From IGen to the G.I. Gen---Turning into the WWII Generation

There's only one way to win the fight for marriage and families.

--Beetle Blogger

They're calling this IGen, the internet generation. We've got access to communication and tools we never had before. We've got toys and distractions to abstract and endlessly entertain....we've got everything but what we need---good wholesome moorings of morality and self discipline.

Marriage and families are under attack in our country, these last few months we've watched as Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, California.... have all come under fire in the same sex marriage onslaught. Other states and battles are coming into focus as well, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and more.

With same-sex marriage comes a loss of freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, parental rights....all these have taken hits where same-sex marriage has become the law because in order to be accepted, same-sex marriage activists have argued, and in some places won, the idea that homosexuality is not a lifestyle, but a protected class. As a protected class, their freedoms rank higher than others, including those who disagree with the idea that homosexuality is healthy and good.

These arguments have implications in law, in schools, in businesses, religion, and freedoms at every level. Again and again we see the pattern emerge that those who disagree with homosexuality as the norm are demonized as homophobes or bigots. The special rights of a few trump the constitutional rights of us all.

We have seen what same-sex marriage has done to freedom in Canada where religious programming has been banned in at least one case for preaching against homosexuality and which is classified as hate speech. We've seen it in the U.K., where religion stops at the chapel door and we've seen it here in the U.S. as school children are being taught that homosexuality is normal and right, that experimentation is acceptable and gender is a matter of opinion.

We have seen our courts overstepping their constitutional bounds to create new law based on untested and unproven societal theories, setting aside common sense and rejecting the time honored institution of marriage.

We have seen our lawmakers coming out in many states, skirting the will of the people as they impose same-sex marriage laws on a reluctant populace. Why? Because they think there will be no backlash from the "silent majority".

We have heard our President, publicly standing against the national Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), against conscience laws that allow us the opportunity to keep our actions in the workplace consistent with our religious beliefs. We've heard his views on abortion, and seen the overarching legislation (FOCA) he intends to enact that will repeal limitations on abortion in every state.

We've seen these anti-life, anti-family policies coming at us from the very highest office of our land, from all three branches of our government.

The picture is clear. We're in a war for the heart of this country. We've got to move on from the pleasant distractions of IGen to the concentrated focus of the G.I. Gen.

That generation was the last major generation that fought the fight for families and freedom. All the generations in between have been adrift in baubles and amusement. The great war generation mobilized and fought, they survived the depression, they banded together no matter what came against them....they focused their energy on the task of doing whatever needed to be done---And they got it done.

If we're going to win this current onslaught and turn back the looming tide, we need to take a few pointers from the G.I. Generation. We've got to be constantly alert and aware of what's going on, because there are bigger things at stake here. We can't afford to be apathetic or laissez-faire about our situation. Abortion, same-sex marriage, crippling debt...??? We're losing our nation, our families and our freedom to those with broken morals and backwards ideals.

We have got to be consistently more dedicated to these issues than the most virulent opposition, or we will lose on every front to the slow and steady creep of this societal decline.

This is one of the comments I got today:

Can you tell me which family organizations/websites you think are most important to watch? I am always up to call, write, donate if I can, but most often I get emails last minute saying, ‘The vote is today!’ or ‘tomorrow!’ call your legislators! And they are always big issues to take away the rights of families and freedoms that true Americans hold dear. And sometimes I drop everything and do it, but sometimes I feel so frustrated because I can’t and there is never any time!

It’s like a well coordinated rush to push things through before America wakes up. Every time I look at my inbox there’s a something to stress about....I’m having a hard time while raising my kids, being aware of every courtroom fight, every legislative session, in every state, for our nation, and the UN as well!!!! I’ve accepted the fact that the elite in power are trying to take away our rights and the rights of the family and far over reaching the bounds of the constitution, and I can’t just sit back and expect them to do the right thing anymore. I have to fight! --Karisa


Karisa, I love you! I wish we had a hundred thousand more just like you. This is the attitude we need to have. It's the can-do attitude of the G.I. Generation. Honestly look around at what we're up against and ask yourself, if I don't do it who will??

