News Blog for social, fiscal & national security conservatives who believe in God, family & the USA. Upholding the rights granted by God & guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, traditional family values, "republican" principles / ideals, transparent & limited "smaller" government, free markets, lower taxes, due process of law, liberty & individual freedom. Content approval rests with the ARRA News Service Editor. Opinions are those of the authors. While varied positions are reported, beliefs & principles remain fixed. No revenue is generated for or by this "Blog" - no paid ads - no payments for articles.Fair Use Doctrine is posted & used. Blogger/Editor/Founder: Bill Smith, Ph.D. [aka: OzarkGuru & 2010 AFP National Blogger of the Year] Contact: editor@arranewsservice.com (Pub. Since July, 2006)Home PageFollow @arra
One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
is that you end up being governed by your inferiors. -- Plato
(429-347 BC)
Monday, May 07, 2007
Road runner Huckabee looks to pick up the pace
By Dave Turbide, Union Leader: The metaphor couldn't have been more obvious, but Mike Huckabee couldn't resist. Lining up to run the Seven Hills of Somersworth 5K road raced yesterday (5/5/07), the former Arkansas governor and current Republican Presidential candidate described the election process as more of a marathon than a sprint. "Running (a road race) is such a great metaphor for politics," said Huckabee, before running the 3.1-mile race with former 1st District congressman Jeb Bradley. "The runners who rush out early and get a quick lead are not necessarily the ones that win the race. A runner and a candidate must set out at a pace that they can maintain. As I like to say: 'My race, my pace.' " . . .
"New Hampshire voters will pick the candidates, not someone in a (television) studio or someone who can just write a big check," he said, taking a brief break from greeting fellow runners, supporters and prospective voters outside Somersworth Middle School. The recent trend of other states moving their Presidential primaries closer to New Hampshire's has produced a front-loaded schedule that short-changes the voters, he said. "People should be able to ask the candidates questions in small groups. You don't want to lose the grass roots in New Hampshire and other states, the people-to-people contact. When money becomes the prime criterion for selecting a President, that will be a terrible day in this country. The election process as it stands now, a state-by-state over a period of time, tests the mettle of the candidate. Having all the primaries at one time would be detrimental to the process. Candidates have to be given the opportunity to prove themselves over time." [Read More]Tags:Arkansas, GOP, marathon, Mike Huckabee, presidential candidate, Republican
by Tony Perkins, Family Research Council: According to radical environmentalists, the biggest threat to the earth isn't CO2 emissions or climate change--it's children. A new paper by Optimum Population Trust (OPT) contends that kids are "bad for the planet" and if couples had one less child, they could "cut their family's carbon dioxide output by the equivalent of 620 [cross-Atlantic flights]." Rather than follow their own dreams of having a family, John Guillebaud, co-chairman of OPT, said that potential parents should first consider the environmental consequences. Another eco-militant, Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, is calling for a green genocide. In a May 4 editorial, Watson says mankind "is acting like a virus" and appeals for the world to decrease its population by more than five billion. In the past, Watson has come under fire for claiming that humans are "the AIDS of the earth." Rhetoric like this, fueled by profound pessimism about human possibility, is driving demographic collapse in much of the West, where sub-replacement level fertility is on a collision course with pension liabilities, especially in Europe. Even Al Gore, who this weekend spoke to the American Institute of Architects, resorted to calling the alleged bio-threat a "spiritual crisis." In this he is half-right as the key to this eco-pessimism is despair. The "green" campaign, elevated to a fever pitch by Gore and others who advocate a stronger hand for government, is paving the way for the dire messages of organizations like OPT and Sea Shepherd. I have to ask, if we take their advice and quit having children, just who exactly would we be saving the earth for? [Read More] See Also:Children 'bad for planet' Tags:environmentalists, Family Research Council, FRC, OPT, Optimal Population Trust, Paul Watson, Tony PerkinsTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
The Arkansas Republican Party will hold a special election on May 19 for Chair of the Arkansas Republican Party. The person elected will replace Gilbert Baker. So far only State GOP treasurer and Saline County Republican Chairman Dennis Milligan has officially expressed interest. Milligan said he believes he can help the party re-energize its supporters by focusing on fiscal, rather than social, issues. In last year's election, the state GOP often ran on social hot-button issues such as illegal immigration, gay marriage and abortion. Milligan said, "Focus on less taxes and smaller government, some of the core issues that we believe in. I think the voters spoke very strongly. A lot of our people at the ballot box did express their unhappiness with the direction that the Republican Party was headed."
