Watching "Christianity" and "evangelical" be used and abused in popular media is kind of a thrill ride for sociopaths and the sociopaths

 Matthew 13:24-30

    Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?  But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

The term evangelical derives from the Greek word evangelion meaning “gospel” or “good news.” Technically speaking, evangelical refers to a person, church, or organization that is committed to the Christian gospel message that Jesus Christ is the savior of humanity. The Greek root word is used in the New Testament and was popularized in the first centuries A.D. to distinguish the love-centric movement of Jesus followers from the violent Roman Empire that often made its own “good news” announcements to celebrate military victories.
     When American media uses the word "evangelical" usually they use it as a descriptive of, simply, American Christians. There is likely some in the mix, but I think they're using the word to indicate  a very very broad demographic which is a mix of real and faux Christians. There is a parable of Jesus which appears in Matthew 13:24–43. The parable relates how servants eager to pull up weeds were warned that in so doing they would root out the wheat as well and were told to let both grow together until the harvest. So some,  though off target, will always be there. Faux Christians love the Christian verbiage..but, clearly, produce not much of anything faithfully productive. A man of faith can move mountains. A faux Christian has no interest in moving anything....sometimes not even themselves.
    But I  remain hopeful because there are still a LOT of true "Jesus Christ is Lord" Christians who are not also low-information people who  chase every conspiracy theory that comes their way. I see this in my own personal observation and personal research. In my mind the right wing may not be a majority but just the noisiest. A lot of time is given to the shipwreck that is Donald Trump. Maga and the "America First" movement is quite truthfully America First as it's agenda. Jesus falls out of the top couple spots and may land at 3rd or 4th. Just enough so the "Christianese" language can be heard and Bibles used as props. 
    Today the word "evangelical" is getting overused and abused. In fact, even my usage of the word "Evangelical" is when I use it as a descriptive of an American form of "Christianity" whose real identity is usually more suspect. When I use the word "Christian." I generally use it as a descriptive of "Christs Ones" or a Christian is someone whose behavior and heart reflects Jesus Christ...a natural growth from knowing Him.
There are times I may be short sighted in that observation as there may be many who make missteps and historically I slip them in the "evangelical" column. That is not always fair on my part, as being a Christian does not mean we will never misstep...and I have had people extend grace to me when I made poor decisions in my past.
     Watching "Christianity" and "evangelical" be used and abused in popular media is kind of a thrill ride for sociopaths and the sociopaths who watch....and even the Christian-sociopaths, which is a demographic in which those two words should never be used close together for any good reason. But here we are.

Jan 6 vs Supreme Court Protests

 Question: When do we get to see the hearing of those who broke through those same capital doors to stop a confirmation of a supreme court justice?!! They tried to stop. insurrection??

While protesters in 2018 did push past a police barricade in front of the steps of the Supreme Court to pound on its doors, according to NBC News, there is no reference to protesters entering the Supreme Court building. Capitol Police said in a press release they arrested more than 100 people for infractions that ranged from crowding and obstructing to unlawful conduct on Oct. 5, 2018, but The Washington Post reported that nearly 300 protesters had been arrested. That followed hundreds of protesters arrested during earlier hearings, including about 200 in early September 2018, mostly for disorderly conduct, according to Reuters. There is no reference to those protesters damaging the Supreme Court or Capitol, which was open to the public in 2018. During the Jan. 6 riot, though, the Capitol and its visitors center were closed to the public, including tours led by members of Congress and their staff, according to a security notice sent to all members of Congress. The Jan. 6 insurrection that followed a speech from then-President Donald Trump left both demonstrators and police injured or, in some cases, dead.
SOURCES:
Reuters, Sept. 7, 2018, Hundreds arrested in multi-day protests of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Washington Post,
Oct. 4, 2018, Hundreds arrested in protest against Trump’s Supreme Court nominee U.S. Capitol Police,
Oct. 5, 2018, U.S. Capitol Police Respond to Multiple Instances of Unlawful Demonstration Activities NBC News, Oct. 6, 2018, Protesters pound the doors of the Supreme Court following Kavanaugh confirmation U.S. Capitol Police,
Jan. 7, Statement of Steven Sund, Chief of Police, Regarding the Events of January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Police, Jan. 7, Loss of USCP Officer Brian D. Sicknick USA TODAY, 
Jan. 7, California woman killed during Capitol riot was a military veteran and staunch Trump supporter USA TODAY,
Jan. 7, Three people died from medical emergencies on Capitol grounds Wednesday. Who were they? 

Boston.com, an. 8, AP photographer shares harrowing video of pro-Trump mob attacking colleague outside Capitol Associated Press,
Jan. 14, Prosecutor: US Capitol rioter with zip ties meant 'to take hostages' CNN video, accessed Feb. 3, Rioters break windows and breach US Capitol U.S. Department of Justice, accessed
​ Feb. 3, List of charges announced against alleged participants in Capitol riot.

The GOP is now the party of fear mongering

Zorek Richards

 The GOP is now the party of fear mongering. They spread fear amongst their members and the gullible ones will be subservient. It's how they keep them codependent and "loyal." GOP is NRA bought, and it keeps their members armed. GOP voters are not motivated by God, country, or Constitution. They are motivated by fear and fear alone (usually expressed by hatefulness). Everyone is out to get them one way or another except (of course) the GOP leadership who are going to lead them to the GOP "promised land"....by extracting every nickel and dime they can grift from their fearful devoted goose-stepping minions. Trump didn't start the fire. He just fanned the flames. I think we are, after trying everything else, going to have to send in Yoko Ono to break up these clowns in the House.

     The GOP leader told Megyn Kelly this week that "I could have pardon myself. Do you know what? I was given an option to pardon myself. I had a couple of attorneys that said can you do it if you want." But, seriously, why would he think about if he did not know he was doing something illegal?? He's a old-school criminal and not very bright. He incriminates himself in every interview he makes.
   Republican Congressman Ronnie Jackson is very confused. Ronny Jackson is a political prisoner in the deep deep state between his ears and his own mind. His mind will not pardon him. Reality has a restraining order against him for abuse. He consistently posts a Bible verse on Sunday Twitter, but spends the rest of the time making all kinds of judgments against anyone who is not pro-Trump. Jackson says "Our country is careening off a cliff and this White House's ONLY concern is locking up their political adversaries. They truly hate this country and its people. We need TRUMP back now more than ever!!". No one in the USA that I know of is being jailed for being on the other side of as political party - Democrat or Republican. 
     South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem adamantly denied to Megyn Kelly the rumors that she was having an affair with Trump staffer Corey Lewandowski. I think there is eveidence that she has but until then I will not comment. Megyn Kelly is repeating claims that the Obamas secretly run the government because, when your only audience is MAGA, a racist lie always beats the truth.
    Donald Trump spoke at the Pray Vote Stand Summitt  and said "The moment I win the election, I will appoint a special task force to rapidly review the cases of every political prisoner who has been unjustly persecuted by Biden.. I want to sign their pardons and commutations on day one." At face value that means there would not be any to pardon becasue Biden has not perecuted or jailed anyone.  This week Putin criticized Trump's arrest, trial: 'Shows the rottenness of the American system. When Putin endorses him, you gotta know fascists endorse other fascists.  Liz Cheney put out a statement: "Putin has now officially endorsed the Putin-wing of the Republican Party. Putin Republicans & their enablers will end up on the ash heap of history. Patriotic Americans in both parties who believe in the values of liberal democracy will make sure of it."
    The NRA does not defend the second amendment. They defend the money they make off the fools who think they do defend the second amendment. Their biggest nightmare is not Joe Biden, like they claim. It would be the dues paying members who wake up some day realize the NRA used them as  pawns and for grift.
    Texas Congressman Chip Roy said this week on the House floor that “If we're not going to secure the United States of America, we shouldn't fund the government that REFUSES to do so!”...However, that would be at the expense of every citizen in the USA who will be affected by it..and it will touch everyones life (if not directly than indirectly). Congressmen who are over paid anyway and have usually used their position to make extra profit off grift and back room deals...will be unaffected in the short term. But, their wage should be the first thing cancelled and not exempt. I Bet they would be a little more concerned then. 
              North Carolina Lt Governor Mark Robinson told an audience this week that "It is summer. Soon it will be fall. And it will be winter. After that, it will be spring… That's the only climate change that I believe in… Other Ice Ages that happened, I don't think any dinosaurs were going look there’s an eastern airliner flying over us."   Preachers who preach like that  are dangerous. They generally hold a lot of control over what their congregation believes when they preach outside the gospel. They are commissioned to "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season.." They are "to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up." Allowing a person to be "built up" is to always plant the seed... and encourage growth in their time. Preaching politics, science etc is like an athiest preaching about the "power of God." It just doesnt work and makes no sense and produces horrible fruit.
​   Congressman Jim Jordan said thsi week that "It’s scary that Democrat governors think they can suspend the Constitution just because they want to. Republicans won’t ever stop standing up for your Constitutional rights." (He was referring to New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham when she said she could suspend part of the Constitution in order to save lives...because of major issues with gun deaths.) January 6, 2021 and the way Jordan has handled, or rather, done everything he can to avoid it, makes Jordan a liar.
Sen.
    On News Nation this week Ted Cruz tried to debunk the false Democrat claim that there is “no evidence” corroborating the allegations of Biden corruption. “There is a growing mountain of evidence." he declared. But even he didnt say what it was. Ted Cruz affirms everything the GOP does and has for years. Facts are irrelevant. He is wrong a lot. As a former right winger I supported him for President and vioted for him in the Mississippi primary. 
    Matt Gaetz tweeted this week that "Kevin McCarthy Is a Sad, Pathetic Man Who Lies To Hold Onto Power." What he means is that he does not accept the lies someone else pushes. Lying to Hold onto power is the Republican Party Platform.

