The other day I received a mailing from my old fraternity, the Kappa Sigs of Delta Chapter (Davidson College, N.C.).
It turns out that out of Davidson College's illustrious men's golf program that has produced 5 southern conference champions that 3 out of the 5 just happened to be Kappa Sigma.
Go figure!
When I was a Kappa Sig, football and track & field were the sports de jeur. Myself and Duncan Spears (both also Stuart Scholars which equalled Full Merit Scholarships as Christian Leaders!) were on the Track team together and Duncan, believe it or not, actually won the 400m men's Southern Conference Hurdles Championship. I, being an over-pumped offensive lineman, ended up as "All Academic Southern Conference" in Football.
But, as the historical records document, although Duncan & I were the best Kappa Sig athletes in our day (class of 1994) in other by-gone eras, Kappa Sigs represented the finest in men's golf!
And, for a modest donation starting at $2,500, I too could help support Kappa Sigs return to men's golf championship Glory!
Well, setting this humorous episode aside ($2,500 minimum donation sure had me chuckling! :-), the fact that I as a Kappa Sig would be called upon in Davidson Men's Golf "hour of need" (the team must really be hurting for money with minimum donations of $2,500!!!), demonstrates that whether we like it or not, and something I abhor, it is often less "what you know," but instead "who you know."
Unlike Duncan Spears and myself, both top-notch athletes who also boasted astronomical G.P.A.'s, many times things like hiring decisions, promotions, even Presidential candidacies are based less on merit and more on "who you know."
So, there you have it. Straight from the Kappa Sigma horse's mouth.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J. King, scholar-athlete for Jesus
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Foucault, "Madness" and How it All Came to Be . . .
In a fascinating romp through history, post-modern secular French philosopher Michel Foucault explores how "madness" or "insanity" has developed as a concept throughout medieval and modern/post-modern Western history.
In his acclaimed Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason, Foucault describes how once Western Europe conquered leprosy as a disease, the "empty sociological space" that the outcast leper once occupied must now be occupied by a different denizen of the Realm.
Whereas in the Middle Ages, the "madman" could range from annoying town fool to later being categorized as "mad" and sent off aboard a ship to avoid contact with normal society (the famous "Ship of Fools" metaphor is derived from this late medieval practice!), now, through the institutionalization of Christendom, the "madman" (along with the debtor, and the criminal) could be isolated in confinement.
Part of what I love about Foucault's work is his historical sensitivity and his ability to "imagine" how certain concepts that once meant a certain type of sociological arrangement in one era of history, could suddenly mean something entirely different in a new era of history.
In medieval France, the "madman" or "insane" person was little more than a town nuisance, yet once leprosy was conquered, a new "outcast" was needed, and thus the "insane person" suddenly fit the bill and was imprisoned as a result!
But is this the entire story?
Truly, as any graduate student in Theology, Ethics or Philosophy would know, Michel Foucault is one of the foremost philosophical voices of the late twentieth century.
But, although such scholarly acumen is praiseworthy, the Christian version of the story always remains different.
In the thought of Thomas Aquinas, Medieval Doctor of the Catholic Church, due to the unified Christian Governmental umbrella provided by the See at Rome, Christian Orthodoxy ruled. As such, rather than later secular understandings of 'rationality' prevailing in the High Middle Ages, to be 'rational' according to St. Thomas Aquinas was to have one's mind in conformity with God Who Is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Although Islam was encroaching both in North Africa and at the gates of Byzantium, to think of God as anyone other than Father, Son and Holy Spirit was heretical. Moreover, since a Trinitarian Christian society was assured "rationality" truly was nothing other than conformity to the Divine Mind as Revealed in Jesus Christ, the LOGOS.
Granted, such "LOGOS-theology" was more of an Eastern Greek emphasis yet, in Aquinas' own thought, such Patristic and Medieval Greek Thinkers are nonetheless a common resource for Aquinas.
Thus, in the Christian worldview, to be "rational" is to be "Jesus-like" for the Divine Mind is the source of all human rationality and only revealed through the LOGOS, either directly through Jesus Christ, or more indirectly as part of the divine rationality intrinsic to creation itself that can be found in the Natural Law, also emphasized by Thomas Aquinas.
Interestingly, this equating of "rationality" with Christian virtue is noticed by Foucault in an inverse sense when Foucault notes how "madness" was itself a "vice" in the Middle Ages (p. 24), but since Foucault is a philosopher and social commentator (and not a Theologian), the connection is not made here concerning how and why the "madman" moves from a mild sinner to a communal outcast, except of course through Foucault's excellent sociological commentary.
Therefore, in contradistinction, yet harmony with Foucault's analysis, the "birth of modern insanity" as a concept can be traced not simply to such social dislocation, but more importantly to the breakdown of Christendom itself!
First, with the Protestant Reformation and consequent splintering of ecclesial authority, and then with the encroaching secularism in the form of modern Enlightenment Thought (most notably, Immanuel Kant), "Rationality" increasingly became defined outside of any specifically Theological framework, either ecclesially OR epistemologically. "To be Rational" (for Kant and other Enlightenment Thinkers) soon became nothing other than being a well-educated European. Gone was the understanding that Rationality was to be defined by participation in the Triune God-head of Father, Son & Holy Spirit through the Divine LOGOS Who is Jesus Christ! Instead, to be "rational" soon became nothing other than to be well-educated!
In closing, in our own post-Christian society of the U.S.A., be very careful what you label as "mad or insane" because such categories are no longer defined by the Church of Jesus Christ (Catholic or Protestant), but instead are defined simply by whomever can wield enough political power to have someone institutionalized! In fact, even our beloved President George W. Bush was labelled by Democratic leader Howard Dean as being 'delusional . . .'
God help us if those god-less democrats ever get in power!
Blessings in Jesus Christ, the Source of ALL Rational Thought,
Rob J. King Thinker for Jesus . . .
In his acclaimed Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason, Foucault describes how once Western Europe conquered leprosy as a disease, the "empty sociological space" that the outcast leper once occupied must now be occupied by a different denizen of the Realm.
Whereas in the Middle Ages, the "madman" could range from annoying town fool to later being categorized as "mad" and sent off aboard a ship to avoid contact with normal society (the famous "Ship of Fools" metaphor is derived from this late medieval practice!), now, through the institutionalization of Christendom, the "madman" (along with the debtor, and the criminal) could be isolated in confinement.
Part of what I love about Foucault's work is his historical sensitivity and his ability to "imagine" how certain concepts that once meant a certain type of sociological arrangement in one era of history, could suddenly mean something entirely different in a new era of history.
In medieval France, the "madman" or "insane" person was little more than a town nuisance, yet once leprosy was conquered, a new "outcast" was needed, and thus the "insane person" suddenly fit the bill and was imprisoned as a result!
But is this the entire story?
Truly, as any graduate student in Theology, Ethics or Philosophy would know, Michel Foucault is one of the foremost philosophical voices of the late twentieth century.
But, although such scholarly acumen is praiseworthy, the Christian version of the story always remains different.
In the thought of Thomas Aquinas, Medieval Doctor of the Catholic Church, due to the unified Christian Governmental umbrella provided by the See at Rome, Christian Orthodoxy ruled. As such, rather than later secular understandings of 'rationality' prevailing in the High Middle Ages, to be 'rational' according to St. Thomas Aquinas was to have one's mind in conformity with God Who Is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Although Islam was encroaching both in North Africa and at the gates of Byzantium, to think of God as anyone other than Father, Son and Holy Spirit was heretical. Moreover, since a Trinitarian Christian society was assured "rationality" truly was nothing other than conformity to the Divine Mind as Revealed in Jesus Christ, the LOGOS.
Granted, such "LOGOS-theology" was more of an Eastern Greek emphasis yet, in Aquinas' own thought, such Patristic and Medieval Greek Thinkers are nonetheless a common resource for Aquinas.
Thus, in the Christian worldview, to be "rational" is to be "Jesus-like" for the Divine Mind is the source of all human rationality and only revealed through the LOGOS, either directly through Jesus Christ, or more indirectly as part of the divine rationality intrinsic to creation itself that can be found in the Natural Law, also emphasized by Thomas Aquinas.
Interestingly, this equating of "rationality" with Christian virtue is noticed by Foucault in an inverse sense when Foucault notes how "madness" was itself a "vice" in the Middle Ages (p. 24), but since Foucault is a philosopher and social commentator (and not a Theologian), the connection is not made here concerning how and why the "madman" moves from a mild sinner to a communal outcast, except of course through Foucault's excellent sociological commentary.
Therefore, in contradistinction, yet harmony with Foucault's analysis, the "birth of modern insanity" as a concept can be traced not simply to such social dislocation, but more importantly to the breakdown of Christendom itself!
First, with the Protestant Reformation and consequent splintering of ecclesial authority, and then with the encroaching secularism in the form of modern Enlightenment Thought (most notably, Immanuel Kant), "Rationality" increasingly became defined outside of any specifically Theological framework, either ecclesially OR epistemologically. "To be Rational" (for Kant and other Enlightenment Thinkers) soon became nothing other than being a well-educated European. Gone was the understanding that Rationality was to be defined by participation in the Triune God-head of Father, Son & Holy Spirit through the Divine LOGOS Who is Jesus Christ! Instead, to be "rational" soon became nothing other than to be well-educated!
In closing, in our own post-Christian society of the U.S.A., be very careful what you label as "mad or insane" because such categories are no longer defined by the Church of Jesus Christ (Catholic or Protestant), but instead are defined simply by whomever can wield enough political power to have someone institutionalized! In fact, even our beloved President George W. Bush was labelled by Democratic leader Howard Dean as being 'delusional . . .'
God help us if those god-less democrats ever get in power!
Blessings in Jesus Christ, the Source of ALL Rational Thought,
Rob J. King Thinker for Jesus . . .
Monday, July 30, 2007
The Return of Traditional Family Life, PROMISE and a warning . . .
Today, on the front page of the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, an article heralded the State of Florida's commitment to upholding a "Traditional" understanding of Family Life. Perhaps influenced by back-to-back G.O.P. Governors (the former Governor Jeb Bush, and current Governor Charlie Crist), it turns out that my home state is teaching young people to "wait until you are married" before having sex.
Praise the LORD!
Whereas in other states, the liberal "have sex but just don't get caught" perspective reigns, here in Florida, young people are being taught that abstinence before marriage is how to not get pregnant.
Imagine that! Traditional Family Life finally affirmed (rather than attacked, caricatured, belittled, etc.) at the official Governmental level.
Truly, in states such as Florida and Texas (another state mentioned in the article), Traditional Family Life seems to be making a come-back in certain areas of the Union.
But, with such PROMISE, also comes a warning!
Although the United States of America currently allows for baby-killing (post Roe v. Wade), and although the U.S.'s divorce laws have wreaked havoc on the American Family, just simply saying, "Do not have sex until you are married" is not the end-all, be-all answer.
What does it mean to "wait until you are married" when marriage itself is being jettisoned as a "Traditional" category. If men can "marry" each other, and if divorce is rampant (sometimes even "rewarding" the person who files for a divorce through state-assistance!), then if we are telling our children to "wait until they are married," then we may be sentencing them to confinement in an institution that has largely been destroyed by the State to begin with!
Just wait until you get married so we will now teach. But, in so doing, we must also outlaw homosexual 'marriage' at the State and Federal levels, and also promote a judicial system that makes divorce itself more difficult to obtain and never with State-assistance for such a divorce!
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J. King, Traditionalist
Praise the LORD!
Whereas in other states, the liberal "have sex but just don't get caught" perspective reigns, here in Florida, young people are being taught that abstinence before marriage is how to not get pregnant.
Imagine that! Traditional Family Life finally affirmed (rather than attacked, caricatured, belittled, etc.) at the official Governmental level.
Truly, in states such as Florida and Texas (another state mentioned in the article), Traditional Family Life seems to be making a come-back in certain areas of the Union.
But, with such PROMISE, also comes a warning!
Although the United States of America currently allows for baby-killing (post Roe v. Wade), and although the U.S.'s divorce laws have wreaked havoc on the American Family, just simply saying, "Do not have sex until you are married" is not the end-all, be-all answer.
What does it mean to "wait until you are married" when marriage itself is being jettisoned as a "Traditional" category. If men can "marry" each other, and if divorce is rampant (sometimes even "rewarding" the person who files for a divorce through state-assistance!), then if we are telling our children to "wait until they are married," then we may be sentencing them to confinement in an institution that has largely been destroyed by the State to begin with!
Just wait until you get married so we will now teach. But, in so doing, we must also outlaw homosexual 'marriage' at the State and Federal levels, and also promote a judicial system that makes divorce itself more difficult to obtain and never with State-assistance for such a divorce!
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J. King, Traditionalist
Friday, July 27, 2007
Secret wire-taps, NSA surveillance and "Do we need all of this???"
In Stephen Oates' excellent biography of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the files of the F.B.I. are cited as background references for recording of King's life. Sadly, although a non-violent man of the cloth, due to King's firm theological convictions, mixed with his Leadership ability, Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man under constant government surveillance.
Horrifically, according to Oates' biography, when M.L. King, Jr. was assassinated, a field agent at the F.B.I. office in Atlanta apparently gleefully stated, "I'm glad that they finally got that S.O.B. . . ."
This is America folks.
No, this was not America under the recent "War on Terror" legislation. This was America in 1968.
Secret wire-taps and government surveillance of good Christian Leaders (such as King) has been a recurring item for news reporters . . .
The question, of course, arises, "Do we need all of this Government surveillance?" Are we actually helping keep America safer (against Al Qaida and her network of terror)?
OR are we living in an American society in which our bloated federal bureaucracy has too much time on its hands, an over-lapping set of internal political agendas, etc., and thus our "spies" are actually increasingly spying on We the People of the United States of America?
Well, since our Vice President's office will not open itself to Congressional Review (part and parcel of what it means to have a tri-partite Government founded on the principle of "checks and balances on power!"), we are largely left in the dark, at least until figures like King are assassinated and the fed in question makes a historically bad decision . . .
From "that S.O.B." (to quote the F.B.I. agent according to Oates' biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.) to the Man who is known as the Father of the Civil Rights Movement and has streets named after him throughout America and even a National Holiday commemorating his life and work . . .
My own answer is that we should start slashing funding for any and all governmental surveillance that cannot be directly linked to sister groups of Al Qaida or Al Qaida herself, and then with strict Congressional oversight concerning "who" such suspected terrorists in fact are.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Candidate for Civil Liberties
Horrifically, according to Oates' biography, when M.L. King, Jr. was assassinated, a field agent at the F.B.I. office in Atlanta apparently gleefully stated, "I'm glad that they finally got that S.O.B. . . ."
This is America folks.
No, this was not America under the recent "War on Terror" legislation. This was America in 1968.
Secret wire-taps and government surveillance of good Christian Leaders (such as King) has been a recurring item for news reporters . . .
The question, of course, arises, "Do we need all of this Government surveillance?" Are we actually helping keep America safer (against Al Qaida and her network of terror)?
OR are we living in an American society in which our bloated federal bureaucracy has too much time on its hands, an over-lapping set of internal political agendas, etc., and thus our "spies" are actually increasingly spying on We the People of the United States of America?
Well, since our Vice President's office will not open itself to Congressional Review (part and parcel of what it means to have a tri-partite Government founded on the principle of "checks and balances on power!"), we are largely left in the dark, at least until figures like King are assassinated and the fed in question makes a historically bad decision . . .
From "that S.O.B." (to quote the F.B.I. agent according to Oates' biography of Martin Luther King, Jr.) to the Man who is known as the Father of the Civil Rights Movement and has streets named after him throughout America and even a National Holiday commemorating his life and work . . .
My own answer is that we should start slashing funding for any and all governmental surveillance that cannot be directly linked to sister groups of Al Qaida or Al Qaida herself, and then with strict Congressional oversight concerning "who" such suspected terrorists in fact are.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Candidate for Civil Liberties
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Homophobia, Hate-speech and homespun paranoia . . .
The other day I was talking to an Army Vet, an African American gentleman in his late 40's who was former 82nd Airborne.
Like a couple of old geezers (and I am only 35 going on 36!) we sat there lamenting the sorry, sad state of American public life.
We talked about the recent "gay pride" festival (1 month long) in St. Petersburg and how this was something that we definitely did not want children around.
We also talked about how "back in the day" in places like the 82nd Airborne, if someone was homosexual, the rest of the platoon would beat the snot out of the homosexual soldier Full Metal Jacket-style.
Although it was refreshing hearing a fellow brother not want to see homosexuality become normative in American society, obviously physical abuse is something that should be outlawed, whether the law is civil law or UCMJ. But, just because homosexuals, like any other citizen should be protected from physical harm (along with babies in utero!!!), this does not mean that "hate-speech" laws should be passed in the U.S.
Protecting someone from physical harm is one thing, but if two competing moral visions (Judeo-Christian vs. secular humanist) are currently struggling for supremacy in the U.S. to limit one's thought or speech (especially calling it "hate speech") is simply un-Constitutional.
Congress shall make no law limiting freedom of speech or the press so reads our Bill of Rights, yet increasingly on the Democrat side of the fence (especially in the far-left states such as Massachusetts!) the Bill of Rights is increasingly being ignored.
So, no, homosexuals should not be "whipped up on" Full Metal Jacket-style, but similarly, freedom of speech (and the ability to say that homosexual acts are sins) should similarly not be limited according to our own Constitution as American citizens.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Constitutionalist
Like a couple of old geezers (and I am only 35 going on 36!) we sat there lamenting the sorry, sad state of American public life.
We talked about the recent "gay pride" festival (1 month long) in St. Petersburg and how this was something that we definitely did not want children around.
We also talked about how "back in the day" in places like the 82nd Airborne, if someone was homosexual, the rest of the platoon would beat the snot out of the homosexual soldier Full Metal Jacket-style.
Although it was refreshing hearing a fellow brother not want to see homosexuality become normative in American society, obviously physical abuse is something that should be outlawed, whether the law is civil law or UCMJ. But, just because homosexuals, like any other citizen should be protected from physical harm (along with babies in utero!!!), this does not mean that "hate-speech" laws should be passed in the U.S.
Protecting someone from physical harm is one thing, but if two competing moral visions (Judeo-Christian vs. secular humanist) are currently struggling for supremacy in the U.S. to limit one's thought or speech (especially calling it "hate speech") is simply un-Constitutional.
Congress shall make no law limiting freedom of speech or the press so reads our Bill of Rights, yet increasingly on the Democrat side of the fence (especially in the far-left states such as Massachusetts!) the Bill of Rights is increasingly being ignored.
So, no, homosexuals should not be "whipped up on" Full Metal Jacket-style, but similarly, freedom of speech (and the ability to say that homosexual acts are sins) should similarly not be limited according to our own Constitution as American citizens.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Constitutionalist
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Academia, the Church and the Future Secularism
In a strange recent turn of events, I have become increasingly more 'secular' in my perspective. Granted, I am about as "conservative" of a Christian believer as one would ever find (believing that all people must call upon the Name Jesus to be saved, not believing in artificial means of contraception, etc.), but, as an "ultra-conservative" Christian, I am coming to see the need for a "provisional future secularism."
So what would this future secularism look like?
Sadly, through my experiences with both Corporate America and with the Military, neither of these overlapping sets of institutions seem to be ethical enough to provide the "safe naked public square" where people of all faith or of no faith can meet.
Corporate America is often greedy, denying its workers health care or even arguing against a minimum wage increase that is merely calibrated to yearly inflation.
The Military (and not to denigrate the MANY fine men & women who serve in uniform), sadly, is built on an unquestioning chain-of-command in which those at the top can often lie, act unethically, and due solely to "tenure" (military rank is based upon time in service, not ability), are often difficult to confront. Sure, there are avenues for bringing a complaint against a senior officer, but sadly, many such whistle-blowers are silenced immediately with little recourse other than to request a discharge from the service.
But what about the Academic Guild?
Here the answer is opaque, but at least the better of the three options for secular authority. At its best, academic leaders can assume positions of great secular authority and lead with panache, say for example, former Provost of Stanford University, Condoleeza Rice. Other times, the academic world is just as power-hungry and corrupt as Corporate America or the Military.
But, and an important but, due to the intrinsic nature of evaluation of Academic Power (for example standardized test scores such as the S.A.T. or G.R.E.), although a wayward professor may act unethically (for example giving a Born Again Christian a lower grade due to his/her religious beliefs), due to the standardization of evaluation (academic papers, quizzes, etc.) the ability to abuse power is more limited.
Having said all of this, however, the secularism of which I am speaking obviously pales in comparison to the Church, God's Kingdom here on earth. When all others fail, it is the true believer in Jesus the Messiah who has stood by me, whether that person was an Opus Dei numerary helping me through a rough divorce, an Evangelical Protestant Professor praying with me during a dark hour or most recently, a delightful Episcopalian Vicar whose High Church Orthodoxy gives me the "bread for the journey" each Sunday in order to get back out on the secular playing field as an Offensive Lineman for Jesus safe-guarding the flock of Jesus-People from whomever may try to harm them . . .
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Offensive Lineman for Jesus in the Football Game of Secular America
So what would this future secularism look like?
Sadly, through my experiences with both Corporate America and with the Military, neither of these overlapping sets of institutions seem to be ethical enough to provide the "safe naked public square" where people of all faith or of no faith can meet.
Corporate America is often greedy, denying its workers health care or even arguing against a minimum wage increase that is merely calibrated to yearly inflation.
The Military (and not to denigrate the MANY fine men & women who serve in uniform), sadly, is built on an unquestioning chain-of-command in which those at the top can often lie, act unethically, and due solely to "tenure" (military rank is based upon time in service, not ability), are often difficult to confront. Sure, there are avenues for bringing a complaint against a senior officer, but sadly, many such whistle-blowers are silenced immediately with little recourse other than to request a discharge from the service.
But what about the Academic Guild?
Here the answer is opaque, but at least the better of the three options for secular authority. At its best, academic leaders can assume positions of great secular authority and lead with panache, say for example, former Provost of Stanford University, Condoleeza Rice. Other times, the academic world is just as power-hungry and corrupt as Corporate America or the Military.
But, and an important but, due to the intrinsic nature of evaluation of Academic Power (for example standardized test scores such as the S.A.T. or G.R.E.), although a wayward professor may act unethically (for example giving a Born Again Christian a lower grade due to his/her religious beliefs), due to the standardization of evaluation (academic papers, quizzes, etc.) the ability to abuse power is more limited.
Having said all of this, however, the secularism of which I am speaking obviously pales in comparison to the Church, God's Kingdom here on earth. When all others fail, it is the true believer in Jesus the Messiah who has stood by me, whether that person was an Opus Dei numerary helping me through a rough divorce, an Evangelical Protestant Professor praying with me during a dark hour or most recently, a delightful Episcopalian Vicar whose High Church Orthodoxy gives me the "bread for the journey" each Sunday in order to get back out on the secular playing field as an Offensive Lineman for Jesus safe-guarding the flock of Jesus-People from whomever may try to harm them . . .
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Offensive Lineman for Jesus in the Football Game of Secular America
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Divorce Court, The Panopoly of State-Assisted Kidnapping and a Troubled Generation . . .
The other day I was reading in a leading conservative periodical concerning the plight of many children 'abused by the system' in places such as Massachusetts.
Basically, what has been happening (according to this journal and common knowledge among Father's Rights advocacy groups) is that in many of the more far-left leaning states (Massachusetts, upstate New York, etc.) that supposed "Child Protective" agencies have become something out of a horror flick.
Children are being abducted by the state, turned over to "child protective" agencies and removed from many God-fearing homes, all on flimsy "hearsay" evidence.
Take the example of one family who brought their child in for a physician's check up, were told by the doctor that the child needed more calcium in his diet, but then due to a mix-up at the hospital (and a political dispute between two physicians!) Massachusetts Child Protective Services was called, the child was taken (on falsified information by one of the physicians) and had been left in state-custody.
Two parents with their child ripped from their home, all because of State bureaucracy that fouled up the story, but then due to the legal loophole, unable to get their child back!
This was a family that was a normal American family, from an upper class home, but then due to misinformation (low calcium misreported as "child abuse") the family was left with no recourse legally.
Sadly, this phenomenon (most prevalent in divorce/custody cases in which one spouse "flees" with the children--called "child flight" and something quite illegal in itself . . .) is a recurring news item now.
Granted, such stories are the exception, rather than the rule, BUT the fact that State bureaucracies are increasingly interfering in normal American family life is quite alarming.
This of course raises the question of "what is the role of the state" regarding family life? Should divorce be treated as a civil law issue at all? Additionally, now that some states are beginning to legalize "same-sex union" (sodomy, a former crime is now celebrated as "marriage" in direct contrast to Judeo-Christian teaching regarding sexual ethics . . .), should Jews and Christians even recognize state authority over the Family?
In some places, for example the ultra-liberal portion of South Africa, Greek Orthodox priests will not even perform "civil law" marriages any more. Granted in places like South Africa, or even Massachusetts, the good of liberalism also exists, for example, anti-discrimination laws to protect racial minorities. But, with the good of liberalism, has also come the evil side of liberalism in which Christianity itself is under severe attack.
What will happen to the next generation as this State-Assisted Kidnapping continues?
Should the State have this power according to the Constitution which is based in unalienable rights? Would not the right to raise one's family according to the tenets of one's religious convictions be an unalienable right protected by the First Amendment? For example, would the heretical christian off-shoot group the Jehovah's Witnesses be labelled as "child abusers" for refusing blood transfusions for their children when such a prohibition is intrinsically a part of their religious identity?
Although I am not a Jehovah's Witness, and to be frank I have STRONG opinions about how wrong their 'version' of christian belief may be, within the United States of America, should the state dictate to them how to raise their children in accordance with their religious beliefs?
Well, the Constitutional answer is that Congress (or a state agency!) should make NO law prohibiting the FREE EXERCISE of religion, and those acts that are not physically harmful to a child should not be outlawed or criminalized.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Defender and Supporter of the Constitution
Basically, what has been happening (according to this journal and common knowledge among Father's Rights advocacy groups) is that in many of the more far-left leaning states (Massachusetts, upstate New York, etc.) that supposed "Child Protective" agencies have become something out of a horror flick.
Children are being abducted by the state, turned over to "child protective" agencies and removed from many God-fearing homes, all on flimsy "hearsay" evidence.
Take the example of one family who brought their child in for a physician's check up, were told by the doctor that the child needed more calcium in his diet, but then due to a mix-up at the hospital (and a political dispute between two physicians!) Massachusetts Child Protective Services was called, the child was taken (on falsified information by one of the physicians) and had been left in state-custody.
Two parents with their child ripped from their home, all because of State bureaucracy that fouled up the story, but then due to the legal loophole, unable to get their child back!
This was a family that was a normal American family, from an upper class home, but then due to misinformation (low calcium misreported as "child abuse") the family was left with no recourse legally.
Sadly, this phenomenon (most prevalent in divorce/custody cases in which one spouse "flees" with the children--called "child flight" and something quite illegal in itself . . .) is a recurring news item now.
Granted, such stories are the exception, rather than the rule, BUT the fact that State bureaucracies are increasingly interfering in normal American family life is quite alarming.
This of course raises the question of "what is the role of the state" regarding family life? Should divorce be treated as a civil law issue at all? Additionally, now that some states are beginning to legalize "same-sex union" (sodomy, a former crime is now celebrated as "marriage" in direct contrast to Judeo-Christian teaching regarding sexual ethics . . .), should Jews and Christians even recognize state authority over the Family?
In some places, for example the ultra-liberal portion of South Africa, Greek Orthodox priests will not even perform "civil law" marriages any more. Granted in places like South Africa, or even Massachusetts, the good of liberalism also exists, for example, anti-discrimination laws to protect racial minorities. But, with the good of liberalism, has also come the evil side of liberalism in which Christianity itself is under severe attack.
What will happen to the next generation as this State-Assisted Kidnapping continues?
Should the State have this power according to the Constitution which is based in unalienable rights? Would not the right to raise one's family according to the tenets of one's religious convictions be an unalienable right protected by the First Amendment? For example, would the heretical christian off-shoot group the Jehovah's Witnesses be labelled as "child abusers" for refusing blood transfusions for their children when such a prohibition is intrinsically a part of their religious identity?
Although I am not a Jehovah's Witness, and to be frank I have STRONG opinions about how wrong their 'version' of christian belief may be, within the United States of America, should the state dictate to them how to raise their children in accordance with their religious beliefs?
Well, the Constitutional answer is that Congress (or a state agency!) should make NO law prohibiting the FREE EXERCISE of religion, and those acts that are not physically harmful to a child should not be outlawed or criminalized.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Defender and Supporter of the Constitution
Monday, July 23, 2007
Re-Claiming the American Republic for Americans ...
American the beautiful, America the courageous has recently devolved into "America the paranoid" . . .
From the War on Terror we now have secret NSA phone taps on ordinary citizens (citizens who likely have nothing to do with Al Qaida and may not even be Islamic!).
From the War on Terror we can now seize property (recent Executive Branch decree--thank you Chad Lupkes, Activist from Seattle, WA for alerting me to this paranoia!).
From the War on Terror we can now hold enemy combatants indefinitely, and through the Military Commissions Act of 2006, hold these people indefinitely on circumstantial evidence only and even hold them if a jury acquits them.
In 2007 I stood up and asked Senate Judiciary Chair (Democrat) Patrick Leahy about what to do about this break down in American jurisprudence.
Patrick Leahy, similar to the good Senator from Arizona John McCain was absolutely delighted that a Republican (especially one as ultra-conservative as myself, for example on the Pro-Life issue) could join forces to address this problem afflicting our Nation.
Contrary to the police state that we were in danger of becoming, however, through good men like Senator Leahy and Senator McCain, we are now on the path of correcting these abuses.
Will you now join myself, join Chad Lupkes and join many other progressives and conservatives in our attempt to reclaim the American Republic for true-blue Americans.
Whether Hispanic or English, whether Black or Asian, whether Democrat or Republican, we must stand together and reclaim America for Americans.
Blessings in Jesus for a united America,
Rob J King
From the War on Terror we now have secret NSA phone taps on ordinary citizens (citizens who likely have nothing to do with Al Qaida and may not even be Islamic!).
From the War on Terror we can now seize property (recent Executive Branch decree--thank you Chad Lupkes, Activist from Seattle, WA for alerting me to this paranoia!).
From the War on Terror we can now hold enemy combatants indefinitely, and through the Military Commissions Act of 2006, hold these people indefinitely on circumstantial evidence only and even hold them if a jury acquits them.
In 2007 I stood up and asked Senate Judiciary Chair (Democrat) Patrick Leahy about what to do about this break down in American jurisprudence.
Patrick Leahy, similar to the good Senator from Arizona John McCain was absolutely delighted that a Republican (especially one as ultra-conservative as myself, for example on the Pro-Life issue) could join forces to address this problem afflicting our Nation.
Contrary to the police state that we were in danger of becoming, however, through good men like Senator Leahy and Senator McCain, we are now on the path of correcting these abuses.
Will you now join myself, join Chad Lupkes and join many other progressives and conservatives in our attempt to reclaim the American Republic for true-blue Americans.
Whether Hispanic or English, whether Black or Asian, whether Democrat or Republican, we must stand together and reclaim America for Americans.
Blessings in Jesus for a united America,
Rob J King
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Salsa nights & rosaries . . .
So what will the new America look like?
Well, contrary to racists such as Mitt Romney who want to milk the 'illegal immigration' issue all of the way to the White House, the NEW AMERICA, whether one wants it this way or not, will be increasingly Hispanic.
Take last night for instance.
I enjoyed a "multi-cultural" night of shrimp lo mein, followed by smoking a Cuban cigar and speaking with a fellow Latino family at a "salsa" night.
Yes, China will always be a major economic power. Yes, we will continue to buy fuji film. But the actual population of the United States of America will be increasingly Latino.
Salsa nights & rosaries!
Granted, much of the population of Latin America is becoming increasingly Pentecostal (both inside and outside of the Catholic Church), but any way you shake it, the next 50 - 60 years will see an increasing Latinization of the United States.
From "J-Lo" to "Yo quiero taco bell" to the cigar-smoking phenom (a product of Latin American and especially Cuban culture), the United States is increasingly Hispanic.
Given high birth rates, a strong work ethic, and lower rates of abortion, plus legal immigration, the Spanish-speaking population will soon become the dominant cultural force of the mid to late twenty first century.
I, as a half-Puerto Rican, who was raised to be a strong Christian by my Spanish mom (a staunch Catholic from New York) applaud this as a way forward especially since Hispanic culture has proven itself to be especially fertile soil for the proclamation of the Christian Gospel (similar to the U.S. African-American population with its own high rate of Christian fidelity).
So, there you have it. Salsa nights & rosaries. J-Lo and yo quiero taco bell . . .
Rob J King, christiano
Well, contrary to racists such as Mitt Romney who want to milk the 'illegal immigration' issue all of the way to the White House, the NEW AMERICA, whether one wants it this way or not, will be increasingly Hispanic.
Take last night for instance.
I enjoyed a "multi-cultural" night of shrimp lo mein, followed by smoking a Cuban cigar and speaking with a fellow Latino family at a "salsa" night.
Yes, China will always be a major economic power. Yes, we will continue to buy fuji film. But the actual population of the United States of America will be increasingly Latino.
Salsa nights & rosaries!
Granted, much of the population of Latin America is becoming increasingly Pentecostal (both inside and outside of the Catholic Church), but any way you shake it, the next 50 - 60 years will see an increasing Latinization of the United States.
From "J-Lo" to "Yo quiero taco bell" to the cigar-smoking phenom (a product of Latin American and especially Cuban culture), the United States is increasingly Hispanic.
Given high birth rates, a strong work ethic, and lower rates of abortion, plus legal immigration, the Spanish-speaking population will soon become the dominant cultural force of the mid to late twenty first century.
I, as a half-Puerto Rican, who was raised to be a strong Christian by my Spanish mom (a staunch Catholic from New York) applaud this as a way forward especially since Hispanic culture has proven itself to be especially fertile soil for the proclamation of the Christian Gospel (similar to the U.S. African-American population with its own high rate of Christian fidelity).
So, there you have it. Salsa nights & rosaries. J-Lo and yo quiero taco bell . . .
Rob J King, christiano
Friday, July 20, 2007
Gentrified Living OR Racism?
The African American community in my hometown of St. Petersburg is currently in an uproar!
Homes that once were owned by stable, working class African Americans are currently being swallowed up by the financial system in which only the billionaires have enough clout to make an impact on the real estate market.
But is "gentrified living" necessarily racist?
I would argue not!
For the most part, those who are labelled "yuppy" really have no money at all.
Yes, the upper middle class can afford the BMW, but with the beemer also comes auto loan payments, mortgages that most upper middle class people cannot afford and a 60 hour work week (either as a nurse, hotel manager, public school teacher, etc.) that drains people of time and energy.
No, rather than the "yuppy" who is probably living with at least $10,000 of consumer debt to fund their car, townhouse, etc., the true problem lies with the "billionaire boys club" of CEO's, banking executives, etc. who attain massive amounts of capital often with mediocre academic records, and all because they just happened to "join the right fraternity" in college (I should know, I was a former "frat boy" who saw many of these low-achieving drunkards with 2.1 GPA's suddenly swoop up all of the "posh" Bank of America and Nations Bank banking executive jobs).
You know, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, and suddenly you're in the billionaire boys club.
Well, my friends, rather than blaming the school teacher, the nurse, the professor, et al who happens to drink scotch and smoke Cuesta Rey cigars (all on a meager budget!), instead, direct the attack at the banker, the CEO who has billions of our dollars stashed away and will only "share" if you agree to paying him 8% - 10% interest . . .
Gentrified living, yes!
Racism, NEVER!
Love & blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Cuesta Rey smoker
Homes that once were owned by stable, working class African Americans are currently being swallowed up by the financial system in which only the billionaires have enough clout to make an impact on the real estate market.
But is "gentrified living" necessarily racist?
I would argue not!
For the most part, those who are labelled "yuppy" really have no money at all.
Yes, the upper middle class can afford the BMW, but with the beemer also comes auto loan payments, mortgages that most upper middle class people cannot afford and a 60 hour work week (either as a nurse, hotel manager, public school teacher, etc.) that drains people of time and energy.
No, rather than the "yuppy" who is probably living with at least $10,000 of consumer debt to fund their car, townhouse, etc., the true problem lies with the "billionaire boys club" of CEO's, banking executives, etc. who attain massive amounts of capital often with mediocre academic records, and all because they just happened to "join the right fraternity" in college (I should know, I was a former "frat boy" who saw many of these low-achieving drunkards with 2.1 GPA's suddenly swoop up all of the "posh" Bank of America and Nations Bank banking executive jobs).
You know, wink, wink, nudge, nudge, and suddenly you're in the billionaire boys club.
Well, my friends, rather than blaming the school teacher, the nurse, the professor, et al who happens to drink scotch and smoke Cuesta Rey cigars (all on a meager budget!), instead, direct the attack at the banker, the CEO who has billions of our dollars stashed away and will only "share" if you agree to paying him 8% - 10% interest . . .
Gentrified living, yes!
Racism, NEVER!
Love & blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Cuesta Rey smoker
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Do We Have TRUE Freedom of Religion in the U.S.A.?
"In God we trust" is printed on our currency. "One Nation Under God . . ." was added to the National Pledge of Allegiance back in the 1950's after substantial lobbying by the Catholic Men's Group the Knights of Columbus.
But WHO exactly is the "American" God?
Is the American God the "god of nature" (sic) of whom the Declaration of Independence replete with Enlightenment philosophical (deist-unitarian) thought is filled?
Is the American God the "god of war" akin to the roman god "mars" as Ethicist (Time Magazine's "Best Theologian in America") and mentor Stanley Hauerwas opines?
Is the American God "Allah" as the Islamic world would prefer?
Is the American God "jehovah" as the Jehovah's Witnesses heretical Christian sect would want the Jewish name YHWH mistranslated as being?
OR is the American God Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Christianity believes?
Well, to be frank, I think that most Americans have a view of God that is essentially "unitarian" as if "god" were some old man in the sky whom Homer Simpson encounters on the TV cartoon The Simpsons. Nope, not the "Blessed Trinity" of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but instead a caricatured old man living in the sky somewhere "up there" is probably what most Americans think when they use the word "God."
Well, contrary to any view of God that is not Christian, I would like to quote Theologian and Doctor of the Catholic Church, Thomas Aquinas.
Regarding the Divine Relations, Thomas writes, "The Father is denominated only from paternity, and the Son only from filiation." In other words, God is "One" and God the Father is distinct from God the Son (Jesus) only through their relationality as Father and Son . . .
Then regarding the number of Divine Persons in the God-head, Thomas writes, "Therefore only three persons exist in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
So . . . do we agree on this Christian view of God as Americans?
Well, of course not!
Christians believe in the Trinity. Jews believe that God is ONE. Muslems believe that God is ONE also and that Mohammed is the final prophet.
Can the Christian understanding of God be fully expressed in public, say through praying at military funerals to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Currently, the answer is no.
As a result, it is necessary to speak out against such abuses of religious freedom whereby Christian religious speech is censored. To this end, I delivered a paper entitled "One Nation under YHWH" at the American Experiment Religious Freedom Conference (Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was the keynote speaker even . . . maybe he overheard the argument? :-)
Practice your faith openly and boldly.
To not have freedom of religion as Christians is simply un-American.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Trinitarian candidate
But WHO exactly is the "American" God?
Is the American God the "god of nature" (sic) of whom the Declaration of Independence replete with Enlightenment philosophical (deist-unitarian) thought is filled?
Is the American God the "god of war" akin to the roman god "mars" as Ethicist (Time Magazine's "Best Theologian in America") and mentor Stanley Hauerwas opines?
Is the American God "Allah" as the Islamic world would prefer?
Is the American God "jehovah" as the Jehovah's Witnesses heretical Christian sect would want the Jewish name YHWH mistranslated as being?
OR is the American God Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Christianity believes?
Well, to be frank, I think that most Americans have a view of God that is essentially "unitarian" as if "god" were some old man in the sky whom Homer Simpson encounters on the TV cartoon The Simpsons. Nope, not the "Blessed Trinity" of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but instead a caricatured old man living in the sky somewhere "up there" is probably what most Americans think when they use the word "God."
Well, contrary to any view of God that is not Christian, I would like to quote Theologian and Doctor of the Catholic Church, Thomas Aquinas.
Regarding the Divine Relations, Thomas writes, "The Father is denominated only from paternity, and the Son only from filiation." In other words, God is "One" and God the Father is distinct from God the Son (Jesus) only through their relationality as Father and Son . . .
Then regarding the number of Divine Persons in the God-head, Thomas writes, "Therefore only three persons exist in God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
So . . . do we agree on this Christian view of God as Americans?
Well, of course not!
Christians believe in the Trinity. Jews believe that God is ONE. Muslems believe that God is ONE also and that Mohammed is the final prophet.
Can the Christian understanding of God be fully expressed in public, say through praying at military funerals to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Currently, the answer is no.
As a result, it is necessary to speak out against such abuses of religious freedom whereby Christian religious speech is censored. To this end, I delivered a paper entitled "One Nation under YHWH" at the American Experiment Religious Freedom Conference (Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia was the keynote speaker even . . . maybe he overheard the argument? :-)
Practice your faith openly and boldly.
To not have freedom of religion as Christians is simply un-American.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Trinitarian candidate
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Why Democrats are Evil People, Come on, $10 tax per cigar!
| I am convinced now that Democrats really are evil people. Well, okay, I have the highest respect for good Democrats such as Senators Lieberman and Leahy, two independent-minded Senators who do not follow the "ideological herd" of liberalism (not to mention my good liberal friend Chad Lupkes, an Activist from Seattle). But other than these few figures, the Democratic Party is just plain evil . . . Case in point, just today I read in the St. Petersburg Times business section how the pro-Latino cigar industry might face (get this!) a new round of Democratic "tax & spend" taxes on luxury items. Whereas cigarettes would only be taxed $1 per carton (fairly minor and about the cost of inflation anyway!), cigars would be taxed 10,000 % with taxes raised from 5 cents per cigar to the potential of $10 per cigar! $10 tax per cigar! Oy vei . . . The tax on these alone would literally drive this pro-Latino business out of business . . . And all for what? Well, here the cause seems "just," that is in order to fund health care for children who live just above the poverty line. But, $10 per cigar to fund this noble effort? What are the Democrats doing, smoking crack? Just imagine the scenes at the local cigar shops. Some innocent Cuban man walks into the cigar humidor, already willing to pay $7 for a Cuesta Rey (the finest of cigars), and then suddenly the sticker would read $17 for the same Cuesta Rey! Ay Dios mio! Truly, the Democrats are evil people. Let's blame Cuban men for all of the nation's problems so says the Democratic Party. Let's focus on universal health care for children while we advocate abortion-as-means-of-birth control. How about this Democrats? Let us Republicans now tax YOU. We will go over to Seattle, L.A. and San Francisco and tax your prissy little health food stores and yoga studios. So, you would like a "soy milk/all-natural/protein/chi smoothie?" Well, the Republican Party just passed a health food store tax of $10 per soy milk smoothie . . . that will be $17 for your smoothie please . . . :-) And, yes, the G.O.P. is taxing all of your hypocritical health food, yoga studio, anti-smoking establishments in order to keep you liberals from killing off your own babies whenever y'all get pregnant and want to dispose of your children . . . Yep, the Democrats are evil. Vote Rob J King for a cigar-smoking, Latino-business favoring, PRO-LIFE, EVANGELICAL CATHOLIC Nueva Americana . . . Con carino en Jesucristo, Rob J King, cigaro-afficianado |
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Who Will Be the Next President of the U.S.A.?
Who will be the next President of the United States of America?
A 'manager' from the Mormon sect named "Mitt"?
A Pro-Abortionist from NYC named "Rudy"?
A good Senator from AZ named John?
OR is it too early to tell . . .
My own thoughts are that it is too early to tell. Similar to calling a Football Game "over" when the score is 3 - 0 with 13:33 left in the First Quarter, so also is it way too early to name a new President . . .
My own personal favorite is well, me :-)
Okay, setting aside the Davidson College-Duke University-University of Notre Dame "ego" (pretty large ego at that . . . verging on "super-ego" to use Freud's terms :-), I really do believe that I am much better qualified than any of the contenders. Men of lesser character, men further removed from upholding Judeo-Christian Moral Teaching and men, well sorry for the "ego" but men much less intelligent than I am.
Okay, really the only person running for President who is even close to my intellectual level (full tuition scholarships to Davidson, Duke & Notre Dame, I must remind you!) is, well, Hillary Clinton. Hillary, in spite of her flaming liberalism (she is from New York now apparently . . . :) is nonetheless a worthy intellectual foe. She is an attorney.
Well, setting aside "intelligence for hire" (a.k.a. being an attorney), unlike myself, General Petreus (Ph.D. Princeton) or Condoleeza Rice (former provost of Stanford), Hillary, although intelligent, is still not that intelligent! Stanford, Notre Dame, Princeton doctoral level far exceeds ANY attorney whom I have met . . .
So, if you want an intelligent choice for President, consider Rob J. King. I will tell you ahead of time that I will "load the deck" not with "cronies" but with straight up intelligent, virtuous leaders. Men & women of the caliber of Condoleeza Rice, General Petreus, et al. If you are some telemarketer with a 2.0 GPA from a community college, well then I am sorry, even if you donate tons of money, you are simply not intelligent enough to serve in the King Administration and similar to the Graduate School at Notre Dame, you need not apply. No Monica Lewinsky interns, please. Only people who are serious about their studies. Only people who are intelligent. Only people who are willing to serve.
Thank you for supporting a "new vision" of America based on Virtue, based on Intelligence, based on Loyalty.
Love in Jesus,
Rob J King, B.A. 3.6 GPA; M.Div. 3.6 GPA; Th.M. 3.9 GPA; Ph.D. studies 3.74 GPA
A 'manager' from the Mormon sect named "Mitt"?
A Pro-Abortionist from NYC named "Rudy"?
A good Senator from AZ named John?
OR is it too early to tell . . .
My own thoughts are that it is too early to tell. Similar to calling a Football Game "over" when the score is 3 - 0 with 13:33 left in the First Quarter, so also is it way too early to name a new President . . .
My own personal favorite is well, me :-)
Okay, setting aside the Davidson College-Duke University-University of Notre Dame "ego" (pretty large ego at that . . . verging on "super-ego" to use Freud's terms :-), I really do believe that I am much better qualified than any of the contenders. Men of lesser character, men further removed from upholding Judeo-Christian Moral Teaching and men, well sorry for the "ego" but men much less intelligent than I am.
Okay, really the only person running for President who is even close to my intellectual level (full tuition scholarships to Davidson, Duke & Notre Dame, I must remind you!) is, well, Hillary Clinton. Hillary, in spite of her flaming liberalism (she is from New York now apparently . . . :) is nonetheless a worthy intellectual foe. She is an attorney.
Well, setting aside "intelligence for hire" (a.k.a. being an attorney), unlike myself, General Petreus (Ph.D. Princeton) or Condoleeza Rice (former provost of Stanford), Hillary, although intelligent, is still not that intelligent! Stanford, Notre Dame, Princeton doctoral level far exceeds ANY attorney whom I have met . . .
So, if you want an intelligent choice for President, consider Rob J. King. I will tell you ahead of time that I will "load the deck" not with "cronies" but with straight up intelligent, virtuous leaders. Men & women of the caliber of Condoleeza Rice, General Petreus, et al. If you are some telemarketer with a 2.0 GPA from a community college, well then I am sorry, even if you donate tons of money, you are simply not intelligent enough to serve in the King Administration and similar to the Graduate School at Notre Dame, you need not apply. No Monica Lewinsky interns, please. Only people who are serious about their studies. Only people who are intelligent. Only people who are willing to serve.
Thank you for supporting a "new vision" of America based on Virtue, based on Intelligence, based on Loyalty.
Love in Jesus,
Rob J King, B.A. 3.6 GPA; M.Div. 3.6 GPA; Th.M. 3.9 GPA; Ph.D. studies 3.74 GPA
Friday, July 13, 2007
What is "Conservatism"? A Pointed Question for the non-McCain/Bush/Reagan Republican Party
What is conservatism?
At one point (the time of Abe Lincoln, the time of Ronald Reagan, the years 2000 - 2005), being "conservative" was fairly straightforward.
Pro-Judeo-Christian Ethics (for example STRONG Pro-Life stand, STRONG Pro-heterosexual stand, etc.).
Pro-Western Historic Civilization (i.e. Christendom!).
Pro-Free Market Economies.
But, today, in 2007, as we gear up for the 2008 Presidential Election, being "conservative" apparently ONLY means being a "rich Mormon" or being a "rich New Yorker."
Rudy Giuliani is pro-abortion, yet the Republican Party "conveniently" overlooks this point (along with "overlooking" G.O.P. Governor Arnold Swartzeneggar's own Pro-Abortion stand!).
Mitt Romney, although presumably Pro-Life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), is still nonetheless, NOT in favor of the Historic Christian Church upon which Western Civilization was built.
From St. Augustine's De Trinitate through St. Thomas Aquinas, John Wesley (and other Protestant Reformers such as Luther, Calvin and even Zwingli), God is One-in-Three, the Triune God-head of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
But, rather than supporting Traditional Catholic and Orthodox Protestant Republicans (and also Faithful Jews, brothers in the Abrahamic Covenant), the Republican Party is lifting up a sect that is opposed to Christian Salvation itself. Martyrs throughout Church History have defended the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, Fully Human and Fully Divine. Kings, such as Edward the Confessor, Saint of the Catholic Church, have similarly upheld such Trinitarian Theology for the salvation of all lost souls in purgatory and for the salvation of all mankind. Yet, the Republican Party lifts up an Abortion Rights Supporter (Giuliani) and someone of a sect opposed to Orthodox Christendom (Romney).
LORD Jesus, save us from the Republican Party's current leadership!
LORD Jesus, please return the G.O.P. to men and women of Noble Character such as Abe Lincoln, George W. Bush and John McCain.
LORD Jesus, deliver us from the likes of Romney and Giuliani.
Jesus, You ARE KING of kings and LORD of lords.
In your Name LORD Jesus, do I pray,
Rob J King, Trinitarian Christian
At one point (the time of Abe Lincoln, the time of Ronald Reagan, the years 2000 - 2005), being "conservative" was fairly straightforward.
Pro-Judeo-Christian Ethics (for example STRONG Pro-Life stand, STRONG Pro-heterosexual stand, etc.).
Pro-Western Historic Civilization (i.e. Christendom!).
Pro-Free Market Economies.
But, today, in 2007, as we gear up for the 2008 Presidential Election, being "conservative" apparently ONLY means being a "rich Mormon" or being a "rich New Yorker."
Rudy Giuliani is pro-abortion, yet the Republican Party "conveniently" overlooks this point (along with "overlooking" G.O.P. Governor Arnold Swartzeneggar's own Pro-Abortion stand!).
Mitt Romney, although presumably Pro-Life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), is still nonetheless, NOT in favor of the Historic Christian Church upon which Western Civilization was built.
From St. Augustine's De Trinitate through St. Thomas Aquinas, John Wesley (and other Protestant Reformers such as Luther, Calvin and even Zwingli), God is One-in-Three, the Triune God-head of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
But, rather than supporting Traditional Catholic and Orthodox Protestant Republicans (and also Faithful Jews, brothers in the Abrahamic Covenant), the Republican Party is lifting up a sect that is opposed to Christian Salvation itself. Martyrs throughout Church History have defended the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, Fully Human and Fully Divine. Kings, such as Edward the Confessor, Saint of the Catholic Church, have similarly upheld such Trinitarian Theology for the salvation of all lost souls in purgatory and for the salvation of all mankind. Yet, the Republican Party lifts up an Abortion Rights Supporter (Giuliani) and someone of a sect opposed to Orthodox Christendom (Romney).
LORD Jesus, save us from the Republican Party's current leadership!
LORD Jesus, please return the G.O.P. to men and women of Noble Character such as Abe Lincoln, George W. Bush and John McCain.
LORD Jesus, deliver us from the likes of Romney and Giuliani.
Jesus, You ARE KING of kings and LORD of lords.
In your Name LORD Jesus, do I pray,
Rob J King, Trinitarian Christian
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Two Racist GOP Candidates and a Good Senator from AZ
Just in . . .
Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney (the two "top" G.O.P. Presidential Candidates) are RACISTS!
Hear them now in their own words:
"I am going to tell them (illegal immigrants) to go home . . . but they do not get any advantage by having come here illegally." --Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
". . . we need a way that people who are working in this country can come forward, sign up for the tamper-proof ID card . . . and start paying their way" --Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
Am I missing something here?
Senator John McCain, a good God-fearing man, co-sponsored a moderate, bi-partisan bill that would streamline the bureaucratic process for becoming a U.S. citizen for good, hard-working future Americans (mostly Hispanic), and what do the racists like Romney & Giuliani do?
They oppose the bill!
Some work for the People . . .
Others (Romney, Giuliani, et al) ONLY work to get their name in print, and (heaven forbid a racist xenophobe such as Romney or Giuliani enter the White House as President!) ONLY desire political power.
