Abortion
Border
CIA censorship and collusion
Diversity Inclusion and Equity
Education, Department of
FBI
Green New Deal
Homeland Security, Department of
Interference, Election
Justice, Department of
Kerry, John
Laptop, Hunter Biden’s
Mail in Ballots
National Security Council, Biden’s
Open Society Foundation—George Soros’ grants
Perkins Coie
Questions, Biden answering
Russia, Russia, Russia
Surveillance
Transagenda
Ukraine—VP leveraged $1 billion in aid and Hunter gets $83,000/month from Burisma
Vaccine mandates
Woke
Xi Jingping
You Tube, Google, Facebook, Twitter social media collusion with government
Zuckerberg
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Monday, January 09, 2023
Dr. Aaron Kheriaty , former hero of the pandemic,
Jeffrey Tucker comments on our intellectual class: "It’s a terrible reality now that you are far more likely to get clear thought from anyone who is not dependent on the system they are denouncing. A chef at a restaurant, a specialist in dry-wall installation, a barber, or a bartender is freer to tell the truth than the faculty of Harvard, Yale, and Oxford. I have no fix for this problem. I’m merely observing it."
https://aaronkheriaty.substack.com/p/what-has-the-last-three-years-done?
https://aaronkheriaty.substack.com/p/what-has-the-last-three-years-done?
Sunday, January 08, 2023
Epiphany of the Lord
Happy Epiphany of the Lord. Epiphany is one of the big three in Christian celebrations, but not all Christians have the same day and some fundamentalists think it's not in the Bible (it is), and don't have a special day. We also sing about it in the familiar song, "The 12 days of Christmas." Technically, the 12th day was January 5, and the actual celebration is January 6. But some feast days are "moveable" and you'll need to check your calendar all year for Ash Wednesday, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Advent. This holy day celebrates the appearance of the Wise Men from the East described in Matt. 2 bearing gifts (also a prophecy in Isaiah 60). Some Eastern traditions also commemorate Jesus' Baptism and his first miracle at Cana on this day. No one really knows how many kings there were, the three Magi comes from the 3 gifts. There could have been 25 or 50 or 100. That's not the point--they came to worship a king. Here's what I found at Christian Post, Jan. 6, 2023.
"Epiphany, otherwise known as Feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day, is, along with Christmas and Easter, one of the three principal and oldest festival days in the Church. Traditionally marked on Jan. 6, Epiphany — which comes from epiphaneia, Greek for “manifestation" — is typically celebrated by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and some Eastern Orthodox churches.
While some traditions link Epiphany with the “wise men” from the East who sojourned to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth, some Orthodox traditions say it’s more aligned with the baptism of Christ,"
Thursday, January 05, 2023
Is this a thrill killing asks Judge Jeanine of Fox
I heard Judge Jeanine Pirro of The Five on Fox mention suspected killer of 4 students, Bryan Kohberger, in a comment about the thrill killing of Bobby Frank by Leopold and Loeb in 1924. Loeb was killed in prison, but Leopold was paroled in 1958 to the Church of the Brethren Service commission and served in Puerto Rico. My memory is a little fuzzy after 65 years, but a young man I was dating in college served with him the summer of 1958. I remember when he returned and came to see me in Mt. Morris he brought me a long play record of Puerto Rican music.
Identity politics and the Left
I subscribe to "New Criterion," and it must have had a great ad, because I doubt I've read more than 2-3 articles in my first 6 issues. But Roger Kimball has a good editorial in January 2023 issue, that I'll just give a tease:
"If chattel slavery hadn’t existed in the United States, the Left would have had to invent it. What we mean is that the idea of slavery has become so dear to the disciples of identity politics that without its moral sanction they would be lost. Absent the original sin of slavery, the entire racialist racket that holds our society hostage would sputter to an inglorious halt. The race hustlers promoting 'affirmative action' (i.e., race- or sex-based discrimination) would be out of business, as would the real-estate magnates and firebugs of Black Lives Matter. Ditto the angry historical fantasists behind The 1619 Project.. . . https://newcriterion.com/issues/2023/1/the-mob-comes-for-madison
And I've said something similar about poverty. We have so many programs to fight poverty from the government and non-profits (including churches) that if poverty disappeared tomorrow, we'd have to reinvent it or have millions of unemployed staffers and CEOs who would be out of work. Race hustlers and poverty pimps. It's far more than a cottage industry--it's big business.
