So, here we are two plus years into the Obama presidency and we are still talking about whether or not he was born in the United States. I am not sure who to be more frustrated with--the "birthers" for focusing on this issue while he runs our country into the ground, or Obama for not putting this to rest by simply providing the documentation.
Have you ever been to the DMV or social security office and tried to get something changed? Have you ever gone on a trip and tried to get in or out of the country? Documentation is necessary for the little peons of the world. How in the world does a person become President without the long form birth certificate? Shouldn't being President require everything just shy of a video of your birth on US soil?
The "birther" movement is gaining credibility as of late. Donald Trump has spent a lot of money in private investigating and claims that the things that are turning up are "amazing". A book is about to be unleashed that is said to contain shocking information and things that will cause the American people to lose faith in the notion that Obama is a citizen.
I am still in the camp that thinks he is a citizen. I will admit, however, that I feel that way because I believe that there's no way that my country could possibly have let this slide. That is probably a mistake.
Today, a Hawaiian state senator (Sam Slom) is saying that we are all missing the point. He was born in the United States but what he does not want you to know is what is ON the certificate....such as who his father is. "My belief is that there is a birth certificate, he was born here, but that there is information that for reasons known only to him he doesn't want released. If it were just the birth certificate, that would be one thing, but it's his school records, it's employment records. … Why would anybody, let alone the president of the United States, spend millions of dollars in legal fees to keep that hidden?" "As long as that goes on," he concluded, "I think it's a legitimate issue"---Sam Slom
Man, this is getting spooky. I swear that if James Earl Jones announces "Barak...I am your father" I am going to be really freaked out!
Probably not going to happen. However, Mr. President, just produce the records and get on with the destruction of everything that was ever good in this country.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
"Soul Surfer", MUST SEE!
Last weekend my family and I, along with some friends went and saw "Soul Surfer". I'll admit that I never once considered watching the movie until a friend said his daughter wanted to see it and so why don't we all go with our families. No, the men did not conspire to watch it because Carrie Underwood was in the film!
I knew of the story of Bethany Hamilton. She was a young girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark while surfing back in 2003. I also knew that she had defied the odds and gotten back into the water and achieved greatness in the sport of surfing. What I didn't know was why the movie was called "SOUL Surfer". Maybe I am a bit slow on the learning curve but I did not think for a second that faith was going to be part of this movie.
In a fashion very untypical of "Hollywood" the faith of this young lady was played out before our eyes. She is a dynamic Christian girl whose faith in the Lord was the overriding factor that got her through this ordeal and spurred her back into the water. She has used the incident, her recovery, and her success (currently the #20 ranked woman's surfer in the world) to share Jesus with the world.
The movie was such a pleasant surprise. The faith in God of Bethany and her family is outwardly celebrated in this film. There is Bible reading, Christian songs, and quoting of scriptures. There appears to be no real attempt at a cover-up by Hollywood--Impressive!
There are lessons of perseverance, faith, family, and the importance of perspective. Bethany, at one point, begins to feel sorry for herself. She takes a mission trip to Thailand to minister to Tsunami survivors. There she sees devastation and meets a young child who lost family to the Tsunami. All of the sudden the loss of her arm paled in comparison.
I work with students everyday who are in serious need of perspective. This movie was so inspiring and instructional. You really must see it.
The negative: You may never get in the ocean again, REALLY!
I knew of the story of Bethany Hamilton. She was a young girl who had her arm bitten off by a shark while surfing back in 2003. I also knew that she had defied the odds and gotten back into the water and achieved greatness in the sport of surfing. What I didn't know was why the movie was called "SOUL Surfer". Maybe I am a bit slow on the learning curve but I did not think for a second that faith was going to be part of this movie.
In a fashion very untypical of "Hollywood" the faith of this young lady was played out before our eyes. She is a dynamic Christian girl whose faith in the Lord was the overriding factor that got her through this ordeal and spurred her back into the water. She has used the incident, her recovery, and her success (currently the #20 ranked woman's surfer in the world) to share Jesus with the world.
The movie was such a pleasant surprise. The faith in God of Bethany and her family is outwardly celebrated in this film. There is Bible reading, Christian songs, and quoting of scriptures. There appears to be no real attempt at a cover-up by Hollywood--Impressive!
There are lessons of perseverance, faith, family, and the importance of perspective. Bethany, at one point, begins to feel sorry for herself. She takes a mission trip to Thailand to minister to Tsunami survivors. There she sees devastation and meets a young child who lost family to the Tsunami. All of the sudden the loss of her arm paled in comparison.
I work with students everyday who are in serious need of perspective. This movie was so inspiring and instructional. You really must see it.
The negative: You may never get in the ocean again, REALLY!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Really Goliath Davis?
Goliath Davis was fired today as the Community Enrichment something something or other (oh by the way, that came with a $152,000 salary). Why was he fired? Mayor Bill Foster lost faith in him. Why, you ask? Brace yourself.
Mr. Community Enrichment failed to attend any of the three funerals for the slain St. Pete officers this year. So, you say--there's worse things that could happen--and you are right. So, here's the worse thing- he DID attend the funeral of cop killer Hydra Lacy Jr (who ambushed 2 St. Pete police officers on January 24)!!!!
Davis claims that he is still too emotional over a lost police officer 30 years ago to attend the funeral. So, I suppose that while at Lacy's funeral he was able to mourn the loss of one of the worst of society while blocking out the fact that he slaughtered the best society has to offer; all the while being able to block out his 30 year emotional battle.
Lacy not only killed one officer, he used that officer like a dummy to lure another officer back into the house and proceeded to shoot him as well.
Great job Mr. Davis. Way to enrich the community! Davis has said that he went to the wake to support... blah blah blah.
Immediate reaction has been predictable. Davis is threatening to sue, the NAACP has organized meetings and already played the race card, and the Mayor somehow will emerge from this looking like the racist if MSNBC gets a hold of this story. Maybe Obama will say that the Mayor acted "stupidly".
Ughh...this is so frustrating. Of course Mr. Davis should have been fired. He should have been fired for 3 reasons (1) Believing that we are stupid enough to buy this ridiculous story as to why you chose to support the cop killer's family and not the police (2) Being mentally unstable enough that an event that happened 30 years ago could prevent you from performing what amounts to...your job (3) There is no way in the world to justify paying you 152 thousand dollars a year to be a community organizer. We already are paying a community organizer 400,000 to run our country----that's plenty!
Mr. Community Enrichment failed to attend any of the three funerals for the slain St. Pete officers this year. So, you say--there's worse things that could happen--and you are right. So, here's the worse thing- he DID attend the funeral of cop killer Hydra Lacy Jr (who ambushed 2 St. Pete police officers on January 24)!!!!
Davis claims that he is still too emotional over a lost police officer 30 years ago to attend the funeral. So, I suppose that while at Lacy's funeral he was able to mourn the loss of one of the worst of society while blocking out the fact that he slaughtered the best society has to offer; all the while being able to block out his 30 year emotional battle.
Lacy not only killed one officer, he used that officer like a dummy to lure another officer back into the house and proceeded to shoot him as well.
Great job Mr. Davis. Way to enrich the community! Davis has said that he went to the wake to support... blah blah blah.
Immediate reaction has been predictable. Davis is threatening to sue, the NAACP has organized meetings and already played the race card, and the Mayor somehow will emerge from this looking like the racist if MSNBC gets a hold of this story. Maybe Obama will say that the Mayor acted "stupidly".
Ughh...this is so frustrating. Of course Mr. Davis should have been fired. He should have been fired for 3 reasons (1) Believing that we are stupid enough to buy this ridiculous story as to why you chose to support the cop killer's family and not the police (2) Being mentally unstable enough that an event that happened 30 years ago could prevent you from performing what amounts to...your job (3) There is no way in the world to justify paying you 152 thousand dollars a year to be a community organizer. We already are paying a community organizer 400,000 to run our country----that's plenty!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Way To Go Rick Scott, Really
Today, Florida Governor Rick Scott told the federal government that they could keep their 2.3 billion dollars, Florida doesn't want it. The reactions: politicians on both sides of the aisle could not get in line fast enough to condemn the governor.
