Thought Provoking

Here are some articles that I think we would all profit from chewing on:

Matt Kaufman over at Boundless has some good thoughts on how we view government and government service (not your standard ideology piece).

Newsweek's Anna Quindlen discusses the role of writing (and education) in our society.

Finally, another Newsweek columnist, Robert Samuelson offers a criticism of namby, pamby, wamby public policy and how Congress needs to start thinking big, rather than symbolic (he also gives one of the shortest, and most effective indictments against the minimum wage).

Enjoy....

Campaign Finance Reform

Want to know why we need Campaign Finance Reform in America? Here's one reason:

The chairman of the Federal Election Commission yesterday predicted that 2008 will produce the first $1 billion presidential race and that the $500 million that each party's candidate will need to compete will severely limit the field of contenders.

$1 billion??? So much for the idea of an America by the people, for the people, and of the people.

Read more here.

Support McCain in '08!

The Obama Hysteria

Peggy Noonan has written a smart piece that objectively looks at Barack Obama's presidential aspirations. A snippet:

He is uncompromised by a past, it is true. He is also unburdened by a record, unworn by achievement, unwearied by long labors.

What does he believe? What does he stand for? This is, after all, the central question. When it is pointed out that he has had almost--almost--two years in the U.S. Senate, and before that was an obscure state legislator in Illinois, his supporters compare him to Lincoln. But Lincoln had become a national voice on the great issue of the day, slavery. He rose with a reason. Sen. Obama's rise is not about a stand or an issue or a question; it is about Sen. Obama. People project their hopes on him, he says.

He's exactly right. Just so we all know it's projection.

Food Insecurity

Normally I disagree with nearly everything Newsweek columnist Anna Qunidlen has to say. However, her column last week on hunger in America is really very good. I think she makes great points. One that I have latched onto describes my philosophy concerning social services and international aid, "...in the short term treating symptoms works just fine for someone who has an empty stomach and an empty firdge."

Some Stats

• Half the world — nearly three billion people — live on less than two dollars a day.
• Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.
• 1 billion children live in poverty (1 in 2 children in the world). 640 million live without adequate shelter, 400 million have no access to safe water, 270 million have no access to health services. 10.6 million died in 2003 before they reached the age of 5 (or roughly 29,000 children per day).
  Source

Signs of the Times

Passport blog has this great summary of a global survey of teenagers from BBC World Service. Go read it! It is really fascinating. To whet your appettite:

Teens were asked: "Would you consider taking action which may result in innocent
people dying if you felt very strongly about a cause?" Most said no. A quarter
of London teens said yes, a figure so surprising to the BBC that they sought out
advice from psychologists.

Jesus' Only Reason For Coming To Earth Was To Solidify Marriage

Below I share an email exchange a good friend of mine and I had regarding an article on the Christian Coalition.

From My Friend:
Now, its not as though the CC isn't big enough to tackle more than one or two issues. I know an organization can't try to do everything, but why not expand its position to these issues as well? They would only have to have a general position statement on the environment and poverty, and maybe to lobby for or against (or just state a position) certain legislation pertinent to these subjects. It would not necessarily mean redirecting a massive amount of funding or work.

What we have in the CC is an organization that will not touch issues that secular liberals have dominated because they see them as secular liberal causes. They need to wake up and realize that it is the lack of a christian voice in these issues that is allowing such issues to be dominated by secular viewpoints and agendas.

Here's the article:

ORLANDO, Fla. - The president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America has declined the job, saying the organization wouldn't let him expand its agenda beyond opposing abortion and gay marriage.

The Rev. Joel Hunter, who was scheduled to take over the socially conservative group in January from Roberta Combs, said he had hoped to focus on issues such as poverty and the environment.

"These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about," said Hunter, a senior pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Fla.

Hunter announced his decision not to take the job during an organization board meeting Nov. 21. A statement issued by the group said Hunter left because of "differences in philosophy and vision." Hunter said he was not asked to leave.

"They pretty much said, 'These issues are fine, but they're not our issues, that's not our base,'" Hunter said.

His resignation is the latest setback for the once-powerful group.

The Christian Coalition, founded in 1989 by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, became one of the nation's most powerful conservative groups during the 1990s, but it has faced complaints in recent years about its finances, leadership and plans to veer into nontraditional policy areas. The group claims more than 2 million members.
________________
From Me:
Thanks for that article. I must say that I've grown more and more tired of the CC. They are losing membership and relevance. They seem to be totally missing the idea that being a Christian is about having a worldview--a worldview that is Biblical--a worldview that is all-inclusive. Perhaps, though, the most telling part of this article is this: "They pretty much said, 'These issues are fine, but they're not our issues, that's not our base,'". How true. Their base is more concerned about one or two issues (granted, very important issues), and not these other important issues. What does that say about the state of the American church (as if we needed this article to point out that the American church is in trouble...)?

