The Meaning of Christmas and a Very Personal Story

The meaning of Christmas and a very personal story is the subject of this Big B file.

    Tomorrow is Christmas . . . December 25, 2009. This is a day that Christians… including myself… celebrate the birth of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in a manger in Bethlehem. Now many of us celebrate the national holiday by waking up, opening presents, so go to church (Mass), go to family dinners and/or to Christmas parties, watch movies like It’s A Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street … among others.

The Democrats’ Healthcare Reform Bill Fast Shuffle . . . Chicago-Style Politics Version

The Democrats’ Healthcare Reform Bill now in the Senate is the subject of this Big BF File.

    Just after midnight yesterday morning (at 12:10am CST), the United States Senate voted to invoke cloture (to limit debate on a bill) on a straight 60 to 40 party line vote. All the Republican senators voting no while all of the Democrats in the two “independents” voted yes on the healthcare reform bill. The Senators voted to limit debate on the healthcare reform bill as recent polls show the majority of Americans (as high as 61%) oppose the healthcare reform bill that is being pushed by Pres. Obama and the Democrats like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi.. who put in provisions in the bill designed to buy a vote of a Democratic Senator who was holding out for something worth getting to buy their vote or threatening to vote no on the bill. The I tried to contact senaytor Clare McCaskill totell her to vote no on the Democrats’ Health Care Reform Bill at both her Washington, DC office and St. Louis, MO Office.  Just take a listen to the Phone Calls:

Today’s Elections and the Big B Files Prediction on the 2010 Elections

Big B Files Changes . . . And YOUR role in the changes!

First off, The servers at the EIU Communications Studies Dept. are back up and running and all the websites  back to normal.  Both Big B Files and Big B Online websites will be undergoing changes in the next few months.  The more extensive changes will be done to the Big B Online Website which has not had anything major done to it since around 2003. . . .and is long overdue.   The changes planned for Big B Files website include new  headers, Graphics (except for Main page and Entry Background images), background images for entry headers, possibly adding a news bar, and a new Logo . . . which is where you come in.  I have designed a few new logos that you will look at and vote on which one you think looks the best to you.  The Poll will Run for the next week and the Logo that gets the most votes will be shown. . . .

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE BIG B FILES

 

Big B Files Online

Dear Big B Files Readers,

               You may have noticed that the Big B Files Website is not look like it normally looks.  The reason is that a large number of the graphics used on the website are housed on the same server that hosts the websites Big B Online and Neogapolepeople.org, the Department of Communication Studies at Eastern Illinois University in Chaarleston, IL. From what The Big B Files can determine, the servers are apparently down as we speak and the Big B Files has no idea as to when the website will be back to normal….thanks for your patience and understanding in the meantime.

Sincerely Yours,

 Bryan V. Hewing
Author and commentator of the Big B Files

bvh

The ye ‘ole Big B Files Mailbox – Version 3.01 (July/August, 2009)

Responding to feedback that has come into the Ye ‘ole Big B Files Mailbox is the subject of this Big B File.

            It is once again time to delve into the Ye ‘ole Big B Files Mailbox . . . . It’s been too long and the box is full.  A large amount of feedback is in response to the Big B Files commentary Christian Persecution in America. . .What Christian Persecution in America? from Monday, July 16, 2007…which we will delve into in a moment. 

            First, we will address the feedback in regard to the Big B File from September 6, 2008.   The Big B files has been mulling over the following comment submitted by Mike (mrparmele) on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 in response to the Big B File “Abortion: a woman’s right to choose…what?”. 

            “I think that it is a bit intellectually dishonest of you to lump everyone expressing a prochoice opinion into the group of people who want “abortion on demand and without any restrictions.” I am certain that there are many people in this country who feel that it is not the place of government to dictate to a woman what she does with her body and, at the same time, would never make that choice or (in the case of men) would never put their partners in a position to make that choice.
While I do not consider myself the defender of the prochoice position, or consider you the defender of the anti-abortion position, I would ask a question along the same lines as your post above: Why does the anti-abortion movement claim the mantle of being “pro-life” when the vast majority of the movement also approves of capital punishment? I am not assuming that you do, I am merely making an observation that I feel mirrors yours about the language used in this debate. If, as has been espoused many times by the anti-abortion movement, the taking of life is the soul province of God, then how is it not hypocritical to disapprove of abortion and approve and support the government’s taking of life, subverting the province of God?

