January 28, 2010 by Shane Kastler.

This week, the Tulsa Union Public School board voted 3-1 to keep a children’s book in their library that depicts a cartoon character who has lesbian parents.  Buster’s Sugartime is based on the PBS show Arthur and tells the story of Buster the Rabbit going to Vermont where he learns how to make maple syrup.  While there he also apparently goes to sensitivity training and learns how to embrace the “diversity” of homosexual marriage.  What does this message teach our kids?  Is it about making maple syrup or is it about pushing an agenda?

            When some concerned parents raised the issue with Union school officials the school chose to reject the parents’ complaints.  Undoubtedly many people might look at the story and say the parents over reacted.  Is Buster the Rabbit really going to teach kids to be gay?  If you downplay the significance of this then chances are you may be at least partially brainwashed already.  There is a radical gay agenda in this country and they have their sights set on your children.  And though I risk getting burned at the stake for saying it, the public schools are a willing pawn in the indoctrination plan.

            Make no mistake, the pro-gay, anti-God powers in our nation aren’t going to blatantly force their agenda.  I wouldn’t’ expect to see a book “Buster Comes Out of the Closet” anytime soon because that would tip their hand.  No, they’re much more subtle than that.  They slip the perversion in.  They come through the back door by having Buster have friends whose parents are gay.  And what does this do to the average unsuspecting grade school kid who reads it?  It subtly teaches him that homosexual marriage is acceptable…even normal.  Because homosexuality itself is acceptable…even normal.  And after all if Buster is OK with it…why shouldn’t you be?

            The Union school officials have said that they have several children of gay parents in their school system and they want them to feel “accepted.”  I certainly have no problem with that.  After all the children should not be punished because of their “parents” depravity.  But on the flip side, the children also should not be taught that the depravity of homosexuality is “normal” just to keep little Johnny from having his feelings hurt.  If Johnny’s dad were an axe-murderer would we write books about being accepting of axe-murderers to help Johnny feel “accepted?”  Probably not.  The fact is that homosexuality is seen for the lunacy that it is when anyone bases their morality on the teachings of the Bible, all major world religions, simple logic, or even nature itself. 

What Buster’s Sugartime failed to teach the kids was that Buster’s friend is not the natural offspring of the lesbian parents.  Indeed he cannot be because the formation of a child (or rabbit for that matter) requires both a male and a female.  And this, I think, is what sticks in the craw of homosexuals more than anything.  Basic science itself teaches that their sexual habits are abnormal, dare we use the word….perverse.  And since science, logic, morality, and basic common sense all line up against them…they must invade the schools and control the education of the children.  It’s the only way they can gain the cultural acceptance that they crave.  But I, and many others, won’t play along with their games by letting my children be their guinea pigs.

            The public school system in America is broken.  Regardless of how “good” the local school system is, or how devout school administrators or teachers may be, they are serving in a system that is radically anti-Christian and pro-gay.  Union has always been considered one of the “good” schools.  It’s suburban and has many wealthy families.  There are even a lot of conservative, evangelical churches that reside within the district…but that doesn’t matter.  The people have no voice because the government expects them to be faithful and obedient sheep.  Don’t rock the boat.  Don’t speak your mind.  And whatever you do…..don’t DARE question the government, the public schools, or the gay-agenda.  I’m sorry, but I refuse to play this game, especially with my children.  I’m not the government’s sheep…I’m the Lord’s.  And I won’t raise my kids to be good little brainwashed liberals who BAHHHHHHH they’re way to the slaughter getting a daily dose of “diversity” during the most impressionable years of their life. 

The Bible teaches that the most important commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Did you heart that?  Not just heart, soul, and strength….but heart, soul, MIND, and strength.  We must teach our children to love God with their brains.  To see all aspects of education as relating back to the God who created the world and all things in it.  God must be paramount in all aspects of their life, including their education.  No let me ask you….how can that happen in an atheistic government school where GOD IS BANNED!  Answer?  It can’t.  I’m sorry, I know that angers a lot of people, but it’s true nonetheless.  Too many Christians today are focused on pleasing the world.  They’re focused on Johnny being a football star and Susie being a cheerleader.  And all too often they’re willing to sacrifice a God-centered education to see those vain dreams pursued.  But what happens when Johnny and Susie subtly accept the liberal dogma?  What happens when they see that their textbook is at odds with what Scripture teaches, and they’re parent’s claim to believe?  What happens when Johnny and Susie exchange their soul for the American dream, with their parent’s blessing?  What happens then?

