What a Difference a Day Makes...

Well...what a difference a day makes. In my last post I said, "Obviously as most of you know there is really no telling where I'll end up, but that is the plan as of now." Those words have turned out to be very true.

Yesterday I was called and my security clearance, which could have taken "a day or a year," took only 2 days to get re-authorized. So they re-offered the Iraq position and wanted me to go in the next 2-3 weeks. I'm not exactly sure when the contract ends yet, but I should be back sometime in either June or July. I'll be able to come home 2-3 times over the next 6 months, but obviously they will be spent visiting my family.

After several phone calls to people I trust and talk to before big decisions, everyone agreed that this was the move I needed to make at this time.

So as of now (you know the drill) I'm still leaving DC on Sunday night. I'll go to Louisiana for a day then head to TX for two weeks before leaving around the 14th (I actually have a week of training in El Paso and will not get to Iraq until the 21st.)

I'm really looking forward to what an amazing opportunity this will be.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to do much blogging while there, but I'll post as often as I can, so tune in to find out what is happening there.

Please keep me in your prayers for safety and also for opportunities to do as much good in as many ways possible while there.

The Adventure Continues...

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and is looking forward to a very Happy 2006!!!

As I'm sure those who know me have been anticipating, I'm moving again =)

Friday will be my last day working in DC for at least the next three months.

On Sunday I'm moving to TX to manage a State Rep race.

Some of you are now wondering what happened with the Iraq job. Well, that is still not out of the mix completely yet. My security clearance expired a year ago, so they are re-submitting me for a new clearance. That could take a day or a year. You never know, so obviously I couldn't wait around (hence the TX job) and they are continuing to look for someone to fill the spot. Ideally, if my clearance comes through in March and they haven't filled the spot yet, I may still go then. The contract ends in July and then if I really like the job I'll move to the DC office.

For those of you who that last paragraph caught completely in left field, I was offered a position in Iraq. It is a really great opportunity to go there and participate in seeing democracy born in the Middle East. I'm not sure what I can or can't say about the job yet, so stay tuned.

If for some reason the TX job ends after the election in March (either we lose or there is no Democratic opponent) and the Iraq job is not available, then as of now, I'm planning on heading back to DC to look for a new job. Obviously as most of you know there is really no telling where I'll end up, but that is the plan as of now.

I never cease to be amazed at all the incredible opportunities God continues to allow me to join Him in. I pray that I continue to completely seek His will in all that I do and everywhere He sends me.

Christmas Break

I finally made it home to Louisiana after a crazy flight day. I'm taking a few days off from posting and replying to comments, so if you are awaiting a comment response check back next Wednesday =)

Merry Christmas!!!

Tornado in a Junkyard

I've just recently finished a book that is very relevant to the nonsense ruling in PA on Intelligent Design.

The book is entitled, "Tornado in a Junkyard: The Relentless Myth of Darwinism." It is written by a former atheist and is an amazing read. He breaks down every piece of evolution very scientifically yet easy enough for anyone to read.

The premise of the title of the book is that statistically it is more likely that a tornado can pass through a junk yard and leave a fully functional 747 aircraft behind than it is for Darwin's theory of evolution to be the way the earth and all life was formed.

With my chemisty and zoology background, I even learned tons of new stuff. I challenge anyone to read the book and dispute his claims scientifically.

Turning Points

My pastor in Baton Rouge, Dino Rizzo, has just finished his first book, "Turning Points."

I ordered it the minute it came out. I haven't read it yet, but I have no doubt, based on the author, that it is an awesome book. Dino is one person who I know that does absolutely nothing that isn't of the highest excellence, so I know he would not have written a book that didn't meet that standard.

We have all faced and will face again major challenges in our life. I have no doubt there will tons of nuggets in this book that will show us how, through Christ, to look at these challenges as turning points in our life for what God will do for us next.

I'll write more about it after I read it, but why wait!!! Click the link about and get your copy now!!!

Dems Offer No Plan on Iraq and Brag About It!!!

Liberals never cease to amaze me by how completely spineless they are and also just a complete joke.

For months they have been bashing the President saying he had no plan for Iraq. Now their leader in the House is saying the Dems will offer no position on Iraq in their 2006 agenda. Not only will they not have a plan, but she is even trying to say by not having a plan shows a sign of strength.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with they see things turning around, so they don't want to put out a negative plan and look like idiots again. Also they can't put out a plan that supports what is now happening because then that would show support for the President...definitely can't have that. It must be so hard having to hope for defeat in order to advance your party.

Welcome to Bizarro world also known as Liberals in America.

A Class-Action Lawsuit I Support

I am usually very adverse to class action lawsuits, but here is one I support 100%!!! It burns me up that states just completely ignore Federal laws and give special benefits to people who should be put on a bus or plane and sent out of the country immediately.

There is no way someone who is here ILLEGALLY should be allowed to attend school here, much less pay a cheaper tuition than citizens!

Very Good Question!

Matt Lewis, nationally renowned campaign expert, has a very good question on his blog today. Which ticket are you buying?

If you read down a few posts (and up, depending on when you read this post), you will have no doubt what my answer to his question is. You couldn't pay me a million bucks to buy the other!!!

How about you? Which ticket are you buying? Will you bow to the Hollywood hype machine and go see a movie that is against everything you stand for just to be part of the "in" crowd?

The Horse and His Boy

I just finished the third book in the Narnia series, "The Horse and His Boy." I know. I 'm slacking. It took me two days to read this one =)

I'm curious what others took from the book as far as a Christian message. I took away from it that God has a plan for everyone and that regardless of your upbringing, you can do mighty things for God when you realize you are the son of a King.

Any other thoughts?

Nearly Word for Word

Wow...I don't think a movie has ever been so true to a book. I finished reading "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" and the movie almost follows the book word for word. The few changes only added a little more movie drama, but didn't change a thing about the original story.

This really shows how amazing of an author C. S. Lewis really was being it was so easy to turn him book and words into a movie by following it exactly as written and not losing one bit of the imagery or story.

One Down Six to Go

I finished the first Narnia book, "The Magician's Nephew," last night. If you haven't read the books, this first book explains some stuff in the movie. You learn about the lantern in the middle of the forest (I wondered why they didn't say anything about it in the movie), the professor, where the witch came from among, and how the wardrobe came to be to name just a few.

It is also has a very beautiful description of how Aslan creates the world of Narnia. Makes you really wonder how beautiful it must have been when God created the earth from nothing.

Narnia is a Must See!!!

Just watched "The Chronicles of Narnia" Anyone who says it is not an allegory for the story of Christ and salvation is just in complete denial.

The humans are repeatedly referred to as "sons of Adam" and "daughters of Eve."

Aslan sacrifices his life for the fallen human whose blood is required due to betrayal for food and power.

There was an earthquake before Aslan rose.

Aslan rose from the dead to defeat the witch.