I don't know if you're on twitter, but I get most of my information on the marriage fights on twitter from UFI, DNA_Army and Nomtweets. They try to send out a steady stream of updates on what's going on with marriage, they also cover other family issues. If you follow DNA_Army, they retweet all the relevant stuff for marriage, family, life and freedom that comes to them from other groups.

If you're not on twitter, you can sign up for NOM, UFI and DNA emails. I am also signed up for parentalrights.org updates as well as my local source of information for my state.

For the most part, these fights are on an extremely short time frame by design. The dirty little secret is that the legislators pushing anti family measures do not want our input. They don't want us making a stink or rocking the boat, they have things on their agenda they want passed and if they're in power, they can make it happen quickly and there's nothing we can do about it but take it as it comes, always on the ready.

Family comes first, and if that's really true then this is part of the new landscape we have to live in if we want to fight for families. This is guerrilla combat against the powers that be. Somehow we've gotten into a place in this country where the government is working against the people. They don't listen, they don't hear, they don't stand for their constituents, and they don't think they'll be held accountable for it.

Will they be tossed in four years? They don't think so. That's what we've got to change. Turn up the heat! Bring on the pressure! Shine a light on what they're doing and pray we never go back to the distracted nonchalance that got us where we are.

It takes time to be involved. I've got a family too, but if families don't fight who will? Several times this last month I've dropped everything to write or call or do what needed to be done. That's a part of my new reality.

I've even got a new section in my household budget for donating to pro family organizations. What are they going to do? Throw rocks? We can't have our guys out there running in the red, they need tools to fight with, and that costs money. If families don't fund them who will?

We can't afford to be content with being the wii generation, we've got to become the WE generation. It's just got to be done, and WE can do it!

It's like washing the dishes or making the dinner. Put on the helmet, tighten your belt, change your expectations and incorporate this war into your lifestyle. It's not going away anytime soon, but it's a battle certainly worth fighting---and it can be won.

"I Am Unaware"

by Joy Hansel



Perhaps this one little reply by President Obama when asked about the Tea Parties sums it up better than anything just how out of touch Washington DC is. "I was unaware." Oh really?

I surmise we are to believe that like we are supposed to believe the President of the United States did not submit himself (and his country he represents) by bowing to a Muslim leader. In that case, however, we saw it with our own eyes. In this case, Homeland Security issued a warning about "conservative radicals" in direct reference to the upcoming tea parties. I believe we, the people, can call the Presidents bluff again. Is he now saying, he is not aware of what homeland Security issues?

This is insulting to Americans and Americans are now becoming aware of the superficial spin. Talk about transparency. The veneer of this Administration and its intent to have us become little beggars is more transparent every day.

I attended two tea parties yesterday: 4/15/2009. They were in Mobile and Fairhope Alabama. Total people involved in these peaceful, non partisan gatherings were more than 1500, not counting the horns blowing in support of passing cars. Patriots all across America ranged from a few to 10,000 and more per gathering.

Veterans, who have seen the best and worst of America, were there by the hundreds and we heard their concerned and passionate voices. College students organized the Mobile Party. Children were there with their parents, realizing their very future to a pursuit in happiness and liberty was at stake. Octogenarians were there because they had "not seen anything like this in my life."

In attendance were Obama supporters who held up signs stating this was NOT the change they had hoped for. There was mingling in the crowds, a swell in our hearts as we introduced ourselves to each other, not as radicals and rebel rousers, but as Americans who want smaller government, a hope for the future and our Constitution back in one piece.

We collectively agreed the economic problems did not start with this Administration, but this Administration is driving a freight train through our Constitution and our rights, as well demonstrating extreme fiscal irresponsibility. There is nothing unpatriotic about Americans of all colors,cultures, party affiliations and backgrounds gathering to say, "NO MORE."

THAT is what the President needs to be aware of.

