Middle America's Worldview

I have created an additional Blog, purposely to promote my site Get Rid of Toxins and to post articles regarding toxins, detox, ect. This will allow me to post the information I am unable to on my site, in addition to further promote.

Yes, you can call it innovative, good idea, or just plain tacky.

I purchased 20 pages when I initially created the website. Quite frankly, a lot of information and articles are availible out there. So, I hope you bookmark, add it to your list for the information value alone.

I have added it to my 'sites I read daily' on my left column.

OK everyone check this out below. It was an article I snagged from Webpronews.
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Telecommunications giants scored a victory over Net Neutrality advocates in the U.S. legislature yesterday as the proposed "Markey Amendment,"a provision to prevent Internet providers from creating access chokepoints was voted down in the House of Representatives.

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Editor"s Note: Did the House Energy and Commerce Committee sell out the Internet? Or do you think Net Neutrality supporters are overreacting? Share your thoughts on this very important issue in WebProWorld.

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The amendment"s defeat has caused a firestorm of accusations against the telecom industry and the legislators siding with them in the debate. A diverse and growing opposition believes that Congress members like Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-ILL), who pushed for the amendment"s defeat, are acting not in favor of their constituency but in favor of the big-money telecom industry.

Telecoms, like AT&T and Verizon, want to create a two-tiered Internet where customers and content providers can be charged for premium content delivery at higher speeds and quality than other content. The harshest critics believe that ability will give ISPs the ability to block, slow, or degrade content unfavorable to them, including access to websites and email.

The Markey Amendment, proposed for addition to the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement Act (COPE), was created to protect what proponents call "Network Neutrality,"a philosophy that the Internet should remain free and open to encourage innovation, startup business, and free speech. Called the "Internet"s First Amendment,"this concept is supported by Internet and technology giants like Google and Microsoft.

The amendment expressly warned the telecom industry "not to block, impair, degrade, discriminate against, or interfere with the ability of any person to use a broadband connection to access, use, send, receive, or offer lawful content, applications, or services over the Internet."It was voted down by a vote of 34-22 in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The COPE Act will now move to the full House for a vote, and then to the Senate if passed. The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to propose its own Net Neutrality legislation in the coming weeks.

"The House vote today ignores a groundswell of popular support for Internet freedom," said Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press. "We hope that the full House will resist the big telecom companies and reject the bill. But we look to the Senate to restore meaningful protections for net neutrality and ensure that the Internet remains open to unlimited economic innovation, civic involvement and free speech."

Free Press recently spearheaded a campaign through the websites blog SaveTheInternet.com, a nonpartisan initiative that attracted over 250,000 petition signatures and over 500 weblog authors in just a few days. While the initiative is not apolitical, it is diverse along party lines with membership ranging from libertarian Gun Owners of America, to the Consumers Union, to MoveOn.org.

SaveTheInternet.com doesn't view it as a total loss, however. The attention the coalition has generated seems to have made a large impact on the voting. Before the initiative launched, Net Neutrality provisions were shot down 23-8 in the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.

"The telcos have spent hundreds of millions of dollars and many years lobbying for their position; we launched four days ago, and have closed a lot of ground,"reads the website.

"The Commerce Committee is headed in the opposite direction of where the American public wants to go," said Columbia Law Professor Timothy Wu, a pro-market advocate and one of the intellectual architects of the Net Neutrality principle. "Most people favor an open and neutral Internet and don’t want Internet gatekeepers taxing and tollboothing innovation."

Barton and Rush Under Scrutiny

Congressmen Barton and Rush have been put under the microscope by opponents lately for their financial relationships with the telecommunications industry. Both vocal opponents of Net Neutrality provisions in the Commerce Committee, Barton and Rush led the charge in defeating the Markey Amendment.

Many find it no small coincidence that out of Barton"s top three campaign contributors, the second and third largest ones are SBC Communications (now AT&T) and Comcast Corporation. Tied for 12th among contributions is the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

The Chicago Sun-Times points out that Bobby Rush, the only Democrat to sponsor the bill, recently "received a $1 million grant from the charitable arm of SBC/AT&T"for a community organization Rush is associated with called the Rebirth of Englewood Community Development Corporation.