Aslan even says something along the lines (forgot the exact line) that the witch misread the prophecy and that it took the blood sacrifice of the blameless (not the word used but can't remember the exact word) for the payment of the betrayal of human blood.

Those are the biggest, but there were many more references.

I can't wait to read the books soon!

Democrat's Plan: Retreat and Defeat

The latest RNC video nails the Dems with their own words.

Dean and Boxer and Kerry...oh my! Dean and Boxer and Kerry...oh my! Dean and Boxer and Kerry...AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

I know it is pretty scary to see all three of them, but I think ya'll can handle it.

Enjoy the video!

Reagan Screened at Reagan

On my way home to LA last week, I saw the epitome of political correctness gone wrong.

When I got in the security line at the airport, Michael Reagan was only two people in front of me. Now the fact that I was at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and there two people in front of was President Reagan's son hit me immediately (I know to all you non-DC folks that sounds weird but it is true).

I said hi while waiting in line and that I really liked his book. Unlike the other son, Michael actually is a very talented media personality doing great work keeping his father's legacy alive and not just using his dad's name to make it.

If that were the end of the story, it would have been neat but no real big deal. You frequently run into "famous" people in DC.

Not so fast my friend. When he went through the metal detector he goes off due to a artificial hip. So of course in the post 9-11 world of "we can't offend anyone so everyone has to be treated equal" (well except the people who are actually blowing up planes) he has to go to the hand pat down screening area.

I mean come on!!! The airport is named after HIS DAD!!! If anyone should be able to just walk through without any hassles at any airport, much less Reagan airport, you would think a former president's son could.

This is just yet another example of how we are letting political correctness waste our time and money just to have a false sense of security. The minute former presidents' children start hijacking planes then screen him away. However, until then, we should at least give him the respect of his dad and let him through security without being treated like a common criminal.

Screwed Again

I know if we had beat Georgia in the Championship game, then this wouldn't be an issue...but this is where we are now.

How can LSU, who has a better record and beat Auburn, Alabama, and Florida, be going to a worst bowl than all three.

We get the last laugh though being we actually have the third best matchup of all the bowl games. Of course the big one is #1 USC v. #2 Texas. The #4 Ohio St. v. #5 Notre Dame game should also be a good one.

Our game matches #9 Miami v. #10 LSU. Every other top 10 team plays a team well below their ranking.

Hey Dup, at least you got the matchup right in your prediction...just the wrong game...GEAUX TIGERS!!!

Last Grandparent

My grandma (mom's mom) died yesterday after a several month downward spiral. She was my last grandparent (my grandfather is still alive, but I haven't seen him since I was too young to remember). It is always a wake up call to mortality whenever you lose someone close.

I'm headed down to LA tomorrow morning for the funeral on Friday. Please keep my family in your prayers!

A Good Quote to Live By

"(I)f the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. . . . There can be no divided allegiances here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag. . . . (W)e have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

- Teddy Roosevelt, 1907

One Win to Go

With LSU beating Ole Miss 40-7, a win over Arkansas next week locks up the SEC West title and a trip to Atlanta to play Georgia (get ready Dukes!!!)

With Miami's loss to Georgia Tech 14-10 (sorry Dup) LSU will move up to #3 in the polls and better move to at least #4 in the BCS. Also almost had a very good night of upsets with USC barely surviving Fresno 50-42.

She Said YES!!!

I left this post up for a timestamp as a reference to other posts to know when I proposed to Cheryl, but took the content of post down as it no longer applies.

Calling Their Bluff!!!

It has just been reported that the Republican leadership will force the Dems to put up or shut up. They are going to force them to vote on whether or not we should pull out the troops now. As will surely be the case it will fail overwhelmingly. This will be cause much embarrassment for the Dems and also point out the true loons who will vote in favor, as a couple surely will.

Caught on Tape

Here is a great video put out by the RNC that backs what President Bush has been saying about several Dems citing the dangers of Saddam all the way back to 1998. I guess that must be when President Bush started lying and manipulating intelligence..oh wait...he wasn't the President then...oops. BUSTED!!!

AWESOME GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a game!!! Once again the SEC shows why it is the best conference in the nation hands down!

LSU came back from a 10-0 halftime deficit to tie it 10-10 and go to overtime beating Bama 16-13 in overtime. While I would have much preferred a less nerve thrashing game, this one is definitely an instant classic.

Now we just have to not choke on the last two regular season games versus Ole Miss and Arkansas and we make it the SEC Championship game.

Also while it is getting less and less likely, there is still a slight chance of making it to the Rose Bowl if a few timely loses go our way, but we first have to keep taking care of our business and let the rest take care of itself.

Success Six

Don't start your day until you finish it!

I'm reading an online book, "Conversations with Millionaires" by Mike Litman. One thing I've picked up on that has already made an impact is the idea of planning your day before it starts.

He suggests each night before going to bed, list the top six things you need to do the next day to move your job/life forward. After you have them listed, you need to prioritize them in the order of importance.

Then the next day you start with #1 and move down the list. The key is that you don't move to #2 until #1 is finished and on down the list. Obviously you have to be flexible, but as you get better at planning, the less obstacles will take you off your path for the day.

You wouldn't start building a house until you finish it (have the plans and blueprints), so why do you start a day without finishing it first?

HUGE Game Day!!!

Today's game is for all the marbles in the SEC West! #5 LSU vs. #3 Bama should be a defensive battle. Hopefully it is a better game than last week's Miami/Tech game (however I wouldn't mind having a Miami-type win if it isn't a close game).

Bama's offense has been struggling, scoring only one offensive touchdown in the last 3 SEC games. Their defense has kept them in it, but LSU's offense, if it is clicking on all cylinders, is much better than the last three teams Bama has played. That stat is why I think LSU will win the game.

It will be a close one with LSU winning by 6-9 points.

Let Freedom Shine

Here is a picture that Rumsfeld has on his desk. It is a satellite image of North and South Korea. Definitely points out the stark contrast between freedom and communism. In the South, where freedom lives, lights shine bright. However, in the North the people are left in the dark. I look forward to seeing a satellite image of Iraq in 5 years!

Gotta Love Bashing the French

"AP and UPI reported today that the French government announced that it has raised its terror alert level from 'Run' to 'Hide.' The only two higher levels in France are 'Collaborate' and 'Surrender'. The raise was precipitated by a recent fire which destroyed France's white flag factory, thereby disabling its military."

- Author unknown

Thank You!!!

Thanks to everyone who has served and is serving in our armed forces!

Good Job Mr. President!!!

President Bush finally took on the Dems head on today. They have been spouting their propaganda unchallenged for over a year now, and it was well overdue for some perspective coming from the President.

