Big Spoon

Randomness

2010-10-23T13:06:00.002-05:00

I'm into day three of migraines, which I didn't even start getting until I was in my late 40s, so I will keep this post short and sweet. But it's been too long, I had to write something.

It's a little over a week before Election Day. You will never, ever, get party politics from me. I simply do not play that game. I understand it's the way our system works, but it's become so bad, and so irrelevant to what's really important, that is has no use to me in the real world. I saw a post on Facebook recently that said, "Research, pray, vote." That sums it up for me. Please do not take television advertisements and file that under "research." It's not. It's like the horoscope in the Sunday paper, it's in there for entertainment purposes only. None of it is real. Look for candidates that give you a reason to vote "for" them, not "against" someone else. Vote for candidates that express a clear vision of what their district/state/country should look like; and what the candidate will do to move toward that goal.

Beware of candidates that have little experience working in the real world. Avoid those who speak more favorably about the government than they do about the citizens. Find out which candidates have a religious faith, and have not been shy about discussing it or proclaiming it.

More than anything, pray. Ask God for guidance, and wisdom. That's what I have been doing -- in many aspects of my life.

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I want to be king for a day, so I can make major campaign reforms across this country. Severely cut back on the time allowed to campaign for office. Make the campaign season much shorter, and make money less of a factor in who gets elected. Don't even allow a national candidate to announce their candidacy until six months before an election.

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Tony LaRussa will be back for the Cardinals. I can't say I'm surprised; I can't say I'm thrilled. He says he's going to press base-running more. He's going to take a different attitude with the media and the players. Did he see Dr. Phil after the season ended?

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Josh Hamilton is quickly becoming one of my favorite players, right up there with Albert Pujols. His story is so amazing, so powerful and so real that I start to shed a tear every time he starts talking about God. His teammates seem to be rallying around him, too. I was moved when, as he was accepting his series MVP award Friday night, he mentioned that the glory went to God and thousands of Texans applauded and cheered. He was so far down, so broken and so messed up. It proves that God is with us, all the time. All it takes is for us to move toward Him, and He will be there to pull us up out of the mud.

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Is "randomness" even a word?

Be Careful...

2010-10-07T01:34:00.001-05:00

One of my least favorite sayings in the world is: "Be careful what you wish for."

I heard it used just a couple days ago in a conversation about Tony LaRussa possibly leaving. For some reason that statement got my attention. But I regress...

I thought about that saying again Wednesday night after I saw the results of the Philadelphia/Cincinnati baseball game. I had watched the first four innings of that affair. Cincy's pitcher couldn't get ahead of any Philly hitters; meanwhile Roy Halladay was perfect through four. I had to leave, but honestly I wasn't surprised when I got home and heard the story. It was obvious that nobody was going to beat Halladay on that night. In fact, he no-hit the Reds; an amazing feat in the post-season. (But nothing compared to Don Larsen in '56.)

Umm, Cardinal fans...that could have been us.

Can you imagine our weak-hitting, inconsistent lineup going against Halladay Wednesday night? Because there is no doubt that the winner of the weak Central Division would in fact have been paired with the Phillies, the club with the best record in the National League.

Can you imagine the embarrassment of watching Halladay no-hit the Cardinals? Heck, it probably would have been a perfect game against the undisciplined Cardinal attack. Can you imagine the Cardinals wilting again -- watch what happens to Cincy -- and being swept again in the first round of the playoffs? Would that not have been more painful then spending the last week of the season without a care in the world, watching the Redbirds beat up on the hapless Rockies?

Oh, and that reminds me of something else. As much as I have hopped aboard the "Don't Come Back Tony" train, watching the Rockies during the last week helped me gain some perspective.

The Rockies, clearly a better hitting club than the Cardinals, and one of the better lineups in the National League, were clueless against our second-tier pitching. They just weren't hitting. They didn't have a great first half of the season, then got hot in August and lifted themselves into the Western Division race. But then their bats just fizzled, and they dropped like a...well, like a rock.

The same ailment affected the Cards this season. Our team should have won the division, but we were just too inconsistent. We just couldn't hit. Our bats just went cold too often. It's not that we didn't try, or that we didn't care. Don't get me wrong, some members of the Cardinals need to hustle some more, but I mean as a team, we didn't quit. It just wasn't meant to be this year. Some years it's meant to be; say, 2006? We limped into the post season with barely a winning record, but we got hot at the right time and won it all. This year wasn't meant to be. Some seasons you aren't supposed to win. Some decades you aren't supposed to win; ask the Pirates.

There is no way the Cardinals would have won the World Series, or any series, even if we had made the playoffs. Getting there is great, but how do you think Cincy fans feel this morning? How will they feel when they are bounced out on their butts by the Phillies, who I really think will win it all. We got there last year, but spent the entire winter trying to make excuses why we stunk so bad. So think about how much better we feel today, not having faced Roy Halladay last night.

I guess it's true when they say "Be careful what you wish for." Ok, I get it now. So, I guess it's goodbye, Tony.

Paul and the Galatians

2010-09-23T13:00:00.002-05:00

Strangely, just as I began researching for what I'm sure would have been an amazing post about "judging others," I began a Bible study on the book of Galatians. A short little thing, but man does it pack a punch. I have already learned it's one of Paul's strongest, most intense letters. I learned there was a lot at stake for Paul, and for future generations of Gentiles.

What's strange is how powerfully this introductory text and subsequent discussion affected me. Paul was seriously upset at the outside influences that were corrupting his teachings. Paul told the Gentiles that the way to salvation was by faith, through grace, plus... well, plus nothing! It was those outside influences, namely the Jerusalem Jews, that were suggesting to the Gentiles that although Paul was a cool dude and all, he didn't quite have all the facts. One had to become fully Jewish in order to be a part of God's family. In other words, one had to follow the dietary laws, observe the sabbath and be circumcised.

"Umm, I'm not sure if I want to be a part of that, I mean..." Can't you just hear the Gentile men talking about this? Can't you imagine them running away as fast as they can? What's also strange is how I -- and my peers -- have experienced something very much similar to this.

When I was younger, all those years ago, and was struggling to find myself and figure out the world around me, my friends and I would often discuss religion. Most of the time, of course, we were defending our decision to not attend church and stay as far away from religion as we could. Often, the conversation would center around the ideas that we honestly thought made up a religious life: i.e., the things we thought we had to do to become "Christians."

Universally, in my peer group, those things included going to church early on Sunday morning, not making mistakes, following all the rules and forcing your beliefs on others. Attending church on Sunday mornings was tough. There were Saturday nights when we didn't stop partying until most Christians were already on their way to church. Not making mistakes, we thought, was impossible. Why try? Following all the rules was boring and difficult. Not a great combination for lazy teenagers. And we knew we didn't want to hear that gospel stuff from other people, so we knew we weren't cut out to impose it on anyone else. But since I have returned to the church as an adult, I find that really none of those precepts were true at all.

