Recently I had the opportunity to view a Sunday morning talk show. Without a television, I believe I stay pretty well informed through internet articles. I prefer to read my information, rather than watch it, and I have no appreciation for pharmaceutical advertisements, but this interview caught my attention. Bill and Melinda Gates were guests on GPS.
Although the interview was promoted to focus on the rate of advancement of technology, the small portion of the interview I saw leaned more toward their foundation efforts. Bill and Melinda Gates tie education with income, progress, and advancement. I think learning is essential to living, but in this country much of our education system amounts to programming and Bill Gates is the perfect example for the success of dropping out before the programming got him . . .
This thought of course, took on a life of it's own in my head, as I contemplated the fact that most of the early successful entrepreneurs that really changed the world were not highly educated, but they were avid readers. Many of the great composers were not men of higher education, either. Although Mr. Gates attended Harvard, and I went to community college, I'm guessing we probably have about the same number of credits . . . As I considered my own life's work, I realized most of the knowledge I rely upon was gained by independent study.
In reading about Bill Gates at Wikipedia, something definitely stood out about this genius. He was born into financial comfort, which may have afforded him the opportunity and luxury to avoid public high school. At the age of 13 he enrolled and attended an exclusive preparatory school instead. He was allowed and encouraged to follow his natural curiosity and develop skills based upon the talent given to him by our Creator. He was even excused from math class and allowed to pursue his interest on the Teletype model 33 with a block of GE time.
Although he and Melinda made their pitch for education, he is "the proof in the pudding" that we should actually learn the basic reading, writing, and 'rithemtic, then move toward perfecting our talents. Until public education became a controlling business of the last century, students were not mass programmed. Abraham Lincoln studied law on his own. In America, even doctors were trained as apprentices, rather than "schooled" until the 19th century. People pursued knowledge in the areas of their talents and interests, rather than paying for a piece of paper and a license or certification to "make money."
One fact in the article really leapt out at me that I mentioned in a previous paragraph. He was excused from math class to pursue his interest in technology. I don't believe money is the sign of success, but I do believe Mr. Gates had gained enough math knowledge by 13 to now be able to count his millions to a billion, plus. The more I read about him, the more I believe he would not be who he is today, had he followed the crowd in pursuit of a college degree.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says YHWH . . . Prophet of Holy Scripture
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Vaccinations and LGBT
No, I do not believe one causes the other, but the two subjects seem to be capturing most of the headlines. It's beginning to feel like those of us who believe Scripture is clear regarding the topics of sexuality and health, could quickly become the "social nemeses" of our day. The Revelation seems to lump illicit sexuality and pharmaceuticals in the same group. Some will say, since the government has now ruled that homosexual marriage is Constitutional, it is no longer illicit. Constitutional or not, that doesn't make it Biblical! As for pharmaceuticals, that frontline battle has been a lonely one for those of us who believe it violates our faith. So, let's chat about this, shall we?
How did humanity exist for thousands of years before vaccinations and prior to gender labels moving beyond the binary system? To avoid confusion, I'll address the gender issues first, then move on to vaccinations. I'm mathematical, and for the most part gender determination has been a binary recognition at birth, not "assigned." Since the dawn of creation, there have been two genders, male and female. Gender or sex was not assigned at birth, and certainly not for later reassignment! Gender or sex was recognized, identified, and proclaimed at birth, as in "it's a boy" or "it's a girl." With that proclamation, came blue or pink booties and life moved on from there!
Obviously there has been temptation in regard to same sex relations since before Torah was given at Sinai. The account of Lot indicates homosexuality was a factor in the night of the heavenly visitors. I'm not saying that was the only factor in the fire and brimstone falling, but Lot had two sons in law while the daughters were specifically stated to be virgins. There'd have been no reason to give the commandment, if there were no issue of temptation in that area. Actually, there are a number of commandments regarding our sexuality, so we humans do appear to have a tendency to want to engage in, and excuse a great deal! Not only do we humans have an appetite for forbidden fruit, most seem to be be drawn to varying disregard of the Instructions when it comes to sexuality, as well.
When it comes to the rising numbers in the LGBT agenda . . . Is it the programming? Is it the growth hormones in the meat? Is it GMO or all the soy in the diet? Now, it seems in order to understand sexuality in our society, a syllabus and glossary are required. The only folks who seem to be able to openly refer to just two sexes or genders are the bisexuals! When heterosexuals refer to just male and female without the ever growing compendium of labels, it's termed hate speech or homophobic. Now, as for vaccinations . . .
