The insanity in Washington D.C. is beyond the ability of a rational person to understand. So, I’m going to spend the week fishing. I will post again next week.
God bless the American
people, and may He continue to protect our country. Given what we are seeing coming out of our nation’s
capital, we are going to need it.
Jesus told two parables that teach us about the conditions of the heart that please God in those that seek Him. God loves a humble and contrite spirit and child-like faith.
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Let the Children Come to Me
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:9-17 ESV) [1]
May the Lord bless the reading and hearing of His Word.
The Trinity is in the Bible:
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God,
and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
(2Corinthians 13:14 NIV) [1]
The 120th Congress will be seated on 3 January 2027. The Democratic Party will have a voting majority in both the US Senate and House of Representatives.
In a story in “Finance Buzz Money” dated 5 November 2026, Josh Koebert reported that the following states have the highest taxes:
1) Oregon - Total Effective Tax Rate 24.41%
2) Massachusetts - Total Effective Tax Rate: 23.52%
3) Maryland – Total Effective Tax Rate: 22.40%
4) New York - Total Effective Tax Rate: 22.09%
5) New Jersey - Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.46%
6) Virginia – Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.43%
7) Minnesota - Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.43%
8) Illinois - Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.29%
9) Hawaii - Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.21%
10) Colorado - Total Effective Tax Rate: 21.16%
Mr. Koebert adds that, “… median incomes range from $60,531 in Hawaii to $78,811 in Massachusetts, with residents paying thousands annually in combined federal and state taxes.” [1] Everybody’s taxes pay for big government – not just the rich.
Please take note of the fact that the ten states with the highest taxes are all “Blue” states. [2] That is, they are all states that have consistently voted for Democratic candidates, and states where the Democratic party controls the state and local governments.
Lower taxes contribute to more economic activity which generates more revenue. Higher taxes suppress economic activity which generates less revenue.
Less economic activity means fewer jobs. Those who are not able to find work must rely on government assistance programs. Therefore, they become dependent on the government to meet their needs. That dependency creates a power base for the Liberal Democrats and Democratic Socialists. People are afraid to vote away what little they are getting in government benefits.
Bigger government and its social assistance programs create more opportunities for fraud. Recently, we have been made aware of individuals and special interest groups that have defrauded the taxpayers out of billions of dollars. Matters are still under investigation, but some government officials may have turned a blind eye to the fraud because those individuals or groups may have contributed to their election campaigns.
Although President Trump can veto the spending bills passed by Congress, the Congress has the power to override the President’s veto. It is rare for Congress to override a veto, but it has happened. The vitriol coming from the Democrats right now seems to make veto overrides more likely.
It takes a vote of two thirds of the House and two thirds of the Senate to override a veto. The Supreme Court has ruled that two thirds of a quorum, (when a simple majority of members are present), is sufficient. A recorded roll call vote is conducted in the case of an override. [3]
Please be aware that increased government spending can temporarily stimulate the economy and mask the economic damage done by higher taxes. Certain economists believe that deficit spending adds wealth to the economy, but they ignore the fact that it creates inflation. There is more money in circulation, but it has less and less buying power.
Past behavior is predictive of future behavior. In the past, the Democrats have raised our taxes, and their spending has vastly exceeded the government’s revenue. Furthermore, taxes are higher in the states where the state and local governments are controlled by the Democrats.
Get ready. We may not have voted for higher taxes and
spending, but we all are going to have to live with them.
[1] “These 10 states have the highest tax burden in America” https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/these-10-states-have-the-highest-tax-burden- in-america/ar-AA2gPnDR?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=HCTS&cvid=6aed79d838f4439c94ad0292a63ae907&ei=90
It appears that the political pendulum has swung to the left. It is disappointing, but it comes as no surprise. In a democracy we accept the results of legitimate elections, whether we agree with them or not. Sometimes it's a challenge. We may disagree, but we must accept the results of the 2026 midterm elections.
We are obliged to cooperate with the will of the people as expressed in this election. We are free, however, to continue to advocate for our own point of view. Hopefully, the best ideas will prevail.