One does not have to attend church on Sunday morning in order to be a Christian. One can find God while sitting at home. I certainly believe that; but I also know from experience that if one really wants to follow Jesus, you need to belong and regularly attend a church. It's hard enough to get through life as a Christian with full support. I wouldn't want to fathom trying to do it alone. In fact, I would deem that as impossible. Joining a group of followers, who can relate to you, support you and teach you, is imperative.

Christianity is not about being perfect. Jesus was about that, and thank you Jesus for coming here and finding out first hand what living on this earth is like. But no human being is capable of being mistake-free. It doesn't mean we don't strive to obey God, but the reality is none of us will ever make it. By the same token, following all the rules is not what Christianity is about, either. Is it important how we live? Yes, of course. But as many of us know, we are saved by faith, through grace -- Paul's message to the Gentiles throughout his missionary journeys. Should we do good works? Of course. Should we strive to do the right thing? Absolutely. But that's the benefit of being saved. We are free to do good works in His name. It's not a requirement, however.

And about witnessing, or spreading the word. The task of witnessing is so daunting. I have heard many Christian leaders, some of which I like very much, say things like: "When we face God he'll ask two questions. Do you know me, and who did you bring with you?"

In some ways, this rings true with every Christian, and at times haunts my being to the core. I am so worried that I can't say the right thing; or lacking in confidence because I am so unworthy, etc. We have a duty to share the Gospel with as many people as possible. We have to figure out how to do this in the course of our daily lives. But I really don't think it's about beating people over the head with the Bible. I see some who believe in standing on the street corner and directly confronting people with the Gospel. That's always been troubling to me. I admire the courage to stand out in public and preach the word, but doing so in a confrontational manner just doesn't work, at least in my world. God bless those who try. And if one person is saved in this manner, I guess it's worth it. You just wonder how many others have been chased away by these methods.

My favorite pastor always goes to John, Chapter 9. The blind man who was healed was not a mature Christian. He didn't have fancy words. He wasn't particularly smart or educated. He had few experiences to draw from. He didn't have a Bible. "All I know," he said, "is once I was blind, but now I can see." We all have our own story to tell. We don't need to fear anything. It's not important what fancy words we use, how smart we sound, or how many scriptures we can quote. What matters is it's our story, no one else's; and no one can refute that or take it away. It's still not easy, but we don't have to worry about doing it well; we just need to do it from the heart. It's still the most difficult thing to do. And not doing so is weak, and sinful, but it's also forgiven, as are all of our sins.

See, that's the part that Christians didn't make us aware of in the 60s and 70s. We didn't realize that. Or the devil hid it from us, maybe. But I don't remember anyone stressing all of the good things that accepting Christ meant. All of the cool stuff. The stuff that gives us freedom, peace of mind, direction for our lives. We didn't get that part. Somebody, like the circumcised Jews of Jerusalem, wasn't giving it to us straight. The fact is, one doesn't have to do any of those things to be a Christian. One needs to have faith in the risen Lord. We needed Paul, like the Galatians needed Paul. I can't wait to hear what Paul has to say next.

Addictions

2010-09-20T13:35:00.002-05:00

This is a re-post of an entry I posted over a year ago. I wanted to post this again to put up-front-and-center my story of addiction for any new readers of my blog. I do this to re-tell a story that is central to my being. It's a story I want to tell every teenager, every adult, every child. It's not pretty, but it has a good ending.

I decided to write about something I could really relate to this time. When it comes to being an expert on a subject, for me it’s easy: addiction.

There was a story about a man who was a long-time addict. He remembered his lowest point. He was laying in a field, too drunk to get up, and too drunk to fall asleep. He just kind of went in and out of consciousness waiting for enough liquor to pass through his system that he could get up and make his way home; or at least to a bed somewhere. He remembered a bright light shining on him. When he opened his eyes, he saw the fuzzy image of a policeman shining a flashlight at him. There was trouble on the property, and a fight had broken out. But this man was so obviously wasted the cop didn’t even consider him a threat. He left the man alone and went to check on other people on the property.

It’s pretty sad when a drunk teenager is so out of it that he can’t even cause trouble. The episode stuck with the man; and the image of the policeman is clearly visible in his memory. How worse off can you be than that, he thought. It’s a question I would ask too, especially considering that man in the story is me.

That incident happened some 30 years ago or so, but it haunts me to this day. I’m not really sure why. I should have been arrested — I was underage — but I caught a break. I guess that made up for the time when I was 14 or 15 and got arrested for trying to sell marijuana when in fact I was not trying to do that and was basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. That would probably count as another low spot in my earlier life, although I honestly cannot count that incident as the result of an addiction.

I think about the children and adolescents growing up today with so many worries that they should not have to deal with. Fortunately they are educated about the dangers of alcohol and drugs and most of them do not fall for that trap. It’s one of the Devil’s greatest tools. Yeah, I know the kids can still get into a lot of trouble, but — and this is not a challenge — they couldn’t hold a candle to us in those days. We were terrible — terrible!

I wish I could tell you that it got better right after that drinking incident but it did not. I went on to develop my drinking problem even further, and I added a couple of new addictions along the way. But something happened to me that changed my life. Over a period of 20 years, I slowly got away from these habits and found more positive things to hold on to. Getting married was a big step; for when that happens it quickly hits you that life's not just about you any more. Having a child was another big step, because it wasn't just about us any more. Taking that child to church was another huge step, because it exposed us to something we had been avoiding for years.

I can tell you that throughout those years of drugs, alcohol, trouble-making, indecent behavior — despite the fact that I tried to run away from him as fast as I could — there was someone with me through the whole journey. Because as soon as I turned to look for him, God was there.

God helped me break my addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. He did this by helping me find the church, discover the love of His people and the love of His son, Jesus Christ.

What I wish now is that I was done with all of my addictions, but I am not. There are some things that are harder to get away from than others. These addictions are powerful, and frustrating to live with. They separate me from a true relationship with God. I know He is aware of them, and He knows what needs to be done to deal with them. I know that God will one day cure me of all addictions. That will be a glorious day.
Addictions come in all forms. Who among us can say they don’t have any addictions? I hope that I can at least say I am facing my addictions, and with God’s help I am dealing with them. I know I can do better. Help us all, Lord.

NFL Quickly Becoming America's Worst League

2010-09-13T14:30:00.010-05:00

None of my friends understand why I don't watch at least two, if not three or four, football games every weekend. Here we go:

Example: Commercials. After three or four minutes of commercials, however long it is, we come back just in time to see the kickoff after the latest score. Great! What action! Next: Breaking away again for another three or four minutes of commercials. What?! Am I supposed to enjoy seeing 30 seconds of action during a 7 or 8 minute period? And college football is starting to do it too! There are way too many commercials during football games. You know what? I don't drink any more. Endless beer commercials do not amuse me. Guys getting hit in the groin do not amuse me. Although I like half-naked women, I really try not to view such things in the course of my marriage. Enough! You can show them, but I'm not going to watch. That's what the DVR is for, I guess. Or the NFL Network.

