Work... the dominating force in my life right now. One day to the next... countdown to California is well in progress. After that I will start counting down the days til school starts. It is not that I dislike my job. It is that I do not enjoy my job. That is the hope isn't it? That college will lead to a job one can enjoy.
The Bible always seems to provide the answer for the questions floating around within my mind...
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
-Jeremiah 29:11-13a
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
A lucky asian????... and Ron Paul too...
I had an interesting conversation with a Ron Paul supporter last night. This distinguished gentlemen, and a very good friend of mine, is supporting Paul in the GOP. In his words, when it comes down to it he agrees with Paul on the most important of issues. However, my main complaint with Paul hopefully stuck in the mind of my friend, and my arguments for why one should not Paul remained in my thoughts while I notching support bars at work today.
I do not think supporters of Paul understand that their support of him, aligns themselves with the liberal left on foreign policy. Paul supporters in fact have much in common with Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and even Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan. Inspiring isn't it?
One does not have to agree with the war in Iraq to understand America's role in the world today. Ever since the Monroe Doctrine, America felt some sort of an obligation to protect free nations from tyranny against their will. Yes America has made many mistakes, and one can spend the entire day arguing over the actions of Bush in Iraq, however the reasons for entering the war are completely irrelevant. The issue now is the present.
Today isolationists like Paul, and liberals like Clinton cry out for our immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Although I wish as much as anyone for the troops to return, such an action would be disastrous for our reputation for freedom and our commitment to victory.
Why do liberals always want us to run? Why did they cry out for appeasement for Russia, a pull out from Vietnam, and now an abandonment of the War on Terror? Why did Bill Clinton decide to run so quickly out of Somalia, a move that only emboldened Islamic terrorists?
To run after so many lives have been in Iraq lost is simply disgraceful to our military. Without America's commitment to freedom and peace in the Middle East, the entire region will be lost. Perhaps this is a futile effort, but it is one America must finish until there is no more hope for success.
What does this have to do with me? If America had not been committed to fighting tyranny for freedom, we would have never fought Hitler in WWII. We would never have established and later died for freedom in Korea. Without this commitment, I exist as one in millions of poor, destitute, and hopeless people enslaved under some form of Far Eastern tyrannical government. Not only has America's 'imperialistic" action given me a shot at freedom, our character and compassion, expanding to those of other nations, has given me the opportunity to live here, raised within a Christian family and church, and in turn allowing for the gift of salvation.
Were America the kind of nation Clinton, Obama, and Paul envision, it is highly unlikely that I ever have the opportunity America presents me. It is even more unlikely, that I receive the salvation found within Jesus Christ adoption offered me. This is not a result a luck, rather a plan no doubt carried out by Someone with a higher purpose for America than an idealistic nation that minds its own business.
I apologize for the length of the post. My point is simple. Before you embrace the idea of people like Paul and Michael Moore, think back to the gift of freedom. Perhaps for some of you, it is easy to take for granted. It is cliche to wave the flag and sing God Bless America But for others like me, it is something I live with gratefulness to my God and country every day.
May America continue to protect the freedom she possesses, and offers to almost anyone who also desires it.
I do not think supporters of Paul understand that their support of him, aligns themselves with the liberal left on foreign policy. Paul supporters in fact have much in common with Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and even Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan. Inspiring isn't it?
One does not have to agree with the war in Iraq to understand America's role in the world today. Ever since the Monroe Doctrine, America felt some sort of an obligation to protect free nations from tyranny against their will. Yes America has made many mistakes, and one can spend the entire day arguing over the actions of Bush in Iraq, however the reasons for entering the war are completely irrelevant. The issue now is the present.
Today isolationists like Paul, and liberals like Clinton cry out for our immediate withdrawal from Iraq. Although I wish as much as anyone for the troops to return, such an action would be disastrous for our reputation for freedom and our commitment to victory.
Why do liberals always want us to run? Why did they cry out for appeasement for Russia, a pull out from Vietnam, and now an abandonment of the War on Terror? Why did Bill Clinton decide to run so quickly out of Somalia, a move that only emboldened Islamic terrorists?
To run after so many lives have been in Iraq lost is simply disgraceful to our military. Without America's commitment to freedom and peace in the Middle East, the entire region will be lost. Perhaps this is a futile effort, but it is one America must finish until there is no more hope for success.
What does this have to do with me? If America had not been committed to fighting tyranny for freedom, we would have never fought Hitler in WWII. We would never have established and later died for freedom in Korea. Without this commitment, I exist as one in millions of poor, destitute, and hopeless people enslaved under some form of Far Eastern tyrannical government. Not only has America's 'imperialistic" action given me a shot at freedom, our character and compassion, expanding to those of other nations, has given me the opportunity to live here, raised within a Christian family and church, and in turn allowing for the gift of salvation.
Were America the kind of nation Clinton, Obama, and Paul envision, it is highly unlikely that I ever have the opportunity America presents me. It is even more unlikely, that I receive the salvation found within Jesus Christ adoption offered me. This is not a result a luck, rather a plan no doubt carried out by Someone with a higher purpose for America than an idealistic nation that minds its own business.
I apologize for the length of the post. My point is simple. Before you embrace the idea of people like Paul and Michael Moore, think back to the gift of freedom. Perhaps for some of you, it is easy to take for granted. It is cliche to wave the flag and sing God Bless America But for others like me, it is something I live with gratefulness to my God and country every day.
May America continue to protect the freedom she possesses, and offers to almost anyone who also desires it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Political Buzz...
Latest political buzz...
The big story appears to be the change in heart of Michael Bloomberg who switched parties today. Although elected as Mayor of New York City as a Republican, Mr. Bloomberg feels that his constituents are better served if he is non-partisan. However, this only intensifies the rumors of Bloomberg's run for the presidency as an independent. Rasmussen has some interesting thoughts and poll numbers on the effect of a Bloomberg candidacy. Bloomberg could definitely threaten the Northeastern States from Democratic control, but pull GOP votes from other parts of the country as well. The Bloomberg effect is hard to measure right now, but it should not be overlooked especially as many are expecting an official announcement soon of his candidacy.
A new NBC poll in Iowa with a margin of error of +/- 5% -- Clinton has at 22%, Edwards at 21%, and Obama at 18%. Richardson comes in fourth at 6%, and Biden gets 4%; no other Dem gets more than 2%. But a whopping 27% say they are undecided.
The big story appears to be the change in heart of Michael Bloomberg who switched parties today. Although elected as Mayor of New York City as a Republican, Mr. Bloomberg feels that his constituents are better served if he is non-partisan. However, this only intensifies the rumors of Bloomberg's run for the presidency as an independent. Rasmussen has some interesting thoughts and poll numbers on the effect of a Bloomberg candidacy. Bloomberg could definitely threaten the Northeastern States from Democratic control, but pull GOP votes from other parts of the country as well. The Bloomberg effect is hard to measure right now, but it should not be overlooked especially as many are expecting an official announcement soon of his candidacy.
A new NBC poll in Iowa with a margin of error of +/- 5% -- Clinton has at 22%, Edwards at 21%, and Obama at 18%. Richardson comes in fourth at 6%, and Biden gets 4%; no other Dem gets more than 2%. But a whopping 27% say they are undecided.
On the Republican side, Romney has the clear lead at 25% (even over "undecided," which checks in at 21%). He's followed by Thompson at 17%, Giuliani at 15%, Huckabee at 7%, and McCain and Brownback at 6% each. No doubt the immigration bill has seriously affected the campaign of John McCain.
Speaking of that immigration bill, a majority of Americans actually may support it than many on the other side are portraying it. Pew reports the number above 63%, although it does note that those who oppose the bill, seem to be more vocal about it. Michelle Malkin's brilliant idea appears to be tossing out politicians trying to get these issues resolved for America. People like Malkin are as useful as a Texan snow shovel. As if the GOP will not have enough trouble in 2008, let alone a bunch of primary challenges on already weakened senators. I wonder what these lunatics will think of next...
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Immigration Debate- Ashamed to be a conservative...
Immigration has once again risen to the very front of debate within American policy. A bill that initially looked ready to pass with the support of many influential Senators including Kennedy, Feinstein, McCain, and Kyl now appears to be on its last breath as both the far left and the far right have successfully derailed many of its key amendments.
