Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy New Year 2011

For the coming year, I hope, pray and wish the following for all my friends and family:


 

 

 
If you have a job, that you keep it

If you are unemployed, that you find a job

If you are in debt, that you pay it off

If you have “enough”, that you share it with those who are needy

If you are sick, that you are healed

If you are healthy, that you stay that way

If you are lonely, that you remember friends and loved ones to share with

If you are surrounded by love, that you remember to share some with others

If you are sure of your eternal life; that you share the good news with others.

If you aren’t sure of your ‘afterlife’, that you come to know the peace of God in your life

Happy New Year for 2011!

 

Monday, December 27, 2010

Letter to Eagles Owner, Jeffrey Lurie

December 27, 2010


Jeffrey Lurie, Owner
Administration and Staff
Philadelphia Eagles
NovaCare Complex
One NovaCare Way
Philadelphia, PA 19145

Mr. Lurie:

I’m not a person that boycotts against ideals that oppose my values or beliefs; realistically I believe that I am just one person among many and that one less item purchased, or one less gallon of gas used will no more change the tide or ethical standards of a company, person or community than the proverbial drop in a bucket. I do, however, believe in the strength of one voice, raised along with many others against a common wrong.

I, along with many of my friends, will continue to speak aloud our criticism of your choice in hiring Michael Vick as a member of your organization. I have, and will continue to refuse to watch any football game that includes the Eagles team in competition.

Living in the Seattle area, I am not much of an east-coast football fan; however I do enjoy a good game and the Eagles appear to be talented and competitive this season. It is true that your team possesses a number of gifted and capable athletes (according to statistics and media). In the midst of all that talent, however, your organization has chosen economics over ethics, and deals over decency.

You have a convicted criminal in your midst; standing at the helm of your team and commanding that team towards their (apparent) path of playoffs and possibly the Super Bowl. You have accepted a man on your roster that abused, neglected and in many instances killed or was responsible for the death of countless number of dogs. Yes, they were his dogs; yes he served some jail time for his offenses. But his transgressions to society cannot be paid through a small fine, a PSA for PETA and numerous good-will gestures. Those actions are for show and do not reflect the true change in the man.

The nature of a man who would willingly and knowingly be the leader and supporter of the abuse of helpless animals is, in my mind, no more capable of rehabilitation than a child abuser, molester or murderer. Less than two years served for the senseless slaughter of dogs does not provide the remedy or the compensation for his crimes. Yet it is said that he has paid his dues; he should be forgiven and allowed to take his place in society because of his talent, his skills, and his contribution to the game of football.

I wonder if, in the pursuit of winning, the publicity and the celebrity phone calls congratulating you on your forgiveness of this “star”, you have considered the unmistakable message ringing out to football fans, young people and your sponsors: Not only does justice defer to popularity, but crime pays well. Our culture is filled with actors, musical artists, and fame seekers that commit crimes while serving sentences that are far reduced than what “normal” people would have to serve. And they, like your star, return to their lives of fame and fortune amid the cheers and the applause for their gifts. You have perpetuated the myth that consequences are only required to be paid by those who possess the stuff of mere mortals; surely not by individuals of celebrity.

I realize this letter will not persuade you, the public or your fans to alter their views on Mr. Vick or his criminal past. I do hope that the affluence and recognition you receive will be enough to quiet your conscience throughout the remainder of your ownership of the team. This is one football fan that will be changing channels whenever the Eagles are on the field and cheering loudly for ANY team that plays against the Eagles for as long as Michael Vick is a member of your organization.

Sincerely,

Paige Norman
Seattle, Washington

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Christmas 2010 Family Letter

Evolution of the Christmas letter: Once upon a time, there was a single girl who had a lot of friends she wanted to keep in touch with over the Christmas holidays. She scolded her friends (frankly, a bit smugly) that sent pre-printed and signed Christmas cards at how cold and impersonal they were, preferring instead to hand-sign with personalized notes each and every one of the over 60 Christmas cards she mailed out every year. Long before carpel-tunnel syndrome set in, this same single girl decided that, as she said almost the same thing every year to every person, a short Christmas paragraph would do instead of the hand-written notes; she still hand-signed every card, and hand-addressed every envelope.



This single girl married and soon found herself with over 100 cards to send out every year. Many of the receivers were friends of his family, some of her family, but most of them were friends AND family that didn’t keep in touch other times of the year because life just gets in the way of phone calls and letter writing. Cards were addressed and signed by hand, and a single page (one-sided) newsletter was sent to SOME of the people.


One year, due to life being busy and all, the girl did not get the letter written and mailed until after the New Year; thinking that one fewer card would surely not be missed, she mailed only cards and sent out very few letters. Such a fuss arose from her friends and family. Concerned that she had died or possibly been abducted by aliens; the widespread rumors and the furor over the “Missing Christmas Writer” was intense. Spurred on by the guilt and shame of her failure to provide kindling for her friends Yule fires, the girl determined to write a newsletter every year that would completely overwhelm any doubt that her friends and family might have that she was not dutifully carrying out her prescribed task.


And so, my friends and family, once again it is time for the Christmas Newsletter….

Hayden – Hayden celebrates his first year on December 24th. It will be a huge occasion, hosted at the church he and his family attend. Hayden’s first year has been such a tremendous testimony to the power of God and the love that he daily gives us. In October, Hayden had a heart transplant to correct his heterotaxy. He is a smiling and happy boy, crawling and keeping up with big sister.

Jaine is a 1st grader this year – time flies all too fast! Jaine is ever-patient with all the doctor visits and hospital stays of the last year for Hayden. She is a very accomplished artist and reads well above her class level. Jaine also enjoys playing outside with her uncles and going to various motocross and monster truck demonstrations.

Todd & Brie – have been blessed this year with fantastic employers, awesome insurance and the mercy and peace of God as they have travelled a very difficult rollercoaster with Hayden’s health issues. They have experienced the love and support of many friends and churches’ praying for them and for Hayden and it has been a very uplifting experience for them and their family.

Randy & Jessica – Randy continues to work for Emerald Heights and continues to receive opportunities for advancement. Jessica took advantage of a lay-off in the spring by going back to school for nursing; she has completed her certification in phlebotomy and is currently working as a lab assistant at Group Health in the region. They have hosted several family events at their lovely home and Jessica is enjoying her kitchen by showing off her cooking skills.

Blake – Blake is 12 this year and a 6th grader. His 5th grade experience was less than pleasant for our family and so we all decided (Blake included) to travel the home school path this year. He is enjoying his DVD lessons from Abeka Academy; however he’s not so sure his mother isn’t every bit as tough as his “real” school teachers. For his birthday this year we added a new family member to our menagerie – a purebred Boxer named “Norman’s Redmond Mustang” (‘Stang for short). He is 5 months old, whip smart and gives his boy a run for the money. It’s been a blessing to have Blake home during the days for housebreaking, walks and exercise.

James – A senior at Redmond High School this year, James is 17 years old. He is a Life Scout with only a few merit badges and a project standing between him and Eagle. In addition to Boy Scouts, he is active in our church AWANA and VBS programs. He has many decisions to make regarding his after high school life.

Russ & Paige – Russ observes his 10th year with Snohomish County PUD in their IT Department. He continues to commute to Everett each day (about 50 minutes one way) and is happy to have employment in our shaky economy. I continue to nanny several children: Hayden & Jaine, Chloe & Emma, Channing & Brayden and Anakin (not all of them every day, but usually 3-5 each day). Dropping off and picking up at three schools, as well as half-days, snow days, free-dress days and other activities keeps me busy and the Suburban practically always in “drive”.

The Zoo – As I mentioned before, we added ‘Stang to our already furry and scaly household that includes two cats and one Bearded Dragon. The cats are not overly fond of the new addition; however they are beginning to form a truce and possibly a visitation schedule for various rooms in the house that seems to be working well. The dragon (Jette) doesn’t seem to care who comes or goes as long as she gets her crickets and vegetables on a regular basis.


I hope that you are blessed with your family and friends around you this year, as well as the peace and love of our Lord, daily in your life. Remember that the season of Christmas isn’t just about presents and trees, lights and tinsel; it’s about the birth of a babe in a stable who died so that we may all live.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Daily Digest Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!

