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Thursday, June 23, 2005

Democrats vs. Republicans -- See the Difference

Posted by Bob Brigham

In response to the outrageous statements by Bush Political Chief Karl Rove (which resulted in the Fire Karl Rove Movement), the DNC blog Kicking Ass reminded us of the true differences between the two parties:

Democrats
Believe capturing the person primarily responsible for the attack should be a top priority.

Republicans
It's been four years, and Osama bin Laden is still free, even though Bush's CIA chief says he knows where he is.

Democrats
Investigate the intelligence failures that led to 9/11.

Republicans
Do everything in their power to block the 9/11 Commission from doing its work.

Democrats
Propose creating the Department of Homeland Security.

Republicans
Push tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.

Democrats
Believe we should have stayed the course in Afghanistan, not allowing the Taliban to resurge, the warlords to take power, and the opium trade to skyrocket.

Republicans
Ignore Afghanistan as the situation worsens.

Democrats
Believe that we should be honest with our troops about the reasons we go to war, give them everything they need to be safe, and make sure we go in with an exit plan.

Republicans
Manipulate intelligence to trump up reasons to go to war, don't give our troops the support they need, constantly mislead the public about the direction the war is going, and fail to make an exit plan. And turn Iraq into the ultimate terrorist training ground.

Differences indeed.

Posted at 06:19 PM in Democrats, Republicans | Technorati

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THE DEMISE OF THE U.S. DEMOCRATIC PARTY

(The moral issues discussed below should concern people of all Faiths, and therefore this letter is being sent to members of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Senate, the Federal Executive Branch of the Government, and to officials of governments throughout the world. It briefly covers the critical political and moral issues of abortion, homosexuality, the Iraq war, the death penalty, euthanasia, and stem cell research (see footnotes). For the good of your country, and for the good of your soul, your studied response, based on the Highest Authority (the Word of God), is requested. Thank you).

June 18, 2005

The Democratic Party that has produced such great leaders as Presidents Wilson, Roosevelt, and Kennedy has fallen to new lows. The corruption started with President Johnson, and has continued with morally weak leaders like Carter and Clinton. Throughout most of the Party are spiritually insane doctrines such as the right to kill through abortion, the approval of homosexual lifestyles, and “the end justifies the means“ mentality. While it is true that Republicans are also lacking in virtue, they come nowhere near the degree of arrogance, hypocrisy, vengeance, and self-righteousness that exists in the Democratic Party, where true wisdom is practically non-existent.

Today’s Democrats continue to “use” the media, the elderly, union workers, and minority groups to further their political ambitions. Their tactics include slander, lies and half-truths. Although the American public has rejected their permissive opinions, Democrats continue to act like they are the majority party, refusing to address how, or why their moral standards sicken most Americans, and others throughout the world.

Democrats foolishly refuse to compare the millions killed through abortion to the deaths in the Iraq war that brought freedom to millions, or the death penalty that involves a trial by jury. Lacking a vision for the future and a sense of justice, Democrats do not see that a far smaller number have died in Iraq, and through the death penalty. Democrats often speak of “freedom,“ but do not fight to defend the freedom of choice for human beings who are being considered for abortion. They remain indifferent to the fact that no legal defense or jury trial is allotted the innocents killed through abortion.

The vast majority of politicians in the Democratic Party take “pride” in their foolishness, but far more foolish are those Republicans who are naive enough to believe they can find a common moral ground with them, as if “light” as anything in common with “darkness.”

FOOTNOTES:

1. Abortion: It is a scientific fact that when a “being” exists in the womb, that being is human - no matter what the stage of development. “And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb” (Luke 1:41). “To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child” (Luke 2:5). “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

2. Homosexuality: There are two degrees of homosexuality. The first type includes individuals who are inclined to be attracted to the same sex (either sexually or non-sexually), but are conscious of this mental disorder, and seek professional counseling to bring about a healing. This group is not proud of their illness, and prefer to keep private their unnatural feelings.

