As my mama always said, "Stupid is as stupid does."

Did you know that it would rain if we'd just eat our veggies? PETA has made a statement that the best thing Texans can do to curb the state's drought is to go vegan.

A group of these idiots built makeshift showers in downtown Dallas the other day and protested the amount of water used to raise animals for consumption by bathing themselves on Main Street. Maybe I'm just a little clueless, but do cows not destined for the slaughterhouse drink no water? Do pet pigs not get thirsty?

Another thing I thought a little ironic about this news tidbit. The photo of the protest showed a bystander all wrapped up in her muslim garb in the 105 degree heat. This woman, who is barely allowed to show her face in public, had her cellphone out snapping pics of the nude people. Are there any sane people left?

"PETA showers for a cause." The Dallas Morning News; August 25, 2011; p. 3B.

Even the blacks say he's devious.

Interesting quote about Obama from Democrat Representative Frederica S. Wilson of Florida: "If he comes and speaks out for black people in the middle of this, he will lose his re-election, and you know it. He has to temper this in such a manner so we can get him re-elected, and once he's a lame-duck president, I think we'll see lots of changes and lots of movement toward the black community."

Translation: He'll say anything to get re-elected, then he'll do whatever he wants to do.

Warning: In case you haven't figured it out already, the man is dangerous.

Mr. Essie May and I were talking the other day about how Obama has lifted Jimmy Carter from the status of worst President in the history of the U.S. We decided there was a distinct difference, however, in the two. Jimmy Carter was just a stupid man who was in over his head and didn't have a clue what he was doing. Obama has an agenda to change the whole nature of our government, and he's far from stupid. He's devious and skilled at getting his way. And that's what Frederica Wilson has inadvertently explained so clearly.

"Talking points." The Dallas Morning News; August 28, 2011; p. 1P.

I nominate her for Mother of the Year.

Naim Rasool Muhammad took two of his sons last week and drowned them. He hasn't said why he did it, but he has a long history of family violence and substance abuse. He recently finished rehab with glowing reports -- that he was ready to change. Sometimes, it seems that addiction experts are the easiest people in the world to fool. So now, two little boys are dead.

I was feeling a lot of sympathy for the mother in this case until I came across an article about her. She is not exactly the Mother of the Year -- she bears a lot of responsibility for what happened to her sons.

On a recent Facebook entry, she says she is "high and chillin'." After giving birth to a third child, she posted, "Being a single mom is hard, especially if you broke wit no job." Did she not figure that out after the first child or the second? She's a little slow, don't you think? Last February, she reported her "boo" (the murderer of her sons) for threatening her and hitting her. In March, she reported him again for choking her and dragging her by the hair into the house. (How would you like to have these people living next door?) She refused to cooperate with the police in that case and made this post to her Facebook page: "I'm upset because my family has been forcefully broken. Its just the MAN trying to keep us down." I wonder why she keeps calling "the MAN" when "her boo" assaults her? Yet another entry states: "Getting hiiiii."

One hopes and prays that the little boy who survived will be taken and placed in a decent home.

"Man with violent past held in sons' drownings." The Dallas Morning News; August 23, 2011; p. 1A.
"Site shows mom's devotion, struggles." The Dallas Morning News; August 23, 2011; p. 5A.

What else would you expect from a "meditation" teacher?

Daniel Kasten is a teacher at Greenhill School, a private school in Addison for grades K-12. I can't imagine what kind of parent would send his child to this school.

Kasten teaches English, world religions, and meditation. He is so proud of the Greenhill students for their recognition of gay rights. He says most young Americans recognize that we live in a different and far better nation today. I'll agree that it's far different from what it was several decades ago, but I cannot agree that it's better.

Kasten is a Methodist. He criticizes the denomination for threatening "clergy with ecclesiastical trial and dismissal if they 'practice' homosexuality themselves or officially bless the unions of gay congregants." He says that, for modern Christians, such policies raise questions about the church's commitment to loving relationships and to social justice. I guess I'm just one of those old relic Christians from the dark ages who thinks the church's commitment to biblical truth is a lot more important than having a promiscuous man in the pulpit or blessing a sham marriage between two perverts.

