Christspeak, Rx

Our Dog Dognapped! Returned 7 months later!

2008-02-01T10:41:00.000-05:00

In late June, 2007, our beloved min schnauzer, "Elsie" was dognapped after running away from my 3 year old niece. We put up reward signs to no avail...

On January 24th we received a call that someone found our dog. How did they know it was Elsie? She still had our tags on!

The girl asked for $75- and asked that we me her in the shopping center at Florida and Freeman Mill Rd. Though tempted to find out what had happened, I resisted asking questions and made the exchange.

She checked out fine with the vet. Other than a bad haircut she's her old self!

The Saint of the Little Ways

2008-02-01T10:34:00.000-05:00

Saint Therese of Lisieux is known as the Saint of the Little Ways. She is called that because she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is also the patron Saint of flower growers and florists. She is represented by roses.

Prayer of St. Therese of Lisieux

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God
Let this presence settle into our bones,
and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of you.

Don Imus and The Prodigal Son

2007-05-23T12:52:00.001-04:00

A lot has happened in the past several months that is certainly worthy of debate on the blogosphere. So far I've resisted all urges to engage in anything other than reading the actual news... and I can't exaggerate the significance of the inner peace I've found in abstaining from such debates.

There is a great life lesson in one such event that occurred, and I hope my observations transcend political ideologies. My favorite morning show, (the only MSNBC show I watched), is gone forever. I loved the show because it is where I learned the human side of many public figures I often disagree with politically.

Actually, the Don Imus story is hardly a tragedy for him. He is sober. He is a good husband and a loving father. He is wealthy. He is generous. He is loyal. And now he knows who his true friends really are.

Ever read the parable of the Prodigal Son? A central part of that story is that as soon as the young man's money ran out, all those "friends" he enjoyed and who benefited from his wealth disappeared from his life.

In Imus's case, his wealth was his medium. His show was popular and therefore many powerful, well known journalists, executives, writers, authors, publishers, bloggers, musicians, companies, politicians- Republican and Democrat- eagerly made extreme efforts to be counted as his friend. I imagine Russert, Matthews, Gregory, all the execs at CBS and MSNBC have long understood his grouchy demeanor and his contrived bigotry (of which he was constantly called out on by his side kick, Charles McCord.) What's more revealing is just how fast all of Imus's supposed friends and business associates publicly disassociated themselves with his show, as if they would rather be dead than stand by the man who contributed far more to their success and popularity than he received from them.

There is no good reason for Imus to say many of the things he has said. But anyone who watched or listened to his program for more than a week or two could understand that nothing he said was ever meant to be taken personally, literally or seriously. Nothing, that is, but his devotion to charities and to his family and friends.

Maybe we shouldn't allows shows like his. The irony is rich. The very people who claim to be advocates of free speech by defending pornography, flag burning and other culturally derisive forms of expression permanently censure one of their own. Were hundreds of thousands calling for his head? Were religious leaders/organizations petitioning for his dismissal? (Though I'm sure no one would condone it.) No. The Rutgers team asked for a retraction and apology and got it. What about CBS and MSNBC? They allowed themselves to be bullied by a few talented shakedown artists.

Imus was/is careless with his words, and it cost him his job. But he has integrity. He took full responsibility for his words. And I'll bet the girls from Rutgers not only forgive him, but can count themselves fortunate to be called his friends.

Words Have More Meaning Than We Think

2007-05-23T12:35:00.000-04:00

"Words have meaning." It may be a cliché in the blogosphere, but our word(s) is our power. I am learning just how powerful my word really is. Looking back at my use of this power, it has been painful to recognize how careless, ambivalent and thoughtless I’ve regarded my word.

The power of our word begins with integrity. Doing what I say I will do, when I said it would be done, and whenever I fail to keep my word I will accept full responsibility. I find most people I share this concept with fail to understand just how important integrity is in every aspect of our lives. Perhaps it is because I am learning about it in the most intimate manner possible, in therapy, I am grasping its significance.

This is not to say most people I know lack integrity. Quite the opposite is true. I think most of my family, friends, and even acquaintances live and work with the highest degree of integrity, as if it is their second nature. For that very reason, a person who has a high esteem for integrity is likely pursue its depth and significance in their lives.

As I said, I am learning the power of my word. It’s a thick book with many chapters, but here is what I want to share with my fellow bloggers; just how powerful our words are to other people.

Counselor: I don’t talk about others or gossip any more, Chip. Do you know why?

Me: Well, it is wrong…

C: I used to do it all the time, until I understood the power of my word.

Me: I guess I don’t understand completely.

C: We have the power to create with our word. You are a Christian, think back to Genesis… God said “let there be light.” And what happened next?

Me: There was light.

C: Absolutely. We have the same power. We say it will be done and we do it. And guess what? We have the power to create as well.

Me: Go on…

C: Suppose I look out my window and see my neighbor do something really dumb. I laugh and share it with my wife. Later that week I share it a neighborhood party, in the funniest manner possible, about what a bonehead this guy really is. I’ve just created a permanent picture of how all those people will view my neighbor.

C: Now that’s power. Once I realized the power my words hold, I quit talking about others.

I have been taught all of my life that it is wrong to gossip and/or speak ill of others. (And yet I’ve always acted as if there’s no real harm in it.) I know the Bible, which I believe is God’s word, says it is wrong as well. But I never understood why until I began to understand the true power of my word.

When I quit blogging on a regular basis, I said I wanted to learn how to write so that people would respond to my written word in the same manner they do with me in person. I don’t know if that is possible for me with my limited skills and experience. But I do know that I want to be regarded as man who is straightforward and kind; smart and humble; positive and encouraging.

If my word holds any power at all, I want that power to be a blessing to all within its reach.

Servant of Christ and Homeless Suffers Stroke

2007-03-19T11:34:00.000-04:00

Ever participated in or heard of churches and volunteers serving breakfast at the shelter? Before _____ _____ returned to Greensboro some 20 plus years ago, there were no such services offered. A week ago today, ______ suffered a medium stroke. He's recovering, but his speech is still slightly impaired.

One of ______'s mentors, John Staggers of Washington, DC, was also a humble servant who's "under the radar" ministry touched thousands. John used to respectfully reject any recognition of his good works, "so it won't spoil my heavenly reward." (see references below to Jesus' teachings.) So in that spirit, I am leaving out his name. If you want to learn his name, feel free to ask me or Cara Michele or most anyone at the shelter...

A good friend wrote this short note about _____, encouraging us to pray.

_____ _______ has had a long and compassionate ministry in Greensboro through music and service for many years....His work with the homeless of Greensboro has been very significant. I am sure a number of you know _____ and his wife _____ to some capacitiy....he was a neighbor of mine for several years and has been an example of humble and gracious service for Christ as long as I have known (or known of) him. The thought of _____'s speech being impaired is painful to imagine as _____ possesses an incredible singing voice, a gift he has been sharing for thirty years or more. I could go on and on.....excuse my indulgence, I guess the reality of age and the fallout of a broken world weigh heavy as I consider _____ in the hospital. There is much to be grateful for .... just as there is much need for intercessory prayer.

Matthew 6:2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:1-3 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:3-5 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:5[ Prayer ] "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:4-6 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.Matthew 6:5-7 (in Context)
Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:16[ Fasting ] "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full
.Matthew 6:15-17 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Christspeak Phrase of the Day

2007-03-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

"Church Family"

When addressing the congregation, the pastor begins "Church Family."
Church family, please remember to pray for...

I noticed this phrase was used countless times during a sermon preached by my daughter's pastor. He's Baptist. Recently a younger elder in my own church (Covenant Fellowship, we're Associate Reformed Presbyterian) is sending emails that always begin with, "Dear Church Family."

Though it may sound a little country, it is important for believers in Christ who worship together in a Church recognize that they are not merely members of an organization, they are family in Christ. Amen.

If it quacks...

2007-03-15T11:40:00.000-04:00

Has anyone researched the link between the color of coffee and how your breath smells after you drink it?

If Jesus WOULD be apalled...

2007-03-14T17:41:00.000-04:00

It's been blissful, my staying away from politics. Today's post is somewhat political, more important, it is about Christspeak... my term for the language of Christianity. The other day John Edwards said, "I think that Jesus would be disappointed in our ignoring the plight of those around us who are suffering and our focus on our own selfish short-term needs," Edwards told the site. "I think he would be appalled, actually."

Jesus actually did call on His followers to consider the poor. Yet, Edwards' statement was shallow and so embarrassingly hypocritical it seems more like something Steve Carrell's character in The Office would say. (Edwards just built a mansion and owns an impressive home at Figure Eight.) It would be wise for Edwards, (and each of us), to ask Jesus how he can best serve God's kingdom, and to politically lead this country by walking the talk.

But more important, Edwards statement is theologically incorrect. In fairness to Edwards, he is not alone. Jesus is not dead. Alot of folks are inspired to do good by first considering, "what would Jesus do." We acually know quite a bit about what Jesus said and did, (though not nearly enough). However, a statement that inludes the phrase, "Jesus would," presupposes Jesus is either dead or unable to know us and communicate His will to us. In truth, Jesus is physically alive and actually initiates communication with people.

Here's some key points to consider:

Jesus suffered and died for our rebellions and sins, in our place.
Jesus Christ was physically resurrected and currently sits at the right hand of God the Father
Jesus acts as our High Priest, providing His believers direct access to God through prayer.
Jesus sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit to live within us and guide us.

Why God Allows Pain

2007-02-07T09:34:00.000-05:00

I got this story in an email- one of those mass mailers I never want to read. But I was surprized to learn that Tony Dungy has a son who has a condition that allows him never to feel pain. So here it is- a great story worth the read:

Below is a very touching story about Tony Dungy, Coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and the essence of his purpose in life. It was most amusing to hear Coach Dungy's responses to the TV sports interviewer, when he was asked how great it was to be one of the first "African-American" head coaches to take his team to a Super Bowl? Head Coach "Tony Dungy" responded immediately with: "Yes that's good, but what is really great and awesome, is how God worked this out for us; it's just amazing how He made this all come together!" Thus, (as Paul Harvey would say after reading the following) "and now, you know the rest of the story."

Dungy Makes Super Bowl Stop to Speak at Athletes in Action Breakfast DETROIT, Mich. - They were there for breakfast, and they were there to cheer New York Jets running back Curtis Martin. And it was Martin who received the Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award Saturday morning, but the hundreds who gathered in fourth-floor ballroom at the Marriott Renaissance in Detroit, Mich., on the morning before Super Bowl XL were clearly touched by the featured speaker. That speaker was Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.

Two hours into the breakfast, emcee Brent Jones introduced Dungy, who was welcomed with a lengthy standing ovation. Dungy thanked the crowd, shared an anecdote about Martin, then told the crowd he was going to speak for about 15 minutes. "It's great to be here," Dungy told the crowd, then adding with a laugh, "I just wish I wasn't here in this capacity so many times of being just that close to being in the game and just being an invited speaker. "My goal is to have our team here one day and have a couple of tables with all of our guys here. Because we have a special group of young men, a great group of Christian guys. It'd be wonderful to have them here so>you could see their hearts and what they're all about. "It hasn't quite happened yet, but we're still hoping one day it will."

He told them he was going to talk about lessons he had learned from his three sons. The crowd fell silent. Then Dungy spoke. And although this was a breakfast - and although at many such events speakers speak over the clinking of glasses and murmurs from semi-interested listeners - for most of the 15 minutes the room was silent except for Dungy's voice. He spoke of his middle son, Eric, who he said shares his competitiveness and who is focused on sports "to where it's almost a problem." He spoke of his youngest son, Jordan, who has a rare congenital condition which causes him not to feel pain. "He feels things, but he doesn't get the sensation of pain," Dungy said. The lessons learned from Jordan, Tony Dungy said, are many. "That sounds like it's good at the beginning, but I promise you it's not," Dungy said.

"We've learned a lot about pain in the last five years we've had Jordan. We've learned some hurts are really necessary for kids. Pain is necessary for kids to find out the difference between what's good and what's harmful." Jordan, Dungy said, loves cookies. "Cookies are good," Dungy said, "but in Jordan's mind, if they're good>out on the plate, they're even better in the oven. He will go right in the oven when my wife's not looking, reach in, take the rack out, take the pan out, burn his hands and eat the cookies and burn his tongue and never feel it. He doesn't know that's bad for him." Jordan, Dungy said, "has no fear of anything, so we constantly have to watch him."

The lesson learned, Dungy said, is simple. "You get the question all the time, 'Why does the Lord allow pain in your life? Why do bad things happen to good people? If God is a God of love, why does he allow these hurtful things to happen?'' Dungy said. "We've learned that a lot of times because of that pain, that little, temporary pain, you learn what's harmful. You learn to fear the right things. "Pain sometimes lets us know we have a condition that needs to be>healed. Pain inside sometimes lets us know that spiritually we're not quite right and we need to be healed and that God will send that healing agent right to the spot. "Sometimes, pain is the only way that will turn us as kids back to the Father."

Finally, he spoke of James. James Dungy, Tony Dungy's oldest son, died three days before Christmas. As he did while delivering James' eulogy in December, Dungy on Saturday spoke of him eloquently and steadily, speaking of lessons learned and of the positives taken from experience. "It was tough, and it was very, very painful, but as painful as it was, there were some good things that came out of it," Dungy said. Dungy spoke at the funeral of regretting not hugging James the last time he saw him, on Thanksgiving of last year. "I met a guy the next day after the funeral," Dungy said. "He said, 'I was there. I heard you talking. I took off work today. I called my son. I told him I was taking him to the movies. We're going to spend some time and go to dinner.' That was a real,>real blessing to me."

Dungy said he has gotten many letters since James' death relaying similar messages."People heard what I said and said, 'Hey, you brought me a little closer to my son,' or, 'You brought me a little closer to my daughter,''' Dungy said. "That is a tremendous blessing." Dungy also said some of James' organs were donated through donors programs. "We got a letter back two weeks ago that two people had received his corneas, and now they can see,'' Dungy said. "That's been a tremendous blessing."

Dungy also said he received a letter from a girl from the family's church in Tampa. She had known James for many years, Dungy said. She went to the funeral because she knew James. "When I saw what happened at funeral, and your family and the celebration and how it was handled, that was the first time I realized there had to be a God," Dungy said the girl wrote. "I accepted Christ into my life and my life's been different since that day." Added Dungy, "That was an awesome blessing, so all of those things kind of made me realize what God's love is all about."

Dungy also said he was asked often how he was able to return to the Colts so quickly after James' death. James died on December 22, and>Dungy returned to the team one week later. Dungy said the answer wassimple. "People asked me, 'How did you recover so quickly?"'' Dungy said. "I'm>not totally recovered. I don't know that I ever will be. It's still very, very painful, but I was able to come back because of something one of my good Christian friends said to me after the funeral. "He said, 'You know James accepted Christ into his heart, so you know he's in heaven, right?' I said, 'Right, I know that.' He said, 'So, with all you know about heaven, if you had the power to bring him back now, would you?' When I thought about it, I said, 'No, I wouldn't. I would not want him back with what I know about heaven.' "That's what helped me through the grieving process. Because of Christ's spirit in me, I had that confidence that James is there, at peace with the Lord, and I have the peace of mind in the midst of something that's very, very painful. "That's my prayer today, that everyone in this room would know the same thing."

Christianity's View of Treachery in Politics

2007-01-25T10:46:00.000-05:00

Many news organizations and bloggers love to condemn political leaders as liars, murderers, theives, adulterers... the list goes on. It is a grand example of being infected by the virus of politics. It seems to be the nature of competition in politics to excoriate leaders, often for transgressions most everyone of us commit on a frequent, or at least common basis.

Setting aside the news reporting of a transgression, why is it necessary to condemn a man or woman, for example, as a liar when something they believed to be true- and acted on- turned out not to be so? Worse, what kind of people, outside of politics, make it their mission to denounce and slander a political leader for even one transgression or blunder, intentional or not?

I came across this quote from CS Lewis, which seems appropriate for Christians who follow politics.

Christianity does not want us to reduce by one atom the hatred we feel for cruelty and treachery. We ought to hate them. Not one word we have said about them needs to be unsaid. But it does want us to hate them in the same way we hate things in our selves: being sorry the man should have done such things, and hoping, if it is any way possible, that somehow, sometime, somewhere, he can be cured and made human again.
Mere Christianity, Chapter 7- para. 6

Lawyer Of The Millenium...makes a great movie!

2007-01-24T09:51:00.000-05:00

My abstinence from politics and debate continues, and though I struggle mightily with my old habits and demons through many of these wet, wintry days, I can say -without reservation- that my forbearance remains blissful.

Last night I watched American Idol and - for the first time- one of the best movies of all time... A Man For All Seasons. It is the Oscar winning, (6 Oscars- best film of 1966, best actor- Paul Scofield , best director- Fred Zinnemann, best screenplay- Robert Bolt, best costume, best cinematography), portrayal of the character and demise of Sir Thomas More, considered in the legal community as the lawyer of the millenium.

Often when I watch a film of such renown, I am so absorbed in the story it is hard for me grasp the value of key elements like costume and cinematography. The script is clever and deep, the kind of provoking dialouge that makes you feel privileged to have heard. Though it was made in 1966, it has the authentic look and feel I notice in modern historic films, which, I suppose, is what they meant by best cinematography. The costumes were remarkable and certainly worthy of their award.

A Man For All Seasons did not make my top 100 list, I'd never seen it when I created it, but it should be on everyone's list. It is colorful, entertaining, intriguing, and engaging. Best of all, in the end, this film inspired me.

Revealing Question

2006-12-28T17:52:00.000-05:00

Ever heard somebody say something like, "I don't believe in a God who...?" I sure have, in truth, I've said it myself. The question reveals a remarkable disregard for the all powerful, creator God of the Old and New Testament. It may even suggest the speaker believes he knows better than the God of the Bible.

It's true that believing in God requires faith, but its just as true that the reality of Christ is independant of a person's unbelief. So ask yourself a couple of questions:

Where does faith in Christ come from? (hint- the answer is in Romans)
Do you believe in a man made God, or a God who creates man?

Casino Royale, Finally the Real Bond

2006-12-27T15:31:00.000-05:00

I've seen it twice and I'm still giddy about it. It is the first Bond Film that stays true to the book.

Ian Feming, one of the creators of England's real spy network in WWII, introduced the world to the spy network he helped create with his first novel, Casino Royale. This film introduces Ian Fleming's genius to movie viewers.

All through my first viewing of the film, my mind was so trained to the Bond film formula, I was certain I missed key points of the plot. Nothing about this film follows that formula.

Here's some key differences:

There's plenty of action and violence, but none of the trite quips after someone is killed.
There's no ridiculous stunts- well, maybe a couple- but at no time are you forced to suspend belief in order to make the scene work.
The women are pretty, but hardly playboy material- and there's none of the typical Bond sex scenes.
After a chase, Bond drips with sweat and his clothes are ruined.
After a fight, Bond's knuckles are swollen and bruised- as is his face... and his clothes actually look like he's been in a fight.
There's a real mystery and plenty of twists.
There's no super human bad guys- just a network of truly evil terrorists.

Born to be a...

2006-12-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

One of my Mom's best friends, the mother of 6 children, loves to tell the story of her oldest daughter visiting her for the first time after giving birth to triplets. Her daughter spent 2 days coaching her Mom how to handle the babies... get it?

Today, Mary Mac comes home with my grandson for the first time... and I'm under orders not to over stimulate 31 day old little Adam. By definition, I am a living stimulant to children- especially those in my family.

Now I understand the real bonding and fun starts for grand pa's when the kid starts crawling, some 6-9 months after grand ma's done her thing, but I've been waiting for this moment for years . I was born to be a father, uncle and grand dad. If it were up to me, we'd have at least 5 kids. (When I expressed this goal to my wife after our 3rd child was born, she said fine, my next wife could have the next two...).

So today's the big day. I'm practicing calm.

Doing Good on Christmas

2006-12-21T13:08:00.000-05:00

Christmas of 2001, we had just invested all of our money in a retail showroom and opened it the week of 9-11. Actually, we opened on that very day. We had carefully planned the one thing that was a sure bet to get the business booming, but we never figured on the terror of 9-11, followed by the myriad of stock market scams, illegal accounting practices and fraudulent behavior of Wall Street giants. We suffered, survived and eventually began to thrive- but I am writing this because it is the backdrop of that Christmas, and 5 years later, this Christmas.

In 2001 Elizabeth an I had carefully budgeted $600 to spend on our 3 kids- and agreed to give each other a hug. Somehow I knew Elizabeth needed more, she certainly deserved more. So the week of Christmas I robbed petty cash and borrowed from a line of credit, went to straight to Art and Martha Nading's fabulous "Extra Ingrediant" store and purhased a complete set of Denby china. On Christmas morning, when Elizabeth saw I had given her an enormous package, she flew into a rage and quit speaking... until she opened the present. Our daughter, Mary Mac, sealed the moment forever in our memories when she pointed at her smiling mother and exclaimed, "busted!"

Elizabeth is not shallow, but she needed a special gift that day, and more than that- I needed a gift that showed my appreciation, respect, admiration and adoration for her.

Alot has changed since that Christmas. Our business is solid. 2 of our kids are happily married, we have our first grandson, our baby is loving life at Carolina.

This Christmas Elizabeth needs another special gift, (and I need just as much to give her one.) But this Christmas I won't be able to borrow, we've spent 5 long years getting out of debt. I have no idea what to do and it makes me feel somewhat helpless. (There are many other more significant areas I fall short in as a husband, but this is a Christmas story.)

That is partially the background to the post about Psalm 37. I am left with one thing to do:

Trust God
Do Good.

So, after the previous post, I prayed to God about my concerns... and did 2 things I never do. I made up the bed and washed and waxed the kitchen floor. Merry Christmas honey!

Way cool advice...

2006-12-21T11:46:00.000-05:00

...from a way cool friend of mine:

"Take a break from yourself over the holidays and get into Psalm 37." He smiled at me and said, "there's a really cool line in the Psalm that reads, "Trust in the Lord and do good."

Nationally Syndicated Announcement

2006-12-19T12:43:00.000-05:00

Some of you may recall that my daughter's , (Mary Mac), father in law is Gary Brookins, a nationally syndicated cartoonist. He draws Shoe and Pluggers among others. What you don't know is that Gary and I are new, first time grand paws!!!

Click here to see our grandson's nationally syndicated birth announcement!

By the way- since Pluggers isn't carried here in the Triad, I've copied the definition of a Plugger from the Plugger website...

Dictionary definition of a "Plugger" Plugger \Plug"ger\, n. One who, or that which, plugs. (2) Steady, dogged and usually uninspired worker. Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary Plugger n: someone who is an active supporter and advocate [syn: promoter, booster] Source: WordNet ® 1.6

OK all dictionaries aside, what's a Plugger? Pluggers are the hard-working people the world depends on. They represent the 80 percent of humanity who unceremoniously keep plugging along, balancing work, play and family life. Pluggers encounter and conquer obstacles in their lives, but they always have a positive attitude and a good sense of humor. They're the people who work hard for what they get. Even if they're struggling, they are optimistic about life.

Here's another cool thing about the Pluggers' strip... you can submit your own ideas for a cartoon that fits around the definition.

Narcissistic. Intolerant. Off Message.

2006-11-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

Narcissistic.
That's what my wife thinks of my blogging. Actually, that's her opinion of all blogging. Perhaps she's right, I think its obvious all of us (bloggers) like to read our own writing. And if that survey most of us (in Greensboro) took is any indication, none of our spouses, family and friends appreciate our blogging. Narcissistic? I'm not sure. But I wonder how productive blogging really is if no one I am close with understands it or appreciates it.

Intolerant.
Joel and I were discussing a debate I had with another Greensboro blogger. I was talking about my being asked if I agreed with stoning someone for breaking an Old Testament law. Joel made the statement, "The (Greensboro) blogging community is very adept at stoning anyone who disagrees with them." I think he is right. In our blogging community most anyone who disagrees with the prevailing liberal arguments is roundly insulted. There is little respect and less tolerance for even the most pellucid and logical debates that contradict the liberal mindsets that prevail here.

Off Message.
My wife made the point that my debating contraversial issues sends a false impression about who I really am. When she said this I happened to be reading an article about another blogger who, when I read her blog, comes across entirely opposite from the way the article described her. And that is when it struck me that few of us do a good job representing our true selves in our blogs.

So I am signing off, at least for a while. I want to learn how to write in my own voice, so that when most people read me, they'll react to my writing as well as they do to me in person . Until then...

The Best Year Ever?...

2006-11-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

... for movies? 1939! Imagine a year where you could see a blockbuster per month!

That's what the following great films have in common...
Gone with the Wind (1939) - David O. Selznick
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - Frank Capra
Wizard of Oz, The (1939) - Mervyn LeRoy
Stagecoach (1939) - Walter Wanger
Dark Victory (1939) - David Lewis (I)
Destry Rides Again (1939)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) - Victor Saville
Gunga Din (1939)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
Love Affair (1939) - Leo McCarey
Ninotchka (1939) - Sidney Franklin (I)
Of Mice and Men (1939) - Lewis Milestone
Wuthering Heights (1939) - Samuel Goldwyn

Not to mention a host of others, including Beau Geste (1939) Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) Flying Deuces, The (1939) Little Princess, The (1939)

Who won Best Actor? Robert Donat, Mr. Chips

100 Best Movies

2006-11-09T22:52:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read one of those lists by the critics? Well, I'm sure they know better than most of us, but I think I can give them a run.

My criteria is entertainment, a great story, remarkable characters, script and soundtrack. With all do respect to more serious works and/or truly important films such as Schindler's List or Annie Hall, Citizen Kane, The Graduate...their value is more academic. The films on my list are the one's that blew me away, the one's I can't wait to turn my sheltered friends, kids and grandkids on to, and the movies that I appreciate the more I watch them.

In no particular order...

Rear Window Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Office Space
Tombstone Destry Rides Again Saving Private Ryan
His Girl Friday The Philadelphia Story Scent of a Woman
Moonstruck -Phsyco The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington- North By Northwest- Die Hard
Die Hard With a Vengeance L.A. Confidential (1997) Raiders ofthe Lost Ark
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance -It's a Wonderful World-High Noon
Notorious The Philadelphia Story -The Untouchables
Pirates of the Carribean, Finding Nemo, ConAir
Big Lebowski -As Good as It Gets (1997)-Jerry Maguire (1996)
Open Range-Tin Cup-The Rock
Break: What do the following great films have in common? Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips,Love Affair, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, Wuthering Heights
The Sting -Blaze -Witness for the Prosecution (1957)
Patton-Toy Story-Nothing But Trouble- French Kiss
Warlock -Jaws The Gunfighter
The Lady Vanishes- The Firm -Top Gun
EDTV- The Matrix-The Green Mile
Ronin-The Shawshank Redemption (1994)-The Fugitive (1993)
Home Alone (1990)-Pretty Woman (1990)-Glory (1989)
Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Tootsie, Brave Heart
Back to the Future (1985), Rocky, The Goonies (1985)
Break: Best TV Series/Movies (in order): Band of Brothers, Lonesome Dove, Sopranos, Entorage
Star Wars, Midnight Run, Heat of the Night
Casablanca, Peter Pan, Stalag 17 (1953)
Dial M for Murder (1954), Manchurian Canidate, Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Hopscotch, Cool Hand Luke (1967), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Godfather II, Kelly's Heroes (1970), We Were Soldiers
Gladiator (2000), The James Bond franchise, Toy Story 2 (1999)
Key Largo (1948), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Notorious
Harry Potter Series, Meet John Doe (1941), My Man Godfrey (1936)
The Count of Monte Cristo, Inside Man (2006), Spiderman
The Rock, Animal House, Gone in Sixty Seconds
Get Shorty, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Titanic
Wizard of Oz, ET, A League of Their Own
Sleepless in Seattle

Christspeak Word of the Day

2006-11-08T08:17:00.000-05:00

Sin. Why is this the word of the day? It occurs to me that sin, as a Biblical term, is grossly misunderstood.

It is used, or rather misused, in song, poetry, jokes, politics, debates practically every day. I suppose it has become one of those words whose meaning has morphed its way into all types of subcultures. For that very reason, it is important to understand the meaning of sin, in order to prevent misunderstandings.

I am going to explain what it means in my own words. Remember, I am speaking about its Biblical and theological meaning. I'll start by telling you what it is not.

Sin is not about how God relates to man. Sin is never soley based on a person's relationship with other people, it always refers to man's relationship with God. Sin is not limited to behavior. All sins are not equal. Sin is not determined by man. Sin is not limited to just believers in God.

One of the two most common misuses of the term is to use it in order to alienate a person from others and to misinterpret its true meaning. For example, a close friend might, using 'sin' correctly, point out, "I fear what you are doing is sinful." To which his friend incorrectly responds, "So now you hate me because you think I am sinning? Alot of people would disagree with you."

Sin is how man relates to God. Sin is rebellion against God.

Many misuses and misunderstandings come from our lack of understanding that sin is how man relates to God. Going back to the example above, the person who's action was challenged as sinful, if he understood the meaning of sin, could reply, "You really think God cares about what I'm doing?" Or, "I disagree that it is a sin to..."

What is sinful? It is not open to interpretation, as some would have you believe. Sin is revealed by the law of God. What is open to interpretation is our understanding of the law. In a very real since, our understanding of God's law involves a spiritual, or supernatural relationship between us and God. It involves our conscience.

Regarding the degree of sins, CS Lewis warns us that "the sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins." He believed the worst sins are spiritual, "the pleasure of putting other people wrong, of bossing and patronising and spoiling sport, and backbiting; the pleasures of power and hatred. That is why the cold, self righteous prig who goes to church regularly may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute." Mere Christianity, chapter 5

Orson Scott Card Plugged By Limbaugh

2006-11-07T14:41:00.000-05:00

Rush Limbaugh just made Orson Scott Card even more popular on his show today. Rush just told his listeners to read a piece Card wrote and linked it to Rush's webpage.

Keep them in their place...

2006-11-06T23:12:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow morning we all get to vote. I am grateful for the opportunity, but exhausted with the rhetoric. There are important issues at stake, but I am more concerned with things I believe are far more relevant.

Like loving my wife better... Learning more about God... praying for my children... honoring my parents... being a better neighbor... becoming a better employee.

Recently I highlighted an article about Sue Polinsky. What struck me about that piece was a reference to Sue's character- her second nature that compels her to help her neighbor. My Mom is like that. Actually, I am honored to know alot of people like that. But here's the point, these remarkable people who make life better where they can, are far more relevant to my life than any politician.

Tomorrow I'll vote for people I hope will represent our country well. It is a priviledge I don't take for granted. But I am truly thankful there are people in my community who don't have to be elected to make a difference. Their contribution far exceeds what a politician can do and that is how I remember to keep politicians in their place.

Speaking on the terms: Deviant and Sinful...

2006-11-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

Note: This is an argument, a debate. I felt it was neccessary because so many people have a problem distinguishing between the term sin and how it relates to words like love and hate. My argument is not against homosexuals. And if my behavior were judged according to Biblical standards, I would fail far worse than anyone I know. I am confident about one thing, it is a grevious sin against God and man for a Christian to mistreat another because that person's behavior appears sinful.

So I hope everthing I write on this subject is passed through the prism of respect and love. I stand in judgement of no one.

The fact that homosexual sex exists is not an adequate defense for its acceptance in our society and certainly not the Church. The fact that there are Christians who agree with the biblical view that says homosexuality is deviant and sinful, yet are tempted to engage in homosexual behavior- and may even stumble- is no defense for legitimizing homosexuals within our society or the Church. You may know a lot of good people who are homosexuals, so do I, but they are not adequate evidence that homosexuality is any less deviant or sinful.

Many people believe homosexuality is more than a behavior because homosexuals do not choose- or cannot help who they are attracted to- and, therefore, it is physically unnatural for a homosexual person not to have an active, homosexual sex life. They reason that the biblical Jesus, who is said to be a loving God, would never condemn a homosexual for simply acting out how he or she was created. And if that is true, it follows that most Christian churches and any members that believe their church's teachings about homosexuality as sin, are tragically mistaken.

Some of those people take it a step further by saying that traditional Christian teachings regarding homosexuality are not only a mistake, they are evil. They use terms like "hate speech'' or bigotry to label any biblical teachings that condemn homosexuality as sinful.

If all those people really believe that logic is true, then they must also believe that the bible teachings on most all sexual behavior and marraige is, at best, irrelevant. Biblical law condemns alot of heterosexual sex outside of marraige, and since heterosexuals are bound by the same natural laws as homosexuals, any teachings linking sex with sin must also be wrong. And for that matter, many of the actions the Bible labels sinful must also be mistakes... if Jesus is truly a loving God.

Those folks who believe that much Biblical law is a sad mistake, must logically believe that Jesus came to redeem the really bad people... the liars, murderers, thieves- the people who commit the big, "universal" sins. For those of us who don't make a practice of doing the really "bad things," Jesus simply came to show us a better way to live. "I haven't murdered, stolen, cheated or lied, so He need not have died for my sake."

Actually, the Bible teaches us that it is the law, God's written word, that makes us aware of what is sin in the first place. This is important, because people who have so many problems with the law condemning actions and behavior as sinful, that they themselves see no harm in, or they find is contradictory to their idea of laws that would come from a loving Jesus Christ, are rendering the sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death on the cross irrelevant. The law cannot redeem us. Romans 3:12:"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." The Bible teaches that Jesus died for our sins, so that we will not suffer the eternal consequences of our sins.

Therefore, a Christian who believes and teaches that homosexuality is deviant and sinful is simply repeating the Bible and, in most cases, repeating this truth in love... perhaps more so if he or she is a believer in Christ who longs for homosexual sex. However, the person who claims to speak for Christ by condemning any part of the law cannot, in any manner, be doing so truthfully.

I have no problem with folks who don't believe in Jesus as God regarding the Biblical laws as some big mistake. I take exception to people who, in the name of Christ, constantly attempts to belittle or change Biblical law. They are the ones claiming Jesus as something He is not . To wit, consider what Jesus actually said in Matthew 5, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Dr. Sue Has Her Day

2006-11-01T11:33:00.000-05:00

From the Business Journal: Sue Polinsky: 'Tech mama' makes things happen in the Triad

Using The Bible To Judge

2006-10-31T14:26:00.000-05:00

Democrat Harold Ford bragged on the campaign trail that Democrats don't "use the Bible to judge people."

Almost in the next breath he (Ford) used the bible to judge people:
"My friend Lincoln Davis, who chairs this campaign, says there is one big difference between us and ... Republicans when it comes to our faith," Ford said. 'Republicans fear the Lord. Democrats fear and love the Lord.'"

My point is that politicians on both sides use people's faith to manipulate them. When they do it, their own faith is called into question.

I really don't mind when canidates talk about their faith and its influence on their leadership. But it is a dangerous thing when they compare or judge their opponent. It exposes the shallowness of their faith, not to mention their complete lack of knowledge about their faith.

Disrespecting Our Troops

2006-10-31T12:07:00.000-05:00

Have you seen this short, 11 second video? Is this what most Democrats believe?...that the military is for people who don't do well in school?

The last draft ended in the spring before my senior year in highschool. Ever since that time, our military's entire population is made up of volunteers. And as a testament to the character of our country, enlistment has actually been up since the Iraq war began. Their performance as an army has been spectactular.

I find it hard to believe Kerry's remarks yesterday (and when he claimed our troops were terrorizing women and children) represent those of most Democrats. The Democrats have worked hard to overcome their image of being anti-military. It is misstatements like this one that harm a party's reputation on a key issue for years to come.

Missouri Cloning Law Courts Stupidity

2006-10-30T13:24:00.000-05:00

Whether you are liberal or conservative, the Missouri Cloning Stem Cell Amendment should deeply offend you. I have no doubt many of this bill’s proponents are genuinely concerned about ending human suffering, but they are tragically, (and inexcusably), uninformed. If you insist, as Michael J. Fox and others have, on fighting or arguing for it without understanding what it will do, then you aren’t simply stupid, you are foolish.

The initiative clearly states that “No person may clone or attempt to clone a human being.” The problem with that wording is that the amendment redefines human cloning as allowing the human clone to live. They are advocating cloning human life and mandating the cloned human’s destruction in order to use the human tissues for research.

Did any of you catch the recent sci-fi thriller “The Island?” In the movie, human clones are created in their adult state in order to develop life saving tissues and organs for the donors of the clone’s DNA. The donors believe, (because they are told and also because they are in a life threatening situation), that the human clones do not feel, hear or have any emotions. Rather, they are simply a product. In truth, any Doctor or scientist knows that even embryos hear and feel early on in the pregnancy, so it would be true even more so in the event of the fictional development of creating adult human clones. The cloning companies in the movie understood 2 things:
Americans would never allow themselves to be cloned if they knew the clones were living, feeling humans bred only to be killed.
People will do anything to survive, including shutting their minds off to ignore the truth.

There are many folks today who are living out those two truths presented in the movie. They understand they were once a teenager, a child, a new born, a fetus, an embryo... they know it is true, but they refuse to acknowlege the relevance of that truth when they see suffering- or when they are suffering. Most humans will do anything to survive.

Missouri could very well be the first state to legalize human cloning while mandating the destruction of the cloned human life for scientific research.

Don’t get caught up in blindly following the crowd on this issue. Read the law here. Read the argument against the amendment here.

George Allen Fights Back...

2006-10-27T14:17:00.000-04:00

... Check this out, ALLEN'S REVENGE: EXPOSES UNDERAGE SEX SCENES IN OPPONENT'S NOVELS

This is American politics today. Democrats have been aggressively labelling Allen as a racist. How? Rumor, slander, inuendo. .. like an aquaintence over 35 years ago remembers Allen used the N word while a student at UVA. During this whole campaign, Democrats and liberal bloggers have ignored debating policies and concentrated on damaging Allen's character.

So now the Allen campaign fights back by highlighting nasty sex acts and pedophilia scenes in his opponent's, Jim Webb, novels. He's tying Webb's written works of fiction to Webb's personal character.

And its working! The Democrats are actually defending Webb's novels. Read this. Well, what's good for the goose is good for the gander...right?

Why do we (bloggers) have to get involved in this type of behavior? It is trite, stupid, harmful and insulting.

What if the Democrats lose...

2006-10-25T15:05:00.000-04:00

...or fail to take control over either house- what are you going to do? How is your life going to be different? How would your life be different if the Democrats win?

I hope your answers will be the same as mine, that is, nothing really important will change at all in my life. I'm not saying politics and elections aren't important, of course they are. What I am suggesting is that politics has its place and too many of us, (especially bloggers), forget this.

Remember the survey most of us answered about blogging? Almost everyone I read admitted our closest relationships, our familiy and friends, were at best- indifferent about our blogging. That should be a clue for all of us to lighten up.

The truth really hit home for me during the recent flap over the Foley/Page scandal. A powerful man approaches young pages for sex. Evidently alot of folks knew about him, warned him to straighten up, yet he couldn't stop the flirting. (To date, there is no evidence of physical involvement with minors). Here's what I'm getting at- the man resigned immediately. Though we don't know how much people knew, almost everyone involved with the man, the pages- Republicans, Democrats and the press, all of them knew about this for months and months- and not one person saw it as a problem. Here's the damning part, they all viewed Foley's behavior as an opportunity.

What kind of young man or young woman would play emotional games with a man like Foley?
What kind of friends were Foley's fellow Republicans when they knew his behavior was close to crossing the line and yet did so little to intervene?
What about all the Republican and Democrat staffers, was there even one among them who would do the right thing?
And how is it that the Democrats, with no regard for anyone involved, would use this man to try and win an election
And the press- evidently they hear about horrible things that powerful men do in private, with no regard at all for the victims.

This whole Foley mess revealed a tragic lack of character with everyone involved. (Well, perhaps Foley's immediate resignation is the exception.)

How would you react if you knew your friend or boss or loved one or neighbor, was seriously flirting with pedophilia? Would you shake your head in disgust and look the other way? Would you intervene on the child's behalf? What about the preditor, would you not care enough about him to put an end his destructive behavior? The truth is that the real tragedy in the Foley story is that plenty of people were sent to Washington, but there isn't a Smith among them.

Politics has a place in our society alright, but it shouldn't be on our front page. No, its rightful place is buried behind what is really important, far behind our faith, family, work, friends, hobbies and maybe even sports.

A Really Amazing Book

2006-10-24T11:32:00.000-04:00

THIS MOST AMAZING BOOK- by Guy Andrews, copyrighted 2004

FACT: On April 18, 1942, the famous Doolittle Raid took place over Japan, where 16 B-25s attacked their mainland in reprisal to the Japanese offensive. Cpl. Jacob DeShazer was one of ten men who didn’t return. He became a POW for 40 months, 34 of which were in solitary, after his crew had to parachute into Japanese-held China. Wrestling as much over his hate-filled heart for his captors, as with his severe captivity, “Jake” gets his hands on a Bible in May, 1944. Though only allowed to keep it for several weeks, he devoured and memorized what he could, until on June 8, 1944, he encounters salvation.
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 came alive to him, as his heart became controlled by God’s love, ultimately leading him back to Japan after the war as a missionary for 30 years.

QUOTE: Sir Issac Newton; English mathematician and physicist (1642-1727) “We account the Scriptures of God to be the most sublime philosophy. I find more sure marks of authenticity in the Bible than in any profane history whatsoever.”
STATISTIC: Amount of television that the average American watches per day: over 4 hours. Approximate amount of time it takes to read the Bible daily to complete it in 1 year: between 13-22 minutes.
“WORD” ON “WORD”: Romans 3:2, “First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.” Paul was referring to the unique honor given to the Jewish people, particularly over the prior 1500 years before Christ, when he made this observation. Can we look upon this journey through the Bible as a personal “trust” given to us?

SUCCEEDING IN READING THIS AMAZING BOOK:
1. ENERGY: There is something to be said about simple raw energy in getting the job done. The 2003-4 Chicago Bulls had the 2nd worst record in the entire NBA. Yet the fans seem to be drawn to the boundless energy pouring out from the many other attractions that flow through the United Center in Chicago during a game. Talented kids drumming on sheetrock buckets at halftime, the awe-inspiring “Matador” dance brigade of “plus-size” fellas, Mascots: Benny the Bull, accompanied by Da Bull, and the high stepping Luvabulls revue, all create an atmosphere of irrepressible energy. Therefore, the Chicago franchise finished with the 3rd Best Attendance record in the NBA this year. Sometimes, just applying the Laws of Energy to your reading quest can be the right ticket.
2. GOLF BALLS GO FIRST: A friend recently sent me a great story about filling up a mayonnaise jar with various items. If one fills up the jar with sand first (representing the hundreds of micro demands,) then there will be no room for anything else. But if one starts with golf balls, then adds marbles, he will still have room for not only some sand , but a cup of coffee as well to occupy the mayo jar. The moral: Start your “To Do” list with the biggest value tasks and add the contents of your day around these core works .They will fit a lot better inside your empty jar. Likewise, make your Daily Reading of the Word one of those invaluable golf balls and you will stay “on par” during the rest of the day.

TIP: I know I am easily deterred from my daily reading when I consider either the “whole lump” of that day’s reading or the “immensity” of tackling the entire Bible. What gives me momentum in succeeding for one day is when I simply concentrate on “just getting started.” In other words, even if I am only able to read the first sentence or first paragraph, this somehow gives me confidence and drive to do the rest.

MOTTO: US Navy SEAL’s motto: “The only easy day was yesterday.” Nothing worthwhile is without difficulty. In the movie, “Perfect Storm,” George Clooney plays sword fishing boat captain, Billy Tyne. When faced with an enveloping 100 foot (10 stories high) rogue wave, Captain Tyne decides to go “full speed ahead” into the middle of it. Jump into the fray and feel the intensity. The strain says, “something Big is about to happen!”

DAY 2: READ GENESIS 3,4,5 MATTHEW 2

GENESIS 3,4,5
OVERVIEW: Satan, the grand distorter of truth, attacked Adam and Eve’s faith in God’s binding word. They succumbed to his glittering lie. This staggering defeat dealt them a severe consequence.. In chapter 4 God extended grace to Cain by warning him. Yet Cain still killed his brother Abel out of jealousy. Chapter 5 gives an expanded genealogy of Adam all the way to Noah’s three sons. Enoch was rewarded for his enduring “walk with God” by side stepping death.
THEME: God must punish His first human children to teach them the crucial ness of relying on His Word by faith, not sight. In chapter 4 Cain’s crime reveals the lengths that people will go to in order to cover up their inadequacy. The detailed genealogy in chapter 5 points to God’s serious intent for multiplying the human race (cf. Genesis 1:28.) KEY WORD: “Curse” (Genesis 3:14,17) God’s curse doesn’t necessarily spell annihilation, as it does the annulment of the esteemed purpose that He had originally designed His first couple for. Yet, God also adds a ray of hope in forecasting the One who would crush the head of their enemy (Genesis 3:15.)

MATTHEW 2
OVERVIEW: Matthew contrasts the pagan astrologers with the pseudo Jewish King Herod. From the Gentile “wise men” comes true worship, while Herod offers only deceit and massacre. After being born in Bethlehem, the ancestral town of King David, as prophesied (Micah 5:2,) Joseph’s new family is detoured to Egypt. Later, they settle in the obscure, farming district of Galilee.
THEME: God delights in being discovered in the least likely places. Jesus’ first audience were pagan astrologers, his first trip was as a refugee to Egypt, and his first home state was the “blue collar, hard-hat” region of Galilee, far from the power and religious center of Jerusalem.
KEY WORDS: “…gold,..incense,..and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) These were precious commodities in the 1st Century Middle East, but were made more precious by the King-sized faith that led these Gentiles to risk their lives to honor the arrival of the Prince of Israel.

reubliished by permission of Guy Andrews

Flags Of Our Fathers Skews Sacrifices

2006-10-22T14:24:00.000-04:00

Sacrifice is a term used alot in war. It is an appropriate word, but I think most of us forget what it really means. The film Flags Of Our Fathers is a painful reminder of the courage and tragedy involved with wartime sacrifices.

In Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers we watched examples of sacrifice that made us proud of the men who fought for us. This is where Flags of Our Fathers falls short. It is shame because Iowa Jima was the greatest and costliest battle in Marine Corps history. It produced the most famous wartime picture of all time. Last, but not least, the bond tour was a huge success at a time our country needed it the most.

The film focuses on three soldiers and events surrounding the famous picture of the Marines raising the flag on a volcanic hill in Iwo Jima. There's little question the film is historically correct, but the author, in this case Director Clint Eastwood, chose to dwell soley on the tragedy of the soldiers' sacrifice rather than the consequences of their sacrifices and the honor it brought the country.

Also, we were introduced to great characters in the beginning, but the battle scenes were so confusing I never understood what happened to those men.

The result is an intense, well told, bummer of a story.

Historical perspectives:

Iwo Jima was the first battle on Japense soil (spiritually sacred ground to the Japenese).
The U.S. was broke and desperately needed money to fund the war. The past two war bond drives had fallen far short. The tour of the "heroes of Iwo Jima" raised over $22 billion in 2 months.
The 3 soldiers who were hailed as heroes had not done anything remarkably brave that would set them apart from their fellow Marines at Iwo Jima, they just happened to be part of raising the flag.
The famous flag raising was actually the second flag raising- and the picture really was something of a fluke. Most all of the photographer's (Rosenthall) film was wasted that day.
All 3 men were embarrassed to be considered heroes for good reason, they were hailed as such in order to be used to raise desparately needed funds.
The Marines ceased to treat the 3 men as soldiers while they toured for funds- and in doing so- failed them miserably.
While the 3 men were understably uncomfortable with their mission, the mission was every bit as important as what was taking place in Japan. If they'd been treated like Marines during their tour, the tragedy of their sacrifice would most likely have been averted.

Prayer and Faith in Politics

2006-10-20T17:18:00.000-04:00

Years ago I had the opportunity to hear a young Fred Barnes speak about Christianity and the media. It must have been 1985, because he had just become famous for a question he asked as a panelist during one of the Reagan-Mondale presidential debates. He asked both canidates if either would describe himself as a "Born Again Christian?" (click the link to read the 1984 debate transcript.)

MODERATOR: We begin segment No. 3 with Fred Barnes.
REPORTER: Mr. President, would you describe your religious beliefs, noting particularly whether you consider yourself a born-again Christian and explain how these beliefs affect your Presidential decisions?...

...REAGAN: Well, I was raised to have a faith and a belief and have been a member of a church since I was a small boy. In our particular church we didn't use that term born- again so I don't know whether I would fit that - that particular term. But I have, thanks to my mother, God rest her soul, the firmest possible belief and faith in God. And I don't believe - I believe, I should say, as Lincoln once said, that I could not - I would be the most stupid man in the world if I thought I could confront the duties of the office I hold if I could not turn to someone who was stronger and greater than all others; and I do resort to prayer. At the same time, however, I have not believed that prayer could be introduced into an election or be a part of a political campaign, or religion a part of that campaign. As a matter of fact I think religion became a part of this campaign when Mr. Mondale's running mate said I wasn't a good Christian. So, it does play a part in my life. I have no hesitancy in saying so. And as I say, I don't believe that I could carry on unless I had a belief in a higher authority and a belief that prayers are answered."

Now the canidate's answers are not the point of this post, but Mondale's answer was extremely revealing as well:

MONDALE: "First of all, I accept President Reagan's affirmation of faith. I'm sure that we all accept and admire his commitment to his faith and we are strengthened all of us by that fact. I am a son of a Methodist minister, my wife is the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, and I don't know if I've been born again, but I know I was born into a Christian family, and I believe I've sung at more weddings and more funerals than anybody ever to seek the Presidency. Whether that helps or not I don't know. I have a deep religious faith, our family does, it is fundamental, it's probably the reason I'm in politics. I think our faith tells us, instructs us about the moral life that we should lead, and I think we're all together on that."

Interesting that it was Reagan who said, "I have not believed that prayer could be introduced into an election or be a part of a political campaign, or religion a part of that campaign."

For over 200 years politicians have used religion to influence voters during elections. And we know every modern day President, from Lyndon Johnson to George W. Bush have relied on prayer during key moments in their Presidency, (and at least 2 I am aware of- Carter and W -admit to praying and relying on prayer on a daily basis.)

Setting aside any judgement about any politician's use of Christianity or any other religion, there is only one reason faith plays a role in politics... millions of voters care about their leaders' belief in God.

It matters to alot of people. Why is that? Why do so many people want to know about their leaders' faith in God? It is a fascinating question...with too many answers. But the fact remains that sincere and insincere politicians talk about their faith because the people want to hear them express it.

Don't Quit, Take An Inventory

2006-10-19T21:57:00.000-04:00

Taking an inventory is something I learned to do while training to run a marathon. When I was in the middle of a long run, sometimes I'd feel really tired and want to quit. So I'd take a physical inventory. How are my legs? Most everytime they felt strong. What about my breathing? Ah-ha, I'm not getting enough oxygen. So I'd slow down for a while, get a second wind and - here's the best part- I'd be able to fly home with an incredible runner's high.

As the Rx in Christspeak, Rx implies, I take medicine to combat depression and to control ADHD. When I feel depressed, it is a very real and consuming cloud around me. But this is just how I feel. At 51, I've had the benefit of years of great counselling. One of the tools I use is scale or inventory I found in a book- Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy.

Now sometimes we have very real problems that are truly sad. We get fired. You can't find a job. You can't keep a job. You can't pay your bills. You can't quit drinking. A loved one dies. Your wife or husband leaves you. Sometimes there's real good reasons to feel depressed.

Take an inventory. Do your friends love you? Your children? How does God feel about you?

Do you believe in God? Maybe not, but surely you'll agree if there is a God who created the world, He must be able to control your universe. Of course He does. So why is it neccessary for you to be strong and in control? Slow down, get your wind back and remember your legs need oxygen just like your lungs do.

Here's the truth, (and its true whether we believe it or not), God choses to love us. The God of the universe, ruler over all is in charge of your household. Not a good steward? He forgives you. Think you can make things better? He commands you to pass your burdens along to Him- Christ said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
So we get depressed when sad things happen, but we are not overwhelmed. Why? Because God in Heaven - despite our lack of faith in Christ, and misplaced faith in ourselves (false worship), constant rebellion against Him, and ourselfish ways- God finds us worthy. How can this be? Certainly not by our behavior, but because Christ died for our sins. He died in our place.

Yes we have reasons to feel sad. All of us do. But let's not let our feelings trick us into quiting. Take a break. Turn your concerns over to God. Look at life with His perspective.

Change of Subject Matter

2006-10-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

As many of you know I'm no shrinking violet. I love to debate, even when it gets a bit nasty. But I noticed something last week and decided to take a signifcant break from politics. The result is my intent to be more narrow with the subject matter.

Two things occured:

During the Wake/Clemson game I spent 3 miserable quarters in competitive agony. I am competitive, so much so that my mood is directly linked to how my teams perform. I don't want to change either- I feel I have a good handle on what is truly important in life and how Clemson performs is way down the list.
In the wake of the Foley nonsense, I recognized the same competitive spirit ruling my nature... and its source. It is all the arguing, day in and day out. I notice most Greensboro bloggers are getting worked up as well. The truth is the political analysts-pollsters-insiders, the hollywood actors, and yes, even the politicians have little or no say in our lives.

So I took a break. From now on, Christspeak is primarily about the language within Chritianity. It will also focus on issues within the faith and stories. When I feel the need to write about politics in general, I'll use "Why Do You Drink."

Scandal Starting To Backfire

2006-10-06T16:43:00.000-04:00

More and more the Foley/Page scandal is looking like a dirty political trick. NOTHING is as it seems, nor is it definite, but there's no question the truth will be revealed.

It was widely known Foley was gay by the pages and many other people in Washington.
The page may not have been a minor. (Note: Most Democrats I've read see a big difference between a 16 and 18 year old. Its just as bad in my book.)
Original emails were creepy, but nothing approaching the level of incriminating evidence as the IMs. So Hastert did address it- and Foley lied to him.
We know the FBI revealed the IMs were tampered with.
The timing of the "outing" is remarkably advantageous to Democrats.
Some of the pages are saying Foley was setup, it was a cruel prank gone bad when it fell into the wrong hands. (The page's lawyer says its no joking matter)
The page's parents would love to see their son serve again.

As a Republican, I hope the truth comes out soon. As a believer in Christ I am confident He is in control.

So where has this fiasco taken us? Mr. Foley is not only out of the closet, he's out of Congress. (That's a very good thing for him as well as the pages.) We know the Democrats are guilty- of all things- gay bashing. Republican leaders learned they are not well respected by the conservatives that put them in office. ..another good thing. Finally, we know it is the Democrats who forsook the welfare of young pages in order to gain power.

Ingraham Grills Hastert Hard

2006-10-05T10:37:00.000-04:00

Hopefully, she'll have the transcript up here. But she grilled him about his staff, whether he'd resign, what he knew and when, why are some Republicans crying conspiracy (like the Clintons did), why is there so little good will built up with Conservatives...

Revealed: Hastert admits he's cancelled all fund raising for at least a week. Laura makes the point- you can't have a speaker who is not able to raise money.

Liberals Act Like Mob vs. Minutemen...

2006-10-05T09:24:00.000-04:00

... and its not just about who's in the Minutemen. Hint: "There are no illegals." Read about it here.

First Rove, now Foley...

2006-10-04T21:45:00.000-04:00

DAAAAAAAAAAAANG! Sorry all y'all gay fellers! Youins thought the Democrats were on your side! Foley had gay IM sex with an 18 year old! ...

...sorry LLGBC, (Spags is right), there'ain't much differnce tween a 22 year old, 18 year old or a 16 year old. Its all about power. Clinton, Foley, Kennedy(s)... they're all wrong, every last one of 'em.

This is a real sordid tale about a powerful man who sought sexual encounters with young men. It is also about a young man who was exploited by this powerful congressman.

Foley, to his credit, has resigned and presumably is seeking help. The young man, outed by ABC and others, deserves more from all of us, starting with both political parties.

The Democrats will likely gain a seat where they weren't expecting one. It must stop there. If they persist in trying to make a larger scandal, Republicans will certainly remind us of recent Democrat leaders who knew of their comrads' illicit behavior, yet kept silent.

What's our part? Voters need to place a higher value on a canidate's character rather than soley how he votes.

I'd Like to Drink With...

2006-10-04T20:17:00.000-04:00

w-w-w-wait a minute! Some guy with a blog called Christspeak- and a believer in Christ no less- writing about getting drunk?

You should know I'm 3 for 3- 3...I -or rather -we raised 3 outstanding kids who a.) didn't drink until they were of age and b.) were celibate until marraige. But my kids and my friends know my passion for life includes sex, food and drink.

I didn't wait for anything. Yes, it is a regret, but no I don't dwell on it. When I talked with my kids (around 12-13) about why I drank- I didn't want them to think of it as all bad. Some of the most wonderful friendships are bound within those few euphoric moments of drunken bliss... enough to make up for all the inevitable vomiting, hangovers, and other treacheries.

So in that spirit, who among you would I love to get drunk with? Some of you, a Poet for example, wouldn't need alcohol. I think Sue (with her husband and dog)and I would have the most fun. Hogg for certain. And anyone from Boston and/or goes by Bubba, is a must to drink with. Casserta & Gaurino- baseball men are a great pair as well...

There's a point to this somewhere- I'll post it when I have more time. It involves perspective.

IM 101 Via Malkin and Polinsky

2006-10-03T22:55:00.000-04:00

Its really fun putting these 2 names in the same headline. Malkin has a great piece on Instant Messaging 101. Earlier today Sue answered some questions as well. Read here.

The stories around the Foley outing have been flying, it is a story only bloggers can unravel. I don't like the fact that so many in congress either behave badly or do nothing about those that do...

Another Conrad Kid Honored by NCAA

2006-10-03T15:40:00.000-04:00

My nephew (#12 of the Gamecocks), Branden Conrad's first cousin is making news as well:

Lady Viking Basketball's Conrad Featured By NCAA This story was orignally published at NCAASports.com. You may see the original story by going here: Lady Viking and Avid Sox Fan

Bethany Conrad is living out her dream. The North Park University women's basketball player is a life-long, diehard Chicago White Sox fan, and this summer, she is a part of the action at U.S. Cellular Field during each of her favorite team's home stands.

Conrad landed a job with White Sox Charities after her basketball teammates saw an advertisement posted on campus. Knowing she was a huge White Sox fan, they urged her to pursue the opportunity. She did, and was offered a position selling raffle tickets for the Sox' replica World Series rings, as well as their daily 50-50 raffle.

"I'm actually the one going up and down the stands selling tickets to customers, or selling at the gate and outside in the parking lot," said Conrad. "There's a lot of personal interaction with the White Sox fans, so that's a lot of fun."

The proceeds for the charity raffles go to projects for Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, cancer research, education foundations, and have even funded the building of a house for a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Conrad, a guard who averaged 2.8 points in 11.8 minutes per game for the Lady Vikings last season, grew up in St. Charles, Ill., just 45 minutes from Chicago. The rising junior grew up an avid White Sox fan. "My dad was born in Chicago and is a huge Sox fan, and my grandpa was a Sox fan," said Conrad. "We were raised Sox fans, so it's kind of a family tradition."

Last year's World Series championship by the White Sox has added a little extra excitement to Conrad's job this summer, considering the team's last title was in 1917. "Everyone is so excited," said Conrad. "They all wear their shirts and World Series Champions is plastered all over the place. Everyone is cheering like crazy, and it is such a great atmosphere that I have a blast everyday. It's so fun to be a Sox fan right now."

Conrad compares playing basketball to working for the White Sox as two things she loves and is passionate about. "Being a part of something that is bigger than you is the cool thing about it," said Conrad. "You learn how your part plays into the whole picture, like on the basketball court I play a small part on a big team."

Conrad, who aspires to work in sports journalism, is excited to get back to North Park and continue her academic and basketball careers, but plans to work for White Sox Charities as long as the season lasts – hopefully well into October for a shot at another World Series ring.

Hastert Intervied By Rush Today

2006-10-03T15:10:00.000-04:00

Read the whole thing here.

"SPEAKER HASTERT: No. First of all, what we knew is exactly what I told you. The parents contacted us. They wanted someplace to go to because they didn't want this contact to go on, and what we knew about it was that Foley contacted this kid through e-mail and asked him how he got through the hurricane, the Katrina hurricane. He was from New Orleans, I guess. The other part of it was, well, we didn't know anything else other than what they told us. We went to Foley, confronted him. He said he wouldn't do it anymore. He was sorry. He was just trying to talk to the kid -- he liked the kid, nice kid -- and he wouldn't do it anymore. We told him not to do it anymore there or to anybody. Period. "

Blaming Others For Foley's Behavior

2006-10-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

Setting aside the fact a Congressman attempted to have sex with a 16 year old page(s)…

That is the first problem with this whole mess of tying Foley’s behavior to his Republican friends. I understand that Foley resigned and is no longer politically relevant. The fact is that Foley is the alleged predator and he must be held accountable.

Anyone who has been in leadership, be it in a church, school, or business will eventually face similar circumstances that Mr. Foley’s staff and fellow congressmen find themselves in today. I have experienced several as an elder in a large church and as a business owner.

Years ago, several black employees complained a foreman who worked for our best client was making stupid, racist remarks to them, albeit in a good nature way. He’d see my crew chief and call him “Black Beauty,” and he had similar names for the other crew members. They were embarrassed and offended. I could have told them the guy was a moron, but he- as a customer- is responsible for their paycheck, so buck up.

Instead, I called his boss and told him what happened. He didn’t see the big deal, so I reasoned with him. He’d worked with this foreman enough to know he ran his mouth too much, so tell him not to talk with my crew at all. I also confronted the foreman. I didn’t care if he did not mean anything by it, if he wanted my work he needed to deal with me directly.

As an elder, I know there is a camaraderie or bond that is formed between the pastoral staff and other elders. Years after my tenure, the head pastor, a longtime friend of mine as well, began a long-term affair with married woman. When the affair was discovered, he knew to publicly repent, but he and the woman made several attempts to abandon their families (they each had more than a few kids).

In the aftermath, many of us recalled numerous warnings we’d ignored from people we should have paid attention to, including the pastor’s wife. Other affairs were revealed among leaders. A disturbing pattern of abused church members, and even a few abused spouses would come before church leaders seeking help, only to be ignored. The truth was we were all friends who put our relationships with others before our duty as elders.

When our pastor confessed his affair, I was immediately convicted of my negligence as a leader, even though it had been many years in the past. From that point on, I became vigilant for the protection of church members. It cost my wife and me life-long relationships and eventually my eldership was permanently rescinded. (Thank God!).

Back to Foley and Congress

I imagine Foley had many friends on both sides of the aisle. When the emails were revealed, he was probably warned- and given his relationship and reputation, Foley lied about his intentions. They were all extremely busy men who didn’t want to be distracted.

I would hope they, (Congress), will put in place a system where pages and any staff can report misconduct… a system that does not involve Congress. This way, when offenses occur, they will be reported to proper authorities, rather than our nation’s leaders.

Wash Times: Resign Mr. Speaker

2006-10-03T08:11:00.000-04:00

I saw this last night- Drudge had a flashing light- and the editorial hits a chord with alot of folks outside the beltline. The thing is, we know the Democrats are by far more notorious for putting up with this kind of behavior.

There's other sides to this issue we all should consider before throwing stones at people who knew something was amiss for a while. Things like relationships, personal assurances of innocence, betrayal and denial. More to follow...

The Media's Role With Foley

2006-10-02T14:52:00.000-04:00

Denny Hastert and Republican leaders are now on record- stating they knew nothing of the more graphic and lurid instant messages Foley is alleged to have sent to a 16 year old page. "But someone did," says Hastert.

Which begs the question, why was the evidence turned over to the media instead of being turned over to authorities?

We can be sure the politicians will shoot themselves up over this one, but what about the media? Is it ethical for a reporter to protect a source when it may mean more young kids are at risk from a pedophile? Assuming the reporter received the evidence recently, is he questioning why the source withheld it from the police? ... or is this another story for bloggers and talk radio to get right.

One of the good things Foley was known for was his work to protect kids from predators. Ironic. But remember the last time a congressman was busted for having sex with an underage partner? Mel Reynolds was pardoned by Clinton and now works as a youth counselor. I just don't think people in Washington get it.

Armstrong Got It Right...

2006-10-02T09:54:00.000-04:00

...in the clutch!

"Mr Armstrong has long insisted that he meant to say “one small step for a man . . .” — which would have been a more meaningful and grammatically correct version, free of tautology. But even the astronaut himself could not be sure. "

Turns out, he got it right after all. Read the story here.

The Problem With (Real) Trolls

2006-10-02T09:15:00.000-04:00

"When I ignore them, lies are perpetuated and assumed to be true. When I respond, I am belittled as a self-promoter, whiner, humorless scold, and opportunist ...But when the attacks come from a publicly subsidized UNC law professor and the largest blog conglomerate (valued at $76 million in 2005), they cannot go unanswered...
Someone created a fake Flickr site by filching photos from an innocent college undergrad's Webshots site without her permission or knowledge. That student is Ashley Herzog of Ohio University... Whoever created the fake Flickr site went to the trouble of posting a photo of a dorm from my alma mater to give it authenticity.
Some people still refuse to believe it's all fake." Michelle Malkin

WORDWORKS by Guy Andrews

2006-09-29T16:55:00.000-04:00

My good friend Guy Andrews has a unique way of communicating. He went to Page and Carolina, dropped out to join the Marines, became a seargent, went to seminary at Asbury, is married with 2 beautiful girls...

Guy is consumed with a passion to know and teach the Bible. Here's a portion of his program for reading the bible through in one year, "Wordworks" copyrighted by Guy Andrews, 2004, reprinted by permission

DAY 1: READ GENESIS 1,2 MATTHEW 1

GENESIS 1,2
OVERVIEW: Genesis 1 is the compass for the origins of the Cosmos and humankind.
After creating skies, vegetation, and animals, God fashions a human being to manage it. He then views His 6 day construction as very good. In chapter 2 God leaves His fingerprint of holiness on the 7th day. God puts Adam, the first man, to work in the Garden, and then provides him with a co-laborer; Eve, the first woman.
THEME: God is the Designer of glorious, universal theatre in His Creation. In chapter 2 intimacy, innocence, and security flow while the first couple honor their Creator and His Eden guidelines.
KEY WORD: “Image of God” (Genesis 1:26,27) Humankind carries the unparallel distinction of reflecting the mystery and eternity of God, because He chooses to cast the human with His “Likeness.” No quasar, angel, or Hope Diamond has that gift or responsibility.

MATTHEW 1
OVERVIEW: Genealogies were a serious authority to prove Jewish bloodlines. Matthew opens his Gospel with Jesus’ ancestry. He then discusses Jesus miraculous birth, conceived in the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit. Matthew quotes the prophecy made by Isaiah some 700 years prior (Isaiah 7:14) to identify Jesus as the predicted “Immanuel.”
THEME: In targeting the Jewish audience, Matthew’s goal was to testify to both Jesus’ Jewish family tree, and His authenticity as the prophesied Jewish Messiah; the King of Israel. He inaugurates this purpose by outlining Jesus genealogy that places Him in the “line” of two of the most famous Hebrew leaders’ Abraham and David.
KEY WORD: “Immanuel” (Matthew 1:23) means “God with us.” One of John Wesley’s (Founder of Methodist movement in the 18th century) last words were, “The best of all is, God is with us.” Different from every other religion that places God as transcendent and distant; Jesus reveals God at the street level.

STATISTIC: 92% of homes in America own a Bible, but only 16% of Americans read their Bible daily.
“WORD” ON “WORD”: Amos 8:11, “….not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” Which famine are you concerned about?

SUCCEEDING IN READING THIS AMAZING BOOK:
1. COMMITMENT: The most important step in this adventure is crossing the threshold of commitment. Because we are fickle by nature, we must be “hemmed in-behind and before” (i.e. Psalm 139:5) by the pledge, determination, contract, profession, and purpose that we are going to simply read through the entire Bible; whatever it takes!
2. K.I.S.M.I.F. (KEEP IT SIMPLE, MAKE IT FUN!) Again, the Main thing is to keep the Main thing the Main thing. In this grand quest, don’t allow yourself to reinvent the objective. Granted, a lot of side eddies will emerge, (and many of them positive!) but “stick to your knitting,” and complete the mission of one day’s reading. When you focus on just finishing one day’s reading first and foremost, this journey will become fun.

TIP: I keep a Bible in my car for when I’m waiting to pick up kids, one in the kitchen, and one by my bed. “The eye is the lamp of the body…,” (Matt. 6:22) ergo, sometimes just having the Bible in your field of vision will cause you to read it.

MOTTO: The motto at the Bolder Boulder (CO) 10-K Race is: “Oh Yes You Can!!” God has wired us for slow and steady success. You are proving that .Dare to succeed in finishing this Book of books.

Mutiny on the Bounty's John Adams

2006-09-29T16:11:00.000-04:00

THIS MOST AMAZING BOOK- Written and researched by Guy Andrews, Summerfield, NC.
FACT: The legendary Mutiny on the Bounty took place on April 28th, 1789 in the South Pacific. Nine of the mutineers eventually settled on Pitcairn Island, about 1350 miles from Tahiti. After surviving the collapse of this small island colony in 1793, once violent refugee John Adams was in the tempest of his own internal mutiny. He had joined Bounty’s crew in England to escape British justice, but after learning to read from fellow mutineer Officer Ned Young, he came into a confronting encounter with the Bible and was radically transformed. He became the kind and respected leader of Pitcairn, so much so that he was allowed to remain on Pitcairn after being visited by the Admiralty in 1814.
QUOTE: Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) “The Bible is not merely a book; it is a Living Being, with an action, a power, which invades everything that opposes its extension, behold! It is upon this table. This book, surpassing all others; I never omit to read it, and every day with some pleasure.”

Clemson Football Boast High Grad Rate

2006-09-28T15:00:00.000-04:00

Would you believe it- the Clemson football program has one the best graduation rates in the nation. Read the article here. Among ACC schools, only Boston College, Wake and Duke boast a better graduation rate.

..and What's Right?

2006-09-26T22:43:00.000-04:00

If you believe in fewer taxes, less Government...then you might be conservative.
If you believe George Bush is not a liar...
If you believe Fox News is fair and balanced...
If you believe Rush Limbaugh...
If you believe Global Warming still needs to be investigated...
If you believe sex outside of marraige is wrong...
If you believe taxing the poor to pay for our kids education, (the NC Lottery), is a bad thing...
If you believe abortion is not an acceptible form of birth control...
If you believe abortion is immoral...
If you believe sexual harrassment is wrong...
If you believe homosexual behavior is a choice and in any way detrimental...
If you believe Christianity is not a threat to to your freedom...
If you believe Bill Clinton is a pathological liar, you are either an honest liberal or...
If you believe "the rich" pay their fair share of taxes...
If you believe supporting the troops means supporting their cause...

What's Left and What's Right?

2006-09-26T21:30:00.000-04:00

There's a great thread over at Word Up, (where else?), where Potato Stew asks me, "what do I consider extreme left."

Extreme left stands? Here's a few things that come to mind that are signs you might be a liberal.

If you believe in abortion without restriction and it should be promoted as birth control...
If you believe Pro-Lifers don't care about women...
If you believe Gay marraige is no big deal...
If you believe Christians who believe homosexual behavior is sinful are hateful...
If you believe anyone who argues against Gay rights is bigoted and/or hateful...
If you believe enviromental issues are beyond debate...
If you believe Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton speak for black people...
If you believe Christianity is a threat to your freedom...
If you believe US war efforts are creating more terrorists than they are destroying...
If you believe abstinance doesn't work...
If you hate George Bush...
If you believe Bush has killed more people than Sadaam, or that Bush is a war criminal...
If you believe in taxing the poor to pay for our kid's education, (the NC Lottery), is a good thing...
If you believe in people paying more taxes...
If you trust the Government with more tax revenue, while believing that Bush and most Repuplicans lie...
If you still believe there were no WMDs...
If you believe Fox News is extreme Right Wing...
If you believe it was wrong to out Valerie Plame, but okay to leak classified reports in a misleading manner...
If you believe you are open minded and Conservatives are close minded...
If you think Clarence Thomas is stupid, and/or that he harrassed Anita Hill...
If you think Bill Clinton's numerous sexual harrassment charges, indictments and cover ups were part of a Right Wing Conspiracy...

Dream Dinners-Now $3.14 per serving!

2006-09-25T17:54:00.000-04:00

Thursday we'll be preparing the following meals at Dream Dinners. I got so many inquiries, I thought I'd print the order so you can see how it works. Because there are over 70 portions, we qualified for $100+ discount. The average cost per serving is $3.14.

Order Itemization
Qty Size Title Family Savings Price

1 Medium(3 serving) CHICKEN PAELLA $10.35

2 Medium(3 serving) CHICKEN PARMESAN $9.45

1 Medium(3 serving) ORANGE-CRANBERRY
GLAZED CHICKEN $7.50

2 Medium(3 serving) GRILLED CHICKEN WITH
SESAME-HONEY BUTTER $8.40

2 Large(6 serving)GARLIC & BALSAMIC
MARINATED FLANK STEAK $20.70

4 Medium(3 serving) STEAKS HUNAN STYLE $10.35

2 Medium(3 serving)PORK CHOPS WITH SWEEt
GINGER & APPLES $8.25

1 Large(6 serving) PORK ROAST WITH BLACK BEANS
& GOLDEN YELLOW RICE $20.10

1 Large(6 serving) CLASSIC LASAGNA $18.60

1 Large(6 serving) HEARTY BEEF STROGANOFF $18.60

2 Medium(3 serving) "MUY BUENO" CHICKEN FAJITAS $9.30

2 Medium(3 serving) "BUILD YOUR OWN" CALZONES $9.30

Session Details

ESPN=AMATO Network

2006-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Okay- NC STATE won big tonight. But when it was plain they were going to lose, ESPN started the campaign for Amato. "46 wins in 6 years!" "How could anyone argue with that success?" "They must be crazy to not be pleased with the job Amato has done."

What utter BS.

Before the first game I wrote about Amato- how State should stick by him. But his whine after Akron kicked his ass not only embarrassed the school, it embarrassed the ACC. Last week, his team was destroyed by Southern Miss. His response? "Why me?" He is a sham, a con man, and a mediocre at best head coach.

Why post this? Because ESPN thinks he's the greatest coach in the Southeast. They are setting NC State and their fans up. He's on their payroll. If this game saves his job, he is still a coach who routinely loses to average teams- who pads his schedule to eake out 6 wins in order to be bowl eligible. They should be praising State for sticking with him, not blaming alumni for growing impatient after 7 years.

A Rule That Needs To Be Kept...

2006-09-22T17:05:00.000-04:00

It is Friday and it could not have come at a more opportune time. Last Sunday morning my wife, son and his wife, and I arrived at the Denver Airport at 9:00. We arrived in Greensboro Monday Morning at 3:30am without our luggage. The combination of jet lag and ’the longest day,’ (courtesy of American Airlines), has left us to meet our busy workdays in a dense fog of restlessness.

Which leads me to a life lesson I am still learning about- the hard way. It involves how we react to others. In my family, (my parents and more so, my sisters and I), we tend to believe the world revolves around us. Here are a few simple examples.

I see an old friend for the first time in years and greet him heartily, “John how ya doin? Whereya been?” To which John replies rather curtly, “Hi Chip, Sorry – can’t talk right now,” and hurries off as if I am the plague. A week later I bring John up to my family or friends, “Who does he think he is? What a jerk!”

A week later I find out my friend’s company is bankrupt and he’s being investigated by the IRS.
My wife and I have a great meal together and watch a fun movie. At bedtime, she becomes agitated and fretful. To which I respond, “What the hell did I do?” I quit talking to her-well into the next day.

My mom calls and reminds me yesterday was the 8th anniversary of her father’s death.
A local blogger gets angry and misunderstands every thing I say. While I may tone down my response in writing, my face is flush with anger and I am ashamed- not at what he said or I said- but the fact I’ve let some jerk get under my skin again.

Maybe the blogger is going through a divorce, flunked a test, his dog died, he’s on the wagon, out of work, out of money…

We should treat people the way we want to be treated, that’s part of the Golden Rule. But I often forget that loving my neighbor means putting his needs in front of my own. That includes giving him or her the benefit of the doubt before I react to the way he or she treats me.

Words To Change Your Perspective

2006-09-20T18:14:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went to a citywide prayer breakfast honoring our local leaders to hear an old friend, Paul Lessard. He hit a homerun.

In his speech, Paul quoted from a paper his 17 year old daughter wrote when she was 15. It alluded to her greatest fear being that she would lose focus on Christ, her "magnificent obsession." Those two words, "magnificent obsession," have stayed with me.

I do believe in Christ, but is He my magnificent obsession? I hardly know what it means. I asked my wife, my best friend and son in law, and they all agreed it is a challenging phrase. Just considering its meaning has allowed me to view my life from a new perspective.

One of my mentors used to say, "if you believe there is a God, even in the smallest way, what else could be more important?" Think about that. My question for myself..."Why am I so pre-occupied with my career, marraige and politics- if I believe in Christ?"

As for young Taylor Lessard, it will be much more impressive if her obsession with Christ still has her fixated at age 25, 50 and even 90... I have no doubt this will be the case.

Mememememememememememem...

2006-09-20T16:44:00.000-04:00

1: Do you like the look and the contents of your blog?
Yes. But I do want to get back to the language aspect. MS Spaces was alot easier to design. It looks snazzier...
2: Does your family know about your blog?
A few do - my wife does and she thinks I (and most bloggers) are narcissistic, mean-spirited and wasting time. My parents and sisters know about it, but hate any conflict or the thought I might offend others. My son (27) laughs about the conflicts. Mary Mac (24) and her husband read it. My youngest (20) doesn't read it or mind it.
3: Can you tell your friends about your blog? Do you consider it a private thing?
I do let a few reminders of my blog slip in conversations w/friends, but they don't seem to want to read it.
4: Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog? Or do you try to discover new blogs?
I read alot of blogs, I usually follow tips from national bloggers, scan Gboro101 and Wordup
5: Did your blog positively affect your mind? Give an example.
Yes and no. I do enjoy debate and (in Greensboro) the constant challenges to my views. But no- I often find myself upset and even a bit nauseus when I know people are furious at me. There are a couple of local bloggers who have made it clear publicly and privately they want nothing to do with me. That crushes me.
6: What does the number of visitors to your blog mean? Do you use a traffic counter?
I do use one. I look at it. On spaces,t here was a great deal more traffic.
7: Did you imagine how other bloggers look like?
Not really.
8: Do you think blogging has any real benefit?
It makes me a better writer.
9: Do you think that the Blogsphere is a stand alone community separated from the real world?
I guess its an obsession with some.
10: Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?
Nah- even the most hateful ones are just someone ranting. Love em.
11. Do you think that criticizing your blog is useful?
Sure.
12: Have you ever thought about what happen to your blog in case you died?
Nope
13: Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?
Michelle Malkin, Ed Cone, Gboro101
14: Which blogger you think is the most similar to you?
Noteworthy and I are on the same page politically. Joel knows me the best.
15: Name a song you want to listen to.
Wow. Bobby Darrin, "What a Difference a Day Makes."
16: Ask five bloggers to answer these question on their blogs.
Just don't have time.

Real Martyrs Wear...

2006-09-19T17:33:00.000-04:00

...habits. (Is that what it's called?)

Would You Renounce Religion To Live?

2006-09-19T17:05:00.000-04:00

Or claim Islam as your religion, just to stay alive, even if you were an athiest?

In the comfort of my home and under no threat at all, I'd hope to be true to Christ and refuse to submit. Because I may never have to face such an event, I want to be clear that it is wrong to judge anyone who has had to make such a choice.

Jesus teaches us that we should not fear enemies that can destroy our bodies, but fear the One who can give and take life and destroy our soul. Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

So should such a day come- I hope to choose Christ.

Boating in US Waters Illegal...

2006-09-19T16:59:00.000-04:00

From Guest Blogger- Mebloggin:

Lovelace Blazes

2006-09-18T16:47:00.000-04:00

While looking over Clemson stories in The State newspaper (Columbia), I ran across this story ofmy nephew's latest exploits: Lovelace ruins suspense-Chapin runner posts nearly 25-second win; Borowicz earns girls title for Mann.

Luke is running a 15:30/3 mile cross country race on a regular basis. (That's really fast.)

UNC Punter Stabbed By Backup...

2006-09-15T19:53:00.001-04:00

...That was the first headline we saw after arriving in Denver Colorado. I grabbed the paper and soon realized I wasn't in Carolina anymore.

UNC -U of Northern Colorado's 2cd string punter stabbed the first string punter in the leg, presumably to get his position as starter Here's the story.

We are in Denver for one of the coolest conventions on earth- CEDIA. I hope to have some cool pictures of the tech stuff, but I am really excited to introduce you to some really unique sites- ala http://greensboring.com/.

Note to Cara Michelle: There are homeless folks everywhere you turn in downtown Denver, but they are quite different from my experiences with East Coast people. Alot look like hippies, alot are obviously mentally ill and alot of public drunks.

Blogger scoops Media over and over and.....

2006-09-13T23:15:00.000-04:00

Here is a great example of bloggers doing the media's work.

Update: You know, if Brian Maloney were a liberal blogger who had single-handedly blown the whistle on the financial shenanigans of a conservative radio conglomerate, he would be the toast of the media establishment. He'd be invited on all the prime-time talk shows. He'd be a "Person of the Week" on the nightly news. He'd get a profile in People magazine. But he won't get any of that. Meanwhile, get up to speed on Air America's road to bankruptcy here:
Air America: Out of air in NYC
Air America: Top exec bails
Air America: sinking ship
Air America: Losing flagship station?
Air America: The saga continues
Inside Air America: Al's pal bails...and Philly station ditches, too
Air America: Groveling for cash
Inside Air America: The loan scandal deepens
Air America scrambles
Inside Air America: Al Franken's lying lies
InsideAir America: The Sheldon Drobny Files
Wednesday scandal updates New York Post: The Money Pit
Inside Air America: The Lizz Winstead case Fraudulent Conveyance 101 Multicultural Radio says Air America owes it $1.5 million
Inside Air America: An investigative blog report (Part II)
Air Enron: Morning update Inside Air America: An investigative blog report (Part I)
Air Enron: Al Franken needs help Air Enron
updatesAir Enron: The dam bursts
Air Enron: NYTimes corrects
Air Enron: MSM errs and lags
Air Enron: The NYTimes speaks! (or rather, whispers)
Air Enron: Heads roll, victims shafted
Air Enron: No letting up
Air Enron: Franken speaks again
Air Enron: Elite media blackout contd.
Air Enron: quotes of the day
Air Enron: Spitzer steps in
Air Enron: questions, questions
Air Enron: the blame game
Air Enron: thumb-twiddling MSM Silence of the race hustlers
Air Enron: Al Franken speaks
Air Deadbeat: the saga continues
The Air America loophole
Air America is scrambling
Air America: Don't blame us
Air America: Stealing from poor kids?!

Billy The Blogging Poet: Our Kids Are Cowards

2006-09-13T16:51:00.000-04:00

Billy Jones let his emotions get the best of him, I hope, here in this post "...Greensboro's more affluent sons and daughters are skipping out of the current wars just like the cowards they've always been. "

I read his words and my hands begin to tremble in anger and disgust. Say it aint so, Poet! You can't mean it, because it simply isn't true.

UPDATE: Billy responds on his site: "Kicked dogs always hollar loudest."It's your war Chip, you fight it. I have family members in Iraq so you can just kiss my ass you coward. "

Billy- What you are saying isn't just wrong, it is ignorant. This war is being fought by volunteers. There are many other things wrong with this, but I have a feeling you are alone on this one... at least I hope so. I'll let it go, because the real shame is that you truly feel this way.

There is an irony regarding the stats in Roch's original post- people purchasing lottery tickets may end up financing wealthier students' college education. Grimsley and Page have far more students (in number and percentages) that attend 4 year colleges than Dudley and Smith.

Sigh of Relief...

2006-09-13T16:15:00.000-04:00

Remember the story of the Clemson frosh footballer who adopted his brother? The NCAA has ruled the Clemson family can help the young man out.

What a difference 25 years makes! Now Clemson and virtually all Division 1 schools have compliance departments, rather than 1 officer. It has kept alot of schools out of the degree of trouble that was fairly common place in the 1980's.

Crossing the line. Patriotism vs....

2006-09-12T10:15:00.000-04:00

Amongst the many 9/11 entries, I ran across this one from Sarah Beth Jones. I am in total disagreement with her conclusions about the Bush administration, but there is no question- from reading her entry- that she is as much a patriot as anyone. Her article along with current events lead me to ask, where does dissent cross the line from patriotism to treachery?

The current events I am refering to involve the efforts of various liberal groups to censor and/or prevent The Path To 9/11 from airing. Doug Clark asks why?- what's the big deal- the film exposed as much if not more security blunders in the Bush adminstration leading up to 9/11?

The reason these actions by Move On and others is treacherous and unpatriotic is that they are really angry over how the film portrays our enemy. (Clinton and Berger were just trying to protect their own interests).

The movie portrays the enemy exactly as the Bush adminstration does- and therefore tends to validate many of his covert and military actions. That's why they didn't want it to air. That's why these people are acting unpatriotic.

Oprah and the Marathon From Hell

2006-09-12T00:05:00.000-04:00

My wife remembers it more than I do, even though it was my dream. I was still running and I tripped and even as I began to fall I couldn’t stop running. She remembers because I woke up yelling just before I landed from the phantom fall. I remember waking in a sweat and being overwhelmed with relief that it was just a dream, my run from hell was over.

It was October, 1994 and I had just completed 26.2 miles in a driving rain with the world’s most popular woman, and 16000 others, in the Marine Corps Marathon. My first marathon was on one of the nation’s most difficult courses, the Charlotte Marathon in January, 1994. I had run it in 4 hours, 15 minutes. At the time, the last mile and a half of that 26.2 mile race was on Morehead Street and entirely uphill.

I chose to run The Marine Corps Marathon because it famous for flat terrain, incredible views to keep your mind off the pain, competition between the Corps and other military branches, and encouraging crowds. Oprah chose to run it because it is known as the “People’s Marathon. She’d just lost an admirable amount of weight and inches, so she’d secretly packed a film crew with her own personal trainer and headed to Washington D.C.

Marathon runners enjoy an unmistakable boost from 2 separate sources in most organized marathon races that they cannot recreate while in training. The first and most obvious is hydration. You’ve heard about runners breezing along and suddenly they hit “the wall,” usually between the 18th and 21st miles of the race. The wall is a direct result of dehydration, the depletion of essential body fluids. In organized marathons, ample water and Gatorade are provided at every mile and all but the elite take advantage of it.

The second and most surprising boost is crowd support. Virtually every mile of a marathon is lined with people, mostly strangers urging you on. I can’t exaggerate what those cheering crowds meant to me. In both marathons, I was scared to death of failing. During training I endured shin splints, cramps, blood blisters, lost toenails and watched helplessly while better runners than I suffered more serious injuries, dropping out of the training altogether. Both times I’d brought my family to the race, how could I fail in front of them? The crowds get in your face- yelling your name, (if you are smart enough to tape it to your chest), “C’mon Chip!”- “Look at you- you’re doing great”- “Lets Go Chip!” It may sound trite or corny, but whatever you call it, it worked on me.

Running with Oprah.

Most marathoners aren’t concerned about anyone else, they just want to finish the race and some have a reasonable goal of how fast they should finish it. But Oprah changed all that. No one wanted to get beat by Oprah.

In fairness to Oprah, the Marines wanted to protect her and so they placed her at the worst possible starting position for an amateur, the front. In large marathons, runners are placed in groups according to their expected finish time. Oprah should have been at the 4.5 hour mark, behind some 12000 runners. Instead, she was lined up with 100 of the world’s best marathoners, a couple of thousand elite runners, and another 4000 truly gifted runners. Imagine running while thousands of fellow marathoners blow by you for virtually 26 miles.

It rained hard for the next 6 hours. At every mile marker onlookers would call out the time, “She’s 15 minutes ahead!” “You got her- only 12 minutes ahead.” Oprah’s around the corner- 5 minutes ahead!”

Public Urination and The Ultimate Humiliation

I arrived at the Iwo Jima Memorial early and fully hydrated. I knew from Charlotte that everyone has to relieve themselves- both ways, numerous times. I wanted to beat the crowds to the port-o-johns. Guys, of course, have it a lot easier than the girls when it comes to peeing. In both Charlotte and in D.C the first few miles of the race had hundreds of runners veering off course- guys peeing in bushes- gals squatting under trash bags. A few had to publicly do the ultimate; I’ll let you guess what that means.

Anyway, I was there early and went often. An hour before the race a light drizzle turned into a downpour. I cheated up to the 3 hour mark and was surprised to find 2 good friends from Greensboro. 15 minutes later I began asking God- why me? I had to go again, soon. Each of the hundreds of toilets had lines of 40-50 runners. I had one ally, the hard rain. So I jogged a mile or so back until I saw an empty field. Why was it empty? We were starting the race on a closed off highway. On the other side of this field was a steady stream of traffic from another highway. “What the hell,” I remember thinking, “I’m 300 miles from home.” I cursed, squatted, and let’er rip. When it was over- as if I needed more humiliation- I discovered I’d chosen the only field in Washington without a tree and therefore not a leaf, in sight. Disgusted and full of shame I began jogging back to the start.

How hard was it raining? By the time I reached the 3 hour mark and my Greensboro friends, (brothers Tommy and Michael Gray), all evidence of my shame had mercifully been washed away. A stranger, an older man broke off a piece of a power bar and handed it to me, “Power up,” he said with a smile. I was touched, so I took the candy and started to pop it in my mouth when I remembered where my hands had been. Instead I thanked him, and said, “I’ll save it for Haines Point- for luck,” and pretended to put it in a pocket I did not have.

Running + Rain = Pain

Just before the starting gun, the bottom dropped out of the sky... so hard you couldn’t look up at all. With the rain and the crowded field of runners it took us around 10-12 minutes just to reach the starting line. The first mile we were barely jogging, I think it took about 12 minutes. Around mile 2 we could run our pace, (9 minute miles), but it was crowded and we were already running through huge puddles of water. (No one likes to run in wet shoes, especially 20+ miles!) About every minute I’d hear a sickening sound- Splat SPLAT!- signifying a tripped up runner hitting the pavement.

Truly Amazing Sites & Highlights of the 1994 Marine Corps Marathon.

All around us were amazing fetes of strength from various military troops. Things like platoons in full gear, flag bearers never wavering for 26 miles, soldiers who simply took up the challenge –in uniform and boots- the day of the race.

Around mile 10 I was breathing hard, never a good sign, but I remember looking up and seeing the Supreme Court building. As if on queue, the newest appointed Justice at the time, David Sutter was standing alone under his umbrella. “Hiya Judge!” a runner yelled. Someone chided, “Its Justice, not Judge- jackass” which led to a gang of us cheering, “Hiya Judge!”

Catching Up With Oprah

The last time I saw my family, they were screaming, "You are only 3 minutes behind Oprah!" I caught up with her at mile 17. She was running with a film crew -who were on some sort of trailer beside her, passing her water and cheering her on. About 3 yards behind her was her personal trainer, a tall, well built manly man. (We learned later he had to keep slowing her down- her first miles with the elite runners and the cheering crowds had her way ahead of her pace, about a 10 minute mile.)

By the time I reached Oprah, my shoulders were cramping badly, presumably from my posture in the rain. I was at a loss for words but there was no way I’d let this moment pass. I remember being shocked at how small she was. Anyway, I came along side of her, tapped her elbow with mine, and said something like, “Oprah…your looking good.”

My son Charlie, 16 years old at the time, jumped the rope to run me in the last 8 miles. I had finished Charlotte and its “Morehead Mile” strong (my sister Ann ran me in), and DC was supposed to be much easier. Around miles 18-20 there is one hard stretch at Haines Point- the tip of a peninsula where onlookers are not allowed. It gets awful lonely and quiet at the very moment you need the crowds the most. My time was good, but my entire upper body was cramping. You have to discipline yourself to walk through water stops to make sure you get enough water down. It is incredibly painful to stop running and walk, only to start running again. I could not have made it without Charlie’s encouragement. (Hard, unless you are a billionaire with a film crew passing you water whenever you need it. Oprah has often bragged she didn’t stop to walk once, not realizing she had it much easier by not having to walk through water stations.)

In 1994, the Marines made a cruel an uncommon mistake with the 24th and 25th mile markers. The actual distance between those mile markers was over 1.5 miles. I really thought I was done for, but that meant there was only a half mile to go by the time I reached the 25th mile. The final 0.2 miles is up hill, straight to the Iwo Jima Memorial. I was so ready to finish this run from hell, I actually sprinted the entire 2 tenths.

Andy Rooney- Its Our Fault!

2006-09-11T15:54:00.000-04:00

"Americans are puzzled over why so many people in the world hate us. We seem so nice to ourselves. They do hate us though. We know that and we're trying to protect ourselves with more weapons...We have to do it I suppose but it might be better if we figured out how to behave as a nation in a way that wouldn't make so many people in the world want to kill us."

Read it all here.

A friend read my piece below and called to say Andy Rooney said the above. Then I heard Rush Limbaugh mention Rooney's piece as well.

Of course, Mr. Rooney, we know they hated us in 1993 as well... so anyone who would infer that they hate us because of Bush would be wrong.

The Path To 9/11 starts only 38 days after Clinton was in office. Blaming terrorism on Clinton is just as foolish as blaming it on Bush, so why are the Democrats so threatened? Could it be because the movie focuses more on the real bad guys?

Sure- US law enforcement and CIA efforts were hampered by our lack of collusion and policy, but there is one message the movie makes over and over and over... "the bad guys want us dead because they are evil."

Key Phrase In Road To 9/11...

2006-09-11T07:54:00.000-04:00

...was from one of the terrorists in the first bombing of the WTC in 1993. It went something like, "...when the Americans learn their people died simply because of their misguided policies in the Middle East, they will change those policies."

If that part is true- the terrorists could not have captured the liberal or progressive mindset more accurately in 1993 and especially in 2006. Think about it. Liberals ask questions like, "what have we done to be so hated?" Most progressives take issue with the term "terrorist," preferring "insurgent" instead. Many have charged or implied Bush is a terrorist and seem to champion any setback of our methodology for thwarting more terror attacks in America. Most progressive thinkers in the US are mortified over how the world views our country since we became proactive in eliminating the threat of terrorism.

Today is the 5th anniverserary of 9/11. It is a day of of mourning. A day to remind each other that all the deaths and sufferings were delivered by an evil and cowardly enemy. It doesn't really matter who among us was responsible for not preventing the attacks. It does matter that we have taken the battle to the enemy... and that we never stop until the threat is destroyed.

No Room For Spouses

2006-09-10T18:18:00.000-04:00

Fecund wisely waves off Converge South Dinners. His reason? Its a bad idea for wives to collude.

The first time I met Hogg was at a Grimsley game last fall. Now my wife and I are social creatures, so when I pointed to a handsome guy with a grey bufont and blurted "Hey- that must be David Hoggard," her natural reaction was- "Oh good, is he a friend from high school?" To which I murmered, "Oh sh..." I was not allowed to discuss blogging in Elizabeth's presence. I now had to introduce Elizabeth and myself to the Hoggards without a frame of reference. Almost a year later I still have to be guarded about my blogging with Elizabeth, but Hogg can testify that I've become much smoother at introducing him without bringing up blogging.

Years ago I learned the wisdom of avoiding certain social events with some people. In the early 80's I worked as agent for Northwestern Mutual with 5 other young men. We were competitive, opinionated and broke- all of which led to long hours together- which leads to way to much personal knowlege about each other's marraiges.

We decided to form a caravan of our 6 families and make a special trip to NML's annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconson. As fate would have it, our only dinner together came on the same night we'd arrived, (a 700 mile trip). Of course we were tired. Of course we drank to much. Of course one of us talked to much. Of course we all paid a terrible price for our comraderie.

You know the rule, "what's said in the locker room, stays in the locker room."

Any CFB Refs Out There?

2006-09-10T17:05:00.000-04:00

Last night in the Clemson/BC game there was a reviewed play that still leaves me scratching my head. BC threw a 9 yard pass that was caught simultaneously by the receiver and a Clemson defender. As the receiver was going down, he lost control of the ball. While he was on the ground, the Clemson player gained control of the ball. At no time did the ball touch the ground.

Original call: Interception.
After Review: Indisputable evidence the receiver was on the ground- Reception, BC.

All the replays showed that the receiver lost control before hitting the ground, but the Clemson player did not gain complete control until the receiver was down.

It can't be incomplete if the ball never touched the ground.
I say bad call- the replay team focused on the wrong thing- they were focused on when the Clemson player took complete control of the ball- which was after the receiver was down.
They should have focused on when the receiver lost control of the ball.

Great Western: "Jubal" starring Glen Ford

2006-09-10T13:41:00.000-04:00

Jubal, 1956.
Why watch this movie?

3 great performances- Glenn Ford, Rod Steiger, Ernest Borgnine

Glen Ford, one of my favorite cowboy stars, plays a young drifter who stumbles (literally) into one the first Montana ranches. Borgnine plays a tough, good natured, beloved rancher who takes Jubal under his wing and is duly rewarded with Jubal's work ethic and loyalty. Steiger is one the top hands- and his role is right up their with some of his best performances. He's one of the best bad guys I've ever seen.

Jubal's character is complex and well developed. Really that is the movie's strength- all 3 characters are built that way. You'll see a very young Charles Bronson, as well.

I have an addiction...

2006-09-08T11:30:00.000-04:00

This team,The Boondock Saints features Stan the Man, Ted Williams, Larry Dolby ( 2cd black player in the bigs?), Grover Alexander, Johnny Pesky (still alive- lots of pics of the old man hanging around the duggout)

This team, the Grimsley Whirlies features Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Ozzie Smith:

Poison With the Invitations

2006-09-08T06:30:00.000-04:00

Interesting thread on Ed Cone's (who else?) site about Elizabeth Edwards coming to Converge South... it is a good illustration of the dark side of the Greensboro blogging community.

I started the thread with an honest and respectful question- and received respectful answers from Ed, Fec, even Elizabeth Edwards- and others.

But there were others- Sue, Billy, Greendog, Ruby- who reminded me why I don't look forward to meet ups and things like Converge South. Ruby, for example, called some of us with questions "trolls." Greendog, a cowardly soul who chooses to insult while hiding behind his anonymous moniker, urges those of us with doubts to stay away. And then there's the ever prominant Greensboro bloggers Sue and Billy going out of their way to insult anyone they disagree with. If this is how Greensboro bloggers try to make people feel welcome to an event like Coverge South...

As insults go, this thread is mild by their standards, but the point is there was no cause to be disrespectful at all. I acknowleged that landing Mrs. Edwards was significant, but Ed is absolutely starstruck with John Edwards- and- this blogging community is overhelmingly political and liberal to boot. Like Sam, I'll go listen to most national figures, but I still wonder what she has to do with blogging. It is a fair question.

I've learned to live with the Greensboro style of debate on blog sites. I've learned alot from folks that I disagree with, and I have made a few friends. I blog because I want to write. Some of you are trying to make a living from writing- something that is very difficult to do. I respect that. But why be with people who don't respect you, insult you and make no effort to hide their disdain for you? That's what politicians do, not bloggers.

Democrats Fall For It: Beg ABC Not To Air Movie

2006-09-08T00:03:00.000-04:00

Democrats are telling Americans we are stupid. Stupid, there is nothing else to call the Democrats' efforts to stop ABC from airing The Road to 9/11.

I've heard about it- a gripping docu-drama about terrorism and the US, beginning with the bombing of The World Trade Center in 1993 right up until 9/11. Given the dates I just mentioned, of course it won't reflect favorably on the Clinton years. (Bush had not been in power 9 months on 9/11/01.)

The main reason it is stupid to whine about this movie is that Americans already know our government was caught with its pants down. We know Sandy Berger was caught stuffing secrets in his pants and socks. We know Clinton was playing with girls and cigars while talking with Arafat and othe Middle East terrorists on the phone.

Evidently key Clinton officials are contradicting some facts in this movie, but why should they bother? The entire Democratic leadership promoted Michael Moore's ficticious documentary. Who are you going to believe? Clinton, Sandy Berger, Albright? Of course not... not even if you are a Democrat.

It doesn't matter if Clinton and his people were inept, the moment Bush sent our troops into harms way whatever led to 9/11 ceased to be relevant... at least not to Democrats.

When smart people act stupid and moral people abandon principals, it is usually because their passion overrides their rationale. Clinton's passions led to his lying to a grand jury. Many liberals' passion for Democrats in power caused them to abandon victims of sexual harrassment and in the end, sneer at truth itself.

Frosh Football Player Takes Custody of Brother

2006-09-06T20:01:00.000-04:00

I don't care what you think about Clemson or football players, you need to read this:

CLEMSON, South Carolina (AP) -- The alarm sounds at 6:15 a.m. and Clemson freshman Ray Ray McElrathbey starts a routine like few others in college football.
Along with classes, film work, defensive back meetings and football practice, McElrathbey sees that his 11-year-old brother, Fahmarr, is dressed and fed, finishes his homework and makes it to middle school on time.
Read it all here.

Hattip to Justin "Amato" Smith

The Plight Of Home Automation

2006-09-06T12:13:00.000-04:00

Home automation includes some of the following applications:

Home Theater, Lighting Controls, Security, HVAC Controls, Structured Cabling.

Its popular and one of the fastest growing sub-sectors of residential building. Despite the problems that I will list below, the systems mentioned above are guaranteed to enhance the lifestyle of homeowners.

The problem is engineering- and like all broad subjects there is Good News/Bad News.

Let's pick on my favorite automated system, home theater.

It starts with the receiver.

The Good. Today a $400 surround sound receiver is an engineering marvel because it incorporates 6-7 speperate digital amplifiers, state of the art processing, video switching, smart remote controls and more.
The Bad. You have to be an engineer to utilize it. Perhaps the most important function of good engineering is making the product easy to use. We have hundreds of extremely smart clients- doctors, lawyers, authors- who cannot work audio-video equipment. They often describe themselves as stupid or electronically challenged- and that is exactly how engineers must think of them.

Just consider remote controls.

The Good. There are 2 companies, AMX and Creston who make one touch remotes that anyone can use without training. They will control lighting, theater, security, heating- anything. Alot of univeral remotes under $300 , like receivers, are engineering marvels- they will do it all.
The Really Bad. Those remotes from AMX- they are mainly designed for Hotels, or Casinos, Board rooms... they start at around $4000 bucks. They also require professional integration and programming. The <$300 univerals? There are no user friendly remotes (that can be programmed by most any user) on the market today. We do not sell remotes unless we program them ourselves. We can't. They come back everytime. Think about it this way- a cheap Apple or PC costs less than $600 and can far surpass any univeral remote- IF SOMEONE WOULD PROGRAM IT FOR ALL OF US!

How about High Definition TV?

A great improvement, no doubt. Did you know the first 60 or so channels on digital cable (here in Greensboro) are not digital? Did you know digital is not the same as high definition? Did you know there are various new connections needed to acquire HD? Or that Circuit City charges $700 for the best available connection? Or that you can get HD over the air...if you have a good antenna, a TV with an HD tuner and a good installer?

The list goes on and on. There are truly great, inexpensive systems available in all fields of home automation, but no one has taken the time to make them user friendly.

Here's a great example- IBM's Home Director. We were one the first small companies to sign on... around 1999. IBM chief Lou Gershner called Home Director "the final frontier." Their goal was to put this product in every new home built in America. Minimum, stripped down cost was well over $1000 (up to $15000) installed. When we went to IBM for training, there was a huge pirate flag flying (indoors) over the Home Director unit, symbolizing a new way of thinking within the Big Blue.

The internet was coming, but I was bothered that there was no market demand within existing homes. During class I asked one question that nobody before me had thought to ask. "When cable TV was introduced to the market, how did they deliver their product?" The answer is (and still is) they drilled holes through walls and floors in the rooms you wanted to watch TV.

Within 18 months, IBM spun off the "last frontier."

(One of the main benefits of Home Director was structured cabling- an organized process of bringing in signals ( Cable TV, Phone, High speed Internet) and distributing the highest quality signals throughout the home with cabling. The automation was driven by x10 technology.)

Mebloggin Asks: What do I think about local bloggers.

2006-09-06T11:00:00.000-04:00

Mebloggin asked for my opinion of local bloggers. I answered, but with trepidation. Here is my take on a few bloggers-

Ed Cone, Lex Alexander are experienced, professional writers and all of us should pay attention when they correct us. What I appreciate about both of them is that they will stay with an argument to its end- and they have moderately thick skin.
I've written about this before- Ed's site and Greensboro101 are my favorites.
My take on Lex is that he is smart, too defensive and absolutely hates being labeled.
Hoggard, Joel Gillespie, Guarino and Joe Killian are great writers and extremely smart. They go out of their way not to offend people they dissagree with.
Beth (Greensboring) is - I think- as creative and humorous as many national bloggers. You only cross swords with her when you have to.
There are 2 resident geniuses- Dark Moon and Potato Stew at Plead The First. PS is always inquisitive, respectful and enlightning. DM is extremely observant and direct. Both of these bloggers' fate is sealed. They will be turned away from the Dark Side.
Sue is smart and cynical. She never concedes. I read her blog because I think she has captured the pulse of the left.
Mr. Sun kicked me off his site because I told him if he spoke to my teenage daughter like he wrote about proms, I'd kick his ass. He failed to grasp my humor, but his site is truly on a national level- beyondanyone here in Greensboro. He just hates to be criticized.
Chewie and Patrick Eakes have been off the radar for a long time, blogging very little. Patrick runs his own business and is busy being a husband, Dad and community leader. Patrick has an uncanny talent for picking winners in Golf. I think Chewie travels alot- don't know for sure. Chewie seems to have a big heart, great taste in cars, but when she is repectfully challenged she is quick to take offense. But both have extremely thin skin and are quick to insult people who disagree with them.
Cara Michelle- don't read her blog if you don't want to be challenged. She's a peacemaker on other sites and no one is more helpful to others.
Bubba is someone I totally agree with- and I cannot wait to meet him- based on his Bio.
Fecund is all over the map on every issue. He's quick to anger, but he is really funny, honest and a fun read. Like Bubba, I look forward to meeting him.
Sam, the young student is really a remarkable read.
Matt Comer is a genuine leader.
One really unfair and trite method of argument many Greensboro bloggers employ in debate is to ignore the subject matter and -in the most condescending manner- point out spelling errors and misuse of words or factual errors unrelated to the point of the argument. In contrast, Cara Michelle will politely point out a misspelling and goes overboard not to belittle the culprit. Ed and Lex may be blunt- "words have meaning"- but they do it in a challenging manner rather than a humiliating one.
Hope I haven't left anyone out. There are alot of commenters (like Spagnolia and Mebloggin) that add as much as most bloggs. I miss Wharton- though I'm glad he is still around.
Where is your blog, Mebloggin?
UPDATE:- Dr. Mary Johnson, Hraka and Caserta are on my must read list.

Divorce Is Like Shooting Yourself In The Foot

2006-09-05T18:35:00.000-04:00

Noooo- I am not talking about every case, just when one party decides they aren't happy and wants to leave. A friend calls it "shooting yourself in the foot...with a shotgun."

The birdshot shell represents a marraige without children. The more deadly buckshot represents marraiges with kids.

His explanation goes something like this. A man who becomes unhappy and wants out of the marraige will eventually discover his unhappiness had little to do with his wife. We know this to be true. So by projecting his unhappiness on his wife, he leaves- or shoots himself in the foot. He'll be damaged for the rest of his life.

Worse, he never understands the impact of using a shotgun to shoot himself in the foot. He crushes his wife, sure- but what about their friends, extended family, all the people who identify with the couple in some positive way? The pellet spray covers a wider range than he intended.

Now if that man has children of any age, the damage becomes criminal, regardless of his intent. The children are permanently disabled by the blast- in a spiritual and emotional sense.

Now if that man is an acting Pastor, he's not using a shotgun- he's using a pipe bomb that will harm hundreds and in some cases- thousands.

I have witnessed the damage from birdshot, buckshots and a pipe bomb. Sometimes I watch helplessly while dear friends pick up a shotgun to take aim at their foot. At times I even dream about picking up the shotgun myself. What stops me? I know- beyond any doubt- my wife has little to do with my being happy.

So if you are pondering leaving your spouse because he or she doesn't make you happy, remember that in the end you will have not only maimed yourself, but everyone else you claim to love. Before you can fix anyone, fix yourself.

And if you are among the walking wounded, seek forgiveness, just like you would seek constant care for your shot up foot. It may not work- the forgiveness may never come from those you hurt. And you'll certainly have to live with the pain... But remember, those who seek forgiveness are the very ones who realize life isn't about their own happiness.

I'm tempted to introduce the Gospel at this point. It is a great story. It's all about forgiveness and do-overs and contentment and yes- even happiness. And you are never asked to give up anything without gaining alot more. But I can tell you don't want to hear it....

When Words Don't Have Meaning

2006-09-05T14:14:00.000-04:00

On numerous occassions I've read a reminder from Ed Cone and Lex Alexander that "words have meaning." They are usually reminding me and/or others we have been careless with our choice or use of words. (I have a hunch this mantra or something similar was drilled into them in the classroom and by their editors.)

I know early on I was constantly embarrassed or angered whenever I was corrected like that. Yet, if I am honest, I have learned from my mistakes everytime.

There is one contraversial subject that this mantra doesn't neccessarily apply to- naming our enemy in the Middle East. I say it because I've read and understood the logic of not using terms like terrorists, insurgents, Islamic Fundamentalists or Fascists... the list goes on. How do we define our enemy?

One term that I heard used is "evil." There is a large and well funded group in the Middle East who will not stop until the world submits to their God and their leadership and all of the remaining population who refuse is murdered. I guess I'm saying it really doesn't matter what we call them, their actions include murder, oppression, cowardice, lying, disloyalty, cheating and everything else that we all agree has nothing to do with being good.

It is true that at times all countries have participated in some evil deed. But whenever a country or organized group of people state their sole purpose is to

convert the world to their God, and
submit wholey to their leadership and
begin murdering all who refuse to do either,

they become the enemy of the world.

First Time For Everything- Go Gamecocks!

2006-09-04T03:56:00.000-04:00

How many times does a fan like me get to live through a family member? Meet #12, Branden Conrad. Go Cocks!

Best College Football Venue

2006-09-04T01:49:00.000-04:00

Just got in from a great weekend in Annopolis with 3 pals who attended ECU. Before the 5:30 kickoff, we were treated to a brief tour of the Academy by Junior Midshipman Matt McCallum of Pittsburgh, Pa- my nephew's best friend and roommate (before Brandon transfered To South Carolina to play for Dave Odom.) At Navy home games, virtually the entire student body marches into the stadium, so the only time anyone can spend with their favorite Midshipman is before or after a game.

We knew Navy football is steeped in tradition, that's why we came. Nevertheless, we warned Matt that ECU had it own traditions, namely that at some point during every game there is always a fight between 2 ECU fans, and that when the culprit(s) are cuffed and taken away, the Pirate fans serenade the stadium with that song..."Na na nah, Hey Hey, Goodbye!"

We made sure we arrived to the 35,000 seat stadium early. The first thing you notice about anything related to the Naval Acadamy is that every thing has meaning and none of it is taken for granted. At Clemson or Carolina or ECU, you'll find permanent memorials honoring their great athletes affixed to the inner stadium walls. At Navy, we saw something entirely different, names like SAVO ISLAND- PEARL HARBOR- MIDWAY- CORAL SEA- TARAWA - RABAUSL and others- each commemorating battles where Acadamy alumni had fought and died.

Just before kickoff, the entire student body marched into the stadium by company. The announcer introduced each company as it mades its way to the field- and the company commander. Every time they announced a commander from North Carolina, (I think I counted 4), the ECU fans roared with pride. The Acadamy choir sang the National Anthem - and as they finished- a great ship's fog horn sounded off. Then they announced 2 F16's would soon be approaching from the South. (If one were colorblind, he could tell who the ECU fans were- we were the one's asking which way was South.)

I've seen jets do fly overs before, but these 2 buzzed the stadium by no more than 200 yards. I can't adequately describe the rush we felt or the thunder of the engines. I found myself yelling something incompehensible and feeling so proud and honored to be part of this. I remember feeling embarrased as tears ran down my cheeks, but when I looked at my friends, expecting to be chided, they were as caught up in the moment as I was.

As the stadium quieted the Midshipmen (still in formation on the field) did an about-face and addressed the ECU side of the stadium- (I think about 5-6000 students attend the Acadamy)- In unison they chanted "NAVY -WELCOMES...E-C-U! (at this point they tipped their hats to us), Gooooooo Pirates!" We were blown away. Then they turned to face their alumni and again said something, (we couldn't make it out), while tipping their hats. I believe about 4 companies were dismissed at a time- at which point everyone of them breaks into a sprint and no one stops until they reach their seat.

Three more things of note... everytime Navy scores, the 1200 or so plebes rush the field and do pushups for every Navy point scored. As soon as the final gun sounded, (Navy won a hard fought 28-23 game), the entire Navy squad rushed over to the ECU bench...to shake hands! And during halftime -on the stadium big screen- we were treated to custom tailored drama, ala 24... A young Marine enters his CO's office. The CO explains a plot has been unearthed to undermine the proud tradition of Navy Football. A nefarious group who call themselves the ECU Pirates have been discovered in Annapolis. Subsequent "episodes" throughout the 2cd half show the Marines on a covert mission overtaking a yacht manned by "Pirates."

As a lifelong Clemson fan I have proudly revelled with 85000 others while the Tigers ran down "the hill." (And ECU is an awesome venue as well.) I love visiting the great stadiums and witnessing all the traditions that colleges should be proud of. (I hope most of you have had a chance to vist Kenan Stadium at North Carolina, in my opinion the country's most picturesque stadium.) But for me, at least for now, Navy takes the cake... by the widest of margins.

A gift that save big bucks...

2006-09-01T11:13:00.000-04:00

..and works awesome! Inspired by Ed's link to Jim Caserta, I am reminded of my son's birthday present to me last April. It is the Lutron Spacer- a dimmer switch you can control with your TV remote! It saves me big bucks on energy and bulb life. (I use it in a room with 6 recessed can lights- those bulbs are expensive.)

Good news is it cost $46 at Lowes and can be installed by most anyone.

Off To Annapolis- Navy vs. ECU

2006-08-31T19:34:00.000-04:00

I love few things like I love Clemson football. I hate sitting in the rain watching football, even when its Clemson. But tomorrow I leave to spend a weekend in the rain watching Navy and ECU. .. but I'll be with Gurn, Ed and Robert- 3 old GHS buds- making memories, again.

The Weighted On Base Average

2006-08-31T18:13:00.000-04:00

StratoMatic has a new historical great game. I have a team with Ruth( the year he hit 60 dingers) and Mantle in 1961- and a bunch of great defenders. Then I read an entry on the SOM messsage board about lineups and that is where I learned of the weighted on base average. (It applies to real players.)

It comes from this book.

Here is the formula adjusted for the stats I do have:
(0.72x walks + 0.90x singles + 1.24x doubles + 1.56x triples + 1.95x HRs) divided by Plate Appearances (At bats + walks).

So 1987 Ozzie Smith had 89 walks, 134 singles, 40 doubles, 4 triples and 0 homers in 689 plate apearances. His wOPA is .340.

1961 Mantle had 129 walks, 86 singles, 16 doubles, 6 triples, 54 homers in 642 plate apearances. Mick's w OPA is .491.

Now that great stuff!

When experts prove themselves wrong.

2006-08-31T11:11:00.000-04:00

Don't you love it in those rare times when your humble opinion turns out to be right? When I suggested you google words and phrases along with Greensboro101, I naturally meant the results would lead anyone to Greensboro bloggers who wrote things they should regret about Bush. It did, many time over...

But instead of getting my point and firing back, they intentionally missed the point and attempt to suggest I'm ignorant about searches. So do as they suggest, google Chip drinks baby blood. You'll find a proud moment for me- exposing another liberal for being hypocritical . Google Chip is gay + Greensboro101- you'll find several links- one in particular, another stellar moment for me- when local liberal bloggers piled on a tiny business and shamefully mis-branded it as anti-gay. I stood up for the company in a respectful and firm manner.

Search my stuff all you please- I'm not ashamed of what I believe- and should you think I've been proven wrong- let me know. I may argue, but I won't ban you from commenting and I won't insult you.

Throwing Stones

2006-08-30T23:41:00.000-04:00

Dr Sue thinks I throw pebbles by simply exposing what simple word searches turn up. She also presumes I don't know the art of searching, (and she may be right). But the sad truth that my last entry reveals is that the majority of Greensboro's bloggers really do hate and (mis)judge alot of people.

Its a big deal to call people liars. The "Bush lied" link revealed 47 hits, but only a couple were real embarrassing. "Impeach Bush" revealed about the same amount, but really only 3 or 4 bloggers should be embarrassed. Cheney's evil exposes Anonymoses, the self proclaimed peace loving liberal for what he truly is. But the real hole in Sue's point comes when you search for the same harsh words about Clinton or Kerry. There was not 1 hit- not one.

My favorite search was about Bush and Christianity. If you want to get an idea of what Greensboro bloggers think about President Bush's faith in Christ- browse through some of those hits. And notice who is judging whom.

I have used foul language and called folks names in the heat of argument. I also apologized for it. Had I known about blogging during the Clinton years, I may have had to admit I was wrong about a few conspiracy theories. (A certain suicide, but unfortunately not much else.)

Interesting Links of Greensboro101

2006-08-30T18:52:00.000-04:00

This is a reminder that many local bloggers were wrong about Bush on many levels.
Note- Ed Cone's blog comes up alot in this exercize, but that doesn't mean he ever said it or even believes it. It may be anyone of us who is included the search phrase in reponses. (It is also a testament to how important Ed and Roch's sites are to Greensboro)

"Bush lied" + Greensboro101
Impeach Bush + Greensboro101
Cheney+evil+Greensboro101
Bush+evil+Greensboro101- contrasted with:
Clinton lied+Greensboro101
Clinton+evil+greensboro101
"Kerry lied"+ greensboro101
Here's a search that reveals a dark side of me as well. We all lose our composure from time to time.
asshole+greensboro101
dirty words. bad language, name calling

Christians in the news: Who's being judgemental?

James Dobson + greensboro101
Jerry Falwell
Bush + Chritstian

Conclusions? It is clear that liberal bloggers, (even if you take into account that there are more liberal blogs here), do more bashing, judging, name calling, etc.

google this: Plame Greensboro101

2006-08-30T17:53:00.000-04:00

Here's what you'll find. Mmmm, mmm.

The Crying Shame of Liberal Bloggers

2006-08-30T00:29:00.000-04:00

For months- no- years now- Matt Gross, Allen Johnson, Ed Cone, Lex, Sue Polinsky, Anonymoses and others have been passing along updates from David Corn, Michael Isikoff and others about how the Bush administration acted like thugs in outing Valerie Plame.

Well here's the latest update- one that the Liberal Greensboro Blogging Club should have written about and linked to themselves- and it is a crying shame they haven't. Perhaps they really do hate Bush more than they care about the truth.

no one connected to Bush or Cheney tried to out Plame or do her harm
her husband, Joe Wilson, blundered and butchered his assignment and lied in his famous op-ed piece.
there was a Niger Uranium connection with an important Iraqi diplomat.

Here's a great story for someone to tackle- Why can't liberal bloggers write about how wrong they are about Bush?

Update: Link has been updated (hattip: Billy Jones). Original link was to a Slate article.

Mega Best Seller From The Past- Still Worth Reading

2006-08-29T10:57:00.000-04:00

I almost hate to link to her bio- she is one of the most talented and gripping authors I've ever read. Two books I know of sold more than 5 million copies each, her best selling work sold over 16 million copies!

Sometimes a label or category prejudices would-be readers. For instance, though I read alot, I rarely choose to read romantic novels, most westerns, police novels, self help books, Christian books, theology or philosophy books. So unless someone puts one of these books in my hand and explains why I must read it, a book in those categories stands a snowball's chance in hell of my reading it.

That was the case when a friend of mine put the biography of Peter Marshall in my hand. The book, A Man called Peter by Catherine Marshall, (Marshall's wife), had a tremendous impact on our parents' generation. A mediocre movie was made in 1955. I say mediocre in this respect- Catherine Marshall was a remarkably descriptive writer who's gift for communicating her characters' motivations, ambitions and behaviors is on a level, if not beyond that of Pat Conroy and Thomas Wolfe. If you read Prince of Tides and Bonfire of the Vanities, you will be sorely dissapointed in those movies.

So here is why you should read A Man Called Peter - even if you could care less about faith.

Any writer who is described in a league with Wolfe or Conroy is worth a try.
Peter Marshall was really a contemporary of our grandparents- he was in his late 20's by 1931. His story will give you a unique insight into what life was like at the time.
He was a Scottish immigrant who migrated to the US in the 1920's - he was rugged, independent, but with his keen observant eyes and eloquent toungue.
Like many great men and women, he had a remarkable sense of destiny AND humility.
His immediate success in the pulpit did not divert him from what he was called to do. That is a rare thing to say about anyone.
He became the chaplain of the US Senate. His story gives any political junkie like myself a rare and unique look at American politics.
After a brief stay in NJ, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama and became well known throughout the South.
Catherine Marshall reveals his then famous letters and sermons by weaving them into his remarkable story. It is fun to read words that inspired our parents and grandparents.

NCSU Knows Hype- Must Look To Blacksburg

2006-08-28T23:30:00.000-04:00

One of the reasons I have been resentful of NC State's Amato is the remarkable amount of great national press he gets year after year. He recruits well, was fortunate to inherit one of the conference's best QBs and WR ever, is the darling of ESPN- BUT has managed only one great year so far. He's a victim of his own hype.

I read this blog about Clemson Football (here's the link), and it seems to fit NCSU as well.
"Hype.
The online dictionary has a number of different meanings for such a small word, but the one which draws attention today is the first - and most obvious - definition:
"Excessive publicity and the ensuing commotion."
When dealing with a college football team, hype is commonplace. Whether its genesis is with the media or the fans, once the buzz begins the only thing that can stop it is a good, sound thrashing.
Clemson fans got a life lesson in Hype 101 in 2004. "

Saturday NC State faces a no win situation when it hosts DivII Champs App State. ( Another study in loyalty). If they win big, they were supposed to- if the Pack wins a close one, the fans will be dissapointed and if they lose- even though the Mountaineers are a really good team- Amato will be in his last year- if the alumni has its way.

Should State fire him if his team struggles this year? No way. He's great for the school and every dog has his day. But NCSU needs to remind him they were loyal when he did not live up to his promise. Suppose he surprises everyone this year with 8-9 wins and follows it up with even better seasons in years to come, NCSU has been loyal and deserves the same from him.

If schools with good programs want to be truly great, they need to look to Blacksburg. The marraige of Va Tech and Beamer is a study of teamwork. The Hokies were patient with down years, almost great years, hyped up years- and now they have one of the best programs in football.

Beamer is loyal as well. Best of all, he's managed to convince his staff- the higher ups- to stick around and build something special. I look at State and Clemson's revolving doors slapping the backsides of great assistant coaching talent and wonder if Amato and Bowden even care about loyalty. The lesson from Blacksburg is clear, consistentsy begins with coaching and is bred from loyalty between the school and its coaching staff.

Exposing The Male Dream...

2006-08-26T08:26:00.000-04:00

...as a nightmare.

Imagine you are a young, smart, good looking guy. You earn several hundred thousand a year. Your friends envy you. Your fiancee' is drop dead gorgeous, can't get enough sex, likes it on top and could care less about girly things. You are friends with the stars and have a permanent sideline/locker room pass to any sports event in the country. Is there any part of the American male fantasy missing from this life?

When we first meet Jerry McGuire, he is living out the ultimate male fantasy, American Style. Yet at the same time, he can't look himself in the mirror without literally doubling over with nausea.

He makes money, but sees the true toll it takes on his wealthier clients and their families. He sees patterns of insincerity and unabashed shallowness in his friends- and to his horror- himself. Though his fiancee' can't get enough, he can and he finds her lack of girlish sympathy overrides his need for good sex. The young man with everything finds himself longing for something more.

I love this movie for many reasons, but I'm especially grateful for it serving as the needle that pops the bubble of this All American male fantasy. Yet I look around and I see alot of people chasing the same empty dreams Jerry McGuire lived, as if it actually accomplished anything. It is not the pursuit of happiness, it is the need for happiness.

The older I get the less I value happiness and the more I crave contentment. What's the difference? I am not smart enough to articulate it well, but I think of happiness as a wonderful, but shallow moment. It comes and goes. Contentment and the fruit of being contented is far deeper and a great deal more satisfactory. It breeds inner-peace and makes us able to enjoy and appreciate the fleeting moments of happiness.

Think of the few contented folks in your life. They are the ones who celebrate your victories the most- even when it far exceeds what they've accomplished. They are the ones who grieve and mourn your losses regardless of their own sufferings. They can't be jealous, because they are content.

Don't misunderstand, happiness is worth pursuing, but it has little to do with relationships. Any married person will tell you relationships built around happiness are like a castle built on sand. They never last.

So if you find yourself unhappy, go rent Jerry McGuire for the laughs and be reminded there are far more important things in life than happiness.

2 Girls & a Sailor. Inka Dink Do...

2006-08-26T00:55:00.000-04:00

I've always been a Turner Classic Movie fan, so I was interested in 2 Van Johnson war/romance movies that aired last night.

Two Girls and a Sailor starring Van Johnson, June Allyson, a gorgeous Gloria DeHaven (great voice also), Jimmy Durante and Harry James. (see link for bios).

As far as stories go, this one is not good- way to predictable and sappy.

Nevertheless, here's why you should watch this movie:The Music.

You'll see the entire songs played by the original artists throughout the movie. Where else could you see Durante sing "Inka Dinka Do... adink...adinka do...?" And there's Harry James' band and his trumpet. A beautiful and young Lena Horne sings a rousing, sexy version of Paper Doll...

Thrill Of Romance- Another Van Johnson Must See

2006-08-26T00:18:00.000-04:00

The second movie we watched was the 1945 musical/romantic comedy Thrill Of Romance. Like 2 Girls and a Sailor- this is not the best story and it is certainly not original. But here are a few reasons to watch it:

Esther Williams is the most graceful swimmer I've ever seen. We were dumbstruck. (Elizabeth and I are practicing Esther's methods and hope to entertain our family soon.)
The great Tommy Dorsey Band plays several great tunes.
Teen sensation Helen Stanley plays Dorsey's daughter -she sings and plays piano. Her one feature song is just fantastic.
A very young Buddy Rich has an incredible solo- almost worth watching the whole movie to see...
Lauritz Melchoir plays a fat, famous opera singer on a diet. He breaks out in song at ridiculous moments- we laughed at the obsurdity- but loved it none-the-less.
There's a young, black bellhop who is inspired by Melchoir's music, but always loses his voice in the opera star's presence. Late in the movie he finds his voice- and reveals a truly unique and brilliant voice...accompanied by The Tommy Dorsey Band!

Open Letter to Tony Bennett

2006-08-25T23:12:00.000-04:00

To Tony Bennett

I have no problem with your complaints about the lack of culture in America, but pardon me if I disagree. This is not an intellectual argument, so anyone of you that considers yourself to be part of the culturally elite will be required to put your hearts in front of your minds.

I am writing this while listening to Nat King Cole sing some of the American Songbook. But before I get to that- there would be no cinema without our cinema. And though we didn't invent the theater, our Broadway rules the world.

Now I realize you alluded to this songbook in your reference to Jazz, but you grossly underestimate its American motivated power, passion, cleverness and romanticism. This 20th century phenomenon doesn’t smother or belittle the Asian and European cultures of food, art, design, it celebrates life and love – and best of all- it blesses and enriches all who hear it. As masterful as any master of any art, our songbook rules the world with its romance and emotion.

Hey Tony, is there a more sophisticated tune and verse than Billy Strayhorn’s
Lush Life? He was a teenager when he wrote it.

I used to visit all the very gay places
Those come what may places
Where one relaxes on the axis of the wheel of life
To get the feel of life...
From jazz and cocktails.
The girls I knew had sad and sullen gray faces
With distant gay traces
That used to be there you could see where theyd been washed away
By too many through the day...
Twelve oclock tales.T
hen you came along with your siren of song
To tempt me to madness!
I thought for a while that your poignant smile was tinged with the sadness
Of a great love for me.
Ah yes! I was wrong...
Again,I was wrong.
Life is lonely again,
And only last year everything seemed so sure.
Now life is awful again,
A troughful of hearts could only be a bore.
A week in paris will ease the bite of it,
All I care is to smile in spite of it.
Ill forget you, I will
While yet you are still burning inside my brain.
Romance is mush,
Stifling those who strive.
Ill live a lush life in some small dive...
And there I’ll be, while I rot
With the rest of those whose lives are lonely, too…

Ask Marilyn? How about asking Potato Stew?

2006-08-24T20:47:00.000-04:00

If its 75 degrees outside and the water in the pool is 84 degrees, why does the water feel colder than the air? I'd ask Marilyn, but why wait weeks when Potato Stew is right here!

Greensboro's Best Blogsites...

2006-08-24T20:07:00.000-04:00

... Ed Cone and Greensboro101. I've said it before, but Roch and Ed deserve the kudos. I am writing this because it recently occured to me that I couldn't enjoy blogging, reading and politics near as much without their sites.

There are many colorful blogs in Greensboro I enjoy reading, but I wonder if I'd ever discover them without these two sites. So heres to you Ed, Roch. May you gain as much from the your sites (financially and otherwise) as you have given... and should you both be trapped in an elevator for a couple of days- pleas God, let Rush Limbaugh be among them!

A new favorite ''must read.''

2006-08-23T17:36:00.000-04:00

I think this guy has been writing since 2002, but I just discovered him recently thanks ( a really big thanks) to Greensboro101.