Disproportionate Use of Force

Do you ever get tired of hearing a phrase? The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon has brought up a new one. Israel is accused of using a “disproportionate use of force” with Hezbollah.

The argument goes, “Hey, they only kidnapped a few of your soldiers and shot a few missiles. You can’t bomb the airport and take out half their military.” That is just disproportionate. I don’t get it. Since when is war supposed to be proportionate?

You fight a war to kill people and break things. It’s not pretty. It’s just a fact. It is not a nice agreement where gentlemen shake hands and say, “may the best man win.” For whatever reason a war is started, they all end with the same goal - you try to kill the other guys before they kill you – in whatever proportion is necessary.

The United States and its allies have lost around 2800 soldiers in the Iraq war. Does this mean that we should only have killed 2800 or so Iraqis? The actual number is closer to 30,000 troops and many more civilians (not necessarily killed by the coalition forces.) Is that not disproportionate? What about Afghanistan? The United States and allies have lost less than 500 soldiers and the Afghans have lost closer to 9000. That’s not fair.

When has it ever been fair? Did we make agreements with Japan or Germany in World War II? Did we chat with Vietnam before fighting them? North Korea?

The Eisenhower administration came up with the idea of “massive retaliation” in 1954. It said, in so many words, “If you attack us, we will attack you 10 times as hard.” It was mostly focused on nuclear weapons, but it would still have been disproportionate… as it was designed to be, for a deterrent to the first strike ever taking place.

There is a lot of history between Israel and the nations surrounding her. There are UN resolutions already telling Lebanon how to deal with Hezbollah. There are already 2000 UN “peacekeepers” on the border today. You never hear about them, because they’re not keeping any peace.

I hope and pray for peace. But when a time comes for war, and inevitably it comes, proportion is not priority.

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Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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Flying Free?

I held off crying at a friend’s funeral, until the military honors. An American flag was lifted from the casket, folded by two soldiers as taps was played, and handed to my friend’s son.

I have held an American flag with the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of civilians that honor fallen heroes of our military. When preparing the flag to be transported, I explained to my 12 year old son how the flag should never touch the ground out of respect. My son then asked to stand with me, holding a flag of his own. I was a proud American and a proud dad that day.

People have told me they can always find my house. “It’s the one with the American flag on it.”, they say. Sadly, sometimes it is the only house on the street with one.

I have a friend who was born in Iraq. She told me that during the tyrannical reign of Saddam Hussein, each family was forced to have two pictures of Saddam in their household, no exceptions. She described how her father would spit on the picture when no one was watching. They did not have the freedom to take down the picture without facing dire consequences. Today they are free to take down their pictures and hang an Iraqi flag wherever they want. And that is wonderful for them.

But I cannot raise an American flag in my front yard. You heard it right. Here in America; in Lexington, Kentucky; in my neighborhood, I am forbidden from flying the American flag if it resides… on a flagpole – an obvious home for a flag, wouldn’t you say?

I turn the big 4-0 this summer. I asked for two things for my birthday. One was that everyone that came to the party visited my PresidentAdams.com web site and told 40 friends. And two, a flagpole from which to hang the stars and stripes in my front yard. As I prepared to order the flagpole, my wife thought it would be a good idea to call the homebuilders to make sure a 20 ft. pole wasn’t too high. She was informed that I can fly a small flag attached to the house, but no flagpoles are allowed according to the neighborhood association. My lawyer friend tells me, “I’m stuck.”

No majestic flagpole with our country’s beautiful flag flowing in the breeze to look at in the morning. No reminder at the end of the day of the freedom and greatness and potential that this country has. No honor in lowering the flag to half staff when the time is called for. No expression or statement to the degree of patriotism that burns in my heart.

Why am I so upset about a flag? Because it’s not just a pretty piece of cloth on a piece of metal. Because in today’s twisted society I can legally BURN the flag in my front yard, but not run it up a pole.

The American flag is the emblem of a great nation. It is a banner that has been used to rally troops, lead charges and mark victories. It is a symbol that is saluted by men and women in uniform who pay a price to defend us. It is the icon that stirs respect in the form of taking off your hat, or placing your hand over your heart. It is a symbol of defiance rising out of the rubble of the World Trade towers. It is a representation of national pride and courage, about which slogans, nicknames, and songs are written: Old Glory, Stars and Stripes Forever, These colors don’t run! It’s a grand old flag; it’s a high flying flag! Don’t tread on me!

It is a flag we pledge our allegiance to. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The flag represents the best of us and the best in us.

