Sabbatical Year

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A few months ago, I spoke to another professor at work who I knew to be a practicing Jew, about some things I read in the book of Leviticus. He explained that, although they are not sure exactly, this year was the Sabbatical Year, or the year in which the Jews have been commanded to let things rest. For some reason, these passages had stuck out in my mind this summer as I read the Old Testament anew, for the first time in many years.

I have loaned and gifted much money in the course of my life. A few weeks ago, a man I know to whose wife I once gave money to help them meet their financial obligations pulled me aside to thank me and warn me against continuing the practice. I explained to him that "because I have been given much, I too must give". I have saved and lived as I have for the support and benefit of my own family, but in the absence thereof, I chose to reach out and bless others.

Today, in accordance with the Law of the Sabbath, which I choose to live, I hereby forgive all debts as yet outstanding and owed to me. Regardless of the amount, keep the money. Pay it forward if you like, but I hold you accountable for nothing more. I know that in the Year of Jubilee that begins tomorrow, the Lord will, as with Job, bless me with more than I had at the beginning.

Granted, I may not be correct in the timing. I am not a Jew. Jesus, however, was, and I will follow him as best I know, and he would have us forgive those indebted to us if we wish forgiveness of his father. Let the Lord judge between me and thee.

Thanks to the Little Guys

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It's a little known fact, but since I know a little Tongan and I know a few Tongans who are themselves far from little, I wish to draw attention to the heroic men of Tonga who served in Iraq in support of the coalition. Although they withdrew their last platoon just prior to Christmas in 2008, they still were there.

Psi bay (phonetic). Well done and Godspeed.

Memo From the Dark Side

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I really love Sam Waterston. He's been one of my favorite Law and Order stars of all time. Tonight, I saw him do something amazing. I saw him stand on Lexington Green.

I know as well as any bloke that Law and Order is just a TV show. I know that actors are symbols. Symbols are given power by people, and so I choose to make this symbol a power by sharing it with you.

Tonight's Law and Order season premier, upon which I happened by complete chance, dealt with a lawyer from a previous administration who tried to avoid prosecution by virtue of connections. Even an official from the current administration stepped forward to block Sam Waterston's character, so as to prevent prosecution for their dirty laundry after they leave office.

The DA's office pointed out that they don't want a county prosecutor able to take down a federal official, except that this is EXACTLY what should be possible. The Created is not greater than the Creator. Shall the ax boast itself against him who heweth therewith? Yet, the federal government, which came after the states which came after the people who settled them, claims hegemony over all that gave it life and attempts to hold ours at ransom.

In his closing statement, the ADA says:

it is not disloyal to hold our officials to the highest standards of conduct and
it is not disloyal for you the people to decide what you want done in your name

There are those who do not want you to speak. Harry Reid once wrote me back and basically told me that I'm stupid. Others stopped holding town hall meetings. They don't know you. They don't consider themselves responsible to us or responsible for anything. They should. We pay them. We hire them. We will fire them.

Whatever you feel about torture, feel this about government. No official, servant to the people, has the right to railroad you. No politician or bureaucrat, obstentiously engaged in the "general welfare" has a right to ignore an individual's welfare. They may sit on their thrones and consider themselves safe. King George III made that mistake. When General Gage said, "If you think five thousand men enough, send ten thousand", and the king ignored him, he sowed the seeds for his own loss of empire.

Like Patrick Henry said, "millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us." People should not be afraid of their governments; governments should be afraid of the people.

The Guy's a Keeper

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So how many of these apply to you?

#1. Keeper clue: He has his act together.
This seems like a no-brainer, but it's a good place to start. "It's very important that you two be able to have a lot of fun together, so a party boy or a screw-up will probably not work out for you," says Mira Kirshenbaum, a family and couples therapist and author of Is He Mr. Right? "No matter how charming he is, if he is still struggling to grow up, it will get very old, very fast."

#2. Keeper clue: He puts you first.
Picture a delicious platter of grilled steak. Does your man offer it to you first to pick the best piece? He does if he's a keeper! "When it comes to taking the best piece of meat or offering it to you, that's a metaphor for how he'd always put you first the rest of your life," says Rachel Greenwald, author of "Why He Didn't Call You Back: 1,000 Guys Reveal What They Really Thought of You After Your Date."

