Enough Already

Recently I received an e-mail forward written from the prospective of a political and religious conservative in 2012 after four years of an Obama presidency. I found the e-mail to be very troubling, but probably not in the way the author intended. (Apparently this e-mail has been circulated a lot as it received coverage in an AP article.)

What troubles me is when people mingle hatred and fear with religion and politics. That is at least an unhelpful and more likely a very harmful cocktail. I also wonder if the person who penned this fictional, futuristic letter quite realizes that a movement towards the left or at least towards the democratic party is in large part a response to the repeated failures of the current administration?

This letter raises a spectre of lost freedoms that Christians would be enduring. I doubt this. I am more apprehensive of losing my freedoms due to what could become a fearful and tyrannical department of homeland security (which of course was created under the current administration) than I am in losing them under an administration led by a former professor of constitutional law.

But it was not really the particular arguments of this letter that were so upsetting. It was the tone of fear and fatalism. I would also offer an idea to the conversation that God's redemptive movement in the world is not primarily channeled through a particular nation-state (America), political ideology (conservative) or party (Republican) but through the Church.

I simply do not believe the argument that they sky will fall and world will end if a particular politician or party is elected. Somehow we have survived eight years of the Bush administration. I'm pretty sure we would get through at least four years of an Obama administration. The more outlandish attacks I see on Obama coming from the religious right, the more inclined I am to actually vote for him.

But while we are talking about a Christian perspective on politics, I would like to share some more words of wisdom from Dallas Willard.

The revolution of Jesus is in the first place and continuously a revolution of the human heart and spirit. It did not and does not proceed by means of the formation of social institutions and laws, the outer forms of our existence, intending that these would then impose a good order of life upon people who come under their power. Rather, his is a revolution of character, which proceeds by changing people from the inside through ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another. It is one that changes their ideas, beliefs, feelings, and habits of choice, as well as their bodily tendencies and social relations. It penetrates to the deepest layers of their soul. External, social arrangements may be useful to this end, but they are not the end, nor are they a fundamental part of the means. - Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

CNBC Fatigue

All day long at work the TV is on CNBC. I'm thinking of switching it to a nature show or something today. I mean really, work is bad enough right now. It doesn't help that every time I pick something up at the copier the Dow is down another 200 points. It looks like the Dow Jones is going to fall about 900 points today on "news" of a global recession. Exciting.

I know it hurts to be losing money every day, but seriously people, it's a recession, not the black plague. Get some perspective.

Resolve

Winston Churchill is far and away one of my favorite historical figures, and I am currently reading a lengthy biography of his. I have not yet got to the WWII years, but I was reminded today of something I learned in history class. My professor shared that at the end of his famous "We'll fight them on the beaches" speech that Winston, thinking the microphone had been turned off, quietly muttered "and we'll fight them with beer bottles because that's all we have left."

I love that. I love the inspiring courage and idealism of the speech coupled with the gritty realism of the situation they were in. It's a good reminder on bad days.

"I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

"At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government - every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.

"The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

"Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of the Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.

"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old." - Winston Churchill, June 4, 1940

Palin & Clinton

I'm a little late on this one but thought it was quite funny.



"And I can see Russia from my house."

Um, Why?

So, I saw on Yahoo that Zondervan says their next edition of the Bible will be handwritten by more than 31,000 Americans.

I don't get it. I can barely read my own handwriting sometimes. Why would I want to try to read someone else's?

They have these things out now, they're called printing presses. They're pretty cool.

Debate Results

I was able to catch a portion of the debates last night. The biggest take-away for me was an additional confirmation that both of these candidates seem much better informed, intelligent and capable than their predecessors in the last presidential debate.

By the way, it annoys me when a candidate repeatedly answers, "When I'm President . . ."

As Shrewd As Doves and Innocent As Serpents

I read what I considered to be a disturbing article on USA Today that some Christians keep tithing even as they face foreclosure. And so, I would like to offer some counsel to the flock. Those who have ARM's to hear, let them hear.

1. First, there is no explicit New Testament command to tithe. Impossible, right? Look it up. If you can find one I have overlooked, I am open to correction. Tithing is a good idea and a commendable practice, but not a command. Jesus didn't say don't do it. He did say it's not necessarily the most important aspect of our giving (Matthew 23:23).

1. Second, reneging on your debts is wrong. "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously." - Psalm 37:21. Unless you really want to try to twist this verse, failing to repay your loans in order that you may give generously does not make any sense.

1. Third, failing to care and provide for your family is wrong. "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." -1 Timothy 5:7. Also see Mark 7:11.

1. Fourth, buying something you couldn't afford to start with is wrong. (Mark 4:19, 1 John 2:15-17). Perhaps there were unforeseen circumstances such as a loss of a job or loss of health which might be excused, but tithing does not make it okay to live beyond your means. Also see earlier posts on prosperity theology.