            Just wondering, just found your web site, I hope that this could start useful discussions about many topics…thanks for the chance to comment.”

-  Mike (mrparmele) on Tuesday, December 30, 2008

               I believe Mike is referring to the part of the Big B File where I wrote “The people that say they are pro choice always tell us that they are pro choice because they want to “protect a woman’s right to choose.” Okay fine . . . a woman’s right to choose what . . . abortion or want? What is the other option besides abortion? The Big B Files would like to have those who are pro-choice and support abortion to answer those two very simple questions. Simple question, HUH?”  I read over the Big B File and did not find anywhere in the Big B File “Abortion: a woman’s right to choose…what?” where you said that I lumped everyone expressing a prochoice opinion into the group of people who want “abortion on demand and without any restrictions.” In the Big B File I even sent your comment to a friend of mine, Deacon Jim Rupp of Charleston, IL.   I believe Deacon Jim put it best when he wrote to me this:

            “When Pope John Paul II wrote his encyclical The Gospel of Life, he not only explained the Church’s longstanding position against abortion, but also wrote of the sinfulness of euthanasia and also the growing awareness of the evil of capital punishment.  Paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church also comes as close as any other document in practically forbidding the use of capital punishment, when it says, “Today, in fact, ….the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity are very rare, if not practically non-existent.”

            I would also recommend reading The Seamless Garment, by the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.  In it, he nicely weaves together the various modern threats to the sanctity of life, and challenges Catholics to be opposed to not only abortion, but also euthanasia and the death penalty.  Mike is correct in saying that abortion is not the only evil that we must in conscience oppose.  But when we consider the 3500+ children that are murdered every day in the U.S. by abortion, then the number of people who are threatened by either euthanasia or capital punishment is very tiny, by comparison.  All human life is precious, but we must naturally speak out against and work more strenuously to eradicate the monstrous evil of abortion.  It is only right that we keep our priorities straight.”

 —Deacon Jim Rupp

             The Big B Files believes that it is being intellectually honest to ask . . .as was done in the Big B File “Abortion: a woman’s right to choose…what?” . . . what is essentially the central argument of the Pro-Choice Movement, whether you support abortion on demand…with or without restrictions or conditions of any kind.  You brought up a few good points in your feedback.  That includes the comment “Just wondering, just found your web site, I hope that this could start useful discussions about many topics…thanks for the chance to comment.” of which I agree with you on.  As far as your hope that the Big B Files could start useful discussions about many topics, that is the whole Idea of the Big B Files since its inception began in 2003. . . so spread the word about the Big B Files and you are most welcome for the chance to comment.

             The rest of the feedback mentioned below comes in relation to the Big B Files Christian Persecution in America. . .What Christian Persecution in America?, Judas, Jesus Christ and the 30 pieces of silver, Blocking the Return of the Fairness Doctrine & Protecting the First Amendment, and Hate Crimes Laws & You AND Your Pastor’s Free Speech Rights . . . . with the vast majority of the comments coming in relation to the Big B File Christian Persecution in America. . .What Christian Persecution in America? & Judas, Jesus Christ and the 30 pieces of silver. 

           “I read your piece above. I am a baptized Catholic and am tired of being persecuted by ignorant zealots who don’t know the first thing about Catholicism. But the reason I am dropping you a line is to suggest you run spell check/grammar check on your editorial. There are many errors, and corrections would make your arguments for non-persecution read as much more viable. Good luck to you.”

- Suzanne Byrne — Sunday, December 2, 2007

                Well put Suzanne, and thanks so much for the heads up on the errors . . . .especially the spelling errors (which have since been fixed)! Not doing spell check on a final example did me in on a college final exam . . . very hard lesson learned.  I want to thank Anthropomorphous for his comments, especially the one about the Big B Files website overall. . . and by the way, you are welcome.

Somehow I missed the point. Probably lost in translation Anyway … nice blog to visit.    

cheers, Anthropomorphous.

- Anthropomorphous — Thursday, June 19, 2008

            The Big B Files was touched to be a source for a school research paper written by Stevie this past winter.

Good job. What else do you have? This was really helpful for the paper I’m writing. I’m serious. I’m writing a research paper on how persecution isn’t really non-existent and not just a thing of the past and your post helped.

