Saturday, February 02, 2008

Finetune

Ok, I saw this at this website and I want it on my blog. Can someone please tell me how to do it? I have tried to "embed playlist" in my HTML but it's not working. It just doesn't show up. If Mr. Big White Hat can listen to Bob Wills, then I want to!

http://www.finetune.com/

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Achmed


Achmed's version of the Madonna song "Like a Virgin" loses something in the translation.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

I'm not responsible

If my windshield gets hit one more time from a rock out of the back of a truck like this I am going to start wearing a sign that says Not Responsible for Punching Truck Drivers and then I'm gonna go push the back of his truck!

Where did this McCain from from?




Just a month or so ago I was telling someone how I have my favorites for the Presidency but I could be very happy with almost any of the Republican candidates. The Democrats are way out there for me and I don't necessarily agree with all of the Republicans but I could throw my support behind any number of the Republican candidates. In fact, more so at this point than I could ever remember, we were sitting pretty good with our choices. Romney, Thompson, Huckabee, even Guiliani would be pretty good! Now all of the sudden this John McCain guy is THE front-runner! Thompson and Guiliani aren't even running anymore and now it looks like the least conservative guy in the pack is liable to be our guy! What happened? Or, a better question is: What can we do to keep it from happening in 2012 when I move back from Switzerland?

Monday, January 28, 2008

At least half of Bill Maher is stupid!


Where do I begin? I do not know much about Bill Maher. His show does not come on any station or time that I watch so I have never seen it. He did seem to come off very arrogant and ignorant at the same time. This video clip is a small round table of an eclectic group of people mainly discussing the Bible. It is offensive and sad at the same time and yet, at the end it made me laugh. I am hardly a Bible scholar but none of these guys have any idea about what they are talking!

It is offensive because Maher purposefully tries to make Bible-believers look ignorant. It is sad because I believe his ignorance of the Bible will be costly to him as well as others with whom he has influence. I have to wonder what that discussion would have sounded like had there been someone there with more than a passing knowledge of scripture. I appreciate Trace Adkins and D.L. Hughley trying to make their cases and stand up for what they believe in but Maher probably could have said almost anything and they would not know how to respond. I do not know what I would have said either, necessarily, especially on nationwide TV, but with the benefit of some time I have some thoughts about what was said.

The Old Testament especially seemed to be taking the most hits that night with the obviously gay Dan Savage saying it was full of "ancient desert prejudices" and saying people had used it to justify slavery. My Mother says one can justify anything and I suppose one could use even the Bible to do it but it does not make it right, legally or morally. Just because a situation is found in the words of scripture does not mean it was Divinely condoned. For one thing, there is a progressive revelation found in scripture starting with Adam and Eve in the garden. God did not explicitly reveal his will or what He expected of man at the beginning of time but chose to draw out His plan through His providence in His own time that continues even today. That is to say that man did not necessarily know from the beginning that things like slavery and polygamy were not what God wanted and even if they did they could justify their wrongs to themselves in the same way we justify our wrongs today.

Also, as one reads through scripture, and again, especially the Old Testament, one sees the benefits of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Maher said he would put the Bible close to last of the things he would use to teach his kids morals and that is a shame. It is a wonderful book of history among other things; a book that vividly shows what happens to people when they do not put God first in their lives and mistreat others. In fact, despite the panel's errors regarding the Ten Commandments (twenty commandments?) they are all about putting God first and how to treat your fellow man and if one follows those ten, one does not need any other rules about rape, incest, bestiality or slavery.

Maher said one thing in particular that made me wince. His comment about people believing in a "magic person" was not so much hurtful as it was sad. It is sad because if Maher had read the Bible he would know that there is a big difference between magic and omnipotence; between a magician and a holy, sovereign and loving God who chose to reveal Himself through this love note of a book to a bunch of inherently un-Godlike people like Maher, Savage, Atkins, and me. So, call it "doing the God thing" if you like or even the opiate of the masses but to me I will always be a Bible fan and a Jesus-following, God-lover no matter what Maher and the others think.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Wesley Snipes


Wow! This Wesley Snipes continues to prove his irrelevence and meaninglessness in the real world with his continued problems with the Internal Revenue Service. Never a big fan of Snipes, I have done my best to ignore him and his I.R.S. problems that pop into the news every now and then but the headline about his threats of "increased collateral risks" to the I.R.S. agents caught my attention.

As a tax collector myself, I have heard similar threats. Bodily harm and mental regret and anguish are promised pretty regularly as well as name-calling and other mainly testosterone-induced harmless chest-pounding and rarely is it cause for real concern. I did have a man threaten to shoot me one time but he cooled off quickly when it was reported and he spent the night in jail. Something about threatening a public servant makes the police frown. Most of the time, though, the threats basically go in one ear and out the other.

Tax problems are embarrassing for people. They do not want people to find out what dead-beats they are and when trouble invariably comes they try to hold on to some semblance of control. Those two reactions can cause problems and it nearly always is worse for the taxpayer. Threats, excuses, crying, and promises will never take the place of responsibility. Forgetfulness and procrastination are disastrously poor excuses, not to mention the ridiculous race card that Snipes threw down! Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and pay what you owe and get over it even if you consider yourself to be famous.

