the (re)public house | blog

The Blog has moved - Please join me.

2010-06-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

The Blog 3.1

2010-06-02T21:14:00.003-05:00

After a hiatus while transitioning seemingly everything about my life, I'm back in the blogosphere. However, it's not here. I have imported this blog (sans comments...it's problematic) to Anthological Prolegomena and will continue posting there about anything and everything life, family, theology, whatnot there. Please join me.

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2010-01-27T15:48:00.002-06:00

link: St. John Chrysostom

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2010-01-06T13:56:00.000-06:00

link: The Feast of the Epiphany

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2010-01-01T18:29:00.001-06:00

link: The Feast of the Circumcision of Christ

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T06:11:00.001-06:00

link.

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-11-26T11:37:00.000-06:00

link: Thanksgiving Prayer

new post @ anthological prolegomena.

2009-11-14T09:30:00.001-06:00

link: up for discussion | deuterocanoncial texts

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-10-21T10:20:00.000-05:00

link: Luke 14:1-6 | A Devotional

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-09-23T10:52:00.000-05:00

link: epic.

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-09-15T15:41:00.001-05:00

link: shelflife

Highlights of the President's Speech

2009-09-11T20:09:00.002-05:00

I haven't gotten around to watching the President's speech to our nation's children yet; however, John Piper excerpted his favorite words of wisdom here. Good stuff.

Uh, I think I'm going to have to wash Piper when I get home.

2009-08-06T10:32:00.002-05:00

Caroline wants Piper to play

2009-08-06T10:13:00.002-05:00

new post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-08-03T10:37:00.001-05:00

link: evil defined as privation of the good

new [short] post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-07-21T15:16:00.002-05:00

link: Traveler's Log

new post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-07-16T14:26:00.001-05:00

link: Bishop Wright regarding America and the Anglican Communion

MartyB loves him some Cap'n Crunch.

2009-07-16T11:10:00.004-05:00

So, it's been out a while, but I've still got to post this. My favorite Dallas Cowboy? Maybe now my favorite Dallas athlete.

For all you music lovers.

2009-07-14T10:24:00.006-05:00

Great summer mixtapes, plus a door into a huge cosmos previously unknown to me of wonderfully accessible and thoughtfully paired music. Start exploring yourself here.

Then proceed to here. This should get you started.

new [short] post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-07-01T10:15:00.001-05:00

link: sam storms (Bridgeway Church | Oklahoma City, OK) on Protestants, Calvin and the Eucharist

New post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-06-29T12:56:00.001-05:00

link: early wedding anniversary thoughts

new post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-06-25T16:45:00.001-05:00

link: thoughts from my first father's day

new [short] post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-06-17T13:50:00.000-05:00

link: a truth still pondering

new post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-06-13T12:00:00.001-05:00

link: contemplating innate desire

Apple Safari 4.

2009-06-13T09:15:00.002-05:00

I am digging the new Safari. If you haven't already, download it here.

New Post @ Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-05-31T18:45:00.002-05:00

Link: On Caroline's Baptism

New Venture: Anthological Prolegomena.

2009-05-31T18:32:00.008-05:00

I've started a new blog for posts regarding theology and the church. This site will remain for family updates and more personal writing. I will, however, update this blog with a link to the other whenever I post something. Please join me at Anthological Prolegomena. You can also follow on twitter at @aprolegomena.

Good grilling yesterday.

2009-05-30T18:47:00.002-05:00

Everything will change.

2009-05-30T10:40:00.004-05:00

Introducing Google Wave. The way in which this world communicates is about to completely change. Email is about to be on the same playing field as VHS or 8 Tracks. Completely outdated and exposed as absolutely obsolete. Google has effectively merged global discussion and collaboration into one meeting room without conflict of time, space, or language. This is really, really big. Watch it all. I hearken you.

Great Quote.

2009-05-29T11:12:00.000-05:00

To preach and not to catechize is to build without foundation.

Thomas Watson, Why Catechize?

Life of Pi.

2009-05-21T21:54:00.003-05:00

I recently borrowed from Eddy Life of Pi by Yan Martel. Amazing. Simply one of the best books I have ever read. It has been the most memorable book I've read since The Shack by William P. Young last year, which is an entirely different book altogether, but a narrative that was equally intoxicating to me, despite a comparatively reduced quality of writing. If you haven't read The Shack, do. Just do. Perhaps I'll blog on it one day soon, though most likely it will be later after a second reading. If you haven't read Life of Pi, stop reading this post and go to bed so that you can get up early and get to the bookstore as soon as they open in the morning to buy it. On your way, go ahead and call in sick to work and clear your evening schedule so as to devote proper time and attention to such a literary masterpiece. It is beauty in word. Grace in text. When you think you have reached the end of the journey, you find out that the world was never as you saw it along the way. Everything changes. Meaning expands. You mind is shaken and your heart trembles. It is the type of book that confesses that God loves words and graciously created certain men to write them well. This is not a review, it is an exhortation. Partake in the blessing of wonderful literature.

