“Going Rogue” began as a slow read. I wasn’t expecting colorful prose like “…a robin’s egg sky arched over head, the brisk kick in the air hinting at winter’s approach…” Nevertheless, the story was soon gripping me as I progressed through the book.
I feel like I got to know Sarah Palin – her story, her accomplishments and her walk with God. I read how she challenged Exxon Mobil oil executives and the Republican Party. Those examples of valor against political giants, and other uncompromising actions, helped me to trust her character and respect her accomplishments.
The book was most enjoyable, as the story moved forward to the presidential campaign trail, weaving a portrait of her personal and public drama, from fascinating little insights like Sarah abruptly nixing all her children’s cell phones without explanation to more compelling stories like the over-controlling “campaign headquarters” writing Sarah’s “official” response to the news of her daughter’s pregnancy. She described an unwelcome loss of control, even over her own words, which continued to be a central theme through her campaign experience.
“Going Rogue” provides Sarah’s viewpoint on the recent and familiar news headlines we all followed closely this last presidential election. Sarah didn’t hold back in a retaliation and defense against the Katie Couric interviews (Wow! Sarah does not like Katie).
Sarah points out many of the failures of the McCain campaign and casts blame for most of it on campaign management, specifically Steve Schmidt – who Palin is clearly at odds with.
In conclusion, I believe Sarah Palin knows where change is necessary in America and is prepared to lead the country to it. She’s eying Washington just as she did Alaska, when she saw corruption and fought against it, and won.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
do you believe she would run for national office or simply support other candidates? could you see her running as senator, representative or president?
December 7th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Given the conservative feel of this site, I wonder what the moderators preference would be as a president. A female Republican, or a male Democrat? Any takers?
December 7th, 2009 at 10:04 am
I’m primarily concerned with a president upholding the constitution, whether they be christian/non-christian, male/female, republican/democrat etc.
Shane,
I think she’s going for Pres. ‘12
December 7th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Given the tenor of conservatives which have made their personal exodus from the Republican Party, we will NOT return to the GOP or any candidate they post because they’ve already blown it since G.H.W. Bush to the present, John McCain the pseudo-war hero POW. The GOP leadership just doesn’t get the fact that sincere conservatives and right-leaning Christians see through their globalist and socialist connection. Sarah Palin would best serve her political career by seriously exploring a bona fide third party Presidency and I exclude the Libertarians because they are not pro-Christian (even though many may be CINO - Christian In Name Only). I love the make up of the British House of Commons with many points of view, but I am not espousing such a dilution of American thought outside perhaps 3-4 political parties here. What say you?
December 9th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
@Bennett - I personally want to a strict Constructionist in office. I could care less if they are Male/Female, Black/White, Christian/Non-Christian. Not an endorsement of Sarah Palin, but I think we need someone with her qualities in office to challenge the establishment and return the country to its rightful owners. Sadly, such a person is unlikely to win a major party nomination.
If a Single Black Jewish Muslim Female with Leprosy, who also owned a two-legged dog, came out tomorrow and said, “As president, I would enforce our borders, fight our current wars as they should be fought, win, and bring our troops home, drill domestically and reduce foreign dependence, drastically cut government spending and begin reducing the deficit..”, and had a record proving she’d do just that, she’d have my vote.
December 10th, 2009 at 5:41 am
@Bennett - what do you look for in a president? How much does gender weigh in?
@Damon - Agreed. Here’s how Constitution Party Chuck Baldwin put it:
“I would rather elect an unbeliever who will support, protect and defend the constitution of the United States, than elect a believer who will not support, protect and defend the constitution of the United States.”
