The RAnts of RA

We all talk about what is wrong with the public schools but who has time for that?    In reality, it would be a very short discussion if we were to talk about,  “What is right with the public school system?”

Just  today  California Governor  Brown signed SB 48 into law, just one more step into true socialization. Our core values as a nation are under siege and losing ground fast.

Breaking News: Governor Brown Signs SB 48

Moments ago, Brown signed SB 48 and said, “History should be honest,” the Democratic governor said in a written statement. “This bill revises existing laws that prohibit discrimination in education and ensures that the important contributions of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life are included in our history books. It represents an important step forward for our state, and I thank Senator Leno for his hard work on this historic legislation.”

SB 48 is an attempt to indoctrinate children as young as five to not only accept but also endorse homosexuality through our social sciences curriculum specially history, history books and instructional materials.  [Read more…]

As if  California has money to blow! We are in debt up to  our eyebrows and then some, and our California state legislators want to rewrite our textbooks with more inappropriate material — instructional materials that amount to little more than verbal assault.

When Michigan began mandatory sex education classes for 7th and 8th graders back in the 60’s, the classes were taught co-ed with an even mix of girls and boys. The teacher was a young man, who thought he was God’s gift — he was having a long-term affair with one 15 year-old student and was habitually vulgar  in the classroom. The teacher should have been prosecuted for his lurid behavior – not to mention the bad jokes.

These classes aren’t intended to teach the students any valuable information, though they do manage to pass along a few facts along the way. The real goal of these type of classes are to embarrass students, apply peer pressure and lower the child’s inhibitions.

July 12, 2011, Penny Starr wrote an article, “Time to Stop Talking About the Importance of Teacher Quality,’ Union Chief Says.”

“It’s time to stop talking about the importance of teacher quality. It’s time to start building a high-quality education system by cultivating high-quality educators-from excellent teacher colleges, with ample clinical experience, focused induction, and ongoing professional support throughout a teacher’s career, in an environment that fosters respect.”

The state is continually revising  school textbooks, spending money needlessly, and then have the nerve to cry poverty and come begging the taxpayers for a funding increase.

Our schools should be a reflection of the communities values, not dictated by the state from on high. If those who live in San Francisco or Hollywood want to teach this garbage to their children, they have every right to. The problem is that most of the rest of the state values our children’s innocence. We believe in teaching our children about intimacy, sex and love, when they are mature enough. Introducing this stuff too early isn’t  far from sexually molesting them.

I’m really having a tough time believing that any parent would allow this to happen.

Our governor needs to govern wisely and during a time of economic upheaval is not the time to sign legislation that will force the state to purchase new textbooks. Seriously, you folks in Sacramento need to tighten your belt, just like the families in California are doing right now. The money tree has dried up. Stop the spending and leave something for our children.

Christians under attack in Minneapolis by City Officials.

By J. Matt Barber

If you’re a Christian working for the City of Minneapolis, watch your step – your job may already be in jeopardy. In what may be one of the most blatant acts of anti-Christian bigotry and discrimination by an American government agency to date, the Minneapolis Police Department has suspended a Police Psychologist, Dr. Michael Campion of Campion, Barrow & Associates, at the behest of pro-homosexual activists.

What was Dr. Campion’s crime? It seems that until last year he was a board member with the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), a Christian organization that advocates traditional family values. The Minneapolis Police Department admits that because of Dr. Campion’s Christian beliefs, and his former affiliation with IFI, he is now under suspension pending an investigation into his beliefs.

The Minneapolis incident is a sad replay of the character assassination Dr. Campion experienced at the hands of liberal activists in Springfield, Illinois last year. After a liberal rag, the Illinois Times, raised questions of Campion being on the board of IFI, an “anti-choice, anti-gay group,” the Springfield City Council dumped him as psychological screener for police and firefighter candidates.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that despite the fact that the Minneapolis Police Department admittedly gave Dr. Campion “‘high marks’ on ‘general procedural goodness and specific cultural fairness’ of his testing procedures;” he was nonetheless suspended soon after liberal city activists informed Police Chief Don Harris about his IFI affiliation.

Additionally, and equally confusing, is the fact that Sgt. John Delmonico, president of the police federation, admitted, “it never had any complaints about Campion.” Notwithstanding this admission, Delmonico told the Star-Tribune “…any issues that have been raised should be looked into.”

The Star-Tribune further reported, “Council Member Scott Benson appears to have been the first to hear of Campion’s beliefs.” Benson, while referring to a conversation with the Minneapolis P.D., told the Star-Tribune, “‘I asked them if given his background, should he be conducting psychological evaluations… They definitely should conduct an investigation and determine what’s fact and what’s fiction.'”

So apparently it’s that simple. If a person has Christian beliefs, he’s disqualified from working for the city of Minneapolis. This official government act of anti-Christian discrimination by the Minneapolis Police Department should send shivers down the spine, of every person of faith. It is a transparent and egregious violation of Dr. Campion’s First Amendment rights to both freedom of association and religion.

The message from Minneapolis is clear: The Constitution be damned! If you work for our city, and you happen to be a person of faith belonging to a church or public policy organization that advocates traditional family values, then you might as well clean out your desk now – because as soon as we find out…you’re done.

The Minneapolis Police Department has sworn to protect and serve, to uphold the U.S. and State constitutions, and to police its community. But now they’ve dangerously overstepped their authority. They’ve become the Minneapolis thought police… just the latest example of how the militant homosexual lobby, aided by willing liberal activists in high-level positions of government, will not rest until Judeo-Christian principles are abolished, and traditional notions of human sexuality, marriage and family are eviscerated.