Please pray with me that
the government will act in the best interests of the people, rather than the
people in charge. Please pray that God's will be done.
Rejoyce in the Lord. Take all your cares to Him. Thank God for the good things He has done. Be thankful for what you have, rather than troubled about what you don't have. God will give you peace that transcends your circumstances if you stay in vital union with Jesus.
“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me - everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9 NLT) [1]
Every person in the world is free to choose what they will do. We have that freedom as long as we are willing to pay the price for the choices we make.
People in North Korea can opt to openly oppose the government of Kim Jong Un … if they are willing to spend the rest of their life in a prison camp - or maybe get shot. Christians in Somalia, Iran, Ethiopia and Nigeria know that they may forfeit their lives for their testimony about Jesus. They witness for Jesus anyway.
In America, people can vote for the candidates we want. If we make mistakes, we will have to live with the problems we have created. If our citizens vote for candidates that promise a “free lunch,” they will find that “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” Please pray with me that our people will not vote away their freedom by choosing radical Democratic Socialist candidates who promise a nanny state that will take care of them from the cradle to the grave.
Whether we make good choices or bad, we must live with the consequences of those choices. That is the point where the strong are separated from the weak. The strong understand that they must accept responsibility for the outcomes of their choices and actions. The weak whine, complain, and blame others for their misfortunes. Then they look to the government to rescue them; and dig the hole deeper by doing so.
In the 2026 midterm election, the American people are faced with consequential choices. If we choose well, our nation will prosper. If we choose poorly, the United States will again fall into decline the way it did under Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Remember how glad you felt when they left office? Let’s not go back there again.
Please be aware, fellow Americans, that if we choose to follow the path of the Democratic Socialist wing (that is in control) of the Democratic party, we will have no one to blame but ourselves when they tear our country apart. We must not choose to salve the pain of the temporary economic squeeze many of us are feeling right now with solutions that will have long-term negative consequences. If we do not vote for the proven economic policies of President Trump and the Republicans we, our children, and their children will suffer for it, and the responsibility will be ours to bear. Our obligation to them, to ourselves, and to our country is to choose tried and true economic policy for the long-term.
Ask yourselves, “Why did Communist China, the Russian Republic, and Vietnam get rid of their Socialist economies and adopt Capitalist, market driven economic systems?” You will find that it is because Socialism was failing. Look at the “successful” Socialist countries of Europe. Their economies are fundamentally Capitalist. The only way they can afford their expensive social welfare programs is to gut their defense spending. Now that the Russian Bear is on the prowl again, they are scrambling to find ways to protect themselves.
Please go to the polls and
vote for conservative candidates. We can
still turn this election into a victory for common sense … and a defeat for those
who hate America and everything we stand for.
God’s word gives us hope, joy, and peace.
“And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also
predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also
called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also
glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:28-39 NIV) [1]
God alone is righteous and
worthy to be praised. Praise the Lord.
The subject of Race Relations in America is one of several that we have been reluctant to write about. It is a controversial topic that people divide over and get angry about. Opinions are entrenched and unlikely to change regardless of the merits of the opposing arguments.
Furthermore, conservative opinions about race relations are often labeled as racist and dismissed without fair consideration. It is easier to label an idea as “racist” than it is to discuss it in a meaningful way. Lamp in a Corner has a Christian worldview, and we are Conservative. We try not to be racist; whether intentionally or inadvertently.
The primary purpose of Lamp in a Corner is to tell others about Jesus Christ. Our comments about current events are secondary. We are in an election year, however, where Woke ideas like Critical Race Theory (CRT) are at issue, and an informed electorate is a necessary component of democracy. It is our duty is to be informed.
The word “theory” is part of CRT. Are theories reliable? The common understanding of a theory is that it is “an educated guess.” [1] We have also heard it said that, “A theory is an unproven speculation about reality.” However, theories are at their best when they are based on what are believed to be known, tested, and proven concepts. They must be revised, however, if new evidence makes it necessary.