~Chuck Baldwin
December 16th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I do not think she will run for POTUS. She has unlimited support from the conservative base and the vast majority of Republicans yet the liberal media will again demonize her more than ever. She is an easy target for demonetization more than most politicians. I believe this is due to her sex & her out of the beltway political demeanor. Governor Palin needs to be used as a fund raiser for the republican party & a political attack dog. She does more damage with her twitter & facebook account than she ever did in the main stream political world. A few lines from Sarah Palin enrages the Liberals… its an effective political sucker punch to their gut, and very effective. I personally would love for her to run, but I do not think she will win.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:05 am
The third party pipe dream is the most harmful thing to conservative movement. It will muzzle the Conservative movement and ruin us. We need to reform the Republican party… not leave it.
December 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
It is a naive belief to say “the third party pipe dream is the most harmful thing…”. The reality is that in 2010 this nation will be shocked by what will transpire at the polls. The GOP has been evolving into a left-leaning globalist big government shema since G.H.W. Bush (the elder Bush) was President. There’s hardly an iota difference between the DNC and RNC at this point. If the Republican Party is to survive then it must revive sincere conservative leaders and eradicate the globalist pseudo-conservatives from the party. Until then, conservatives and sincere Christian conservatives who understand the direction of the country towards economic/political/ecumenical globalism will continue to remain in the tea party grass roots movement to make a difference rightly changing hearts and minds to preserve our Constitutional rights and liberty.
December 16th, 2009 at 11:02 am
There are those who are left leaning globalists in the Republican Party… but to leave it would be disastrous for the conservative cause. It would split the Republican vote and guarantee a Liberal Democratic victory… every time there was an election. You mentioned Bush the Elder… Remember why he was only a one term president? A THIRD PARTY candidate guaranteed him a loss. Clinton would have lost if it wasn’t for a third party. Remember the Green Party in 2000? Gore would have been President if it wasn’t for the green party. I actually gave money to the green party that year, because I knew the third party would harm there cause.
I am a die hard conservative. I understand your good intentions, but we must remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
We must reform the Republican Party. Vote out the “RINO”. *Republican In Name Only*. We must not fund Liberal Republican Candidates. We must replace certain people in the RNC. Reformation is the Key!!!
December 16th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Andrew: in essence what you are espousing is a complete COMPROMISE of any personal and spiritual values you may have, or had. Voting for a candidate just because he/she is the selection by the GNC is as silly a thing I’ve every heard of. Also, tell me where in the Constitution or the Federalist Papers does it say Americans vote in only a two-party system? Remember the addage: “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!”
December 16th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
The lesser of two evils is still evil.
Choosing a slow death still results in death.
December 16th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I am not compromising ANY conservative value whatsoever… those who want to start a third party seem to be too scared or frighten to stand up and fight for their party. They rather turn tail and run away and play at there own ball park. Its sick!!! Yes, lets stand for something but lets stand in our own party, the Republican Party. Plus, the values that we love so much will never be heard and never respected if the party is split. That is a fact! We can whoop and protest, but power is the key. We must have power… but we must also reform our party. Both can be done.
As for the two party system… that is how it came out even though they didn’t plan it that way. When Jefferson looked at Hamilton and said, “YOU’RE WRONG”… Bang… the two party system was born. Thats what we got, and thats what will have…
December 16th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Sadly, Andrew, you make it clear your “values” lie within a political party and NOT what a person values within themself. Like I said previously, your concept of “stand with party” is SILLY and now I say, immature. You’ll change as you grow a bit more…or will waste away within a two-party system when neither care about you as an individual. Enough said, now go play your video games.
December 16th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
LOL!!!! What you just said was the funniest thing I have ever heard in a political debate, and I have been in plenty! Thank you for showing me how right I am. I can’t stop laughing at you and your comment!!! But anyways… back on topic. Try to keep up.
My values & your values… our values, will not amount to a hill of beans if the party is split. Take your passion and your values and change the party. Why can’t you do that Winston? By what I’ve seen so far of your political philosophy & debating skills maybe you can’t… but I will help you if you want.
I believe that our values are the same… but you and third party people are too lazy to fight. You rather give up and go away. That is a sad sad thing!!! We need people to change things and you guys just want to segregate yourselves from the true fight.