Articles like this make me want to get off the internet altogether – or find a way to find a really good firewall that blocks all of my ‘stuff’ from other people – including big brother – forever. But then, how would I find out what all those people are doing to take away my freedoms if I quit searching the web?

Face it: A high-speed connection is no more an essential civil right than 3G cell phone service or a Netflix account. Increasing competition and restoring academic excellence in abysmal public schools is far more of an imperative to minority children than handing them iPads.


"...a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy" - PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk

Ultimately, PETA's assertion that there are no ethical differences among rats, pigs, dogs, and boys is correct if their naturalistic worldview is true. The problem is that it does not follow that we should not eat pigs just because we don't eat boys. Instead, it follows that it would not be unethical to eat boys.


I have no issue with treating animals well. Our animals, in many aspects, are treated as family members: we care for them medically, provide them shelter, food and love. I have recently had the hesitant need to purchase clothing for our dog (a thing I said I’d never do). Our family ‘joke’ is that the pets that belong to our kids are our grand-cat/dog/dragon. The death of a family pet; for our family, is a life-changing event that brings tears and happy memories.

I also have no problem, whatsoever, with eating animals. I do draw the line at certain things (although I do believe there was one specific time I unknowingly ate dog meat at a taco stand in Mexico), I believe that animals are on this earth for our care and use. Livestock animals (cow, sheep, goat, pig, chickens) are meant for eating. They also provide clothing, shoes and many other useful products (for my post on Pig products, see HERE).

I don’t believe that eating animals is wrong. Eating them requires killing them, because it’s just too difficult to barbecue a steak while it’s still on the cow. Killing them is also necessary for coats and shoes and belts and those leather chaps the bikers wear (honestly – vinyl on a biker? Horrors!) I think God put animals on this planet for our use.

Notice I did not say “abuse”. Hurting animals is wrong; I haven’t seen PETA’s outrage covered much on the Michael Vick case; in fact they used him as a spokesperson after his disgraceful abuse of animals. PETA is more interested in throwing fake blood on people who wear fur coats or parading around mostly-or completely naked to protest the destruction of animals (warning: “Naked” means without clothing).
Naked Protests


A man (or woman) who would purposefully and for material gains abuse a living creature by withholding food, maiming them and beating them (in order to get them to fight to the death in a ring for a contest) is more than a monster. That person is, in my mind, on the same level as a person who would harm a child. People who murder, rape, abuse or otherwise harm a child usually face sentences of numerous years in prison. IF they get out of prison, they are branded (rightly so) as an ex-con, a predator, an evil person. They have trouble finding work, places to live and re-entering ‘society’.

Evidently, men who purposefully abuse an animal (there were up to 60 dogs that were abused, taught to fight or died at his hands) only receive a less-than two year sentence – and not even for the abuse of the animals – for “a Federal dog-fighting conspiracy charge”. Upon completion of their mandated prison time they receive sports endorsements (Nike) and lucrative contracts from the sporting industry (Philadelphia Eagles). He has been ‘rehabilitated and wants a chance to prove it to everyone by someday owning a dog’. Imagine the revulsion and anger people would demonstrate if a pedophile, child kidnapper or child abuser said he was ‘rehabilitated and wanted to have children someday’.

PETA would like us all to just leave the poor animals alone, and wear clothing from hemp, plastics and synthetic materials; which, on the most basic level is wasteful, but on a deeper level is wrong. Dairy and beef farmers would need to find other livelihoods, not to mention the people who make their living by providing food for the farm animals. And, many who support PETA support the non-use of anything from a living animal, including milk and other dairy products. No cheese, milk, yogurt, butter, etc. Okay, people live without dairy and meat products. Great; your choice – in some cases your health. But I find it offensive that because you don’t believe that animals were created for our use and protection that you expect everyone to live without animal usage at all.

I’ll tell you what; when the PETA people spend as much money protesting and vandalizing for the ethical treatment of children as they do for animals; I’ll stop eating meat. Until that day, I’ll wear my leather shoes and have a hamburger with cheese and a chocolate milk shake.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Daily Digest Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!


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Some days I feel like I’d like that pasted on my forehead….



Mean Girl

This girl is t.r.o.u.b.l.e. – she needs a spanking and more than rehab. If ‘ordinary’ people were given as light of a sentence as celebrities, there would be fewer people in the world because they’d all overdose, be killed by drunk/drugged drivers or murdered by thugs.

Candy Canes

Wow, candy canes and Christmas sweaters are bad because people are sad during the holidays and all that celebrating reminds them of their sadness (not to mention someone might get stabbed with a pointy candy cane). Let’s just dispense with the niceties and charge them all with conspiracy to commit murder. After all, if people commit suicide during the holidays it’s certainly because other people are happy and celebrating Christmas. Maybe they should make it a class-action lawsuit against all of Christianity too…

Milk and Diabetes

It’s no wonder people are confused about their dietary habits. Milk is bad for you because it’s fat; so we’re all supposed to consume only low-fat dairy, if at all. But according to THIS study, full-fat dairy may protect against diabetes…

Trans-palmitoleic acid, a fatty acid that circulates at higher levels in the blood of those who consume lots of full-fat dairy products, may protect against diabetes, according to a study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. That surprising finding may fly in the face of much nutritional advice that warns us against consuming too much whole milk, cheese or other sources of animal fat. But it comes from a study of 3,736 adults participating in the long-running Cardiovascular Health Study.

Birthrates

Birthrates dropped and the government takes the credit for it. “The report doesn't speculate on why the birthrate has fallen, but two decades of public-health initiatives to curb teenage pregnancy may be paying dividends.”


More statistics:


• Birthrates fell for groups that have had the highest rates, including Hispanics, whose rate fell 10% but still stands at 70.1 births per 1,000. (this means that 70 out of every 1,000 births are to a Hispanic.)


• The overall birthrate for all U.S. women fell for the second straight year. The decline appears to be continuing, based on data for the first half of 2010.


• About 41% of births were to unmarried mothers in 2009, up from 40.6% in 2008.


• The birthrate for women in their early 20s fell 7% and now stands at the lowest rate since 1973.


• The preterm birthrate continued its much-need improvement -- falling for the third straight year.


• The caesarean section rate reached a new high of 32.9%. It has increased every year since 1996, when the rate was 20.7%. (more than 1/3 of babies born are born by c-section every year).

Flash Mobs

I detest “Flash Mobs” and think they are a nuisance. It’s like “Glee” and “High School Musical” on steroids being forcibly piped into my ears while I’m in handcuffs and chained to a chair. Ugh.

We have a Winner!

You know, that McDonalds is an unspeakable place, filled with vile food and people who torment defenseless children by enticing them with toys (into becoming mind-numbed robots). Oh, and they coerce people into purchasing food with their little games and prizes. Shame, shame.

Guilty Smurf

Gargamel is alive and well; unfortunately he’s a crook and a shyster…

Christmas and Christians

Christians need to find a way to thrive in a society that looks less and less like any sort of Christendom — and more and more like the diverse and complicated Roman Empire where their religion had its beginning, 2,000 years ago this week.

Parental Food Responsibility

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/255702/will-mrs-obama-downsize-your-kid-mona-charen

The amount of all of this food that winds up uneaten in the trash can only be guessed at (though anecdotal evidence abounds). Wouldn’t it make more sense, economically, nutritionally, and (importantly) socially to eliminate school lunches altogether? Parents can pack a highly nutritious turkey, tuna, or peanut-butter sandwich with an apple or an orange. Poor parents can afford to do this with help from the food stamp program. The older kids can pack their own lunches. (A child who repeatedly showed up at school without lunch would receive attention from child protective services.) Most of the parent-supervised lunches would be superior in nutrition and taste to anything the government could serve (some kids might even find an affectionate note from mom or dad in their lunch boxes). But more importantly, the principle that parents are responsible for their children would be ratified.


The National School Lunch program, enacted in 1946, was devised with two goals in mind. The first was to subsidize farmers by purchasing huge blocs of “excess” commodities in order to keep prices up. Only secondarily did the government intend to help feed hungry children.



Parents are responsible for their children; the government is not. When the government can tell us how to feed our children, by law and decree, then we, as parents have given up yet another freedom of deciding how our children should be raised.

