FIRE! Quick, get me Congress and buckets of money.

I’m about to take a 5 day road trip back to Indiana. I wonder how many billions & trillions of dollars Congress and the rest of the federal government can spend/borrow while I’m on the road?

Packing Things Up

Well, the time has come to start packing everything up and getting ready to hit the road.  Fortunately, we travel light so packing up doesn’t take too long.  We have enjoyed our stay here in Carpinteria and will definitely miss the long walks on the beach and strolls around town.

As Erin and I have been packing things up, we have been recalling the highlights of our travles over the past three years.  Blessings have been waiting for us around every bend and twist in the road.  We look forward to going home and getting ourselves reunited with family and friends, but I would be lying if I said we aren’t going to miss traveling and seeing new things.  So here’s to the memories we have made and the many more to come.

Tracy Shout Out

Hey Tracy.  Just making sure you’re checking the blog. Thanks for being a great hostess in San Diego. Erin and I had an excellent time eating too much food, watching a so-so movie, reflecting on past trips, and talking about possible future plans.  We look forward to keeping in touch.

For everyone else out there: don’t forget to take the time to enjoy the little things in life. From enjoying a bottle of wine with friends, watching waves crash on the beach, or simply holding your wife’s hand while walking through the mall.  Here’s to a life of many more little things.

Response From Baron Hill

A few posts  ago I told you about President Obama’s executive order to repeal the so called, “global gag rule”.  Well, credit goes to Baron Hill as the only Indiana lawmaker to so far respond to my voiced concern. I have copied the letter below for you to read.  For the most part, it is filled with copy and pasted mumble-jumble; but pay close attention to the last paragraph to gain an understanding into how politicians easily spin their positions to support something they say they don’t support.

January 27, 2009

Dear Mr. Webb,

Thank you for contacting me about the Department of Health and Human Services proposed rule regarding abortion. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Conscience clause laws allow medical providers to refuse to provide services to which they have religious or moral objections. These laws are generally designed to reconcile the conflict between health care providers who provide services in accordance with their religious beliefs and patients who want access to the medical care that these religious providers find objectionable.

In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion in Roe v. Wade, Congress quickly passed the Church Amendment as part of the Health Programs Extension Act of 1973. This was the first conscience clause enacted into law, and remains in law today.  The Church Amendment states that public officials may not require individuals or entities who receive certain public funds to perform abortion or sterilization procedures, or to make facilities or personnel available for the performance of such procedures if such performance “would be contrary to [the individual or entity's] religious beliefs or moral convictions.”  The law applies to any individual or entity that receives funds under the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), the Community Mental Health Centers Act, or the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act.  Additionally, the law prohibits entities that receive federal funds under these statutes or certain programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from engaging in employment discrimination against doctors or other medical personnel who either perform abortion or sterilization procedures or who refuse to perform such procedures on moral or religious grounds.

Conscience clause provisions have also been included in the FY2005, FY2006, and FY2008 appropriations measures for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS) and Education.  The conscience clause language in the appropriations bills prevent the federal government and state and local governments from enacting policies that require health care entities to provide or pay for certain abortion-related services.  These recent appropriations provisions are temporary in nature.

Recently, the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) issued a proposal that would require medical facilities that receive federal funds to certify they will not fire or refuse to hire doctors who refuse to offer abortion services and types of birth control.  There is an ongoing debate about the breadth of the Department’s proposed definition of abortion and its application to state laws that require hospitals to provide emergency contraception to rape victims.  The Administration’s rule is currently in its draft stage and will be scrutinized during the public comment period.

Ultimately, I oppose government funding of abortion.   However, I also believe in responsible family planning and would support the U.S. government helping to prevent any unwanted pregnancies in order to decrease the number of abortions. It is important to note that, by law, federal funds may not be used by programs that utilize abortion as a method of family planning.  I believe that with this safeguard in place, family planning services can effectively provide services to women, and that is why I support them.

