This is slightly older news, but there is a group of conservatives who serve on the Republican National Committee who indentified ten key policy positions they would like to see 2010 candidates who receive money from the RNC hold (they have to agree with at least seven), they [...]
My copy of Governor Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue: An American Life came a week ago. I’m typically not a fan of autobiographies or political memoirs. When I go into a bookstore that type of book isn’t what I usually leave with. So this [...]
President George Washington made a historic proclamation signed on October 3, 1789 to set Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer. It wasn’t until October 3, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation making the 4th Thursday in November a national holiday.
I was going to make a comparison list of the things I don’t have versus the things I have, as a reminder of God’s great provision and blessing, but there is nothing to place on the “don’t have side”. In the shadow of the cross, I [...]
From RedState, Erick Erickson said that the numbers below likely came from the House Republican Conference’s Policy Shop which is overseen by Congressman Mike Pence (R-IN).
5.5 million — Number of jobs that could be lost as a result of taxes on businesses that cannot afford to [...]When I first saw Governor Sarah Palin post on this I wasn’t sure exactly what she was talking about since I hadn’t heard about it. Then Josh kindly directed me to this Fox New article. Man, my head wants to explode:
Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., chairman of the [...]
Some in the religious left who embrace ideas like wealth redistribution under the guise of social justice. Many liberal churches in the 60s & 70s embraced liberation theology which embraces Marxist ideals and wraps them around the Cross.
So that begs the question is communism biblical? Is [...]
The difference in women could not be more pronounced! The condensation and snobbery in the Martha’s voice in this interview demonstrates how out of touch she is with the very people who purchase her towels and paint; her magazines and decorating guides. The rich don’t buy her towels, it is [...]
I can’t think of a better term to describe the following situation. Ahmed Hashim Abed, the alleged mastermind of the murder and mutilation of four Blackwater USA security guards which Gateway Pundit describes:
The USA Blackwater guards were burned, beaten, dragged through the streets of Fallujah and their decapitated [...]
Just some random stuff I’m looking at on the world wide web (doesn’t it sound really corny when people say that?).
James Delingpole: Climategate: the final nail in the coffin of ‘Anthropogenic Global Warming’? Iowa GOP Gubernatorial Candidates on Taxes – Christian Fong and Chris Rants [...]When my husband and I were first married we were broke. Out of pure necessity we lived on a budget commonly referred to as the envelope system. Personal Money Management expert, Dave Ramsey is a big proponent of this budgetary method.
The idea is that upon payday the individual [...]
Jealousy is not something that is looked favorably upon in our culture. When the “green eyed monster” rears it’s ugly head it can bring great harm to relationships and lives, and has been at the root of any number of murders.
And yet, God describes Himself this way. Why? It seems [...]
I have heard a lot of discussions in the year since the 2008 election season that we as Christians must remember that Matthew 22 instructs us to render unto “Caesar” what is his. The discussion has been that this not only refers to our monetary concerns such as taxes, but [...]
As described by their outgoing General Counsel Bob Chanin at the NEA 2009 conference:
Despite what some among us would like to believe it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we [...]
Some miscellany for a rainy Sunday evening (here in Des Moines anyway):
Des Moines Register: Iowa poll shows Obama approval rating below 50% (not good in a state that overwhelmingly went for him) CQPolitics: Rating Change: Iowa GOP Gets Serious About Boswell Challenge (HT: Dave Price) The Iowa [...]
Everybody has an opinion, and 2012 is still three years away. Oh but how we love to speculate. The lamestream media reaches opposite conclusions when they try to strain a gnat over what Governor Palin has said or hasn’t said about 2012. Speculation [...]
I’ve already written that the health care reform bill that Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced includes tax increases, some of which, start in 2010, while the legislation’s answer to health care reform won’t start until 2014.
The Senate’s version of the health care reform includes a mandate [...]
The second segment of her interview with Bill O’Reilly was on last night.
It was, in my opinion, her toughest interview. He asked her some good questions, and she handled herself quite well. The look she gave him when he mentioned sending the Gitmo prisoners to [...]
I am not that interested in politics. However, I am interested in the implications of politics. These implications are personal and far-reaching. Politics itself is a great deal like religion so much as religion is a framework for a relationship with God, while Politics is a framework for enacting public [...]
Continuing a busy week with the Going Rogue media and book signing tour. First was a radio interview with Laura Ingraham, listen here or above. They covered the Senate health-care bill, China, America’s superpower status, the McCain campaign media strategy, and more.
She also had her debut with [...]