Childhood obesity is a horrible thing; there is no denying this. Children used to run and play outside for hours (regardless of the weather); bicycle to friends houses, into town to the store and all over the place. Not so many years ago, kids rode their bikes to school. I have to admit as a parent, I have paused several times before ‘allowing’ my sons to bike places around our town; danger lurks at the skate park, the bike jumps, around the corner and crossing the street (those of you in Redmond know how quickly we all drive down 166th). I’m not a helicopter parent; but there ARE pedophiles, kidnappers and all other sorts of dangers that are in our neighborhoods; probably not more than when I was growing up, but certainly the threat is more visible now. We live in a suburban area, not the city, so I’m sure that city dwellers with children have these same fears multiplied several times over.

I think the answer is to give parents more responsibility – to expect it from them. Parenting is not a hands-off sort of job description; there are lots of areas that need constant micro-managing to achieve success. Teaching our children ways to play; how to play, where to play, when to play is as important as teaching them to say ‘Please’ and ‘Thank You’. Dragging kids to karate, baseball, hockey and ballet are all fine ways to get the kids experience at new ideas, health, mental and physical conditioning, but they are not PLAY experiences. Play dates are fine; but so many times a play date is where the kids play video games together, watch a movie on the big screen (which in my childhood, the ‘big screen’ was a movie theater) or playing action figures on the carpet. There are no games of tag or street hockey or backyard baseball against all the neighborhood kids.

Many of the parents in my ‘sphere’ lament that their kids never go outside. Of course not; we live in a society completely overshadowed by electronics: Game systems, wireless internet, cell phone, cable/satellite TV, DVR’s and MP3 players. Nothing wrong with those things; but as with everything in moderation.

Helping children choose the most appropriate foods to eat is not a government dictate; it’s a lifelong learning experience. Apple slices or French Fries? Chocolate Milk or Soda? A handful of chips or the entire bag? Kids will eat, in most cases, what they want to eat. As a parent of four children (two adults), I have struggled through the child who doesn’t like peas, while her sister doesn’t like beans. The child who will eat pasta in any way with an sauce and the child who thinks pasta is solely for art/crafts projects are the same children who love pepperoni pizza with olives. There is nothing wrong with any of these choices, however the quantities of these foods they consume could be the issue if combined with sitting on the couch or chair while absorbing massive quantities of electronics into their motionless bodies.

Regulating what our children eat while at school is not the issue here. Regulating the amounts of foods that are ‘legal’ to purchase is also not the issue. People smoke and drink (and do drugs) regardless of whether it is legal or not, healthy or not, penalized or not. Do away with school lunches altogether and make parents once again responsible for their children’s health and well-being.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Daily Digest Monday, December 20, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!


Immigration Numbers

Some astounding visuals on what our future holds with (legal) immigration at its current levels (doesn’t even count the illegal’s). More information on http://numbersusa.org/

Cracking Down

Prince William County (PWC) is the second largest county in Virginia and now the number-one job growth locality in the region – with one of the lowest tax burdens – a distinction the chairman of the Board of County Supervisors, Corey Stewart, contends is directly attributable to the disciplined implementation of conservative principles and a harsh crackdown on illegal immigration.

Bad Santa

Well, Santa can just bring their presents here. We’ll even leave extra cookies!

Everybody wants to be #2

Competition is bad. And being #1 is always wrong.

Media Information

… those "exposed" to Fox News and talk radio were far more likely to answer our simple multiple-choice questions correctly than Obama voters and those "exposed" to any other media outlet.

This proves my point that people in general (doesn’t matter what political party) don’t care to inform themselves about current event. We are in an extremely electronic age; inform yourself. Left or Right, purple or green, religious or not; it’s your obligation as a citizen.

Civil Incorrectness

Illegal Immigration is not the same as equal rights for slaves/African Americans.

No More Snow

A (snow) blast from the year 2000 warning us that the snow won’t be falling again. I wonder if the people in Buffalo realize that snow no longer exists…

Only In America

Did I mention that we have an issue with Christmas?

I See London...

Don’t hang your underwear out to dry, especially if you’re OCD or, um, paranoid about underwear.

Breast is Best

You can’t feed your baby in public, so keep it covered!

Code of (Mis)Conduct

He can write a new bestseller entitled “Sex in Prison, The Jailbird Code of Conduct” now.

Anime

Dear children (of mine): This is only ONE of the reasons I don’t like anime…

Breaking INTO School?

What could possibly be important or valuable enough to break INTO a school for?

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Daily Digest Sunday, December 19, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!


Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country. ~ Margaret Thatcher

Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't. ~ Margaret Thatcher

Godless Morality

It is no coincidence that as German atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche boasted, "God is dead ... we have killed him ... must we not ourselves become gods[?]" (which, by the way, is the entire basis of humanism dating back to the Garden of Eden), he simultaneously predicted that the 20th century would be the most murderous in human history.


That Nietzsche was right is actually of secondary importance. Most significant is the apparent recognition Nietzsche had that man, left with no moral authority beyond his own impulses and passions, would devolve into self-destruction.

Indeed, the banner slogan of "No god? No problem!" could hang poignantly over the ovens of Auschwitz, the killing fields of Cambodia, and the trash bins of Planned Parenthood.


Though it might be more difficult to squeeze onto a billboard, the American Humanist Association needs to correct its jingle to convey the more accurate message: "No God? No problem...except the one that even the greatest atheist thinkers have recognized: when a belief in God dies, man dies."

Revolting College

Writing in the U.K.'s Guardian, Gary Younge (a writer based in the U.S.) has suggested that current and recent student revolts around the world are a good thing. He wants that "their energy, enthusiasm, militancy, rage and raucousness might burn in us all."


Younge sees the protests as nothing surprising because "[m]ore than one in five people under the age of 25 in the EU is unemployed. In Spain the figure is 43%; in Greece 30%; in Italy 26%. Meanwhile the principle that education is a public good, to which all are entitled, all contribute, and all benefit through a more competitive economy, is in its death throes." Did you catch that? The issue is that education is a basic good or right "to which all are entitled."

When everything becomes a right, then who are the privileged? What is there to work towards?

Happy season of values

If Obama is a Christian (which he says he is – not mine to judge – that responsibility is GOD’s), then why do most of his policies not align with Christian values?

Minority Report

Blacks are the only minority; because, there aren’t other types of minorities that should be recognized. As long as we’re clear on whom the special interest group’s important people really are…

Things NOT to do in LA

Lessons my dear children: 1) when you are hanging out at night with your peeps, don’t carry guns – even toy ones. 2) Don’t stand in the middle of the street with your guns. 3) don’t run when the police say “POLICE!” This makes you look guilty. Drop your ‘weapons’ and your bodies to the ground. 4) When the police say “DROP YOUR WEAPONS”, do it. If you’d been paying attention to lesson #3, (not to mention #1 or #2) you wouldn’t’ be hiding out behind a van with the cops drawn down on you.

Of course, we could just not let anyone ever carry any kind of gun (toy or not) ever again. Because it is definitely the fault of the gun (and ammo) companies that guns are killing or injuring people. And then there would be peace and love throughout the land.

Voo Doo

I so can think of a couple of people I need these for…

Soda is Bad

This is obviously McDonald’s fault for marketing to small children with toys.

Reverse Feminism

Being a woman is only clearly defined if you have an out-of-the-home-career as is clearly reflected by the women of “The View”. Oddly enough, they wouldn’t have anyone at home watching their every lip service if there were no stay-at-home moms. Kathryn Jean Lopez states it quite clearly:


Therein she hit on something almost as powerful as motherhood: the current backlash against feminism as we know it. There is a growing discomfort with the worldview that women should want to “have it all.” That girls should do anything and everything. Certainly, you can choose not to have children. You can have a fulfilling life in other ways. But for too long now we have acted — in our schools and in pop culture and in our social lives — as if the woman who is on The View is superior to the woman who lives in Wisconsin with the man she loves.

It’s apparently only feminism and “girl power” if you do what you’re told to do; not if you’re doing what you want to do.

Must Have Job FIRST!

What I LOVE about articles like this is that they seem to forget we have people out of work, foreclosures left and right and the money tree has shriveled up to dust. REALLY? $24 for a rechargeable Wine Bottle Opener?

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Daily Digest, Saturday December 18, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!


Never codified by law, E pluribus unum was considered a de facto motto of the United States until 1956 when the United States Congress passed an act (H.J. Resolution 396), adopting In God We Trust as the official motto.

