Truth and Hope Report Podcast Show Notes 

The blogger who is filing an FEC complaint against the Daily Kos ought to have his cause laughed out of court in a constitutional society where freedom of speech is valued. You know a complaint is wrong when the founder of Free Republic comes to Kos’ defense.

Also, want to try national health care, see what the Wisconsin version costs.

Other stories:

• MySpace cracks down on sex offenders
• A Pennsylvania Community Group sets the example for the rest of us by taking action rather than whining about a school bureaucracy. (Hat Tip: Sam Adams Alliance.)
• We bid farewell to a class act ball player in future hall of famer Craig Biggio and Paul “the Voice” Stanton shares his memories of another HOFer George Brett.

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The Lawless Government

Tonight, we talk about how Congress refuses to defend the franchise (Hat Tip: http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2007/07/democrats-support-voter-fraud.html.) from those who would vote illegally or without the right to do so. Why isn’t identification reqired to vote? Speaking of that, New Haven has become a haven for illegal aliens with its plans to issue ID cards to those in this country illegally. The sad case marks a failure by both local and federal governments to enforce the law.

Then we turn our attention to Congress. On the spending front, moderate Republicans prepare to break their word on spending. (Hat Tip: Club for Growth via Bluey Blog)

Then we turn to Congressional Corruption as Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) tries to build himself an edifice at taxpayer expense with a little help from corporations who would like the favor of the Ways and Means Committee Chairman. (Hat Tip: Club for Growth) Finally, we take a look at the family ties of Senators Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Harry Reid (D-NV) as they try and stop reform in Congress.

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Perri Nelson’s Website, Blog @ MoreWhat.com, Committees of Correspondence, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, DragonLady’s World, Webloggin, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Conservative Cat, Pursuing Holiness, Conservative Thoughts, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, third world county, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, Nuke’s news and views, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, Republican National Convention Blog, Dumb Ox Daily News, High Desert Wanderer, and Right Voices, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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Imagine a world where children are taken from their families in order to stop them from turning their children into terrorists. Now imagine that on the list of potential terrorists whose children must be taken or re-educated are home schoolers, active pro-lifers, and many other average Evangelical Christians.

This is the all-too-believable plot behind Jodi Cowles novel, “The Minor Protection Act” (TMPA) in which a President of the United States, with help from a slick attorney, gets a bill passed through Congress that has federal agents remove children from their traditionalist Christian homes and families to stop the children from learning “intolerance” that leads to “hate crimes” and “terrorism.”

The seminal scene in the book when a child is taken from her Christian parents and placed into foster care with a lesbian couple. The scene in that brief word picture explains how traditionalist Christians see the Culture War better than hundreds of essays have.

The book paints a credible Orwellian picture of the near future. Cowles world is driven by opinion polls and a President with his own weekly emotionally manipulative talk show. While Cowles can be criticized on literary points such as character development, as well as for an ending that can be charitably described as rushed, the book transcends its weaknesses by painting a compelling portrayal of where our country may be headed. For Evangelical Christians, the book amounts to a call to engage culture and stand up for biblical values while they have the opportunity. For liberals, the book offers keen insight into the greatest concerns of Evangelical Christians about the liberal agenda.

Here are some thoughts I had while reading TMPA.

1. Thought crimes: The Christians featured in TMPA were not guilty of actual violent crimes against anyone, but of “hate crimes” which in TMPA includes a Christian teenager who tells a lesbian that homosexuality is wrong. This is a relevant concern. While the current hate crimes bill ostensibly only adds higher penalties to crimes against homosexuals, foreign hate crimes laws have provisions that punish speech and recently a Swedish pastor spent years in criminal proceedings after preaching against homosexuality in his own pulpit. Leftist groups have offered little reassurance that such draconian measures aren't planned for the future.

2. Those fighting words. Terms like “The Religious Reich,” “The American Taliban,” and “Christian Sharia Law” are throw away lines on leftist blogs. Recently, Richard Dawkins pondered taking away other people's children, "It's one thing to say people should be free to believe whatever they like, but should they be free to impose their beliefs on their children? Is there something to be said for society to be stepping in? What about bringing up children to believe manifest falsehoods?”

One thing Cowles can't be accused of is demonizing political opponents. Even the lesbian couples that are charged by the state with raising kidnapped Christian Children are portrayed as fairly decent folks. Each character who plays their part in the President's plot has understandable, even sympathetic motives.