- Stevie — Wednesday, December 10, 2008

          I think that we cannot complain about persecution. It is something we have to stand through, not up against. We need to accept that we will be persecuted.

- PR — Saturday, December 13, 2008

I love your essay. It rings so true. They scream tolerance yet are intolerant to Christians, great points!

- Jacquie — Monday, April 13, 2009

The rest of the feedback came in relation to the Big B File “Judas, Jesus Christ and the 30 pieces of silver”.   A large number of the comments offered either suggestions, other examples in relation to the 30 pieces of silver itself, or other perspectives . . . which are entirely welcome.

Hi Bryan,

        Thanks for the article. I was reading in Exodus this morning and came across the 7 pieces of silver and thought I’d search it out to see its value. I believe that in today’s society, people are so driven by money, that a great percentage of people would give Jesus up for even less. This also includes some Christians, and Christian Leaders. It’s really sad, but true. Thanks for raising the question and I will do the same at a small bible discussion that I’m a part of on Thursday nights here in New York.

God Bless,
Nedra

-Nedra Jones — Monday, August 25, 2008

         Wow! I’ve been wondering how much 30 pieces of silver was worth in the days when Judas betrayed Jesus. Know that I know, I concluded it was just straight greed on Judas behalf.

- Lindy — Tuesday, September 2, 2008

             This is an interesting post and I admire the curiosity of the writer to research the current value of Judas’ bribe. However, I must disagree with the conclusion of the second commenter, “…it was just straight greed on Judas behalf.” First, when put together with the other writers, the Gospels present a picture of a Jesus who is in control of the goings on, according to Christian doctrine, he is fully GOD and fully human at the same time. In fact, in John, it appears as though Jesus picks Judas for the job of betrayal. Jesus dips a piece of bread and hands it to Judas, “and Satan entered into him.” Secondly, it was not the death of Jesus that redeemed the world, it was the resurrection. Without the resurrection, Jesus is nothing more than a first century Jewish prophet, of which there were hundreds. In order for the redeeming nature of the Son of God to be accomplished, the resurrection must occur and Jesus (remember, also fully God) must defeat death to reopen the gates of the Garden of Eden and allow humankind to rejoin the presence of God, as was his goal in the original creation of Adam.

Nice post though, thanks for the thoughts…

- Mike — Tuesday, December 30, 2008

         The problem with this sort of simplistic calculation is that the value of land has increased substantially. Land is in static supply, whereas population is increased “a little bit” in the last 2,000 years, not to mention that land value is significantly altered by the value of local infrastructure.

          According to other calculations 30 shekels would be enough to provide a person moderately well for a month. But of course, that’s without all the mod cons.

- Lev Lafayette — Tuesday, January 13, 2009

          I have to disagree with the article’s author – I’m not sure how 30 pieces of silver equates to a small farm with buildings when the scriptures clearly state that it was used to purchase a field in which to bury foreigners. This would suggest a) not a viable farm and b) Land that was of little use for farming. It may even be possible that the 30 pieces of silver were an invention by some of the Jewish establishment to blacken Judas’ name. More than once in the Gospels Jesus bids Judas to do “what he HAS to do”. It is also inconceivable that the Sanhedrin would need anybody to identify Jesus as He had been a thorn in their sides for some time – they would know what He looked like. Read Matthew 26:49-50 – Judas refers to Jesus as Rabbi (teacher – a term of reverence and hardly likely to be used by a betrayer) and Jesus addresses Judas as “friend”.

-graham rice — Friday, February 6, 2009

I like this answer:

“The price of a slave was 30 silver shekels (perhaps 90 days’ wages). (Ex 21:32; compare Le 27:2-7.)

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, evidently the price of a slave. (Mt 26:14-16, 47-50) No doubt these silver pieces were either shekels or other coins similar in value. But the kind of coin is not specified in the account, except for their being silver.

So, the price of a slave was he was paid, and that was about 90 days wages. If you want to extend to our time, think a bit above Minimum wage, times 8 times 90.
I used $7.25 and came up with about $5000.

The money was enough to by a small plot of land for a “potter’s field”.

