Trump: ‘We Are Going to Start Saying Merry Christmas Again… That’s the Way It Should Be’ [+video]

Real estate mogul and best-selling author Donald Trump, echoing remarks he made in September about the importance of saying “Merry Christmas,” told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins that when you go to stores today, you rarely see the word “Christmas,” but that this is going to change – “we are going to start saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again.”

During a Dec. 19 interview on Perkins’ radio show, Washington Watch, Trump said, “Well, Tony, I can, tell you this, that religious liberty is very important to me, and I see more and more, especially, in particular, Christianity, Christians, their power is being taken away.”

“I just watch it and I get angry at it,” said Trump. “You look at what is going on with other religions, you look at, as an example, what’s happening with respect to Muslims and others, where perhaps they just band together better or something. But, you know, the Christian, every year, you just see it more and more.”

“You know, you go from one thing to the next to the point where it’s not politically correct to say ‘Merry Christmas’ to anybody, or you go to stores and you don’t ever see the word ‘Christmas’ anymore,” said Trump. “You don’t see that term anymore, Tony.” (Read more from “Trump: ‘We Are Going to Start Saying Merry Christmas Again… That’s the Way It Should Be'” HERE)

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Christmas 1982: Ronald Reagan Reads Life of Christ to Children at White House [+video]

In the inaugural broadcast of NBC’s “Christmas in Washington,” part of the program included then-President Ronald Reagan reading A Solitary Life, a parable of the life of Jesus Christ, to children gathered at the White House.

After nearly 2,000 years, Jesus today is “the centerpiece of much of the human race,” says President Reagan. All the armies, govrnments, and powers of this world have not affected the world in any way as powerfully as this “one solitary life,” he explains.

(Read more from “Christmas 1982: Ronald Reagan Reads Life of Christ to Children at White House” HERE)

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Christmas Comes Early for Iranian Pastor Jailed for ‘Actions Against National Security’

Iranian Christian pastor Farshid Fathi, imprisoned for his faith five years ago, was released from prison on Monday, two years before the end of a seven-year sentence.

Fathi has been incarcerated in Iran’s notorious Evin prison since December 26, 2010, according to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ). The regime reportedly argued that his Christian activities were equivalent to “actions against national security.” He was separated from his wife Leila and two children, Rosana and Bardia.

Fathi’s initial six-year prison sentence was extended to seven years according to World Watch Monitor. He was due to be released in Dec. 2017 but learned from prison officials last July that he would be released this year.

Elam, an Iranian church working to secure Farshid’s release, said it was “overjoyed and celebrating” the news.

“We are deeply grateful for your faithful prayers for Farshid while he has been in prison. We would like to request that you continue praying for Farshid today and in the coming weeks. Please pray especially for protection, his family and his adjustment to life outside prison,” Elam executive director David Yeghnazar said in a statement. (Read more from “Christmas Comes Early for Iranian Pastor Jailed for ‘Actions Against National Security'” HERE)

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Gov. Walker’s “Bah Humbug” Christmas Gift to Alaska’s Children: Stealing Your Permanent Fund to Permanently Fund Socialistic State Government

EVERY ALASKAN OWNS A SHARE OF VAST NATURAL RESOURCES

ALL revenue from development of AK Natural resources (not just the Permanent Fund (PF)) is ultimately ‘owned’ by Alaskans who are ‘shareholders’. The legislature (not the Governor) has the sole constitutional responsibility to use, develop, and conserve natural resources for the maximum benefit of the people (Art. 8 AK Const.) This unique constitutional structure creates common property that in a socialistic government would be controlled and used for maximum benefit of whomever is politically in control of the government. Because Alaska is a constitutional republic, with all the benefits of the US Constitution, we value the inalienable right to own and protect property. “Ownership” of common property in a republic has not been thoroughly defined because the Alaska Constitution created this novel concept, and it is a product of legislation and history. The Constitution is clear the use, development and management of natural resources natural is for the “maximum benefit” of Alaskans as determined by the legislature, but “maximum benefit” could be defined as all ‘cradle to grave’ government programs on the one hand, or cash dividends on the other.

