The political "silly season" is in full swing. Republicans, Independents and a few Democrats are in the process of choosing the candidate that: a) they think would be the best choice for president, b) the candidate that has the best chance of defeating the current president (Barak Obama in this case) or c) as in the case of the few Dem's. that slip into the REPUBLICAN PRIMARIES, vote for the candidate that will, in their mind, lose to Obama. Why we let Independents and temporary Republicans - Dem's in sheep's clothing - choose our candidate is beyond me. I believe the best answer to making the right choice for our nominee is to vote for the one we most want to place in office. As my wife said this morning (yes she is still my wife and gratefully so) "we make the winner". Choosing the candidate who is the most "electable" is granting to oneself a foresight that is not available to us mere humans. Part of this thinking is brought about by listening to political pundits who espouse themselves as experts. These "experts" (the republican establishment for one) who actively work to elect a nominee that is more moderate, are of the belief that we cannot draw in the votes of independents which are vital to winning the White House. This has given us candidates such as Bob Dole and John McCain (yeah, real winners there). These establishment types were dead set against Reagan getting the nomination, but now they want to jump on the Reagan band wagon and are often quoted as having been a supporter of Reagan all along.
Everyone with a hint of conservatism are now looking for the next Ronald Reagan. The problem is, their will never be another Ronald Reagan. Heck, even Ronald Reagan wasn't Ronald Reagan before the office made him the great leader that we so fondly remember. Even in office, Reagan had made his fair share of mistakes; mistakes we now choose to forget or to deemphasize. The hard truth is none of us are great until that time we need to be great. The office of President of the United States of America is unlike any other job in the world. It makes great men out of ordinary people. This is why I put large emphasis on the moral fiber of whom I choose. It is not easy to determine the moral fiber of a candidate and we all have baggage. I dare say that few could undergo the scrutiny that our candidates are put through without looking bad. That scrutiny gains more intensity with the advent of time and technology.
I have chosen to vote for Rick Santorum, in part for his stance on unpopular issues. This indicates to me that he has the fortitude to do what he says he will do. I also believe that he will have the strength of character to change course if he finds that he has led us in the wrong direction. I am comfortable in voting for three of the four Republican candidates (with the notable exception of Ron Paul). However, I could not support any of these men for king. Thankfully, we do not need to choose an autocrat. This is the genius of our founders, knowing that people are fallible and susceptible to corruption. Balance among the three branches tempers the impact of choosing the wrong candidate.
So here in the land of ordinary people (Lilliputians), we will have to give up looking for giants and do the best we can to raise our kids to be of giant character and to elevate our standards so that when the time comes we can find amongst ourselves tomorrow's leaders and today's banner bearers.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Contradiction......Really?
The proceeding clip is an interview of Eric Sapp by Thomm Hartman. Both are liberal and their goal is to persuade conservative Christians that, one; you can not espouse the philosophy of Ayn Rand and Christianity since Ayn Rand was an Atheist and, two; the selfishness of conservatism flies in the face of Christ's admonition to care for the poor and the hungry.
Make no mistake, Ayn Rand was an avowed Atheist, she had nothing good to say about religion. Does her stance on religion diminish her philosophy of individual freedom vs collective bondage? Is her description of those who would assume power through government coercion "for the sake of humanity" (she called them moochers-an apt name) any less valid? I can make distinctions between her view of religion and the points she makes in the political arena, as I am sure that you who read this can. Let me point out the hypocrisy of Eric Sapp. Although I'm sure that he would disavow this point, the philosophy that he espouses is rooted in the teachings of Carl Marx, also and avowed atheist. He reserves for himself the ability to selectively pick and choose what he believes from whomever but we can only choose one belief or the other?
Another point made in this interview is the idea that we are selfish to try and keep the government from taking our earnings because it is a contradiction of Christs admonition to feed the poor and care for the needy. At no point in the interview did they make the distinction between private charity and government largess. Private donations to worthy causes far out pace donations made by the government.
I would like to ask these two gentlemen, How can giving to someone, someone Else's money not be considered theft? If monies are taken from an individual unwillingly and then given to someone, deserving or not, how can this be considered charity?
Be on the lookout for this kind of thinking because it will soon be in a church near you. I highly recommend that you, dear reader pick up a copy of Atlas shrugged and /or, if you get the chance, see the movie "Atlas Shrugged" Part One. You will be shocked at how close to today's reality this work of fiction is.
Friday, July 8, 2011
I'm Back, Will Anyone notice? Did anyone notice my leaving?
Uh...... Hi,
In case you hadn't noticed, I had deleted my blog but I missed it so much that I had to un-delete it and once again muddle through with my bad typing and grammar skills.
I've missed you few who read my blog and I apologize for my absence.
I do not have a good excuse for my leaving and I have no excuse for returning but such reasons I have, I will share with you.
Fear is the biggest reason, I fear for what this country, and worse what we citizens, will have to endure in order to bring our nation back from, what I believe is, the brink of disaster. What has stopped me from speaking out could best be described as "deer in the headlight syndrome".
Low self esteem also has stopped me from writing what I have wanted to write. Their are so many voices out there who so eloquently espouse the message of conservatism, who am I to muddy the waters with my not so eloquent blog?
On a personal note, My wife and I, after seventeen years of marriage will soon end said marriage. I'm still living in the same house with my wife and my fourteen year old daughter. As you can imagine there is a lot of strain and things at home are not so comfortable. I soon hope to go back to over the road trucking. Of course the collapse of my marriage means that I will no longer have my editor which adds to my feelings of having inadequate writing skills.
I am hopeful that the few of you who read my blog will find their way back and we can start up again where we left off but even if no one reads it I am at a point where I feel the need to continue writing for my own mental health.
In case you hadn't noticed, I had deleted my blog but I missed it so much that I had to un-delete it and once again muddle through with my bad typing and grammar skills.
I've missed you few who read my blog and I apologize for my absence.
I do not have a good excuse for my leaving and I have no excuse for returning but such reasons I have, I will share with you.
Fear is the biggest reason, I fear for what this country, and worse what we citizens, will have to endure in order to bring our nation back from, what I believe is, the brink of disaster. What has stopped me from speaking out could best be described as "deer in the headlight syndrome".
Low self esteem also has stopped me from writing what I have wanted to write. Their are so many voices out there who so eloquently espouse the message of conservatism, who am I to muddy the waters with my not so eloquent blog?
On a personal note, My wife and I, after seventeen years of marriage will soon end said marriage. I'm still living in the same house with my wife and my fourteen year old daughter. As you can imagine there is a lot of strain and things at home are not so comfortable. I soon hope to go back to over the road trucking. Of course the collapse of my marriage means that I will no longer have my editor which adds to my feelings of having inadequate writing skills.
I am hopeful that the few of you who read my blog will find their way back and we can start up again where we left off but even if no one reads it I am at a point where I feel the need to continue writing for my own mental health
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Of Teachers and Ayn Rand
I have a favorite radio talk show host, his name is Mike Rosen. His show is on locally from 9 am to Noon. Fortunately he is also on the web and archives his shows. http://www.850koa.com/pages/mikerosen.html
Since I have finally figured out how to embed videos, I thought that I would embed some of the relevant things in his archives.
First up is a doctor standing on a corner in Wisconsin, signing sick notes for protesters. Unethical maybe?
Third : A better trailer for Atlas Shrugged
and finally a movie clip from Atlas Shrugged
Since I have finally figured out how to embed videos, I thought that I would embed some of the relevant things in his archives.
First up is a doctor standing on a corner in Wisconsin, signing sick notes for protesters. Unethical maybe?
Next up, A little reality check for those "teachers" protesting in Wisconsin
Third : A better trailer for Atlas Shrugged
and finally a movie clip from Atlas Shrugged
At first blush you might not think that the movie clips and the Wisconsin protesters have anything in common unless you are versed in Ayn Rands work. Than you know that what she considered the enemies of freedom are connected in most fiendish ways. Of course being a Mormon Ayn and I separate company on religious views but knowing something about her background, I understand why she was an atheist. Still, her writings have as much relevance today as they did in her time, maybe more.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Not So Simple
Of the myriad reasons why I would not want the job of President of the USA, among the top would be foreign policy. There are very few times a president can point to a solid political win in the foreign policy arena. President Reagan brought down the Soviet Union but Gorbachev was given the credit, even though the last thing Gorbachev would want to do is destroy his own government.
The situation in Iraq seems to be stabilizing. We know this because the major media outlets ignore it. Afghanistan is still a mess, but let's not forget that we went in there because there was a real threat to us from the major controlling party (the Taliban). Were mistakes made in these examples? You bet. There are always mistakes made in such major undertakings, which makes my point that whatever is done, there will always be room for criticism.
Most of the time, unlike the examples above, there is not a clear win or loss when dealing with other countries. This is most certain when dealing with countries in the Middle East. There is only one stable Democratic nation in the region, Israel. Any other nation we have dealings with in the Middle East, with the current exception of Iraq and maybe Turkey (although that is not too clear) will be monarchies or theocracies and all to often the ruler will be a despot.
The current uprisings in Egypt look all to familiar to us old enough to remember the "youth movement" that toppled the Shaw of Iran. The similarities are very frightening and the criticisms directed at our involvement in both instances could be carbon copied. The value of hindsight is infinite and it is easy to be critical when one excludes the value of what might have been gained from such foreign entanglements. There are plenty of examples where our nation's foreign policy efforts have gone awry and we have been left with a less than desirable outcome. Nonetheless, doing nothing and becoming isolationist has it's pit falls, as well.
In the case of Egypt, let us look back at how and why we became involved. In 1979, Egypt's ruler Anwar Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel. To help foster this peace between our ally, Israel, and Egypt we entered into normal relations with Egypt, including giving of aid. In the years since, we have continued to give aid and we have helped to train their military. Their military is now among the most respected in the world. In 1981 Anwar Sadat was assassinated and Hosni Mubarek became president. The troubles in Egypt today are as a result of a suspected rigged reelection of Mubarek as president.
In the tradition of Middle East monarchs and despot presidents, Sadat and Mubarek have been brutal to their people. Dealing with them and others of the same ilk has not always been very palatable but has netted us a stable peace for Israel for the last thirty years. This peace has allowed Israel to become a major power and stabilizing influence in a region that is not known for its stability. Since the Egyptian military has been trained here in the U.S., we have been able to impress upon them a way of life that they may not have known existed. It is this influence that, hopefully, will lead to a peaceful outcome in their current struggles.
While an advocate of freedom, we cannot be blind to the fact that the demonstrations in Egypt have been organized by groups that are not friendly to Israel or the U.S. and will ultimately enslave the people of Egypt in the way that Hamas has in Palestine. It would be tragic if the Democracy that the Egyptians are seeking turns out to be only one election, as it has occurred in both Palestine and Iran (Iran does hold elections, the way the Soviet Union used to hold elections, that give you only one choice and plenty of pressure to vote the right way). There is not much we can do to prevent this and I fear for the Coptic Christians that make up ten percent of the Egyptian population if the Muslim Brotherhood manages to gain power.
My hope for the Egyptians is that they will establish a just government and their military is the best chance for that hope. If not, Israel will once more have to contend with another hostile Islamic state on their border and the peace that we have helped to foster for thirty years will come to an end.
The situation in Iraq seems to be stabilizing. We know this because the major media outlets ignore it. Afghanistan is still a mess, but let's not forget that we went in there because there was a real threat to us from the major controlling party (the Taliban). Were mistakes made in these examples? You bet. There are always mistakes made in such major undertakings, which makes my point that whatever is done, there will always be room for criticism.
Most of the time, unlike the examples above, there is not a clear win or loss when dealing with other countries. This is most certain when dealing with countries in the Middle East. There is only one stable Democratic nation in the region, Israel. Any other nation we have dealings with in the Middle East, with the current exception of Iraq and maybe Turkey (although that is not too clear) will be monarchies or theocracies and all to often the ruler will be a despot.
The current uprisings in Egypt look all to familiar to us old enough to remember the "youth movement" that toppled the Shaw of Iran. The similarities are very frightening and the criticisms directed at our involvement in both instances could be carbon copied. The value of hindsight is infinite and it is easy to be critical when one excludes the value of what might have been gained from such foreign entanglements. There are plenty of examples where our nation's foreign policy efforts have gone awry and we have been left with a less than desirable outcome. Nonetheless, doing nothing and becoming isolationist has it's pit falls, as well.
In the case of Egypt, let us look back at how and why we became involved. In 1979, Egypt's ruler Anwar Sadat signed a peace treaty with Israel. To help foster this peace between our ally, Israel, and Egypt we entered into normal relations with Egypt, including giving of aid. In the years since, we have continued to give aid and we have helped to train their military. Their military is now among the most respected in the world. In 1981 Anwar Sadat was assassinated and Hosni Mubarek became president. The troubles in Egypt today are as a result of a suspected rigged reelection of Mubarek as president.
In the tradition of Middle East monarchs and despot presidents, Sadat and Mubarek have been brutal to their people. Dealing with them and others of the same ilk has not always been very palatable but has netted us a stable peace for Israel for the last thirty years. This peace has allowed Israel to become a major power and stabilizing influence in a region that is not known for its stability. Since the Egyptian military has been trained here in the U.S., we have been able to impress upon them a way of life that they may not have known existed. It is this influence that, hopefully, will lead to a peaceful outcome in their current struggles.
While an advocate of freedom, we cannot be blind to the fact that the demonstrations in Egypt have been organized by groups that are not friendly to Israel or the U.S. and will ultimately enslave the people of Egypt in the way that Hamas has in Palestine. It would be tragic if the Democracy that the Egyptians are seeking turns out to be only one election, as it has occurred in both Palestine and Iran (Iran does hold elections, the way the Soviet Union used to hold elections, that give you only one choice and plenty of pressure to vote the right way). There is not much we can do to prevent this and I fear for the Coptic Christians that make up ten percent of the Egyptian population if the Muslim Brotherhood manages to gain power.
My hope for the Egyptians is that they will establish a just government and their military is the best chance for that hope. If not, Israel will once more have to contend with another hostile Islamic state on their border and the peace that we have helped to foster for thirty years will come to an end.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Promise Kept............Finally
As you might note, The following is a Christmas story. A little late, you might ask? Yes, I promised my wife that if she posted this story I would post it as well. Okay, I forgot.......So here it is, enjoy.
The Christmas Cardinal
For quite a while now, Jay's been encouraging me to post my Christmas story that I wrote to go with a gift I gave. Though I love to write and am working on a teen novel, being unpublished to date makes me fickle about my talent. However, he gives me some great support. So, I'm following his advise (I'm sure he'll pass out when he reads that).
The Christmas Cardinal
My grandmother was always an avid bird watcher. The yard of her house and her entire porch was filled with bird feeders to attract them. She loved to tell about the beautiful cardinals that had been her favorite since she was a child in Illinois. However, after she and my grandfather married, he moved them to Wyoming and she hadn’t seen a cardinal in all the years she’d lived here. Still, she told my brothers and I about the male’s scarlet feathers and black masked faces. She explained their spectacular red color symbolized hope and was a reminder for us to focus on our faith, their plumage a representation of the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind.
As a writer, she often told us stories she had created herself as if they were fact, so to this day I cannot say if this particular story was truth, legend or her own tale.
A young man chose to leave his home and set out to see the world. He traveled far and wide, learning about new cultures and environments, learning a number of languages and skills from different parts of the world. Wherever he went, he tried to find some common reminder of his homeland. After many years, he grew homesick and decided he would return to see his family. In those days, there were no cars or trains, no public transportation. One had to get from place to place on foot or, if he were lucky, a horse. But as he had amassed no great fortune, it was his fate to travel on foot. As he arrived within miles of his home, a great blizzard blew up and he could scarcely see his hand in front of his face. He thought he would never find the little cabin in the woods where he knew a warm fire and loved ones would be. He trudged on, growing more and more fatigued and hopeless with each passing moment. He thought he might try to build a shelter, but the force of the storm was so great, he was certain he would freeze to death should he stop for even a moment. As he felt the last bit of his strength wane, he caught a glimpse of red in the corner of his eye and looked to see a majestic cardinal flitting in the tree just before him.
“Lead me home, little bird,” he cried out and thought for certain the cardinal looked directly at him as it began to move forward, from branch to branch. “What have I got to lose?” he thought to himself and began to follow the bird. This went on for some time, his burden of exhaustion lifted by the familiar sight of a beloved creature from his homeland. But in time, his body simply began to give in to fatigue. Just as he once again began to give up all hope, the smell of a wood burning fire reached his nostrils. He tried in vain to see ahead, but the heavy snowfall was too thick. The bird continued forward and so did he, knowing now that if he were not close to his own home, he was surely close to someone’s and there he would find shelter. Soon, he was close enough to see a rough outline of a building, though too obscured by the snow to determine anything familiar about it. As he was about to step up on the small porch, the bird rested in a branch of a tree beside it and the door to the cabin swung open. Out stepped an old man and woman and he immediately recognized his own mother and father. The man fell into their arms and the family celebrated a long awaited reunion and a tearful Christmas Eve that night.
Last year, near this special holiday season, Grandmother passed away and although we still lived in a place where none of us had ever seen a cardinal, he came to her that very night and, my brother’s and I believe, led her home to her Heavenly Father.
The End
The ironic part of this story is that my sister-in-law mentioned that my own mother, as she lay in the hospital about to go to surgery, thought she saw a cardinal at her window (that no one else had seen). She was born and raised in Indiana where, indeed, there are cardinals and she is a bird lover. Now that she will be bedridden and both my parents journey toward the end of their lives, I guess a part of me hopes that when the time comes, her own cardinal will lead her home.
Posted by Kerri at 9:56 PM
The Christmas Cardinal
For quite a while now, Jay's been encouraging me to post my Christmas story that I wrote to go with a gift I gave. Though I love to write and am working on a teen novel, being unpublished to date makes me fickle about my talent. However, he gives me some great support. So, I'm following his advise (I'm sure he'll pass out when he reads that).
The Christmas Cardinal
My grandmother was always an avid bird watcher. The yard of her house and her entire porch was filled with bird feeders to attract them. She loved to tell about the beautiful cardinals that had been her favorite since she was a child in Illinois. However, after she and my grandfather married, he moved them to Wyoming and she hadn’t seen a cardinal in all the years she’d lived here. Still, she told my brothers and I about the male’s scarlet feathers and black masked faces. She explained their spectacular red color symbolized hope and was a reminder for us to focus on our faith, their plumage a representation of the blood of Christ shed for the redemption of mankind.
As a writer, she often told us stories she had created herself as if they were fact, so to this day I cannot say if this particular story was truth, legend or her own tale.
A young man chose to leave his home and set out to see the world. He traveled far and wide, learning about new cultures and environments, learning a number of languages and skills from different parts of the world. Wherever he went, he tried to find some common reminder of his homeland. After many years, he grew homesick and decided he would return to see his family. In those days, there were no cars or trains, no public transportation. One had to get from place to place on foot or, if he were lucky, a horse. But as he had amassed no great fortune, it was his fate to travel on foot. As he arrived within miles of his home, a great blizzard blew up and he could scarcely see his hand in front of his face. He thought he would never find the little cabin in the woods where he knew a warm fire and loved ones would be. He trudged on, growing more and more fatigued and hopeless with each passing moment. He thought he might try to build a shelter, but the force of the storm was so great, he was certain he would freeze to death should he stop for even a moment. As he felt the last bit of his strength wane, he caught a glimpse of red in the corner of his eye and looked to see a majestic cardinal flitting in the tree just before him.
“Lead me home, little bird,” he cried out and thought for certain the cardinal looked directly at him as it began to move forward, from branch to branch. “What have I got to lose?” he thought to himself and began to follow the bird. This went on for some time, his burden of exhaustion lifted by the familiar sight of a beloved creature from his homeland. But in time, his body simply began to give in to fatigue. Just as he once again began to give up all hope, the smell of a wood burning fire reached his nostrils. He tried in vain to see ahead, but the heavy snowfall was too thick. The bird continued forward and so did he, knowing now that if he were not close to his own home, he was surely close to someone’s and there he would find shelter. Soon, he was close enough to see a rough outline of a building, though too obscured by the snow to determine anything familiar about it. As he was about to step up on the small porch, the bird rested in a branch of a tree beside it and the door to the cabin swung open. Out stepped an old man and woman and he immediately recognized his own mother and father. The man fell into their arms and the family celebrated a long awaited reunion and a tearful Christmas Eve that night.
Last year, near this special holiday season, Grandmother passed away and although we still lived in a place where none of us had ever seen a cardinal, he came to her that very night and, my brother’s and I believe, led her home to her Heavenly Father.
The End
The ironic part of this story is that my sister-in-law mentioned that my own mother, as she lay in the hospital about to go to surgery, thought she saw a cardinal at her window (that no one else had seen). She was born and raised in Indiana where, indeed, there are cardinals and she is a bird lover. Now that she will be bedridden and both my parents journey toward the end of their lives, I guess a part of me hopes that when the time comes, her own cardinal will lead her home.
Posted by Kerri at 9:56 PM
Friday, January 21, 2011
In case you have ever wondered what the rocslinger might look like I have a link to our pictures. Bonus points if you can spot my wife and daughter. Yes, thats my real hair, honest.Family pics.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
LET THOSE WITH EARS HERE
I know what your thinking. Doesn't the dufus know to use the word hear instead of here?
The answer is most vociferously no!
Why, oh why, does the written language have to be so dang difficult? When we speak we don't differentiate between here or hear, and yet the listeners understand what were saying, why? context that's why.
It might be a shock to you that I did not do so well in English during my formal years of education (Okay, it would not be a shock to anyone who has read my blog before). I didn't do so well in math either. What did I do well in, you might ask? Uummm.... in the one semmester of typing class I took, I got very good at disassymbling the typewriter and putting it back together before the teacher could catch me. I did okay at lunch. Oh, and their (or is it there) was band. In my senior year of high school I spent four of my six classes in the band room......but I digress.
Back to the question at hand, why is it so hard to write English? You Brits are a bit tricky the way you throw in extra letters like u in words like labor and neighbor and how can you possibly justify saying worcestershire with just three vowels? Of course your not as bad as the French. Back when I was driving over the road I asked on the CB if any one knew where versailles Indiana was. Having studied the french revolutioin I knew how to properly pronounce it but my fellow truck drivers (being one hundred percent American) were totally askance as to the township I was looking for, until I pronounced it the way it's spelled. Who ever heard of silent Ls and how does one get shree out of shreve, as in Shreveport?
Let's talk about punctuation, I swear that when I was a child their (or there) was only the period. Do you remember your father telling you that there (or thier) is no such word as can't? Thats because the apostrophe hadn't been invented yet. Okay I understand that the comma is very useful and if anything I now overuse it but when should I use parenthasies instead of comma's (should I be capitalizing the names of these punctuation marks) and when do I use the colon or semi-colon?
I'm starting to think that their (or there) is and has been for some time a conspiracy amongst english teachers to keep the english language as confusing as possible. I dont know why they would do such a thing. Is it possible they envey the French? Certainly it looks as if the British are moving toward "French-ification" (a word for Randi to admire).
Perhaps I could convince someone to come clean and uncover the truth behind This trend of befudduling our language.
Or maybe I'm just crazy.
The answer is most vociferously no!
Why, oh why, does the written language have to be so dang difficult? When we speak we don't differentiate between here or hear, and yet the listeners understand what were saying, why? context that's why.
It might be a shock to you that I did not do so well in English during my formal years of education (Okay, it would not be a shock to anyone who has read my blog before). I didn't do so well in math either. What did I do well in, you might ask? Uummm.... in the one semmester of typing class I took, I got very good at disassymbling the typewriter and putting it back together before the teacher could catch me. I did okay at lunch. Oh, and their (or is it there) was band. In my senior year of high school I spent four of my six classes in the band room......but I digress.
Back to the question at hand, why is it so hard to write English? You Brits are a bit tricky the way you throw in extra letters like u in words like labor and neighbor and how can you possibly justify saying worcestershire with just three vowels? Of course your not as bad as the French. Back when I was driving over the road I asked on the CB if any one knew where versailles Indiana was. Having studied the french revolutioin I knew how to properly pronounce it but my fellow truck drivers (being one hundred percent American) were totally askance as to the township I was looking for, until I pronounced it the way it's spelled. Who ever heard of silent Ls and how does one get shree out of shreve, as in Shreveport?
Let's talk about punctuation, I swear that when I was a child their (or there) was only the period. Do you remember your father telling you that there (or thier) is no such word as can't? Thats because the apostrophe hadn't been invented yet. Okay I understand that the comma is very useful and if anything I now overuse it but when should I use parenthasies instead of comma's (should I be capitalizing the names of these punctuation marks) and when do I use the colon or semi-colon?
I'm starting to think that their (or there) is and has been for some time a conspiracy amongst english teachers to keep the english language as confusing as possible. I dont know why they would do such a thing. Is it possible they envey the French? Certainly it looks as if the British are moving toward "French-ification" (a word for Randi to admire).
Perhaps I could convince someone to come clean and uncover the truth behind This trend of befudduling our language.
Or maybe I'm just crazy.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
A Chrismas Poem (Don't Worry it's from my Daughter)
Their are some things I do well, some things I do OK at and some things that............let's just say I'm grateful to my daughter for her love of Christmas and her talent with the written word.
If I do not write again before the "great holiday" I leave you with this poem from her and wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
A Christmas Poem (a little early, mayhaps?)
Silver bells ring with music so clear,
Across the country for all to hear,
And as their music plays so comes the snow,
The clouds gray compared to the white below.
Silver snow as the moon shines to the ground,
Silver snow falling without a sound,
And in the silver is the gold,
Rich with love and with courage, bold.
Silver ring the bells and silver snow falls,
And the cheer of winter ever calls.
December is the best month of the year,
Whether there or whether here.
Some have snow and some have none,
Some have holidays but that's only some,
I welcome winter with its cheer,
It's the best time of the year.
Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah all,
From greatest great or smallest small,
Somehow there's a feeling in the air,
That makes everyone want to share.
Smiles to strangers and hugs to friends,
Kisses under mistletoe; traditions never end,
Lord's birth or just giving,
This shows life is worth living.
If I do not write again before the "great holiday" I leave you with this poem from her and wish everyone a very merry Christmas.
A Christmas Poem (a little early, mayhaps?)
Silver bells ring with music so clear,
Across the country for all to hear,
And as their music plays so comes the snow,
The clouds gray compared to the white below.
Silver snow as the moon shines to the ground,
Silver snow falling without a sound,
And in the silver is the gold,
Rich with love and with courage, bold.
Silver ring the bells and silver snow falls,
And the cheer of winter ever calls.
December is the best month of the year,
Whether there or whether here.
Some have snow and some have none,
Some have holidays but that's only some,
I welcome winter with its cheer,
It's the best time of the year.
Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Hanukkah all,
From greatest great or smallest small,
Somehow there's a feeling in the air,
That makes everyone want to share.
Smiles to strangers and hugs to friends,
Kisses under mistletoe; traditions never end,
Lord's birth or just giving,
This shows life is worth living.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
With Out a Net; Will You Still Respect Me.
It has been a year and six months since I first started this blog. I now have seven people who are not ashamed to say that they follow me (the seventh is my best friend who I quilted into following) and three more who comment regularly. I have loved sharing with you who read all my opinions and ideas. I especially love the give and take we have in the comments section. Thus said, for reasons I don't care to discuss I will no longer have my wife edit my blog. When the idea of writing a blog first hit me (between the eyes, yes it did hurt) my wife told me that with my lousy punctuation and inept spelling I would not garner respect, I may not get respect even with a well edited blog, was my comeback. I find writing difficult, it does not come second nature to me although it has been good for my own personal growth and my typing has improved.
I write this to ask you dear reader if I should continue writing my blog? It is with some trepidation that I continue. The written language is not one of my strengths.
I am not above fishing for complements, so tell me what it is you like about my blog if anything.
If you like the commentary on this blog than I recommend Atomic Pop and The Water Cooler, both kindred spirits of mine and astute commentators.
I write this to ask you dear reader if I should continue writing my blog? It is with some trepidation that I continue. The written language is not one of my strengths.
I am not above fishing for complements, so tell me what it is you like about my blog if anything.
If you like the commentary on this blog than I recommend Atomic Pop and The Water Cooler, both kindred spirits of mine and astute commentators.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Keyne's Died Sixty-Four Years Ago......Can We Finally Nail Down His Coffin Lid?
When Barack Obama says that most economists agree with the policies that he has put into effect, he is talking about Keynesian economists. In the thirties, Maynard Keynes and Friedrick Hayek were debating the effectiveness of government intervention in the economy. The stimulus package of last year is what Keynesian economists advocate to kick start an economy. There is supposed to be a multiplier effect involved when money is dumped into the economy by the government, ie: people who receive money from the government spend the money boosting other sectors of the economy. Why this has never worked is that the money the government infuses into the economy is backed by debt, creating more debt, inflating our cash flow making the dollar worth less. Picture two Keynesian economists in a deep hole with a shovel (the hole being our debt). The Keynesian with the shovel says, "We need to dig our way out of debt". The other Keynesian says, "Dig up, stupid". Just as the two with the shovel can not dig their way out, the government has failed every time it has tried to get us out of debt by making more debt, to include President Roosevelt's New Deal. I know that most of us have been taught in school that the New Deal policies helped to bring us out of the Great Depression. The fact is that the rest of the world was coming out of the depression while the U.S. was still mired in a sluggish economy due to the policies of President Roosevelt. Flash-forward to now. After a year where we have amazingly huge debt spending geared to revive an economy in collapse, mostly due to bad home lending practices (the unintended consequences of government interfering with private loan companies and some greed thrown in for good measure). Can we all see that these ridiculous debt spending policies don't work? Can we finally agree that the best thing that government can do to help the economy is to get out of the way and stop spending money that we don't have? Or are there still people that would trust the politician more than themselves? Yes, there is a role for government. It is there to protect us from unscrupulous people that would endanger our financial and personal well being. But, to make villains out of whole sectors of social, political and financial persons and institutions, the way our "beloved" President has, is on its face, absurd.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Politics IS NOT a Four Letter Word; Ignorance........Might As Well Be.
I first started this blog last year with certain ideas in mind.
1) I wanted an outlet to share with others the concepts, opinions and ideals that I have formulated after listening for many hours to talk radio hosts across the country.
2) I wanted to be a participant in the "war of ideas" that helps to shape our culture, our society and our nation.
3) I wanted to demonstrate how politics in Washington (and to some small extent the various state and local governments) affect our daily lives.
4) I wanted to convey the importance of being involved in politics.
I am grateful to all those who read my blog on a consistent basis and I am especially grateful to you who take the time to comment. I am not at all certain that this post is even addressed to you, as I know that you are active and informed. Perhaps my regular readers can take encouragement in the preceding words and perhaps there will be those who stumble upon this post that will take my message to heart.
I have often heard people say they do not wish to "be political" or that politics is not something that they're interested in. I say that politics is human nature. It is the process that we use to get along with others. The politics of DC are just an extension of how we interact with our neighbors. Often people are afraid to express their view point or ideas. People find it easier to share their preference of skin cream or shampoo than to tell people who they will vote for and, more importantly, why. While it is important to have clean hair and soft skin, I think it might just be more important that we are informed and that we inform those around us. Who we choose to represent us in our "representative government" is a decision that has long lasting reprecusions. Too often have I heard the complaint that they're all bums and crooks. To that complaint I ask how did all those crooks get into office and more importantly how do they stay in office? I believe that it is the responsibility of the American populace (those of age to vote ) to be well informed on the issues before stepping into the voter booth and pulling the lever (okay, I think I just showed my age by saying "booth" and "lever" but you get the idea). I'm not egalitarian enough to say you should vote if you're not voting for my candidate. I would just as soon you stayed home or didn’t mail in your ballot, but since I know that you'll vote for your guy no matter what I say, than I just ask that you are as informed as you can possibly be.
Since our government is supposed to be run "by the people" we all are combatants in the war of ideas. This should be a civilized war where we treat those who disagree with us respectfully, but still try to convince them that our argument is right or be intellectually honest enough to be swayed by theirs. As Rush Limbaugh has eloquently stated, "Ignorance is our most valuable commodity". Speaking up is our best defense against ignorance, including our own. It is too easy to sit on the sidelines and think that what we have to say does not matter, but not having everyone involved has cost our nation dearly.
1) I wanted an outlet to share with others the concepts, opinions and ideals that I have formulated after listening for many hours to talk radio hosts across the country.
2) I wanted to be a participant in the "war of ideas" that helps to shape our culture, our society and our nation.
3) I wanted to demonstrate how politics in Washington (and to some small extent the various state and local governments) affect our daily lives.
4) I wanted to convey the importance of being involved in politics.
I am grateful to all those who read my blog on a consistent basis and I am especially grateful to you who take the time to comment. I am not at all certain that this post is even addressed to you, as I know that you are active and informed. Perhaps my regular readers can take encouragement in the preceding words and perhaps there will be those who stumble upon this post that will take my message to heart.
I have often heard people say they do not wish to "be political" or that politics is not something that they're interested in. I say that politics is human nature. It is the process that we use to get along with others. The politics of DC are just an extension of how we interact with our neighbors. Often people are afraid to express their view point or ideas. People find it easier to share their preference of skin cream or shampoo than to tell people who they will vote for and, more importantly, why. While it is important to have clean hair and soft skin, I think it might just be more important that we are informed and that we inform those around us. Who we choose to represent us in our "representative government" is a decision that has long lasting reprecusions. Too often have I heard the complaint that they're all bums and crooks. To that complaint I ask how did all those crooks get into office and more importantly how do they stay in office? I believe that it is the responsibility of the American populace (those of age to vote ) to be well informed on the issues before stepping into the voter booth and pulling the lever (okay, I think I just showed my age by saying "booth" and "lever" but you get the idea). I'm not egalitarian enough to say you should vote if you're not voting for my candidate. I would just as soon you stayed home or didn’t mail in your ballot, but since I know that you'll vote for your guy no matter what I say, than I just ask that you are as informed as you can possibly be.
Since our government is supposed to be run "by the people" we all are combatants in the war of ideas. This should be a civilized war where we treat those who disagree with us respectfully, but still try to convince them that our argument is right or be intellectually honest enough to be swayed by theirs. As Rush Limbaugh has eloquently stated, "Ignorance is our most valuable commodity". Speaking up is our best defense against ignorance, including our own. It is too easy to sit on the sidelines and think that what we have to say does not matter, but not having everyone involved has cost our nation dearly.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
MY DAUGHTER CAN WRITE CIRCLES AROUND ME, THATS A GOOD THING
I wish I could write like my daughter. This is what I found on her blog today.
I Believe
There are times when we will feel like we are nothing.
Unimportant.
We don't matter.
I went through a phase recently, and I honestly felt like nobody cared. But don't believe it.
The lies that your mind concoct will never be true. You are important, you matter, and there's always somebody who cares. The undeniable truth is that each and every one of us is important.
Imperfect things that we are, we will hurt, and be the cause of hurt, and wonder why. But don’t doubt we’re here for a reason. We will learn, and we will change, and we will scream and hope and pray, but our circumstances are our circumstances. Sometimes they are as unmovable as a mountain, and at others as easy to move as throwing a tiny piece of rock.
This is where we all are, tangled in the delicate threads made by a master’s handed, breaking and being woven again, irreplaceable one-of-a-kind treasures haphazardly tossed in the half-hearted net called ‘existence’. Pain and joy, hope and fear, all mixed together in a gentle balance, falling apart with ease in the face of chaos, yet the chaos makes it stronger the next time.
Such is us, struggling on the path of life. Hardships throng around us, occasionally breaking through our carefully-built yet so easily broken defenses, but we build them up and are stronger. And our strength gives us new opportunities, new chances, maybe even a whole new life.
We will want to give into the current to sweep us away. We will want to leave the path completely, free ourselves of the pain. But what will happen? Tears will be shed, opportunities will be lost, and the suffering we were so desperate to leave will occur with those around us.
Believe. With all your heart, believe. Learning to love is the hardest thing, but loving gives the most chances. When you are hurting, remember that there are those hurting more than you. Do not take comfort from such a fact, but accept it, understand it, and then try to do something to change it. This is where the beauty in each one of us lies.
We are all so drastically different. Yet male or female, dark-skinned or light-skinned, we share much in common. We feel the same pain whether physically or emotionally, we breathe the same air, and we bleed the same blood. Why can’t we love, too?
I am far from perfect. I try so to remember all the good things I have, than completely forget them when I am angry or hurting. But if you have a roof over your head, family and friends, clothes, are you not lucky?
Are you not lucky enough with family and friends?
We each are important. We each matter. So try, try, try, and help me to try, to learn to love. We may never reach perfection, but we will have changed. Hopefully it will be for the better. Learn and grow, ebb and flow, such a cycle, a circle, a place to belong! But remember. Remember, always remember.
You are important, and I believe.
I Believe
There are times when we will feel like we are nothing.
Unimportant.
We don't matter.
I went through a phase recently, and I honestly felt like nobody cared. But don't believe it.
The lies that your mind concoct will never be true. You are important, you matter, and there's always somebody who cares. The undeniable truth is that each and every one of us is important.
Imperfect things that we are, we will hurt, and be the cause of hurt, and wonder why. But don’t doubt we’re here for a reason. We will learn, and we will change, and we will scream and hope and pray, but our circumstances are our circumstances. Sometimes they are as unmovable as a mountain, and at others as easy to move as throwing a tiny piece of rock.
This is where we all are, tangled in the delicate threads made by a master’s handed, breaking and being woven again, irreplaceable one-of-a-kind treasures haphazardly tossed in the half-hearted net called ‘existence’. Pain and joy, hope and fear, all mixed together in a gentle balance, falling apart with ease in the face of chaos, yet the chaos makes it stronger the next time.
Such is us, struggling on the path of life. Hardships throng around us, occasionally breaking through our carefully-built yet so easily broken defenses, but we build them up and are stronger. And our strength gives us new opportunities, new chances, maybe even a whole new life.
We will want to give into the current to sweep us away. We will want to leave the path completely, free ourselves of the pain. But what will happen? Tears will be shed, opportunities will be lost, and the suffering we were so desperate to leave will occur with those around us.
Believe. With all your heart, believe. Learning to love is the hardest thing, but loving gives the most chances. When you are hurting, remember that there are those hurting more than you. Do not take comfort from such a fact, but accept it, understand it, and then try to do something to change it. This is where the beauty in each one of us lies.
We are all so drastically different. Yet male or female, dark-skinned or light-skinned, we share much in common. We feel the same pain whether physically or emotionally, we breathe the same air, and we bleed the same blood. Why can’t we love, too?
I am far from perfect. I try so to remember all the good things I have, than completely forget them when I am angry or hurting. But if you have a roof over your head, family and friends, clothes, are you not lucky?
Are you not lucky enough with family and friends?
We each are important. We each matter. So try, try, try, and help me to try, to learn to love. We may never reach perfection, but we will have changed. Hopefully it will be for the better. Learn and grow, ebb and flow, such a cycle, a circle, a place to belong! But remember. Remember, always remember.
You are important, and I believe.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Hypocracy Exposed. Do I Feel a Static Build-Up?
The Daily Show exposes union hypocrasy.
Further evidence that the poles have flipped. Very entertaining clip.
John Stewart gets it right.
Further evidence that the poles have flipped. Very entertaining clip.
John Stewart gets it right.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
WHY IT'S NOT A GOOD THING TO MESS WITH MY "OL' LADY".
Okay, it's happened again. Either the poles have flipped or something else bizzare has happened. My wife has once again strayed from the "ranch" and has written a political post. She takes on someone from the left who calls those of us who oppose the building of the "ground zero Mosque" , bigots. I try not to argue with my wife. Why? Because she is a master at taking someone apart with words. Don't believe me? Check out this argument. The guy didn't stand a chance.
Soooo, what would you like to see? A recipe for Chicken Divan or pictures of my kid?
Yeah, okay, I had to comment on her blog. The following is what I had to say; I'm just glad that we were on the same side:
Hey Hon.
The phrase I used is the "liberal two step" (I think it was coined by Jon Caldera). This argument you had with the guy would go round and round until it would be stretched beyond all recognition. Let me just point out that calling the people who are opposed to the mosque being built at Ground Zero bigots does not refute their argument. Look into what is happening in Europe. There are huge Muslim communities who's leaders are calling for Sharia law to be imposed on the Muslim community. Mosques have been built on ground taken by Muslim empires (as christians, let us not forget where the Dome of the Rock sits at this very moment). While I agree that the Islamists willing to fly planes into buildings are a minority, there is no one who can say how big that minority is. No one can say how many Muslims agree with the sentiment of the radical Islamists. Very few Muslims speak up in opposition to these radicals for fear of retaliation. No one has been able to find out just who is to fund the building of the Mosque. If it is to be the Wahabist Muslims of Saudi Arabia, then there is just cause to oppose the construction of this building. I know that I am not a bigot. What I am is somone who loves his country and I do not want to see it destroyed by enemies from inside or out.
Soooo, what would you like to see? A recipe for Chicken Divan or pictures of my kid?
Yeah, okay, I had to comment on her blog. The following is what I had to say; I'm just glad that we were on the same side:
Hey Hon.
The phrase I used is the "liberal two step" (I think it was coined by Jon Caldera). This argument you had with the guy would go round and round until it would be stretched beyond all recognition. Let me just point out that calling the people who are opposed to the mosque being built at Ground Zero bigots does not refute their argument. Look into what is happening in Europe. There are huge Muslim communities who's leaders are calling for Sharia law to be imposed on the Muslim community. Mosques have been built on ground taken by Muslim empires (as christians, let us not forget where the Dome of the Rock sits at this very moment). While I agree that the Islamists willing to fly planes into buildings are a minority, there is no one who can say how big that minority is. No one can say how many Muslims agree with the sentiment of the radical Islamists. Very few Muslims speak up in opposition to these radicals for fear of retaliation. No one has been able to find out just who is to fund the building of the Mosque. If it is to be the Wahabist Muslims of Saudi Arabia, then there is just cause to oppose the construction of this building. I know that I am not a bigot. What I am is somone who loves his country and I do not want to see it destroyed by enemies from inside or out.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Senior Moments
Senior Moment #1:
I received my paycheck yesterday at 4:30 a.m. I came home at 7:00 a.m. and proceeded to do some chores around the house. Not until 2:00 in the afternoon did I remember my paycheck, at which point I had lost track of it and I am furiously looking for it. When my wife sits at her computer at 9:00 p.m. that night and pulls out the keyboard tray, the check show up, sitting right on the corner. Why said check was there? No idea. I don't even recall being in that vicinity.
Senior Moment #2:
Because we are in the process of moving from a townhouse into an apartment, we have to downsize from a king size bed to a queen in order to fit into a smaller bedroom. We had a Select Comfort queen size bed stored away in our crawl space. Yesterday, I was bringing up the bed to check on it's usability. I found all the parts except for the remote controls used to control the airflow into the bed. Normally, at this point, I would call my wife to ask if she might know where it is but this time I decided to take the initiative. I searched the crawl space and the area where I had laid out the bed and even the boxes that the bed had been stored in. I couldn't find them anywhere. When my wife got home she, of course, finds one. We continue to search for the remaining remote for the next couple of hours until we give up because I need to get some sleep before I go to work that night. While I'm sitting in the bedroom, I finally take a look at the remote my wife found and realized that this remote has controls for both the left and right sides of the bed. I call down to my wife and ask her if, perhaps, there is only one remote for the bed. She gets this exasperated look on her face as she calls up that yes, perhaps that is the case.
So, there are some questions that come to my mind.
Should I be glad that I'm not the only one in the family having these senior moments and that I shared an endearing experience with my wife? Or should I be frightened that I can't always rely on my wife to save me from myself?
Should I be concerned that these two senior moments ran concurrently or does it mean that I may be "moment free" for a longer period of time?
Is it possible that the AARP cards that I have been getting in the mail are not a mistake, but rather an omen?
I am SO looking forward to the second half of my life.
I received my paycheck yesterday at 4:30 a.m. I came home at 7:00 a.m. and proceeded to do some chores around the house. Not until 2:00 in the afternoon did I remember my paycheck, at which point I had lost track of it and I am furiously looking for it. When my wife sits at her computer at 9:00 p.m. that night and pulls out the keyboard tray, the check show up, sitting right on the corner. Why said check was there? No idea. I don't even recall being in that vicinity.
Senior Moment #2:
Because we are in the process of moving from a townhouse into an apartment, we have to downsize from a king size bed to a queen in order to fit into a smaller bedroom. We had a Select Comfort queen size bed stored away in our crawl space. Yesterday, I was bringing up the bed to check on it's usability. I found all the parts except for the remote controls used to control the airflow into the bed. Normally, at this point, I would call my wife to ask if she might know where it is but this time I decided to take the initiative. I searched the crawl space and the area where I had laid out the bed and even the boxes that the bed had been stored in. I couldn't find them anywhere. When my wife got home she, of course, finds one. We continue to search for the remaining remote for the next couple of hours until we give up because I need to get some sleep before I go to work that night. While I'm sitting in the bedroom, I finally take a look at the remote my wife found and realized that this remote has controls for both the left and right sides of the bed. I call down to my wife and ask her if, perhaps, there is only one remote for the bed. She gets this exasperated look on her face as she calls up that yes, perhaps that is the case.
So, there are some questions that come to my mind.
Should I be glad that I'm not the only one in the family having these senior moments and that I shared an endearing experience with my wife? Or should I be frightened that I can't always rely on my wife to save me from myself?
Should I be concerned that these two senior moments ran concurrently or does it mean that I may be "moment free" for a longer period of time?
Is it possible that the AARP cards that I have been getting in the mail are not a mistake, but rather an omen?
I am SO looking forward to the second half of my life.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Does the Ostrich Feel Safe Up To the moment That He Feels the Teeth of the Lion on His Rump?
There are two things you should know about me. One: I am a political junkie. Two: I have depression. The political junkie thing you have probably figured out in the first five minutes of reading my blog. I hope my depression has not shown through in my writing as easily as my political addiction has. When I say I have depression I don't mean I get a little weepy when watching sad movies. I'm talking about a debilitating disease that occasionally makes me want to pull the covers over my head and not come out. Ever Again. I'm writing this not to gain sympathy (feel for my wife and daughter, if anyone), but so you will understand the advice I was just recently given and why it may be sound advice.
Most of the time I'm fine. Through medication and support, I am generally a happy person. But at times, because of circumstances or if I forget to take my medication, I find myself in a funk. A few weeks ago, just such an incident happened. I won't go into detail but let's just say it was bad enough that it got the attention of my bishop. After the incident, my wife and I met with him. After some discussion of career moves and possible training that I might pursue, the subject of talk radio came up. My bishop's advice was that I should stop listening to talk radio for a time. It's good advice and if the roles were reversed, I might give that same advice. But I don't think I can follow it.
At any other time, I would be happy to pull out my Yes CDs or a little Toad the Wet Sprocket, or listen to a little jazz or just set my radio to only music, but right now, our nation is soon to go through perhaps one of the worst times that it has ever gone through and I cannot avert my attention. You might think that I'm exaggerating the dangers that we are facing, but let me ask you some questions. How do we pay a debt that is half a million dollars per person and growing? And what happens if we don't pay it? What happens if radical Muslims get hold of a nuclear device? And what is our federal government doing to protect us, other than suing the State of Arizona for trying to do the job that they refuse to do (ie: defending our border)? Who is going to protect us from a government that insists on what kind of light bulb we have in our lamps, how much water pressure we have in our showers, how well our toilets don't flush or what products or services we must buy, including our health insurance?
With everything that is happening in our world today, I cannot just ignore it and bury my head in the sand. Someone, well meaning, said to me, "There is nothing you can do about the evil that is happening in Washington DC or the rest or the world, so just let it go". The whole purpose of this noble experiment we call the USA is for us to have self determination. We, the people, have been asleep at the switch. But it is not too late to change that and that is one of the reasons for my blog. In order to write my blog or to take part in the political process, I need to be informed.
As you can imagine, current events and depression do not mix well and, of course, I can not just look away and pretend that I and mine will be okay. For one thing, our economy is in shambles. I think purposely. And I am now making half the income that I used to make due to a loss of career. The last two years have been the hardest of my life and to pile on, I have just found out that our mortgage lender has approved our loan modification for, get this, three dollars less a month than what we were paying previously. So you can see that the bishop's advice would be good for me to follow. What he doesn't understand is that my psyche (I said psyche not psycho) is just not wired to look away and pretend that everything will be okay. Just because our country has come back from the brink before doesn't mean it will again.
Okay so much for the bad news. Now let's concentrate on what there is that we, as the people of the greatest nation ever to grace the face of the earth, can do. The first thing is to recognize who the true enemy is. As a conservative, it is easy for me to point my finger at liberals and the current democratic leadership. Obama and the leaders in Congress are not without fault and let us not forget the excessive spending and the betrayal of President Bush and the Republicans in office two years ago. As much of the blame as we can place on politicians, they are not the true enemy. In Paul's epistle to the church in Ephesus, he spelled out who the true enemy is and what is needed to defeat them.
Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
If you are a fan of Glenn Beck you may recognize this approach. For truly (yea verily in Bible lingo), if this nation is to come back from the brink, it will be the changes in us that will make the difference as stated in the Old Testament.
2 Chr. 7: 14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I would not be able to deal with what is transpiring today if it were not for my faith in God and the belief that what happens is because of his love for me. I may not, and often do not, understand why I have to go through the troubles that I have, but I will believe in what Paul and other witnesses of the Christ have written. I would not want to live in today's climate without my faith in a loving God.
