A Prayer for Independence Day

Sovereign God, You created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them in six days.

You created Man in Your Image and cast him out of the Garden when he sinned.

When every thought of man was only evil all of the time, You destroyed the Earth with water.

You delivered Your people from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh.

You brought them through the Sea on dry ground.

When Your people turned away from You, You sent them prophets to warn them.

When they stoned Your holy messengers, You sent the Babylonians to punish Your people for their idolatry and injustice.

When the enemies of Your people destroyed their cities and their land, You preserved the words of your holy prophets.

You sent Your Son to redeem all those who would believe in Him and repent of their sins.

You called apostles and holy prophets to write the words of Your Son Jesus and the words of the New Covenant with Your Children.

When the enemies of God again killed the holy prophets and apostles, the Church grew like wildfire.

When they killed those who translated Your Holy Bible into English, You preserved and multiplied their work and opened the eyes of the people.

The Pilgrims escaped persecution to find a better land and were preserved by Your mighty hand.

You guided them to a great land and made them very prosperous and gave them liberty.

You defeated the armies of the British when they harassed us with swarms of officers. You blessed us with the means of throwing off their oppressive yoke.

When we mistreated the Negroes of our land, you punished us with a bloody war and took away many of our freedoms.

When we again turned further away from You, You allowed more of our freedoms to be taken away.

We have murdered babies, glorified detestable behaviors, stolen from one another, and forgot the words of the Holy Bible which You gave us.

You punished us with more wars by giving us greedy, corrupt and foolish leaders.

We have prayed for the economy in vain.  We have prayed for peace in vain.  Our soldiers die in vain.

You will not hear us because we cherish sin in our hearts and have no regard for Your law.

Dear Lord, please help us to humble ourselves so that we will turn from our wicked ways,

And You will hear Us from Heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land.

Please help us to listen when You speak to us!

Coexist Bumper Sticker

You can buy this sticker at:

https://store.kirkcameron.com/coexist-sticker/

They also have "coexist" t-shirts.

Matisyahu Sings for Peace

Sometimes I lay under the moon
And I thank God I'm breathing
Then I pray don't take me soon
Cause I am here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waiting for
I been prayin for
For the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play

One day

It's not about win or lose cause we all lose when they feed on the souls of the innocent blood drenched pavement keep on moving though the waters stay raging and in this life you may lose your way, it might drive you crazy but don't let it phase you no way

Pre-chorus
Chorus

One day this all will change
Treat people the same
Stop with the violence down with the hate one day we'll all be free and proud to be under the same sun singing songs of freedom like...

The song that the little girl is sings in the above video is called "One Day" and was written by Matthew Paul Miller (no, this is not me). Matthew calls himself by his Hebrew name Matisyahu because he is a Jew. The point of this post is that you don't have to be anti-semitic or anti-American in order to be against the wars. Matisyahu has been, over the years, exploring different sects of Judaism. He appears to be open minded and searching for truth. I am praying for his conversion to Christianity and that God will use him bring others to Christ and peace in the Middle East.

The Right Way to Amend the Constitution, part 13

This is part thirteen of an ongoing series of articles containing proposals for amendments to the Constitution. For someone who claims so fervently to be a “Constitutionalist”, how is it that I can be so eager to change the Constitution? Well, there are several reasons. For one thing, I believe that after the Bill of Rights, much damage was done by some of the amendments that were added and the legitimacy of some of their ratifications are questionable. Secondly, the Constitution has been violated so much that the necessity of further amendments is needed to resolve the resulting problems. But this should be done extremely cautiously. These amendments are extremely unlikely to ever be introduced, much less ratified, but hey, I can dream, can’t I?

The title for this week’s proposed article of amendment (subject to revision) is The Peace and Tranquility Amendment, the text of which follows:

Section 1: The United States shall not invade, station standing armies in, or establish forts in another nation without a Congressional declaration of war.

Section 2: Any Congressional declaration of war must contain clear instructions as to the objectives of the war and an exit strategy.

Section 3: Any Congressional declaration of war must be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the whole number of members of each House of Congress.

Section 4: Congress shall make no law appropriating funds for war except funds obtained by the voluntary purchase of war bonds. This section shall not be construed to apply to the peacetime maintenance of the Navy and of the Militia.

Section 5: The Marines and the Coast Guard shall be reintegrated into the Navy for all purposes. All power over the National Guard shall be given to the States, except in times of war, and it shall serve as the Militia. All other branches of the armed services shall be abolished and none shall be established except in times of war. The Posse Comitatus Act shall not be violated.

Section 6: This article shall not be construed as modifying, limiting or abolishing the Power of Congress to grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, to define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations, or to make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water.

Section 7: Henceforth, no citizen of the United States shall be liable for the payment of taxes, fees, or other moneys to be received by the United States and no such moneys shall be collected or withheld from a citizen whenever the United States is in violation of the terms of this article of amendment and for one year following any such violation.

Commentary on this proposed amendment:

The third and fourth sections are the meat of the amendment. The rest are really redundant, given the 10^th amendment and the fact that no authority to do these things exists in the Constitution. Over and over again, the United States has unnecessarily plunged itself into war at the cost of our own lives and well as the lives of law-abiding citizens of other nations. The demagoguery of our leadership has suckered our populace into the belief that it is necessary for the freedom our nation to kill innocent civilians who committed no crime against the United States, its allies, or its citizens. If we don’t establish a better check on war making powers we are doomed to become a nation permanently at war.

Section 7 is necessary to put some teeth into it. Without it, if the amendment were violated, then any case brought by the People against the government would be dismissed on some basis like “lack of standing”. Section 7 would force the courts to either make things right or do a lot more mental gymnastics than usual.

Click here to go on to my next proposed amendment.

Finding a Permanent Home for Palestinians

How to Achieve Lasting Peace in Palestine

Throughout most of his two terms in office President Bush seemed to be committed to pushing his Road Map for Peace Plan. Wikipedia describes it as follows, “The "road map" for peace is a plan to resolve the Isreli-Palestinian conflict proposed by a “quartet” of international entities: the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations. The principles of the plan were first outlined by U.S. President George W. Bush in a speech on June 24, 2002, in which he called for an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel in peace: "The Roadmap represents a starting point toward achieving the vision of two states, a secure State of Israel and a viable, peaceful, democratic Palestine. It is the framework for progress towards lasting peace and security in the Middle East..." Thankfully, Bush will not have achieved his goal of implementing his plan before he leaves office. This undercutting of our only real ally in the Middle East has been foolish and detrimental to America.

The Road Map to Peace has been a failure. Palestinian refugees are still wallowing in refugee camps, Israel is being terrorized from land (Gaza) it recently exchanged for the promised peace that never comes. A different solution needs to be looked at now.

I recently attended a conference last November and heard Amy Bennett, Executive Director of the International Israeli Allies Caucus Foundation who described a plan proposed by Israeli Knesset member, Benny Elon. He calls his plan “The Israeli Initiative, The Right Road to Peace."

In this article I am introducing this alternative, which was recently brought to my attention with Israel’s retaliatory bombing the last two days in Gaza. Gaza is the territory we forced Israel to give up in exchange for the allusive prospect of peace. Gaza under Iran-backed Hamas has become a literal terrortory.

I really liked what I heard of his plan. America should abandon Bush’s Roadmap and get on the Right Road to Peace . . . Below are the three principles upon which this alternative plan is based. Very serious consideration should be given to scrapping the Roapmap to Peace and studying and working toward implementing the following plan. It serves the best interest of America, Israel, Jordan, Europe and the Palestinian people, the many refugees. The terrorist and the terrorist sponsoring states may not like it, but remember you can never negotiate with terrorists.

The Israeli Initiative: The Right Road to Peace

THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE RIGHT ROAD TO PEACE PLAN

#1 - The rehabilitation of the refugees and the dismantling of the camps

"Israel, the US, and the international community will formulate a multi-year program for full and rapid rehabilitation of the Palestinian refugees, while absorbing them as citizens in various countries. During the rehabilitation process, UNRWA, an organization that perpetuates the status of the refugees, will be dismantled, and all residents of refugee camps will be offered permanent places of residence, citizenship, and a generous rehabilitation grant. The refugee camps will also be dismantled following this process.

