Old Age A-Creepin' Up

I filched this from the internet. Like George Washington, I cannot tell a lie. I didn't write it, but I wish I had.


How To Know When You're Growing Older:


Everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work anyway.

The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.

You feel like you really hung one the night before, and you were in bed asleep by eight.

You get winded playing chess.

Your children begin to look middle-aged.

You join a health club and don't go.

You begin to outlive enthusiasm.

Your mind makes contracts your body can't meet.

You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions.

You look forward to a dull evening.

Your favorite part of the newspaper is "25 years ago today!"

You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.

Your knees buckle and your belt won't.

You're 17 around the neck and 42 around the waist.

You stop looking forward to your next birthday.

Dialing long distance wears you out.

Your back goes out more than you do.

A fortune teller offers to read your face.

You turn out the lights for economic reasons rather than romantic ones.

You remember this week that last week was your wedding anniversary.

You are startled the first time you are addressed as "Old Timer".

You answer automatically when someone addresses you "Old Timer."

You burn your midnight oil after 9:00 p.m.

You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.

Your pacemaker makes the garage door go up when you see a pretty girl walk by.

You get your exercise acting as a pallbearer for your friend who exercised.

You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.

The best part of your day is over when your alarm goes off.

The thought of getting out of bed never occurs to you.


Haha, and I thought getting old would be awful!

Mini Movie Reviews I

Open Water--

With a low budget and unknown actors, this movie still manages genuine terror. Two or three scenes absolutely are horrifying, making this one of the best horror films I've seen. Worse, nothing in the events portrayed is beyond the realm of possibility. The scenes of the divers bobbing endlessly in the ocean almost made me seasick on dry land. There were some flaws, such as snippets of political correctness, a little too much profanity, and the film was too short; but overall, a great, suspenseful movie. Go. Rent. And wear a lifevest.

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow--

This takes place in a 1930s decade that never was, filled w/ the hustle and bustle of big cities, juxtaposed w/ technology ahead of its time. If you like larger-than-life characters, dizzying action sequences, giant robots, and genetically altered animals, this movie's for you. It reminded me of the old Superman cartoons, made in the 30s, as well as the Indiana Jones series. Check your brain at the door for this one, though. Awesome special effects can't hide some of the silly dialogue, unanswered questions, unrealistic character reactions to specific dangers, and logical inconsistancies. But despite its imperfections, I loved this movie. It took me back to my childhood. In fact, if such a film had appeared on the scene, when I was a kid, I would've flipped my lid. Don't let the flaws scare you away. I've never seen another movie filmed quite like this one. It's worth watching just for the spectacle. Highly recommended.

Hero--

Very strange movie, reminiscent of the old kung-fu movies from the old days. The dubbed voices are a bit grating, but not too bad. But the dvd allows the option of watching it in Chinese, w/ English subtitles. Some of the character names are corny, and many of the plot points are bizarre and unlikely. But the fight scenes are a beauty to behold, breathtaking in their near-perfect choreography. The special effects are amazing. I heard somewhere that this is the most expensive movie ever made by the Chinese. After having seen it, I have no doubt that its true. Odd and convoluted, you won't likely forget this film. Well worthwhile.

The Stepford Wives (remake)--

Here's a conundrum. What happens when Hollywood has a great idea, but executes it w/ all the grace of an elephant on roller skates?? You get The Stepford Wives. First the good: competent acting, great fx, good musical score, and an interesting premise. Now the bad: everything else. This is one of the most pc, anti-male movies I've ever seen. This is particularly inexplicable in light of the director's maleness (Frank Oz). Of course, I admit the possibility that hanging w/ muppets and Yoda all the time has the potential for skewing one's perspective. Almost every element of this film was absurd--particularly the end. If you haven't seen it, count yourself lucky. Better yet, go find the original--and far superior--version. Made in the 1970s, this is a great horror movie, w/ an impending sense of doom that'll have you squirming in your seat. It was not a facile attack on males like its current incarnation. A must-miss.

Mexico: Our Closest Enemy

The Mexican government is threatening to use international courts to stop Arizona law from limiting public benefits and voting eligibility to legal residents of the U.S.

Mexican officials have repeatedly complained about Proposition 200, which went into effect Tuesday. The statewide measure denies most taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens and requires state workers to report applicants for such benefits who may not be eligible. It also requires anyone registering to vote in the state to show proof of citizenship and bring a government-issued ID to the polling place.

AP reported Derbez expressed regret that, according to polls, about 40 percent of Mexican-Americans in Arizona supported Prop. 200. The measure passed with 60 percent of the vote.

Can you believe the audacity of these people? An American border state takes action to defend itself against bankruptcy caused by such criminals, and the Mexican government tries to thwart this reasonable endeavor.

Here's another beautiful story, on similar subject matter.

MSNBC.com research and government reports suggest hundreds of thousands of American citizens are in the same spot -- unknowingly lending their identity to illegal immigrants so they can work. And while several government agencies and private corporations sometimes know whose Social Security numbers are being ripped off, they won't notify the victims. That is, until they come after the victims for back taxes or unpaid loans owed by the imposter.

An undocumented immigrant worker managed to use Steve Millet's Social Security number for more than 10 years before the incident was discovered. Millet said the imposter managed to obtain a dozen credit cards, buy a car, and even a house using the stolen number and his own name. All the while, that imposter paid taxes, paid into Social Security, and took out loans using the stolen Social Security Number. All of those agencies had a record of the abused SSN; none bothered to tell Steve Millet.

Our government is trying to scare everyone to death about Islamic terrorists. Certainly, they're a serious problem, and should be dealt with. The terrorism situation--as it affects us domestically--is only a corner of a bigger picture. The immigration issues plaguing this country are a far more nefarious, corrupting problem. As I have said before, Mexico is not our friend. Its government is making active, unsubtle attempts to destroy our way of life. It has declared war on the United States, whether our government admits it, or not.

If we fall, it won't be due to the efforts of Islamic terrorism. America faces a much greater threat, right here, at home. Our "leaders'" response? Do nothing. Just ignore it. Be obedient little drones and focus on winning the "War on Terror." Good grief.

A Big Difference

From Vox's blog, yestiddy:

The difference between a man who fights in order to be left alone and live in freedom and a man who fights in order to gain ascendancy over others and exert power over their lives is polar.

Bingo. This is an important truth to set to memory. I've been sayin' that for a long time. Just remember this, the next time folks start shoutin' about the "cycle of violence" in Israel; or the "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter" nonsense, regarding the "Palestinians;" or when they compare the killers in Iraq with the Minutemen of the Revolution. This morally relativistic tripe needs consignment to the ash heap of history, right next to polyester and communism.

Founding Quotes of Note XXIV

"As riches increase and accumulate in few hands, as luxury prevails in society, virtue will be in a greater degree considered as only a graceful appendage of wealth, and the tendency of things will be to depart from the republican standard. This is the real disposition of human nature; it is what neither the honorable member nor myself can correct. It is a common misfortunate that awaits our State constitution, as well as all others." --Alexander Hamilton

Sincere Belief

Ever heard the old argument, "It doesn't matter what religion you have faith in, so long as you believe in something."? Boy, I sure have--many times, on the internet and within other print media. I realize this view exhibits the quintessence of ecumenism, i.e., the idea that all religious beliefs should be in harmony.

Allow me to demonstrate the absurdity of such an outlook. Sincerity does not equal correctness. For example: Suppose that you and I board a small plane and ascend to 25,000 feet. Snug in our seats, I look over at you and say: "I sincerely believe that, if I jump out of this plane and flap my arms hard enough, I'll be able to achieve flight." Of course, you'd probably roll your eyes and denounce me as an idiot; or even more likely, you'd assume I'm joking. But a few minutes later, while your attention is averted, I slip out of my retraints, rip open the cabin door, and leap out of the plane. Slicing through mid-air and plummeting to the earth, I begin flapping my arms just as hard as I can.

I sincerely believe I can fly. . .and in just a couple of minutes, I'll be sincerely dead. The point of this ridiculous story is that a person may be sincere in his beliefs, and be sincerely wrong.

The sinister idea lurking behind this notion is that there is no absolute truth, no distinct right and wrong. The key to understanding the problem is in recognizing that truth is not dependent upon belief. For example, the law of gravity is real--demonstrable, in fact. If every human being alive stops believing in gravity and its effects tomorrow, will that make its reality less true, its effects less real? Of course not.

Belief, however, is dependent upon truth. In other words, belief is important, yes, but only if what you believe is true.

Look at the contest between the prophets of Baal and God, in the Old Testament. Pieces of a dead ox were placed on an altar. The god who responded to his worshippers' petitions would burn up the sacrifice with fire. The prophets of Baal prayed, pled, danced, mutilated themselves, and performed other foolish, fruitless rituals all day.

Nothing happened. But were these men insincere in their beliefs? Quite to the contrary. They believed in their god so strongly that making fools of themselves in public was an acceptable risk.

Later, when the Lord God of Israel was invoked, He rained fire down out of Heaven, consumed the sacrifice, and even incinerated the very altar upon which it lay.

Baal's false prophets were slain for their evils. So if belief is all that matters, why were these men not spared?

Because faith's value depends on the object of that faith.

Playing Politics and Using Political Correctness For a Ball

Here's an excerpt from Bush's Second Inaugural Address. I've read no commentary on this particular portion, so I thought I'd chime in:

In America's ideal of freedom, the public interest depends on private character – on integrity and tolerance toward others and the rule of conscience in our own lives. Self-government relies, in the end, on the governing of the self.

That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran and the varied faiths of our people. Americans move forward in every generation by reaffirming all that is good and true that came before – ideals of justice and conduct that are the same yesterday, today and forever.

What a crock! This an obvious attempt to be "inclusive," driven to the point of absurdity. This from the man who repeatedly declares that "Islam is a religion of peace." Historically, Islam has been a religion of intolerance taken to an extreme level. It's character is steeped in degrading women, forcibly suppressing all viewpoints but its own, and killing opponents of this methodology. Islam played zero role in the founding of our nation, and its worldview is antithetical to peace, freedom, or Western civilization. "Convert, submit, or die" is not a legacy I want bequeathed to my children. I find his comparison between Islam and the great events of Judaism and Christianity insulting.

Has he actually read the Q'uran? I've read large portions of it. Though it does elaborate on many good things, it also calls for the deaths of infidels. Pair this with its blood-drenched history--from its inception--and you have a picture that would turn Stephen King's stomach.

How may we ever properly understand the nature of our enemy, when Mr. Bush refuses to describe it accurately?

I'll leave this topic with a final question: Is it a coincidence that every single terrorist group stabbing at us from the darkness is Islamic?

U.N. Efficiency

From The Federalist Patriot, regarding the tsunami relief efforts:

As one unidentified U.S. Foreign Service Officer on duty in Indonesia said concerning UN bureaucrats criticizing U.S. relief efforts: "As we come up on two weeks since the disaster struck, the UN is still not to be seen where it counts -- except when holding well-staged press events. ... Ah, yes, but the luxury hotels are full of UN assessment teams and visiting big shots from New York, Geneva, and Vienna. The city sees a steady procession of UN Mercedes sedans and top-of-the-line SUV's -- a fully decked out Toyota Land Cruiser is the UN vehicle of choice; it doesn't seem that concerns about 'global warming' and preserving your tax dollars run too deep among the UNocrats. ... I realized that if not for Australia and America almost nobody in the tsunami-affected areas would have survived more than a few days. If we had waited for the UNocrats to get their act coordinated, the already massive death toll would have become astronomical. But, fortunately, thanks to retrograde racist war-mongers' such as John Howard and George W. Bush, as we sat in air conditioned meeting rooms with these UNocrats, young Australians and Americans were at that moment 'coordinating' without the UN and saving the lives of tens-of-thousands of people."

Yet another great reason for why we all should perform ablutions at the altar of the U.N.

Founding Quotes of Note XXIII

"It may perhaps be said that the power of preventing bad laws includes that of preventing good ones; and may be used to the one purpose as well as to the other. But this objection will have little weight with those who can properly estimate the mischiefs of that inconstancy and mutability in the laws, which form the greatest blemish in the character and genius of our governments." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 73

One of Life's Little Questions

Why do arabs carry two pieces of sandpaper in their pocket?


One is a map of the area, the other is a picture of their house.


--Courtesy of JamieR

Why the Islamic World Hates Us

Let me preface my remarks by acknowledging that not all Muslims hate the U.S. or the Western world. Not all adherents to Islam want to see us vaporized. I'm well aware of that. I'm also aware that not all Japanese soldiers relished torturing prisoners during WWII, not all Italians love spaghetti, and not all communists sport Van Dyke beards like Lenin. The point is, that's irrelevant. What is germane to the discussion, though, is that Islam is a religion in conflict with all other religions--particularly that of Christianity, which has been its chief opponent, historically. Further, judging by the doctrines and agenda it espouses, its followers largely are our enemies. The very nature of this religion sets it against everyone else.

That said, I believe there are three basic reasons that most of the Islamic world loathes us:

1. The Western world is not Islamic. The United States, Europe, and South America all have long histories steeped in Christianity. Islam has never been a dominant force in the West--though that may change in the near future, if the study of European demographics has any significance. Needless to say, this fact in and of itself creates contention between the two regions, since the ultimate goal of Islam is global rule through Sharia law.

2. The U.S. is a grave threat to future Islamic domination. Militarily, the U.S. is the most powerful country on earth. In the past two years, two predominantly Islamic countries have had long-standing regimes overthrown by our military. I realize Iraq's ruling elite was secular in its outlook, but the populace was Islamic, in the main. Also, Hussein's pan-Arab vision followed a similar path to that of Islam's expansion. Since the U.S has little tolerance for forced religious conversion, beheadings of helpless prisoners without trial, or terrorist tactics (the Islamic method of gaining attention du jour), I don't see a lasting bond of friendship usurping our current relationship with the Middle East, The Bush Administration's PC portrayal of Islam notwithstanding.

3. The United States is the world's most staunch supporter of Israel. We've always been in their corner, at the very least agreeing with their right to exist in the region. Our government has taken many wrong turns in its relationship with Israel, giving the "Palestinians" far too much creedance and respect; but it is unquestionable that Israel has no more formidable--or loyal--friend. Since Israel is hated and reviled almost universally throughout the Middle East, putting two and two together is far from rocket science.

Can we do things to exacerbate this hatred? Sure. Have we commited such acts? Perhaps. But keep in mind that these people hated us long before the current Iraq war, and they will hate us long after it is a receding memory. Worse, they subsist on a daily diet of propaganda and outright lies about us. So whether the injustices they've suffered are perceived or genuine matters little in terms of their future actions. Personally, I think most of them are false or self-inflicted, but I digress.

They'll kill us, if they can. If the Islamic world had been as strong as the U.S. is, now, for the past two hundred years, the world would be a very different place.

U.N. Funds Terrorists

It seems the U.N.--at least indirectly--is aiding and abetting terrorist organizations:

Citing documents captured by Israeli Defense Force personnel, Ambassador Dore Gold says funds flowed from the United Nations Development Program, or UNDP, to two leading Hamas front organizations.

This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the U.N.'s history--particularly that of recent times. In fact, I shook my head and almost laughed ruefully, upon reading the linked article, such was my disgust at the less-than-surprising nature of this revelation.

One of the great mysteries of our time is not that the U.N. exists, but that the U.S. acknowledges its existence.

I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

My Favorite Bible Verse

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. --John 3:16

This one verse sums up everything the Bible is about. Not only did God love the world, but He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our wretched sins. All we have to do is believe it and accept this free gift, and we'll dwell forever in His presence, after we die.

If you only memorize one Bible verse, this should be it. It tells the story of the Old and New Testaments, in only twenty-five words.

Amazing.

Inaugural Niceties

With an uplifted voice, and in words that may well ring through the ages, the lead singer of Fuel had this to say at the inaugural youth concert:

"Welcome to the greatest ----ing country in the world."

Don't get me wrong. I like the guy's patriotism (also called jingoism in liberalese). But to have the attention of millions, to appear on national television, to have the honor of performing at a concert celebrating a president's inauguration--this was the best he could do?

Wouldn't George Washington be proud?

The Antenna

Arielle's started herself a blog. Check it out, here. You guys remember her, doncha? She's the one who sprang on the scene a few weeks ago, making intelligent comments and sending the liberals and atheists running for the hills.

Welcome to the blogosphere!

Moronic Headline of the Day

Violence at anti-terror rally

Need I say more?

Border Patrol Successes

Fingerprint scanners deployed on the U.S.-Mexican border to detect terrorism suspects have caught not would-be bombers but thousands of other criminals, including murderers, kidnappers and sex offenders.

Border Patrol agents have snared 33,000 criminals - most of them along the 2,000-mile border with Mexico - since the digital fingerprinting system linking immigration and FBI databases went live nationwide in early September.

Did you catch that, folks?: 33,000, since September!