You will also be well funded if you do start a third party… you will be funded by libs & dems. They will give you money because the know you will hurt the conservative cause. They will laud you, and push you, and encourage you… but it will only be for the downfall of conservative philosophy.
You third party people are going to cut off your own nose to spite your face. Ignorance does not become you people.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
I think you are both right!
We should fight for our party and its return to Goldwater and Reagan principals. But we shouldn’t vote for Quasi-Socialist Republican candidates, just because they have an “R” beside their name. Doing such will only insure the continuation of the party down its current road.
December 17th, 2009 at 4:15 am
let’s consider more the globalist agenda. i think you all are on to something here. what is the USA’s place in the global economy? should we remain or sovereign self sufficient nation or should we engage ourselves more fully in a global marketplace?
I would say that there is a globalist agenda that threatens the sovereignty of our nation. I would say that the sovereignty of our nation, just as the sovereignty of our 50 states is a major factor in the needed checks and balances of government. Government however is hijacking our economy, and turning our holdings over to foreign governments… whether it be our manufacturing, our agriculture or our banking… even our customer service is going overseas:o) where does this leave America but without the means to work itself out of an increasing debt.
i am saddened to say that i believe we are being sold into bondage my friends. perhaps the old world has found a way to get the new world back under their thumb…
December 17th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Damon, you’re so right. Like I said before, vote out the RINO’s. Republicans need to use the Primaries More! Get the Conservative Vote Out in the Republican Party. Don’t fund the party if they are going to pander to Liberal Candidates. I haven’t given any money to the RNC in years because of this point. Reform the Party… Don’t start a new one. This is not the time for that silly notion.
December 17th, 2009 at 7:34 am
The globalization of the economy is a Dangerous thing. We need to bring jobs back to America, but also make business want to manufacture in America. America as a whole has to become more business friendly. I do not blame businesses for leaving. They have the right to do it, and it makes more money for there businesses. We need to be fiscal isolationists. We need to export more than we import. We need to enjoy the fruit of our own labor than the Labor of sweat shops in China. But for this to come to fruition, we must vote out the Liberal/ Socialists whether they be Democrats or Republicans.
December 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Oddly enough most people view what’s happenting in America’s (and most other nations) subtle and deceptive transfer of sovereignty to a globalized government/economy/religion. While this is true and we all should stand against it, the reality is that while we must be good stewards of our God-based nation, it is God’s Word which teaches us through Biblical prophecy that globalization will happen anyway. Our trust is in the Lord Jesus’ second coming to take up the true Church before the great tribulation begins. Are you prepared?
December 17th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Funny conversation this has sparked.
If you fully trust in Jesus…why vote…won’t His Will be done anyway?
December 17th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
God has not called us to be the proverbial “bump on the Log” either spiritually or non-spiritually. God has given us life to live… therefore live. To not live life would be to hold Him in contempt. To not live life for Him is to hold Him in contempt.
@Winston, what you said about globalization is true. The Bible does show us (as well as history) that globalization is the heart of humanity and it will continue to be that way through the tribulation until the Second Coming. But we are still to fight it, vote against it, and speak out against it. Apathy is a deadly disease.
December 17th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Don’t you look forward to the Second Coming Andrew? shouldn’t you be voting for the issues that will usher in the tribulation? just like the democrats that give money to the 3rd party…you would help enable the Second Coming, millions of Christians worldwide would thank you!
December 17th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I look forward to the Rapture of the Church every day and I can’t wait for the Second Coming of Jesus!!! My heart aches for that day! Neither my vote or your vote will speed it up or delay it. Those are fixed days that only God knows. Are you looking forward to the Rapture & the second coming Bennett? I sure am!!! Hopefully you are too
December 17th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Andrew: I don’t know about you but I beleive there is tribulation going on now and for a couple of thousand years plus. However, Jesus will return PRIOR to the Great Tribulation so now is the time to prepare your heart from a spiritual perspective. Excuse me but you’ll never read “apathy” in any of my comments as I’ve been a socio-political influencer for decades.