This is perhaps the most chilling part of the story. Were they demon possessed or utterly evil Hitlerian figures, we could perhaps laugh the scenario off as paranoia. However, Cowles's characters are simply acting on the basic premises and words of cultural liberals and elitists.

If pro-lifers are basically terrorists, if Christian fundamentalism is harmful to our world, if disapproval of homosexuality is the same as racism, why on Earth shouldn't the government take away these children? Thoughts and ideas have consequences, and for me, TMPA brought this point home.

3. The target minority: A point made against a scenario like Cowles's is that Christians make up the majority of the country (87%). But of that numbers, less than half regularly attend church and practice their faith. A smaller number than those who attend church are those who believe in the basic fundamentals of the Faith, and a still smaller number are willing to stand outfront as leaders for other Christians to follow. 2,000 years later, strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter is a true principle. In TMPA, the children taken result in other parents being intimidated into silence.

3. Payment for abortion: While a minor plot point in the story, Cowles's vision of what the future of embryonic stem cell research is worth noting. Embryonic stem cells are harvested from abortions, with the young women paid to abort as well as told they are saving humanity. This was one of the most believable twists in the story. While today, Embryonic Stem Cell Research advocates claim they only wish to have taxpayer dollars fund ESCR from existing stockpiles from fertility clinics. Of course, these stockpiles will run dry fairly quickly and then other means will be required.

Overall, The Minor Protection Act is a thought-provoking work that serves an important purpose by forcing readers to look beyond the political arguments of the moment and take a closer look at where the road we're on might lead.

 Truth and Hope Report Podcast Show Notes

In another moment that you’d think would only happen in the Onion, Democrats blamed Bush and the Republicans for low Congressional approval ratings. So let me get this straight, if Republicans are in charge, Republicans are to blame for low Congressional approval ratings, and if Democrats are in charge, Republicans are to blame? When do Democrats take responsibility for their overspending liberal ways? Don’t hold your breath.

Also, John Kerry shills for the Vietnamese government, and denies the death that came as a result of the US withdrawal from Vietnam. The anti-war movement of the Vietnam era is lionized, but we forget the result of the “success” of this peace movement was the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people who were betrayed by our government.

We then take a look at the long term effects of divorce on the grandchildren of divorcees. Yes, Grandchildren. (Hat Tip: Evangelical Outpost.)

Also:

• Americans going to Iraq to fight against our country.
• A Cowardly Kidnapping by the Terrorists in Afghanistan
• The real key to world peace

All this and Dave Screwtape on the Truth and Hope Report.

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 Truth and Hope Report Podcast Show Notes

The media seems to love turning people’s lives into a circus. Wendy Vitter, the wife of Senator David Vitter complains of the media camping out at their home and their church and asks for a return to normalcy. Mrs. Vitter and her children (the actual victims in this case) are the ones most being hurt by the media coverage, but the elite media doesn’t give a rip.

Also, how do the Democrats define rich?  There’s a great deal of disagreement within the Democratic party on what that term means.  The meaning is kind of important given how much Democratic policy depends on taxing the rich. My bet is that the term “rich” includes a lot more people than the Democrat Party would like you to know.

One Congressman’s vote on abortion policy  and the utter failure of Freshman Democrats to oppose pork barrel spending illustrates the problem with voting for “conservative Democrats.” In office, most will bend to the party and move left rather than stand firm.

Finally, we turn our attention overseas to a North Korean Christian who faces death for his faith and urge people to act online to help save his life. Thanks to Voice of the Martyrs.

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Also, we talk about the Congressional Pay increase as well as a newly organized list of the top Congresspeople taking privately financed junkets  (Hat Tip: Save the GOP) and what it would take to support even more pay for members of Congress.

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Truth and Hope Report Podcast Show Notes 

John Conyers floated Impeachment on his recent This Week appearance. Should there be an impeachment? Do Democrats have a reasonable cause (and “cause we’ve wanted to do it since December, 2000? isn’t good enough.) We discuss the issue.

Also, another abortion clinic shut down by a state health department. The reason: no hot water or scrub sink. But the story gets better from there.

Rep. Don Young (R-Ak.) thinks earmarks are good, as he apparently has concluded  Congressmen’s primary purpose in life is to serve as pork ATMs for their district. Is he right? (Hat Tip: Club for Growth)

Finally, we take a look at the latest lawsuit over university anti-Free Speech codes and why it is that liberal colleges use them. (Hat Tip: Instapundit)

All this and more is a click away on the Truth and Hope Report

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The following is a commentary from the Truth and Hope Report (http://www.truthandhope.2truth.com) Weekend update by Democratic Political Dave Screwtape.