Last month, at a Searcy County Lincoln Day Dinner, Rep. Mike Lamoureux (R-Russellville) said that he intended to run for this position. No mention was made of Lamoureux's interest in an AP news article. Lamoureux recently has been identified recently as one of three attorneys being considered to replace Tim Griffin as chief federal prosecutor in Little Rock. Per the Arkansas News Bureau, Lamoureux, 30, said he may not pursue the appointment because of the time issue. A former House minority leader, Lamoureux is in his third and final term as a state representative."I would need to visit with a lot of people before I'm interested or not," he said. "If I was going to serve for two or three months, it wouldn't make any sense."
Tags:Arkansas Republican Party, chairman, Dennis Milligan, elections, Gilbert Baker, Mike LamoureuxTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
The Do-Nothing Congress -- Democrats' Momentum Is Stalling
Not a single priority on the Democrats' agenda has been enacted, and some in the party are growing nervous that the 'do nothing' tag they slapped on Republicans last year could come back to haunt them." "The voters seem to have noticed the stall. An ABC News-Washington Post poll last month found that 73 percent of Americans believe Congress has done 'not too much' or 'nothing at all.'"
Democrats' Momentum Is Stalling
Amid Iraq Debate, Priorities On Domestic Agenda Languish by Jonathan Weisman and Lyndsey Layton, Washington Post: In the heady opening weeks of the 110th Congress, the Democrats' domestic agenda appeared to be flying through the Capitol: Homeland security upgrades, a higher minimum wage and student loan interest rate cuts all passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. But now that initial progress has foundered as Washington policymakers have been consumed with the debate over the Iraq war. Not a single priority on the Democrats' agenda has been enacted, and some in the party are growing nervous that the "do nothing" tag they slapped on Republicans last year could come back to haunt them. . . . Not one of those bills has been signed into law. . . . But beyond a huge domestic spending bill that wrapped up work left undone by Republicans last year, the list of achievements is modest. . . [Read More] Tags:Democrats, US Congress, US House, US SenateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Saber Point: "Nicolas Sarkozyhas won the Presidency of France with 53% of the vote. He defeated a Socialist, Segolene Royal. For the Socialists, it was a Royal defeat (sorry, couldn't resist). Sarkozy is said to be pro USA and a conservative. However, his first comments to the United States included the remark that we should not back away from Global Warming. Since man-made Global Warming is nothing more than a scheme to redistribute wealth from the US to less developed countries, this is not a good sign.
However, any defeat of a Socialist, anywhere, is far better than the other way around. How anyone can still believe in this foul ideology is beyond me, an ideology that impoverishes everyone, refuses to resist tyranny and sinks a nation into an awful, gray mediocrity where economic opportunity all but disappears. But anyway, Sarkozy is a step in the right direction (namely, to the right) and I applaud the French for their decision. Vive La France! How I would love to see that once great civilization resume its rightful place among the nations of the West." [Saber Pointis linked on the ARRA News Service]
Tags:France, Nicolas Sarkozy, Saber PointTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Urge Congress to work with the President to pass a clean bill that funds our troops
by Mike Duncan, RNC Chair: Last week, the Democrat-led House and Senate - despite a veto promise from the President - passed a so-called war funding bill that handcuffs our generals in Iraq, insists on a surrender date, and contains billions of dollars in pork spending unrelated to the war. What is most amazing is that it took 80 days from the date the President requested this emergency troop funding for Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to finalize their flawed version of the legislation, and another five days for Pelosi to deliver the bill to the President.Just hours after receiving the legislation, the President fulfilled his promise to veto the bill and sent it back to Pelosi and Reid. Tuesday night, President Bush laid out his reasons for vetoing this bill, and renewed his commitment to work with leaders of both parties to pass clean legislation which supports our troops.Before the bill even arrived at the White House, leading Democrats had signaled their unwillingness to compromise. Click Here to see Sen. Joe Biden tell supporters that they were going to "shove" the bill "down [the President's] throat." Biden, the man once called "the Democrat's expert on foreign policy" by Sen. Harry Reid, was proven wrong again when Pelosi's attempt to force an override of the President's veto was soundly defeated in the House.