What do I say? THANK YOU Rick Scott! Thank you for doing what vote greedy, integrity lacking political figures usually will not do. Thanks for looking beyond the next couple of years to see that this would cost us too much money, provide temporary jobs, and would be a failure as a matter of practical transportation.
Consider that (1) It will cost us AT LEAST 3 billion as a state on top of the 2.3 that we were going to be "given". (2) The jobs will be mostly temporary and then would disappear when the project is finished. (3) The rail is a joke.
I go to Orlando ALL the time. Given the proposed operational set-up of the proposed rail, who would use this? The rail would go from Tampa to Orlando. Suppose I want to go to Orlando. I drive to Ybor (20 min) and park my car (5 min). I pay to park ($10). I ride the train to Orladno (1 drop off destination) and then take a cab ($20-30) (10-20 min), and then when I m done turn around and do the same thing. NO WAY....An indepndent study showed it would take more travel time and be less cost effective (UNLESS gas prices soar to $10 a gallon, in which case I could be wrong). Not to mention the mess on I4 for the next how many years.
People, don't hate Rick Scott; applaud him for having the courage to take a stand on something that may single-handedly cost him the next election.
What do I say? THANK YOU Rick Scott! Thank you for doing what vote greedy, integrity lacking political figures usually will not do. Thanks for looking beyond the next couple of years to see that this would cost us too much money, provide temporary jobs, and would be a failure as a matter of practical transportation.
Consider that (1) It will cost us AT LEAST 3 billion as a state on top of the 2.3 that we were going to be "given". (2) The jobs will be mostly temporary and then would disappear when the project is finished. (3) The rail is a joke.
I go to Orlando ALL the time. Given the proposed operational set-up of the proposed rail, who would use this? The rail would go from Tampa to Orlando. Suppose I want to go to Orlando. I drive to Ybor (20 min) and park my car (5 min). I pay to park ($10). I ride the train to Orladno (1 drop off destination) and then take a cab ($20-30) (10-20 min), and then when I m done turn around and do the same thing. NO WAY....An indepndent study showed it would take more travel time and be less cost effective (UNLESS gas prices soar to $10 a gallon, in which case I could be wrong). Not to mention the mess on I4 for the next how many years.
People, don't hate Rick Scott; applaud him for having the courage to take a stand on something that may single-handedly cost him the next election.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Jersey Shore America, Really
Nine million Americans tuned in to Jersey Shore last week to watch Snooki do- who knows what or who. Now, you may be asking--- what's a snooki? If so, you may be interested to know that a snooki is all the rage in America and every week America's youth tune in to see her and her unruly, ungodly, cohorts .
I have been trying for a long time to put my finger on the problems plaguing America. I think that I have found it! No, it's not that Jersey Shore and its cast of misfits displaying their train wreck lives each week will somehow exert some poor influence on America. It is that we are debased enough as a society to find this stuff entertaining. Then, the wheels in my head begin spinning. These are the people who vote for change without knowing - what kind of change.
Am I somehow suggesting that the watchers of Skins, Jersey Shore, 16 And Pregnant, The Bachelor, and all of the other trash on TV are somehow responsible for the mess that we find ourselves in? In the words of my good friend Phineas, Yes, yes I am!
We are such a dumbed down society. We are entertained by the most depraved things and we have lost our ability to blush. I hear my students all the time quoting Vinny and talking about Snooki. It's disgusting- it's not funny! Rather than read a good book, catch up on some political commentary, or even watch The State of The Union Address---we watch people have illicit sex, get so drunk that they don't remember yesterday, and violate every moral standard that made this country so good for so long (and no-that was not C-Span).
The aforementioned Snooki said on 'Ellen" that it's a good night for her if she does not pass out. "Yes, because I want to remember my night and sometimes I just don't. It sucks. So you're like, 'What did I do? Why did I wake up in a garbage can?' " Really, America. This is entertainment? This is enjoyable?
How bad is Jersey Shore? People from Jersey are embarrassed!!!!
To those who watch it because of some great respect or a desire to be like these losers---I hope you succeed. To those of you who watch it because you find it funny or entertaining, shame on you! To those that don't watch it on TV but let their children watch it----give it time and you'll get to watch it in real life in your living room, but not on TV.
I have been trying for a long time to put my finger on the problems plaguing America. I think that I have found it! No, it's not that Jersey Shore and its cast of misfits displaying their train wreck lives each week will somehow exert some poor influence on America. It is that we are debased enough as a society to find this stuff entertaining. Then, the wheels in my head begin spinning. These are the people who vote for change without knowing - what kind of change.
Am I somehow suggesting that the watchers of Skins, Jersey Shore, 16 And Pregnant, The Bachelor, and all of the other trash on TV are somehow responsible for the mess that we find ourselves in? In the words of my good friend Phineas, Yes, yes I am!
We are such a dumbed down society. We are entertained by the most depraved things and we have lost our ability to blush. I hear my students all the time quoting Vinny and talking about Snooki. It's disgusting- it's not funny! Rather than read a good book, catch up on some political commentary, or even watch The State of The Union Address---we watch people have illicit sex, get so drunk that they don't remember yesterday, and violate every moral standard that made this country so good for so long (and no-that was not C-Span).
The aforementioned Snooki said on 'Ellen" that it's a good night for her if she does not pass out. "Yes, because I want to remember my night and sometimes I just don't. It sucks. So you're like, 'What did I do? Why did I wake up in a garbage can?' " Really, America. This is entertainment? This is enjoyable?
How bad is Jersey Shore? People from Jersey are embarrassed!!!!
To those who watch it because of some great respect or a desire to be like these losers---I hope you succeed. To those of you who watch it because you find it funny or entertaining, shame on you! To those that don't watch it on TV but let their children watch it----give it time and you'll get to watch it in real life in your living room, but not on TV.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Today marks 3 years since the passing of my sister Ruth-I wanted to share my testimony of how great our Lord is even in tragedy.
Today marks 3 years since my sister passed away. So many of you have always been so kind to ask how we are doing? So many times in order to keep from remembering too much of it we have simply said “We are doing just fine”. Well today I finally mustered up the courage to tell you my testimony through all of this.
On this day 3 years ago, I was met at the door by my mother in law and sister in law. You see nobody could get a hold of me ,so they drove over to tell me the sad news. Barry and I immediately left and went over to my parents house which was by far the worst day of my life. My emotions as that point were mostly anger, so therefore I cried for everyone else. I cried for my family. I remember feeling that I needed to be strong for them, so at that point my crying in public was limited. I will tell you that if you told me that would happen the day before I would have told you that I would have sat in a corner and cried for months. Amazingly I did not! A strength that I know only comes from the Lord came over me. I had a peace that even though my world was crashing in around me-He was holding me so very very tight. Many of you know my mother, who is very strong, but I believe God made her such a way for times like these. She mourned, but stayed so strong and kept going even though her heart was broken. My Dad was devastated, yet still got up and preached His Word and never once questioned God and never ever stopped witnessing to others. I admire them both so much, where as many others would be angry with God they never ever did. My sister Rachel had a hard time at first, but I see her strength in the Lord has not only carried her through all of this, but made both her and I stronger-so much stronger in the Lord. Then we finally saw Joe and their 3 boys. I remember holding little Jonah in my arms who was only 6 days old when she passed away. I remember taking him into a room and holding him and crying. Looking into his eyes was like looking into Ruth’s eyes. I felt so very helpless. I felt so very sad that their mother was gone. I remember the day after I was in the shower, and Barry had already taken the kids to church. I remember screaming out loud to Satan-saying “You may think this is going to destroy us, our family and our ministry, but I will not allow it. I told him that I would be more vocal and make my stand stronger. I told him that no matter what this crazy life holds-Christ won the victory on Calvary , and I would never ever let him destroy my desire to be in the ministry.” At her memorial I chose not to say anything about her, you see I was so very angry with her. Then I saw Joe get up and say nothing but sweet about her, and even afterwards that is all he said was nothing but sweet. I learned how to forgive her by watching him. He only spoke well of her. You see my sister was dealing with depression. I myself knew nothing about how severe depression can get until all this occurred. I believe all of us go through different forms of depression in our lives. Most of us are able to bounce back easily, while others slip into a more serious state. Unfortunately for Ruth, severe insomnia, depression, the doctors giving her anti depression drugs that were not working but making it worse, and having post partum from just having a baby. This all made for a very very bad combination. Being so very far away from her, I had no idea how bad she really was until it was too late.
It is amazing to see so many things that God already had prepared when she passed away. Dr. David Gibbs Jr. was already scheduled to speak at our church the day after she passed. Their support and love for our family was absolutely amazing. Joe and the boys lived in South Carolina
In those beginning days I remember Barry just holding me, and letting me fall asleep while sitting on the couch with him. I remember just the simple hugs he would give me to assure me he was always there for me. His love for me during such tragedy just made us draw even closer than we already were. What an amazing husband God gave me, and I love him more than words could ever possibly say.
A little over a year after my sister’s passing Joe married a wonderful woman named Stefany. We had the privilege to meet her shortly after they were married. When we first saw-she looked very much like my sister. She has such a sweet personality. She loves the Lord with all her heart. She loves the boys and Joe very much. Stefany has been so wonderful to treat us as if we had always been part of her family. What a blessing!
I am an extremely strong woman. I believe God can get you through anything. I wanted to be so very strong for my family who I knew was hurting, but deep in my heart I was not mourning my sister Ruth. For two years I just kept going strong. Then a year ago it hit me that I really was never going to see her again. I realized that we wouldn’t have family Christmases together, I realized we would never ever ever be able to just sit around the three of us and watch all of the kids play together. When it hit me it hit me hard. I remember just crying at the drop of a hat when I was by myself. I stopped being so mad at her, and then started to realize that she would have never done what she did had she been of a clear state of mind. It was then that all these emotions came pouring out. It truly was a good thing for me to go through this ,as it has helped even more in the healing process. I then started realizing that so many people were not only asking us how we were doing to be there for us, but they also wanted answers for themselves. So many people had known my parents and us through this ministry. So many people were wondering how such a thing could happen to someone like my Dad who was so faithful to the Lord’s work. It was then that I tried to be more sensitive to people constantly asking how we were doing. My answer to that is God is so good. He never gives us anything we cannot handle. When we think He has abandoned us-it is then that He is holding us tightly. Sin was brought into this world by Satan himself-and through sin came death. In the Bible it says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.” You see Jesus death gave all of us who believe eternal life. That is every one even those who take their life. You see nothing can separate us from the love of God as it says in Romans 8:38-39 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. To say a person who commits suicide is going to hell is like saying those people who have mental handicaps are going to hell as well. Once you are saved, you are always saved-no matter what. He forgives us of all our sins. I know my sister knew Jesus Christ as her Saviour. She loved Jesus with all her heart, as it showed in her journals. Although what happened was not good at all-Jesus forgave her of even that sin.
I want to leave you all with some advice. First of all if any of you know of someone dealing with severe depression never ever take it lightly. Be there for them and learn more about symptoms of severe depression. Second if you know of someone who has lost of loved one-be there for them ALWAYS-even if it is uncomfortable for you. In closing let me say that I hold dear to the verse in Romans 8:28 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Even in something like this-good has come from it. Barry and I have had many opportunities in helping people deal with depression and tragedy. Barry has had many opportunities in helping teens who deal with depression. So many things have been brought to light in all of this, and one of the biggest blessings in my life is my 3 amazing nephews that will always be a reminder of my sister. My sister Rachel and I had one of our best Christmases since Ruth’s passing. We were sitting around the table laughing at all the funny things she used to do, and although we miss her dearly-our separation is only temporary. For those of you who have not trusted Jesus Christ is their personal Saviour, I pray you do not wait another second. You are not guaranteed tomorrow. Trust Him today-and have the peace that only He can give in knowing you will be in heaven forever someday. Thank you so much to so many of you who loved and cared for my family throughout these past 3 years. My heart was so touched by the love and compassion.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tragedy In Arizona Is Palin's Fault? Really
Media outlets that strongly warned citizens not to rush to judgement last year when Maj. Hasan killed 13 people at Ft. Hood and reportedly yelled "Allahu Akbar", are urging the same patience with the incident in Arizona as well..... wait, they're not?
No, CNN (The Communist News Network) had this beautiful dialogue:
After reporting that Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik had condemned what Dupnik called "the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government," CNN's Wolf Blitzer turned to congressional reporter Jessica Yellin for analysis. The sheriff "singled out some of the political rhetoric, as you point out, in creating the environment that allowed this kind of instance to happen," Yellin told Blitzer. "Even though, as you point out, this suspect is not cooperating with investigators, so we don't know the motive. President Obama also delivered that message, saying it's partly the political rhetoric that led to this.* So that's why we want to bring up one of the themes that's burning up the social media right now. On Twitter and Facebook, there is a lot of talk, in particular, about Sarah Palin. As you might recall, back in March of last year, when the health care vote was coming to the floor of the House and this was all heating up, Palin tweeted out a message on Twitter saying 'common sense conservatives, don't retreat -- instead reload.' And she referred folks to her Facebook page. On that Facebook page was a list of Democratic members she was putting in cross hairs, and Gabrielle Giffords was one of those in the cross hairs."
Blitzer and Yellin went on to clarify that there is no evidence that Loughner was even a Palin fan or that this could be connected to her in any way. Really? So you just decided to throw her name in the ring and suggest that maybe she insighted this shooting with her "rhetoric".
They both agreed that this was a good time to talk about "toning down our political rhetoric". No wonder CNN and all of its communist subsidiaries and twin sister stations are losing the ratings war. People see through this garbage and are seeing things more clearly than ever before.
This guy (Loughner) is a nut! Whether he acted on something from Sarah Palin or got the message from listening to Billy Ray Cyrus albums backwards, he is crazy and that's why he did this! We have to start holding people accountable for THEIR actions. We have to stop grabbing for more control and less rights every time something bad happens.
Have a speedy and fair trial and then rid humanity of this evil man. Then, through free market enterprise, let's force people like Wolf Blitzer, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, and others into another profession.
No, CNN (The Communist News Network) had this beautiful dialogue:
After reporting that Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik had condemned what Dupnik called "the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government," CNN's Wolf Blitzer turned to congressional reporter Jessica Yellin for analysis. The sheriff "singled out some of the political rhetoric, as you point out, in creating the environment that allowed this kind of instance to happen," Yellin told Blitzer. "Even though, as you point out, this suspect is not cooperating with investigators, so we don't know the motive. President Obama also delivered that message, saying it's partly the political rhetoric that led to this.* So that's why we want to bring up one of the themes that's burning up the social media right now. On Twitter and Facebook, there is a lot of talk, in particular, about Sarah Palin. As you might recall, back in March of last year, when the health care vote was coming to the floor of the House and this was all heating up, Palin tweeted out a message on Twitter saying 'common sense conservatives, don't retreat -- instead reload.' And she referred folks to her Facebook page. On that Facebook page was a list of Democratic members she was putting in cross hairs, and Gabrielle Giffords was one of those in the cross hairs."
Blitzer and Yellin went on to clarify that there is no evidence that Loughner was even a Palin fan or that this could be connected to her in any way. Really? So you just decided to throw her name in the ring and suggest that maybe she insighted this shooting with her "rhetoric".
They both agreed that this was a good time to talk about "toning down our political rhetoric". No wonder CNN and all of its communist subsidiaries and twin sister stations are losing the ratings war. People see through this garbage and are seeing things more clearly than ever before.
This guy (Loughner) is a nut! Whether he acted on something from Sarah Palin or got the message from listening to Billy Ray Cyrus albums backwards, he is crazy and that's why he did this! We have to start holding people accountable for THEIR actions. We have to stop grabbing for more control and less rights every time something bad happens.
Have a speedy and fair trial and then rid humanity of this evil man. Then, through free market enterprise, let's force people like Wolf Blitzer, Chris Matthews, Keith Olberman, and others into another profession.
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