Caffeinated Thoughts

If Obama is Worse Than Hitler, Does That Make Romney Like Karl Binding?
Four Action Steps to Help Prevent Bullying
Take Iowa Back Tour Launches Tomorrow
"Choose Life" License Plates Now Available to Order in Iowa!

If Obama is Worse Than Hitler, Does That Make Romney Like Karl Binding?

Posted: 27 Apr 2012 04:15 AM PDT

Author, Allowing the Destruction of Life Unworthy of Life

Comparing American presidents with German National Socialist Adolph Hitler is hardly new. Even Harry Truman, the first U.S. President elected after Hitler had died, has been compared with the mass murdering dictator. The analogy is so often infused into arguments, its effectiveness as a rhetorical device is almost nil. And the metaphor or simile is not limted to presidential poltics, or even serious, contemplative discourse.

When I was about 10 years old my mother wouldn’t let me “sleep out” in our front yard because it was too cold (probably about 45 degrees outside). I maturely showed my vocabulary by calling her “a Hitler” and proceeded to get the belt for the only time in my life. I was only calling her the worst name I could think of, which is a dreadful thing to do to your own mother, all because she was looking out for my well-being.

Recently, Catholic Bishop, Daniel Jenky gave a sermon where he rather obliquely drew an analogy of the Obama administration’s requirement that Catholic schools and other institutions must cover (or pay through their insurance premiums) contraception and abortion with Hitler and Stalin’s attacks upon the church in a previous generation. In 2011, Hank Williams, Jr. had his famous “Are you ready for some football” song pulled from Monday Night Football (MNF) because he compared President Obama’s golf game alongside John Boehner as if Hitler was golfing with Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.

Williams should get an easy pass. He was simply doing what I did: drawing upon the worst figure in world history (and a modern natural nemesis) to make a point. Exaggerated? Yes. Insensitive? Maybe. Nefarious? Highly doubtful.

On one hand, it is certainly true that the comparison is way over-done. Usually, it is pulled out as a rhetorical device whenever someone of the other party does things that you think are really over-the-top. For lefties, it was used against George Bush when he signed The Patriot Act (never mind that many Democrats voted for it, too). For righties, it has been used against Obama whenever he has asked the government to play a bigger role in our lives (forgetting that the government has grown bigger and bigger under Republicans, too.).

Many in the pro-life movement have made the comparison between the killing of Jews and the killing of unborn children. I remember speaking out against abortion at a Holocaust commemoration held during a Des Moines, Iowa, City Council meeting. One little Jewish boy thanked me. Many others were distraught at the comparison. While I think dehumanization is the common thread between the two slaughters, even this comparison must be used with great wisdom. The killing of Jews was not the work of one man, Hitler. It was carried out by thousands of followers, many just like you and me. More importantly, it was done by the permission of the people who tolerated a mind-set of discrimination and hatred. But the Germans are no different than Americans. We have permitted the killing of little babies to go on for decades now.

This brings us to the 2012 election cycle,. The anti-Obama sentiment is running high among rank and file Republicans, conservatives, and many on the Christian Right. For many, it borders on hatred fueled by fear. The Hitler comparison is on everybody’s lips and everybody’s keyboards. If the reason is Obama’s obvious pro-abortion stand, let us yet be “fair.” If we are going to call him Hitler because he never found an unborn baby he would protect, let us use the same standard with Mitt Romney, whose official position is that we can kill some ~~Jews~~ unborn babies. Perhaps we could compare Romney with the man who wrote, Allowing the Destruction of Life Unworthy of Life, Karl Binding. On this issue, the difference between the two candidates is by degrees, not by kind.

__________________________________________________________

In my new book, With Christ in the Voting Booth, I devote over 25 pages to clarifying a consistent pro-life ethic.

Four Action Steps to Help Prevent Bullying

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 06:15 PM PDT

I've written about how it is inappropriate to link suicide with bullying as if it is a normal response to bullying. I've also along with the previously mentioned post I have discussed why the politicization by the homosexual lobby of the problem isn't helpful as it advances an agenda. It doesn't solve the problem, and actually I think it'll just make it worse. I've encountered some interesting responses after writing on this subject.

One person told me, "bullying is part of life." Some suggest we're not teaching kids to be self-sufficient if we intervene in bullying. One friend, who is also a contributor here said, "What we are doing a great job of doing is creating generations of Americans who cannot survive teasing, criticism, seeing someone else do better than they, or ever not getting their own way."

Some valid points, and others not so valid. Let me be clear about what I'm not advocating.

Government involvement. I think government involvement just perpetuates the victim status. That isn't what kids who are being bullied need.
Zero tolerance policies at schools. Frankly I think they are mostly worthless, especially when they are coupled with zero tolerance towards fighting policies.
I'm not advocating for kids' only recourse is to tattle on bullies.