"If chattel slavery hadn’t existed in the United States, the Left would have had to invent it. What we mean is that the idea of slavery has become so dear to the disciples of identity politics that without its moral sanction they would be lost. Absent the original sin of slavery, the entire racialist racket that holds our society hostage would sputter to an inglorious halt. The race hustlers promoting 'affirmative action' (i.e., race- or sex-based discrimination) would be out of business, as would the real-estate magnates and firebugs of Black Lives Matter. Ditto the angry historical fantasists behind The 1619 Project.. . . https://newcriterion.com/issues/2023/1/the-mob-comes-for-madison
Anti-racism, microaggression, knocking down statues of saints, white supremacy--you know the deal. Yet slavery has existed since the beginning of history, and particularly flourished in Africa, and still does. Even Biden's administration looks away while women and children enter servitude to pay their passage across the border in sex slavery. People anxious to make a new life come from all over the world to flood our borders.
And I've said something similar about poverty. We have so many programs to fight poverty from the government and non-profits (including churches) that if poverty disappeared tomorrow, we'd have to reinvent it or have millions of unemployed staffers and CEOs who would be out of work. Race hustlers and poverty pimps. It's far more than a cottage industry--it's big business.
Happy 180th Anniversary
When John William Corbett was born in 1816, in Jefferson City, Jefferson, Tennessee, United States, his father, James Corbett, was 32 and his mother, Mary Polly GRISHAM, was 24. He married Elizabeth Eudaley on 5 January 1843, in Jefferson, Tennessee, United States. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 7 daughters. He lived in Jefferson, Tennessee, United States in 1860 and Tennessee, United States in 1870. He died on 9 April 1907, at the age of 91, and was buried in Jefferson, Tennessee, United States. John Patton Corbett was the 11th of his 12 children.
History of this name: This is the name of a family descended from Hugh Corbet, a Norman baron who settled in Shropshire following the Norman Conquest. One of his descendants, Sir Richard Corbet, was granted land near Shrewsbury in 1223; since the 13th century, this place has been known as Moreton Corbet. The name was taken from Shropshire to Scotland in the 12th century and to northern Ireland in the 17th century, and thence to North America by at least one group of bearers of the name.
History of this name: This is the name of a family descended from Hugh Corbet, a Norman baron who settled in Shropshire following the Norman Conquest. One of his descendants, Sir Richard Corbet, was granted land near Shrewsbury in 1223; since the 13th century, this place has been known as Moreton Corbet. The name was taken from Shropshire to Scotland in the 12th century and to northern Ireland in the 17th century, and thence to North America by at least one group of bearers of the name.
Wednesday, January 04, 2023
The radicalization of race
https://www.heritage.org/progressivism/report/the-radicalization-race-philanthropy-and-dei?
Many of the practices and principles of DEI violate the Constitution and the Civil Rights Act. DEI suppresses rights of some while elevating the rights of others. Numerical quotas, government race-conscious policies, and speech codes do nothing to close the real disparities of achievement, because they do not address the root causes. Simon Fraser University professor Karen Ferguson had it right when she wrote that Bundy and his men dealt with the “psycho-cultural and therapeutic issue of black identity without having to deal with the structural and material issues that initially fostered the call for black self-determination.”That is still the lethal charge against DEI. It works to eradicate all the best aspects of the American experiment that have brought prosperity and possibility to so many: the rule of law, respect for individual rights, and equal treatment under the law. DEI is leading the country to the tyranny of collective rights, where people’s fates are in the hands of elites.
Tuesday, January 03, 2023
Glossary and Definitions for Military Transgenderism
Note the definition for RLE. That means the male or female in their original sex as born, as created by God, may be sleeping, bathing, toileting with members of the other sex before taking hormones or surgery. The example I was reading was what the commanding officer does when HE becomes pregnant if he hasn't completed, or begun, the transition. This apparently is why we have birthing persons.
DoDI 1300.28, April 30, 2021 Change 1, December 20, 2022
GLOSSARY
G.1. ACRONYMS. ACRONYM MEANING
AC Active Component
BCA body composition assessment
DEERS Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DHA Defense Health Agency
DoDI DoD instruction
DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition
DTP Delayed Training Program
ETP exception to policy
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
MPDATP Military Personnel Drug Abuse Testing Program
MTF military medical treatment facility
PHI protected health information PII personally identifiable information
PRT physical readiness testing
RC Reserve Component
RLE real life experience
ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps
SCCC Service Central Coordination Cell
TRICARE Military Health Care
USCG United States Coast Guard
USD(P&R) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
G.2. DEFINITIONS.
These terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this issuance.
TERM DEFINITION
cross-sex hormone therapy The use of feminizing hormones in an individual assigned male at birth based on traditional biological indicators or the use of masculinizing hormones in an individual assigned female at birth. A common medical treatment associated with gender transition.
DTP A program established by the Secretary of the Army to provide a personnel accounting category for members of the Army Selected Reserve to be used for categorizing members of the Selected Reserve who have not completed the minimum training required for deployment or who are otherwise not available for deployment.
gender dysphoria A marked incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and assigned gender of at least 6 months’ duration, as manifested by conditions specified in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition (DSM-5), page 452, which is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
gender identity An individual’s internal or personal sense of gender, which may or may not match the individual’s biological sex.
gender marker Data element in DEERS that identifies a Service member’s gender. Service members are expected to adhere to all military standards associated with their gender marker in DEERS and use military berthing, bathroom, and shower facilities in accordance with the DEERS gender marker.
gender transition is complete A Service member has completed the medical care identified or approved by a military medical provider in a documented medical treatment plan as necessary to achieve stability in the self-identified gender.
gender transition process Gender transition in the military begins when a Service member receives a diagnosis from a military medical provider indicating the Service member’s gender transition is medically necessary, and concludes when the Service member’s gender marker in DEERS is changed and the Service member is recognized in the self-identified gender.
human and functional support network Support network for a Service member that may be informal (e.g., friends, family, co-workers, social media.) or formal (e.g., medical professionals, counselors, clergy).
medically necessary Health-care services or supplies necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms, and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
mental health provider A medical provider who is licensed, credentialed, and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and is privileged at a Military MTF (in the direct care system). Private care sector civilian TRICARE authorized mental health providers may be involved in a specific Active Duty Service member’s care. These providers are credentialed through the managed care support contractors.
military medical provider Any military, government service, or contract civilian health care professional who, in accordance with regulations of a Military Department or DHA, is credentialed and granted clinical practice privileges to provide health care services within the provider’s scope of practice in a Military MTF.
non-urgent medical treatment The care required to diagnose and treat problems that are not life or limb threatening or that do not require immediate attention.
PHI Individually identifiable health information (as defined in the HIPAA Privacy Rule) that, except as provided in this issuance, is transmitted or maintained by electronic or any other form or medium. PHI excludes individually identifiable health information in employment records held by a DoD covered entity in its role as employer. Information that has been de-identified in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule is not PHI.
PII Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. Defined in OMB Circular No. A-130.
RLE The phase in the gender transition process during which the individual begins living socially in the gender role consistent with their self-identified gender. RLE may or may not be preceded by the commencement of cross-sex hormone therapy, depending on the medical treatment associated with the individual Service member, cadet, or midshipman’s gender transition. The RLE phase is also a necessary precursor to certain medical procedures, including gender transition surgery. RLE generally encompasses dressing in the new gender, as well as using self-identified gender berthing, bathroom, and shower facilities.
SCCC Service-level cell of experts created to provide multi-disciplinary (e.g., medical, legal) advice and assistance to commanders regarding service by transgender Service members, cadets, or midshipmen and gender transition in the military.
self-identified gender The gender with which an individual identifies.
stable in the self-identified gender The absence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning associated with a marked incongruence between an individual’s experienced or expressed gender and the individual’s biological sex. Continuing medical care including, but not limited to, cross-sex hormone therapy may be required to maintain a state of stability.
transgender Service member Service member who has received a medical diagnosis indicating that gender transition is medically necessary, including any Service member who intends to begin transition, is undergoing transition, or has completed transition and is stable in the self-identified gender.
transition Period of time when individuals change from the gender role associated with their sex assigned at birth to a different gender role. For many people, this involves learning how to live socially in another gender role. For others, this means finding a gender role and expression that are most comfortable for them. Transition may or may not include feminization or masculinization of the body through cross-sex hormone therapy or other medical procedures. The nature and duration of transition are variable and individualized.
DoDI 1300.28, April 30, 2021 Change 1, December 20, 2022
GLOSSARY
G.1. ACRONYMS. ACRONYM MEANING
AC Active Component
BCA body composition assessment
DEERS Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
DHA Defense Health Agency
DoDI DoD instruction
DSM-5 American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition
DTP Delayed Training Program
ETP exception to policy
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
MPDATP Military Personnel Drug Abuse Testing Program
MTF military medical treatment facility
PHI protected health information PII personally identifiable information
PRT physical readiness testing
RC Reserve Component
RLE real life experience
ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps
SCCC Service Central Coordination Cell
TRICARE Military Health Care
USCG United States Coast Guard
USD(P&R) Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
G.2. DEFINITIONS.
