An Asinine Comment

I was all prepared to talk about college football since my beloved Tar  Heels begin their season tonight . But events have dictated otherwise . Many of you have doubtless heard of filmmaker  and all around  whatever Michael Moore. Needless to say , Mr Moore and I have very little , if any, common ground  on any issue . I only mention him for this reason . As you know hurricane Gustav is bearing down on the New Orleans area and those folks very much need our prayers . However , Mr Moore is joining a growing chorus of his ilk in almost hoping that New Orleans is hit during the Republican Convention . He has chosen to take his antipathy for all things Republican to new depths . Gustav hitting New Orleans now is  “Proof that there is a God in heaven ” . I really dont care if he is  kidding and I care not a whit about the context of his remarks . He is wrong on more levels  than I can count and it really frosts me that he would make such a comment . I await the time when his statement is  condemned by his fellow Democrats but I seriously doubt it will happen . How about it Jim Wallis ?

Carter and Dukakis

A couple of our former fav Democrats have made some nonsensical statements of late . And as a service to all , I thought I would pass them along for your consideration . First up , Michael (I look funny in a tank ) Dukakis . Slight paraphrase, in referring to the 1988 presidential election, if i had beaten the ” old guy ” we would not be in this situation we are now and ” I’m sorry ” . Guess he means George H W Bush . Secondly , the ancient one, Jimmy Carter; whom I used to refer to as one of our greatest former Presidents . That still may be true if you think of his presidency . Thanks for those gas lines , they were loads of fun . Anyway, he says that he is tired of Mr McCain referring so often to his five and one-half years as a POW . For my money , a man who spent 66 months as prisoner of war camp can refer to it all he wants so let it go Mr Carter . By the way , take any sixty six months of your life and see how it impacted you . Future note , got a post coming soon, I hope on prospective cabinet officers for Mr Obama if he is elected . Hint, no, ok . These two are definite choices , George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey .

Does God Have a Favorite Place ?

Some weeks ago we visited a church that is celebrating its 150th ( I think ) birthday . On this particular Sunday , a former pastor was preaching . He made the comment that this church was hallowed ground and then sort of reversed himself by saying that God has no favorite place . I began wondering if this was true . We hear the phrase hallowed  ground  referred to in regards to places of historical significance and or places where great sacrifices took place, e.g. Gettysburg . But what about in a spiritual sense ? I’m going to posit that God does indeed have a favorite place with the caveat that applying such human terms to the Almighty is by no means an exact comparison to a human analogy ( favorite food , favorite relative etc. ) Ezekiel 38:12 says that Israel is at the center of the world . If one looks at a map. there can be support for this . Over time it has been a crossroads for many empires and has been conquered and dominated many times . So, if one accepts the premise that Israel is at the center of the world, what then ? I don’t remember the source of the statement but it went something like this . Israel the center of the world, Jerusalem as the center of Israel and the Temple Mount as the center of Jerusalem, the place where God Himself ordained that the temple be built . And political maneuvering notwithstanding it will be built again . Ironically or otherwise that this post is today, Secretary of State Rice is proposing that Jerusalem be divided and supposedly high- level talks are ongoing regarding this very thing . I won’t bother to state the obvious about where I stand on that issue . So chew on my theory and see what conclusions you draw. As always, comments are more than welcome.

Demspeak, Part II

This is part  of a continuing series on the comments of well known members of the Democrat party.  Senator Harry Reid is the Senate majority leader. He was quoted recently as saying ” I can’t stand John McCain ” . Now Mr Reid is perfectly entitled to his opinion and equally entitled to express it . But seems like he might have held back a bit on this one . Can you imagine if Mr McCain is elected , being a fly on the wall at their first meeting, cool, huh ?

Madonna the Political

During the presidential campaign there already have been and will continue to be many voices seeking to persuade us to vote this way or that way and for a multitude of reasons . An unexpected one has joined the fray so to speak and defines our choices in a very stark comparison . Yes , it’s Madonna Louise Ciccone Ritchie , well known singer, songwriter and political adviser ? ( she did play Eva Peron in a movie, I think ) . The fifty year old entertainer (yikes ) is currently on tour in England and will proceed elsewhere , I suppose . Her show featured a video juxtaposing John McCain, dictator Robert Mugabe and Hitler who seems to be many people’s favorite Republican comparison . And, in the other corner the video gave us  John Lennon, algore , Ghandi and Barack Obama . So there you have it . Madonna has presented  two groups  of well known individuals – past and present,  and allowed us the privilege of drawing our own conclusions . As a aside , CBS newsman Harry Smith chose to mention that she really looked good and must have been working out a great deal .  It seems that the singer and Mr Smith share the same apartment building in New York and he had seen a number of personal trainers coming and going . Momentous  indeed . Thanks Ms Ritchie for your unsolicited political advise. We will take it under advisement .

The Democrat Briar Patch

Well, well, well , Mr Obama has  made his first momentous decision and it is Joe Biden . Now what we do know about the senator from Delaware . Elected in 1972, 65 years old, extremely pro abortion , known by many as a “windbag ” for his habit of talking and talking and talking etc . So what does this choice say about Obama whose slogan is change we can believe in . Did he pick a co-president , a man with gravitas,  an attack dog  or all of the above . If I were giving the Democrats advice which is hilarious in itself , I would  I have told them you dont  pick a veep candidate that Rush Limbaugh wants you to pick . Having said that , I am thrilled with their choice  . Go Joe Go !

Cold War, Part Deux

I want to continue along the lines  of Tuesday’s  topic which was the Russo- Georgia conflict. Sorry  for the interlude but every time I start to finish these thoughts , other pertinent info arises . Example, just after we were getting used to a lower price of oil, down to $110 a barrel; Russia kicks Georgia around a bit, leaves several hundred troops behind, just in case,  and voila the oil price shoots up- to $122 a barrel . Russia of course loves this since it gives their economy a great boost . Anyway, so much of what is going on here parallels a fictional book written over 3 years ago by one of my  favorite authors, Joel Rosenberg . The book is entitled The Ezekiel Option and is the third of a series about geopolitical events with rather strong religious overtones ,  but not as religious as the more popular Left Behind series of several years ago . Mr Rosenberg’s two previous books in the series made several ” predictions ” which have actually come to pass, although he makes no prophetic claims for himself . I wont go into what I see as parallels between the book and today but rather would encourage you to check out hus books and website  . And by the way, take the time to read Ezekiel , chapters 38-39 . Shalom.

Demspeak

I’m holding  part  two of the Russo- Georgia  story for a while and letting events catch up a bit .Meanwhile , I think I have coined a new word which I freely share with  any and all who are interested . The word describes interesting quotes of comments by the elephantine  part of our two party system . Example number one to warmup  is by the renowned Howard ( Arrggh !!!!!1 ) Dean . The Republican Party so says Mr DNC Chairman is a ” white ” party  . Interesting choice of words for those who do not think race should be interjected into the presidential contest ( which i happen to agree with ) Number two comes from a good source that I have quoted previously , Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi . This is very close to an exact quote. God did surely shed his grace on America with the leadership of Barack Obama . This frosts me on more than one level . As far as I can tell , Mr Obama did not refute or clarify this comment . This kind of comment speaks of arrogance, hubris and I dont know what else . Later some Demspeak from Mr Obama in  response to a question at the Rick  Warren sponsored event. Stay tuned.

Has the Cold War Returned ?

Lots of activity , both overt and otherwise involving Russia headed by one Vladimir Putin ( former KGB – Ha ) There is a lot going on here, some of which is visible and some of which is implied . One of many questions is , do we do anything other than talk tough and send humanitarian aid to those in need ? Since I started this post things have gone from bad to worse in the country of Georgia . I saw a Wall Street Journal article today that described Georgia as battered which is not good by any definition . United States officials, including Secretary of State Rice and President Bush continue to use strong language in urging Russia to withdraw its forces and respect Georgia’s territorial integrity . Meanwhile French officials who helped broker the ceasefire say that that they see signs a pullback of Russian forces is beginning . Unfortunately , no one else seems to see those signs as Russian military activity continues . One additional comment , was it not a brilliant tactical move move by the Russians to launch their offensive or whatever you call it , during the Olympics ? I have another perspective on these events which I hope to elaborate on tomorrow . Meanwhile , if you are so inclined pray for the Georgian people .

Profundities

Perhaps I have just created a word or maybe just mangled an existing one . No matter .  I was just thinking how nice it would be to say profound things . Many of us have that thought I guess from time to time . We remember famous quotes from people in the realm of politics , maybe from a favorite teacher, from an author or entertainer and so on . Wonder how much we remember from our parents . I frequently say something like , as my dad used to say or as my mama said . Sometimes I am not 100% sure they said whatever I attributed to them or if I just think they said it . Having said that , I wonder what my children will remember in years to come that I have said .  I half jokingly say that they remember two things that I have told them . One is worthwhile , the other not so much . First the good one which they both have actually practiced . Anywhere, anytime that you need to call me , call !. Now you might say , ho- hum but when your children are younger and even  when they move away, this brings or I hope it does bring  a bit of comfort or reassurance . It is never too late at night or early in the morning, so dont forget . Number two , sorta for laughs, but not entirely since at least one of my children has repeated this mantra . When you go to a restaurant and are unsure of what to order, stay with their specialty. Example , no barbecue at a chicken restaurant or spaghetti at a steak house . For these bits of wisdom you are welcome . And for a bonus quote, ” that place is crowded , no one goes there anymore ” ( sorry, Yogi )  .