Hamilton's bill to prohibit underage marriage clears Senate committee

Hamilton Bill to Prohibit Underage Marriage Clears Judiciary Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 11th)  – The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation by Senator Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, to prohibit marriage under the age of 18 in the State of Oklahoma. Senate Bill 504 eliminates current provisions in state law that allow 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with parental consent.

“Though nearing adulthood, the fact remains that these are minors who are vulnerable and need legal protections from those who seek to prey upon them,” Hamilton said. “By raising the legal age for marriage, we are closing dangerous loopholes and ensuring more children can grow up safely, without risk of coercion.”

Sen. Hamilton highlights key policy initiatives for upcoming legislative session

Sen. Warren Hamilton Highlights Key Policy Initiatives for Upcoming Legislative Session

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 28th) – Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, recently announced five bills that are key to his legislative agenda for the 2025 session. Hamilton is the author of Senate Bills 19, 448, 504, 599, and 869, each designed to protect Oklahomans and their way of life.

“Among these pieces of legislation are efforts to safeguard Oklahoma’s children from any individuals or institutions that may try to harm them,” Hamilton said. “This includes ensuring that our school libraries are free from inappropriate or harmful materials, protecting minors from entering into premature or potentially dangerous marriages, and implementing stronger penalties for those convicted of child sexual abuse. Each of these measures is a critical step in upholding the well-being and safety of our youth.”

Sen. Deevers aims bills at restoring moral sanity in Oklahoma

Another set of excellent bills by State Sen. Dusty Deevers. Pray that these can get a fair and just hearing in the Legislature!

Deevers Introduces Slate of Legislation to Restore Moral Sanity in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 22nd) — Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, announced on Tuesday a bold slate of eight legislative measures aimed at restoring moral sanity in Oklahoma. Together, these bills set a course for pushing back against the moral decay foisted upon Oklahoma by the far-left’s march through our institutions to destroy the moral foundations upon which the United States and Christian Civilization had long rested.

“Sadly, the left’s century-long assault on morality and decency has been so successful that some have come to accept as normal a society that is drowning in hardcore pornography, prenatal homicide, and sexual performances for children. None of this is normal. Each one of these evils is a result of a policy choice to not stand for what we know is right. Opposing these evils does not mean we are extremists. It means we are sane,” Deevers said.

Book Review: 'You Will Be Made To Care'

"You will be made to care."

It's a simple phrase conservative writer Erick Erickson coined that perfectly embodies the attitude and intent of the religiously-secular Left, which is bent on overthrowing the Judeo-Christian values that have characterized the West for nearly two millennia.

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran was, in many ways, an American success story. He grew up in poverty, in the all-too-common tragic situation of a family abandoned by their father. Despite all he had going against him, young Kelvin had a dream - to become a firefighter.

His dream became reality, when he became the first African-American firefighter on the Shreveport Fire Department. It didn't end there. Cochran went on to become the Fire Chief in Atlanta, Georgia, even serving two years as the United States Fire Administrator (appointed by President Obama). Driven by his Christian faith, Kelvin Cochran strove to serve with excellence.

Cochran had the audacity to actually voice his beliefs. In a book he wrote aimed at encouraging Christian men, Cochran briefly referred to the basic Christian teaching that all sex outside of marriage, including homosexual acts, is sin.

For this "crime", he had to be made to care. When homosexual activists hurled accusations of "discrimination" and bigotry, Cochran was suspended, fired from his job, and had his name dragged through the mud.

In their new book You Will Be Made to Care: The War on Faith, Family and Your Freedom to Believe, authors Erick Erickson and Bill Blankschaen run through examples of Christians who have been "made to care", and identify actions the Christian community needs to take. As part of the book launch team, I was given a free advance copy to read and review (you can pre-order it here and receive a special bonus package).

In this new war on Biblical marriage and sexuality, Erickson and Blankschaen write that "Christians will be made to care — either for the world or for Truth. There can be no neutrality on this issue."