            What happens then is another generation rises up and goes along with the system.  Another generation submits to the government schools so as not to be viewed as extremist.  Another generation plods along, ushering in America’s moral destruction.  But things COULD be different.

            I wonder what would happen if every Christian in the Union Public School system marched to the school, withdrew their children and said they weren’t taking it anymore.  What would happen if Union officials found themselves with ten kids at school on Monday because the rest of the parents are sick and tired of the agenda being force fed down their kid’s throats?  Would anything change?  We’ll probably never know because most people simply refuse to rock the boat.  They go along and get along.

            But America was founded by boat-rockers.  It wasn’t founded by British sheep who simply went along with the program.  America needs more boat-rockers today.  It needs more people willing to suffer some inconvenience for the sake of right and wrong and the sake of their children.  And make no mistake, if you rock the boat in this venue, you will suffer.  As a homeschooling parent I’ve heard it all.  I’ve been maligned and criticized.  I’ve been called an extremist and a fanatic.  I’ve been ridiculed, often by Christians (in fact usually by Christians), for not going along with the system.  But Jesus doesn’t call me (or you) to follow and embrace the world system.  He calls us to reach the world…by being different than the world.  He calls us to raise our children to love and fear Him.  Not to hand them over to an atheistic, secular, pro-homosexual entity to indoctrinate them to reject everything the Bible espouses.  I can’t do that.  I won’t do that.

            So what about Christian public school teachers? How should we view them?  Perhaps as missionaries, serving in a dark and Godless field.  Undoubtedly they need our prayers and support…but their mission field does not need our children to be added to the list of government sheep. You see, ultimately it’s the system that is broken.  It’s the system that is blatantly anti-Christian.  It is the system that disciples and it is the children who will pay.

            Don’t kid yourself.  If Union Public Schools is willing to stiff-arm concerned parents to further a gay agenda…you’re school will too.  In truth, they haven’t got a choice.  The deck is stacked against you and the Devil is the dealer.  He beckons you to come to his table and play a couple of hands with him.  He beckons you’re children to come and don’t rock the boat.  He teaches them that gay is good…God is bad and no one should ever question his dogma.  And if you don’t believe him, then go and read the children’s books in the school library.  Go and read Buster the Rabbit.  Surely you trust him don’t you?  He has friends that are gay.  Gay is good….God is bad.  Buster wouldn’t lie to you…….would he?

………

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19 ESV)

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January 27, 2010 by Shane Kastler.

It’s not always easy to write a compelling 700 page biography of a man who is viewed negatively by most people today and many in his own day.  But William C. Davis managed to do it in Jefferson Davis: The Man & His Hour.

            The author Davis, a longtime historian, takes up the subject of Confederate president Davis (no relation) in an extremely well-researched and readable narrative that covers Davis’ life from birth to death.  As the author points out, the main reason that Davis is known today was because of his role in the American Civil War, and therefore much of the book is dedicated to that enthralling four-year period from 1861-1865.  But Davis’s life involved much more than that period alone.

            The youngest child in a large family, Jefferson Finis Davis was born in 1808 to parents who aptly named their child, hoping (rightly so) that he would be their last child.  Born in Kentucky, Davis was ultimately raised in Mississippi.  After a brief stint at Transylvania University, he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point.  Always fiery and opinionated, Davis was a less than stellar, albeit popular student who made friends and enemies that would last a lifetime.  After graduating, he continued his military career and eventually became a war in hero in the brief Mexican War of 1846-1848. 

            As a young man, Davis married the daughter of Zachary Taylor, his commanding officer and future U.S. President.  Although Taylor initially did not want his daughter Sarah to marry a soldier, he eventually reluctantly consented when Davis resigned the service and moved back to his native Mississippi.  But early summer was not a good time for the newlyweds to move to the tropical climate and both soon came down with malaria.  Davis almost died.  Sarah did.  A mere two months into their marriage.  Young Jefferson Davis was utterly devastated.

            For the next ten years, Davis became a reclusive farmer.  His older brother Joseph, more than twenty years his senior, served as a father –figure to Jefferson and gave him a portion of his land to manage.  For the next decade he worked with his brother managing the plantation and he largely kept to himself.  But eventually he became involved in local politics, and he found romance once again.

            At the age of 35, Davis met the young Varina Howell and married the 17 year old girl who would eventually become the First Lady of the Confederacy.  Around this same time, Davis was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.  At times, the marriage was strained as the firm and opinionated Jefferson learned to live with the much younger and equally opinionated Varina.  But eventually their union became a blissful one, producing several children.