One of the reasons I wouldn't send my kids to Greenhill is the school sponsored club called True Colors. True Colors is "an alliance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and straight members of the Greenhill community." I wouldn't want my kids going to school with gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered and discussing the birds and the bees with them. If they are "questioning," they need to come talk to me, not some mixed up confused teenager.

Kasten just gushes over True Colors' big project for the year -- the Day of Silence. Students remained silent "in support of those whose voices were muted for so long by legal and social discrimination." Doesn't that sound lofty and grand? Isn't it the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? On second thought, if we could get all those weirdos involved in a Decade of Silence, maybe we'd have a chance at turning around the morals of this country.

"New generation recognizes gay rights." The Dallas Morning News; July 31, 2011; p. 5B.

Earthquake!

Something else for Obama to blame the economy on.

Real Family Entertainment

GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has rated the ABC Family Channel as excellent in its portrayal of gay and lesbian characters. This channel is targeted at teenage viewers.

GLAAD cited the Family Channel's large number of gay and lesbian characters. This rating is only the second handed out by GLAAD -- the first went to MTV. Michael Riley, ABC Family's chief executive, said, "We're incredibly proud to be honored and acknowledged by GLAAD."

I don't know about you, but this makes me anything but GLAD. It's a sad commentary on what our society deems good. "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

"ABC Family praised for gay characters." The Dallas Morning News; August 4, 2011; p. 1E.

Which Obama is right?

Those in the know say that the big jobs plan Obama will unveil after his Martha's Vinyard vacation will include tens of billions of dollars in stimulus money. You know -- that's the kind of program he promised would keep unemployment (currently at 9.2%) below 8%. It worked so well before that we're going to do it even bigger this time. Heck -- if this one is even more successful than the last one, unemployment just might hit 11.5%!

Anyway, the estimate is that for each $1 billion spent, 10,000 jobs will be created. That's $100,000 a job, folks. And remember, these will be temporary. When the construction projects are finished, so are the jobs.

Obama admits that these jobs cost money, but he says we'll make up for it with deficit reduction. Okay, let me try to put this in terms that mean something to you and me. Say Mr. Essie May and I are in debt up to our eyeballs. We owe $15,000 on one credit card, $30,000 on another, and $25,000 on another and we're barely making the interest payments, let alone applying anything to the principal. But we're still buying big screen TV's, computers, furniture, and the latest fashions. So Mr. Essie May says he knows how we'll get out of this mess. We'll spend another $150,000 we don't have. And we'll pay for that by reducing what we are continuing to charge on our credit cards. Makes perfect sense -- only if you've been smoking some wildwood weed.

When Obama was in Illinois last week, he said "Washington is not the answer to the nation's economic troubles." But in an interview with CBS News the same week, he said the nation was in danger of not having a fast enough recovery and "that's why we need to be doing more." So which Obama is right? The Washington can't fix it Obama, or the Washington has to spend us out of this mess Obama? Would you like to know which Obama I think is right? The former President Obama.

"Obama: Recovery ahead, but it won't come quickly." The Dallas Morning News; August 18, 2011; p. 4A.
"Obama could spend big on jobs." The Dallas Morning News; August 18, 2011; p. 1A.

More on the Wisdom of David Cameron

I wrote a few days ago about Prime Minister David Cameron and his reaction to the rioting hoodlums in England. I came across another quote from him that is well worth repeating:

"This is not about poverty, it's about culture -- a culture that glorifies violence, shows disrespect to authority, and says everything about rights but nothing about responsibility." Short, sweet, and to the point.

"Points." The Dallas Morning News; August 14, 2011; p. 1P.

I don't get it.

Nolan Ryan has announced that the Texas Rangers will erect a statue of Shannon Stone at the Ballpark. Shannon Stone is the man who died when he fell over a railing earlier this summer.

While I have every sympathy for the man's family, I don't quite get why he rates a statue for what some might consider careless behavior. It seems these days that we are so starved for heroes that anyone who dies a tragic death is automatically elevated to that status. I don't get it.

Paris News funny for the day: Connie Beard, in a story about a telephone solicitation scam, says that the callers are praying on veteran heartstrings. Now, I ask you, if they're praying folks, can they be all that bad?

"Statue to honor fan." The Dallas Morning News; August 16, 2011; p. 5C.

Bill Clinton the Comedian or Bill Clinton the Doofus?