Officials say the technology has allowed the Border Patrol to catch more than 100 homicide suspects and more than 200 sex offenders in the last four months, singled out from more than 200,000 undocumented migrants detained during the period.

Rank-and-file Border Patrol agents like the technology, which is used at border crossings and by agents who pick up illegal migrants in the desert.

"You have a guy who looks like a harmless grandfather, but lo and behold, when you run his prints through IAFIS it turns out that he's a three-times-convicted child molester from Fresno," said Steve McPartland, a Border Patrol spokesman in San Diego, Calif.

"It's the best thing that's happened to us, as it's closed a loophole that in the past allowed potential criminal aliens to be released from our custody," he added.

Felons identified by the system are handed over to federal authorities, if it is a serious crime, or are passed on to police in the state where an outstanding warrant was issued.

God bless the Border Patrol. Every day, they go to work and do a thankless job--a job fraught with dangers--and become objects of hate for many in our society (like advocates of open borders). Successes such as those mentioned above all too often come in spite of our elected officials.

This information demonstrates the dire need for a different immigration policy than the one currently in effect. Locked borders, deportations, and careful selectivity of persons entering our country are the only solutions to this astronomical problem.

Remembering MLK, Jr.

On Sunday, the Rev. Jesse Jackson told a church gathering near Atlanta that war, poverty and social injustice were damaging King’s legacy.

“It’s easy to admire Dr. King,” Jackson told 650 people at Dixon Grove Baptist Church in Jonesboro. “It’s a challenge to follow him.”

Listen up, folks. The Jesster knows of what he speaks. When he says,"It's a challenge to follow him," he ain't jest whistlin' Dixie. His entire career as a self-appointed black "leader" demonstrates the point, since his outlook and worldview is not representative of MLK's beliefs.

Uh-Oh

"Charity is no part of the legislative duty of the government." --James Madison

And there was great wailing and gnashing of teeth amongst the liberal/socialist establishment.

Koffi Trojan

In a moving act of charity, the U.N. is sending condoms to tsunami victims:

UNPFA (United Nations Population Fund) is asking for $28 million for the reestablishment of “reproductive health services” in areas devastated by the earthquake and tidal wave.

They may not have food, they may not have homes, they may no longer have a family, they may not have a single stitch of clothes, besides the ones they're wearing--but darn it, they will have access to condoms!

Doesn't it make ya feel all gooey inside, just knowing the U.N.'s out there, somewhere, in all its glory, lookin' out for the world? Sigh.

Scientific Objectivity

The new "scientific method":

“At this point, it is necessary to reveal a little inside information about how scientists work, something the textbooks don’t usually tell you. The fact is that scientists are not really as objective and dispassionate in their work as they would like you to think. Most scientists first get their ideas about how the world works not through rigorously logical processes but through hunches and wild guesses. As individuals they often come to believe something to be true long before they assemble the hard evidence that will convince somebody else that it is. Motivated by faith in his own ideas and a desire for acceptance by his peers, a scientist will labor for years knowing in his heart that his theory is correct but devising experiment after experiment whose results he hopes will support his position.”

– Boyce Rensberger, How the World Works, William Morrow, NY, pp. 17–18, 1986. Rensberger is an ardently anti-creationist science writer.

Pray For the Chief Justice

News reports suggest that Chief Supreme Court Justice William Rehnquist's health is deteriorating.

I offer my prayers to God for his safekeeping and healing. May the Lord touch him with his kindness and make him whole, as only the Great Physician can.

No Apologies Necessary

President Bush is backpedaling about some early comments on the war effort. His recent comments touched upon several areas, but the one I want to focus upon is the area of Osama bin Laden.

In the week after the Sept. 11 attacks, Bush was asked if he wanted bin Laden, the terrorist leader blamed for the attacks, dead.

"I want justice," Bush said. "And there's an old poster out West, that I recall, that said, 'Wanted, Dead or Alive."'

Recalling that remark, Bush told the reporters: "I can remember getting back to the White House, and Laura said, 'Why did you do that for?' I said, 'Well, it was just an expression that came out. I didn't rehearse it.'

"I don't know if you'd call it a regret, but it certainly is a lesson that a president must be mindful of, that the words that you sometimes say. ... I speak plainly sometimes, but you've got to be mindful of the consequences of the words. So put that down. I don't know if you'd call that a confession, a regret, something."

Regarding bin Laden, I see no need for the president's apologies--unless he apologizes for not being harsh enough. Rather than saying "dead or alive," he should've stopped with "dead." If bin Laden has not justly and earnestly earned death, then no man has.

You were right the first time, Mr. President. You worry too much about the consequences of your words. You concern yourself with the perceptions of people who already hate you, and will continue hating you, no matter what words you utter, no matter what actions you take. So stand on principle; and if your popularity decreases, if the ad hominem attacks increase, at least you'll know that you unapologetically said the right thing. Now, sir, go to it, and give bin Laden the fake martyrdom to which he aspires.

Dinosaurs For Lunch

The fossilized remains of a dinosaur have been found. . .in the stomach of a mammal:

In China, scientists have identified the fossilized remains of a tiny dinosaur in the stomach of a mammal. Scientists say the animal's last meal probably is the first proof that mammals hunted small dinosaurs some 130 million years ago.

It contradicts conventional evolutionary theory that early mammals couldn't possibly attack and eat a dinosaur because they were timid, chipmunk-sized creatures that scurried in the looming shadow of the giant reptiles.

In this case, the mammal was about the size of a large cat, and the victim was a very young "parrot dinosaur" that measured about 5 inches long.

Wow, this contradicts conventional evolutionary thinking? Time to break out the picks and spades, boys and girls. Let's bury this new information, in the interests of "science."

Move along folks; nothing to see, here.

Hello, Titan

A European probe has touched down on the surface of Saturn's largest moon, Titan:

Huygens was spun off from Cassini on Dec. 24 to begin its free-fall toward Titan, the first moon other than the Earth's to be explored by spacecraft.

Named after Titan's discoverer, the 17th century Dutch astronomer Christiaan Huygens, the probe carries instruments to explore what Titan's atmosphere is made of and find out whether it has the cold seas of liquid methane and ethane that have been theorized by scientists.

Timers inside the 705-pound probe awakened it just before it entered Titan's atmosphere. Huygens is shaped like a wok and covered with a shield to survive the intense heat of entry.

On the way down, it was to shed its heat shield and use a special camera and instruments to collect information on wind speeds and the makeup of Titan's atmosphere. The data will be transmitted back to Cassini, which will relay them to NASA's Deep Space Network in California and on to ESA controllers in Darmstadt, Germany.

Titan is the only moon in the solar system known to have a significant atmosphere. Rich in nitrogen and containing about 6 percent methane, its atmosphere is believed to be 1 1/2 times thicker than Earth's.

I always find stories like this fascinating. We're likely to learn information about this moon previously unknown to science, since peering through its thick veil of atmosphere with telescopes is impossible.

No word yet on the validity of reports that the probe's initial video recordings reveal footage of Jimmy Hoffa.

The Problem With Miracles

As I'm sure most of my regular readers are aware, I am a Bible-believing Christian. I accept that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. I believe that God used human beings to transfer His message to us. This He accomplished for our benefit. Furthermore, I believe the scriptures are inerrant. I'm not suggesting that minor translational discrepancies do not exist; I'm familiar with them. When I say "inerrant," I mean that God's Word is correct, accurate, and filled with truth.

Having briefly summarized my view, let's address a different aspect of this topic: If one accepts the above as true, why would one find difficulty in accepting the reality of miracles? I make this inquiry because, on a number of occasions, I have read or heard about self-proclaimed Christians doubting that certain miracles actually happened. Examples of Noah's Flood, the story of Jonah, and the wedding feast at Cana spring to mind.

The keynote, here, is that many people critical of biblical miracle stories claim Christian status. Probably the most well-known group in this category is the Jesus Seminar--a group of about two hundred New and Old Testament scholars. Many of its members proclaim themselves Christians, and are active in their respective churches. Yet a study of the Seminar's findings reveals that--of 176 separate events (many miraculous) involving Jesus and described in the Gospels--it found only ten of these deserving of a high rate of confidence as having actually occured. Another nineteen were termed probable, for a grand total of only sixteen percent receiving "likely" or "probable" rankings.

But all of this begs the question: If you believe in God's existence; if you believe that He created the universe and everything in it, including human beings; if you believe the Bible is His inspired Word, then why would you have difficulty with believing in miracles?

For a God who created life from nothingness--merely by speaking it into existence--it seems to me that bringing a universal deluge, or turning water into wine, or having a prophet survive three days in the belly of a great fish are all small potatoes, indeed.

