Saturday, January 16, 2010
2010 - Getting off to a Good Start?
With record breaking cold, earthquakes in places unable to cope, political upheaval, terrorism activity increasing, uncertainty, and growing unemployment, it seems this year is getting off to a very bad start. But wait, God is about to do something absolutely amazing.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Funny Story?
The oldest grand daughter challenged me to tell a funny story on my blog. Well here goes.
Ever hear the term "Old Fart"? Well I think I have officially become one. It seems my body is producing a abundance of gas and it becomes apparent at all the wrong times. I work in an office with other people around all the time. For the past several days, I am almost afraid to leave my own office and walk to the copy machine or any place. "Toot... Toot... Toot" as I walk past other offices. Embarassing.
Oh well. You can now have a great day knowing you don't have that problem.
Ever hear the term "Old Fart"? Well I think I have officially become one. It seems my body is producing a abundance of gas and it becomes apparent at all the wrong times. I work in an office with other people around all the time. For the past several days, I am almost afraid to leave my own office and walk to the copy machine or any place. "Toot... Toot... Toot" as I walk past other offices. Embarassing.
Oh well. You can now have a great day knowing you don't have that problem.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
On July 30, our President issued an Executive Memorandum on embryonic stem cell research. That Order says in part:
"The Guidelines are based on the principles that responsible research with human embryonic stem cells has the potential to improve our understanding of human biology and aid in the discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness, and that individuals donating embryos for research purposes should do so freely, with voluntary and informed consent. These Guidelines will ensure that NIH-funded research adheres to the highest ethical standards."
Now all that sounds good, right? Phases like "responsible research," "discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness," "donating... freely, with volunary and informed consent," and "highest ethical standards" all sound pretty noble and important.
Besides all the moral problems, check out this article in Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/15/stem-cells-research-cancer-opinions-contributors-embryonic-funding.html
"The Guidelines are based on the principles that responsible research with human embryonic stem cells has the potential to improve our understanding of human biology and aid in the discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness, and that individuals donating embryos for research purposes should do so freely, with voluntary and informed consent. These Guidelines will ensure that NIH-funded research adheres to the highest ethical standards."
Now all that sounds good, right? Phases like "responsible research," "discovery of new ways to prevent and treat illness," "donating... freely, with volunary and informed consent," and "highest ethical standards" all sound pretty noble and important.
This was not covered on any news I heard. With all the debate on "health care reform" and "cash for clunkers" no one was watching. Shame on us!
My only question is: Who speaks on behalf of the embryos? When is their free, voluntary and informed consent solicited and documented?
Besides all the moral problems, check out this article in Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/15/stem-cells-research-cancer-opinions-contributors-embryonic-funding.html
Woe unto us when we call "evil" "good." Now that we have our foot in the door, what's the next step?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Comments on Health Care Bill
Dare to read, you might be surprised by my conclusions...
The wording in the current health care bill is a slap in the face of the “silent” or “greatest” generation – the generation that lived through the depression, fought in World War II, sacrificed so much during the war, raised the “baby boom” generation (the largest ever in history), and contributed to one of the greatest periods of economic growth in human history. They have been missionaries, evangelists and, ambassadors. Many have had to give up even more due to “rebounding” children – grown children who fail at jobs, marriage, life and return home to get a second start. Now the health care fix is being placed squarely on their backs and on the backs of their children. I noted the limitations of health care in England once you are 59 (the Baby Boomers are already entering the age of restrictions). The Baby Boomers are beginning to get the idea that we need to apologize for ever being born because we are going to cause so much trouble. We will be second in line to be denied by-pass or cancer surgery. In August many in Congress are holding "town meetings." When you check their websites, however, attendance is by invitation only. So they don't really want to know what we think unless they think we think like they think???
