What's in Kevin Yoder's wallet?

You may have heard there is a huge disparity in how much money Kevin Yoder has raised compared to Patricia Lightner in the race for Congress. Looking into it, I noticed much of Yoder's money is from out of state, and many of those out of state donors have ties to pro-gay activism.

Kevin is my representative, and in 2005, I was puzzled when he voted against a state Marriage Amendment to protect Kansas from the exact sort of attack that forced Iowa to institute same-sex marriage. Ultimately, the Marriage Amendment was placed on the ballot with 70% of Kansans supporting. The people of Iowa don't want same-sex marriage any more than Kansans do, but it was forced on them, because their state had no Marriage Amendment. Had Yoder won out, we Kansans would be in the same boat as Iowa, and could well have same-sex marriage today. Well, Yoder's vote makes total sense now, and it will to you, too, if you keep reading.

Yoder has been getting thousands of dollars from out-of-state gay activists starting in his very first race in 2002 when he was fresh out of law school, and the same year he switched his party membership from Democrat to Republican. Gay activists were supporting him long before he decided to seek national office. Why would out-of-staters care who represents the 20th district of Kansas? I believe they were setting him up to leave us vulnerable to a legislative or judicial assault -- like Iowa -- and Yoder did as they wanted.

Before you think this is an insignificant issue, consider that the 2011 Congress may well be deciding not just America's policy on same-sex marriage; but also on open homosexuality in the military; on alleged 'discrimination' against people based on sexual behavior or identity; on whose moral view will be taught in schools; on who you can and can't hire; on whose speech will be allowed in the workplace, from the pulpit, or in private conversation and whose will be labeled as 'hate speech' and how these 'crimes' will be punished, which medical conditions are covered; what will be 'tolerated' and what will be 'criminalized', and what free speech and freedom of religion will look like in the future. This 'side issue' is not insignificant!

Given his vote, and his donor base, I believe Kevin Yoder would be a certain vote in support of pro-gay political goals. Gay activists from CA to NY have expressed their vote of confidence in him with their dollars for the past 8 years.

There is a solid, conservative alternative to Yoder, and her name is Patricia Lightner. She can -- and must win. And she WILL win if you pass along the truth about Yoder. If this seems outlandish, read the links below yourself. Please be sure all your Kansas friends and contacts realize that a vote for Yoder is a vote for the gay political agenda. Forward it; post it; blog about it -- advance voting is already underway!

Don't be impressed when you see the jumbo Yoder signs around town-- now you know whose $$$ paid for them.


And here are a few examples, and the citations:
1. Bradley White, a California member of the board of governors for HRC -- a radical gay rights group (www.HRC.org) began donating to Kevin Yoder in 2002.

2. Patrick McKenna, a San Francisco activist that gives THOUSANDS to liberal Democrats -- including $2500 to the Obama Victory Fund in 2008, and even donating to the Soros-founded "America Coming Together" -- also donates to Kevin Yoder for Congress.

3. James Alexander and Curtis Drayer, a prominent gay couple in Chicago, gave and raised thousands for Kevin Yoder's since his original run for the Kansas House in 2002 through the present.

4. And John Blair, gay activist and The Arizona director of Obama for America gave money to Kevin Yoder as early as 2006.


(1) Bradley White http://www.hrc.org/documents/AR_2000_2001.pdf , p. 21 ; http://nolathe.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/yoder-7-29-02.pdf

(2) Patrick McKenna http://twitter.com/patrick_mckenna/ , http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=94133&last=Mckenna&first=Patrick

(3) James Alexander and Curtis Drayer - benefactors of Center on Halstad http://www.centeronhalsted.org/programs/COH2004AR.pdf , http://nolathe.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/yoder-7-29-02.pdf http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?city=Chicago&st=IL&last=alexander&first=james

(4) John Blair http://query.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/qind/
http://ethics.ks.gov/CFAScanned/House/2006ElecCycle/200607/H020KY_200607.pdf , p. 2
http://www.democracyfornewmexico.com/democracy_for_new_mexico/2007/12/john-blair-kick.html

more articles here: http://nolathe.net/

It May Be Historic, but . . .

. . . "historic" does not mean "good."

And that is my Master of the Obvious insight of the day.

Dick Durbin for Prayer Czar

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has decided to correct Sen. Tom Coburn as to what is and is not appropriate to pray for. Now nice! Is he God's personal assistant now? Or just campaigning for Prayer Czar?

Reading the Bible, one is struck by the wide-ranging prayers offered to God. Prayers to "enlarge my territory" or "smite my enemies" may not fit the modern mold of the meek-and-mild Christian -- and yet of the gazillions of prayers uttered to God, they did make it into the Bible -- believers would say, for a reason.

