First a must see video arguing for a Values Vote from www.CatholicVote.com. (I am not a Catholic as you all probabily know but this is an excellent argument for a Value Vote. A must view.)
Also, note below that McCain this last week according to fivethirtyeight.com just passed Obama in the Electoral College polls and has continued to build his lead and also, that more Republicans in the polls have self-identified as Republicans and that even the congressional and senate races are now closer then ever before. I wonder if this has anything to do with the GOP making some excellent stands in the RNC and Palin. (See GOP Platform the most pro-family and pro-life in the history of the GOP!!!!) Which has almost unaminously excited the social conservative base of the Republican Party and social conservatives like James Dobson are now in the Republican boat. Notice Big Media is not reporting on this in any meaningful detail. This is big news even if it favors one party over the other and isn't that what Big Media has been saying about Obama and why so much attention given to him in his campaign. Well what about when it happens on the other side? Big Media!!!
Since McCain won the primaries to the social conservative grin, Big Media had reports that social conservatism was dead or not as influential in the Republican party as before. When my interpretation of McCain's win was largely because all the social conservative votes in the primaries were split amongst those who were appealing to social conservatives like Romney and Huckabee and so McCain won because we social conservatives were splitting up our votes. Social Conservativism is very much alive in the Republican party as it was in the primaries and now maybe even more so since McCain has earned the votes of social conservatives by his continued meetings with social conservative leaders before Saddleback (by the way unreported by Big Media) then his excellent showing at Saddleback (largely unreported by Big Media on the 4 Big TV networks) and then his excellent choice in a strong social conservative VP (inspite of Big Media over criticism in comparison to Biden and Obama which only added to the already perceived media as Big from the RNC) and then his excellent choice in allowing without arguments the GOP platform to be the most pro-life and family platform in the history of the GOP. I am not saying that the social conservative base is the majority of the Republican party but it is enough to make the election of a Republican president necessary and that is great news for conservative moral values in our country. The values that made America possible in the first place and has continued to allow America to be salt and light in America and in this world!!!
Now the concern will be what McCain will do after elected. It is pretty clear McCain is pro-life so I don't have to many concerns there except in Embryonic Stem Cell Research however, if he wants to be relected another 4 years I think he will be more likely to be convinced to stay away from that issue then would Obama. And the same goes for some of the other issues. I believe McCain believes that if he keeps the social conservatives on his side he will do better then if he doesn't so if he does have policies that violate a social conservative base then he will be more likely to consider not doing so. This is we the people at work checking and balancing our leaders and it only works if their is a number of social conservative voters out there. So get out your vote and even if you disagree with McCain on some issues we have to get the moral issues down right and even if you believe McCain is doing this to get elected we can still hold him more accountable then if Obama were elected. So our voice will matter in the McCain campaign as opposed to the Obama.
Our issues are not above McCain's pay grade as they are above Obama's!!!!!!!!!! McCain is not perfect but has indeed considered our concerns and in my opinion has earned our vote so lets let the Republican party know how important we are by rewarding McCain for his stance on these issues and get out to the voting booth like never before!!! Let's support this president by continuing to encourage him to make the right decisions!!! If we don't then what are we saying. We are essentially saying that even if a president makes the right values voter decision it will be at the expense of his political career. Let us never let a president who takes a stand as McCain has in appealling to his social conservative base pay for it. At least not from us....and encourage others to do the same for the sake of American Values. If McCain loses let it not be because we didn't do our job in getting out the vote for him!!!
Remember that God is in control not voters or any president but God does use people and presidents providentially to bring about His plan for history (Jesus is a perfect example of how God uses even terribly bad situations for His good. Even when the people are bad and the ruler is bad, God used them to bring about the cross of Christ and the greatest love ever displayed from a God to the world. Sometimes to get our attention God has to shake things up and calls us to look in the futuer for hope.). So all in good context let's see what God has ordained for November elections. Remember the congressional and senate races, also!!! Even if our candidate loses God calls us to the future and to trust in Him above any candidate anyways!!! We are in a no lose situation if we trust Him above all else!!!
