Question Everything…
Don’t worry, your brain won’t overheat It is as simple as that….. Continue reading Question Everything…
Month: October 2015
Why America is Falling Behind the Rest of the World??
The authors collect many previously published rankings, and the picture that emerges, however, is sobering: 1. Median household income Rank of U.S.: 27th out of 27 2. Education and skills Rank of U.S.: 16th out of 23 countries 3. Internet speed and access Rank of U.S.: 16th out of 34 countries 4. Health Rank of U.S.: 33rd out of 145 countries 5. People living … Continue reading Why America is Falling Behind the Rest of the World??
The Low Info Voter — DOWN WITH SOCIALISM….
I love this one by David Fitzsimmons. This runs the line of the ranter who says “Keep government hands off my social security!!” It is sad to see so many low-info voters around today who have no idea of what socialism or much of anything else really is. All they know is that “their” political party told them it is a bad communist inspired thing. Continue reading The Low Info Voter — DOWN WITH SOCIALISM….
Today, Today, Today…
Today I start my seventh decade on the earth. If my genes prove true it will likely be my last. That is a sobering thought that puts me in a mood of reflection. The end is certainly near; I can see the light at the end of the tunnel but no, I am not ready to “go to the light” just yet. 🙂 In some … Continue reading Today, Today, Today…
Five Years….
I spent a very enlightening part of my life between the years 1965 and 1970. Those were the years I was at Purdue University supposedly learning how to be an engineer. It was there that I was first exposed to the diversity of life. I met people who were very different from me. For the most part those experiences made me a better person. On this post … Continue reading Five Years….
Those New Credit Cards
U.S. consumers on Thursday will have a new way to protect themselves against cybercrime. Instead of the familiar magnetic stripe, their armor will take the form of credit and debit cards with a built-in chip, which retailers must be able to read as of October 1…. Experts say the slow rollout could be due to the cost of new card-reading equipment. Merchants must weigh the … Continue reading Those New Credit Cards
God Is ….
I really don’t know how it happened that God became this old guy with flowing white hair and beard laying on the clouds and watching everything we do and getting involved in every aspect of our lives. I don’t know if Michelangelo’s Sistene chapel was the first depiction of that persona or if he was just mirroring someone else. But it seemed to catch on … Continue reading God Is ….
Halloween….
I don’t know any parent in his right mind that would now allow their kids to trick or treat a house they didn’t intimately know the people behind the door. It wouldn’t totally surprise me to see this scenario being played out… Continue reading Halloween….
West Baden Springs…
The West Baden Springs Hotel is a historic landmark hotel in the town of West Baden Springs in Orange County, Indiana, United States, known for its vast domed atrium. It is currently part of the French Lick Resort. Prior to the completion of the Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1955, the building had the largest free-spanning dome in the United States and was the … Continue reading West Baden Springs…
The 25%….
While 80 percent of mainline Protestant pastors see Pope Francis as a true Christian, only 58 percent of evangelical preachers agree. Source: Do Pastors Trust Pope Francis on Theology? New Survey Reveals How Preachers Responded When Asked if the Pontiff Is a True Christian | TheBlaze.com I am going to use the polling above as an example for this post but not its focus. There … Continue reading The 25%….
Obama’s Neocon Critics…
It’s an incantation repeated among Obama’s neocon critics: the Iraq surge worked; things were going swimmingly until we withdrew; the same thing will happen in Afghanistan if we pull out completely. Let’s assume it’s true, that we could keep peace and order in these countries if we kept tens of thousands of troops (or more) on the ground. Here’s my question: Why on Earth would … Continue reading Obama’s Neocon Critics…
uRV And Lake Patoka…
I have talked several times about my micro-RV (uRV) that I spent three years fabricating. This post will be the first pictures of it. These were taken on the third shakedown trip to Lake Patoka in southern Indiana. The cap on the back was purchased when I had my custom furniture making business. It was used to deliver my creations throughout the Midwest. It sat … Continue reading uRV And Lake Patoka…
When You Are Not Running Again…
“Which makes you wonder, why are all these Republican politicians so down on America?” Obama said, drawing laughs. “I mean, I know it’s political season, but listening to them is kind of depressing.” He accused Republicans of hearkening back to 2008, as if things were better before he took office in the midst of the Great Recession. “To hear them tell it, those were the … Continue reading When You Are Not Running Again…
Listen Up….
