My Heritage as a Preacher

I have been doing some research, started by my father's research into family history.
On the Post side we have a family tree completely intact back to the 16th century Holland.
Along that way one of my great grandfathers was Lazarus Lawson. He was a country preacher in Tennessee who would move to an area, start working somewhere and at the same time would start a church. Then when enough people were in that church and he felt God's calling he would move and start over again.
One of the person's converted at Lawson's meetings was a Dr. Ashley S. Johnson who later founded Johnson College a Christian School in Tenn. Here is that story:

Ashley Sidney Johnson was a student in the Law College of the University of Tennessee. A minister by the name of Lawson was holding a meeting in the school house at Gap Creek not far from where the College is now located. One night during this meeting it was raining and the roads were muddy as only the roads in Tennessee could be in those days. There were only 3 men at the service. Dr. Johnson's father who was a Christian and Ashley Sidney and another man, neither of whom were Christians. Brother Lawson preached and gave the invitation and both the men who were not Christians, accepted Christ. The date was October 13, 1877 and the invitation hymn was "Am I a Soldier of the Cross?" Dr. Johnson forgot law school and gave himself unconditionally and without reserve to the cause of Christ. On the following day, October 14, 1877, he was baptized by John Adcock in the French Broad River. The following Saturday he was asked by Dr. Lawson to preach. On this occasion he proclaimed the truth for the first time. He had never publicly prayed but his efforts were well received. There in that little country church at Thorn Grove, Tennessee, Ashley S. Johnson launched out upon his campaign of winning persons and renewing minds for Christ.

This story was told by a man in the area and I copied it from a book we have. So, in doing this background we found that Lazarus Lawson was part of God's plan to save Dr. Johnson and bring about one of the great revivals of the 19th century. Lawson preached all over Tennessee in thos days and many were saved.

The picture above is of his family. I have one portrait of him but don't have a scanner so will have to include that another time.

My family has a rich Christian heritage, yet down through the years, the Posts pretty much walked away from that heritage. The picture above is of William T. Post my great grandfather and his wife Cora.

This is my grandpa William B. Post at his graduation in 1927. Grandpa was one of my heros in life. He passed away in 1998. He did have a problem though. For most of his life his treasure was money. He taught that to his sons and they taught that to their sons. Money was the most important thing a man could have.

This is my favorite picture of Grandpa. He is driving a horse drawn grader. He worked very very hard for his money. He made it through the Depression, and more. The good news is, at the end of his life he accepted Christ and he is in Heaven now.

Out of his 5 sons, only 1 lives for Christ now and that is my Dad. The others have had times when they have looked to God for help, but none really accepted Him fully. At least as far as I know.

There is William R. Post and William R.K. Post. Both of these William Post's are living for Christ and I believe this is in part due to the rich Christian heritage we have. Yet, I want to point out that my grandpa thought he was a Christian, just because of that heritage. This is how easily we can be deceived. Heritage is great, but we are ALL responsible to God on our own! I am sort of rambling and not really trying to make a point but next time you see this ol' boy Bill trying to preach, just know that it is in my blood!

I miss my Grandpa and Grandma, but will see them soon, praise be to God!!

A Shameless Plug for Sunday School!!

I have the privilege of leading an adult Sunday School class at my church. It is one of the most diverse groups of people probably ever put together in one church.
We have Evangelicals, Baptists, Assembly of Gods, Foursquares, Methodists, Lutherans, Catholics, new Christians, mature Christians, 20 somethings, 80 somethings and everything in between.
Not only are they diverse, but they ALL hunger and thirst after righteousness!
We have wonderful discussion and yet they also let me rant and rave when I feel strongly about the subject matter we might be on that week. There are probably times when these kind people want to shoot me, but they let me go!
This past Sunday they gave me a wonderful gift and card.

I say all of this to encourage anyone reading this, who does not currently go to a Sunday School anywhere, please find one this Sunday!
There is really no replacement for a great Sunday School class. The fellowship, the thinking, discussion, learning, prayer support and more, is awesome.
You don't get that from one hour of worship on Sunday morning. You are really missing out.
Now of course if you are serving in the Church, then this does not apply. You are doing VERY important work.
Unless you are serving, you SHOULD be in Sunday School!!!
Our class regularly supports two missionary families to the tune of about $400 a month, they constantly find other people to support financially and in other ways, they hold tons of things and people up in prayer weekly and more. This is a very very caring and loving class.
I invite you to come visit us if you don't currently have a class. We meet at 11am in the Fellowship Hall rooms 1 and 2 at Salem Evangelical Church. Please feel free to contact me for more information. We are called the OPEN BIBLE Class, because we OPEN our Bibles! We don't study anything but the Bible.
We are currently in the book of 1 Samuel.
There will be one exception in Janurary.
All of our adult teachers have been asked to teach on "The Treasure Principle" by Randy Alcorn for the first three weeks of January as part of our Pastor's series on giving.
I hope to hear from or see you this Sunday!

"The Dark Knight" Batman Returns Heath Ledger as the Joker

Heath Ledger looks awesome as The Joker in next summer's "The Dark Knight" the sequel to "Batman Begins" with Christian Bale back as Batman.

I am here to help you understand the Democrat Brain

That be one scary woman!!

Ok here is a story that will help you understand the Democratic Mind:

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100.
If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.
The fifth would pay $1.
The sixth would pay $3.
The seventh would pay $7.
The eighth would pay $12.
The ninth would pay $18.
The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.
So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until on day, the owner threw them a curve.
'Because you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. 'Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer.
So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so:
The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).
The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).
The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).
The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).
The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).
The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before.
And the first four continued to drink for free.
But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings. 'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10! ''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I! ''That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks! ''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor! 'The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore.
In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Now if you understood that story, then you are fine.
If you didn't understand it, welcome to the Democratic Party!!

Fred Thompson is endorsed by Conservative Weslyan Church

Thompson criticizes Huckabee's position on Cuban embargo
Herald Tribune

Thompson criticizes Huckabee's position on Cuban embargo

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson toured a Bay of Pigs museum in Little Havana on Monday and then criticized rival Mike Huckabee for previously saying the Cuban trade embargo should be lifted.

"He's been a long opponent of the embargo against (Cuban President Fidel) Castro. He thinks we should lift the embargo against Castro, and I disagree with that," said Thompson, whose campaign put out a statement the day before attacking Huckabee on the issue.

As Arkansas governor, Huckabee said the embargo should be lifted, saying it hurt the state's farmers. But before Thompson's event, he told reporters in Miami that he has come to understand Cuban-Americans' perspective on the embargo and said as president he would veto any legislation attempting to lift it.

Thompson said that was a political move.

"People take the views they've had all their political lives and when they decide they want to run for president, they change them. So the question is, where are you going to be in your future?" Thompson said. "It raises issues when politicians change their view on a dime to appeal to a particular group of people right before an election."

Thompson, a former Tennessee senator and star of "Law & Order," made his remarks after touring a museum honoring men who participated in the failed 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. He was shown a gun that once belonged to Fidel Castro's brother, Raul, a bullet removed from a man executed during the invasion, photos of those killed in the invasion and historic Cuban flags.

