I started this blog for the purpose of being something of a journal so that I could look back and see what was going on in my life. Unfortunately, between being a private person and not having much of a life, I see most of my posting being about things outside of my control. That is, politics and world events.
Ah well, it beats being a narcissist, I suppose.
In case anyone else is reading, a few things that caught my interest while being quite ill the past two weeks:
Victor Davis Hanson has a wonderful piece on the decline of polite behavior that is well worth reading through.
If you want good insights into the problems of the Middle East, few countries embody all the difficulties faced more than Lebanon. That's where Michael Totten's work has been invaluable and his account of meeting Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader is absolutely fascinating. Read the whole thing.
Drew Emmer at Wright County Republican has posted Gov. Mitch Daniels' (R-Indiana) op-ed on the coming reduction of tax revenues governors across the United States will be facing. It is time for government to tighten their belts just like everyone else. There are a lot of people struggling financially right now, including me.
Facebook is not a secure or safe place to be, unfortunately not a lot of people know how to make it safer. Several weeks ago, a young friend of mine had his laptop infected by a hostile ad on Facebook that took quite a bit of doing to kill. Watch out for anything claiming to be an antivirus that spawns popups like crazy!
Reviews of movies, anime, and the occasional TV show mixed with warnings on Blogger spam. Also to be found are musings on whatever I am thinking about - all from the point of view of being left to watch everything from the sidelines of life.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
I Know Seminary Is Hard, But...
Also found this on Drudge today: a report on a Satan worshipping teen setting fire to a church in California. It turns out the fire was set in the chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orangevale. Being a Latter-day Saint myself, of course it caught my attention. Since the fire was set shortly after 7 AM and the girl is fifteen, I knew she'd done it during Seminary.
One of the best things about my church is the religious education program that encompasses more than just 'Sunday school.' Since I converted late in life, I missed out on two of the better ones, Institute and Seminary. Where Institute is for college & college aged members, Seminary focuses on that most precarious of times in one's life -- the teenage years. In a modern world filled with all kinds of self destructive behaviors pushed by our culture, it is a refuge for kids trying to make the shaky transition from child to proto-adult.
Every school day morning, teens go to seminary early in the morning, before public school classes begin. That requires a real commitment by the teen and by their parents, who have to get up just as early to run them to Seminary classes. Besides teaching the Gospel, this requirement of hewing to a daily routine teaches perseverance and the ability to make and keep commitments. Yes it is hard to make that daily commitment and see it through. That's no reason to set a pew on fire, however tempting that may be in the throes of teenage angst.
A quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley illustrate the simple blessings that can come from attending:
In dealing with such cases, we need to follow the example of the Savior on the cross who said of those who crucified him, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
One of the best things about my church is the religious education program that encompasses more than just 'Sunday school.' Since I converted late in life, I missed out on two of the better ones, Institute and Seminary. Where Institute is for college & college aged members, Seminary focuses on that most precarious of times in one's life -- the teenage years. In a modern world filled with all kinds of self destructive behaviors pushed by our culture, it is a refuge for kids trying to make the shaky transition from child to proto-adult.
Every school day morning, teens go to seminary early in the morning, before public school classes begin. That requires a real commitment by the teen and by their parents, who have to get up just as early to run them to Seminary classes. Besides teaching the Gospel, this requirement of hewing to a daily routine teaches perseverance and the ability to make and keep commitments. Yes it is hard to make that daily commitment and see it through. That's no reason to set a pew on fire, however tempting that may be in the throes of teenage angst.
A quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley illustrate the simple blessings that can come from attending:
“We urge all for whom it is available to take advantage of it. We do not hesitate to promise that your knowledge of the gospel will be increased, your faith will be strengthened, and you will develop wonderful associations and friendships”Sadly, it appears this young woman hasn't taken full advantage of what has been offered her, instead she has allowed herself to be led down a dark path. When kids start worshipping Satan, there are major problems below the surface. That's why I'm gratified to see how the local Church and authorities are handling this in a truly Christian way -- by requesting that she not be punished and that she be given the counseling she so obviously needs.
In dealing with such cases, we need to follow the example of the Savior on the cross who said of those who crucified him, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
70 Years Ago in Poland and Obama's Appeasement Fetish
I was reading The Drudge Report today and ran across the following fact.
September 17, 1939, Joseph Stalin attacked Poland as part of a deal with Hitler to split the country. How do you commemerate this day if you are President Barack Obama? You sell out the Poles to the Russians again! Representatives from the administration are in Poland and the Czech Republic to tell them the missile defense shield is off, something Putin has been demanding for some time. For a newly elected president who was supposed to be so intelligent, so smooth, so diplomatic and knowledgeable, Obama and company have shown themselves to be utterly tone deaf in foreign dealings.
There is a chance this callous behavior isn't born of ignorance and stupidity, though. News has come down that Russia will be assisting Venezuela in obtaining nuclear technology. The same Chavez run socialist state that has given assistance to Iran, a state rushing headlong toward the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, recent diplomatic caving ins to Iranian and North Korean negotiating demands puts us in a very weak position regarding nuclear proliferation. The pattern of wooing enemies and alienating allies from Honduras to Poland suggests a desire to oppose everything America has stood for in the last century. It appears to be a rejection of everything done to protect the United States in the last sixty years.
At one point, people thought Jimmy Carter was the worst comparison to Obama that could be made. Right now, he's making Carter look good by comparison. We live in very dangerous times and weakness is the last thing we need to be showing right now.
September 17, 1939, Joseph Stalin attacked Poland as part of a deal with Hitler to split the country. How do you commemerate this day if you are President Barack Obama? You sell out the Poles to the Russians again! Representatives from the administration are in Poland and the Czech Republic to tell them the missile defense shield is off, something Putin has been demanding for some time. For a newly elected president who was supposed to be so intelligent, so smooth, so diplomatic and knowledgeable, Obama and company have shown themselves to be utterly tone deaf in foreign dealings.
There is a chance this callous behavior isn't born of ignorance and stupidity, though. News has come down that Russia will be assisting Venezuela in obtaining nuclear technology. The same Chavez run socialist state that has given assistance to Iran, a state rushing headlong toward the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, recent diplomatic caving ins to Iranian and North Korean negotiating demands puts us in a very weak position regarding nuclear proliferation. The pattern of wooing enemies and alienating allies from Honduras to Poland suggests a desire to oppose everything America has stood for in the last century. It appears to be a rejection of everything done to protect the United States in the last sixty years.
At one point, people thought Jimmy Carter was the worst comparison to Obama that could be made. Right now, he's making Carter look good by comparison. We live in very dangerous times and weakness is the last thing we need to be showing right now.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight Years from 9/11
I remember when the numbers 911 came in for emergency calls and it took awhile to adjust to that, but in the end they became a standard part of the language. Those numbers took on a whole new meaning eight years ago today. Instead of "nine-one-one" the first thing I think when I see the numbers in "Nine-Eleven." It is a simple but profound change that affected many others, I suspect.
So I will remember the lives lost that fateful day and most likely will watch United 93 on DVD again. It is difficult to because of the anger it provokes, but I vowed to never forget that day. Sadly, too many people have fallen prey to insane conspiracy theories or moral relativism regarding the events that cost over 3,000 people their lives. The evils of Islamic fundamentalism still exist and we are slowly becoming complacent again. The consequences of that will not be good.
So I will remember the lives lost that fateful day and most likely will watch United 93 on DVD again. It is difficult to because of the anger it provokes, but I vowed to never forget that day. Sadly, too many people have fallen prey to insane conspiracy theories or moral relativism regarding the events that cost over 3,000 people their lives. The evils of Islamic fundamentalism still exist and we are slowly becoming complacent again. The consequences of that will not be good.
ACORN Has a Problem with Prostitution
Yes, ACORN, those community organizers who once had President Obama as a trainer, have a problem with prostitution. What is bad about that, you think? All of us should have a problem with prostitution, after all it is degrading and dehumanizing. Well, ACORN's problem isn't that they oppose prostitution, it is that they more than condone it no matter what they publicly say.
Two young journalists in training decided to concoct the wildest scenario they could and approach an ACORN office in Maryland with it. The premise was simple: a young would be politician and his girlfriend/prostitute are looking for federal help in finding housing for her to use as a brothel for underage El Salvadoran girls brought into the country illegally.
That should have been crazy sounding enough to get them tossed out, right? Or get the police involved at the very least. Instead, the ACORN workers went out of their way to show them how to use this all for a tax shelter while giving practical advice on how to avoid the fictional pimp harassing the "prostitute." They didn't bat an eye at child prostitution and exploitation either, advising them to only declare three of the girls as dependants for tax deductions.
So what, you say? Just a couple of bad eggs in one office don't show a problem in the organization.
Well... the two young investigators went to an office in Washington, D.C. next and check out what happened there. Big Government has done a great thing exposing this story.
ACORN is a profoundly evil organization and needs to be shut down ASAP. The fact they are getting billions of dollars from the stimulus is horrendous given their behavior and voter fraud cases going forth in the courts. Good grief, they are encouraging child prostitution! I can't think of a more evil thing.
The two workers in the first video have been fired, but the big media is refusing to report on this outside of Fox News, talk radio, and conservative blogs. There is something very, very wrong with our country right now, when such evil is being protected by the media. I doubt we'll see much in the way of punishment for ACORN, they are joined at the hip with the Democratic Party and especially Obama.
Just disgusting.
Two young journalists in training decided to concoct the wildest scenario they could and approach an ACORN office in Maryland with it. The premise was simple: a young would be politician and his girlfriend/prostitute are looking for federal help in finding housing for her to use as a brothel for underage El Salvadoran girls brought into the country illegally.
That should have been crazy sounding enough to get them tossed out, right? Or get the police involved at the very least. Instead, the ACORN workers went out of their way to show them how to use this all for a tax shelter while giving practical advice on how to avoid the fictional pimp harassing the "prostitute." They didn't bat an eye at child prostitution and exploitation either, advising them to only declare three of the girls as dependants for tax deductions.
So what, you say? Just a couple of bad eggs in one office don't show a problem in the organization.
Well... the two young investigators went to an office in Washington, D.C. next and check out what happened there. Big Government has done a great thing exposing this story.
ACORN is a profoundly evil organization and needs to be shut down ASAP. The fact they are getting billions of dollars from the stimulus is horrendous given their behavior and voter fraud cases going forth in the courts. Good grief, they are encouraging child prostitution! I can't think of a more evil thing.
The two workers in the first video have been fired, but the big media is refusing to report on this outside of Fox News, talk radio, and conservative blogs. There is something very, very wrong with our country right now, when such evil is being protected by the media. I doubt we'll see much in the way of punishment for ACORN, they are joined at the hip with the Democratic Party and especially Obama.
Just disgusting.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sick Yet Again
It started with a sore throat on Monday, that lasted a couple of days before moving into the sinuses and now chest. Oh for an immune system that worked right!
The brain no worky, so the only thing I have to post is what may be the prototype for the ultimate cat toy: levitating mice!
The brain no worky, so the only thing I have to post is what may be the prototype for the ultimate cat toy: levitating mice!
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Is the US Dollar Dying?
One of my regular reads is the online edition of the Daily Telegraph published in the United Kingdom. It was interesting to see what the most read stories were today and I think you will see a unifying theme in them:
1. Barack Obama accused of making 'Depression' mistakes
2. China alarmed by US money printing
3. UN wants new global currency to replace dollar
Then on the other side of the page was Gold hits $1,000
With the Obama administration printing more green to buy government bonds because the Chinese won't, you know something is wrong. Then you hear that the Chinese are moving slowly over to gold in order to keep their investments from deprieciating radically and off in the distance alarm bells begin to ring. Finally, there has been talk between Russia, China, and India about starting a new currency because the dollar isn't looking sound, but hey, that's just a bunch of wannabe's talking, right? Except now the UN is talking the same proposal a few week later. Yeah, there is something seriously wrong with the US dollar when the biggest holder of US debt is publicly complaining and planning to move to something else.
Is the dollar actually dying? Time will tell, but one thing is certain -- it is very, very ill.
1. Barack Obama accused of making 'Depression' mistakes
2. China alarmed by US money printing
3. UN wants new global currency to replace dollar
Then on the other side of the page was Gold hits $1,000
With the Obama administration printing more green to buy government bonds because the Chinese won't, you know something is wrong. Then you hear that the Chinese are moving slowly over to gold in order to keep their investments from deprieciating radically and off in the distance alarm bells begin to ring. Finally, there has been talk between Russia, China, and India about starting a new currency because the dollar isn't looking sound, but hey, that's just a bunch of wannabe's talking, right? Except now the UN is talking the same proposal a few week later. Yeah, there is something seriously wrong with the US dollar when the biggest holder of US debt is publicly complaining and planning to move to something else.
Is the dollar actually dying? Time will tell, but one thing is certain -- it is very, very ill.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)