Stimulus to ban religious worship
President Obama's proposed economic stimulus plan makes a deliberate – and unconstitutional – attempt to censor religious speech and worship on school campuses across the nation, according to a lawyer who argued related cases before the U.S. Supreme Court 20 years ago and won them all. "This isn't like a convenient oversight. This is intentional. This legislation pokes its finger in the eyes of people who hold religious beliefs," Jay Sekulow, chief of the American Center for Law and Justice, told WND today. The problem in the proposed stimulus bill comes from a provision that states: "PROHIBITED USES OF FUNDS. - No funds awarded under this section may be used for - (C) modernization, renovation, or repair of facilities - (i) used for sectarian instruction, religious worship, or a school or department of divinity; or (ii) in which a substantial portion of the functions of the facilities are subsumed in a religious mission."

The Faces of Three Turncoats
Three liberal Republican senators, Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, and Pennsylvania's Sen. Arlen Specter who pledged their support this weekend to President Barack Obama’s massive stimulus bill are drawing the wrath of many conservatives.

Lawmakers in 20 states move to reclaim sovereignty
As the Obama administration attempts to push through Congress a nearly $1 trillion deficit spending plan that is weighted heavily toward advancing typically Democratic-supported social welfare programs, a rebellion against the growing dominance of federal control is beginning to spread at the state level. So far, eight states have introduced resolutions declaring state sovereignty under the Ninth and Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, including Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington. Analysts expect that in addition, another 20 states may see similar measures introduced this year, including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Nevada, Maine and Pennsylvania.

Congress risks criticism over luxury retreat trips
Members of Congress were quick to shame corporate executives for over-the-top extravagance during the economic crisis, flying private jets and taking luxury junkets. But some lawmakers are strolling fancy resorts spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars and mingling with lobbyists. "We're very mindful" of perceptions, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson told reporters Thursday camped outside of the sprawling Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., where House Democrats spent about $100,000 on their three-day annual retreat. "It's serious and it's from morning till night. We've been dwelling, rightfully, on the economy," said Larson, D-Conn.

New RNC Chair Addresses the Nation
"The future of our country, the direction that we go as people, whether we move ahead to meet the challenges of the future or slide back into the irresponsible policies of the past, will be determined by those who get involved." --Ronald Reagan. For more than 150 years the Republican Party has stood for lower taxes, limited government, and a strong national defense.

Stimulus could supply illegals with 300,000 jobs
The Senate's stimulus bill could supply 300,000 construction jobs to illegal aliens, effectively sending those taxpayer funds to Mexico and other countries, according to the Center for Immigration Studies. The bill currently under consideration, known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provides $104 billion in government funding for new construction projects including highways, schools and restoration of public housing – to generate jobs for some of the 11.1 million unemployed Americans.

Journalistic Ethics: White House, ABC in cahoots?
Revelations that ABC's George Stephanopoulos conducts a teleconference each morning with Democratic strategists have erupted in charges that the journalist is colluding with the Obama administration to manipulate public opinion. The charges follow a Politico report last week that Stephanopoulos has been speaking with Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, CNN commentator Paul Begala and Bill Clinton strategist and pundit James Carville every morning for the past 17 years, ever since Stephanopoulos served in President Clinton's campaign and staff.

207 dead; army storms warehouse in Juárez
The Mexican army and heavily armed federal police with a helicopter flying overhead raided a drug warehouse Thursday morning in Juárez even as killings are surging beyond the extraordinary levels of last year. If it isn't a war zone, it would be hard to tell by the body count, which has reached 207 in the Juárez area this year. In the first five days of February, 54 people were slain, surpassing the 37 homicides in all of February last year.

'Fairness' fan's husband makes money in 'libtalk'
Bloggers and commenters on Internet forum pages today erupted over a forecast by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., that the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" is coming, citing her husband's financial involvement in the "progressive" talk efforts of at least three companies that could benefited from the policy.

Woman who traded sex with senator's husband for money gets jail
In tears, the Westland woman accused of accepting money for sex from the husband of U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., began serving five days in jail today for violating the terms of her probation.

North Dakota Representative Introduces ‘Personhood’ Legislation
In what pro-life activists hope will become a tool to fight the pro-abortion agenda of Democratic President Barack Obama, State Rep. Dan Ruby introduced “The Personhood of Children Act” into the North Dakota Legislature earlier this month.

Catholic Bishop Blasts Pro-Life Democrat Bob Casey for Abortion Funding Vote
Catholic Bishop Joseph F. Martino of the Diocese of Scranton is taking Sen. Bob Casey to task for voting to fund groups that promote and perform abortions overseas. The Pennsylvania senator is supposedly one of two pro-life Democrats in the Senate, but his vote betrayed any pro-life principles.

Ethical Stem Cell Researched Developed
Brazilian media reported this week that at least five groups of scientists are developing stem cells without using human embryos, thanks to a technique that uses human pluripotent stem cells (iPS) being developed in United States, Germany, Japan and China.

Obama Issues 4th Union-Friendly Executive Order
President Barack Obama has issued an executive order backing the use of union labor for large-scale federal construction projects. The order encourages federal agencies to have construction contractors enter project labor agreements. Those agreements require contractors to negotiate with union officials, recognize union wages and benefits and abide by collective bargaining agreements. Obama's order restores a Clinton administration rule that was rescinded by President George W. Bush. It is the fourth union-friendly executive order that Obama has signed since he's been in office.

Tell Obama No to Terrorists at Ft Leavenworth
Move America Forward plans an aggressive public-relations campaign to oppose Barack Obama’s efforts to close Guantanamo Bay’s terrorist detention center. They will air a new television/web ad emphasizing the need to keep the nation’s worst enemies outside the US. And given the recent polling on Gitmo, MAF will find receptive audiences.

Change? Reporter restrained after trying to interview Obama CIA Nominee
Following Leon Panetta’s confirmation hearing Thursday, several reporters approached the CIA director-designate, There, CongressDaily reporter upon asking a question was physically restrained by a man who accompanied Panetta at hearings both days. ?Tim Starks, a reporter for Congressional Quarterly, said he witnessed Strohm approach Panetta and ask a question, just before the man began “grabbing him by the arm and moving him away.”??“I said to the guy, ‘That’s not the way you do it,’” recalled Starks.?Starks said that he’s covered the CIA for years and had never seen a reporter strong-armed that way before, adding that the agency is typically respectful of journalists. The Panetta Institute said they are not addressing any media inquiries before Panetta’s confirmation. The White House declined to comment.

Mother of USS Cole Bombing Upset with Obama
A mother of a USS Cole victim will not meet with Obama over Gitmo closings and failure charge terrorists. She said she voted for Obama in hopes of change and the things that Obama has done in less than one month is horrible.

Holiday Inn closed to travelers during 'sex-fest'
An Ohio Holiday Inn will allow a "sadomasochism" sex-fest this weekend, but the property will be closed to other travelers, and extra security guards will accommodate participants in the "Winter Wickedness" event, officials have confirmed. The original e-mail advertising the "pig sex" orgy said, "We've now got a killer line up of demos, including super skilled rope bondage, sounds play, and flogging. LIVE Music and Sound is gonna be provided, So you can s---, fist, rim, and [f---] to the beat." For example, the rules demand: "Single tail [whip] play, Wax, Medical, Cutting, Needle play, and FirePlay, must be performed in the designated areas only. Please [c]onsult a PSM [Play Space Monitor] for the appropriate area if you are not sure. Drop clothes, gloves, condoms, sharps containers, tarps, etc., must be used for this sort of play." LaBarbera also cited activities event organizers banned: "Gun Play, Golden showers (urine), Brown Showers (Feces) or Rainbow/Roman showers (Vomit) are not allowed in this venue."

Happy Birthday President Reagan – Rest in Peace
Ronald Reagan earned the moniker “The Great Communicator” thanks to his inspirational wit and wisdom. On this, the 98th anniversary of his birth, we’ve picked a dozen timeless quotes from our beloved 40th president. Even now, 20 years after his presidency, Reagan’s words still ring with warmth, optimism, leadership, and pride in the American way.

State Senate Committee Saddles Public with yet another Court Fee Increase
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 Friday to approve a bill allowing Kansas courts to temporarily raise docket fees to offset expected budget cuts. The bill moves to the Senate floor although no date has been set for debate. “We’re trying to avoid furloughs, which would be detrimental to our legal system,” said committee Chairman Tim Owens, an Overland Park Republican. “I believe very strongly in keeping the courts open.”

GOP calls for property tax overhaul
A bill advocating a new property tax system for Kansas was introduced in the House taxation committee Thursday that would abolish the current property tax system and replace it with a system backers say is more closely linked to ability to pay. The legislation, which has not yet been assigned a bill number, is being sponsored by Rep. Steve Brunk, R-Bel Aire, and has more than 20 co-sponsors. Proposition K would stop all appraisal-driven tax increases and would be implemented by first establishing a baseline for all current properties. This baseline value would replace the appraised valuations. If Proposition K is adopted during the 2009 legislative session the baseline for properties would be set at properties’ Jan 1, 2010 appraised valuations.

Huelskamp bill pushes for school district spending transparency
Kansas school districts, far and away the state’s biggest consumer of tax dollars, would be required to post on a state website information detailing their financial dealings, under a bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Tim Huelskamp, a Fowler Republican. “Kansas businesses and citizens spend nearly $5.5 billion to educate our children – they deserve to know how every dollar is spent,” Huelskamp said in a statement given to Kansas Liberty late Thursday afternoon. The state website, called KanView, allows citizens to review financial transactions by agencies, salaries of public officials, etc. KanView was an outgrowth of an amendment offered by Huelskamp during the 2007 legislative session. Formally called the Kansas Taxpayer Transparency Act, it required the state to develop a searchable, publicly accessible website reporting the financial activity of state government. It was the first effort of its kind in the nation. “With the successful development of KanView for state government, we are now ready for the next threshold – providing that same level of transparency for the financial activities of our school districts,” Huelskamp said in the release.

