So there was this link on MSN to this story about Joel Osteen, his huge success as a preacher on t.v. and his new book. I read it with great interest. There are obviously a lot of misconceptions about Christianity and a lot of misconceptions within Christianity. I want to address a couple issues brought up in the article.
1. Righteousness and devotion to God = Financial prosperity?
There is a promise God gives in scripture: "In as much as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land." I have seen that people that hold fast to living a principled life are often successful. The principles of honesty and a character of virtue often are attributes that help one get ahead in life. They are not distracted by the consequences of a life full of vices. There are also a lot of scoundrels that are financially successful too, so financial prosperity doesn't always = a righteous person. There are a lot of good people who are not financially successful, but are happy and have families that I want to emulate. Prosperity and success can be defined from many points of view. I just know that know worldy success can compensate for failure in the home.
2. Is Getting Rich in the Name of God Okay?
I am firmly opposed to getting rich by preaching. There is a term for that...priestcraft. There is no scriptural example nor doctrinal support approving of one making financial gain off the preaching of the word. Preachers can have such great power over the minds of their followers and that power seems to sneak its way into the nearly empty pockets of the congregations. I think Isaiah called it "grinding the faces of the poor." I do believe that churchs can and should provide a "maintenance" for full-time clergy, but not make them rich. I've watched Joel Osteen a few times and he is very charismatic and entertaining to listen too. As a kid I was entertained by watching the 700 Club, Jim Bakker, and other televanglists as I watched gullible people throw their money at hypocrites and crooks.
3. Church's tithing their people
I am a firm believer in the principle of tithing as taught in Malachai chapter 3. The word tithing means 10% and that is what I donate from every pay check. The Lord's promise who give tithes and offerings is that the windows of heaven would be opened and God would pour down blessings so much so that we could not receive them all. I consider myself so blessed. The act of returning to God a small portion of our increase is intentionally humbling, yet eternally rewarding. Funds received by the church for tithing are sacred and should be used to further God's work, not to line the silk pockets of pompous preachers.
4. A True Zion - this eutopian society cannot be fully realized until we are all of one heart, one mind, and there are no poor among us. Those blessed with wealth will find no greater joy than helping another less fortunate. Sometimes handouts are necessary to get someone on their feet, but generally money is better spent educating the individual and helping them develop marketable talents. It disgusts me to see preachers getting rich at the expense of their indigent followers when they should be helping them break the cycle of poverty. Isn't true religion and true discipleship the clothing of the naked, the feeding the hungry, the strengthening the feeble knees, caring for the fatherless and for the sick and afflicted?
In conclusion, I'd like to see talented people like Joel Osteen turn his attention to the business world, much like John Maxwell and Stephen R. Covey did. He can make loads of money as a motivational and leadership speaker. Then on Sunday's he can preach and help people come to know God for free, just like Jesus and the Apostles did!
jueves, septiembre 14, 2006
jueves, agosto 24, 2006
Vote of No Confidence: John McCain
John McCain is my Senator. Mine in the sense that he was elected by my state of Arizona. He was great in his prime,
but now it is his time
to RETIRE!
The other day Senator McCain proved that he is getting too old to be in public office. He started showing signs of Alzheimers when he said that the Bush administration deceived the American people about the war in Iraq. McCain claims that the Bush administration made it sound like the war would be a "day at the beach".
I distinctly recall speaches by President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld where they talked about the long hard road ahead. I wasn't deceived. I can see that people easily swayed by the media would have been deceived. The media portrayed the war effort as a day at the beach until they realized it wasn't.
Instead of bashing a man who has given his life to honorably serving the United States, I'd just like to write a letter to him:
Dear Senator McCain,
John, please don't run for President. Please retire to a nice home in some ritzy neighborhood in Phoenix. Get a summer home in Montana, and please enjoy the last days of your mortal sojourn. You deserve it. Don't let the stress of being president send you to an early demise. Don't give in to your lustful desires for power. I'll take you golfing instead and you are guaranteed to defeat me. I'll give you lots of sunscreen too and nice broad-brimmed hat. I'm just worried that your conservative priniciples will be completely eroded if you have to submit yourself to one more lobbiest or campaign contributor. Retire while you still have a somewhat positive reputation. Throw your support by someone young, dashing, prinicpled and ambitious like Mitt Romney. That is the best legacy you could leave us.
Sincerely,
Your humble constituency
A moment of silence for Pluto
I don't know why this story fascinates me so much, but Pluto is no longer an official "normal" planet. It is circumference-ly and orbitally challenged "dwarf" planet. There are other dwarf planets that are larger than Pluto. Dwarf planets will be relegated to that inferior cosmic status comparable to the asteroid belt.
Just thinking about the financial implications that this decision has is interesting. All of the text books, solar sytem mobiles, etc have to be replaced now. Can the public schools afford it? Maybe I should get into the solar system paraphernalia business right away. I could have all these things made in China really cheap!
miércoles, agosto 23, 2006
Multi-Level Marketing & Mormons
Unfortunately, Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which I am), including a lot of my friends and family, are involved with several multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes (pyramid schemes are now illegal, but they still exist in forms that slip through the legal loop holes). Mormons by nature are too trusting and gullible, yet they love the idea of getting rich quick.
Every time we’re invited to have dinner with another Mormon family I have this slight fear that my family has been invited over to have dinner with another Mormon family that the seemingly innocent dinner will turn into a presentation for Amway, health juices, skin products, water purification system, you name it! In my college days, I responded to an ad in the university newspaper about jobs that needed my Spanish speaking skills. It turned out to be a false front for recruiting me into one of these types of schemes. I let that really tick me off. My bitterness about these types of businesses is born of the on-going blatant deception that so often accompanies them. The art of deceiving others must be taught at their big conferences and seminars, 'cause dang!, they are good at it!
Any time someone has to pay money to become an employee just seems fundamentally flawed. I especially love it when they say "If you pay more money...you'll start out as a district manager!" These companies generate their money by recruiting more employees and getting the new recruit's money. Each person in the chain above them gets a certain percentage of the money. They do this instead of making money by selling a good or service. All the companies sell products, but the products are just a masquerade for a money-making scheme. There is something to be said about earning one's bread by the sweat of one's brow, literally and figuratively. Getting people's money without providing a good or service is, to me, immoral and unethical. At the conventions for these products, there are usually a few token testimonials about how wonderful the product is, but the purpose of the seminars are often focused on how to recruit others and get their money. They have very motivating speakers and there is a lot of "rah-rah-rah" going on that gets everyone pumped up. Everyone comes away with an emotional high and with high ambitions of recruiting more employees.
Truly good products will most likely be mass-merchandized through traditional retail stores, not by straining relationships with friends and family. That said, there are certain products that appear to have better marketability through friend to friend contact. There are good multi-level marketing companies that truly focus on making money by selling their product. My wife is involved with many of these dealing with scrap-booking, candles, and modest clothing lines (all of which I deem a conspiracy against Mormon women and their husband’s bank accounts). New recruits for these companies do not pay money to become an employee, nor do they have to buy the product in bulk to sell. Orders are taken by the employee and sent to the company. People up the chain do make money by their own recruit’s ability to sell the product. Some not-so-good companies force buyers into long-term contracts to purchase a certain minimum amount of product a month, whether you can make use of it or not. I don't like that.
Mormons seem to be perfect candidates for these types of companies. They have large families and a built-in network of relationships through church associations from which to recruit. Mormons also believe in sharing their witness of the gospel with others one family at a time, so the concept of marketing this way is natural.
Now, back to the products…my dear sweet grandmother is into all these oils and sprays that cure all kinds of ailments, marketing by the same types of companies. I don’t believe that the products in and of themselves have intrinsic healing properties, but they do work because she “believes” they help her. The placebo-affect is real and documented and the power of faith in God or in “things” has a more powerful affect on the mind and body than most are willing to admit. If the products that these companies sell are so wonderful and the companies motives are altruistic, why are they not willing to market them to the masses in the full light of day and spread the blessings to more people instead of secretly, darkly and deceptively pushing them on the ignorant and gullible?!
That is my opinion. I just had to get it off my chest.
Every time we’re invited to have dinner with another Mormon family I have this slight fear that my family has been invited over to have dinner with another Mormon family that the seemingly innocent dinner will turn into a presentation for Amway, health juices, skin products, water purification system, you name it! In my college days, I responded to an ad in the university newspaper about jobs that needed my Spanish speaking skills. It turned out to be a false front for recruiting me into one of these types of schemes. I let that really tick me off. My bitterness about these types of businesses is born of the on-going blatant deception that so often accompanies them. The art of deceiving others must be taught at their big conferences and seminars, 'cause dang!, they are good at it!
Any time someone has to pay money to become an employee just seems fundamentally flawed. I especially love it when they say "If you pay more money...you'll start out as a district manager!" These companies generate their money by recruiting more employees and getting the new recruit's money. Each person in the chain above them gets a certain percentage of the money. They do this instead of making money by selling a good or service. All the companies sell products, but the products are just a masquerade for a money-making scheme. There is something to be said about earning one's bread by the sweat of one's brow, literally and figuratively. Getting people's money without providing a good or service is, to me, immoral and unethical. At the conventions for these products, there are usually a few token testimonials about how wonderful the product is, but the purpose of the seminars are often focused on how to recruit others and get their money. They have very motivating speakers and there is a lot of "rah-rah-rah" going on that gets everyone pumped up. Everyone comes away with an emotional high and with high ambitions of recruiting more employees.
Truly good products will most likely be mass-merchandized through traditional retail stores, not by straining relationships with friends and family. That said, there are certain products that appear to have better marketability through friend to friend contact. There are good multi-level marketing companies that truly focus on making money by selling their product. My wife is involved with many of these dealing with scrap-booking, candles, and modest clothing lines (all of which I deem a conspiracy against Mormon women and their husband’s bank accounts). New recruits for these companies do not pay money to become an employee, nor do they have to buy the product in bulk to sell. Orders are taken by the employee and sent to the company. People up the chain do make money by their own recruit’s ability to sell the product. Some not-so-good companies force buyers into long-term contracts to purchase a certain minimum amount of product a month, whether you can make use of it or not. I don't like that.
Mormons seem to be perfect candidates for these types of companies. They have large families and a built-in network of relationships through church associations from which to recruit. Mormons also believe in sharing their witness of the gospel with others one family at a time, so the concept of marketing this way is natural.
Now, back to the products…my dear sweet grandmother is into all these oils and sprays that cure all kinds of ailments, marketing by the same types of companies. I don’t believe that the products in and of themselves have intrinsic healing properties, but they do work because she “believes” they help her. The placebo-affect is real and documented and the power of faith in God or in “things” has a more powerful affect on the mind and body than most are willing to admit. If the products that these companies sell are so wonderful and the companies motives are altruistic, why are they not willing to market them to the masses in the full light of day and spread the blessings to more people instead of secretly, darkly and deceptively pushing them on the ignorant and gullible?!
That is my opinion. I just had to get it off my chest.
Shopping Cart Courtesy
When I was a little boy, I loved to tag-along with my mom on trips to the grocery store. After we loaded the groceries into the car it was my job to take the cart back into the store and push it into the designated location. I always felt a sense of pride in fulfilling that duty.
A few years later, grocery stores made it more convenient for the customers by placing cart-return locations in various locations in the parking lots. Wow! The stores really wanted to make things nice for us.
Over the last few years I have noticed that customers are too lazy to even push the cart over to the returns, usually within ten parking spaces distance. They just leave them next to their car or push them to the curb, or pile them up with all the other lazy customers in an empty parking spot. It's Ridiculous!
Grocery stores aren't able or willing to keep the parking lots cart-free. Sure, they could staff the parking lot with twenty illegal aliens who will be there the second your groceries are securly placed in the back for your minivan, but the price of your Capitan Crunch just went up 50 cents!
I call upon all grocery store owners everywhere to remove their cart returns and let's go back to the customer duty of returning your cart to the inside of the store. I'd like to ask the American Heart Association to support this, just like they encourage us to take the 34 flights of stairs at work instead of the elevator.
Unfortunately, this lack of shopping cart courtesy is a symptom of a worse illness.
I call upon all people everywhere to simply care about other people!
Solving the Problem of World Poverty
I just found this John Stossel report from last May that supports my earlier blog entry. I say let religions and private charity organizations handle the money and food transportation. There may be some corruption there too, but a lot less than having it pass through the hands of governments. Our government's focus on world poverty should be on working with other governments to create an economic system in which people can prosper.
martes, mayo 16, 2006
Robert's comments on Bush's comments on Immigration Reform
By The Associated PressText of President Bush's speech on immigration Monday night:
Good evening. I have asked for a few minutes of your time to discuss a matter of national importance: the reform of America's immigration system.
The issue of immigration stirs intense emotions and in recent weeks, Americans have seen those emotions on display. On the streets of major cities, crowds have rallied in support of those in our country illegally. At our southern border, others have organized to stop illegal immigrants from coming in. Across the country, Americans are trying to reconcile these contrasting images.
And in Washington, the debate over immigration reform has reached a time of decision. Tonight, I will make it clear where I stand, and where I want to lead our country on this vital issue.
We must begin by recognizing the problems with our immigration system.
For decades, the United States has not been in complete control of its borders. (Try as they might, Republicans and Democrats cannot blame the border problems on George W. Bush. This has been a problem for a long time.) As a result, many who want to work in our economy have been able to sneak across our border and millions have stayed.
Once here, illegal immigrants live in the shadows of our society. Many use forged documents to get jobs, and that makes it difficult for employers to verify that the workers they hire are legal. (Most employers know their employees are illegal. They’re not so innocent. They often pay them under the table with cash too. Or the companies 1099 the illegals, pretending that their employees are independent contractors, knowing that not a single cent will be paid in taxes while they enjoy a higher profit margin). Illegal immigration puts pressure on public schools and hospitals, strains state and local budgets, and brings crime to our communities. These are real problems (yes they are real problems), yet we must remember that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are decent people who work hard, support their families, practice their faith, and lead responsible lives (also true!). They are a part of American life but they are beyond the reach and protection of American law.
We are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We are also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly and fair. (good positive, pragmatic, and optimistic wording) So I support comprehensive immigration reform that will accomplish five clear objectives.
First, the United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers and terrorists. (Amen! Brother Bush)
I was the governor of a state that has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico. So I know how difficult it is to enforce the border, and how important it is. Since I became president, we have increased funding for border security by 66 percent, and expanded the Border Patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents. (But how many of the border patrol people are “on-the-take” and actually assisting in the smuggling of drugs and people? Who is in charge of hiring and monitoring these people? I’ll be this problem is much larger than anyone wants to admit.) The men and women of our Border Patrol are doing a fine job in difficult circumstances, and over the past five years, we have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people entering America illegally. (Actually only 1 million, but each guy was caught at least 6 times.)
Despite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we will increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency (Here, President Bush is trying to save his hind end, and statistics like this show that he is at least doing something).
At the same time, we are launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border. (Here President Bush placates the “smart-fence” people. I can hear Napoleon Dynamite's brother Kip singing his wedding song here, "..I love technology...")
Training thousands of new Border Patrol agents and bringing the most advanced technology to the border will take time. Yet the need to secure our border is urgent. So I am announcing several immediate steps to strengthen border enforcement during this period of transition:
One way to help during this transition is to use the National Guard. So in coordination with governors, up to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. The Border Patrol will remain in the lead. The Guard will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems analyzing intelligence installing fences and vehicle barriers building patrol roads and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities that duty will be done by the Border Patrol. This initial commitment of Guard members would last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents and new technologies come online. It is important for Americans to know that we have enough Guard forces to win the war on terror, respond to natural disasters, and help secure our border.
The United States is not going to militarize the southern border. Mexico is our neighbor, and our friend. We will continue to work cooperatively to improve security on both sides of the border, to confront common problems like drug trafficking and crime, and to reduce illegal immigration. (I would like to have heard a stronger word than “reduce” right here. Also, what kind of pressure can we put on the Mexican government to step it up on their side of the river? What can US and Mexican companies do to incentivize Mexicans to stay in Mexico?)
Another way to help during this period of transition is through state and local law enforcement in our border communities. So we will increase federal funding (tax dollars at work!) for state and local authorities assisting the Border Patrol on targeted enforcement missions. And we will give state and local authorities the specialized training they need to help federal officers apprehend and detain illegal immigrants. State and local law enforcement officials are an important resource and they are part of our strategy to secure our border communities.
The steps I have outlined will improve our ability to catch people entering our country illegally. At the same time, we must ensure that every illegal immigrant we catch crossing our southern border is returned home. More than 85 percent of the illegal immigrants we catch crossing the southern border are Mexicans, and most are sent back home within 24 hours. But when we catch illegal immigrants from other countries, it is not as easy to send them home. For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold them while the legal process unfolded. So most were released back into our society and asked to return for a court date. When the date arrived, the vast majority did not show up. This practice, called "catch and release," is unacceptable and we will end it. (Nice firm resolution tone.)
We are taking several important steps to meet this goal. We have expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more. We have expedited the legal process to cut the average deportation time. And we are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. As a result of these actions, we have ended "catch and release" for illegal immigrants from some countries. And I will ask Congress for additional funding and legal authority, so we can end "catch and release" at the southern border once and for all. When people know that they will be caught and sent home if they enter our country illegally, they will be less likely to try to sneak in.
Second, to secure our border, we must create a temporary worker program. The reality is that there are many people on the other side of our border who will do anything to come to America to work and build a better life. They walk across miles of desert in the summer heat, or hide in the back of 18-wheelers to reach our country. This creates enormous pressure on our border that walls and patrols alone will not stop. To secure the border effectively, we must reduce the numbers of people trying to sneak across.
Therefore, I support a temporary worker program that would create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country in an orderly way, for a limited period of time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks. And temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay. (I guess that if they want to come back and continue working and enjoying the American dream, that they reapply?)
A temporary worker program would meet the needs of our economy, and it would give honest immigrants a way to provide for their families while respecting the law. A temporary worker program would reduce the appeal of human smugglers and make it less likely that people would risk their lives to cross the border. It would ease the financial burden on state and local governments, by replacing illegal workers with lawful taxpayers (Ah, the real American dream, that of being a tax payer!). And above all, a temporary worker program would add to our security by making certain we know who is in our country and why they are here.
Third, we need to hold employers to account for the workers they hire. It is against the law to hire someone who is in this country illegally. Yet businesses often cannot verify the legal status of their employees, because of the widespread problem of document fraud. Therefore, comprehensive immigration reform must include a better system for verifying documents and work eligibility.
