It’s snowing in this part of the country where I live, Southwestern Michigan. I love it!. I state this because my last entry had to do with the fact that we didn’t have snow in this part of the country and I really did (and still do) believe that it’s all about the snow as far as living here in Michigan is concerned. Granted, I live in the most Southwestern part of the state but it’s still Michigan. And so I can say that my prayers are being answered. We are getting some snow. And it’s actually accumulating. As a matte of fact, we’re supposed to get at least 10 inches by tomorrow night. I had my doubts but after this evening, I think we may just get those 10 (if not 12) inches of snow.
Enough about snow! Let’s get back to some real issues. And I’m not referring to the Oscars. Nor am I referring to the Social Security debate. At least not today. No. What I’m referring to is Michael Savage.
Not only has he gotten very vocal about his feelings about President Bush but it seems as if anyone supports anything the President does, well, it’s wrong!
Now I can understand what he’s stating except this man is intelligent. This man has a Ph.D. That’s Doctor’s of Philosophy degree for those who haven’t been exposed to the facades of higher education.
It’s one thing to merely create a niche apart from the other talk show hosts out there. But it’s another to become blatantly anti-Bush and literally equate our current President as being the same as if we would have had a Democrat in office.
Again, nothing wrong with this take. We are America. We are the good ole U.S. of A. But the point being, Michael Savage has represented the conservative take on our current events. But now, mostly due to President Bush’s lack of a very definitive course of action regarding illegal aliens (which I think the Republican party and President Bush will address) Michael Savage has been vocalizing his feelings about the current administration.
Now it’s not that Michael Savage is saying President Bush’s administration has the same effect as if we would have a Democrat in office. But his comments are coming off as if that’s what he’s saying.
I’m really not sure now what Michael is trying to accomplish. At first I thought it might be that he is trying to establish a niche for himself, you know, trying to distinguish why he is different from the other talk shows out there. But after listening to his show this evening and how hard he came down on a caller who merely mentioned the fact that he thought he (Michael Savage) was being a bit too hard on the President and now on Rush Limbaugh, I’m beginning to think that Michael is demonstrating some insecurity. I don’t know?
I really have enjoyed listening to Savage. But with this new attitude of attacking the President and talk show hosts who support the President, well, it leaves a “bad taste in my mouth.”
Now, I’m not saying that I won’t listen to Michael Savage. I’m reading his first book involving the current political environment and culture, “The Savage Nation.” But if he continues to come down on anyone who even questions his motives or actions, I don’t know, this could very well be the same as dealing with the Democratic Party. No real tolerance for any difference of opinion.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Writer’s Block // What’s Wrong With Snow?
Alright, you’re probably asking, “What Kind Of Topic Are We Discussing Today?” The Weather? Snow? How Does This Have Anything To Do With Contemporary Issues?
Well, let me start out by saying that I am not an “Eco-Terrorist.” I am beginning to understand that the “rhetoric” being used by the “Global Warming” crowd is just that, “Rhetoric!” In other words, they have an agenda. And everything is dependent and contingent on that particular “Agenda.”
After a while, it becomes obvious what that particular agenda really is, to halt productivity in the lives of everyday Americans! And yet, every time the accusations appear in the press, they sound very convincing to a lot of Americans!
You begin to think that “There truly is Global Warming!” The earth is getting warmer and there must be a link (a connection) between the increase in the temperature and our using carbon based combustible materials.
But then I look at the wording of the article. For example, Drudge has a connection today to a report provided by NASA, which states that the average temperatures are the highest since the 1880’s! They are the highest since the 1880’s? What does this tell me? This tells me that maybe, just maybe, the warming trend has something to do with natural cycles rather than anything to do with modern technology! No one had any real modern technology in the 1880’s!
But then this sort of information doesn’t really matter if there’s an Agenda to get through!
Well getting back to the original question, “What’s Wrong With The Snow?”
I state this question because lately I hear it so often. And it’s not as if I’m in a section of the country that is normally warmer during January and February.
I remember winters that were really cold and the ground was covered with snow and ice from around Christmas week all the way through late February to early March.
