Links ICDSoft.com: a great web hosting company with a quick and knowledgeable help desk.
Check out these links on Christianity, family values, history, conservative politics, homeschooling and autism—of special interest to me because my son is autistic.
Shabby Apple believes women should dress stylishly, but not have to compromise their modesty to look and feel good. Shabby Apple is a dress company whose main focus is offering women stylish choices for dressing modestly.
Federalist Patriot: the Internet's leading journal on Federalism and the Founders. Read this if nothing else. Check out the historical documents on the Federalist Patriot site.
Don Feder's web site : any attempt to separate America from God is a betrayal of our Republic
Dr. Paul Jehle, Plymouth Rock Foundation: to seek a greater public awareness and understanding of American history."
Marshall Foster, the Mayflower Institute: proclaiming the untold story of America's history, to prepare individuals and families to defend their Judeo-Christian heritage.
McKenzie Study Center, an institute of Gutenberg College, is dedicated to
exploring biblical Christianity and its implications for our world. MSC offers lots of articles and audio recordings regarding all things biblical.
Truth Publishers was founded by Gene Gurganus. Gene was a longtime missionary in Bangladesh and wrote a great book: The Peril of Islam. You can purchase this book on his website and check out other items he offers.
Christians for Life, a ministry in Topeka, Kansas, that helps churches and individuals to become the Hands of Jesus by becoming involved in the pro-life cause.
Healing Hearts: confidential one to one e-mail and support group counseling to anyone suffering from the affects of an abortion, or any type of abuse
Memorial for the Unborn: dedicated to healing generations of pain assoicated with the loss of aborted children
Youth Talk: a place where Christian teens can learn about issues and their faith
Christian youth mentoring: Our nation's at-risk children need your help -- the demand is overwhelming! Get involved with time and donations.
South Carolina Conservative
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from South Carolina Conservative.com on subjects of politics, history and Christian living
Thought for the day: In these uncertain economic times, now more than ever we must return to Jesus Christ and learn to be self-sufficient by doing such this as growing our own food.
Scripture of the Week: Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' " 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' " (Luke 14:16-24).
Quote of the Week: "A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest Man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society?....The Scriptures tell us "righteousness exalteth a Nation." Abigail Adams.
American Minute with Bill Federer www.AmericanMinute.com
D-Day was June 6, 1944. 156,000 troops landed on the Normandy coast of France in the largest invasion force in history.
Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight Eisenhower issued the order: "You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade... The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you... Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely... Let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
President Franklin Roosevelt said JUNE 6, 1944: "My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation.. I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God, Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization... They will need Thy blessings... Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom."
FDR concluded: "Help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith to Thee."
American Minute with Bill Federer
JUNE 5, 1967, the Six-Day War began.
Egypt sent 80,000 troops and 900 tanks to attack Israel. Jordan and Syria, with Soviet weapons, violently shelled Jerusalem and Israeli villages.
Cairo radio announced: "The hour has come in which we shall destroy Israel."
The hot line between Washington and Moscow was used for the first time.
In a surprise move, Israeli Air Force destroyed 400 Egyptian planes, courageously drove Syria from the Golan Heights and captured all of Jerusalem.
In a CBS-TV interview, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion said: "In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles."
Seven months after the War, on Jan. 7, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson toasted Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol, saying: "Welcome to our family table... All Americans-and all Israelis-know ... that none ... can ever live by bread alone... One of your ancestors said it for all men almost 2,000 years ago ... for peace it is written, 'pursue it.' That is our intention in the Middle East...To pursue peace... If we are wise, if we are fortunate, if we work together - perhaps our Nation and all nations may know the joys of that promise God once made about the children of Israel: 'I will make a covenant of peace with them...it shall be an everlasting covenant.' "
American Minute with Bill Federer June 3
The Dutch sent Henry Hudson to find a water route across America to the Pacific.
Though unsuccessful, Hudson claimed the land along the "Hudson" River, and there the Dutch West India Company founded New Netherlands, receiving its charter JUNE 3, 1621.