_____________________
From My Friend:
We have got to let people know that being a socially active Christian is much more than standing against a few issues. I think so many of the Religious Right lobbying groups are afraid to try and juggle more than a few issues. They have these pet issues that are dependable for rousing support, given their polarizing tendencies. They are scared to take on anything else (because it is not politically profitable in light of their "base") and thus they are unwilling to cooperate with any other lobbying organizations on issues such as the environment.

You are right, the Christian life is guided through a biblical perspective on all things. To use the tired term "compartmentalized", we have now compartmentalized our activism at the expense of a fully articulated Christian perspective on national trends and events. I actually admire the Catholics to a degree in that they make their whole perspective and doctrinal agenda clear as they stand adamently against certain issues. All people know about the politically active conservative evangelicals is that we hate many things they desire to have in life (alcohol, recreational drugs, equal opportunity for homosexuals, women's choice in reporduction, gambling, etc.) It would be nice if they could also see that we are for many of the things they are for (safeguarding the environment, fighting crime, fighting poverty, protecting children, education) and so on.

___________________________
From Me:
I think what you are saying about polarizing issues is true. Gay marriage and abortion get people fired up--fire up the base and get them to donate money and vote. Gosh, there is just so much there...so much of an opportunity to make a difference...so much of an opportunity to glorify Christ through our public policy...and it's being tossed in garbage because it doesn't rile people up.

I lament.....
Kevin

___________________________

So...do either of us have a point? Are we sounding to liberal? Is public policy based on a Bibical worldview about more than just abortion and gay marriage?

Helping the Poor

Chuck and I seem to have discussions on how best to help the poor and needy about once every 5 months. Here's the latest version. Thoughts? Needless to say we don't see eye-to-eye on this issue. Although I've never really been able to figure out just how exactly Chuck would like to fight this poverty problem--I mean outside of the general "government needs to do more." I mean, what MORE can the government do???

Oh, and I'm talking on the domestic level, here. International aid and domestic aid are two different beasts.

Irresponsible Governing

Read this great, but scary article about America's impending economic disaster. Essentially, America must correct its reckless spending. Soon. Some choice quotes:

The vast majority of economists and budget analysts agree: The ship of state is on a disastrous course, and will founder on the reefs of economic disaster if nothing is done to correct it.

But there's no way to avoid what Rogers considers the worst result of racking up a big deficit - the outrage of making our children and grandchildren repay the debts of their elders.
"It's an unfair burden for future generations," she says.
You'd think young people would be riled up over this issue, since they're the ones who will foot the bill when they're out in the working world. But students take more interest in issues like the Iraq war and gay marriage than the federal government's finances, says Emma Vernon, a member of the University of Texas Young Democrats.

On Pelosi's Idiocy

I came unglued when I read the following by the person who may be our next Speaker, Nancy Pelosi:

To me it isn’t even a question. God has given us a free will. We’re all responsible for our actions. If you don’t want an abortion, you don’t believe in it, [then] don’t have one. But don’t tell somebody else what they can do in terms of honoring their responsibilities. My family is very pro-life. They’re not fanatics and they’re not activists. I think they’d like it if I were not so vocally pro-choice.

Where does one even begin with drivel like this? Where was the follow-up from the reporter on this? Is Pelosi against laws prohibiting murder or robbery? Is she against a Social Security system (if you want retirement funds, thens save your own, if you don't then don't save) or Medicare. She is so incredibly ignorant. Be afraid...be very afraid....

Crazy Busy?

My word to you today:


Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;And run not before Him, whatever betide.In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,Each thought and each motive beneath His control.Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Third Person

Kevin is wondering how the Republicans for state office--particularly Ernest Istook (Governor) and Todd Hiett (Lt. Gov)--can be doing such a terrible job campaigning. He is also wondering whether the Republicans taking control of the Senate for the first time since statehood--a scenario that seemed extremely likely five months ago--is going to happen. As he reflects on the Lt. Gov campaign, he is secretly happy that Hiett is losing. Kevin supported Scott Pruitt in the primary, and believes that Hiett is not his kind of conservative. However, Kevin is not happy Istook is losing, but is not particularly suprised because Istook has done a rather lousy job of articulating why he would be a better governor than Henry.

Prepare yourself for four more years of pro-gambling government policy in Oklahoma. Yippee.

Top 50 Books

Christianity Today has a great list of the top 50 books that have shaped evagelicals. Out of the 50 on the list, I have read 7 , #42, #39, #25, #21, #20, #9, and #3. Yikes! I need to get after it. The ones I want to read in the next year: #7, #15, #19, #49, and #50. I hope it happens.

