No more!

Jews are growing increasingly disenchanted with the Democratic Party, a move one could hardly have imagined before the Obama presidency. And the RJC is gaining stature nationally as a vehicle of authentic “hope and change” within the Jewish American community.

Jewish liberals have always embraced social justice as a core value, but they are growing increasing suspicious of the Obama-Pelosi-Reid socialist utopian dream.
Barack Obama started his presidency with an astounding 83% approval rating among American Jews. Nine months later, that support had dropped to 64%. At the end of 2009, he was at 48%.

Jewish American scholar, commentator and author Norman Podhoretz says, “Our interests and our ideals, both as Americans and as Jews, have come in recent decades to be better served by the forces of the right.”

Podhoretz not only argues that anti-Semitism has been banished from the right over the past 40 years but points to a long history of Democrat Jews “seeing an anti-Semite under every conservative bed” while remaining blind to the reality that “anti-Semitism has found a hospitable new home on the left, especially where Israel is concerned.”

The RJC platform coincides with the same core principles that propelled Scott Brown to victory in the recent “Massachusetts Miracle.” At the top of the list is a vigorous approach to terrorism.
Where else is Obama losing support among voters? Let me count the ways!

ONLY …

… 43% say they would vote to reelect Obama.

… 37% would vote to reelect their Obama-supported Democratic congressman.

… 35% think global warming is a serious problem.

… 31% think foreign enemy combatants should be tried as civilians in the U.S. federal court system.

… 28% trust Obama to creates jobs in 2010.

… 21% think increased federal spending will help the economy.

… 18% think abortion should be legal in all circumstances.

… 13% think the stimulus bill helped save or create 600,000 jobs.

… 11% think Gitmo should be shut down immediately.

… 8% think Obama is keeping America safe.
The U.S. sent more than 165 people to Denmark for the 15th Copenhagen Climate conference.
It cost tax payers a BUNDLE. But heck, look at how many Super Important People just HAD to be there so they could forge some Super Important something or other … oh wait. They didn’t accomplish a damn thing, did they? And Anthropogenic Global Warming is a big scam besides.

To tell the truth, my only consolation in this is they say it was really, Really, REALLY cold while they were there. Now if we’d had to put out a million plus bucks to send them off to some warm, sandy beach to sip sweet boozey drinks out of coconuts, well, golleee, I’d be really pissed about that!

Attendees:
President Obama
Sen. James Inhofe
Sen. John Kerry
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and husband
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Rep. George Miller
Rep. Henry Waxman
Rep. Ed Markey and wife
Rep. Charles Rangel
Rep. Bart Gordon
Rep. James Sensenbrenner and wife
Rep. Sander Levin
Rep. Joe Barton and daughter
Rep. Fred Upton
Rep. Earl Blumenauer
Rep. Diana DeGette
Rep. Jay Inslee and wife
Rep. Shelley Moore Capito and husband
Rep. John Sullivan
Rep. Tim Ryan
Rep. GK Butterfield
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and husband
Rep. Marsha Blackburn
Stacee Bako
Don Kellaher
Wilson Livingood
Brian Monahan
John Lawrence
Karen Wayland
Drew Hammill
Kate Knudson
Bridget Fallon
Bina Surgeon
Mary Frences Repko
Nona Darrell
Tony Jackson
Josh Mathis
Phil Barnett
David Cavicke
Lisa Miller
Peter Spencer
Andrea Spring
Lorie Schmitt
Greg Dotson
Alex Barron
Christopher King
Shimere Williams
Tara Rothschild
Margaret Caravelli
Gerry Waldron
Ana Unruh-Cohen
Jeff Duncan
Eben Burnham-Snyder
Joel Beauvais
Michael Goo
Tom Schreibel
Harlan Watson
Bart Forsyth
Ed Rice
Steve Rusnak
Carey Lane
Matt Dempsey and wife
George Sugyama
Tom Hassenbohler
Plus, 31 additional unnamed Senate staff

State Dept:
Special Envoy Todd Stern
Secretary Hillary Clinton
Pershing Deputy U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change
Maria Otero, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs
Ambassador Alejandro Wolff, Deputy Permanent Rep. United States Mission to the U.N.
Daniel Reifsnyder, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment
Lilburn Trigg Talley, Director of the office of Global Change
Sue Biniaz, Deputy Legal Adviser
William Breed, Director of Climate Change Programs USAID

Energy Dept:
Steven Chu, Energy Secretary
Jean Chu, Spouse of the Energy Secretary
Rod O’Connor, Chief of Staff
Amy Bodette, Special Assistant to the Secretary
David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs
Rick Duke, Dep. Assistant Sec. for Policy and International Affairs
Holmes Hummel, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Policy and

International Affairs
Elmer Holt, Economist in the Office of Policy and International Affairs
Matt Kallman, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs
Dan Leistikow, Director of Public Affairs
Devin Hampton, Lead Advance Representative

Interior Dept:
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
Deputy Secretary David Hayes
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland
Science Advisor Kit Batten
Senior Advisor of Global Change at USGS Tom Armstrong
USGS Director Marcia McNutt
Deputy Communications Director Matt Lee-Ashley
Jack Lynch (Security)
Dave Graham (Security)
Mike Downs (Security)
Director of Advance Tim Hartz

EPA:
Security Officer # 1 Security, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Marcus McClendon Director of Advance, Office of the Administrator
Security Officer # 2 Security, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Jennifer Jenkins Physical Scientist, Climate Change Division, Office of Air and Radiation COP 15 Negotiator
Shalini Vajjhala Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs COP-15 Negotiator
Maurice LeFranc Senior Advisor, International Climate Change, Office of Air and Radiation COP-15 Negotiator
Kimberly Todd Klunich Technical Expert, Climate Change Division, Office of Air and Radiation COP-15 Negotiator
Leif Hockstad Environmental Engineer, Climate Change Division, Office of Air and Radiation COP-15 Negotiator
Seth Oster Associate Administrator, Office of Public Affairs
David McIntosh Associate Administrator, Office of Rep.ressional and Intergovernmental Relations
Michelle DePass Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs
Security Officer # 3 Security, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Lisa Jackson Administrator, EPA
Gina McCarthy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation

White House Executive Office staff:
From the Office of Energy and Climate Change:
Heather Zichal
Tony Russell
Jake Levine
Joe Aldy

White House Executive Office staff:
From the Office of Science and Technology Policy:
John Holdren
Steve Fetter
Shere Abbott

White House Executive Office staff:
From the Council on Environmental Quality:
Nancy Sutley
Amy Salzman
Jess Maher

White House Executive Office staff:
National Security Council:
Mike Froman
Ed Fendley

White House Executive Office staff:
Communications:
Ben LaBolt

—————-
SOURCES:

The GOP’s common ground with American Jews by Kathy Banaszak – Jan. 26, 2010

Jews leaving Dems: ADL’s Foxman Alarmed by Clarice Feldman – Jan 27, 2010

One Year Later: The 40-Percent President By Brad O’Leary – January 27, 2010

Congress Went to Denmark, You Got the Bill By CBS News’ Sharyl Attkisson – Jan. 25, 2010

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The past few weeks have been the final stretch of semester one. Geometry has hit points of long moments of struggle and tears when a proof just isn’t proving to be understandable! Student and teacher tears mingle together and an email to the tutor helps resolve the confusion, temporarily, but the pressure mounts as a mid-term looms next week.

The term paper that took two days of My weekend, may not get an award for most persuasive, but there is certainly a sense of accomplishment and pride, and of course I am talking about my daughter, not my own feelings of finishing strong.

The book, That Hideous Strength, was read and precised on Thursday this past week. It, or should I say, my daughter, kept us awake, me as official editor, until 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. The word count never seemed to go down substantially. With each read through and deletion of un-necessary phrases, we finally chopped the paper down enough to reached the prescribed one thousand words. The clock on the wall kept reminding me that I wanted to be in bed. I began to feel like I was the one who had read That Hideous Strength and not my daughter. And as if that was not enough, a mid-night geometry test and biology homework was also completed.

