My Daughter, has always loved to read. She along with no doubt countless others, as a young child has read the story of Chicken Little and the Aesop's fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf. For anyone who has heard of or read either of these two the lessons the are intended to teach are familiar and easy to understand. The Boy who Cried Wolf, is intended to teach one to be serious about a pending danger and not to call for help just to trouble others just to pull a joke or a thoughtless prank because those who call for help when they don't need it soon find if this is done too often help will not come when it truly needed and indeed in the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf the wolf did eventually come but no one came when the boy called because he had made too many pleas for help in jest that when he truly needed help no one believed him and in the original version of that fable or story the wolf devours the boy. The lesson the story of Chicken little teaches is don't rely on false information or don't believe everything you hear indeed in truth the sky cannot fall.
When I consider these two stories and the lessons they teach, I find myself drawing an interesting comparison between these two stories the federal government. Right now The House is threatening not to fund Home Land Security because Obama they believe as I do,that president Obama, has exceeded his authority regarding his executive order concerning illegal immigration. Many, including myself remember the last government shutdown. Once again, the democrats, are saying that if the government should shut down the sky will be falling the over security of the country will be at risk. Most Americans, however , should no by now that this isn't the case. When the government has a so called shut down not a great deal actually shuts down in fact only about ten percent of the government actually stops functioning federal parks or monuments will close for a period of time but the rest of the government seems to go on as normal or at least as normal as the government has ever been! Indeed then, it is clear the sky is not falling. The problem is I fear that when one considers the real threats that ISIS or the nation's national debt truly pose.I fear that much of the American public will not take these threats seriously because our government as it were has cried wolf all too often when there was no real crisis.
I believe if our leaders in government along with many of the American people, don't wake up soon from the ignorance of their blissful sleep the wolf that is ISIS or the wolf of total economic collapse will be at America's door and such a day, is probably much closer then many in government would dare admit or that many in America could dare to realize. Some who may read these words may think That I am behaving as Henny Penny in the story of Chicken Little that is not my intention I seek only to warn all Americans to know the danger a real crisis that the looming threat of ISIS or economic collapse would indeed pose. I feel Americans should encourage our leaders in government to act responsibly where the threat of ISIS is concerned and the nation's nation should be be a major concern to all all Americans if only because it is hard working tax paying Americans who are expected to pay it. I would like too believe that America will wake up but I do not see such an awakening at present. Americans must wake up and demand responsible leadership in government because if they don't one day the wolf will come or the sky will fall. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words, to think on.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Obama Has Nothing To Be Proud Of.
Recently, my daughter was working on a composition for school. She was very diligent and stated on the assignment early. She was happy to have the composition all done and quickly went to save it in the documents area of our computer. Suddenly, in her haste she made some type of an computer mistake and as a result the computer was unable to save her composition in fact the screen went totally blank her composition was gone and that meant no matter how hard she had worked or how tired she was all she could do was start all over. She cried a few tears of frustration and then slowly began again. Believe it or not, the second time she wrote the composition she did an even better job then she had done with the first attempt and she latter decided that having to start over actually was a blessing in disguise because it helped write a composition that was something she could be proud of. I can assure you that she made sure she saved her composition correctly the second time.
President Obama,it would seem, is far too arrogant to start over on anything! Obama care, is a prime example. Obama, along with the democratically controlled House and Senate in 2009 literally, crammed Obama care down the throats of the American people. Many if not most of the members of Congress, had not even taken the time to read the bill to know what the consequences would be for the American people once Obama care, became law.This law to date has had one problem after another even now thousands of Americans, are either having to refile their taxes or delay filing their taxes because they have to see if the insurance they signed up for is they right policy they need to avoid paying tax penalties many Americans, have already been stuck having to pay excessive and unnecessary tax penalties because the Obama administration, failed to provide many of the American people the proper information needed for them too make the right choice in the first place.
Obama's foreign policy to date, is a complete disaster. His lack of military experience combined with his stubborn refusal to listen to those that have military experience and wisdom have all but rendered him powerless and virtually meaningless in the eyes of other world leaders as a result our enemies don't fear or respect him and our allies don't trust him.Obama, could even now possibly change his many presidential failures if he could be humble enough to learn from his failures and simply start over. Obama however will never start over on any thing concerning his various policies because to do that he would have to admit he failed to do things right the first time and he hasn't the humility to do that.
As a result of Obama's Obama's rampant inexperience, ignorance, arrogance and childish carelessness history, will record his legacy as follows: Obama, a president who tried to do everything but listened to no one and as a result did nothing right therefore, accomplished nothing that matters. The American people suffer even now all because Obama, lacks the humility to seek wise counsel and as sad and pathetic as that fact is it is also a fact that Obama is too steeped in his own ignorance and arrogance to ever change It's sad in away Obama, could have been a great president but he lacked the ability to humble himself admit his mistakes and start over. As a result of being too proud to change I believe history will record that basically president Obama, will have nothing to be proud of. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
President Obama,it would seem, is far too arrogant to start over on anything! Obama care, is a prime example. Obama, along with the democratically controlled House and Senate in 2009 literally, crammed Obama care down the throats of the American people. Many if not most of the members of Congress, had not even taken the time to read the bill to know what the consequences would be for the American people once Obama care, became law.This law to date has had one problem after another even now thousands of Americans, are either having to refile their taxes or delay filing their taxes because they have to see if the insurance they signed up for is they right policy they need to avoid paying tax penalties many Americans, have already been stuck having to pay excessive and unnecessary tax penalties because the Obama administration, failed to provide many of the American people the proper information needed for them too make the right choice in the first place.
Obama's foreign policy to date, is a complete disaster. His lack of military experience combined with his stubborn refusal to listen to those that have military experience and wisdom have all but rendered him powerless and virtually meaningless in the eyes of other world leaders as a result our enemies don't fear or respect him and our allies don't trust him.Obama, could even now possibly change his many presidential failures if he could be humble enough to learn from his failures and simply start over. Obama however will never start over on any thing concerning his various policies because to do that he would have to admit he failed to do things right the first time and he hasn't the humility to do that.
As a result of Obama's Obama's rampant inexperience, ignorance, arrogance and childish carelessness history, will record his legacy as follows: Obama, a president who tried to do everything but listened to no one and as a result did nothing right therefore, accomplished nothing that matters. The American people suffer even now all because Obama, lacks the humility to seek wise counsel and as sad and pathetic as that fact is it is also a fact that Obama is too steeped in his own ignorance and arrogance to ever change It's sad in away Obama, could have been a great president but he lacked the ability to humble himself admit his mistakes and start over. As a result of being too proud to change I believe history will record that basically president Obama, will have nothing to be proud of. As always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Everyone Loves Freedom But Few Want To Pay The Price.
Without question Americans, enjoy a level of freedom that many other countries have never known and can only dream about.America, may not be a perfect country but I can't think of another country I'd rather live in.One may argue that achieving the American dream, may be more difficult right now then it has been in days past but I would submit to anyone who may be feeling that way that America, for all her faults and imperfections, is still the land of unlimited opportunity and endless potential.
