A Good Day To Be A Washington Husky

Husky Stadium - Seattle Washington

Warren Moon got the Huskies started on their roll back in the seventies (and sadly ended in 2003). I have always been a big fan of his. Congratulations go to Warren on being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Ann Coulter

My mom over at leezy's slice of life blog has commented on the recent Ann Coulter interview at beliefnet.com.

Rather than go through the interview question by question and respond to Ann Coulter's comments, I am just going to link to the interview and then a discussion that followed over at the thinklings blog. The Redeemer Church referenced in that discussion is Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC.

Why does Ann Coulter elicit the kind of response she gets, like the one from my mom? I have said before that most liberals are not used to having conservatives speak the harsh realities of truth to them, as Ann Coulter does. I have to admit that I usually cringe when I hear her speak, but I secretly admire they way that she can "tell it like it is."

Unfortunately, because of her style and because she has become the issue, her effectiveness has been diminished. Anything she says is really just preaching to the choir. I think that is sad because as an intelligent and articulate woman, she has some very important things to say.

Scary

What is so frightening about this clip is that this man is one of the highest ranking dems in congress. Do we really want to put him in a position of power? This is why the elections in November are so important.

Ned Lamont vs Joe Lieberman

I think what is happening to Joe Lieberman in Connecticut is outrageous. Six years ago the Dems loved him enough to make him the Vice-President. Now, they are ready and willing to throw him under the bus.

I disagree with Lieberman on almost everything, but I do believe he is one of the most consistently principled Democrats in Government.

Ned Lamont's campaign should remember that those who live by the left-wing blogosphere shall die by the left-wing blogosphere.

Michael Gerson

This is an interesting interview of one of the great speechwriters of the last several decades. Looking back on some of President Bush's best speeches you can see Gerson's influence.

1,000th Visit

Sometime today we went over 1,000 on our visit count! Thanks mom for visiting so often (she gets credit for about 500 of those visits). Here's to 100,000 more.

Ole Anthony

I love this kind of ministry. Frankly, more leaders in the evangelical church should be speaking out in support of his work. Some, like Benny Hinn, are false prophets. Others, like Paul Crouch and Robert Tilton are simply hucksters. Men like TD Jakes and Joel Osteen don't fit into either of those categories, but they are severely misguided.

Robert Tilton is the worst of the worst. This is such a serious subject but, if you want a good laugh, check out this and this (warning crude alert).

HT SmartChristian

Internet Gambling

A Slate article on gambling by Jacob Weisberg is thought provoking. He writes,

Here in Midtown Manhattan, I have plenty of opportunities to gamble legally. At the newsstand downstairs, I can buy New York lottery tickets for dozens of different instant, daily, and jackpot games. To play the horses, I have only to pick up the phone or walk a few blocks to one of more than 60 convenient off-track betting facilities in the city. From the Port Authority terminal on Eighth Avenue, I can catch a bus to Atlantic City, where I can play blackjack, roulette, and poker. It's an even
shorter ride to Foxwoods in Connecticut, historic home of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and approximately 7,000 slot machines.

Gambling has become the national pastime, and it is becoming more pervasive. He goes on to say,

Various other forms of gambling are entirely illegal, though prevalent and unlikely to get me in trouble. It is technically against the law to participate in an office pool on the NCAA tournament. Betting on a friendly round of golf, chess, or billiards is also a crime. I break the law when I play poker with my buddies, though if I am ever arrested, I plan to point out that Justice Scalia does it, too. There is some ambiguity about whether it's illegal for individuals to play poker over the Internet, but executives of foreign-based Web sites who allow
Americans to wager may be arrested, as was David Carruthers, the chief executive of the British company BetonSports, who was taken into custody while changing planes in Dallas on his way to Costa Rica. According to his lawyer, Carruthers now faces up to 20 years in prison on federal charges. A bill before Congress, sponsored by Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa, (which has over a dozen casinos, a gambling cruise ship, two dog tracks, a horse track, and a lottery), would attempt to curtail Internet gambling by creating criminal penalties for credit card and other companies that process Internet gambling transactions.

What's the difference between the legal forms of gambling and the illegal forms? Some of the legal varieties are less appealing, in part because the "vig" tends to be higher (lotteries return less than 60 percent of their take in prizes). Certain kinds of authorized gambling convey the special grimness of state-sponsored vice, which will be familiar to those who have visited riverboat casinos in desperate Mississippi and Indiana towns. But morally and in terms of their social consequence, it's hard to draw any distinction at all. All kinds of gambling, from bingo to baccarat, are benign entertainment for most people,dangerously addictive to a few, and capable of breeding unwanted side effects for society.

I disagree with his attitude toward internet gambling. I think it is a trend that will breed a great deal of hardship for families in the future. I especially hate the idea that people can charge their internet gambling to credit cards. That is a recipe for disaster.

HT Albert Mohler

Why Evangelicals Support Israel

This short item helps explain why.

Christian Retailing and the Great Commission

This article in the LA Times about a Christian Retailers Convention makes me wonder about what has happened to modern christianity? An excerpt:

Christian Outdoorsman was taking orders for a camouflage baseball cap with a red cross. In Booth 235, Revelation Products of St. Louis was pitching golf balls and flip-flops. Follow the Son flip-flops have patterned soles that leave the message "Follow Jesus" in the sand.Gospel Golf Balls are touted as "a great golf ball with a greater purpose." Manufactured by Top-Flite, the golf balls are printed with well-known verses from the Bible, such as John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…. "). Dave Kruse, president of Revelation, said they were meant as "conversation starters," to help men share
their faith while teeing up.An added bonus: Duffers need no longer feel bad about losing a ball in the rough. "If you're playing great, good," Kruse said. "If you're spraying the ball, well … lose a golf ball, share the gospel."

The article goes on to say:

After years of steady growth, the Christian retail market notched $4.3 billion in sales in 2004, the latest year for which figures are available. Sales of Christian books, in particular, are booming, outpacing most sectors of the publishing industry.But except for a handful of top-selling books and albums, Christian merchandise is marketed almost exclusively by believers for believers, through Christian stores, trade shows and websites.There are Christian health clubs, Christian insurance agencies and Christian tree trimmers (who advertise in Christian business directories). There are Christian alternatives for the
most unlikely mainstream products: gangsta rap, shoot-'em-up video games, sweatbands, playing cards, scrapbook supplies, children's pajamas.Even the popular American Girl doll collection — long a favorite of Christian families because it's so wholesome — has inspired an overtly Christian knockoff. A Life of Faith, like American Girl, publishes historical novels featuring spunky girl characters, then turns the heroines into $100 dolls with lavish wardrobes. In the Christian version, the dolls come clutching Bibles; their stories, sprinkled with Scripture, describe how the girls find sustenance in theirfaith."It looks like a bunch of pretty, frilly stuff, but … it will get those Biblical values deep into the girls' hearts. Our culture is a river of mud, and we don't want girls to be swept up in it," said Sandi Shelton, president of Mission City Press in Franklin, Tenn., which produces the Life of Faith line.

Unfortunately, Alan Wolfe, a non-believer understands what is going on better than most believers.

The effect of such products, according to political scientist Alan Wolfe, is to create almost a parallel universe, one that allows Christians to withdraw from the world instead of engaging it as Christ commanded."It's as if they're saying the task of bringing people to Jesus is too hard, so let's retreat into a fortress," said Wolfe, who directs the Boisi Center for Religion and American
Public Life at Boston College."Evangelism is about reaching out and converting the unsaved," Wolfe said. "This is about putting a fence around people who are already saved. It strikes me as if they're giving up.

