jbg Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 Below is an article (not copyrighted, and short so reproduced in full, link here) My views below: Sen. Dick Durbin To Single Handedly Kill Off The U.S Commission On International Religious Freedom? 11/17/2011 Washington, D.C. (ICC Press Release) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that the U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) may permanently close its doors tomorrow unless Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois releases the “call back” he has placed on the commission’s reauthorization. For over a decade, USCIRF has been instrumental in investigating and reporting on issues of religious freedom worldwide, calling on foreign governments to address violence against religious minorities and urging the U.S. government to promote religious freedom through its foreign policy. The bill, which includes authorization for funding USCIRF another two years, H.R 2867, has already passed the House of Representatives and was set to unanimously pass the Senate when Sen. Dick Durbin issued a call back on the legislation. A vote cannot take place until the senator releases his call back. At the time of writing, Sen. Durbin’s office had not responded to a request for comment. The only other hope for the survival of USCIRF after this Friday night rests in Congress passing a continuing resolution which would keep funding for USCIRF precariously in place for another month. If Congress fails to pass a continuing resolution, then USCIRF will be permanently closed and its staff, representing years of cumulative experience on issues of religious freedom, will be forced to join the ranks of the unemployed. International Christian Concern’s Advocacy Officer, Isaac Six, said, “The loss of the U.S Commission on International Freedom is a blow to the cause of religious freedom worldwide. At a time when reports of violent attacks against religious minorities occur almost daily, the United States can ill afford to silence one of the greatest voices speaking out against such intolerance. Nothing less than our international reputation as the champion of religious freedom and human rights is at stake, and the thought that a single senator may compromise that reputation is disturbing, to say the least.” ICC is urging readers to call Senator Dick Durbin’s office immediately at 202-224-2152 and to ask him to release his call back on H.R 2867. The budget for the agency is barebones. The agency is quite small, and promotes the U.S.'s ideological view in pluralism and religious freedom throughout the world. I have often felt that it is downright wrong that we in the U.S. and West generally open ourselves to all comers and all cultures. We may have paper limits on the number of immigrants we allow but visas are essentially unrestricted. People can come and worship as they please. Check out developments, say, in Egypt. Coptic Christians have long been persecuted. In many of those countries, go there as a Jew or Christian and your life is in their hands. I see no reason that the U.S. shouldn't advocate its views. The countries hostile to the West advocate theirs. With abandon. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Michael Hardner Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 I see no reason that the U.S. shouldn't advocate its views. The countries hostile to the West advocate theirs. With abandon. Well, without another side to the story how are we to comment ? Is this being shut down due to budget cuts or ? Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
bush_cheney2004 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 Maybe the Democrats are trying to lock in that all important atheist vote. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
olp1fan Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 Maybe the Democrats are trying to lock in that all important atheist vote. what is that? 6 % of the population? Quote
jbg Posted November 19, 2011 Author Report Posted November 19, 2011 Well, without another side to the story how are we to comment ? Is this being shut down due to budget cuts or ? It's a tiny agency. You've got to be kidding if you think that's budget driven. It's a hold by one Senator with a hard-on for anti-Islamist causes. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Michael Hardner Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 Ok... So why then? Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
PhilosopherKing Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 It's a tiny agency. You've got to be kidding if you think that's budget driven. It's a hold by one Senator with a hard-on for anti-Islamist causes. I don't understand. It passed the congress. It was set for unanimous support in the senate. Then one senator says no and... and that's it? How did you people ever manage to become leaders of the free world anyway? Your government is ridiculous. Quote
jbg Posted November 19, 2011 Author Report Posted November 19, 2011 Ok... So why then? I don't understand. It passed the congress. It was set for unanimous support in the senate. Then one senator says no and... and that's it? How did you people ever manage to become leaders of the free world anyway? Your government is ridiculous. Our country is great despite our government. Not because of it. As as far as the "one Senator" I have my doubts that certain other Senators want it badly. Or else it would get a floor vote. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Guest American Woman Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 I'm not getting how "political correctness" is supposed to be playing into this. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted November 19, 2011 Report Posted November 19, 2011 Our country is great despite our government. Not because of it. Yes...that is a great observation. America is not about government per se...President Reagan reminded us of this. As as far as the "one Senator" I have my doubts that certain other Senators want it badly. Or else it would get a floor vote. Durbin just wants something in return for his callback. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
dre Posted November 20, 2011 Report Posted November 20, 2011 USCIRF I dont like acronyms with more than 5 letters. This should definately be shut down. Quote I question things because I am human. And call no one my father who's no closer than a stranger
Argus Posted November 21, 2011 Report Posted November 21, 2011 Our country is great despite our government. Not because of it. Your country used to have better governments. If you had the present government in 1941 you'd still be discussing what, if anything, to do about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor five years later. The Democrats would want to initiate boycotts and sanctions while the Republicans would want war, but wouldn't be willing to increase taxes to pay for it. Quote "A liberal is someone who claims to be open to all points of view — and then is surprised and offended to find there are other points of view.” William F Buckley
jbg Posted November 21, 2011 Author Report Posted November 21, 2011 Your country used to have better governments. If you had the present government in 1941 you'd still be discussing what, if anything, to do about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor five years later. The Democrats would want to initiate boycotts and sanctions while the Republicans would want war, but wouldn't be willing to increase taxes to pay for it. Perfect. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
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