Franklin Roosevelt told the Detroit Jewish Chronicle, March 7, 1935: "All I know about the origin of the Roosevelt family in this country is that all branches bearing the name are apparently descended from Claes Martenssen Van Roosevelt, who came from Holland sometime before 1648."
The Chamber of Amsterdam wrote in articles for the Dutch Colony, 1624: "They shall within their territory practice no other form of divine worship than that of the Reformed religion...and thus by their Christian life and conduct seek to draw the Indians and other blind people to the knowledge of God and His word, without, however, persecuting any on account of his faith, but leaving each one the use of his conscience."
The Charter of Freedoms, June 7, 1629, gave land to wealthy "Patroons" who helped 50 families emigrate, stating: "Colonists shall...in the speediest manner...find out ways and means whereby they may support a Minister and Schoolmaster, that thus the service of God and zeal for religion may not grow cool."
In 1664, the Dutch Colony of New Netherlands was taken over by the English and renamed New York.
From Fred Payne, member Greenville County Council: A Call for Servant Leaders
When I ran for Greenville County Council in 2006, a grizzled old man asked me “Are you a crooked politician?” I answered, “No sir, I am not a politician. I desire to be a civil servant in the Romans 13 model which recognizes that all authority comes from God, God ordains governments, and civil servants are servants (deacons) of God.”
Since my election as a “civil servant,” I have had many opportunities to share a Christian perspective on real-world situations and live out my desire to be a “deacon” of God in local government. As you might expect or know, it is a big challenge to always say and do “what Jesus would do.” But being difficult doesn’t mean Christians need to stay out of everyday life. There are many signs of the numerous challenges facing America: · The culture is becoming more and more secular.
Media and government are working to intimidate, marginalize, and silence Christians.
Free Market Capitalism is being replaced by Big Government Socialism.
Liberty has been replaced by license.
Fifty to sixty million babies have been aborted since 1973.
There is no statistical evidence of church growth.
Americans are in combat half-way around the world.
And terrorists are at the door here at home.
In my opinion, America needs to humble itself, repent, and seek God for revival. And we need an emergence of Godly leadership. Heartfelt repentance will produce revival. Replacing “self serving politicians” with “civil servants” will give us Kingdom of God leadership. Jesus Christ defined leadership. He said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
For servant leaders to function in the role properly, they must see their organizational structure as a "V-shape"--with the leader (civil servant) at the bottom, supporting those within the community. The opposite, elitist leaders think of their community as a "pyramid shape" with the leader (politician) at the top. I choose to be a civil servant, not a politician.
I serve God by serving others in my family and church – as a deacon, Bible study teacher, and Foundation board member. I also serve God on Greenville County Council where I find joy in serving the interests of those who live in my district and beyond. And I ask for your prayers to always be faithful. I encourage all Christians to become involved leaders - beginning in our homes. Pray for our nation, state, and community, register to vote, elect civil servants, take stands on worldly issues, and get involved in providing Christian solutions. Today! 24/7/365!
As a civil servant,
Fred Payne Greenville County Council
Posted 4:50 p.m., Saturday, June 5
I'm the editor of The Palmetto Patriot, the quarterly publication of the South Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution. Here is our current issue.
Posted 1:40 p.m., Saturday, June 5
Rep. Gresham Barrett, candidate for South Carolina governor, campaigns at Tommy's Ham House in Greenville Saturday. View photo gallery.
Henry McMaster, South Carolina attorney general and candidate for governor, campaigns at Stax in Greenville with former Gov. David Beasley. View photo gallery.
Greenville County Republican Women hear from Jim Lee, Mick Zais, Converse Chellis and Walt Wilkins May 27. Candidates in attendance Trey Gowdy, Alan Wilson, Tom Corbin, Mike Meilinger. View photo gallery.
Humor: some of my favorite quotes attributed to Yogi Berra, former New York Yankees catcher
(thanks to Robin Connelly for sending these to me)
Most of his home runs were hit on artificial turf. — when asked why Johnny Bench hit more home runs than he did
Never answer an anonymous letter.
Overwhelming underdogs. — describing the 1969 New York Mets
Pitching always beats batting — and vice-versa.