The truth is that every intelligence agency in the world believed Saddam has WMDs. Nearly every Democrat, including Clinton, Kennedy, Kerry, Gore and Edwards made multiple statements that Saddam had WMDs. Yet, the liberal media and these same Dems now claim it was all Bush's fault and that he alone lied. The hypocrisy drives me nuts!!!

A new book is out that I look forward to reading soon called "Disinformation: 22 Media Myths that Undermine the War on Terror" by Richard Miniter. It is taking on the statements of no WMDs found and many other myths about the War on Terror spread by liberals. Here are just a couple of samples sited:

-1.77 metric tons of enriched uranium
-1,500 gallons of chemical weapons agents
-17 chemical warheads containing cyclosarin (a nerve agent five times more deadly than sarin gas)
-Over 1,000 radioactive materials in powdered form meant for dispersal over populated areas
Roadside bombs loaded with mustard and "conventional" sarin gas, assembled in binary chemical projectiles for maximum potency

I'm glad the President is finally going on the offensive and I hope the Congressional conservatives follow soon.

You Are Known By Your Heroes

If you want to get a sense of the people behind the riots in France, here is a quote from an article that paints the picture:

Mahmoud Khabou, 20, the jobless son of Algerian immigrants, knows little of the world beyond the concrete housing projects that rise in bleak rows barely an hour's subway ride from the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and other grand monuments of Paris.

But he knows who his heroes are. ''Osama bin Laden and Rodney King," he said, referring to the Al Qaeda leader and the African-American whose videotaped beating by Los Angeles police in 1991 spawned massive racial riots.

''One because he gives pride back to the Muslims," the young man asserted as he and a trio of friends stood near the charred ruins of a carpet shop. ''The other because he was just a poor man, a 'nobody man' of color, but he caused a great city to burn."

That just about says it all!

Look Ahead Win

LSU might have been looking ahead to next week's Bama game. While 24-0 is nothing to shake a stick at, it could have been more. Now everything is set for next week's SEC West showdown. It should be a great game!

Private Property Pillagers

The US House voted last night 376-38 on the Private Property Protection Rights Act. It is the first step towards reversing the Supreme Courts' Kelo decision that allows governments to take private property away from its owners and give to private companies.

This is blatantly against the Constitution which only allows for private property going to public use projects like bridges and roads, not hotels and condos for more taxes.

Take a look at the above link and see if you Congress critter is one of the 38 members who have no respect for private property or the Constitution. Maybe someone in their districts should petition the local government to seize their homes for a hotel like some did to the Supremes who ruled against the Kelo family.

Did We Learn Any Lessons From Rwanda?

I just finished watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda." It is based on what happened there in 1994 when in 3 months nearly one million people were slaughtered right under the nose of the UN and the rest of the world. The main character of the story saved over 1200 people.

If you don't like the UN, you will like them even less after this movie. Granted the US, under Clinton, did nothing either in part because of the Black Hawk Down incident, the UN showed how completely useless they are without the US.

It is a movie everyone needs to watch, including the bonus features! The interview with the real life person depicted in the movie is very moving, especially when he tries to explain the reasons the world didn't help. It just broke my heart.

I wish I could say something like this will never happen again, but unfortunately the same is happening in Sudan, the Congo and other countries today. I'm not sure of the details (I will call some friends and try to find out more) but one person killed is too many and many more than that have already died in those countries while the world does very little to stop it.

If we can't stop senseless killing like this, how can we continue to call ourselves a Christian nation. While I know our military is stretched in the war on terror and that effort is just as important, we must find a way to intervene.

Another good movie on the topic of what happened in Rwanda is "Sometimes in April."

Another Abortion Myth Shattered

Some abortion supporters have long held to the myth that if abortions were not as taboo, less unwanted children would be aborted instead of becoming abused children. They have even gone so far as to use the slogan, "Every Child a Wanted Child? Not Really!"

Well a new study has once again proved the abortion on demand crowd lacking. According to the study done at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, women who have had an abortion are 144% more likely to abuse their future children.

I surely hope President Bush has one or two more Supreme Court appointments before his term ends in order to get closer to ending abortion for good.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble!!!

President Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel Alito, based on initial reactions from both sides of the aisle, is just the fight conservatives wanted before the Miers nomination. His appointment will almost assuredly move the Court to the right, and the lefties will fight to the death to see that this doesn't happen.

This one will get wild, so hang on tight. It will be a very fun ride.

SOOOOOOO FUNNY!!!

Here is a video making its way across the blogosphere that is sooooooo funny!!! Enjoy!

My Lifesong

Tonight for Frontline, Todd spoke for part 2 of the series on worship. The main point of the message was that our worship of God has to go beyond words. It has to go from saying it to meaning it to living it.

After he finished, the worship team played a song that completely captured the message. It is a song by Casting Crowns called Lifesong. The lyrics are very piercing. I hope they convict you as much as they have me! I would love to hear your comments and thoughts.

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You

Blow Out Win

LSU did what they were expected to do and blew out North Texas, 56-3. The only area they still struggled in was too many penalties.

Next week vs. Appalachian St. should be another blow out in preparation for Bama. With Georgia losing, LSU should move up to #6 in the polls.

Home Run King Strikes Out

I'm getting so sick and tired of race-baiting. The last incident is home run king, Hank Aaron, complaining that there weren't any African Americans on the Astros' World Series team He suggested that the Astro's management need to do a better job of scouting African Americans.

I'm sorry, but that is just absurd!!! Sports, especially professional sports, is the only place left in America that race plays absolutely no factor in deciding who plays for what team. The only thing the owners care about is winning and making money, so they will get the best players they can afford.

I promise if the Astros had a shot at Barry Bonds or any of the other top notch black players they would hire them in a heart beat. He also failed to mention that 6 players are Hispanic and one Chinese and not all white like his comment implied.

If sports teams start acting like businesses and put the focus on race quotas instead of talent then you can say good bye to professional sports. I have no idea what Aaron's problem is but if he were truly worried about race inequity he would have a problem with the lack of whites in the NBA or NFL in proportion to the population.

I have no problem with the lack of whites in either league. When I watch a game, I want to see the best, not a reflection of society.

Miers Withdraws

Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination to the Supreme Court. The official line is that the Senate was going to keep pushing for White House documents, but of course that isn't the real reason.

The attacks from the Right continued to come unabated, with the latest coming from Concerned Women for America asking for her withdrawal. Her 1993 speech giving credence to some of the arguments that led to Roe v. Wade might have been the proverbial straw that broke the back.

Now it will be interesting to see how the President reacts to what he will surely see as a betrayal from conservatives. Will he admit his mistake and nominate a proven conservative, or will he stick it to conservatives even worse and nominate Gonzales or another blank slate?

The fun continues!!!

Abortion Supporters Should Defend Her Choice

If it is proven that this young woman killed her newborn baby, then the abortion rights crowd should be supporting her choice. I mean had she just decided to go to a doctor one day earlier and had a partial-birth abortion it would have completely legal to murder her child.

Why can't she decide to do the same thing the day it is born? How can a matter of minutes be the boundary for "choice" and murder? This is just another example of the thin line of reasoning that the abortion crowd must find justifications for in order to placate their actions.

Unexpected Lesson

I went to my church in LA today, Healing Place Church, and while the message was really good, I learned a different lesson from someone in the crowd.

LSU Coach Les Miles was in attendance as a guest of Coach Charlie McCartney, who was in town with his grandson visiting LSU. Coach Miles was an assistant at Colorado when Coach Mac was there. He spoke a little before the message and I really got convicted.

While I never said anything really bad about Miles, I definitely spoke negative about him on several occasions. Well I really got convicted about talking bad about someone and also that instead I should be praying for him. I can't even begin to imagine the pressures he faces every day.

If anyone needs God's strength, he definitely does. Especially when you think of all the lives he affects. The players look to him for strength and if he can rely on God's strength to direct him that could change the eternal life of a player.

So, all that to say that I will try to be less quick to criticize someone in an influential position and instead try my best to lift them up in prayer.

The Upright Game

Another LSU v. Auburn game has a unique finish with LSU winning in overtime 20-17 after Auburn's kick hit the left upright for the fifth missed field goal of the game.

They tried hard not to win though missing two wide open touchdown passes in the endzone.

We finally went a whole game without any turnovers, but it was still not an impressive win. While Auburn was ranked, the talent on LSU should have been too much. They are just no where near playing to their potential.

However a win is a win, and while I'm not thrilled with how it was accomplished, I'll definitely take it. Two weeks of what better be practice games then they travel to Alabama for another test in what should be the deciding game in the SEC West.

Illegal Immigration Solution

I was asked in an interview last week what did I think was the biggest mistake Republicans have made over the last 10 years. My answer was not focusing enough attention on finding a solution for illegal immigration.

I wasn't asked what my solution would be but here it is.

It needs to happen in two stages. First stage is get rid of illegal immigration and then the second stage is to start a guest worker program.

The first stage consists of three parts. We must do whatever it takes to secure our borders. If that means putting armed forces on the border, so be it. Other options are a fence, A LOT MORE border agents, or a citizen corp like the Minutemen.

The second part is to deport any illegal found within 24 hours. If someone can't prove they are here legally within 24 hours the chances are very high they aren't. The very very small few who might get caught and deported accidentally would be so miniscule that it is not even worth talking about.

The third part is to raise fines on companies who hire illegal to extremely high penalties. If no one will hire them, then that in itself would almost solve the problem alone.

Those three ideas need to be in place first before any type of guest worker program should go into effect. After we have secure borders, illegals are sent home and companies are no longer hiring illegals, then a program that allows legal aliens to enter the country to work for a fixed amount of time can be started. However in order to apply for the program it must be done in the person's country of origin. Anything less is just another form of amnesty.

A quick note on funding: The amount of money that would be saved by not having to support those that are here illegally would pay for this plan several times over.

Now, I'm not naive enough to think that this would solve the problem completely, but I really think it would make a major dent in the problem.

W...I...L...M...A!!!!

Fred Flintstone must be furious with Wilma for causing such a fuss, especially if his Brontosaurus burger dinner is late.

As silly as that sounds, the idiots who continue to blame global warming for this hurricane season are just as ridiculous.

Having 12 named hurricanes in a season ties a record from the 30's. So if this only ties an almost 70 year old record, how can global warming be the blame?

Well you might say we broke the record for the most named storms in a season by Wilma being the first ever W named storm. Well, if breaking the record by 1 storm for also nearly 70 years then stop the presses.

Seems to me more likely is that we are just in the up part of what is called a weather cycle. Nah, it can't be something so simple...that would make too much common sense. Then again assuming the wacko liberal environmentalists have common sense might be asking a lot.

Awesome Games!!!

Three of the four games I mentioned in the previous post were awesome games.

LSU played incredible defense to finally beat Florida at home for a 21-17 win despite 5 turnovers and 12 penalties.

USC stayed undefeated after a freak fumble to give them an additional 7 seconds to beat Notre Dame 34-31 with 3 seconds remaining.

Penn St. lost its first game 27-25 to Michigan on a last second touchdown by the Wolverines.

The other game I mentioned was a blow out. Texas blew out Colorado as expected 42-17.

One game I didn't mention earlier, but was almost a huge upset was Alabama just barely beating Ole Miss on a last second field goal 13-10.

All this and the day isn't even over yet. And people wonder why I love college football so much!!!

Big Games!!!

Today will have a major impact on the rest of the season. LSU vs. Florida, USC vs. ND, Texas vs. Colorado, and Penn State vs. Michigan are the big ones. All have major implications for the eight teams involved as well as the rest of college football.

Will the loser of the LSU game be finished in the SEC Championship race? Will Texas be able to stay focused after the OU win? Will ND give USC their first lost in two and a half years? Can Joe Pa and Penn St. prove the odd makers wrong after being the underdog even though they are undefeated?

All these questions and more will be answered today...now let's play some ball!!!

Must See Ads!!!

These two ads (Stanley & Kelly) for Jerry Kilgore's VA Governor's campaign have to be two of the most powerful ads I've ever seen. I especially like the Kelly one due to its subtle reference to illegal immigration as well as nailing Kaine on the death penalty.

ID Required

It blows my mind that people are allowed to vote without showing a valid ID. Yet, only 24 states require an ID before voting. We are not allowed to get on an airplane before proving our identity and no one cries 'racism.' However that is the main argument by the ACLU. I'm sorry, but that is so weak of a defense it doesn't even deserve a comment. Just requiring a simple ID would cut out lots of fraud along with purging voter roles.

Sloppy Win LSU 34 - Vandy 6

The final score definitely doesn't reflect the first three quarters. Going into the fourth quarter it was only 12-6 due to turnovers and penalties. Then 22 fourth quarter points closed the door. Hopefully they were just looking ahead to next week's game against Florida. The one bright spot was the defense showed good improvements.

Supreme Mixed Feelings

I have waited a little while to post anything about the Miers nomination for the Supreme Court. Mainly because I was working through my feelings on the topic.

I have two main thoughts. First I have no doubt that her conservative credentials are solid. All I have to do is look at all the other nominations for the courts President Bush has made. Every single one of them has been very solid conservatives. So on that front I'm ok with not knowing much about her because I trust the President on that front.

Second thought is one of slight disappointment. When the President said in answer to a question that he feels she was the most qualified person for the job, that is where I have to take issue. There were many other potential nominees that are very obviously more qualified. This has nothing to do with not being a judge, but the fact that she has no experience whatsoever on handling the wide range of constitutional issues on a national level that is required of a Supreme Court justice.

I think the biggest reason so many conservatives are upset is because the nomination appears to show that the President didn't want a fight in the Senate, but instead sent someone who would be very hard for the Dems to block. With 55 Senators on our side, that seems to be a weak move.

All that to say that what could have earned our side some political points, at best will be neutral, at worst loses points with his base. One thing for sure though is that if the past is any indication, she will be a solid vote on our side.

Intelligent Creator

I'm currently reading a book by Dr. Chuck Missler called "Learn the Bible in 24 Hours." I highly recommend this book to everyone, regardless if you are a Christian or not. If you can read this book and not come to the conclusion that at the very least the world was not created by accident but by an intelligent Creator then I really don't have much more to say on the topic.

Here is one example I've found in the first few chapters:

God commanded the descendants of Abraham to be circumcised on the 8th day. We know now through modern medicine that first, Vitamin K (vital for blood clotting) does not form until the fifth though seventh day after birth and second, prothrombin (facilitates blood clotting) is below normal until the eighth day when it peaks to 110% for a day or so then drops to normal. I'm sure God just chose that day randomly...yeah right!

Resume Writing Business

I'm starting a resume writing business. It will take a few weeks to get everything up and running, but I'm really excited about the potential. One thing I've noticed since being in the staffing business is that LOTS of people need help writing resumes.

This is something I will do on the side for now, but hope to have it grow big enough to do it full time soon. I'll let you know how it goes.

Some of the benefits will be a resume in two hours and a guaranteed interview or free re-writes. I'll also offer discounts to graduating students.

In the meantime if you know anyone who is applying for a job (or just needs a resume update) and can use a top notch professional resume and cover letter have them give me a call.

Decent Win...LSU 37 - State 7

While I'll definitely take the win, I'm still not very confident about the rest of the season, especially the Florida and BAMA games. State is neither of those teams and the win wasn't as big as it should have been. There were also a couple of dropped catches and bad passes that could have made it a closer game.

We have Vandy next week to do some more fine tuning, but still lots of work to do on pass defense before Florida on the the 15th.

Game Time

We'll find out soon if LSU has found a pass defense since Monday. Today's game at 2:30 against Miss. State should be a blow out. If we lose or it is close, LSU will definitely drop out of the top 10 in the new poll on Sunday.

Season Over!

Well, I can no longer say I've never broken a bone. Last night playing softball, I broke my fibula (small bone of lower leg) right above my ankle. I'm in a splint until Tuesday when they will put me in a cast for 6 weeks.

I broke it sliding into homeplate. They have this astroturf like surface in the batter's box, and when I slid, my cleat got caught on the edge of this surface. My foot stopped but my body kept going...and then POP!

I actually didn't know it was broken and only thought I had pulled a tendon or something because it didn't really hurt that bad. I even played the rest of the game and didn't go to the urgent care center until after...probably not too smart looking back. After x-rays the doc said it was broken.

But hey...at least I was safe at homeplate =)

Freestyling Banned

I spoke this morning for a promotional video for Close Up. There were about 30 or so high school students and the format was similar to the Domestic Issues debate I normally do, minus the liberal counterpart. They asked questions and I gave the conservative position on the issue. As always they asked great questions and had me on my toes the whole time.

One of the students, asking about free speech, shared this ridiculous story. Apparently two students at her school were freestyling (for those of you who don't spend much time with high school students, that is when two people take turns raping off the top of their head back and forth to see who is better...watch 8 Mile and you will see exactly what it is).

Well one of the freestyling sessions went to far and the two guys ended up getting in a fight. So what does the school officials do in response. Well if you guessed the school made an example of the two guys by giving them the full punishment for fighting and making it clear that anyone who fights regardless of what starts it will get the same punishment, you would be wrong. No, what the all-knowing officials did was ban freestyling on campus.

This is another great example of government officials missing a chance to teach personal responsibility. This is the exact same error as trying to ban all guns because someone used a gun to kill someone. The gun didn't kill a person, another person did. In the same vein, freestyling was not the cause of the fight, two students were.

I can't think of a more creative exercise than trying to rap off the cuff. I would think this is an activity schools would promote and encourage. However leave it to these idiots to stifle creativity and reinforce that you aren't responsible for you own actions.

Can Someone Remind Dems That They LOST!!!

I must not be able to read very well. For the life of me I can't find in the Constitution where it says, "The President shall fill a Supreme Court vacancy with a person of the the same ideological position as the person retiring."

You would think it is in there based on how many Dems keep saying that the President should replace the OC with someone just like her. They know it won't happen but they are just trying to make it sound like they are being reasonable. The truth is that no matter who the President chooses they will rake over the coals and do everything in their declining power to destroy. The process has become a complete joke.

I truly hope the President keeps to his campaign promise and nominates someone in the mold of Scalia. The heads exploding in the Senate will be fun to watch.

Interesting Proposal

Congressman Gene Taylor (D-MS) has introduced a very practical solution to some of the damage caused by Katrina. He is proposing that those who did not have flood insurance be allowed to buy-in to the National Flood Insurance Program.

There would be a 5% penalty plus a requirement to maintain the insurance on the house once rebuilt for as long as the person owns the house.

I haven't read the bill in its entirety, but on first brush I like the idea. It doesn't just give away free insurance due to the slight penalty. However it also helps to alleviate some of the burden of the rebuilding away from the taxpayers across the country from government loans or grants.

This may be already in the bill, but if not it would make it even more acceptable. It should be clearly stated that it will only be a one time offer. That if in the future you decide to build in hurricane zones and don't have adequate flood insurance regardless of being in a floodplain or not then this bill should not be a crutch that they think they can fall back on in the future.

You Mean This Isn't Already the Law!!!

Few people realize that in many states in the country, you are not required to show an ID in order to prove you are who you say you are before voting. While most people don't know this little fact, others do and they use this knowledge to steal elections.

Hopefully this new bill will pass, but I'm not holding my breath. The biggest argument those against the bill use is that it is racist and hurts minorities. Would someone please explain to me how asking EVERYONE for an ID before voting is racist. It wouldn't happen to have anything to do with the fact that the most fraud is in the inner cities of America and this bill would stop that in an instance...nah...that can't be the real reason.

And How Much Money Are We Sending To LA?

Before sending $250 billion to Louisiana (whether or not this is an appropriate amount is for another post), as proposed by Senators Landrieu and Vitter, a slight history lesson is in order: In just the past generation, the Pelican State has had a governor, an attorney general, three successive insurance commissioners, a congressman, a federal judge, a state Senate president and a swarm of local officials convicted.

Everyone knows that LA is one of the most corrupt states in the nation and New Orleans puts the rest of the state to shame. If there aren't major controls and oversight on this influx of federal funds, I have little hope for anything being better than before Katrina and Rita.

The Media Exaggerated...No Way

If the media was wrong about this, what else could they have exaggerated over the years??? Thankfully we don't have to only rely on the mainstream media anymore for news!

Katrina vs Rita Evacuation

New Orleans evacuation for Katrina

Houston evacuation for Rita

I think AustinWarriorPrincess makes a very valid point. The above pics from her site speak for themselves.

Tough OT Loss...LSU 27 v. Tenn 30

A very difficult loss for the Tigers. It really could have been a lot worse had Tennessee not dropped so many wide open catches or had so many overthrown passes. If they don't fix the pass defense, it will be a very long season!

Trackback Party

I just sent my first trackback to StopTheACLU's trackback party. If you would like to learn more about what a trackback is and how to send them click here. I used the Wizbang link and it was very easy. Basically this is a great way for bloggers to link other blogs and everyone benefits from the extra exposure.

Truth About A.N.S.W.E.R

The big finale of Cindy Sheehan's march is tomorrow on the National Mall. Here is a little insight on the group that is her biggest supporter, A.N.S.W.E.R. It is a little dated but still shows that they have little interest in bringing home the troops and more in doing whatever it takes to defeat everything that makes America great.

I'll be on the Mall tomorrow from 10-4 for an evangelistic outreach, so I'm sure I'll have plenty of interesting stories and pictures to share.

Grassroots Expert

I've posted a new link for a blog by a good friend of mine, Matt Lewis. He is hands down one of the best grassroots trainers in the country. I highly recommend his site for anyone who is interested in political campaigns.

Are You Ready For Some Football!!!

The NFL's Monday Night Football motto will have a whole new meaning to LSU fans this Monday. Due to Hurricane Rita, the SEC has decided to move the LSU v. Tenn game to Monday night.

Move over NFL...here come the Tigers!!!

If Only Kerry Had Won!!!

If only Kerry would have won, he would have already stopped global warming and all these hurricanes would not be even forming much less causing so much destruction.

Wait, are you trying to say that human activity causing global warming is a farce??? Are you trying to say that we are just going through natural earth cycles??? Nah that can't be right! It has to be President Bush's fault, doesn't it?

Random Web Posts on Katrina

Here are a few posts from Chuck Muth's "News & Views" daily email newsletter:

LESSONS TV TAUGHT US ABOUT KATRINA
1. New Orleans was devastated and no other city or town was affected by the hurricane.
2. The hurricane only hit black families' property.
3. Mississippi is reported to have a tree blown down.
4. New Orleans has no white people.
5. The hurricane blew a limb off a tree in the yard of an Alabama resident.
6. When you are hungry after a hurricane, steal a big screen TV.
7. The hurricane did 23 billion dollars in improvements to New Orleans. Now the city is welfare-, looter-, gang-, and prisoner-free... and they are all now in your city...and you are paying them.
8. White folks don't make good news stories.
9. Don't give thanks to the thousands that came to help rescue you, instead bitch because the government hasn't given you a debit card yet
10. Only black family members got separated in the hurricane rescue efforts.
11. Ignore warnings to evacuate and the white folks will come get you and give you money for being friggin' stupid.
12. Your governor wouldn't let the feds in for four days, but somehow, it's all George Bush's fault.
- Author Unknown

"Among the pictures from New Orleans were lots of heart-rending shots of displaced mothers and children, but few of fathers and husbands. Liberal critics say Hurricane Katrina ripped aside the veil on America's extreme poverty. What it really ripped aside was the veil over the collapse of family, particularly among inner-city blacks, that lies at the heart of poverty."
- Columnist Thomas Bray

"As we hear calls for a 'compassionate' response to the victims of this (Hurricane Katrina) tragedy, it is important to remember that you can't be compassionate with other people's money. This difference is as simple as the difference between my reaching into my pocket for money to help someone in need and my reaching into your pocket for the same purpose. The former is charity -- the latter is not."
- Michael Tanner of the Cato Institute

"...Americans shouldn't filter so much money through Washington. Louisianans don't need Iowa rain forests, and Iowans don't need levees in Louisiana. Maybe the people who want to live in New Orleans should have to pay (through private enterprise or local taxes) the special costs of its exposed location -- or live elsewhere. If all local projects, essential and whimsical, were paid for with local taxes, competition among states and cities would force them to become more efficient."
- ABC's John Stossel in TownHall.com

If (House Majority Leader Tom) DeLay is being honest when he says he will consider offsets in order to pay for hurricane damage, he should start by asking each member to give up just one earmark apiece from the 6,371 'pork' projects in the recent highway bill. Such action may be unprecedented, but so was the bill itself..."There are dozens of other programs and agencies that could be scaled back or eliminated in their entirety with some leadership from Republicans. The billions we spend annually on foreign aid that does little more than enrich corrupt foreign leaders, agriculture subsidies that give wealthy American commodity farmers an unfair advantage over impoverished farmers in the Third World and education spending that has grown faster than the military budget since September 11 are all prime targets.
- John Berthoud of the National Taxpayer's Union

Scientist Warn of Climate Changes --- On Mars!

How long before Al Gore comes out and blames President Bush for the climate changes on Mars? It only took him two weeks to blame Katrina on him and global warming.

Voice of Reason

At least one leading Democrat realizes that this is not the time to point fingers but instead work together to ensure such a disaster never happens again.

Blanco's Inadvertent Confession

Even though she didn't mean to do it on the record, Blanco admits she is to blame for not calling in the military soon enough. Not that this comes as a surprise to those who regularly read my blog.

Not only did she not call them in soon enough, but even after she did, they were all forced to be sworn in as Louisiana National Guard members before they were allowed to help in the relief efforts. This was an extreme waste of time and a very stupid use of state powers during such an major catastrophe.

When all the smoke settles, state of Louisiana and city of New Orleans officials will be left holding a very large bag of blame and rightfully so.

Katrina Offsets

I linking this post directly to a petition for suggestions to offset pork spending in order to fund the Katrina relief effort. I really hope the Republican leadership (is Tom Delay having a mid-life crisis..."no fat left in the budget"!!!) takes this opportunity to return to the limited government ideals that gave them the House in '94. However, I'm not holding my breath.

President Bush made a comment today about cutting spending. I hope he puts real pressure on this and they were not just words for the camera.

There are so many places to cut. A great first place would be all the bike paths funded by the pork in the Transportation bill that just passed (see July 30 post, "CAFTA Arm Twisting").

One Nation Under Judicial Activists

Once again a completely unaccountable judge has ruled the having kids recite "under God" in the pledge is unconstitutional. You would think that one requirement for being a judge is to actually read the founding documents and other writings of our founding fathers.

For example, who is "our creator" that has endowed us with rights if it is not God? The list of references to a "higher power" (for those who say "Nature's God" is not necessarily the Christian God, not that I agree but just for arguments sake) is so long that it would take hundreds of pages to list. To say that we are not a nation founded under Christian principles is to be completely ignorant of even the slightest notion American history.

The Supreme Court can't hide from making a decision this time. I hope that once and for all we start moving back to sanity and a true representation of the original intent of the founding fathers.

Humbling Experience

Sports always have a way of teaching great lessons in humility.

After losing our first two softball games last week, we were hoping to do better this week. Well, in a very hard fought game, we won our first game 20-17. However, if just to make sure we didn't get to cocky in our new found winning ways, we were spanked 31-6 by the same team in the second game of the night. Very humbling to say the least!

More Incompetence on State Level

I'm pasting an email from a friend of mine to highlight once again the complete incompetence of the Louisiana state officials. I'm sure you can completely understand his utter frustration. If you know anyone in the media that would be interested in this story, please pass it along and have them contact Gary Brown through the website listed below. Here is the email:

I and a few friends have founded an organization Share Your Home, a 501 c 3 non profit www.shareyourhome.org, and we are placing hurricane victims who have lost their homes in homes across the country. The people opening their homes have been very generous. In some cases, houses have been donated, cell phones, cars etc. There are lots of opportunities for these victims.

We have partnered with the LSU Architectural school and they have agreed to give some course credit to students willing to help us with our effort. We have trained these 200+ students to go out into shelters and collect the information needed to place these victims into homes. There is only one problem, any shelter run by the Red Cross or the State of Louisiana will not allow us to enter to gather this information.

We currently have 25,000 homes offered. If you figure only 4 person per family, that’s 100,000 people we could potentially place around the country in loving homes and communities that will assist with medical needs, finding jobs and place the children in schools. Why are we being blocked?

Is the Red Cross raising too much money? And your guess is as good as mine as why the state wouldn’t want us to help even though the Governor’s office and Red Cross refer people and resources to us that they didn’t know what to do with, including 18 wheelers of supplies, airplanes (as big as dc-9’s, and an entire retired air force wing). We even had the Red Cross (Missouri) call us and want to send an 18 wheeler full of goods to us because they couldn’t get their OWN organization to call them back.

I don’t know what is going on down here, but we need to remember people are suffering and if ANYONE can help who is the Red Cross or the State Government to refuse it on behalf of the victims.

I really do hope that this is just simply incompetence and not something being purposefully done for any number of reasons, none of which are appropriate.

First Pics of Baby Owen

First pic of Owen Paul Folse

Chloe helping grandpa hold her new baby brother.

Cute story: Laine and Corey didn't let the doctors tell them if it was a boy or girl before, so they had two names they talked about, Owen if it was a boy and Olivia if it was a girl. When they first took Chloe to see Owen, she looked at him for a little while then started looking around. Then she asked, "Where is Olivia?" The wonderful innocence of kids!!!

NEVER FORGET!!!

I'm an Uncle...again =)

My sister had a baby boy at 11:57pm (Sat. Sept. 10). His name is Owen Paul, 7lbs 7 oz, 19in. Baby and mom are both doing fine. The hospital will put up a picture on their website in a couple of days, so I'll link that when they do =)

I can't wait to see him when I go home October 21.

LSU 35 - ASU 31...What A Game!!!

That has to have been one of the most exciting games ever in college football history! LSU just would not quit, but neither would ASU. I will definitely have no voice in the morning when I wake up...lol With #3 Michigan and #4 Ohio St. both losing today, we will be #3 in the nation...whooohooo...GEAUX TIGERS!!!

After the blocked field goal and punt both returned for touchdowns we just had to win. However ASU didn't go down easily. They fought hard.

Hopefully, all the dropped passes and the total lack of protection on a lot of plays were just first game jitters that would have been worked out last week had we played. The next game will be a huge test. If Tennessee beats Florida next week, then it will be #3 vs #4 when we play Tennessee on the 24th. At least that will be a real home game this time.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

Game Day!!! #5 LSU v. #15 ASU

LSU's season is finally starting!!! It's Game Day!!!

It will be a very nice distraction from all the other stuff going on in LA. I'm meeting a bunch of other LSU fans at Bailey's to all watch it together up here in DC.

I'm a little nervous for a couple of reasons. First we didn't have our warm up game last week. North Texas was supposed to serve as a "scrimmage" to get all the kinks out. ASU had their warm up game and it will show. Not to mention two very emotionally draining weeks.

Second this was supposed to be a home game for us, but due to LSU's campus being still in the middle of the recovery effort that would have caused major problems to bring over 100K people into BR. So, because of all that, they moved the game to Arizona, which gives the home field advantage to them instead of us.

ASU is supposed to be one of the surprise teams of the season. They have a very good passing game. If we can put all the emotions aside from the previous two weeks and play Tiger defense then we should be ok.

However, regardless of what happens in the game, it is nice to see some normalcy returning.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

PRC Compassion

I added a new link to my Hurricane Relief links: PRC Compassion. They are a charitable organization started several years ago that is coalition of churches and pastors around the country to address community needs and distribute relief.

Since Hurricane Katrina they have transformed the purpose to focus all resources to the relief effort.

Their mission is to coordinate national, state and local faith and community-based organizations to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those impacted by the storm.

My pastor in BR is one of the leaders of PRC, so I know they will do an awesome job. Tony Perkins, Joyce Meyer and John Maxwell are all also involved, so that lends even more credibility that they are not just some ragtag show. Trust me if you know my pastor, you would know he is never involved in anything that is not of the highest degree of excellence.

Wait...You Mean It Isn't Bush's Fault After All?

As more and more facts come out concerning the response to Katrina, the more we see who really deserves blame. The liberal media and national Dems are of course trying to pin everything on Bush. However more and more evidence is pointing directly to Blanco and Nagin, the Democratic governor and the Democratic mayor of New Orleans.

Federal agencies started asking Blanco to require mandatory evacuation on Friday. President Bush even called on Saturday, yet the evacuation wasn't ordered until Sunday afternoon which is no where near enough time to get everyone out even if they wanted to.

A major part of the city's evacuation plan was to use city buses, yet the mayor only started using them Sunday evening and that was only to transfer people to the Superdome.

The Superdome and the Convention Center had no water, food or security...all state requirements.

Then after the hurricane passed, the Red Cross was immediately ready to go the Superdome, but Louisiana officials didn't allow them to, not because it wasn't safe, but because they didn't want more people going to there instead of leaving.

The levee broke Tuesday and President Bush immediately requested the authority to control the situation with Federal troops. However Blanco said she needed 24 hours to consider it. How crazy is that!!! She didn't give the go ahead until late Wednesday. What the liberal media is "forgetting" to report is that President Bush couldn't send a single trooper into the state without Blanco's permission.

So food, water and troops were ready to respond immediately, yet Blanco continually blocked them for who knows why other than pure incompetence.

Even today she is trying to block Nagin from issuing a mandatory evacuation of the city.

Isn't it supposed to be the Democrats who are the ones who look out for the minorities. If that is so, how come over and over we see the worst examples of neglect in Democrat controlled regions. New Orleans has been under Democrat control for decades and yet it is one of the poorest cities in the country.