Thank you again for contacting me about this important issue.  Please feel free to call me at 202.225.5315 if you have any further questions or comments. If you would like to receive periodic email updates on my Congressional activities, please visit http://baronhill.house.gov .

I thank Baron Hill and his staff for responding to me in such a timely manner and encourage all of my friends and family to stay in touch with their elected officials.  Afterall, if something negative happens  in government in a democratic society it is not THEIR fault, it’s YOUR fault.

Superbowl MVP

This Sunday millions of sports fans will be gathering around TV sets, bowls of chips and dip, boxes of pizza, and cases of beer.  In Tampa two professional organizations will challenge each other for sixty minutes in order to be remembered as Superbowl Champs.  And finally, on the victors podium, one player will honored as the Superbowl’s most valuable player.  One player already has my MVP vote.  Kurt Warner.

The media is usually obsessed with players that make headlines for confrontations, court dates, and criminal charges.  However, recently ESPN took a look at the personal life of a true proffesional NFL player.  Do yourself a favor and take the time to read this excellent article about the Arizona Cardinal’s quarterback, and in my opinion, the pre-Superbowl MVP.

Prayers Needed

Hello friends. I hope your weekend is starting off great.  I’ve been putting of this blog post for a few days hoping to collect my thoughts and also find out some more information.  Over the past couple of weeks, Erin and I have had some pretty stirring news concerning some very close members of our family.  Not knowing exactly how to outline my thoughts and feelings on these matters, I will go ahead and describe what we know.

Erin’s mom, Marge, was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer 2 years ago.  Unfortunately, the cancer has returned.  The doctors say the cancer has spread to her bones.  Within the next couple of weeks she will start chemotherapy treatments, but this is all I know for now.  Marge is a very strong woman, both physically and spiritually.  She beat cancer once, so I have no doubt that she is capable of handling round two.  Please pray for Marge’s spirits to be lifted during this very difficult time.  Pray for Erin’s dad, Eric, as well. I have no way of imagining what is going through his head right now, so keep him in your prayers. Also, pray for Erin, her sisters, and her brother.  May we come closer as a family throughout these uncertain times, and most of all, may our personal relationships with Jesus Christ be strengthened as well.

Last week my grandfather, Billy Webb, was diagnosed with prostrate cancer.  He has had prostate issues the past couple years, but this is the first time his doctors have detected cancer.  About 6 or 7 years ago my grandmother had breast cancer. Fortunately, she is doing well and is still right by my grandpa’s side.  They both are well aware of what it takes to stay positive during these uneasy times, so I ask that you pray for their relationship to stay strong while my grandpa and grandma walk this path together.  Pray that my grandpa responds well to the treatment, and please pray that all of the family members stay positive and humble throughout this storm.

Finally, my sister-in-law, Amanda Webb, was put on bed rest two weeks ago.  She is currently 22 weeks along in her pregnancy with her and Brian’s 4th child (it’s a boy, of course).  For the past month she has had increased bleeding, so the doctors are advising her to stay in bed until things get better.  The baby is healthy and Amanda seems to be doing better since being bed ridden.  However, you and I can only imagine what my brother and his wife are going through while trying to raise three boys (ages 6, 5, & 3) without their mommy able to get out of bed!  Pray that Amanda and the baby inside of her remain safe and healthy.  Please pray that Brian is able to stay strong by balancing work, laundry, food, play time, and everything else on his daddy plate.  And pray a word of thankfulness for the many friends and family that have already jumped in to help Brian & Amanda with everything from cleaning their kitchen to playing in the mud with their rambunctious boys!

Thank you so much for your prayers.  If you feel you want to be more hands-on in helping any of the above family members, please contact them personally or you can email me @ www.dmwebb1982@yahoo.com.  Please don’t feel sorry for or worry about Erin and I.  Our foundation in Jesus Christ is rock solid.  The Bible is full of numerous lessons about how to deal with difficult times.  Throughout all of the good times in our life together we have always been very thankful for His love.  And now that things are a little uneasy, we are still thankfull for His love.  Our faith has always been strong, and it remains strong!  God has given us more talents and opportunities than we could have ever wished for over the years.  While we and others may be surprised by the lastest events, God is not.  He knew this day would come, and He knows what lies ahead tomorrow and the next day.  We pray that we use His wisdom to guide us through this storm.  And when the dust settles and the rain stops, we will thank Him for his helping hands and guiding light.

Federally Funded Abortions: Your Tax Dollars at Work

Well, sadly, I report that it’s official: President Obama did overturn the ban on using our tax dollars to fund organizations around the world that encourage and perform abortions.  If you are unhappy with this decision, please contact your congressional leaders and voice your concerns.

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Global Gag Rule Update

Hey everyone.  If you read my post from yesterday, you saw my concern for the executive order that President Obama is reportadely about to sign.  From what I have gathered via numerous google searches and watching the nightly news, Obama has yet to issue the order to repeal the “global gag rule” as of early Friday morning.  I will try and keep you updated on what I find out, and please let me know if you hear or read anything regarding this possible executive order.

Obama & Abortion

Soon your tax dollars may start paying for abortions in the poorest regions around the World.  Your money could be used to encourage a young African woman to take the life of an innocent child from the womb.  When filing your tax returns this year, know that part of the money that is taken from your paycheck could be given to groups that encourage the stopping of beating hearts.  Who will you have to thank for this? None other than our new President, Barack Obama.  The Associated Press reports that Obama will most likely repeal the “global-gag-rule”.  This executive order will allow federal money to be given to groups that encourage family planning via abortions in some of the poorest regions abroad.

Now for all of you America-first abortion supporters, don’t worry, Obama and the Democrat Congress are thinking of you too.  Obama endorses the Prevention First Act, which aims to give even more of your money to American groups like Planned Parenthood.

Friends, we are playing on a slippery slope.  If our President’s first days in office are used to fast-pace abortions around the World, we will fall off of that slope and risk wading around in the swamp below.  Last night I watched Ben Stein’s movie, Expelled.  If you haven’t seen it, please go out and rent it this week.  Stein investigates the Academia debate occurring between Darwinism and Intelligent Design researchers.  Stein goes further to reveal Hitler’s obsession with using science to manipulate the genetic makeup of society.  You tell me how the United States seeking out poor & sick women around the globe in order to kill the fetus that lives inside of them is any different than the “experiments” Hitler’s doctors performed on his so called “weak” and “sick” patients.

I am very worried by the priority President Obama and his supporters have put on this controversial decision to allow federal funding to pay for abortions around the globe.  Is this the “change” many Americans were hoping for when they cast their ballots? I sure hope not!

If you feel America is wrong for this action, please call or email your elected officials now! It’s your tax money they are using to spread their agendas; make your voice be heard.

Click on the site below to find out how to contact your representatives.

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Digital TV?

Everyone who reads this  blog knows that I love my country. From talking to my friends that have traveled overseas, I have learned that this country has many, many benefits that other countries simply do not possess.  That being said, I am starting to get worried about the will of this country and the peoples ability to pull themselves up by their own boot straps.

For instance, take a look at this article. President Obama and the Consumers Union are pleading with Congress to delay America’s switch to digital broadcasting. Their reasoning is that many “poor” and “elderly” Americans are simply not prepared for the February 17th switch date.  Friends, Americans have turned into a bunch of pansies.  The U.S. has already spent 1.34 billion dollars in GIVING people digital conversion boxes.  That’s right; 1.34 billion dollars of YOUR and MY money has been GIVEN  to fellow Americans so they can watch TV.  Since when has TV been a guaranteed right of this country?

Maybe I’m insincere, maybe I’m ignorant, or maybe I’m just plain mean.  But I just don’t understand why Americans need their government to steal other peoples money so they can simply watch the Price is Right and CSI!