#2 - Strategic cooperation with the Kingdom of Jordan

"An exchange for the Palestinian 'Partner' who is unable to bring peace, with a reliable partner interested in stability.

"Israel, the US, and the international community will recognize the Kingdom of Jordan as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians, and Jordan will again grant citizenship status to the residents of Judea and Samaria. The Palestinian Authority in Judea, Samaria and Gaza will no longer be recognized as a representative body, and all weapons will be collected from armed organizations.

"Israel, the US, and the international community will invest in the long-term development of the Kingdom of Jordan to restore and strengthen its economy.

"Israel and Jordan, together with Egypt, Turkey, and the US, will create a strategic organization to halt the Islamic axis based in Tehran, and to promote overall peace between Israel and the Arab countries.

#3 - Israeli Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria

"An end to the 'Occupation' and a move to sovereignty, which will prevent Hamas taking control and grant security to Israel and to the countries of the region

"In coordination with Jordan, Israel will extend its sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.

"Arab residents of these areas will become citizens of Jordan (Palestine). Their status, their relationship to the two countries, and the nature of the administration in the populated areas will be formulated and set forth in an agreement between the governments of Israel and Jordan.

"What is promising about this plan is that it preserves and strengthens the nation of Israel and establishes a permanent solution to the Palestinian refugee problem. I am in the process of studying this plan and may have more to say about it in the near future."

TAKE ACTION

To study this alternative plan please visit http://www.IsraelinItiative.com

Imagine that…

Imagine that all trade to and from the U.S. came under the supervision of a superpower nation or international organization so that no products could be imported or exported without its approval and inspection. Imagine that the President, the Congress, and all other government officials were forbidden from traveling abroad unless they agree to certain conditions imposed by the superpower nation or world organization. Imagine that anyone traveling to and from the U.S. would also be subject to inspection under the supervision of a foreign power. What if this foreign power also prohibited the Armed Forces from developing certain weapons? What should we do if this were to happen? I would hope that Americans would see this as tyranny and defy the rules imposed upon it by this foreign power. The Declaration of Independence contains grievances against these very things and things even less tyrannical than this.

But this is what the majority of our short-sighted congressmen are in favor of doing to Iran. The bill which would authorize this action is called H. CON. RES. 362. (If the link doesn’t work, find it here.) It has 247 cosponsors which is more than enough votes to pass the House. The authors of this legislation insist that this is not a blockade. What else would you call it? This is the kind of language that is being used to justify this tyranny:

“Iran could have enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon as soon as late 2009…”

“…the possibility that Iran would share its nuclear materials and technology with others…”

Are we so depraved that we are going to attack a nation just because of “could haves” and “possibilities”? (Here we go again.) So what if Iran does have nukes. What gives us the right to attack them just because they have nukes? They are surrounded by other nations which either have nukes or are occupied by nations that have nukes (India, China, Pakistan, Russia, and Israel). Iran has been inspected nine times since 2003 and there have been no violations of the agreements they made with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). They may be in violation of U.N. resolutions, but so what? The U.S. is in violation of the resolutions of that tyrannical organization. And I’m glad that we are—we need to stand up to those tyrants.

The legislation also cites Iran’s support of Hamas and Hezbollah as a reason for this aggressive maneuver. If you don’t believe that this is hypocritical, click here.

Some people are saying that we should do this because of threats made by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. He called for Israel to be “wiped off the map” and has said that the holocaust is a myth. But he is just a mouth. The Mullahs have the real power in Iran. We should not go to war unless a real violation of the sovereignty of the United States (not Israel) has occurred and only against nations guilty of such a violation. Jesus said, “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:39)

“No options have been taken off the table.” This is an obvious prelude to war—as if the two that we are already in aren’t enough! Supporters of the bill are saying that this blockade will weaken Iran the way that the sanctions against Iraq weakened it, and then it will be easier to win a war against them. But mark my words, this will different (even bloodier). Saddam Hussein was not religious, but was just a greedy tyrant who didn’t care about the sanctions, just as long as he could dominate and terrorize his own people. Iraq was a deeply divided nation. But people of Iran are fully behind their government and driven by their nationalism and their common (Shi’a) religion. This time, we will have a war against a much stronger opponent and we will not “win the war” so easily this time, if at all. This nation is already literally bankrupt, and in desperate need of a budget overhaul. I predict that this will cost multi-trillions of dollars and tens of thousands of U.S. service men will be killed in this conflict.