To see which committee members voted against the Markey Amendment click here.

It's Monday night and I am still awake with no nap. Sigh. It's nearly 10 p.m. local time. So what is that...like 20 hours straight?

Kel had a 6 to 9 p.m. confernce to attend tonight. I watched Millions with the kids. Our son didn't make it to the end. He crashed. Our daughter made it through but not an additonal movie in bed.

Since both kids crashed and Kel was out on a conference, what do I do? I finished up some emails, troubleshooting and currently running a requested script for work. Yeah, fun fun. I also put up nearly 3 loads of laundry. Talk about getting behind on that one. So now it's 10 p.m local time and my wife came home with a cell phone to her ear. Perhaps I can chat with her before we both crash.

The script is 92% done.

I had a issue with Blogger publishing, so my weekend update didn't come into effect till today.

It stormed like crazy tonight. Kel and I was awake probably around 2 a.m. After talking awhile, we finally got up.

Our last PTA meeting is today at 3:30 local time (12 hours from now). Kel also has a mom's meeting regarding home school later that evening.

The kids and she went on a GATE outing yesterday. They went to Tulsa at the zoo and did not return till nearly 8:30 p.m. local time. It allowed me to run some errands and spend more time on looking at things, I normally wouldn't have time to look at.

Work Monday was very busy, but it made time fly by. I looked up and over half the day was already gone before I barely realized it.

Update:Monday morning before 8 a.m. local time.
Kel's dad had asked me to provide a printout on their family geneaology. I researched mine while in highschool and was lucky to find someone in California (online) that had already done the bulk of the research on their side (surname Snook). I use Family Tree Maker as my choice. However, this research was done back in 99. Since we were up since 2 a.m., I figured I would try to get this request out of the way. I had to re-install the software on the PC, but low and behold, I could not find any backup files nor my gedcom file......anywhere. Sigh. Fortunately, I had the sense to create a printout, but it's frustrating I can not seem to find my cd's. I found some old gedcom on 3.5 floppy, but not all of it. Hmm, did I even have a CD writer 6-7 years ago?

This weekend we simply stayed home and did some serious house cleaning. This time, I really threw away many of my old papers, ect. In addition, while our kids visited their nana and papa Saturday night, Kel and I spent 4 hours going through, preparing all of the PTA documentation, things for Tuesday's meeting. We(more she than I) now have everything in one tupperware for the new president. Kel typed everything up for the president, while I cleaned up the briefcase and created walkthroughs for the online bank and PTA website. I hope those things we have started and provided for the school and kids, continue.

We started to actually pack for our Disney trip Sunday afternoon. There is only around 22 days before we actually leave. However, this trip seems overwhelming and we honestly wish to have the best of it. This will be the first actual vacation we really had. All the othe other "trips" have been to a Doctor, or out of necessity. We simply made the best of them. This will also be the longest duration for me from work. I always bring it with me. This time, I actually plan on not taking my laptop for the trip. I shudder at the thought of no internet access, email checking, ect for nearly 12 days. We are actually using ziplock bags for our packing. It was an idea Kel read somewhere. You put a full set of clothing in one ziplock bag per day. This way you mark each family members Name and Day. Then you simply pull the bag for each day. At the end of the day, you can put the clothes back in, keeping the dirty clothes from smelling up the place. As we packed each of, starting out with the youngest first, we find what we still need to get for the trip. Let's just say, I have plenty of socks and Kel has plenty of under wear. But if we only wore those, it would scare the little children.

Today, Kel and the kids are going on a GATE trip out of school. They will be gone for all day and not return till after 6 tonight. I will home working all day regardless. However, since I have the possibility of a free evening, I think I will go see my dad. I need to run some errands in Fort Smith anyway.

