On the Right Side of Hypocrisy!

Blogging Course

2008-02-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

The best blogging techniques.
How to get traffic to your blog.
How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

Ethics in America, and the problem with the government.

2007-08-16T22:46:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was at the doctor's office. While sitting and waiting for my appointment (a 3 hour wait is typical) an asian man walked in with a garbage bag. He barely spoke english, but new everyone and everyone knew him. He placed the bag on the counter and everyone came running like he was Santa Claus.

He then pulled out close to 100 DVD's of today's newest movies currently in theaters. Movies like Harry Potter, Hairspray, Rush Hour 3, Ratitouile, Transformers, and much more. The nurses, receptionists, and even the doctors were buying away. Patients then started to take notice and made their purchases sometimes fighting over who was going to get the last copy of Hairspray. Each DVD was only $5, came in a poly sleeve and included a picture of the movie.

What boggled my mind was one of the doctors actions. He came out of his room where he was seeing a patient to "exchange" 4 movies he had received the week before because the quality wasn't good. Can you imagine the nerve? Paying $5 for a stolen movie and then demanding quality? Forget the nerve, can you imagine the ethics? I guess the hypocratic oath says nothing about purchasing pirated DVD's.

I sat there in amazment at what I was seeing. Don't get me wrong, I am not that naive to not know people are selling pirated movies and many people are buying them. I know of the stories of watching DVD's and seeing people throwing popcorn in the air and hearing people talk and laugh, and one report of a screen so dirty that you could see the soda stains in the movie where people threw their cups of drinks at the screen. No doubt in protest of a Michael Moore movie. But what I was witnessing was different. The attitudes of the people was astonishing to me, and more so, the doctors!!!

I chalked it up to greedy Americanism... Yes, I am still a republican conservative.

But today topped it off.

I just read an article about how the pentagon paid $998,769 to ship two 19 cent washers to a Texas airforce base. I at first assumed it was a pentagon problem and it was some glitch and a typo got through or something. Turns out, a company owned by 2 sisters (twins) found a flaw in the government's payable system. Any purchase order marked priority and eventually desitined for a war zone (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) was paid without questioning shipping charges. Over the past few years, these 2 women discovered the flaw, and started charging massive amounts of shipping fees, each growing over time and totalling over $20,000,000 that's 20 million dollars for what cost them $100 in shipping costs. These were things like machine screws, washers, and other small hardware items which mainly cost less than $1 and I would assume could be purchased at a local hardware shop. (read full story here)

Now that brings up many issues:

1 - The ethics of these 2 are staggaring, yes. But the GREED of these two is even worse. Imagine if you were so inclined to steal and found a good thing, would you not be thankful for the free money and charge just under what would be considered unsuspicious? Would you not think that maybe SOMEONE, even someone totally incompatent might suspect a $1,000,000 shipping charge for a bill totalling 38 cents? Sorry, but these two deserve to be tried as traders. (By the way, one has since died. I hope the burns from the flames hurt like the place your now living!)

2 - A perfect example of the staggering incompetancy of the government and further PROOF as to why the government should be limited to what they control and can do. As if the motor vehicle department wasn't proof enough, maybe Hillary should take a look at this before she embarks on one of her socialized medicine tantrams.

Wake up and smell the Starbucks people!!!! As a republican, I am all for making money and living a nice life with the money you earned. But remember those 7 deadly sins? Do we need a lesson? No, it isn't that America deserved to get attacked because of our greed, that is just stupidity! It is however we need to attack ourselves (no, not with planes Mr. and Mrs. conspiricy couple) by looking in the mirror, and smacking ourselves back to reality.

We need to:

see what we have and not what we have not
know what we need, and not what we want
hear what people mean, and not what they are saying
feel how others feel, and not only what we feel
wake up and smell the coffee, but don't drink it at $5 a cup!

Come back tomorrow, I will be talking about some of my favorite stories on this same theme.

In the meantime, go in peace, help others!

An Atheist and a Bear

2007-07-03T10:28:00.001-04:00

And now since my graduation, I thought it appropriate for an atheist joke (sorry, I found it funny, but it probably says more about the "Christian than the atheist!) ;-)

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that evolution had
created.

"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!", he said to himself. As he was walking along the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. When he turned to see what the casue was, he saw a 7-foot grizzly charging right towards him. He ran as fast as he could. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing, He ran even faster, crying in fear. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer.
His heart was pounding and he tried to run even faster.
He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him.
At that moment, the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!...." Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving. As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don''t exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?"
The atheist looked directly into the light "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?"
"Very well," said the voice.
The light went out. The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed.
And then the bear dropped his right paw ..... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."

Diakonia Graduation

2007-07-03T10:02:00.002-04:00

On Saturday, June 23, 2007, I graduated from the ELCA's (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) 2 year Diakonia Program. Now a diakonia graduate, I will do a 1 year internship as a church deacon in my local church, and then become "set aside" as a rostered synodical deacon.

Here are some pictures from the graduation ceremony including one of the Bishop and I.

The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

2007-05-30T10:51:00.000-04:00

(This was a paper I wrote for my Diakonia class on Christian Ethics, from an ELCA Lutheran standpoint)

The Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research

One of the most popular TV shows today is a game show called Deal or No Deal. In it the player is offered various sums of money. All the person has to do is hit the button when he or she feels the offer is high enough to accept. Annoyingly, the people usually don’t have much money, are offered hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they turn it down in hopes of walking away with a million. Usually, the greedy individuals walk away with a few hundred or less.

But what does that have to do with the purpose of this paper? Absolutely nothing, other than it reminds me of one of my favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone.

In the episode, called Button, Button, a husband and wife were given, what else, but a button. They were told that they should keep the button for a week, and then the owner would return to pick it up. Should they press the button, they would receive $1,000,000 in cash, big money in those days. The catch, someone would die, someone they didn’t know, someone who had killed someone else and probably deserved to die. Immediately, the couple both refused to press the button, or even take the button. A life wasn’t worth $1,000,000, even one that had killed another. The owner left the button with them for a week anyway, just in case they changed their minds. As the days past, the button became more intriguing. They certainly needed the money, and the person did kill someone else. This reasoning went on for days. The husband, disgusted by his wife’s disregard for human life, threw the button out. The wife sneakily retrieved it, and eventually, I believe on the last day, finally pressed the button. After all, she didn’t know the person, how would that affect her life. I don’t remember her name, I just call her Eve!

This show made a huge impression on me, it had so many lessons I can’t even list them all. I won’t give away the ending, but if you ever get a chance to see it, do so.

Anyway, that got me thinking. What if you or I were given a button? What would we do? What if you were offered $10,000,000 or maybe more? What would it take for you to press the button? Let’s change it around a little bit. What if the prize was not cash, but life? What if by pressing the button, you still killed someone, but saved someone else? Let’s say, someone close to you, like a spouse, or child? Supposed this person was dying, had cancer or was paralyzed and by killing the person you don’t know, it would somehow save your spouse or child! Would you press the button now?

What if I told you the other person was going to die anyway, but by pressing the button, when he died, it would save the life of your spouse or child? How about if it was a fetus, say a few weeks old? Would you press the button to save your sick relative now? What if it was a fertized egg, say a 4 day old embryo, still merely a few cells? How about an unfertilized egg? Would you trade life for another? Would you trade the potential for life, for life? What if it was you who was sick or paralyzed or blind? When if ever would you hit that button?

In our Diakonia class I once made the mistake of trying to prove a point by separating myself into 2 people, one we will call secular John, the other Christian John. It was quickly pointed out that unless I was schizophrenic, the two John’s should really be one. Not entirely true according to Luther’s two kingdoms principle, but in any case, I was trying to make a point. Either I was a hypocrite, wanting one thing but preaching another, or I was very confused, perhaps even a bit schizophrenic. What it boiled down to is being a Christian in a secular society is not easy and nothing proves this more than the stem cell research debate.

I had heard Bush doesn’t want to fund stem cell research, I had heard Christopher Reeves would be alive and walking if it wasn’t for Bush’s illegalization of stem cell research, I had heard that stem cell research would kill babies, but I also heard, it would save lives. Most of what I heard of course was untrue or unfounded, but I don't want to turn this into a political debate. More importantly anyway, was what I didn’t hear. What I didn't hear was what stem cell research was exactly, and what the big deal was that it had extremists on either side screaming and yelling like we were debating Roe vs. Wade.

So I did some research about the research. In order to decide if something is ethical, you need to know what it is, why it would and wouldn’t be ethical, and what both sides have to say about the issue. You need to get down to the exact problem, so you know what facts to look for to back up your side of the debate or to make an informed decision. Here is what I found out.

Simplistically, Stem Cell Therapy is taking good healthy cells and injecting or otherwise implanting them into a body where bad cells exist. Hopefully, the good cells will replace the bad cells and the person would be cured of anything from blindness, paralysis, and other nerve related illnesses to cancer and other illnesses that destroy parts of your body. Surprisingly to me, Stem Cell Therapy already is in use and working in many countries, including the U.S.
The theory is that we all start out as an egg and a sperm. When fertilized, the egg then multiplies its cells into more cells. Like that old hair shampoo commercial, 2 becomes 4 becomes 8 becomes 16 and so on and so on until we become billions of cells. But not just one type of cell, those original cells have become other types of cells. Some liver, some kidney, some blood, some brain, etc… Since we know the original cells can become any other cell, in theory it is those cells we want.

Apparently, our success with using cells to heal illnesses works, but so far, only with “adult” cells. One example is using bone marrow to cure leukemia. Much progress is also being made with cord blood cells taken during delivery of a baby. As a matter of fact, so much so that cord blood banks are popping up all over the place so new parents can store their babies cord blood cells just in case they need them when they get older. Because it is there own, there is less chance of bodily rejection.

So far so good right? Well, not so fast.

See the adult cells can really only be used to help with a single type of cell replacement. For example, liver cells can be used primarily to cure liver disease. Another problem is they don’t multiply very well. They are sometimes too old. I know the feeling. So, scientists started focusing on cord blood cells. They are closer to the kind of cells they want to use because they can become many other types of cells, they are younger, healthier cells and they are in a simpler, more pliable form so to speak. They also multiply very easily.

Ultimately though, scientists want those original cells, the ones that can in theory, become anything. Those are called embryonic stem cells.

So now the problem, it means killing the embryo. It means, taking a 4 – 10 day old fertilized egg (embryo), and killing it for its cells. The cells are then taken and made to multiply, then injected into the diseased individual where the good new cells would “attack” the bad cells and replace them. Essentially, those who oppose this say you are trading one life for another. Others say it is merely cells, and still others use the term “potential for life”. Does this sound familiar?

The real problem of this ethical dilemma then is do we kill 4-10 day old embryos, babies, cells, whatever you want to call them, to cure a multitude of diseases for thousands of people? In simplistic terms trading life for life. At first I thought I had my answer, “Thou shall not kill!” It all boils down to that, and that is exactly how many feel. Perhaps that should be the end of it. But though this has many similarities to abortion, it did have some things that were different enough to warrant more thought and insight.

What really got me thinking was a conversation I had with a couple from my church, also friends of mine; at least they are still talking to me, for now. I knew their views on many topics. They are staunch, right wing, conservatives. Bring up homosexuality, and you may as well be talking about the apocalypse. What shocked me was the wife was pro-choice on the abortion issue. “It’s killing a baby!” she said, but then continued, “But it is her choice, it is between her and God!” I had to ask, “Isn’t homosexuality between those people and God?” “No” she said, “because that is an abomination and unnatural”. By the way, the husband didn’t know she was pro-choice after 30 years of marriage. He is still on the phone with his divorce lawyer.

So I asked her, what about stem cell research? She said she was against it. After cleaning my ears I asked again. “So let me understand. You are pro-choice when it comes to a woman aborting a baby or fetus, depending on your outlook, but not when it comes to saving lives by killing a 4 day old fertilized egg?” She explained, but I still don’t understand the answer in full to be honest. I did get one thing out of it however, “Life begins at conception!”

So there it was, right in front of me. Everyone agrees it is killing, what they don’t agree on is what they are killing. So the real problem is not is it okay to kill, but rather, when does life begin.

For Roman Catholics, life begins not only at conception, but prior to that, at the “potential for life.” This is the reason the Roman Catholic Church, (and I don’t mean the people that make up the church, but rather the hierarchy of the church) don’t allow for the use of contraception.
The ELCA website had no social statement on Embryonic Stem Cell Research. But considering they allow for abortion under certain circumstances, but don’t encourage it, and it should be a last resort, I figure they had to have a similar philosophy on this topic. They did have some “papers’ or articles on Stem Cell Research, and they made some great points in that direction. One in particular summarizes what may be my current feelings of when life begins. It stated that life may begin at conception, but human life is a gradual thing that happens after time as the fetus and mother bond. This does not happen in a test tube or Petri dish.

However, regardless of when life begins, the truth is, stem cell research using adult cells and cord blood are making great strides, and you don’t have to kill anyone or anything. People all over the world are being cured of all kinds of diseases and it certainly makes me thankful that the human body can only physically last 125 years according to the experts; I don’t think I could last much longer than that! With that said, Embryonic Stem Cell Research is all theory. There is not one case I could find in any country where it worked at all. Not in animals, and certainly not in humans. It is all theory, maybe a valid one, but theory none the less. At this point, why bother with all the fuss.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research should be a last resort. If adult cells and cord blood cells don’t work for certain things and embryonic cells are shown to at least have potential, then I think ethically, using a 4 day old embryo is ok. That is where I pressed my button, but I only would press it after I was sure it could work and nothing else would.

Sadly, there are many other issues that may come up with this topic in the future. One of which is this could lead to cloning, creating life for parts, and more. Some say we should use medical waste, embryos after an abortion, unused invitro fertilized eggs, and more. We need to be careful that one thing doesn’t lead to another and we start to make body parts factories by growing people or parts for the express purpose of selling them to save others or people getting pregnant to have an abortion to save a relative. These are some valid ethical issues that we are not ready to deal with, especially within the confines of this paper.

So on this topic alone of Embryonic Stem Cell Research, the bible says nothing about it. It does however touch on a few related topics. “Treat others as you would have them treat you!”, “Thou shall not murder!” and more. In order for them all to apply here, it all comes down to this. When do you think human life begins? When would you have pressed the button?

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-14T10:16:00.000-04:00

Here in the U.S. yesterday was Mother's Day. A day we thank our mother's for being who they are and for raising us and making us who we are.

One can not TRULY appreciate this day (or father's day) without being a mother or father. Yes, many will disagree with that statement, and as time goes on you may feel like you understand what it took for your mother/father to raise you. To put up with all your moods and phases and horrors you put them through as you matured. Yet, I maintain, unless you have or are raising one yourself, you can not TRULY understand. There is another level of comprehension and appretiation for your parents the day you bring new life into the world that is truly a part of you. It is a new level of love that only a parent can understand.

Having a child also put's into perspective how truly human we are; flawed though we may be. The mistakes your parents made can now be understood and hopefully forgiven, though never forgotten. Unfortunately it is sometimes those flaws that mold us. It is being a parent that looking deeply inside allows us to see the mistakes we have made and the effects they have. Yet as hard as we strive for perfection, the more we realize our failures and hopefully, our successes as well.

True understanding comes not from school, or even the bible. True understanding comes from looking in the eyes of your child. A better understanding of your parents decisions and thoughts, dreams and wishes, and if you look deep enough, a secret knowledge of who you are and those emotions held deep within that as hard as you might try, only appear on certain occasions. Yes, sometimes on mother's day, but mostly those events that are not on our nationwide calander, but rather our household calander. Those scribblings that say "Johnnies first baseball game", "Brooke's first dance recital", and dare I say "Heather's senior prom"?

Yes, Johnnie will drop his first fly ball, Brooke will slip on stage, and you will be up all night on prom night. You will probably cry at every one. Not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. You will sniffle and cover your eyes and never admit you were crying, even as you walk down the aisle arm and arm with your daughter, she will not understand. Not truly.

But you know that one day, as you now understand, so they will too. The day they take the time to look into their child's eyes and see themselves. The night their child falls asleep in the car and they carry them into their bed and they remember the feeling of you carrying them safely into their bed. The day they open their first mother's / father's day cards with scribbles that look like cave wall etchings, the day their own child drops his first ball or slips on stage.

It is on that day that you too will get a card or phone call from your children, and more tears will be shed, but this time, if someone looked closely enough at you, they will see a small smile on your face, perhaps a smirk, that sense your job is complete, they now understand, and perhaps even a sense of revenge!

God not in schools email! Shameful!

2007-05-08T09:58:00.000-04:00

So, I received this email the other day from a well meaning Christian friend of mine. Those who don't know me should know I am a reformed Catholic turned Lutheran and fairly involved in my church and take my religious beliefs seriously. Not to mention, I lean mostly toward the conservative side. So normally, you would think I would agree with this email. I put the email here and my response is below. Thoughts?

Dear God:
Why didn't you save the school children at ?. ..
Moses Lake, Washington 2/2/96
Bethel, Alaska 2/19/97
Pearl, Mississippi 10/1/97
West Paducah, Kentucky 12/1/97
Stamp, Arkansas 12/15/97
Jonesboro, Arkansas 3/24/98
Edinboro, Pennsylvania 4/24/98
Fayetteville, Tennessee 5/19/98
Springfield, Oregon 5/21/98
Richmond, Virginia 6/15/98
Littleton, Colorado 4/20/99
Taber, Albert a, Canada 5/28/99
Conyers, Georgia 5/20/99
Deming, New Mexico 11/19/99
Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 12/6/99
Santee, California 3/ 5/01
El Cajon, California 3/22/01
and Blacksburg, VA 4/16/07 ?

Sincerely,
Concerned
Student
-----------------------------------------------------
Reply:
Dear
Concerned Student:
Sorry, I am not allowed in schools.
Sincerely,
God

----------------------------------------------------------
How did
this get started?...
-----------------
Let's see,I think it started when
Madeline Murray O'Hare complained She didn't want any prayer in our
schools.
And we said, OK.
------------------
Then, someone said you
better not:
Read the Bible in school; the Bible that says"thou shalt not
kill, Thou shalt not steal, And love your neighbors as yourself,"
And we
said, OK...
-----------------
Dr. Benjamin Spock said We shouldn't spank
our children When they misbehaved Because their little personalities Would be
warped and we might damage their self-esteem.
And we said, An expert should
know what he's talking about So we won't spank them
anymore..
------------------
Then someone said Teachers and principals
better not Discipline our children when they misbehave. And the school
administrators said No faculty member in this school Better touch a student when
they misbehave Because we don't want any bad publicity, And we surely don't want
to be sued.
And we accepted their reasoning...
------------------
Then
someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, And they
won't even have to tell their parents.
And we said, that's a grand
idea.
------------------
Then some wise school board member said, Since
boys will be boys And they're going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the
condoms they want, So they can have all the fun they desire, And we won't have
to tell their parents they got them at school.
And we said, that's another
great idea...
------------------
Then some of our top elected officials
said It doesn't matter what we do in private as long as we do our jobs.
And
we said, It doesn't matter what anybody, including the President,Does in private
as long as we have jobs and the econ omy is
good....
------------------
And someone else took that appreciation a step
further And published pictures of nude children And then stepped further still
by Making them available on the Internet.
And we said, everyone's entitled to
free speech....
------------------
And the entertainment industry said,
let's make TV shows and movies that promote Profanity, violence and illicit
sex...And let's record music that encourages Rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and
satanic the mes...
And we said, it's just entertainment And it has no adverse
effect And nobody takes it seriously anyway, So go right
ahead.
------------------
Now we're asking ourselves Why our children have
no conscience, Why they don't know right from wrong, And why it doesn't bother
them to Kill strangers, classmates or even
themselves.
------------------
Undoubtedly, If we thought about it long
and hard enough, We could figure it out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do
with...
"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW"
------------------
Pass it on If you
think it has merit! If not then just discard it... But if you discard this
thought process, Then don't you dare sit back and complain about What bad shape
this country is in!!
Why is it our children can not read a Bible in school,
but can in Prison.

My response: (Slightly revised for posting here!)

Dearest Concerned Christian... (LOL)

While I understand the
"point" of this email, to blame the killings of the children on the fact that
God has been removed from school is wagging the dog. The blame should be
put on those responsible. Those who use this type of "advertisement" to
promote their agenda's are just as bad as the liberals who use a black man tied
to the back of a truck and dragged to his death to accuse Bush of racism.
(Not you of course, I am referring to the original author) Though the
basic ideals of the email certainly provide thought and should be discussed, I
actually find it too sensitive an issue to turn into propaganda.
The author makes many "Points" but they have nothing to do with school
shootings. Though some may be valid points and observations, going
from God in schools to violence on TV to authorizing spankings only distract
from the point. This is like when the NY Times tries to take a fluff
piece like the dangers of children eating cotten candy and
somehow ties it to Bush's war in Irag.
Aside from putting in extraneous information, it conveniently left out some
too. Like the Amish school where all those children were horribly killed
by a gunman. You can't blame God for not being in that school!!!!
When you really think about it, do you really think our compassionate
God would let children die to make a point? Especially, one that will go
right over the liberals heads anyway? (Not mine) The only ones that
would understand God's lesson are those who already understand.

I detest hypocrits, regardless of the "side" they are on! Stay tuned, I am back and ready to point them all out to you!

France elects Sarkosy - Nation acts American!

2007-05-06T22:37:00.000-04:00

So, what will the liberals in America say now? Their national darlings in Europe, France have elected the non-socialist candidate who just so happens to want to correct relations with the U.S. and the rest of Europe. He wants change in a country that our liberals think is just perfect! Apparently, the country of France in one of the largest turnouts in recent history disagrees. They do want change.

Needless to say, the anti-Sarkosy group took a cue from our own American Liberals, going right for the throat with threats and horrific name calling. "“Police everywhere, justice nowhere!” some protesters shouted. Others yelled, “Sarko, Fascist! The people will get you!” The base of the Bastille column in the center of the square was left scrawled with graffiti, including “Sarko 2007 = Hitler 1933.”" Taken from the New York Times. Shocking I know. Have you heard any of this before? American Liberals have been threatening and spewing this crap since Bush's first election (and to others before!). God forbid (Yes, I mentioned God!) we call them any names or make joking comments about any darling of the left, and they come down on Conservatives like Zeus in a lightning storm! But comparing a president to a dictator who had plans to wipe out an entire race and killed hundreds of thousands, well, that is just fine, it is only Bush and now Sarkosy.

One of Sarkosy's promises is to renew relations with the U.S. I know Liberal's; how could they? That would be like trying to deal with the devil himself??? GMAFB

I have to say, I was just in Paris a couple of months ago. And I noticed a change of attitude toward us Americans while I was there. The people were actually pleasent! maybe, just maybe they actually WANT to be friendly with us? Hmmm... Judging by the protesters, Sarkosy has his work cut out for him, We can only hope he succeeds!

Here we go again!

2007-05-06T22:35:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been nearly a year since writing, but I have the bug again. So, for better or for worse, here we go...

Global Warming Proof

2006-06-19T13:30:00.000-04:00

I figured with the Al Gore movie hype and all, I would have to post something relating to global warming. So here it is... proof!

(My appologies to the creator of this image. I received it in an email with no credit given.)

Billy Joel - 12 Gardens Live

2006-06-13T22:17:00.000-04:00

"One of the best sounding live recordings I have ever heard"
"Unfortunately, it is less of a concert recording, and more of a recording done in front of a live audience"
"The CD is GREAT, could have been beyond great!"

I recently attended the 11th of 12 Billy Joel concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York. The concert was absolutely amazing. It happened to be the night he broke the old record of 10 sold out shows at the Garden in a single tour. I expected it to be a memorable one. It was, only not as memorable from my understanding as the 12th and final show.

I had seen Billy Joel many times over 20 years, sometimes alone, sometimes with Elton John. This was by far his best show and best sounding show. The emotion in the audience with their obvious Love of their hometown superstar made the night.

So, when he mentioned the shows were being recorded for a live CD, I was ecstatic. As a ticket holder, I was able to preorder the CD at a discount and received additional promotional items including 2 additional songs not on the CD. The CD already has 32 songs including 2 supposed bonus tracks. I can never understand that. Either they are on the CD or not, how does that make them a bonus? Because they aren't "named" on the cover as being on the CD? Strange.

Anyway, having been at the show I was expecting the best live concert album ever recorded. Columbia records put the album up on the internet so you could listen to the stream a few days before today's release. I was disappointed. I received the CD yesterday, a day before it going on sale in the stores and on iTunes. I listened closely. I liked it better, but still disappointed. Instead of the best live concert album ever, I got the best sounding recorded live performance I have heard.

The difference? One captures the spirit and essence of a concert, the other captures the quality of a musical performance. I prefer the first, some may prefer the latter.

The sound quality is excellent. Billy sounds awesome. But it just doesn't capture the concert, only the music. Maybe a small point to some, but I LOVE live recordings and feeling like I am there. Especially one I was actually at. I like to rekindle the feeling of being at the concert.

If you like Billy Joel, you will love the album. I love Joel, I loved the album. But I think he rushed it to market to capture the excitement of the record breaking stint.

The good and the bad...

The Good...

Sound is awesome, the recording was great.
Billy is still at the top of his game.
His band (though I miss Liberty Devito) was superb.
Old songs, newer songs, many of the hits and even songs you may have forgotten about.

The Bad...

They seemed to forget to mic the audience. Can you hear them? Yes, but not loud enough, especially during the many times the audience is singing there favorite songs and verses which happens often at a Joel concert.
apparently to save space and fit more songs, they didn't include much in between the songs. No jokes, talking, etc... One song after another with not much applause either leading you to believe that Joels audience can't stand and applaud that long. Far from the truth. One example, the Good Night Saigon song included marines singing the chorus. You can hear the audience cheering, but not as loud as it was. Also, there was about a 3-5 minute standing ovation for the marines after the song. She that have been kept in in its entirety? No, but certainly more ethan the 5 seconds before the next song starts.
The tracks start right at the beginning of the songs. Sometimes during the first note of a song so sometimes the way the CD player plays, you miss the first note of the song. On old albums, you were able to play a "side" without interruption, here each song has a slight silent pause then the song immediately starts. What would be wrong with starting with some leftover applause from the song before and leaving in some talking? This was probably my biggest complaint. Who mixed this thing anyway?
Who picked the songs from which night? It doesn't say which song was from which night. I am not convinced the picked the best ones, though they were great, I remember some from my night being a little better. I honestly am not sure many are from the 11th show though I could be wrong. As a person who went to the show, at the very least they could have put that on the cover so those who went would know if they are part of the recording.
One of his most popular songs, "It's still rock and roll to me" is the second bonus track? Why a bonus track? Perhaps because it was the worst of the recordings!
"Your my home", one of my favorites, was not on the CD, but was the free download when you purchased the album along with sleeping with the television on. Then iTunes announced if you download the album, they have an exclusive for 2 other songs not on the CD.

So, that makes 36 possible songs. Now that is a fantastic compilation.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the CD. Anyone who likes Billy should go out and buy it, download it, whatever. You will NOT be sorry. It really is fantastic. If you were there, go and get the CD, you will love it. Though if you are like me, you may be just slightly disappointed.

The Davinci Code

2006-06-06T22:36:00.000-04:00

OK, I know I am behind the times, but I finally saw the Davinci Code tonight. I have to tell you, I am shocked at how horrible the reviews were. I thought it is very good. I agree with some of the reviews statements, but for the most part, this was a good movie that I found very enjoyable.

The performances by the main characters were OK. Not great, a little bland, but I thought it was ok based on who the characters were. This includes Tom Hanks, one of my favorite actors.

The best performances were not by the 2 main characters, but by the "bad guys". Even the cops were a little bland.

The reviews said it was boring, I found it interesting and fast moving even through 2 1/2 hours.

They said there was no action, I found plenty of action and suspense, though this isn't an action movie!

They said it had many endings, it did.

Lots of twists and turns, some I saw coming, some I didn't. I guess not reading the book helped with this as well as getting through the 2 1/2 hours.

They said there were too many flashbacks. I found they helped tell the story without boring you with someone just telling the story and giving the background.

Being a Christian, I was wondering how I felt about the movie being anti-christian. But I went to see it because I wanted to hear the thoughts and possibilities. I found the whole storyline, clues, puzzles, and possibilities fantastic.

Again, not having read the book I think I had an advantage.

Go see it:
1 - If you haven't read the book, go see it.
2 - You like history.
3 - You are a pagan.
4 - You have an open mind.
5 - You like suspense movies and can see it as fiction based on some possible facts.

Do not see it if:

1 - You read the book and might get bored easily because you know all that will happen.
2 - You are a Catholic who gets mad at anything like jokes or otherwise that you consider anti-christian. (This happened in the theater, as I was walking out, I saw 3 older people sitting near the back of the theater. One shouted, "that movie was stupid". You could just tell she was a catholic who WANTED to hate the movie. Though surprisingly she actually had read the book. See 1 above.)
3 - You are on the fence about Christianity and don't want to be swayed away. (or your faith is weak and don't want to be swayed away!)
4 - You hate conspiracy theories.
5 - You hated "National Treasure" (Another good movie by the way!)

I would love to hear your comments, please post some here.

This all leads me to an annoucement coming soon. Check back here for an annoucment that could change your life! I am working out the details, stay tuned.

Quote of the Day - Boys and Dads Footsteps

2006-05-26T08:48:00.000-04:00

"More boys would follow in their father's footsteps if they weren't afraid
of being caught."

Anonymous

American Idol - After the Results

2006-05-24T22:09:00.000-04:00

First, I thought the finale was great. A fantastic and entertaining show. The best performance, Kathryn and Meatloaf Duet!

So, as predicted Taylor won. Congratulations to him. He is a great showman though I think a tad wierd. I still think Kathryn was better.

I don't think the voting was "rigged" as others claim, I think he actually won. However as previously stated, what I do think is the producers did everything in their power to make us vote Kathryn off and eventually to vote for Taylor.

Enough said on this nonsense. On to more important issues...

American Idol - Pre Final Show

2006-05-24T19:07:00.001-04:00

First, I want to start out by saying that I am not the type to complain and say "I am not watching any more because my favorite idol got kicked off the show" like Chris fans did. Second let me say I am ashamed that I like the show.

Now, before the finale tonight. I have to say that out of the two, Kathryn is my favorite though taylor is growing on me. However, I am not writing about any of that.

I am writing because it is obvious that the show, producers, judges, or whoever are so against Kathryn. The only thing I can think of is maybe she is a bitch on wheels during the week. Here is why I say this.

1 - First of all, that idiot Paula is such a woman hater. Look how she acts for the guys as compared to Kathryn and the girls.

2 - Randy is a hypocrit.

3 - Look at how many people came to see kathryn when she went "home"? A few hundred if that at her high school compared to 10's of thousands for taylor and almost as much for Elliot. The producers set up these "events" and I felt horrible for Kathryn.

4 - In previos years (though I can only speak for last year) both finalists sang the same "new" song written for them. This year, they gave Kathryn one song (which was pretty bad) and Taylor another which showcased his showmanship.

5 - The comments from the judges over the last 5 weeks showed their predjudice and their dying the get rid of Kathryn. This all started with Lisa who I also thought was brilliant.

I will bet that after this season, we will hear about a huge scandal, aside from Paula sleeping with someone.

With all that said, I think Kathryn sings better, Taylor is more of a showman, but Kathryn should win. However, my prediction is Taylor will win. Honestly, I wouldn't care, they are both good, but I truly think something is amiss on Fox. I will post again after tonights final show.

Since the departure of Stern! and UPDATE!!!

2006-04-24T14:21:00.000-04:00

Well, since Stern left the "Free" airwaves, his home base of WXRK in New York has changed formats from classic rock to what I call modern talk all day during the week and classic rock on the weekends.

This happened in January and I have been wanting to write about it since...

What happened was David Lee Roth (Overhyped talk host of Van Halen I fame) took over the morning spot. JV and Elvis after that, then Penn Jillette (Of Penn and Teller fame), Leslie Gold: The Radio Chic got drive time, Booker, the old drive time show moved to nights, Jake and Jackie are overnight. Recently they added Jim Cramers Real Money from 1 - 2 in the afternoon.

So, I predicted the first day I heard Roth that he would be gone in mere months. Some gave him 6, I gave him 3. He lasted 4.

Today, they replaced him with Opie and Anthony. Remember, those were the guys that got kicked off the air because they aired a couple having sex in St. Patricks Cathedral in NY.

You can listen and check out the shows at http://www.923freefm.com from any internet computer if you do not live in NY. My suggestions, The Radio Chic is the best show on the station and perhaps of all NY radio. Jim Cramer is great too if you want some investment talk.

Speaking of investments... I don't usually recommend anything even remotely like this... BUT, check this out. I have made some serious money from the investment strategy here with little money to invest. Yes, the referral income is cool, but I am speaking of the investment side even if you aren't into the "business" side of things. >Either way, check this out... Click here and view the product presentation.

Contact me for more info if you need an explaination... more coming on this in a day or so...

So all in all, I am (hopefully) back and ready to spew my nonsense... keep an eye out for updates to my >photography blog as well...

Quote of the day...

2006-01-11T13:24:00.001-05:00

"Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded."
~ Psychologist Jess Lair

I like that.

Talk about a liar!!!

2006-01-11T13:24:00.000-05:00

Another month and still no post. I guess I lied. Well let's try this again...

I'm back... again

2005-12-08T23:38:00.000-05:00

OK, so over a month without posting here. Sorry, projects elsewhere and life in general have been keeping me busy.

Anyway, thanks to the new book "Do As I Say (Not As I Do) - Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy" I am about to start on a streak of pointing out hypocrisy I learned from reading the book. With interuptions for hypocrisy happening today when it happens!

So, come back tomorrow for some thoughts on Michael Moore!

Party of Hypocrits!

2005-10-27T11:01:00.000-04:00

From the title, you can't tell which one I am referring to, because they are all hypocrits. I guess I need to become an independant. But even that has a downside. Maybe we can start the common sense party. Didn't that or something similar exist back in the day?

As I said, I have been working on this entry for a while, but never got around to writing it because I hated to admit it. But my cousin and consistent commenter on this blog sent me an email today pointing this all out. I couldn’t argue. So thanks Mike V for getting me to admit this.

I have to say, I have bee VERY disappointed in the Republican Party lately. Not that I disagree with their philosophy, nor do I disagree with their thoughts on how to get things done, but I do not like the hypocrites they have become.

They can disagree with the Miers nomination because they do not know how she would vote on Roe vs. Wade, BUT they can not vote against her because of how they think she would vote. This is exactly what they accused the Democrats of doing. They have always said the President gets to nominate, and as long as the candidate is qualified, the congress should approve, regardless of their viewpoints. They point out they voted for Ginsburg (sp?) even though she is so liberal communism looks good. But then they cause enough of a stink for force the withdrawal of Miers.

In addition to Miers, all these allegations and accusations going around about various Republicans, Delay and company, are also showing the hypocritical side of high and mighty Republicans. Yes, the democrats are out for blood and using everything they have to condemn Republicans and I think much of it is disgraceful. They should look at their own party as well. But truth should prevail and if the accusations are true, and a crime, then so be it. Perjury is a crime BTW.

The TRUTH is that both parties are hypocrites, most political figures are hypocrites, and we have become something our forefathers were trying to avoid. Like sports salaries, I fear we have reached a point of no return and I see no way out. God bless us all, or not as your party dictates when convenient for their selfish souls. Both will see each other in hell.

Unfortunately, I see the same thing happening with Christians in this country. Picking and choosing what they read in the bible and how they interpret it. Being a Christian I have had this argument with my Pastor without satisfactory response. But this is digressing, so I will write another entry on this at a later date…

JV

Harriet Miers Withdraws Her Supreme Court Nomination

2005-10-27T09:45:00.000-04:00

Well, I saw it coming, and I have to say I am embarrassed by my party. I have been concerned and formulating a blog entry for weeks now about how hypocritical the republican party has been... More in my next entry...

But first, the news...

Harriet Miers Withdraws Her Supreme Court Nomination

WASHINGTON -- Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to be a Supreme Court justice Thursday in the face of stiff opposition and mounting criticism about her qualifications.

President Bush said he reluctantly accepted her decision to withdraw, after weeks of insisting that he did not want her to step down. He blamed her withdrawal on calls in the Senate for the release of internal White House documents that the administration has insisted were protected by executive privilege.

Full story...

9 Things I Hate About Everyone

2005-10-25T11:55:00.000-04:00

I got this in email. Usually don't post, but this was pretty damn funny.

(thanks Robyn!)

9 Things I Hate About Everyone

1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?

2. People who are willing to get off their ass to search the entire room for the tv remote because they refuse to walk to the tv and change the channel manually.

3. When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". Damn right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?

4. When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they? Gonna Kick their asses!

5. When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No Loser, I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the damn floor.

6. People who ask "Can I ask you a question?".... Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya sunshine?

7. When something is 'new and improved!'. Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.

8. When people say "life is short". What the hell?? Life is the longest damn thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?

9. When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come yet?". If the bus came would I be standing here, dumbass?

New Staff, New Direction for NASA

2005-10-21T12:18:00.000-04:00

Can someone tell me why it will take untill 2020 to get someone to the moon, where we have already been? Don't we know the route? Use mapquest for God's sake and let's do it already...

It's not like you can't see it, just look out the window and head toward the medium sized white thing with craters... stay away from the flaming one...

You would think this was rocket science...

New Staff, New Direction for NASA
Shake-Up Is Part of Chief's Plan to Reach for the Moon (Again)

By Guy Gugliotta
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, October 21, 2005; A21

In his first seven months on the job, NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin has announced the replacement of eight of the agency's 14 top career civil servants, a mass beheading seldom seen in a city where the political folks are the ones who routinely get the ax.

Griffin is getting away with it because, unlike most new agency chiefs, he is not a stranger who arrived in town with a couple of trustworthy sidekicks, a head full of big ideas and no idea how to implement them.

The ideas are big enough: Griffin seeks nothing less than the transformation of NASA from an agency focused for 25 years on the space shuttle and the international space station, to a visionary enterprise rebuilt to implement President Bush's call to return humans to the moon by 2020 and eventually send them to Mars.

More...

LOST - Season 1 Musical Summary... OMG

2005-10-20T16:09:00.000-04:00

This is just too funny. If you are into LOST as I am, check this musical summary of season one done in flash. Thank god some people have too much time on their hands...

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/272811

Commander in Chief series readies America for Hillary

2005-10-17T13:42:00.000-04:00

I said this the day I saw the ad for the TV show. This is hollywood getting America ready for the Hillary run in 2008. Here are some interesting articles pointing out some facts...

Ex-Hillary Aides Feed 'Commander in Chief'

Tom Delay, What a politcal move huh?

2005-09-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

If this isn't THE most politcally motivated move I have ever seen. You libs will stop at nothing. There isn't even a charge here. There is no evidence stated to support it. It should never have made it past the guys mind never the less into the courts.

This will backfire like everything else those frustrated liberals are doing. I will write more about this as I gather the facts... for now... drop the resignation Delay and get back to work on these knuckleheads.

Good thing Bush was able to stop Hurricane Rita from causing as much damage in his home state of Texas as Katrina did in New Orleans... but I guess he just cared more... ;-)

Humans are doomed.

Roberts Confirmed... BUT!

2005-09-29T16:27:00.000-04:00

So, Roberts was confirmed. Voting was something like 78-22.

One could stop there. BUT, it seems this guy has an impeccable record. Not one person HAD a bad thing to say, until the hearings. Then we heard all kinds of untrue personal attacks as per usual from the usual crowd.

Give me a break, remember when the votes were like 98-0 and 97-0 for the last Republican and Democrate nominees years ago before the "Stop everything about Bush" crowd came in? Back then, the senate confirmed judges that were nominated by the sitting president overwhelmingly with no argument. It is the right of the president. The purpose to the hearings are to make sure he is a stand up guy, not what his political agenda is. That is a right EARNED by the president winning the election. (Yes, I know, Bush never won, now shut up!)

The following 22 people should NEVER be voted for. They do not want to help the country at all, they are politcally biased individuals (Being nice) who have their own best interests at heart. They are trying to solve nothing. I bet you can name most of them, but here is a list just in case.

Oh, and Hillary, if you should God forbid (uh oh, I mentioned God!) win in 2008, you better hope for a democratic senate if you want to get anything done. Actually, that won't be the case because republicans don't have it in them. They actaully want the country to succeed so they will do what needs to be done to make sure the happens.

Anyway, kick these bums out... I love NY, but Schumer and Clinton must go.

NO - 22 Democrats

Akaka, Hawaii

Bayh, Ind.

Biden, Del.

Boxer, Calif.

Cantwell, Wash.

Clinton, N.Y.

Corzine, N.J.

Dayton, Minn.

Durbin, Ill.

Feinstein, Calif.

Harkin, Iowa

Inouye, Hawaii

Kennedy, Mass.

Kerry, Mass.

Lautenberg, N.J.

Mikulski, Md.

Obama, Ill.

Reed, R.I.

Reid, Nev.

Sarbanes, Md.

Schumer, N.Y.

Stabenow, Mich.

Dems Woo Bill Clinton To Oppose Arnold

2005-09-17T11:34:00.000-04:00

So, let me get this straight. Hillary thinks she can win in NY so she buys a house in NY and is elected Senator by the morons in NY (I live in NY, I can say that! LOL)

Now, Bill will buy a house in CA so he can become Governor of CA. He doesn't want to be Governor, the article even says he can use this to raise millions for Hillary's run at the white house in '08! They don't care about all this folks! Hey, NY, Don't forget to vote for Hillary in '06 for Senator so she can leave if she becomes president in '08, God Forbid!.

From Newsmax.com - The last line is priceless...

Dems Woo Bill Clinton To Oppose Arnold

Enticed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plunging approval ratings, California Democrats are courting some heavy hitters to run against him next year - including Bill Clinton.

“We hear that major donors are reaching out to former President Clinton, once governor of Arkansas, to run,” Paul Bedard writes in his U.S. News & World Report column, Washington Whispers.

A Democratic strategist quoted by Bedard says: “On first blush, it might sound nuts. But he’d be governor of the fourth-largest economy in the world and have the ability to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for Hillary” if she ran for president.

Other potential candidates being considered include ex-Lakers star Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and activist actor Rob Reiner, aka "Meathead" of "All in the Family" fame.

Says Bedard: “Imagine a 'Meathead vs. Terminator' race in 2006.”

Quote of the Day - Sen. Mary Landrieu: I'll Still Punch Bush

2005-09-17T11:17:00.000-04:00

Considering much (not all) of this WAS the local Mayor and Governors fault, I think she better start putting on her boxing gloves... Hey, I just criticized the local officials... Come and get me Mary, I can use the money! One note, the local people who DID do the rescuing are heroes ms. Landrieu, but your Mayor and Governor got some splainin to do!

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Saturday, Sept. 17, 2005 9:44 a.m. EDT
Sen. Mary Landrieu: I'll Still Punch Bush

Sen. Mary Landrieu refused on Friday to withdraw or apologize for her threat to punch President Bush if he criticized Louisiana officials - despite Bush's magnanimous speech Thursday night and a federal downpayment of more than $60 billion dollars to rebuild her state.

"I do not take it back, I don't apologize for it. I said I would punch anybody, including the president," she told the Chicago Tribune.

"Though threatening the president is a crime," the Tribune noted - "the Secret Service took it as a joke and the White House brushed off her remarks."

Standing in the Capitol, however, Landrieu made it clear she wasn't joking.

"These local officials were heroes," she contended, before saying she meant every word of her threat.

Appearing on ABC's "This Week" four days after Katrina's floodwaters swamped New Orleans, Landrieu complained: "If one person criticizes [Louisiana], or says one more thing, including the president of the United States, he will hear from me - one more word about it after this show airs and I - I might likely have to punch him - literally."

After saying she stood by her ugly comments, the Louisiana Democrat also offered praise for the president on Friday, saying the Katrina reconstruction plan he outlined in his speech was "innovative and bold."

NASA to Unveil Plans to Send 4 Astronauts to Moon in 2018

2005-09-16T16:21:00.000-04:00

NASA to Unveil Plans to Send 4 Astronauts to Moon in 2018
By Brian Berger
Space News Staff Writer
posted: 14 September 2005
6:43 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON – NASA briefed senior White House officials Wednesday on its plan to spend $100 billion and the next 12 years building the spacecraft and rockets it needs to put humans back on the Moon by 2018.

The U.S. space agency now expects to roll out its lunar exploration plan to key Congressional committees on Friday and to the broader public through a news conference on Monday, Washington sources tell SPACE.com.

More info...

And in a related story...

Senate Approves $16.4 Billion Budget for NASA
By Brian Berger
Space News Staff Writer
posted: 15 September 2005
6:07 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate approved a $200 million budget increase for NASA Thursday, giving the U.S. space agency most of the funding it needs to get started on a new lunar exploration plan to be unveiled Monday.

The NASA funding was approved as part of a $48.9 billion spending bill that also funds the Justice and Commerce Departments. Of that amount, NASA would receive $16.4 billion for 2006, about $60 million less than the agency requested but $200 million more than it had to spend this year.

More Info...

Quote of the day - 'PULL OUR TROOPS OUT OF OCCUPIED NEW ORLEANS'

2005-09-16T16:05:00.000-04:00

In the words of Laura Ingraham - "Shut Up and Sing!" (or act, or whatever!) Reprinted from The Drudge Report CINDY SHEEHAN CALLS FOR U.S TO 'PULL OUR TROOPS OUT OF OCCUPIED NEW ORLEANS' Mon Sep 12 2005 12:42:11 ET Celebrity anti-war protester, fresh off inking a lucrative deal with Speaker's Bureau, has demanded at MICHAEL MOORE'S website that the United States military must immediately leave 'occupied' New Orleans. "I don't care if a human being is black, brown, white, yellow or pink. I don't care if a human being is Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or pagan. I don't care what flag a person salutes: if a human being is hungry, then it is up to another human being to feed him/her. George Bush needs to stop talking, admit the mistakes of his all around failed administration, pull our troops out of occupied New Orleans and Iraq, and excuse his self from power. The only way America will become more secure is if we have a new administration that cares about Americans even if they don't fall into the top two percent of the wealthiest." Sheehan, whose writings can also be found at the HUFFINGTON POST blog, is in the middle of a bus trip across America in support of her cause.

Air America Hosts: Farrakhan Not Wrong on Levees

2005-09-16T15:33:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from NewsMax.com

Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 1:13 a.m. EDT

Air America Hosts: Farrakhan Not Wrong on Levees

Two hosts at the liberal radio network Air America are defending Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan - saying he's not wrong to suspect that white people deliberately blew up the levees in New Orleans.

"You cannot blame people for coming up with conspiracy theories," Air America host Chuck D. said, after he was asked Thursday about the paranoid pronouncement by MSNBC's Tucker Carlson.

"They look on television and see that the government is four days late in saving people [who are] supposed to be their citizens," Chuck D. explained.

Carlson gave him a second chance to denounce Farrakhan's lunatic declaration, saying, "You're a smart guy. You know that white people didn't blow up the levees to kill black people. You've gotta know that didn't happen."

But the Air America host refused to budge, insisting instead that there was a chance Farrakhan could be right.

"I can't say unless I know for sure what's the actual facts and what's actually false," the rapper-turned-talk host said.

Carlson tried a third time, telling Chuck D.: "Look, I can say for certain that it was not a white conspiracy. White people did not blow up the levee to kill black people."

Still, the radio lefty wouldn't denounce Farrakhan's poisonous rant, saying only, "I don't think it's a person at fault but I think the system needs revamping."

After failing to persuade Chuck D., the MSNBC host turned to panelist Rachel Maddow, who also hosts a show on Air America.

Asked if she believed that white people deliberately destroyed the levees, Maddow declined to render a personal judgment - and instead defended the sentiment behind the toxic hypothesis.

"Conspiracy theories don't necessarily help but you have to understand where they come from," she told Carlson. "They come from people feeling like this disaster had a real racial component. I mean, it was a majority-black city that was absolutely abandoned by the country."

On Monday, Farrakhan uncorked his ugly theory, telling a North Carolina audience: "I heard from a very reliable source who saw a 25 foot deep crater under the levee breach. It may have been blown up to destroy the black part of town and keep the white part dry."

Unreal... Pledge Unconstitutional!

2005-09-14T16:51:00.000-04:00

I have no comment... It speaks for itself...

Judge: School Pledge Is Unconstitutional

By DAVID KRAVETS, Associated Press Writer

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

(09-14) 13:43 PDT San Francisco (AP) --

A federal judge declared the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools unconstitutional Wednesday, a decision that could put the divisive issue on track for another round of Supreme Court arguments.

The case was brought by the same atheist whose previous battle against the words "under God" was rejected last year by the Supreme Court on procedural grounds.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton ruled that the pledge's reference to one nation "under God" violates school children's right to be "free from a coercive requirement to affirm God."

Karlton said he was bound by precedent of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which in 2002 ruled in favor of Sacramento atheist Michael Newdow that the pledge is unconstitutional when recited in public schools.

Full Article...

Not sure how I feel about this... I am still married!

2005-09-14T15:36:00.000-04:00

Perhaps it should be called the liberal...
Luckily I am not a violent person! LOL

"THE EX"
5 PC. STAINLESS STEEL KNIVES WITH UNIQUE CATHARTIC HOLDER

A radical alternative to the typical block o' wood!

Get the Ex!

Available at CSB Commodities

Embattled Brown Taken Off Katrina Duty

2005-09-09T16:07:00.000-04:00

Embattled Brown Taken Off Katrina Duty
Sep 09 3:39 PM US/Eastern

By LARA JAKES JORDAN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON

Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown, the principal target of harsh criticism of the Bush administration's response to Hurricane Katrina, was relieved of his onsite command Friday.

He will be replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen, who was overseeing New Orleans relief, recovery and rescue efforts, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announced.

Earlier, Brown confirmed the switch. Asked if he was being made a scapegoat for a federal relief effort that has drawn widespread and sharp criticism, Brown told The Associated Press after a long pause: "By the press, yes. By the president, no."

Full Story...

Hurricane Katrina - Where to Point the Fingers

2005-09-09T15:33:00.000-04:00

See my comments in my previous post... but here is a "professional" point of view.

Where to Point the Fingers

By Charles Krauthammer

Friday, September 9, 2005; Page A25

In less enlightened times there was no catastrophe independent of human agency. When the plague or some other natural disaster struck, witches were burned, Jews were massacred and all felt better (except the witches and Jews).

A few centuries later, our progressive thinkers have progressed not an inch. No fall of a sparrow on this planet is not attributed to sin and human perfidy. The three current favorites are: (1) global warming, (2) the war in Iraq and (3) tax cuts. Katrina hits and the unholy trinity is immediately invoked to damn sinner-in-chief George W. Bush.

Read the FULL Washington Post COLUMN Here...

Hurricane Katrina - New Orleans

2005-09-09T14:23:00.000-04:00

I waited a while to get the full grasp of the situation before writing. I wanted to make sure I understood what transpired and what didn't. Here are my comments.

911 was not a tragedy. It was a terrorist attack and an act of war.
Katrina was a tragedy. It was no one's fault that it happened (the hurricane).

What transpired in the aftermath of the hurricane is a disgrace. Obviously, we were not prepared, however, we should have been. This horror these Americans went through was not one persons fault, it was a problem with the system. It was a problem with how it was dealt with. It was a problem caused by ALL involved, not just 1 or 2 people and certainly the blame should not fall squarely at the national level.

Here are some facts, these may differ from those printed in the news.

The Red Cross had trucks waiting at the superdome prior to the hurricane with food, water, supplies, etc... They were not allowed in after the hurricane because the Louisiana Department of Homeland Security (State level)

The Mayor of New Orleans had school buses ready to go to evacuate those that couldn't get out because they didn't have the means to. He refused those buses because they weren't grey hound coaches.

Many people refused to leave in spite of being told to. Whose fault is that? Yes, many had no means to leave. See comment above.

The federal government did not move fast enough. But neither did the state.

The storm's track kept changing. Originally, this level 1 storm was supposed to hit the pan handle of Florida after crossing Florida originally. However, it shifted, built up to a level 4, nearly a 5, and aimed for LA. Then it shifted slightly so New Orleans didn't get the center. Plans were made. Then the levy's broke. New plans were made, then the news of the massive destruction hit. Things took too long. There is no denying.

People made mistakes, it is a sad fact but true. However it was not because the people were black or poor or both. Why does Oprah, Jesse Jackson, and the rest of the Bush haters insist on making everything a race issue. Much to contrary belief, not everything bad that happens to African Americans is based on race. Help the people Oprah as you have attempted to do. Then let's find out what happened and why and fix it. Politicizing this issue is just plain wrong.

Bush did not cause the hurricane to hit New Orleans. The cause was not due to global warming and Bush couldn't have stopped this from happening if he only would have stopped global warming. Please someone stop this already!

In 2002, I forget who, I think a senator, wrote about a day when this EXACT thing would happen in New Orleans. He warned us all. No one listened. When I say exact, I mean exact. He wrote back then as if he were standing there today watching what was happening. I will try to get a copy of that.

Finally, what transpired in the superdome and surrounding area was pure evil. While I can almost see a reason to steal food, clothing, and other basic needs at a time like this when no one can get any, there is NEVER an excuse for raping children, stealing TV's, lighting fires, shooting people, etc. Never. Period.

America, learn your lessons. Let nothing like this EVER happen again, to anyone.

Six Feet Under - The End

2005-08-27T18:10:00.000-04:00

I know, about a week late. I was in mourning.

The final episode ever of Six Feet Under was absolutely amazing. The very end, showing all the deaths of the whole cast was genious. The best show ever ended as the best show ever. It couldn't have had a better ending!

I dressed in black on Monday. My wife cried for 2 days. It really had an impact with many people I spoke to...

The End!

Voter Suppression? Hmmm...

2005-08-12T10:24:00.000-04:00

OK, so my cousin, well meaning but misguided democrat send me an email link to a news story about Bush and the RNC paying for the lawyer fees for a Bush official who is accused of election tampering. That link is here if you want to read it. I agree with Mike that WE shouldn't pay for this, unless he is found innocent. Does seem a little hypocritical.

BUT, now I have to share an email I received from the RNC Political Director Michael DuHaime!

August 11, 2005
Dear John,

I wrote to you in May about the lengths to which Democrats went in an attempt to influence the outcome of the 2004 elections, specifically, the Washington State Governor's race. Our Republican candidate, Dino Rossi, actually won the election, and then the recount, before then Democrat-controlled King County "found" 566 new votes just in time for a second recount, enough to overturn the results of Election Day and the first recount. The judge who presided over the court case that followed, actually said "this election may not be set aside simply because the number of fraudulent votes exceeds the margin of victory" when he issued his ruling against the Republican challenge.

Now, The American Center for Voting Rights Legislative Fund (ACVR Legislative Fund), a non-partisan, non-profit organization has released a new report documenting how thousands of Americans were disenfranchised during the 2004 elections because paid Democrat operatives were heavily involved in voter intimidation and suppression.

A few of examples include:

Coordinated efforts by certain "non-partisan" organizations to disrupt the election process in at least 12 states through voter registration fraud

Democrat operatives convicted for tire-slashing on GOP election day vans in Milwaukee

An Ohio court order stopping Democrat operatives from calling Republican voters telling them the wrong date for the election, and location for polling places

The report also indicated that the following were the top 5 "hot spots" in the nation for voter fraud:

1. Philadelphia, PA
2. Milwaukee, WI
3. Seattle, WA
4. St. Louis, MO/East St. Louis, IL
5. Cleveland, OH

We encourage you to view the ACVR report in it's entirety at www.ac4vr.com and forward this to your friends and family.

Fight back today by calling talk radio and writing letters to the editor describing the Democrats' efforts to undermine American's voting system.

Sincerely,

Michael DuHaime
RNC Political Director

Republican National Committee | 310 First Street, SE | Washington, DC 20003
p: 202.863.8500 | f: 202.863.8820 | e: info@gop.com

Paid for by the Republican National Committee Not Authorized By Any Candidate Or Candidate Committee - www.gop.com

Boston Legal Alert

2005-08-10T12:58:00.000-04:00

In a world of war, famine, gay marriage, abortion, etc... We turn to the important stories!

BOSTON LEGAL IS BACK ON TV! Only on Tuesday Nights!

Of course I am being sarcastic before I get some ridiculous comments and emails...

However, BL is one of my favorite shows. It kind of just disappeared months back with no sign of what happened. Seemingly it was replaced with another great show, Grey's Anatomy! Although Grey's is great, it shouldn't replace Boston Legal... Find another slot for one of them! I know ABC wanted to have Desperate Housewives lead into these new shows... but they can hold their own... have one of them as a lead in to another show on another night...

What a year for ABC really. Extreme home makeover, Desperate Housewives, Grey's anatomy, Boston Legal, and that was only Sunday Nights... Looks like ABC is Back!

I know this is old news... but had to bring it up! BL is one of the funniest shows with serious undertones I have ever seen. That juxtaposition alone makes the show great. Give it a chance!

Keeper

2005-08-09T12:19:00.000-04:00

Rarely do I post those internet emails... but I thought this one inspiring enough to reprint...

Keeper

I grew up in the 40s/50s with practical parents.
A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it.
She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it...
A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused.
Their best friends lived barely a wave away.
I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and
Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other.
It was the time for fixing things.
A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy.
All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.
Waste meant affluence.
Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my mother died,
and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room,
I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up
and goes away... never to return.
So... while we have it... it's best we love it.... and care for it...
and fix it when it's broken...... and heal it when it's sick.

This is true. for marriage..... and old cars.... and children with bad report cards.....
and dogs with bad hips.... and aging parents..... and grandparents.
We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.
Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important,
like people we know who are special.....
and so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper',
so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way..
Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life
Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Keep them close!

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY.

1... God won't ask what kind of car you drove.
He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2... God won't ask the square footage of your house,
He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet,
He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4... God won't ask what your highest salary was.
He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5... God won't ask what your job title was.
He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6... God won't ask how many friends you had.
He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7... God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived,
He'll ask how you treated your neighbours.

8... God won't ask about the colour of your skin,
He'll ask about the content of your character.

9... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation.
He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10... God won't have to ask how many people you forwarded this to,
He already knows your decision.

Author Unknown

Six Feet Under - 2 Episodes Left!

2005-08-08T13:58:00.000-04:00

Wow, not only was Nate's funeral a depressing episode, but I am starting to really feel sad about only have 2 episodes of this great show left. Finally the writing is getting back on track, the show is awesome, and the acting superb, yet the show will be gone. I think we need to have a funeral for the show!

That would be a great final episode party! A funeral theme...

OK, you are all invited, I am having one! August 21st...

This needs no comment... it stands alone!

2005-08-04T14:06:00.000-04:00

$104,655.60 Ad in the Washington Post

Here is someone with the money to fund a rebuttal to what Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee Chairman, said recently that many Republicans have never done an honest day's work in their life. The following full page ad was placed in the Washington Post by a businessman named George J. Esseff, Sr. He paid $104,655.60 to run the ad and only did it because he is sick and tired of the way that "the rich" are portrayed by liberals these days. It is a great read.

You're a Republican???

In today’s America, ask a growing number of high school and college students; their teachers and professors; the self-anointed media elite and/or hard working men and women of all ethnicities, the question, "What is a Republican?", and you'll be told ". . . a rich, greedy, egotistical individual, motivated only by money and the desire to accumulate more and more of it, at the expense of the environment . . . the working poor and all whom they exploit . . ."

I am a Republican . . . I am none of those things . . . and I don’t know any Republicans who are.

WHAT I AM . . . first and foremost, is a loving husband of some 52 plus years, the father of four and an American who's proud of his country. . . and his country's heritage.

WHAT I AM . . . is the grandson of immigrants who risked everything, including their lives and those of their children, to escape tyranny in search of freedom.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who grew up during the Depression and witnessed, first hand, the effects of the Stock Market crash and the soup lines that followed. I watched as both my parents and grand parents, who had very little themselves, share what food they had with a half dozen other families, who had even less.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who worked his way through college by holding down three and four jobs at a time and then used that education to build a better life.

WHAT I AM . . . is a husband who, at age 24, started his own business for the “privilege” of working 60, 70 and 80 hours a week, risking everything I had, including my health, in search of a better life for myself and my loved ones.

WHAT I AM . . . is a businessman whose blood, sweat and tears . . . and plenty of them . . . made it possible for me to provide a secure living, not only for my family and myself, but also for literally hundreds of my employees throughout the years. Employees, who in turn, were able to buy their own homes, raise their own families and give back to their communities and their country.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who believes in God; a God who has blessed this country . . . and all for which it stands.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who knows, if you doubt miracles exist in today’s world, you need only to look into the face of those who received them . . . and the eyes of those who give them.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who's proud that his President embraces a belief in God; proud of a President who understands, as "politically incorrect" as it may be, there is evil in this world and for the security and safety of all freedom loving people everywhere, it must be confronted . . . and it must be defeated.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who takes comfort in the knowledge that our President refuses to allow decisions concerning the very safety and security of this nation, to be governed by the political whims of foreign governments.

WHAT I AM . . . is tired of hearing from leading Democrats who see only negativity in America; racism in her people; class warfare in her society and "political incorrectness" in her character.

WHAT I AM . . . is a former democrat who now understands that it is the soldier and not the reporter that guarantees us our freedoms of press, speech and dissent.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who believes in the sanctity of life. A man who is repulsed by the pandering of the political left for votes, at the expense of the unborn.

WHAT I AM . . . is a husband and father who believes in the sanctity of marriage and the preservation of the family unit.

WHAT I AM . . . is a movie go-er who is repulsed by those insecure, socially inept, elementary thinking, ego-inflated "entertainers" who have appointed themselves "experts" in the fields of national security and geo-politics and then use their forum to attack this nation, its leaders and its actions . . . much to the delight and encouragement of our enemies.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who understands the difference between "censorship" and "choice". Evidently, these individuals do not, because when these same "celebrities" receive public ridicule for their offensive actions, the first thing they yell is "Censorship!". What they seem incapable of understanding is . . . the right of free speech and dissent is shared equally by those offended . . . as well as those who offend. I support and will continue to support those films and performers whom I choose to . . . and refuse to support those I don't. It is my right as an American . . . a right I will continue to enthusiastically exercise.

WHAT I AM . . . is a voter, tired of politicians, who, every time their voting records are subjected to public scrutiny, try to divert attention from their political and legislative failures by accusing their opponents of "attack ads" and "negative campaigning" . . . and the news media who allow them to get away with it.

WHAT I AM . . . is a Catholic who loves his God and his Faith . . . and who's been taught to respect all religions whose teachings are based in love, peace and charity. As such, I am embarrassed and ashamed of those individuals, in both private and public life, whose decisions and actions are devoid of any sense of character or morals; individuals who are only driven by what's best for them . . . rather than what's right . . . often times at the expense of many . . . including our national security.

WHAT I AM . . . is a realist who understands that the terrorist attack that murdered hundreds of innocent Russian children could have occurred here, in our heartland. That's why I sincerely believe America needs now, more than ever, a President who sees with a clear and focused vision and who speaks with a voice when heard by both friend and foe alike, is understood, respected and believed.

WHAT I AM . . . is eternally grateful to Ronald Reagan for having the bravery to speak out against Communism and the courage of his convictions in leading the fight to defeat it; and George W. Bush for the vision, courage, conviction and leadership he has shown in America's war on terrorism amidst both the constant and vicious, personal and political attacks both he and his family are made to endure.

WHAT I AM . . . is a human being, full of numerous faults and failures, but a man nonetheless, who, though not always successful, has continually strived to do "what's right" instead of "what's easy". A man who is challenging the religious leaders of all faiths, to not only preach to their congregations the fundamentals of "what's right" and "what's wrong", but to also then hold them accountable for their actions in both the public and private sectors.

WHAT I AM . . . is disgusted with the Courts who, on one hand, call the murder of a pregnant woman a "double homicide" but then refer to the abortion of her baby as, "pro-choice".

WHAT I AM . . . is someone deeply troubled by a political party which embraces a candidate whose primary "leadership" qualities center around his protesting of the Vietnam war and his labeling the honorable men and women who fought in it, (50,000 of whom gave their lives in that action), as rapists, and war criminals. That same political party then stepped forward this year to block the appearance of a true Vietnam war hero, retired Admiral and former United States Senator, Jeremiah Denton, (a man who spent seven years and seven torturous months in a North Vietnam prison), from speaking before an open session of the California legislature as part of that state's 4th of July celebration. The reason Democrats gave for refusing to allow this American hero to speak before their state legislature was because of the "conservative" nature of his views. As an American, that troubles me deeply . . . as well it should you.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who feels the need to spend, $104,655.60 (tax paid) of his own money, to purchase this advertisement, in order to set the story straight. Some may say this money would have been better spent feeding the world's poor. At the risk of sounding self-serving, as an American and as a Republican, for the last six decades of my life, I have done exactly that . . . and more. Following the examples of my parents and grand parents, I have used my earnings to feed the poor, shelter the homeless, provide housing for the elderly and medical care for the sick . . . and continue to do so . . . and I'm not alone in that work.

WHAT I AM . . . is someone who is paying for this announcement, at my sole expense, in hopes of opening the eyes of those led blindly by ill-informed elements of our great nation, who, through either ignorance, or malicious intent, repeatedly attack and belittle those of us who belong to a political party that holds true to the belief, " . . . the rights of the governed, exceed the power of the government". For those interested, I am speaking only as a tax-paying individual who is in no way associated with The Republican National Committee, nor with any of its directors, or delegates.

WHAT I AM . . . is a man who understands, "the American way of life" is a message of self-empowerment for all.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who is grateful that our nation gives each of us the opportunity of self-determination and the right to benefit from the fruits of self achievement.

WHAT I AM . . . is an American who wants to preserve that way of life for all who seek it.

WHAT I AM . . . is blessed to be an American . . . and proud to be Republican.

For a free reprint of this "Open Letter," go to www.whatiam.net

Amen!!!!

Stem Cell Research

2005-08-02T15:39:00.000-04:00

A couple of days late from the news... but if you see my posts, you will see I haven't been on in a while. Sorry fans! LOL

Anyway, YES I THINK I DISAGREE WITH BUSH! SHOCKING I KNOW!

I understand the principles behind his reasoning. But I don't think I can agree! This isn't as cut and dry as he is making it out to be. I honestly don't know enough about it to comment properly so will do some research and post again at later time. But just know, I DO HAVE MY OWN BRAIN... LOL

Six Feet Under and TV

2005-08-02T15:32:00.000-04:00

Well, I just watched the latest episode (60) of Six Feet Under. WOW!

Finally, a great episode!

Can someone tell me what is up with HBO? They have these great shows... (Soprano's, 6FU, etc...) then they screw them up. This show has been hit or miss for years. I keep with it because in general it is a great show. Maybe it just depends on the writer and director for that week? Not to mention the rediculous waits for each season.

I haven't watched the Soprano's in 2 years really. Last season not at all and the season before sporadically. If you watch season 1, then later seasons, they are like 2 different shows. Horrible!

Speaking of TV. I never watched Monk (USA Network) until a marathon was playing July 4th I think. Now I don't miss it. Another really good show and Monk (not sure of the actor's name, sorry) deserves an emmy every year!

Other than that, summer TV Sucks...

Schiavo-like Woman in Recovery Miracle

2005-05-14T21:34:00.000-04:00

I am trying to drop the Schiavo thing... but I have to at least mention this.

Schiavo-like Woman in Recovery Miracle

A severely brain-damaged Kansas woman who couldn't talk or feed herself after a car accident two years ago has inexplicably regained those abilities, confounding the predictions of doctors.

So you may say, ok, but that was only 2 years...

Just before Schiavo's feeding tube was disconnected in March by court order,
another woman, Sarah Scantlin, 38, unexpectedly began recovering from a severe
brain injury that left her speechless and unable to feed herself for 20 years.

Scantlin is now able to eat on her own and answer questions from
physical therapists.

Scientifically Wrong, But Politically Correct

2005-05-14T21:26:00.000-04:00

Sorry, haven't posted in a while. Had to take care of some personal stuff... but I am back... so let's start off with some controversial topics... how about this.

Scientifically Wrong, But Politically Correct
Friday, May 13, 2005
By Joanne Jacobs

Science textbooks are riddled with junk science, but they're always politically correct, writes
Pamela Winnick in the Weekly Standard.

Thus, a chapter on climate in a fifth-grade science textbook in the
Discovery Works series, published by Houghton Mifflin (2000), opens with a
Native American explanation for the changing seasons: "Crow moon is the name
given to spring because that is when the crows return. April is the month of
Sprouting Grass Moon." Students meander through three pages of Algonquin lore
before they learn that climate is affected by the rotation and tilt of Earth —
not by the return of the crows.

Reponse to comments on previous "Dean and TV" blog posting

2005-04-20T22:55:00.000-04:00

I felt this important enough to devote another posting to. In my previous post on Dean feeling the most important issue on the minds of America is TV, Mike V made a comment as follows:

According to this exit poll, people who voted in the last election felt these were the most important issues:
Moral Values (22%)
Economy/Jobs (20%)
Terrorism (19%)
Iraq (15%)
Health Care(8%)
Taxes (5%)
Education (4%)
Personally I think Americans are a bit misguided based on these poll results. The chances of dying in a terrorist attack are very, very, very slim. However the chances of getting ill are very, very, great and more of a priority should be placed on ensuring health care for Americans.

Once again I feel the need to set the misguided liberals straight, hopefully on the right path. This list is actually interesting. I will deal with that and healthcare in future postings.

Mike, Health Care is an important issue. But above terrorism? About your comment about your chance of dying in a terrorist attack being very, very, very slim; Terrorism is not totally about death. Actually, quite the opposite.

Terrorism:

Is about life. It is about the quality of life we wish to live in this country.
Is about fear. Having to live under the constant fear that you or someone you know of love may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Is about love. Your love for others, even beyond yourself and loved ones. It is about love for Americans, and humans all over the world. It is about love for this country. The country that allows you to have what you have where we don't stand for this kind of nonsense.
Is about death. The death of even one person, whether you know that person or not. Because that one person could be anyone. You may or may not know, but why does that matter?
Is about terror. Because you know that somehow, someway, more attacks will come. Maybe killing 5 in a car bomb. Maybe killing 5 more in another and another. Maybe 3000 by flying a plane into a building of innocent hardworking Americans. Maybe 10,000 by some dirty nuclear device in NYC or LA or Chicago. And when it happens the terror this country will live in, as we did before, for days, weeks, months, years, will only build. And your life will change.
Is about anger. The anger we feel that we could have done something to prevent it, but didn't. The anger that we can no longer lead our lives as we once did. The anger that the very thing that makes this country so great, is supposedly the excuse used to want kill us.
Is about hate. The level of hate that others in this world have for freedom, because they don't have it. The hate for the pure evil in this world. The hate I have for myself because I hate those cowards who are evil enough to prey on those who can't defend themselves and for no reason at all, and in the name of something that is supposed to be pure love.
Is about change. The change in our economy. The change in how we live. The change in our outlook.

So, do I think I will die in the next attack?

Honestly, I don't know. The chance is slim you say, but I am not so sure that to be the case. I knew someone who was coming out of the subway, and almost got hit by a falling wheel from the plane. I knew a few personally who got out alive, but we didn't know it for quite some time. I knew people who lost their jobs and whose lives were turned upside down. I knew people who's families were torn apart because a spouse or parent died. I know how I felt that day watching it on TV and knowing my wife was stuck in the city and fearing other attacks near where she was. I know the sadness I felt for the world. I wasn't worried about myself that day. I felt fairly safe where I was, I wasn't worried about me. I was worried about others, and I was worried about the unsecure future of my family, my state, my country, and my world.

Perhaps you are right. The odds of me dying in a terrorist attack is probably slim. Let me tell you a little story that hit me pretty hard a fairly long time ago:

I always assumed this was an episode of the twilight zone. Turns out after some research it wasn't. Instead it was from a similar show that I still haven't found the name of. But here is the story.

A man knocks on the door of a couple's home. Seems like a door-to-door salesman (for those of you old enough to know what I am talking about) and he starts his pitch. He hands the couple a box. Very plain, with nothing on it except a button. No wires, nothing. (Remember, this was black and white, before wireless anything).

Anyway, the couple is asked if they want to be rich. They say yes of course and the man tells them they can be millionaires. They will receive 1 million dollars. All they have to do is press the button on that box. The catch? If they press the button on the box, someone they DO NOT KNOW will die, but they will receive the 1 million dollars.

The man departs and tells them he will be back in 1 week to pick up the box. Explains if they press the button, they will know and there is no way to unpress it. But he reassures them not to worry, they will not know the person who dies.

The couple argues for a week about pressing the button. The wife wants to, but the husband doesn't. You see the torture on her face each night as she tries to convince herself, and him, it would be ok. After all, what do they really care, it isn't anyone they know. The night before the man is scheduled to return, she presses the button. Nothing seems to happen that she can tell so she rationalizes that she did the right thing. The husband is furious.

The man returns and hands her a check for 1 million dollars and starts to leave. She stops him and asks what will happen to the box now? His answer: "Well, it will be given to someone else. I can assure you, it will be given to someone you don't know!"

So, Mike. Healthcare? An important issue, I agree. Above terrorism? I may have a greater chance of getting sick, but I will take that chance.

My chance of dying in an attack slim? Yes, probably is. That doesn't mean others won't and therefore I should not be concerned. If you want to look at is as which has the greater impact, which is really what your point is, I think I answered your question.

Quote of the week: 4/14/05 Howard Dean on Fear

2005-04-19T23:53:00.000-04:00

A quote from USA TODAY Article:

"People in economic distress and harmed by the economic policies of the Republicans continue to vote Republican," he said. "It's because we're not addressing the central underlying fears of people" when it comes to the pressures they feel in raising families.

"Most of the people I know with children are worried about what's on television," he said, including the "appropriateness of time slots" for certain shows. "We need to be concerned" about that.

Really? Way to stay in touch with America there Howie. TV Times Slots certain tops my list of "fears"!!! Of course numbers 2 - 6 would be in no particular order:

Terrorism
Inflation
Education
Social Security
Border Control
Gangs
etc. etc. etc.

But absolutely, TV would be at the top of my list... PLEASE PLEASE LIBERALS, ARE YOU LISTENING... NOMINATE DEAN ON '08, OR EVEN A CLINTON/DEAN TICKET WOULD BE GREAT!

Thanks to Mike V for point out this nonsense to me on his liberal blog. Credit where credit is due...

USA Article is here.

The Fear of Fox! Oh, PUHLEEEEZE

2005-04-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

Fox's Sandstorm

By William Raspberry

Monday, April 18, 2005; Page A17 - The Washington Post

The in-your-face right-wing partisanship that marks Fox News Channel's news broadcasts is having two dangerous effects.

What? The truth may be heard? Free speech may mean hearing an opposing viewpoint?

The first is that the popularity of the approach -- Fox is clobbering its direct competition (CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, etc.) -- leads other cable broadcasters to mimic it, which in turn debases the quality of the news available to that segment of the TV audience.

WELL!!! How dare they, we can't have that now can we?... Oh, no! Competition for the left wing bias of the "real" news media!

The second, far more dangerous, effect is that it threatens to destroy public confidence in all news.

Huh? I thought Dan Rather did that? Hmmmm... Call me crazy! ( I know, I am setting myself up... go ahead, take the shot! )

Read the full article if you must read this dribble! Notice, I am telling where to find the full story, not just giving you my side. I believe we all should get both sides of a story, research, and draw your own conclusions... Of course the left just thinks you should hear their side. No need for an opposing viewpoint.

Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany Is New Pope

2005-04-19T13:06:00.000-04:00

On second day of the conclave, a new Pope is chosen...

Cardinal Ratzinger of Germany Is New Pope

Rangel - WRONG: Rangel: Bush 'Impeachable' for Social Security 'Fraud'

2005-04-14T13:22:00.000-04:00

This is absolutely Rangel at his worst.

The top Dem said that Bush's suggestion for social security reform is an "Impeachable offense"!

Since when is a suggestion and plan impeachable? At least he has a plan Mr. Rangel. What is your plan? I vaguely remember you thought SS needed reform when Clinton was President? But I see no plan, only lies that now it is suddenly not in need of repair. Could it be because congress is not part of the SS System? What a shock. See how fast SS Reform happens if we lump congress into the system.

His plan may not be perfect, but it is a plan and gives people a choice. No one will force anyone to use the new benefits if they want to stay in the old plan. So how is this "a fraud"?

Even worse, Rangel is playing the race card. This new plan is racist according to Rangel. Hmm... Let's help the minorities AND whites get more money for retirement OR keep the minorities on the welfare roles by keeping them down and not changing anything. Mr. Rangel, how about we spend some money on helping them get off welfare instead of just giving them money without help of improving their lives... I know, we can't have that happening now can we, you may lose some votes.

See the full story...

Filibustering - hypocrite of the week award: Chuck Schumer

2005-04-13T23:56:00.000-04:00

The obstructionist movement by the left is unbelievable, and has no merit according to the constitution when it comes to nominees. But aside from that, I can not tell you how many times I ran into someone on the left who during the election had an "anyone but Bush" attitude and couldn't even tell me who John Kerry was! But, they were voting for him. "Anyone but Bush" they would say.

Then I started meeting people who were actually made the countries economy was turning around. They didn't want Bush getting the credit. Now there is the difference. The Left will sacrifice us all for the sake of a vote. Unreal really!

Back in 2000, Clinton complained because the republicans didn't like one of his court appointees. He blamed the fact that the guy was Hispanic. First, this is a sad excuse. Bush has tried to appoint more minorities into high positions then any other president. The left are the ones who are now blocking those. No one is saying you should vote for and approve unqualified people. You don't like them, argue, and vote against them. But this filibuster thing is wrong. America voted, republicans are in the majority. If the constitution calls for a majority vote and not 2/3, so be it. Americans have spoken and elected those they wanted to represent them. We are a representative government.

This brings us to the Senior Senator from my home state of New York being my vote for hypocrite of the week!

Senator Schumer's Hypocritical Protest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tracey Schmitt
202-863-8614

"Senator Schumer's unequivocal support for Democratic efforts to filibuster qualified judicial nominees is nothing more than partisan politicking. When President Clinton sent a nominee to the Senate, Senator Schumer cited the Senate's Constitutional mandate, to provide a vote. It's disappointing that Senator Schumer's correct interpretation of the Constitution only applies when it suits his political agenda."

- Tracey Schmitt, Press Secretary

The Proof...

My Basic Philosophy

2005-04-08T21:05:00.000-04:00

Because of my recent "enlightenment", my dear cousin is a hard core liberal, I decided it was time to lay out and explain my basic philosophies. I think it will help all to see where I am coming from. I will constantly update and repost this as my general thoughts change or I think of something new to say.

Yes, I consider myself a conservative. Technically, I would say I am a "compassionate conservative", but I hate that term. It implies conservatives are not compassionate and that is simply not true. With that said, I do not just spew forth conservative viewpoints just because they are conservative, nor do I agree with everything President Bush, Republican pundents, or Conservative talk show hosts say or do.

I take each issue on its own merits. To be honest, I consider myself more moderate leaning to the right. It just happens that my general philosophy puts me with the conservatives most of the time. With that in mind, I don't like extremism in any direction. I don't like black and white answers. Some, like Rush, considers that thinking weak and having a lack of conviction. I consider it not being a stubborn bore.

Some philosophical examples:

I don't agree with Bush on stem cell research.
Although I am against abortion, I don't take the cut and dry stance of "no abortion ever for any reason."
The gay issue is a tough one. I honestly am not sure where I stand because I don't have the answers to the questions I need answered to make an informed decision. From a Christian point of view, I don't agree with gay marriage. Strictly biblically speaking, homesexuality is a sin. From a personal point of view, I don't see how it really affects heterosexuals much either way. I think that people should be able to live life as they wish without interference as long as they aren't hurting anyone else or themselves.
When in doubt, err on the side of life.
Seperation of Church and State means there is no state sponsored religion, NOT that one can't be free to pray in school or display religious items in public area's. If that offends you, tough shit, get over it.
Atheists have a right to not believe just as much as we have a right to believe. However, just as they do not want us preaching to them, don't come preaching to us.
I am a Christian, (Lutheran) and as such believes in helping others. Most Christians (and conservatives) believe that. Contrary to popular believe. Where we differ is HOW to help them. One example, do I think we need a welfare system to help the poor, YES, but it should not be a life long hand out. Money should be spent to help the poor get out of that position rather then keeping them dependant on the money.

OK, there is more, but I will leave it at that for now and leave you with this. Part of the lyrics of Billy Joel's song "Shades of Grey"

Shades of grey wherever I go
The more I find out the less that I know
Black and white is how it should be
But shades of grey are the colors I see
Now with the wisdom of years I try to reason things out
And the only people I fear are those who never have doubts
Save us all from arrogant men, and all the causes they're for
I won't be righteous again
I'm not that sure anymore
Shades of grey wherever I go
The more I find out the less that I know
Ain't no rainbows shining on me
Shades of grey are the colors I see

Castro: Bush's Vatican Trip an Outrage

2005-04-08T20:17:00.000-04:00

Here is today's hypocrisy, coming from none other than Mr. Castro of Cuba...

He calls President Bushes trip hypocritical.

Castro: Bush's Vatican Trip an Outrage

In a speech eulogizing Pope John Paul II as a fierce critic of "savage capitalism," Cuban dictator Fidel Castro said it was hypocritical of President Bush and the rest of the U.S. delegation to attend his funeral, according to a Reuters report.

Fidel calling us hypocritical is beyond hypcritical... Hey Mr. Castro, in case you don't remember, the Pope hated communism and dictators and helped Reagan defeat them. You eulogizing anyone, especially the Pope, is absurd at best.

I am doing something wrong

2005-04-08T10:22:00.000-04:00

On a lighter note for a change... I must be doing something wrong!

The Wiggles Named Australia's Wealthiest

Interesting articles about Pope John Paul II

2005-04-07T00:06:00.000-04:00

The first on bias in the media:

Leftist Media: Pope Getting 'Reagan Treatment'

The other just plan wierd yet something to ponder!

Prophecy on Pope Fulfilled by Eclipses?

Article of the week - Reagan on Iraq

2005-04-06T21:36:00.000-04:00

Echoes of the Gipper
What would Reagan say about Iraq, Ukraine and President Bush?
BY PETER ROBINSON
Saturday, April 2, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

Lie and Cheat of the Week - Memogate

2005-04-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

The Liberals will stop at nothing!

Was the Schiavo memo a fake?
By Brian DeBoseand Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Can you say Dan Rather?

Zogby Poll Shows America in a Different Light

2005-04-06T20:48:00.000-04:00

Well well well, So much for the "unbiased" media!

This weeks Media Bias Watch must go out to all the media polls showing how America thought Terri should die of starvation... Looks like when you ask the right question, you get the right answer...

In a latest zogby poll...

80%: Non-Terminal Patients Should Not be Denied Food, Water;
Three-to-One: Feeding Tube Should Stay in Place When Wishes Unknown;
Americans Divided on Intervention by Elected Officials, Christian Defense Coalition
Zogby Poll of Likely Voters Reveals... (4/6/05)

2005-04-03T21:51:00.000-04:00

God Bless Pope John Paul II. May he rest in peace with the risen Lord!

Michaels True Colors

2005-04-03T19:49:00.000-04:00

As you can tell from my previous posts, I have my opinion of Mr. Schiavo. However, even the blind must agree this guy and his lawyer are pure evil. Trying to hide the burial plot of his ex-wife from her family is totally uncalled for. Thankfully, I believe the courts finally got this right and are making him disclose the plot. However, I would not be surprised if he lies!

As for the autopsy, I truly hope it shows the right thing was done and there was no abuse of Terri as some have said. I am not sure it would change my mind about Michael, but I will hold my opinion until after the autopsy results.

My posts will now focus on other topics. But Terri, I will not forget and I will certainly write more as details in the case occur.

For now, my final thoughts are that the judicial system in this country is going to be the downfall of this country. How dare they lean to the side of death over life. If her wishes were truly to die, so be it. But I don't see the evidence. Quite the opposite. This was a decision by agenda, nothing more.

Terri's Death by Starvation

2005-03-31T22:55:00.000-05:00

With the death of Terri, I have much to say. In an effort to refrain from saying something I may regret due to my emotions, I will refrain until tomorrow except to say my prayers are with the Schindlers and my heart goes out to them. I will leave you with this:

It is an editorial that appeared on the front page of our Long Island newspaper, Newsday this morning prior to the announcment of Terri's death.

Newsday's Paul Vitello brings the Schiavo case home.
My daughter may dance

Happy Easter and Schiavo Comment

2005-03-27T13:15:00.000-05:00

On this Easter Sunday, may the risen Lord bless you all!

On this Easter Sunday let us remember the suffering Jesus endored on the Cross and let us keep in our prayers Terri Schiavo who is suffering a slow and painful death.

On this Easter Sunday I will keep my comments short.

Michael, if the starvation is so painless, why are you giving her morphine?

Remember, you and your "lawyer" will eventually answer to God.

These men are pure evil.

No more comments today, just some links which are self explainatory!

Husband Denies Terri Easter Communion; Parents Left With Few Legal Options Terri's family unsuccessfully urged Michael Schiavo to allow his wife the sacrament of communion during the holiest day of the Christian year. Meanwhile, Terri Schiavo's parents, Robert and Mary Schindler, are almost out of legal options on Terri's ninth day without food or water.

Michael Schiavo Has Live-In Girlfriend
Felos: Starving Terri Looks 'Beautiful'
Schiavo 'Didn't Know What Terri Wanted'

See, I told you so!

2005-03-26T14:01:00.000-05:00

It is starting already... Once she is dead, we will find out she was murdered... Not to mention, this death by starvation is far from easy and painless.

Thanks to newsmax for these stories:

Terri Bleeding From Eyes and Mouth
Michael Schiavo Plans to Cremate Terri
Friend: Terri Often Had Bruises
Greer Got Money From Mike Schiavo Atty.

Terri's husband is not looking out for Terri

2005-03-26T00:55:00.000-05:00

There is much evidence to say that Michael Schiavo is not making decisions in Terri's best interest. I think once she dies, we will be shocked at what eventually comes out. This is only the beginning.

Michael said at first he didn't know of Terri's wishes
7 years later he said her wishes were to die
Michael did nothing to keep Terri alive
Terri wanted a divorce:

Friend: Terri Wanted a Divorce

Michael wanted her dead, he did nothing to help and prevented treatment

Terri Nurse: Let Me Testify

Michael has another family now, he shouldn't be making the decisions.

If Terri's parents want her to live, then she should live! Period.

Lawyer: Terri Schiavo Asked to Stay Alive

There is so much contradictory evidence to what Michael says, it is obvious the courts are ignoring it all.

Gov. Bush should now declare a criminal investigation and order the tube back in.

Aide: Gov., Criminal Probe Can Save Terri

The Murder of Terri Schiavo!

2005-03-24T17:43:00.000-05:00

This is the most ridiculous case I have ever seen and I am most disappointed in this country and our judicial system.

Those who oppose keeping Terri alive are the same people who would keep killers from getting the death penalty. She has committed no crime!
They are concerned about how we treat prisoners of war and how our interrogation techniques violate their human rights. What about the rights of Terri to LIVE, only her husband has said she wants to die!
They want to make sure those prisoners are fed proper Muslim meals. But she is denied the most basic needs of food and water!

Treating Convicted murderers Better Than Terri

Terri is NOT in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) - Neurologist for DCF - "Terri not PVS" (PDF)
Many nurses have stated that Terri is alert and alive and her husband has consistently denied giving her any help and rehabilitation.

This is NOT a political issue. This is a human rights issue, the right to live.

She is not on a ventilator or any machinery to keep her alive. She is only given the basic human needs of food and water.

Would you kill your child if he/she was mentally unable to feed herself?
Put the tube back in today, Terri is dying a slow death of starvation, we don't allow anyone to die that way! We don't allow assisted suicide, yet we allow the killing of this woman.
It is of my opinion that there may be good evidence to charge Michael with attempted murder, possibly murder if she dies. All they are asking is to have a retrial to show evidence not allowed in the first trial.