Organic Reflection

Cincinnati.com moves to Facebook comments

2011-12-06T16:45:00.001-05:00

The Cincinnati Enquire has now made in necessary for people to have Facebook accounts to post comments on their site. For me this means the end of commenting on new stories and opinions.

I get the point of having to create an account… I did that on the Cincinnati Enquire website. But creating a user name allowed me to speak freely on hot topics… specifically about Healthcare. I am not comfortable giving my opinion on such a public form in a field that I am professionally affiliated. I am not in a clinical position, nor am I commenting on behalf of my company.

I think the Cincinnati Enquire will lose many thoughtful posts from people who actually may have real perspective but value their professional public face more than they value a few people reading their posts.

Local Company Ranks Nationally

2011-10-24T16:48:00.000-04:00

Kroger made the list for the most charitable companies put together by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Recently Kroger has been raked over the coals by some liberal media for closing some of their low preforming stores in low income neighborhoods. What has not been reported by most is that in 2009 they gave just over 10% of profits to charity. More than that in 2010 they upped their contributions to 13% when most companies were cutting back.

What does Occupy Wall Street have to say?

Crickets….

The federal government and tobacco

2011-08-17T14:49:00.000-04:00

Smoking is a tough issue for me, though I am not a smoker. Close family members and friends have been smokers in the past and while I did not like that they smoked I recognized that it was their legal right to do so. I have watched people in my life quit and I have seen first-hand how difficult it was for them.

I am all for education for young people in the dangers of smoking. Much like I am in favor of teaching healthy eating habits and the dangers of heart disease and diabetes as a consequence of poor eating choices.

The federal government requires that tobacco products carry a label that warns of cancer, now they would like to require labels on all packs one of which looks like this:

The new packaging law requires that 20% of the packaging must be the new warning label. There are other requirements in the law for education, marketing and advertising. For the full MSN article on the new legislation and the lawsuit in response you can click HERE.

My problem with the whole thing is that it is still legal to purchase and use tobacco products. If this is a legal product, why isn’t the government trying to shut the entire industry down rather than tell the company how to spend advertising money?

The answer is threefold. First the tax loss is more than they can stomach at this point. The second is the guarantee of money going into advertising, marketing and packaging. The third is the amount of jobs that would be lost in a market that can take no more hits.

Until tobacco sale is no longer legal I refuse to accept the argument that the burden to the healthcare field is the driving reason for the new regulation. If that were true, tobacco sale and consumption would be illegal.

Reality TV

2011-08-16T09:14:00.002-04:00

Reality TV or shall we say Trash TV.

Hollywood has always done a great job selling lifestyles. Sitcoms from the 50’s made us think that all moms wore heals and pearls to cook dinner and that all kids needed to do when they got in a jam was confess and the punishment was to miss dinner and all would be forgiven in the morning.

Somewhere along the way TV got “gritty”. Wholesome went off the air and teen pregnancy and drugs became the new norm. Moms were mean, thin and yelled a lot; dads were overweight, dumb and submissive.

As if this was not bad enough MTV started a show called the Real World, the premise being stick a bunch of kids in their early 20’s in a house together and start the cameras rolling. The audience was led to believe that they “forgot” about the cameras and what was on film was how these people really live.

Now we have shows about housewives, musicians, pregnant teens, polygamist, tattoo artist, restaurant owners, pawn shop owners and the list continues.

Let’s suspend reality for a moment and pretend that the people on these shows really “forget” that they are on camera, are any of these people normal everyday people? I hope not.

If Reality TV is real reality, it is no wonder test scores in our schools are dropping, jobs are being shipped overseas and people are losing their homes.

The thing is, reality TV is not real. I don’t know anyone who behaves like one of the Real Housewives or a Kardashian. Buying into the reality of these shows excuses and glorifies bad behavior. Suddenly spending thousands of dollars for toddler cloths on a shopping trip seems normal. Jumping from man to man and bed to bed seems like no big deal.

Tax our way out?

2011-08-11T09:28:00.000-04:00

One of the best pieces of advice I was given early in my career was to live as if you did not just receive a raise.

It is the American way to spend the money that is available. While that is not the wisest thing to do sometimes that cannot be helped. Young families and individuals right out of college need their entire pay check just to make ends meet. Inevitably a person gets a raise and buys a new car or moves into a bigger house starting the cycle of overspending. Between the first raise and the second raise it is unlikely that the new car or the house is paid off, but the need for bigger and better escalates as the years go by.

Enter the New American way.

At some point the individual is no longer spending the money they are making but they are now spending credit on what they “will be making”. We are seeing now what happens when there is a job loss or a pay cut.

The government has been living beyond its means for a generation and they want more from the American people. But where will that money go? Will it be used to pay off the debt that we owe? Doubtful, the raise will be used for pet programs and social services under the guise of job creation and jumpstarting the economy.

Until we elect responsible officials to office any raise that we give will be spent to up the lifestyle of those in office.

Free Free Free

2011-08-09T11:02:00.000-04:00

Free healthcare for all

Free housing for single moms

Free education for college students

Free breakfast for kids

It may be “free” for the individual accepting the service but who really pays?

Taxpayers are stuck holding the bill for services that they may never use and the individual using the service get stuck in a cycle of “free” goods and services that they will never "break free".

People enrolled in the “free” service programs have to stay below yearly income, so there is no incentive to ever make more. We are raising a society of college educated young people who are going to continue to receive free social services under the guise of a helping hand up.

But at what point should people be held accountable for their own lives? There is a vast difference in helping someone get back on their feet and people living off of the system for generations.

So who is the real looser in the deal, the voluntary population of slaves that we as a country have created or the tax payer?

Who benefits from a population living off of social services? Simply: Individuals running for office promising those free services.

So is it FREE FOR US or FREE US?

…and the people shake their heads

2011-08-05T16:34:00.000-04:00

1. The city of Cincinnati has “enough” in the budget to consider a street car but wants to lay off police officers and fire fighters.

2. The President asking the American people to tighten their belts but raises the debt ceiling on the federal budget.

3. Spending $200.00 on concert tickets but complaining about $4.oo water.

November 2

2010-11-02T10:55:00.001-04:00

Don't forget to vote!

Inflammatory Statements I Stand Behind.

2010-10-27T12:07:00.003-04:00

1. Abortion is murder.
2. Government welfare is the enslavement of the poor.
3. Our government will continue to be held hostage by corrupt politicians and the progressive agenda until people my age are willing to pay attention, take a stand and run for office.
4. Glen Beck has some very good points and is correct about many of his political points. He is also completely incorrect when it comes to his religion and is leading millions in the opposite direction when it comes to salvation.
5. Our higher educational system needs to be completely revamped to include marketability in the corporate world. Many college grads today do not have the ability to work in a structured work environment and totally lack professional awareness.
6. The work fair is the most overused excuse today, with a close second to deserve.
7. Conservatives do a terrible job articulating belief and spend too much time defending minor points and not enough time making statements of truth.
8. Truth is not a feeling, emotion or changing condition. What is true for you is true for me. We all live on the round earth and water is wet. People confuse perspective with truth.

Questions

2010-10-27T12:07:00.001-04:00

1. Why are people that are anti- war and anti- death penalty almost always pro-choice?
2. Why is vulgar language a freedom of expression but prayer in a public place offensive?
3. Why will Darwin scientist not publish a paper to point by point debunk creationism if there is so much irrefutable evidence?
4. When did the terms illegal alien and immigrant become interchangeable?
5. When did political opinion become offensive?

Social Justice

2010-03-05T11:17:00.001-05:00

Sounds good right? People not discriminated on based on race, religion or ethnic background. It stirs images of people joining together to help people out of forced ghettoes and helping orphans get bread for dinner. I think of helping the workers in big factories like in Far and Away with the chicken feather pluckers and teaching children how to read.

The images could not be farther from the truth.

Social Justice is code language used by Progressives (which is code for evolutionary as apposed to revolutionary Communist.) to teach people that they are victims of capitalism and I would go as far as victims of Christianity.

Self victimization is a dangerous business. Few Americans today are true victims. We may be victims of a crime, but does that mean we are victims for life? We may be a victim of poverty, but does that mean we have to stay in poverty. Social Justice teaches that we are victims and we will always be victims. It teaches not to rise above and triumph but to pull down and destroy those viewed as the villain.

Who are the Social Justice villains? The wealthy. The religious. The working. You. Me. Your doctor. Your boss.

Who is the real villain? Those buying into the Social Justice lie. What it really does is hold people back from true potential. It is a forced slavery and hurts the poor and uneducated.

Code words are great because they often start under the cover of darkness and be used in the light of day. Gradually they become used in everyday conversation by people who don’t know what they mean. Then they are taught to children in elementary school. Suddenly the words loose the meaning that they have and become something else. The originators of the words have no problem with this because it furthers the agenda.

It is our RESPONSIBILITY to choose our words wisely and to know the meaning of what we are saying and what is being taught to our children. Ignorance is no longer an excuse.

To my Democrat friends (yes I have some):

2010-02-25T15:16:00.002-05:00

You are right. Conservatives are up in arms about the amount of money being spent by this administration. There were no Tea Parties during the past administration when spending was out of control.

My question to you is where were you?

Don't we need to start somewhere?

It would be a real shame when Republicans gain control of the house and senate again if the Tea Parties disappeared.

This country is caught in a vicious circle of political corruption on both sides and someone needs to break that cycle.

The Misquote

2010-02-11T13:19:00.002-05:00

I am a regular listener to Rush and Beck. I am also a regular reader of Media Matters and The Cincinnati Beacon. I watch MSN and Fox News.

We all know that good ratings equal extreme rhetoric. Both ends of the political spectrum hold very different views on every issue. It seems that there are enough sound bites that could be taken in context to illustrate a point.

Lately, it has been the norm to take sound bites out of context and use them to create public outrage. Rush used the word retard on his show last week. In context he was taking a poke at Rahm Emanuel using the word retard. Surrounding the comment he joked that it would become a sound bite that would result in him getting in "trouble" with the media. He was correct.

With technological capabilities there is no longer an excuse to misquote someone. There is no longer an excuse to take things out of context in error. Today misquoting is deliberate and malicious.

Some sites are based entirely of sound bites and misquotes. Media Matters is an excellent example of this practice. I read several articles about Rush's retard statement- along with the string of comments posted in response. I also heard the live broadcast of the actual statement in question. The disparity in facts was almost alarming.

It is time for us as intelligent Americans to take responsibility for the "news" that we are ingesting. The resources are readily available to check sources and the context of statements. If we are not doing some quick research we are just being lazy and contributing to the problem.

How many examples do we need?

2010-02-03T16:12:00.002-05:00

Danny Williams the Newfoundland Premier is coming to the US for heart surgery this week.

I believe that the United States has the best physicians and hospitals in the world. Apparently so do many world leaders. Premier Williams is on the first to come to the US to receive healthcare, it happens everyday.

What will happen if we go to a single payer system? Will people still flock to the US to have complicated procedures done? Will we have room for them? Will we have room for our own citizens?

Rasmussen

2010-02-02T18:48:00.002-05:00

With so much to say about the state of the country it is difficult to pick a topic. For today this will have to do.

With unemployment numbers climbing, national debt on the dramatic rise and discontent with both parties one would think that his approval numbers will continue to drop. Only those who blindly cling to the man and the party line will hang on.

Healthcare

2009-12-15T16:45:00.001-05:00

40% Support Health Care Plan, 56% Oppose It

Job Market

2009-12-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

I am highly offended with Obama’s conclusion for the job crisis. Our president primarily blames small business owners and their mindset for “squeezing profits” for the lack of new jobs in the market.

I realize that he has never run a small business, and I assume that he has never been employed by a small business owner. If he had any experience with small businesses he would know that start up businesses usually require owners to go without a paycheck for an extended period of time. Once the business is up and running cost savings is a primary drive for EVERYONE working in the company. That means going without new software upgrades, buying crappy office supplies in bulk and having pot luck Christmas parties.

The heart of a small business is the employees who all join together for a common goal. To say that “squeezing profits” is the goal is a slap in the face to all owners and employees who are just trying to make payroll. Any profits are quickly eaten up by taxes and soon to be fines for healthcare.

I have worked for small business for most of my adult life. One of which I had to leave due to the lack of health insurance, but that was my CHOICE. It was inconceivable to expect a start up business to provide health insurance (or be fined for not having it) when the owner was using up his 401K in order to get it off the ground.

We are killing small business already - and it is only getting worse.

Comments

2009-12-01T12:14:00.001-05:00

David Frum is NOT a conservative, though he would tell you differently.

I could never make it through December without 5hr energy.

Donnie did not deserver to win Dancing with the Stars and I am – at this moment – done with the show.

What the heck happened to Tiger Woods?!?!?!!?

Polanski is a criminal – he should stay in jail with other rapist. Why this is such a travesty to the left is mind boggling.

There has to be more to the Tareq and Michaele Salahi “Party Crashing” story. I can maybe see showing up and misunderstanding that you are invited to something – but how did they get in?

And finally, does anyone know a completive girls softball team that needs a third baseman?

Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-09T11:21:00.001-04:00

How do you win a Nobel Peace Prize when the country that you lead is at war?

Matthew 7:13-14

2009-10-08T16:08:00.002-04:00

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

These verses at one time left me rather sleepless for those around me.

These verses paint a very vivid picture for me about a road full of travelers coming to a fork in the road. One is a highway full of people and one is a tiny narrow dirt road.

I thought of all of the amazing people of faith around me and that narrow road seemed too small to hold us all (me being the very least).

Lately, it has become very apparent to me that this world is full of people who would all too willingly choose that great big paved road. It is shocking to me how many people are so vocally mocking of God and anyone who believes in Him.

I am not saying that everyone I know is on that narrow path, I am not even saying that all of the people that I think would be on that narrow road are truly on that path. My latest life lesson is that my perspective is of the narrow road (making it seem that it is crowded).

Those verses leave me sleepless in a new way. That narrow road is ever narrowing. Once only need to look at the comment section of the Cincinnati Enquire or listen to people defend Polanski.

Lockland Lawsuit

2009-10-07T11:55:00.001-04:00

Christopher Knecht a Lockland resident who is suing Lockland for displaying the 10 Commandments outside of the town hall. His claim is that it is unconstitutional and goes as far as calling them “religious fables and myths”.

The bottom line is that he is not the first to call foul on religious displays. I find it very amusing that he has been in legal trouble himself and has found a lawsuit the best way to lash out.

I would love to find a suite that I could bring against the city or state for a display of humanism that I find offensive. I would happily give the attorney all of the damages won in trade for his or her time. Apparently it does not even have to be a suite that makes sense if I truly feel “damaged” by the display.

By the way separation of church and state is: one not a law, and two a statement made to keep the government from ESABLISHING an official church.

New Blog

2009-09-21T14:47:00.002-04:00

Creative Reflection is empty until Abby gives me some pictures and until we get her site up. But it is a start.

http://creative-reflection.blogspot.com/

KY Wedding Pictures

2009-09-15T16:56:00.001-04:00

I agree with Obama

2009-09-15T15:57:00.002-04:00

Kanye West is a

Approval Ratings

2009-08-14T13:59:00.004-04:00

All information taken from the Rasmussen Reports.

It is interesting to me that there are people in the media who are still claiming that Americans "overwhelmingly" support the healthcare package.

30% Strongly Approve of the president.
38% Stongly Dissapprove of the president.

44% trust Republicans more than Democrats on Healthcare.
41% trust Democrats more than Republicans on Healthcare.

26% of voters strongly favor the proposed healthcare plan.
44% of voters strongly oppose of the proposed healthcare plan.

49% believe the protesters at the congressional town hall meetings genuinely express the views of their neighbors.

37% believe the protesters at the congressional town hall meetings have been put up to it by special interest groups and lobbyists.

Definitions

2009-08-13T15:28:00.001-04:00

There has been a lot of talk lately about socialism. The right is crying socialism the left is screaming that the right does not know the definition of socialism.
Reading all of the definition it seems pretty clear that the new health plan is clearly socialism.

Main Entry: so•cial•ism
Pronunciation: \ˈsō-shə-ˌli-zəm\
Function: noun
Date: 1837

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

“Grass Roots”

2009-08-13T09:16:00.000-04:00

Who in the crap cares?

I have in the past few days heard and read more arguments about Tea Party’s being or not being grass roots than I have heard about the foundation for which it was formed.

I don’t care if Sarah Palin herself formed the Tea Party movement. I believe in:

Fiscal responsibility
Limited government
Free markets

The left is boggled how quickly the movement took off and how may people are share the core values.

“Change” was top down. Why is that not mocked?

Pay Me

2009-08-07T11:06:00.001-04:00

There has been a lot of talk about the Tea Party movement and how it is backed by huge sums of money and that the participants are all paid.

I will be the first to say that it is backed by huge sums of money… private money of average citizens banning together. Citizens who take PTO to come out to a rally to know first hand that there are people who agree with them. Citizens who own small businesses who know what it is like to do without when times are bad and who put money away when times are good. Citizens who don’t use family values as a dirty word and believe in hard work, loyalty and family.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the “leaders” of our country discredit those who succeed and dress well and accuse average citizens of being a “mob”.

As far as I know no one is being paid to attend a rally or town hall meeting. But if they are I hope they contact me – I am there anyway.

Pet Peeves

2009-08-06T16:22:00.001-04:00

Using Wikipedia as a reference source of fact. There is no accountability for the information written and it is ever changing.

Using the words: everyone, no one, always and never.

The Blame game. Something that happened before I was born or on the other side of the world is something out of my control (out of anyone’s control).

People who pass themselves off as experts – when they did nothing but read a book. (Often a book written by someone claiming to be an expert because they read a book….)

Eli and Abby

2009-08-06T15:10:00.000-04:00

Destin

2009-08-05T15:09:00.001-04:00

Farm

2009-07-30T16:42:00.002-04:00

The Pre-Breakup

2009-07-28T15:55:00.000-04:00

I have been pretty busy lately with projects and have several finished. My blog has gotten pretty political in the past year so I am thinking of splitting it in two separate blogs, one for personal posts and projects and the other for my political ramblings. It feels odd to me to post about a knitting project that I just finished right after a rant about the state of our ever declining country, so I end up not posting at all.

More to come.

The metro starts July 30th!

2009-07-13T16:44:00.003-04:00

Start the clock.

It's my favorite two weeks of the summer.

Cincinnati Enquire Readers

2009-07-07T11:26:00.000-04:00

I read the Cincinnati Enquire online about 3-4 times a week. I enjoy reading a hard copy version much better but the time convenience of online much outweighs the paper version at this point in my life.

On the whole I think that The Enquire does a pretty good job. Whenever I travel I make a point to pick up the local paper to compare their local concerns to Cincinnati.

On occasion, I write in and give my opinion on a topic of interest. Lately I have been using the comment section to voice my opinion on an article or a particular comment from another reader.

My conclusion is that the majority of the people who use the comment sections are morons. I don't make that comment lightly. I believe the great majority are morons.

People are constantly off topic, misquoting, misunderstanding law, misusing grammar and in general just plain stupid. So I have made the decision to continue to read but to no longer comment, it's just not worth the frustration.

Thoughts

2009-06-11T16:01:00.001-04:00

I have been writing this post in my head for over a week, turning it over and over in my mind and just need to get it all out now.

I follow several liberal blogs. I think it’s important to know what people are thinking who have different viewpoints. I don’t think a good counter argument can be made against anything that does not thoughtfully contemplate the other viewpoint.

In following these mostly local blogs and sites I am horrified at what has become acceptable speech and points of view. When in American History has is been acceptable to openly embrace socialism, communism and a contempt for the nuclear family.

General observations about Liberal Cincinnati
1. Liberals only want people who live in city limits to call themselves Cincinnatians.
2. If you live outside of city limits you must be racist.
3. Anyone who is in college has a brilliant mind.
4. Anyone making over $40,000 a year is selfish and corrupt.
5. No one is as educated on a subject as the writer of the article.
6. Wikipedia is an acceptable reference source.
7. When in a debate name calling, (like teabaggers”) mocking, threats and getting off topic are considered a win.
8. Threats of violence are a useful tactic.
9. A big “heart” is more impressive than hard work.
10. A person is of no value if they came from a two parent family.

When engaging in debate I have learned:
1. Realize that whatever you say - you will be called a liar or stupit or both.
2. You will be “cyber stalked”.
3. The more common sense and fact that is used the more disgusting the language will become.
4. The phrase where were you the last 8 years will come up at least once in every debate.

To have “credibility” from a Liberal viewpoint you must be or do one or more of the following:
1. Come from a broken home.
2. Be on government assistance.
3. Live in section 8 housing.
4. Live in Cincinnati limits.
5. Be gay.
6. Be of some minority.
7. Despise humanity.
8. Smoke pot.

Apparently I have no credibility.

To be quite frank, it is infuriating to even read some of the posts. The absolute hatred and bile spilled towards anything conservative is appalling.

I am sick of being accused of racism and elitism. I do not support the president that does not make me a racist. I work hard for my money and don’t want it to go to things that I do not support, that does not make me an elitist.

Control your government, or it will control you!

2009-06-11T14:00:00.002-04:00

Here is a fantastic article written by Henry Lamb. He is an inspiring writer.

Control your government, or it will control you!
By Henry Lamb

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

2009-06-10T09:13:00.000-04:00

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA
By Lou Pritchett

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.

Mr. Pritchett confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter." “I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the ‘experts’ has had over 500,000 hits.

Changing Definitions

2009-05-22T15:21:00.002-04:00

Main Entry: mar·riage
Pronunciation: \mer-ij, ma-rij\
Function: noun Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry Date: 14th century 1 a (1): the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage b: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock c: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected ; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities3: an intimate or close union

How very 1984.

Humanist Manifesto II

2009-05-05T10:37:00.003-04:00

Taken directly from the American Humanist Organization Website.

Religion

FIRST: In the best sense, religion may inspire dedication to the highest ethical ideals. The cultivation of moral devotion and creative imagination is an expression of genuine "spiritual" experience and aspiration.

We believe, however, that traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual, or creed above human needs and experience do a disservice to the human species. Any account of nature should pass the tests of scientific evidence; in our judgment, the dogmas and myths of traditional religions do not do so. Even at this late date in human history, certain elementary facts based upon the critical use of scientific reason have to be restated. We find insufficient evidence for belief in the existence of a supernatural; it is either meaningless or irrelevant to the question of survival and fulfillment of the human race. As nontheists, we begin with humans not God, nature not deity. Nature may indeed be broader and deeper than we now know; any new discoveries, however, will but enlarge our knowledge of the natural.

Some humanists believe we should reinterpret traditional religions and reinvest them with meanings appropriate to the current situation. Such redefinitions, however, often perpetuate old dependencies and escapisms; they easily become obscurantist, impeding the free use of the intellect. We need, instead, radically new human purposes and goals.

We appreciate the need to preserve the best ethical teachings in the religious traditions of humankind, many of which we share in common. But we reject those features of traditional religious morality that deny humans a full appreciation of their own potentialities and responsibilities. Traditional religions often offer solace to humans, but, as often, they inhibit humans from helping themselves or experiencing their full potentialities. Such institutions, creeds, and rituals often impede the will to serve others. Too often traditional faiths encourage dependence rather than independence, obedience rather than affirmation, fear rather than courage. More recently they have generated concerned social action, with many signs of relevance appearing in the wake of the "God Is Dead" theologies. But we can discover no divine purpose or providence for the human species. While there is much that we do not know, humans are responsible for what we are or will become. No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.

SECOND: Promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful. They distract humans from present concerns, from self-actualization, and from rectifying social injustices. Modern science discredits such historic concepts as the "ghost in the machine" and the "separable soul." Rather, science affirms that the human species is an emergence from natural evolutionary forces. As far as we know, the total personality is a function of the biological organism transacting in a social and cultural context. There is no credible evidence that life survives the death of the body. We continue to exist in our progeny and in the way that our lives have influenced others in our culture.

Traditional religions are surely not the only obstacles to human progress. Other ideologies also impede human advance. Some forms of political doctrine, for instance, function religiously, reflecting the worst features of orthodoxy and authoritarianism, especially when they sacrifice individuals on the altar of Utopian promises. Purely economic and political viewpoints, whether capitalist or communist, often function as religious and ideological dogma. Although humans undoubtedly need economic and political goals, they also need creative values by which to live.

Ethics

THIRD: We affirm that moral values derive their source from human experience. Ethics is autonomous and situational needing no theological or ideological sanction. Ethics stems from human need and interest. To deny this distorts the whole basis of life. Human life has meaning because we create and develop our futures. Happiness and the creative realization of human needs and desires, individually and in shared enjoyment, are continuous themes of humanism. We strive for the good life, here and now. The goal is to pursue life's enrichment despite debasing forces of vulgarization, commercialization, and dehumanization.

FOURTH: Reason and intelligence are the most effective instruments that humankind possesses. There is no substitute: neither faith nor passion suffices in itself. The controlled use of scientific methods, which have transformed the natural and social sciences since the Renaissance, must be extended further in the solution of human problems. But reason must be tempered by humility, since no group has a monopoly of wisdom or virtue. Nor is there any guarantee that all problems can be solved or all questions answered. Yet critical intelligence, infused by a sense of human caring, is the best method that humanity has for resolving problems. Reason should be balanced with compassion and empathy and the whole person fulfilled. Thus, we are not advocating the use of scientific intelligence independent of or in opposition to emotion, for we believe in the cultivation of feeling and love. As science pushes back the boundary of the known, humankind's sense of wonder is continually renewed, and art, poetry, and music find their places, along with religion and ethics.

The Individual

FIFTH: The preciousness and dignity of the individual person is a central humanist value. Individuals should be encouraged to realize their own creative talents and desires. We reject all religious, ideological, or moral codes that denigrate the individual, suppress freedom, dull intellect, dehumanize personality. We believe in maximum individual autonomy consonant with social responsibility. Although science can account for the causes of behavior, the possibilities of individual freedom of choice exist in human life and should be increased.

SIXTH: In the area of sexuality, we believe that intolerant attitudes, often cultivated by orthodox religions and puritanical cultures, unduly repress sexual conduct. The right to birth control, abortion, and divorce should be recognized. While we do not approve of exploitive, denigrating forms of sexual expression, neither do we wish to prohibit, by law or social sanction, sexual behavior between consenting adults. The many varieties of sexual exploration should not in themselves be considered "evil." Without countenancing mindless permissiveness or unbridled promiscuity, a civilized society should be a tolerant one. Short of harming others or compelling them to do likewise, individuals should be permitted to express their sexual proclivities and pursue their lifestyles as they desire. We wish to cultivate the development of a responsible attitude toward sexuality, in which humans are not exploited as sexual objects, and in which intimacy, sensitivity, respect, and honesty in interpersonal relations are encouraged. Moral education for children and adults is an important way of developing awareness and sexual maturity.

Democratic Society

SEVENTH: To enhance freedom and dignity the individual must experience a full range of civil liberties in all societies. This includes freedom of speech and the press, political democracy, the legal right of opposition to governmental policies, fair judicial process, religious liberty, freedom of association, and artistic, scientific, and cultural freedom. It also includes a recognition of an individual's right to die with dignity, euthanasia, and the right to suicide. We oppose the increasing invasion of privacy, by whatever means, in both totalitarian and democratic societies. We would safeguard, extend, and implement the principles of human freedom evolved from the Magna Carta to the Bill of Rights, the Rights of Man, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

EIGHTH: We are committed to an open and democratic society. We must extend participatory democracy in its true sense to the economy, the school, the family, the workplace, and voluntary associations. Decision-making must be decentralized to include widespread involvement of people at all levels - social, political, and economic. All persons should have a voice in developing the values and goals that determine their lives. Institutions should be responsive to expressed desires and needs. The conditions of work, education, devotion, and play should be humanized. Alienating forces should be modified or eradicated and bureaucratic structures should be held to a minimum. People are more important than decalogues, rules, proscriptions, or regulations.

NINTH: The separation of church and state and the separation of ideology and state are imperatives. The state should encourage maximum freedom for different moral, political, religious, and social values in society. It should not favor any particular religious bodies through the use of public monies, nor espouse a single ideology and function thereby as an instrument of propaganda or oppression, particularly against dissenters.

TENTH: Humane societies should evaluate economic systems not by rhetoric or ideology, but by whether or not they increase economic well-being for all individuals and groups, minimize poverty and hardship, increase the sum of human satisfaction, and enhance the quality of life. Hence the door is open to alternative economic systems. We need to democratize the economy and judge it by its responsiveness to human needs, testing results in terms of the common good.

ELEVENTH: The principle of moral equality must be furthered through elimination of all discrimination based upon race, religion, sex, age, or national origin. This means equality of opportunity and recognition of talent and merit. Individuals should be encouraged to contribute to their own betterment. If unable, then society should provide means to satisfy their basic economic, health, and cultural needs, including, wherever resources make possible, a minimum guaranteed annual income. We are concerned for the welfare of the aged, the infirm, the disadvantaged, and also for the outcasts - the mentally retarded, abandoned, or abused children, the handicapped, prisoners, and addicts - for all who are neglected or ignored by society. Practicing humanists should make it their vocation to humanize personal relations.

We believe in the right to universal education. Everyone has a right to the cultural opportunity to fulfill his or her unique capacities and talents. The schools should foster satisfying and productive living. They should be open at all levels to any and all; the achievement of excellence should be encouraged. Innovative and experimental forms of education are to be welcomed. The energy and idealism of the young deserve to be appreciated and channeled to constructive purposes.

We deplore racial, religious, ethnic, or class antagonisms. Although we believe in cultural diversity and encourage racial and ethnic pride, we reject separations which promote alienation and set people and groups against each other; we envision an integrated community where people have a maximum opportunity for free and voluntary association.
We are critical of sexism or sexual chauvinism - male or female. We believe in equal rights for both women and men to fulfill their unique careers and potentialities as they see fit, free of invidious discrimination.

World Community

TWELFTH: We deplore the division of humankind on nationalistic grounds. We have reached a turning point in human history where the best option is to transcend the limits of national sovereignty and to move toward the building of a world community in which all sectors of the human family can participate. Thus we look to the development of a system of world law and a world order based upon transnational federal government. This would appreciate cultural pluralism and diversity. It would not exclude pride in national origins and accomplishments nor the handling of regional problems on a regional basis. Human progress, however, can no longer be achieved by focusing on one section of the world, Western or Eastern, developed or underdeveloped. For the first time in human history, no part of humankind can be isolated from any other. Each person's future is in some way linked to all. We thus reaffirm a commitment to the building of world community, at the same time recognizing that this commits us to some hard choices.

THIRTEENTH: This world community must renounce the resort to violence and force as a method of solving international disputes. We believe in the peaceful adjudication of differences by international courts and by the development of the arts of negotiation and compromise. War is obsolete. So is the use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. It is a planetary imperative to reduce the level of military expenditures and turn these savings to peaceful and people-oriented uses.

FOURTEENTH: The world community must engage in cooperative planning concerning the use of rapidly depleting resources. The planet earth must be considered a single ecosystem. Ecological damage, resource depletion, and excessive population growth must be checked by international concord. The cultivation and conservation of nature is a moral value; we should perceive ourselves as integral to the sources of our being in nature. We must free our world from needless pollution and waste, responsibly guarding and creating wealth, both natural and human. Exploitation of natural resources, uncurbed by social conscience, must end.

FIFTEENTH: The problems of economic growth and development can no longer be resolved by one nation alone; they are worldwide in scope. It is the moral obligation of the developed nations to provide - through an international authority that safeguards human rights - massive technical, agricultural, medical, and economic assistance, including birth control techniques, to the developing portions of the globe. World poverty must cease. Hence extreme disproportions in wealth, income, and economic growth should be reduced on a worldwide basis.

SIXTEENTH: Technology is a vital key to human progress and development. We deplore any neo-romantic efforts to condemn indiscriminately all technology and science or to counsel retreat from its further extension and use for the good of humankind. We would resist any moves to censor basic scientific research on moral, political, or social grounds. Technology must, however, be carefully judged by the consequences of its use; harmful and destructive changes should be avoided. We are particularly disturbed when technology and bureaucracy control, manipulate, or modify human beings without their consent. Technological feasibility does not imply social or cultural desirability.

SEVENTEENTH: We must expand communication and transportation across frontiers. Travel restrictions must cease. The world must be open to diverse political, ideological, and moral viewpoints and evolve a worldwide system of television and radio for information and education. We thus call for full international cooperation in culture, science, the arts, and technology across ideological borders. We must learn to live openly together or we shall perish together.

Humanity As a Whole

IN CLOSING: The world cannot wait for a reconciliation of competing political or economic systems to solve its problems. These are the times for men and women of goodwill to further the building of a peaceful and prosperous world. We urge that parochial loyalties and inflexible moral and religious ideologies be transcended. We urge recognition of the common humanity of all people. We further urge the use of reason and compassion to produce the kind of world we want - a world in which peace, prosperity, freedom, and happiness are widely shared. Let us not abandon that vision in despair or cowardice. We are responsible for what we are or will be. Let us work together for a humane world by means commensurate with humane ends. Destructive ideological differences among communism, capitalism, socialism, conservatism, liberalism, and radicalism should be overcome. Let us call for an end to terror and hatred. We will survive and prosper only in a world of shared humane values. We can initiate new directions for humankind; ancient rivalries can be superseded by broad-based cooperative efforts. The commitment to tolerance, understanding, and peaceful negotiation does not necessitate acquiescence to the status quo nor the damming up of dynamic and revolutionary forces. The true revolution is occurring and can continue in countless nonviolent adjustments. But this entails the willingness to step forward onto new and expanding plateaus. At the present juncture of history, commitment to all humankind is the highest commitment of which we are capable; it transcends the narrow allegiances of church, state, party, class, or race in moving toward a wider vision of human potentiality. What more daring a goal for humankind than for each person to become, in ideal as well as practice, a citizen of a world community. It is a classical vision; we can now give it new vitality. Humanism thus interpreted is a moral force that has time on its side. We believe that humankind has the potential, intelligence, goodwill, and cooperative skill to implement this commitment in the decades ahead.

Humanism

2009-05-01T10:53:00.001-04:00

I was in a discussion with a fellow believer a few days ago and the subject turned to Humanism.

This person was under the assumption that Humanists are an okay peace loving, non-issue kind of a group. The assumption was that their basic premise is to take care of people without bringing religion into the mix.

I submit to you that after reading the Humanist Manifesto I (II and III to follow) are one of if not the most dangerous group to both our civil and religious liberties.

For a group that is anti-religion they sure have a lot of references to denying the existence of God the creator. They sure spend a lot of time, money and media attention on making Christians appear ignorant and unstable.

Humanist Groups spend a great deal of resources in education and re-education of young people much like the Communist Groups.

We as conservatives have spent too much time screaming into the wind at the left and have left our youth to "figure things out" for themselves or to believe blindly "because I said so". While it is crucial for each individual to come to their own beliefs out of true education and not blind belief, we have stopped preaching against the dangers of specific traps. We are not arming the youth of today with any ammunition of substance. We are waiting until it is too late. Children are being indoctrinated as soon as they are old enough to watch cartoons with reasonable arguments (to a child with no basis for understanding truth).

Are we not arming our children with substance because we have none ourselves? Do we believe because we were raised to believe? If that is the case - we have already lost. It is imperative that we are able to defend our beliefs in a rational, scientific methodical way and then teach our children to do the same. If you believe that it can not be done- you have bought the Humanism lie.

Humanist Manifesto I

2009-05-01T10:22:00.002-04:00

The points of the Humanist Manifesto I.

FIRST: Religious humanists regard the universe as self-existing and not created.

SECOND: Humanism believes that man is a part of nature and that he has emerged as a result of a continuous process.

THIRD: Holding an organic view of life, humanists find that the traditional dualism of mind and body must be rejected.

FOURTH: Humanism recognizes that man's religious culture and civilization, as clearly depicted by anthropology and history, are the product of a gradual development due to his interaction with his natural environment and with his social heritage. The individual born into a particular culture is largely molded by that culture.

FIFTH: Humanism asserts that the nature of the universe depicted by modern science makes unacceptable any supernatural or cosmic guarantees of human values. Obviously humanism does not deny the possibility of realities as yet undiscovered, but it does insist that the way to determine the existence and value of any and all realities is by means of intelligent inquiry and by the assessment of their relations to human needs. Religion must formulate its hopes and plans in the light of the scientific spirit and method.

SIXTH: We are convinced that the time has passed for theism, deism, modernism, and the several varieties of "new thought".

SEVENTH: Religion consists of those actions, purposes, and experiences which are humanly significant. Nothing human is alien to the religious. It includes labor, art, science, philosophy, love, friendship, recreation--all that is in its degree expressive of intelligently satisfying human living. The distinction between the sacred and the secular can no longer be maintained.

EIGHTH: Religious Humanism considers the complete realization of human personality to be the end of man's life and seeks its development and fulfillment in the here and now. This is the explanation of the humanist's social passion.

NINTH: In the place of the old attitudes involved in worship and prayer the humanist finds his religious emotions expressed in a heightened sense of personal life and in a cooperative effort to promote social well-being.

TENTH: It follows that there will be no uniquely religious emotions and attitudes of the kind hitherto associated with belief in the supernatural.

ELEVENTH: Man will learn to face the crises of life in terms of his knowledge of their naturalness and probability. Reasonable and manly attitudes will be fostered by education and supported by custom. We assume that humanism will take the path of social and mental hygiene and discourage sentimental and unreal hopes and wishful thinking.

TWELFTH: Believing that religion must work increasingly for joy in living, religious humanists aim to foster the creative in man and to encourage achievements that add to the satisfactions of life.

THIRTEENTH: Religious humanism maintains that all associations and institutions exist for the fulfillment of human life. The intelligent evaluation, transformation, control, and direction of such associations and institutions with a view to the enhancement of human life is the purpose and program of humanism. Certainly religious institutions, their ritualistic forms, ecclesiastical methods, and communal activities must be reconstituted as rapidly as experience allows, in order to function effectively in the modern world.

FOURTEENTH: The humanists are firmly convinced that existing acquisitive and profit-motivated society has shown itself to be inadequate and that a radical change in methods, controls, and motives must be instituted. A socialized and cooperative economic order must be established to the end that the equitable distribution of the means of life be possible. The goal of humanism is a free and universal society in which people voluntarily and intelligently cooperate for the common good. Humanists demand a shared life in a shared world.

FIFTEENTH AND LAST: We assert that humanism will: (a) affirm life rather than deny it; (b) seek to elicit the possibilities of life, not flee from them; and (c) endeavor to establish the conditions of a satisfactory life for all, not merely for the few. By this positive morale and intention humanism will be guided, and from this perspective and alignment the techniques and efforts of humanism will flow.

Taken directly from the American Humanist Association website.

Free Speech takes a hit.... again

2009-04-30T10:59:00.003-04:00

'Hate crimes' bill likely to pass House, thanks to Dems.

Chad Groening - OneNewsNow - 4/29/2009 6:00:00 AM (see link above)

A Republican Congressman who attempted to derail the controversial "hate crimes" bill with numerous amendments says, in the end, the Democrats simply had the votes to ram it through the Judiciary Committee.

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would add gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes law. Proponents of the bill claim that Christians and others who speak out publicly against homosexuality are not threatened with the same type of prosecution that criminals would face for committing acts of violence against homosexuals and transgendered individuals.

But Judiciary Committee member Steve King (R-Iowa) says that is simply not true. "Don't believe what they say; read the bill. Think what happens. What's their agenda? Their agenda is to shut down preaching of faith from the pulpit," he contends. "Their agenda is to force public approval of the homosexual agenda. And destroying marriage nationally is the follow-up piece of this."

King explains that one of the amendments he introduced would have barred pedophiles from special protection under the hate crimes statute. He finds it unbelievable that Democrats threw out that amendment.

"I just think that tells you that this breaks down the logical approach to law," King adds. "If we move away from punishing overt acts to punishing thoughts -- which is what this legislation does -- heaven help us [because] we've crossed a line from which it will be awfully hard to ever get back again." If the bill passes the full House this week, King believes it will have a chilling effect on free-speech rights. He says the bill could be approved by the House as early as today and fears the Democrats have the votes to accomplish it.

Posts

2009-04-21T15:26:00.001-04:00

I have contemplated for a few days about the way to proceed with my blog. I have received many nasty, obscene and threatening comments and emails due to my most recent posts.

My conclusion is that I must be hitting a nerve.

I have changed my settings so that now I have to approve all comments. I did this mostly so that others would not have to read the nasty thoughts of some truly twisted people and also because individuals such as these just post to get attention. I promise that I will post all comments editing only the explicative. I do not speak or write that way and it has no place on my blog.

Real Radicals

2009-04-17T16:39:00.003-04:00

Chew on this over the weekend.

Saul D. Alinsky (1909-1972) - Father of Modern American Radicalism
"Rules for Radicals"

1. Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.
2. Never go outside the experience of your people. It may result in confusion, fear and retreat.
3. Wherever possible go outside the experience of the enemy. Here you want to cause confusion, fear and retreat.
4. Make the enemy live up to his/her own book of rules.
5. Ridicule is man's most potent weapon.
6. A good tactic is one that your people enjoy.
7. A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.
8. Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.
9. The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.
10. The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.
11. If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside.
12. The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.
13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it and polarize it.

Philosophy followers: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton

Tea Party

2009-04-16T16:53:00.000-04:00

I have not replaced my camera batteries yet, so I have no pictures to share from yesterday’s rally.

It was a great turn out of all backgrounds. There were a few people who came pushing a few agendas that were off topic but with the size of the crowd I thought people did a great job of staying focused.

I have read some other bloggers who did not have a great experience and I was a bit disheartened.

While I love the passion that was displayed, we need to remember that we are representing a larger cause. We don’t need to give anyone cause to discredit the movement. People will find reason to mock - no matter how well presented the simple message. Fiscal Responsibility, Smaller Government (and I will take it one step further – return to LOCAL GOVERNMENT POWER) and Free Markets.

I have noticed that the 2 main arguments that the Left regurgitates over and over is that “we” are just upset that “we” lost the election and that out of control spending has been going on since Bush.

I have to say to the first, we all lost the last election. We all lose when one party has the majority – NO MATTER WHAT. Yes, I would say that if republicans were in power as well. Since coming of the voting age I have never been able to vote on a candidate that I believe in. I have always had to choose of the lesser of the two evils. It was no different for me in the election.

If anyone paid any attention Bush’s approval rating it took a nose dive after his second term. Yes, government spending has been out of control for years – and this administration has NO plans to correct it. In fact the spending is snowballing.

What I don’t understand is why people are upset that average Americans – moms, high school kids, small business owners - are getting involved. YES, we showed up late!! YES, we should have been acting sooner – or we would not be in this mess.

My plea to all of us “radicals” is that now we are here – now that we are using our voice, make the message clear and respectful so that people will listen. Don’t engage people who are shouting - they are not listening any way. Give others respect. We will not always get it back - but we will never get it if we do not give it.

Stuff I Read

2009-04-07T16:40:00.001-04:00

I have updated my "Stuff I Read" section. Please take a look.

Communist Manifesto

2009-04-07T11:51:00.001-04:00

Published originally in 1848, the Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels as a “coming out document” to outline the communist beliefs.

I have read the Manifesto several times, the first being a senior in high school. At that time I had only a small amount of appreciation for the significance of the document. Upon reading it most recently I can not seem to get it out of my mind. Specifically the section outlining the agenda to spread communism not by means of force but by means of political inroads.

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax.

3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance.

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.

5. Centralization of credit in the banks of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the state; the bringing into cultivation of waste lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal obligation of all to work. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of all the distinction between town and country by a more equable distribution of the populace over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labor in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production, etc.

Does this look familiar?

Are you awake yet?

Job Description - President of the United States

2009-03-31T10:21:00.000-04:00

Requirements: Willing to travel (to be a late night talk show guest). Make big decisions (who to put in the final four). Must be creative (spend trillions of dollars that don’t exist) and most important expand your role (fire CEO’s of major corporations).

Education and Experience: Must have affiliations with a diverse group of organizations and people (Jeremiah A. Wright, ACORN, Tony Rezko, Rashid Khalidi, Bill Ayers, Frank Davis, Louis Farrakhan, Raila Ordinga, Daniel Ortega, Raul Castro, Socialist Party USA, Communist Party Illinois, The New Black Panther Party, Hamas Terrorist Organization).

Cape "tea party" canceled; City fears too many attendees

2009-03-31T09:42:00.002-04:00

Cape "tea party" canceled; City fears too many attendees

By WINK News
Story Created: Mar 27, 2009 at 6:10 PM EDT
Story Updated: Mar 29, 2009 at 8:24 AM EDT

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A tea party to protest government spending and taxing is canceled. Canceled by the government.Why? They feel too many people could show-up. Lynn Rosko planned to hold a tax payer tea party at Jaycee Park in Cape Coral on April 1st. The idea was announced at a Cape Coral City Council meeting, then an e-mail blast by the Republican Party and it was mentioned in the local media. With all of that attention, the City of Cape Coral felt there could be more than 500 people attending the tea party. Therefore Rosko needed to get a permit and insurance for the event. Rosko says she's not willing to get insurance and accept liability for something that a stranger could do.

Rosko told WINK News, "I have rescinded any organizing or supervision or what ever you want to call it over this tea party on April 1st."WINK News spoke to the director of parks for Cape Coral. He says that even now if Rosko is willing to get insurance for the event he'll likely re-authorize it. For now Rosko's event is canceled, she's encouraging people to attend the April 15th Tax Payer Tea Party in Centennial Park in Fort Myers.

--------------

It's my guess that the ACLU is not going to show up to defend this group.

Invitation

2009-03-30T16:24:00.002-04:00

What ………............................................................... Tea Party
When ……………........................................................ April 15th, 2009
Where……………........................................................ Fountain Square
Time …………………...................................................... 11:30AM
Additional instructions ………….............................. Bring a sign

AMENDMENT 10

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

This is not about being a Republican or a Democrat. This is about being an American. This is a key issue that spurred the original colonist to leave Europe. Let's not give away so easily what they worked so hard to establish.

Stem-Cell Research

2009-03-10T13:18:00.003-04:00

I don't think you will find a better article on the stem-cell controversy than this one.

Winning Smugly You just won the stem-cell war. Don't lose your soul.
By William Saletan
Posted Monday, March 9, 2009, at 4:42 PM ET

Turkey Polpettone

2009-02-23T11:15:00.002-05:00

I made the Turkey Polpettone and Radicchio Salad on Friday night for dinner. The turkey was great! I will definitely be making that again, as a bonus it was reasonably low fat and low cal. The Radicchio Salad was not good. The dressing tasted like nothing. It was very pretty on the plate but totally useless.

Turkey Polpettone

Patties
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 tbs thinly sliced green onions
1 egg yolk
2 tsp fresh chopped sage leaves
1 1/2 grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp sea salt
ground pepper
2 oz whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 4 equal pieces

Coating
1/2 cup all- purpose flour
salt
pepper
1 cup panko crispy bread crumbs
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 350. Place turkey in large bowl. Add remaining pattie ingredients except cheese.

2. Divde into 8 even pieces. Flatten into patties, top 4 with cheese then top with the other 4 patties. Press the edges together to seal in the cheese.

3. Mix the dry coating ingredients. Dip the patties in the egg - then the dry coating ingredients. Press the dry coating into the patties.

4. Place in an oven proof skillet coated with olive oil for 1-2 min per side. All you need to do is lightly brown the outside.

5. Place in the oven to bake until the turkey is no longer pink this should take 10-15 min.

Project List for February

2009-02-20T16:54:00.001-05:00

Crocheted rug for the hall
Tiles for the table (60)
Knitted “monster” toy
More blogging
Deran’s Afgan
Lemmon Ricotta Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Frozen Margarita Pie
Bananas Foster Cheesecake
Ravioli Caprese
Beef Burgundy

Dinner tonight:

Turkey Polpettone and Radicchio Salad, Garlic Hasselback Potatoes with Herbed Sour Cream, bread of some kind and Chocolate Cake.

One size does not fit all

2009-02-12T08:44:00.001-05:00

The new bill that will sadly be passed will ensure that the economic crisis will last until at least 2011. After all that is when most of the money will be spent.

Little Orphan Annie

2009-01-22T14:07:00.003-05:00

There was a little girl

2009-01-19T14:53:00.001-05:00

My naptime stories from Granny.

There was a little girl,
Who had a little curl,
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very good indeed,
But when she was bad she was horrid.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Greg, Papaw and Pluto

2009-01-19T10:44:00.002-05:00

Farm

2009-01-15T15:51:00.000-05:00

Snapfish

2009-01-14T14:39:00.001-05:00

I am very disappointed in Snapfish. This may be just new to me because it’s been awhile since I have been to their site, but I tried to print pictures then download pictures and was unable to. It seems that once it is on their site the picture is no longer mine to use as I would like, I now have to purchase the picture. Until now I have downloaded my camera directly to their site because not only could I catalog the pictures, but then use them to blog, print for art stuff from my printer or I could purchase the prints or make online photo albums to print.

I was until today VERY happy with the service. I have spent a fair amount of money on the site and sadly sent a lot of people to them to start their own online albums. I would like to officially remove my endorsement from the site.

I recognize the need for a company to make money. I also recognize that many businesses are in a bit of a slump right now and are looking at ways to increase revenue. I suppose that my next order will temporarily help the bottom line a bit seeing as I have several hundred photos that I will order on disc so that I can use my pictures again, however it will be my last order. I will have to send my pictures else ware to be printed and I suppose other sites have photo albums that I can get my seasonal pictures printed into.

I am sure that we will be seeing other businesses change policies in a similar way. I can confidently say my response will be the same.

30 Before 30

2009-01-07T11:15:00.000-05:00

1. One new baked recipe per month
2. One new main course recipe per month
3. One new place per month
4. Two new large angel tree toppers
5. One new home project per month
6. Christmas shopping done on or before Thanksgiving weekend
7. Acquire one piece of art
8. Give something away that I love
9. Volunteer quarterly
10. Illustrate the paternal side of my family tree
11. Can a bushel of tomatoes
12. Take vitamins consistently
13. Write two letters per month
14. Write myself a letter to be opened in 2015
15. Have one patio pot of tomatoes
16. Complete three studies
17. Attend at least one seminar
18. Make a rug
19. Get my CCW
20. Learn a new skill
21. Get professionally photographed
22. Blog 4 times a month (picture posts don’t count)
23. Roller Skate down by the river
24. Finish one scrap book / altered book as a gift
25. Tell the story of someone’s life and give it to them
26. Finish tile table with Josh
27. Paint and finish the Master bathroom
28. Make and use an advent calendar of things to do each day
29. Watch a high school sporting event
30. Learn not to binge and purge when it comes to my energy level

Mac trip pictures way over due

2008-12-11T13:15:00.004-05:00

November 4, 2008

2008-11-05T08:13:00.001-05:00

So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause.

The dumbest man on the planet

2008-10-01T11:01:00.001-04:00

Did you know that the whole bail out is not about fiscal irresponsibility and risky loans? It’s all about the lack of health care in out country. Yep, you guessed it the brilliant Michael Moore is blaming it all on healthcare. Not on the fact that large loans were given to people with bad credit and/or high debt to income ratios. Not to mention the fact that hospitals not only do not turn people away for care, but they also work out payment plans on a sliding scale. This myth that if you are not insured you will die in the streets is ridiculous. I am not saying that Americans should not be insured, that would be as irresponsible as maxing out all of your credit cards and buying the most expensive house you can afford.

Example: Joe gets promoted. Joe wants a new car so he goes out and buys a brand new Ford Ranger, because the payment fits his new budget. Joe wants to own a home; he has been renting for 6 years and is ready to start investing in his own property. Joe is told he can spend between $120 and $200 thousand on his home. He chooses to spend $200 thousand on his new home after all he is still in the range that the bank told him he could spend. He needs new furniture but he is maxed out on all of his credit cards and he is unable to pay cash because the majority of his income is going to his new car and his mortgage. So he takes out a store credit card. Why not, its 0% interest for a year – and he reasons he will pay it off long before then. Summer time rolls around and he wants to have a few friends and family come over for a grill out, he spends a little more than he planned but reasons that he can just pay the minimum on the credit cards – just this month. Fast forward three months, and a few small get togethers later, two more credit cards and Joe is in way over his head financially.

If Joe would have been living within his means he would not be struggling financially. The media seems to be under the impression that only those with mortgages under $150 thousand were foreclosed upon. Million dollar homes also went into foreclosure. Buying a million dollar home is not just putting a roof over your head – it is a lifestyle.

I will close by saying that not all people can afford to buy a home. Not owning a home is a lot less embarrassing than being kicked out of your home because you could not make the payments.

Who is running for President?

2008-10-01T10:12:00.001-04:00

I find it hilarious that the media is comparing Sarah Palin and Barack Obama. Do they know that she is running for VP?

Time to buy a generator and stock up on rations

2008-09-25T09:39:00.000-04:00

Post 911 and Katrina citizens (I mean the left) are still screaming for more government involvement in disaster situations. The answer to this cry is bringing an active brigade to US soil.

On the surface this does not seem like a bad thing. Why would we not want our military on stand by to help in a crisis? Well for one thing one of the “additional duties” will be to help with civil unrest.

Did someone forget the National Guard? Don’t they respond to natural disaster and civil unrest situations?

I do tend to be a conspiracy theorist, but it is too hard to deny that with our military resources stretched as thin as they are, this plan is a bit unusual. Is it about the election, the housing crisis, the weakening of the dollar? Only time will tell.

2008 Summer Olympics

2008-08-11T16:42:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the USA men’s relay team!

MVP and Tournament Champ

2008-08-07T11:26:00.002-04:00

Bielsky? Who cares his name was in print!

2008-07-30T08:06:00.004-04:00

As posted on Cincysoftball.com.

Viox Services Ends 11 Yr Industrial Drought

Mon, 28 Jul 2008
MARK LINNEMANN

Viox Services Ends Eleven Year Drought In EMR Group-ASA Cincinnati Metro "B" Industrial; Bielsky Powers Sweep At Rumpke Park

Crosby Township, Ohio - Josh Bielski batted .750 with ten rbi's to power Viox Services to a four game sweep of the Industrial "B" Division of the EMR Group-ASA Cincinnati Metro Tournament July 18-20 at Rumpke Park.

The title ended an eleven year drought for the champions, who recorded their last title in 1997.

Viox ended the tournament with an exclamation point, overpowering runner-up CWA 4400 23-13 in six innings to complete the sweep.

"It's been a long time between tournament wins," commented veteran player-manager Mike Viox. "We have a combination of old guys who have been playing together for 30-plus years and young guys who can run and do all the things that the rest of us can no longer do. It's a good mix."

Viox credited his club's championship to being "solid at every position."

"We didn't have any questionable spots," noted Viox. "And we hit consistently. If the other team scored runs, we responded with as many or more than they did. We also played exceptional defense. We had a few throwing errors, but no more than five in our four games. We really gloved the ball well.

"We also had a good combination of pitchers in Andy Brookbank and Rick Whittle, who came in and made some key stops," remarked Viox. "If the other teams were starting to get to Andy, Rick came in and shut them down. That was especially important in the Masters RX game when Rick came in and shut them down in the 6th inning. Also in the 4th inning of the final game when he limited their run production after they had scored four runs. Rick held them to two runs the rest of the game and pretty much ended their scoring from that point on. So he was key in putting out some fires."

Josh Bielski, who paced the offense with a .750 average and ten rbi's, was named Most Valuable Player.

"He was playing with a torn tendon in his left shoulder that is going to require surgery in a couple of weeks," pointed out Viox. "But he led the team in hitting and made all the plays in the outfield and threw out some runners. He gutted his way through the whole tournament. The fact that he was injured and played through it and wanted to win, we felt like he should have been MVP."
Other hitting leaders for Viox included Eric Lucking at .714, Roy Moore at .667, Casey Callaway at .647, Mike Viox at .600 and Jack Mueller at .571.

Callaway, who also led the champions in rbi's with 13, was his club's defensive standout as well, said Viox. "He pretty much made every play at short," said Viox. "I don’t know that he made an error the whole tournament. He also turned several key double plays that shut down the opposition and shot down any kind of rally they were starting to mount."

Pitching and defense were the modus operandi as Viox knocked off Shepherd Chemical 12-3 and Duke Energy 9-6 in rounds one and two. Viox put up four in the 1st and four in the 2nd to build in 8-2 advantage, and never looked back against Shepherd. Casey Callaway had a two-run single and Josh Bielski a two-run double to account for Viox’ four runs in the 1st. Callaway also doubled in two runs in the 2nd. Viox put the game away with three in the 6th on rbi singles by Callaway and Hugh Watkins and a fielder’s choice.

Callaway collected four hits overall, Bielsky added four and Mike Viox and Jack Mueller chipped in with two apiece.

Next Viox used a five-run 5th to break open a 3-3 contest against Duke. Mike Asbach singled in the go-ahead run, and Casey Callaway followed with a two-run double and Josh Bielski a two-run single to cap off the inning. Duke answered with a three-run home run in the bottom of the 7th to close out the scoring.

Bielski banged out three more hits, and Asbach and Mike Viox each went 2-for-3 to fuel the offense.

That pitted Viox against 2007 Metro Industrial "C" champion Masters RX in the winners' bracket finals, where they took the lead for good at 7-6 on a Josh Bielski rbi single in the top of the 3rd, then broke the game open with an eight run outburst in the 4th. Casey Callaway's two-run single and a Josh Bielski two-run bomb produced half of their team's runs in the 4th. Masters RX went down swinging, as they closed the deficit to 18-13 with five in the 4th and two in the 6th. But Callaway deliverd a big two-run single in his team's three-run 7th to slam the door on Masters RX.

Bielski, Eric Lucking and Roy Moore combined for a dozen safeties, and Jack Mueller chipped in with a 3-for-4 effort.

In the finals CWA 4400 battled hard for five and a half innings until Viox exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the 6th to invoke the mercy rule. Casey Callaway launched a three-run homer to put Viox on top for good at 6-4 in the bottom of the 2nd. Viox appeared to break the game open with seven runs in the 3rd. Hugh Watkins' two-run double and an rbi double by Mike Asbach highlighted the inning. But CWA came roaring back, answering with six in the top of the 4th to cut the lead down to two at 15-13.

Unfazed, Viox erupted for eight runs in the bottom of the 6th. Jack Mueller’s two-run single was the big blow of the inning. Casey Callaway's rbi single closed out the scoring and invoked the ten-run rule.

Callaway collected five rbi's in the contest and went 4-for-5 along with Eric Lucking and Roy Moore, who drove in four runs. Mike Viox added three hits for the champions.

Viox manager Mike Viox said he was impressed with the sportsmanship that was displayed among the tournament participants.

"The teams we played were all very professional," said Viox. "We didn't have any altercations. We saw nothing but good sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Teams were very supportive. If you played a good game, they let you know it.

"We're just thrilled to win," concluded Viox. "You don't win many metro titles. Those are always fun."

EMR GROUP-ASA CINCINNATI METRO TOURN.INDUSTRIAL "B" DIVISION FINAL STANDINGS

1. Viox Services 4-0
2. CWA 4400 3-1
3. Masters RX 1-2
4. City of Norwood 2-2
5. Duke Energy 0-2
Shepherd Chemical 0-2

All in all it was a great article. They did however, miss Josh's grand slam in game 3.

Very, very silly

2008-07-25T09:33:00.000-04:00

2008-07-25T09:28:00.002-04:00

2008-07-25T09:21:00.001-04:00

Poll

2008-07-16T16:51:00.001-04:00

Glenn Beck has an interesting poll on his site right now. If George W. Bush were running right now against Obama and McCain who would you vote for?

When I took it the results were as follows:

Obama 2.1 %
McCain 18.05 %
Bush 79.85 %

Now, I know that the polls are slightly slanted, not many Obama followers are Glenn Beck listeners, but it does show that McCain has only by default the conservative vote.

The Second Amendment Stands

2008-06-26T14:33:00.002-04:00

Thanks in large part to Supreme Court Justice Scalia the 32 year old ban on guns in Washington DC has been overturned.

I find it mildly humorous that this was the image that WCPO used to illustrate the story this morning.

Castro supports Obama

2008-06-25T08:11:00.002-04:00

"the man who is doubtless, from the social and human points of view, the most progressive candidate to the U.S. presidency." Quoted in Investor's Business Daily.

Grandpa Stiner

2008-06-13T09:49:00.001-04:00

Economics 101

2008-06-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

I have written in the past about what government officials should be required to read. I would like to add to that list Economics 101. McCain and Obama both support a windfall tax on oil companies due to the profit margin.

Let us examine for a moment what happens when costs rise for a manufacture. If I am selling cookies and the price of sugar goes up, I have to charge more for my cookies in order to make the same profit. If oil companies are being taxed they are going to pass along that tax to the consumer.

Leave it to the government to create a bigger mess.

I may be in the minority but I don't fault oil companies for making a big profit. Companies in all markets charge the highest prices that the market will support. There is nothing wrong with that philosophy. In other market places a big company charges obscene amounts of money for a product or service until a new, smaller company comes in and undercuts the market. Prices go down and quality goes up. Markets are constantly balancing themselves out when left alone to do so.

In the gas wars that market balance is not possible due to the many, many environmental laws prohibiting the drilling of domestic oil.

If the candidates truly want to be part of the solution they would fight to allow Alaskan and offshore drilling. Tax incentives should be given to any domestic company willing to truly become an international player.

It is time that the United States becomes a producer again.

The government is not going to be the solution to this escalating issue. The private market holds the only solution and hope for our future economic independence from foreign oil.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdome of the Crystal Skull

2008-06-05T16:07:00.004-04:00

We went to see Kingdome of the Crystal Skull last week. I loved it but the rest of the group was not so impressed. It was a typical Indy movie - lots of action, animals and of course love. There were a few references to the first three movies and the plot alluded to some of the missing years between the first three and the newest edition. The movie left the door open for a lot of possibility.

The only thing that I did not care for was the lack of reality. I am not talking about the plot we all know that the Indy movies are full of the supernatural and exaggerated, I am referring to the fact that a good portion of the movie seems to have been filmed in front of a blue screen. We have fantastic technology - we don't have to see it in every scene to make a movie good.

On the up side Harrison Ford looks great! I loved that Indy played the part of his age. He is a little wiser a little slower and a little more grey.

It was a great movie to take kids to see. There was almost no language, no sex and there was only one scary monster like scene. I can’t wait until it is on DVD.

It's time to get serious.

2008-06-05T11:19:00.000-04:00

Now that we are a mere six months from the general election, it's time for me to stop procrastinating and start dissecting the candidates.

I have in past posts voiced my disgust for the candidates that have risen to the top. I have talked about the march to socialism and the decay of the Republican Party. I have talked about the personal relationships of the candidates.

Now it's time to look at the big picture. Who is best equipped to deal with the decisions that face a president? What are the goals of the presidency? Are those goals realistic?

A lot of people (me including) are going to be looking at which candidate is going to do the least harm in office. To those people I say - Trust the system. The president although influential still has to act in the boundaries of the office and the senate and congress still have authority.

2008-06-04T16:01:00.001-04:00

Is Hillary writing her farewell speech or is she buying super delegates at this very moment?

Ft. Lauderdale

2008-05-23T10:12:00.005-04:00

Topher and I went to Ft. Lauderdale last week for Paul and Sarah’s wedding. Here are a few shots from the week.

This is Paul and Sarah's first kiss. They were married in a beautiful park overlooking a waterway. Amazing boats passed as they took their vows.

As the wedding party took pictures I had a little adventure and explored some of the city. I came across what I can only describe as an outdoor mall. It was more of a strip of open air restaurants and bars but there were a few shops sprinkled in. Below is a picture of a bar that Christy and Pat would LOVE!

The view of the "mall".

It was a great trip but we are happy to be home.

Comfort Food.

2008-05-08T13:28:00.001-04:00

Topher and I were talking about the best food we have ever eaten. We started talking about restaurants and that quickly made its way to food in general.

My top 6 favorite meals in no particular order.

Topher’s Spanglish
Deran’s biscuits and fried eggs
Mom’s pinto beans and cornbread
Dad’s kielbasa, green beans and mashed potatoes
Christy’s hamburgers and shrimp salad
My noodle, egg and pepper bowl

All of the above people make more complicated and fancy food, but I absolutely love those dishes.

Caught

2008-05-08T10:30:00.001-04:00

Every few months there is a big story about police brutality. The media shows film footage of a struggle on the ground and a police officer hitting a guy who he is trying to get into handcuffs or into the back of a cruiser. The next scene is a woman crying on the side of the street talking about how long she has known this nice boy who was doing nothing wrong.

Nothing wrong except selling crack... which is still in his pocket... running from the police... calling him a pig and resisting arrest.

I get why the CRIMINAL is running. No one likes to get caught doing something wrong. It's not right but I at least understand the mentality. What I don't get is why there is always a neighbor who stands in the rain crying defending him.

Two brief lessons for all of you with picket signs chanting for the dismissal of the arresting officer - who is most likely home with a concussion.

Lesson number one. STOP RUNNING FROM THE POLICE.

Lesson number two. Stop defending people who are destroying your neighborhood.

Gas/Gold

2008-05-07T16:28:00.001-04:00

I just paid $3.79 a gallon for gas.

Mom and Dad's new hallway

2008-05-01T14:00:00.002-04:00

Softball

2008-04-10T16:45:00.001-04:00

It's almost time!

It's cool to be a socialist.

2008-04-08T10:38:00.000-04:00

Page 103 of the April issue of Real Simple has a quote from Oscar Wilde’s The Soul of a Man Under Socialism "When man is happy, he is in harmony with himself and his environment."

2008-04-01T08:48:00.000-04:00

Below is the About us page from Barack Hussein Obama’s Church

Trinity United Church of Christ

About Us

United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology
We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death. You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself. You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.
The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:
1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.
2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.
3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

Common Sense

2008-03-19T16:12:00.001-04:00

I feel very sorry for those being evacuated from their homes due to flooding. But it is a testament to the climate of the nation when people wait for someone to tell them to evacuate their homes… then blame the government local or federal when they are not told soon enough.

Folks if you see water rising - leave the area. Why do you need someone to tell you that it is in your best interest not to wait until you have to swim to land? This is the middle of the day … look out your window!

Perhaps Natural Selection is a valid theory.

Crying Wolf

2008-03-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

Crying Wolf

When I hear on the news that we are looking at the biggest flood in Cincinnati history I have to chuckle. What about the flood of 1937? Waters reached 80 feet, thousands died, homes were swept away and riverboats were overturned.

Between the exaggeration of the snow and the political slanting of Pat’s entire career, I don’t believe anything that comes out of Cincinnati news.

Party Lines

2008-03-13T16:17:00.000-04:00

I know that I am a little late commenting on the lack of a conservative candidate for this election but I felt the need to express my shock at the options that we are given by the front runners.

John Sidney McCain - Democrate
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton - Socialist
Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. - Socialist

This may be the first year I vote for an independent. I just can not vote for John Mc Cain even if he is the mediocre of the worst.

2007 Recipes

2008-03-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

January - Dr Seuss Cake
February - Scallops
March - Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches
April - Cherry Strudel
May - Pizza
June - Beef
July - Baked Ziti
August - Guacamole
September - Meatball Subs
October - Turkey Dinner
November - Pineapple Upside-down Cake
December - Peanut Butter/Dark Chocolate Fudge

Vegas

2008-03-06T09:49:00.003-05:00

Some long overdue Vegas pictures from December.

2007 New Places

2008-03-03T11:25:00.001-05:00

January - Essencha Tea House, Cincinnati
February - Sledding Hill, Winton Woods
March - Butler Tech, Grand room speaking engagement.
April - Keengland, KY
May - DOJO, Mason
June - Destin, FL
July - Sarah and Paul's, Chicago
August - Roller derby, Cincinnati Gardens
September - Deerfield Craft Show
October - Waynesville small shops
November - Downtown Loveland Shops
December - Coyote Ugly, Vegas

English as Ohio's official language.

2008-02-13T15:19:00.002-05:00

I think this is a very clever way to start the offence to keep the American culture alive. In no way does this bill discriminate against anyone. It does not say that another language can not be spoken. The bill simply states that English be used for official business.

The bill should be promoted as a way to cut governmental costs however; I have not heard this argument yet. Spanish is now the second most commonly spoken language in the US and it would be beneficial for us to learn that. But to what cost are we willing to go to make not learning English a possibility for citizens? The amount of taxpayer money to provide translators, print every document in other languages is staggering.

From the begging of our nation we as a people have struggled to find our way, we have struggled to be united and yet individuals at the same time. The most amazing thing about our nation is the diverse heritage that we all have. It is wonderful to celebrate that heritage, it is a terrible thing to forget where and who you come from. But why come to a new place if you don't want to join those people and that culture. On the same train of thought – why are we as Americans now trying to pattern our laws (capital punishment) and our social systems (healthcare) after countries that are failing?

One language unites people. One language for one nation.... under God. It seems that every generation must re-learn the lessons from the generations before us. For a society that is supposed to be "evolving", it seems that we keep making the same mistakes again and again.

Romney

2008-02-07T16:38:00.001-05:00

Now Romney is out. Maybe if I say that I am voting for Hillary she will drop out.

Turning 27 - Update

2008-02-04T11:33:00.000-05:00

Last year I wrote the blog below:

Turning 27
List of things to accomplish before I turn 28.

N 1. Finish Christmas early so that I have time to enjoy it.

Y 2. Cook one new recipe a month.

Y 3. Finish 2 afghans.

Y 4. Crochet 20 stars and 6 bells.

Y 5. Crochet 2 angels.

Y 6. Visit one new place a month.

N 7. Finish both scrap books and start a new one. I started a new one, I now have three unfinished.

Y 8. Begin the research on the Lawson family tree.

N 9. Throw another Christmas Cookie Exchange. I was in Vegas!

N 10. Host a fiber craft party.

Y 11. Finish the research on Barack Obama.

Y 12. Begin to research the other presidential candidate hopefuls.

N 13. Visit the farm.

Y 14. Read one book that supports and one that disputes global warming.

Y 15. Visit two new states.

Y 16. Decorate the master bathroom. Changed to Hall bathroom

Y 17. Archive the Vegas trips.

Y 18. Teach canyon a new trick.

Y 19. Start the "1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die" list by Ukaunz –– finish 20 by 2008.
1. The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver
2. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden
3. The Reader – Bernhard Schlink
4. One Hundred Years of Solitude _ Gabriel García Márquez
5. The Pilgrim’s Progress – John Bunyan
6. The Pit and the Pendulum – Edgar Allan Poe
7. The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne (again)
8. Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert
9. The Island of Dr. Moreau – H.G. Wells
10. The Jungle – Upton Sinclair
11. Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
12. Gone With the Wind – Margaret Mitchell (again)
13. The Poor Mouth – Flann O’Brien
14. Animal Farm – George Orwell
15. Nineteen Eighty_Four – George Orwell
16. Robinson Crusoe – Daniel Defoe
17. Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen
18. A Farewell to Arms – Ernest Hemingway
19. The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck
20. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

Y 20. Organize the garage. Topher took care of this one.

Y 21. Take a class or seminar.

Y 22. Learn how to make clay beads.

X 23. Visit the Zoo.

X 24. Scrap the wedding pictures. I am going to a scrap retreat in April to take care of those!

N 25. Pick up a new massage client. I massaged a few new people but they are not regulars.

N 26. Get 4 massages. I only got two.

N 27. Give myself a manicure twice a month. I was good until August, then I fell off the wagon.

Random Thought Thursday

2008-01-31T15:49:00.001-05:00

Not that I think the NAACP has done much anyway … but when they protest if they can only muster up 50 people... perhaps they should hang it up as an organization. Better yet, maybe they should pick something worth protesting.

Marx Bagels has the best tuna in the city.

A history of the English-speaking peoples since 1900 by Andrew Roberts is the best non-fiction book I have read in years.

I would love to give a reading list for all candidates running for the presidency. I would include crazy things like; the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the book of Genesis, the book of Romans, The global War on Guns: Inside the U.N.’s Plan to Destroy the Bill of Rights, Liberal Fascism, The Forgotten Man: A History of the Great Depression and last but not least a letter from me with some advice from the middle class.

I saw a guy on roller skates break dancing yesterday.

Quote

2008-01-30T09:51:00.001-05:00

The words “I am…” are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you.

- A. L. Kitselman

Turning 28

2008-01-28T11:32:00.001-05:00

Today is my birthday. For the first time in a few years I am embracing the day. I figure I only have one more before I am no longer a bright eyed 20 something and life really starts to count. I can worry about forgetting that I am getting old in a few years, for now I will blow out my candles and eat my cake with gusto.

Thanks to everyone who has made a special point to say happy birthday over the past few weeks.