3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing he had been condemned, felt remorse and turned the thirty silver pieces back to the chief priests and older men, 4 saying: “I sinned when I betrayed righteous blood.” They said: “What is that to us? You must see to that!” 5 So he threw the silver pieces into the temple and withdrew, and went off and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said: “It is not lawful to drop them into the sacred treasury, because they are the price of blood.” 7 After consulting together, they bought with them the potter’s field to bury strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called “Field of Blood” to this very day. 9 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying: “And they took the thirty silver pieces, the price upon the man that was priced, the one on whom some of the sons of Israel set a price, 10 and they gave them for the potter’s field, according to what Jehovah had commanded me.”

This was acted out by Zechariah showing what little value they placed on him. This also applies on how little value the Jewish leaders, and Judas placed on Jesus.

Zechariah 11:12 Then I said to them: “If it is good in YOUR eyes, give [me] my wages; but if not, refrain.” And they proceeded to pay my wages, thirty pieces of silver.

13 At that, Jehovah said to me: “Throw it to the treasury—the majestic value with which I have been valued from their standpoint.” Accordingly I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw it into the treasury at the house of Jehovah.”

- Kieron — Saturday, April 4, 2009

I just want to say…it’s wonderful to see people truly discussing the Word in a positive way…each gaining knowledge and seeing things in a different light….it is a blessing!!!!

- gail — Friday, April 10, 2009

“This is an interesting discussion. I, like many of you, was very interested in finding the monetary equivalent of 30 pieces of silver in U.S. dollars. Thank you for the post. Also, in response to Mike’s comment: the shedding of Jesus’ blood did redeem us from our sins. Of course, it was in God’s plan for Jesus to be resurrected, but if He had not willingly laid his life down for us, then our chance for salvation would not be in existence. In Matthew 26:28, the scripture says, ‘For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’
It is through the blood of Jesus Christ that we are able to have a chance at eternal life with Him.”

Comment by Brittney — Wednesday, June 17, 2009

            Well Put Brittney . . . .well put.  The whole point of the Big B File was to how much of a temptation is would be for us to betray Jesus today by giving an idea of how much 30 pieces of silver would buy today . . .although he has been betrayed for much less.

             And that is the Big B Files Mailbox.  As always . . . your feedback is most welcome and you can click on the comments link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.

Saying Audios to Microsoft Money . . . for Good!

Saying Audios to Microsoft Money is the subject of this Big B File.

                  When I opened Microsoft money, I got the following notice (which was a complete surprise to the Big B Files). 

Important notice: Microsoft Money Plus will not be available for purchase after June 30, 2009. All purchased Money Plus products must be activated prior to Jan. 31, 2011.

With banks, brokerage firms and Web sites now providing a range of options for managing personal finances, the consumer need for Microsoft Money Plus has changed. After suspending annual updates of Money Plus in 2008, Microsoft is announcing today that we will no longer offer Microsoft Money Plus for purchase after June 30, 2009.

We would like to thank the many dedicated users who have been enthusiastic supporters of Microsoft Money over the years, as well as our partner financial institutions who helped pioneer a digital vision of financial management.

Microsoft remains committed to helping customers chart a course to financial well-being. The MSN Money Web site will continue to provide personal finance information and advice plus comprehensive market news and quotes. We will continue to evolve and enhance the online MSN offering in the coming months.

Current Money Plus customers who have questions or concerns can find additional information here.

-       Courtesy of Microsoft Money Online

I have emailed Commerce Bank, which where I bank at, for their reaction on this and I’ll let you know what their reaction is to this news from Microsoft.   I often preferred it to Quicken and other software because of its ease of use and customer friendliness.  It will be sad to see it go. 

And that is the Big B Files.  Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.

The St. Louis Tea Party & the National Movement

    The St. Louis Tea Party and the Tea Party Movement across the Nation is the subject of this Big B File.

    Wednesday evening, I attended the Tea Party at Keiner Plaza in St. Louis, MO . . . which according to US. Park Rangers estimates, attracted around 10,000 people including myself. When you look at the pictures to the right and below, you will see that people kept coming after the event got started. It was a grassroots movement . . .it was not just a group of people of one race, creed, ethnicity, or political party, but instead it was a grassroots movement of people of many races, creeds, ethnicities, and political parties…all there at this rally to say that they have had enough and are not going to take it anymore.