            Davis never finished his term in Congress because of the outbreak of the Mexican War.  He resigned so he could serve as Colonel in the 1^st Mississippi volunteers.  After he came home a hero, he attempted a run for governor, but was defeated.  From 1853-1857, he served in the cabinet of President Franklin Pierce as Secretary of War; ironically building up a United States military that he would one day fight against as Confederate President.

            After his stint in Pierce’s cabinet, Davis was elected U.S. Senator from Mississippi, this being the last office that Davis would hold in the Union.  In 1861, he resigned from the Senate and returned to Mississippi to await what would happen as the Southern states seceded, eventually forming the Confederate States of America.  He was appointed by the governor to serve as Brigadier General of Mississippi volunteers and desperately hoped to be a commanding general in the coming war, but fate had other plans.  He was unanimously selected to serve as President of the new nation and was summoned to Montgomery, Alabama the first capital of the C.S.A.  Davis claims to have never wanted the position, but rather accepted it out of a sense of duty.  His hope was that once the government was firmly established he would return to field service, but his election to a six-year term in 1862 ended such hopes.

            As President, Davis tried to establish a new government, while also serving as Commander-in-Chief to a fledgling nation fighting a war for independence.  A bureaucrat by nature, Davis at times struggled in his role as chief executive.  He idolized some generals, like Robert E. Lee and Albert Sidney Johnston; while he loathed others, namely Joseph Johnston and Pierre Beauregard.  He was loyal to a fault to those he considered friends, while sometimes irrationally critical to those he deemed enemies. 

            William Davis, while writing honestly about the President’s many faults, also manages to bring out the tender human side of Davis.  He was a man intensely sensitive to the feelings of others; and a father who reveled in playing with his children.  Publicly considered cold and aloof, Davis could be quite warm and engaging when he visited with friends in private.  For most of his time as President, he carried a tremendous burden and it usually showed in his outer actions and demeanor.

            During the war, Davis was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church and seems to have been a committed Christian for the remainder of his life.  In fact, Davis was sitting in church on a Sunday morning when he received an urgent telegram from Robert E. Lee that he must evacuate Richmond at once.  Davis and his cabinet complied and began to flee south temporarily establishing capitals in Danville, Virginia and Greensboro, North Carolina.  Having already sent Varina and the children ahead several days earlier, he eventually caught up with them and they were reunited, though the reunion would prove to be brief.

            The assassination of Abraham Lincoln made Davis a wanted man.  In the hysteria following Lincoln’s murder, Davis and other high ranking Confederate were suspected as conspirators.  Some wanted him captured, tried, and hung for murder or treason.  He was eventually captured near Irwinville, Georgia in May of 1865.

            The next two years would be some of the most trying of Davis’ life as he sat imprisoned awaiting what charges might be filed against him.  As word leaked to the public of the persecution Davis was experiencing at the hands of his jailers an ironic sympathy began to grow for him, even in the North.  Some demanded he be released on bail and brought to a “speedy trial” but in truth the Federal government had no idea what to do with him.  They feared a public trial that might lead to his acquittal, so eventually, he was released.

            The next ten years of Davis’s life were difficult as he sought to somehow make a living and rebuild his life.  He spent time in Canada and England before eventually moving to Memphis where he served as President of the Carolina Life Insurance Company.  But the economy destroyed the company and Davis had to look for other work.  Ultimately he moved to Biloxi, Mississippi where he was given a rent-free house to work on his memoirs.  The Rise & Fall of the Confederate Government was a lengthy two volume work that Davis wrote with the help of others to give an accurate defense of his actions during the war.  The book did not sell well and Davis probably received nothing in royalties from the work.  But he did have a new home.  The rent-free estate Beauvoir was left to him in the will of the woman who owned it and Davis would spend the rest of his life there.

            Davis died in 1889 from complications from pneumonia.  Varina and two daughters survived him, though four sons and a daughter preceded him in death.  He was initially interred in New Orleans, but later moved to the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, the city that made him famous.

            William Davis’ book is an excellent account of the enigmatic Jefferson Davis.  Highly readable and interesting, William Davis manages to give an honest account of Davis’ shortcomings while also adequately telling of his positive traits.  Some authors manage to convey scads of facts, while others are short on facts but excel in compelling narrative.  William C. Davis does both. Not only did I come away with more knowledge of Davis, I also had a greater respect for the man and the many struggles he faced in life.  Any study of Jefferson Davis should include this book as a solid reference for the Confederacy’s only President.

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January 15, 2010 by Shane Kastler.