It wasn't Coburn, but Durbin who was compelled to bring up Sen. Byrd and his ill health, and how they are wheeling him too & fro and all but propping him up and operating him with rods and wires. And why not? They're still using Ted Kennedy's ghost. Coburn didn't say anything about anyone's death, but that is right where Durbin and the party-of-death left zoomed to. All he said was that we should pray that someone misses the vote -- not exactly a death threat.

I, like Sen. Coburn, absolutely believe we should pray -- and I don't think there is anything more important to pray for than revival in America: That hearts and minds be turned to God; that those who call on His name repent from all the ways we've fallen short; that everyone find salvation through Jesus Christ; that God's will be done on this earth; and, if it is God's will, that He, in His mercy, save us from this tyrannical regime, that our children and our children's children may yet taste freedom.

But that's me! I'm not running for Prayer Czar. You go ahead and pray as God so leads. That's the thing about prayer: It's between YOU and GOD. Now go pray. ;)

Upon Opening an Ancient Box of Rice-a-Roni
From a Forgotten Corner of My Kitchen Cabinet

There may come a time when one asks themself: Are those specks black pepper? Or....?
And on such occasion, if it is observed that the specks move about at an ever accelerating pace as the temperature in the skillet rises.... then ...

Umm...
it isn't black pepper.

A Letter to My Daughters, Christmas 2004

This is a letter to my precious daughters. I'm posting it on my blog because it is the best assurance that no one will see it.

I wonder sometimes if you'll remember me as Scrooge-like for not being more "into" gift-buying. Perhaps, through your childlike perceptions, you might think me stingy, crabby, cheap? But I'll have to take my chances.

I sit in our home, unfortunately surrounded by movies we never got around to watching, books we can't reach to take off the shelves for the boxes blocking the bookcase, CD-roms never used, a ping-pong table -- unusable due to what's stored on top, toys you can't find, craft kits unassembled for want of a clear workspace, sports equipment ... well, you get the idea. The want that plagued earlier generations has been replaced by the excess that is no less a plague to this generation.

My mind boggles. How could we ever possibly have time enough to enjoy all we already own, let alone to add yet more to the mix? How did wanting to provide my children with the best of everything turn into providing you with, well, just everything. Everything but the two things you presently need: the time and space to enjoy what we already have.

And so, my dear children, I must apologize for burying you with stuff. And for frustrating you with an endless list of activities we just never seem to "get around to." Time marches on. "Not today" turns into "someday" which deteriorates into "when will we ever?" Girls, I am sorry for promises not kept. Plans unfulfilled. Dreams deferred. Joys put on hold. I can't place the blame on the ills of modern society. I will shoulder this one. I am sorry.

The gift I wish to give you is this: Time and Space. Sounds so lofty like that. And yet, I am totally mindful that this shouldn't be a bonus that you are gifted with. Rather I would have had it be a birthright you could expect and rely upon.

On one hand, you can argue that there is never enough time. But I have a sneaking suspicion that I will know when I'm approaching the zone of acceptability I set for myself in this; that I have given you adequate time and space to enjoy. As to HOW I will get there, I don't exactly know, other than a notion that my own self-discipline will be involved. I do, however, know that adding more junk to the bounty we already have would not be part of the solution, but compounding the problem.

This leaves you in the unfortunate place of having neither the time and space you need; nor the additional stuff you want. I have only the ability to throw myself upon your mercy to understand that I am trying to spare you the Good in order to give you the Best. You won't understand. You're kids; you shouldn't have to.

I know you have the full assurance of my love in abundance. And I will say it again, "I love you." You have seen many shortcomings in me already, and there are more to come. I pray that I am on the right path. I close now to go work on the gift you can't get in a store. Not unlimited time or space, just a time-space upgrade that you will be able to truly see and feel. Merry Christmas, my precious Angels.

Would You Donate 1 % ?

Would you donate 1% to save a life?

Not 1% of your money but 1% of your time?

You see, 9 months -- the time it takes a baby to grow to maturity in its mother's womb -- is just 1% of a woman's life expectancy. Just 1%. Can we not all donate 1% to see that a life is saved?

When a woman is shocked by an undesired pregnancy, it's hard not to be overwhelmed by the sudden surprise, the recognition of the long-term implications, the gravity of the situation. But if we can just look for a moment from the broader perspective of our lifetimes we can realize that this unexpected shock does not equal catastrophe. Women are strong, resilient, and used to fulfilling a wide variety of roles throughout their lives. Yes, donating 1% is a sacrifice. But not an unmanageable one.

And balance the sacrifice with the certain knowledge that there are literally thousands of couples vying desperately for the opportunity to provide the best home and upbringing possible to the child you bear. Every child is a very wanted child -- though it sometimes takes just a small amount of effort to locate the ones doing the wanting, by making a phone call or two to an adoption agency.

We do not need Supreme Court appointments to overturn abortion law (but I'll take 'em). We don't need more pro-life politicians (but I'll be voting for them). We need every woman and girl in America of child-bearing age, or who will one day be of child-bearing age, to decide in her heart and in her mind right here and right now that by whatever unforeseen circumstance she should find herself pregnant at a time when she does not want to be, she will follow through with the mere 1% required to save that life within her. Women and girls need to proclaim their bodies are a sanctuary, and they will not destroy any life found growing therein. No matter what. We have "no-kill" shelters for stray dogs. Wouldn't you want your own uterus to be a "no-kill" zone?

Avoid pregnancy until you are ready. But if it occurs, spend 1% seeing it through to birth, and spend the rest of your life with the certain confidence that you did the right thing.

In Our Thoughts . . . Words . . . and Deeds

I have had a prayer in my heart lately about honoring God in my thoughts, words, and deeds.
Thoughts ... words ... and deeds.
The images connect, intersect.
Thoughts preceed words. Words proceed deeds.

And then I remember when the Salvation Army first popped into my awareness.

November, 2001 -- The Salvation Army announces it will grant domestic partner benefits to their gay employees, in order to be eligible to receive government funding. Frankly, it smacked of selling out to me, and I was greatly relieved to hear they reversed their decision shortly after it was announced. I cut them a (what for me was a rather generous) check, made a mental note to contribute annually, then let it go.

Fast forward to November, 2004 -- Target Stores will no longer allow the Salvation Army bell ringers to collect for their annual kettle drive ...
I was shocked, angry, disappointed. Target Stores. My Target Store?? I love(d) Target, and eagerly drove past a K-Mart and a Wal-Mart to get to my Target. Well, no more! And anyhow, who doesn't like the Salvation Army?

Then I remembered ... wasn't there some controversial issue about the Salvation Army a year or two back? Thoughts ... words ... deeds. It was coming back to me. Not a year or two, but three. A decision I welcomed. Others did not.

Thoughts . . . words . . .
The accusations flew: The Salvation Army is anti-gay! Discrimination! Hate! Bigots! Some of us tune out the tired tirade, the repetitious rant of the gay-rights cadre. Some of us do not tune it out.

words . . . and more words . . . and deeds
A call to action in the gay community! Rallies! Fake-cash for the red kettles of hate! Boycott of the Salvation Army! We'll show them!

deeds . . . and more dastardly deeds. Less effectual deeds gave way to the dirtiest deed: Target gives the Salvation Army the boot. Lost donations nearly $9 million.

Is there a connection between the accusatory words and deeds gay-rights groups so ardently launched at the Salvation Army and the deeds of Target Corporation? Was the tirade justified? Anti-gay? A group that operates AIDS hospices at home and abroad? The group that both hires and gives to those in need irrespective of sexual preference?

And now I'm left feeling like I'm in an episode of "The Twilight Zone" -- the only one who remembers the gay-rights groups' response. Maybe that's how it is for gay conspiracy theorists. But it wasn't a dream. The attack of the gay-rights groups did preceed Target's attack. Is there a connection? I'll leave you the trail to follow for yourself.
thoughts . . . words . . . and deeds. And may I honor God with mine.
Here's that trail. Follow to your own conclusion:

"It establishes the organization as anti-gay... this was an extremely
divisive move that I don't think will be looked on kindly." -- David
Smith, a spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, said here.

A Chicago gay-rights group stated, "LGBT activists and our allies are not taking this sitting down. As the Salvation Army gets approximately half its funds from holiday kettle donations, we want to hit them in the wallet: 1) We urge everyone to CEASE donating to the Salvation Army."

Here's a P-FLAG anti-Salvation Army rally, including photos.

GLAAD's efforts to thwart the Salvation Army.

Illinois Green Party's call for boycott of Salvation Army.

Anti Racist Action of Cleveland announces the "Queer Dollars Campaign."

The West Virginia Gay & Lesbian Coalition printed fake currency to put in
Salvation Army's kettles in protest.

SoulForce also supports the Salvation Army boycott & offers fake vouchers
off their home page, just updated in November of 2004.

Target Gives Salvation Army the Boot for Christmas

Target's decision to kick the Salvation Army to the curb is raising the ire of some, but will it be enough to cause a reversal?

Is Target banking that busy holiday shoppers won't notice ... or care? Are they hoping that "red-staters" are still resting up from their fevered victory dance? Are they trusting Christian conservatives to turn the other cheek ... yet again?

Whatever Target's hopes, they just might come true. Each day the Salvation Army is kept from Target is a quarter-million dollars in lost donations. The $ 9 million dollar projected shortfall is not just this year, but every year. And if Target's decision holds, other retailers could drop like dominoes in the future.

It didn't cost Target one penny to allow the Salvation Army access. Assuming the average kettle donation to be a buck or two, Target had 5 million customers last year who were happy to see the bell ringers there, and probably a couple million more who at least didn't mind.

Does Target have the right to keep the Salvation Army out? Yes, they do. But having a right doesn't make it right. Target can bully America's oldest Christian charity, but they can't bully America's oldest Christian charity and keep me as a customer.

Who's with me? It's now or never.