#3. Keeper clue: He's not afraid of your germs.
You know a guy is really into you when he can't stay away, even when you're bedridden and snotty. "When you're sick with the flu, he says, 'Let me come over and take care of you,' rather than, 'Oooh, you sound really contagious... call me when you're feeling better,'" Greenwald says.

#4. Keeper clue: He's a family man.
He asks about your family, and he seems to genuinely want to hear about them. "Interest in your family shows that he thinks about you as a whole person, and he knows that being with you means understanding and accepting your relatives too," says Sarah Harrison, senior editor of yourtango.com.

#5. Keeper clue: He makes time for your friends.
In the beginning of your relationship, does your man show an interest in meeting your besties? And does he follow it up with a plan, like hosting a low-key dinner party? "Friends are an important part of your life, and his knowing them makes him more involved with you." Harrison says. "Plus, he'll have to deal with them at some point, so initiating it himself shows maturity."

#6. Keeper clue: He's your biggest cheerleader.
When your guy calls your mom to tell her about your promotion before you do, that should tell you something. A man who is supportive of you and your goals is typically a guy who doesn't "feel threatened by your success," says Kirshenbaum. "He knows who he is and where he's going," which means he can ultimately be there for you.

#7. Keeper clue: He remembers the little things.
Does your man really listen to you? You'll know he's a keeper if you tell him you have a big scary work meeting and the next time you talk, he asks how it went. Or if you tell him you left your sunglasses at his house and he remembers them on your next date. "Following up on things you say to him means he pays attention to you -- always a good sign," Harrison says.

#8. Keeper clue: He's happy when you're happy.
This is the guy who "goes to a chick flick with you on Friday night rather than an action film -- not because he actually wants to, but because it makes you happy," says Greenwald.

#9. Keeper clue: He makes you the best you can be.
A guy who makes you feel like the luckiest woman alive -- like you can (and should!) be your confident, fabulous self -- is worth hanging on to. "It's not just about how you feel about him but more about how he makes you feel about yourself," Kirshenbaum says.

...Apparently Not I

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When I went up to the department office at work yesterday just before noon, I ran across the department chair who bore bad news. Apparently, after this semester, I will no longer be allowed to teach until the furlough program created by the governor to alleviate state expenditures comes to an end. It technically counts as "overtime" and by the governor's mandate, no state employee is allowed to work overtime. They grandfathered me in for this semester since it's already underway, but I will no longer be teaching your children until further notice.

The good news is that Dr. J gave me the impression that once the crisis ends I will return to the opportunity. We fear more or greater cuts in the future, and I don't budget based on the teaching money, but it sounded like I will return to the classroom as soon as the governor will let me.

Let me impress upon you that this mandate comes from somewhere higher up than the department. Ultimately, it goes back to Governor Gibbons who, instead of cutting excess personnel, hit all of us with a shotgun blast.

Unfortunately for the students we serve, this means that students will suffer. Instead of professors who love teaching and excel at it, they will sit in class with teachers like Professor O, who are present physically but whose ultimate motives seem to lie somewhere other than in the presentation of an education to the students.

I have enjoyed very much the opportunity to work with these fine young men and women. With this new knowledge, I promise to dedicate myself more fully for the remaining 27 hours I have in class with them and give them the best I can to spur them to success now and in the future.

On my honor.

Hopefully some day soon I will return to the classroom. Meanwhile, I will do my best to do my duty in the office to which I am appointed with due diligence.

Who's Teaching Your Children?...

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My students complained in lab Monday night about their lecture professor, so I went with them to their lecture Wednesday night before my other night lab section. Let me simply say that their concerns are well founded. Their teacher displayed no excitement for her position and no love for teaching as a profession. Here are some of the things she said:

basically, the stuff I addressed in lectures is all you need to know.
I will not pull random facts I didn't address in lecture for the test.
Learn something else you don't know.
I don't want you to ignore chapter one...
the exam is worth...did you look in your syllabus?
I didn't bring any of my notes with me.
It's explained pretty well in your book.
Whatever it does in the cell.
It's getting a little too detailed.
I don't want to go there. It goes into serious detail.

and my personal favorite:
Oxidation is when an atom loses an election.