December 17th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Cool, now I understand your escatology, you are a mid-rapture guy… right?
Also, I couldn’t help but hear the apathy in your refusal to reform the republican party…
December 17th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Well to be quite frank I’m not sure what I believe about “end times” I certainly dont hold to a “rapture” theory, and I would say that I am not arrogant enough to say that I believe that it will be in my lifetime. Christians have been saying that for centuries, and nothing has happened, not to say that it will not. Just saying it does not define the way that I live.
Your capitalization leads me to believe that you have a higher understanding of the book of Revalations than what is spelled out in the book, so I can see where you are coming from. I don’t have the supernatural understanding that you have…I can only go off of the implications that I have read, and they are so strange and off the wall that I tend to hold very loosly to them and hold tighter to the teachings of Jesus.
I’m sure you have a verse for that.
On a side note I think that there could be good things that globalization could bring about like ending hunger, eradicating simple diseases, and giving the powerless, power. I think that may be what alot of conservatives fear…a more level playing field.
December 17th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I do have a verse for that… but I am not going to share it with you. All I am going to share with you Bennett is that Jesus is going to Rapture His Church and He will come back with His Church. Jesus also came and died for your sins and the sins of the world. Jesus loves you very much, and no matter if you believe it or not… all of the end times stuff you read on this blog or don’t understand will one day happen. Hopefully you are ready and that your life belongs to the loving hands of Jesus Christ. Thanks for being honest in the above post.
NOW… back to Politics…
Globalization: is not a level playing field… the government controls all in globalization. The people serve the government. There is no liberty there. There is no freedom. Ever heard of the Roman Empire? Ever heard of the Muslim Empire? That was globalization and Boy Oh Boy… did those people have TONS & TONS of Freedom… LOL. Come on… give me a break.
December 17th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
“you me and bennett”: The Bible tells Christians to “be ready in season and out to give a worthy answer”, so here’s a bit of bedtime reading (or any time) for you. Read in the Bible (New Testament) book of Matthew, Chapter 24 as Jesus himself speaks of the end times. Also, read the entire Book of Revelation as this Book is the final book in the Bible and again is the words of Jesus as a “revelation” of Jesus through his declared angel to John the apostle (the only apostle not to be martyred for his belief in Jesus).
December 17th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Please read Mark 13 and 14…
In Mark 13:29 it is clearly said that “You know that it is near, at the door.” Logically, one can and should conclude that if you don’t know it is near, you a). aren’t watching, or b). aren’t watching close enough. I could give you, and likely will in an article soon, at least a dozen reasons why it will happen in your lifetime.
Why shouldn’t it define the way you live? Christ commanded that we “WATCH”! With an understanding and appreciation for imminence, would you not do more and do it sooner?
On another note, globalization is evil. Period. I don’t see any reason to debate it or why it should need explaining.
December 17th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
This is an incredible statement…
“On another note, globalization is evil. Period. I don’t see any reason to debate it or why it should need explaining”
Really think about what this statement implies…
incredible…
December 17th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
It implies that Globalization is an evil in the world… you should know that Bennett… You’re smart… you should get this, it’s softball… globalization is a wicked thing.
December 18th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Let me then, make a statement and tell me if you think that it is fair.
Sarah Palin is a communist PERIOD. There is no reason to even debate it…and this statement doesn’t even require any facts or knowledge…she just is. Now let’s not talk about it any further…because it’s settled.
December 18th, 2009 at 8:35 am
I’m not debating it, because it does no good.
You either agree or disagree with my statement. Avoiding debate isn’t much fun when the shoe is on the other foot is it? I’m going to go ahead and say that the debate and science is settled. Globalism is evil. Period. If you disagree, you’re a doubter. You’re on the fringe.
As a freedom loving conservative, I fear tyranny at the national level. With globalization, that fear is only increased.
How can any sane person give to the idea that globalism that reduces national sovereignty is a good thing. Because it feeds kids in Africa? Do we need the government to force us to be charitable?