As wonderful as living in America, is as I observe various trends in our day to day culture I confess, that I grew more and more concerned with much of the thinking in this country as far as our basic freedoms are concerned. For decades, Americans for one reason or another have developed what I fear is a very lax attitude when it comes to the freedoms that we all enjoy.There are I believe several reasons that have lead to this attitude. consider this Americans, have so much and as a result many fail to even take the time to be grateful.Think about the many things Americans, can have at their fingertips in an instant Americans, now have smart phones that can practically do almost anything for them with the simple touch of an app.I receive mail almost on a daily basis that assures me I could be approved for a loan over the phone in as little as twenty four hours. The point I wish to make is simply this not only have many Americans forgotten how to be grateful for all that they have but they have also forgotten about the virtue of patience.Americans, in many cases, it seems don't want to wait for anything and why should they? With all of America's technological advances their are very few things any one really has to wait for and as a result we want everything now with as little work and effort as possible. The government promises to provide those in need with everything instantly seemingly for free but there is no such thing as a free lunch someone always pays for it in the form of higher taxes and more and more government restrictions.It seems, that many in America, today have forgotten that there is a price to be paid in order to maintain the freedoms they so often take for granted
Consider the growing threat of ISIS, though they are fighting primarily, in the Middle East at present I believe unless Americans, demand that our leaders in government get serious about destroying ISIS that given time they could threaten the United States. It as only been a mere fourteen years since nine eleven yet many in America, have all but forgotten the terrible shock and horror of that day. I believe if ISIS is to be destroyed at some point it will require boots on the ground. Make no mistake ISIS , is a growing cancer that if left unchecked will spread and eventually, threaten the security of the United States. Think about this when someone has been told they have cancer as I was just last year, no patient with any sense says to the doctor, "Can you wait until the cancer gets a little bigger before you operate to remove it?"When I found out I had cancer I wanted it gone as soon as possible. This is the same attitude Americans should take as they evaluate the ISIS threat.I believe Americans, are going to have to be sent in eventually to deal with ISIS yes, that means some brave Americans, may die but the price of freedom has never come cheap and in fact real freedom has never come to any nation or civilization without a price. I would rather brave Americans, be sent in to fight ISIS and destroy them rather than continue to see the beheading of innocent people many of whom have been innocent Americans. I'm afraid however it will take a direct terrorist attack with the magnitude and impact of another nine eleven or worse before Americans finally wake up to the danger that is ISIS. You see the problem is everybody loves freedom but few want to pay the price. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
As wonderful as living in America, is as I observe various trends in our day to day culture I confess, that I grew more and more concerned with much of the thinking in this country as far as our basic freedoms are concerned. For decades, Americans for one reason or another have developed what I fear is a very lax attitude when it comes to the freedoms that we all enjoy.There are I believe several reasons that have lead to this attitude. consider this Americans, have so much and as a result many fail to even take the time to be grateful.Think about the many things Americans, can have at their fingertips in an instant Americans, now have smart phones that can practically do almost anything for them with the simple touch of an app.I receive mail almost on a daily basis that assures me I could be approved for a loan over the phone in as little as twenty four hours. The point I wish to make is simply this not only have many Americans forgotten how to be grateful for all that they have but they have also forgotten about the virtue of patience.Americans, in many cases, it seems don't want to wait for anything and why should they? With all of America's technological advances their are very few things any one really has to wait for and as a result we want everything now with as little work and effort as possible. The government promises to provide those in need with everything instantly seemingly for free but there is no such thing as a free lunch someone always pays for it in the form of higher taxes and more and more government restrictions.It seems, that many in America, today have forgotten that there is a price to be paid in order to maintain the freedoms they so often take for granted
Consider the growing threat of ISIS, though they are fighting primarily, in the Middle East at present I believe unless Americans, demand that our leaders in government get serious about destroying ISIS that given time they could threaten the United States. It as only been a mere fourteen years since nine eleven yet many in America, have all but forgotten the terrible shock and horror of that day. I believe if ISIS is to be destroyed at some point it will require boots on the ground. Make no mistake ISIS , is a growing cancer that if left unchecked will spread and eventually, threaten the security of the United States. Think about this when someone has been told they have cancer as I was just last year, no patient with any sense says to the doctor, "Can you wait until the cancer gets a little bigger before you operate to remove it?"When I found out I had cancer I wanted it gone as soon as possible. This is the same attitude Americans should take as they evaluate the ISIS threat.I believe Americans, are going to have to be sent in eventually to deal with ISIS yes, that means some brave Americans, may die but the price of freedom has never come cheap and in fact real freedom has never come to any nation or civilization without a price. I would rather brave Americans, be sent in to fight ISIS and destroy them rather than continue to see the beheading of innocent people many of whom have been innocent Americans. I'm afraid however it will take a direct terrorist attack with the magnitude and impact of another nine eleven or worse before Americans finally wake up to the danger that is ISIS. You see the problem is everybody loves freedom but few want to pay the price. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Reading, Writing, Math And Islam?
My daughter, is really amazing! Her mind is just like a sponge.She can memorize almost anything in a very short period of time. I hate to admit it but she is much smarter than I was at her age. She absolutely loves any aspect of math and she's a computer whiz. I on the other hand, find that I'm still trying to understand basic Algebra and my computer knowledge basically, consist of turning my computer on and off! My daughter does exceptionally well in school and I thank God for that.
As I watch the news however, I see a disturbing trend developing in many of our our elementary, junior high and high schools. It seems, that along with reading, writing, and math many students are now required to learn the fundamental beliefs of the religion of Islam. That's right in many public schools learning about the Muslim faith, is not an optional choice students are free to make. Learning about the Islamic faith is now part of the learning curriculum in many elementary, junior high,and high schools all across our nation. While learning about the Muslim faith students are asked to memorize and recite Muslim prayers taken right from the Koran. I can't speak for everyone but I for one am totally against this new form of brain washing in many of our public schools. Where is the ACLU and other numerous liberal groups now? Why aren't they screaming about the separation of church and state as it relates to the teaching of religion in schools where the Muslim faith is concerned?
Consider this right now in the public school system students can be and have been rep remanded just for saying God, bless America. Students are not permitted to pray in public while on school grounds.Many schools now refuse to require any student to stand and say the pledge allegiance yet these same schools now require students to learn and recite Muslim prayers. Liberal educators will be quick to point out that they are merely encouraging religious and cultural diversify. I would argue however, that what they call religious and cultural diversity is more like religious and cultural perversity! Make no mistake what's going on here is liberal propaganda indoctrination.Even now you can see this type of thinking in the media when you hear Obama and other outspoken liberals say that much of the terrorism going on in the word right now can be directly blamed on the United States. Obama, has all but turned his back on our most influential and staunchest alley Israel but he seems more than willing to cozy up to Iran as he seeks to gain some kind of a political deal with Iran, to limit their development of nuclear weapons.
Think about this recently, a seventh grader was ask to answer the following question on a test the question read, What group thinks helping the poor is a waste of money? The correct answer was conservatives. The liberal agenda is quite clear liberals despise the philosophy of American exceptionalism and Obama has even stated publicly that he believes America, is longer necessarily a Christian nation.It is no accident that there has been an ever increasing rise in the number of parents choosing to home school their children rather than let them be exposed to the liberal philosophies now taught in many if not most of our public schools.
If God fearing Bible believing Christians want to have even a chance of taking this country back Christians, in our homes and churches have got to stand up speak out and demand a change from our leaders in government but before Christians can seek a change in government each of us myself included must ask God to make a change in all of us. As Christians we can not be afraid to live what we say we believe in fact, if one's Christian beliefs does not affect the way they behave in all aspects of basic daily life I would be left to wonder if they truly were a Christian and we already have enough who are Christians in name only! Christians everywhere I'm asking us all to wake up stand up, and up before it's too late. Remember what students learn in school today affects the society we all live in tomorrow. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
As I watch the news however, I see a disturbing trend developing in many of our our elementary, junior high and high schools. It seems, that along with reading, writing, and math many students are now required to learn the fundamental beliefs of the religion of Islam. That's right in many public schools learning about the Muslim faith, is not an optional choice students are free to make. Learning about the Islamic faith is now part of the learning curriculum in many elementary, junior high,and high schools all across our nation. While learning about the Muslim faith students are asked to memorize and recite Muslim prayers taken right from the Koran. I can't speak for everyone but I for one am totally against this new form of brain washing in many of our public schools. Where is the ACLU and other numerous liberal groups now? Why aren't they screaming about the separation of church and state as it relates to the teaching of religion in schools where the Muslim faith is concerned?
Consider this right now in the public school system students can be and have been rep remanded just for saying God, bless America. Students are not permitted to pray in public while on school grounds.Many schools now refuse to require any student to stand and say the pledge allegiance yet these same schools now require students to learn and recite Muslim prayers. Liberal educators will be quick to point out that they are merely encouraging religious and cultural diversify. I would argue however, that what they call religious and cultural diversity is more like religious and cultural perversity! Make no mistake what's going on here is liberal propaganda indoctrination.Even now you can see this type of thinking in the media when you hear Obama and other outspoken liberals say that much of the terrorism going on in the word right now can be directly blamed on the United States. Obama, has all but turned his back on our most influential and staunchest alley Israel but he seems more than willing to cozy up to Iran as he seeks to gain some kind of a political deal with Iran, to limit their development of nuclear weapons.