In spite of how bad the existing bill is, I think there is a bigger issue. The common denominator in all the discussions is the government: the government grants treatments, sets the rates, controls prices, sets the rules, denies treatments, etc. God establishes governments to protect its citizens. To the extent government fails to protect the citizens but instead causes harm (dictates who can live and who must die) then such a government is no longer “under God.” Those with health issues become slaves of the healthy and those who have unrestricted health care. Such a nation cannot long endure on the face of the earth. The founding fathers warned us this time would come if we let Congress pass bills that they were not subject to. Our Congress today continually passes bills that do not apply to themselves even though they apply to everyone else.
But there is yet still a bigger issue: Whether we have “universal health care” or not is not the biggest issue. The bigger issue is: Does this nation really “In God We Trust?” More and more it appears we are putting our trust in the government, Hollywood, famous personalities, rich people, money, anything or anyone but God. I note the Australians are becoming the dominant power in international sporting events and they have “universal health care” and are an overtly Christian nation. I think the biggest need in our nation is a national revival toward God. Until that happens, we will continue to have confused leaders and self-destructive national laws. The spirit of confusion on our leaders today comes directly from God as we drift farther from Him.
Look at the “Cash for Junkers” program. It has been called an overwhelming “success.” A billion $$’s were spent in just a few days. Now Congress is trying to add $2B more. But where did the money go. Much of it went to buyers who bought cars manufactured in other countries. So we transferred much of the first $1B to Japan, Germany, and Korea. Some car new inventories were reduced but this is not a sustainable approach to recovery of the American auto industry. Calling it a “success” is the same kind of confused evaluation we have seen to nearly everything the government is doing right now. The only industry that is getting a long term benefit is the car-loans companies. But maybe not: they will be getting payments and interest for 4 to 7 years from people who were driving junkers, possibly because that's all they could afford. Does this at all sound like the housing crisis that supposedly started the recession in the first place?
See you at the Town Meeting near you.
Steve
The wording in the current health care bill is a slap in the face of the “silent” or “greatest” generation – the generation that lived through the depression, fought in World War II, sacrificed so much during the war, raised the “baby boom” generation (the largest ever in history), and contributed to one of the greatest periods of economic growth in human history. They have been missionaries, evangelists and, ambassadors. Many have had to give up even more due to “rebounding” children – grown children who fail at jobs, marriage, life and return home to get a second start. Now the health care fix is being placed squarely on their backs and on the backs of their children. I noted the limitations of health care in England once you are 59 (the Baby Boomers are already entering the age of restrictions). The Baby Boomers are beginning to get the idea that we need to apologize for ever being born because we are going to cause so much trouble. We will be second in line to be denied by-pass or cancer surgery. In August many in Congress are holding "town meetings." When you check their websites, however, attendance is by invitation only. So they don't really want to know what we think unless they think we think like they think???
In spite of how bad the existing bill is, I think there is a bigger issue. The common denominator in all the discussions is the government: the government grants treatments, sets the rates, controls prices, sets the rules, denies treatments, etc. God establishes governments to protect its citizens. To the extent government fails to protect the citizens but instead causes harm (dictates who can live and who must die) then such a government is no longer “under God.” Those with health issues become slaves of the healthy and those who have unrestricted health care. Such a nation cannot long endure on the face of the earth. The founding fathers warned us this time would come if we let Congress pass bills that they were not subject to. Our Congress today continually passes bills that do not apply to themselves even though they apply to everyone else.
But there is yet still a bigger issue: Whether we have “universal health care” or not is not the biggest issue. The bigger issue is: Does this nation really “In God We Trust?” More and more it appears we are putting our trust in the government, Hollywood, famous personalities, rich people, money, anything or anyone but God. I note the Australians are becoming the dominant power in international sporting events and they have “universal health care” and are an overtly Christian nation. I think the biggest need in our nation is a national revival toward God. Until that happens, we will continue to have confused leaders and self-destructive national laws. The spirit of confusion on our leaders today comes directly from God as we drift farther from Him.