If all these diseases were truly eradicated in this country by the end of last century, the low percentage of non-vaccinating American parents are probably not the problem. Perhaps we should take a closer look at the health of illegal immigrants and our refugee policies. As for illegal immigrants, I'm sure many of them can be found in local ERs and county assistance offices. When we consider that this outbreak of measles seems to have originated in California, it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibilities that lax border policies could be a contributing factor. We'd not have to worry about refugee policies if we'd quit starting wars.
Statistics indicate most of these diseases were already on the decline before the vaccinations were introduced. The timing of the vaccination outrage raises a red flag for me, in that mandatory health insurance is now officially in place and the IRS is in charge of the data. Calling 114 cases of measles an epidemic seems a bit over the top when our society has so many other ills numbering into the thousands and upwards. It doesn't take much ink to connect the dots between mandated health insurance, the hot button campaign issue of vaccinations, and further invasion into the private home and family.
I don't mean to sound insensitive, but the two issues of anti-vaccination and LGBT, reportedly affect a very small percentage of our population. There is only one state that reports more than 6% of children are unvaccinated for nonmedical reasons. Most states report fewer than 3% of the children are unvaccinated. By that same token regarding the LGBT community, according to NHIS, 96.6% of Americans identify as straight. Why are so many headlines devoted to issues of such a small percentage of our population? Brian Williams strange version of fabricated journalism has taken third place in headlines, which again raises that old question in my mind. While the entire nation is cussing and discussing these issues, what's really going on? It would appear we are open to everything except the Truth of our Creator.
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of YHWH your G-d, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of YHWH your G-d, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Torah of Holy Scripture
How did humanity exist for thousands of years before vaccinations and prior to gender labels moving beyond the binary system? To avoid confusion, I'll address the gender issues first, then move on to vaccinations. I'm mathematical, and for the most part gender determination has been a binary recognition at birth, not "assigned." Since the dawn of creation, there have been two genders, male and female. Gender or sex was not assigned at birth, and certainly not for later reassignment! Gender or sex was recognized, identified, and proclaimed at birth, as in "it's a boy" or "it's a girl." With that proclamation, came blue or pink booties and life moved on from there!
Obviously there has been temptation in regard to same sex relations since before Torah was given at Sinai. The account of Lot indicates homosexuality was a factor in the night of the heavenly visitors. I'm not saying that was the only factor in the fire and brimstone falling, but Lot had two sons in law while the daughters were specifically stated to be virgins. There'd have been no reason to give the commandment, if there were no issue of temptation in that area. Actually, there are a number of commandments regarding our sexuality, so we humans do appear to have a tendency to want to engage in, and excuse a great deal! Not only do we humans have an appetite for forbidden fruit, most seem to be be drawn to varying disregard of the Instructions when it comes to sexuality, as well.
When it comes to the rising numbers in the LGBT agenda . . . Is it the programming? Is it the growth hormones in the meat? Is it GMO or all the soy in the diet? Now, it seems in order to understand sexuality in our society, a syllabus and glossary are required. The only folks who seem to be able to openly refer to just two sexes or genders are the bisexuals! When heterosexuals refer to just male and female without the ever growing compendium of labels, it's termed hate speech or homophobic. Now, as for vaccinations . . .
If all these diseases were truly eradicated in this country by the end of last century, the low percentage of non-vaccinating American parents are probably not the problem. Perhaps we should take a closer look at the health of illegal immigrants and our refugee policies. As for illegal immigrants, I'm sure many of them can be found in local ERs and county assistance offices. When we consider that this outbreak of measles seems to have originated in California, it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibilities that lax border policies could be a contributing factor. We'd not have to worry about refugee policies if we'd quit starting wars.
Statistics indicate most of these diseases were already on the decline before the vaccinations were introduced. The timing of the vaccination outrage raises a red flag for me, in that mandatory health insurance is now officially in place and the IRS is in charge of the data. Calling 114 cases of measles an epidemic seems a bit over the top when our society has so many other ills numbering into the thousands and upwards. It doesn't take much ink to connect the dots between mandated health insurance, the hot button campaign issue of vaccinations, and further invasion into the private home and family.
I don't mean to sound insensitive, but the two issues of anti-vaccination and LGBT, reportedly affect a very small percentage of our population. There is only one state that reports more than 6% of children are unvaccinated for nonmedical reasons. Most states report fewer than 3% of the children are unvaccinated. By that same token regarding the LGBT community, according to NHIS, 96.6% of Americans identify as straight. Why are so many headlines devoted to issues of such a small percentage of our population? Brian Williams strange version of fabricated journalism has taken third place in headlines, which again raises that old question in my mind. While the entire nation is cussing and discussing these issues, what's really going on? It would appear we are open to everything except the Truth of our Creator.
Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of YHWH your G-d, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of YHWH your G-d, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Torah of Holy Scripture
Sunday, February 08, 2015
Are Our Values Reflected in Our Media Interest?
This week in the news are two very unsettling reports, presented in extreme bias that I find accurately portrays the true condition of our society. Two extreme examples of the LGBT Agenda crossed my newsfeed this week, and I hope there is still enough freedom for this article to adequately express this parallel perspective.
I began following the case of "Sweetcakes by Melissa" back when this family owned bakery was first viciously targeted by the LGBT Community with media hype that fueled the aggression. Melissa Klein is an artist! Because she uses buttercream and fondant rather than oils and watercolors, doesn't make her any less of a creative artist who should be able to express her art in the same freedom, any other artist enjoys. As I listened to how she works to create the perfect wedding cake for each couple, there is no doubt, she's an artist of great talent who has been attacked. Her website holds the tagline, "It's not just cake, it's dessert!" As a cake lover visiting her site, I can enthusiastically declare, "It's not just cake, it's edible art!"
An artist like Andres Serrano who also doesn't use traditional mediums of paints or chalks, is defended in the "name of artistic freedom." Melissa Klein deserves the same recognition and protection under our Bill of Rights. Andres Serrano is only an example of the way our system works. He is not the other topic of this article; Bruce Jenner is.
When I first saw the Kardashian-Jenner drama building, I truly thought it might be a publicity stunt to boost ratings. Until 2012, I hadn't heard the Kardashian name since the O.J. trial. When my daughter and her husband were supposedly coming on board in this homesteading project, she lamented that she wasn't sure she could give up her television and stop "Keeping up with the Kardashians." She then proceeded to explain that the 1976 gold medal Olympian was part of that reality show. Since I don't really keep up on folks who are famous for being famous, I just thought their reality show had probably run it's course, and then some . . . but as the news continues, Bruce, at 65, is ready to share the secret he's carried for so many years . . . while fathering six children.
The fact that he is celebrated and lauded as bold, while a mother of five is persecuted and fined speaks volumes about our nation. I'm not going to give his decision much time and attention, although I do find his obsession, pitiable; and even sadder, the media's obsession to make this some sort of decision to be celebrated. Also weighing on this was Zoey Tur, formerly, the ruggedly handsome "Chopper Bob" who reported from the helicopter, the OJ "chase" in 1994. He's now had his "gender reassignment" surgery. At 54 or 65 years old, is it really so important to change one's non-functional reproductive anatomy? As a woman, I can tell you, men generally age better than women. Truly beautiful women do pass their prime, as a rule. A man choosing to become a middle aged woman is not going to be pretty. Bruce Jenner is billed as a motivational speaker. How does one encourage others when they cannot come to terms with their own form in the mirror?
As I watched the video in which Melissa Klein described the way she created wedding cakes and the passion in which she expresses her art, then compare that to a dissatisfied aging athlete, America truly has developed a strange standard in what is appreciated. In a Google search, nearly all of the articles about Melissa Klein included the term "anti-gay" portraying this amazingly gifted artist to be the villain rather than the victim of a bullying agenda. Meanwhile, the articles about Mr. Jenner are very supportive in that everyone is so happy that Bruce can be "true to himself." Whether this is a Kardashian publicity stunt for a new "reality season," a cry for attention from an aging drama queen, or Mr. Jenner is actually preparing to become a eunuch, the media coverage and public interest has been phenomenal. I find it sad that America now applauds this drama, while dishonoring someone standing for their values.
Haven't we always been led to believe it is a barbaric society that would exalt genital mutilation over creative expression?
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
* Sadly, Mr. Jenner has made the headlines once again having been in an auto accident. Seven people were injured, some taken to a nearby hospital and Kim Howe, 69, lost her life in that horrific accident.
I began following the case of "Sweetcakes by Melissa" back when this family owned bakery was first viciously targeted by the LGBT Community with media hype that fueled the aggression. Melissa Klein is an artist! Because she uses buttercream and fondant rather than oils and watercolors, doesn't make her any less of a creative artist who should be able to express her art in the same freedom, any other artist enjoys. As I listened to how she works to create the perfect wedding cake for each couple, there is no doubt, she's an artist of great talent who has been attacked. Her website holds the tagline, "It's not just cake, it's dessert!" As a cake lover visiting her site, I can enthusiastically declare, "It's not just cake, it's edible art!"
An artist like Andres Serrano who also doesn't use traditional mediums of paints or chalks, is defended in the "name of artistic freedom." Melissa Klein deserves the same recognition and protection under our Bill of Rights. Andres Serrano is only an example of the way our system works. He is not the other topic of this article; Bruce Jenner is.
When I first saw the Kardashian-Jenner drama building, I truly thought it might be a publicity stunt to boost ratings. Until 2012, I hadn't heard the Kardashian name since the O.J. trial. When my daughter and her husband were supposedly coming on board in this homesteading project, she lamented that she wasn't sure she could give up her television and stop "Keeping up with the Kardashians." She then proceeded to explain that the 1976 gold medal Olympian was part of that reality show. Since I don't really keep up on folks who are famous for being famous, I just thought their reality show had probably run it's course, and then some . . . but as the news continues, Bruce, at 65, is ready to share the secret he's carried for so many years . . . while fathering six children.
The fact that he is celebrated and lauded as bold, while a mother of five is persecuted and fined speaks volumes about our nation. I'm not going to give his decision much time and attention, although I do find his obsession, pitiable; and even sadder, the media's obsession to make this some sort of decision to be celebrated. Also weighing on this was Zoey Tur, formerly, the ruggedly handsome "Chopper Bob" who reported from the helicopter, the OJ "chase" in 1994. He's now had his "gender reassignment" surgery. At 54 or 65 years old, is it really so important to change one's non-functional reproductive anatomy? As a woman, I can tell you, men generally age better than women. Truly beautiful women do pass their prime, as a rule. A man choosing to become a middle aged woman is not going to be pretty. Bruce Jenner is billed as a motivational speaker. How does one encourage others when they cannot come to terms with their own form in the mirror?
As I watched the video in which Melissa Klein described the way she created wedding cakes and the passion in which she expresses her art, then compare that to a dissatisfied aging athlete, America truly has developed a strange standard in what is appreciated. In a Google search, nearly all of the articles about Melissa Klein included the term "anti-gay" portraying this amazingly gifted artist to be the villain rather than the victim of a bullying agenda. Meanwhile, the articles about Mr. Jenner are very supportive in that everyone is so happy that Bruce can be "true to himself." Whether this is a Kardashian publicity stunt for a new "reality season," a cry for attention from an aging drama queen, or Mr. Jenner is actually preparing to become a eunuch, the media coverage and public interest has been phenomenal. I find it sad that America now applauds this drama, while dishonoring someone standing for their values.
Haven't we always been led to believe it is a barbaric society that would exalt genital mutilation over creative expression?
Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
* Sadly, Mr. Jenner has made the headlines once again having been in an auto accident. Seven people were injured, some taken to a nearby hospital and Kim Howe, 69, lost her life in that horrific accident.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
We've Been Played
This past week marked the tenth anniversary of this blog. In ten years, although there have been many changes, some things have remained consistent. This blog continues to be about politics and religion. The politics of this country continue to be a source of division, and the only unity in religious direction of this country seems to be the direction away from our Creator.
I had a "light bulb moment" this week regarding our political parties. Both parties have a targeted audience to which they appeal and a targeted audience on which they cast blame. That seems obvious, of course, but I've discovered the underlying foundation in which the candidates of both parties play the people. There are a few simple facts that we all know. The population of inner cities tend to be primarily black, poor, and democrat. The population of rural America tends to be primarily white, often bigoted, and republican. Both stereotypes are not always true, but the generalization is all the political folks need to keep the wheels turning. So, we've got the foundation for the racial division that makes headlines.
The next obvious division is between business owners and the "working class" formerly known as employees. Business owners used to be part of the working middle class! Some still are, but they are becoming few in number. What has served to divide the inner city and sparsely populated rural America is now used to divide suburbs and mainstreet America. The real difference in this, is a mindset that the politicians play on. Politicians are powerful employees that want to not only maintain their benefits package, but to increase it at the employers expense, a.k.a. "we the people." What used to be business men and farmers taking a few years to serve in Washington and going back to their businesses, land, and facing their constituents has turned into career politicians, and they have virtually no sense of business, production, or economics.
There is a different mindset to get up knowing there is no time clock and no hourly wage or salary. Self-employment has to produce a finished product. There is no A for effort. There is F, not only for fail, but also for incomplete! Business owners take risks, hourly workers can't imagine, or aren't willing to take. On the other hand, good employees are essential to a business. There used to be a real security in being a good employee, on someone else's clock, but that security no longer exists. Business owners, on start up, put in hours that cannot be compensated for, on an hourly scale. Business owners do not start their business with six and seven digit salaries. There are also many hard working people who are underpaid, but for the most part, those workers are in health care and child care, not factories or technical trade. There are many employees who make far from minimum wage, without the headaches of business ownership or management.
Now, what the politicians do; is get these two groups all fired up based upon the extreme foundation already established. The democrats are told if they are not making what the boss is making, they are being oppressed by rich republicans. The republicans are told democrats want to live off their hard work and take their savings and businesses. The reality is, the political machine is regulating businesses into bankruptcy and insolvency, while creating higher costs for what's left of the middle class and the underemployed. They do all this while blaming partisan politics for no job creation. Entrepreneurs create jobs, when they are not regulated into forfeiture. Skilled labor is the backbone of the economy, but skilled labor is only needed when the population needs what skilled labor produces. There is not a business in the world that can exist, only to pay employees and provide benefits. The only entity that does that is our government . . .
What our political process has done is create a symbiotic "imbalance" placing the burden of taxation without the tax breaks of the wealthy or tax credits of the poor, on the dramatically reduced population of what's left of the middle class. Much of the middle class that produced a strong economy was comprised of independent business owners and family companies. This single move that began noticeably in the early 80s has culminated now to the point, Americans literally loathe the "other party" and blame each other economically. Sadly, our leaders knew the root to plant and cultivate, that would divide the people. Even sadder, we have been willing participants. Well played Washington, well played.
For the love of money is the root of all evil . . .
I had a "light bulb moment" this week regarding our political parties. Both parties have a targeted audience to which they appeal and a targeted audience on which they cast blame. That seems obvious, of course, but I've discovered the underlying foundation in which the candidates of both parties play the people. There are a few simple facts that we all know. The population of inner cities tend to be primarily black, poor, and democrat. The population of rural America tends to be primarily white, often bigoted, and republican. Both stereotypes are not always true, but the generalization is all the political folks need to keep the wheels turning. So, we've got the foundation for the racial division that makes headlines.
The next obvious division is between business owners and the "working class" formerly known as employees. Business owners used to be part of the working middle class! Some still are, but they are becoming few in number. What has served to divide the inner city and sparsely populated rural America is now used to divide suburbs and mainstreet America. The real difference in this, is a mindset that the politicians play on. Politicians are powerful employees that want to not only maintain their benefits package, but to increase it at the employers expense, a.k.a. "we the people." What used to be business men and farmers taking a few years to serve in Washington and going back to their businesses, land, and facing their constituents has turned into career politicians, and they have virtually no sense of business, production, or economics.
There is a different mindset to get up knowing there is no time clock and no hourly wage or salary. Self-employment has to produce a finished product. There is no A for effort. There is F, not only for fail, but also for incomplete! Business owners take risks, hourly workers can't imagine, or aren't willing to take. On the other hand, good employees are essential to a business. There used to be a real security in being a good employee, on someone else's clock, but that security no longer exists. Business owners, on start up, put in hours that cannot be compensated for, on an hourly scale. Business owners do not start their business with six and seven digit salaries. There are also many hard working people who are underpaid, but for the most part, those workers are in health care and child care, not factories or technical trade. There are many employees who make far from minimum wage, without the headaches of business ownership or management.
Now, what the politicians do; is get these two groups all fired up based upon the extreme foundation already established. The democrats are told if they are not making what the boss is making, they are being oppressed by rich republicans. The republicans are told democrats want to live off their hard work and take their savings and businesses. The reality is, the political machine is regulating businesses into bankruptcy and insolvency, while creating higher costs for what's left of the middle class and the underemployed. They do all this while blaming partisan politics for no job creation. Entrepreneurs create jobs, when they are not regulated into forfeiture. Skilled labor is the backbone of the economy, but skilled labor is only needed when the population needs what skilled labor produces. There is not a business in the world that can exist, only to pay employees and provide benefits. The only entity that does that is our government . . .
What our political process has done is create a symbiotic "imbalance" placing the burden of taxation without the tax breaks of the wealthy or tax credits of the poor, on the dramatically reduced population of what's left of the middle class. Much of the middle class that produced a strong economy was comprised of independent business owners and family companies. This single move that began noticeably in the early 80s has culminated now to the point, Americans literally loathe the "other party" and blame each other economically. Sadly, our leaders knew the root to plant and cultivate, that would divide the people. Even sadder, we have been willing participants. Well played Washington, well played.
For the love of money is the root of all evil . . .
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