OUR BUDGET SHORTFALL IS FORCING US TO CLARIFY THE MEANING OF “OWNERSHIP”

Due to the current budget crisis, the legislature must further define the balance between socialism and personal property ownership of natural resource revenue. Constitutionally, most natural resource revenue goes directly into the General fund (GF) (the state ‘checkbook’) to be appropriated by the legislature subject to the budgetary process. This is a unique (radical?) creation. Uniquely, we also constitutionally put a smaller portion of natural resource revenue into an account that cannot be spent directly by the legislature, the Permanent Fund (PF). (Art 9 AK Cons.) The legislature, in turn has appropriated a dividend (PFD) and this becomes individual personal property with all the constitutional property ownership protections. It is important to note that the PF is created by the highest law (the Constitution) while the PFD is subsequently created by the legislature, under constitutional authority. The PFD changes common property (PF) to individually owned property where we understand better what the rights of ownership are.

DEFINITION OF ‘Taxes’

The differences between traditional taxes and ‘taxes’ on commonly owned property is also unclear. We do not commonly call the oil money going directly into the GF ‘taxes’, but rather just “oil revenue”, a habit which unfortunately clouds the source (Alaskans). In Alaska a full 90% of our GF comes from this ‘tax’ on commonly owned property. In Alaska, we do not have an array of broad base state taxes like other states because of this unique constitutionally authorized ‘tax’. Alaska has taken in about $112,825,000,000 (~113 billion) dollars from the sale of oil in the era of TAPS (Trans Alaska Pipeline) This 113 Billion dollars is comparable to the billions of tax dollars collected by other states as conventional taxes. A common fallacy is that Alaskans get a ‘free ride’ because we don’t pay a State income, sales, or property tax. In reality, our ‘tax’ contribution is collected out of our share of natural resources and is based on the success of production as opposed to, in other states, the citizen’s tolerance of taxes. We tolerate this comparatively huge ‘tax’ partly because we find it difficult to believe state residency could possibly include such a massive individual asset and responsibility. Nonetheless, it is true. Our response is similar to getting an “easy” inheritance and not believing it. We had better believe it, because we have the responsibility and the means to manage it for our children and grandchildren.

REAL RETURNS TO ALASKAN SHAREHOLDERS

Only the legislature, under authority of the Constitution, can codify the meaning of “maximum benefit” as it appropriates GF dollars each year by way of the annual budget process. Again, the only money NOT available to the legislature to appropriate is the constitutionally separate PF (Permanent Fund). The earnings from investment of the PF are not in the PF and are placed in an account in the GF (as prescribed in the constitution). That account is called the “Earnings Reserve Account” and it’s balance reflects the success of the investment board and the amount available for PFD checks. It is a very significant fact that for over 40 years, over the lifetime of the PF, the legislature has treated the Earning Reserve Savings Account with the same deference as it does other personal private property. The Earning Reserves Account has only been used to appropriate PFDs or to fatten the PF corpus. This is consistent with common sense! “Ownership” of any investment includes ownership of returns on that investment.

THE ‘HOT BUTTON’ DECISION ALASKANS MUST MAKE

The Governor’s recent budget proposal includes spending a portion of the Earnings Reserve as if it were lumped in with the revenue from the ‘taxes on common property’ (oil revenue) to be appropriated in the normal budget process. This is in the legislature’s constitutional authority, but it would be a very significant step toward defining “ownership” and “maximum benefit” that will take careful consideration. The scope of possibilities range from preference for a ‘nanny state’ on one end of the scale, to potentially huge PFD checks, limited government and free market dynamics on the other. The Governor proposes using only part of the Earnings, but the principles are the same no matter what the percentage; 0% to 100%. Trying to find an appropriate level may be a ‘fools errand’. This legislative decision on whether to spend ANY of the earnings MUST reflect a decision of Alaskans knowing their rights and responsibilities regarding their common property.

ARGUMENTS FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE PFD.

Because many reasons are being offered to support the Governor’s plan, please consider the following points favoring the historic legislative approach.