This week’s report is directed especially to the media. The odds are fairly high that Mitt Romney will not be the Republican nominee. The fact that he has done 180s on so many conservative issues, while trying to run to the right (thus alienating moderates) adds up to a formula for defeat.

However, our media allies would do well to ignore this and focus on only one criticism of Romney: His Mormonism. Between now and the primaries, large amounts of face time should be given to those who argue that point, to the exclusion of those who merely state that Romney should not be the nominee because of instability on the issues.

Now, should Romney get to be the nominee, you’ll want to magnify these voices and create the allusion that Evangelicals would rather have the Democrat than a Mormon. Be sure and emphasize the Democratic nominee’s deeply held religious faith, even if you have to ignore inconvenient facts such as bi-annual church attendance. However, in the more likely event that he doesn’t win, there’s a great deal of good that can be done.

We must re-adjust the focus of the religious right. When Religious Conservatives focus on things such as developing a coherent worldview that lines up with their faith or the historic position of their faith on social issues of the day, we don’t do well. However, there are two focuses which will insure our victory.

First, focus on divisive religious issues. In a greatly underreported development, social concerns over issues like abortion, religion in society, and gay marriage have brought together longtime religious rivals including Catholic Priests, Evangelical Pastors, old school Mainline Protestants, Orthodox Jews, and even Mormons. They may think the others are theologically off-base, but they’ll put aside their disagreements for the greater good and pursue theological issues in other venues. This dangerous era of good feelings must end for the good of our party.

Our goal must be to bring the theological disagreements into the political sphere. This is where knowing your religions will come in handy. Should a member of the local Assembly of God announce for Congress, ask him what he thinks of speaking in tongues. If his family has been Pentecostal for years, do some research and see if they were tied to any fringe movements that did snake handling and demand he justify their actions. The frank answers to these questions will absolutely horrify Baptists, and mainline Protestants.

Then if a Baptist runs, ask him whether he thinks Catholics will go to Hell. Force Catholic politicians to defend the Pope on Birth Control and the real presence of Christ in Communion.

This will have marvelous effects. First, it will create fighting among the religious right. Second, if these stories are played right, you’ll succeed in scaring many voters. Most Americans are utterly ignorant on religious matters, so what would not shock an informed student of religion can be sensationalized and made to sound very scary to your average American.

Third, many people who may be sympathetic to Religious Right concerns will sense the utter un-American standard of judging someone on a theological litmus test and realize the need for “less religion in politics.” Fourth, you’ll have less religious right members entering politics (as people don’t run for office to be subject to an inquisition about their faith,) thus leaving less true believers among the political class to rally the religious right.

At the same time, it’s important to portray our candidates as people of faith. Get religious conservatives to focus on the religiosity of the candidate and have ministers talk about how “compassionate and thoughtful they are.” For our candidates, it would be helpful if they had a genuine religious experience. If not, fake it.

Regardless, divide and conquer should be our watchword with the religious right and Mitt Romney’s campaign offers us the perfect opportunity to begin the process.

The Screwtape Report is written by Adam Graham. The Screwtape Report is written from a Democratic perspective by a conservative in order to reveal Democratic strategy and thinking.

Cynthia Rodriguez wearing a profanity-laden tank top to Yankee Stadium reminds us of a time when women were the protectors of decency and virtue in society, not among those most likely to violate them.

Feminism has pushed a society where many women behave and act more like men, leading to a great imbalance in our culture. No, I’m not calling for a return to “the good old days” but in light of the damage done to our society, I think it’s time to re-examine the ideas of feminism in light of we’ve experienced here in 21st Century America.

Also, House Minority Leader John Boehner has 100 Broken promises from Democrats, and we review about a dozen of them. The question is, Does he have a positive vision for America to win back the House? (Hat Tip: Don Surber)

Finally, America takes a tough stand on human trafficking despite veiled threats from the Islamic regime in Malaysia.

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The following is a commentary from the Truth and Hope Report (http://www.truthandhope.2truth.com) Weekend update by Democratic Political Dave Screwtape in which Dave advises Democratic Congressional Candidates.

Recent polling shows Congressional approval ratings in the 20s and the Presidential approval rating in the low 30s, indicating that America has entered a new era.

