And, this time, it's from a real ignoramus--from the op-ed page of the Waco Tribune-Herald--the name withheld to not humiliate the guilty:
"In a Nov. 20 letter in response to my letter Nov. 7 letter, (name withheld--in all fairness) said she is Irish Catholic, and her grandchildren and third generation German Americans with French Persian relatives. She said her grandmother was a Wyandot Indian.
"I have never head of anyone from French, Catholic, French Persian or any kind of Indian heritage fly planes into buildings and killing innocent people or shooting up people on a military base.
"I am Czech and German, and I don't think about blowing up buildings or shooting innocent people at any time.
"People from the Middle East just don't like us, and that includes you."
(Waco Tribune-Herald, Dec. 1, 2009)
I consider this person to be like a cockroach--all cleanliness issues aside. What I mean is--where there's one cockroach, there's about a million others. And, that's what concerns me about letters like this--letters that spew not just hate, but ignorant hate. Plus, if the rest of the world were to pass jugdment on this person's recent ancestry, this person would be horribly offended.
Let's just get something straight, and not let the facts get in the way: Islamic extremists are just that: extremists. And to say that all or most Islamic people are this type of extremists is much akin to saying that all or most people of German ancestry (as in the writer of the above letter referenced) hate Jews and want to exterminate them in ovens and concentration camps. Do you get it now? Both are beyond preposterous. And how quick we forget that before 9/11, the biggest act of domestic terrorism was committed by a white male (one Timothy McVeigh--remember him from the OKC bombing?).
I've said it at least a couple of dozen times in this blog, and I'll keep repeating it as long as ignorant, ill-willed, holier-than-thou (Islamic and/or Christian) hatemongers-in-the-name-of-the-red-white-and-blue continue to spew their tripe: Islam is not the enemy. Extremism--in any form, whether it be religious, political, financial, etc.. is. A society cannot thrive lives on the edges like this. Extremism never seeks to understand, but demands to be understood--or else. Extremism has constipation of the brain, and diarrhea of the mouth.
I wonder if this person ever considered why the extremists hate us so much? I bet this person has never asked that question--and really doesn't want to. For it's easier to just hate. Which makes this person no better than the Islamic extremists this person hates so much themselves. But since this person is so convinced of their right-ness, and is afflicted with the aforementioned constipation of the brain and diarreah of the mouth, they're not listening. But for those of you that are, please consider this, especially my fellow moderate Christians: stand your ground against this kind of ignorant hate. Christ commanded it.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Break 'Em Up!
That's right, treat 'em like they did the old Standard Oil back near the turn of the 20th-century.
'Talking about the big insurance companies, who look like they might have their anti-trust exemption lifted--this from "The Hill" today:
'Talking about the big insurance companies, who look like they might have their anti-trust exemption lifted--this from "The Hill" today:
Senate Democrats to strip health insurers of antitrust exemption
- 10/21/09 11:04 AM ET
A group of Senate Democratic leaders is set to announce that they have decided to strip health insurers of their antitrust exemption on Wednesday.
According to a post on Twitter from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this morning, Reid, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Democratic Caucus Chairman Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) would make the announcement about the antitrust rules this morning.
Reid tweeted Wednesday:
Leahy, Schumer and I will announce today @ 11:30am ET that we will strip the health ins industry of its exemption from antritrust laws
The move mirrors actions taken by House leaders to also include the change in antitrust rules in their version of health reform legislation.
The House and Senate Democrats' jab toward insurers also comes after the industry had launched critical reports over the differing health bills, warning that the reform plans would result in higher premiums for consumers, were they to become law.
Reid's words serve as confirmation that the Senate will move on the initiative, first floated by Leahy, after momentum appeared to move toward the new antitrust rule.
(Courtesy: THE HILL'S TWITTER ROOM, October 21, 2009)
And you thought Congress had no common sense left! This is something that moderates everywhere should not only applaud--they should give it a standing ovation. Put simply, big insurance basically has no competition, and each company basically agrees to just split up the collective turf. If any measure(s) make their way through the guts of the legislative process, they have the power to collude and then jack up rates so they can keep astronomical profit margins the status-quo--and keep anybody else from competing. Much like ol' Standard Oil did back before the Sherman Anti-Trust force the big break-up back in 1890.