Is it time to cleanse the temple again?

ht Justin Taylor

Quote of the Day

paleoevangelical's quote of the day is pretty powerful and certainly makes you think. It is from a sermon preached by Stephen Davey, here is an excerpt:

What if homosexuality was made illegal? What if abortion was outlawed? What if sexual relations outside of marriage were unacceptable? What if prayer was back in the classroom and the Ten Commandments back in the courtroom? What then? Are people going to heaven? Has the mission of the church advanced one inch? Suppose we could turn the clock back to the good old days, wherever they were, with shared boundaries of morality, a basic respect for God, a basic underpinning of absolute truth. . . Would we breathe a sigh of relief then? Would we think that we have somehow completed our job?

Read the whole thing.

NPR - Daniel Schorr Please Don't Leave

Maybe if they hired more conservative producers they might not need Daniel Schorr. And you thought people at NPR were edumacated. For my liberal mom's sake, I hope he lives to be 110, that way she can trust the news she gets. HT instapundit

Give Jihad a Chance

I had to post this just to give my liberal friends a tweak.

Stuck with Feinstein and Boxer

This is the kind of campaign ad we need to see more of. I loved it because of the humor and it made me want to learn more about him. Most importantly, he is not a lawyer! Unfortunately, since I live in California I won't get the chance to vote for him.....I am stuck with Di Fi and Barbara Boxer :( HT The Sixers Blog at NRO

Colleges and the SBC

There is a lot to this story that I find interesting. For sixty-three years this school took money and support from the SBC, but when the SBC wanted to see a return to the baptist theology that the school was founded on, the school says, no more!

Though the school says it is about academic freedom, it is really about theological liberalism. It is an old story that has happened to other denominations as well. Princeton, Yale, Harvard were all started as training schools for preachers. Of course they have moved far awau from those roots, and are mostly embarrased by them. My how the mighty have fallen.

What Dan Brown Has Wrought

All I can say to this is......oh brother!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

You don't have to guess on which side of this issue I fall!

HT Tom Bevan at RCP

Disproportionate Response

This pretty much says it all! Thank God for America, and thank God George Bush is in office right now or there would probably have to be another character added to the cartoon (named Clinton?). Check this out at Cox and Forkum.

Israel and Hezbollah

For the most recent coverage of what's going on in the Middle East check out Pajamas Media.

Is There Hope for Allergy Sufferers?

As a long time allergy sufferer and as someone who has had sinus surgery and allergy shots, I hope this is true. HT Instapundit.com

Moonbat Fasting

Before you watch this hilarious video (I was ROFL), you have to read this and this and this. Michelle never pulls any punches. Ann Coulter gets all the publicity but Michelle is better at communicating the utter ridiculousness of the moonbat left!

Jesus has something to say about fasting, here is what the infinite God /man of peace had to say.

Matt 6:16-18 "And whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance in order to be seen fasting by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 "But you, when you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face 18 so that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you. NAS

Language or Principles?

My mom sent me this article from NPR. It is an excerpt from a book by Geoff Nunberg called Talk Right and it is subtitled:

"How Conservatives Turned Liberalism into a Tax-Raising, Latte-Drinking, Sushi-Eating, Volvo-Driving, New York Times-Reading, Body-Piercing, Hollywood-Loving, Left-Wing Freak Show."

Nunberg teaches at the University of California-Berkeley, and is a researcher at the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University.

The whole point of the book seems to be that the democrats are loosing in politics because of how they frame things linguistically. Nunberg writes,

Are the Democrats simply tone deaf? That impression was hard to escape when the party floated a new slogan in the fall of 2005 that was aimed at the 2006 midterm elections: "Together, America can do better." Or more accurately, a newly augmented slogan in 2004, John Kerry had used "America can do better," without the "together" part. According to the congressional newspaper The Hill, Democrats had chosen the slogan to address the party's "messaging problems" after testing it in focus groups along with a number of alternatives. "We know
the majority of people agree with us on the issues," one Democrat was quoted as saying, "but this effort is an acknowledgment that we need to communicate better."

This is not the first time we have seen criticism of democrats when it comes to the language of politics. The problem is, and sadly, I don't think the dems and their wordsmiths get, is that the language of the right is a language of principles. In other words, what we speak is what we believe. Nunberg comes close when he says,

It's only when you look at those patterns of usage that you discover how deep the Democrats' linguistic problems go. Over recent decades, the left has lost the battle for the language itself. When we talk about politics nowadays and by "we" I mean progressives and liberals as well as conservatives and people in the center we can't help using language that embodies the worldview of the right. (emphasis mine)

The reason the right wins the language or framing issue is because we are not afraid to speak from a point of principle, from the perspective of our worldview. We know what we think and we communicate it confidently. The dems on the other hand are still trying to figure out what they stand for and what they believe (I suspect that they know what they believe but they are unwilling to say it clearly because it would be very unpopular).

How can you frame the content of the national conversation when you can't have an honest and principled point of view. If you think I am being too harsh remember this? "I voted for the 87 billion before I voted against it." How many new slogans have the dems come out with over the last few years? When your sole goal is to win elections, rather than govern for the common good, this is what you get.

So, forget linguistic experts and bring on the leaders that can articulate a worldview that is real and honest, and then let the debate begin!

You've Got Mail

While doing some work online Tuesday, my computer said, "you've got mail." Since it was my home account and I rarely use it I almost ignored the message, but I decided to check it out anyway. I was glad I did. It was a message from Classmates.com, a site I signed up for a few years ago, and rarely visited since. Because I am such a cheap skate, I wouldn't spring for the regular subscription and registered for the free part instead. Because I am on the "free plan" the only thing I can do at classmates is basically look to see who else has registered. The downside is those awful e-mail messages telling me that a certain amount of people have looked at my bio and that I really should sign up for a subscription so I can find out who!

On Tuesday however, the message was different. It said someone from my class had sent me an e-mail and that I could go to the website and read it (I didn't even know we could send e-mail to classmates through, well Classmates.com). More importantly, the e-mail said that it was from D. Phillips.

D. Phillips! That would be Doug Phillips, my best friend throughout Jr. High and High School. Needles to say, I immediately opened the e-mail and read it. What a blessing it was to hear from Doug. After High School, we both went our separate ways, he went to WSU (go Cougs) and I went to P.C.B.B.C. (don't ask. Well okay - Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College). Over the years we basically lost touch.

A few years back we e-mailed each other a couple of times but lost track again. This time, I hope we can remain in touch. I rejoice and gives thanks to the Lord that he and his family are well. It does my heart good!

Good friends don't come along often and Doug was, and I think I can still say, is a good friend.

PS. One funny story: On graduation night, our class rented out the YMCA for an all night grad party. After a fun night of dancing and games and reminiscing, a group of us decided to go to breakfast since it was now about 4:00 am. After breakfast I talked Doug into going with me to Selah to see my then girlfriend. I was just going to knock on her window and say hello. Arriving at the girlfriend's house I parked out front and walked around to the side of the house to knock on her window. Doug stayed out front and waited by the car. After knocking on the window, the girlfriend and her sister invited me to come in through the window and then to go out through the front door (it now sounds very inappropriate, but there was nothing untoward that happened). Anyway, after saying hi and goodbye I quietly walked out the front door to return to the car and what did I see? Doug was being questioned by the Selah police. Evidently, they were driving by while I was going through the window and thought a crime might be in progress. After much explaining, they determined that it was what it was and we were free to go, although my friend was none too happy with me. Still, he let it go and moved on. That's what friends do.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

Here is the answer (or I should say, here are the answers).

An Inconvenient Truth

This is a great article sifting through the hype of global warming, seeking to get to the truth (inconvenient or not). The article is written by Richard S. Lindzen, the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Atmospheric Science at MIT.

According to Al Gore, when it comes to the issue of global warming, "the debate in the scientific community is over." But is that correct? Dr. Lindzen writes,

That statement, which Mr. Gore made in an interview with George Stephanopoulos on ABC, ought to have been followed by an asterisk. What exactly is this debate that Mr. Gore is referring to? Is there really a scientific community that is debating all these issues and then somehow agreeing in unison? Far from such a thing being over, it has never been clear to me what this
"debate" actually is in the first place.

