of God." (View video on FFN home page).

In follow up, yesterday, Iranian Foreign Minister Manchour Mottaki said that Israel is now weaker than ever before, before, adding that it is a, "crazy country run by crazy people."

"Therefore," he said, "we must prepare for the chance that Israel will do something crazy."

I suspect one of the "crazy" people running Israel would be Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Recently Netanyahu traveled to Poland to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Speaking on the actual site of the Nazi death camp, Netanyahu warned the world of new genocidal threats against the Jewish people and the importance of acting early enough to prevent such threats from coming to pass.

Then, in a stunning and remarkable moment, he declared to Europe and the world that the prophecies of Ezekiel 37 have been fulfilled.

He said the holocaust represented the "dry bones" and "graves" of the Jewish people and out of that horror the State of Israel was resurrected.

Netanyahu, quoting from Ezekiel said, "Prophecy, therefore, and say to them: Thus said the Lord God: I am going to open your graves and lift you out of your graves, O my people and bring you to the land of Israel."

He then said, speaking in Hebrew, "As head of the Jewish State, I pledge to you today: we will never again permit evil to snuff out the life of our people and the life of our country."

I would encourage Christians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God's protection of America.

Below are seven biblical reasons for Christians to support Israel.

The following has been created by the ministry, "Boston Bless Israel."

Genesis 12:3: "And I will bless them that bless thee and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all nations of the earth be blessed." Point: God has promised to bless the man or nation that blesses the Chosen People. History has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the nations that have blessed the Jewish people have had the blessing of God; the nations that have cursed the Jewish people have experienced the curse of God.

St. Paul recorded in Romans 15:27: "For if the Gentiles have shared in their (the Jews) spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things."

Christians owe a debt of eternal gratitude to the Jewish people for their contributions that gave birth to the Christian faith. Jesus Christ, a prominent Rabbi from Nazareth said, "Salvation is of the Jews!" (St. John 4:22) consider what the Jewish people have given to Christianity:

a) The Sacred Scripture
b) The Prophets
c) The Patriarchs
d) Mary, Joseph, and Jesus Christ of Nazareth
e) The Twelve Disciples
f) The Apostles

It is not possible to say, "I am a Christian" and not love the Jewish people. The Bible teaches that love is not what you say, but what you do. (1 John 3:18) "A bell is not a bell until you ring it, a song is not a song until you sing it, love is not love until you share it."

While some Christians try to deny the connection between Jesus of Nazareth and the Jews of the world, Jesus never denied his Jewishness. He was born Jewish, He was circumcised on the eighth day in keeping with Jewish tradition, He had his Bar Mitzvah on his 13th birthday, He kept the law of Moses, He wore the Prayer Shawl Moses commanded all Jewish men to wear, He died on a cross with an inscription over His head, "King of the Jews!"

Jesus considered the Jewish people His family. Jesus said (Matthew 25:40) "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (the Jewish people� Gentiles were never called His brethren), ye have done it unto me."

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee." (Psalm 122:6) the scriptural principle of prosperity is tied to blessing Israel and the city of Jerusalem.

Why did Jesus Christ go to the house of Cornelius in Capernaum and heal his servant, which was ready to die? What logic did the Jewish elders use with Jesus to convince Him to come into the house of a Gentile and perform a miracle?

The logic they used is recorded in Luke 7:5; "For He loveth our nation, and He hath built us a synagogue." The message? This Gentile deserves the blessing of God because he loves our nation and has done something practical to bless the Jewish people.

Why did God the Father select the house of Cornelius in Caesarea (Acts Chapter 10) to be the first Gentile house in Israel to receive the Gospel? The answer is given repeatedly in Acts 10.

Acts 10:2 "a devout man, (Cornelius) and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." Who were the people to whom Cornelius gave these alms? They were the Jews!

Again is Acts 10:4 "� thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God."

Again in Acts 10:31 "� and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God."
The point is made three times in the same chapter. A godly Gentile who expressed his unconditional love for the Jewish people in a practical manner was divinely selected by heaven to be the first Gentile house to receive the Gospel and the first to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

These combined Scriptures verify that PROSPERITY (Genesis 12:3 and Psalm 122:6), HEALING (Luke 7:1-5) and the OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT came first to Gentiles that blessed the Jewish people and the nation of Israel in a practical manner.

We support Israel because all other nations were created by an act of men, but Israel was created by an act of God! The Royal Land Grant that was given to Abraham and his seed through Isaac and Jacob with an everlasting and unconditional covenant. (Genesis 12:1-3, 13:14-18, 15:1-21, 17:4-8, 22:15-18, 26:1-5 and Psalm 89:28-37.)

There are biblical reasons why evangelicals support Israel.

__________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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