Again I say, home schooling is not for the faint at heart. I know one must be asking, why in heaven’s name, is the schooling happening in the middle of the night? Let me explain, no sum up. We are part of a wonderful program called Biola STAR Academics and Torrey Academy, to help me help my kids, get all they need academically, so they will excel in college. My oldest, my first graduate, is indeed living up to my prayers and expectations as a student of Biola University. She is a journalism major, with plans to do a study abroad next semester in Washington D.C. She is a writer for the The Chimes, the University newspaper, and her success at Biola has shown me that this home schooling choice has indeed been the correct one. So as we struggle through tenth grade again, (and I wouldn’t use the word struggle usually, it has just been a long week), I count my blessing for the right to school my kids at home. I thank God for programs like Torrey Academy and STAR that help me, help my children get a high caliber academic education that prepares them for life and college.

I will be completing high school two more times and I am sure I will be much smarter when I graduate my last student. But I will be saddened that the days of whining and roses will be complete. I love to school my kids. I love the fact that this Country allows parents the right to school in this manner. I am grateful that I have my fingers in the mix and that I can see their accomplishments first hand and watch the struggles create in them a perseverance that will last a life time. I have always compared home schooling to watching one’s child take their first step or say their first word. There is so much joy and anticipation in those events and with home schooling, I get to see my child read his first word, figure out his first Algebra problem and most importantly, I get to be the one who trains them up in the admonition of the Lord and watch Him transform them into His image. Truly a most enviable task in life. And by the way, I get to re-do high school four times! Isn’t that the American dream: to go back to high school?

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Spineless

If our leaders are so easily swayed away from their own convictions and ignore the democratic voice of their constituents as demonstrated in this health care legislation; what will happen if and when our Freedom of Religion is radically attacked? Who will stand up for our First Amendment rights, if those in Congress, who don’t hold the same beliefs as we in the Christian community, choose to follow marching orders from the powers the be? This health care bill is critical to the health of our country and is being pushed through by radicals who don’t seem to care about America’s life expectancy. What about the issues that are central to all American’s rights? What if they come under attack? Will any on the left stand up to protect them? It seems that most have sold their souls to the Devil, and few would sacrificially give up everything to stand for Truth, Justice and Freedom.

They don’t make ‘em like they used to! Is it because the American people as a whole are no longer capable of electing leadership that is morally and ethically sound; or is it because there are no morally and ethically sound leaders rising to the top to lead? May only the cream of the crop attain leadership positions and only those who demonstrate the type of leadership on which this country was built. Courage, Uncompromising Ethics, Integrity and a love for Country and Constitution: The New American Leader!

This is the only change I can believe in!

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Christians United for Israel has been a leading supporter of this legislation.  Through our visits to Capitol Hill and our e-mail action alerts, we have made it clear to Congress that America’s Christians support tough economic sanctions against Iran. And Congress has listened.

Congratulations to all of you who have supported CUFI in this effort.  This is an important victory, and you helped;to make it happen!

Nehemiah told those helping him rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that “the work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. We heard the sound of the trumpet, and we came together in action. Our efforts have been blessed.

Of course, our work is far from over. The bill moves next to the Senate. We will be watching this legislation closely and will let you know when we need your help to ensure that it passes the Senate by the widest possible margin. And we will continue to provide you with other opportunities to speak out against Iran’s threats and aggression, such as our petition to indict Iran’s President Ahmadinejad for incitement to genocide.

Thank you for your support of CUFI and Israel.  Together, we are making a difference.

Blessings to you and those you love.

