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March 09 Talking about "How To Create Conflict"Another article by Walter Williams sent to me by my dad. It is quite interesting that this man is not an angry white male. Walter Williams is a conservative, black, Jew.
See the selected quotes and links below. "High up on my list of annoyances are references to the United States as a democracy and the suggestion that Iraq should become a democracy. The word "democracy" appears in neither of our founding documents -- the Declaration of Independence nor the U.S. Constitution.
"John Adams said, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." Chief Justice John Marshall added, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos." The founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny suffered under King George III. Their vision for us was a republic.
"The ideal political model for Iraq is Switzerland's cantonal system. Historically, Switzerland, unlike most European countries, was made up of several different major ethnic groups -- Germans, French, Italians and Rhaeto-Romansch. Over the centuries, conflicts have arisen between these groups, who differ in language, religion (Catholic and Protestant) and culture. The resolution to the conflict was to allow the warring groups to govern themselves."
"By the way, for President Bush and others who insist on calling our country a democracy, should we change our pledge of allegiance to say "to the democracy, for which it stands," and should we rename "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" to "The Battle Hymn of the Democracy"?" How To Create Conflict February 28 iPods, Music and PodcastingMy wife, bless her heart, recently gave me an iPod for Valentines Day.
I have been using it almost daily since.
I have been able to put almost my entire collection of music on it.
Yet more impressive is the podcasts I have downloaded.
This has been a really blessing to me.
See the sidebar about the podcasts I am currently listening to. February 13 A Birthday Message for TomHappy Birthday, Tom Richards My flight instructor is turning an age which he should be proud of reaching. With it comes much wisdom. His wife asked some of the people in his life to share their thoughts about Tom.
Below are those that I sent to him. I only wish I had a photo of him to attach with it.
Bill
-----Birthday Message-----
Good Morning Tom,
A Happy Birthday to a man who has been a blessing to me in so many ways.
First, you enabled me to begin the journey of achieving a life-long dream, to soar among the clouds and eagles, to see the world from a new perspective and anticipate in a small way what my Savior's arrival, return, might seem like.
Secondly, you (and Diana) recognized my need to pursue a challenge, an adventure, to find some release, and success, away from the struggles of my marriage and Sharri's condition. Learning to fly has been that for me. When I needed a listening ear, you were there and then you led me in learning a new skill in my quest for flight and the freedom of the sky. In some ways, it was the best 'therapy' available.
Thirdly, you were willing to share from your own experiences as I received news of the advancement of my mother's cancer. Given some of the similarities to your first wife's condition, I expect this was not easy. While my mother's journey is not yet completed, your encouragement and willingness to share from your own life has blessed me.
Tom, I have only touched the surface of how you touched my life. You have also been very accepting of my children, encouraging them to come and engaging them in the experience. You touched the lives of Margaret, Fleeter, and Jerry in ways that continue to give us a point of common contact and interest. Even my wife Sharri remembers her times in your classroom with fondness.
You have even been willing to go out of your way when I needed assistance with a vehicle, on more than one occasion.
And I have seen you do such things with others through ground school and lessons.
You have don so much more than teach me to fly, or insights to flight, the aviation industry/community, teaching (in general) and just welcoming me into the fraternity of aviators.
You have been used by God to lift my spirit, to fly even while my unfortunate feet might be planted on the ground.
I hope, someday, that I might become a CFII who invests in and touches lives as you do. I thank God for you and ask that He bless you in the years ahead.
Happy Birthday Tom,
Bill Emmerling February 10 Talking about Bogus RightsThe article below was sent to me from my father (with whom I am happy to share my name), who is a regular reader of Walter Williams. A MINORITY VIEW Walter Williams' conclusion: "Three-fifths to two-thirds of the federal budget consists of taking property from one American and giving it to another. Were a private person to do the same thing, we'd call it theft. When government does it, we euphemistically call it income redistribution, but that's exactly what thieves do -- redistribute income. Income redistribution not only betrays the founders' vision, it's a sin in the eyes of God. I'm guessing that when God gave Moses the Eighth Commandment, "Thou shalt not steal," I'm sure he didn't mean "thou shalt not steal unless there was a majority vote in Congress." The real tragedy for our nation is that any politician who holds the values of liberty that our founders held would be soundly defeated in today's political arena." Bogus Rights February 09 End of the SpearAs a growing Christian in my college years, and later seminary, I was inspired by the story of the Elliots and friends, how they risked and sacrificed so much to see the gospel shared, that men's souls might be saved.
With the release of the movie "End of the Spear," I waited with a bit of trepidation, as I am suspicious of most any film released today. Further because of the graphic nature of the subject, I was uncertain how my family would handle this.
However, instead of the movie itself, I find the controversy is over an actor, Chad Allen, a homosexual activist. This did not surprise me, initially, I expected this kind of thing from Hollywood. Upon hearing this was produced by a Christian organization however, I was appalled.
This is not a rail against homosexuals. I expect the Godless to behave in a godless manner. God's word speaks clearly about this matter. However, that an organization claiming to represent God would use an OPENLY, UNREPENTANT homosexual is troubling to say the least. This is not about perfection, but repentance and Godliness. Not about how close to the edge we can get, but how close to God we can draw near.
No, this is about the modern church and its 'TOLERANCE' of sin. Israel was at times much the same, and God judged that nation. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We cannot expect to mock God and be found guiltless.
May God continue to have mercy on our country until we come to repentance.
Below are what I believe are pertinent links to the issue at hand.
Doug Phillip's Response http://www.visionforum.com/hottopics/blogs/dwp/?archive=/2006_02_01_index.htm#113942221743101511
OUT CAST: THE CHAD ALLEN CONTROVERSY http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/106/33.0.html
OUT CAST: THE CHAD ALLEN CONTROVERSY http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/106/32.0.html
Given the graphic nature of the violence, the nudity I have heard about the film, as well as the issue of putting an UNREPENTANT homosexual forward as the star of the movie, I will not include this movie in our family's collection. December 12 C.S. Lewis and HollywoodThe Chronicals of Narnia was written by C.S. Lewis c. 1950s FOR CHILDREN. Having read that series of books, and enjoyed them, and enjoyed reading them to my children, I have come to consider then good "G rated" friends of our family. I recognize the limited pagan influence in Lewis' writings, and while I have struggled over this, I have still recognized the books as classic CHILDREN'S literature.
Then on December 9th, 2005, Walden Media and Disney released a well produced big screen version of the book. Unfortunately, the movie is not "G rated", nor is it really family, or child friendly. I decided to see the movie, as I anticipate it will be a topic of much discussion in christian circles in the coming weeks.
Before the movie came out, I showed the trailers to my children, 14, 12, and 8. The eight year old, a boy, immediately agreed that it was not appropriate for him. Which right now he is the most attentive to things Narnia in our family. My older two, both daughters, also found the trailers distrubing, and declined my invitation to accompany me to the opening of the movie in our small town.
Something seems wrong when a children's book is changed on the big screen to something other than a "G rated" children's movie for the sake of realism.
Having seen the movie myself, I agree that it is too intense for small children, and I intend to continue to honor my daughters' decision not to see it. While I believe they are mature enough to handle it, the intensity of the emotions in the relationships, and the scenes of violence are more than I believe they should have to endure. November 10 Flight Lessons: Solo Day4:00 pm November 9, 2005
Instructor: Tom Richards
Airport: PTS, Pittsburg, KS
Airplane: Cessna Skyhawk N12189er
Pilot: Bill Emmerling
SOLO Flight, 3 take offs and landings. November 08 Flying, Nothing Else Like ItMy first Lesson was 07 June 2005.
Instructor Tom Richards, best on the planet ... at least in SW Missouri, but probably the planet.
Presently, I have 19 hours of dual flight, 91 landings and having recently received my medical from FAA in OK City, I am waiting for the right day, and my instructors approval to solo.
Stay tuned. Seven Months AwayLife must have been very busy.
Seven months away from this blog I had hoped to stay in contact with/through.
I will attempt to be more active in my records. I can see cleary now!I am now more than one month out from having had my LASIK surgery.
It is amazing how clearly I can now see, though I still struggle some with "halos" at night and twilight vision is not what I would like. Though to be honest, twight is seldom a good time to see anyway, though it is still a very enjoyable part of the day.
No more glasses.
Though I still reach for them in the morning until I realize I can see without them.
Healing has been progressing just fine. March 23 Desperate Nation -- What Disney/ABC's Big TV Hit Reveals About Our CultureI regularly received news emailed from Agape Press, and today I read this peice. I found it profound but not surprising. The basic premise is that "Deseperate Housewives" is simply a reflection of the national, by virtue of its popularity. And I would maintain that this is at least partially true. Even for the church, as most church going people I know make no effect to filter what they watch. Instead they seem to through discernment out the window, that they might enjoy watching whatever they desire. The church is to be the salt and light, preserving the culture, the nation, and shedding light on the darkness of evil behaviour, shining the light of forgiveness of sin in Jesus the Christ. Instead, the church, even some of the most conservative, seem to just use Jesus as a magic wand of forgiveness and forget that we are to disciple and encourage the change the the Holy Spirit preforms. Below are the closing words of the article. "So the truth of the matter is that the success of Desperate Housewives -- and shows like it -- demonstrate that America is, in fact, a desperate nation. It just doesn't know it yet. It is up to the church to give the culture the sad prognosis, and then present it with the cure. Thus we find the church in America on the verge of her most glorious hour -- or her most ignominious defeat. Either she will preach the true Gospel and strike at the roots of the postmodern tree bearing such bitter fruit, or she will abdicate her calling and sit in the recliner, remote in hand, imbibing the same swill as those trapped in darkness. A desperate nation watches and awaits her decision." Desperate Nation -- What Disney/ABC's Big TV Hit Reveals About Our Culture March 14 ISP Frustrations--Technology is Good. . . Right?!Today may have completed my torturous journey of recovery from ISP failure. The credit card which was used for billing by my ISP 'expired' (actually remained current but the information that the ISP had wasn't). As a result, I lost my satellite connection, dial-up ability, blogs were deleted, and email addresses scrambled. A week later I have have managed to recover the satellite connection, dial-up ability, reorganized the email addresses under the primary account. However, the two blogs I had developed for personal expression and for information to our regional homeschool community have been permanently destroyed. While this has been personally frustrating, costing me nearly a week of productivity, it is very minor in the affairs of the world. |
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