I woke up early this morning from a bad dream (5 local time). It allowed me to get some blogging done, as well as letting the dogs out. However, I don't like waking up with bad dreams. It wasn't like a nightmare, rather unsettling. It consisted of my son being used by some guy I didn't know. The dream was my son and I at a gas station and as I entered in the gas station, my son disappeared for a moment. I then spotted him talking with a couple of guys at a table. He immediately came over to me as we paid out and we went back to the vehicle. But as I got into the vehicle, he did not. Rather, he was walking in the middle of the street. The actual gas station ended up in the middle of the street and even though I was parked by the gas pump, many cars was behind me and trying to go around. I was afraid for my son, until he came back into the car. Once in the car, I talked with him, and found out he simply bought 20 dollars of lottery tickets for the guy. Nothing trivial, but during the dream, it was a feeling/worry of someone using my son.
It was a weird dream, but I had this fear for my kids when I woke up. I'm sure it's just a dream. Perhaps its just a accumulation, with all the news of kids, stress from everything and with the changes coming up after summer. I sincerely worry about not only my kids, but the younger generation itself.

We are on a verge of deciding a lot of changes regarding our family and how we do things.

PTA will be done, for us, next Tuesday. It will be the last one we attend as officers. Although, I enjoyed being part of something bigger, I think it's time. Since, we will be ending our activity (wish consisted of more time than I realized), we are looking for additional activities.

Kel is looking into creating a Girl Scout Troop in this area. I am looking to start up a Cub Scout in this area. Currently, we have neither for our town. As I look into this, I find myself looking forward to it. It's interesting on how to setup a Den or Pack (cubscouts) from nothing. There are some packs in the towns nearby, but none within our town. I am looking forward to getting this started.

Additionally, we are seriously considering Home schooling. I am still researching both the scouting and home schooling. As I learn more of each, I find a unknown world opening up before me. I did not realize there were so many options and opportunities regarding home schooling. Examples: There are over 100,000 kids currently being home schooled in Oklahoma alone. There are many many structured groups regarding home schooling. The available curriculums far out weighs the current public school system. I watched a DVD demo regarding the Becka curriculum and was very surprised to see the grade level knowledge of the kids in comparison of the expectations placed in public schools. The Becka curriculum demanded more and the kids excelled in memory verse, ect.

Do I think home schooling is for everyone? No. While there are many positives to be found, there are also examples of the other end of the spectrum. While it has been conveyed to me Oklahoma is the best state within the Continental United States to home school due to protection of the state constitution, I see a means for parents to abuse it. I spoke with a parent on the other side of the state, and quite frankly, it scared me. Oklahoma may be the best state to provide home schooling, it doesn't have requirements. This is then placed on the parents in what is taught to their children. Knowing this, you can already see the implications it may bring on the child. If you have lazy parents, it will fail the kids. I do not find myself with this concern regarding our own. So currently, I think if the parents have the means and can facilitate it, I think home schooling would be a outstanding plus for the kids.

With these two things looming ahead, I can see a major change in how we would raise our children. We could incorporate the value system of the scouting along with the high curriculum at home. This would provide us with a unparallel chance to structure our kids in a good way. Of course none of this would even start till after the summer vacation, but the decision and preparation would be necessary before then.

I have to say, I really feel sorry for the kids of our generation. They really have it tough in some areas. On one of the end of the spectrum, they are supposed to have the maturity to have abortions, sex, ECT. with out parental knowledge (see Iowa supreme court, and teen sex). Yet, on the other side of the spectrum, they are ignored when attempting to be mature (see child mom dies when calling 911 and kids call as drunk bus driver hits car).

There should not be any argument the ultimate one responsible for children lies in their own parents. But let's face it, not everyone is a great candidate to be a parent. Just because you have kids, doesn't mean it makes you a good parent.

I ran across 12 things a parent should do for their child and found it interesting.


1. To know Christ as Savior, early in life. Psalms 65:1, 1 Timothy 3:15
2. Have a hatred for sin. Psalms 97:10
3. Will be caught when guilty. Psalms 119:71
4. Protected from evil in each area-spiritual, emotional, physical. John 17:15
5. Have responsible attitude in inter-personal relationships. Daniel 6:3
6. Respect for those in authority. Romans 13:1
7. Desire right kind of friends and protected from the wrong friends. Proverbs 1:10-11
8. Kept from wrong spouse and saved for the right one. 1 Corinthians 1: 14-17
9. Will be kept pure until after marriage and the same for who they marry. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
10. Totally submit to God and actively resist Satan. James 4:7
11. Single-hearted sold out to Jesus. Romans 12:1-2
12. Hedged in so they cannot find a way to wrong people and places. Hosea 2:6


I did a little research, biblically, and found some verses referring to children. I am posting them with my comments in italics.

