The Reason We Blog

One of the main reasons, I believe, that blogs are so popular is because you are getting news and information from people and places that would not be considered 'Main Stream'. It's true, that at times you may be getting information that is personal only to the blogger. But there are many times where you get a perspective that is fresh, insightful, and powerful.

Here is an example of what I mean. It is once again from Chaplain Lewis' blog. Thankfully he is blogging a lot more frequently lately. In this entry he gives a perspective from the Army in the Middle East that you will be hard-pressed to find on your six-o'clock news.

A few excerpts:
-First, 99 out of 100 soldiers I have spoken with understand that we are involved in something substantial and meaningful over here. They are not the mind numbed robots many make them out to be. They are well educated, highly trained, well equipped professional warriors who know their job and want to do it.

-Second, the men we are fighting here are evil, blood-sucking vermin. They kill indiscriminately and without remorse. Their goal is power, and they seek to gain it even if it costs the lives and spirits of all their fellow countrymen.

-Third, while we have lost 2000+ of our patriot sons and daughters, the number of terrorists who have assumed room temperature is estimated to be anywhere from 5 to 20 times that number (depending on who you talk to). We are taking the wood to the bad guys on a regular basis and in spectacular fashion. I never cease to be amazed at the warrior ethos that drives these great men and women or their willingness to fight and die for the freedom of people they will never meet.

-I'm not a political person. But my soldiers deserve to be heard and respected. They are a new generation of American and have earned the title 'great'.

The Politics of Greatness

It's Strange Isn't It

Isn't it strange how a twenty dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange how two hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or [poker] book?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church two or three weeks before the day so we can include it in our schedule, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?

Isn't it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn't it strange how we send jokes in e-mails [and blogs] and they are forwarded right away, but when we are going to pass along messages about God, we think about it twice before we share it with others?

It's strange isn't it?

--Author Unknown (hat tip to Robert K.)

Need A Tin Foil Hat?

To combat mind control and brain scanning.

"This site is dedicated to spreading the word about the Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie and how it can help the average human. Here you will find a description of AFDBs, how to make and use them, and general information about related subjects. I hope that you find the AFDB Homepage to be an important source of AFDB know-how and advocacy."

Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie

I Suppose It Could Be Worse

No, this is not a Halloween photo. Yes, today she went out of the home like this. Why does my pretty little girl want to dress like a boy? Instead of Marisa, she wants to be called Mark. This is a phase that I hope she gets over soon.

Update (10/27)-We went to the pharmacy today and the person at the counter asked Marisa her name. She answered, "I call myself Mark." Grrrrr.

UC Riverside Actively Recruits Homeschool Students

From the University of California at Riverside website:

--“Among the homeschool community, we find large numbers of students who are smart, mature, creative, independent and well-socialized people,” said Frank Vahid, a professor of computer science. “We want such excellent students in our classes. They have a lot to offer the university community.”

--The U.S. Department of Education reports that 1.1 million, or 2.2 percent of all students, are homeschooled in the nation. While some private colleges have recruited homeschooling families, UCR would be among the first public research universities to do so.

October Poker Winnings

As per the updated resolution that I made on my June 27th post, I have withdrawn my goal of $300 from my poker winnings this month. I have also taken out an extra $200. YTD=+$3,300. My next withdrawal of $300 is due on November 30th. Please continue to keep me accountable.

I Voted, Have You?

I voted by absentee ballot in the California Special Election. Since this election is basically happening because of the initiative of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to reform California for the better, I voted how he suggested on his Join Arnold website (except for Prop 78).

It is important that people know that he is endorsing Prop 73, parental notification for abortion of children under the age of 18. This is the most important and most common sense proposition on the ballot for me.

Also, see State Senator Tom McClintock's site for his positions and the latest surveys/polling done on these propositions.

A Lesson in Frugality

We went to King's Hawaiian Restaurant in Torrance tonight. This is one of our favorite places to eat. It reminds us of some of the food from Hawaii that we miss so much. They have a very good bakery, too.

Alex was contemplating what he would have from the keiki (child's) menu. He could have chosen spaghetti, mini hamburgers, chicken nuggets, teriyaki chicken or beef bowl, among other items. In a very loud voice, a volume so high that everyone in the restaurant could hear, he proclaimed, "I think that I'll have the grilled cheese, it's the cheapest!" Did he learn this from me or Lisa?

No, Alex, the cheapest thing would have been to have water and the free King's Hawaiian dinner rolls. That's what you can have next time.

The Ex-Cub Factor Strikes Again

Before the baseball playoffs began I posted an entry called The Ex-Cub Factor. This is a theory where the team with the least amount of players who previously played for the Chicago Cubs would win. The Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox had the fewest number of ex-Cubs players on their roster with one each. In contrast, the Yankees had six ex-Cubs and the Cardinals had four.

As it turns out, the World Series will be a matchup of the Astros and the White Sox. I don't know how the Ex-Cub Factor works when the two teams have the same number. I guess we need to check their respective World Series rosters to see if they leave off their ex-Cubbies. It would seem to be the most prudent thing to do.

It's Official!

Lisa passed her yellow belt test. See Master Kwon's Hapkido Karate.

Prayer Police

Found this on the American Family Association website.

"The prayer police are on patrol again. This time they've nabbed a rogue high school football coach who's dared to lead his team in prayer before meals and games. Marcus Borden, a coach at East Brunswick High in New Jersey, resigned last week after being told by courageous administrators that he could no longer thank God in front of groups of impressionable teenagers. The parents of some of these kids complained about Borden's offensive prayers, saying it made their children 'uncomfortable,' as the Associated Press story put it. School officials said these students' discomfort should be treated with respect. But the damage may already be done; psychological counselors are being rushed in for all students who suffered emotionally from standing quietly while Borden uttered expletives like 'Thank you, God' and 'In Jesus' name.'"

Continue reading the story here.

Reminded me of this cartoon:

Grade 'D' Meat?

The newest post on Army Chaplain Lewis' blog is out. It's a short one. It is titled A True and Stirring Tale. Here is the punchline of the entry: "Grade 'D' Meat - Prisoners and Military Only!"

Prayers For Uncle Bill

About a year ago, Uncle Bill had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his brain. He had been recovering nicely. He even got back into waterski mode (one of his most favorite things to do).

Within the past week, he recently discovered that there is another tumor.

Here is an excerpt of an email I received from Auntie Mimi: "Tuesday, we had the appt. in the morning with the radiologist and in the afteroon with the oncologist. The radiologist said without the therapy, he might have 3 months and with it maybe a year. I know this is if the therapy works. I asked about brain damage from all the radiation (7 weeks), and he said it will not cause brain damage. However, he qualified it by saying he cannot know what the tumors will do.

His mind is still fine, but it's the right leg/foot that does not cooperate and is very weak and shaky.This, of course from that 2nd tumor affecting motor skills. There have been subtle personality changes too.

I can't say much more. Just that miracles do happen for some, and he certainly deserves to be one of them."

I believe in miracles and the power of prayer. We will be praying for you.

What About Zurple?

No word in the English language rhymes with month, orange, silver, and purple.

What Are They Thinking?

The new Harry Potter movie, The Goblet of Fire, comes out on November 18th. The previous three movies in the franchise have been rated PG. This one will be rated PG-13. Needless to say, Alex is very, very upset about this. Now he believes that he will not be able to see the film for another six years. If this new film was rated PG, we would have taken him see it in the theater. It would have been a great experience to see the words from the pages on the big screen. He's only seen the other movies at home.

Why do the producers of the movie want to alienate such a large segment of their fans? I guess that they do not like money.

New Chaplain Lewis Post

I just read the newest entry on Army Chaplain Lewis' blog. It is a great read. He tells about finding the perfect gift for his wife from the other side of the world for their anniversary. The title of this entry is called, Size Matters.

The World According To Alex

"How come 'W' is called double-U and not double-V?"

Angels Over Yankees

According to The Ex-Cub Factor, the Angels should beat the Yankees tonight in the deciding game of the American League Division Series. The Yankees have six ex-Cubs players on their roster versus one for the Angels. Go LA beat NY!

And Now There Are Three...

...members of the family who can officially beat me up.

Lisa took her karate yellow belt promotion test yesterday. I am sure that she passed. Alex and Marisa helped her out a lot in preparation for the test. Great job, Lisa!

Three More Bumper Stickers

On one car I saw these three bumper stickers: "No Fur", "A Hamburger Kills a Beating Heart", and "No, I Don't Have Any Spare-Ribs".

I am not knocking any of these sayings or beliefs. I am just wondering if it would be wrong for me to assume that the person driving this vehicle, who is so concerned with the lives of animals, is as strong and vocal in his views about human life issues?

24 Days To Go...

...And Counting!

Three Bumper Stickers

On our way home from the Y, I saw one bumper sticker on a car that read, "Improving Lives By Winning Better Contracts. Teamsters Union." I interpret this to mean, "You don't have to work hard to earn or merit yourself a better wage. We can get you more money, by intimidation, and it will be like winning the lottery."

On another car I saw a Chicago Cubs (yeah) and a Kerry/Edwards (hiss) bumper sticker right next to each other. I guess that I must be more of a political junkie than a Cubs fan, because it was like the Cubs' sticker was not even there. I vocalized a loud, "Uhhg" sound that I had to explain to Alex.

Special Election Propositions

I received an email from State Senator Tom McClintock (who I voted for in the recall election over the Governator). He has an easy to read and understand voter guide on the eight propositions on the November 8th California Special Election. The only one that he differs from Governor Schwarzenegger is Prop 78.

Proposition 73: Parental Notification for Abortion. If parental consent is required for a child to use a tanning booth or get her ears pierced, shouldn’t parents at least be notified if she’s getting an abortion? YES. Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, this should be the all-time no-brainer.

Proposition 74: Teacher Tenure. Do parents have a right to expect a higher level of competence before a teacher is granted life-time tenure? YES. This modest measure simply increases the teacher probation period from two years to five years.

Proposition 75: Public Employee Union Dues. Should public employees decide for themselves which candidates they will support with their own money? YES. This measure requires that before a public employee union can take money from that employee for political donations, it has to get the employee’s permission.

Proposition 76: State Spending. Should government live within its means? YES. This measure restores the authority that the governor of California had between 1939 and 1983 to make mid-year spending cuts whenever spending outpaces revenue without having to return to the legislature.

Proposition 77: Re-Districting. Should voters choose their representatives in legislative districts that are drawn without regard to partisan advantage? YES. The most obvious conflict of interest in government is when politicians choose which voters will get to vote for them by drawing their own legislative district lines. This measure puts a stop to it.

Propositions 78 and 79: Prescription Drug Discounts. Do you want the same people who run the DMV to run your pharmacy? NO. These are rival measures, one supported by drug companies and the other by liberal activists – both of which purport to lower drug prices. What they really do is assure that one group of patients gets to pay higher prices to provide subsidized prices for others. There’s no such thing as a free Levitra.

Proposition 80. Electricity Regulation. Do you want the same people who run the DMV to run your electricity company? NO. This measure locks in monopoly control of your electricity by the bureaucratized utilities and forbids you from ever being able to shop around for the lowest-priced electricity available.

The Ex-Cub Factor

I remember reading an article by Mike Royko in the early 1980's regarding the ex-cub factor. Thanks to the article on All-Baseball.Com titled The Ex-Cub Factor-Ignore It At Your Own Risk, I've learned that it was originally attributed to Ron Berler. You can read his original article here.

Berler, who wrote the article in 1981 stating that since the Yankees of that season had five ex-Cubs on their roster, they were doomed to lose the World Series if they got there. Berler's prediction turned out to be right, as the Yankees lost to the Dodgers in six games. Over the past two decades, I have been a strong believer in this theory.

Here is the list of this year's playoff teams and the number and names of Ex-Cubs on their roster:
NEW YORK YANKEES (6): Mark Bellhorn, Tom Gordon, Matt Lawton, Rey Sanchez, Tanyon Sturtze, Tony Womack
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (4): Mark Grudzielanek, Ray King, Mike Mahoney, Julian Tavarez
BOSTON RED SOX (3): Matt Clement, Jeremi Gonzalez, Bill Mueller
SAN DIEGO PADRES (3): Manny Alexander, Damian Jackson, Eric Young
ATLANTA BRAVES (2): Kyle Farnsworth, Todd Hollandsworth
CHICAGO WHITE SOX (1): Ross Gload
HOUSTON ASTROS (1): Jose Vizcaino
LOS ANGELES ANGELS (1): Josh Paul

So according to this theory, this bodes well for the two teams that I am rooting for this year: White Sox and Angels.

Harriet Miers Led Bid to Reconsider ABA's Pro-Abortion Stance

from BREITBART.COM by ANNE GEARAN, Associated Press

As president of the Texas State Bar in 1993, Harriet Miers urged the national American Bar Association to put the abortion issue to a referendum of the group's full membership. She questioned at the time whether the ABA should "be trying to speak for the entire legal community" on an issue that she said "has brought on tremendous divisiveness" within the ABA.

Miers was among a group of lawyers from the Texas bar and elsewhere who had argued that the ABA should have a neutral stance on abortion.

The ABA's policy-making body overwhelmingly rejected the Texas lawyers' group's 1993 proposal to put the issue to a referendum by mail of the ABA's then-roster of about 360,000 members.

"Our current position (in favor of abortion rights) has no meaning unless it is endorsed in fact by the membership," Miers said at the time.

The ABA's position, adopted in 1992, endorses the basic outlines of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling that women may choose to have an abortion without state interference prior to the point at which a fetus could live outside the womb, and after that point if the woman's life or health were threatened by the pregnancy.

Although Miers' personal view of abortion was not explicit in 1993, Leonard Leo, a White House adviser on Supreme Court nominations highlighted her efforts as part of the reason that "conservatives should be very happy with this selection."

"As a leader of the bar, Harriet Miers was a fearless and very strong proponent of conservative legal views. She led a campaign to have the American Bar Association end its practice of supporting abortion-on- demand and taxpayer-funded abortions," Leo said a memo on the Miers nomination.

3000 Hits!

I just had my 3000th hit to my blog. Thanks for visiting. Please come again.

(Imagine that I superimposed my face in place of Bernie Mac's. That is what I would have liked to have done, if I had Photoshop and the time to do it.)

Harriet Miers

This is my first immediate reaction. I just saw the nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court by President Bush about ten minutes ago. The one thing that stuck out to me from her background was the fact that she has an undergraduate degree in mathematics.

In my opinion, this means that she will be less likely to be using her feelings when making judicial rulings. As a math major, she will probably be using the more logical part of her brain. This is what I want in a judge.

Commitment

Commitment comes before anything else in a leader's life. Because Nehemiah (Nehemiah 6:15, 16) had it and drew it out of others, the people finished the wall in 52 days, despite many adversities. Their great accomplishment so thrilled Nehemiah that he wrote, "When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things...they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God" (Neh. 6:16).

Leaders who complete a task possess at least four characteristics:
1. A compelling purpose: They make a great commitment to a great cause.
2. A clear perspective: They don't let fear cloud their view of the future.
3. A continual prayer: They pray about everything and gain God's favor.
4. A courageous persistence: They move ahead despite the odds.

From: The Maxwell Leadership Bible

Four Aces

I was playing a litle texas hold 'em with Alex. No money involved. I consider it good practice for when I finally play live at a casino or card room. I'll try to work on eliminating tells, watching for tells, handling the chips, etc. There was one hand that we played where I was impressed with how Alex handled the loss.

I was dealt pocket aces. I bet out 2 chips. I wanted him to stay in. He called. The flop came out A-Q-3 rainbow. I flopped a set and bet 1 chip. Turn card was the final ace giving me four-of-a-kind. I bet 1 chip again. River was a 6. I bet 1 and Alex called and flipped over pocket 8's for two-pair aces and eights. I believe that he thought he won until I showed my pocket rockets. "Ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhh, ahhhhhhh," was all that could come out of his mouth. He was speechless. He had a big smile on his face as he looked at all four aces and said, "Nice hand, Dad!"

He didn't have a tantrum like I would expect many immature poker players to have. Good job handling the loss, Alex. "That's poker."

Father Dennis on The Da Vinci Code

"At some point in the not too distant future, Hollywood is going to release one of the most evil, anti-christian films ever made. It's based on the equally evil anti-christian book "The Da Vinci Code" which maintains that the person who reached out to the world in love and selflessly gave his life for its salvation couldn't have lived 33 years without having sex. It's amazing that this "impossibility" has never been a concern for the world in the first 2000 years since Jesus' death. Thank goodness that Dan Brown figured it all out."

Read Father Dennis' complete blog entry here.
See my blog entries: Cracking The Da Vinci Code and Nun Protests on Da Vinci Code Set