Some protestor should've protested from home

Protestors are going to protest. There's always something out there people aren't happy with and they're going to show it with writing on a poster board. It's our God-given right in the great old U. S. of A.

However, it would be prudent to not show the world that you're a bleeping idiot and that there's a reason why there are stereotype jokes about your state!

Forrest Gump was right, "Mama always said, 'Stupid is as stupid does.'"

Live a good life.

I've seen this quote attributed to Marcus Aurelius as well as Anonymous. I don't have time to research and truthfully I don't really care who said it. It just is...a good quote for all people of any faith, no faith or not sure faith.

Live a good life.

If there are gods and they are just, 
    then they will not care how devout you have been, 
        but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by.

If there are gods, but unjust, 
    then you should not want to worship them.

If there are no gods, then you will be gone, 
    but will have lived a noble life 
        that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.

Pope Benedict XVI resigning

I thought being Pope was more of a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

I'm Catholic, non-practicing. I've attend a Methodist church (my wife's religion and not totally by my own free will) more than I have a Catholic church...a lot more. I'm not overly religious...let's be honest, I'm not that religious at all. It's not that I do or don't believe. I just have a very hard time giving into blind faith...for anything or anyone. I do believe what's meant to be is meant to be...we can try to change things and if they are changed or not...my thought is either of those outcomes were probably meant to be. Was the outcome directed by God or something else, that's where I cannot be definitive.

Anyway, I do understand faith, belief, trust, and stability. I think Pope Benedict XVI resigning because he "lacks the strength to do his job" is not a good sign to Catholics. It would make me question where the Pope's faith, belief and trust lies as wells question the stability of "the church."

To me, this says, "Go ahead people, give up on whatever it may be once you feel you no longer have the strength to continue." Essentially, give up because there you will find the strength nowhere.

The Vatican of all places should be saying when you are tired and weary let God carry you through those times so you can build up the strength to continue on. Or something like that.

I think the articles are stating that the last time the Pope resigned was almost 600 years ago. Apparently that was to end the Great Western Schism which seems to be not totally by choice and definitely not because he was too old or weak.

Again, I really don't care. But for the Catholic church to make the Pope of such reverence and idol-like, it seems to me that they would have foreseen this, try to handle it a different way, or just not elect an already old Cardinal to become Pope!

Apparently, common sense along with fears and worries is left at the door of the church!

In the news 10/14/2010

From cbs11tv.com

A federal appeals court has rejected a Dallas-area parent's challenge to the Texas pledge of allegiance over the words "under God."
Click here for article while it lasts.

I say, "GOOD!"

I'm not a religious fanatic. Heck, I miss church on a regular basis because "better" plans come along. I know, I'm a sinner.

I think this is a good thing in the sense that some things don't need to be changed because they aren't really harming anybody. God is and has been a fundamental part of the country whether its inhabitants like it or not.

The Constitution says "Year of our Lord" under Article VII where it lists all the witnesses.The Declaration of Independence uses "God," "Creator," and "Divine" within the text.

The Bill of Rights gives Americans the freedom of speech and religion. It doesn't say that America needs to change the historical significance God has played to please the many different religions. It means that you can practice whatever religion you want. It means that you have the right to not say "under God" during the Pledge of the state or nation. Nobody is forcing you to believe in God versus Allah versus Buddha versus Buddy Christ.

The point I'm trying to make is nobody is forcing you to believe in God. IMO, it's a foundational thing that doesn't and shouldn't be changed for the few, if even at all. There are far worse things that need to be "fixed" in the cities, states, nation and abroad. Let's spend our monies wisely on those things versus some asinine thing like "we are Atheists and my kid shouldn't have to say, 'under God,' during the Pledge." Just mouth the word or skip it altogether, ya dumb ass! That's what I do when I don't know the words to something and nobody knows the better.

Besides, as far as I've heard, saying "God" never hurt anybody except for that one time when I was a wee little boy and it started pouring rain like cats and dogs and then hailed. I ran from the backyard to the breezeway and said, "Oh my God!" My dad said, "What did you say?!" And I said it again. That's when he hurt my feelings by yelling at me for saying "God" and ruined my happy excited moment about the harshness of the weather.