It's not enough to simply not care about homosexuality and other aberrant lifestyles; the new "mafia" demands we celebrate and embrace it. The new deviant lifestyle is that of Bible-believing Christians. According to Erickson and Blankschaen, the sidelines are gone, and everyone will be forced to pick a side in this conflict.

The strategy of the secularists is to isolate, silence, and punish all those with differing views. The new "tolerance" will not tolerate other beliefs. Secularism is the new state religion (Erickson and Blankschaen call it "the anti-religion religion"); rather than divine Providence, it worships divine Progress.

Biblical and doctrinal illiteracy has weakened the western Church. The watered down "seeker-friendly" approach to church growth has been detrimental to the strength of Christian culture. In an interview for the book, Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias pointed out that, "Not only was the message being diluted, the method was becoming highly suspect. The commercialization of the Gospel lost the Gospel in the process."

Fundamental teachings of the faith are must be reinforced from the pulpit and at the kitchen table. Christian community needs to be rebuilt, families need strengthened, and believers must engage the culture around us. Truth has never been popular, and never will be, but the command to be salt and light still applies. We speak up in the face of evil because our faith demands it. Christianity is not a private faith; we are to live it out.

This is a long-term battle. We've gotten to this point because the Secularists applied long-term perspective and goals to their war. The fight to protect religious liberty is important, not just for us, but for future generations.

You Will Be Made to Care: The War on Faith, Family and Your Freedom to Believe is a great read, and important given the times we live in.

The book officially launches on February 22nd. If you pre-order before then, you will receive a special bonus package:

• Chapter One of You Will Be Made to Care — “The Audacity to Believe” — Start reading the book right away! (PDF)
• Exclusive Audio Interview Collection – Go behind the scenes with more than 11 hours of in-depth interviews featuring Russell Moore, Ravi Zacharias, Kevin DeYoung, Ed Morrissey, Nancy Pearcey, Kelvin Cochran, Barronelle Stutzman, and more.
• The Resurgent Believer: 21 Daily Devotionals to Reinvigorate Your Faith – Erick Erickson (PDF)
• The Believer in the Public Square:  A Sermon by Erick Erickson (PDF)
• “Faith Makes Your Story Worth Telling” — Reinvigorate your faith with this challenging chapter from Bill Blankschaen’s latest book A Story Worth Telling: Your Field Guide to Living an Authentic Life. (PDF)
• The Resurgent Family Cookbook — Enjoy some of Erick Erickson’s favorite recipes as you gather together to form the authentic faith communities we so desperately need. (PDF)
• Social Media Images — Get a free collection of social media images perfect for sharing your passion for freedom and your faith with the world. Let them know you will continue to speak the truth in love!

You Will Be Made to Care: The War on Faith, Family and Your Freedom to Believe can be pre-ordered on Amazon ($18.11), Barnes & Noble ($18.47), Books-A-Million ($27.99), and ChristianBooks.com ($17.99). After pre-ordering, enter your purchase information at YouWillBeMadeToCare.com to get the bonus package.

Protect Life & Marriage Rally featuring Lankford, Bridenstine, Russell

Tomorrow afternoon, Christians from all across Oklahoma will be gathering at the Oklahoma State Capitol for a Protect Life and Marriage rally. U.S. Senator James Lankford will be headlining the event, and Congressmen Jim Bridenstine (OK-1) and Steve Russell (OK-5) will be speaking, in addition to numerous pastors helping the effort.

A news release from the organization says more than 700 pastors and their congregations plan to come. Similar rallies in North Carolina last Saturday and in South Carolina in August attracted over 10,000 supporters at each event.

The Protect Life and Marriage rally will be held Sunday (Oct. 25th) at 4pm, on the south lawn of the Oklahoma State Capitol building in Oklahoma City.

Tulsa Beacon: Don't retain Judge Jane Wiseman

Don't retain Judge Jane Wiseman

Editorial (link)

As the majority of Oklahomans watched in disgust, Judge Jane Wiseman officiated the first legalized homosexual marriage October 6 and called it a "joyous occasion."

Wiseman is on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. She jumped into the contentious issue of homosexual marriage because she is an ultra-liberal in a conservative state.