Oprah Winfrey and socially conservative women
Florida women's group to boycott Oprah-"The Florida Federation of Republican Women are boycotting The Oprah Winfrey Show after the talk-show host refused to allow Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a guest on her show before the election. FFRW also urges subscribers to the celebrity's magazine, O, to cancel their subscriptions. Cindy Graves, a vice president of FFRW, says Oprah Winfrey built her career catering to women and the advancement of women's rights. Now, Graves says Winfrey is alienating a large portion of her audience by refusing to interview Governor Palin before the election. "This [story] is...a women's issue, again, regardless of whether you support Governor Palin or you don't," said Graves. "And we feel as though that Oprah, bless her, has always been someone we respected and we were just so surprised and shocked that that would be her stance." In a press statement, FFRW president Linda Ivell says the decision not to bring Palin onto the show until after the election means the popular talk-show host is "sit[ting] out the greatest political moment in the history of Republican women since suffrage."-Oprah can do what she likes with her show and business. But if she is going to endorse Obama and then not allow, at the requests of her Oprah fans, to have Sarah Palin on her show definitely gives the appearance of political bias. Which just adds to the perception of many that Big Media is indeed Big.
Is Oprah Biased? Host Won't Interview Palin-"With almost 1,000 comments on her community message board dedicated to a possible Palin interview, Winfrey is already garnering strong reaction among her fans -- both those who are pleased with her decision and those who are not, such as Grossman-Green."
September 09, 2008: Polls show that Big Media journalist may be raising questions unequally and unfairly. Palin's testimony. Obama loosing moderate evangelicals.-Video of Palin speaking before her church in Alaska and more...Obama losing moderate evangelicals-"And now a story in today's Wall Street Journal: The moderate evangelical vote is slipping away from Barack Obama."
September 10, 2008: Update on Crystal Dixon. Biden and Obama on abortion getting Big Media attention. Should Sarah Palin be in Politics?-"White women have moved from 50-42 percent in Obama's favor before the conventions to 53-41 percent for McCain now, a 20-point shift in the margin that's one of the single biggest post-convention changes in voter preferences."
Biden and Obama are interviewed concerning positions on abortion in Big Media and Jill Stanek responds: "Biden, like Obama, attempted to make this a religious question. But it is much more than that. It is a scientific, medical, and constitutional question. When do science and medicine say human life begins? At conception. This isn't some vague concept. What about the Constitution? 35 years ago US Supreme Court Chief Justice Harry Blackmun wrote in the Roe v. Wade decision: "The appellee ... argue that the fetus is a "person" within the language and meaning of the 14th Amendment ... If this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the Amendment." 35 years ago one could not watch human fertilization with a microscope or view early life with 4D ultrasound. Were personhood to be an issue before the US Supreme Court today, as Blackmun stated, the other side's argument would "collapse."
Palin had just gone thru a pretty tough interview with Charlie Gibson. I do wish that they had been equally tough on Biden and Obama concerning their position on abortion. See what follow up question Jill Stanek would have asked Obama: "I wish Brokaw's follow-up question had been phrased like this, "So your judgment is that the unborn are living human beings but you still think it should be legal to kill these living human beings?...Nevertheless, Obama still feigned ignorance, which begged the next question Stephanopoulos didn't ask: Why so avidly support abortion if you're not sure it may kill innocent human souls?" Also, see other questions that should be asked of Obama at: New Documents Revealing Obama's cover up on Born Alive Infant Protection,
JivinJ's Life Links 9-12-08-"Father Thomas Williams on Joe Biden's recent appearance on Meet the Press: The more serious problem for Joe Biden at this point is not the loss of his credibility as a Catholic, but as a person of conscience. When you say on national television that you agree with your Church that abortion is murder, but that you intend to support legislation that keeps abortion fully available, you leave voters wondering why you would support a right to what you consider to be murder...."
Should Sarah Palin be in Politics?-"There is concern and reservations over the candidacy of Sarah Palin as a vice-presidential candidate, and not all of it is coming from the political left.
