Month: September 2013

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Our Daily Thread 9-23-13

Good Morning!

Fall has fell. 🙂

And on top of that, I’m sorry to inform you it’s Monday. Again. 😦

On this day in 1642 the first commencement at Harvard College, in Cambridge, MA, was held.

In 1779 John Paul Jones, commander of the American warship Bon Homme, was quoted as saying “I have not yet begun to fight!”

In 1806 The Corps of Discovery, the Lewis and Clark expedition, reached St. Louis, MO, and ended the trip to the Pacific Northwest.

In 1838 Victoria Chaflin Woodhull was born. She became the first female candidate for the U.S. Presidency.

In 1845 The Knickerbocker Base Ball Club of New York was formed by Alexander Joy Cartwright. It was the first baseball team in America.

And in 1962 “The Jetsons” premiered on ABC-TV.

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Quote of the Day

“Liberty cannot be preserved without general knowledge among the people.”

John Adams

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Several of my favorites have birthdays today. No, Springsteen did not make the cut.

First up, Mr. Ray Charles.

Next up, Mr. Harry Connick Jr., and a cool version of “Just a Closer Walk With Thee”.

Next up, Mr. Julio Iglesias. And just for fun, with Willie.

And last but not least, Mr. John Coltrane.

“”Alabama” is a song written by John Coltrane that appears on his album Live at Birdland. It was written in response to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, an attack by the Ku Klux Klan in Birmingham, Alabama that killed four girls.”  😦

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Anyone have a QoD?

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Prayer Requests 9-23-13

Who has a request or praise to share today?

Psalm 39

¹ I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”

2 I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up.

3 My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am.

5 Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah

6 Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them.

7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions; Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.

9 I was mute, I did not open my mouth, Because it was You who did it.

10 Remove Your plague from me; I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.

11 When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor. Selah

12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, And give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were.

13 Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, Before I go away and am no more.”

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News/Politics 9-23-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread, as always.

Here’s a few from me.

From NBCNews  “The FBI is investigating whether as many as five Americans were among the small team of terrorists who took over a Kenyan mall and launched a bloodbath that has left at least 68 dead and 175 injured over two days of carnage.

The investigation is in its early stages and until a conclusion of the siege in Kenya —  which spilled into a second bloody day on Sunday — authorities may not know for sure whether any U.S. residents were involved.

The FBI is investigating terrorist group al-Shabab’s claim that five Americans helped them attack a Kenyan mall. NBC’s Pete Williams reports.

The notion that Americans were involved came directly from the terrorists themselves — or at least a Twitter feed purporting to represent the Somali al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabab, which has claimed responsibility for the mall attack.”

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More here from CNN  “There are believed to be between 10-15 gunmen involved in the attack, officials said.

Sources within Al-Shabaab told CNN that nine names listed on a Twitter site — now suspended — were people who were among the alleged hostage-takers.

Three of the alleged attackers are from the United States, two are from Somalia and there is one each from Canada, Finland, Kenya and the United Kingdom, according to the list.”

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The President spoke at a memorial for the victims of the DC Navy Yard shooting. In my opinion he once again played politics with a tragedy.

From USAToday  “President Obama called Sunday for a “transformation” of the nation’s gun laws, saying last week’s deadly shooting at the Washington Navy Yard echoes too many other killings across the United States.

“Our tears are not enough,” Obama said during a memorial service for the victims and their families.  “Our words and our prayers are not enough. … We are going to have to change.”

Gun violence in America “ought to obsess us,” Obama said.”

“Obama, who has proposed changes to the nation’s gun and mental illness laws, noted that shootings in other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom led to changes in their gun laws. “What’s different in America,” he said, “is it’s easy to get your hands on a gun — and a lot of us know this.”

Transformation? Oh goody. Look how well his other attempts to “transform” things have gone. Should be tons of fun. 🙄

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Our Daily Thread 9-21-13

Good Morning!

It’s Saturday! Yay!