Genius! I am so close to buying this bumper sticker.

2009-05-08T23:00:00.002-05:00

Morning at the Arboretum.

2009-04-24T14:05:00.008-05:00

This morning was a great morning. Katie and I took Caroline to the Arboretum for her photo session with the great Emily Mulkey. We are seriously so excited to see the pictures! Emily does fantastic work, and I whole heartedly endorse her, so check her out here.

Amazingly, outside of a friend's wedding, I had never been to the Arboretum. Even then, I just saw such a small portion. Well, to be honest, I only saw a small portion today as well, but I was absolutely blown away! I never realized there was such a vast and beautiful park in Dallas that so well organized, catalogued, and so clearly labeled the works of God's creation. Seriously though, I can not wait to go back with my girls and spend some quality time exploring. Here's a snapshot of the conversation between my brain hemispheres:

Right: Wow! This is so beautiful!

Left: Observation affirmed.

Right: This is such an amazing jewel of Dallas!

Left: We are in Dallas? This does not adhere to experientially dependent assumptions of Dallas. Error encountered.

Right: The flowers, and trees, and lake, and...

Left: Attempting to locate substantial amounts of concrete and billboards to confirm body is actually presently located in Dallas. Begin processing...

Right: So many colors! Even the buildings are wonderful and fit so nicely within the landscape!

Left: There remains an insufficient quantity of concrete and billboards to verify Dallas as immediate location. Expanding search of visual evidence to include pickups, baptist churches, branches of North Dallas Bank, Parkies, and I Am Second signage.

Right: Everything is so wonderful! Beauty in Dallas! Dallas actually has something of aesthetic value, a treasure to the eyes and soul!

The Sacrament of Reconciliation as Corporate Ritual.

2009-04-22T19:39:00.012-05:00

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is not merely a time for spiritual direction (as wholesome as that is), or a time for seeking moral guidance (as necessary as that may be at times). Reconciliation is primarily a sacrament—a corporate act of worship which builds up the Body of Christ. . .

. . . Communal celebrations show more clearly that Reconciliation is a sacrament, a corporate act of worship. When we celebrate together as a parish family, we are reminded of the social nature of sin—that every sin, even the most private and personal sin, has implications for the larger community. In addition, when we celebrate Reconciliation with others, we are more clearly reminded of our obligation to "forgive those who trespass against us" even as we ask God to forgive us our trespasses.

Interpersonal forgiveness and reconciliation are part of the hoped-for outcomes of this sacrament. Christianity stresses the relation of the "horizontal" and the "vertical"—interpersonal forgiveness and divine forgiveness. "Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Mt 5:23-24).

Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D. from Catholic Update.

Buy Katie's Old Car.

2009-04-21T12:23:00.005-05:00

It's great. We'd still be driving it but needed more room. Check out the ad, and tell your friends. I'll even throw in a bottle of Chimay Grande Réserve.

Holy Saturday.

2009-04-11T12:15:00.004-05:00

Today a grave holds him
who holds creation in the palm of his hand.
A stone covers him
who covers with glory the heavens.
Life is asleep and hell trembles,
and Adam is freed from his chains.

Glory to your saving work,
by which you have done all things!
You have given us eternal rest,
your holy resurrection from the dead.

From a matins hymn for Holy Saturday, quoted in Orthodox Lent, Holy Week, and Easter: Liturgical Texts with Commentary by Hugh Wybrew (London: SPCK, 1995).

(Thanks to Michael Rich)

Reversing America's Culture of Debt.

2009-04-08T15:55:00.001-05:00

Short but good read by Ken Blackwell.

(Thanks to Mike.)

Top Ten Albums re: danno.

2009-04-07T10:13:00.004-05:00

Recently, Danno asked me for a Top Ten of albums for basic literacy to those who grew up in a bubble. This is a pretty large task. Impossible, to a degree. Still, I thought I would take it on, but first I have to give my criteria for the following list.

1. I would only select one album per musician. When I am limited to ten, I have to make these count on breadth.
2. I would not choose "best of" or live albums. This, I feel, would be cheating.
3. I would limit myself to not select my current flavor of the months. These albums need to have withstood the test of time with me. Sorry Taylor Swift and sorry MGMT. Maybe you'll get there, and I think you well might; however, there simply hasn't been enough time to bear witness.

Having decided on those ground rules, I basically thought I would pick the albums that I would want if I were stuck on a desert island the rest of my life with an unlimited power supply and an indestructible iPod and earphones. So Dan, here is your shopping list...or just come by the house and I'll give them to you. These are listed alphabetically, as ranking them would be much too difficult.

