I’m stealing this idea from my blog friend, Dean Esmay. I don’t have anything else to say today, so why don’t you blog for me?
Tell me something interesting you did yesterday or last week, sound off about the latest political controversy…whatever you want to tell me, I want to hear.
Reminder: Vote for me!
Update: A Blogger’s Code of Ethics? Not a bad idea, Jay.
Rebecca Blood wrote about blogger ethics two years ago.
Update II: If you have a fairly good sense of humor and need to laugh right about now, you’ve got to read the second half of this post (about the Weblog Awards) over at BlameBush! I’m still trying to determine if this guy is really a liberal or a conservative lampooning one. Either way, he’s funny.
Update III: Speaking of separation of church and state (in the comments), check out one of my favorites, Incompatible Kerry’s Immaculate Deception.
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Lashawn,
Did you have an opinion about the new black family channel which is being setup in light of Bill Cosby’s comments on tv, BET offerings (mostly rap videos) and current trends in the black community. That would be an interesting topic to discuss.
-Devlin
Hi Devlin – Believe it or not, I haven’t heard about that. I hope it’ll have much better offerings than the junk I’ve seen on BET.
Are you speaking of the Black Family Channel?
I’m upset that Tim Russert allowed the comment about Clarence Thomas, [He's an embarrassment to the court. His opinions are poorly written.] to pass without a follow-up question asking for examples. I didn’t see this, I heard it on Hannity’s radio show. I quit watching Meet the Press after Russert’s obviously biased interviews during the 1994
mid-term elections. After the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress Russert said on Imus that Gingrich was to the right of center which was where the majority of the American people were. Duh! If the “majority of the American people are to the right of ‘center,’” the center has moved! My guess is that Russert and the majority of the talking heads in the MSM think that in their minds they “know” where the “center” should be and when they speak of “moderates” and “right wingers” this is the standard they judge by. {When was the last time a MSM person used the term “left winger?” In similar thinking, if a Black person is called an embarrassment by a liberal, in this case the minority leader of the Senate, it just has to be true. No need to ask for documentation. And since in a previous post a number of people were concerned about “ad hominem” attacks, is it just OK when Liberal do it?
Last novel I’ve read was Robert Holdstock’s Celtika (fantasy). I was so underwhelmed. He has written some great novels, like Mytago wood, but this just was so boring that it could make man weep. Main character Merlin was tiresome trickster -type, other characters were dull and had rather vague and uninspiring morals. I just can’t stand amoral, immoral or just morally challenged main characters. They are wearisome and boring, as they do not, can not by default, explore any relevant moral dilemmas.
Yes, I could read russian masters, but there’s limits in my brain capacity. Instead, I’ve turned to military history. Right now I’m reading Rick Atkinson’s “An army of dawn. The war in north Africa 1942-1943.” Such an epic. And it is written in beautiful english too. Here’s first paragraph from prologue:
“Twenty-seven acres of headstones fill the American military cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. There are no obelisks, no tombs, no ostentatious monuments, just 2,841 bone-white marble markers, two feet high and arrayed in ranks as straight as gunshots. Only the chiseled names and dates of death suggest singularity. Four sets of brothers lie side by side. Some 240 stones are inscribed with thirteen of the saddest words in our language: “Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.” A long limestone wall contains the names of another 3,724 men still missing, and a benediction: “Into Thy hands, O Lord.”
Two Big Myths About Big Business
Myth 1: Corporations Favor Conservatives
The first big myth about big business is that big businesses favor conservative candidates (and by extension conservative policies). Here are the top 50 industries, how much they gave, what percentage went to which party and who was their top recipient. Out of the 50 industries Bush was never the top recipient while Kerry was the top recipient for 39 different industries. In fact, a Republican is only the top recipient for two industries. This means that 48 out of the top 50 industries had a Democrat as their top recipient. In fact, 8 out of the 10 most generous industries gave more money to Democrats than to Republicans. The total amount given by the top 50 industries to Democrats was $336,544,391, compared to $221,630,722 to Republicans. Over 60% of the total contributions given by the top 50 industries goes to Democrats. The fact is that big business isn’t interested in conservative politics. The myth that Republican campaigns are fueled by business interest simply has no truth to it, but it’s a myth that has been exploited by leftist pundits time and time again.
I just wish the Democrats would start looking out for the average person and put their big business interests aside for the sake of the working man.
Myth 2: Corporations Favor Free-Markets
It seems like every single time de-regulation or tax cuts are discussed the specter of fat-cat CEOs who will throw your family out into the street is raised as an objection, or in the case of tax cuts Warren Buffet or some other rich tycoon is wheeled out to talk about how they don’t want tax cuts. The dirty little secret is that large corporations don’t want de-regulation. The entire goal of large corporations is to reduce risk to their current revenue stream. One of the ways you reduce risk is by ensuring that upstart competitors can’t enter the market. When the government imposes burdensome regulations on a market it raises barriers to entry, and so upstart competitors are unable to even try to compete in a market which in turn helps to guarantee large corporations can continue to operate the way they always have, and continue to charge the same prices they always have. Still don’t believe me? Look at the way the RIAA responded to MP3s and other types of audio compression. Rather than change their way of doing business first they sued, then they sued some more, then they helped to pass the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Then, finally, when all these tactics failed and years after digital audio compression became viable they’ve started to change their business model. If that’s not enough for you just look at the pattern of giving I’ve outlined above. If corporations are so interested in de-regulation then why are they supporting candidates that oppose it?
De-regulation always benefits the consumer by increasing competition. Increased competition leads to better products/services, and at lower costs. This cuts into profits, and corporations would far rather put up with government regulation than face increased competition.
The media is “left-wing” in most part. The minority leader of the Senate thinks that Clarence Thomas should not be an associate justice. Does he come prepared to discuss his writings. Thomas is a disappointment because he is conservative and votes that way! He is black male and should vote liberal! Do I want him nominated for chief justice position?, No! That would be cruel and unusual treatment for Clarence Thomas. I want someone, who votes as Thomas does.
JMB
Personally, I am a little upset that the Federal Government , or at least some prominent senators have threatened Major League Baseball if it does not ‘address’ the steroid ‘problem.’
I do NOT like the idea of government reacting in this way, particularly because of the motivations of the men involved. Steroids are illegal, not only in the US, but in baseball. It seems to me that Sen McCain (whom I respect greatly,McCain 08 anyone?) has spent more time watching Sportcenter than CSPAN lately.
On another note, I am NOT happy with this ‘intellegence Czar’ notion. The thing that makes intel work is the LACK of influence the political realm has on it. Politics is quick and reactionary by nature. Intel is slow and deliberate, for good reason.
If this passes and becomes law, I may personally challenge the President’s right to delegate such a non-delecable duty. This is bad, people.
Anyone know how well our Drug Czar is panning out (or even who he is?)
LB,
I noted in your other thread that you are an AKA, I’m a Delta..are you still active? I am up here with the Minneapolis chapter.
What is your opinion of books like the Da Vinci Code, which mix religious imagery with symbolism? Would you read such a book based on your Christian faith?
I know you aren’t a fan of race based preferences. How would you level the playing field for those left behind?
I guess three questions is enough for now…:) This is fun!
