What is Constructivism?!? (And why the heck is it in Texas Elementary Schools....)

Via Texas CSCOPE Review; the video is longwinded, but good background for the emerging debate of Texas School Finance:


Highlights:

• Teaches kids to 'create their own knowledge.

• Permissive 'education' on Steroids.

• Marginalizing Teachers in favor of 'facilitators.'

• The whole thing is based on feelings, not facts.

Cahnman's Musings will have more on this, and similar topics, in the next few months.

Discovery Missions: Can Christianity Survive in it's Birthplace?!?

This piece from Discovery Missions is a must read.

Chronicling Joe Straus' Shady Leadership

This video from Voices Empower details a number of the questionable actions of Joe Straus' leadership team in the Texas House of Representatives beyond the spending issues that fuel my opposition:


Lowlights:

• Straus attempted to re-district conservatives off the State Board of Education.

• Straus helped keep a registered lobbyist on SBOE.

• Straus' family has a financial stake in Casino Gambling.

Check out the entire devastating post from Voices Empower here.

That's why Cahnman's Musings supports Bryan Hughes for Texas House Speaker.

Karl Marx's Priorities

"And devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God.  And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ." John 4:41 

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

"My object in life is to dethrone God and destroy capitalism." Karl Marx

One area where political conservatives need to improve dramatically is our study of the vulnerabilities of the left.  They do it to us.  We fail to return the favor.

Look at that Karl Marx quote.  Notice, very specifically, that dethroning God was Marx's top priority.  Destroying capitalism was a distant second.

Have you ever noticed that the left's top priority, by far, is to remove God from public life?!?  Why is that?!?  It's because the left understands that if they win the spiritual battle, everything else will fall into place.

Consider, also, that quote from Luke's gospel.  While the religious leaders of the time didn't recognize Jesus, the demons sure did.  The modern political left is no different.

Too often, political conservatives respond to spiritual warfare with a discussion of public policy.  That's insane and it needs to end.  If political conservatives meet spiritual wickedness with spiritual righteousness,  then public policy will take care of itself.

If individual politically conservative Americans seek God, we can turn this ship around.  The left can only win with God out of the picture; we win with Him on the throne.  The logistical challenge is that tens of millions of people need to make an individual spiritual decision.

As for yourself, dear reader, no time like the present.

Chad Hampton: The Fight of Your Life

This sermon, which our student pastor gave back in June, was intended for kids heading into college; I think it doubles as a very succinct presentation of why political conservatives need to seek God:



 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.  And your feet shod with the preparation of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the firey darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Praying always, with all prayer and supplcation in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all persecution and supplication for all saints.  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel.  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Highlights:

• There's spiritual warfare going on around us whether we like it or not.

• We're fighting against the Devil; taking on this fight by ourselves is INSANE!!!

• If you don't have the whole armor of God, you're setting yourself up for failure.

• We know what the big boy can do; God is our clean-up hitter.

• Satan knows your strengths and weaknesses.

• We're not fighting men (ie. Barack Obama), we're fighting spiritual wickedness in high places.

• The Great Deciever wants you to believe the truth isn't true; parallels with Obama are obvious.

• God is who He says He is and can do infinately more than we can do on our own.

Joe Straus: Obstacle to Prosperity

I met Bryan Hughes last night, and was generally impressed; I'll have a lot more to say on the positive side of this race shortly.

In the meantime, I want to piggyback on this piece from Empower Texans, because it encapsulates the importance of the Texas House Speaker's race to the long term economic future of Texas.

The piece, entitled "Dewhurst Doubles Down" details Lt. Governor David Dewhurst's welcome Road to Damascus-esque fiscal conversion.  Under the leadership of a chastened Lt. Governor Dewhurst, Cahnman's Musings is cautiously optimistic the Texas Senate will act as prudent stewards of the people's money.  Unfortunately, we are forced to concur with this assessment of the Texas House:

House Speaker Joe Straus refuses to make any commitments towards reducing spending, opposing new taxes, or preserving a strong Rainy Day Fund.  He's sent out many signals since the end of the 82nd session indicating the state should instead look for more revenue....

In other words, Governor Rick Perry supports prudent financial stewardship.  A chastened Lt. Governor Dewhurst is also saying the right things.  However, the man who the Texas Constitution grants near dictatorial powers over the Texas State House dogmatically refuses to commit to prudent stewardship of the people's money.

Governor Perry frequently cites four factors behind Texas' economic success.  Number one is "do not spend all the money;" when government is frivolous with the people's money, the people cannot pursue productive activity.  It's common sense.

Joe Straus' spendthrift leadership is an obstacle to prosperity Texas cannot afford; that's why Cahnman's Musings supports Bryan Hughes for Texas House speaker.

Breitbart.com's disappointing anti-Rand Paul straw man

I clicked on Breitbart.com this morning and found this disappointing headline:

Rand Paul Threatens Filibuster Of Defense Bill to Release Potential Terrorists.

 Sounds pretty bad, doesn't it?!?

When you read the article, however, you discover:

He's threatening to filibuster Defense funding unless he gets a vote on an amendment that would curtail indefinite detention of potential terrorists.

In other words,  Rand Paul is talking about repealing the NDAA, not releasing Islamic Terrorists.

Disappointing; Breitbart.com can and should do better.