Ronald Reagan liked the one liner "trust, but verify". Recently I had occasion to hear/see political ads where I didn't know any of the issues or candidates. The very few pro ads had nice clear pictures but really didn't say much. The negative attack ads (many) were generally out of focus and tended to take things out of context. All the ads had a listing of several fine print lines of who sponsored the ad. After seeing the same ad several times I could figure out who ran the ad. These organizations tended to have fancy names but other than the context you still didn't know anything about the organization or their backers.
When I got home I decided to see what I could find out about the ads and their sponsors. The question is how to verify truth? I feel that the following 5 sites gave the best impartial information.
www.lwv.org
www.FactCheck..org
www.Snopes.com
www.FEC.gov
www.opensecrets.org
Because of the recent court judgement and the tax code 501(c)(4) there is an area that no verification is required for funding. So far as I have been able to follow these groups are extremely negative.
I feel that as long as we accept as normal and vote based on the extremely negative attack ads there will never be any respect for elected officials. And ultimately these ads influence the perception of democracy around the world.
I decided that I would use the commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor" as one of my decision points in deciding the pros and cons of the candidates ads.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Global Mission Church
This is posted to receive your editing and reaction. THANK YOU!
Date: October 4, 2010
To: The Bath Church Executive Council
From: The Bath Church Mission Board Chair
Re:A brief background on the proposed Disciples and UCC "Be a Global Mission Church" Covenant.
Allow me to introduce myself. I was ordained a minister of the Gospel 53 years ago in the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry in the United States of America. I have served as a missionary of that denomination for several decades in dozens of developing countries.
Having moved to Ohio for family reasons I purposely sought out a United Church of Christ church because I feel the UCC is most faithful to the Gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ locally and globally.
The Bath Church Mission Board has for some time sought to promote Mission Education as a major part of our mandate and responsibility. The “Be a Global Mission Church” is a natural foundation outline for our mission education effort as a UCC congregation.
As chair of the Bath Church Mission Board I purposely introduced and promoted the UCC “Be a Global Mission Church” because based on my career experience it best describes what world mission “is” and should and could be in the 21st century.
The 3 year plan of action is presented tonight as a response by the Mission Board to what we perceive was a request by the Executive Council to itemize and specify the 7 points in the Covenant statement.
The Mission board requests your review and seeks your approval.
Correction: Last month it was stated that the UCC has “only” 40 missionaries. Between the Disciples and UCC we have 150 persons (missionaries)serving in about 50 countries, plus 10 global mission interns, 10 or more long term volunteers, 20 short term, 60 overseas associates appointed and paid for by international partners. Etc. etc. Pages 10-11.
Date: October 4, 2010
To: The Bath Church Executive Council
From: The Bath Church Mission Board Chair
Re:A brief background on the proposed Disciples and UCC "Be a Global Mission Church" Covenant.
Allow me to introduce myself. I was ordained a minister of the Gospel 53 years ago in the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry in the United States of America. I have served as a missionary of that denomination for several decades in dozens of developing countries.
Having moved to Ohio for family reasons I purposely sought out a United Church of Christ church because I feel the UCC is most faithful to the Gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ locally and globally.
The Bath Church Mission Board has for some time sought to promote Mission Education as a major part of our mandate and responsibility. The “Be a Global Mission Church” is a natural foundation outline for our mission education effort as a UCC congregation.
As chair of the Bath Church Mission Board I purposely introduced and promoted the UCC “Be a Global Mission Church” because based on my career experience it best describes what world mission “is” and should and could be in the 21st century.
The 3 year plan of action is presented tonight as a response by the Mission Board to what we perceive was a request by the Executive Council to itemize and specify the 7 points in the Covenant statement.
The Mission board requests your review and seeks your approval.
Correction: Last month it was stated that the UCC has “only” 40 missionaries. Between the Disciples and UCC we have 150 persons (missionaries)serving in about 50 countries, plus 10 global mission interns, 10 or more long term volunteers, 20 short term, 60 overseas associates appointed and paid for by international partners. Etc. etc. Pages 10-11.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Civil Discourse
Today I read an article from the Associated Press about a letter sent by 130 former members of the House and Senate to those running for Congress, and asking them to "tone down the partisan rhetoric". Their letter is available online here. Their group is called "Former Members of Congress for Common Ground".
Here's a representative quote: "The divisive and mean-spirited way debate often occurs inside Congress is encouraged and repeated outside: on cable news shows, in blogs and in rallies. Members who far exceed the bounds of normal and respectful discourse are not viewed with shame but are lionized, treated as celebrities, rewarded with cable television appearances, and enlisted as magnets for campaign fundraisers."
Maybe some of these guys are members of the United Church of Christ, which has published a marvelous resource, "Being a Civil Voice in Uncivil Times" in the Our Faith Our Vote program for this midterm election year. Perhaps there is finally some momentum building for a return to respect, seeking mutual understanding, and government that seeks to serve the interests of its citizens more than the short term political gains that seem to dominate Washington today
Here's a representative quote: "The divisive and mean-spirited way debate often occurs inside Congress is encouraged and repeated outside: on cable news shows, in blogs and in rallies. Members who far exceed the bounds of normal and respectful discourse are not viewed with shame but are lionized, treated as celebrities, rewarded with cable television appearances, and enlisted as magnets for campaign fundraisers."
Maybe some of these guys are members of the United Church of Christ, which has published a marvelous resource, "Being a Civil Voice in Uncivil Times" in the Our Faith Our Vote program for this midterm election year. Perhaps there is finally some momentum building for a return to respect, seeking mutual understanding, and government that seeks to serve the interests of its citizens more than the short term political gains that seem to dominate Washington today
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