One of the things that sets us apart from the Islamic fascists is that we believe in freedom of speech and open political debate. But, I truly believe that most Americans, whether they are Republicans, Democrats, or Independents, believe that we owe it to our men and women in uniform to support them in every way possible. Delaying an emergency funding bill that they desperately need while introducing more partisan legislation is not what we expect from any of our political leaders, no matter which party they belong to. Contact your Congressman and Senator. Urge them to work with the President to pass a clean bill that funds our troops, trusts our military commanders, and helps keep the American people safe. Tags:federal funding, Mike Duncan, RNC, support troops, US CongressTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Religious Freedom Coalition: Urge the President and Senators to oppose the "Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act" (S-1105), which is the thought crimes legislation introduced by Senator Kennedy (D-MA). S-1105 is very similar to that introduced in the House by Rep. Conyers (HR 1592) which passed this week. Conyers pushed the bill despite a private visit by African-American pastors the day before the vote asking him not to pursue the bill that could jail preachers for teaching that homosexuality is a sin. Tags:free speech, Hate Crimes Act, Religious Freedom Coalition, religous freedom, thought crime billTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Presidential debates: Entertainment or information?
By Star Parker: With the first debate of the Republican presidential candidates, the second debate of the primary season, now behind us, there's one clear loser. That's the American people. The responsibility lies with the press corps to identify the pressing issues of the day and to make sure that those who want to be president of the United States address these issues. The press is not doing its job here, and as a result, critical opportunities for the public at large to hear candidates weigh in on major issues are being lost . . . [Read More]Tags:Idebate, presidential candidate, Republican, Star ParkerTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
At Thursday’s GOP "debate," moderator Chris Matthews of MSNBC asked the ten Republican candidates to each "mention a tax you'd like to cut, in addition to the Bush tax cuts, keeping them in effect." Results follow:
Gov. Mitt Romney: "I'd like middle-income Americans to be able to save their money and not have to pay any tax at all on interest, dividends, or capital gains. And by the way..." Matthews: "A zero rate on capital gains?" Romney: "A zero rate on capital gains for middle-income Americans. And by the way, we're all talking about how anxious we are to veto overspending. I was a Governor; I've done it hundreds of times. I can't wait to get my hands on Washington's budget."
Sen. Sam Brownback: "I'd put forward an alternative flat tax and allow people to choose between the current tax code and system which doesn't work which ought to be taken behind the barn and killed with a dull ax, and an alternate flat tax, and let them choose."
Gov. Jim Gilmore: "You know Chris, I've been a Governor of Virginia. I ran on a tax cut proposal and I ran on eliminating a car tax in Virginia. I received terrific opposition to doing that. I kept my word, I kept my promise, and we eliminated that car tax. Now, the question is, who is actually going to do what they say they're going to do? Where you have been is where you are going to go, and I have actually lived up to my word. And the answer is the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is continuing to drive people in the middle class into higher and higher taxation."
Gov. Mike Huckabee: "I cut taxes 94 times as Governor, but I realize tinkering with it doesn't work. I'd overhaul it. I would work for the Fair Tax, which meets the four criteria: Flatter, fairer, finite, and family-friendly. We'd get rid of the IRS. We'd get rid of all capital gains, income, corporate, and we'd have a consumption tax. The Fair Tax proposal I believe offers the best opportunity for all levels of Americans."
Rep. Duncan Hunter: "Right now our manufacturers are getting killed. We're seeing manufacturing move offshore because a dumb trade deal that we signed with the rest of the world allows all of our exports to be taxed twice while their exports to us are not taxed at all. The only way we can come close to leveling that playing field is to eliminate manufacturing taxes. So eliminate all taxes on Americans who will stay in the United States and make products and hire American workers."