Liberals make me physically ill. You’re so charitable with other peoples money and then turn around and condemn us because we don’t give enough. This is an easy position to take when half the liberals running Washington don’t pay taxes.
You despise Christians for “spreading the gospel” but turn around and force the religion of global warming on us. How would you feel if I were in power and said that you’re gonna give 50% of your income to me and I’m gonna turn around and donate it to a Christian Missionary.
I’m fed up with a handful of people telling me how to live my life and taking it upon themselves to steal my money and spend it on their “causes”.
To surmise, to me, debating whether or not globalism is good or bad is pointless. You either like freedom or you don’t. You think that individualism is a much more powerful force, or you don’t.
December 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Well said Damon! I need to cut that out and put it on my fridge…
December 18th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
I guess it all really comes down to weather or not you really believe in the teachings of Jesus. His life was consumed with helping others. Forcing people to be charitable, unfortunately IS necessary. The churches in America are not even taking care of the needy Americans, let alone the starving Africans. Their fiscal responsabilities are their gods.
Would I feel good if my tax money was going to a Christian Ministry? If it was taking care of people like Jesus did, then yes I would say that was a worthy cause, but if the goal was to build a giant building, and fill it with sound equiptment, and send their parishiners to Israel on a vacation once a year, then I would be pretty dissatisfied.
Your applying blanket statements to multi-faceted issues for instance:
Purchasing Beef is the same as murduring people…if Americans stopped eating beef we could feed the entire world with our corn and soybeen crop. Because we choose to eat beef we are litterally killing hundreds of thousands of people every year by intentionally starving them.
This analogy is unfair because it includes people who raise their own cows and feed them hay that they grow themselves. It also doesn’t address those who give money to feed hungry people…and the list goes on.
Starving / underpayed / overworked / enslaved / de-humanized / and dying people have no opportunity to love the freedoms that you speak about…and that apparently doesn’t bother you enough to separate the good that globalization could do…your position as stated before is that we shouldn’t even consider any part of it.
Who said globalization Has To “reduce national sovereignty”, why couldn’t it increase the national sovereignty of other nations?
And just to clarify when you write “I’m not debating it, because it does no good” and then write 18 more sentences about it you are debating it. And putting words in my mouth like “You despise Christians for “spreading the gospel”” only weakens your statements…especially when you have no clue what my moral, political, spiritual or social views are.
Very Judgemental
December 18th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
“…bennett: Unfortunately since you are obviously not grounded in the Word of God nor the teachings of Jesus, your concept of Christianity and Jesus is without merit, knowledge, or understanding. Having a socialistic/communistic concept of humanity and how sovereign nations work is not Christian. However, it is a a good work for a Christian to help others and part of the Great Commission of Christ to spread His Gospel of Truth. Even Jesus said in Mark 14:7, “For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good…”. So He never intended for the Church to be the sole provider of those who suffer, but he calls for ALL mankind to come to Him, willingly. It is not wrong for mankind to kill beef to eat and it isn’t literally “murdering people” as you state. God gave mankind the responsibility to be good stewards of the earth and his creation, fields of crops and livestock. So, do you have any spiritual values and beliefs at all? What are your core beliefs that you turn to when you are lonely, needy, etc.? There have been times in my life that I felt absolutely alone - no one near to help at all; yet, in my core belief, I held strong to my faith in Jesus that he “is my ever present help in my time of need”. God/Jesus isn’t a distant, uncaring deity looking down from the distant heavens. He’s active and involved in our lives, and is working at all times to help us and respond to our needs and requests.
