Values Voter News

Maryland

Rhee-Forming D.C. Schools-"Guess who recently said the following: "Tenure is the holy grail of teacher unions, but it has no educational value for kids; it only benefits adults."
A right-wing blogger? No, those are the words of Michelle Rhee, chancellor of the Washington, D.C. schools, who is speaking truth to teacher-union power to shake up one of the nation's worst education systems.
In going after tenure, Ms. Rhee is taking on the holiest citadel of the education establishment."

Texas

Who’s Indoctrinating Who? The Fight for Fair and Balanced Science Education in Texas-"The battle is regarding how evolution should be taught. Evolution supporters want language that suggests Darwin’s theory of evolution has weaknesses removed from the teaching curriculum. While opponents of evolution who support Intelligent Design, Creationism, or just fair and balanced science education say that the current guidelines have been working and should be left alone.

“College professors, science teachers and pro-evolution groups urged the board to drop a rule that requires the strengths and weaknesses of Darwin’s theory to be taught in science courses, while conservative groups aligned with a sizable bloc of board members said the rule has worked well and hasn’t forced religion into those classes as critics charge…” (Check the Texas Education Agency website for further details).

Texas reaches cap for charter schools in public sector-"The Houston Chronicle:
Texas handed out its final public school charter Friday, a move that puts pressure on the state to either lift its self-imposed cap or shut down low performing campuses to make room for more of the untraditional schools.
The State Board of Education awarded eight charters, raising the total to Texas’ cap of 215. Advocates say the thousands of children still on charter school waiting lists serve as proof that Texas needs to continue expanding the movement."

A decent 3 minute interview more context into why the christian group was there and what happened!!! See also, Christian prayer group sexually and physically assaulted by homosexual mob? Where is the media? Even Gay blacks are being yelled at!!!.

The way this christian handled this situation in forgiveness rather then hate or in punishing the homosexual by pressing charges is a great example to follow. There is a right place to press charges but this christian decided to not do so but rather extend forgiveness which really gives evidence for the reason why they said they were there. To extend love.

Now there is a total of 38 first amendment victories since 06/08. Not just cases but victories. The cases I haven't been keeping count of. See 4 more First Amendment victories in NM, AZ, CO and WV. Another employee fired over "homophebia" in the UK and 6 new cases!!! Talk about intolerance!!! for a trail of links to all 38.

California

Two new cases in California and some humour in below video concerning one of these cases.

Calif. court: Christian student free to speak as case proceeds-"Yuba College officials threatened the student, Ryan Dozier, with arrest or expulsion for sharing his faith on campus in violation of college policies that dramatically restricted free speech. For example, the college prohibits student speech without a permit outside of the school’s “free speech” limits of one hour per day two days per week....Dozier arrived on campus in February to attend class and briefly share a Christian message with fellow students, engaging them through tracts, a sign, and conversation along an outdoor walkway. A campus police officer approached Dozier, telling him he needed a permit for such activity and that he would be arrested or face expulsion if he continued. The college allows “free speech” only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., with permission required two weeks in advance.
Dozier later received a certified letter from the college accusing him of assembling without a permit and violating school policy. The letter stated that his activity was the subject of a district police department crime report and that future violation of the directive and Student Code of Conduct would result in further discipline, including arrest and expulsion from the college (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4693).
“The college’s policies unlawfully censor student speech on campus. We look forward to making our arguments to the court at the hearing scheduled for Dec. 12,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel David Hacker, who is also working on the case. Dozier is additionally represented by ADF-allied attorney Timothy M. Smith of the Sacramento law firm McKinley and Smith.
A copy of the minute order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division, in the lawsuit Dozier v. Houle is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/DozierOrder.pdf."

Court ruling means Modesto man free to speak-"Borden has been sharing his faith peacefully with others in Tenth Street Plaza, a public square in downtown Modesto. After Brenden Theatres, a private business located on the plaza, complained about Borden’s speech, the city allowed Brenden to rent the plaza almost every Saturday evening for several months. Brenden excluded Borden and his associates from the area even though no events are taking place there and no one else is excluded.
On Monday, Hacker concluded her arguments in favor of a preliminary injunction before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Fresno Division, in Borden v. City of Modesto (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4750).
In his order granting the injunction, Chief U.S. District Judge Anthony W. Ishii said that “enough [evidence] has been provided to demonstrate that Borden will likely prevail on the merits.”
The order permits Borden to share his faith in the plaza as he was previously doing. A copy of the order is available at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/BordenPIorder.pdf."

Texas

Defining Unborn Child as "Person" In Murder Law Upheld-"In Eguia v. State of Texas, (TX Ct. App., Nov. 20, 2008), a Texas appellate court upheld appellant's conviction for murdering a woman and her unborn child. The court rejected appellant's constitutional challenge to the Texas statute that defines an unborn child as a "person" for purposes of the capital murder statute. (TX Penal Code 1.07(a)(26)). Jacob Eguia contended that this definition violates the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution and Art. I, Sec. 6 of the Texas Constitution that bars giving preference by law to any religion. Holding that "a statute is not automatically rendered unconstitutional simply because it advances ideals that harmonize with religious ideals," the court found that the statute meets the Lemon test. It concluded that "the State has a legitimate secular interest in protecting mothers and their unborn children throughout the mother’s pregnancy"

Georgia and Virginia

Good News: Circuit Court Says 'Jesus' can be Part of Public Prayers-"The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has ruled that praying in the name of Jesus or other religious leaders is permitted at government meetings.
Taxpayers in Cobb County had complained that their county commission and planning commission opened meetings with prayers assigned among local religious leaders on a rotating basis.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said the court simply sided with the First Amendment.
But, he said, the case probably is not over.
“I would expect them to appeal because they are frightened by any invocation of a deity in the public square," he said."

But not in Virginia

Rally Held for Troopers over Jesus' Name-"The name of Jesus was the focus of a prayer rally outside the governor's mansion in Richmond, Virginia over the weekend.
More than a thousand people gathered to show their support for six Virginia state police chaplains, who were forced to resign for praying in Jesus' name.Click play to hear Pat Robertson's comments following CBN News Reporter Wendy Griffith's report...."-See Pastors vs IRS a week after. Why is not Big Media covering this? where the Governor endorses the ban to pray in Jesus name and see Six VA Troopers Quit Over Prayer Rules .