Slump? I ain't in no slump! I just ain't hitting.
Steve McQueen looks good in this movie. He must have made it before he died.
Surprise me! — when his wife, Carmen, asked where he would like to be buried
The only reason I need these gloves is 'cause of my hands.
The other team could make trouble for us if they win.
Think? How are you gonna think and hit at the same time?
We have a good time together, even when we're not together. — talking about his wife, Carmen. He implied he likes to have some time away, but also likes to get back together.
You don't hit with your face. — Yogi's standard response whenever someone told him he wasn't handsome
I can't concentrate when I'm thinking.
At the May 17 meeting, the Upstate Republican Women heard from candidates Jim Lee, Christina Jeffrey, Henry McMaster, Leighton Lord, Eleanor Kitzman, and Mick Zais. View photo gallery.
From the American Minute (www.AmericanMinute.com) with Bill Federer
The first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court was the president of the American Bible Society. Who was he? John Jay, who died May 17, 1829.
A member of the Continental Congress, even serving as its president, John Jay signed the Treaty of Paris with Franklin and Adams, ending the Revolutionary War. Jay helped ratify the Constitution by writing the Federalist Papers with Madison and Hamilton.
In 1777, John Jay told an Ulster County Grand Jury: "The Americans are the first people whom Heaven has favoured with an opportunity of . . . choosing the forms of government under which they should live."
To the New York Convention, Dec. 23, 1776, John Jay said: "When you have done all things, then rely upon the good Providence of Almighty God for success, in full confidence that without his blessings, all our efforts will inevitably fail."
Jay continued: "The Holy Gospels are yet to be preached to these western regions, and we have the highest reason to believe that the Almighty will not suffer slavery and the gospel to go hand in hand. It cannot, it will not be."
On May 17, 1829, as he was dying, John Jay was asked if he had any last words for his children. He replied: "They have the Book."
To all the kids who survived the 1930s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who may have smoked or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then, after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets, and, when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps, not helmets, on our heads.
As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat..
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight.
WHY?
Because we were always outside playing . . . that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.
And, we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem..
We did not have Play Stations, Nintendos and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVDs, no surround-sound or CDs, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.
We had friends and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth, and there were no lawsuits from those accidents.
We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, orjust a bare hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse.
We ate worms, and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team.Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of.
They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
If YOU are one of those born between 1925-1970, congratulations!
You might want to share this with others who grew up before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
By Danielle Avel Why is it that President Obama can travel to Cairo to promote the wearing of the hijab, but when presented with an opportunity to make a relevant statement on women’s rights issues in the Middle East, he and his Administration are silent? It has been more than two weeks since Iran was handed a seat on the UN Commission on the Status of Women and still, not one word of condemnation from President Obama, Secretary Clinton, or UN Ambassador Rice. Granted, we have become conditioned to expect world-sanctioned hypocrisy over at the United Nations, but this new appointment comes at a time which is especially dangerous to the women who actually live in Iran. Read the rest.
Posted 6:55 a.m., Saturday, May 15
South Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution honors vets at Oakmont East in Greenville during National Nursing Home Week. View photo gallery.
Posted 12:50 p.m., Friday, May 14
Our son Tom Jr.'s last day at Hidden Treasure Christian School for disabled children.
Humor: some of my favorite quotes attributed to Yogi Berra, former New York Yankees catcher
(thanks to Robin Connelly for sending these to me)
A good ball club. — when asked what makes a good manager of a baseball team
A home opener is always exciting, no matter if it's home or on the road.
Don't get me right; I'm just asking!
No one goes there any more; it's too crowded.
A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
Even Napoleon had his Watergate.
Half the lies they tell about me aren't true.
I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.
I'm as red as a sheet.
I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did!
I guess that's the earliest I've ever been late. — on arriving five minutes late to an interview rather than his usual half-hour
I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.
I never blame myself when I'm not hitting. I just blame the bat, and if it keeps up, I change bats. After all, if I know it isn't my fault that I'm not hitting, how can I get mad at myself?