That was good for America back then, and it'll be good for America in 2009. It doesn't take a genius to understand that too much power in too few hands equals tyranny. And that's what big insurance has become--a collective tyrant. And the tyrant needs to be bent over the country's knee, spanked, and sent to his room. I think the same should be said about big banks, and if the trend continues, big government. But the same truth holds true: too big with too little regulation equals BIG problems. And if what transpired today turns into full revocation, there will be one less big problem for moderates--not to mention the left & right wingnuts--will have to yammer about.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thursday Joke Time, Kind Of
It's been a crappy couple of days for me, so why should you care? Because I send along jokes as a tonic, that's why. This one's from my buddy Rick Pliscott, who I don't always agree with, but I usually get a chuckle when he sends down something like the one below. Enjoy!
Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidge.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: • If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.
• If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs
• If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
• If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
• If you buy a car, it will go to Japan or Korea.
• If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.
• If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.
Instead, keep the money in America by:
1. spending it at yard sales, or
2. going to ball games, or
3. spending it on prostitutes, or
4. beer or
5. tattoos
(these are the only American businesses still operating in the US)
Suggestion:
Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day!
Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.
Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidge.
Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
A. Shut up.
Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: • If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China.
• If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs
• If you purchase a computer, it will go to India.
• If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
• If you buy a car, it will go to Japan or Korea.
• If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.
• If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.
Instead, keep the money in America by:
1. spending it at yard sales, or
2. going to ball games, or
3. spending it on prostitutes, or
4. beer or
5. tattoos
(these are the only American businesses still operating in the US)
Suggestion:
Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9/12
Do the numbers mean anything?
Perhaps to some elementary school students, they get put down to the lowest common denominator to 3/4. To others it's the middle sequence to the numbers 3/6 and 15/18.
For others, it's "the day after".
The day after what?
9/11, of course. But I guarantee there are those that had to think about it, and that's sad--sad because what happened on 9/11/2001 should be galvanized on the minds of every single American, and more to the point, of why extremism within our borders should be avoided at all costs.
That's right, the toppling of the twin towers, the damage to The Pentagon, the loss of all of those lives and the anguish still being felt on a daily--and for some on an hourly basis. All brought to this land by an extreme group called Al-Qaeda. And, it's hard to believe it's been 8-years since the largest act of terrorism on American soil. And while we live in what many call the "post 9/11 world", many have just gone on with their lives as if it never happened--until they remember it on each anniversary. And that's a shame, although I shouldn't be surprised.
And, I guess that's the reason I didn't write about 9/11 until 9/12. To America's credit, most observed the day in remembrance, most remember exactly where they were when they saw those first images of horror and terror. I know some mourned and others prayed. I know some got angry and others just remembered. Thank goodness our politicians called off the dogs for the day.
And, it's on that note--remembering 9/11/01 as a day that, for the day and for awhile after--we stopped being Democrat and Republican, Black and White (and every other people of color), & men and women, and simply because Americans. We were UNIFIED for awhile. And fast forward 8-years--2-days after President Obama's congressional speech on health care--where both parties showed some very un-unified behavior--and we had a day of peace to remember the single day of the most deadly terrorist violence on our land. And the day after that? We seem to be un-unified all over again. And to me, that's not only sad, but rather annoying.
Annoying because we as Americans can do better, and it's not that we can't, it's that we don't--or won't. Our attention span seems to need collective Ritalin. We act much like the religious person who goes to confess, and then goes out the next day and does all the things all over again that he confessed in his place of worship. And that's to a large degree what 9/12 means today.
Perhaps the day is too painful to remember for more than the anniversary. Perhaps we don't want to think about some of the longer term ramifications that 9/11 brought on to us other than a spot on the stage of world terrorism. But perhaps there's something else that we really don't want to admit, but need to get out in the open, and it's this: 9/11 made our country grow up, and our country was much like the spoiled kid that just never really had to grow up because of his/her wealth and power. Sorry, folks, but this country got caught with its pants down on 9/11 and got punched--and suffered a near TKO at the hands of very well organized extremist group that--although I believe evil--at least knows why it believes what it believes, and has proven to be a formidible enemy to the greatest and most powerful nation in the history of recorded civilization.
But even more than that, I believe that we've forgotten since 9/11 the danger of any such extreme group--a group that is vocal, well organized, and believes that ONLY its narrow point of view is acceptable--and that everybody else is condemned to eternal damnation. Yes, that pretty much describes Al-Qaeda, doesn't it? OK. But it also pretty much describes a couple of extremes within our borders: the far right-wing nutjobs and the far-left bleeding heart progressives. Yeah, now 9/11 really hurts, doesn't it? We hate what happened to us, yet we're becoming what we hate. So, here's another reason to stand one's ground against the polarization of America! Extremes are dangerous, folks. And, all you need as a reminder is 9/11.