Christians Rally for VA Police Chaplains-"One of the chaplains spoke with CBN News and said he resigned because he felt like the state was forcing him to deny his personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Click play for his comments."

Minnesota

School settles over pro-life T-shirts-"The Thomas More Law Center has claimed victory in a case in which school officials violated a student's free-speech rights.
Center attorney Brian Rooney says the 12-year-old sixth-grader in Hutchinson, Minnesota, wore pro-life T-shirts, designed by the American Life League, to declare his belief that abortion robs an innocent person of life and is an offense to God....In a press release by the Thomas More Law Center, a national public-interest law firm whose services are free of charge, Rooney contends the school threatened the student with suspension if he kept wearing the pro-life T-shirts. However, the threats violate the school's policy on free speech. "The school has a written policy that allows children to wear these types of messages," Rooney adds. "It says [students may wear them] as long as the messages do not cause a disturbance in the classrooms." The only disturbance, according to Rooney, was caused by the teachers and principal. School district officials did allow pro-homosexual students to wear T-shirts representing the Day of Silence held each year to promote acceptance of the lifestyle. Thomas More Law Center filed a lawsuit, but the school district has settled out of court and will permit pro-life T-shirts.

Michigan

Detroit police concede victory in pro-life lawsuit-"A war between a pro-life demonstrator and Detroit police has been solved, for now.
The incident involved a demonstration at a pregnancy center involving pro-abortion and pro-life supporters. Pro-life activist Dr. Monica Miller witnessed pro-abortion activists assault a pro-lifer, so she called police. According to a Thomas More Law Center press release, the police issued Miller a ticket when she refused to march in the same circle as the pro-abortion picketers....The Law Center then filed suit, but it was settled after Detroit agreed not to pursue criminal charges against Dr. Miller and acknowledged that citizens can lawfully and peacefully protest on public sidewalks. "Our lawsuit put the Detroit Police Department on notice that there are consequences for disregarding the First Amendment rights of those who speak out on behalf of the unborn," Boling says."

Canada

Saskatchewan marriage commissioner sues after being fined for refusing to “marry a gay couple”-"Winnipegsun.com reports: “A marriage commissioner is suing the Saskatchewan government after being fined $2,500 for refusing to marry a gay couple.” The Commissioner contends that it would violate his Baptist faith to perform the ceremonies."

Canadian Human Rights Commission Consultant's Report Calls For Repeal of “Hate Speech” Law-"Constitutional law expert Richard Moon of the University of Windsor has recommended that the Canadian government scrap Section 13 of the Human Rights Act, the "hate-speech" provision which empowers the CHRC to censor the Internet and other electronic media. Moon instead said that hate speech on the internet, rather than being made the domain of the commissions, should instead be left as the domain of the criminal court system.
The recommendation has come as a shock to many, who expected Moon, who was chosen by the CHRC to prepare the report, to puppet the CHRC’s stance on the need for the commissions to prosecute “hate speech.” Instead Moon has aligned himself firmly with the many critics of the CHRC who argue that the commission are increasingly posing a threat to freedom of speech....Prominent Human Rights Commission critic Ezra Levant commented on his blog that he was surprised at Prof. Moon's call for the repeal of section 13, but not surprised that the CHRC will not follow his recommendation.
"I’m surprised, because Moon was hand-picked by Jennifer Lynch, the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s chief commissar, and was paid more than $50,000 by her for his 42-page report (nice work, if you can get it.)”...Despite resistance from the CHRC, the movement to abolish Section 13 of the Human Rights Act is gaining considerable momentum. At the Conservative party’s national policy convention earlier this month over 99% of the delegates voted to remove authority from the Canadian Human Rights Commission to regulate, receive, investigate or adjudicate complaints related to Section 13.
Levant said he was “delighted” with the vote. The message is clear, said Levant: “The party's grass-tops activists … support freedom of speech and thought, and now see the Canadian Human Rights Commission for what it is: a violator of rights, not a protector of them.”
The Moon report is available on the CHRC website, at http://www.chrc-ccdp.gc.ca%22/- Also, see Faith and Foreign Policy where Canadian conservatives won big in their election inspite of unpopularity of Bush that liberals were pushing in Canada.

India

Protecting India's Minority Faiths-"Dr. Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy is the Chief Minister of India's Andhra Pradesh state. Andhra Pradesh borders the state of Orissa, where for weeks Hindu radicals have waged a fierce battle against Christians.
Dr. Reddy was elected Chief Minister (equivalent to a US Governor) in 2004 promising to uplift the downtrodden and neglected segments of Indian society. For the past four years, this charismatic and one of India's most popular politicians, has devoted his energy to securing the rights of the poor and the underprivileged.
In an exclusive interview with CBN News' George Thomas, Dr. Reddy spoke about the challenges facing Christians in Orissa and the need to create a more peaceful and harmonious society. Click play to watch George's interview with Dr. Reddy."

Update 12/05/2008 Obama Raises $104 Million in 5 Weeks-"Barack Obama's presidential campaign reports raising $104 million in October and November. It marks a grand finale to a successful bid that shattered fundraising records. Overall, Obama raised nearly $750 million during his odyssey to the presidency. Campaign finance reports covering the period from Oct. 15 to Nov. 24 were due to the Federal Election Commission on Thursday. The Democrat's fundraising and his spending eclipsed that of his Republican rival, John McCain. Obama was the first presidential candidate since the campaign finance reforms of the 1970s to raise private donations during the general election. McCain opted to accept public financing. That limited him to $84 million to spend from the beginning of September until Election Day."