In Pursuit: The Chase, Capture, Persecution & Surprising Release of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, historian Clint Johnson covers a fascinating three-year period in American history with the story of Confederate President Jefferson Davis from 1865-1868.  As the Civil War draws to a close and the Union army converges on Richmond; Davis receives an urgent appeal from General Robert E. Lee that he must evacuate the capital city immediately.  Davis and the Confederate cabinet gather important records and the federal treasury and begin a march towards the “new” capital of Danville, Virginia.  Their stay there is short-lived as they must continue deeper south into North Carolina.  Eventually, some of the cabinet members resign and commence their own flight, while Davis is reunited with his wife and children whom he had sent ahead.  The chase of Davis ends in Georgia where Federal cavalry catch up with and capture Davis in an early morning raid upon his camp. 

Davis spends the next two years imprisoned; awaiting trial from a Federal government that is uncertain with what to charge him.  Some want him tried for treason; but this charge falls apart because he never actually made an attempt to overthrow an existing government.  Rather, he led a secession away from a government that then proceeded to invade the South.  Others wanted Davis tried for conspiracy in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln; but this also fell apart when the Federal government’s three star witness’s testimonies were found to be riddled with lies.

            Eventually, Davis was released on bail and charges were dropped in 1868 by outgoing President Andrew Johnson.  In the end, the Federal government feared the bad publicity that would result if they tried Davis and he was acquitted, which would give a certain amount of legal credence to the Confederate States of America.

            Clint Johnson’s book is well-researched and written.  Though writing from a Southern perspective, he adequately portrays Davis as he was; warts and all.  Though a brave and valiant man, Davis could be extremely stubborn and was unwilling to surrender when surrender was really the only option.  All of Davis’ generals and cabinet members eventually see this before Davis does…and he stays defiant to the end.

            One of the greatest arguments that arise out of a study of Davis is whether or not secession is treasonous.  Perhaps the greatest argument that secession was not only legal, but indeed constitutional was the fact that Davis ultimately went uncharged for the crime.  It seems that even a Federal government highly belligerent towards Davis knew deep down that the Confederacy had the legal right to exist.

            I would recommend the reading of this book, not only for the politically incorrect, though accurate, historical data; but also for the exciting story that it tells.  Davis was an extremely polarizing figure in both the North and the South; but polarizing doesn’t necessarily mean wrong. 

This book also tells of some of the uncalled for persecutions Davis endured while incarcerated.  And of some unlikely Davis sympathizers in the North, including some within the Federal government.  Johnson ends the book by briefly writing of Davis’ post-war defense entitled The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government, where he defends himself, and often maligns his generals for the ultimate demise of the Confederacy.  Pursuit is an entertaining and informative read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in history, war, or just an interesting true story.

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January 11, 2010 by Shane Kastler.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV) God desires holiness and purity in your life. Do you desire that for your life? The Psalmist wrote asking God to search his heart and know his thoughts. Of course we know that God already knows our hearts and our thoughts better than we know them ourselves. But what the Psalmist is saying is that he actually appreciates this truth. He actually wants this truth. He actually seeks God’s intervention in his life. He seeks the Holy Spirit’s conviction for the sin in his life. And he wants God to lead him into a humble, repentant, Christlike way of life. Far from inviting God’s scrutiny, many people today run from God. They cringe at the thought of his all-knowing eye examining their hearts. They want nothing to do with God and they want him to have nothing to do with them. So which group do you fall into? Here’s the bottom line…Christians have a desire to be like Christ. And though God’s conviction and discipline can be very uncomfortable, the long term effect of a holy life is worth the momentary pain to those who love Christ. God already knows what’s in your heart. Are you willing to invite and even seek His examining presence? Will you cry out to Him to search your heart? And then will you base your life on His Word and commit to following Christ in the way everlasting?

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December 3, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

The past week has been a crazy one for world famous super-golfer Tiger Woods. Two days after a National Enquirer story comes out about him having an affair, he is injured in a mysterious 2 A.M. car wreck in his front yard that involves him, a busted mouth, and his wife with a golf club. Sound fishy? Most people seem to think it does. To make matters worse, he refused to talk to the police for several days after the incident. Every time the police would come to his house for an interview his wife would answer the door and say he’s sleeping. I can’t help but wonder how it might go if the police ever showed up at my house and my wife told them to go away because I’m sleeping. I’m pretty sure the police would say, “Tell him to get his dirt-poor, white behind out here and talk to us or we’ll go in and get him.” Being rich and black has its advantages in our racially over-sensitive, country. Ask Barack Obama (or ask O.J. Simpson for that matter). Tiger Woods can tell the police to “stick it” and get away with it. Most people can’t. But the Tiger Woods fiasco is about more than a bizarre car wreck. His life is coming unraveled because his secret sins are being found out. Sooner or later that will happen to everyone and no amount of money, nor public relations firms can change that.