In the end, I suppose it all boils down to what you believe. Do you believe the Bible is God's holy and inspired Word, or not? If so, then you have no basis for denying miracles, since they are biblical, and frequently demonstrated throughout the scriptures.

The "Law of the Land"

Remember Alberto Gonzales, President Bush's pick for the next Attorney General, currently in hearings for confirmation? Here's a snippet of a question and answer session he participated in, with Senator Richard Durbin. It's informative, to say the least:

Sen. Durbin: The last question is a brief one, and it may have been touched on earlier. But when Senator Ashcroft in your position aspired to this Cabinet-level appointment, he was asked about Roe versus Wade, which he disagreed with on a political basis, and his argument was he would enforce, in his words, "settled law," and Roe versus Wade was "settled law" in America. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but could you articulate in a few words your position about the enforcement of Roe versus Wade or any other court decision that you personally or politically disagree with?

Judge Gonzales: Thank you, Senator. Of course, the Supreme Court has recognized a right of privacy in our Constitution, and in Roe the court held that that right of privacy includes a woman's right to choose to have an abortion. A little over a decade ago, the court, in Casey, had an opportunity to revisit that issue. They made a -- they declined to overturn Roe, and of course made a new standard that any restriction that constituted an "undue burden" on a woman's right to choose could not be sustained. My judgment is that the court has had an opportunity -- ample opportunities -- to look at this issue. It has declined to do so. And as far as I'm concerned, it is the law of the land and I will enforce it.

Of course, at no point in his statement does Gonzales address the unconstitutional and utterly arbitrary nature of this ruling. He simply accepts that the Supreme Court has reached this decision--whether he likes it, or not--but then goes a step further in stating that he will enforce this "law of the land."

Is this the kind of man we need in this powerful position? Do we want a man who has no public criticism of Roe v. Wade, when given a perfect opportunity to expound upon his beliefs? I don't really know if Alberto Gonzales is pro-abortion, or anti-abortion, in his personal philosophy. And in the greater scheme of things, it doesn't really matter. For what I do know is this: when it comes to taking an open, public stand against the evil of abortion, he has chosen the acquisition of power, in its stead. And in truth, that's all I need to know.

The U.N.'s "Peace-Keeping" Thugs

The U.N.--never an organization of impeccable credentials--has made sullying itself a new art-form. This article goes into quite a bit of detail about the corruption, brutality, and barbarism characteristic of the U.N.

A French U.N. logistics expert in the Congo shot pornographic videos in his home, in which he had converted his bedroom into a photo studio for videotaping his sexual abuse of young girls. When police raided his home, the man was allegedly about to rape a 12-year-old girl sent to him in a law enforcement sting operation. As the Times reported, a senior Congolese police officer confirmed the bed was surrounded by large mirrors on three sides, with a remote control camera on the fourth side.

U.N. officials are worried that the scandal, which already has netted 150 allegations of sex crimes by U.N. staffers, will explode if the pornographic videos and photos, now on sale in Congo, becoming public.

U.N. "peacekeepers" from Morocco based in Kisangani – a secluded town on the Congo River – are notorious for impregnating local women and girls. In March, an international group probing the scandal found 82 women and girls had been made pregnant by Moroccan U.N. staffers and 59 others by Uruguayan staffers. One U.N. soldier accused of rape was apparently hidden in the barracks for a year.

Despite the fact that the U.N.'s sexual code of conduct is prominently displayed on U.N. facilities Congo – forbidding sex with prostitutes or women under 18 – the U.N. continues to hand out free condoms to "peacekeepers" to protect them from AIDS.

. . .previous revelations of peacekeeping abuses have only been revealed by news organizations. Such was the case in Cambodia in the early 1990s and later in Somalia, Bosnia and Ethiopia.

The list goes on. Keep in mind that this is the same organization that our government officials kowtow to, licking its boots and scampering to make sure that this august body sees us in a favorable light. Remember when the U.N. looked down its nose at us over Iraq, criticizing our every move? Remember when it tut-tutted at us over Abu Ghraib? What brazen hypocrisy. Isn't it fun receiving moral lectures from the morally reprehensible?

The U.N. is a despicable, worthless institution. Our continued alliance with it is unjustifiable and ill-considered. This has been true for a long time, now--at least since the occasion when its illustrious members gave Idi Amin a standing ovation, yet denounced Israel as a racist entity. Any decent person--no matter where one stands on the political spectrum--should be disturbed by our government's unwillingness to kick these rats out of our country and cease all funding and involvement with them.

Founding Quotes of Note XXII

"Law and liberty cannot rationally become the objects of our love, unless they first become the objects of our knowledge." --James Wilson

The Poetry of G.K. Chesterton

Chesterton is a famous Christian apologist/writer/poet from the early 20th Century. Here's one of my favorite poems, period, and in my opinion, his best.


A Hymn


O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die;
The walls of gold entomb us,
The swords of scorn divide,
Take not thy thunder from us,
But take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,
From lies of tongue and pen,
From all the easy speeches
That comfort cruel men,
From sale and profanation
Of honour and the sword,
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord.

Tie in a living tether
The prince and priest and thrall,
Bind all our lives together,
Smite us and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.

Round 'Em Up, Rein 'Em In, Ship 'Em Out

Sign this petition, if you're sick and tired of the federal government's laxity, regarding illegal immigration. The site gives some useful information about amnesties past, and the possible consequences of a future amnesty, or quasi-amnesty.

Do it for your country.

Do it for your own sake.

Or as the Demonscats say: Do it for the children.

Nonsense in the News

Kid Rock may headline the youth concert at Bush's inauguration. Maybe he'll treat us to a little freestyle rap duo with Laura Bush--or better yet, Barbara. Wouldn't that be a hoot?

Barney the dinosaur--and his friend, Spongebob--comes out of the closet. Grab a barfbag for this one, folks. You'll need it.

The Wisconsin state government began a new program, in which it will fund mortgage loans to--you guessed it--illegal aliens. Manuel may not be able to speak Eeengleesh; but darn it, he'll have a five-bedroom house!

We've started 2005 off with a bang! Call it the Year of the Absurd.

Compassion For Border Jumpers

I'm truly touched by this display of concern:

The government of Mexico is raising eyebrows with a new comic book offering advice on how to cross the border into the U.S. illegally.

Called "The Guide for the Mexican Migrant," the 32-page book published by Mexico's Foreign Ministry uses simple language to offer information on safety, legal rights and living unobtrusively in America.

"This guide is intended to give you some practical advice that could be of use if you have made the difficult decision to seek new work opportunities outside your country," the book says, according to the Arizona Republic.

Illustrations depict illegals wading into a river, trying to evade U.S. Border Patrol and crouching near a hole in a border fence. Immigrants are also shown hiking through the desert with rock formations similar to those in Arizona and being caught by an American agent.

Among the tips offered:

"Try to walk during times when the heat is not as intense";

"Salt water helps you retain your body's liquids. Although you'll feel thirstier, if you drink water with salt the risk of dehydration is much lower";

"Thick clothing increases your weight when wet, and this makes it difficult to swim or float."

It also says if migrants get lost, they should follow train tracks or power lines. It warns of walking for days to reach towns or roads in the desert.

If caught by Border Patrol, the book says, "Don't throw stones or objects at the officer or patrol vehicles because this is considered a provocation. Raise your hands slowly so they see you are unarmed."

It also recommends not running away from agents in pursuit.

"It's better to be detained a few hours and repatriated to Mexico than to get lost in the desert," the guide states.

The book includes a disclaimer stating it doesn't promote crossing the border illegally, but it doesn't give information about legal steps to seek a U.S. visa.

Let me be clear: I consider this a direct attack on the United States by Mexico. Already, illegal immigration has had dire effects on our economy; this promises to grow worse, over time. The Mexican government sees no need for reform, or increased freedom for its citizens. Rather, it encourages its poor, its downtrodden, its criminal elements to close up shop and head north. Kinda like Pontius Pilate washing his hands of the whole sordid business, as if doing so cleanses all guilt and culpability. I don't think so, Julio.

The Mexican government encourages its people to evade the Border Patrol, and what about that "don't throw stones or objects" statement? Are they serious? Of course that's a provocation. For anyone in doubt, walk up to the nearest cop and lob a rock at him. See what happens. Oh, and if you're still alive, afterward, report your results. I'll post 'em on my blog for all to see. By the way, notice that the author never says that hurling missles at security agents is wrong--only that it's a "provocation."