Matthew 19:14 - Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
This is bound to be the most known. What may not be known is a child moral values are already set by the age of 9. This is why it is imperative to teach right and wrong at such an early age. In addition, it is also why so many groups are thrusting their own ideology on children at such an early age.

Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Notice it states, "in the Lord". I have seen and heard some parents use this verse, as well as the commandment against their kids. I have always thought it important for kids to obey their parents. There are many biblical verses referring to kids obeying and honoring their parents. But on the other side of this coin, the parents should bring them up with righteousness, teaching and knowing Gods' laws. We see this in verse 4.

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
As parents, we are suppose to teach, nurture, provide encouragement, and good quality skills for them.

Psalm 127:3-5 . Lo! children are the heritage of Jehovah: the fruit of the womb is the reward which he bestows. As arrows in, the hand of a strong man so are the children of youth. Blessed is the man who shall have filled his quiver with them; for they shall not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

God provides children to us as a heritage and rewards. There are a couple of things to note in the above passages. One, heritage is defined as Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition. Children are provided by God, Himself. Parents are bestowed the inheritance and responsibility to pass on our knowledge and skills. Second, the reference to fruit of the womb is the reward, makes reference to God providing children as a blessing. I at times find this difficult to see, when a 21 year old single might have 4 kids and pregnant again.

2 Corinthians 12:14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.NIV
This one actually threw me. Although in context the apostle is speaking to the church he is about to visit. But it is interesting he notes children should not have to save up for their parents; rather again it's the parents responsibility to the children.

Throughout the bible there is recurring themes regarding children.
1) They are viewed as blessings and gifts from God.
2) It is the responsibility of the parents to raise them, providing them with the knowledge of God and teaching them accordingly.

Looking at what is thrown at kids in today's culture, one should not be surprised seeing the outcome in many of the youths. Many kids today are pushed into adult roles way too young, without the proper guidance. For me, I simply need to pray more for my own as well as all of them in today's time.

It seems no sleeping in for me for the weekend. I was awakened Saturday by work (the continued on-call luck) to a non-issue. Since I was up early anyway, I decided it would be best for me to grab my supplies for a home project. We had the A.C. fixed Friday night. It appears we were 2 lbs shy of freon. Fortunately, and blessedly, we have cool air again. I knew it was too hot in this bloody house. In the continued interest of keeping the 3 mutts (dogs) off the A.C. unit outside, I wanted to build a wall around it.

I ran to Lowes for the supplies, it took a bit to find the necessary items. To make things simple, for a simpleton like me, I grabbed some 2x4's, nails and some lattice work. The idea would be to keep it simple, but efficient.

Since, I was to go out, prior of the kids waking up, how about grabbing some donuts, and that pool we been talking about. This is my wife suggesting a more efficient run for me.

I grabbed the stuff at Lowes and managed to fit the 4x8 lattice work in and 2x4's within our van. I would be bopped in the back of the head but oh well.

I then proceeded to Walmart on Rogers street. No pool. I then went to the one on Zero street. Yes, as unreal as it seems, this area can support 2 super center Walmarts and 2 smaller ones. I had a girl find the requested pool. As usual it was someone not within the dept area and the items were located somewhere else. It was by hardware none-the-less. So I am looking at this behemoth of a box, thinking, ok, it will surely fit with all the other wood in there.

The nice lady found me a cart in order for us to roll or push it onto, as opposed to lifting it on the regular shopping cart. Since she was so nice, I decided to do the most of the lifting and pushing onto the metal cart. There went one nut, busted. But I restrained the grimace, a bit.

I proceeded up to the counter where everyone was 4-5 people lined back. I readily found the old lady cash registar with the equally old lady counting her pennies for her supplies. Once I finally was able to pay out, I was asked if I needed assistance. Looking at the "2 man lift" on the box that reached my head, I replied "Yes, please". I waited for about 10 minutes before the group of guys about 6 feet away was done drawing straws.

