“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that they will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant can be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).
I must admit that I do not understand very much about the [most recent edition] of President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan. Oh, I’ve heard plenty from both sides of the political divide, but hearing about something does not always equate to understanding in my case.
One of the things that I’ve heard is that it provides for many public works projects, which is very good. For our highways and bridges are crumbling, and many of our schools are in even worse shape.
I’ve also heard that it provides for the purchasing of many bad mortgages, which does hold some concern for me. For it is good to actually take care of the problem that the banking industry has saddled itself with instead of just giving them dump truck loads of money to do with as they like, but what about the people who have lost their homes?
Yes, this is America, and we don’t do that sort of thing—according to my staunchly conservative roots. Why, I can still hear them say, “Everyone should lie in the bed they have made, and if that bed gets tossed out in the street, well, they shouldn’t have made it there!”
Since becoming much more of a bleeding-heart liberal than I care to publicly admit to, I wonder why we cannot have our cake and eat it too when it comes to cleaning up the sub-prime mortgage mess? For the Federal government could buy up mortgages just like a private broker would, and then have the residents of the homes pay off their loans at a substantially lower rate.
Oh yes, special terms and conditions would have to apply. For I would be a lot less lenient towards those who purchased properties just for the sake of selling them at a profit as the market went higher and higher than those who meant to actually live there, and some provision would have to made for those who have been already foreclosed on months ago, just to be fair.
Aside from being fair, it would make good economic sense. For people who live in homes have a tendency to pay more taxes than receive government benefits. Whereas homeless people do not.
Speaking of making good economic sense, why couldn’t the Federal government contract with the major auto manufacturers to retool some of their idle factories to produce a bunch of those new generation [blast-resistant vehicles] that the military has been in such desperate need of? Yes, it could be argued that there would not be so much need for such vehicles if we would just keep our troops out of harm’s way, but that’s an argument for another day.
Yes, I think I’ve heard something or another about some provisions to encourage the production of alternative fuel vehicles for the general public, which is good, I suppose. For I am a much bigger fan of power than economy, which means that there may still be some hope left for me yet.
What I haven’t heard anything about is a drastic overhaul of the federal bureaucracy itself. For billions upon billions of dollars in federal budget could be diverted to actually doing something good if there was not redundant level upon level in every agency to pay for.
Speaking of redundancies, why do we need more than the [FBI] and the [CIA] to take care of our national security and law enforcement issues? For I understand that there is a danger in giving too much power to too few, but is that not what congressional oversight is supposed to be guarding against?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I am basking in the glow of a very high fever with this fit. For I would also like to see what would be left of the federal bureaucracy after a good spring cleaning get much more personally involved in the allocation of the funds that they are entrusted with. For no one in their right mind is going to just thrown money out of their office window if they look at it as being their own money that is meant to help their own family members in one way or another.
Alas, I may very well be quite mad, and not in a good way, neither. For I want to believe that there really are enough good people in this country to pull it off.
Hey, it has something for everyone. For there would be more than enough money to pay for all of the social welfare programs that the Democrats could dream up, and cut taxes for the sake of Republican sanity.
Yeah, you’re probably right. They would never go for it. For the leaders on both sides of the political divide like the bed they are laying in, even at this time, just the way it is.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Sunday Drive
Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leasurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again.
Link: [Art Painting Weekly]
Link: [Crocodile Soup For The Soul]
Link: [Buddie and Vita's World]
Link: [Trendy Tots]
Link: [Art Painting Weekly]
Link: [Crocodile Soup For The Soul]
Link: [Buddie and Vita's World]
Link: [Trendy Tots]
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bittersweet Refinements: IV
Bittersweet Refinements is another book that I have been given to publish. If it gets to sounding an awfully lot like a broken player stuck on repeating the same old wrong song over and over again that is because it is to a fairly great extent. For most of it contains rewritten parts of the Bitter/Sweets that were published here before. Hopefully, it will get to sounding a lot better to you very soon, and for the benefit of those who do not have access to multiple versions of our Heavenly Father's Holy Bible, numbered Scripture references in the text (for example, [1]) provide links to such through Bible Gateway this time around. The same also applies to verses included in the text.
Chapter IV
A Matter Of Image
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock; over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [Genesis 1:26-27 NIV]
A Matter Of Image
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock; over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [Genesis 1:26-27 NIV]
It is, above all else, because of Adam and Eve being created by our Heavenly Father that makes Him ultimately responsible for their actions. For it would be different if He was just a superior being that came upon them after they reached sentience, and took it upon Himself to show them and their descendents how to reach a higher plane of existence.
Many in the Christian community would argue that I have missed a critical point about their creation that changes everything. For it is because of them being created IN HIS IMAGE that they are fully responsible for their own actions.
