One More

I didn't realize how much I admired Mr. Rogers. Here is an amazing story. Thanks Gretchen for the link.

Peace

Things to Come

From MSNBC.com I found this.

In Memory

Still thinking about how much I enjoyed Mr. Rogers. It is times like these that make me grateful. Mr. Rogers taught me how to enjoy the small things and not fear the unknown, but to go ahead and take the step to the next place. There are people who love you and care for you.

Here is a link to the 2002 Commencement speech that Mr. Rogers gave at Dartmouth. It is truly beautiful.

Thanks for being my neighbor.

I am 73% Evil Genius

Evil courses through my blood. Lies and deceit motivate my evil deeds. Crushing the weaklings and idiots that do nothing but interfere in my doings.

Take the Evil Genius Test at fuali.com

It's a beautifulday in Heaven

God Bless you Mr. Rogers. Thanks You.

A Culture

"War is the best thing for the economy." That is a quote I remember my dad saying back in 1991 when the economy was in the crapper the last time. Unfortunately then, it did not work. I believe that the current administration is hoping the quote is true this time around. I don't think so.

The last time the economy got a wartime boost was World War 2 (possibly Korea). So, what is the difference between then and now, and why won't war help the economy? I believe the answer is in two very important reasons. The first reason is a difference in the public sentiment. The second is a direct spin-off of the first; a difference in the cultures.

The public sentiment during World War 2 was totally different from what we now have. There seemed to be [from stories heard from Grandparents] an air of community. The public was inspired to work to help our society. We were coming out of the Great Depression and people felt a call to help their fellow man. Unfortunately, war was the kick in the pants they needed. Had there not been a war, I think things still would have changed for the better (who knowsÖthing could have gotten tremendous). What really happened during World War 2 was a realization that there was a necessity as a society to help each other out, and that was the way out of the depression.

So, what is different between now and then? Our culture is not one that sees the need to help each other out. For as long as I can remember, we have been a ìme society.î The one with the most toys wins has been the motto for as long as I can remember. But that is not the biggest reason that war will not help our economy. Unlike World War 2, there is not the optimism that we will be better off when it is done. In fact, most people I talk to see no plus to an upcoming war. Add to that the culture of fear now breeding; people see only what they need. Fear and selfishness are the two major obstacles to getting our country out of the economic crapper. War will not help this, changing our way of thinking will.

We need to start going back to a grass roots economy, and stop relying on what the giant corporations tell us. Yes, there is a place for the big chain store (i.e. they usually have meds that the corner store does not). But (and this is personal experience here) one can usually find everything they need at the neighborhood corner store and most of the time at a cheaper price. Not only are you putting money back into your own community you are able to keep a little more for yourself. Tax breaks and relief only help if you have money. Meaning, those with low/mid range incomes usually get back a portion of what they have put in and in the mean time have to struggle to make ends meet. Those with the money also put in, but since they have the cushion the effects are lessened. So, cutting their corporate dividend taxes does what for the single mother struggling to raise 2 kids. Do I have a pat solution right now? No, but I am working on it.

What is the point? The point is we need to get over our blindness and fear and take a good look at what needs to be done here in The United States. War with an already impoverished country will not help us: it will only help to infect the wounds we already have. By taking the time to look at our own reflection will we be able to help not only ourselves, but realize how we can help others.

Freakin, Frick a Frack

So, this weekend I saw Punsupaya play at The Metro. It was a great show. But I was kind of disturbed; you see, I had to get the tickets through Ticketmaster. I bet you can guess where this is going. The show itself cost $8 a ticket x 2 = $16 (great for a night out...3 bands and all). Service charge $3.50 per ticket x 2 = $7 (88% the cost of a 3rd ticket). So, the way it is is there is a freakin 43% service fee for the tickets. I can almost bet the service fee to The Rolling Stones is not that much. I don't get how the fee is determined.

Ticketmaster Sucks!!
Peace

New Link

I the places of interest I just added Christian Punks United

An Amazing Kid

From Gretchen's blog I linked to this kid. Zander has an amazing story, and it is still going. Please pray for him and his family during this time. Read this link first, and then continue throught the present.

Zander, Grace and Peace.

An Important Message

Thank you Sen. Byrd

Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 16:30:20 -0500
Statement

by US Senator Robert Byrd

Senate Floor Speech

We Stand Passively Mute

Wednesday 12 February 2003



"To contemplate war is to think about the most horrible of human experiences. On this February day, as this nation stands at the brink of battle, every American on some level must be contemplating the horrors of war.

Yet, this Chamber is, for the most part, silent -- ominously, dreadfully silent. There is no debate, no discussion, no attempt to lay out for the nation the pros and cons of this particular war. There is nothing.



We stand passively mute in the United States Senate, paralyzed by our own uncertainty, seemingly stunned by the sheer turmoil of events. Only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there much substantive discussion of the prudence or imprudence of engaging in this particular war.



And this is no small conflagration we contemplate. This is no simple attempt to defang a villain. No. This coming battle, if it materializes, represents a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and possibly a turning point in the recent history of the world.

This nation is about to embark upon the first test of a revolutionary doctrine applied in an extraordinary way at an unfortunate time. The doctrine of preemption -- the idea that the United States or any other nation can legitimately attack a nation that is not imminently threatening but may be threatening in the future -- is a radical new twist on the traditional idea of self defense. It appears to be in contravention of international law and the UN Charter. And it is being tested at a time of world-wide terrorism, making many countries around the globe wonder if they will soon be on our -- or some other nation's -- hit list. High level Administration figures recently refused to take nuclear weapons off of the table when discussing a possible attack against Iraq. What could be more destabilizing and unwise than this type of uncertainty, particularly in a world where globalism has tied the vital economic and security interests of many nations so closely together? There are huge cracks emerging in our time-honored alliances, and U.S. intentions are suddenly subject to damaging worldwide speculation. Anti-Americanism based on mistrust, misinformation, suspicion, and alarming rhetoric from U.S. leaders is fracturing the once solid alliance against global terrorism which existed after September 11.



Here at home, people are warned of imminent terrorist attacks with little guidance as to when or where such attacks might occur. Family members are being called to active military duty, with no idea of the duration of their stay or what horrors they may face. Communities are being left with less than adequate police and fire protection. Other essential services are also short-staffed. The mood of the nation is grim. The economy is stumbling. Fuel prices are rising and may soon spike higher.

This Administration, now in power for a little over two years, must be judged on its record. I believe that that record is dismal.

In that scant two years, this Administration has squandered a large projected surplus of some $5.6 trillion over the next decade and taken us to projected deficits as far as the eye can see. This Administration's domestic policy has put many of our states in dire financial condition, under funding scores of essential programs for our people. This Administration has fostered policies which have slowed economic growth. This Administration has ignored urgent matters such as the crisis in health care for our elderly. This Administration has been slow to provide adequate funding for homeland security. This Administration has been reluctant to better protect our long and porous borders.



In foreign policy, this Administration has failed to find Osama bin Laden. In fact, just yesterday we heard from him again marshaling his forces and urging them to kill. This Administration has split traditional alliances, possibly crippling, for all time, International order-keeping entities like the United Nations and NATO. This Administration has called into question the traditional worldwide perception of the United States as well-intentioned, peacekeeper. This Administration has turned the patient art of diplomacy into threats, labeling, and name calling of the sort that reflects quite poorly on the intelligence and sensitivity of our leaders, and which will have consequences for years to come.



Calling heads of state pygmies, labeling whole countries as evil, denigrating powerful European allies as irrelevant -- these types of crude insensitivities can do our great nation no good. We may have massive military might, but we cannot fight a global war on terrorism alone. We need the cooperation and friendship of our time-honored allies as well as the newer found friends whom we can attract with our wealth. Our awesome military machine will do us little good if we suffer another devastating attack on our homeland which severely damages our economy. Our military manpower is already stretched thin and we will need the augmenting support of those nations who can supply troop strength, not just sign letters cheering us on.

The war in Afghanistan has cost us $37 billion so far, yet there is evidence that terrorism may already be starting to regain its hold in that region. We have not found bin Laden, and unless we secure the peace in Afghanistan, the dark dens of terrorism may yet again flourish in that remote and devastated land.



Pakistan as well is at risk of destabilizing forces. This Administration has not finished the first war against terrorism and yet it is eager to embark on another conflict with perils much greater than those in Afghanistan. Is our attention span that short? Have we not learned that after winning the war one must always secure the peace?

And yet we hear little about the aftermath of war in Iraq. In the absence of plans, speculation abroad is rife. Will we seize Iraq's oil fields, becoming an occupying power which controls the price and supply of that nation's oil for the foreseeable future? To whom do we propose to hand the reigns of power after Saddam Hussein?

Will our war inflame the Muslim world resulting in devastating attacks on Israel? Will Israel retaliate with its own nuclear arsenal? Will the Jordanian and Saudi Arabian governments be toppled by radicals, bolstered by Iran which has much closer ties to terrorism than Iraq?



Could a disruption of the world's oil supply lead to a world-wide recession? Has our senselessly bellicose language and our callous disregard of the interests and opinions of other nations increased the global race to join the nuclear club and made proliferation an even more lucrative practice for nations which need the income?

In only the space of two short years this reckless and arrogant Administration has initiated policies which may reap disastrous consequences for years.

One can understand the anger and shock of any President after the savage attacks of September 11. One can appreciate the frustration of having only a shadow to chase and an amorphous, fleeting enemy on which it is nearly impossible to exact retribution.



But to turn one's frustration and anger into the kind of extremely destabilizing and dangerous foreign policy debacle that the world is currently witnessing is inexcusable from any Administration charged with the awesome power and responsibility of guiding the destiny of the greatest superpower on the planet. Frankly many of the pronouncements made by this Administration are outrageous. There is no other word.



Yet this chamber is hauntingly silent. On what is possibly the eve of horrific infliction of death and destruction on the population of the nation of Iraq -- a population, I might add, of which over 50% is under age 15 -- this chamber is silent. On what is possibly only days before we send thousands of our own citizens to face unimagined horrors of chemical and biological warfare -- this chamber is silent. On the eve of what could possibly be a vicious terrorist attack in retaliation for our attack on Iraq, it is business as usual in the United States Senate.

We are truly "sleepwalking through history." In my heart of hearts I pray that this great nation and its good and trusting citizens are not in for a rudest of awakenings.



To engage in war is always to pick a wild card. And war must always be a last resort, not a first choice. I truly must question the judgment of any President who can say that a massive unprovoked military attack on a nation which is over 50% children is "in the highest moral traditions of our country". This war is not necessary at this time. Pressure appears to be having a good result in Iraq. Our mistake was to put ourselves in a corner so quickly. Our challenge is to now find a graceful way out of a box of our own making. Perhaps there is still a way if we allow more time.

Big Black Marker...$3.60

Posterboard...$0.89

Millions Coming Together...Priceless

I pray that the leaders of the world feel and hear the spirit of peace that is making itself know.

Peace

The Axis

The Axis of Goofiness: USA, UK, Latvia?

OK

So I thought I made up the story below. Maybe I know more than I thought!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Asssociatied PressóWashington D.C. ñ In the shadow of in impending war with Iraq, and weighed down by a bleak economic forecast; the Bush administration bumps terror alert up to orange.

ìFearing that citizens of the United States were becoming complacent,î a Bush insider told this reported, ìwe thought it essential to upgrade.

ìYou see, we figured, with the economy stalled and the scepter [ed. yes he said scepter] of war we had the perfect marketing ploy. We tell the people that, ëWe have overwhelming evidence that a terrorist attack will happen, at sometime, in someplace. We feel it necessary move the terror alert to orange; due to this very specific threat.í Boo-ya!!! We single handedly can pass the bossís budget because, with us advising people to buy plastic sheets and duct tape, the economy is going to pick up. Consumer spending, baby! And thus, the tax cuts work.î

###

What ever works for you?

Once again, or should I say, still, the fire rages at Tripp's blog. The debate seems to be whether or not personal experience is important to finding salvation. (Although the blog deals with the identiy of scriptureÖthat is the way I describe it [Tripp. I agree with you assertions]).

Tripp and I seem to be getting raked over the coals, and I am not sure why. First of all, a lot of what I am reading is over my head, but I will still try to throw my 2 cents in.

I think the hang up is some confusion over what I meant in my comment (#12). What I stating was with in the frame that people in the discussion were coming from a common placeÖwe are all Christian.

I have been thinking about how to (yes this is very stream of consciousnessÖtake it or leave it that is how I work) continue with this, and I guess I need to ask a questionÖ.What happens to the tribes in the heart of Africa who have never heard the Gospel? What made the Jews the chosen? What about everyone else? I know these questions seem off topic, but I can not believe that they would be punished for not believing in Christ.

Ok I have talked in circles, and am working things out still. But I guess I donít see the hang up. My prayer is that all experience the Grace of Christ. Be it through church, community, or some way that I can not comprehend.