Pastor John Hagee                              David Brog
National Chairman                               Executive Director
Christians United for Israel              Christians United for Israel

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As the war in Afghanistan escalates some have suggested increasing taxes, which I think is a bad idea especially at a time when many Americans are still struggling with the economy. We need to get our fiscal house in order, and be honest about the costs of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, for the time being that means that the wars will continue to contribute to the federal deficit. I have proposed a patriotic and cost-effective way to finance the wars and reduce our dependence on foreign creditors.

War Bonds

The US War Bonds Act of 2009 finds a precedent in World War II savings bonds. From May 1, 1941 through December 1945, the War Finance Division and its predecessors were responsible for the sale of nearly $186 billion worth of government securities. Of this, more than $54 billion was in the form of War Savings bonds. Although the times and economic circumstances are significantly different than what we faced in the 1940’s, America’s commitment to protecting freedom and our way of life has not waned.

The commitment to protecting our national security is costly and so far has been a burden shouldered by the men and women in our military and their families. I believe that many Americans if given the opportunity to directly support the effort to protect our national security interest would do so, which is why I have introduced the United States War Bonds Act of 2009.

The Act would authorize the Treasury to issue War Bonds to aid in funding our operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. My hope is that we can tap into the same spirit of patriotism and create a sense of participation in the war effort akin to that shown by the greatest generation.

The National Debt

As we know all too well, America is deeply in debt. The debt held by the public is more than $7.6 trillion dollars. An equally unsettling fact is that nearly $3.5 trillion – 46 percent – is held by foreign investors. We must get our debt under control, but as we pursue that goal we should also seek a better balance of domestic and foreign creditors.

I don’t believe our first instinct should always be a rush to tax. The government has gone to great lengths to address the economic downturn and adding new taxes right now could undermine those efforts. My bill recognizes that now is not the time for additional taxes that can be avoided; but if we’re going to owe a debt to someone, it should be to ourselves.

My legislation will authorize the Treasury to issue and market War Bonds to the American people. Savings bonds are a cost-effective way to reduce our dependence on foreign creditors and create an outlet for Americans to express their patriotism and support for our servicemembers and America’s mission.

###

Search: Afghanistan, Defense, Taxes, National Security, Troops and Veterans, Speeches, Op-Eds,

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I recently (11/17/09) wrote about how American culture has gotten itself in deep trouble by embracing “nonjudgmentalism” as a virtue — by accepting that there’s virtue in withholding judgment of others’ bad behavior. OK, here’s a perfect illustration of why that’s insane: Tiger Woods’ multi-million-dollar product endorsement deals. Ultimately, they’re based on the guy’s trustworthiness. No male consumer in his right mind would want to shave with a particular razor just because some guy who’s good at golf shaves with that razor. What if it’s a sucky razor? Does golf skill imply shaving skill or special knowledge of razors? No. Sure, some sycophantic fans might buy Tiger’s razor just to “be like” Tiger, but I don’t think that explains the majority of the value in a razor endorsement deal with Woods, and it certainly doesn’t explain why people would go out and buy a particular car that Woods endorses, especially when it’s pretty clear that Woods doesn’t even really drive that particular car. No, the value in these endorsement deals has come primarily from the public’s largely-baseless perception that Woods is a “good guy,” a guy whose recommendation can be trusted, i.e. “if Tiger says it’s good, it must be good.” If you think about it, that was pretty much a baseless perception even before Woods’ infidelity became a public spectacle because, as I’ve said in the cases of swimmer Michael Phelps and others, it’s a complete fallacy to conclude that a guy’s “a good guy” or trustworthy simply because the guy’s good at a sport. Sure, it might make sense to trust that guy to tell you how to swing a golf club or swim a particular stroke, but unless you know him personally and have a basis for trusting him in general, there’s really no reason to trust him on any other topic. Nevertheless, many Americans do put their trust in athletes’ recommendations simply because those athletes are good at sports, which just illustrates another stupid development in American culture about which I’ve also written repeatedly — a fanatical overemphasis on sports. But be that as it may, now that it’s clear that Tiger’s own wife can’t even trust him, would anyone in his/her right mind trust his recommendation of a good car or even a razor, particularly knowing that he’s been paid millions of dollars to say it’s good? And would any corporate CEO in his/her right mind want to relay his/her company’s message to consumers via a spokesperson who’s widely perceived as a liar? I guess we’ll see — while some sponsors have shelved ad campaigns featuring Woods for the moment, they’re not dropping him in droves like they should be. If consumers and corporations don’t judge this guy to be dishonest and stop following and paying for his recommendations, then the insanity of “nonjudgmentalism” will be perfectly-illustrated.