Vote for non-racists in '08.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, non-racist Republican
Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney (the two "top" G.O.P. Presidential Candidates) are RACISTS!
Hear them now in their own words:
"I am going to tell them (illegal immigrants) to go home . . . but they do not get any advantage by having come here illegally." --Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts
". . . we need a way that people who are working in this country can come forward, sign up for the tamper-proof ID card . . . and start paying their way" --Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City
Am I missing something here?
Senator John McCain, a good God-fearing man, co-sponsored a moderate, bi-partisan bill that would streamline the bureaucratic process for becoming a U.S. citizen for good, hard-working future Americans (mostly Hispanic), and what do the racists like Romney & Giuliani do?
They oppose the bill!
Some work for the People . . .
Others (Romney, Giuliani, et al) ONLY work to get their name in print, and (heaven forbid a racist xenophobe such as Romney or Giuliani enter the White House as President!) ONLY desire political power.
Vote for non-racists in '08.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, non-racist Republican
Angels, Demons & The New World Order
The other day I browsed through Dan Brown's earlier novel, Angels & Demons. I was first introduced to Dan Brown through an Evangelical Christian Biblical Studies Professor (at a school that interestingly enough banned any participation of its Faculty and Staff in "secret societies.").
As I read Brown's earlier account, rather than jumping on the "this is all fiction" bandwagon (for example the view of many so-called "experts" in Theology) instead I kept a more open mind.
Well, I am not sure of the details, but there ARE in fact these buildings in Egypt called Pyramids. Also, although I cannot divulge the details, when I joined a Fraternity in College (the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Delta Chapter of Davidson College), in addition to Christian symbology, yes, there were non-Christian symbols also used.
Again, as a former Kappa Sig frat boy, I will not divulge what I know, but suffice it to say, "secret societies" do exist, do have "coded language" and yes, in fact, do control many of the Financial Structures of the World.
But, what are we to do about this situation as Americans?
Is the answer to just "join the masons," or "join Kappa Sig" and then, boom, you are guaranteed of "insider access" irregardless of qualifications?
Well, no . . .
Hopefully, our society is further along the path of civic virtue to de-generate into "good ole boys club" cliquish elitism.
Instead, let us, rather than "inverting the pyramid," instead just copy Plato's Republic and have a pyramid built on Virtue instead!
Plato, in The Republic, proposed that the proper structuring of society is a three-part structure of mercantile class at the bottom (a.k.a. the businessman), then military class in the middle (a.k.a. The United States Departments of Defense and Homeland Security), and finally, at the top, those who are greatest in Virtue, the Noble "Philosopher Kings."
So, there you have it. Whether or not "secret societies exist" is a moot point (they do, there are ample historical records attesting their existence and continuing attempts at power-politics!), but the true question is What sort of U.S.A. do we desire? Do we desire a 'good-ole boy' network running the country? OR do we want the "best & brightest" minds, character, etc. running the U.S.A.?
Try a new angle, Vote Rob J. King in 08 . . .
Respectfully your servant,
Rob J King, seeking a WORD on whether to run or not . . .
As I read Brown's earlier account, rather than jumping on the "this is all fiction" bandwagon (for example the view of many so-called "experts" in Theology) instead I kept a more open mind.
Well, I am not sure of the details, but there ARE in fact these buildings in Egypt called Pyramids. Also, although I cannot divulge the details, when I joined a Fraternity in College (the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Delta Chapter of Davidson College), in addition to Christian symbology, yes, there were non-Christian symbols also used.
Again, as a former Kappa Sig frat boy, I will not divulge what I know, but suffice it to say, "secret societies" do exist, do have "coded language" and yes, in fact, do control many of the Financial Structures of the World.
But, what are we to do about this situation as Americans?
Is the answer to just "join the masons," or "join Kappa Sig" and then, boom, you are guaranteed of "insider access" irregardless of qualifications?
Well, no . . .
Hopefully, our society is further along the path of civic virtue to de-generate into "good ole boys club" cliquish elitism.
Instead, let us, rather than "inverting the pyramid," instead just copy Plato's Republic and have a pyramid built on Virtue instead!
Plato, in The Republic, proposed that the proper structuring of society is a three-part structure of mercantile class at the bottom (a.k.a. the businessman), then military class in the middle (a.k.a. The United States Departments of Defense and Homeland Security), and finally, at the top, those who are greatest in Virtue, the Noble "Philosopher Kings."
So, there you have it. Whether or not "secret societies exist" is a moot point (they do, there are ample historical records attesting their existence and continuing attempts at power-politics!), but the true question is What sort of U.S.A. do we desire? Do we desire a 'good-ole boy' network running the country? OR do we want the "best & brightest" minds, character, etc. running the U.S.A.?
Try a new angle, Vote Rob J. King in 08 . . .
Respectfully your servant,
Rob J King, seeking a WORD on whether to run or not . . .
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Homelessness, Despondent Hand-Outs and the Cult of New Money
I live in an area of "extremes."
On the one hand, the Traditional Catholic population is an ever-present source of comfort and inspiration. From the Knights of Columbus (whose statue dots the St. Petersburg, FL Pier area . . .) to the Urban Assistance put on by the Catholic Church (the best in the area!), the Catholic Christian population in St. Petersburg has been and continues to be a "beacon" in a sin-stained world.
On the other hand, and contrary to Christian Teaching, are a growing number of "new money" homosexuals. The money flow that they have (augmented by not raising families of their own!) is tarnishing an otherwise beautiful area. Gay Pride days (two weeks ago) and men "flirting" with me in a grotesque, violating way, sadly, is the "new St. Petersburg" that I am now experiencing.
Sadly, along with Gay Pride days and Homosexual Sexual Harassment, also comes the equalling troubling problem of urban homelessness.
Gone are the days when families would "look after their own" and welcome in fellow brothers, sisters, children even. Now, if one is not 'part of the club,' it is "off to a homeless shelter" for an increasing number of Florida residents and transplants.
That's right, just as the 'breakdown of the nuclear family' has resulted in high divorce rates (and caused by them!), resulted in breakdown of normal heterosexual sexual identity (and caused by homosexual proliferation!), NOW, homelessness is becoming an increasing end result.
Destroy the family unit and 'guess what' people are often cast aside to the curb like a stray dog, and the only option is a homeless shelter.
Therefore, in addressing the problem of homelessness, rather than just giving a despondent 'hand-out' (both personally and also the welfare state that sucks hope dry), instead, let us JOIN TOGETHER in RE-BUILDING the AMERICAN FAMILY!
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Father of Two
On the one hand, the Traditional Catholic population is an ever-present source of comfort and inspiration. From the Knights of Columbus (whose statue dots the St. Petersburg, FL Pier area . . .) to the Urban Assistance put on by the Catholic Church (the best in the area!), the Catholic Christian population in St. Petersburg has been and continues to be a "beacon" in a sin-stained world.
On the other hand, and contrary to Christian Teaching, are a growing number of "new money" homosexuals. The money flow that they have (augmented by not raising families of their own!) is tarnishing an otherwise beautiful area. Gay Pride days (two weeks ago) and men "flirting" with me in a grotesque, violating way, sadly, is the "new St. Petersburg" that I am now experiencing.
Sadly, along with Gay Pride days and Homosexual Sexual Harassment, also comes the equalling troubling problem of urban homelessness.
Gone are the days when families would "look after their own" and welcome in fellow brothers, sisters, children even. Now, if one is not 'part of the club,' it is "off to a homeless shelter" for an increasing number of Florida residents and transplants.
That's right, just as the 'breakdown of the nuclear family' has resulted in high divorce rates (and caused by them!), resulted in breakdown of normal heterosexual sexual identity (and caused by homosexual proliferation!), NOW, homelessness is becoming an increasing end result.
Destroy the family unit and 'guess what' people are often cast aside to the curb like a stray dog, and the only option is a homeless shelter.
Therefore, in addressing the problem of homelessness, rather than just giving a despondent 'hand-out' (both personally and also the welfare state that sucks hope dry), instead, let us JOIN TOGETHER in RE-BUILDING the AMERICAN FAMILY!
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Father of Two
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Is the next President going to be the person with greatest strength of character?
Is the next President going to be the person with the greatest intelligence (both practical and philosophical)?
OR is the next President just going to be whoever has the richest friends?
My friends, this is for you and I to decide.
Do we want a country in which "raw dollar power" is the end-all, be-all of existence?
If so, then expect a proliferation of those God-awful PayDay Loan places dotting every corner as the middle class is further strangled by sky-rocketing inflation, low wages and increasing debt.
If so, then expect the U.S.A. to begin further crumbling. Crumbling into urban decay as the likes of Giuliani, Clinton, et al build their billionaire mansions while we the People of the United States are left with the garbage to clean up at the bottom.
Whether the name is Barack Obama or Rudy Giuliani, it seems these days that character does not count, nor does intelligence, but only "who has raised the most money."
But, if you would like to see a New America in which working hard in school (high school, college, etc.) results in actual raised income, then take a closer look.
But, if you would like to see a New America rooted in Judeo-Christian Values (and not American paganism that is trying to strip all references to God from the public square), then take a closer look.