Your average voter is thoroughly disgusted with the two parties, but nineteen out of twenty would never think of joining a third party. Most are far too lazy to even vote in the primary. So, thus Americans view their choices as between the disgusting and the intolerable.

As much as getting people to like you is a laudable goal that gives most politicos warm fuzzies, let’s be realistic. Your job is to increase people’s loathing of your opponent while not making too many errors of your own. Here are the key rules:

Destroy Your Opponents

Politics in past eras could be compared to a boxing match. In this century, politics is an ultimate fighting cage match where only one candidate will walk out politically alive. Attack any inference of a hint that suggests a possible, potential ethical lapse no matter how unlikely.

If they receive funds from an out of state group portray that group up as an illuminati-esque antichrist that is trying to buy the election. Never address questions regarding your own out of state funds.

Quietly spread the most damaging rumors to eager media allies who will report your every statement on deep background. Your goal is not to win the election, it is to destroy your opponent. Having done that, you’ll win the election and frighten away future challengers.

Be Vague

Avoid campaigning on specific issues as people may not like what you have to say. Rather, use vague generalities.

Here are some stock phrases sure to go over well:

“I’ll stand up for working families”
“I’ll fight for better wages and better jobs.”
“I’ll bring change to Washington.”
“It’s time for us to reform Washington.”

These could mean anything, and in themselves they mean nothing, which is the point.

When your opponent raises substantive issues, attack him. Misrepresent his position in any way you can get away with. The closer to the election you do this, the better, as it’ll give him less time to recover.

For example, if a candidate supports the Fair Tax, run an ad forty-eight hours before the election inferring he favors adding a 23% sales tax to the income tax. Thus, you give him no time to explain that the Fair Tax eliminates payroll and income taxes. Avoid putting issues into perspective and you’ll do well.

3. Run as a Uniter

Given the people’s general disgust with politicians, you can gain points by promising to bring people together, while at the same time getting in a swipe in at your opponent's base. You can do this to great effect, with no sense of irony.

Try saying, “I will work to bring us together, so we can end the era of vitriolic name-caling. Unlike my opponent and his band of haters, I believe in being positive about our future.”

And then later, you can have a good laugh about it backstage.

4. Pay the Piper

If you have illegitimate children, bitter ex-spouses, or old college buddies who could destroy you n a heartbeat, meet with whoever you need to keep quiet and insure they do.

If people don’t have the money to pay people to keep quiet, they won’t run. If they’d rather not have rumors reported as fact, they won’t run. Thus, the field will be limited and our democracy will work, as we’ll hold onto our majority regardless of our unpopularity.

The Screwtape Report is written by Adam Graham. The Screwtape Report is written from a Democratic perspective by a conservative in order to reveal Democratic strategy and thinking.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. tries to get funds appropriated for a non-existent airport.

Then, what’s Congress without a little hypocrisy? Gabrielle Giffords made her way to Congress by criticizing industries she’s highly vested in.

Meanwhile, after decades of social liberalism in the Netherlands, at last some common sense and sanity is returning to the country, but will it be too late to save that country? Will we avoid their fate? (Hat Tip: Evangelical Outpost)

We then turned to immigration, and the case of family that has sent 18 years in the US, built a business, and a home in the United States, and are being sent away from our country because of one wrong form.

Other Stories

The RIAA is being sued for malicious prosecution. (Hat Tip: Instapundit)

Pro-Life teachers stand up against the pro-abortion National Education Association.

A school girl in England is banned from wearing a chastity ring.

Officials in Egypt crack down on female circumcision.

A Swedish court upholds a rapist’s right to porn.

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The following is a review of Robert Elmer’s novel Like Always:

Synopsis

Will and Merit Sullivan and their two daughters move to small town Idaho in an attempt to escape from Will’s stressful job to the peaceful serenity of a rural America. Will and Merit leave behind a son in California who has returned from Iraq with scars he’s trying to hide.

In the midst of this, the Sullivans are hit with a double whammy. At 44, Merit becomes pregnant and is diagnosed with Leukemia. Her choice to refuse an abortion and treatment is tested by family members and eventually political activists and the media.

The Craft

I would be remiss if I didn’t praise Robert Elmer’s knowledge and skill in his craft. He had an incredible grasp of description. He has mastered the art of unobtrusively showing us settings, giving us background information on people in a way that keeps and stirs our interests.