Unhush Money

 Since Trevor Noah left "The Daily Show" they have been trying out new hosts. This week it is Roy Wood Jr, who is also, so far, my favorite.

​ 

   On Tuesday Wood reported:
" it’s not all bad for Trump,” Roy Wood Jr explained on the Daily Show. . Because it’s been reported that in the 48 hours following his indictment, Trump managed to raise $5 million from his supporters. “Do you know how many cigarettes that will get you in prison?” Wood asked.
“Honestly, this might be teaching this man the wrong lesson,” Wood concluded. “Trump will start telling people to snitch on him for other crimes he did, just so he can get that bag, too. Trump will be the first man in history to pay un-hush money.”

If convicted of all 34 felonies, Donald Trump could go to prison for up to 136 years.

 

  Donald Trump was charged with a whopping 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—in the same New York courtroom where the Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud last year—and entered a plea of not guilty. Indictment focuses on 3 hush money cases, If convicted of all 34 felonies, the former president could go to prison for up to 136 years. 

     Rolling Stone reported that Trump  was “offered a chance to surrender quietly and be arraigned over Zoom,” but chose “a midday, high-profile booking at the Manhattan courthouse” in order to make it clear that he’s being crucified—and is happy to take the heat so his followers don’t have to. (BTW, none of Trump’s supporters have falsified business records to cover up a six-figure payment to an adult film star while running for president of the United States.) “It’s kind of a Jesus Christ thing,” a source familiar with Trump’s legal team told the outlet. “He is saying, ‘I’m absorbing all this pain from all around from everywhere so you don’t have to’ [and] ‘If they can do this to me they can do this to you’…that’s a powerful message.”
     Trump's next scheduled court date in New York isn't until Dec. 4. That means a trial might not start until January, on the cusp of the 2024 Republican presidential nominating process. At Maralago, on the evening after the arraignment, Trump, of course said “This fake case was brought only to interfere with the upcoming 2024 election, and it should be dropped immediately,” But truthfully it wouldn't have mattered when or what was happening because Trump always paints himself as the victim. Being the victim seems to be his one and only superpower. For a guy who claims to be so smart he is always the innocent concerned official who is always the major victim. It will be the only crown of his legacy. A severely tainted crown, but a crown nonetheless.

We are now so desensitized to the frequency of mass shootings that we now actually give a sigh of relief and say "Thank God, it was only six people, it could have been so much worse." Before we have even emotionally absorbed one tragedy there will be another in a matter of days. " What is wrong with us?", a letter to the editor in a Louisiana paper writes,  "When did holding on to power and "winning" become more important than the sanctity of life? When did we give up on the concept of community and working together to create a better, safer, more equitable community for everyone?"

The 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature wrapped up Monday with Veto Day. Sioux Falls Argus Leader reported:  "Winner: Criminal Justice.' The state is funding the construction of two new prisons to ease overcrowding at the women’s facility in Pierre and the men’s facility in Sioux Falls. Construction on the women’s prison in Rapid City is slated to start in the summer. Meanwhile, the Department of Corrections will start the process to design and find the next location for the men’s penitentiary in the Sioux Falls area."
Yet the prison population of South Dakota is about twice that of North Dakota. Before they spend money to build a new prison, they might try using North Dakota as a template to reduce prison population to half of what it is now. 
     The Leader writes "Reducing the prison population by half should solve our short and long term prison problems. A rough calculation suggests that half the prison population would need half the space, half the staff and a lot less expense. This should be very attractive to fiscal conservatives.The prisons are currently managed by the Department of Corrections. The high numbers of people who return to our prison system suggests they are not correcting much." ​

GOP: Forever chasing Fairy Tales

 

