A painful twang at least to my ears

So many singers have this sound: someone is sitting on his chest to place a clothes pin on his nose.
It seems to be both secular and religious genre. Latest one I heard was on Catholic radio, but that painful twang can be heard just about universally, with either acoustic or electric guitar, whether singing to God or the girlfriend.

The food pantry

We were talking about the "Souper Bowl" where we collect cans of soup for the food pantry to coincide with the Super Bowl. She said she buys the cheapest off brands because she can get more and so it goes further. But does it? Look at the first and second ingredients. Look at the fillers and thickeners. Not all "unbrands" or house brands are poor quality, but many are. Try them first. If you wouldn't feed it to your family, perhaps other families don't need it either. Someone in poor health or looking for work or mentally ill needs the best nutrition, not the poorest.

Looking at the Republican candidates

Choosing a candidate.
Your mileage will vary. The economy won't be my first consideration--our debt is so bad, the country may never be able to recover no matter who is president. Obama has secured his place in history. In my lifetime I've been in 4 of the 5 quintiles, higher is a better living standard, but not always the best for friendships and family. We're at the bottom again (pensioners), and life is good.
1) Respect for Life; if the candidate isn't pro-life, won't protect a human life with the strength and power of the office, he doesn't get my consideration--scratch Ron Paul.

2) Restoration of the values and morals that led my ancestors to flee their country, roots and family and come here even before it was a recognized country early in the 18th century--again scratch Ron Paul--libertarians have many wonderful ideas they share with conservatives, but not enough for me. I don't care how he salutes the flag or if he wears a flag pin, but he needs to respect the Christian faith and how it established the freedoms we enjoy and the protections it affords other faiths.

3) A person of character I can point to with pride--scratch Newt Gingrich, who is a fabulous lecturer and debator, but seems vague about recent history (especially his own) although he claims to be a historian and wants to make his most recent mistress the first lady.

4) So that leaves (although I haven't had the news on today) Romney, Santorum and Huntsman. I will do more research on those left standing on my list.

And no, I'm not afraid of Mormons (and Gingrich's ads know many conservative Christians are because he used to be a Baptist), but I am afraid of 9/11 truthers and Paul supporters certainly fall into that hole--along with many wild eyed leftists like Rosie and Van Jones. I'm also afraid of those who don't appreciate that in many cases, our government has done a wonderful job--it's just that when the job is over, those "civil servants" never think enough is enough. We voters are the ones who turned over so much power to the Executive branch. Republicans included. And if a man's wife can't trust him, neither can I. I don't care how many annulments the Pope gives Gingrich, he was baptized a Lutheran and I think that is nonsense.

Is Ron Paul a tool of the left?

From Breitbart TV, Trevor Loudon.

"Ron Paul’s libertarian suspicion of big government defense spending, has been deliberately fostered and encouraged by the most anti libertarian elements in the land – the US hard left.

Ron Paul, and many libertarians think they can work with the left to achieve libertarian ends.

The hard bitten Leninists and disciplined Marxists of the left know they can use naive libertarians to achieve their ends – particularly to gut America’s defenses to the benefit of their foreign masters.

In short, the US left is using Ron Paul and other libertarians, to do what their armies and intelligence services have long dreamed of – destroying America’s military superiority, and with it, US national sovereignty.

By promoting the left’s defense policies, Ron Paul, a man of patriotism beyond question, could be unknowingly betraying his own country to its enemies."

Will it be Romney?

James Taranto (Wall St. Journal) writes, Gingrich has helped to define Romney as the defender of free enterprise:

[Gingrich] presence in the race has been helpful to likely nominee Romney. The former speaker's wretched and unprincipled attacks on the front-runner's business record--which "made no sense," as Gingrich himself acknowledged before he made them (hat tip: Rich Lowry)--previewed the inevitable Obama attacks coming this fall, with both inoculative and preparatory benefits for Romney.

To judge by Romney's victory speech last night, the latter effect has been impressive.

President Obama wants to put free enterprise on trial. In the last few days, we have seen some desperate Republicans join forces with him. This is such a mistake for our Party and for our nation. This country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy. We must offer an alternative vision. I stand ready to lead us down a different path, where we are lifted up by our desire to succeed, not dragged down by a resentment of success. In these difficult times, we cannot abandon the core values that define us as unique--We are One Nation, Under God.

Make no mistake, in this campaign, I will offer the American ideals of economic freedom a clear and unapologetic defense. Our campaign is about more than replacing a President; it is about saving the soul of America. This election is a choice between two very different destinies.