A key part of that system should be a new identification card for every legal foreign worker. This card should use biometric technology, such as digital fingerprints, to make it tamper-proof. A tamper-proof card would help us enforce the law and leave employers with no excuse for violating it. And by making it harder for illegal immigrants to find work in our country, we would discourage people from crossing the border illegally in the first place.
Fourth, we must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here. They should not be given an automatic path to citizenship. This is amnesty, and I oppose it. Amnesty would be unfair to those who are here lawfully and it would invite further waves of illegal immigration.
Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant (Justice!) and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty. I disagree. It is neither wise nor realistic to round up millions of people, many with deep roots in the United States, and send them across the border (I’m with you Prez!).
There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant, and a program of mass deportation. That middle ground recognizes that there are differences between an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently and someone who has worked here for many years, and has a home, a family, and an otherwise clean record. (Mercy!)
I believe that illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty for breaking the law to pay their taxes to learn English and to work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship but approval would not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law. What I have just described is not amnesty it is a way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society, and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen (Requirements of Justice and Mercy are now met and we all should be happy. I think employers should also step up to the plate and sponsor their illegals with whose blood, sweat, and tears they have prospered upon. Employers should help their labor force toward legalization by paying a portion of the penalties and assisting them in learning English. The law of justice must also be satisfied with respect to the employer’s unethical hiring practices.)
Fifth, we must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot, which has made us one Nation out of many peoples. The success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society, and embrace our common identity as Americans. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, respect for the flag we fly, and an ability to speak and write the English language. English is also the key to unlocking the opportunity of America. English allows newcomers to go from picking crops to opening a grocery from cleaning offices to running offices from a life of low- paying jobs to a diploma, a career, and a home of their own. When immigrants assimilate and advance in our society, they realize their dreams, they renew our spirit and they add to the unity of America. (Best paragraph of the whole speech! I absolutely agree 100%!)
Tonight, I want to speak directly to members of the House and the Senate: An immigration reform bill needs to be comprehensive, because all elements of this problem must be addressed together or none of them will be solved at all. The House has passed an immigration bill. The Senate should act by the end of this month so we can work out the differences between the two bills, and Congress can pass a comprehensive bill for me to sign into law.
America needs to conduct this debate on immigration in a reasoned and respectful tone. Feelings run deep on this issue and as we work it out, all of us need to keep some things in mind. We cannot build a unified country by inciting people to anger, or playing on anyone's fears, or exploiting the issue of immigration for political gain. We must always remember that real lives will be affected by our debates and decisions, and that every human being has dignity and value no matter what their citizenship papers say. (Right on!)
I know many of you listening tonight have a parent or a grandparent who came here from another country with dreams of a better life. You know what freedom meant to them, and you know that America is a more hopeful country because of their hard work and sacrifice. As President, I have had the opportunity to meet people of many backgrounds, and hear what America means to them. On a visit to Bethesda Naval Hospital, Laura and I met a wounded Marine named Guadalupe Denogean. Master Gunnery Sergeant Denogean came to the United States from Mexico when he was a boy. He spent his summers picking crops with his family, and then he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps as soon as he was able. During the liberation of Iraq, Master Gunnery Sergeant Denogean was seriously injured. When asked if he had any requests, he made two a promotion for the corporal who helped rescue him and the chance to become an American citizen. And when this brave Marine raised his right hand, and swore an oath to become a citizen of the country he had defended for more than 26 years, I was honored to stand at his side. (Nice touching personal story showing how an illegal can be a true American hero! A very effective conclusion for me.)
We will always be proud to welcome people like Guadalupe Denogean as fellow Americans. Our new immigrants are just what they have always been people willing to risk everything for the dream of freedom. And America remains what she has always been the great hope on the horizon an open door to the future a blessed and promised land. (Amen to that!) We honor the heritage of all who come here, no matter where they are from, because we trust in our country's genius for making us all Americans, one nation under God. Thank you, and good night.
(The only thing that I think he really missed is on how to get rid of the red-tape involved with becoming a citizen. The bureaucracy in this department of the government is slower than molasses. This process should be quick and simple. Pres. Bush needs to hire a wise consultant to get in and clean house and start from scratch. Experts in production efficiency of and masters of information technology could solve this problem in a matter of hours!)
Good evening. I have asked for a few minutes of your time to discuss a matter of national importance: the reform of America's immigration system.
The issue of immigration stirs intense emotions and in recent weeks, Americans have seen those emotions on display. On the streets of major cities, crowds have rallied in support of those in our country illegally. At our southern border, others have organized to stop illegal immigrants from coming in. Across the country, Americans are trying to reconcile these contrasting images.
And in Washington, the debate over immigration reform has reached a time of decision. Tonight, I will make it clear where I stand, and where I want to lead our country on this vital issue.
We must begin by recognizing the problems with our immigration system.
For decades, the United States has not been in complete control of its borders. (Try as they might, Republicans and Democrats cannot blame the border problems on George W. Bush. This has been a problem for a long time.) As a result, many who want to work in our economy have been able to sneak across our border and millions have stayed.
Once here, illegal immigrants live in the shadows of our society. Many use forged documents to get jobs, and that makes it difficult for employers to verify that the workers they hire are legal. (Most employers know their employees are illegal. They’re not so innocent. They often pay them under the table with cash too. Or the companies 1099 the illegals, pretending that their employees are independent contractors, knowing that not a single cent will be paid in taxes while they enjoy a higher profit margin). Illegal immigration puts pressure on public schools and hospitals, strains state and local budgets, and brings crime to our communities. These are real problems (yes they are real problems), yet we must remember that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are decent people who work hard, support their families, practice their faith, and lead responsible lives (also true!). They are a part of American life but they are beyond the reach and protection of American law.
We are a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. We are also a nation of immigrants, and we must uphold that tradition, which has strengthened our country in so many ways. These are not contradictory goals. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We will fix the problems created by illegal immigration, and we will deliver a system that is secure, orderly and fair. (good positive, pragmatic, and optimistic wording) So I support comprehensive immigration reform that will accomplish five clear objectives.
First, the United States must secure its borders. This is a basic responsibility of a sovereign nation. It is also an urgent requirement of our national security. Our objective is straightforward: The border should be open to trade and lawful immigration and shut to illegal immigrants, as well as criminals, drug dealers and terrorists. (Amen! Brother Bush)
I was the governor of a state that has a 1,200-mile border with Mexico. So I know how difficult it is to enforce the border, and how important it is. Since I became president, we have increased funding for border security by 66 percent, and expanded the Border Patrol from about 9,000 to 12,000 agents. (But how many of the border patrol people are “on-the-take” and actually assisting in the smuggling of drugs and people? Who is in charge of hiring and monitoring these people? I’ll be this problem is much larger than anyone wants to admit.) The men and women of our Border Patrol are doing a fine job in difficult circumstances, and over the past five years, we have apprehended and sent home about 6 million people entering America illegally. (Actually only 1 million, but each guy was caught at least 6 times.)
Despite this progress, we do not yet have full control of the border, and I am determined to change that. Tonight I am calling on Congress to provide funding for dramatic improvements in manpower and technology at the border. By the end of 2008, we will increase the number of Border Patrol officers by an additional 6,000. When these new agents are deployed, we will have more than doubled the size of the Border Patrol during my presidency (Here, President Bush is trying to save his hind end, and statistics like this show that he is at least doing something).
At the same time, we are launching the most technologically advanced border security initiative in American history. We will construct high-tech fences in urban corridors, and build new patrol roads and barriers in rural areas. We will employ motion sensors infrared cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles to prevent illegal crossings. America has the best technology in the world and we will ensure that the Border Patrol has the technology they need to do their job and secure our border. (Here President Bush placates the “smart-fence” people. I can hear Napoleon Dynamite's brother Kip singing his wedding song here, "..I love technology...")
Training thousands of new Border Patrol agents and bringing the most advanced technology to the border will take time. Yet the need to secure our border is urgent. So I am announcing several immediate steps to strengthen border enforcement during this period of transition:
One way to help during this transition is to use the National Guard. So in coordination with governors, up to 6,000 Guard members will be deployed to our southern border. The Border Patrol will remain in the lead. The Guard will assist the Border Patrol by operating surveillance systems analyzing intelligence installing fences and vehicle barriers building patrol roads and providing training. Guard units will not be involved in direct law enforcement activities that duty will be done by the Border Patrol. This initial commitment of Guard members would last for a period of one year. After that, the number of Guard forces will be reduced as new Border Patrol agents and new technologies come online. It is important for Americans to know that we have enough Guard forces to win the war on terror, respond to natural disasters, and help secure our border.
The United States is not going to militarize the southern border. Mexico is our neighbor, and our friend. We will continue to work cooperatively to improve security on both sides of the border, to confront common problems like drug trafficking and crime, and to reduce illegal immigration. (I would like to have heard a stronger word than “reduce” right here. Also, what kind of pressure can we put on the Mexican government to step it up on their side of the river? What can US and Mexican companies do to incentivize Mexicans to stay in Mexico?)
Another way to help during this period of transition is through state and local law enforcement in our border communities. So we will increase federal funding (tax dollars at work!) for state and local authorities assisting the Border Patrol on targeted enforcement missions. And we will give state and local authorities the specialized training they need to help federal officers apprehend and detain illegal immigrants. State and local law enforcement officials are an important resource and they are part of our strategy to secure our border communities.