There are simple ways to find out if an elected official has gone off the deep end (or becoming QAnonesque). One way has become clear ever since Trump uttered his first election lie in 2020 (even before the election even started):

Q: Do you believe the 2020 election was stolen?
A: Yes (Which automatically confirms and certifies the responder as a right wing nutjob)
     There are others (way too many) but the most recent has to do with Elon Musk's alleged "Twitter Files" which he posted to Twitter. "Twitter Files" was suppose to expose something important. It didn't.  Just another stack added to the stupid things right wingers look for. 
    New question:
Q) Do you believe there's anything to the Hunter Biden laptop story that exposes President Biden?
A: Yes. (Which, automatically certifies you as a right wing nutjob and a right winger that can't read very well.)
Unfortunately, Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker thinks "Twitter Files" was some great big old revelation of corruption. (Which  it wasn't anywhere near). Wicker told an interviewer this last week that “What we’ve learned is Twitter was in cahoots with the top officials of the Biden campaign trying to get Vice President Biden elected president and they seemed to have succeeded."
    Wicker also said "I asked Jack Dorsey, the head of Twitter, if he had information that the laptop was Russian disinformation." Dorsey said no and that he "had no such information." Of course if you ask a question that flies in the face of the narrative you are pushing there is no satisfactory answer available unless the answer supports your pet false narrative of the week. Wicker will continue, as usual, seeking out the truth of the lie he believes and will be frustrated when he never finds it....but even that wont stop him from believing it.  Like Hillary's emails and Benghazi. #DOH

Magas are officially a hate group

 The assailant who broke into Nancy Pelosi's house and beat Nancy Pelosi's husband (an 86 year old man) called out "Nancy" at first. Clearly he was hoping to find Nancy Pelosi. That's a clear result of the GOP demonizing Nancy Pelosi whenever they can. It's part of their talking points. Maga cult and elected GOPers also. Magas are officially a hate group, "christian" white nationalist and racist...and, anti-semitic. Before Trump was elected and won his first primary in Iowa he said "I love the uneducated!" That is the game he has played and he has an army of Magas who eat up the stupid and the hate and do his bidding, so to speak. He instigated the dumpster fire known as Jan 6...then sacrificed them and pretends he had no idea who they were. The very real threat is still out there. November 8 could be a bad day for America.

​

NBC News: Live updates: Nancy Pelosi's husband attacked in home invasion

NBC News Bay Area: ​What to Know About David Depape, Man Accused of Attacking Paul Pelosi in SF Home Invasion

​San Francisco Standard: ​Speaker Pelosi Arrives at SF Hospital as Husband’s Alleged Attacker Faces Attempted Murder Charge
​
​“This is a direct result of that disgusting political rhetoric, whether it’s from Donald Trump or Marjorie Taylor Greene or Newsmax or Fox News. And I’m really worried that now that Elon Musk is taking over Twitter, he is going to unleash the hate. I’m concerned about that. It’s going to make things worse.”  -California State Senator Scott Wiener on violence against Paul Pelosi 10.28.22

​CNN: Paul Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi’s husband, attacked at couple’s home

Sacramento Bee: ​Conspiracy theories, racist posts: What we know about the Nancy Pelosi home invasion suspect

KIRO: ​Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, attacked with hammer in home break-in

​Reuters: ​Attack on Nancy Pelosi's home was 'not a random act', police say

New York Times: ​Live Updates: Intruder Seeking Speaker Pelosi Attacked Her Husband With a Hammer

Business Insider: ​Nancy Pelosi's husband severely beaten with a hammer during an early-morning break-in

The "god" of the Christian Nationalists isn't very bright.

 

  The "god" of the Christian Nationalists isn't very bright. This "god" created a whole country that is "Christian" and he forgot to put the word "Christian" in any of the founding documents. Then this "god" also was rather unconcerned about that "separation of church and state" part and made that a cornerstone of Americas founding. Maybe "god" was sleeping that day and we all know what a trickster Ben Franklin was.

     Then there's slavery. A pretty big whoopse that this Christian Nationalist  "god" let that go in it's foundation. LOTS of things were ignored by the Christian Nationalist  "god" but now in order to fix those whoopses the American Christian Nationalists want to do God and everybody a favor and create a theocratic government. I guess Lindsey Graham could be the first "handmaid" if they go that route and create that "tale."

     13 colonies belonging to the British Empire, whose king presided over an imperial church means that the original British citizens residing in those colonies were living under Christian rule. But they seemed to have not wanted it so they threw some tea in the water and broke away from any resemblance of any official religion. (but still provided protections for "religions". They even used muskets and bayonets to attack those British theocrats and called themselves "Patriots." (and, no, Mel Gibson was not there....and Debbie Gibson hadn't recorded her first album yet).
    