September 11, 2008: 82% of voters who support McCain believe the justices should rule on what is in the Constitution, just 29% of Barack Obama supporteers agree!!!-The title is a little disturbing if reflective of Obama supporters and how the question for the poll was worded. Also, ACLU Donates $1.2 Million to Anti-Marriage California Proposition vs Local donors give $1.6 million for ban on gay marriage
September 12, 2008: Big Media missing gaps on the Economy, Iraq, Palin, the American People's view of Big Media, South Dakota ballot measure and more...-http://www.fivethrityeight.com/-Has McCain ahead in Electoral College Polls 272 to 266 on 09/11/2008 for first time since primaries that I am aware of on this site which I have been checking almost daily..." But now on the 12th McCain is ahead 277 to 261 and now again on the 13th McCain is up 289.8 to 248.2. We will have to wait and see if this momentum maintains or carries over.
Poll: Convention lifts McCain over Obama-"The Republican National Convention has given John McCain and his party a significant boost, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll taken over the weekend shows, as running mate Sarah Palin helps close an "enthusiasm gap" that has dogged the GOP all year. McCain leads Democrat Barack Obama by 50%-46% among registered voters, the Republican's biggest advantage since January and a turnaround from the USA TODAY poll taken just before the convention opened in St. Paul. Then, he lagged by 7 percentage points....The convention bounce has helped not only McCain but also attitudes toward Republican congressional candidates and the GOP in general"
Gallup: Battle for Congress Suddenly Looks Competitive-"Gallup reports: “A potential shift in fortunes for the Republicans in Congress is seen in the latest USA Today/Gallup survey, with the Democrats now leading the Republicans by just 3 percentage points, 48% to 45%, in voters’ ‘generic ballot’ preferences for Congress. This is down from consistent double-digit Democratic leads seen on this measure over the past year.”
McCain Holds Lead for Sixth Straight Day, Poll Shows-"Based on polling conducted Sept. 8-10, McCain had 48 percent to Obama’s 44 percent, holding on to gains from the Republican National Convention." And now a full week but each day dropping by a point see below...McCain Holds Three-Point Lead over Obama-"GOP presidential candidate John McCain had a three-point lead on Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, according to the latest Gallup poll released Friday. The poll, conducted Sept. 9-11, showed McCain with 48 percent and Obama with 45 percent, which is not a statistically significant advantage."
Big Media missing gap on the Economy
Big Media may share with you the polls that show the Economy to be an important issue amongst voters but they won't show you how the polls describe how the voters want the Economy fixed....
Most Voters Say Encouraging Economic Growth is Key, but Big Government is Not the Solution-"Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters say encouraging economic growth in America is more important than closing the gap between the rich and poor, and the best way to do that is for the government to move out of the way....A survey conducted back in January found that 53% of voters said creating economic growth was more important, while 40% said that of reducing the economic class gap."
Maybe this is why McCain is gaining...
McCain Closing in on Obama on Economy-"In a Sept. 5-7 USA Today/Gallup poll, 48 percent of Americans say Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama can better handle the economy compared to 45 percent who say McCain can do a better job."
There are many other great articles like defining what a "Recession" is and what about budget deficits etc etc. Also, that the economy grew 3.3 last quarter which probabily most people don't know!!!
The War in Iraq and some interesting articles from a non Big Media perspective!!!
But check out these comments in the Pro-Life section of this blog I found on JillStanek.com
JivinJ's Life Links 9-10-08-"The logic of the modified pro-choice position reduces to, "I think it's wrong to kill my own children, but I don't think we should stop other people from killing theirs." Notice that this critique has nothing to do with whether abortion is right or wrong. That's a different question. I am simply pointing out that the modified pro-choice view deals itself a fatal blow. That is Biden's blunder, and the blunder of anyone else advancing such a foolish notion...."
Some updates on South Dakota abortion ban ballot initiative as the ACLU now sets up an office in South Dakota...
September 13, 2008: Pastors to challenge the IRS. Palin interviews and comments so far. Same-Sex Marriage updates.
41% in GOP say marriage important to their vote, up from 39% in 2004-"MSNBC reports:Conservative activist Gary Bauer claims the decision by CA to legalize gay marriage could help the GOP. “The Pew poll found that 41 percent of Republicans say same-sex marriage will be ‘very important’ to their vote this year, which is remarkable considering that 39 percent felt as strongly in 2004.”
Arizona: 160 donors back state marriage measure-"The Arizona Republic reports: While many of the citizens initiatives on Arizona’s November ballot have been bankrolled by special interests, a measure to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman has received an influx of campaign contributions from individuals in recent weeks. The Yes for Marriage campaign pulled in more than $2.3 million from 160 donors across the state since the secretary of state’s reporting period that ended Aug. 13. That brought the campaign’s total to about $3 million"
Cayman Islands pass law defining marriage as one man, one woman-"The CayCompass reports: Cayman Islands lawmakers voted in favour of a ban on same sex marriages following a debate Friday in the Legislative Assembly. The Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2008 still requires the legal formality of a third vote before passing, but lawmakers unanimously approved a key second vote on the measure Friday afternoon. The formal third vote is expected sometime this week. The ban, accomplished simply by defining marriage as “the union between a man and a woman as husband and wife,” will be added as an amendment to the Marriage Law (2007 Revision) when Governor Stuart Jack signs it . . .
Contrary to ABC Report, Palin’s Global Warming Views Have Been Consistent-"A reading of the public record shows Palin has not changed her position, contrary to ABC News, which headlined its segment on global warming as, “Palin Takes Hard Line on National Security, Softens Stance on Global Warming.” Palin’s responses to Gibson were consistent with what she has said in newspaper op-eds and in public statements."
September 14, 2008: Matt Damon vs Sarah Palin. Teen Challenge wins $1 million against city and county and other cases and victory
Teen Challenge Awarded $1M in Lawsuit-"A faith-based drug rehabilitation organization was awarded nearly $1 million after a jury found that their rights had been violated over a land dispute with a city government."
ADF-allied attorneys secure victory for religious speech at NY college-"“Free religious expression is not free if it is restricted to the inside of a church or home..."
11th Circuit orders Univ. of Florida to recognize Christian fraternity-"The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ordered University of Florida officials Wednesday to stop discriminating against a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), while a lawsuit filed by Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys against school officials is on appeal."
Other intereseting cases pending: ADF: Opposing porn is free speech, not a conspiracy-"On behalf of 31 of Cincinnati’s most prominent pastors and pro-family leaders, Alliance Defense Fund attorneys Monday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the publisher of City Beat newspaper. Lightborne Publishing alleges that the pro-family leaders and others conspired to violate the publisher’s free speech rights and diminish its profits by voicing concerns about thinly-veiled ads for prostitution and other sex services."
School District Sued For Discrimination Against Christian Club-"The district does not allow CEF to distribute literature and participate in school events to promote its Good News Clubs. The Boy Scouts and other patriotic and community service organizations are permitted to distribute their literature and promote their groups to the students.
Creationism in Public Schools in the UK?: UK: Leading scientist urges teaching of creationism in schools-"Creationism should be taught in science classes as a legitimate point of view, according to the Royal Society, putting the august science body on a collision course with the Government."
Pro-Life: ERLC joins call for Bush to reverse abortion rules that assist Planned Parenthood-"The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and other pro-life organizations have asked President Bush, in his final months in office, to change regulations that have enabled such organizations as Planned Parenthood to use federal funds to promote abortion as a form of family planning. For more than seven years, the Bush administration has failed to reverse rules instituted under President Clinton that removed the wall between abortion services and family planning clinics that receive Title X grants....."Regulations issued during President Reagan's administration made clear recipients of Title X funds may not "refer for abortion or combine family planning services with abortion services," the letter said. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld those rules in a 1991 opinion.The Clinton administration, however, eliminated the pro-life protections."
Christianity: Top Hamas Leader’s Son Converts to Christianity-"“But at the moment, at least, my ambitions are only to find work, a place to live,” Yousef admits. “I have no money, I have no apartment,” said the son of the Hamas leader who left behind properties in Ramallah to find true freedom.“I was about to become one of those homeless people [in the United States],” he confessed, “but people from the church are helping me. I'm dependent on them."
Franklin Graham criticizes film about Billy-"Bill McKay, one of three producers on Billy: The Early Years, said he understands the reason behind Franklin Graham's statement."
Graham Stirs Romania with Festival of Hope-"More than 75, 000 people attended the crusade in person and Romanians from all over the world watched the event on the internet and on television."