James L. Paris's Blog, page 109

Rep. Introduces Federal ���Heartbeat��� Anti-Abortion Bill

So-called ���heartbeat��� abortion bills have had basically no luck in all of the instances in which they have been proposed at the state level, but that unfortunate track record isn���t stopping one lawmaker from making an effort at getting one passed at the federal level.

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has formally proposed H.R. 490, the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017, which would make it illegal for doctors to perform abortions once a heartbeat can be detected.

���It is a profound religious and moral understanding that every human person has the right to life,��� said King. ���The question that has hung before the courts, since 1973 is: ���When does life begin?������we all know when that is.���

In discussing the bill, King was joined in the front of the Capitol by fellow congressmen Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Rep. Scott G. Perry (R-Penn.), and Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), as well as by a host of other supporters.

���We stand here and assert that it has to be a distinctive moment. You can���t guess a thing called viability. You can���t say 22 weeks versus 20 weeks. You have to say it is at a specific instant. The most precise instant that we can describe and that we can identify by science is the moment that that heartbeat begins,��� King said.

���The core tenet is this: If a heartbeat can be detected, the baby is protected.���

As noted by The Guardian, it is not likely that the bill will make it out of Congress, but the fact that it was proposed at all speaks to the renewed confidence and sense of optimism possessed by pro-life politicians now that Republicans are in charge of both the executive and legislative branches of the government.

As for the third branch of government, the judicial, King referenced the role that might play in his efforts to see his bill passed once President Trump appoints the pro-life justice he���s promised will replace the late Antonin Scalia.

���By the time we march this thing down to the Supreme Court, the faces on the bench will be different ��� we just don���t know how much different, but I���m optimistic,��� King said.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

 

Lawyer Takes A Fresh Look At The Most Famous Murder Case In Savannah History

LAWYER GAMES is the TRUE story of the murder case that gave rise to the book and Clint Eastwood directed motion picture, Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil. But this book goes far beyond the boundaries of a single murder case. No reader of LAWYER GAMES will ever again look the same way at a criminal trial.

In the early morning of May 2, 1981, Danny Hansford was shot dead by James Williams with a World War II vintage Luger in a historic Savannah mansion. For the next eight-and-a-half years, through four murder trials and intrigue which reached the highest levels of Georgia politics-including a former governor and the Georgia Supreme Court-lawyers battled over whether the 50-year-old Williams shot the 21-year-old Hansford in self-defense.

Written by Dep Kirkland, who arrived at the scene when Hansford's body was still on the floor, Lawyer Games is the true story of this remarkable case. Kirkland, the Chief Assistant DA at the time, made the decision to arrest Williams and tried the first of four murder trials alongside the district attorney. His firsthand knowledge allows him not only to deeply analyze the murder case but also to expose the legal mischief spawned when a defendant facing unshakable physical evidence possesses almost unlimited funds.

LAWYER GAMES is not merely the story of an infamous murder case. It is the story of lawyer obfuscation, subterfuge and manipulation of the criminal trial process. These are common tools of a certain species of defense lawyer. LAWYER GAMES demonstrates the connection by drawing parallels with other high-profile criminal defendants, including O.J. Simpson, Phil Spector, Angelo Bruno (one of two Hillside Stranglers) and others.

 

Madonna Officially Under Investigation By Secret Service

Trump takes office amid multiple controversies. First, during a protest speech, Madonna made comments about thoughts of blowing up the White House - now there is a Secret Service Investigation. Next, a feud between the media and the Trump press team over how many people actually turned out for the Presidential Inauguration. All of this, amid violent protests and dozens of arrests - some protesters facing up to ten years in prison.

Jim shares his how claims more than 10 free meals each year on his birthday, and you can too. And Jim gives his review of the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

 

Recent Polls on Obamacare Suggestive of Media Manipulation

Now that Trump is president and Republicans are firmly in control of both houses of Congress, the mainstream media is in panic mode over much of the new administration���s agenda, including its plans for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. As you surely know, Trump���s mantra ever since he hit the campaign trail has been ���repeal and replace,��� and now that his presidency is in full effect, everyone, on both sides of the political dividing line, is expecting big changes to the current health care law relatively soon.