Healthcare

Stand back world, I have a plan to help fix healthcare. Ready for this? I think we should add a "sin tax" to fast food. Every fat, greasy, unhealthy Big Mac and Whopper I eat should cost me an extra 5%. Back in 2001, Americans spent $110 billion on fast food. I'm sure it's only gone up since then. And, federal spending on SCHIP programs in 2007 was $5 billion. So, in one fell swoop I have doubled our spending on health coverage for poor children while at the same providing an incentive for Americans to eat healthier food which should bring down the actual amount spent on healthcare.

Oh, and maybe healthcare premiums should be adjusted based on our actual, managble risk factors, like they're doing in Alabama.

Stumbling Towards Election Day

The election contest has eroded into complete senselessness. Need proof? Consider the fact that CNN is reporting how Biden's comments on the University of Delaware and Ohio State University's respective football teams could impact the election. Are you kidding me? Look, my family is from Ohio and I now live in Delaware so I have an affinity to both schools, and I couldn't care less about his comments. Of all the challenging and substantial issues we are facing as a nation, someone wants to make comments about a college football game a campaign issue?

The Economist has a few good articles this week talking about how the election has taken a nasty turn and how the Republican party idolizes Reagan but acts more like Nixon. Even as a Republican, I think both articles are true. Lest one think I have come down with terminal Obamamania, you might also want to read their review of the new book, "The Case Against Barrack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media's Favorite Candidate."

Although McCain's choice of Sarah Palin has energized the base and apparently improved McCain's chances of success, it has done little to help win me over. While she has a charming personal story and I appreciate that she was willing to take on the powers that be in Alaska, I'm not convinced she is ready to be President. I understand that I am in the minority who holds this opinion, but I tend to believe that experience in the Senate better prepares a candidate for the responsibilities of the Presidency than experience as a governor because you are more heavily confronted with both national and international issues rather than state and local issues. I understand that most of our recent presidents have been governors and it's been ages since a senator has become president, but I still hold this as a general principle, especially when a governor is only half way through their first term.

So who should I vote for? It sounds strange, but at this point I remain undecided. There are aspects of both candidates' positions that I agree with and that I disdain. Just for fun, I went to Who Should You Vote For? and it revealed, unsurprisingly, that I match up much more strongly on the issues with McCain than I do with Obama. Another quiz I took recently that included independent parties revealed that I best match up with Bob Barr and the Libertarian party.

I don't think either candidate has put forth a workable, comprehensive agenda that will suitably address our national concerns nor assembled a grass roots body that would help to achieve those goals on the local, state and national level beyond election day. I can't necessarilly say that I blame them though. We have brutal realities to face as a nation and as a whole we are either apathetic or in denial. We the people, are a bit like an obese, smoking, depressed alcoholic who goes to the doctor and when told that we need to change our ways or face the consequences would prefer instead to blame and fire the doctor.

Or maybe I'm just cynical. There's more to say about the whole election, but that's all I have time for today.

Disappointing Unveiling

Chevrolet officially unveiled the production version of the Volt yesterday. While not nearly as ugly as a Prius, it's also not nearly as attractive as the prototype designs were. I guess it's going to take a couple iterations on the battery development before it becomes all that I hoped it would be.

BPA Free

The last time I was home for vacation, I couldn't sleep one night and was watching a PBS documentary on plastics. They talked about the dangers of BPA, so I went out and replaced all of my water bottles with new ones. As a new study reports, that was a good idea.

Bipartisanship

So, it turns out that both McCain's and Obama's health care plans suck. Good job guys.

Compassion Corps

I would encourage everyone to take a look at the Compassion Corps new website. Get involved. Make an impact.

21 Ways to Serve America

So Time has a little article on 21 Ways to Serve America. I found it reinvigorating, and that this comment was particularly interesting:

Statistically, the biggest single difference between volunteers and nonvolunteers is how much television they watch. Volunteers spend about 15 hours a week tuned in, compared with 23 hours for nonvolunteers. Those 8 hours a week add up to more than 400 hours a year — enough time to take on any number of service projects. And there's always TiVo.

How We've Changed

It didn't seem appropriate to me to be adding much commentary on September 11th. While I have posted comments on 9/11 in the past, I find that some days are meant to be spent in quiet reflections, silent prayers and solemn exchanges.

But I have had some things on my mind. I was scanning through the radio the other day, and I heard a new country song. It struck me how the mood has changed from songs that came out just after the attack to now. To get a glimpse, compare Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" to songs such as Tim McGraw's "If You're Reading This", and Carrie Underwood's "Just a Dream." Something of the journey can also be seen from John Michael Montgomery's "Letters from Home" to Darrly Worley's, "I Just Came Back From A War"

War is hell.

Strange Logic

I found Sarah Palin's position on Russia to be interesting. "She said the United States must be "vigilant" about larger powers invading small democracies." I guess larger powers invading small dictatorships is completely okay though. It's amusing watching administration officials and their supporters attempting to condemn Russia for its transgressions in Georgia. They have to add qualifiers like "neighboring countries" or "in Europe" when discussing why it's wrong to preimptively invade another country because, of course, the same rule does not apply when it comes to preimptively invading, say a country half way around the world in the Middle East.

Can we really back up that position to defend Georgia? We're already stretched out between Iraq and Afganistan, that alone the threat of Iran and Korea. Now we want to add Russia to the mix? Do you think Putin's not going to call that bluff? Then what? Should I be getting ready to spend my 30's fighting on the eastern front?

Figures. It's cold there.

When In Doubt, Scare The Old People

Reuters reports,

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama warned the elderly on Saturday that Republican rival John McCain would put their retirement income in danger.

How is Obama, the "candidate of change", going to change a Social Security system headed towards insolvency? Oh, that's right, he's not going to do anything. I know, I keep bringing it up, but only because it's important.

The thing that irks me the most, other than the financial lunacy of it all, is the fact he thinks the government can do whatever it wants with my money.

"But we want to give, if we can, younger workers [that would be me and probably you] the option of taking some of their own money and the option to put it into an account with their name on it."

Wow, really Barrack? You might really let me have my own account with my own name on it since it's MY FREAKIN' MONEY?!?!?! Oh, wait, that's only "if we can." But I thought your campaign was all about "yes, we can."?

Tired of Receiving Credit Card Offers?

Are you tired of receiving a relentless stream of credit card offers in the mail? You can visit OptOutPrescreen.com to get off the list.

ID Theft Prevention

ID Theft has become a scourge on our modern society. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

The other day I was listening to the Clark Howard Show on AM radio, and he shared this bit of information that I found to be very helpful:

Credit freezes are one of the most effective tools against economic ID theft available to consumers. They allow you to lock up your records and select a secret code that only you know and can use to temporarily "thaw" your credit. That added layer of security means that thieves can't do anything with your information even if they are able to obtain it.

Freezes have always been available for free to victims of ID theft. But recently all three of the major credit bureaus adopted new rules allowing more non-victims to have access to them than ever.

This is a big step forward. Before the new rules, only residents in the 39 states (plus Washington D.C.) listed in the columns below were allowed by statute to request a credit freeze. Now everyone else in the other 11 states -- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, and Virginia -- will be allowed to take this preemptive measure against ID theft. If you live in one of the 11 states, here's what you need to know:

• The cost varies by state and can be up to $10 per bureau. Under that scenario, the total amount to freeze all three credit reports would be $30. (For Georgia residents, the cost will be $3 per bureau as of Aug. 1, 2008. It will be free for senior citizens and victims of ID theft with a valid police report.)
• It will also cost you up to $10 per bureau each time you want to unfreeze or "thaw" your records to apply for new credit. Again, this fee varies on a state-to-state basis.

Full instructions for requesting your credit freeze online are available at TransUnion.com, Experian.com and Equifax.com*.

Requesting your freeze by telephone? Here are the numbers to call:
For Experian, dial 1-888-397-3742
For Equifax, dial 1-800-685-1111
For TransUnion, dial 1-888-909-8872

If you'd like to request a freeze by mail, use the following form letters for TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Special thanks to our listener Ed who put together these letters.

* The online option for Equifax currently is only available to residents of Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey and Wyoming.

Love And Desire

So I was getting my daily dose of Dallas as I was getting my oil changed yesterday, and I came across this refreshing and challenging insight:

And first, what exactly is love? It is will to good or "bene-volence." We love something or someone when we promote its good for its own sake. Love's contrary is malice, and it simple absence is indifference. Its normal accompaniment is delight, but a twisted soul may delight in evil and take no pleasure in good.

Love is not the same thing as desire, for I may desire something without even wishing it well, much less willing its good. I might desire a chocolate ice cream cone, for example. But I do not wish it well; I wish to eat it. This is the difference between lust (mere desire) and love, as between a man and a woman. Desire and love are, of course, compatible when desire is ruled by love; but most people today would, unfortunately, not even know the difference between them. Hence, in our world, love constantly falls prey to lust. That is a major part of the deep sickness of contemporary life.

Our human world as we find it is not like God, though it was intended to be. Love is not natural in our world, those desire or lust certainly is. 'The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life,' the apostle said, is 'all that is in the world.' (1 John 2:16, PAR)

Pride is defined by desire, not love. It is, above all, the presumption that my desire should be fulfilled and that it is an injustice, a crying shame, and an injury if they are not.

Lust and pride all around us inevitably result in a world of fear. For they bring us into a world of little dictators; and the most likely thing is that each person will be used and abused by others, possibly destroyed, and at least not helped and cared for. Our families, which should be a refuge from such a world, often turn out to be places where victimization is at its worst. 'The dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence' (Psalm 74:20). The tender young are initiated into an adult world hardened in evil. A baby is not even safe from its mother while in her womb. 'And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey' (Isaiah 59:15).

Injury brings pain and loss, then fear and anger, which mingle with resentment and contempt and settle into postures of coldness and malice, with brutal feelings that drain the body of health and strength and shatter social well-being. - Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart.