I'm here at the computer, ostensibly to de-clutter my paperwork, write some checks that need to be written, clean away the dust that has settled in the deep recesses of my desk, etc. In reality, I'm spending a little too much time, browsing silly things online!
Here's a funny one, from a site I like to visit when feeling discouraged with the world of politics, economics and other current events:
America's Vonn Wins Downhill - Dems Demand Investigation
Lindsay Vonn's dual victories at Lake Louise over the weekend have drawn sharp criticism from ranking Democrats, followed by demands for an inquiry into the troubling incident.
President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder held a press conference announcing an investigation into Vonn's motives. "America has been arrogant in the past," stated the president. "We need to atone and ask for forgiveness. These victories in the women's downhill events send the wrong message to the world - that America is still arrogant and seeks to win. For this I intend to apologize directly to the IOC."
and
Leaders of the progressive community were quick to condemn Vonn's behavior on the slopes. Former Vice President Al Gore interrupted his vacation on a luxury yacht to release this statement: "Those who ski on snow while the world is melting, not only live in denial; they are committing a crime against science. Our children will watch her ski and think that everything's fine and there will be a winter next year. People like this stop at nothing, not even at using polar bear pelts for throw rugs when nobody's watching."
and
Representative Barney Frank, while on his way to insult his constituency at a town hall meeting, was adamant: "It's sick! What's worse, she's married to a man! What kind of message does this send our children?"
Okay, it seems I've pasted the whole thing in here. But I haven't. Go read it.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Beware of Radical Christians
Here's a funny clip from the movie "An American Carol." Even before it happened, there's a joke about an "underwear bomber."
Above is the original, as seen on You Tube. I found out about it from here.
Above is the original, as seen on You Tube. I found out about it from here.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry Christmas!
In keeping with tradition on this blog, this year's Christmas poem. A very blessed Christmas, to one and all!
How far is it to Bethlehem?
by Frances ChestertonHow far is it to Bethlehem?
How far is it to Bethlehem?
Not very far.
Shall we find the stable room
Lit by a star?Can we see the little child,
Is he within?If we lift the wooden latch
May we go in?May we stroke the creatures there,
Ox, ass, or sheep?May we peep like them and see
Jesus asleep?If we touch his tiny hand
Will he awake?Will he know we've come so far
Just for his sake?Great kings have precious gifts,
And we have naught,Little smiles and little tears
Are all we brought.For all weary children
Mary must weep.Here, on his bed of straw
Sleep, children, sleep.God in his mother's arms,
Babes in the byre,
Sleep, as they sleep who find
Their heart's desire.
God Rest Ye Merry, Mr President
I never thought I would see a presidential administration that would make the Clinton Administration look, well, so presidential.
I wonder, would President Obama ever allow drag queens on a Ramadan display?
I wonder, would President Obama ever allow drag queens on a Ramadan display?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Pet Peeve: Insulting Others' Christmas Letters
Just a public declaration that I LIKE TO READ FRIENDS' CHRISTMAS LETTERS!
Why do so many people make fun of Christmas letters? Friends and family are scattered far and wide. I do care what their kids are up to. I do want to know who is retiring or who is buying a new house. Just because I do not keep up with people on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis doesn't mean I don't care enough to get a yearly run-down of the pertinent highlights of the previous year.
I'll be so bold as to say that I'd rather read a yearly holiday round-up of events than read the daily Twitters of "going to the toilet now" and "just ate too many brownies." Please, save the very personal and mundane for those living in your house. Furthermore, since I don't have the guts to say this to anyone in person, I'll confess here that I'd rather read in a simple yearly letter "I'm dating a great guy called Jim" than your Facebook entry that you're "feeling really grrreat after last night's date!" {shudder}
Right. So, if anyone is on the fence about enclosing a letter in their Christmas cards, I say GO FOR IT.
Why do so many people make fun of Christmas letters? Friends and family are scattered far and wide. I do care what their kids are up to. I do want to know who is retiring or who is buying a new house. Just because I do not keep up with people on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis doesn't mean I don't care enough to get a yearly run-down of the pertinent highlights of the previous year.
