Daniel Gerard Barden

Daniel Gerard Barden, 7, of Sandy Hook, born September 27, 2005, in Pawling, N.Y., cherished son of Jacqueline and Mark, beloved brother of James and Natalie, left the physical world too soon, on December 14.

Daniel was the light of his family’s life. Adored and admired by all, Daniel touched the lives of all who knew him with his warmth, inspiring spirit of kindness, and generosity, outgoing and affectionate nature, and his imaginative play.

He loved spending time with his family, both immediate and extended, riding waves at the beach, playing the drums in a band with his brother James and sister Natalie, foosball, reading, and making s’mores around the bonfire with his cousins at his “Papa’s” house in Smallwood, N.Y. Daniel was on the Newtown soccer team and the Newtown Torpedoes swim team.

In addition to his immediate family, Daniel is survived by his grandmother Anne Barden of Yonkers, N.Y. and grandfather Martin Giblin of Smallwood, N.Y. Daniel leaves behind many aunts, uncles, and cousins who will miss him immensely: Rosaleen Giblin Murchison and husband, Peter, of Ridgefield, and their children Cristen, John, Michael, and Matthew and his wife, Lizzie; Martin Giblin of Bronxville, N.Y.; Michael Giblin of Frederick, Md. and his daughters Laura, Madeline, Jackie Pickett and husband, Duane, and their children Mariah and Neil, and Corrinne Downs and husband, Kenny, and their children Audrey and Leah; Madeline Giblin O’Neill and husband, Michael, and their daughter, Lauren, of Ridgefield; James Giblin of the Bronx, N.Y.; Donald Giblin and wife, Cathy, and their children Gerard, Jamie, and Catherine of Yorktown Heights, N.Y.; Kathleen Giblin of Rhinebeck, N.Y.; Christine Giblin Risoli and husband, Matthew, and their children Michael and Jane of Newtown; James Barden of New York, N.Y.; Timothy Barden and wife, Mary, and their daughter Anna of Portland, Maine; and Carl Barden of Deland, Fla. Daniel was preceded in death by his grandmother Madeline Giblin; grandfather James Barden, Sr; and uncle Gerard Paul Giblin.

A celebration of Daniel’s life will begin with a wake, Tuesday, December 18, from 5 to 8 pm, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 46 Church Street, Newtown. A funeral will follow Wednesday, December 19, at 10am, at St Rose.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Daniel’s name to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, or checks may be dropped off at any Newtown Savings Bank branch location. To donate on-line, go to http://newtown.uwwesternct.org .

On-line condolences for the family may be expressed at http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/guestbook.aspx?n=daniel-barden&pid=16172598/.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012

Although I did not find this link to still be active, I was able to obtain through the connection, a guestbook for Daniel indicating it will remain online permanently. This is as his obituary appeared in The Newtown Bee

Allison N. Wyatt

Allison Wyatt, daughter of Cheyanne and Ben Wyatt, Sandy Hook, was a kind-hearted little girl who had a lot of love to give, and she formed special bonds with most people who spent any amount of time with her.

She loved her family and teachers especially, but would often surprise people with random acts of kindness, once even offering her snacks to a complete stranger on a plane.

Allison loved drawing and wanted to be an artist, often turning parts of the house into an “art studio” with rows of pictures taped to the walls. She loved to laugh and was developing her own wonderful sense of humor that ranged from just being a silly six-year old to coming up with observations that more than once had us crying with laughter.

Allison made the world a better place for six, far too short years, and family and friends now have to figure out how to move on without her.

She was a sweet, creative, funny, intelligent little girl who had an amazing life ahead of her. “Our world is a lot darker now that she’s gone. We love and miss her so much.”

The Newtown Bee Posted December 18, 2012

This is Allison's obituary as it appeared in The Newtown Bee

Caroline Phoebe Previdi

Caroline Phoebe Previdi, 6, daughter of Jeffrey and Sandy Johnson Previdi and sister of Walker, from Sandy Hook, died Friday, December 14, in the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. Caroline was born in Danbury, September 9, 2006.

She was a first grade student at the school and a lifetime resident of Sandy Hook. Caroline was a member of St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown. Caroline loved to draw and dance. Her smile brought happiness to everyone she touched.

In addition to her parents and Walker, her maternal grandparents: Roger and Patsy Johnson of Asheville, N.C.; her paternal grandparents Gene and Joy Previdi, Jr of Newtown; her aunts and uncles, Helen Previdi, Fairfield, Gene and Lindsay Previdi, III, Newtown, Chet and Stephanie Graham, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and cousins CJ, Pearson, Ches, and Cole survive Caroline.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, December 19, at noon, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. Interment will be private. There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury.

Contributions in Caroline's memory may be made to The Toy Chest, c/o St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 18, 2012

This is Caroline's obiturary as it appeared in The Newtown Bee

James Radley Mattioli

“Our Beloved Prince,” James Radley Mattioli, 6 ¾, fondly called “J,” died December 14, in his classroom at Sandy Hook Elementary School. He was born March 22, 2006, in Bridgeport.

An energetic, loving friend to all, James loved baseball, basketball, swimming, arm wrestling, and playing games on the iPad (especially the lawn mowing game). He loved to wear shorts and t-shirts in any weather, and grab the gel to spike his hair. He would often sing at the top of his lungs and once asked, "How old do I have to be to sing on a stage?"

James loved to dive off the diving board at the Treadwell Pool, swim like a fish in both of his grandparents’ pools and ride his bike, proudly without training wheels. He often said, “I need to go outside Mom, I need fresh air.” He spent endless hours playing hockey with his best bud and cousin, George.

He loved and admired his big sister and wanted to do everything that she could do. They were the best of friends, going to school together, playing games together, and making endless drawings and crafts together. James was working very hard to advance his reading in first grade and his sister Anna was his endless partner in supporting this effort and challenging him to read more and more difficult words.

James was born four weeks early at Bridgeport Hospital. It was an ongoing quip that James came into the world early because he was hungry. He loved hamburgers with ketchup, his Dad’s egg omelets with bacon, and his Mom’s French toast. He often asked to stop at Subway for dinner for a ham sandwich, and wanted to know how old he needed to be to order a footlong sandwich.

James was an early-riser, always the first to wake the family up, ready to start the day and get dressed. He loved to cuddle on the couch at the end of the day with his Mom, grabbing his pillow and brown fleece blanket. He adored spending time with his Dad doing yard work, walking at Fairfield Hills, and watching him grill burgers on the deck. If Dad was outside, James wanted to be right there with him. Their love of one another was one of a kind, and James was his Dad’s mini look-a-like.

James was especially thoughtful and considerate, always the first to welcome guests at the backdoor with a hug and his contagious smile. Recently he chose to forgo a gift for himself, and decided to use that money to purchase a mug for his Grandfather for Christmas instead.

James loved all teachers and staff at Trinity Day School and Sandy Hook Elementary School and found special joy in math and recess. He was a “numbers” guy, coming up with insights beyond his years to explain the relationship between numbers and unique ways of figuring out the answer when adding or subtracting. He loved the concept of googleplex, which he learned from his good friend, Christopher.

James will be incredibly missed by all who loved him: his parents Mark and Cindy Mattioli; his beloved sister Anna; grandparents Jack and Kathy Radley of Sherrill, N.Y. and John and Angelina Mattioli of Stamford; aunts and uncles Mark and Lynn (Mattioli) Forrest of Stamford, Raymond and Susan (Mattioli) Higgins of Mahopac, N.Y., Laurie (Doyle) Mattioli of Arlington, Mass., Trevor and Stephanie (Radley) Bonat of Concord, N.H., Nicholas and Melissa (Radley) Guarracino of Oxford, Marybeth Radley of Washington DC, and Marcus Radley of Hartford; cousins Lexi, Dana, Chelsea, Angelina, Juliana, Sophia, Lucy, George, Jane, Charlotte, and Stryker. His beloved uncle, John R. Mattioli, Jr predeceased James.

The Mattioli family will receive friends at the Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home, 315 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, Monday, December 17, between 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, at 10am, Tuesday, December 18, with burial to follow at St John's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Darien.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in James’ memory to the James R. Mattioli Memorial Fund, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470.

To leave an on-line condolence please visit www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com .

The Newtown Bee Posted December 17, 2012

James' obituary as it appeared in The Newtown Bee.

Olivia Rose Engel

Olivia Rose Engel, 6, left Sandy Hook Elementary School and joined the angels in Heaven, December 14. Born July 18, 2006, at Danbury Hospital to Shannon (Merlino) and Brian Engel, Olivia brought immediate joy to all those around her with her ever-present smile and adorably infectious giggle.

