I feel like some writers have been reading my blog. Ha! Today it is Cal Thomas writing about the election. His article begins with thoughts about undecided voters--that being undecided at this point should be nearly impossible if you've been paying attention at all and that if you haven't you shouldn't vote. I won't include the whole article, since I just did that. But I will quote 4 paragraphs for you:
[on the last debate]
"Why didn't McCain challenge Obama's promise to cut taxes for the middle class? As Jack Kemp and Peter Ferrara wrote in Wednesday's Wall Stret Journal, 20 percent of the middle class pay only 4.4 percent of all federal income taxes, while the bottom 40 percent of earners pay no taxes at all.
To say that only "the rich" should pay more and that those who pay little or no taxes should get a check to make things "fair" is George McGovern redistributionism, even socialism. That economic model was soundly rejected in 1972 and in subsequent elections.
McCain should propose ways to allow more people to become rich. We should reject Obama's plan to penalize those who have worked hard to become well-off. That's real fairness.
Individual initiative, risk-taking, an entrepreneurial spirit and optimism are what built and sustained America through many challenges over the last 232 years. Government can't produce those qualities in any of us. We must produce and renew them in ourselves."
Mr. Thomas also questions why Tom Brokaw didn't ask tougher questions during the debate, including questions about Senator Obama's relationship with Bill Ayers. I've read some debate that Senator Obama's association with Bill Ayers is not close enough anymore to really be concerned about. Excuse me, but just having someone who is anti-America with a terrorist background (Ayers) think a candidate (Obama) is a good choice for our next president is red-flag enough for me.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
"Just the Facts. . ."
This article was in the Knoxville News Sentinel the morning after my last blog. As I read it, I thought, "Everyone needs to read this article." I'm not a huge fan of this paper, but this article gets my seal of approval.
Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time"
Unfortunately, the future of this country, as well as the fate of the western world, depends on how many people can be fooled on election day, just a few weeks from now.
Right now, the polls indicate that a whole lot of people are being fooled a whole lot of the time.
The current financial crisis has propelled Barack Obama back into a substantial lead over John McCain--which is astonishing in view of which man and which party had the most to do with bringing on the crisis.
It raises the question: "Do facts matter? Or is Obama's rhetoric and the media's spin enough to make facts irrelevant?"
Fact Number One: It was liberal Democrats, led by Sen. Christopher Dodd and US Rep Barney Frank, who for years--including the present year--denied that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taking big risks that could lead to a financial crisis.
It was Dodd, Frank and other liberal Democrats who for years refused requests from the Bush administration to set up an agency to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
It was liberal Democrats, again led by Dodd and Frank, who for years pushed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to go even further in promoting subprime mortgage loans, which are at the heart of today's financial crisis.
Alan Greenspan warned them four years ago. So did the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to the president. So did Bush's secretary of the Treasury, five years ago.
Yet, today, what are we hearing? That is was the Bush administration's "right-wing ideology" of "deregulation" that set the stage for the financial crisis. Do facts matter?
We also hear that it is the free market that is to blame. But the facts show that it was the government that pressured financial institutions in general to lend to subprime borrowers, with such things as the Community Reinvestment Act and, later, threats of legal action by then-Attorney General Janet Reno if the feds did not like the statistics on who was getting loans and who wasn't.
Is that the free market? Or do facts matter?
Then there is the question of being against the greed of CEOs and for "the people." Franklin Raines made $90 million while he was head of Fannie Mae and mismanaging that institution into crisis.
Who in Congress defended Raines? Liberal Democrats, including Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus, at least one of who referred to the "lynching" of Raines, as if it was racist to hold him to the same standard as white CEOs.
Even after he was deposed as head of Fannie Mae, Raines was consulted this year by the Obama campaign for his advice on housing.
The tie between Obama and Raines is not all one-way. Obama has been the second-largest recepient of Fannie Mae's financial contributions, right after Dodd.
But ties between Obama and Raines? Not if you read the mainstream media.
Facts don't matter much politically if they are not reported.
The media are not alone in keeping the facts from the public. Republicans, for reasons unknown, don't seem to know what to counterattack. They deserve to lose.
But the country does not deserve to be put in the hands of a glib and cocky know-it-all who has accomplished absolutely nothing beyond the advancement of his own career with rhetoric and who has for years allied himself with a succession of people who have openly expressed their hatred of America."