No More Christmas Symbols!

Next thing you know they’ll be taking toy piggies out of farm sets. Oh wait...

Happy Christmahanakwamadan

Yeah, that about covers it.

Overheated Motion Sensors

Followed by the STD, Marriage and Divorce games…

Drunkin' Toesies

So happy the Brits are using their money (and not mine) on these useful research projects…

Mexico Mom

It won’t be long before this is a regular occurrence on our streets as well…

All work and no play

Since taking office, Obama has made nine vacation trips totaling all or part of 49 days, according to CBS Radio's Mark Knoller, the unofficial statistician of the White House press corps. That includes summer trips to Martha's Vineyard and last year's Hawaii trip.


By comparison, George W. Bush had spent all or part of 130 days on vacation through the same point in his presidency, most at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Obama has also made 15 trips to the presidential retreat at Camp David, compared to 48 by Bush.


So, GW took 2.5 x MORE days off but MOST of them were to his own home. I don’t think it required nearly as much security or traveling expenses as trips to all over the country. Just my opinion…

Four Loco Surf

Duuuude!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Daily Digest Friday, December 17, 2010

Random stuff that catches my eye with links to prove I’m not making it up!


Three "boys" and a train

If parents knew what their children were doing, they wouldn’t be hanging out at all hours of the night (or at all) on train tracks; not to mention spending time with a 27 year old man…
Friends to the End

It was just a schoolyard fight. Wonder who gets sued first – the school or the district?
No cuts for them!

Wondering if living on unemployment would be more to their liking?
Cash Carriers

In the country illegally (Strike 1), bringing “bulk” cash across the border (Strike 2) and eluding immigration officials at the border (Strike 3). Maybe we should start micro-chipping criminals so we can track their illegal activities better…

I don't have ADHD...Oh look, I'm Obese!

So does this mean the First Lady will be battling childhood ADHD as well?
Science, the Religion of Hate

It can’t be religious discrimination; the man is a White Christian. Discrimination can only be proven if you’re black or Muslim.

Filthy Lucre

Phosphate limits have been regulated for years; but now we have to live in filth to protect the environment.

Little old lady who thinks I'm calling her to prayer

I don’t think yodeling and the Muslim call to prayer sound remotely alike. But apparently, the judge did…

Love hurts

Of course stabbing someone 20 times doesn’t mean you intended to kill them. He just wanted her to stop sleeping with another man.

Change is Good

I think a regime change after 63 years is welcome.

Border Guards

“The Los Angeles Unified School District houses more illegal aliens than any other school district in the country. An analysis of several LAUSD textbooks at a conservative education meeting last evening portrayed LAUSD history textbooks to be Anti-American. All three textbooks used for U.S. History claimed that the Southwest was stolen from Mexico and that Mexico plans to take it back.”

What we all want to be when we grow up

The new American Dream…

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Daily Digest Thursday, December 16, 2010

Net Neutrality


So now the government wants to regulate my internet. Basically this is about higher fees and restrictions on what can be sent. Oh, and don’t forget, it’s a right for EVERYONE to have internet…as long as the government can watch you…



Incest is Best

Sweden doesn’t think incest is wrong between two consenting adults; apparently America thinks differently. Great comment though "Incest Is Cancer, The David Epstein incest case: If homosexuality is OK, why is incest wrong?"



Selling to Children

Children learn what they see: Girls dressing in low-cut shirts and/or mini-skirts teaches them that sex is what is attractive, not who they are. A boy talking about girls as objects of attraction, instead of friends or equals teaches them that girls are only good for pin-ups and lingerie shots. Oh, and the occasional college frat party.

Maybe McDonalds ought to stop selling Happy Meal toys and go into the TV and Textile business...



Gay Contributions in History

Of course, why not?



Postal "Service"?

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"… I don’t see the clothing optional part in here…



Allah Ho, Ho, Ho

I’m confused. It’s okay for a Christmas tree to be in a mall in a MUSLIM country, but we can’t have Christmas trees in the AIRPORT of the United States of America? Or in a bank?
Airport Trees
Chase What Matters

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Apathetic Tolerance

This post will likely make a lot of people mad. Of course, many of you would say that’s nothing new.


I have been considering this thought for quite some time though and I just need to say it: I don’t think people want to think for themselves anymore. It’s easier to be told what to think by the media than to go against the grain and argue a point that you feel to be correct (or incorrect).

I am tired of standing on the other side of the argument fence. I’m tired of name calling and my motives being questionable because I am religious or racist or judgmental. From where I’m standing, the very purpose of an opinion is to be true to one’s own beliefs, regardless of if others agree.

I have tried to spur on the thought process of others by posting links and current event articles on Facebook. The oddest things get people riled up. The Pope says condoms are okay for male homosexuals or prostitutes, but not for people who don’t want to have any more children and I’m told that I’m not to speak poorly about “the Holy Father”. First of all, the Pope isn’t the Holy Father – GOD is the Holy Father. Second, birth control isn’t just about birth control. There are several medical reasons for being on birth control that have nothing to do with contraception; such as regulation cycles and hormonal imbalances. But that isn’t the point of the article. The point is the absolute hypocrisy of the statement that practicing sinners can use condoms so they don’t spread diseases, but people who just don’t want to have children every time they have sex are breaking some law. Nowhere in the Bible can I find a verse where it says that families can’t practice birth control, or how many children are allowed or disallowed. There are, however SEVERAL places where prostitution, homosexuality and other sexual sins are called abominations. Have the holy father smoke that in his pipe.

For most people, it’s more than fine to denigrate and lambast Sarah Palin, while they make a demagogue out of people like Joy Behar and Nancy Pelosi. None of them are perfect, and honestly, just because I’m a conservative doesn’t mean I think Sarah Palin ought to run for President -- nor does it mean I’ll vote for her just because she’s a conservative (but that’s another post entirely). But, she certainly isn’t the ONLY one on the planet who says things that are newsworthy. Unfortunately, women are held to a higher and much more critical standard in politics than men are – if you’re a conservative that is. Joy Behar can call someone a bitch and calmly explain that it’s what she calls her friends; Nancy Pelosi tells people to sign the bill and read it later; while Sarah Palin confuses North and South Korea, corrects herself, and makes a damn fine point about the crises, and all we hear about is how stupid and unqualified she is. Just to make a point, do you KNOW how many states there actually are in the United States of America? Even if our President made a mistake, how do you get 57 states out of 50? (usually verbal mistakes in speeches revolve around mumbled or jumbled words, or a combination of two words in the speech. I’m not sure how he was confused with the number 50 versus 57)

We can disagree all day about abortion being legal or gays having the right to marry. But when presented with facts or honest positions regarding either subject, those that disagree with either (or both) are called religious bigots. What that says to me is that one doesn’t believe my opinions can be separate from my religion, which simply isn’t true. Granted many of my beliefs have religious teachings behind them, but I could also point out many beliefs others have in the name of religion have no religious directives whatsoever (alcohol, birth control, debt).

What I take from all this is that people are either apathetic, ignorant or wimps. We have become so afraid of hurting someone’s feelings that we no longer have standards, morals, values. Arguing, debating and disagreement have become name-calling bullying tactics that undo the fabric of what this country was framed to do. We are a diverse country – not a country of tolerant wimps.

Tolerance in this day and age means ‘don’t tick anyone off and don’t offend anyone’. Don’t express opinions that might be against the norm; my friend Jen calls this “puppies and rainbows”. I’m not a puppies and rainbows kind of person. Yes, I love puppies and I enjoy rainbows, but is that really all we can talk about now? Expressing an opinion about something other than weather and football should not be considered odious and extremist. Our country was founded on the beliefs that every person is of the same worth, but not every person has the same values. Coercing one person’s values on another is intolerant and prejudiced; but in our quest to offend none, we are forcing all to behave the same.

I realize it’s not personal, but maybe it should be. Maybe we should all start thinking about how apathy affects our lives on a daily basis. Apathy is what has taken prayer out of schools, allowed criminals to go free, sanctioned terrorists to come into our country. People are more passionate about their sports teams than they are about laws and rights in our country.

At some point we need to make the decision to stop trying to be everyone’s best friend and make a few enemies by standing for what we believe in. We might find we have more friends with common opinions that we think…

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Let’s Make a Deal

Step right up folks! You too can play God!