It is not Christian churches, nor church leaders, who withhold soy beans, and corn from the starving in the world, but corporate agri-business owners as they hold onto their reserves for trade as a needed commodity. Plus, it is NOT the responsibility of America or Americans to feed the world’s hungry. Our nation/taxpayers give gazillions of $$$ to feed the poor via world organizations and directly to those third world nations. But what happens to the food? Those third-world leaders let the food sit and spoil because it is easier for ruthless leaders to control hungry and starving people than those who are well fed and healthy as they typically rebel agaisnt evil leaders. It is clear you do not understand what “globalization” means either. Diluting national strength only brings down a sovereign nation and puts its citizens a risk. It is not the fault of Christians that people are starving and have no/limited freedom because this has been happening since the beginning of time… it’s called man having a sin nature. It’s only through turning towards Jesus and believing by faith that we all survive knowing HE will provide our every need. I know, because my faith has made me whole.
December 18th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
First, why don’t my articles draw this much debate? That’s rhetorical btw. =)
The one comment that stood out the most in your post was “Forcing people to be charitable unfortunately, IS necessary.” If you believe that, congratulations, you’re a socialist.
Where exactly was it in the Bible that Christ forced anyone to be charitable? As Christians we should do these things but it is/was never forced.
Maybe someone can refresh my memory on the place in the Bible one of the disciples (Peter?) returns to find a form of socialism within the community/camp and some not pulling their weight? And he was quite angered.
2 Cor 3:17 says “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
To quote you:
“Starving / underpayed / overworked / enslaved / de-humanized / and dying people have no opportunity to love the freedoms that you speak about…and that apparently doesn’t bother you enough to separate the good that globalization could do…your position as stated before is that we shouldn’t even consider any part of it.”
What do you think globalization will do? Do you think it will give the entire world a full belly? Will globalization bring a minimum wage to Africa and the Sudan? History has shown the empires oppress and enslave. Which is what you are suggesting. Just read the early books of the Bible including Genesis and Daniel. I sincerely think your heart is in the right place, but the means by which you suggest this be accomplished are entirely misguided.
To go on, there have been six world empires as prophesied in the Bible with a seventh and final to come. There are very few positive things said about these kingdoms, if any, within It’s pages.
This “opportunity” you speak of… what is that exactly? I was raised in a country where I was taught that opportunity is earned.
If a people are enslaved, it must first be their responsibility to rise up against those that have them in bondage. Freedom I would argue must be earned. Sadly, it is not fully appreciated without the bloodshed and loss that must precede it. A perfect example is Christ. Our freedom from sin only came with His shed blood. The Jews have had to fight harder than anyone for their freedoms and it has come at a most incredible and innumerabale cost. The same with America. Why should not the same rules apply to others whom are oppressed and enslaved? Are they more worthy than God’s chosen to receive such a blessing at no price?
Frankly, yes, I am judging you based on your own words. What I gather is that you have a left leaning opinion on political issues and that you have only a partial and allegorical understanding of the Word.
If I said I needed to loose a few pounds, would you not assume I was unhappy with my weight or would you draw absolutely no conclusions from anything I say? Of course you would. According to you, if you expressed your thoughts on that issue, you’d be judging me.
If you feel that I/we are judging you, maybe there is merit to what we are saying. But rest assured, however you construe our conversations, none here have the power to convict. =)
December 21st, 2009 at 9:55 am
Well, based on where this conversation is going, there is no resolution amoung us. My point like so many times before on this site, is that I do not claim to have a “complete understanding” of anything. What I continually try to get across is that NOBODY does. The statements that are made by people (like Damon and Winston) are so absolute it makes me wonder how you view everything. When comments are left that are so polarizing, where is there room to teach, or learn? Is your learning complete?
In my opinion your political stance is the same as your biblical stance, which is a pick and choose method that only leads to unchangeable absolutes. I used to cling tightly to these absolutes as you do, until I followed my absolutes into a terible war costing hundreds of thousands of lives (of people trying to defend their country) and so far nearly 1 Trillion dollars of tax money. (Which equates to 5 times the amount of money it would take to CURE the WORLD of malaria, yellow fever, tuberculosis and typhoid (which contributes to about 4.5 million deaths a year)).
