Friday, November 3, 2017

Virginia Church Disinvites George Washington

Source: Institute on Religion and Democracy

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Washington, D.C. - November 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- A Virginia Episcopal parish in which George Washington regularly worshiped has announced that it will remove a plaque marking the former U.S. President.

Christ Episcopal Church in Alexandria, Virginia announced it is relocating out of the sanctuary two nearly 150-year-old marble plaques that memorialize its two most famous parishioners.

Washington as a parish vestryman facilitated Christ Church’s construction and was later a regular worshiper, also participating at Pohick Church near Mount Vernon, the Falls Church in Falls Church, Virginia and Truro Parish in Fairfax, Virginia. Robert E. Lee was a nearly lifelong parishioner at Christ Church, where he was baptized and confirmed in middle age after a personal religious rebirth. His daughter left the church a large endowment. Washington himself bequeathed the church a Bible.

In a statement, parish officials wrote that the plaques “make some in our presence feel unsafe or unwelcome”.

According to Episcopal Church statistics, Christ Church attendance has declined by approximately 25 percent in the past decade, while giving at the church has dropped by 20 percent.

IRD President Mark Tooley commented:

“Count me skeptical that Christ Church loses potential members over the plaques. Likelier the ties to Washington and Lee attract tourists and other visitors who wouldn’t otherwise attend.

“Washington’s faith almost certainly guided him toward opposition to slavery and emancipation for his own slaves. Christianity, based on the example of St. Paul, usually judges lives based on their trajectory and conclusion, not the sins of earlier life.

“Christ Church’s form of Episcopal liberalism invariably attracts a demographic that is nearly all middle and upper class, educated, socially liberal urban white people. Churches that stress their welcome-welcome-welcome message of inclusion over a firm orthodox theological message typically are, whether realizing it or not, actually welcoming some and discouraging others.

“In my visits to Christ Church I have noticed the well-dressed congregation is not very diverse. Removing the Washington and Lee plaques will not likely expand its demographic.”


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What's New Today at The Ponder -- 11/3/17

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November 02, 2017
Pondering the Opioid Epidemic
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November 02, 2017
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The APA welcomes the final report because it helps bring much-needed attention to this crisis. We are still reviewing the report’s contents for a full evaluation, but we stand ready to work with the administration, Congress and the states to help provide education, funding, training and support to address the opioid crisis. Our organization trains thousands of clinicians each year in the diagnosis and treatment of those with opioid use disorders. Additionally, we are an active partner in the Providers’ Clinical Support System for Medication Assisted Treatment coalition funded by SAMHSA. This national initiative provides training and mentoring in response to the prescription opioid misuse epidemic and increases the availability of pharmacotherapies to address opioid use disorder. Our more than 37,000 members are well aware of the impact this crisis is having in their communities and are working to provide the necessary care to curb the epidemic.
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November 02, 2017
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President Donald Trump and congressional Republican leaders can dress up this bill all they want, but the reality is this: The House tax legislation is a grade-A scam. Its primary feature—huge tax cuts for millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations—will be paid for by middle- and working-class families. It will threaten priorities such as Medicaid, Medicare, and education.
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GOVERNOR BROWN ISSUES STATEMENT ON REPUBLICAN TAX PROPOSAL
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November 02, 2017
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American Public Power Association
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November 02, 2017
API: HOUSE TAX BILL TAKES BOLD STEPS TO MODERNIZE THE NATION’S TAX CODE
American Petroleum Institute
Today the House Ways & Means Committee took a bold step to modernize the nation’s tax code to sustain U.S. economic growth, spur strong energy investment, and create American jobs and we commend Chairman Brady for his tremendous leadership on this issue,” said Gerard. “The last comprehensive update to the U.S. tax code was in 1986 and significant proposals, like lowering the corporate tax rate and strong cost-recovery provisions, will help ensure that our tax system is smart, fair and pro-growth to benefit American consumers, businesses, and the economy.
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November 02, 2017
Union: Working Families Worse Off Under House Tax Plan
American Federation of Government Employees
The tax plan unveiled by House leadership would mostly benefit those who need the help the least: wealthy individuals and large corporations. While the plan would lower the tax rate for many middle-income families, most would end up having more of their income taxed. And the plan would actually raise taxes on our poorest citizens.
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November 02, 2017
AFT on GOP Tax Proposal
American Federation of Teachers
We have long said that Donald Trump campaigned as a populist but would govern as an elitist, and the GOP-Trump tax giveaway bill released today epitomizes this view.
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November 02, 2017
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“Working people, seniors, and children will pay for this bill’s tax giveaways to corporations and the super wealthy by way of partisan gamesmanship that will force cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and public education. But to add insult to injury, the bill will starve communities of state and local public services, stifle job growth, and cause many middle class families to actually be hit with a tax increase.
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November 02, 2017
Council statement on GOP tax reform bill
The Ponder News
"Promoting savings, investment and economic growth is the goal of tax reform and retirement plans are how Americans save and invest. We are gratified today's proposal lets workers save for retirement in the way that best meets their financial security needs. We will work with Congress to ensure that retirement savings is protected as the tax reform process moves forward.”
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November 02, 2017
Statement from the President on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
The Ponder News
I applaud the House Ways and Means Committee for introducing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is another important step toward providing massive tax relief for the American people. My tax reform priorities have been the same since day one: bringing tax cuts for hardworking, middle-income Americans; eliminating unfair loopholes and deductions; and slashing business taxes so employers can create jobs, raise wages, and dominate their competition around the world. The policies of my Administration have already helped to drive the stock market to all-time highs and the unemployment rate to a 16-year low. Economic confidence is skyrocketing and our GDP grew 3 percent yet again this quarter.
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November 02, 2017
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November 02, 2017
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November 02, 2017
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November 02, 2017
OfficeMax refuses to print poster for event exposing homosexual agenda
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November 02, 2017
HRC-Led Amicus Briefs in Masterpiece Cakeshop SCOTUS Case Features Top Chefs, Businesses
The Ponder News
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The Ponder News
Briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court today indicate broad support for ensuring all Americans – including LGBTQ people – are treated fairly and equally when accessing public businesses. The Court will hear oral argument in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case on December 5th, and businesses large and small, conservatives, people of faith, and municipal leaders from across the country agreed in a series of briefs that businesses open to the public must serve everyone.
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http://thepondernews.blogspot.com/2017/11/amicus-briefs-demonstrate-broad-support.html

November 02, 2017
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney Lead Congressional Amicus Brief in Masterpiece Cakeshop Case
The Ponder News
U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) announced the filing of an Amicus Brief in support of equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and other marginalized groups in Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission. A ruling for Masterpiece Cakeshop could create a “license to discriminate” allowing businesses to deny service to Americans, including LGBTQ people. Senator Baldwin and Representative Maloney were joined on the brief by 35 Senators and 174 House members.
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http://thepondernews.blogspot.com/2017/11/us-senator-tammy-baldwin-representative.html

November 02, 2017
EVENT: Debate: ‘Masterpiece Cakeshop at US Supreme Court’ at Newseum on Nov. 13
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“Masterpiece Cakeshop at the U.S. Supreme Court: A Public Debate”
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THE MASTERPIECE CAKE SHOP SUPREME COURT CASE DOESN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH CAKE
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A case is headed to the Supreme Court in December that centers around Jack Phillips, the owner of the Colorado-based Masterpiece Cakeshop, who refused to make a cake for a same-sex wedding. But the case doesn’t actually have anything to do with cake—it’s rather an issue that hangs on the line between free speech and discrimination.
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https://www.thepondernews.com/masterpiececakeshop

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November 02, 2017
Teen childbirth linked to increased risk for heart disease
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http://thepondernews.blogspot.com/2017/11/teen-childbirth-linked-to-increased.html

November 02, 2017
November is American Diabetes Awareness Month
Understanding Diabetes
Today we are offering a book from Thriftbooks.com called "Understanding Diabetes": A guide for the layman to insure a complete understanding of diabetes. Written by top specialists in the field. Full of essential info on where to go and who to see to survive this condition.
Check it out...
http://thepondernews.com

Philadelphia’s beverage tax is working

Source: American Heart Association

Washington, D.C. - November 3, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- At Obesity Week 2017, a national conference on interventions to address obesity, Dr. Sara Bleich presented data on the Influence of Philadelphia Beverage Tax on Prices and Sales. The following comments from Nancy Brown, American Heart Association CEO are in response these new findings.

“Evaluators released preliminary data that show Philadelphia’s tax is working exactly as intended and exposes industry’s erroneous claims that are meant only to protect their profits at the expense of people’s health.

The data show that sweetened beverage purchases in Philadelphia have declined substantially since the tax took effect which is good for health. Moreover, overall sales in Philadelphia grocery stores remained steady, which is good news for local food sector employees and businesses.

We are pleased but not surprised by these findings; studies of sugary drink taxes in Berkeley and Mexico have also reported significant declines in purchases of unhealthy beverages. And with the revenue from Philadelphia’s tax being invested in important community priorities—from thousands of additional seats in quality early care and education programs to an ambitious plan to update the city’s parks, libraries and recreation centers—children and families will reap the benefits for years to come.

The American Heart Association remains committed to strongly supporting sugary drink taxes. Sugary drinks are the number one single source of added sugars for people in the United States. These preliminary data add to the evidence that sugary drink taxes can have a powerful impact on efforts to lower the rates of conditions like heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. We are proud to stand with courageous leaders in Philadelphia who care deeply about the health of their residents. We encourage other cities and states to follow their inspiring example.”

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases.

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