I didn't know they were on the ballot.

The Erised Principle

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In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Dumbledore tells Harry that the Mirror of Erised was one of his most ingeneous devices to thwart Voldemort. I think that historical political philosophers would have liked this maneuver, as I will attempt to explain.

Yes, I aspire to lead. I do not really like to be in the limelight or be out front, but I do not like how people of low character and little discernment arise to positions of power. The Stone in the movie represents the ultimate power- power over life and death. According to the Founders, this power was reserved to our Creator, and every power man has over man is by the grace of God.

I am like Harry. I want to find the stone, to find it but not use it. If the people of this country gave me power, it would be so that I could get as much of it back to them as possible.

Only a person who wants to find the Stone, find it, but not use it, should be able to get it.

Litmus Tests

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As a scientist, I have used litmus paper for the better part of 10 years to determine the chemical nature of substances. As an adult, I have used other litmus tests to measure the disposition of people with whom I have had cause to interact. Some people say I should abandon them, and although I seem to have as a result few friends and few close relationships, I use them to protect myself from getting burned.

Just as acids and bases can burn sensitive parts of your body, associations with the wrong types of people can burn sensitive parts of your psyche. A few years ago, I made changes to my life, and I continue to do so, as a way to protect myself from people who would do me harm. Sometimes it works better than others.

Years ago, my paternal grandfather, who often recited poems, taught me this one:

You Tell on Yourself
You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which you burdens bear,
By the kind of things at which you laugh,
By the records you play on the phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf:
In these ways and more, you tell on yourself.

—Author Unknown

So, I grew a beard, kept an old sedan, and adopted a mostly vegetarian diet.

People tell me that I am too critical of people. I can usually tell within about 10-20 minutes of conversation about how likely I am to get along with someone. Based on their interests, the topics about which they like to speak, and what priorities they set, I can tell that although they are nice people, we share very few values on which to build a lasting relationship.

Very few people ever evaluate the world. Some of them do pro/con lists or some sort of actuarial analysis, but they also think too much with their heads and too little with their hearts. Most people value very little the things that are of the highest value. I am very blessed in most aspects of life where others may envy me, but until they serve my highest choice of Home and Hearth, they are but a means to an end.

Where your treasure is, there shall your heart be. You'll be in my heart.

Seven of Eight

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Lately, I have developed a new phrase to describe how well I've done. I am richly blessed, and I will define that for you because my best friend liked the categories.

They are:
Educational
Vocational
Financial
Physical
Personal
Intellectual
Spiritual
Familial

The first seven of those are very well. The last, because a large portion of it lies outside your control, remains as yet unsatisfied. The first serve the last, because it is my highest choice- to start a family.

May God soon fulfill the righteous desire of my heart. 7/8

Franklin's "Thus I Consent" Speech

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Since I had not seen it all before, in continuance of our celebration of the Constitution, here are Franklin's words following the signing of said document, as delivered by James Wilson:

"Mr. President I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men indeed as well as most sects in Religion, think themselves in possession of all truth, and that wherever others differ from them it is so far error. Steele a Protestant in a Dedication tells the Pope, that the only difference between our Churches in their opinions of the certainty of their doctrines is, the Church of Rome is infallible and the Church of England is never in the wrong. But though many private persons think almost as highly of their own infallibility as of that of their sect, few express it so naturally as a certain french lady, who in a dispute with her sister, said "I don't know how it happens, Sister but I meet with no body but myself, that's always in the right — Il n'y a que moi qui a toujours raison."

In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of Government but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered, and believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in Despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic Government, being incapable of any other. I doubt too whether any other Convention we can obtain, may be able to make a better Constitution. For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? It therefore astonishes me, Sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded like those of the Builders of Babel; and that our States are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats.