I also want to be clear that I'm not equating bullying with occasional teasing or the individual playground bully. I'm talking about relentless harassment, groups of kids picking on individuals and times in which youth can not defend themselves. That's bullying. That shouldn't be a part of life, and what do we expect kids to learn from it? Do we expect them to suddenly grow as a result without some intervention and guidance? That is naïve thinking, and frankly those who brush this type of bullying off have forgotten what it was like to be a kid or has never experienced it themselves.

It's a problem, and it needs to be addressed in a way that is not politicized. We also have to remember that with the advent of social media bullying has left the school building so it can't be dumped in the laps of school officials either.

Frank Barron, who is the founder of the Catholic apologetic ministry Word on Fire and the Francis Cardinal George Professor of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary had a review of the documentary Bully (which I discussed on my blog and plan to go see tonight). You can watch his review below:

Barron touches on the solution. The need for "knights" in the upcoming generation. That doesn't just happen, which is why we must get involved. When I say "we" I don't mean government intervention or school officials. What I mean specifically is first and foremost, the Body of Christ (because if we don't do this who are we going to leave it to?), and then secondly I mean men. Here are four action steps, this isn't an exhaustive list, but hopefully will serve as a discussion starter.

1. Bullies and the bullied both need mentors for different reasons.

Kids who bully need strong, godly men to give them a different role model. They need discipline. They need somebody who can guide them to be a modern day knight, somebody who will be a defender of the weak not prey upon the weak. Kids don't intuitively know this and won't learn it unless somebody teaches it to them. Ideally it should be their father, but if not their father somebody needs to fill the void.
Kids who are bullied need somebody who will provide support. Somebody who can model courage – it's hard to be courageous if it has never been modeled to you (again do we really think kids just learn this stuff on their own?). Mentors can also model appropriate social skills, because admittedly some kids awkwardness will open them up to bullying – it's not right, but it's reality. They need somebody who will teach them to be assertive and how to stand up for themselves.

2. Adults can't look the other way when bullying takes place.

Sometimes adults become enablers because they turn a blind eye when bullying takes place. Sometimes kids need intervention, it's hard to ignore harassment when the group turns against one person or a stronger kid preying upon a weaker kid.
We can't stop every instance, but if we know about it we must.

3. Youth Pastors and youth leaders need to teach their kids to love the unlovable.

Somewhere where bullying should never take place is within the church. Kids need to be taught to reach out to those who are different, socially awkward, and unpopular because they too have dignity and worth. They have been made in God's image and Christ died for them too.
Youth Pastors and youth leaders need to model this as well. A great resource on this topic is Risk In Our Midst: Empowering Teenagers to Love the Unlovable by my friend Scott Larson who is President of Straight Ahead Ministries.
I've touched on this subject in a post I wrote a couple of months ago – "Fortress or a Hospital?" In it I wrote:

May I make a suggestion? Don't abdicate leadership of this issue to your youth pastor. As parents it is our responsibility to train our children, and that includes ministry preparation. We need to model ministry to our kids. How are we reaching out? Wouldn't it be better for your youth to be involved in ministry such as this in the context of your family?
Shouldn't our homes be lighthouses as well? Because how can we expect our kids to do this if we don't do it ourselves?

Which brings me to my last point.

4. It starts at home – we should be teaching kids, in particular our sons, to be modern-day knights.

There's no time like the present. If you haven't been doing it you need to start.
If your kid is a bully don't make excuses for them, do something about it. Where we should have zero tolerance policies is in our homes. I homeschool, but if my kid was in public school and was in trouble for bullying, it won't matter what their policy is because my kids know they're going to get disciplined at home.
A great starting place is teaching your son to treat his sisters and his mother with respect.
I also teach my kids that they will never get in trouble for standing up for themselves. I think it is ridiculous when schools have zero tolerance policies that short circuit common sense. If a kid is an aggressor, then the young persons defending themselves shouldn't get into trouble (within reason). I remember my dad teaching me that it was never ok for me to start a fight, but he was perfectly fine with me finishing one. I knew that I would never get in trouble at home for defending myself or my sister. My son knows the same thing, as well as my girls.
Just think if every Christian parent teaches their children to stand up for those who are weak what kind of impact that would make in our culture.

Individual bullies don't generally go after kids who will fight back and be assertive. They especially won't do it if the kid being bullied has an ally or two. Group harassment ends as well when youth peel off from the pack to come to aid of the person being harassed. Teaching our kids to be courageous and to stand up for those who need help won't end bullying, but it'll put a dent in it.

Take Iowa Back Tour Launches Tomorrow

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 02:44 PM PDT

Des Moines, IA - On Friday, April 27, 2012, the “Take Back Iowa Tour” will begin with an appearance by former gubernatorial candidate Jonathan R. Narcisse on the Jan Mickelson Show on WHO 1040 AM at 9:00 a.m.