Tiger Woods has been groomed to be a famous golfer from the day he was born. He was on television as a two year old and his dad had dreams for his boy. There’s no denying that Tiger is probably the best golfer the world has ever seen. But even world class golfers are natural born sinners. Everyone is.

Woods is married to a Swedish model…but it appears that he has cheated on her from day one. This week, two different women have been mentioned as mistresses. One of them, a Los Angeles cocktail waitress, saved 3 years worth of text messages, voice mails, and emails to prove her association with Woods. In one embarrassing voice mail, Tiger tells her to take her name off of her cell phone account so it won’t show up on his caller ID. This call was made two months prior to his wife giving birth to their first child, so it seems that his whole marriage has been marked by infidelity. This week, Tiger admitted to “transgressions” but chose not to elaborate. That’s OK, it’s not our business. But Tiger Woods’ greatest need (and everyone else’s) is to elaborate and repentantly confess their sins to Jesus Christ and begin a brand new life that only he can provide.

The Bible says: “Take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out." (Numbers 32:23) and “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) Make no mistake, Tiger’s sins have found him out, and he is in the process of reaping some embarrassingly painful consequences for the seeds that he has sown.

For his entire career, Tiger’s “image handlers” have been able to craft him as a superhuman golfer and world class human being. The golfing skills can’t be denied, but his transgressions are now available for all the world to see. Hopefully, this debacle will be used by God to humble Tiger and draw him to the cross of Christ. Hopefully his wife will show him grace, even though she doesn’t’ have to, and they will work out their problems. Hopefully Tiger will turn from his sin in repentance and commit his life to Jesus Christ as Lord. He’s now in a mess that his handlers can’t fix. No one can fix it, but God alone. Tiger is a sinner, just like you and just like me. The main difference is that his sins are more public because he’s famous.

Tiger Woods is a phenomenal golfer…but he’s not superhuman. He’s a sinful human. Here’s hoping he “sees the light” and comes to Christ before this temporal life ends and the eternal consequence for his sins begin.

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December 1, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

“For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken.” (Jeremiah 48:7 NKJV)

The prophet Jeremiah spoke of coming judgment on the people of Moab because they refused to trust in the one true God. Instead of trusting in God, they chose to trust in their own works and their own possessions for security. Many in our nation today are the exact same way. Rather than trusting in God, they trust in material possessions or money for their security. Rather than looking to God as their ultimate provider, they look to an employer or to the government. In so doing this, they commit idolatry. In essence they are breaking the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

So who is your ultimate God? Are you trusting in God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit? Or are you primarily looking to someone or something else as your ultimate provider. God may use secondary means to provide for us. But we must see Him as our ultimate provider; both in this temporal world and in the world to come.

Not only do many people trust in false gods for temporal security…they also trust in false gods for eternal life. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ will grant a sinner eternal life. The Bible calls us to turn from our sin in repentance and commit our life to Christ as Lord. It’s more than just a one time “decision” for Christ…it’s a lifetime commitment.

Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ? Is there proof of that by your daily love and obedience to Him? We should look to God the Father, through Jesus the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit as our ultimate provider. Only He can truly give us what we need; today, tomorrow, and forever.

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October 9, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

The five-person Norwegian committee who choose the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, this morning selected United States President Barack Hussein Obama as this year’s recipient of the famous award. If ever there were any doubt that this award is a joke…it should be heartily confirmed with this choice. The February 2009 deadline for nominating candidates for this award came two weeks after Obama took office. Which means after less than 15 days on the job, the committee felt Obama had done enough to merit nomination…and ultimately the award itself.

The prize committee has proven time and time again that it is nothing more than a far-left leaning activist group that grants the award based on adherence to liberal dogma…as opposed to anything relating to world peace. You need look no further than 2007 recipient Al Gore, who won the award for his “work” of combating global warming. The obvious question would be: what does the man-made myth of global warming have to do with world peace? Answer…nothing. Furthermore, who has benefited the most from the propagation of this myth? Answer….Gore who has made a fortune peddling books and giving speeches. But if you would like to look deeper than 2007…then go to 2002. That’s when Jimmy Carter won the award for his “work” of promoting world peace by constantly bashing Israel. Actually I think the “official” reason given was a little more discreet…but it was blatantly obvious why he won. The committee said at the time that it was partially meant to be a “kick in the leg” of George W. Bush for his actions in Iraq.