Think about this recently, a seventh grader was ask to answer the following question on a test the question read, What group thinks helping the poor is a waste of money? The correct answer was conservatives. The liberal agenda is quite clear liberals despise the philosophy of American exceptionalism and Obama has even stated publicly that he believes America, is longer necessarily a Christian nation.It is no accident that there has been an ever increasing rise in the number of parents choosing to home school their children rather than let them be exposed to the liberal philosophies now taught in many if not most of our public schools.
If God fearing Bible believing Christians want to have even a chance of taking this country back Christians, in our homes and churches have got to stand up speak out and demand a change from our leaders in government but before Christians can seek a change in government each of us myself included must ask God to make a change in all of us. As Christians we can not be afraid to live what we say we believe in fact, if one's Christian beliefs does not affect the way they behave in all aspects of basic daily life I would be left to wonder if they truly were a Christian and we already have enough who are Christians in name only! Christians everywhere I'm asking us all to wake up stand up, and up before it's too late. Remember what students learn in school today affects the society we all live in tomorrow. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words, to think on.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Is Obama, Committed? Yes, But To What Is The Question.
As a Christian, I profess to be committed to following the teachings of Jesus. I read my Bible and strive to live my life in such away to honor God and lead others to Christ. I confess, that I am far from perfect in this endeavor and often fail but one's Christian walk is a learning process and I am still learning. As a Husband, I am committed to being the best husband I can be for my wife. As a father, I am committed to being the best father I can be for my daughter.I am sure that any Christian, who may read these words would say they too strive to meet these type of commitments to the best of their human ability.
President Obama, in recent days, has reiterated that he is committed to the degrading and destroying of ISIS. I confess, to this point, I have my doubts about his commitment to this objective. Oh yes, I believe that Obama seeks to contain or slow down ISIS but to this point I do not see a commitment from the president to do whatever may be necessarily to destroy ISIS as quickly as possible. The president, to my way of thinking seemingly, refuses to even acknowledge we are even at war with ISIS even though ISIS has made it clear that they are at war with any nation or any individual who does not believe as they do and as such would attempt to stand in there way toward total world domination. How things will turn out with ISIS at this point I don't believe anyone can say however, I do believe there are certain objectives where America is concerned to which Obama is totally committed.
Almost from the very moment president Obama took office in 2009 I believe he has been totally committed to weakening both the military and political influence of the United States, around the world. Sadly, I believe in many ways he has succeeded. Obama, it seems, despises American exceptionalism even though he has personally benefited by it The very fact that Obama is the nation's first black president is evidence of the fact that America, is an exceptional country. Obama , has had no problem taking the profit from the sale of his numerous books. I also noticed he had no problem taking large donations from many businesses and large corporations while he was campaigning in 2008 and again in 2012 only to turn around and demonize those same businesses and corporations with strangling regulations once his campaigning was over.I notice also that Obama has no problem attending fund raisers for the democrats when they need money from these so called evil corporations.
Obama, made his objective quite clear in 2008 when he stated that his goal was fundamentally change the United States and he has certainly accomplished that objective..America's influence and leadership has diminished to the point that our enemies don't fear us or respect us and our allies no longer trust us because they know they can't count on us to stand with them. The nations debt has increased to the point that the nation's gross national product is 103% in other words the country now spends more than it takes in in fact Obama, has spent more money than all the other presidents before him with the possible exception of George W Bush. Obama, shows no sign of stopping his spending madness and he has two years remaining in his administration. I have every confidence that the national debt will reach well over twenty three or twenty four trillion if not more before Obama, leaves office.Make no mistake, Obama;s objective has been and always will be to fundamentally weaken the United States and although he says his goal is to degrade and destroy ISIS He has slowly been degrading and destroying America. I pray America, can survive Obama's administration. One thing is clear if America, is to survive she must find true leadership among her leaders and she must find it soon! As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.
President Obama, in recent days, has reiterated that he is committed to the degrading and destroying of ISIS. I confess, to this point, I have my doubts about his commitment to this objective. Oh yes, I believe that Obama seeks to contain or slow down ISIS but to this point I do not see a commitment from the president to do whatever may be necessarily to destroy ISIS as quickly as possible. The president, to my way of thinking seemingly, refuses to even acknowledge we are even at war with ISIS even though ISIS has made it clear that they are at war with any nation or any individual who does not believe as they do and as such would attempt to stand in there way toward total world domination. How things will turn out with ISIS at this point I don't believe anyone can say however, I do believe there are certain objectives where America is concerned to which Obama is totally committed.
Almost from the very moment president Obama took office in 2009 I believe he has been totally committed to weakening both the military and political influence of the United States, around the world. Sadly, I believe in many ways he has succeeded. Obama, it seems, despises American exceptionalism even though he has personally benefited by it The very fact that Obama is the nation's first black president is evidence of the fact that America, is an exceptional country. Obama , has had no problem taking the profit from the sale of his numerous books. I also noticed he had no problem taking large donations from many businesses and large corporations while he was campaigning in 2008 and again in 2012 only to turn around and demonize those same businesses and corporations with strangling regulations once his campaigning was over.I notice also that Obama has no problem attending fund raisers for the democrats when they need money from these so called evil corporations.
Obama, made his objective quite clear in 2008 when he stated that his goal was fundamentally change the United States and he has certainly accomplished that objective..America's influence and leadership has diminished to the point that our enemies don't fear us or respect us and our allies no longer trust us because they know they can't count on us to stand with them. The nations debt has increased to the point that the nation's gross national product is 103% in other words the country now spends more than it takes in in fact Obama, has spent more money than all the other presidents before him with the possible exception of George W Bush. Obama, shows no sign of stopping his spending madness and he has two years remaining in his administration. I have every confidence that the national debt will reach well over twenty three or twenty four trillion if not more before Obama, leaves office.Make no mistake, Obama;s objective has been and always will be to fundamentally weaken the United States and although he says his goal is to degrade and destroy ISIS He has slowly been degrading and destroying America. I pray America, can survive Obama's administration. One thing is clear if America, is to survive she must find true leadership among her leaders and she must find it soon! As always my friends, these thoughts remain, just some words to think on.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Nothing But The Truth? Really?
It has been said, that George Washington, never told a lie. I am somewhat of a student of early American history and after studying some of Washington's tactics particularly, the many spy missions he ordered or conducted I can assure you in order to mislead the British Washington was often misleading and less than truthful.
Recently in the news NBC head news anchor Brian Williams, was exposed for being less than honest about his war experience in Iraq in 2003. I'm not sure how Mr. Williams, can mis remember his helicopter being hit by a missile or some sort of enemy fire but it became clear after embellishing his story for twelve years that nothing he reported about that particular news story in Iraq where Mr. Williams was concerned actually happened a fact he was finally forced to admit putting his credibility as a news journalist and NBC"S reputation as a valid news organization in serious jeopardy. As a Christian I try to teach my daughter to always tell the truth indeed, the Bible says we are not to bare false witness. As Christian, however, I still have to consider the question Does anyone tell nothing but the whole truth in every situation? I am a Christian and as such I am also quite human and I will be honest and say that in my opinion it is impossible to tell the whole truth in every situation. If anyone should doubt my assertion on this issue I challenge any married man to answer this question if his wife ever ask it the question? Honey, does this dress make me look fat? How about this one, Honey do you ever think of your old girl friends at all? I will tell you right now if I was asked to answer questions like these honestly I might be in the dog house for a while as far as my wife is concerned! How about this remember that awful Christmas sweater a your mother in law got you as a present? When you received the present men did you find yourself saying thank you so much it's just what I wanted knowing it would be buried in the back of an obscure closet until it could be re gifted on some unsuspecting victim next year? Okay, Let's get serious no one wants to be or seem unkind so, we often find gracious ways to spare some one's feelings be not being as truthful as we could be such deceptions however, are usually harmless and yet I still contend even as a Christian there can be times when I would not choose to tell the whole truth. I promise anyone who would ever ask me if I thought that a lie would in some way save my wife or my daughter's life I would tell such a lie all day long till the cows came home! and so would anyone who loved their family in my opinion just as Rehab, the harlot did when she lied and hid the Israelites spies in the book of Joshua.
So as a Christian then, I have to ask myself where does one draw the line? I believe the answer may lie in the question of willful intent to mislead someone. There's a huge difference between sparing some one's feelings by choosing to be kind by not being totally truthful to the point of being blunt with someone and deliberately telling a lie to willingly intending to mislead someone and thus bare false witness to someone or even against someone making it very possible that such a deception could could have the potential to ruin some one's reputation for life. Yes, this is lying, This is harmful.Even when as a Christian, I'm trying to be kind to spare some one's feelings the best course of actions may be to follow my mother's advice she always says to me, " If you can't say something nice about someone don't say anything at all!" Therefore, I find that there may be times when instead of saying nothing but the truth one may be better off just saying nothing! In such cases for Christians, I think common sense and the seeking of the wisdom of God, will help a Christian, discern when it is wise and right to tell the whole truth. As Always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Recently in the news NBC head news anchor Brian Williams, was exposed for being less than honest about his war experience in Iraq in 2003. I'm not sure how Mr. Williams, can mis remember his helicopter being hit by a missile or some sort of enemy fire but it became clear after embellishing his story for twelve years that nothing he reported about that particular news story in Iraq where Mr. Williams was concerned actually happened a fact he was finally forced to admit putting his credibility as a news journalist and NBC"S reputation as a valid news organization in serious jeopardy. As a Christian I try to teach my daughter to always tell the truth indeed, the Bible says we are not to bare false witness. As Christian, however, I still have to consider the question Does anyone tell nothing but the whole truth in every situation? I am a Christian and as such I am also quite human and I will be honest and say that in my opinion it is impossible to tell the whole truth in every situation. If anyone should doubt my assertion on this issue I challenge any married man to answer this question if his wife ever ask it the question? Honey, does this dress make me look fat? How about this one, Honey do you ever think of your old girl friends at all? I will tell you right now if I was asked to answer questions like these honestly I might be in the dog house for a while as far as my wife is concerned! How about this remember that awful Christmas sweater a your mother in law got you as a present? When you received the present men did you find yourself saying thank you so much it's just what I wanted knowing it would be buried in the back of an obscure closet until it could be re gifted on some unsuspecting victim next year? Okay, Let's get serious no one wants to be or seem unkind so, we often find gracious ways to spare some one's feelings be not being as truthful as we could be such deceptions however, are usually harmless and yet I still contend even as a Christian there can be times when I would not choose to tell the whole truth. I promise anyone who would ever ask me if I thought that a lie would in some way save my wife or my daughter's life I would tell such a lie all day long till the cows came home! and so would anyone who loved their family in my opinion just as Rehab, the harlot did when she lied and hid the Israelites spies in the book of Joshua.
So as a Christian then, I have to ask myself where does one draw the line? I believe the answer may lie in the question of willful intent to mislead someone. There's a huge difference between sparing some one's feelings by choosing to be kind by not being totally truthful to the point of being blunt with someone and deliberately telling a lie to willingly intending to mislead someone and thus bare false witness to someone or even against someone making it very possible that such a deception could could have the potential to ruin some one's reputation for life. Yes, this is lying, This is harmful.Even when as a Christian, I'm trying to be kind to spare some one's feelings the best course of actions may be to follow my mother's advice she always says to me, " If you can't say something nice about someone don't say anything at all!" Therefore, I find that there may be times when instead of saying nothing but the truth one may be better off just saying nothing! In such cases for Christians, I think common sense and the seeking of the wisdom of God, will help a Christian, discern when it is wise and right to tell the whole truth. As Always, my friends, these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Sometimes, A Hard Choice May Lead To No Choice!
I love ice cream and my family does too. I love going to the Dairy Queen, for a chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard or maybe Baskin Robbins, for a taste of one of their famous thirty one flavors of ice cream.The problem is when one goes to a Baskin Robbins, when one has thirty one flavors of ice cream to choose from that presents an ice cream lover like me with some real hard choices to make. Deciding what flavors of ice cream one may wish to go in or on an ice cream cone is a wonderful problem to have and a delightful decision to make and it's great fun for my family.
In the world of politics however especially, if one looks ahead to the 2016 presidential election. One's choices are many in the beginning but at the end of the primary season one is left with only two serious presidential candidates. One from the Republican Party and one from the Democratic Party. I confess, as I consider the 2016 presidential election if the choice comes down to Jeb Bush or Hilary Clinton, for the first time in my life as a voter I may choose not to vote! I know Jeb Bush, was a reasonable Governor in Florida and I know he has a desire to further the nation's need for greater education. Jeb Bush, however, is for Common Core Education and from what I've seen to this point there's nothing common about it and as an education method I find it to be rotten to the core! Where I come from two plus two is four and it's never anything else no matter how one may explain another answer. I find math to be hard enough as it is and thus far I see nothing in the application of Common Core that changes my opinion.
I have the distinct impression that in many ways Jeb Bush, is a closet progressive that is about to bolt out of that particular closet and into the 2016 presidential race. Jeb Bush appears to favor at least some form of amnesty for illegal aliens and yes, I still call them that they were refereed as such for years until some vote needing progressive decided such a term was no longer politically correct. I know this much if America's borders remain as they are at present Americans, will continue to loose millions of jobs with the ever increasing potential to loose millions more. The Democrats, have made their political objective quite clear they want to flood the nation with illegal immigrants to turn a red state like Texas in to a blue state and that would be a sad state of confusion!
As a Christian, I can't vote for Hilary Clinton she is pro abortion and that among a host of other things is reason enough for me to never vote for a liberal democrat. Jeb Bush, may claim to be a conservative but unless his political views on Common Core Education and amnesty for illegal immigrants changes abruptly, as a Christian, I can't vote for him in good conscience. One thing is sure if the 2016 presidential election comes down to a choice between Hilary Clinton or Jeb Bush, I'm either going to have to make a third choice if possible or not vote and I think many Americans, will face this same problem. Sometimes, when it comes to politics when one faces a hard choice that may lead to no choice. I for one hope that is not a choice that millions of Americans, and I will have to make. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
In the world of politics however especially, if one looks ahead to the 2016 presidential election. One's choices are many in the beginning but at the end of the primary season one is left with only two serious presidential candidates. One from the Republican Party and one from the Democratic Party. I confess, as I consider the 2016 presidential election if the choice comes down to Jeb Bush or Hilary Clinton, for the first time in my life as a voter I may choose not to vote! I know Jeb Bush, was a reasonable Governor in Florida and I know he has a desire to further the nation's need for greater education. Jeb Bush, however, is for Common Core Education and from what I've seen to this point there's nothing common about it and as an education method I find it to be rotten to the core! Where I come from two plus two is four and it's never anything else no matter how one may explain another answer. I find math to be hard enough as it is and thus far I see nothing in the application of Common Core that changes my opinion.
I have the distinct impression that in many ways Jeb Bush, is a closet progressive that is about to bolt out of that particular closet and into the 2016 presidential race. Jeb Bush appears to favor at least some form of amnesty for illegal aliens and yes, I still call them that they were refereed as such for years until some vote needing progressive decided such a term was no longer politically correct. I know this much if America's borders remain as they are at present Americans, will continue to loose millions of jobs with the ever increasing potential to loose millions more. The Democrats, have made their political objective quite clear they want to flood the nation with illegal immigrants to turn a red state like Texas in to a blue state and that would be a sad state of confusion!