A theory is only as good as the underlying assumptions (axioms, postulates) that support it. Before we buy off on Critical Race Theory and support Woke candidates, the basic assumptions of CRT need to be tested.
What is CRT? The NAACP defines CRT as:
“Critical Race Theory, or CRT, is an academic and legal framework that denotes that systemic racism is part of American society — from education and housing to employment and healthcare. Critical Race Theory recognizes that racism is more than the result of individual bias and prejudice. It is essentially an academic response to the erroneous notion that American society and institutions are “colorblind.”
Critical Race Theory recognizes that racism is embedded in laws, policies and institutions that uphold and reproduce racial inequalities. According to CRT, societal issues like Black Americans’ higher mortality rate, outsized exposure to police violence, the school-to-prison pipeline, denial of affordable housing, and the death rates of Black women in childbirth are not unrelated anomalies.
The scholarly framework holds that racism goes far beyond just individually held prejudices, and that it is in fact a systemic phenomenon woven into the laws and institutions of this nation. A cursory review of U.S. history — or even just news headlines from 2020, where far too many examples of police brutality and violence against Black people propelled a historic racial justice movement — proves the truth of this theory. The classroom itself, currently the focal point of the ongoing fight to suppress uncomfortable truths about America, has traditionally been the site of some of this nation’s most egregious acts of state sponsored racism. This includes segregation, which the LDF has been at the forefront of challenging since our founder and the first Black Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall successfully litigated Brown v. Board of Education in the 1950s.” [2]
To be manageable for a Blog, (rather than to write a book), a more concise definition is needed. To fit our format, therefore, we will define CRT as an attempt to show how racism is endemic in the legal, social, and economic systems of society. CRT is a key component in Woke ideology. It is a change agent – a way of identifying and implementing corrective measures to achieve social justice. The underlying assumptions of CRT are still dynamic and subject to change or modification.
Accounts disagree about origin of Critical Race Theory. Here is what we have been able to learn:
Most Internet sources say that CRT was developed by Liberal academics, lawyers, and activists in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, as an attempt to combine ideas that existed before then into an organized system of thought. [3] Conservative sources point out that Critical Race Theory has Marxist origins, [4] and that it uses the Bolshevik (Communist) tactic of exploiting the grievances between people groups to create division and hostility. Thus, it turns perceived injustices into class warfare. [5]
Both are correct – in part. Things happen for more than one reason. Although they are offered by opposing points of view, these ideas about CRT should be studied together. They cannot be fully understood independently.
Lamp in a Corner would add that Critical Race Theory may have also been influenced by Postcolonial Theory, which helps to account for the idea that White people are to blame for the ills of society. For the sake of brevity, we will try to summarize Postcolonial Theory in our own words:
It states that the Imperialism of some European nations and England resulted in their conquest of large parts of the world to create colonies. The Europeans and English governed their colonies by force, or by exploiting the conflicts between local rulers, tribes, and people groups.
The colonial powers exploited the colonies by extracting whatever wealth they found. This provided the motivation to maintain the colonies – often without the consent of the governed.
Colonization disrupted the traditional religious beliefs, social values, and economic and political systems that were previously the fabric of society that maintained the social order of the colonized peoples.
In the Twentieth Century, two world wars left the Europeans and the United Kingdom without the political, economic, and military strength to maintain their colonial empires. The result was decolonization. Decolonization was rapid, and it often left the former colonies poorly prepared to govern themselves.
Decolonization was followed by Economic Imperialism. Industrialized nations are said to have exploited the so-called underdeveloped countries for cheap labor and raw materials. During the Cold War, the Western Democracies and the Soviet Union attempted to divide the underdeveloped nations into opposing spheres of influence.
In turn, this caused the years of general chaos and political upheaval that followed. Consequently, White Imperialists are blamed for many of the problems that continue to plague the world to this day.
If we want to be honest, it is necessary to include opposing points of view. So, tell it all or don’t tell it at all.
