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There’s an interesting theory that posits the purification of American churches includes cultists fleeing orthodox Christianity via the establishment of heretical extra-biblical cults.

The cult watchers at Midwest Christian Outreach are now focused on Douglas Winston Phillips. Just so we understand the gravity of the situation, this is the first time in nearly ten years Midwest has issued anything close to its piece on Phillips. In fact, their previous article along these lines focused on another short guy - Bill Gothard. (Note: There’s a great photo of the two short guys next to each other on Jen’s Gems.)

What’s really interesting is that Don Veinot gave Mrs. Epstein permission to post a portion of the Midwest article on her blog! Apparently the folks at Midwestern Christian Outreach do not think Mrs. “E” is the lying railer Phillips and his henchmen say she is. On the other hand, it seems the Phillips camp failed to answer Mr. Veinot’s questions.

Hmmmm, not answering questions that would ensure accountability to the outside Christian world, while simultaneously insisting on blind accountability from the members of his Boerne “Christian” Assembly. Sure sounds like the behavior of a cult to me!

In related news, RC “I wasn’t legitimately defrocked, but I thank the Presbytery for not putting me on trial for the world to learn the ‘rest of the story’” Sproul, Jr. is seen….relaxing? We know his current work load cannot possibly be that taxing on him (see picture on the left), especially if he is spending his time on a newly available computer (see picture on the right).

 

There’s a rumor flying around the blog world that “wolves” can expect no quarter.

It’s about time!

When Normal Rockwell painted his famous “Let’s Give Him Enough and On Time,” America’s support for the war included self sacrifice on the part of all Americans. Our citizens were to cover our GI’s backs, and the point of the painting was seeing the GI’s ammunition belt nearly empty as an impetus to providing him the ammo needed, so the American GI could focus on fighting and defeating our mutual enemies.

Besides our country’s lack of self sacrifice on our fighting men and women’s behalf, GI access to information also differs vastly today than it did in World War II. Censorship of personal correspondence was routine when America was fighting Germany and Japan, while today the military struggles with which websites to block access to in order to maintain a semblance of operational security. This, of course, means today’s GI has unfettered access to the world of American politics.

Although politics hasn’t changed much since FDR’s day, since the Viet Nam War, politicians act as celebrities when they deliberately go out of their way to condemn a war our Soldiers are fighting.  Moreover, some of these self serving politicos seek to score political points by voting against funding our fellow Americans who are doing our country’s heavy lifting - fighting and dying to defeat America’s enemies.

As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, it is incumbent upon every American to note Hillary Rodham Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s recent NAY votes. Both of these political scoundrels deserve every American’s contempt regardless of which side of the political aisle one sits. Their actions are treasonous and, thus, we can point to politicians of both parties for the debacle in Iraq, not just the Republican administration.

The Clinton/Obama pandering to the anti-GI wing of their party is disgusting, and we need to ensure we make no mistake about the anti-GI wing of the Democratic Party. Although they can “claim” they support the Soldier but not the war, history has always shown that civilian support of war is crucial to success on the battlefield. Therefore, just as Jane Fonda provided aid and comfort to the enemy, Clinton and Obama now provide comfort to America’s enemies, which should disqualify either of them for the office of President of the United States, because the presidency includes the status of Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

Although we can point to the right of every American to dissent, when it comes to funding an ongoing war, US Senators do not enjoy the same status as Cindy Sheehan and her whiney Code Pink wimps. United States Senators can argue in the privacy of their offices about the validity of the war and a host of other subjects, but they have no right to undermine our fighting men and women. Senators Clinton’s and Obama’s NAY votes did exactly that – their votes undermine our fighting men and women. Their votes are a message to the American GI that their senior politicians do not support them. In the case of Clinton, she sent these brave men and women into harm’s way and now her vote tells them, “It sucks to be you.”

Clinton and Obama now enjoy the same status as Hanoi Jane, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, Alger Hiss, Benedict Arnold, Aldrich Ames, and other traitors who have sought to bring down the American Republic. Their actions are despicable and they deserve our scorn.

On this Memorial Day, please remember the service of our country’s brave men and women who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Please also remember the shameful behavior of two “Quislings” in our midst. You’ll know what to do.

The question of the day is the relationship between Doug Phillips, Matt Chancey and Hugh Hefner. Yes, that Hugh Hefner of Playboy infamy. Seems Vision Forum’s Director of Operations, Kevin Turley, has a son named Justin, who left Hollywood for the metropolis of Pipe Creek. Texas. However, before leaving Hollywood, seems Justin was in the alternative rock band Juune (now known as Until June).

On February 22, 2002, Juune played a concert under the stars with Jeremy Toback and the Jimmer Bolden Quintet at Pasadena’s Castle Green. For the very “special guests” that night, Hef’s bunnies were on hand for photo opportunities. That’s right, Hef’s Playboy Playmates. Furthermore, since this was an event to raise money for LA public schools, there was an auction as well. One of the items auctioned was an autographed Playboy Mansion Book by Hugh Hefner. Since this event was sponsored by a couple non-profits, we are sure Doug would approve.

Of course it isn’t quite clear if Justin performed that night, but it is clear that Justin is designing a new website for Matt Chancey (Justin has already completed one for Matt’s elder, Tom Keen). However, if Justin did play with the boys in the band that night, it kind of makes you wonder what Matt’s new site might look like.

You can read Justin’s blog here. Particularly interesting is the May 9, 2007 entry concerning Yankees. Considering Doug Phillips attended school in Boston and considering the drivel on SFU and Mrs. Bino, this definition seems quite apropos:

Yankee: “The popular name for the citizens of New England. This is what Webster says it means, “…a name for the people of New England” and, as their history is well-known to the civilized world, the whole world will understand us. The word extends to all their ten thousand schemes of deception and fraud and comprehends their every act of lying and stealing… from the days of Washington to the present hour… in all their political, legislative, executive, commercial, civil, moral, literary, sacred, profane, theological, and diabolical history.

The word Yankee when thus applied means meddlesome, impudent, insulant, pompous, boastful, unkind, ungrateful, unjust, knavish, false, deceitful, cowardly, swindling, thieving, robbing, brutal, and murderous. This Yankee country has given birth to Socialism, Mormonism, Spiritualism, and Abolitionism with every other devilism which has cursed the nation of unionism.”

For Justin, this may be one of the saddest songs he could have sung. Even sadder than being alone with someone or searching life for something new or finding truth is gone in your life or waiting and walking the streets all alone or being in love with foolish things - like writing posts on hate-filled blogs.

Kevin and son Justin. Justin worked for Doug Phillips as part of his “design” team.

Found this in the same Flickr file:

“Reports out of San Antonio indicate that another Christian has hired a courier in order to contact Douglas Winston Phillips Esquire. The courier arrived during a Sunday morning cult service but Phillips was warned by security of his advance. Phillips quickly adjourned the meeting by pulling the fire alarm and ducking beneath his wife’s hoop skirt, yelling, ‘Women and children first!’ This set off a chain reaction, all the way back to pew 7, of portly patriarchs imitating Fearless Leader. ‘I just want to find Doug Phillips,’ said the exasperated courier when every duo had finally and ploddingly emerged into the light of day. A long silence ensued. One of these Onward Christian Soldiers, whose hind quarters had trouble fitting beneath his petite wife’s hoop, pledged his firstborn to Natasha Epstein if he and his wife would be allowed to waddle away quietly, but by then the courier had left disgusted.”

(Note: You can find Doug hiding somewhere in the picture below. The Moderator)

Despite this site’s foray into a bit of satire (see Blurred Vision: A Leadership Tale), the latest Flickr photo really does warrant a thorough investigation by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Perhaps the premier “Independent Investigator” in the country, Mr. Matt Chancey, can assist the SPLC in its relentless pursuit of racists and racism.

The Flickr photo

Hail Robert Dabney

will undoubtedly stir the emotions of the most closeted neo-Confederate in the country. I can almost hear the rebel yells already.

The Moderator

“One of the most noble things you can do is kill the enemy.” Major Douglas A. Zembiec, USMC

ON Point posted an honorable tribute to a great warrior that first appeared in the Washington Post. The complete article appears below. You can also read another tribute to Major Zembiec at Black Five.  The official Marine Corps story is titled “Lion of Fallujah is laid to rest,” and it is a very fitting tribute to a great Marine.

The Moderator

Salute To A Memorable Marine, by Dan Morse

The turnout seemed entirely fitting for a Marine who was described — with little apparent hyperbole — as the toughest guy in the house. More than 1,000 mourners, from generals to civilians, packed the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis yesterday to honor Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec, who was killed last week outside Baghdad.

Five hours later, after the sound of taps had faded over his coffin at Arlington National Cemetery, came what Zembiec, 34, might have considered the finest tribute of all.

About 40 enlisted men gathered under a tree, telling stories about their former commander. Some had flown in from as far away as California, prompting one officer to observe: Your men have to follow your orders; they don’t have to go to your funeral.

The men knew firsthand how Zembiec, who lived outside Annapolis, had come to be known as the Lion of Fallujah.

The story is one of their favorites. It was 2004, in the Jolan district of Fallujah, and Zembiec was a captain. They were on a rooftop, taking fire from AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenades. They tried to radio an Abrams tank below to open fire in the direction of the enemy. No good.

Zembiec raced down the stairs and out to the street and climbed onto the tank. Gunnery Sgt. Pedro Marrufo, 29, who watched from the rooftop, remembers Zembiec getting a Marine inside the tank to open the hatch. Insurgents shot at Zembiec as he instructed the men in the tank where to fire.

Cpl. Chad Borgmann, 28, who went to Zembiec’s funeral from Camp Pendleton, Calif., said yesterday that boarding tanks during firefights and similar actions is typically the work of enlisted men. If a lance corporal falls, there are 40 to take his place. But there are fewer captains, Borgmann said, and fewer still who always seemed to be out in front.

“He let us know it was his privilege to lead us,” Borgmann said, walking back to a car through the graves of Arlington before heading out to meet up with his Marine buddies at the Clarendon Grill.

Zembiec, born in Hawaii, the son of an FBI agent, was a two-time all-American wrestler at the Naval Academy before graduating in 1995. His most recent U.S. posting was in Arlington.

For years, Zembiec had drawn the attention of Marines and journalists alike. He served in Kosovo and was on his fourth tour in Iraq, said Col. John Ripley, a retired Marine and close friend. His numerous military honors included a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.

Through it all, he remained an unabashed warrior. “A terrific day. We just whacked two [insurgents] running down an alley with AK-47s,” he told a Los Angeles Times reporter in 2004. Of the 168-member unit he commanded, about one-third suffered casualties.

“From Day One, I’ve told [my troops] that killing is not wrong if it’s for a purpose, if it’s to keep your nation free or protect your buddy,” he told the Times. “One of the most noble things you can do is kill the enemy.”

Mourners heard a sampling of Zembiec’s sentiments yesterday. “Never forget those that were killed,” he once wrote. “And never let rest those that killed them.”

As many as 15 generals filed into the pews of the historic chapel, with its cavernous ceiling and towering windows exposing blue skies. Other men, in suits, with the bearing of retired military officers, stood straight with clutched fists at their sides while quietly singing the Marines’ Hymn. Many others appeared to be Zembiec’s peers, 30-something couples, men with the close-cropped hair of Marines, and some of the women pregnant.

Mourners heard about Zembiec’s family life. His wife of two years, Pamela, and their 1-year-old daughter, Fallyn, sat up front.

“Become the greatest husband and father ever,” Zembiec had written in a note to himself.

The Marine had compiled such axioms and exhortations in notebooks, excerpts of which were read aloud by a close friend, Eric L. Kapitulik, who also recounted this story:

While Zembiec was stationed at Camp Pendleton after the Fallujah campaign, his parents visited. Zembiec and his father, Don, drove onto the base to shoot skeet and were stopped at the gate by a young Marine. Are you Captain Zembiec’s father? the Marine asked. Yes, his father said.

“I was with your son in Fallujah,” the Marine said. “He was my company commander. If we had to go back in there, I would follow him with a spoon.”

Kapitulik read heavily from Zembiec’s notebooks. One of the quotes was particularly long, amounting to what Kapitulik said was a summary of Zembiec himself.

“Be a man of principle. Fight for what you believe in. Keep your word. Live with integrity. Be brave. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Serve your country.

“Teach. Mentor. Give something back to society. Lead from the front. Conquer your fears. Be a good friend. Be humble and be self-confident.

“Appreciate your friends and family. Be a leader and not a follower. Be valorous on the field of battle. And take responsibility for your actions.”

Kapitulik said the creed came from the man who knew Zembiec the longest, as indicated by the major’s written description: “Principles my father taught me.”

Written by Dan Morse, Washington Post Staff Writer. Staff writer Steve Vogel contributed to this report. Originally published in Washington Post May 17, 2007.

The plot thickens. Seems Doug’s daddy (Howard Phillips of the reputable Nixon Administration) is being taken to task for his cop-out on abortion.

At this link, you can watch Mr. Paul DeParrie make perfectly clear his thoughts on the Howard Phillips/Constitution Party girlie man action regarding the abortion plank of said party.

Phillips phonies, like father like son.

There is no doubt a disconnect exists between Doug Phillips’ public statements and his observed behavior.  Besides his exposure as an ecclesiastical tyrant and blatant hypocrite, there are now other charges that can be laid at Phillips’ feet: Phony constitutional attorney and shameless huckster.

Phillips’ annual Witherspoon forays into the arena of Constitutional Law appear to be a harkening to a strict constructionist interpretation of the US Constitution.  Unfortunately, the recent events in Arlington, Texas, show the world the dark side of Phillips’ selective interpretation of the US Constitution.  Additionally, there is another disconnect in the Phillips world.  Seems Phillips’ personal attorney, Don Hart, is not a constitutional attorney but a real estate attorney.  This is interesting indeed when you read the Vision Forum Ministries website.

You can read about the events in Arlington at Jen’s Gems.  Frankly, it may serve the Epsteins well to sue the City of Arlington.  Any “real” Constitutional Attorneys want the case? 

Mrs. Epstein also does a nice job of exposing Phillips for the phony he is and now she is posting letters from those who are becoming less intimidated by Phillips and his threats.  You can read the letter here.

Mr. Epstein exposes Phillips supporters as accusers of the brethren who make pagan-like wild and frenzied accusations against the Epsteins.  When will the insanity end?  Probably only when Phillips repents.  You can read about the Phillips Corybants here.

The former commander of the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One) ripped President Bush’s war policy.  In an article published by the New York Times, Major General John Batiste explains his reasoing for going public.

May 13, 2007

Army Career Behind Him, General Speaks Out on Iraq

By THOM SHANKER

ROCHESTER, May 10 — John Batiste has traveled a long way in the last four years, from commanding the First Infantry Division in Iraq to quitting the Army after three decades in uniform and, now, from his new life overseeing a steel factory here, to openly challenging President Bush on his management of the war.

“Mr. President, you did not listen,” General Batiste says in new television advertisements being broadcast in Republican Congressional districts as part of a $500,000 campaign financed by VoteVets.org. “You continue to pursue a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army and Marine Corps. I left the Army in protest in order to speak out. Mr. President, you have placed our nation in peril. Our only hope is that Congress will act now to protect our fighting men and women.”

Those are powerful, inflammatory words from General Batiste, a retired major general who spent 31 years in the Army, a profession sworn to unflinching loyalty to civilian control of the military. Many senior officers say privately that talk like this makes them uncomfortable; when you pin that first star on your shoulder, they say, your first name becomes “General” for the rest of your life.

But General Batiste says he has received no phone calls, letters or messages from current or former officers challenging his public stance, although he occasionally gets an anonymous e-mail message with the heading “Traitor.” Having quit the Army in anger at what he calls mismanagement of the Iraq war, he says he chose a second career far from Washington and the Pentagon so that he could speak freely on military issues.

“I am outraged, as are the majority of Americans,” General Batiste said over sandwiches in a blue-collar diner here. “I am a lifelong Republican. But it is past time for change.”

A White House spokeswoman, Emily Lawrimore, said in response to the advertising, “We respectfully disagree.” Ms. Lawrimore said President Bush conferred routinely with senior officers, citing a three-hour meeting on Thursday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a conversation earlier in the week with Gen. David H. Petraeus, the senior American commander in Iraq.

“The decisions the president has made have been based on information he receives from commanders and generals on the ground,” she added.

A conversation with General Batiste offers one more window into the debate on Iraq. While some former commanders, like General Batiste, have been speaking out against the war, others, such as Gen. Jack Keane, the retired Army vice chief of staff, have offered advice to the White House on Iraq.

General Batiste said he chose to go public with his critique of the war effort only after 30 years of honoring the Army’s rules of silence. He said it was that time commanding 22,000 troops in combat, in 2004 and 2005, that convinced him that American fighting in Iraq was short of vision as well as troops.

“There was never enough. There was never a reserve,” he said. “Again and again, we had to move troops by as many as 200 miles out of our area of operations to support another sector. We would pull troops out of contact with the enemy and move them into contact with the enemy somewhere else. The minute we’d leave, the insurgents would pick up on that, and kill everybody who had been friendly.”

General Batiste was among a handful of retired generals first calling last year for the resignation of Donald H. Rumsfeld as defense secretary. He says he realizes lending his name to television advertisements aimed at the president and Republican members of Congress in an election cycle is different.

Officials of VoteVets.org, an Internet-based veterans advocacy organization, say the television spots will run in the home districts of more than a dozen members of Congress, among them Senator John W. Warner, the Virginia Republican who, as former chairman of the Armed Services Committee, is considered one of Capitol Hill’s experts on the military.

“Like other citizens, retired generals have the constitutional right to engage in robust debate on one of the most important issues of our time,” said John Ullyot, the senator’s spokesman. “Senator Warner appreciates hearing from people on all sides of the debate, and Virginians have a clear understanding of his views on Iraq.”

VoteVets.org says it has tried to calibrate its message carefully, although there is a limit to the nuance that can fit into 30-second television spots. (Two other retired generals, Paul D. Eaton and Wesley K. Clark, speak in the campaign’s other advertisements.)

As described by General Batiste, the message is not antiwar; it argues that continuing the war in Iraq as a civil, sectarian conflict that cannot be won by outside forces is crippling the Army and the Marine Corps. It does not deny the danger of violent Islamic extremism, he says, but contends that the war in Iraq prevents the armed services from preparing to battle other global security threats.

And it says that if terrorism, and especially terrorists armed with unconventional weapons, truly threaten America’s very survival, then the rest of the country — not just the military — should be called to sacrifice.

On Thursday, General Batiste drove from the steel factory he now runs to a veterans’ center where he is president of a nonprofit association of local business leaders who support veterans in the region. He parked behind a shop selling American flags (sales are up 42 percent over last year, with profits going to aid veterans).

“In the Army, you communicate up the chain of command, and I communicated vehemently with my senior commanders while I was in Iraq,” he said. Of his departure from the Army, he said: “It was the toughest decision of my life. I paced my quarters for days. I didn’t sleep for nights. But I was not willing to compromise my principles for one more minute.”

[CBS announced this week that it was terminating its contract with General Batiste as a consultant because of the advertisements.]

His retirement from the Army in November 2005 meant turning his back on a third star and command of day-to-day combat missions in Iraq, the No. 2 military position in Baghdad. Having cast aside his military career, General Batiste cast his eyes away from the defense industry to join Klein Steel Service, which cuts and processes steel for commercial, civilian enterprises — and does no military work.