Proven, Tested, Trusted

All focus currently rests on the Presidential election, but I have decided to dedicate my next couple of columns to political races here in Nebraska. Many Nebraskan’s are not fully aware of the candidates seeking the position currently held by Republican Senator Chuck Hagel. The Republican Party’s candidate is Mike Johanns and the Democratic Party’s candidate is Scott Kleeb.
Johanns was Nebraska's 38th governor. During his six years in office, he promoted an agenda of tax relief, less government, building the economy, protecting families, and ensuring the health, safety, and success of Nebraska’s children. On January 21, 2005, Johanns was sworn in as the 28th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where for nearly three years he worked to expand foreign market access for U.S. producers and promoted the growth of the renewable fuels industry. Additionally, Johanns developed an in-depth Farm Bill proposal, which was submitted to Congress in January of 2007.
With the current state of the economy, Nebraskans are going to need a Senator who understands their needs and concerns. Johanns vows to fight to keep as many jobs as possible in the United States. Understanding the struggles of rural Nebraska, Mike will support job creation by encouraging rural development, investment in research, technology and infrastructure, and expand the economic opportunities by researching new ways to make our country energy independent.
Johanns often notes that “for too long our energy policy has been based on three words: No, no, and no. It’s time for an energy policy that says “yes” to America”. As Governor and Secretary of Agriculture, Johanns has made expanding renewable fuels a top priority. He sees corn-based ethanol not only as a temporary solution, but vital to ensuring our long term energy needs. Another area that Johanns believes Nebraskan’s need to and can be the leader in is research and construction of cellulosic ethanol research. Johanns wants to expand domestic oil and natural gas exploration, lower gas prices by streamlining the onerous refinery regulations, expand our energy supply through nuclear power plants, support the development and use of wind, solar, and battery-operated vehicles. All while promoting conservation and protecting our environment.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns traveled over to Iraq to visit Nebraska’s men and women in uniform. They told the Secretary that they believe in their mission, they are seeing progress, and that the situation is getting better, and that is why Mike Johanns does not agree with those advocating surrender and retreat in Iraq. Johanns believes we must support their mission and provide the tools necessary to get the job done. He opposes attempts to see artificial deadlines for the precipitous withdrawal of our troops; only signaling to the enemy to wait for us to leave. He believes that instead of the United States shelling out money, Iraq should use its oil money to pay for a greater and greater share of reconstruction and security.
In the areas of the economy, energy policy, and national security, Secretary Johanns has the experience and record to prove that he is the best option for properly representing the interests and ideals of Nebraskans. The above information and more can be found at http://www.mikejohanns2008.com/.

Palin, Obama Religion Drama

In my last column I praised Palin and deceived you with my false opinions; please let me apologize for my erroneous beliefs. Recently in the media, controversy has arisen concerning the religious practices of Governor Sarah Palin. Being a bitter Midwesterner that clings to my guns and religion, I would like to take this opportunity to compare and contrast the religious practices of the churches of Sarah Palin and Barack Obama, as well as espouse more of my misleading opinions. CNN breaks with news of Governor Palin being Pentecostal, featuring reporters interviewing the pastor and congregation members of the Wasilla Assembly of God church. Palin was baptized and raised Catholic, eventually leaving the Catholic Church and becoming baptized into the Wasilla Assembly of God church. In an Associated Press piece, Grant Wacker, an expert in Pentecostalism at Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C, explains that “Pentecostals are seen by the public to be sectarian and uncompromising.” This is mainly because of their belief in baptism in the Holy Spirit; manifested through speaking in tongues, modern day prophesy, and faith healing. To Anderson Coopers dismay, Palin has since left the Wasilla Assembly of God church and joined Wasilla Bible church, a non-affiliated Evangelical church. When you think the church drama is over, the Associated Press releases information that Governor Palin current church partakes in “pray away the gay” movements. A blatant distortion of the truth, the Wasilla bible church is conducting gay ministries, like all other Christian churches. The goals of such ministries include “aiding parents who want to learn how to better love their sons or daughters without compromising their faith; helping people who want to better understand the many factors that can lead to someone adopting a homosexual identity; and assisting those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions and want to discover how they might also start upon the difficult path to overcoming those desires.” Senator Barack Obama was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ on Chicago’s South Side for twenty years. Reverend Jeremiah Wright, former leader of the church, brought about controversies for Senator Obama with his infamous remark, “No, no, no, not God Bless America, God damn America. That’s in the Bible for killing innocent people. God damn America for treating our citizens as less than humans.” Trinity United Church preaches black liberation theology based on the black value system. Senator Obama has also shot himself in the foot with comments such as “And it’s not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion” and “Look, I got two daughters-9 years old and 6 years old. I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby.”I do not understand black liberation theology, nor am I accustomed with the black value system, but as a Christian, I am taught to love my fellow man. When churches are preaching racial values over Christian values, no one benefits. For a Reverend to use the Lord’s name in vain while cursing his own country, seems counterproductive to the mission of Trinity United Church of Christ. Senator Obama must have been absent from church the Sunday Reverend Wright condemned the killing of innocent people and the treatment of our citizens as less than humans, especially with his remarks towards abortion and not wanting his daughters punished with a baby. As for Governor Palin, to each their own. Whether you’re Catholic, Baptist, or Lutheran, Christians all across America and around the world are awaiting the day we have openly devote Christians back in the White House to bring America back to its fundamental Christian values.