Quickly growing from a happy, bouncing baby who clung tightly to her stuffed lamb into an enthusiastic, loving little girl who always wanted to do and see more, Olivia’s zest for life began early. With help from her adoring parents, she quickly developed an affinity for all things fun. On any given afternoon, one could just as easily find Olivia twirling in a pink tutu in dance class, developing her swing on the tennis court, kicking the winning soccer goal, drawing, painting, and gluing things in art class, or honing her inner songstress in her community musical theater class.

The budding swimmer also loved to join her dad or grandpa on their boats, so she could explore the world from the water.

As Olivia continued to grow, she developed a love and affinity for math and reading, arts and crafts, and her parish. Participating in her church’s CCD program and leading the family’s Grace each evening were sources of great pride for Olivia, as was being a big sister. Ever patient, Olivia took joy in helping her three-year-old brother Brayden explore the world she’d grown to love. This smart, bubbly NY Yankee fan and Daisy Girl Scout would instantly light up a room with her humor, charm, and wit. She was a sweet and appreciative six-year-old with a lot to live for. Her physical loss will deeply be felt every day by those who loved her most, but her sparkly spirit will live on forever.

Her parents and brother; maternal uncle JR Merlino; grandmother Suanne Merlino; great-grandmother Esther Galligan; paternal grandparents Christine and Richard Engel; and countless aunts, cousins, and close friends survive Olivia. She has joined her maternal grandfather, Jeffery Merlino, in Heaven.

Olivia's wake takes place Thursday, December 20, from 4 to 7 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, with her funeral Mass occurring Friday, December 21, at 1 pm, at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Olivia’s honor can be directed to the Newtown Park and Bark at newtownparkandbark.org .

The Newtown Bee December 21, 2012

The victims have all been laid to rest, but each obituary will appear individually here, as they appeared in The Newtown Bee.

Avielle Rose Richman

Avielle Rose Richman, 6, daughter of Jennifer Hensel and Jeremy Richman of Newtown, died December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She was born October 17, 2006, in San Diego, Calif., and she moved to Connecticut with her parents in 2011.

Avie was a first grader at Sandy Hook. She was born with a spitfire personality, which continued as she grew into a lover and teller of stories. She offered her heart to everyone. With an infectious smile and peals of laughter, people were drawn to her beautiful spirit, which will live on in all of our hearts.

Her passions and joys were her friends, music, horseback riding, archery, kung fu, swimming, ice skating, and participating in super hero adventures.

Avielle is survived by a large community of friends and family who love her.

Memorial services are private. The family is making arrangements for a memorial fund for those who wish to contribute.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 17, 2012

As her obituary appeared in The Newtown Bee.

We continue to pray for comfort as the families struggle through this time of grief, and we grieve for them.

Dylan Christopher Jack Hockley

Dylan Christopher Jack Hockley, 6, beloved and cherished son of Ian Thomas and Nicole Marie (Moretti) Hockley of Sandy Hook, died tragically, December 14, with his friends, classmates, and teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Dylan was born in Winchester, England, March 8, 2006.

In addition to his parents, his brother Jake Alexander Hockley of Sandy Hook; maternal grandparents Henry and Theresa (Gobidas) Moretti of Cranston, R.I.; paternal grandparents Thomas and Ivy (Dawn) Hockley of Eastrea, England; and uncles Kevin Hockley of Peterborough, England and Gary Hockley of Chicago, Ill. survive Dylan.

A public memorial service is planned for Friday, December 21, at 1 pm, in the Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dylan Hockley Memorial Fund, 34 Charter Ridge Road, Sandy Hook CT, 06482.

The Honan Funeral home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in care of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012

This photograph is all that has been added to his obituary as it appeared in the Newtown Bee

Madeleine F. Hsu

Madeleine F. Hsu
The family of Madeleine F. Hsu, 6, has requested privacy.

Madeleine was born July 10, 2006. She died December 14, in Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The Newtown Bee Posted December 20, 2012

I'm sorry we don't know more about this beautiful little girl, but this is what her family has expressed, at this time. This is her obituary is as it appeared in the Newtown Bee.

Charlotte Helen Bacon

Charlotte Helen Bacon, 6, was the beloved daughter of Joel and JoAnn Bacon, and sister of Guy Bacon. She died tragically December 14, with her friends and classmates at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Charlotte was an extraordinarily gifted 6-year-old who filled her family each day with joy and love. The family will forever remember her beautiful smile, her energy for life, and the unique way she expressed her individuality, usually with the color pink. Charlotte never met an animal she didn’t love, and since the age of 2 wanted to be a veterinarian. She also enjoyed practicing Tae Kwon Do weekly with her dad and brother, where she relished kicking and throwing punches.

Charlotte has left a place in her entire extended family’s hearts that will never be replaced. The family is profoundly grateful for the thoughts and prayers of the many friends around the world who have expressed their sympathies. They trust in the depths of God’s grace and with confidence know that Charlotte rests in God’s arms.

Friends may visit with Charlotte’s family Tuesday, December 18, from 4 to 7 pm, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown. Her funeral service will take place Wednesday, December 19, at 1 pm, also at the church, followed by her burial in Newtown Village Cemetery.

The family asks that the media please respect their privacy at this time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be sent to Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Road, Newtown CT 06470.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in care of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012

I'm sure this photo doesn't do her pretty curls justice, but the background and activity just seemed the proper picture in which to remember this little girl. The obituary itself is as it was posted in the Newtown Bee.

Jessica Adrienne Rekos

Jessica Adrienne Rekos, 6, beloved and cherished daughter of Richard S. and Krista A. Lehmann Rekos of Sandy Hook, died tragically, December 14, with her friends and classmates at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Born in Danbury May 10, 2006, she was a lifelong resident of Sandy Hook.

Jessica loved horseback riding, learning about orcas, writing, and playing with her little brothers.

In addition to her parents, her brothers Travis J. and Shane S. Rekos of Sandy Hook; maternal grandparents John E. and Suzanne A. Lehmann of Groveland, Fla.; paternal grandfather Richard J. Rekos and his wife, Mary, of Danbury; paternal grandmother Mary Anne Mellny Rekos of Monroe; aunts Karyn Lehmann of Groveland, Fla. and Karla (Lehmann) Lafferty and her husband, Jack, of Clermont, Fla.; uncles Brian Rekos and his girlfriend, Cathy Byrne, of Newtown, Craig Lehmann and his wife, Maureen, of Weeki Wachee, Fla. and Kurt Lehmann and his wife, Marion, of Belle Mead, N.J.; and cousins Kaitlin, Samantha, Connor, Erin, and Kelly survive Jessica.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 18, at noon, at St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newtown Rotary Sandy Hook School Fund, PO Box 263, Newtown CT 06482.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in care of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012

Her funeral has already taken place, but I feel it continues to be important to post the obituaries as they appeared in their home town paper.

Catherine Violet Hubbard

Catherine Violet Hubbard, 6, born June 8, 2006, died December 14, during the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Her older brother, Frederick William; her parents Matthew and Jennifer; her grandparents Susan and Leo Sullivan and her great-grandmother Geraldine Russell Holden, all of West Chester, Penn.; Nancy and Earl Hubbard of Chatham, Mass.; and four uncles, four aunts, and nine cousins survive Catherine.

She will be remembered for her passion of animals and constant smile. Her family prays that she, all the students of Sandy Hook Elementary, and all those affected by this brutal event find peace in their hearts.

A wake is scheduled for Wednesday, December 19, from 4 to 7 pm, at St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Thursday, December 20, at 10 am, at St Rose. Interment will follow the Mass, in St Rose Cemetery, Cherry Street, Sandy Hook.

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting donations be made to the Newtown Animal Center, PO Box 475, Newtown CT 06470.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in care of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012

As published in the Newtown Bee, with her picture.

Jack Armistead Pinto

Jack Armistead Pinto, 6, of Sandy Hook, born May 6, 2006, died December 14, in Sandy Hook Elementary School, in the company of his many friends, classmates, and teachers. Jack was the son of Dean and Tricia (Volkmann) Pinto. He was born in Danbury, May 6. At the time of his death, Jack was a first grade student at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Besides his parents, his brother Benjamin A. Pinto; maternal grandparents Alfred Volkmann and Laurine (Rothe) Volkmann of Shoreham, N.Y.; paternal grandparents Anthony Pinto and June (DeChello) Pinto of North Haven; his aunts Karen Volkmann of New York and Mia Pinto of East Haven; his godparents Alan Zaccaro and Mia Pinto; and his good friend John (JJ) Haddick survive Jack.

Jack was an avid participant in a wide variety of activities including flag football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and snow skiing. Jack was an incredibly loving and vivacious young boy, appreciated by all who knew him for his lively and giving spirit and steely determination.