So, Wesley, here's my advice, coming from one rebel to another so I know it is difficult: File it, pay it, and get on with it. The only collateral damage is going to come from your bank account and it will just get worse tomorrow. Now if you would spend as much time and energy on your movies as you did avoiding taxes you would probably win an Oscar!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

What does she mean?


I don't even understand what she meant by this. Did she just get caught up in the moment, or what because surely even Hillary doesn't believe that no woman is illegal?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Kids

I hear people all of the time lamenting the fact that they cannot get pregnant. "We have been trying so hard to get pregnant but we just can't", they cry! A couple of things come to mind when I hear this. First, is it such a bad thing to be trying to get pregnant?! I mean, is that not about like trying to break the world chocolate-eating record? How much more fun could a job get? Oh, don't throw me in that briar patch, says Blair Rabbit! Yes, they are not going to get much sympathy from me! Second, have these people who cannot get pregnant ever been around kids? Have they spent any time with children of any age? Maybe they think that having kids is going to be as hard work as conceiving the little suckers. I hate to break it to them but raising kids is not near as much fun as trying to have them.

Seriously, when is the fun part in child-rearing? I need to know. I need something to look forward to. I know that the first few months are very difficult. No sleep, diapers, spit-up, cholic--sounds like me soon. Then comes the "Terrible Twos" that last for a couple of years, acting up in pre-school, and before you know it you have parent-teacher conferences more often than you used to have sex! With Middle School comes their first cuss words and learning more from their friends than you would ever want them to know. High School means they are going to try acting out all those things they learned while the only thing you are doing in bed is wondering where they are and what they are doing and if your insurance is going to cover it.

Oh, sure, there are times when they make you laugh but it is usually just because you can either laugh or cry and laughing takes less energy. Pretty soon you realize that they are having all the fun and yet they still have a worse attitude than you do and they seem to have no greater joy than when you are all miserable! I am sure glad I was never like that and I cannot understand why anyone would want to have one in the house! Mark Twain said, "Familiarity breeds contempt - and children." You are better off with contempt!

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

How was your Christmas?

It's a question one can expect to hear often for the next few weeks. "How was your Christmas?" You will be expected to say that yours was good or great and it is probably true. Mine was very good. We did everything we were supposed to do: gifts, eating with relatives, time with the kids, the whole thing. Yet somethings not quite right. Almost, but not quite. I think with all the wrapping and cooking and even relaxing that I just did not pay enough attention to Jesus. I did not ignore Him at all. I even read the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2 and also read some Old Testament passages predicting the birth, life and death of the Christ but it just wasn't enough.

You know, I don't think the Devil gets too worried when we go to church. I am sure he would rather we didn't but how many times have you been to church and your mind been a million miles away?

What about Bible-reading? Important, yes, but still I don't think Satan gets too concerned when we read scripture. I am probably not the only one who gets lost and confused by the words, old-timey customs and meaning of some of the stories in the Bible.

But I know what does scare the Devil. It is something I believe one cannot do half-hearted and do it right. That's the problem. Unlike going to church and reading my Bible, I find it impossible to truly pray and do anything else. Sure I pray when I am driving or at work and I pray before meals and I pray lots of "God help me" prayers but when I really pray, whether it's on my knees or walking around or sitting in a chair, it doesn't matter, I really have to concentrate and that is the part that I know scares Satan more than anything. Not because I am thinking it or because I am sincere or anything that I do or don't do.

James 5:16 says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. I love that verse. The first time I read it I thought "Well, now if I could just find a righteous man!" but I realized that God, because of what His son Jesus did, considers me to be righteous! So my prayers are more than sweet words meant to comfort myself and others. They are a powerful tool. The King James version uses the word "fervent prayer" and when I researched further that word "fervent" has the same meaning as a horse jumping over a fence or a baseball player stretched out to catch a ball. It takes some effort but the rewards are huge.

My Dad told me one time that he asked my Grandfather about how prayer works. My grandfather said he didn't know how prayer worked but he knew it did. That's interesting to me for several reasons. Both Godly men, both very smart and well-educated and both proving time after time their belief in something they did not know much about. That makes me feel better to know I am not the only one who does not understand prayer but it also concerns me. You see, I know upon reflection that the thing that was missing this Christmas for me was not something under the tree or on the dinner table but my own fervent prayer to the reason for this season. So, how was your Christmas?

The Eagles Ain't Country


OK, so what's the big deal with these guys? Have they just been around long enough that they have good connections? Is there a cult following underground somewhere? The Eagles were on the Country Music Awards the other day with Vince Gill gushing all over them like a chubby little schoolboy. They were singing their latest single about well...I don't know what it was about but the song held no attraction for me nor did the band. Now I'm not against the Eagles. They were good back in the day. Back in the 70's. I can appreciate Hotel California as much as the next guy. It's just that they aren't country. Vince Gill supposedly said the Eagles have done more for country music than Ernest Tubb. Exactly what have the Eagles ever done for country music Vince, you deep dish has-been? Get off the crack pipe and go buy a George Strait cd or Brooks and Dunn or Allan Jackson-all of whom were at this award show--not to mention the Tubbs, Waggoners, Williams and Cashs who are turning over in their graves thinking about the state of country music.

