Official State Sandwich?

Today I had what should surely be the official sandwich of the state of Georgia--peanut butter and peach preserves. Not a bad combo at all. (My blog posts are becoming foodie. Hmmmm. Time for a new blog?)

I might need a doggy bag

I'm a little ashamed since I just made mini pizza burgers (Krystal-sized patties on rolls with mozzarella and pizza sauce) for dinner last night. Meanwhile, Denny's Beer Barrel Pub of Clearfield County, PA made a record 123 pound burger! And it looks good, too! The only drawback is that it costs $379. It's supposed to feed 100 people, but I'm not so sure that I would share. They also have 2, 3, 6, and 15-pound burgers on the menu, so get your own burger!

Step Away From the Keyboard

I made the comment to Marian that I "hate these people who fast from the internet for Lent." She had never heard of such a thing, but I see it every year at this time. Here's an example:

40 days away...to repent, to reflect, to listen to His voice.



I am observing Lent with internet silence.



May the Lord speak to your hearts and minds as you listen for Him this season.

Now, "hate" is too strong a word in this case; I simply am disappointed that I won't be able to enjoy reading the person's blog for 40 days. Marian's response when she understood? "Hate them! You should admire them! You need to do that!"

CSI: Jerusalem

The godless are getting giddy. They actually think that they can disprove the resurrection with evidence found in Jerusalem. Check this out:

"Let's go back 27 years, when Israeli construction workers were gouging out the foundations for a new building in the industrial park in the Talpiyot, a Jerusalem suburb of Jerusalem. The earth gave way, revealing a 2,000 year old cave with 10 stone caskets. Archaeologists were summoned, and the stone caskets carted away for examination. It took 20 years for experts to decipher the names on the ten tombs. They were: Jesua, son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Mathew, Jofa and Judah, son of Jesua."

Here's the real kicker: "But film-makers Cameron [of Titanic fame] and Jacobovici claim to have amassed evidence through DNA tests, archaeological evidence and Biblical studies, that the 10 coffins belong to Jesus and his family." DNA tests? Have they subpoenaed Jesus to get a DNA sample from him? Did they find trace DNA on the Holy Grail or something? This is absurd! There is apparently a book that came out last year which advances all this nonsense. I guess we never heard of it because many of the same folks were too busy going nuts for DaVinci Code at the time.

A press conference is scheduled for Monday. Stay tuned.

Vulgarity

One of the blog posts I've highlighted in the right sidebar is "On Vulgar Language" by Peter Leithart. It is a very interesting look at what is permitted and prohibited by the Bible in regards to our speech. I recommend you take a look at it. One thing we need to remember is that being a Christian does not mean being a goody two shoes. Being a Christian is not a "Don't drink," "Don't smoke," "Don't swear" proposition.

Having said that, I myself am decidedly a "Don't swear" guy. This is how it happened. It all begins in 5th grade. (Harps playing as we fade to the kickball field at Pine Street Elementary School circa 1980 . . .) It was during recess. I got thrown out at home playing kickball and remember saying, even whispering to myself, "Dammit!" Some kids (especially the ones named "Shane") cursed all the time. Not me. I was shocked at myself, which is why I remember it to this day.

The second foul mouth moment was during PE the next year. We were having a team basketball shooting contest that awarded something like one point for a layup, two for a free throw, and three points for a long jumper behind some line. Each person got thirty seconds or so to score as many points as possible. Now, I am very competitive in such situations. One of my guys, when it was his turn, only tried to make 3-pointers. He wasn't coming close. It still ticks me off. I shouted out something like, "No, dumbass!" Again I was shocked. Everyone was looking around for the shouter. So was I! He was never found. Well, I had managed to escape the scorn of the teacher, but not of myself. Recognizing the ruinous path I was on, I quit cold turkey. I don't think I have used a genuine "curse" word since. But watch out in traffic; I'm liable to call you a "peabrain," "numbskull," "bonehead," or the like. In fact, I passed a "goofball" on the way home this very evening.

Now, for a serious discussion of vulgarity, check out the Leithart post. Very interesting. Also, check out the poll at the top of the right sidebar.

Should've heeded this advice before I became a city carrier . . .

Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
–Henry David Thoreau

Week in Review

• I for one am glad that the NCAA came to its senses regarding football clock rules. If they want to shorten games, sacrifice some $$$$$ and get rid of a few commercials. TV timeouts stink! Always have, always will!

• Someone explain this to me (from ajc.com): "Texas Tech (16-10, RPI 34) seemed out after four straight losses but then won a big one at Texas Tech Tuesday night. The Red Raiders now have two wins over Texas Tech and one over Kansas." Huh? Is Texas Tech in the role of Sybil here, or what?

• Thomas Sowell has written a series of articles on the global warming hysteria called "Global Hot Air" I, II, and III. He begins, "The political left's favorite argument is that there is no argument." How true. Sowell is always worth the read.
  