As far as I'm concerned, this is the Mexicans spitting at us, drawing a line in the sand, and daring us to step over it. It's not even subtle contempt. It's blatant, in-your-face disdain and subversion of our laws.

Mexico, you are not a friend of the United States. Nor have you been, for a long time--if ever.

Snapshots From the Tsunami Belt

With all the hullabaloo over the recent tragedy in parts of Asia and beyond, I thought I'd offer a little perspective on the event--a perspective seldom mentioned, during the pleas for yet more and more financial aid.

Here's an interesting article. I wonder how much airplay this received on tv? My guess is little or none.

A LEADING geologist repeatedly warned Indonesian officials that an earthquake and tsunami would soon strike their shores, it emerged this weekend.

Kerry Sieh, professor of geology at California Institute of Technology, has been studying the region for nearly a decade.

Last July he became so concerned at the likely massive loss of life that he printed and distributed 5,000 posters and brochures around some of the islands later hit by the earthquake.

He addressed church congregations and schools to tell people what to do in an earthquake. His main advice was for people to live away from shorelines.

Sieh had been due to meet Indonesian officials last month to discuss a wider education programme but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute because the officials said they had no money.

Two weeks ago he expressed his fear that a big earthquake and tsunami were overdue in the region at a conference in San Francisco.

“We told them it would kill people, wreck infrastructure and destroy livelihoods. But our warnings were falling on deaf ears.

So numerous warnings were given--and summarily ignored or downplayed. The lonely voice crying in the wilderness went unheeded.

Anti-human nonsense from the earth worshippers:

Two days after the tragedy, the executive director of Greenpeace UK (search) told the British newspaper The Independent, "No one can ignore the relentless increase in extreme weather events and so-called natural disasters, which in reality are no more natural than a plastic Christmas tree."

A spokesperson for the Indonesian arm of Friends of the Earth told the Agence France Presse, "We can expect in the coming years similar events happening as a result of global warming and therefore help and prevention are the responsibility of the Northern countries as well."

Isn't that a nifty, fact-free assertion from Greenpeace? And blaming well-developed overseas nations for supposed "global warming" problems is a tired rabbit pulled from the environmental movement's moth-eaten hat. It's debatable whether global-warming is occuring. When I was a kid, the overriding concern in the news was the oncoming ice age, supposedly headed our way at quite a bit more than a glacial pace. And as the article points out, the tsunami originated from an earthquake, not erratic weather patterns. So what caused the earthquake? An SUV collision? Flatulent dairy cows? A corporate CEO dropping his bank roll?

Earthquakes aren't caused by the weather or greenhouse gas emissions; they're caused by tectonics — that is naturally moving geological faults. While tectonics may cause climate changes, the reverse is not true.

In the near future, if a comet or other heavenly body collides with our planet, don't be surprised if the grass-smoking tree-huggers point the finger and say: "See, look what happened. If we'd only not ticked off the aliens with all our factories' toxic emissions, this never woulda happened!"

Happy New Year

I hope everyone had a good time, whether spent away from home, with family and friends, or sitting in front of the tube and watching the ball drop. New year's usually is a time for new resolutions--losing weight, exercising more, sloughing off leftist ideology, attending church more regularly, living a better life, etc. Whatever your resolutions, this year, if they be wholesome and beneficial (ay, there's the rub!), may all of you succeed. And don't make 'em, unless ya plan on keepin' 'em!

All of my regulars (Erik, Monster, Will, Bill, JAC, you know who you are) and all the lurkers, God bless each and ever one of you with happiness and prosperity!

Generosity With Other People's Money

After the tsunami disaster this week--in which the death toll now has topped 117,000--President Bush assured the media that we're compassionate people, pledging at least $15 million in relief aid. One U.N. official denounced the U.S. as "stingy" for this paltry sum. Isn't that precious? The U.S. provides more foreign aid than any other country in the world, but we are "stingy?" The U.N. conducts its affairs (like the illustrious Oil-for-Food scandal) largely through the financial beneficence of the U.S., yet we are "stingy." A massive collision with a heavenly body almost would be worth it, if U.N. headquarters were struck, first. But I digress with this happy thought.

The issue is not whether we recognize the tragedy in Asia and parts of Africa; nor is it that we are a generous, helpful people. Both of these are givens. The issue is: does the government, without the consent of the American public, have the right to procure taxpayer monies and send them overseas as disaster relief aid? My answer is no. There is no provision for this in the Constitution, so this is yet another usurpation of power not delegated to it on the government's part.

Davy Crockett--legendary hero and congressman from Tennessee--found himself in a similar situation. Early in the 1800s, Congress was mulling over a bill to appropriate tax dollars for the widow of a deceased naval officer. Most of the House members agreed with the bill's sentiments.

Here's how Mr. Crockett reacted: He spoke a few words of respect for the dead officer. But he insisted that such respect should not lead to an act of injustice by those still living. He went on:

“I will not go into an argument to prove that Congress has no power to appropriate this money as an act of charity. Every member upon this floor knows it. We have the right, as individuals to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity, but as members of Congress we have no right to appropriate a dollar of the public money.

“Some eloquent appeals have been made to us upon the ground that it is a debt due the deceased. Sir, this is no debt. We cannot without the grossest corruption, appropriate this money as the payment of a debt. We have not the semblance of authority to appropriate it as a charity. I cannot vote for this bill, but I will give one week’s pay, and if every member of Congress will do the same, it will amount to more than the bill asks.”

When he finished speaking, silence hung heavy in the air. Crockett seated himself, and when the bill came up for a vote, instead of passing unanimously--as had been expected--only a few representatives voted in favor of the bill.

Would that more people like Crockett served as congressmen.

Being charitable with your own money is a wonderful sacrifice; the government taking your money and being charitable for you without your input is a travesty.

Wisdom from the Ancient World

"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato

At least in this regard, he would have felt right at home with our Founding Fathers.

Hillary Clinton may now breathe a sigh of relief. He did say "men," after all.

Party Poopers

From the Rutherford Institute:

One of the most touching calls to come our way this Christmas was from a parent whose child wanted to bring a birthday cake for Jesus to his holiday party at school. A flier, decorated with a menorah and a girl with a wreath of candles on her head, had been sent out instructing the students to bring some kind of food that their family traditionally had for the holidays. But the little boy’s teacher claimed that a birthday cake for Jesus would not be allowed because it was “too religious and the party is not about religion.”

Then what, pray tell, is the party about? They never answer this question. The modern definition of tolerance is not to offend those who have expressed no outrage, all at the expense of Christians. With followers of Christ, the standard is different. Not only is offending them permissible, it is downright mandatory.

Founding Quotes of Note XXI

"Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question." --Thomas Jefferson

And

"It has been said that all Government is an evil. It would be more proper to say that the necessity of any Government is a misfortune. This necessity however exists; and the problem to be solved is, not what form of Government is perfect, but which of the forms is least imperfect." --James Madison


Sounds like Jefferson and Madison were big-government liberals, doesn't it?

One Solitary Life

Let us turn now to the story.

A child is born in an obscure village. He is brought up in another obscure village. He works in a carpenter shop until he is thirty, and then for three brief years is an itinerant preacher, proclaiming a message and living a life. He never writes a book. He never holds an office. He never raises an army. He never has a family of his own. He never owns a home. He never goes to college. He never travels two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He gathers a little group of friends about him and teaches them his way of life. While still a young man the tide of popular feeling turns against him. One denies him; another betrays him. He is turned over to his enemies. He goes through the mockery of a trial; he is nailed to a cross between two thieves, and when dead is laid in a borrowed grave by the kindness of a friend.

Those are the facts of his human life. He rises from the dead. Today we look back across nineteen hundred years and ask, What kind of trail has he left across the centuries? When we try to sum up his influence, all the armies that ever marched, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned are absolutely picayune in their influence on mankind compared with that of this one solitary life...

--From the 1926 book, The Real Jesus, by Dr. James Allan Francis

Merry Christmas!

I probably won't be doing any blogging until after Christmas, so I'd like to just wish every single one of my readers and commenters a wonderful Christmas! Have a blessed new year, as well! May you all enjoy the time spent with family and friends.

Remember--Jesus is what it's all about. His birth began a series of events that shook the world; and from his death and resurrection, we gained life eternal. All we have to do is accept this lovely gift above all gifts, this sacrifice of unquantifiable worth. Praise the Lord for his love and mercy!

O Canada

Some immigrants aren't welcome in Canada.

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

Seven Lebanese are scheduled today for deportation from Canada into the hands of terrorists likely to imprison, torture or kill them, say activists working on their behalf.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

Two recent examples illustrate these international law violations by Canadian immigration authorities, say human rights activists Jerry Gordon and Brigitte Gabriel.

In the first example, an SLA vet had fled South Lebanon via Israel in 1992. He entered Canada and obtained his citizenship after more than 12 years of residency. He was arrested in July 2004 at the Beirut International Airport, detained and tortured in Lebanon. He went on a compassionate mission to visit his sick elderly parents living there. The SLA vet had a Canadian passport and a valid Lebanese visa.

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

In the second example, SLA vet Ibrahim el Khoury along with his wife Norma Ata and his two children Kamal and Elie (the infant being a Canadian citizen) were arrested on their arrival at Beirut International Airport Sept. 27, 2004. Ibrahim was imprisoned and tortured while the family was detained for a few days and harshly interrogated.

"Little time remains for effective action to save the SLA veterans from almost certain death at the hands of Hezbollah operations and militias now in control of Southern Lebanon," said Gordon and Brigitte in a prepared statement. "It is absurd that Canada, one of the world’s premier human rights advocates and sanctuaries would permit this travesty of justice to unfold."

I don't know all the facts of this case, but a few items piqued my interest:

1. At least one of these men had lived legally in Canada for 12 years, and is now a citizen.
2. Canada has some of the most liberal immigration policies in the Western world, treating even illegal immigrants with leniency.
3. These men are former members of the South Lebanon Army, formerly allies of Israel.

Is it just me, or do you find it strange that Canada is serving these people with deportation notices? It makes me wonder.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

School Can't Make Up Its Mind

Here's an exercise in contradiction.

DENVER -- The parents of an elementary school student who was told not to distribute invitations asking classmates to join a Bible club sued the school district in federal court Wednesday, claiming their right to religious freedom had been violated.

The lawsuit says the Gilpin County RE-1 School District violated constitutional rights protecting free speech and religion. Robert and Patricia Unruh said the school barred their daughter from distributing the invitations based solely on their religious content.

The suit said Gilpin Elementary School Principal Deb Benitez told the Unruhs she had received several complaints from parents and that the invitations had caused a disturbance.

Superintendent Ken Ladouceur, who like Benitez is named in the lawsuit, said he had not seen the suit and did not know details about the case. But he said principals are authorized to make decisions to avoid disturbances in their schools.

"The principal's responsible for the peaceful environment of the school, so yes, it is the principal's call," Ladouceur said.

The lawsuit also accuses the school of discriminating against Patricia Unruh by repeatedly denying her requests to advertise a summer Bible camp that is separate from the club. Patricia Unruh asked to distribute flyers for students to take home to their parents.

Other groups, such as the Girl Scouts and Little League, are allowed to advertise in such a way, the suit says.

And the contradiction:

The superintendent said that while he doesn't know details of this specific case, district policy would allow flyers for an extracurricular Bible school to be distributed along with material about other activities.

"The policy was crafted to ensure all groups are treated the same way, religious or otherwise," he said.

Huh? Did you catch that? Which is it, Superintendent Dunderhead? Is it allowed, or not? And how is it treating everyone the same way, when you require students who wish to disseminate religious (Christian) material to distribute these items "along with material about other activities," but insist on no such criterion from the Girl Scouts and other groups?

The Unruhs established "God's Girlz" last year as a family-run social group for girls in fifth and sixth grade, the lawsuit says. The club allowed girls to participate in service projects, parties and other events while learning about the Bible.

The summer Bible group and God's Girlz pay rent to meet in a building on school district grounds but are not affiliated with the district, the suit says. The school is in Black Hawk, in the Rockies foothills west of Denver.

The Unruhs say in the lawsuit that their daughter distributed invitations to students before school and during her lunch hour on two days in September. About a week later, Benitez told the Unruhs several parents had complained and said the invitations had caused a disturbance, according to the suit.

How charming! The school district rents a building to the Bible club--a building located on school property--but the child cannot advertise the club's activities at school, on her own time.

Isn't tolerance grand?

Government Scools: Havens of Indoctrination

How many reasons do you need to pull your kids out of public school? Well, here's another great one:

Two parents who objected to a Massachusetts high school's homosexual-awareness day were expelled from the campus after a mother began videotaping a session.

Brian Camenker, an activist who has a son at Newton North High School in Newtonville, Mass., and Kim Cariani, mother of two students, said four police officers and the school principal warned they would be charged with trespassing if they didn't leave the campus Wednesday.

The school did not send home a note to parents about the event, a Newton North spokeswoman acknowleged to CWA's Culture & Family Institute. But she said the event is listed on the school's website and in calendars at the beginning of the year, and some e-mails were sent out.

The principal demanded Cariani turn over the videotape or leave, Camenker told the Herald. District policy prohibits taping or photographing students without parental permission.

"They took the two of us and pulled us out and gave us one minute to leave and if we came back on the property we would be arrested for trespassing," Camenker said.

A local newspaper columnist, Tom Mountain of the Newton Tab, also was barred from the assembly "for the safety and security of the children."

Camenker told CWA he sent a copy of the event schedule to the school superintendent and all eight school board members prior to the event, advising them that parents would be at school that day monitoring activities.

Two questions:

1. If such events are as benign and wholesome as the schools would have us believe, what possible problem could administrators have with a parent videotaping the activities?

2. If policy prohibits taping or photographing students without parental permission, does that mean we'll see well-meaning parents threatened or even carted off to jail, during the next "Saturnalia Festival" (formerly Christmas), or "Gratitude Toward the Enlightened Indigenous Peoples' Day" (formerly Thanksgiving), when camera shutters click and camcorders roll tape? I'm assuming most of these schools do have parties, plays, and other student celebrations, during various holidays.

At a "gay day" two years ago, Camenker said, a 20-year-old male wearing a dress spoke to students, telling them he was taking female hormones but hadn't yet had his penis cut off.

And you thought your kids weren't learning a thing in school.

Massachusetts taxpayers pay about $1.5 million annually for a Gay and Lesbian Youth Commission that aggressively promotes homosexuality in public schools and helps schools create "Gay/Straight Alliances," student clubs that press for acceptance of homosexuality.

The school's website notice about "To BGLAD" includes the long-discredited "fact" that one in 10 students is homosexual, CWA says. Most researchers place the population at only about 1 percent.

Isn't it nice seeing your tax dollars put to good use?

An outline of Wednesday's event on the district's website included these descriptions of these sessions:

"A Day in the Life: Statistically one in ten students at this school are (sic) not straight. Teenage life is complicated enough, but how does it differ for Gay/ Lesbian/ Bisexual/ Transgender (GLBT) teens? Come to this panel and find out."

"Student Speakout: Newton North students read original pieces about GLBT issues."

"Life Outside the Gender Norm: What happens when ones (sic) gender identity does not match their sex? In this session, speakers will talk about their experiences with gender identity and expression."

"Out at the Old Ballgame: Athletes and coaches discuss what it’s like to be GLBT in the gym, on the field, and on the road."

"Family Matters: What does it mean to be a family? What discriminations and legal obstacles do queer families face? Children and parents discuss living with queer family members."

"GBLT What's in a Name: What is homophobia? heterosexism? Why is there a ToBGLADay? In this interactive presentation, we will use activities to provide the groundwork for talking about GBLT issues."

"Color Me Queer: A panel discussion of race, culture, and sexual identity."

I know it's stating the obvious, but there's not a shred of skepticism or objectivity in this representation. Clearly, the goal is equating homosexual, bisexual, trans-gendered, and lesbian lifestyles with normal sexual behaviors and roles. Such propaganda probably would bring a tear of pride to Goebbels' eye.

Another Stem-Cell Success Story

This is the kind of story I like:

Surgeons in Germany say they used stem cells from a 7-year-old girl's fat to help repair severe damage to her skull. It's apparently the first time that researchers have generated bone in a person by using the fat-derived cells.

The new work is an example of using so-called ''adult'' stem cells, as opposed to the more controversial ''embryonic'' stem cells that are recovered from early embryos. Adult stem cells are found in bone marrow and elsewhere in the body, and scientists hope to use their transforming ability to create replacement tissues for treating disease.

The girl in the new report had been injured in a fall two years before the surgery. She was missing several areas of skull totaling nearly 19 square inches, the German researchers reported.

Other surgeons had failed to correct the defects, and the girl wore a protective helmet. Her brain could sometimes be seen pulsating through the missing areas of her skull.

