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INDEX |
More Intelligent Design Jokes terminology: There is really silly stuff ... and serious stuff: why is the organ responsible for hearing would also house a mechanism for balance?... why are our jaws too small for our (wisdom) teeth? ... the human body has many kludges, failures, chronic problems and imperfections. Many creatures have design flaws, like the panda's thumb, the vestigial wings of flightless birds, whale hip bones, the parthenogenetic lizards (genus Cnemdophorus), many make-dos, weird adaptations, re-works, backups, whosits, letstrythatagains, ... misdesigns are proof of evolution actually, they survived because the animal survived despite the problem. ... How about human embryo tails? fetal teeth in whales that never erupt ... flounders with both eyes on one side of the head. Hollow bones in Penguins, horses still have bones inside hoof to support three toes. Human babies heads are nearly too big for birth, pain, alot of pain, ... its the anatomy, physics, and physiology of the beast, ... back pain comes from the fact that the spinal chord evolved to support horizontal creatures, and what about the knee joint... the neck is just not built well enough to support a large head ... shaken baby syndrome ... and the male urethra passes through the prostrate gland which can choke its flow ... not good. Because the testes drop a soft spot in the abdominal wall is formed increasing the risk of a hernia, ... and what about using the same orifice for procreation and elimination? ... women's monthy cycle is a real winner...right. |
Turkish Muslim Creationist Book? | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Narnia Marketing firms:
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Slate continued This may seem
like an oblique way in which to approach Mel Gibson's ghastly movie The
Passion. But it came back to me this week that an associate of his had once
told me, in lacerating detail, that an evening with Mel was one long fiesta
of boring but graphic jokes about anal sex. I've since had that confirmed by
other sources. And, long before he emerged as the spear-carrier for the sort
of Catholicism once preached by Gen. Franco and the persecutors of Dreyfus,
Mel Gibson attained a brief notoriety for his loud and crude attacks on
gays. Now he's become the proud producer of a movie that relies for its
effect almost entirely on sadomasochistic male narcissism. The culture of
blackshirt and brownshirt pseudomasculinity, as has often been pointed out,
depended on some keen shared interests. Among them were massively repressed
homoerotic fantasies, a camp interest in military uniforms, an obsession
with flogging and a hatred of silky and effeminate Jews. Well, I mean to
say, have you seen Mel's movie?
I think that it's a healthy sign for our society that so many Jews have decided to be calm and unoffended by the film, and that so many Christians say they don't feel any worse about Jews after having seen it. We have a social consensus where Jews feel more secure and Christians less insecure. Good. But this does not alter the fact that The Passion is anti-Semitic in intention and its director anti-Semitic by nature. Some people including myself think that Abe Foxman and the Anti-Defamation League are too easily prone to charge the sin of anti-Semitism. But if someone denies the Holocaust one day and makes a film accusing Jews of Christ-killing the next day, I have to say that if he's not anti-Jewish then he's certainly getting there. |
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Intelligent Design Jokes .... Creation Museum Jokes .... and some not-so-funny 'stuff' |
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The Creation Museum .... Marketing Christianity with dinosaurs ... go to Creation Museum Jokes page....or is it the Theocracy Museum? Randy Travis, Bush, War supporter
Notes: Believers claim religion is natural human activity in response to reality of supernatural world and divine revelation. Academia see it as part of a cultural evolution, a human response to stimuli. the researchers view is at odds with the direct experience of the actors, a wide gap between the observers language and the observed. When the actors observes devotion, the researcher sees underlying motives, causes which are economic, political and maybe personal, things the actors may not be aware of as the true forces behind the behavior. The researcher compelled to go beyond the actors personal accounts. Unconscious motives. How do historians explain the Reformation or Crusades, but through undeclared human needs. more |
REALITY: Spiked
Online Creationism, Pluralism and the Compromising of Science, by
Joel Kaplinsky.
"On examination intelligent design's only novelty turns out to be not a grounding in science, but a promotional strategy. Its supposed scientific legitimacy rests on the work of biochemist Michael Behe and mathematician William Dembski. However, neither Behe nor Dembski (nor anyone else) have published on intelligent design in peer reviewed journals. This is unsurprising, since their work is nothing but rehashes of old creationist arguments." and IDEA rebuttal Flock of Dodos AP Sarkar Lab jokes |
Above: The pic is a joke?....but see Guardian & more on page 8 Is Global Warming and attacking Iran welcomed by Evangelical Christians as the End? or see ECI
Jesus didn't need a marketing machine. |
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LiveScience Top Ten Intelligent Design (Creation Myths) |
All social and historical research considers unconscious motives. The rise of Bhuddism (rather than Hinduism) in India 2500 years ago is explained through the course of better satisfaction of political and economic needs of the ruler class. Coincidence of interests between tenant farmers and clergy helped spread Catholicism, Ireland. There are similar underlying forces enabling a surge in fundamentalist Christianity in the U. S. But massive differences in communication technology have allowed insignificant trends to be over exaggerated and significant forces to be quelled, but the underlying basic needs are still being appealed to. |
Not-so-funny news..................and see TheocracyWatch | ||
Voters oust school board that backed intelligent design. More News | New York Times: Evolution Debate | Science & Theology News |
Intelligent Design: a political
challenge to evolution, a comedy or tragedy? Dembski: in court-he
says no creationism, religion, just science.....but see Southern
Baptist Convention press More
News
not funny: Acton Institute: Three New Testament Roots of Economic Liberty by Howard Ahmanson, on Board of Directors, Discovery Institute More News Wedge Document: "Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions." More News |
See Answers
in Genesis for more 'authoritative' information on:
aliens / ufo's, 'proof' of creation, apemen, arguments creationists should
not use, Nazism, Embryonic Recapitulation, Joshua's long day, vestigal
organs, Wooly mammoths, and GOD, (Him). Sorry, no info on
Hummers.
Theocracy Museum ...oh, sorry, we mean Creation Museum ...go to page 12 Creation Museum Jokes
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Creation Museum, Patrick Marsh, creator of Jaws and King Kong attractions at Universal Studios, recruited by Ken Ham. Seattle Times What would Jesus Think...? |
Truth is Stranger Than Fiction, These are Not Jokes | Pope Benedict "Intelligent Project"....Cheney: Office of Special Projects ? | |||
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"Pope Benedict waded indirectly into the evolution debate by saying the universe was made by an "intelligent project" and criticizing those who in the name of science say its creation was without direction or order." above source: Yahoo News and see Schonborn: Intelligent Design based on 'reason' not science. | |||
Bush:
"Here's how you spell Kansas: K-A-N-S-A-S" and
later he'll ask about women's rights classes.