It is a flag about which our national anthem is written. Oh say, does that star spangled banner yet wave o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Evidently not at my house. Perhaps we are not as free as we think we are.

If anyone, then, asks me the meaning of our flag, I say to him - it means just what Concord and Lexington meant; what Bunker Hill meant; which was, in short, the rising up of a valiant young people against an old tyranny to establish the most momentous doctrine that the world had ever known - the right of men to their own selves and to their liberties.

~Henry Ward Beecher

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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A “No Win” Presidency

We are approaching an election this year, so it is time for things to get ugly. Certainly there are ugly things to report. The war in Iraq is not popular with many. Scandals are rampant at and around Washington. Immigration and NSA/CIA spying are hot topics. Put these together and President Bush is in a “no win” situation.

If President Bush pulls our troops out of Iraq, he will be called a coward and his political foes will lay “another Vietnam-style loss” on his plate. We told you so! We should never have gone in… even though we voted for it. If we stay, they complain about a quagmire. It’s a no win situation.

Scandals need to be taken care of, but they sure do seem to get more attention around election time. Each side points to the others’ shortcomings. And we’ve got plenty to choose from: CIA’s Dusty Foggo for bribery, Rep. Tom DeLay for campaign finances, Rep. Patrick Kennedy for substance abuse, Rep. Cynthia McKinney for Capitol Police abuse, lobbyist Jack Abramoff for all sorts of abuse… the list goes on. The view of Washington by the average American continues to dim and the President’s approval rating slides.

If President Bush does nothing on illegal immigration, Congress and the media lampoon him for his inaction. If he calls out the National Guard as we are told, we get cheers or jeers from politicians seeking re-election, and the media goes into a feeding frenzy. Even those of the President’s own party aren’t helping. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska, said, “I think we have to be very careful here… That's not the role of our National Guard." Huh? GUARDing the NATIONs borders isn’t part of the charter of the NATIONal GUARD? Who came up with that one? You can’t win an argument against stupidity.

The NSA/CIA/Patriot Act/Domestic spying – call it what you want. But what do we want here folks? Do we want terrorists in our own country, planning and plotting a 9/11 repeat? Or do we want our government to take whatever action it feels is necessary to do the job? “Don’t violate my rights!” Give me a break. Those that perished on 9/11 had their right to LIFE taken from them! The news publishes that the NSA is tracking phone calls. I am sure that the terrorists read the news and just changed their communication patterns. Thanks media friends. Way to help out the good guys. President Bush could of course stop all anti-terrorist work. We’ll be attacked again and he’ll be blamed. Or he can continue to fight terror and dodge political bullets himself.

I will be frank. I doubt the sincerity of the complaints and the desire of some politicians to actually solve any of these problems. Democrats complain because they want to hurt the Republican President, get elected or re-elected, and obtain the majority to play the game their way. Some Republicans are staying with the President and some are jumping ship because of his low polls. The media makes money by reporting the mess. You know – the media that endorses political candidates and then claims to be impartial. Sigh…

So what does President Bush do? I’ll suggest a few things. You can read along.

Dear President Bush,
Thank you for you leadership up to this point. I doubt anyone else in your position could have done much better given the circumstances, and the lack of hindsight we all now enjoy.

I have a few suggestions for you. You seem to have few (or very quiet) friends in Washington, even in your own party. You’re not running for re-election, so just do what is right and don’t worry about the fallout. You can’t control that anyway.

Pull out of Iraq with a W. That’s a “Win”, not a W… for your name… anyway… we accomplished what was needed. You deposed a nasty dictator and his posse, and ensured no weapons of mass destruction were there. Now let us leave as soon as we can and allow the people of Iraq to choose their own destiny and be accountable for their own future. The UN can surely help them if they get into trouble in the near term.

I think you’re pretty tough on scandals. Just be sure to make sure that elected officials or political cronies are punished the same as we ordinary citizens are. If I punch a police officer, I’m going to jail. I’m not sure why Ms. McKinney isn’t there yet. Perhaps you could check on that for me.

On immigration, stop trying to ride the fence, pun intended. They’re either illegal or they’re not. (They are violating the law, so they are.) Defend our borders or don’t. (I suggest you do.) But don’t let whiners and name callers slow you down.

As for domestic spying, if my facts are correct, the 9/11 conspirators were actually in this country when they attacked and killed thousands. Mr. President please do all in your power to protect us. Tell the American people that you have the daily intelligence reports we do not, the list of successes to date that you cannot tell us about to continue being successful, the knowledge of what the terrorists are capable of well in hand, and ask us to trust you and your people. Perhaps if you do this and some of these other things, we will be able to do just that. And all of us will win.