Bill Clinton thinks he's so cute and funny. He was quoted the other day as saying of Rick Perry, "He's saying 'Oh, I'm going to Washington to make sure that the federal government stays as far away from you as possible while I ride on Air Force One and that Marine One helicopter and go to Camp David and travel around the world and have a good time.' This is crazy."

Bill Clinton, not Rick Perry, is the one who doesn't make sense. In the first place, Rick Perry never implied that he wanted to go to Washington to ride on Air Force One and Marine One and go to Camp David and travel around the world and have a good time. But, gosh, that does sound kind of familiar. It seems to me the Obamas have made quite a bit of use of Air Force One and Marine One and world travel and $1.1 million dollar buses.

In the second place, reining in government regulation has nothing to do with how and when the President travels. Even if what Clinton said was true, I'd rather have Rick Perry living high on the hog and keeping the government off my doorstep than Barack and Michelle living high on the hog and keeping me from doing the same through excessive regulation and taxation.

Bill Clinton didn't pop a funny -- Bill Clinton showed his ignorance.

Today's Paris News funny: Agape House is getting a new roof. According to The Paris News caption writer, there will be fundraising efforts to help affray the cost. I am afraid he doesn't know the difference between affray and defray.

"Clinton says Perry's approach is 'crazy.'" The Dallas Morning News; August 16, 2011; p. 9A.

Is there some reason they don't learn?

There's a touchy-feely feel good article in the newspaper about Dwell with Dignity. Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of designers who rent apartments and fit them out for homeless families. The article featured one such family.

As I read, I thought to myself, this old girl probably deserves a chance. But the more I read, the less optimistic I became.

Juanita Mitchell, 28, and her 9 year-old daughter Ambriya are pictured moving into the apartment. Reading into the article, I found that, when she was 15, Juanita had her first child who was raised by the child's paternal grandmother. So Ambriya is evidence that Juanita didn't learn her lesson the first time around. Reading further, I found that Juanita has a son, Bol, who is 7 years old. So Juanita didn't learn her lesson the second time around, either.

To add to her lack of moral discipline, Juanita, the newspaper states, "has no financial discipline." Mitchell also seems to lack a grasp of reality. She's been living in a homeless shelter, and when Dwell with Dignity informed her they had an apartment for her and that she would be tickled with it, she said she thought to herself, "How tickled can I be about an apartment?" I don't know, but I just think that if I had no place to live, and someone offered me an apartment, I'd be tickled.

Juanita, Ambriya, and Bol moved into their spic and span apartment July 21. I'd like to see a photo of what it looks like on August 21.

"Designed to Dwell." The Dallas Morning News; August 15, 2011; p. 9A.

Sound familiar?

"Social problems that have been festering for decades have exploded in our face. Do we have the determination to confront the slow-motion moral collapse that has taken place in parts of our country these past few generations?" Guess who said that. Sound like something a U.S. politician could have said?

The speaker was British Prime Minister David Cameron in the wake of the horrendous riots that have occurred in his country over the last couple of weeks. He said his country has been dragged down by many citizens' laziness, irresponsibility and selfishness, and that his government is designing policies to reverse that trend.

When you finish there, Mr. Cameron, how about bringing some of that common sense over to America?

Llewellyn King is a show host on PBS. One would expect a liberal viewpoint from that description, but he says of Britain's socialist programs that they are corrosive and "have produced a culture of sloth, vulgarity, casual parenthood and celebrity adulation." And he says that liberals will call for more of what has not worked: more social initiatives, more youth centers, more job training and remedial education. Sound like America and the Obama administration? Sound familiar at all? 
"Cameron cites 'moral collapse.'" The Dallas Morning News; Aug. 15, 2011; p. 7A.
"Everything but what they need." The Dallas Morning News; Aug. 15, 2011; p. 11A.

One more time -- They ARE Criminals!

This country is so backward, that when the laws are enforced, people get upset. Several people addressed a federal task force earlier this month to complain because jail inmates are being checked for immigration status and criminal offenses.


It's all part of the Secure Communities program run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to the newspaper, hundreds of thousands (I find that number a little unbelievable) have been deported under the checks.  So what's wrong with this program which seems to be very effective?

