Satanic Coloring Books Handed Out In Public Schools

The Satanic Temple is handing out Satanic coloring books and other Satan-worship literature in government (public) schools. The most recent highly publicized display is taking place at government schools in Orange County Florida. Now, before you dismiss this as another "Only in Florida" moments, be it known that this is the same group that's erecting a statue of Baphomet on the grounds of Oklahoma's statehouse right smack dab in the so-called "heartland".

Translation from picture posted by The Satanic Temple:

"Audi preces meas Satana blessed be"

(Latin: Hear my pleas)

Now, before anyone goes off half-cocked screaming for “censorship” ... consider that the censorship works both ways so think before you speak and be careful what you ask for. If you ask to censor views that oppose your own, then you must accept that your views are also subject to the same censorship. The United States was not created to operate on censorship but rather the free exchange of information and ideas ... it's just too bad that the majority of our politicians and bureaucrats are in opposition to our founding principles and in violation of our Constitution.

Personally, I think this is both good news and a wonderful teaching opportunity. It's "good news" because the acknowledgment of the existence of Satan is by default the acknowledgment of God because one can not have "evil" without also having "good" and one can claim neither without admitting the existence of a non-physical conscience. The claim of "spirits" or "ghosts" also cannot be made without acknowledging the existence of a non-physical entity (soul) which not only never dies but exists irrespective of the physical being (body). Therefore, anyone who maintains any of these beliefs to any degree must by default reject the theory of evolution since: Energy can only change state, not evolve therefore spirits or souls cannot come from the environment; evil cannot exist without good; moral conscience relies upon the existence of a moral law.

All this brings us to the primary point of this entire exercise being a wonderful teaching opportunity! First, as stated above, we have the opportunity to teach people the truth about the founding principles of our country and why we must always protect everyone's freedom to choose their way as well as their liberty to act according to their choices. As a consequence of protecting freedom and liberty, one must also understand and accept that one's freedom and liberty must not come at the expense of someone else's. Therefore, we must always defend the rights afforded to the Temple of Satan just the same as we defend the rights afforded to every other idea be it theological, anti-theological or whatever. Only those who wish to oppress others and the intellectually lame fear facts and the free exchange of ideas. This is why those who are only interested in pushing their opinion or agenda are so quick to press the “ignore” or “unfriend” button rather than let themselves give any consideration to the facts that will reveal the truth. One cannot be true to themselves unless they are willing to accept the truth that is revealed through careful examination and discussion of the ideas and evidence.

One only need look at the examples to confirm what is being said here. Socialist governments go to great lengths to brainwash their subjects into thinking they cannot survive without big nanny government caring for them. Communist governments go to extremes with censorship to prohibit their subjects from obtaining facts and participating in the free exchange of ideas. Religious cults and theocracies like the Islamic caliphates go to extremes with censorship to prevent the free exchange of ideas. All this happens because the free exchange of ideas threatens the governing body's ability to maintain control of their subjects. Speaking as a Christian, I have no objection concerning the dissemination of this satanic material in schools because anyone who is “being” a Christian parent or mentor should see this discussion opportunity for the blessing it is because all things being equal, Christians should not only be discussing the facts with their own children but also with all the non-Christians they come in contact with. Likewise, all the non-Christians should also welcome the discussions because it's a fine opportunity to present your facts and ideas as well.

Blessings!

Mark

Minimum Wage Hurts Workers & Economy

Every economy revolves around several factors whereby the wealth generation baseline is established by the ratio of cost to profit.

There are many contributing factors to the cost:profit ratio but the primary ones include:

• The amount of labor required to produce a product/service
• The minimum required skill level of laborers
• The volume of labors possessing said skill level that are available to work
• The minimum pay required to retain laborers with said skill level
• The prevailing selling price of the product/service according to demand

The above factors are what allow a “free market” economy to prosper and produce continuous growth. When one introduces an artificial change in any contributing factor, it triggers cascading detrimental disruptions to the "free market" economic system.

In the case of a minimum wage, the amount of artificial change to unskilled labor costs is the primary driving factor determining the baseline level of inflation. When labor costs increase across the board, the cost of producing the product/service increases proportionally … this is called “inflation” because the change was reduction in the purchasing power of the money.