It is no secret that the ACA is perhaps the cornerstone of President Obama���s legacy as the nation���s chief executive, and so neither he nor his enablers throughout much of the media want to see any major changes exerted against it by Trump and the Republican congress.

Given this, a curious narrative on the ACA has taken over in recent weeks. Despite what most understand to be the distinct unpopularity of Obamacare throughout the electorate, there is increasing discussion coming to pass in public forums about how people would actually prefer to see the health law remain intact.

About a week ago, NBC was touting the results of a survey it conducted with the Wall Street Journal that said 45 percent of those polled think that Obamacare is a ���good idea,��� with 41 percent of respondents saying it is a ���bad idea.��� A couple of days after that, CNN published the results of its joint poll with ORC International that revealed 49 percent of those surveyed favor Obamacare, while 47 percent oppose it.

The problem with that information, however, is that data, and how it���s reported, can be a funny thing.

Sifting through the CNN/ORC numbers, Townhall found separately that 55 percent of respondents were in favor of the Trump plan to ���repeal and replace,��� 21 percent supported outright repeal even if a replacement plan is not ready, and just 22 percent of respondents said that they want Obamacare to remain as is.

The Townhall article summarized its findings by saying, in part, ���Approximately four out of five respondents favor ending the law, with just 22 percent outright opposing repeal. CNN���s headline? ���Poll shows last minute love for Obamacare.��� Even cherry-picking the most positive finding in the survey produces a roughly even split on the law's favorability.���

Clearly, the effort at ���spin��� is a significant one, but, as Townhall illustrates, even just a modestly-closer look at what���s really going on reveals that most see the current health care law as the train wreck it has unfortunately become, and that Republican efforts at righting the ship clearly have the support of all but a (very) vocal minority.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

 

Alabama Congressman Introduces Bill to End U.S. Membership in United Nations

Well, that was quick.

United Nations opponent Donald Trump took the office just last Friday, and already there���s a bill floating around that, if passed, would require the United States to effectively end its membership in the U.N. altogether.

Actually, to be precise, the bill, called the American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017, was proposed back on January 3, but there is little doubt the introducing congressman, Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, as well as the six cosponsors, felt comfortable getting the ball rolling on their effort given that Donald Trump was soon to move into the White House.

According to Business Insider, the bill���s effects on the U.S. relationship with the U.N. would be very comprehensive. For starters, it would prohibit the deployment of U.S. troops in support of U.N. peacekeeping operations anywhere in the world, and would also require that the U.N. vacate any property that is owned by the United States government.

There���s more. The bill would repeal the 1973 Environment Program Participation Act, which authorized the U.S. government to make substantial contributions to the U.N. on behalf of its various global environmental priorities. It would also strip away diplomatic immunity for U.N. employees inside the U.S., and revoke U.S. membership in the World Health Organization.

So, yes, the bill represents a pretty thorough effort at splitting up the U.S. and the U.N.

In a statement on Monday, one of the bill���s cosponsors, Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona, said that ���our sovereignty as a country is harmed by our membership in this body.���

Continuing, Biggs said, ���We need to take a long look at our relationship with the United Nations to ensure that American interests are protected first and foremost.���

For his part, President Trump has previously dismissed the U.N. as ���just a club for people to get together, talk, and have a good time,��� and has promised that a Trump administration will usher in a new era in the relationship between the United Nations and the United States.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

 

Tweet Threatening Trump Gets Woman More Than She Bargained For

Apparently, publicly threatening the new President of the United States is now a ���thing.���

Most are familiar with the fact that it���s against the law to threaten the president, and it appears, at least throughout the modern era, that such threats were rarely ever made. They were rare for two reasons: For one thing, making such threats can come with stiff penalties, and also, people have generally been historically too decent to think, let alone say, such things.