"I've been a strong, consistent, commonsense, anti-Castro conservative my entire career. That's where I've always been, that's where I'll be in the future," Thompson said.

He told Cuban-Americans gathered at the museum that he looks forward to Castro's demise.

"My greatest wish is to be the president of the United States when Cuba is free, and free Cubans put on trial those who need to be put on trial," he told them.

Fidel Castro, 81, hasn't been seen publicly since undergoing surgery in July 2006, when he ceded power to Raul.

Thompson later told The Associated Press that Castro's death will be a part of bringing change to Cuba, though he cautioned that change may not be immediate.

"The leadership there is old. His brother is no spring chicken, either," Thompson said. "The Cuban people themselves, with the right kind of assistance, ultimately will be the source of their own freedom."

Earlier, Huckabee was endorsed by Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is Cuban-American. Both candidates were campaigning in Miami the day after a Spanish-language debate.

Multiple calls to two Huckabee spokeswomen seeking comment about Thompson's remarks went unanswered. Messages couldn't be left because their voice mailboxes were full.

Huckabee son arraigned in Dog Killing
Governor’s son 1 of 2; fired at Scout camp; after stray dog killed

ELIZABETH McFARLAND, ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

The younger son of Gov. Mike Huckabee and another teen were fired last month from jobs at a Boy Scout camp after the killing of a stray dog.

Marcal Young of Texarkana, scout executive of the Caddo Area Council that operates the camp where the dog was killed, said this week that two boys violated a Scout law, “A Scout is kind.”

Young would not release the names of the boys nor explain how the dog, “probably a mixed breed,” was killed.

The two teens reported the event immediately and said they had made a mistake.
“They felt it [the dog] was ill and what have you, still our policy is it was inappropriate behavior,” Young said.

He would not say what the boys thought was wrong with the dog, but he said they did not suspect rabies.

Members of the camp staff receive training before camp starts and are told what it means to be “a good role model,” Young said.

An anonymous, unconfirmed report describing a particular process of killing the dog and naming young Huckabee as a participant was sent by fax machine this week by an organization against cruelty to animals to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. That report was described by Young and the governor as inaccurate.

Both men declined to say how the dog had been killed or who did it.

The dog was killed July 11 at Camp Pioneer near Hatfield. Only employees witnessed the incident. Not many of them were on hand, one source said.

Young said he chose not to reveal the names of the employees because “I just think that they’re due privacy. These are young people. They make mistakes occasionally, but I’m not covering for them.”

Young said the council’s board gives him the authority to take care of personnel decisions. He said the council believes it took appropriate action and the matter is closed. He said he did not report it to law enforcement authorities.

A source who asked to remain unnamed said David Huckabee, who turned 18 on July 22 and was 17 at the time of the incident, was one of those fired over it.

A reporter’s message left at the Governor’s Mansion for David Huckabee was not returned.

Danny Frady of Texarkana said his son, Clayton, 19, was the other staff member who was fired.

The elder Frady said his son told him he came upon one or more Scouts who had the dog “hung over a limb and choking” so the younger Frady helped “put it out of its misery.”

“I think the boy has paid his dues because he lost his job. He was one of the better counselors. He’s made a mistake, and he’s paid for it,” Danny Frady said. “I don’t think he did anything wrong to put an animal out of its misery.”

Danny Frady said killing a stray dog that has become a nuisance is common in rural areas. The mistake was doing it in front of other youth staff members, Frady said.

Young said the fired employees might be required to undergo counseling if they applied to be employees again. Danny Frady said he doesn’t think his son needs counseling because “he’s not cruel to animals.”

Polk County Sheriff Mike Oglesby said neither he nor his deputies had heard of the incident. A complaint should have been made, he said.

Prosecuting Attorney Tim Williamson of Mena said cruelty to animals is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $ 1,000 fine and up to a year in jail. “We regularly charge cruelty to animals. That’s kind of my pet peeve,” he said.

Oglesby and Williamson said they didn’t intend to investigate because no one had lodged a complaint.

Camp Pioneer in Polk County served 2,026 campers for week-long stints from May 31 through July 25.

The camp employed 65 staff members. Caddo Area Council includes eight Arkansas counties and two Texas counties.

"24" Will Jack Bauer return or not in January?

Well as you can see Fox is saying it will return, but everywhere else I go, the talk is that due to the writer's strike, "24" will not be back in 2008.

So, will you be going into withdrawal if it doesn't come back?

A season without Jack? Ahrrrrrgghhhhh!!!!

So, tell me what you think and what is your favorite "Jack Bauer moment"?

I have too many, I can't think of just one!!

There is still hope for mankind!!

This morning there was a story in the local paper about a 10 year old boy who having excelled at school was given a $200 bicycle as a reward.
24 hours after getting the bike, it was stolen.
So, outraged, I called the mom and talked to her and the boy on the air live and let them tell the story. It was heart touching.
Shortly thereafter, I got a call from a listener who wanted to replace the bike immediately and wanted me to be the "go between" so that he could remain anonymous.
So, the end is, the boy will be getting a new bike before Christmas.
The boy goes to Highland and is from a poor family so this makes it that much more fun.
Great story and makes me so glad that there are still wonderful people out there!!

Christmas Cards.....letters.....pictures....

Ok the couple above is no one I know, it is just an example. It is that time of year again. The time when I get all of those wonderful Christmas cards. Now I love and look forward to getting those cards but as usual I have a beef with some of them.
I don't know about you but I really hate the picture on the front cards. I don't care about your trip to Hawaii, Greece, Italy, France, Uganda wherever! Maybe my year kind of sucked and the neatest place I went was Otis, Oregon. How about a Nativity scene, angels, shepherds or just a star? Do I really need to see you and your wife and kids with their Rossginol skis standing on the mountain at Vail.

I also can't stand the "family letter".

"Little Bobby swam for the first time this summer at Marthas Vineyard and we are so happy for him, Sally is second in the state in Volleyball, Bob was promoted to head sanitation engineer and we bought a new house at the coast, as for me, well, I am just here typing this letter that I will then take down to Kinko's and make 100 copies of which will all end up in the landfill, so Season's Greetings from the Kowalski Family!"
I know it seems important to you, but again, how about telling me "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" on the front, and then hand sign the inside and put a neat Christmas seals stamp on the front.
That's all.

Ok so I expect to be called a "grinch" and "bah humbug" but really, be honest, do you really like those cards? Am I the only one that doesn't? Here is my b iggest problem: I see this as a continuance of our culture, it's not about Jesus, it's about "me, myself and I". I also see it as part of the "impersonality" of our culture. Copied letters versus a nice hand written greeting. Everyone's in a hurry. Please, send me a note that says "Bill, Colleen and Kai, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!". I will be very happy.

Signed, Bill Griswald

Today I met Living History!!!

Here is Don Malarkey during his time as a "Band of Brothers" in World War II.

On the right is Don recently with the actor who portrayed him in the HBO series "Band of Brothers". "ER" fans will recognize him as "Morris" the doctor in that series.

All I can say is...sometimes you meet up with history.

And that's Don Malarkey.