Campaign Financing

Obama’s Small Donor Juggernaut More Myth than Reality, Report Shows-"It was widely reported that Barack Obama’s historic presidential win was fueled by an army of small donors, often contributing $5 and $10, at an unheard of rate in American history, but a recent study shows that Obama’s small donor base – and possibly reports of unparalleled youth-voter turnout – was more myth than reality. The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) study says that 26 percent of donors to Obama’s presidential campaign gave $200 or less, the definition of a small donation. That’s compared to 25 percent for President George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign....“The myth is that money from small donors dominated Barack Obama’s finances,” said CFI Executive Director Michael J. Malbin. “The reality of Obama’s fundraising was impressive, but the reality does not match the myth.”...News reports that seemingly overstated the power of small donations in Obama’s campaign are similar to those stories that reported young voters – ages 18 to 29 – mobilized in droves as never before to elect Obama as president...However, the percentage of voters falling into this age category did not soar. There were 17 percent in that age category casting a ballot in 2004 compared to 18 percent in 2008, according to exit polling data from Edison Media Research/Mitofsky International....“All this publicity about droves of young people that were sending him small contributions and it was a revolution in campaign finance was all a smokescreen to cover the fact that he was rejecting public funding, having said he would accept it, and he was taking large major contributions hand-over-fist,” author and former campaign consultant Dick Morris told CNSNews.com. In total, Obama’s presidential campaign raised $452.8 million compared to McCain who raised $204.4 million. McCain was constrained by the same public financing system used by both candidates in the 2004 race, which Obama opted out of this year allowing him to raise an unlimited amount. In 2004, Bush raised $256 million compared to Kerry’s $215.9 million....Voter “turnout was only about 4 million higher, while as from ’00 to ’04 it grew by 20 million,” Morris said. “The big change was that the black percentage rose from 11 to 13. But other than that, it was essentially the same electorate.”...“The fact is that Obama’s financial juggernaut broke records at all contributions levels. The reality does not match the myth, but reality itself was impressive.”

Also, see Washington Post admits "a serious omission"/"one gaping hole in coverage"/"13 percent were about issues"/"there were few on religious issues"

Time Journalist Calls Out NYT's "Extreme Pro-Obama Coverage"-"Time Magazine journalist Mark Halperin ripped contrasting NYT profiles of Cindy McCain and Michelle Obama (both written by Jodi Kantor, pictured) as his prime examples of slanted campaign coverage. Time Magazine journalist Mark Halperin thinks his colleagues were guilty of “extreme pro-Obama coverage" during the 2008 campaign, and the New York Times came in for particularly detailed criticism.

"It's the most disgusting failure of people in our business since the Iraq war," Halperin said at a panel of media analysts. "It was extreme bias, extreme pro-Obama coverage."
Halperin, who maintains Time's political site "The Page," cited two New York Times articles as examples of the divergent coverage of the two candidates.
"The example that I use, at the end of the campaign, was the two profiles that The New York Times ran of the potential first ladies," Halperin said. "The story about Cindy McCain was vicious. It looked for every negative thing they could find about her and it case her in an extraordinarily negative light. It didn't talk about her work, for instance, as a mother for her children, and they cherry-picked every negative thing that's ever been written about her."
The story about Michelle Obama, by contrast, was "like a front-page endorsement of what a great person Michelle Obama is," according to Halperin.

Americans Still See Media as Biased After No Abortion Coverage in Election-"Another new poll finds a strong majority of Americans still see the news media as biased and they are increasingly turning to the Internet for news. That's no surprise given a recent study finding the mainstream media failed to cover the issue of abortion during the presidential elections.
A Zogby Poll, commissioned by IFC, found 72.6% believe the news they read and see in the mainstream media is biased.
Although there is a partisan divide on the intensity of the feelings that the media is biased, a majority of both parties hold the view. Zogby found 88.7% of Republicans and 57.5 percent of Democrats describe the news media as biased.
When it comes to determine the most reliable source of news, 37.6% of those asked consider the Internet the most reliable, with 20.3% saying national television programs and 16 percent saying radio news is the best.
When asked to name which television network provided the most unbiased news, 39.3% of those surveyed trust FOX News most for the issues they consider most important, followed by CNN with 16% and MSNBC with 15%."

See Obama's tax plan changes to more like a Republican one? Also, Election coverage TV ratings in!!! for more context.

Obama Rolls out Economic Course-"Obama will also surround himself with new key economic players. The big name - Timothy Geithner - the president of the New York Federal Reserve will become Obama's new treasury secretary, the key government point man. When his name was leaked Friday, the stock market took off, gaining 500 points."

Next Treasury Secretary: NY Fed's Tim Geithner-"the pick of Treasury Secretary was deemed by many the most important choice for Obama, even topping the high-profile positions of Secretaries of State and Defense...News of Geithner's appointment was well-received by Wall Street, where stocks surged Friday afternoon. Billionaire investor and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) head Warren Buffett, a supporter of Obama during the general election, also told FOX Business he believes Geithner is a good choice for Treasury....Geithner might be a tough sell as representing change from the status quo as he was intimately involved in a number of controversial decisions, including the decision to allow Lehman Brothers to become the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history, a move thought to have worsened the credit crisis.
Geithner is also tied to the hotly-debated decision to give AIG an emergency loan and helped orchestrate the firesale of Bear Stearns to JPMorgan Chase (JPM) last March. "

Obama's Tax Hike for the Rich May Be Delayed-"An economic crisis, rising joblessness and a credit squeeze can make a president-elect refine his words. Today's word is "repeal." During his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to repeal President George W. Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy ahead of their scheduled expiration in 2011. It was part of how Obama would pay for an overall net tax cut aimed at low- and middle-income taxpayers, and an effort to bring what he called "fairness" to the tax system. No one is talking tax hikes now....Aides later said the plan would not include any of the tax increases Obama, as a candidate, had said he would impose on taxpayers who make more than $250,000....Asked Monday when those hikes might go into effect, Obama said, "Whether that's done through repeal, or whether that's done because the Bush tax cuts are not renewed, is something that my economic team will be providing me a recommendation on."...If repealed early, Obama's tax increase on the rich would have generated significant revenue, but not enough to compensate for the cost of his tax cuts. An analysis by the Tax Policy Center, based on January 2008 income projections, estimated that the increases would result in about $43 billion in revenue in 2009 and $45 billion in 2010. Those numbers would be smaller now, as the economy has lowered expected incomes. Obama's economic advisers say he will not propose any tax increases in the economic plan he unveils in January. It is to be focused entirely on job creation and economic recovery."

President-Elect Obama Introducing Economic Leadership Team on Monday-"But there were no plans to balance the tax cuts with an immediate tax increase on the wealthy. During the campaign, Obama said he would pay for increased tax relief by raising taxes on people making more than $250,000. "There won't be any tax increases in the January package," said one Obama aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of the Obama package have not been fleshed out. Obama could delay any tax increase to 2011, when current Bush administration tax cuts expire."