I can’t say I’m a fan of the 700 Club or Pat Robertson. I do like David Brody who is CBN’s political correspondent and do read his blog often. He had a chance to interview Governor Sarah Palin when she was in Grand Rapids, MI yesterday, and Part [...]
The Washington Post reports as Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) presented the Senate health-care plan which the Congressional Budget Office said would cut federal deficits:
Democratic leaders were jubilant that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined that the Senate bill would cut federal deficits by $130 billion over the next decade. [...]
Check out some of these links, I hope you enjoy!
Mark Levin interviews Sarah Palin (or you can listen above) Patrick Buchanan: Is America at war, or not? Washington Post: A modest proposal by Al Home World Magazine: Imprisoning gays The Christian Post: Disaffected Lutherans Begin [...]
This afternoon Governor Sarah Palin was on Sean Hannity’s Radio show for about 15-16 minutes. Talked the health care bill, the Obama administration, Ronald Reagan, made a reference to “lamestream media,” federal deficits, 2010 elections, government spending, political party machines, and 2012.
She [...]
Yesterday I sat down with Christian Fong. He is the son of a Chinese immigrant and Nebraska farm girl, and as his website claims is a “product of the American dream.” He graduated high school at 16. He earned his B.S. from Creighton at 19. [...]
Some miscellany I’ve read.
Casey’s Critical Thinking: Japanese bowing etiquette Wayne Grudem: The Perspicuity of Scripture (HT: Todd Pruitt) WSJ: Her Side of the Story by Melanie Kirkpatrick NRO: The Rogue, on the Record (National Review interview with Sarah Palin) IBD: Bombs And Circuses in New [...]
Just curious as to what you think about this ad?
I’ll throw in a link so they get some free advertising… could they have used a worse picture? When I look at the picture I think…
Tired. Grumpy. Swollen Eye. Hung-Over. I mean could they have [...]
It seems like we are trying to “find our best life now” or looking for some plan, program, formula, or tips for success that will help us overcome __________ (you fill in the blank). Look in your typical Christian bookstore and ask what is popular (outside of the Bible). We [...]
It’s saving or creating jobs in congressional districts that don’t even exist.
Wow, impressive. ABC News reports:
Here’s a stimulus success story: In Arizona’s 15th congressional district, 30 jobs have been saved or created with just $761,420 in federal stimulus spending. [...]
For those of you who were hoping for more policy talk (unlike the Oprah interview) in some of Governor Sarah Palin’s interviews this week for her new book Going Rogue: An American Life. The interview she did with Rush Limbaugh this afternoon provides that.
The [...]
Let me preface this post by stating what most who know me would say is obvious: I’m VERY conservative. I am a self-branded “Republitarian” with strong libertarian roots and a Biblical worldview that places me firmly in the “social conservative” camp.
That being said, there are political realties that are being [...]
I’m not even going to comment on their story as they certainly have a right to their opinion (it certainly isn’t news), as misguided as it is. The Newsweek cover is over the top though. They couldn’t find any other picture to use? For Runner’s World it’s [...]
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet with Dave Funk at the new Smokey Row in Des Moines. Dave is one of the GOP candidates for Iowa’s Third Congressional District seat held by Congressman Leonard Boswell. Below is his bio shamelessly stolen from his [...]
Governor Sarah Palin was on Oprah today to kick off her the book tour for her first book, Going Rogue: An American Life. It was the first time since at least college I’ve sat down to watch a show. Some thoughts & highlights:
There [...]
Recently I responded to a Facebook status that said,
“I am really getting tired of people who believe our salvation is somehow tied to our government.”
On the surface it could have been a fairly benign comment based on the reality that government should not be seen [...]
“Holy Hip Hop” artist, Shai Linne, shares the story of the Bible in 4 minutes from his album Storiez at the WorshipGod09 Conference. The lyrics (below the video) are great, but I can’t say I like this guy as much as I like LaCrae. It’s pretty [...]
Looking at today’s Iowa Poll we can say one thing for certain. Things are not looking good for Governor Chet Culver (and that may be an understatement). His approval rating is only at 40%, and he is behind in two head to head match-ups with former [...]
Governor Sarah Palin in an early morning Facebook post… gave a shout out to grassroots supporters, and in particular Conservatives 4 Palin.
The book tour starts this week, and I look forward to it! I’m most looking forward to meeting many of you, shaking your hands, and telling you,"Thanks [...]
Just thought I’d share some quotes from some of our founding Fathers, these are from a booklet I received in church last Sunday called In God We Still Trust by Dr. Richard G. Lee.