Jeff Buckley, Grace

Lyle Lovett, Joshua Judges Ruth

Mussorsgsky, Pictures at an Exhibition (Dutoit and MSO)

Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Radiohead, The Bends

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Cold Roses

Sting, Mercury Falling

Travis, The Invisible Band

U2, Joshua Tree

Vertical Horizon, Running on Ice*

As a bonus, I'm breaking my rules to include a live album as my no. 11 pick: Pat Green, Here We Go (Live)

*Interesting note of Vertical Horizon's Running on Ice: It features Cary Pierce and Jack O'Neill from Jackopierce and Carter Beauford from Dave Matthews Band, among other guest musicians. Pretty cool.

What the Bride testifies.

2009-04-04T19:24:00.007-05:00

I have been thinking lately of the description of the Church as the Bride of Christ. Particularly, I have been meditating on the testimony that a bride should give of her husband, if her husband is indeed honorable. First let me say that by no means does this post advocate "putting on a good Christian face" to the public. Such is an expression of inauthenticity, isolation, and pride - none of which are of Christ. Having said that, let us consider.

What as husbands do we want our wives to reflect in character? Here is a short list from my perspective for what I want Katie to be as my bride.

1. Secure. When people think of Katie, I don't want them to associate insecurity or constant worry about future provision in where she will live or whether she will have food or clothing.

2. Confident. I would hate to think of Katie living in fear, that she is unprotected and in a constant state of vulnerability.

3. Faithful. It is my desire that Katie is satisfied in our marriage and friendship and does not feel that she is in the wrong relationship or at least in one that can not last or is in constant decline.

4. Peaceful. I want Katie's yoke to be light.

5. Patient. Does Katie feel constantly rushed or as if she is running out of time? I don't want her bearing unnecessary pressure. I don't want her thinking she has to do it all by herself right now, not trusting in my help and timing. I certainly don't want her not having margin in her life to invest and spend time with others who love her and those that need her own love and encouragement.

6. Gentle. If I am harsh and domineering with Katie, then I believe it would be hard for her to show gentleness to others. How sweet does she feel my love is to her?

7. Kind. Staying in frame of fruits of the Spirit, kindness is a quality I desire Katie to have as my bride. For her to lose her kindness would mean that she would be poisoned with anger. What would I be doing to her or how would I not be protecting her that would cause her to be filled with such darkness? I hope we never endure such a time.

8. A good steward. If Katie hoards or wastes, then she has a poor concept of community and lives focused on herself. As such, she would see little in me or of a larger meaning for our life to impact those who could benefit of our resources, both material and immaterial.

9. Truthful. It is a great testimony to have nothing to hide, to love the light. I would hope that Katie lives in such freedom.

10. Gracious. When one experiences true grace, then that person should extend it to others. It is my prayer that Katie, when errors do occur, always experiences grace beyond her measure.

So, there's a simple ten. There are more, but you see where I am going.

Here is my point then: how do we, as the Bride of Christ, reflect these qualities and others? When we interact with the world, is it obvious that we have a Savior that is our provision? Do our lives testify that we have been changed by grace and that our yokes are easy? Do we interact with our community in a way that communicates that we have time for them and are called to serve them? Are we a vision of Christ in being a Bride that is epitomized by kindness and love? You get my point here as well.

An the other side, what does the way we are living now currently say to others about what we believe about our Savior and who he is? What through our words and actions are we telling our community about God or Christ? To be honest, I feel my life is a promotion of lies. I silently tell the world that God does not provide and that His yoke is not easy. I give the impression that God has hurt me or that Christ is not enough.

We must always be authentic and honest in where we are in our walk and how God is working in our lives. We all still live in a fallen world stained with sin, and none of us have completed our journey of sanctification. However, as we do grow, I hope that the world looks upon the Church as the Bride and instantly recognizes her inseparable Savior.

Happy Birthday Katie!

2009-04-01T08:48:00.003-05:00

Katie, with Caroline (Kangaroo Style), in the Santa Barbara Courthouse

Today I unveiled a new private blog to Katie that will consist of and catalogue a collection of my future love notes to her, a sort of online book of notes to my bride. Here was my description of the site:

This is my book of love notes to Katie, at least as of her 29th year. A few months ago, Caroline was born. A few days ago, Piper was hunting for our socks. We have a good family.

This morning I was writing a note to Katie, which is something I have not done very much of late. I was considering the tension between the ease of writing such words with the infrequency of actually doing it. Today I am nearing the conclusion of a period in our marriage when I didn’t pursue Katie very much. I know that I have not pursued her well. She knows that too. Also, I am arrogant, self-righteous, and angry. Yet, Katie loves me. Very much. In this way, her marriage to me and love for me realizes the mission of marriage: to represent the love of God, to be a vision of Christ in my life. I love Katie very much.