Alan Colmes Leaving 'Hannity & Colmes'-"Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity is losing his liberal half. Alan Colmes of the network's "Hannity & Colmes" said Monday that he'll be leaving the prime-time show after 12 years. He'll continue as a commentator on Fox programs, keep doing his radio show and is developing a weekend show at Fox.

"We have a Democratic House, Senate and president," Colmes said in an interview. "My work is done."

Colmes said he approached an executive Fox earlier this year about wanting to try something different and ending his time on the show, which airs live each weeknight. He said he was "looking forward to having dinner with my wife a couple of times a week."

Their show is second only to Fox's "The O'Reilly Factor" in prime-time cable ratings, and competes against Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and Larry King on CNN.

No decision has been made on who will replace Colmes, or whether he will be replaced at all.

Hannity has been the bigger star in media circles and recently signed a contract extension. Hannity also does his own solo weekend show at Fox.

Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes said Colmes "is one of the key reasons why Fox News has been such a remarkable success. We're sad to see him leave the program but we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the network."

Hannity said he'll miss his sparring partner.

"I'm proud that both Sean and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years," Colmes said."-This is sad. I have found this show to be the most fair and balanced I have yet to view. It also, shows how a liberal and conservative can be passionately liberal and conservative and yet still tolerate each other. I hope they find an equal to Colmes to replace him and that this show remains in this fair and balanced context. Below is a show from 01/08 but also, see more Hannity and Colmes interviews at Hannity and Colmes

But First an excellent 7 minute

Volition-Excellent shrot film that one $10k prize being 1 of 15 finalist.

Texas

Texas Bishop Repents Publicly for Catholic Hospital That Was Doing Sterilizations-"In yet another sign of revival in the Catholic Church in America, a US bishop has taken the rare step of publicly repenting for failing to ensure respect for life at Catholic hospitals under his jurisdiction....Bishop Alvaro Corrada, SJ, initiated an investigation following the report and has today issued a public admission of guilt after finding that Catholic hospitals were in fact illicitly carrying out sterilizations. (See: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008_docs/tylerbishopstateme).

"As a Bishop, I am deeply saddened and upset by this news," said the Bishop. He added: "As Bishop of the Diocese of Tyler, I have to admit my failure to provide adequate oversight of the Catholic Hospitals as regards their protection of the sacred dignity of each human person."

Tennessee

Tennessee Pro-Life Advocates Hope Legislature Will OK Abortion Amendment-"The presidential elections were a setback for the pro-life community, but pro-life advocates in Tennessee may have actually made gains. They think there is a chance to get the legislature to finally approve an amendment that would make the Tennessee Constitution abortion-neutral.
In 2000, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled 4-1 that the Tennessee Constitution contains a fundamental abortion right even broader than Roe v. Wade or the federal constitution. The decision struck down numerous pro-life Tennessee laws that were helping women and limiting abortions.
The constitutional amendment is needed to nullify the decision and allow the state to enact limits on abortion or ban abortions if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned.
In 2006, the full Senate signed off on the idea on a 24-9 vote but a House subcommittee killed the measure.
Earlier this year, the same subcommittee, the House Public Health and Family Assistance Subcommittee defeated SJR-127 on a 6-3 vote as the Democratic-controlled panel has done before.
However, Republicans won control of the state House following the elections and observers say that makes it very likely both the House and Senate will approve the amendment.
"I feel confident that it'll pass both houses," Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey told WBIR. "It passed the Senate four times, there shouldn't be a problem."
A favorable vote for the amendment next year is just the beginning.
After getting a simple majority in the 2009-2010 session, lawmakers must then approve it by a two-thirds margin in the 2011-12 session and then voters would have a chance to consider it on the ballot in the 2014 election.
Tennessee Right to Life president Brian Harris told WBIR he is confident the amendment will get a better reception in the next legislative session.
"We have fought on the front lines for eight years to bring this matter to the public for an up or down vote," he said, and added that he is counting on the new Republican majority to follow through on its promise to pass the amendment.
"We are counting on them to keep their word," Harris said. "We are confident that they will."
A vote to approve the amendment would follow a poll showing most state residents either want all abortions illegal or want abortions limited to very few circumstances.
The latest Middle Tennessee State University poll finds almost 77 percent of state residents want more limits on abortions or abortions prohibited -- which the amendment would allow.
The proposal says "nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion."
In 2003, 14,933 abortions were reported performed on women residing in Tennessee. In 2004, the number dropped to 13,902, a 6.9% decline or 1,031 fewer abortions.
Related web sites:Tennessee Right to Life - http://tennesseerighttolife.org/

Adult Stem Cell success cases

Adult Stem Cell Success Stories 2008 Update: January-June-"Jill Rosen was diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome, a form of lupus and an autoimmune disorder causing blood clots, in 1997. Her health was gradually deteriorating....Amy Daniels is another successfully treated patient of Dr. Burt. In October 2004 she was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue in the body, the tissue that supports skin, and internal organs. The disease causes organs to grow hard and thick....Barry Goudy is also Dr. Burt's patient. All three patients presented their stories at an event hosted in the U.S. Capitol Building in March 2008 in the presence of Dr. Burt.
Barry Goudy was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in May 1995. Over the years the treatment became less effective....Physicians at the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Children 's Hospital, Fairview believe they are on the path to a cure for Nate Liao, a 25-month-old from Clarksburg , New Jersey. Nate has a fatal genetic skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa....Carron Morrow suffered her fourth heart attack at the age of 58 in July 2006. The decreased performance of the heart changed her life dramatically. Instead of her typical 70 hour workweek, she could only walk for 20 feet before taking rest....Benjamin Calvo, a math teacher, is one of many heart attack patients taking part in an adult stem cell clinical trial...Coenie de Jongh , a 68-year-old man from Bloubergstrand near Cape Town , South Africa underwent 21 years of unsuccessful heart treatments, including several heart procedures...Adult stem cells were used to repair the heart of Steve Nemeth...Sixty-five-year-old Robert Wise of Geneva was one of those patients. In 1999, he underwent a bone-marrow transplant from his brother, along with the injection of additional stem cells. ''I've been perfect ever since then and that was in 2000.'..."-And the list goes on and on!!!

Church and Family Philanthropy

Good News: Focus on the Family Helps to Find Homes for Colorado's Kids-"Nearly 250 families initiate the adoption process.
About 1,300 people flooded into New Life Church in Colorado Springs on Saturday. Their mission: To learn more about the 700 kids in Colorado’s foster care system waiting for adoptive families.
Focus on the Family and the other sponsors of the Wait No More event had hoped 100 families would feel led to welcome a child home.
“We are thrilled that nearly 250 families started the process of adoption from foster care, and we will continue our efforts until we are the first state with no more waiting kids in foster care," said Kelly Rosati, Focus on the Family’s senior director of Sanctity of Human Life.
Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, knows what it's like to be an orphan. He shares his story in his book, Finding Home.
Daly said the momentum needs to continue.
"The vision is clear from the Lord to take care of the widow and the orphan," he said. "I don’t want to turn my back on that. We’ll do what it takes to use Colorado as an example.
"I think the Lord will honor us because we’re taking care of the least among us, and for that reason I’m excited about it."
Wait No More is just the beginning. Focus on the Family’s Orphan Care Initiative supports adoptive families with post-placement resources.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONTo learn more, click here."

Despite Economy, More Willing to Give-"Even though America is experiencing a weak economy, it could mean good news for charities.
A new study by the Christian group World Vision found that even though Americans aren't planning to shop as much this holiday season, they plan to be more generous and look for meaningful gifts that help the poor.
Of those surveyed, 84 percent said they would rather receive a gift that would benefit someone else rather than themselves. About half said they would more than likely give a charitable gift."-Click play to watch as he tells CBN News more about what this study shows about Americans.

Wycliffe Gets Mega-Donation for Bibles-"Wycliffe USA, a ministry known for its efforts to translate the Bible into all of the world's known languages, has received $50 million contribution by an anonymous donor.
It marks the single largest donation in Wycliffe's 75-year history....Ministry officials say the gift will be used to help bring first-time literacy to more than 200 million people by the year 2025 by hastening Scripture translation. The multi-million dollar donation will go toward the ministry's Last Languages Campaign, a push to translate the Bible for remaining one-third of language groups worldwide that need one.
"Literacy is key to helping people work their way out of poverty and resist oppression by others," the anonymous donor said. "Children who first learn to read in their own language are more likely to become literate and to stay in school than those who first learn in a different language."-Click play to hear more from Wycliffe USA President Bob Creson on the huge anonymous donation as he speaks with CBN News Reporter Mark Martin.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD-"Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ."

Thanksfred.com-"Thanks to people like Fred (and you), Focus on the Family is able to assist families in need. Whether it’s answering a simple parenting question or counseling someone through the heartbreak of divorce, Focus on the Family is there to help. Your support is what makes it all possible. Please consider helping a family today by donating to Focus on the Family.
See how you can make a difference (pdf download, 3 mb)."-See all the needs that Focus on the Family is ministering to by clicking on the make a difference pdf both globally and locally!!!

A Young Entertainer's Chastity Pledge-"Fox News reports that while behind stage with Jordin Sparks at the American Music Awards last night, the “American Idol” alum “was truly flattered when we gave her credit for her chastity pledge and for setting herself apart from so many other trouble-makers in Tinseltown, saying a humble thank you multiple times.”Jordin Sparks, along with a few other young entertainers like the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, have made public their pledge to remain chaste until marriage. Sparks told Fox News that she takes the role model label very seriously. She says she remembers watching that very awards program a couple of years ago from home and realizing that there was really no young performer she could look to for inspiration.Cheers to Jordin Sparks for standing up to cultural pressure, for staying true to her beliefs, and for being a role model for teens.

And cheers to Fox News for reporting it!"

Help yourself by giving to children in need-"A Christian child development organization has partnered with the world's largest distributor of Christian products to fight poverty and help families stretch their Christmas budget.

Compassion International and Christian Book Distributors have formed a partnership that allows anyone who signs up to sponsor a Compassion International child before December 31, to receive a $25 gift card to ChristianBook.com. Steve Wilson of Compassion says the partnership encourages giving, in spite of a sour economy. "This is obviously the giving time of the year, and I think when we are going into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season -- at least for Christians -- it's a time that we can reflect on the good news of Jesus Christ and really are compelled to look at what we can do to help others around the world," he notes. Compassion International works in 25 of the poorest countries around the world."

American Remembrance

Proclamation Thanksgiving Day in 1777 by Congress

This is the text of the Continental Congress November 1, 1777 national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation; as printed in the Journals of Congress.

Saturday, November 1, 1777

The committee appointed to prepare a recommendation to the several states, to set apart a day of public thanksgiving, brought in a report; which was taken into consideration, and agreed to as follows:

Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of; and it having pleased him in his abundant mercy not only to continue to us the innumerable bounties of his common providence, but also smile upon us in the prosecution of a just and necessary war, for the defense and establishment of our unalienable rights and liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased in so great a measure to prosper the means used for the support of our troops and to crown our arms with most signal success:

It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance; that it may please him graciously to afford his blessings on the governments of these states respectively, and prosper the public council of the whole; to inspire our commanders both by land and sea, and all under them, with that wisdom and fortitude which may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God, to secure for these United States the greatest of all blessings, independence and peace; that it may please him to prosper the trade and manufactures of the people and the labor of the husbandman, that our land may yield its increase; to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

And it is further recommended, that servile labor, and such recreation as, though at other times innocent, may be unbecoming the purpose of this appointment, be omitted on so solemn an occasion.

American Remembrance

Proclamation Thanksgiving in 1791 by William Patterson November 21, 1791

This is the text of the November 21, 1791 William Paterson Thanksgiving Day proclamation, as he served as governor of New Jersey; as printed in the Gazette of the United States, November 26, 1791.

By His Excellency

William Paterson, Esquire,

Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief in and over the State of New-Jersey, and territories thereunto belonging, Chanceler, and Ordinary in the same.

Proclamation.