U.S. Flag etiquette

I was just randomly thinking and a distinct thought popped into my head..."Is it really necessary or required to put your right hand over your heart during the U.S. National Anthem?"

It made me think of the stupid, annoying email chain letters that were going around about Obama "refusing to place his hand over his heart during the National Anthem." Granted he may have been ignorant and not realized that everything he did or didn't do was going to be scrutinized to the minute detail and blown up to enormous proportions but I never believed he outright refused! I just don't see his "people" letting him get away with blatantly stupid things like that because I don't doubt that some dip shit redneck would show him how "we 'mericans handle those folks who are anti-American types." There's always one in the crowd.

Anyway, Snopes kind of took care of that email chain letter here...pretty much. Enough for me since I wasn't actually there.

So, back to my search for the expected etiquette. I found something at USFlag.org flag etiquette which doesn't specifically say what civilians should do.

Then there's Wikipedia's version here that says some code was passed around 1998 that required the hand-over-the-heart.

And then Slate had a good article here pretty much saying the same as Wikipedia but the code was adopted earlier.

I guess I can come away with the knowledge that it's proper and somewhat required to put your right hand over your heart during the U.S. National Anthem.

Let it be known that I have always done this as I was brought up properly in regards to respect and the hand-over-heart has always been something I was taught to do. I was just curious if there was actual written etiquette.

Isn't this a little hypocritical?

Sent on the Super Jay Network from Super Jay's BlackBerry®

In the news 12/01/2009...and apparently more

Holy shit, Batman! Can you believe it is already December 2009? The main thing I always hated about the new year was having to learn to write the new year. I spent probably a month after January 2009 crossing out 2008 because of writing it out of habit. Now that I am used to writing 2009, I'm going to have to get used to writing 2010. Sucks!

So, back on tangent of an "in the news" post.

I saw an article on MSN that linked me to MSNBC that linked me to Badmouth. The headline reads on MSN:

Activist seeks divorce ban in California

Click here for the article as long as it lasts

The dude's got a point. I mean they wanted to preserve the sanctity of traditional marriage (between man and woman) by banning gay marriage why can't they further try to preserve it with a ban (if not at least more difficulty to get) on divorce? I'm happily married for a long time and I'm 99.9% sure I will be forever. I think some people see divorce as an out before even getting married. It's kind of like registering for and taking college classes. I take some classes just to see if I like them because I know that there is a drop date that allows me to withdraw from the class if I don't want to continue attending it anymore. If I knew in advance it's either a take or don't take, then I probably wouldn't take certain courses. Get the analogy?

Anyway, I'm totally for or against marriage. Weird, huh? Again, I'm happily married but I just don't see marriage as a necessary thing. I think society, at least historically, has taught individuals that one dates, gets married, buys a house, has children and lives "happily ever after". They don't tell you that sometimes after the house and children comes foreclosure and divorce. LOL! I lived with my wife for about three years before we got married. The times were (and still are) great but I don't think we needed to get married. I think that's just the expectation...dating then marriage placed upon couples--hetero or homo. I don't think marriage gave me any more of a commitment to her than I already had. I could have professed eternal commitment to her and kept my promise. That's just the kind of honorable person I am, honestly! Marriage didn't miraculously make our relationship more exciting and magical. Our relationship was already all that and more. What marriage did was give us a legal binding contract.

As such, I think the infringing party that breaches the contract should come out with the shit end of the stick. If they want to continue to honestly work to make the marriage work, okay...maybe. Otherwise, fuck them. They broke the contract why should they get ANYTHING from it. Sure there are many reasons for dissolving a marriage and annulment is good for most anything other than cheating, stealing, beating, and the like. If you fault on your house mortgage or auto loan, you don't get something out of it, do you? NOPE! They take your house or your car, end of story.

Anyway, before I get too high up on my podium (which side am I on though, huh?), I truly don't care if "marriage" is man-woman, man-man, woman-woman (umm...:-P). If the people are good people, who the shit cares what their sexual preference is?

In the news 10/27/2009

I was reading an article from the 'new' Yahoo home page about Scientology being convicted of fraud in France. [Article here as long as it lasts.]