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Creation Science Museums big three sorry Museum of Earth History ... you're not 'scientific' enough. MORE
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Voters oust school board that backed intelligent design.. USA Today top |
Pa. voters oust school board that backed intelligent
design
DOVER, Pa. (AP) — Voters came down hard Tuesday on school board members who ordered a statement on intelligent design read in biology class, ousting eight Republicans and replacing them with Democrats who want the concept stripped from the science curriculum. The election unfolded amid a landmark federal trial involving the Dover public schools and the question of whether intelligent design promotes the Bible's view of creation. Eight Dover families sued, saying it violates the constitutional separation of church and state. (Related story: Kansas can teach intelligent design) Dover's school board adopted a policy in October 2004 that requires ninth-graders to hear a prepared statement about intelligent design before learning about evolution in biology class. Eight of the nine school board members were up for election Tuesday. They were challenged by a slate of Democrats who argued that science class was not the appropriate forum for teaching intelligent design. (Related story: What would Darwin think?) "My kids believe in God. I believe in God. But I don't think it belongs in the science curriculum the way the school district is presenting it," said Jill Reiter, 41, a bank teller who joined a group of high school students waving signs supporting the challengers Tuesday. A spokesman for the winning slate of candidates has said they wouldn't act hastily and would consider the outcome of the court case. The judge expects to rule by January; the new school board members will be sworn in Dec. 5. School board member David Napierskie, who lost Tuesday, said the vote wasn't just about ideology. "Some people felt intelligent design shouldn't be taught and others were concerned about having tax money spent on the lawsuit," he said. Intelligent design holds that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by some kind of higher force. The statement read to students says Charles Darwin's theory is "not a fact" and has inexplicable "gaps." A similar controversy has erupted in Kansas, where the state Board of Education on Tuesday approved science standards for public schools that cast doubt on the theory of evolution. The 6-4 vote was a victory for intelligent design advocates who helped draft the standards. |
=go to NFU pages Hagee, McCain, Catholics top | |||
PROGRESSIVE | REFERENCE | CONSERVATIVE* | |
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'Intelligent Design and Creation Museum News top | ||
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follow up, the act of following up. 2. an action or thing that serves to increase the effectiveness of a previous one, as a second or subsequent letter, phone call, or visit. 3. Also called follow. Journalism. a. a news story providing additional information on a story or article previously published. b. Also called sidebar, supplementary story. a minor news story used to supplement a related story of major importance. Compare feature story (def. 1), human-interest story, shirttail. –adjective 4. designed or serving to follow up, esp. to increase the effectiveness of a previous action: a follow-up interview; a follow-up offer. 5. of or pertaining to action that follows an initial treatment, course of study, etc.: follow-up care for mental patients; a follow-up survey. fol·low –verb (used with object) 1. to come after in sequence, order of time, etc.: The speech follows the dinner. 2. to go or come after; move behind in the same direction: Drive ahead, and I'll follow you. 3. to accept as a guide or leader; accept the authority of or give allegiance to: Many Germans followed Hitler. 4. to conform to, comply with, or act in accordance with; obey: to follow orders; to follow advice. 5. to imitate or copy; use as an exemplar: They follow the latest fads. 6. to move forward along (a road, path, etc.): Follow this road for a mile. 7. to come after as a result or consequence; result from: Reprisals often follow victory. 8. to go after or along with (a person) as companion. 9. to go in pursuit of: to follow an enemy. 10. to try for or attain to: to follow an ideal. 11. to engage in or be concerned with as a pursuit: He followed the sea as his true calling. 12. to watch the movements, progress, or course of: to follow a bird in flight. 13. to watch the development of or keep up with: to follow the news. 14. to keep up with and understand (an argument, story, etc.): Do you follow me? –verb (used without object) 15. to come next after something else in sequence, order of time, etc. 16. to happen or occur after something else; come next as an event: After the defeat great disorder followed. 17. to attend or serve. 18. to go or come after a person or thing in motion. 19. to result as an effect; occur as a consequence: It follows then that he must be innocent. –noun 20. the act of following. 21. Billiards, Pool. follow shot (def. 2). 22. follow-up (def. 3). —Verb phrases23. follow out, to carry to a conclusion; execute: They followed out their orders to the letter. 24. follow through, a. to carry out fully, as a stroke of a club in golf, a racket in tennis, etc. b. to continue an effort, plan, proposal, policy, etc., to its completion. 25. follow up, a. to pursue closely and tenaciously. b. to increase the effectiveness of by further action or repetition. c. to pursue to a solution or conclusion. —Idiom26. follow suit. suit (def. 13). fol·low·a·ble, adjective —Synonyms 3. obey. 4. heed, observe. 8. accompany, attend. 9. pursue, chase; trail, track, trace. 19. arise, proceed. Follow, ensue, result, succeed imply coming after something else, in a natural sequence. Follow is the general word: We must wait to see what follows. A detailed account follows. Ensue implies a logical sequence, what might be expected normally to come after a given act, cause, etc.: When the power lines were cut, a paralysis of transportation ensued. Result emphasizes the connection between a cause or event and its effect, consequence, or outcome: The accident resulted in injuries to those involved. Succeed implies coming after in time, particularly coming into a title, office, etc.: Formerly the oldest son succeeded to his father's title. —Antonyms 1. precede. 2, 3. lead. 4. disregard. 9. flee. news follow up |
Discovery
Institute, Religious and Corporate connections (they
claim its not a creationist organization
...but?)
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Ken Ham.... "the president of Answers in Genesis feels it is necessary to point out that intelligent design is not a Christian movement - and Christians need to be aware of that, he says. " source: Crosswalk but see below....the religious roots of the Discovery Institute. | |
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Tour information | ||||
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Jerry Falwell (R. I. P.) Liberty University & Jerry Falwell Jr. top | |||
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Below are important terms relating to the Franklin Scandal Omaha | There is a direct link between power, pedophilia and child abuse. | |
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Hudson
Institute, Neo-con, Evangelical Christian & Christian Zionist links to
the Religious, Military Industrial Complex (RMIC)
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Hudson Institute Fellows research: RightWeb (Hudson Institute), Media Transparency | |
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Corruption tainted politicians see Seek God NPR FiredogLake
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Hudson Institute top | ||
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Christians against pro-war Neocons...more, Research: |
Warning
about Council for National Policy, Abramoff...
Council for
National Policy: members are found in Christian organizations
encompassing James Dobson's Focus on the Family, Bill Bright's Campus
Crusade for Christ and it's many branches, Robert Weiner's Maranatha
shepherding group, Gideons, Youth for Christ, World Vision, Wycliffe Bible
Translators, Billy Graham Evangelical Assoc., Intercessors for America,
International Charismatic Bible Ministries, National Evangelical Assoc.,
National Religious Broadcasters Assoc., Promise Keepers and many more. The
potential spiritual impact of this organization, which claims educational
status, could be unparalleled.
In-depth biographies of CNP founders and past/present officers and many members reveal that many are directly affiliated with or part of such organizations as the Knights of Malta, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon, the Church of Scientology, Freemasonry, the CIA, Nazis, the Church Universal & Triumphant, the Ku Klux Klan, Templeton Foundation, Racists and other cults and organizations. This will perhaps explain the ease with which many are seduced into embracing false doctrine and the One World Religion. They don't belong to Jesus Christ. We're told specifically to not join with unbelievers Selected: Council for National Policy members: |
Ambassador S.L. Abbott , Larry Abraham, Jack Abramoff , M. Douglas Adkins, Howard Ahmanson, Jr., Dr. Frank Aker, Honorable Barbara Alby John Alderson, Gary Aldrich, Richard V. Allen, Daniel B. Allison II, Thomas R. Anderson, Senator John K. Andrews, Jr., Dr. John F.Ankerberg, Philip F. Anschutz, Hon. Richard K. Armey, Ben Armstrong, Thomas K. Armstrong, Sen. William L. Armstrong, Dr. Larry P. Arnn, John M. Ashbrook, Edward G. Atsinger III Christian Top 1000 |
Bush Remarks On 'Intelligent Design' Theory Fuel Debate, | |
from the Washington Post | |
Discovery Institute Making a Positive Vision of the Future Practical | |
Washington
Post
By Peter Baker and Peter Slevin Washington Post Staff Writers Wednesday,
August 3, 2005; Page A01
President Bush invigorated proponents of teaching alternatives to evolution in public schools with remarks saying that schoolchildren should be taught about "intelligent design," a view of creation that challenges established scientific thinking and promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity. Although he said that curriculum decisions should be made by school districts rather than the federal government, Bush told Texas newspaper reporters in a group interview at the White House on Monday that he believes that intelligent design should be taught alongside evolution as competing theories. President Bush said students "ought to be exposed to different ideas." (Gerald Herbert - AP) "Both sides ought to be properly taught . . . so people can understand what the debate is about," he said, according to an official transcript of the session. Bush added: "Part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. . . . You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, and the answer is yes." These comments drew sharp criticism yesterday from opponents of the theory, who said there is no scientific evidence to support it and no educational basis for teaching it. Much of the scientific establishment says that intelligent design is not a tested scientific theory but a cleverly marketed effort to introduce religious -- especially Christian -- thinking to students. Opponents say that church groups and other interest groups are pursuing political channels instead of first building support through traditional scientific review. The White House said yesterday that Bush's comments were in keeping with positions dating to his Texas governorship, but aides say they could not recall him addressing the issue before as president. His remarks heartened conservatives who have been asking school boards and legislatures to teach students that there are gaps in evolutionary theory and explain that life's complexity is evidence of a guiding hand. "With the president endorsing it, at the very least it makes Americans who have that position more respectable, for lack of a better phrase," said Gary L. Bauer, a Christian conservative leader who ran for president against Bush in the 2000 Republican primaries. "It's not some backwater view. It's a view held by the majority of Americans." John G. West, an executive with the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based think tank supporting intelligent design, issued a written statement welcoming Bush's remarks. "President Bush is to be commended for defending free speech on evolution, and supporting the right of students to hear about different scientific views about evolution," he said. Opponents of intelligent design, which a Kansas professor once called "creationism in a cheap tuxedo," say there is no legitimate debate. They see the case increasingly as a political battle that threatens to weaken science teaching in a nation whose students already are lagging. "It is, of course, further indication that a fundamentalist right has really taken over much of the Republican Party," said Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), a leading liberal lawmaker. Noting Bush's Ivy League education, Frank said, "People might cite George Bush as proof that you can be totally impervious to the effects of Harvard and Yale education." Bush's comments were "irresponsible," said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He said the president, by suggesting that students hear two viewpoints, "doesn't understand that one is a religious viewpoint and one is a scientific viewpoint." Lynn said Bush showed a "low level of understanding of science," adding that he worries that Bush's comments could be followed by a directive to the Justice Department to support legal efforts to change curricula. Bush gave no sign that he intended to wade that far into the debate. The issue came up only when a reporter from the Knight Ridder news service asked him about it; participants said the president did not seem especially eager to be asked. "Very interesting question," he told the reporter playfully. At a morning briefing yesterday, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush was simply restating long-standing views. "He has said that going back to his days as governor," McClellan said. "I think he also said in those remarks that local school districts should make the decisions about their curriculum. But it's long been his belief that students ought to be exposed to different ideas, and so that's what he was reiterating yesterday." In comments published last year in Science magazine, Bush said that the federal government should not tell states or school boards what to teach but that "scientific critiques of any theory should be a normal part of the science curriculum." The president's latest remarks came less than two months after Cardinal Christopher Schonborn, archbishop of Vienna and an influential Roman Catholic theologian, said evolution as "an unguided, unplanned process of random variation and natural selection" is not true. "Any system of thought that denies or seeks to explain away the overwhelming evidence for design in biology is ideology, not science," Schonborn wrote in the New York Times. He said he wanted to correct the idea that neo-Darwinism is compatible with Christian faith. Bruce Alberts, president of the National Academy of Sciences, warned this year in a "Dear Colleagues" letter of "increasingly strident attempts to limit the teaching of evolution." The most prominent debate is underway in Kansas, where the conservative state board of education is expected to require the teaching of doubts about evolution to public high school students. A challenge to the teaching of intelligent design is scheduled for trial in Dover, Pa., while a federal court in Georgia said textbook stickers questioning evolution were unconstitutional. Slevin reported from Chicago. Falwell apologizes to gays, feminists, lesbians.....CNN & Bob Jones University Press and Beka books unacceptable to UC. search web: Gerry Falwell "Discovery Institute" Perkel Moonie front orgs Wikipedia, Common Dreams, News World acquired UPI in 2000 from a group of Saudi investors. News World was founded by the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church UPI Clinton Chronicles, by Jerry Falwell, see Rotten.com Hudson Institute, Neocons, Iraq War Who bailed out Liberty University? Sun Myung Moon |
And does the GOP have a problem with little boys ... maybe it goes back to the Spartans and the Greek civilization? hmmm ... Clinton problems were with women ...though see Barney Frank / Larry Craig | |
Theocracy watch |
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The following terms important to links between ID and politics | |
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Discovery Institute says ID does not specifically identify a 'God', but although you will find that the top management layer is composed mainly of secular businessmen, the next level is composed of a dominant amount of influential Evangelical Christian Leaders. No other religion has any significant representation. | |
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Interactive 9/11, JFK & Holocaust Spreadsheet | |||||
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Clinton 9/11 Truth Timeline |
Wikipedia Mike Huckabee |
Michael Dale "Mike" Huckabee (born August 24, 1955) is an American politician who served as the 44th Governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007.[4] He was a candidate in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries. He won the 2008 Iowa Republican caucuses and finished second in delegate count and third in both popular vote and number of states won behind nominee John McCain and Mitt Romney.[5] Beginning in 2008, Huckabee hosted the eponymous Fox News Channel talk show Huckabee, ending the show in January 2015 in order to explore a potential bid for the Presidency.[6] From April 2012 through December 2013, he hosted a daily radio program, The Mike Huckabee Show, on weekday afternoons for Cumulus Media Networks.[7] Huckabee is the author of several best-selling books, an ordained Southern Baptist minister noted for his fundamentalist views,[8] a musician, and a public speaker. He is also a political commentator on The Huckabee Report.[9] On May 5, 2015, Huckabee announced a campaign to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election.[10] It will be his second run for the U.S. presidency. Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Pastoral career 3 Political career 3.1 Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1993-1996 3.2 Governor of Arkansas, 1996-2007 3.2.1 Clemencies 3.3 2008 presidential election campaign 3.3.1 Vice Presidency speculation 3.4 Speculated 2012 presidential campaign 3.5 2016 presidential campaign 4 Political positions 5 Public image 5.1 Honors 5.2 Organizations 5.3 Media career 5.4 Notoriety 6 Personal life 6.1 Capitol Offense (rock band) 6.2 Weight loss and health advocacy 7 Books 8 See also 9 References 10 External links Early life[edit] Huckabee was born on August 24, 1955 in Hope, Arkansas,[11] the son of Mae (née Elder; 1925–1999) and Dorsey Wiles Huckabee (1923–1996), conservative Southern Democrats. Huckabee is of English ancestry, with roots in America since the colonial era.[12] He has cited his working-class upbringing as the reason for his political views;[13] his father worked as a fireman and mechanic, and his mother worked as a clerk at a gas company.[14] His first job, at 14, was working at a radio station where he read the news and weather.[15] He was elected Governor of Arkansas by his chapter of the American Legion-sponsored Boys State program in 1972[11] and is a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation alumnus. He was student council vice president at Hope High School during the 1971–72 school year. He was student council president at Hope High School during the 1972–1973 school year.[16] He has one sister, Mrs. Pat Harris, a middle school teacher.[17] Huckabee married his wife, Janet (McCain), on May 25, 1974.[17] He graduated magna cum laude from Ouachita Baptist University, completing his bachelor's degree in Religion in 2½ years before attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He dropped out of the seminary after one year in order to take a job in Christian broadcasting.[18][19] Pastoral career[edit] Huckabee at Thomas Road Baptist Church, 2008 At age 21, Huckabee was a staffer for televangelist James Robison.[16] Robison commented, "His convictions shape his character and his character will shape his policies. His whole life has been shaped by moral absolutes."[16] Prior to his political career, he served as pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas from 1980 to 1986, and the Beech Street Baptist Church in Texarkana from 1986 to 1992. He started 24-hour television stations in both cities, where he produced documentaries and hosted a program called Positive Alternatives.[11] He encouraged the all-white Immanuel Baptist Church to accept black members in the mid-1980s.[16][20] In 1989 Huckabee ran against Ronnie Floyd of Springdale for the presidency of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Huckabee won and served as president from 1989 to 1991.[21] Political career[edit] Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, 1993-1996[edit] In Huckabee's first political race in 1992, he lost to incumbent Senator and conservative Democrat Dale Bumpers, receiving 40 percent of the vote in the general election.[22] In the same election, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton became president, making Lieutenant Governor Jim Guy Tucker the new Governor. In 1993, Republican state chairman Asa Hutchinson urged Huckabee to run in the special election for lieutenant governor held on July 27. Realizing his loss came among key conservative Democrats, Huckabee ran a decidedly conservative campaign. In the subsequent general election, he defeated Nate Coulter, who had been Bumpers' campaign manager the previous year,[23] 51–49 percent.[11] Huckabee became only the second Republican since Reconstruction to serve as Arkansas lieutenant governor, the first having been Maurice Britt from 1967 to 1971. In his autobiography From Hope to Higher Ground, Huckabee recalled the chilly reception that he received from the Arkansas Democratic establishment on his election as lieutenant governor: "The doors to my office were spitefully nailed shut from the inside, office furniture and equipment were removed, and the budget spent down to almost nothing prior to our arriving. After fifty-nine days of public outcry, the doors were finally opened for me to occupy the actual office I had been elected to hold two months earlier."[24] Dick Morris, who had previously worked for Bill Clinton, advised Huckabee on his races in 1993, 1994 and 1998.[25] Huckabee commented that Morris was a "personal friend."[25] A newspaper article reported on Huckabee's 1993 win: "Morris said the mistake Republicans always make is that they are too much of a country club set. What we wanted to do was run a progressive campaign that would appeal to all Arkansans.'"[25] Morris elaborated, "So we opened the campaign with ads that characterized Mike as more of a moderate whose values were the same as those of other Arkansans."[25] Consequently, he abandoned his earlier support for the Council of Conservative Citizens (CofCC) when in April 1994 following an adverse media campaign against the CofCC, Huckabee withdrew from a speaking engagement before their national convention. He repeated the accusations made by various media and left-wing organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center recalling his past association with the CofCC saying, "I will not participate in any program that has racist overtones. I've spent a lifetime fighting [against] racism and anti-Semitism."[26] In 1994, Huckabee was re-elected to a full term as lieutenant governor, beating Democratic candidate Charlie Cole Chaffin with nearly 59 percent of the vote.[27] While Lieutenant Governor, Huckabee accepted $71,500 in speaking fees and traveling expenses from a nonprofit group, Action America. R. J. Reynolds was the group's largest contributor.[20] In October 1995, David Pryor announced that he was retiring from the United States Senate. Huckabee then announced he was running for the open seat and moved ahead in the polls,[11] but ultimately dropped out of the race to lead the state after incumbent governor Jim Guy Tucker resigned following his fraud and conspiracy convictions.[28] During his campaign, Huckabee opposed in December then-Governor Tucker's plan for a constitutional convention.[29] The plan was defeated by voters, 80–20 percent, in a special election. In January 1996, Huckabee campaigned in televised ads paid for by the Republican National Committee and the Arkansas Republican Party against a highway referendum. Tucker supported the referendum, which included tax increases and a bond program, to improve 1,300 miles (2,100 km) of highway.[30] On the referendum, the bond question, which included a sales tax increase and a gas tax increase, lost 87–13 percent. A second question, a five-cent increase on diesel tax, lost 86–14 percent.[30][31] Huckabee also opposed Tucker's plan for school consolidation.[31] In May 1996, Tucker, involved in the Whitewater scandal, was convicted "on one count of arranging nearly $3 million in fraudulent loans" and he promised to resign by July 15.[11] Huckabee then announced he would quit the Senate race and instead fill the unexpired term of Tucker.[28] Governor of Arkansas, 1996-2007[edit] Main article: Governorship of Mike Huckabee In 1996, incumbent Democratic governor Jim Guy Tucker was convicted of fraud. The Arkansas Constitution, like nearly all state constitutions in the United States, does not allow convicted felons to hold office, so Tucker was forced to resign. However, Tucker, insisting he had a strong case for appeal,[32] rescinded his resignation as Huckabee was preparing to be sworn in on July 15. Within a few hours, Tucker reinstated his resignation after Huckabee threatened to initiate impeachment proceedings against Tucker.[16] Huckabee was sworn in as Governor of Arkansas on July 15, 1996. In November 1998, Huckabee was elected to a full four-year term by defeating retired Colonel Gene McVay in the primary and Jonesboro attorney Bill Bristow in the general election, becoming the state's third elected Republican Governor since Reconstruction. In November 2002, Huckabee was reelected to his second four-year term by defeating State Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher, garnering 53 percent of the vote. His reelection came despite the defeat in the general election of fellow Republican U.S. Senator Tim Hutchinson. By the end of his term, Huckabee held the third-longest tenure of any Arkansas Governor. Only Democrats Orval Faubus, who served six consecutive two-year terms (1955–1967), and Bill Clinton, who served 11 years, 11 months (1979–1981; 1983–1992), had longer tenures. Huckabee said that his experience as a minister afforded him special insight in being governor: My experience dealing every day with real people who were genuinely affected by policies created by government gave me a deep understanding of the fragility of the human spirit and vulnerability of so many families who struggled from week to week. I was in the ICU at 2 a.m. with families faced with the decision to disconnect a respirator on their loved one; I counseled fifteen-year-old pregnant girls who were afraid to tell their parents about their condition; I spent hours hearing the grief of women who had been physically and emotionally clobbered by an abusive husband; I saw the anguish in the faces of an elderly couple when their declining health forced them to sell their home, give up their independence, and move into a long-term-care facility; I listened to countless young couples pour out their souls as they struggled to get their marriages into survival mode when confronted with overextended debt...[33] During his time as a governor Huckabee raised taxes 21 times for a net tax increase of $505 million.[34] Clemencies[edit] Main article: Lakewood police officer shooting As Governor, Huckabee commuted and accepted recommendations for pardon for twice as many sentences as his three predecessors combined; in total: 1,033 prisoners.[35] Twelve had previously been convicted of murder.[36] Though Huckabee pardoned more than his predecessors, the state prison size and number of people executed were greater as well,[37] and Huckabee denied 92% of all clemency requests during his 10.5 years as Governor.[38] Most pardons and commutations were not for prisoners but those whose sentences had ended and were seeking work.[39] Huckabee's pardons and commutations became an issue during the 2008 Republican Primary, with most of the controversy focusing on Wayne Dumond.[40] Huckabee's handling of clemency petitions received national attention in November 2009 with the case of Maurice Clemmons, who had committed burglary without a weapon at age 16. The Prison Transfer Board unanimously requested a sentence commutation for Clemmons as did the trial judge.[38] Clemmons' 60-year sentence was commuted by Huckabee to 47 years, making him eligible for parole if approved by the parole board. After parole in 2000, Clemmons was arrested for multiple offenses including child molestation and aggravated assault, but was released after prosecutors declined to file charges. After Clemmons murdered four police officers in Lakewood, Washington a two-day manhunt ensued, and Clemmons was shot and killed by a Seattle Police Department officer after refusing police orders to stop charging the officer.[41] In his book about the shooting, The Other Side of Mercy, Jonathan Martin of The Seattle Times wrote that Huckabee apparently failed to review Clemmons' prison file, which was "thick with acts of violence and absent indications of rehabilitation."[42] Huckabee defended his actions, stating that the recommendation to reduce the sentence was unanimous and supported by the trial judge, that the decision to parole him was made by the parole board, not him, and that Clemmons had been re-arrested and the decision not to file charges then had nothing to do with him.[43][44] In 2003, Eugene Fields received a six-year prison sentence after his fourth conviction of driving while intoxicated in five years. Gov. Huckabee granted clemency over the objections of the local prosecutor and sheriff, the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. A spokeswoman for Mr. Huckabee, Charmaine Yoest, said that Mr. Fields' political donations [to the Arkansas Republican Party] and connections played no role in his clemency. About two years after Mr. Fields' sentence was cut to 11 months, he was arrested again for driving while intoxicated as his truck crossed the center line directly into the path of an oncoming police car.[45] 2008 presidential election campaign[edit] Main article: Mike Huckabee presidential campaign, 2008 Huckabee with actor Chuck Norris in Londonderry, New Hampshire (2008) 2008 presidential campaign logo Huckabee announced his run for the White House on Meet the Press on January 28, 2007.[46] At the August 11 Iowa Straw Poll, Huckabee took second place with 2,587 votes, roughly 18 percent, splitting the conservative Republican party votes amongst other candidates.[47] Huckabee spent $57.98 per vote in the Straw Poll, which is the lowest among the top three finishers.[48] Huckabee drew attention with an unconventional ad featuring Chuck Norris.[49] In a later ad Huckabee wished voters a merry Christmas, and said that "what really matters is the celebration of the birth of Christ."[50] In November 2007, Huckabee drew endorsements from a large number of religious activists, including Billy McCormack, a pastor in Shreveport, Louisiana, and a director and vice president of the Christian Coalition of America, founded in 1988 by a previous presidential candidate, Pat Robertson.[51] He was criticized for using a bookshelf that resembled a cross in a Christmas commercial as a form of signaling to Christians, and laughed them off saying "I will confess this: If you play the spot backwards, it says, 'Paul is dead. Paul is dead.'"[52][53] He also faced a "drumbeat" of questions about the role of faith in his gubernatorial administration and about past statements he made in 1998 about the U.S. being a "Christian nation" in which he said, "I hope we answer the alarm clock and take this nation back for Christ." Huckabee told NBC that his comment was not politically incorrect and was "appropriate to be said to a gathering of Southern Baptists."[54] Huckabee has credited God with some of his political success.[55] On January 3, 2008, Huckabee won the Iowa Republican caucuses, receiving 34% of the electorate and 17 delegates, compared to the 25% of Mitt Romney who finished second, receiving 12 delegates, Fred Thompson who came in third place and received three delegates, John McCain who came in fourth place and received three delegates and Ron Paul who came in fifth place and received two delegates. Huckabee at a campaign event in Londonderry, New Hampshire in 2008 On January 8, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the New Hampshire primary, behind John McCain in first place, and Mitt Romney who finished second, with Huckabee receiving one more delegate for a total of 18 delegates, gained via elections, and 21 total delegates, versus 30 total (24 via elections) for Romney, and 10 for McCain (all via elections). On January 15, 2008, Huckabee finished in third place in the Michigan Republican primary, 2008, behind John McCain in second place, Mitt Romney who finished first and ahead of Ron Paul who finished in fourth place.[56] On January 19, 2008, Huckabee finished in second place in the South Carolina Republican primary, 2008, behind John McCain who finished first and ahead of Fred Thompson who finished third.[57] Mike Huckabee giving his concession speech after the 2008 South Carolina presidential primary in Columbia On January 29, 2008, Huckabee finished in fourth place in the Florida primary, behind Rudy Giuliani in third, Mitt Romney in second, and John McCain in first place. On February 5, 2008, Huckabee won the first contest of "Super Tuesday", the West Virginia GOP state convention, but only after the McCain campaign provided their delegates thereby giving Huckabee 52% of the electorate to Mitt Romney's 47%.[58] Backers of rival John McCain said they threw Huckabee their support to prevent Mitt Romney from capturing the winner-take-all GOP state convention vote.[59] Consequently, he also registered victories in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Tennessee on Super Tuesday, bringing his delegate count up to 156, compared to 689 for Republican party front-runner John McCain.[60] On February 9, 2008, Huckabee won the first election following Super Tuesday, by winning 60% of the vote in the Kansas Republican Caucuses.[61] This was also the first contest to be held without Mitt Romney, who was said to be splitting the conservative vote with Huckabee.[62] Huckabee also won the Louisiana Republican Primary with 44% of the vote to John McCain's 43% in second. Although Huckabee won the primary he was not awarded any delegates, because of state party rules that stated a candidate must pass the 50% threshold to receive the state's pledged delegates.[63] On March 4, 2008, Huckabee withdrew from seeking the candidacy as it became apparent he would lose in Texas, where he had hoped to win, and that John McCain would get the 1,191 delegates required to win the Republican nomination. Huckabee finished the race with an estimated 248 pledged delegates.[citation needed] Vice Presidency speculation[edit] Even though Huckabee had signed a television contract and a book deal with a pressing deadline, he was mentioned by most to be on then-presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain's short list for his vice presidential running mate. The late pundit Tim Russert even referred to Huckabee as "Vice President Huckabee" several times when he appeared on Meet The Press on May 18, 2008.[64] Huckabee was eventually passed over for Sarah Palin.[65] Former President Bill Clinton has praised Huckabee and stated that he is a rising star in the Republican Party. Clinton and Huckabee have collaborated on initiatives such as the fight against childhood obesity.[66] Former Tennessee Republican Party chairman and Huckabee's former campaign manager Chip Saltsman has called governor Huckabee, "The most successful failed presidential candidate in the history of our country."[67] Speculated 2012 presidential campaign[edit] See also: United States presidential election, 2012 In a November 19, 2008, article by the Associated Press, Huckabee addressed the possibility of running for president in 2012. He said, "I'm not ruling anything out for the future, but I'm not making any specific plans".[68] Amid speculation about a future run for the Presidency, a CNN poll in December 2008 found Huckabee at the top of the list of 2012 GOP contenders, along with former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin, fellow 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.[69] On December 3, 2008, Cincinnati-based NBC affiliate WLWT asked Huckabee about the prospect of running, to which he said, "I'm pretty sure I'll be out there. Whether it's for myself or somebody else I may decide will be a better standard bearer, that remains to be seen."[70] A June 2009 CNN/Opinion Research Corporation national poll showed Huckabee as the 2012 presidential co-favorite of the Republican electorate along with Palin and Romney.[71] An October 2009 poll of Republicans by Rasmussen Reports put Huckabee in the lead with 29%, followed by Romney on 24% and Palin on 18%.[72] In a November 2009 Gallup poll, Huckabee was shown as the leading Republican contender for 2012.[73] In November 2010 CNN projected in a poll that Huckabee would defeat Barack Obama in a hypothetical 2012 contest.[74] In a Rasmussen poll taken January 11–14, 2011, Huckabee was even with Obama: 43% – 43%.[75] On May 14, 2011, Huckabee announced on his FNC show that he would not be a candidate for the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. Despite his high national poll numbers and being seen by many as the front runner, Huckabee declined to run, saying, "All the factors say 'go', but my heart says 'no'."[76] 2016 presidential campaign[edit] Main article: Mike Huckabee presidential campaign, 2016 See also: United States presidential election, 2016 Governor Huckabee speaking at the 2014 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland Political commentators speculated that Huckabee might be ready for another presidential run in 2016. He was limited by a lack of money in 2008 but with changes to federal election law allowing SuperPACs to pour large sums of money into a race he might be better positioned to stay in the race.[77] Huckabee has in addition earned personal wealth since 2008 on the lecture circuit and his TV and radio shows. He ended his daily radio show in December 2013 which strengthened speculations about a presidential bid.[78][79] Huckabee indicated in September 2014 that he will make the decision on whether to run early in 2015.[80] In January 2015, Huckabee ended his show on FNC to prepare for his possible run in the 2016 presidential election.[6] On March 30, 2015, Huckabee supporters launched a Super PAC to make preparations for his run for the Presidential ticket in 2016.[81] On May 5, 2015, Huckabee announced a campaign to seek the Republican nomination for President of the United States in the 2016 election.[10] Political positions[edit] Main article: Political positions of Mike Huckabee Abortion Mike Huckabee is strongly opposed to abortion, including in cases of rape or incest. He has stated that abortion should be legal only when the life of the mother is at risk.[82] He believes that it would "most certainly" be a good day for America if Roe v. Wade were repealed.[83] Health care Huckabee opposed Obama's health care plan, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. He stated that he wants to "give citizens more control over their own health care choices."[84] Free Trade In his book From Hope to Higher Ground, Huckabee expressed support for free trade, but only if it is "fair trade". He identified excess litigation, excess taxation, and excess regulation as three factors contributing to the loss of American jobs, and has proposed economic sanctions on China.[85] Gay Marriage Huckabee has voiced opposition to both same-sex marriage and civil unions. He says that Americans should respect gay couples, but no gay adoptions should take place. He signed legislation outlawing same-sex marriage in Arkansas.[86] Teaching of Evolution Huckabee has voiced his support of intelligent design and he has stated that he does not accept the validity of Darwin's theory of evolution. He was quoted in July 2004 on Arkansans Ask, his regular show on the Arkansas Educational Television Network: "I think that students also should be given exposure to the theories not only of evolution but to the basis of those who believe in creationism."[87] Military In 2007 Mike Huckabee argued for a larger military and an increase in defense spending, writing "Right now, we spend about 3.9 percent of our GDP on defense, compared with about six percent in 1986, under President Ronald Reagan. We need to return to that six percent level."[88] Immigration During his bid for president, Huckabee released a comprehensive nine-point immigration enforcement and border security plan. His plan includes building a border fence, increased border patrol personnel, and increases in visas for skilled workers who enter the country legally. He has previously stated he is opposed to using military resources for border patrol.[89] Huckabee's plan would also require all 11-12 million[90] illegal immigrants to register with the federal government and return to their home countries within 120 days. Failure to do so would carry a 10-year ban from entering the US.[91] Gun control Huckabee has voiced his support for self-defense and the Castle Doctrine, and has generally taken an anti-gun control stance. He believes that the concealed carrying of weapons should be allowed.[86] He has said that whenever he hears people start talking about hunting when referring to the Second Amendment, he realizes they do not know what they are talking about, because the Second Amendment was to allow an armed citizenry the opportunity to protect themselves in case a tyrannical government ever came into power.[92] Public image[edit] Main article: Public image of Mike Huckabee Honors[edit] Huckabee received two honorary doctoral degrees: a Doctor of Humane Letters, received from John Brown University in 1991, and a Doctor of Laws from Ouachita Baptist University in 1992.[93] In 2001 Huckabee was named "Friend of a Taxpayer" by Americans for Tax Reform for his cut in statewide spending.[94] In 2005 Mike Huckabee was named one of Time 's top 5 governors,[95] honored as one of Governing magazine's Public Officials of the Year,[96] and given the American Public Health Association's Distinguished Public Health Legislator of the Year Award.[97] In 2006 he was presented with AARP's Impact Award.[98] In 2007 Mike Huckabee was given the Music for Life Award by the National Association of Music Merchants for his music education advocacy.[99] In December 2008, Huckabee became an Honorary Member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.[100] In July 2010, Huckabee became a fundraiser on behalf of for-profit Victory College in Memphis Tennessee and was designated Chancellor of the Victory University Foundation.[101] Organizations[edit] Huckabee was made the chair of the Southern Governors' Association in 1999 and served in capacity through 2000. He has chaired the Southern Growth Policies Board, the Southern Regional Education Board, the Southern Technology Council, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and the Education Commission of the States. He is also a member of the Republican Governors Association and former chairman of the National Governors Association. Huckabee is presently the chairman of conservative PACs called the Vertical Politics Institute and Huck PAC. Huckabee co-hosted Troopathon 2013.[102] Media career[edit] On June 12, 2008, Fox News announced it was hiring Huckabee as a political commentator and regular contributor to their 2008 American presidential election coverage, in their New York election headquarters.[103] Huckabee filled in for Paul Harvey in July 2008.[104] A few months later, he signed a deal with ABC Radio Networks (now Cumulus Media Networks) to carry a daily commentary, The Huckabee Report, beginning in January 2009.[105] After Harvey's death his show replaced Harvey's broadcasts.[106] On April 15, 2015, Huckabee announced that The Huckabee Report would be ending May 1, but subscribers could hear similar content which they would pay for.[107] Huckabee hosted a weekend show, Huckabee, on Fox News Channel, which premiered Saturday, September 27, 2008, at 8 PM EST,[108] and ended on January 3, 2015 so that Huckabee could consider the possibility of running for president.[6] On April 2, 2012, Huckabee launched a long-form daily talk show on Cumulus Media Networks, who provide the call-in guests. The show, which is targeted at second-tier broadcast stations, features long-form interviews and discussions and airs in the noon to 3 p.m. time slot, directly opposite the market leader in talk radio, The Rush Limbaugh Show.[109] On November 27, 2013, Huckabee announced that the show will have its final broadcast on December 12, 2013, stating that he and Cumulus Media mutually decided not to renew the contract.[110] In a December 2013 interview, Huckabee stated that he would be launching a news organization in partnership with Christian Media Corp. International.[111] Notoriety[edit] Mike Huckabee received widespread praise for his state's rapid response to Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, Time magazine named him one of the five best governors in the U.S., writing "Huckabee has approached his state's troubles with energy and innovation" and referred to him as "a mature, consensus-building conservative who earns praise from fellow Evangelicals and, occasionally, liberal Democrats."[95] Governing magazine likewise honored Mike Huckabee as one of its 2005 Public Officials of the Year.[96] Mike Huckabee received 48% of the African-American vote in his 1998 election.[112] On January 21, 2008, Mike Huckabee received the endorsement of 50 African-American leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. The endorsers cited Huckabee's record on life, education, minorities, the economy, the prison system, and immigration as Arkansas governor.[113] In comments made March 1, 2011, on The Steve Malzberg Show, Huckabee said of President Barack Obama, "I would love to know more. What I know is troubling enough. And one thing that I do know is his having grown up in Kenya, his view of the Brits, for example, is very different than the average American."[114] (This is a reference to the Mau Mau Uprising against the colonial rule of United Kingdom in 1952; Obama himself has never lived in Kenya).[115] In comments made March 4, 2011, on the Michael Medved Show, Huckabee spoke about pregnant, unwed actress Natalie Portman, saying "it's unfortunate we glorify and glamorize the idea of out of wedlock children."[116] Huckabee denies he defamed Portman. In April 2011, he was criticized for a remark he made, "I almost wish that there would be a simultaneous telecast and all Americans would be forced, at gunpoint, to listen to every David Barton message," in praise of David Barton.[117] Within hours of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Huckabee made headlines in the U.S. and abroad for stating on Fox News: "we ask why there is violence in our schools, but we have systematically removed God from our schools," and further asked "Should we be so surprised that schools would become a place of carnage?"[118] In January 2014, in a luncheon speech at the Republican National Committee's winter meeting, in response to a federal mandate on contraception, Huckabee stated that "Democrats want to insult the women of America by making them believe that they are helpless without Uncle Sugar coming in and providing for them a prescription each month for birth control, they cannot control their libido or their reproductive system without the help of the government."[119] In September 2014, Huckabee was criticized by Richard Dawkins and Patheos for saying "fire the ones who refuse to hear not only our hearts, but God’s heart."[120] In January 2015, he was quoted comparing being gay to "drinking and swearing".[121] The following week Jon Stewart notably ripped Huckabee for his hypocrisy on the gay rights issue linking it to the Bible. "It's why Huckabee never mixes fabric in his clothes or trims his beard or sleeps with another man's slave," Stewart said. "It would be wrong." [122] Personal life[edit] Capitol Offense (rock band)[edit] Capitol Offense performing at the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Day Dinner on April 14, 2007 in Des Moines Huckabee plays the electric bass guitar in his classic-rock cover band, Capitol Offense.[123] The group has played for political events and parties, including entertaining at unofficial inaugural balls in Washington, D.C. in January 2001 and later again 2005, both organized and promoted by the conservative website Free Republic[124] as well as the 2004 GOP Convention.[125] Weight loss and health advocacy[edit] Huckabee (second from left) in August 2002 before his weight loss When elected governor of Arkansas, Huckabee was obese. In 2003, physicians diagnosed him with type 2 diabetes, and informed him that he would not live more than 10 years if he did not lose weight. Huckabee acknowledges that he has weighed as much as 300 pounds (135 kg). Coupled with the death of former Governor Frank D. White (whose obesity contributed to a fatal heart attack) his diagnosis prompted Huckabee to begin eating a healthier diet and exercising. He subsequently lost over 110 pounds (50 kg).[126][127] The New York Times called the weight loss so rapid that "it was as if he simply unzipped a fat suit and stepped out."[128] Although Huckabee has stated that he never smoked nor drank,[17] he declared himself a "recovering foodaholic". Huckabee has publicly recounted his previous burdens as an obese man: the steps of the Arkansas capitol from the entrance of the building up to the Governor's office were so long and steep that he would be out of breath and exhausted by the time he reached the top of the stairs.[129] Huckabee has discussed his weight loss and used health care reform as a major focus of his governorship.[130] At an August 2007 forum on cancer hosted by Lance Armstrong, Huckabee said he would support a federal smoking ban, but has stated that he believes the issue is best addressed by state and local governments.[131] Huckabee has completed several marathons: the 2005 Marine Corps Marathon, the 2005 and 2006 Little Rock Marathon and the 2006 New York City Marathon.[132] The 2005 Little Rock Marathon featured an impromptu challenge between Huckabee and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. Huckabee completed the marathon in 4:38:31, defeating Vilsack by 50 minutes. He wrote a book chronicling his weight-loss experience, Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork. Huckabee was one of 10 recipients of a 2006 AARP Impact Award acknowledging his work as a "health crusader." In 2009 Huckabee acknowledged that he had gained back a fourth of his weight due to a foot condition that prevented him from running.[133] Books[edit] Huckabee has written or co-authored several books including Do The Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America (released on November 18, 2008) which became a New York Times Best Seller.[134] Huckabee speaking at Brown University on October 30, 2008 Character is the Issue: How People With Integrity Can Revolutionize America (1997), a memoir (inspired by the crisis surrounding the incidents prior to his taking office as governor) Kids Who Kill (1998), a book about juvenile violence (inspired by the Jonesboro massacre, which took place during his tenure as governor) Living Beyond Your Lifetime (2000), a guide for leaving a personal legacy Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork (2005), a health and exercise inspirational guide (based on his personal health experience) Publisher: Center Street From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 Steps to Restoring America's Greatness (2007) Publisher: Center Street "De-Marketing Obesity" in the California Management Review, (with Brian Wansink), 47:4 (Summer 2005), 6–18. Huckabee also wrote the foreword to My Story Your Story His Story (2006) by Larry Toller Governor Huckabee also wrote the Foreword for "With Christ in Voting Booth" by David Shedlock Character Makes a Difference: Where I'm From, Where I've Been, and What I Believe, by Mike Huckabee (2007) Do the Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America, by Mike Huckabee (2008) A Simple Christmas: Twelve Stories that Celebrate the True Holiday Spirit, by Mike Huckabee (2009) A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!), by Mike Huckabee (2011) Dear Chandler, Dear Scarlett: A Grandfather's Thoughts on Faith, Family, and the Things That Matter Most, by Mike Huckabee (2012) God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy by Mike Huckabee (2015) In God, Guns, Grits and Gravy, Huckabee discusses the myriad differences he's seen between those who live in the blue, coastal "bubbles" and the "bubbas" of the red flyover states. Huckabee uses Jay Z and Beyoncé as examples of a "culture of crude." He describes Beyoncé's lyrics as "obnoxious and toxic mental poison."[135] |
Wikipedia Chuck Norris |
Carlos Ray "Chuck" Norris (born March 10, 1940) is an American martial artist, actor, film producer and screenwriter. After serving in the United States Air Force, he began his rise to fame as a martial artist, and has since founded his own school, Chun Kuk Do. Norris appeared in a number of action films, such as Way of the Dragon, in which he starred alongside Bruce Lee, and was The Cannon Group's leading star in the 1980s.[1][2] He played the starring role in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger from 1993 until 2001. Norris is a devout Christian and politically conservative. He has written several books on Christianity and donated to a number of Republican candidates and causes. In 2007 and 2008, he campaigned for former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who was running for the Republican nomination for president in 2008.[3] Norris also writes a column for the conservative website WorldNetDaily.[4] Since 2005 Norris has been widely associated with an internet meme which documents fictional and often absurd feats associated with him. Contents [hide] 1 Early life 2 Martial arts career 3 Acting career 3.1 Rise to fame 3.2 Walker, Texas Ranger 4 Product endorsements 5 Chun Kuk Do 6 Personal life 6.1 Family 6.2 Christianity 6.3 Martial arts and personal fitness 7 Activism 7.1 Philanthropy 7.2 Political views 8 Honors 9 Internet meme 10 Filmography 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External links Early life Norris was born in Ryan, Oklahoma on March 10, 1940,[5] the son of Wilma (née Scarberry) and Ray Norris, who was a mechanic, bus driver, and truck driver.[6] Norris has English, and smaller amounts of Scottish, Welsh, and German, ancestry; he is also said to have Cherokee roots.[1][7][8] Norris was named after Carlos Berry, his father's minister.[9] He has two younger brothers, Wieland (deceased) and Aaron (a Hollywood producer). When Norris was sixteen, his parents divorced,[10] and he later relocated to Prairie Village, Kansas, and then to Torrance, California, with his mother and brothers.[1] Norris has described his childhood as downbeat. He was nonathletic, shy, and scholastically mediocre.[11] He joined the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman (AP) in 1958 and was sent to Osan Air Base, South Korea. It was there that Norris acquired the nickname Chuck and began his training in Tang Soo Do (tangsudo), an interest that led to black belts in that art and the founding of the Chun Kuk Do ("Universal Way") form.[12] When he returned to the United States, he continued to serve as an AP at March Air Force Base in California. Norris was discharged in August 1962. He worked for the Northrop Corporation and opened a chain of Karate schools including a storefront school in his then-hometown of Torrance on Hawthorne Boulevard. Norris' official website lists celebrity clients at the schools; among them Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, Bob Barker, Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond.[13] Martial arts career Norris in 1976 Norris on the set of the film The Delta Force (1986) Norris was defeated in his first two tournaments, dropping decisions to Joe Lewis and Allen Steen and three matches at the International Karate Championships to Tony Tulleners. By 1967 Norris had improved enough that he scored victories over the likes of Lewis, Skipper Mullins, Arnold Urquidez, Victor Moore, Ron Marchini, and Steve Sanders. Norris would be a two time winner at S. Henry Cho's All American Championship.[14] In early 1968, Norris suffered the tenth and last loss of his career, losing an upset decision to Louis Delgado. On November 24, 1968, he avenged his defeat to Delgado and by doing so won the Professional Middleweight Karate champion title, which he held for six consecutive years.[10] In 1969, he won Karate's triple crown for the most tournament wins of the year, and the Fighter of the Year award by Black Belt Magazine. Norris made history in 1990 when he was the first Westerner in the documented history of Tae Kwon Do to be given the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt Grand Master.[15] In 1999, Norris was inducted into the Martial Arts History Museum's Hall of Fame. On July 1, 2000, Norris was presented the Golden Lifetime Achievement Award by the World Karate Union Hall of Fame. Acting career Rise to fame In 1969, Norris made his acting debut in the Dean Martin film The Wrecking Crew. In June 1970, his younger brother Wieland, a private in the 101st Airborne Division, was killed in Vietnam while on patrol in the defense of Firebase Ripcord.[16] Norris later dedicated his Missing in Action films to his brother's memory. At a martial arts demonstration in Long Beach, Norris met the martial artist Bruce Lee. In 1972, he acted as Lee's nemesis in the movie Way of the Dragon (titled Return of the Dragon in its U.S. distribution), which is widely credited with launching him toward stardom. In Asia, Norris is still known primarily for this role. In 1974, McQueen encouraged him to begin acting classes at MGM. Norris' first starring role was 1977's Breaker! Breaker!, and subsequent films such as Good Guys Wear Black (1978), The Octagon (1980), An Eye for an Eye (1981), and Lone Wolf McQuade proved his increasing box office bankability. In 1984, Norris starred in Missing in Action, the first of a series of Rambo-inspired POW rescue fantasies themed around the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue that were produced by Israeli cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus and released under their Cannon Films banner. The film, however, was criticized heavily as being a preemptive cash-in on the Rambo film series.[17][18] Over the next four years, Norris became Cannon's most prominent star, appearing in eight films, including Code of Silence, The Delta Force, and Firewalker, in which he co-starred with Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr.. Many of the aforementioned films were produced by Chuck Norris's brother Aaron, as were several episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger. In 1986, he was involved in the production of the Ruby Spears cartoon Karate Kommandos. In October 2014 he revealed that he would be shooting a new film, The Finisher, in March 2015.[19] Walker, Texas Ranger By the end of the 1980s, Cannon Films had faded from prominence, and Norris's star appeal seemed to go with it. He reprised his Delta Force role for MGM, which had acquired the Cannon library after the latter's Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Norris went on to make several more films before making a transition to television.