A member of the Band of Brothers profiled by Stephen Ambrose and then by the HBO special of the same name, Don Malarkey is an older man now, deaf from the four years of combat but with a clear eye, a fast wit, and a handshake that could crush a walnut.

Don sat with me for a half an hour for an interview on my radio show, and he's a simply remarkable character.

You look him in the eye and you can see that kid from Astoria who joined millions of his friends and neighbors and brothers to free the world from evil in 1945. You can imagine him in the hedgerows of Normandy and in the snow at Bastogne.

When he left us, he was striding confidently down that stairs, knowing just where he was going next...just like he did leading patrols 60 years ago.

It was an honor to meet him.

Below is a story from his experience in World War II as on of the “Brothers”.

The C-47 shook and rumbled over the ink black sea, pitching up and down as it careened recklessly towards the French shore. Its heavy wings vibrated, rattling loudly over the roar of the engines. Inside the plane men were getting ready to face the darkness, standing up, checking weapons, puking. The big plane was over land now and guts tightened.

Down below, sinister fingers of bright light reached up to grab the plane, holding it in its deadly grip. Angry tracers and their silent invisible partners ripped through the skies, the planes, and the men inside. Flak was bursting all around. The entire drop zone was alive with guns of all calibers, spitting their deadly venom skyward. The hard thumping of the flak bounced the plane, sending large chunks of shrapnel and smaller searing metal shards in all directions of the smoke filled sky. As soon as the jump light flashed green, the men did not hesitate to leap from the open door and fall from the sky.
Anything was better than this hell.

Don Malarkey was one of those men. Once out, he fell for what felt like an eternity through the smoke and the lethal metal fragments on this fateful morning of June 6th, 1944. Finally, his chute snapped open and the ground came up hard to greet him. High above him in the night sky were burning C-47 carcasses as they plummeted towards the ground filled with desperate men who had lived their last day.
Malarkey entered the European campaign unceremoniously in the wet darkness of the unseasonably cold June morning. His training had been superb and like the rest of his men he couldn’t wait to get into the action. But this wasn’t the plan. All of the planning and briefings failed to factor that the planes would be scattered from hell to breakfast from the flak, the confusion, and the carnage. Close by the guns of the vaunted Whermacht thumped away, sending their brilliant white tracers searching into the sky for more victims. Spotlights crisscrossed the sky searching for prey. The stench of gunpowder drifted low across the land hugging the ground and filling Malarkey’s nostrils with the vile smell.
Even if the plan had gone AWOL, Malarkey’s training had not. With the efficiency born of countless hours of training he squared away his chute and got himself ready for war. After all this man was Airborne and it was time to go to work. He pulled out his “cricket” and found that the wonder toy, soon to become synonymous with the Normandy Invasion, didn’t work. Feeling his way through the dark vegetation of the Norman countryside, Malarkey readied his weapon and began to move towards his objective, some obscure place referred to on the map only as “Causeway One and Two”. Even if he was the only guy left he’d be damned if he wasn’t going to get to that objective. Or die trying. As Malarkey groped his way forward he found himself in an orchard. He soon began to encounter other men who were scattered and separated from their teams. He was relieved when he found his pals Sergeants Bill Guarnere and Joe Toye. Soon they joined a small group of brothers from the 502nd. Realizing that they had to move through hostile countryside to reach their objective, the small force went on the alert and silently moved out.
It wasn’t long before the small force ran head long into a German re-supply effort delivering artillery shells to the fighting. The Whermacht enjoyed an unearned reputation for being highly mechanized. But the horse and wagons moving up the causeway were the real prime movers of a German Army that had advanced and then retreated through so many map points over the last three years. Unaware of the Americans, the small wagon column trotted right into the ambush. The Paratroopers made their move and the Germans were guaranteed they would never have to worry about being transferred to the Eastern front. Their war had just ended. There was no firing, just a startled raising of the hands followed by a nice orderly surrender. Malarkey marched the prisoners to a site off the road, his Thompson at the ready. As the prisoners were being disarmed and searched, Malarkey overheard one of the Germans talking in perfect english. He soon discovered the reason. Before heeding Hitler’s call to return to Germany, he had lived in the U.S. In fact he worked at the Monarch Steel Company in Portland, Oregon. Malarkey knew it well, since he worked across the street at Schnitzer Steel Mill. Small world.

The Germans were marched off and ordered to stay in the middle of the road with no exceptions. Suddenly a strafing plane flew low above them, its guns letting loose on unseen targets. Educated the hard way on the power of air supremacy, one of the Germans darted to a trench for protection and was promptly and unceremoniously shot. Just one example of the many Germans who would die all over Normandy this long and fateful day. The paratroops moved on, now warned to avoid the main road that ran the length of the invasion beaches as it was targeted for obliteration at 0600 by the guns of the big ships cruising just over the horizon.

You can’t know everything in a battle, but the battery of 105 mm howitzers dug in and well camouflaged seemed like a real miss for the boys in intelligence. Dug in three miles west of Utah beach, these guns were designed to lob shells at a high trajectory that maximized their impact. The 105 mm gun had done a lot of damage in this war. From Africa, Poland, Italy and the vast expanses of Russia, the weapon forged in the infamous furnaces of Krupp, had killed the sons of many mothers. And now it was thundering away at the vulnerable men on Utah and Causeways One and Two. Each deadly shell that crashed onto the beach sent hot metal shards and jagged chunks of beach shale in all directions, chewing up the exposed men as they scrambled to move inland.

If these four guns could get into an undisturbed rhythm, the results would be disastrous.

Dick Winters got the word that the Germans were raising hell on Utah with these big guns. Now the senior officer of Easy Company (because he had the good fortune to still be alive), Lt. Winters wasted no time pulling together a scratch force of twelve men to assault the position. Twelve was going to have to do since that was all that could be located from the company who had dropped earlier that morning. The rest were dead, missing, or scattered. Winters ordered his men to drop everything but their weapons and ammunition and move out, explaining his plan of attack as they moved. Don Malarkey, along with Sergeants Guarnere and Toye, were a welcome part of the team. After all they were from Easy Company, the battalions’ designated assault company. They would be sorely needed as all hell was about to break out.

Heavily camouflaged and hidden from the constant prying eyes of air reconnaissance, the guns of “Brecourt Manor” -as they would soon become known- were connected by an elaborate trench system and well protected by support troops. Some of which were manning deadly MG42’s. Tucked amongst the famous Norman hedgerows, Brecourt Manor was part of Le Grande-Chemin, a farm complex of four buildings that lent itself well as a forward artillery position. The efficiency of this well defended hornets nest was measured by the motionless men in olive drab uniforms that had earlier stumbled head-on before its ramparts. Moving towards the sound of the guns, the small band was able to get close enough to get a fix and move into position. 30 calibers were deployed as covering fire and mortars were brought up. However, the mortars were missing base-plates.

Malarkey crawled up to a hedge, pushed his way through the vegetation, and peered through. Not far in front of him he saw the outline of one of the 105’s dug in well under heavy camouflage netting. Winters had scratched together a plan and it was time to get into the war. In an orchard just outside of Brecourt, Winters ordered each man to line up and spray four clips into the general area of the gun positions. As the men fired away, Winters ordered Malarkey to cross the field to set up a defilade position. Taking a deep breath, Malarkey got ready to run. Just then the gravelly voice of Sgt. Buck Compton called him back. Compton makes the run himself, disappearing through the dense underbrush. Now the sixty man German garrison is alert and returning fire in all directions.

The war is on.

Malarkey breaks from the safety of his position, rolls down the opposite side of the embankment and lands in the German trench system. A few feet ahead of him a startled German defender takes off running down the long trench line. Malarkey pulls up his Thompson and prepares to fire, but the panicked soldier has gone around a bend in the trench. As Malarkey scrambles out of the trench he watches as the German soldier and another man wearing an officer’s cap break for the German safety of their own defensive line. The officer drops heavily from a shot to the head courtesy of Dick Winters. The accompanying soldier also falls to the ground clutching his back, also felled by Winters.

Malarkey is now in the open and running hard towards the first big gun. From their trench position the Germans are firing away, determined to defend their guns. Running hard, Malarkey sprays the area in front of him with automatic weapons fire, kicking up dirt and showering the defenders. He grabs a fragmentation grenade from his web belt and puts his finger on the pin ring. A German defender runs away, his helmeted head bobbing up and down with the hope of living a little while longer. Malarkey slides under the gun like a baseball player stealing home. He lands next to the lifeless body of a former member of the greater Reich. Now the frantic enemy is alert and fully pissed off. White hot bullets are pinging against the gun and tearing up the ground searching for the paratrooper. Returning fire, Malarkey tucks up under the gun behind the dead German and returns fire. Everywhere there is the sound of war as the bursts of gunfire merge with the screams of men desperately fighting to survive the carnage. As Malarkey returns fire he looks out into the field where the dead Germans are lying.

Beside the officer is a black leather case. Malarkey’s eyes narrow. He imagines that inside the case is the one thing he covets most from this war, an officers Luger. To this day he can’t say what got into him. But he will tell you that the need to get his hands on one of those pistols was enough to pull himself out of the scant protection of the trench and into the naked pasture that was anything but serene. An MG42 can fire 900 rounds a minute and there were several among the sixty-man defense crew deployed to defend the big guns. In the insanity of battle the most ridiculous of sights can have a curious effect on the combatants. Malarkey running in to the field in search of his long desired prize could only be rationalized by the Germans as a medic committed to helping out one of their wounded men. So the guns stopped firing in his direction long enough to grab his “prize” and it was out in the middle of god’s creation, naked and defenseless that Malarkey realized that he was holding the empty case to the 105 gun site. A good officer can be heard over almost anything and this was certainly the case for Malarkey as he heard Winters voice shouting over the chaos of war to get his ass back to the trench. Running for his life the Germans made a furious attempt to pick him off as he ran through a hailstorm of dirt and debris all around him. He knew he’d be hearing about it for a long time afterwards if he managed to survive this battle.

As he dove out of breath under the gun, the bullets followed after him kicking the hell out of everything around him. Sergeant Guarnere’s voice was calling him from the other side of the hedgerow. As Malarkey reached him, Guarnere’s strong arms pulled him though the brush to relative safety.

Working their way back to Winters, the men encountered a small group of prisoners being held by part of the squad. Just as the men arrived, Cleveland O. Petty, who was manning a 30 caliber during the assault, walked up to the first prisoner and smashed him in the mouth with the brass knuckles on his 1918 trench knife, sending him crashing to the ground. Buck Compton jumps in and threatens a court martial, trying to maintain order amongst the killing. As the assault on the second gun continues, Winters orders Malarkey to take the left flank and set up a 30 caliber for covering fire. By this point the battle was moving away from him and his contribution to it’s success has been guaranteed. The last thing Don Malarkey did in that battle was to fire a few mortar rounds in the general direction of Brecourt Manor.

Three of the guns were destroyed that day in what has become a text book example of a frontal assault against a fixed position. In 1984 Don Malarkey went back to Brecourt Manor and met with its owner. He walked over and pointed out large shrapnel marks on the wall. “This is where your mortar round landed” the farmer said in his thick French accent. Malarkey walked over and touched the wall still damaged after all these years. His fingers traced the scars and he smiled.

Getting our Priorities Straight

Last night I went to my parent's new home and watched the "little" creek running in the back yard turned into a raging brown river about 150 feet across.
I watched my nearly 70 year old parents look on as the "river" raged 3 feet from the dining room window and saw the pain in their faces.
Why did I title this "priorities"? My "priority" yesterday was taking care of some what were really stupid things around my house and took a nap while my dad nearly broke his back loading and unloading sand bags in the pouring rain. I didn't realize the danger that they were in.
I see now that sometimes what seems important to me is really pretty unimportant.
Their house is ok, they are ok, but God has shown me once again, my selfishness.
God forgive me.

Fred Thompson looked great in the debate

Fred looked great in this debate and I was not impressed with Mike Huckabee outside of his strong Biblical answers. His immigration stance really bothered me.
Fred is gaining in the polls, looking like a strong second place right now in the early states and of course leading in all of the Southern states.
If you want lower taxes, a strong military, social security reform, Conservative Justices on the Supreme Court, anti-abortion, strong law leadership and more of the wonderful Ronald Reagan style Republican Party, you need to look at Fred.

Vice-President Huckabee????

I have it from a reliable media source that Mike Huckabee is working very closely with the Giuliani campaign to align himself to possibly be the nominee for Vice-President.

So, if that were to happen, would that satisfy people who preferred him as President?

Again, I advise strongly to continue to monitor all the campaign's websites and keep yourself informed on ALL issues of this race.

Fred Thompson has made some very bold and very wise moves over the weekend. Go to http://fredfile.fred08.com/ and see him on Fox News last night announcing his tax plan and learn more.

Here is a great story from the Associated Press that features Fred on guns and gun control:

Thompson Tweaks Rivals Over Gun Control
Associated Press Online
By JIM DAVENPORT
LADSON, S.C., Nov. 25, 2007 (AP Online delivered by Newstex) -- White House hopeful Fred Thompson called his trip down an aisle of rifles, shotguns and pistols at a gun show Saturday "a day in paradise," and criticized his leading Republican opponents for past positions on gun control and abortion.
Talking to reporters after the gun show visit, Thompson singled out former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Giuliani "never met a gun-control bill he didn't like until he started to run for president and now I understand he very much approves of the Supreme Court taking jurisdiction of this Washington, D.C., case which most Second Amendment advocates think will establish that the Second Amendment means what it says and grants individual rights to people to possess firearms," Thompson said. "So, ah, maybe he's changed his mind about that, but his record is clear otherwise."
A Giuliani campaign spokesman was quick to reply by e-mail to Thompson's criticism: "Mayor Giuliani is a strong supporter of the second amendment and believes our focus should be on making sure criminals are the ones who can't get guns. It's the same tough-on-crime approach Rudy took in bringing historic crime reductions to New York City, and we'll match that experience against Fred Thompson's record of chasing moonshiners any day of the week."
Thompson was asked about mailers Romney has sent talking about his abortion opposition and promoting himself as the clear choice on that issue.
"Until about two years ago, when he decided he was going to run for president, Governor Romney was the most adamant pro-choice advocate that I've ever seen," Thompson said. "You know, pull it up on the YouTube sometime of his debates and when he was running for governor and see the fervor with which he held his pro-choice beliefs. Now he's entitled to change his mind, but I don't think that he ought to be casting aspersions on anybody in terms of pro-choice -- pro-life, pro-choice -- issues," Thompson said.
A Romney campaign spokesman responded that Romney "is proudly pro-life and his record as governor reflects that."
Saturday was the former Tennessee senator and "Law and Order" actor's second trip to a gun show since launching his late bid for the GOP nomination in September, and followed a campaign stop at a gun shop in New Hampshire Friday.
At the Land and Sky Gun Show, Thompson examined an old M1 Garand rifle. He also raised an over-and-under Winchester shotgun suitable for the skeet shooting he's been known to do as he made his way through the 200 vendors at a fairgrounds just outside of North Charleston, S.C.
"It's a beautiful day in paradise," Thompson said when greeted by one of the people packing the show's aisles. He added that he wished he could spend more time and money at the show.
Thompson was a hit with James Hill, 65, from Summerville, S.C. "It's absolutely important to come to gun shows," Hill said. Thompson, he said, wins his support because he's strong on Second Amendment gun ownership rights. "He's right where our strength is."
Thompson was asked about illegal immigration several times, including about ending automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. He said he thinks that would require a constitutional amendment. However, he said so-called chain-immigration tied to the birth of the child should be curbed.
"I think if we stop this chain migration that we would really address the issue," Thompson said during a stop at a nearby barbecue restaurant, Thompson.

He really does represent all of the values of the Reagan Republican model that I have hoped for in this race.

November 25, 1960....a day that will live in infamy!

It was 47 years ago today, Billy Post he did learn to play!

Ok, so I stole from the Beatles. Here is one interesting note: John John, John F. Kennedy Jr. was also born on Nov. 25, 1960 and 3 years later when we both turned 3, his father was buried in the biggest funeral on earth. I vaguely remember everyone being very sad on MY birthday.

I remember seeing the famous image of little John John saluting his father's casket as it rolled by and many years later felt a bond with him for some reason. Anyway......

Yep, today is my 47th birthday. I remember when I turned 30 I got calls from old "friends" who checked to see if I had really lived that long. There was a time when 30 seemed pretty unreachable. 40 would have been nuts and now I am looking 50 straight in the face more healthy, happy and excited to be alive then any of those other dates.

I have three people to thank:

1. My Mom. She was a young, naive, lonely little teenager with her first baby, living in the middle of the desert with no one around to help her much as her new husband was off to work long hours in the Air Force everyday. Somehow she did it and she did just great!

2. My Dad. He was also a very young person when I came along, and he worked very hard to raise me and my sisters, but he always had sound advice and left me with many character traits that, as I have gotten older, they have served me well.

3. My Wife. Colleen saved me from the dredges of life with her beautiful blue eyes and her rarely shown :) smile! She puts up with SOOOO much! I love her dearly.

Mostly I thank God for being so patient as to wait for me to come to Him when I did. He has made a great change in my life and I will no longer be the same.

Thank you also to my son Kai for aging me daily. No really, he is a special kid who will someday be much greater, smarter and better than I could ever be.

I also want to thank Dr. Butler for the many, many hours, days, years of counseling I have received from him. He and his wife, son and daughter have been a great help to me in many ways.

Maya Angelou, American Treasure?

I was thinking about this the other day. With the possible prospect of another Clinton in the White House, Maya Angelou comes up again.

Bill Clinton brought her to the country's attention during his presidency.

I remember at the time not being really impressed with her work, but then poetry is highly subjective.

The thing that struck me was how HARD President Clinton was promoting her as "America's Treasure". I found that it was very similar to President Kennedy promoting Robert Frost.

As a student of poetry, Robert Frost is one of my favorites.

So, I will let you be the judge. A Frost Poem and a Angelou poem and then you can dig harder into websites I have found for each.

Robert Frost, one of my favorites that he wrote:

"Fire and Ice" is one of Robert Frost's most popular poems, published in his book New Hampshire.

Some say the world will end in fire

Some say in ice

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire

But if I had to perish twice

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

A good Frost Website: http://www.ketzle.com/frost/

Maya Angelou:

Lying, thinking
Last night
How to find my soul a home
Where water is not thirsty
And bread loaf is not stone
I came up with one thing
And I don't believe I'm wrong
That nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
There are some millionaires
With money they can't use
Their wives run round like banshees
Their children sing the blues
They've got expensive doctors
To cure their hearts of stone.
But nobody
No, nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Now if you listen closely
I'll tell you what I know
Storm clouds are gathering
The wind is gonna blow
The race of man is suffering
And I can hear the moan,
'Cause nobody,
But nobody
Can make it out here alone.
Alone, all alone
Nobody, but nobody
Can make it out here alone.

A good Angelou website: http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/87

Does God Still Talk To Man?

Once again a wonderful discussion in Sunday School leads me to ask the reader this question.
We are studying I Samuel and were discussing the part in chapter 9 when God literally tapped Samuel on the shoulder and said "that's the guy" speaking about Saul as His choice for Israel's king.
We discussed the topic of God speaking directly to Samuel.
My stance is that Samuel was so close in his walk with God that he LITERALLY spoke with God and God spoke with him. How was this possible and can I do this today?
1 - Relationship
2 - Obedience

I believe that these are the two keys to knowing God in such an intimate way. I am only just now, after many years of not working very hard on this, trying to know God deeper and more intimately.
God never changes, we know that, but we sure do.
Why wouldn't God literally speak to man now as He did then? I believe He does and we don't always hear Him because we might be lacking in those two things above.

God help me to build a better relationship with you by reading Your Word and listening to your voice and help me to be obedient when I do hear Your voice and read Your Word.

Wow, talk about letting you in on my thoughts! What say you?

She Didn't Win, but She is a Winner!!

Colleen did not win a Crystal Apple Award last night, but she was radiantly beautiful and there were at least 20 or so of her colleagues there cheering her on and that was really more important to her.

She was probably the only nominee that DIDN'T want to win. Why? She would have had to go in front of 1100 people, TV and newspaper. She hates that! It's so funny, for once she got a little picture of what it is like to be me. We both commented on how this type of thing is usually something I do and of course I LOVE the attention, she does not. So, after my 5 week teaching stint, I understand better her work and after one night of attention she understands my work.

I am so proud of her, she should have won! She is the best teacher I know and at least one maybe two generations of special ed kids have moved on in their lives due to her teaching.

Thank you Colleen for being so gracious, professional, beautiful and most importantly, my patient wife!

Here is why "The View" is garbage!!

Laura Ingraham was a guest host on "The View" and she was subjected to the idiocy of those hosts. I also got a laugh out of the sheep in the audience.

These women are HORRIBLE people and we should not be supporting them, whether you are a woman or not. They are anti-American, anti-religion, socialist elite goofballs.
This is just one small segment, there are more on youtube, and as you can see, Laura really shows how much more intelligent and less emotional then Joy or Whoopi or even Babwa.

Hawaii comes to My Sunday School Class

Yes friends, Hawaii, well a very bad version of Hawaii, came to the Open Bible Class last Saturday night. The pictures say it all.

Please hide your kid's eyes if you are easily offended!

Brad Wallace and I did some hula!

A Good time was had by all, good food, good conversation and very ugly hula girls.

Takin the show on the road!!

Here are a couple shots from my new radio show: "Your Home Solutions with Keith Brown" as we broadcasted from the Salem Home and Remodeling show a couple weeks back.

If you are in the area, tune to 1430 AM on saturdays at 9 and hear from some real experts in the home building and remodeling biz, and a few dumb jokes from the old dj.

Last week had Duane West from Salem E and who owns 3R's Construction. He was great!

God, the same yesterday, today, forever

If that is true, which I do believe, then why do we continue to as Christians dwell on the "God is love, peace, mercy, flowers, waterfalls and bluebirds singing", when He is a God of great Judgement as well?
Are we missing half the story?
Our Sunday School class has been studying 1Samuel and specifically the "Ark Effect" in chapters 3-7. Read that sometime and then convince me that God isn't bringing judgement even now?

Someone in class pointed out that God could even be bring on some of the diseases and sicknesses we have now. That we might blame sin or the Devil when in fact it could be God. I don't know that I believe that for sure but, take a minute and a concordance and look up the term "hand of God" and see what it says. It was the same everywhere in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament, therefore if God doesn't change, his Hand is the same today.
Quote scripture to back up your thoughts please. Lets have Biblical discourse.

Hillary for President update

Latest news on the campaign front:

At the Democratic debate late last week, finally, Hillary showed some of her weaknesses.

Namely, Drivers Licenses for illegal immigrants. When asked she first said she was for it, then waffled and went back on that and said she wasn't sure and then accused the moderator and the other Democrats of "picking on her" and using "gotcha" questions.

Let me remind you all again. If this person is elected president, you will have at least one Supreme Court justice nominated by her. This means if you are against abortion, you will NEVER EVER see abortion ended. She will nominate a justice who is pro-abortion and that one justice will be able to swing the court to that side.

So, since it looks like Romney, Thompson, McCain and Huckabee are starting to fall behind Giuliani, we will probably have a moderate conservative who is not necessarily "pro-abortion" but sort of non commital on it.

You saw my blog entry here a week or more ago tell you about this problem, now last night on national news shows, it was pointed out that in a recent poll, if Giuliani went against Clinton in a general election today, Giuliani wins by about 1%. If a third party Christian Conservative person were in the race, Clinton would win the election by over 15%!! If James Dobson goes forward with this just to placate he and his so called followers, or those who just feel that they have to promote "Our guy", that will be CRIMINAL as far as I am concerned. We CANNOT elect Hillary Clinton as president. Do you really want the Clintons back in power?

People, you may have to compromise on one or two issues for the greater good. If we don't stand behind the Republican nominee, we will advance the cause of abortion, homosexuality, and many many other anti-Christian ideals. You really need to think and pray about this decision if it comes up.

I will try to keep you all up to date with the latest from this election.

Randy Alcorn Site Added

I have added Randy Alcorn's blog to my list at the bottom of the page. You really should keep up with him and his website http://www.epm.org.

And on the political front, you need to go to http://www.lauraingraham.com to see the latest on Hillary and her campaign finance dealings lately.

You will also find great sound bites from my boy Fred D. Thompson. Go Fred!!

The Last Go Around

Tonight is the last football game of the season for Salem Academy and our boys, Kai, Skyler and Ryan.
Though two of them are freshman, Kai and Ryan, and Skyler a sophomore, they have been told not to expect much playing time as it is Seniors night.
I understand that, but of course as daddy don't like it.
Skyler will be the starting Running Back though, is the word out of practice. We have several key injuries to seniors so perhaps Kai and Ryan will be playing after all. We are playing Kennedy who are needing a win tonight for a possible 3 way tie for first place in the league, so knocking them out would be great!
So, if you haven't been to a game tonight is a good night, it is supposed to be clear and cool but a nice night for football. Besides, the public address announcer is worth the admission alone!
I am so proud of you my dear son Kai!!! Dad loves you tons and you are the MAN!

Money, money, money!!

Well, everyone seems to want to chime in on the music issue, which concerns me as I really think that the earlier post on Randy Alcorn's book is a much more important issue and much more important blog entry.
Is that one just hitting too close to home? I know that it is for me. I have been sooooo convicted lately of all the "stuff" I have when Randy so clearly points out, using scripture, that my use of God's money might be unwise.
So, I post blogs on what MY problems are. I am curious if anyone else struggles with this. Don't you think we ALL have too much stuff? Perhaps we could ALL use a little less and give a lot more?

7-11 songs vs. hymns

Another poll type entry.
Why do we assume that the "7-11" songs are more "spiritual" than hymns? In case you don't know what a 7-11 song is, that is a chorus where you sing 7 lines 11 times.
We have at least one maybe two whole generations who have no idea what the hymns of our faith are, what their histories are, what the depth of spiritualism of the songs are.
I am sorry but "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" is a deeper more meaningful song then many of the modern choruses sung in church today. "Blessed Assurance". "Love Lifted Me". These are just a few of the most powerful songs ever written. We are missing out. Just because it is in a book? And just because it is put up on a screen and once a month the same two or three hymns are sung (one or two verses only) doesn't teach or even introduce the hymns to new generations. Is this all in the "we have to appeal to the masses" thing?
Chime in.

Halloween Thoughts

I really don't care for Halloween, spiritual issues aside, I just don't get too excited by it anymore and haven't for many years.
Now perhaps you have younger children and the whole "trick or treat" thing is still fun, but really, for adults it has become ANOTHER reason for people to get liquoured up and dress like porn stars and act stupid.
Now as for at your house, do you still give out candy? Any other things that you give out? Chime in folks, I want all of your Halloween thoughts and try to keep it light.
Kai and his buddies are going to go out and be "trouble makers" (they say) and that also makes me think of older kids trick or treating. What do you think about that?
Lets talk!

How Much Money are You Whizzing Away?

I have been re-reading Randy Alcorn's "Money, Possesions and Eternity".

Once again, the Holy Spirit is speaking clearly through Randy. I had to ask myself, "how much more money can I waste?"

There is a line in his book that says: "what a great feeling it would be to place my head each night on my pillow, knowing that I have done all and given all I can to further Jesus Christ's Kingdom today!"

Did I have another latte? A movie? Another piece of unnessecarry furniture? Trip? Dinner out? On and on.

Yes all those thing are just fine, but just start doing the adding, how much of that would have made a LASTING difference in God's Kingdom rather than the PASSING pleasure that it was at the moment?

I am not preaching, I am being convicted. I waste so much money every day and if you believe in what Randy Alcorn is writing about, none of "my" money is MINE. It is all God's money. What would He have done with it today?

Ya ya, I tithe, ya I give offerings, but really, do I give all that I could? Do you?

Here is another thought from the book:

Let's say you are making $40,000 a year and you faithfully tithe 10%. So forgetting taxes to make easier math, you are now living on $36,000 a year right?

Now, you get a raise to $60,000 a year. Why, rather than tithing 10% on the $60,000, don't we instead continue to live on the $36,000 we were living on just fine before the raise? That means now we are tithing $24,000 instead of $6,000. See what I mean? Instead of adjusting our lifestyle upwards, why not continue living with what we HAD? Think how much more could be affected by $24,000 then $6,000 or the original $4,000.

End of sermon. LOL

More Hillary Clinton Talk

Below is a letter from a Canadian concerning "free" public health:

Hey Guys; I saw on the news up here in Canada where Hillary Clinton introduced her new health care plan. Something similar to what we have in Canada. I also heard that Michael Moore was raving about the health care up here in Canada in his latest movie. As someone who lives with the Canada health care plan I thought I would give you some facts about this great medical plan that we have in Canada. First of all:
1) The health care plan in Canada is not free. We pay a premium every month of $96. For Shirley and I to be covered. Sounds great eh. What they don't tell you is how much we pay in taxes to keep the health care system afloat. I am personally in the 55% tax bracket. Yes 55% of my earnings go to taxes. A large portion of that and I am not sure of the exact amount goes directly to health care our #1 expense.
2) I would not classify what we have as health care plan, it is more like a health diagnosis system. You can get into to see a doctor quick enough so he can tell you "yes indeed you are sick or you need an operation" but now the challenge becomes getting treated or operated on. We have waiting lists out the ying yang some as much as 2 years down the road.
3) Rather than fix what is wrong with you the usual tactic in Canada is to prescribe drugs. Have a pain here is a drug to take- not what is causing the pain and why. No time for checking you out because it is more important to move as many patients thru as possible each hour for Government reimbursement.
4) Many Canadians do not have a family Doctor.
5) Don't require emergency treatment as you may wait for hours in the emergency room waiting for treatment.
6) Shirley's dad cut his hand on a power saw a few weeks back and it required that his hand be put in a splint - to our surprise we had to pay $125 for a splint because it is not covered under health care plus we have to pay $60 for each visit for him to check it out each week.
7) Shirley's cousin was diagnosed with a heart blockage. Put on a waiting list. Died before he could get treatment.
8) Government allots so many operations per year. When that is done no more operations, unless you go to your local newspaper and plead your case and embarrass the government then money suddenly appears.
9) The Government takes great pride in telling us how much more they are increasing the funding for health care but waiting lists never get shorter. Government just keeps throwing money at the problem but it never goes away. But they are good at finding new ways to tax us, but they don't call it a tax anymore it is now a user fee.
10) My mother needs an operation for a blockage in her leg but because she is a smoker they will not do it. Despite her and my father paying into the health care system all these years. My Mom is 80 years of age. Now there is talk that maybe we should not treat fat and obese people either because they are a drain on the health care system. Let me see now, what we want in Canada is a health care system for healthy people only. That should reduce our health care costs.
11) Forget getting a second opinion, what you see is what you get.
12) I can spend what money I have left after taxes on booze, cigarettes, junk food and anything else that could kill me but I am not allowed by law to spend my money on getting an operation I need because that would be jumping the queue. I must wait my turn except if I am a hockey player or athlete then I can get looked at right away. Go figure. Where else in the world can you spend money to kill yourself but not allowed to spend money to get healthy.
13) Oh did I mention that immigrants are covered automatically at tax payer expense having never contributed a dollar to the system and pay no premiums.
14) Oh yeah we now give free needles to drug users to try and keep them healthy. Wouldn't want a sickly druggie breaking into your house and stealing your things. But people with diabetes who pay into the health care system have to pay for their needles because it is not covered but the health care system.
I send this out not looking for sympathy but as the election looms in the states you will be hearing more and more about universal health care down there and the advocates will be pointing to Canada. I just want to make sure that you hear the truth about health care up here and have some food for thought and informed questions to ask when broached with this subject. Step wisely and don't make the same mistakes we have.

Kids, Hillary wants that for us. In this week's US News and World Report as well as in our own local paper a story ran about how the UK's "free" public health is so bad, they are short of dentists who will work on the program and so people are resorting to extracting their own teeth with pliers and using Super Glue to re-attach crowns!!

If you are a Hillary fan, I have one simple question:
She was quoted last night as having said: "I am the most singularly qualified person to be President of the United States".
Name 3 things she has done to "qualify to be President of the United States".
You can't say "good mom, faithful wife and senator of New York" as any woman in America can fill the first two and senator of New York was the easiest election she will ever run, the bluest of the blue states and the wife of a President who lives in the biggest city in that state.
So, tell me what she has done?

Oregon to consider banning schools’ Indian mascots

Jemeny Christmas, this Communist state of Oregon is going freakin nuts!!
Below is an article from the Statesman-Journal from today:

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon schools with American Indian “mascots” can weigh in today on whether they should be required to get rid of them.
Schools with teams named the Warriors, the Indians and the Braves have been invited to hear why Native American educators and students feel harmed and demeaned, although not all of them do. The 15 mostly small schools also will be able to make their case for keeping the mascots and nicknames.
The question was raised in Oregon last December, when then-high school senior Che Butler, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz, urged the Oregon State Board of Education to strike down the mascots as racist.
After months of closed meetings, an advisory panel urged state Superintendent Susan Castillo to require all state-funded schools with Native American mascots to get rid of them by September 2011.
The panel report cites the importance of respecting the cultures and sacred symbols of all peoples and the harmful effects of racial stereotyping.
But Oregon schools with the mascots complained they were not consulted.
“I think we’re being invited in after the fact as a kind of courtesy,” says Craig Brewington, superintendent of the district that includes Warrenton High, whose mascot is a Warrior.
“Such a ban would upset the length and breadth of this community: grandparents, parents, teachers, students, former students, including people in the Nehalem and Clatsop tribes here,” who have endorsed the use of the name.
Top state officials say fans of Native-themed teams will be listened to. Castillo will decide but has no deadline, says Pat Burk, chief policy officer.
Schools with the mascots say they are eager to be heard and have updated cartoonish old images or dropped logos showing Indians entirely.
In some cases, tribal leaders said they weren’t offended.
School administrators also say there is cost involved.
In Roseburg, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe is headquartered just two miles from the high school, known for more than 100 years as the Roseburg High Indians. The school’s current logo is a feather, a symbol also used by the Cow Creek, embedded in the school’s artificial turf field and sewn into most team uniforms.
“Years and years ago, this school community was attracted to the idea of associating ourselves with the Native American people, and we feel that it is a privilege that we are allowed to do so. ... We have paid a lot of attention to the impact it could have on Native Americans who live in our community and attend our school,” said Superintendent Lee Patterson.
“We have enjoyed being The Indians, and we are not ready to give it up, especially without anyone coming to visit us and seeing us here on the ground.”
Sue Shaffer, chairman of the Cow Creek band, said in a statement that changing the mascot is not a tribal priority.
The Oregon Indian Education Association and education leaders from the federally recognized tribes in Oregon suggested who should serve on the panel, says Brad Victor, an education specialist who led the group.
They drafted a recommendation for Castillo during three invitation-only meetings over the summer.
Some committee members recounted racist taunts prompted by Native-themed mascots including `Scalp the Indians.’ “
But principals and superintendents said that isn’t tolerated and that any cheers they lead must be welcoming and inviting to the other team.
The 15 Oregon high schools with Native American mascots or nicknames for their sports teams: Amity Warriors, Banks Braves, Lebanon Warriors, Mohawk Indians, Molalla Indians. North Douglas Warriors, Oakridge Warriors, Philomath Warriors, Reedsport Braves, Rogue River Chieftains, Roseburg Indians, Scappoose Indians, Siletz Valley Warriors, The Dalles Wahtonka Eagle Indians and Warrenton Warriors.

So, sound off. Is this nuts or what? Don't we have better things to do? If we do this then I will be offended by the McNary Celtics, the North Salem Vikings, The Royal Scots etc etc.
How about the Crusaders those murderous knights?
As the spouse of a Native American, I can honestly say, she has never once been offended by these mascots and never will. As one Indian friend of mine said: "the mascot names do not offend me as they represent the strength and spirit of our nations."
That is cool. Someone needs to hold these politicians and school officials accountable.

Only 10 Weeks to Go, are you ready????

The Primary elections are only 10 weeks from now! What camp are you in? The ABH (anything but Hillary)?
Or are you already decided on Rudy?

How about Fred Thompson or Mitt Romney or the others?
Barack Obama?
Let me tell you a few things you need to know.
If Hillary is elected you can expect this great nation to become Feminized, Homosexualized and centralized. Health care for everyone? Ever been to England? Ask them about Universal Health Care.
Another idea she has proposed: a baby bond. Now thats just great if you have babies, but guess who pays? All of us, even those of you who don't have babies.
Do you not remember the Clinton years? Do you really want to go back to that and on top of that, add that this is the woman who makes her husband look like a Reaganite in comparison?
Now, to address the ABH crowd: that is a good idea. I am probably leaning that way myself.
I am not enamored with any of the candidates at this time, but whomever wins the Republican primary, we have to support them 100%. I am not a fan of Rudy, Mitt or John, I can live with Fred, but I will support the Republican nominee.

Rudy is a power hungry street hustler, in some ways that might be good, but he was quoted this week as saying: "I was elected as mayor as a Republican, but also a Democrat." What?

Mitt Romney's wife was on the Laura Ingraham show today and tried to defend hers and Mitt's "religion". She said: "Evangelical Christians are very close in what they believe to what we believe and I think will find that we have much in common." Huh?

They all scare me but nothing is as scary as Hillary!
You really have to ask yourself are you ready for what would come with a government run by Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi?
The only good I can see from it is the beginning of the end of America which I think will be that much closer to Christ's return.
Free speech will be eliminated as it will be considered a "hate crime" to speak against them.
Priests and pastors will be villified and probably jailed.
Homosexual marriage will be mandated nationally, as will late term abortions and the so called "death with dignity" or as I call it, "death to grandma" will be universal.
We will have an immediate lack of respect militarily worldwide, our allies will be overwhelmed with threats not including the Al-Queidas of the world dropping planes and dirty bombs on our own country.
WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!!
Christians, time to step up. Get registered, figure out who you will vote for and VOTE!!

Dirty Football

Last night the Crusaders lost to Culver. I have never seen a more dirty football team then the Culver Bulldogs. Their coaching staff should be ashamed. Our chain gang on their sideline reports that the coaches were naming our player's numbers and telling them to specifically "take out" that player, and with bad officiating that missed late tackles, facemasks and other penalties, our guys were hurt pretty badly.
All in all, I think our boys played great considering we were missing several key players, playing the #1 team in the state and freshmen on the O line.
No one else has scored more than 13 against Culver this year, so Go Crusaders!!

On another note, it was bittersweet to have so many of my former pupils hugging me and saying how much they miss me. I miss them too!
Wonderful kids.
A special kudos to our AD Pete Potloff, who pulls off minor miracles on Friday nights and other days as well.
Pete, if you ever read this, I love you brother!!! You don't know how much you mean to me, even though you are a young punk theologian with bad theology! :) Just kidding! You know what I am talking about.
Go Stones.

Back in the Saddle Again

I am back at KYKN and that means everyone has been calling or emailing me with amazement that they heard me "all day long" on the radio!
Yep, that's me.
Starting Monday I will be live from 6-9am and then doing a live Home Remodeling Talk Show on Saturdays at 9 starting the 20th, which we will kick off at the Salem Home and Remodeling show at the Fairgrounds. We will do that from 11-12 that day so you can come out and see the show and make faces at the hosts myself and Dave from the sponsor, Keith Brown.
So, that's my life for now, fun to be back doing what I do best.
Hope to talk to you all soon, just tune in to 1430 AM, KYKN!

Republican Debate was tonight, did you watch?

Yes kids, Fred D. Thompson made the other candidates look like wooden statues. In case you didn't know it, the Republican candidates debated tonight.

It was very intriguing and told me a lot about what they are going to be standing on.

Mitt Romney was interesting but calling for lawyers to decide if the President can bomb Iran? Are you kidding me?

Rudy Giuliani also called on lawyers to decide if the line item veto should be used. These two guys are big city slickers who rely on lawyers just like Democrats and they both tried to outdue each other on who taxed who's people more or less, looked like both of them are too much taxes for me.

Gov. Huckabee and the others just looked like character actors on a stage shared by the big 3. Sorry but Fred showed himself very good for his first debate. Here are some of my favorite lines from Fred tonight:

An intense spat between GOP rivals Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani over taxes and spending took some of the focus — and the heat — off Thompson and overshadowed the other six Republicans on stage; Thompson was literally stuck between the two as they sparred.
“I’ve enjoyed watching these fellows. I gotta admit it was getting a little boring without me, but I’m glad to be here now,” Thompson said.
“This is a lot like ‘Law & Order,’ senator. It has a huge cast, the series seems to go on forever, and Fred Thompson shows up at the end,” Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, quipped to laughter.
Thompson nodded and smiled — then shot back slyly: “Not bad, not bad. And to think I thought I was going to be the best actor on the stage!”

I will continue to support this man until shown differently!

A Brand New Week for Ol' Bill

Well, the experiment in teaching is officially over.

On Monday I will be teaching my last classes at Salem Academy. I have been offered a job at my old stomping grounds of KYKN Radio and could not resist the pull back to what I do best.

I love SA and will continue to be a part of the school not only as a parent, but as a spiritual guide, counselor, PA guy and whatever else they see a need for. My desire continues to be seeing those wonderful kids grow in their walk with God and their love for His Word.

I find that as a teacher, I am not doing that as a good of a service as I could in other ways.

Please pray for SA and the wonderful staff and especially Ken Friesen and Pete Potloff who as adminstrators were OUTSTANDING in helping me with a very very hard decision.

On another note, we lost to Scio pretty big last night 40-20 so that opens conference play. We have Culver at home next week, hope to see any of you alumni there!