tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-92113849916600654302024-03-13T13:49:53.894-07:00Onesimus JonesComments pertaining to church and stateSteve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-67588576316383905892019-04-30T22:52:00.003-07:002019-04-30T22:52:47.375-07:00DECLARING WAR ON ISLAM: Fruit of an Apostate Church <span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g"><span><span>"</span></span></span></span><span dir="ltr"><span class="_3l3x _1n4g"><span><span>Most Americans are unaware of the fact that over two hundred years ago
the United States had declared war on Islam, and Thomas Jefferson led
the charge!"<br /><br />This bit of ignorance is from a <a href="https://www.politifact.com/barbary/">chain email</a> designed to promote fear and loathing of Muslims. The Politifact
site has a well reasoned rebuttal. And yes I know that fact check sites
themselves need to be fact checked, which I did.</span><br /><br /><span>For a less shrill take on the Barbary Pirat</span></span><span><span><span>es,
I recommend Brian Kilmeade's book on the subject. A great read, like a
novel, but well researched. I found it to be slanted towards support for
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611888-thomas-jefferson-and-the-tripoli-pirates">interventionist foreign policy</a>, but with that caveat it's still a fact
filled introduction to the subject for our history deficient culture.</span><br /><br /><span>Thomas
Jefferson didn't declare war on Islam. That's as silly and ignorant as
saying he was against Christianity because he collected some of Jesus's
words in a book. </span><br /><br /><span>If corsairs sent by Muslim states
meant that Islam is our enemy, then Christian and Jewish involvement in the
African slave trade meant the other two monotheistic faiths are enemies
as well. That would be absurd, but also logically consistent. And that
is the danger of anti Muslim hysteria - it easily boomerangs against us
Christians, and historically Jews end up being victimized by both
Christians and Muslims when these religious wars occur. The Crusades
being an example. </span><br /><br /><span>Last but not least. Most of the
anti Muslim hysteria comes from Trump supporters. So, here's a question
for Trump supporters who think Islam is the top threat to civilization:
why is President Trump selling $billions worth of advanced weapons to the
Saudis, who for three centuries have allied with Wahhabists, the actual
leading sponsors of jihadist terror?</span></span></span></span></span>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-87153504006444421772018-04-09T18:09:00.000-07:002018-04-09T18:11:42.687-07:00If I Was Trump's SpeechwriterMy fellow Americans.<br />
<br />
My physician put something in my tea that he said will help me speak more clearly.<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
America is great again, thanks to my magnificent leadership.<br />
<br />
As the greatest President of the greatest country that ever countried,
it is imperative that I enforce humane standards of military aggression
in the world, especially when it comes to murdering civilians. <br />
<br />
I
have ordered hundreds of sorties which have killed thousands of
innocent men, women, and children. But there were some terrorists
killed, too. More importantly, NOT ONE person was killed by chemical
weapons. Rest assured, that if you are ever targeted for a violent death at the hands of America's military, it won't be by chemical weapons. America kills children with drone strikes, cluster bombs,
napalm, as well as by conventional artillery fire and small arms. And
nukes too, I think - history isn't my forte'. Because we are great, it is
the United States' prerogative to decide the moral and proper way to
kill innocent people. Only America and it's allies may murder civilians,
and only with weapons approved by America.<br />
<br />
Israel and Saudi
Arabia have 007 status, and are licensed to murder with impunity in
places like Syria, Gaza, the West Bank, and Yemen.<br />
<br />
Now, about
Syria. One year ago, a chemical weapons attack occurred in that country.
All the people I regularly denounce as "fake news" assured me that
Assad was responsible. For reasons I won't disclose, I heeded that mob,
and launched about $100 million worth of Tomahawk missiles against
Assad's Syrian Arab Army. I realize that evidence later emerged that the
chemical weapons were actually launched by terrorists fighting against
the SAA, but that is quite beside the point. You see, there have long
been plans for a pipeline across Syria - which would redound to the
benefit of Iran, Syria, and perhaps Russia. It would undermine
American-Israeli-Saudi hegemony in the region, and that is unacceptable
to the psychopaths who actually run our great country.<br />
<br />
So, a year
later, we have another chemical attack in Syria, and the same fake news
people who blamed Assad last year, are again laying it on him.
Therefore, I will be ordering more attacks on Syria, and will do so
before facts have a chance to undermine the anti Assad hysteria. <br />
<br />
Because despite the fact that I, your great President, decry the waste
and harm caused by our endless wars, those wars will go on no matter who
is President.<br />
<br />
Please don't tell anyone that I'm not really in charge.</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-28183582098989237202017-04-10T02:49:00.000-07:002017-04-10T03:00:50.873-07:00Loving War, Choosing Ignorance<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_8">
Politically
speaking, we are living in a dystopian novel, except that we are
ignorant by choice - in the information age, you don't have to believe what Big Brother tells
you on the telescreen, or give credence to the printed and posted
agitprop from the Ministry of Truth, dubbed by Orwell as "Minitrue."<br />
<br />
The whole narrative about the Syrian gas attacks is fertilizer, a repeat of <a href="https://www.lewrockwell.com/2013/09/anthony-gucciardi/timeline-of-the-syrian-false-flag/">four years ago.</a> It's bovine
scatological matter to aid the growth of martial mush in the minds of
patriotic but misled Americans. Very soon the difference between
uncritical consumers of B.S. and those who deign to think for themselves
will be more apparent than ever. This latest round of misinformation about Syria, though not <a href="http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/2017/february/04/the-media-coverage-on-syria-is-the-biggest-media-lie-of-our-time-interview-with-flemish-priest-in-syria/">new</a>, represents a
watershed moment, an opportunity for free people to discover that our
government really is THAT corrupt, controlled by an amoral, murderous
cabal no matter who resides in the White House. <br />
<br />
Or people can
proactively decide that freedom isn't for them. These folks, made of the
same stuff as you and I, lest we forget that it is God who makes us
free, will continue to parrot rigid ideological slogans from wings left
and right, all redounding to the health of the state. They will put
aside their differences with each other (which, in the big picture, are
akin to the difference 'tween Coke and Pepsi) to cheer for the troops.
Sadly, their enthusiasm for supporting the troops will distract them
from any critical analysis of the state's stated reasons for sending
young Americans to be traumatized in wars having absolutely nothing to
do with defending America, but that make our country a pariah as
thousands of civilians are slaughtered, and rogue elements which are part
of every invading army rape and pillage among those we are allegedly
liberating.<br />
<br />
When the troops come home with their PTSD, the
jingoists who "thanked them for their service" will expect the VA to
make them well again, BY GAWD. Never will these worshippers of all
things military contemplate that it was a damn shame to send fine young
men into Hell for the sake of oligarchs - oh, yes, and women too, must
be equal equal equal, instead of women using their God bestowed feminine
gifts, which make civilization civilized, let them do the same
dumb things men do.<br />
<br />
If you're a peace lover, be prepared to be
called unpatriotic. Historically, you could even be imprisoned for
opining against a particular war (cf. Lincoln, Wilson), or, if you're
the wrong ethnic group, you might be sent to a concentration camp (cf.
FDR, Hitler). <br />
<br />
God help us to be peacemakers. Many of us were
once deluded into believing the lies of the Warfare State. The
propaganda apparatus is massive: all major television networks, the
major newspapers, talk radio, and sadly, Christian media ("my people
perish for lack of knowledge"). They are experts, using fear,
manufactured consensus, and suppression of truth to make loyal citizens
feel obligated to obey the state, rather than God (they're not the same,
btw). We can't convince those who don't want to be convinced. When we
encounter obtuse, impervious people we must pray for them - we've been
the same way at some time in our lives. Respect where respect is due,
and it is always due in some measure to those made in God's image.<br />
<br />
Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21).</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-45190096139509249912017-01-27T19:01:00.002-08:002017-01-29T16:16:10.717-08:00Nationalism, Crusades, and Anti-SemitismJust learned that today is both Holocaust Remembrance Day and the
March for Life. The latter is on a different date each year, the former
is always on January 27, commemorating the liberation of the Auschwitz
death camp in 1945. <br />
<br />
Many seem to think that the Nazis rose to power in some backward, unrefined place.<br />
<br />
But Germany in the 1930's was the most educated country in the world, according to historian Paul Johnson. A culturally advanced, learned people allowed a monster to take control
of the government, and two state supported churches - Catholic and
Lutheran - helped the regime scapegoat Jews. Thank God for some
exceptions (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Confessing Church), but the sad
truth is that anti-Semitism has its historical roots in "Christian"
churches. <br />
<br />
If the church doesn't exist to stop tyranny like
Hitler, what is the church here for? I am not reassured by the blind
allegiance to Trump among Evangelicals - the spirit of nationalism is
foul smelling and not easily reined in once loosed.<br />
<br />
I've been studying the Crusades lately, and learning some things I didn't want to know.<br />
<br />
To wit:<br />
<br />
In 1095, Pope Urban II called Christians to a crusade to
take Jerusalem from the Muslims. En route, the Crusaders learned to love
killing, including entire Jewish villages. They started out hating the
Muslims as "enemies of Christ" and along the way many of them decided
that Jews were "enemies of Christ" as well. These demonic hordes,
marching in the name of our Lord, were the source of blood libels and
pogroms, and the evil and stupid idea of blaming all Jews for the
crucifixion of Jesus.<br />
<br />
When the Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem in
1099, they not only slaughtered Muslims within the city, but also Jews
as well. The Muslims had banned Christians because they were regarded as
polytheists for adhering to the doctrine of the Trinity.<br />
<br />
Interesting to me is the fact that Jews were banned from Jerusalem until
Muslims retook the city in 1187. Saladin invited them back to the city,
and also allowed Christians from Greek and Eastern churches to remain,
because they had not persecuted Muslims.<br />
<br />
It seems that
anti-Semitism has been more prevalent among "Christians" throughout
history than it has been among Muslims, with notable exceptions.<br />
<br />
Spiritually speaking, I observe the same filthy spirit in today's
anti-Muslim crusade as inhabited the anti-Muslim crusades of the middle
ages. I hope it doesn't redound to a new wave of anti-Semitism,
although it apparently already has in parts of Europe. There were
neo-Nazis among those who staged the Ukrainian coup that our government
and NATO backed during Hillary Clinton's tenure at the State department.