The other type of homosexuality involves a moral sickness that negatively affects the soul of a homosexual or lesbian. These individuals do not seek to change, or confess their sinfulness - they have no shame, and most have many partners. They desire public acceptance of the scandal they create, and are openly proud of their unnatural behavior, and constantly seek an “audience.” These type homosexuals seek the “right” to publicly practice their unnatural behavior, and accuse anyone who disagrees with their immorality of being “prejudiced,” or of “discrimination.” If necessary, they will resort to violence to further their “cause.” They also seek to influence others (especially the media and entertainers), and persuade them to join their unholy crusade. It is this group, and those who “consent” to this behavior by giving their approval to this morally sick lifestyle, that are included in the condemnation given in the Sacred Scriptures:

“Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, because in is an abomination....Every soul that shall commit any of these abominations, shall perish from the midst of his people” (Leviticus 18:22,29). “For professing themselves to be wise, they became fools....Wherefore God gave them up to the desires of their heart, unto uncleanness, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves....For their women have changed the natural use into that use which is against nature....And in a like manner, the men also, leaving the natural use of the women, have burned in their lusts one towards another, men with men, working that which is filthy.... Who, having known the justice of God, did not understand that they who do such things, are worthy of death (damnation), and not only they that do them, but they also that consent to them that do them” (Romans 1:22,24,26-27,32).

3. The death penalty and the Iraq war:

Please note: This writer is not in favor of the death penalty (see Genesis, Chapter four, which shows that in the beginning, after Cain murdered Abel, God did not approve of an “an eye for an eye” vigilante type justice). But Almighty God certainly does not object that those guilty of grave crimes and other crimes against society, are punished by imprisonment. This is also often necessary for the protection of society, and that the guilty have the opportunity to fully repent and be rehabilitated. There are exceptions of course, for those who commit lesser and/or “accidental” crimes, and express sincere sorrow, should be shown greater mercy by the court - a mercy that recognizes that these individuals are not a danger to society, and therefore imprisonment should be of a short duration, or may not be beneficial or even necessary. But I do not consider those who favor the death penalty not to be “pro-life,” for a person’s sense of justice is determined by his or her experiences. Many Popes, saints, world leaders, and other good people, although they spoke out against abortion, remained silent, or even approved of the death penalty and they certainly should not be described as not “pro-life.” For example:

“When it is a question of the execution of a man condemned to death it is then reserved to the public power to deprive the condemned of the benefit of life, in expiation of his fault, when already, by his fault, he has dispossessed himself of the right to live.”

Pope Pius XII, Sept. 14, 1952.

“The rejection of capital punishment is not to be dignified as a ‘higher Christian way’ that enthrones the ethics of Jesus. The argument that Jesus as the incarnation of divine love cancels the appropriateness of capital punishment in the New Testament era has little to comment it. Nowhere does the Bible repudiate capital punishment for premeditated murder; not only is the death penalty for deliberate killing of a fellow human being permitted, but it is approved and encourage, and for any government that attaches at least as much value to the life of an innocent victim as to a deliberate murderer, it is ethically imperative.”

St. Augustine, The City of God, Book 1, Chapter 21.

For many, life without parole is a better choice than the death penalty, but that decision should still be “reserved to the public power,” or the laws of a particular government, and should not be tied into the “pro-life” movement.

However, although I agree (based on the intelligence information they were given), with the decision made by the USA and Briton to wage war against Iraq, I do not consider those who oppose the war to be more honorable, or greater “peacemakers,” for many of them approve of the “right to kill” through deliberate abortion which has resulted in the murder of millions upon millions of innocent human beings. In addition, they express no shame or guilt for these horrible crimes against humanity! Only a small number of those who opposed/oppose the war, do so without a judgmental, or arrogant attitude. Too many people’s definition of a “just war” is based solely upon their own personal opinions, and not upon discerning the Will of God. While people have the right to voice disagreement with the war in Iraq, the vast majority of verbal and written attacks upon President George W. Bush are filled with vengeance, and not wisdom.