La Shawn,
Without giving out too much detail, I’d love to know about how you feel about your Christianity and any possible conflicts with sorority/frat life. It’s an issue I’ve struggled with for the longest. I love being in my frat but there are so many things that seem to conflict with my religion including being unequally yolked with non-believers or folks who aren’t firm believers and harboring ill will in my heart for a certain cane-twirling frat which I won’t mention by name. I am trying to get someone else to write about the issue too, but I’d love to know how you see things.
I read an interesting article on the web yesterday (it was linked from a conservative blog, but I can’t for the life of me remember which one now). The article was mainly about a handful of liberal writers who were promoting the welfare state (and giving counter-arguments that made a lot more sense), but I found a small bit of information towards the end to be so important (and so very much not told to kids):
“To stay out of poverty in America, it’s necessary to do three simple things, social scientists have found: finish high school, don’t have kids until you marry, and wait until you are at least 20 to marry. Do those three things, and the odds against your becoming impoverished are less than one in ten. Nearly 80 percent of everyone who fails to do those three things winds up poor.
“That’s a crucial truth that left-wing social thinkers have tried to deny from the earliest days of the welfare-rights movement.”
Here’s the article in it’s entirety (it’s fairly long), if anyone is interested:
http://www.city-journal.org/html/14_4_working_poor.html
slehtine, that was a wonderful passage. Would you happen to have any suggested readings on the subject of the Vietnam War? What is a good book or books that can give a complete and honest account? Your suggestions would be much appreciated.
I’m worked up about eco-terrorism. In the D.C. area, some eco-terrorists burned down some houses because they were being built near a ‘natural wildlife preserve’. Oh, wait, a resident says they were sueing because the houses would destroy the ‘rural flavor’ of the area. Sierra Club says that they do not condone violent behavior like this, but you have got to wonder. Obviously, some enviro-nut decided the houses did not belong there and burned them down. A federal offense. I blogged about it, too.
The Greeks, the Greeks! I pledged back in Spring ‘89 (Beta Sigma Chapter). I wasn’t a Christian then, and I’m no longer active in the sorority now.
See my review of the Da Vinci Code here: http://www.townhall.com/bookclub/bock.html
Here’s the transcript of a speech I have on race preferences. I don’t go into detail on alternatives, but I offer a few: http://www.academia.org/campus_reports/2004/arc_evolution.html
I need to flesh this out in a post, but I’ll try to briefly explain myself here. That we need to “level the playing field” or offer preferences-like alternatives is actually part of the problem. Why should “the field” be level? Who says? The field will never be level. Nothing in life is. Whether we think it’s fair or not, some will always not-have and others will always-have. We each have different levels of motivation, talent, drive, etc. We plainly see that social engineering is not working and engenders all sorts of hard feelings.
Overhauling the education system in this country, returning to what works and getting rid of new educational fads will go a long way in helping (mostly black) students trapped in government schools. But attempting to set up artificial equality through skin color preferences and entitlements is destructive to black children.
Also, I agree with Stephen. Congress should not get involved with baseball problems. It is a privately owned business like any other. Steroids are not illegal in this country and it’s up to MLB whether or not they ban them.
About the baseball issue, I was going to blog about that. Still might. Why in the world are legislators involved with baseball disputes? Is this an example of too much government instrusion, or what? When I heard John McCain on the radio threatening to write a law, I thought I’d dozed off or something. Writing a law dealing with steroid use in sports? Back off.
Where is the MSM outcry on the Kofi + son food for oil scandal that allowed Sadam to fund Al Queda and PLO homicide bombers? Do not the inocent victims maimed or killed by Kofi’s bribery deserve some justice?
Rod Stanton
Cerritos
Christmas time is here–time once again for public schools to pretend that the holiday is not in anyway associated with the Christ for whom it is named.
Schools can teach on Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, not to mention the trendy nature religions and Shamanism, but some schools forbid any reference to the birth of Christ.
Is it a well-rounded education to igore a documented event, such as the birth of Christ? Is it a complete education to ignore festivities that millions of people in all parts of the world take part in?
I wonder how it can be constitutional to make kids learn about Druidism but unconsitutional for them to study Christianity. I wonder how they think they are being constitutional when they overemphasize the establishment clause and ignore (actually violate) the free exercise clause.
Dear La Shawn,
I recently stumbled on a passage from the journals of Father Alexander Schmemann, a well-known Eastern Orthodox theologian, that I would like to share with you and your readers.
Schmemann would not have described himself either as a conservative or as a liberal. In fact, he was in some sense apolitical. Nevertheless, writing as a Russian who had grown up in the emigre community in Paris and then immigrated—legally—to the United States, writing as a man whom Solzhenytsin admired, he had this to say:
“Three points that are often found, in different degrees, in our culture and in particular, in American culture:
(1) The denial of the possibility of having any axiological ethical conviction; the denial of the presence in this world of black and white, good and evil, not only of God, but of the devil. Hence, an addiction to meetings, dialogues, mutual deepening; hence, a deep relativism.
(2) A typical, cheap self-identification with suffering people, particularly among American liberals. A rather cheap cult of Chavez, of the Indians, of any minority. An attitude, a posture of righteous indignation, directed alwyas, dogmatically, a priori to the right, never to the left. An urge to castigate oneself.
(3) The confusion of ‘religion’ and ‘faith.’ Pseudo-spirituality, pseudomysticism, pseudo-asceticism. As in any religiosity—idolatry.”
(The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann 1973-1983 [Saint Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2000], p. 113; the journal entry is dated Wednesday, March 10, 1976).
Thanks for providing a forum for free debate, a rarity today.
Adrian
The last week. Hmmmm. well LaShawn I’ve been thinking about Christmas. Our family has grown up and all children now live elsewhere (like they should) so we now have new traditions to form. I have been putting a lot of thought into our Christmas gathering. We will do a nice dinner, of course, then move on to an evening devotional of a pre-determined spiritual holiday theme. This is year it is the tree. What importance does the tree have in this remembrance of the birth, life and death of Christ. How does the tree as a symbol of life, death and renewal play into our holiday and our lives throughout the year? Is there a deeper meaning of the Lord’s use of trees throughout the scriptures? Of course there are the trees in the Garden of Eden, the olive trees in Gethsemane, and the tree upon which our Lord and Savior was crucified. Are there other trees in the scriptures of which we should take note? The tree that stands out to me is the fig tree that beareth no fruit. This passge is striking to me. I find that I turn to it often when I ponder my role as a Christian woman in today’s world.
Our theme should lead to a lively and enlightening discussion.
Please keep the members of our armed forces and their families in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season.
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil
Troy
I blogged about a porn site that purposely targets school children and how bad it ticked me off here:
http://www.jeffblogworthy.com/index.php?/archives/725-Pigs-target-school-children-with-porn.html
Per the blogger’s code of ethics, someone already beat Wizbang to it:
http://www.rebeccablood.net/handbook/excerpts/weblog_ethics.html
Hat tip to Beldar
Jerry,
thanks for asking, although I’m not that much into Vietnam war. I know I should, as armed forces of USA are truly formidable fighting force, so studying it would lead better understanding of conflicts and resolving them. But I fear Vietnam war has been overtly mythologised, in good and especially bad way, so one does not easily hear nor see ordinary fighting man.
Anyway, there’s two books I’ve read and like to recommend:
We were soldiers once… and young by Lt.gen Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. About battle of Ia Drang. Great, just great. (www.lzxray.com)
Second is Bernard B. Fall’s Hell in a very small place. The siege of Dien Bien Phu. About french assault and defeat in Dien Bien Phu. Sometimes tedious, sometimes gutwrenching. One really starts to hate (french) politicians when reading it.