It also is not helpful for our government and evangelical Christians to
blindly support Netanyahu's oppression of Palestinians, or the
demonization of the entire Persian/ Iranian race.<br />
<br />
This is a heart
issue. Stereotyping of any one ethnic or religious group tends to
snowball into hatred of other groups. Pope Urban II called forth a mob
against Muslims. He didn't intend for the mob to go after Jews, but he
was powerless to restrain the juggernaut he had launched. <br />
<br />
Do we ever learn?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld6fAO4idaI">The answer is blowing in the wind?</a>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-88199501407952004092016-09-18T21:30:00.000-07:002016-09-19T08:09:16.524-07:00Balaam, Branson, and Donald Trump<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">Beware of the false prophets...</span> (Matthew 7:15a) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Mario Murillo is at it again, and God's people should be aware of the latest efforts by Mario to attach the Lord's name to his own sensational pronouncements.</span><b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I believe God had me speak out because America was on the brink of an unalterable disaster. On November 8<sup>th</sup>, we will either be rescued by Trump or driven into the ground by Hillary. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i></i></b></blockquote>
<b><i><br /></i></b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Thus saith Mario via blog post on September 15, 2016.<br /><br />I have a wait and see attitude about certain prophecies regarding Donald Trump, including some that see him as a modern day Cyrus (Persian king who allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild Solomon's Temple) or Jehu (Israelite king who destroyed Jezebel and hundreds of Baal worshippers).<br /><br />I know that many godly Christians believe Donald Trump will be used by God to stem the advance of evil in our country. <br /><br />I have no quarrel with most of them, whether I agree or not.<br /><br />But Mario Murillo</span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> has earned our mistrust, and when he speaks of our country being "rescued by Trump" he doesn't rate the benefit of the doubt.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: blue;">Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.</span>(Psalm 20:7)<br /><br />Remember, this is the same Mario Murillo who came on his high horse to Branson claiming to be the fulfillment of the (thoroughly debunked) Branson - Corrie ten Boom legend. On October 16th, 2015, Mario proclaimed that the so called "Branson Out<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">break</span>" that he spearheaded would be known worldwide within two weeks.<br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Did that happen?<br /><br /><span style="color: blue;">For those who guide this people are leading them astray; And those who are guided by them are brought to confusion.</span> (Isaiah 9:16)<br /><br />Jesus is our Savior, not Donald Trump. <br /><br />Furthermore, God doesn't need the United States to fulfill His plan. <br /><br />God's people need to be full of God to fulfill their callings.<br /><br />Warning about false prophets is not popular in<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> </span>Charisma<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">n</span>i<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">a</span> today. One reason for this is that false prophets bring in a lot of money.<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> Another is that<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">bible teaching is not valued unless it is "prophetic" - this results in liberty for pro<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">phetic utterance, but no provision to judge <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">such utterance.</span></span></span></span></span> <br /><br />Branson has more than its share of false prophets. <br /><br />How do we identify a false prophet<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">?</span> <br /><br />Well, start with prayerful reading of Deuteronomy 13 and 18. <br /><br />In Branson, here's a sure sign of a false prophet: if the prophet has promoted the Corrie ten Boom legend, and hasn't repented, you have a false prophet. The reason is that Corrie ten Boom did not prophesy about any worldwide revival beginning in Branson, and the legend that she did is simply Charismatic-Evangelical folklore.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Balaam was a prophet. He <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">was gifted to <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">operate in the sp<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">irit real<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">m, both with Yahweh<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">, the Creator, and with evil spirits. <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">There are many such "prophets" loose today, <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">including here in the <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Branson area. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Beware.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-19187456941878644022016-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:002016-08-02T05:02:58.517-07:00A TAWDRY COUNTY TALEOnce upon a time in Tawdry County, there
was an Assessor named Mr. Strongman. He ignored state standards for
assessing property values. Seniors who owned condos sometimes had their
assessments tripled, while locals who were part of a political
organization called GOBAG ("Good Old Boys And Girls") got low
assessments. <br />
<br />
Mr. Strongman was a talented politician, knowing whose bread to butter.<br />
<br />
But the state government didn't like the way assessments were done in
Tawdry County, and the state government withheld nearly $1 million in
funds for the Assessor's office.<br />
<br />
This didn't bother Mr. Strongman, because he had friends on the County Commission who belonged to GOBAG. They gave Mr. Strongman county funds to
replace the money withheld by the state. And they supported his
noncompliance with the state's assessment standards. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: white;">In the Assessor's office, there were some dedicated employees who
worked hard for the county. But there were other employees who loafed,
doing personal business on county time, or leaving work early. This
group of employees was known as the "Thrift Store Gang," because one of
their favorite things to do was to go shopping at thrift stores on
county time.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thrift Store Gang members had a friendly relationship with GOBAG.</span></span><br />
<br />
One day, Mr. Stron<span style="background-color: white;"></span>gman got an idea: "I'll run for the State Senate, so I can do more favors for my friends." But another politician from Tawdry County, Mr. Strawbus, ran against
Mr. Strongman, and they split the vote in Tawdry County. A third guy
from Blarney County beat them both in the Senate race.<br />
<br />
And so Mr.Strongman was out of office. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">In the meantime, Mr. Penwell was elected to be the new Assessor.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Mr. Penwell was a good and honest man - and therefore not a member of
GOBAG. This was bad enough, but Mr. Penwell also had a work ethic that
caused him to think that employees who were on the clock.... should
work!</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br />The Thrift Store Gang didn't like their new boss. </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br />Also, GOBAG didn't like Mr. Penwell being the Assessor. So, some of the leaders of GOBAG decided to create trouble for Mr.
Penwell by getting his employees who were members of the Thrift Store
Gang to lie against him.</span><br />
<br />
<b>The leader of GOBAG, Mr. Hessman, approached a Thrift Store Gang member, Mr. Hairding with an idea:</b><br />
<br />
"Hairding - is that Penwell treating you OK?"<br />
<br />
"He's terrible - he gets on me for how I treat the public, and expects me to do the job the way he wants it done."<br />
<br />
"You poor fellow - I feel your pain. I have a plan - if you
will do exactly as I tell you, there's some money in it for you."<br />
<br />
"I trust anything you GOBAG guys tell me - you've always steered me right. What do I do?"<br />
<br />
"Follow these steps to the letter: 1.) talk to Penwell about
all sorts of things - be friendly.... then just casually note his Bible
on the desk, and start talking about that....2.) Penwell will let his
guard down, and after you convince him that you are a fellow believer,
he will now and then mention the Bible, or God, or some verse. 3.) at
that point, you should perform as poorly as possible without getting
fired - take advantage of Penwell's merciful heart, and push him to the
limit 4.) at this point you have accomplished two things: First, Penwell
thinks you are a believer, and so feels free to share matters of faith,
Second, Penwell has to talk to you about your job performance, and
because he's a good guy, he'll probably still show respect for you, and
treat you as a friend. 5.) this is where the s*** hits the fan -
you're responsible for the s***. You file a complaint of religious
discrimination, alleging that Penwell forces you to listen to scripture,
and punishes you, not because of your p**s poor job performance, but
because you don't want to hear verses. 6) We GOBAG members control the
County Commission, and we will make sure your complaint gets settled
quickly. There will be no opportunities for Penwell to give his version
of things, and we will agree to a settlement that'll put a nice chunk of
change - how does $30k sound? - into your pocket... you'll need to
resign, but you'll have a great severance package to enjoy life while
you look for a different job!"<br />
<br />
"Well it sounds great! What's in it for you?"<br />
<br />
"We will leak news of your complaint just prior to the election. Penwell isn't running, but it will damage his allies, and when it's
his turn to run, we'll get some more of your Thrift Store Gang who want
some cash to help us out. We have a friend at the newspaper who will
blame Penwell for the money we give to you."<br />
<br />
"Awesome!"<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And this is how things are done in Tawdry County to this very day.</span>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-58229461869378092862016-03-11T21:23:00.000-08:002016-03-11T21:23:58.531-08:00Trump vs. the Race Card IndustryDonald Trump: racist?<br />
<br />
I doubt it. I could be wrong, but not based on what people are showing me.<br />
<br />
I think three or four <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/anncoulter/2016/03/02/trump-wins-disavowal-game-then-super-tuesday-n2127830/page/full">denunciations of the KKK</a> should suffice. After
that, the reporters are just badgering the candidate, and obstructing
the airing of other issues. The exception would be if there is credible
evidence of Klan involvement, like all the evidence the Left ignored in
the life of the late Senator Robert Byrd (D- WV). Senator Byrd skated on
that, everywhere but talk r<span class="text_exposed_show">adio.</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
But what about video showing black people being roughed up at his rallies?<br />
<br />
That could be racist. It could also be misanthropic, or just thuggish. <br />
<br />
In some circumstances, it could be justified - depending on what sort of menacing actions the person might have been doing.<br />
<br />
If white people are doing the same thing, and getting kid glove
treatment, while black people are singled out for the rough stuff - that
would indicate racism.<br />
<br />
Just the fact that protesters are removed from a rally is not wrong.<br />
<br />
If I pay for a hall, it's so people can hear from me, not from my
detractors - that is right in line with the first amendment. You don't
have a constitutional right to disrupt a meeting in a venue for which someone else paid.<br />
<br />
That said, I believe Trump is not a friend of the first
amendment, and that some of his comments about the press - as dishonorable as
many of them are - portend a return to the Alien and Sedition Acts
under John Adams, and the imprisonment of those who protested wars under
Lincoln and Wilson.<br />
<br />
Also, it is certain that Trump is a
nationalist, and that his followers have authoritarian tendencies (based
on <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/01/donald-trump-2016-authoritarian-213533">this article</a> and my own interaction with many of them). And yes, Trump comports
himself as a potential dictator, especially at his rallies. <br />
<br />
Reminds me very much of when ancient Israel demanded a king.<br />
<br />
Which did not end well for them.<br />
<br />
Nationalism is not synonymous with racism, although many racists are also nationalists.<br />
<br />
Ben Carson struck me as a nationalist, even before he announced his
support for Trump today. An endorsement which likely shocked some of Ben's
supporters, but not those who pay close attention. Ben is as ignorant
about foreign affairs as he is brilliant in his field of neurosurgery.<br />
<br />
I don't think Ben Carson is stupid, nor is it helpful when Trump's opponents call Trump supporters stupid.<br />
<br />
Also, I don't think Carson is a racist, and if he was, I would assume his racism would not be directed at black people, eh?</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-4528459290748994572016-03-04T20:49:00.000-08:002016-03-04T20:49:34.630-08:00Hillary's Email to DonaldDarling Donald,<br />
<br />We've been friends a long time, and your support has been greatly appreciated.<br />
<br />Congratulations on your pending nomination. You've made sport of the
Vast Right Wing Conspiracy, and for that you have my undying gratitude.
These vermin made a huge deal out of a few rapes and assaults that my
husband may have committed. You of all men know what a tough road it can
be for an alpha male with a severe testosterone imbalance. <br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />It's gratifying to see you steamroll over these little people - but I
wonder if you might be enjoying yourself a bit too much? Duping all
those Christian leaders into supporting you was understandably fun for
you - especially that ditz, Sarah Palin - but I frankly became alarmed
that in order to fool those naive people, you denied your progressive
views on abortion. You've amassed an impressive list of Christian
luminaries: Falwell, Peter Wagner, Pastor Jeffress, Paula White, etc.
who have bought the idea that you are God's man to protect them. Is it
possible that your ego has been stroked a bit too much by these
zealots? These are the same people who regard my husband as a moral
reprobate, and they don't seem to mind that you have openly boasted
about sleeping with other men's wives! Their cognitive dissonance is
marvelous theater, but their ignorance of their own book could redound
to your harm if you allow them to crown you as king - they may not be
mindful of the story of King Saul, but you would do well to consider it.<br />
<br />Donald dear - please recall what the script calls for during the coming campaign between us.<br />
<br />Remember, our arrangement was for you to help me win this election by
making me seem likable by comparison. Also, don't forget how friendly my
administration will be to aggressive business men such as yourself -
for one thing we can assure that federal judges will continue to uphold
your very creative interpretation of eminent domain takings that benefit
your enterprises. <br />
<br />My dear friend, I know that Latin is not your
forte', but I was led to believe that you understand the meaning of
'quid pro quo.'<br />
<br />My affection for you is deep - the admiration
that a witch feels for a warlock. Out of love, I remind you that "Hell
hath no fury like a woman scorned!"<br />
<br />Know what I mean?<br />
<br />Love ya,<br />
<br />Hillary<br />
<br />P.S.<br />
Should this FBI business take an unexpected turn for the worse, I'll
consent to a change in our agreement, and will of course need you to
issue a full pardon when you take office.</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-62060096395921704052015-11-10T20:18:00.000-08:002015-11-10T20:50:59.957-08:00Apocalypse Branson: the Corrie ten Boom Legend<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_2">
Corrie ten Boom is rejoicing in heaven, so she's been unavailable to comment on the hype that has been taking place in her name in Branson for about two decades, and notably since Mario Murillo began holding a crusade here in late August.<br /><br />The Corrie ten Boom / Branson legend is this: Corrie allegedly was on a plane and asked the name of the town being flown over. When she was told "Branson" Corrie is said to have prophesied that the glory of God was going to go out from there to the rest of the country. One version of the story - the one parroted by Mario Murillo - is that noted Christian author Gary Smalley was seated next to Corrie and heard her amazing prediction. As of this date, no comment from Mr. Smalley has been made public, but his son, Greg, was interviewed by author Gaye Lisby, and stated that he never heard it. Moreover, Corrie's personal companion for the last seven years of her life emphatically told Mrs. Lisby that Corrie never made the alleged comment. <br /><br />Despite a complete dearth of corroboration, the legend of Corrie's word persists throughout the Branson area, especially among Charismatic Christians, of which I am one. Word-Faith teacher Billye Brim established her ministry in the area, and cited Corrie ten Boom's prophecy in so doing. Jim Bakker's ministry is in the area, too, and Jim has gone so far as to infer that those who disbelieve in the prophecy need to have demons cast out of them.<br />
<br />
My comment is that the prophecy about the glory of God going from
Branson to the rest of the country is a fabrication, and those who use
it to undergird their meetings are engaged in Divination, not prophetic
ministry.<br /><br />Jim Bakker is the one in need of deliverance, and Billye Brim makes my baloney detector go off.<br />
<br />
Last night, those who came to hear Mario Murillo found
the church doors locked and a notice on the door (see below). Mario's
blog says that the church board was behind the action, and that he,
Mario, had planned to announce new locations for the meetings last
night, apparently insinuating that some kind of retribution was behind
the cancellation. Some of the "intercessors" are framing this as a
demonic attack on their revival, and imprecating against unnamed foes.<br />
<br />
<div>
<div class="_5r69">
<div class="mtm">
<div data-ft="{"tn":"H"}">
<div class="mtm">
<div class="_5cq3" data-ft="{"tn":"E"}">
<a class="_4-eo _2t9n" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1517669888544727&set=a.1419050528406664.1073741829.100009051918995&type=3" rel="theater" style="width: 487px;"></a><br />
<div class="_46-h _4-ep" id="u_0_1q" style="height: 376px; width: 487px;">
<a class="_4-eo _2t9n" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1517669888544727&set=a.1419050528406664.1073741829.100009051918995&type=3" rel="theater" style="width: 487px;"><img alt="Jeannie Pepiot Daly's photo." class="_46-i img" height="309" src="https://fbcdn-photos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xft1/v/t1.0-0/s526x395/12235047_1517669888544727_1939602024041921136_n.jpg?oh=d0a827a1125fca3a9be6096d08ce6d64&oe=56BB55B9&__gda__=1458698491_3a5506086f9446478a78fce8916ede07" style="left: -12px; top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<a class="_4-eo _2t9n" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1517669888544727&set=a.1419050528406664.1073741829.100009051918995&type=3" rel="theater" style="width: 487px;">
</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<br />
One thing certain: somebody was very inconsiderate of all the people
who made a trip for a scheduled meeting only to find locked doors.<br />
<br />
Another: the rivalry among revivalists in our area doesn't comport with
the unity of the Holy Spirit that will characterize genuine revival.<br />
<br />
But then these meetings have been characterized by hype and mirrors.
Mario can insinuate anything he likes, but his credibility is in doubt
because he's continually invoked the bogus tale of Corrie's Branson prophecy throughout
his crusades.<br />
<br />
Godly intercessors are so very important in our
time (cp. Ezekiel 22:30). Intercessors are similar to midwives, serving
the Church as she travails to bring forth offspring. Although the
imagery of intercession is often feminine, men are called to this
ministry as well, there being no male and female in Christ. (Of course
there are military metaphors regarding spiritual warfare as well) <br />
<br />
Intercessors who are beguiled by unclean spirits engage in divination.
They see a revival as "their baby" that they have birthed, rather than
assisted in birthing. The uncleanness of this kind of "intercession" is
manifested when anyone challenges any claim or aspect of their revival -
"their baby."<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Example: When I challenged the veracity of the
Corrie ten Boom legend, one of these "intercessors" imprecated against
me thus: "God will deal directly with the religious spirits who doubt
God moving in signs and wonders. I place this in God's Courtroom of
Heaven. Touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm." (the whole
Facebook conversation is pasted on pages 15 -17 of <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-V4_4BXzWNaTPG-Klz1621giENkk6rnTUqZCD30w8g/edit">this document</a>, which is a collection of comments and Facebook posts about the so called "Branson Breakout" and other examples of Charismania such as the Lakeland, Florida revival of 2008 . </span><br />
<br />
This kind of "intercession" is unclean. For
one thing, I didn't "doubt God moving in signs and wonders" - I
challenged the veracity of the Corrie-Branson prophecy. <br />
<br />
Ironically, the same "intercessor" who tried to put a curse on me is now
vociferously claiming that a Jezebel spirit is opposing her revival.<br />
<br />
Very ironic. Like the pot calling the kettle black.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL</span></h2>
God help us your people to turn away from falsehood. Help us repent of
our unteachable spirit, our elitist sectarianism, our "I have no need of
thee" attitude. Every member of Christ's body is important. Lord, help
us to share the revelations You give without pride. We need grace to
know when to yield to others, and wisdom to know when to be assertive.
Let every self appointed Prophet, Apostle, and Intercessor be brought
down some, but in Your mercy preserve them so they can be participate in
Your genuine visitation to Your people. Others, Lord, embolden to step
up and reveal the things You have put in their hearts over the decades
as they have quietly waited like Anna and Simeon waited for the holy
Child to appear in the Temple. In the name of Jesus. Amen. <br />
<br /></div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-44110649641446079472014-07-17T23:31:00.000-07:002014-07-17T23:38:56.399-07:00Ron Houseman and Agenda 21<div class="_5k3v _5k3w clearfix">
<div>
Save rainwater - <a href="http://agenda21news.com/2012/07/oregon-man-sentenced-to-30-days-in-jail-for-collecting-rainwater-on-his-property/">go to jail!</a> This sort of tyranny is some fruit of <a href="http://americanpolicy.org/agenda21/">Agenda 21</a>,
a 'non-binding' (it's proponents always remind us) but 'all pervasive'
(I remind you) scheme put forth by the U.N. in 1992, and advanced by
each U.S. President since George H.W. Bush.<br />
<br />
The chief
threat from Agenda 21 is to property rights, usually through innocuous
sounding "sustainable development" schemes enacted by both sincere and
sinister local officials. Example: The Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ)
plan approved here in Taney County (in 2012) by our local governments.
At least half of Missouri is designated an EEZ now, and therefore at
increased risk for eminent domain abuse. A good essay on the problems
with EEZ is <a href="http://showmeinstitute.org/publications/commentary/corporate-welfare/800-eez-bad-deal.html">here.</a><br />
<br />
My
State Representative, Lyle Rowland (Missouri District 155), to his great credit,
worked hard to pass <a href="http://themissouritimes.com/5615/rowland-pushes-for-veto-override-of-bill-banning-agenda-21/">anti-Agenda 21</a> legislation last year. The House
failed by 2 votes to override the Governor's veto.<br />
<br />
Sadly,
Lyle Rowland, and too many other "conservatives," are supporting
Amendment 1, the so called 'Right to Farm' amendment, which includes
pernicious language that fits too well with Agenda 21. The Constitution
Party has very well summarized the problems with <a href="http://cpmo.us/2014/07/amendment-1-hjr-11/">'Right to Farm.'</a><br />
<br />
One
organization that is an enthusiastic supporter of Agenda 21
(Supporters of Agenda 21 avoid saying 'Agenda 21', opting for terms like
'sustainable development' or invoking causes like 'clean water' or
'climate change') is the National Association of Counties, or <a href="http://www.naco.org/programs/CSI/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=135">NACo</a>. Taney County Presiding Commissioner Ron Houseman serves on NACo's <a href="http://www.naco.org/about/leadership/Pages/RegionalRepresentatives.aspx">Executive Committee</a> , and frequently attends NACo meetings around the country, at the taxpayers expense.<br />
<br />
All
three of our county commissioners attended a meeting on the subject of
Agenda 21 (Brandon Williams attended as commissioner-elect, having
won the GOP primary) in 2012 at First Baptist Church in Hollister. They all indicated their staunch opposition to Agenda 21, but when
yours truly pointed out that Agenda 21 is often advanced using the term
'sustainable development', Mr. Houseman was prompted to disclose that
he had been a participant in a 'sustainable development' meeting, at
the White House, chaired by Al Gore. Ron assured us all that he opposed
whatever was being promoted at Al Gore's meeting, but I've noticed that his
high position in NACo is still something of which he is proud.</div>
</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-87648591698666880792014-03-21T05:39:00.003-07:002014-03-21T05:44:55.576-07:00links re deception ccbtc<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cx7o15iVnm8EzAFUu06EGMGIhuIAHDwKxVKTHjEyNsI/edit?pli=1">Deliverance from deception</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ccgathering.net/ourownwords/InOurOwnWords.htm">writings of former CCBTC members</a>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-28844796797645559982014-03-06T18:37:00.000-08:002014-03-06T18:38:43.873-08:00America in the BibleDear Uncle Sam,<br />
<br />
I found your bio in the Bible:<br />
<br />
"A
worthless person, a wicked man, Is the one who walks with a perverse
mouth, Who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, Who points
with his fingers; Who with perversity in his heart continually devises
evil, Who spreads strife. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly;
Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing. There are six
things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A
heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false
witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers."
(Proverbs 6:12-19)<br />
<br />
You have lied and deceived your way into
every war Americans have entered since the War of 1812 - every single
one. Your self flattering propaganda has served your purpose in each
war. You aren't "spreading freedom" or defending us against enemies -
you are spreading fear, and making our country a pariah among the
nations, and are yourself an enemy of the Constitution you claim to
support.<br />
<br />
Add abortion, and you have the blood of untold millions on your hands.<br />
<br />
So, I don't want to hold hands with you!<br />
<br />
We, the people of America, have been bountifully blessed - IN SPITE OF YOU, NOT BECAUSE OF YOU. <br />
<br />
I mean no offense, but when the choice is allegiance to you or to Jesus, I choose Jesus (cf. Exodus 20.3)<br />
<br />
Lord, have mercy on your people in the midst of your righteous judgment.Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-24496399372240136792013-05-14T00:02:00.000-07:002013-05-14T00:03:58.994-07:00Healing: Reality or Illusion?<div>
My post on Bill Johnson's Facebook page 111811<br />
Seriously...I don't know what you believe, but I'm for all the gifts, the fulness of God in the body of Christ, and restoration, etc. etc. And I finally had a chance to sample Bro Bill Johnson's ministry firsthand last Friday...He led 800 p...eople into a wonderful time of spontaneous worship to the King. I'm not kidding. However....the Bentley thing was bad for the church, bad for the name of the Lord, and bad for Todd Bentley. I wrote to Bethel about it, gently btw, and got not even a courtesy reply (I asked for one). We have a serious problem with idolatry. Truly gifted ministers are surrounded by sycophants, and if anyone expresses a concern, the peanut gallery is there to shout them down. No accountability in place, because only affirmations are of God - all criticism is of the evil one. Just read the threads here for examples of what I'm speaking...God help us, and He will! Time for the Body of Christ to be discerned. Liberty for prophetic utterances - yes! But also liberty to judge them! Oops, I said "judge" - that's profane to many of the brethren - I shall be branded a Pharisee! My desire is that these gifted prophets (they aren't apostles, no matter what Peter Wagner says) would venture out now and then and touch base with some regular folks who love Jesus and discern some problems that will not be solved by gold dust or even documented miracles. There are people who saw things amiss with Todd Bentley that were completely missed by those who commissioned him, and their followers. They are not all "fearful" like they've been characterized, they are a needed part of Christ's body and denouncing them as Pharisees and persecutors is hasty, at best.<br />
*******<br />
<br />
BJ interview where he states that we should believe reports on the basis of our inner witness<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1JE1FNNU">http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1JE1FNNU</a><br />
<br />
<br />
"We were just in Spokane, Washington for the Healing Rooms Conference with Cal Pierce. In one meeting, we had 54 people testify to metal dissolving in their bodies; screws, plates and rods. One woman was missing certain tendons in the left leg and she had a metal brace holding it all together. She didn't have anything for doctors to surgically repair in the leg, they had told her she would need the brace for the rest of her life. The brace helped by locking her leg so she could walk. She took the brace off in the meeting and ran! Another woman had been in intense pain for 15 years because of a back injury. She had a fused spine and was completely healed! The curvature in her back was restored and she was able to squat and get back up with no assistance! A first in a long time!"<a href="http://www.bjm.org/testimony/31/testimonies-from-spokane-conference.html">http://www.bjm.org/testimony/31/testimonies-from-spokane-conference.html</a> 110611<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmxKWj8VZ5Y&noredirect=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmxKWj8VZ5Y&noredirect=1</a> Randy Clark ministering at Bethel, calling forth those with metal in their bodies. Testimonies, but no corroboration!</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-43207383461215338752013-03-26T23:19:00.001-07:002013-03-26T23:19:48.383-07:00Homosexual Marriage: It Doesn't Exist<span class="userContent">Government should be out of the marriage
business. Marriage is a sacrament ordained by God; government
involvement violates Jefferson's separation of church and state
doctrine. <br /> <br /> The church has greatly erred by accepting secular government <span class="text_exposed_show">authority
in the form of 501(c) 3 incorporation. The same mindset causes the
church to appeal to government to hold the line against spiritual
deception overtaking our culture. That's the church's job. "Render unto
Caesar the things that are Caesar's.." Caesar's "things" don't include
marriage, church licensing, or educating our children. Until we start
giving to God the things that are His, we should forget admonishing our
culture to be righteous.</span></span>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-66793344152958264542013-02-10T14:07:00.000-08:002013-02-11T13:06:44.897-08:00Idolatry in the Church: Community ChapelScriptures re idolatry and Community Chapel:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GamKh7eg-8WK14Xy9fN69nNiX-VAFbdHFH693G0oq1E/edit">Idolatry Scriptures</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The Wikipedia page:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Chapel_and_Bible_Training_Center">Community Chapel Wiki</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here are some articles from former member of Community Chapel. Some of mine are under my own name (Steve Maxwell) and some under the pseudonym "Frank."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ccgathering.net/ourownwords/InOurOwnWords.htm">Writings from ex members of Community Chapel </a><br />
<br />
Good message preached by Earl Thurner on Dec. 20, 1981:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ccgathering.net/ccotl/SM-0760-A.mp3">"The Father"</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-45382881873394271012012-11-30T18:17:00.000-08:002012-11-30T18:50:34.322-08:00Marxist Left, Fascist Right: Twins!<span class="userContent">Last week, a self described "liberal" accused me of blind allegiance to Ron Paul.<br /> <br /> Today, a "Conservative Animal" (blog name) called me a "paulie" (sic).<br /> <br />
For the record, I do agree with Ron Paul, but my opinions were largely
in line with his before I began to pay much attention to him, about six
years ago. Plus, whatever is wrong with my opinions, a lot of thoughts go into them, and so ad hominem arguments are resented, chiefly because they indicate no respect for my time. <br /> <br /> The "Left - Right" paradigm in which we frame political discussions seems more absurd to me everyday.</span><br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
. <br />
"Left" and "Right" have much more in common than their shared disdain for the simple honesty of Ron Paul. <br />
<br />
* They both have the exact same plan to deal with our national debt problem - blame the other party.<br />
* Democrats spoke against Bush's military adventurism; Republicans
decry Obama's. But in the end, both keep funding our unsustainable
worldwide military presence.<br />
* Neither has any respect for the
Constitution: Conservative Animal is offended by the confidence with which Ron Paul supporters cite the Constitution (it's our fault that hardly anyone else reads it?), and thinks the Federal courts are the sole arbiters of its meaning. Animal thus affirms the hubris of Chief Justice Hughes: "...we are under a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the judges say
it is..." My
"liberal" critic thinks the Constitution is subservient to popular
opinion, and inadequate for modern life, and since his view is shared by the statists who dominate the federal judiciary, he, like Conservative Animal, is happy for our country to be governed by de facto tribunals of judges.<br />
* Both quickly play the
race card when they have no answers: the liberal thinks objections to
Obama's massive expansion of the federal government is rooted in racism; Conservative Animal accused me of being anti-Semitic because I think
Israel deliberately attacked the USS Liberty in 1967. Since I didn't mention the Liberty attack in my post on Mr. Animal's blog, I'm guessing somebody searched out my comments about it elsewhere online. I'm opting out of participation on that blog, as the proprieters are given to overbearing and verbose tirades full of ad hominem arguments, red herring, and <i>ipse dixit</i> assertions posing as axioms. See for yourself <a href="http://conservativeanimal.com/america-is-not-a-goat-nation/">here</a>.<br />
* Both are
ignorant of, or OK with, the President having authority to imprison
American citizens indefinitely without charging them.<br />
<br />
The Left side of the box is still the box. Ditto the right side.<br />
<br />
Ron Paul's ideas are not really profound. He just cuts through the bullshit; and millions of people are ready for someone to do
that. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, many more millions are still thinking in the box.<br />
<br />
Pray and think. Please.</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-88977513830762458032012-10-22T20:03:00.000-07:002012-10-22T20:03:51.088-07:00George McGovern: RIP<span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][1]"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0]"><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[0]">I
much prefer real liberals like McGovern over modern corporate statists
such as Reid, Romney, Obama,
Boehner, and the Clintons.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[0].[3]">George McGovern was a Christian gentleman. His chief fault was a sincerely held, but erroneous,</span></span><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[0]"> theology that conflated the gospel mandate to care for the poor with the foolish utopian schemes of the welfare state.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[1]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[2]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[3]">He
was a real liberal in the same sense that Robert Taft was a real
conservative; and both had more in common with each other than either
has with the current leaders of our two ruling parties.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[4]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[5]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[6]">On account of foreign policy.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[8]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[9]">McGovern
was speaking against intervention in Vietnam as the Kennedy
administration sent thousands of combat troops there and backed a CIA led coup in which South Vietnamese President Diem was killed.
Taft opposed involvement in Korea, and NATO - part of the reason the
muscleheads running the GOP sabotaged their 1952 convention so that Taft
was pushed out in favor of Ike.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[10]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[11]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[12]">Our
ongoing foreign interventions - about which neither candidate in
tonight's debate will have the slightest qualm - are not consistent with
either "liberal" or "conservative" policy.</span><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[13]" /><br id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[14]" /><span id=".reactRoot[21].[1][2][1]{comment412289422159997_3964488}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[15]">They fit nicely with fascism, though.</span></span></span></span></span>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-1387434245175272192012-10-10T04:55:00.000-07:002012-12-01T09:05:51.247-08:00Taney County Republicans are Chicago Democrats<span class="userContent">Attend a gathering of Republicans in Taney County, and it's a safe bet that you'll hear derisive comments about Democrats.<br /><br />Full disclosure: when those comments have been about Barack Obama, I've often agreed with them. There is an unbroken chain of corruption in the Chicago Democratic machine going back at least to the Capone gang in the 1920's. This machine brought the deceased to the polls for JFK in 1960, and lately helped launch Obama's career. <br /><br />However, there's an elephant in the room - pun intended - when local Republicans focus on the foibles and malfeasance of the Democratic party.<br /><br />Actually, a couple of elephants.</span><span class="userContent"> And maybe a snake or two.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"></span>
<span class="userContent"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent"><span style="color: #660000;">First Elephant</span> </span></span></div>
<br />
<span class="userContent">There's no corruption in the Taney County Democratic Party.<br /><br />Since there's no organized Taney County Democratic Party. There isn't one Democrat on the November ballot for any county office.<br /><br />The few Democrats who have held office in this county have been honorable people, and have served competently and honestly. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Second Elephant</span> </span></span></div>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
There is a history of corruption in the Taney County Republican Party. And the biggest scandal that I remember, was brought to light by...<br />
<br />
.... A Democrat!<br />
<br />
Back in the mid 1990's, the Treasurer of Taney County resigned. The Governor fills such vacancies by appointment, and our governor at the time was a Democrat. Governor Carnahan appointed John Willett, a young man in his early twenties - and a Democrat.<br />
<br />
In those days I had a couple of lively conversations with John at the county fair. We disagreed vigorously, but John was respectful at all times - never insulted my person. When I'd see him in town, he'd encourage me to drop by his office sometime for a visit. I very much regret never having done so. <br />
<br />
Later, I learned that John was working high up in one of the twin towers in New York on September 11, 2001. We lost a fine citizen from Taney County that day.<br />
<br />
During John's tenure as Treasurer, he came upon a number of checks payable to then County Clerk Ron Houseman and then County Collector Dwain Basham.<br />
<br />
Seems these two officials were collecting "commissions" from tax
revenues that they were collecting on behalf of municipalities around
the county. Checks amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. One check to Ron Houseman was for over $80,000 - yes that's right an eighty thousand dollar bonus. His regular salary was a little over $42,000 at the time. <br />
<br />
Charges were dropped on technicalities. Either the law was insufficient, or these handsomely rewarded public servants were well connected.<br />
<br />
But they did lose their bids for reelection in 1998. And since then, those elected to the offices of Clerk and Collector have not enriched themselves with lucrative commissions. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">Things have changed in Taney County since then - or have they?</span></span><br />
<br />
Despite being involved in this monumental scandal, Ron Houseman was hired by the county in 2009 to help obtain Obama stimulus funds for the county. The decision to hire him was made by the County Commission on a 2 to 1 vote. The two who voted for the hire were Western Commissioner Jim Strafuss and Eastern Commissioner Danny Strahan.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;"> Oh, and I'm running against Danny Strahan</span></span><br />
<br />
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: The author of this blog is running against the aforementioned Danny Strahan for the position of Eastern Taney County Commissioner. <br />
<br />
This is negative campaigning, which brings another IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE: I'm not opposed to negative campaigning IF it is factual and relevant. I very much oppose negative campaigning that is misleading ("my opponent publicly masticates in restaurants") , irrelevant ("my opponent wears a toupee"), or merciless ("my opponent was a Communist when he was 20, but grew out of it").<br />
<br />
This is an issue: Danny Strahan voted to hire Ron Houseman, despite his record of appropriating exhorbitant amounts of public funds for himself. <br />
<br />
I would have voted NO on this hire.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #660000;">What's the difference between the Democrat machine in Chicago and the GOP machine in Taney County?</span></span><br />
<br />
Scale.<br />
<br />
Chicago is much bigger.<br />
<br />
Certain prominent Republicans in Taney County
have sought to intimidate other Republicans for daring to support an
Independent candidate. Back in August, Taney County GOP Chairman Buddy
Roberts went to the County Clerk's office to review my nominating
petitions (I'm an Independent candidate for the County Commission). At the next GOP luncheon, Republicans whose signatures were
found were chastised.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">However, there is a double standard in place: Mr. </span>Roberts subsequently
contacted the County Clerk on behalf of Jim Strafuss - outgoing Western Commissioner who failed in a bid for the State Senate - in order to find
out how Jim could run as a write-in candidate against REPUBLICAN Jeff
Justus, who won the August primary to be the GOP nominee for State
Representative, 156th District. <br />
<div class="text_exposed_show">
<br />
Apparently, Mr. Roberts was
recently pressured by other members of the Central Committee - to their
credit - to be consistent and affirm that if a good Republican can't
support an Independent running against a Republican, then a good
Republican shouldn't support a write-in running against a Republican,
either.<br />
<br />
While it is good that Republican officials in Taney
County seek to apply a uniform standard, it'd really be nice if they
took a glance at the Constitution - which they've taken an oath to
support - and learned that there's no restriction in this country on
supporting the candidate of your choice, even if you belong to a
political party.</div>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-23239928809142017762012-09-29T20:14:00.000-07:002012-09-29T20:30:34.495-07:00Branson Tea Party Chooses Stripjoint Patron over Constitution<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-size: small;">September 28th, 2012<br /><br />Two thoughts: I miss the old Dairy Queen in downtown Branson, and Cynthia Davis is running for Lieutenant Governor.<br /><br /> How do those two items go together? Glad you asked!</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
I drove by the old DQ today. Lots of good memories. The
owners of a restaurant I worked at as a teen let me drive their
Cadillac to take their younger kids there for treats after a busy night.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
Alas, now the old DQ has been taken over by Tera-rists. It is inaptly
called "Tea Party Patriot HQ" - ostensibly the go-to place in these
parts to learn all about patriotism, the Constitution, and family
values. Tera Sukman reportedly paid about $200k for the property. In the
name of God and country, the Tera-rists have honored Rep. Billy Long,
whose idea of reducing federal spending is to vote for a $2.4 TRILLION
increase to the debt ceiling, Sen. Roy Blunt, who, as a House member,
got a few Republicans to join the Democrats in voting for Bush's TARP
bailout, and Ron Houseman, local politician who added an extra $300k,
over and above a $42k salary, of the taxpayers money to his income when
he was county clerk.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> And today, I noticed a huge banner for Peter Kinder, incumbent Lieutenant Governor.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> That would be the same Peter Kinder whose hobby is stalking strippers.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> There's a family value for you!</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> The Tera-rists regard Mr. Kinder as a "real" man. </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
Meanwhile, one of Kinder's opponents is Mrs. Davis, who as a state
legislator received the Locke and Smith (as in John and Adam) award for
most constitutional voting record. You'd think that would impress "Tea
Party Patriots."</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> The "Tea Party Patriot HQ" is a fraudulent outfit, a front for the Republican Establishment. </span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /> The old DQ once served up ice cream and burgers. Now only baloney is served.</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />
After the Kinder sign provoked me today, I googled, and sure
enough this subject has been covered by the best journalist in SW
Missouri:</span> <span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://bungalowbillscw.blogspot.com/2012/08/branson-tea-party-patriot-hq-supports.html">Branson Neocons for Porn</a></span></span></h5>
Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-39726725574617092072012-09-02T16:06:00.000-07:002012-09-02T18:07:36.557-07:00Taney County Needs More Government!The blight designation that goes with the proposed <a href="http://www.krzk.com/11580/taney_county_eez_process_moving_ahead.html">Enhanced Enterprise Zone</a> (EEZ) concerns me, because the first step in government's use of eminent domain to take private property is a blight designation. <br />
<br />
Of course there's never been abuse of eminent domain by the government. Right? So, clearly, I'm just crazy to even bring it up.<br />
<br />
Some would suggest that government sometimes takes property through eminent domain simply to establish some enterprise that will produce more tax revenue. But that would be really greedy, and we know there's no such thing as government greed! What a crazy idea!<br />
<br />
Besides, I've been assured by those who know that there's no intention to use the EEZ as a cover for more eminent domain abuses (if such abuses ever occurred - and sane people know they haven't). In fact, I'm told that the EEZ board will provide the needed checks and balances to prevent such abuses. Yep: an unelected board will safeguard our liberties, just as surely as Obama's appointed "czars" do at the national level! <br />
<br />
My problem is that I've read the Constitution. The Declaration of Independence too. Both are rife with mistrust of government (read 'em and tell me it ain't so). Worse, I've looked into the Federalist Papers. (Shhh, don't tell anyone, but I even peruse the Anti-Federalist Papers sometimes). Our nation's founders were loathe in the extreme to grant new powers to government, and then just trust that said powers wouldn't be abused. Clearly, those founders were certifiable. Just ask <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08uk99L8oqQ">Nancy Pelosi</a>, or one of the Republicans who's touting the EEZ as an economic panacea for our county! <br />
<br />
It's fitting that many politicans give lip service to Adams, Jefferson and Washington without giving heed to anything they said, since modern politicians have so much more character than those guys did.<br />
<br />
These days, imbibing the principles of liberty contained in our founding documents will get you labeled "crazy." I'm so far gone that I wouldn't trust an unelected board to protect my liberties, even if it's members were Albert Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, and my own mother. I know - that's crazy. A warped state of mind brought on by too much Thomas Jefferson and not enough television.Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-9042045560774372922012-08-30T19:53:00.003-07:002012-12-01T09:14:07.728-08:002016: Obama's AmericaI saw the Obama movie tonight. Very well done Neoconservative election year propaganda - it may succeed where 2004's Progressive election year propaganda film, Fahrenheit 911, failed: it may help defeat an incumbent president.<br />
<br />
Much of the content was accurate - Obama has radical, socialist roots, and the anti-colonial mindset of many Progressives (though that term isn't used) is about punishing the rich more than helping the poor.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, the message conveyed by "2016: Obama's America" is very misleading, chiefly on account of what it omits. Example: the peril of our nation's escalating debt is rightly heralded. However, it is presented as exclusively the result of Obama's policies, echoing a theme of this year's GOP convention. The fact is our journey into bankruptcy has been a bipartisan project with many villains, from Democrats Woodrow Wilson, FDR, LBJ, and Ted Kennedy to Republicans Teddy Roosevelt, Nixon, Bush, Billy Long (my congressman) and many, many others. <br />
<br />
Likening our country to a ship, I observe that both Democrats and Republicans are diligently drilling holes in the boat. Democrats drill on the port side, Republicans on the starboard. Both are sinking us! The former oft remind us that Bush presided over the first $trillion dollar deficit, but ignore the fact that he couldn't have done so without a compliant Democrat run Congress during his last two years. The latter point out that Obama has added more debt than any president in history, omitting the fact that they currently control the House, where all spending bills originate, and that they voted to expand the debt ceiling another $2.4 trillion. Democrats cite half a truth in pointing out Bush's fiscal carelessness, but ignore the fact that they did absolutely nothing to reduce spending during the two years they controlled both Congress and the White House. Republicans rightly condemn "Obamacare" as unconstitutional, and far more expensive than advertised, yet they passed "Bushcare" - the ill conceived prescription drug plan - which, besides being unauthorized by the Constitution, burdens our posterity with $16 trillion in unfunded liabilities. <br />
<br />
Both parties support bailouts of the uber-rich, a massive and inefficient Welfare State and an interventionist foreign policy that is both immoral and unsustainable. Their rhetoric differs, but the fact is Paul Ryan's plan only reduces spending by $300 billion the first year, leaving intact a $trillion dollar plus deficit. Ryan counts on future Congresses, not to be elected for decades, to finally bring spending under control. For his part, Obama promised to reduce the deficit during his first two years. He lied - his party controlled the government during that time and didn't even address spending except to increase it. <br />
<br />
Both parties voted for the odious detention clause in the 2012 NDAA, which grants power to the president to detain any American whom he deems a threat - indefinitely, without a trial or legal representation. A few principled Democrats dissented, like Dennis Kucinich and Bernie Sanders, but their party leaders supported it, and President Obama signed it. Republicans claim to not trust Obama, but they too went along with this attack on liberty, with only a few exceptions, like Rand Paul and Tom Coburn.<br />
<br />
The Democrat and Republican parties are as different as the American League and the National League. You can argue about whether the designated hitter is good or bad, but both leagues play the same game and have more in common with each other than they do with your local softball team.<br />
<br />
The Democrat and Republican parties are as different as McDonald's and Wendy's. Each touts its own food as the ultimate value, but continual reliance on either makes us fat and lethargic. <br />
<br />
My recommendation in the 2012 Presidential election: <br />
<br />
Vote NO.Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-37077510836412294272012-08-25T15:50:00.001-07:002012-08-25T17:02:43.254-07:00Steve Maxwell vs. Danny Strahan<br />
Due to the outcome of the August 7th GOP primary, I'm opposing Danny Strahan<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*</span>, the Republican nominee, for Taney County Commissioner, Eastern District.<br />
<br />
For those on Facebook, here is my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CitizensToElectSteveMaxwell">candidate page</a>, which features updates on the campaign, position statements, personal information, and online discussions.<br />
<br />
What are the chances of an Independent candidate winning in red, red Taney County? That depends on how many people are ready to quit doing what has always been done - I believe thousands in our county are ready for new leadership. <br />
<br />
In the 2008 General Election, about 8,600 voted in the eastern district. In 2012, I expect a turnout of as many as 10,000. The increase will be due to population increase, redistricting, and high interest in the Presidential and U.S Senate races.<br />
<br />
Ergo, 5,000 votes ought to be enough for me to win. In the GOP primary, there were 5,224 votes cast. The winner, Danny Strahan, got 30% of the them (1,585 votes), followed by Tim Connell at 24% (1,236), Alan Lawson at 17% (900), and the remaining 1,503 votes taken by Mike Scofield (502), Travys Saffle (426), Charlie Stiffler (411), and Walter Rogers (164).<br />
<br />
Please note that the anti-Strahan vote was 70%. Were Missouri a runoff state (some states require a runoff between the top two candidates if nobody garners 50% of the vote) it is nearly certain that Tim Connell would beat Danny Strahan, and be the nominee. (Although I publicly endorsed Alan Lawson, and stated my intent to stand down if he had won, it is also likely I'd have withdrawn had Tim Connell won.)<br />
<br />
For me to win 5,000 votes, I'll need most of the 3,600+ who voted against Danny Strahan in the GOP primary, plus a great majority of the 4,000+ Democrats, Libertarians, and Independents who will vote on November 6th. <br />
<br />
Doable, I say!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*NOTE: I DON'T MEAN TO DISMISS THE CANDIDACY OF PHIL BEVERS, WHO WILL ALSO BE ON THE BALLOT - I SIMPLY DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HIS VIEWS TO COMMENT. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IF HE TAKES, SAY 1,000 VOTES FROM STRAHAN, THEN I ONLY NEED 4,500 VOTES.</span> </span><br />
<br />
<br />Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-78072151204104231962012-08-03T17:37:00.000-07:002014-07-22T10:59:35.202-07:00Corruption, cronyism and the Taney County CommissionThe Taney County Commission has decided to move forward with plans for <a href="http://www.krzk.com/11134/commission_adopts_eez_resolution_approves_board_members.html">Enhanced Enterprise Zone</a>s. The Commission apparently is unaware of any downside to the potential blight designations for several areas of our county, or of any hardships established businesses might face. It's the yellow brick road, leading to the magnificent Emerald City, where industry is plentiful and everyone is happy.<br />
<br />
Here's a guy concerned about a <a href="http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/land_use/2012/week20/index.html">downside</a> (scroll to the bottom of the page) to this rapidly advancing trend. But the wizards on the county commission would prefer he stay away from the curtain behind which they hide, and of course the wizards say "pay no attention to the men behind the curtain!"<br />
<br />
Sorry to say, we have been compliant sheople, and have paid no attention to the men behind the curtain. I am as guily as anyone, and more than most.<br />
<br />
Shame on us. However, let us now follow Toto's good example, and begin to pull on that curtain, endeavoring to ignore all the smoke and mirrors employed by the wizards.<br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">The EEZ plan has the potential to punish some established businesses, while purporting to boost others. It is local government emulating the national government by attempting to stimulate the economy, and will likely have the same net result: it will worsen the situation rather then help. Why do I say this? Because you cannot create a net gain in capital by manipulating tax policy to the detriment of some and the benefit of others. Such schemes redistribute wealth - they do not create it.<br /><br />Our local economic malaise has been foisted on us from higher up, by the likes of Barack Obama, George Bush, and Ben Bernanke. Their foolish monetary policies of credit expansion, "stimulus" spending, and increasing the number of bureaucrats overlooking our affairs have debased our currency and scared investors. Local economic enterprise zones are not the solution to this problem - the problem of a shortage of capital. A return to sound money, and a departure from central planning, are what is needed to restore free enterprise. This calls for changes at the national level. The best thing local government can do is to move towards weaning itself from federal largesse (I realize that isn't going to happen overnight, but a mindset towards that end MUST be adopted), and concentrate on providing services citizens have traditionally expected: police, fire, libraries (yes, a county library system would be a good thing in Taney County), etc. Providing tax incentives to one enterprise, to the detriment of another, is antithetical to America's foundational principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. <br /><br />Our economy is weak because central planning "experts" have presumed to pick winners and losers, counting themselves as wiser and more just than the free market. These planners, historically operating out of the federal bureaucracy, are now appearing at the local level with no apparent affiliation to the national government - until one looks a little closer.<br /><br />The EEZ is no grassroots effort - it is part of a national trend to promote a symbiotic relationship between government and business, to the detriment of free market capitalism. It is a grave threat to property rights, as shown <a href="http://www.showmedaily.org/2012/04/more-than-a-third-of-missouri-is-blighted.html">here</a>, and the fact that a third of the state of Missouri has already been classified as "blighted" should have any freedom loving person - "liberal" or "conservative" - alarmed, as it portends massive future abuses of eminent domain, to the benefit of businesses who are cozy with their government. The loser is the free market. The fact that an all Republican County Commission is all agog about it demonstrates that FDR and LBJ would feel right at home in today's Republican Party, while stalwart free market advocates like Robert Taft, Barry Goldwater, and Ron Paul would be/are marginalized. </span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">It is likely that Presiding Commissioner Ron Houseman is the driving force behind the expansion of local government oversight of business, given his oft touted connections to Washington, D.C. Remember that Mr. Houseman, prior to being elected presiding commissioner, received the honor of being hired by the County Commission to help our area obtain its portion of federal stimulus funds through his marvelous connections. Commissioners Strafuss and Strahan bestowed that honor on him.<br /><br />A little historical review regarding Mr. Houseman is in order at this point:</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Houseman was the Taney County Clerk for several years, until his involvement in a money scandal resulted in his defeat in the 1998 GOP primary.<br /><br />As County Clerk, Houseman appropriated hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to himself. He did this along with then County Collector, Dwain Basham, by taking commissions from taxes collected on behalf of municipalities around the county. Houseman's salary was in the 40-45 thousand per year range in those days. But the involuntary contributions of Taney County taxpayers gave him a six figure income.<br /><br />The court case against Houseman was dismissed, and I'll be happy for legal scholars to explain that event. I'm not arguing the legality of what Houseman did, but that it was egregious enrichment of himself at taxpayer expense, notwithstanding the success of renowned defense attorney Dee Wampler in extricating him from legal consequences.<br /><br />I've actually heard locals here justify Ron Houseman's actions, or say they were "legal." But I'll donate $100 to the favorite charity of any elected official who will publicy affirm the following statement, and allow me to quote him/ her: "It would be right and proper for the current clerk and collector to prosper themselves the same way Houseman and Basham did in the 1990's."<br /><br />The point in rehashing old history?<br /><br />Several points:<br /><br />1. It is relevant to note that current commissioners Strahan (running for reelection) and Strafuss, (running for the State Senate) honored Houseman with a <a href="http://taney.mo.us/CountyWeb/sources/pdf/9/Minutes/2009/2009_02_26_Commission_Minutes.pdf">paid position</a>, despite the aforementioned scandal. <br /><br />2. Due to a lame local media, an influx of new people to the area, a substantial number of people who live in a state of denial, and the help of his cronies, the egregious actions of Houseman were out of the public mind enough for him to win a very close election in 2010 to the position of Presiding Commissioner. <br /><br />His cronies provided valuable assistance. Commissioners Strahan and Strafuss helped by trying to frame previous presiding commissioner Pennel as a liar (Strahan) and/ or a criminal (Strafuss) during the "check controversy." (In fairness, it must be said that Pennel did greatly err in that matter, albeit not criminally, as Strafuss apparently hoped). </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">A couple of years previously, before Strafuss became a commissioner, Houseman informed the commission that there was evidence of nepotism involving then Presiding Commissioner Pennel. Houseman used the term "egregious" to describe Pennel's misdeeds. What was this "egregious" nepotism? Commissioner Pennel's wife, experienced kennel owner and animal lover, was caring for stray, sick dogs on weekends when the county had no resources to do so. Mrs. Pennel did this on her own time, in her own vehicle. Houseman and his former nemesis, turned lapdog, Bob Shanz, knew their accusations were groundless, as subsequent investigation showed them to be. The purpose was to damage Pennel's reputation. Houseman lost two close elections to Pennel in 2002 and 2006. By engaging in a smear campaign against his once and future opponent, he succeeded in swaying enough votes that the third faceoff between the two men went his way.<br /><br />3. Houseman wanted to be elected to the commission so badly, that he was willing to destroy the man who stood in his way. <br /><br />4. Given the history of scandal, and the lust for power exhibited by Houseman, it is not unreasonable to be extremely suspicious of which devils might be in the details of any major change advocated by him and cronies such as Strahan and Strafuss.</span></blockquote>
It is an unfortunate fact that incumbents are very difficult to remove from office, even in the face of blatant cronyism. This year is no different. While western commissioner Strafuss is not running for reelection, opting to run for the State Senate, eastern commissioner Strahan is up for a third term, so as to help promote Houseman's agenda for our county. It is most unfortunate that instead of one good opponent, Strahan is being challenged in the primary by six opponents, of various levels of suitability for office. Since a plurality, not a majority, is all that's required to win the primary, this gives Strahan a real advantage. Of the seven running, the candidate most able to change the direction of county government is clearly Alan Lawson. For one thing, he is the only one of them to publicly voice the possibility that the EEZ may not be an unassailable panacea. Please give a listen to him on the matter <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCTP0tssyUA">here</a>.<br />
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I will vote for Alan Lawson in the primary. It saddens me that his chances are diminished by the split in the anti-Strahan vote. It encourages me, though that he seems to be gaining support as we approach primary day.<br />
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I've filed nominating petitions as an independent candidate for eastern commissioner. Should Alan win the primary on August 7th, I will be delighted to stand down.I really urge you to vote for Alan.<br />
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Otherwise, I'll be on the November ballot. I don't have an impressive resume of business experience, but I'm not a potted plant either. I have politics in my blood, and an ability to receive input from a variety of perspectives and interests. I believe in the safety of a multitude of counselors, and do not think anyone can be an expert in all matters with which the County Commission deals. Common sense and an innate savvy about politics will serve me well, enabling me to serve you well. I know, for instance, that when something sounds too good to be true, like the proposed EEZ, it probably isn't true.Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-73138551183082797992012-07-17T08:56:00.002-07:002012-07-17T09:05:49.741-07:00Anyone but Obama?The meme is being recycled again this election: "Voting third party is the same as voting for Obama." <br />
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We've heard it before. You have to vote for whichever big government statist the GOP establishment has chosen...or you'll get the socialist put forth by the Democrats. <br />
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Conservatives tell me that Romney isn't who they wanted, but not voting for him is "doing nothing." <br />
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"Doing nothing?" Au contraire. <br />
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Ceasing to enable an addict isn't "doing nothing." In fact it is very proactive. <br />
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The GOP has established a pattern of forcing big government candidates on us: Nixon, Bush, Dole, Bush, McCain, Romney. It is because the GOP promotes all the awful things over which it claims to oppose the Democrats that increasingly worse candidates from that party are made electable: Carter, Clinton, Obama. Obama couldn't have been elected had not the <u>Republicans made much of his agenda the norm</u>. <br />
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Plainly stated: George W. Bush made Obama electable. Mitt Romney may very well make Lucifer electable. <br />
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Therefore, I respectfully disagree that refusing to vote for someone just because he's "not Obama" is "doing nothing."Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9211384991660065430.post-58147020497224654742012-03-16T12:27:00.023-07:002013-02-18T05:33:13.923-08:00Ignorant Christians against Ron Paul<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 78%;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 78%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 85%;">DISCLAIMER: The title of this post will strike some as overly harsh. It is meant to be severe, because the consequences of the sort of ignorance exposed here are severe for our country and for the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. I <b>DON'T</b> mean to imply that principled opposition to Ron Paul is ignorance; but rather to remonstrate against those who, though DEMONSTRABLY ignorant about issues pertaining to Dr. Paul, insist on maligning the character, intelligence, faith, or patriotism of us who support him. Mr. Petrovic is representative of hundreds of such detractors I have conversed with over the last few years. To him and those of his ilk, who persist in misrepresenting their opponents, an admonition: "Thou shall not bear false witness." - Exodus 20:16.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">The following letter was published in the March 14th, 2012 edition of the Taney County Times:</span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">On March 17th the Taney County Republican Party will hold its Caucus to appoint delegates for Missouri's Presidential Delegation to the convention in Florida. [sic]<br /><br />All registered voters from Taney County are invited and if you value your country you should make an effort to be there.I have been hearing that a 501c4group [READ: Tera Sukman told me Ron Paul supporters would be there] is planning to try a takeover of the Caucus to promote a candidate that would allow Israel to be thrown under the bus, allow Iran to have nuclear weapons, would legalize drugs and basically take the United States into isolationism.<br /><br />Yes, our beloved country is in trouble but this is not the way to solve the problem.This man is not electable and would only insure [sic] that the real problem is re-elected!<br /><br />Please if you value this country come out Saturday morning to the Forsyth High School between 8:30 and 10 a.m. and help us elect honorable, thinking patriotic delegates to represent Taney County and Missouri at the National Convention!<br /><br />Bill Petrovic<br />Christian, Conservative, Life NRA Member<br />Rockaway Beach</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">I replied on Facebook, and invited Bill Petrovic to respond. My first post (edited for syntax):</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Mr. Petrovic:<br /><br />I'm a "true American Patriot" and supporter of Ron Paul. Also, a Christian, and served seven years in the U.S. Air Force.<br /><br />Non-interventionism isn't isolationism. A strong advocate for free trade (like Dr. Paul) can't logically be an isolationist. Dropping bombs on countries, especially while ignoring the constitutional requirement for a declaration of war by Congress - that's isolationism.<br /><br />Abolishing the federal Drug Enforcement Agency doesn't legalize drugs - it removes the Federal Government from an area it has no authority to be in, constitutionally. Missouri's drug laws will be determined by Missourians, not by President Ron Paul.<br /><br />Israel has hundreds of nuclear weapons, and would turn Tehran into a toxic waste dump if Iran somehow built a nuclear weapon and miraculously got it delivered. Far more dangerous is North Korea with nukes - whatever happened to that issue?<br /><br />Due to America's long history of intervention in the mideast, Christians are now fearing for their lives in Egypt and Iraq, and Iran has more influence than they ever would've had we not foolishly overthrown their government in the early 50's and installed the Shah. Predictably, Iranians finally succeeded in overthrowing our stooge, the Shah. So we backed Saddam Hussein in war against them. Hundreds of thousands died.<br /><br />I can't for the life of me see why Iran would think of America as an enemy!<br /><br />We also backed the future Taliban against the Soviets, and hobknobbed with Osama bin Laden.<br /><br />So, yes, we have a very impressive record in foreign affairs - let's go to war with Iran, and see if we can start WW III.<br /><br />And if I don't like the idea - I'm not a patriot?<br /><br />We tolerate nukes in Pakistan - you know, our good friend to whom we gave $billions, and in return thay gave safe harbor to bin Laden.<br /><br />And what about the nukes in China? And India? Oh, and Russia?<br /><br />One nuke in Iran is not a good thing by any means. But compared to North Korea, Russia, China, Pakistan, and India...well I don't see the threat. What I see is Iran selling oil to other countries using currencies other than the dollar - which is not to be tolerated. Our government can't admit that the war it's started (REALITY CHECK: trade sanctions are acts of war, not diplomatic gestures) is about preserving the American Empire - hence the massive myth machine excretes copious helpings of fear and angst to the effect that Iran is capable of nuking Israel and threatening our shores. Sadly, Neoconned Christians help promulgate such nonsense with eschatological superstitions emanating more from televangelists' imaginations than from Scripture.<br /><br />"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." Hosea 4:6a<br /><br />By the way, the promised land extended from the Nile to the Euphrates (Gen 15:18). Israel achieved suzerainty over this area during the height of Solomon's rule (1 Kings 4:21),and actually God fulfilled His promise to Abraham four centuries earlier (Joshua 21:43-45). This I found when looking to Scripture rather than to John Hagee.<br /><br />But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there is a prophetic restoration of NATIONAL Israel yet to come. In that case, it would involve a Christian Jewish group, not a secular movement like Zionism (cf. Romans 11:23), and it wouldn't be a little swath of land along the Mediterranean, but rather a large area extending from present day Egypt to Baghdad.<br /><br />You characterize Ron Paul as anti-Israel; my guess is you are unaware of the following: "Ron Paul was one of the only Congressmen who voted against condemning Israel for bombing Iraq's nuclear reactors in 1981. '[A]lmost the entire US Congress voted to condemn the act, but Congressman Paul was one of the few Republicans who stood up and said Israel should not have to answer to America for how she defends herself. Remember, this was the Republican Party of Ronald Reagan that had condemned Israel, a coalition that included the most hawkish anti-Communists and the most fervent Christian conservatives. ' "<br /><br />Other myths about Ron Paul's foreign policies are rebutted here: </span><a href="http://www.ronpaulmyths.com/foreign-policy.php" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">http://www.ronpaulmyths.com/foreign-policy.php</span></a><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><br /><br />Please stop with the jingoism and pretending that other Christians aren't patriots if they don't share your eschatology.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Bill Petrovic's nonreply:</span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Steve, I can't as a Christian support anyone who is pro choice which Paul is! He is also for Same Sex Marriage. And I've stated that I can't support him for his views on Iran. Let me ask you a question, Will you support whoever the Republican Party Nominates even if it isn't Paul????</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Note the complete failure to engage: all transmission, no reception. Bill didn't address even one (1) of my points, which were direct responses to claims made in his letter. This is very typical of Ron Paul's opponents. They freely report hearsay as fact, ignore all facts cited against their position, and then proceed to introduce yet more hearsay. In so doing, anti-Paulite Christians routinely bear false witness, apparently with no regard for God's word (Exodus 20:16). They ignore questions posed to them, but insist that their questions be answered.<br /><br />This is a lamentable state of affairs in the Church purchased by Jesus Christ. Christians disagree about eschatology, a prime factor in ensuing disagreements over politics. This is no license to lie about each other.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Anyway, my response to Bill Petrovic, talebearer:</span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Bill,<br /><br />You're mistaken. Ron Paul is against both abortion and homosexual marriage.<br /><br />As President, Paul would ask Congress to take abortion out of the jurisdiction of federal courts. Since the Supreme Court has only appellate jurisdiction, Roe v. Wade would be nullified. This is a different approach then conservatives have been using. Have you noticed that the attempts to overturn Roe v. Wade by getting the right judges in office haven't worked?<br /><br />Do you trust Santorum on the abortion issue? If so, do you know he voted for an appropriations bill that included funding for Planned Parenthood? Do you know that he supported Arlen Specter for President, when Specter's campaign started with a diatribe against pro-lifers in the Republican Party?<br /><br />Do you believe that Romney was pro-choice when he ran for office in Massachusetts, but when he decided to run for President he became pro-life? Isn't that a bit much to swallow?<br /><br />Do you believe Santorum is far more conservative than Romney? If so, why did Santorum endorse Romney in 2008, instead of say, Huckabee?<br /><br />RE: homosexual marriage. Ron Paul believes marriage is a sacrament, and that the government should stay out of it. He would not interfere if states want to regulate it, or ban homosexual marriage, but he personally thinks the government should have nothing to do with marriage. If you think government is right to be in the marriage business, that is your opinion - it doesn't give you the right to misrepresent the views of Dr. Paul.<br /><br />Will I support the Republican nominee? As of now, absolutely not! But I will reconsider when you address my points about our history of involvement with Iran, and explain to me why Billy Long and Roy Blunt voted to give President Obama power to have me arrested by the military with no right to habeas corpus, if Obama thinks I'm a threat. The "Tea Party Headquarters" in Branson supported both Long and Blunt. And Long and Blunt support Romney, as Santorum did in 2008. I want my kids to live in a free country, and vote accordingly.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 85%;">More thoughts came, that I hoped Bill would address, especially GOP complicity in the pernicious clause hidden in this year's Defense appropriation:</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Bill, </span><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 100%;">Your letter also claimed that Ron Paul is unelectable. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Ron Paul is the most electable of the GOP candidates. That's because the others are very similar to Obama, who is smart enough to use that fact against them. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"></span></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Imagine Santorum trying to denounce Obama's wild spending, and Obama comes right back and reminds everyone that Santorum voted to raise the debt ceiling five times, and supported "No Child Left Behind."<br /><br />Imagine Barack Obama saying this to Rick Santorum:"Senator Santorum, I agree with you that spending needs to be reigned in, but how do the American people take you seriously when you voted for George Bush's unfunded prescription drug bill that now costs taxpayers $60 billion per year. And far, far worse than that plan projects $16 Trillion, that's trillion with a T, in unfunded liabilites, according to the ultra-conservative Club for Growth."<br /><br />How's Santorum going to answer that?<br /><br />How?<br /><br />Now, imagine Ron Paul attacking Barack Obama for his wreckless spending.<br /><br />Obama responds: "Yes, you've earned the name 'Dr. No', 'cuz you know how to say 'no.' But folks are hurting, and 'no' doesn't help the single mom who can't afford daycare so she can look for work, or the young woman who's birth control pills are going sky high because of cruel restrictions supported by Republicans."<br /><br />Dr. Paul responds by sharing about the times he delivered babies for free, and then gives a short tutorial on the Constitution, and how irresponsible it is to promise to take care of people with unsustainable entitlement programs.<br /><br />Then Dr. Paul points out the hypocrisy of Obama's airstrikes against Libya his push for war with Syria and Iran, after campaigning on opposition to Bush's wars.<br /><br />Paul already polls competitively against Obama. If the American people had a chance to focus on the differences between them, they'd be much more enthused about Paul than anyone is about either Romney or Santorum. </></span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Just as the crickets prepared to start their symphony, Bill Petrovic, caught VWI (voting while ignorant), issues another bit of hearsay, while carefully avoiding every point I raised:</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Sorry Steve, I've heard with my own ears Paul say Same Sex Marriage is OK.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Unsuccessful thus far in my attempts to get Bill off his script and into a dialogue, I go all provincial on him:</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Bill,<br /><br />This is Missouri. Show me! </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">Another appeal by me...</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">It would be nice if a Santorum supporter - Bill, anyone - would address some of the points of my first post in this thread.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span style="font-size: 85%;">...Results in an Edith Ann moment, courtesy of Bill:</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;">Steve, you can't change my mind about Ron Paul. He can't win the nomination so don't push Him to me! Let Eric vote for him, I Won't..</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">And that's the truth! </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMKupYF14I"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMKupYF14I</span></a></span><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times new roman;"></span>Steve Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10923417786883046249noreply@blogger.com1