Couple Let's you Vote on whether they get an abortion

(I have attempted to go to the website birthornot.com but have not been able to access it. I have found this story on numerous news sites; I don’t believe it is a hoax)

The value of a human life has now become so cheapened that people are actually letting others decide on their reproduction plans. I can’t tell you (although I’m sure you can surmise) how much even the thought of this sickens me.

The couple above (in case you don’t want to read the article) have become pregnant, and unfortunately miscarried three times. They have chosen to become pregnant a fourth time. Instead of allowing the pregnancy to be a private matter, full of the anticipation, and possibly sadness of the outcome; they have chosen instead to allow outsiders to determine the fate of their child.

The child in this case is not referred to as a fetus or embryo; it is “an unborn baby boy”. They have posted ultrasounds, videos and health updates on their website. At this writing the pregnancy is in its 17th week; the baby has begun forming pads on fingertips and toes; this is the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Cartilage is beginning to harden into bone, the baby is about 5 ounces and 5 inches long. He can hear the heartbeat of his mother. His urinary tract, brain, muscles nervous and circulatory systems are functioning.

According to the Guttmacher Institute http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf, 38 states prohibit abortions, generally except when necessary to protect the woman’s life or health, after a specified point in pregnancy, most often fetal viability. Fetal Viability varies, but is usually accepted at 24 weeks.

So although this couple is calling their boy a baby, he is not a viable pregnancy in terms of medical definitions. Does that make it acceptable for them to leave his life – or death – at the hands of strangers based on the click of a mouse? Have we become such slaves to the reality show mentality that the life of another is only based on a lottery of votes?

Many people say a child is not a child until they are born. Anything inside the mother’s uterus is her choice to end or continue. Without attempting to judge (which many of you will say I am), how can something that is growing, breathing, moving and consuming energy not be alive? We as a “human” race spend so much time trying to save whales and trees and owls and other endangered species, yet look so derisively upon a collection of cells that will, through the miracle of pregnancy, become a human being.

So let’s consider the possible outcomes of this scenario (provided someone with legal prowess doesn’t derail the freedom of choice of this couple).

Outcome 1: The Arnolds decide to abort the baby (aka ‘terminate the pregnancy’).

Abortion is legal in many states (probably theirs). Many states don’t outline that the mother’s health or the health of the baby must be factors for abortion. Abortion is their choice.  My question here is why did they get pregnant in the first place? If abortion were legally considered murder, are the voters that chose abortion co-conspirators? Should they be held to the same legal standards as criminals who conspire or take part in the murder of another human?
Outcome 2: The Arnolds have a miscarriage.

They will have a public ready and willing to support them in their time of sadness. The publicity and endorsement of all kinds of products could be at their doorstep.

Outcome 3: The Arnolds carry the baby full-term and deliver a healthy baby boy.

This is not necessarily the happiest of outcomes. Given our penchant for publicity and making a buck at others expense, imagine this boy in school just a few years later. Some know-it-all kid or parent will spout off the true details of his birth. It’s on the internet. He or any number of other people could look it up at will for the rest of forever. (Don’t think it will happen? Ask me how many times in my childhood I was told that because I was adopted my parents didn’t want me; that I was dumped or given away. That’s not the truth, but it hurt nonetheless as a child.)

Abortion is not a crime (unfortunately in my opinion). Publically declaring your pregnancy is not a crime. Becoming a reality-show wanna-be is not a crime. But allowing others to determine your child’s future should be.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Banning Bacon

Imagine if you will a world with no bacon. For some people the mere thought of no bacon for breakfast sends them into a quasi-withdrawal state complete with shakes and delirium. For others, who have never had pig products, the thought is not so horrifying.


A (not complete) list of things made from pig:


• Bacon
• Ham
• Pork Roast
• Ribs
• Pork Chops
• Sausage
• Hot Dogs
• Heart valves
• Insulin
• Skin (for burn victims)
• Cellophane
• Floor waxes
• Insulation
• Matches
• Glue
• Plastic
• Antifreeze
• Pistons
• Rubber
• Wiper Fluid
• Buttons
• Fabric Dye
• Fertilizer
• Insecticide
• Weed Killers
• Artist brushes
• Chalk
• Crayons
• Dartboards
• Joysticks (game controller)
• Pool Balls
• Pig Ears/Hooves (dog chew toys)
• Lipstick
• Jello
• Suede
What about these “pig” items:

• Toy Farm Sets

• Jones Bacon Flavored Soda

• Piggy Banks

• Footballs

Famous Pigs in History:

• Miss Piggy

• “Babe” (pig Movie)

• Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur)

• Piglet

• Olivia

• Napoleon (Animal Farm)

• Three Little Pigs

And the lists go on and on. So let’s consider for a moment this article from the Daily UK: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1329897/Early-Learning-Centre-toy-pig-banned-farm-set-avoid-offending-Muslims.html


Basically, a few people, presumably from the religion of Islam, complained about the pig in the farm set. The store decided to remove all the pigs from any sets they sold so as not to offend “Muslims and Jews”.


So the lesson to be learned here is that pigs are bad – all pigs – for all people. The offense of a few is more important than the good as a whole.

I’m wondering when this lesson will transfer to other things such as fashion, housing, and other foods. For instance, I hate liver. And there are some religions that don’t believe that animal organs are acceptable to eat. So should all animal organs be considered banned? No chicken hearts or haggis or blood pudding?


What about books? Movies? Tattoos?


What about when someone finds cows or dogs offensive? Will I be required to get rid of my pet? Stop drinking milk? Give up my surf n turf? Destroy all service animals?


History would have to (once again) be revised to delete the “Pig War” and the “Bay of Pigs Invasion”.


When something is offensive to a group of people, whether for religious reasons or personal ‘taste’; is it necessary that the entire community (world, city, country) relinquish their rights and traditions for the beliefs of a few?


A few words of instruction: If you don’t want the pig, don’t buy the farm set. Or, toss the pig (and the oinker and trough) into the garbage. If you don’t believe in eating pork, then don’t go to the baseball game or the work BBQ. If pigs are unclean, then don’t live in a rural (farm) area. Shop in a halal or kosher store instead. Don’t read books or watch movies that might possibly include pigs.



But, while you’re avoiding all pig products, don’t get diabetes, have heart issues or get burned. Don’t drive cars, color with crayons, wear lipstick or watch re-runs of “The Muppet Show”. And for heaven’s sake, don’t use matches or buttons or wear shoes. Because you’ll be breaking your own ban.


http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-2961_2971-72781--,00.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pork

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pigs

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Totally Random Trivia about me:

• I will not drink by myself; not even a glass of wine if my husband isn’t home.

• I will not take more prescription meds than I am decades old (I am 47, so I will only allow myself 4 prescriptions)

• I won’t call people before 8 AM or after 10 PM; even if they tell me it’s okay.

• I can’t sleep with socks on.

• I don’t like to change my clothes more than once a day.

• I can’t watch or listen to performers with strange facial or vocal inflections.

• I can’t drive with my coat on.

• I get irritated by “spam” postings (please post this or email this if you support this)

• I am equally gullible and skeptical about many things.

• I grocery shop one aisle at a time even though I have a list.

• I will not buy a CD unless there are at least two songs on the album that I know and like.

• I don’t like to watch a movie of a book I’ve read because I’m always disappointed in one or the other.

• I don’t like to start a project I can’t finish. But I rarely, in reality, ever am able to finish anything anymore.

• I hate gardening with gloves on.

• I think flossing is over-rated.

• I believe animals understand human language, not just tone and mannerisms.

• I think conspiracy theorists may not be as crazy as we think they are.

• Animals should never have human names.

• I’m not good at remembering where people live when I’m driving there, unless I’ve driven there several times.

• I have absolutely no concept of street layouts and get lost unless I drive by map or landmarks.

• I’m horrible at remembering birthdays. I’m even worse at choosing, buying, addressing and mailing cards to those with birthdays.

• I have always wanted to be a drummer

• I don’t want to live past 70 years of age.

• I believe there is one true love for every person on this earth; but I believe that some people can have more than one true love. I also believe that some people never find their one true love.

• Bagpipe music makes me weepy, happy and want to dance at the same time.

• I am a frustrated writer.

• I have a list of celebrities I would love to have dinner with but would never walk up to them at a table and ask for their autograph or express my appreciation of them.

• I am as equally shy and retiring as I am opinionated and sociable; but it’s hard to tell what will come out when.

• I can eat an entire box of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese by myself.

• I hate liver, but love liverwurst and pate’.

• I love salami and blue cheese sandwiches (sourdough bread and mayonnaise)

• I don’t buy movies that make me cry or watch movies about horses.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Green is a color

Being “Green” is pretty much force-fed to us on a daily basis through the media and anyone else that professes to be concerned about our planet. And, although I agree that we should be good stewards of our planet, our communities, our lives; I’m a bit underwhelmed by the idealism that living this kind of lifestyle forecasts.

So bear with me as a ramble for a bit…

So, I read this piece from the Washington Examiner http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/special-editorial-reports/Portrait-of-a-Big-Green-activist-who-scares-your-kids-1038384-104011958.html

And the corresponding video from Annie Leonard http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Then I got dressed and thought about how I spend my consumer life. NEW non-consumable items I have purchased in the last two months include:

• various home improvement things like flashing, a couple of 2x6 boards, lawn fertilizer, fence sections
• dividers for our utensil drawers
• underwear
• a birthday gift for my husband (no I’m not telling you what it is – he reads my blog)
• Home school curricula
• puppy and new pet needs (dog dish, lead, harness, crate)
• Garden stakes for my leaning Daphne’s
• Energy efficient windows (not the old single pane ones) for the two downstairs windows
• A new freezer and a new (2nd) fridge

We also purchased a refurbished HP laptop to ‘replace’ mine. My ‘old’ laptop will be retro-fitted and given to Blake for his home school DVD needs. Russ has also purchased a few computer replacement parts in his computer repair home business.

Of course, like everyone else, we purchase consumables like Toilet paper, groceries, pet food, etc. I try to buy organic as I can, and watch the sizes I purchase if possible to cut down on recycling and garbage. But honestly, it’s not always convenient (as in within the realm of time and distance) to run to Costco every time the kids forget to put dishwasher tabs on the list or I need juice bags for lunch.

We shop at Costco where we usually purchase meat, lunch makings, batteries, eggs, milk and frozen things like mini-corn dogs, hamburger patties, and tortellini/pasta. I usually go once a month, then we spend the afternoon repackaging the meat into smaller meal quantities. I as a rule avoid purchasing fruit or vegetables at Costco as we don’t use them fast enough and then throw them away. Yes, we buy movies there, socks and the occasional “oooh!” item, but we have really tried to stay away from that stuff unless we are buying gifts or just need to look around. Our recycling bin is as full every week as our garbage bin. We try hard not to purchase things in smaller packages, and to throw our cans and bottles and plastics in the bin; cardboard and paper too. I’ve attempted to compost grass clippings but either forget to religiously turn it or it rains and rains and the pile turns into a wet, mildew-y lump of slime.

As for clothing, I purchase most of our outerwear at Value Village. Yeah, that’s right, Value Village. I think in the last year, I have purchased maybe 20 items total for the entire family (not including socks & underwear) brand new. A little black dress for a fundraiser we attended, dress shoes for both boys for church, sporting goods like shoes (we used the baseball ones for football, too) and rib pads, and a dress shirt for a school event. I buy James’ extra-long-legged jeans at a western store (bought two pair August 2009 in Centralia). The youngest wears hand-me-downs from cousins, friends and garage sales. We then pass his out-growns to family and friends or donate them to charity. We save James’ clothing in the event that Blake will have legs that long (arms too!) and that he can wear them; if he can’t those will be donated as well. I’ve bought plenty of very nice work shirts (Polo and button up) for Russ, workout shorts for Blake and miscellaneous summer or extra clothing for the kids I nanny (you know, you can never have too many extra bathing suits, swim trunks or leggings in case a sudden outbreak of summer happens or the kids get dirty). I even buy CD’s, books and DVD’s at thrift stores.

I donate what we can’t use, haven’t used, have outgrown, or still works but we got a ‘new’ one (as in new to us) to charity. (yes, I still have a full garage of stuff we’re keeping or I haven’t sorted through yet – but three parent’s-worth of households, scrapbook, genealogy and photo albums aren’t going anywhere NEAR the dump.)

We have three TV’s. One is a 9 inch (?) version that has a VCR and sat on my mom’s desk in her nursing home. The 2nd one we received from my son-in-law when they upgraded their set to a flat screen. The third one is a 32” that we got when my (other) son-in-law worked maintenance at a local retirement home. One of the resident’s was getting rid of it because it wouldn’t change channels anymore. So he was throwing it out and getting a brand new one. My son-in-law brought it to our house; we spent $60 on cables, hooked it into our VCR and have never had a bit of trouble with it. It is NOT HD. It does NOT have surround sound. We don’t seem to mind that Transformers and Ironman don’t sound like they do in the theaters. It does tick me off that my screen seems to have ‘gotten smaller’ due to the advent of every TV station on the planet assuming we’re all going to run right out to Best Buy and throw money at an HDTV with surround sound so we can see the outside edges of the fire or car accident on the local news.

I have never in my life purchased a new couch. My mother bought me a hide-a-bed couch when I graduated from HS; which was my bed in my apartment until we moved my old bedroom set up (gold trim and canopy included) into that apartment. That couch lasted about 12 years before it fell apart. Russ had a couch that he had purchased new before we met; when that one fell apart (10 years), we got a used one from someone moving into a smaller place. It was about 20 years old when we got it. Since then we’ve had two other ‘used’ couches from friends.

We purchased a new headboard, footboard and frame two (?) years ago for the new foam mattress we purchased. Prior to that, we had my mother’s CA-King mattress on the frame with no head or footboard. I have the dining room table and chairs that my mother purchased in 1947 as our main table. The chairs need repair, so currently they are in the garage waiting for the budget and time to have them repaired. We purchased new card table chairs because his parents set and my parent’s set finally fell apart. After about 30 years. We still have the card tables.

I have 8 car seats in various stages. Only a couple of them have been purchased by us; most are recycled from friends whose kids grew out of them. I keep them in my garage and use them as the various kids I watch grow in or out of them; same with the potty seat, high chair, stroller, kitchen booster seat and port-a-cribs.

I drive a 1993 Chevy Suburban; not very fuel efficient, but it carries everyone. We’ve taken scout trips, towed trailers, moved furniture, gone to the dump (that would be “landfill” for those that need eco-translations) and even taken a couple of vacations in the rig. My husband drives a 2001Infinity. He commutes about 30 miles to work every day. Both cars are paid for and we try to keep up on maintenance and repairs. Buying newer more ‘energy efficient’ vehicles will only help the car companies. What exactly will happen to our former cars when we no longer have them? They’ll be land-filled or owned by someone(s) else contributing to the supposed carbon toxicity of our air; AND there will be two more cars on the road.

We live in a house that was built in 1965; we are the 2nd owner of the house. We have remodeled the kitchen, bathroom (twice), repainted each of the bedrooms at least twice, landscaped the yard, built a deck, and added on a 2nd car garage/workspace. I have not put in bamboo flooring (too expensive) or exotic wood on the deck (WAY too expensive). We attempted to sell or donate any useable materials from every remodel; but who in their right minds really wants 40 year old (ugly) brown cabinets with (even uglier) vegetable-print contact paper inside? And the flooring was literally in pieces the size of cotton balls when we removed it. We did sell the old stove though…for about $25.



What’s my point? I think we are fairly responsible people when it comes to saving our planet. I get pretty tired of being told how environmentally irresponsible we all are because we don’t have straw houses, bamboo floors, hemp clothing, zero (or less) population growth, compost all our food scraps and cut our garbage down to ‘acceptable’ levels.

Most of what I consider “waste” is not under my control. For one thing, I receive enough junk mail monthly to fill our recycle bin almost ¼ full. That’s wrong. Yes, I can stop it, and have attempted to through all the usual emails, anti-mailing lists, etc. But the circular ads just keep coming; the postcards from realtors, photography studios, colleges and recycling events. And the catalogs. Okay, I love catalogs; thumbing through them, looking at all the great stuff that I could buy if money really didn’t matter to me, or I wanted to purchase a bunch of crud I don’t need. But honestly, if I want something, or need something, I can go online or go without. And it is so much easier to ‘throw’ junk email away than junk paper.

And honestly, if we are really so concerned with being ‘green’, could the schools stop sending home information packets on a weekly basis filled with garbage printed on dead trees? I admit there’s a fine line between keeping parents informed and overwhelmed – most of this information could be passed out on websites or electronically. I get that not everyone has access. Fine. THOSE people can get the mountains of paperwork to sort through and (hopefully) recycle. I have email. And internet. Sign me up. Would it also be possible to put all the forms necessary for starting school every year online? Could I not just fill them out and either email them or, print them out myself and send them in to school? Of course, not everyone would. But not everyone does now and you still have to follow up with those that don’t. And while we’re at it, wouldn’t it be easier to publish school text books ONLINE? No paper, no replacing them every year, no headaches when they change the math program yet again to reflect the most current pathway to teaching our children nothing….sorry, that’s another post altogether. (I have to admit our local elementary just started emailing a weekly newsletter with links; however as I home-school I’m not sure if the packets o’ stuff still come home.)

I think we should stop building NEW apartment/condo complexes and single-family homes until all the old ones are filled. The construction industry can use their skills and talents to upgrade, remodel, retrofit and repair the existing buildings we have. No new skyscrapers until all the current ones are leased completely full. This will likely put my title company, escrow and realtor friends in the unemployment line. Tough to hear; but we’re talking about the greater good of humanity, apparently.

I’m tired of helpful and caring celebrities telling me to unplug my appliances when not in use and being lectured to about my use of power, while they ride in their limousines to awards dinners and after-event parties. So every morning before I go to work, I need to unplug my electric radio/alarm clock so I can come home and plug it back in, reset all the alarm times and go to sleep? And, you know that my TV (about 15 years old) runs through my VCR (about 10 years old) and connects to my DirecTV box. Every time I unplug the power cords for this setup, it takes 20 minutes for it to all get back together online. Most of that is the DirecTV searching for satellite and rebooting the system. And the helpful monthly brochures from the power company telling me I could save $50 a YEAR by buying a newer, energy efficient refrigerator? Not as motivating as they intend it to be. WHO ARE MY NEIGHBORS that are using 53% less power than I am – Oh yeah, they’re the ones that work 12 hour days and walk around in sweaters and wool socks during the hours they’re home.

I agree that everyone, everywhere should work to keep their place, their community a little better than when they got there. Pick up garbage (maybe they should host college courses on “Recognizing and Utilizing garbage cans in everyday Life”.); drive less, buy less, need less, recycle more.

Let’s start with advertising. I realize this will put MORE people out of work, but honestly the “gotta have or you’re a dork” marketing has got to stop. A newer, sleeker, better car with higher payments and more buttons will not make you sexier or richer. A bigger house just means you’ll spend more time or money cleaning and less time enjoying it (and you’ll get suggestions from the power company how to lower your bills to boot). A newer TV means more cables, and other upgrades like blue-ray or a newer DVD player. Better phones mean larger bills, more buttons and more to break when you drop it out of your pocket or into the toilet (you know you will).

Is it possible for things to actually be built to last longer; like they used to? I mean I have a dining room table and chairs that was built in 1947. Yeah, the chairs need new caning and one needs a new arm. The cushions are a horrid Avocado green. The table needs to be refinished because the varnish has worn off. But it’s 64 years old! I can almost guarantee that any table we buy now, regardless of how much we spend, would likely survive less than about 20 years. The old freezer and fridge were over 20 years old. I’ll be surprised if we get 10 out of the new ones. Very few things are built to last – precisely so that the consumer is required to buy another one in a short period of time. This is the part of the video (above link) I agree with. I’m all for saving our planet; but how about we start by learning how to really reuse things instead of constantly buying new to replace the old that still works but doesn’t look as fancy.
 
So can I choose to be pistachio instead of green?

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Crossroads of Common Sense and Awareness

Explain to me why we are once again at the crossroads of common sense and awareness?


Lake Washington School District is asking for MORE MONEY (again) to lessen overcrowding issues due to the arrival of masses of school-age children into our district boundaries. It seems that our district and schools are in the enviable position of being well-regarded and highly sought after. The challenge here is that there are too many students for the classrooms currently available in system.

http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/News/Levy-2011/Enrollment-Projections.pdf shows the current and projected enrollment numbers for the years 2010 through 2021.

LWSD has proposed several ideas for changes in the local schools:

http://www.lwsd.org/SiteCollectionDocuments/News/Levy-2011/LWSD-Space-Needs-and-Solutions.pdf

• Converting special classes (art, music, computer labs) that have their own rooms into classrooms. It’s not clear where the special classes will go.

• Limit or eliminate full day kindergarten programs so that students will only go half day (freeing up the other half of the day for more students to attend, I suppose).

• Change the boundaries AGAIN so that schools have fewer neighborhoods to service

• Bussing students from overcrowded schools to less crowded schools

• More portables (elementary and High School)

• Build one or more elementary schools, one middle school, one High school

• build permanent classroom/facilities at existing High Schools

• Double shifts at Redmond and Eastlake

According to the district’s own information http://www.lwsd.org/For-Community/Tax-Dollars/School-Modernization/Pages/default.aspx Audubon Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Juanita Elementary, Kirkland Junior High, Lakeview Elementary, Redmond Junior High, Redmond High School, Rose Hill Elementary, Thoreau Elementary, Mann Elementary and Twain Elementary were all modernized between 1998 and 2006 (either building a new one or updating the old).

The following schools are part of Phase 2 of modernization (dates are completion or move-in dates): Carson Elementary (Fall 2008), Frost Elementary (2009), LW High School/Northstar Jr. High (Fall 2011), Finn Hill Jr. High/Environmental School (Fall 2011), Muir Elementary (Fall/Winter 2011), Rush Elementary (Winter 2012), Sandburg Elementary/Discovery School (Fall 2012), Rose Hill Jr. High/Stella Schola (Fall 2013), Keller Elementary (Fall 2012), International/Community School (Winter 2012) and Bell Elementary (Winter 2012).

Phase 3 & 4

Alcott Elementary, Evergreen Junior High, Juanita High School, Kamiakin Junior High, Kirk Elementary, Mead Elementary, Rockwell Elementary, Smith Elementary, Wilder Elementary, BEST High School, Blackwell Elementary, Dickinson Elementary, Eastlake High School, Inglewood Junior High, McAuliffe Elementary, Redmond Elementary, Resource Center, Support Services.

Phase 2-4 schools are either completed, in process or in the planning phases of construction; two of the Phase 2 schools are less than one year old. Were they already over-enrolled at that time? Did the district not plan for an increase in students for buildings that are theoretically to last 30 to 40 years?

Horace Mann was demolished and rebuilt in three months and allowed for little or no increase in student population in the new building (not to mention the parking lot disaster). How could this be? Did district planners not take into account the US Census of 2000 and the planned addition of hundreds of new homes in the local neighborhood? No, they instead changed the boundaries of neighborhoods that attended Mann Elementary.

In our Education Hill neighborhood alone, Redmond has had four of the 5 school buildings demolished and rebuilt in approximately a 10 year span (Redmond El, Horace Mann, Redmond Jr. High and Redmond High – Rockwell’s building is part of Phase 3 – Redmond El will be modernized again in Phase 4).

My oldest son, now a Senior at RHS, attended the first all-day kindergarten class at Mann Elementary (1998). It seems absurd that 12 years later the same district is actually discussing cancellation of the full-day K program because they don’t have enough classrooms for incoming students. How does this make our children “future ready”?

Changing the school structure from K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 will likely alleviate some of the overcrowding. But this only places a band-aid on the problem. It does not address the lack of planning and preparation by the district for the upcoming years.

Oddly enough, this is the same district that boasts about their increased WASL and SAT scores, but had only 5 of 12 Junior High and 1 of 6 High Schools meet their AYP targets.

According to RCW 82.02.050-110, new developments are charged impact fees to be used for “recover the cost incurred by government in providing the public facilities required to serve the new development. Impact fees are only used to fund facilities, such as roads, schools, and parks, that are directly associated with the new development.” Those funds, if managed correctly should be sufficient to cover costs associated with modernization of the neighborhoods they affect.

Several of the modernizations were covered through bond measures. And now, the district wants the taxpayers to provide more money for their mismanagement and lack of planning under the threat of larger class sizes and lack of specialty classes.