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“Safe journey my daughter. God be with you! And Joseph, you take care of my Mary. Oh what a shame, so far from home! What if the baby comes?” Tears fell as the grandmother in waiting kissed her young pregnant daughter good bye. This isn’t the way things are done. Who will give comfort and assist with the birth, with Mary so far from home?

Only half a day’s journey till lodging is found in Bethlehem. It might as well be an eternity as the early pains of first born labor begin. Every movement of the donkey sends sharp stabs of agony through Mary’s heavy body.

She sighs as fear, discomfort, and loneliness envelops her. All her plans for the traditional birth: the presence of her loving mother for comfort, the experienced hands of her aunt, turned midwife, and the anticipated celebration of close kin and friends, all washed away by the great tide of a governmental census. “Oh Jehovah, this is Your Son, and I am Your maidservant. Let it be to me according to Your Word.”

Joseph’s head aches with the tumultuous thoughts that war with his faith. “This is of the Holy Spirit. Jehovah, help my anxious unbelief. How am I going to deliver your Baby? This is a woman’s job. I am unqualified. How am I to raise Your Son, my Messiah? I am a sinner, unholy and unworthy of such a task. God of Wisdom, help this lowly servant know Your ways as I care for my wife and this newborn Christ Child.’

Hours later the young couple collapse on the only floor available in Bethlehem. The delivery of Mary’s first child is immediate and the delivery room far from clean.

“Oh God, my Father, I am so scared! The pain is overwhelming I don’t think I can do this. The smells in this stable make me wretch. God, this is Your Son, He deserves a clean bed. Ooohh, it hurts, oohh help me! Your time is only moments away. Your grand entry into humanity…..You deserve more than this place!” Mary cried out in prayer.

“Mary, look at my eyes, Know that I am here and I love you. Focus on God, Mary, you can do this.” Joseph’s ashen face betrays the confidence he speaks. He silently prays for Divine help in this hay filled nursery.

“Oh Joseph, I have to push. Oh Joseph, it hurts…I want to stop. I am so tired….”

“One more time Mary. Give one more push. Praise be to God! Oh Mary! Oh what a miracle. Oh my son! Oh Mary, He is perfect. Hallelujah!”

The precious squalling of the newborn Child pierces the once silent night. The donkey that traveled the Bethlehem road looks up at the noisy cry. All creation will worship this King. Somehow the donkey knows.

She lies back in Joseph’s arms nursing her priceless miracle. Her Messiah. Soft gulping comes from the hungry infant wrapped snugly in rough swaddling fabric. “No place on earth I would rather be dear Father! Thank You for this unspeakable gift. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.”

The donkey gets up, disturbed by the approaching foot steps. Startled, the slumbering Joseph is fully awake, as voices echo into the cave. “Who are you? You are not welcome here!”

The torchlight flickered over the rough countenance of a man. He reverently fell to his knees and spoke in an awestruck whisper, “We have come to worship the Christ.” As if moved by the hand of God Himself, Joseph stepped aside and let the ragged shepherds enter heaven in cave. The men fell face first in adoration to the floor of the filthy stable. Before them lay their King of kings, peacefully sleeping in a manger of hay. As inconceivable as it seemed, every whispered breath praised Jehovah for this perfect birthplace. No where on earth was better, for love and humility mixed with the harmonious music of nature filled the damp room.

“Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will, towards men. It was the most remarkable event in my life, until this moment. Who would believe a chorus of angels appeared to me, a shepherd? But I would not have believed my Savior and Lord had come tonight except for such a visitation. Praise be to God. A lowly fool as I, have had the privilege to worship my King only moments after His arrival. Oh I am so undeserving. Praise to Jehovah. Thank You….Praise you….” Tears fell unashamedly from the eyes of the shepherd, as they entered the Holy of holies and worshiped the Promised One.

The serenity returned to the stable as once again, Mary and Joseph were left alone to ponder the moments and miracle they held in their arms. Nothing is as beautiful as a sleeping infant; but nothing was as unfathomable as the swaddled God. The Creator caressed by the hands of the created. Silence was the only fitting music as Mary and Joseph adored their King. For words can never five melodies to the orchestra of praise that filled heaven and hearts that first Christmas day. And His name shall be called Jesus, for He will save His people from their sin.

Written by Mary Selby, for my children December 2000

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Seattle police shooting update: The man who ambushed four police officers in Seattle over the Thanksgiving weekend has been shot and killed by a police officer. That’s good, but now there’s even more evidence that he never should’ve been on the street in the first place. Not only did former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee second-guess the Arkansas court that sentenced this guy to 108 years (a court that actually had an opportunity to see the guy and gauge his level of dangerousness) by commuting the sentence and allowing him to be paroled, but then a judge in Washington granted the guy bail just days before this weekend’s deadly ambush, even though he was a convicted felon with a violent history and had been rearrested for rape.

Does Everyone Deserve a Second Chance?

I feel for the cops who’ve got to be frustrated with the lenient, “everybody deserves another chance” mentality among many judges and lawmakers that forces them to keep risking their lives to catch the same people over and over and over. When I’m in charge, it’ll be once, and the cops won’t have to worry about seeing the same individual on the streets again for a long, long time, if ever!

Tiger Woods Update

Sounds like Tiger Wood’s wife may have had a reason (perhaps even a pretty good one!) for smashing into his car with a golf club other than the stated reason (that she was trying to help extricate an already-injured Woods from the car after he had crashed it). Not that I’m necessarily feeling sorry for Woods or wanting the wife to face any consequences, but is anyone else wondering now when and why the window smashing actually occurred?

Finally tonight, study this: A new study says that loneliness is catching. Hmmm. Anyone else puzzled trying to figure out how that would work exactly?

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Dr. Richard Sternberg knows all about the kind of abuse global warming skeptics have endured at the hands of the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) in the brewing “Climategate” scandal.

Five years ago, Sternberg challenged the most vulnerable of the science establishment’s paradigms, namely Darwinism and its derivatives, and learned first hand the lengths that establishment will go to suppress dissent. For any number of uneventful years, the evolutionary biologist Sternberg was a member in good standing of that very establishment.

Employed by the National Institutes of Health in association with the Smithsonian Institution, he served as the managing editor of the Smithsonian-affiliated journal, Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington .

In 2004, Sternberg chose to publish a tightly argued paper by the Discovery Institute’s Dr. Stephen C. Meyer, titled The Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories. In brief, Meyer contended that neo-Darwinism has failed to provide a convincing explanation for the relatively sudden and massive infusion of new genetic information into the fossil record popularly known as the Cambrian Explosion.

Shortly before receiving Meyer’s paper, Sternberg had attended an in-service training module on the ethics of peer review. What Sternberg took away from the training is that the “peers” selected to review a given paper be neither prejudiced against the topic or partial to it for reasons of self-interest. Sternberg identified three such scientists to review Meyer’s paper. They offered some useful revisions, and the paper was published in August 2004. In publishing Meyer’s paper, Sternberg had merely hoped to provoke a good discussion. He was “absolutely not expecting” the hell that rained down upon him with the paper’s publication.