We are, however, not so decent any longer, to be sure.

Just yesterday, this space told of pop star Madonna���s declaration made at last Saturday���s Women���s March that she has thought about blowing up the White House. Today, the topic is about another woman who took it upon herself to publicly wish that someone would assassinate President Donald Trump.

Heather Lowrey decided last Tuesday, just a handful of days before the inauguration, to tweet the following:

���If someone was cruel enough to assassinate MLK, maybe someone will be kind enough to assassinate Trump. #bekind #trump #lovetrumpshate.���

Things for Ms. Lowrey went sideways very quickly. WAVE-TV reported that she has been interviewed by the Secret Service, and that the agency has opened a formal investigation on her.

That���s not all. According to The Blaze, it seems that all of her various employers���four of them, no less���have cut ties with her.

One, American Income Life ��� Travis Moody Office, Kentucky-Indiana, posted the following on its Facebook Page:

���Heather Lowrey is no longer contracted with the Travis Moody Agency. The Travis Moody Agency, its agents and its staff do not share the same views, nor opinions as Heather Lowrey. We have a zero tolerance policy and would never condone this behavior.���

Lowrey and the opinion expressed in her tweet have been similarly disclaimed by her other now-former employers, as well.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

 

Lindsey Graham: ���I Don���t Know What America First Means���

And there it is.

On Friday, in his inauguration speech, Donald Trump talks about putting ���America first,��� and on Sunday, Lindsey Graham is telling the world he doesn���t know what ���America first��� means.

Trump���s message at his inauguration talked about protecting both the nation���s borders and economy from ���the ravages of other countries,��� and said that he would work to ���rebuild our country with American hands and American labor.���

���From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,��� the new president declared. ���From this day forward, it's going to be only ���America first.������

Two days later, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was on CBS News��� Face the Nation to say that he did not know what that meant.

���To the president, if America first is a throwback to the 20���sand 30���s isolationism when it was first used as a phrase, the world would deteriorate even quicker, if it is a new way of Ronald Reagan���s peace through strength I would like to work with him,��� Graham said. ���I don���t know what America first means.���

What is troubling to some observers of Graham���s reaction is that it appeared Trump spelled out in his speech precisely what he meant by ���America first,��� and that there is no reason for anyone to be confused.

Except, perhaps, those who are so accustomed, or comfortable, with America subordinating its own concerns to those of the globalist agenda, that any talk of the nation prioritizing its own national interests is received as unintelligible gibberish.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

 

Security Expert: ���High-Intensity Tactical Flashlight��� Excellent Personal Security Tool

Safety and security threats are everywhere, and, more and more, ���regular folks��� find themselves having to increasingly think like personal protection specialists. There is a wealth of reasons why life even in so-called ���civilized,��� developed nations is now fraught with risk to the degree it is, but the ���whys��� matter not at all when a street assault or some other kind of attack is upon you in the moment ��� all that matters at that time is, ���Are you ready?���

Part of being ready includes ensuring one has the right equipment to navigate out of immediate danger and back to a zone of safety. Sure, carrying a firearm is an excellent idea, but, much of the time, the trouble you might face is not something that demands such a ���bottom line��� answer. Additionally, depending on where you are at the time, gun carry might not be a legal option, or may otherwise be impractical.

This said, one of the excellent alternatives to firearm carry that appears to be popular with security specialists is the so-called tactical flashlight.  

A tactical flashlight is, simply, a flashlight that has extra, or special, features that make it particularly conducive for use inside of tactical settings, such as those normally encountered by police or military personnel while operating in active threat environments. Examples of such features include an extra-bright light useful for seeing in an especially-dark setting and/or for disorienting an adversary, a reinforced outer shell or cover that adds resiliency so that the flashlight may be used as a striking instrument without damaging the electrical components inside, and an option to extend the length of the flashlight so that it can double as a genuine baton.