Whereas it is, at all times, our duty to approach the throne of Almighty God with gratitude and praise, but more especially in seasons of national peace, plenty, and prosperity; I have, therefore, thought fit, by and with the advice and consent of the Honorable the Privy Council, to assign Thursday the eighth day of December next, to be set apart and observed as a day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer for the great and manifold mercies conferred upon this land and people; and particularly for the abundant produce of the earth, during the present year, for the spirit of industry, sobriety, and economy which prevails: for the stability and extension of our national credit and commerce, for the progress of literature, arts and science, and for the good order, peace and plenty, and the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed. And also that we may unite in our supplications, and humbly implore the Almighty Ruler of the Universe, that he would be pleased to continue his protection and goodness to this land and people, to smile upon all schools and seminaries of learning; to promote agriculture, manufactures and commerce, to illuminate and guide our public councils, to bless our national and state governments, to enable us all to discharge our official, social and relative duties with diligence and fidelity, to eradicate prejudice, bigotry and superstition; to advance the interest of religion, and the knowledge and practice of virtue; and for this purpose to pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel, and to spread the saving light thereof to the most distant parts of the earth.

Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Trenton, the twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one.

William Patterson.

By his Excellency's command.
Bowes Reed, Sec'ry.

Related News from the otherside

Chuck Norris: “Thanksgiving: A violation of church and state?”-"Chuck Norris has this commentary in WorldNetDaily that begins:
Is government observance of Thanksgiving a violation of the separation of church and state?
In a culture on the fast track of secular progressivism, I knew sooner or later I would read or hear a news report that proclaimed there is something constitutionally errant with the state recognition of Thanksgiving, a holiday that is at its heart about thanks-giving to God. With the Christmas culture war almost passé, it was only a matter of time before the day that honors the Christian Pilgrims came under attack. Secularists seek to seize your nativities – and now they are trying to steal your turkey.
Last week a Newsweek/Washington Post editorial labeled presidential Thanksgiving day proclamations “cracks in the wall of separation.” The author explained, “The problem with these proclamations, it seems to me, is that they pave the way for public acceptance of gross violations of the constitutional separation of church and state. …” What?! . . ." I second that What?!

Update: 11/30/2008 Now more then 122,000 and counting!!!

Update: 11/27/2008 Now more then 95,000 since last Friday which is about 1,000 an hour!!!

It seems highly improbable but none the less it seems that the side asking for proof should be given proof unless there is something to hide so I have signed on asking for proof myself. This is going to be our next president and it seems the least he could do is prove that he is constitutionally illegible to be our president.

We will have to wait and see what happens. Below is an interesting article about more then this issue...

Also, see Is Obama eligible to be president? Some would like to know will Obama respond? Even a life long democrat wants to know before the Supreme Court.