[20] In 1993, he began shooting the series Walker, Texas Ranger, which lasted eight years on CBS and continued in heavy syndication on other channels, notably the Hallmark Channel. Norris receiving the Veteran of the Year award by the U.S. Air Force in 2001 On October 17, 2005, CBS premiered the Sunday Night Movie of the Week, Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire. The production was a continuation of the series, and not scripted to be a reunion movie. Norris reprised his role as Cordell Walker for the movie. He has stated that future Walker, Texas Ranger Movie of the Week projects are expected; however, this was severely impaired by CBS's 2006–2007 season decision to no longer regularly schedule Movies of the Week on Sunday night. Product endorsements Norris has appeared with Christie Brinkley in a long-running series of cable TV infomercials promoting Total Gym home fitness equipment. In 2010, Norris appeared in advertisements for communications company T-Mobile in the Czech Republic.[21] In 2011, Norris appeared in advertisements for the World of Warcraft video game.[22] In 2012, Norris appeared in a series of commercials for the Polish bank BZ WBK.[23] Chun Kuk Do Main article: Chun Kuk Do Norris created the martial art Chun Kuk Do, which is based primarily on Tang Soo Do and includes elements from every combat style he knows. Like many other martial arts, Chun Kuk Do includes a code of honor and rules to live by. These rules are from Chuck Norris's personal code. They are: [24] I will develop myself to the maximum of my potential in all ways. I will forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements. I will continually work at developing love, happiness and loyalty in my family. I will look for the good in all people and make them feel worthwhile. If I have nothing good to say about a person, I will say nothing. I will always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as I am about my own. I will maintain an attitude of open-mindedness. I will maintain respect for those in authority and demonstrate this respect at all times. I will always remain loyal to my God, my country, family and my friends. I will remain highly goal-oriented throughout my life because that positive attitude helps my family, my country and myself. Personal life Family Norris married Dianne Holechek in 1958. In 1963 their first child, Mike, was born. His daughter Dina was born in 1964 out of an extramarital affair.[25] Later, he had a second son, Eric, with his wife in 1965. After 30 years of marriage, Norris and Holechek divorced in 1988. In November 1998, he married former model Gena O'Kelley, born in 1963 and 23 years Norris' junior. O'Kelley had two children from a previous marriage. She delivered twins in 2001: Dakota Alan Norris, a boy, and Danilee Kelly Norris, a girl.[26] The wedding was performed by Lawrence Kennedy, who is featured in Norris' autobiography.[27] On September 22, 2004, Norris told Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart that his daughter Dina was the result of an extramarital affair. He did not meet her until she was 26, although she learned that he was her father when she was 16. She sent a letter to his home informing him of their relationship. After meeting her, Norris said he knew she was his daughter upon seeing her.[28] Chuck Norris has nine grandchildren.[29] Christianity An outspoken Christian,[30] Norris is the author of several Christian-themed books, such as The Justice Riders. He has also been in a few TV commercials promoting Bible study and prayer in public schools, in addition to efforts to reduce drug use. In his WorldNetDaily columns, he has expressed his belief in Biblical creationism,[31] that those who are troubled should turn to Jesus, and is quoted as saying "true patriots" do not stay clear of discussing religion and politics.[32] On April 22, 2008, Chuck Norris expressed his support for the intelligent design movement when he reviewed Ben Stein's Expelled for Townhall.com.[33] Martial arts and personal fitness Norris has received a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the Machado family.[34] In his February 15, 2010 WorldNetDaily column, Norris announced that, starting in the fall of 2010, he will begin a second weekly column for Creators Syndicate. This new column, "C-Force", will focus on personal fitness.[35] Activism Philanthropy In addition to being an actor, Chuck Norris is also a philanthropist. He is known for his contribution towards organizations such as Funds for Kids, Veteran's Administration National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans, the United Way, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the form of donations as well as fund-raising activities.[36] His time with the U.S. Veterans Administration as a spokesperson was inspired by his experience serving the United States Air Force in Korea. His objective has been to popularize the issues such as Pensions and Health care, that concern hospitalized war veterans. Due to his significant contributions, and continued patriotism, he received the Veteran of the Year award in 2001 at the American Veteran Awards.[36] Norris also established the United Fighting Arts Federation and KickStart in 1990. As a significant part of his philanthropic contributions, the organization was formed to develop self-esteem and focus in at-risk children as a tactic to keep them away from drug-related pressure by training them in martial arts. Norris hopes that by shifting middle school and high school children's focus towards this positive and strengthening endeavour, these children will have the opportunity to build a better future for themselves.[36][37] In 2005, Norris founded the World Combat League (WCL), a full-contact, team-based martial arts competition, of which part of the proceeds are given to his KickStart program.[36] Additionally, Norris supports the Vijay Amritraj Foundation, which aims at bringing hope, help and healing to the defenceless and innocent victims of disease, tragedy and circumstance in India. Through his donations, he has helped the foundation support Paediatric HIV/AIDS homes in Delhi, a blind school in Karnataka, and a mission that cares for HIV/AIDS infected adults, as well as mentally ill patients in Cochin.[38] Political views Norris with former Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in Londonderry, New Hampshire Norris is a Republican, and has donated more than $32,000 to Republican candidates and organizations since 1988.[39] Norris supports gun rights and ownership, and is against public schools celebrating the Day of Silence, an event held annually in support of LGBT students and LGBT rights.[40] In 2006, Norris began penning a column for the conservative news website WorldNetDaily, sharing his "musings about faith, family, freedom, country, loyalty – maybe even kickboxing." On October 22, 2007, Norris announced his endorsement of Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee for President.[41] Norris said, "I believe the only one who has all of the characteristics to lead America forward into the future is ex-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee."[42] After the 2008 presidential election, Norris drafted a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, stating that he should "use and cite the Constitution ... protect American life ... learn from the mistakes of your Democratic predecessors ... [and] lead more from the center".[43] On November 18, 2008, Norris became one of the first members of show business to express support for the California Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, and he chided activists for "interfering" with the democratic process and the double standard he perceived in criticizing the LDS Church without criticizing African Americans, who had voted for the measure by a wide margin.[44] During the 2012 presidential election, Norris first recommended Ron Paul, and then later formally endorsed Newt Gingrich as the Republican presidential candidate.[45] After Gingrich suspended his campaign in May 2012, Norris endorsed Republican presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, despite Norris having previously accused Romney of flip-flopping and of trying to buy the nomination for the Republican Party candidacy for 2012.[46][47] On the eve of the election he and his wife Gina made a video warning that if evangelicals didn't show up at the polls and vote out President Obama, "...our country as we know it may be lost forever...".[48][49] Norris also produced the film Answering the Call, which featured his 2007 trip to Iraq to visit the troops.[50][51] Honors Norris during a promotion ceremony at Camp Taqaddum in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on November 2, 2006 On March 28, 2007, Commandant Gen. James T. Conway made Norris an honorary United States Marine during a dinner at the commandant's residence in Washington, D.C.[52] On December 2, 2010, he (along with brother Aaron) was given the title honorary Texas Ranger by Texas Governor Rick Perry.[53] Internet meme Main article: Chuck Norris facts In late 2005, Norris became the object of an ironic internet meme known as "Chuck Norris Facts", which document fictional, often absurdly heroic feats and characteristics about Norris. Norris has written his own response to the parody on his website, stating that he does not feel offended by them and finds some of them funny,[54] claiming that his personal favorite is that they wanted to add his face to Mount Rushmore, but the granite is not hard enough for his beard.[55] On November 29, 2007, Gotham Books, the adult division of Penguin USA, released a book entitled The Truth About Chuck Norris: 400 facts about the World's Greatest Human based on the Chuck Norris Facts.[56] Norris filed suit in December against Penguin USA and author Ian Spector claiming "trademark infringement, unjust enrichment and privacy rights."[57] Norris dropped the suit in May of the following year.[58] |