I've never been known for my lack of opinions, but I normally show great restraint in taking any sort of rebellious action to get my point across. I'm praying right now for the courage once again to stay my hand. I do believe it may be time to arm myself with a Sharpie and a can of spray paint, and look for the "X" in front of "mas". It needs to go.
I have never heard the story of the nativity of "X", this is, as far as I know, a letter. Writing came about with the later Mesopotamians when they converted earlier Sumerian pictograms into cuneiform. I don't think that calls for much celebration, let alone a religious holiday.
OK, so the origin is Greek. "χ" and "ρ" were used in ancient abbreviations for "Χριστος" (Greek for "Christ"). I do not spell my name "Μιχάλης", or abbreviate it "M", it is Michael. I don't speak Greek, if you do I apologize.
I know, Sharpies and spray paint may seem extreme, but I believe my Saviour should have His name written fully in the native language of the country in which any printed material is displayed out of honor for the Sacrifice He so selfishly made for us all. His name is Jesus Christ. We are celebrating His birth.
Call the holiday "Jesus-mas", "Jesus Christ-mas", or "Christmas" and WRITE it that way. I only ask these two simple favors; please keep me away from all the "X"s, Sharpies, and spray paint for the next few days, and please keep Christ in your heart as we celebrate the birth of our Living Saviour!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
The "Character" of a Man
Been a while, and I'm getting a bit antsy. Time to vent...
That this great nation founded on the principles of free speech, liberty, and open debate, is a model which we should all relish. I am grateful healthy debate can take place among my family and friends without my head being removed from my torso as it would be in times past. I started a debate with an email that was seemingly full of “lies”, however, nothing stated in the body of the email was indeed a claim that Obama did not attend Columbia, the statement at the very beginning and end could have been omitted though. What ensued was a very pleasant dialogue for several days which was quite encouraging to read. It also made me revisit the way I think about the man.
I don’t agree with many people’s politics, sometimes I change my own mind, we have that right too. My problem with this president is his complete lack of openness, or unwillingness to be open, with the people he represents, which to me is the epitome of character. We all have character flaws that make us who we are, admitting those gives us integrity. I find his lacking. That disturbs me. He may be a good man, good men are willing to expose not only their strengths, but their weaknesses as well.
- Why is he so unwilling to reveal his transcripts from Occidental, Columbia, or Harvard? Bad grades? Who cares! Bush had bad grades, drank his way out of Yale! We all know that story, nothing to hide there.
-After becoming a U.S. Senator in 2004 and supposedly having supplied proper citizenship documentation at that time, why did his staff not apply for a duplicate short form copy of his Hawaii birth certificate until 2007, and refuse to make it available to the public until 6 months after the election? They had plenty of time to acquire a photostatic copy of the original long form certificate before his senate campaign. And yes the long form would need to be on file for the registrar to legally issue the duplicate short form. OK, it is real, he is a citizen, WHY IS HE HIDING IT? I DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT! If I were running for President of the country I hold so dear to my heart, and the people I am about to give my all to would ask if I am truly one of them, I would shout it from the top of the Capitol Building with my birth certificate in hand for all to see with my chest swelling with PRIDE!
The original email stated that it is interesting that we know less about this man than any President in history. Why? The media which normally would have had a field day by now has come up with nothing. Maybe the guy truly was a saint (even though the coke and pot he admitted to using at Occidental had to cause at least a little mischief ). No girlfriends? Even the Snopes links my son sent mention 9 friends over 6 years by name, and I believe only one was female (no assumptions intended). They were asked not to speak because most were Muslim (beside the point). Even the USA Today article refers to the Obama campaigns refusal to speak about his years at Columbia. Why? What about the years teaching and working in Chicago, no friends, no social life? The Wikipedia article on him is even less insightful, he went to school here, travelled there. Compare it to Bush’s Wiki, actually pretty funny in places, and pretty disturbing in others to be honest, but at least thorough.