I love her, but I don’t write her. I was thinking how I want to write her something every day. Something textual that would serve as a reminder, more than a reminder, a profession of my love. I thought about always keeping my stationary and pen with me; however, it took a mere nanosecond to realize that this would last maybe half of a week. I then entertained the idea of just consistently writing her a note every morning with my stationary safe at home. Then, I remembered that “consistency” is not always a friend I love and that I also don’t like writing notes when Katie is home. It is like wrapping a present in front of the receiver. Tacky.

What I needed was something convenient in time and location. I wanted a solution that would allow me to write whenever, wherever. So often I think of writing Katie when I don’t have anything to write on or write with. Such is our time. I always have connection to the internet; however, a simple pen and paper often evade me. So, this was partly a choice of convenience; however, it was mostly a choice of necessity, for otherwise, I would not consistently write my bride.

There was, however, thought of other perks. As easily as I can write my love notes, Katie can read them. Whenever. Wherever. (Assuming she has a computer and internet connection, of course. Still, this beats a box under the bed). Also, this allows a timeline, each note stacked upon the one before. My hope is that years from now, Katie will occasionally choose peruse past entries in this online book of love notes and be reminded and encouraged through the progression of our love and life together.

The Bible: Either/Or? No.

2009-03-31T12:50:00.015-05:00

This morning, a friend of mine asked a very interesting question. He asked how we can say Paul was speaking literally when he said that those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved when we might also say that a seven day creation is not literal (from a human perspective). Hence, either the Bible is to be interpreted literally or allegorically. Either/Or. Such an equation of interpretative method and assumption between a passage in Romans with a passage in Genesis struck me. It hit me hard that this is likely something that most guys in the church struggle with. Especially at churches where pastors build their sermons off of a topic and then jerk verses from all over the Bible to support their thought. Sound familier? It doesn't take long for the parishioner to assume that all Scripture is interpreted the same and identical in audience, time, culture, language, and writing style. If there is the intellectual observance that this is not true, it still often rests as just that: an intellectual observation. Rarely does proper hermeneutics invade our Biblical reading and interpretation. Now is not the time to go into this in the fullness it deserves, but I do think at some point in the future, it might be beneficial for those interested to pursue. For now, let me just say this.

The Bible is divided into many literary genres, inclusive of, but not limited to:

Historical Narrative
Law
Poetic
Proverbial
Genealogies
Prophecy
Statutory
Apocolyptic
Parables
Letters

I think the idea that the Bible is one packaged gargantuan book is because we are constantly reinforced that idea through...well, it's packaging. Today, we have the Scriptures nicely bound into one convenient book; however, it is not one single book. The Bible is merely the canonical compilation of 66 books for Protestants and an additional 7 for the Catholic. It is important to remember though, that these are all different books. Many of the authors are the same, as many of styles and languages are the same. However, as a whole, it is a combination of literary styles and authors spread over thousands of years written to different audiences and contexts. This last part is paramount, especially concerning culture and assumptions carried within; however, it is also important if the writing is intended for an individual or a community, and secondarily, the question of for the community at that specific time or a teaching or promise more universal. Combine all of this with the fact that these texts are written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Koine; and further, consider that the New Testament writer is largely writing in his second language and relating to the Old Testament through the Septuagent, which is Greek translated Hebew texts, and things get really, really interesting. It might almost be easier for us if we still had all those separate scrolls and actually read Scripture as they were intended: letters, stories, prophecy, etc...not just jerking a verse from each like they are merely from different chapters from Moby Dick.

So, here is the point.

Q. Is the Bible interpreted allegorically or literally?
A.Yes.

Not one or the other, but Yes. The real question regards what book or section of book are we talking about.

Q. Is a Pauline Epistle interpreted allegorically or literally?
A. Literally.

Within narratives and most other genres, a book will have both allegorical and literal. Remember that one of God's favorite ways to teach His people is through stories. Think of Christ's own teaching during His ministry; He largely used Parables. We see this in both
the Old and the New Testament writings.