Gov. Tommy Thompson: "I'm excited about this question because as Governor of Wisconsin I vetoed 1900 items, 1900 times, reduced taxes 16.4 billion dollars. I think the biggest problem we got in America is the Alternative Minimum Tax; it's bringing more middle-income people in. Let's put it in, let's have the people have a flat tax, and have the option of paying whichever is least."
Sen. John McCain: "I'd give the President of the United States the line-item veto on these bills as well as spending bills. The Alternative Minimum Tax is obviously eating Americans alive and that's got to be repealed. Another one I think is important is a $3,000 tax credit for people to be able to purchase health insurance, so low-income Americans will have access to health care which is an amazing and difficult problem today, and a simple, flatter, fairer tax so that Americans don't have to spend $140 billion as they just did last April to prepare their tax returns."
Rep. Ron Paul: "In my first week I already got rid of the income tax so my second week I'd get rid of the inflation tax, it's a tax that nobody talks about. We live way beyond our means, with a foreign policy we can't afford and an entitlement system that we have encouraged. We print money for it, the value of the money goes down, and poor people pay higher prices. That is a tax. It's a transfer of wealth from the poor and the middle class to Wall Street. Wall Street's doing quite well, but the inflation tax is eating away at the middle class of this country. We need to get rid of the inflation tax with sound money."
Rudolph Giuliani: "We have to adjust the AMT, that has to be reduced. We have to get rid of the Death Tax, which is gonna go to zero in 2010, which is going to create an incentive, I can't imagine what kind of incentive it's gonna create, it's going to go to zero in 2010 and in 2011 it's gonna go to 55 percent, and we have to make sure that the tax cuts that went into effect, that that level remains otherwise we're gonna have one of the biggest tax increases in history in 2011. And I would look to try to regularize the rates and look for some marginal reduction even beyond what we're doing right now."
Rep. Tom Tancredo: "For all the reasons mentioned by some of my colleagues I absolutely support the Fair Tax, it has to be accompanied however with the repeal of the 16th Amendment or we'd end up with a consumption tax and an income tax. And all this talk about vetoing spending bills and how that's going to solve our problem, let me tell you my friends, you can veto all the spending bills you want, you will not touch the deficit until you actually deal with the structural problem of mandatory spending. That's where all the money is. You can veto every one of the bills that come to you as discretionary funding including the military if you want. It is in fact mandatory spending that has to be dealt with."
Tags:Election 2008, debate, GOP, income tax, increased taxes, presidential candidateTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Listen to an excellent audio by Bob Parks released yesterday: Click to listen:The truth always comes out… Parks addresses former CIA Director George Tenet comments in Tenet's new book which he pushed on the talk shows this week. Parks takes comment in the books and then presents Tenet's words which refute his statement in the books. As Parks said, "the truth always comes out" eventually! Also Visit:Bob Parks Black & RightBob Parks is member/writer for the National Advisory Council of Project 21, VP of Marketing and Media Relations/Staff Writer for the New Media Alliance, and VP of the Massachusetts Republican Assembly Tags:Black and Right, Bob Parks, George Tenet, Massachusetts, National Federation of Republican AssembliesTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Government-sponsored hostility toward religion Southern California school district bans references to God from classroom
California Catholic Daily: A couple doors down the hall from Mr. Johnson's classroom at Westview High School in Rancho Peñasquitos, a suburb of San Diego, a teacher has a picture of the grunge rock band Nirvana on her door. Other teachers have slogans from sports celebrities and cartoon characters. Teacher Brad Johnson has decorated his assigned homeroom with pictures of families and nature, and banners relating to American history, such as God Bless America.
That last item, the school district told Johnson in January of this year, is banned and must be removed from the classroom. Why? Because the Poway Unified School District is under the impression that any reference to "Creator," "Creation," or "God" is prohibited by law. The following phrases struck the school board as objectionable: “In God We Trust,” the official motto of the United States; “One Nation Under God,” from the Pledge of Allegiance; “God Bless America,” a patriotic song considered to be the unofficial national anthem of the United States; “God Shed His Grace On Thee,” a line from America the Beautiful; and “All Men Are Created Equal, They Are Endowed By Their Creator,” an excerpt from the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. .The Thomas More Law Center announced on May 1 that it has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Poway School District, claiming that school officials violated Johnson’s constitutional rights. . . . [Read More] Tags:Brad Johnson, Christianity
National Language Act of 2007 Would Make Engilish the Official Language of the US Gov't
Bill Smith, ARRA Editor: Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) has become a co-sponsor of H.R. 769, the National Language Act of 2007. The act would make English the official language of the U.S. Government. 54 representatives have co-sponsored HR 769. The U.S. has never had an official national language. It has been reported that "nearly 17 million Americans admit that they not do speak English very well, that the number of Americans who do not speak English has soared since the 1990 census, and that 18% of Americans do not speak English at home." Regardless of the language spoken at home, a common language for government is needed. A 2005 Zogby International poll showed that 79% of Americans support making English the official language of the United States, including more than two-thirds of Democrats and four-fifths of first- and second-generation Americans.
