Thursday, November 16, 2006

Can You Say, "Amnesty"?


President Bush is appointing Florida Senator Mel Martinez as the next Republican National Committee Chair. Article here

Why is this significant?

It is significant because,

Martinez is a leading advocate of a Bush-style solution to the nation's immigration problems.

In fact, Martinez led the battle for amnesty in the U.S. Senate.

So, if Bush can't win amnesty with a Republican controlled Congress, he intends to try again with the Democrats, with the help of his new champion.

This in spite of the fact that most of his base hates the idea of amnesty. Despicable.

11 comments:

Dionne said...

I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I am in this choice for so many reasons. I was so excited about Steele and then to hear it was this guy instead just took the wind out of my sails. It doesn't make any sense to hire someone to do this who already has a job. What was everyone thinking?????????

Mr. Grey Ghost said...

Steele wasnt a bad proposal, but I would've been shocked if he was actually picked. I also disagree with people who view Bush's proposal on illegal immigration as "amnesty". I think it was a realistic compromise on an issue that Bush alone cant be expected to totally turn around.

Bullfrog said...

GG: I understand politics, but you mix this with Bush's other "pro-illegal immigration" policies, and you have a President who is just plain ol' soft on this issue.

Mahndisa S. Rigmaiden said...

11 22 06

Well, I think it is called a conflict of interest Bullfrog! And unfortunately, this administration has been increasingly supporting people in positions that they needn't occupy! In any event I hope Rummies' replacement works out!

On a lighter note, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.

BTW where are the pics on your pic blog;)

Bullfrog said...

Hey Mahndisa,

I agree and I wish more people saw this as a serious issue that could negatively affect our future!

The consensus is that Rumsfeld's replacement will probably compromise in Iraq and schedule a withdrawal, I guess all we can do is wait and see!

As far as the pic blog, you got me. I forgot that was even there! I started it for my parents who live out of state but have been too busy to use it.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your as well!

Unknown said...

I'm going to continue our Q&A here. As always I hope that's ok. I will miss the pic of Angelina though...

(Please take my bluntness as a compliment.)

I don’t think you truly answered my question, “What does it mean to serve the Lord?

The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.

That’s pretty vague.

As a teacher, I always look at things as if I’m explaining it to a 10 year old. I’m confident that most ten year olds would be left scratching their heads.


Your response to Luke 19:27,

Why is it that God cannot be merciful AND punish those who deserve punishment?

Dissenting against God deserves punishment? My tyrant theory is making more and more sense. And as a parent, you should know that punishments are wrong. It’s consequences that are appropriate. There’s a huge difference between the two.

Are you suggesting that Jesus has to be an absolute pacifist to be considered benevolent?

No, I’m suggesting that it’s wrong to have someone’s head cut off because they disagree with you. Have I misunderstood the passage?

At some point there will be a reckoning for those who do not submit to His will.

Tyrant, tyrant, tyrant.

Anonymous said...

(Off topic)

How do you like the new version of Blogger? I'm scared to try it. Is it noticeably better than the old version?

Bullfrog said...

Robert! You have hijacked my post once again! Just kidding, I don't mind as the conversation we are gaving is a worthwhile one that I am happy to have any time, anywhere.

Your dissatisfaction with my answer doesn't suprise me. Everyone is offended by the true simplicity of the REAL gospel, including me. What you expected was a laundry list of "do's" and "don'ts" that, when fulfilled, guarantees one a place in heaven. The true fact of the matter is, if salvation were a matter of simple merit, you and I (and every human being throughout history) would be inadequate for the job so God had to take matters into His own hands and be our champion. He provided the propitiatory sacrifice through Jesus Christ, and all we need to do is believe that fact; that is the beginning and the end of it. That is why "The Gospel" truly is "Good News" for humankind.

"1 John 2:1-2
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,..."
NKJV

The offensiveness of this message is that it strikes at the thing that you and I hold dear: ego. We really would rather earn our way into heaven and the concept of a "free gift" given unconditionally is foreign to us. We live in a world of merit; work hard and you will do well, be nice and nice things will happen to you (the karmaic perspective), etc. so when grace appears, we are suspicious. The real truth of salvation is that it is Christ-centered while we would prefer to have a man-centered salvation. This is exactly why there have been hundreds of religions, invented throughout history that indeed are man-centered.

Mormons believe in salvation by merit, this is why they come to your door in such earnest; Jehovah's Witnesses believe the same thing. Catholics believe the sacraments are "the way". I could list any other non-Christian religion and they all have this in common, of course I am generalizing, and if any person from any of these sects were asked point-blank, "Do you believe Christ died for your sins?" You would get an emphatic positive response. If you then asked, "Do you believe you are going to heaven?", (I know because I have asked) they would likely say, "I am not sure, I'll find out when I get there."A definite contradiction.

That is the truth of it, so simple we can hardly find it acceptable.

As for children, they have a much easier time accepting God's grace, which is why God asks us to be like "little children" when we come to Him. They take His word at face value, something I have a hard time doing because I am constantly analyzing, breaking down, suspicious of every word.

Matt 18:3
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
(from New International Version)

The only sin punishable by death is this: refusing to believe what I just explained. Here is how the Word describes it:

Matt 12:31
31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
(from New International Version)

You say, "This is not fair, I have done my best in this life to be kind and charitable!". If God were fair, we would all be doomed to hell because when it comes to merit, we all fall short of His standard. As a matter of fairness, God could wipe us all out any time (and He wouldn't be obligated to explain why) and be completely justified.

As it stands, He has decided to give you and I a free gift, which was not free to Him. He went through great pains to make it available to us and simply asks that we "believe in the one He has sent."

I wouldn't call this tyranny.

Bullfrog said...

The new BETA version of Blogger impresses me in only one way, publishing new posts is almost instantaneous. And they changed the UI a bit, not bad.

Otherwise, not much, except posting to other Blogger sites is a pain because depending on who does or doesn't have BETA, signing in is weird and I have actually had to re-write some posts.

Mr. Grey Ghost said...

Bullfrog

Thanks for mentionins that book, I'm going to check it out on Amazon when I get the chance...also, you still blogging? Noticed that you havent posted in awhile. Blogger Beta is great for pics, but you're right, not much else and I'm just too lazy to switch to another blog service.

Bullfrog said...

GG: I have been reading the blogs pretty regular, but haven't had much time to post due to a busy work schedule as well as home. I also had a couple minor surgeries the beginning of this month so lots going on!

I have been mulling over a few possible posts and hopefully have the opportunity to write them in the next few days or so.

Thanks for asking!