New Justice Dept. Corrections Regarding Freedon OF Religion

Today, in an article from "The Hill", Lydia Wheeler covers the announcement by US Atty Gen Jeff Sessions regarding roll-backs of President/King Obama's anti-Christian efforts which essentially assaulted the US Constitutionally guaranteed Freedom OF Religion (NOT Freedom from Religion, as so many people claimed under the Obama Presidency). While the detail in the announcement failed to go into specifics, the fact that the Justice Dept. is finally being directed to protect Freedom of Religion is most welcome as this vital right, emplaced in the First Amendment, has been under siege ever since Obama took office. Please read the article below...

"Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced Monday that the Department of Justice is creating a "religious liberty task force."

Sessions said the task force, co-chaired by Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio and the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Office of Legal Policy, Beth Williams, will help the department fully implement the religious liberty guidance it issued last year. 

The guidance was a byproduct of President Trump's executive order directing agencies to respect and protect religious liberty and political speech.

Sessions said on Monday that the task force will "ensure all Justice Department components are upholding that guidance in the cases they bring and defend, the arguments they make in court, the policies and regulations they adopt, and how we conduct our operations."

The announcement came during the department's religious liberty summit.

Sessions said the cultural climate in this country —and in the West more generally — has become less hospitable to people of faith in recent years, and as a result many Americans have felt their freedom to practice their faith has been under attack.

"We've seen nuns ordered to buy contraceptives. We've seen U.S. senators ask judicial and executive branch nominees about dogma — even though the Constitution explicitly forbids a religious test for public office. We've all seen the ordeal faced so bravely by Jack Phillips," he said, referring to the Colorado baker who took his case to the Supreme Court after he was found to have violated the state's anti-discrimination laws for refusing to make a cake for a same-sex wedding.

Sessions said the guidance he issued in October lays out 20 fundamental principles for the executive branch to follow, including the principles that free exercise means a right to act — or to abstain from action — and that government shouldn't impugn people's motives or beliefs.

"In short, we have not only the freedom to worship — but the right to exercise our faith. The Constitution's protections don't end at the parish parking lot nor can our freedoms be confined to our basements," he said, according to his prepared remarks.

Sessions said the federal government under the Trump administration is not just reacting but is actively seeking to accommodate people of faith.

"Religious Americans are no longer an afterthought," he said."

The Coming Election and Poor Voter Choices

With the coming 2016 Presidential election only a few brief weeks away, it is vital that every voter take a hard look at the candidates and decide for themselves who the best choice would be.
Donald Trump, businessman and Republican Nominee, has many good points, has good plans, but is divisive in his attacking rhetoric on several issues.
Hillary Clinton, former First Lady, NY Senator and Secretary of State, has no clear agenda for the White House and Democratic Nominee, is embroiled in numerous scandals that  revolve around a "Pay for Play" scheme in seeking "donations" for the Clinton Foundation in exchange for personal meetings and favors from Sec. Clinton. There is also the Benghazi fallout and Ms. Clinton's constant denial of events. In many ways, she is not fit to lead this country.
There is also Third Party Nominee Gary Johnson, a Libertarian who advocates a Constitutionalist approach to governing. In other words, that we get back to the original intent of our Founding Fathers and have a smaller Federal Govt., bigger State's Rights and less governmental interference in the lives of Americans everywhere.
There are no clear, good choices in this election. In a response to an article about the divisiveness between the two main candidates, I addressed the simple question of who is actually the best candidate in this years' election.

"Does anyone else notice that only Trump is actually addressing issues facing this country? Hillary, as far as I know, has not. She only attacks Trump, telling everyone why he would be a bad choice. Meanwhile, she remains silent on the numerous scandals enveloping her campaign. She also conveniently has coughing fits when she actually "speaks" to reporters.

If people thought Bush and Obama were empty suits, how can they look at Hillary and not reach the same conclusion?

Now, I am in no way saying Trump is the better person for the job; he has many drawbacks that are concerning. However, he has plans, ideas and a desire to help this nation get back on track and away from the disastrous eight years of King Obama.

Let us also remember the Libertarian candidate, former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, a Constitutionalist who advocates smaller government, more State's Rights and getting back to actual Constitutional governing rather than the warped rendition we see today. His positions definitely have a great appeal.

Which choice is better? That's up to each voter to decide. And this years' election will carry either great hope or great dread in the coming Presidential term. But whatever you do, please vote on election day!"