It's an interesting read. I especially like the last paragraph:

Belgium, Germany and other European countries have been criticized by the U.S. State Department for labeling Scientology as a cult or sect and enacting laws to restrict its operations.

It makes me wonder why the hell the U.S. State Department gives a shit about what other countries think about religion. When did the U.S. become the "Earth Police?" Who said the U.S. is the be-all, know-all on everything in the world? Not that I don't think the U.S. is great and all or that the U.S. handles some situations much better than other countries.

I'm just saying who is the U.S. government to point fingers!?

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Goodbye and Good Riddance!

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Oh crap, part of the Bible belt is about to snap!

Saw an article at CBS 11 TV about some very interesting billboards (one example to the right) going up around the Tarrant County area, specifically off Interstate 30 between Fort Worth and Arlington.

Personally, I'm a believer that Jesus is forgiving and accepting. If a homosexual believes in God, aren't they still a believer and a Christian? Just because Baptists, Catholics, Protestants, Methodists or whoever may agree on one thing like homosexuality is wrong, does that overlook the differences in their other beliefs? Do those different beliefs make one religion a bunch of sinners compared to the others because they believe differently? Some want to believe so.

I don't care if you are gay or straight, rich or poor, redneck or yuppie. I do care whether you are trustworthy, caring, moral and responsible among other things. I have met many people who are supposed to be "elite" and yet they turn out to be the worst of the worst kind of people...wolves cloaked in sheep clothing. You know who you are, who they are. I am married and we have a homosexual friend who we are very close with. He has turned out to be more trustworthy and dependable than my heterosexual family and friends. And it's not just because he's after my sexy ass either! LOL!

So, would you rather have a homosexual save you from falling to your death off a cliff or a heterosexual pushing you to your death off a cliff? I say give me the homosexual EVERY TIME!

There is an area in Dallas around the streets of Lemmon Avenue, Oak Lawn, and Cedar Springs that they have dubbed "Boystown" because of the dense population of gays in the area. Back in the day, this area was run-down and dirty. Nobody wanted to live in the area because of the "wretched hive of scum and villainy" but the gays moved in and brought the area up. Now, the straights are moving back and look to want to retake what the gays have created...a way safer haven than before. It's all fine but if it wasn't for the gays this area would have never reemerged as a livable, cultural area for the "honest, working man."

Homosexuals have never really affected me. The fucking homeless fuckers on the corner of Mockingbird Lane or Lovers Lane and Central Expressway are way more disgusting and bothersome to me than ANY homosexual ever has been to me. Now, if there was a homeless homosexual they'd just be as worthless to me as any homeless person.

Everyone is okay with me as long as they are pulling their weight within society and I don't have to pay for the fucking deadbeats of the nation. Let's get rid of those fuckers and then we maybe we can reason to hate other people!

Link to article as long as it lasts

I found Jesus

at Target so who needs to go to church?

I was shopping with the wife and kids and saw these "action figures" on the shelf. It was kind of weird to see. They also had some smaller figures that were more like Lego-type figures. Not to sound racist or anything, but this particular Target is in a predominantly Mexican/Hispanic neighborhood. You know how they are always seeing Jesus somewhere...toast, foggy windows, Cheetos and the like. Okay, that could be construed as somewhat racist but c'mon, we all know what I say is true!

Anyway, I took a snapshot with my Blackberry for posterity:

Lent

So, to coincide with Lent, I have decided to give up Diet Dr Pepper (soda in general) because I have a 3-can/bottle-before-lunch/end-of-work-and-2/3-more-cans-at-night habit that I think I may need to kick. If I drank alcohol, I would be considered an alcoholic...good thing I can't stand the taste of alcohol.

I've also decided to start my weight-loss initiative. I stopped by the store last night after my tennis match and bought a bunch of Healthy Choice, Smart Ones, and Lean Cuisine meals. I feel like and always have felt like I was wasting money on these meals because I wasn't getting the quantity (and sometimes quality) of food I expected to get from spending my hard earned dollars like I would from Wendy's or Whataburger.

