America! America!

I am watching the replay of The O'Reilly Factor from Thursday night. He had as his guests two surviving family members of victims of the 9/11 attacks. The one gentleman made a great point about how the release of the top-secret documents, and subsequent article in the New York Times is unforgiveable. Just the idea that a US president could even think to release such sensitive documents is actually beyond comprehension, at this rate our enemies won't need spies, all they will need to do is subscribe to The New York Times. I am still at a loss over these memos, whether you believe the interrogation techniques were harsh or not, the results are there and proven; we have been safe since 9/11. Anybody with any sense would not argue that.

Alterior Motives

Hello, back on the release of these justice department memos, the current administration did release these memos... why?? For what reason? I believe they were released to test public opinion, they were released to see how far these ultra-liberals will go to continue to punish the Bush administration for whatever wrongs they had supposedly done. For me, all the Bush administration did was to take the correct steps to keep our country safe, not just Republicans, but everybody, and they did it in the spirit of the uncertain times that followed 9/11. What people need to do is to remember 9/11, not just what a horrific attack that befell our great nation, and the loss of so many lives; but the feelings of fear, uncertainty, and what next? that all Americans felt. It's the what next? that the Bush administration took care of for us, I do not think the extreme interrogation (read: torture) methods were too harsh at all. We have been safe since 9/11, a safety we would not have enjoyed if the interrogators had asked these terrorists "nicely" about their ties to the murderers of 9/11. Let's punish those that have wronged, not those who protect.
The current administration has alot on their plate as it is, I fear that a witch hunt that is 100% partisan would hurt our country and divide the nation at a time when we really need to unite.

Scales of Justice?

I admit I need to do some research on the de-classification of certain C.I.A. documents pertaining to the torturing of terrorists, but, I do know this- the mere hint that these patriots may get prosecuted for keeping our country safe from an attack for 7 years after 9/11 is unconscionable. Although I doubt it, I do hope the new administration realizes it is undoing all of the good that the Bush administration did. Or, is that the idea? I for one am very worried that our country is not as safe as it was under George W Bush, and that this questionable move may lead to further attacks. I will write more oncet I have reviewed the background of these documents and the release of same.

Let's have Tea!

Most of us love a nice cup of tea, I am no different. The recent protests have me, well troubled. I did not make it to a "tea party", but would gladly have gone... not as a nutjob, or even as a right-wing wacko; but as a concerned citizen of what still is, for now, the greatest country in the world. These were citizens, as we all are, simply getting together because they love our country and want it to succeed and over-taxation exactly what we do not need. Freedom of speech is one of the principles our country is founded on, however, there are those who have twisted that to mean that the freedom belongs only to those who share their point of view, and those whose points of view differ will not be tolerated. How certain news outlets are portraying these peaceful protests is a disturbing, I feel this way mainly because I, as I said before, support these protests with no other motivation than my need to voice my opinion when I think things are going wrong, call it pointing out a wrong that needs to be made right (or corrected, if you prefer.) Keep this kind of freedom of speech alive, let's not tolerate hate speech, or speech directed towards certain groups bent on keeping them down.

Let Us Pray

Another murder-suicide today... doesn't really matter where. It's just that it is happening all too frequently. How people think that will solve problems is disturbing to say the least. That course of action is a last resort, a final step of a desparate soul. We as a nation should not let this happen, when someone is suffering, be there... As Christians we should seek to ease suffering wherever we see it, afterall that is what Jesus did.

Fireproof

My wife and I watched Fireproof for the first time last night, to put it simply it is a life-changing movie, whatever stage of your life you are in, whatever your relationship status, you need to see this movie. This movie will soften even the hardest of hearts. You can find out more about the movie and love dare journal right here.

Harry Kalas 1936-2009

Philadelphia sports fans lost a great man this week, Harry Kalas longtime announcer with the Phillies passed away on Monday April 13th, 2009. I grew up with the Phillies, at the old
Veterans Stadium, and I also grew up on Harry Kalas as the voice of the Phillies, well that voice is now silent; after 38 years as the Phillies play-by-play announcer there is a void that I never imaged would be there. I have come to take for granted that when you turn on the game, there was Harry. Well that has all changed now, and now I have to get used to a new announcer, oh, we will never replace Harry, just as he was so unique to what he did for a living, we are all just as unique at what we do. There are no replacements, just new chapters- waiting just a few pages back while the current chapter finishes it's task. On a personal note I will always embrace new chapters wherever or whenever they occur, while occasionally smiling for no reason as I think about past chapters that I have enjoyed so much. So long old friend, you will be missed...

Pirates of the Carribean? NO!

Pirates are not to be glorified, on my facebook account I searched for a group to show support for the captain of the Maersk Alabama whose ship was boarded and who was taken hostage by pirates. But all I found were groups with 'fans' of pirates, fans of barbarians, murderers? Shame on the movie industry who portrays pirates as swashbuckling heroes, we have been desensitized to the violence that exists in our world!! What is going on right now is an act of war, and we as a nation need to do something about it? I mean more than sitting back and waiting for.... anyway, I read an article that said the current administration did not want to act too quickly; like the past administration whose quick action only served to exaserbate terrorists. Well yes we want to do this, we need to show them that we will not be pushed around!!

Good Friday

Never understood why it was called Good Friday, considering what transpired that day. Well, after considering what has come of it, and how everybody- who has ever lived and will live in the world was redeemed by Christ's blood, and how his resurrection showed us the way to heaven, that there is life after death- for those who are deemed worthy. It was a Good Friday that set off a chain of events that we continue to benefit from today. Happy Easter to all!! Let's keep Christ in our hearts this weekend, but on everyday of the year, and years to come.

Been 2 long time.

Gracious I didn't realize it's been so long since my last post, well, I do want to say one thing while everyone is still wearing their rose-tinted glasses. Before the 100 days is up (is it up yet?) for our new president; I hope beyond hope this administration will stop it's Bush-bashing ways!! George W. served our country well during his 8 year term, he served admirably during the toughest 8 years of our history; with all due respect to our Civil War era, WWI & WWII, bombing of Pearl Harbor, the great depression, etc, etc. I happened to be alive through 9/11 and I am very proud and thankful that George W Bush was my president. Obama and his crew are not doing anybody justice by continuing the democratic agenda of demonizing Conservatice/Republican polititians. If this presidency is going to start out every speech, press conference, or whatever by blaming Bush for the mess we are in, and not offering any concrete solutions, AND people keep listening to this garbage... we are in trouble!! When will people learn that you do not build yourself up by tearing someone else down. Especially as fine a man as our former president. President Bush has had a long 8 years, let him enjoy private life!