"Official English" doesn't mean "English only."ProEnglish.com details that "29 states with official English laws do not prohibit government agencies from using another languages when there is a compelling public interest, e.g., protecting public health and safety, assuring equality before the law, promoting tourism, teaching foreign languages, providing for national defense, and other legitimate, common sense needs. Having English as our official language simply means that for the government to act officially, it must communicate in English. It means the language of record is the English language, and that no one has a right to demand government services in any other language. Official English would also reinforce America's historic message to new immigrants - that we expect them to learn English as the first step in their assimilation -- and that we are committed to ensuring that all Americans share in the economic, social and political benefits of having a common language."
Last year, the Senate voted 63-34 to adopt an amendment to the Senate immigration bill to make English the "national language of the United States." In support, President Bush said, "The success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society and embrace our common identity as Americans." He called the English language "the key to unlocking the opportunity of America." House bill H.R. 997 was pending with 150 co-sponsors that would have made English the official language. However, the congressional session ended without English becoming the official language of the United States Government (USG).
With the new congressional session, the task begins again. HR 769 declares that:
English shall be the official language of the USG. The USG shall conduct its official business in English, including publications, income tax forms, and informational materials.
The USG shall preserve and enhance the role of English as the official language of the U.S. of America. Unless specifically stated in applicable law, no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the USG or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English. If exceptions are made, that does not create a legal entitlement to additional services in that language or any language other than English. If any forms are issued by the Federal government in a language other than English (or such forms are completed in a language other than English), the English language version of the form is the sole authority for all legal purposes.
This Act does not apply to the "use" of a language other than English: (1) for religious purposes; (2) for training in foreign languages for international communication; or (3) to programs in schools designed to encourage students to learn foreign languages.
The Act does not prevent the USG from providing interpreters for persons over 62 years of age.
The Act Repeals Bilingual Voting Requirements.
All public ceremonies in which the oath of allegiance is administered pursuant to this section shall be conducted solely in the English language. English will be the language requirement for ceremonies for admission of new citizens.
The Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not preempt any law of any State.
I call on Rep.s Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, and Mike Ross to co-sponsor HR 769!This act alone would save the United States taxpayers BILLIONS of dollars in recurring costs by eliminating printing government documents, laws, regulations, etc., in other languages. Tags:ARRA News, Bill Smith, editor, English, John Boozman, National LanguageTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
President Bush sent letters to Harry Reid & Nancy Pelosi affirming his pro-life position
Steve Elliot, Grassfire.org: On May 3, President Bush sent letters to Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi affirming his pro-life position -- just as 49,573 Grassfire team members requested! He closed his letter by saying, “I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage.” Grassfire has obtained a copy of the letter, transcribed below:
Dear Mr. Leader/Madam Speaker:
I am concerned that this year the Congress may consider legislation that could substantially change Federal policies and laws on abortion, and allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. I am writing to make sure that there is no misunderstanding of my views on these important issues.
Our Nation was founded on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and matchless value. Every child should be welcomed into life and protected in law. The advancement of science and medicine need not conflict with the ethical imperative to cherish and protect every life. In fact, advances in science have made it possible to see life developing at earlier stages and underscore Americans’ obligation to protect helpless and innocent life from destruction, whether it is in the womb or elsewhere. These issues are deeply emotional and are made even more complicated when the American taxpayer is asked to fund efforts that end human life.
As you know, current law prohibits Federal funding for abortion, both domestically and internationally, except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is endangered. Recent legislative practice has ensured that taxpayer funds do not underwrite organizations that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning. Current U.S. law protects human embryos. The standing pattern is that appropriate conscience protections must be in place for health care entities, and that taxpayer dollars may not be used in coercive or involuntary family planning programs.
I urge that these and other existing, important protections be respected and continued. I believe it is the most basic duty of Government to guard the innocent. With that in mind, I will veto any legislation that weakens current Federal policies and laws on abortion, or that encourages the destruction of human life at any stage. [Read More] Tags:Grassfire.org, President, George W. Bush, pro-life, Steve Elliot
Reuters: Ronald Reagan saved his most private and dramatic thoughts for a handwritten book -- a diary in which he recalled his running frustration with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, his fear that Armageddon was near and coughing up blood on the day he was shot. Diary excerpts, released by Vanity Fair magazine on Tuesday, also reflect on the troubled relationship he had with his son Ron, his preoccupation with the "mad clown" Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his personal chemistry with Mikhail Gorbachev during arms-control talks. Reagan hand-wrote diary entries every day of his eight years in office from 1981 to 1989 except for when he was in the hospital after being shot on March 30, 1981, about which he wrote, "Getting shot hurts." The full version of "The Reagan Diaries" will be published on May 22 by HarperCollins, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. . . . [Read More] Tags:diary, Ronald ReaganTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
The Forced Abortion Act: Dems push bill to free abortion 'forever' from restriction
by Jill Stanek: Promoters call it the Freedom of Choice Act, which is actually true. If passed, it would retroactively and forever free the abortion industry to infinity and beyond from every "federal, state and local statute, ordinance, regulation, administrative order, decision, policy [and] practice," encumbering abortion in any way whatsoever. Pro-aborts reintroduced FOCA immediately following the Supreme Court's April 18 decision upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban with expressions of financial panic not seen since the stock market crashed in 1929 . . . [Read More]See also:Pro-Abortion Freedom of Choice Act Officially Introduced in Congress Tags:Jill Stanek, FOCA, Freedom of Choice act, forced abortion act, democrats, US Congress To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
HR 1592 - Hate Crime Bill Passes & Paves the Path for Censorship ARRA Reposts on Arkansas Congressional Delegation (Updated)
Tony Perkins, FRC:Today, the House of Representatives took a further step towards dismantling the U.S. Constitution by passing H.R. 1592, the so-called "hate crimes" bill, 237 to 180. The legislation isolates people in different groups, then rewards and punishes these different groups using a separate standard from the one that applies to everyone else. "All men are created equal" is a principle that brave men and women have died for, and the failure to honor this principle nearly split this nation apart during the Civil War. One outcome of that war was passage of the 14th Amendment, which reads in part, "No state shall . . . deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Earlier this morning, President Bush's senior staff released a statement citing these and other reasons to encourage him to veto the bill. If anyone doubts that the ultimate goal of legislation like H.R. 1592 is to stifle free speech, especially the speech of Christians, then consider these chilling words from supporter Rep. James McGovern (D-MA) during the debate today: "Sadly this bill does not go after speech."
Bishop Harry Jackson of the High Impact Leadership Coalition just prior to the vote on the hate crimes bill eloquently described how this legislation paves the way toward censoring pastors and decried the hijacking of the civil rights movement by advocates of homosexual behavior. In the lead-up to today's vote, . . . (supporters) tried to defend this bill's establishment of a two-tier system of justice in our country, they carefully avoided addressing our central argument that the bill paves the way for censorship. FRC has carefully documented the stories where similar laws have been used to intimidate and censor Christians - peaceful expressions of opposition to homosexual behavior have resulted in arrests and prosecutions around the world, in Sweden, England, and Canada. And it has already happened here at home in Philadelphia. As the bill goes to the Senate, please urge your senators to vote "no." Also please encourage President Bush to listen to his advisers and veto any such measure should it reach his desk.