Evon Bachaus,
Tim Russert didn’t follow up with Harry Reid (the racist) because Tim Russert doesn’t/didn’t have the mind-set that anything was wrong with what Harry was saying.
AND THAT IS FINE WITH ME. Why? Because when Harry Reid goes on to those TV shows and does not get challenged he’s prone to say stupider and stupider things for us CENTRISTS and PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER to hear.
Also people who aren’t interested in politics might here these things and realize how much awful politics the Democrats are playing by denigrating Clarence Thomas.
Also, African Americans might here these things and realize that Democrats aren’t in their best interest (even though they claim so and have claimes so)
Bloggers’ Code of Ethics:
This is nearly what I said on Wizbang, but I’ll repeat over here:
The good blogs I read all follow a code. It’s called integrity. It doesn’t take long to determine which bloggers have it, and which don’t.
While it is nice to see a written policy of the blogger’s notion of propreiety posted on their sites, I don’t think the ones that need a code spelled out for them would.
Here’s something that has me peeved. John McCain running around threatening major league baseball and steroids. You would think with the issues that are on his plate, he wouldn’t be thinking about creating another guberment agency to police sports. Oooooh I wish I had pot of hot grease!
Thank you slehtine very much. I will definately check those out. I’ve been asking around for any suggestions on readings about the Vietnam war since our current war seems to be compared to it by the mainstream media so much. I wonder, just how accurate a comparison it really is, and if it is a justified comparison, is it being compared in the correct light? Example, there seems to be a propensity to only compare the tragedies and casualties suffered by our brave soldiers but not the victories and progress being made, with the implication that like Nam, going to war n Iraq was misguided and immoral. The media seems to focus more on the cowardly soldiers who obviously voluntarily joined the armed forces yet refuse to go and fight or who complain about their current tour of service in Iraq.
I’ve heard that the same type of reporting occured during the Vietnam war. Oliver North pointed out in a recent Townhall article the similarities of WW2 and the Iraq war, especially in regards to the tactics being used by our current enemy in regards to suicide bombers vs. kamikaze pilots in WW2.
It would be interesting to see some accurate parallels drawn between Nam and Iraq. One parallel I’ve read (can’t remember where)is that of the use of the media by the enemy during Vietnam to propagandize their cause and appear as martyrs fighting off invaders.
“Tell me something interesting you did yesterday or last week, sound off about the latest political controversy…whatever you want to tell me, I want to hear.”
How about something interesting I’m doing this weekend? I’m traveling about 300 miles into Mexico on a mission trip – we’re delivering gifts, clothes, Spanish Bibles, tape players and Spanish New Testaments on cassette, food for approx. 50 families for a month, and, most importantly, the blessed love of our Lord Jesus Christ, and a lesson learned in GIVING.
LaShawn,
I’m with you on the steroids and baseball issue. I’d think a US senator could find more pressing issues to focus on these days. If you know any senators looking for ideas, please have them contact me and I’ll send a list.
Anyway, here’s my blog for you and your readers: Thanks for the thoughtful discussion this past year, and best wishes for a safe and blessed holiday.
I had a really good cheese sandwich the other day. That was pretty awesome.
I was going to say something but I can’t top Jim’s cheese sandwich…:-)
I got the Greg the Bunny DVD for my birthday on Sunday. That was sweet. Maybe not cheese sandwich sweet. But I did have a grilled cheese (pepperjack) on rye bread for lunch yesterday (with the faux soy bacon bits) with a cup of cream of tomato soup. Noting better on a cold/rainy day.
Jerry,
I do not think there is parallels. Modern armed forces of USA is first professional large scale military ever. I do not believe US military had this kind of competence and professionalism before Guld war I. If treehuggers would hug that, you’d (I’m Finn) turn militaristic nation overnight. (I’d love to find way to be part of this force.)
Only parallels are in the eyes of transnationalistic media. I can’t say I understand their motives, as USA is not thriving for hegemony, but safety and productive business. Maybe they are playing zero-sum games, where one can not have more power than another, or then they use innocent iraqis as pawns in domestic politics. I find to hard to believe any one would so callous.
have been doing a study in Hebrews (using tapes by R.C.sproul and a commentary)
And this weekend I suddenly realized something that I hadn’t ever thought of before.
I’ve always “known” that the way some people pray to Saints to intercede for them was wrong. But it just clicked this weekend as to why. The reason Jesus can intercede for us so we can enter in the presence of God is because of his offering of himself as the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. It is the priest’s role to intercede for the sins of their congregation. In the OT, they did this by sacrificing spotless lambs and goats. Jesus, though, our own High Priest, sacrificed the one perfect Lamb, himself, once and for all for all of our sins. When we enter into God’s presence, we are covered with the blood of that sacrifice, the only thing that is worthy of being there. And for Christ’s sake, God looks past our sinful beings. All of the human saints — even if matyr’d — don’t have that going for them. Because they were not without sin, and thus capable of being the single sacrifice for our own sins. They were incapable of being our high priest, and therefore incapable of interceeding for us and our sins in the presence of God.
amen, Sarah! I’ve been doing some studying this past month of the Messianic prophesies in the OT – it’s truly incredible to see how CLEARLY God spoke thru the prophets about the coming of our Savior!
How about Sen. Harry Reid’s comment that Clarence Thomas is an embarrassment to the Supreme Court but that Antonin Scalia is a “smart guy”??
I’ve blogged on this here.
http://www.digitalbrownpajamas.com/digital_brownpajamas/2004/12/nimsc.html
-steve
La Shawn,
Don’t have much to tell about yesterday or last week, but like Ernest S. I can tell you about something interesting that I’m going to do.
Tomorrow, I am driving to California (about 1500 miles one way) in order to attend my son’s graduation from the Los Angeles County Police Academy (he’s going to work for Pasadena Police Department). He had been asking my to come out, but I had just about decided that I coudn’t do it right now with Christmas so close and having already scheduled to take of from 12-23-04 to 01-03-04, I hated to ask off for even more time this month (rank and seniority has its privileges but I don’t like to abuse them as others have to cover my days off).
Friday night he called and said that he had found out that they would have a “badge pinning ceremony” during the graduation events and really wanted me to come out and be the one to pin on his badge. He also requested that I be in uniform for the ceremony, so his fellow graduates could see that he was becoming a second generation police officer.
After wiping away a couple of tears, I said “OK, I’ll be out there!
Congratulations Montie!
That’s wonderful, Montie! I’m so happy for you and your son. You guys have much more interesting things going on than I do!
Dear Sarah,
Have you ever asked a fellow believer to pray for you, that is, to intercede before God for you?
If so, did you think that he would be taking the place of Jesus?
If there is no contradiction between Jesus’ unique mediatorial sacrifice and us asking fellow believers to pray for us on earth, why should there be a contradiction between that sacrifice and us asking believers who are now with Jesus in heaven to pray for us?
Catholics and Orthodox know that to “pray to saints” can not be the same as praying to Jesus. “Praying to saints” is like asking fellow believers to pray for you or complimenting fellow believers on having done something good (true, they’re not on earth, but, because they see God, they can see you; they’re alive, because God is a God of the living, and not of the dead). But praying to Jesus is not like asking a fellow believer to pray for you or complimenting him on having done something good. It IS worshipping GOD and trusting him as the ONE access to the Father.