But several weeks after the stem-cell surgery, she was able to leave her helmet behind, the researchers report in the December issue of the Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery. The skull is now smooth to the touch, the missing parts replaced by thin but solid bone, said Dr. Hans-Peter Howaldt of the Justus-Liebig-University Medical School in Giessen, Germany. The child was not identified.

Though the doctors in the article were unable to prove beyond doubt that the stem-cells fixed the problem, they had no better explanation. At any rate, the procedure succeeded. Keep in mind that embryonic stem-cells weren't involved. I've read several stories of this type, involving adult stem-cells, or stem-cells taken from living people without harming the patient. Where are all the embryonic stem-cell success stories?

Founding Quotes of Note XX

"'Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of free Government." --George Washington

O Holy Night

In honor of our Savior's birth, I give you the background and lyrics to a very beautiful song:

The words and lyrics of the old carol 'O Holy Night' were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847. Cappeau was a wine seller by trade but was asked by the parish priest to write a poem for Christmas. He obliged and wrote the beautiful words of the hymn. He then realised that it should have music to accompany the words and he approached his friend Adolphe Charles Adams (1803-1856). He agreed and the music for the poem was therefore composed by Adams. Adolphe had attended the Paris conservatoire and forged a brilliant career as a composer. It was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight (1812-1893).


O Holy Night


O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in a lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Traditionally, the song is sung a little differently, omitting certain verses, slightly changing others. But this is the original text. What a lovely ode to Jesus!

Oh, Calamitous Day!

I received this woeful email, earlier today. After a few tears and a couple of crescent rolls, I felt better. I thought I'd share news of this legend's passing with you.

From Poppin' Fresh Press Syndicate:

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection, and complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, two children, JohnDough and Jane Dough, who has a bun in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart. Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, The California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy, and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.

Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart "cookie", wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still, as a crusty old man, was considered a roll model for millions The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

A great American icon has winged his way to that big breadbasket in the sky. First Julia Child, and now this. What's the world coming to?

I suddenly feel the urge to bake. Blueberry muffins, I believe.

God Bless Barry Goldwater

"I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution, or that have failed in their purpose, or that impose on the people an unwarranted financial burden. I will not attempt to discover whether legislation is 'needed' before I have first determined whether it is constitutionally permissible. And if I should later be attacked for neglecting my constituents' interests, I shall reply that I was informed their main interest is liberty and that in that cause I am doing the very best I can." --Sen. Barry Goldwater

Refreshing stuff. Whatever happened to Republicans like this?

Dallying With the Left

Here's a good article about how supposed conservative Christians are banding together in support of Republicans, under the auspices that doing so is "voting Christian." I found the following two paragraphs particularly interesting:

During his first term, President Bush signed Domestic Partnership Bills that for the first time gave federal benefits to same-sex couples. He appointed numerous open homosexuals to high public office even paying travel expenses for their homosexual partners. Bush increased abortion funding through "family planning" organizations like Planned Parenthood. His open border policy leaves our nation vulnerable to more terrorist attacks while Americans are being sexually abused at airports in the name of protecting them from terrorists. Knowing how anti-Christian our government schools are, what benefit is there for Christian families under Bush's proposed Orwellian "New Freedom Initiative" that calls for all children under the age of 18 years (eventually all Americans) to be examined by a psychiatrist? Sounds more like Stalinist Russia than America to me. In this age of "political correctness", both religion and aversion to socialism are considered mental illnesses. On ABC News with Charles Gibson, Bush again stated that Muslims and Christians worship the same God - we just have different routes of getting there. It seems that I could continue on with this list almost endlessly, but I think I have proven my point overwhelmingly that Falwell's statement "I proudly say they voted Christian" is false. Those who use the voting for the "lesser of two evils" argument certainly cannot claim that as a Christian concept. We did have a better choice. It's interesting to note that President Bush says he owes his "conversion" to the Reverend Billy Graham. While Graham, often known as "America's pastor", is probably one of the best-loved individuals of the 20th century, you might be surprised at some of his statements. On Larry King Live in December 1994, Graham stated that "homosexuals are born that way and that it's in their genes."[1] This statement of course is false because homosexuals cannot reproduce and therefore cannot pass on their genes to the next generation. Unfortunately by his statement, Graham leaves the thought open to millions of his followers that homosexuals are not responsible for their lifestyles. If Graham is responsible for Bush's "conversion", perhaps this is why Bush along with many other Americans accept "civil unions" (virtual marriage) for homosexuals. This of course contradicts the Word of God.

Graham also said that one does not have to believe in Jesus to go to heaven! When Pastor Robert Schuller, one of the fathers of the church growth movement, asked him "…what do you think is the future of Christianity?" Graham responded in part "…Outside the Christian groups, I think everybody who knows Christ, whether they are conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ." He went on to say, "…whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world, they are members of the Body of Christ, because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus …and I think they are saved, and that they are going to be in heaven with us."[2] Perhaps it is because of Billy Graham that President Bush thinks that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.

Let me just say that I found the slam against Billy Graham unnecessary, even if true. But the article ably points out some serious deficits in Bush's leadership abilities--as they pertain to conservative ideals.

Banning Christmas: A New Holiday Tradition

How original. Addle-brained school administrators reveal their intellectual constipation. Read all about it.

An elementary school in Oklahoma pulled all references to Christmas from its holiday play at the last minute, but left in references to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.

What I find laughable is the idea that such discrimination does not denote an anti-Christian bias. As I said, laughable--and contemptible.

The superintendent overseeing Lakehoma Elementary School in Mustang, Okla., banned a nativity scene and the song "Silent Night" from the presentation, which was scheduled for last night, citing fears that non-Christians might be offended and file suit against the school.

Of course, this makes perfect sense. After all, we would never want someone to get the erroneous impression that Christmas is about--dare I say it?--the birth of Christ! And as I've inquired on Vox's blog, recently: Why is it that offending people is only a concern, when the offendees are not Christians? Do you see the conscious deceit, here? This isn't about tolerance. This isn't about inoffensiveness. This is about denigrating, ignoring, and muzzling Christians. If that's what tolerance is, I want no part of it. Notice that such acts almost never materialize after someone complains. They occur when no complaints have been voiced. In other words, the schools are terrified of a fiction. And since when is freedom of religious expression predicated upon not offending someone? I don't recall that clause in the Constitution.

Further, why on earth would anyone be offended by carols and nativity scenes during the Christmas season? Where I come from, there's a term for such people:

Morons.

Springer (the school superintendant) told Eyewitness News of Oklahoma City he was concerned about violating the law since the play highlights the Christian tradition of Christmas above other religious and cultural traditions.

"I just could not break the law," Springer said. "We may have sins of omission occasionally, but we won't have sins of commission. If I know about something that I believe to be against the law, (then) we will take action on it."

What law is this mental giant and legislative expert violating? Well, he doesn't bother to say.

It seems the new holiday tradition across America is the total shutting down and excision of even the most minute references to Christ at Christmastime.

It warms my heart.

Separation of Christianity and Education

Here we go again:

Colorado is discriminating against religious schools and universities in its state student aid programs, a lawsuit filed in federal court charges.

Colorado Christian University says it applied to participate in the programs in September 2003, but last month, the application was denied on the sole ground that the school was "pervasively sectarian."

Here's yet another case of the state demonstrating its brazen ignorance in constitutional matters. "Separation of Church and State," in fact, cannot be found in the document. The First Amendment clearly lays out two stark points in religious matters. 1. Congress cannot pass a law abridging religious expression. 2. Congress cannot pass a law requiring the setup of an official state religion. Within its historical context, this focused on refusing support of one denomination of Christianity over another, since the country was--at that time--an overwhelmingly Christian nation. (This still holds true)

The idiotic "separation of Church and State" mindset pervading the public square, today, has nothing to do with the Constitution. If a student qualifies for--and receives-- state college aid, should he be hindered from attending the school of his choice, simply on the grounds that the school is unrepentantly Christian in its worldview? Constitutionally, this doesn't pass muster.

So Coloradans, understand that if you accept state-funded aid for college, you must attend the school of their choice--preferably one in which you will receive the proper secular indoctrination du jour.

The Twelve Rules of Christmas

I agree with this list, mostly. Of course, even The Rutherford Institute has proven itself susceptible to political correctness. Though this list is a good target to aim for, for the most part, I'm sure the government will shoot wide of the mark:


(Compiled by attorneys for The Rutherford Institute)

Unfortunately, Christmas has become a time of controversy over what can or cannot be done in terms of celebrating the holiday. In order to clear up much of the misunderstanding, the following twelve rules are offered:

1. Public school students’ written or spoken personal expressions concerning the religious significance of Christmas (e.g., T-shirts with the slogan, "Jesus Is the Reason for the Season") may not be censored by school officials absent evidence that the speech would cause a substantial disruption.