The media rarely help, of course. When Newsweek featured global warming in a 1988 issue, it was claimed that all scientists agreed. Periodically thereafter it was revealed that although there had been lingering doubts beforehand, now all scientists did indeed agree. Even Mr. Gore qualified his statement on ABC only a few minutes after he made it, clarifying things in an important way. When Mr. Stephanopoulos confronted Mr. Gore with the fact that the best estimates of
rising sea levels are far less dire than he suggests in his movie, Mr. Gore defended his claims by noting that scientists "don't have any models that give them a high level of confidence" one way or the other and went on to claim--in his defense--that scientists "don't know. . . . They just don't
know."

So, presumably, those scientists do not belong to the "consensus." Yet their research is forced, whether the evidence supports it or not, into Mr. Gore's preferred global-warming template--namely, shrill alarmism. To believe it requires that one ignore the truly inconvenient facts. To take the issue of rising sea levels, these include: that the Arctic was as warm or warmer in 1940;
that icebergs have been known since time immemorial; that the evidence so far suggests that the Greenland ice sheet is actually growing on average. A likely result of all this is increased pressure pushing ice off the coastal perimeter of that country, which is depicted so ominously in Mr. Gore's movie. In the absence of factual context, these images are perhaps dire or alarming.

They are less so otherwise. Alpine glaciers have been retreating since the early 19th century, and were advancing for several centuries before that. Since about 1970, many of the glaciers have stopped retreating and some are now advancing again. And, frankly, we don't know why.

He concludes his article by stating,

So what, then, is one to make of this alleged debate? I would suggest at least three points.

First, nonscientists generally do not want to bother with understanding the science. Claims of consensus relieve policy types, environmental advocates and politicians of any need to do so. Such claims also serve to intimidate the public and even scientists--especially those outside the
area of climate dynamics. Secondly, given that the question of human attribution largely cannot be resolved, its use in promoting visions of disaster constitutes nothing so much as a bait-and-switch scam. That is an inauspicious beginning to what Mr. Gore claims is not a political issue but a "moral" crusade.

Lastly, there is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition. An earlier attempt at this was accompanied by tragedy. Perhaps Marx was right. This time around we may have farce--if we're lucky.

I encourage you to the whole thing. HT realclearpolitics

John Stossel has a great article dealing with the same subject but from a slightly different perspective. His conclusion, it is all about the money.

The scary claims about heat waves and droughts are based on computer models. But computer models are lousy at predicting climate because water vapor and cloud effects cause changes that computers fail to predict. They were unable to anticipate the massive amounts of heat energy that escaped the tropics over the past 15 years, forcing modelers back to the drawing board. In the mid-1970s, computer models told us we should prepare for global cooling.

The fundamentalist doom-mongers ignore scientists who say the effects of global warming may be benign. Harvard astrophysicist Sallie Baliunas says added carbon dioxide in the atmosphere may actually benefit the world because more CO2 helps plants grow. Warmer winters would give farmers a longer harvest season. Why don't we hear about this part of the global warming argument?

"It's the money!" says Dr. Baliunas. "Twenty-five billion dollars in government funding has been spent since 1990 to research global warming. If scientists and researchers were coming out releasing reports that global warming has little to do with man, and most to do with just how the planet works, there wouldn't be as much money to study it."

And the politicians would have one less excuse to take control of our lives.

Is There a Doctor in the House?

It must be comforting to the parents who send their children to Davidson College to know that Professor DR. Susan Roberts knows what she's talking about.

Why AOL Gets A Bad Rep

This is a classic, make sure you listen to the audio. If you have ever dealt with AOL or other large companies, you know how infuriating this can be. I do believe that AOL finally apologized. You should read the comment sections on both links, wow. If you have ever dealt with AOL about tecnical problems, be prepared to spend 15 minutes talking to a computer before you spend another 15 minutes talking to someone that you can barely understand, in India!

Here is the Better Business Bureau report on AOL.

Update: Here is a video of Vince's interview with Matt Lauer.

The New Testament and Textual Criticism

Justin Taylor has an excellent post on textual criticism. For those of you have questions about the reliability of Scripture, read the whole thing. I have always found Justin's blog to be informational, I check it everyday.

Is This the Meaning of the Term Blank Slate?

I love purgatorio, it is one of those unique sites that always has something interesting to look at. This name the caption contest is very funny. I especially like suggestion numbers 2, 9, 17, 20, 25, 40, 42, and 77. If you don't get some of those ask and I will try and explain! :)

A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism

I suspect we will be seeing more and more press releases like this, as technology continues to lead us to the conclusion that there must be a "Grand Designer" i.e. Creator behind our existence. Having recently taken a college biology class I was once again reminded that Darwin's theory of evolution cannot explain the complexity of living things.

The Discovery Institute has some great information on the subject. HT SmartChristian

Here are three Fact Sheets (pdf) for you to consider.

Microevolution v.s. Macroevolution

The Cambrian Explosion

Survival of the Fakest

Science - Facts and Myths

Is the Great Wall in China really the only man-made object that can be viewed from space?

Does Chicken Soup really help the common cold?

Will a falling cat always land on its feet?

Are yawns really contagious?

If you want to know the answers to these questions and more, click here. HT Jonah Goldberg

The UN and Homeschooling

Honestly, why we still belong to the UN is beyond me. This is the sort of thing that would be happening in America if we relented and agreed to abide by their absurd Convention on Children's Rights.

From its Preamble:

Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the
community,

Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,

Sounds good right? How about this from Article 6.

1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life .
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child(emphasis mine).

Imagine that, the UN is actually pro-life! NOT!

The problem with this document is that all power and authority for raising and nurturing children rests with the "States Parties." Certainly lip service is given to the role of parents, but they are minor players when it comes to raising and rearing children, that is the role of the State!

This situation with the homeschoolers in Belgium is proof that in this document, the final authority rests with the state, not the parents. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the state has to step in when there is clear sign of abuse and or neglect, but homeschooling is neither abusive nor neglectful. (For a fuller look at the UN document check out this link).

HT KJL at The Corner

What Part of Illegal Do You Not Understand?

If the Governator signs this bill it will cause problems for him in November. HT Mark Krikorian

Is This the Way to Revival?

This is one of my favorite Ray Steven's songs. To listen to the song go here. To read the words go here. Have fun. HT Jolly Blogger

ACLU - Do As We Say, Not As We Do!

Hypocrisy in the ACLU? Nah, it couldn't be.

Whose Not Making Nice?

I am amazed that the entertainment left doesn't get it. Somehow they think they are owed a following no matter what they say. The Dixie Chicks are a case in point. They trash the President while in another country and then are shocked when their fans are upset about it. Michelle Malkin puts in perspective.

Christianity and the MPAA

A new film coming out has been given a PG rating because of its Christian message. The movie, called "Facing the Giants" is about "a Christian high-school football coach who uses his undying faith to battle the giants of fear and failure." WorldnetDaily explains why the film may have received the PG rating.

A scene which may have drawn extra scrutiny includes a discussion between a football coach and a wealthy brat.

When the coach said the student needed to stop bad-mouthing his father and get right with God, the boy said, "You really believe in all that honoring God and following Jesus stuff? ... Well, I ain't trying to be disrespectful, but not everybody believes in that."

The coach replied: "Matt, nobody's forcing anything on you. Following Jesus Christ is the decision that you're going to have to make for yourself. You may not want to accept it, because it'll change your life. You'll never be the same."

So now you can add sharing the gospel (along with profanity, violence and brief nudity) to the list of reasons a film we will receive a PG rating.