• Cartoon of the Week--Well, I had to choose this one, don't you think?
  

• Given the new Congress it may take an executive order from the President to continue to protect military chaplains' prayers.

• And I can't forget this--talking urinals!

My Man Calvin

As you may know by now, Calvin Johnson, Mr. All-World at Georgia Tech (boy, just imagine how good he would've been at Georgia), put up some decent combine numbers for NFL scouts. A 4.33 40. . . 11 foot standing broad jump. . . 43 inch vertical. All at 6-5, 235 or so.

There is a great thread about Calvin on a Tampa Bay Bucs message board. For all the hype about him, though, his best feature is that he is a humble guy and a team player. But that's not why he's a #1 prospect; this is why:

Kudos to Jim Marshall

I was incredibly pleased to hear today that my congressman, Jim Marshall (D), went against his party, but for his constituents, and voted against the Terrorist Survival Act of 2007. This is what he said from the House floor in the debate leading up to the vote:

"The anti-surge resolution is akin to sitting on the sidelines, and booing in the middle of our own team's play because we don't like the coach's call. I cannot join mid-play nay-saying that discourages even one of those engaged in this current military effort in Baghdad."

You've seen my previous letters (1) (2) to Mr. Marshall; here is my pat on the back I sent to him this evening:

Dear Congressman Marshall,

I was so pleased to learn of your vote today. It is a sad fact, but I know that it took great political courage on your part to vote as you did. It also gave me great pleasure to explain to my young sons the significance of your vote. You acted as a true statesman and I will not soon forget.

My wife's great uncle died fighting in France in World War I. My stepbrother is currently in the Air Force and serving in the Middle East. Many others of our family have served in between. Thank you for your unwavering support of our troops and your refusal to play political games with these very serious, and I think non-political, matters.

Marshall and Gene Taylor of Mississippi were the only 2 Democrats to break with their party, which means so-called "conservative" Democrats like Heath Shuler showed their real colors. Additionally, 17 Republicans broke with their party and voted for terrorists. Now this all goes to the Senate for more shenanigans tomorrow.

Another Letter to My Congressman

Given that the most ridiculous of resolutions, H. Con. Res. 63, is before the U.S. Congress this weekend, I wrote again to Jim Marshall. First, here is the text of H. Con. Res. 63:

Disapproving of the decision of the President announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--

(1) Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and

(2) Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq.

Hogwash. Now, for what it's worth, here's my letter to Congressman Marshall:

Dear Congressman Marshall,

I have written to you previously concerning my support for H.R. 511. Unfortunately the same politics which have taken hold of the Senate seem to have seized the House as well, so that you now have before you H. Con. Res. 63, which is at best a waste of time and at worst a vote of confidence for our enemy.

I believe this vote will tell me a great deal about the man who represents me in Congress, and so I will be watching your vote very closely. My instincts are that you disfavor H. Con. Res. 63, but that you may well vote for it due to pressure from your Party leaders. Part of the reason I did not vote for you this past year is that I feared you might be subject to such pressure concerning the war.

Whether H. Con. Res. 63 passes or fails, I will be looking at only one person's vote--yours. I pray that you do the right thing for this country and our troops by voting NO.

Pretty straightforward. Not "fanatical." Kind of a challenge to his manhood. I hope he's up to that challenge. I'll definitely let you know how he votes.

"In God We Trust" Motto Still on New $1 Coins

The U.S. Mint is beginning a new $1 coin series featuring the Presidents of the United States. The first four look like so:

Apparently there has been a rumor that the familiar "In God We Trust" motto will not be part of the design. This is not true. Though the phrase does not appear on the front or back of the coin, neither does "E Pluribus Unum" nor the year and location the coin is minted. These all appear on the side of the coins:

I suppose some will be upset by this "marginalization" of God. I guess the whole "In God We Trust" thing is so generic that it doesn't bother me so much. I'd prefer "In Yahweh We Trust" or "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Now that would be something to fight over!

From the Floor of the House Yesterday . . .

Rep. Terry Everett [R-AL]:

If we wanted to have a meaningful debate on the real issues facing this country, we would take up Congressman Sam Johnson's bill that opposes any effort to cut off or restrict funding for our military.

But that is not the debate we are having today. Instead, we are debating a nonbinding resolution that, in my mind, can only hurt our troops who are on the battlefield as we speak, and this resolution can only give comfort to those who wish to kill Americans.

Rep. Michael Burgess [R-TX]:

And I am not a big one on process. I haven't been here that long. I don't know that I understand process all that well. But why in the world would we not allow a vote or even a motion to recommit on, say, Sam Johnson's bill, H.R. 511? Sam Johnson's bill, a simple two-page bill that details all of the fine things done by our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and ends with this simple paragraph: Faithful support of Congress. Congress will not cut off or restrict funding for units and members in the Armed Forces that the Commander in Chief has deployed in harm's way.

Amen, gentlemen!

Happy Valentine's Day!

A Valentine we received from a family friend:

Week in Review

After a long hiatus the greatly heralded Week in Review makes a glorious return. It's bigger. It's better. It's bodacious and contagious. It's so good these can't wait till Friday!

• Now I know what's wrong with half of the city carriers at the Conyers Post Office!

• I can't believe I didn't mention this one before. The Left has perfected "argument by animal." That is, they don't really make an argument; they just let pictures of (allegedly) helpless animals (and people's natural instinct to say "Ooooohhhhhh!" in such situations) make their argument for them. Well, there's no telling how many "sensitive illiterates" (as Harold Bloom called American high school graduates) fell for this photo that made the rounds in all the global warming hysteria press last week. Your supposed to think these bears' polar cap melted down to nothing and now they're going to perish while adrift at sea. This is just a bit of iceberg drifting southward that the bears find convenient and fun. Therefore, companies like Exxon should surrender their profits to the government so they can save the planet.
  
  

• It's pretty predictable, but you have to admit "Lust in Space" was a pretty good headline for the bizarre NASA love triangle.
  

• Video of the Week--Ouch, ouch, and ouch again! Which is your favorite? (Warning. You will get the finger at the end from a surprise celebrity. Actually, it's not for you; it's probably for someone like Helen Thomas!)

DrewDrew Go

The boys are always game for a stop at QuikTrip. Even a freezing day doesn't seem to deter them from desiring a frozen smoothie. So, driving home after church recently I heard a navigational voice saying, "Turn left. Then turn right into QuikTrip." Who needs a TomTom when you have a "DrewDrew?"

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

Dr. John Faw­cett was the pas­tor of a small church at Wains­gate, England and was called from there to a larg­er church in Lon­don in 1772. He was to replace the well-known John Gill at Carter's Lane Baptist Church. He ac­cept­ed the call and preached his fare­well ser­mon to his humble congregation. The wa­gons were load­ed with his books and fur­ni­ture, and all was rea­dy for his de­part­ure to London. After the service his pa­rish­ion­ers gath­ered around him, and with tears in their eyes begged of him to stay. His wife said, “Oh John, John, I can­not bear this.” “Neither can I,” ex­claimed the good pas­tor, “and we will not go. Un­load the wa­gons and put ev­ery­thing as it was be­fore.” His de­ci­sion was hailed with great joy by his peo­ple, and he wrote the words of "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" in com­mem­o­ra­tion of the event.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

Caption Contest

Hey, remember the "Caption Contest?" (Wait, I still owe prizes to past caption contest winners! Uh oh.) Well, here it is anew with a "mail" theme this go round. Be creative!

Three Cheers for Dehydration!

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

Hip! Hip! Hooray!

Didn't that feel good? But it probably didn't feel nearly as good as it does to die from dehydration. Don't you remember all the wonderful things said about dying from dehydration in the Terri Schiavo case? Bliss, I tell you. Well, that was not the first time I had heard that nonsense; I had been told several years ago (by my Uncle, no less) that dehydration would be a great way for my Grandmother to die. I'm sure he received that as simple medical advice, but it actually is part of a radical agenda in medicine and the courts. (Shall I mention here that the doctor's wife ran the hospice next door to the hospital?) In the end, we did not remove her "artificial nutrition and hydration" (ANH); sadly, she died in the hospital not long after anyway.

There is another ongoing case in which ANH was (and perhaps still is) an issue. It involves a girl named Haleigh Poutre and demonstrates again the eagerness of the medical and judicial communities to pull out those tubes. I will let Wesley Smith tell the story . . .

In the court (and courts) of life and death, a little 11-year-old Massachusetts girl named Haleigh Poutre could be the next Terri Schiavo. For those who have not heard the tragic story, Haleigh was beaten nearly to death last September, allegedly by her adoptive mother and stepfather. The beating left her unconscious and barely clinging to life.

Within a week or so of the beating, her doctors had written her off. They apparently told Haleigh's court-appointed guardian, Harry Spence, that she was "virtually brain dead." Even though he had never visited her, Spence quickly went to court seeking permission to remove her respirator and feeding tube. The court agreed, a decision affirmed recently by the supreme court of Massachusetts.

And so, no doubt with the best of intentions, a little girl who had already suffered so much was stripped by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of even the chance to fight to stay alive. If she didn't stop breathing when the respirator was removed, which doctors expected, she would slowly dehydrate to death.

Then came the unexpected: Before "pulling the plug" on Haleigh, Spence finally decided to visit her. He was stunned. Rather than finding a little girl with "not a chance" of recovery, as doctors had described Haleigh's condition to him (as reported by the Boston Globe), Haleigh was conscious. She was able to give Spence a yellow block when asked to by a social worker and respond to other simple requests.

Laudably, Spence immediately called off the dehydration. Haleigh is now off her respirator and breathing on her own. She has been transferred out of the hospital and is currently being treated in a rehabilitation center.

Lest anyone think that Haleigh's apparent consciousness protects her from suffering the fate of Terri Schiavo, who was ordered dehydrated by a Florida court based, in part, on a finding that she was unconscious, think again. In most states, exhibiting consciousness is not a defense against dehydration for profoundly impaired patients. Indeed, cognitively disabled people who are conscious are commonly dehydrated throughout the country. So long as no family member objects, the practice is deemed medically routine.

How can this be? The simple answer is that tube-supplied food and water — often called "artificial nutrition and hydration" (ANH) — has been defined in law and in medical ethics as an ordinary medical treatment. This means that it can be refused or withdrawn just like, say, antibiotics, kidney dialysis, chemotherapy, surgery, blood pressure medicine, or any other form of medical care. Indeed, removing ANH has come to be seen widely in medicine and bioethics as an "ethical" way to end the lives of cognitively disabled "biologically tenacious" patients (as one prominent bioethicist once described disabled people like Terri Schiavo and Haleigh Poutre), without resorting to active euthanasia.

It wasn't always so . . . (Read the remainder of the article here.)

Are You a Clown?

I have mentioned in the sidebar to the right that one of the books I'm reading is Introduction to Christianity by Joseph Ratzinger, aka Pope Benedict XVI. It is essentially a study of the Apostle's Creed taken from student lectures given at Tubengin in the summer of 1967. In the introduction he cites a famous story by Kierkegaard, about "the clown and the burning village," to best sum up the difficulty faced by any Christian attempting to communicate the Christian faith to those unfamiliar with church language and thought. I would imagine most Christians who have tried to communicate their faith to such a person have felt something of this frustration. He writes,

According to the story, a travelling circus in Denmark had caught fire. The manager sent the clown, who was already dressed and made-up for the performance, into the neighboring village to fetch help, especially as there was a danger that the fire would spread across the fields of dry stubble and engulf the village itself. So, the clown hurried into the village and requested the inhabitants 'come as quickly as possible' and help put the fire out.
But the villagers took the clown's shouts simply for an excellent piece of advertising, meant to attract as many people as possible to the performance; they applauded the clown and laughed till they cried. The clown felt more like weeping than laughing; he tried in vain to get people to be serious, to make clear to them he was speaking in bitter earnest, that there really WAS a fire! His supplications only increased the laughter; people thought he was playing his part splendidly -- until finally the fire DID engulf the village, and both circus and village were burned to the ground.

And so how do people react to the Christian today?

In his . . . old-fashioned clown's costume he is simply not taken seriously. Whatever he says, he is ticketed and classified, so to speak by his role. Whatever he does in his attempts to demonstrate his (seriousness) people always know in advance that he is in fact just -- a clown. They are already familiar with what he is talking about, and know he is just giving a performance which has little or nothing to do with reality. So, they can listen to him quite happily without having to worry too seriously about what he is saying.

Interesting stuff. I'll bring more of it to you over the next few days.

I'll Reserve Comment

The Potter's House on Crowell Road has had a couple of messages on their church sign that were just beauts. I have thoroughly researched them, and was going to present my findings here, but I want to hear from others before I do so. For your pleasure:

Worry weights us down, a cheerful word picks us up.

Answering before listing is both stupid and rude!

Great, eh?! Yes, the spellings accurately reflect the sign itself. How do those inspire you?

Finally!

I've been tinkering with the design of the blog for the past week, and I think it's finally finished! Obviously it's a big change. I like the plainer, "cleaner" look of it (I bet Joe Biden would like it as well--“I mean, you finally got a blog that's articulate and bright and clean and nice-looking. I mean, that’s a storybook, man.”) My favorite feature is the 3-column look, so things in the sidebar aren't as far down the page as they used to be. I'll probably keep tinkering. I'm looking to add a couple more things, but remember that this is an extremely part-time enterprise with a $0 budget! Let me know if there are any problems viewing the page--it may be too wide on some computers. That's all for now.

HR 511, Part II

As I posted here, I sent an e-mail to my representative in Congress, Jim Marshall, concerning my support for HR 511, a bill that would pledge the financial support of the House for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Well, Mr. Marshall has written back to me, and here's what he said . . .

(Click on the letter for a larger image)

I'm somewhat confident that he will support the bill since he is a veteran who ran in support of the war. However, all 74 co-sponsors of HR 511 are Republican(!) so we'll see. By the way this is a handy website you can use to keep track of bills in Congress. HR 511 is still in the Armed Services Committee as far as I know.