2. So long as teachers are generally permitted to wear clothing or jewelry or have personal items expressing their views about the holidays, Christian teachers may not be prohibited from similarly expressing their views by wearing Christmas-related clothing or jewelry or carrying Christmas-related personal items.

3. Public schools may teach students about the Christmas holiday, including its religious significance, so long as it is taught objectively for secular purposes such as its historical or cultural importance, and not for the purpose of promoting Christianity.

4. Public school teachers may send Christmas cards to the families of their students so long as they do so on their own time, outside of school hours.

5. Public schools may include Christmas music, including those with religious themes, in their choral programs if the songs are included for a secular purpose such as their musical quality or cultural value or if the songs are part of an overall performance including other holiday songs relating to Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other similar holidays.

6. Public schools may not require students to sing Christmas songs whose messages conflict with the students’ own religious or nonreligious beliefs.

7. Public school students may not be prohibited from distributing literature to fellow students concerning the Christmas holiday or invitations to church Christmas events on the same terms that they would be allowed to distribute other literature that is not related to schoolwork.

8. Private citizens or groups may display crèches or other Christmas symbols in public parks subject to the same reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that would apply to other similar displays.

9. Government entities may erect and maintain celebrations of the Christmas holiday, such as Christmas trees and Christmas light displays, and may include crèches in their displays at least so long as the purpose for including the crèche is not to promote its religious content and it is placed in context with other symbols of the Holiday season as part of an effort to celebrate the public Christmas holiday through its traditional symbols.

10. Neither public nor private employers may prevent employees from decorating their offices for Christmas, playing Christmas music, or wearing clothing related to Christmas merely because of their religious content so long as these activities are not used to harass or intimidate others.

11. Public or private employees whose sincerely held religious beliefs require that they not work on Christmas must be reasonably accommodated by their employers unless granting the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer.

12. Government recognition of Christmas as a public holiday and granting government employees a paid holiday for Christmas does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Commentary:

Rule 5: Kwanzaa? Gimme a break. This is a holiday founded by a Marxist, to make all the workers/Soviets/collectivists happy in their production. Putrid that they would even give the slightest creedence to such rubbish.

Rule 10: Who defines "intimidation" and "harrassment?" Some folks feel intimidated, harrassed, and assaulted by the mere fact that Christians exist. Far too vague.

Same-Sex Marriage: A Series

Bob Hayes, from Let's Try Freedom, offers a thoughtful series of posts on same-sex marriage. I don't agree with his conclusions, though I found his commentary thought-provoking and interesting. Recommended.

Introduction

Part I: Homosexuality

Part II: Homosexuality

Part III: Church and State

Part IV: Church and State

Part V: Church and State

Conclusions

God Protects Fools and Tennesseeans

A few jokes about Tennessee folk. Call it a little self-deprecating humor:


The owner of a golf course in Tennessee was confused about paying an invoice, so he decided to ask his secretary for some mathematical help. He called her into his office and said, "You graduated from the Univ. of Tennessee and I need some help. If I were to give you $20,000, minus 14%, how much would you take off?"

The secretary thought a moment, then replied,

"Everything but my earrings."

You gotta love those Tennessee women.
=============================================================
A group of TN. friends went deer hunting and paired off in twos for
the day. That night, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under
the weight of an eight-point buck.

"Where's Henry?" the others asked.

"Henry had a stroke of some kind. He's a couple of miles back up the
trail," the successful hunter replied.

"You left Henry laying out there and carried the deer back?" they
inquired.

"A tough call," nodded the hunter. "But I figured no one is going to
steal Henry!
=============================================================
Regarding the year 2000, a senior at Tennessee was overheard saying ...
when the end of the world comes, I hope to be in Tennessee."

When asked why, he stated that everything happens here 20 years later
than the rest of the civilized world.
=============================================================
The young Tennessean came running into the store and said to his buddy,
"Bubba, somebody just stole your pickup truck from the parking lot!"

Bubba replied, "Did you see who it was?"

The young Tennessean answered, "I couldn't tell, but I got the license
number."
=============================================================
A Tennessee State trooper pulled over a pickup on I-81. The trooper
asked, "Got any ID?"

The driver replied, "Bout whut?"
==============================================================
A Tennessean had a flat tire, pulled off on the side of the road, and
proceeded to put a bouquet of flowers in front of the car and one behind
it.

Then he got back in the car to wait.

A passerby studied the scene as he drove by and was so curious he turned
around and went back. He asked the fellow what the problem was.

The man replied, "I have a flat tire."

The passerby asked, "But what's with the flowers?"

The man responded, "When you break down they tell you to put flares
in the front and flares in the back! I never did understand it neither."

* * *

Tennessee, my home state. Gotta love it!

I bet y'all're plannin' a move down South, any day, now, right? Jest bring yer best rifle, some cold drinks, yer trusty ol' houn'dawg, and lots of shoes. We been goin' barefoot down here, way too long.

Abortion's Cloistered Secrets

From Love Matters' website, a few examples of abortion's after-effects--on the women who chose them:

**WARNING** SOME GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS FOLLOW

“I was an emotional wreck. The following day I was empty, sad, numb. I knew that day I had made a huge mistake. I wish with all my heart I would have done things differently.” CARRIE CAMILLERI LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

“I was deceived because I was not told the truth about what an abortion means to the life of an unborn baby. I was not told that at 10 weeks (which is when I had my abortion) my child was already fully formed. I was made to believe that I was doing something that was as natural as going to the dentist for a teeth cleaning.” STEPHANIE WILLIAMS RIDGECREST, CA

“After the first abortion, I did get more depressed. I developed a very angry character; I became very violent. After the second abortion, I really didn’t notice a change. By the third, I had really low self-esteem, and after the fourth I became extremely promiscuous and self-destructive. Throughout the years, with each abortion, I became more and more depressed and I gained more and more weight.” CECILIA GOMEZ TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA

“The suction machine was turned on, causing tremendous pain. I was frightened, it hurt so much. I wanted to scream. I wanted it to stop. I suddenly knew there was a baby inside. They were killing my baby!” MICHAELENE JENKINS SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

“Two weeks after the abortion, I went into labor. I staggered into the bathroom. And there, with my husband beside me, I delivered a part of my baby the doctor had missed. It was the head of my baby. . .” “I’ll wake up in the middle of the night, thinking I hear a baby crying. And I still have nightmares in which I am forced to watch my baby being ripped apart in front of me. I simply miss my baby. I constantly wake up wanting to nurse my child, wanting to hold my child. And that’s something the doctor never told me I would experience.” LORI NERAD - former national president of Women Exploited by Abortion

“Abortion destroys self-worth and dignity. I bought into the idea that abortion was simply a matter of choice. I used abortion as birth control until after my fourth abortion. I felt inside that this action has to be wrong. I wish I had given more thought to the abortions I had. If just one person had said, ‘Star, what you’re doing is wrong,’ it might have changed the destiny of my life.” STAR PARKER LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Made in His Image

I accept the biblical statement that humans are created in God's image. But when I look around and see the evil, chaos, and destruction wrought by Man, I ask myself: What characteristics do we have that define us as beings "in His image?"

First, let me say that I don't believe we ever can know fully what this means. We simply understand too little about God. That said, though, here are some areas in which we are similar--though badly flawed representations of Him:

1. We have the ability to love.

2. We recognize and admire beauty (I elaborated upon this in a previous post).

3. We have advanced thinking and reasoning abilities.

4. We communicate with others, and have fellowship with them.

5. We are artistic and creative--though our creations are not in the same league with God's. Nor are they fashioned through similar means.

6. It is possible for us to exhibit selflessness.

7. We understand loyalty.

8. Before the Fall, we were dubbed "good" by God. Even in our decayed and accursed state, we still can find goodness within ourselves, with His aid.

9. We have brilliant imaginations.

10. We welcome and appreciate the affections of others.

11. We have free will.


I may add to this list, if other characteristics cross my mind. But for now, these will do.

Over 2,000 Served

A quick peek at my Site Meter summary reveals that I've now had over 2,000 visits to my blog.

Thankee kindly, guys.


Here's to 2,000 more visitors.

Founding Quotes of Note XIX

"The proposed Constitution, so far from implying an abolition of the State governments, makes them constituent parts of the national sovereignty, by allowing them a direct representation in the Senate, and leaves in their possession certain exclusive and very important portions of sovereign power. This fully corresponds, in every rational import of the terms, with the idea of a federal government." --Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 9