I still believe this is true but my issue is portion size. I was raised in a fairly big family, money was tight, and we were taught not to waste. Even if I am full, I will usually clean my plate because I can't waste food. This is why I've purchased the meals. They are portion-sized and should help me retrain my mentality and eating habits.

So, my journey begins on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Starting weight is 221 lbs. The goal is 40 days and beyond as long as all goes well.

We'll see...

Merry Christmas 2008 and Happy New Year 2009!!

Just a quick post to say "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

That's right "CHRISTMAS" Not Happy Holidays.

For all you other religions or non-religions, take it as a gesture of good will. It's not a malicious statement and it never has been. So, for those that find it offensive...shut the fuck up and worry about the things that ARE ill will.

If you have a problem with Christmas, then I don't think you should get a PAID holiday day off for it. Get your ass back to work! See, Christmas isn't so bad after all, huh? And Merry Christmas never hurt anybody.

Anyway, I'll get off my podium and go back to the Christmas cheer!

May ye all be merry and have a fun, memorable, exciting Christmas and New Year!

Church choir takes on hip hop

This is one of the funniest things I've seen/heard. Worth it to hear the singing and see the faces of the choir members. It also makes me think that the gospel songs are much easier to sing than most people think. Anyway, enjoy...

Pope Benedictus Scare-Us

I saw that the Pope is coming to visit the White House. I guess by now he is actually here. Anyway, in this article that I read a few days ago they mentioned that someone was selling these Pope figurines. They are a little scary to me.

Almost like Emperor Palpatine..."Come my children and welcome the firts galactic empire!



Anyway, that's all my thoughts on the subject.

Christmas gifts

I got this from the wife and kids. It's a leather cross shield necklace from James Avery. It's pretty cool. It comes with clasps that you can take to the store with the necklace and they can connect it all but I decided to just do the whole tying thing...for now.

 

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I got this "mood head" from a coworker. I think it captures me perfectly. It's Asian-looking and has my moods down pat!

 
 
 
 

What happened to discipline by yard sticks

From DallasNews.com,

BANQUETE, Texas – Arrest warrants have been issued for two officials at a Christian boot camp accused of dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she fell behind the group during a morning run, authorities said.

Charles Eugene Flowers and Stephanie Bassitt of San Antonio-based Love Demonstrated Ministries, a 32-day boot camp, are facing aggravated assault charges for the alleged June 12 incident.

And people of the old days were scared of a switch or yard stick.

Again...why would this happen...

If there is an omnipotent, all-knowing, all-loving entity called GOD why would innocent little children suffer and die in such ways? I guess I'm just venting because it makes me sad to see the loss of precious little lives. I truly don't believe there is SOME reason for all this needless suffering of children. I guess some will say that who cares how it feels to live on Earth because there is this splendid place called Heaven and we won't recall our suffering from the "living" world. I guess this could be true but why can't the LIVING world be enjoyable like say dinner and the SPIRITUAL world (Heaven) be like dessert. Ya know what I mean?

Dad, girl fatally shot...

8-yr-old girl is killed when ATV rolls over her...

Man: Boy's backyard shooting an accident...

click on a link for full story while they last

More from the Frontburner - Benny Hinn

This article cracked me up! I think if Benny Hinn would use some of that money he spends on hair spray to maintain the ULTIMATE comb-over, he could probably have the money he's begging for! RIDICULOUS!

Link the the article here!

Why does it always happen to the innocent, little ones

Again, I ask how some can have unwavering belief there is a God, a loving God. How loving is it for a 3-yr-old to get the living shit kicked out of him, have to suffer through his injuries and finally put out of his misery when his body just couldn't maintain functioning with his injuries.

We waste money on jailing these people. We waste money on trying these people. We waste money on putting them in prison to serve their terms.

For people like this, I would enjoy being judge, jury, executioner. And all I would waste is my own energy and maybe a bullet after I gave them what they gave their victims.

Sounds harsh, I know but if we as a society were not such pussies on such heinous crimes, I think there would be less of them. Jail is not punishment nor is it rehabilitating. It's like a bad, bad Griswald vacation!

As a parent, it infuriates and saddens me to see this happen to innocent children. Read the story and get pissed off with me.

