Memorial Day

As I've heard the radio announcers promote the meaning of Memorial Day, I've pondered the meaning, myself. I told my husband a couple of years ago, it won't be long until the only holidays that are acknowledged in school are pro-patriotism, and I guess since there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, that's okay. So since there is a separation of church and state, imagine my surprise yesterday morning when I awoke to the radio playing the "Southern Gospel hour" and everything was patriotic. Where's the separation, I ask? Now, clearly the church and synagogue have realized they have no place in government. So, why is the church singing praise to the government on church time? I've been particularly upset about a situation in Wisconsin. There are some people there that have similar beliefs to mine, especially in the area of health care. Their 11 year old daughter died and Friday a jury found the mother guilty of "reckless homocide!" I can't believe there were no believers on that jury! And since that was the case, how was that a jury of her peers? I am still in shock that this happened right here in America. The very place that today, we are memorializing all those that have died for American freedom. I just wonder how all the men and women through history that have fought and bled and died for freedom, especially religious freedom, would feel if they were alive today and heard about this? Is this the kind of freedom they fought and died for? Freedom from religion? Now, that our nation has determined that true Biblical faith is illegal, where's the freedom they fought and died for?
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. New Testament

Now He's Gone and Done It

I didn't think it would be possible and certainly not this soon, but President Obama has caused me to do the unbelievable. He's caused me to agree with Rush Limbaugh! Not on everything, but on more than I thought. Actually I only heard Rush Limbaugh for a few minutes in an interview with Glenn Beck. Glenn Beck is a case, and I have to admit, I thought Glenn and Rush would certainly be good material for a blog. Well, instead of lambasting in his usual fashion, and I only heard a few minutes of the interview, Rush was simply questioning the value of government owned "everything." Granted he was obviously pointing a finger at President Obama without mentioning the TARP by Bush, but he said some things I've been writing about and talking about. Our government is about to control everything in our lives. Our government is already controlling a great deal of the banking industry, the mortgage and lending, and now credit, and let's not forget the automobile industry. And we're about to have national health care, and let's not forget all the new bureaucracy being introduced to food and disease concerns. Before when it was simply regulations for FAA and FCC, it seemed that our government was protecting the citizens with a few regulations, but now. Our government is well on it's way to total control, of just about everything that affects the citizens. It's always for our good, remember. I just read about people signing up for the driving to be monitored to reduce their insurance. The article had the words "Big Brother" right in the headline, like it was a good thing. We will have no free market, no free trade, and ultimately no freedom. All that, and Rush and I AGREE it's a bad plan!
And that no man might buy or sell . . . the Revelation

Bumper Stickers Say Alot

I saw a Bumper Sticker that simply spoke volumes today. We had a crazy day all over the place and ended up still in town around 3 this afternoon, so we stopped at the little Chinese Restaurant to have lunch. Surprising for the time of day it was, the parking lot was fairly full. As we crossed the parking lot to enter the establishment, I noticed one of the old campaign bumper stickers from last fall on a vehicle. It was the one that mentioned "pitbull & lipstick," McCain-Palin. I told my husband that I'd be able to spot the owner of that vehicle, when we got inside. I'd done some work on the other place and I wanted to wash my hands before we ate, so I headed to the ladies room and my husband sat down and ordered our drinks. It's a buffet, so I fixed our plates and sat down with him. As we were eating I couldn't help but notice the people and their styles and manners. There was one table that appeared to be "four generations." When the generation about my age started harping at the toddler, I began to take notice. The toddler's mother had gone back to the buffet and he wanted to go with her. He really wasn't being loud, just wanted "Mommy." Grandma, on the other hand was quite a scene. As I watched this, I watched the Great Grandma placing napkins on the floor over what was a horrible scattered mess under the high chair of a little girl that was about a year old. I'm not just talking about something dropped, or even something spilled, I'm talking mess, scattered mess, and the adults are walking through it and putting napkins over it. I told my husband, I thought I had the owner of the bumper sticker in sight. Then, when I didn't think it could get any more socially unacceptable, I watched as they all went to the cash register, had the owner divide the ticket according to their specifications, watched the waitress take every cleaning supply on the place, to the "area" and they hadn't even left a tip.
Sure enough, I watched them all pile into the vehicle with "the message!" Bumper stickers really do say alot!
. . . thou hast made desolate all my company. Holy Scripture

Justice for All?

I read about the woman in Wisconsin who is facing charges in regard to the death of her daughter. The trial apparently began Saturday. She's the woman who didn't believe in doctors and was trusting G~D, and her daughter died. So this grieving mother has not only lost her daughter in death, she is now being punished for her religious beliefs. My Bible says G~D has numbered our days. What if that was simply that little girl's day to die? What if her diabetes had been diagnosed and treated she was fatally injured riding her bike or whatever? We don't get a guarantee in this world, as to how long we are staying.
Now, on the other hand, I read about a couple of young men that were out coon hunting or something at night and were being pulled over for speeding, and were apparently trying to get the loaded gun out of the front seat, because you know it's illegal to fire a weapon from a vehicle. At any rate, one of the young men accidentally shot and wounded the other, pretty badly. He didn't die, but it did result in a disability which is being financially rewarded, and handsomely, I might add. And nobody got a ticket!
I feel badly for both situations, but I don't understand the difference in the way our country handles it. The young man that was being careless, although his life has changed, has all sorts of assistance from many governmental agencies. The mother, that was standing on her beliefs and was doing everything she believed she should do, to care for her daughter has also had her life changed, and to add insult to injury, she is now being persecuted. Hard to believe, right here in America!
Yea, and all that will live godly in Messiah Y'hshuah shall suffer persecution. New Testament

Laws and Ethics?

Waterboarding is back in the news. I have a few observations to make in regard to "waterboarding." First, I don't care what we are being spoon fed, there is a clear and simple fact that remains. Anyone that can sit down and think up torture techniques is clearly an individual of, shall we say, "thoughts not appropriate for polite society . . ." And apparently they are well respected in some areas of our government. I find that unsettling to begin with. Next there is the fact that if someone truly does believe their life is threatened or made uncomfortable or pained for prolong periods of time, repeatedly, they will tell you whatever they think you want to hear. Think about it on a basic human level. You're already in captivity for an undefined period of time, held without being charged, and as far as you know, the representation you will be allowed are members of the same organization that is holding you. Now, there is no immediate way out, and you can't phone home. I'm guessing the thought will at least cross your mind that those who are holding you captive will stop their intense interrogation methods if they get some sort of answer to investigate. Just a thought. Next, I read that the waterboarding was repeated numerous times on some of these detainees and it resulted in so much valuable information. If it took several times, was it really effective? Or back to my previous point, did the detainee finally come up with a story that would put an end to the torture? I still have to ask, will we truly ever know if something was prevented. If it didn't happen, will we ever know if it really was going to happen?
Next we have Nancy saying the CIA misled her regarding waterboarding. She said they said they weren't doing it. Now, they say when they briefed her on it and they told her they were doing it. If they were already doing it when they told Nancy, then the CIA was operating without Congressional approval, and now that Nancy is in the majority she wants to make an issue. They need to be careful about their definition of torture. Since waterboarding is not considered torture, what would they do if they were faced with it, to get the truth about this situation? We're choosing to blur a line that should never be blurred and never be crossed. If our government can define and redefine torture and then deny knowing anything, when will it be determined to be appropriate in other circumstances? After all, it won't be torture, if it's US doing it . . . right?
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Y'hshuah, and let them go. Acts found in the New Testament

A Bit of a Rant Yesterday

Okay, I'm a little calmer and will try to just stay on a topic, rather than rant about half a dozen tangents. I see that GM is playing this a little closer to the vest than Chrysler did. I'm guessing that may be because they don't intend to take back the inventory, so the names are not being released. I'm glad we bought what could very well be our last vehicle made by GM. In my last book, Threshold of Technocracy, I mentioned we were looking at GM being the initials for food, rather than cars, as in "genetic modification." I gave up Cadillac driving for something a bit more practical, for farm life. We bought a Chevy Uplander and we really do like it. My daughter calls it our FUV (Farm Utility Vehicle.) So far it's hauled everything from "the whole bunch of us for an outing" to goats, feed, fruit trees, and fish for the new pond. With things going the way they are, the vehicles may be cheaper in the next few months, or maybe just maybe our purchase will make the difference between the dealership being closed or remaining a vital part of our community's economy. I pray the dealership gets to choose as to whether or not they want to continue doing business with the Corporation. I still have a real issue with the fact that the big guys get their big bucks and the individuals that invest their lifetime and their life savings in the product can be put out of business with the stroke of a pen, at someone else's desk. I'm sorry for Chrysler, but they had the luxury of Lee Iacocca and certainly have been at the top of the game with their Vans and big Dodge trucks for quite awhile. I think that was simply some poor management, when they came up with the PT Cruiser. It's like they were grabbing at a gimmick, and gimmicks are never sustaining. Now, it seems that the auto industry is just at the mercy of the agenda to track, contain, and control. They bought into it with cell phones and GPS, but it took on a life of it's own, to the demise of individual transportation. The elimination of all these vehicles will certainly encourage the use and enhance the value of the Super Rail that is planned.
. . .so the land became Pharaoh's. And as for the people, he removed them to cities from one end of the borders of Egypt even to the other end thereof. Torah of Holy Scripture

Wrecked

The auto industry is simply, in a word, wrecked. I can't even fathom what the people that have invested their lives in their "franchise" dealerships are facing. The big guys get their bail out, but this depression is going to take the last of the independent businessmen and financially destroy them. The auto workers will get their severance, the executives will get their packages, and the dealerships get their notice, and the word is, the big company isn't even going to take back the inventory. So, it will come down to paying the overhead to give the vehicles away at the fire sale price, or bankruptcy. Where is the economy strengthened in this maneuver? I remember, "what is good for GM is good for America." I remember, "see the USA in a Chevrolet."
I remember, "Chevy, the heartbeat of America . . ." and I also remember Tucker! So, is this a case of "what goes around, comes around?"
Back to Henry Ford. According to everything I've read, Henry Ford had a hatred for farming . . . the very purpose for which G~D created man.
Looks like Ford will be the last auto-maker standing . . . Henry Ford was recognized, early on, as a globalist, yet wrote such as the "International Jew" which was anti-Semitic.
Just what is the difference between international and global?
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee . . . Torah of Holy Scripture

GM and Gasoline

I filled up our new Chevy Uplander today and gasoline has taken a jump, again. We paid $2.09 a gallon. Well, with the 9/10 of a cent that is always added, I guess we paid closer to $2.10. I checked GM today at the end of the day and discovered at about 10:00 this morning, I could have bought two shares of GM for what I paid for a gallon of gasoline today. Seems an odd reality, wouldn't you say? I've been watching this General Motors calamity for months now and there is just something inevitable and final on the horizon. I don't like it, but I'm afraid it's a fact. GM has been my favorite through the years. Oh, I liked AMC, also, but they've not been around for what, now, 25 years! I did a search about AMC and I found out they are the ones building military vehicles, so maybe the government has other plans for General Motors. At any rate, it seems so coincidental that here at the end of May, the gasoline prices will soar for the summer travel and GM is facing total restructuring under the government or collapse, called "bankruptcy protection." I, personally, don't see where the term "protection" applies. Oh, I know, it's so the stock holders and creditors can't go after their money, but if there isn't any, there simply isn't any.
I know automobile manufacturers have come and gone through the years in the US, but I really thought about buying some GM stock, just for a memento. I know GM won't survive a bankruptcy and come out stronger . . . and I just cringe to think about what GM will become if the government becomes a major stockholder.
Considering the cost of my gasoline purchase and the fact that it is contributing to the economy of another country, I just couldn't help but think about how much GM stock I could buy for that same amount of money.
YHVH shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. Torah of Holy Scripture

Ponzi, Madoff, and Social Security

I've been thinking there is a real correlation here and now I'd like to present my evidence. In following the headlines, we were told that Madoff had a Ponzi scheme, and so I read about Ponzi himself and this is what I basically understand to be the plan. Solicit investors for a promised return that is better than what they are receiving now, or even better; a payoff down the road for a product or investment that they are never personally involved in, just paper work. Then solicit more investors and use their money to pay the first investors what was promised. Next, you have to have paperwork, lots and lots of paperwork to be able to show [overwhelm] someone that asks any questions. Make it so economically high brow that anyone that would dare ask would only feel that they are making themselves look ignorant. And always keep your original investors satisfied. They are the ones that think they own the plan! You can always change the promised return and extend the date of delivery for the later investors or as Ponzi and Madoff discovered, you can simply run out of new investors and leave everyone holding the bag. Now, I mentioned a correlation with these two gents and social security. There are similarities to a Ponzi scheme and Social Security, no doubt, but there are also differences. In a Ponzi scheme, he couldn't print more money or bonds, the government can. In a Ponzi scheme, the contribution and investment was voluntary, in social security, it is mandatory. In a Ponzi scheme, when the truth is discovered, the "idea guy" goes to jail, as Mr. Madoff just discovered, whereas in regard to Social Security, the "idea guy" FDR died a beloved hero. In a Ponzi scheme the initial investors don't know the secondary investors are paying their return, but in Social Security the first investors are collecting with full knowledge of the loss that the secondary investors will suffer and without conscience of what the later investors are contributing with no hope of ever seeing a cent of their investment while it remains mandatory. Without a doubt, Ponzi and Madoff were greedy and dishonest, but they were just individuals, and their investors were, for the most part, strangers. How can an entire country of "leadership" and elders knowingly do this Ponzi scheme to their grandchildren?
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Finally . . . Change I Could Take Note Of

I read about the annual White House Correspondent's Dinner. That was the one event that I just thought George W. Bush always shined. That single event always made me want to throw a big barbecue and invite him. No matter how much I disagreed with the majority of his decisions, and just couldn't see his politics, I enjoyed the humorous, human side of him, as I read the press coverage and heard the radio reports after this dinner. Upon reading about the Obama White House Correspondent's Dinner, I realize now I see the change. I don't agree with a number of Obama's decisions and can't really embrace his politics, but his so called attempt at humor was sad and his apparent appreciation of beneath "common" entertainment, I find inappropriate for society in general, much less the White House. Not only is President Obama out of touch with the common folk, I find him to support a great deal of racism,, and he's simply not funny. George W. Bush would actually make sport of certain things going on his own life; his approval ratings, his speech pattern, etc. President Obama came across completely arrogant and aloof. I never heard President Bush turn the White House Correspondent's Dinner into a "roast" of politicians and pundits that were not in attendance. Maybe I'm not getting a clear picture or accurate report, but from what I've read from the media that supposedly promotes him, I'm less than impressed. At this point in his administration, after reading his so called humor and enjoyment of the event, the only thing that came to mind was "The Gong Show." Rather than some of the comments that I read that were made that evening, I think the sound of the gong would have been an improvement.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have . . . New Testament

Books and Bullets

I don't particularly think these two subjects are connected, but these are two topics I want to address today, and we'll just see where this blog goes.
President Obama wants to make education more available to those that are on unemployment, as in going to school, not looking for work, and not losing their unemployment checks. What the article told me in reading about his plan is this: the jobs from which many have become "unemployed" are not coming back, so it's time for retraining. This plan would interconnect compensation with education, and divert the attention from the fact that employment opportunities are simply not available, so our President is ready to pay people to go to school.
Now, that's one issue.
The next one is slightly frightening and also an indication of the lack of hope. I thought "hope" was what we the people voted FOR! I've been following the availability of ammunition for certain guns. I don't think there will be tighter gun laws or prohibition of the 2nd amendment. Have all the guns you want, there just won't be any bullets . . . I have also noticed as people are speaking of guns and firearms, there is no lack of 30-30 ammo or 30-06, and for the most part shotgun shells remain available. The lack is in .380 and 38 Special ammo, which are hand guns and revolvers. It seems while everyone is talking about living off the land and surviving off of nature, if it "comes down to that," the ammo to hunt is not being stockpiled and remains readily available on the store shelves, while the ammo to "stop people" is what is in short supply.
So, in all this hope, why is there a shortage of ammo for guns that don't kill dinner, but rather, guns that kill people?
rebel not ye against YHVH, neither fear ye the people of the land . . . Torah of Holy Scripture

Simple Advice Through This Depressing Recession

We're all reading so many headlines that give conflicting information about our economy. One day it's better because it's not dropping so fast, the next week it's worse in other areas than first expected. What we know is this. We are Americans and our leadership operates completely in debt and we've accepted this as our way of life. I know so many people that are "one payment away" from getting on the right path. This is going to sound like a sermon or parental advice, and maybe it's a little of both! You know, we just have to drop it all and get on the right path, then pick up the pieces and pay for the broken mess, one piece at a time. Don't borrow any more, don't spend anything on anything unnecessary, and first and foremost we need to get back to giving G~D what HE expects, which is the first portion of our income. And here's the good news, HE doesn't even expect anywhere close to the percentage we pay in taxes! I heard more about this economy looking up later in the year, and that projection is based upon more spending!!! They don't get it yet, and "they" will continue to encourage the people to spend and borrow and borrow and spend, because it's really pretty simple. As the government begins to be a major shareholder in banks and big business, like say GM and Freddie and Fannie, the people that are indebted will literally be in bondage. This is getting closer to reality than we think. While we're arguing over credit cards and political parties, we're entering slavery to our own materialism and instant gratification.
We've got to just stop spending what we don't have, as individuals and as a nation.
. . . the borrower is servant to the lender. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

So, Now it Appears to Just Depend Upon One's Perspective

Well this economic crisis certainly is "spell binding" now isn't it! One week, everything is bleak and unexpectedly worse, and the next week, it's leveling off, or at least not plummeting so drastically. I find it particularly ironic that Ben Bernanke now says the economic horizon is looking up, because it's not declining as rapidly as it was. I've been thinking about all this and all these "latest and most insightful perspectives" and I've arrived at this conclusion, which is a question. What if the hay day is simply over and the economic decline is slowing because "we the people" realize this is the reality of the new millennium and the results of years of "blame and diversion" administrations. What if the economic decline is a result of the fact that the boomers were right early on, and the materialistic establishment is the road to destruction? Remember the ad "Chevy, the heartbeat of America?" So with Chevy being our heartbeat, does that mean with the potential government take over or forced bankruptcy, that America is about to go flat-line? Oh, but that can't be, because TPTB say it's going to get better after it gets worse. Isn't that kind of like saying, "It will feel so good when it quits hurting?"
I'm not buying into it and I'm not investing in these promises. I really think it just depends upon where you are standing as you view the situation, and if I were in a government position, I think I'd be wanting "the people" to believe it was going to get better. As an itinerant minister and blogger, I don't think "a better economy" is on it's way, but I'm guessing the reference: "a better economy," is about to be redefined!
All these are the beginning of sorrows. New Testament

A New Supreme Court Justice to be Appointed

Well, the debate should heat up over the next couple of months. I can hear it now! So many in America will be thrilled that President Obama will be appointing a new justice, all ready, in his presidency. But there is a group that would rather President Obama did not have that power just now. I, think, as usual, the timing is just really interesting. Justice Souter isn't even 70 years old. I didn't know Supreme Court Justices retired at all, except for extreme health issues. The rest of us will have to work long after 70 . . . I did a bit of research about his fame for the decision regarding Eminent Domain and I didn't realize how that vote went down. Seems Sandra Day O'Connor agreed with Justices Thomas, Rehnquist, and Scalia, but were outnumbered by the others. All I remember hearing at the time, though was Souter's vote and of course the usual gripes about Ruth Bader Ginsburg's politics. We need to remember, fellow Americans. Each Justice is allowed only one decision per case. Until now, seven justices have been appointed by Republican presidents. So, the reality is, if the Supreme Court was going to change the laws about abortion, or reduce federal government in our lives, or protect small business, we'd have seen the evidence long before now. It simply isn't going to happen. Now, when President Obama appoints someone to replace Justice Souter, who by the way has been a disappointment to the expectations of republicans, the Supreme Court really will not change that drastically. Once the President makes a choice, which we know will have no problems for approval by Congress; of the nine Justices, there will be only 3 appointed by a democrat president. And even if this individual, probably a woman, were to be the most far left leaning person on the planet. Even if this person made a communist socialist seem conservative, they will offer only one opinion out of 9. Now, if two or three more "retire" that may appear suspect, but no one has ever known what to expect out of Souter, and we'll have a pretty good idea going in, as to the perspective of Obama's choice.
. . . but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Judges of Holy Scripture