Your friend and hopeful successor,
Steve Adams

PS. Call any time. I’m here to help.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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Angry Conservatives

Sometimes I hear conservatives or the “religious right” described as angry. We’re not peace loving hippies, so perhaps that is part of the issue. Flip on the TV and I see plenty of angry liberals or “left wingers” who seem just as angry, but for some reason, the label sticks to conservatives.

I debate many political issues with others using cold, hard logic which is backed up with facts. I ask those that respond to remove their emotion and name calling - which often leads them astray - and to look solely at the facts. As a result, though my arguments are sound, I have been then accused about not having passion about anything.

Point taken. So perhaps it is acceptable to be angry now and then. The good book even says, “Be angry but do not sin.” And aren’t there reasons to be angry? Aren’t there reasons to be passionate about what you believe in?

Yes, I know we’re on immigration overload with all the media coverage of late, but when illegal aliens ask not to be criminalized, I get angry. Illegal = criminal. Hello? I get angry when people can’t see how ludicrous such a comment is. The solution is not simple, but stop insulting my intelligence and claiming that blatantly ignoring the law makes anyone a good citizen. Legal immigrants? Love them. Illegal aliens demanding “rights”? No.

I get angry when the Governor of Kentucky finally passes a bill to prevent treasonous, blasphemous protests at military funerals; and the ACLU has the audacity to start another useless, time consuming, God and country hating court case. It’s enough to make this pastor want to take up cursing.

I get angry when global bullies of Korea or Iran blackmail the world with nuclear weapons and the “United” Nations can’t agree enough to shut them down. Even when they react, it’s a joke. Today the UN “predicted” they would “pass a resolution calling for Iran to suspend its nuclear program.” If they fail to, there will be “a serious attempt to pass another resolution calling for sanctions.” Wow, I’m sure Iran is quaking in its boots now.

I get angry when the world blames the United States for all of its ills. We are blamed for being too aggressive in Iraq, but criticized for inaction in Darfur. Oh, there’s another one. When did movie stars become international experts, able to call press conferences, flanked by politicians who want to suck up some movie star power through association? And didn’t all those movie stars promise to leave the country when their candidates didn’t win years ago?

Anger. Yes, there are many things that make this candidate angry. And there is disgust, and disbelief, and disappointment at times in the people of this world and some of my fellow Americans.

But as a wise man once told me, if you don’t like the situation you’re in, you either get out and run away; or stay and fight to make it better. I’m staying. I’m fighting in my own way. I hope you will too.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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War Games

‘Tis the season once again for paintball. It is a sport where teenagers and men who still think they are teenagers run around the woods firing safe, but painful projectiles of paint at each other, achieving victory over their opposing team in a variety of ways. I’m not just a Presidential candidate; I am the keeper of the gear for our church youth group.

Chaos reigns during the battles; and in the haste to exit the battlefield and go home to other fun, I am left with the gear. Over the few years we have engaged in mock battles, our gear has inevitably taken some damage. Some markers (we can’t call them guns) simply don’t work. The “gun-like” part and the CO2 cartridges are the usual casualties while the hoppers (ammo holders), masks, and barrels usually survive.

The problem occurs when the gear is down and the youth pastor says to me, “We’re playing Saturday.” I have to refill the tanks, fix some broken pieces, put together this surviving piece with that surviving piece, and get as many working sets of gear as possible.

By now, perhaps you have asked, “Why is he talking about paintball on a political blog site?” Fear not, I’m getting there.

Our armed forces sometimes have little or no warning of an impending battle. While we do plan and execute wars and armed conflicts at various times, we must be prepared for the unexpected. We must prepare for fights we do not begin, but must end. We must constantly have optimal leadership, manpower, training, technology, and readiness. We don’t have the luxury of letting our gear be down.

I hear complaints of high spending in peace time. And even now, while our troops are in battle, spilling blood – their own and their enemies’ – complaints abound. But who is in charge of military spending? The military, right? Or the President, the Commander-in-Chief? Well, not really. The President and Department of Defense ask for a budget. Then the request runs the gauntlet of the House and Senate appropriation committees, armed services committees, budget committees, congressional budget resolutions, and annual appropriation bills. Congress then passes bill after bill appropriating funds for this or that. Committees, sub-committees, resolutions, mark ups, more appropriations… In the end, Congress is in charge of allocating the money.

Look at some of the press releases made by Senators or Representatives boasting how a specific bill will help their local economy. Planes made in his state …when we need tanks, or submarines made in her state …when we need body armor. Military bases are closed and Congress yells… not because it is a bad strategic choice, or because it might weaken national defense, but because they look bad in the eyes of their constituents.

Here’s an idea. Put the military in charge of the military budget. Cut through the committees and give the armed forces their own money and let them prioritize from there. They buy what they want, when they need it, and they are better prepared. I have the highest respect for military. Do you? Does Congress? They already handle complicated numbers now – troop strength, artillery trajectories, air/land/sea navigation, range to target vs. kill radius, high tech devices that would boggle the mind, etc. - they can handle a balance sheet!

I’m betting the military would love to decide for themselves whether to invest in Strykers, new fighter aircraft, or non-lethal alternatives without a horde of civilians directing their every move. I’m betting our defense dollars would go farther without redirection for pet projects of politicians. Do you want the best defense possible? Give our military the control of their own destinies, and watch the world’s best military stay the best. Otherwise, we’re back to a political war game… one we can’t afford to lose.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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Balanced Budget – Part One

The national debt, deficit spending, foreign aid, out of control government spending on “pork”, unemployment, income tax, social security and Medicare… all these together sound complicated and scary. How can one possibly talk about a balanced budget in this day and age?

Same as the age old joke. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

I have a suggestion for a few bites on heading towards a balanced budget – something that would be a main pillar of my Presidency. You and I have to balance our checkbooks every month. Why shouldn’t the government that represents us be held to the same standard?

Let’s start with foreign aid. The United States gives money or financial aid (loans, grants, and debt forgiveness) to over 150 countries to the tune of at least $20 billion. The numbers I’m using come from the Library of Congress for years covering 2002-2004, so they’re probably bigger now.

I’m all for helping people that need help and appreciate it, but we as a nation do need to remain financially solvent if we are expected to continue to bail out the world for every catastrophe. Remember how people were indignant that our initial gift to the victims of the Indonesian tsunami was “low”? What happens when the bank is broke? Let’s not find out.

OK, bite #1 – Palestine. Directly and indirectly (through the UN) we have planned to give them up to $411 million this year. Palestine is run by Hamas which we consider a terrorist organization, mostly due to their stated goal of wiping Israel off the map. A few days ago, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniveh said the US was the leader of an “unholy alliance” that threatened his country. OK, we’ll just keep that check. We wouldn’t want to offend them with our unholy money. $411 million won’t fix the deficit, but I think we can safely keep that bite. And perhaps a review of the rest of the $20 billion might help as well.

By the way, remember Israel, who Palestine says shouldn’t exist? They pay Palestine $50 million each month for “tax revenue.” Without foreign aid, including that from Israel, Palestine has nothing. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Oh, and a newsflash just in… Iran has pledged $50 million to their Palestinian brothers. See, we don’t have to carry the world’s burden after all.

Bite #2 – unemployment. We have approximately 7 million unemployed Americans. That is a drain on the economy in a few ways. The government pays unemployment to those that are unemployed; they are not earning an income and paying taxes; and they are not buying as many goods as they could to generate a stronger, healthier economy. We’ve been overwhelmed lately with articles and news about immigration, so I’ll keep this part short. Unless those 12 million illegal aliens (yes, I know I didn’t call them undocumented workers) are sleeping all day, they are taking 12 million jobs which should be available to our 7 million Americans. Remember the furor caused about foreign companies watching our ports? Seems like we’ve got plenty of Americans to fill those jobs too. Yes, I know that 12 million plus any number of port jobs is greater than the 7 million unemployed. But we can open those jobs up to LEGAL immigrants and allow them to come from all nations as appropriate. Let’s reward those who follow the law and not those that break it.

Stop the flow of money given to people that hate us and fight against us. Help Americans – our families and friends - work. These are just a few bites, but take them and the balanced budget buffet has begun.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.


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Patriotism - United In One Cause

In 1776, early American patriot Samuel Adams opened a talk to the Massachusetts state assembly with these words, “We are on this continent - to the astonishment of the world – three million souls united in one cause.”

I am sure the founding fathers had their differences, but they had a common goal. And as a result, the world saw this brave new nation united; the United States of America.

I am sad to say that our “united” meter in America is bottoming out today. Ironically it is the yearly State of the Union event that clearly demonstrates our lack of unity. It doesn’t matter if the President is a Democrat or Republican. The President makes a point and more often than not, half the Congress stands while the other half sits with arms crossed, pouting, or even heckling. Three million souls united? We can’t even unite 540 Senators and Representatives.

Do you remember the last time we as Americans were united? I’m guessing it was 9/11. I remember the entire Congress standing together shortly after 9/11 in response to a speech by President Bush. It seemed that most of the nation was right behind them. It was an awful time, but we were indeed united.

It is no longer so. I still see the bumper stickers that say, “9/11 We Will Not Forget”, but some memories certainly seem to have vanished. Hindsight turns into blame; conspiracy theories run rampant; it’s all Bush’s fault; it’s the fault of the CIA …or the FBI; let’s point fingers at the war in Afghanistan or Iraq; no, lets be divisive over the Patriot Act. Politics fueled by the press has returned in the worst way with a vengeance.

What will it take for us to be united again? A President like Reagan who can make people proud to be Americans again? Another 9/11 disaster, God forbid? Or maybe - just maybe - it’s up to you and me.

That’s right. Do your part to foster unity and patriotism in your circle of influence. Vote for people who will bring back national pride and a common purpose. Be leaders and choose leaders who believe that America’s best days are ahead of us and not behind us. Each act you and I make can be a brush stroke towards the masterpiece of a renewed and united American patriotism.

One more brush stroke: work hard to get the right people elected; but before you call yourself a Republican, Democrat, or Independent; before you call yourself a Conservative, Liberal, or Moderate; be proud to say that you are an American. A citizen of the United States of America. And remember, as in Samuel Adams’ day, the world is watching.

Steve

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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The Separation of Church and State – Has anyone actually read the Constitution?

Separation of Church and State. That phrase is used by everyone. Where does it come from? What does it mean? Is it in the Constitution? The Bill of Rights? The Declaration of Independence? No one knows because the answer is none of the above. And no one seems to know it. I even heard a TV anchor call it the “Constitutional Separation of Church and State.” Some editor missed a fact check.

But the phrase is used as fact to address every issue from school prayer to creation vs. evolution to displaying the ten commandments to faith-based groups being approached by the government. I’ll bet it was even used to fight lawmakers trying to tell Georgia teens how sexy they could be when they danced at school.

The phrase in question actually comes from a letter (available from the Library of Congress) from Thomas Jefferson to three Baptist gentlemen in Connecticut in 1802 and is not part of our legal system. Jefferson wrote this to interpret the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Amendment I, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;…" This is commonly referred to as the Establishment Clause. What it means is the government cannot say you have to be a Presbyterian or a Christian or a Jedi to be an American. What it does NOT mean is that anyone with a problem with religion of any kind can invoke five sacred words and have their way.

So stop hiding behind the catch phrase and let’s look at the issues.

School prayer – some people want it. Really? Any prayer? A prayer before a football game or graduation to God, Jesus, Allah, Vishnu, Satan, or the positive energies of the universe? What if someone’s prayer demands something distasteful to another religion? The law is that government – here in the form of your local schools – cannot decree that a prayer to this deity is OK and prayer to another one is not. So the sticky part is to allow the “free exercise thereof…” without respecting one establishment. Can’t be done.

Creation vs. Evolution – believe what you want. What should be taught in school? How about math, reading, writing, and real science? Evolution can be taught if you remember it’s only a theory. Creation can be discussed because it’s an alternative theory. We can debate all day (or read 35 million web sites) on which is more accurate. Lay out the alternatives and discuss pros and cons. Let students think like they’re supposed to and we’re good.

Ten Commandments – It’s always been ironic to me that the Supreme Court is decorated with the ten commandments, but these arguments still continue. The ten commandments are not unique to any one religion. And while it’s true that there are religions out there that do not recognize them as having any value, I don’t care if alleged criminals have to walk past religious laws of Babylon on their way to court. As long as you don’t put someone away for coveting his neighbor’s… um stuff, you’re not violating the letter or spirit of the law.

The next time someone rambles off the “separation of church and state” phrase, check their motives and call them on the table. That my friends is common sense.

Steve Adams was born and raised in Ohio, graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Computer Science degree in 1988, and subsequently moved to Lexington KY. He has worked at Lexmark International since 1989 and has been a Part Time Local Pastor at St. Luke UMC since 2004. He is married with two children. He is not politically correct, but is politically active. He is a registered Republican, married to a registered Democrat, and running for President of the United States as a write-in candidate on the independent ticket. No joke. You can read all about it on www.PresidentAdams.com or e-mail Steve directly at Steve@PresidentAdams.com.

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