And Then I Sat In Utter Disbelief

I don't know why I'm always so shocked when I read about people's attitudes toward abortion. I guess I forget how selfish we as a people are. That explains why I could hardly believe my eyes as I read about the campaign by Ms. magazine to proudly showcase women who have had abortions. When you read this story you will encounter a certain woman from Mississippi who tells the story of her abortion:

Jones said she got an abortion 10 years ago-enduring harassment from protesters when she entered the clinic-in order to finish high school. She went on to become the first member of her family to graduate from college, and hopes at some point to attend law school.
"I wanted to do something bigger with myself-I didn't want to be stopped by anything," she said in a telephone interview.

I think that that statement speaks for itself. It's unfortunate that we as a people have become so callous to the travesty of abortion.

Good Site

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs has a terrific website, with lost of intelligent, logical articles on public policy. Their latest Perspetive offers 10 Principles for Oklahoma Fiscal Policy, and while I don't agree with all of them, they are definitely worth thinking about.

1. Above All Else Keep Taxes Low
2. Don't Penalize Earnings and Investment
3. Avoid 'Sin' Taxes
4. Create A Transparent and Accountable Budget
5. Privatize Public Sector Services
6. Avoid Corporate Subsidies
7. Cap Taxes and Expenditures
8. Fund Students, Not Schools
9. Reform Medicaid Programs
10. Protect State Employees From Politics

There is more at OCPA, including "A Guv We Luv" (for you Texans) and Hey Big Spender!

I'm Just A Bill

Curious about how a bill becomes a law? Maybe you need a refresher course? Then sit back and watch this classic Schoolhouse Rock explanation and harken back to the good old days...

World Affairs or Celebrity Photos? You Make The Call

What does this say about our priorities and interests in America?

The Young and the Reformed

I read a really interesting article on the upsurge in Reformed theology, especially among the young. Turns out Reformed theology is growing fast in Baptist circles. Check it out at Christianity Today.

Think You're Safe?

No doubt you've heard of the debate in the Senate over the redefining of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention (the article defining what degrading treatment toward prisoners is). The Bush administration is pushing to redefine degrading treatment so that it may use tactics to extract information from suspected terrorists. A few courageous Senators, like John McCain (R-AZ) and John Warner (R-VA) and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, are resisting the President's efforts. They point out, rather correctly, that this redefinition is detrimental as it would set a precedent for other countries to do the same thing, and also because America, as a moral leader, is above such degrading treatment.

So, you think this is just something for the suits in Washington to worry about? Think again. A Canadian citizen (with dual citizenship in Syria) was detained by the Canadian police and handed over to the CIA while he was traveling in La Guardia airport. He was accused of being a member of al Qaeda and taken to Syria to be tortured. Turns out, this gentleman has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

So often the argument is made that terrorists are the only ones who will be caught up in rough-handling of prisoners and torture, so innocent people needn't worry. In fact, as the above case illustrates, that is not the case. Americans ought to support the resistance to the Administration's efforts to redefine Common Article 3 to suit our needs during this war. Indeed it is important for the President to protect Americans, and I don't think he means anything evil by his efforts. But we as Americans must recognize that we could be detained by another country when we are traveling and not have our rights because that particular country is following the lead of the United States government in redefining Common Article 3. We must protect America, but not lose our moral high ground and our rights in the process.

Irony of Ironies

Here is a copy of the email I sent to the Council on American-Islamic Relations regarding this eruption in violence over the Pope's coments:

Salaam alaykum,
I am a Christian and I have a deep love for Muslims. However, I cannot help but be dismayed when I consider the reactions made in regards to the Pope's comments of last week and the lack of condemnation in the Muslim community. I am not a universalist, I believe that Christianity is the true religion. While I believe in spreading the Gospel to all, I don't believe in conversion by the sword. Violence, according to the God I serve is wrong. If fellow Christians act out in violence against someone or some group I condemn that. My question is, why has CAIR and other Muslim organizations and imams not condemned the widespread violence that has erupted across the Muslim world? The claim that just a handful of Muslims are
reacting this way is entirely false, I believe. After all, this is not the first time this violence has erupted from those who dare to go against Islam (the Miss World controversy in 2002 and Danish cartoons to name a few from recent memory). While so many try to say Islam is a religion of peace, it's adherents and it's holy book say something completely different (like Surah 9). I do not hate Muslims, in fact I will continue to pray for Muslims. On the other hand, the reactions by thousands, if not millions of Muslims to these comments seems to indicate a deep hatred toward Christians and only proves the point that Islam is not a religion of peace. I call
upon CAIR to speak out against these scary, extreme reactions by many in the
Islamic community.
Thank you for your time,

Teresa has a much more logical and pithy entry on this whole escapade, check it out.