At their last meeting, even Pope John Paul II, who opposed the war, complimented President Bush for his “moral leadership.” Also, the Vatican now sees the necessity of American troops remaining in Iraq until that nation is able to defend itself from the evil that exists within. A clear sign of the goodness of the President is the fact that unlike those who do not pray, and choose to persecute him, he prayed for guidance before deciding to send America to war: “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20).

The following, along with much more information, is listed on the Home page of my website, and it shows the greater wisdom regarding these grave moral issues:

“Pope Benedict XVI, (when known as Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith), made this STATEMENT ON WAR, THE DEATH PENALTY AND ABORTION:

‘Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. . . . There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.’”
(Memo to U.S. Bishops, June 2004).

“In the West, one hears the words ‘occupation’ and ‘Iraqi resistance’ and that Americans are not well liked. Certainly, the Americans probably made some mistakes and have destroyed things; but they are still our ‘liberators.’”

Msgr. Rabban al Qas, Bishop of Amadiyah, Iraq
12/16/2003 8:58:00 PM - ASIANEWS.

4. Euthanasia: “Thou shalt not kill” is not a request, but a Commandment. Therefore we are not allowed by God’s Law to kill ourselves, or to assist in the killing of another human being:

“The Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin. The Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, with reference to judicial decisions or civil laws that authorize or promote abortion or euthanasia, states that there is a ‘grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection....In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to ‘take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law or vote for it’ (no. 73). Christians have a ‘grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil....This cooperation can never be justified either by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits it or requires it’ (no. 74).”

(Memorandum sent by Cardinal Ratzinger to Cardinal McCarrick. Made public in the first week of July 2004).

5. Embryonic stem cell research - We must not imitate the Nazis, and experiment on human beings for the sake of “science,” for Almighty God will never bless such a gruesome “the end justifies the means” enterprise. In addition, unlike adult stem cells, there is absolutely no scientific evidence that embryonic stem cells will be of benefit in helping to cure diseases, (although it remains an immoral experiment even if that evidence existed).

(See below information from the Culture of Life Foundation’s newsletter):

Culture & Cosmos
Volume 2 Number 45 | June 14, 2005

Dear Colleague,

"One of the saddest aspects of the debate over embryo-destructive research is the false hope that has been given to thousands of sick people who are told that a cure for their disease is imminent. A new editorial and a more in depth article from the medical journal The Lancet makes it clear that if successful treatments ever come from embryonic stem cells they are a long-way off and that adult stem cells continue to hold the most potential for the near future. Keep in mind that this is coming from a journal that supports embryo-destructive research."

Austin Ruse, President

Lancet Calls For Caution In Touting Potential For Embryonic Stem Cells

A prestigious British medical journal calls recent headlines that claim research using embryonic stem cells will lead to cures for an almost unending number of diseases to be "sensationalist" and "hype" even though the journal favors embryo-destructive research. In an editorial in the June 4 edition titled "Stem cell research: hope and hype," The Lancet noted the findings of a recent meeting of researchers in London, also supportive of embryonic stem cell research, who found that, "no safe and effective stem cell therapy will be widely available for at least a decade, and possibly longer." Recent news that South Korean scientists successfully cloned a human embryo has increased the visibility of bold claims by those favoring embryo-destructive research that miracle cures for everything from Alzheimer's to diabetes are around the corner if such research is allowed. Recent debate in the House of Representative over legislation that would provide federal funding for embryo-destructive research was filled with emotional pleas from House members on both sides of the aisle who claimed that such funding offered the best hope for family members struck with a variety of diseases.