Those who dispute Post Colonial Theory think that colonization modernized native societies where the ordinary people were oppressed, uneducated, and living in primitive conditions. Colonization improved public health and education, and it upgraded living conditions for the common people. Although colonization was flawed, it was preferable to the primitive conditions that preceded it.
Tribalism, religious violence, border disputes, the pressure of urbanization, and transition into the world economy are also contributing factors to the prevalence of worldwide conflict. In short, there is plenty of blame to go around for the world’s wars and chaos. Not all of it is the fault of people of European or British ancestry.
Critical Race Theory postulates that American society, is systemically racist. We are told that all of our institutions were created by White people according to the behavioral norms and the values of the White culture. Therefore, our society oppresses People of Color because their cultural norms and values are different.
It follows, then, that the social system is systemically racist and favors White people over non-Whites, due to their racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and lifestyle. They call this White Privilege. So, White Privilege is thought to give White people a competitive advantage in all aspects of society … economic, political, educational, medical, and so forth, while it holds non-Whites back.
CRT also provides its own way of interpreting History. It focuses on the way that Black people have been mistreated throughout American History. Slavery, and the decades of oppression that followed, are a terrible blight on our collective past, and CRT attempts to exploit that as proof of systemic racism. CRT has advocated that reparations should be paid to compensate Black people for their past victimization and the lingering effects our History has had on social justice in American society today.
While it is true that injustice has been part of American History, many of us disagree that the White citizens of today are responsible in some way for the errors of the past. In short, we didn’t do it, and we don’t think we should be required to pay for it. Further, we do not want our schools and universities to shame our kids for being White.
Unfortunately, CRT ignores the fact that Americans eventually corrected many of the injustices that have plagued our past. We fought a bloody Civil War that abolished slavery, and the 13th Amendment made slavery illegal. A decades-long civil rights movement desegregated our institutions and achieved advances for persons from all backgrounds in education, employment, equality before the law, and other aspects of American society. We created a safety net of social assistance to help provide for the needs of the poor. Affirmative Action was implemented in an attempt to improve employment hiring practices in government agencies and businesses that have government contracts.
The advocates of CRT have created a conceptual model for the implementation of social justice. It is called Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI. To borrow from Britannica.com:
Diversity means that an organization reflects the composition of the community. These include gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, disability, culture, class, religion, and life experience.
The concept of diversity gets distorted when quota systems are imposed. If 25 percent of those incarcerated in a prison are Black, that does not mandate that 25 percent of the correctional staff must also be Black. If 11 percent of a community is Hispanic, that does not create a requirement for 11 percent of the public school employees to be Hispanic. President Trump has advocated that employment opportunities must be provided on the basis of merit, to those who have prepared themselves by education and experience to add value; that is to make the greatest contribution to the hiring organization.
Equity is the attempt to make sure that a person’s identity does not govern the outcomes of their participation in all aspects of society. It seeks to ensure equal treatment by eliminating the systemic barriers that keep some people groups from successful participation in education, employment, health care, government, the military, and all other societal institutions. The goal is to ensure equal treatment by causing organizations to change their methods of operation to cause successful outcomes for individuals from every background.
Conservatives argue that Americans from all backgrounds should have equal opportunity. We believe that positive outcomes are achieved by an individual’s performance on the job, and not by government manipulation of the operational practices of organizations.
Inclusion is almost self-explanatory. It involves efforts to enable persons from all backgrounds to feel like they are included in an organization … like they are part of the team. It tries to create the circumstances which allow all individuals to make a significant contribution. Organizations are encouraged to accept and support diverse ideas and recommendations. [6]
We can agree that organizations work best by cooperation and teamwork. We disagree with the idea that bad performance, ideas or suggestions should be accepted because of a person’s background.
The alternative President Trump and his administration have implemented is a system in which hiring and participation in business and government organizations are based on merit. It offers equality of opportunity, rather than equity of outcome. Persons of all backgrounds need to be able to meet the needs of their employers in order to be able to participate in their activities.
The advocates of CRT emphasize social justice. On the face of it, most people favor a society that offers a level playing field to all of its members. The American people value fundamental fairness.
The United States of America is not ruled by any individual or group. We are ruled by the laws created by our duly elected government. Our constitution was written by White men, but it protects the basic God given human rights of all US Citizens.
Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
Our constitution safeguards freedom of religion, speech, the press, peaceable assembly, and petition for redress of grievances. Private American citizens have the freedom to keep and bear arms. Except in time of war, we cannot be required to house members of the armed forces in our homes. We may not be subjected to unreasonable search and seizure without a warrant issued upon probable cause.
The US Constitution provides that Americans must be indicted by a grand jury to be charged with capital crimes and serious offenses, and they cannot be required to testify against themselves. If acquitted, we cannot be tried again for the same offense. Citizens cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, and our property cannot be seized without just compensation. If we are charged with a crime we have the right to a trial by jury, representation by legal counsel, disclosure of the evidence against us, face our accusers, and to present evidence and witnesses in our favor. The accused have the right to post bail, and excessively high bail amounts are prohibited. Americans are protected from excessive fines and from cruel and unusual punishment.
As some are prompt to point out, slavery is a blight on the history of our nation. A bloody civil war and the 13th Amendment put an end to slavery. What followed was decades of unfair treatment of Black people. We still have work to do to ensure that all Americans are treated fairly.
This is the point at which we find ourselves now. Most of us want social justice. How to achieve it is where we part company.
Our freedoms are basic and time-honored human rights given to everyone by God, not the government. The constitution is a pledge to all our people that the government will protect our God-given freedoms.
Social justice will not be ensured by fundamentally changing our laws, Capitalist economic system, educational institutions, and other social systems. Rather, we must make ourselves aware of problems in how our social systems are applied and make changes where they are needed; as we always have.
Why do Woke politicians, Democratic Socialists, left-wing educators, and activists say that the constitution is obsolete, outdated, not relevant, and racist? Why do they want to get rid of it? Could it be that under Socialism the people are the servants of the state, rather than the way it is in a Constitutional Republic where the government is the servant of the people. Is it about power? Is it that they think they have a superior understanding of what is best for the people – even more than the people themselves do? Do you think they might want to take away our freedoms, and control us through the imposition of a socialist nanny state?
College students, kids who have been indoctrinated by the public schools, rebels in search of a cause, and others who are easily led are quick to say that the constitution must be radically altered or replaced. They say that it is “old school,” and that it doesn’t have meaning in today’s world. That is because they have been kept ignorant of what is in it. Today’s young people have not been taught the basics of History, Civics, or Business. Instead, they are steeped in the half-truths of CRT.
“Go ahead! Make my day!” Tell me how our freedom of the press, speech, religion, peaceful assembly, or equal protection under the law are not as precious today as they were when they were written 250 years ago. Tell me which of our constitutional freedoms does not benefit Black people, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, transgender persons, women, and everyone else.
Public opinion is fickle and changeable. It is here today and gone tomorrow. To guard against the erratic, variable, and unpredictable nature of public opinion the founding fathers purposely made amending the constitution difficult, yet it has been done 27 times. It can and will be done again … if there is sufficient need for it. Attempts by radicals to circumvent the constitution, or do away with it, happen because extremist ideologues lack the broad public support needed to successfully amend it.
Any reasonable person must recognize that the basic human rights that are protected by our constitution ensure that we are among the freest people in the world. We are one of the most just societies on Earth. CRT aims to fix something that isn’t broken. Social justice will not come from big government intervention into every aspect of our lives.
Whether you agree with CRT or not, there is a dark side to it and to the whole Woke movement. It is antidemocratic and dangerous because it tries to suppress opposing points of view.
Social media allows conservatives to be “flamed” in the most vile language imaginable. Conservative voices have been cancelled out, and the persons who provide conservative opinions have been threatened. On most of the Liberal major broadcasting networks, smirking, patronizing TV news personalities, feigning deep concern, present 100 negative segments on President Trump and the Republicans for every positive segment. (These figures are figurative – no pun intended.)