Compared to Gov. Barber of Mississippi and Gov. Bush of Florida, Blanco is extremely lacking even nearing the level of grounds for impeachment.

Welfare Mentality

I might seem like I'm just jumping on Rush's bandwagon being he talked about this exact thing today in his first hour, but I first talked about this on Friday. I was going to write about it then, but felt it was too early with so many still in harm's way.

A lot of people have been saying that if a "white" city had been hit with such a disaster the help would have been there right away. Some have gone as far as to say that the relief effort was delayed in hopes that more blacks would die. That is so ludicrous it makes me angry.

In my opinion the reason this same level of tragedy would not have happened in a different place has nothing whatsoever to do with race. It instead has everything to do with the mentality of the people.

When for generation after generation all a community has ever known is government handouts, it has no basis for self reliance. So, when a tragedy such as this happens and the government for any number of reasons isn't able to respond quick enough, the community has no idea how to take care of itself.

Just look a little east of New Orleans at Slidell. It was actually hit even harder than NO, but you don't see the same things happening there from the people who stayed behind. Why? Because they banded together and did whatever it took to survive on their own until help arrived.

This has to be the biggest indictment against welfare since its start. It completely handicaps an entire community to the point that they have no basis whatsoever on how to be self reliant, even when their life depends on it.

This post is long enough, so I'll stop here. I'll write later about where the majority of the blame for this lies and tie that in to who is responsible for the tragedy being worse than it should have been.

No Holds Barred

With Rehnquist dying, expect the circus we saw so far concerning Roberts to go staight to sheer lunacy. Bush will now appoint two justices and name a new Chief Justice. To the left, this will be World War III. Let the games begin!

Mere Christianity

I’m reading the book Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. I absolutely love his writing style. He makes things so simple yet very deep.

The chapter I just read makes so much sense, yet the ideas cause so much controversy. It is Chapter 1 in Book 3 titled, “The Three Parts of Morality.”

In this chapter, he explains that in order for us to live in a truly moral world three relationships have to be in proper working order:

1. Relationships between man and man
2. Relationship between a man and his internal motivations
3. Relationship between man and the power that made him.

Lewis uses the analogy of ships sailing successfully. In order for ships to make it to their destination, they must first not continually run into each other and cause damage. Second, they must be in good working order internally. Third, they must travel to the right destination.

All three have to work or none does. That flies in the face of someone who says that as long as what I do doesn’t harm anyone else it shouldn’t matter. If a ship’s rudders are broken and can’t steer properly, eventually it will run into other ships.

Another person might say that she doesn’t harm anyone and also that she doesn’t do anything personally wrong, but she just doesn’t want to follow a path that Christians follow. That would be the same as a ship captain saying he won’t run into other ships and his ship is working correctly and won’t hit other ships. However if he doesn’t follow the directions provided by the of the owner of the ship, he won’t be rewarded with the pay he is expecting to receive.

So that brings us to the question of who really owns or has the rights to our lives, but I’ll leave question to another day.

Lewis obviously does a much better job than I just did, so if I piqued your interest in any way and you haven’t read Mere Christianity yet, I highly recommend it!

Blessed to be a Blessing

That is a saying I've always tried to live by as much as possible. In the wake of Katrina, it really hits home. All who are able, to whatever extent they are able, have a responsibility to help our fellow citizens who have been effected by this horrendous disaster.

I really hope that the stories of looting and violence are soon absolutely overwhelmed by the stories of compassion and generosity.

Hurricane Relief Effort

For those who are able, my church is one of the relief hubs in the Baton Rouge area. You can get info on what is needed from their website or Pastor Dino's blog, which is being updated frequently. Another way to help, if you are in Louisiana or the Gulf Coast region, is a new outreach, Share Your Home, started by some friends in LA.

It never ceases to amaze me how everyone does whatever is needed in the face of such tragic disasters.

Lunatic Left Rush to Blame Pres. Bush

I knew it wouldn't take long but I had hoped the Left would at least have the decency to wait until everyone was out of harm's way to blame Hurricane Katrina and the destruction on President Bush and his allies. To no one's surprise to how desperate and heartless they are, that wasn't the case as they are already casting ridiculous accusations with no compassion for the victims.

This is not only absolutely despicable, but just preposterous. For anyone to think that humans can affect the global climate is so laughable. It is called weather cycles (wow...did I just quote the NY Times in a positive manner...who would have thunk it =) ) and they have been happening since the beginning of the earth. Anyone remember the Ice Age!!! I bet if I look hard enough I can probably find someone blaming President Bush for that also.

I just spoke with a friend who evacuated to Houston and he said all he has is CNN in the hotel room and they are regurgitating the same junk blaming Bush for the hurricane and also the lack of National Guard troops (which is not even true) due to the Iraq war. He said he is so missing FoxNews.

Prayers Answered

Thanks to everyone who has kept my family in your prayers. Everyone is safe and the damage was minimal (two small trees in the backyard are down).

Unfortunately everyone was not as fortunate. Please continue to pray for all those in the Gulf region affected by Katrina.

Prayer Request

I know most of the people who read this are in a hotel somewhere in TX, stuck on the road still trying to get out of dodge, or sleeping soundly in their beds miles away in some other part of the country. If you do happen to read this before 5am Monday please say a prayer for my parents, brother and grandma who have foolishly decided to ride this one out even though they are in the direct path. Please also keep everyone who will be effected by this monster storm in your prayers as well. Thanks!!!

Absolutely Outrageous!!!

I'm not sure yet if this is true or not, but if it is, this is absolutely outrageous. Drudge is reporting:

ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS TARGET WOUNDED AT ARMY HOSPITAL
Wed Aug 2005 24 21:20:05 ET
Anti-war protestors besieged wounded and disabled soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C, a new web report will claim! CNSNews.com is planning to run an expose featuring interviews with both protestors and veterans, as well as shots of protest signs with slogans like “Maimed for a Lie.” The conservative outlet will post video evidence of the wounded veterans being taunted by protesters, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

If this turns out to be an accurate story...I'm already fuming just thinking about it...I'm really speechless that people would stoop to such a despicable level. I don't care what you think about the war. There is absolutely no justification for such horrible acts. These soldiers' lives are forever effected through no fault of their own except doing their job to keep us free and allow absolute idiots like this to do such insane and downright heartless things.

I was downtown today and ran across a Navy guy in full dress. I walked over to him and thanked him for his service and said I truly appreciate his sacrifice to protect us. It took him a few seconds to realize what I was doing and then he became very visibly thankful for my gesture.

I'm not saying that in any way to try and pat myself on the back. Just to show the striking difference between someone who truly appreciates the military and what they do for us and someone who hates the President so much that they will go to any level to make their statement even if that means hurting those who protect their very lives.

What a sad state of affairs that there are people that would ever consider an act as this much less actually carry it out.