Legalism sucks! Grace RULES! Boo Pharisees! Yeah Jesus!

"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do to their fellows, because it always coincides with their own desires."
~Susan B Anthony

Sojourners : Faith in Action

As one of God's children, I believe that protecting the health of each human being is a profoundly important personal and communal responsibility for people of faith.

I believe health-care reform must rest on a foundation of values that affirm each and every life as a sacred gift from the Creator (Genesis 2:7).

Source: www.sojo.net
Good health is the will of God for each and every one of God’s children. Death, disease, and pain did not exist in the garden of Eden, and Revelation tells of a “new heaven and new earth,” where once again they will not exist.

I believe, as taught by the Hebrew prophets and Jesus, that the measure of a society is seen in how it treats the most vulnerable. The current discussion about health-care reform is important for the United States to move toward a more just system of providing care to all people (Isaiah 1:16-17, Jeremiah 7:5-7, Matthew 25:31-45).

A 'Christian Nation' begins at home

If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

- Chinese Proverb

The Rain

Where do I go from here?

At first I dreamed of being a cartoonist
Not just a cartoonist, but an editorial cartoonist
but I thought that was kind of a pipe dream
then I fell in love with essay or column writing
but I knew that was even more of a pipe dream
I thought I could be a graphic designer
but I realized that it wasn't as sure a thing as I thought
then I fell in love with teaching
then I committed myself to coaching
but I always wondered
I struggled
and prayed
at one time it seemed like I was meant to become a pastor
almost immediately someone proposed that I become a publisher
then no sooner had each path been suggested, than both were denied
but as consolation, I was writing, to a tiny audience, but in a small way,
it was like the fulfillment of a dream
then I added on editorial cartooning
same tiny audience, but published none the less
living my childhood dream
I dared to dream
After years, I finally got up the gumption to pursue it full scale
I tried the same with the column writing
But the doors were closed
Almost coincidentally,
I was asked to give it up
One of the hardest things I'd ever had to do
So do I try yet another path?
How long will it take?
Where do I even begin?
Will I have unconditional support and encouragement?
Will I merit conditional encouragement?
Is it worth it?
Is it the right path?
I used to think that God ordained paths for me
That He had plans for me, to prosper me and not to harm me
But it seems like whatever that path is,
It's never the one I choose.
I am a teacher, and I love it
Even with all the hassles and disappointments and hoops to jump through and paper tigers to chase
I am a coach, and I derive meaning from it
Mentoring, supporting,
Even with all the struggles and challenges
I am a dad, and I know I need to focus more energy on that
I love my children, but parenting seems sometimes to require way more energy than it provides
I am a husband, and I know I should be content with that
I love my wife, but hoped my dreams would be contagious to her
But instead, they're like infections to her
So many doors have closed,
Are there any new ones opening?
Any windows?
Do I dare?
If I do, will anyone help me?
Will God be on my side?
Will my wife appreciate it?
Do I just want to study psychology because I feel so hopelessly neurotic?
Do I just want a Master's degree because I feel so inadequate?
Where do I go from here?
Where do I go from here?

Sorry

I'm not pro-choice. I wish there were no abortions, I don't think it should be just another convenient form of casual birth control. Be that as it may, I don't think it would be wise, healthy or Constitutional to try to prohibit all abortions for all women at all times. This graphic makes clear the biggest reason why. Safe, legal, and rare.

We need to fight poverty, promote education, permit contraception, and heal broken homes and communities. Advocate abstinence, but also responsible conception prevention. And if we're going to protect the rights of the unborn, we need to protect the rights of the born too. Unjustified war and illicit torture clearly don't do that. Gross discrepancies in income don't either.

Seriously, I really want to be considered "pro-life," I think that every infant is precious. But rape, incest, and life threatening medical conditions for both mothers and infants are things that I can't write off as easily as some people.

I also think that abortion is not the only issue out there. I can't tell you hpw many times I've spoken out about a variety of issues and had zealous Pro-Lifers attack me and suggest that my argument's were illegitimate because I don't speak up as vehemently against abortion as they do. Eventually enough of that kind of thing tends to push you toward the other side.

Call me a coward, call me a fence sitter, tell me you can't have it both ways, but I still say it's complicated. God forgive me, God help me, God help us all. Someday I'd like it to be possible to hear a civil discussion about this issue.