In short, this award is a complete joke…and no intelligent person should give it the slightest amount of respect or credence. Personally, I’m more impressed with Aunt Bea’s prize winning pickles at the Mayberry County Fair than I am this award. At least Aunt Bea had some competition and legitimate judges. The only difference between this year’s award and past years is that they typically give the award to a “has-been” liberal hack (Carter, Gore)….as opposed to a current liberal hack (Obama).

One of the reasons the committee cited for giving Obama the award was that he has great “potential” to bring world peace because of his position and demeanor. Since when are awards given for “potential”? Former Texas football coach Darrell Royal used to say that potential is another way of saying you’ve never actually DONE anything. Obama has ACTUALLY DONE so little that even the left-leaning comedy Saturday Night Live recently made fun of him in their opening skit for having actually accomplished absolutely nothing in his nine months in office. Can you imagine the Heisman Trophy going to a High School sophomore because he as the “potential” to be a great college football player someday? Such an act would make the award a laughingstock. And by choosing Obama, the Nobel Peace Prize has officially made itself a worldwide laughingstock…assuming it wasn’t already (which it pretty much was).

I predict that this act will completely suck any creditability away from the Nobel Peace Prize…and future awards will barely be noticed by the public. Even most liberals, including Obama’s administration, claimed they were shocked by his selection. The Norwegian boot-lickers who gave this to Obama should be ashamed of themselves for their blatant hero-worship of a smooth, glib American politician who has never accomplished anything other than get himself elected President. I assume we can expect the Vatican to announce any day now that they’re declaring Obama a saint; and then the United Nations will probably crown him as Supreme Potentate and King of the Universe. I expect this will be followed by the Nobel committee going all the way and renaming the award the Obama Peace Prize. But I won’t be playing along with their sham. Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize about as much as 1939 nominee Adolph Hitler did. Hitler’s nomination was eventually rescinded because of the obvious mockery of such a gesture. Obama’s nomination should have been rescinded as well. It wasn’t. Which perhaps shows that our world is a much, much sicker place today than it was in 1939. Congratulations to President Obama for winning yet another prize that he doesn’t deserve.

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September 15, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

A recent study by Lisa J. Berlin of the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University concluded that children who are spanked are more likely to grow up aggressive than those who aren’t. The study looked at 2500 low income families and came to the conclusion that those who were spanked showed more aggressive behavior one year later, than those who were not. In their opinion the case was closed as they pompously declared that spanking is bad.

Why on earth we even do “studies” like this is beyond me. By now, hasn’t everyone figured out that you can manipulate the social factors into giving you whatever results you want? For example….why did they only choose “low income” families to do the study? Their claim was that it is more likely for “low income families” (white, black, and Mexican) to dole out corporal punishment. If you need the snotty, Duke University, liberals translated for you….what they’re saying is that only dumb, poor rednecks, blacks, and Mexicans still spank children, because rich, uppity, well-educated elites are too brilliant and kind to resort to such discipline. So how do the rich people deal with behavior problems? They drug their kids with Ritalin….problem solved. The basic premise of this study is: spank=bad, drugs=good.

Don’t misunderstand what I’m saying. I know that in some cases, there is a chemical reason for a kid’s bad behavior. But in ALL cases there is also a spiritual reason for their bad behavior. According to the Bible, parents are to raise their children by “teaching them in the way that they should go” (Proverbs 22:6) …..and by using “the rod” as a means of discipline to reinforce the lessons learned. Make no mistake about it…. “the rod” can be used in an inappropriate fashion. For example, when it’s not used in accordance with “teaching” (I.e., communication) you’re unlikely to have a positive result. And therein lies another flaw with the Duke study.

Did they take into account parents who used spanking as one aspect of their disciplinary measures in a broad system of child-raising? No. They seem to have done everything in their power to find parents (low income) who simply scream and spank, with no training aspect involved. Let’s be honest….how many good, godly parents….who spank their children….are going to allow the high-brow liberals from Duke to “study” them? Not very many. Duke rounded up the group of people who would give them the results they wanted.

Another flaw with this study seems so obvious that one wonders if the Duke Professors honestly thought no one would notice it. The kids spanked at age one were more aggressive at age two. Perhaps they’re getting the cart before the horse. Maybe the REASON they were spanked more is because they’re more aggressive TO BEGIN WITH. In other words….maybe the spanks didn’t cause the aggression…..maybe the aggression was what caused the spanks.