Some of these I’m sure are familiar, like this well know quote [...]
Some miscellany this dreary morning (in Des Moines at least).
ABC News: The 5 Worst Cities for Urban Youth Fox News: Blinded Prison Guard: Don’t House Terror Suspects in NYC NY Post: A loss for America- Why NYC terror trial is a major mistake by Kris Kobach The [...]
Originally posted 11/13/09, updates below
After botching initial coverage of Governor Sarah Palin’s book, Going Rogue: An American Life, and having one of their mistakes regarding a legal bill go viral. They keep at it. Today there is blatant editorializing in [...]
This is a category where you don’t really want to be determined to be best, but the decision by the Obama administration to prosecute Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in New York City and four others, really deserves the recognition. The New York Times reports:
WASHINGTON — Khalid Shaikh [...]
You don’t say? There has been a pretty significant shift in the attitude of Americans toward health coverage.
More Americans now say it is not the federal government’s responsibility to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage (50%) than say it is (47%). This is a first [...]
Oprah Winfrey released a couple of teasers for her interview with Governor Sarah Palin that was taped yesterday, but will air on Monday.
It should be an interesting interview. I’ll be particularly interested in her remarks about Levi Johnston. I’m glad to see her take the high [...]
Following yesterday’s brouhaha over Lt. Governor Joy Corning’s robocalls for One Iowa and Bob Vander Plaats’ response, Tim Albrecht and Jeff Boeyink, Branstad Campaign employees were mum on how Branstad would personally vote. They did say he was committed to the traditional (read only true) definition of [...]
Here’s some miscellany for this fine Wednesday evening.
Gallup: Republicans Edge Ahead of Democrats in 2010 Vote The Page: What’s In Sarah Palin’s Book by Mark Halperin (I love the picture he has, it’s hilarious). Big Government: Using Unions As Weapons: UPS v. FedEx by Nick Gillespie The [...]
Yeah, this can’t be good for the Branstad campaign. Former Lt. Governor Joy Corning (pictured above with Governor Branstad) who ran with and served with former Governor Terry Branstad was making robocalls for One Iowa in support of same-sex marriage.
Jason Clayworth at the Des Moines [...]
Ann Neumann didn’t like yesterday’s post on the Stupak Amendment. Complaining about my lack of compromise. Sorry, when it comes to the sanctity of life, I don’t compromise. She notes:
There is no compromise when your work is to eliminate the most common medical procedure for women in the [...]
Today marks Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day when Germany signed an armistice with the Allies on November 11, 1918 ending the “Great War.” Which was thought to be the war to end all wars. We know now that certainly wasn’t the case. Our soldiers, sailors [...]
Chart below is from the American Life League:
And one senior Democrat thinks even the Stupak amendment language will be stripped out of the bill. From The Hill:
A House Democratic leader said Monday she’s “confident” controversial language on abortion will be stripped from a final [...]
I was going to render the video I took of the gubernatorial candidates’ speeches at the “Leadership for Iowa” event on Saturday and put it up. C-Span did it for me so I’ll be lazy. You can watch all of the Gubernatorial candidate speeches below, my comments will [...]
I had the opportunity to sit down with Representative Chris Rants (R-Sioux City) over a diet coke at Legends in Pleasant Hill. Representative Rants first elected to represent Iowa House District 54 (Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff) in 1992 and still serves his district [...]
That is the key to history. Terrific energy is expended – civilizations are built up – excellent institutions are devised; but each time something goes wrong. Some fatal flow always brings the selfish and cruel people to the top and it all slides back into misery and [...]
Originally posted 11/9/09
Governor Sarah Palin is coming to Iowa for a book signing for her soon to be released book, Going Rogue: An American Life.
Barnes & Noble
Southern Hills Mall
4400 Sergeant Road
Sioux City, IA 51106
1:00 p.m. on Sunday, [...]
President Ronald Reagan on June 12, 1987 gave an address in front of the Brandenberg Gate in West Berlin:
There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek [...]
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was the featured speaker at the “Leadership for Iowa” event hosted by the Republican Party of Iowa. You can watch his speech here or below:
I was very impressed by Governor Pawlenty’s ability to connect with his audience. I appreciated [...]
Some miscellany I’m reading while rendering video. Always a fun job, so if you are looking for video from the “Leadership for Iowa” event that I was at last night… hopefully will have some video up tonight of Governor Tim Pawlenty’s speech (no promises), [...]
I wasn’t able to watch any of the debate yesterday on HR 3962, the House version of the health care reform bill. I was kind of busy. I did see the final result with it passing 220 to 215 in a late night session.
