The City Gate

When the Watchmen are Silenced

Jan Markell, www.olivetreeviews.org, wrote the following on July 28, 2010

Christian Satellite Network

 

We headquarter out of AM980 KKMS and AM1280 "The Patriot" in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m. The program is repeated Sunday, 12 to 2 p.m. and Sunday, 8 to 10 a.m. CST.  You can always "listen live" at those sites.

 

For all our airing outlets, visit this link.

 

For podcasting info via iTunes, visit this link. All live Saturday programming is posted to my Web site Sunday evening at "Radio Archives."

The Tax Poem

Author of this poem and the thoughts that follow is unknown:

At first I thought this was funny...then I realized the awful
truth of it. Be sure to read all the way to the end!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me to my doom..."

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring & Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the
most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest
middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell "politicians?"

And I still have to "press 1" for English!?

I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!!!!

Fear of the mentally ill

There is a stigma that makes people afraid of people who suffer with mental illness. In very few cases is it founded. And NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) wants to break that stigma.

Halloween seems to be a perfect time to create attractions where the setting for haunted houses might be "insane asylums." Most horror films or books star mental patients who go on frightening, deranged rampages. A haunted house in Indianola, Iowa, is called The Asylum. There is also an attraction called The Asylum in Charlotte, North Carolina. There's The Pennhurst Asylum outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Asylum of Terror in Clinton, New Jersey.

Well, maybe it's time to stop thinking of mental illness in this way. In a "Stigma Buster Alert," written by NAMI, they say, "Violent stereotypes are inaccurate and offensive and the U.S. Surgeon General has determined that stigmas imposed on people with mental illness in our popular culture often discourages people from getting help when they need it."

How do we stop it? Start by contacting sponsors or operators of the attractions to ask that offensive parts be removed or simply renamed. Ask that newspapers or other media not run ads based on those themes. Start by becoming educated yourself about mental illness.

If we think about it, we probably all know someone who deals with this problem. And none of those people should be seen as equal to ghosts, goblins, ghouls and evil spirits.

Contact NAMI at stigma@nami.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Grace Sivadge
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Des Moines Board Member
NAMI Family to Family Teacher
Home phone: 515-961-6671
Cell Phone:  515-205-9765
E-mail:  rsivadge1@juno.com
NAMI GDM mission statement:
"Empowering individuals, families, and community by providing hope and education about brain disorders."

Please share with other groups,  organizations, friends, and family.   Please encourage as many people as possible to come to the Assembly on Sunday.   We need to pack the church!

AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy) is a group of 28 (mostly faith based) institutions working for social justice.  NAMI Greater Des Moines is a member of AMOS.

We invite you to the “Fall Issues Assembly” this Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 3 to 4:30 PM.  It will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant, Des Moines – www.dmfirstchurch.org.  It is the church located just east of Methodist Hospital.  Ample parking and an easily accessible entrance are on the north side of the church.

We will gather legislators, decision makers, and gubernatorial candidates where our strategies will gain voice.  An hour and half or two of your time on Sunday afternoon on Oct. 24th may do more for social justice than a half day in January lobbying at the State Capitol.   You will be working to change lives.

Broad goals for Mental Health focus:

1.  Reduction of stigma through the recognition of mental illness and substance abuse as public health issues.

2.  Increased access to community services (workforce, services, beds, medications, support services)

Exploring Specific approaches to these goals:

1.  Integration of primary care, mental health care, substance abuse care, and disability care under the umbrella of the Dept. of Public Health so we are the treating the “whole person.”

2.  Adequate flexibility in funding options for adequate community services to eliminate waiting lists and create the capacity to help persons in need including returning veterans.

3.  An action plan to develop and retain more mental health professionals in Iowa

Building a Better Workforce Development System (Project Quest™),

Enhancing Juvenile Justice in Iowa, and Immigration will also be addressed that day.

When you see someone who has been treated unjustly you can give something to him or her to correct the result of injustice or you can correct the cause of the injustice.  Both kinds of help are needed.  AMOS works to correct the causes of injustice.

Join us at our Fall Issues Assembly and help us build a community where all can succeed!

www.amosiowa.org       www.QUESTsa.org

Please share this information with others.

Teresa Bomhoff
2010 Iowa Mental Health Planning Council Chairperson
2010 NAMI Greater Des Moines President
Home phone:  515-274-6876
Work phone:  515-284-4447
NAMI GDM phone:  515-277-0672
E-mail:  tbomhoff@mchsi.com
Join the "Brainiacs" team www.nami.org/namiwalks10/DES/Brainiacs
E-mail:  namigdm@gmail.com
Website:  www.nami.org/sites/NAMIGreaterDesMoines
NAMI GDM mission statement:
"Empowering individuals, families, and community by providing hope and education about brain disorders."

Christian Store Day Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beverly Channell
10465 Hickman Road, Des Moines, Ia.
515-251-4008
www.wellspringcr.com

Wellspring.Parable TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONWIDE CHRISTIAN STORE DAY CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010

PORTION OF PROCEEDS FROM EXCLUSIVE CD SALES WILL BE DEDICATED TO CONTINUED RELIEF AND REBUILDING IN HAITI

(Urbandale, Iowa) ― Wellspring Parable will be participating in the upcoming Christian Store Day
celebrations that will be taking place across the country on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. This unprecedented initiative marks the single largest collaborative promotional effort ever launched within the Christian marketplace as consumers are encouraged to “Celebrate Faith and Community” and show support for their local Christian stores by shopping on this date.
.
Modeled after the very successful Record Store Day held by general market independent music retailers,
Christian Store Day celebrations will include special advertising, promotions, and in-store giveaways. In
addition, participating vendors are lining up many fan-favorite Christian artists and authors to provide
endorsements and testimonies of Christian stores and their ministry purposes.

As a part of the day’s events, and in a partnership with Compassion International, Operation Christmas Child ― a project of Samaritan’s Purse, and World Vision, Wellspring Parable will be selling an enhanced compilation CD that will include recordings and e-book offerings from major Christian authors and artists for the purpose of generating awareness and raising funds for continued relief and rebuilding for earthquake victims in Haiti. The CD will be available in-store only on Christian Store Day, and proceeds will go to Haitian aid programs. The participating authors and artists have donated royalties for the project, and the publishers and music companies are foregoing profits to help raise funds for the ministry work.

Additional special in-store events on Christian Store Day at Wellspring Parable will include:
 .  Book Signing
 .  Live Music
 .  Product Giveaways

CBA, the Association for Christian Retail, is spearheading the initiative along with partner vendors including EMI CMG Distribution, Provident-Integrity Distribution, Word Distribution, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Tyndale House Publishers, and Zondervan as well as the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

For more than 60 years, Christian-retail stores have represented the crossroads of faith and community for all denominations and all walks of life by being a safe haven for consumers — creating wholesome, family-friendly environments for shoppers who are looking for the highest quality in Christian resources. For more information, visit www.christianstoreday.com or www.wellspringcr.com or call 515-251-4008.

Showing ID

If we are legal American citizens, we must show our IDs when:
1. When pulled over by the police
2. When making purchases on department store credit cards
3. When showing up for a doctor's appointment
4. When filling out a credit card or loan application
5. When applying for or renewing a driver's license or passport
6. When applying for any kind of insurance
7. When filling out college applications
8. When donating blood
9. When obtaining certain prescription drugs
10. When making some debit purchases, especially if you or I are out of State
11. When collecting a boarding pass for airline or train travel

There are probably many more instances, but the point is that we citizens of the USA are required to prove who we are nearly every day. Why should people in this Country illegally be exempt? Why shouldn't our borders be guarded as closely as every other Country in the world guards theirs?

[Editor's note: Try entering Canada without identification. (Try getting back in to the US without it!) When traveling in Italy and New Zealand, you can be sure you need your passport handy. After acquiring a VISA for a one-day visit to Australia, no one challenged us and asked for us to present it. But we had one in case. We followed the rules of the Countries we visited. People entering our Country should be required to do the same. It isn't viewed as offensive in other Countries; that's just the way it is, and the way it should be here.]

 

4th of July event that The City Gate would endorse

Fellow Patriots:

Below is an announcement of a special 4th of July event to be held in Des Moines.  The Iowa Tea Party and Fight Back Iowa are sponsoring a July 4th Take Back Our Government Tea Party from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Fort Des Moines Museum Complex.  There may also be a chance to have lunch with Joe the Plumber.  The Tea Party details are below.  Please visit www.fightbackiowa.com if you have any questions or to find out full details of the luncheon with Joe the Plumber.

In Liberty and Freedom,
Kathy - SOAR (Save Our American Republic)

For Immediate Release                                                                     Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Contact: Charlie Gruschow (515) 229-9924                                                     Fight Back Iowa
**MEDIA ADVISORY**
HERMAN CAIN, JOE THE PLUMBER, AND YOUTUBE SENSATION LEWIS THE MARINE TO HEADLINE THE “TAKE BACK OUR GOVERNMENT TOUR”

JULY 4TH IN DES MOINES

Des Moines, IA –Herman Cain, “Joe the Plumber,” “Lewis the Marine,” and several local speakers will all be appearing as part of the “Take Back Our Government Tour” to urge Iowans to stand strong in their patriotism and in their efforts to promote fiscally responsible, limited government policies.

WHO:         Herman Cain - Radio talk show host, nationally recognized corporate leader, columnist, best-selling author, and former CEO of Godfather’s Pizza.

“Joe the Plumber” - Motivational speaker and commentator

“Lewis the Marine” YouTube sensation whose video has received over 3.7 million hits in a few short weeks

Local Speakers – To be announced

WHAT:      “Take Back Our Government Tour” The event is free to attend and no registration is required, but you may preregister at www.fightbackiowa.com.

WHAT:      Speakers will address the crowd regarding the foundations of freedom, the direction of the nation, and the ability to reach the American Dream. “Joe the Plumber” will speak about American freedoms and the need for personal responsibility. Herman Cain will be urge attendees to Take Back Their Government and to Remember in November. The program will also highlight the tradition of greatness our nation has shown throughout the 234 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Lewis the Marine will perform the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner, the same verse he performed in his amazingly popular YouTube video  which has been seen by over 3.7 million viewers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9_bP219ehQ&feature=player_embedded

WHEN:      July 4, 2010, 4-6 PM

WHERE:    Fort Des Moines Museum Complex
75 East Army Post Road
Des Moines, IA 50315
###
NOTE:   For inquiries regarding interviews or media availability, contact Charlie Gruschow at (515) 229-9924
For further information about the event and announcement of additional speakers, visit www.fightbackiowa.com.

"Are we getting the picture, yet?"

Please pass information on to other people you know, so that we can be informed voters. We have not checked to see if this is entirely factual. However, Barrack Obama appeared in Indianola, Iowa, where The City Gate is done, and he's pictured with other candidates running for the democratic nominee for President; them with their hands over their hearts during the National Anthem, and Obama with his hand not covering his heart. We received this following article by email, and it isn't the first time we've heard about it or read it.

I hope every one is listening, before it is to late.

Perhaps there are SOME out there who are beginning to get 'the picture.'  The following is a narrative taken from Sunday Morning's televised 'Meet The Press.' and the author is employed by none other than the Washington Post!!  Yeah...the Washington Post of New York and Los Angeles Times fame!!  Must say that I'm duly impressed...

From Sunday's Televised 'Meet the Press' Senator Obama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.  Obama Explains National Anthem Stance
 
Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain why he doesn't  follow protocol when the National Anthem is played.
 
The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171...During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, 'Stand and Face It'

Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, 'As I've said about the flag pin, I don't want to be perceived as taking sides, Obama said. 'There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression. And the anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all. It should be swapped for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song 'I'd Like To Teach the World To Sing.' If that were our anthem, then I might salute it.'We should consider to reinvent our National Anthem as well as to redesign our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It's my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we as a Nation of warring people, should conduct ourselves as the nations of Islam, whereas peace prevails. Perhaps a state or period of mutual concord between our governments. When I become President, I will seek a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation have placed upon the nations of Islam an unfair injustice. My wife disrespects the Flag for many personal reasons. Together she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past, many years ago. She has her views and I have mine'. Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put aside my hatred. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path of hope. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country's First Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm the United States of America."   

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard it right. This could possibly be our next President. I, for one, am speechless.

Dale Lindsborg ,
Washington Post

The City Gate's Call to Prayer

    Because of hearing some statements concerning Christians not voting due to not "liking" either candidate for President of the United States (out of protest for who the choices are), The City Gate is calling for those of us who pray to do just that. Pray. This is a Call for Prayer!!
    Pray for each person wanting to have a position of leadership in our country, and who will be placed in positions in American embassies, etc., that they will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord into their hearts, admit they are sinners and repent of their sins; that they will speak their faith and be bold to acknowledge that the Holy Bible is the written Word of God.
    We're asking that those who pray, will pray according to 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 that says: "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified the house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually."
    We don't always read or quote verses 15 & 16, but by praying according to verse 14, the rest says that God will choose and sanctify our "house," that His Name may be here for ever, and His eyes and heart be here perpetually. I'm claiming "the house" as being "our country!"
    I've written to several people already who say they might not vote for president at all. To encourage them to vote. To encourage them to trust God. One prayer has been for God to show us something in scriptures which would give us some wisdom about this. I was immediately shown the scripture of Jesus telling Peter to go to the water and get a coin out of the mouth of the fish he caught. And He told him to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's.
    I don't know that Jesus backed Caesar, but He did encourage compliance with the government because that's what the government required at that time. There are of course many more scriptures to guide us in this, and I urge everyone to seek God about it.
    We all know that God is bigger than any problem we might encounter. God changed each and every one of our hearts so that we are born again and no longer lost sheep. God can do the same with the choice of President.
    We need to pull together behind our party's choice for candidate for President of the United States and attempt to surround the man (which ever one is your party's choice) with people of faith who will advise him right and be the right leaders in Congress. And we need to pray for the right people in congress.
    Because we believe the Bible, and because it says in the Bible that God places people in position of authority, who are any of us to say, "Well, God, since You evidently want one of these men, and I don't like either of them, I'll just not vote at all." One will still become President, whether any of us vote or not. Not voting is really the same as voting for the other.
    God knows what He's doing. We must trust Him. We must work for what we know is right and for what appears to be God's will. Choosing not to vote, is telling God that we don't believe He knows who to put in office, even though His Word says He does.
    The leaders and policies of Jesus' day made His crucifixion possible. We must trust God by praying and praying scripturally. Let's not just roll over and play dead. Let's pray that the presidential candidates get saved without a shadow of doubt before the election takes place. Let's pray that our next President be a Godly, Bible-believing, saved, Christian leader. In Jesus' Name. And don't stop praying in this way until the election is decided and even after as we pray for the person who is chosen. This isn't a one-time prayer. This is an ongoing prayer for our nation.

"Have You Caught the Bug?"

Have You Caught the Bug? Eric Idehen has it and has it bad! The name of this illness is Passion.

    The vision is alive and well! From humble beginnings in 2005 with a few people and Eric’s dream to start an orphanage in his home town—to today with a loving staff, a building and great volunteers—a difference is being made in children’s lives!
    On June 23, 2008, at Indian Hills Elementary School in Clive, Iowa, you may help celebrate the two-year anniversary of Cornerstone of Hope Orphanage. From 6-9 p.m., you will be able to see pictures and hear about the development of orphaned children, and meet members of the Board.
    Eric traveled to the orphanage April 21, 2008. During the visit, he was fortunate to witness the construction of the concrete deck for the second story and also witnessed the first adoption of one of the children. Anthonia, the oldest girl in the orphanage, was adopted on April 25, 2008. It was an emotional experience with the staff, children and Eric all in tears. Baby Victoria’s adoption will be through before the end of May. It was a mixed feeling for all – sadness and joy.
    The children are doing great. They thank God daily for guiding everyone to them, so many people have the opportunity to help! Money is used in the most efficient ways possible, to give the children the opportunity to succeed in life.
    Workers are fulfilling the call to Share Love, Build Hope and Change Lives! The staff loves the children and makes them part of a family; educating them so they have Hope. The lives of the children change when given the personal self-worth to succeed after they leave. One exciting example of the effectiveness of the staff is all of the children in school passed the year-end exams to move to the next grade. This may seem like a small accomplishment until you realize that this is their first real school experience.
    Initially, it was thought that as many as twenty children would fit in the facility; if they were infants. But the children are between five and ten years old. They need a lot more room and separate facilities for the boys and girls, as well as separate areas for the younger and older children. New children that the government brings must frequently be turned away, because of inadequate facilities to handle more children. The desire is to change this!
    Every donation makes a difference! Please consider one of two things, send a one-time donation to help with the construction or consider something much more valuable and sponsor a child by sending $50 per month that will take care of much of the needs of a child. When you sponsor a child, you ensure that new children can be accepted into the home instead of leaving them in the streets. Gifts in the US are tax-deductible.
Attend the celebration on June 23 and find out where they were, where they are now, and what they hope for the future of this God-given home.
If you can't attend, visit the website at www.thehopeorphans.org
And God Bless You!