Rodney King was shot on a street corner by bird shot fired from a shotgun. Reportedly, King and others appeared drunk and were largely uncooperative in providing information about the shooting.
Soap Box Ravings is reminded that "When people state that they can't change who they are--their nature--they sometimes use the phrase "A leopard can't change his spots" (it's used in much the same way as "you can't teach an old dog new tricks").
The phrase about leopards is descended from the Bible, in the book of Jeremiah: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?" (Jer 13:23)
The only surprise here is why the news still reports on him. My guess is that no one in the military did anything worthwhile and the media needed to fill up a column
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Twins Are On Their Way
Soap Box Ravings was notified today by e-mail that the Twins had been shipped. No arrival date as of yet, but I anxiously await the truck drivers call.
Today, I started tearing down the Man Room. That is where the Twins will reside. Not any easy task since the cabinets that are being upgraded are full and not all that easy to move. Also, since we just recently moved into a new house and I was not progressing on the Man Room due to funding, the Momma managed to slip some of her stuff in the Man Room for storage. She is presently out of town so I can move things as I see fit. Some I may have to move again later. More to come.
Today, I started tearing down the Man Room. That is where the Twins will reside. Not any easy task since the cabinets that are being upgraded are full and not all that easy to move. Also, since we just recently moved into a new house and I was not progressing on the Man Room due to funding, the Momma managed to slip some of her stuff in the Man Room for storage. She is presently out of town so I can move things as I see fit. Some I may have to move again later. More to come.
British Teacher Guilty Of Insulting Islam In Sudan
Today in Khartoum, Sudan a British teacher in Sudan was convicted Thursday of insulting Islam by letting her students pupils name a teddy bear "Muhammad."
She was sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation to Britain. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, could have received 40 lashes and six months in prison in the case if she had been found guilty of the original more serious charge of inciting religious hatred.
The Education Ministry had received complaints that the teacher had insulted the Prophet Muhammad, the most revered figure in Islam, by applying his name to a teddy bear.
Her employer, Robert Boulos, of the Unity High School called the verdict "a very fair verdict."
Soap Box Ravings says this should act as a warning to those folks who think they can help other cultures by bringing them our western ways. The religious conservatives in Sudan have stated their outrage was over the naming of a teddy bear after the prophet Mohammad. Soap Box Ravings feels the religious conservatives outrage goes much deeper than what was stated. The Unity High School and all employees have been placed on notice that any infractions or even just complaints by any unsatisfied or aggravated person can lead to the confinement of the teacher and or school staff members. That's gotta be a good recruiting tool.
Soap Box Ravings says also, you have to wonder about any religion that would sentence the victim of a gang rape to 200 lashes and six months confinement for not being properly chaperoned as required by Islam just prior to the rape.
She was sentenced to 15 days in prison and deportation to Britain. The teacher, Gillian Gibbons, could have received 40 lashes and six months in prison in the case if she had been found guilty of the original more serious charge of inciting religious hatred.
The Education Ministry had received complaints that the teacher had insulted the Prophet Muhammad, the most revered figure in Islam, by applying his name to a teddy bear.
Her employer, Robert Boulos, of the Unity High School called the verdict "a very fair verdict."
Soap Box Ravings says this should act as a warning to those folks who think they can help other cultures by bringing them our western ways. The religious conservatives in Sudan have stated their outrage was over the naming of a teddy bear after the prophet Mohammad. Soap Box Ravings feels the religious conservatives outrage goes much deeper than what was stated. The Unity High School and all employees have been placed on notice that any infractions or even just complaints by any unsatisfied or aggravated person can lead to the confinement of the teacher and or school staff members. That's gotta be a good recruiting tool.
Soap Box Ravings says also, you have to wonder about any religion that would sentence the victim of a gang rape to 200 lashes and six months confinement for not being properly chaperoned as required by Islam just prior to the rape.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Soap Box Ravings E-Mail To The National Rifle Association
A message from Soap Box Ravings to the National Rifle Association, as sent:
As a retired military person, I want you to know that I do not agree with your NRA position on the Leahy/McCarthy/Schumer bill.
I agree with the Gun Owners of America position and I feel terribly let down by the NRA's action in support of Schumers gun bill.
The National Rifle Associations response:
Dear Mr. S. B. Ravings,
Thank you for your email to the NRA-ILA regarding H.R. 2640, the NICS Improvement Act. I apologize for the extremely delayed response. We appreciate everything our members have to say, and we thank you for taking the time to contact our office.