At the time this is written, the current Federal Minimum Wage is $7.25/hour and the socialists are proposing a 107% increase in the Federal Minimum Wage to $15.00/hour which will in turn produce a 107% labor cost increase across the board in all industries. One must also consider the repercussions this will have not only on the wealth generation baseline but also on the overall economic/labor structure whereby the increases in operations costs will effect major detrimental changes to overall welfare of both moderate and low-income workers. Numerous business economists have evaluated the effects of major increases in the Federal Minimum Wage and their predictions have been confirmed to be accurate by the results observed following Seattle's choice to increase their Minimum Wage.

In Seattle, the primary immediate effects were felt by food and hospitality workers. Instantly it became necessary for businesses to cut operational costs across the board in order offset the government-mandated artificial labor cost increase. Immediately workers lost most or all of their perks such as being allowed to consume food and drink while working as well as employer provided insurances, daycare and parking. Many companies reduced their payrolls in addition to cutting hours and overtime. The net effect of increasing the Minimum Wage resulted in everyone's cost of living increasing but lower income workers are bearing the most substantial cost of living increases.

The fastest way for an employer to cut labor costs is by reducing the number of employees and current estimates show that if the Federal Minimum Wage is increased to $15.00/hour the economy will immediately shed well over a million jobs low-income jobs and an additional three million jobs across all other income classes. We have nearly eight decades of statistical data clearly showing the detrimental effects of a minimum wage on economic stability and growth. The only way to increase the standard of living for everyone is to allow the free market to be free from government manipulation. Anyone who is serious about increasing the standard of living must first understand that all standard of living increases are a byproduct of increased in a country's economic strength and stability. A country increases it's economic strength and stability by allowing the free market to generate wealth and as the market grows, so grows the people's standards of living.

Unfortunately, what we have here are a bunch of politicians, most of which have never had a real job and know nothing about wealth-generating businesses, instituting mandates that have a consistent 100+ year history of repeated failure! If politicians were serious about implementing positive change, they would stop punishing achievement by stifling wealth-generation. 

2014 Sochi Olympics

Gone to the dogs?

Everyone from celebrities to talk show hosts are complain about the Russian government killing stray dogs in Sochi. The collective ignorance and apathy amongst these folks is rather difficult to comprehend without wondering if it's intentional or has humanity become removed from itself? Ignorance is believable for those folks who don't normally follow sociopolitical issues but the blatant apathy displayed by so-called “news” and “media” people is absolutely inexcusable.

Even for those who are not aware of the fact that the Russian government still operates with the familiarity of the communist iron fist, a few minutes of on-line research would reveal this truth as well the the reason why there are so many stray dogs in Sochi. Many of the dogs were abandoned because their owners were forcefully evicted from their homes by the Russian government because of Olympic Park construction. Others were forced from their homes as a result of the collateral damage caused by the Sochi Olympic Park construction. An unknown number of Russian families are suffering damages, loss and homelessness because of the Sochi Olympics yet not one of the “talking heads” from cable news to Christian radio are saying anything about the “people”, only the “dogs”.

The Russian government claims they have enacted a “zero-waste” program for the Sochi Olympic Park yet massive amounts of waste and debris have been dumped around Sochi or hauled 160 miles north to Belorechensk. Dumping of waste, much of it dangerous and hazardous, is not limited to Sochi but also the villages of Uch-Dere, Loo and Atarbekovo to the point that massive piles of waste are causing some houses to collapse and others to be buried under tons of waste. The Russian people have not been compensated for the damages or losses, as is typical for people suffering under any excessively controlling government, they're left to fend for themselves.

I don't want to make this about the athletes as they are as much pawns in the political games as the Russian people. Has humanity really become this far removed from itself? Have we as human beings allowed our brain function to be reduced to sound-bites and tweets that we no longer have the ability or desire to ask “WHY”? Has the value of human life been reduced to less than that of animals? Have we more concern for the general welfare of animals than their human owners? Are you offended by my impudence in questioning your assignment of values? Do you happen to recall something about a “doing unto others” and for the Christians, do you recall something about “loving thy neighbor”?

Grilling “Papa Duck”

Phil Robertson unintentionally exposed some very disturbing realities.

More than a month has passed and the hysteria surrounding Phil Robertson's comments in a magazine interview just isn't dying down. There is a multitude of disturbing aspects to this topic that should alarm everyone and they have absolutely nothing to do with what Phil Robertson said.

The lack of reading comprehension is without doubt the most disturbing aspect of this whole fiasco because it's painfully obvious that the majority of individuals and alleged “reporters” alike have placed their ignorance on display. It goes beyond the incorrect and fabricated quotes to the heart of the matter which should scare the crap out of everyone. Many have screamed “freedom of speech” proving they have no understanding of the Bill of Rights which does not not apply to “all” speech and especially not to non-government affairs. How can we expect to defend either the Bill of Rights itself or people living under it if we don't even understand what is written therein?

One has to wonder how Camille Paglia becomes a “University Professor of Humanities and Media Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia” yet lacks the very basic understand that the United States is “representative republic” and not a “democracy” as she is quoted as saying in a Christian Post article¹. In the same article Paglia makes reference to how the “legacy of free speech” has been lost by democratic political party. Why are people not appalled by the fact that Paglia, an alleged “professor”, is among the millions of others who fail to understand even the most basic concepts of the US Constitution and Bill of Rights?

First and foremost, there is an absolute clear distinction between a “democracy” which is “group” sovereignty and a “republic” which protects “individual” sovereignty. There is no mistaking the fact that the United States Constitution clearly protects the rights of the “individual” and not the “group” or “collective”. Most important to this discussion is the fact that the rights of the individual, specifically the “minority individual”, are protected in a republic but not in a democracy. One would think that Ms. Paglia would have acquired this basic constitutional knowledge in a middle-school civics class or at the very least sometime before being assigned the title “professor”.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution contained in what we know as the “Bill of Rights” states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

While each of these opens a can of worms for discussion, the intent here is to remain focused upon the underlying claims of “free speech”. Under the First Amendment, Phil Robertson is certainly guaranteed his right to speak in public or private about anything he wishes – however – once Phil has agreed to a private business contract his speech may certainly be limited by the other party to the said contract. This is essentially no different than when one signs a contract with a “non-disclosure” or “industrial espionage” clause, either or both parties of the contract are then bound by the terms of said contract. Whether one chooses to side with Phil or A&E, the fact remains that this is not a constitutional matter, at most it can be a discrepancy of either civil or contract law.

The “Papa Duck” moniker arises from the comparison of Phil Robertson to “Papa Francis” (Pope Francis) in a poorly written “Time Ideas”² commentary that is little more than a blatant display of liberal academia induced ignorance. The author of this most nonsensical article actually has the gall to claim that “Papa Francis” is a trained philosopher who “singlehandedly [sic] saved the church” by issuing the statement: “Who am I to judge?” ... Seriously? How does one even consider making the claim that the Pope “saved the church” by misunderstanding or outright dismissing the very biblical truth upon which the church is to stand?

I suppose it's not really a stretch to consider that the Pope would so easily dismiss scripture since Variety.com³ ran an article stating that over 18,000 Christians signed a petition supporting A&E in suspending Robertson. From a different angle one could easily rephrase the statement to read: “Over 18,000 Christians thumbed their noses at God and would rather see people suffer for eternity in hell than risk temporarily hurting their feelings.”

While most modern Christians fall back upon the segment of scripture “truth in love” they conveniently dispose of the full context surrounding the segment. The fourth chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians provides the necessary context:

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15 (NIV)⁴

It is undeniable that the corruption of liberal academia and political correctness have impacted the Church to the point where Christians en masse reject the Great Commission in favor of being both "in" and "of" the world by choosing a flawed sociopolitical ideology over the Word of God. Ephesians is quite clear that we are not to be deceived by schemes like that of political correctness and tolerance. The truth need not be hateful and presented in love even though it may be painful. It is the deceit of the world that causes corruption of scriptural truth for all the way back in Genesis the serpent schemed by inserting doubt with the question 'Hath God said?' Political correctness and tolerance are the modern schemes of deceit effectually repeating the question 'Hath God said?'

Truth must be first and foremost no matter if one finds it painful or disagreeable. Christians must speak the truth in order to show their love and concern for eternal matters greatly exceed those of temporal feelings.

References

1. http://www.christianpost.com/news/lesbian-activist-blasts-ae-for-suspending-duck-dynasty-patriarch-phil-robertson-111311/

2. http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/19/the-duck-dynasty-fiasco-says-more-about-our-bigotry-than-phils/#ixzz2nx2BjASC

3. http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson-gq-ae-1200981032/

4. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%204&version=NIV;NASB

Insights From ... Vladimir Putin?
The decay of morals, society and national suicide.