Contrary to what the Ancient Media says, the movement was started and all the Tea Parties to date have been organized not by organized groups, but by individuals. In the case of the St. Louis Tea Party, the movement and the rally were organized by two individuals, Mr. Bill Hennessy and Ms. Dana Loesch. Bill manages software applications for several Fortune 500 clients, primarily in the financial fields. He has more than 15 years experience as a technologist and manager (courtesy of Bill Hennesy’s website). Dana Loesch blogs at Mamalogues.com and hosts her own radio show, The Dana Show, on KFTK 97.1 FM Talk. She has written for corporate parenting communities and major-market publications such as St. Louis Magazine, The Riverfront Times, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She has won numerous awards and honors and is a guest columnist for a number of publications (courtesy of Dana’s website, Mamalogues.com). The whole movement can trace its roots . .or inspiration, if you will . . .to this on air rant by CNBC Chicago Mercantile reporter Rick Santelli on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” back on February 19^th.

I watched the Ancient Media to how see how they covered the St. Louis Tea Party. Among the national media outlets, Fox News Channel was the most fair. The Others . . . .on the other hand . . . were not even trying anything close at being objective when it came to being objective and fair in their reporting. Just look at how they attacked the tea parties and Fox News Channel, who is beating them in the ratings according the Neilson Media Research.

As Far as St. Louis TV Stations, KMOV was mostly fair in their news story . . . the video portion (click here to see it), even though the lone protestor they was referring to was actually Jamie Allman who is the morning talk show host at 97.1 FM Talk in St. Louis in disguise as a far-left protester (commonly referred to by some people as a “moonbat”). If you go to KMOV’s Website, they are portraying it as a conservative organized event, which as the Big B Files said before it was not. Allman also pulled a good one on KSDK, which after watching the story they did, they even more biased in against the tea party attendees than KMOV was and were following the same line as their national network counterparts.

The coverage was pretty fair overall for KTVI and KPLR…which are basically one news operation…even though they drew the ire of the speakers and the crowd for a story Charles Jaco did for Fox 2 that contained numerous factual errors and the Big B Files is very disappointed in Mr. Jaco for this story. After the protest, the Fox 2 News Director apologized over the episode (courtesy of the St. Louis Tea Party website)[aa and ( ) are for grammatical corrections].

* KTVI Fox 2 News Director (Audrey Prywitch): “You deserve major kudos!  That’s the most people I’ve ever seen in Kiener Plaza, except, maybe, before a Cardinal’s World Series game.” 

Congratulations to each of you.  Those who want to substitute their judgment for yours and your money for their IOUs noticed; they’re breaking their necks trying so hard to look the other way!

More on KTVI

That news director explained that the Jaco piece contained factual errors.   They apologized on the 10:00 news last night. His tone was sincere.  He(She) also apologized to all of you for bumping the Tea Party story at 9:00.  He(She) explained that the director was faced with a terrible fire story that included a fatality.  He(She) said that bumping our story was a mistake, and apologized.

When challenged that his(her) station committed two major errors that hurt our Tea Party in 3 days, He(She) acknowledged that the appearance was bad.  ”I have told my people that.  We made a series of bad decisions, and the people responsible are paying consequences.  Mr. Jaco is aware of the seriousness of his mistake.” 

KTVI has aired (or will have after tonight) 22 stories on this tea party.  While one of those stories was terribly inaccurate and defamatory, the manager’s apology seems sincere.  Let’s thank him(her) for his her honesty and move on.  

• Courtesy of stlouisteaparty.com
  

There were a number of people with signs there at the St. Louis Tea Party, with one equating President Barak Obama as a Communist and others were referring to him as a socialist as a result of his policies. The Big B Files says that Communist is going over the line while Socialist is not too far of a stretch, while it would be more appropriate for the Socialist term to be applied to President Barak Obama’s policies instead of Obama himself.

There was one person in particular who was wearing a couple of signs who got my attention. Nellya Ivanchuk, who lives in downtown St. Louis, MO. She immigrated from Russia 17 years ago in 1992 . . . what was then the former Soviet Union and she left there when it was under communism and came to this country because of all the freedoms that we in this country enjoy. It was all those freedoms that attracted her to come here for a better life and she is now afraid of what might happen here in the next few years. She is more of an American than those of us who were born here are.

This tea party movement has shocked people in government, the Ancient media, and even talk show hosts like Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham and others. The tea parties were started by average citizens…not Special interests, political parties, liberal or conservative groups…nor anyone connected to those groups as the Ancient Media likes to proclaim constantly a month later.