The defeat of this bill signals potential backlash against many in the GOP. Not only does this reveal how weak President Bush is right now on domestic issues, many conservatives are up in arms that the GOP would even consider passing this legislation. Meanwhile in the middle of all of this, the New York Times is reporting the growing support of Hispanics to the Democratic party as America's next biggest voting bloc is showing signs that it will be a strong Democratic supporter for years to come. Just as the GOP lost the African American vote because they failed to understand the issues that mattered to them, so the GOP will lose the Hispanic block because once again their ignorance is blinding us to truly helping these people.
This example also reveals the danger of the far left and the far right. When both sides become stubbornly entrenched, nothing ever happens. Radical politics should have no place in America, but yet it still triumphs in instances such as these.
Conservatives simply enjoy whining. They whine when Mexicans come here. They whine when jobs go oversees because there aren't enough Americans to fill them. Then they whine that Mexicans do not integrate ignoring the fact that the status quo today prevents illegals from integrating. One can only imagine how many more elections conservatives will lose before they get the point.
The only solution to the problem of illegal immigration is deportation or integration. You can't have it both ways. Deportation is a dangerous and unrealistic idea. Integration can be achieved, as it is achieved with legal immigrants. For some reason that is a hard concept for many conservatives to understand.
I have never read so much racist and bigoted ideas flowing from the blogs and articles of conservatives coming from this debate. Today I am ashamed to call myself a conservative. America can only look to darker days the minute we cross the bridge into irrelevance from issues that matter to the American people.
The defeat of this bill signals potential backlash against many in the GOP. Not only does this reveal how weak President Bush is right now on domestic issues, many conservatives are up in arms that the GOP would even consider passing this legislation. Meanwhile in the middle of all of this, the New York Times is reporting the growing support of Hispanics to the Democratic party as America's next biggest voting bloc is showing signs that it will be a strong Democratic supporter for years to come. Just as the GOP lost the African American vote because they failed to understand the issues that mattered to them, so the GOP will lose the Hispanic block because once again their ignorance is blinding us to truly helping these people.
This example also reveals the danger of the far left and the far right. When both sides become stubbornly entrenched, nothing ever happens. Radical politics should have no place in America, but yet it still triumphs in instances such as these.
Conservatives simply enjoy whining. They whine when Mexicans come here. They whine when jobs go oversees because there aren't enough Americans to fill them. Then they whine that Mexicans do not integrate ignoring the fact that the status quo today prevents illegals from integrating. One can only imagine how many more elections conservatives will lose before they get the point.
The only solution to the problem of illegal immigration is deportation or integration. You can't have it both ways. Deportation is a dangerous and unrealistic idea. Integration can be achieved, as it is achieved with legal immigrants. For some reason that is a hard concept for many conservatives to understand.
I have never read so much racist and bigoted ideas flowing from the blogs and articles of conservatives coming from this debate. Today I am ashamed to call myself a conservative. America can only look to darker days the minute we cross the bridge into irrelevance from issues that matter to the American people.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Dangerous Weekend
What kind of driver in a 24 hour period...???
1. Does a u-turn in the middle of a downtown Grand Rapids street
2. Runs two stop signs (one with cars present)
3. Runs a red light
4. Changes lanes in an intersection (in front of a cop!)
5. Makes an illegal turn from the wrong lane
That is pretty much a summary of my weekend with Jeremiah's driving. I definitely feared for my life. Despite the precarious driving, the weekend was incredibly fun. Meeting up with Nate and Jon Brewer, checking out the Art Festival in downtown Grand Rapids. Going to the beach... twice. And introducing the notorious Irish driver to some of my friends. Good times.
My advice is to ride with caution with Jeremiah.
Consider this my public service announcement to the rest of you. It might save your life someday ;)Publish Post
1. Does a u-turn in the middle of a downtown Grand Rapids street
2. Runs two stop signs (one with cars present)
3. Runs a red light
4. Changes lanes in an intersection (in front of a cop!)
5. Makes an illegal turn from the wrong lane
That is pretty much a summary of my weekend with Jeremiah's driving. I definitely feared for my life. Despite the precarious driving, the weekend was incredibly fun. Meeting up with Nate and Jon Brewer, checking out the Art Festival in downtown Grand Rapids. Going to the beach... twice. And introducing the notorious Irish driver to some of my friends. Good times.
My advice is to ride with caution with Jeremiah.
Consider this my public service announcement to the rest of you. It might save your life someday ;)Publish Post
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