The NRA examines and supports legislation based upon its merits and benefits for law-abiding gun owners. Despite the fact that Reps. Carolyn McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, and other representatives associated with the Brady Campaign were involved with H.R. 2640, this legislation improves current law for gun owners and all Americans, and therefore holds the support of the NRA. Along with Rep. McCarthy, sponsors of this
bill include Reps. John Dingell, Lamar Smith (R-Texas), and Rick Boucher (D-Va)- all longtime supporters of gun owners' rights and sponsors of many pro-Second Amendment bills.
Recently, H.R. 2640 passed the House by a voice vote, which, although some have stated is a 'back door deal,' is in fact standard procedure. The reality is that there's nothing unusual about passing a widely supported bill by voice vote. Once a voice vote has occurred, any House member may request a recorded vote on any issue, and in practice, those requests are universally granted. Despite having that option on the floor, no representative asked for a roll call on this bill.
Despite what many letters and articles have stated, H.R. 2640 is not a gun control bill, and it doesn't ban anyone from owning guns. Instead, this bill provides federal funds to states to update their mental health records. This update will ensure that those who are currently prohibited under federal law from owning a gun because of mental health adjudications are included in the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System (NICS). For many years, NRA has supported ensuring that those who have been adjudicated mentally incompetent are screened by the NICS.
H.R. 2640 states that in order to be added to the NICS system one must be adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed (i.e. against one's will) to a mental institution. H.R. 2640 would prevent use of federal "adjudications" that consist only of medical diagnoses without findings that the people involved are dangerous or mentally incompetent.
The fact that medical diagnoses would not qualify as adjudication would change the current NICS standards, which accept Veterans` Administration decisions that a veteran or other beneficiary is an "adjudicated mental defective" where there was no "adjudication" at all--only a decision that the patient is unable to manage his own finances. Many patients may have accepted such a decision without expecting to lose their gun ownership rights. Instead of allowing this to continue, H.R. 2640 would eliminate purely medical records from NICS. Gun ownership rights would only be lost as a result of a finding that the person is a danger to himself or others (by a court or legal authority, not, as we have established, by a medical professional), or
lacks the capacity to manage his own affairs.
It is also important to note what H.R. 2640 will not do. This bill will not add any new classes of prohibited persons to NICS, and it will not prohibit gun possession by people who have voluntarily sought psychological counseling or checked themselves into a hospital for treatment.
So why the confusion?
First and foremost, the national media elite is irate that NRA has been able to roll back significant portions of the Clinton Administration's anti-gun agenda and pass pro-active legislation in Congress and in many states. They are desperate to put a "gun control" spin on anything they can. The only real question here is--given the media's long-standing and flagrant bias on the gun issue-- why are some gun owners suddenly swallowing the bait?
Second, some people simply do not like the NICS. In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Act, including a mandatory five-day waiting period, over strong NRA opposition. Due to NRA's insistence, that waiting period was allowed to sunset in 1998, once the NICS was up and running nationwide. Now that the NICS is in place, it makes sense to ensure that this system works as instantly, fairly, and accurately as possible.
This is an extremely important and complex issue, and as part of your ongoing research, I encourage you to further review the information regarding this bill and to read the bill itself (which I have attached to this email for your review). By doing so, you will be able to properly compare the media you have been receiving and reach your own conclusion about whether or not you support this legislation. If you
haven't already, I encourage you to become more familiar with the bill by visiting our website, www.nraila.org and reading the five articles on HR 2640. These articles give credence to the legitimate pro-gun nature of this bill. One of the articles is written by Larry Scott for www.military.com. Formed in 1999, this group was started, "to revolutionize the way the 30 million Americans with military affinity
stay connected and informed. Today, [they are] the largest military and veteran membership organization - 8 million members strong." I can assure you that they have a vested interest in caring for the well-being of veterans and military personnel.
The NRA continues to support this legislation, which streamlines the NICS system to ensure law-abiding citizens are afforded their rights. Simultaneously, this bill ensures that criminals and those adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court will be unable to own firearms. Rest assured that if the anti-gunners use this legislation as
a vehicle to advance gun control restrictions, NRA will pull our support for the bill and vigorously oppose its passage!
Once again, thank you for your comments. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address or at (800) 392-8683.
Sincerely,
Alicia Borgess
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division
Soap Box Ravings has posted the National Rifle Associations response to enable those who read it to make up their own minds on whether the NRA is acting in their benefit or not. Soap Box Ravings suggests that all who have an interest in the final outcome of the NICS Improvement Act complete their own analysis of the facts before making their decision on the NRA's efforts.
As a retired military person, I want you to know that I do not agree with your NRA position on the Leahy/McCarthy/Schumer bill.
I agree with the Gun Owners of America position and I feel terribly let down by the NRA's action in support of Schumers gun bill.
The National Rifle Associations response:
Dear Mr. S. B. Ravings,
Thank you for your email to the NRA-ILA regarding H.R. 2640, the NICS Improvement Act. I apologize for the extremely delayed response. We appreciate everything our members have to say, and we thank you for taking the time to contact our office.
The NRA examines and supports legislation based upon its merits and benefits for law-abiding gun owners. Despite the fact that Reps. Carolyn McCarthy, Chuck Schumer, and other representatives associated with the Brady Campaign were involved with H.R. 2640, this legislation improves current law for gun owners and all Americans, and therefore holds the support of the NRA. Along with Rep. McCarthy, sponsors of this
bill include Reps. John Dingell, Lamar Smith (R-Texas), and Rick Boucher (D-Va)- all longtime supporters of gun owners' rights and sponsors of many pro-Second Amendment bills.
Recently, H.R. 2640 passed the House by a voice vote, which, although some have stated is a 'back door deal,' is in fact standard procedure. The reality is that there's nothing unusual about passing a widely supported bill by voice vote. Once a voice vote has occurred, any House member may request a recorded vote on any issue, and in practice, those requests are universally granted. Despite having that option on the floor, no representative asked for a roll call on this bill.
Despite what many letters and articles have stated, H.R. 2640 is not a gun control bill, and it doesn't ban anyone from owning guns. Instead, this bill provides federal funds to states to update their mental health records. This update will ensure that those who are currently prohibited under federal law from owning a gun because of mental health adjudications are included in the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System (NICS). For many years, NRA has supported ensuring that those who have been adjudicated mentally incompetent are screened by the NICS.
H.R. 2640 states that in order to be added to the NICS system one must be adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed (i.e. against one's will) to a mental institution. H.R. 2640 would prevent use of federal "adjudications" that consist only of medical diagnoses without findings that the people involved are dangerous or mentally incompetent.
The fact that medical diagnoses would not qualify as adjudication would change the current NICS standards, which accept Veterans` Administration decisions that a veteran or other beneficiary is an "adjudicated mental defective" where there was no "adjudication" at all--only a decision that the patient is unable to manage his own finances. Many patients may have accepted such a decision without expecting to lose their gun ownership rights. Instead of allowing this to continue, H.R. 2640 would eliminate purely medical records from NICS. Gun ownership rights would only be lost as a result of a finding that the person is a danger to himself or others (by a court or legal authority, not, as we have established, by a medical professional), or
lacks the capacity to manage his own affairs.
It is also important to note what H.R. 2640 will not do. This bill will not add any new classes of prohibited persons to NICS, and it will not prohibit gun possession by people who have voluntarily sought psychological counseling or checked themselves into a hospital for treatment.
So why the confusion?
First and foremost, the national media elite is irate that NRA has been able to roll back significant portions of the Clinton Administration's anti-gun agenda and pass pro-active legislation in Congress and in many states. They are desperate to put a "gun control" spin on anything they can. The only real question here is--given the media's long-standing and flagrant bias on the gun issue-- why are some gun owners suddenly swallowing the bait?
Second, some people simply do not like the NICS. In 1993, Congress passed the Brady Act, including a mandatory five-day waiting period, over strong NRA opposition. Due to NRA's insistence, that waiting period was allowed to sunset in 1998, once the NICS was up and running nationwide. Now that the NICS is in place, it makes sense to ensure that this system works as instantly, fairly, and accurately as possible.
This is an extremely important and complex issue, and as part of your ongoing research, I encourage you to further review the information regarding this bill and to read the bill itself (which I have attached to this email for your review). By doing so, you will be able to properly compare the media you have been receiving and reach your own conclusion about whether or not you support this legislation. If you
haven't already, I encourage you to become more familiar with the bill by visiting our website, www.nraila.org and reading the five articles on HR 2640. These articles give credence to the legitimate pro-gun nature of this bill. One of the articles is written by Larry Scott for www.military.com. Formed in 1999, this group was started, "to revolutionize the way the 30 million Americans with military affinity
stay connected and informed. Today, [they are] the largest military and veteran membership organization - 8 million members strong." I can assure you that they have a vested interest in caring for the well-being of veterans and military personnel.