In life and in death, Jack will forever be remembered for the immeasurable joy he brought to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, a joy whose wide reach belied his six short years.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is in care of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 16, 2012


Jack Pinto's obituary as it appeared in the Newtown Bee

Noah Samuel Pozner

Noah Samuel Pozner
died December 14, a victim of the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Noah was born in Danbury, son of Lenny and Veronique Pozner.

“How do you capture the essence of a 6-year-old in just a few words? Noah was an impish, larger than life little boy. Everything he did conveyed action and energy through love. He was the light of our family, a little soul devoid of spite and meanness.”

He will be forever missed by his mother and father; siblings Danielle, Michael, Sophia, and twin sister Arielle; his grandparents Marie, Dirk, Ivan, Deanna, and Lena; uncles and aunts, Arthur, Stephan, Alexi, Patricia, and Victoria.

“May you fly to that peaceful valley and wait for us there.”

Funeral services will take place Monday, December 17, at 1 pm, from The Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Road, Fairfield, with interment following at B'nai Israel Cemetery on Moose Hill Road in Monroe.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the planting of trees in Israel.

The Newtown Bee Posted December 17, 2012

This is as his obituary appeared in the local paper, the Newtown Bee.

In Tribute and Memorial

For the next, nearly four weeks, this blog will be written to pay tribute to the individual lives of each of the victims of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut. As the headlines continue to report about the embodiment of evil that perpetrated this horror, I simply cannot abide these precious lives to be just a list of names and ages in the news. These children had their whole lives ahead of them, and these educators made decisions that clearly put them in harms way, protecting the children in their care. That should be the headlines!
I cannot express how tired I became of seeing the shooter of Congresswoman Giffords, while the photos of his victims faded into national and historical obscurity after their funerals. The loss of a loved one, even when expected is painful. Unexpected deaths come with more emotions to process, and deaths which are both sudden and traumatic can actually affect the survivors in ways similar to post traumatic stress disorder; however, the loss of a child is something a heart just doesn't know how to begin to process.
I am not really going to have any specific order to these, other than to have the children first, because I believe that is also a tribute to the educators who gave their lives, to put these children first. Please feel free to share any information you may have about the lives of these people and the prayers for their friends and families.
The blog will post daily, except Sabbath.

Calling It Like It Is!

I'd love to blame the politicians, or the Middle East, or something besides standing up and owning what's coming to me. I deal with a number of people in my generation, the Baby Boomers who are struggling, still with heavy hearts in dealing with life. Our kids, our jobs, our old age, our lot in this thing we call life. I've been saying for some time, that we need to just go ahead and be the generation that bites the bullet, accepts responsibility, and changes the direction . . . I believe this is the blog in which I take that step. To be honest, the way the next generation turned out, I almost stepped off my bandwagon and was really considering just going ahead and going with the flow and taking what I'd paid in, but my conscience got the best of me. So before I considered anything else I might regret, I dusted myself off and stood back up on my own bandwagon. Many Boomers simply got skipped in regard to a respected place in history and it's our own fault. Most boomers were raised by the "greatest generation" and many of them are still collecting money and respect while their kids keep catering and bashing themselves over the head with the fifth commandment. Great news, Christian Boomers, if they taught you the fourth one had changed don't worry about the fifth one, because if you fail to keep one, you're guilty of them all, and after all, they are the generation that taught you. I think what we really need to get ahold of is the previous generation does influence the next one. The Boomers didn't just organize to be what we are. We were raised to be what we are, and we raised the next ones . . . Boomers raised a very mocking, disrespectful, self-centered generation and we'll just have to live with that. I'm an exception in the Boomer generation, well some of later ones were raised by the silent generation, and we're for the most part, all a mess. Believe me, they're not silent now, but growing up when parents were quiet, life as you knew it was getting ready to crash your direction. So, as an ignorant Boomer that just wanted a sweet little baby to love without trapping a man to be angry for life, my only parenting plan was to do it differently! Let me tell, there are tons of ways to do it differently and still be wrong! Now, the main thing I can say about my failure is; I wasn't following the Word of G-d. I had just enough understanding to feel guilty and confused. Not good parenting skills, at all. Now that I have come to G-d and continuously seek HIS will, I have had to face the fact and own the responsibility that everything I did outside of HIS Will I may not get to enjoy or count a benefit. In reading Scripture I have discovered that Abraham cooked up his own plan with some help and ended up having to give up the hopes and dreams he had with his first child, to receive the promise of G-d in his life. If G-d can require that of Abraham, who HE called HIS friend, who do I think I am to presume anything? I'm not saying G-d is going to allow permanent division in all our families, but if getting together is nothing but mockery and derision . . . that was the problem at Abraham's too. I believe YHWH's grace can bring reconciliation, but I am also aware of the headlines daily from the Middle East.
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking . . . And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son And G-d said unto Abraham . . . And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away

Let's Talk About Trust

Trust is a big issue for most of all of us. Parents want to be able to trust their kids. Spouses want to be able to trust each other. Bosses want to trust their employees to do their work and employees want to trust their bosses for a paycheck. Business partners want to trust each other, and folks entering into a contract want each side to live up to their written word. Trust is big, and yet the number of people most of us trust, really trust; can be counted on one hand. I'm not saying we distrust everyone, but most of us simply do not trust very many folks with the opportunity to be distrusted, except our elected officials. We listen to them campaign, we talk about their empty promises, and yet we vote for them. Why, do we do collectively, what we'd never do individually? This fact of just accepted distrust of politicians got me thinking. Let's be honest, we all have people in our lives that we don't trust, and it's not because they've done something big and devious, although some do. No. Trust is more a matter of counting on the little things. We trust people that remember to do what they say they'll do. We trust people that bring the change back from an errand. We trust people that answer their phone. We trust people that don't make excuses, and we don't trust people who consistently do not do those things we count on. Trust isn't about the big events in life, it's a collection of several things that might seem quite trivial. I know, I would more quickly re-trust someone that was on the spot and told a "whopper," rather than someone that repeatedly changed the rules of engagement telling me I misunderstood. I would more readily trust someone that wrote a bad check, owned up to it, and covered it, as someone that repeatedly looked for opportunities to disgrace another. Perhaps my requirements of trust are different than those of another, but I have this great idea. Since most of us can agree that politicians can't be trusted, wouldn't it be great if say, three times of being caught not keeping your word or misleading people, landed that person squarely in Washington DC. A sort of shock treatment for the untrustworthy. Scared truthful! Can you imagine the average teller of white lies or someone with just a generic and random disregard of promise keeping were sent to try to survive amongst the real liars! A sort of "Lord of the Flies" version of truth therapy. As a matter of fact, rather than elections, we could have "true" public servants that are doing their time and paying their debt to society for lying. The great thing to this theory is, there would absolutely be term limits and they'd have to come back and "truly" face their people. Then, rather than prideful pensions, sock puppet theatre, and "cliff hanging" shenanigans, anyone that had been to Washington to serve would hang their head, as they should. When someone asked about Uncle So-and-So or Cousin Such-and-such, there would just be the whispered response that they were out of town . . . on the east coast . . . or, tending to some business. We'd have euphemisms for it, but finally politics would be known for what it truly is.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

$ Money $

I've come to realize people who focus on money never have enough. I know Scripture indicates that, in numerous passages, and I believe it, but to watch our society and realize we are so money focused, so money driven, and so money owned! Surprisingly, or not, it's at both ends of the financial spectrum and definitely throughout the continuum. The American society is so money focused and money driven! Our currency bears the words "In God We Trust" on our money, but it's backed by the integrity of the Federal Reserve . . . In whom does that indicate we have placed our faith? Just who is our god? If it were the G-d if Israel, even if we didn't use shekels, wouldn't there be some sort of silver standard, and a defnite avoidance of interest rates a.k.a. usury? A nation that runs on debt and credit can't possibly be claiming to trust in the G-d of the Bible, so who is the god of our mammon or money, as we like to call it? As we continue to head toward a cashless society, even more frightening variables enter the fray, but for now, let's talk about the cold hard cash we are still using, sometimes; and still religiously arguing that it must absolutely bear the words, "In God We Trust." All I'm asking is the sincere question. What trust in what God is signified by the statement on our money. Considering the shenanigans of the Federal Reserve to begin with, and the continuing loss of value of our currency, it seems an insult to associate a Truly Sovereign Being with our monetary system. To use our currency, which with no silver or gold standard is basically like playing a game of MONOPOLY. It only works as long as we're all sitting at the same game board, and perpetual motion is the standard. Once the motion changes, or the game board does, our money will change in value. The best example I can give here, would be Confederate currency. I believe if you attempted to use it at the local Convenience Store, it would be termed counterfeit. That day is coming with our currency, but I digress. My point here is, our money has no standard. The Federal Reserve is run by greed and politics, so there's the integrity in which we place our confidence. As you look at a penny that's no longer made of copper, and quarter that has some copper, but no longer made of silver, and a dollar bill that states "this note is legal tender for all debt, private and public," what indicates the Sovereign of the Universe would even want to be associated with our currency? I still do not understand the argument of keeping "In God We Trust" on the money, since even HIS Son drew the line between the coin and the heavenly Kingdom. Maybe the Sovereign of the Universe doesn't want to be associated with our silly currency that has no value . . . And everyone that can't get enough of it or is relentlessly focused on it, has given it a place of far too much importance in our life and in our society.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The Economy of Black Friday

You may wonder why I'm using toilet tissue to make my point about Black Friday and our economy. Well besides the fact that it's "down the tubes," "in the toilet," and "all washed up," there really are more very obvious similarities. Toilet paper, toilet tissue, bath tissue, call it what you will has changed a lot since Mr. Whipple promoted a single brand. Things are changing and TPTB [the powers that be] are still counting on materialistic consumerism to dig the debt a bit deeper and prolong the inevitable. We're sinking. If retailers are in business and opening their doors every day, hoping that the last Friday of November finally puts them in the black, then that means they are operating in the red for 11 months, and sadly most of their Black Friday shoppers will be shopping in the red that day, on credit. Now, from what I've gathered, the Black Friday extravaganza is evolving. I'm guessing it's about like toilet paper. What is advertised and presented may look like a better deal, but the devil is in the details, which means looks can be deceiving. I'll go ahead and get my rant over on the toilet paper and "tie" it all up with Black Friday. It practically takes a degree in economics to figure all the different size and number of sheets, plies, rolls, double rolls, triple rolls with fewer in a package, and now the added variable of a larger diameter in the cardboard roll itself. That's right, check it out next time. Four roll packs now look like something you'd take camping for the week-end, the diameter of the roller is huge, and the price is more than unreasonable! Which brings me to Black Friday, which has now crept up to Thursday evening, I believe it's now called Gray Thursday. Wow! It used to be called Thanksgiving evening. Do they still have the big ceremonies for turning on the Christmas lights any more? This season has simply become about shopping. As a matter of fact, I now term Thanksgiving as "Opening Day of Shopping Season." People have already stated that the sales are not all that great, the bargains not that spectacular, it's just the inventory and supply is limited . . . Less availability makes it that much more of an event, at least to get there first with a plan. Whether you're buying gifts at a bargain in a stampede or toilet paper in new design and packaging, our economy is based on the concept that we'll just keep buying more and paying more, while being in such a hurry or a frenzy that we'll not pay attention and realize what's happening.
Better is little, with the fear of YHWH, Than great treasure with trouble.

Middle East and Minding the Store

As the holidays approach I am persuaded to look at the Middle East as a Family feud, because all the way back to the beginning of recorded history, it is, ya know.
I've been reading in Torah the last couple of weeks about the fighting over and repurchasing of wells already dug . . . Then there's the entire religious difference that becomes apparent in Jacob's finding a wife, but obvious with Abraham in hearing "come out from your kinsmen." Now let's address the generation between Abraham and Jacob. There is Isaac, the father of Israel, but Israel was a twin and that twin made obvious different choices, but there is also Ishmael in the second generation, the son of Sarah's Egyptian servant and father of the Arabs.
So, let's look at this as a family feud. We all have them. There's a couple of really cute E-greetings being shared on facebook about this very subject. Some families may get along, but the ones that don't, don't welcome mediators. Family dynamics are family dynamics and in the case of embattled family members, the only thing a stranger can do is become the common enemy that unites. I'm blessed to be a stranger in my family and now they can all agree that they are just tired of dealing with me. The majority opinion is, I just don't understand the family dynamics properly! Yay! Win/Win! They can gather in celebration of whatever, and discuss the black sheep and I can fulfill my position in the family, as the black sheep, without even being present! . . . Now, how to apply this to the Middle East.
First, we need to get the "know -it-all" Americans out of the position of authority. We draw ugly fire! Next, we need to make all of the American public aware that this is not our family feud and we are making things more difficult. The very same people that vote "religious-right" or "Biblical values" and cry "We support Israel" are the same ones who support Capitalistic Corporations sending people to the surrounding Arab nations, like Turkey and Egypt to build their military vehicles and make oil purchases from Saudi Arabia. See, for America, it's about G-d and mammon, together . . . I've actually attempted to have discussions with folks who are posting pictures and comments out of political ignorance. It doesn't work . . .
I have an example closer to home. We like to cast blame on "the others." Let's talk Twinkies, shall we? Granted we have Big Corporate that can't manage to make money after a bankruptcy a few years ago, so they are taking their bonuses and closing up shop. Now that leaves the angry union and their supporters blaming the Fat Capitalists! But who was it that said "No more junk food in school?" "Who stopped the contracts for vending machines to sell Twinkies?" I was not a fan of the previous administration, but the junk food nazis did not come about on the Bush watch. Yet, the 98% blame the 1% and the "conservatives" for 18,000 jobs eliminated. Truth be told, and that is not to invalidate any of those jobs, 18,000 fewer jobs is not a drop in the bucket to America's unemployment problem . . .
Now back to the Middle East and America's involvement therein. If most of religious America doesn't believe the Old Testament applies any longer, they need to simply sit down and shut up. On the other hand, considering it is a Covenant between G-d and HIS people, we need to realize the passage about blessing and cursing was between G-d and Abraham before Ishmael or Isaac were born.
Now YHWH had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee . . . And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Torah of Holy Scripture

The War is Coming and Where is Ariel Sharon?

I find it interesting in a disgusting sort of way that when Israel finally responded to the rocket fire, that's what made headlines world wide. The fact that Israel had been under rocket siege for awhile wasn't exactly stealing the headline space. Why is that? We'd rather read about the sex lives of old generals and the discretion of middle-aged "should be" housewives than to know all the details regarding Israel and Hamas. I realize this country is torn in the allegiance to Israel, but historically we've taken the coward's way out on several occasions regarding the chosen folk. We cannot wallow into the muck and mire of some sort of Mash soap opera and ignore the world events. By the way, if Ms. Broadwell took classified papers from General Petraeus's office, even if he was head spy by then, doesn't that fall into some sort of treason classification, through war time?
I had already begun another blog about another matter in Israel, when Israel returned fire, so this of course, takes precedence, but I'll combine the two blog topics and mention my original concern here.
What happened to Ariel Sharon? How does the comatose leader of a country disappear? Setting aside his national fame, how does a man in a coma disappear? Why are headlines or at least updates about this great leader of Israel missing from the headlines. I have to search to find outdated information. It's beginning to feel like Israeli information is being filtered from our news sources . . .
Israel is not the way G-d said HE would bring them back to the land, but it is still Israel and they have made every concession asked in an attempt to try to get along with people who cannot get along to organize their own government. They have given up land won in battle . . . something neither their enemy nor their supposed allies have done . . . Hamas and Fatah were literally given Israeli land, and these two entities cannot even live peaceably amongst themselves with Israel buffering between. Why does this escape the headlines? Why does this information go over the heads of most Americans?
I knew something was missing from the headlines when I just got to keep seeing the face of David Petraeus, and then as the plot thickened, I knew something was up. I blogged about it yesterday. Could this be what we haven't been reading? The background facts are frightening enough, I hope there isn't more . . . and I hope we don't jump in and make matters worse. We, Americans, have a knack for doing that . . . And we can't afford to be wrong, again, in the Middle East.
. . . cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee. Torah of Holy Scripture

In the News . . .

By the headlines, I have to wonder what we're not being told. Right before the elections, the Republicans got up in arms over the horrific occurrence in Benghazi. I blogged about that when it happened and wondered why it was handled so casually on so many levels, but once it came to the forefront, a new saga appeared. General Petraeus, after all those years of marriage and all those stars on his shoulders, as head spy of the nation, decided to give infidelity a try? I'm having a hard time sorting this out, then find out another general was not exactly walking the path of discretion himself. It's the timing, just the timing that I find so distracting . . . Now that the hearings are supposed to be scheduled, everything else is up in the air, careers are on the line, and Hillary has other plans.
I've never been able to get my tin foil hat around this administration. The Bush administration was a bit easier, in that they were overtly conspiratorial and authoritarian. It's taken me nearly 4 years and other blog topics to finally realize this administration appears to consider itself above accountability and is quite transparent about it. I'm really embarrassed it's taken me so long to see it. I saw in the first year of the Obama administration, the man has the same countenance that Yul Brenner "put on" to portray Pharaoh.
Now back to the headlines or rather what is missing from the headlines. If it wasn't for Haaretz and Facebook, I wouldn't know much about the rocket fire in Israel and the preparation for self-defense.
This General situation is reminiscent of the Reagan days when Oliver North took the fall for his Commander in Chief, then later he was exonerated or cleared or whatever, so basically we the people never did know what happened, but the same Iran that insisted Reagan be elected also ended up with weapons, but that was President Reagan, so it was all right. I'm guessing it won't be all right this time around with those same people.
The election is past, Benghazi, sadly is history, Generals are being investigated, our leaders are saying they want transparency from behind guarded walls, and I've noticed, CNN has so little to report. It's repetitious or local and the comments page and i- reports fill the domain.
This has also been reminiscent of when the Terri Schaivo situation was in the news. While the public was all up in arms over an emotional and sinful issue, deals were being made and papers were being signed, and except for a few of us irritating bloggers, the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America went virtually unnoticed, but is still signed and sitting somewhere to this day.
Well, now considering this administration's stance on immigration, perhaps it's the topic that's not in the news, again . . .
I don't know what we're not being told, but with this much media time dedicated to an Old General's sex life, I'm thinking when we do finally find out what's been in the works, we're going to wish we'd have known sooner. One week ago, states were complaining about election observers, then the voters were complaining that their votes were going to the wrong candidate, and now half the states in the union want to secede and a General's sex life is the top story, still . . . Whatever it is, that's not in the news, must be big or bad or both. Either that, or we as a nation just prefer drama and dirt to news and information.
G-d hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. . . Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. . . . Thy kingdom is divided . . . a Prophet of Holy Scripture