The poor loser of the straw drawing followed me out to the van. After, I removed the lattice and boards, we began to put the item in the back of the van. Yes, I removed the back seat before leaving the house. Rather than lifting it, he simple began pushing it over into the van. After some muscle and the second nut (mine) busted, it was in. We nimbly dodged the metal cart from hitting us as it flipped during our course of action.

The kid then took the cart and ran off. I replaced the wood and climbed in. The lattice found its way closer to the back of my head. I then had to find the donut shop on the way home. This was accomplished readily enough as it was close to the store.

After grabbing a box of donuts, I proceeded home. I had a good view of the sky as the backend raised the front pretty good. If it was Herbie the love bug, I am sure the sentence from him would be "Get that fat bit** off my end." But it wasn't, so I just imagined it as I proceed home.

I made it there with the axle still surviving.

I have to say at this point, I was able to get my project done yesterday, but the pool box remains in the van.

I hadn't seen these before, so I thought I would share them. The Email title was "Pictures to horrible for the Media"
Hopefully, they will not eat up the bandwidth. The email asked to share and pass on.
Happy Good Friday to everyone and continue to pray for the troops, our leaders , those that are lost, and this Nation!

I actually was able to acquire some sleep the last two nights. I only received a call around 9:30 p.m. and again 6 a.m. for Wednesday and no calls last night from work.

Yesterday I managed to get most of our yard mowed as well as all of the neighbors yard. With the new lawnmower we purchased last year, it doesn't take long.

In addition to fixing the garbage disposal last week, I think (hope) I fixed the air conditioner last night. These are considered great accomplishments, as I am not mechanically inclined. Mr. fix it, I am not.

I heard on the radio yesterday, I am unable to find the reference, stating Maryland has or is attempting to pass a "No Gossip" ban. I cannot personally see how this could be enforced, to what extent. It appears it is oral and in public. Crazy.

Arksansas Governor, signed into law no smoking in all buildings across the state. Many are up in arms on this, as it effects everybody. If that isn't bad enough for smokers, evidently it also contains the inability for someone to smoke in ones car if a 5 yr old or younger is in the car with the smoker. Excessive?

Rough day, Tuesday. It almost seemed like an additional Monday in play. However, Monday wasn't this bad. As you know by my whining, I am on-call this week. I was called nearly 5 times Monday night alone for network issues (nothing I personally can do for them) within 3 facilites. This all occured around 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m.
This was proceeded by another stressfull school board meeting. It appears, they wish to remove the parents input, that they have had in place for 4 plus years, called teacher request. The elementary school is growing, and it's become cumbersome to have half the student body doing request. Because realistically, you just cannot make everyone happy. I and another member, of 5, raised our concerns because the admin wanted to immediately do away with the tradition without first informing the public. Our school isn't really key on PR and this would not help the district itself. Plus the fact, I personally asked the Super to have this on our agenda in the beginning of the school year and again middle of the school year for the primary reason of not wanting to wait till the last minute, while 100 plus parents have already turned in their teacher request for next year. So, I and another member stopped the truck from running and probably pissed off Admin. We spoke more of this one topic then it took to discuss the full nights meeting.

I then wake up 6 a.m. Tuesday morning to find the internet is out. I of course do the routine. Unplug the modem, router, reboot the pc, ect. I went to the extent of /renew and /refresh the ipconfigure in my machine trying in vain to call that net service. I resorted to call Cox cable and reported the fact no internet service. After 3 calls into them, I was informed "yeah, I don't even see your modem online" Nice.

Running the kids to school, I called my boss lady informing her of my sitch. I hit the coffeehouse and plug in. At least I was able to acquire my all time favorite coffe drink, the Mocha Grande. Caught up on my email, and worked on some issues till about 11 a.m. and boom. I lost internet. I asked the guy up front if they could determine if they lost internet, other than me not able to get crap. "No man, that happens at times, it must be Cox" Nice.

Kel called shortly after that to inform me of the ultimate information regarding Beka. She has been dropping hints of her interest for the last 3 months now, which I have as far successfully ignored. Since, I didnt have net access anyway, I updated my bosslady, driving to the seminar and was indoctrinated with a new (new means to me) way of education. In my area homeschooling isn't really mainstream. But, it appears in my last 3 years, I have been introduced to many things outside of my realm of prior knowledge. So, I take it in stride and simple listen and ask questions. Initially I have had serious reservations when the discussion was brought up, for a number of reasons. However, from what I am currently seeing, getting flak and educating those not aware of it aside, it is looking interesting.