* Once a PFD check is written by the state, it is personal private property. The owner’s right to spend, invest, and protect it is defended by anyone who has sworn to uphold the constitution.

* Without a PFD, Alaska is arguably a socialistic state where the elite govern without the typical checks and balances related to the power to tax.

* The PFD is taxable, just like any other property. It is federally and would be in Alaska if we had an income tax.

* Our Alaska History has shown that when there is ample ‘common property tax’ revenue ( 75% of Alaska’s oil revenue), we overspend! Alaskans pay more per capita for state government than any other state.

* A little known fact is that in 2011 Alaska got less money back from the federal government per capita than any other state. Alaskan’s are paying our own at a level that is not generally understood or appreciated.

SHORT TERM EMERGENCY OPTIONS

We must cut spending. It is the only way out of this crisis. Simply adding revenue streams will only enable the addiction. A pilot’s analogy would be that we are not out of fuel YET, but we are not going to make it unless we jettison some cargo! (spending). If we fail to jettison spending real soon, we are not projected to make it! (“unsustainable”) It is not rational for the legislature to add more cargo (taxes) at this time. IF we ultimately have to resort to more taxes, they will make the situation even worse, and they would need to be approved by majority of Alaskans through their legislators. I believe that time is at least 2-3 years in the future with lots of jettison work to do before that time. The Governor’s spending and revenue proposal is not acceptable.

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Why Women Are Buying More Guns

A recently released New York Times/CBS poll included headline-grabbing findings about America’s evolving attitudes on gun control. The poll found that the number of Americans supporting a ban on assault weapons is 19 points lower today than it was after the shooting of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and others in 2011.

Perhaps more significant, it found that the number of Americans supporting stricter gun control in general has slipped 7 points in just two months. While these numbers may come as a surprise to many, they shouldn’t, because in the last few years the backbone of the gun control movement has been undergoing an evolution of its own. More and more women are buying guns. As the number of female gun owners has risen, so has the number of women expressing skepticism of gun control.

More than a third of the women who participated in the National Sports Shooting Foundation’s most recent survey identified as new gun owners. This data are consistent with those of other organizations, including the National Sporting Goods Association. According to the NSGA’s Annual Sports Participation Report, the number of women who practice target shooting increased nearly 36 percent (from 4.31 million to 5.86 million) between 2004 and 2014, while the number of women participating in hunting increased 23 percent (from 2.68 million to 3.3 million). In response to a request for comment, an NRA spokesman reported tracking a 77 percent increase between 2004 and 2011 in the number of women who own firearms.

Historically there has been a significant gender divide on the issue of gun control. But according to a 2012 Pew Research Center report, there was a 9 point increase in the number of women declaring their support for gun rights between 2008 and 2012. Experts believe there is a connection between more women feeling empowered by gun ownership and shifting their perspective on gun control. (Read more from “Why Women Are Buying More Guns” HERE)

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Town of Bethlehem Bans ‘Merry Christmas’ Signs

The town named after the birthplace of Jesus Christ has banned signs celebrating the holidays at an intersection in the town that has become a local battleground for the War on Christmas.

Officials from Bethlehem, New York had a “Happy Hanukkah” sign and a “Merry Christmas” sign removed from a busy intersection and have refused to put up any new holiday signs out of fear the signs would be breaking the law, The Albany-Times Union reports. The town’s lawyer reportedly said Christmas trees and other symbols were acceptable, but written signs would not be allowed, a decision that has caused an uproar in the local community.

The town’s decision has drawn criticism from residents and outsiders. A small group of protesters met Wednesday night at the location where the signs were. One resident, Elena Marcelle, bought two Christmas signs for the area but was told they would not be allowed. She corresponded with the town’s lawyer via email.

“Moreover, there is limited space at the Four Corners, and adding signage could potentially be visually distracting to motorists,” the town’s attorney James Potter said in a Dec. 14 email to Marcelle, the woman who offered to buy the sign. “The town cannot endorse one religion over another, so the town must either allow signs for all groups participating in the holiday display, or prohibit signs altogether.”