The road to hell was paved with email. But even by Climategate standards, the email campaign to punish Sternberg was a cruel and catty one. One zoologist colleague, for instance, asked their common department head, Dr. Jonathan Coddington, why the heretical Sternberg should be allowed to keep an office, especially one with “a name on it.” Prejudiced to the point of paranoia, the zoologist demanded that his own office “be re-keyed.” Coddington handled the affair with all the courage and conviction of a Pontius Pilate. “At present I am not tossing him out,” he told his colleagues of Sternberg. “Do you want anything done?”

Coddington’s own plan was to meet with Sternberg and “hint that if he had any class he would either entirely desist or resign his Appointment.” When Sternberg failed to take the hint, Coddington and colleagues settled on a bold plan of petty revenge, death by a thousand academic cuts. For Sternberg to keep his research associate position, he would have to detail every move he made short of bathroom breaks. When Sternberg asked if the other research associates were being subjected to the same treatment, Coddington replied, “This is not about the other RAs. This is only about you.” Coddington continued, “you are being treated differently, but you know perfectly well why you’re being treated differently.”

One obvious reason for Sternberg’s special treatment was what a subsequent House Committee Report described as “a general anti-religious culture existing at the Museum.” Once the Meyer article was published, Coddington and others began to probe into Sternberg’s background, asking around to see if he were a closeted “religious fundamentalist” or, God forbid, a “Republican.”

In an email of solidarity sent to Coddington, Research Associate Sue Richardson openly complained about her own unhappy tenure in the “Bible Belt.” Wrote Richardson, “The most fun we had by far was when my son refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of the ‘under dog’ part.” The House Report asked rhetorically, “Would similar expressions of disparagement have been tolerated by Smithsonian officials if directed at a racial minority?” That answer is obvious. A more pointed question would be whether Smithsonian officials would have tolerated comparable comments about Muslims or even Jews. That answer is obvious too.

These same officials colluded with the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), a pro-evolution advocacy organization, to discredit the beleaguered editor. “I will keep an eye on Dr. (von) Sternberg,” wrote the Smithsonian’s Dr. Hans Sues to the NCSE’s Eugenie Scott in a not so subtle ethnic slur. The extent of the anti-Sternberg collusion–“ on government time and with government resources”– the House Committee described as “alarming.” Nor did Sternberg’s colleagues limit their pique to those who needed to know. Indeed, they sent word of his heresy to scientists around the world.

Wrote one Dutch scientist back to a Smithsonian colleague: “These people are coming out and invading our schools, biology classes, museums, and now our professional journals. These people to my mind are only a scale up on the fundies of a more destructive kind in other parts of the world.” Ah yes, “these people.” Some of them publish papers on intelligent design. Others fly planes into the World Trade Center. The Smithsonian’s continuous refusal to take action in the Sternberg case prompted the House Committee to recommend Congressional action to “protect the free speech rights regarding evolution” among those scientists working at federally-funded institutions.

Now, if Congress would only do the same for honest climate scientists.

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Court house employees started a petition to get the tree set back up. “That tree holds the cards that contain the wishes and needs of those less fortunate than we are and shame on those who want to take that away from those of us who wish to give …” the petition says. “Now at the court’s darkest hour, our symbol of hope has been taken away from us.”

The public outcry did the trick and the court restored the tree.

“After assessing the situation, including case law on similar circumstances, and giving serious weight to the concerns expressed by staff, Judge (Kim) Dunning has concluded these trees are permissible for display in our lobbies,” the court’s chief executive officer, Alan Carlson, said in a statement. Dunning is the court’s presiding judge.

As a certified Christmas Tree hugger, I am grateful that the tree was restored. It is a timely reminder that the good fight will never end. There will always be Scrooges ready to kill “Christ”mas. Herod tried to kill baby Jesus over two thousand years ago, and today many still have that murderous desire. They will kill the traditions, the creches, the trees, the Holiday music, just as Herod tried to do so many years ago. There are those who hate Jesus Christ and Christmas reminds them for Whom the Christmas bell tolls.

I am afraid that we will always need to make a stand for the Christmas Tree and for the Christ of Christmas. Yet be encouraged, no one has ever been able to silence the message of the Angels, “For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11-14).

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