So I find myself up again tonight around 2 a.m. est after work does a server upgrade. I am not informed by my company (thats too much to aske for), rather by the vendor the upgrade is complete. Oh well.

It allowed me to return some replies in other blogs and update everyone that comes across this blog.

This morning, I personally didn't want to get up. I didn't have any meetings scheduled at work for a change, but I knew once I get out of bed, the week would officially have started.

This is our view for this week.

Monday: The kids have their first of 3 day testing. Kel has (hopefully) the last of the PTA yearbook to be put in order. I hate to tell her, but some teacher had dumped two additional disposable camera's to be printed late. I have a school board meeting tonight.

Tuesday: The kids have their 2nd day of testing at school. Kel is going to a seminar for at home school this night. I have a 2 a.m. conference call I have to attend this night for work. Yes, a scheduled 2 a.m. call.

Wednesday: The kids have their 3rd day of testing at school. I don't think we have anything scheduled this night.

Thursday: The kids last day of school this week. The lucky dogs have Friday off again.

Friday: Kel plans to have some quality time in with the kids.

I like writing these down, it doesn't look so bad once their on paper. I am on-call this week as well. Hopefully, it will be a quite week regarding that aspect.

Having read in the newspapers, viewing it on tv, I find it increasingly disturbing on the PC front. Schools unwilling to allow the red, white and blue to be displayed on their chlothes as opposed to simply saying no to the mexican flags. Yes, I understand they want consistency by stating none for all as opposed to be viewed as bias by saying none to all but...

Being a school board member, living in a glass house, I am seeing parts of this similar thinking being expressed as well. Your in a public office and viewed to represent the state. It doesn't matter your not officially a public servant only on the public meetings, rather your always viewed as such. Thus, if someone wanted to split hairs, they can complain if you express one sided ideology or religion, ect. Some have the view if your part of a public body, you need to be transparent and "non-bias" on all accounts or subject matters. So you have individuals that have been appointed on their merits and character being requested to change their ideology and worldview once that office is attained, in the name of being fair. PC hit again. It's like rust buidup that is spreading down the pipes of our society. Unfortunately, it has taken over so much, I don't think anything can really stop it at this point.

I have started reading a interesting book titled, "Witchcraft goes mainstream". I only recently started it. I found it at Grapevine Mill Mall within the Bible outlet store. So far it looks to be a good book. The author has studied paganism within America since the 60's forward. From what I read of the book so far, it touches on how paganism has moved in our American culture like a steady moving turtle. Slow, but non-stopping. Then in the 90's after hollywood brought out a new hippier view of witches, the young culture took it on as a fad. Now, this younger generation has grown, married, and teaching their views on their own children. The author states, once a small group using the anti-christian view for rebellery has now become a adopted religion of itself.

He points out something else, that is chilling to me. These new religions from the 60's, 70'2, on onward have one common thread among them. They are all ant-Christ. Meaning, each of them (whether pagan, non-deity, deity, heretic, witchcraft, aethist)does have one commonality among them. That commonality is the rejection in the belief of Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. It appears not only has this common thread been found among them, they are being pulled together for a cause because of it. It appears the old term "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" comes home in this commonality within the anti-christian worldviews.

I checked online and continue to find startling facts regarding in who excactly does believe in God.

A new survey by Harris Interactive of 2,306 adults that shows belief in God varies quite widely among different segments of the American public.

Guess who does not believe it God? Ten percent of Protestants, 21 percent of Roman Catholics, and 52 percent of Jews do NOT believe in God.

Who believes in God? While 79 percent of Americans believe there is a God, only 66 percent are absolutely certain of it. Nine percent do not believe in God and 12 percent aren't sure. And weirdly, not everyone who calls himself or herself a Christian or a Jew actually believes in God.