The Christian legal group, The Alliance Defending Freedom, has weighed in to let the town know they should not be afraid.

(Read more from “Town of Bethlehem Bans ‘Merry Christmas’ Signs” HERE)

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Christians in China Feel Full Force of Authorities’ Repression

Pastor Su Tianfu slides into the back seat and tells the driver to hit it . . .

It is days before Christmas, but instead of working on his sermon, Su is giving his tail the slip.

The slight and soft-spoken Protestant preacher is no stranger to surveillance. Su has worked for years in China’s unregistered “house churches,” and he said he has been interrogated more times than he can count.

But even Su is surprised by what has happened in Guiyang this month: a crackdown that has led to the shuttering of the thriving Living Stone Church, the detention of a pastor on charges of “possessing state secrets” and the shadowing of dozens of churchgoers by police.

A local government directive leaked to China Aid, a Texas-based Christian group, and reviewed by The Washington Post advises local Communist Party cadres that shutting down the church is necessary to “maintain social stability”— a catchall phrase often used to justify sweeping clampdowns. (Read more from “Christians in China Feel Full Force of Authorities’ Repression” HERE)

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Miracle Baby Comes Back from the Dead 30 Minutes After Life Support Is Switched Off

Eighteen-month-old Bella Moore-Williams’ parents could only watch helplessly as their sedated daughter took what they thought was her last breath.

Mother Francesca, 41, and father Lee, 44, wept and took one last photograph with her brother Bobby, five, before her ventilator was switched off.

They had also made prints of her hands and feet as a memento and invited family members to the hospital to say farewell.

Doctors had told them three times that it was unlikely she would survive after they diagnosed a genetic disease.

But 30 minutes later, she began kicking and screaming. (Read more from “Miracle Baby Comes Back from the Dead 30 Minutes After Life Support Is Switched Off” HERE)

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Christmas Eve Danger: Troops Attacked as Tourists Flock to Bethlehem

Four Palestinians were killed on Thursday, among them three who Israel said were carrying out attacks on soldiers in the West Bank, as tourists and Christian faithful were gathering in Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations.

Bethlehem has been a focal point for clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters during the three month-long wave of violence that has gripped the region. While the annual festivities in the city’s Manger Square were set to go on, other celebrations in the city were cancelled or toned down because of the violence.

“We’re in Bethlehem celebrating Christmas, celebrating the birthday of our lord Jesus Christ. This is the birthplace of the king of peace so what we want is peace,” said Rula Maayah, the Palestinian Tourism Minister.

Israeli authorities said that three Palestinians were killed after they carried out or attempted to carry out attacks against Israelis across the West Bank. A fourth Palestinian was killed in clashes with Israeli troops, according to a Palestinian hospital official.

In the first incident, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said the attacker approached the entrance to an industrial zone in the Ariel settlement and stabbed two security guards, wounding them moderately, before they shot and killed him. Two other Palestinians were killed in two other incidents, including an attack by a motorist on Israeli troops, with one soldier lightly wounded. (Read more from “Christmas Eve Danger: Troops Attacked as Tourists Flock to Bethlehem” HERE)

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Draconian New Transgender Guidelines for NY City

Welcome to your future, America. If New York City is at the forefront of trendsetting social science experiments – and it often is – you are in trouble unless you bow to political correctness and refer to transgendered people using the proper pronoun.

That’s right. You can now be charged with discrimination under New York City law if you refer to a female transgender as “him” or “Mr.”

Reuters:

New York City has warned landlords, employers and businesses they could be running afoul of the law by purposely calling a transgender woman “him” or “Mr.” when she prefers a female title and pronoun, or by barring her from using a women’s restroom.

New guidelines detail the legal protections of transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers and what constitutes discrimination under the city’s Human Rights Law, the New York City Commission on Human Rights said on Monday.

Some 25,000 transgender and gender non-conforming people live in New York City, where discrimination based on gender identity and expression has been illegal since 2002.

(Read more from “Draconian New Transgender Guidelines for NY City” HERE)

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