Moving Art™ - Gratitude

Open your eyes and really look. Flip a switch. Open a tap. Let everyone you meet this day, be blessed by your presence.



Moving Art™ - Gratitude - YouTube

National Operations Center Media Monitoring Initiative

Facebook friends you make
TV news they fake,
Every half you bake,
Every claim you stake,
They'll be watching you.

Every link you make,
Every tweet you take,
Every blog you fake
When you do update,
They'll be watching you!

Every single day,
Every word you say,
Every game you play,
Every night you stay,
They'll be watching you.

Oh can't you see?
You belong to NOC!
How your poor head aches,
With every tweet you make.

News source

Obamacare and mandatory coverage of contraception

On July 19, 2011 the Institute of Medicine issued "Clinical preventive services for women: closing the gaps.

Please note a key provision of Obamacare requiring insurers to cover all contraception services, and pay attention to the squishy words--

a fuller range of contraceptive education, counseling, methods, and services so that women can better avoid unwanted pregnancies and space their pregnancies to promote optimal birth outcomes

These services will be included in the MINIMUM package of essential health benefits by August 2012. If you're an employer with 50 women, only 2 of child bearing age, too bad. This package will be available to all.

How long has contraception been pushed as the answer to 1) better health for women, 2) healthier "wanted" babies, and a 3) solution for poverty? But according the statistics half of U.S. pregnancies are unintended. This is a boon for pharmaceutical companies and various contraceptive technologies like IUDs and implants, but will the Catholic church's teachings on natural family planning be included in that "all contraceptive methods, as well as education and counseling?" I doubt it. But Catholic hospitals, doctors, nurses will be required to violate their beliefs and church teaching. If we still had a first amendment that protected religious beliefs from the government instead of the upside down 1962 decision by the Supreme Court based on no precedents and contrary to the what the Founders intended, religious groups would have a better case.

There are already law suits making their way through the courts.

“(It’s) whether or not people, or in our case universities, who have seriously held moral convictions against abortion, should nonetheless be required to pay for it and support it, and endorse it, in effect,” Armstrong said.

The departments of Health and Human Services and Labor and Treasury have been named in the lawsuit charging, “A deliberate attack by the government on the religious beliefs of the Colorado Christian and millions of other Americans.”

What Romney would do differently

And remember these are the promises of a candidate, and we all recall how that worked in 2008.
Below are some of Romney’s more piquant criticisms of Obama, juxtaposed with what he would do differently if elected president:

This President puts his faith in government. We put our faith in the American people.

He is making the federal government bigger, burdensome, and bloated. I will make it simpler, smaller, and smarter.

He raised the national debt. I will cut, cap, and balance the budget.

He enacted job-killing regulations; I’ll eliminate them.

He lost our AAA credit rating; I’ll restore it.

He passed Obamacare; I’ll repeal it.

When it comes to the economy, my highest priority as President will be worrying about your job, not saving my own.

Internationally, President Obama has adopted an appeasement strategy. He believes America’s role as leader in the world is a thing of the past. I believe a strong America must – and will – lead the future.

He doesn’t see the need for overwhelming American military superiority. I will insist on a military so powerful no one would think of challenging it.

He chastises friends like Israel; I’ll stand with our friends.

He apologizes for America; I will never apologize for the greatest nation in the history of the Earth.

Our plans are protect freedom and opportunity, and our blueprint is the Constitution of the United States.

Source

Browsing the new books at UAPL

I stopped by the Upper Arlington Public Library today to return 2 books I didn't read--one on laptops and one on i-pods. Or was it i-pad. But I did find the Teddy Roosevelt book we're doing for bookclub next month. The records are extremely difficult to read, so I had actually reserved one thinking they were all checked out, but one was on the shelf, so a staff person had to remove my reserve.

Then I went to the New Books Non-Fiction shelf. This is always an interesting exercise because I always look through the 200s--religion. Those darn Christians--the shelf is wiped clean as usual! Just other religions like wicca, four on Judaism and a "why I left the [right wing] church" title. You can't even find a Christian book on this library's "holiday" book list. But that's old news. I blogged about that before.

But I see on the new book list they do have Glenn Beck's new book on George Washington. One. With seventeen holds.

Ah yes, banning books in the selection process. A time honored tradition.

Fog explains tax cuts

Fog, whose real name is Rob, explains how tax cuts work.

ECON 102: Taxes. Tax receipts are a non-linear, inverse function of tax rates. I.e., when rates are cut, economic activity is stimulated and tax receipts increase.

Corollary: Economic activity is NOT a zero-sum game. I.e., the rich are not getting rich at the expense of the poor.