    Betsy Ross' husband Gasden Ross created the "Dont Tread on Me Flag" cuz he just liked snakes and Betsy was busy making flags for friends in the colony. (some of this might be made up...but so is "Christian Nationalism.")
In 1956 the US adopted "In God We Trust" as the US motto. In 1955 Eisenhower had approved it to be on US coins. I guess they were trying to fix all those hundred years plus of not remembering to trust God...since the Christian Nationalist "god" overlooked it back in 1776.

     Now if you ask a David Barton-Like Christian Nationalist, he will tell you that some of the guys who signed the Declaration of Independence and wrote the Constitution were Christian and they outranked all the non-christians and deists because David Barton-like people wrote books about it...and if someone took the time to write about it in a book...how could it be wrong??? Especially if you add the words "God" and "Jesus" to it.  I think they knew that the Christian Nationalist "god" left stuff out but they will tell you clearly that "god" revealed it to them. Christian nationalists like it when people "tell them stuff about God in US history" cuz it "fills in the blanks" for them.
   

 And turns out that the Christian Nationalist "god" was waiting until 2016 to begin establishing His Christian theocracy because the Christian Nationalist "god" was just too busy for the last 250 years or so and decided he needed to seal the deal "he" started way back then and was looking for someone who was morally bankrupt, unrepentant, orange, threw ketchup, hung out with both of the Corinthians, and married a porn star.  Hence "Donald Trump," or as he called himself, Barron. ("Barron" would call newspapers to brag about "this wonderful guy named Donald Trump. " "Barron" was so real to Donald Trump that he named one of his sons after his real "fake" personality. )
Christian Nationalism is a fake gospel which, historically, has only one goal: To get power. For more information read about Germany in the 1930s.

Maga in a nutshell

  

 Donald Trump  brought Christian Nationalism out of the shadows. It's not Christian but it has  some of the trappings and decorum. They use the Bible...but selectively reinterpret it to meet their need (as many cults do).  Many people in it think it is real....so its a real draw for the uneducated to believe "Truth" is relative.  For them its like being in a cult but not knowing they are in a cult. It's what is behind the fanatical dogma of Trumpvangelicalism. QAnon and other various conspiracy theories are an inevitable mix of emotion and a watered down theology. "Faith" becomes relative and emotion driven. The emergence with white nationalists is likely more about power than practicality but it brings to light the unresolved issues in the South which were never resolved at Appomattox. I think if a Civil War Part II is going to happen it will be around November 2022. It would not be a Civil War II..but a continuance of the one in the 1860s. 

Religious Nationalism under the disguise of Christianity.

      Pretty much every right wing nut job in America is signing on to this "Reawaken America" nonsense tour promoting Religious Nationalism under the disguise of Christianity. Yesterday Sarah Palin and Marginal Taylor Greene spoke. Christian Nationalist groups are hitting Colorado pretty hard (Boebert Country). I am not totally surprised by that as I lived in Colorado Springs for awhile and many of these "ministries" are home based there. School boards are a major target and they are working to place far rightwing candidates in a lot of these places.

     A new poll from Pew Research suggests the share of U.S. adults who consider themselves Christian is falling.
Only 63% of Americans self-identify as Christian this year, a marked drop from 75% 10 years ago.
     The declining number of Americans who say they are Christian is offset by a growing number of people who call themselves atheist, agnostic or people of no particular faith. These unaffiliated Americans make up a full 29% of the U.S. population, up from 19% in 2011.
      “The secularizing shifts evident in American society so far in the 21st century show no signs of slowing,” the Pew researchers concluded. “The religiously unaffiliated share of the public is 6 percentage points higher than it was five years ago and 10 points higher than a decade ago.”
     Only 45% of U.S. adults said they pray on a daily basis (down from 58% in a similar 2007 survey). And the number of Americans who say religion is “very important” in their lives is also falling: 41% of Americans consider religion “very important” in their lives, down from 56% in 2007.

​     Data from the Center For Systemic Peace has found that the U.S no longer qualifies as a democracy. They claim that since the Trump years we now sit somewhere in the middle of a democracy and an autocratic state. They're also claiming that the "U.S is closer to a Civil War than anyone would like to believe."
The Center used the same factors to monitor the U.S that they use to monitor foreign countries. The center states that the U.S has declined as a democracy in the last 5 years. A data set has classified the U.S as an anocracy. An anocracy sits between a Democracy and an autocratic State.
     Barbara Walter, a professor at UC San Diego, explained what a Civil War would like in the United States and she said think about the Palestinian Israeli conflict. She said it could last for decades and be just as destructive as the first Civil War we experienced.
     So those of us that have been saying that our Democratic Republic is hanging by a thread are right, unfortunately.
Trump’s literally costing us our country, and forcing us into a dictatorship.

Donald Trump: A man Hitler would be proud of

 After weeks of discussions among legislators, the House of Representatives voted to impeach the 45th President, Donald Trump, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress on December 18, 2019. The vote fell largely along party lines: 230 in favor, 197 against and 1 present. Trump became only the third president ever to be impeached, joining Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, after concerns about his alleged attempts to seek foreign interference in the 2020 election.

​Dec 18, 1940: Adolf Hitler issued his secret plans for the invasion of the Soviet Union.
Dec 18, 2020 American fascists under the leadership of Donald Trump were working out their invasion and coup to take over America.

The evidence against Meadows is very damning and it implicates Donald Trump.

 

   The Jan. 6 Committee Recommends Contempt Charge for Mark Meadows. The panel sent a criminal contempt of Congress referral to the full House, as the extent of Mark Meadows’s role in President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to overturn the election became clearer. The evidence against Meadows is very damning and it implicates Trump.

​These five guys all have several things in common:
James Rosen, Eric Bolling, Greg Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Ablow
1)They all had accusations against them for sexual misconduct.
2) They all worked for Fox News
3) They all are now working for Newsmax


     We are living in a II Timothy 3 world: "holding to a form of godliness but denying its power.."
This is not a new thing, because those IIT3 types have always been around, but events of the last year or so has brought their foolishness to the forefront of the mainstream. It isnt just happening in America as countries across the world deal with similar things..
     Democracy has never been a stable form of government and we are seeing it fall apart with some similarities to the way the Roman Empire fell. The fact of the matter is that God did not create man to rule "on his own." That in itself runs afoul of Gods plan for mankind. God established mostly monarchies in the Old Testament dispensation...and they answered directly to Him.
     But in this dispensation God does not get involved and lets the unwise (re: ungodly) run it to its end. It has always been the duty of those who are called the "salt" to step up.....but they have failed and failed and failed. And failed especially in America where many churches established themselves as political action committees or exclusive "It's all about me and my God" Recreational Clubs built by a lot of the tithes and donations grift.
     Granted, there are some exceptions..but I am not addressing them. But churches weighing themselves in light of the seven churches mentioned in the first couple chapters of Revelation would always be a good idea.
    As far as "Democracy" and the happenings on the political level: "There is no adult in the room." It appears to be mans choice to take it the way they want...and I dont see that as being a good thing. Now God will continues deal with us all on a personal level as He has always promised....as He will never leave or forsake. (Deuteronomy 31 and reaffirmed in Hebrews 13).
     So it's a time to check in with God if you havent for awhile cuz this may be the ride to end all rides on this planet.  As for me, I am ready to go should Jesus not tarry.

God Bless America...but The GOP Clown Show Continues.

    Newsmax has announced that it is terminating the contract of WH Correspondant Emerald Robinson after she said vaccines contained “luciferase” used to track people. She is replaced by James Rosen, who was fired by Fox in 2017 after being accused by several women of sexual harassment. Once upon a time Newsmax was just another online news website. They've traded in any credibility they had for propaganda. It must pay better.                                                                     Newsmax now has a revolving door of propagandists and other shady personalities....where one goes out and another, sometimes worse, comes in.

     And the Matt Gaetz.Marjorie Taylor Greene sideshow continues: Matt Gaetz says if GOP wins House in 2022, he will move to install Donald Trump as Speaker — and that he, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Paul Gosar will be running the House.

     Found this from an article posted at Wesmont College:
Implying that Americans are blessed by God simply for being Americans cheapens the biblical concept of blessing and often equates it with material prosperity. What about those Christians living and often suffering in other lands? Are we blessed by God and they are not? What about the dirt-poor Pentecostals in Ukraine who in Soviet times suffered because of their faith? Are we blessed by God and they are not? The lyrics of “God Bless America” are not statements of fact. They are, in fact, a prayer. In 1938, that is what Irving Berlin had in mind.

     While studying recently I came across this quote: “Treason is in the air around us everywhere. It goes by the name of patriotism.” -Ambrose Bierce (Civil War era). Reminds me of a quote (attributed to several people) that says "when facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."
That kind of conflation I mentioned above could easily set a lot of people up for such a person...and I think it is a large part of what drives the hard core Trumplicans for Trump.