Furthermore, there is a very distinct separation of assumption between the way we read things and the way the ancient Jew read things. This sounds really strange to us, but the ancient Jew really wasn't as concerned with detailed facts. Truth is not communicated through the specific numbers of army personnel or a literal number of days of Creation (Aside: which itself requires our own interpretation shifting from God's perspective to that of man, based on a unit of time tied to the Sun, which wasn't even created until the second half of the process - the fourth day...if we're being literal...), etc. The point of such stories is that God conquers for man when the situation is impossible for him and that God created everything. Again, this was story telling. Think of every culture of oration. One generation would tell the story to the next, and they would pass those same stories to their own children. (Aside: remember how Israel would fall away because one generation didn't pass on the stories of their fathers to their sons...) These stories were not recorded until much later than their origination. This is just a small part of the context. It is one of story telling and the truth being larger than the details or specifics...these merely set the stage to communicate such truth. It is very difficult to communicate how different ancient Jews (and all peoples) would look at truth and avail themselves to it compared to us. It might be easier for us to return to parables. Is the truth communicated within stories of The Good Samaritan or The Prodigal Son found in the specific historical referents? We certainly hope not, but we also know not. It seems incomprehensible for us to say there is not the truth of God in those stories because they didn't actually happen in history. These are perhaps the two most preached stories of the New Testament! Think about it. There is not historical basis at all for these events, yet the truth is so powerful that we preach these stories more than the rest. Still, we are able to muster so much angst over mere details of Old Testament stories told to the ancient Jew. Amazing. God story-tells both through Christ and His Spirit, each read within Scripture.

As such, our current age bickers about and attempts to reconcile points of the Old Testament that don't add up or are merely controvertible, and we try to explain them away. Well, they're there, and to be honest, they don't matter. It's the truth behind the story that matters. Much of this tension is also seen between different camps of interpreting Revelation, which again is missing the point largely. Sadly, few people, including many pastors, have been educated and trained in this and other parts of Biblical Hermeneutics and Bibliology as a whole. So, we get bent out of shape and take our eyes off of what matters. We preach sermons that if you don't believe in a literal 7 day creation then you don't believe the Bible is true, and then logically, you can't trust when Paul says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We're back to either the Bible is blankety allegorical or literal. Either/Or. There were exactly "x" number of troops in the Israelite army, or Christ really didn't rise from the dead...he was just maybe asleep or something. This is the horrific tragedy from pastors who don't know or at least don't consider at all how the Scriptures relate. In their irresponsibility or mere ignorance, they cause their parishioners heartache in having their foundations of faith rumbled every time someone questions Jonah or asks if Adam had a belly button or enjoyed the massive incest to populate the earth. You see it not only in direct sermons on topics such as above but also in how they search for biblical support for their whimsical sermons. Such is a great hardship on the Body of Christ. Let us then hope for better effort and teaching from our pulpits and lectors, for so much that is truly consequential is subconsciously communicated and ingested into the parishioners' basic assumptions by way of merely the manner of argument in which the cleric sermonizes his thesis, if such thesis is itself not disastrous.

MGMT.

2009-03-28T19:01:00.011-05:00

There is a band you must check out: MGMT. What I am about to write is a pretty big endorsement.

First, let me give you a brief history:

In 1993 Sting released Ten Summoners Tales, and I met a musical mentor and friend who to this day continually makes me shake my head in inspiration and amazement. Sting is simply the best and to be most respected and honored popular musician of our time, in my humble opinion. Factoring his development of song writing, breadth of instrumentality, depth of lyrical and literary significance, seemingly unlimited versatility of genre, collaborative genius, incorporation of music and sound from all continents, and ability to translate and merge music into present relevance that originated hundreds and hundreds of years ago, it is very difficult to argue for anyone else. To be sure, there are many who are perhaps more historically influential as their vision and talent came at a time when music itself was redefining itself through the jazz, R&B, rock, hip hop movements. As a person who can fit together all this work gone before him though both in mind and practice, Sting is the greatest.

I remember the first time I heard Jeff Buckley in 1996. It was in my bedroom when a friend of mine gave me a tape (yes a tape) to listen to for inspiration of a song we were working on. Basically, I was supposed to learn from how Matt Johnson supported the song by letting his drumming sit within the tune. Though I probably acquiesced a little, I'm pretty sure I still played my usual Carter Beauford style which was way over the top and "hey, look at me." While it took a little time to mature and thankfully balance in my appreciation between guys like Johnson and Beauford, I instantly recognized and fell in love with the genius of Buckley. Whenever I listen to Buckley, I am haunted by his ever present yet never fully seen ghost. His grandness of capability in both his voice and guitar is almost impossible to measure. Tragically, the world was only revealed a glimpse of his talent, and we will never know the fullness of his potential. His brief life left this world an amazing gift; however, one cannot help but imagine what was to come and mourn such a treasure lost. (For whatever, it means, I don't own their first or latest album...though I like this last one very much.)

I also recall the first time I absolutely fell in love with Coldplay, which was actually later than many, in 2002. I was in a Virgin Megastore listening to In My Place, and the last minute of the track hit. I will never forget the particular shiver that I felt in my spine and how my heart swelled inside me. It was sacred, a marked means of common grace in the Divine gift of music.

I could write about many others: Ryan Adams, Taylor Swift (yeah, seriously. Pure, simple songwriting developing from adolescence to maturity before our ears - take it for what it is and appreciate what should be an insightful journey), Radiohead, Lyle Lovette, and even Timberlake (again, seriously. The fusion of an actually talented songwriter who can actually play real instruments, actually sing without real-time pitch correctors, and actually package it to a generation who tragically doesn't even appreciate or see what he does really well. Actually true.)

So, after all this, here is my point. Ever since I heard and bought MGMT's new album, Oracular Spectacular, I have paused listening to all of these and the others and exclusively played, and replayed, and replayed this Brooklyn duo. If I am driving in my car, taking a walk, reading a book, washing the dishes, relaxing in my house, or whatever, I am listening to MGMT. Will I at some point cease this absolute commitment to the band and reintroduce my normal favorites into my listening? Definitely. However, the more I listen, the more I love, and it seems doubtful that this will end anytime soon. I cannot yet relate them to Buckley or Sting, and they would have to work an almost divine miracle for me to; however, be clear that I am not attempting to. Simply put, the best endorsement I think I can give is to tell you that they have momentarily made all other music silent to me. They are great, and the more you take them in, the less you'll want to give them up. Take my advice: buy their album and don't worry about needing to again update your iPod or whatever anytime soon.

Around the World.

2009-03-28T08:12:00.002-05:00

Undersea eruptions near Tonga. Click on the photo above for an amazing photo set.

Random Pet Peeve.

2009-03-26T17:57:00.006-05:00

You're in a restaurant lavatory and dip your hands under the faucet when you suddenly feel the brush of a cold hard surface as your hands hit the back of the sink. I hate that feeling. It seems gross to me and makes me attempt to wash my hands that much more thoroughly. Yet again, I have found myself trying to wash my hands in a sink where the faucet has been placed too far back in relative position. It doesn't happen often, but I do see it more than I think I should. Maybe I am hyper observant, or perhaps I have ginormous hands. I am doubtful on both. I do believe, though, that there should be a standard minimum distance between the flow of faucet water and the back of a sink.

Thankful for Old Friends.

2009-03-24T17:51:00.008-05:00

Today I went to Waco and had the opportunity to hang out with a couple of old friends. Such friends are a wonderful gift to me. People who have known you longer than your immediate context are often able to see and communicate to you in ways obvious to them but forgotten to yourself. The further in your history these friendships go, the more, of course, they are availed to speak such truth to you.

I think I often struggle with Identity; in that, I define myself too closely to current activity. If that is work, for instance (which it regularly is) then I consider my worthiness based on my career, and my emotions dive and resurface according to how I satisfy those worldly views of success. One of the greatest blessings of fatherhood, however, has been the challenging of this indeliberate yet highly consequential assumption. Progressively since the birth of Caroline, clarity has emerged in seeing my identity assigned to the stewardship of my family. (To be clear, I'm speaking at the moment to identity respective towards a vocational slant. My identity as personhood is unwaveringly centered in Christ and inclusion within His Body. At least cognitively - I'm still working on living this out, as evidenced by what I am writing now.)

So, with regard to the success of my life, I now more clearly see it related to how I am leading and loving my family. To the extent that I am able to present Katie as holy and blameless, to care for her and protect her in the love of Christ, in His provision and grace, is the measure of my husbandry. Similarly, to raise Caroline in Christ, modeling for her the love and wisdom of the Father, echoing to her as best I can the grace and provision of Her Creator, represents my call in fatherhood. The combination of these two represent the major thesis of my life. (Obviously, appendices exist inclusive of stewarding relationships entrusted to me within the Community of Believers as well as declaring the Gospel to the outside world. In sum, faithfully living in community within the Body of Christ and representing to a groaning world its Savior).

Thus, my career, which seemed to so severely define my life, is now placed in a supporting role as a provision for the call of my life. And so, I return to friendship. Old friends remind me that I am larger than my job. I am an adopted child of God, procured in Christ and sealed in the Spirit. My calling in life finds definition and meaning in this - not my W2s and 1099s. Before I do what I do now, and before I did what I did before, these comrades and sages knew me...and knew me well. So, when I am blinded by my circumstance, unsure of the future and anxious about the present, old friends provide me perspective and assure me of hope in the future. Specifically, they remind me that God has always been faithful and will continue to be. Further, my calling in life is larger than my current occupation or what I will do in the future. My career is, of course, a ministry to those placed within my sphere, and I must work as to honor God; however, my work is not my determinant of joy and meaning. My occupation will most likely change and my circumstances will surly traverse through many seasons. My identity and my calling, however, are consistent and secure in my Savior and in being created and redeemed in His image to be a light in a dark world.

Coming back.