Arguably there are vast differences between Vladimir Putin's sociopolitical ideals and those rooted in liberty but Putin is the only player on the world stage speaking about certain sociopolitical truths that are necessary to maintain a sustainable society and nation. Likely you have not heard hide nor hair of this because European and Western media systematical omit anything that does not pass through the liberal-socialist filter disguised as “political-correctness”.

Since the early 2000s Russian leftists have labeled Putin as being “anti-globalization” but in reality Putin is for “limited-globalization” and his beliefs in this matter are sound national policy for any country to follow. For clarity purposes it is important to note that the definition, scope and purpose of “globalization” has changed considerably since the term was coined in the 1950s. The original definition of globalization meant allowing more open trade between countries for the purposes of growing the national economy through its domestic manufacturing base. As years passed, the term “globalization” was slowly corrupted but the major turning point came in the 1990s when the Clinton administration signed NAFTA into law. While the consequences of NAFTA can fill volumes, for now it suffices to state that NAFTA essentially chopped the self-sustainability of the American manufacturing base as well as consumer choice off at the knees. With that in mind, Putin's assessment of the corrupted model of modern globalization is very much correct on the four primary points:

1. Loss of national sovereignty by compromising political authority to the collective.
   
2. Destruction of an independent manufacturing base through excessive outsourcing.
   
3. Decomposition of a national identity through the adoption of multiculturalism and European socialism.
   
4. Destabilization of the national economy by allowing internal markets to become subject to the fluidity of global markets and events.
   

The Left in Russia and the United States alike constantly point to European socialist hubs as “progressive centers of enlightened humanity”. Russian Leftists have launched a full-out assault on Putin's insistence on maintaining a national identity and promoting the basic moral code as “parochial narrow-mindedness”. Likewise, the parallel can be seen in the United States as Leftists and Progressives have raised their assaults on basic moral values and freedom to blitzkrieg levels.

Responding to the question, “Why is it so important for you to criticise [sic] Western values?” posed by a CNN reporter in his annual news conference on December 19, 2013 Vladimir Putin said,

“The Moral Code of the Builder of Communism is just a pathetic copy of the Bible. This code has passed on, it does not exist any more. A new generation of Russian citizens, young people don’t even know what it is. But the only thing that can replace it is those traditional values (religion and moral values) that you mentioned. Society falls apart without these values. Clearly, we must come back to them, understand their importance and move forward on the basis of these values.”

Changing only the words appearing in italics, Putin's reply to the CNN reporter's question would read as follows:

“The Moral Code of the Founding Fathers is just a mirror copy of the Bible. This code has passed on, it does not exist any more. A new generation of American citizens, young people don’t even know what it is. But the only thing that can replace it is those traditional values (religion and moral values) that you mentioned. Society falls apart without these values. Clearly, we must come back to them, understand their importance and move forward on the basis of these values.”

The parallel is rather scary, is it not?

Quoting Nikolai Berdyaev in the same news conference, Putin went on to say,
“The point of conservatism is not that it obstructs movement forward and upward, but that it prevents the movement backward and downward. That, in my opinion, is a very good formula, and it is the formula that I propose.”

Does this make you wonder if Putin is really quoting Nikolai Berdyaev or Ronald Reagan?

What Putin said above corresponds to the statement he previously made when questioned about Russia's laws banning “propaganda of non-traditional relations".
Putin - “Russia sees itself as a defender of conservative values against what it considers an assault of genderless and fruitless so-called tolerance which equals good and evil".

History provides undeniable proof that one cannot point to any society that either prospered or was even able to sustain itself through moral corruption and the subsequent destruction of its youth. Communist China is now facing the realization that the sustainability of their nation is in jeopardy because their “one-child” has destroyed generations of their youth. The American Leftists and Progressives are indistinguishable from the European socialists and they are leading the United States down the same road to failure as we see happening to socialist countries in the EU. Thanks to the incompetence of our politicians in all parties and at all levels of government, we are already facing a severely crippled manufacturing base and an unsustainable debt load. If we continue to allow the destruction of our society and youth through the corruption of so-called “tolerance” then we shall reap the harvest of the evil we sow. God help us!