ARRA Editorial Comment On Arkansas US Congressional Delegation (updated 5/4 - Vote Recorded): U.S. Rep Vic Snyder (D-Dist 2) co-sponsored of the legislation. Snyder continues to align himself with the extreme liberal leadership and has lost touch with the values of a "majority" of Arkansans citizens be they Democrats, Republicans or Independents. U.S. Rep John Boozman (R-Dist 3) voted against the bill. In a press release, Boozman said, “... this bill does not grant equality to anyone. Instead, it grants special status to certain victims over others – which is something I cannot support. In a bow to special interests, the House leadership is attempting to create a new federal ‘thought crime. The concept of ‘thought crime’ is a dangerous one, and this bill places us on a slippery slope where you could one day find members of the clergy called to the stand to defend their words delivered from the pulpit. A crime is a crime, regardless of the thought behind it, and crime should be prosecuted to its fullest extent - which should be equal for all.” Updated Info: Representatives Marion Berry (D-Dist 1) and Mike Ross (D-Dist 4) joined Snyder in voting voted for the bill.Tags:Bishop Harry Jackson, FRC, Hate Crimes Act, homosexual activism, John Boozman, Marion Berry, Mike Ross, Tony Perkins, US House, Vic SnyderTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
May 3rd - National Day of Prayer [Video] --Millions Will Unite in Prayer & Honor God
Tomorrow, May 3, the United States will observe the 56th annual National Day of Prayer. Please plan to pray!! God is calling His people to be faithful for such a time as this! Proclamations from President George W. Bush and the governors of all 50 states will herald this landmark day, as the fervent prayers of millions of Americans in church events and public venues from coast to coast are offered to the Lord. Visit the:National Day of Prayer & Presidential Prayer TeamWebsites Below: A Video by Coach Tony Dungy on Prayer & the National Day of Prayer
Tags:National Day of Prayer, 2007, Tony Dungy, videoTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
by Jim Brown, OneNewsNow: A top House Republican is voicing opposition to a federal "hate crimes" bill that's scheduled to be voted on in the House of Representatives this week. House Minority Whip Roy Blunt warns that adoption of that legislation would a terrible mistake.This week the House of Representatives is slated to vote on HR 1592, a measure that would include crimes against homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgenders in federal hate-crimes statutes . . . [Click for more] Tags:Hate Crime Bill, Roy Blunt, U.S. HouseTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
PBS pushes left-wing film but shelves film produced by conservative
by Chad Groening, OneNewsNow: A media watchdog organization is blasting the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for airing a liberal documentary but refusing to air one produced by a conservative -- Frank Gaffney's film, Islam vs. Islamists: Voices from the Muslim Center.Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the Media Research Center, says the Public Broadcasting Service is showing a blatant double-standard by pushing a liberal film, but shelving one produced by a conservative . . .[Read More]
Tags:conservative, Islam, Islamist, liberal, media bias, Muslim, PBS, left-wing, filmTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Republicans Given Leverage With Bush Veto of Iraq War Spending Bill
FoxNews: President Bush showed little appetite for compromise Wednesday, hours ahead of a session with congressional leaders aimed at crafting a new bill to fund the war in Iraq. Fresh from his Tuesday night veto of spending legislation that set timelines for U.S. troop withdrawals, . . . Bush said: "It didn't make any sense to impose the will of politicians over the recommendations of our military commanders in the field." The president defended his argument that U.S. troops must remain in Iraq to help stabilize that country, even as he predicted that "casualties are likely to stay high." "If I didn't think it was necessary for the security of our country, I wouldn't put our kids in harm's way," Bush said.
The standoff gives Republicans leverage, because even with the liberals' votes, Democrats don't have enough support to override Bush's veto. It will force Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., to seek more Republican help in drafting a new bill that Bush might accept, her allies and opponents say. "I think the Democrats are in a box," Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., said in an interview Tuesday. "We're pretty resolute on our side. We are not going to tie this funding to any type of withdrawal deadline or any type of redeployment deadline." . . .
"Our members will not accept restraints on the military," House Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri told reporters Tuesday. He suggested tying benchmarks to continued U.S. nonmilitary aid to Iraq, an idea that many Democrats consider too weak. . . . Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky told reporters Tuesday that his party will accept benchmarks. But he declined to say whether he would agree to binding consequences if such benchmarks go unmet. "You've asked me if there is an area where there's a potential common ground," McConnell said, "and I think benchmarks are a possibility." Tags:Democrats, federal funding, Iraq War, President George Bush, Republicans, support troops, veto, presidential veto,To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
How To Start Each Day With a Positive Outlook (Humor)
Today: 1. Open a new file in your computer. 2. Name it "Hillary Rodham Clinton" 3. Send it to the trash. 4. Empty the trash. 5. Your PC will ask you, "Do you really want to get rid of "Hillary Rodham Clinton?" 6. Firmly Click "Yes." 7. Feel better!
