God and Gump

Ethical Stem Cell Research Breakthrough

The highlight of the news today was the report of the breakthrough on stem-cell research. Scientists have learned of a way to make normal human skin cells behave like stem-cells in laboratory tests. I'm not a scientist and I don't play one on t.v., so I'll let you read the article published by the NY Times if you want details.

This is a wonderful achievement for science and medicine and a great advance for the culture of life. The purpose of my post today is to ask a couple of questions for us to ponder.

1. Would there have been such an effort to find other ways to research stem-cells if President Bush had not been so steadfast on this issue?

2. Do democrats see this as good news? Is this bad news for those seeking to use this as a wedge issue in the 2008 elections?

We were told time after time that President Bush was single-handedly causing people with ailments like spinal injuries and Alzheimer's disease to live in misery because he vetoed federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research. The President stood his ground and maintained that there were other ways to conduct the research without using embryos. It looks like he was right.

In June, Congress tried to undo the President's prohibition on embryonic stem-cell research, but the President kept his promise to veto the bill. Nancy Pelosi said this in a fund-raising email shortly before the veto, "Tomorrow, with a single stroke of his cruel veto pen, President Bush will dash the hopes of millions of Americans seeking cures through the miracle of stem-cell research (emphasis mine)."  Hillary Clinton also used the veto as an opportunity to whip campaign supporters into a froth by saying, "[the veto was] just one more example as to why we're going to send [Republicans] packing in January 2009 and return progressive leadership to the White House."

Shame on people like Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton who have such a myopic view of this sensitive issue to think that the only way to conduct research was through the use of embryos. If their view isn't myopic, then that means they are being intellectually dishonest. If that's the case, then who is really being cruel?

In reality, it is a wonderful fact that important stem cell research continues without giving in to the notion that life is disposable and insignificant.

So Speaker Pelosi, I am going to describe the great news of the day by rephrasing your quote, "Today, because of brilliant scientists interested in finding a better way - without political agenda- lifted the hopes of millions of Americans seeking cures through the miracle of non-embryonic stem-cell research."

Huckabee for President

Occasionally, I make an exception to my no politics rule on this blog for things that I feel are important enough to discuss. Today is one of those times. The more I read about the candidates for President, specifically the Republican candidates, the less I'm motivated to support verbally - let alone financially. There are somethings I like about each candidate, but I fail to see the complete picture of a conservative President in any of them - save one. That candidate is Mike Huckabee. The more I read about Mike and watch him in the debates, the more convinced I am that he has the best balance of values and experience. Add to that, he is also an excellent communicator and has very keen wit about him. His communication skills are evident in that he is a distant 8th place in total fund-raising for Republican candidates, yet he is on the verge of winning in Iowa and his numbers are improving in New Hampshire. Mike has only raised $2.3 million (as of the last FEC filing) while Romney and Guliani have raised $61.6 and $46.7 million respectively. While that may sound like a negative, I point out that he's extremely competitive in spite of his scant resources. This is a testament to his ideas and his ability to communicate. And trust me, I'm sure Fund-raising will pick up with the extra media attention he's been receiving about his surging in the polls.

But beyond being competitive, Governor Huckabee is the kind of man we can be proud of as President. His positions on the major issues of the day are clear and firm. Please take a few minutes to browse his website and decide for yourself.

And for the category of "best politically motivated, Orwellian fictional documentary drama" goes to... Algore.

Yes it is true. Move over Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Al Gore has something you don't...an Oscar. The former Vice President of the United States won the award last evening at the 79th Annual Academy Awards for his documentary on global warming, 'An Inconvenient Truth'.

I know...this is not a political blog - nor to I wish it to be. When I want to blog about politcal/faith issues, I usually post comments to blogs designed for that like Stones Cry Out. For now, I'm asking for a little indulgence while I have some fun at Al Gore's expense. :-)

I happen to have a copy of Al Gore's first draft of his acceptance speech, but he decided to "cool" it with a much tamer version. So here it is for your amusement...

Oscar Acceptance Speech

- Rough Draft -

"Thank you, Thank you! (wait for applause). Thank you! This is too much! (continue to wait for applause).

Please, please be seated (wait for applause to conclude).

"I would like to first thank the Academy for this great honor. This is justification for 'The Day After Tomorrow' not receiving best picture a couple years ago. (pause for laughs from audience).

"I would also like to thank the liberal media, The Weather Channel and many of you talented people in Hollywood, like Leonardo DiCaprio...I could not have achieved this without your help. It's not easy to discredit many scientists and to completely distort the scientific method to help us reach our political goals. (applause) But you pulled it off, and I thank you. I'm so glad you are on my side! (pause for laughter and then applause)

I would be remiss if I didn't thank my wife, Tipper, (pause for applause) for not campaigning for a warning label for this film so children of all ages can be brainwashed and scared to death by the notion that their parents are destroying the planet.

Because of this validation - beginning tomorrow, I am going to work with my good friend Nancy Pelosi to draft a federal unfunded mandate to require 'An Inconvenient Truth' to be shown by every earth and physical science teacher in the country. (pause for thunderous applause).

