Ted Cruz Shares About Addiction Problems in His Family

Ted Cruz

Pol Light Moment #140 happened on February 4, 2016, when Ted Cruz shared two stories of addiction problems in his family at the Addiction & Recovery Forum in Hoskett, New Hampshire. Ted Cruz has been a United States Senator from Texas since 2013.

An Addiction & Recovery Forum was held on February 4, 2016, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hoskett, New Hampshire. During this forum Ted Cruz shared about his half-sister's battle with prescription drug addiction and his father's struggle with alcoholism.

Here is a video of Ted Cruz sharing about the prescription drug addiction of his older half sister Miriam. Miriam Cruz died on January 11, 2011 of a drug overdose (DailyMail.com, June 29, 2015). Ted Cruz later paid for military school expenses for Miriam's son Joey.

Rafael Cruz, the father of a Ted Cruz, was an alcoholic. Here he tells the story of his father who would recover from his addiction and become a minister. 

More information about Ted Cruz sharing about addiction problems in his family can be found on the Breitbart website.

Ted Cruz has been the subject of other posts on this blog. To find other Ted Cruz posts search with the label "Ted Cruz" on the blog.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

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Photo: The photo of Ted Cruz is in the Public Domain.

Marco Rubio Answers an Atheist's Concerns about His Christian Faith

Marco Rubio

Pol Light Moment #139 took place on January 18, 2016, when Marco Rubio answered an atheist's concern about his Christian faith in a town hall meeting in Waverly, Iowa. Marco Rubio has served as a United States Senator for Florida since January, 2011. 
An atheist named Justin Scott attended a Marco Rubio town hall meeting on January 18, 2016, and asked Rubio the following question:

I’m an atheist voter. I represent millions of atheists and non-theists around the country. One of the fastest growing voter blocs. And you said earlier that you wanted to stand up for religious freedom and all of that. My question is: For atheist voters that are looking for somebody that will uphold their rights as Americans, and not pander to a certain religious group, I just noticed your recent ad. It mentioned nothing about policy, it mentioned nothing about ideas, and it simply talked about wanting us to follow faith, and find God, and go to Heaven, and things like that. Which is fine for those people that align with you. My question is: how do you plan on upholding our rights and focusing on non-theists… because there’s talks in our community about running as “pastor in chief” instead of commander in chief, so I’m curious your thoughts (Patheos, Asking Marco Rubio How He'd Protect the Rights of Atheists is not a Gotcha Question, Hemant Mehta, January 21, 2016). 

Here is a video that Justin Scott recorded and placed on YouTube of the answer Marco Rubio gave.

In part of his response to the atheist Justin Scott, Marco Rubio said:

We are also going to have a country where no one is forced to violate their conscience, which means that no one is going to force you to believe in God. But, no one is going to force me to stop talking about God. I am not going to force you to pray. I am not going to force you to go to church. I am not going to force you to espouse beliefs that you don't have. But, no one is going to take away my right and your right to live out the teachings of your faith — no one.

You shouldn't be worried about my faith influencing me. In fact, I think you should hope my faith influences me and here's why. You know what my faith teaches me? My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to care for the less fortunate. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation to love my neighbor. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation for those who are hungry to help try to feed them; for those that are naked, to help clothe them. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that I need to minister to those in prison. My faith teaches me that I have an obligation that if I want to serve Jesus that I have to serve [others]. I think you should hope that influences me (Marco Rubio as quoted by The Christian Post, Rubio to Atheist, Samuel Smith, January 19, 2016).

For more information on this moment when Marco Rubio answered an atheist read these articles:

• Legal Insurrection.com, Marco Rubio Answers Atheist on Question of Faith, Kemberlee Kaye, January 19, 2016
• Time.com, Marco Rubio Finds God with Atheist Question in Iowa, Zeke J. Miller, January 19, 2016
• The Christian Post, Rubio to Atheist, Samuel Smith, January 19, 2016

Marco Rubio has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all Marco Rubio posts search with the "Marco Rubio" label at Pol Light.   Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.
Photo in this Post: "Marco Rubio, Official Portrait, 112th Congress" by US Senate - Email from the Office of Senator Marco Rubio. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

Michelle Obama Opens Special Olympics

Michelle Obama

Pol Light Moment #138 happened on July 25, 2015, when Michelle Obama opened the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles. Michelle Obama was the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
Michelle Obama said these words to the approximately 6,500 athletes from 165 countries were at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the World Games on July 25, 2015.

"To all of our athletes, I just want you to know that all those people won't just be cheering for you, they're going to be learning from you," the first lady told the cheering crowd during the opening ceremony. "You're filling us with so much hope. And you're uniting us in a way that nothing else can (Michelle Obama, CNN.Com, Kristen Holmes, Michelle Obama Kicks off Special Olympics, July 26, 2015)."

Michelle Obama has been featured on other Pol Light posts. To view all the posts featuring Michelle Obama search with the label Michelle Obama.

Pol Light does not endorse political candidates. We present a brighter side to politics when they are found on either side of the aisle. We don't have to agree with all of a person's politics to recognize these bright moments.

The photo of Michelle Obama is in the Public Domain.