Tony Dungy

As a father I can only imagine how painful this must have been for the Dungy family. Coach Dungy's response is amazing. I am thankful for men like him. HT SmartChristian.com

In the early-morning hours of Dec. 22, 2005, Tony and Lauren Dungy lived a parent's worst nightmare when they learned their eldest son and second of five children, 18-year-old James, had been found dead in his suburban Tampa, Fla., apartment. In February, James' death was ruled a suicide.
"As a parent you'll never have any greater pain in your life," Colts president Bill Polian says.
"Anyone who's a parent dreads that call in the middle of the night. I have four grown children and I still dread it."
When Dungy told Polian the news, "[I thought], 'Oh my God. Oh my God, what a tragedy.' I think that's what I said. … The hardest punch you've ever taken to the gut doesn't compare. It's something you never want to relive."
And yet Dungy is able to live with what other parents who have lost children often describe as an unbearable pain because of his faith. Great coaches have the ability to see the game differently. Great men are able to view life's unfortunate circumstances from a unique perspective.
Dungy's doing that.

Read the whole article.

Heroes

Take some time to read through this page and the included links. HT The Corner

A Libertarian?

I was surprised by my results on this quiz. I have always considered myself more conservative than libertarian. Take it and see where you fall on the political spectrum. My results are below. HT Hugh Hewitt

ACCORDING TO YOUR ANSWERS,
The political description that fits you best is...
.
LIBERTARIAN
LIBERTARIANS support maximum liberty in both personal and
economic matters. They advocate a much smaller government; one
that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence.
Libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose
government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate
diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.
The RED DOT on the Chart shows where you fit on the political map.
Your PERSONAL issues Score is 70%. Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 80%. (Please note: Scores falling on the Centrist border are counted as Centrist.)

Ann Coulter

I don't always agree with her style, but I sure get a lot of enjoyment out of watching how the liberals and the MSM respond to Ann Coulter. After watching this video tribute to Coultermania, you have to admit that she is not afraid to say what a lot of people are thinking. I especially thought what she said about Hillary's comments were on the mark (sorry mom). I think what gets the MSM in such a tizzy is that she goes into their territory and is not afraid to take them on. I love it!

Pro Life

A picture is worth a thousand words. We can debate and talk and shout all we want about the abortion issue, but the picture I linked to makes a great argument for the prolife side. HT SmartChristian.com

More Bad News for Bush

What oh what will we do with our President? And you think I am too hard on the MSM? Check out the New York Times headline to this story.

Update: The New York Times headline: "Bush deficit reduction plan falls off-schedule."

This was in response to the news that because of an increase in tax revenues the deficit has been substantially cut, and three years early. However, the New York times ran with the above headline. It was quoted on the instapundit site but the link didn't make that clear.

Update II: Since I can't find the link at the Times website, it either was in the print edition only or Glenn Reynolds was being sarcastic about how the times and other MSM outlets handle good news when it could help Bush.

More Good News from Iraq

News from Iraq you won't get from the Mainstrean Media (MSM). I love this from a section on Iraqi Reconstruction.

According to a survey team from Duke University, Iraq’s marshes are well on their way to recovery:

Populations of many native fish, invertebrate animals, birds and plants are well on their way to recovery. The marshes of southern Iraq, devastated in recent decades by Saddam Hussein’s regime, are showing a “remarkable” recovery, according to an ecological survey team led by scientists at Duke University and the University of Basrah, according to a press release by EurekAlert.
In their latest and most thorough evaluation of the marshes—claimed in some
quarters to be the site of the biblical Garden of Eden—the researchers found that populations of many native fish, invertebrate animals, birds and plants are well on their way to recovery.

Enviro-guru Al Gore couldn’t be reached for comment.

Star Trek v.s. Star Wars

Ever wonder who would win between Jean Luc Picard and Darth Vader?
Here is your answer.

Swimming Season

The subtitle on my blog says "My Thoughts on Religion, Politics, Sports and Small Town Life." I have made several posts on religion, politics and sports but I haven't talked much about small town life, so that is what I am going to do today.

Every year at this time my family gears up for swim club. In the past both Aaron and Abigail have been involved in swim club (which is a very big deal in the Bakersfield area). The last few years it has been just Abigail since Aaron has been working (as a lifeguard) during that time. From the end of May to the end of July, just about every Saturday is taken up with swim meets.

The swim meets are really quite an event as each swim club hosts one meet. This past weekend it was our turn. Wasco always has the second Saturday in June and we had a great meet. As in previous years every family is assigned responsibilities for the meet. When we first started out we were given fun jobs (sarcasm) like selling programs or working in the snack bar. There is nothing like being inside a non airconditioned 100 degree room with ten other people selling concessions all day (the meets usually go from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm). Anyway, as our "seniority" has grown in the club so has our assignments.

This year Debbie was given the job of "Clerk of Course" (for the third time) which is sort of like a traffic cop. Her job is to make sure that the swimmers are all lined up properly for each event and each heat. When dealing with about three hundred swimmers, in 101 events and usually two or three heats per event, it can be quite a job.

How fast and how successful the meet goes is usually dependent on the clerk of course and the starter. Guess who was assigned the starter job this year? If you guessed me, then you guessed right.

Usually there are two or three starters that all of the clubs use (and pay) but we have always had a man in our club who has experience as a starter so we have used him. This year however, he was down with a bad back and so they put me in as starter (why they thought I could do it, I will never know).

I must say though that the thought of being the starter appealed to me a whole lot more than being the head timer or a time sheet runner (jobs I have had in the past). Needless to say, I was a little bit nervous. I had watched the starters closely in the past, just because I thought their job looked interesting, never imagining I would be one someday myself. Boy, am I glad I paid attention! Before the meet started I said a little prayer and asked the Lord to help me to do a good job (and not embarrass myself).

To make a long story short, everything went fine and I really enjoyed the job. In fact, the meet finished ahead of schedule with no major foul ups. After the meet, several people spoke to both Debbie and myself telling us how much they liked the meet and how glad they were that it finished so early.

What's my point? Nothing more than to say thanks Lord for helping us survive.

Evolution of Dance

For your enjoyment!

Slow Week Posting

Sorry it has been a slow week posting, but I am in the middle of taking a couple of classes at Fresno Pacific University and I had some assignments due. In addition, I have a job and a family I have to pay attention to once in a while! :)

Another Left Wing Role Model

I am sure the administration at UNC is very proud of their professor. I did an interneship in Greeley for a summer, other than the University and Monfort Meet Packing there is not much there. Although, I did enjoy my time there.

Diet Coke and Mentos

These guys have too much time on their hands. Still, this is pretty cool.
HT The Corner

Election Fraud and The Democrats (updated and edited)

My mom over at Leezy's Slice of Life Blog has responded to my "Have They No Shame?" post. She has linked to my website and then another site called fred.net.

The problem is that she tries to make a one to one correspondence between the article I spoke about in my post (as she says, from the "right") and the crazy conspiracies on fred.net (as she says from the "left").

The big difference is that in my post an actual Democratic candidate was encouraging people to vote illegally. In the site she linked to at fred.net you have a bunch of links to conspiracy theories (black box voting for example) and accusations that have either been debunked or not proven.

In fact, Robert Kennedy Jr. tried to rehash the whole George Bush (or more accurately, Ken Blackwell) stole the 2004 election meme in a recent Rolling Stone article. As their argument goes, "It had to be the case since the exit polls showed John Kerry winning big."

This whole thing has been effectively dealt with previously. I suggest you read this and this and this.

If the supposed conspiracy theories were true and if the Republicans are perpetrating election fraud to the alledged extent that fred.net accuses, then WHY are the Democrats the ones so strongly opposed to election reform ? Something to think about.

PS: Lest anyone misunderstand, I still love my mom, even though she's a l-i-b-e-r-a-l.

Rush Top Twenty Songs (5-1)

I hope you have enjoyed my list of top twenty Rush songs. I am sure that if you are a Rush fan, you will disagree with the songs I have chosen, but that is okay.