Obvious

If you can not tell, my html skills are nill...uggg. need to fix this

Tag Board

Hey, I put a tag board on my page. The only place I could put it with out screwing everyting up was at the bottom. I could use some help.

Peace

beYond thAt news

So, I am going to post this and knock on wood at the same time.

Last night at out fundraiser, I found out that we may have a good lead on getting a permanent space. I can't go into details, but I will say it used to be a funeral home, and before that an old Vaudville house.

Please pray that things will work out. Mike is meeting with the person on thursday.

Peace

Food for Thought

From the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs web site:

Differing visions invoked
on Religious Freedom Day

President Bush marked national Religious Freedom Day by proclaiming his vision of religious liberty from the White House. Meanwhile, from the steps of the nearby Jefferson Memorial, church-state separationists accused Bush and his ideological allies of endangering that very liberty.


Religious Freedom Day commemorates the adoption of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on Jan. 16, 1786. The statute, authored by Thomas Jefferson, later became the model for the religion clauses of the First Amendment.


ìOur Founding Fathers recognized that religious freedom is a right we must protect with great vigilance,î Bush said in a Jan. 16 statement. ìWe must continue our efforts to uphold justice and tolerance and to oppose prejudice; and we must be resolved to countering any means that infringe on religious freedom.î


But several groups that advocate separation of church and state chided Bush ó as well as congressional and judicial leaders ó for some of their recent actions. Participating in a joint Jan. 16 press conference at the Jefferson Memorial were leaders of The Interfaith Alliance, Baptist Joint Committee, American Jewish Committee, National Council of Churches and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.


Interfaith Alliance President Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister, said that Bush and other government leaders are forgetting Jeffersonís devotion to religious freedom. ìThomas Jeffersonís vision of the necessity of religious liberty is as important today as it was in 1786,î Gaddy asserted. ìBut our national memory is short and this precious principle is in trouble.î


Gaddy and some other religious leaders say that Jeffersonís idea of church-state separation is necessary to preserve the First Amendmentís stated goals. The Supreme Court has tended to agree, although recent decisions have placed that interpretation somewhat in doubt.


In a Jan. 12 speech commemorating the historic Virginia statute, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia attacked the courtís interpretation of church-state separation, claiming that the Constitutionís original meaning did not create government neutrality toward religion but government equality among all religious faiths.


Scalia said government endorsements of ìgenericî religious sentiment such as the motto ìIn God We Trustî should be perfectly allowable under the Constitution. He also asserted that if courts wanted to ban government endorsement of such generalized religious faith, they should first wait for voters to authorize such an interpretation explicitly.


Gaddy criticized that stance, asking, ìIs Justice Scalia suggesting that we put religion on the ballot of our national elections and determine by a majority vote what religious language should prevail, which name for God should be used in public ó if, indeed, any divine name at all?î


J. Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee, criticized Bushís executive order implementing parts of his ìfaith-based initiative,î which stalled in Congress last year. The initiative expands the ability of governments to give money to churches and other religious organizations to perform social services.


ìBy taking such an aggressive approach, the administration seems to be telling religious organizations to take the money now and worry about the consequences later,î Walker said. ìThis far-reaching action shows a lack of concern for constitutional safeguards that have served us well.î


Besides asserting that government funding always increases the risk of government regulation, Walker also said governments should not fund faith-intensive programs because of something that the Virginia religious-freedom law itself asserted: ìThat to compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.î


In his statement, however, Bush said the faith-based initiative would actually expand religious freedom because it ends ìdiscriminationî against heavily religious groups in distribution of government funding. ìIn America today, people of faith continue to wage a determined campaign to meet needs and fight suffering,î Bush said. ìMy administration has been working to ensure that faith-inspired organizations do not face discrimination [in receipt of government funds] simply because of their religious orientation.î


Other speakers at the press conference criticized a recently proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., that would permit government-organized prayers in public schools, as well as a bill offered by Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., that would allow churches to engage in partisan politics without losing their tax-exempt status. Jonesí Houses of Worship Political Speech Protection Act failed by a wide margin in the House last year, but he has introduced it again.


In addition to the criticisms of proposed legislation, one speaker offered an endorsement of a bill that he said would expand religious liberty. Rich Foltin, legislative director for the American Jewish Committee, urged passage of the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, co-sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and Rick Santorum, R-Pa.


ìThe Workplace Religious Freedom Act promotes a fundamental principle -- that no employee should arbitrarily be forced to choose between obedience to his or her faith and keeping a job,î Foltin said. The bill would make it easier for employees to express religious beliefs or ideas on the job in ways that do not burden their employers heavily.


ó Robert Marus
Associated Baptist Press


RFTC: January 22, 2003

free enneagram test

Tripp's response, "suprise, suprise."

Responsibility

I thought I would share just a few organizations I belong to:

Jubilee USA

Amnesty International

Greenpeace

I figured with the last post I probably put myself on some sort of watch list, so to paraphrase Huck Finn (from the musical Big River...his reasoning for stealing Jim out of Slavery), "All right, I'll go to Hell, and as long as I am goin, and goin for good, I might as well go Whole Hog!!" Makes sense to me.

Peace

Hail to the Chief
A co-worker and I have been batting these things around all day. I though I would share.

From BushCartoons.com:

"HU'S ON FIRST"
Playwright jim sherman wrote this after hearing that hu jintao was named chief of the communist party in china.

(we take you now to the oval office.)
george: condi! nice to see you. what's happening?
condi: sir, i have the report here about the new leader of china.
george: great. lay it on me.
condi: hu is the new leader of china.
george: that's what i want to know.
condi: that's what i'm telling you.
george: that's what i'm asking you. who is the new leader of china?
condi: yes.
george: i mean the fellow's name.
condi: hu.
george: the guy in china.
condi: hu.
george: the new leader of china.
condi: hu.
george: the chinaman!
condi: hu is leading china.
george: now whaddya' asking me for?
condi: i'm telling you hu is leading china.
george: well, i'm asking you. who is leading china?
condi: that's the man's name.
george: that's who's name?
condi: yes.
george: will you or will you not tell me the name of the new leader ofchina?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir? yassir arafat is in china? i thought he was in the middle east.
condi: that's correct.
george: then who is in china?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir is in china?
condi: no, sir.
george: then who is?
condi: yes, sir.
george: yassir?
condi: no, sir.
george: look, condi. i need to know the name of the new leader of china. get me the secretary general
of the u.n. on the phone.
condi: kofi?
george: no, thanks.
condi: you want kofi?
george: no.
condi: you don't want kofi.
george: no. but now that you mention it, i could use a glass of milk.and then get me the u.n.
condi: yes, sir.
george: not yassir! the guy at the u.n.
condi: kofi?
george: milk! will you please make the call?
condi: and call who?
george: who is the guy at the u.n?
condi: hu is the guy in china.
george: will you stay out of china?!
condi: yes, sir.
george: and stay out of the middle east! just get me the guy at the u.n.
condi: kofi.
george: all right! with cream and two sugars. now get on the phone.
(condi picks up the phone.)
condi: rice, here.
george: rice? good idea. and a couple of egg rolls, too

Some other sites for your edimification.

Read this First
Madness!!!
Dancing Time
Toon Time

Yes, I do poke fun of and at the President, but, eventhough I don't think I agree with him on a damn thing, I respect all he must do in that job. And I respect the Presidency.

Peace

Look Ma, I made it!!!

Well, it is here. I have stepped through the threshold. I am now, officially, in my late 20ís. I have enjoyed the ride thus far, but I there is still more to do:

Next 26 years to do list:

1. Spend more that 10 days in a foreign country
2. Jump off/out of bridge, cliff, plane
3. Paint a mural
4. Quit an office jobÖas in never have to spend more than one hour in an office at a time
5. Actually try to get writing published
6. Be in a rock band (if it doesnít leave the garage, fine)
7. Learn to fly
8. Participate in a pro-wrestling match
9. Have a family
10. Build a house
11. Make a living doing theatre

&
much much more

peace

P.S. I had to get my licence renewed yesterday...only took 25 minutes (and that is because they suprised me...I had to take the damn test...bleaugh)

17 Years and 4 Days

there is an open doorway
a place full of possibility
wonder
action
beauty

there is an open window
a place from which to watch
life
freedom
happiness

the children in the park
the parents at the beach
the friends on the couch

things that make this life worth living
enjoying

then there is the unexpected
the painful
tears
awareness
hurt

questions come
answers are far away

dreams
those which make us step foot outside
and look at the tree

curiosity
that gets us in trouble with mom and dad

hope

sometimes these things lead us
sometimes they get in the way of what is rational
but always they are there waiting wanting

a few actually keep these things close as they grow
mature
rationalize

a few dare to keep looking

and even fewer give their lives for them


May God Bless those heroes

Peace