Security expert Scott Stewart, in an article he wrote for Security Weekly called ���How to Pack for Emergency Situations,��� begins discussing the great utility of having a flashlight handy when a fire breaks out, but quickly adds how useful a ���high-intensity tactical flashlight��� can be when you want your flashlight to also serve as a self-defense weapon:

���Flashlights are another lifesaver in a fire. Though I do carry a flashlight with me most of the time, in the form of the one on my smartphone, it is not particularly strong. Therefore, I also always carry a high-intensity tactical flashlight in my briefcase. This flashlight would be far more effective than my cellphone in cutting through smoke in a dark subway tunnel or hotel stairwell. A tactical flashlight also doubles as an effective weapon. Even in places where it is difficult to carry weapons legally, such as Japan or the United Kingdom, I have never had anyone stop me from carrying a flashlight.���

One particularly good option, as tactical flashlights go, is the STRIKELIGHT. The STRIKELIGHT comes with each of the key features you want to have when you go the extra mile to upgrade your present flashlight to one that can provide genuine utility in a variety of threat environments:

Made from solid aluminum, this is a serious self-defense tool that can take out any attacker, big or small.
At simple twist of the handle this will extend another 4 inches allowing you to strike from a large distance.
It also works as a blinding flashlight with 3 light functions. The first function is full brightness, the 2nd is half power and the 3rd function is strobe lights.
On top of this you can also adjust the light size. Keep the strike light closed for a wider light. This is best for close combat. Then twist and extend the baton and the light becomes smaller and more focused. Use this feature for long distances.

The plain fact is that the STRIKELIGHT is the ���bottom line��� when it comes to professional, tactical flashlights.

What���s more, this professional security tool comes with a 100% money-back guarantee that���s good for a full 60 days. Buy the STRIKELIGHT, and put it through its paces ��� if you decide, inside of the first two months of owning it, that it���s really not for you, then simply request a refund.

To get more information about the STRIKELIGHT tactical flashlight, or to order yours directly, Click Here.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

Secret Service Opens Investigation into Madonna���s Controversial Comment at Women���s March

You surely heard quite a bit about the Women���s March, a global rally on Saturday for women���s rights that had Washington, D.C. as its physical and emotional center, but which was comprised, in total, of nearly 700 marches worldwide.

A handful of celebrities were notable participants, including the pop singer and actress Madonna. Indeed, Madonna���s appearance at the event before the multitudes ended up becoming very notable when she made a remark that even she likely regretted later��� something about blowing up the White House, of all things.

Yes, that���s right.

Courtesy of Gateway Pundit, here���s a transcript of what the Queen of Pop said:

���I���m angry. Yes, I am outraged. Yes, I have thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House. (Crowd cheers.) But I know that this won���t change anything. We cannot fall into despair. As the poet W. H. Auden once wrote on the eve of World War Two, ���We must love one another or die.��� I choose love. Are you with me? (Crowd cheers.) Say this with me: We choose love!���We choose love!���We choose love!���

According to the Pundit, a spokesman for the Secret Service told the outlet that they are ���aware��� of Madonna���s comment about blowing up the White House, and that a formal investigation into the matter would be opened. However, said the spokesman, whether Madonna is actually prosecuted for the remark is up to the discretion of the U.S. Attorney���s office.

By Robert G. Yetman, Jr. Editor At Large

7 Things That Really Surprised Me About Dollywood

My wife and I took a few days over the Christmas break to embark on a driving vacation. We made several stops along the way, but perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable, was our day at Dollywood. Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. I don't drive a pickup truck, and I rarely listen to country music (forgive the stereotyping), but I wanted to check it out for myself. Dollywood was so gracious to offer ChristianMoney.com two media passes for our one day visit.

Being a financial guy, I did a little research on Dollywood as a business, and learned that it actually operated previously under two different names. The park originally opened in 1961 as 'Rebel Railroad.' In 1970 it was purchased by Art Modell (former owner of the NFL Cleveland Browns). Under Modell the park was renamed as Goldrush Junction. The park changed ownership again in 1976, being purchased by Jack and Pete Herschend and again renamed as 'Silver Dollar City Tennessee.' In 1986 Dolly Parton became a partner with the Herschend family, and that led to the present day name.