Many organized faith groups are wringing their hands over the growing category of “nones” and wondering how to attract young people, especially, back to the fold. What words of wisdom would you give them? Listen, listen, listen. Listen again. Don’t think that stuff like beer nights and church meeting in a coffee shop and pastors in flannel and skinny jeans is going to be enough: … Continue reading Listen Up….
Unrealized Dreams…
Are unrealized dreams a joy or a pain? The answer to that question is based on your perceptions of life. Many would say that unrealized dreams create agony in that they get our hopes up and then dash them on the rocks. If you take the attitude of “It’s not the destination but the journey” seriously then the pleasure of the process of dreaming should be joyful … Continue reading Unrealized Dreams…
Anybody but Hillary?
Then there are Biden’s recent statements staking out a more conflicted position on abortion than one expects to hear from such a prominent Democrat. This places him far closer to the consensus position on the issue than most leading members of his party and may indicate that he would cultivate more of a working-class, middle-American sensibility than we’ve seen from a Democratic presidential candidate… Biden … Continue reading Anybody but Hillary?
Being The Adult….
McConnell said that this year, Democrats objected to spending bills drafted under existing tight budget caps — known as sequestration — because they want more spending for domestic programs. Republicans are seeking more defense spending than the current caps allow…. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters Tuesday “I would expect that in the weeks ahead we’ll have more of a discussion about how Democrats and Republicans … Continue reading Being The Adult….
The Gospel of Bernie…
Win or lose, Sanders seeks to transform his party and redeem American politics through an epic battle against some of the wealthiest powers in human history. “A lot of people have given up on the political process, and I want to get them involved in it,” he tells TIME. “In this fight we are going to take on the greed of the billionaire class. And … Continue reading The Gospel of Bernie…
Just Too Sensible….
It’s too bad America doesn’t have a queen. If we did, maybe she could summon the leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties in the House to her palace and order them — in the national interest — to form a coalition to lead the House of Representatives and end the dysfunction that’s taken over Washington. How would a Republican-Democratic coalition work? By enlisting Democrats … Continue reading Just Too Sensible….
Coalition Government….
”In order to pass any bill around this place, everybody knows we need to assemble a bipartisan coalition,” Dent told reporters after McCarthy bailed out. “I suspect at some point, if we can’t get 218 Republicans to vote for a speaker candidate, we’ll have to assemble a bipartisan coalition to elect a speaker.” Conservatives in the GOP caucus would adamantly oppose such an arrangement, and … Continue reading Coalition Government….
The Greatest Sin…
One of the most striking verses in the Christian bible for me was found in Mathew 12. I won’t quote the verse here but it basically says there is one sin that will NEVER be forgiven and that is “blasphemy against the Spirit”. Since I have come to understand that Christianity is all about forgiveness this verse was very loud to my ears. Let’s study the concept of blasphemy. What … Continue reading The Greatest Sin…
You Can’t Blame Him…
Who in their right mind would want to try to control the wild-eyed fanatics in the “Freedom Caucus” when their primary goal is to shut down the governing process through gridlock. If Paul Ryan is smart he will let the current GOP implode and then be around to pick up the pieces. He is a relatively young man by political standards so he just might … Continue reading You Can’t Blame Him…
Conservative Ideology…
Jesus has been re-configured into thousands of different versions, sadly this is one of them. Continue reading Conservative Ideology…
About Feedly…
I thought I would tell you a little about Feedly in this post. I am probably cheating several of my blogging buddies out of view counts by using Feedly but it sure does make my daily views easier. Right now I have about 18 blogs that I always read the new posts. Some, like me blog daily, some only once a week or so. I … Continue reading About Feedly…
Puttin Up Hay…
Its been a while since I did a bio thing so I thought I would give you a little history lesson and tell you about my time in rural America and specifically about putting up hay. I know most people who have any idea of hay think of those big six-foot diameter bales that strewn around the countryside but in my day hay bails were … Continue reading Puttin Up Hay…
Living On The Outskirts Of Hope…
I want to pen some final words about Pope Francis here. The title of this post is a recent quote from him that truly inspires me. There are just too many people in the world to who the very idea of hope seems unknowable. They live in such despair that all they can manage is just surviving day-to-day. It is said that Pope Francis views the … Continue reading Living On The Outskirts Of Hope…
Ready, Fire, Aim….
Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of the United States forces in Afghanistan, told a Senate panel on Tuesday that the hospital was “mistakenly struck” as a result of a decision “within the U.S. chain of command.” Doctors Without Borders, which has likened the bombing to a war crime, said the purpose of the investigation would not be to establish criminal liability, but rather to clarify … Continue reading Ready, Fire, Aim….
The Most Surprising Regret Of The Very Old
What do older people regret when they look back over their lives? I asked hundreds of the oldest Americans that question. I had expected big-ticket items: an affair, a shady business deal, addictions — that kind of thing. I was therefore unprepared for the answer they often gave: I wish I hadn’t spent so much of my life worrying. Source: The Most Surprising Regret Of … Continue reading The Most Surprising Regret Of The Very Old
My Creative Side…
I seem to be ignoring my creative side lately in favor of other things. I promised myself I would not do that so I will make an effort in the coming days to bring it back. I believe that variety is the spice of life, no I don’t mean that in a sexual sense, but I also believe that creativity is a big part of … Continue reading My Creative Side…
Abolish The Fed…
The Fed put us in zombie ZIRP-land almost ten years ago by cutting short-term rates to zero. In ZIRP-land, senior citizens spend sleepless nights watching their wealth shrink as puny interest earnings fail to cover the cost of life. In ZIRP-land, stock prices twitch up and down, transferring wealth from the poor, old and financially unsophisticated to the rich and powerful. Source: Column: We have … Continue reading Abolish The Fed…
About Marriage and Divorce from a Christian Perspective…
But lost in the uproar are the voices of Christians, some equally conservative, who disagree with Davis’ stance and worry that holding her out as a martyr will ultimately hurt the cause of religious liberty…. Brenda Wynn, the clerk of Davidson County in Nashville, looks to Romans 13:1 for guidance: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that … Continue reading About Marriage and Divorce from a Christian Perspective…
The Golden Rule – The Capitalist Version…
I think this editorial cartoon by Mike Lukovich says it better than I ever could. The monied interests just have too much power in our national affairs. That could be easily reversed if only ALL of us would simple vote. How severe does the income inequality need to get before some of us realize that basic fact? Continue reading The Golden Rule – The Capitalist Version…
Under pressure from the right, House Speaker Boehner quits
who believe he was too willing to compromise with President Barack Obama and too frequently relied on Democratic votes to pass crucial legislation. Source: Under pressure from the right, House Speaker Boehner quits | Reuters I am very apprehensive about what is going to happen now that John Boehner is throwing in the towel in the House. I always viewed him as a good guy … Continue reading Under pressure from the right, House Speaker Boehner quits
Pope Francis and Consumerism…
In Francis’ encyclical Laudato Sí, he took aim at the West’s “extreme and selective consumerism” and “throwaway culture,” arguing that the developed world’s voracious appetites are a bigger threat to the planet than population growth. Blaming overpopulation in poorer parts of the world, he writes, “is an attempt to legitimize the present model of distribution, where a minority believes that it has the right to … Continue reading Pope Francis and Consumerism…
RJ's Corner 