A Match Made In Heaven

We have all been on pins and needles awaiting the nomination of John McCain’s Vice Presidential Candidate. Talking heads speculated, Conservatives prayed, and Democrats were whooping it up in Denver at their National Convention. The short list contained the names of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jihndahl, and Florida Governor Charlie Christ, but Senator McCain picked a hockey mom from Wasilla, Alaska. Sarah Palin, age forty-four, is a mother of five and has been active in Civic Service since serving on the local PTA. She was elected to the Wasilla City Council in 1992, was elected as Mayor of Wasilla in 1996, and elected the first woman and youngest Governor of Alaska in December 2006. As Governor, Palin has fought against and revealed corruption among the Alaskan Republican Party, opposed the “Bridge to Nowhere”, and encouraged the growth of the Alaskan economy. She is praised by Conservatives for being of strong faith, an advocate of the Pro-Life Movement, and a friend of the Second Amendment.Senator John McCain is not the ideal choice by Conservatives; even some Republicans are hesitant of his maverick behavior. I am confident in the choice of McCain as the Republican Presidential nominee. Our next President needs to have the military experience to lead our troops in a time of war and the foreign policy expertise to protect our nation from threats within and abroad. McCain has a strict record of fighting Pork Barrel spending in Washington and reaching across the aisle to achieve the best for America.Governor Palin will provide the fiscal and social conservatism needed for the Republican and Conservative base to rally around the presumptive nominee’s. She also will appeal to mothers and women, shattering that glass ceiling Geraldine Ferraro and Hillary Clinton have cracked away at. Palin is proof that women can be loving mothers and still be a career woman, even in the vicious world of politics. Governor Palin has the executive experience that no other Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate has; making her highly qualified to handle domestic issues. I have complete faith in McCain’s choice of running mate and hope that as people get to know her, they will become captivated by her story and charisma. Regardless of your political affiliation or views, Americans have an opportunity to make history this election. I urge everyone who is not registered to vote to visit your local Election Commissioner or County Clerk. It is our duty as American’s to be actively involved in our political system and this election should not only encourage, but inspire our generation to be involved.