Politics aside, I find it difficult to trust a man who WILL not look us in the eye and answer a simple question without hesitation. And I am sure that if this President wishes to earn my trust, he will stop standing in shadows tossing tidbits and allow me to know his character in the way I have known all the other leaders of my country, with openness and honesty.
That this great nation founded on the principles of free speech, liberty, and open debate, is a model which we should all relish. I am grateful healthy debate can take place among my family and friends without my head being removed from my torso as it would be in times past. I started a debate with an email that was seemingly full of “lies”, however, nothing stated in the body of the email was indeed a claim that Obama did not attend Columbia, the statement at the very beginning and end could have been omitted though. What ensued was a very pleasant dialogue for several days which was quite encouraging to read. It also made me revisit the way I think about the man.
I don’t agree with many people’s politics, sometimes I change my own mind, we have that right too. My problem with this president is his complete lack of openness, or unwillingness to be open, with the people he represents, which to me is the epitome of character. We all have character flaws that make us who we are, admitting those gives us integrity. I find his lacking. That disturbs me. He may be a good man, good men are willing to expose not only their strengths, but their weaknesses as well.
- Why is he so unwilling to reveal his transcripts from Occidental, Columbia, or Harvard? Bad grades? Who cares! Bush had bad grades, drank his way out of Yale! We all know that story, nothing to hide there.
-After becoming a U.S. Senator in 2004 and supposedly having supplied proper citizenship documentation at that time, why did his staff not apply for a duplicate short form copy of his Hawaii birth certificate until 2007, and refuse to make it available to the public until 6 months after the election? They had plenty of time to acquire a photostatic copy of the original long form certificate before his senate campaign. And yes the long form would need to be on file for the registrar to legally issue the duplicate short form. OK, it is real, he is a citizen, WHY IS HE HIDING IT? I DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT! If I were running for President of the country I hold so dear to my heart, and the people I am about to give my all to would ask if I am truly one of them, I would shout it from the top of the Capitol Building with my birth certificate in hand for all to see with my chest swelling with PRIDE!
The original email stated that it is interesting that we know less about this man than any President in history. Why? The media which normally would have had a field day by now has come up with nothing. Maybe the guy truly was a saint (even though the coke and pot he admitted to using at Occidental had to cause at least a little mischief ). No girlfriends? Even the Snopes links my son sent mention 9 friends over 6 years by name, and I believe only one was female (no assumptions intended). They were asked not to speak because most were Muslim (beside the point). Even the USA Today article refers to the Obama campaigns refusal to speak about his years at Columbia. Why? What about the years teaching and working in Chicago, no friends, no social life? The Wikipedia article on him is even less insightful, he went to school here, travelled there. Compare it to Bush’s Wiki, actually pretty funny in places, and pretty disturbing in others to be honest, but at least thorough.
Politics aside, I find it difficult to trust a man who WILL not look us in the eye and answer a simple question without hesitation. And I am sure that if this President wishes to earn my trust, he will stop standing in shadows tossing tidbits and allow me to know his character in the way I have known all the other leaders of my country, with openness and honesty.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Liar, Liar!
I need to tell my grandsons they should watch to whom they use the phrase "liar, liar, pants on fire". They stand a real chance of being labeled racist. I could, I suppose, teach them to say " I strongly oppose the statement you have made, believing the facts lack validity based upon your recent actions; this could result in the spontaneous combustion of your slacks." Appropriate?
ACLU
When are we going to stand up to this insidious organization and put a halt to their outrageously frivolous lawsuits? The latest... a cross erected in 1934 to honor WW1 veterans erected on Federal land is currently covered with a box! The ACLU filed suit in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (the most liberal in our country) that it violated separation of church and state. That court ruled it would be covered. The case is now being heard in the Supreme Court of the United States. HUH?
When did it become illegal to honor our fallen heroes? Who has protested that a cross on a hill offends them? The Supreme Court is now in a position to decide if we, as a nation, are going to be permitted to express our religious freedoms at all. This will open the door to all types of religious repression. Churches will be removing crosses from public view, as well as the Star of David from temples, and Crescents from mosques. Our freedom of Religion is being eroded!
Arlington National Cemetery is dotted with the memorials of fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. Each is marked with a symbol of their individual faith,; Christians, Jews, Muslims, and more (http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/arlington/0_arlington_emblems.html); buried side by side. These symbols of America's promise to allow each of us to celebrate our religion freely is in danger of removal. We cannot stand by and watch the desecration of the final resting place of these fallen heroes.
I am a Christian. No one will take my cross, I will bear it with my Savior! You must decide who will defend your religious freedom, I know my Lord will help you if you want Him to!
When did it become illegal to honor our fallen heroes? Who has protested that a cross on a hill offends them? The Supreme Court is now in a position to decide if we, as a nation, are going to be permitted to express our religious freedoms at all. This will open the door to all types of religious repression. Churches will be removing crosses from public view, as well as the Star of David from temples, and Crescents from mosques. Our freedom of Religion is being eroded!
Arlington National Cemetery is dotted with the memorials of fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. Each is marked with a symbol of their individual faith,; Christians, Jews, Muslims, and more (http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/arlington/0_arlington_emblems.html); buried side by side. These symbols of America's promise to allow each of us to celebrate our religion freely is in danger of removal. We cannot stand by and watch the desecration of the final resting place of these fallen heroes.
I am a Christian. No one will take my cross, I will bear it with my Savior! You must decide who will defend your religious freedom, I know my Lord will help you if you want Him to!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Dear Nancy
I've heard too many people place the blame for our current financial crisis on the Bush administration. In 2002, the Bush admin. warned congress that the unregulated activities of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in the home mortgage business would be disastrous to our economy. The Democratic controlled congress at the time disregarded the warning, even encouraging the growth of these entities. (Rep. Barney Frank's comments). Then Senator Obama took no stance on the issue.
The American people need to learn the process our government takes to hopefully ensure our way of life. In a nutshell: the President proposes legislation, Congress passes legislation, the Supreme Court upholds legislation. See the progression? The President does not have the power to make law; the Supreme Court can only "do what it is told". Who's in charge? Congress. They pass the laws we live by, they legislate rules and regulations that control our society, they must approve the policies the President proposes.
The House of Representatives is tasked to consider and pass legislation that we the people have entrusted them to do in our best interest. Legislation proposed to Congress goes through a long process of committees, etc. to finally arrive at the desk of the Speaker of the House, who decides what legislation will go before the entire House for a vote. So, who controls the rules and regulations that affect our everyday life? The Speaker of the House of Representatives. Conceivably the most powerful person in our government. January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was chosen to assume that role. She had been chosen Democratic Leader of the House in 2002, guiding the Democrats further into liberal and socialist ideals. Recall that 2006 was a relatively calm, peaceful, and productive year for us. Low unemployment, low prices, booming economy. Then came Nancy. Gasoline prices skyrocketed, Republicans tried to pass regulations to stop it; Nancy sent Congress on vacation. The aforementioned mortgage crisis began to collapse our financial system, Nancy was in denial along with her colleagues. The list goes on.
How can you blame George Bush? Nancy Pelosi is in control of our lives, and if we want it to change, she has to go! For that matter, anyone in Congress who has chosen to associate themselves with socialist activists might consider the outcome of the Cold War and repent!
The American people need to learn the process our government takes to hopefully ensure our way of life. In a nutshell: the President proposes legislation, Congress passes legislation, the Supreme Court upholds legislation. See the progression? The President does not have the power to make law; the Supreme Court can only "do what it is told". Who's in charge? Congress. They pass the laws we live by, they legislate rules and regulations that control our society, they must approve the policies the President proposes.
The House of Representatives is tasked to consider and pass legislation that we the people have entrusted them to do in our best interest. Legislation proposed to Congress goes through a long process of committees, etc. to finally arrive at the desk of the Speaker of the House, who decides what legislation will go before the entire House for a vote. So, who controls the rules and regulations that affect our everyday life? The Speaker of the House of Representatives. Conceivably the most powerful person in our government. January 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was chosen to assume that role. She had been chosen Democratic Leader of the House in 2002, guiding the Democrats further into liberal and socialist ideals. Recall that 2006 was a relatively calm, peaceful, and productive year for us. Low unemployment, low prices, booming economy. Then came Nancy. Gasoline prices skyrocketed, Republicans tried to pass regulations to stop it; Nancy sent Congress on vacation. The aforementioned mortgage crisis began to collapse our financial system, Nancy was in denial along with her colleagues. The list goes on.
How can you blame George Bush? Nancy Pelosi is in control of our lives, and if we want it to change, she has to go! For that matter, anyone in Congress who has chosen to associate themselves with socialist activists might consider the outcome of the Cold War and repent!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Time Travel
January 21, 2009:
The inauguration of Barack Obama.
Daniel 12: 11 & 12
11 “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
1,290 days from Jan. 21, 2009= Friday, August 3, 2012
12 “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!
1,335 days from Jan. 21, 2009= Monday, September 17, 2012.
2012 seems to be a popular year!
Mayan "apocalypse" = Friday, December 21, 2012
1,355 days before Friday, December 21, 2012 = Monday, April 6, 2009
Could whatever happened on April 6, 2009 (beside my sisters birthday :-)) have triggered Daniel's prophesy; something we must endure until Wednesday, October 17, 2012 when "the abomination of desolation is set up"?
Next Presidential Election : November 6, 2012. Could this be our saving grace after this 4 year wake up call?
Next up: research on April 6, 2009!
The inauguration of Barack Obama.
Daniel 12: 11 & 12
11 “From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
1,290 days from Jan. 21, 2009= Friday, August 3, 2012
12 “How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days!
1,335 days from Jan. 21, 2009= Monday, September 17, 2012.
2012 seems to be a popular year!
Mayan "apocalypse" = Friday, December 21, 2012
1,355 days before Friday, December 21, 2012 = Monday, April 6, 2009
Could whatever happened on April 6, 2009 (beside my sisters birthday :-)) have triggered Daniel's prophesy; something we must endure until Wednesday, October 17, 2012 when "the abomination of desolation is set up"?
Next Presidential Election : November 6, 2012. Could this be our saving grace after this 4 year wake up call?
Next up: research on April 6, 2009!
Show Me the Money!
Here we are, $1.587 trillion in projected debt for this year. That is an increase of $1.128 trillion over 2008 (CBO Projections published 8/2009). Where did it all go? Did you get your share? That's enough to give every man, woman, and child in the U.S. $3,710 ( U.S. census report of 304,059,724 as of 7/2008). Doesn't sound like much, but could you use $3,710? Pay off some debt, down payment on a house, save it? I sure could.
Even after the "economic stimulus" intended to put Americans back to work; instead paid to fund extravagant corporate waste; the CBO projects an increase in Unemployment compensation from $43 billion to $116 billion. We spent $7oo billion to lay people off and pay them $73 billion more in unemployment? Huh?
Remember the days when a poorly run business was allowed to go under, and the more efficient business could take it's place; increasing jobs, economy, and tax base?
Am I the only one who sees the forest? How can we blindly allow our government to continue to spend money we don't have? How long can we stand aside while our heritage is sold?
Wonder why we need to defend our basic freedoms, before they disappear?
Read this... http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html ...we all need a refresher!
Even after the "economic stimulus" intended to put Americans back to work; instead paid to fund extravagant corporate waste; the CBO projects an increase in Unemployment compensation from $43 billion to $116 billion. We spent $7oo billion to lay people off and pay them $73 billion more in unemployment? Huh?
Remember the days when a poorly run business was allowed to go under, and the more efficient business could take it's place; increasing jobs, economy, and tax base?
Am I the only one who sees the forest? How can we blindly allow our government to continue to spend money we don't have? How long can we stand aside while our heritage is sold?
Wonder why we need to defend our basic freedoms, before they disappear?
Read this... http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html ...we all need a refresher!
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