Fighting Hate Crimes

by Shonda Ponder
November 21, 2017

Eliot Engel made a statement on his congressional website about transgender hate crimes on the "Transgender Day of Remembrance" where he cited 25 transgender people who had been killed in hate crimes. The goal of this statement was to bring attention to the Equality Act. He is pleading for this law to be passed.

This all sounds well and good; however, why should one hate crime be treated any differently than any other hate crime? And, how will this law protect anyone from being killed?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This has not stopped hate crimes, and to use the Transgender Day of Remembrance in order to further an agenda of having the Equality Act passed which would add sexual stereotypes to this list of people who are not to be discriminated against seems moot.

For instance, according to a Washington Post report, there were 6,121 hate crimes during the year 2016 -- which is up from 5,850 in 2015. Did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 do them any good? Yet, for 25 transgender individuals, we’re supposed to pass the Equality Act. How absurd is this? What is the Equality Act going to do that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 didn't do except make it impossible for people who have religious preferences to act on their conscience.

We shouldn't be focused on using hate crimes as a means to pass legislation that has nothing to do with curbing hate crimes. Those 25 people still would have been killed if there was such a law. Just like outlawing guns will not stop criminals from obtaining them.

Maybe there should be a law that says it's against the law to hate anyone. Oh wait there is such a law: murder is supposed to be against the law. Did it stop anyone from murdering those 25 transgender individuals? Did it stop anyone from murdering those 6,121 people in 2016?

It's obvious that love and hate are not something that can be legislated or forced upon people. The only way love and hate is spread is through practice. And, the only way hate can be ever be conquered is by choosing to love. Isn't it ironic that every place that is available for people to learn to love is being torn apart by the government: family, religion, charitable organizations, they are all under attack by all of these new laws and regulations being passed in Congress today because of a few people who hatefully object.

And yet even against these, the Bible still has a lot of wisdom for those who would like to fight hate. Galatians 5:22, 23 has this to say:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

You don't have to be a religious zealot to believe this, or to know that it is true. All you have to do is search the law books and the Constitution in order to try to find in it any law against any of the fruits of the spirits mentioned here. Yet, if everyone practiced these fruits of the spirit there would be no hate crimes. There would be no need for legislation in order to deal with them. Instead, those who choose not to believe what has been written thousands of years before they were born are making it impossible for our progeny to learn how to practice these fruits of the spirit.

My question then remains: how is passing legislation that is designed to prevent people from discriminating going to prevent people from Hating?
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Permission is granted to re-use this Op-Ed in its entirety in any media outlet so long as proper credit is given to the author (Shonda Ponder) along with her email address at ponderaa1@gmail.com

US troops in Japan banned from drinking after fatal crash

Source: KCTV5

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Serial killer Charles Manson dies

Source: News Hub

Charles Manson, the cult leader of the Manson family who were responsible for the murder of actress Sharon Tate among others, died on Sunday at a hospital in California. He was 83.

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Customs and Border Protection agent dies after being injured in west Texas

Source: Los Angeles Times

One U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was killed and another seriously injured Sunday while responding to suspicious activity in the west Texas Big Bend area, officials said.

Agent Rogelio Martinez, 36, and his partner, whose name was not released, were injured and taken to a hospital, officials said. Martinez died and his partner was in serious condition.

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99 Representatives Urge Army Not to Award Bergdahl Back Pay

Washington, D.C. - November 16, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR, 1st), along with 99 fellow Representatives, wrote a letter to Ryan D. McCarthy, the Acting Secretary of the United States Army, urging the United States Army not to award Private Bowe Bergdahl any back pay prior to or subsequent to separation from the United States Army. A copy of that letter may be found here.

“As an Army veteran myself, I’m very concerned that Private Bergdahl may receive more money in back pay than the families of the fallen soldiers who lost their lives searching for him,” Crawford said. “That sends the wrong message to our servicemen and women, and I don’t believe the pay is deserved. While we should always do everything in our power to bring home prisoners of war, given the circumstances of Bergdahl’s capture and his admission of desertion, I don’t think it is appropriate to award that pay.”

According to Army Times: “Bergdahl was captured after walking off base on June 30, 2009, while deployed to Paktika province with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He pleaded guilty in October to desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. On Nov. 3, a military judge ruled Bergdahl would not serve any jail time but be dishonorably discharged from the Army and reduced in rank to private.”

Despite his dishonorable discharge and demotion, Bergdahl remains eligible for significant back pay. Captive soldiers normally receive special compensation worth around $150,000 in addition to hostile-fire pay and their basic pay they accumulated during the captivity.

According to Army Times: “’Based upon the results of trial, the Army is reviewing Sgt. Bergdahl’s pay and allowances,’ Lt. Col. Randy Taylor told Army Times. ‘His final pay and allowances will be determined in accordance with DoD policy and Army regulation.’”

Read more news about Bowe Bergdahl on the Bowe Bergdahl page at The Ponder News by clicking HERE

Members Introduce Articles of Impeachment

Washington, D.C. - November 16, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), the ranking member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice, and colleagues, has introduced five Articles of Impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. See the articles here and a summary here.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“The time has come to make clear to the American people and to this President that his train of injuries to our Constitution must be brought to an end through impeachment. I believe there is evidence that he attempted to obstruct an investigation into Russia’s interference with the U.S. presidential election and links between between Russia and the Trump campaign, most notably the firing of FBI Director James Comey. The president’s blatant refusal to separate himself from his businesses has led to clear instances of conflict of interest that appear to violate both the domestic and foreign emoluments clauses. And his attacks on ‘so-called’ judges and ‘fake news’ have undermined public confidence in the judiciary and the press. It’s time for Congress to take action to stop this reckless and harmful behavior by removing Mr. Trump from office and to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States.”

Congressman Luis Gutierrez (IL-04) made the following statement:

“Congress has the power of impeachment when behavior by the President puts the nation and our laws at risk and I think we are at that point, despite the ongoing, important investigations. Congress needs to step in when there is evidence that the President is interfering with the judicial branch, obstructing or disrupting investigations, or if the President is profiting improperly from his office. This is the start of a long process and it needs to get started now because as a Member of Congress and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, it is my job.”

Congressman Al Green (TX-09) made the following statement:

“This brings us another step closer to impeachment.”

Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) made the following statement:

“In the nearly 300 days since he was sworn in, it has become evident that President Trump is a clear and present danger to our democracy. It is high time that Congress take a serious look at the President’s actions,” said Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, (OH-11). “If those actions are found to be in violation of the Constitution, then the Congress of the United States needs to do the job the American people elected us to do.”

Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY13) made the following statement:

“Donald Trump is a threat to our national security and to our justice, and once and for all, we are taking a stand to formally call for his impeachment in the name of our constituents, in support of our Constitution, and for the protection of our Democracy,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). “Trump is dangerous and nearly every month that he has served in office, Americans have witnessed some violation of our values, civil liberties, and access to opportunities that represent who we are at home and to our allies around the world. Mr. Trump is failing and has turned back the clock on the more than 50 years of progress our country has made in civil rights and equality. He has obstructed justice, violated the Constitution, and undermined the independence of our judicial system and the freedom of the press. The evidence is there, and the course of action is clear. It’s time to impeach Trump now.”

Visit The Ponder News Web Site for more news!

Should Washington, D.C. be Made a State?

https://www.thepondernews.com/should-dc-be-made-a-state

In a recent press release honoring D.C. Veterans, House Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced a resolution honoring D.C. Veterans for their honorable sacrifices, even though they don't have voting rights, because D.C. isn't a state. She then called for a vote to change that.

The question, then, is should D.C. be made a state?

I think it is necessary to ask the question, why isn't D.C. a state already? The answer lies in the founding of D.C. itself, which resulted from an agreement by the North and the South due to the nature of politics in that day. According to a Time article, "the founders worried that if the capital were to be a state, the members of the government would be unduly beholden to it. Madison envisioned that voting members of a D.C. state would be able to ‘insult’ or ‘interrupt’ the proceedings of government to get their way, simply by virtue of physical proximity to the halls of power."

Now the question is should D.C. citizens have better access to governmental proceedings, therefore being able to influence government due to the fact that they are so close to the Capital? Is it really a good idea to have D.C. become a state?

 Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution reads,

“The Congress shall have Power To …exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States.”

Re-Authorizing CHIP: CHAMPION Act Passes House

Washington, D.C. - November 7, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Championing Health Kids Act, H.R. 3922 by a vote of 242-174 on November 3, 2017.
It now goes to the Senate.
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The Championing Healthy Kids Act, H.R. 3922, uses offsets to fund CHIP and programs like community health centers while eliminating $5 billion in scheduled cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH). The bill includes a two-year extension of funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which focus on delivering health care to underserved populations through community-based and patient-centered models.

The CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act (H.R. 3922) includes:
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Five year extension of Children’s Health Insurance Program;

Two year extension of Community Health Center funding at $3.6 billion;

Eliminates Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) reductions;

Two year extension of funding for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, the Youth Empowerment Program,

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers, Funding for the National Health Service Corps, Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education, and the Personal Responsibility Education Program are included in this bill;

Two year Extension of the Special Diabetes Program for Type 1 Diabetes and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians; and

Over $1 billion for the Medicaid programs in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The bill includes pay-for provisions such as limiting Medicaid benefits for lottery winners and requiring those making over $500,000 to pay for their Medicare premiums.

Not everyone is happy with the bill. Senator Sherrod Brown (D - OH) maintains of the CHAMPION Act that while similar to the Senate bill, it creates winners and losers by funding CHIP by raising costs for Ohio seniors and cutting critical public health funds. The bill would reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by cutting funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Immediately after the vote, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH, 3rd) issued the following statement:

“Ensuring children can see their doctor should not be a partisan issue. Unfortunately, today’s bill to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program has fallen prey to partisan politics, and many children and families will suffer as a result. Instead of forcing draconian cuts on community health programs that help at-risk Americans and countless working families in exchange for CHIP funding, Congress needs to focus on providing all Americans access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.”

Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI, 1st) offered that, "with our national debt over $20 trillion, Congress must also be vigilant about how we prioritize spending on federal programs."

"Using the Prevention and Public Health Fund to pay for CHIP will harm the overall health of our communities. This bill would result in a cut of about $25 million for important Oregon public health initiatives over the next five years. That is unacceptable," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR, 1st).

The House Democrats are screaming against the cut in funding for the Prevention and Public Health fund in order to fund CHIP. Congressman Brendan Boyle (D-PA, 13th) voted to reauthorize CHIP for two years in 2015, and signed onto a congressional letter last month urging House leadership to bring a clean reauthorization bill up for a vote as soon as possible. He is not happy with the current Bill.

In 2015 more than 8.4 million children received their insurance through the CHIP program and 24 million patients were served by Federally Qualified Health Centers.

A Bill Against Vehicular Terrorism

By Shonda Ponder, editor
The Ponder News
https://www.thepondernews.com/abillagainstvehicularterrorism

With all the bills in Congress right now against guns arising from the number of mass shootings and murders in the United States, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to try to do something about the number of vehicular assaults.

I wonder how many times someone has used a vehicle to try to hurt someone. I know of several people who have been wounded due to someone else using their vehicle in an assaulting way -- but until now, no one seemed to want to strike out against vehicles as a weapon the way they have guns. After all, people depend on their vehicles in a more intimate way than they depend on their guns. Vehicles are a way of life. Without them, many would not be able to get to work in order to support their families. Guns are only their for a "just in case" scenario, or for hunting sports.

I love the taste of deer sausage; but, you are not going to get me to eat roadkill.

According to a press release from House Representative Robert E. (Bob) Latta (R OH, 5th), he has introduced legislation "to combat vehicular terrorism and direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide feedback to Congress on the issue. The Vehicular Terrorism Prevention Act, which follows up on previous efforts by Latta to protect Americans against vehicular terrorism, directs the DHS to report to Congress on their efforts to assess and prevent terrorist acts involving vehicles. Specifically, the report would include the current threat level for vehicular attacks, what the department is currently doing to prevent vehicular terrorism, how the threat can be mitigated, and a clarification on the extent to which DHS is doing outreach to private sector partners. It would also include any recommendations on what Congress can do to aid DHS efforts to prevent vehicular terrorism."

Okay, so what happens when the DHS figures out that more people die from car assaults each day than guns? I'm curious. How many people have had wrecks they were found at fault in, then been charged with manslaughter because their passenger died? What do we do about them?

Sure, we can take their vehicle away. That's not going to stop the problem, because I know a lot of people who have refused to quit driving even though they don't have a license to drive. It hasn't stopped them any more than having a permit or having to get a background check has stopped criminals from somehow accessing guns in order to shoot up a crowd of people, or murder someone.

I'm sure they could find a way to make it harder to own a car, but the economy would suffer.

So, Bob Latta, what is your end game here? Why go through all the trouble? What is it going to accomplish?

I'm perplexed.

Pondering about the Sutherland Springs Mass Shooting...

Today at the Ponder, we've added some items to the web page. We hope you come and visit:
https://www.thepondernews.com/massshooting


November 07, 2017
Maybe there is a lesson in all this for us, as Christians...
Mike Lutz
There is a part of the Catholic mass called the General Intercession. It’s when prayers are requested for several special needs. After each subject, such as remember those who are sick, who have died, guidance for our church and political leader or peace in the Middle East, the congregation responds with “Lord hear our prayers” or something similar. Tragically I think most of us, me included, feel that once you pray everything is now in God’s hand. We walk out of church and go about blinded by the fact that we have prayed, and God alone will take care of everything. We fail to realize that God’s response to our prayers if for us to act. Maybe we pray for financial wealth. God may be telling us to get a better job, work a 2nd job or cut back on our expenditures. Money will not magically appear. We can’t sit home praying to win the lottery and expect God to buy the ticket for us. We must listen to what God has to say regarding our prayers. He does answer all of them and sometimes we may not like what he is telling us.
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Yesterday, while attending mass at St. John the Baptist, during the General Intercession my response to a host of issues to include peace was “Lord hear our prayers” I had no idea that in a few hours a craze individual would enter a church in Sutherland, Texas and kill 26 people while they were also praying to God for peace on Earth. Christianity, thru out the world is under attack and all we’re doing is praying for peace. Why are Christians being murdered thru out the world? What are the perpetrators of these violent acts afraid of? Do they view us as easy targets, knowing we lack the will to fight back?
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The Bible if full of passages telling us to love our enemy and to turn the other cheek when confronted with adversity. To be honest, I was trying to find a Bible passage to justify striking back at our enemies and I came upon Revelations 7-9, 7: Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8: but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9: And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
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I’m not saying God has spoken to me and we should act like our enemies, but we need not to coward up in a ball of fear. If God himself, one day said he had enough and he waged war against Satan and threw him out of heaven maybe we need to start speaking out and tell those who want to harm us, we also had enough.

November 07, 2017
Fudge Statement on Shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas
Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH, 11th)
“My heart breaks for the victims and their families in Sutherland Springs, Texas. I pray for peace and healing for the congregation of First Baptist Church and the entire Sutherland Springs community. It has been two years since the massacre at Emanuel A.M.E. in Charleston and a month after the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Congress must do more than offer our thoughts and prayers.”

November 07, 2017
Faso Statement on Tragedy at First Baptist Church in Texas
John Faso, (R-NY, 19th)
Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) released the following statement on the tragic shooting at First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs in Texas.

Congressman Faso: "The senseless and horrific tragedy in Texas over the weekend is heartbreaking. I am hopeful that the ongoing investigation will lead to answers as to why this individual chose to destroy so many lives and families and we will learn what more can be done to help prevent such tragedies. My heart goes out to the victims and their families."

November 07, 2017
CONGRESSMAN EVANS RESPONSE TO HORRIFIC MASS SHOOTING IN SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TEXAS
Dwight Evans (D PA, 2nd)
My heart is heavy and full of sadness for the families and friends of the victims in today's horrific massacre in Sutherland Springs, Texas. As a Congress, it's our job to keep our nation safe and secure. We grieve with the people of Texas, and during our mourning we must stand with them to fight for and pass common sense gun reform. We cannot let another tragedy happen on our watch.

November 07, 2017
Esty Statement on Mass Shooting in Sutherland Springs
Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 5th)
Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) has released the following statement in response to the mass shooting at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, the second mass shooting in the past five weeks. The killing, which happened just 35 days after a mass shooter fired on a country music concert in Las Vegas, killing 58 and wounding hundreds more, is the fifth-deadliest in modern American history:

“Our hearts are broken once again with the news from Texas tonight. It’s become increasingly clear that we have two choices: accept this senseless carnage as the new normal in our society, or stand as Americans against the force of the corporate gun lobby to prevent future tragedies. I’m ready to work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who will help to end the epidemic of gun violence in this country. I hope that responsible gun owners throughout our country will join me to find a better way forward and keep families safe.”

Esty, who represents Newtown, Connecticut, is a vice chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.

November 07, 2017
Texas Flags Lowered To Half-Staff In Honor Of the Lives Lost In Sutherland Springs
Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Governor Greg Abbott has ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of those lost in the horrific shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas today. Flags should remain at half-mast through Thursday, November 9, 2017.
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"There are no words to describe the pure evil that we witnessed in Sutherland Springs today," said Governor Abbott. "Our hearts are heavy at the anguish in this small town, but in time of tragedy, we see the very best of Texas. May God comfort those who've lost a loved one, and may God heal the hurt in our communities."

November 07, 2017
AG Paxton Statement on Shooting in Sutherland Springs
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
Attorney General Ken Paxton gave this statement after receiving news of today's shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas:
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“The thoughts and prayers of all Texans are with the people of Sutherland Springs as tragic reports come out of First Baptist Church. My office stands ready to assist local law enforcement as needed. Please join Angela and me as we pray for those impacted by this horrific shooting.”