This video breaks me. And I can help but see the irony in this little boy's name.
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
When Will We Ever Learn?
My heart is heavy today and has been for the past couple of days as I see the devastation that is blanketing the Southern states.
People are losing lives and livelihood all over Tennessee and Mississippi because of natural disaster and nature is being destroyed while business owners on the Gulf Coast are scrambling to figure out how they are going to keep their heads above water (no pun intended) because of a man-made disaster.
I have just one question.
Why does it take two seconds when a natural disaster (i.e. flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake) hits for neighbors and friends to help each other out but it takes sweet forever for the government to step in a take action on a man-made disaster than could have been prevented?
My heart goes out to the people of Nashville, even more the whole state of Tennessee, right now because of what they are having to deal with. Nineteen people in Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky were killed because of the storms that hit the South this weekend. People all over Nashville are doing whatever they can to ease the destruction that is being caused by the flooding river there.
Glory be to God for those people willing to help a situation that could not have been prevented and that we, as a human race, could not control.
My heart also goes out to the people on the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Fishermen and business owners are seeing their livelihood flushed down the toilet in front of their eyes and the whole world is watching God's creation be destroyed because our government is dragging ass (excuse my choice of words) in efforts to get this mess cleaned up.
There is a difference between these two situations. One was completely out of the realm of our control. The other was completely preventable.
Also we as civilians are able to extend a hand to those affected by the floods. We can't do that with oil spill situation. That is a circumstance in which the government has to step in and do whatever they are supposed to do best, when we can't.
The oil that is flood in the Gulf of Mexico right now isn't just something that can be wiped of with a towel. This is crude oil. It soaks into your skin and makes you very sick. It eats away at the materials that boats are made of. It KILLS plants and animals in the water and ultimately kills the ocean's ecosystems.
Now, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to government and economy and all of that stuff. But I do know that people's lives are more important than red tape and money.
This event happened two weeks ago and it's getting worse by the hour. When will our government learn that if it continues to neglect its people, they will have many more issues to deal with than just how much something will cost. And if you don't invest in the lives of the people who actually make your country what it is, then you aren't investing in that country that you are running. You are killing it. Two hours on the ground just to show that you've seen that damage doesn't mean squat if you aren't taking action to do something about it.
I could go to Nashville today and watch other people scoop buckets full of water out of their basements and cut down trees, but if I'm not helping, what's the point in my being there.
So, goverment, take a lesson from your people. Stop talking about what you are going to do and just DO SOMETHING!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the video below of the floods in Nashville. Word on Twitter is that people have come out in droves to help in the clean-up process. If you are in the area and want to help or even if you aren't and what to send a donation, contact the Red Cross. Also, if you are in the area and want to help, head over to the Crosspoint Church-Bellevue campus. They are sending out teams.
People are losing lives and livelihood all over Tennessee and Mississippi because of natural disaster and nature is being destroyed while business owners on the Gulf Coast are scrambling to figure out how they are going to keep their heads above water (no pun intended) because of a man-made disaster.
I have just one question.
Why does it take two seconds when a natural disaster (i.e. flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake) hits for neighbors and friends to help each other out but it takes sweet forever for the government to step in a take action on a man-made disaster than could have been prevented?
My heart goes out to the people of Nashville, even more the whole state of Tennessee, right now because of what they are having to deal with. Nineteen people in Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky were killed because of the storms that hit the South this weekend. People all over Nashville are doing whatever they can to ease the destruction that is being caused by the flooding river there.
Glory be to God for those people willing to help a situation that could not have been prevented and that we, as a human race, could not control.
My heart also goes out to the people on the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Fishermen and business owners are seeing their livelihood flushed down the toilet in front of their eyes and the whole world is watching God's creation be destroyed because our government is dragging ass (excuse my choice of words) in efforts to get this mess cleaned up.
There is a difference between these two situations. One was completely out of the realm of our control. The other was completely preventable.
Also we as civilians are able to extend a hand to those affected by the floods. We can't do that with oil spill situation. That is a circumstance in which the government has to step in and do whatever they are supposed to do best, when we can't.
The oil that is flood in the Gulf of Mexico right now isn't just something that can be wiped of with a towel. This is crude oil. It soaks into your skin and makes you very sick. It eats away at the materials that boats are made of. It KILLS plants and animals in the water and ultimately kills the ocean's ecosystems.
Now, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to government and economy and all of that stuff. But I do know that people's lives are more important than red tape and money.
This event happened two weeks ago and it's getting worse by the hour. When will our government learn that if it continues to neglect its people, they will have many more issues to deal with than just how much something will cost. And if you don't invest in the lives of the people who actually make your country what it is, then you aren't investing in that country that you are running. You are killing it. Two hours on the ground just to show that you've seen that damage doesn't mean squat if you aren't taking action to do something about it.
I could go to Nashville today and watch other people scoop buckets full of water out of their basements and cut down trees, but if I'm not helping, what's the point in my being there.
So, goverment, take a lesson from your people. Stop talking about what you are going to do and just DO SOMETHING!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the video below of the floods in Nashville. Word on Twitter is that people have come out in droves to help in the clean-up process. If you are in the area and want to help or even if you aren't and what to send a donation, contact the Red Cross. Also, if you are in the area and want to help, head over to the Crosspoint Church-Bellevue campus. They are sending out teams.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Freedom Of Speech! As long as I agree...
One thing that irritates me to no end is when people cry "Freedom of Speech" when others oppose the opinions and beliefs that they hold. But when someone else's opinions clashes with what they believe, they want to cause an uproar and rally to make the opposing party cease and desist.
A recent example of this is Focus On The Family's "Celebrate Life" Super Bowl commercial that will feature Tim Tebow and his mother.
For those who don't know the story, the long and short of it is that while on a mission in the Philippines while pregnant with Tim, Tebow's mother got sick and it was suggested that she have an abortion.
His mother refused and a few months later gave birth to the person we know today as Tim Tebow, soon-to-be college football legend and my future husband (okay, maybe the latter part of the phrase isn't entirely true).
Opposing opinions are that the 30-second add "throws women under the bus" or implies that every child not aborted will grow up to be a legendary football player.
I beg to differ.
We know that some people just don't grow up to be fantastic, award-winning sports figures or movie stars or music legends. There are some people who have made bad decisions and gone down the wrong path or just basically are messed up mentally and emotionally and do things that we don't understand.
However, it is not our purpose or position to say if a child lives or dies. We cannot know at conception whether that child will turn out either way. Of course, there are circumstances in which a mother may have to choose between her life and her child's life. Mrs. Tebow chose to trust in The One who created her and who created her son to work out what his purpose was for both lives involved.
No one (besides God) could've known that that little baby would grow up to be Tim Tebow and have the effect on the world that he has had so far in his 22 or 23 years of life. Mrs. Tebow made a decision according to her beliefs. And you can't fault her for that anymore than you can fault her for wanting share her story.
Bare with me for a second. It's soapbox time.
I am a Christian. And I believe that everything that happens in our life is completely planned out by God. I also believe in the Ten Commandments. Do not make anything a priority in your life over God. Obey your parents. Don't lie. Don't steal. DO NOT KILL.
When you have an abortion, you are destroying what God has created. Therefore you are trumping God. And he doesn't stand for that. What right do we have to destroy what God has created? God's most prized creation is the human being. We are even more important to him than the angels. So I hope those who believe in abortion can see where we anti-abortion people are coming from.
I've never had to go through that circumstance nor do I ever wish that upon my worst enemy. I can't imagine what goes through a woman's mind when she is considering the termination of her pregnancy nor do I want to belittle that decision at all. I can imagine that it is not an easy decision. And I don't believe anyone is trying to make such a decision seem small and fleeting.
