Bible Belt Coming Unbuckled

Her name is Jennifer Keeton.  She is a graduate student at Augusta State University in Georgia.  She wants to be a counselor when she graduates, "helping strengthen and prepare young people for the challenges they will face."

She has been told by the campus, that she will not be allowed to graduate unless she changes her beliefs.  She has been ordered to undergo a re-education program that will force her to attend diversity and sensitivity training, including attending gay-pride marches, and writing papers, telling how she felt after the event.

We've been told we are no longer allowed to pray before football games.  We've been told if you have a Bible on your desk, you can be fired for it.  Now, public colleges are threatening to expel students if they do not agree with whatever the college decides they want you to believe.

Private companies and even private colleges have the right to choose who they would like to serve.  A public college is not guaranteed that right.

If a homosexual had been turned away from Augusta State because he was gay, there would be national uproar.  What happened to equal treatment?  Why is it okay to punish one person because they believe "A", and not punish another because they believe "B"?

We in America have freedom of religion.  That means the government does not have the right to force any religion on its people.  It does not mean that no one is allowed to practice their religion if it could possibly offend anyone anywhere. 

You choose to believe what you want.  I accept that.  I may not agree with you, but I support your right to have your belief.  I can even have wonderful discussions with you about our beliefs, and why we believe that way.  But if you have the right to believe in evolution, that homosexuality is right, or that we all are nothing but lumps of organic matter, then I have a right to believe in Creation, that there is right and wrong, and that God loved me enough to die on a cross for me.

Augusta State University does not have the right to take your money, and then decide you can't graduate because you don't believe the way they want you to believe.  Neither do they have the right to force that upon Jennifer Keeton.

Where are the equal rights?

Need Your CHL?

Last Saturday, I took my CHL class from Mike at K&K Firearms. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

There are a few things that (I think) set him above others, based on what I’ve read or heard.

1. Class Comfort. He teaches the class at his house, so instead of sitting in a straight-back chair in a musty conference room, you get to sit on a comfortable sofa, up close and personal.

2. Class Size. Since he is fairly new, his class doesn't have two dozen people. This allows a more personal interaction, and a nicer setting. Being new to concealed carry laws, I had a lot of questions that I might not have asked in a room full of people.

3. K&K Firearms. Not only is Mike a CHL Instructor, he is a licensed firearms dealer, so he can get just about anything you might be looking for. He is also a certified gunsmith, so if you need work done, or just want a good cleaning, he can take care of you.

4. Prices. His class was cheaper than others in the area. His charge to clean a gun is $30, and that means breaking it down completely...not just the barrel area.

5. Personal Help. At the range, Mike pointed out things that would help. He gave excellent tips and pointers that not only helped me pass the test, but will help from now on.

6. Monkey Bread. Yes, you read that correctly. During break, we enjoyed some wonderful monkey bread made by his wife. Sure beats some stale, cruddy snack from a vending machine.

If you are in the DFW area, and need a CHL, gun cleaning, or a gun, give Mike a shout at http://www.kkfirearms.com/.

And tell him Laron sent you.  That won't get you any kind of discount or anything, but he'll get a kick out of how you mispronounce my name.  :-)

"Unconstitutionally vague"

Picture this:

You're sitting on the couch with your 5 and 7 year old kids.  It's embarrassing enough to have to explain what incontinence means, or why someone would need to use Levitra.  Suddenly, someone says something that makes your face begin to burn.

With perfect innocence, your five-year old looks at you and asks, "What does that mean?"

Now you have to explain what a four letter word means that you would wash their mouth out for using. 

Today, a three-member panel has overturned the FCC's indecency policy, stating it is "unconstitutionally vague."

So in essence, three people have decided that it is no longer illegal for a network to broadcast obscene or indecent material.  And it doesn't matter if you agree or not.  It doesn't matter that the majority of Americans were in favor of the ban, and fines for networks that allowed inappropriate material.  And it doesn't matter that even the Supreme Court was in favor of the policy.  They didn't like it. 

It seems to me that calling something "unconstitutionally vague" goes back to the proverbial pot and kettle. 

Panel: "I don't agree with this."
You: "Why not?"
Panel: "Because...that's why."

As if the media hasn't been stretching the envelope for years anyway, they now have no fear of retribution for broadcasting anything and everything, at any time of the day.

God help us.

Illegal Immigration

Just watched a video of Jim Brosser.

In Reno, Nevada, there was a business that was flying the Mexican flag ABOVE the American flag. It was in front of a business that was obviously trying to make a point.

Point taken. But maybe I can remind you of a couple of things...

First off, it's illegal to fly any flag above the American flag. Period.

Second, you are here because you wanted a better way of life. If you think you would have a better life in Mexico, feel free to go.

I understand you are standing in opposition to Arizona's Immigration Law. One of the things that makes America great is our rights. You have the right to speak your mind...if you are a citizen. Thousands have fought and died to give you that right.

This country was founded by immigrants. Immigrants have helped shape this country into what it is today. Anyone who wants a better life, and the rights we have as Americans are welcome with open arms. But there is a procedure to follow. Go through the steps, and become a legal citizen, and you will be given the same rights any of us have. Move next door to me, and you will be my neighbor. I'll chat with you in the evenings, and consider you a friend. Cross the border without your documents, and you are illegal.

You don't agree with the policies? You want to voice your disapproval? Go on the radio, post a blog, send a letter to your congressman or senator. Whatever you choose to do, make it legal. Which brings me to another point. You are showing support for the millions of illegal immigrants living in America.

Today, people prefer we call them undocumented workers. We don't want to offend anyone, do we? But we don't call drug dealers unlicensed pharmacists. There is legal, and there is illegal.

What part of illegal do you not understand?

You show your support of illegal immigrants by illegally flying the Mexican flag above the American flag. And you want us to sympathize? Sorry. It doesn't work that way.

According to the National Human Rights Commission,

• In 2008, Mexico softened the punishment for illegal immigrants, from a maximum 10 years in prison to a maximum fine of $461.

• In one six-month period from September 2008 through February 2009, at least 9,758 migrants were kidnapped and held for ransom in Mexico — 91 of them with the direct participation of Mexican police.

Mexico has a single, streamlined law that ensures that foreign visitors and immigrants are:

• in the country legally;

• have the means to sustain themselves economically;

• not destined to be burdens on society;

• of economic and social benefit to society;

• of good character and have no criminal records; and

• contributors to the general well-being of the nation.

The law also ensures that:

• immigration authorities have a record of each foreign visitor;

• foreign visitors do not violate their visa status;

• foreign visitors are banned from interfering in the country’s internal politics;

• foreign visitors who enter under false pretenses are imprisoned or deported;

• foreign visitors violating the terms of their entry are imprisoned or deported;

• those who aid in illegal immigration will be sent to prison.

So if I decided to just move to Mexico without any documentation, and showing I didn't care anything about their laws, what would happen to me? I could be deported, but I could also be imprisoned. What if I moved there, demanded they support me and my children, give me free schooling, give me free healthcare, and demanded they accept me just as I am?

What do you suppose would happen if I were to move to Mexico, and fly the American flag above the Mexican flag?

You want to come to America? I don't blame you. You want to live here, and enjoy the benefits and rights we have? That's great.

Do it legally. The more you trample America, the more we will begin to fight back.

Jim Brosser walked away with the American flag, saying if they wanted their flag back, they would have to fight him for it. And that he wasn't going to "see this done to my country".

Good for you, Jim. May more Americans stand up for our rights before they are gone.

Our Youth

So this past Saturday, I was part of the Bill Glass Prison Ministry team that went into several youth facilities in the DFW area.

There were four campuses that were visited in Dallas County. These ranged from non-fenced centers designed to help troubled youth get their lives straightened out, to facilities holding sentenced youth before they are sent to an actual prison. A youth convicted of a crime will not be sent to prison until he is at least seventeen. Until they reach that age, they are kept at one of the youth facilities.

So we were spent the day with kids from broken homes, many of whom had been involved in gangs. Sitting across from a kid with gang tattoos up and down his arms breaks something inside. Somehow, you go from looking at a kid like this as a punk, to seeing someone facing a life of consequences due to his choices.

They earn points through the day to gain privileges. If they don't have enough points, they don't even get to have a visitor. When they get to a certain level, their family can come visit with them on a Saturday afternoon. Another level lets them go home to visit on a Saturday. Eventually, they can work up to a 48-hour release to live at home during the weekend.

One kid earned that privilege, and went home at 6 PM on Friday, only to be dropped off early Saturday morning because his mother had to work all weekend. He played it tough, like he didn't care a lot, but you know it had to hurt him. But mom doesn't have a choice. Most of these kids come from single-parent homes...or worse.

They know they need to turn their lives around, but when one chooses to open up, and admit he needs help, he is often ridiculed or persecuted by the others. Show compassion, or weakness, and you are called "friendly." I never thought that was a bad thing until I heard one of them discuss it. He said he was trying to pray, and read his Bible, but the others picked on him a lot. At least he was trying.

Most of the kids have no hope for themselves. We can come in and talk to them for a day about how we care about them, and they can have a better life for themselves when they get out. But as you talk, you see their eyes, looking around the room in total apathy. They will tell you what they think you want to hear. In their voices, you hear no concern, no hope, and no desire for anything other than to get this over with.

Some decisions were made. In our unit, there were 14 who accepted the Gospel. Out of those, I only personally spoke with two. Only God truly knows, but they seemed to only be going through the motions because they thought they were supposed to. Out of the fourteen, I hope there were at least a couple who were sincere. If nothing else, they were given Bible studies, and will be followed up with by the Chaplain of the unit.

Without the hope, and a changed life, these kids will be more statistics in a database. They get out, only to come back. And the crimes may go from stealing or drugs to much worse as they grow. They will go back to the same homes, in the same neighborhoods, surrounded by the same kids. And they will likely slip back into the same life they had before.

My part was easy. Spend one Saturday, offering hope and an answer to those who need it most. Driving home, I wasn't able to feel I had "done my part". Leaving a campus of youth, most of whom have no hope for tomorrow.

The one day I spent left images and discussions that broke through, and showed me what "life" is really like for some.

God help them. And help us, as Your people, to not turn our backs on them. Never let us write them off as untouchable. Give us the courage to share the grace you have given to us. And help us to remember we are no more deserving of Your grace than they are.

Why get a CHL?

So I'm getting my CHL (Concealed Handgun License).  And I've had a couple of people ask me why.

1.) On July 18, 1984, at McDonald's in San Diego, California, James Oliver Huberty killed 21, and injured another 19.  Among those killed that afternoon were a 74 year old man, and an 8 month old infant.  Finally, 77 minutes after the attack began, he was shot and killed by a SWAT sniper.

2.) On June 18, 1990, at the GMAC office in Jacksonville, Florida, James Edward Pough killed 9 employees and customers, and then killed himself.

3.)  On October 16, 1991, at the Luby's cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, George Hennard drove his truck through the front window, and began shooting.  No rhyme or reason, other than to kill as many people as he could.  He succeeded in killing 23, and wounding another 20 before taking his own life. 

4.) On January 8, 1993, at Brown's Chicken and Pasta in Palatine, Illinois, two gunmen murdered seven employees.  The motive was originally robbery, although less than $2,000 was taken.

5.) On April 20,  1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, 12 students and one teacher were killed before the Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed suicide.

6.) On April 16, 2007 at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, Seung-Hui Cho killed 5 faculty members, and 27 students before committing suicide.

7.) On November 5, 2009, at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas, Nidal Milak Hasan, opened fire, killing 12 soldiers, one of whom was pregnant, and one civilian.  He wounded 30 others before being shot by an officer.

It is a hot topic, and one that brings out a lot of emotions.  One side says that we need stronger gun laws to keep these things from happening.  But the one common factor in all of these shootings is that the perpetrator was the only one at the scene with a gun.  In the Fort Hood shootings, Hasan began in the Soldier Readiness Center.  There were no firearms allowed there.  But he was there to kill.  He cared nothing about the law. 

If we outlaw guns, and the carrying of them, we insure that the only people who will have guns are the criminals. 

During the Luby's shootings, Hennard approached Suzanna Gratia Hupp and her parents. Hupp had actually brought a handgun to the Luby's Cafeteria that day but left it in her vehicle because laws in force at the time forbade citizens from carrying firearms. According to her later testimony, after she realized that her firearm was not in her purse but "a hundred feet away in her car," her father charged at Hennard in an attempt to subdue him but was gunned down; a short time later, Hupp's mother was also shot and killed. Hupp later expressed regret for abiding by the law in question by leaving her firearm in her car rather than keeping it on her person.

What would have happened if Hennard drove through a Luby's window today?  There is at least a chance that someone there would be able to stop him before he killed 23 people. 

Making the decision to carry a handgun is not an easy decision to make.  And I pray I will never have a reason to pull my gun on anyone.  But if I'm at a restaurant, and someone comes in with the intention of killing my family, I will do everything in my power to stop them.  Unarmed, I might be able to throw a chair at him.  Armed, I have a chance to defend myself, my family, and other innocent people.

With law-abiding citizens allowed to carry handguns, criminals just might think twice before going on a rampage.