Wiseman gleefully officiated over the wedding of two Tulsa World lesbians, the first time that two homosexuals were married in this state. Inaction by the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a federal appeals court decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act – an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution approved by more than 75 percent of the state's voters.

In other words, one federal judge, Judge Terrance Kern, got to overthrow the will of the people and permitted homosexual marriage.

Kern is a federal judge and is not voted on by the good people of Oklahoma.

Wiseman is.

In fact, Wiseman will be on the Nov. 4 ballot and subject to a retention vote.

Any Bible-believing Christian in Oklahoma should vote "no" on Wiseman.

Any conservative in Oklahoma should vote "no" on Wiseman.

Anybody who thinks that marriage apart from one man and one woman is a perversion should vote "no" on Wiseman.

Anyone who believes that judges should not legislate should vote "no" on Wiseman.

The liberal Tulsa World, employer of the lesbians who filed the lawsuit against holy matrimony, has endorsed Wiseman. The arrogant World editorial staff wrote, "Judges handle hundreds of appeals annually but none of the nine judges (including Wiseman) faces any organized opposition or is the subject of any controversies. Each deserves a yes vote."

Wiseman deserves a "no" vote.

If Oklahomans vote her out of office, it will be a message to the other liberal, activist judges to start following the law and the will of the people.

As the majority of Oklahomans watched in disgust, Judge Jane Wiseman officiated the first legalized homosexual marriage October 6 and called it a "joyous occasion."

2020 UPDATE: the Tulsa Beacon reminds voters in 2020 of these facts once again.

Tulsa Beacon draws attention to Wiseman retention vote

The Tulsa Beacon, a conservative weekly newspaper, highlighted the controversy surrounding Judge Jane Wiseman in their latest edition:

Wiseman officiated first homosexual wedding

Some grassroots groups in Tulsa and Oklahoma are upset by the actions of Judge Jane Wiseman of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals. Wiseman made a special effort to come to Tulsa to officiate the first homosexual marriage (between two lesbians from the Tulsa World). Wiseman is on the Nov. 4 ballot on a retention vote.

Wiseman plus all the other statewide judges up for retention have been endorsed by the liberal Tulsa World.

"A lot of Christians are angry about this judicial activism," said a group spokesman. "We can't get rid of a federal judge, but we can successfully vote to not retain Wiseman in office."

He said the group has several strategies to rally the Christian vote against Wiseman.

Gov. Fallin criticizes SCOTUS gay-marriage decision

Governor Mary Fallin Responds to SCOTUS 

Decision to Allow Gay Marriage

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today released the following statement in response to the United States Supreme Court’s decision to reject the appeal of a lower court ruling striking down an Oklahoma constitutional provision defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. The Oklahoma amendment passed in 2004 by a vote of the people, with over 75 percent of voters supporting it.

“The people of Oklahoma have the right to determine how marriage is defined. In 2004, Oklahomans exercised that right, voting by a margin of 3-1 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

“The will of the people has now been overridden by unelected federal justices, accountable to no one. That is both undemocratic and a violation of states’ rights. Rather than allowing states to make their own policies that reflect the values and views of their residents, federal judges have inserted themselves into a state issue to pursue their own agendas.

“Today’s decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights. What has been ignored, however, is the right of Oklahomans – and Americans in every state – to write their own laws and govern themselves as they see fit. Those rights have once again been trampled by an arrogant, out-of -control federal government that wants to substitute Oklahoma values with Washington, D.C. values.”

Chick-fil-A and Free Speech

Chick-fil-A, one of America's most successful fast-food restaurants, has come under fire in recent days for statements made by Dan Cathy, president and COO of the company, in defense of the traditional family unit.

Cathy was interviewed by BaptistPress, and the lengthy article ended with this:

"Some have opposed the company's support of the traditional family. "Well, guilty as charged," said Cathy when asked about the company's position. 

"We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that."

