UN Numbers, Flag Day and Memorials, DEI in Schools, Native Americans and Gambling, the Bible in Schools

Ukrainian Support—Congress voted on a bill that will send aid to Ukraine as well as Israel. Look at those who voted in favor and against the bill. Victoria Spartz is the US Representative for District 5 Indiana. Why take note of her vote? She is the only person elected to Congress that is Ukrainian born. Her vote—against the bill. The reason—better oversight of US funds and border security. One of the reasons why she may be taking this stand is that she is in a re-election fight for her seat. Spartz said that just because she was born in Ukraine does not necessarily mean that she should vote to send aid if she feels as if the money would be used inappropriately. (msn.com) US fiscal responsibility?….in lieu of over 30 trillion dollars in debt.

Do numbers lie?—The UN halved its original numbers for the women and children killed in Gaza earlier this month. Originally they reported 9,500 women and 14,500 children dead; now they are reporting 4,959 women and 7,797 children dead. So where is the UN getting their numbers? How are they receiving the numbers so quickly? Some things to think about when numbers of civilians are reported dead during war. People might be missing but not dead. They could have fled, gone into hiding or died of natural causes. Victims may be buried under buildings, vaporized, burnt, or disfigured so that forensics would not be able to identify them. If the UN’s sources “facts” from Hamas, how credible is their data? 

Board Correction—The North Carolina Board of Governors have decided to recant their previous decision to require DEI training and teaching on public university campuses across the state. This change will no longer require faculty and staff of public universities and colleges in North Carolina to complete the yearly DEI training. North Carolina, unlike Texas and Florida has chosen to not legislate a DEI ban, but leave it to individual institutions. UNC Chapel Hill chose to divert its DEI funding to add additional police support after pro-Palestinian protests. Patriots nationwide applauded the men’s fraternity who raised and defended the American flag amidst the rampage on campus. 

Contending for American Freedom— What is the Flag? A flag or standard is a military tool used for centuries to distinguish a distinctively different force. It is an insignia of leadership and a rallying point for troops. Henceforth, it becomes the first object of attack because, when stripped from its post, it immediately brings confusion and dejection resulting in a victory for its attackers. To strike the flag or pull it down in a fight is undoubtedly a sign of submission, surrender and defeat. On June 14, 1777, after George Washington had requested a flag for his soldiers, the Second Continental Congress took a break from the crafting of the Articles of Confederation to clearly define the description of the Patriot’s flag. In 1861 it became a rally banner for the Union forces, and with the invention of print on fabric became widely distributed in common households. By 1916, Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14th Flag Day. On February 23, 1945, the United States Marines overcame entrenched and unrelenting Japanese to top Mount Siribachi. From land to sea, Americans cheered as they did under the pen of Sir Francis Scott Key years before when they saw the stars and stripes rise from the rubble. The Marines at Iwo Jima rallied and surged to victory and that little flag was soon replaced by a  96 x 56 inch flag that was undeniable to all! On July 4, 1960, President Eisenhower stood over the first-to-be-flown, 50 star-American flag and people of all ages pledged allegiance to the flag “under God.” The Flag is for distinction. It is for leadership. It is for rallying the troops. AND it is the first to be attacked and replaced. Americans - fly the red, white and blue! 

CONTENDING FOR FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIANITY - What’s in your brain? Garbage In and Garbage Out - a computing phrase that describes the quality of input and output coined by an IBM programmer. Our brains and our faith, dear child of God, is affected by what goes into our minds. Beware of addictions from drugs, alcohol, music and fashion. The power of addiction captivates and controls our minds and our bodies. The Gospel of John in Navajo and Cherokee alongside the English King James were printed by The Voice in the Wilderness to give the Native Americans the opportunity to know the transforming mind of the Christ and the power of the Gospel that can free from the enslavement of sin. Casino gambling is a 39 billion dollar industry for 243 federally recognized Native American tribes in 29 states. Gambling activates and stimulates the brain in such a way to form an addiction. Dopamine released in the brain gives a high and feel-good emotion and potent pleasure to the point of addiction. The money received by Native Americans from gambling dividends is certainly addicting. The Bible warns: For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. How could they, in their minds and hearts, err from the faith unless they have the faith? And then they are pierced through with many sorrows. Can you imagine receiving thousands of dollars a month and voting for a politician that campaigns on taking your dividends away? Or what about a pastor who might preach against gambling and that which gives you those dividends? The power of money and piercing of sorrows is to many an eternal stronghold.

Did you Decorate?—Each Memorial Day, our family takes time to visit a grave of Col. Connelly buried in Asheville.  While we are not related to him or his family in any way, there is a connection on Rebekah’s side of the family dating back to the Civil War.  Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was set up to honor those who sacrificed their lives in America’s bloodiest war.   While the official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, NY, the decision to honor those who had fallen was observed throughout the nation at various times.  The first national Decoration Day was held at Arlington National Cemetery when 5,000 people decorated the 20,000 Civil War graves.  James Garfield, former President and veteran spoke at the occasion.  While it was mostly celebrated in the North on May 30th, the Southern States did remember the fallen at different times of the year.  Currently, most people think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of the summer season, but we should remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live in freedom.  Take time each year to visit the graves of those who died.  Explain to your children the importance of visiting those graves.  Place a flag to honor those who have fallen.  May we never forget the sacrifices that they have made for our freedoms. 

To Release or Not—The World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, recently met to discuss the Israel/Hamas War that is currently underway.  The original resolution drafted by the nations represented did not include the actions of Hamas, the development of the situation in Gaza or the release of hostages held by Hamas.  The Israeli delegation to the WHO was successful in introducing an amendment to the resolution and,  with the support of 50 countries, passed it.  The Palestinian delegation along with their supporters refused to vote in favor of the amendment that called for the release of hostages and are in the process of trying to revoke it.  (Jerusalem Post)  

Legalized Gambling — Earlier this year during the NCAA basketball tournament, the State of North Carolina legalized online gambling.  With the ease of a tap on their mobile device, many fell prey online to losing their money by betting on the games or certain aspects of the game.  Now,  the Catawba Indian Nation plans to cash-in on this addictive fetish of gambling.  Construction plans for a casino outside of Charlotte are estimated to cost around $700 million.  They plan to have the 2 million square foot building completed in 2026.  The first phase of the resort will have 1,350 slot machines and electronic table games, 12 table games, and a restaurant that will have a sportsbook area with 30 self-serve kiosks for betting.  The final plans for the casino will include a casino, slot machines, a parking garage, 400 room hotel and restaurants. The enterprise will line the pockets of the Catawba Nation with an estimation of over 300 million dollars a year.  (The Charlotte Observer)

The Bible Back in School?—The Ten Commandments may be displayed this next school year in the Louisiana public schools.   The state legislature has finalized the bill and Gov. Jeff Landry is expected to sign it into law.  The bill stated that a poster-size display of the Ten Commandments must be placed in all classrooms from kindergarten to the state-funded universities level.  The Republican supermajority in the legislature is passing laws ranging from tough on crime bills, migrant enforcement and anti-LGBTQ bills. The state executive branch is expected to sign each one into law. Other states that have proposed the display of the Ten Commandments include Texas, Oklahoma and Utah, but none as of yet have signed the bills into law.  If these states do enact the law, expect to see many challenges to it in the courts.   LA State Senator Jay Morris said that “the purpose is not solely religious to have the Ten Commandments displayed in our schools, but rather its historical significance....(it is) simply one of many documents that display the history of our country and foundation of our legal system.”  Other “documents” that could be displayed are the Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence and Northwest Ordinance. (apnews.com)