I'll be so bold as to say that I'd rather read a yearly holiday round-up of events than read the daily Twitters of "going to the toilet now" and "just ate too many brownies." Please, save the very personal and mundane for those living in your house. Furthermore, since I don't have the guts to say this to anyone in person, I'll confess here that I'd rather read in a simple yearly letter "I'm dating a great guy called Jim" than your Facebook entry that you're "feeling really grrreat after last night's date!" {shudder}
Right. So, if anyone is on the fence about enclosing a letter in their Christmas cards, I say GO FOR IT.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Our Lady of Guadalupe and Climate Change
Imagine this scenario: My husband and I are behind on our mortgage payments. We are using almost-maxed-out credit cards, just to buy food to feed the kids. Our roof is leaking because we cannot afford to make repairs. I decide to take a job, stacking shelves at the local supermarket. I take a middle-of-the-night shift, so as to keep disruption to our family life at a minimal. And what do we do with the small amount of money I bring in? Forget warm boots for the kids' feet this winter! We want to be ecologically responsible! We use my pittance to buy CFLs for the lamps and bamboo flooring to practice our yoga.
It seems that this is what the world's leaders are doing right now, as all the Henny Pennies gather to discuss how the sky is falling because of too many people breathing out too much carbon dioxide, too many people eating too many cows passing methane into our precious planet, the stupid Catholic Church needing to be taxed because they won't do anything about population control. [Okay, no world leader has suggested that, I think; I read it in a com-box at The Times (London) website.] World leaders are pledging money to "go green" on an international scale, but I have to wonder who it is that is getting the money. Who is getting rich off of this snake oil scheme? Granted, I've been paying attention to this climate change convention with only half a brain -- but my head does reel from all the millions of dollars that are being put forth to combat global warming. The richer nations of the world are called upon to help our not-as-materially-wealthy brethren by . . . . what? . . . . helping them go green? "Let them eat cake!" is what comes to mind in this debacle. Better expressed is what I read in the "Liturgy of the Hours Supplement" this morning, for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's from a message of Pope Paul VI to the people of Mexico, in 1970 (any points of emphasis my own):
Christians can do no less than to show solidarity in seeking a solution to the situation of those to whom the bread of culture has not yet come nor the opportunity of honorable and justly remunerated work. They cannot remain indifferent while new generations find no path for the realization of their legitimate aspirations, and while part of humanity continues to be placed at the margins of the advantages of civilization and progress. For this reason, on this celebrated feast, we urge you from our heart to give your Christian life a clear social sense -- as the Council has asked -- that you may always be in the front line in all efforts to attain progress, and in all the initiatives for improving the situation of those who suffer want. See in each person a brother or a sister -- a brother or sister in Christ -- in such a way that the love of God and the love of the neighbor become united in the same love, alive and operative, which is the only thing that can redeem the miseries of the world, renewing it in its most profound root, the human heart. The person who has much should be conscious of his or her obligation to serve and contribute with generosity to the good of all. The person who has little or who has nothing should, with the help of a just society, make every effort at self-improvement and of going beyond self, and even cooperating in the progress of those who suffer the same situation. And, all of you, feel the obligation to unite fraternally so as to help forge this new world for which the human race longs. This is what the Virgin of Guadalupe asks of you today, this fidelity to the Gospel, of which she knew how to be the most eminent example.
When I read that, it strikes me that the last thing I want to say to God, when I stand naked before Him at the end of my life, is "my brother was starving, so I helped him reduce his carbon footprint." It's sad that the majority of our fellow brothers and sisters do not even comprehend the New World for which the human race longs. The new world is not meant to be a world without people, because they are just a drain on resources. It's insane that we've so many tangible problems in front of us today, and the world's leaders are focusing on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's almost like a family of alcoholics in denial: they know something is wrong, but won't be honest about the problem; so they start repainting the outside of the house as a way to present the picture of a healthy family to the world, as this is so much easier to tackle than the true problem.