The steps I have outlined will improve our ability to catch people entering our country illegally. At the same time, we must ensure that every illegal immigrant we catch crossing our southern border is returned home. More than 85 percent of the illegal immigrants we catch crossing the southern border are Mexicans, and most are sent back home within 24 hours. But when we catch illegal immigrants from other countries, it is not as easy to send them home. For many years, the government did not have enough space in our detention facilities to hold them while the legal process unfolded. So most were released back into our society and asked to return for a court date. When the date arrived, the vast majority did not show up. This practice, called "catch and release," is unacceptable and we will end it. (Nice firm resolution tone.)
We are taking several important steps to meet this goal. We have expanded the number of beds in our detention facilities, and we will continue to add more. We have expedited the legal process to cut the average deportation time. And we are making it clear to foreign governments that they must accept back their citizens who violate our immigration laws. As a result of these actions, we have ended "catch and release" for illegal immigrants from some countries. And I will ask Congress for additional funding and legal authority, so we can end "catch and release" at the southern border once and for all. When people know that they will be caught and sent home if they enter our country illegally, they will be less likely to try to sneak in.
Second, to secure our border, we must create a temporary worker program. The reality is that there are many people on the other side of our border who will do anything to come to America to work and build a better life. They walk across miles of desert in the summer heat, or hide in the back of 18-wheelers to reach our country. This creates enormous pressure on our border that walls and patrols alone will not stop. To secure the border effectively, we must reduce the numbers of people trying to sneak across.
Therefore, I support a temporary worker program that would create a legal path for foreign workers to enter our country in an orderly way, for a limited period of time. This program would match willing foreign workers with willing American employers for jobs Americans are not doing. Every worker who applies for the program would be required to pass criminal background checks. And temporary workers must return to their home country at the conclusion of their stay. (I guess that if they want to come back and continue working and enjoying the American dream, that they reapply?)
A temporary worker program would meet the needs of our economy, and it would give honest immigrants a way to provide for their families while respecting the law. A temporary worker program would reduce the appeal of human smugglers and make it less likely that people would risk their lives to cross the border. It would ease the financial burden on state and local governments, by replacing illegal workers with lawful taxpayers (Ah, the real American dream, that of being a tax payer!). And above all, a temporary worker program would add to our security by making certain we know who is in our country and why they are here.
Third, we need to hold employers to account for the workers they hire. It is against the law to hire someone who is in this country illegally. Yet businesses often cannot verify the legal status of their employees, because of the widespread problem of document fraud. Therefore, comprehensive immigration reform must include a better system for verifying documents and work eligibility.
A key part of that system should be a new identification card for every legal foreign worker. This card should use biometric technology, such as digital fingerprints, to make it tamper-proof. A tamper-proof card would help us enforce the law and leave employers with no excuse for violating it. And by making it harder for illegal immigrants to find work in our country, we would discourage people from crossing the border illegally in the first place.
Fourth, we must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here. They should not be given an automatic path to citizenship. This is amnesty, and I oppose it. Amnesty would be unfair to those who are here lawfully and it would invite further waves of illegal immigration.
Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant (Justice!) and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty. I disagree. It is neither wise nor realistic to round up millions of people, many with deep roots in the United States, and send them across the border (I’m with you Prez!).
There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant, and a program of mass deportation. That middle ground recognizes that there are differences between an illegal immigrant who crossed the border recently and someone who has worked here for many years, and has a home, a family, and an otherwise clean record. (Mercy!)
I believe that illegal immigrants who have roots in our country and want to stay should have to pay a meaningful penalty for breaking the law to pay their taxes to learn English and to work in a job for a number of years. People who meet these conditions should be able to apply for citizenship but approval would not be automatic, and they will have to wait in line behind those who played by the rules and followed the law. What I have just described is not amnesty it is a way for those who have broken the law to pay their debt to society, and demonstrate the character that makes a good citizen (Requirements of Justice and Mercy are now met and we all should be happy. I think employers should also step up to the plate and sponsor their illegals with whose blood, sweat, and tears they have prospered upon. Employers should help their labor force toward legalization by paying a portion of the penalties and assisting them in learning English. The law of justice must also be satisfied with respect to the employer’s unethical hiring practices.)
Fifth, we must honor the great American tradition of the melting pot, which has made us one Nation out of many peoples. The success of our country depends upon helping newcomers assimilate into our society, and embrace our common identity as Americans. Americans are bound together by our shared ideals, an appreciation of our history, respect for the flag we fly, and an ability to speak and write the English language. English is also the key to unlocking the opportunity of America. English allows newcomers to go from picking crops to opening a grocery from cleaning offices to running offices from a life of low- paying jobs to a diploma, a career, and a home of their own. When immigrants assimilate and advance in our society, they realize their dreams, they renew our spirit and they add to the unity of America. (Best paragraph of the whole speech! I absolutely agree 100%!)
Tonight, I want to speak directly to members of the House and the Senate: An immigration reform bill needs to be comprehensive, because all elements of this problem must be addressed together or none of them will be solved at all. The House has passed an immigration bill. The Senate should act by the end of this month so we can work out the differences between the two bills, and Congress can pass a comprehensive bill for me to sign into law.
America needs to conduct this debate on immigration in a reasoned and respectful tone. Feelings run deep on this issue and as we work it out, all of us need to keep some things in mind. We cannot build a unified country by inciting people to anger, or playing on anyone's fears, or exploiting the issue of immigration for political gain. We must always remember that real lives will be affected by our debates and decisions, and that every human being has dignity and value no matter what their citizenship papers say. (Right on!)
I know many of you listening tonight have a parent or a grandparent who came here from another country with dreams of a better life. You know what freedom meant to them, and you know that America is a more hopeful country because of their hard work and sacrifice. As President, I have had the opportunity to meet people of many backgrounds, and hear what America means to them. On a visit to Bethesda Naval Hospital, Laura and I met a wounded Marine named Guadalupe Denogean. Master Gunnery Sergeant Denogean came to the United States from Mexico when he was a boy. He spent his summers picking crops with his family, and then he volunteered for the United States Marine Corps as soon as he was able. During the liberation of Iraq, Master Gunnery Sergeant Denogean was seriously injured. When asked if he had any requests, he made two a promotion for the corporal who helped rescue him and the chance to become an American citizen. And when this brave Marine raised his right hand, and swore an oath to become a citizen of the country he had defended for more than 26 years, I was honored to stand at his side. (Nice touching personal story showing how an illegal can be a true American hero! A very effective conclusion for me.)
We will always be proud to welcome people like Guadalupe Denogean as fellow Americans. Our new immigrants are just what they have always been people willing to risk everything for the dream of freedom. And America remains what she has always been the great hope on the horizon an open door to the future a blessed and promised land. (Amen to that!) We honor the heritage of all who come here, no matter where they are from, because we trust in our country's genius for making us all Americans, one nation under God. Thank you, and good night.
(The only thing that I think he really missed is on how to get rid of the red-tape involved with becoming a citizen. The bureaucracy in this department of the government is slower than molasses. This process should be quick and simple. Pres. Bush needs to hire a wise consultant to get in and clean house and start from scratch. Experts in production efficiency of and masters of information technology could solve this problem in a matter of hours!)
domingo, abril 23, 2006
The Joy of Parenthood!
Jessica and I celebrated seven years of marriage yesterday! We had an eventful day...
Actually it started the day before with Anne trying to be a hairstylist like her mommy. She got a hold of the scissors and trimmed her bangs. I didn't realize the affect her bangs had on her cuteness...oh well...hair grows back...at least for little kids.
Friday night is our date night with rotating babysitting at one of the four family's households. We dropped the kids off with the Christensen's and Jessica and I enjoyed a nice meal at Chili's and then relaxing hour-long massages at Massage Envy. At that point I was ready for a long nights slumber, so we picked the kids up an hour early and went home, excited for the next day's adventures.
We had purchased Jessica a bike a couple days ago and yesterday morning we ran over to Target and purchased a bike trailer to pull the girls behind my bike. We set off for a family bike ride adventure and picnic at the park. It was sunny and warm with a nice cool spring breeze. The kids had a great time! Life could not be better for a little American family.
After Victoria's mid-day nap, we hopped on our bikes again and headed for the neighborhood swimming pool. Again, we had a great time. We could barely force Kyle out of the water to head home for dinner. Everything was simply perfect, until...
As we road our bikes back from the community pool, Kyle swerved into me and we had a terrific crash. I stumbled off the bike onto me feet. When I got my balance, I looked back at Kyle just as he screamed, "Dad! My skin!". He had about a five inch flap of skin all the way to the bone just above his left inside ankle. My Boy Scout first-aid skills kicked in immediately and I quickly grabbed around his leg just above the injury to prevent it from bleeding.
Jessica had already parked her bike in the garage before the accident and she was standing in the driveway watching the whole scene. When I lifted Kyle in my arms with his leg elevated and clamped tight in my hand, I said to Jessica, "This is bad. We've got to get him to the emergency room.". She thought I was kidding to humor Kyle and replied, "Yeah right.". Then I showed her the wound and she went into a panic running from neighbor to neighbor trying to find someone to stay with the girls.