But if you were to listen to the “mainstream media” of the day, you would think that we’re living under unusual circumstances because it’s not 60 degrees or so. Really, just make a note the next time the weatherperson indicates we may be getting a snowstorm soon. You would think that it’s a National Disaster! What gives here? I really don’t know!
All I know is that it started to snow this morning and I am grateful to God that we finally got some snow in Southwestern Michigan in the middle of winter, February 9, 2005.
I am grateful because I can worship, pray, play and work just about any way I feel true to my heart about.
And yet I really do believe that the people we knew (before they died) are still out there observing what we do. And then the most holiest of Saints, The Blessed Virgin Mary, is there to help us guide along. She guides along a brand new constitution. I guess what matters most during those times (as well as now) is that they be as objective as they can be.!
Well, let me start out by saying that I am not an “Eco-Terrorist.” I am beginning to understand that the “rhetoric” being used by the “Global Warming” crowd is just that, “Rhetoric!” In other words, they have an agenda. And everything is dependent and contingent on that particular “Agenda.”
After a while, it becomes obvious what that particular agenda really is, to halt productivity in the lives of everyday Americans! And yet, every time the accusations appear in the press, they sound very convincing to a lot of Americans!
You begin to think that “There truly is Global Warming!” The earth is getting warmer and there must be a link (a connection) between the increase in the temperature and our using carbon based combustible materials.
But then I look at the wording of the article. For example, Drudge has a connection today to a report provided by NASA, which states that the average temperatures are the highest since the 1880’s! They are the highest since the 1880’s? What does this tell me? This tells me that maybe, just maybe, the warming trend has something to do with natural cycles rather than anything to do with modern technology! No one had any real modern technology in the 1880’s!
But then this sort of information doesn’t really matter if there’s an Agenda to get through!
Well getting back to the original question, “What’s Wrong With The Snow?”
I state this question because lately I hear it so often. And it’s not as if I’m in a section of the country that is normally warmer during January and February.
I remember winters that were really cold and the ground was covered with snow and ice from around Christmas week all the way through late February to early March.
But if you were to listen to the “mainstream media” of the day, you would think that we’re living under unusual circumstances because it’s not 60 degrees or so. Really, just make a note the next time the weatherperson indicates we may be getting a snowstorm soon. You would think that it’s a National Disaster! What gives here? I really don’t know!
All I know is that it started to snow this morning and I am grateful to God that we finally got some snow in Southwestern Michigan in the middle of winter, February 9, 2005.
I am grateful because I can worship, pray, play and work just about any way I feel true to my heart about.
And yet I really do believe that the people we knew (before they died) are still out there observing what we do. And then the most holiest of Saints, The Blessed Virgin Mary, is there to help us guide along. She guides along a brand new constitution. I guess what matters most during those times (as well as now) is that they be as objective as they can be.!
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Writer’s Block //Life is Too Short No Matter What and Yet It Is Beautiful!
I just came back from a wake held for the father of our pastor, who passed away last week. This individual was just a few years younger than my father, 89. My father, who passed away last August was 91.
My initial reason for attending this wake was to honor the life of the father of my pastor, who came to visit my father a few days before my Dad went to join my Mom in heaven. (and I truly believe that there is a heaven and that my Dad is there with my Mom).
But I have to admit that once I got to the funeral home, I began to see who this person was, how he lived his life and appreciate the beauty of his life and experiences. The main reason for this experience was the fact that this individual began to write down his life history, his family history, all the way from his birth back in 1916 and he had this in writing for everyone to see.
He began to work on this sometime after he retired, close to 20 some years ago. Of course, it helped that the personal computer came along and he could begin to use a word processing program to record these thoughts and events and be able to make additions along with corrections along the way.
I walked away from this wake truly feeling as if I knew this individual. I wished that I could do this for my family. I really hope that I can live long enough to do the same for my family.
My father lived with Dementia for the last few years of his life. My sister and I really didn’t know it until 2 years before he passed away. Now looking back over the past 6 years or so, we can see that our father began to have some dementia a few years before, while our mother was still alive.