     As followers of Jesus, truth is our currency. Without it, we have nothing. It’s essential to the integrity and believability of the gospel that we are known as truth-tellers, not argument-winners. Christians should have a reputation for being the most truthful people on earth.
     Tip: Don’t share a story just because one of your friends posted it on Facebook. Check out the original source first. Is it reliable? Do other stories on the website seem credible? If a story isn’t widely circulated by conservative and liberal or moderate outlets, its content may be suspect, and by that I mean that the subject will be distributed in both left and right news sources but make an observational spin on it..which is expected.
    The day before yesterday I posted a photo on FaceBook. Though I usually do double check news sources....I did not with that one because I got it from some online individuals who generally have credibility. Well, I was wrong and so were they. As a general rule I do check sources and get to know web sites that are hinged or unhinged with their information. They believed the misinformation also..so we were all duped. No hard feelings.
    We see disinformation agents on various web sites labeling their content as satire knowing well it is likely to be shared without the satire label. Personally I love good satire and try to utilize it whenever I can. My assumption, though, is that I think my general audience knows that. Most things I write on FaceBook is stuff that I will place on this web site....but FB offers an opportunity for me to test the waters on it. (Plus, since I am my own editor, it gives me time to correct all the language and spelling errors before I post it here. I type slower than I think and I will miss a word or change in thought direction, etc)
“Truth is no longer dictated by authorities, but is networked by peers. For every fact there is a counterfact, and all these counterfacts and facts look identical online, which is confusing to most people.” -Kevin Kelly, co-founder of Wired magazine.
     In my world, truth has one authority and He is Sovereign.

Donald Trump admits he obstructed justice on TV

     QAnon conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed "prophet" Johnny Enlow claims that people are lost in "the fog of war" and therefore can't see the truth, which is that for the last year, Trump has actually been President of the World: "The proof will be forthcoming."

    The publicly traded company that plans to merge with former president Donald Trump’s social media company is under investigation by two federal regulators, which have asked for stock trading information and communications.
But..that's not a surprise...but how long can Trump continue when all he seems to associate himself with are liars and serial criminals?
     Trump: "If I didn’t fire Comey, they were looking to take down the President of the United States… I don’t think I could’ve survived if I didn’t fire him."
On live television Donald Trump admitted to the Federal Crime of Obstruction of Justice.

Anti-vaxxers confuse their "rights" with their egos.

     Former Republican Senator and Presidential candidate Bob Dole died this morning at 98 years old, according to a statement released by his family. I worked for his campaign as a Republican for President in South Dakota in 1988. Interestingly, Pat Robertson won the South Dakota primary that year.

     Anti-vaxxers confuse their "rights" with their egos. The ironic thing is that most of these same folks embrace something they call "being a Christian," when clearly, they have no interest in anything but their rights and themselves.
     COVID has now killed more Americans than did the combat deaths in every single war America has ever fought COMBINED, from both World Wars to the Civil War to Vietnam and Korea right down to the invasion of Grenada (666,441 total combat deaths vs. 787,695 COVID deaths).

Romans 13:1-2 says: "Obey the government, for God is the One who has put it there. ... There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power. So those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow."
     Romans 13 has been a problematic chapter since when it was used to both defend and to not defend the Revolutionary War. Then there's: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29
"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's..." (Matthew 22) can be a basic statement that claims the things of Caesar and those of God are not the same thing. Then there's the historic problem that "Democracy" has always been an unstable form of government. Any kingdom in the Bible that God established was a Monarchy (with a king)..but allowed one with judges because the people wanted it and purposely rejected God ...and it ended badly. And man without God is not capable of ruling without corruption since man was created in Gods image and was not created to rule as individuals without Him.      Under Trump the rightwing embraced Romans 13....now under Biden they have reinterpreted it to allow disobedience to Biden. But it can't be both ways...at least not logically. I am in prayer about it for clarity at least for my purposes.

     II Corinthians 4:8-19: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
CS Lewis had a response to being "hard pressed, persecuted, or perplexed" in his musings about facing destruction by an atom bomb.
"The first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds." (C S Lewis - “On Living in the Atomic Age.” Written in 1948.)

American Civil War Part II

     The 1st Civil War never ended. Southern white supremacists never surrendered when Robert E Lee did. They've had time to spread their ignorance northward in the last century and a half. They were there in the hayday of the KKK and in the racial strife of the 60s.

Trump & Magas reignited them. They feel empowered right now.