If you're thinking this article is just racism, let me point out that the author himself is black. If you would like to know more about the terrorist association or the pastor/mentor who causes great concern, research Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright. If you are wondering why you've never heard anything about the dangerous side of Senator Obama, I encourage you to get away from the mainstream media. On CNN tune into Glenn Beck and on FoxNews tune into Hannity & Colmes and the O'Reilly Factor. You may amazed at what you haven't heard.
"Do facts matter in presidential race?" By Thomas Sowell
Abraham Lincoln said, "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time"
Unfortunately, the future of this country, as well as the fate of the western world, depends on how many people can be fooled on election day, just a few weeks from now.
Right now, the polls indicate that a whole lot of people are being fooled a whole lot of the time.
The current financial crisis has propelled Barack Obama back into a substantial lead over John McCain--which is astonishing in view of which man and which party had the most to do with bringing on the crisis.
It raises the question: "Do facts matter? Or is Obama's rhetoric and the media's spin enough to make facts irrelevant?"
Fact Number One: It was liberal Democrats, led by Sen. Christopher Dodd and US Rep Barney Frank, who for years--including the present year--denied that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were taking big risks that could lead to a financial crisis.
It was Dodd, Frank and other liberal Democrats who for years refused requests from the Bush administration to set up an agency to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
It was liberal Democrats, again led by Dodd and Frank, who for years pushed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to go even further in promoting subprime mortgage loans, which are at the heart of today's financial crisis.
Alan Greenspan warned them four years ago. So did the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers to the president. So did Bush's secretary of the Treasury, five years ago.
Yet, today, what are we hearing? That is was the Bush administration's "right-wing ideology" of "deregulation" that set the stage for the financial crisis. Do facts matter?
We also hear that it is the free market that is to blame. But the facts show that it was the government that pressured financial institutions in general to lend to subprime borrowers, with such things as the Community Reinvestment Act and, later, threats of legal action by then-Attorney General Janet Reno if the feds did not like the statistics on who was getting loans and who wasn't.
Is that the free market? Or do facts matter?
Then there is the question of being against the greed of CEOs and for "the people." Franklin Raines made $90 million while he was head of Fannie Mae and mismanaging that institution into crisis.
Who in Congress defended Raines? Liberal Democrats, including Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus, at least one of who referred to the "lynching" of Raines, as if it was racist to hold him to the same standard as white CEOs.
Even after he was deposed as head of Fannie Mae, Raines was consulted this year by the Obama campaign for his advice on housing.
The tie between Obama and Raines is not all one-way. Obama has been the second-largest recepient of Fannie Mae's financial contributions, right after Dodd.
But ties between Obama and Raines? Not if you read the mainstream media.
Facts don't matter much politically if they are not reported.
The media are not alone in keeping the facts from the public. Republicans, for reasons unknown, don't seem to know what to counterattack. They deserve to lose.
But the country does not deserve to be put in the hands of a glib and cocky know-it-all who has accomplished absolutely nothing beyond the advancement of his own career with rhetoric and who has for years allied himself with a succession of people who have openly expressed their hatred of America."
If you're thinking this article is just racism, let me point out that the author himself is black. If you would like to know more about the terrorist association or the pastor/mentor who causes great concern, research Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright. If you are wondering why you've never heard anything about the dangerous side of Senator Obama, I encourage you to get away from the mainstream media. On CNN tune into Glenn Beck and on FoxNews tune into Hannity & Colmes and the O'Reilly Factor. You may amazed at what you haven't heard.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
More Election Thoughts
I keep hearing these arguments to vote for Senator Obama: 1) "McCain's one heart attack away from death." 2) "Palin's one heartbeat away from the presidency." Both arguments imply we don't know how long Senator McCain will live, so we shouldn't elect him. Did I miss something?? Is Senator Obama immortal? Is he immune to all cancer, all disease? Does he never get sick? Do accidents not harm him? If so, he should be in a comic book, not the White House.
This election gives me a feeling that isn't really anxiety or fear. It's a call to pray for this country like never before. Obviously Americans want change; but do we realize that responsibility belongs to us as well as the leadership? I look at signs promoting "Obama for Change" and wonder if people realize just how much change there would be? A change from the ideas of the American dream (I'll work hard for that) to borderline socialism (the government will provide it for me)--a move away from being responsible for yourself. I'm so tired of watching people put their hope in a man as if he's more than a man. You could say he's a man successfully climbing the political career ladder and shaking things up on the way. . . or you could see him as a man who hasn't stayed in one place long enough to have the accomplishments to back his words, a man trying to fix everything, including what isn't broken. I didn't set out to write an anti-Obama blog. I just challenge us all to make a decision not based on age, charisma or flashy words.
My prayers are not "please let McCain win," though I do pray for him, Governor Palin and President Bush. My prayer is for people to make a decision that is for the good of America and that no matter what happens on November 4th, American people will support America, not tear it down--that Christians will be bold in their lives and live the difference we need.
I guess the election just baffles me. The things we apparently cling to are surprising. 'McCain's too old and Palin's too young'--people seem to cling to that. 'Obama has relationships with known domestic terrorists, has advisors in his campaign that were part of the economic fall, has sat in the congregation of a man who is anti-American and not afraid to curse it (I mean, shout it) from the pulpit, has no military experience, has spent most of his national political career campaigning and not working. . . '--people just seem to think that those aren't fair arguments. Call me crazy, but it concerns me.
'Undecided voters'. . . a term I don't understand. With the gazillion of news channels (rough estimate :), talk radio, and the internet, there is no reason to not be informed. And to vote uninformed is just irresponsible. You may be reading this and thinking that I take this all too seriously. To you I would say, "This is serious, this is real, this is history in the making. Don't take it lightly."
This election gives me a feeling that isn't really anxiety or fear. It's a call to pray for this country like never before. Obviously Americans want change; but do we realize that responsibility belongs to us as well as the leadership? I look at signs promoting "Obama for Change" and wonder if people realize just how much change there would be? A change from the ideas of the American dream (I'll work hard for that) to borderline socialism (the government will provide it for me)--a move away from being responsible for yourself. I'm so tired of watching people put their hope in a man as if he's more than a man. You could say he's a man successfully climbing the political career ladder and shaking things up on the way. . . or you could see him as a man who hasn't stayed in one place long enough to have the accomplishments to back his words, a man trying to fix everything, including what isn't broken. I didn't set out to write an anti-Obama blog. I just challenge us all to make a decision not based on age, charisma or flashy words.
My prayers are not "please let McCain win," though I do pray for him, Governor Palin and President Bush. My prayer is for people to make a decision that is for the good of America and that no matter what happens on November 4th, American people will support America, not tear it down--that Christians will be bold in their lives and live the difference we need.
I guess the election just baffles me. The things we apparently cling to are surprising. 'McCain's too old and Palin's too young'--people seem to cling to that. 'Obama has relationships with known domestic terrorists, has advisors in his campaign that were part of the economic fall, has sat in the congregation of a man who is anti-American and not afraid to curse it (I mean, shout it) from the pulpit, has no military experience, has spent most of his national political career campaigning and not working. . . '--people just seem to think that those aren't fair arguments. Call me crazy, but it concerns me.
'Undecided voters'. . . a term I don't understand. With the gazillion of news channels (rough estimate :), talk radio, and the internet, there is no reason to not be informed. And to vote uninformed is just irresponsible. You may be reading this and thinking that I take this all too seriously. To you I would say, "This is serious, this is real, this is history in the making. Don't take it lightly."
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
interesting...
I am a multi-tasker. Mostly because I find I run out of hours in the day. Monday I knew I wouldn't have much time at home, but I had quite a bit to get done. I try to cook one night a week and then I have those "leftovers" for lunch at work. I also love hardboiled eggs. So Monday I decided I could just throw some chicken on the stove and some eggs on to boil before I jumped in the shower. No problem there. I checked everything when I got out of the shower and all was good. So I decided while the cooking finished up I'd do some work on the computer. That's where I multi-tasked too long. Did you know eggs could explode?
Thanks to my Yoke team (yea for UT students!!) , I'm learning my way around the UT campus. I was at the BCM today making posters with a yokefolk. I was thinking how good it felt to be on a college campus, sitting outside, listening to the band practice, getting to know a new friend. And then I realized I was sitting in gum.
I don't get to watch a lot of tv. Usually the tv is on FoxNews, but I really like America's Got Talent. My favorite this year, hands down, is "Nothin' but Stringz," the violin guys. Amazing! I have decided, though, that I would like to see synchronized swimming next season. Seriously. Why not?
Thanks for sharing in my randomness!
Thanks to my Yoke team (yea for UT students!!) , I'm learning my way around the UT campus. I was at the BCM today making posters with a yokefolk. I was thinking how good it felt to be on a college campus, sitting outside, listening to the band practice, getting to know a new friend. And then I realized I was sitting in gum.
I don't get to watch a lot of tv. Usually the tv is on FoxNews, but I really like America's Got Talent. My favorite this year, hands down, is "Nothin' but Stringz," the violin guys. Amazing! I have decided, though, that I would like to see synchronized swimming next season. Seriously. Why not?
Thanks for sharing in my randomness!
Friday, September 12, 2008
surprise!
There's something I've thought about blogging about for a while. I haven't because it's kind of personal and I really don't know who all reads this. But I guess I'll go ahead and do it. . .
This will surprise you (cough, cough) but I'm single. Not just 'unmarried-single,' but 'haven't-been-on-a-date-in-um-ever-single.' (Let me go ahead and answer the questions you have at this point: Yes, I have been asked out. No, they were not guys I needed to be dating. Yes, you can politely turn down a date--otherwise guys wouldn't ask for your answer.) I'm not looking for a date here. I'm just going to point out some of the good and bad of being single.
The Good. . .
*I can make decisions by myself. *I decide how to spend my money. *I can sit in a quiet home and read or cook or whatever I want to do. *I use my time how I think is best for me.
The Bad. . .
*I have to make decisions by myself. (Well, I do have a friend or two that I bug, I mean, consult.) *I have to figure out how to use my money by myself. *Asking questions about insurance or retirement options at work usually gets the same response: 'I can't help you. My husband takes care of that.' *I spend a lot of time by myself. *I don't have cute pictures of myself with someone at the beach . . . or at a 600 year old palace in Korea (that's a hypothetical point. :) *Some sales just don't apply: entertainment or dining bogo? Let's be practical. . . why do I need 2 tickets or 2 dinners? *And, the big one, no long walks on the beach. Ha!
Actually, the first night we were on vacation was my mom's birthday and all she really wanted to do was walk on the beach with my dad. (They're so cute.) So they walked the beach and a few other couples walked the beach and I . . . I sat with my brother. He said out loud what I was thinking. "Maybe next year." And so it begins. "Maybe next year. . . maybe next Christmas or New Year's or Valentine's . . .maybe at the next friend's wedding (in 29 days by the way) . . . maybe my next birthday (in 77 days!).
My life is not empty in the least, and I absolutely don't think I need a relationship just to have a relationship. It's just that there's a time when you assume you will have someone to share things with and it's not a guarantee.
This will surprise you (cough, cough) but I'm single. Not just 'unmarried-single,' but 'haven't-been-on-a-date-in-um-ever-single.' (Let me go ahead and answer the questions you have at this point: Yes, I have been asked out. No, they were not guys I needed to be dating. Yes, you can politely turn down a date--otherwise guys wouldn't ask for your answer.) I'm not looking for a date here. I'm just going to point out some of the good and bad of being single.
The Good. . .
*I can make decisions by myself. *I decide how to spend my money. *I can sit in a quiet home and read or cook or whatever I want to do. *I use my time how I think is best for me.
The Bad. . .
*I have to make decisions by myself. (Well, I do have a friend or two that I bug, I mean, consult.) *I have to figure out how to use my money by myself. *Asking questions about insurance or retirement options at work usually gets the same response: 'I can't help you. My husband takes care of that.' *I spend a lot of time by myself. *I don't have cute pictures of myself with someone at the beach . . . or at a 600 year old palace in Korea (that's a hypothetical point. :) *Some sales just don't apply: entertainment or dining bogo? Let's be practical. . . why do I need 2 tickets or 2 dinners? *And, the big one, no long walks on the beach. Ha!
Actually, the first night we were on vacation was my mom's birthday and all she really wanted to do was walk on the beach with my dad. (They're so cute.) So they walked the beach and a few other couples walked the beach and I . . . I sat with my brother. He said out loud what I was thinking. "Maybe next year." And so it begins. "Maybe next year. . . maybe next Christmas or New Year's or Valentine's . . .maybe at the next friend's wedding (in 29 days by the way) . . . maybe my next birthday (in 77 days!).
My life is not empty in the least, and I absolutely don't think I need a relationship just to have a relationship. It's just that there's a time when you assume you will have someone to share things with and it's not a guarantee.
Winds and Waves
Written about an hour ago. . .
I'm sitting on the beach and it's amazing. The water is not so close in now, but the wind has really picked up. The sand is flying at me like little darts. It's slightly painful to be on the beach today, but no one is leaving. The waves are still incredibly powerful; so much that I'm watching something I had not seen before yesterday. The waves are "angry," as one employee said, and are bringing in a foam to the beach. When the tide goes out, the foam stays on the beach and the wind throws it down the beach until the sun dries it up. It looks like chunks of dirty snow racing each other down the beach. I know we are out of Ike's way, but I keep thinking "Man! This wind! These waves!" It's such a reminder--"Even the wind and waves obey Him."
Last night's sunset, too, was incredible. The waves were beating, but the sky above was calm and colorful. The God who creataed is also in control.
I'm sitting on the beach and it's amazing. The water is not so close in now, but the wind has really picked up. The sand is flying at me like little darts. It's slightly painful to be on the beach today, but no one is leaving. The waves are still incredibly powerful; so much that I'm watching something I had not seen before yesterday. The waves are "angry," as one employee said, and are bringing in a foam to the beach. When the tide goes out, the foam stays on the beach and the wind throws it down the beach until the sun dries it up. It looks like chunks of dirty snow racing each other down the beach. I know we are out of Ike's way, but I keep thinking "Man! This wind! These waves!" It's such a reminder--"Even the wind and waves obey Him."
Last night's sunset, too, was incredible. The waves were beating, but the sky above was calm and colorful. The God who creataed is also in control.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Ike
I don't really know how to describe last night. We went to the beach late. The double red flags were up--no swimming, whatsoever. I saw people walking on the beach and wondered why they weren't walking closer to the ocean. And then I realized that they were walking in the ocean. The ocean was just that much closer, the waves that much higher, the wind that much faster. I decided to walk out to the water's edge, but it was surreal. I walked out to where the water had been and the water wasn't coming to me. I thought about walking out a little further, but something felt a bit dangerous. I think it was because there was no distinction between beach and ocean, no drop off into the ocean, just a flat shore with water. I stood there thinking maybe I needed to walk in a little further. And then, where there had been shore in front of me, there was water all around me, twenty feet behind me. Eric said it was like standing in the middle of the ocean. It was so quick it was scary. There was nothing and then there was water all around. It was amazing, awesome and awful all at the same time. If you went to PCB with West Lonsdale, imagine our canopy on the beach being in the surf. It was amazing, but really made you realize the power of the ocean--and its Creator.
This morning I turned on the weather channel before going to the beach. Looking at the "picture" of Ike, we may be getting his fingernail, that's all. We have a wind advisory and warnings for coastal flooding and surf. When I got to the beach this morning, it was roped off. Now you only had to stand on the bottom step of the bridge to beach to put your feet in the tide. It's amazing. People are just standing on the bridge watching the water. I wondered if the people who are here year-round think we're crazy. . .then we noticed resort employees watching the water with us. It's just amazing. It's like someone told the ocean it no longer needs to stay in it's boundary. I have some great pictures that I'll post when we get home. (I've got to start traveling with my laptop!!) For now, we're going to go drive to other beaches and take more pictures.
This morning I turned on the weather channel before going to the beach. Looking at the "picture" of Ike, we may be getting his fingernail, that's all. We have a wind advisory and warnings for coastal flooding and surf. When I got to the beach this morning, it was roped off. Now you only had to stand on the bottom step of the bridge to beach to put your feet in the tide. It's amazing. People are just standing on the bridge watching the water. I wondered if the people who are here year-round think we're crazy. . .then we noticed resort employees watching the water with us. It's just amazing. It's like someone told the ocean it no longer needs to stay in it's boundary. I have some great pictures that I'll post when we get home. (I've got to start traveling with my laptop!!) For now, we're going to go drive to other beaches and take more pictures.
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