Why the [...]
Friday night Governor Palin spoke at an event for Wisconsin Right to Life. Cameras (except for the one that took the picture above), and any recording “gadget” were not allowed in by the organizers. Media were allowed in (they just didn’t get in free), and Bill [...]
Sitting at Bloggers row at the Republican Party of Iowa “Leadership for Iowa” event.
One thing I’ve learned, comparing myself to Grant Young at Questions, Comments & Insults, I really suck as an interviewer. The life of the blogger row party.
Attended an event, the Iowa Tea Party Statewide Convention, this afternoon at HyVee Hall that had a few hundred people. Not as many as I’m sure the organizers had hoped, but you are competing with 70 degree weather, and Iowa and Iowa State played. Those who did attend were able [...]
Today, I’m sacrificing watching the whole Iowa Hawkeyes game to attend the Iowa Tea Party Statewide Convention here in Des Moines. They are currently beating Northwestern 10-0 in the first quarter. Later tonight I’m going to be Leadership for Iowa, an event hosted to the Republican Party of [...]
How many people who know Christ still behave as though they are still condemned? That’s not the Gospel. Some encouraging words from the late Welsh pastor, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in The Christian Soldier:
…when the devil comes and says, “You have no standing, you are condemned, you are finished”, you [...]
Miscellany to kick off the weekend.
John Piper: 9 Ways to Know the Gospel of Christ Is True Principled Discovery: Why I’m not a “crunchy con” The Foundry: New Study Shows Tax Cuts Most Effective Stimulus Investors Business Daily: Power To Spare (their take on Sarah Palin [...]
Make some time to watch this video. It’s not short but it’s powerful. Juan Williams (Fox News contributor and NPR host) guides the viewer through a powerful and factual case for the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program and rightfully shames the NEA and members of Congress hell-bent on [...]
Honestly, I think that is probably the term I dislike the most when referring to politics. For me it rates right up there with the term common ground. I’m not sure how you feel, but to me it seems that a lot of times we could just translate these words [...]
In the midst of the longest recession in 80 years, the unemployment rate is the highest it has been in 26%.
From the New York Times:
The United States economy shed 190,000 jobs in October, and the unemployment rate reached a 26-year high of 10.2 percent, up from 9.8 percent in September, [...]
You’ve probably already heard about the shooting that took place today at Ft. Hood, Texas. According to Fox News at least 12 are dead with 30 wounded.
I’m sure there will be much speculation and discussion about that the event, but tonight let’s pray for the [...]
I have some bones to pick with a couple of different people related to the meeting I took part in with former Governor Branstad. He’s taking some heat regarding a comment made about when he tried to cut funding for the Iowa Commission of the Blind… I’ll get to [...]
Idolatry is something that most of us don’t think we do. I remember blogging about a sermon that Tim Keller preached on the subject. Most people give themselves a pass because often they can’t tangibly identify what that idol would be. We don’t worship, here in America, wood or [...]
It’s so colorful! I mean this is THE model of tolerance. Exhibit A from “JB” at Iowa Liberal:
Keep up the purge, Republicans! After all, Barack Obama is destroying the country and IT IS 1939 YOU ARE JEWS THE OVEN IS JUST WARMING UP so drive out [...]
Miscellany for the evening…
Rob Harrison: Thoughts on the off-year races Weekly Standard: For Your Viewing Pleasure: The New Jersey and Virginia County Maps (I’m seeing red). Christianity Today: Looking for Clear Signals Mark Driscoll: Is Polygamy Biblical (no, but this is a good read) Perry Noble: [...]
Last week I didn’t realize how much attention my account of the meeting I took part in with former Governor Terry Branstad would get. A "little birdie" told me that my ears should have been burning on Monday as I was part of the [...]
Maine voters yesterday repealed the gay marriage law that was passed by their legislature and signed into law by their Governor, John Baldacci, last spring. Fox News reports:
Voters in the northeastern state of Maine repealed a state law that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed, [...]
So far the GOP has a trifecta in Virginia winning the Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General Seats. Also a big win in New Jersey as Chris Christie beats incumbant Governor Jon Corzine.
With the Virginia Governor Race: Republican Bob McDonnell trounced Democrat Creigh Deeds 59% to [...]
Dave Price is a reporter and anchor for WHO-TV, he blogs at Price of Politics, and also hosts a radio show called “Purple Matters” on Des Moines Local Live. Since my post on former Governor Branstad he had me come on. Not only did we [...]