However, I want to give a viewpoint that I hope makes sense to pro-life and pro-choice advocates alike. The pregnancy rate outside of commitment (marriage) is astronomical. And there are definitely women who become pregnant who do not want to become mothers because they are not ready financially or emotionally. However, there are numbers of couples, just as astronomical, who cannot bear children at all. And who would rather give a child the life its birth mother cannot give it than see that child's life taken away from it before it even has a chance to life that life.
When a woman aborts, no matter how hard the decision may be, she is choosing to...as horrible as this may sound (it gives me chills to write this)... play God. And she is also choosing... (forgive me)..."the easy way out".
However...
Okay, now stepping down from my soapbox.
The main point that I think Focus On The Family is trying to make is not that abortion is wrong and that every woman who terminates her pregnancy is going to hell. Not at all. I believe they are telling their side of the story. They are telling a story of hope and purpose in which they feature a mom and her son who just happens to be making an impact on the world around him.
I don't think they are condemning anyone. I think they are shedding light on a not-so-often thought about result to choosing life. A result that gives a child the opportunity to live and affect those around him in a positive way.
They are allowing women who find themselves in this position, and may be alone in their circumstances, to consider ALL the options. Either way, with any option a woman chooses, she will have to life with that choice for the rest of her life.
So, I say, stop crying mistreatment and chauvinism and let everyone have their voice. A lot of people have died for that voice.
Let it be heard.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
What is REALLY going on in Honduras?
If you've read this or this or this, or seen this or this, you know I've been to Honduras and what a life-changing event it was for me. And how much I love Honduras and the people there now.
Recently, Honduras has been getting a lot of media coverage lately with the craziness that is going on with the president. If you don't know, read here. The article will tell you that it was a military coup. As you will read below, this is not so. President Obama even came out saying that the "coup" was illegal and that President Manuel Zelaya should remain the president. He had no clue what he was talking about.
Please read the below emails that I receive from a friend, Emily, who is currently teaching in Honduras. Obviously, there is a lot of confusion going on down there but clearly the Honduran people know more than we will ever know.
Please pray for Honduras and do anything you can to help in this situation.
Please:
If you are receiving this email it is because we need your help.
There has NOT been a coupe in Honduras , The country is NOT in crisis. This all started over a year ago when our president Mel Zelaya with the help of Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega began shredding the Honduran Constitution and setting the stage for him to become dictator of Honduras . As we neared the November elections that would seat a new president Mel Zelaya became more ruthless. Zelaya was informed more than once that his actions were outside the bounds of the Honduran Constitution. Zelaya earlier this year denounced democracy and announced he would seed an Venezuelan style of government, he then began receiving large sums of cash from Hugo Chavez.
Recently, Honduras has been getting a lot of media coverage lately with the craziness that is going on with the president. If you don't know, read here. The article will tell you that it was a military coup. As you will read below, this is not so. President Obama even came out saying that the "coup" was illegal and that President Manuel Zelaya should remain the president. He had no clue what he was talking about.
Please read the below emails that I receive from a friend, Emily, who is currently teaching in Honduras. Obviously, there is a lot of confusion going on down there but clearly the Honduran people know more than we will ever know.
Please pray for Honduras and do anything you can to help in this situation.
Please:
If you are receiving this email it is because we need your help.
There has NOT been a coupe in Honduras , The country is NOT in crisis. This all started over a year ago when our president Mel Zelaya with the help of Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega began shredding the Honduran Constitution and setting the stage for him to become dictator of Honduras . As we neared the November elections that would seat a new president Mel Zelaya became more ruthless. Zelaya was informed more than once that his actions were outside the bounds of the Honduran Constitution. Zelaya earlier this year denounced democracy and announced he would seed an Venezuelan style of government, he then began receiving large sums of cash from Hugo Chavez.
This last week tensions mounted as the National Congress after a ruling from the Honduran SUPREME COURT that Mel Zelaya has committed crimes against the Constitution. As Chavez and Ortega offered Military assistance the National Congress of Honduras, The people of Honduras and the Courts of Honduras did not flinch, They stood beside their Constitution and detained by order of the National Congress Mel Zelaya for crimes against the Constitution.
President Zelaya and a small portion of the population tried to highjack the country and destroy democracy in favor of a Chavez-style government. Zelaya was shredding the constitution he swore to protect in order to stay in power past constitutional limits and firmly align Honduras with Venezuela .
President Zelaya was clearly, and more than once, informed officially that his actions were outside of the constitution and law. Given his obedience to Hugo Chavez and Chavez’s money, Zelaya was a traitor to this country in the truest sense of the word. I am writing to you as an American investor living in Honduras to express my admiration and respect for this country and how its government handled this crisis. They were faced with a difficult situation that was only growing worse. This was NOT a coup, but a criminal arrest. Hondurans should be applauded for how they handled this! They used their Constitution and stood firmly in the face of Chavez, Ortega, Morales, and Castro and said no to this form of Government. You would think the US would be applauding the situation. The US will if not careful give Chavez and Ortega the fuel they need to invade Honduras and remove our democratic form of Government. We can not believe the news reports and the statements by our representatives. We need your help. All Americans and Hondurans are franticly emailing and sending information to the US . We need you to forward this email to your local news station, CNN, contacts that you may have at any level of government. Email your senator, congressman, etc. Please pass this along. If the US ushers Zelaya back into power they are condemning this country to a communist regime.
President Zelaya was clearly, and more than once, informed officially that his actions were outside of the constitution and law. Given his obedience to Hugo Chavez and Chavez’s money, Zelaya was a traitor to this country in the truest sense of the word. I am writing to you as an American investor living in Honduras to express my admiration and respect for this country and how its government handled this crisis. They were faced with a difficult situation that was only growing worse. This was NOT a coup, but a criminal arrest. Hondurans should be applauded for how they handled this! They used their Constitution and stood firmly in the face of Chavez, Ortega, Morales, and Castro and said no to this form of Government. You would think the US would be applauding the situation. The US will if not careful give Chavez and Ortega the fuel they need to invade Honduras and remove our democratic form of Government. We can not believe the news reports and the statements by our representatives. We need your help. All Americans and Hondurans are franticly emailing and sending information to the US . We need you to forward this email to your local news station, CNN, contacts that you may have at any level of government. Email your senator, congressman, etc. Please pass this along. If the US ushers Zelaya back into power they are condemning this country to a communist regime.
Has a deal been struck between the US and Chavez for Honduras ??????
Written by Kent Burns
Written by Kent Burns
-----------------------------------------------------------
No big surprise, but the media is getting it ALL WRONG on what is going on in Honduras. This is NOT a coup. A coup is when the military or others take over the government without regard for law and constitution. This is not what has happened in Honduras at all.
In fact, the military did not initiate any of what happened yesterday. The Supreme Court--constitutional civilian authority--ordered that the military arrest the president because of his illegal orders and activities. The military followed the civilian orders but took no control of the government nor took any unconstitutional authority. The Congress voted unanimously--and that includes the majority of the Congress which is from the Liberal Party (Zelaya's own party)--to remove him from office and to swear in Roberto Micheletti, the next in the constitutional line of succession for the presidency. Micheletti has been the president of the senateand is a member of the Liberal Party. It is clear that this was not a coup but was a clear commitment to the constitution and to the checks and balances that are there for just such a time as this. Gen. Vásquez, the chief of staff who was fired by Zelaya for refusing to carry out an illegal order, showed great courage and commitment to his country, as did all the members of the military, in standing for law and justice rather than doing the "politically correct" thing according to Zelaya.
We are really encouraged about what has happened in Honduras in these days--signs of political maturity, not a return to the days of the banana republic. They are actually showing the rest of Latin America how to stand up to would-be dictators and power brokers. Good for Honduras!
Most sincerely,
Karin Thomas
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Queens and Kings
Ok, first did anyone see Aretha Franklin's hat yesterday when she sang "My Country 'Tis Of Thee" at the Inauguration? It was something only she could pull off. And by pull off, I mean people were saying, "Don't mind Aretha's hat. That's just her. And don't say anything to her to ruffle her feathers." Don't wake the beast, right? I mean, I love the Queen of Soul but I've heard stories of what happened between her and Mariah Carey at "Divas Live."
Also, if I have never cornered you and made you watch this video, consider yourself lucky...and now consider yourself cornered to watch this video. You will thank me later.
I'm pretty sure I went to high school with this girl.
Also, if I have never cornered you and made you watch this video, consider yourself lucky...and now consider yourself cornered to watch this video. You will thank me later.
I'm pretty sure I went to high school with this girl.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
I Wish I Knew
I'm watching the Inauguration on ABC (America's Favorite Channel - not really, I just like yelling at the TV and telling Diane Sawyer that she's making stuff up), and I think it's finally hit me, that magnitude of the day.
I didn't vote for Obama nor do I agree with much of what he plans to do as our president, but I can appreciate what this means for our country, and I have no doubt that God has raised him up for a reason. He can do that; He's God.
(I must pause a minute and say how incredible gifted John Williams is. He could arrange the Alphabet Song into a masterpiece.)
However, I can't shake the feeling of...cynicism, for lack of a better word. As a matter of fact, I don't really think that's the right word to use at all.
I just wish that I could really feel the magnitude of this day. I mean, to me, it's just another inauguration. Another guy becoming president. I don't see an African-American up there becoming the President of the United States. I see just another American fulfilling a dream, which is, I guess, how it should look, right?
I grew up in intergrated public school. I never looked at people who didn't have the same skin as me as different people. They were just a different color. I wish down to my core that I could feel what other people are feeling today, but maybe it's just a blessing that I don't.
My parents were in high school when the schools in Jackson were integrated. I sometimes ask them what that was like. And they explain it to me. And usually it comes across that it was really no big deal, or at least to them it wasn't.
(Ok, I just got a glimpse of something cool. Do you realize that two miles in a straight line directly across from Obama's view is where Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his unforgettable speech. Have we really come full-circle?)
So, now, I'll got back to procrastinating work and watching ABC and yelling at Diane Sawyer that she's making stuff up. ( And if she talks one more time about how surprising it is to see how GW seems to "actually like Obama" I'm going to go to Washington myself and punch her in the nose.) But, hopefully, I'll feel a little of what other people are feeling today. Or maybe I won't.
P.S. I had a friend ask today if America will be more unproductive today than they will be in two months during the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. I told him, I don't know about the rest of America, but I know that I will most definitely be worthless on a day when there is a college basketball marathon on television.
I didn't vote for Obama nor do I agree with much of what he plans to do as our president, but I can appreciate what this means for our country, and I have no doubt that God has raised him up for a reason. He can do that; He's God.
(I must pause a minute and say how incredible gifted John Williams is. He could arrange the Alphabet Song into a masterpiece.)
However, I can't shake the feeling of...cynicism, for lack of a better word. As a matter of fact, I don't really think that's the right word to use at all.
I just wish that I could really feel the magnitude of this day. I mean, to me, it's just another inauguration. Another guy becoming president. I don't see an African-American up there becoming the President of the United States. I see just another American fulfilling a dream, which is, I guess, how it should look, right?
I grew up in intergrated public school. I never looked at people who didn't have the same skin as me as different people. They were just a different color. I wish down to my core that I could feel what other people are feeling today, but maybe it's just a blessing that I don't.
My parents were in high school when the schools in Jackson were integrated. I sometimes ask them what that was like. And they explain it to me. And usually it comes across that it was really no big deal, or at least to them it wasn't.
(Ok, I just got a glimpse of something cool. Do you realize that two miles in a straight line directly across from Obama's view is where Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his unforgettable speech. Have we really come full-circle?)
So, now, I'll got back to procrastinating work and watching ABC and yelling at Diane Sawyer that she's making stuff up. ( And if she talks one more time about how surprising it is to see how GW seems to "actually like Obama" I'm going to go to Washington myself and punch her in the nose.) But, hopefully, I'll feel a little of what other people are feeling today. Or maybe I won't.
P.S. I had a friend ask today if America will be more unproductive today than they will be in two months during the first round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. I told him, I don't know about the rest of America, but I know that I will most definitely be worthless on a day when there is a college basketball marathon on television.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Link-sys
- Please go here and read this guy's series entitled Why Guys Aren't Asking You Out. It's hilarious, gut-wrenching and so true all at the same time. And he is totally biblical about it. It's good stuff. Thanks Annie for sharing.
- And this. Several people I know have already blogged about this before. I just got into reading this family's story and it is amazing. It's even more amazing to read what Angie writes as it is so entwined with a testimony of our God's graciousness and protection. It's a must-read, people.
- And finally, I saw this video on Jordan's blog and had to share it as well as pitch in my own two cents. Check out the lone white kid on the far right of the screen. The kid totally doesn't fit in and yet he does in some strange way. And you've got to give it to him, white boy has some made rhythm (and I totally just spelled that with my R-H-Y T-H-M chant that Mrs. Jennings taught me in sixth grade. Who says knowledge retention is moot these days.)
- And this. Several people I know have already blogged about this before. I just got into reading this family's story and it is amazing. It's even more amazing to read what Angie writes as it is so entwined with a testimony of our God's graciousness and protection. It's a must-read, people.
- And finally, I saw this video on Jordan's blog and had to share it as well as pitch in my own two cents. Check out the lone white kid on the far right of the screen. The kid totally doesn't fit in and yet he does in some strange way. And you've got to give it to him, white boy has some made rhythm (and I totally just spelled that with my R-H-Y T-H-M chant that Mrs. Jennings taught me in sixth grade. Who says knowledge retention is moot these days.)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Random Musings and Interesting Facts
I just had to turn off SportsCenter because it got political. Instead of talking about SPORTS (which should be its job since that's part of its title, right?), they are talking about Obama becoming the new president. Come on people! I can flip over two channels and find that on CNN or MSNBC. When I'm watching SportsCenter, I want to hear about SPORTS!
Don't get me wrong, I see the massiveness of the election of Barack Obama. And although, I don't agree with many things that he stands for, I'm going to be a true American and give him the respect he deserves. He's the President for crying out loud. He's worked hard to get to this point and he deserves our respect. I don't know what the future holds for his administration and term but GOD does, and I trust GOD.
Before I completely get off the political subject, though, I'd like to share a tidbit of info with you all, just in case you didn't know. Obama raised $2.1 billion for his campaign. McCain raised maybe about half of that. $2.1 billion!! That is more than Bush and Kerry raised together in 2004. Do you know how many millions of people around the world could be fed and how many curable diseases could be treated with that much money. Millions of people in poor countries could be eat off of that amount of money for at least five years. Maybe more.
Is there not some way we can figure out how to campaign for president without having to waste all of this money that we could be helping so many people with?
On a completely different subject, there's this guy in Wisconsin who built a Lamborghini in his basement from a kit. It took 17 years to built it. However, he never once gave thought to how he was going to get it out once it was finished. I mean most basement are underground and don't have doors big enough to fit cars through. The guy had to call someone to dig a ramp and hire an excavator to gouge out a slope in his garden to dig down to the foundations of the house to get the car out. Not once, in th article does he comment on his stupidity. He's too excited about having this 20-year-old car to drive around now.