So, as 9/12 winds down and 9/13 looms, I encourage all to not only remember 9/11 for what it was, but spawned it, and not only avoiding it happening again, but squelching the seed of extremist attitudes which spawned the terrorism in the first place.
And, that means remembering beyond 9/11. And 9/12.
Perhaps to some elementary school students, they get put down to the lowest common denominator to 3/4. To others it's the middle sequence to the numbers 3/6 and 15/18.
For others, it's "the day after".
The day after what?
9/11, of course. But I guarantee there are those that had to think about it, and that's sad--sad because what happened on 9/11/2001 should be galvanized on the minds of every single American, and more to the point, of why extremism within our borders should be avoided at all costs.
That's right, the toppling of the twin towers, the damage to The Pentagon, the loss of all of those lives and the anguish still being felt on a daily--and for some on an hourly basis. All brought to this land by an extreme group called Al-Qaeda. And, it's hard to believe it's been 8-years since the largest act of terrorism on American soil. And while we live in what many call the "post 9/11 world", many have just gone on with their lives as if it never happened--until they remember it on each anniversary. And that's a shame, although I shouldn't be surprised.
And, I guess that's the reason I didn't write about 9/11 until 9/12. To America's credit, most observed the day in remembrance, most remember exactly where they were when they saw those first images of horror and terror. I know some mourned and others prayed. I know some got angry and others just remembered. Thank goodness our politicians called off the dogs for the day.
And, it's on that note--remembering 9/11/01 as a day that, for the day and for awhile after--we stopped being Democrat and Republican, Black and White (and every other people of color), & men and women, and simply because Americans. We were UNIFIED for awhile. And fast forward 8-years--2-days after President Obama's congressional speech on health care--where both parties showed some very un-unified behavior--and we had a day of peace to remember the single day of the most deadly terrorist violence on our land. And the day after that? We seem to be un-unified all over again. And to me, that's not only sad, but rather annoying.
Annoying because we as Americans can do better, and it's not that we can't, it's that we don't--or won't. Our attention span seems to need collective Ritalin. We act much like the religious person who goes to confess, and then goes out the next day and does all the things all over again that he confessed in his place of worship. And that's to a large degree what 9/12 means today.
Perhaps the day is too painful to remember for more than the anniversary. Perhaps we don't want to think about some of the longer term ramifications that 9/11 brought on to us other than a spot on the stage of world terrorism. But perhaps there's something else that we really don't want to admit, but need to get out in the open, and it's this: 9/11 made our country grow up, and our country was much like the spoiled kid that just never really had to grow up because of his/her wealth and power. Sorry, folks, but this country got caught with its pants down on 9/11 and got punched--and suffered a near TKO at the hands of very well organized extremist group that--although I believe evil--at least knows why it believes what it believes, and has proven to be a formidible enemy to the greatest and most powerful nation in the history of recorded civilization.
But even more than that, I believe that we've forgotten since 9/11 the danger of any such extreme group--a group that is vocal, well organized, and believes that ONLY its narrow point of view is acceptable--and that everybody else is condemned to eternal damnation. Yes, that pretty much describes Al-Qaeda, doesn't it? OK. But it also pretty much describes a couple of extremes within our borders: the far right-wing nutjobs and the far-left bleeding heart progressives. Yeah, now 9/11 really hurts, doesn't it? We hate what happened to us, yet we're becoming what we hate. So, here's another reason to stand one's ground against the polarization of America! Extremes are dangerous, folks. And, all you need as a reminder is 9/11.
So, as 9/12 winds down and 9/13 looms, I encourage all to not only remember 9/11 for what it was, but spawned it, and not only avoiding it happening again, but squelching the seed of extremist attitudes which spawned the terrorism in the first place.
And, that means remembering beyond 9/11. And 9/12.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Now It's The Far Left's Turn To Get It!
And, you won't see me use the word "liberal"--because the true meaning of the word hardly fits this bunch. Yes, far left, they've earned as much of the moderates' wrath as the far right-wing nutjobs (wingnuts). And with me, the far left has earned more!
My principal issues with the far left is these: First,the love affair with the government tit. Yes, it seems they believe that our nation's economic and social quagmire can be dried up and paved over by one government entity after another. Sadly, though, that pavement soon turns into potholes, and then getting those potholes filled takes months because of all the bureaucracy that a government agency comes with. And we haven't even begun to talk about how we're going to pay for the plastic surgery to increase the size of the government tit. But the far left doesn't seem to care about trivial details like that--just increase taxes and justify it by talk of "leveling the playing field".
Which leads to my second beef: a sense of entitlement, particularly when it comes to the health care debate. I've heard it from everybody from Facebook friends to leftist pundits: everybody deserves affordable health care. And, in some cases, everybody deserves free health care through a nationalized health care system. To both I vehemently disagree! Not EVERYBODY deserves health care--free or otherwise. For those that willingly ignore their health by smoking? They don't deserve free health care--they deserve lung cancer and/or emphasyma. For those that willingly eat 100-times the recommended daily allowance of simple carbohydrates (sugar)? You deserve type-2 diabetes. You don't deserve me and others who willingly live healthy lives and make healthy choices to be a breast pump for your government tit. And I'm willing to bet you that at least 50% of the nearly 46-million uninsured Americans fall in the aforementioned category. For the rest, I will say there does need to be health care reform to make their health insurance not only affordable, but TIMELY. And it's on the timeliness that nationalized health care will fail, and fail miserably. All one has to do is observe the speed of other government agencies doing what they do. SLOOOOOOWWWW!! So, don't think a government agency over your health care will be any different. And, I'd bet the far left would be the first to find something to bitch about it.
Now, I'm not going to begin to say the debate over health care reform is easy--it's obviously not. But I'll be dipped in green doo-doo before I subsidize somebody else's health care beyond my own charitable deed--lest those that refuse to take care of themselves and/or educate themselves about their best present health care options pay the consequences.
Yes, it seems the far left simply doesn't like to talk about consequences. Dirty word--that "consequences". And one of the consequences of centralization of power through massive government is designed to have the government tit help level the economic playing field--i.e. socialism, which leads to communism, which doesn't work. Do the letters "U-S-S-R" come to mind? Total government led to pittance wages and a destitute life for a vast majority of its citizens. In fact, there was a saying from 'ol Russia: "They pretend to pay us, so we pretend to work." Well, that's what happens when you tax the well-to-do to death, and the far left has no use for the rich--unless it's them. And, like it or not, you need the rich to be charitable to help the poor and downtrodden that the far left says it champions. All of this has historical precedent.
Oh, and by the way, there's not much from the far left that is truly "liberal". Our Founding Fathers were true "liberals". Our democratic republic form or government is really a liberal form of government--you don't like your representatives? Change it--vote 'em out. How about checks & balances of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government--all to avoid what the far left wants: centralized government in the hands of a few. All of our founders weren't Christians. May were deists. Some had no faith. But they all ended up in agreement that a religious theocracy was not the way to go either--which evolved into separation of church and state. Yes, our Founding Fathers were true liberals, but today's far left resembles only a shell of Jefferson et.al.
Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about "moderate progressives" no more than I'm talking about "moderate conservatives" when I take the right wing nutjobs (wingnuts) to task for their perversion of conservatism. Both are extreme, and life on the extremes is simply impossible, both politically and culturally. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it again: it's the polarization of America--with more and more folks being sucked to the far right and the far left--that is the biggest danger to our nation. If both extremes had their way, only their very narrow point of view would be acceptable, and with meld of cultures and peoples that is present day Americana, that's not only absurd, it's dangerous. And the far left must be exposed and stood up to just as much as the far right.
From me, consider both extremes on notice. I pray my fellow moderates will follow suit.
My principal issues with the far left is these: First,the love affair with the government tit. Yes, it seems they believe that our nation's economic and social quagmire can be dried up and paved over by one government entity after another. Sadly, though, that pavement soon turns into potholes, and then getting those potholes filled takes months because of all the bureaucracy that a government agency comes with. And we haven't even begun to talk about how we're going to pay for the plastic surgery to increase the size of the government tit. But the far left doesn't seem to care about trivial details like that--just increase taxes and justify it by talk of "leveling the playing field".
Which leads to my second beef: a sense of entitlement, particularly when it comes to the health care debate. I've heard it from everybody from Facebook friends to leftist pundits: everybody deserves affordable health care. And, in some cases, everybody deserves free health care through a nationalized health care system. To both I vehemently disagree! Not EVERYBODY deserves health care--free or otherwise. For those that willingly ignore their health by smoking? They don't deserve free health care--they deserve lung cancer and/or emphasyma. For those that willingly eat 100-times the recommended daily allowance of simple carbohydrates (sugar)? You deserve type-2 diabetes. You don't deserve me and others who willingly live healthy lives and make healthy choices to be a breast pump for your government tit. And I'm willing to bet you that at least 50% of the nearly 46-million uninsured Americans fall in the aforementioned category. For the rest, I will say there does need to be health care reform to make their health insurance not only affordable, but TIMELY. And it's on the timeliness that nationalized health care will fail, and fail miserably. All one has to do is observe the speed of other government agencies doing what they do. SLOOOOOOWWWW!! So, don't think a government agency over your health care will be any different. And, I'd bet the far left would be the first to find something to bitch about it.
Now, I'm not going to begin to say the debate over health care reform is easy--it's obviously not. But I'll be dipped in green doo-doo before I subsidize somebody else's health care beyond my own charitable deed--lest those that refuse to take care of themselves and/or educate themselves about their best present health care options pay the consequences.
Yes, it seems the far left simply doesn't like to talk about consequences. Dirty word--that "consequences". And one of the consequences of centralization of power through massive government is designed to have the government tit help level the economic playing field--i.e. socialism, which leads to communism, which doesn't work. Do the letters "U-S-S-R" come to mind? Total government led to pittance wages and a destitute life for a vast majority of its citizens. In fact, there was a saying from 'ol Russia: "They pretend to pay us, so we pretend to work." Well, that's what happens when you tax the well-to-do to death, and the far left has no use for the rich--unless it's them. And, like it or not, you need the rich to be charitable to help the poor and downtrodden that the far left says it champions. All of this has historical precedent.
Oh, and by the way, there's not much from the far left that is truly "liberal". Our Founding Fathers were true "liberals". Our democratic republic form or government is really a liberal form of government--you don't like your representatives? Change it--vote 'em out. How about checks & balances of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government--all to avoid what the far left wants: centralized government in the hands of a few. All of our founders weren't Christians. May were deists. Some had no faith. But they all ended up in agreement that a religious theocracy was not the way to go either--which evolved into separation of church and state. Yes, our Founding Fathers were true liberals, but today's far left resembles only a shell of Jefferson et.al.
Now, to be clear, I'm not talking about "moderate progressives" no more than I'm talking about "moderate conservatives" when I take the right wing nutjobs (wingnuts) to task for their perversion of conservatism. Both are extreme, and life on the extremes is simply impossible, both politically and culturally. I've said it before and I'll reiterate it again: it's the polarization of America--with more and more folks being sucked to the far right and the far left--that is the biggest danger to our nation. If both extremes had their way, only their very narrow point of view would be acceptable, and with meld of cultures and peoples that is present day Americana, that's not only absurd, it's dangerous. And the far left must be exposed and stood up to just as much as the far right.
From me, consider both extremes on notice. I pray my fellow moderates will follow suit.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
God Is In Our Public Schools--Even If Prayer Isn't.
And, I can hear the right wing nut-jobs right now: "You heathen! You need to repent! You're going to burn eternally if you don't!"
No, I'm not--but I am going to finish your sentence for you: ".. You're going to burn eternally if you don't--UNLESS YOU TURN AND BELIEVE THE NARROW BELIEF THAT I AND MY THRONG BELIEVE! AND WE'RE RIGHT, DAMMIT!"
Well, maybe not the dammit. But I think you get the picture.
This was all prompted by a bumper sticker I saw today, which read:
"Dear God: Why do we allow such violence in our schools?"
"Dear Concerned Student: I'm not allowed in schools."
As I finished reading this and was backing my vehicle out of the parking lot, all I could think is: this person's God is too small to be put in a box like that. And, as a fellow Christian, it infuriated me.
I've written about this before, but in case you're new to my blogosphere, I'll review. I am a Christian. I was baptized in the Lutheran Church. I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. I currently attend a Methodist Church with my wife and daughter. So, I'm not anti-Christian at all. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, and I also believe that Christ will draw each individual near in His own way at His right time, and not mine.
Which brings me to my point in all of this: the veiled message in that bumper sticker, to me, was this: since this person believed God is not in our schools, violence happens. And the indirect veil of that bumper sticker, it seems, is that God is not allowed in school because prayer and Christianity as religion is not allowed in school. And, to both of those veils, I shine a light that says one word: poppycock.
I'll back it up with three points. First, since when did we, the CREATION, have the power to keep Him, THE CREATOR, out of our schools? He's bigger than that, and He's not going to be bound by any of man's laws or edicts. That's putting God in a box, and He's showed us time and time again what the penalty for that is (now's the time for one to REALLY know one's history).
Secondly, last I checked, there's no Muslim prayer, Hindu prayer, or Buddist prayer--or any other faith's prayers allowed in school either--at least in this country. And, reiterating a point I made in a previous entry, for those Christians that embrace "The Golden Rule"--you know--"Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You", consider this: if this was a predominantly Islamic country, would you want the schools forcing you to pray an Islamic prayer? Certainly not. You'd take your case to the school board or even hire and attorney and take the district to court. Well, again, embracing "The Golden Rule"--isn't forcing Americans of other faiths to pray a Christian prayer in school a violation of said Golden Rule? Of course it is, and that's what makes mandated and/or forced prayer of any faith in public schools wrong.
And, third, and this is the hardest one to fathom because it's still somewhat taboo in our society, but it's nonetheless true: violence happens everywhere--even in places where there's an abundance of prayer and practice of any faith. How about churches where children have been molested? Where there's been documented adultery? Where there's been arson and crosses burned? What about individual homes with the same aforementioned scenarios? Why don't we talk about those kind of situations as much as we talk about God in schools? Why don't I see bumper stickers like that as I'm backing out of the parking lot? It seems to me they all fall under the same umbrella: we as man are not greater than God, and His in finiteness is so far beyond our understanding right now that sometimes all we have to go on is our faith, and because He is infinite and we are not, it's not our place to tell God what to do. Therefore, we don't have the power nor the place to keep God out of schools--no matter what kind of violence makes the news.
And one more thing: I prayed every day I was in school. I did it on my own--silently. It didn't take somebody reading one over the loud speaker. I think we as Christians would do better at proclaiming the love of Christ if we'd wear our faith on our hearts and not on our sleeves.
Or our bumper stickers.
No, I'm not--but I am going to finish your sentence for you: ".. You're going to burn eternally if you don't--UNLESS YOU TURN AND BELIEVE THE NARROW BELIEF THAT I AND MY THRONG BELIEVE! AND WE'RE RIGHT, DAMMIT!"
Well, maybe not the dammit. But I think you get the picture.
This was all prompted by a bumper sticker I saw today, which read:
"Dear God: Why do we allow such violence in our schools?"
"Dear Concerned Student: I'm not allowed in schools."
As I finished reading this and was backing my vehicle out of the parking lot, all I could think is: this person's God is too small to be put in a box like that. And, as a fellow Christian, it infuriated me.
I've written about this before, but in case you're new to my blogosphere, I'll review. I am a Christian. I was baptized in the Lutheran Church. I was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. I currently attend a Methodist Church with my wife and daughter. So, I'm not anti-Christian at all. I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal savior, and I also believe that Christ will draw each individual near in His own way at His right time, and not mine.
Which brings me to my point in all of this: the veiled message in that bumper sticker, to me, was this: since this person believed God is not in our schools, violence happens. And the indirect veil of that bumper sticker, it seems, is that God is not allowed in school because prayer and Christianity as religion is not allowed in school. And, to both of those veils, I shine a light that says one word: poppycock.
I'll back it up with three points. First, since when did we, the CREATION, have the power to keep Him, THE CREATOR, out of our schools? He's bigger than that, and He's not going to be bound by any of man's laws or edicts. That's putting God in a box, and He's showed us time and time again what the penalty for that is (now's the time for one to REALLY know one's history).
Secondly, last I checked, there's no Muslim prayer, Hindu prayer, or Buddist prayer--or any other faith's prayers allowed in school either--at least in this country. And, reiterating a point I made in a previous entry, for those Christians that embrace "The Golden Rule"--you know--"Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You", consider this: if this was a predominantly Islamic country, would you want the schools forcing you to pray an Islamic prayer? Certainly not. You'd take your case to the school board or even hire and attorney and take the district to court. Well, again, embracing "The Golden Rule"--isn't forcing Americans of other faiths to pray a Christian prayer in school a violation of said Golden Rule? Of course it is, and that's what makes mandated and/or forced prayer of any faith in public schools wrong.
And, third, and this is the hardest one to fathom because it's still somewhat taboo in our society, but it's nonetheless true: violence happens everywhere--even in places where there's an abundance of prayer and practice of any faith. How about churches where children have been molested? Where there's been documented adultery? Where there's been arson and crosses burned? What about individual homes with the same aforementioned scenarios? Why don't we talk about those kind of situations as much as we talk about God in schools? Why don't I see bumper stickers like that as I'm backing out of the parking lot? It seems to me they all fall under the same umbrella: we as man are not greater than God, and His in finiteness is so far beyond our understanding right now that sometimes all we have to go on is our faith, and because He is infinite and we are not, it's not our place to tell God what to do. Therefore, we don't have the power nor the place to keep God out of schools--no matter what kind of violence makes the news.
And one more thing: I prayed every day I was in school. I did it on my own--silently. It didn't take somebody reading one over the loud speaker. I think we as Christians would do better at proclaiming the love of Christ if we'd wear our faith on our hearts and not on our sleeves.
Or our bumper stickers.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Recession Silver Lining? You Betcha!
Yes, this "Great Recession" reminds all of us of something we don't like to talk about--but must!
And, it's a truth that Congress, Hollywood, and Madison Avenue doesn't want you to think about:
IMAGE IS NOTHING!
That's right. And, it's hard for me to say that seeing as how I've spent the last 21-years of my professional life in a business that's built up on style over substance. But that doesn't make it any less true.
And, the proof is all around us: a struggling financial sector, the health care reform controversy (-ies), Washington politics, unemployment, and debt out of this nation's collective ass. And, the result of seeing what a fat, lazy nation we've become is the fruit of "image is everything".
Proof? Think back before this time last year, the stock market was soaring above 14,000, housing prices were booming, and hardly anybody had heard of Bernie Madoff except those who were collecting nice checks from what "looked like" a track record of great deals (minus the warnings from those who weren't buying Bernie's image). And, every single thing I just mentioned was nothing but "image"--and back in late August of 2008, **image was everything**.
And, ever since? My, oh my, what a lie! And, you know, it's been a flaming hayride down the hill pretty much ever since. And, to think--some of the very same folks who perpetuated **the lie** are some of the same people some are counting on to lead us out of this mess. And, I call that the residuals of **the lie**.
But, give "The Great Recession" its due-- it did strip away **the lie**. A-I-G was the first domino, and then they all started to fall down, and we got to see the ugly truth: greed run amok in the financial sector, and Washington politicians caught with their pants down covering for their buddies. But, I'm not done, and this is the part that's going to hurt: a good chunk of the responsibility falls on a fat, lazy general public that has a collective debt problem of its own that it doesn't want to deal with (see massive credit card debt, financed consumer items that go down in value like autos, big-screen TVs, boats, personal watercraft and clothes--and that's just the start)--all in the name of fitting the "image" of being rich--when in reality, they're broke. Thus, more perpetuation of **the lie**. And now, Madison Avenue is paying the price because said fat, lazy public--and even those who aren't part of hte fat & lazy horde--can't afford to finance and/or support **the lie** right now.
Yes, everything has been exposed. The light has been shed. Image is nothing right now, and we'd be better off as a nation if we'd quit buying into **the lie**. I know, it's hard. But what in life has been worth anything that's been really easy? Not very much, and this is no different. It's called living within our means. And when we, the public start doing it, perhaps our public servants that we elect will start doing the same--believe me, they fear/worship public opinion. And, when the public wises us, they'd do well to do the same. But if the public doesn't, our elected representatives are going to be nothing but a reflection of us--and this recession has done just that.
But now, it's a question of whether all of us are willing to do our part of continuing to shine the light on **the lie** of "Image is Everything"? That's something that each individual will have to reflect on personally--if they reflect at all.
And, it's a truth that Congress, Hollywood, and Madison Avenue doesn't want you to think about:
IMAGE IS NOTHING!
That's right. And, it's hard for me to say that seeing as how I've spent the last 21-years of my professional life in a business that's built up on style over substance. But that doesn't make it any less true.
And, the proof is all around us: a struggling financial sector, the health care reform controversy (-ies), Washington politics, unemployment, and debt out of this nation's collective ass. And, the result of seeing what a fat, lazy nation we've become is the fruit of "image is everything".
Proof? Think back before this time last year, the stock market was soaring above 14,000, housing prices were booming, and hardly anybody had heard of Bernie Madoff except those who were collecting nice checks from what "looked like" a track record of great deals (minus the warnings from those who weren't buying Bernie's image). And, every single thing I just mentioned was nothing but "image"--and back in late August of 2008, **image was everything**.
And, ever since? My, oh my, what a lie! And, you know, it's been a flaming hayride down the hill pretty much ever since. And, to think--some of the very same folks who perpetuated **the lie** are some of the same people some are counting on to lead us out of this mess. And, I call that the residuals of **the lie**.
But, give "The Great Recession" its due-- it did strip away **the lie**. A-I-G was the first domino, and then they all started to fall down, and we got to see the ugly truth: greed run amok in the financial sector, and Washington politicians caught with their pants down covering for their buddies. But, I'm not done, and this is the part that's going to hurt: a good chunk of the responsibility falls on a fat, lazy general public that has a collective debt problem of its own that it doesn't want to deal with (see massive credit card debt, financed consumer items that go down in value like autos, big-screen TVs, boats, personal watercraft and clothes--and that's just the start)--all in the name of fitting the "image" of being rich--when in reality, they're broke. Thus, more perpetuation of **the lie**. And now, Madison Avenue is paying the price because said fat, lazy public--and even those who aren't part of hte fat & lazy horde--can't afford to finance and/or support **the lie** right now.