Reactions to the Saddleback Civil Forum on the Presidency

I was very shocked to see the GREAT ORATOR, Barrack Obama, stuttering his way through many of the tough questions on religion, ethics, and morals. I felt that many of his answers were very generic and simple. I am worried that Obama is using this forum as an opportunity to bamboozle Americans into believing he is a man of strong religious morals and value's. Many Americans will not take the time to research where Obama stands on many of the important social and moral issues that currently plague our country. His record is a prime example of his pro-choice liberalism that has eroded our country to it's current culture of death & Godless Nation. I am please to hear that Obama does not support same-sex marriages and faith-based organization, but again I hope that this is not just lip service to gain the conservative vote. After listening to many of Obama's answers, I hope that I am not the only one who heard the underlying answers...HIGHER TAXES. Obama promises many services and opportunities for all Americans, but the key question is HOW DOES HE PLAN TO FUND SUCH SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES... RAISE YOUR TAXES??------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------As an avid conservative, it bothers me when Conservatives and Republicans constantly invoke the name of Ronald Reagan. I do believe that Reagan is one of the best Presidents we have had and represented outstanding policies and issues. However, it is easy to pledge alliance to Reagan Conservatism, but difficult to stand for your own true conservative principles. McCain's tales from his POW experiences and his testimony of his Christian Faith pulling him through unthinkable harm only proves that his faith and experiences makes him qualified to take control of our country. I am proud to hear McCain effortlessly say that the right of the child begins at the time of conception, marriage is between one man and one woman, and stem cell research is unacceptable when lives are being created for destruction. McCain's dedication for strong National Security and working across the aisle to provide it, shows the advantage McCain has over Obama. As mentioned by my roommate, McCain is a NO B.S. kind of man. McCain tells you how he stands on issues and what he plans to do about the issues facing our nation. Obama danced around many of the answers, especially when defining when a child attains rights.

Earthday: An Inconvenient Pain in My Butt

Earth Day and Global Warming are two topics I completely ignore, but since Al Gore and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are involved, I feel obligated to comment! Warning: Liberals and Americans pathetic enough to believe this Global Warming hoax should stop reading immediately and go recycle this paper!Al Gore is a washed-up politician who found an environmental issue he could exploit and get rich off of. Mr. Gore is so concerned about the environment; he continues to fly around in his jumbo-jet to warn the world. PETA is a crazy liberal organization that’s more concerned with the rights of animals than the rights of humans. Aborting a living child from the womb is acceptable, but God forbid we raise and kill animals for the purpose of food.In time for Earth Day, PETA has launched a new campaign declaring Gore is too chicken to go Vegetarian. Though they acknowledge Gore’s efforts, he’s a hypocrite because he continues to eat meat. How dare you Mr. Gore! PETA refers to a United Nations study, finding that the meat industry creates 40% more green-house gas than all the cars, trucks, SUVs, ships, and planes in the word combined. The campaign asks that we all “go vegan for 30 days, preventing the equivalent of more than 270 pounds of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the Earth's atmosphere”. By eating vegan for thirty days, they hope you will ultimately switch to a vegan diet and liberate the innocent animals from their cruel destiny. As a God-fearing Christian, I understand that God intended animals to be used as a source of nutrients and fulfill our basic human needs. Meat is a source of vitamins and other necessary nutrients, which are not readily available in fruits and vegetables. Since you’re probably thinking that I am for polluting our environment and brutally murdering animals, let me clarify. As residents of this great planet Earth, we must all be responsible in cleaning and protecting the planet. However, the earth goes through a natural cycle of heating and cooling (remember that thing called the Ice Age?) and we must not be fooled into believing that this is the end of the world. Let’s take action by recycling, car pooling, and walking. Simple things can make a huge difference. I would like to take this opportunity to launch my own Earth Day campaign. I ask that all barbaric carnivores eat double the normal amount of meat products for 30 days, but leave the car at home and walk to class. We’re helping the farmers, the economy, and Mother Nature all at one time. Happy Earth Day, go enjoy some red meat, and have a great rest of the semester!!

Obama's Baby Burden

With John McCain securing the Republican nomination, I now sit back and enjoy the debacle that is the Democratic nomination process. Senators Obama and Clinton have been at each others throats, doing all of the work for Republicans. However, a recent comment by Senator Obama was no more than a blip on the liberal media’s radar, so I am making it my prerogative to exploit his insensitive comments on the sanctity of life. “I have two daughters, nine-years old and six years old. I’m going to teach them first of all about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby. I don’t want them punished with an STD at the age of sixteen”.The United States needs a President who does not live in the now, but plans for our nation’s future. The future of our nation rests in the hands of our children, making it vital that we provide extensive and thorough educations to all of our children. We need a President who understands the importance of what our children are being taught because of their high level of impressionability. Children are a blessing, even those who turn out to be liberals. A President, who advocates “age appropriate” sex education for kindergartners and refers to the miracle of child birth as a burden is a man of no moral standards who promotes radical change and makes empty promises to gain votes. Obama supporters, who are not die-hard liberals, please do our country a favor. Before you cast your vote in the General Election, find out where Obama stands on the issues in comparison to your beliefs. You may be very surprised as to what you will find!