On our college campuses conservative students’ grades are adversely affected if they express conservative ideas. They are shouted down by other students, and some have been beaten up. When Conservatives are invited to speak on campus, they are shouted down, and some have had to be escorted out for their own safety.
Conservatives have lost their jobs because they spoke out on issues like abortion and sexual orientation. Christian business owners have been persecuted because they would not provide services to same sex weddings.
The list goes on and on. Take fair warning, fellow Americans. Will it be your turn next?
CRT also employs scapegoating:
“Scapegoating, sometimes called playing the blame game, is the practice of singling out a person or group for unmerited blame and consequent negative treatment.” [7]
The most salient example of the evil of scapegoating is found in Adolph Hitler’s persecution of Europe’s Jews. He blamed them for all of the problems the Germans had, especially following World War I, and he used that to justify his “final solution,” which was the extermination of European Jewry in his death camps.
If we allow White people to be falsely accused and blamed for all of the woes of the world, what will come of that? CRT has been opposed by President Trump. What will happen if Conservatives lose control of the US Senate, House of Representatives, and the Presidency? The 2026 midterm election is about more than a lot of our voters realize.
Adult US Citizens have the
right to vote in free, fair, and legal elections. We must be vigilant, because evil people,
foreign and domestic, are constantly trying to influence the outcomes of our
elections. The right to vote, and the
integrity of elections, are foundational to democracy. There is nothing in our governance that is
more vital.
Get out and vote for Conservatives. *
*NOTE: The politically
correct terms for referring to people groups are always changing. It is difficult for us to know the latest way
to properly refer to people of different backgrounds. If we got it wrong, it was not intentional,
and no disrespect was intended.
The early voting has begun in the 2026 midterm elections. It is too early to predict the outcome, but the Democrats have taken a slight lead. It is difficult to understand why anyone would vote for a candidate like James Tallarico or Abdul El-Sayed. However, it seems that they have.
If people like this are given a role in our government, we have good cause to worry about the future of our nation. Therefore, it is imperative for every Conservative, whether they be a Democrat, Republican, Independent, undecided, or “other,” get out and vote. Stand up and be counted, because if you don't you will deserve the insanity we will get from the Radical Democrats.
Please don't sit home and pout because you don't like Donald Trump, or you think that the Democrats are going to win no matter what. That is no excuse for allowing radicals to change our system of government, society, and economy. The threat is real, and real Americans need to take charge by winning this election.
Although not all of these are candidates in this election, eventually we must send people like Bernie Sanders, AOC, Rashida Talib, Ilian Omar, Zohran Mandami, Chuck Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries packing, and they can take their dirty laundry home with them. It starts right now.
Given a free hand, the Liberal, Radical, Democratic Socialists will tear America down to the ground, and they will replace her with an expensive mess that doesn’t work. Take a look at the riots that are happening in Europe, due to Liberal, Socialist government. Do you want that to happen here?
Everyone in our country is blessed with freedom of speech, and that includes the Radical Democrat nutcases that our big cities are trying to saddle us with. We do not, however, need to let them win elections. There is no room for Radicals like these in the halls of Congress or the White House.
It is up to you and me prevail in this election, and we can do it. Whether it is in early voting or on November 3rd, we all must do our part. So please - get it out and vote for Conservative candidates. It will make you feel good to know that you did your part.
Benjamin Netanyahu is one of my personal heroes. I do not say that lightly. With due respect to all of the leaders of the world’s nations, it is possible to count on the fingers of one hand how many world leaders that I truly admire. Mr. Netanyahu is one of them.
It is not my place to try to advise the people of Israel about how they should vote on Tuesday. My only request is that they be mindful of the lifetime of service and personal sacrifice Benjamin Netanyahu has given to Israel.
Our prayer is that God’s will be done in the upcoming Israeli election. We pray that Israel will remain safe and secure, and that her people will prosper.
God bless Israel, and God bless the United States of America!
We are saved by God’s Grace (unmerited favor) through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9) We have peace with God because our sins have been atoned for by Christ's death and resurrection. We can look forward with joy to being with Him forever.
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:1-5 NLT) [1]
There is a second blessing in this passage. Christians believe in one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4) Our one God is manifested (revealed) in three separate and distinct persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each one is fully God, equal, and eternal.
Some people deny the
Trinity because the word “Trinity” does not appear in the Bible. However, there are many instances where the
Trinity is spoken of plainly in the Scriptures.
Romans 5:1-5 is one of those passages that confirm the truth of the
Trinity.
The current version of the B-52 Stratofortress (B52-H) can carry up to 70,000 lbs. of bombs, or 51 conventional 500 lb. bombs. Payload configurations can include other ordinance. These include (but are not limited to) guided bombs, nuclear bombs, cruise missiles with conventional or nuclear warheads, cluster bombs, and Tomahawk missiles. [1]
The B-52 has a combat range of about 8,800 miles without refueling. [2] It can fly at high altitude, and it can travel at just under the speed of sound. It has seen service in most of our foreign conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq, and it has been proven to be an effective combat weapons system.
So, why bring this up? The B-52 is capable of delivering large amounts of conventional bombs with surprising accuracy. One of the problems that has come up in our war with Iran is that our guided “smart” bombs, missiles, and other technologically advanced weapons systems cost a lot of money and take a long time to replace. Although they are incredibly accurate and help keep civilians and civilian infrastructure from being harmed, we are using incredibly expensive technologically advanced air defense and offensive weapons systems to destroy drones, missile launchers, and speed boats that are relatively inexpensive to replace. Our enemy has been able to recover a limited amount of offensive military capability quickly and inexpensively, while we are spending too much for “miracles of modern science” that take a long time to replace.
Reports indicate that our military has been exploring developing simpler and less expensive weapons systems. We respectfully suggest that we may not have fully utilized the capabilities of what we already have.
It is a horrible fact that our enemies use civilians as human shields so that they can limit our ability to strike them … lest we, like the Israelis, get convicted of war crimes in the court of world opinion. This tactic has proven effective over and over – most recently in Gaza. It forces us to try to limit civilian casualties by using precise, technologically advanced weapons.
Here is the beef. Wouldn’t it be better to use our strategic bombers to obliterate any and all military targets with low cost conventional weapons? If doing so would bring the war to an end quickly, wouldn’t that benefit all concerned? Don’t trade sanctions, blockades, and other punitive economic actions cause the common people to suffer more than the ruling class?
The terrain in Yemen is very rugged, and that favors the defender. It is no wonder the Saudis are having difficulty. The matter is made worse because the Houthis are getting outside help from Iran and China. We are able to put the Houthis out of business in short order with repeated doses of 500 lb. bombs.
Bring on the B-52’s.
They may not be the latest thing on the battlefield, but sometimes
time-tested and proven methods are the best.
Let’s get this thing over with.
Abide with Me
By Henry F. Lyte
Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see.
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who like thyself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless,
ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes.
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me. [1]
O God, in the multitude of Your mercy,
Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.
Deliver me out of the mire,
And let me not sink;
Let me be delivered from those who hate me,
And out of the deep waters.
Let not the floodwater overflow me,
Nor let the deep swallow me up;
And let not the pit shut its mouth on me.
Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is
good;
Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.
(Psalm 69:13-16 NKJV) [1]
The righteous
cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
(Palm 34:17-19 NKJV) [2]
For now, the United States of America leads the world in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI). Communist China is our chief competitor, but they are still in a close second place. Other nations that are pursuing AI include: the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, Germany, France, Japan, Israel, Sweden, Australia, India, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. [1] One source identifies over 30 countries that are researching and developing AI. [2]
If we may be forgiven a foray into Ancient History, when I was born television (TV) was not yet commercially available to the average consumer. TV began to be a common household item when I was about five or six years old.
Almost everyone had a radio in their home, and most people had one in their car. The radios operated using cathode ray tubes. I got my first transistor radio for Christmas when I was about 12 years old. Mom thought it was a big deal, but I was disappointed. It was a little larger than a pack of cigarettes. My opinion changed, however, when I found it could be used to listen to rock and roll after bedtime by sneaking it under the covers. Then the battery went dead. Mom was recently widowed, and she didn’t have the money to buy new batteries. Bummer. I mowed lawns and shoveled snow for spending money instead.