Tea Party Coverage, or lack thereof

On April 15, 2009, I awoke with a feeling of culmination. Here it is. Our time has come to make our voices heard. I get online to check the MSM news outlets. I'm searching and searching and then it hits me: They are honestly refusing coverage. But how can this be? I mean, newsworthy things come in positive and negative forms. Certainly the MSM doesn't "like" to have to cover stories about the deaths of children because that is depressing, but it's news, and so they do their job. Certainly there are some in the MSM who favor traditional marriage (while this is not true of most of them), yet they earnestly covered the recent state decisions on gay marriage. If Jessica Simpson takes a bad photo and seems to have gained weight, THAT is newsworthy to every news outlet around.
If you've been hiding under a rock, or if you happen to be one of the few people who don't watch FOX news, you may never have even heard of a Tea Party. I'll give you a quick refresher course. As a tea party co-organizer, I think I have a bit of expertise on the subject. Many Americans are sick and tired of out of control government spending, runaway powers being added to governmental agencies that were not bestowed in the Constitution, and taxation without deliberate representation. It's really that simple. It is not an attack on President Obama. It is an attack on an abuse of power that has been brewing for a very long time, and from both sides of the aisle. We're mad at Republicans and Democrats alike. If we're "haters" I guess the good thing about that is that we are equal opportunity haters. MSNBC had no tea party coverage on its home page. However, for those interested, one can read about the new report which labels those against abortion or illegal immigration as "right-wing extremists." One can read about exactly how "gays won a marriage victory in the Midwest." One can even read about Bo, the President's new dog. Over on CNN, you've got to search for it, but you'll find a report from Howard Kurtz, entitled, "Who's Promoting Tax Protests?"


In the video, Kurtz proclaims that CNN is not covering the Tea Party Protests. He notes that none of his cohorts are covering the protests, other than FOX News. He seems to think that by actually reporting on the news, FOX is a "co-sponsor." So are we to surmise from this that MSNBC was a co-sponsor for the gay marriage passage bills? Are they also co-sponsoring American Idol and the President's new dog? No, I think not. I think that they were either amused or intrigued by the aforementioned stories, and they thought that the public would be as well. I think back to the protests of other groups that I've seen on the news and I can't for the life of me understand why it could be that any reputable news source would PURPOSEFULLY and DELIBERATELY not cover the Tax Day Tea Party Protests. I watch the above video and I see Howard Kurtz smirking and laughing in a knowing way when he describes how MSNBC's coverage has consisted of Rachel Maddow "making fun of this thing." He has the audacity--I like that word, it caused so many people to think that Obama was a genius, so I'll use it here--to state that the FOX News analysts, "said little or nothing about the huge deficits run up by President Bush..." and his aim is clear. He honestly thinks that if he can falsely convince the public that FOX News analysts didn't speak up with dissent under President Bush, then the droves of American citizens who are mobilizing, should be dismissed. Kurtz sums up his rant by acknowledging that Hannity, Beck, et al on FOX are "commentators who are paid for their opinions." As such, they are not obligated to give anything other than their opinions. Seeing the MSM outright ignore the protests has enraged the FOX News commentators, I'm thinking it's because they have this strange notion that NEWS should be covered by those employed by news outlets. The MSM has not only taken a deliberate stand on the sidelines on this issue, but they have gone out of their way to discredit and belittle average American citizens. No one is funding this movement. We are choosing to use our money to make phone calls, pay for gas, and make photocopies. Sure, FOX News is a news outlet, and as such, is covering the movement. You might have missed that day in Journalism school. Newt Gingrich may be lending his name and he may be encouraging like-minded people to act, but he is being supportive, not giving financial support. We demand that our voices be heard, NOW. I've heard it said by some of the MSM who are mocking us, "if this outrage is real and not staged, where were all of these people before now?" Some of us weren't involved. Some of us didn't care about politics. I, myself, didn't have much interest in politics because I just thought it was a network of "good old boys" and that they didn't care what I thought. I will be the first to admit that myself and others like me were ignorant. But guess what MSM? We're standing up now. Regardless of when the problems started, regardless of who is in office, regardless of who you think is promoting our cause...WE THE PEOPLE have woken up. So in closing, I'd like to issue a public "thank you" to the likes of MSNBC and CNN for dismissing us. You've only managed to make us that more determined. I guess you could even say that by your inaction, YOU are the true force that is guiding us.