These terms and their definitions are for the purpose of this issuance.
TERM DEFINITION
cross-sex hormone therapy The use of feminizing hormones in an individual assigned male at birth based on traditional biological indicators or the use of masculinizing hormones in an individual assigned female at birth. A common medical treatment associated with gender transition.
DTP A program established by the Secretary of the Army to provide a personnel accounting category for members of the Army Selected Reserve to be used for categorizing members of the Selected Reserve who have not completed the minimum training required for deployment or who are otherwise not available for deployment.
gender dysphoria A marked incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and assigned gender of at least 6 months’ duration, as manifested by conditions specified in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition (DSM-5), page 452, which is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
gender identity An individual’s internal or personal sense of gender, which may or may not match the individual’s biological sex.
gender marker Data element in DEERS that identifies a Service member’s gender. Service members are expected to adhere to all military standards associated with their gender marker in DEERS and use military berthing, bathroom, and shower facilities in accordance with the DEERS gender marker.
gender transition is complete A Service member has completed the medical care identified or approved by a military medical provider in a documented medical treatment plan as necessary to achieve stability in the self-identified gender.
gender transition process Gender transition in the military begins when a Service member receives a diagnosis from a military medical provider indicating the Service member’s gender transition is medically necessary, and concludes when the Service member’s gender marker in DEERS is changed and the Service member is recognized in the self-identified gender.
human and functional support network Support network for a Service member that may be informal (e.g., friends, family, co-workers, social media.) or formal (e.g., medical professionals, counselors, clergy).
medically necessary Health-care services or supplies necessary to prevent, diagnose, or treat an illness, injury, condition, disease, or its symptoms, and that meet accepted standards of medicine.
mental health provider A medical provider who is licensed, credentialed, and experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions and is privileged at a Military MTF (in the direct care system). Private care sector civilian TRICARE authorized mental health providers may be involved in a specific Active Duty Service member’s care. These providers are credentialed through the managed care support contractors.
military medical provider Any military, government service, or contract civilian health care professional who, in accordance with regulations of a Military Department or DHA, is credentialed and granted clinical practice privileges to provide health care services within the provider’s scope of practice in a Military MTF.
non-urgent medical treatment The care required to diagnose and treat problems that are not life or limb threatening or that do not require immediate attention.
PHI Individually identifiable health information (as defined in the HIPAA Privacy Rule) that, except as provided in this issuance, is transmitted or maintained by electronic or any other form or medium. PHI excludes individually identifiable health information in employment records held by a DoD covered entity in its role as employer. Information that has been de-identified in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule is not PHI.
PII Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone or when combined with other information that is linked or linkable to a specific individual. Defined in OMB Circular No. A-130.
RLE The phase in the gender transition process during which the individual begins living socially in the gender role consistent with their self-identified gender. RLE may or may not be preceded by the commencement of cross-sex hormone therapy, depending on the medical treatment associated with the individual Service member, cadet, or midshipman’s gender transition. The RLE phase is also a necessary precursor to certain medical procedures, including gender transition surgery. RLE generally encompasses dressing in the new gender, as well as using self-identified gender berthing, bathroom, and shower facilities.
SCCC Service-level cell of experts created to provide multi-disciplinary (e.g., medical, legal) advice and assistance to commanders regarding service by transgender Service members, cadets, or midshipmen and gender transition in the military.
self-identified gender The gender with which an individual identifies.
stable in the self-identified gender The absence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning associated with a marked incongruence between an individual’s experienced or expressed gender and the individual’s biological sex. Continuing medical care including, but not limited to, cross-sex hormone therapy may be required to maintain a state of stability.
transgender Service member Service member who has received a medical diagnosis indicating that gender transition is medically necessary, including any Service member who intends to begin transition, is undergoing transition, or has completed transition and is stable in the self-identified gender.
transition Period of time when individuals change from the gender role associated with their sex assigned at birth to a different gender role. For many people, this involves learning how to live socially in another gender role. For others, this means finding a gender role and expression that are most comfortable for them. Transition may or may not include feminization or masculinization of the body through cross-sex hormone therapy or other medical procedures. The nature and duration of transition are variable and individualized.
A mother's love
I try to use Brave for my search engine, but occasionally I get thrown into an MSN site which feeds me all the latest dirt on celebrities. They seem to die awfully young--as was this announcement about a gay porn star who worked for oddly named studios--names I couldn't repeat here. In any case "a woman [who] identified herself as his mother . . . wrote, “Thank you for all of your kind words. [He] was a light in this world and he is now a light in Heaven…. He is also with all of his friends and family who went before him…. [When he died,] He was at someone’s home whom we don’t know where that was or who he was with. This is not a message of blame.” The announcement went on to say he'd been living in a medical care facility being treated for something not explained.
Really, life is hard on the wild side.
Really, life is hard on the wild side.
Monday, January 02, 2023
Sunday, January 01, 2023
What is the Average American?
We hear a lot about "the average American" but what exactly is that?
According to the Washington Post, the average American is a woman.
lives in a city.
is politically independent but tends to vote Democrat.
has a 26.1 minute commute.
is married and living with spouse.
is an evangelical Baptist.
disapproves of Trump’s performance….(in 2018) but believes that he has strengthened the economy.
There are a few other points listed, but read the linked article and make up your own mind.
Footnotes
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/08/13/this-is-what-the-average-american-looks-like-in-2018/
According to the Washington Post, the average American is a woman.
50.8% of Americans are women.
is white and not Hispanic. 60.7%
is 52 years old.
has a bachelor’s degree.
works in health or education.
earns $889.62 per week (figures are from 2018).
is white and not Hispanic. 60.7%
is 52 years old.
has a bachelor’s degree.
works in health or education.
earns $889.62 per week (figures are from 2018).
lives in a city.
is politically independent but tends to vote Democrat.
has a 26.1 minute commute.
is married and living with spouse.
is an evangelical Baptist.
disapproves of Trump’s performance….(in 2018) but believes that he has strengthened the economy.
There are a few other points listed, but read the linked article and make up your own mind.
Footnotes
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/08/13/this-is-what-the-average-american-looks-like-in-2018/
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Pope Benedict has died December 31, 2022
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was named the 265th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church on April 19, 2005, at the age of 78, and chose the name of Benedict XVI. He was the first German pope in several centuries, the second consecutive non-Italian pope and the oldest pope elected since Clement XII in 1730, according to church records. He retired on February 11, 2013.
https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-lasting-legacy-of-pope-benedict-xvi/?
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer For The Unborn | EWTN
BREAKING: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95 | Catholic News Agency
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pope-benedict-xvi-has-died-at-the-age-of-95/ar-AA15PRXO?
https://www.oursundayvisitor.com/the-lasting-legacy-of-pope-benedict-xvi/?
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer For The Unborn | EWTN
BREAKING: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI dies at age 95 | Catholic News Agency
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pope-benedict-xvi-has-died-at-the-age-of-95/ar-AA15PRXO?
Barbara Walters has died
So Barbara Walters has died at 93. She was famous for being a first, a pioneer, and for her interviewing skills--she let the famous people talk instead of hogging the limelight. Today I heard that she was most proud of her legacy of paving the way for women in (TV) journalism. That's where I draw the line.
Next comes a very unpopular viewpoint, so you can leave this post and move on.
Women, particularly journalists whether news anchors on TV or "influencers" on Tik Tok have contributed little, at least no more than men who read lines written by others. The women of Fox at least have great legs and shoes. We've let the fake floozy Drag Queens show us how the world sees us. And unfortunately, their audience is often adoring, silly liberal women.
In fact, compared to the women of the 19th century big three (emancipation of slaves, temperance, and civil rights for women) the 20th and 21st century women pale by comparison. I wasn't particularly knowledgeable about our culture or world affairs in high school or college, but I can't think what women have done beginning with 2nd wave feminism (late 60s) that has changed the world for the better. It wasn't exactly the industrial revolution, the polio vaccine or DARPA (think Internet). Nope, sift through any cultural institution of the last 60 years--academe, entertainment, media, science, politics, literature and the arts--and women mostly are known for advocating to kill their own children--the weakest and most helpless humans in the world. I don't see that as a great legacy. The one thing men can't do and women became wannabe men.
As individuals women have gained a lot of freedom since the 60s, but often freedom is the enemy of freedom.
Next comes a very unpopular viewpoint, so you can leave this post and move on.
Women, particularly journalists whether news anchors on TV or "influencers" on Tik Tok have contributed little, at least no more than men who read lines written by others. The women of Fox at least have great legs and shoes. We've let the fake floozy Drag Queens show us how the world sees us. And unfortunately, their audience is often adoring, silly liberal women.
In fact, compared to the women of the 19th century big three (emancipation of slaves, temperance, and civil rights for women) the 20th and 21st century women pale by comparison. I wasn't particularly knowledgeable about our culture or world affairs in high school or college, but I can't think what women have done beginning with 2nd wave feminism (late 60s) that has changed the world for the better. It wasn't exactly the industrial revolution, the polio vaccine or DARPA (think Internet). Nope, sift through any cultural institution of the last 60 years--academe, entertainment, media, science, politics, literature and the arts--and women mostly are known for advocating to kill their own children--the weakest and most helpless humans in the world. I don't see that as a great legacy. The one thing men can't do and women became wannabe men.
As individuals women have gained a lot of freedom since the 60s, but often freedom is the enemy of freedom.
Returning to The Blessing music of 2020
This morning I was listening again to the various versions of The Blessing, when hundreds of Christian groups came together during the 2020 lockdown ignoring denominational boundaries and squabbles and sang the Blessing from Numbers 6:24-26. Then I came across the one from Uzbekistan sung in Russian and Uzbek--I didn't even know there was a Christian presence in Uzbekistan. It was lovely, as was one of the comments.
"I am crying. As a young boy I grew up in Uzbekistan as an MK. [missionary kid] The early 2000's I recall them like if they were yesterday. I remember my Parents friends being afraid, being beaten by the police, I remember the police coming to our house everyday and taking away our car. I remember a car at night in our house, I remember helping carrying bibles translated to Uzbek and hiding them in our basement. I remember the Uzbek underground church and worshiping in silence from our houses. My family and I were kicked out of the country around 2006 and were not allowed re-entry. Many times I wondered what happened with our brothers in Christ in Uzb... until a few days ago I saw a news article about the growing Uzbek church and now I see this video and see how all those tears, all those times we felt impotent,... My parents work did not go in vain. To see the seed they planted and to see the beautiful garden it has become brings tears of joy to my heart. I long to go back to Uzb one day, to kiss the soil, drink choi eat Osh, and Thank God for his many blessings."
Yes, there were good things happening in the church during the lockdown. If you need a few blessings for the New Year, settle in and listen to 10-20 of these from all over the world, and crank up the sound. Thank you, cousin Gayle, for sending the Blessing in your note today.
"I am crying. As a young boy I grew up in Uzbekistan as an MK. [missionary kid] The early 2000's I recall them like if they were yesterday. I remember my Parents friends being afraid, being beaten by the police, I remember the police coming to our house everyday and taking away our car. I remember a car at night in our house, I remember helping carrying bibles translated to Uzbek and hiding them in our basement. I remember the Uzbek underground church and worshiping in silence from our houses. My family and I were kicked out of the country around 2006 and were not allowed re-entry. Many times I wondered what happened with our brothers in Christ in Uzb... until a few days ago I saw a news article about the growing Uzbek church and now I see this video and see how all those tears, all those times we felt impotent,... My parents work did not go in vain. To see the seed they planted and to see the beautiful garden it has become brings tears of joy to my heart. I long to go back to Uzb one day, to kiss the soil, drink choi eat Osh, and Thank God for his many blessings."
Yes, there were good things happening in the church during the lockdown. If you need a few blessings for the New Year, settle in and listen to 10-20 of these from all over the world, and crank up the sound. Thank you, cousin Gayle, for sending the Blessing in your note today.
The old lady blogger
My New Year's resolutions are usually for one month--then I'm on to something else--perhaps it will be poetry? I may try to do Fly Lady for a month. I have a lot of things to throw out, and that's a good method.
In March 2007 I wrote this, "The Lady Blogger's Comforts" being lifted from Robert Southey's "The Old Man's Comforts." If you've read Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll does a parody of this, "Father William."
My version, The Lady Blogger's Comforts
You are old, Lady Blogger, the young man cried,
The brown locks which are left should be grey;
You are hale, Lady Blogger, a hearty old gal,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
In my twenties thirties, Lady Blogger replied,
I remember'd that youth would fly fast,
And abused not my health and my vigour at first,
That I never might need them at last.
You are old, Lady Blogger, the young twit cried,
And pleasures with youth pass away;
And yet you lament not the days that are gone,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
In my forties fifties, Lady Blogger replied,
I remember'd those days could not last;
I thought of the future, whatever I did,
That I never might grieve for the past.
You are old, Lady Blogger, the rude kid cried,
And life must be hastening away;
You are cheerful, and love to write about it all,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
I am cheerful, young man, Lady Blogger replied,
Let the cause your attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God
And he has not forgotten my age.
The notes say that Southey wrote "Old Man's Comfort" in 1799 at the age of 24. He died when he was 70.
A hand written copy of Southey's poem is in the Morgan Library and Museum, https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/alice/12 and our book club in January will be reading "The Personal Librarian," about a black woman passing for white who helped build that library, Belle da Costa Greene.
In March 2007 I wrote this, "The Lady Blogger's Comforts" being lifted from Robert Southey's "The Old Man's Comforts." If you've read Alice in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll does a parody of this, "Father William."
My version, The Lady Blogger's Comforts
You are old, Lady Blogger, the young man cried,
The brown locks which are left should be grey;
You are hale, Lady Blogger, a hearty old gal,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
In my twenties thirties, Lady Blogger replied,
I remember'd that youth would fly fast,
And abused not my health and my vigour at first,
That I never might need them at last.
You are old, Lady Blogger, the young twit cried,
And pleasures with youth pass away;
And yet you lament not the days that are gone,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
In my forties fifties, Lady Blogger replied,
I remember'd those days could not last;
I thought of the future, whatever I did,
That I never might grieve for the past.
You are old, Lady Blogger, the rude kid cried,
And life must be hastening away;
You are cheerful, and love to write about it all,
Now tell me the reason, I pray.
I am cheerful, young man, Lady Blogger replied,
Let the cause your attention engage;
In the days of my youth I remember'd my God
And he has not forgotten my age.
The notes say that Southey wrote "Old Man's Comfort" in 1799 at the age of 24. He died when he was 70.
A hand written copy of Southey's poem is in the Morgan Library and Museum, https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/alice/12 and our book club in January will be reading "The Personal Librarian," about a black woman passing for white who helped build that library, Belle da Costa Greene.
Friday, December 30, 2022
Why work?
In many states, it pays not to be employed, so if you're trying to run a business and serve the public, the government is working against you and using your money to do it! https://hotair.com/jazz-shaw/2022/12/27/in-many-states-welfare-and-benefits-pay-more-than-median-income-n520167 Two working adults with 2 minor children--a family can receive over $100,000 annualized equivalent in cash and benefits in 3 states, and over $80,000 in 14 States, with NO ONE WORKING! And what is that doing to the morale and ambition of our young adults?
This study Reports - Committee To Unleash Prosperity) also finds:
• In 24 states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies for a family of four with both parents not working are the annualized equivalent of at least the national median household income.
• In 5 states, those two programs provide the same family with both parents not working the annualized equivalent of at least the national median household income and benefits.
• In 14 states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies are the equivalent to a head of household earning $80,000 in salary, plus health insurance benefits.
• This is a higher wage than is earned by the national median secondary school teacher, electrician, trucker, machinist, and many other jobs.
• In more than half the states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies exceed the value of the salary and benefits of the average firefighter, truck driver, machinist, or retail associate in those states.
• In a dozen states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies exceed the value of the salary and benefits of the average teacher, construction worker, or electrician in those states.
• A family of four with income over $227,000 qualifies for ACA subsidies in all states and families earning over $300,000 a year still qualify for ACA subsidies in 40 states and DC.
This study Reports - Committee To Unleash Prosperity) also finds:
• In 24 states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies for a family of four with both parents not working are the annualized equivalent of at least the national median household income.
• In 5 states, those two programs provide the same family with both parents not working the annualized equivalent of at least the national median household income and benefits.
• In 14 states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies are the equivalent to a head of household earning $80,000 in salary, plus health insurance benefits.
• This is a higher wage than is earned by the national median secondary school teacher, electrician, trucker, machinist, and many other jobs.
• In more than half the states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies exceed the value of the salary and benefits of the average firefighter, truck driver, machinist, or retail associate in those states.
• In a dozen states, unemployment benefits and ACA subsidies exceed the value of the salary and benefits of the average teacher, construction worker, or electrician in those states.
• A family of four with income over $227,000 qualifies for ACA subsidies in all states and families earning over $300,000 a year still qualify for ACA subsidies in 40 states and DC.
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Bird watching
I've never made it a priority, but I thought it would be nice to know more about birds. God must have had such fun designing them. My fellow librarians gave me binoculars as a retirement gift, thinking I'd lounge on the deck and view birds. About 12 years ago I participated in some morning birding group walks at Lakeside. Great people. We even went to the Black Swamp Bird Observatory in Magee Marsh Wildlife Area for a lecture and bird watching. Some could identify 100s of birds. Me, not so much. I think I learned about 5 more birds than I knew at age 10. So when I saw a bird calendar at Marc's this morning for $1, I thought it was a bargain and I could look at a page a day. And now I feel really smart, because earlier they were $16.99 according to the web site. Audubon Birds Color 2023 Page-A-Day Calendar - Calendars.com
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
SBF lives well while J-6 victims rotted in jail
Sam Bankman-Fried who perpetrated the largest fraud in U.S. history is out of jail and free, living at his parents' home (Mommy is a leftist lawyer) while thousands have lost their life's savings and retirement funds. He funded the campaigns of many Democrats in Congress, the same folks who railroaded the J-6 protesters into prison to rot. The same Democrats who then made a "documentary" of the witch trial, so they can frighten and terrorize other Americans into silence. The same Democrats who are importing millions across our southern border to ensure they have enough cooks, babysitters, gardeners and prostitutes to do the jobs Americans don't want, or at least want minimum wage.
"The former millionaire, who was arrested in the Bahamas last week and spent barely more than a week at the jail there before being repatriated to the United States on Wednesday, has now returned home in time for Christmas. He was observed using his computer there in the American Airlines luxury travellers’ lounge before boarding a trip on Thursday night in California." SBF’s Judge’s Husband Used To Work With FTX - InsideBitcoins.com
Regulator wined and dined by SBF and FTX out at the SEC (msn.com)
Polyamory & pills: Inside Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX party pad (nypost.com)
FTX and SBF Saga Explained: What Happened in Crypto and What It Means (businessinsider.com)
Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX pals ran 'massive multi-year' fraud: SEC (nypost.com)
"The former millionaire, who was arrested in the Bahamas last week and spent barely more than a week at the jail there before being repatriated to the United States on Wednesday, has now returned home in time for Christmas. He was observed using his computer there in the American Airlines luxury travellers’ lounge before boarding a trip on Thursday night in California." SBF’s Judge’s Husband Used To Work With FTX - InsideBitcoins.com
Regulator wined and dined by SBF and FTX out at the SEC (msn.com)
Polyamory & pills: Inside Sam Bankman-Fried's FTX party pad (nypost.com)
FTX and SBF Saga Explained: What Happened in Crypto and What It Means (businessinsider.com)
Sam Bankman-Fried, FTX pals ran 'massive multi-year' fraud: SEC (nypost.com)
Monday, December 26, 2022
Year end wrap on the News
I've been listening to the year's end wrap ups of the 2022 news cycle. Makes me wish for the slap heard round the world. All our news media, including Fox, perpetuates the lie of the "right wing." I hear of "progressives and moderates" vs. the "right and far right."
And what in the name of all you admire and love is progressive about running out on our allies in Afghanistan like you did in Viet Nam, or killing babies in their finals day of womb life, or waving your little flags at George Floyd riots, or promoting raging inflation by opening the flood gates of government money, or imposing more regulations to induce clogged supply lines, or covering up Pelosi's failures with a witch trial like J-6, or destroying the careers of women with the transagenda, or amputating the breasts or genitals of teenagers, or allowing fentanyl to kill thousands, or enslaving women for the sex trade just so you can accuse Republicans of fearing your replacement plans, or forcing millions to consume an untested product long after its been shown not to provide the protection and heath you promised, or the classic right wing, fascist agenda of infiltrating and linking government with business?
Tell me O wise ones ankle deep in the swamp, what is right wing about: lower taxes, the Abraham accord, secure borders, building a wall both parties voted for in 2006, little babies allowed to complete their life span, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, requiring our "allies" to pay for what they agreed to, the highest income growth in 50 years for black citizens, low inflation, fair trade, and no new wars?
And what in the name of all you admire and love is progressive about running out on our allies in Afghanistan like you did in Viet Nam, or killing babies in their finals day of womb life, or waving your little flags at George Floyd riots, or promoting raging inflation by opening the flood gates of government money, or imposing more regulations to induce clogged supply lines, or covering up Pelosi's failures with a witch trial like J-6, or destroying the careers of women with the transagenda, or amputating the breasts or genitals of teenagers, or allowing fentanyl to kill thousands, or enslaving women for the sex trade just so you can accuse Republicans of fearing your replacement plans, or forcing millions to consume an untested product long after its been shown not to provide the protection and heath you promised, or the classic right wing, fascist agenda of infiltrating and linking government with business?
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