Jack Hoogendyk debates Carl Levin

For those Michiganders looking for Hope and Change . . .

watch Jack Hoogendyk crush Carl Levin in the debate 7PM Eastern on Sunday night.

Streaming video here . . .  www.wgvu.org

Hey Michigander Home Schools

A note from Home School Legal Defense Association

October 15, 2008

Michigan–Your Vote Crucial in Preserving Homeschool Freedom

Dear Michigan HSLDA Members and Friends,

Election time is fast approaching. This November 4, many state and
federal officials are up for re-election.

The election outcome will determine what freedoms you will keep and
what freedoms you will lose.

Exercising your right to vote is crucial. The voter guide below will
help you make informed decisions as you cast your vote.

Remember, statistics show that approximately only 50% of eligible
adults actually register to vote. In any given election only about 50%
of registered voters vote (that is 25% of adults)!

That means it only takes about 13% of adults to elect any given
candidate. Your vote counts!

ACTION:

To download Michigan Family Forum’s nonpartisan 2008 General
Election Voter Guide, visit http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5653 .

If you have not yet used a voter’s guidebook, you’ll be pleased with
how easy it is to decide who to vote for by answering the same
questions submitted to the candidates and comparing your answers to
theirs.

Michigan Family Forum’s 2008 General Election Voter Guide is
nonpartisan and legal for distribution at your church, civic club,
etc.

You may also call the Michigan Family Forum at (517) 374-1171 to
request a guide.

Please help spread the word about this resource for responsible
citizenship! Forward this message to your family and friends in
Michigan so they can also use this valuable resource.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

> For a legal perspective on what activities churches and pastors are
allowed to take part in, check out these resources prepared by
attorney James Bopp: “Do’s and Don’ts for Political Activities of
Pastors”: http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5634 and “Guidelines for
Political Activities by Churches and Pastors”:
http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=3380

> To request an absentee ballot, contact your local election authority
by visiting http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5654 .

Don’t forget to exercise your right to vote on November 4!

Sincerely,

Chris Klicka
HSLDA Senior Counsel

Levin vs Hoogendyk

A letter from Jack Hoogendyk.  Call your Michiganders and tell them to watch.

Is Carl Levin Ready for Prime Time?

Below, is the press release that went out last week about the debates that will take place between me and Senator Carl Levin. I want to thank all of you who pressured his campaign and the media to make this happen. It has been a long time since Senator Levin has debated his opponent on live television before a statewide audience.

Please help us spread the word! Tell all your friends to be watching their local PBS affiliate at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, October 19th. In fact, you may want to call the PBS affiliate to make usre they carry the debate.

I would not want to pass up this opportunity to ask you to consider a contribution to the campaign. If everyone reading this sent in as little as $10, we could do so much more; purchase more yard signs, buy more media. We have a real uphill battle, but things are looking better everyday. If you can make a contribution, $10, $25, $50, please do so here.

Thanks, again for your help in getting these important debates. And, thank you for your support and prayers. God bless.

Hoogendyk for US Senate FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Danae Brack Campaign Manager 517-444-1181

Hoogendyk and Levin to Face Off in Two Debates US Senate Candidates Will Meet in Detroit and Grand Rapids Michigan – October 2, 2008 – US Senate candidates Jack Hoogendyk and Carl Levin have agreed to participate in at least two debates this election season. The first, scheduled for October 19th, will be hosted by WGVU and Grand Valley State University. All seven of Michigan’s public television stations have agreed to broadcast the debate live at 7 pm. The second debate will be the following day, October 20th, at the Detroit Economic Club. “The unusual thing about these debates is that no negotiations were involved whatsoever — at least, not that our campaign knew about,” said Hoogendyk. “Senator Levin’s office sent a letter on September 2nd offering to open up negotiations regarding potential debates, but since that time no one from my campaign has been able to begin to negotiate or even to make contact with the Levin campaign. Phone calls, letters, and e-mails received little or no response. Finally we were contacted by the debate hosts to inform us that Senator Levin had agreed to the debates. “However, I am glad that Senator Levin recognizes the value of making himself available to answer the voters’ questions and make known his positions on the issues. I look forward to the opportunity to tell the voters why reform is needed in the US Senate, and how I plan to bring that about.”

Where have you lived?

I was driving home from work today thinking about places I’ve lived.

Hawaii – two times (I was born there).

Texas – 5 times

Louisiana – 4 times

Florida – 1 time

Alabama – 1 time

Michigan – 1 time

I have to say, there is a certain spirit of Independence in Texas.  At the same time, you aren’t on your own.  My retired neighbor cuts part of my yard for me.  He even pulls my trashcan to the road on Tuesday nights.  I pull his back to the house on Wednesday when I come home from work.  I won’t say I haven’t experienced some of the same anywhere else.  But, I’ve always experienced it in Texas.

I often get hits for the Party Platforms

Here’s the 2008 Republican Party Platform.

And here’s an earlier post with links to others.

Sarah Palin – Qualified to be President

I’m sure there will be many that find Sarah Palin’s speech to be inflamatory.  And it is.  But, it is a fair response to the sexist assault she and her family has endured for the last week.

She has shown that she has the grit to take on the media and Obama and fight back their baseless assualts.

I especially liked her defense of small town America.  She called out Obama’s two faced assualt on the bible thumping, gun clinchers.  He is an elitist with ZERO experience that qualifies him to be President.

I think one of the best lines in the speech was when Palin said that Obama has written two books, but not a SINGLE PIECE OF IMPORTANT LEGISLATION – ever.

There are a lot of things I don’t like about John McCain.  But, there are a LOT of things I LOVE about Sarah Palin.

I will be voting Republican during this election.

Random Thoughts about Gas, Obama, and Texas

Since I moved to Texas, I’ve been very tired of almost $4 gas.  But, having just moved from Michigan, I feel fortunate for not paying $4.30 for gas.  My new commute is 35 miles one way.  The recent drop in price can be attributed in part to OneMom.  But, maybe more influential is the increasing demand by the public, the President and at least one of the major candidates to drill for oil.

I’m a little tired of hearing how drilling won’t make a difference for 10 years.  Bunk, bull, and poppycock.  First, it won’t take that long.  Second, and more importantly, the natural forces of supply and demand has been demonstrated.  Just the anticipation of increased production has resulted in the inverse of what oil speculation has caused.  Speculators are now in the position of sitting on oil they cannot afford to sell.  Net result, the price of gas drops.

Obama:

Do you believe this about Obama?  My wife has a theory.  Recently, Obama has come out in favor of Faith Based initiatives.  She thinks this is a ploy by Obama to get Churches linked to federal funding.  Once accomplished, he will push to FORCE churches to not only recognize but peform same sex marriage ceremonies.

Texas:

I think I would have a difficult time serving on a capital murder jury.  I am not certain that I could rule in favor of the death penalty.  That said, I believe goverments, state and federal, are entitled to have this penalty for heinous crimes.  I also definitely believe, know, that I am not a citizen of the world, but, an inhabitant.  States of America are not obliged to live by international law.  And this guy earned his penalty.  And paid with his life.  Don’t mess with Texas.

Hello Friends

A quick update. . .

I brought the family down to Texas/Louisiana for house hunting.  Settled on a  decent rent house in Beaumont.  The ‘engineer’ in me won’t let me buy until I have a contract on my Michigan house (might be renting a while).

Adding Father Joe to my web links.  He recently left a comment on one of my posts about Women Priests.  We are a very conservative Catholic family.  I don’t pretend to be the best Catholic – heck – I’m not even a good one.  I struggle with the concept of women priests.  I understand that some people – a lot of women and men – think women should be priests.  I get it.  But, I don’t agree with it.

There are plenty of Christian religions that support female led ministry.  And, if that is what you need, you should seek it.  The Catholic Church does not exclude women from religious life.  Nor, in my opinion, does it demean women by excluding them from headship in the church.  It has clearly defined roles for women – not less important – just different from men.  I think that’s ok.  My wife would agree.  A wise husband should seek counsel from his wife – I should probably do it more.  Women are CRITICAL to the past and continued success of the Church.  But, even small ripples can lead to everlasting (and sometimes undesired) change.

Christina Marie is 4 weeks old today – wow.  I had to leave them all down in Texas while I work with the movers in Michigan.  I’m going to miss a whole week of her life – 20% by the time I get back to her.  I miss her already.