His main characters come alive magically. Will, Merit, their son, Michael, and their neighbor Stephanie are well-developed . The innocence and kindness of the young Sullivan daughters often serves to punctuate the story’s most important moments.

Elmer avoids stereotypes with the main characters. When I read the first scene with Stephanie Unruh, a twenty-something home schooled preacher’s daughter with a love for animals, I braced myself for a stereotypical “weird” home school kid that pops up from time to time in popular literature. In the course of the story, we find her to be a unique, loving, kind, and hard working girl who becomes vital to the Sullivans as they face a crisis.

Perhaps, the only shortcoming was minor characters that were a little flat. Merit’s sister, Sydney is the embodiment of the new age vegetarian liberal with teas, herbs, and wild conspiracy theories. The only way she could have been more stereotypical was by placing a “Kucinich for President” sticker on the back of her trailer.

At 304 pages, the story could have used about fifty more to add some depth to a few minor characters, as well as give us a chance to better enjoy Elmer’s excellent leading characters.

The Message

The book is pro-life, and I don’t just mean that it’s anti-abortion. The book is life affirming, because the ultimate focus is not abortion, but love.

The book is the story of a mother’s love for her child and her fears as she faces her own mortality. It’s about love within a family and all the confusion and pain that surrounds that. It’s about the love of a small community for its newest citizen.

Without preaching, the book spoke volumes. Faith and Love are revealed through trials, not in spite of them. Through the darkest time of her life, Merit Sullivan becomes a stronger person, whose love for her husband and son changes their lives.

Like Always is an uncommon and powerful story that will keep your attention until the last page.

Truth and Hope Report Show Notes

The Supreme Court is reaffirming things we should already kow. For example, freedom of speech means you can run TV ads that mention a candidate for office as part of a grassroots lobbying campaign

The court ruled that contrary to what the Freedom From Religion Foundation thinks, being a group of anti-Christian cumudgeons doesn't give them standing to sue over the faith based iniatative.

The high court also declared Bong Hits for Jesus isn't about freedom of speech or religion, but rather a teenage kid behaving badly.

Meanwhile, a lawyer that tried to take a Korean launderer to the cleaners over what became known as the pants suit got his justice deserts from a DC district court. Hat Tip: Wizbang Blog.

Of course the Constitution is still very fragile (as evidenced by the fact that the intepretatio of basic rights is up for grabs in federal court. One example, a Florida law which has police arresting the Gideons for distributing Bibles on a public sidewalk.

The bill that wouldn't die (aka. The Amnesty Bill) is coming back to the Senate despite widespread public opposition. Liberal columnist Bonnie Erbe is predicting defeat for the bill. I say, "Let's put the nail in the coffin."

Finally, we take a look at how abortion hurts the Democrats and why Republicans would be fools to nomination Giuliani according to a recent New York Times piece. (hat tip: Jill Stanek)

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Obama’s out preaching the gospel according to Barack at the United Church of Christ Convention. This is an attempt to dupe religious voters. Sadly, I think many will fall for it.

Some immigration advocates were caught trying to scam the American people with fake boxes of letters. (Hat Tip: Wizbang) Again, be on guard because politicians are professional sneaks.

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has an earmarks controversy. $129,000 isn’t that much when it comes to the government, but when it’s not a proper use of government, it shows that sadly many conservatives really don’t have a firm understanding of what government’s role ought to be.

John McCain is found to have the most lobbyists on staff of any presidential candidate, and of course he’s the one who howls the loudest about lobbyist influence. Again, watch their actions, not their words.

Meanwhile, members Congress try to dodge the Examiner on whether they’ll make their earmarks public. So they’re being secretive about whether they’ll release their secret appropriations of taxpayer funds? It’s clear we need real change in Washington and we’re not getting it from most of the guys up there. (Hat Tip: Instapundit)

Meanwhile in Michigan, taxpayers are preparing to revolt against the tax and spend legislature, with recall efforts against 15% of the members. Aw, a good way to remind them who’s the boss. (Hat Tip: Club for Growth.)

Also, a Nigerian born professor studied a failing upper middle class school district to find out why students weren’t succeeding. His shocking discovery: the attitudes of students and parents are to blame. Comparisons to Clarence Thomas ensued as some parents would rather not accept the responsibility. (Hat Tip: World Magazine.)

Other stories:

-A New York City Councilman fights for equitable treatment of Christian Christmas displays.
-A Darwinist urges teaching intelligent design.
-Congratulations to Sammy Sosa
-The classlessness of Cecil Fielder

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