Methinks that they have missed a point or two themselves. For a long, hard look in a mirror should serve as sufficient proof in and of itself that the image that we were all created in is but a poor reflection of our Heavenly Father’s glory[1]. For who from amongst us in the history of our existence could have ever honestly said that they were all-powerful, or all-knowing, or always-present—let alone perfect in all of their own most awesome ways[2]?
The counter to that is that it was not until after they had sinned that their image became tarnished, and there appears to be Biblical evidence to support this. For it is true that our Heavenly Father considered everything that He had created in the beginning as being VERY GOOD[3], and in Mark 10: 18 it is made abundantly clear that only God is good. For it is written: And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” [Mark 10:18 NAS]
However, if Adam and Eve had of been created as good as our Heavenly Father truly is, they would not have eaten of the forbidden fruit—now, would they? For our Heavenly Father is not tempted by sin[4]!
On a related note, far too many have been led to believe just the opposite of that. For it has been widely taught (in one way or another) that Christ Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are when He walked upon the face of this world in the flesh[5].
Much of this is based upon a misunderstanding of such passages as Hebrews 2:9-18. For it is written: But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. [Hebrews 2:9-18 NAS]
Yes, that does make it sound like Christ Jesus was just like we naturally are before His resurrection[6], but who from amongst can honestly say that we are without sin? For it is written: This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. [1 John 1:5-10 NAS]
Therefore, how can it be believed that Christ Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are? For He was without sin[7]!
{1}1 Corinthians 13:11-12; {2}Psalms 14:1-3; {3}Genesis 1:31; {4}James 1:13; {5}John 1:14; {6}Luke 24:1-8; {7}2 Corinthians 5:18.
Many in the Christian community would argue that I have missed a critical point about their creation that changes everything. For it is because of them being created IN HIS IMAGE that they are fully responsible for their own actions.
Methinks that they have missed a point or two themselves. For a long, hard look in a mirror should serve as sufficient proof in and of itself that the image that we were all created in is but a poor reflection of our Heavenly Father’s glory[1]. For who from amongst us in the history of our existence could have ever honestly said that they were all-powerful, or all-knowing, or always-present—let alone perfect in all of their own most awesome ways[2]?
The counter to that is that it was not until after they had sinned that their image became tarnished, and there appears to be Biblical evidence to support this. For it is true that our Heavenly Father considered everything that He had created in the beginning as being VERY GOOD[3], and in Mark 10: 18 it is made abundantly clear that only God is good. For it is written: And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” [Mark 10:18 NAS]
However, if Adam and Eve had of been created as good as our Heavenly Father truly is, they would not have eaten of the forbidden fruit—now, would they? For our Heavenly Father is not tempted by sin[4]!
On a related note, far too many have been led to believe just the opposite of that. For it has been widely taught (in one way or another) that Christ Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are when He walked upon the face of this world in the flesh[5].
Much of this is based upon a misunderstanding of such passages as Hebrews 2:9-18. For it is written: But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I WILL PROCLAIM YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN, IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” And again, “I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM.” And again, “BEHOLD, I AND THE CHILDREN WHOM GOD HAS GIVEN ME.” Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. [Hebrews 2:9-18 NAS]
Yes, that does make it sound like Christ Jesus was just like we naturally are before His resurrection[6], but who from amongst can honestly say that we are without sin? For it is written: This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. [1 John 1:5-10 NAS]
Therefore, how can it be believed that Christ Jesus was not so unlike we naturally are? For He was without sin[7]!
{1}1 Corinthians 13:11-12; {2}Psalms 14:1-3; {3}Genesis 1:31; {4}James 1:13; {5}John 1:14; {6}Luke 24:1-8; {7}2 Corinthians 5:18.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Sites To See
This is the new version of FIVE FOR FRIDAY. As with the former, it is the SOLE purpose of this weekly series to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. Please, go see for yourself.
Link: [Mungo Says Bah!]
Link: [The Poster District]
Link: [Our Evolution]
Link: [Mungo Says Bah!] Link: [The Poster District]
Link: [Our Evolution]
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
TWO FOR TUESDAY {REDO}
Not every song that will be featured here will be what is generally considered as being “Christian” in the eyes of this world. For some will be anguished cries from the pit of despair, and others will be quite obviously ferverent rants of rebellion. Nonetheless, be assured that they will all be of our Heavenly Father (in one way or another) and I hope that you have been given ears to hear the message.
