Monday, December 10, 2007

Firearms Refresher Course

My sister sent this to me and I thought it was appropriate to post, whoever wrote it, I'll point it to your site if you let me know. Here you go.

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.
2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
3. Colt: The original point and click interface.
4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.
8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.
9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
10. The United States Constitution (c)1791. All Rights Reserved.
11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?
12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the others.
13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.
14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.
15. Know guns, know peace, know safety. No guns, no peace, no safety.
16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.
18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.
20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.
22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.
23. Enforce the gun control laws we already have; don't make more.
24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.
25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.

'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.' - Thomas Jefferson

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Muslims in American History: the Early Years of America

As one who has a degree in History, I find it interesting that I was rarely taught about some of these things, but it is never too late to learn something new. As you'll see from the Wall Builders web site that the Muslims of the day of our Founding Fathers had to pay them money to keep them from attacking us, but eventually American had to do something else, and I quote:

"Jefferson, determined to end the two-decades-old terrorist attacks, selected General William Eaton (Adams’ Consul to Tunis) and elevated him to the post of “U. S. Naval Agent to the Barbary States,” with the assignment to lead an American military expedition against the four terrorist nations. Using the new American Navy built under Adams, Eaton transported the U. S. Marines overseas; and when the offending nations found themselves confronted by imminent American military action, all but Tripoli backed down.

General Eaton therefore led a successful military campaign against Tripoli that freed captured seaman and crushed the terrorist forces. After four years of fighting, in 1805 Tripoli signed a treaty on America’s terms, thus ending their terrorist aggressions.

There you have it, the answer to our situation here and now. Now I know why the Marines sing "to the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli." It gives new meaning to the words

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Iraqi Islamic Party: “Al Qaeda is Defeated”

You heard it correctly!!! But you won't hear it on the MSM these days. And I quote, "another member of the Iraqi Islamic Party said that al Qaeda has changed its strategy now that fomenting civil war between Sunni and Shia has backfired. Al Qaeda has shifted targets, now trying to generate friction between tribes. This time, however, the tribes are onto the game early, and they are not playing."

This is great to hear, now if only the Democrats would hear about what's working, oh, that's right, they're going to keep up the "failure" of President Bush, but once the word gets out the Democrats will lose.

Another quote, "Speaking through an interpreter at a 31 October meeting at the Iraqi Islamic Party headquarters in downtown Baghdad, Sheik Omar said that al Qaeda had been “defeated mentally, and therefore is defeated physically,” referring to how clear it has become that the terrorist group’s tactics have backfired."

Now peaceful Muslims will now have a chance at building their own version of democracy, just like we've done. Good for them, hurrah for Iraq!!!

Thursday, June 07, 2007

President Roosevelt's Prayer on D-Day

As located here, here is President Roosevelt's prayer that he read on the radio as the troops were invading France on D-Day. But for those that don't want to head over to this link, here's the text:

"My Fellow Americans:

Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.

They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest -- until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them -- help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.

Many people have urged that I call the nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.

And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.

And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment -- let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.

With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace -- a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.

Amen."

Franklin D. Roosevelt - June 6, 1944

How many today would be taken to court for what he said then?

Thursday, May 31, 2007

President Bush is right, terrorism/violence is coming to the US

Here's a quote of this article:

War is coming to Tucson

You are not going to like what I have to say today. But it must be said, out loud. People are whispering about it now, but if we don’t face up to it, it will only get worse.

The violent incident in Cananea, Sonora, has hit the consciousness of Tucson squarely between the eyes. Northern Mexico is in a state of war. Who is fighting? That’s hard to say. Officially, it is the drug- and people-traffickers against each other and the government. But in Mexico, you can’t tell the players even with a program. You cannot assume the police or the Army are loyal to their commands. Many are working on their own.

In case you were out of town two weeks ago, about 50 armed men drove into Cananea and killed five policemen and two other residents. The men fled into the hills with police and soldiers in pursuit. In subsequent gunfights, 16 more were killed.

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel announcement saying narcotics-related “violence by criminal elements affects many parts of the country.”


This is with Mexico, but the same thing could happen with Al-Qaiada at some point coming across the same border.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Why we're losing the War at Home, too!

And I quote from the article:

Composed of mostly Salvadorans and other Central Americans—many of them undocumented—the gang has a uniquely international profile, with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 members in 33 states in the United States (out of more than 700,000 gang members overall), and tens of thousands more in Central America. It's considered the fastest-growing, most violent and least understood of the nation's street gangs—in part because U.S. law enforcement has not been watching as closely as it might have. As authorities have focused their attention on the war against terrorism, MS-13 has proliferated.