Missouri Declares Sovereignty over US
Declares Missouri's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment and urges the United States Congress to reject the passage of the federal Freedom of Choice Act which prohibits regulations on abortion.

Chamber suggests version of sales tax proposal
The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce has offered up a proposed draft of a measure the city council could approve to schedule a ballot question election on whether to increase the sales tax by 0.5 of a cent over 20 years to improve the city’s deteriorating infrastructure.

Arizona’s Haley New Chiefs Head Coach
Todd Haley’s intense demeanor and various sideline clashes with star players occur often which shows he is a no nonsense guy. Haley, the former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator, emerged as personal and engaging and anything but overly intense a day after agreeing to terms of a four-year, $12 million contract.

‘Kansas’ Returns
The rock group Kansas preparing for a concert/DVD in Topeka. One of my favorite groups! For more on the rock group Kansas: http://http://www.kansasband.com/home.html

“The American dream is not that every man must be level with every other man. The American dream is that every man ?must be free to become what God ?intends he should become.”
– President Ronald Reagan

From Proverbs 15:25
“The LORD overturns the house of the proud, but he preserves intact the widow's landmark.”

Gospel according to Mark 1:29-39

29 And immediately he left the synagogue, and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her; and she served them.
32 That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons.
33 And the whole city was gathered together about the door.
34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose and went out to a lonely place, and there he prayed.
36 And Simon and those who were with him pursued him,
37 and they found him and said to him, "Every one is searching for you."
38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also; for that is why I came out."
39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Spending Bill is not a Stimulus Bill

These are extraordinary times, and like a lot of Republicans I believe that a well-crafted stimulus plan is needed to put people back to work. But the Obama spending bill would stimulate the government, not the economy.

We're on an economic tightrope. The package that passed the House is a huge increase in the amount of government borrowing. And we've borrowed so much already that if we add too much more debt, or spend foolishly, we could invite an even bigger crisis.

We could precipitate a worldwide crisis of confidence in America, leading to a run on the dollar or hyperinflation that wipes out family savings and devastates the middle class.

It's still early in the administration of President Obama. Like everyone who loves this country, I want him to adopt the correct course and then to succeed. He still has a chance to step in and insist on spending discipline among the members of his own party.

It's his job to set priorities. I hope for America's sake that he knows that a chief executive can't vote "present." He has to say yes to some things and no to a lot of others.

As someone who spent a career in the private sector, I'd like to see a stimulus package that respects the productivity and genius of the American people. And experience shows us what it should look like.

First, there are two ways you can put money into the economy, by spending more or by taxing less. But if it's stimulus you want, taxing less works best. That's why permanent tax cuts should be the centerpiece of the economic stimulus.

Second, any new spending must be strictly limited to projects that are essential. How do we define essential? Well, a good rule is that the projects we fund in a stimulus should be legitimate government priorities that would have been carried out in the future anyway, and are simply being moved up to create those jobs now.

As we take out nonessential projects, we should focus on funding the real needs of government that will have immediate impact. And what better place to begin than repairing and replacing military equipment that was damaged or destroyed in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan?

Third, sending out rebate checks to citizens and businesses is not a tax cut. The media bought this line so far, but they've got it wrong. Checks in the mail are refunds, not tax cuts. We tried rebate checks in 2008 and they did virtually nothing to jump-start the economy. Disposable income went up, but consumption hardly moved.

Businesses aren't stupid. They're not going to invest in equipment and new hires for a one-time, short-term blip. What's needed are permanent rate cuts on individuals and businesses.

Fourth, if we're going to tax less and spend more to get the economy moving, then we have to make another commitment as well. As soon as this economy recovers, we have to regain control over the federal budget, and above all, over entitlement spending for programs such as Social Security and Medicare. This is more important than most people are willing to admit.

There is a real danger that with trillions of additional borrowing -- from the budget deficit and from the stimulus -- world investors will begin to fear that our dollars won't be worth much in the future. It is essential that we demonstrate our commitment to maintaining the value of the dollar. That means showing the world that we will put a stop to runaway spending and borrowing.

Fifth, we must begin to recover from the enormous losses in the capital investment pool. And the surest, most obvious way to get that done is to send a clear signal that there will be no tax increases on investment and capital gains. The 2001 and 2003 tax cuts should be extended permanently, or at least temporarily.

And finally, let's exercise restraint in the size of the stimulus package. Last year, with the economy already faltering, I proposed a stimulus of $233 billion. The Washington Post said: "Romney's plan is way too big." So what critique will the media have for the size of the Obama package?

In the final analysis, we know that only the private sector -- entrepreneurs and businesses large and small -- can create the millions of jobs our country needs. The invisible hand of the market always moves faster and better than the heavy hand of government