And then he ponders. Why must the liberals continue to blame the rich?

Rick Santorum's Tax plan

THE SANTORUM SOLUTION

Cut and simplify personal income taxes by cutting the number of tax rates to just two - 10% and 28% and return to Reagan era pro-growth tax rate;

Simplify the tax code and reduce middle income taxes by eliminating the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT);

Simplify the tax code, encourage savings and investment, and reduces taxes by eliminating the Death Tax;

Lower the Capital Gains and Dividend tax rates to 12% to spur economic growth and investment;

Reduce taxes for families by tripling the personal deduction for each child;

Reduce and simplify taxes for families by eliminating marriage tax penalties throughout the federal tax code;

Retain deductions for charitable giving, home mortgage interest, healthcare, retirement savings, and children;

Eliminate the cap on deductions for losses incurred in the sale of a principal residence;

Cut the corporate income tax rate in half to make our businesses competitive around the world, from 35% to 17.5%;

Eliminate the corporate income tax for manufacturers to spur middle income job creation in the United States and benefit from the job multiplier effect in manufacturing;

Increase the Research & Development Tax Credit from 14% to 20% and make it permanent to spur on innovation in America;

Eliminate the tax on repatriated taxable corporate income invested for manufacturers equipment investment, 5.25% corporate tax rate on other repatriated income invested in the USA, and 100% expensing for new business equipment;

How people spend the work day

Seventy percent of Internet porn traffic occurs during normal work hours (between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.), with people in the Eastern time zone accounting for 30% of Internet porn use.

More disturbing statistics about this addiction.

I wonder whatever happened to the "hostile environment" employment rule.

William Daley out as Chief of Staff

Wouldn't you be anxious to leave, too? Sinking ship (I hope).

Daley gave his letter of resignation to the president in a private meeting in the Oval Office last week, recounting the administration's successes of his one year on the job and saying it was time for him to return to his hometown of Chicago.

President Obama made the news official this afternoon [Jan. 9] in a brief appearance in the state dining room of the White House, where he told reporters in somber tones that he is sorry to see Daley leave.

William Daley to step down as Obama's chief of staff - latimes.com

If it works for gay marriage, let's try file sharing

Now no one can speak against it.

"Sweden is now the first and only country to recognize Kopimism as a religion, the group said.

"For the Church of Kopimism, information is holy and copying is a sacrament," it said in a statement. "Information holds a value, in itself and in what it contains, and the value multiplies through copying. Therefore, copying is central for the organization and its members."

Philosophy student Isak Gerson, spiritual leader and founder of the Church of Kopimism, said being recognized by Sweden is a big step towards removing the stigma around copying.

"Hopefully, this is one step towards the day when we can live out our faith without fear of persecution," Gerson said in a statement.
PC magazine

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Today our bookclub met at Panera's on High Street to discuss "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski which was an Ophrah selection in 2008, and is a retelling of the Hamlet story, which Shakespeare retold from an old, well known story. I wasn't enthusiastic about this book (huge and a bit wordy), but finally sat down on the week-end and plowed about 2/3 through, skipping some sections. An amazing Edgar, who can't speak, and amazing dogs. And the story takes place in Wisconsin, so I felt a little at home. Actually, once I got into the story, I started to enjoy it. It was a lively and enthusiastic group, although smaller than usual. Our leader, Judy, did an excellent job providing additional resources.


Remaining titles for February through May:
The Big Burn; Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that saved America
The Good Earth
Wait Till New Year
Hold Up the Sky

Women not making much progress on TV

"For many decades women have struggled to overcome past stereotypes that narrowly define what it means to be female. Similarly, males have struggled to correctly position themselves in light of females’ newfound identify and empowerment. In many ways identity continues to be reshaped; and few forums are more public and more fraught with pitfalls than reality television, where outlandish behavior from both genders is encouraged, rewarded, branded, and packaged as lifestyle. The overwhelming popularity of the genre leaves many to wonder, “Where have young men and women arrived?” This study takes an in-depth look at language to examine gender portrayals in the most watched reality cable shows among children and teens ages 12 to 17. The findings paint an unfortunate picture of questionable progress for males and females.

Based on Nielsen data, four MTV shows ranked as the most-watched during the 2011 television season. They included: Jersey Shore, Real World, Teen Mom 2, and 16 and Pregnant. Analysts conducted content analysis on the most recent full season of each show. Study variables for this examination were designed to track and reflect the language as well as the context and tone of that language." From Executive Summary, Reality on MTV; gender portrayals

See full report by Parents Television Council here.

"Females talked about sex acts more than men, talked about sex more graphically than men, mentioned sexual body parts more than men, and talked about intercourse and preliminaries to intercourse more than men."

Apparently, this is a real turn-on for the male writers and producers, who are making a lot of money from turning these women into sluts.

Walnuts for breakfast

Most days I have the same breakfast. An apple, handful of walnuts, and raw carrots. I figure if I'm careless the rest of the day, at least I've covered some of the basics, plus without grain, dairy or sugar in my system, I don't get hungry. Today I read:

"The FDA has recently allowed a qualified health claim to be placed on packages of nuts, including walnuts, which says "Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease."

This 1.5-ounce serving would equal about 20 walnut halves, which would have about 277 calories, about 14% of a 2,000-calorie diet. For some people, this amount of walnuts, and this amount of calories from one food, would be excessive and would not be a prudent step to take towards their health goals. Yet, for other people this amount would fit perfectly in a meal plan and would increase its health benefits.

The serving size we feature on our website, one-quarter (1/4) cup (approximately 10 walnut halves), still provides a good amount of nutrients, but only has about 160 calories—approximately 8% of a 2,000 calorie diet." George Mateljan, World's Healthiest Foods

New Beth Moore study at UALC

Women of the Word (WOW) of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church is doing an 8 week study with video and workbooks with Beth Moore called Mercy Triumphs. There are four different opportunities to be in a study: Tuesday evening 6:45 at Mill Run; Thursday morning at 9 at Lytham Road, and 12:30 in the afternoon at Mill Run, and Saturday morning at 9:15 at Lytham Road. Today we did the introduction which examined the family relationship between James and Jesus, and between us and our natural family and our church family.

From a review

If you’re familiar with Beth Moore’s ministry, you know that James: Mercy Triumphs is also a homework-driven study. Although the teaching segments are powerful, daily homework assignments take the participant deep into the meaning of the simple but profound teaching found in James.

The sessions are designed to be a combination of large group and small group components. James: Mercy Triumphs allows Bible studies or small groups to take advantage of the compelling teaching style of Beth Moore, allowing study leaders to focus their attention on the administrative and coordination aspects along with small group facilitation.

A well-designed Leader Guide is included in the Leader Kit (along with a copy of the Member Book and DVDs. Member books as well as additional Leader Guides are available. With two table discussion options to choose from for every session, there is plenty here for your leaders to work with as they prepare for and facilitate the session.

For participants who want to dive a little deeper, this study also includes a next level aspect with articles by Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick (Moore’s daughter). Taking a look at subjects like the Acts 21 reference to the Nazirite Vow, unity and diversity, perfection, and Paul’s collection for the Jerusalem church, these reading provide some fascinating insights into the world of the early church.

The fifth level of participation is to memorize the book of James. I've always had difficulty with memorization, so I won't do that level, but I can do the other four.

Would 8 year olds write a song about Occupiers?

Did you care about politics when you were in third grade? Did your children or grandchildren. I was learning to ride a bike, playing with dolls, and imagining someday I would own a horse. It's possible I knew who the president was.

Kid Pan Alley is a non-profit that promotes song writing among children. Gee, whatever happened to letting kids be kids, develop some life experiences, bumps and bruises, and then writing about it later and becoming mega-million rock stars or TV wannabees?

Kid Pan Alley, a foundation that works with elementary schoolchildren, will take more careful notice of the lyrical content of student-produced songs after an Oct. 21 concert at Woodbrook Elementary, Albemarle County [Virginia] schools spokesman Phil Giaramita said.

The concert, which culminated a songwriting workshop led by Kid Pan Alley, featured third-grade students singing a song that championed the Occupy movement. . .

The blog Big Government referred to the lyrics of the song as “Marxist rhetoric.”

“The simplistic left wing economic nonsense of this ditty boggles the mind. But to an impressionistic third grader, it plants poisonous seeds at odds with long egalitarian American traditions that disdain class hatred,” the blog states.

Jefferson Area Tea Party Chairwoman Carole Thorpe said she was skeptical that the lyrics to the song had come exclusively from third-graders.

“Even [after] a cursory glance at the lyrics to this song, I find it hard to believe that an eight-year-old would have something to say about the bubble bursting,” Thorpe said Tuesday. “I know it says on their website that the ideas come from the kids, but I would question how much input the facilitator had to do with writing the song.” Albemarle third-graders' Occupy song draws criticism | Daily Progress

Can't imagine the shorts in a knot (after wetting them) if a group of children had written something about Jesus and then performed it. No use even speculating. Lawyers for ACLU would have stopped the performance.