Who worships at a religious service?Just over half (55 percent) attend a religious service a few times a year or more. Thirty-six percent attend once a month or more often, and just 26 percent say they attend every week. Forty-one percent of women and 31 percent of men attend once a month or more. Protestants (47 percent) are more likely to go to church once a month or more often than are Roman Catholics (35 percent). Jews are least likely to go with 16 percent saying they go to synagogue once a month or more. Church attendance is highest in the Midwest and lowest in the West.

Belief in God by geography and ageEighty-two percent of Midwesterners and Southerners believe in God, compared with 75 percent in the East and West. Our beliefs get stronger as we age. Of those 25 to 29 years old, 71 percent believe in God. That number jumps to 80 percent for people over 40, and hits 83 percent for those 65 and over.

Other fascinating facts about who believes in God:

• 84 percent of women believe in God, compared with 73 percent of men.
  
• 91 percent of African Americans believe in God, compared with 81 percent of Hispanics and 78 percent of whites.
  
• 87 percent of Republicans believe in God, compared with 78 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of Independents.
  
• 82 percent of those with no college education believe in God, compared with 73 percent who went to college.
  

I didn't find a date on when the poll was taken but it does give a brief view on where we stand. I would personally be curious on the grounds of what their belief in God really is as well. Given this information, the pollsters may only believe in a God as opposed to the specific JudeoChristian God. That in itself could be significant and dropping the percentage even further on those actually believing Jesus Christ as a personal saviour.

As we continue to see the assault on redifining the definition for separation of church and state, removing any article of religious value, inability to publically announce ones faith, or pushing for the fear of speaking of faith in the work force, I find myself becoming more and more a minority.

Talk about a double standard. Check out this article on Stop the ACLU that I get to read on my arrival home.


At least here was some good news for those believing in traditional marriage.....
A Surprising Win This week (now last week), the Massachusetts Supreme Court declined to allow out-of-state homosexual couples to get "married" in Massachusetts. The decision avoids the spectacle of lawsuits all over the nation challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which gave states the right to refuse to recognize same-sex "marriages" performed in other states. This is a surprising
victory in one state court for which we are thankful, but we must continue
our efforts to protect normal marriage everywhere!

Gee, I see San Francisco liberal mania continues.....San Francisco Tolerance?
San Francisco has portrayed itself as a city built first and foremost on "tolerance." This is the place whose mayor "married" same-sex couples in
defiance of state law and whose most high profile community event is the
annual "gay pride march" where public nudity is common. But,lately, the
"city on the bay" has made it clear that its tolerance has limits.

Last year, the city council voted 8-to-3 to reject the mooring of the
historic battleship, the USS Iowa, in San Francisco. Why? Because the
city council opposes the war in Iraq and doesn’t like the Pentagon policy
that prohibits open homosexuality in the military. Even liberal Senator
Dianne Feinstein was shocked and called the council’s action "a very petty
decision."

But the supervisors were just getting warmed up. They unanimously passed a
resolution last week attacking the Catholic Church because of its opposition to homosexual adoption. The board called the Church's teaching that children should be placed with mothers and fathers,"hateful and discriminatory" and said the teaching "shows…insensitivity and ignorance."

This weekend it was evangelicals' turn to get pummeled by San Francisco's Government. More that 25,000 evangelical youth held a two-day rally sponsored by a wonderful group called Teen Mania, run by Ron Luce. The purpose of the rally was to inspire Christian teens to resist the "siren song" of our popular culture with its constant emphasis on sex,drugs, etc.
Sounds like the sort of thing most cities would welcome, but not the radicals who control San Francisco. Once again the supervisors passed a resolution condemning the rally as "an act of provocation."
Protestors called the event a "fascist mega-pep rally," and a state assemblyman said
the Christian kids were "loud, they’re obnoxious, they're disgusting and they should get out of San Francisco."

So, San Francisco has found the limits of its tolerance. Same-sex "marriage," homosexual adoption, abortion-on-demand, and public celebration of decadence are okay, but the U.S. military, Catholics and evangelicals are beyond the pale. You will recall that the leader of the House Democrats is Rep. Nancy Pelosi who is from San Francisco. She hasn’t said much about the "thought police" who run the city. Perhaps the House leadership ought to offer a few resolutions of its own
condemning the San Francisco supervisors and see how she votes!