In the case if St Louis Tea Party, it was started by two individuals, one of whom who just happens to host a radio talk show. Average citizens just wanting to put in their two cents worth in to take full advantage of their right to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and that is this movement is . . .people whom are exercising their first amendment rights. This should be looked upon as a resounding, powerful, and positive testament of the constitution in this country at work. As the founding fathers said, “The government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Without this, there is no way our beloved country can stand for long.

The Tea Party movement should be looked at as an example of what is right about the United States of America and why . . as Sean Hannity well put it, “this is the greatest nation on God’s green Earth” . . . and why so many people like Nellya Ivanchuk, want to come here to the good ole USA.

And that is the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing.

An Update on Illinois’ Version of FOCA

I wrote the fiolllowing Big B File back on March 4, 2009:

            The Big B Files wrote about the Federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) recently.   Illinois’ Version of the bill is currently going through the Illinois General Assembly.  The Illinois Reproductive Health and Access Act, the Illinois version of the Federal Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) (HB 2354).  Illinois Representatives Barbara Flynn Currie – Rosemary Mulligan – Naomi D. Jakobsson – Elizabeth Coulson – Sara Feigenholtz, Julie Hamos, Elaine Nekritz, Karen May, Lou Lang, Karen A. Yarbrough, Greg Harris, David E. Miller, Annazette Collins, Elizabeth Hernandez, Mike Boland, Cynthia Soto, John A. Fritchey, Harry Osterman, Maria Antonia Berrios, Kathleen A. Ryg, Constance A. Howard, Luis Arroyo, William D. Burns, Susana A Mendoza, Deborah Mell, Arthur L. Turner and Mark H. Beaubien Jr. have sponsored this legislation and have expressed their eagerness to pass it. 

            It is not Currently known whether Governor Pat Quinn will sign or Veto the legislation if it makes it to his desk.  You can click here to view the version of the letter that you can use for Pro-Life Members of the Illinois General Assembly or you can click here to view the version of the letter that you can use for Pro-Choice Members of the Illinois General Assembly.

• UPDATE
• =========================================================================================

The Bill  . . . the Illinois Reproductive Health and Access Act . . . passed out of the Human Services Committee by a 5 to 2 voice vote on March 13th, and is awaiting a vote by the full Illinois House.   The following  groups are  members of a group formed to try to defeat FOCA in Illinois (courtesy of  StopIllinoisFOCA.com - the Internet arm of the Coalition To Defeat HB2354:

Coalition Members

• Concerned Women For America
• Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life
• Effingham County Right to Life
• Ill. Federation for Right to Life
• Illini Collegians For Life
• Illinois Citizens for Ethics
• Illinois Citizens for Life
• Illinois Lutherans for Life
• Illinois Right to Life Committee
• Pro-Life Action League
• Students for Life of Illinois
• Thomas More Society
• WhatTheFOCA.com
• Women’s Care Clinic

 

You can click here to see all the Big B Files that deal with the Freedom of Choice Act and the Federal, State and Local levels.  there is still no indicatio n whether Governor Pat Quinn will sigh the Illinois Reproductive Health and Access Act  or not at this point . . .stau tuned.  meanwhile, William Davis, Al Riley, Monique D. Davis, Esther Golar, Deborah L. Graham, Jack D. Franks and Kenneth Dunkin have all added their names as cosponsers of the bill while  Rep. Edward J. Acevedo, Rep. Daniel J. Burke, Rep. Robert Rita and Rep. LaShawn K. Ford hadtheir names removed as cosponsors of this bill.

      Bishop George Lucas of Springfield, IL Diocese wrote the following letter in the Catholic Times and to All Parishes in the Diocese of Springfield, IL:

Passage of HB 2354 would endanger right of conscience

Written by Bishop Lucas

03/22/2009

Dear Friends in Christ,I write to you about a serious threat to our freedom to practice our Catholic faith in the state of Illinois. Bishop George Lucas  A bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly (HB 2354, the Reproductive Health and Access Act) that would remove the right to conscientious objection to abortion and related procedures for all health care workers. For 30 years we have been told by the courts and by legislators that abortion is a rare but necessary tragedy and that abortion providers should not face legal punishment. Now some are proposing that abortion is a human right, and worse, that those who would try to qualify it in any way or who will not provide it should be punished under law. This proposed law will drive Catholic doctors and nurses from health care and will make it impossible for Catholic hospitals to continue to be places where life is always respected, where no one is deliberately killed. In our country, we recognize conscientious objection to war, even though defending one’s country is a noble and moral act. We recognize the conscientious objection of those doctors who will not cooperate in administering the death penalty, even for terrible crimes. Some Illinois legislators want to take away conscientious objection to abortion. The enemies of human life and religious freedom in Illinois are well funded. Pressure on legislators is great and is increasing. I ask you to contact your representative this week to express your dismay that the Illinois legislature, elected democratically, would debate a bill that removes freedom of conscientious decision-making for health care workers as a condition of their employment. Surely people of good will can agree that the State should not come between a health care worker and God. Unfortunately we have had to live with the fact that our laws no longer protect unborn human life. We cannot live with the prospect that our laws will no longer protect conscience. In 1844, Abraham Lincoln broke with his own party, the often anti-Catholic Whigs, and proposed: “Resolved, that the guarantee of the rights of conscience, as found in our Constitution, is most sacred and inviolable, and one that belongs no less to the Catholic, than to the Protestant; and that all attempts to abridge or interfere with these rights, either of Catholic or Protestant, directly or indirectly, have our decided disapprobation, and shall ever have our most effective opposition.” Illinois HB 2354 betrays the legacy of Lincoln in his home state. Catholics and all people of good will should work to ensure its defeat. I also ask you to thank those legislators who are courageously opposing HB 2354 and to pray for those who are supporting it. To contact your legislator, please go to www.ilga.gov, or call (312) 368-1066. Sincerely in Christ, Most Reverend George J. Lucas Bishop of Springfield in Illinois

 

If the bill passes in IL, the Far-Left will be emboldened like never before to get FOCA passed nationally.

Tax cheaters in positions of power, Americans’ anger, and a taxpayer’s letter to the IRS

Tax cheaters in positions of power, Americans’ anger, and a taxpayer’s letter to the IRS is the subject of this Big B File.

       With all the controversy over a number of controversies involving the Barak Obama Adminstration in relation to the Tax Cheating of a number of nominees and a few cabinet officials in the past two months, and the unprecidented massive spending by Congress…many Americans, including yours truely (and jusifiably so) have been angered over this like never before. Mr. Ed Barnett of Wichita Falls, Texas wrote the following letter to the IRS in Times Record News Newspaper in Wichita Falls, Texas: 

Dear IRS,

        I am sorry to inform you that I will not be able to pay taxes owed April 15, but all is not lost.

          I have paid these taxes: accounts receivable tax, building permit tax, CDL tax, cigarette tax, corporate income tax, dog license tax, federal income tax, unemployment tax, gasoline tax, hunting license tax, fishing license tax, waterfowl stamp tax, inheritance tax, inventory tax, liquor tax, luxury tax, Medicare tax, city, school and county property tax (up 33 percent last 4 years), real estate tax, social security tax, road usage tax, toll road tax, state and city sales tax, recreational vehicle tax, state franchise tax, state unemployment tax, telephone federal excise tax, telephone federal state and local surcharge tax, telephone minimum usage surcharge tax, telephone state and local tax, utility tax, vehicle license registration tax, capital gains tax, lease severance tax, oil and gas assessment tax, Colorado property tax, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Oklahoma and New Mexico sales tax, and many more that I can’t recall but I have run out of space and money.

        When you do not receive my check April 15, just know that it is an honest mistake. Please treat me the same way you treated Congressmen Charles Rangel, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank and ex-Congressman Tom Daschle and, of course, your boss Timothy Geithner. No penalties and no interest.

P.S. I will make at least a partial payment as soon as I get my stimulus check.

• Ed Barnett
• Wichita Falls

With people like TreasurySecretary Timothy Geithner (IRS Director answers to the Treasury Secretary) who have cheated for al least three years, this letter very humerously and precisely expresses the view of the Big B Files and millions of Americans who feel that if these people can basically get away with not paying taxes and penalties…not to mention being nominated for and/or being confirmed into high positions of power in the U.S. Government, why should we pay our taxes if they don’t do it themselves.

And that’s the Big B Files. Click on the comments link below and tell me what you think . . . I’m Bryan Hewing