His comments have sparked a firestorm, with the homosexual movement and their liberal allies slamming Cathy and Chick-fil-A as "homophobic" and "bigoted" (my, how predictable...), and launching smear attacks, boycotts and protests against the company, which is one of the most high-profile Christian-led corporations in the nation (Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, and donates to many Christian ministries).

In an appalling and tyrannical abuse of power, the mayor of Boston and a Chicago alderman have publicly indicated that they will use their governmental authority to deny Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants in their respective jurisdictions, solely based on Cathy's exercise of his First Amendment right to Free Speech, both personally and with his business. None of their opposition is based on concrete actions, like Chick-fil-A denying service to homosexuals, or firing employees for differing views on political/religious issues. Accusing Cathy and Chick-fil-A of "discrimination" and "intolerance", these elected officials are themselves the ones being discriminatory and intolerant.

In their haste to pay homage to the militant homosexual movement, these despotic elected officials are sending a chilling message to business owners in their area: Submit to my views, or else. Instead of welcoming new business to their cities, and creating jobs (Chicago has an unemployment rate of 9.8%, Boston is 5.7%), they would rather abuse their authority in a dictatorial manner. Some in the blogosphere are calling this fascist behavior, and I'm inclined to agree.

In response to the attacks, Mike Huckabee has called for August 1st to be "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day", inviting people to dine at Chick-fil-A in support of the company:

I have been incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld. The Cathy family, led by Chick Fil-A founder Truett Cathy, are a wonderful Christian family who are committed to operating the company with Biblical principles and whose story is the true American success story. Starting at age 46 Truett Cathy built Chick Fil-A into a $4 billion a year enterprise with over 1600 stores. At 91, he is still active in the company, but his son Dan runs it day to day as CEO.It's a great American story that is being smeared by vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.

The Chick Fil-A company refuses to open on Sundays so that their employees can go to church if they wish. Despite the pressure from malls, airports, and the business world to open on Sundays, they still don't. They treat customers and employees with respect and dignity.

I ask you to join me in speaking out on Wednesday, August 1 "Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day.” No one is being asked to make signs, speeches, or openly demonstrate. The goal is simple: Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1. Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we're considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant. This effort is not being launched by the Chick Fil-A company and no one from the company or family is involved in proposing or promoting it.

There's no need for anyone to be angry or engage in a verbal battle. Simply affirm appreciation for a company run by Christian principles by showing up on Wednesday, August 1 or by participating online – tweeting your support or sending a message on Facebook.

In closing, here is another quote from Mr. Cathy's interview: "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

I support Chick-fil-A.

What do you think about this? Post your thoughts in the comments section.

Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire?

In this crucial time in our nation's history, it is more important than ever for Christians to be involved in the political process, and to vote for Biblical values and the candidates that stand for them. Many self-identified believers don't care for politics, but if the people of God would just vote, imagine the difference that could be made. This short video speaks to this issue.

Monday Evening Roundup

PPP poll: Huckabee lone Republican to beat Obama

In Public Policy Polling's latest 2012 presidential poll, Mike Huckabee is the only Republican who tops President Obama (47%-44%). Huckabee was also the only Republican to have positive favorability ratings. The other potential GOP candidates polled were Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, and PPP tossed Glenn Beck in as a novelty.

Traditional family key to economic health of nation

Brandon Dutcher penned an excellent column on the massive - and positive - economic impact of the traditional family model; in particular, married homemakers. It simply is a must-read.

Hamas selling confiscated humanitarian aid

A journalist who recently visited the Gaza Strip says that Hamas has confiscated international humanitarian aid, and is forcing Gazans to buy the goods, such as medicine (ironically labeled "not for resale").

Sri Lankan MP's eloquent speech over strong-arm, dictatorial move

Blogger Adam Brickley at RightOSphere posted a video from a speech delivered by Sri Lankan Member of Parliament M.A. Sumanthiran. Sumanthiran was objecting to the government ramming through legislation to remove presidential term limits, and consolidate power in the hands of the President -- and filed under "emergency" procedures, barely giving time to print and distribute copies of the bill before it was brought up. The U.S. State Department has condemned the bill. The speech was given in English, so you can watch it if you wish, or you can read the text here. Sumanthiran gave a very eloquent speech (much interrupted by shouting from the majority coalition), but the chamber passed the measure over his objections.

Muskogee Politico readers' political affiliation

According to our unscientific online poll (in which 90 votes were cast), 80% of our readers are Republicans, 12% are Democrats, and 7% are Independents.

And they wonder why the RNC is seen as out-of-touch?

Ken Mehlman, the campaign manager for George W. Bush's 2004 reelection campaign and the Republican National Committee chairman from 2005-2007, publicly said yesterday that he is a homosexual.

Current RNC chairman Michael Steele had this to say: "I am happy for Ken. His announcement, often a very difficult decision which is only compounded when done on the public stage, reaffirms for me why we are friends and why I respect him personally and professionally."

And they wonder why the RNC is generally perceived as out of touch with mainstream Americans and Republicans by the grassroots conservatives that make up the GOP...


For reference, here is what the 2008 RNC Platform has to say about marriage:

Preserving Traditional Marriage

Because our children’s future is best preserved within the traditional understanding of marriage, we call for a constitutional amendment that fully protects marriage as a union of a man and a woman, so that judges cannot make other arrangements equivalent to it. In the absence of a national amendment, we support the right of the people of the various states to affirm traditional marriage through state initiatives.

Republicans recognize the importance of having in the home a father and a mother who are married. The two-parent family still provides the best environment of stability, discipline, responsibility, and character. Children in homes without fathers are more likely to commit a crime, drop out of school, become violent, become teen parents, use illegal drugs, become mired in poverty, or have emotional or behavioral problems. We support the courageous efforts of single-parent families to provide a stable home for their children. Children are our nation’s most precious resource. We also salute and support the efforts of foster and adoptive families.

Republicans have been at the forefront of protecting traditional marriage laws, both in the states and in Congress. A Republican Congress enacted the Defense of Marriage Act, affirming the right of states not to recognize same-sex “marriages” licensed in other states. Unbelievably, the Democratic Party has now pledged to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which would subject every state to the redefinition of marriage by a judge without ever allowing the people to vote on the matter. We also urge Congress to use its Article III, Section 2 power to prevent activist federal judges from imposing upon the rest of the nation the judicial activism in Massachusetts and California. We also encourage states to review their marriage and divorce laws in order to strengthen marriage.

As the family is our basic unit of society, we oppose initiatives to erode parental rights. 

Political Bullying Over Campaign Contributions: San Francisco and Target

Target Corporation, the large retail chain, is coming under fire for donating to a Minnesota business organization that is running ads supporting a conservative Republican for Minnesota governor. Specifically, pro-homosexual and pro-illegal immigrant groups are targeting the company for boycotts.

Target gave $150,000 to MN Forward - a pro-business organization devoted to electing pro-business candidates in Minnesota. MN Forward is running a television ad that supports Tom Emmer, Republican candidate for governor.

Homosexual supporters are mad because Emmer is "anti-gay" (in other words, he supports traditional marriage between one man and one woman - just like 65% of Minnesotans), and labor unions like SEIU are upset because Emmer is "anti-immigrant" (i.e. supports the Arizona immigration law, is against illegal immigration, and filed a bill to make English the official language of state government). This has led to those two groups, labor unions and homosexual "rights" supporters, to launch boycott movements against Target.

Additionally, it has led the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (essentially, the city council) to reconsider allowing Target to open two new stores in San Francisco, solely because of Target's contribution (two of the eleven Supervisors are homosexual).

Target has stated that their reasoning behind the donation to MN Forward was just based on economic issues - they are based out of Minnesota, and want a business friendly state government. However, that's not enough for San Francisco Supervisor and mayoral candidate Bevan Dufty (one of the two homosexuals on the board). "There was a lot of sentiment for people who wanted the stores to open, and this [MN Forward donation] clouds that. It's not only the cash. It's the ham-handed way the company tried to explain it away: 'We supported this person based on their position on economic issues.' Well, that's just not satisfactory."

So now, because one business exercised their right to political free speech, San Francisco government is discriminating against them.

It's a sad day when government will punish private companies and individuals for exercising their Constitutional rights.

Ironically, MN Forward is not supporting only Republican candidates - they have endorsed and are supporting through independent expenditures Emmer (Republican for governor), two Republicans for state house, one Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for state house, one Republican for state senate, and two DFLers for state senate. That makes four Republicans, and three DFLers.

On another note, MN Forward is not the only group doing independent expenditures in the Minnesota governor's race. Labor unions are attacking Emmer and supporting the Democrat. FactCheck.org has a fantastic piece here, entitled Corporate-Labor Smackdown in Minnesota, detailing how MN Forward is running a factual ad supporting Emmer, and the labor unions are using misleading and false ads.

Will the Left Protest This, Part 2

Today brought news that Egypt will move to revoke citizenship for Egyptian men married to Israelis. Actions like this would shock any Westerner, but that sentence barely scratches the surface.

The citizenship revocation only applies to those married to certain Israeli woman. Care to guess which?

Some 30,000 Egyptian men are married to an Israeli woman. About 10% of those women are Arab Israelis. They are unaffected by this ruling.

That's right. Egypt will not revoke citizenship for marrying just any Israeli woman, but only if marrying a Jewish Israeli woman. Read more here.

And this comes from the first Arab state to sign a peace deal with Israel. This is one of the "moderate" Islamic nations.

Will the Left and the media protest this? Again, I think not.

McCarvilles Celebrate 48 Years of Marriage

Respected Oklahoma blogger Mike McCarville and his wife Ann are celebrating their 48th year of wedded bliss today.

So, from one blogger to another, congratulations and happy anniversary, Mike!

Jenny Sanford's Statement and the Repercussions of Mark Sanford's Affair

South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who had mysteriously disappeared earlier, admitted today that he had an affair over the past year with a "dear friend" from Argentina. His wife of nearly twenty years, First Lady Jenny Sanford, issued the following incredible statement:

I would like to start by saying I love my husband and I believe I have put forth every effort possible to be the best wife I can be during our almost twenty years of marriage. As well, for the last fifteen years my husband has been fully engaged in public service to the citizens and taxpayers of this state and I have faithfully supported him in those efforts to the best of my ability. I have been and remain proud of his accomplishments and his service to this state.

I personally believe that the greatest legacy I will leave behind in this world is not the job I held on Wall Street, or the campaigns I managed for Mark, or the work I have done as First Lady or even the philanthropic activities in which I have been routinely engaged. Instead, the greatest legacy I will leave in this world is the character of the children I, or we, leave behind. It is for that reason that I deeply regret the recent actions of my husband Mark, and their potential damage to our children.

I believe wholeheartedly in the sanctity, dignity and importance of the institution of marriage. I believe that has been consistently reflected in my actions. When I found out about my husband's infidelity I worked immediately to first seek reconciliation through forgiveness, and then to work diligently to repair our marriage. We reached a point where I felt it was important to look my sons in the eyes and maintain my dignity, self-respect, and my basic sense of right and wrong. I therefore asked my husband to leave two weeks ago.

This trial separation was agreed to with the goal of ultimately strengthening our marriage. During this short separation it was agreed that Mark would not contact us. I kept this separation quiet out of respect of his public office and reputation, and in hopes of keeping our children from just this type of public exposure. Because of this separation, I did not know where he was in the past week.

I believe enduring love is primarily a commitment and an act of will, and for a marriage to be successful, that commitment must be reciprocal. I believe Mark has earned a chance to resurrect our marriage.

Psalm 127 states that sons are a gift from the Lord and children a reward from Him. I will continue to pour my energy into raising our sons to be honorable young men. I remain willing to forgive Mark completely for his indiscretions and to welcome him back, in time, if he continues to work toward reconciliation with a true spirit of humility and repentance.

This is a very painful time for us and I would humbly request now that members of the media respect the privacy of my boys and me as we struggle together to continue on with our lives and as I seek the wisdom of Solomon, the strength and patience of Job and the grace of God in helping to heal my family.