On this day in 1784 “The Pennsylvania Packet and Daily Advertiser” was published for the first time in Philadelphia. It was the first daily paper in America.

In 1893 Frank Duryea took what is believed to be the first gasoline- powered automobile for a test drive. The “horseless carriage” was designed by Frank and Charles Duryea.

 In 1897 The New York Sun ran the “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” editorial. It was in response to a letter from  8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon.

In 1937 J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was first published.

And in 1957 “Perry Mason”, the television series, made its debut on CBS-TV.

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Quote of the Day

“What the Founding Fathers created in the Constitution is the most magnificent government on the face of the Earth, and the reason is this: because it was intended to preserve the American society and the American spirit, not to transform it or destroy it.”

Mark Levin

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Today is Faith Hill’s birthday.

Today is also William John Paul “Liam” Gallagher’s birthday.

And on this day in 1996 Hank Williams III made his Grand Ole Opry debut. I think I found it too.

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Anyone have a QoD for us?

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Prayer Requests 9-21-13

Who has a request or praise to share today?

Psalm 37-27-40

27 Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.

28 For the Lord loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off.

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

32 The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to slay him.

33 The Lord will not leave him in his hand, Nor condemn him when he is judged.

34 Wait on the Lord, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.

36 Yet he passed away,and behold, he was no more; Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; For the future of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together; The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him.

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News/Politics 9-21-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread.

Just 2 from me today. They’re related.

From TheAP  “The autograph hounds waiting expectantly in a hotel lobby weren’t drawn by actors, musicians or politicians, but by a few dozen men whose rare and distinguished achievements have earned them the nation’s highest military honor.

Nearly half of the 79 living recipients of Medal of Honor are attending the gathering in Gettysburg, where some of its first recipients fought 150 years ago.”

“The Medal of Honor Society annual convention gives the public an opportunity to collect the signatures of the men who have been honored by Congress for risking their lives beyond the call of duty in combat, and dozens of people waited Thursday for them to return from a luncheon at a nearby farm once owned by President Dwight Eisenhower.”

“Ballard said a major focus of the organization these days is its character development program for middle and high school students promoting values like courage and sacrifice. Recipients were scheduled to meet Friday with local students.”

And this one is a story on the next recipient.

From MilitaryTimes  “The White House announced on Monday that former Army Capt. Will Swenson will receive the Medal of Honor on Oct. 15, four years after he braved enemy fire repeatedly while leading U.S. forces through a horrific ambush that erupted in eastern Afghanistan.

The Battle of Ganjgal on Sept. 8, 2009, is especially well known because Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer already received the nation’s top award for valor that day. Until tonight, however, few had seen a gritty war-zone video of Swenson on the battlefield during it.”

Well done Sir.

The video is available at the link.

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Our Daily Thread 9-20-13

Good Morning!

It’s finally Friday!

On this day in 1519 Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan left Spain to find a route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. Magellan was killed during the trip, but one of his ships eventually made the journey.

In 1881 Chester A. Arthur became the 21st president of the U.S. after President James A. Garfield had died the day before.

In 1953 Jimmy Stewart debuted on the radio western “The Six Shooter” on NBC.

In 1977 the first of the “boat people” arrived in San Francisco from Southeast Asia under a new U.S. resettlement program.

And in 1984 “The Cosby Show” premiered on NBC-TV.

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Quote of the Day

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.”

Theodore Roosevelt

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Today is Nuno Bettencourt’s birthday.

It would also have been William Kapell’s.

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QoD

What have you got planned for this weekend?

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Prayer Requests 9-20-13

Who can we pray for today?

Psalm 37:12-26

12 The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

13 The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.

14 The wicked have drawn the sword And have bent their bow, To cast down the poor and needy, To slay those who are of upright conduct.

15 Their sword shall enter their own heart, And their bows shall be broken.

16 A little that a righteous man has Is better than the riches of many wicked.

17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The Lord knows the days of the upright, And their inheritance shall be forever.

19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, And in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

20 But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the Lord, Like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish. Into smoke they shall vanish away.

21 The wicked borrows and does not repay, But the righteous shows mercy and gives.

22 For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth, But those cursed by Him shall be cut off.

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

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News/Politics 9-20-13

What’s interesting in the news today?

Open thread, here’s a few to start things off.

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From Breitbart  “Obamacare is before the U.S. Supreme Court again. On Thursday, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) lawyers filed the first viable petition for Supreme Court review involving Kathleen Sebelius’ HHS Mandate, which requires employers to provide abortion-related insurance coverage, even if those employers have a religious objection to abortion.  

Section 1001 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, or Obamacare) requires all large employers to offer “preventive services” to their employees or face enormous financial penalties. With President Obama’s approval, Sebelius issued a regulation that defined preventive services to include access to birth control, including those that cause abortions after conception. The regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) only allows narrow exceptions, such as for churches, but leaves other religion-oriented or religiously-owned employers subject to the regulation. “

“These lawsuits argue both that the HHS Mandate violates the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment as well as a federal law called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). The federal appeals courts have split on whether a religiously-owned business can claim religious-liberty protections and whether requiring people to provide abortion-related services is a substantial burden on religious faith.”

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But Democrat Chris Murphy would like you to believe that forcing folks to violate their religious convictions is the morally right thing to do. 🙄

From CNSNews  “Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said that it would be morally justifiable for Congress to pass a continuing resolution that forces Americans to buy health care plans covering abortion-inducing drugs even if doing so violates their religious beliefs.

CNSNews.com asked Murphy about funding the controversial provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, following a press conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday.”

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Tom DeLay is back in the news. His conviction for money laundering has been overturned on appeal.

From KVUE/ABC  “Found guilty in 2010, the lawmaker known as “the Hammer” became a convicted felon.

 “It is what it is and we will carry on,” DeLay told reporters after the  verdict was announced. Lead attorney Dick DeGuerin assured the gathered  media, “This will never stand up on appeal.”

On Thursday, a two to one decision by the Third Court of Appeals  overturned that conviction, citing a lack of evidence. In the majority  opinion, Justice Melissa Goodwin explained, “The fundamental problem  with the State’s case was its failure to prove proceeds of criminal  activity.”

This decision will be appealed as well, but by prosecutors.

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Just think, when Common Core is fully implemented all public school kids will be learning the important stuff they need to succeed.

Or not. 🙄

From FoxNews  “Fourth grade students in Vermilion Parish, La. were given a homework  assignment that included words like “Po Pimp” and “mobstaz,” but school  officials said the worksheet was age appropriate based on an education website  affiliated with Common Core education standards.

“I try to instill values in my son,” parent Brittney Badeaux told Fox News.  “My goal is for him to ultimately to become a great man, a family man, a  well-rounded man. And now my son wants to know what a pimp is.””

“Vermilion Parish School Superintendent Jerome Puyau told Fox News the  “po-pimp” assignment was aligned to a fourth grade English Language Arts  standard for Common Core.

“Out of context, this word is inappropriate,” Puyau said. “However, within  the Common Core standards, they do want us to discuss real world texts.”

The Superintendent says this will help them later in life when buying albums. I kid you not. 🙄

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And here’s one that Chas posted last night, in case you missed it.

There’s a whole lot I’d like to say about these cowards not having the decency to hear these folks out. But I won’t. I’ll just say that I find this disgusting and shameful, which is exactly what I’ve come to expect from Democrats.

From TownHall  “During the second portion of a House Oversight and Government Reform hearing about Benghazi Thursday on Capitol Hill, the majority of Democrats on the Committee left the room and refused to listen to the testimony of Patricia Smith and Charles Woods. Ms. Smith is the mother of Sean Smith, an information management officer killed in the 9/11 Benghazi attack. Charles Woods is the father of Navy SEAL Tyrone Woods, who was also killed.”

More here from HotAir, along with some video.

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