Planned Parenthood's Sex Advice

Below is an article in today's Omaha World Herald. I read this and was outraged, but not surprised to see that Planned Parenthood was spearheading this project! And following the story are my reactions!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Web site's sex advice arouses opposition by JOSEPH MORTON WORLD-HERALD BUREAU WASHINGTON — A Web site offering detailed sex information to teenagers has some Midlands lawmakers turning red."It's enough to make an old person blush," said Rep. Lee Terry, R-Neb. "If that was in a printed magazine, it would be wrapped (in brown paper) and put behind a counter, and no teens would be allowed to buy it."Planned Parenthood Federation of America started the site years ago as a way of providing medically accurate answers to the questions adolescents have about their changing bodies and sexual activity.According to Planned Parenthood, adults can't afford to be naive — many young people are going to have sex, and they need access to the most comprehensive information possible in order to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.But some members of Congress now say the site goes too far, both in the graphic detail it provides and the messages it sends on topics such as premarital sex and abortion."It's borderline pornographic," said Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. "It's far too descriptive, and it's unnecessary, and it's funded by federal taxpayer dollars funneled through Planned Parenthood."The site is actually paid for by a private donation, according to Planned Parenthood. And the group says it keeps that private money separate from the federal funding it receives for health services such as cancer screenings, just as it keeps federal funding separate from its abortion services.Planned Parenthood receives about one-third of its $1 billion in total annual revenue from government grants and contracts.King said what Planned Parenthood bills as "safer sex" on the Web site, he calls "promiscuity." He said the teen sex advice site was called to his attention earlier this year, and he hopes he can persuade his colleagues to cut off federal funding for the organization.Discussion about the site comes in the midst of a larger debate on Capitol Hill about how, what and when young people should learn about sex. A hot button in that debate is the hundreds of millions of dollars the federal government has been spending in recent years for programs that promote abstinence.Nebraska has been receiving about $218,000 a year for such programs. That money is doled out as grants to communities that seek them.Opponents of abstinence-based programs point to studies that say such programs tend to include inaccurate information and aren't all that effective. Many states have started turning down the money.Earlier this year, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver decided to reject any future federal funding for abstinence education once its current funding expires this summer.A Culver spokesman said the governor wanted to send a message to Washington that local communities in Iowa would not have their hands tied when it came to health programs. Iowa had been receiving $318,000 a year.Rep. Jim Moran, a Virginia Democrat, and 75 other lawmakers this month wrote a letter calling for the elimination of the Community-Based Abstinence Education program from the 2009 budget.Terry has been a chief proponent of federal funding for abstinence programs, pushing to increase the amount of money going to them. He noted the rarity of such federally funded programs in the Omaha area, however, and said abstinence-based programs have never really been given a chance to succeed.The oft-cited study that found inaccurate information in abstinence-based education involved an outdated program, Terry said.The stakes in the debate are high.A recent report by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that one in four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease, which can cause long-term health problems and lead to infertility and cervical cancer.In Douglas County, STD rates for teens and adults are significantly above the national level. The CDC study was an analysis of nationally representative data on 838 girls who participated in a 2003-04 government health survey.Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, said that considering those statistics, the debate should revolve around what works to keep youngsters safe."The more you have an open conversation, whether it's a parent to their child or whether it's a trusted teacher who can give good information, the more likely young people are to both delay being sexually active and, eventually, when they do become sexually active, the more likely they are to not do something risky," Richards said.Anyone who remembers being in a giggling classroom of youngsters watching a video in health class can attest to what an uncomfortable subject sex can be. So it's not hard to imagine parents blushing at the material included on the Web site.The site has articles such as "All About Arousal: The Science of Sex." The site also describes how teens can obtain birth control and gives advice to girls who are under 18 and may have trouble affording emergency contraception, or the "morning-after pill."It has interactive features such as "Farmer Tina's Sexually Transmitted Infection Petting Zoo."The site has advice for boys whose girlfriends become pregnant and decide to have abortions. It tells boys that they can be "compassionate partners" by offering to pay for as much of the procedure as they can and supporting the girl's decision, even if he disagrees with it.A quiz about sexually transmitted infections details various forms of safer "sex play." The site also recommends safe sex options and answers questions submitted by users.Said Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb.: "This site is wholly inappropriate as an 'educational' endeavor and looks like it belongs on late-night cable. If any federal funds are used for this exercise in poor taste, we are truly letting down the American taxpayer."King accused Planned Parenthood of having financial interests at stake since it provides abortions and contraception."They cash in on promiscuity, on sexual activity, regardless of whether it's the contraception or whether it's the abortion," King said. "They've got a perverse motivation here to undermine the morality of our society."Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb., said he would like to see federal funding to Planned Parenthood cut."You have to question the motives of an organization that, in effect, promotes risky sexual behavior and also profits from the pain of abortion," Fortenberry said. "We should be focusing on helping young people to be confident and self-possessed, avoiding unhealthy situations."Bobbie Kierstead, vice president of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Nebraska & Council Bluffs, said those comments represent political attacks from longtime opponents of the organization. She said about 750,000 teenagers will get pregnant this year and 4 million will get an STD."It's more important than ever that teens have medically accurate, lifesaving health information, and politicians shouldn't try to deny it to them," she said.The group encourages parents, particularly of younger children, to talk about what they should be viewing on the Web, she said.When Richards, the national head of Planned Parenthood, learned that the Web site has been making congressmen such as Terry uncomfortable, she suggested that the Omaha lawmaker attend one of the organization's classes that teach parents how to talk about sex with their children.Terry said he agrees that parents have a responsibility when it comes to providing sex education, but he objects to the group posting the material on a Web site. He added that he and his wife already have talked about how and when to go over the facts of life with their sons."We feel that we have a good grasp of that," Terry said. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*To those people who think I make facts up and don't research before I write, I actually tried looking at Planned Parenthood's website, but was unable to access it on my computer. Hmm, that is rather ironic? Maybe because my computer knows better!!Well Planned Parenthood, I have to disagree that many youth are only wanting to try sex because it is glorified and taught that it is OK to have premarital sex by many liberal organizations (especially your own)! If facts and statistics about STD's and the cost of supporting a child were actually taught, people would be too afraid to try it for the first time. Yes, I am promoting scare tactics! But I would not call them scare tactics, I would call it REALITY! Similar to how they take troubled teens into crack houses and alleyways to show them how they will end up if they continue down that path! I agree that parents MUST be talking to their children about sex. That's right, I said PARENTS, not teachers, not pro-aborts! Parents! However, I also understand that the parents are not always around, but there are other places to seek information, such as churches, faith-based clinics, hospitals! Planned Parenthood is not concerned with youth having sex, they're exploiting sex to make a profit and to further rape our nation of it's Christian morals and heritage! "It's more important than ever that teens have medically accurate, lifesaving health information". Oh are we now talking about first aid and CPR? Here is medically accurate and lifesaving information, free of charge: KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS OR BE GROWN-UP ENOUGH TO ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES! Before I end my rant, there was another individual who was addressing the issue of abortion today, just after I had read this article! Senator Obama had been asked about several issues, abortion being one of them. Senator Obama said that "they have talked to their two daughters about sex and that if they do "mess-up", he does not want them to be BURDENED with a child". Obama, you claim to be a Christian and a man of faith, and I am never one to question one's faith, but how can you promote pre-marital sex and that a child is a burden? I hope that all TRUE Christians hear the vile words that spew from your filthy mouth, especially those you have brainwashed into supporting you!I am proud to have Lee Terry Representing Nebraska and glad that Iowans have such an honorable Representative as Steve King!