The relationship between church and state has been a topic of significant debate and discussion throughout history. In many societies, the concept refers to the interaction and potential separation of religious institutions and governing bodies.
What Are Parables
A story is typically a short imaginary story that outlines an ethical mentality or a strict rule "Story" comes from the Greek expression "parabolē," and that signifies "examination." It is an approach to showing through natural models.
Reason and Attributes:
Instructing Technique: Jesus oftentimes utilized illustrations to show His devotees and adherents. They were a method for conveying significant bits of insight in an engaging and important manner.
Examination and Relationship: Illustrations use correlation, poetic exaggeration, or likeness to show a reality. They take something recognizable (like regular day to day existence or nature) and use it to make sense of new ideas.
Human Characters: Not at all like tales that include creatures or lifeless things, stories include human characters.
Church and State
This dynamic can encompass various aspects, including:
Separation of Powers: The concept of separating the authority of the church from that of the state, ensuring each operates independently within its own sphere of influence.
Religious Freedom: The idea that individuals should have the freedom to practice their chosen religion without interference or coercion from the government.
Political Influence: The impact of religious beliefs and institutions on political decision-making and governance, as well as the potential influence of the state on religious practices and organizations.
The relationship between church and state is complex and varies across different cultures and historical periods, leading to ongoing discussions and debates regarding the appropriate balance of power and influence between these two entities.
You may need to use CC to for the commentator – the recording is quite low.
NEW YORK — A judge on Friday ordered former president Donald Trump to pay more than $350 million in penalties, plus interest, following a civil fraud trial, finding that he and others had carried out a years-long scheme to use “blatantly false financial data” to borrow money at lower rates.
“Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological,” Engoron, who heard the case without a jury, said in a written decision.
Trump, in a statement, called the decision “a Complete and Total SHAM,” while his attorneys pledged to appeal what they called “a draconian and unconstitutional fine.” Engoron ordered Trump to pay more than $354 million in penalties.
His son and son-in-law were ordered to pay $4 million each, there goes Jared’s $8 billion from the Saudis and Jr. who couldn’t remember any involvement in the business – well I dunno!
He Couldnt Remember College
Law & Order
Remember the GOP’s phrase Law & Order – let’s define what they really mean:
When Republicans talk about “law and order”, they evoke a powerful phrase—one that has resonated with voters for decades. But what does it truly mean? Let’s delve into the layers of this loaded expression.
Historical Context:
“Law and order” has been a staple in political discourse, projecting an image of strength and authority. It implies a commitment to maintaining societal stability through strict enforcement of laws.
However, its interpretation has evolved, especially in recent years.
The Traditional View:
For many conservatives, “law and order” signifies unwavering support for law enforcement. They view police officers as heroes, defenders of order, and essential to public safety.
The subtext: punishment over rehabilitation. This approach favors harsh sentences and closed prison doors.
Challenges to the Narrative:
George W. Bush, in response to the George Floyd protests, called for unity and self-reflection. Yet, some conservatives criticized him for not emphasizing riots and civil unrest.
Laura Ingraham, a Fox News host, retweeted an excerpt questioning the role of bias and racism in policing. This exposed a rift within the party—between those who prioritize authority and those seeking systemic change.
Trump Era Intensification:
Under President Trump, the phrase took on darker connotations. His tweets invoked it repeatedly, often accompanied by threats of violence.
The cautionary subtext morphed into a warning: challenge authority at your peril.
Changing Landscape:
Public opinion has shifted. The American people now see that when Republicans talk about “law and order”, it can lead to lawlessness and more disorder.
The days when this slogan was a winning political message may be over.
In essence, “law and order” remains a potent phrase, but its meaning is no longer monolithic. It reflects a broader conversation about justice, policing, and societal balance.
Lets Look Back At Un-Law & Order
Donald Trump’s Involvement:
In 1989, shortly after the Central Park jogger attack, Trump paid $85,000 for a full-page ad in four New York newspapers.
The ad called for the reinstatement of the death penalty in New York and referenced the Central Park Five case.
While the ad did not explicitly call for the execution of the Central Park Five, it advocated for a tough stance on crime and police power.
Trump’s ad criticized the lack of security in New York City and portrayed a city held hostage by criminals.
Think, I might do well to think a little less. On one particular job, often when asked a question I would pause. During my pause – I’m thinking of the question, why the question is asked, the source of the question (who is asking), the possible outcomes and consequences of the answer I will give. This often infuriated folk mostly because when I did respond they had no idea no idea what I was talking about.
