This year‚ 2024‚ marks the 60th anniversary of the signing into law of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. Soon we observe the national day set aside to note and honor the leader of the movement that led to that act becoming law: the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We must ask how‚ after 60 years‚ with vast changes in the world‚ with developments in technology unimaginable 60 years ago‚ that we remain obsessed with race. How is it that claims of racism‚ injustice‚ and unfairness persist like nothing happened? Indeed‚ data suggest that black Americans‚ on average‚ still lag economically. The Federal Reserve recently published its Survey of Consumer Finances showing that average black family income is 43% that of white families. In 1989‚ it was 42%. Average black household net worth now is 15.6% that of white households. In 1989‚ it was 17.8%. The deterioration of traditional religious values in the country has taken a toll on all American families‚ but proportionally more on black families. Per the Department of Justice‚ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention‚ in 2022‚ 43% of black children lived in a two-parent home—down 26.5% from 1970. Among white children‚ 75.6% lived in a two-parent home‚ down 15.5% from 1970. America today is a far different country than the one where King led the civil rights movement. The language that King used to lead and animate his movement was the language of the Bible. He spoke as a pastor. But in 1965‚ according to Gallup‚ 70% of Americans said religion is “very important” in their life. In 2023‚ 45% of Americans say religion is “very important” in their life. In the last speech of his life‚ in Memphis‚ Tennessee‚ King in 1968 spoke about “injustice‚” that “we are God’s children.” King spoke about not being afraid of death‚ saying‚ “I just want to do God’s will.” He then spoke those famous words that he’d been “to the mountain top” and that he’d seen “the promised land.” “I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.” Can anyone imagine a leader of a major political or social movement today speaking this way? Over these 60 years since the Civil Rights Act became law‚ courts took the Bible and prayer out of public schools‚ legalized abortion‚ and changed our legal understanding of what defines marriage. The godless socialism of DEI—diversity‚ equity‚ inclusion—has replaced good and evil as our perspective on social justice. As we have purged religion and replaced it with politics‚ we have lost the core of a religious world view. There is good and evil‚ and the Creator gave free choice and personal responsibility to choose to each individual. Without this‚ the freedom we allegedly care so much about has little meaning. Government has become our new religion. In 1964‚ federal spending took 17.3% of our gross demestic product. Today‚ it takes 24.4%. In 1964‚ gross federal debt equaled 46.2% of our GDP. Today it equals 119.8%. It is an unfortunate quirk of history that the civil rights movement‚ led by a black Christian pastor‚ reached its peak at the moment when Americans decided to start banishing the Bible from our culture. A movement informed by good and evil and personal responsibility has been replaced by politics‚ interest groups‚ and victimhood. The community most hurt by the purge of personal responsibility that defines individual freedom is the one that started out the weakest and the greatest victim of our moral failures. Without a new birth of faith‚ we for sure will not have a new birth of freedom in America. The whole nation and our future are in danger. And the weakest‚ those whom the socialists claim to care the most about‚ will suffer the most. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post A Nation Dr. King Wouldn’t Recognize appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Sen. John Kennedy‚ R-La.‚ is upset because Sen. Rand Paul wants to limit federal flood insurance. But Paul‚ R-Ky.‚ is right. In my new video‚ Paul says it “shouldn’t be for rich people.” That should be obvious. Actually‚ federal flood insurance shouldn’t be for anyone. Government has no business offering it. That’s a job for … the insurance business. Of course‚ when actual insurance businesses‚ with their own money on the line‚ checked out what some people wanted them to insure‚ they said‚ “Heck‚ no! If you build in a dangerous place‚ risk your own money!” Politically connected homeowners who own property on the edges of rivers and oceans didn’t like that. They whined to congressmen‚ crying‚ “We can’t get insurance! Do something!” Craven politicians obliged. Bureaucrats at the Federal Emergency Management Agency even claim they have to issue government insurance because‚ they say‚ “There weren’t many affordable options for private flood insurance‚ especially for people living in high-risk places.” But that’s the point. A valuable function of private insurance is to warn people away from high-risk places. Yet instead of heeding that warning‚ politicians said‚ “Don’t worry. Since private companies won’t insure you‚ we will.” Of course‚ the politicians claimed they’d price the insurance properly so they wouldn’t lose taxpayer money. “We must [do] everything we can to protect taxpayer dollars‚” said then-Sen. Wayne Allard‚ R-Colo. But‚ as Paul points out‚ “Like most things in government‚ they continue to lose money.” So far‚ the government has lost $36 billion of your money. Yet they still insure people who can’t get private insurance. Kennedy thinks that’s fine. “The first role of government is to protect people and property‚” he shouts from the Senate floor. “I thought this is what libertarians believe.” No‚ Senator‚ we believe government should protect our right to life‚ liberty‚ and the pursuit of happiness‚ and then leave us mostly alone. By insuring risky property‚ Paul points out‚ “You’re actually doing the opposite of what you would think government would want to do; you’re promoting bad behavior.” Exactly. Years ago‚ federal flood insurance encouraged my bad behavior. I wanted to build a house on a beach. When I asked my father to help with the mortgage‚ he said‚ “No! Are you crazy? It’s on the edge of an ocean!” Dad was right. It was a dumb place to build. But I built anyway‚ because federal flood insurance‚ idiotically‚ guaranteed that I wouldn’t lose money. I enjoyed my house for 10 years‚ but then‚ as predicted‚ it washed away. It was an upsetting loss‚ but thanks to Uncle Sam‚ I didn’t lose a penny. I’m grateful. But it’s wrong that you were forced to pay for my beach house. Paul is right to say that people with second homes “should not get insurance through the government.” Actually‚ no one should get flood insurance through the government‚ but Paul fears that his irresponsible colleagues won’t approve killing the handout altogether. Instead‚ he just proposes limiting the handout to primary residences. It would be a start. But even this slight reform is too much for Kennedy‚ who says‚ “If you earn enough to buy a second home‚ we shouldn’t discourage that.” No‚ we shouldn’t. But we shouldn’t subsidize it with taxpayer money. Doesn’t he get the difference? Federal flood insurance is like buying drunk drivers new cars. Adding to the idiocy‚ there is no limit on how many times the government will give away your money. “One home in Virginia‚” says Paul‚ “they’ve rebuilt the house 41 times!” I took your money once. I apologize for taking it‚ but when my government offers me a handout‚ I feel stupid not taking it. Let’s get rid of federal flood insurance and all subsidies that encourage people to do foolish things. COPYRIGHT 2024 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC. The Daily Signal publishes a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Heritage Foundation.  Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Flooded With Good Intentions appeared first on The Daily Signal.

In October 2023‚ renowned gymnast and Olympic Gold Medalist Mary Lou Retton nearly died. In fact‚ at one point‚ her daughters stood over her at the hospital praying as they said their goodbyes. Now‚ Mary Lou is sharing the details of her miraculous survival. And you can see God at work in so many places! RELATED: Daughter Credits Jesus &; Prayers As Mary Lou Retton Heads Home After Fighting for Her Life Many likely remember Mary Lou Retton from the 1984 Summer Olympics. It’s there she became a star‚ winning a gold‚ two silvers‚ and two bronzes‚ including the individual all-around title. Mary Lou was the first American woman to win the all-around title. Though those days were far behind the 55-year-old former athlete‚ Mary Lou remained healthy and strong through most of her life. However‚ all of that took an unexpected turn in 2023. Former Gymnast Mary Lou Retton Nearly Died The first sign of trouble came while Mary Lou Retton was out getting her nails done with her oldest daughter‚ Shayla Schrepfer. She was unexplainably out of breath and felt very tired. “I just can’t keep my eyes open. I am so tired‚” she said during the nail appointment. Set to turn 56 in a few months‚ Mary Lou chalked it up to her age. But things were about to take a serious turn. The very next day‚ Mary Lou was supposed to meet two of her daughters at a football game two hours from her home. But she never showed up. Instead‚ she lay helpless on her bedroom floor struggling to breathe‚ unable to get up or call for help. “I didn't know what was wrong with me‚” she recalled. Mary Lou Retton could have easily died had no one found her in time. But thankfully‚ God already had an angel on their way to help! A neighbor happened to notice the door of Mary Lou’s car hanging open. And the concerned woman made her way over to Mary Lou’s house to tell her. Instead‚ she found something shocking. “She came in the house‚” Mary Lou recalled. “She knows my code and saw me and found me. And Magda pretty much saved my life.” A Miraculous Change After her panicked neighbor called for help‚ paramedics rushed Mary Lou Retton to the hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia but then sent her home after just a few days. Soon after‚ Shayla found her mother nearly unresponsive. RELATED: Prayer Surrounds Mom During Fight for Life and She Credits God for Beating Stage 4 Colon Cancer This time‚ they went to a different hospital. There‚ doctors could not determine the source of the pneumonia. Mary Lou tested negative for Covid-19‚ the flu and RSV. But her condition was so serious‚ the doctors doubted she’d survive the night. Shayla and her sister‚ McKenna‚ placed hands on their mother and began praying. They truly believed their mom was dying and consoled her‚ telling her it was ok to leave for Heaven. But the Lord determined it wasn’t her time yet! Doctors came up with one more idea to try. They decided to pump high-flow oxygen through her nose. And that’s when something miraculous happened! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shayla Kelley Schrepfer (@shaylaschrepfer) Mary Lou Retton could have died‚ but she didn’t. Not only did she survive the night but she kept surviving. And she started recovering. But now she and her family faced a new challenge. Mary Lou Retton No Health Insurance As a former Olympian and household name‚ many would never imagine Mary Lou Retton as having no health insurance. But that was exactly the case. RELATED: Anne Graham Lotz Begs ‘Please Pray' After Her Daughter Suffers Two Heart Attacks “How is that possible?” many people wondered. Competing in the Olympics as a professional athlete takes its toll on a person’s body. Before her pneumonia battle‚ Mary Lou Retton has had more than 30 orthopedic surgeries over the years. The former athlete explained that between her preexisting medical procedures and divorce‚ she just couldn’t afford it. “That’s the bottom line — I couldn’t afford it‚” she said. As she fought for her life in the ICU‚ Mary Lou Retton’s daughters turned to social media to ask for prayers. They also set up a GoFundMe to help their mom. RELATED: Judge Frank Caprio Tearfully Pleads For Prayers Amidst Serious Health Battle “We were just thinking‚ ‘If she pulls through‚ the last thing we want her to have to think about is paying off these bills‚” the gymnast’s daughter‚ Shayla‚ explained. The wave of support that poured in is still amazing them and their mother today! A New Perspective On Life As prayers poured in‚ Mary Lou Retton kept getting stronger. And her oxygen numbers kept getting better. Finally‚ she was ready to go home‚ where she was able to enjoy the Christmas season and end of 2023 with her family. Mary Lou still relies on an oxygen tank to help her breathe. And she’s still got more recovering to do. But she’s alive — something that didn’t seem possible during the darkest moments of her health battle with a rare‚ life-threatening form of pneumonia. “It's going to be a really long road. I don't know how long I'll indefinitely need the oxygen. But you have no idea how blessed and how grateful I was for this holiday season‚” she said. And it’s not just her second chance at life that humbled Mary Lou. It’s the incredible wave of love and prayers that washed over her in her time of need. “I just thought I was a washed-up‚ old athlete‚” she explained. “But the love‚ it just… it touched me.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) Now‚ Mary Lou Retton is determined to make the most of each day. And even though she has no idea what the future holds‚ she charges forward with optimism and gratitude. “I mean‚ when you face death in the eyes… I have so much to look forward to‚” she said‚ her voice filled with emotion. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: David Soul‚ Actor Who Played Hutch from Starsky and Hutch‚ Found Faith Again Before Death “Take heart and be strong; have no fear and do not be troubled; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9 WATCH: Mary Lou Retton Talks About How She Almost Died  LISTEN: Shannen Doherty Gives Heartbreaking Cancer Update | Family Needs Prayers After 5 Kids Die in House Fire h/t &; Featured Image Credit: Youtube/Today The post Mary Lou Retton Nearly Died And Now She’s Opening up about ‘Facing Death in the Eyes’ appeared first on GodUpdates.

A woman and her husband welcomed a little girl into the world‚ but sadly‚ instead of excitement‚ the husband's side of the family had an "unhinged reaction" over the name for their daughter. Children are a blessing from the good Lord. Most would wholeheartedly agree that becoming a parent is one of the scariest and most exciting times in life. People can try for years to become parents‚ so when that moment finally arrives‚ it's pure love‚ joy and excitement for the couple and everyone around them. RELATED: Parents Overwhelmed As Students Step in to Create Special Wheelchair for Their Disabled Son That's the case most of the time‚ anyway. One woman and her husband received a decidedly different reaction after the birth of their daughter‚ according to a post on Reddit. The woman writes on the popular website that her husband's side of the family was not exactly thrilled with the newborn's name: Rosa. "My husband texts his family group chat‚" the woman posted. "His mother responds "No‚ I don't really like that name. I much prefer Violet‚ what do you think about that?" Naturally‚ anyone who would have received such a harsh reaction to something so personal‚ the couple was "stunned‚” and the woman's "poor husband was crushed." RELATED: Anguished Parents Speak Out Against Snapchat After It Leads to Son’s Death However‚ sadly‚ the story and the in-law’s nasty response to the little girl's name do not stop there. The woman writes on Reddit that they received messages from her husband's sister with "several" proposed alternative names. Husband’s Side Of The Family Proposed Alternative Names For Their Newborn Girl Then‚ after getting home from the hospital‚ where the newborn had spent time in the NICU‚ the husband's mother continued to denigrate the child's name during a phone call‚ according to UpWorthy. The Reddit post adds the mother-in-law asked how the other side felt about the name. All was good. No one on that side had a problem with "Rosa." "They must not have good taste – nobody here likes it. Nobody‚" was how the mother-in-law responded‚ according to the Reddit post. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Devastated Parents Spread the Word About Mylar Balloon Danger After It Lead to Childrens’ Death Words are powerful and should be selected wisely and judiciously. Harsh statements uttered about one's children can be especially hurtful and sting. That was a moment to be happy for the couple. Instead‚ that man and woman received nothing but criticism. "But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil‚ it is full of deadly poison." – James 3:8 WATCH: Popular Baby Names in 2023 LISTEN: Community ‘Swarms In’ To Care For 3 Children Who Unexpectedly Lost Their Parents h/t: Reddit &; UpWorthy Featured Image Credit: YouTube.com/NewsHub The post Couple Reveals Name for Newborn Daughter and Can’t Believe Som Family’s ‘Unhinged’ Reaction appeared first on GodUpdates.

Melania Trump’s mother‚ Amalija Knavs‚ has passed away. She was 78. “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother‚ Amalija‚” Melania Trump said Tuesday. “Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace‚ warmth‚ and dignity.  She was entirely devoted to her husband‚ daughters‚ grandson‚ and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy‚” she added. It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother‚ Amalija. Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace‚ warmth‚ and dignity.  She was entirely devoted to her husband‚ daughters‚ grandson‚ and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond… — MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) January 10‚ 2024 The Hill reports: The former first lady hails from Slovenia. She is the second first lady to be born outside the U.S. Trump gave remarks at a National Archives Naturalization Ceremony last month‚ during which she called the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. “arduous.” She also remarked that after taking the United States oath of allegiance‚ she felt “a tremendous sense of belonging.” “For me‚ reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty‚” she said. “At that exact moment‚ I forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you’re blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now.” Trump said when she arrived in the country‚ she knew she wanted to call it her permanent home. She became a naturalized citizen in 2006‚ and her parents became naturalized citizens in 2018. X users expressed their condolences: Deep prayers for you and your entire family. pic.twitter.com/Y06KQOJeyC — Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) January 10‚ 2024 RIP Amalija. She was a great woman and will always be remembered. We are with you and praying for you Melania! — The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) January 10‚ 2024 Your mother raised an amazing daughter Melania. I’m sure she’s immensely proud of you and will always be watching over you and your family with love. RIP Amalija pic.twitter.com/G2j1sZMeDV — Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 10‚ 2024 Jeff and I and the entire family send our condolences to you as you mourn the devastating loss of your mother. It was such a pleasure to meet her and see in her eyes how much she loved and adored you. And what an incredible daughter you have been. We know she is in Heaven… — Kari Lake (@KariLake) January 10‚ 2024 My deepest sympathies to you and your family. You are her greatest legacy. You're all in my thoughts and prayers — Monica Crowley (@MonicaCrowley) January 10‚ 2024 My deepest condolences to you and the entire family — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 10‚ 2024 PEOPLE added: The news comes after Donald Trump used his New Year’s Eve event at Mar-a-Lago to acknowledge his wife’s absence from family gatherings during the holiday season‚ telling the crowd she was attending to her mother. Sources tell PEOPLE that the former first lady was not at the Trumps’ New Year’s Eve celebration‚ with video footage showing that‚ when the former president spoke to attendees‚ he announced: “Melania — great first lady‚ so popular‚ the people love her — she’s now in a hospital with her mother. Her mother‚ Amalija‚ is very ill‚ but hopefully she’ll be recovering.” Trump‚ 77‚ continued: “But she’s been very ill‚ so I just want to say ‘hello’ to the first lady — we just spoke‚ down in Miami‚ great hospital — and hopefully they’ll be ok. But it’s a tough one‚ it’s a very tough one. She knows probably about 95% of the people in this room. We just want to wish Amalija that she gets better as quickly as possible.”