Mom charged with not halting child's beating

05:11 AM CDT on Friday, October 20, 2006

By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News

The mother of a 3-year-old boy who police say was beaten and kicked to death by the woman's teenage boyfriend has been arrested and accused of leaving her son with the man after she witnessed most of the violence.

Arrest warrant affidavits say Arlena Lindley, 21, of Dallas was in the apartment when her son, Titches Lindley, was choked, stomped and tossed against a wall by her boyfriend. Then Ms. Lindley went shopping.

Ms. Lindley was booked into the Lew Sterrett Justice Center on Wednesday afternoon on a charge of injury to a child with the intent of serious bodily injury by omission, a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. Her bail is set at $100,000.

Ms. Lindley's boyfriend, Alonzo Turner, 19, was being held without bail on charges of capital murder in connection with the Oct. 13 death of Titches.

He also is charged with family violence assault because he's accused of injuring Ms. Lindley.

Ms. Lindley and Mr. Turner have declined interview requests.

Police said that about 10 a.m. Oct. 13, Ms. Lindley was at the apartment in the 4800 block of Sunnyvale Street in east Oak Cliff when Mr. Turner flew into a tirade because Titches wouldn't eat his oatmeal and had soiled his pants.

According to the affidavits, Mr. Turner ordered the boy into the bedroom, told him to bend over and beat him with a belt. He threw the boy against the wall.

Titches then spit oatmeal on the floor, and after he refused to lick it up, police said, Mr. Turner forced the boy's face into the mess. He then grabbed the boy's throat and stepped on his chest, then forced the boy's head into the toilet, police said.

"She didn't step in to protect the child," said Lt. Ches Williams, head of the crimes against children unit. "She was there enough of the time to realize that the child was being hurt."

Instead, the affidavits said, the boy's mother left with a friend to go to the store. Mr. Turner would not let them take Titches along, police said.

When her friend asked Ms. Lindley if they should call anyone, she reportedly said no, one affidavit said.

Soon after, an apartment manager walking by heard Mr. Turner yelling, "Get up! Get up!" at the boy. Through the window, she could see the man kicking the boy. She knocked on the door and confronted him. "I had to whoop him for pooping in his pants," Mr. Turner told her, according to police.

She went back to the office, and 911 was called. An officer arrived but found the apartment abandoned.

Police later learned Mr. Turner had taken Titches "to the store to get Pepto-Bismol because [Titches] was complaining of a sore stomach," according to one affidavit.

Meanwhile, after doing some shopping, Ms. Lindley accompanied her friend to her apartment, where they discussed Mr. Turner's behavior. Ms. Lindley, according to the friend, "was smiling when she told about the ... beating," an affidavit states.

At 1:40 p.m., the women returned to the apartment and found Titches, who was having "a hard time standing up and was tired." Mr. Turner told the boy, "Don't you fall down!" and laughed. The boy went to rest in the bedroom.

Ms. Lindley checked on her son and found his breathing labored but did nothing, police said. Minutes later, she found him not breathing, police said.

Mr. Turner dialed 911. Titches died at Children's Medical Center Dallas. Police said Titches had broken ribs, extensive internal bleeding and head trauma. The Dallas County medical examiner's office ruled he had died from multiple blunt force injuries.

When investigators asked Ms. Lindley why she didn't take her son away from Mr. Turner, she answered, "I don't know."

Is there really a God?

Stories like this make me sick...see story here. (link may expire)

As a parent, I wonder how a loving God can allow this to happen. I know some will say that he is in a better place or the "maker" has called him back home or some religious bull-cocky statement but the fact of the matter is... this boy SUFFERED before he was "called back" to the almighty savior!

It wasn't instantaneous death or a vanishing like in the "Left Behind" movies.

He probably had some suffocation and then the heatstroke.

It's unforgivable for mortals. It should be unforgivable for Gods.

I'm not anti-God. I'm anti-suffering for the young and innocent.

I would be bitter if this happened to my kids. I'm not quite sure how someone wouldn't whether they are very religious or not. One should be able to be bitter about it.

Oh well. We live. We die. Why should I try to analyze it?

DONE!