Proofin' the prez: Who's in charge?-"A one-time vice presidential candidate who is considered an expert on the U.S. Constitution says it is up the electors from the 50 states to make certain President-elect Barack Obama is a natural-born U.S. citizen before they cast votes for him in the Electoral College Dec. 15.
"If they do their duty, they would make sure that if they cast a vote for Mr. Obama, that Mr. Obama is a natural-born citizen," Herb Titus, the Constitution Party's running mate to Howard Phillips in 1996, told WND today.
"I think it should be resolved. The duty is in the Electoral College. Every Obama elector that is committed to casting a vote on the 15th of December, they have a constitutional duty to make certain whether Mr. Obama is a natural-born citizen," he said.
If the electors fail their duty and Obama proves ultimately to fail the eligibility requirement of the U.S. Constitution, there would be only the laborious, contentious and cumbersome process of impeachment available to those who would wish to follow the Constitution, he suggested.
The issue of Obama's citizenship has been in the news for weeks as multiple legal claims have asserted the Democrat is not a natural-born U.S. citizen. There have been claims he was born in Kenya, that he's a British subject because of his father and that he lost his citizenship in Indonesia.
Two of the cases are pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and several others that have fallen by the wayside.
Also, thousands of people are jumping aboard a petition that demands documentation of Obama's eligibility to hold the highest office in the U.S., not just assurances from party officials.
Already, more than 75,000" (now 90,000) "petitioners have joined the effort coordinated by WND founder and editor Joseph Farah.
To participate, sign the petition here.
A report accompanying Farah's petition explains the many questions raised about Obama's eligibility, from an apparently fabricated "Certification of Live Birth" posted online to questions about what nation's passport he used to travel to Pakistan.
One case is scheduled for a conference among U.S. Supreme Court justices Dec. 5. Conferences are private meetings of the justices at which they review cases and decide which ones to accept for formal review. The Supreme Court's website listed the date for the case brought by Leo C. Donofrio against Nina Wells, the secretary of state in New Jersey, over not only Obama's name on the 2008 election ballot but those of two others, Sen. John McCain and Roger Calero.
The case, unsuccessful at the state level, was submitted to Justice David Souter, who rejected it. The case then was resubmitted to Justice Clarence Thomas for conference Dec. 5.
Titus holds a law degree cum laude from Harvard, is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and a long list of federal court districts, and helped found a law school. He told WND the framers of the Constitution specifically wanted the electors, citizen voters from all the states, to determine the presidency to avoid chief executives who are indebted to political parties or court decisions.
In 1788, Titus noted, Alexander Hamilton wrote in the Federalist Papers on the issue of the presidential election that "nothing was more to be desired than that every practicable obstacle should be opposed to cabal, intrigue, and corruption."
"They have not made the appointment of the president to depend on any pre-existing bodies of men, who might be tampered with beforehand to prostitute their votes; but they have referred it in the first instance to an immediate act of the people of America, to be exerted in the choice of persons for the temporary and sole purpose of making the appointment," Hamilton wrote. "And they have excluded from eligibility to this trust, all those who from situation might be suspected of too great devotion to the president in office. No senator, representative, or other person holding a place of trust or profit under the United States, can be of the numbers of the electors.
"Talents for low intrigue, and the little arts of popularity, may alone suffice to elevate a man to the first honors in a single state; but it will require other talents, and a different kind of merit, to establish him in the esteem and confidence of the whole Union, or of so considerable a portion of it as would be necessary to make him a successful candidate for the distinguished office of President of the United States," Hamilton wrote in support of the concept of the Electoral College.
If the electors fail, Titus said, "I think it moots the point."
"I don't think there is anything in the Constitution [that would allow a challenge based on a candidate's constitutional qualifications.]
"It would politically undermine Obama's re-election … and there may be an impeachment if someone concluded he deliberately misled the people, and knew he was not a natural-born citizen," he said.
Titus said the evidence clearly shows there are questions about Obama's birth that should be resolved. But he said he doesn't believe the courts will do anything, nor should they.
"If it's revealed it's only going to be [revealed because of] investigative journalism or by Obama himself," he said.
"It's only the Electoral College that has the duty and authority to determine is a person is qualified to be president," Titus said.
"We should act accordingly, get the names of all the electors, including McCain's electors, and urge them to do their duty," he said.
He said, however, the bottom line is that there are some people who would rather ignore the Constitution than dispense with a candidate who may be unqualified.
"Politically, [being ineligible] would be a very serious problem for [Obama,]" he said. "But there also would be people who would only shrug."
"It's up to the people. Essentially the Constitution is a covenant of the people with their government. If the people don't insist on their government officials abiding by the covenant, I don't know what you can do," he said.
Titus said the basis of a natural-born requirement traces back to the Old Testament, where Moses prophesied about the people of Israel getting a king.
"The whole notion of a natural-born citizen is designed for the purpose of making sure that the chief executive would not have politically divided loyalties," he said.
Supreme Court would decide?
Meanwhile, a veteran law enforcement officer and director of criminal justice courses says he believes the 2008 election results ultimately could come down to a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, which issued a ruling eight years ago that helped put George W. Bush in the White House.
The assessment comes from James H. Hafeman, a veteran of decades in law enforcement who supervised an armed security force, taught criminal justice and directed criminal justice programs in Michigan. He submitted a commentary to WND, outlining his evidence.
Hafeman said his argument is based mostly on the U.S. Constitution, which outlines the requirements for eligibility for president, including that the candidate be a "natural-born" citizen.
While replacing a president is outlined in the Constitution, he warned the replacement of a president-elect who is found to be ineligible isn't simple.
"While many have speculated that an official declaration of Obama’s ineligibility may lead to the appointment of Joe Biden as president, the speculation is inaccurate. Since it was up to the respective political party to properly vet their candidate before a primary election, they may not qualify to be rewarded for their lack of integrity. Additionally there is no separate balloting for president and vice-president; they share the same slot. Obama's ineligibility would effectively void the entire Obama-Biden ticket," he said.
Therefore, he said, other provisions likely would come into play.
"We already know that if two candidates have an equal number of Electoral College votes, the members of the House of Representatives will collectively choose the president. Many citizens have been led to believe that it is the responsibility of the House is to decide the winner by majority vote, but that is incorrect. Members of the House of Representatives from each state would meet in a state-caucus type of meeting and vote with all congressional members from their respective state. The majority of the state's delegation would only have only one vote. Out of the 50 votes allotted among the House of Representative members, 25 plus a minimum of one vote would be required to elect the president," he wrote.
William Ball, a political science professor at Northern Michigan University, has said, "The results of the Electoral College are sent to the president of the Senate, but if there is no winner, then the House of Representatives, not the whole Congress, decides who will be president. But, in this process the State of Vermont or Wyoming with their one vote each would have as much power as California or New York."
Hafeman said the Constitution demands the same process for a situation in which a seated president becomes ineligible, but Obama won't be inaugurated until Jan. 20.
"This may be the first known case where a presidential candidate intentionally attempted to side step the specific requirements of the Constitution in order to run for the office of president," Hafeman said. "The 12th Amendment is quite clear. If the president is found ineligible, the vice-president shall become the president. However, the key is the 'president,' not the president-elect. In other words, if Mr. Obama is found ineligible to hold the office prior to his January 20, 2009, inauguration, the 12th Amendment would not necessarily be the guiding instrument for the Supreme Court.
"The Justices would be free to make their own determination regarding the specifics of the general election," Hafeman wrote.
So, Hafeman concluded, the high court may have to make some decisions.
If the worse fears about Obama's birthplace prove true, Hafeman said, the court will have to decide the consequences for providing inaccurate assurances of eligibility.
"Second, what process will be used to designate someone who will assume the office?" he wrote.
"Since all the secretaries of state will be forced to nullify the Obama-Biden ticket, the Electoral College votes would go to the next highest contender. The principle would award McCain-Palin with the total possible Electoral College votes – all 538 electors," he suggested.
"In the national-interest scenario, the question that might be asked by the Democrats may focus on the question as to whether or not they could hold an emergency national convention in order for the party to re-nominate a president and/or another vice-president candidate. If the Supreme Court declares the entire election invalid, then that may be a possibility, but it is highly unlikely since every other presidential team on the ticket were legitimate," he wrote.
"The Supreme Court may decide a new election is in order and would have to waive the two-term limitations of George W. Bush so that he can remain in office until the conclusion of the election. The continuation of his term is a viable course of action, but it may not be an action favored by the Supreme Court. Instead, the justices may simply view the anomaly as a political race with an illegitimate and disqualified opponent, which would result in a win for the McCain-Palin ticket."
On WND's new forum page, the level of frustration was rising. Dozens contributed their thoughts immediately after the forum was posted:
"What makes Obama non-respon[sive] to the simplest of requests?" asked one reader. "Does he think that it is politically incorrect to ask for authentication of the myriad of facts about himself … Is he testing the grounds to see how far he can play with this charade?"
Other comments included:
"Obama won his first election ever by getting three Democratic opponents thrown off the ballot? He's all for using the law to help himself win. Wouldn't it be ironic if he is not allowed to serve as president due to the law? … Turn around is fair play!
"Even the left-wing liberal news media is beginning to ask the question: 'Who is this man we have elected? We really do not know much about him.'"
"Obama's refusal to produce the ORIGINAL given birth certificate gives us all pause. His silence on these allegations is deafening. The anointed one believes that if he can hold us all back until he's in the Oval Office he's hit a home run and he's 'safe.' Ah, not so! Check your law, Obama, and you will see that even if were to make it to the White House you will no longer be able to hide behind those red velvet ropes."
"There must be something that would have caused him great harm prior to the election, and would have stopped him from becoming elected. What could that little piece of information be?"

American Remembrance

: "The experience that was had in this commone course and condition tried sundrie years and that amongst godly and sober men may well evince the vanitie of that conceite of Platos and other ancients applauded by some of later times that the taking away of propertie and bringing in communitie into a comone wealth would make them happy and florishing as if they were wiser then God. For this comunitie so farr as it was was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much imployment that would have been to their benefite and comforte. For the yong men that were most able and fitte for labour and service did repine that they should spend then time and streingth to worke for other mens wives and children with out any recompence. The strong or man of parts had no more in devission of vktails and cloaths then he that was weake and not able to doe a quarter the other could this was thought injuestice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalised in labours and victails cloaths etc with the meaner and yonger sorte thought it some indignite and disrespect unto them. And for mens wives to be commanded to doe servise for other men as dresing their meate washing their cloaths etc they deemd it a kind of slaverie neither could many husbands well brooke it. Upon the poynte all being to have alike and all to doe them selves in the like condition and one as good as another and so if it did not cut of those relations that God hath set amongest men yet it did at least much diminish and take of the mutuall respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have bene worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none objecte this is men's corruption and nothing to the course it selfe I answer seeing all men have this corruption in them. God in his wisdome saw another course fiter for them.

But to returne. After this course setled and by that their corne was planted all ther victails were spente and they were only to rest on Gods providence at night not many times knowing wher to have a bitt of any thing the next day..."

So what did they do?

: "At length, after much debate of things, the Govr with the advise of the cheefest amongest them gave way that they should set corne every man for his owne perticuler and in that regard trust to them selves in all other things to goe on in the generall way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcell of land according to the proportion of their number for that end only for present use but made no devission for inheritance and ranged all boys and youth under some familie. This had very good success for it made all hands very industrious so as much more corne was planted then other waise would have bene by any means the Govr or any other could use and saved him a great deall of trouble and gave farr better contente. The women now wente willingly into the feild and tooke their litle ons with them to set corne which before would aledg weaknes and inabilitie whom to have compelled would have bene thought great tiranie and oppression"

Other news of related interest

Pilgrims Beat 'Communism' With Free Market-"Recalling the story of the Pilgrims is a Thanksgiving tradition, but do you know the real story behind their triumph over hunger and poverty at Plymouth Colony nearly four centuries ago? Their salvation stemmed not so much from the charitable gestures of local Indians, but from their courageous decision to embrace the free-market principle of private property ownership a century and a half before Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations.

Writing in his diary of the dire economic straits and self-destructive behavior that consumed his fellow Puritans shortly after their arrival, Governor William Bradford painted a picture of destitute settlers selling their clothes and bed coverings for food while others “became servants to the Indians,” cutting wood and fetching water in exchange for “a capful of corn.” The most desperate among them starved, with Bradford recounting how one settler, in gathering shellfish along the shore, “was so weak … he stuck fast in the mud and was found dead in the place.”

The colony’s leaders identified the source of their problem as a particularly vile form of what Bradford called “communism.” Property in Plymouth Colony, he observed, was communally owned and cultivated. This system (“taking away of property and bringing [it] into a commonwealth”) bred “confusion and discontent” and “retarded much employment that would have been to [the settlers’] benefit and comfort.”

Brink of ExterminationThe most able and fit young men in Plymouth thought it an “injustice” that they were paid the same as those “not able to do a quarter the other could.” Women, meanwhile, viewed the communal chores they were required to perform for others as a form of “slavery.”

On the brink of extermination, the Colony’s leaders changed course and allotted a parcel of land to each settler, hoping the private ownership of farmland would encourage self-sufficiency and lead to the cultivation of more corn and other foodstuffs.

As Adam Smith would have predicted, this new system worked famously. “This had very good success,” Bradford reported, “for it made all hands very industrious.” In fact, “much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been” and productivity increased. “Women,” for example, “went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn.”

The famine that nearly wiped out the Pilgrims in 1623 gave way to a period of agricultural abundance that enabled the Massachusetts settlers to set down permanent roots in the New World, prosper, and play an indispensable role in the ultimate success of the American experiment.

A profoundly religious man, Bradford saw the hand of God in the Pilgrims’ economic recovery. Their success, he observed, “may well evince the vanity of that conceit...that the taking away of property... would make [men] happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God.” Bradford surmised, “God in his wisdom saw another course fitter for them.”

Amen to that.

Thanksgiving Story: 2005

Plymouth’s Pilgrims may have survived that near-fatal brush with socialism but, sadly, many political leaders remain transfixed by a blind faith in the ability of government to shape and set the course of human behavior.

Case in point: the tenacious liberal belief that no connection exists between the tax burden we place on capital formation and the economic behavior of those who must shoulder that burden.

The liberal creed holds that investors will take economic risks and create jobs no matter how punitive the tax regime. To liberals, lowering that burden through reductions in the rate of taxation simply bestows an unwarranted windfall on the “rich” and deprives the government of much-needed tax revenue.

Of course, incentives matter every bit as much today as they did four centuries ago. The latest proof comes from figures released by the Treasury Department for the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30. They vindicate the predictions of conservative economists that the 2003 law, which included a number of pro-growth provisions such as cutting the top tax rate on capital gains and dividends to 15 percent, would be a raging success.

Compared to the previous year:
Total federal revenues grew by an astonishing 14.6%.
Corporate receipts exploded, increasing by 47%.
Payroll tax receipts, an indicator of employment growth, increased by a respectable 8%.
We have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season."

Voters Have Low Opinion of Congressional Democrats Key to the Economy-"Just 30% of U.S. voters have a favorable opinion of Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd, the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, while 37% view him unfavorably. One-third of voters (33%) don’t know enough about Dodd to have an opinion of him one way or the other. Of course, Dodd, who briefly ran for the Democratic presidential nomination this year, isn’t helped by news reports that he received preferential mortgages from Countrywide Financial and then later tried to engineer a federal bailout for the troubled lender when the housing bubble burst. Dodd also has been a big recipient of campaign contributions from the insurance industry and from the beleaguered mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Rep. Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the banking and housing industries, has an even bigger favorability gap. Twenty-seven percent (27%) have a favorable view of the Massachusetts congressman, but 42% regard him unfavorably, including 31% who say that view is Very Unfavorable. A similar number (32%) are not sure what they think of Frank. Frank has his own credibility problems with regards to the financial industry. He fought Bush Administration efforts to increase oversight over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, both of whom were large contributors to his campaigns."