Congratulations Mr. If-I-Can't-Afford-The-Car-I'll-Build-It-Myself," you win the stupidity award for the month of November.
Don't get me wrong, I see the massiveness of the election of Barack Obama. And although, I don't agree with many things that he stands for, I'm going to be a true American and give him the respect he deserves. He's the President for crying out loud. He's worked hard to get to this point and he deserves our respect. I don't know what the future holds for his administration and term but GOD does, and I trust GOD.
Before I completely get off the political subject, though, I'd like to share a tidbit of info with you all, just in case you didn't know. Obama raised $2.1 billion for his campaign. McCain raised maybe about half of that. $2.1 billion!! That is more than Bush and Kerry raised together in 2004. Do you know how many millions of people around the world could be fed and how many curable diseases could be treated with that much money. Millions of people in poor countries could be eat off of that amount of money for at least five years. Maybe more.
Is there not some way we can figure out how to campaign for president without having to waste all of this money that we could be helping so many people with?
On a completely different subject, there's this guy in Wisconsin who built a Lamborghini in his basement from a kit. It took 17 years to built it. However, he never once gave thought to how he was going to get it out once it was finished. I mean most basement are underground and don't have doors big enough to fit cars through. The guy had to call someone to dig a ramp and hire an excavator to gouge out a slope in his garden to dig down to the foundations of the house to get the car out. Not once, in th article does he comment on his stupidity. He's too excited about having this 20-year-old car to drive around now.
Congratulations Mr. If-I-Can't-Afford-The-Car-I'll-Build-It-Myself," you win the stupidity award for the month of November.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
TITF #3/Election Day
I'm thankful that I live in a country where I am free to have a say in what goes on and who leads our country. There aren't many other countries who have that right. I'm proud to be an American. (Insert Lee Greenwood singing in the background here and see Tricia's post for today for suggestions on how to make voting for fun.)
There's not one candidate in this election that I completely agree with. Truthfully, there is really one candidate that everyone agrees with. This year, I'm voting for the lesser of two evils basically. I even considered my dad as a write in, but I figured Randi would probably tear up the White House in a New York minute.
However, one thing I will reiterate, something I've said before, is that I'm not worried about who wins the election tonight. The sixth chapter of Matthew tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrowm, for tomorrow will worry about itself." James 4:13-16 also talks about boasting about what will happen tomorrow. Maybe all of these folks who are planning big celebrations for these candidates should really a little James. Finally, Jeremiah tells us that the only LORD knows what will happen and only HE has the final say: "I have it all planned out -- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (MSG)
This should make us feel even more free than we do as Americans. Although, we all have things we worry about everyday, and we know that ultimately, we shouldn't even be worrying about those things, we can know fully that GOD has things under his thumb and that he's going to take care of us no matter what. He has "plans to take care of you, not abandon you." That's awesome, don't you think.
No matter who gets elected today, we should pray that only GOD gets the glory from what happens. He's risen up amazing and faithful leaders and He's risen up horrifying leaders, but the truth of it is, that He's gotten the glory from it all because He's lead His people through whatever has come their way.
We all know that we are not perfect. "There is no one righteous, not even one." So, we should remember that although our president should be held at a higher standard, we, as followers of Christ, and even just people of this nation, should hold ourselves at a higher standard because of the rights and privileges that we are privy to. No matter who the next President of the United States is, we should remember that he is a human, just like we are. He is not perfect, he will make mistakes and he will probably do some things that not everyone likes. What we should hope for, and pray for, is a president who will consider the people that he leads, what is ultimately and eternally right, and remember who his HEAD is (Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3) and make decisions accordingly, and approach the throne of grace confidently in every decision he makes, be it personally, nationally or worldwide.
Anyway, whoever you vote for, just MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. As I alway say, you can't complain unless you voted. (I told my boss that today. He's not even registered to vote. He loses.) You've been given this right for a reason, and many people have lost their lives to protect that right, there is no reason you should waste it.
As I wrap up, I will leave you with a couple of Election Day tidbits I got in my inbox today. You may even be able to tell who I voted for. Or who I didn't vote for.
'Twas The Night Before Elections
'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
"On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi"
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
There's not one candidate in this election that I completely agree with. Truthfully, there is really one candidate that everyone agrees with. This year, I'm voting for the lesser of two evils basically. I even considered my dad as a write in, but I figured Randi would probably tear up the White House in a New York minute.
However, one thing I will reiterate, something I've said before, is that I'm not worried about who wins the election tonight. The sixth chapter of Matthew tells us, "Do not worry about tomorrowm, for tomorrow will worry about itself." James 4:13-16 also talks about boasting about what will happen tomorrow. Maybe all of these folks who are planning big celebrations for these candidates should really a little James. Finally, Jeremiah tells us that the only LORD knows what will happen and only HE has the final say: "I have it all planned out -- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (MSG)
This should make us feel even more free than we do as Americans. Although, we all have things we worry about everyday, and we know that ultimately, we shouldn't even be worrying about those things, we can know fully that GOD has things under his thumb and that he's going to take care of us no matter what. He has "plans to take care of you, not abandon you." That's awesome, don't you think.
No matter who gets elected today, we should pray that only GOD gets the glory from what happens. He's risen up amazing and faithful leaders and He's risen up horrifying leaders, but the truth of it is, that He's gotten the glory from it all because He's lead His people through whatever has come their way.
We all know that we are not perfect. "There is no one righteous, not even one." So, we should remember that although our president should be held at a higher standard, we, as followers of Christ, and even just people of this nation, should hold ourselves at a higher standard because of the rights and privileges that we are privy to. No matter who the next President of the United States is, we should remember that he is a human, just like we are. He is not perfect, he will make mistakes and he will probably do some things that not everyone likes. What we should hope for, and pray for, is a president who will consider the people that he leads, what is ultimately and eternally right, and remember who his HEAD is (Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3) and make decisions accordingly, and approach the throne of grace confidently in every decision he makes, be it personally, nationally or worldwide.
Anyway, whoever you vote for, just MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. As I alway say, you can't complain unless you voted. (I told my boss that today. He's not even registered to vote. He loses.) You've been given this right for a reason, and many people have lost their lives to protect that right, there is no reason you should waste it.
As I wrap up, I will leave you with a couple of Election Day tidbits I got in my inbox today. You may even be able to tell who I voted for. Or who I didn't vote for.
'Twas The Night Before Elections
'Twas the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down!
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
Tired of political crap.
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out of my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
"On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi"
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as he flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note-
IF YOU DONT WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE!!!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
How do you say...
Ok so I missed the VP debates last night because we started having small group at our house on Thursday. I know, I know. On Thursday night? That's like the best TV night ever. I know. But the Lord does what he wants to when he wants to right. It was a good night. We're studying James. Other than Romans, it's probably the most convicting book in the Bible. Sheesh!
Anyway, I caught a little bit of the replay last night as I was flipping through the channels, trying to find a suitable program to fall asleep to. I hit CSPAN. Ding Ding! This is sure for a snooze. However, I actually found myself listening somewhat intently. Both sides made good points and at one point I found myself wondering why Joe Biden was even on the same ticket as Obama. It just doesn't make sense.
Anyway, as the topics quickly changed from same-sex marriage to the Middle East and nuclear warfare, I found myself a little annoyed.
I love Sarah Palin. Please know that upfront. I don't care if she doesn't know it all. No one does. And I think she is the only person in this race who actually does pretend like she does. That's the great thing about her. She's got just enough experience for me and more than enough experience in other things (oil) than anyone else in this race.
However, it annoyed me a little when she would pronounce "nuclear" as "noo-cue-lar" and not "new-clear". So does the W. I just don't get it.
So I began to ponder, how do you say this word? Surely, it is not "noo-cue-lar".
So I looked it up. Yes, my friends, dictionary.com. But to my surprise. It is listed both ways. Here is what dictionary.com lists as it's pronunciation note:
—Pronunciation note: In pronouncing nuclear, the second and third syllables are most commonly said as [-klee-er], a sequence of sounds that directly reflects the spelled sequence ‑cle·ar. In recent years, a somewhat controversial pronunciation has come to public attention, with these two final syllables said as [-kyuh-ler]. Since [-klee-er], the common pronunciation of ‑cle·ar, might also be represented, broadly, as [-kluh-yer], the [-kyuh-ler] pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the [l] and the [y] change places. The resulting pronunciation is reinforced by analogy with such words as molecular, particular, and muscular, and although it occurs with some frequency among highly educated speakers, including scientists, professors, and government officials, it is disapproved of by many.
There you have it.
So my question is, how do YOU say it? I'm taking a poll. Vote at the top right. I want to see if there really is a distinct difference. And I also just wanted to try making a poll. Check back for results soon!
Anyway, I caught a little bit of the replay last night as I was flipping through the channels, trying to find a suitable program to fall asleep to. I hit CSPAN. Ding Ding! This is sure for a snooze. However, I actually found myself listening somewhat intently. Both sides made good points and at one point I found myself wondering why Joe Biden was even on the same ticket as Obama. It just doesn't make sense.
Anyway, as the topics quickly changed from same-sex marriage to the Middle East and nuclear warfare, I found myself a little annoyed.
I love Sarah Palin. Please know that upfront. I don't care if she doesn't know it all. No one does. And I think she is the only person in this race who actually does pretend like she does. That's the great thing about her. She's got just enough experience for me and more than enough experience in other things (oil) than anyone else in this race.
However, it annoyed me a little when she would pronounce "nuclear" as "noo-cue-lar" and not "new-clear". So does the W. I just don't get it.
So I began to ponder, how do you say this word? Surely, it is not "noo-cue-lar".
So I looked it up. Yes, my friends, dictionary.com. But to my surprise. It is listed both ways. Here is what dictionary.com lists as it's pronunciation note:
—Pronunciation note: In pronouncing nuclear, the second and third syllables are most commonly said as [-klee-er], a sequence of sounds that directly reflects the spelled sequence ‑cle·ar. In recent years, a somewhat controversial pronunciation has come to public attention, with these two final syllables said as [-kyuh-ler]. Since [-klee-er], the common pronunciation of ‑cle·ar, might also be represented, broadly, as [-kluh-yer], the [-kyuh-ler] pronunciation can be seen as coming from a process of metathesis, in which the [l] and the [y] change places. The resulting pronunciation is reinforced by analogy with such words as molecular, particular, and muscular, and although it occurs with some frequency among highly educated speakers, including scientists, professors, and government officials, it is disapproved of by many.
There you have it.
So my question is, how do YOU say it? I'm taking a poll. Vote at the top right. I want to see if there really is a distinct difference. And I also just wanted to try making a poll. Check back for results soon!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Katie's Headlines of the Day (with a few comments)
The things of this world get more and more ridiculous as the days go by. Here is my take on some of the recent headlines of the day along with a few of my own as well as some comments.
1. An email surfaced in which one employee at Standard & Poor's (which in own by McGraw-Hill) said about the U.S.'s economic crisis, "Let's hope we are all wealthy and retired by the time this house of cards falters. ;0).)
Excuse me? Really? This goes to show that emails, although deleted, never really go away. They can be dug up in a nanosecond. One blogger (Zac Bissonnette at Blogging Stocks) suggested, "if you're being shady or doing something unethical, make a phone call, talk with the person in a dark alley, or send them a letter that they can promptly discard. Don't send an email!" I concur, however, those tactics have been used before and people have undoubtly been caught red-handed anyway. My suggestion? Keep you comments to yourself, Wallstreet pigs. These guys have no heart whatsoever.
2. Florida Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings had this to say about Sarah Palin last week: "If Sarah Palin isn't enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention. Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through."
I don't think this guy has a connection between his mouth and his brain. If he did, his brain would have shut him up before he spoke. What the crap does stripping moose and toting a gun have to do with hating Jews and black people? This statement isn't even coherent or intellegent (which is proven by the way he says, "don't care too much") and is evidence of a person who talks for the sake of hearing himself talk. Read more of the story here. The best part of this article is that when asked about Hastings' remarks, Palin spokeswoman Maria Comella said, "We're taking a pass." I love it. I can just see how she says it, prefaced with a "Mmm" and said with a scrunched nose. Classic.
But the story doesn't stop here. The guy now wants to apologize. Too late, Bud. He says, "I regret the comments I made last Tuesday that were not smart and certainly not relevant to hunters or sportsmen." Um, you left out women, Jews and Blacks. At least he knows that he sounds like an idiot, but I really wonder if he realized this on his own or if someone had to point this out to him and draw a diagram for him to get the point.
3. Britney Spears may be the centerpiece of another sex scandal that clutters up the media which should report on more important things.
Spears' sleeze of a paparazzo ex-boyfriend (Note to self: Never date a paparazzo. It never turns out well and intentions may not always be good.) has not only admitted that he owns a two-hour sex tape featuring Brit Brit, but he plans to sell it as soon as an acceptable offer comes along. (Another note to self: Never get on the bad side of a paparazzo. They have unlimited resources for some reason.)
Can I offer a little advice to you celebrities or even you small people out there? How about just steering clear from having intimate relations with people who take pictures and videos for a living? That might be a good idea, eh? (I'm somehow turned Canadian in this last sentence. Maybe three days on a bus with our Canadian volleyball coach has had more of an effect on my than I anticipated.) I'm thinking that if you're Britney Spears, or someone with the same proneness to fame, you ban all recording devices and flash photography from the bedroom, or wherever you tend to have "relations" (said in my best Mama Klump voice).
4. Is it just me or did Lance Bass act more like a homosexual (PC term right?) when he was a member of Nsync than he is now on Dancing With The Stars? Don't get me wrong. I was an Nysnc fan. Not one of the obsessive, I'm-going-to-cry-and-pass-out-if-one-of-them-touches-me fans. But I was a fan. However, you can't ignore the obvious. Was Lance's "coming out" a PR stunt? Did he play the gay card just to get casted on DWTS? We'll never know. But have you seen him interact with Lacey, his partner. Lacey is a hot number. And Lance seems to like holding her close. Is he missing the ladies? I declare shannigans!
Until next time...
1. An email surfaced in which one employee at Standard & Poor's (which in own by McGraw-Hill) said about the U.S.'s economic crisis, "Let's hope we are all wealthy and retired by the time this house of cards falters. ;0).)
Excuse me? Really? This goes to show that emails, although deleted, never really go away. They can be dug up in a nanosecond. One blogger (Zac Bissonnette at Blogging Stocks) suggested, "if you're being shady or doing something unethical, make a phone call, talk with the person in a dark alley, or send them a letter that they can promptly discard. Don't send an email!" I concur, however, those tactics have been used before and people have undoubtly been caught red-handed anyway. My suggestion? Keep you comments to yourself, Wallstreet pigs. These guys have no heart whatsoever.
2. Florida Democratic Congressman Alcee Hastings had this to say about Sarah Palin last week: "If Sarah Palin isn't enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barack Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention. Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through."
I don't think this guy has a connection between his mouth and his brain. If he did, his brain would have shut him up before he spoke. What the crap does stripping moose and toting a gun have to do with hating Jews and black people? This statement isn't even coherent or intellegent (which is proven by the way he says, "don't care too much") and is evidence of a person who talks for the sake of hearing himself talk. Read more of the story here. The best part of this article is that when asked about Hastings' remarks, Palin spokeswoman Maria Comella said, "We're taking a pass." I love it. I can just see how she says it, prefaced with a "Mmm" and said with a scrunched nose. Classic.
But the story doesn't stop here. The guy now wants to apologize. Too late, Bud. He says, "I regret the comments I made last Tuesday that were not smart and certainly not relevant to hunters or sportsmen." Um, you left out women, Jews and Blacks. At least he knows that he sounds like an idiot, but I really wonder if he realized this on his own or if someone had to point this out to him and draw a diagram for him to get the point.
3. Britney Spears may be the centerpiece of another sex scandal that clutters up the media which should report on more important things.
Spears' sleeze of a paparazzo ex-boyfriend (Note to self: Never date a paparazzo. It never turns out well and intentions may not always be good.) has not only admitted that he owns a two-hour sex tape featuring Brit Brit, but he plans to sell it as soon as an acceptable offer comes along. (Another note to self: Never get on the bad side of a paparazzo. They have unlimited resources for some reason.)
Can I offer a little advice to you celebrities or even you small people out there? How about just steering clear from having intimate relations with people who take pictures and videos for a living? That might be a good idea, eh? (I'm somehow turned Canadian in this last sentence. Maybe three days on a bus with our Canadian volleyball coach has had more of an effect on my than I anticipated.) I'm thinking that if you're Britney Spears, or someone with the same proneness to fame, you ban all recording devices and flash photography from the bedroom, or wherever you tend to have "relations" (said in my best Mama Klump voice).
4. Is it just me or did Lance Bass act more like a homosexual (PC term right?) when he was a member of Nsync than he is now on Dancing With The Stars? Don't get me wrong. I was an Nysnc fan. Not one of the obsessive, I'm-going-to-cry-and-pass-out-if-one-of-them-touches-me fans. But I was a fan. However, you can't ignore the obvious. Was Lance's "coming out" a PR stunt? Did he play the gay card just to get casted on DWTS? We'll never know. But have you seen him interact with Lacey, his partner. Lacey is a hot number. And Lance seems to like holding her close. Is he missing the ladies? I declare shannigans!
Until next time...
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Katie's Thoughts On Politics
Let me preface this blog by saying...I don't usually comment on politics, usually because I don't care and I don't know much about it. I don't get excited about elections, maybe more about presidential but definitely not local ones. When all the commotion started with the Presidential race, I actually got interested.For a while I never declared who I was voting for until Gov. Mike Huckabee played the Jesus card and I was hooked. To me, he was legit and sincere. I also like Fred Thompson but I think that's more becuase he was on Law and Order and was a good speech-giver. But after those two were pushed out of the race and John McCain had sealed the Republican nomination, I started to get a little scared. It meant that he, Hillary or Obama would be the next president and I didn't want any part of either. I've threatened to move to Australia if Hillary or Obama became president several times. No threats with McCain. I just wasn't a big fan.
But after watching Sarah Palin (Republican Presidential Nominee John McCain's pick for a running mate) address the delegates last night, I've got too much running through my mind to not put it in writing. I don't usually watch the Repulbican National Convention and I definitely didn't watch any of the Democratic National Convention, but I've been intrigued but McCain's pick and I wanted to hear what she had to say. I guess you would say that I've increasingly become a McCain supporter. He's got the right stand of most of the issues I care about, he's a war vet and he's a believer. He took a gamble asking Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, and I think the jury will be out on how great that decision was until November 5 (the day after the election).However, I'm a fan of Gov. Palin. She's a tough cookie and definitely appealed last night to those who could give a rip about what other people think. Her speech was witty and full of truth, although she took several cheap shots at the opposing party (which I thought hit the nail right on the head). She made very good points, opened the nations eyes to a woman who has experience dealing with energy resources and praised our military forces instead of belittled them.
However, I think my favorite thing about her is the way that she has dealt with the so-called "controversy" surrounding her family with her teenaged daughter being pregnant and her having just given birth to a Downs Syndrome child.
So many people, i.e. the media and celebrities, are chastising the Palins because her is pregnant at the age of 17. Let me remind the public, all 4 of you reading this, that the Palins are no different than any other regular person. Being a public figure or governmental official doesn't automatically mean that a person can't make mistakes or has to be perfect in the public eye. We are not the judge. The only person in history who is able to judge us is God/Jesus Christ, because he walked this earth, upright and blameless, facing temptation many times, directly from Satan himself three times, and turned away. He took all the sins of those who had passed, are living, and are yet to come, he took them upon himself and defeated them by walking right out of that tomb after the third day, laughing in the face of the devil.
We don't derserve or have the right to judge the Palins. Bristol Palin and her fiancee' are taking responsibility for their actions. They knew what they were doing, they knew the consequences of their actions and no one is forcing them to get married (Joy Behar), and this young man is not sacrificing his life to take care of his responsibilities. That's called being a man. That's what men do. They take responsibility for their actions, come what may. He's not "not being allowed to life his life because he's having to married the girl he knocked up," he's choosing to live his life by the path that life has taken him on. The couple is choosing to accept the gift God has given them and learn, instead of making it go away and pretending nothing happened.
I'm not saying abortion is not heart wrenching. I've never had to go through that experience, so I couldn't imagine what that person goes through. But just like you choose to live your life the way you want to by getting rid of that person inside, God chose to give that person life inside you 
for some reason, and you are denying that child life by aborting them.
for some reason, and you are denying that child life by aborting them.Her eldest son is about to be deployed to Iraq. Her youngest was born with Downs Syndrome. He was a "surprise" or a "mistake" as some would say, but he has undoubtedly been a blessing to that family. Adversity strengthens a family. That's one strong family in my eyes.
I want to point out some interesting things I've observed and have discussed with my Dad throughout this whole process. I'll list for easy reading:
- Obama's mom was white and 16 when she had him. Why are we chastising the Palins and why is he being heralded as the first African-American candidate? He's half-white. Doesn't that mean he's mixed-race? Mulatto?
- Why did Obama refuse to wear a flag pin at the beginning of the presidential race but now proudly sports one? And why can't he answer a question without going all the way around the world, and still he can't give a straight answer?
- I love how Hillary talked negatively about her opponent when she was still in the race, but once she's out of contention, she's praising him and supporting him to get her supporters to vote for him? Flip-flop much?
- My Dad and I talked last night about how we'd almost rather Obama win because nothing would get done with a Republican president and Democratic Congress because most of the Congress wouldn't want to work with the Republican president. However, I still don't know if I would want to take that gamble and have Obama run our country.
- The Democratic National Convention was a freaking red carpet affair. The good ol' boys showed up to the Republican National Convention. No red carpet. No flashing bulbs. Just Mike Huckabee on the electric guitar and crazy protesters outside.
- Gov. Palin rarely mentioned Obama by name, maybe once or twice. She mostly referred to him as "our opponent". Very clear. Sort of tongue-in-cheek.
- She also made a good point. He's written two memoirs but has never written a major law or reform. Tu chez, Gov. Palin. Tu chez.
But...in all of this...here's the kicker...
God is in control. He's got a plan and it is unfolding in front of our eyes. He's going to be glorified, no matter who gets elected. Good or bad. This God is the same God who rose up leaders like Moses and King David, made Esther queen (she ended up saving her people group from being obliterated), wise King Solomon and Billy Graham. He's the same God who rose up Pharoah from the book of Exodus and Pontius Pilate, Hilter, Stalin, Bin Ladin and Sadam Hussien. And God has received the glory and is still receiving the glory from all the things those people have been associated with.
We don't need to worry about who is running our country. God is ultimately in control. He's working out a plan. We don't often understand the things that may happen in that plan. Often, we may not even see the good things from that plan in our lifetime, but if we are faithful to the One who is faithful to us, who brings us through those hard times, strengthens us and shows his power in our weaknesses, we have nothing to fear.
God is good. Amen? Amen.
And no, I'm not moving to Australia. Unless God wants me to.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
VOTE FOR BOB!
I received this email from my dad a few minutes ago and thought I should start the campaign trail before it was too late. My dad has decided to run for president. I think it's a pretty good idea. If you don't know my dad, you should. He's pretty much a superhero. He's overcome a lot in his life and he can fix anything...I mean, ANYTHING. He's pretty funny too.
If he wins, I will be his press secretary as only I can do, and he has graciously offer a wing in the White House.
Here is the text of the email with his platform: (P.S. We really do like Mexicans. Good food! Great times!)
After a careful review of the options for the up-coming election: I HAVE DECIDED TO BECOME A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE. HERE IS MY PLATFORM:
(1) Press 1 for English is immediately banned. English is the official language. Speak it or wait at the border until you can.
(2) We will immediately go into a two-year isolationist posture to straighten out the country's attitude. NO imports, no exports. We will use the 'WalMart' policy: 'If we ain't got it, you don't need it.'
(3) When imports are allowed, there will be a 100% import tax on it.
(4) All retired military personnel will be required to man one of our many observation towers on the southern border. (Six month tour) They will be under strict orders not to fire on SOUTHBOUND aliens.
(5) Social Security will immediately return to its original state. If you didn't put nuttin' in, you ain't getting' nuttin' out. Neither the president nor any other politician will be able to touch it.
(6) Welfare - Checks will be handed out on Fridays at the end of the 40 hour work week and the successful completion of urinalysis.
(7) Professional Athletes --Steroids - The FIRST time you check positive you will be banned for life.
(8) Crime - We will adopt the Turkish method: The first time you steal, you lose your right hand. There will be no more life sentences -- if you are convicted of a Capitol Offense, you will be put to death by the same method you chose for your victim, gun, knife, strangulation, etc.
(9) One export will be allowed - Wheat -- The world needs to eat. A bushel of wheat will be the exact price of a barrel of oil.
(10) All foreign aid using American taxpayer money will immediately cease, and the saved money will pay off the national debt and ultimately lower taxes. When disasters occur around the world, we'll ask the American people if they want to donate to a disaster fund, and each citizen can make the decision whether it's a worthy cause.
(11) The Pledge of Allegiance will be said every day at school and every day in Congress.
(12) The National Anthem will be played at all appropriate ceremonies, sporting events, outings, etc.
Sorry if I stepped on anyone's toes, but a vote for me will get you better than what you have and better than what you're gonna get.
"My Name is OLD COACH BOBBY WALDEN and I approved this message!"
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Global Warming and ABCs
It's snowing in Birmingham...again. It was 70 degrees yesterday, it rained like the dickens at my house all last night and I wake up to snow this morning. Chalk another one up to crazy weather in the south. I'm sure this has something to do with global warming which seems to be the excuse for everything these days. 70 degrees one day, 20 the next. Global warming. The polar bears are going extinct. Global warming. I have a headache. Global warming. Jamie Lynn Spears is pregnant. Global war -- sorry, I was on a roll.
On another note, I decided to take part in the Alphabet that many of my fellow bloggers have been doing lately. Like LT, most of my pictures will probably be googled but I think that's what makes it more fun because you can blog about randomness.
So, let's start from the very beginning (A), because it's a very good place to start (that's a little The Sound of Music tribute, if you didn't catch it the first time):
"A" is for.....A-Team
I watched this show religiously when I was little. Yes, my parents let me watch this show. It wasn't all Sesame Street and Sunshine Factory for this kid. This show along with ALF and Miami Vice were some of my favs when I was little. I loved watching this show with my dad and we often practiced our Mr. T faces and voices around the house. Mr. T was the coolest (shout out to Laurette).
The theme song was probably the best part. I can remember dancing around the living room striking poses as the song played. This often happened when Miami Vice started as my dad, sister and I had a special move we would do when the flamingoes flashed across the screen.
So, today's letter is a tribute to the A-Team, one of the best shows ever made.
On another note, I decided to take part in the Alphabet that many of my fellow bloggers have been doing lately. Like LT, most of my pictures will probably be googled but I think that's what makes it more fun because you can blog about randomness.
So, let's start from the very beginning (A), because it's a very good place to start (that's a little The Sound of Music tribute, if you didn't catch it the first time):
"A" is for.....A-Team
I watched this show religiously when I was little. Yes, my parents let me watch this show. It wasn't all Sesame Street and Sunshine Factory for this kid. This show along with ALF and Miami Vice were some of my favs when I was little. I loved watching this show with my dad and we often practiced our Mr. T faces and voices around the house. Mr. T was the coolest (shout out to Laurette).The theme song was probably the best part. I can remember dancing around the living room striking poses as the song played. This often happened when Miami Vice started as my dad, sister and I had a special move we would do when the flamingoes flashed across the screen.
So, today's letter is a tribute to the A-Team, one of the best shows ever made.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Presidental Candidates and Year In Review
We had two presidential candidates in Birmingham over the weekend. I can't remember a time when I've been in the same town as a presidential candidate. Well, except for that one time when I was little and George Bush Sr. came to Jackson. I actually went to that one. Not by choice...I was five...I think.
Anyway, Mike Huckabee was here on Saturday. He actually spoke on campus at Samford but I didn't get to go because in true Samford fashion, the Samford scheduling committee or whatever they are called scheduled it at the same time as a basketball game like they do everything else. I wish I could have gone to hear him speak. He's definitely my pick right now to be president. I agree with just about everything he says and he's a man of God. Good stuff.
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I figure why use a new year for motivation. If I can't do it during the year, what's the point?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Definitely. My sister had sweet William, and my cousins Amy and Cindy had girls.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I haven't really bought anything of significance in the last year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hahah...maybe Firesheets. He actually grew up a little bit. He was as rude or annoying as he was when I first meet him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
23. How many one-night stands?
Yeah. Um. No.
24. What was your favorite TV show?
24, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, and last but not least...Chuck
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
28. What did you want and get?
A fantastic church with great friends
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Money to go to South Africa...and a full-time job.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I've been pretty fashionable this year. Surprising, I know.
34. What kept you sane?
Anyway, Mike Huckabee was here on Saturday. He actually spoke on campus at Samford but I didn't get to go because in true Samford fashion, the Samford scheduling committee or whatever they are called scheduled it at the same time as a basketball game like they do everything else. I wish I could have gone to hear him speak. He's definitely my pick right now to be president. I agree with just about everything he says and he's a man of God. Good stuff.Barack Obama was here too. He spoke Sunday at UAB, which I'm convinced is the Berkeley of the south. There are way too many protesters and just down right weird people that go there. Plus, they let Walter Sharpe play on their basketball team. I hope he makes it on time for the 
bus for them. Anyway, I listened to a bit of his speech on Sunday afternoon, which was televised. He made some good points and even dispelled a rumor about him being Muslim. He said that he had respect for the Muslim faith and those who practice it but that he has been going to the same Baptist church in downtown Chicago for 20 years. However, I've heard his little church is mega-anti-white people. But I guess that's how it goes sometimes. Then he started playing the race card and became an oppressed southern black man for the rest of the speech, saying "it's not a black-white issue (which was very contradictory to his tone) but it is a past-future issue. Whatever. He even started giving a "let freedom ringish" speech. Something, I'm sure he didn't do in Iowa or New Hampshire. Sorry Barack, you don't get my vote. I don't vote for actors.
bus for them. Anyway, I listened to a bit of his speech on Sunday afternoon, which was televised. He made some good points and even dispelled a rumor about him being Muslim. He said that he had respect for the Muslim faith and those who practice it but that he has been going to the same Baptist church in downtown Chicago for 20 years. However, I've heard his little church is mega-anti-white people. But I guess that's how it goes sometimes. Then he started playing the race card and became an oppressed southern black man for the rest of the speech, saying "it's not a black-white issue (which was very contradictory to his tone) but it is a past-future issue. Whatever. He even started giving a "let freedom ringish" speech. Something, I'm sure he didn't do in Iowa or New Hampshire. Sorry Barack, you don't get my vote. I don't vote for actors. On a different note, I saw this little year-in-review quiz on Claire's blog and thought I'd do it myself.