Well we are getting a peak at how much Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s health care bill will cost taxpayers.
$1.2 Trillion – $1,200,000,000,000
Well it’s got to have a big price tag as big as the bill is – 1900 pages. AP reports:
The health care bill headed for a vote in [...]
The chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, Michael Kiernan, reported by Jason Hancock of The Iowa Independent, decided to use my post on former Governor Terry Branstad to go after the former Governor:
It didn’t take long for Iowa Democrats to get in the [...]
If Sarah Palin is so irrelevant as many in the left roots would claim why is it that the DNC is attacking her? Vice President Joe Biden decided to chime in today as well when he spoke to a gigantic, huge crowd of 250 [...]
BBC reports that Hamid Karzai has now been declared the elected president of Afghanistan. This happened after the runoff vote was canceled. They write:
The Independent Election Commission (IEC) announcement comes a day after Mr Karzai’s sole challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, pulled out of the race.
Dr Abdullah, [...]
Recently I had the opportunity to talk at length with Representative Rod Roberts (R-Carroll) who is one of the seven Republicans competing for the GOP nomination to run against Governor Chet Culver. Representative Roberts has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since January 2001. He [...]
The Pelosi Health Care Bill is ready for all to peruse, all 1990 pages! Yet there is no time to spare, one must read quickly and then even more quickly, call Washington and tell them "NO"! Several month ago I wrote [...]
Some miscellaneous links for you to check out on a beautiful Sunday evening (warm here in Des Moines).
Galyn Wiemers: Blame Pastors and Parents, Not Schools and Sitcoms Dan Riehl: Clueless Republicans Clapham Community: What Happened To The Public Servants? Out of Ur: On Virtual Churches In [...]Bumped up, update below.
11/1/09 – Apparently third party candidate in the New Jersey race, Chris Daggett claimed on MSNBC this morning that Governor Sarah Palin, among others pressured him to drop out of the race. Governor Palin just posted on Facebook to say it didn’t happen:
Despite what [...]
Saturday morning has been industrious. Like Snow White singing a happy cleaning song with her forest friends in tow, my family scurried around the house, making it sparkle like the Southern California weather of this fine October day. There is a feeling of Autumn, [...]
And no, it isn’t using taxpayer money to pay for abortions. This hopefully will put to rest the meme that those against ObamaCare don’t have ideas. Actually there has been ideas out there, but today House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) lays out four reforms today [...]
Bumped up & Updated Below
10/31/09
No longer just fading… she’s done. Stacy McCain reports on the ground in NY 23:
Just confirmed that Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava has quit the race. Speaking to supporters, Scozzafava broke down in tears.
Apparently she will throw her support behind Doug Hoffman. A new [...]
October 31 marks Reformation Day, though many churches celebrated Reformation Sunday last Sunday. According to traditional accounts, on October 31, 1517, in response to the controversy surrounding the sale of indulgences, Martin Luther’s 95 Theses were nailed to the door at the Castle Church in Wittenberg, [...]
Miscellany for Halloween… or as I prefer to think of the day – Reformation Day.
Al Mohler: “Free to Live and Love as We See Fit?” Jon Kalvig: Forgotten God Motor City Times: Just to Give You a Flavor of the PelosiCare Bill. Gee, thanks Steve. Kevin DeYoung: [...]
Oh, I know… President Obama said that it wouldn’t happen.
But apparently Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats weren’t listening to President Obama, because surely he was telling the truth… so it must be an act of defiance because in this 1900 page monstrosity of a bill it’s [...]
She’s not coming, but would like to in the future. She’d also come for free. Bryan English at the Iowa Family Policy Center just sent the following press release:
10/30/09 Pleasant Hill, IA – Iowa Family Policy Center ACTION received word this morning that Governor [...]
The life that counts must toil and fight,
Must hate the wrong and love the right:
Must stand for truth, by day, by night-
This is the life that counts. - Anonymous
There are two phrases repetitively used in regard to the kings of the nation Israel as found in [...]
Tomorrow marks Reformation Day in remembrance of Martin Luther’s 95 Theses being nailed to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany on October 31, 1517. Luther was responding to the sale of indulgences, and his theses were an invitation to debate. I’ll post those [...]
I’ve blogged a lot about the NY 23 Congressional race, but thought I’d highlight another important race that isn’t in the spotlight at the moment – the Florida Senate race. Former Florida Speaker of the House Marco Rubio is running for U.S. Senate in 2010, [...]
Shane Vander Hart, Mary Selby, JP Murie, Jill Romines, Eric Goranson