And yet, the one thing that I have to admit is that my father could remember events that occurred long time ago, despite the fact that events occurring only yesterday or last week were harder for him to recall. But this was a blessing and an opportunity for me because my father’s defenses were down. My Dad would relate things and events that occurred long ago, in his past, events that he would have been hesitant to relate ten years previous. And so I would record these events for myself.
After this evening, I am even more motivated than before to chronicle as best as I can the events, the chronological history of my family. As my Father would say, I want to be able to relate the “Ten Fingers” story.
My father always talked about how he and my mother came to this country with only “Ten Fingers.” And it was those “Ten Fingers” that were the tools, the instruments, that they used to give birth to and raise 2 beautiful children and make a life that everyone who came in contact with, could enjoy and be lifted up to go and do more and better in their life. If there is one thought or main theme that comes to mind when I think of my Mom and Dad it's that "Hope Springs Eternal!"
My initial reason for attending this wake was to honor the life of the father of my pastor, who came to visit my father a few days before my Dad went to join my Mom in heaven. (and I truly believe that there is a heaven and that my Dad is there with my Mom).
But I have to admit that once I got to the funeral home, I began to see who this person was, how he lived his life and appreciate the beauty of his life and experiences. The main reason for this experience was the fact that this individual began to write down his life history, his family history, all the way from his birth back in 1916 and he had this in writing for everyone to see.
He began to work on this sometime after he retired, close to 20 some years ago. Of course, it helped that the personal computer came along and he could begin to use a word processing program to record these thoughts and events and be able to make additions along with corrections along the way.
I walked away from this wake truly feeling as if I knew this individual. I wished that I could do this for my family. I really hope that I can live long enough to do the same for my family.
My father lived with Dementia for the last few years of his life. My sister and I really didn’t know it until 2 years before he passed away. Now looking back over the past 6 years or so, we can see that our father began to have some dementia a few years before, while our mother was still alive.
And yet, the one thing that I have to admit is that my father could remember events that occurred long time ago, despite the fact that events occurring only yesterday or last week were harder for him to recall. But this was a blessing and an opportunity for me because my father’s defenses were down. My Dad would relate things and events that occurred long ago, in his past, events that he would have been hesitant to relate ten years previous. And so I would record these events for myself.
After this evening, I am even more motivated than before to chronicle as best as I can the events, the chronological history of my family. As my Father would say, I want to be able to relate the “Ten Fingers” story.
My father always talked about how he and my mother came to this country with only “Ten Fingers.” And it was those “Ten Fingers” that were the tools, the instruments, that they used to give birth to and raise 2 beautiful children and make a life that everyone who came in contact with, could enjoy and be lifted up to go and do more and better in their life. If there is one thought or main theme that comes to mind when I think of my Mom and Dad it's that "Hope Springs Eternal!"
Monday, February 07, 2005
Writer’s Block//Conservatism – Really Now!
I just read a great article about the founder that could very well claim to be, at least by the “New Republic,” the founder of what we refer to as “NeoConservatism,” or more commonly known as NeoCon Politics.
I have to admit that I am what might be referred to as a NeoCon, at least by the standards established by this New Republic essay. I truly believe that the Republican Party represents the future of our country. I truly believe that the Republican Party is the progressive party of our time. The ideas that will benefit our present as well as the future come from the Republican Party. The ideas that will benefit our future are the ideas that will benefit the majority of people in our current society.
For too long, the Democrats have had the monopoly on being out there for the “little guy.” Well, let me declare once and for all, (for whatever it is worth) that the Democrats are not in touch with REALITY! They may think that they are out there for the “little guy,” but they don’t understand the reality of the situation nor do they appreciate the everyday challenges and opportunities the “little guy” is faced with! I really don’t want to get that personal about all of this but I need to expose a little about my own personal life to get this point across!
I, along with my wife of 33 years, am probably in the lowest tax bracket one could be. Now I’m not complaining. I feel very blessed and very fortunate for the opportunities that my wife and I have been able to take advantage of. And I feel very fortunate that we are able to have our own home and cars and be able to travel every so often, etc. etc.
Of course, the ability to do these things is a combination of 33 years of marriage and also being helped by my parents. And I really need to emphasize this point, the help of my parents.
It has happened recently that my father has passed away. An amount of monies were set aside for my sister and me as a result of his passing. Actually these were monies that were set aside by my mother, in the form of an IRA.
Now, for privacy matters, I really don’t want to get into revealing the actual amount, but I can say that by contemporary standards, it was average. I personally feel as if it was a large amount.
The point being is that this amount is taxable by the U.S. Government. Yes, it’s taxable as ordinary income. Yes, it’s only taxed at the 15% rate, which is low. However, as far as my family situation is concerned, it’s high.
I will end up paying a 15% tax on the monies I received. Thank God there isn’t an Estate Tax, which the Democrats had in place over the past few years; otherwise, I would lose even more of the few dollars I received to begin with.
During the last campaign, that is all one would hear from the Democrats, is that the Republicans are the Party of the rich! The Republicans are the party of the big corporate chiefs! You got the impression that the Republican Party consisted of only people who had a lot of money and just sat around watching their stocks get better and better. Well, if that really is the definition of the Republican Party, then we have to start calling a lot of Democrats, Republicans!
For example, Senator Feinstein from California is not exactly a poor person. She has a lot money in Oil Company related stocks.
Senator Kennedy isn’t exactly a poor person. He’s a 3rd generation child living off of an inheritance that is making money from a trust fund that is earning monies and growing from the profits of money market and mutual stock funds which in turn earn their profits from corporations that do well and make a profit. But you won’t hear that from the illustrious (hic!) Senator from Massachusetts.
And speaking of Massachusetts, we have the former Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, Senator John Kerry, who claimed that he was for the working class, the poor, the downtrodden, and the everyday individual. Yet Senator Kerry could not live the way he does without the monies he receives each month from the Heinz Ketchup foundation. He married into the Heinz Ketchup family by marrying Teresa Heinz (who became Teresa Heinz Kerry).
Yet he talks as if he really understands the average worker. And the sad thing is that there are average workers out there that believe this crap. They actually believe that these Democrats are really concerned for them. These people actually think that the Democrats are for the people, by the people and of the people. Yeah, Right!
How come most of the Democratic Senators and Congressmen are millionaires? Why are they so concerned about my welfare and yet don’t really seem to give a hoot if I do well once in awhile? Let’s face it; the Democrats want me in my place!
The Democratic Party really wants the average guy (or woman) to be just where they are! They want us to stay in our place. That’s really where they want us to be! They don’t want us to advance and do better in life. That would involve them to deal with us as a threat. I know this sounds harsh but that is exactly how I feel as a lowly citizen.
Now when I think of myself as a Republican (which this year I can officially say that I am since I’m going to pay some dues, like $30) well, I do not feel as if I’m a lowly citizen but rather a CITIZEN! A VOTING CITIZEN! I have a voice in what goes on in Washington as well as what goes on in Lansing, Michigan, which is the capital of my home state!
But with the Democratic Party, I am a Victim! Life is depressing! It’s all downhill! Everything is going against me! I’m only an individual and I can’t do anything without the Party and the democratically controlled government, which is what the Democratic Party has had a monopoly on for a long, long time! Let’s face it, this all sound so very much like coming out of the Karl Marx playbook! I mean really, is this not the “Communist Manifesto?”
I’m sorry but the Democratic Party is so off base!
Yes, I used to be a Democrat, many years ago! And some years back I switched parties without even realizing it. And now I have finally come to an understanding of why I switched. I really do hope that over the next few weeks and months I can reveal why I switched parties. But for now let me just be able to say that "I have seen the light! "
I have to admit that I am what might be referred to as a NeoCon, at least by the standards established by this New Republic essay. I truly believe that the Republican Party represents the future of our country. I truly believe that the Republican Party is the progressive party of our time. The ideas that will benefit our present as well as the future come from the Republican Party. The ideas that will benefit our future are the ideas that will benefit the majority of people in our current society.
For too long, the Democrats have had the monopoly on being out there for the “little guy.” Well, let me declare once and for all, (for whatever it is worth) that the Democrats are not in touch with REALITY! They may think that they are out there for the “little guy,” but they don’t understand the reality of the situation nor do they appreciate the everyday challenges and opportunities the “little guy” is faced with! I really don’t want to get that personal about all of this but I need to expose a little about my own personal life to get this point across!
I, along with my wife of 33 years, am probably in the lowest tax bracket one could be. Now I’m not complaining. I feel very blessed and very fortunate for the opportunities that my wife and I have been able to take advantage of. And I feel very fortunate that we are able to have our own home and cars and be able to travel every so often, etc. etc.
Of course, the ability to do these things is a combination of 33 years of marriage and also being helped by my parents. And I really need to emphasize this point, the help of my parents.
It has happened recently that my father has passed away. An amount of monies were set aside for my sister and me as a result of his passing. Actually these were monies that were set aside by my mother, in the form of an IRA.
Now, for privacy matters, I really don’t want to get into revealing the actual amount, but I can say that by contemporary standards, it was average. I personally feel as if it was a large amount.
The point being is that this amount is taxable by the U.S. Government. Yes, it’s taxable as ordinary income. Yes, it’s only taxed at the 15% rate, which is low. However, as far as my family situation is concerned, it’s high.
I will end up paying a 15% tax on the monies I received. Thank God there isn’t an Estate Tax, which the Democrats had in place over the past few years; otherwise, I would lose even more of the few dollars I received to begin with.
During the last campaign, that is all one would hear from the Democrats, is that the Republicans are the Party of the rich! The Republicans are the party of the big corporate chiefs! You got the impression that the Republican Party consisted of only people who had a lot of money and just sat around watching their stocks get better and better. Well, if that really is the definition of the Republican Party, then we have to start calling a lot of Democrats, Republicans!
For example, Senator Feinstein from California is not exactly a poor person. She has a lot money in Oil Company related stocks.
Senator Kennedy isn’t exactly a poor person. He’s a 3rd generation child living off of an inheritance that is making money from a trust fund that is earning monies and growing from the profits of money market and mutual stock funds which in turn earn their profits from corporations that do well and make a profit. But you won’t hear that from the illustrious (hic!) Senator from Massachusetts.
And speaking of Massachusetts, we have the former Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, Senator John Kerry, who claimed that he was for the working class, the poor, the downtrodden, and the everyday individual. Yet Senator Kerry could not live the way he does without the monies he receives each month from the Heinz Ketchup foundation. He married into the Heinz Ketchup family by marrying Teresa Heinz (who became Teresa Heinz Kerry).
Yet he talks as if he really understands the average worker. And the sad thing is that there are average workers out there that believe this crap. They actually believe that these Democrats are really concerned for them. These people actually think that the Democrats are for the people, by the people and of the people. Yeah, Right!
How come most of the Democratic Senators and Congressmen are millionaires? Why are they so concerned about my welfare and yet don’t really seem to give a hoot if I do well once in awhile? Let’s face it; the Democrats want me in my place!
The Democratic Party really wants the average guy (or woman) to be just where they are! They want us to stay in our place. That’s really where they want us to be! They don’t want us to advance and do better in life. That would involve them to deal with us as a threat. I know this sounds harsh but that is exactly how I feel as a lowly citizen.
Now when I think of myself as a Republican (which this year I can officially say that I am since I’m going to pay some dues, like $30) well, I do not feel as if I’m a lowly citizen but rather a CITIZEN! A VOTING CITIZEN! I have a voice in what goes on in Washington as well as what goes on in Lansing, Michigan, which is the capital of my home state!
But with the Democratic Party, I am a Victim! Life is depressing! It’s all downhill! Everything is going against me! I’m only an individual and I can’t do anything without the Party and the democratically controlled government, which is what the Democratic Party has had a monopoly on for a long, long time! Let’s face it, this all sound so very much like coming out of the Karl Marx playbook! I mean really, is this not the “Communist Manifesto?”
I’m sorry but the Democratic Party is so off base!
Yes, I used to be a Democrat, many years ago! And some years back I switched parties without even realizing it. And now I have finally come to an understanding of why I switched. I really do hope that over the next few weeks and months I can reveal why I switched parties. But for now let me just be able to say that "I have seen the light! "
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