The Republican Club of Sun City
N E W S L E T T E R
February 2016 Everett Schmidt, Editor Sun City Texas
(Club Website: rcsctx.com)
(Subjects below: Cultural Decline of America, Public Sector Unions, Attorney General Threatens Critics of Islam)
SECOND “CANDIDATES’ FORUM” SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 4
At Cowan Creek: Space Limitations Necessitate Rules for Attendees
The second and concluding “Candidates’ Forum” is scheduled for Thursday, February 4 in the Cowan Creek Amenity Center and will involve the following candidates who are listed below in the order their names appear on a report on the website of the Secretary of State. The numbers shown in parenthesis indicate the number of candidates listed on the ballot for a given position:
State Representative, Dist. 20 (2): Terry Wilson, Marsha Farney
District Judge, 395th Dist. (2): Terence Davis, Ryan Larson
District Attorney (2): Shawn Dick, Jana Duty
County Commissioner, Pct. 3 (2): Valerie Covey, Matt Heaton
Serving as Masters of Ceremonies/Moderators are Judge Donna King (26th Dist. Ct.) and Judge Bill Gravell (JP, Pct. 3)
Social Period. A social period will be held from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the Georgetown/Florence rooms where appetizers, wine and soda will be served. Because of space limitations, dinner could not be arranged, and seating will be stadium-style, instead of by tables.
Candidates’ Forum. The Candidates’ Forum will begin at 6:45 when candidates will make the first of two presentations, on a rotating basis, in the Georgetown/Florence rooms and the Jarrell/Walburg rooms according to the schedule below. Judge Gravell will serve as moderator for Segment #1 in the Georgetown/Florence rooms and then rotate to the Jarrell/Walburg rooms for segment #2. Judge King will serve as moderator for Segment #1 in the Jarrell/Walburg rooms and then rotate to the other meeting site for Segment #2. Attendees assigned to the Georgetown/Florence rooms will be issued a red tag; attendees assigned to the Jarrell/Walburg rooms will be issued a blue tag.
Segment Georgetown/Florence Rooms Jarrell/Walburg Rooms
Segment #1 Candidates for District Attorney Candidates for State Rep., Dist. 20
Candidates for 395th Dist. Court Candidates for County Commissioner
BREAK Coffee and Sweets Are Served
Segment #2 Candidates for State Rep., Dist. 20 Candidates for District Attorney
Candidates for County Commissioner Candidates for 395th Dist. Court
Limit on Number of Attendees Necessary. Because of space limitations at the Cowan Creek facility, it is necessary to cap the total number of attendees who can be accommodated at that event at 200. (Note that the total number of attendees at the January forum was 274.)
Necessary Rules. It is also necessary to establish the following rule as to who can be accommodated at that event: Attendees will be limited to current 2016 club members who have paid in advance an $8.00 fee. Interested parties should understand that club officers have worked hard to cope with the problem of limited space, that in addition to the space problem is the need to meet regulations of the fire marshal, and that, consequently, anyone who has not met the rule must be turned away.
Given the impending deadline for payment (see below). It behooves club members planning to attend the February 4 meeting to send in their payments as soon as possible. They may obtain information about the current availability of seating by accessing the club’s website at rcsctx.com where, on page 1, updated information on that matter is provided. In addition, they may also contact Bill Harron, treasurer, at 512-864-0965 or Bharron@aol.com for information.
COST: a fee of $8.00 per person is charged each attendee. Checks made out to “The Republican Club of Sun City” should be mailed to The Republican Club of Sun City, 1530 Sun City Blvd., Suite 120, Box 227, Georgetown, TX 78633. The deadline for payment is Friday, January 29. (Reservations cannot be made over the telephone.)
OTHER CLUB NEWS
Vice president (for membership) Cathy Cody reports that the club’s 2016 membership currently stands at 264. As the person responsible for publication of the club Directory, she announces that the last day for 2015 members to renew and for new members to join and be included in 2016 Directory is during the club’s February 4 meeting. (Individuals can join after that date, but names will not appear in the Directory)
Club treasurer Bill Harron reports that at the January 14 meeting there were 235 attendees for the dinner plus another 39 individuals attending as observers.
Pattie Brady resigned as club secretary and by action of the Executive Committee was replaced by Sue Retz. Gary Preston has resigned as Wine Steward, an appointive position, and by presidential appointment was replaced by Fred Adsit.
Club president Meredith Chiles reports that by Executive Committee approval the club will be the donor of the fresh flowers which will decorate the anticipated twelve $2500 – $5000 sponsored tables at the coming Reagan dinner. A sign on those tables will acknowledge that the flowers are provided by the club.
IS TODAY’S EVER-DEGRADING CULTURE
REVERTING BACK TO THE CULTURE OF ANCIENT ROME?
If so, is that development important?
Author, sometimes substitute for Rush Limbaugh, Mark Steyn made an assertion that two of the sharpest minds in conservative media, Rush Limbaugh and talk-show host/author Kirby Anderson, amplified upon in their respective newsletters. Given the widespread belief that the country is going in the wrong direction, their comments may be significant.
As summarized by Anderson, Steyn’s provocative contention is the following:
“The real battle for America is over culture, not elections.” His argument is simple. Culture
trumps politics. In many ways politics is merely the reflection of cultural change.
He [Steyn] acknowledges: “You can’t have conservative government in a liberal culture, and
that’s the position the Republican Party is in.” He goes on the explain: “Liberals expend tremendous
effort changing the culture. Conservatives expend tremendous effort changing elected officials every
other November – and then are surprised that it doesn’t make much difference.
Steyn further explains his contention: “If you lose the TV shows, you lose the pop songs, you lose the movies, you lose the churches, you lose the universities, and even lose the locker rooms, than electing a guy with “R” after his name isn’t going to be much use.” He then adds this punch-line: “So we have to be in the game on all these fronts, and not just dragging whatever inadequate nominee it is over the finish line every November.”
Limbaugh, at first, was incredulous, saying, “I’ve been waiting 25 years for this cultural rot to reverse itself, just on the basis that it’s rot, and people don’t want it anymore. But it isn’t happening.” Limbaugh, still questioning Steyn’s contention, asks, “But you can’t have a conservative government in a liberal culture? Is that your premise?”
Then, on a practical level, Limbaugh challenges Steyn with this hypothetical construct:
LIMBAUGH: “Let’s say that Ted Cruz gets the Republican nomination, is inarguably conservative, and let’s say he wins the Presidency. Is it your fear that Ted Cruz could not succeed in beginning to effect change because he’s a conservative President in a liberal culture? That he would have to change or moderate in order to be persuasive, and not be destroyed by the people who oppose him?”
STEYN: No. He is a strong enough personality, I believe, to do what I think you do in those circumstances. All the pollsters and consultants say the candidate needs to move to the center. But the leaders who matter – Reagan, Thatcher – don’t move toward the center, they move the center toward them.”
Steyn’s response brings to mind how Reagan, after being stymied by the Republican establishment during his early efforts to become a presidential candidate, went over the establishment – direct to the American people – and was successful. As president, he coped with a belligerent Congress by, again, going direct to the American people.
Why Study the Culture of Ancient Rome? Kirby Anderson maintains that “it is vital that we reconsider the nature of life in those early times [as ancient Rome]. For within those eras and movements are the seeds of the troubles we face.”
On grounds that Anderson’s contentions are relevant, what follows are excerpts from three books which describe the debauchery of ancient Rome: one book, Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization is by Alvin J. Schmidt; two books, What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? and What if the Bible had Never Been Written? are by D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe.
The objectives of presenting these descriptions are to provide a basis for the reader to reflect on today’s cultural climate, and to provide a basis for contemplating on why the depravity of ancient Rome emerged and what subsequently caused it to be mitigated or to end.
While the citizenry has in the past looked to educational institutions to provide this kind of information, they no longer do so – for several reasons: a study of Western Civilization has been almost entirely removed as a required course of study in universities; multicultural considerations now trump considerations of the historical importance of events and individuals – meaning, for example, the composer of rap songs can be given the same standing as Shakespeare. Further, hostility toward religion is now growing in politics as illustrated by the fact that during the most recent Democrat national convention, a significant number of Democrats openly booed the prospect of God being mentioned in their party platform.
SOME DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CULTURAL DECLINE OF ANCIENT ROME
Following are quoted materials from the three books identified above.
CHILDREN. It was a dangerous thing for a baby to be conceived in classical Rome or Greece, just as it is becoming dangerous once more under the influence of the modern pagan. In those days abortion was rampant. Abandonment was commonplace; It was common for infirm babies or unwanted little ones to be taken out into the forest or the mountainside, to be consumed by wild animals or to starve or to be picked up by rather strange people who crept around at night . . .Parents abandoned virtually all deformed babies. Many parents abandoned babies if they were poor. They often abandoned female babies because women were considered inferior.
INFANTICIDE. Plutarch mentions the Carthaginians, who, he says, “offered up their own children, and those who had no children would buy little ones from poor people and cut their throats as if they were so many lambs or young birds; meanwhile the mother stood by without a tear or moan.” Cicero justified infanticide, at least for the deformed, by citing the ancient Twelve Tables of Roman law when he says that “deformed infants shall be killed.”
ABORTION. Long before the birth of Christ, some of the philosophers – such as Plato, Aristotle, Celsus, and others well into the fourth century after Christ – had no compunctions about taking the life of an unborn child. Plato argued that it was the prerogative of the city-state to have a woman submit to an abortion so that the state would not become too populous.
HOMOSEXUALITY. Many people today know that the Greek were notorious for their homosexual behavior. But often they do not know that Greek homosexual sex was primarily pederasty or pedophilia, that is, an adult man having sex with a young boy who commonly was between twelve and sixteen years old. The Romans practiced the same perversity. Roman literature both before and after the birth of Christ has numerous references, similar to Greek writings, showing that this kind of homosexual behavior was widespread and common.
THE STATUS OF WOMEN. What would be the status of women in the Western world if the influence of Christianity had not entered the human arena? One way to answer that question is to look at the status of women in most present-day Islamic countries.
The status of women was exceeding low in Roman society as evidenced by the fact that there was a higher rate of female infanticide.
There were numerous restrictions on women. Although a husband could divorce his wife, she could not divorce him. In his role as pater-familias, the man had supreme power over his children even when grown. He also had power to execute his children.
LIFE STYLE OF EMPORERS. Pederastic sex (sex with boys) was common behavior among Roman emperors. Legends say that Tiberius, the emperor under whose rule Christ was crucified, often surrounded himself with young boys. Nero had at least two boys with whom he engaged in sexual acts.
There is no indication that the wanton taking of human life was morally revolting to the ancient Romans – even to many of the Roman emperors. From 27 B. C. to A. D. 324, only thirteen of the fifty emperors who reigned during that period died a natural death; the other thirty-seven were either assassinated or committed suicide.
EPILOGUE
The present decline in American culture may constitute one of the main reasons – perhaps the main reason – polls strongly indicate that citizens believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. The present situation was described in verse by Alexander Pope over 200 year ago:
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien
As to be hated needs but to be seen
Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
SUPREME COURT TO RE-CONSIDER PREVIOUS RULING
ON PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS, INCLUDING TEACHER UNIONS
The unionization of public employees had been frowned upon decades ago as indicated, for example, by Franklin Roosevelt who said, “The process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.” Even AFL-CIO boss George Meaney conceded that it is “impossible to bargain collectively with the government.”
But in 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order allowing the unionization of the federal work force. This, in turn, led to the fantastic growth of membership of the public employee unions – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the National Education Association (NEA).
There has been some variance among the states as to the power they give to public sector union employees. In some states, if a union bargains for a group of employees at a workplace, all workers covered by contract must belong to the union, and their dues are automatically deducted from their paychecks. Not so in Texas.
For decades, the Supreme Court, in hearing cases involving the mandatory confiscation of dues from non-union teachers, came down on the side of the unions. In the 1977 case styled Abood v. Detroit Board of Education the court stated, “even though workers cannot be forced to join a union, they still must pay the union for negotiating with management on their behalf.” The cost to nonunion members are called “agency fees.”
In a 2012 case, Knox v. SEIU, even though the court continued to back the union, Justice Samuel Alito, while providing a counterargument, injected a consideration that is at the heart of the case now being considered. That consideration: the compulsory fees constitute form of compelled speech.
And now, in the case the Court just heard, Friedrichs v.California Teachers Association, the court will hear a case that turns on a First Amendment issue. Steve Malanga, of the Manhattan Institute, says, “If the Supreme Court in the end does overturn Abood, the practical effect could be the equivalent of passing a national right-to-work law for government employees.”
The effect of removing the mandatory collection of the agency fee could be devastating to unions – if the experience of Wisconsin – which eliminated that fee – is any indicator. There, between 2009 and 2014, membership in government unions plummeted from a peak of 207,662, representing more than half of the state’s public workers, to 123,239, or less than one-third, according to a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece.
The potential effect on the mission of the National Education Association (NEA) should also be noted. In the past, armed with the court-approved ability to collect fees which could go union coffers and provided it with enormous political power, the NEA changed its mission from education to that of [promoting] big government solutions to every problem,” asserted Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafley. She cites some of the subjects with which the NEA – which is the nation’ largest union – has become involved: national health care, global climate change, family planning, immigration diversity and equal opportunity for women. This means teachers could be promoting values contrary to those of families represented in schools.
To the parents concerned about misguided indoctrination of their children in schools, a reversal by the Supreme Court of its previous ruling would come as good news.
And, hopefully, a reversal by the court in this instance may lead to other needed reversals.
ATTORNEY GENERAL THREATENS PROSECUTION OF
CRITICS OF ISLAM IF THEY SUGGEST VIOLENCE
In the wake of he San Bernardino slaughter when 14 people were killed and more than a dozen injured, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, speaking at a Muslim Advocates dinner, made statements that could be construed to be compromising of the usual protections afforded by the First Amendment to citizens protesting the actions of government. Note her comment aimed at critics of Islam: “When we talk about the First Amendment we [must] make it clear that actions predicated on violent talk are not American. They are not who we are, they are not what we do, and they will be prosecuted.”
But Pamela Geller, who is known for sponsoring an event at Garland, Texas where individuals could display depictions or cartoons of the prophet Muhammad and who has had protection around the clock because of threats on her life, points out that if Lynch wants to ban or curb “violent talk,” she should ban sections of the Quran such as the following sampling:
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And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you . . But fight them not by the Holy Mosque until they should fight you there; then, if they fight you, slay them . . . (Quran 2:191-193)
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Men are the managers of the affairs of women for that Allah has preferred in bounty one of them over another . . Righteous women are therefore obedient . . . And those you fear may be rebellious admonish; banish them to their couches, and beat them. (Quran 3:34)
AMERICA’S EVOLVING CULTURE AS REVEALED BY HEADLINES
GIRLS LATEST TO SEEK TO BECOME BOY SCOUTS
California girls say they would rather be camping and tying knots than selling cookies
TENN HIGH SCHOOL CANCELS BASKETBALL SEASON FOR RAPE INVESTIGATION
After 3 basketball players were charged with raping a teammate
BOEHNER GETS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS IN BENEFITS
By law, the former House speaker still will enjoy a Capital Hill Office complete with full-time staff having salary of $100,000+
POWERFUL HOMOSEXUAL GROUP ENDORSES CLINTON
Clinton received endorsement for her White House bid from America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization
OBAMA CHANGES CITIZENSHIP OATH TO ACCOMMODATE SHARIA AND ISLAMIC LAW
That part of the oath that states new citizens are to bear arms on behalf of the US can be waived when based on “religious belief”
TWO STUDENTS WHO REFUSED TO PULL UP SAGGY PANTS; TENN. SCHOOLS TEACHES RESPECT
Two seniors at a Tennessee high school spent 48 hours in jail for noncompliance
RX OVERDOSE EPIDEMIC SWEEPS ACROSS AMERICA
From 1999 to 2014, the mortality rate among white males went up because of drug overdose, both prescription and illegal
FIRED FOR REFUSING TO CALL A BIOLOGICAL GIRL A BOY . . .
Katy teacher was fired after refusing to refer to the female child as a male or call her Johnny now claims religious discrimination
NOTES ON THE PASSING SCENE
(Some random observations on this crazy world in which we live)
Dallas Passes LGBT Bathroom Ordinance. In a surprise move that involved the Dallas City Council approving controversial language in a closed door meeting late Monday night [in November], without public input, the Council voted unanimously to pass the new sweeping language Tuesday morning. The language is similar to the “gender identity,” “sexual orientation,” and “public accommodations” language contained in the Houston Bathroom Ordinance that was defeated by Houston voters, 61% – 39%
Cruz Attacked by Iowa Governor for Resisting Ethanol Program. Iowa’s popular Republican Governor, Terry Branstad, was highly critical of presidential candidate Ted Cruz because of Cruz’ position on the renewable-fuels mandate so popular in that con-producing state.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Cruz has said the Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires an increasing portion of corn-based ethanol to be blended into the fuel supply, amounts to corporate welfare and called for the program to be phased out.
Asked whether he hopes the senator would be defeated, Mr. Branstad said yes.
Support for ethanol has long been a prerequisite to winning the Iowa caucus.
A spokesman for Cruz responded by pointing out that Branstad’s son, Eric, is head a pro-ethanol group.
Multiculturalism Trumps Protecting Women From Rape. According to columnist Dennis Prager, since the scores of New Year’s Eve sexual attacks on German women by hundreds of men identified as Arab or North African, the left in Germany has faced a dilemma: which to fight for first – women’s human rights or multiculturalism?
This was the same dilemma that faced British authorities between 1997 and 2013. During those six years at least 1,400 girls from the age of 11 in just one English city were raped by gangs of men, nearly all of whom were immigrants (mostly from Pakistan) or their sons.
But the British kept silent. Why? In 2014, the reason finally was revealed: The perpetrators were Muslim, and British authorities were therefore afraid to publicize – or often even investigate – the crimes. They feared being branded Islamophobic and racist. Politicians on the left acknowledged this fact.
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