The rise of violence in the world means that the End of the Church Age is near and the Rapture is getting closer!!

What does torture look like by Al-Qaida in Iraq

When you hear all of the Liberals in American saying how we're torturing our enemy, you get a different picture when you see what Al-Qaida is doing with Iragi's. Beware, these pictures are graphic and disgusting, but are needed to be displayed so that the moonbats of the Left can see we don't do these things.

Leadership: why we're losing the War

When you read Col. Hunt's first article you get the sense that all is not well with our military. When you read his second article you see that he's right, and all of Al-Qaida is reading this and laughing all the way to the IED storehouse.

I agree with his last comment in his last article:

We once had a president who got it; his name was Lincoln. He got fed up with the Union Army and fired a bunch of senior generals. He hired a drunk by the name of Grant, a man who was not even in the Army at the time, but who knew how to lead and how to be brutal when necessary. This was a man who knew how to win. Lincoln’s advisors told him, “Mr. President do you know that you just hired a drunk?” Lincoln said, “Find out what he is drinking, and give it to the other generals.”

Now, that my friends is leadership and we need it both in the military and the White House.


So true, so true!!!

Monday, May 21, 2007

After Pelosi’s Syria Visit, Dissidents Cower

And I quote part of the full article here:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Syria last month, and the related question of whether or not the U.S. should formally re-engage this Baathist republic, remains as controversial a topic on the streets of Damascus as it was in the days afterwards among Beltway bloggers. And, perverse as it may seem to some American liberals, it is the Syrians who are most sympathetic to their progressive values who have been most critical of Ms. Pelosi’s attempts to begin a dialogue with Syria’s government.

Basically, she's made matter worse in SPITE of what she thought!! But will she see the error of her ways? I don't think so. The elitism of Left basically states "Don't confuse me with the facts!"

“So much of Syria’s opposition was against Pelosi’s visit, against the E.U.’s talks with the regime,” Mr. al-Bunni explained. “They believe that these offers of friendship strengthen the regime and increase its totalitarian tendencies, and they’re angry.

And so should WE BE!!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 17, 2007

The undoing of America from within

Read the loonnnggg article here.

It should be obvious by this point that there is and was enough known about the financing and characters involved at the highest levels of the Islamic Society of Boston that a reasonable man acting prudently would be compelled to look closer at this group, their connections, and their financing.

And that’s just what was done. And when those reasonable people found themselves disturbed by what they had found and began speaking out about it, they found themselves silenced by a lawsuit, their personal lives violated by subpoenas and their private emails exposed to the world.

“The intolerant export-version of Wahhabi Islam, driven by petrodollars, has made itself a scourge the world over.”

...

"If a truly moderate, reformed version of Islam is to emerge in the West, it won’t come through funding from the Near East, and it will happen because ordinary Americans insist that emerging institutions and organizations are compatible on a deep level with American values, not simply using the trappings of the Enlightenment West — our tolerance, our courts, our freedom of speech and association — to subvert those very things that make us great.

And it won’t happen if ordinary Americans are afraid to speak for fear of financial and personal ruin at the hands of malicious court filings."


Some Muslims from Saudi Arabia are using our courts to keep us quiet about their wrongs.

Friday, May 11, 2007

A real Iraqi discusses American Politics

Here's the first two paragraphs:

I wasn't surprised when I saw Al Qaeda's second-in-command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, appear on Al Jazeera to announce America's defeat last week, not long after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid did. Zawahiri claims Al Qaeda has won, and Reid claims America has lost.

But from here in Baghdad, I see only a war that's still raging - with no victory in sight for Al Qaeda or any other entity. In fact, I see Al Qaeda on the ropes, losing support among my fellow Iraqis.


Again, you won't hear of it anywhere in the MSM.

Here's the writer's blog

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Arab Countries $3 Trillion investment will be destroyed!!

This is being reported today:

"Estimate: Through 2020, Arab Countries Will Invest $3 Trillion

An international study carried out by Global Futures and Foresight estimate that the Arab countries will invest $3 trillion in tourism and in the air traffic industry through 2020.

Elsewhere in the daily, Syria's tourism minister said his country will need to invest $15 billion in the tourism industry through 2012. He said Syrian income from tourism in 2006 amounted to $2.8 billion, and the number of tourists had reached 3.1 million, in addition to another one million tourists of Syrian origin."

Source: Al-Hayat, London, May 2, 2007

How is this known?

Read in the Bible Revelation 16:17-21

Do I like this fact that this will happen? No, but that's not what I am suppose to do. It's to point out what WILL happen and to show that you don't have to go through this time.

John 3:16-19 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil."

Monday, April 30, 2007

A view of Christian Martyrdom, a stark contrast to Islamic martyrdom

As it is reported by the Voice of the Martyrs web site regarding the three Christians that were tortured for over three hours to include being stabbed over a hundred times or more each as well as "gutted" by their assailants.

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Rev. 2: 8-11)

Pray that God will use the testimony of our brothers, who were faithful until death, to build His Kingdom!!

Iran versus Israel, comparing Hitler with Iran and North Korea

When you see 150,000 women have been targeted by the "clothing police" in Iran whereas at the U.N. they're bashing Israel because of their stance on Palestine and the violence toward israel. It makes you wonder that "right" has now become "wrong" and wrong has become right.

However, if you look at Germany when Hitler was in power you see similar banning certain literature and proposing more of the same in order to pursue the "excellence" of Germany. Iran is doing the same thing, but in the name of Islam. Iran is getting closer and closer to North Korea's totalitarian regime's complete control over the population without the freedom each of us so deperately need.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Iraq is lost!! I don't think so!!!!!

I read this on the Internet all day long, but all of the MSMs are spreading nothing but scat.

The tide is turning.

But this really hurts the efforts of those there.

And of course you read this and again get the real deal.

And here for more info about turning the tide.

But based on a previous post, here's what COULD happen if we continue to listen and follow the Democrats.

"Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayana, "The Life of Reason"

Kevin

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Hypocrisy of the Democrats: the results of their "Plans"

Another article that won't make it in the MSM's web sites of various outlets of "news". A snippet:

Why are the Democratic Party, the mainstream press, the human rights groups, the UN leadership and the "social justice" crowd currently pushing policy that virtually guarantees an Iraq genocide? Are they not familiar with what transpired after the US abandoned South Vietnam to the communists? Can they not see that their cries for US withdrawal threaten to take Iraq to the same places as the killing fields of Cambodia and Bosnia and Rwanda?

As one with a degree in History, there is an oft paraphrased quote that I'd like to post in it's entirety:

Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

You can read the accurate quote of a scanned image of page 284 of George Santayana's book "The Life of Reason"

It's nice to get accurate once in a while.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

“No Substitute for Victory” article

When you read this article “No Substitute for Victory” The Defeat of Islamic Totalitarianism by John Lewis you get a real analysis of the thing going on in Iraq and worldwide. As Lewis points out:

If it is true that the majority of Middle Eastern people want a decent free life for themselves—as the vast majority of Japanese did after August, 1945—then they will rejoice over the excision of Totalitarian Islam from their midst. They will cheer for the freedom to make their own decisions about their own lives. They will react as the Japanese did—by embracing a constitutional government that renounces war, by purging state religion from the schools, by excising militarism from the media, and by building corporations rather than suicide cults. But if they do not, the unconditional surrender of Islamic Totalitarianism must be taken to mean its political defeat: There will be no negotiations over the place of Islam in government, for it has no such place.

But as the Bible points out, the things that are converging toward the "End of the Church Age" will enbolden the Totaliarian (including Islamic) countries in an all out war against the US and Israel where the world will be against them and all will come against Israel and will seem like Israel will be ground into the dust forever, but will be graciously and mightilyl saved by God Himself to show His Wonder against these enemies.

Read the book of Revelation in the Bible, since most of the book is about the 7 Tribulation years, you had better read it standing up and take notice.

Al Sharpton's real image: hypocrite and NOT a Reverend

Which church does Reverand Al Sharpton belong to? While he may be ordained as a preacher, he's not following the Bible or Jesus that I know. But I understand why he may be doing the things he's doing: inciting negative images to invoke change. But as most Bible scholars know, you don't change from the outside in, you change from the inside out!! Changing from the outside is is being religious, changing from the inside out is being a Christian believer!!

Update #1:

Here's a great commentary

Jason Whitlock About Imus on YouTube

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

What the troops now see with the Dems in power?

When you read this article you get the real reason why the troops are getting worried, and the Democrats think they've got it "in the bag," damn the troops and "we're heading for the election of 2008!"

So the Democrats are not really for the troops, the troops are only their pawns in their chess game for the 2008 election. What fools they are.

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Fauxtography of the Brit Soldiers


Ok, it's not too much on the blogsphere, but here are a few pictures of the fauxtography of a few pictures of the British soldiers. Notice the cropped pictures and the one bloke on the right that shows his reverse peace sign that in England is the F*** Y** sign. Here's the original picture of the Brits. Notice the "upset" Brits on the right as well as the hand of the British lady's fingers.






Here's another picture, but it's been cropped by someone using Photoshop.












Here's another one that has not been cropped as close that the last one






But here's the picture of the REAL story. Notice the blokes hand with the reverse "peace sign" of two fingers!

You can find the reference to these pictures here and here for more info.

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has gone BONKERS!!

Isn't it just like a Democrat who does not understand one thing, but parades around as if they do. Look at this commentary "Has Pelosi Gone Bonkers?" and see if you don't agree!! And she was elected by San Francisco!!

Bonkers is right in this case.

But here are the real reasons why Pelosi is bonkers.

Old Hollywood versus the New Hollyweird

When you read this article entitle "Hollywood, Then & Now - Actors in Military Service", if you've got some class, your stomach should be growling right after you read it because of the lack of BALLS by those around you who won't step up to the bar and make some noise.

Couple this attitude with the general "latte laughing" Americans, it's no wonder we've got our head in the sand regarding these threats.

Sunday, April 01, 2007

The Bible is scientifically accurate, again!!

The History Channel has a program called The Exodus Decoded which time stamps the Biblical version of the Exodus by Moses and gives scientific evidence of what the Bible claims as fact. What this evidence now does is confirm, once again, that the Bible is 100% accurate and believeable and is NOT to be taken lightly.

If the Exodus story is true, what about the book of Revelation then?

The choice is up to you, but I would surely gather some time and determine now before it's too late and the Rapture occurs and leaves you behind.

And this is not an April Fool's Joke!!!

Monday, March 26, 2007

Wireless Security: the straight scoop!!

When it comes to wireless security and you visit to see 70% of the over 9,000,000 unsecured wireless access points around the world. But what are users suppose to do?

See here for more information

Now let me see what I need to do to my WAP?

MSM killer app among us?

Since the release of Apple TV we've got a number of analysts that are discussing the disruptiveness of new technologies. Once such person wrote about where the Apple TV fits into the content and broadband pipeline. Very interesting thoughts and analysis. With the end result that the MSM will die a slow death!

I love disruptive technologies.

But ......

The MSM will look for a way to "lock in" viewers to control what we see and when.

But ....

Disruptive technologies are here to stay!!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

New Child Martyr or Child Abuse?


How does this picture of a little girl wrapped in camo dress and a bomb vest strike you?

Monday, March 19, 2007

What does "Supporting the Troops Mean?"

What do you think Support the Troops mean to you?

Thomas Sowell does an excellent job of getting through the thick of things.

Having served in the USAF for 13 years, supporting the troops is about not undercutting their efforts or handcuffing them so that they can't win!! Winning shortens any war not matter what war you're waging.

"Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." General George Patton

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Personal Opinion in Public Policy

Ok, now I've heard it all. Sen. Clinton now states that personal opinions should not affect public policy

Here's Sen. Clinton's comments: "I disagree with what he said and do not share his (Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Peter Pace's controversial comment) view, plain and simple" and "It is inappropriate to inject such personal views into this public policy matter, especially at a time in which there are young men and women in such grave circumstances in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and around the world"
What a load of crap!!

First, you are ALWAYS going to get personal views injected into public policy ANYTIME you discuss any topic, so now is as good a time as any.

And, by the way, personal opinion will always affect public policy no matter when or where you define it, so this is a load of crap!!!

Monday, March 12, 2007

A view of Iraq: the most accurate and correct view!!!

There is nothing more important than to hear a reporter giving an accurate and correct response to the War in Iraq and to discount what the MSM is "reporting" to us in America.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Terrorist "Dry Runs" on US airlines just the tip of the iceberg of things to come!!

When you read Terrorists “Dry Runs” Keep Coming at Us, DHS Confirms by Annie Jacobson you get a cold chill up your neck, but that's only if you aren't aware of what's going on and are keeping your head under the sand. But then, as a Christian that knows that the "End of the Church Age is near!!" is really what this is all about based on numerous Bible verses that outline these things will happen and increase in intensity, duration, and number in the World.

Only a few numbers of Christians believe that things are getting so bad that "The End of This Age is Near!!" and believe that the last few years after 9/11 that this is a wakeup call for Believers to announce these issues just like Noah did. Most of those that lived during his time did not believe him and perished with the rising tide of the world wide flood. Then the whole world was devasted by the Flood, but after the Rapture most of the world will be killed by a number of catastophes.

The Church Age is nearing it's end, It could end tomorrow, next week, next year, or even in the next 20 years or so, but you can not deny that things are "lining up" for the Rapture to occur.

Are you a believer? You need to be so you can miss out on this terrible ending of this age. God Loves You.!!! Read John 3:16.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Making Lemonade from Lemons, or Manure from Scat

This Mini-Microsoft, Steve Jobs' Secret Diary, and a Potential New YouTube is one of the most appropriate approach to employees that I see most managers need to get a grip with:

If there is criticism, there must be actionable recommendations. I actually think "Mini-Microsoft," in general, does a rather nice job of this. The author does seem to generally consider the implications of what he is criticizing and discusses action items. In most cases, when I see posts like this, they are constant rants. Rants are just annoying, and I've never seen them accomplish much of anything.

To any executives who, rightly, are incredibly concerned about this practice: Having employees who care enough about a company to actually and consistently put their jobs at risk is incredibly rare, and having someone who appears to have the actual breadth of knowledge and capability to do this well is rarer still. I know, because I used to run teams that were supposed to be made up of folks like this -- and let me tell you, they are both really hard to find and incredibly valuable.

Chances are, anyone doing something like this right now will eventually get fired. Were that individual embraced instead -- sanctioned, but then given a more appropriate and effective podium -- I think her or she could make a huge positive contribution. The lesson for management is this: Don't lose an important asset simply because you can't find or use it properly -- or because you have your head up your ass.

This is about making a difference, and that goal should be top and center for executives and managers as well as the grunts who actually do the work.


As I see it, it's about trying to make a difference in where you work, not entrenchment to keep your job or anyone elses. It's about moving your business forward solving business problems that your customers bring to you.

But here's the crux: There are three ways advice is received: taken, pondered and acted upon; ignored; or fought. An employee blog can fix the "ignored" problem, but because executives resent the method, the blog may set up barriers to improvement -- blocking employees who are trying to do the same things by conventional means.

The real question, especially if there is a blog about a certain situation is why? The reason: No one in leadership is listening!! Or if they are, they have not communicated what they WILL do about it or setting up a priority of getting things fixed.

It's not different than the Walter Reed Hospital care, or for that matter care-less!! It's about the process, stupid!! It's about listening to your customer!!! It's about leadership owning the problems and the top of the leadership not creating an atmosphere of fear is problems are uncovered by those below.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Christians and their tools on Macs

OK, here's a beginning of a listings of a number of Christian and Mac related links.

1. Here's a reference aritcle concerning Greek and Hebrew LaTeX on Mac OS X
2. Here's a site concerning The XeTeX typesetting system
3. How about a free web site called The Blue Letter Bible that has free information and will never charge for what is available. I love the Greek and Hebrew linkages concerning the Bible information.
4. How about another free site of Biblical information called BibleNet that has a lot of info for sermons.
5. THE BEST Bible software for the Mac Accordance Bible Software
6. The Christian Mac Users Group
7. Go to Version Tracker for the most up to date software about the Bible.

Hope you enjoy these, I'll update and I find things.

Update #1: See Christian Web Masters where "Christian-Web-Masters is a place to fire the imaginations and the passions of Christian web masters, organizations, and churches with a vision for the web and cyberminstry." That says it all.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Christians: Called to be Squatters, Sin Less, or Sinless

When it comes to being a Christian, there are really three views of being one: being Carnal, Mature, or Arrogant. These three views are based on three perspectives on our lives concerning sin:

Carnal (Squatter) - dwelling in our sins.
Mature (Sin Less) - dealing with our sins.
Arrogant (Sinless) - denying our sins.

Now let's take a look at these three perspectives.

The difference between the Carnal and the Mature is the fact that the Carnal Christian has NOT come to the point of realizing they've been forgiven versus the Mature Christian acknowledges and confesses their sins and moves on. The Carnal Christian for whatever reason either has not been told that their sins are forgiven or does not believe their sins are forgiven. A Carnal Christian is a Squatter, which by definition is "a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land", but in the Carnal Christian's perspective they are mentally in a place where they are "legally" not suppose to be. The Carnal Christian's verse to get our of their situation is Phl 3:13 - "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of {it} yet; but one thing {I do:} forgetting what {lies} behind and reaching forward to what {lies} ahead,"

For the difference between both the Mature and Arrogant it boils down to two perspectives: either I sin less or I'm sinless. The difference between being sinless and sin less is that the Mature person that sins less has not reached perfection while the Arrogant, by virture of their position as a Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, believe they are sinless, i.e. they believe they don't sin. Sinless perfection is "I don't sin!" whereas the sin less means I don't sin as much as the Carnal Christian, but I still sin and I have to watch out that I don't fall into the trap of thinking I'll sin no more. The Arrogant ones who believe they don't sin believe in this is a boat load of hogwash! The verse for the arrogant is Pro 16:19 - "It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud."

You can tell if someone is mature or not, if they leave an organization, church, business, or even an event of some sort and people miss them! As watching T.D Jakes today he states from his Mom that if you go to someones house for a visit you need to be missed because you've ADDED something to their life! You have not been a sponge and been there only for the taking. If you feel depleted, then those around you have only taken and have not contributed back.

So, which are you? A squatter, sin less, or sinless?

Friday, February 16, 2007

This is how we should support our troops!!!

After reading the last post, I thought I'd tell you what you SHOULD do.

When you see this video clip you'll notice that the troops do NOT act like what my previous post aritcle author had stated about our troops. Now where do you see anything like, it's like night and day. While on a occasion you make see a service member milk something like this for all it's worth, most do not.

As I sit here on a deserved day off, I can use this time to acknowledge some things regarding getting support. It's might be a long way around, but you'll see how it ends, so bear with me.

My sister, Jill, teaches high schools civics in Denver and she does a fantastic job of it. In fact, she was nominated for an award that the Daughers of the American Revolution gives to outstanding civic teachers. While she did not make the cut she still is outstanding in my book.

Another time just recently my sister Jill put together a Colorado Supreme Court event at her school that is recorded here and here concerning her event. Basically the Court showed up at her school and presented two real cases in front of the kids to show them how things are done. I was not able to make it but it was a sight to be hold for sure. More accolades for my sister were shown when they gave her a memento for her work. Good on ya, Sis!!!! You always make me proud!!

But by far the greatest thing my sister has done, at least from a personal perspective, was when I had a day off and her high school had a Veterans Day event she invited me to attend which the kids put on. They did a really outstanding job with the production. But either I forgot or she did not mention to me was that near the end they called out to each of the service veterans that were in attendance and asked them to come down and stand behind their respective flags of their services when they were called out. I was not expecting it at all, but when they finally called my service, the Air Force, I had a grin on my face as I walked down the bleecher steps and onto the basketball court to take my place behind the young person dressed the Air Force's military uniform and flag and the other AF vets. Needless to say, when all of the services were called the kids gave us a standing ovation for our service.

As I took in their clapping of thanks in a heart felt stride I looked around to see all of their faces and then caught my sisters face. She was wiping tears from her eyes as the kids were giving all of the Vets the standing ovation. That did it for me! My heart got so big in my chest that if I still had on my Air Force dress blues I probably would have popped a button or two off of the coat. When total strangers and your family are giving you their thanks for your service, especially from teenage kids, there is nothing like that feeling of pride and satisfaction of having served our great country.

I will never forget that moment when my efforts were respected by those I served and thanked, and neither will the kids that come home at the DFW airport in the video on the above web site.

Those thank yous mean the world to those that have sacrificed, but they mean a whole lot more to both the service member AND their famiies when thanks are given on the spur of the moment, especially for those that have made the greatest sacrifice, of giving of their lives, to serve others. May we acknowledge those more than those of us that are still living.

No mother would ever willingly sacrifice her sons for territorial gain, for economic advantage, for ideology. - Ronald Reagan

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. Gen. George Patton.

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his. Gen George Patton

Update #1: From a post on a web site: Figures this [video] was in Texas, a red state. It makes me mad that the blue states (NJ, PA) I grew up in have shifted so far to the left that they oughta be in the Pacific Ocean. When I was in the military there were just as many Yankees as there were Southeners. But not anymore, it’s all based on party now. I spoke to a recruiter on my plane last week who said the red states were filling in the ranks and nobody from the blue states were joining up. Conservative America is fighting this war. The media should report THAT! Amen to that.

Update #2: While my previous post was about the less than stellar troops that go into the military, here's one who gives the more prevelant view: The immortal words of 2LT Mark Daily. There are a few young men, not kids, that understand the meaning of service and sacrifice.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Can we really support these troops?

After reading Can we really support these troops? I say, not these, but since this story is one sided toward and having served in our military as an officer, I say that most do not talk like this. But then I'd have to say, not all military personnel talk like this in as much that most businesses have some of their employees that talk different than the "party line" of an organization which you identify with in this article. What is interesting is that you could say the same thing about doctors, lawyers, politicians, etc and the list could go on and on as you do about these soldiers. Why? Read what the definition of mercenary is as an adjective:

mercenary |ˈmərsəˌnerē| adjective - derogatory (of a person or their behavior) primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics

While the noun is usually for military styled vocations, the adjective states it such as way as to include mercenary doctors, mercenary lawyers, mercenary sales professionas, mercenary teachers, mercenary CXOs (CEO, CFO, etc), anyone for that matter.

But the one thing that I will defend you, Ms. Terpstra is on that yes, it is your right to give both sides of the story regarding this War on Terror. Why? So we can discuss the ethics of what is being done as a country, a society, and our culture and to prevent our nation from becoming a form of Hitler's or Sadamm Hussein's former empire. But I don't think this will happen anytime soon in our country.

What I'll have you know Ms. Terpstra is that while I was in the military during the first Gulf War I was considered a "liberal," but now having been out and in some business workplaces I am considered a "conservative" regarding my views, even though they've changed little during all of these years. In fact, I see very little difference between the military, businesses, and the educational establishments. Why? Because you're dealing with people.

So, Ms. Terpstra, I can say the same thing about any other organization regarding these same "attitudes" As John C. Maxwell states in his book There's No Such Thing As "Business" Ethics: There's Only One Rule For Making Decisions there is only one rule: ethics!

When wrong becomes right and right becomes wrong, they ethics has been tossed out the window and any country will decline if it follows this path. When you read the Old Testament in the Bible you read that God judged Israel because their country was wicked in His Eyes and even those in power in Israel killed their Prophets of old for telling the truth about their wickedness and wanting them to change for the good.

So what would you think of these propoganda films put out by Palestine on their TV to their children which have been cataloged by the Palenstine Media Watch for those that do not have access to this info?

So, do I support these troops? Yes, when I compare our troops with what is being done by Islamic extremists around the world. But as a last resort, I pray that our nation wakes up to the injustices of those in our own country that believe in our own "superiority" as a nation is "guaranteed" by God BECAUSE we're American's, not by our character toward Him and others.

Loyalty! Loyalty to what?

I recently had a discussion with someone about loyatly. Now the dictionary describes loyatly as: the quality of being loyal to someone or something. If you are loyal to your county then it means that you'rel loyal to it's constitution and the priciples that it holds dear. But the sad part is that some in the business world want you to be loyal to their company and they misconstrue that disagreement with company leadership is being disloyal. But too often the label of being disloyal is really about disagreeing with the various aspects of decisions, policies, etc concerning a company, not being disloyal.

As has been bantered about in businsss magazines, if you begin to believe your own press releases, you're way too serious and are in danger of heading toward the "business loony-toon" of what people will believe about you and your organization.

I, personally, believe that we should be loyal to the Truth, and to our country and to an organization that follows ethical principles. I am a sinner just like the next person, but I try to maintain high standards and not to fall into the sinner trap of saving myself for myself sake and standing up for Truth. When our government or any organization seeks to deviate from these norms, I'll defend what is right and may not go on an offensive to right something, but at some point we all need to be counted for doing what's right.

Years ago, I got this revelation from a boss I had in the military. He expected loyalty from those that worked for him. Knowing what this person was about, his insecurity showed in everthing he did and to those around him. Loyalty is earned, just like respect. But understand, even if loyalty is earned be aware that loyalty that is earned can go wrong as time goes on. So, when those in authority expect you to be loyal, tell them that you are loyal to the truth and that being disagreeing is not being disloyal. Why? Because if I tell you what you want to hear I'll lying to you and if you make decisions about something based on my input, then you'll make good decisions on bad info. But once I've told you my thoughts and you understand them and you make a decision, I'll do my best to implement what you want done.

So, if you want me to be loyal to you, then make sure you want the Truth about things and don't "skew" what I'm telling you to try and trick me into what you're thinking. This is manipulation, not good leadership.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

The Christian Church persecutes its own members

Mat 7:1-5 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."

Too often Christians, while well meaning by those that are more religious than Christian, try and tell someone that they need help without seeing that they need help themselves. Imagine walking into a hospital and you see someone with a tumor on their face or someone limping with a broken leg and you tell that them that they have their specific problem and telling them they need help. Just telling someone they have a problem is not helping at all, it's only part of the solution. But it breaks down to these three steps:

1. Admitting the problem is the first part of the process of getting better, but that's where most people stop who view others and their problems, they only tell the other person they have a problem. But the key here is knowing EXACTLY what their problem is!! IF you don't know the whole situation you can make the problem worse much like a doctor who misdiagnoses a disease. You could cause irreparable harm if you don't understand the issue exactly and completely, and most do not even know the complete problem even though they've convinced themselves they do. You can't know everything about a person and what they are thinking and feeling although SOME of an issue may become apparent.
2. Providing help is the second step to getting better. This is where you get somewhat involved with that person. If you are blessed somehow and in some way, then you are to be a blessing to others by providing what you are blessed with to those that are without. To be stingy with what you have is to be selfish. Pointing out a problem requires dispensing encouragement or "soul salve" to the situation. If you don't provide that "soul salve" you do like 1 Cor 13:1-3 describes, lots of work without love makes your effort worthless.
3. Recognize you may have a different problem than the person you are helping. Just because you're helping out a person who needs your help such as a "tumor on their face", do NOT forget you have problems yourself such as "bone cancer"! Pointing out their problems without seeing yours makes you a hypocrite and to think that you don't have a tumor on the face makes you better than having bone cancer is to be short sighted.

But, what is Jesus saying above? He's stating that you should work on yourself first and get your own self fixed before you fix others. In other words, those that look to others to fix them are those that are hypocrites and do NOT want to look at their own problems and have self justified their own actions as if there is nothing wrong with what they are doing themselves. Self righteous and scoffers are of a similar vein and they've come to believe that their shit does not stink!

So, what is the correct approach? Try reading 1 Cor 11:23-34, but especially verses 27-31 as well as James 3:11-18 "Does a fountain send out from the same opening {both} fresh and bitter {water?} Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor {can} salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and {so} lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

So, if only criticism comes out of your mouth, you're like the well that brings out salt water, but if you dispense encouragement, then that's the fresh, cool, clear water that people need. But it also depends on the amount of salt versus fresh water that comes out of your mouth. If 80% of your words you speak are criticisms, then it gives a glimpse of what your heart is like, it contains salt water as well, because what comes out of the mouth is what is in the heart of the individual.

It reminds me of what my mother use to say, "If you can't say anything nice, do say anything at all." Good advice, and it provides cool, clear, refreshing water to a person's soul and allows them to move forward in life rather than being held back by their "sins" of their past.

As I saw on the show "Nanny 911" a couple of weeks back the nanny stated a rather interesting point of about a kid acting up: negative acting up by kids is the only way they get some attention and if parents would provide positive attention and encouragement to their kids, there will be a big reduction in negative acting out and will result in positive actions from then on by their kids.

It also reminds me of also of what Jesus states. In Matt 18:21-35 Jesus uses a rather interesting word in Greek. In verse 24 the Greek word is murioi or MURIOI and while translated $10,000, it probably really means $10,000,000 or the number is innumerable. But in the next verse Jesus states "But since he did not have the means to repay" really is best understood that while the servant would have LIKED to repay the King, the servants debt was so overwhelming him and his family and there is not WAY he could have repaid the King even though the servant WANTED to repay him.

This is also a picture of Jesus Christ's and each individual effort on our behalf toward God the Father's Judgement about our sins. There is NO POSSIBLE way to repay Jesus Christ for our sins, it is impossible!! But Jesus forgives us of our sins and as my wife explains that as Jesus has forgive each of us our innumerable sins, we are to forgive those around us, even though as Jesus stated about his own death in Luk 23:34 "But Jesus was saying, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.'" because they THOUGHT they were doing right and were not. People's own additions prevent them from seeing the truth about themselves and others.

So, what you say to others really says a lot about what is in your heart and so that if criticisms and condemnation of others is your normal way of doing things then it says a lot about your heart toward others, either an arrogance or insecurities. The corrective actions then become, fix yourself first and then "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Telling the Truth

"To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else." - Theodore Roosevelt

Everyone should be told the truth, especially at the point at which it will change a persons direction in their life.

I'll have more on this later.

A Soldier's Response to the MSM and anyone else...

"It is proper to demand more from the man with exceptional advantages than from the man without them. A heavy moral obligation rests upon the man of means and upon the man of education to do their full duty by their country. On no class does this obligation rest more heavily than upon the men with a collegiate education, the men who are graduates of our universities. Their education gives them no right to feel the least superiority over any of their fellow-citizens..." - Theodore Roosevelt

Here's a snippet of what the soldier wrote, and I agree 100%:

I am tired of the Democrats whining for months on T.V., in the New York Times, and in the House and Senate that we need more troops to win the war in Iraq, and then when my Commander in Chief plans to do just that, they say that is the wrong plan, it won’t work, and we need a “new direction.”

Only those doing the work should speak up, not those in charge of them. You can't speak for those in the trenches unless you're there.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Bush's Troop Surge causing Insurgents to run

Ok, let me see if I get this straight. Bush has announced that he's going to send around 20,000 new troops to Iraq to enhance the security of Iraq and the insurgents are heading out of Iraq!! Get the info here about what's happening.

DEATH SQUAD leaders have fled Baghdad to evade capture or killing by American and Iraqi forces before the start of the troop “surge” and security crackdown in the capital.

Ok newly elected Democrats, it looks like YOUR policies and approaches are failing, so why don't you resign now that we've figured out you're failures at governmental leadership in foreign policiy matters!!!