Latte Links (6/1)

1. "Stand blocked federal control of Alaskans" by Gov. Sarah Palin

She had some interesting things to say about how the stimulus funds affected state sovereignty, as well as, local government.  Wish my governor would have considered “little” issues like that before putting his hand out.

In response to your May 27 editorial, let me explain why I vetoed $28.6 million of federal stimulus funds tied to adoption of universal energy building codes.

The feds required me to certify these codes "will be implemented" or pushed on local communities. My record is clear. I support conserving energy through weatherization and I’m an advocate for harnessing renewable sources of energy. But conditions here required more "big brother" government involvement than most Alaskans want and the new codes could cost Alaskans thousands of dollars per new home and renovation. (read the rest)

2.  “Abortion Doctor Gunned Down at Kansas Church; Suspect in Custody”

Dr. George Tiller, who remained one of the nation’s few providers of late-term abortions despite decades of protests and attacks, was shot and killed Sunday in a church where he was serving as an usher.

The gunman fled, but a 51-year-old suspect was arrested some 170 miles away in suburban Kansas City three hours after the shooting, Wichita Deputy Police Chief Tom Stolz said. (read the rest)

3. “Ten Guidelines for Interpreting the Gospels” by Michael Spencer (Internet Monk)

1. Don’t harmonize the Gospels. That’s like taking four paintings and combining them into one. You come up with something no one painted and no one intended to paint. Let each Gospel author be an artist in his own right. However, a Gospel synopsis, such as those available from UBS, are very useful and important in comparing Gospel texts to one another WITHOUT harmonizing them. (read the rest)

4.  “Killing Abortionists Is Wrong.  Period.” by Melinda @ Stand to Reason

Some ask, "If you consider abortion murder, doesn’t that incite the killing of abortionists?"  This question needs to be answered clearly and directly and here is the answer. No. It simply does not follow that if one believes that abortion is murder then he would advocate killing individual abortionists.  In fact, it’s not only wrong, it’s counterproductive to ending legalized abortion.  More children die as a result of an abortionist being killed, so all we have are more dead bodies.  Not anyone is saved, only lost. (read the rest)

5.  “Sometimes Government Must Act” by John Mark Reynolds

What should be done when parents rely on religion instead of medicine to heal sick children?

Christians know we are all broken. Nobody is perfect and so no human being can be trusted with total power. Institutions are often megaphones for personal power. In noble hands, like those of Reverend Martin Luther King, great good can be done with power, but even King was not perfect so that even the best of people and their institutions need a check and a balance. (read the rest)