The founding fathers and the battle over church and state

From KERA’s Think:

What role did religion play in the founding of our nation? This highly-debated topic is the subject of Dr. Forrest Church’s new book “So Help Me God: The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State” (Harcourt, 2007).

I’m listening to the program now. Sounds very interesting – take 45 minutes or so and give it a listen – then share your comments.

conservativism in 2007

Moby makes some great interesting points on his blog about the current state of the GOP and conservatives in 2007.
As I mentioned earlier, it seems like the “top runners” for the GOP nomination want to argue about who’s more conservative than the other. For some reason it brings to mind, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first.”
But either way, Moby asks, “What does it mean to be a conservative in 2007?” He gave his list and I want to share my thoughts (surprise surprise Rick Reynolds ;-))
I don’t know if my thoughts make me a conservative or not – I’d consider myself more of a moderate – but see what you think and share your thoughts.
Continue reading conservativism in 2007

CWF home from Nigeria

Just talked with Rob about the CWF trip to Nigeria. The group returned to Dallas on Friday.
Rob said they did seven shows during their two weeks in Nigeria and they spoke at several school chapels, several churches and did a number of radio and television interviews.
JT sent me a txt on Saturday and said they had an awesome time.
Rob said they had a great time, except for the pretty much complete breakdown of communication the last week they were there.
The Internet Cafe we used daily last year was shut down the last week due to no Internet of phone access.
Rob’s getting together all the photos and video from the trip and we’ll start putting it all together in the next week or so.
Look for it on the CWF website.

What are reporters saying about Iraq

After serving as a journalist in Iraq on 21 different trips, what do you think you would have to say and report?
Tom Bullock reports:

My last view of Baghdad will be of the city by air. I will leave frustrated at that death of that golden era of pizza parlors and barber shops; frustrated with Iraqi’s I’ve talked to who proudly say “we are all brothers,” then take up arms against each other; frustrated with American military and civilian officials who stand up and say everything in Iraq is working, then when they leave write books about how everything in Iraq has failed and its not their fault.
And I’m pained by the number of people I’ve personally known who’ve been killed here: journalists, Iraqis and American soldiers.

This is a must listen. Take a few minutes and listen to what Bullock reports.

First Baby Boomer applies for Social Secuirty

Kathy Casey Kirschling was the first Baby Boomer to apply for Social Security benefits. She was born Jan. 1, 1946.
There’s only 80 million other Baby Boomers coming behind her.
NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” said the Social Security Admin said, “There’s no reason to panic,” however they did recommend that other Baby Boomers learn to acquire a taste for cat food.

Read more from the Social Security Office