[Jonathan Carone]

October 15, HBOMAX, West Wing reboot of “Hartsfield’s Landing” episode. If you’re engaging in this thread, I promise you’ll enjoy it.

It’s idyllic and definitely slanted left. But, oh, for a more civil time in the national political discourse. One can dream...

Inject it in my veins. It's a stage version of it and Sterling K Brown plays Leo.

[Jonathan Carone]

christian organizations designed around supporting moms take in almost 6 BILLION dollars a year in supporting these children and mothers. Foster organizations are DOMINATED by conservative christian homes. The idea that nobody cares about these kids or moms after they are born simply because we don't want an inefficient state social net to be responsible for them is pretty absurd. In some areas these organizations and foster groups are overfunded or have families sitting by phones just waiting for a phone call. in other areas both are very much underfunded and are begging families to help.

I agree with this. The idea that the Church hasn't done its part is a false argument. We could do more, and if all the people who claimed Jesus actually did their part we'd have more than enough to go around, but that doesn't mean the Church as a whole is lacking.

One of the tough issues we're seeing is the rise of people who are anti-religion. Because of that, they refuse to go to these Christian organizations. They desperately need the help, but they're wanting it from the state, not the Church.

The other issue is how do we spread the funding in places that are over funded to help the places that are under funded?

I don't have the answer for either one of those.

[Jonathan Carone]

Also the fundamentalism born in the 50's of this crazy idea that hammering abstinence instead of birth control is fortunately crumbling away. They couldn't keep it in their pants in Biblical times and they can't keep it in their pants today. reality is reality. Abstinence is obviously the most prudent solution but we have to be real here.

I think this is huge. Colorado did a program where they provided contraceptives at low or not cost to women. Over the seven years of the program:

• Colorado’s birth rate fell 54 percent for young women ages 15-19, and 30 percent among women ages 20-24 between 2009 and 2016.

• The number of repeat teen births (teens giving birth for the second or third time, etc.) dropped 63 percent between 2009 and 2016.

• The abortion rate fell 63 percent among women ages 15-19, and 41 percent among women ages 20-24 between 2009 and 2016.The average age of first birth increased by more than a year among all women between 2009 and 2016.

• The reductions in teen and unintended pregnancies saved the state between $66,063,664 and $69,625,751 in entitlement program costs.

They did this all through outside funding from private-public partnerships. Once people started seeing the results, individuals started donating their own money to the fund.

Source

Also - I remember a dude on MTV when I was in high school who used to say "no sex is the safest sex but if you're gonna have sex, wear a latex." For some reason, that stuck with me.

[RubberMallet]

christian organizations designed around supporting moms take in almost 6 BILLION dollars a year in supporting these children and mothers. Foster organizations are DOMINATED by conservative christian homes. The idea that nobody cares about these kids or moms after they are born simply because we don't want an inefficient state social net to be responsible for them is pretty absurd. In some areas these organizations and foster groups are overfunded or have families sitting by phones just waiting for a phone call. in other areas both are very much underfunded and are begging families to help.

I agree with this. The idea that the Church hasn't done its part is a false argument. We could do more, and if all the people who claimed Jesus actually did their part we'd have more than enough to go around, but that doesn't mean the Church as a whole is lacking.

One of the tough issues we're seeing is the rise of people who are anti-religion. Because of that, they refuse to go to these Christian organizations. They desperately need the help, but they're wanting it from the state, not the Church.

The other issue is how do we spread the funding in places that are over funded to help the places that are under funded?

I don't have the answer for either one of those.

Absolutely. While there is so much support and resources, If you look at any tithing study, its abysmal. The welfare safety net would be largely unnecessary if giving of either time or $ was really anywhere close to 10%. (past studies have shown that only 4% of people who say they are "christians" actually tithe. and of those that do tithe its comes out to 3% instead of your standard assumed starting point of 10%)

The problems is these organizations are largely regional. and foster is obviously super regional especially when the 1st goal of foster care is reunification.

[Jonathan Carone]

We could do so much more if everyone who claimed Christ actually contributed to these things.

Almost every church supports their local organizations monetarily and sends volunteers at times as well. With that said, on average (generalization - I know) only 5-25% of church goers give to their local church. Even understanding that many may give directly to organizations, that's still a massive gulf in people claiming Jesus but not supporting these things financially.

There was an article in Relevant (again - not the best source) that said if everyone who claimed to be a Christian tithed there would be an additional $165 billion to use to take care of the poor, the widow, the marginalized, etc. Health Research Funding has that number at $139 billion.

Sharefaith did a study that said people making $20,000/yr are 8 times more likely to give than someone making $75,000/year. They also claimed that while 247 million U.S. citizens identify as Christian—only 1.5 million tithe.

The New York Times reported religious giving has fallen 50% since 1990.

I think the Church has an incredibly beautiful past on these things, but we (collectively) have dropped the ball in recent years in maximizing what we could be doing. It's absolutely our responsibility to continue to do these things, but I'm afraid Christian Culture at large is moving away from it.

[Jonathan Carone]

To bring that last post back around to the current political climate:

The tax law changes that increased the standard deduction to $24,000 has greatly disincentivized charitable giving for the average family. In 2018, 20% less families itemized their deductions and charitable giving was down $15 billion (source).

One of the best things that could happen is for the charitable giving tax laws to be updated.

[Purple Haize]

The headline is “Voters don’t deserve to know”. But to me it’s the bald face lie that this has never happened before in history. First Harris gets called out for her lack of historical knowledge now Biden does this. Yet NO ONE will question this. None of these so called unbiased CNN reporters like Cuomo or Stelter will bat and eyebrow. Trump does it? IMPEACH. or now 25the AMENDMENT

[TH Spangler]

Demacrates are losing it

[thepostman]

Keith Olbermann lost it a long time ago.

[Purple Haize]

Keith Olbermann lost it a long time ago.

There is a reason he’s been referred to as “Bath Tub Boy”

[TH Spangler]

SMH

[Jonathan Carone]

Keith Olbermann lost it a long time ago.

Love him talking baseball. Can’t stand him talking politics.

[TH Spangler]

2016 it was deplorable, 2020 its maggot.

[Purple Haize]

ACB Hearing

Looks like the Democrats are going to try to rehash the ACA is these hearings. Interesting strategy.

[TH Spangler]

ACB Hearing

Looks like the Democrats are going to try to rehash the ACA is these hearings. Interesting strategy.

I know it's not good to commit on cases that might come before you but it would be great if she said Roberts court has already ruled it's a tax and Trump got rid of the mandate. Next question?

[Purple Haize]

Having a woman sitting there in a mask is not a good look. Very unsettling

[TH Spangler]

Having a woman sitting there in a mask is not a good look. Very unsettling

I was just thinking that.

[JK37]

Having a woman sitting there in a mask is not a good look. Very unsettling

Not good for whom?

[Purple Haize]

Having a woman sitting there in a mask is not a good look. Very unsettling

Not good for whom?

Not good period.

[Purple Haize]

11 Hours today. I’ll be listening on CSPAN radio as much as I can. But dang. This is where the fun sound bites wii come from

[TH Spangler]

11 Hours today. I’ll be listening on CSPAN radio as much as I can. But dang. This is where the fun sound bites wii come from

PH what jumped out at me the past two days is the democrat party is behind of all the over the top protest like we saw with Kavanaugh, the pink hat women's marches etc. They can turn them on and off on command when it benefits them. Absolutely don't just naturally occur. I won't include antifa riotes, they seem to hate everybody.

[Purple Haize]

My goodness is she impressive. Her recall ability is unbelievable. I feel smarter having listened to her talk. There were several Democrats who less then subtly impugned her integrity and called her a liar.
I’d be embarrassed if Sen Whitehouse was my Senator.
Sen Horino (sp) is just an angry person. It must be exhausting to be that angry
Listening to Sen Harris question her made me cringe to think if she was ever a Prosecutor in her court. My goodness ACB fell for none of her tricks and got her twisted up
One senator asked her about Slavery
I have new found respect for Sen Kennedy. He’s certainly goofy but after he laid the smack down on Sen Harris he did the best job of the day. His questioning style was very conversational and he gave her opportunity to answer. If you listened you got a really great insight in to her thought process etc. It was masterful. If you get a chance to watch it I encourage you to do so. It really gives you everything you need to know about her

[olldflame]

My goodness is she impressive. Her recall ability is unbelievable. I feel smarter having listened to her talk. There were several Democrats who less then subtly impugned her integrity and called her a liar.
I’d be embarrassed if Sen Whitehouse was my Senator.
Sen Horino (sp) is just an angry person. It must be exhausting to be that angry
Listening to Sen Harris question her made me cringe to think if she was ever a Prosecutor in her court. My goodness ACB fell for none of her tricks and got her twisted up
One senator asked her about Slavery
I have new found respect for Sen Kennedy. He’s certainly goofy but after he laid the smack down on Sen Harris he did the best job of the day. His questioning style was very conversational and he gave her opportunity to answer. If you listened you got a really great insight in to her thought process etc. It was masterful. If you get a chance to watch it I encourage you to do so. It really gives you everything you need to know about her

[Purple Haize]

Totally wouldn’t surprise me

[TH Spangler]

I watched Camilla Harris read every word of every question she asked yesterday. Then I watched Amy set there and easly answer every question with an empty notepad in front of her .... for hours.