2009-03-21T14:29:00.005-05:00

For the last few months, I have not only neglected posting on my own blog but also reading the words of others. If you are reading this and yourself have a blog, most likely I haven't seen many of your posts in a while. The posts I have made on this blog have consisted mainly of photos of Caroline - which is probably the best thing I have to put out there anyway. Furthermore, I have watched many friends' blogs turn into photojournals of their own children, so I'm definitely not going to apologize for this. I am sure that as I continue to throw up albums on MobileMe, I will promote them here.

Still, I miss the blogosphere of words. Very little, I miss the useless and harmless of what I often randomly throw up here. More than this, I miss the opportunity to update friends and family with the goings on of the Moore household, which has changed greatly of late. Very much, though, I miss the most remote of my posts: the well thought out and meaningful script that leads to outside discussion and the occasional conflict resolution. Without a doubt, most of my 2.0 time has been spent on facebook, which is fine, but I don't want it to serve as a replacement for this site, intertwined with those of you, my friends. My blogroll is lengthy, yet I have until recency been faithful to read through the vast majority with honorable consistency.

So, all this to say, I shall return. I will begin again to post here, and I will regain consistent readership of your own blogging. I may not work though all that I have missed, but I'll at least get back on the horse from where we are now.

Bows & Piper.

2009-03-15T15:17:00.003-05:00

Here's a new album, entitled "Bows & Piper" ... neither of which are in this picture. Click the photo to see the full set.

More Caroline Hayden Photos.

2009-02-02T16:01:00.004-06:00

There are ten new albums on mobileme. Click the pictures below to navigate directly to each individual album, or click here to see all.

What a "Christmas Baby" means to me.

2009-01-24T13:11:00.007-06:00

There's something gracious about Caroline being born on Christmas. To be honest, sharing your birthday with the day that celebrates the birth of Christ is a pretty big shadow to subsist. Still, to receive the birth of your daughter and then to celebrate her entrance into your life on the same iconic day which reminds us of God's incarnation, Grace applied in person - infinite God in finite infant flesh - carries an association quite wondrous.

Christ's birth is not the beginning of things - it is merely the marked application of God's eternal plan. Long before Divinity became human - before there was human - God spoke to action both creation and redemption. The birth of Christ represents...no, more than represents, actuates in perfection the intersection of God and man. Before the fall, God's creation existed in complete harmony with Himself; since, it has been groaning for recreation, for redemption and continuation of that relationship.

So, for the moment we live in a very unsual time; and yet, it is all we know and have known for a couple thousand years. We live in a fallen world, yet redemption has been not only declared, but justice has been satisfied. The Elect have been sealed, yet we are still to persevere. God has become man, and Christ is seated on the throne; however, creation redeemed still longs for recreation. Christ has come and declared it finished, yet we await His return. We have glimmers of the intersection between God and man - we see it in Scripture and prayer and from the sacraments to the sunrise - and yet, we are sojourners not yet home.

All to say this: in times of trial, it is important for me to remember that not only has God promised to turn evil for good, He has already secured the action of His will to do so. What a gracious gift it is to look at your daughter, to think upon her birth and ingression into your life, and to then be reminded of the grace of God through the birth of His Son to reclaim a fallen world. There is a name I love that is more than a name - it is a promise, a truth that I cling to - Immanuel: God with us.

Happy Birthday Piper!

2009-01-15T22:15:00.003-06:00

Our little fur baby is now one year old. Oh, how she's grown.

Piper vs The Sock.

2009-01-13T16:59:00.002-06:00

Click the picture above for a brief visual narrative.

Caroline Hayden.

2009-01-04T11:55:00.007-06:00

Click the picture above for more photos.

(thank you very much to our good friend, Erynn Shipley.)

Caroline comes home.

2008-12-28T10:19:00.001-06:00

Click the picture above for more photos.

Caroline at the hospital.

2008-12-28T09:58:00.002-06:00

Click on the picture above for more photos.

The Delivery.

2008-12-27T20:27:00.002-06:00

Click the picture above for more photos.

The Perfect Christmas Gift.

2008-12-25T06:36:00.001-06:00

T-Bob.

2008-12-20T12:46:00.004-06:00

For a while I've been wanting to write about my good friend, Dr. T-Bob Davis. To say he has been influential would be a pretty severe understatement, as I truly believe him to be one of the most important people in my life. Over the years, I have under a variety of contexts and motives been asked to share my life story. In all of my retellings, Dr. Davis stands as a prominent pillar. Yet, he is not so static but much more dynamic; in that, as I have grown and matured, so has our friendship. At some point in early high school, T-Bob began taking me under his wing and became my life's great mentor. Much of our "study" since then has taken place on the racquetball court, where we still hold sessions, and all of our lessons almost always end in a big hug and him telling me that he loves me, is proud of me, and that I am special. One thing I learned from T-Bob (at least in theory, as I am still working on application) is how to celebrate and encourage others. I think it is this quality that I have been thinking about most lately in regards to my friend.