Passion of the Christ and American Politics

Happy Easter! When we hear that, if we're adults (and Christian) we know on some level that this is meant to be a time to reflect on Christ's choice to give his life for our salvation. We know that it is to represent His resurrection 3 days later. But if we're all being honest, I think most all of us would say that when we think of Easter we think of bunnies and little girls with frilly dresses and kids hunting for colored eggs. And kids: they just see the candy. I'm guilty myself.
My family and I sat down to watch The Passion of the Christ this Easter Sunday. I had seen it, and I had been moved before. But our pastor mentioned it in church that morning, and my 9 year old asked if we had it and could watch it. Before we left church, we visited an exhibit that they had there of museum quality displays of items from Christ's crusifixion. They had a true crown of thorns that we were able to hold in our hands and truly take in. Like all of the other kids, my 9 year old kept touching the thorns and poking himself and freaking out at how sharp they were. There was a life size cross that we could touch. They had a "cat of nine tails" whip, complete with shards of bone and metal for all of us to hold and feel the tips, imagining what damage was done to our Saviour with such an instrument. The robe and the dice were there. The bread and wine was there, and finally, they had a velvet pouch of silver coins. It should be noted that the pouch with the coins in it wasn't a big favorite amongst the kids. It looked kind of boring, I think. Who wants a few pieces of silver when there are weapons or sharp things to look at? Granted, they did take note of what the sign said about it being 30 pieces of silver, but it didn't get any of the oohs and aahs the other displays got.

Fast forward to a few hours later when we were sitting on the couch watching the crusifixion story unfold before our eyes. If you've seen the movie, you will remember it has subtitles. My 9 year old was afraid that he would miss something if he had to read it himself, so he asked me to read the words aloud for him. I highly suggest you try that. Reading of what happened to Christ is extremely moving, but saying those things out loud to a child touches you on a level that I didn't know existed. As each item from the exhibit came to light, a deeper understanding of the reality of the situation shone on my son's face. He saw the pouch of silver and grew visibly outraged with Judas, even calling him names and saying how stupid he was for doing such a horrible thing, "FOR THAT???" When Jesus was "chastized" with the cat of nine tails, among other things, it was not some theoretical event for this 9 year old. He had held and touched one the same morning. When the crown of thorns was rammed into Jesus' scalp, that too, was "real" for Zackary. He had just been holding one a short while before, and I think he could still feel the pricks in his own fingers.

All of us were taught as children, that "sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt us." We probably teach it to our own children as well. But I must tell you, that what disturbed Zackary the most about the mistreatment of Jesus was the laughing and mocking of the Roman soldiers and the followers of Jesus who didn't say anything until it was too late. "Why don't they stop?" he kept asking. And I think then and there, it became clear to me that words and the smallest of actions, DO HURT. And a lack of words hurts just as bad. I look around at society today and everything from gay marriage to abortion is touted as being "ok" by even men and women who claim to be, "of the cloth." I was told by a female pastor who I went to grade school with that, "the Bible doesn't reference abortion, so it doesn't take a stance either way." Sure, she said that any abortion was a tragedy, but still thinks that any woman who wants one should be allowed to have one. She blogs about and supports gay marriage, I presume "in the name of God." I am unfairly picking on her at this point, but she is not an abstract media source, she is someone I knew once upon a time. I don't think that she is alone in the least. Far too many "Christians" claim to love God, but when we see things that spit in the face of our Saviour in society, in politics, and in the media, we mutter something to ourselves and then steer clear of those people. Why don't we stand up against it? Why do we allow it to continue to go on? We have allowed those in the media to literally laugh at and mock Jesus, just as those Roman soldiers did so many years ago. America, God love her, just elected a president who used as a campaign line, that people, "cling to guns or religion." In my opinion, and in my heart of hearts, every vote for Obama, after such a statement, was someone spitting in the face of a bleeding and battered Christ, who was knowingly and willingly walking for miles to die for the same people's salvation.