Time to Do Some Math . . . Again

I have two math problems to challenge here.
I don't understand the math when it comes to campaign spending. The Presidential campaigns spent a total of 2.5 billion for a job that doesn't earn an annual salary of 1/2 million . . . $2.5 billion for a job that pays $400K annually? That's just $1.6 million over 4 years. Any person that can justify this spending for the outcome is not going to be able to balance any budget. Let me show you what that is in my common lay-peasant terms. We'll just split the campaign budgets. So we've got 1.25B per man to win an annual salary of 400K, that's 1.6M dollars for the 4 year term. To make this analogy commensurate with my budget, that would be like spending $12,500 to obtain something valued at $16.00, providing something valued at $16.00 would even last 4 years! Does anyone see why the candidates may have problems solving the economic problems that plague our country? Not to mention, there are people crying for help and claiming to be impoverished that send money to these guys' campaigns. The bigger issue is the fact of what I see unfolding. I won't call it collusion, because well, there are too many lawyers that go into politics and I just don't want to battle the legaleze, but . . . it really seems at this point that the Republican plutocrats will control the business and the Democrat plutocrats will retain the politics and we the people will be "thrown" some crumbs while the politicians play their role and enjoy the benefits.
On a side note here. I didn't vote, but for all the conservatives that gave me a piece of their mind, although I'm not sure they had it to spare . . . my state went red without my vote. So basically, because of our electoral college, my non-vote was as inconsequential in Missouri, as a republican vote was in Florida. Yet I digress . . . The electoral college pretty much keeps business as usual against any third party candidate. I saw some major admonitions aimed their way and I still haven't done the math in detail, but suffice it to say, in a nation this polarized, a third party isn't going to take the electoral votes . . . especially if they are espousing any logical solutions, rather than just spewing hate and making promises . . .
My last math problem is over our health care reform. I'm thinking let's just tax everyone an addition 2.5% without the possibility of deduction or loopholes. Right now, as it stands the 2.5% will be a penalty for no insurance or an insurance policy beneath government approval. First and foremost it's time to realize the politicians really don't care if any of "we peasants" have awesome health care. If they did, we'd have access to the same plan they have . . . and that simply ain't gonna happen! I'm already planning to pay the penalty because I don't believe in going to the doctor, so I don't carry insurance, and I couldn't afford it if I did, I'm six years from 60 with MS. Y'hshuwah clearly avoided a religious tax exemption status, so I'll pay my 2.5%.
Now, back to my idea. I checked the reported IRS income for the country. I discovered something fairly interesting. If there was anyone in Washington DC with any fiscal responsibility, they would stop treating their constituents like "we the peasants." The total income filed last year was over $12T. I can't track all the overseas stuff, because I simply don't know how, but I did find 12T. So if everyone had a 2.5% tax increase, we'd be looking at over $300B dollars to start knocking down the deficit. Leave all the rest of the doctor scare tactics in place and tell the insurance companies it's just not time for fascism yet, and let's start paying against this deficit. The 2.5% is straight across the board and I really don't mind a national sales tax within reason.
This is not a partisan matter. Neither party works well for the people they claim to represent. Clearly the politicians aren't going to do anything that might affect them negatively in any way shape or form. So, if we hold their feet to the fire and designate this new tax that the Supreme Court approved, apply it all to the deficit and get some of this debt paid down before our grandkids are so burdened they can't even stand the thought of getting out of bed.
. . . but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Today's the Big Day

I'm seeing something, suddenly today, that I realize has been developing for years, and I am not proud of what I'm seeing. Direction has slowly been redefined before my very eyes. Beliefs and morality have done a complete 180 in defining a person's perspective. I can't believe I was missing it all these years and suddenly this morning I woke up seeing it! Responsibility is still associated with terms like duty and obligation, but it's no longer personal at all, and none of those terms are any longer associated with DIRECTION. The definition of 'personal responsibility' has devolved to the ridiculous meaning of "find someone to blame." Everyone dissatisfied with their life and circumstances doesn't have to take personal responsibility at all, or have a direction, they simply must hang on til the right person is elected to make it all happen! It's the economy, it's the administration, it's the previous administration, it's almost summer in Australia. Where's the direction in any of that? But it's the responsible thing to post something on facebook about it, or blog about it for that matter . . . I got a little weary of reading "Forward" only to hear the campaign platform was Romney would take us backward . . . That's not direction and that's not responsible. In all fairness to the President, I never really heard any direction out of Romney, other than opposite of this administration! If even our leaders and potential leaders have no direction, I have no idea what the citizens are hoping for. Today, many citizens believe they are a part of the massive decision in what direction our country will go and they are voting. From what I've read, there aren't a great many that are actually voting FOR a candidate or a social morality, belief or direction. They are voting AGAINST the other guy, AGAINST the other party, AGAINST the financial supporters of the other guy, AGAINST the issues the issues the other guy spoke on, even though it's truly obvious the candidates aren't all that divided on the big issues. Massachusetts, at the time of Governor Romney's leading, brought same sex marriage to the national forefront and from everything I read, he chose to make it a ballot issue for the state legislature, rather than actually take a stand . . . I may have missed something, but he was also a pro-choice governor and up until a couple of weeks ago by Christian standards, a cult member, but he's now the man of the hour for those AGAINST President Obama. Anyone who has been to a grocery store or bought gasoline knows President Obama's hope and change hasn't exactly been the change we hoped for, but he's a man with a bag full of excuses and the blind loyalty of his people who will vote AGAINST Romney and leave the tab to their grandkids. The Wealthy 1% are AGAINST paying the taxes of the Eisenhower era. The 98% are basically AGAINST the 1%. I realized this morning and aired on my show. The Other 1% are FOR using our energy and time to turn a gifted hobby into a business, lucrative enough to pay taxes! The Other 1 Percent share their wealth with not only those who want the knowledge of G-d, but the knowledge of using their gifts, as well as sharing their wealth with the future generations. The Other 1 Percent really don't feel it is the responsible thing to "vote for the lesser of two evils" and do not pay an attorney millions of dollars to keep our citizenship hidden. The citizenship of The Other 1 Percent is of the Kingdom of Heaven. If you disagree with the points of this blog, aren't you glad I didn't vote AGAINST your vote?
Y'hshuwah answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight . . . words of Messiah

Elections Fixed?

I've been reading for the past couple weeks how votes and voting machines are "bought and paid for." Interestingly these reports come from both sides of the aisle, but those reporting the potential injustice to their side seem oblivious to this fact. I've read that Bain Capital or one of Mitt Romney's sons owns Ohio's voting machines, either way it's a Romney deal . . . And I've read that in one of the Carolina's a vote for Romney ends up to be a vote for Obama. I've been saying for some time now, or at least thinking it, that regardless of who wins next Tuesday, the other half will claim some sort of "fix" or set up, or deal. So, even though we claim to have free elections and "every vote counts" haven't we already determined that there is a problem with our system and we really don't know if it's being handled properly? Then there's the added mayhem of Election Observers from the UN. Now doesn't that make us all feel sort of "Third Worldy?" I mean, I thought the Election Observers were sent from First World Countries to help fledgling democracies that have just come from the rubble of war or tyranny. Third world country, liberated, new democracy hardly sounds like anything that would be in common with the US of A. It's time to face it, the contempt of half of our population for the other half has resulted in some sort of culture war that really is getting some bad publicity and now we're looking like we need to be managed. Great! We really are a divided nation. What's even more reprehensible is we are the ones crying out to be managed while we claim to resent the thought. We are the ones who have publicly stated the election is fixed, yet we don't want anyone sorting out the fix. Who could possibly sort it out, except someone that has "no dog in the hunt?" We can't have "the other side" fixing either complaint. Our politics has proven that for a number of years now. I've read that the bail out is now blamed on President Obama. What's wrong with our memories? President Bush allocated the bail out money, and named it TARP. He distributed half and left half for the new President. Granted President Obama borrowed a ton of money for economic stimulus which is nothing more than putting debt on the backs of our grandchildren, and I certainly didn't like that, but let's keep our accusations straight, shall we! TARP was the term for Troubled Asset Relief Program. I remember in past blogs having my own term something along the lines of beginning with the word Credit, ending with Program and something with R and A in the middle. Yet, I digress . . .
Back to the elections. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the elections were rigged in 1960 by various people who are so surprised that I, as a non-republican, have already heard their "breaking news." If our citizens are truly going to be this vocal and this accusing about rigged elections dating back over 50 years, we can't really be surprised that we've invited the inevitable recounts, accusations, and observers.
Regardless of what happens next Tuesday night, both sides have already voiced their skepticism of a fair election. I guess the votes of the 2012 election will be counted just to determine which half will claim the "fix" was in. I, on the other hand, believe the elections are promised years in advance and bought and paid for early in the campaign season.
They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass . . . a Prophet of Holy Scripture

One Week and Counting

What do we know about our candidates? Democrats say Romney is a liar, with only rich friends, that will kill jobs. Republicans say Obama is a friend of rich killers that's lying about jobs. So, there we have it in a nutshell. If we read or listen to both sides at all, we discover we do not have a candidate who is worthy of our vote, much less one who should even be eligible for parole! A young man was doing some work for me recently, and he simply had a million dollar smile. I told him if he ever got tired of honest work, with that smile, he'd make a great politician. Seriously, what are we going to do after next week's election? Regardless of the results, many have already determined the election is rigged.
I've let my mind imagine a few potential scenarios. Say President Obama is re-elected. First the republicans will be up in arms about ACORN, George Soros, and Chicago . . . oh wait, they already are. So, if America still has President Obama at the helm, he's immediately a lame duck, unless there is new legislation brewing to repeal the 22nd amendment, or perhaps an Executive Order or signing statement. I'm not crazy about some of his Executive Orders, but I didn't care for some of G.W.'s or Clinton's or Bush 41's, or Reagan's, or . . . I'm thinking if Presidents are going to be allowed to make laws without Congressional approval, we should have Presidents we trust.
Will we enter war with Syria or Iran now that Iraq is "liberated" and the troops in Afghanistan are supposed to be on their way home? Or will we have a time of peaceful take-over and settle into further "captive entitlement" as our job creation lags and the conservatives pull their funding out of the general economy? We'll probably need our own military here to enforce the Health Care Reform Act . . .
Now, the flip side of this if we get new President Romney. That means there will be early 3 months of "special projects" and pardons as President Obama prepares to pass the mantle of leadership. Since he's claimed to be surprised at the big mess he walked into, I'm guess a lot can happen in those three months. When President Romney tells us all how it will be and finally unveils his economic plan that VP Ryan has already said is too complicated to explain, we'll probably discover what we've been discovering for years now. I'm guessing we might see a little increase in the interest rates, at least in lending. Not much will change for the better, but it will be the fault of Congress, the previous administration, or we must go abroad and share democracy by war. Basically, I'm guessing, regardless of who is seated in the Oval Office, America will continue to seek materialism, with half of the population dissatisfied and very wary of the leader and the other half blindly loyal.
For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness . . . Prophet of Holy Scripture

The Election is Two Weeks Out . . .

One candidate is a puppet and the other, a puppet master. I'm not thrilled to say this, but if I were only considering this from a Patriotic standpoint, I'd say it would be easier to keep an eye on the puppet master, as the puppet, but seeing it spiritually, as well, I can honestly say, there really will be little difference, except . . . Mitt Romney has apparently been endorsed by the ever ecumenical, wavering, according to the wind, religious right, led by Billy Graham! And it doesn't really matter how much Bible, President Obama claims, he's not considered a "Christian" by those who just a few months ago believed Mormons to be cultists. America, isn't it grand! What I have noticed is all the lip service from both sides, so perhaps my reference to puppets is not so far off, since there appears to be a myriad of ventriloquist acts in this political season. First, Romney and Ryan are just too above us all to explain the math in their economic recovery. Okay, fine. Romney is a business man and I do think our government needs to be run more like a business than a non-sustainable charity. Obama, on the other hand, is a community organizer, which means he never operates on his own dime, which clearly states and his past four years have proven, he has no concept of a bottom line . . . just raise more funds! What has caught my attention, however; is the spiritual information that the two of these candidates are not exactly saying, but at least Ryan has intimated with his admiration of Ayn Rand. We are heading into a "me first" and "total self" time in history, more so than ever before. We have young people who are disrespectful in the old people's faces and old people who will spend their grandchild's penny bank on their senior discount. As a member of the generation sort of between, yet a part of all this, I'm trying desperately to not develop a calloused perspective, so I got in Scripture. First, I've been really struggling over the 3 horns, knowing one was energy, one was entertainment, and wondering about the other, until I heard insurance! I wrote a book back in 2006 about the 10 powers that would come together to give one entity, power. As I read about Bain Capital, I couldn't help but notice, a large percentage of those 10 powers were accounted for in the mergers, acquisitions and holdings. So with Mitt Romney, the anti-Obama, adequately endorsed by the religious right, I found myself looking at our current President and his backers. He's all about energy, he's undoubtedly in with Hollywood, and now with the Health Care Reform that no one seems to have read, he's in with the insurance, big time! And made insurance a part of the government! Not to mention, the backing of George Soros. Now, George is an interesting enigma, and a paradox in his own ideology. He's anti-capitalism, but I can't help but wonder if Mr. Soros awoke tomorrow with the same balance in his bank account as those who will vote for his puppet, just where he would stand . . . I would suggest, if Mr. Soros was truly all about wealth distribution, he'd distribute his to his fellow party members, not just those in power. So, if Mr. Romney has power over the 10 powers and President Obama is controlled by the three horns, where's the choice in two weeks? I can't find it, and I've been listening. Even their supporters and greatest fans sound simply and blindly loyal to the party, or the ideology, or mostly to the devout stand: "anti-the other one." I don't believe either of these men are "the anti-Christ," as I believe it is a government, but I do believe both men are either in control of, or controlled by powers that will prevail as the end of days unfold. I don't think either of these individual will bring America to any sort of Epiphany.
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things . . . the Revelation

To Each His Own

Now, I'm beginning to see why each generation is concerned about "their own thing" be it the hope of financing for old age, or instant gratification! I've been pretty vocal about the older generation that not only seems unconcerned about leaving an inheritance, but for the most part seems pretty unconcerned about the debt they don't mind leaving to their grandchildren. I've not been shy about expressing my opinion of all the senior discounts and benefits, while young families struggle, but as of late, I realize a number of people are struggling because of their own sad priorities and disrespect.
I've had a few discussions as of late with folks of generations following my own, and to be honest, I'm not interested in investing in their interests or their explanation of their values in life. I've seen a great deal of disrespect displayed, taught, and even rewarded, and that may have to sustain them. I thought, as a boomer, I sort of owed it to the next generation to not leave things as messy as my generation received and is blamed for causing, but I've had some new thoughts.
I know, as a descendant of previous generations, I don't have the same values that the previous ones do. So why should I expect them to give to me what's important to them, when I've already demonstrated, it's not important to me? I have no reason in the world to expect to inherit acquired and amassed financial wealth when it wasn't important enough to me to be trying to amass and acquire material wealth. I have a different values system than the American dream of the previous generations and it would be selfish and disrespectful of me to consider what they value to be owed to me. I don't have the same appreciation and I don't expect it to be handed to me to disregard what they deem important.
The previous generations should go right ahead and spend according to their values just like the rest of us are doing. They have every right to choose how they'd like to be remembered . . . I've heard the descending generations excuse their own instant gratification, selfishness by saying another generation is using it all up. Even if that's the case, isn't instant gratification on credit cards, or the choice to never actually own or pay off anything, really the same thing anyway? At least we have to face the fact that blaming someone else for our choices is truly an attempt to absolve ourselves of any responsibility. The voice of every generation seems to be saying the same thing. I want what I want and I feel entitled to feel that way. It seems every generation wants to do their own thing their own way, and I see that more clearly now.
Before the industrial revolution all the way back through recorded history, people died with dignity, not frantically clinging to life with tubes and hoses in every orifice and the next generation inherited the family business or farm. It wasn't about money and trying to live forever, but that has changed . . . completely, and the value of life has been reduced to material wealth and an attempt to spend every penny on one's own pleasures, while judging others who are doing the same.
I truly wanted to leave a legacy to my descendants, but it would seem most of my descendants aren't interested in what I want to give them. This new revelation changes my perspective on investing for the future, and yet in another way, it changes nothing at all. I now see the value, if I'm investing in the future, to make certain I have the proper paperwork reflecting the investments I'm choosing. Investing in the future means I'm not investing in money or my net worth, I'm investing in people, people of the next generation.
When it's all said and done, our material wealth is only of value in a material world, so each person must spend it according to their own values because they are not taking it with them. In light of that fact, if we don't spend it all according to our values before we die, or if we truly are investing in the next generation, I believe we must recognize the individual members of that next generation in which we are investing. If I'm going to call it a legacy and an investment, then I am responsible for leaving what I'm not taking with me, to someone who shares my values.
And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but G-d shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. Moreover I have given to thee one portion above thy brethren . . . Torah of Holy Scripture

Couldn't Help But Notice

Facebook is so informative. I've noticed through the various Facebook posts and comments, that the party lines are clearly drawn and regardless of what is said through ads, sound bytes, debates, and statistics, the party lines are rarely crossed in commentary. I knew Republicans were blindly loyal, but I had no idea how blindly loyal the Democrats were, until now. I became so exhausted with the anti-democrat comments from GW's followers. I couldn't believe how each of them would offer the same negative comment and then feign amazement as I said, I know, I read this on Rush's page or I heard this on talk radio or whatever. I mean the Republicans truly believe they are on the cutting edge of intellectual insight and perceptual breakthrough of historical proportion, at all times. And I made fun of them and truly derived an enjoyable "blog fodder" approach in dealing with them. I had to hear what they had to say, as they were always full of great blog topics! And GW was a great blog topic regularly, Obama, not so much. GW just has a natural sense of humor about himself that Obama clearly lacks. Now, I find myself reading and following various liberal information sites and they just keep me reeling. It doesn't matter what Obama says or does, he's awesome according to his fan base. And Biden, well according to democrats, he's mensa material! I was going to blog about all the Big Bird hoop-ti-la, but the politicians themselves keep all this on a level much beneath the intellectual interest of the average pre-schooler. Yet, it doesn't keep the devout party voters from talking about the latest political antics. Last week, there were few, very few, democrats that thought Obama was lacking and few, very few republicans that didn't sing Romney's praise after the debate, and last night was no different. The politicians could have shown up in gladiator costumes playing kazoos and their party followers would have touted their amazing integrity. I will give credit to a few making comment who have been clearly leaning one way or the other actually give credit to the other party's man in the debate, but they are very rare individuals and their openmindedness will certainly not carry the election. Now, it makes for good blog fodder, but it's embarrassing that American government has sunk to this level for leadership. Where could I have possibly included Big Bird in this discussion? He wouldn't lower himself to the preposterous notion that anyone is listening to these debates with an open mind!
I used to think the political leaning was all about money, money, money, and it is, but it's cloaked in such partisan "concern" that it's getting clearer all the time to see it's really all about money and power, and the power to keep one's own money while sharing other's.
You're not listening with an open mind if you already have your mind made up and it's not generosity if you are only willing to share what belongs to someone else. And the silent generation isn't silent, if the lobby speaks on their behalf! And I'm no better, I think they all sound alike, well all but Big Bird.
. . . because thou hast rejected knowledge . . . a Prophet of Holy Scripture

Let's Talk Crude . . .

I couldn't help but take note of this article. Seems, when it comes to crude, Iraq is poised to overtake Argentina and give Saudi a run for it's money within this decade! Could it be, all that hype about Chavez and bad intelligence in the previous administration, were related? Now, I'm no fan of the present administration, and that is mainly due to the fact I knew he'd find an excuse to not deliver hope or change from the previous administration. I didn't have to go to Washington more than once to see that "we the people" have no clue what those politicians are up to, but they're all in it together. That's right, gridlock and partisanship are the ways they keep playing us or engaging us to believe . . . we are part of the process. I'm including the link I read and thought you might be interested. If you read it like I did, without partisanship, suddenly the last decade makes a lot more sense than it did before I read the article.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/09/news/economy/iraq-oil/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
Now, will Iraq share the oil revenue with it's "liberators?" I mean it was the US who spent trillions of dollars following up bad intelligence to bring them "Operation Freedom!" I'm guessing, we'll continue to spend a great deal of our financial resources rebuilding the country that we "attacked" and then when everything is up and running, they'll have great new oil refineries or whatever and will be more than willing to sell us crude and put us on the preferred customer list, right behind China and Russia. Meanwhile Chavez is still in power and we've done nothing to assuage his ego, and we're busy making ourselves more dependent and more in-debt than ever before, except the state of Kansas! Harper County Kansas is going out of farming and into drilling oil. So, we'll be able to drive our vehicles to the store, there just won't be any groceries to buy. Clearly the war in Iraq was about oil. The arguments about drilling on our continent are about power, and I dare say we'll find ourselves hungering after some real food from somewhere, by the time Kansas becomes oil wells and Monsanto owns all the crops. I'm guessing the partisan talk is going to get even more crude than it's been.
. . . within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that YHWH thy G-d may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou does. Torah of Holy Scripture

The Debates

As we are being led to believe that the future of America rests upon one of these two men, I see it differently! Now, granted, to a degree, the policies that will be implemented after January 20, 2013 may or may not be different according to the election in November, but there are also debates going on amidst we the people that are telling me, we really do need to take some personal responsibility as to the direction of our nation! As for politicians, the promises are always amazingly awesome and then they get elected and announce that their hands are tied by Congress . . . Perhaps it's time to have candidates who are familiar with the way our government works. I mean, the rest of us know that the White House and Capitol Hill are frequently at odds and the majority of us know the stats of the job situation and the economy; so why we continue to elect those who are clueless, I cannot say. Now that we have seen the Presidential election really does just boil down to the best beggar for donations and the one willing to sell his soul for backing, what can "we the people" do as individuals. That's another thing I realized in a thread on facebook. People will openly say, "Voting is what we have." "Elections are how we are heard." As I ponder this, I am taken aback. Who has given us what we have? Who determines our votes are our voices? Deceased founding fathers or our current legislators? Either way, do any of us truly believe we have the power to effect change with a vote? I simply do not believe that and many have attempted to let me know I'm wrong! My suggestion through this election cycle is to address personal responsibility. I can't make any politicians listen, I can't make any voters listen, so I'm inviting us to consider this. According to the current tax laws, we all have three tax years in which we can turn a hobby into a business. That doesn't take any new faces in Washington DC! That requires motivation and investment on the part of "we the people." Considering the same time President Obama reminded us that we are no longer an agrarian society, hobby farms and farmer's markets sprang up all over the place! Shopping local helps both parties. The rich guys make more tax money and banking business, not to mention insurance, yata . . . yata, and the folks that like social programs have more tax dollars collected, to disperse. Which is why the government got involved to oversee. It was old fashioned money-making, American ingenuity! Also, for the middle class and the dependent class who are decrying no job creation or outsourcing, I happen to know personally, of three new businesses as well as a few independently established businesses that have products made in America, and we're not receiving a lot of orders from those who are complaining. So maybe it's time to realize, Washington politicians are investing in their own futures, Wall Street executives are investing in their own futures and we the people need to invest in our own futures! Maybe the only way to get America back to the United States is by collective individualism. If anyone still believes debt is the solution, then leave them to their "individualism." If a family is your idea of the American dream, then make sure you can provide for them. And we are learning, depending on things to remain the same is simply no longer part of American, if it really ever was. We need to stop complaining and get busy beyond the political debate. Complaining isn't going to make the rich and powerful listen! We need to literally, "put our money where our mouth is" and focus our energy on what we say is important! That's how the rich guys make things happen and get things their way!
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Before We Completely Rewrite History . . .

Giving all respect due to the Veterans of WWII, I have to make a statement regarding some propaganda that is floating around the internet. I feel it's wrong for two basic reasons. One, it's politicizing war, WWII, and two; to be exact, it's revising history. Now that some encyclopedias are no longer in print, someone has to preserve the history, as it was taught in print. I've included the picture here in the blog, at least I've attempted to. Now, as I said, I mean no disrespect to the Veterans of WWII, but the USA didn't go to war to fight the Nazis. We went to war to get the allies to help us after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The history I was taught, was this. Hitler gained power in Germany through elections, with the campaign that the Nazi party would restore the economy and fight Communism. It sounded so good at the time, he was elected! He continued to gain power and by the mid to late 30's, Europe was under siege. The Russians are reported to have lost 20 million in that war . . . Now, the US did not go to the aid of Britain or France, and Jews were turned away at Ellis Island, until . . . the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. All of our big allies were pretty busy, so they couldn't come to our aid. That's when we got involved and it became a War that affected the entire world, not just Europe and Russia. The history is actually quite fascinating and I hope it's not all lost to future generations. My point for today, though is simple. The tag line in this picture is the WWII Veterans are the reason we don't speak German. Well, that's not exactly accurate. WWII Veterans are the reason we don't speak Japanese and General Motors isn't making Datsuns. To politicize WWII, I find disgusting. To revise the history of WWII, is reprehensible. If we lose the truth, we will lose what freedom we have left.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. words of Messiah

Retraction . . . Well, Sort of but I'm Not Sure

It has been brought to my attention that Chick-Fil-A claims to have not changed their course of contributions, but the original report came after the negotiations in Chicago for a Chick-Fil-A franchise to be opened. I'm not sure any of these past few days of reports changes what I've said. From everything I've read, Cathy says his donations aren't about political agendas. And Chicago said, he's seeing things their way, so I really think what I said before, it's a bunch of publicity, but the word-crafting is becoming quite polished . . . meanwhile, if history has taught me anything, there's probably some really interesting executive orders in the works or international agreements on the table, now that this chickin issue has pretty much run dry, it's probably about time for a new abortion controversy.
Back to the retraction that isn't a retraction . . . I read that some alderman or someone in Chicago stated that they had come to some sort of agreement with Chick-Fil-A as to some sort of compromise as to the donations made by the Foundation backed by Chick-Fil-A. First, I will make my own retraction. I said I believed a man should be able to spend his own money in any way he sees fit, within the law. Well, when we need tax shelters and foundations, I guess that's enough of a statement of distance that perhaps others do feel invited to weigh in and that their input is justified. Times were simpler when people just lived what they believed and did what was in their power for their fellow man, but I digress. Back to our retraction/unretraction. Once this was reported by the person in Chicago, then Chick-Fil-A released a press statement that said they were not donating money to make any political statements or contribute to an agenda, but . . . It would seem what has actually transpired is both sides see a financially beneficial resolution in choosing their words more carefully. From everything I've read, it's simply a matter of crafting the words more cryptically so everybody gets the revenue they want. It does seem WIN/WIN. I get to blog about it yet again and get higher on the Google search. Chick-Fil-A probably doesn't win any body that was offended the first time around, but if they open another franchise, the company wins and the foundation gets more funding, and Chicago gets to increase the city's revenue with a new business collecting Sales and Use Tax. And who knows what "we the people" will have as a gift in the form of a new executive order?" Words are powerful, even when nobody is sure what was said and what was retracted!
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. words of Messiah

From Open Mindedness to Open Madness

Chick-Fil-A really disappointed me today, but then I'm not on the board of directors, so I guess it really doesn't matter. Tolerance has already been redefined in our society, now I'm watching censorship take on a whole new face, and open-mindedness is nothing more than an outright display of hate-mongering, I now call open madness.

If gay rights won't affect heterosexuals, then why does where a man chooses to donate his money affect gays? Oh, I know there's an answer from someone, but really? Why does everyone think censorship and tolerance is where we want to be in the name of a "free society?" Who is still buying this bill of goods? I don't meet the CEO's criteria for proper sexual protocol in that I'm not married to anywhere close to my 1st husband, but I don't care where he donates his money, it's his money and I don't expect the religious group or civil group that sees things his way, to approve of me or anyone that doesn't see it their way. So? I'm really disgusted by the animosity demonstrated in the name of "open mindedness." And amazingly these people cannot see that they are just as hateful or even more-so than those whom they are accusing of intolerance. I'm really sorry the CEO caved to money pressure or whatever the pressure that he certainly didn't feel obligated to, when he first made his statement or answered the question. How can he back down after being so forthright? He makes his own case weak, in doing this! To be honest, I've still not eaten at Chick-Fil-A, but it has nothing to do with politics. Our week-end days of religious observance are reversed, so I guess it's not politics, but religion that keeps me from dining at Chick-Fil-A. I guess I could go in and ask what special treatment they offer serial brides. I just don't understand the aggressive, almost hateful enthusiasm of the so called secular humanists that claim to be open minded heterosexuals, against Chick-Fil-A. They sound like the extremists they loathe! And doesn't Mr. Cathy realize he's not going to gain any customers in this decision? These people he offended carry grudges, they carry other people's grudges! I've read more hateful comments about this from "would be" heterosexuals on behalf of the LBGT community than I've actually read from those claiming to be a part of the LBGT community. So this leads me to two schools of thought about the angry, self defined open-minded, self proclaimed tolerant crowd. One, the "angry, open-minded heterosexual" feels that by supporting gay rights, the competition will be reduced and women will find them both masculine and sensitive. Two, they have their own issues that can be resolved by upholding a manufactured grudge on behalf of "someone else". . . Meanwhile, I think Dan Cathy has made a terrible decision. He's not going to be applauded by the people that boycotted him, because he still let it be known how he feels and they, "the tolerant," are entitled to their long standing open-minded grudges, and he's just liable to lose some ground with those folks that stood in line for an hour at their local Chick-Fil-A to stand with him on grounds of religious conviction. Folks don't like to invest in backpedaling and wavering. Dan Cathy garnered more support in speaking what he believes and standing behind it, than he'll gain by backing down. And as for the angry open-minded straight tolerant community, they'll just find new injustices to shout about social grievances to "chew on" that taste like chickin.
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Something Obvious is Amiss

This particular blog is a two part rant, and I don't believe either are tangents. I was deeply saddened by the horrific death of our ambassador to Libya, as well as some of his staff. In light of this tragedy, I am also saddened at what has transpired since. First, of course, it's America, so lets dissect comments made by Romney and analyze President Obama's and Clinton's reactions and confirm their professionalism. Well, whatever, but I'd rather look at some of the more long reaching potential "unintended consequences" of the blame and perhaps some circumvention that could avoid this in the future. First, about the amateur film. I'm sorry, any religious person feels justified to kill in the name of their religion when they are offended. I've seen Messiah depicted in some pretty heinous ways, and it's called free expression of art in this country, so I hope, I seriously hope, our country upholds the same standard for the 13 minute movie. Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" was immensely commercialized and contained overtones of anti-Semitism, but it grossed millions off of the evangelicals. So maybe the problem is not religious violence, but a problem with honor of the religious leader involved. Christians don't seem to mind their seeing their professed leader treated horribly, even killed. I could not bear to see the movie for many reasons, but the primary one was, I love Messiah, I couldn't bear to watch his death depicted. Feel free to quote me on this next statement. I don't want to watch anyone I love die, or have their death simulated. Although sometimes we may be called upon or feel the urgency to be vigil at a loved one's death bed, we needn't ever watch their death simulated . . . Yet, because of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and our national aversion to censorship, these works have been allowed to be displayed and sold. The 13 minute movie should be no different. Now, on to more about our free speech and expression. It was just about a month and a half ago, our nation once again was up in arms over free speech and the subject was, of course, "gay." The controversy arose over the CEO of Chick-Fil-A's answer in an interview for a religious magazine, but oh my, the backlash and the anger. It was through various discussions I found myself in, with single men ranging between the age of 30-55, that I began to wonder just how deeply this issue runs in our society in general. Just how many boy-cotters and flag wavers and chickin' consumers had issues of their own? This brings me to one possible solution to avoid another incident like the one that took place in Libya this past week. First, let me say this is not anti- anything. I'm a serial bride, a fornicator and adulteress by many religious teachings, so there are extremists of all religions that think I should be stoned! As a matter of fact, I was actually asked to not speak my religious beliefs to my own Grandchildren, by a member of what I now call the American TEAliban. But I digress . . . back to our slain ambassador. Upon seeing his picture and reading his obituary, something just stood out starkly. We sent a single middle aged man into a country that believes not only, that homosexuals should not have the same rights as everyone else, but that they should die. His obituary made me do some searches and of course there were sites that confirmed my suspicions, but that doesn't make it a fact. The man was 52 years old, with no wife, no divorce, and no children mentioned in the obit. And there was some guy on face-book writing updates. Now, this isn't judgment against Christopher Stevens, at all. My question is, why in the world would our government send him into such an obvious harms way? Libya has been completely politically destablized in the last year. Considering there had been 42 years of reported oppression, any first year political science major knows that new found freedom is a hot bed of instability. Just because a man is single in middle age, doesn't mean he's gay, but when the circumstances could lead to the assumption, why take the chance in potentially volatile conditions? If he was gay, why would a government that has evolved to support gay rights, not protect him? Why would our people choose to blame a 13 minute movie rather than a few extremists that are no longer under oppression? While we're here in America, smugly arguing over where to eat chicken; why are we still buying oil products when Libya killed a presumed gay American and Saudi Arabia won't allow Jews in and Christians must be secretive?
But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods . . . prophecy of Holy Scripture