The Destruction of the American Family, Part 1: What it Isn't

Louie Gohmert

As all of informed America knows, a deadly shooting in Colorado last Friday night left twelve people dead and 58 wounded. Political figures have already become numb to the tragedy in an attempt to politicize the issue. Republican Louie Gohmert stated that he blamed the attack on "ongoing attacks against Judeo-Christian beliefs". While Gohmert later apologized, saying his comment was "taken grossly out of context", it still made me wonder: Do people actually believe this crap? Gohmert's rhetoric is not something new; The idea that there is a 'war' against Judeo-Christian principles is not a new one, and right-wing politicians are playing the 'values' card more frequently than ever.

Judeo-Christian 'Values':

Main Points/Miscellaneous:

First of all, I am a follower of Jesus Christ, commonly referred to as a Christian. I go to church every Sunday, I try to do unto others as I would have them do unto me, and I try to live a morally upright life. 

But that doesn't make me a better American than you.

Secondly, to all the politicians out there who are playing the religion card to attract Christian voters: Stop, you look like an idiot. I'm sure that you had a great time raising your children in a Christian environment, but please, if that is why we elect you to higher office, then we as voters need to be educated about what a politician is supposed to do. 

Thirdly, if you take the morality of Christianity by itself, it isn't all that great when compared to Eastern Buddhism or Jainism. There, I said it, call me a heretic, but it's true. The reason why Christianity is valid and valuable (and in my opinion the true faith) is because it offers something other religious systems do not: Grace. Christianity is special not because Christians have to be perfect, but because ultimately our believed salvation comes from God being willing to overlook our mistakes if we trust in Jesus Christ. Therefore, when a politician tries to play the tune of the 'Christian values', he should think long and hard about the need for values within Christianity itself. 

Introduction:

Rush Limbaugh

American politicians, particularly (but not exclusively) those to the right of the political spectrum, will go on and on about how 'our values are being undermined'. I have heard this repeatedly from radio personality and conservative Rush Limbaugh, to whom I say: "Like the sanctity of marriage you practiced with your four wives?" 

You see, political figures and pundits are all very theoretical: They decry Gay Marriage as an abomination, but are free to cheat on their wives. Excuse me? I'm sorry, ladies and gentlemen who cry 'abomination', but we do not, as you claim 'Have the same values'. 

The Death Penalty:

There are also values that I am supposed to have, but professional politicians have hushed it up for the sake of being conservative: The death penalty. In my opinion, those who cite Old Testament texts to advocate the death penalty are not hermaneutically sound, but are snatching at a book they claim to uphold. The death penalty in the Old Testament nation of Israel was par for the course in terms of Ancient Near-Eastern law: Everybody had the death penalty. How can we claim to be a society that has advanced above those of three-thousand years ago when we use false-justifications to uphold our unforgiving mindsets.

This is all very opinionated, but I genuinely believe that the Jesus Christ whom these fanatical supporters of the death penalty claim to serve would not feel the same in terms of forgiveness. Jesus was all about forgiveness, even asking God to forgive the people who crucified him! I understand the human desire for vengeance. If someone raped and murdered my wife or child, I would naturally want to seek justice. But justice and vengeance are different. We are too often motivated by revenge in terms of seeking out punishment for crimes, a motivation that my Savior would not support. So to you politicians who advocate the death penalty, and use the Bible as your source of justification, I ask this: Would you want to be forgiven if you committed a crime, no matter how heinous? 

On this subject, I will say this: Even James Holmes, the suspect in the case of the Aurora, CO shooting, deserves to be forgiven, and while he may need to spend the rest of his life behind bars, we as human being to not have the right to execute them. 

Gay Marriage:

I do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle. I believe that the New Testament offers evidence that it is sinful, and you cannot change that about me. However, I do not reserve the right to tell another American that he or she cannot marry a partner of the same sex. 

I also believe that you should practice what you preach. To those political figures who love to bash homosexuality in all it's forms, and to quote a verse here and there: I demand that you live a life that is above reproach, that you keep your personal preferences from interfering with the law, and that you show some respect to those who disagree with you. 

I believe in the separation of Church and State, I believe that this is a good institution. The political figures who shout that we are a 'Christian nation' need to understand how great it is that these two institutions are separated. If, as many secretly desire, the Church were thrust into an embrace with the State, then the State would assume the power to dictate how the Church is to operate, which would effectively destroy the Church as an institution. Therefore, unless the Right is willing to have the State dictating the way that the Church operates, they should shut up about having the Church dictate the way that the State operates. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. 

With that being said: We as American Christians should acknowledge that while we do not agree that homosexual behavior or marriage is right, we have a requirement as Americans to allow it. The awesome thing about America is that we as Christians are free to practice our religion, but we must also acknowledge that everyone else must have that same freedom. It's great that I have the right to marry my fiancee, without having to share her with another, but that right is also extended to my gay friends, or at least it should be.

Conclusion:

Maybe my arguments don't make sense. Maybe there was something I missed. I expect to draw some heat for this post, but it is my right to have an opinion and it is everyone else's right to disagree with me. So in your thoughts, occasional comments, and real-world conversations with me, remember that we both have that right, and we share it as Americans.

Yes, We Get Writer's Block Too

As everyone who reads my stuff knows, I went on a sports-article rampage in early June, and haven't written anything since. I would first like to apologize to those of you who expected anything new in July, and secondly would like to address the problem.

The thing is: I'm stuck in sports-writing. At the moment, the only thing that I could even imagine myself writing would be a commentary on some game or another, and seeing as how the Olympics are coming-up soon, maybe I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

But this isn't just a blog about sports, it's supposed to be more than that, and believe me, as the writer, I share your frustrations. I'm currently collaborating with my fiancee on a project which we will write simultaneously, so please be patient, and if you're anxious for reading material, check out her blog, as she writes more frequently than I do.

Hang in there, because if you read this blog: Endurance should be your thing.

120 Minutes: Portugal v. Spain UEFA Euro 2012

DONETS'K, Ukraine-

First of all, apologies for not covering the quarter-finals, as I spent the weekend with my lovely fiancee. Of course, we played lots of soccer; Even though it wasn't the same quality as the Euros, it meant more to me.

Summary

The semi-finals of the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup began today with a match between current World and European Champions Spain, and their neighbor, nicknamed the best team never to win a championship.

The game was played in Ukraine's Donbass Arena, in the city of 

Portugal and Spain both started in the 4-3-3 formation.

Spain started the game with the first touch, but the Portuguese had the first real possession. Their first set-piece came in the form of a corner, tipped-over by Spanish keeper and captain Iker Casillas for a second, which he caught solidly.

In the 7th minute, the Spanish began the first of their characteristic long possessions, with a major attack coming along the left wing in the 9th. The attack ended with a shot from defender Alvero Arbeloa from near the edge of the eighteen yard box.

Christiano Ronaldo's first action came in the 13th minute with a strong cross off the counter-attack, intended for Nani, but snatched boldly out of the air by Casillas. He was fouled in the 16th minute just outside the box, and the resulting free-kick was blocked by the Spanish wall. Controversy flared in the 20th minute, when Spanish defender Sergio Ramos seemed to pull-down on Nani, but the jury is still out as far a criticizing the referee for not awarding a foul.

A Portuguese attack in the 26th minute ended with a cross being caught be Casillas, but they were looking good with it. Portuguese crosses continued to slip around the Spanish line. That all ended with a good shot from Andres Iniesta, as the Spanish forward almost scored at 29'.

Ronaldo answered with a near miss in the 31st minute, the ball just skimming wide right along the ground. On a personal note, I am not a fan of Ronaldo, but even his critics must admit that he is a very skilled footballer.

If this had not been the semi-finals of the Euro Cup, the game would have been extremely boring. Limited scoring between the two power-houses failed to provide the entertainment normally expected from either nation.

A Spanish attack in the 38th minute created a slight break in the monotony with a characteristically light shot from David Silva from within the Portuguese box.

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos earned a yellow-card in the 41st minute after fouling Ronaldo, giving a little bit of meat to an otherwise tasteless first-half. The first half ended with very few real shots on goal, and very few real chances-taken. It was more like watching a chess-match than a football game, with all of the attempts to find clever or precise passes.

The Portuguese opened the second-half, hoping to step-up their play for a brief moment and come out on top of the Spanish. There wasn't much to report, however, as neither side seemed to be able to force their way ahead. The air seemed crisp with the anticipation of a possible penalty shoot-out, which would follow a scoreless regular-time and a scoreless extra-time.

Shots and chances began to flow after the 55th minute, with plenty of long-balls from the Spanish and counter-attacks from the Portuguese. In addition, the yellow-cards began to pile-up, and the animosity between these two teams was anything but hiding. Xavi had a shot on in the 68th minute, but it was right at the Portuguese keeper.

A Ronaldo free-kick in the 73rd minute could have ended it all, but if anything has been learned in reading this article, it is that this game would go down to the wire.

Blocked-shots stopped a Portuguese attack at 76', which ended with an uneventful corner.

Arbeloa received a yellow-card in the 84th minute for encroachment on Ronaldo, who was taking a free kick. Ronaldo was awarded another, but missed just over the crossbar. After the pathetic Portuguese attack at 90', Christiano Ronaldo fullly proved the he was not on top of his game, and was at best a shadow of his superstar ego. The last real chance of the match came from a Spanish corner which found it's way all the way back to Iker Casillas.


Regular time ended scoreless, and the drama began to overtake the inaction as these two teams geared-up for a half-hour of play, followed by a possible penalty shoot-out. 


The Spanish opened extra-time, with the Portuguese fear being that one of their four already-booked defenders would be sent-off. Blocked-shots and fouls kept the game interesting as tension mounted. 


A Spanish free-kick from Xavi Alonso was headed away by the Portuguese, but the Spaniards maintained possession for a shot from Iniesta, and a moment where the Portuguese defense looked very shaky. Ronaldo made an excellent attack in the 98th, which resulted in the ball going out-of-bounds. The Portuguese quickly regained possession, and held it until Iniesta intercepted on the edge of the box, and the Spanish countered. The Spanish attack ended with an identical interception, as well as an injury to Pedro. 


Spain looked very-much on top at 102', when Cesc Fabrregas took a corner which ended in a blocked shot from Jesus Navas. Another corner started out slowly with a short pass, and ended with a Portuguese counter-attack. Navas had another shot from a tough angle at 104', but it went out wide across the pitch. Iniesta very nearly had a goal from a short distance, with the resulting corner ending up wasted. The Spanish were pulling-out the stops in extra-time, seemingly knowing that if ever the Portuguese could beat them, it would be in a penalty-shootout. 


Ramos very-nearly scored off the top-left corner with a well-struck free-kick at the end of the first half in extra-time.

The second-half of extra-time started with the Spanish settling-down and maintaining possession in their own half, while the Portuguese settled-back into a defensive mindset. They did counter strongly in the 107th, but the attack was stopped by a block  and a slowly-progressing Spanish possession.

The Portuguese surprised me when their defensive-stance moved forward with pressing forwards who moved-in dangerously close to Casillas.

Jesus Navas nearly ended it in the 111th, but a magnificent save from Rui Patricio kept Portugal just one goal away from a Euro Cup Final. A Spanish attack from Pedro at 114' almost ended it as well, but the Portuguese defenders got it away for a corner. The attacks continued in the 117th with a beautiful passing display that ended in an offsides, but was almost a goal-scoring opportunity. Had the Spanish played with such vigor during regular time, perhaps they might have put the game away in 90 minutes. They pressed-on into the dying moments of on-field play, but it was all for naught as the two teams entered into a penalty shootout, an event filled with drama on any stage, but especially in a competition of this magnitude.

The Shootout

Iker Casillas

Rui Patrico

1.) The first team to take a penalty was Spain, when Xabi Alonso fired away, but Rui Patrico made the save. It was a mid-height shot to the shooter's right. 

Juao Moutinho took the shot for Portugal, but it too was saved, by Iker Casillas for Spain.

2.) Andres Iniesta took the second shot for Spain, scoring in the same area aimed-at by Xabi Alonso, mid-height to his right side.

Pepe took the second shot for Portugal, firing low along the ground to his left, in the lower-left corner.

3.) The third shooter was Gerard Picque for Spain, scoring low-left, just above the ground. 

Portugal seemed to answer with Bruno Alves, but was switched out for Nani at the last minute. Nani scored high, just underneath the crossbar as the ball went up through the net.

4.) Sergio Ramos tried to put it away for Spain with kick number four, shooting the ball very lightly after Patrico dove out to the left and scoring.

Bruno Alves came back on for the fourth shot, but the ball came out off the bottom of the ball near the upper-right corner. 

Cesc Fabregas scored the game-winner in
the penalty shootout.

5.) All pressure was on Cesc Fabregas as he lined-up the shot that sent the Spanish to the Euro Cup final with a shot of the inside of the left-side bar, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo speechless and without taking a penalty. There was immediate speculation as to whether or not Ronaldo was scheduled last due to personal pride in his desire to take the final shot. 

The game ended with a dramatic Spanish win and nine total yellow cards, although no reds and no penalties outside of the shootout.

Hero-of-the-Match

There's no doubt about it, someone had to be the hero in this close match, and the award could only go to one man: Cesc Fabregas. Though I was unimpressed by this Spanish side during regular time, their attacks in extra time and their execution in the shootout provided high drama and excitement. Somebody had to be the game-winner, and Fabregas stepped-up and took his shot, giving Spain the chance for back-to-back-to-back wins in major tournaments. 

Special mentions to the referee, whose name escapes me at the moment. He did his best to call a fair game in a high-pressure situation, and walked-away without any lasting controversy. No penalties, no sending-offs, just a lot of yellow-cards and free-kicks. Good job, ref. 

As a writer, and as a fan, I can only hope that tomorrow's game between Germany and Italy shows more chances, as well as a more disciplined and exciting playing-style. Penalties are exciting, but not for writers who have to comment on the other two-hours of play. It was my first experience writing-up a shootout, and I would like to know what I could do better in future penalty-situations. Please feel-free to leave a comment down below if you as readers have any preference concerning the way I write-up shootouts. I hope that my disinterest and boredom during regular time did not ruin the reading experience, but let's all get excited about the prospect of a better game of football tomorrow.