I hope everyone can see this study for what it is…..yet another attempt for academic, intellectual, “experts” (many of whom don’t have children of their own) to tell parents that they know better than them how to raise their children. To liberal scientists, children are nothing more than lab rats which they “study” to make a profit. And often times it’s the “profit” that they have in mind when they cook up garbage such as this. The study was endorsed by the American Association of Pediatricians who have “other discipline techniques” they would like to share. Furthermore, the study’s findings were published in Child Development magazine. Do any of these organizations have anything to gain by parents lovingly disciplining their children? No. Do they anything to gain by having parents put their children on Ritalin? Absolutely. As the pharmaceutical sales increase….so do the goodies that the pharmaceutical companies provide to pediatricians. Not to mention the advertisements they’ll purchase in magazines like Child Development.  This study was driven by two things:  money and a false understanding of man’s sinful nature.  People (kids included) are no inherently good….they’re inherently evil, and must be made good. (Romans 3:10; 23)  The left-leaning academic and scientific community believe the opposite…and consequently their findings on human behavior will always be faulty as a result.

I know that the Bible is the last thing the Duke “experts” want to talk about….but let’s pretend for a moment that God may know more than they do about raising kids. After all, God did “invent” people, so maybe he knows something about it. The Bible teaches “He who withholds his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Proverbs 13:24 NASB) and “Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.” (Proverbs 23:13-14 NASB) God’s Word couldn’t be more clear…or blunt. You can talk all day about how much you “love” your kids….but if you don’t use spanking as apart of their discipline….You aren’t SHOWING THEM LOVE. “Love” doesn’t let a child get away with unruly behavior. “Love” disciplines them. And Godly “love” disciplines them God’s way….with a spank and a word of loving correction.

The second verse is even more sobering. They say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. While a parent may withhold spanking out of “love” they may be ushering their child down the road to eternal damnation. If a child isn’t taught early on that there is right and wrong. And rewards and punishment. Then the gospel isn’t going to make much sense to them. You may consider yourself “too nice” to punish them, but God doesn’t. Teach them now. Teach them well. Discipline them God’s way. Ignore the “experts” way. And see how God may bless it.

In conclusion, this study is the biggest joke I’ve seen in some time on the detrimental effects of spanking. When done the right way, spanking is very effective. Yes, there comes a time when kids are too old to spank…but when they’re young, they need “the rod” to reinforce the teaching from mom and dad. Self-proclaimed child genius, Elizabeth Gershoff of the University of Texas states that spanking, “creates a model for using aggression, because spanking is just hitting." Gershoff doesn’t have the foggiest idea what she’s talking about. There’s a big difference between walking up to someone and hitting them…..and sitting a child down, explaining that their defiant behavior is unacceptable, giving them a swat on the rear-end as a reminder, then explaining that you love them too much to let them act like devils. And devils they are, unless taught otherwise. And if they’re not taught otherwise, then they’ll GROW UP to be devils as well. Maybe even “blue devils” from Duke, who waste their life, their time, and your money coming up with hare-brained schemes for raising children….that only lead to their ruin.

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September 10, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

It’s truly frightening to see how any political dissent aimed at Barack Obama is so quickly and fiercely squelched by our nation today. Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, in a moment when there were many squeaks and groans across the hall blurted out two words: “You Lie!” The result has been an overwhelming amount of censure and disdain towards Wilson from Democrats and Republicans alike. So is it no longer allowed to call a liar a liar in our Nation today? The fact that Obama lies on a daily basis is a matter of public record. Remember the promise he made that no lobbyist would be allowed to work in his administration? In fact, his administration if over run with lobbyists. In 2004 Obama stated unequivocally that he would NOT run for President in the next election. Truth or lie? Obama, like most politicians, says whatever he wants to say at the time…then does whatever he wants to do. Honesty means nothing to him. The real tragedy is that we are no longer surprised when political hacks like Obama are caught in a lie. We simply expect it from them. But the outrage over pointing out that a liar is a liar in this case is astounding.

Arlen Specter, the specimen from Pennsylvania was a Democrat when it could further his career…then quickly switched to a Republican when Reagan came to power in 1980….then quickly switched back to Democrat when Obama came to power. A bigger liar doesn’t exist in Washington than Specter, who called for Wilson to be “censured” for his conduct. Are you kidding me? Arlen Specter has the audacity to suggest someone else be censured? Of course Specter is the same man who was outraged when people actually spoke out against him at recent town hall meetings concerning health care, threatening to have police remove vocal dissenters. Specter and his ilk would be much more comfortable in a Soviet style dictatorship where all dissent is destroyed. Apparently all of the Democrats and many of the Republicans in Washington agree.

