Happy Birthday to our Founder, Mentor, and general Hero, Rick Green!!! Having reached the ripe old – oops, I mean young – age of…well, you’ll have to guess how old he is!
Mr. Green, we wish you a very happy birthday, and many more fruitful years of serving Christ and the people of America. We thank God for you and for your work at Wallbuilders and Patriot Academy. We love you!
We are indebted to Governor Dulin for getting the mugshot of Mr. Green from the post office bulletin board. Thanks, Governor!THE PATRIOT PRESS
MARCHING TO THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM
March 1, 2009 Vol. 2 Issue 5
Miss Becker Goes to Washington
While attending PA 2008, I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to attend AFP’s annual conference held in Washington D.C. last October. My mother and brother were able to come with me so we went up a few days early to do some sightseeing. We went to the Spy Museum, the Museum of Crime and Punishment, saw the Constitution and Declaration of Independence and went to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.
The conference started Friday evening with the Tribute to Ronald Reagan Dinner which was attended by over 1200 people. Along with the wonderful food, we heard from a great line up of speakers including George Will, John Stossel, Fred Barnes, Ed Meese, Dinesh D’Souza and the chairman, David Koch. On Saturday morning everyone attended the large session where we sat by states. There was a little friendly rivalry going on between Texas and Oklahoma as a big football game was happening that day! The highlights from the session included speeches from Herman Cain, Fred Barnes, Steve Moore, Grover Norquist and John Fund, We heard reports from each state’s director and cheered loudly for Peggy Venable, head of Texas AFP when she gave her report! The afternoon sessions had so many great sessions that is was hard to choose between them! Emerging Issues in 2009, Turning Ideas into Action, Students for Prosperity and Right Online blogger training, etc.
My favorite was a talk given by Ann McElhinney. (check out her website http://mineyourownbusiness-blog.blogspot.com) She was a reporter and had been a huge liberal. One day she was reporting on the building of a new factory in a third world country and how it would seriously harm the environment and because of her veracious reporting, succeed in closing down the coal plant. Little did she realize that because of her actions, the local townspeople were unable to get jobs in the factory and therefore remained in abject poverty. She “saw the light” and is now a rock solid conservative. She admonished us to stand firm and fight for our liberties; liberties her countrymen can only dream about.
Not only was that weekend a wonderful time to be with family, but it was also exciting to see that other people also believe in a fiscally responsible, limited government. But above all, it was refreshing to meet so many people who believe that socialism is bad, very, very bad!
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With the most sincere apologies for falling behind in our posts, we want to wish a very belated but heartfelt “Happy Birthday” to Mama Seay, whose birthday appropriately enough was on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
Mama Seay, on behalf of all of the Patriots, thank you for investing so much in the future leadership of our country. Only in eternity will we know how much you have done for us, and for America. We love you, and pray God’s richest blessings on you in the upcoming year.
Filed under: News
The bailouts handed out by Congress over the past few months have been a nightmare to all free-market conservatives, but unlike nightmares, we’ve all awakened to find this nightmare real – and getting worse all the time. While we all know that we need to speak up and do all we can to stop it, technology and organization have never been strong points for the conservatives – until now.
Right.org, a site devoted to informing and mobilizing conservatives to take action against the bailouts is launching!
Several of the excellent features of this site include:
-a petition form
-videos
-news
-forum
-excellent, visually clear graphics to explain and put the bailouts in perspective
-and a video contest, with the winner receiving a grand prize of $28,130! That is what the share of an individual would be if the the funds expended were simply handed out to the American people.
And for the Facebook-savvy patriots, there’s also a Facebook group call “Do What’s Right.” We’ve received a special request to help promote this site throughout the Facebook world, so check it out and invite all your friends to visit Right.org and sign the petition!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=b79e51d7b9cc8b5a92c0d5396145bb32&gid=21621344983
Filed under: News
THE PATRIOT PRESS
MARCHING TO THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM
Jan. 15, 2009 Vol. 2 Issue 2
Governmental Bailout by Anna Becker
“I can’t believe such things are coming out of the mouth of a twenty year old!” That’s what my cousin Kathy said to me at the family reunion last year. And I hadn’t even taken the Lord’s name in vain! All I had done was reiterate the conservative principles that I learned while attending Patriot Academy. This incident only solidified my desire to accurately convey the truth as we are instructed to in I Pet 3:15. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Since God has commanded us to be effective witnesses of the truth, it is imperative that we know both sides of an issue so that we can effectively communicate to someone what is true and what is false.
The word “bailout” has been on everyone’s lips the past few months. As can be expected when more than $700 billion dollars is at stake, you will get many heated debates on the issue. Helen Thomas in an article entitled, “There are good reasons to bail out Detroit”, says, “Balking senators should realize the industry’s financial failure could end health and retirement benefits for thousands of Americans and eliminate an estimated 2.5 million jobs. Do we really want that to happen?” Liberals contended that since Wall Street and the Detroit Big “3” provide so many jobs, we should help them through this financial difficulty so the economy will not collapse.
Many conservatives argued that there was not enough oversight of the funds. The House Republican Study Committee (RSC), noted in their paper entitled “Ten Conservative Concerns” that the bailout “fundamentally alters the nation’s free-market system in that it broadly socializes firm’s money-losing mortgage assets and places the U.S. on a slippery slope whereby profits will also be nationalized.” Conservatives realized that America was rapidly becoming a socialist nation by the passage of a bailout bill.
In conclusion, when faced with a controversial issue, first look at it through the lens of Scripture, specifically the Ten Commandments. Will agreeing with the issue pervert the law in order to save someone? Does it replace justice with safety? Remember the LIFT principles we learned from Mama Seay. Limited Government, Individual Liberty, Free Market, and Traditional Values. And never forget that socialism is bad, very, very bad!
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Filed under: News
THE PATRIOT PRESS
MARCHING TO THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM
Jan. 1, 2009 Vol. 2 Issue 1
Same Sex Marriage
SAME SEX MARRIAGE
In one of his books, Christopher Paolini wrote, ‘You cannot fight all the fools in the world.’ The great thing is that we are not required to fight all of the fools in the world. We will have to fight some of them, though. In order to be effective when those opportunities arise, you need to be prepared. Know your enemy and yourself and you can more efficiently debate and defend. This article is the first in a series that will explore both the liberal and conservative arguments for big item issues. It is brought to us by Speaker of the House Joel Fisher.
Who are you to tell someone who they can and can’t love? Who are you to judge me for the way I was born? Who are you to tell someone that you decide who they can commit their life to before God and friends? Who are YOU to push YOUR views onto someone else? We are all different and believe in different things, so who is to say I am wrong and you are right? I have found the person I love and want to spend the rest of my life with together, so how can you question my love and commitment? God created love- God IS love. God gives us love for one another, so you are no longer questioning me, you are questioning GOD. I want to be a parent and raise children with my husband, but the religious bigots have blocked our union of marriage. These “Christians” as they call themselves preach about loving one another, accepting each other, not judging others, but most of all, treating people the way that Christ would. The Christian groups always preach about having children, and how they are a “blessing from God”. They continue by saying that marriage is from God and should be entered into with the utmost care and respect. So who are YOU to judge me and say I can’t have that? You don’t know me, you know nothing about my life and what I believe in, yet you still say that I am not fit to be a parent or marry the one that I love.
It is clear why we as Christian conservatives are against same-sex marriage. The lifestyle of homosexuality stands for corruption, multiple sexual partners, and sin. The Bible clearly states in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that homosexuality is NOT from God or smiled upon by our Lord. Statistics show that the majority of homosexuals have had anywhere between twenty-five to ninety sexual partners before they are the age of thirty years old. Most have no religious values and don’t believe in a monogamous relationship. The divorce rate in America is already over 50% of couples divorcing. To allow gay marriage would add to that statistic. Several states have taken state-wide votes and they have all unanimously agreed that marriage is between ONE man and ONE woman. The people have spoken in California most recently, and it is clear that the majority of Americans have it right and understand what the Founding Fathers intended for the foundation of this great country.
For more information, please see the letter from the editor on page 4.
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Filed under: News
THE PATRIOT PRESS
MARCHING TO THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM
Dec. 15, 2008 Vol. 1 Issue 13
Letter From The Governor
“You shall receive the gift…” Acts 2:38
The tree is up, carols are playing, fires are burning, lights are twinkling, snow is falling (somewhere) and Starbucks is serving peppermint mocha twists. These fabulous facts lead me to one happy conclusion…it truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
I love Christmastime. My family is big and loud – I’m convinced we have Italian in us somewhere – and we celebrate the season with a kaleidoscope of colorful traditions. One of my favorites is when my grandpa hides my grandma’s gift for her to “find” under the tree. This Christmas will be 54 years of packages “to Sherry from Santa.” Another tradition we love is Christmas brunch, complete with cinnamon scones and strudel (yeah, we’re foodies – it’s that Italian thing again.) Yet another tradition involves duct tape (the guys’ tradition, obviously.) But the best tradition we keep happens right before we open presents in the morning: retelling the Christmas story.
The method of storytelling changes each year, from news stories to skits to monologues, but the purpose is always the same: to remember why we are celebrating. For my family, at the heart of all the parties and shiny bows is a desire to celebrate the greatest gift of all. Jesus. He’s what inspires the gifts and makes this my favorite season…the most wonderful time of the year.
This Christmas, I am grateful for the gifts of God. I am grateful for my family, my friends, my country, Patriot Academy, and each of you. God has done awesome things and there is much more to come. So, in celebration of it all, I am delighted to have the honor of presenting three gifts from the Patriot Academy team to you. Virtual gift wrap and shipping included.
No. 1: Wrapped in silvery paper is…Free Registration
From now until January 15 we are waiving the $50 deposit normally required to apply for PA. That means you can register for zero dollars. So, if you know you want to come back to the Academy in 2009, go ahead and save your spot for free by mailing in your application soon.
No. 2: Tied with a big red bow is…Rick’s New Book, “Freedom’s Frame”
Rick just wrote a book! It’s called “Freedom’s Frame” and focuses on the principles of freedom which are foundational to America’s founding and future. Be among the first ten applicants for PA 2009 and you will receive a free autographed copy of “Freedom’s Frame.”
No. 3: The really big box is…The New Website
You know when you have a gift you are so excited to give you don’t even notice the other ones? This one is it for me. www.patriotacademy.com. Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Thanks for making our Christmas bright. If you want to give a gift back to the staff (and possibly even be featured on the website) make sure to fill out the survey Rick sent a couple weeks ago. Email us if you need a new one. Merry Christmas and God Bless.
Merrily, Kassie
Filed under: News
One of the important areas of our culture that Christians are beginning to reclaim is the medium of film. Studies reveal that movies are the most effective medium of communication to this generation. We are beginning to see a return of the Christian film with movies like Facing the Giants, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed and Fireproof.
And now for the big announcement….drumroll please……
Our very own Paul Hastings has produced a short film with his friend Alex Lerma, and it has been accepted into the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival!!!
Here is the story of their film, For Honor:
When an escaped convict returns to his family after years of prison, what he finds left by the cruel passage of time is more than he bargained for. Faced with a life changing decision, he must look beyond his dark past and into his uncertain future to truly discover what it means to live “A life of Honor.” Click here for the film’s listing.
Congratulations, Paul and Alex, and best wishes at the Festival!!!
Filed under: News
From: Brent Connett
Subject: Conservative Legislative Study Program
Members,
We are pleased to announce the Conservative Legislative Study Program, coordinated by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI). Through the Conservative Legislative Study Program, the next generation of conservative leaders will have the opportunity to work directly with legislators to help advance conservative policies.
Each college student accepted to the program will be placed in the office of a State Representative or State Senator as a Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholar to assist with bill research, constituent work, and other duties as assigned.
The application for the program is attached. Please distribute this to eligible college juniors and seniors who may be interested in serving as a Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholar.
Sincerely,
Brent Connett
Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute
512-474-6042 (office)
Filed under: News
THE PATRIOT PRESS
MARCHING TO THE DRUMBEAT OF FREEDOM
Nov. 15, 2008 Vol. 1 Issue 11
From Your Lieutenant Governor
This past election cycle has been the most interesting, gut wrenching roller-coaster ride I’ve ever seen. There were both highlights and low points for conservatives throughout the whole process, but at the end of the day, we saw the epitome of liberalism become the President-elect of the United States. This begs the question, “How did this happen?” and perhaps more importantly, “How can we prevent it from happening again?”
The trouble is that the Republican Party has lost confidence in the principles that made our nation great. It has been rightly stated that America is the only nation that has ever been founded on a creed. Limited government, individual liberties, free enterprise, and traditional values are the cornerstone of freedom, in this country or any other.
However, our politicians began to lose confidence in those principles, and perhaps even to question them in their own hearts. Over time the rhetoric was “softened” to sound more mainstream, and hopefully appeal more to those on the other side of the aisle. “Maybe if we make it sound a little more liberal they’ll like us better…and at any rate we’ll attract the all-important moderates and independents.” Meanwhile, the liberals, whose power of perception never ceases to amaze me, realized that conservative principles presented as such always win. Lo and behold the advent of the oxymoronic conservative Democrat.
You know what happened after that, because it’s been happening constantly for years. Moderate Republicans lose, and Democrats who manage to present themselves as conservatives win – and that’s why Obama won. We have to stand up ourselves for the principles of conservatism, and we need to be willing and ready to call out those who don’t, especially in our own party. Moderate Republicans have done us no favor. Let’s try true conservatism now.
The words of Ronald Reagan after a disastrous election sum this up perfectly: “Since our last meeting we have been through a disastrous election. It is easy for us to be discouraged, as pundits hail that election as a repudiation of our philosophy and even as a mandate of some kind or other. Bitter as it is to accept the results of the November election, we should have reason for some optimism. It is possible we have been persuasive to a greater degree than we had ever realized. Few, if any, Democratic Party candidates in the last election ran as liberals. Listening to them I had the eerie feeling we were hearing reruns of Barry Goldwater speeches. I even thought I heard a few of my own.”
Reagan had not been elected yet at this point, but already he was spreading the firm, solid message that would eventually place him in the White House. Let’s take hope and take heart, and raise up a whole generation of Reagans to win this country back!
God Bless!
Hannah Hill
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