The NRA continues to support this legislation, which streamlines the NICS system to ensure law-abiding citizens are afforded their rights. Simultaneously, this bill ensures that criminals and those adjudicated mentally incompetent by a court will be unable to own firearms. Rest assured that if the anti-gunners use this legislation as
a vehicle to advance gun control restrictions, NRA will pull our support for the bill and vigorously oppose its passage!
Once again, thank you for your comments. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above address or at (800) 392-8683.
Sincerely,
Alicia Borgess
NRA-ILA Grassroots Division
Soap Box Ravings has posted the National Rifle Associations response to enable those who read it to make up their own minds on whether the NRA is acting in their benefit or not. Soap Box Ravings suggests that all who have an interest in the final outcome of the NICS Improvement Act complete their own analysis of the facts before making their decision on the NRA's efforts.
Qualifications? What Are Qualifications?
“[T]here is one job we can’t afford on-the-job training for—that’s the job of our next president. Every day spent learning the ropes is another day of rising costs, mounting deficits and growing anxiety for our families.” —Hillary Clinton jabbing Barack Obama
“My understanding was that she wasn’t Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, so I don’t know exactly what experiences she’s claiming.” —Barack Obama jabbing back “There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with Michelle, if there were issues. On the other hand, I don’t think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a U.S. senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I’ve done. I think the fact of the matter is that Sen. Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of the Clinton presidency as her own, except for the stuff that didn’t work out, in which case she has nothing to do with it.” —Barack Obama back at her
Soap Box Ravings wonders if either of them have any "qualifications" other than the minimum legal qualifications required to run for the Presidency.
It is Soap Box Raving's opinion that neither of them have demonstrated any ability nor proficiency that would cause me to believe that either of them is capable of being the President of the United States of America.
American Heritage Dictionary:
1. The act of qualifying or the condition of being qualified.
2. A quality, ability, or accomplishment that makes a person suitable for a
particular position or task.
3. A condition or circumstance that must be met or complied with: fulfilled the
qualifications for registering to vote in the presidential election.
4. A restriction or modification: an offer with a number of qualifications.
“My understanding was that she wasn’t Treasury secretary in the Clinton administration, so I don’t know exactly what experiences she’s claiming.” —Barack Obama jabbing back “There is no doubt that Bill Clinton had faith in her and consulted with her on issues, in the same way that I would consult with Michelle, if there were issues. On the other hand, I don’t think Michelle would claim that she is the best qualified person to be a U.S. senator by virtue of me talking to her on occasion about the work I’ve done. I think the fact of the matter is that Sen. Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of the Clinton presidency as her own, except for the stuff that didn’t work out, in which case she has nothing to do with it.” —Barack Obama back at her
Soap Box Ravings wonders if either of them have any "qualifications" other than the minimum legal qualifications required to run for the Presidency.
It is Soap Box Raving's opinion that neither of them have demonstrated any ability nor proficiency that would cause me to believe that either of them is capable of being the President of the United States of America.
American Heritage Dictionary:
1. The act of qualifying or the condition of being qualified.
2. A quality, ability, or accomplishment that makes a person suitable for a
particular position or task.
3. A condition or circumstance that must be met or complied with: fulfilled the
qualifications for registering to vote in the presidential election.
4. A restriction or modification: an offer with a number of qualifications.
Food For Thought
Soap Box Ravings says this information arrived via the internet. You will find similiar accounts posted on various sites. It is posted here because it matches my basic philosophy of life.
To all you old law dogs now just lyin' in the shade; current pistoleros and other fervent Second Amendment believers:
I would rather be your friend, but if you are not interested in that, I am prepared to be a capable and efficient enemy. ~ Jeff Cooper
This is the law:
(1)The purpose of fighting is to win.
(2)There is no possible victory in defense.
(3)The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either.
(4) The final weapon is the brain.
All else is supplemental." ~ John Steinbeck
Some Natural Rules of Life:
1- Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
2- If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics probably stink.
3- I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy.
4- America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the mall.
5- When seconds count, remember the cops are just minutes away, the bad guy is all ready there.
6- A reporter did a human interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him "Why do you carry a 45?". The Ranger response was, "Because they don't make a 46."