From there Narcisse will meet with area farmers in Jefferson County seat Fairfield followed by a presentation in the meeting room at Revelations Cafe and Bookstore, 112 North Main Street in Fairfield. The presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m.

The next day, Saturday, April 28th, Narcisse will be at the Country Kitchen Family Restaurant, 619 East Jackson Street on Hwy 92 in Keokuk County seat Sigourney at 8:00 a.m.

The day will conclude with a presentation at the Pizza Ranch, 124 High Avenue West in Mahaska County seat Oskaloosa at 11:15 a.m.

The “Take Back Iowa Tour” concludes year three of the six year “An Iowa Worth Fighting For” campaign launched in August of 2009 and will hold meetings in all 99 counties.

The “Tour” has three main objectives:

1. Introduce a 2013-14 Legislative Package focused on core fiscal, structural and accountability concerns;

2. Recruit and name “Take Back Iowa” chairs in all 99 counties and, train and develop leadership squads in each county, and, where possible, the precinct level;

3. Recruit and support candidates for 2013 non-partisan elected office; recruit and support individuals willing to serve on local boards and commissions; and, recruit and train Iowans willing to seek various leadership positions emerging from participation in the 2014 Republican Caucus and the 2014 Democratic Caucus.

“In August 2009 we introduced An Iowa Worth Fighting For” as the first step in a six year phase I plan. This 21st Century Governance Agenda was well met and received outstanding bi-partisan support,” stated the agenda’s author Jonathan R. Narcisse.

“The next step was to establish support in all 99 counties. If we are going to take back our state it must happen at the grassroots level. Iowans are an amazing people. They will do the right things to fix our state if leadership asks it of them. But leadership hasn’t, unfortunately. Instead leaders of both parties have been more focused on meeting the demands of their contributors and enriching their cronies than fixing Iowa. To build support in all 99 counties I ran for governor. I didn’t win but that’s okay. I didn’t expect to. Our main objective was accomplished – we received support in all 99 counties and 97% of Iowa’s precincts – 1720 out of 1774. That’s very, very encouraging,” Narcisse said. “Now it is time for us to build upon that success and create organizations at the county level and identify county, ward and precinct leadership committed to taking back our state. It is no longer enough to be frustrated. We need solutions. We need a plan. And we have both. This is very exciting. We didn’t get into this mess overnight and we won’t get out of it overnight
but having met Iowans in all 99 counties I know we’re going to get this done both for our state and our children’s sake."

"Choose Life" License Plates Now Available to Order in Iowa!

Posted: 26 Apr 2012 11:01 AM PDT

Des Moines, Iowa-After years of effort, “Choose Life” license plates are now available to order here in Iowa!

“Through the creative diligence and courage of Iowa Right to Life board member, Randy Horn, and of Russ Amerling, with Choose Life America, we are thrilled to announce our organization is now accepting DOT applications for these Pro-Life license plates”, exclaimed Jenifer Bowen, Executive Director of Iowa Right to Life.

Representative Matt Windschitl, a legislative advocate for these plates for many years declared, “This is great news for Iowa’s unborn! The Pro-Life Community has been trying to advance the “Choose Life” license plates for many years now and this can be viewed as a victory for the unborn as it will help bring attention to the cause and continue the process of changing hearts and minds. While this is a great step forward, we must continue to fight for the lives of the unborn and help people understand that each innocent life is a gift from God!”

Securing the opportunity for Pro-Life motorists in Iowa simply would not have been possible at this time without the support of Governor Terry Branstad. The Chairman of Iowa Right to Life, Robert Dopf, expressed the organization’s appreciation for Governor Branstad, “It is exciting to know we can now proudly display our Pro-Life sentiment on our Iowa license plates. After years of being thwarted by previous administrations, we are so grateful to Gov. Branstad and his staff for cutting through the bureaucratic red tape and making our dream a reality.”

Norm Pawlewski, long-time Iowa Right to Life Lobbyist enthusiastically responded to the news, “It is great to finally have a vehicle, pun intended, to display our support for the life of the unborn on our vehicles. If everyone who feels deeply about life will put “Choose Life” plates on their vehicles we will hopefully raise the consciousness of many about the need to protect life from conception.”

DOT applications and a “Choose Life” license plate FAQ sheet are available only through the Iowa Right to Life office. Please contact Iowa Right to Life at 877.595.9406 or via email at outreach@iowaRTL.org for your application and all the pertinent information today!

Proudly display your Pro-Life convictions on ALL your vehicles—cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles! Each “Choose Life” license plate costs $25.00 or $50.00 for a personalized one. A $5.00 fee will be added to your registration renewal cost each year.

Horoscop

vineri, 27 aprilie 2012

Caffeinated Thoughts

Caffeinated Thoughts

Un comentariu: