A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-16-04....Passion of the Goon-Squad

JohnHuang2, Dansangel | 12-16-04 | JohnHuang2

[dansangel]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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Passion of the Goon-Squad
by JohnHuang2

I must say, in light of all the news lately, this Vladirmir Putin guy has been a disappointment. Have you been following developments? Well, by all accounts, it looks like he's trying to turn back the clock -- back to the Bad Old Days. It's really disturbing. To do all his dirty work of repression, published reports indicate he's using some goon-squad which longs for the old glory days of communism. This hard-core communist goon-squad has been pretty busy lately -- stifling dissent, cracking down on political rivals, pro-Western forces, religious freedom, religious expression, Christian holidays . . . oops, sorry -- I was thinking of the ACLU. They're really busy during Christmas, aren't they?

Speaking of Christmas, what an amazing time of year. Every year, the scenes are so breathtakingly magical. Snow flakes falling, twinkling lights, parades, Christmas carols, Christmas trees, Nativity scenes, ACLU removing Nativity scenes...

Lovely.

The ACLU is aghast that there are Christmas displays during . . . Christmas. Nothing like Nativity scenes and crosses to ruin the Christmas spirit . . . er, holiday spirit. With most Christians somehow confusing Christmas with Christ, sanitizing Christmas of Christianity is hard work, but the ACLU labors tirelessly for our own protection, especially should the unthinkable occur -- a suspected Christian planting a manger scene outside a crowded City Hall. (The ACLU calls this a security lapse. With Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson free to roam the streets, no telling what could happen.) It's bad enough that, even in wartime, dangerous stuff slips past courthouse screeners all the time -- stuff like prayer beads, Bibles, crosses, etc.

Celebrating Christmas is fine, says the ACLU, just leave Christ out of it. (Merry Generic Holiday!) And don't do it on government property -- which, if Democrats had their druthers, would include virtually everything except for bathhouses. All of this, of course, is to ensure religious diversity and to protect the delicate sensibilities of hooded whack-jobs shouting 'Allahu akbar!' while ripping some Infidel's head off. (You don't want to get them ticked off.) Religious diversity is paramount, and some religions are more diverse than others. To promote understanding, the ACLU wants you to put yourself in the shoes of some religious minority. Think of how the sight of Baby Jesus makes a devil-worshiper feel? Democrats are offended, too -- it implies a Supreme Being other than Clinton.

Democrats just had their butts handed to them by voters for bashing traditional values, so what better way to rebuild trust than to keep the ACLU on their backs. In Rhode Island, the ACLU -- pausing between efforts to ban prayer, legalize gay marriage, ban the Pledge of Allegiance, legalize child porn, ban pro-life license plates, legalize Polygamy, promote abortion, clean out the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army, protect terrorists, illegals and sex offenders -- charged that the city of Cranston was in violation of 'separation of church and state' because it had opened its city hall front lawn to "seasonal and holiday displays" from citizens. Even Christians. (This is the Slippery Slope theory -- allowing mangers at city hall makes it easier for Bush to sneak a National Church project through Congress by next week.) Sure enough, Nativity scenes, angels and other hideous Christian displays cropped up. Even more offensive, they weren't dipped in urine. The city's posted disclaimer clearly stated that "public displays are strictly from private citizens or groups. They in no way represent an official view of the City of Cranston, nor are they endorsed by the city" -- clear evidence of a Christian plot. But just when the ACLU thought it had foiled the plot, a federal judge ruled there was nothing wrong with city policy -- no violation of the Constitution as the lawsuit claimed. Karl Rove obviously threatened the judge.

In Kentucky, a sinister plan by a local Baptist Church to have a Nativity scene on a courthouse lawn was foiled, thanks to a ruling by Oldham Fiscal Court. Rejecting Grace Baptist Church's request, the tolerant and broadminded court ruled that allowing a manger on a courthouse lawn could imperil Western civilization -- and spawn more costly legal battles with the tolerant and broadminded ACLU, which initially brought the suit. Another Nativity scene averted. Courts banning religious displays win praise for taking a neutral stand on religious displays. We have Congress opening with prayer, the Supreme Court opening with prayer, publicly-funded Chaplins in the military and Congress, presidents swearing on the Bible, witnesses swearing on the Bible, crosses on tombs in government cemeteries, In God We Trust on our coinage and 'Under God' in the Pledge. In view of all this, what kind of nut thinks church and state can ever mingle? Not in America.

In Denver, Colorado, a Church Pastor sought to enter a float for this annual parade, held in early December. But the float wasn't just some innocent float -- it had a banner that, if allowed, would mean a Constitutional crisis in America. The banner said "Merry Christmas". The Pastor, George Morrison of the Faith Bible Chapel, was told to take a hike by organizers, fearing a lawsuit by the ACLU. The goal of the Pastor was to celebrate Christmas. The goal of organizers was to celebrate not getting sued.

And my goal is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Take that, ACLU!

:-)

Anyway, that's...

My two cents

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-13-04 Military Monday 12-14-04 Let It Snow! 12-15-04 Sights and Sounds of Christmas

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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[dansangel]

[dansangel]

Come join us for another of our very own JH2's essays on the state of Christmas in the US today.

Oh, and P.S. - MERRY *CHRISTMAS* ACLU!

[dansangel]

~ God Bless Our Military ~

We ask Lord, that you guide the leaders of our great country in all of their decisions. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decision.

Protect and guide our military Oh Lord; strengthen them in their trials; give them courage to fact the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dutchess; Aquamarine; dansangel, and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, all military personnel and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Diver Dave.......niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin..........niece, loved one Pippin...nephew & his fiancee weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon.............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law BeforeISleep...................son kimmie7......................brother Armymarinemom............3 sons american_ranger.............son LadyX.........................grandson fawn796.......................nephew Dubya............................nephew StarCMC......................brother ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons Spruce.....................daughter Philman_36..............2 nephews Rose inRoseBear...cousin's hubby Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells..................active duty LongCut..................active duty cjk............................active duty Trish.......................active duty ODC-GIRL.................active duty AF_Blue..................active duty Notwithstanding.....active duty thumperusn.............active duty Q6-God.....................active duty Q6-God...................twin brother Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...............active duty wingnutx......................active duty bjcintennessee............son, niece LakeLady...............nephew Ladysmith......nephew, friend's son Proud AF Dad..............son

Maigrey................cousin WVNan..............friend's son ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa.......husband, brother Hostel..................cousin MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son katykelly.................son cookcounty..............son SpookBrat...nephew, cousin Doug from Upland...son-in-law Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Tiffee4Bob.......boyfriend deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews TexKat..............son, step-son Consort..2 daughters,son-in-law Darheel.....................niece Donaeus...................nephew dixie sass...............nephew BeAllYouCanBe............son Repubmommy...............brother AgThorn...................2 sons homeschoolmama.......nephew kneezles......................son Redhead....step-granddaughter Redhead..step-grdaughter fiance Atomic Conspiracy..half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...nephew Atomic Conspiracy...niece Sunflowergal.........grandson visualops.................cousin Alouette.......................son mrstank.......................husband MrsMike31..................husband eaglesiniowa.................son auboy.........................cousin spotbust1....................husband Leofl................................son chena................................son campfollower..................fiance LuvW.......................son painter....................nephew

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Angel.

[RobFromGa]

Deck the halls with boughs of non-endangered plant species
Fa la la la la, la la la la
'Tis the season to be self-actualizing,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don we now our alternate-lifestyle apparel
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Toll the ancient non-denominational-winter-solstice-holiday carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la

See the blazing log of non-denominational-winter-solstice-holiday-non-endangered wood before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Play the harp without unnecessary brutality and join the chorus
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing we emotionally stable in a collective group effort,
Fa la la la la la la la la
Heedless of the weather patterns despite the effects of global warming,
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Fast away the mature year passes
Fa la la la la la la la la
Hail the new year without any implicit ageism, ye persons
Fa la la la la la la la la
Dance in a non-hierarchical manner in merry measure,
Fa la la la la la la la la
While I tell of non-materialistic, non-denominational-winter-solstice-holiday
treasure,

Fa la la la la, la la la la

Author Unknown

[dansangel]

I borrowed this from .45MAN - it goes with those lyrics, unfortunately.

Merry *Christ*mas to you and your beautiful family (((((Rob))))))

[dansangel]

Have a blessed day ((((((Aeronaut)))))))

[RobFromGa]

Great essay, JH2.

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all;"

Additionally,

A fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great, (not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only "AMERICA" in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wisher."

(Disclaimer: By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher who assumes no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.)

[The Mayor]

December 16, 2004

The Gift Of Family

Read: Exodus 20:1-20

Honor your father and your mother. —Exodus 20:12

Bible In One Year: Amos 4-6; Revelation 7

---

Through her books and lectures, Edith Schaeffer has become much appreciated for her insights into the value of life's ordinary days. When she and her husband Francis were first married, both sets of parents lived nearby. The newlyweds divided each Sunday afternoon and evening be-tween the Schaeffers and the Sevilles.

After a few years, Edith and Francis moved to Switzerland, where they could talk with their parents only once a year in a brief phone conversation.

Looking back half a century later, Edith wrote of being glad for the way they had used those Sunday afternoons. She noted that "proximity of loved ones is not an endless situation." She concluded that a package labeled "time to care for parents and exhibit love" doesn't just arrive someday. We must show love while we can.

The fifth of the Ten Commandments says: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you" (Exodus 20:12). The command to love and respect our parents applies equally to children living at home, newly independent young couples, and empty-nesters.

Seize each moment you have to love and honor your family. The opportunity won't last forever. —David McCasland

Putting It Into Action

• Plan a regular time to call a family member.
  
• Help an aged relative with a project or housework.
  
• Write a letter to someone you love but cannot visit.
  

Time is one of the greatest gifts we can give each other.

[dansangel]

Good Morning (((((Rus))))))

Thank you for our daily Scripture.

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[GailA]

Good morning..frost on the windows this morning. I'm off to probate court...I loathe going down town Memphis..no parking.

On target as usual John. Without JESUS there is NO CHRISTmas!

[dansangel]

(((((Gail))))))

Best of luck going to court. There's *never* enough parking at any courthouse I've ever been to.

[The Mayor]

Excellent, Excellent!

It has taken all to long for the Christians in America to finally start speaking out.
For years and years we have been in a battle for the Heart and Soul of this country.
Started in the early 60's with the removal of Prayer from school.
In the past 2 decades we have seen the complete erosion of our Rights as Christians.

Now kids have to deal with school teachers that have an agenda to indoctrinate our children into the left wing ideology.

The venomous talk that comes out of schools and the kids bring home with them is at best destructive to the family structure.
The homosexual agenda, environmentalism, no discipline, spiked hairdo's, swearing, wearing headsets and listening to rap music while walking the halls are all acceptable in schools now.

I thought things were great in the early 70's while I was in high school.
We were allowed to wear jeans, t-shirts, allowed to smoke outside and have a juke box during study periods in the cafeteria.

If I only knew what I know now, I would have fought against it.
It was the beginning of the end for good schools, things have rapidly deteriorated over the years.

The ACLU should be fighting for us instead of against the very fabric of our society.
Remove God from society and it will collapse in upon itself or be destroyed as Sodom and Gomorrah, for we are a society just as in those days.
But that's they way the left wants it, otherwise they have to bow to a Power greater than themselves, and they don't want that.

It's long past time for Christan's to stand up and Fight!
We are!

[.45MAN]

John a great page today!! I love it Rob...It's getting hard not to be a ba! humbug! this time of the year......

[.45MAN]

Morning Mayor!!!!!!!

[dansangel]

I received this in my email:

Celebrating His birthday and neglecting Him
Date: Dec 15, 2004 8:27 AM
As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday.

Every year there is a celebration in My honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that My birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of Me.

As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun,but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in My honor.The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send Me an invitation. The party was for Me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in My face ....and I wanted to be with ! them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise Me because in the last few years all close their doors to Me.

Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes

And laughing at everything. They were having a grand time.

To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" .. as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended My arms waiting for someone to hug Me and ... do you know ... no one hugged Me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for Me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers Me.

This Christmas I would like that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give My life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite Me to their party, I will have My own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements.

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in My great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside.

Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of My great party.

See you soon . I Love you!

Jesus

[dansangel]

If I only knew what I know now, I would have fought against it. It was the beginning of the end for good schools, things have rapidly deteriorated over the years.

I went through the same thing - thought I'd died and gone to heaven when the dress code was lifted in 1970.

Hindsight is 20-20, unfortunately.

[The Mayor]

I have a new gun for you to share with your friends, hehe!

[The Mayor]

Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of My great party.

Amen!
Matthew 24
4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.