Educational spending comparison

What's wrong with this photo...

Bank of Africa needs your help...

I opened a new Yahoo email account, and almost immediately I received a bunch of solicitations for me to help the bank president move a large sum of money. I wonder just how many CEOs/managers/presidents this bank has?

To those of you objecting to continuing the Bush tax rates...

Here's a website where you can calculate how much the tax deal affects you: http://www.giveitbackforjobs.org/

The website offers several charities to donate to, but I suggest you send it to the government. In any case, someone else will certainly spend your money better than you can.

Editorial, Hope for the season

The Christmas season has traditionally been about hope, peace, and joy, but times have been tough and these things seem to be short supply. A lot of people are suffering, and a lot more are scaling back, doing without, and hunkering down.

We look for help, perhaps from government programs, from family, or from churches or charities. We seek solutions to the intractable problems of society, and ascribe blame to the rich, to government, to talk radio. Many of us put our trust in our skills, our jobs, or our intellect. Some of us put our trust in government to fix our problems, while others preach self-reliance and deify individualism.

But what happens when these things fail us? Sadly, too many of us throw up our hands and walk away, perhaps from families and children, mortgages, or even, life itself.

In these days when the rug has been yanked out from under us we might begin to re-examine our assumptions. The magnificent edifices we have built and trusted in do not seem so solid anymore. Perhaps it is time that we regain some perspective on what this life is all about.

We are insignificant creatures in the grand scheme of things. Tiny specks on this beautiful blue globe. “Each man's life is but a breath. “ We are born, we grow old, and we die. One might wonder if that is all there is. Some say so, but I don’t believe that. There has to be something more, something higher, something beyond.

The Christmas story is about God’s intervention into human affairs. The Son of God coming as savior, giving His life for us. Some of people don’t believe this. But as Morpheus said, “My beliefs do not require them to.” We all believe something, we all stake out positions of faith, whether in God or man or an idea.

I would suggest that faith in anything other than God is misplaced and futile. Our current situation would seem to lend credence to this. All the grand ideas of man have fallen short. Our systems and our safety nets have not done the job.

So when we reach the end of ourselves, when we hit rock bottom, I suggest that we turn to our Creator. As Sheryl Crow sings, “Talk to the one who made you.” God has the answers.

I think you’ll find what you are looking for. These problems will pass: “For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” There is something better ahead.

That is the true nature of peace. Peace comes when we realize that we have a fallback position that doesn’t depend on human strength. Placing our hope in our Maker, we come to the place of faith which allows us to accept His redemption and receive His peace.

That’s why I am offering this column today. You might think I’m talking to those of you who are not believers, but I’m not. I’m talking to the faithful who may have forgotten their foundation. I’m talking to those who are downcast. I’m talking to those of you who are fed up, tired out, or are looking for real answers.

The TEA party can’t help you. Government is not the answer. Rush Limbaugh can’t solve your problems. And President Obama can’t fix things.

But God can. A baby in the manger represents hope that transcends us. You’ll find your answers there.

Atheist arguments against God

[1] I disagree with moral restrictions. Therefore, God does not exist.

[2] The universe was not created six or so thousand years ago in 24 hour segments. Therefore, God does not exist.

[3] My peer group does not believe in God. Therefore, God does not exist.

[4] Naturalism explains a lot of things and will, eventually, explain all things. Therefore, God does not exist.

[5] Some religious people are idiots. Therefore, God does not exist.

[6] God does things I don't like. Therefore, God does not exist.

[7] God does not exist. Therefore, God does not exist.

[8] I didn't get what I wanted. Therefore, God doesn't exist.

TSA searches

It is interesting how a larger portion of the Left seems to be ok with the enhanced pat downs at airports, while objecting to enhanced interrogation at Gitmo.

One way they justify their conciliation is that the government regulates and oversees air travel, so because a traveler buys a plane ticket, he has given implied consent and as such waived his rights.

Since government searches at airports are reactive (i.e., shoe inspections after the shoe bomber, pat downs and full-body scanners after the underwear bomber), what might travelers expect once a terrorist is caught with a bomb concealed in a body cavity? "Um, officer, aren't you going to buy me dinner first?"

Imagine now if we apply this logic to other scenarios. Driving a car requires a government-issued license. Therefore, the driver has given implied consent to allow pat-down searches. Oh, except if the driver is of hispanic descent and living in Arizona.

Because the government oversees and regulates home constuction, occupancy, safety, and zoning, a homeowner has therefore given implied consent for inspections, searches for contraband, and weapons. Except, of course, if the homeowner is calling a known terrorist on the telephone.

One might wonder when people are going to decide that a line has been crossed. Or if.

Another Obama broken promise

“It’s true that I want to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans.” Chester, Pennsylvania, October 28, 2008

“We are going to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans, those making more than $250,000 a year.” Lake Worth, Florida, October 21, 2008

“Yes, I’m going to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans.” New Philadelphia, Ohio, September 3, 2008

“I think it is very important to roll back the Bush tax cuts on some of the wealthiest Americans.” Chesapeake, Virginia, August 21, 2008

“We’re going to have to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the top one percent.” Fargo, North Dakota, July 3, 2008

“I’m going to roll back the Bush tax cuts back to the levels they were in the 1990s.” Interview with Fox News Channel, June 26, 2008

“I will roll back the Bush tax cuts on people making over $250,000.” Watertown, South Dakota, May 16, 2008

“We are going to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans.” Raleigh, North Carolina, May 3, 2008

“It is true that I would roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans back to the level they were under Bill Clinton.” Fox News Sunday, April 27, 2008

“We’re going to roll back the Bush tax cuts on the top one percent.” Lancaster, Pennsylvania, March 31, 2008

“I want to roll back those Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans.” Youngstown, Ohio, February 18, 2008

“Let’s roll back the Bush tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans.” Washington, DC, June 19, 2007

“I would roll back the Bush tax cuts for those making over $250,000.” Manchester, New Hampshire, June 3, 2007

The Beatles

You know, the Beatles were good, and they wrote some good songs. A lot of people claim them as their influence, yada yada. But I don't understand the worship of them. Plus, we are coming up on a 1/2 CENTURY since they broke up.

And of course, their careers since the break up have been less than noteworthy. Emblematic of this sad state of affairs is Lennon's "Imagine." Truly awful.

Someone rewrote the lyrics to "Imagine." I kinda like 'em:

Imagine No Obama, It's easy if you try.
No more teleprompters, no more Healthcare lies.
Imagine all the people going back to work.

Imagine No more bailouts, it isn't hard to do.
Lower unemployment and lower taxes too.
Imagine all the people with their wallets full.

You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Nov 2012, vote republican.

Imagine No Obama, I wonder if you can.
No more Reed or Pelosi. Get rid of Lindsay Graham.
Imagine all the people, keeping what they earn.