And finally I would like to thank my god, Mother Earth. May this apocalyptic prophesy of mine honor you. Thank you!!" (more applause)

[Exit stage right...I mean left]

Rest In Peace, President Ford

Gerald Ford, our 38th President will be laid to rest on Wednesday. Yesterday he lay in state in the U.S. Capitol for memorial services. Ford, 93, was our oldest living former President. President Ford was president in the same way he lived his life - humble and unpretentious. HIs wife and best friend Betty said this about her late husband, "His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country."

President Ford's greatest accomplishment was he helped to heal a hurting nation. A nation that had lost confidence in its leaders. President Ford was able to do that, because of his modest and humble approach to his work. You see, President Ford never aspired to be President. As you know, history intervened in a way that placed him in the oval office. And I believe that history will judge him well, because of the kind of man he was.

My wife, Jean, made the observation that once again, President Ford was upstaged. This time by the wall to wall coverage of Saddam Hussein's execution. It's sad that we seem so much more enamored by the execution of a man that personified evil, instead of a good man that served this country honorably for decades. I'm hopeful that since Hussein is now gone, we won't have to bear watching him walk to the gallows and having the noose affixed to his neck anymore. But I'm not holding my breath.

President Ford deserves this time of national mourning. President Ford, God bless you and may you rest in peace.

Gathering For Government Christmas Service

On the heels of probably the nastiest election I've ever witnessed, the Gathering for Government (G2)will be hosting their 5th Annual Christmas service on Wednesday, December 13 from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Church which is located at the corner of Third and Broad Streets in Downtown Columbus, Ohio. I can think of no better way to put the rancor of the last election behind us than for believers and seekers to come together this time of the year and worship the King who shoulders all of government (Isaiah 9:6).

The Gathering for Government is an interdenominational Statehouse ministry working in and around Ohio government to strengthen our faith in God through service and life-witness. Our statement of faith is contained in the Apostles' Creed (see comment below for the text of the creed). Although set in a government context, we are non-partisan, non-profit, and apolitical. Our goal is not to change government with our actions directly, but indirectly by being willing vessels of the Holy Spirit to help transform lives and bring the Good News to those who affect public policy.

This year's program will include three members of the Ohio General Assembly. Senate President Bill Harris will open the service in prayer and read from the book of Micah. State Representative Jon Peterson will deliver our message titled "Politics as a Christian Vocation" and State Representative (Senator-elect) Lance Mason will provide our special music by singing "O Holy Night".

If you live/work in the Columbus area and would like to come to this, please feel free. If you have any questions, just post a comment or drop me an email at GodandGump@hotmail.com. 

A Big Election Night For Democrats

For you regular readers, you know that I have no desire to make this a political blog. But there are occasions (unfortunately) where politics and faith collide.

Those of you that know me personally, know that I am quite conservative and vote Republican 99% of the time. But those close to me also know that lately I have been struggling with how politics and public policy has infected (yes, infected) the evangelical community. While I get tired of the media labeling folks like me as someone from the "religious right", I am equally disturbed by the Republican Party thinking it has franchise rights on matters of faith. Basically the conservative evangelical community has been reduced to a voting block that is anti abortion, anti gay marriage and (most recently) anti stem cell research. That's pretty much it. In the rest of the country's view - we are a three trick pony. I'll get back to this issue later in the post.

As for the election yesterday....

Pastors Not Playing the "Faith Card"??

Ok...I'm going to break my no politics rule for the third straight post, but what the heck.....it's my blog. :)

The Columbus Dispatch has been running some pretty good articles on this issue of 'Faith and Politics'.

You can click on the link to see the article by Darrell Rowland in today's Columbus Dispatch titled "Pastors not playing the God card".

In this article, Rowland interviewed Rich Nathan of the Columbus Vinyard, Jim Leffel of Xenos Christian Fellowship and Mike Smith of Heritage Christian Church, all large congregations in the Columbus area.

All three pastors seem to be in agreement that politics from the pulpit tend to lean towards a myopic view of the Gospel.

Take a moment and read the article. What do you think?

More on Ohio's Governor's Race and Playing the Faith Card

Here is a follow-up to my post on July 25.

There was an article in the July 23 Columbus Dispatch by Joe Hallett and Mark Niquette on this very issue.

Matchup Made in Heaven: How faith figures into the governor's race

Also a Q and A with Blackwell and Strickland by Joe Hallett and Mark Niquette:

Church and Statehouse Q and A

Click on the articles above. Thoughts?

Playing the "Faith Card"

I really try to keep the topics on this blog to matters of Christian faith and spirituality. Along the way I’ll include some lighter topics (such as Reds baseball) as well. I try to avoid politics because most all Christian blogs I read turn into a platform for political issues, such as abortion, stem cell research, same-sex marriage, etc. And many Christian blogs serve as a mouth piece for a political party (mostly Republican). While I’m glad there are people willing to write about such things, I prefer to write about a Believer’s faith journey one day at a time (or one or two weeks at a time as my posting frequency has diminished recently).

Today, I’ll depart from my “no politics” rule just a bit. I thought we could discuss the 2006 race for Governor of Ohio. I’m not really interested in who you support or plan to vote for, rather I thought we could discuss how both candidates are reaching out to the faith community in their respective campaigns. Ted Strickland and Ken Blackwell are looking to use what I call the “faith card” as a political advantage in the run-up to November. In fact it is already starting.

A Sign That Things Are Getting Better In Iraq...

On the lighter side.....

Here's a sign that things are improving in Iraq!

O - H - I - O !! Go Bucks!

(Click on the picture for a larger view)