But I am not falling into despair about this. Yes, I'm frustrated that elected leaders seem clueless about the real problems in the world. Yes, I'm frustrated that the international community feels that the most important thing to talk about is climate change and that it won't deal honestly with terrorism, AIDS, poverty and the like. However, rather than despair, I think it's a good opportunity to truly focus on the tiny, tiny part of God's kingdom that is in front of me. And it's a fitting tribute to our Heavenly Mother. She didn't make a name for herself by defending her Son and arguing with the Pharisees. Everything we know of her from the Bible, she's saying "yes" to what God puts in front of her and "pondering in her heart" those things that are beyond her immediate scope. I think it is the most realistic way most of us have to bring about the Kingdom of God -- follow by our Blessed Mother's example.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Update:
Someone else agrees with me:
Not everyone agreed with the protesters. A young economist from Copenhagen watched as the crowd march by.
“In a hundred years people will say, why did we do so much for the climate, when you could have done so much for the people starving," he said.
It seems that this is what the world's leaders are doing right now, as all the Henny Pennies gather to discuss how the sky is falling because of too many people breathing out too much carbon dioxide, too many people eating too many cows passing methane into our precious planet, the stupid Catholic Church needing to be taxed because they won't do anything about population control. [Okay, no world leader has suggested that, I think; I read it in a com-box at The Times (London) website.] World leaders are pledging money to "go green" on an international scale, but I have to wonder who it is that is getting the money. Who is getting rich off of this snake oil scheme? Granted, I've been paying attention to this climate change convention with only half a brain -- but my head does reel from all the millions of dollars that are being put forth to combat global warming. The richer nations of the world are called upon to help our not-as-materially-wealthy brethren by . . . . what? . . . . helping them go green? "Let them eat cake!" is what comes to mind in this debacle. Better expressed is what I read in the "Liturgy of the Hours Supplement" this morning, for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It's from a message of Pope Paul VI to the people of Mexico, in 1970 (any points of emphasis my own):
Christians can do no less than to show solidarity in seeking a solution to the situation of those to whom the bread of culture has not yet come nor the opportunity of honorable and justly remunerated work. They cannot remain indifferent while new generations find no path for the realization of their legitimate aspirations, and while part of humanity continues to be placed at the margins of the advantages of civilization and progress. For this reason, on this celebrated feast, we urge you from our heart to give your Christian life a clear social sense -- as the Council has asked -- that you may always be in the front line in all efforts to attain progress, and in all the initiatives for improving the situation of those who suffer want. See in each person a brother or a sister -- a brother or sister in Christ -- in such a way that the love of God and the love of the neighbor become united in the same love, alive and operative, which is the only thing that can redeem the miseries of the world, renewing it in its most profound root, the human heart. The person who has much should be conscious of his or her obligation to serve and contribute with generosity to the good of all. The person who has little or who has nothing should, with the help of a just society, make every effort at self-improvement and of going beyond self, and even cooperating in the progress of those who suffer the same situation. And, all of you, feel the obligation to unite fraternally so as to help forge this new world for which the human race longs. This is what the Virgin of Guadalupe asks of you today, this fidelity to the Gospel, of which she knew how to be the most eminent example.
When I read that, it strikes me that the last thing I want to say to God, when I stand naked before Him at the end of my life, is "my brother was starving, so I helped him reduce his carbon footprint." It's sad that the majority of our fellow brothers and sisters do not even comprehend the New World for which the human race longs. The new world is not meant to be a world without people, because they are just a drain on resources. It's insane that we've so many tangible problems in front of us today, and the world's leaders are focusing on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's almost like a family of alcoholics in denial: they know something is wrong, but won't be honest about the problem; so they start repainting the outside of the house as a way to present the picture of a healthy family to the world, as this is so much easier to tackle than the true problem.
But I am not falling into despair about this. Yes, I'm frustrated that elected leaders seem clueless about the real problems in the world. Yes, I'm frustrated that the international community feels that the most important thing to talk about is climate change and that it won't deal honestly with terrorism, AIDS, poverty and the like. However, rather than despair, I think it's a good opportunity to truly focus on the tiny, tiny part of God's kingdom that is in front of me. And it's a fitting tribute to our Heavenly Mother. She didn't make a name for herself by defending her Son and arguing with the Pharisees. Everything we know of her from the Bible, she's saying "yes" to what God puts in front of her and "pondering in her heart" those things that are beyond her immediate scope. I think it is the most realistic way most of us have to bring about the Kingdom of God -- follow by our Blessed Mother's example.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!