Summer Night

One of the best things about summer

Charter Oak has pretty much the last LOCAL fair in Iowa. Before they go to the County Fair next week, 4H and FFA kids show their livestock and exhibit their projects down at the city park at. The Methodist Church cooks and sells home made pie, the Commercial Club sponsors BINGO and there's even a petting zoo with lamas. It's one of the best parts of small town living here in Iowa every summer.

Charter Oak Achievement Days continues to grow. Two more flagpoles were added as memorials next to the show ring, so that the American flag and the FFA flag are now flown along with the 4H flag. But a greater example of growth is that there were 30 more head of swine exhibited this year than last year. EmCee Lee Stence, CO-U Agriculture teacher, said that this was the most pigs and presenters that he'd seen in the past 15 years.

No tractor ride, pedal pull, horseshoe pitch or duck races and the bake sale auction and BBQ were moved to the Community Building on Main Street due to torrential rains Sunday morning that flooded the park. Charter Oak received almost 6 inches of rain between 8 AM and noon. The "lake" at the city park had to be pumped out to be ready for Monday morning.

July 12-16
Monday- Rabbits, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine
Tuesday- Dogs, Horses, and Cattle
Wednesday- 4H Style Show, Pride of Iowa and Talent presentations

Steve King votes against recognizing slave contribution

King said "I opposed yet another bill to erect another monument to slavery because it was used as a bargaining chip to allow for the actual depiction of 'In God We Trust' in the Congressional Visitor Center."

I figure he'd want 'In God We Trust' in the visitor center, even if he had to compromise by placing a marker there that recognized the work of slave labor to build the capital building. That's called compromise, it's what politics is all about. As a Christian, I appreciate his desire to honor God, yet I also think it's a little ironic and hypocritical for us to try to put on airs about being such a pious, religious people yet deny our collective sin of slavery.

Republican Teddy Roosevelt opposed having 'In God We Trust' inscribed on our money because he thought it was a blasphemous insult to God.

I'm glad I went to the work of finding out King's reasons and I actually appreciate that he thinks he's standing on principle. But I still disagree with him.

Even if he was trying to defend God (who doens't need defending) it came off looking to the rest of the country like the one congressman who doesn't want to commemorate the contribution of slave is from Iowa- Not Mississippi, Alabama, or South Carolina, not some member of the White Citizen's Council, not a Confederate flag waving Southerner, but our very own Steve King.

It like Congressman King frequently says thing and makes decisions that confound and quite frankly embarrass me. He really does have a reputation for being very congenial personally, however outlandish his ... Read Morebehavior on CSPAN. Whenever I post stuff like this or lampoon him in political cartoons (and back when I used to write about him in my column) I hope that you understand that I'm reacting to a political public figure and not deliberately attacking any of you readers or your personal friend.

His positions and statements frequently offend me, but that doesn't mean I'm deliberately trying to hurt or offend any of you.

He does have a reputation for being a great guy one-on-one. He also has a way of trying to explain his way out of every vote or press conference or policy which appears to the majority of people to be grossly insensitive or potentially racist.

Barry Goldwater said that he advocated "States Rights" because of a stricter interpretation of the Constitution but plenty of Southerners loved it because it was a non-racist code for denying voting rights, civil rights, and continuing segregation and discrimination.

Out of the 435 members of Congress and 199 fellow Republicans, many of whom are surely members of the religious right, he's the ONLY one who thought he should vote against this because it was just a "bargaining chip" to get what he wants anyway? What a martyr.

Walks like a duck, talks like a duck.

Happy 4th of July

My Dad by his plane. USMC Sgt. Merle Mallory was Crew Chief for a Hell Cat reconnaissance plane on a carrier stationed out of Guantanamo Bay during the Korean Conflict in the 1950's. I'm proud of his service. This Independence Day, say a prayer for all the men and women currently serving in harms way, as well as for their families. And tell them "Thank you" for all their hard work and sacrifice, even if you disagree with the Administration policies that put them in danger.

Your Republican frontrunner for 2012!!!