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Why men are happier...

I never forward emails but this is pretty good. Ever since I was a little boy I have been glad to be male.

Your last name stays put.The garage is all yours.Wedding plans take care of themselves.Chocolate is just another snack.You can be President.You can never be pregnant.You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.You can wear NO shirt to a water park.Car mechanics tell you the truth.You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay.Wrinkles add character. Graying hair adds attraction.Wedding dress~$5000. Tux rental~$100.People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.You know stuff about tanks.A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend. Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public.You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades.You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can 'do' your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.No wonder men are happier.

Senator Joe Biden


Senator Biden, how many times a day...is that a...What is that on your fingertip?

Terrorists are funny!


Mike Huckabee


Hey, Mike, how many times a day do you and your friends read this blog?! Also, what is the chance in a million that you will get the Republican nomination?!

Monday, December 03, 2007

How offensive!



As most know by now, Gillian Gibbons, a volunteer schoolteacher in Sudan, was sentenced to jail but pardoned today for the crime of letting her seven year old students name the class teddy bear "Mohammed". Evidently the "real" Mohammed was offended by this and many of his followers wanted Gibbons to die for the crime. I am shocked at her lack of political correctness as is my dog Bohammed.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

San Francisco thinking


Having been to San Fran lately, I am pretty sure fireplaces are the least of their worries. It's a shame some place so blessed with natural beauty can be so mentally and spiritually dead.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Old Memory...

OK, you will not really appreciate this like I do, I am sure, but please indulge me (Hey, it's my blog). I don't know why, really, but this memory just came back to me as I was thinking about Thanksgiving and all the family reunions we used to have around this holiday. I guess there is just too many of us now and too many places to go and things to do and blah, blah, blah, but my whole extended family used to get together every year, usually at my uncle and aunt's house in Houston. We always had way too much food, people and fun but the thing I remember most vividly was standing around the piano as Aunt Billie would play song after song and we would sing and sing. Sometimes just the aunts would sing or just the uncles and they always had their favorites: mainly old hymns that I am afraid nobody sings anymore. Then one of the aunts would beg all the cousins to come sing our song. We would finally all drag up there and sing "Eliezer Call". You can find the story of Eliezer and Isaac and Rebeccah in chapter 24 of Genesis but this is the song we would sing:

ELIEZER CALL

(1) 'Twas a day in early spring time by an ancient wayside well, Eliezer paused to rest his camel train. He had found a bride for Isaac, 'ere the evening shadows fell, For his weary journey had not been in vain. So, he took the fair Rebekah, decked in jewels rich and rare, Back to Abraham and Sarah far away, Where Rebekah loved her Isaac, and he loved Rebekah fair, Oh, it must have been a happy wedding day.

CHORUS

Oh, get ready. The evening shadows fall. Don't you hear the Eliezer call? There's going to be a wedding. Our joy will soon begin, In the evening when the camel train comes in.

(2) So the blessed Holy Spirit from the Father God above, Has come down to earth to find a worthy bride, For our Isaac over yonder has prepared our tents of love, For He wants His fair Rebekah by His side. We have left our kinfolks gladly, we have bade the world good-bye. We are going to a land beyond the sky. We shall soon behold our Isaac in that blessed eternity. What a happy, happy meeting that will be!

Thanks for the indulgence and maybe you just had to be there to appreciate it. I'm glad I was.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Is Gun Control hitting what you're aiming at?

I am very conflicted about this. Is it murder or self-defense or just protecting the neighborhood? What concerns me is that I am afraid that our confidence in "The System" (whatever that is) has degenerated to the point that we are rooting for the guy who just killed two people.

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Salute to a Veteran


Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, November 11, 2007. Most parades and celebrations and speeches will be today and today I want to thank all veterans with a salute to just one hoping I can honor all of them with his example. George E. "Bud" Day joined the Marines when he was seventeen years old and spent his career in the military. One can read his story here and here but beware it is a graphic re-telling of some of his more than five years in a Vietnamese prison camp.

Asked many times what sustained Americans in this environment, Colonel Day answers: "I am, and have been all my life, a loyal American. I have faith in my country, and am secure in the knowledge that my country is a good nation,responsible to the people of the United States and responsible to the world community of nations. I believed in my wife and children and rested secure in the knowledge that they backed both me and my country. I believe in God
and that he will guide me and my country in paths of honorable conduct. I believe in the Code of Conduct of the U.S. fighting man. I believe the most important thing in my life was to return from North Vietnam with honor, not just to return. If I could not return with my honor, I did not care to return at all. I believe that in being loyal to my country that my country will be loyal to me. My support of our noble objectives will make the world a better place in which to live."

Thank you, Colonel Day! I hope our children and our leaders read your words.