Thus I consent, Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die. If every one of us in returning to our Constituents were to report the objections he has had to it, and endeavor to gain partizans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received, and thereby lose all the salutary effects & great advantages resulting naturally in our favor among foreign Nations as well as among ourselves, from our real or apparent unanimity. Much of the strength & efficiency of any Government in procuring and securing happiness to the people, depends, on opinion, on the general opinion of the goodness of the Government, as well as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its Governors. I hope therefore that for our own sakes as a part of the people, and for the sake of posterity, we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this Constitution (if approved by Congress & confirmed by the Conventions) wherever our influence may extend, and turn our future thoughts & endeavors to the means of having it well administred.

On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument."

I promise to commit it to memory. I encourage you to do in kind.

Happy Constitution Day

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Today is the anniversary of the ratification of the Constitution. You won't hear the media discuss it. You won't read about it in the paper. You won't hear our elected officials invoke it, unless they invoke Article II's power to levy tax for the general welfare. Most politicians and all socialists hate it. They view it as an impediment to their power. Thank God that it is exactly that.

Today, I recommend a few activities. First, visit the Constitution Day website. Get a free copy. View quotes, read facts, take quizzes. According to their quizzes, I equate most with George Washington and I would be most likely to vote for him.

George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a beloved and respected leader. He was the only President ever to win a unanimous vote by the Electoral College. He led the American military during the American Revolution and was highly regarded by those who knew him, especially the soldiers who served under him. He was quiet and reserved in public but in his free time enjoyed many lighthearted hobbies, including playing cards, hunting, fishing and dancing. He had a long and happy marriage to Martha Washington. He had two step-children but no children of his own. His personal integrity has passed into legend, as has his leadership of the United States during its infancy.

Write your elected officials, or call them. Tell them you expect them to abide by this document or you will give time, talents, and treasure to see them replaced in the next election by someone who will abide by the Constitution. Find your Congressman. Find your Senators. I have found that some, even though you are not their constituent, will respond. They will also receive phone calls and register your thoughts. They are required to take note of what we think, whether they hearken to it or not.

In my Monday class two weeks ago, I let the students decide on the punishment for using a cell phone during class. Only one group voiced their opinion, and so they dictate for the whole of my student population what the punishment will be. If you do not express your voice, you get what you deserve.

No representation without affirmation.

On Light

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As part of class last night, the topic of the full light spectrum came up. Although we didn't discuss it near to the degree overtly that my mind took it, I have put the subject to some thought which I share with you for your edification and en-light-enment.

The actual comment was that some things don't appear in the visible spectrum. When I taught the introductory biochemistry lab in graduate school, one of the first labs we did was with light absorption. Many of the students were surprised to discover that their sunglasses didn't block as much UV as the manufacturer claims and that my regular glasses blocked quite a bit. Sometimes, the students had so much fun that they would find more materials to test for their absorption.

The point of that exercise was to demonstrate that light extends far beyond the spectrum our eyes are attuned to interpret. You know this already. Light rays account for the sunburn on your arm and face. Light rays actually cook food for you in the microwave. Special focused rays of light help people in Las Vegas find scorpions, which glow under certain wavelengths despite being largely transparent when they are young. If not for those types of light, our lives would be quite different.

In a larger way, the world of light teaches us something about the greater world around us. Although we cannot see it, there is light all around us, EVEN IN THE DARKNESS. That light has energy. That light is real. It is not part of the visible world, but it is true anyway, and some of it exerts influence on our lives or the lives of things around us.

When you consider light and truth, the same thing holds. There are truths that we have yet to fully comprehend, even though they constantly surround and influence us. Some things beyond our physical sight are still true, even if we "can't see" how or when or why or even what. I heard once that miracles are simply an ability to access a higher law. I offer that if we could see all light, and all things in their proper light, it would cast new light on the shadows of uncertainty and obfuscation, and we would see things as they really are and really will be.

Humans depend far too much on what they actually can see. In doing so, they miss out on so much more, because there is an entire world out there of light to which our eyes and other senses are not attuned. Beyond the concepts of dimensionality, these things coexist with us, in a different wavelength, because they are light and truth, and although we cannot see them, they are there all the same.

Faith is a bluebird you see from afar. It's for sure and as real as the first evening star. You can't touch it or buy it or wrap it up tight, but it's there just the same making things turn out right. --"Rufus" in The Rescuers, Walt Disney Corp 1977

May you see what others do not and find light wherever you go. Remember that the visible world is not the end of all truth, it is only the beginning.

Evidence of Obama's Lies

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You may have heard about how unemployment figures are "less bad". You may have heard about people whose spending is up. You may have heard the President claim that he has "saved us from the brink".

You may have heard about the Tea Party on the National Mall last Saturday. You may have heard that Congressman Joe Wilson called the President a liar during the joint session of Congress. You may have heard that stores in your town continue to close and people you know lost their jobs. You may have heard someone you know receive their paycheck back for "insufficient funds".

So what do you trust? That's a really tough call. I have been in the market for a home since March of this year, and the number of homes that fit my criteria has been consistently near 60, despite turnover and despite the increase in sales. I have not been my ward's employment specialist for several months now, but so many members of my church ward are unemployed that when someone gets one it warrants a general huzzah and announcement in our meetings. I have taken a 5% pay cut, been subjected to an increase into retirement from 10.5% to 11.25%, seen Nevada raise sales tax from 7.75% to 8.1%, and had my insurance premium payment rise $35/month. Taken together, this means I take home $150 less per month, plus gas is on the rise again.

When a friend of mine showed me this story, I thought it was interesting. Shipping magnate Maersk (formerly famous for Obama and the pirates), the Singapore shipyard, and the presence of these ships themselves prove that the economy continues to suffer under the present policies. The story predicts that the size of this idle fleet will double in the next year. That's not a recovery in my book. Some of these ships are oil tankers. I don't know about you, but we could use that oil...

Interestingly enough, we see that the shipping rates have dropped as per this story. That doesn't do much good if there is no demand.

Mr. President- give us our money back so we can stimulate the economy ourselves.

Obama lied. The economy died.

Their pictures are really good. I have moved them to preserve them for when the story goes inactive. They are property of the UK Daily Mail. Interesting how we can trust the British to read us the straight story but not our own fearless leader.

The Ghost Fleet


See how empty they are?

Stupid Hat

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I got this from a friend today and I really like it.

Every man has a hat. I call it his stupid hat, because when he wears it, he can't help but do really stupid things.

It's silly, but it's a way i can vent about my husband "wearing his favorite hat" that minimizes the damage to our relationship, and it lets me see him separate from his behaviors that I don't like.

I have a couple of friends whose hubby's never take their hats off!!!

I hope you find one, that doesn't have her own hat one of these days.

Now, sometimes I admit I wear the stupid hat. Sometimes I do really dumb things without a lot of thought. However, I live the best I can all the time. My best friend says he thinks I will burn out because I am always on my best behavior. My best might not be as good as someone else's best, but I always give the best, whereas some people make a good show one day and then are debauched the next.

If you look for the bad in me expecting to find it you will, but I will always give you the very best I can at the time.

Agency v. Predestination

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Over the last few weeks, I have given a considerable amount of thought to the issue of revelation versus agency. Some of my friends have been unwitting participants to the conversation. Some of my favorite books have as well. I present to you some of my thoughts because I think I found something on the topic worth sharing.

One friend of mine said this:

God will give you direction in your life but it is never set in stone when it involves others. Their agency can change your path.

From what I know about her life, she thought that this guy she dated was the guy for her. The trouble is that God gives men agency as a catalyst to growth through choice, and so it can feel like the choices of others impact your ability to pursue your own happiness.

In the end, you control your destiny. In the end, you can do your best. I told a student this summer that my secret was to take control of the parts of my life that were in my control and trust the rest to God.

Now, I disagree with my friend because of something I just read from CS Lewis's Screwtape Letters XXVII. Screwtape tells Wormwood that God "does not foresee the humans making their free contributions in a future, but sees them doing so in His unbounded Now. And obviously to watch a man doing something is not to make him do it".

God does not MAKE us do anything. He knows what we will do because he sees us do it. His perspective covers a greater range than ours. Thus, our NOW is just a small portion of HIS. This is also why he can say he comes "soon" because from his perspective on a large continuum, it's not that far off.