To put it another way, Catholics and Orthodox who believe in the intercession of the saints know that all prayer that we human beings offer, whether we’re saints in heaven or pilgrims on earth, has efficacy only in, through, and with the ONE sacrifice and prayer of Jesus Christ. They just think that Jesus isn’t jealous of his mediatorship, but allows his own to be able to intercede for one another before him and before the Father.
So I’m not sure the stuff from Hebrews necessarily goes in the direction you want it to go in.
Cordially,
Adrian
Dear Sarah,
You might also consider Rev 5:8 and, especially, Rev 8:3-4.
Cordially,
Adrian
that’s wonderful, Montie! God bless you and your son
There was an interesting editorial in Sunday’s Fayetteville Observer (my local newspaper). How this liberal rag exists in what is essentially a military community is a mystery.
The subject of the article was that an NC congressman, Walter Jones, had the temerity to suggest that we should limit media contact with combat troops. I hadn’t previously heard that. I’ve sent a thank you note to the congressman!
I suggest that other veteran readers who have expreienced press contact during wartime do the same.
Thanks Everybody!
Just so I don’t go into total withdrawal, I will be using my son’s computer to catch up on my daily dose of “La Shawn Barber’s Corner” as soon as I get to California
Ok…I’ve got one.
How do you all feel about Jon Stewart’s book “America” winning Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly?
This is one funny book that really pokes fun at both sides of the political spectrum. Most people brand Stewart a liberal, which he may be personally, but the way he handles both conservatives and liberals is hysterical.
I personally like Publishers Weekly’s rationalization for the win:
“‘America (The Book)’ offers more than just humor, however. Beneath the eye-catching and at times goofy graphics, the dirty jokes and the playful ingenuousness shines a serious critique of the two-party system, the corporations that finance it and the ’spineless cowards in the press’ who ‘aggressively print allegation and rumor independent of accuracy or fairness.”‘
So…any of you read it?
Thanks, Monte.
Adrian,
Good points. Also, another easy way to look at praying to saints: it is not to help God understand you, but to help you understand God. These men and women had a special understanding of and relationship with the Divine, and continue to do so in the afterlife.
Congratulations, Montie. That is great news. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Hello, Wuzzy (or do you prefer SCSI?):
The Catholic and Orthodox idea of venerating, and praying to, saints boils down to this: the connection between members of the body of Christ isn’t limited to this world, but reaches on into the next. It has nothing to do with confusing mere creatures, however holy, with God-made-man. On the contrary, the doctrine of the communion of saints is a testimony to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ: the Head of the Body is so powerful in his glorious risen life that he can connect the members of that Body with a connection so powerful that not even death can break it.
Cordially,
Adrian
Lashawn,
Puh-leeese open the ignorance and laziness thread, I beg you. I’ve been called out and it’s killing me!!!!
I’ll be nice (I think I always am), I promise, but that was unfair and intellectually dishonest of that person to do what was done.
OK.
Mike M.
You state, “serious critique of the two-party system, the corporations that finance it”
I’m sure you are aware of the fact that corporations in general give pretty evenly to Republicans and Democrats (even though the myth is that Republicans are in the back pocket of big corporations). In fact, the top 50 corporations give 60% to Democrats vs. Republicans.
This is also true with individuals. The wealthiest individuals tend to give to Democrats. On average the Republicans have way more small to moderate donations given to them via regular individuals which is why Republicans have almost a double “hard money” edge. Hard money is the direct contributions from an individual to an individual candidate that is capped at $2,000.
What mystifies me Mike is why some people call themselves moderate/centrist and think that Democrats are to the extreme left and Republicans are to the extreme right.
Here is how I describe the current situation. On a scale of -10 being extreme left and +10 being extreme right here is the break down.
– I think the Democrat party is somewhere between a -7 to a -4 depending on the individual Democrat.
– I think the Republican party is somewhere between a -3 to a +2 depending on the individual Republican
– I think that Libertarians are somewhere between a +3 to a +7 depending on the individual Libertarian (if you aren’t aware – Libertarians want an 80% cut in government spending)
Where do I rate myself? I rate myself at a +1 and think of myself as a centrist/maybe a little to the right of center. Contrary to the increased spending by Republicans I would have frozen current spending for 10 years (maybe with 1-2% increases for inflation) and done a REPRIORITIZATION of what government spends it’s money on.
For instance, Bush was the first president to spend money on stem cells. Where in the constitution does it prescribe that that is what the federal government should spend money on? The constitution prescribes that the federal government needs to provide for the security of this nation and a few other things but the rest of the power lies with the states. The states can spend money on education (nearly 50% of each states money does go to education), and the topic on hand , stem cell research.
Now back to what you were talking about in your post. Many corporations donate to the political process because they think A) they’ll get favorable treatment in bills in Congress or B) they won’t get picked on by Congress people. That’s my opinion. Dollars means influence to them.
What is the source of the problem Mike M? The source of the problem is that we’ve seen such a growth in government in the past 7 decades (6 of them being led by the Democrats – from 1934 – 1994) that we’ve seen government involved in everything now. Everything including:
1) Taxpayer financed stadiums
2) Special treatment in the tax code to lure businesses to a city/county/state
3) 1,000’s of pages of tax code that has grown only really to satisfy certain segments or people
(why can’t it be a flat tax liberals with large personal deduction for each member of the family so that a 4 person family making less than $36,000 doesn’t pay taxes but the 4 person family making $37,000 pays taxes on the $1,000 of income?)
4) Federal government funding of the Department of Education (started in 1979)
5) Federal government spending on so so many things that it shouldn’t be spending money on.
Back to what the problem is…..
The problem is that because the government is involved in so many things that corporations have seen success in working with government when really the government should be out of the way.
Businesses should prosper or fail based on it’s merit and not due to the direct or indirect involvement of the government’s seizure of property, subsidation with taxpayer dollars or whatever.
Many of us conservatives (who are really centrists in my book not extremists) talk about individuals and small businesses and even larger corporations propering in a nation free of tyranny. That’s what capitalism was supposed to be about.
Capitalism = The economic system where the people choose who gets what resources.
Socialism = The economic system where government chooses who gets what resources.
Communism = The sharing of resources (mostly done with the force of government)
This country’s economic system is supposed to be capitalism and we are a nation of laws and a safety net.
It has gotten to be almost socialist with a hammock.
Adrian,
Exactly. I so often hear non Catholic/Orthodox folks think that we are worshiping Mary or putting Christ on a shelf, etc.
I’ll have to save you points for future use.
The Governors race in Washington State is what I’m currently thinking about and reading about. The 2nd recount starts tomorrow, and the Democrats there are up to some shenanigans. The best blog to read about it is sound politics, http://www.soundpolitics.com. I’m an out of state resident, but my parents and brother still live in the Seattle area, so between the internet and them, I get the news about what’s going on in my home state. We’re in a nice red state now, Montgomery, Alabama.
It’s amazing how different things are here in the Bible belt. My OB/Gyn office here is staffed by mostly Christian doctors, and there are biblically based quotes and poems about Jesus Christ posted up to look at when you’re in the lab getting blood drawn. I expressed suprise that this could be to our neighbors, who are also Christians, but have lived here their whole lives. They said, “Well, why not? The doctors are Christian, and it’s their practice.” While I agree, I don’t think you’d see this in Seattle or LA or many other places outside of the Bible belt.
LaShawn,
I’m new to your blog. Do you do sports? If not, perhaps someone else could provide some insight. Specifically, I’m curious about Ty Winningham’s dismissal as football coach by Notre Dame. Some say race had a lot to do with it, others say it wasn’t a factor. I tend to lean towards the latter (I think they were after Utah’s head coach and they felt the time was now. They were wrong.) But, what cannot be denied is that there are now 2 (TWO!) black Division I head coaches in college football. Why? Now, black head coaches for Divison I basketball programs are plentiful and are hired and fired as a matter of course, and racism rarely is mentioned. And yet these same Athletic Directors who hire/fire basketball coaches also do the same for football coaches. Again, what causes this blatant disproportion?
Baklava,
Personally, I don’t think any of the isms you mention are safe in their unchecked, unadultered forms. They all need an element from a rival system to keep from running roughshod over the populace.
Welcome to the blog, Mike! I haven’t been following the college football coach story, so I don’t know enough of the facts to give an opinion. I’ll look into it, though.
Wuzzy,
Great comment. I agree. I in no way endorse any of the three ideologies Baklava pointed out. However, when either one goes unchecked, abuse is bound to happen.
When corporations or the government are given carte blanche, there is bound to be trouble. For instance, a capitalist example would be Enron pilfering the pensions of thousands of employees. A socialistic/government example would be the FCC attempting to control what people choose to watch by setting up a litany of questionable rules and regulations on so-called indecency. Both situations are entirely wrong.
I learned from my Sociology teacher several years back that the United States is a capitalist society with heavy socialism influences. I think both can entirely co-exist. Let companies and individuals do what they choose to do economically (as long as it doesn’t screw people out of their earned wages); but, provide for those who temporarily need assistance in the form of Welfare, unemployment and Medicaid and Medicare.
Hate to break this to you, Baklava…but Social Security and most of the programs under Roosevelt’s New Deal are purely socialistic in nature. When you turn 65, will you deny your Social Security check? As with everything else in life, there are major ups and downs to all “-isms.”
And, no, Baklava…I didn’t state “serious critique…” Publishers Weekly stated that. And, yes…I do understand that corporations give money to both Dems and Repubs. That would explain why I’m a registered Independent.
Stewart’s book is still a hilarious read.
Thanks, SCSI.
A.
Mike,
I heard about the Notre Dame incident. My mother is a big sports fan. Her take on it is Notre Dame is more concerned with winning than they are about the education of the atheletes. Apparently from what I gather, the coach had a great program and focused on them being all around students as opposed to machines for the football field. I also hear there was a player they wanted to recruit, i forget who, but apparently he chose another school after this incident. Not sure if it was becasue of them firing the coach or not.
From what I am gathering about it all, I don’t see it as race motivated per se, more motivated by the schools not caring about the students atheletes.
What’s new there?
I’m thinking about all the attacks on Christmas and Christianity. From those who complain about “Christmas Tree and Merry Christmas” to teaching students about the Declaration of Independence and any historical document with God mentioned.
Just blows my mind.
Since it’s “Open Blog”, I wanted to make sure that WWII veterans are remembered today, on the 63rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor.
Congratulations, Montie!
Regarding Notre Dame, Willingham got a raw deal. He was only there 3 years and had no chance to play the kids he recruited. He’ll land on his feet and be very successful somewhere else.
Thanks for the open forum, LB.
James & Baklava
Thanks for your comments. I used my search to find the “Meet the Press” web site and sent them an email and now I feel so much better. Some months ago I wanted to challenge Russert for some things on his CNBC Show and couldn’t find a way to contact him. I’m thankful for FOX but every now and again I’ve decided to let some of those people know the reason I am not watching them.
Another thought: Today, December 07 is the anniversary of the day my second cousin once removed, Fred. J. Krause, went missing on the Arizona in Pearl Harbor. Dec 07, 1941 is the day he is listed as missing, although they heard tapping from inside the Arizona as late as December 22, as I remember.
Stephen, Thanks for that link. In my heart, I know what’s going on. Reid like Ted Kennedy before him with his “Neanderthal” comment about some of the nominees the Dems had filibustered, is letting all minorities know what is in store for them if they stray from the Liberal plantation. My comment didn’t make for a very good blog on its own, but I was feeling very frustrated and La Shawn gave us a handy place to vent. Evon
For the person above who wrote about Christmas trees, I wanted to point her to some information about the first time a lighted Christmas tree was used in a church in America. It created a lot of controversy at the time, I remember reading, because of the link between trees and pagan worship. However, it gradually became an accepted practice. It was at Zion Lutheran church in Cleveland, OH in the 1800’s, and I am familiar with the story because it is the church I attended as a young child and where I was baptized.
It was also where my high school baccalaureate was held, a joint ceremony for Lutheran East and Lutheran West high schools. It is a beautiful old church. I have found a couple of links talking about the first Christmas tree thing, if you want to get some details. I also have an article about it filed away, if anyone is interested.
http://www.zionlutherancleveland.org/history.html
64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:lc6X3OSwjTEJ:www.lakeviewcemetery.com/community_activities.asp+first+Christmas+tree+America+Zion+lutheran&hl=en
Thanks for that Barb. The big grief these days is not about the trees… its abouyt calling them “Chist” mas trees. It’s ok to call them “Holiday Trees”
I would be interested in reading the articles you mentioned.
BTW, I am doing a spin on the Barbara Walters 10 Most Facinating People List (due out tomorrow), on my blog. Please help me with some nominees
PS. La Shawn made my list for her great blog
Hi, I am still amazed at how we are just rolling over regarding the Mayor of Denver’s anti-Christian bigotry in banning Christians from the Christmas Parade, while allowing non-Christian religious expressions in the parade.
It reminds me of the saying about, “I was quiet when they came for the guy I didn’t like, I was quiet when they came for my neighbor, and everyone was quiet when they came for me”. In other words, this is no longer about ’seperation of church and state’. This is about censorship and suppression of people doing lawful things in public. This is about extremists imposing their will to change out history, our culture, and don’t mind taking our freedom – each and everyone of us – in doing it.
This suppression of Christian expression in Denver is only the beginning. Next it wil be those who don’t agree on political issues with the mayor or his friends. There is a darkness coming, and as usual it is up to freedom loving people to be bold and to stand up.
In my opinion.
And yours?
It’s pretty sad ebnelson and it is happening right under everyones noses without most people noticing. A lot of people think it’s ok because it’s just Christian expression, not realising that in the attemp to “make everyone happy and feel good and not offended”, it will surpress a lot more of our liberties. By the time most people realise it, it will be to late. The ink will be dry on the new law.
Ebnelson, I blogged that last week. Pretty disapointing. But not a shock that we don’t hear much about it.
Thanks, Renee.
Adrian/SCSI, I don’t want to get into a brawl here, but do you mind explaining using the saints as intercessors in context of Luke 16:20-31 & Roms 8:27? As a Plymouth Brethren, my take on the saints business is that all Christians are saints — corporeal beings sanctified in Christ Jesus.
While the dead saints do look down at us from heaven, I think of it as akin to a tennis match where they watch us trip or suceed in our life’s walk, but they do not heckle/cajole/plead with the umpire. We are literally on our own on this side of the great gulf.
We are exhorted to not only pray for our Brethren & Sisters, but also for our leaders & enemies. But I don’t get where the notion comes from that we also have Saints praying for us on the other side.