I wish I had an answer to that, because I'm tired of answering that question.
I'd find the fellow who lost it; and, if he was poor, I'd return it. — when asked what he would do if he found a million dollars
If I didn't wake up, I'd still be sleeping.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
It's never happened in World Series competition, and it still hasn't.
It's not too far; it just seems like it is.
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.
Posted 3 p.m., Sunday, May 9
From the American Minute (www.AmericanMinute.com) with Bill Federer
World War II ended in Europe on May 7, 1945, when German emissaries met at Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's headquarters, a schoolhouse in Reims, France, and signed an unconditional surrender.
After the war, Eisenhower was elected the 34th president by the largest number of votes in history. In remarks broadcast from the White House as part of the American Legion "Back-to-God" Program, Fe. 7, 1954, President Eisenhower said: "As a former soldier, I am delighted that our veterans are sponsoring a movement to increase our awareness of God in our daily lives. In battle, they learned a great truth -- that there are no atheists in the foxholes. They know that in time of test and trial, we instinctively turn to God for new courage. . . . Whatever our individual church, whatever our personal creed, our common faith in God is a common bond among us."
At the next year's "Back-to-God" Program, Feb. 20, 1955, Eisenhower said: "Without God, there could be no American form of Government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first -- the most basic -- expression of Americanism."
Although I am a modern feminist, like most people, I stopped paying serious attention to the feminist movement right around the time the movement lost its voice to political correctness. Unfortunately, there are no promising indicators that the current feminist establishment will be regaining that voice anytime soon. The silence of the movement on critical issues gives the impression that all is well for the women of the world, when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
Last week, Evangelical Rev. Franklin Graham was disinvited from the National Day of Prayer event at the Pentagon because of his remarks about Islam which included, “When you look at what the religion [Islam] does to women and women alone, it is just horrid.” Due to the level of media coverage surrounding this event, it was the perfect opportunity for some feminist group to seize the moment and speak out against the atrocities committed against women every day in the name of Islam, but the establishment chose to remain silent. Read the rest.
From the American Minute (www.AmericanMinute.com) with Bill Federer
May 5: National Day of Prayer history
President George Washington declared a National Day of Prayer after the Whiskey Rebellion, as did President John Adams when France threatened war, and President James Madison during the War of 1812.
President Tyler declared a Day of Prayer when President William Henry Harrison died, and as did President Zachary Taylor during a cholera epidemic.
President James Buchanan proclaimed a Day of Prayer to avert civil strife, as did Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
President Andrew Johnson proclaimed a Day of Prayer when Lincoln was shot, as did President Woodrow Wilson during World War I.
In 1952, President Harry Truman made the National Day of Prayer an annual event, saying: "In times of national crisis when we are striving to strengthen the foundations of peace . . . we stand in special need of Divine support."
President Ronald Reagan made it the first Thursday in May, saying: "Americans in every generation have turned to their Maker in prayer.... We have acknowledged both our dependence on Almighty God and the help He offers us as individuals and as a Nation.... Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States . . . do . . . proclaim May 5, 1988, as a National Day of Prayer. I call upon the citizens of our great Nation to gather together on that day in homes and places of worship to pray."
Posted 4:15 p.m., Saturday, May 8
Here's a video of my interview with Kelly Payne, candidate for South Carolina Superintendent of Education.
MAY 1, AD 305, the most powerful man in the world, Emperor Diocletian, stepped down from ruling Rome, only two years after he had begun a systematic persecution to exterminate Christianity. Diocletian forbade worship, burned books, arrested clergy and demanded pagan sacrifices. From Europe to North Africa, thousands were persecuted and martyred.Suddenly, Diocletian was struck with a painful intestinal disease and resigned. Eight years later Emperor Constantine ended the persecution of Christians.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan said: "In the fourth century, a monk thought he heard God telling him to go to Rome.... He followed a crowd into the Coliseum and saw the gladiators. He realized they were going to fight to the death. He cried out, 'In the Name of Christ, stop!' . . . made his way through the crowd and climbed the wall into the arena. . . . As he was pleading with the gladiators . . . one of them plunged his sword into [the monk's] body . . . his last words were, 'In the Name of Christ, stop!' Suddenly the gladiators stood looking at this tiny form. . . . In dead silence, everyone left."
Reagan continued: "That was the last battle in the Coliseum. One tiny voice. . . 'In the Name of Christ, stop!' We could be saying that today."
ON Friday, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed a law — SB 1070 — that prohibits the harboring of illegal aliens and makes it a state crime for an alien to commit certain federal immigration crimes. It also requires police officers who, in the course of a traffic stop or other law-enforcement action, come to a “reasonable suspicion” that a person is an illegal alien verify the person’s immigration status with the federal government.
Predictably, groups that favor relaxed enforcement of immigration laws, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, insist the law is unconstitutional. Less predictably, President Obama declared it “misguided” and said the Justice Department would take a look.
Presumably, the government lawyers who do so will actually read the law, something its critics don’t seem to have done. The arguments we’ve heard against it either misrepresent its text or are otherwise inaccurate. As someone who helped draft the statute, I will rebut the major criticisms individually: Read the rest.
Posted 9:20 a.m., Tuesday, April 27
English settlers landed in North America April 26, 1607, and their first act was to erect a wooden cross and have a prayer meeting.
Virginia's Charter, April 10, 1606 charter read: "Greatly commending . . . their Desires for the Furtherance of so noble a Work, which may, by the Providence of Almighty God, hereafter tend to the Glory of His Divine Majesty, in propagating of Christian Religion to such People, as yet live in Darkness and miserable Ignorance of the true Knowledge and Worship of God."
The Second Charter of Virginia, May 23, 1609, read: "The principal Effect which we can expect or desire of this Action is the Conversion and reduction of the people in those parts unto the true worship of God and the Christian Religion."
The charter continued: "It shall be necessary for all such our loving Subjects . . . to live together, in the Fear and true Worship of Almighty God, Christian Peace, and civil Quietness, with each other." (From AmericanMinute.com)
Posted 10:40 a.m., Monday, April 26
Inscribed on the walls of the Library of Congress are the following Bible verses:
"The light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (John 1:5).
"Wisdom is the principal thing therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7).
"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with thy God" (Micah 6:8).
"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handywork (Psalm 19:1).
Ads to Help American Muslims Escape Retaliation for Leaving Islam Back on Miami Dade Buses
ANN ARBOR, MI – It was the first time help was publicly offered to people threatened under Islam’s death penalty for leaving Islam. The ads on Miami-Dade buses stated, “Fatwa on your head? Is your family or community threatening you? Leaving Islam? Got questions? Get Answers!” Read more.
Posted 5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 22
Curtis Loftis, candidate for South Carolina treasurer; Nathan Earle, candidate for SC House District 17, Elizabeth Moffly, candidate for superintendent of education, and David Thomas, candidate for U.S. House District 4, speak to the Greenville County Republican Women April 22. View photo gallery.
At the April 19 meeting the Upstate Republican Women heard from Trey Gowdy, candidate for Congress, Henry McMaster, candidate for governor, Robert Bolchoz, candidate for attorney general, and Walt Wilkins, candidate for solicitor. View photo gallery.
Tea Party in Greenville, South Carolina. From left: state Rep. Nikki Haley, candidate for SC governor, Tom Hanson Jr., and Tom Hanson Sr. Photo gallery.
Posted 2:30 p.m., Sunday, April 11
Rep. Gresham Barrett, candidate for South Carolina governor, speaks of the Christian foundation in his life. Watch video.
President John Adams' son, John Quincy Adams, was U.S. Minister to Russia.
In September 1811, John Quincy Adams wrote from St. Petersburg to his son, Charles:
"My dear Son. . . You mentioned that you read to your aunt a chapter in the Bible . . . every evening. This information gave me real pleasure."
John Quincy Adams continued:
"So great is my veneration for the Bible, and so strong my belief, that when duly read and meditated on, it is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy-that the earlier my children begin to read it . . . the more lively and confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens of their country."