Yes, everything has been exposed. The light has been shed. Image is nothing right now, and we'd be better off as a nation if we'd quit buying into **the lie**. I know, it's hard. But what in life has been worth anything that's been really easy? Not very much, and this is no different. It's called living within our means. And when we, the public start doing it, perhaps our public servants that we elect will start doing the same--believe me, they fear/worship public opinion. And, when the public wises us, they'd do well to do the same. But if the public doesn't, our elected representatives are going to be nothing but a reflection of us--and this recession has done just that.
But now, it's a question of whether all of us are willing to do our part of continuing to shine the light on **the lie** of "Image is Everything"? That's something that each individual will have to reflect on personally--if they reflect at all.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
A New Beginning--from "DSG" to "VE Mod".
It all started with sports, and now it's become "mod".
You want to know what "mod" stands for?
Keep going..
Moderate.
That's right, moderate--the voice in American politics that's being lost in favor of the polar voices of the far right--aka "right wing nutjobs", and the far left "bleeding heart liberals"--and I for one am leading the charge to get the moderate voice back up on the state of the American political theater--and this new blog is my start.
And, it's about time--because there's SO MUCH B.S. being floated out there by both extremes. And I think there are enough moderates out there that have had just about enough--no, make that MORE than enough of that kind of B.S., but perhaps need a voice of reason to help nudge them along. Well, I want to be one of those voices.
I must tell you, though, this NEVER occurred to me when I started my original blog (dsgvince). But, like all good (and some bad) things, it started to morph into this: discussion of hot-button social issues that need civil & intelligent debate. And guess what? Neither the far right nor far left seem to want any part of civil & intelligent debate. All either side wants is to shove its narrow little point of view down our collective throat and make us like it--all because they think they're right. Well, I got news for both of you: you ain't shoving your shit down my throat.
However, as you also saw in "dsgvince", I'll also stand by ground against what I see as a fat, lazy general public that doesn't seem to know what it wants--but wants it right away. I abhor laziness above all else. Not voting is basically lazy. Not researching the claims of the far-rigth and far-left is basically lazy. There's a lot to be tackled on the battlefield that's become American politics and social issues, and this is as good of a place to start as any.
However, I can't go on without holding one other entity accountable, and that entity is me. I'll be doing my fair share of reading, checking and cross-checking facts to make sure that my opinions and observations have solid backing. Admittedly, that's my media background talking, but it's sound and time-tested. And, it works. Unlike the dogma of the far-right and far-left.
So, welcome to the blogosphere's version of the old board game "Stratego". Let's let the civil & intelligent debate begin!
You want to know what "mod" stands for?
Keep going..
Moderate.
That's right, moderate--the voice in American politics that's being lost in favor of the polar voices of the far right--aka "right wing nutjobs", and the far left "bleeding heart liberals"--and I for one am leading the charge to get the moderate voice back up on the state of the American political theater--and this new blog is my start.
And, it's about time--because there's SO MUCH B.S. being floated out there by both extremes. And I think there are enough moderates out there that have had just about enough--no, make that MORE than enough of that kind of B.S., but perhaps need a voice of reason to help nudge them along. Well, I want to be one of those voices.
I must tell you, though, this NEVER occurred to me when I started my original blog (dsgvince). But, like all good (and some bad) things, it started to morph into this: discussion of hot-button social issues that need civil & intelligent debate. And guess what? Neither the far right nor far left seem to want any part of civil & intelligent debate. All either side wants is to shove its narrow little point of view down our collective throat and make us like it--all because they think they're right. Well, I got news for both of you: you ain't shoving your shit down my throat.
However, as you also saw in "dsgvince", I'll also stand by ground against what I see as a fat, lazy general public that doesn't seem to know what it wants--but wants it right away. I abhor laziness above all else. Not voting is basically lazy. Not researching the claims of the far-rigth and far-left is basically lazy. There's a lot to be tackled on the battlefield that's become American politics and social issues, and this is as good of a place to start as any.
However, I can't go on without holding one other entity accountable, and that entity is me. I'll be doing my fair share of reading, checking and cross-checking facts to make sure that my opinions and observations have solid backing. Admittedly, that's my media background talking, but it's sound and time-tested. And, it works. Unlike the dogma of the far-right and far-left.
So, welcome to the blogosphere's version of the old board game "Stratego". Let's let the civil & intelligent debate begin!
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