Excuse me, but haven’t we been here before?

Please take the survey at http://research.zarca.com/clients/88546/survey.aspx?sid=2&lang=0&data= prior to October 7th.

I Believe

• I believe abortion is wrong and adoption is right because of the impact they have had on my life.


• I believe the death penalty is right because that person made a conscious choice to break the law in a horrible way.

• I believe in life after death.

• I believe America was founded by men who believed that freedom of choice was more important than constantly being told by someone else what was good for them.

• I believe marriage is between one man and one woman.

• I believe the homosexuality is a choice. Although one may be born with the desire for same-sex relationships, I believe you have a choice not to follow through on every desire you have.

• I do not believe AIDS is a punishment from God for homosexuality. I believe it is the human body’s natural rebellion against things that are not healthy.

• I don’t believe that everything that everyone has should be a RIGHT. Freedom is not a right; it is a privilege that has been purchased with the blood of soldiers and patriots over centuries.

• I believe my money is mine and that I should be able to do with it as I see fit. If others want what I have, they can put the same amount (or more) effort and reap the benefits of hard work.

• I believe that people have lost their sense of humor in situations that are just downright funny.

• I believe that hate is an action, not a feeling alone. I hate Brussels sprouts. I am not a hater until I burn the crops of any of every Brussels sprout farmer in the country.

• I believe a difference of opinion is what makes friendships and people so interesting. The color of one’s skin, the religion and the politics of a person is not determined by their upbringing, but their beliefs.

• I don’t believe that having a different opinion and voicing it makes someone hateful. I believe that bombing and picketing and shooting and hurting others makes one hateful.

• I believe that anything that causes you to make poor choices over good choices is an addiction. You can choose to work on correcting your addiction. You may never completely conquer it, but your desires should not control your life.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Who is a Man of God

What does the phrase “Man of God” mean? Should it be used with a BIG G (denoting the “Christian God”) or a little g representing other gods? Can the “MOG” status be retracted? Do different religions and their gods have different standards for being a “MOG”? Can one be a “Woman of God”? Does Mother Theresa qualify?

Why the heck does this matter, you might ask…

I posted a quote from Gandhi on my Facebook page: “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi. I had prayer on my heart and it fit my feelings at the time.

One of the comments made to this post was “Gandhi was truly a Man of God”. And that comment made me wonder what makes someone a “Man of God”? Which god? Allah? Buddha? GOD?

Wikipedia defines “Man of God”, in the Hebrew Bible is a title of respect applied to prophets and beloved religious leaders. The term appears 77 times in 71 verses of the Hebrew Bible, in application to up to 12 individuals. I did not locate other Wiki entries or information on being a “Man of God” that did not apply to the Hebrew Bible.

There are websites delineating who are men of God; and books written about the subject. However in my Google searches, all appear to be about the Christian God. Gandhi followed Hinduism; which has several gods (Indra, Varuna, Agni). So, can Gandhi, a Hindu man, be considered a man of God or a man of many gods?

Romans 1:18-25 states: 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

The freedictionary.com defines “man of God” as:

n
1. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) a saint or prophet

2. (Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) a clergyman

If we use this definition then, anyone who obtained sainthood or was a prophet could be considered a man of God. But again, what God? What deity determines a person’s godliness? Is it possible to be a man of the Christian God but not a man of the Hindu gods?

1 Timothy 6:11,12 (NIV) says: 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Some examples of men “of God” as listed in a Google search:

Tim Tebow, Hugh Hefner (see link below in case you don’t believe me), Billy Sunday, Muhammad (book), Martin Luther King, Reverend Moon.

http://www.somareview.com/hughhefnermanofgod.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUc_JO7A6OU
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Great%20Men%20of%20God/great_men_of_god.htm
http://www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Man-Seyyed-Hossein-Nasr/dp/1567445012
http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/2010/07/men-of-god-22.html
http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/2010/07/men-of-god-23.html

So how can all these people be men of “God”? Martin Luther King was a Baptist, Billy Sunday an “evangelical” Christian, and Tim Tebow is a Christian.

Muhammad is considered a prophet of God, a messenger.

But Hugh Hefner? He’s stated that religion, God, is a myth. He’s an atheist.

Reverend Moon is allegedly the Messiah, but is the head minister of the Unification Church. If he is God, then can he truly be a Man of God?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unification_Church
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Myung_Moon

How can all these people be called “a Man of God” and yet represent so many different gods?

Friday, August 27, 2010

Open Arms

“ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION is not a new problem...Natives Americans used to call it WHITE PEOPLE”


The above statement is on one of those “ILike” boards on Facebook. And for a reason I have yet to determine, it really makes me angry.

I get the whole “Pilgrims were uninvited and sailed to the New World” thing. I know they nearly died that first winter and but for the Indians Native Americans, would have without help and education. I know we killed the Indians Native Americans, moved them to reservations, blah, blah, blah. I’m completely sympathetic to the damage we caused; and that we’ve never made full reparations. I get all that. I understand that we killed all the buffalo and ruined their land. Okay.

I understand that bad white people from America decided that people with dark skin from other countries would make a good entrepreneurial enterprise by kidnapping, beating and enslaving them then selling them for a huge profit to more bad white people who couldn’t till their own fields or make their own mint juleps.

I realize that these people had no choice in what happened to them. They were invaded upon or robbed of their homelands and caused to live in places they did not choose; in horrible and cruel conditions. We treated them all badly. And we can’t take that back or make full reparations. Ever. We can’t throw money at it or build enough monuments or rewrite the history books. What’s done is done. Let’s move on and try to move forward.

But from my bigoted, racist, hypocritical, whatever-the-fear-of-the-day-a-phobic viewpoint, the illegal immigration issue is completely different. For one thing, these aren’t just immigrants we’re talking about. These aren’t people coming over on boats, passing through checkpoints, filling out paperwork, having their names changed and integrating into our societies; working, owning businesses, paying taxes, paying their own way, educating their children, providing a useful service to their new country. These aren’t people who were stolen from their homeland and made into less-than-human creatures.

These are people who have CHOSEN to come here from MANY other countries and in many cases, taking great risks and paying huge sums of money (probably to more bad white people) to live in this country. And when they get here, they make little or no attempts to follow our laws, be members of the community, respect the country they came to. They chose to come here, but not to live by our laws. Because our laws are too cruel, too mean, too hard to follow.

The new classes of bad white people want them to have paperwork; we want them to hold legal jobs, work hard, make money and pay taxes. We want them to learn our language, read our books and integrate into our society. Because they CHOSE to come here. This was the country they risked it all to enter. And, I’m assuming it’s not because they wanted to immerse themselves in the language or needed a good hamburger and fries. It’s because we have jobs, free medical, education and services for all the down-trodden and huddled masses yearning to be free. And we offer them to everyone; regardless of race, creed, color or whatever. And they couldn’t get that in their country.

We don’t want them here unless they can live under our laws. Don’t bring your drugs, guns, bombs or religions with you and expect us to integrate to your way of life. You chose to come here to our wealth of learning, freedoms and riches. We expect you to give back to the country you chose. We require that you comply with our laws, our courts, our way of life. If you don’t like our laws, our ways, then why did you come?  The laws that you hate are the very reason you have freedom:  including the free benefits of living here.  Laws govern the people and allow freedoms to flourish.  Without them our country would be a place of thieves, murderers and rapists.  There would be no safety on the streets or churches or places to hold up signs stating your displeasure with something.  Exactly like your country -- the country you left.

Man I’m getting tired of this subject. I wish it would go away. But, like anything worth fighting for, it’s not an easy fix. No one wants to be the bad cop in this. We have laws that no one wants to enforce because they’ll hurt people’s feelings or send the wrong message. The only message we need to worry about sending is that we welcome everyone to our country – as long as you follow our laws, pay your dues and work towards becoming a legal, naturalized citizen of the country YOU CHOSE. Embracing takes open arms on both sides. Not handouts and dishonest ways.

You can’t take the gift without accepting the responsibility for the obligation to say thank you. And the biggest thank you our country could receive is for immigrants to come here legally and follow our laws. No matter how hard they are. Because anything worth having is worth the hard work to get there.

**UPDATE 9/3/2010**   Oh, and BY THE WAY?  It wasn't ILLEGAL "back then" to come to America without paperwork.