As a Christian, I can't vote for Hilary Clinton she is pro abortion and that among a host of other things is reason enough for me to never vote for a liberal democrat. Jeb Bush, may claim to be a conservative but unless his political views on Common Core Education and amnesty for illegal immigrants changes abruptly, as a Christian, I can't vote for him in good conscience. One thing is sure if the 2016 presidential election comes down to a choice between Hilary Clinton or Jeb Bush, I'm either going to have to make a third choice if possible or not vote and I think many Americans, will face this same problem. Sometimes, when it comes to politics when one faces a hard choice that may lead to no choice. I for one hope that is not a choice that millions of Americans, and I will have to make. As always, my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
How Many More Must Die?
I wouldn't necessarily call myself a brave man. I have as many fears as anyone else. I confess I have always had a healthy fear of snakes.Generally, when it comes to snakes the deader they are the better I like them! If I come in contact with any snake I don't check to see what kind of snake it is before I kill it! I certainly have no interest in becoming friends with a snake. I don;t care if some people do have them as pets that's the type of pet I don't need!
If you ask me ISIS, is a snake! Obama says he's going to manage ISIS during his last two years in office. The truth is Obama has no real strategy to deal with ISIS. the air strikes he authorizes only slows down or contains or attempts control ISIS. Such attempts are better than nothing to be sure but I have to say the air strikes alone are not much better than nothing.
With the recent execution of the Jordanian pilot ISIS has sunk to new disgusting low. Burning another Muslim alive as the whole world watches and all Obama has to offer at best is a tepid halfhearted, promise to double down on his supposed efforts to destroy ISIS. I and millions of Americans are left to wonder when is Obama going to get serious about destroying ISIS? Obama it seems, has an obvious birth defect the man was born without a spine without guts and some would argue without a brain! Obama can't even say the words Islamic extremist, Islamic terrorist, or Islamic Jihad! If Obama can't even speak these words I doubt if anything he has said or done to this point is making ISIS shake in their boots!
Look, no reasonable person likes the idea of putting boots on the ground to fight ISIS and I'm not advocating the sudden deployment of 150 ground troops tomorrow but I am asking for enough boots to be on the ground to get the job done. ISIS has to know that the United States is not going to be content to play around with them. ISIS has made it very clear if anyone does not follow their version of the Muslim faith they will kill them and no age, gender, or nationality is exempt from their stated objective they have clearly shown they have no problem killing another Muslim if that Muslim's beliefs differ from their own.
It is at this point I have to ask myself, how many more innocent people will have to die before Obama gets serious about destroying ISIS? Will it take the execution of another American before Obama sees the seriousness of the treat ISIS poses not only to the nations of the Middle East but to this nation? Liberals it seems, fail to grasp the basic concept that if ISIS ever gets a foot hold in this nation they will be among the first that ISIS has executed! Again, I am left to ask the question how many more people must die before Obama gets serious about destroying ISIS? ISIS, is a snake whose bite is deadly and the lives of millions are at risk. One does not play with a deadly snake rather, one kills such a snake before it even has a chance to strike. Obama has already given ISIS too many chances to strike. Yes, ISIS, is a snake that must be killed but how many more innocent people will die before Obama gets serious about killing the deadly snake that is ISIS? I am left to wait and wonder. As always mt friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
If you ask me ISIS, is a snake! Obama says he's going to manage ISIS during his last two years in office. The truth is Obama has no real strategy to deal with ISIS. the air strikes he authorizes only slows down or contains or attempts control ISIS. Such attempts are better than nothing to be sure but I have to say the air strikes alone are not much better than nothing.
With the recent execution of the Jordanian pilot ISIS has sunk to new disgusting low. Burning another Muslim alive as the whole world watches and all Obama has to offer at best is a tepid halfhearted, promise to double down on his supposed efforts to destroy ISIS. I and millions of Americans are left to wonder when is Obama going to get serious about destroying ISIS? Obama it seems, has an obvious birth defect the man was born without a spine without guts and some would argue without a brain! Obama can't even say the words Islamic extremist, Islamic terrorist, or Islamic Jihad! If Obama can't even speak these words I doubt if anything he has said or done to this point is making ISIS shake in their boots!
Look, no reasonable person likes the idea of putting boots on the ground to fight ISIS and I'm not advocating the sudden deployment of 150 ground troops tomorrow but I am asking for enough boots to be on the ground to get the job done. ISIS has to know that the United States is not going to be content to play around with them. ISIS has made it very clear if anyone does not follow their version of the Muslim faith they will kill them and no age, gender, or nationality is exempt from their stated objective they have clearly shown they have no problem killing another Muslim if that Muslim's beliefs differ from their own.
It is at this point I have to ask myself, how many more innocent people will have to die before Obama gets serious about destroying ISIS? Will it take the execution of another American before Obama sees the seriousness of the treat ISIS poses not only to the nations of the Middle East but to this nation? Liberals it seems, fail to grasp the basic concept that if ISIS ever gets a foot hold in this nation they will be among the first that ISIS has executed! Again, I am left to ask the question how many more people must die before Obama gets serious about destroying ISIS? ISIS, is a snake whose bite is deadly and the lives of millions are at risk. One does not play with a deadly snake rather, one kills such a snake before it even has a chance to strike. Obama has already given ISIS too many chances to strike. Yes, ISIS, is a snake that must be killed but how many more innocent people will die before Obama gets serious about killing the deadly snake that is ISIS? I am left to wait and wonder. As always mt friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The GOP Better Have A Better Idea.
The Ford Motor Company used to have a slogan when came to selling their cars that went something like this, If you want a better car visit a nearby Ford dealer because "Ford will have a better idea."I think the Republican Party in both the House and Senate had better adopt Ford's slogan. It isn't enough for the GOP to merely be against everything that the Democratic Party is for.The American people are already very aware that the GOP opposes most of the basic political positions that the democrats support.What I and the American people want to know is quite simply what is the GOP for? What are the GOP's alternative solutions for the the democratic polices that they are against?
If the GOP is opposed to Obama care then what are they prepared to replace it with? If they do not want to replace Obama care then how dose the GOP propose to fix it to make it better? The same question can be asked with Obama's immigration policy. If the GOP opposes amnesty what solutions do they propose to solve the nation's growing illegal immigration problem? If the GOP wishes to over haul the tax code they need to express very clearly to the American people just how they intend to do it. I'm not suggesting for a moment that there are easy answers to these political policy problems but then again if these problem were easy anybody could do it and they would have been solved by now. What the GOP must do and very soon is come up with a solid easy to understand platform that addresses these policies by offering solid solutions. I am sure that solutions have been offered but the GOP needs to find a potential presidential candidate that can address these problems head on.The GOP must find a presidential candidate that can effectively communicate to the American people their solutions to the problems posed by the current positions held by the democrats on these policies but at the moment when it comes to GOP solutions to these policy problems all I hear are crickets!
I don't pretend to have the answers for for immigration or Obama Care or the nation's tax code but then again, I didn't run for political office saying that I could find solutions for these problems so I'm not expected to have the answers for these problems but the GOP is expected to have the answers and they better formulate their answers in an easy to understand platform very soon if they hope to put a republican president in the White House in 2016. To put it very simply, as the 2016 presidential election approaches when it comes to Obama care the tax code or illegal immigration the GOP better have a better idea! As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
If the GOP is opposed to Obama care then what are they prepared to replace it with? If they do not want to replace Obama care then how dose the GOP propose to fix it to make it better? The same question can be asked with Obama's immigration policy. If the GOP opposes amnesty what solutions do they propose to solve the nation's growing illegal immigration problem? If the GOP wishes to over haul the tax code they need to express very clearly to the American people just how they intend to do it. I'm not suggesting for a moment that there are easy answers to these political policy problems but then again if these problem were easy anybody could do it and they would have been solved by now. What the GOP must do and very soon is come up with a solid easy to understand platform that addresses these policies by offering solid solutions. I am sure that solutions have been offered but the GOP needs to find a potential presidential candidate that can address these problems head on.The GOP must find a presidential candidate that can effectively communicate to the American people their solutions to the problems posed by the current positions held by the democrats on these policies but at the moment when it comes to GOP solutions to these policy problems all I hear are crickets!
I don't pretend to have the answers for for immigration or Obama Care or the nation's tax code but then again, I didn't run for political office saying that I could find solutions for these problems so I'm not expected to have the answers for these problems but the GOP is expected to have the answers and they better formulate their answers in an easy to understand platform very soon if they hope to put a republican president in the White House in 2016. To put it very simply, as the 2016 presidential election approaches when it comes to Obama care the tax code or illegal immigration the GOP better have a better idea! As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
It's Already Baked In The Cake
My daughter is twelve years old now and in terms of her social and over all personality development I'd have to say at times she's still quite a puzzle to figure out. One minute, she's twelve talking about Sponge Bob and the next minute she's twelve, talking about growing up and learning to cook like her mother and trying desperately to impress her mom and I with her cooking and in particular her baking ability. Recently, she attempted to bake her first cake. I must say she did a pretty good job she was afraid, I might not want to eat it because she didn't know how to cut the cake just right and she wanted it to look and taste perfect. I assured my daughter not only would I eat the cake but I'd have seconds because I knew of a special ingredient she had with out knowing it already baked in the cake. When she asked me what that ingredient was of course I told her it was love then she hugged me and I had seconds!
As I watched the news recently, I noticed that some teachers in various elementary schools are now giving grades not only on reading, writhing, spelling, and math but also on a child's emotional and social development. It seems now teachers will access if a child's personality for example to they have a good attitude/ Do they seem socially well adjusted? I confess I find these particular assessments done by the teachers a bit disturbing. These type of determinations seem to measure certain aspects of a child's character and when it comes to building a child's character that's a job that I feel should primarily be left to a child's parents.
Now I wish to make an analysis and for the sake of this analysis I will use cake as a particular example. Let's let a cake represent a child's potential and future character. Let's let the ingredients that go into a good cake represent good moral and social values. Finally, let's let parents represent the bakers of this cake used to represent a child's potential future character. Remember parents for the sake of this analysis and example you are the bakers of your child's potential and future character therefore, if as parents you want your child to be honest make sure as parents your children see you being honest. As we know children learn by example and that's how the ingredient of honesty get baked in the cake of your child's potential and future character. As a parent I am learning that once in a while I must let my daughter try and fail. As a parent I must remember that the strong house that is success is built on the foundation of the lessons learned from failure. I know as a parent If I want my daughter to grow up with good well adjusted social and moral values I as a parent must take the time to instill those values in her character by letting her see these same values demonstrated daily in my life. I know that if I and parents in general take the time to instill good values in there children I won't have to worry so much about them as far as their character is concerned because I'll know it's already been baked in the cake! As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
As I watched the news recently, I noticed that some teachers in various elementary schools are now giving grades not only on reading, writhing, spelling, and math but also on a child's emotional and social development. It seems now teachers will access if a child's personality for example to they have a good attitude/ Do they seem socially well adjusted? I confess I find these particular assessments done by the teachers a bit disturbing. These type of determinations seem to measure certain aspects of a child's character and when it comes to building a child's character that's a job that I feel should primarily be left to a child's parents.
Now I wish to make an analysis and for the sake of this analysis I will use cake as a particular example. Let's let a cake represent a child's potential and future character. Let's let the ingredients that go into a good cake represent good moral and social values. Finally, let's let parents represent the bakers of this cake used to represent a child's potential future character. Remember parents for the sake of this analysis and example you are the bakers of your child's potential and future character therefore, if as parents you want your child to be honest make sure as parents your children see you being honest. As we know children learn by example and that's how the ingredient of honesty get baked in the cake of your child's potential and future character. As a parent I am learning that once in a while I must let my daughter try and fail. As a parent I must remember that the strong house that is success is built on the foundation of the lessons learned from failure. I know as a parent If I want my daughter to grow up with good well adjusted social and moral values I as a parent must take the time to instill those values in her character by letting her see these same values demonstrated daily in my life. I know that if I and parents in general take the time to instill good values in there children I won't have to worry so much about them as far as their character is concerned because I'll know it's already been baked in the cake! As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
America A Nation In Need Of Integrity
Over the last few years my daughter has been given a special assignment at her school. She has been asked to write an essay on integrity. I have noticed that each time she composes a new essay on integrity her basic definition of integrity may stay the same but her concept of it's real meaning has changed greatly. She understands that integrity is personal honesty and a definite reflection of an individuals character an understanding that I find many in America lack.
One must ask themselves this basic question. Do I do what is right because it is right or because I'll get into some sort of trouble if I don't? As I Christian I know I must ask this question in my life on an almost daily basis. If one wishes to know the level of their integrity all one need do is ask ones self this question is there is anything I would do if I knew for sure that I could get away with it? As I see it if there is anything a person would do if they were sure they could get away with it means the only reason they don't is because they haven't yet thought of a foolproof way to pull it off!
Consider this Christian do you obey the law only because if your caught not obeying the law you could go to jail? A Christian should seek to do that which is because it is right. The only possible exception I can find is if a law made by men goes against a law made by God. I believe abortion may just be one such law yet even then Christians are expected to obey the law a Christian can however speak out about such a law and seek for ways to get a law they deem to be unjust changed.
It goes almost without saying that government in many aspects is filled with corruption. It has been my experience that every time I hear any politician talk about putting more money in my pocket I find that the only pockets that get filled are there own! What we have in the country now is a lack of old fashioned integrity. As long as politicians are more concerned about the next election as opposed to what is best for the county not a whole lot will change in this country as far as the government is concerned and I can assure you right now the government is only concerned for its self. Our government seems to operate on a mind over matter principal they don't mind because we don't matter! Can we find a politician that will do what is best for the country and not what is best for them? I have to say for now I don't know but I certainly pray that there may be one or two and that they may by all means please step forward soon!
Before integrity can be learned it must be taught and like many moral values personal integrity begins at home! Children need to see integrity in the character of there parents and for Christian parents this really shouldn't be an issue I know we don't live in a perfect world and no one is perfect but as a Christian I know I must make an honest effort to demonstrate real integrity many aspects of my daughter's future depend on that. and I dare say America's future as a country in general will be decided on the foundation of her integrity. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
One must ask themselves this basic question. Do I do what is right because it is right or because I'll get into some sort of trouble if I don't? As I Christian I know I must ask this question in my life on an almost daily basis. If one wishes to know the level of their integrity all one need do is ask ones self this question is there is anything I would do if I knew for sure that I could get away with it? As I see it if there is anything a person would do if they were sure they could get away with it means the only reason they don't is because they haven't yet thought of a foolproof way to pull it off!
Consider this Christian do you obey the law only because if your caught not obeying the law you could go to jail? A Christian should seek to do that which is because it is right. The only possible exception I can find is if a law made by men goes against a law made by God. I believe abortion may just be one such law yet even then Christians are expected to obey the law a Christian can however speak out about such a law and seek for ways to get a law they deem to be unjust changed.
It goes almost without saying that government in many aspects is filled with corruption. It has been my experience that every time I hear any politician talk about putting more money in my pocket I find that the only pockets that get filled are there own! What we have in the country now is a lack of old fashioned integrity. As long as politicians are more concerned about the next election as opposed to what is best for the county not a whole lot will change in this country as far as the government is concerned and I can assure you right now the government is only concerned for its self. Our government seems to operate on a mind over matter principal they don't mind because we don't matter! Can we find a politician that will do what is best for the country and not what is best for them? I have to say for now I don't know but I certainly pray that there may be one or two and that they may by all means please step forward soon!
Before integrity can be learned it must be taught and like many moral values personal integrity begins at home! Children need to see integrity in the character of there parents and for Christian parents this really shouldn't be an issue I know we don't live in a perfect world and no one is perfect but as a Christian I know I must make an honest effort to demonstrate real integrity many aspects of my daughter's future depend on that. and I dare say America's future as a country in general will be decided on the foundation of her integrity. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Equal Justice Is Not Always Equal.
Parents today face a lot different challenges. One of the greatest challenges that parents must deal with is the concept of being fair with their children. I remember when I was growing up as a young man it used to make me so mad when my sister and I would both be caught doing the same thing wrong but when it came time for our punishment it always seemed to me that my sister received a lighter punishment many times just because she was a girl.I was left feeling that my dad was playing favorites. I wanted both fair and equal justice. I realize now of course, that no human being can be fair all the time but let's face it no likes to be in a situation where it's more more than obvious that someone is playing favorites!
America's laws and judicial system is supposed to be based on the concept that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If a person then is found guilty they are to receive equal punishment under the law and supposedly, no one is above the law. As I watch news and see what goes on particularly in our government and how they deal with our military let's just say that the treatment is not always fair and the justice has a real potential to be anything but equal.
Consider now the case of Bowe Bergdahl, here is a man in our military who by by all accounts clearly is guilty of desertion. I doubt very seriously however if he will be formally charged with this crime and even if he is I think the White House will either bury the whole outcome under the rug or see to it that Bergdahl receives some minor punishment that results in nothing more than a slap on the wrist. While it is true that no one for now can predict how this situation will finally play out when I consider Obama and the politics involved this is the impression I am left with up to now.
Turn your attention now to four star general and former directer of the CIA David Petraeus. Here is a man who is credited with turning things around in Iraq when many at thought that the cause in Iraq was all but lost. Indeed Petraeus's courage and ample military experience made the troop surge in Iraq work thus making Petraeus a military genius and a national war hero. Yet present Attorney General Eric Holder is considering bringing federal charges against Petreaus for giving classified documents to his biographer and yes former mistress Paula Broadwell. a charge even if found to be true I believe was done unintentionally by Petraeus..I further believe that in the case of Petraeus his possible pending charges stem from a desire from the White House to silence him on the subject of Benghazi. I believe it is quite possible thatboth of these cases I've discussed may be politically swept under the rug to avoid potential embarrassment for Obama and the White House. The difference to me is Bergdahl I believe should have to face desertion charges but I believe Petraeus should notface charges at all. Bergdahl may well get a pass on desertion because his name has flooded the media and Obama made a terrible trade of five high level terrorist for Bergdahl and Obama and the White House doesn't want further embarrassment. It seems though that Obama has no problem further embarrassing nation war hero David Petraeus. Even if the charges against Petraeus are true they are a far cry from Bergdahl's desertion charges Brave men died searching for Bergdahl but who is going to speak for them if he doesn't face charges? Brave men died in Benghazi but if Petraeus is forced to remain silent on Benghazi where is their equal justice under the law? No one should be above the law but in these two cases I suspect the justice will be anything but equal. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
America's laws and judicial system is supposed to be based on the concept that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. If a person then is found guilty they are to receive equal punishment under the law and supposedly, no one is above the law. As I watch news and see what goes on particularly in our government and how they deal with our military let's just say that the treatment is not always fair and the justice has a real potential to be anything but equal.
Consider now the case of Bowe Bergdahl, here is a man in our military who by by all accounts clearly is guilty of desertion. I doubt very seriously however if he will be formally charged with this crime and even if he is I think the White House will either bury the whole outcome under the rug or see to it that Bergdahl receives some minor punishment that results in nothing more than a slap on the wrist. While it is true that no one for now can predict how this situation will finally play out when I consider Obama and the politics involved this is the impression I am left with up to now.
Turn your attention now to four star general and former directer of the CIA David Petraeus. Here is a man who is credited with turning things around in Iraq when many at thought that the cause in Iraq was all but lost. Indeed Petraeus's courage and ample military experience made the troop surge in Iraq work thus making Petraeus a military genius and a national war hero. Yet present Attorney General Eric Holder is considering bringing federal charges against Petreaus for giving classified documents to his biographer and yes former mistress Paula Broadwell. a charge even if found to be true I believe was done unintentionally by Petraeus..I further believe that in the case of Petraeus his possible pending charges stem from a desire from the White House to silence him on the subject of Benghazi. I believe it is quite possible thatboth of these cases I've discussed may be politically swept under the rug to avoid potential embarrassment for Obama and the White House. The difference to me is Bergdahl I believe should have to face desertion charges but I believe Petraeus should notface charges at all. Bergdahl may well get a pass on desertion because his name has flooded the media and Obama made a terrible trade of five high level terrorist for Bergdahl and Obama and the White House doesn't want further embarrassment. It seems though that Obama has no problem further embarrassing nation war hero David Petraeus. Even if the charges against Petraeus are true they are a far cry from Bergdahl's desertion charges Brave men died searching for Bergdahl but who is going to speak for them if he doesn't face charges? Brave men died in Benghazi but if Petraeus is forced to remain silent on Benghazi where is their equal justice under the law? No one should be above the law but in these two cases I suspect the justice will be anything but equal. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Is Cheating The New Norm?
A few months ago I over heard my daughter talking with a school classmate on the phone. I found my self inclined to listen as the conversation grew more intense. Suddenly, my daughter hung up the phone and exclaimed "I won't do it I won't!" You won't do what? I asked, She said," I won't give her the answer to the math problems that's cheating and I won't cheat!" I was proud of my daughter and I hugged her and told her she was right.
I've noticed in the world of sports there seems to be a cloud of awkward suspicion around the New England Patriots and some deflated footballs which may or may not have given them some kind of advantage in the last win.Personally if it turns out to be true and it is proven that there was some kind of known wrongdoing it is most unfortunate and it sends a very bad message to our youth. It goes almost without saying that athletes are often idolized and many young men and then seek to be like them. I have to wonder though are the setting a good example for our youth? I heard today on the news that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong said that if he could go back to 1995 and was faced with the decision to cheat or not to cheat to win he said he would do it again. I now
I now have to wonder has cheating become the norm in America? As a Christian I know it is wrong to knowingly cheat yet even Christians need to be careful with this issue. Here is what I mean. Suppose you decide to sell your house and some potential buyers come to look at it do you tell them the roof sometimes leaks or do you just happen to forget to mention it? Here is another example as a Christian I am to try to as honest as knowingly possible therefore, I can't tell my daughter to be honest and not cheat and then knowingly cheat on my taxes!
There seems to be a type of thinking in this country even among some Christians that troubles me and it is expressed as it's only wrong if you get caught or the government cheats all the time therefore, I ought to be able to. As a Christian I can only speak for myself I personally could not tell anyone I was a Christian if I knew that I cheated in one way or another every chance I could and even if one supposedly, gets away with cheating in this life Christians should remember that we will face God one day and he knows every intent of our hearts.
The fact that there is political corruption in government and thus cheating goes on all the time does not justify cheating in the eyes of God for a Christian. I find as a Christian I have to be careful because cheating can be so easy to do . Here is another example the speed limit is sixty but you notice that that all the cars are passing you and they're doing seventy so you do seventy to keep up with traffic but if you get pulled over I'm pretty the officer won't buy your explanation! The truth is cheating is more than an action of the will it is a measure of character. Make no mistake someone who will cheat will lie or steal or do most anything if they think there is a chance they can get away with it. I fear that cheating has becoming the norm in America if true all I can do is pray that this nation will remember the Christian principals she was built on and seek to change this trend and thus as a Christian I know that before I can pray for the nation I must make sure that cheating never becomes the norm in my life. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
I've noticed in the world of sports there seems to be a cloud of awkward suspicion around the New England Patriots and some deflated footballs which may or may not have given them some kind of advantage in the last win.Personally if it turns out to be true and it is proven that there was some kind of known wrongdoing it is most unfortunate and it sends a very bad message to our youth. It goes almost without saying that athletes are often idolized and many young men and then seek to be like them. I have to wonder though are the setting a good example for our youth? I heard today on the news that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong said that if he could go back to 1995 and was faced with the decision to cheat or not to cheat to win he said he would do it again. I now
I now have to wonder has cheating become the norm in America? As a Christian I know it is wrong to knowingly cheat yet even Christians need to be careful with this issue. Here is what I mean. Suppose you decide to sell your house and some potential buyers come to look at it do you tell them the roof sometimes leaks or do you just happen to forget to mention it? Here is another example as a Christian I am to try to as honest as knowingly possible therefore, I can't tell my daughter to be honest and not cheat and then knowingly cheat on my taxes!
There seems to be a type of thinking in this country even among some Christians that troubles me and it is expressed as it's only wrong if you get caught or the government cheats all the time therefore, I ought to be able to. As a Christian I can only speak for myself I personally could not tell anyone I was a Christian if I knew that I cheated in one way or another every chance I could and even if one supposedly, gets away with cheating in this life Christians should remember that we will face God one day and he knows every intent of our hearts.
The fact that there is political corruption in government and thus cheating goes on all the time does not justify cheating in the eyes of God for a Christian. I find as a Christian I have to be careful because cheating can be so easy to do . Here is another example the speed limit is sixty but you notice that that all the cars are passing you and they're doing seventy so you do seventy to keep up with traffic but if you get pulled over I'm pretty the officer won't buy your explanation! The truth is cheating is more than an action of the will it is a measure of character. Make no mistake someone who will cheat will lie or steal or do most anything if they think there is a chance they can get away with it. I fear that cheating has becoming the norm in America if true all I can do is pray that this nation will remember the Christian principals she was built on and seek to change this trend and thus as a Christian I know that before I can pray for the nation I must make sure that cheating never becomes the norm in my life. As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Is It Time For Another American Revolution?
The year is 1773 the country is England the king is King George The Third. He has just issued his latest tax on all tea produced by his English colonies. What King George does not yet know however is that this particular tax on tea is the last straw as far as the colonies are concerned.The colonist in Boston become so out raged that they dress as Indians and countless crates of British tea are thrown into the water of the Boston harbor. The event came to be know as the now familiar Boston Tea Party.
The purpose of this blog however, is not necessarily to debate or discuss the merits or affects of the law itself but rather to examine why the colonist objected to the tax. Certainly, colonist understood that England had to tax them to a certain extent. The colonies were expected to be profitable and bring a certain amount of revenue for England.What the colonist objected to was not necessarily the tax on the tea itself but rather the passing of the tax without substantial representation in English Parliament. Indeed the rallying cry of the colonist was no taxation without representation. One can certainly suggest that King George could have avoided The American Revolution if he would have agreed to let the colonist select a representative to speak on their behalf and guard the economic interest in parliament. King George however was the king and he answered to no one a position he made quite clear to the colonies and the result of that position gave rise to The American Revolution.
Fast forward to November of 2014 the Republican Party has gained control of both the House and Senate as a result of their impressive victory in the midterm elections. One might reason that now president Obama might listen to the will of the American people and a seek to work with the newly republican controlled congress but if anyone thought that they would soon learn they were sadly mistaken.
In his recent State of the Union Address, Obama made it quite clear he had absolutely no intention of working with republicans. He went on to say that any bills passed by the congress that didn't further his tax laden agenda would be answered swiftly with a presidential veto. Which leads the composer of this particular to proclaim in disgust " All hail King Obama or King Veto if you prefer! Obama wants free college tuition for students. He wants free child care for working mothers. He wants an increase in minimum wage and we thought Santa Clause only came at Christmas! To accomplish these lofty goals Obama has proposed higher taxes including an increase in the inheritance tax an increase on the gasoline tax and a new tax on those who had the foresight to save for their children's college by setting up what the government calls a college 529 plan. At present college funds placed in such a plan are tax sheltered until families distribute them but Obama seeks to soon change that even if he has to do this by an executive order such actions are the actions of a king.
Indeed Obama is acting as a king he has often said he has a pen and a phone the pen is his royal sceptre and his phone along with the Internet and much of the media is his Town Crier and with both he intends to be a royal pain in the neck! I don't remember anyone asking me or the American people in general how they feel about an increase in taxes let alone any new ones not that Obama would pay attention to anything any given poll might say on the subject. President Obama would do well to remember that the American people also have a phone and a pen and a computer which can be used to contact congressmen and senators to influence future votes and if congress and President Obama don't listen to the will of we the people it just may be time for another American Revolution! As always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
What Happens When Government Becomes God?
As a Christian I find that I struggle with the biblical concept of living by faith. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only Christian to struggle with this aspect of the Christian life. Those who read my blog will notice that I've been away for quite awhile. The reasons are many it takes me a long time to compose a blog and I'm not a fast typist. As a father I have a daughter who needs me now more than ever and my health has been areal issue in the last few years.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy and that has made things difficult at various times in my life. Recently however, I discovered what it really means to live and walk by faith. I suffered a hernia in September of 2014. I went in for surgery to repair the hernia. The doctor for some unexplained reason decided to run a C T scan and that's when he then informed me that I had cancer in my right kidney and that I should have the cancer removed just as soon as possible.
When the doctor said it was cancer, my whole world just stopped. I was 54 years old I had a 12 year old daughter to raise and a devoted loving and hard working wife who needed all the help and support I could give her. I knew the surgery had to be done right away but I had to heal and recover from the hernia surgery first. I will confess I don't handle pain very well and I wasn't looking forward to more surgery and the possibility of losing my right kidney to make matters worse I was disabled and I had no idea how I was going to pay the hospital bills I knew would surely come.
I found myself asking God why all this had to happen to me now when I had a family that needed me to be there for them and I made sure to remind God of that when I prayed to him. I feared the pain I knew the surgery would bring but I knew I had to go through with it cancer waits for no one and it isn't something to be taken lightly.I prayed very hard the night before the surgery I wondered if they would the surgery be successful? Would they have to take my right kidney? Would the surgeon be able to get all the cancer? Would I live long enough to raise my precious daughter Cassandra and one day hold my first grandchild?
I woke up in recovery The first thing the doctor said to me was I have good news and great news! I ask what the great news was first . The doctor said, the great news was that he was 95% sure he had gotten all of the cancer in my right kidney. That was great news. I wondered then, what was the good news? The doctor went on to say that that the good news was he only had to take part of my right kidney and that meant that my kidneys in general could function much better.I was relieved to say the least but I still wondered how I would pay all the hospital bills. I decided I would trust God for those answers I reminded him that Philippians 4:19 says "But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory." I told God I needed some of those riches! I reminded God that Matthew 6"33 says 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." I will tell you the answers did not come in an instant I had to remember that God isn't Santa Clause and there is the matter of faith to consider when a Christian ask God to meet there needs. I waited I wondered and worried and just as my faith was about to waver I received word from the hospital that my health insurance would cover much of my bills and in addition because was was disabled and had a household of modest income the hospital decided to write off most of the remaining hospital bills. I bowed my head and thanked God for meeting my needs.
Anyone reading this blog at this point would no doubt wonder why I would entitle it What Happens When Government Becomes God? The reason? It's very simple really, I have noticed an alarming trend in this country. as a society the American people have increasingly become more and more dependent on the government and not God to provide anything that they may want or need. think about if the government is expected to feed you, shelter you' educate you, provided for your medical care and even give you a free cell phone to boot the question then arises, What's left for God to provide? It seems then, that faith in God is no longer necessary since all faith is now placed in the government to provide anything Americans may need. I would caution those who favor this type of thinking. I have noticed that anything the government gives anyone usually requires some aspect of their personal freedom. Remember anything the government gives anyone can at the will and good pleasure of the government be taken away without notice.Consider this if the government gives a person everything they need they can tell you how you should vote on an issue or how you should view any policy they may be handing down. The government is already telling churches what they can and can't sat about issues like gay marriage. The government is telling pastors they will be accused of hate speech or lose their tax exempt status if the don't walk the government line. That, doesn't sound like freedom to me that sounds like slavery to the government. Ben Franklin, said it best when he said, " Those who would trade freedom for security will soon find they have neither."
This nation must return to the faith of our fathers if we are to survive. God has been systematically pushed out of nearly every aspect of American society. Second Chronicles 7:14 says, " If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways and pray then, will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land. This must begin with Christians in every home and church across this nation and as a Christian, I know it must begin with me in my heart. I pray daily for this nation. I pray that God will have mercy on this nation most of all I pray it is not too late to turn this nation back to God as always my friends these thoughts remain just some words to think on.
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