My name in Rob J. King. I am a Father. I am a Scholar. I am a true blue American whose Father fought in Korea and Vietnam, whose Uncle fought in WW II and whose great uncle (grandmother's great uncle several generations ago) actually signed the original Declaration of Independence (grandma King's maiden name was Walton, as in the former Governor and Senator Geo Walton).
Rob J King. For Fatherhood. For Intelligence. For Judeo-Christian Ethics.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Christian Patriot of the U.S.A.
Is the next President going to be the person with the greatest intelligence (both practical and philosophical)?
OR is the next President just going to be whoever has the richest friends?
My friends, this is for you and I to decide.
Do we want a country in which "raw dollar power" is the end-all, be-all of existence?
If so, then expect a proliferation of those God-awful PayDay Loan places dotting every corner as the middle class is further strangled by sky-rocketing inflation, low wages and increasing debt.
If so, then expect the U.S.A. to begin further crumbling. Crumbling into urban decay as the likes of Giuliani, Clinton, et al build their billionaire mansions while we the People of the United States are left with the garbage to clean up at the bottom.
Whether the name is Barack Obama or Rudy Giuliani, it seems these days that character does not count, nor does intelligence, but only "who has raised the most money."
But, if you would like to see a New America in which working hard in school (high school, college, etc.) results in actual raised income, then take a closer look.
But, if you would like to see a New America rooted in Judeo-Christian Values (and not American paganism that is trying to strip all references to God from the public square), then take a closer look.
My name in Rob J. King. I am a Father. I am a Scholar. I am a true blue American whose Father fought in Korea and Vietnam, whose Uncle fought in WW II and whose great uncle (grandmother's great uncle several generations ago) actually signed the original Declaration of Independence (grandma King's maiden name was Walton, as in the former Governor and Senator Geo Walton).
Rob J King. For Fatherhood. For Intelligence. For Judeo-Christian Ethics.
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, Christian Patriot of the U.S.A.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Fasting as a Political Weapon!
The other day I tried to explain to a good Christian friend why it is that I "deny" myself of certain bodily comfort.
No, I am not talking about fasting for a full 40 days like Jesus did (although that is a healthy spiritual discipline if one is led by the Holy Spirit to do so . . .).
No, just ordinary "denying" of one's bodily comfort for the sake of spiritual blessing.
Not eating meat when one really wants to. Eating vegetables only for a period of time. Refraining from alcoholic beverages for a set period of time. Like Jesus Himself, all Christians are called to fast.
But how does fasting relate to "politics"?
Well, here the answer is a bit more nebulous simply because the greatest political leader to utilize such a practice was not "officially" Christian, but nonetheless held a deep fascination with Jesus Christ, namely the Indian activist Mohandas K Gandhi.
Gandhi, through fasting was able to single-handedly bring the British domination of India to an end. If the British exploited the Indian population through price-gouging, then Gandhi and his followers would simply refrain from buying that product (for example salt or textiles). OR, in order to gain the eye of the media, Gandhi would fast, sometimes for days on end, in order to bring world attention to the plight of the Indian people under British control.
More recently, this "Gandhi-style" fasting as civil statement was done by a Military Chaplain, Gordon Klingenschmidt. Klingenschmidt, an Evangelical Christian, could not bow his head to the state-supported Unitarian established religion (UnConstitutional unitarianism by the way). Instead, like any other true believer in Jesus Christ, Gordon Klingenschmidt could only pray in Jesus' Name! Fasting in front of the White House quickly drew a response from Republicans and Democrats alike. From George W. Bush to Hilary Clinton even, Gordon Klingenschmidt's fasting for Jesus-Prayer was affirmed as the Constitutional position.
So, whether it is overthrowing fallen exploitative systems (e.g. British domination of the Indian people OR Afrikaaner apartheid control of South Africa that finally ended in 1994) OR whether it is taking a stand for Jesus, fasting can and does make a political statement.
Love in Jesus,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus
No, I am not talking about fasting for a full 40 days like Jesus did (although that is a healthy spiritual discipline if one is led by the Holy Spirit to do so . . .).
No, just ordinary "denying" of one's bodily comfort for the sake of spiritual blessing.
Not eating meat when one really wants to. Eating vegetables only for a period of time. Refraining from alcoholic beverages for a set period of time. Like Jesus Himself, all Christians are called to fast.
But how does fasting relate to "politics"?
Well, here the answer is a bit more nebulous simply because the greatest political leader to utilize such a practice was not "officially" Christian, but nonetheless held a deep fascination with Jesus Christ, namely the Indian activist Mohandas K Gandhi.
Gandhi, through fasting was able to single-handedly bring the British domination of India to an end. If the British exploited the Indian population through price-gouging, then Gandhi and his followers would simply refrain from buying that product (for example salt or textiles). OR, in order to gain the eye of the media, Gandhi would fast, sometimes for days on end, in order to bring world attention to the plight of the Indian people under British control.
More recently, this "Gandhi-style" fasting as civil statement was done by a Military Chaplain, Gordon Klingenschmidt. Klingenschmidt, an Evangelical Christian, could not bow his head to the state-supported Unitarian established religion (UnConstitutional unitarianism by the way). Instead, like any other true believer in Jesus Christ, Gordon Klingenschmidt could only pray in Jesus' Name! Fasting in front of the White House quickly drew a response from Republicans and Democrats alike. From George W. Bush to Hilary Clinton even, Gordon Klingenschmidt's fasting for Jesus-Prayer was affirmed as the Constitutional position.
So, whether it is overthrowing fallen exploitative systems (e.g. British domination of the Indian people OR Afrikaaner apartheid control of South Africa that finally ended in 1994) OR whether it is taking a stand for Jesus, fasting can and does make a political statement.
Love in Jesus,
Rob J King, Political Candidate for Jesus
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The War over the War in Iraq . . .
I am a staunch Catholic.
Back in March 2003, when the 'winds of war' were in the air, I stood firm with then Pontiff, Pope John Paul II, in calling the War in Iraq an unjust war according to Christian Just-War theory.
I even wrote a poem (published in the South Bend Tribune) calling for a repentance for our National Pride. National Humility is what we now need as soldiers return from battle with arms and legs missing, as children never again will see their Army, Navy & Marine Corps fathers and mothers.
No one listened to Pope John Paul II. Save one priest friend (who has since left the priesthood, yet still teaches Theology & Ethics at the University of Notre Dame). Due to the influence of this priest friend (once a priest always a priest, the ban on married priests is a late, Roman invention!), I attended an anti-war rally at Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend, IN.
Again, no one listened.
Now, we are left cleaning up the mess.
Therefore, in a call to duty similar to my Father, Robert Lewis King (retired E-8, Coast Guard), and similar to my Uncle, Floyd King (who fought in Germany in WW II), although I disagree with the initial impetus for going to War in Iraq (Afghanistan in contrast was a just-war due to the Taliban and Al Qaeda), I must do my part in helping to clean up the mess.
So, I am now an Officer in the United States Army (Reserve) doing whatever I can to help clean up what will now be a prolonged engagement with Iraq (complete with soaring gasoline prices as a result!).
Thus, contrary to anti-war protesters who really care little of our country, our soldiers, or our police force instead do what you can to HELP. Even if you disagree with the War please do not take it out on the soldiers or our President George W. Bush, a fine President who has served diligently and has been instrumental in keeping us safe from Islamic jihadists . . .
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, On-Line Political Consultant
Back in March 2003, when the 'winds of war' were in the air, I stood firm with then Pontiff, Pope John Paul II, in calling the War in Iraq an unjust war according to Christian Just-War theory.
I even wrote a poem (published in the South Bend Tribune) calling for a repentance for our National Pride. National Humility is what we now need as soldiers return from battle with arms and legs missing, as children never again will see their Army, Navy & Marine Corps fathers and mothers.
No one listened to Pope John Paul II. Save one priest friend (who has since left the priesthood, yet still teaches Theology & Ethics at the University of Notre Dame). Due to the influence of this priest friend (once a priest always a priest, the ban on married priests is a late, Roman invention!), I attended an anti-war rally at Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend, IN.
Again, no one listened.
Now, we are left cleaning up the mess.
Therefore, in a call to duty similar to my Father, Robert Lewis King (retired E-8, Coast Guard), and similar to my Uncle, Floyd King (who fought in Germany in WW II), although I disagree with the initial impetus for going to War in Iraq (Afghanistan in contrast was a just-war due to the Taliban and Al Qaeda), I must do my part in helping to clean up the mess.
So, I am now an Officer in the United States Army (Reserve) doing whatever I can to help clean up what will now be a prolonged engagement with Iraq (complete with soaring gasoline prices as a result!).
Thus, contrary to anti-war protesters who really care little of our country, our soldiers, or our police force instead do what you can to HELP. Even if you disagree with the War please do not take it out on the soldiers or our President George W. Bush, a fine President who has served diligently and has been instrumental in keeping us safe from Islamic jihadists . . .
Blessings in Jesus,
Rob J King, On-Line Political Consultant
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