The “Gang Of Ten” Sells Out To Environmental Fascism

Ten US Senators, five Republicans joined by five Democrats, have decided to craft an energy bill in the Senate that that will be an economic disaster for our country.  The group is called the “Gang of Ten” and they have actually created more obstacles to drilling with their proposed compromise legislation.  Do you want PETA and the ACLU deciding when it is permissible to drill for oil?  This bill prohibits drilling within fifty miles of the US coast.  This means that many of the most productive areas will be off-limits.  Do you want drilling for oil and natural gas restricted to fifty miles off of the coast of just four (4) states?

This is a scam.  This so-called compromise is a surrender to the radical environmentalists and their secular progressive pawns.  Republican Senators Graham, Thune, Chambliss, Corker and Isakson are blatantly conspiring with Democratic Senators to ruin our economy by keeping the price of gas high and giving the tree-huggers exactly what they want; more power and federal subsidies.

Kimberly Strassel of The Wall Street Journal recently wrote:

“The Sierra Club couldn’t have penned it better. And so the Republican Five has potentially given anti-drilling Democrats the political cover they need to neutralize energy through November.”

Strassel is absolutely right.  The Institute for Energy Research has called this bill a blueprint for economic disaster.  Oil production on federal offshore lands is left to the discretion of state legislatures.  Only four coastal states would be granted the ability to “opt out” of energy bans.  The 50-mile limit would exclude rich resources, such as the Gulf of Mexico’s Destin Dome, which is 25 miles offshore.  This bill ignores our urgent national emergency that requires the repeal of the offshore energy exploration and production bans which brought us to this economic crisis to begin with.

Of course, many politicians claim to be saving the planet by refusing to allow drilling for oil.  You may remember CNN’s special worldwide investigation “Planet in Peril,” which was broadcast in two segments.  The program was mostly a propaganda piece for “man-made” global warming zealots.  One scientist, James Hansen, was assertive in advocating the “warming” myth through his research.  Hansen did not mention that his research was funded to the tune of $720,000.00 by one of billionaire George Soros’ foundations.  Mr. Soros’ foundations have a reputation for support of environmental extremist causes.

I mention this because George Soros recently bought an $811 million stake in Petroleo Brasileiro.  The Brazilian state-controlled oil company is now his investment fund’s largest holding.  The Rio de Janeiro-based oil producer makes up 22 per cent of the $3.68 billion in stocks and American depositary receipts held by Soros Fund Management.

If our environmental friendly, elected representatives in Washington succeed in stopping energy legislation that completely opens up the US for domestic drilling and energy production, I’m certain that there will be a lot of money to be made in Petroleo Brasileiro.  I am also certain that the prices of energy and food will soon hit record prices again.

The Conscience Of A Pastor by Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter

Richard Baxter (1615-91) was an English nonconformist clergyman. Ordained in 1638, he began his ministry at Kidderminster in 1641. He sided with Parliament when the civil war broke out and served (1645-47) as a chaplain in Cromwell’s army. At the Restoration, Baxter was chosen by Charles II as one of the royal chaplains. He took a leading part at the Savoy Conference (1661), where he tried to provide means that would permit moderate dissenters to stay in the Church of England. He declined an offer of the bishopric of Hereford, and with the passage of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he left the Church of England. Despite the persecution of nonconformist ministers, Baxter continued to preach.  The following is an excerpt from his writings:

I know not what others think, but for my own part I am ashamed of my stupidity, and wonder at myself that I deal not with my own and others souls as one that looks for the great day of the Lord; and that I can have room for almost any other thoughts and words; and that such astonishing matters do not wholly absorb my mind. I marvel how I can preach of them slightly and coldly; and how I can let men alone in their sins; and that I do not go to them, and beseech them, for the Lord’s sake, to repent, however they may take it, and whatever pain and trouble it should cost me.

I seldom come out of the pulpit but my conscience smites me that I have been no more serious and fervent. It accuses me not so much for want of ornaments and elegancy, nor for letting fall an unhandsome word; but it asks me, ‘How couldst thou speak of life and death with such a heart? How couldst thou preach of heaven and hell in such a careless, sleepy manner? Dost thou believe what thou sayest? Art thou in earnest, or in jest? How canst thou tell people that sin is such a thing, and that so much misery is upon them and before them, and be no more affected with it? Should thou not weep over such a people, and should not thy tears interrupt thy words? Should thou not cry aloud, and show them their transgressions; and entreat and beseech them as for life and death?’

And for myself, as I am ashamed of my dull and careless heart, and of my slow and unprofitable course of life, so, the Lord knows, I am ashamed of every sermon I preach; when I think what I have been speaking of, and who sent me, and that men’s salvation or damnation is so much concerned in it, I am ready to tremble lest God should judge me as a slighter of His truths and the souls of men, and lest in the best sermon I should be guilty of their blood. I think we should not speak a word to men in matters of such consequence without tears, or the greatest earnestness that possibly we can; were not we too much guilty of the sin which we reprove, it would be so.

Truly this is the peal that conscience doth ring in my ears, and yet my drowsy soul will not be awakened. Oh, what a thing is an insensible, hardened heart! O Lord, save us from the plague of infidelity and hard-heartedness ourselves, or else how shall we be fit instruments of saving others from it? Oh, do that on our souls which thou wouldst use us to do on the souls of others.

Are You Nervous?

It has been said that “Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves – regret for the past and fear of the future.” (source unknown)  Paul tells us in Philippians to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (4:6)  Fear creates a divided heart.  It changes our focus of trust and faith in God alone to anxiety about earthly troubles.

I know this, but my wife says I am the king of worriers.  There is obviously a gap between my knowing how to live and my actually living that way.  I try to excuse my behavior by saying that I am cautious and careful, but the truth is I often worry needlessly.  I have lost a lot of time by thinking about the trouble that never came.

After you have done whatever is reasonable to do (which may be nothing at all), your anxiety will change nothing in the future.  It is better to trust in the providence of God and pray, for He holds the future in His hands.  Therefore, when we are confronted with problems, it is best to cast your cares on God – for He does care for you. (1 Peter 5:7)  God will provide relief if you cling to Him.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer expressed his thoughts on this subject in this manner:

“Much that worries us beforehand can afterwards, quite unexpectedly, have a happy and simple solution.  Worries just don’t matter.  Things really are in a better hand than ours.”

I continue to pray that I will develop this consistent frame of mind.  Maybe you should too?