7- An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.
8- The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. "Sheriff, I see you have your pistol, are you expecting trouble?"
The old sheriff responded; "No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle."
9- Beware of the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!
To all you old law dogs now just lyin' in the shade; current pistoleros and other fervent Second Amendment believers:
I would rather be your friend, but if you are not interested in that, I am prepared to be a capable and efficient enemy. ~ Jeff Cooper
This is the law:
(1)The purpose of fighting is to win.
(2)There is no possible victory in defense.
(3)The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either.
(4) The final weapon is the brain.
All else is supplemental." ~ John Steinbeck
Some Natural Rules of Life:
1- Don't pick a fight with an old man. If he's too old to fight, he'll just kill you.
2- If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics probably stink.
3- I carry a gun, 'cause a cop is too heavy.
4- America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the mall.
5- When seconds count, remember the cops are just minutes away, the bad guy is all ready there.
6- A reporter did a human interest piece on the Texas Rangers. The reporter recognized the Colt Model 1911 the Ranger was carrying and asked him "Why do you carry a 45?". The Ranger response was, "Because they don't make a 46."
7- An armed man will kill an unarmed man with monotonous regularity.
8- The old sheriff was attending an awards dinner when a lady commented on his wearing his sidearm. "Sheriff, I see you have your pistol, are you expecting trouble?"
The old sheriff responded; "No Ma'am. If I were expecting trouble, I would have brought my rifle."
9- Beware of the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Congress Flies First Class
With exquisite timing, Boeing chooses the Thanksgiving travel weekend to deliver a top-of-the-line Boeing Business Jet that will be assigned to Congress -- the very same folks who have charged billions in air travel taxes over the decades and left us with 1930s blind-landing technology.
The C-40C, jam-packed with 40 seats by luxury-jet specialists at Greenpoint Technologies, is the third and last of a batch ordered in 2005. They will be operated by the USAF reserve to carry Congressional delegations around the world.
Funny how none of our elected Representatives or Senators ever mention these $70 million jets and their maintenance and operating costs as an example of wasteful defense spending. Or as an example of an unjustified Air Force mission that doesn't support our soldiers on the ground.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Getting ready for the Twins
Check out these beauties, they are on the way courtesy of Sam's Club and some lucky trucker.
I spent a lot of time checking these out. The hard part was figuring out how to move them into the house as some delivery services want the receiver to unload the truck. They might be pretty, but they are also hefty. My son is a pretty good sized lad but he got a little pasty in the face when I asked him to help me move them into the house since he knows these sweeties approach the 600 pound mark.
However, I found an appliance or vending machine mover which can handle 1200 pounds at Northern Tool.com for $149.99. Now whenever they need to be moved we can do it with ease. The folks at Sam's Club said the delivery driver will place them at the nearest entrance of the house to the curb which is the garage...Perfect.
So until they arrive, I will be busy fixing their spot in the Man Room.
More to come on this adventure, at this point all seems to be complete except for the "Aw Sh*t" which kinda, usually, sneaks up on my carefully laid plan.
I spent a lot of time checking these out. The hard part was figuring out how to move them into the house as some delivery services want the receiver to unload the truck. They might be pretty, but they are also hefty. My son is a pretty good sized lad but he got a little pasty in the face when I asked him to help me move them into the house since he knows these sweeties approach the 600 pound mark.
However, I found an appliance or vending machine mover which can handle 1200 pounds at Northern Tool.com for $149.99. Now whenever they need to be moved we can do it with ease. The folks at Sam's Club said the delivery driver will place them at the nearest entrance of the house to the curb which is the garage...Perfect.
So until they arrive, I will be busy fixing their spot in the Man Room.
More to come on this adventure, at this point all seems to be complete except for the "Aw Sh*t" which kinda, usually, sneaks up on my carefully laid plan.
Darrell Scott's Testimony
Darrell Scott is the father of Rachel Scott, one of thirteen victims murdered at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, 20 April 1999 by two sociopaths. Twenty-four students were injured. Mr. Scott testified before the House Judiciary Committee subcommittee on crime delivered 27 May 1999, Rayburn House office building in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Scott's remarks:
Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.
The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.
I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.
I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.
Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.
We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.
We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!
I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA- I give to you a sincere challenge.
Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!
Mr. Scott's remarks:
Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.
The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.
I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.
I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.
Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:
Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.
We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.
We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!
I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA- I give to you a sincere challenge.
Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!
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