Saturday, August 30, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Holden's Failure
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Driven by the crisis in energy costs, Republicans in the U.S. House pooled their energy strategy into a single piece of legislation, the American Energy Act. The bill would increase the supply of American-produced energy and promote new energy technologies to help lower the price at the pump, and reduce America's dangerous dependence on foreign energy sources.
Because the package includes domestic drilling, Speaker Nancy Pelosi avoided a vote by prematurely adjourning the House for five weeks. The motion to adjourn was passed on July 30 by a single vote. Congressman Todd Platts, R-York, opposed adjournment to continue work on energy solutions to reduce energy prices for Americans. So did 17 responsible Democrats.
Congressman Tim Holden, D-Schuylkill, voted with Pelosi to adjourn, abandoning his responsibility to his district to lower gas prices and reduce American dependence on foreign oil.
Holden's failure -- the failure of the Democrats -- to address this economic crisis hurts American families, businesses and the economy. It also threatens American security. Voters in Holden's 17th District should reconsider their support for the congressman. Much is at stake.
-- WARREN S. HUDAK JR., Fairview Twp.
Short sentiment
I'm trying to think of the shortest letter to the editor in the history of The Patriot-News. My offering is one word with four letters: "Vote."
-- GEORGE GEISLER SR., Camp Hill
Source: http://www.pennlive.com/patriotnews/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/121860080085930.xml&coll=1
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Americans' attitude toward home schooling
After having homeschooled for over ten years and not much has changed when it comes to people's general perception of home education. Allie Martin writes the following in OneNewsNow
A survey finds the majority of Americans believe parents have a constitutional right to home school their children.
The survey was conducted last spring by LifeWay Research shortly after a California appeals court ruled that parents did not have a constitutional right to home school their kids. However, the same California court has since reversed its earlier decision, saying the state legislature implicitly accepted that home schooling was legal.
According to the survey of 1,200 Americans, 61 percent agreed strongly that the Constitution guarantees the right of parents to home school, while 25 percent agreed somewhat. Eight percent disagreed, five percent disagreed strongly, and two percent did not know. But Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, says the survey revealed a concern among the public that home schooling fails to provide "adequate socialization skills" for students.
"We do a poll -- we don't ask is this right or wrong, we ask what do people think. And they do think this is a concern," he points out. "I've home schooled as well, and I've found myself having to explain to people, on more than one occasion, that we find socialization in many places other than a school system. So I think people have to recognize that it is a concern of the culture," said Stetzer. And because of that, he notes, it is "a perception that home-schooling families need to overcome."
Fifty-four percent agreed with the statement that children who are home schooled often lack social skills. However, Stetzer thinks parents who home school can help educate the culture about the positive aspects of home schooling.
A survey finds the majority of Americans believe parents have a constitutional right to home school their children.
The survey was conducted last spring by LifeWay Research shortly after a California appeals court ruled that parents did not have a constitutional right to home school their kids. However, the same California court has since reversed its earlier decision, saying the state legislature implicitly accepted that home schooling was legal.
According to the survey of 1,200 Americans, 61 percent agreed strongly that the Constitution guarantees the right of parents to home school, while 25 percent agreed somewhat. Eight percent disagreed, five percent disagreed strongly, and two percent did not know. But Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, says the survey revealed a concern among the public that home schooling fails to provide "adequate socialization skills" for students.
"We do a poll -- we don't ask is this right or wrong, we ask what do people think. And they do think this is a concern," he points out. "I've home schooled as well, and I've found myself having to explain to people, on more than one occasion, that we find socialization in many places other than a school system. So I think people have to recognize that it is a concern of the culture," said Stetzer. And because of that, he notes, it is "a perception that home-schooling families need to overcome."
Fifty-four percent agreed with the statement that children who are home schooled often lack social skills. However, Stetzer thinks parents who home school can help educate the culture about the positive aspects of home schooling.
Friday, August 15, 2008
An Open Letter to Congressman Tim Holden
Dear Congressman Holden,
I am the sponsor parent for the Generation Joshua Keystone Club of Central Pennsylvania. We started the club in July of 2005 and have been consistently running since then. The teenagers are between the ages of 11 and 19 from Perry, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lancaster, Cumberland and York Counties. We meet once a month to pray, talk about a passage of Scripture, discuss politics and other current events, as well as to study books relevant to impacting the society and culture. In the past, the club has also done service projects with a local crisis pregnancy center and Bethesda Mission, as well as non-partisan voter registration drives.
I write to ask you to please reconsider our invitation to debate with Toni Gilhooley on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. It will only be for an hour, from 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.
The kids have been involved with various political activities in the past, but this is the first time they are sponsoring a debate and are looking forward to the experience – learning something new about the political process during an election year.
I know that you are a busy man and probably have many functions to attend, but I just thought that I would appeal to you in behalf of these teenagers who have chosen to participate in government even before their voting years. Unlike their peers who may not be tuned in to the news, yet alone politics, the Gen J Club members are practicing good citizenship and training for leadership. I know that they would appreciate witnessing a legislative leader model sensitivity and appreciation for their level of patriotism.
I am including a copy of the Press Release we sent out. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Corie Moore,
I am the sponsor parent for the Generation Joshua Keystone Club of Central Pennsylvania. We started the club in July of 2005 and have been consistently running since then. The teenagers are between the ages of 11 and 19 from Perry, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lancaster, Cumberland and York Counties. We meet once a month to pray, talk about a passage of Scripture, discuss politics and other current events, as well as to study books relevant to impacting the society and culture. In the past, the club has also done service projects with a local crisis pregnancy center and Bethesda Mission, as well as non-partisan voter registration drives.
I write to ask you to please reconsider our invitation to debate with Toni Gilhooley on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg. It will only be for an hour, from 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon.
The kids have been involved with various political activities in the past, but this is the first time they are sponsoring a debate and are looking forward to the experience – learning something new about the political process during an election year.
I know that you are a busy man and probably have many functions to attend, but I just thought that I would appeal to you in behalf of these teenagers who have chosen to participate in government even before their voting years. Unlike their peers who may not be tuned in to the news, yet alone politics, the Gen J Club members are practicing good citizenship and training for leadership. I know that they would appreciate witnessing a legislative leader model sensitivity and appreciation for their level of patriotism.
I am including a copy of the Press Release we sent out. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Corie Moore,
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Candidates for the 17th Congressional District Debate
Sunday, August 17, 2008
3:00 PM at the Ballroom
The National Civil War Museum
1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, PA 17103
1-866-BLU-GRAY
___________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2008
Contact: Glenn Bertsch
Phone (570) 622-7001
E-mail: keystonegenj@yahoo.com
Harrisburg PA - The Keystone Gen J Club, a local chapter of Generation Joshua is hosting a debate of the 17th Congressional District candidates, incumbent Congressman Tim Holden and Republican challenger, Toni Gilhooley. This event takes place on Sunday, August 17, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Ballroom of the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg.
Glenn Bertsch, Keystone Gen J Club President and resident of Schuylkill County, believes that sponsoring a debate will be a good learning experience for the group and the public. “After participating in campaign activities across the country, I am excited to host this debate for our local candidates. It is important to educate voters so they can make an informed decision regarding their vote. We are hopeful that both candidates will participate in the debate.”
The voters of the 17th Congressional District may submit their questions for the debate by emailing them to keystonegenj@yahoo.com. Club members will be in the panel with Glenn Bertsch moderating.
To date, only Toni Gilhooley has accepted the invitation. This event is free and open to the public.
# # #
The Keystone Gen J Club was founded in July of 2005 by teenage students who wanted to actively impact their community and country through service projects, by staying on top of current events, participating in the political process, and gaining leadership training through book discussions. They meet in Harrisburg on a monthly basis with members coming from different areas in Central Pennsylvania.
Generation Joshua is designed for Christian youth between the ages of 11 and 19 who want to become a force in the civic and political arenas. Our goal is to ignite a vision in young people to help America return to her Judeo-Christian foundations. We provide students with hands-on opportunities to implement that vision. There are five major divisions to Generation Joshua. Each division contributes to the entire program in a unique way. The divisions are: Civics Education, GenJ Clubs, Voter Registration Initiatives, Student Action Teams, and Benjamin Rush Awards Program. To learn more, visit http://www.GenerationJoshua.org.
3:00 PM at the Ballroom
The National Civil War Museum
1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, PA 17103
1-866-BLU-GRAY
___________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
August 4, 2008
Contact: Glenn Bertsch
Phone (570) 622-7001
E-mail: keystonegenj@yahoo.com
Harrisburg PA - The Keystone Gen J Club, a local chapter of Generation Joshua is hosting a debate of the 17th Congressional District candidates, incumbent Congressman Tim Holden and Republican challenger, Toni Gilhooley. This event takes place on Sunday, August 17, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at the Ballroom of the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg.
Glenn Bertsch, Keystone Gen J Club President and resident of Schuylkill County, believes that sponsoring a debate will be a good learning experience for the group and the public. “After participating in campaign activities across the country, I am excited to host this debate for our local candidates. It is important to educate voters so they can make an informed decision regarding their vote. We are hopeful that both candidates will participate in the debate.”
The voters of the 17th Congressional District may submit their questions for the debate by emailing them to keystonegenj@yahoo.com. Club members will be in the panel with Glenn Bertsch moderating.
To date, only Toni Gilhooley has accepted the invitation. This event is free and open to the public.
# # #
The Keystone Gen J Club was founded in July of 2005 by teenage students who wanted to actively impact their community and country through service projects, by staying on top of current events, participating in the political process, and gaining leadership training through book discussions. They meet in Harrisburg on a monthly basis with members coming from different areas in Central Pennsylvania.
Generation Joshua is designed for Christian youth between the ages of 11 and 19 who want to become a force in the civic and political arenas. Our goal is to ignite a vision in young people to help America return to her Judeo-Christian foundations. We provide students with hands-on opportunities to implement that vision. There are five major divisions to Generation Joshua. Each division contributes to the entire program in a unique way. The divisions are: Civics Education, GenJ Clubs, Voter Registration Initiatives, Student Action Teams, and Benjamin Rush Awards Program. To learn more, visit http://www.GenerationJoshua.org.
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