1. "It splits families." It doesn't have to -- they can all go back to Mexico if they want to. The family was split when one of them decided to swim across the Rio Grande in the middle of the night.
2. "It creates distrust of the police in immigrant communities where police need to cultivate witnesses or assist immigrant crime victims." If you're not illegal, you have no reason to "distrust" the police. Isn't it a bit racist to say police need to cultivate witnesses in immigrant communities? Are they saying these people are more prone to be criminals than others are?
3. "The name of the program doesn't make immigrants feel secure." And just what about "The Secure Communities" program sounds so intimidating if you're a legal resident? I'd kind of like it if my community was a "secure community."
4. "It goes after the innocent ones." If they're innocent, what are they doing in jail in the first place? Innocent people aren't deported.
5. "It has resulted in the deportation of those who have no criminal records, even for minor offenses." I guess they don't include the offense of entering the country illegally.

Go get 'em, ICE!

Do they, now?

The Obama administration has decreed that all insurance must provide free contraception to women. Catholic hospitals must now pay for contraception for their employees even though that is a violation of their religious ethics.

Judy Waxman, VP for health and reproductive rights at the National Women's Law Center said, "All women do use contraception at some point in their lives, and we think it should be available to them as a preventive health service."

Well, Judy, your premise is wrong. Not all women use contraception at some point in their lives. There are women who have chosen to never marry, and they have no need for contraception. There are women whose religious beliefs prevent them from using contraception. There are women who have medical reasons for not using contraception. And even if your premise is correct, what you think is of no importance. What is right is what's important, and it's not right to force someone to do something contrary to his religious beliefs, and it's not right to take my money to pay for contraception for a woman who shouldn't be having sex in the first place. Both those things are unconstitutional, no matter what you think.

Another point, Judy, is this -- most every woman uses sanitary napkins or tampons at some point in her life. Should we provide those free of charge, too? How about soap? Aspirin? Toilet paper? If we should provide free products on the basis that all people use them, then I can come up with a whole list of things and really pare down my shopping list.

Paris News funny for the day: My first impressions of the new publisher aren't very good. Here's a quote: “Most importantly, it’s been overwhelming the way the Paris and Lamar County community
have welcomed my family and I." One would think a newspaper publisher would have had enough English to avoid such a glaring error. Do they no longer teach when to use "I" and when to use "me"? And on the same page we learn that the Texas Workforce Commission is having a "complementary" dinner. Complementary to exactly what, they don't say.

"Provision upsets Catholic hospitals." The Dallas Morning News; August 8, 2011; p. 4A.

Do it the old-fashioned way!

Teachers in Missouri are upset. In the wake of several cases involving teacher/student sex, the legislature has passed a law that requires local school districts to create written policies that outline appropriate use of electronic media such as text messaging and internet sites for both instructional and personal purposes. Any contact must be made in the public sphere rather than through private messages. So teachers can have public Facebook or Twitter, but they can't communicate privately with the students via electronic media.

Teachers are calling foul, but their arguments don't hold water. They say it will hurt their ability to keep in touch with students for classroom purposes, personal problems or emergencies. I say, do it the old-fashioned way -- telephone or email the parent. The teachers say that the private messaging systems are more conducive to the students informing them of problems at home. I say, do it the old-fashioned way -- make sure when they are in the classroom that the students know you will be there at certain hours if they have a need and/or introduce them to the school counselor.

Teachers say they used messaging to track down students in Joplin after the tornado there earlier this year. They don't even have to do this the old-fashioned way. That can be done on a public forum, can't it? In fact, it would probably be much more effective on a public forum.

Any teacher who is really upset with this new legislation probably needs to be looked at very closely. I'll just bet the 87 teachers in Missouri who lost their licenses between 2001 and 2005 because of sexual misconduct wouldn't have liked the law, either.

"Law makes teachers keep distance online." The Dallas Morning News; August 7, 2011; p. 9A.

The Truth Squad

Governor Perry is an official Presidential candidate now. We expect him to get support from some Republicans, but listen to Democrat Representative Lloyd Doggett: He says he's deputized himself as a one-man truth squad -- "Far beyond the Red River, we must tell our countrymen, Rick Perry wants to do to America what he has done to Texas."