Neoconservatives Tom Tancredo and my own congressman, Steve Chabot, are on the list of cosponsors for this bill, but so are ultraliberals like Barney Frank, Steny Hoyer, and Jesse Jackson, Jr. One congressman who would never support such legislation is Ron Paul. It is interesting that neither Duncan Hunter’s name nor Nancy Pelosi’s is on the list (yet). I will never vote for anyone who supports this bill unless they change positions. I am pro-life.

So, for whom should you vote for president? It doesn’t matter. McCain and even Obama are likely to support this bipartisan death bill. The Illinois senator clearly stated that we “cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. Barring divine intervention, we are headed for the worst war since WW II. But there is hope. This is a sign of Christ’s return. Jesus said, “And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that you are not troubled: for all these things must come to pass...” (Matthew 24:6) Be ready. If you need to get right with God, click here.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Hillary and Oh! Bomber 'er! Debate

This week I am taking a break from my series on third party and independent candidates for President (Republicrat Alternatives) to offer my comments on last weeks debate between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Hussein Obama. I just happened to be near a TV, and it just happened to be on. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t waste my time watching something like that.

First of all Obama looked pathetic as Hillary caught him in lie about taxes. Both had claimed that they would let the Bush tax cuts expire but not raise taxes further on anyone making less than about $200,000/year. But Obama admitted that he would raise the cap on payroll taxes and raise capital gains taxes, which would affect a lot of people making less than $200,000.

Hillary also attacked Obama for being associated with that bomber guy. Obama replied that he was associated with someone who favors putting people to death for abortion, but no one would think to ascribe to him this person’s views. Now think about this. Obama distancing himself from someone who wants to get tough on murderers…to prove a point that his associating with a murderer doesn’t necessary mean that he is murder sympathizer! Amazing!

Then Hillary and Obama proceeded to discuss under what circumstances they would go to war with Iran. Using the same threatening language that Bush used to sell us on the war with Iraq, the art of playing on the fears of the American people is alive and well. Now, how, may I ask, are you going to pay for this war if you don’t raise taxes on more than just the rich? The answer is we go deeper into debt and/or the government prints more money which causes inflation, which is the equivalent of a tax raise across the board for everyone. Don’t believe that the Democrats aren’t just as much in bed with the Industrial War Complex (Haliburton, oil companies, etc.) than the Republicans? Click here. Both Hillary and Obama said that they would go to war with Iran if they attacked another country, even countries other than U.S. and Israel.

There is good reason not to trust Hillary that she would pull out of Iraq, since she voted for the war in Iraq in the beginning. If you live in West Virginia, Indiana, North Carolina, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kentucky, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, or South Dakota register as a Republican and vote for the only true peace candidate, Ron Paul!

A Real Peace Plan

Note: Today, 4/7/07, marks the one year anniversary of this weblog. One year ago today A Good Choice weblog was born. Nearly 300 posts and over 3,000 unique hits ago this weblog grew out of the unsuccessful U.S. Senate (Ohio) campaign of Sam Keiser, Jr., who ran as a conservative Democrat in the 2006 Democrat Primary Election.

We have updated and will continue to improve the weblog for the ongoing intent to defend Judeo-Christian, Conservative American values and principles and to expose and oppose all those who seek to destroy or thwart them, both domestic and foreign.

As we have stated in our newly revised and renewed blog description and purpose statement above, “America is in the midst of a raging cultural and spiritual war. Forces of Good, Light, Conservatism and a Judeo-Christian Worldview daily battle the forces of Evil, Darkness, Socialism and False Religions and Philosophies. A Good Choice is on the frontlines exposing evil across America’s political and social spectrum.” To that purpose we are dedicated.

God bless you this Easter, and may He forgive and continue to bless America.

Open your Easter e-card here.

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