Tomorrow - name the file "Nancy Pelosi" Continue until you feel totally "liberated" with the names from The Top 25 Liberal Politicians in America Tags:Hillary Clinton, liberal, Nancy Pelosi, political humorTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Arkansas Republican Women Support Victory for Troops
Anne Britton, President, AFRW:Fayetteville, AR - The Arkansas Federation of Republican Women (AFRW) will hold their 26th Biennial AFRW Convention Friday, May 4th with an opening dinner event beginning at 7pm. Tickets to attend the dinner event are $50.00 each and must be purchased in advance by calling Julie Harris at 479-750-7754.
AFRW is very proud to support our troops and pledge their support only to Republicans who vote for victory and do not wave the white flag of defeat in Iraq with an artificial timeline for withdrawing from the battlefield before liberty and freedom are achieved for the Iraqi people. AFRW drafted and adopted on February 24, a resolution of support for our men and women in uniform. On March 31, in Washington, D.C., the National Federation of Republican Women Board of Directors adopted the resolution: View the resolution.
The featured speaker will be Colonel Hopper Smith, a former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (1996 - 2003). In October of 2003, he resigned his House seat when his National Guard unit, the 45th Infantry Brigade, was mobilized and deployed to Afghanistan. He served in Afghanistan as Team Commander of the 1st Embedded Training Team, Task Force Phoenix, 45th Infantry. His 80 man team was assigned to the 1st Brigade, Afghan National Army to advise and assist the new Afghan Army as they deployed on combat operations across Afghanistan in 2003 and 2004. On his return to the U.S, Col. Smith attended the Post Graduate Intelligence Program at the Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency. In August 2006, Smith graduated and became a FA 34, Strategic Intelligence Officer. He remains active in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. Col. Smith's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Parachutist Badge and the Army Air Assault Badge. Tags:AFRW, Arkansas, Arkansas Federation of Republican Women, convention, GOP, RepublicanTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
Boozman Praises Bush Veto Urges Congress to quit playing politics, properly fund troops
Washington, May 1 - U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today praised President Bush’s veto of Democrat-backed Iraq war supplemental which included an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal and over $20 billion in pork-barrel spending.
"The President followed through on his promise to veto this legislation which ties the hands of our military commanders. We all knew this was coming, yet congressional leadership chose to send him this flawed supplemental spending bill," Boozman said. "We have spent the last several weeks dealing with a bill we all knew the President would veto. Instead of being able to provide for our troops tonight, we have to start all over tomorrow morning. It is now time to quit playing politics with our troops and properly fund them without strings and extra pork."
The House version of the Iraq supplemental, as well as the conference report sent to the President passed the chamber by the bare-minimum majority of 218 votes. To override a Presidential veto in the House, taking into consideration the passing of two members, 289 votes are required. "Now that everyone has played their part in this process, I call on my colleagues to take this opportunity to put together a funding plan which does not put our partisan differences above the men and women who remain in harm's way, guaranteeing the freedoms we all cherish."
Tags:Arkansas, Arkansas Federation of Republican Women, Iraq War, John Boozman, pork-barrel spenders, President George Bush, Representative, US Congress, vetoTo share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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By Dave Turbide, Union Leader: The metaphor couldn't have been more obvious, but Mike Huckabee couldn't resist. Lining up to run the Seven Hills of Somersworth 5K road raced yesterday (5/5/07), the former Arkansas governor and current Republican Presidential candidate described the election process as more of a marathon than a sprint. "Running (a road race) is such a great metaphor for politics," said Huckabee, before running the 3.1-mile race with former 1st District congressman Jeb Bradley. "The runners who rush out early and get a quick lead are not necessarily the ones that win the race. A runner and a candidate must set out at a pace that they can maintain. As I like to say: 'My race, my pace.' " . . .