About the time that I graduated from High School, banks began to try to computerize. They mailed everyone punch cards for us to use to provide their computer with information for managing our accounts. They did not do a good job of explaining the importance of the cards or how to use them correctly. The result was that a lot of people messed up their accounts, and these initial moves toward computerization became widely regarded as a failure. I remember that I thought computerization was a mistake that would fail across the board.
Computers first began to appear in the places where I worked in the 1980’s. I was a County Director of Social Services in a remote, rural Colorado mountain county. Our Secretary/Receptionist had an IBM typewriter that allowed her to proof her work before printing it. I asked the County Commissioners for the money to buy a couple of small desktop computers for the Bookkeeper and my use. They said they didn’t have the money to waste on expensive gadgets. Then the state computerized the Public Assistance programs, and they bought and installed the needed computers for us. We had trouble getting them to work, however, because the rural telephone lines could not carry enough data.
I didn’t get a desktop computer in our home until the late 1990’s. My wife talked me into it because the word processor would help me generate the reports needed to earn my Master’s Degree. I still can’t touch type.
The point is that change is a constant. It will happen whether we like it or not. I am grateful for the Internet because it enables me to research and publish this Blog. It is a way that I can talk with people around the world about Jesus Christ and current events.
Like the Internet, AI is a tool. A hammer is a tool that can be used to build nice things or to vandalize someone’s automobile. Like the hammer, AI can be used for good purposes or for evil.
Recently, there has been a lot of controversy over the research, development and implementation of AI. It will be beneficial over a broad spectrum of society from medical care to space travel. Like any other tool, however, it has the potential to do great harm.
Unfortunately, the public discourse is becoming fearful. Opponents say the there is a risk that AI might even wipe out the human race. Visions of Skylab from the Terminator movies populate the opponents’ imaginations. On the other hand, the advocates point out that the greater risk lies in allowing the Communist Chinese to get the upper hand, and that if they do, they will use AI to dominate us and the rest of the free world.
The major tech companies are advocating for more government regulation. Conservatives point out that involving the government does not have an impressive track record of success.
The US is in the midst of an election year, and the issue is unfortunately becoming another partisan political debate. Conservatives are generally for AI, and Liberals are against it. Both sides are engaging in hyperbole, exaggerating their talking points for emphasis. It never ends.
President Donald Trump is correct on this one. AI is happening already, and it is inevitable. Our national security depends on the US maintaining its position as the global leader in AI. If we do not, the Communist Chinese will do it for us … to our great loss.
The Liberals are correct that the use of caution is mandatory. It is ironic that even the big tech companies are asking for government regulation.
Lamp in a Corner is generally opposed to big government. We would point out that government involvement often results in retarding or stopping progress, and that government involvement opens the door for government abuse. (Big Brother is watching you.) The preferable solution would be for the developers to set up a system of joint, cooperative self-regulation with Congressional oversight.
The Holy Bible predicts a seven-year period of time when God will pour out His wrath on an unbelieving world. During this time, the Antichrist will set up an image of himself in a new temple in Jerusalem, and he will require everyone to worship him on pain of death. To enforce this constraint, he will make people accept a mark in their hand or forehead, and nobody will be able to engage in commerce without it. This will require a mechanism for enforcement, and we speculate that advanced computer systems might be one way that he will accomplish that. (see Revelation, chapters 6-16) We are not advocating the advancement of computer technology to help the Antichrist. We simply pointing out that it is going to happen regardless of what we do.
We urge our fellow citizens to vote for candidates in November who favor AI, but with appropriate safeguards built into it to prevent garbage in – garbage out, abuse by unscrupulous users, and the thing placing the human race at risk.
Our opponents will use AI
to enhance their military capabilities, and we must stay ahead of them. It may be dangerous to do so, but it is more
dangerous not to.