Lost
Avenged Sevenfold
Centuries passed and still the same
War in our blood
Some things never change
Fighting for land and personal gain
Better your life
Justify our pain
The end is knocking
The end is knocking
We’ve all
Been lost for most of this life
Lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn
More hatred surrounds us
And I know
That most of us just ain’t right
Most of us just ain’t right
Following the wrong steps
Being led by pride
How many lives will we take
How many hearts destined to break
Nowhere to run
Can’t escape
Follow the Son
Time to obey
The end is knocking
The end is knocking
We’ve all
Been lost for most of this life
Lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn
More hatred surrounds us
And I know
That most us just ain’t right
Most of us just ain’t right
Following the wrong steps
Being led by pride
With peace of mind so hard to find
We’re dwelling on the drastic signs
Another way to numb our mind
And as you close your eyes tonight
And pray for a better life
You’ll see it flying helplessly away
We’ve all
Been lost for most of this life
Lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn
More hatred surrounds us
And I know
That most us just ain’t right
Most of us just ain’t right
Following the wrong steps
Being led by pride
We’ve all
Been lost for most of this life
Lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn
More hatred surrounds us
And I know
That most us just ain’t right
Most of us just ain’t right
Following the wrong steps
Being led by pride
We’ve all
Been lost for most of this life
Lost for most of this life
Everywhere we turn
More hatred surrounds us
And I know
That most us just ain’t right
Most of us just ain’t right
Following the wrong steps
Being led by pride
Dear God
Avenged Sevenfold
A lonely road
Crossed another cold state line
Miles away from those I love
Purpose hard to find
While I recall
All the words you spoke to me
Can’t help but wish that I was there
Back where I’d love to be
Oh yeah
Dear God
The only thing I ask of You
Is to hold her when I’m not around
When I’m much too far away
We all need
That person who can be true to you
But I left her when I found her
And now I wish I’d stayed
‘Cause I’m lonely
And I’m tired
I’m missing you again
Oh no
Once again
There’s nothing here
For me on this barren road
There’s no one here while the city sleeps
And all the shops are closed
Can’t help but think
Of the times I’ve had with you
Pictures and some memories
Will have to help me through
Oh yeah
Dear God
The only thing I ask of You
Is to hold here when I’m not around
When I’m much too far away
We all need
That person who can be true to you
I left her when I found her
And now I wish I’d stayed
“Cause I’m lonely
And I’m tired
I’m missing you again
Oh no
Once again
Some search
Never finding a way
Before long
They waste away
I found you
Something told me to stay
I gave in
To selfish ways
And how I miss someone to hold
When hope begins to fade
A lonely road
Crossed another cold state line
Miles away from those I love
Purpose hard to find
Dear God
The only thing I ask of You
Is to hold her when I’m not around
When I’m much too far away
We all need
The person who can be true to you
I left her when I found her
And now I wish I’d stayed
“Cause I’m lonely
And I’m tired
I’m missing you again
Oh no
Once again
Link: [Avenged Sevenfold]
Lyrics From: [Plyrics.com]
WhiteHeart Wednesday
Link: [Inside]MP3 Audio Player From: [BlogDumps Video]
Dominate
WhiteHeart
Brain dead people
Pain bred people
The world’s a stable
Full of them all
Shame fed people
Potato head people
I know that I’m able
To be one of them
Eggs get scrambled
My thoughts get tangled
Cleanse my temple
You know I don’t
I don’t need this
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
The lines get thinner
Ethics dimmer
Who’s the winner
Chained with no rules
Remove the question
From my action
I’ll take direction
Only from You
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
Crack my coma
Pop my paranoia
I’m living like a disease
I’m giving it over to someone higher
Come take control over me
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Dominate my heart
Oh won’t you dominate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
Elevate my mind
Oh won’t you elevate it
Dominate
Dominate me
Dominate me
Link: [WhiteHeart]
Monday, February 9, 2009
Come Monday...DTV
“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I'm told).
[DTV] stands for Digitial TeleVision, and unless you have been living under a very large rock in a very isolated place, or just don’t watch local television stations in the United States of America, there is absolutely no way that you could be unaware of the fact that the end of analog television broadcasts was scheduled for [February 17, 2009]. For the big push started with notifications of the transistion scrolling across the bottom of the screen at all hours of the day and night well over a year ago, and for at least the last couple of months, notifications that covered a good fifth of the screen have been popping up at the beginning of every show! No, there is not a doubt in my mind about the vast majority of the American public being fully aware of this.
Even as irritating as it has been for me, I found some comfort in knowing that it would all be over on February 18, 2009. For it would be rather ridiculous to broadcast new notifications stating that all who could see them were indeed receiving a digital television signal.
Yes, I suppose there could be some sort of a notification broadcasted for those who were still trying to receive analog television signals, but I fail to see the point. For who would see the notification since it would have to be broadcasted digitally because by law anyone caught broadcasting analog television signals after February 17, 2009 would receive a thrashing that they would not soon forget?
It has now been proven to me that far too many in this country are just too stupid to breathe on their own, however. For it has been determined that thousands upon thousands are not ready to receive digital television signals yet, and as a result of this, I must endure the agony of seeing more notifications (probably covering the entire screen for at least half of every show this time around) until at least [June 12, 2009].
No, I do not mean to be mean, but come on people—have you not had enough time already? For [converter boxes] have been readily available for quite some time now—even at a substantial discount with a [government voucher]!
Yes, I am sure that are some exceptions. Be assured that my ire is not directed at those caught up in unavoidable circumstances. It is, however, directed at those who have just sat around and done nothing to get ready for the change.
Now, if you would go against my advice and talk to my wife, she would probably tell you (since she gets immense pleasure from ratting me out on the extremely rare occasions when I fail to exceed her impossibly high expectations) that even I have been confused about what kind of an antenna was needed to receive digital television signals. For I was under the impression that a special kind of antenna that was made to receive digital signals was required, and I have recently discovered that any [good quality antenna] that receives both [VHF] and [UHF] band signals will work just fine.
Yes, I have seen news reports about problems with receiving digital signals, even with a good quality antenna. One that comes to mind was about residents of [Miami, OK] picking up digital broadcasts from [Tulsa, OK] (around 90 miles to the southwest) a lot better than those coming from [Joplin, MO] (around 10 miles to the northeast), but it turned out to be no big deal. For the Tulsa stations were already broadcasting their digital signals at full-power while the Joplin stations were not.
Alas, the simplest solution would be to just keep both kinds of television signals going. For those who wanted to receive a much better picture (even in high-definition, with the right kind of television set) could receive the digital signals, and those who could not care less could have their trusty, old analog signals, but there is probably some study commissioned by the [Sierra Club] or [Greenpeace], maybe even [PETA], that concludes that the broadcasting of both digital and analog television signals over an extended period of time would tear a hole in the [space/time continuum].
So, we can’t be having that. For future generations just wouldn’t understand, but what about me?
[DTV] stands for Digitial TeleVision, and unless you have been living under a very large rock in a very isolated place, or just don’t watch local television stations in the United States of America, there is absolutely no way that you could be unaware of the fact that the end of analog television broadcasts was scheduled for [February 17, 2009]. For the big push started with notifications of the transistion scrolling across the bottom of the screen at all hours of the day and night well over a year ago, and for at least the last couple of months, notifications that covered a good fifth of the screen have been popping up at the beginning of every show! No, there is not a doubt in my mind about the vast majority of the American public being fully aware of this.
Even as irritating as it has been for me, I found some comfort in knowing that it would all be over on February 18, 2009. For it would be rather ridiculous to broadcast new notifications stating that all who could see them were indeed receiving a digital television signal.
Yes, I suppose there could be some sort of a notification broadcasted for those who were still trying to receive analog television signals, but I fail to see the point. For who would see the notification since it would have to be broadcasted digitally because by law anyone caught broadcasting analog television signals after February 17, 2009 would receive a thrashing that they would not soon forget?
It has now been proven to me that far too many in this country are just too stupid to breathe on their own, however. For it has been determined that thousands upon thousands are not ready to receive digital television signals yet, and as a result of this, I must endure the agony of seeing more notifications (probably covering the entire screen for at least half of every show this time around) until at least [June 12, 2009].
No, I do not mean to be mean, but come on people—have you not had enough time already? For [converter boxes] have been readily available for quite some time now—even at a substantial discount with a [government voucher]!
Yes, I am sure that are some exceptions. Be assured that my ire is not directed at those caught up in unavoidable circumstances. It is, however, directed at those who have just sat around and done nothing to get ready for the change.
Now, if you would go against my advice and talk to my wife, she would probably tell you (since she gets immense pleasure from ratting me out on the extremely rare occasions when I fail to exceed her impossibly high expectations) that even I have been confused about what kind of an antenna was needed to receive digital television signals. For I was under the impression that a special kind of antenna that was made to receive digital signals was required, and I have recently discovered that any [good quality antenna] that receives both [VHF] and [UHF] band signals will work just fine.
Yes, I have seen news reports about problems with receiving digital signals, even with a good quality antenna. One that comes to mind was about residents of [Miami, OK] picking up digital broadcasts from [Tulsa, OK] (around 90 miles to the southwest) a lot better than those coming from [Joplin, MO] (around 10 miles to the northeast), but it turned out to be no big deal. For the Tulsa stations were already broadcasting their digital signals at full-power while the Joplin stations were not.
Alas, the simplest solution would be to just keep both kinds of television signals going. For those who wanted to receive a much better picture (even in high-definition, with the right kind of television set) could receive the digital signals, and those who could not care less could have their trusty, old analog signals, but there is probably some study commissioned by the [Sierra Club] or [Greenpeace], maybe even [PETA], that concludes that the broadcasting of both digital and analog television signals over an extended period of time would tear a hole in the [space/time continuum].
So, we can’t be having that. For future generations just wouldn’t understand, but what about me?
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