Essay: the danger of hyperbole.

Relate this to commentary on the Golden Compass

 

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2007/12/catholic_priest_1.html

 

 

 

Christopher Mann

Floyd and Partners Integrated Brand Communications

260.469.3090 | fax 260.469.30910 | chris@floydandpartners.com | www.floydandpartners.com

 

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/news/peterjacksonhobbit.html

Regardless of whether Jackson directs or not, the news comes as a bit of a surprise, since the relationship between Jackson and New Line Cinema soured after the mammoth success of the LOTR films. Jackson had sued New Line over the amount he was paid for The Fellowship of the Ring, the first of the LOTR's three films.

But on Tuesday, both parties announced that the litigation has been resolved. One can't help but wonder if New Line hurried to resolve those differences once it became clear that The Golden Compass, now in theaters, wasn't going to be a box office hit. The relative failure of Compass may mean that New Line will scrap potential plans for sequels to that film—there are three books in the trilogy on which it is based—which has been embroiled in controversy for the last few months.

 

 

Christopher Mann

Floyd and Partners Integrated Brand Communications

260.469.3090 | fax 260.469.30910 | chris@floydandpartners.com | www.floydandpartners.com

 

GC on sale...5.99

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/interviews/markzoradi.html

 

 

 

http://store.christianitytodaymoviesstore.com/goldencompass1.html

 

 

PENCE TO SUPPORT SCHIP

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  December 19, 2007 CONTACT: Matt Lloyd (202) 226-4379 (office)   PENCE TO SUPPORT STATE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM “Victory for Vulnerable Hoosier Families and Taxpayers” WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence issued the following statement today announcing his intention to support reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program:   “I am pleased to support S. 2499, the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007. This legislation represents is victory for vulnerable Hoosier families and a victory for taxpayers. This bill provides an eighteen-month extension of the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), and it will ensure that the health needs of poor children in east central Indiana continue to be met in a fiscally responsible manner.   “In 1998, the Republican Congress created SCHIP.  SCHIP was designed to help cover healthcare costs for those children and their families who were near the poverty level but who weren’t eligible for health insurance under Medicaid.  The reauthorization of SCHIP has been the subject of much contentious debate in this Congress.  I was unable to support earlier SCHIP reauthorization bills because those bills attempted to expand the program beyond the poor children it was intended to serve and, in effect, created a middle class entitlement.    “Because those of us who believed in maintaining the SCHIP program in a fiscally responsible manner stood firm, Congress was able to act in a bipartisan manner today to extend this important program for poor children and their families.”   ### *** This mailbox is unattended. Please do not respond to this email.

 

Even If He Loses Nomination, Huck's Drive Helps G.O.P.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2007/12/19/even_if_he_loses_nomination,_hucks_drive_helps_gop



Even If He Loses Nomination, Huck's Drive Helps G.O.P.
By Michael Medved
Wednesday, December 19, 200


Despite his current standing in the polls, Mike Huckabee remains an under-funded and chronically disorganized long-shot when it comes to actually winning the GOP Presidential nomination. While easily the most gifted TV communicator in the field, the former Arkansas governor displays some serious vulnerabilities as a candidate for the White House and his innumerable critics and rivals have attacked these weaknesses with gleeful ferocity.

Even if he fails to win a place on the national ticket, however, Huckabee’s startlingly strong campaign provides potent benefits for both his party and his country. In the two weeks remaining before the Iowa Caucuses it’s worth considering how the Man from Hope 2.0 has already strengthened the GOP.

1. HUCKABEE’S COMPETITIVE STATUS PROVES THAT MONEY ALONE CAN’T BUY A PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION. In Iowa, Huckabee enjoys a substantial lead (over Mitt Romney) while national polls show him virtually tied for first place with Rudy Giuliani. He’s achieved this success – so far—despite the fact that Romney outspent him in Iowa by a ludicrous ratio of at least 20 to 1, and his national fundraising has lagged far, far behind Romney, Rudy, Thompson, McCain and even Ron Paul and Tom Tancredo. There’s simply no modern precedent for a candidate with so few financial resources making himself such a major factor in the primary process. Even those who dislike or distrust Huckabee, ought to acknowledge that his vigorous campaign helps the cause of wide-open, participatory democracy.

Countless cynical citizens say they won’t take part in politics because it’s all dominated by corporate interests and big money contributors. Huckabee, however, manages to compete for the prize despite a total absence of major corporate support and pathetically limited funding. If nothing else, his serious race to the White House ought to destroy the myth that a “little guy” can’t compete with “the big boys” when it comes to a national campaign.

2. THE HUCK-A-SURGE GIVES THE LIE TO THE CLAIM THAT THE GOP IS CONTROLLED BY OUT-OF-TOUCH ELITES. The image of a political operation dominated “Country Club Republicans” has done incalculable damage to the party. You’d have to be deaf not to hear the complaints about “the party of Wall Street” taking the place of the “Party of Main Street.” In that context, Huckabee is undoubtedly Main Street and the Wall Street Journal hates his guts. The current President is the third generation in his family from Skull and Bones at Yale; if Hillary won the White House (God forbid!) it would mean that five of our last seven presidents (Ford, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, and Clinton II) boasted Yale degrees. The Huck-meister on the other hand is the first male in his family’s history ever to graduate from high school -- an unimaginable tribute to the American dream. He didn’t do his undergraduate work at an Ivy League school, but at Ouachita Baptist University.

Among elite commentators and prominent conservative opinion leaders, Huckabee has won no supporters and only one defender (the radio host writing this commentary). For answering those who claim that planet earth groans under the control of some secret cabal of Bilderbergers, Illuminati, the CFR, Trilateralists or neo-cons, it’s useful to point to the current situation where a complete outsider with no globalist ties manages to shake up the Republican power structure (Yes, he’s outspokenly opposed to the Law of the Sea Treaty). While providing new excitement, energy and unpredictability to the Republican race, the affable Arkansan has pulled ahead of any and all of the Establishment’s favored candidates – showing that this establishment is vastly less omnipotent and fearful than previously assumed.

3. HUCK’S CAMPAIGN DEMONSTRATES THAT THE SO-CALLED “CHRISTIAN RIGHT” IS MORE COMPLEX AND DIVERSE THAN COMMONLY ASSUMED. The silliest and most misguided commentary about Huckabee suggests that his appeal arises solely out of his background as a Baptist pastor. In a typical column, Peggy Noonan writes in the Wall Street Journal: “The Republican race looks – at the moment – to be determined primarily by one thing, the question of religious faith… Mike Huckabee is in the lead due, it appears, to voter approval of the depth and sincerity of his religious beliefs as lived out in his ministry as an ordained Southern Baptist.” This is nonsense, of course. Evangelical voters may play a disproportionate role in giving Huckabee the lead in Iowa and South Carolina, but they can’t readily explain his similar polling advantages in Michigan, Delaware or Florida. The truth is that the polls indicating Huckabee tied with Rudy for the national lead indicate that his support is evenly divided between those who describe themselves as Evangelical Christians and those who identify with some other religious tradition or no faith at all. Not all Huck’s supporters are Evangelical, and not all Evangelicals support Huckabee.

In fact, very few prominent Christian Conservatives have endorsed the Arkansas Traveler – Romney in particular has drawn back from more famous Evangelicals than has Huckabee, while many others support Thompson, McCain or even Guiliani – just ask Pat Robertson. In other words, contrary to the Washington Post’s infamous (and long ago) description of Christian conservatives as “poor, uneducated and easily led,” the Evangelical community is decidedly split in this campaign. In addition to its other revelations, the Huckabee campaign shows that conservative Christians represent no dangerous or monolithic cult, but a diverse, complex and politically maturing community. If nothing else, the Huckabee campaign has provided a means for some disillusioned members of that community to rally behind a Republican candidate who offered a genial alternative when all his rivals seemed unacceptable for one reason or another.

Huckabee’s critics should acknowledge these contributions even while they continue their fierce assault on the candidate’s statements and record. For several reasons, it’s a bad idea at this stage to try to knee-cap or smear or discredit the former Arkansas governor, finding (or manufacturing) an endless stream of bitter charges meant to cripple him permanently.

Most obviously, serious political players ought to recognize the real possibility that Mike Huckabee will be on a national ticket at some point – if not as a Presidential nominee, then as a Vice Presidential candidate, and if not in 2008 then in some future election (Huckabee is only 51 – the only one of the GOP “Big Five” below the age of 60.) Even if his current campaign falters or collapses, he’s run such a remarkable race that he’s certain to remain a factor in national politics for many years to come. Republicans gain nothing by trying to discredit an individual who has earned, like it or not, his status as one of the party’s prominent leaders.

At the same time, Huckabee’s competitors should attempt to keep any attacks focused and fair. In that context, Governor Romney just sent out an especially nasty mailer comparing Huckabee to one of his predecessors as Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton—a particularly low blow for Republicans. In this context, Romney’s propaganda slams Huckabee for supporting “amnesty for illegal aliens” --- without acknowledging that the former Arkansas Governor now supports an immigration plan even more unyieldingly hard-line than Romney’s (you can read all about it on Huckabee’s website). Governor Romney insists on his own right to change his mind on big issues (including abortion, gun control, gay rights, and even immigration—where as recently as 2006 he publicly supported a “path to legalization” that he now derides as “amnesty.”) If Romney wants people to focus on his current positions, not his past statements, then is it fair to deny the same consideration to Huckabee?

Finally, party leaders should try to avoid the impression of “ganging up” on Huck because they will need the voters he’s been able to mobilize. There’s no doubt that Huckabee has inspired and energized many citizens who hadn’t been excited by any other candidate. Republicans will seek those voters in November, not just in the Presidential race but in a horde of Congressional and statewide contests.

It won’t help to insult those Huckabee loyalists by describing them as religious fanatics, or anti-Mormon bigots, or ignorant rubes, nor does it make sense to treat their candidate as some sort of embarrassment or a pariah. Huckabee served ten-and-a-half years as a successful and popular governor (including his experience as lieutenant governor, he boasts three times the service in public office as Romney, and considerably more time as an elected official than Thompson, Hillary, Edwards or Giuliani). While arguing about the best candidate, and the right approach to the issues, all major contenders deserve respect and appreciation their achievement in deploying viable campaigns and engaging the public in the most wide-open, unpredictable presidential race in memory.

Michael Medved, nationally syndicated talk radio host, is author of 10 non-fiction books, including The Shadow Presidents and Right Turns.

Justice Fellowship: House Passes Second Chance Act, 11/15/07

House Passes Second Chance Act, 347-62

 

11/15/2007

 

The Second Chance Act passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly Tuesday evening by a vote of 347-62. It now moves to the Senate where we hope for quick action.

 

The bill authorizes a total of $165 million, of which $55 million will go to state and local governments to refocus their prisons on reentry, with other grants going for drug treatment, mentoring, mental health and family treatment programs.

 

Of particular importance is the $15 million appropriated for faith-based and community mentoring programs. The mentoring grants in the Second Chance Act will allow churches and community groups to recruit, train and match mentors with returning inmates. Studies of Prison Fellowship programs show that mentoring relationships are pivotal for prisoners trying to make a successful transition from prison to the community.

 

 

Description of Key Provisions

 

Demonstration Grants. Provides grants to states and local governments that may be used to promote the safe and successful reintegration into the community of individuals who have been incarcerated. Allowable uses of funds include employment services, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring, victims services and methods to improve release and revocation decisions using risk assessment tools.

 

Children and Families.  Resources provided in the bill could be used for a variety of family strengthening programs such as maintaining family relationships when a parent is incarcerated, identifying barriers to collaborating with child welfare agencies in providing services, collecting information regarding dependent children of incarcerated persons, and developing programs that support parent-child relationships.

 

Mentoring Grants. Provides grants to nonprofit organizations that may be used for mentoring of adult offenders or providing transitional services for re-integration into the community.

 

Offender Reentry Substance Abuse Treatment.  Provides grants to improve the availability of drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails and juvenile facilities. 

 

Family drug treatment programs.  Authorizes grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes to develop and implement family-based treatment programs for incarcerated parents who have minor children.

 

Federal Reentry Initiative. Provides guidance to the BOP for enhanced reentry planning procedures.  Specific information on health, employment, personal finance, release requirements and community resources shall be provided to each inmate released.

 

With strong support from leaders of both parties, this bill stands as a shining example of bi-partisan cooperation. In the midst of often rancorous debate on other issues, the sponsors of this bill worked through significant philosophical differences to forge a bill that every Democrat and two-thirds of the Republicans could support. They deserve high praise for their persistence.

 

As I have often said, support for this bill carries no political advantage. There are no torch lit parades in legislators' districts demanding more help for prisoners trying to change their lives. Those who supported it did so merely because it was in the public interest. It would mean a lot to them if you thanked them for their support. You can check the vote tally to see how your legislator voted, and then email them through our Legislative Action Center. Or, a hand written note would even be a more personal way to express your gratitude.

 

While you are at our Legislative Action Center, it would be good to write your Senators and tell them how crucial it is to pass the Second Chance Act quickly. Most important, keep up the prayers. They availeth much.

In His service,

 

Pat Nolan

Vice President, Prison Fellowship

 

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Exclusive interview with Bella executive producer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Indiana Right to Life

Exclusive interview with Bella executive producer

Evansville, Indiana - November 15, 2007 Indiana Right to Life is pleased to announce that it will air an exclusive interview with Bella executive producer Sean Wolfington on its weekly "Protecting Life: Real Talk, Real Issues" webcast this Saturday. The interview will coincide with the debut of the powerful pro-life movie in theaters across Indiana this coming weekend. NOTE: Bella was the $100,000 top prize winner in the 2007 Heartland Film Festival held in Indianapolis.

To listen to the Bella interview beginning Saturday, visit the Protecting Life webcast site.

Cities in which Bella will debut now include: Bloomington, Avon, Indianapolis, Carmel, Muncie, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and New Albany. Check your local theater listings for details.

Indiana Right to Life

Mike Fichter

Executive Director

email: mikefichter@protectinglife.com

phone: 888-240-8166