To answer my quandry about Agency v. Revelation, it comes down to this. He already sees us choose what we choose in his NOW, so in our NOW, he can tell us what the future truth will be because it's his PRESENT. In that way, he gives revelation about future events that deal with people without any imposition on the agency of others. To see a man make a choice differs from any attempt to force a man to make that choice. He sees it, and so he shares his vision. That's why you can trust what he says people will do.

11 September 2009

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Whether we bring our enemies to justice or justice to our enemies, justice will be served.

--President George W Bush, eight years ago today

A quote I'd never heard but with which I wholeheartedly concur.

*hattip to the former president*

Housing Update Sep 09

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I had hoped that when I returned from Boston there would be good news. I have felt for about a week now that something good was about to happen. Naturally, since I have several housing prospects, I thought I'd have a message from my realtor. No such luck.

She wrote me back today to tell me that Apple Cart chose a higher offer and Morning Break did too. So, there are still a few in play, but nothing good to report yet. To review those homes, go here.

Nation of Racists? Hardly

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Ever since Obama took office, he and his administration have played the race card without abeyance. To white crowds, he extolled his white grandmother. To black crowds, he threw her to the wolves. Then we had Sotomayor. Now we have articles on how your baby must be born racist, and accusations by Jimmy Carter that Joe Wilson's outburst was born of racism.

America has never been concerned with race. Here, we care what you do, and not who your father was. The people who cry race are those that seek to drive a wedge between us. I remember working with Cameron at UPS during college who, when asked to fill out a company survey, complained "Why do I have to mark African American? Why can't I just be an American?"

On my trip to Boston, I came across some famous Americans of other complexion to whom I wish to draw your attention.
Crispus Attucks, killed in Boston 5 March, 1770
Prince Estabruck, wounded on Lexington Green 19 April, 1775
"unknown Negro", wounded at Charlestown, 19 April, 1775
Peter Salem, killed Major Pitcairn, famous for Lexington, at the battle of Breed's Hill, 17 June 1775

These men were all heroes in their own right who fought for freedom long before the prospect was ever put forth to end slavery in the south. First, it was absolutely critical to end slavery to the British Crown.

Everything that irritates us about others leads us to an understanding of ourselves. I have noted that the thing that bothers people most about others is the thing about themselves they most wish were not. When they say "stop bickering", they are bickerers. When they say, "stop the games", they play them. When they say, "Put an end to racism", they are ashamed that they themselves are racists.

The more you draw attention to something you wish to go away, the longer you prolong it before the eyes of the people. If you want it to go away, let it go. When denigrators can no longer get a rise out of you, they will drop the assault. What Obama and his ilk want is for us to cease being Americans, to lose our faith in God and the Founding Fathers and trust in him for deliverance.

Complexion does not make men great leaders. Shaving, suits, and speeches do not make a man trustworthy. About 2000 years ago, a bearded man in sandles who drew in the dirt, befriended fishermen, and spent his time with sinners walked the earth. He was a Jew by birth, a carpenter by trade, a king by ancestry, a teacher by right, and one of the most pivotal men who ever walked the earth. in the end, he was taken before an unjust trial, condemned to death, beaten, scourged, and crucified. Obama is no Christ, and his skin color has nothing to do with it.

The greatest "man" to walk the earth ever was actually a Jew. Chew on that Jimmy Carter.

Boston Tea Party 2009

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After I found a place to park in Boston, I made a beeline to Congress Street, which crosses the harbor where the Boston Tea Party took place. Although there is a replica ship that sits there for tours, due to fire, it is out this year for repairs (seems all the wooden ships except Mayflower II are under refit). So, I hurried over to the site to dispose of the tea I brewed for the very purpose to throw it, just the tea, into the harbor.

The site is FAR removed from everything else to see in Boston. The tea spilled three times. I had just enough left over you could tell I threw some. Very few tourists were there. Then, I spied a couple. Wouldn't you know it? The tourists who helped me were French. They were there for us again when we need them, just like LaFayette.

They shot a video for me and then continued on their way and I made my way to the Freedom Trail, having accomplished one of my major goals for the trip. Video forthcoming.

How to Survive Colonization of the Americas 101

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My friend asked me about the most interesting things I learned in MA so far. One thing that came to mind was a display from the Pilgrim museum in Plymouth.

They have a poster that shows silhouettes of the Pilgrims and others who came ashore that frigid December grouped by families. On that same poster, they show greyed out who died that first winter. There were some interesting details that, given the small sample size are probably not statistically relevant, show a short synopsis of how to survive New England in the 17th century.

You died:
if you were single, male and over 30
if you had given birth within the last two years
if you were under 2 years old
if you were female and under 30


Otherwise most everybody lived. Bradford's wife died, and a few other random individuals, but without knowing about how they died, it seems fairly simple that to survive in the colony, in the winter, in New England, you were best served if you had a family around you to love you.

The colony as a result became a growing and young community. Several children were born the next year. Survivors remarried. The sturdy and strapping survived and passed on a legacy.

Family is the key. Good thing I brought mine.

To Whom Do You Owe Allegiance?

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When I toured the Adams' birthplace yesterday, they quoted John Adams upon his arrival in the court of St. James. When King George III asked him to whom he owed his allegiance. John Adams defiantly told him "to myself, your majesty".

The Battle of Lexington and Concord is the same battle being fought today, and the participants are the same today as they were then. Our society today revolves around the question of who will decide how your life plays out and to what or whom you owe your allegiance.

The british soldiers at Lexington and Concord constitute an interesting conundrum. Many of them were in the army to avoid alternatives, not due to genuine allegiance. In fact, by the end of the battle of North Bridge, some two dozen redcoats had deserted, some of whom joined the Colonials, perhaps more. Some of them were there to get out of prison. Some of them were there to avoid prison for debt. Some of them were there because they had just been laid off in the factories. None of them were ever going to be anything because a British Private, after his expenses were paid, had just enough for food, wine and mirth, and since promotions were for sale, most of them were always going to lead the charge across grassy fields in a land they did not know and for which they did not care under the banner of a government they did not like.

Lexington opened up with these British soldiers, afraid for their lives and fighting in a land far from their home and hearts, who shot their own countrymen in the back when a few, including Captain Parker's relative, refused to leave the green. At this point "Americans" were born. Before that, they were Lexingtonians of the Commonwealth of Massachussetts, or Bristol militia from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but after that shot heard round the world, they fought alongside one another, united by the slaughter of their countrymen. The Redcoats fired at Lexington, not out of spite for the Colonials, but because their Mother Country had no love for them. In their dog eat dog existence, these former convicts, out of work ironworkers, debtors, etc., looked out for themselves. In refusing to care for any of her subjects, Britain lost them all.

The shot heard round the world echoes still. Will you swear allegiance to your own hands as Adams or allegiance to your government as with Earl Hugh Percy and his men. The british, as does our present administration, attempted to set up dominion on the backs of working men. Eventually, these working men could not be driven by their masters, and even some lesser lords urged Cornwallis to surrender.

Death and war cannot stop the fervor or freedom. All they can do is delay it for a while.

A Family of One

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For vacation this year, I took my entire "family" to Boston.

My father was kind enough to drop us all off at the airport where we all boarded the plane without incident. Everyone got as much of whatever drink they wanted, and everyone got to sit where they wanted. We even made the connection just in the nick of time.

Everyone's stuff fit into the rental car. Nobody complained that we had to wait when we got there for a car. Although disappointed to discover that WalMarts in MA close at 9PM, everybody was ok with the fact that we had Wendy's for dinner instead. Everyone liked the hotel room.

Is a family of one really a family? It's all I have, and I love every member of my family as I love myself.

Let Go For Peace

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I don't know how it came up last night in Institute, but I remembered some advice given to me by my attorney several years ago. For those of you who don't know, I was arrested in 2005 for a crime I did not commit, and I spent six months that year with an attorney in an effort to clear my name. This experience would change my life in many, many ways, most of which have turned out to be good despite the fact that they came disguised as trials.