No jokes, no comments, no criticisms...
I'm just reporting, you decide-

"As for that VP talk all the time, I'll tell you, I still can't answer that question until somebody answers for me what is it exactly that the VP does every day?" --Sarah Palin, in an interview with CNBC's "Kudlow & Co."

"As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where– where do they go? It's Alaska. It's just right over the border." --Sarah Palin, explaining why Alaska's proximity to Russia gives her foreign policy experience

"I'm the mayor, I can do whatever I want until the courts tell me I can't.'" --Sarah Palin, as quoted by former City Council Member Nick Carney, after he raised objections about the $50,000 she spent renovating the mayor's office without approval of the city council

"[T]hey're in charge of the U.S. Senate so if they want to they can really get in there with the senators and make a lot of good policy changes that will make life better for Brandon and his family and his classroom." --Sarah Palin, getting the vice president's constitutional role wrong after being asked by a third grader what the vice president does, interview with NBC affiliate KUSA in Colorado, Oct. 21, 2008

"I'm very, very pleased to be cleared of any legal wrongdoing ... any hint of any kind of unethical activity there. Very pleased to be cleared of any of that." --Sarah Palin, after an Alaska legislative report found she had broken the state's ethics law and abused her power in the Troopergate scandal, conference call with Alaska reporters, Oct. 12, 2008

"All of 'em, any of 'em that have been in front of me over all these years." --Sarah Palin, unable to name a single newspaper or magazine she reads, interview with Katie Couric, CBS News, Oct. 1, 2008

"I'll try to find you some and I'll bring them to you." --Sarah Palin, asked by Katie Couric to cite specific examples of how John McCain has pushed for more regulation in his 26 years in the Senate, CBS News interview, Sept. 24, 2008

Katie Couric: "What other Supreme Court decisions do you disagree with?"
Sarah Palin: "Well, let's see. There's --of course --in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are -- those issues, again, like Roe v Wade where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know -- going through the history of America, there would be others but--"
Couric: "Can you think of any?"
Palin: "Well, I could think of -- of any again, that could be best dealt with on a more local level. Maybe I would take issue with. But you know, as mayor, and then as governor and even as a Vice President, if I'm so privileged to serve, wouldn't be in a position of changing those things but in supporting the law of the land as it reads today." --unable to name any Supreme Court decisions other than Roe v. Wade, CBS News interview, Oct. 1, 2008


"Oil and coal? Of course, it's a fungible commodity and they don't flag, you know, the molecules, where it's going and where it's not. But in the sense of the Congress today, they know that there are very, very hungry domestic markets that need that oil first. So, I believe that what Congress is going to do, also, is not to allow the export bans to such a degree that it's Americans that get stuck to holding the bag without the energy source that is produced here, pumped here. It's got to flow into our domestic markets first." --Sarah Palin, billed by John McCain as the nation's foremost expert on energy, clumsily answering a question while speaking off the cuff at a town hall meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sept. 17, 2008

"The fact is that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have gotten too big and too expensive to the taxpayers." --Sarah Palin, on the two companies which are in fact private entities, Colorado Springs, CO, Sept. 13, 2008

"They're our next door neighbors and you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska, from an island in Alaska." --Sarah Palin, on her foreign policy insights into Russia, ABC News interview, Sept. 11, 2008

"Perhaps so." --Sarah Palin, when asked if we may need to go to war with Russia because of the Georgia crisis, ABC News interview, Sept. 11, 2008

"I have not, and I think if you go back in history and if you ask that question of many vice presidents, they may have the same answer that I just gave you." --Sarah Palin, after being asked if she had never met a foreign head of state, despite the fact that every vice president in the last 32 years had met a foreign head of state prior to taking office, ABC News interview, Sept. 11, 2008

"Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy." --Sarah Palin, misstating the actual amount of energy produced by Alaska, which is only 3.5 percent, Sept. 11, 2008

Happy Fourth

I've had a few people ask about the old column in the last few days. Sorry to say I'm still on indefinite hiatus. May never get back to it. Who knows.

I will only say this much more about that:

"Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty, there must be a spirit of tolerance in the entire population." ~Einstein

But, if you actually miss my column, and/or you love the Fourth of July as much as I do, Click here to re-read some of my old columns about Independence Day and/or the Declaration of Independence.

Have a safe and sane holiday weekend.