I assume that most people would claim Wilson’s remarks were out of place in that context. But the spirit of the room had clearly become vocal. Many noises were emanating from the gallery when Wilson blurted out his exclamation. Nancy Pelosi, who with all due respect seems to be the ditzy human in the history of politics, said she considered “gaveling” Wilson for his outburst. I say that’s fine….as long as she gavels any and everyone who claps during Obama’s speech. Or cheers. Or gives a standing ovation….all common forms of “outbursts” during congressional speeches.

The Wilson case makes one thing crystal clear……speaking out against Obama will not be tolerated by the Washington establishment. The boot-licking Democrats in Congress will go along with anything the Obama dictatorship proposes. The media will play along. And often times, even the spineless Republicans will submit and back pedal….rather than stand up and speak out. In very rare exceptions, someone will speak out…..and they’re shouted down so fast it makes their head spin.

Some are saying Wilson’s career is over. Really? For blurting out two measly words….that were accurate at that. You are witnessing the destruction of America before your very eyes. Barack Obama is a radical beyond anything we’ve ever seen; and he has stuffed his administration with unaccountable “czars” who are just as radical as he is….and who none are allowed to question. Open communists now swarm the capital like a pack of mangy dogs. And none are allowed to speak out against them without risking their career. Everyday we churn more rapidly towards a modern day Nazi Germany….with Obama playing the part of the charismatic lunatic Adolph Hitler. Don’t forget that “NAZI” was a nickname for “National Socialist”….which is exactly what Obama is.

Bravo to Joe Wilson for speaking the truth in calling Obama a liar. It may cost him his career….but unlike most in Washington, both Democrat and Republican…..Wilson can say that he spoke the truth….in pointing out the liar.

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September 4, 2009 by Shane Kastler.

I’ve always loved reading Thomas Sowell’s work. His cool-headed, logical, common-sense approach to the world is like a breath of fresh air in our politically correct and deeply twisted world of situational ethics. In his September 1 column, Suicide of the West, Sowell writes on the recent release of the Lockerbie bomber, Abdel Baset al-Megrahi as yet another sign that the West is handing over its civilization to Isalmic extremists with no attempt to defend themselves and see true justice served. Sowell quotes Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, who said: "The timid civilized world has found nothing with which to oppose the onslaught of a sudden revival of barefaced barbarity, other than concessions and smiles." Clearly this “concede and smile” approach to terrorism is Barack Obama’s policy. Not to mention his worldwide “apologize for America” tour that he’s been on since taking office.

Obama’s pacifism has been tried and failed before. In the 1930’s British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain famously made concessions to a new, up and coming German leader named Adolph Hitler. But smiles and concessions didn’t work with him. Only bombs, guns, and armies would stop this lunatic bent on world domination. The Obama liberals of the world don’t seem to realize this, and consequently their policies will eventually cripple and kill western civilization if they’re not stopped. There’s a way to deal with bullies…be it in the schoolyard or on the international scene. And common sense Westerners used to know how to do it. Sowell writes:

“Neither the Constitution of the United States nor the Geneva Convention gives rights to terrorists who operate outside the law. There was a time when everybody understood this. German soldiers who put on American military uniforms, in order to infiltrate American lines during the Battle of the Bulge were simply lined up against a wall and shot– and nobody wrung their hands over it. Nor did the U.S. Army try to conceal what they had done. The executions were filmed and the film has been shown on the History Channel. So many "rights" have been conjured up out of thin air that many people seem unaware that rights and obligations derive from explicit laws, not from politically correct pieties. If you don’t meet the terms of the Geneva Convention, then the Geneva Convention doesn’t protect you. If you are not an American citizen, then the rights guaranteed to American citizens do not apply to you. That should be especially obvious if you are part of an international network bent on killing Americans.”

In short, fire must be fought with fire….not international groveling and the release of mass murderers like the Lockerbie bomber for “compassionate reasons.” The unjust judge in Scotland who let him free because of his terminal cancer is simply slapping the face of the families of those whom he killed. They didn’t see a “compassionate” end to the their life, and weren’t allowed to live long enough to get cancer. They were incinerated. If true justice had been served the Lockerbie bomber would have never gotten cancer either. He would have been executed as a criminal against humanity…and as a lesson to other would-be terrorists that if you kill innocent people, we will kill you. That isn’t barbaric…it’s simply common sense justice. And its sorely lacking in our upside-down, right-is-wrong world of today.

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