Yes, in the US there is now a list of "victim" groups that are given preferential treatment by the media and government in the name of PC.

Muslims, gays, women, blacks and latinos all are on that list.

Believe Satan exists? Yes.

Believe in exorcisms? yes

Was the Pope performing one? I doubt it.

Also, demonic possession is rare. But, more common is demonic oppression, where the satanic is not in total control, but causes the person to suffer.

St Padre Pio was beaten up by demons on several occasions, as well as suffering the stigmata.

The answer is not equal. Muslims get better treatment, at least from the media and BO administration. In the Boston terror attack, the big hope was that the perps were white right wingers. The Ft Hood attack is officially considered workplace violence. Courts have overturned laws that prohibit use of sharia in cases. The Feds have CAIR (an unindicted co-conspirator in a terror funding case) giving training to agents on interacting with muslims.

Is this a problem? You bet!

Islam is a disease and the PC crowd could care less that it is infecting the country. (Note- Islam is an ideology, muslims are people. I am NOT saying muslims are a disease. It is the ideology that corrupts.)

Ask yourself, would these family members support you in the future if you leave the church? If not, I see no reason why you should endure an unpleasant evening for appearances sake.

The family is forever line is a guilt trip in my opinion. But, then I tend to avoid my family these days.

¹³ Make your way in by the narrow gate. It is a broad gate and a wide road that leads on to perdition, and those who go in that way are many indeed; ¹⁴ but how small is the gate, how narrow the road that leads on to life, and how few there are that find it!

Matthew 7

There are two very different questions discussed here.

1) Are Islam and Christianity equal?

2) Are Muslims and Christians treated equally?

In answer to the first, Islam is a disease and Christianity the cure.

As to the second, Muslims are better treated in Christian dominated countries than Christians are treated in Muslim dominated nations.

Sorry, no timeline is available!

M1 is up but velocity is down. So, no inflation.

When and if velocity picks up, then maybe we get hyperinflation.

But, with no growth in Europe, slow growth in the US and China, it is unlikely that velocity will pick up soon.

Deflation seems the bigger near term threat.

This statement is a contrarian indicator which shows that the bull is tired. Beware a significant downturn this summer and many possible "black swans".

If you are in the market, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, and ready to sell.

Do not forget the union angle.

The Liberal Union Behind the IRS

It’s about a union: the National Treasury Employees Union. The NTEU. A left-wing union representing 150,000 employees in 31 separate government agencies, including the IRS. A union that not only endorsed President Obama for election and re-election, but a union whose current president, Colleen Kelly, was a 14-year IRS agent and now is both union president and Obama administration appointee (of which more in a moment).

It’s about 94% of NTEU union contributions going to Democrats in the Senate and House in 2012 — candidates who campaigned as vociferous opponents of the Tea Party.

How about sweeping the IRS into the dustbin of history.

I agree with comments #5 & #6,

A number of companies paid special dividends in Dec 2012 to allow recipients
to be taxed at the lower rate. All this did was move income from 2013 into 2012. And, as mentioned, many high income taxpayers took capital gains in 2012 to avoid the rate increase. Together, it pumps up the tax revenue received this year, but next year the revenues will come in much lower.

I believe the reverse happened in the 80's when people postponed generating income until the lower rates took effect.

Actually, I think  old ones are appropriate:

Asleep at the switch

Over the Hillary

Obama me not on the lone Benghazi

Your cheatin' IRS eyes

Teaching an old DOJ new tricks

This is Chicago style intimidation. The press has been wandering off the Obama plantation recently and this is a warning not to get to critical.

The question is - will it backfire?

Sponge Bob Squarepants goes to Washington.

This is a good start (HT American Thinker)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=urkBqOoL3n4

I am in full agreement. We had lilacs around our house growing up and I am still drawn by their smell.

I think that aroma was always a sign that spring was here and school would soon be out.

Lilacs rock!