A few months ago a friend suggested I read the, “The Curse of Knowledge” I did, much to my surprise I found a lot of reasons why I should remain humble with the level of knowledge I possess and continue to grow if you will.
A friend is a person whom one knows, likes, and trusts. Friends are individuals who offer support, companionship, and understanding in both joyful and challenging times. They share common interests and values, and often form deep, lasting connections based on mutual respect and care for one another. A true friend is someone who stands by your side through thick and thin, offering encouragement, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Grief of Losing a Friend
Grief is the natural response to the loss of someone or something dear to us. When ties are broken, whether it’s the end of a friendship or the loss of a loved one, the resulting grief can feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. It’s important to allow oneself to grieve and to seek support from others. Acknowledging the pain, sharing memories, and finding healthy ways to cope can help in the healing process. While the pain of broken ties may never fully go away, over time, it can become more manageable, allowing for new connections and experiences to bring comfort and solace. Don’t let anyone tell you how long you can grieve, how to grieve, just move on, let go, create negative modifiers about the friend, categorize your emotions as unwarranted. Their intentions may be honorable because they don’t want to see you hurt, however, there are a few things to remember:
They have not walked in your shoes;
They did not have the same friendship you had with the person.
They only know what you have shared with them – they are making suggestion on limited information;
David in the Old Testament
I’ve heard it said, “…there is nothing new under the sun…” In the bible there was man named David from the tribe of Judah which controlled Jerusalem. David established Jerusalem as the nation’s capital and God’s headquarters if you will. David was the grandson of Ruth and Boaz anointed by Samuel he chosen to be king. The Holy Spirit remained with him making him a man after God’s own heart. He trusted God for protection and remained loyal even when pursued by Saul. Despite his flaws, David’s faith set a standard for future kings. His legacy extends beyond defeating giants; he played a pivotal role in God’s plan for Israel.
Psalm 55: 12 – 14
Psalm 55 is a heartfelt plea from an individual who feels betrayed and overwhelmed. Traditionally believed to have been written by David, it captures the deep pain of betrayal by a close friend and articulates a fervent prayer for deliverance from enemies.
The psalm centers around a time of rebellion or power struggle against David. A key leader in this struggle was a trusted associate who betrayed him. The city was dangerous due to the rebellion, and David cried out to God for help. While some commentators associate this psalm with Absalom’s rebellion, certain aspects don’t perfectly align with that historical event. Nevertheless, the emotions expressed by David resonate with anyone who has faced betrayal and adversity.
In summary, Psalm 55 reflects the anguish, fear, and longing for divine intervention in the face of treachery and danger.
Summary
If a man like David with a connection to God most of us are still working to achieve can feel grief at the loss of a friend – who are we and who are you to define how, what, who, when and why we should grieve…
You’re hungry, there’s food in the refrigerator, but it needs to be cooked – but you don’t know how to cook. What are your options? You have no idea, previously, you knew what time chow was, breakfast, lunch and dinner – and you knew exactly where the chow was and even what time to get there so you would be first in line. If you were like me the last thing you want to do is NOT be at the chow hall and first or maybe 2nd in line. That doesn’t work now that you are home, additionally you no longer live in the barracks where someone next door can tell you how it works.
Here Is a Little Help From The Veteran Next Door
Here are some additional phone numbers if the situation requires it.
Separation Assistance: For assistance with the separation process for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans and retirees who need access to mental health care when:
Relocating to another assignment
Returning from deployment
Transitioning from active duty to reserve component or reserve component to active duty
Preparing to leave military service
Any other time they need a new mental health provider or need a provider for the first time.
Contact in Transition:
1-800-424-7877 (CONUS) Live Chat Email: dha.ncr.j-9.mbx.intransition@mail.mil
National Help for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
My most ideal day from beginning to end goes a little like this:
I get up without the alarm;
I thank Him for waking me, and ask Him to show me what He wants me to do today;
I have breakfast as I watch the news;
I teach someone something;
I learn something;
I reach back and help someone get up out of pain and misery;
I encourage someone to believe that he is worthy just as he is and that money, fame, and/or fortune do not define or validate anyone’s worth;
I would be able to spend just a few more minutes or a day with my dad before he left this place;
I would thank Him for giving me one more day to do His will, thank Him for the time I had with my dad and the wonderful memories of my dad (his birthday is coming up soon, hence the consideration in this post), and thank Him for the family I still have;
I would turn the light out and quietly pray that this day would actually happen one day!
We were taking my daughter on my first vacation to Walt Disney. We knew it was going to be a long ride, with my daughter my girlfriend, her mom, and 3 adopted children. We first prepared to share the driving. Leaving CT we got stuck in NY traffic for about 4 hours we had just moved past the Bronx and I said well my time is up, right after I finished eating a chicken wing and threw it out the window and it almost went in the window of the car in the other lane.
Moving right along, we get to North Carolina to stay for a day of rest and by then we had run out of selter water. We went to the grocery story and we ran up and down the asiles considering we were unfamiliar with the layout of the stores there, – three grocery stores later we hit the jackpot – they had every flavor you could think of and we got addicted grape fruit seltzer.
Finally we get to Florida – of course laying out our funds we incorporated going to a presentation on purchasing an executive suite for a week or two as long as it wasn’t already rented, but that’s another topic. We decide to go out early and have breakfast each morning and go to the park later in day when the noon day sun has started to set -the heat was unbearable. This was a must do vacation for my daughter for a plethora of reasons and it needed to be a vacation not a visit to our relatives or a funeral.
Of course at my daughter’s age and in my younger days I chose to ride the rides with her. We got on a ride (I forgot the name) it was a subway ride during a water main break. I didnt’ read the information or the name of the ride, I heard, “Mommy let’s get on this one” and we got on the ride, So we are sitting on the ride, and it seems to be moving – when all of a sudden the gush of water comes in from my right and hop out screaming for everyone to get out – save your lives!!! Well I just embellished a little, I didn’t say “…save your lives” but I did scream get out. My friend Jackie looked and smiled and reminded me it was just a ride!
This was my most memorable trip – 4 hour traffic, chicken wing out the window, free tickets by watching a presentation we were not interested in, searching for seltzer water like drug addicts (no hard feelings – I mean before an addict got clean), lastly so engrossed in a ride the imagery seemed real.
The absolute best was – me and my daughter went on a vacation together!
Among Governor Landry’s first actions in office was overturning the appeals process for high school seniors who fail the LEAP exam. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin said Landry mentioned early on that he was against this particular proposal for waving those graduation requirements.
“The fact that he issued the executive order is not a big surprise, maybe it makes a statement to some degree that he did it basically on his second day in office,” said Erwin.
Erwin said if the governor hadn’t issued the executive order, he believes incoming BESE members would have overturned the appeal process that was at the center of controversy…
“This is definitely something that became part of some of the BESE campaigns. We saw from the people that were running, certainly the new folks that got elected that they had some concerns about these particular waivers to the requirements,” said Erwin.
Erwin also points out that the governor makes three appointments to BESE.
Louisiana is the only state in the country that does not have an appeals process. Erwin said the debate highlighted two issues… one that the process was for students who were not fluent in English, and two that this particular process was implemented at the end of Edward’s term.
“I think people may want to revisit this in a more narrow fashion. What we had before was broad, it affected a lot of kids, was very subjective, and I think this BESE probably will take a closer look in the future,” said Erwin.
“We are deploying every tool and strategy that we possibly can,” Abbott told his conservative host. “The only thing that we’re not doing is we’re not shooting people who come across the border because, of course, the Biden administration would charge us with murder.”
The border issue in the United States has been a complex and multifaceted challenge, influenced by factors such as immigration policies, economic opportunities, security concerns, and political dynamics. It involves a combination of humanitarian, legal, and logistical aspects that require comprehensive and nuanced solutions. The ongoing debate surrounding the border reflects the need for a balanced and holistic approach to address the diverse issues involved.
Homeland Security said that when Border Patrol agents tried to respond to the call, they were “physically barred” by Texas Military Department agents from accessing the area. But the military department said when Border Patrol agents requested access, the migrants had already drowned, adding that claims that it had prevented the agents from saving them were “wholly inaccurate.”
For more than two years, Mr. Abbott has been testing the legal limits of what a state can do to enforce immigration law, expanding the use of concertina wire along the riverbank and installing buoy barriers to discourage migrants from crossing. But Border Patrol officials in the area have complained that those moves have made it harder for agents to help migrants in distress. And a Homeland Security spokesperson said Texas officials must stop interfering with federal law enforcement.
The division of responsibilities between the state and federal government regarding border control in the United States is rooted in the country’s constitutional framework. The federal government is primarily responsible for immigration and border enforcement, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. This includes the regulation of immigration processes, border security, and the enforcement of immigration laws. However, states also play a role in supporting federal efforts and may have certain powers related to immigration enforcement within their jurisdictions. This shared responsibility can lead to complex interactions between state and federal authorities, with each having distinct roles and powers in the immigration and border control domain.
The Biden administration, the Supreme Court said Monday that the U.S. Border Patrol may remove barbed wire installed by Texas authorities that prevents the federal agents from monitoring areas along the Rio Grande.
The 5th Circuit Court that prohibited Border Patrol agents from “damaging, destroying, or otherwise interfering with Texas’s concertina wire fence in the vicinity of Eagle Pass, Texas.” The court did not explain its decision, issuing a one-line order granting an emergency appeal filed by the Biden administration’s solicitor general. The narrow majority held that federal agents, not Texas authorities, have the power to patrol along the border.
To my surprise, TX Gov. Greg Abbott initiated the dispute by declaring “an invasion at our border” and installing razor wire to block migrants from entering the state. Texas officials on several occasions refused to remove or set aside the razor wire, as requested by U.S. Border Patrol agents.
After Texas sued and won in the 5th Circuit Court, Solicitor Gen. Elizabeth Prelogar filed an emergency appeal at the Supreme Court on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security and argued that the Constitution gives federal agents, not state officials, the power to enforce the law along the border.
Slavery has been caused by various factors throughout history, including economic exploitation, the desire for cheap labor, racism, and the desire for power and control. The transatlantic slave trade, for example, was driven by European demand for labor in their colonies, leading to the abduction and enslavement of millions of Africans. Additionally, social and cultural beliefs about race and ethnicity have also played a significant role in the perpetuation of slavery. It’s important to recognize that the causes of slavery are deeply rooted in historical and systemic injustice.
In 1619, “20. and odd Negroes” arrived off the coast of Virginia, where they were “bought for victualle” by labor-hungry English colonists. The story of these captive Africans has set the stage for countless scholars and teachers interested in telling the story of slavery in English North America. Unfortunately, 1619 is not the best place to begin a meaningful inquiry into the history of African peoples in America. Certainly, there is a story to be told that begins in 1619, but it is neither well-suited to help us understand slavery as an institution nor to help us better grasp the complicated place of African peoples in the early modern Atlantic world. For too long, the focus on 1619 has led the general public and scholars alike to ignore more important issues and, worse, to silently accept unquestioned assumptions that continue to impact us in remarkably consequential ways. As a historical signifier, 1619 may be more insidious than instructive.
We shouldn’t ignore that something worth remembering happened in 1619. There are certainly stories worth telling and lives worth remembering, but history is also an exercise in crafting narratives that give voice to the past in order to engage with the present.
The institution of slavery was a major cause of the American Civil War. Disputes over slavery and states’ rights led to the conflict between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded to form the Confederate States of America. The Southern economy, which was largely based on agriculture and relied heavily on the labor of enslaved people, viewed enslavement as essential to their survival. This disagreement over slavery was a significant factor that led to the Civil War.
Town Hall
Nikki Haley doesn’t mention slavery when asked what caused the Civil War. She later walks that back. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley was asked at a New Hampshire town hall about the reason for the Civil War, and she didn’t mention slavery in her response. She walked back her comments hours later.
Asked during Wednesday night’s town hall in Berlin what she believed had caused the war — the first shots of which were fired in her home state of South Carolina — Haley talked about the role of government, replying that it involved “the freedoms of what people could and couldn’t do.”
The Confederate Flag
They’re taking it down.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley on Thursday signed into law a measure to remove the contentious Confederate battle flag from the state Capitol, the culmination of a years-long movement that was reignited by the murders of nine members of a historically black church in Charleston.
Before adding her signature to the legislation, Haley spoke of the black victims, who were killed by a white man after they welcomed him into a June 17 prayer meeting at Emanuel African Methodist Church.
In Case Haley Still Can’t Remember
Bamberg County African-American History Resource Collection Opening in the Bamberg [South Carolina] Public Library
The Bamberg African-American Genealogical Society will hold the grand opening of the Bamberg County African-American History Resource Collection at 4 p.m. today (Sunday, February 15, 2009) in the lobby of the Bamberg County Public Library, in Bamberg, South Carolina.
The collection will include “Volume I – Church Histories,” individuals’ videotaped histories, community histories, names of cemeteries and schools, and other information about African-Amercians in Bamberg County produced by BAAGS from December 2007 through January 2009. It will become a permanent part of the Bamberg County Public Library and available for use by the public. For more information, call Vivian Halyard at 803-245-0535 or Alzena Robinson at 803-245-5903.