Look at the “Cash for Junkers” program. It has been called an overwhelming “success.” A billion $$’s were spent in just a few days. Now Congress is trying to add $2B more. But where did the money go. Much of it went to buyers who bought cars manufactured in other countries. So we transferred much of the first $1B to Japan, Germany, and Korea. Some car new inventories were reduced but this is not a sustainable approach to recovery of the American auto industry. Calling it a “success” is the same kind of confused evaluation we have seen to nearly everything the government is doing right now. The only industry that is getting a long term benefit is the car-loans companies. But maybe not: they will be getting payments and interest for 4 to 7 years from people who were driving junkers, possibly because that's all they could afford. Does this at all sound like the housing crisis that supposedly started the recession in the first place?
See you at the Town Meeting near you.
Steve
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Is This a Sign of Old Age?
Last night I drove to a small "international" airport north of Orlando to pickup Kathi. She was flying back from helping her parents in South Dakota. The trip broke my usual weeknight routine in several ways.
- Worked much later than normal
- Had trouble getting back into the office after some meetings due to security
- Had to drive to Orlando
- Ate a really terrible McDonald's Angus burger, ick!
- Had to follow the Garmen GPS all the way, because I had no idea where the airport was, and it was dark, so I really didn't know were I was going except for the compass on the rear view mirror
- Had to pay a lot of tolls because the GPS routed me over every toll road it could find. mmm...
- Finally found Kathi, looking lovely as usual
- Went back by following the signs to I-4 rather than the toll roads, a little farther but a whole lot cheaper
- Kathi tried to update me about her whole trip, I may have remembered some of it
- We got home at almost 1:00 a.m.
- I unloaded Kathi's bags out of the car
- Went to bed
- Got up at 5:45 a.m.
Okay, except for the going to bed, everything else was pretty much not a normal weeknight activity. So why is all this significant? Well I'm glad you asked. When I got into the garage to go to work this moring, the car wouldn't start. After what seems like hours of investigation, I found I had left the tail gate open and the lights stayed on all night (about 6 hours) and drained the battery. Now I couldn't get to work, had to call and reschedule a meeting, etc. Fortunately, AAA was there in about 15 minutes, so I was only late for work by about 10 min. Usually I try to get there 30 minutes early just in case.
So here's the question? Does forgetfulness come from old age, fatigue or is that just who I am? You decide.
Steve
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Was This a God Thing?
Last night I was working on a powerpoint presentation for a conference in Denver week after next. I was also watching TV in the background. My main prayer lately has been for family members who need new jobs. About midnight I turned off the TV and computer to go to bed. As I was waking up this morning, I began to pray for family members as I ususally do. For the first time my prayer was led pray for "sources of income" rather than just "jobs." Then as I was getting out of bed I heard noises coming from other part of the house. Turned out the cable was on, but not the TV so the sound was coming out of the surround sound system. When I checked it out it was a home Internet based business opportunity. Not sure why the cable was on. I know I turned it off too. Anyway, I listed to it and eventually called them to send the information. We'll see if this is an answer to prayer. When the Lord returns will he find any faith at all?
Love, Steve
Love, Steve
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Presidential Priorities
Today, June 9th, President Obama declared National Summer Learning Day.
On June 4 he declared Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009.
Let's see... a day for continuing education of our children and a month celebrating the accomplishments of those living in open sin. Does anyone besides me see anything wrong with this picture?
I guess we know where a lot of his campaign contributions came from. Here's some lemon-aid for you: At least we know the President is loyal to those who bought him into office. Just like he used the Federal government to buy car companies so he could give them to the unions.
Steve
On June 4 he declared Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, 2009.
Let's see... a day for continuing education of our children and a month celebrating the accomplishments of those living in open sin. Does anyone besides me see anything wrong with this picture?
I guess we know where a lot of his campaign contributions came from. Here's some lemon-aid for you: At least we know the President is loyal to those who bought him into office. Just like he used the Federal government to buy car companies so he could give them to the unions.
Steve
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