Example: Convoluted rules that don't make sense. Seriously, I've been playing football on and off, both organized and sandlot, since I was but a wee lad. Everyone, whether playing or watching, no matter their expertise, experience or intelligence, can tell the difference between a caught football or a not-caught football. We have eyes. We use them. Either the ball is caught or it is not. It should not take a rocket scientist -- nor a former director of NFL officiating -- to explain why a play was or was not a catch. The laughable comment of the day yesterday was, "according to the rule, the officials made the right call." Really? If I'm a referee then I'm resigning that day. Because if I can't officiate a normal, legitimate, reasonable game of football, then why am I out there? Change the freakin' rule. Now. Today.

Example: Challenging the play on the field. Oh my gosh, who's idea was this? "Between time outs and commercials, we're just not slowing the game down quite enough. What else can we do?" "I know, let's allow coaches to challenge the calls, then it will take at least two or three minutes to sort it all out." "Why that's brilliant!" "Thank you, sir." Honestly, this is a terrible idea and a worse precedent. If you really want to use instant replay, then make it for scores only (like the way it's used in rugby or hockey). For everything else, let the human element make the decisions (see example #2). It's the best way, tried and true. Please don't let something like this become a part of baseball. Please...

Example: Excessive celebrations. I think self-indulgent end-zone celebrations are over the top; but it's the constant celebrating after every play that really drives me crazy. You just gained a first down, that's great, but do you have to pop up and proudly signal it yourself? You tackled the guy for a loss, great, but act like you've done this before. It's like every play is the final play of the Super Bowl. Now the college kids are picking up on it and doing the same thing. Soon the high-school kids will, too. I'm all for pats on the rump and high fives, but get over yourself. You're not that great. I can say the same thing for walk-off hits in baseball, but the frequency isn't nearly as bad. Then you have the taunting, and intimidation. That stuff is ugly. And no league has players that get off on drawing attention to themselves -- on and off the field -- more than the NFL. Who wants to see all of this?

Example: Cheap shots. If I had my way, every tackle in football would have to be made between the shoulders and the hips. And you would have to use your arms to make the tackle. No more hitting the head, no more clotheslines, no more blind-side attacks, no more hitting at the knees. This is a rough sport, I get it. It's a dangerous sport, I get it. Big hits make football exciting. True, at least in part, but at the expense of the athlete's health? Big hits can still happen in a more appropriate fashion. Is someone getting hurt supposed to be entertaining? I don't want to lose my quarterback to an injury. I don't want the games biggest stars to miss games or have to retire early.

Example: Technology. The yellow line for the first down marker is not bad, I admit. But a green one for the line of scrimmage? And it's too dark most of the time, and it's distracting. Soon they'll have another line charting the progress of the ball. Enough! And don't get me started about the levitating camera just above the field getting all of those desperately needed shots from just behind the huddle. Aaargh!

Put all of these things together, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to watch an entire NFL game. It's football, and I love football, but it's the game I love, not all of this other stuff. And it's the other stuff that's grabbing more and more of the time and attention. I could tell you how this mirrors life, but that would be worthy of a "delay of game" penalty.

Responding to the Social Agenda

2010-09-10T14:29:00.005-05:00

I recently was directed to an article on EthicsDaily.com called, “What to Say When a Glenn Beck Believer Calls.” Here is the link. Now, look, I know Beck is a polarizing figure. And there’s no way to know what side of the debate most of you readers would come down on, so I’m not sure if I’m picking a fight or preaching to the choir. I happen to be a long-time fan of Beck’s. Way before he was on television, years and years ago I came to appreciate his point of view. I just think the guy speaks the truth. I believe he turned his life around and came to God through Jesus Christ. I could be wrong about that. I believe he is sincere. His job is way to difficult to not be. He has been too consistent, over the years, to be a charlatan. Again, one either loves or hates the guy I suppose. But I felt the need to respond to this article, because it was weak and I had seen the same lame argument a hundred times before. This movement toward social justice through government taxation scares the hell out of me, no pun intended.

Anyway, here’s my response to the author, Robert Parham. I have yet to hear back from Mr. Parham. I await his response.

Sir:
I searched for a way to comment on your article. I could find none, so I write this email. I come to you as many things I guess; a Christian, a Conservative that is becoming more Libertarian every day, and as a fan of Glenn Beck. I have been a fan of Beck's for a long time. Before he ever appeared on TV, probably for more than seven or eight years. I believe this man's heart is in the right place. It's just a feeling I've had about him for all these years.

Your article pushed Beck down as a Mormon, therefore not a reliable presenter of the truth. I am a Baptist but I consider Beck to be a legitimate Christian. I know he attends a Mormon church. But I have also heard his testimony. I believe he came to his faith through Christ. Is that not the Way? Every "Christian" is not more in tune with God than every "Mormon." There are great men and women throughout. I don't personally believe in some aspects of Mormonism, that is for sure, but Beck has never demanded -- or even hinted -- that I had to accept anything "Mormon" in order to know God or follow God. But apparently you would imply the reverse to Mr. Beck. You also diminished the relevance of Beck's fans, or "followers", implying we are all black-robed, or whatever. You take the example of one Beck supporter and apply it to every Beck supporter. Not cool at all. Here is where you show your true colors, sir. I pray every day, I attend church as often as I can, I love my God and his Son, Jesus Christ, that gave me a new life, and I read and try my best to understand the Scriptures. And I am a fan of Glenn Beck. But I don't wear black robes. How is that possible? Glenn Beck is popular because, in my opinion, he is genuine, and his fans sense that. I don't feel that from you sir, and you can go on quoting scripture all day, but you've already lost me.

I do not suppose that Beck knows the Bible better than you. I know I do not know the Bible more than you do. But I don't think that's what it's about. I do see that Beck is taking what he believes and trying to apply it to his life and effect a change in this country that is desperately needed. Someone, of courage, has to step out and do something to effect this change. Some of the change has to occur in the church; but some of it has to occur in the culture as well. There is nothing easy about what Beck is doing, either on his radio show, his TV show, or his live appearances. It's easy to sit in an office, quote scripture, and tell everyone what a good Christian you are. It's harder to present a consistent message for years and risk your life and career to apply it. I thought Beck's rally was a great thing with a great message. I admire his courage. I wish I could be that courageous in my life.

Finally, the concept of "social justice." No one, even Beck as I have heard him discuss many times, would argue against people helping the poor. If they do they are truly lost. But that's not what "social justice" means, as it is used today, sir. Much too often, it's a buzzword used toward political means, by agenda-driven people. Basically, if your money and/or focus is on the government providing, it's not about being a Christian, in my opinion. And apparently, if you don't support the right government programs, then you're just evil. If you can't see the difference in real social justice and government social justice, then there's no way you can intelligently comment on what Beck's true convictions are. I have not read your previous articles, but here's what I have observed by reading this one: All you really know how to do is talk bad about other people and quote scripture. I know a lot of people like that. They're a dime a dozen. Many of them have similar forums. I will pray for you, and pray that our nation wakes up and turns to God. Which, by the way, was the message of last weekend's rally. It's a good message.