7 Things That Really Surprised Me About Dollywood

1. Dollywood Is Huge!

I expected a small theme park that I would be in and out of in two or three hours. After spending the entire day there, I did not even make one complete lap of the park. I didn't even realize until later in the day that there is also a very large water park within the complex (of course, the water park was closed for the winter season). 

2. Dollywood Has So Many Shows To See

We could not believe the large number of shows on the schedule. We were able to take in just three of these shows, and they were all fantastic. My favorite was a stage adaptation of 'It's A Wonderful Life.' But we also really enjoyed a show called 'My People' which was put on by Dolly Parton's various family members. 

3. Dollywood Has Great Food And It Is Affordably Priced

We enjoyed a wonderful home style meal in a full service restaurant. The food was just incredible, and the bill even more so - less than $30 for everything. My wife and I were just stunned at how wonderful the meal was and the reasonable menu prices.

4. Dollywood Guests Are Nice!

I felt like I was in Mayberry. Everywhere we went in the park, the people were so nice. Whether we were standing in line, waiting for a show to start, or riding the tram from the parking lot, people smiled and said hello. I can't tell you how many times we were asked where we were from, if this was our first visit to the park, etc... In each case, we were given recommendations on what to see as well. I started getting a little paranoid wondering why everyone was being so nice. After all, living in Central Florida I am accustomed to the dog-eat-dog behavior of the theme park guests as Disney.

We loved the Chasing Rainbows Museum and even a chance to walk through Dolly Parton's tour bus!

5. Dollywood Locals Return Again And Again

The park promotes an annual pass which is $98 (or discounted to $86 for children and $88 for seniors). This is less than a Disney one day ticket! So many of the people we met visit over and over again. While waiting for one of the shows to start, we were talking with a retired couple seated next to us. They said, "You are really going to like this show." I looked at them with a curious smile and they added, "We have seen it several times and it is really good!" I asked them how often they come to the park, and they explained that they come "all the time" as they have the annual pass. They also said that they have passes to the water park and they take their grandchildren there every year. They knew by first name many of the other people sitting around us, including the man working behind the counter at the popcorn concession. I started to think I was in the Twilight Zone. Can people really be this nice, have I been transported back to the 1950's? 

6. Dollywood Is Not Ashamed Of Jesus, The Bible, Or Christianity

Whether you visit the Dolly Parton museum (called Chasing Rainbows) , or attend any of the shows, there is no attempt to whitewash the fact that Dolly Parton and her family are Christians. You can even see a replica of the small country church her family attended when she was a child (pictured below) The performers sing Christian songs, share their personal faith, I loved it!

7. Dollywood Has A Lot Of Christmas Lights!

Eat your heart out Clark Griswold, there are over 4 million lights at Dollywood for the Christmas season! We were having such a wonderful day, we had no idea that the best was yet to come as the sun went down over the surrounding mountains. Just seeing the beautiful Christmas lights at Dollywood was worth the visit by itself. 

There is so much to do and see at Dollywood, we are already planning our return visit for next Christmas. I should also add that the town where Dollywood is located is quite a unique place as well. The streets are lined with all kinds of interesting attractions, dinner shows, and gift shops. Time did not allow on this trip to even scratch the surface.

In my view, this is an incredible vacation option for families and seniors alike. If you have kids, they will love the 27 rides, including 8 roller coasters. Although I just stayed in the area for one night, I found a wide array of accommodations (from motels to condos that can be rented by the week). Sorry Disney World, but Dollywood has created an experience much closer to the vision that Walt had for his own theme parks.

My only regret is that I did not discover Dollywood a few years earlier!

Helping you make the most of God���s money!

James L. Paris
Editor-In-Chief ChristianMoney.com 
Follow Me on Twitter Twitter.com/jameslparis
Christian Financial Advice
Jim Paris 24 Hour Radio