When the letter finally came in December of that year from the District Attorney who asked the court to dismiss the charges against me, it was my best Christmas present. Although we had plenty of reason to take the case to trial, it was in everyone's best interest to find a speedy, easy, solution that we could just put behind us. My attorney told me that we had plenty of grounds to sue, and although he needed the money, he advised against it. He said that I would be better off if I just let it go.

So, at 26, I passed up a chance to be a millionaire. There are many reasons for this, a few of which I detail here:
-the crime was perpetrated by people who would not be asked to bear the burden themselves. Any settlement money would come from innocent residents of the town.
-any restitution would invite the disdain of police in the area from then until perpetuity
-the case would hurt the families of the detectives who depended on their husbands/fathers for support
-a court case would cement in my mind a resentment for the system
-it would waste my time
-money does not bring peace

A teeny bit poorer financially but richer intellectually, I stand before you now as one who chose to let it just go away. He was right. I feel at peace a lot more like this than I would be with money.

The Tin Man Had the Biggest Heart of All

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An old associate of mine posted up this quote yesterday:

"Supporting universal health care does not make you socialist or even a liberal, it makes you a human being." -Rev. Jim Rigby

This bothers me on several levels. My first reaction is that the good "reverend" implies that if you oppose the president's plan then you must not have a heart or even be human. Secondly, what business is it of a religious leader to involve himself in this kind of strawman argument? Lastly, on what credentials does a pastor of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, TX, pass affirmations across the internet about the health care industry?


In recent weeks, the president himself has changed the verbiage of the argument. It used to be "health care" but now he says "health coverage". Coverage and care are not synonymous. I have taught enough aspiring doctors to know that doctors, nurses and aspirants of those titles are created differently. If and only if this dilemma needs addressing, leave it to those who do the work, not to religious leaders, politicians, and business students at UMSL.

The quote carries a hidden condemnation. It implies that if you oppose the program you are evil because you don't care about other people. My best friend would say I am a human being, my opposition to this national policy notwithstanding. It's not that I oppose people having access to health care; it's that I oppose that it should come at the hand of government and at the expense of the body politic.

Beyond the inefficiencies of government, the costs of this program remain at best ballpark estimates. In effect, this will saddle generations distal to us in space and time with debts in the establishment of which they had no say but for which they will carry full obligation. Unlike my Democrat friends, I really do care about the children, as yet unborn. I care about their ability to come into a world as I am currently- debt free and free to pursue their own happiness, not saddled with obligations before they even start. What will be their motivation to try? I wholeheartedly disagree with the reverend. This is a socialist policy, and there are no two ways about it.

Should you agree with Steven and feel I am a heartless bastard, then call me the Tin Man. Remember that the Tin Man had the biggest heart of all.

Life's Guarantees

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Like most of you, I used to quip the quote "The only guarantees in life are death and taxes". This past weekend in Utah, after some reflection, I no longer believe that phrase.

If you believe in God and have ever read the Bible, you know there are exceptions to the first eventuality. Elijah, Enoch and his entire city, and others were taken to heaven without the sting of death. So, although Christ himself died, to overcome death, some men had already escaped it as a "guarantee".

If you pay attention to the news at all, you know that many members of the Obama administration don't pay taxes. From Treasury Secretary Tim Geitner to the recent member of Congress who failed to disclose $3 million in assets from 2002 to the present, we know it's not a matter of oversight. Plus, there are 40% of the American people who don't pay taxes at all, many of whom still benefit from tax "credits" to their non-payage of taxes, meaning that we send them money even if they pay nothing. So, taxes are not inevitable.

The only things that I believe are guarantees are the decrees of the almighty. To put it in a couplet:

In life the only guarantees
Are the things God himself decrees --me

I will be the first to admit at the close of these thoughts that I do not understand the ways of the almighty. He has asked me to do a great many things that make absolutely no sense. He has also made me promises. I will bind him to them as I continue to live the best I know with what I have.

What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself, and though the heavens and earth shall pass away, my word shall not pass away but shall all be fulfilled, whether by my own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same. --Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38

May I have strength to keep to this conviction.