Been a Long Time

2010-09-10T13:54:00.003-05:00

Hello all, after a much-too-long absence. It’s good to be back in front of the keyboard.

I do wish to draw your attention to the badge at left; I am now proudly a member of HighCalling Blogs, and it is my wish to incorporate more Scriptural themes into my writings. I joined HighCalling for at least two reasons: I want more people to read my blog; and hopefully being in this community will afford that. Plus, I want to read more blogs from people that are trying to apply Scripture into their lives and are passionate about spreading their ideas. This website was recommended to me by a current member; and I'm very glad to be a part of it.

I find that far too many writers like to start with a thesis and use the Bible to prove their point. That is easy to do. As a historian, and a writer of numerous theses, I can tell you that all or most research papers are done this same way. The author has an idea, or maybe a hypothesis, and begins exploring ways to prove his point. Ninety-nine percent of the time, this can be done with moderate research. Sometimes it’s more difficult, sometimes less. But this is still the approach. So it is, far too often, for the Christian writer with an opinion.

I plan to do things a little backwards. I will read a passage that I find interesting, then try to discover what it means for me and our culture. I will try to let the Scripture lead me to a conclusion, instead of the other way around. We’ll see how well that works.

I will also continue to spout off, which is my favorite thing to do. By spouting off I mean things not of Scripture, but of opinion, that I wish to state for the record whether I can prove it or not. But as you know, I often am asking for proof from others, rather than making claims that I cannot back up.

To those of you that may be reading my blog for the first time, I would like to direct your attention to the archives section. Although in some ways dated, I am very proud of these earlier essays about Economics and Culture; and I invite all to browse through those at your leisure.

I do not take cheap shots. I do not do drive-bys. I am by nature conservative; yet I find myself becoming more Libertarian every day. I am a registered Independent, and I do not play the political party games. I continue to search for the truth in everything.

Common Sense Says Global Warming Threats Are Politically Motivated

2009-02-24T23:11:00.001-06:00

OK, I take a break from my “What I Have Learned” series to focus on some subjects that just won’t let go of my head. The first one is global warming.

Wait – before you click away – this is not another “gloom and doom” article; nor is this a “there’s nothing to worry about” article. For in times like these I refer to one of my major foundational points to understanding the world: More often than not, the answer lies somewhere in the middle of the argument. This is true in any case where two sides debate a subject. And man, is there plenty of debate about global warming – at least from where I can observe. But there is no way I will be able to sway anyone reading this blog that their point of view may be faulty; so I will not even try.

I simply am waiting, still, for proof that the Earth is warming; and if so, that it’s anything other than a natural cycle. I haven’t seen the proof; I don’t know anyone personally that has seen it. If by “seeing it” you mean you saw “An Inconvenient Truth,” then maybe we should part company right now. I saw that movie more than once, and that movie proves nothing except that Al Gore is a freak and a pretty good propagandist. (In case you don’t know, there are serious problems with Gore’s charts.) If by “seeing it” you mean that it’s what they say all the time on television, then maybe we should part now as well. Television news is the biggest waste of time I have ever witnessed. I usually watch just to point out all of the journalistic mistakes included in each broadcast. That includes the Weather Channel. Television news is merely regurgitating what they see coming over the wire services. They are in the business of creating conflict so they can report on it. I know, I’ve been there.

Oh, I know, everybody says it’s true, but where is the proof? I don’t want to know how many scientists signed on to a global warming document; nor do I wish to hear about the scientists that didn’t sign on to it. That’s a game that scientists play with politicians, interest groups and universities. I don’t trust any of them. As a teacher I know that if someone understands an issue, they can explain it to someone else in their own words. No scientist, politician or news service has ever even tried to explain it to me so I can understand it. Therefore, they don’t know what they’re talking about. My local weather man can explain the weather so I can understand. Of course, my local weather man has no idea what’s going to happen next Thursday, let alone in a 30-year climate cycle. I know, it’s different science; but then again, it’s all based on computer models.

I’ve also heard outrageous claims by those who discount the effects of global warming. It’s not just one side that exaggerates; but frankly the side claiming the world is coming to an end should be burdened with a greater level of proof. Either way I submit the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.

Here’s what I do know: When I was married on February 22, 1992, the temperature in Granite City, IL was 75 degrees. Seventeen years later, last Sunday, the temperature was 35 degrees. That’s a half of a 30-year cycle and the temperature dropped 40 degrees. I don’t see a warming climate here.

Now I know that was a ridiculous analogy, but it’s not any more ridiculous then the plethora of news stories one sees in January when the temperature happens to hit 70 degrees or something. There’s an ulterior motive; an agenda driving these news services and politicians. Until they can present their argument in a logical, reasoned manner that makes sense I will continue to reject it as folly.

The fact is it was a pretty cold winter this year, and it’s not over yet, as much as I want it to be. The last few winters were warmer it seemed, but the summers haven’t been as hot lately. I don’t know what is going on, maybe it’s just the weather.

Is the Earth warming? I don’t know, but I contend you don’t either. Is man causing this warming? I doubt it, but give me some real evidence and I’ll get on the bandwagon. Does it mean the end of the world? I seriously doubt that, unless that is what God has planned … I’m sorry, I just reverted to the religious angle, and I’ve lost many of you. How can I preach logic and reason and then play the God card? So where do you place your faith, in the government? Man? Science? These entities let me down all the time. God has never let me down.

There are two more things that I will add to my list of fundamental points to understanding the world. God is in control, and already knows how this whole thing turns out. I’ll trust in Him. Secondly, there is a real chance that man could screw this thing up. That’s why we must be good stewards while we are here on Earth. It’s important that we take care of the environment and try to save energy and resources. That’s not liberal or conservative, it just makes sense. We must make good choices and leave the rest to God. So I look to Him, and no one else. Do we need alternate sources of energy? Yes, I think it’s vital that we shift our technology as soon as possible. The lives of our children and grandchildren may be in danger. But it’s not going to be rising oceans or melting ice caps that will do it. It’s crazy, power-hungry elites who don’t care a bit about what happens to me or my family. Give me something I can understand, will you? Your empty predictions about what could happen just don’t hold water to me. Show me the money. Where’s the beef? Tell me something that helps me understand the issue, or that shows me you know what you’re talking about. The rest just doesn’t make sense to me. Give me a clue or shut up.

What I Have Learned, Part 1

2009-02-16T10:41:00.001-06:00

My next couple of posts will detail things I have learned since I became a Christian; or, “How The Obvious Became Clear To Me After I Got Rid Of The Cobwebs.”

Let me tell you a story that I keep thinking about all the time:

When I was attending our local community college several years ago, I was in an American History class I believe, and our instructor was talking to us during the first day of class. I have no idea how he got on the subject, but he was talking about religion.

He told us that he once attended church, etc., but he eventually came to the realization that it was ridiculous to think that someone could lead a horrible life, i.e. killing someone, or stealing, or selling drugs, and then five minutes before he or she died that person could just tell God “I’m sorry” and everything would be forgiven. He laughed. How absurd that thought was. Being a new Christian at the time, I just kind of sat there and contemplated what I had heard. Why is this guy talking about this stuff in a history class; and why don’t I know what to say to teach this guy why he’s wrong?

Well, now I know. I know if you really understand how the family works, it helps you understand much of what goes on in the world.

Here’s what I would say to this instructor if I could talk to him now:

Do you have any children? If so, do you love them? Of course you do. Well, let’s say that at the age of, maybe 15, your son or daughter – we’ll go with son for the sake of keeping things simple – ran away from home. You tried to get him to come back. Maybe you even called him on his phone a couple of times, but he would not return. In fact, when you tried to talk to him, he pushed you away; he cursed you, yelled at you and swore he would never have anything to do with you again.

You were devastated, but you didn’t want to give up on your child. You tried to keep tabs on him as he grew into adulthood. You found out he abused drugs, cheated on his wife, abused her and the kids. He finally left them and committed all kinds of heinous crimes. Maybe he even committed murder. So he goes to jail, is convicted and sentenced to death.

You hear about this, and ask to attend the execution. After all, you haven’t seen your son in years, and you would just like to get one more glance before he dies. So there you are at the execution, and fifteen minutes before your son is scheduled to die, he calls for you. You don’t hesitate: you’ve been trying to talk to your son for years. You go to him. He turns to you. He looks you in the eye and says, “I’m sorry I did what I did. I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you for so long. I’m sorry I lived this wicked life.” You look in his eyes and you know he means it. You can see that he really is sorry for what he has done.

What do you do? Do you reject him? As a parent, do you turn your back on your son? No. You reach over and give him the biggest hug you have even given a person. You love on him the best you can in the time you have together. You take him back, no questions asked.

Is he still executed? Yes, probably. The laws of society and government must be observed and followed. There are consequences for our actions. But that’s not the point here. The point is when you are given a chance to renew your relationship or reject your son, a loving parent will not hesitate to bring his son or daughter back into his life. Well guess what: God’s love is a thousand times greater than the love of a human parent. This is what God does: He waits, He longs, He accepts, without hesitation. Because He loves us and wants a relationship with us. We all are sinners, and have done terrible things. But if we turn to God – even in the last moment – he will not reject us.

I know this for a fact. Although I was never sentenced to be executed, I ran away from God as fast as I could for a long time, about 25 years. I cursed God, rejected God and swore I’d never go back to God. But when I decided I needed God, I turned toward Him and He was right there, waiting for me. He had been chasing me the whole time. Amazing.

Michael, Oh Michael

2009-02-05T19:44:00.003-06:00

There’s this big cultural controversy going around about Michael Phelps.

It’s not about swimming, and it’s not about Olympics, and it’s not about his Speedos. It’s about getting high and using a bong. And Mr. Bush thinks his legacy will suffer.

OK, here’s Michael, hanging out with some friends, and all of sudden one of them breaks out some weed and a bong, and oops, it jumps up to Michael’s face and somebody snaps a picture because they’re so amazed at what they’ve just seen. No, no way. This isn’t like Bill Clinton saying he smoked a joint one time but “didn’t inhale” – no, it’s a big step up from that to woofing on a bong. Trust me, I know.

Only serious dope smokers take the time, effort and expense to buy a bong. In fact, where do you even buy those anymore, since all the head shops closed? My point is that Phelps has smoked it before, and will smoke it again. This is not just something that happened. It’s not an isolated incident.

What has me really thinking today (I fortunately have a few brain cells left) is what it must be like to smoke dope with Michael Phelps (OK, maybe not that many left). Think back to what Michael Phelps looks like – and if you watched the Olympics there isn’t much left to the imagination – and remember his slender build. What really stood out was the size of his chest. Think about it: He’s been training his entire life to be able to take in as much air as possible, then extend himself to the limit before taking another breath. So what is the amount of smoke that Phelps can take in at one time? I mean, can he inhale an entire joint at one time? No wonder he needs a bong. Can you imagine this guy filling his lungs with dope smoke? One toke is all he would need!

Sorry if I sounded like a drug head there. That’s the point, I am a former drug head, and smoked pot virtually everyday for about 25 years. We used to buy bongs, tubes, superchargers, pipes, clips, hemostats, papers, water pipes – you name it. What I’m saying is I’ve known a hundred guys like Phelps, and this is no passing fancy for him.

So back to the controversy. Phelps has apologized, sort of, so the question in the media is, what now? Do we forgive Phelps? Do we pass it off as a college-aged prank, something that happens thousands of times every weekend across America? Or do we hold his feet to the fire, because we need people to remind us that there is right and wrong; and this kind of thing shouldn’t happen at all? Haven’t we forgiven too many athletes already for thinking that they are above the law?

Unlike professional athletes, Phelps has no National Swimming League that he can join and make millions. This also means there are no league rules by which he must abide. Therefore, he must earn his living through endorsements, and follow corporate rules. Some of his endorsements will remain, I assume, while others might be lost. Either way, I say let the market make the adjustment for Phelps. What he has done is wrong, but human. I know I made the same mistake a thousand times; and I make more mistakes on a daily basis. As casual fans, we neither need to forgive him nor condemn him. I choose to support him and pray for him. He has time to work through things and make amends. But honestly, it’s none of our business what happens next to Michael Phelps. There are forces larger than us that make these kinds of decisions.

Some Debates Never Change

2009-01-22T12:40:00.009-06:00

I am not sure why my posts have begun to get further and further apart, other than to say it has been a busy holiday season. Hope everyone had an amazing Christmas and happy New Year. Personally, if we would have had some snow flying, it would have been a Top 5 Christmas for me.

So, post holiday and post inauguration. What do we do now?

I have said in the past that I am not crazy about Barack Obama's viewpoints. However he is my president, and I will support him and pray for him. But some of his inauguration prose has me very worried. "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works," Obama said. "Whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end."

Sorry, but the debate must always be if government is too big or too small. Must it work? Well sure; but there must be a limit on what government even tries to do. For example, if the government wanted to confiscate all of the citizens' legal firearms, they might do that task well or they might do it poorly -- I'd bank on the latter. But however they did it, it would be wrong to even attempt it, according to the Constitution. Mr. O must follow the Constitution -- which he swore to do (albeit poorly) on Inauguration Day. Millions swooned over O's speech. It worried the heck out of me. Because more than anything, O is a politician. A slick one? O yeah. But a politician none the less.

I offer these quotes to support my point:

"No one can read our Constitution without concluding that the people who wrote it wanted their government severely limited," Edmund A. Opitz once said. "The words 'no' and 'not' employed in restraint of government power occur 24 times in the first seven articles of the Constitution and 22 more times in the Bill of Rights."

"I hope we once again have reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: As government expands, liberty contracts," said Ronald Reagan.

"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious," said Thomas Jefferson.

More quotes? I could go on all day. Hundreds are available from the Founding Fathers that Obama loves to talk about. Everyone knows limited government means more freedom, but O knows best, and he's our first African-American president, so don't question him. You might appear like you're not on the bandwagon, or worse. Obama's effort to switch the debate was clever but transparent. Only those who understand the Constitution will even question it. Those who do will run the risk of being called names and brushed aside. But we must never be silent.

For, as Thomas Paine said: "It is the duty of the patriot to protect his country from its government."

So if Mr. O cuts some programs that aren't working, I'm all for it. Personally I would start with the IRS, but don't hold your breath on that one. I don't think things like a "dignified" retirement or finding jobs for people is the proper role for government, but hey, that's what lazy people want I suppose. As long as he cuts and doesn't replace, I'm cool with Mr. O. But even the most conservative Republican wouldn't do that; I don't see the most liberal Democrat doing it, either.

Let the Market Do Its Duty; Also How the Oct. 7 Debate Proved Worthwhile

2008-10-08T16:34:00.001-05:00

My, it has been a while since I posted, has it not.

So many things have happened over the last couple of months, I could not enumerate here. Suffice to say that I've been busy, and so has the world as a whole.

I believe completely in the free-market system. Not because I am smart, or an economist, but because I simply cannot see anything better. The capitalist, free-market system is the best in the world; because it allows for the most freedom and provides the best reward. The market is about to make an 80-year correction -- kind of like a 500-year flood for all of the Midwesterners out there -- and government and business alike is trying to figure out what to do to stop it.

I say do nothing. Let it take its course. Why, that's insane one might say. Why is that insane? Spending billions of taxpayer dollars to put a band aid on the economy's severe bleeding is insane, in my book. Let the market make its correction.

Will it be bad? Oh yes, it will be very bad. Possibly the first real depression in 80 years. I say bring it on. We will recover, like our grandparents, and we will be stronger and more disciplined for our trouble. The market is trying to do what no other force in the world can do: bring our bad spending habits and obsession of money to a screeching halt. We need this so badly.

Is anyone else like me? Your parents and grandparents were always telling stories of how they ate stale bread and soup every night for years because they didn't have any money. Sad times, I am sure, but when they tell those stories you can see the glimmer of satisfaction in their eye. They're proud they made it through such tough times, and can only shake their heads when we complain that there's nothing on TV or we don't have enough stuff laying around the house. Boo hoo, make due!

The Great Depression in fact turned a country of greedy Americans into the Greatest Generation -- the generation that spawned 80 years of progress -- and the market is poised to do something like that again. We could be the next great generation. Let the market do its job!

This brings me to the Oct. 7 debate between two men who are supposedly among the best America has to offer. Whew boy, I'm proud, aren't you? Neither deserved to win the debate; and both should be ashamed that they weren't good enough to destroy their lame opponent. One underhanded pitch after another was swung at and missed by both men, several times. I thought it was embarrassing. But two things that happened actually made up my mind for me as to how I will vote.

Two things that Mr. Obama said are resonating with me today, in a powerful way. These two things scare the living daylights out of me.

The first: Obama's statement that health care is a right. Every conservative on the planet knows why that is insane. I mean it's just nuts. Certifiable. The second item is Obama's continued use of class warfare. I've had it with this guy. All he can say is how poor and rich are different, and how the middle class is turning into the poor, and all the rich cats are living high on the hog. It's not fair, is it?

How dare this guy continue to pit Americans against each other. It's downright hateful. To imply that greed and corruption only occurs in one class of Americans is stupid. This guy might actually get elected by making one class of Americans so angry at the other class that they vote for somebody who wants to implement his own system that borders on true socialism. I won't quote statistics, but I believe many Americans don't take into account that the top percentage of Americans already pay the lion's share of income taxes. The great majority of them earned their money by taking risks and making stockholders happy. We cannot continue to punish the productive people in society. Why should I work hard when you're going to take so much of my earnings?

And this analogy for the younger folks in the audience. Say you were in school, and you were one of 10 people in class that made A's, while 10 more made F's. What if the school enacted a policy where those who made A's had to have their grade lowered to a B; but then those making F's had their grade raised to a D. What would you think about that? What's the problem, you're still making a B; that's pretty good, and it's much better than those making a D. Be happy with what you have. That would be fair, wouldn't it? Why is that not fair? Because you earned it? Exactly my point.

Addictions

2008-08-04T10:02:00.001-05:00

I decided to write about something I could really relate to this time. When it comes to being an expert on a subject, for me it’s easy: addiction.

There was a story about a man who was a long-time addict. He remembered his lowest point. He was laying in a field, too drunk to get up, and too drunk to fall asleep. He just kind of went in and out of consciousness waiting for enough liquor to pass through his system that he could get up and make his way home; or at least to a bed somewhere. He remembered a bright light shining on him. When he opened his eyes, he saw the fuzzy image of a policeman shining a flashlight at him. There was trouble on the property, and a fight had broken out. But this man was so obviously wasted the cop didn’t even consider him a threat. He left the man alone and went to check on other people on the property.

It’s pretty sad when a drunk teenager is so out of it that he can’t even cause trouble. The episode stuck with the man; and the image of the policeman is clearly visible in his memory. How worse off can you be than that, he thought. It’s a question I would ask too, especially considering that man in the story is me.

That incident happened some 30 years ago or so, but it haunts me to this day. I’m not really sure why. I should have been arrested — I was underage — but I caught a break. I guess that made up for the time when I was 14 or 15 and got arrested for trying to sell marijuana when in fact I was not trying to do that and was basically in the wrong place at the wrong time. That would probably count as another low spot in my earlier life, although I honestly cannot count that incident as the result of an addiction.

I think about the children and adolescents growing up today with so many worries that they should not have to deal with. Fortunately they are educated about the dangers of alcohol and drugs and most of them do not fall for that trap. It’s one of the Devil’s greatest tools. Yeah, I know the kids can still

still get into a lot of trouble, but — and this is not a challenge — they couldn’t hold a candle to us in those days. We were terrible — terrible!

I wish I could tell you that it got better right after that drinking incident but it did not. I went on to develop my drinking problem even further, and I added a couple of new addictions along the way. But something happened to me that changed my life. Over a period of 20 years, I slowly got away from these habits and found more positive things to hold on to. I can tell you that throughout those years of drugs, alcohol, trouble-making, indecent behavior — despite the fact that I tried to run away from him as fast as I could — there was someone with me through the whole journey. Because as soon as I turned to look for him, God was there.

God helped me break my addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine. He did this by helping me find the church, discover the love of His people and the love of His son, Jesus Christ.

What I wish now is that I was done with all of my addictions, but I am not. There are some things that are harder to get away from than others. These addictions are powerful, and frustrating to live with. They separate me from a true relationship with God. I know He is aware of them, and He knows what needs to be done to deal with them. I know that God will one day cure me of all addictions. That will be a glorious day.

Addictions come in all forms. Who among us can say they don’t have any addictions? I hope that I can at least say I am facing my addictions, and with God’s help I am dealing with them. I know I can do better. Help us all, Lord.

Opportunities

2008-08-04T09:43:00.001-05:00

Our graduates at my church were recognized in a brief ceremony in early June. I was fortunate to be a part of that. I too was asked to come up front and accept congratulations for my accomplishment of graduating from college. I did come up, with some mild urging, and I appreciate the acknowledgements.

The joke that morning was that I had to be strongly urged to participate; and there is truth to that. I really did have mixed feelings about being up there; besides the fact that everyone else was less than half my age.

I have been patted on the back, either physically or verbally, many times since I started school again at the age of 44. "It's so great that you're going back to school," or "What you're doing is very admirable," to name just a couple of examples. Well, maybe. The reason I was up there, 20 years later than I should have been, was because of all the bad choices I made earlier in life. There's no way of getting around that fact.

But what is also true is despite my failings, I have still been given more chances to turn my life around: opportunities. I had an opportunity at age 19 to go to college. I went, even though I did not want to, and my grades reflected that. So thinking I was smart enough to do something else, I went off in my own direction for a few years. At the age of 28, I had another opportunity to attend college, and realizing the need to do something, I chose journalism as a career path and went to community college in the area. The Belleville Area. Bring a crayon!

Having achieved an associate's degree, and having enough schooling to proceed into the work force, I stopped school and went to work for a newspaper. I have no regrets about doing that, the degree I had was enough to get me in, and if I would have played my cards right I could still be working there, in a field that to this day I still find interesting. But for whatever reason, I could not stay satisfied in that role, and quit that job in 1999. Thinking that money was the reason for looking elsewhere, I took a courier job. The money was pretty good, as long as I was willing to work hard. And there's nothing wrong with that concept, I just got really tired after a few years. And the price of gas didn't help matters.

So I came to another crossroads, another time when I needed to assess my options and make choices.

I was fortunate to have support from my family, so I was able to consider returning to school. My choice eventually was to do what is so rampant throughout my family, and that is to teach. So given still another opportunity, I was able to secure a bachelor's degree.

Hindsight is 20/20 you know. Here's what I can see now: I can see the Lord working -- so hard -- to provide me with continued opportunities to finish school. Even though I messed up and ignored those opportunities, He gave me more. He also gave me a loving family that encouraged me and fed me while I was a sponging student. He provided me with enough working brain cells to complete my studies with a decent GPA; and trust me, that is a miracle. He also gave me enough fortitude to ignore most of the progressive, liberal bias that was being shoved down my throat and concentrate on learning. And when I was forced to defend my beliefs, I did so successfully with the Lord's help.

Now I search for a teaching position. I know the Lord will not abandon me now. I know He has given me opportunities for a reason. I seek open doors. When I see one I will walk through it. Still I have wonders, and doubts. But I need only to use my hindsight, and think about opportunities gained, and lost, and those yet to come. It is easy to carry guilt about past mistakes, but that's not God doing that. God wants us to learn from mistakes but focus on what's ahead. I am sure of that.

This might be off base or just stupid; but to me, the day that I land a teaching job, everything that has happened in the past -- all of the mistakes, all of the opportunities, all of the learning -- will make sense. Everything that has happened will have been for a purpose and a reason. I can stop feeling guilty about my mistakes and stop feeling bad for not helping to support my family over the past few years. I already believe that's true, but until that job becomes a reality I can't wrap my tiny mind around it.

To those students who graduated high school or college and stood with me that day, I say congratulations. These are achievements -- you have earned them, and they cannot be taken away from you. But I ask you to think about opportunities. Some people never get the chance to go to college, and some don't get the chance to finish high school. When you do get opportunities, don't let them slip away. It took me way too long to realize that. Seize your opportunities. God has a plan for you.

Illinois Smoking Law Pays Off

2008-07-10T12:14:00.003-05:00

As a former smoker, I am hypersensitive to cigarette smoke anywhere, at any time. I can't stand being within ten feet of anything even resembling a cigarette or a smoker. I have been told that many ex-smokers are like this, and that they annoy the heck out of their still-smoking friends.

Well, tough. It stinks. And I don't know how anyone can afford both cigarettes and gasoline right now, but that's a different story and a different post.

Anyway, back to the point. I appreciate the fact that smokers must exit the restaurant I am eating in when they wish to smoke. Even while I was a smoker I would be offended by smoke when I was eating. But in a bar? What the heck do you do while you drink if you can't smoke and you're too ugly to have a date?

Anyway, back to the point. Because of Illinois' gestapo-like smoking laws, bar patrons must step outside to smoke. That includes patrons like Nicholas Sheley, the subject of an intense manhunt a couple weeks ago in the Midwest. Sheley allegedly murdered as many as eight people in Illinois and Missouri. He was captured here in my sleepy little (31,000 is not little to me) burg of Granite City, IL, smoking a cigarette outside of a local bar called Bindy's, which is right next to our Kmart store in a rather large strip mall.

It's weird how stuff like this goes down. First of all, what this guy was doing in Granite City is beyond me. I know a lot of people must have been freaking out. On the other hand, many Granite Citians are paranoid to begin with, and assume that Johnny Psycho is right around the corner anyway. So when they spotted Sheley they probably felt vindicated more than anything. He was spotted first at a local Subway shop, then made his way across a large parking lot to the bar, where he had a glass of water and went to the john. Meanwhile, the bar employees -- who had just seen this guy's face on the five-o'clock news -- were scrambling to notify the authorities that were already swarming the area.

More creepiness: Sheley, who had dumped his stolen pickup truck in St. Louis after (allegedly) killing two people in Festus, MO, was hanging around Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis asking people to borrow their cell phones after the Cardinals' ball game the previous night. Supposedly he called his wife/girlfriend and told her there was more killin' to come.

So what is really scary is that this guy was hanging around in my hometown, about 20 blocks from my house where my family was, thinking about who he could kill next that would get him farther down the road.

Even Granite's most famous son, Clint Van Zandt, was beside himself, carrying on the next day on the Today show about the make up of this nut job captured in his home town, where his mother still lives just a couple blocks from the crime scene, he said.

So if Sheley would not have had to step outside to smoke, what would the result of this have been? Would the bar employees have been his next victims? Would he have barricaded himself inside the bar? We'll never know. But Commandant Blagojevich should definitely take a bow.

A Course Has Been Set

2008-07-03T09:14:00.005-05:00

Making a blog is not that easy, did anyone know that?

I had added some random ramblings to this blog, in hopes that my overall direction would somehow rear its head and make it obvious what I wanted this blog to be and what I should call it.
Anyway, if you want to hear the song that inspired me to name this blog and start stirring the pot, then give it a listen. It rocks.

So why does the pot need to be stirred? Well, the grease is forming at the top, for starters. Secondly, it's in my nature to do so.

I am a teacher, so my teaching tendencies tend to come out from time to time. I teach History, passionately so; and this leads to strong opinions on politics, culture, people, attitudes, prejudices and misconceptions. Wait, don't worry: I don't influence any of your darling boys and girls with my outrageous opinions. I leave that for this blog. I don't pretend to change anything. But if I don't say something my brain will explode.

I am a Christian, and since I don't really like labels too much we will leave it at that. But I certainly can testify that I have come from a background of self-indulgence, self-pity and self-centered behavior that made me unhappy and miserable. I had the fortune of knowing people who loved me and encouraged me to attend church when I was in my late 20s. Through them I saw the love of Jesus with my own eyes, and I have never been the same since. I am in my 40s now, and still have a lot of problems, but I take steps each day to try to improve my life and enrich my relationship with God the Father.

There will likely be more discussions of things that are really important in life at some later time. But for now, have a look at my earlier postings and see what you think. Consider the pot stirred. Here, take a sip.

Fuel Economics 101

2008-07-03T09:13:00.002-05:00

Folks, I know it's tough out there, but I want everyone to take a deep breath and think about something for a minute. I realize that's a tough thing to do these days, but really, let's try.

There is so much hype out there in the media, and so many people that get their information from just a few sources. I feel compelled to give another side to the debate over the price of gas and how the oil companies are somehow gouging us. This is the teacher in me coming out. Class, you will need to stay for an extra few minutes, there's something important we need to discuss.

First of all, the oil companies' average profit margin is about 9 percent, meaning that 9 cents out of every dollar is clear profit for the oil companies. With gas at $4 per gallon, that translates into about 36 cents per gallon of profit. Think of all of the gas being pumped this instant ... wow! However, that 9 percent is totally in line with most aspects of business. In fact, drug and pharmaceutical companies rake in almost three times that percentage. Even manufacturing, if one takes away the awful automotive industry, compares favorably to that 9 percent.

It isn't the oil companies' fault that they provide one of the world's most demanded commodities.

And secondly, think about what the oil companies do to make those profits. They either buy the crude oil or find it and drill it themselves; then they transport it, refine it, transport it again, market it, research and develop it, and deliver it to the consumer. In other words, they do all of the work. In a capitalist system, when your commodity is highly sought after and you do all of the work in providing that commodity, you are supposed to make a killing. That's what capitalism is all about. That's the incentive. Bill Gates did all of the work and provided a product better than anyone else, and he became the richest man in America. You don't hear anyone complaining about that (unless they bought Vista).

That brings us to gasoline taxes. Here in Illinois, the gas tax is about 58 cents per gallon; which includes state and federal taxes. That puts us about fourth in the country, behind California, Connecticut and New York. So while the oil companies are making 36 cents a gallon, the government is making 58 cents a gallon. And what do they do to earn their share? Nothing. They do nothing!

Who is really doing the gouging here? The oil companies that do all of the work, or the government that does none of the work?

Besides taxing the consumer for the gasoline he or she buys, the government also taxes the crap out of the companies' profits, then taxes the workers and executives for the salaries they make. That's all well and good one might say, but ask yourself what is the government doing with all of that money that they have done nothing to earn? I say again at least the executives are doing something to earn their pay. But we condemn them and look to the government for help. Most often the government's response is, OK, we'll punish them, and tax them some more. I bet you will! Can I get in on that?

The oil companies do all of the things in the capitalist system you are supposed to do; and the government, with our blessing, wants to punish them. Folks, you must see the error and the harm in this.

And I say again, what are we getting for all of this money that we pour into the government coffers? I for one have given up on Washington bureaucrats completely. I guess what really burns my butt is that many people -- the same ones who get their information from limited sources and believe they are being gouged by oil companies -- really believe that if they elect a different Washington bureaucrat that somehow their lives will improve.

All we can truly expect from these bureaucrats is the same and more of the same. It's my firm opinion that no candidate for president has the time or desire to think about me or my family or what will happen to this country down the road if we don't make some huge changes. They are too busy being politicians, in a never-ending search for power. Either way, as long as we put our trust in men and government, we will be sorely disappointed.

George Carlin RIP

2008-07-03T09:10:00.000-05:00

It was a sad day on Monday, wasn't it?

The news of George Carlin's death hit a lot of people very hard, and sparked an amazing spectrum of opinions about Carlin's life and legacy, ranging from "icon" and "genius" to "athiest" and "foul-mouthed."

I loved George Carlin, and he really was an inspiration to me. Of course, that was back in the 70s, when I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. Man, was he funny then! Woo hoo! However, I eventually grew up, and realized what things are really important in life. Thank the Lord, I was able to escape a life of addiction and self-absorption.

Apparently, Carlin never did grow up. He did grow very angry, though. He spent the last few years of his life putting down many of the things that I held dear. That's unfortunate, because Carlin was extremely talented.

I was thinking about what I just said as I was writing it; and wondering if I was too hard on Carlin. After all, I moved on to other interests and attitudes, but that doesn't mean Carlin or anyone else has to.

So, using YouTube and other sources, I spent much of my Monday evening watching videos of Carlin from the 60s and 70s. Guess what? That material is still funny to me. I saw the bit about football and baseball on ESPN: hilarious! I had forgotten how clever that was. I saw parts of the hippy-dippy weatherman bit on a couple different channels, and laughed out loud, even after all of these years. Even the Seven Words, which I guess will be his major legacy, was humorous to me still. I think it's because that material, although edgy, was intelligently written and delivered. That same energy and intelligence wasn't there in the later years. He was just angry, and nasty, and crabby.

It's too bad. Even until the end, I wanted so desperately to like George Carlin, just as I used to. But somewhere, we parted ways. I'm sorry he died. I hope he's in a better place right now, where he doesn't have to be so angry

Top 10 Mistakes AFI Made in Their 10 Top 10 Lists

2008-07-03T09:09:00.000-05:00

No “Musical” category. I know there’s only 10 categories, but I don’t know how you explain this one.
No “Horror” category. If you’re not including these in “Sci-Fi,” then you must have a separate category. It’s as much it’s own genre as “Gangster” or “Romantic Comedy.”
Why not get rid of “Gangster” and “Courtroom Drama,” and just have “Crime Drama?” Then you can include “In the Heat of the Night” which has to be here somewhere. Change “Romantic Comedy” to just “Comedy,” then you can include Caddyshack if you thought it was so good. See No. 5, below.
“The Natural” missing from the Sports category. It’s probably the best sports movie ever.
“Caddyshack,” “National Velvet” and “Jerry Maguire” are not sports movies, and the fact that the AFI doesn’t get that is unsettling. Sports movies are about digging deep and finding inner strength, beating obstacles and achieving victory in the face of defeat. The presence of sports in the plot line is not enough. If it was, you could include “A Day at the Races.”
“Annie Hall.” I don’t care what anyone says, Woody Allen movies suck, always have sucked, and always will suck. They are never funny, entertaining nor romantic; and I will never watch one again.
“The Wild Bunch.” Again, film critics can tell me all day about the subtle qualities of this movie, but I don’t see it. The movie is stupid, ridiculous and not well-acted, from start to finish.
Give me a break. “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” is not the name of that movie. I know, I went to the theater to see it when it came out. The name of that movie is “Star Wars.” All the others were sequels, or prequels, or whatever.
“Reds” is not an epic film. What was the fascination with Warren Beatty, anyway?
“Harold and Maude.” Honestly, this may be the worst movie on any of these lists. It’s just awful and certainly not funny. It’s disturbing, hard to follow and just plain bad.