What class and forgiveness, after the excruciatingly painful details of her husband's infidelity were exposed for the whole world to see. I sincerely hope that the Sanford's can, with God's help, restore their wrecked marriage.

On another note, this definitely eliminates any chance of a Sanford candidacy for President in 2012. Sanford had the potential to become a serious candidate, though still behind Huckabee, Palin and Romney.

Unfortunately, foolish choices like those made recently by Sanford and Nevada Senator John Ensign have the chance of ruining the GOP's chances at turning things around in 2010. Again, this just proves that no party has a monopoly on losers.

CA Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8

Breaking story from the AP:

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The California Supreme Court has upheld a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, but it also decided that the estimated 18,000 gay couples who tied the knot before the law took effect will stay wed.

The decision Tuesday rejected an argument by gay rights activists that the ban revised the California constitution's equal protection clause to such a dramatic degree that it first needed the Legislature's approval.

This is a big victory for pro-family, pro-traditional marriage proponents, as well as for the democratic process and California voters.

What Do Gay Marriage and Jim Crow Laws Have in Common?

A great post from Race42008's Mike Devine:

What Do Gay Marriage and Jim Crow Laws Have in Common?

They only win popular support where blacks don’t vote and after all, its only a regional thing.

Since the GOP is fast becoming an insignificant regional party of only white male southerners?

That is the refrain liberal Democrats and their useful idiots in the Republican Party have sung since the 2006 election to suggest that conservatives must move left to be a relevant national party once more. No matter that the Democratic Party regained majorities in Congress primarily by running to the right in Southern and other “blue dawg” districts.

Since when did contiguousness of the like-minded matter so much and doesn’t the size of the region matter more? Is truth confined only to appeals affirmed by diaspora?

Or is the claim anti-Southern bigotry disguised? See recent attacks on dreaded white, male Southerner, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Yet, we are told that national gay marriage is inevitable based on its recent recent successes primarily confined to a puny region of the Lower Forty-Eight (pictured in green) where sitings of black folks are more rare than UFOs.

Given the size of the Southern region (pictured in red), wouldn’t it be more prescient to say that tea drinker opposition to government bailouts and tax hikes on businesses are going the way of the dinosaur?

And let’s look more closely at these New England (and other blue state) “successes”:

States where gays may marry now: MA, CT, and IA

Judicially imposed gay marriage: Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut

The number of states where gay marriage has been approved by votes of the people: 0

Prominent Blue states where the people have rejected gay marriage when given the chance: California, twice and Massachusetts

State Legislatures that have approved gay marriage not yet overturned by referendum: NH, VT, and ME

Pretty puny evidence of an inevitability especially when compared to this evidence:

States with laws prohibiting same-sex marriage: 45

30 states have constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage most of which have been passed within the last 15 years.

What is inevitable is that the Drive-by media will continually tell us that universally recognized and accepted gay marriage is inevitable.

But its not.

Another inevitability is the ObamaDem Left’s ongoing effort to criminalize speech opposing gay marriage.

Beware.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer, Examiner.com and Minority Report columns

“One man with courage makes a majority.” - Andrew Jackson

Originally published @ Examiner.com, where all verification links may be accessed.

California to restore "bride" and "groom" to forms

The California Department of Public Health has announced that they will restore "bride" and "groom" to the California marriage license form.

"Many Californians have asked to have the option to identify as 'bride' and 'groom' on their marriage license form. The California Department of Public Health has been reviewing how we can provide those options in a way that is consistent with court rulings on marriage. The state will begin using new forms effective November 17th that will include boxes for 'bride' or 'groom.' Identifying as a 'bride' or a 'groom' is optional, not mandatory."

Ever since the California Supreme Court legalized homosexual marriage in June, forms listed "Party A" and "Party B" instead of "Bride" and "Groom".

UPDATE: Incidentally, according to a search on Google, this blog appears to be only the second to report on this story. The first was the Huffington Post.

UPDATE 2: Now it would appear that a few other bloggers beat me. However, it looks like I was in the first ten or so...