1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Went to Honduras on a mission trip. The best time of my life. (See sweet picture below of me and Julio. He taught me so much.)
Went to Honduras on a mission trip. The best time of my life. (See sweet picture below of me and Julio. He taught me so much.)
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions. I figure why use a new year for motivation. If I can't do it during the year, what's the point?
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Definitely. My sister had sweet William, and my cousins Amy and Cindy had girls.
4. Did anyone close to you die?Yes. My papaw.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just Honduras. However, I did visit Miami for a few hours and that's a whole country in itself.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money and a real job...NO MORE INTERNSHIPS!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmm...probably getting over someone...it was pretty hard...and making new friends. I suck at that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
That's hard. I don't focus much on the failures so I don't remember them all that well.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Besides, a week of back spasms and the every present two-day headache every month...nope...nothing.
5. What countries did you visit?
Just Honduras. However, I did visit Miami for a few hours and that's a whole country in itself.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Money and a real job...NO MORE INTERNSHIPS!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmm...probably getting over someone...it was pretty hard...and making new friends. I suck at that.
9. What was your biggest failure?
That's hard. I don't focus much on the failures so I don't remember them all that well.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Besides, a week of back spasms and the every present two-day headache every month...nope...nothing.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I haven't really bought anything of significance in the last year.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Hahah...maybe Firesheets. He actually grew up a little bit. He was as rude or annoying as he was when I first meet him.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Jason's.
14. Where did most of your money go?
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food and gas.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My sister having a baby, Honduras, Ben Harper concert
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Hmmm...maybe Switchfoot's 24
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
Happier, fatter, poorer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Praying
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Whining and wasting time on boys
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent 12 days in Madison with the fam, except for the two days I was at the Liberty Bowl.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes. With with my sweet nephew. And a little bit more in love with Jack Bauer. Oh, and Julio.
Praying
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Whining and wasting time on boys
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent 12 days in Madison with the fam, except for the two days I was at the Liberty Bowl.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Yes. With with my sweet nephew. And a little bit more in love with Jack Bauer. Oh, and Julio.
23. How many one-night stands?
Yeah. Um. No.
24. What was your favorite TV show?
24, The Office, Grey's Anatomy, The Hills, and last but not least...Chuck
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope
26. What was the best book you read?
Searching for God Knows What
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
26. What was the best book you read?
Searching for God Knows What
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
James Morrison, Matt Wertz, Sara Barielles, Natalie Grant
28. What did you want and get?
A fantastic church with great friends
29. What did you want and not get?
The man of my dreams
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Kingdom
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 and I went to dinner with friends from church and work.
The man of my dreams
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Kingdom
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 24 and I went to dinner with friends from church and work.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Money to go to South Africa...and a full-time job.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I've been pretty fashionable this year. Surprising, I know.
34. What kept you sane?
God's grace, my daddy and Bethany
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Channing Tatum
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I really don't know.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
That's hard. I guess Leslie.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Just because you pray for it, doesn't mean it's going to come right away. God's going to give you what's best for you and his timing is perfect. PERFECT.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I really don't know.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
That's hard. I guess Leslie.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Just because you pray for it, doesn't mean it's going to come right away. God's going to give you what's best for you and his timing is perfect. PERFECT.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Hmmm...can I do a whole song?
"24" by Switchfoot
Twenty four oceans
Twenty four skies
Twenty four skies
Twenty four failures
Twenty four tries
Twenty four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
Twenty four drop outs
At the end of the day
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And I'm not who I thought I was twenty four hours ago
Still I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong
With all my excuses still twenty four strong
See I'm not copping out not copping out not copping out
When You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising these twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
You're raising the dead in me
Oh, oh I am the second man
Oh, oh I am the second man now
Oh, oh I am the second man now
And You're raising the dead in me
I want to see miracles, see the world change
Wrestled the angel, for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I'm singing Spirit take me up in arms with You
And You're raising the dead in me
Twenty four voices
With twenty four hearts
With all of my symphonies
In twenty four parts.
I'm not copping out. Not copping out. Not copping out.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Hangin' It Up
Well folks, I can't believe it but good ol' Cindy is hangin' it up. The protester mommy has finally exhausted her desire to protest President George W. Bush and the war and is laughably calling it "resigning". (I'm not really sure how my blog got so political. I guess people have just pissed me off so I've decided to write about it?)Cindy's says, "I've been wondering why I'm killing myself and wondering why Democrats caved in to George Bush...I'm going home for a while to try and be normal."
Good luck with that, Cindy-lou! You haven't been normal for the past two years. What makes you think giving up the protest is going to help that. I don't see why you've been wondering why you are killing yourself because it's very clear. You are coo-coo! I don't understand why you people don't get it! Our country's well-being was attacked...in more ways that 9-11. And as far as I'm concerned, your are just as much hurting our country as anyone else is by no backing the person who this country elected TWICE to lead us in this fight for our freedom.Your son did not die by the hands of George Bush. Your son died defending your right to speak freely and protest in front of the White House. Your son died trying to make the world we live in a better place. Your son died defending people groups who can't defend themselves. Your son died defending the country in which you have a house in California and a house in Texas and who knows how many other houses. And you know what? No one held a gun to his head and made him join the military. (That's what happens in places like Sierra Leone and Uganda. Would you like to go live there?) He volunteered. He signed himself up. He signed his own name. He obviously felt a conviction and sincere love in his heart to defend his country, his family, and the rights that he was born into. And what do you do to thank him for defending your rights? You stay so busy leading an unproductive and nonsensical protest that you don't even have time to put a headstone on his grave. Is that how you want to thank your son? Is that what being a mother does to you? It makes you forget what you've been given? God help me if I ever become a mother and act like that! God gave that boy the gift of life through you. And you turn around an throw it back. So, so sad!
Cindy wrote in her "letter of resignation" on her online diary, "Good-bye America...you are not the country that I love and I finally realized no matter how much I sacrifice, I can't make you be that country unless you want it. It's up to you now."
Cindy, my dear, you've completely missed it. I think America has sacrificed WAY more than you have and your selfishness and inward outlook on the way this country is run has caused you to lose sight of why you are here in the first place and why God chose you to be born in the United States instead of in West Africa or East Asia, where there is no First Amendment. Oh, and by the way, just in case you missed it before, George Bush is the president. Not you. He was elected TWICE. I don't remember seeing Cindy Sheehan on my ballot when I voted in November 2004.
Thank your lucky stars that you live in the country that you live in and haven't been forced into prison and beaten. I think you should thank your son everyday that you are able to speak freely instead of whining about how mean, stupid G.W.B. cost your son his life. Get over yourself!
OK. I'm stepping down from my soapbox. I've ranted enough.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)