Take Action Now:

Please let the city of Minneapolis know that government-sanctioned, anti-Christian bigotry and discrimination will not be tolerated. Telephone the office of Police Chief Timothy Dolan and express your outrage. You can also send an e-mail or letter to the addresses provided below:

Timothy Dolan
Interim Chief of Police
350 South 5th Street
Room 130
Minneapolis, MN 55415-1389
Phone: (612) 673-2853
Fax: (612) 673-2613

About J. Matt Barber

J. Matt Barber is the Corporate Outreach Director for Americans for Truth, and a conservative, pro-family political strategist. A former undefeated professional Boxer; Matt now fights his battles in the ring of culture and policy. He holds both a law degree and a Master of Arts in public policy from Regent University. Matt is a contributing editor for TheConservativeVoice.com, and a contributor to the Washington Times’ “Insight Magazine,” AmericanThinker.com, and a number of other top online and print publications.

Copyright © 2006 by J. Matt Barber

This has been an especially emotional Christmas holiday for our family. In fact, this has been a very trying year for us and I know we are not alone. Families are struggling everywhere, while the news keeps telling us things are improving.

It’s been more than a week since I’ve posted any new articles on Reliable Answers — not because I didn’t have anything to share, but because I didn’t know where to start.

I now have a kick-off point, thanks to my new manager at Subway. Of course, I may not have a job long.

Let me explain…

My husband lost his high-paying techie job to an H1-B Visa holder three years ago and our lives had been on a steady spiral downward since that time. We finally left hard hit California last fall to seek greener pastures after employment opportunities started to bottom out.

Since leaving we have lived in Illinois, Maryland and several locations in Michigan. Our 14 year-old van lost reverse last year and today sits idle in our drive-way after being told last month that it’s too far gone to be repaired.

We were struggling with homelessness and now without transportation, things were looking pretty dismal.

This is where we found ourselves with Christmas fast approaching and a cute little red-headed seven-year-old with visions of play stations dancing in his head, giving us daily reminders that Santa would soon arrive.

Angels Among Us

Christmas angels took over and gave from their hearts. Our family was adopted by a local homeschool group who generously provided the Christmas we thought surely would pass us by. Our hearts were lifted in thanks and gratitude.

Even my niece and her husband caught the spirit bringing an early Christmas to my son. When my family, who had been struggling to make ends meet themselves, showed up at my door, I was both touched and amazed. I will never forget their kindness.

A dear friend even bought herself a new car and “sold” us her old one, with the knowledge that we had no way to pay for it. With tears in my eyes I thanked her for her faith in us and the opportunity her generosity afforded us. While the car was eight-years-old, to us, it is like a new mercedes shining in the driveway.

I didn’t waste any time getting out there to knock on doors. I just knew there was something out there for me. My employment search didn’t take long, our neighborhood Subway was hiring and I was excited to finally start working again.

It’s Ok — I had Subway

Things seemed to be really looking up, until yesterday. The store manager pulled me aside and informed me that I am prohibited from saying “Merry Christmas” to customers because I might offend someone. She informed me that it was permissible to say “happy holidays” only if someone first wished me a “happy holiday”.

Now, I would never intentionally offend someone. But now I am both offended and hurt. I knew Christmas had been turned into a commercial venture but I have no idea that the mere suggestion of Jesus had become taboo.

When I was growing up, there was one family in our town who didn’t exchange gifts for Christmas because they were Jehovah’s Witnesses. They just don’t believe in the commercial aspects of the holiday, which I must admit is an idea I have certainly entertained over the years.

However, in the thirty years I’ve been working, no one has ever said such a thing to me. I was hurt and on the verge of tears for the rest of the day and happy to leave when I was told I could go home an hour earlier than scheduled.

When I arrived home, I told my husband what had occurred and started making phone calls. My first call was to Subway’s main office. I wanted to know if this was a company-wide policy, and am relieved to have been informed it was not. I was told that a franchise owner has the right to implement their own policies and that this was a policy of the owner, yet I had not received any written notice informing me of this policy upon being hired.

I was especially confused because the manager knew when she hired me that I was a Christian. We had discussed the fact that I prefer not to work Sunday’s because I like to attend church and I now have a vehicle that will afford me the ability to attend.

Now I am left with a tough decision to make, after being informed by the Michigan Civil Rights Department that there is no law preventing an employer from creating such policies. Do I stay and tolerate my religion being trampled or do I seek employment elsewhere?

I thought the U.S. Constitution afforded citizens the freedom of religion, not the freedom from religion. Are Christians now required to check their faith at the door of their place of employment?

I found myself being afraid to speak to customers, something I have never stuggled with. I have been in customer service in one capacity or another since I began working in 1974 and those who know me can attest, I am rarely at a loss for words. Yet, I found myself hesitant to interact with store visitors, I was no longer having fun or care-free.

Christmas — a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.

I have much to be thankful for this Christmas: for family and special friends who have gone out of their way to share the joy of Christmas from their hearts. How sad that many others will miss out on the real reason for this season, they will never know the joy that comes from sharing a heart-felt “Merry Christmas”.

Christmas joy is contagious, just try giving a gift from the heart and see if you don’t feel warm all over. Try wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” and not having a smile grace your lips. I don’t think it’s possible.

Today, I start a new job and I have renewed hope that the spirit of Christmas can still be found in the joy of the season and in the hearts of those we meet and serve. I have yet to decide if I will remain at Subway, but I have the feeling my days are numbered there. I have no desire to work in such a stifling atmosphere.

Subway customers concerned over their policy, may voice their opinion by calling (248) 628-3534 and letting the district office know how you feel about sharing Christmas joy.

I wish you all the joy that comes from serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ today and everyday. May the Lord Bless you and your family this Christmas Day.