The Lancet also published a commentary from Neil Scolding, a British neurology researcher at the University of Bristol, highlighting the numerous technical problems with embryonic stem cell research. "An increasing appreciation of the hazards of embryonic stem cells has rightly prevented the emergence or immediate prospect of any clinical therapies based on such cells. The natural propensity of embryonic stem cells to form [tumors], their exhibition of chromosomal abnormalities, and abnormalities in cloned mammals all present difficulties." Scolding says that the "prospect of having to clone . . . every patient requiring therapy is surely unrealistic" and notes that the recent "Korean report of cloning human embryos for stem cells used almost 250 human eggs in generating a single stem cell line." Scolding goes on to say that these problems only compound the ethical concerns that come from embryo-destructive research. "What is unarguable is that the human embryo is alive and is human, and intentionally ending the life of one human being for the potential benefit of others (ie, for research) is not territory to which mainstream clinical researchers have hitherto sought claim - or which ethically conscious objectors could ever concede."

Scolding insists that this does not mean that the future of stem cells is dead. "Far from it, for the embryonic stem cell story forms only one aspect," he says, remarking that adult stem cell therapies have overcome some of the early challenges to their effectiveness. "Fortunately, for the now highly expectant patient, reports of the death of adult stem cells were greatly exaggerated." Scolding points to successful treatments using bone marrow-derived stem cells as well as recent achievements using adult stem cells to treat patients with corneal disease. "The next few years, not decades, will show whether adult stem cell treatments are to join the mainstream therapeutic arsenal," he said in what could be seen as a reference to the uncertain future of embryonic stem cells.

Copyright 2005---Culture of Life Foundation.

Permission granted for unlimited use. Credit required.

Culture of Life Foundation

1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000

Washington DC 20005

Phone: (202) 289-2500

Fax: (202) 289-2502

E-mail: clf@culture-of-life.org

Website: "http://www.culture-of-life.org/"

6. Light versus darkness: “Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation has justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). “You are the light of the world....So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16). “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Thank you for taking the time to study this letter. Although much more could be written on these subjects, as you can see from the above examples, we must never be ashamed of our Faith. For the good of mankind, and for the good of our soul, we need to recognize and live by God’s Word, and not by human opinions: “Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4 & Deuteronomy 8:3). God Bless you.

vtb

http://www.CatholicMessagesUSA.CatholicWeb.com/

Posted by: vtb at June 23, 2005 10:12 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

SUICIDE BOMBERS WILL NOT ENTER HEAVEN

Those who seek to terrorize others by killing innocent people will not reach Heaven. Among those in the Sacred Scriptures who committed suicide is Judas. And through the Word of God we know he lost his soul: “And Satan entered into Judas, who was surnamed Iscariot, one of the twelve” (Luke 22:3). And we also know that for all eternity he will suffer the pains of Hell, for the death of a good person is not described like the death of Judas: “Men, brethren, the scripture must be fulfilled....concerning Judas....Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. And he indeed hath possessed a field of the reward of iniquity, and being hanged (Judas hung himself), burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out....So that the same field was called....’The field of blood‘” (Acts 1:16-19).

When God revealed: “Thou shalt not kill” He did not simply request us not to kill, but He Commanded us not to kill - not only ourselves, but also our brothers and sisters. Suicide bombers are cowards who lack a true faith in God. They place their faith in their interpretations of the opinions of men rather than the Word of God, and are therefore disobedient, selfish, and misguided fanatics who use religion to justify their goal of destroying human life. They do not earn the respect of truly religious people, and unlike a true soldier, they will never be remembered as heroic. Their life is wasted, and they are placed among the criminals of society, rather than among those who have benefited society. A truly religious person loves God, and loves his neighbor, no matter who that “neighbor” may be. A religious fanatic only loves himself, and will even kill innocent children to further his “cause.” But Almighty God will severely judge him, and that coward will pay for the harm he has done to society, and the corruption he has done to his soul.

In the end, good always triumphs over evil, and the day will come when Iraq will be truly free. Free from the madness of evil men & women who, like fools, believe destruction will help accomplish their goals. The long-suffering people of Iraq will finally be free to openly practice their Faith without threats from spiritually immature, religious fanatics. And the result will be the building of a society that will enrich all of mankind.

vtb
http://www.CatholicMessagesUSA.CatholicWeb.com/

Posted by: vtb at July 16, 2005 12:25 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment