September 30, 2016 Radio Commentary

Question No. 1 on November Ballot

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 30, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

The deadline for registering to vote in the General Election is October 11th. Early in-person voting is scheduled for October 17th through November 4th, the Friday before the General Election. To accommodate those who can’t vote during the week, all polls will be open Saturday October 29th; some local polls may choose to open on Saturday or Sunday.

While candidates get most of the attention, also on November 8th voters will decide whether to make four changes to the State Constitution. In addition to those four questions, some ballots contain questions for local residents to decide. For example: DeKalb County voters will decide whether to extend the homestead tax exemption, which is scheduled to expire in a few months. So, I’ll vote YES on the homestead tax question in my county. Continue reading

September 23, 2016 Radio Commentary

Clinton, Trump, and America

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 23, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Recently, I received the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 2016 Election Special edition of Decision magazine, which, I’m pleased to say, is available free-of-charge upon request. Pictured on the front cover facing each other are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, with this statement between them: “Two Visions. Two Americas.”

Within the magazine, Franklin Graham said, “I believe this country is facing today one of the most serious and crucial elections in history. I do not believe there has ever been a time – even in the days prior to the Civil War – that we as Americans have gone to the polls with greater issues than those at stake in the coming presidential election…. I’ve made it clear from the beginning that I am not endorsing any candidate. I don’t have any hope in either the Republican or Democratic Party. My hope is in Almighty God alone, who can turn hearts back to Him so that we can sincerely say that ‘righteousness exalts a nation’ (Proverbs 14:34). Yet, a careful vote could extend the time we have to freely preach the Gospel.”

The theme, “Two Visions; Two Americas,” contrasts the candidates this way: “One vision includes a nation where free speech and religious liberty are constitutionally protected…. The other continues along a path where such principles are quickly jettisoned with the latest turn of the sexual revolution. Continue reading

September 16, 2016 Radio Commentary

Is Drafting Women Next? Then What?

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 16, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Today, I have some serious questions: Do you want the military draft reinstated? Do you want women to register for the draft? Do you want your sons OR your daughters to be drafted into the military? Do you think women should serve in front-line ground combat?

These are serious questions, because Congress is facing this issue right now, and whatever they decide will affect U.S. families. All America is affected by whatever happens in the military, whether it’s made stronger or weaker, by whatever it does or does not do. Right now, Congress is focusing on women in the military and possible reinstatement of the draft.

Three and a-half years ago, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the end of the direct ground combat exclusion rule that kept females out of ground combat in the military. So, since January 24, 2013 all military branches have been removing any barrier that blocked women from any part of military service, including battle zones.

Subsequently, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced December 3, 2015 that the Department of Defense would lift all gender-based restrictions on military service beginning January 1, 2016. If Mr. Carter had said all “female-based” restrictions would be lifted, we would know the change authorized women to serve on the frontline. But, the term, “gender-based,” shifted the focus to alternate lifestyles and clouded the issue. Was removal of “gender-based” restrictions the basis for the implementation of transgender regulations in the military? How will DOD’s lifting of gender-based restrictions further affect the military and, therefore, all America? Continue reading

September 9, 2016 Radio Commentary

In-Your-Face Refugee Resettlement

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, September 9, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

After the November 2015 terrorist attack on Paris, 22 Republican governors publically stated their opposition to accepting Syrian refugees, claiming they wouldn’t allow any more into their states, either temporarily or permanently.

Some governors tweeted opposition to the president; others wanted to know how to stop refugee resettlement; and many dug in their heels, REFUSING to accept more Syrian refugees; but bad news was emerging. States may not have authority to reject the president’s plan. They all soon learned the Refugee Act of 1980 made immigration a federal function, and gave states no legal authority over refugee resettlement.

So, despite strong opposition from state and local officials, increasing numbers of refugees, including Syrians, continue to be brought into U.S. communities secretly, so secretly that governors learn of their presence only when refugees apply for government benefits. During FY 2016, 38 states have received Syrian refugees – Michigan got the most with 706 and the fewest went to New Hampshire that got five. Georgia received 209, the eleventh most, for any state. But twelve states didn’t get ANY Syrian refugee during FY 2016, which began October 1, 2015 and ends in 21 days.

Several mayors, including the mayor of Athens, Georgia, complained to the administration that they need more information on refugees before they arrive, while FBI director James Comey says it’s virtually impossible to vet Syrian refugees because there’s no information to vet. But despite that, resettlement not only continues, it increased from last year’s 70,000 to 85,000 this year, with 10,000 designated to be Syrian, all secretly placed in 190 U.S. cities and towns. With FY 2016 ending September 30th and this year’s goal not met, nearly 400 are brought in every week. Continue reading