Update:
Someone else agrees with me:
Not everyone agreed with the protesters. A young economist from Copenhagen watched as the crowd march by.
“In a hundred years people will say, why did we do so much for the climate, when you could have done so much for the people starving," he said.
Monday, December 07, 2009
Harry Reid: Clueless
I will try to be as charitable as possible and limit myself to calling Harry Reid an idiot.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took his GOP-blasting rhetoric to a new level Monday, comparing Republicans who oppose health care reform to lawmakers who clung to the institution of slavery more than a century ago. Source.
Right, Harry. Does he remember what the Three-Fifths Compromise was? It was the way our nation had of dancing around the inconvenient truth that slaves really were people. Kind of like today, when too many in our nation won't deal with the inconvenient truth that unborn babies are really people.
That, my Mr. Reid, is the problem a lot of people have with your health care reform: its refusal to grant all Americans, born and unborn, the status of peoplehood.
So, tell me, Mr. Reid, who it is that is most acting like those who didn't want to let slavery go away?
Also from the article, quoting Reid:
"When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."
Hm. What about whenever any pro-life politician is on the verge of guaranteeing equal rights to everyone regardless of which side of the umbilical cord they're on? Do you and your cronies, Mr. Reid, leap at the chance to undo the wrongs that have been done since Roe v. Wade came into existence?
It's maddening!!!!
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took his GOP-blasting rhetoric to a new level Monday, comparing Republicans who oppose health care reform to lawmakers who clung to the institution of slavery more than a century ago. Source.
Right, Harry. Does he remember what the Three-Fifths Compromise was? It was the way our nation had of dancing around the inconvenient truth that slaves really were people. Kind of like today, when too many in our nation won't deal with the inconvenient truth that unborn babies are really people.
That, my Mr. Reid, is the problem a lot of people have with your health care reform: its refusal to grant all Americans, born and unborn, the status of peoplehood.
So, tell me, Mr. Reid, who it is that is most acting like those who didn't want to let slavery go away?
Also from the article, quoting Reid:
"When this body was on the verge of guaranteeing equal civil rights to everyone regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today."
Hm. What about whenever any pro-life politician is on the verge of guaranteeing equal rights to everyone regardless of which side of the umbilical cord they're on? Do you and your cronies, Mr. Reid, leap at the chance to undo the wrongs that have been done since Roe v. Wade came into existence?
It's maddening!!!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
DO Believe the hype!!!
My new favorite household tool. And I'm not making any money by singing its praises. No corporate sponsorships of this humble blog.
For anyone out there who is wondering why I can be so excited and so wordy about a simple floor cleaning instrument, you'll have to trust me that I don't impress easily. I've ignored the WetJet commercials for a long time because I don't believe most of what they say in any commercials! But, I've now experienced it first hand: the WetJet is much better than the mop. And this neat-freak who hated her neglected, dusty floors is thrilled to be able to clean up the dirt so easily, the many times a day it needs it around here. Hurrah!
The Swiffer WetJet. Where has this been all my life?
Better than a mop. And I'm not just quoting a commercial.
We sweep every day, but washing the floor was the most neglected chore in this household. Why? With many children under foot, homeschooled children who don't disappear for a number of hours during the day, it's hard to find a time when mopping the floor is convenient. Maybe I buy the wrong mops, but it takes forever and a year for my mopped floors to dry. WetJet solved that. You squirt the water out, push it around with the WetJet, and it's dry moments later.
Swiffer used to make (do they still make?) wet floor cloths. But I hated the way the smelled. I'm very picky when it comes to scented items, in that I don't like most scented cleaners, candles, air fresheners, etc. While WetJet does have a scent I wish were a little toned down, it's better than the old stuff. I can live with it for the convenience of having floors that clean so well and dry in so short a time.For anyone out there who is wondering why I can be so excited and so wordy about a simple floor cleaning instrument, you'll have to trust me that I don't impress easily. I've ignored the WetJet commercials for a long time because I don't believe most of what they say in any commercials! But, I've now experienced it first hand: the WetJet is much better than the mop. And this neat-freak who hated her neglected, dusty floors is thrilled to be able to clean up the dirt so easily, the many times a day it needs it around here. Hurrah!
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