In this post I am going to name my top five, but before I do, I want to name some songs that didn't make the list but that are worthy of honorable mention.

Honorable Mention

Instrumentals - YYZ (Moving Pictures); Where's My Thing (Roll the Bones); Leave that Thing Alone (counterparts)

From Rush - Finding My Way; What You're Doing

From Fly By Night - Beneath, Between, Behind

From Caress of Steel - Lakeside Park

From 2112 - Something for Nothing (it barely missed my top twenty)

From A Farewell to Kings - Cinderella Man; Madrigal; Cygnus X-1 Book One

From Hemispheres - Cygnus X-1 Book Two; Circumstances; The Trees

From Permanent Waves - The Spirit of Radio

From Moving Pictures - Red Barchetta

From Signals - Subdivisions; New World Man

From Presto - Show Don't Tell

From Roll the Bones - Dreamline; Roll the Bones; Neurotica

From Counterparts - Animate; Cut to the Chase; Between Sun and Moon;

From Test for Echo - Half the World; Time and Motion ; Dog Years; Virtuality; Resist

Now for the top five.........drum roll please................


(5) By-Tor and the Snowdog (Fly By Night) - This song gives us the first hint of what was to come with Rush. It is a song that reveals the musicianship of this trio. A contest between the bass (By-Tor) and the guitar (Snowdog) leads the band into a battle of epic proportions. Nobody writes lyrics like Neil does here.

The Tobes of Hades, lit by flickering torchlight The netherworld is gathered in the glare Prince By-Tor takes the cavern to the north light The sign of Eth is rising in the air. By-Tor, knight of darkness, Centurion of evil, devil's prince.

Across the River Styx, out of the lamplight His nemesis is waiting at the gate The Snow Dog, ermine glowing in the damp night Coal-black eyes shimmering with hate. By-Tor and the Snow Dog Square for battle, let the fray begin.

The battles over and the dust is clearing Disciples of the Snow Dog sound the knell Rejoicing echoes as the dawn is nearing By-Tor in defeat retreats to Hell Snow Dog is victorious The land of the Overworld is saved again.

(4) Driven (Test for Echo) I just love the song. Geddy does a great job singing and there is a terrific bass part. Neil has written interesting lyrics and Alex guitar work is wonderful.


(3) Xanadu (A Farewell to Kings) - Again, I love the music of this song, but there are great lyrics as well. This is Rush at is imaginative best.


(2) 2112 (2112) - Forget about the lyrics (even though there is a great story here) the music is almost symphonic in its complexities.

(1) Here Again (Rush) - You won't find this song on most people's list of Rush favorites but I have liked it from the first time I heard it. Let's start with the bass line, it is great. Geddy's voice is haunting. Clocking in at 7:34 it is worth the listen.

Rush Top Twenty Songs (10-6)

(10) A Farewell to Kings (A Farewell to Kings) - This song starts out with a very melodic acoustic sound before it becomes electric. The sound is not one that we have heard from Rush up to this point, but it is a real treat nonetheless. A Farewell to Kings leads off the same titled album and sets a great tone. The lyrics picture the cry of a modern prophet seeking a return to better days and better lives.

When they turn the pages of history
When these days have passed long ago
Will they read of us with sadness
For the seeds that we let grow
We turned our gaze
From the castles in the distance
Eyes cast down On the path of least resistance

Cities full of hatred Fear and lies
Withered hearts And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise

The hypocrites are slandering
The sacred halls of Truth
Ancient nobles showering
Their bitterness on youth
Can't we find
The minds that made us strong
Can't we learn
To feel what's right and wrong

Cities full of hatred
Fear and lies
Withered hearts
And cruel, tormented eyes
Scheming demons
Dressed in kingly guise
Beating down the multitude
And scoffing at the wise
Can't we raise our eyes
And make a start
Can't we find the minds
To lead us closer to the Heart

(9) Stick it Out (Counterparts) - My favorite song on the Counterparts album, this song has some very witty lyrics. It is a great blend of music and words.

Trust to your instincts
If it's safely restrained
Lightning reactions
Must be carefully trained

Heat of the moment
Curse of the young
Spit out your anger
Don't swallow your tongue

STICK IT OUT

Don't swallow the poison
SPIT IT OUT
Don't swallow your pride
STICK IT OUT
Don't swallow your anger
SPIT IT OUT
Don't swallow the lies

Natural reflex
Pendulum swing
You might be too dizzy
To do the right thing

Trial under fire
Ultimate proof
Moment of crisis
Don't swallow the truth

STICK IT OUT

Each time we bathe our reactions
In artificial light
Each time we alter the focus
To make the wrong moves seem right

You get so used to deception
You make yourself a nervous wreck
You get so used to surrender
Running back to cover your neck

STICK IT OUT

(8) La Villa Strangiato (Hemispheres) - This Instrumental (Rush's first of four) is subtitled an exercise in self-indulgence, and one can hear why as the band lets loose. I have read that the band insisted on recording this song in one take.

In other words, it wasn't recorded in a conventional fashion where each instrument is laid down on a different track. No, it's more of a 'live' version since all three jammed simultaneously until they got it right.

Quite an accomplishment given that this songs clocks in at 9:35.

(7) Working Man (Rush) - When you hear this song, you just know it is Rush. From the first album, this song lets everyone know that Rush is here to Rock!



(6) Closer to the Heart (A Farewell to Kings) - For long-time fans of Rush, this has become a signature song. It is a little pollyanish, but it has a great sound. This is the second of three songs from the "A Farewell to Kings" album on my top twenty list.

And the men who hold high places
Must be the ones to start
To mould a new reality
Closer to the Heart

The Blacksmith and the Artist
Reflect it in their art
Forge their creativity
Closer to the Heart

Philosophers and Ploughmen
Each must know his part
To sow a new mentality
Closer to the Heart

You can be the Captain
I will draw the Chart
Sailing into destiny
Closer to the Heart

Rush Top Twenty Songs (15-11)

In this post we look at my favorite Rush songs, numbers 15-11.

(15) Distant Early Warning (Grace Under Pressure) - This song has grown on me over the years. It still has a little too much reliance on the synthesizers for my taste, but the melody line is haunting. Released in 1984, the lyrics reflect the cold war politics of the time.

An ill wind comes arising
Across the cities of the plain
There's no swimming in the heavy water --
No singing in the acid rain
Red alert
Red alert

It's so hard to stay together
Passing through revolving doors
We need someone to talk to
And someone to sweep the floors --
Incomplete
Incomplete

The world weighs on my shoulders
But what am I to do?
You sometimes drive me crazy --
But I worry
about you

I know it makes no difference
To what you're going through
But I see the tip of the iceberg --
And I worry about you...

Cruising under your radar
Watching from satellites
Take a page from the red book --
Keep them in your sights
Red alert
Red alert

Left and rights of passage
Black and whites of youth
Who can face the knowledge
That the truth is not the truth?
Obsolete
Absolute

(14) Limelight (Moving Pictures) - Rush is said to be one of those bands that avoids the limelight as much as possible. This song is Rush's reflection on playing before live audiences and dealing with fame.

Living on the lighted stage

Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality
Beyond the gilded cage.

Cast in this unlikely role,
Ill-equipped to act,
With insufficient tact,
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact.

Living in the Limelight,
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem.
Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation,
Get on with the fascination,
The real relation,
The underlying theme.

Living in a fisheye lens,
Caught in the camera eye.
I have no heart to lie,
I can't pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend.

All the world's indeed a stage,
And we are merely players,
Performers and portrayers,
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage.

(13) Tom Sawyer (Moving Pictures) - Tom Sawyer may be Rush's most popular song. The song has a great bass line and terrific guitar riff.

(12) Freewill (Permanent Waves) - The Rush song only an Arminian could love! Sadly, Neil Peart as an apparent unbeliever has a distorted view of God's sovereignty.

There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance,

A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance.

A planet of playthings, We dance on the strings Of powers we cannot perceive "The stars aren't aligned - Or the gods are malign"

Blame is better to give than receive. You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill; I will choose a path that's clear- I will choose Free Will.

There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand, The cards were stacked against them- they weren't born in Lotus-Land.

All preordained- A prisoner in chains- A victim of venomous fate. Kicked in the face, You can't pray for a place In heaven's unearthly estate.

Each of us- A cell of awareness- Imperfect and incomplete. Genetic blends With uncertain ends On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet.

(11) Fly By Night (Fly By Night) - This is a song that no doubt hooked many fans and it is still a fan favorite today. I love the time changes in the song.

Have You No Shame?

This is the kind of thing that goes on in California all the time. Why do you think the Dems fight showing some kind of proof of legal registration at the polls? It is an outrage, and any American who cherishes their right to vote should make their voice heard.

Rush Top Twenty Songs (20-16)

I am starting a new post on a top-twenty of my favorite Rush songs. Today, I will give you numbers 20-16. I will list the song and the album it is from in parenthesis and then make comments as I see fit.

#20 - In the Mood (Rush) - This is the first Rush song that I heard so it has a special place in my heart.

#19 - Anthem (Fly by Night) - This song is recognizable even without the lyrics however, Neil has written a great rock "anthem."

Know your place in life is where you want to be Don't let them tell you that you owe it all to me Keep on looking forward; no use in looking 'round Hold your head above the ground and they won't bring you down

Anthem of the heart and anthem of the mind A funeral dirge for eyes gone blind We marvel after those who sought New wonders in the world, wonders in the world, Wonders in the world they
wrought.

Live for yourself -- there's no one else More worth living for Begging hands and bleeding hearts will Only cry out for more

Well, I know they've always told you Selfishness was wrong Yet it was for me, not you, I Came to write this song

Do I agree with the message of the Lyrics? No, but it certainly expresses the philosophy of Rock and Roll!

#18 - Bastille Day (Caress of Steel) - There are not very many rock songs written about aspects of the French Revolution.

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. It is called Fête Nationale (National Holiday) in France. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the Fête de la Fédération was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation", and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. (From wikipedia)

There's no bread, let them eat cake
There's no end to what they'll take
Flaunt the fruits of noble birth
Wash the salt into the earth

But they're marching to Bastille Day
La guillotine will claim her bloody prize
Free the dungeons of the innocent
The king will kneel, and let his kingdom rise

Bloodstained velvet, dirty lace
Naked fear on every face
See them bow their heads to die
As we would bow as they rode by

And we're marching to Bastille Day
La guillotine will claim her bloody prize
Sing, o choirs of cacophony
The king has kneeled, to let his kingdom rise.

Lessons taught but never learned
All around us anger burns
Guide the future by the past
Long ago the mould was cast

For they marched up to Bastille Day
La guillotine -- claimed her bloody prize
Hear the echoes of the centuries
Power isn't all that money buys

Neil Peart reveals just how well read he really is.

#17 - Alien Shore (Counterparts) - This is one of Geddy's best vocal performances. In Neil's lyrics he explores those things that make men and women alien to one another and the differences in our cultures.

You and I, we are strangers by one chromosome
Slave to the hormone, body and soul
In a struggle to be happy and free
Swimming in a primitive sea

You and I, we must dive below the surface
A world of red neon, and ultramarine
Shining bridges on the ocean floor
Reaching to the alien shore

For you and me -- Sex is not a competition
For you and me -- Sex is not a job description
For you and me -- We agree

You and I, we are pressed into these solitudes
Color and culture, language and race
Just variations on a theme
Islands in a much larger stream

For you and me -- Race is not a competition
For you and me -- Race is not a definition
For you and me -- We agree

Reaching for the alien shore
You and I, we reject these narrow attitudes
We add to each other, like a coral reef
Building bridges on the ocean floor
Reaching for the alien shore

For you and me -- We hold these truths to be self-evident
For you and me -- We'd elect each other president
For you and me -- We might agree
But that's just us Reaching for the alien shore

#16 - The Speed of Love (Counterparts) - A love song of sorts, which is a rarity for Rush.

Love is born with lightning bolts
Electro-magnetic force
Burning skin and fireworks
A storm on a raging course

Like a force of nature,
Love can fade with the stars at dawn
Sometimes it takes all your strength
Just to keep holding on
At the speed of love
A radiance that travels
At the speed of love
My heart goes out to you.

For an instrumental medley of songs from the first six albums listen to this from R30.

History is His Story

I began noticing the use of B.C.E. (before the common era) and C.E. (common era) in place of B.C. and A.D. a few years ago when I was reading archeological and academic journals. Now its usage has become more common place. Al Mohler addresses a case in Kentucky where the Department of Education is trying to push their use in the Social Studies Curriculum. As usual he doesn't miss the irony of this attempt. He writes,

The nonsensical nature of this proposal comes down to this -- there is no way to get around the fact that the hinge year is assumed by tradition to be the year of Christ's birth. one can try to avoid any reference to Christ by using B.C.E. and C.E., but the numbers of the years still tell the story. If advocates of this change are really serious about avoiding all references to Christ, they will have to come up with a whole new numbering system for the years.

The head of the Kentucky Council if Churches says it is absurd to think that this is an attack on Christianity. Mohler responds,

Let's get this straight. The only motivation for replacing B.C. and A.D. with B.C.E. and C.E. is to avoid any reference to Jesus Christ. This system of dating has been in place for more than a millennium and a half, and its meaning has been almost universally understood. But, the head of the Kentucky Council of
Churches thinks it is "absurd" to suggest that this is an assault on Christianity.

The word "assault" may not be the right word to use here, but "insult" is just about right. Changing the references without changing the dating is nonsense. Denying the obvious is just not a winning intellectual strategy.

More Rush Videos

An acoustic version of "Resist," Rush unplugged?

"Driven" from Rush in Rio. This is one of my top five favorite Rush songs. I love the Bass line and Geddy has a little fun.

YYZ is one of Rush's better known instrumentals. There is a drum solo at the end that shows-off some of Neil Peart's talent. This video reveals how accomplished musicians these guys are.

HT Prosthesis

Abortion Clinic Shut Down

This is the dark side of the abortion industry that the MSM will never let you see.

A woman, Patient A, on 20Feb06, went to Summit Medical Center in Birmingham. While the staff took Patient A’s blood pressure reading of 182/129 (“a critically and dangerously high blood pressure that indicated a need for immediate medical treatment”), and while no physician was on the premises
(although records show there was a physician), an ultrasound was performed by a non-physician staff member; Patient A was told she was 6 weeks pregnant...

Patient A was given a dosage of Mifeprex and “Summit staff
dispensed four tablets of Misoprostol to Patient A and gave her instructions to insert the four tablets” on 22Feb06).

On the evening of 26Feb06, “Patient A presented to the emergency room of a Birmingham hospital with the head of a baby protruding". The baby was a "stillborn, macerated, six pound, four ounce baby".

HT Southern Appeal

Encore: 50 More Conservative Songs

John J. Miller has put together a list of 50 more conservative songs. Four more Rush songs are on the list.

Common Sense from Mr. Newt

This is an excerpt from Newt Gingrich's book To Renew America. Although it was written eleven years ago, I can say without a doubt that it expresses the common sense thoughts of most people I know.

There is no magic to solving the problem of illegal immigrants. It is not intellectually challenging. Throughout history, countries that have survived have learned to maintain their borders. There are plenty of practical examples of how to get the job done. If we work at it we can dry up 95 percent of illegal immigration within two or three years. Our challenge is getting to a clear decision, developing a workable plan, and implementing it relentlessly.

Read the whole thing.

When is a Protest, not a Protest?

Ann Coulter isn't always my cup of tea, but she sure knows how to put a liberal in their place. This article just drips with sarcasm, I hope you can appreciate it. HT my liberal mom

Andrew's Graduation Photos

Enjoying the "Pomp and Circumstances."

With the "folks."

With the proud family.

Andrew and Shannon - they are officially engaged!

Andrew made some great friends while at APU.

Andrew and Lindsey - They have been friends since Kindergarten

With the gang from Wasco.

Aaron's Graduation Photos

Aaron, giving the invocation. I will remember to focus next time.

With the proud parents! It is a good thing he gets his looks from his mother!

Excited that his High School career is over with!

With the entire Wheeler clan. We are all proud of you Aaron!!

Memorial Day

Let me say THANK YOU to all who have served in defense of our country, and let me give my sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones serving our country and preserving our freedoms.

There is a lot out there today in the blogosphere about Memorial Day. Here are some of the posts that spoke to me.

La Shawn Barber reminds us that Freedom is Not Free

Michelle Malkin has a video tribute at Hot Air

Betsy Newmark has cites a quote from a Marine explaining why he is fighting

Blackfive one of the great milbloggers has several moving posts on Memorial Day

The Federal Marriage amendment

Pepperdine Law Professor Douglas W. Kmiec makes very good argument (registration required) for the necessity of a Federal Marriage amendment. I have seen Kmiec on Fox News and don't believe he is one of those "right-wing" pundit types. If he is concerned about a back-door judicial coup on the issue of gay marriage then maybe we should be as well. This paragraph really stood out to me,

With the states being so vigilant in defense of traditional marriage, is there really a need for the people to act? Yes. Activists are deployed across the country challenging traditional marriage, and it is more than likely that some additional judges will compound the Massachusetts mistake. This increased
judicial approval of same-sex marriage will metastasize into the larger culture. Indeed, an insidious, but less recognized, consequence will be a push to demonize--and then punish--faith communities that refuse to bless homosexual unions.

Using the experience of the Boys Scouts as an example Kmiec writes,

While it may be inconceivable for many to imagine America treating churches that oppose gay marriage the same as racists who opposed interracial marriage in the 1960s, just consider the fate of the Boy Scouts. The Scouts have paid dearly for asserting their 1st Amendment right not to be forced to accept gay
scoutmasters. In retaliation, the Scouts have been denied access to public parks and boat slips, charitable donation campaigns and other government benefits. The endgame of gay activists is to strip the Boy Scouts (and by extension, any other organization that morally opposes gay marriage) of its tax-exempt status under both federal and state law.

For technical legal reasons, it is difficult to challenge a religious
group's non-profit status in federal court, but state court is more open. There, judicial decisions approving same-sex marriage or
even state laws barring discrimination can be used to pronounce any opposing moral or religious doctrine to be "contrary to public policy." So declared, it would be short work for a state attorney general's opinion to deny the tax-exempt status of charities and most orthodox Jewish, Christian and Islamic
religious bodies. If enough state lawyers do this, expect the IRS to chime in.

Read the rest of the article and be very concerned! For more read this Stanley Kurtz essay and this Weekly Standard article by Maggie Gallagher. HT Ed Whelan - Bench Memos

King James Onlyism

I grew up in a King James only church, that is a church were we were taught that the only true, accurate and inspired translation of the Word of God was the 1611 King James Version. Everything else was trash! Literally, we were taught that the newer versions were based on a manuscript found in a trash can in Alexandria, Egypt.

I can remember when I went off to Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College how rocked I was when I learned that only the original autographs were inspired, and while our translations today are authoritative and reliable, they are not themselves inspired. I had a real crisis of faith when I learned that simple truth.

Later, as I developed a proper bibliology my faith in God's word was restored. However, it was a long process for me to go from the KJV to the NKJV to what I use today, the NASB.

I can still remember visiting my home church (Yakima Bible Baptist Church) with my wife who happened to bring her NASB with her (discreetly) but somehow the Pastor found out about it and after the service, with several people around, held it up and called it trash! How sad that made us.

Any way, that church today has left the Baptist Bible Fellowship because it wasn't "conservative" enough and not "KJVO" enough, if you can believe that. They helped start a new "fellowship" called the "Global Independent Baptist Fellowship" which could just as well be called the "King James Only Baptist Bible Fellowship."

I still love that church and have many friends there. It is hard to see that they are still being taught this heresy. The sad part, and ironic as well, is that they claim to be big on the Word of God yet, topical sermons were / are the norm. I pray that they will see the light.

Fred Butler is doing a great job dealing with this issue at Hip and Thigh. Through one of his links I came across this article that really puts things in perspective about the whole movement.

Thanks, But No Thanks!

Ever get tired of that special friend sending you mass e-mails or e-mail chain letters? Here is your answer. HT The Christian Mind

The Christian Music Industry

I think this kid says what needs to be said. Let secular music be whatever it is, but let Christian music be Christian. HT Scot Aniol

An Immigration Top Ten List

Senator Jim DeMint's top ten reasons to oppose the Senate's "Amnesty Bill." I still say the Senate's approach to this issue lacks basic common sense. HT paleoevangelical

Fly By Night

I was visiting Fred Butler's blog, Hip and Thigh and I discovered that like me, he is a big fan of Rush (not the radio host but the band). I have all their albums in my CD collection and listen to them all the time. My sons don't get my fascination with the group although I think I am wearing them down.

I do prefer Rush pre-synthesizer, but nevertheless, there really isn't a "bad" Rush album. If I had to rate my favorite albums it would have to go something like this.

(1) A Farewell to Kings - the best Rush album by far

(2) Rush - I still listen to this self-titled album all the time

(3) 2112 - Rush at their epic story song, sci-fi best

(4) Hemispheres - this album ostensibly picks up where A Farewell to Kings left off, but it has two great stand alone songs, The Trees and La Villa Strangiato (my favorite Rush instrumental) along with a great side one. Cygnus X-1, Book Two is 18 minutes of amazing musicianship.

(5) Test for Echo - This is the best of Rush's most recent work. It is Rush going back to its roots (and no synthesizers!).

If you are not a Rush fan, watch this to see what you have been missing.

Born on 2437584.5.......

......according to the Julian Calendar that is. Curious about this and other interesting (and some not) things about your birthdate? Click here. HT Evangelical Outpost

Aaron's Graduation

Last night my second child, Aaron graduated from High School. The ceremony was very nice. Since he is Senior Class President, Aaron led the invocation and read one of his poems. Aaron, we love you and we are very proud of you.

After a summer of building up his bank account (lifeguarding and giving swim lessons), he will be heading off to Vanguard University to major in theatre and minor in music.

If you have small children or are just starting a family, enjoy every minute you can with them because before you know it, you'll be waving goodbye as they drive off to college.

The Bible Wasn't Written to You

Point well taken. What do you think?

The 50 Best Conservative Rock Songs

National Review Online has up a list of the top 50 conservative rock songs. This article by John J Miller explains it all. There are some interesting names on the list.

The Self-Destruction of the Republican Party

I don't for one minute buy the "culture of corruption" meme perpetrated by the democrats and their willing accomplices in the drive-by media. I do, however, believe that the republicans in the Senate and sadly, President Bush have greatly "misunderestimated" the backlash that awaits them if they get their way on immigration. Honestly, I don't understand it.

Michelle Malkin is on top of things.

Robotic Bartender

Someone sent this to me by e-mail, I just had to share it with you.

A man enters a bar and orders a drink. The bar has a robot bartender.

The robot serves him a perfectly prepared cocktail, and then asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The man replies "162" and the robot proceeds to make conversation about global warming factors, quantum physics and spirituality, biomimicry, environmental interconnectedness, string theory, nanotechnology, and sexual proclivities.

The customer is very impressed and thinks, "This is really cool." He decides to test the robot. He walks out of the bar, turns around, and comes back in for another drink. Again, the robot serves him the perfectly prepared drink and asks him, "What's your IQ?"

The man responds, "about a 100."

Immediately the robot starts talking, but this time, about football, NASCAR, baseball, supermodels, favorite fast foods, guns, and women's body parts.

Really impressed, the man leaves the bar and decides to give the robot one more test. He heads out and returns, the robot serves him and asks, "What's your IQ?"

The man replies, "Er, 50, I think."

And the robot says... real slowly,

"So.. is... your... party... gonna... nominate... Hillary... for.. president ???"

American Idol

I haven't yet blogged on the topic, although my family loves the show and we watch it, dare I say, religiously. I wanted to get my two cents in before they announced a winner. Since the final 24 were selected I have rooted for three contestants, Taylor Hicks, Mandissa and Chris Daughtry.

Taylor - I love his style and his voice, he just seems to be having a lot of fun. Count me as a member of the "Soul Patrol!"

Mandissa - A talented BBW with a real love for the Lord. I can't help but believe that her openness about her faith cost her with some voters. If the contest was based on pure talent she would be the winner.

Chris Daughtry - A have a soft heart for real rockers who have talent. This is why I rooted for Bo and Constantine last year. No one was more shocked than Chris when he was cut a few weeks ago. I thought for sure it would be a Taylor-Chris finale.

Nothing against Katharine (she is very talented) but Taylor is just too unique.

Odds and Ends

Stories you won't find in the drive by media.

What really happened in the immediate aftermath of Katrina? Check out this report.

Revisonist history on Iraq. HT Instapundit

Michelle Malkin has a round up about another fake Iraq War veteran blindly embraced by the Bush-haters, here and here.

Good News, Good News! HT Powerline

A sensible view of the NSA program, from a liberal to boot. HT Betsyspage

When it comes to the Senate version of the immigration bill, be careful to read the fine print. HT The Corner

California - Where Mom and Dad Do Not Exist

California is heading toward a cliff, can anyone stop it? If the state legislature keeps this up, can another voucher initiative be far behind? And, this time, the California Teachers Union (CTA) may not be able to lie enough to defeat it. HT Impacted Wisdom Truth

Jobs Americans Won't Do

Chris Muir has a keen sense of humor. HT Impacted Wisdom Truth

LINKED!

What a great surprise to find that someone read my blog and actually linked back to it. I was checking out Fred Butler's blog last night at Hip and Thigh when I found that he had placed a link back to my blog. Thanks Fred!

My Name is Guy

They had the wrong "Guy." HT Justin Taylor

Church - King of the Hill Style

Someone on the writing staff of this show has visited a few modern day churches. What makes satire so good is how close to the line of reality it gets. HT pulpiteering

Favorite Movies - Groundhog Day

What makes a movie worth watching over and over and over again? For me a good movie has to have the following elements.

(1) The story line has to contain a thread of redemption.

(2) The characters have to behave in a way that is true to their development (they don't necessarily have to behave in a logical way, only in a way that is consistent with how they have been presented to us in the film).

(3) The movie must have a realistic view of human nature.

(4) The film must not insult my intelligence.

"Groundhog Day" is first and foremost a movie about redemption. In this case the redemption belongs to the Bill Murray character, Phil Conners. Phil is not a very nice man. He is self-absorbed, sex-obsessed, condescending, and an all-around jerk.

A weather man at a local Pittsburgh TV station, Phil is sent on assignment to Punxsatawney, PA. with a producer, Rita (Andie MacDowell) and a cameraman, Larry (Chris Elliot).Their assignment is to cover the annual Groundhog Day festivities. This is Phil's fourth straight year to cover the event and he is only there to file the report and get back to Pittsburgh as soon as possible. Arriving the night before "Groundhog Day," we are given a glimpse of Phil's morning from the time he wakes up until the time immediately following the report.

However (and ironically so), weather prevents the crew from returning to Pittsburgh so Phil, Rita and Larry must spend one more night in Punxsatawney. This starts Phil on a journey of change through the vehicle of a time loop. Phil must relive Groundhog Day over and over and over and over again ( I read somewhere that the writer envisioned the time loop lasting for 10,000 years). During this perpetual Groundhog Day Phil goes through a transformation that I think is both realistic and true to his character.

One can only imagine what it would be like to wake up every morning (he wakes up each day to the song I've Got You Babe) and already know what lies ahead. At first, Phil is incredulous and a little freaked. As time passes however, he goes through several logical stages. He goes through a hedonistic stage (each day starts anew so he might as well eat what he wants, drink as much as he wants and act however he wants since there are no consequences to his behavior), a futility stage (he tries to end his life in several unique ways and at one point he tells Rita that he is God, he reasons this since he cannot die), and finally the self-improvement stage.

The self-improvement stage starts out with Phil seeking to win over Rita, with each attempt thwarted somewhere in the process. It is only when he stops thinking about himself and starts thinking about others that he begins to become the kind of person that Rita would be attracted to.

As for how it ends, you will have to see the movie, but the pay off is worth it. For more on the film see here, here and here.

Rated PG the film is remarkably mild for a major motion picture release.

A Fig Leaf

A fig leaf on Mothers Day for my liberal friends, because everybody deserves a fantasy. One thing I do appreciate about Al Gore is he does seem to have a sense of humor.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you.

Rich, White Liberals

This is really why abortion is so important to rich, white liberals. James Taranto adds more to this disgusting story (just scroll down to the section headed "Swift Note Veterans Against Youth"). You can deny it all you want, but if you know anything about the history of Planned Parenthood, you cannot ignore the racist reasons for the abortion industry's existence.

Oh the Irony

If you don't see the irony in this google news item, you don't get national security.

A Video for Moms

Now this is funny! Mothers everywhere should appreciate the humor (or maybe I am just twisted?).

Gasoline Humor

If you can find the strength to laugh about current gasoline prices check this out. HT: RealClearPolitics

Posting

I am sorry that posting has been so light the last few days but I have been away celebrating my son's college graduation. Last night we watched Andrew receive his B.A. in Communications from Azusa Pacific University. It was great to see him walk across the stage (along with 640 other students) and complete four long years of hard work and study. We are so very proud of you Andrew! Welcome to the real world.

The World's Greatest Skylines

This is great! I have always been fascinated with big cities. Although I haven't been in that many large cities, Seattle is by far my favorite. There is nothing like pulling out of the dock on a ferry and seeing the city sweep up the hill, with Mt. Rainier in the background, wow! I am surprised that San Francisco didn't make the list. HT: Leezy's Slice of Life

Compassionate Conservatism

A good article by the man who helped coin the term. It is unfortunate that the concept of compassionate conservatism has been misunderstood and deliberately distorted. According to Marvin Olasky,

One compassionate conservative goal was to encourage average citizens to help the poor directly, instead of handing off all the responsibility to government officials. Another goal was to end government discrimination against faith-based groups that were often the most effective poverty-fighters. Those goals were both expenditure-neutral: They suggested neither bigger nor smaller budgets, but a different way of spending.

My biggest complaint about government programs is that they tend to create roadblocks to people getting real and lasting help. They promote what I call an attitude of governmentalism. I see three marks of governmentalism.

• (1) An entitlement mentality, not only in the people who receive the benefits of the entitlement but especially in the people who disperse the benefits. A good illustration of this can be seen here in California, where the Teacher's Union and the Public School Establishment are throwing fits because the Governator is not giving them the money they think they are entitled to.
• (2) A proprietary and protectionist perspective, even in the face of clear evidence that their program is not working. One reason for creating bureaucratic red tape is that it gives that particular department or program a sense of power and control. "Only we can do this."
• (3) An antagonistic attitude toward private sector programs that can do a better job, particularly faith based programs.
  

I am a compassionate conservative in the sense that I believe that individual and community help is almost always more effective than state and federal governmentalism. The more of our money we get to those on the ground, the more effective we will be.