This correspondence was published after his death as Letters of John Quincy Adams to his son, on the Bible and its Teachings.
President John Quincy Adams' grandson was Henry Adams, an American historian.
From his perspective of being related to some of America's founders, Henry Adams, who died March 27, 1918, wrote in his nine-volume work, History of the United States:
"The Pilgrims of Plymouth, the Puritans of Boston, the Quakers of Pennsylvania, all avowed a moral purpose, and began by making institutions that consciously reflected a moral idea."
Posted 8:15 p.m., Thursday, March 25
Greenville County Republican Women hear from state Rep. Nikki Haley, candidate for South Carolina governor; Major Gen. Bob Livingston, candidate for adjutant general; and Dr. Brent Nelsen, candidate for superintendent of education. View photo gallery.
GOP primary candidates Rep. Nikki Haley, Major Gen. Robert Livingston and Dr. Brent Nelsen addressed the Greenville County Republican Women March 26.
Nikki Haley
Rep. Haley of Lexington County is a candidate for governor. She began her political career in 2004 by defeating the longest-serving state legislator in the Republican primary.
When Rep. Haley took office, she saw that legislators were passing bills on voice votes that grew government without putting their names with their votes, and citizens had no way of knowing the spending habits of their legislators.
Rep. Haley filed a bill in 2007 requiring votes to be recorded. A report that year showed that of all the bills passed by the South Carolina House, only 8 percent were on the record, and in the Senate, only 1 percent were on the record.
Rep. Haley told the House Republican leadership that passage of her bill would make legislators accountable and “the people will start to trust us again.” The leadership replied: “Put the bill away. We don’t need to have it. We will decide what the public needs to see and what they don’t.”
The leadership then “stripped me” of committee assignments. In Rep. Haley’s first year in the state legislature she was chairman of the freshman class, and the second year she was majority whip. The third year she was put on a powerful business committee, and in her fourth year she was chairman.
Rep. Nathan Ballentine of Lexington and Richland counties was the only legislator who stood with Haley, and they stripped him of everything as well, Rep. Haley said.
Rep. Haley announced that the House passed her bill that morning that would make permanent that every House vote be on the record, and she called on the Senate to do the same.
For more information visit the Haley for Governor web site at http://www.nikkihaley.com/
Major Gen. Robert Livingston
Major Gen. Robert Livingston is a candidate for adjutant general.
Gen. Livingston said the adjutant of general is the head of the National Guard, which is the operational reserve for the U.S. Armed Forces, rotating into harm’s way.
The South Carolina National Guard will continue to deploy 1,000 to 3,500 personnel every year for the foreseeable future, he said, and respond to Homeland Security incidents – natural and manmade disasters. The National Guard is the fifth-largest employer in the state; and will be challenged in the future with budget cuts.
Gen. Livingston led a division of 9,000 people from 18 nations in Afghanistan. He commanded a task force of 8,000 soldiers who were responsible for military installations east of the Mississippi. He has served as a two star general at the National Guard Bureau, and on the staff of Gen. David Petraus at Central Command in Tampa, Florida.
Gen. Livingston has served in the National Guard for 31 years starting as a private. Gen. Livingston has been endorsed by the current adjutant general, Stan Spears.
Gen. Livingston’s campaign web site is www.generallivingston.com. Dr. Brent Nelsen
Dr. Brent Nelsen, a professor at Furman University, is a candidate for superintendent of education. He called for the development of a world class educational system in South Carolina.
Dr. Nelsen gave three numbers of where South Carolina is now and where it needs to go: 61 – 48 – 12.4.
61 is the percentage of South Carolina students who graduate on time from high school, which ranks the state 50th out of 51 (including the District of Columbia) in the country, and 15th out of 16 in the Southeast. 48 is the ranking of South Carolina students on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and 12.4 is the unemployment rate.
Dr. Nelsen said if we can increase educational attainment we can bring the unemployment figure down and per capita income will rise.
Dr. Nelsen promotes three ways we can improve education in South Carolina: 1) offering more choices, customized and individualized education in the public school system: charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schools, schools within schools, and inter- and intra-district choices; 2) freeing teachers from excessive regulation in the classroom and appropriately evaluating their performance, paying the best ones more and finding new jobs for those who do not measure up; and 3) encouraging families and communities get involved in our schools.
