I'm still waiting, Michelle.

The Dallas Morning News lauds Wal-Mart and Michelle Obama in an editorial. Michelle announced for Wal-Mart that they were going to make packaged foods in their stores lower in salt, fat, and sugar and reduce prices on fruits and vegetables. The giant retailer also promised to build more stores in poor areas -- "food deserts" they call them.

"This is the free market at work" gushes the newspaper. But is it really? I suspect that Wal-Mart is getting some sort of quid pro quo. Why else would they rid their shelves of tasty food that sells for not-so-tasty food that doesn't? That doesn't make sense in the retail business.

And until Michelle acts on my suggestion, she's not at all serious about nutrition. Remember what my suggestion was? I'm still waiting for her to push it in Congress. It's very simple. Restrict food stamp dollars to heart-healthy, nutritious foods. No cookies, pies, cake mixes, sodas, chips, candy, or high fat meats. But she won't do that. Because that would truly be the free market at work. And because it's the people who are using the food stamps who voted her husband into office.

"Nutritional Game Changer." The Dallas Morning News; January 24, 2011; p. 14A.

Lack of resources or something else?

People on the left are already hollering about the Texas legislature's attempts to cut state spending. They are using the Tucson, Arizona, shooting to bolster their argument that cutting mental health services will lead to our streets being filled with Jared Loughner types. "It'll mean more people in jail, more potential violence to themselves and others, and more people taking their own lives," said Mike Katz, and advocate for the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

But let's look at the argument. Was Jared Loughner running around loose because there were no mental health facilities he could go to? I don't think so -- the college that insisted he have a mental health evaluation before returning to school would certainly have aided him in finding that help. That wasn't the problem. The problem was that Jared and his parents didn't avail themselves of the service.

And therein lies the problem with most crazy people. They really don't see that they're crazy. Before the liberals passed all kinds of laws to "protect their rights," we had mental institutions and legal means to send them there. Now, we must allow them to roam the streets and create chaos.

The bottom line is that the very ones pointing the fingers are the ones at fault here.

"Cuts to care raise concerns." The Dallas Morning News; January 24, 2011; p. 1A.

Imagine saying such a thing in a Baptist Church!

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley is in trouble. He recently said that, being a Christian, only Christians were his brothers and sisters. He said that those who didn't believe in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God and the Savior of mankind were not his brothers and sisters. Truer words were never spoken.

Was he in trouble because he said this at a government meeting? Or at a mosque? Or to a bunch of atheists? No, he happened to be in the pulpit of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church when he said it.

Unfortunately, Bentley doesn't have the courage of his convictions. He's apologized for making a true statement in an appropriate setting. What is the world coming to?

"Governor apologizes for religion remarks." The Dallas Morning News; January 20, 2011; p. 6A.

Seriously?

Clarence Page thinks we need a sitcom about a Muslim family to quell our ridiculous fears about Muslims. He said it could be similar to the Canadian show Little Mosque on the Prairie. I thought it was a joke! Seriously? Little Mosque on the Prairie??????

So I looked it up. I didn't get very far before I figured out how we're supposed to accept Muslims even while they stereotype Christians. Here's the character sketch for the Anglican priest in their town:

"Thorne is a charismatic smooth talker who would almost be as equally convincing wearing horns instead of a halo. Thorne is one Anglican who believes that Muslims are just plain wrong. If he manages to revive his flock, it may not leave much room for a Mosque. But it's nothing personal, he thinks most other non–Christians are hell bound too."

Contrast this to the character sketch for Yasir:

"He's a charming go-getter who would gladly sell you his heart of gold. He loves wealth and success for what it can do for his family and his community. . . He's a fully practicing Muslim but he still has a bit of trouble choosing between profit and Prophet. . .Yassir is a devoted husband, a doting father, and a loving son. When it comes to his daughter Rayyan, her wish is his command. His good intentions could be mistaken for meddling; like when he “negotiated” her wedding or bought a house for his potential grandchildren. While Yasir looks forward to spending more time with his wife Sarah, his biggest fear is that day when their little angel will leave the nest."

Page says that he thinks this sitcom would be good, because people fear what they don't understand. No, Mr. Page, people fear what they DO understand. We understand 9/11.

"No need to fear Islam." The Dallas Morning News; January 20, 2011; p. 19A.
http://www.cbc.ca/littlemosque/index.php

What about the inconvenience?

Obama has said that he doesn't attend church much because of the disruption it would cause . . . but that doesn't seem to be a problem for the Super Bowl.

He'd said that if the Bears went to Arlington, he'd be there, too. That had local officials just a bit concerned. Air Force One could force landing delays for other flights, conceivably carrying Super Bowl fans. How would you feel if you'd paid thousands of dollars for tickets and you missed the kick-off? Then there's the problem of a motorcade -- streets around the stadium are already cordoned off, and a VIP motorcade complete with Secret Service wouldn't help the traffic problem any. Then there would almost certainly be enhanced security if the Secret Service were involved -- never mind that security will be tight to begin with.

So . . . if Obama goes to church, he inconveniences maybe a couple thousand people at most? We can't have that. But if he wants to go to the Super Bowl, or take Michelle on a date to New York, and inconvenience many times that many people, that's OK. Guess we see where his priorities are.

"If Bears make game, president may, too." The Dallas Morning News; January 20, 2011; p. 16A.

Five Pillars

Obama's State of the Union Address was based upon "5 pillars." Hmmmm . . . ever heard of the 5 pillars of Islam? Coincidence?

No catfish on the menu!

For all you catfish lovers out there, better start stocking your freezers. We may not be able to enjoy this delicious fried delicacy much longer.

Mercy for Animals is based in Chicago. They've come to Texas to stick their noses into our catfish farms. They've especially targeted Bill Benson, owner of Catfish Corner in Kaufman County. What's he done that's so awful? He skins and slices the fish for his customers. This, according to Mercy for Animals, is cruel and unusual. We should all be vegans, they say.

Someone wrote a letter to the editor about the absurdity of the allegations. He says he supposes this means we can't farm anymore either, because there are lots of snakes, lizards, toads, mice, and other critters killed when the plows and other machinery come through and turn up the soil and reap. He makes a very good point. If we can't even farm, what are we going to eat?

My suggestion is that Mercy for Animals go on back to Chicago where they've obviously done a lot to protect cockroaches -- just look at the caliber of politicians up there.

"Catfish farm accused of torture." The Dallas Morning News; January 20, 2011; p. 5B.