And to finish…As a middle-class white American, that grew up in a small suburban town with nearly no crime and non-partisan parents that loved me very much. I would say that I never Earned any opportunities that have come my way. ( I look at equality, opportunity, health, and freedom as basic human rights, not earned priledges )
This is my last post
December 21st, 2009 at 10:49 am
Bennett…
First, it is my sincere hope that you do continue reading this website and posting comments. Although we may never agree, the dialogue is very healthy. I hope that you will continue to challenge us and that you will continue to allow us to challenge you.
I will agree to a point, there are subjects within the Scripture we will never have a full understanding on, but that isn’t meant to suggest we can’t have full understanding on anything.
Has any man lived that was ever more polarizing than Christ? He said that He was the only way to Heaven and he will spew out those whom are lukewarm in their belief. Now that is polarizing! Has anyone ever, been so hated by as many, as that have loved Him?
Quite honestly, my biblical understand has helped me arrive at my political positions. I take a very literal understanding of the scripture. I do not believe it is allegorical whatsoever. There are instances where things are metaphorical, but I’m confident those instances are easily identifiable and if taken in context and understanding, can be properly deciphered. This is how I arrive at positions of absolute certainty.
We as Americans are blessed with the freedom to pursue opportunity. That still does not guarantee it for us. We must become educated and work hard for everything we earn. I come from a divorced family and spent parts of my childhood living in trailer parks and on welfare. I’m a C- student and a college drop out. But I have worked hard and I now own a small business. It isn’t glorious by any means, but it was something I earned through hard work.
Many of your concerns are very valid. However, more oversight, global intervention and higher taxes are not the solution. We already have those things, and it just seems to be getting worse. Logically, more of the same will only make things even more unbearable.
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:08 am
Not enough time to share all that this thread has put on my heart, but a just a quick thought:
We have to be careful not to say “the debate is over” or else we’ll sound like Al Gore. Even God says, “come let us reason together”.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Daniel,
I do hope you’ll find time to share your thoughts.
I am regretting saying the “debate is over”. But I did liken my statement to Al Gore. =)
In the past few months, I’ve seen more and more hatred towards Conservatism and Christianity (I’m not saying anyone on this site feels this way). Look in Massachusetts, a child was evicted from school and required to undergo a psychological analysis because he drew a picture of Christ on the cross. I read of people that are ecstatic that Oral Roberts has died. I constantly see Conservatives and Christians being compared to Nazi’s. The list is infinite.
I guess that might be where my impatience came from. How do you debate and carry on dialogue with anyone that thinks you’re a crazy Nazi (again, not suggesting anyone here thinks this)?
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm
A great book to read on the subject of those who compares Conservatives with Nazis is Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. It is a wonderful book showing how Nazis were a Liberal/Socialist Movement and that extreme Liberalism is Fascism and Extreme Conservatism is Anarchy. The historical analysis of fascism propagated by Liberals is just fascinating.
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Is he that guy Glenn Beck has on his show occasionally? The book with the smiley face on it?
December 22nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
He’s on a lot of different programs, usually on Fox. Yes, the book has a smiley face on it and a Hitler mustache. He explains it in the book… fascinating read.
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Yeah, I’ll check it out for sure. Thanks for the tip.
April 6th, 2010 at 6:07 am
Bennett,
I can’t believe you actually typed “Forcing people to be charitable, unfortunately IS necessary.” with a straight face. Just read that and think of the inherit illogic in that statement. Charity, BY DEFINITION, is voluntary. Jesus never preached socialism or communism. He never taught that the government should steal from one group of people and give to another group of people. That is a complete distortion of the teachings of Christ.
April 6th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Jim,
You’re right, and I think this doctrine needs to be reaffirmed in the church right now as many are confused by the “charitable” acts of the government.