If he's going to tell the truth, one must assume he means that, while the national unemployment rate is 9.1%, the Texas unemployment rate is 8.2% -- despite our large population of illegal aliens. One must assume he means that, while we are income-taxed to death on a federal level, Texas has no income tax. One must assume he means that, while the nation's budget runs a deficit year after year, Texas has a balanced budget. One must assume he means that, while our nation has run out of funds and must borrow to pay its debts, Texas has a "rainy day fund." One must assume he means that, while federal union regulations prevented Boeing from opening up a new plant in a location they chose, Texas has a right to work law which reins in union coercion. One must assume he means that, while our President says that the U.S. is not a Christian nation, Texas has a leader who is not afraid to pray in public and confess the sins of the nation.

I will admit that some of these things are not directly attributable to Rick Perry, but Governor Perry has stood behind them. So, go ahead, Mr. Doggett -- warn America about what a rotten state Texas is! The truth just might backfire on you.

"Doggett calls himself one-man truth squad." The Dallas Morning News; August 7, 2011; p. 2A.

And justice for all . . .

I suppose you've probably seen the videos and read the reports of the rioting in England. I must confess, I'm a bit confused about the whole thing.

The rioters are "seeking justice" for a man who was shot by the police. So far, I've not heard the details of the shooting which leads me to believe that it was probably justified. If it weren't, why haven't the rioters been telling us exactly what happened?

I'm also a bit confused as to how stealing a big screen TV from someone who had absolutely nothing to do with the situation brings justice for the man who was shot. Or how burning an innocent business owner's shop avenges the man's death.

One thief leaving a shop with a bagful of stolen goods said she was "getting her taxes back." I daresay she's one of those on the dole who pay no taxes. Anyone actually paying taxes was probably either at work or trying to protect his property from a bunch of rioting barbarians.

It seems that all these rioters who are economically oppressed have enough money for Blackberries. Blackberry messages such as "If you're down for making money, we're about to go hard in east London" have been floating through the airwaves to inform rioters where to congregate and whose shops to loot.

So, though it may appear to us that this is a bunch of hoodlums who are interested only in vandalizing, stealing, and even murdering, it's really a patriotic bunch just seeking justice. They may have elements of the media fooled with that, but I don't much think God is fooled.

"Text messages help fuel looting, rioting." The Dallas Morning News; August 10, 2011; p. 10A.

Pardon me for not weeping and wringing my hands.

The headline over an article about Minnesota's woes reads "Blind, elderly and the poor feel cuts as government closes up." I think we all have some sympathy for the blind and the elderly. No one is blind or elderly by choice.

But I have a problem with this "poor" terminology. Their example was a 39-year-old mother of eight facing the loss of about $3,600 a month in state child care subsidies plus "other programs." Why does she have eight children? Why does the father(s) not support those children? Does this give you an inkling as to why the State of Minnesota is facing bankruptcy?

"Blind, elderly and the poor feel cuts as government closes up." The Dallas Morning News; July 2, 2011; p. 6A.

In with the new, out with the old.

At the same time the Obama administration is welcoming gays to the military, they're kicking God out the back door. The US Department of Veterans Affairs is censoring prayers at Houston National Cemetery, making sure no one utters the name of God or Jesus unless the family specifically requests it.

I just have to wonder how much further God will allow this nation to sink before He disciplines us. But wait a minute -- seems like I heard something on the news about us being in the middle of a record-breaking heat wave/drought.
"Veterans accuse VA of religious bias." The Dallas Morning News; July 2, 2011; P. 4A.

Where have I heard that before?

Obama has said he will endorse a bill to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. If it passes, it will make homosexual couples eligible for federal benefits just as if they were part of a legitimate marriage.

This bill is sponsored by Dianne Feinstein. She said, "More and more people across this land know people who are gay . . . I think eyes have opened." Does that sound familiar?

Remember when the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden?  He said, "Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."

Dianne Feinstein and the serpent -- both spouting lies from hell.

"Obama backing off marriage law." The Dallas Morning News; July 20, 2011; p. 2A.

Posthumous Essie Award

It's time for an Essie, the award given solely on the basis of sheer stupidity. Unfortunately, this one is awarded posthumously. Stupidity can be deadly!

This one goes to Homiz David, Ninos Yacoub, and Ramina Badal of Modesto, California. The trio took a trip to Vernal Falls on the Merced River to see the flooding occurring there from a record snowmelt.

A metal barricade separates the hikers from the river where it pools around a slick slab of granite before tumbling over the falls. Signs in several languages warn people of the fast-moving water and slippery conditions. But they wanted photos, so they crossed the barricade to stand next to the river.

But that wasn't a good enough photo -- they wanted one in the middle of the river, so despite onlookers warning them to get on the safe side of the barricade, they proceeded to a rock in the middle of the rushing water. The woman started to slip, and one of the men grabbed for her, and both of them went over the 317-foot falls. The other man tried to help, and he fell in and followed them over the cliff.

So in honor of all those who think the rules don't apply to them, I award this Essie to Homez, Ninos, and Ramina.

"3 feared dead in Yosemite fall." The Dallas Morning News; July 21, 2011; p. 4A.

But we were forced to break the law!

As you know, the Obama Administration has removed the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy from our military. I never liked that policy anyway -- all it meant was that the military policy forbidding gays was a sham. We won't ask (wink,wink), and you don't tell (wink, wink). We had the policy forbidding gays, and we should have enforced it just like any other policy. Now we have the case of two military lesbians who are bilking the taxpayers.

We still have enough gumption that we don't allow spousal benefits to unmarried people, although Obama is working hard to change that. So these two lesbians, one a marine corporal and one a civilian, found a way to skirt that law. They found a couple of straight male marines who had no more moral character than they did. The civilian "wife" married one of the male marines so she could collect spousal benefits through him. The marine "wife" married the other male marine to collect another $1200 housing benefit.

They were caught in their scam, and now face fraud and larceny charges. If convicted, they will have to repay the $75,000 they stole from taxpayers. The defense they will use: the female marine involved in this theft ring, Cpl. Ashley Vice, told a television reporter that she and her "partner" were forced to enter sham marriages because the military does not provide allowances for unmarried couples, and they couldn't afford to live off base without the extra money.

Gosh, Mr. Essie May and I will have to try that one. I really like those Hummers I've seen around, but we can't afford one on our salary. We could learn how to hotwire one, and when we get caught, we could explain that we were forced to do it, because Mr. Essie May's employer doesn't pay him enough. Think the judge will buy it?

"Marines face charges of fraud in sham marriages." The Dallas Morning News; July 3, 2011; p. 10A.

But the rules don't apply to us!

A lesbian couple is asking Dollywood to change its dress code policy. The policy states that people with clothing or tattoos that could be considered offensive are asked to change them or cover them up.

These two women (and I use the term very loosely) were wearing t-shirts that said, "Marriage is so Gay." They were asked to turn them inside out. They did, but they weren't happy about it. They want the park to be "more inclusive."

News flash! They weren't told they couldn't come to the park. They were merely asked to abide by the dress code policy just like everybody else. But the rules don't apply to them. All we hear from them is "tolerance, tolerance." But when it comes to tolerating the rules that someone else has set on their own property, they seem to be a little lacking.

"Lesbians seek Dollywood changes." The Dallas Morning News; July 27, 2011; p. 6A.

An Almost Essie

This guy just almost got an Essie -- the award given on the basis of sheer stupidity. But I don't think he qualifies. This man isn't just stupid, he's mentally disturbed.

Got a hernia that's been bothering you? A 63-year-old man in Glendale, California, did. He opted for the do-it-yourself surgery. Police found him on his patio with a 6-inch butter knife sticking out of his stomach. While waiting for the paramedics, the man tried to cauterize the wound with his cigarette.

I can see it now -- Obama standing at the podium telling people that, see, this is the kind of thing that Obamacare will prevent. This poor man had to operate on himself because he didn't have adequate health care coverage.

"Man tries to remove his own hernia." The Dallas Morning News; July 27, 2011; p. 6A.

But where are the 13?

I was just cooking supper and watching the news. There was a feature about Meals on Wheels providing window air conditioners for the elderly who are suffering in this heat.

They showed this sweet looking little old lady, and my heart just went out to her. You could tell how hot her little frame house was. All she had was an old box fan. Meals on Wheels brought her a window unit and an off-duty fireman installed it for her.

Then they told a little about her. She has lived in the same house in Ft. Worth for 43 years. She raised 13 children there. And that's when I said, "Wait a minute!" Out of 13 children, don't you think there would be at least one who made sure his mama had adequate cooling in this heat? You can get a 10,000 BTU unit at Wal-Mart for about $300. So if every kid kicked in about 25 bucks, they could have made sure the woman who provided for them all their lives was cared for.

I guess in this country, honor thy father and thy mother has gone the same way as most of the rest of God's commands. It's a selfish me-me-me society!

Crudity in Product Names

We've been in a pretty serious heat wave around here, so if your house is too hot, I guess you just need a Big Ass fan. No, I'm not being crude -- that's the name of the fan.

Our society has sunk so low that companies now can't come up with names for their products without resorting to crass language. How are we to teach our children to have  clean mouths when the fan whirring above their heads has "Big Ass" prominently displayed on it? What's next? I shudder to think.

Interesting Facts

Did you know that if you're out of work, you're more likely to tear things up? There has been a surge of vandalism recently in some California cities, and officials there say it is because the economy is bad and teenagers can't find work.

I guess I missed one of the links in this chain, but how does tearing up public property help one get a job? I've been poor, and I never thought about going out and destroying property. Could it just be that city officials have the chicken and the egg in the wrong positions? Could it be that these people aren't tearing things up because they can't find work, but that they can't find work because they're the type of people who tear things up?

"Down economy may be behind surge in vandalism." The Dallas Morning News; July 24, 2011; p. 4A.

Whence cometh it?

I really don't know where some people get their theology. Mary Ludwick of Farmers Branch is a perfect example. She says that Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, preaches hate and disregards Jesus' message of love and acceptance. Mary can't prove that. I dare her to show me one sentence that has issued out of that man's mouth that bears out her accusation.

If she means that Dr. Jeffress says that Islam is a false religion, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of a Christian would he be if he said that Islam was just as good as Christianity? If she means that Dr. Jeffress doesn't back down from calling homosexuality perverted sin, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of Christian would he be if he ignored the biblical admonition to warn the wicked of his wicked ways? If she means that Dr. Jeffress preaches that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, that's not hate -- that's just a fact. What kind of Christian would he be if didn't preach the ultimate message of love and acceptance?

She says Dr. Jeffress is working hard to send his message of hate to the world. I can agree with her that Dr. Jeffress is working hard to send his message to the world. He's just obeying the command to "Go ye therefore into all the world." I can't, however, agree that the message that the world is sinful and needs a Savior is hateful.

Then there is Laura McFerrin, a gay activist. She takes issue with Dr. Jeffress sermon on homosexuality. Specifically, she didn't like it when he said that gays and lesbians who claim to be religious are "worshipping a God of their own imagination. You cannot fear God and disobey him at the same time." Laura says, "I felt like that sermon was very harmful to gay youth. I'm sticking to the side that says gay is OK." Well, Laura, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death. By sticking to the side that says gay is OK, you are denying the truth to those youth -- the truth that will set them free.

And finally, we have John Melmer. John says that it's sad that "these so-called messengers misrepresent God as an intolerant, abstract being, when to some his personality is love and mercy, and he wants nothing more than for his children to return to the fold any way they can." Well, John, I think you've missed some of the scriptures. How about the one that says, "except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"? Yes, God's mercy and love is abundant, but we can't come any way we want to. Our coming must be accompanied by repentance.

Mary finds it appalling that Dr. Jeffress's hateful message is increasing membership at First Baptist. I find it refreshingly encouraging. It gives me hope that there are still thousands of people out there who are open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me assurance that God is still in the saving business despite all the slings and arrows the Mary Ludwicks and Laura McFerrins and John Melmers of the world can hurl. I don't know where Mary and Laura and John get their theology, but I suspect it's from the Political Correctness Handbook and the I'm Just as Good as You Are Handbook and the We're All Traveling Different Roads but Going to the Same Place Handbook.  I do know where Dr. Jeffress gets his theology -- it's from God's Handbook!


"A message of hate." The Dallas Morning News; July 26, 2011; p. 10A.
"Conservative Crusader." The Dallas Morning News; July 24, 2011; p. 1A.
"Unconditional Love." The Dallas Morning News; July 27, 2011; p. 14A.

Tolerance to Glorification

California lawmakers have passed a bill that requires public schools to include the "contributions" of gays and lesbians in social studies curriculum. On the flip side, it prohibits material that reflects adversely on gays.

We've moved from toleration to glorification. Our country is doomed.

"Bill requiring schools to teach on gays' contributions OK'd in California." The Dallas Morning News; July 6, 2011; p. 6A.