Our neighbor Brandon was home and Jessica had her wits about her sufficiently enough to recommend that Brandon drive Kyle and me to the ER. I took off my shirt and wrapped the wound tight, mostly to avoid looking at its ghastliness. I held Kyle in the back of the Honda Pilot as we drove to the hospital. Kyle and I were both suprisingly calm. Kyle was more worried that I was going to miss my church softball game that night than he was about his own deep cut.
When we got into the ER they directed me to sit at the chairs for check-in. I sat and an EMT noticed I had his ankle wrapped and elevated. He asked if he could take a look. He too saw bone and right away he got the ER staff working to move Kyle up the priority list. By this time I realized the my hand was aching terribly from keeping pressure on his leg. An ER attendant finally took gauze and wrap and bound up his leg allowing me to release my hand. All this time Kyle hadn't shed a tear. He was a real trooper.
They got him a bed quickly and we waited a bit for an x-ray. The x-ray showed no broken bones. We waited another half hour and a PA and nurses came in to clean and check out the cut. They gave Kyle an IV and local anesthetics and his only complaints were about getting "pokies". As they cleaned the wound they found all the muscles, tendons and ligaments all intact. That's when I was finally relieved about the dramatic situation. My many prayers were answered and my worsed fears allayed. "Twas but a flesh wound".
They used 40 or more internal stitches and many more exterior stitches. The last five stitches Kyle got to enjoy as the anesthetic had warn off. He just squeezed my thumb to deal with the pain. This actually did cause some tears. They made him a cast-like splint and he can't walk for at least two days. I have to carry him to the bathroom and to the table to eat.
He's getting kind of bummed out knowing the he will be missing t-ball and pre-school for the next week or so. Getting him to choke down his medicine is far worse than the accident itself.
Anyway, a full recovery is expected for him, but he'll have a great scar to remind him of the accident that happened on his mommy and daddy's anniversary.
We've had lots of calls and visits from friends and family for which we are grateful!
Actually it started the day before with Anne trying to be a hairstylist like her mommy. She got a hold of the scissors and trimmed her bangs. I didn't realize the affect her bangs had on her cuteness...oh well...hair grows back...at least for little kids.
Friday night is our date night with rotating babysitting at one of the four family's households. We dropped the kids off with the Christensen's and Jessica and I enjoyed a nice meal at Chili's and then relaxing hour-long massages at Massage Envy. At that point I was ready for a long nights slumber, so we picked the kids up an hour early and went home, excited for the next day's adventures.
We had purchased Jessica a bike a couple days ago and yesterday morning we ran over to Target and purchased a bike trailer to pull the girls behind my bike. We set off for a family bike ride adventure and picnic at the park. It was sunny and warm with a nice cool spring breeze. The kids had a great time! Life could not be better for a little American family.
After Victoria's mid-day nap, we hopped on our bikes again and headed for the neighborhood swimming pool. Again, we had a great time. We could barely force Kyle out of the water to head home for dinner. Everything was simply perfect, until...
As we road our bikes back from the community pool, Kyle swerved into me and we had a terrific crash. I stumbled off the bike onto me feet. When I got my balance, I looked back at Kyle just as he screamed, "Dad! My skin!". He had about a five inch flap of skin all the way to the bone just above his left inside ankle. My Boy Scout first-aid skills kicked in immediately and I quickly grabbed around his leg just above the injury to prevent it from bleeding.
Jessica had already parked her bike in the garage before the accident and she was standing in the driveway watching the whole scene. When I lifted Kyle in my arms with his leg elevated and clamped tight in my hand, I said to Jessica, "This is bad. We've got to get him to the emergency room.". She thought I was kidding to humor Kyle and replied, "Yeah right.". Then I showed her the wound and she went into a panic running from neighbor to neighbor trying to find someone to stay with the girls.
Our neighbor Brandon was home and Jessica had her wits about her sufficiently enough to recommend that Brandon drive Kyle and me to the ER. I took off my shirt and wrapped the wound tight, mostly to avoid looking at its ghastliness. I held Kyle in the back of the Honda Pilot as we drove to the hospital. Kyle and I were both suprisingly calm. Kyle was more worried that I was going to miss my church softball game that night than he was about his own deep cut.
When we got into the ER they directed me to sit at the chairs for check-in. I sat and an EMT noticed I had his ankle wrapped and elevated. He asked if he could take a look. He too saw bone and right away he got the ER staff working to move Kyle up the priority list. By this time I realized the my hand was aching terribly from keeping pressure on his leg. An ER attendant finally took gauze and wrap and bound up his leg allowing me to release my hand. All this time Kyle hadn't shed a tear. He was a real trooper.
They got him a bed quickly and we waited a bit for an x-ray. The x-ray showed no broken bones. We waited another half hour and a PA and nurses came in to clean and check out the cut. They gave Kyle an IV and local anesthetics and his only complaints were about getting "pokies". As they cleaned the wound they found all the muscles, tendons and ligaments all intact. That's when I was finally relieved about the dramatic situation. My many prayers were answered and my worsed fears allayed. "Twas but a flesh wound".
They used 40 or more internal stitches and many more exterior stitches. The last five stitches Kyle got to enjoy as the anesthetic had warn off. He just squeezed my thumb to deal with the pain. This actually did cause some tears. They made him a cast-like splint and he can't walk for at least two days. I have to carry him to the bathroom and to the table to eat.
He's getting kind of bummed out knowing the he will be missing t-ball and pre-school for the next week or so. Getting him to choke down his medicine is far worse than the accident itself.Anyway, a full recovery is expected for him, but he'll have a great scar to remind him of the accident that happened on his mommy and daddy's anniversary.
We've had lots of calls and visits from friends and family for which we are grateful!
sábado, abril 01, 2006
Gratuities & Standing O's - a social commentary
About a year ago, I, along with my wife and three kids spilled out of the van onto the curb at the Boise Idaho airport on our way back to Arizona. We had a piece of luggage for each person, an extra bag just for diapers and toddler stuff, plus two carseats. I still recall the strain of lugging that stuff around, but this curb side stop would be different...we were going to use the curb-side check-in for our flight.
We showed our ID's and received our boarding passes and the fellow there took our luggage and put it on a cart. As we began to walk away he held out his hand. I knew what he wanted. I quickly apologized and explained that I had no cash wherewith to tip him. Extortively he replied, "We'll just see if your bags make it to their destination."
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Did he really think he could threaten me with intentionally misplacing our luggage? Well...I was ticked...but I believed that he would be true to his word. Reading the signs of internal conflict on my face, he generously pointed to a nearby ATM machine (as I'm sure he had done hundreds of times before). With a broad mischievious smile after receiving an enormously large extorted tip (because I couldn't get change for the large bills the ATM spits out), he was happy to provide me the assurance that my bags would surely arrive at their destination.
Since that day I have often pondered on the significance of giving someone a tip. The way I see it, tips should not be given to someone who is simply doing their job. Gratuities should be reserved for those whose service is exemplary and extraordinary, for one who goes above and beyond the call of duty, for one who is willing to go the extra mile to serve.The motivation to provide the level of service required to create raving fans has been removed and has been replaced with a sense of gratuity-entitlement which troubles my soul.
This leads me to my next peeve...standing ovations! When is the last time that you attended a performance that did not end with a standing ovation?! I can't even recall the last time it has been so long ago.
A few years ago, after a pretty mediocre performance, I determined to remain with my derriere planted while everyone else around me slowly stood to applaud out of some seductive spirit of obligation. You should have seen all the crustly looks cast at me! So, I succumbed to extortion once again and reluctantly stood with all the lemmings and half-heartedly clapped my hands together until they stung with hypocrisy.The standing ovation has lost its significance in society. The only way I can tell if a standing ovation is sincere or not is how quickly people jump to their feet to applaud. Jessica and I recently attended a performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet at the new Mesa Arts Center. The actor portraying Hamlet excelled above all the other high-quality actors. As he took his bow, the entire audience simulataneously leaped to their feet in praise of his passionate performance. That was a true standing O!
So, being the pragmatist that I am, may I suggest what we as society shall do to overcome these false traditions? Follow your heart, not the seductive spirit of obligation, when it comes time for you to tip or to stand.
miércoles, marzo 29, 2006
Let us be one!
Just some more random thoughts on immigration...
* This issue is putting our nation at an important crossroad which will determine our future as a unified nation. The right thing needs to be done, and done quickly.
* What if all my latino friends, five years down the road when the entire southwest is predominantly hispanic, decide to secede from the United States? Would we let them become their own third world country or would we have another civil war over it? Would we cease to be "united" states.
* The founding fathers and later presidents all saw the need of controlling who comes into our country. They saw America as a place to fulfill dreams for those who had character and ambition. They did not see America as a place for all the poor to come and live off the public treasury.
* The more I read about the founding fathers' views the more I see the importance of immigrants coming to the United States to be "AMERICANS". I can see more clearly the need to assimilate. The more I see the need that we as Americans become ONE!
* If immigrants do not want to become Americans and do not want to assimilate, they should not be allowed into the country.
* By assimilation, I refer to immigrants bringing the best parts of the heritage and culture and blessing and enriching America with those things. It means leaving behind the negative aspects of ones culture. It means letting your ancestry become a sub-culture, not the dominant culture. This means immigrants learning the predominant language to provide a better life for themselves and for their families.
* Becoming one has a lot of spiritual symbolism for me. There is oneness with one's spouse and there is oneness with God. I believe there is also oneness with our brothers and neighbors that makes us stronger than does celebrating our diversity. In marriage, in order to become one, you have to stop being selfish and always seeking to satisfy yourself. So to with our nation becoming one. We have to stop being selfish, set aside our differences and lift each other up as we unitedly seek to become one, one America!!!
Hermanos Mexicanos! Que vengan a mi pias para que mejoran sus vidas, pero que vengan con el deseo de ser Americanos y disfrutar las bendiciones de ser parte del mejor pais en el mundo. Aqui puedes hacer to propia fortuna, sin asistencia del gobierno. Tu puedes viver el sueno americano. Que vengan legalmente y que aprendan el idioma ingles para el provecho de tu y de todos los demas.
* This issue is putting our nation at an important crossroad which will determine our future as a unified nation. The right thing needs to be done, and done quickly.
* What if all my latino friends, five years down the road when the entire southwest is predominantly hispanic, decide to secede from the United States? Would we let them become their own third world country or would we have another civil war over it? Would we cease to be "united" states.
* The founding fathers and later presidents all saw the need of controlling who comes into our country. They saw America as a place to fulfill dreams for those who had character and ambition. They did not see America as a place for all the poor to come and live off the public treasury.
* The more I read about the founding fathers' views the more I see the importance of immigrants coming to the United States to be "AMERICANS". I can see more clearly the need to assimilate. The more I see the need that we as Americans become ONE!
* If immigrants do not want to become Americans and do not want to assimilate, they should not be allowed into the country.
* By assimilation, I refer to immigrants bringing the best parts of the heritage and culture and blessing and enriching America with those things. It means leaving behind the negative aspects of ones culture. It means letting your ancestry become a sub-culture, not the dominant culture. This means immigrants learning the predominant language to provide a better life for themselves and for their families.
* Becoming one has a lot of spiritual symbolism for me. There is oneness with one's spouse and there is oneness with God. I believe there is also oneness with our brothers and neighbors that makes us stronger than does celebrating our diversity. In marriage, in order to become one, you have to stop being selfish and always seeking to satisfy yourself. So to with our nation becoming one. We have to stop being selfish, set aside our differences and lift each other up as we unitedly seek to become one, one America!!!
Hermanos Mexicanos! Que vengan a mi pias para que mejoran sus vidas, pero que vengan con el deseo de ser Americanos y disfrutar las bendiciones de ser parte del mejor pais en el mundo. Aqui puedes hacer to propia fortuna, sin asistencia del gobierno. Tu puedes viver el sueno americano. Que vengan legalmente y que aprendan el idioma ingles para el provecho de tu y de todos los demas.
martes, marzo 28, 2006
Teddy Roosevelt on Immigration
Theodore Roosevelt didn't shy away from the issue of immigration. He was quite the opinionated fellow. Check out this link from the Theodore Roosevelt Web Encyclopedia. There are some interesting quotes. Some of his statements are racist by today's standards. They even made me say, "I can't believe he said that!" and I disagree on those points. But if you can look past that, there is some sound reasoning to his point of view. These quotes are mostly from after his time as President.
lunes, marzo 27, 2006
Immigration destroying America?
Interesting speech from former Governor Lamm. Please see my blog entry on Illegal Immigration for my views on this subject.
I HAVE A PLAN TO DESTROY AMERICA
RICHARD D. LAMM
I HAVE A SECRET PLAN TO DESTROY AMERICA. IF YOU BELIEVE, AS MANY DO, THAT AMERICA IS TOO SMUG, TOO WHITE BREAD, TOO SELF-SATISFIED, TOO RICH, LETS DESTROY AMERICA. IT IS NOT THAT HARD TO DO. HISTORY SHOWS THAT NATIONS ARE MORE FRAGILE THAN THEIR CITIZENS THINK. NO NATION IN HISTORY HAS SURVIVED THE RAVAGES OF TIME.
ARNOLD TOYNBEE OBSERVED THAT ALL GREAT CIVILIZATIONS RISE AND THEY ALL FALL, AND THAT "AN AUTOPSY OF HISTORY WOULD SHOW THAT ALL GREAT NATIONS COMMIT SUICIDE."
HERE IS MY PLAN:
I. WE MUST FIRST MAKE AMERICA A BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL COUNTRY. HISTORY SHOWS, IN MY OPINION, THAT NO NATION CAN SURVIVE THE TENSION, CONFLICT, AND ANTAGONISM OF TWO COMPETING LANGUAGES AND CULTURES. IT IS A BLESSING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE BILINGUAL; IT IS A CURSE FOR A SOCIETY TO BE BILINGUAL.
ONE SCHOLAR, SEYMOUR MARTIN LIPSET, PUT IT THIS WAY:
THE HISTORIES OF BILINGUAL AND BICULTURAL SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT ASSIMILATE ARE HISTORIES OF TURMOIL, TENSION, AND TRAGEDY. CANADA, BELGIUM, MALAYSIA, LEBANON-ALL FACE CRISES OF NATIONAL EXISTENCE IN WHICH MINORITIES PRESS FOR AUTONOMY, IF NOT INDEPENDENCE. PAKISTAN AND CYPRUS HAVE DIVIDED. NIGERIA SUPPRESSED AN ETHNIC REBELLION. FRANCE FACES DIFFICULTIES WITH ITS BASQUES, BRETONS, AND CORSICANS.
II. I WOULD THEN INVENT "MULTICULTURALISM" AND ENCOURAGE IMMIGRANTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR OWN CULTURE. I WOULD MAKE IT AN ARTICLE OF BELIEF THAT ALL CULTURES ARE EQUAL: THAT THERE ARE NO CULTURAL DIFFERENCES THAT ARE IMPORTANT. I WOULD DECLARE IT AN ARTICLE OF FAITH THAT THE BLACK AND HISPANIC DROPOUT RATE IS ONLY DUE TO PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION BY THE MAJORITY. EVERY OTHER EXPLANATION IS OUT-OF-BOUNDS.
III. WE CAN MAKE THE UNITED STATES A "HISPANIC QUEBEC" WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT. THE KEY IS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY RATHER THAN UNITY.
AS BENJAMIN SCHWARZ SAID IN THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY RECENTLY:
...THE APPARENT SUCCESS OF OUR OWN MULTIETHNIC AND MULTICULTURAL EXPERIMENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED NOT BY TOLERANCE BUT BY HEGEMONY. WITHOUT THE DOMINANCE THAT ONCE DICTATED ETHNOCENTRICALLY, AND WHAT IT MEANT TO BE AN AMERICAN, WE ARE LEFT WITH ONLY TOLERANCE AND PLURALISM TO HOLD US TOGETHER.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL IMMIGRANTS TO KEEP THEIR OWN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE. I WOULD REPLACE THE MELTING POT METAPHOR WITH A SALAD BOWL METAPHOR. IT IS IMPORTANT TO INSURE THAT WE HAVE VARIOUS CULTURAL SUB-GROUPS LIVING IN AMERICA REINFORCING THEIR DIFFERENCES RATHER THAN AMERICANS, EMPHASIZING THEIR SIMILARITIES.
IV. HAVING DONE ALL THIS, I WOULD MAKE OUR FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP THE LEAST EDUCATED - I WOULD ADD A SECOND UNDERCLASS, UNASSIMILATED, UNDEREDUCATED, AND ANTAGONISTIC TO OUR POPULATION. I WOULD HAVE THIS SECOND UNDERCLASS HAVE A 50% DROP OUT RATE FROM SCHOOL.
V. I WOULD THEN GET THE BIG FOUNDATIONS AND BIG BUSINESS TO GIVE THESE EFFORTS LOTS OF MONEY. I WOULD INVEST IN ETHNIC IDENTITY, AND I WOULD ESTABLISH THE CULT OF VICTIMOLOGY. I WOULD GET ALL MINORITIES TO THINK THEIR LACK OF SUCCESS WAS ALL THE FAULT OF THE MAJORITY - I WOULD START A GRIEVANCE INDUSTRY BLAMING ALL MINORITY FAILURE ON THE MAJORITY POPULATION.
VI. I WOULD ESTABLISH DUAL CITIZENSHIP AND PROMOTE DIVIDED LOYALTIES. I WOULD "CELEBRATE DIVERSITY." "DIVERSITY" IS A WONDERFULLY SEDUCTIVE WORD. IT STRESSES DIFFERENCES RATHER THAN COMMONALITIES. DIVERSE PEOPLE WORLDWIDE ARE MOSTLY ENGAGED IN HATING EACH OTHER-THAT IS, WHEN THEY ARE NOT KILLING EACH OTHER. A DIVERSE," PEACEFUL, OR STABLE SOCIETY IS AGAINST MOST HISTORICAL PRECEDENT. PEOPLE UNDERVALUE THE UNITY IT TAKES TO KEEP A NATION TOGETHER, AND WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS MYOPIA.
LOOK AT THE ANCIENT GREEKS. DORF'S WORLD HISTORY TELLS US:
THE GREEKS BELIEVED THAT THEY BELONGED TO THE SAME RACE; THEY POSSESSED A COMMON LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE; AND THEY WORSHIPED THE SAME GODS. ALL GREECE TOOK PART IN THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN HONOR OF ZEUS AND ALL GREEKS VENERATED THE SHRINE OF APOLLO AT DELPHI. A COMMON ENEMY PERSIA THREATENED THEIR LIBERTY. YET, ALL OF THESE BONDS TOGETHER WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERCOME TWO FACTORS . . . (LOCAL PATRIOTISM AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS THAT NURTURED POLITICAL DIVISIONS . . .)
IF WE CAN PUT THE EMPHASIS ON THE "PLURIBUS," INSTEAD OF THE "UNUM," WE CAN BALKANIZE AMERICA AS SURELY AS KOSOVO.
VII. THEN I WOULD PLACE ALL THESE SUBJECTS OFF LIMITS - MAKE IT TABOO TO TALK ABOUT. I WOULD FIND A WORD SIMILAR TO "HERETIC" IN THE 16TH CENTURY - THAT STOPPED DISCUSSION AND PARALYZED THINKING. WORDS LIKE "RACIST", "XENOPHOBE" THAT HALTS ARGUMENT AND CONVERSATION. HAVING MADE AMERICA A BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL COUNTRY, HAVING ESTABLISHED MULTICULTURALISM, HAVING THE LARGE FOUNDATIONS FUND THE DOCTRINE OF "VICTIMOLOGY", I WOULD NEXT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS. I WOULD DEVELOP A MANTRA - "THAT BECAUSE IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN GOOD FOR AMERICA, IT MUST ALWAYS BE GOOD." I WOULD MAKE EVERY INDIVIDUAL IMMIGRANT SYMPATRIC AND IGNORE THE CUMULATIVE IMPACT.
VIII. LASTLY, I WOULD CENSOR VICTOR DAVIS HANSON'S BOOK MEXIFORNIA — THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS — IT EXPOSES MY PLAN TO DESTROY AMERICA. SO PLEASE, PLEASE — IF YOU FEEL THAT AMERICA DESERVES TO BE DESTROYED — PLEASE, PLEASE — DON'T BUY THIS BOOK! THIS GUY IS ON TO MY PLAN.
"THE SMART WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE PASSIVE AND OBEDIENT IS TO STRICTLY LIMIT THE SPECTRUM OF ACCEPTABLE OPINION, BUT ALLOW VERY LIVELY DEBATE WITHIN THAT SPECTRUM." — NOAM CHOMSKY, AMERICAN LINGUIST AND US MEDIA AND FOREIGN POLICY CRITIC.
Ben Stein on the Oscars
Please read Ben Stein's take on the Oscars. His sentiments are interesting as he seems to be a Hollywood insider, but I am sure that he has plenty of enemies in Hollywood for statements like this. Actors and actresses are easy targets to bash for their hypocritical lives, but coming from Ben Stein, it seems to mean a little more.
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=9495
Our soldiers are truly the ones deserving of the awards and the money that Hollywood so regularly bestows upon itself.
viernes, marzo 10, 2006
Gas Recirculation Problem?
My new-used Honda Civic had its check engine light come on this week. I called the certified Honda repair shop and the gentleman told me I needed to bring it in for a computer diagnosis. I dropped it off yesterday after work. I called the mechanic shop later that night just before they closed and asked what the diagnosis was. Through his spanglish he told me that the car had a "gas recirculation problem".
"A what?" I asked.
"A gas recirculation problem" he tells me.
"So, what does that mean?"
"Well, what it means is...your gas cap wasn't on tight enough."
"A what?" I asked.
"A gas recirculation problem" he tells me.
"So, what does that mean?"
"Well, what it means is...your gas cap wasn't on tight enough."
miércoles, marzo 08, 2006
Abortion: A Renewed Debate
The abortion debate is once again coming to the forefront…perhaps rightfully so.
I don’t really look forward to hearing people lie to themselves to justify abortion. I also don’t look forward to the debate, even from those that I agree with. The extreme pro-life side is just as crazy and so often off the mark as the pro-abortion side.
I’m going to state my opinions, kind of thinking onto thru the keyboard onto the screen. I’ve just got to organize my thoughts and emotion by verbalizing them, so here it goes:
► Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.
► I believe in the sanctity of life whether born or unborn.
► I define the soul of man as the spirit and body combined together. I don’t think that the spirit of a person enters the body at the time of conception, but even according to scientific definition, a fertilized egg is the beginning of a new life. This new life…although dependant on the mother…already has certain inalienable rights as an independent being.
► God has never revealed to mankind the exact time that the spirit enters the body to create a soul, but I would rather err on the side of supporting the time of conception theory than be wrong when I stand before my maker to be judged of Him.
► Abortion should not be a form of birth control.
► Adoption is a great alternative to abortion.
► People who have abortions and participate in abortions feel a natural or God-given guilt…at least for awhile…until they are spiritually deadened to it by repetitive abortions and by pro-abortionists who evangelize the guilt out of them.
► Abortion would only be acceptable to me in the cases of the mother’s life being in danger, the fetus not being able to survive child birth, and rape and incest. Even then, abortion should not automatically be the first alternative. I know that God will guide the family affected by any of these scenarios, and that the right decision can be made with His guiding influence. This is the true definition of pro-choice.
► Every aborted child could have been the one to cure cancer…could have been the one to bring about world peace…Every aborted child could have been then one!!!
► The things God seems to care most about is how we come into this world and how we go out of it. Both are divine and should be treated us such. The sexual actions that lead to procreation should be respected as sacramental and should only be had between a man and a woman legally and lawfully wed. The termination of an unborn child is not the choice of the mother. That decision belongs only to God.
► More people have been killed by abortions than by all of the wars in the history of earth. I have read statistics that 25% or more of all pregnancies result in abortion. It sickens and saddens me so profoundly, that I can hardly bear to think it.
► I have seen ultrasounds of my three beautiful children at early stages of pregnancy. You cannot tell me that there wasn’t a little life there.
► My wife had a miscarriage not too far into our marriage. We didn’t even know she was pregnant until she miscarried. Regardless, we felt a loss of life. Those were real and incontrovertible feelings.
► Abortion, prior to the spirit entering the body, is not equivalent to murder, but it is “like unto it.” I believe that mid and late term abortions are murder.
► Whether or not abortion is legal or illegal, abortions will continue to happen. I will leave justice and mercy up to God. As for me, abortion as a birth control method should be abolished.
There is not a single argument in favor of abortion that I cannot refute with truth. The question is…will you accept or reject the truth when it presents itself to you?
I don’t really look forward to hearing people lie to themselves to justify abortion. I also don’t look forward to the debate, even from those that I agree with. The extreme pro-life side is just as crazy and so often off the mark as the pro-abortion side.
I’m going to state my opinions, kind of thinking onto thru the keyboard onto the screen. I’ve just got to organize my thoughts and emotion by verbalizing them, so here it goes:
► Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.
► I believe in the sanctity of life whether born or unborn.
► I define the soul of man as the spirit and body combined together. I don’t think that the spirit of a person enters the body at the time of conception, but even according to scientific definition, a fertilized egg is the beginning of a new life. This new life…although dependant on the mother…already has certain inalienable rights as an independent being.
► God has never revealed to mankind the exact time that the spirit enters the body to create a soul, but I would rather err on the side of supporting the time of conception theory than be wrong when I stand before my maker to be judged of Him.
► Abortion should not be a form of birth control.
► Adoption is a great alternative to abortion.
► People who have abortions and participate in abortions feel a natural or God-given guilt…at least for awhile…until they are spiritually deadened to it by repetitive abortions and by pro-abortionists who evangelize the guilt out of them.
► Abortion would only be acceptable to me in the cases of the mother’s life being in danger, the fetus not being able to survive child birth, and rape and incest. Even then, abortion should not automatically be the first alternative. I know that God will guide the family affected by any of these scenarios, and that the right decision can be made with His guiding influence. This is the true definition of pro-choice.
► Every aborted child could have been the one to cure cancer…could have been the one to bring about world peace…Every aborted child could have been then one!!!
► The things God seems to care most about is how we come into this world and how we go out of it. Both are divine and should be treated us such. The sexual actions that lead to procreation should be respected as sacramental and should only be had between a man and a woman legally and lawfully wed. The termination of an unborn child is not the choice of the mother. That decision belongs only to God.
► More people have been killed by abortions than by all of the wars in the history of earth. I have read statistics that 25% or more of all pregnancies result in abortion. It sickens and saddens me so profoundly, that I can hardly bear to think it.
► I have seen ultrasounds of my three beautiful children at early stages of pregnancy. You cannot tell me that there wasn’t a little life there.
► My wife had a miscarriage not too far into our marriage. We didn’t even know she was pregnant until she miscarried. Regardless, we felt a loss of life. Those were real and incontrovertible feelings.
► Abortion, prior to the spirit entering the body, is not equivalent to murder, but it is “like unto it.” I believe that mid and late term abortions are murder.
► Whether or not abortion is legal or illegal, abortions will continue to happen. I will leave justice and mercy up to God. As for me, abortion as a birth control method should be abolished.
There is not a single argument in favor of abortion that I cannot refute with truth. The question is…will you accept or reject the truth when it presents itself to you?
sábado, febrero 25, 2006
Fwd: E-mail Hoaxes, Urban Legends, & FPR's.
How many forwarded e-mails land in your inbox everyday? I get several from friends, family, co-workers, and from former schoolmates I hardly know. Some are cute and innocent. Some are in poor taste and I have to delete them without reading them. Many are forwarded as urgent warnings about some computer virus or the latest dangerous product from Wal-mart. Some are futile e-mail petitions for such-and-such a cause. Yet others are promises of getting Bill Gates' money simply by forwarding this e-mail to as many gullible friends and family members as you can. Above all, my favorite are the Faith Promoting Rumors (FPR's).
It must be part of human nature that we so readily believe whatever e-mail we read. I derive a bit of pleasure debunking most of these e-mail myths by going to www.snopes.com or other websites and copying the link into the reply e-mail. I spitefully include all the e-mail addresses displayed in the all the previous forwards so that I can inform all the ignorant forwarders of the error of their ways. Sometimes I include commentary meant to humiliate when I really want the point to sink in.
Some people now regard me as a spoil-sport and a party-pooper for rebutting the lies they are trying to perpetuate on me. Even my dear old grandmother won't forward anything to me anymore. I suppose that it is more fun to believe certain things, whether they are true or not. Yet some people have come to rely on me to confirm the validity of e-mails in their inboxes. I get e-mails all the time asking "Robert, is this really true? Please tell me before I embarrass myself by forwarding it to the masses." Ahh...it does feel good to be something of a fountain of truth!
The reason FPR's are my favorite is because they are the most important ones for me to expose as the shams that they so often are. Well-intentioned exaggerations meant to fortify the faithful...Sorry folks, the good Lord doesn't work like that. True faith increasing experiences are required to be TRUE.
When I reply to these FPR's and show their false natures, I think it hurts the senders more deeply, as if I am impugning their integrity as a christian. I don't intend to challenge their honesty, but I do challenge their gullibility and hope that they will use more care before ignorantly forwarding a falsehood. If they claim to be seekers of truth, they should not be so apt to accept artificialities.
For all of you that I have offended by my lack of tact in my e-mail replies, I beg your forgiveness. Keep those forwards coming!!! (otherwise I'll run out of myths to debunk)
jueves, febrero 23, 2006
The Dang Port Issue!
At first glance, this just seems like a bad deal. Most media is just giving this issue a superficial scare-the-common man treatment. The conservative media is simply defending my man W. Some conservatives are questioning our beloved leader. The crazy leadership of the left just spouts off at the mouth and nobody is listening.
Through all this tumult of words and opinions, what is a common boy like myself to believe?
Tony Snow on his radio show is the only level headed person I have heard address the topic. He is having interviews with people intimately involved with the ports and with national security.
I'm still withholding my judgement, but I recommend the Tony Snow show if you want to hear a reasoable discussion of the issue.
Through all this tumult of words and opinions, what is a common boy like myself to believe?
Tony Snow on his radio show is the only level headed person I have heard address the topic. He is having interviews with people intimately involved with the ports and with national security.
I'm still withholding my judgement, but I recommend the Tony Snow show if you want to hear a reasoable discussion of the issue.
lunes, febrero 20, 2006
Kids - Do they know right from wrong?
This is Anne. This is Anne stuck in the spoiler of her daddy's new-used Honda Civic. There is the soap her daddy used to lubricate Anne's thighs and knees to slip her out of the spoiler. Kyle and Anne and their little friends covered the freshly-washed car with dirt from the flower pot and walked all over the hood, top, and trunk of the car. Anne learned the consequences of wrong choices by getting stuck while Kyle hid behind the neighbors car. Kyle and Anne both learned restitution by helping Daddy wash the car. Kyle and Anne are banned from their little friends for the week. Daddy used his angry voice a lot, but still had his wits about him enough to find the humor in the situation and take a picture. Kyle and Anne used to think washing cars and playing in the water was fun, but not when Daddy has his angry voice. Daddy has to learn that little boys and girls do not yet have fully developed reasoning to know right from wrong. They do not understand consequences for their choices. Today they learned that some choices lead to angry daddies and manual labor. Daddy hopes that tender young minds retain lessons learned. Kyle and Anne still love their Daddy inspite of his angry voice.
Happy President's Day
Honoring our nation's presidents is a day worthy of a holiday. Most of our presidents have been honorable men, and today I honor all the good that they have done for our country and for the world.
I am especially grateful today for the founding presidents of our country. They were men of integrity and principle, true statemen. I am grateful for our current president, George W. Bush, who knows the difference between good and evil.
May God continue to bless and sustain our presidents so that we can endure through the trials the world in which we live and hold fast to constituition which our presidents have sworn to uphold!
The U.N. - United or Useless Nations?
I look at the UN as an international feel-good group masking a venue for power-mongers to publicly smile for humanity as they grind the faces of the poor for their own gain.Most of the countries in the world were not founded on the principles of "good" as was the United States of America. So, when we attempt to remain in good standing with that international fraternity, we have to compromise our principles of true freedom. Our country was established on the principles for freedom of religion, so that all its citizenry could worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. Most other countries were founded for other reasons, such as power and riches through conquest.
European public opinion polls about the United States don't mean a thing to me, but for a lot of people, including my own AZ Senator John McCain, they do. Mother's advise is best for this very situation: "If all your friends were going to run and jump off a cliff, would you go to?"
This month's Imprimis pretty much sums up my thoughts about the UN. Check it out: http://www.hillsdale.edu/imprimis/
Yes, David, this is a little "ethnocentric". When our constitution is compromised in order to kowtow to world opinion, especially that of corrupt UN officials, then ethnocentric or not, right is right and wrong is wrong.
I think the fundamental problem here is that the USA does not have an example to look up to. No other government in history has the same roots as ours. No other constitution was formed by generally honest, good and upright, God-fearing men. We can look back on history and see where governments failed and learn for that. But instead of running in the opposite way, we hasten in the direction of downfall.
The United States of America will not remain a great nation in the eyes of God and man if we let international opinion tell us what we know is right and wrong. The United States of America can remain an ensign to all nations as we hold fast and stalwart to our founding principles.
sábado, febrero 11, 2006
John Stossel's Myths, Lies & Nasty Behavior
John Stossel, you are the man! You hit the nail on the head every time. I don't know how you survive in the world of media that espouses dogma so contrary to your witty reporting, but keep it up. In the spirit of 'fairness', your exposés should be required daily viewing in all public schools and universities to provide counterpoints to the indoctrination of our children.
Hey everyone! You've got to check out John's report from last night's 20/20. It was fantastic!
Here's the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=448934&page=1
Cartoons v. Mobocracy
All right! I can’t hold back any longer…I’ve got to weigh in on this one! Sure the Mohammad cartoons were disrespectful of a religious icon. I too would be greatly saddened to see such a portrayal of my Savior. This mob reaction to the cartoons is simply unjustifiable. Attacking people, buildings, and other governments for the actions of one cartoon artist in Denmark is hardly a balanced response.
These violent protests are not just righteous indignations about dumb cartoons, but they are outward demonstrations of an inward evil. Hatred for Jews and Christians has been passed from generation to generation in these Islamic countries. Hatred and violence is often endorsed by their government and hypocritically by their religion. These people are violating the precepts of their own religion.
Brigham Young once postulated:
“He who takes offense when no offense was intended is a fool. And he who takes offense when offense was intended is usually a fool.”
The Danish cartoon artist is a fool for what he did, but the Muslim mobocrats are the greater fools!
domingo, febrero 05, 2006
Please check out "Big Morty Says"
Big Morty is none other than my little brother. He is so weird! His writting is witty and hilarious. I hope he will publish some of his work on his blog. His blog is sure to be entertaining! I take full credit for his derranged sense of humor, due to the poundings that I gave him in our younger days. Here is the link...check it out: http://www.bigmorty.blogspot.com/
I've also added the link to my list of favorites sites on the right hand column.
I've also added the link to my list of favorites sites on the right hand column.
Are certain principles greater than life itself?
Recently I have been pondering about the opinions of those people who wish to withdraw the US troops from Iraq. They always reference the number of deaths of our young men and women. They say that we are fighting for a lie perpetrated on the American people by the evil George W. Bush and his oil-loving buddies. I must confess that in the days leading up to our attacks on Iraq, the whole debate seemed centered around WMD's, which turned out to be poor intelligence. I believe Saddam at one time had WMD's, but too bad more focus was not made on Saddam Hussein's crimes against humanity. That Hitleresque style of leadership is reason enough for me to justify taking out Saddam's regime. Iraq is better off today than it was under Saddam. The Iraqi people are free! Isn't freedom a principle that is greater than life itself?
Mel Gibson Braveheart (1995) addressed the point powerfully:
William Wallace: ...I see a whole army of my country men, here in defiance of tyranny. You've come to fight as freemen, and freemen you are. What will you do without freedom?! Will you fight?
Man: No . . . we will run . . . and we will live.
William Wallace: Aye. Fight and you may die. Run and you'll live, at least a while. And, dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance -- just one chance -- to come back here and tell our enemies, that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!
Human life is extremely valuable. Sure, each newborn child has the potential to find the cure to cancer. Do we need to care for the sick and needy and relieve the suffering of others? Obviously, yes. But perhaps I value mortality less than others do because of my religious perspective. Our souls did not begin, nor will they end with this life. Perhaps because of that eternal view, I find great value in the sacrifice of one's life for principles that are greater than life itself. Freedom from evil, like Saddam Hussein and terrorists, is worth all of our lives.
If every last freedom-loving person were to give his or her life in the defense of freedom and the only remaining mortals on earth were terrorists, our sacrifice would have been worth it!!!
The freedom to be found beyond this life will be far greater for those of us who fought on the side of righteousness.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)