Most of the time I'm fine. Through medication and support, I am generally a happy person. But at times, because of circumstances or if I forget to take my medication, I find myself in a funk. A few weeks ago, just such an incident happened. I won't go into detail but let's just say it was bad enough that it got the attention of my bishop. After the incident, my wife and I met with him. After some discussion of career moves and possible training that I might pursue, the subject of talk radio came up. My bishop's advice was that I should stop listening to talk radio for a time. It's good advice and if the roles were reversed, I might give that same advice. But I don't think I can follow it.
At any other time, I would be happy to pull out my Yes CDs or a little Toad the Wet Sprocket, or listen to a little jazz or just set my radio to only music, but right now, our nation is soon to go through perhaps one of the worst times that it has ever gone through and I cannot avert my attention. You might think that I'm exaggerating the dangers that we are facing, but let me ask you some questions. How do we pay a debt that is half a million dollars per person and growing? And what happens if we don't pay it? What happens if radical Muslims get hold of a nuclear device? And what is our federal government doing to protect us, other than suing the State of Arizona for trying to do the job that they refuse to do (ie: defending our border)? Who is going to protect us from a government that insists on what kind of light bulb we have in our lamps, how much water pressure we have in our showers, how well our toilets don't flush or what products or services we must buy, including our health insurance?
With everything that is happening in our world today, I cannot just ignore it and bury my head in the sand. Someone, well meaning, said to me, "There is nothing you can do about the evil that is happening in Washington DC or the rest or the world, so just let it go". The whole purpose of this noble experiment we call the USA is for us to have self determination. We, the people, have been asleep at the switch. But it is not too late to change that and that is one of the reasons for my blog. In order to write my blog or to take part in the political process, I need to be informed.
As you can imagine, current events and depression do not mix well and, of course, I can not just look away and pretend that I and mine will be okay. For one thing, our economy is in shambles. I think purposely. And I am now making half the income that I used to make due to a loss of career. The last two years have been the hardest of my life and to pile on, I have just found out that our mortgage lender has approved our loan modification for, get this, three dollars less a month than what we were paying previously. So you can see that the bishop's advice would be good for me to follow. What he doesn't understand is that my psyche (I said psyche not psycho) is just not wired to look away and pretend that everything will be okay. Just because our country has come back from the brink before doesn't mean it will again.
Okay so much for the bad news. Now let's concentrate on what there is that we, as the people of the greatest nation ever to grace the face of the earth, can do. The first thing is to recognize who the true enemy is. As a conservative, it is easy for me to point my finger at liberals and the current democratic leadership. Obama and the leaders in Congress are not without fault and let us not forget the excessive spending and the betrayal of President Bush and the Republicans in office two years ago. As much of the blame as we can place on politicians, they are not the true enemy. In Paul's epistle to the church in Ephesus, he spelled out who the true enemy is and what is needed to defeat them.
Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
If you are a fan of Glenn Beck you may recognize this approach. For truly (yea verily in Bible lingo), if this nation is to come back from the brink, it will be the changes in us that will make the difference as stated in the Old Testament.
2 Chr. 7: 14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I would not be able to deal with what is transpiring today if it were not for my faith in God and the belief that what happens is because of his love for me. I may not, and often do not, understand why I have to go through the troubles that I have, but I will believe in what Paul and other witnesses of the Christ have written. I would not want to live in today's climate without my faith in a loving God.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Pardon Me, But May I Brag On My Daughter?
If you have read my blog for any length of time, you would know that I am very proud of my daughter. Below is a poem I just found on her website.
Butterfly Depths- story-intro
A rose. He is closed, the petals tight. But as days pass, slowly he widens. He is a wheel now, blood-red and beautiful. Simple form, but it is elegant.
A butterfly. She flutters her wings and lands on the rose, still. Her wings are partially opened, and partially closed, a midway between the two.
A noise. It rocks the rose, and the butterfly flies away. The rose is alone again, but he knows that a butterfly will come soon.
For though butterfly depths are small, they make a great impact.
She's thirteen. I can only imagine how well she will write when she has gained some of life's experiences.
Here's another poem:
I'm a tad biased, so if you agree that she is talented, you could go to her blog and encourage her. I'm sure she would appreciate it and it might keep her off the streets as she grows older.
Butterfly Depths- story-intro
A rose. He is closed, the petals tight. But as days pass, slowly he widens. He is a wheel now, blood-red and beautiful. Simple form, but it is elegant.
A butterfly. She flutters her wings and lands on the rose, still. Her wings are partially opened, and partially closed, a midway between the two.
A noise. It rocks the rose, and the butterfly flies away. The rose is alone again, but he knows that a butterfly will come soon.
For though butterfly depths are small, they make a great impact.
She's thirteen. I can only imagine how well she will write when she has gained some of life's experiences.
Here's another poem:
Texas Update: Homesick Poem
The world passing,
Just a blur.
Tears I cry,
Never have cried before.
There may be beauty,
But I'd never know,
Because the ones I love
Left now for more.
But a blue sea white with foam,
Past the forest, under the gold,
Through the desert, beyond my know,
That's not close to how far I'll go.
Cold skies gray with rain,
Golden sunshine just cries pain,
Though a heartbreak I do hold,
The way is clear; I must go.
Tomorrow, maybe, will be the day
I make my way home.
No more tears, no more fears,
Tomorrow, maybe, I'll be home.
I'm a tad biased, so if you agree that she is talented, you could go to her blog and encourage her. I'm sure she would appreciate it and it might keep her off the streets as she grows older.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Media Bias at its worst
I am always amazed at how people can sense the bias that is shoveled out to us from the dominant mainstream media but will still use the evening news or the paper that is delivered to their door as their source without skepticism or without checking other sources. Critical thinking is in short supply in this country and is one of the reasons why I write my blog. I do not want my readers to take anything I write at face value. I try to supply sources that support my viewpoint so that you, dear reader, can study for yourself and form your own opinion whether it is simular to mine or of a divergent nature. That stated, I give you the following link as an example of how inundated we are by half truths and blatant lies by those media outlets that hide their agenda: The Dennis Prager Show
If you take note that while Dennis Prager is an excellent talk show host and commentator, there are several points in this article that can be questioned. Though Dennis makes an excellent point as to the type of biased sources that are used, there is nothing in his article that refutes the claim the mainstream media is making about our healthcare, except for one ad hominem statement that we are ranked as tied with Cuba. Don't misunderstand me; I believe that our healthcare is the finest in the world and anyone who studies this issue fairly will come to the same conclusion. My main point is that one source is not enough to draw a fair conclusion and that you need to be critical of all sources.
If you take note that while Dennis Prager is an excellent talk show host and commentator, there are several points in this article that can be questioned. Though Dennis makes an excellent point as to the type of biased sources that are used, there is nothing in his article that refutes the claim the mainstream media is making about our healthcare, except for one ad hominem statement that we are ranked as tied with Cuba. Don't misunderstand me; I believe that our healthcare is the finest in the world and anyone who studies this issue fairly will come to the same conclusion. My main point is that one source is not enough to draw a fair conclusion and that you need to be critical of all sources.
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