     

     Massive price cuts are set this week as worries over the Omicron COVID-19 variant sank global prices.
Global oil prices dropped at the close of November, the biggest drop since March 2020, as the Omicron variant spooked the market, Reuters reported.
Gas prices are likely to go down. Of course the right wing will still blame Joe Biden for it going up even though he had nothing to do with. I doubt they'll give him credit for it going down.
    

      A day before the fatal shooting, a teacher noticed Ethan Crumbley using his cellphone to search for information on firearm ammunition. Jennifer Crumbley did not respond when the school contacted her via voice mail about her son’s “inappropriate” search, McDonald said. Instead, she exchanged a text message with her son that read, “LOL I’m not mad at you. You have to learn not to get caught.”
It is very likely that the parents could have stopped this shooting.
Both parents were summoned to the school by administrators after a teacher found a troubling note in their son’s desk. It contained a drawing of a semiautomatic handgun pointing at the words “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me.” It included a drawing of a bullet with the words “blood everywhere.” There was also a drawing of a bloody figure with two gunshot wounds, McDonald said, and another drawing of a laugh emoji. The parents refused to take the kid home.
Shortly after the parents left the shootings began. Four students aged 14-17 died on scene

https://www.twobitsmedia.us/

Border Crisis?

 As a "conservative" I have long held that there is a major problem at the border that does need to be dealt with. And, truthfully, there is, though probably not as bad as Fox News is reporting.

On this issue, however, I am surrendering my "conservative" credentials on this issue. I have other "changed" issues, but on this one I had a "duh" moment this week listening to VP Harris from Guatemala. My philosophy has always been that if you want to permanently deal with a problem you have to attack it at its root. So what I see is year after year candidates --especially GOP --say "Vote for Me" I will help fix the border problem. The number of officials who did is "0." Trumps "wall" did nothing and I have no reason to believe it would have even if it were completed. Security needs to remain there because of the drug cartel and trafficking issues.

I think Biden/Harris are on the right track. If not, it sure seems like the right one and worth a try. To me...I view the relationship between the Mexico President and Trump was suspect. The first thing that makes it suspicious to me is that they liked each other in spite of the way Trump degraded the Mexican people. Obrador, if you know much about him, is likely a thug similar to Trump.

Anyway, back on topic, I think the Biden/Harris approach makes sense. Deal with the root and it may make that problem go away...or minimize it. It will never end 100% but I think letting their actions play out could be beneficial for all involved. IMHO

Words are an extremely powerful force

 

Words are an extremely powerful force. The Bible goes so far as to say that "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." (Prov 18:21).

People like Donald Trump dont understand this. But his election lie lead to Jan 6 insurrection (and deaths) and his words about "China Virus" has lead to attacks on Asian Americans.

WE have a couple choices:

1) There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

2)but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov 12:18).

Anger makes the first choice tempting, but #2 is the better route.

The Failing GOP

 

Because of Trump, Republicanism seems to becoming a minority party. With what little power they can muster they are trying to combat that by changing voting rules throughout the USA and bend them in their favor. They have become so corrupt. There are some with integrity but they are becoming the minority in the minority.

In the Congressional hearings this week:

The Republicans seem to only want to deflect away from Jan 6 to every other riot that happened last year.  And was Josh Hawley fishing to find out whether the FBI has anything on him?

CPAC Trump railed against cancel culture, while naming Republicans he plans to cancel.

Gutless Offensive Pathetic: The Republican Party

If Trump was not responsible for the attack on the Capitol then why did Graham, McCarthy & Rubio call Trump to call it off?

Ted Cruz, a juror in Trump's impeachment trial, said he advised Trump's lawyers and told them they'd 'already won' their case

 

McConnells excuse:.. Yeah, you're right that he's guilty of all these things, but because of the technicality that impeachment wasn't filed sooner (even tho I'm the one that delayed it until after the election), this impeachment isn't lawful

The Senate needed a majority vote to decide whether or not they could proceed Constitutionally with the impeachment since Trump was no longer President. A majority vote allowed it to go forward. THAT bound them....or should have to their vote. When the Senate votes on bills, if a person is in the minority of a vote...the bill still binds them. So the original vote took the Non-Constitutional issue out of play. SO, any Senator who claims they voted against the impeachment because of the Constitutional issue is a liar.....and abdicated themselves from Senate rules they were sworn in to abide by. I have ZERO respect for any GOP member who makes the "Constitution" the reason for their vote.😡😡😡 The House Democrats did a GREAT job on the case and it should have been a slam dunk. Trumps attorneys were horrible and as dishonorable as Rudy, Sidney and that other nutjob whose name escapes me right now. And Ted Cruz...dont get me started on him.....