For more information visit the campaign web site at www.BrentNelsen.com
Posted 10:55 a.m., Tuesday, March 23
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer officially announces candidacy for South Carolina governor. Photo gallery.
Craig Hartman, URW President Suzette Jordan
Major Gen. Bob Livingston
Tom Corbin announces his candidacy for South Carolina House District 17 March 15 and files candidacy papers March 17 at Greenville County Republican headquarters. Visit the campaign web site at www.VoteCorbin.com
JourneyForth Books hosted an author reception March 12 on the campus of Bob Jones University, celebrating the release of Through Jewish Eyes by Craig Hartman and God Is More than Enough by Jim Berg.
God Is More than Enough, is intended to reach Christians who feel trapped by anxiety, despair or guilt. Blending vivid illustrations and real-life stories with biblical truth, Jim Berg offers practical wisdom for overcoming the stresses of life and finding God’s peace. Christians who have reached the end of their own strength will be blessed by this look at the heart of God—His love, His faithfulness, and His power to help those who are suffering.
Through Jewish Eyes looks at the Jewishness of biblical Christianity. In this book, readers discover a myriad of parallels between Jewish customs and New Testament truth. Drawing from his own Jewish heritage, Craig Hartman demonstrates how to use these parallels as points of contact for gospel witness and for a better understanding of the New Testament’s Jewish background. He emphasizes the need for Christians to reach their Jewish neighbors and co-workers with news of the Messiah. Hartman is the director of Shalom Ministries in Brooklyn, New York, and a speaker at conferences and churches across the country.
Through Jewish Eyes and God Is More than Enough are sold in Christian bookstores and online at www.journeyforth.com
AMSTERDAM, March 5 (Reuters) - After scoring gains in local elections, Dutch anti-immigration politician Geert Wilders is now primed to make waves in a national poll in June by tapping into discontent over Islam and globalisation.
In the first test of public opinion since the collapse of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's coalition government last month, Wilders' Freedom Party (PVV) became the largest party in the city of Almere and came second in The Hague on Wednesday.
Drawing strength from a savvy public relations machine and a populist anti-immigration stance that plays well with part of the electorate, Wilders also represents a vote against the political elite, political experts say.
"He thrives on discontent in society and multiculturalism and he has targeted Islam," said Nico Landman, an associate professor in Islamic studies at Utrecht University. Read the rest.
Posted 10:50 a.m., Thursday, March 4
Military Wisdom
"If the enemy is in range, so are you." — Infantry Journal
"It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed." — US Air Force Manual
"Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword, obviously never encountered automatic weapons." — General MacArthur
"You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me." — U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt.
"Tracers work both ways." — U.S. Army Ordnance Manual
"Five second fuses only last three seconds." — Infantry Journal
"Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once." — Maritime Ops Manual
"If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him." — USAF Ammo Troop
"The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire." —Unknown Author
"When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash." — Multi-Engine Training Manual
"Without ammunition, the USAF is just an expensive flying club." — Unknown Author
"If you hear me yell; 'Eject, Eject, Eject!' the last two will be echoes. If you stop to ask 'Why?' you’ll be talking to yourself, because you're the pilot." — Pre-flight Briefing from a 104 Pilot
"What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; but If ATC screws up, .... the pilot dies." — Sign over Control Tower Door
"Mankind has a perfect record in aviation — we have never left one up there!" — Unknown Author
"Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it." — Emergency Checklist
"The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you." — Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot)
As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives. The rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks, "What happened?" The pilot’s reply: "I don't know, I just got here myself!"
You've really, really got to read these books. They changed my life.
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. What Happens When God's Spirit Invades the Hearts of His People.
If you've hit the wall for the 32nd time, this book is for you.
God has specific assignments for your life. But how do you discover them? How will you hear His voice? How will you know His will for your life? Read this book and find out. The whole Christian church needs to read this.
Hanson Communications
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