Why, as a society, do we think it ok for our elected leaders or those in power to look down on our clinging to religion in one breath, and then claiming to be religious persons themselves, in another breath. These people, in my observation, are wearing their religion like a sweater. When the winds change, they easily remove that sweater because it isn't convenient to them. And if they feel a nip in the air by way of poll numbers, they call upon the designer of the sweater, trying to remind everyone that they are still card-carrying Christians, even if everything that they publicly support goes against Christianity. I am not trying to be judgemental here. I am truly concerned for our future. I feel sick to my stomach when I think of how Jesus must feel when our citizens mock him and those who follow him. He told us that it would happen, so I shouldn't be surprised. I am just sad that more of us don't stand up against it, that's all. It wouldn't take much. There are people willing to run for office who do stand for Christian values, and if we Christians would push more, there would be an incentive for them to put themselves out there for us.

They Wouldn’t Write Anything about Al-Qaeda Like This…

by Ellen

I wouldn't worry patriots, these outrageous accusations from Obama and his pals from Homeland Security aren't anything new. Liberals have been craftily waging a war of language and labeling for years.

Remember back to 1995, when Timothy McVeigh went nuts and bombed a federal building in Oklahoma City. It was shortly after this tragedy that Bill Clinton snatched the opportunity to blame conservatives and conservative radio for McVeigh's heinous act of terrorism.

President Clinton referred to conservative radio hosts as "loud and angry voices" who were "spreading hate and leaving the impression by their very words that violence is acceptable." In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Clinton urged radio talk show hosts and their conservative callers to stop "fostering hate and division and encouraging violence." I think Rush Limbaugh was probably offended for being blamed for the deaths of nearly 170 lives by the president of the United States.

So do you think Slick Willy honestly thought that conservatives were to blame for the bombing? Or was he taking this opportunity to play the blame game in an attempt to restrict the rights of the Americans that were still in favor of a free America…not an enslaved America that Bill Clinton and Friends envisioned?

It was soon after the bombing that President Clinton urged for the quick passage of new anti-terrorism legislation. His original plan would allow the President to declare a group "terrorist" without the likelihood of judicial review. (Doesn't sound like a balance of power to me.)

In more recent news, take a look at the comments of Obama's BFF, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. The governor cites the shooting of three police officers in Pittsburgh, PA as a motivator for legislators to take fast action to promote stricter gun laws.

In fact, I don't know if anyone noticed the reference in the Homeland Security memo yesterday to the tragic events in Pittsburgh, but liberals are using the actions of a deranged wacko with an AK-47 to label all conservative gun owners as potential terrorist threats. How clever. I guess the daily shootings and stabbings on the inner streets of Philadelphia by African American gang bangers don't make the A-list of terrorist threats to America. Or at least DHS is too afraid to stereotype and target anyone but conservatives.

This is what liberals do. They blame the warm weather or some wacko with a gun for something, and then use fear and panic to slowly remove our individual liberties.

As offensive as it is for conservatives to be labeled as a larger threat to America than Al-Qaeda, Kim Jong II, or the countries of China, Iran, or Venezuela... we can't expect anything less from the dangerous left and Obama's team led by Janet Napolitano, who would rather wage a war against veterans and constitution loving citizens than the real enemies.

TEA PARTY - ST PAUL VIDEO

Posted by Betsy Wuebker, PassingThru
Via Powerline Blog with permission:

Extreme Americans: Report from the Harrisburg Tea Party

By Audrie Zettick Schaller, Brain-Jockey

It may have rained--even poured--but it didn't seem to dampen spirits at the Tax Day Tea Party on the Capitol steps in Harrisburg. I was there and agree with other sources that there were at least 1,000 people in attendance. (Addendum 4/16: some official accounts say 2,000 were there). Many more who were less willing to get chilled to the bone repeatedly drove by in their cars, taking photos, shouting in agreement...but we're not counting those. Imagine if the weather had been clearer.

Here's a quickly-produced YouTube video of the event.

Notice all the extreme Americans present, engaged in behavior that is downright threatening:

• Chanting inciteful slogans (USA, USA).
• Spontaneously breaking into song (God Bless America).
• Bringing food and personal items to donate to The Bethesda Mission. Voluntarily. The way we like it.

Proud to be among these great folks.






By the way, that's me and my daughter in the still photo with the signs. We were interviewed by the ABC affiliate in Harrisburg. This was her first protest. Aren't we "Smart Girls." And Extreme Americans.