PBs also dispense with formal clergy, in that all Believers are called to lead according to their gifts, hence we have Deacons & Elders, but no Pastors or especially Reverends/Fathers (Psa 89:7, 111:9, Matt 23:5-11, Heb 12:9, 1John 3:1)
Regardless of our doctrinal differences, I believe you and I are Brothers in Christ because we believe on Him and His supreme sacrifice.
Renee,
The most upsetting aspect of the whole “Christmas in Public” debate is that conservatives often get liberals totally wrong.
Yes, it’s true that we don’t believe any one single religion should be displayed or endorsed by a government entity. I think this is totally fair and balanced, as FOX News would say. What I’m against is the systematic disenfranchisement of one religion. In the case of the Denver parade that would be Christianity. If Judaism and Islam are allowed to be displayed, then it is wrong Christianity is being left out. I think that’s a cut-and-dry argument.
But why is it that conservative Christians (and I’m making the differentiation because I have liberal Christian friends who agree with me) always feel we liberals are “attacking” their religion??? We’re not attacking your personal choice. We just don’t believe the government should endorse a religion. And I don’t want to hear that “Well, we were founded on Judeo-Christian values” crap. Well, yes…we were. But, now we’ve got a slew more religions that, as an advancing democracy, we must equally respect and acknowledge. I think we can all agree that religion is devisive. Just look at the Middle East.
Here’s the problem I see with America: We’re becoming the exact same nation the Pilgrims fled from 400 years ago. Afraid of persecution because of the fundamentalist craziness of the Church of England, they came here so they could practice their own form of religion. Now, in the US…we’re practicing a fundamentalist form of Christianity. Just because the majority of the country practices it, it doesn’t make it right. Suddenly, “The Christian Republic of America” sounds like something even more desirable to millions of people. Kind of reminds me of “The Islamic Republic of Iran.” Just without all of those nasty death sentences. Oh, wait.
So, here’s what I’m for. If a town has a nativity scene, then a couple Stars of David and a menorah should be displayed as well. I think that’s fair. It’s inclusive.
I’m just sick of hearing Christians cry foul that they’re being “Persecuted” (as David Limbaugh would say). How are you being persecuted? How are we not allowing you to preach your gospel? Preach all you want, but don’t shove it down my throat. If conservatives don’t want homosexuality shoved down their throats, then I think it’s acceptable for liberals to request that religion not be shoved down ours. Give and take. Give and take. That’s what politics is about.
LB,
Blamebush is pure satire. If I ever post a blogroll, liberal larry is on the short list.
I am more curious about how many of his posters “get it”. Like the people that call Phil Hendrie or get worked up over headlines at the Onion.
Keep in mind, Mike, that this blog your commenting on is run by a Christian. I attract so many unbelievers because I write about politics most of the time. But on the occasions I write about my faith, I make very clear that I believe the Bible, which says that Christ is the only way to God, not Judaism, Islam, Buddhism or anything else. In a sense, this is what the world sees as “shoving” something down their throat. And you better believe “non-religious” and secular types practice a religion, whether it’s called humanism, new ageism, moral relativism, etc. Those creeds are shoved down my throat every day!
I’ve gone over all this before. I know it’s expecting too much, but it would be nice if people read my entire blog archives before commenting. Getting to know me and what I believe would save me from the trouble of going over the same thing again and again.
SCSIwuzzy – The first time I heard Hendrie I got it, and I was rolling with laughter at the angry callers who didn’t. He’s too raunchy for me, but that first time was clean.
I remember his brief stint on WPHT here in Philly. It took me a call and a half to notice that he was the callers as well as the host. Some days, I miss him. But usually I’m just glad they have a local host talking about Philly on instead.
But more than once, I admit, a bit or a caller had me nearly drive off the road.
La Shawn,
I couldn’t agree with you more. And please don’t take my words as criticism of your faith. I certainly don’t mean them that way.
I don’t see your personal belief of Christianity being the only way to God as being “shoved” down my throat. In fact, I don’t mind that’s it’s shoved down my throat by the majority of the country…honestly. I can accept individuals preaching the Gospel. Heck, I was a student at Temple University and several times a year representatives from a church group would come on campus to hand out copies of the New Testament to students. Many students thought this was “invasive,” although I never understood that rationale. These guys were the best. They all must have been over 70 and were just the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet. I’m so cool with that.
I took survey courses in religion that were really a lot of fun. I see no problem with public schools teaching religion as a history lesson. In fact, I think it’s a great idea. I think one of our problems as humans is that we simply don’t spend enough time learning about our fellow citizens.
As a religious individual, you must agree to some extent. If the government came out to support Atheism only, you’d better believe I’d be ticked off. Not only because I’m Catholic, but because I have Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist friends. I just feel religion is so personal to individuals that when the government opts to select one to place on display, alienation of others is an unfortunate casualty, so to speak.
Why don’t “Black conservatives” write more about the positive things Blacks ARE doing instead of focusing on the negative?
SCSIwuzzy – I forgot to add this: I know BlameBush! is satire, but I don’t know if the guy is liberal or conservative.
Mike – The thing about the separation of church and state idea is that government stays out of religion, not the other way around. I see you back pedaled a bit in your response to me, but you came on quite strong with the “fundamentalist” stuff in the previous post. I’m always wary when people do that and then say, “No offense.” I am a fundamentalist in that I believe what is taught in Scripture. While I don’t think America should be a theocracy, it shouldn’t be the godless muck it is now, either.
More on this later, I guess. I’m turning in for the night, and I’m sorry I have to “close” the blog until morning. Trolls love me, especially at night.
Mike,
It goes a bit further than using the argument of separation of church and state that most “non believer”, liberals, or whatever the label is states. Christmas is called Christmas and celebrated as such for a reason, a belief that founded this country. If we want to get away from it…
make a new holiday and move it to some other month that gives everyone the “happy feeling”…
As some have stated, it is going to the extents of almost re-writing the nations history (i.e. lets not use historical documents that say God in them becasue that means we support Christianity), that show the blatant attacks on Christianity. That’s stretching it big time. These same documents are the ones USED to defend “your” right to to have free speech, believe what you want and were used to gain all the other rights we have now.
Makes one wonder what we would have if the founding fathers did not believe in God.
Scary thought… we’d be worse of than Canada, France and the other so called “Happy Places”.
Goodnight, La Shawn
Thanks for understanding. I suppose we’ll have to simply “agree to disagree” in relation to some things. But, I can totally respect you for your willingness to say what you believe.
I think I’m done for the night, as well! My bed is calling and I’m not about to ignore it.
Here’s a link for fuzzy SCSI Wuzzy. It’s a fun riddle page from a web site that teaches young kids how to read using phonics:
http://www.starfall.com/n/twisters/fuzzywuzzy/load.htm?f
Mike M.
You give the Enron example. I don’t know why you go IMMEDIATELY to Enron as an example of capitalism. Capitalism is the people choosing who gets what resources. Whether by choosing who they want to work for, invest in, buy from, etc.
SCSI and Mike, I failed to say in my rather elongated post that I understand the following things need to exist:
1) 2) Safety Net and government services – I’m not sure why Mike (and to a smaller extent SCSI because SCSI dialog’s much much nicer and I agree with him much more of the time) you assume I like capitalism and then you immediate think that you know that I’m an anarchist who doesn’t realize the role of government and that services are rendered by the government and that the government provides a safety net (hammock for some who are able-bodied). Yes. I shouldn’t have to state it because I’ve done so in my explanation in the past but I am not a radical, a libertarian who favors 80% cut in government, an anarchist or anything of the sort. Again, yes. I realize that our country has a government that provides services (too many services but again I’ve stated that I would freeze government spending for 10 years while a REPRIORITIZATION of spending happens).
I really am rambling. But people come on. Capitalism is an economic system. A country can be a nation of laws with the economic system of capitalism and have a safety net and a government that operates with checks and balances.
But our government has moved more to the left for 60 years. We had a redistribution of wealth during our war on poverty of more than 4 trillion dollars and the poverty rate is the same. We have only seen more and more of government. It grows and grows and grows and people want to act like the Republicans are extreme.
Our federal government’s most important task is the security of this nation and when it comes to making sure that people enter into this country legally (in order to provide security) our nation is failing.
I’m done.
Andy,
Yes, we are fellow believers in JESUS CHRIST, and I thank God for that.
I’ll say something about them Scripture passages tomorrow. Right now I’ve gotta get some sleep—it’s 11:05 pm in D.C.
Keep on blogging.
In HIM,
Adrian
Couple of things. First, where are all the movie starts, self-appointed ‘defenders of the people’, certified leftists, Michael Moore, etc., etc., in the Ukrainian situation??? I woulda figured they’d all be out there in the cold, helping to support a democratic revolution against corruption. Well, maybe not, it’s too tough to leave sunny SoCal for some real winter.
Second, hey, does anybody miss hockey?
Scuzzy-
I’ll take your word on cheese sandwich and tomato soup, but for my money it’s Mom’s homemade chili.
I’ve been blogging about this on my site, but has anyone noticed how libs and europeans are declaring “victory” because Iran pledged to temporarily halt its nuke programs? Like that’s going to really happen!!!
I’ve also been blogging about my new job search and the circumstances of why I am no longer teaching. It’s been a heck of a November and first of December. I have to give thanks to how remarkably BLESSED I am. I still have a roof over my head, food to eat, and a new job to go to that pays the bills. God has a wonderful way of putting you back on your feet!
I thought about “La Shawn Barber’s Corner” this afternoon in Dallas, TX, as I pulled up to a stoplight at the corner of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Boulevard. There was a battered convenience store advertising beer and wine and money orders, with all its windows and doors covered in industrial grade metal grating to protect it from theft. There were a couple of other battered businesses near the corner, and one clean looking low slung office building, though I could not make out the name of the business there. There was trash on the street corner, and people hanging about aimlessly.
It was approx. 3:00 PM. As I drove along, I noticed neighborhood residents standing around all over the streets of the neighborhood in various gaggles– especially gaggles of men– with definite gaggles in the parking lots of liquor stores. It was the dangdest “central casting” stereotyped black neighborhood scene you could ever see, except it was all real.
I thought of the social programs, like “The Great Society”, and all the wreakage it and they have helped create. I thought of all the talent standing around in those gaggles and being wasted. And of all the white liberals and black demagogues encouraging these (mostly) men to believe they are oppressed to such an extent that they cannot overcome that oppression. I thought of this quote, from Tom Robbins:
“There is a tendency to absolve individuals of moral responsibility and treat them as victims of social circumstance.
[...]
You buy that you with your soul.”
Six and Seven years ago I was in this neighborhood a lot on business, but I hadn’t driven these streets since that time. I don’t know what I thought of the street scenes six and seven years ago. I didn’t really have judgements about them. I just sort of took them in. Now, after one year plus of sampling the “blogosphere”, including “La Shawn Barber’s Corner”, the wasted lives in this neighborhood really piss me off! The irony of businesses on the corner of MLK and Malcolm X being made into bunkers to protect themselves from street crime pisses me off. Let’s make a big political issue of changing these street names, but let’s not do a dang thing to change the condition of the streets themselves. Ironic. Inane.
I’m ranting, without proposing a solution, so it’s time to stop. Being back in that neighborhood reminded me of the Black Jesuses(I like the word “Jesuses”, even if its incorrect). I’ve been inside many houses in that neighborhood, and almost every one of them has a Black Jesus portrait in the living room. After seeing so many Black Jesuses, sometimes I imagine Jesus as a of melding of the Jim Cavizielish facial features, Los Angeles Laker Lamar Odom’s facial features, and Blackula.
BlameBush has got to be a “wink-wink, nudge-nudge” site. He cites Carrot Top and Arianna Huffington as real funny people. They’re laughable maybe, but not funny and he knows it.
Darkstar – point me in the direction where “Black Liberals” are writing about positive things Blacks ARE doing. Spare me the professional sports success stories.
Baklava,
I never said which elements you mentioned needed to exist. My only point was that any ism, unadulterated (sp), is bound to turn into a BAD THING. Mostly because people, as a whole, are nasty, brutish and more than a bit stupid. The true altruist is probably the most rare human there is.
Now, I lean towards capitalism, with as little interferance as needed. And I believe in a republican government (not the party, but the system) above monarchy, oligarchy etc.
Elizabeth,
Thank you
Actually, my name has more inspiration from http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_fuzzy.htm than the nursery song.
gcotharn,
I am “feeling” your rant for today…
Pro-choicers are fuming about one of their own’s, Catholics for a Free Choice President Frances Kissling, essay that though completely pro-choice, questions some of their tactics and approaches (including the “I had an abortion” t-shirts). The insanity.
Frances Kissling now appears to be the Teresa Heinz Kerry (or is it just Teresa Heinz now that the election is over) of the pro-choice movement.
Check out my blog for more info and links.
SCSI,
That’s why I say I like that we are a nation of laws with the economic system of capitalism.
We have done away with (or tried to do away with) monopolies and business practices that are unethical or unlawful because they hurt someone else.
Other than the fact that we have protections (actually overbearing government protections), I’m not sure why capitalism would need to be balanced with something else.
Protection. Capitalism. The rule of law.
This nation has drifted more and more in the past 60 years towards government deciding everything, controlling everything and taking more and more of our assets and properties to pay for the things it wants to pay for and I think that trend has to stop somehow. But for somereason, people want to call Republicans extremists even though Republicans haven’t stopped the growth of government…
BarbM – For the Link on the trees – Thank you. It fits in well with the discussion.
Dear Andy,
As promised, a brief word about the Scriptural passages you mention:
(1) Luke 15:19-31. First of all, Abraham won’t help the rich man because the rich man’s in hell. Second, the point of the passage is that the rich man’s five brothers wouldn’t repent even if someone rose from the dead in their presence. Given these two points, I don’t see how the passage suggests either that we can’t ask the saints in heaven for prayers or even that they’re just spectators watching us struggle on our own.
(2) Rom 8:26. The Spirit “intercedes for the saints.” As I read it, this means that the Holy Spirit prays in us. Not, of course, that the Spirit is in the position of having to pray. The point is that he “helps us in our weakness.” Why? Because “we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” Note how “for” in both verses does not mean the the Spirit prays for us, but he prays, so to say, in our place, in us, through us. In other words, Paul is saying that, when the saints pray, they can be confident that it’s not just them talking to God, but that the Spirit is working in them to tell them what to say and to make their prayers efficacious. Far from denying that the saints can intercede, the passage is explaining what makes their intercession efficacious: the presence in them of the Holy Spirit. True, the passage leaves open whether it’s the saints on earth or the saints in heaven or both. My point is only that what’s true of the saints on earth in terms of being able to intercede continues to be true in heaven. Any objection to the saints being able to intercede for us in heaven is an objection to the saints, the believers, on earth being able to intercede for one another.
Cordially,
Adrian
SCSI-
I hadn’t hear of that reference before, thanks. A much more noble reference, I agree. I’ll try to think of that in the future.
However, my 2 1/2 year old still prefers the rhyme.
Elizabeth
gcotharn, Way back when the street was being changed to MLK, we talked about the significance.
I was of the opinion that a name change wasn’t going to accomplish anything — a whitewash — unless there was an accompanying change in the attitude. But that was Royce’s PC baby.
That neighborhood was where my buddy (a Black Redneck was how he introduced himself to us when he first joined our unit) came up from. Raised by his grandmother, after mom died and abandoned by his father. Fortunately his granny taught him that only an education would get him out of there.
Every once in a while we’d drive over to his granny to do some errands and we’d always talk about the decline and apathy. That was back in the mid 80s to early 90s.
That the streets you describe are worse is sad indeed. MLK/Macolm X streets are the manifestation of the soft-bigotry of classism.
Dear Adrian, thanks for taking the time to respond. I understand what you’re saying, but…
I think with the first, Jesus was making multiple points at varying levels of abstractions. Once you’re in hell, there is no relief. Second, those on earth already have the living saints and the Word. If they don’t get it then, they’re not going to get it even from the heavenly hosts.
As for the second reference, I’m aware we can sell God short, but I wonder if this is perhaps a case of over-reaching or over-attributing (if there’s such a word). What I mean is that we sometimes ascribe certain concepts that either simply are there nor supportable one way or another. Naturally, it’d be nice if there were at least one verse to shed light on this.
With regards to the word “Saint(s)”, it is used only 98 times thruout the OT/NT, and each time it is a reference to the belivers on earth, no mention is made of saints in heaven.
I just don’t understand where we might get the notion that those who are dead and gone are taking an interest in our earthly tribulations. I’m of the opinion that if it isn’t addressed, then it’s purely speculation. Not that it’s wrong to speculate, I’m just leery of extending speculation to doctrine.
For example, do dogs go to heaven? Erm, yes & no. It may be something that we say to comfort young children when a beloved pet dies.
But really, will Fido go to heaven? I’m left to ask myself, ‘Does it matter’? If I meet my dog, I wonder if we would even want to pick up where we left off, since it seems that renewing a relationship with a former pet might be the last thing on my mind when I’m in the prescence of God and all of the other saints.
Oh well, maybe I’m just a “Doubting Tom”.
Peace.
I am doing some research on blog ethics at the University of North Carolina. I would really appreciate it if you could visit my (very very brief – five questions) survey at blogethics2004.blogspot.com and share your opinion.
Thanks,
Martin
Dear Andy,
Thanks for your response. Obviously, the fundamental issue here is the difference between Catholic and Protestant approaches to Scripture as a whole. That’s a complex one that I don’t want to get into just yet.
The reason why is that I think that there’s another, more immediate issue that needs to be clarified.
Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus on Mount Tabor about his coming passion. Angels—not human beings, to be sure, but creatures nonetheless—come down out of heaven to visit Mary or to release Paul from prison. Paul says in Hebrews that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.
What’s my point? I’m not claiming that these facts, in and of themselves, are sufficient to ground the entire Catholic/Orthodox teaching about invocation and veneration of the saints. I’m claiming only that Scripture seems to suggest, at the very least, that some beings who are in heaven other than Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit can and do take an interest in what’s happening on earth.
As for the passage in Luke, I agree with you. But the reason for that is that they’re hard of heart.
In terms of the second passage, I wasn’t saying that it explicitly teaches invocation of the saints. What I was saying was that it doesn’t contradict it. All it says is that, when a believer prays, the Spirit is praying in him.
Cordially,
Adrian
Andy,
I just wanted to add a few thoughts about 3 passages in Revelation.
(1) 5:8 talks about the 4 living creatures and the 24 elders falling down before the Lamb, each with a harp and with a golden bowl full of the prayers of the saints. Even if we assume that the saints here are the ones on earth, still the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures are in heaven and they are offering the earthly believers’ prayers to Jesus.
(2) 6:9 talks about the souls of the martyrs under the altar—note the connotation of sacrifice that that word has—who call upon God to “avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth.” God tells them to rest a while in the next verse, but that is already the beginning of his answer to their prayers: wait, God says, until the number of your brothers is filled up, and then I will do it.
(3) 8:3 this time an angel takes incense and mingles it with the prayers of the saints on the altar before the throne. Again, even assuming that those saints are the earthly believers, it’s clear that an angel is somehow involved in presenting their prayers to God.
Of course, given that John talks about the 144,000 and the martyrs under the altar, it’s not out of the question that the saints whose prayers are offered on it are heavenly ones.
In any case, I think that these passages suggest that the heavenly hosts are somehow interested in what goes on on earth. Why? Because they take Jesus’s place and add to his work? No. Because they are his servants, and, more than that: because they are his friends, whom he graciously allows to take part in his Providential governance as Lord of history even though he has absolutely no need of them.
Cordially,
Adrian
gcotharn-
I wonder how many people think the same thing as they head that way to go to Fair Park for the State Fair, OU-Texas or the Cotton Bowl. To most of them, the run down neighborhoods surrounding Fair Park are merely an inconvenience as they head to their event. Once they leave, it is once again “out of sight, out of mind.” Dallas has a major problem with its current run of mayors because they viewed their position as a pit stop to some higher office. That leaves few real solutions and a lot of pomp and circumstance, a common thread in a lot of American cities.
Adrian, thanks. Your reference, “Paul says in Hebrews that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses” posits a different perspective that hadn’t occurred to me. Food for thot indeed. Thanks again.
gcotharn/Chris, hehehe and to think back when Strauss was running Big D, I was that close to seriously settling down and taking a shot at the council and mayorship.
No matter, my brother’s been involved in the Tarrant County politics to include school board and city council out by Aledo.
Oh well, Dallas seems to be getting by w/o my $0.02, tho I feel that sooner or later I’ll be running for something — we’ll see.
Thanks, Andy—I’m glad we’re on the same side.
In HIM,
A.
According to the first Amendment it says,
‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,..
This seems pretty straight forward to me.
My question is this, if we are not allowed to say, Merry Christmas, because someone will take offense at it, which is not covered in the first amendment, Then are they not violating my right, by prohibiting me from saying Merry Christmas ?
According to the 14 amendment, section 1, here again in part:
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor to deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
This I believe is violating our right to free speech by their convoluted interpretation of the first amendment.
When are we from Jesus land going to fight back??
Mark
I was a tad too young to know enough about Big D politics, having just moved to the Metroplex from another example of city government gone awry: Memphis.
Good thing I lived in Tarrant County and now Denton, although Dallas’ problems are spreading!!!
Mark,
It’s starting. We just have to have the conviction and intestinal fortitude to stand tall and stand firm.
SCS
I have just read where they have banned ‘Dickens’ from the classroom, he too is politically incorrect, ie, ‘A Christmas Carole’.
Are these people so afraid of absolutes that they have to condemn everyone who tries to live up to standards, set down by the Ten Commandments ? Afterall were not our laws written in the spirit of the Commandments ?
The banning of Books this is classic, it is really a gotcha, because are not us Right-wing zealots the ones usually accused of banning and burning books.
Mark
Question who was Barbara Walters # 1 most Facinating Person?
CB
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