April 6th, 2010 at 10:19 am
To all who are Tea Partiers and/or Republican supporters of Sarah Palin: beware of wolves in sheeps clothing. Whether you know it or not, Sarah Palin was “hand picked” by reknown CFR and Bilderberg member globalist Henry Kissinger. That said, you’ll never read, hear the GOP releasing this information nor the Tea Party leaders. When I probed a leader in the Tea Party movement I was told point-blank that “the Tea Party movement is a grass roots support group supporting the Republican Party”…so that should tell you sincere conservatives and Christians much about what they’re about. They’re the GOP version of the DNC’s ACORN grass roots group.
April 6th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
i’m going to start a coffee party. would you like to join Winston?
April 6th, 2010 at 6:56 pm
“shane”… please write with clarity and not indeterminate phrasing. In other words, what are you getting at, or are you just being silly?
April 7th, 2010 at 1:42 am
i was being silly, but with purpose… deep down i sense a few things:
i feel as though this “tea party” movement is being capitalized on by the republicans to combat the grassroots support shown for Obama in the last election.
i feel it is being used by the media and the dems to funnel the opposition into one solidified power base that would justify a third party and thereby pull votes from the republicans.
i feel as though the powers that may be are herding all the “independents” into the “tea party” as fast as they can, as to create a quantifiable people group, to which they can create marketable dynamics by which they can control their new demographic.
i feel as though palin is the face… the face that millions of america identify with; the face that millions of america can throw their stones at; the face that represents a reality many do not want to deal with…
if she has been picked by kissinger as you say, how might we compare this to Daniel or Neamiah of the Old Testament? both were captives and servants of their enemy’s leadership, and both were allowed to follow their God…
anymore i do not know who to trust. as i read into our own nations history i am perplexed and disheartened at times for i realize the america i was raised to believe in is often times a lie, a grand facade, and yet i believe in an idea as do millions of americans, of a nation for the people, by the people, in which justice and liberty are paramount… it may be that all of our leaders ar corrupt, but even so we have a Mighty God… i belive if the people of this nation as well as other nations, turn toward God, that God will heal their lands and turn the hearts of their leaders.
perhaps in these so called secret societies there are very bad people who are outnumbered by very good people. perhaps we will never know
April 7th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Please don’t compare Sarah Palin to Daniel or Neamiah of the Bible. All believers are called out to be “watchmen on the wall” for Christ so we must be ever alert to wolves in sheeps clothing amongst us. Many pastors and church leaders take a passive position on politics thus creating what I call “spiritual sponges” in the pew by the flock being passive. We are to be spiritual “light unto the darkened world” and not “hide our light under a bushel”… this means we are to be involved - to influence others away from darkness and those who dilute our Christianity. One who is called “America’s Pastor”, Rick Warren, is one of those who has become a deceiver to his flock and others by becoming a globalist and ecumenical. Those in the liberal faction of the Church will clearly become involved in the One World Religion. Pray for spiritual discernment and stay on the ready with the sword of Truth - God’s Word at all times.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Esther was a queen in Shushan the Palace (Est 1:2; 2:16). Nehemiah was a cup bearer in Shushan the Palace (Ne 1:1; 2:2). Daniel was a President in Shushan the Palace (Da 8:2; (6:2).
Whether it be Sarah Palin or someone else, I believe we should desire God to use members of His kingdom in this capacity on earth. What are your reasons why Sara Palin isn’t fit for this? Can you provide a resource for further research?
As far as wolves in sheep’s clothing goes, I agree the church needs to take seriously the possibility of politicians being such. We often think of a wolf needing to get behind the pulpit to have an affect on the church but politicians pandering to the church are dangerous too.
April 7th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Daniel, we believers are cautioned in Scripture to “come out from amongst them” so, if believers follow an unvetted pretty face who speaks down home english to attract unwitting people how do you know she is who she presents herself to be? Didn’t Barack Obama fool all those who jumped on his bandwagon by deception of “change”? Look at our nation now! My sources are outside mainstream news media and I trust them because they do not shy away from controversy. Try CNSnews as a starter. Aren’t we to “test the spirits”? Have you researched the Palin/Kissinger relationship? Shouldn’t you? Search it and prove it to be true to yourself.