In particular, I have been thinking about how his encouragement is contagious, or at least is a quality he models so well that it is instilled in those close to him. A couple of weeks ago, T-Bob and I continued our life-long racquetball match (whoever is now in the lead totally depends upon which one of us you ask) and grabbed dinner. There were a few things he wanted to communicate to me that night about fatherhood, which in itself demonstrates what I love about him - I appreciate his words and wisdom, but I am amazed at his thought and intentionality in sharing specific things that he had previously determined to tell me. Throughout the last few months, though, T-Bob's daughter, Angie, has been incredibly encouraging to Katie as well. For anyone that knows her and Brad, this comes at no surprise; however, this speaks as a legacy of her father. Even a couple of days ago, T-Bob's wife sent Katie a very encouraging email. T-Bob has a son a year younger than me who I have known for years, Creth, of whom it is impossible for me (or anyone) to be around without sincerely hearty laughter. It has been a joy for Katie and I to have time with different members of the Davis family lately, because I have noticed this common thread of joy that permeates them as a family and touches all those around them.

This is a quality I now pray for my own family - that we would be a joy to each other and an encouragement to all those around us. I have a been given a great example, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Katie's new car.

2008-12-13T07:32:00.014-06:00

So, Katie would say that's a lot of pictures, but I think it's a beautiful car. We're really going to be blessed by it, as having a seven seater is going to give us much time and room to expand. I think one of my favorite things about this car, however, was how we got it.

When Katie and I got her last car, it was your typical nightmare experience at the Waco Honda dealership. You spend forever negotiating on the price, and when you finally think it is over, the finance guy sweats you out in his office. That guy was brutal. He seriously kept us in there as he drew on a whiteboard, lecturing us why we should finance the car and buy every type of extended warranty they sell. It was a horrible experience that I know most can relate to.

Getting my Acura, though, was completely different and thoroughly refreshing. A friend of mine was at that time with D&M, and I simply told him what I wanted - car, color, trim, accessories, etc. He went out and bought it from the dealership for me, even getting the windows tinted for me before delivering it. Those guys are great - as are AutoFlex. You never have to step on a dealer lot, and if you're not sure what you want, they'll come to your office with a slew of cars for you to test drive. At that time, leasing made the most sense for work, and a third party like those guys are definitely the way to go.

With Katie's new car (or the "Family Car" as I give her a hard time about), I really wanted to find a low milage, barely used car - just enough love to knock of the heavy immediate depreciation. From my last two experiences, I had already decided that I didn't want to go the traditional dealer route. A friend of mine is an auto wholesaler and private buyer (or broker), and I first tried getting something through him. For those who aren't as familiar, the broker shops and purchases the car at the wholesaler price and then sales it to you slightly marked up, but much below dealer price. This is a very good way to buy a car. My friend Patrick, actually, just picked up an unbelievable deal on an Infiniti G35 coupe from his own broker this way, and I wholeheartedly recommend this method (my friend is excellent if anyone is ever interested). Still, for the car we were looking for, the only ones to specification we found were in Pennsylvania and going to auction. Neither of us wanted to bid on a car we couldn't see and feel. There were, however, a few at a local dealer, so my broker tried negotiating with them, which often produces great results; however, as the demand is greater than supply for what I was specifically looking for, they weren't looking to deal.

At the same time, I had been poking around larger private wholesale dealers online that are in the Dallas area. There are a few really, really good ones. Another friend of mine, Chris, just picked up (I know, there have been a lot of new cars among my friends the last couple of weeks) a Mercedes E55 from Texas Cars Direct. He and I started talking about these guys and places like them, and I was really impressed. Not long into my search, I found exactly what I was looking for at Imagine Automotive Group (ecarlink.com is their internet presence). These guys are awesome.

It's one of those places that it's assumed you've done your research, found them yourself, and know what you want. It's not one of those places where you see them off the street, walk in, ask them what they've got and then start haggling all day. Not at all. They're housed inside Addison Airport, with their inventory in a bunch of hangars. If you drive up Addison Road, a couple of blocks north of Keller Springs, there is a private drive into the airport with a little sign with their name on it that is the size of a real-estate sign. That's it. Very understated. When we walked in, we discovered that they have all of their cars split up between their "sales guys"...but, they're really not like any auto sales guys I've ever encountered. The guy who technically had responsibility over our car wasn't there (nor much of the time we went back to buy), but that didn't really matter - another guy helped us a treated us just as well. We told him we were interested in the MDX, and he took us to the back of the back hangar to show us. Along the way, I was rubbernecking at beautiful porsches, ferraris, and my favorite: the Ford GT (the price is good, so click the link if you're interested. Also, as an extended aside, yesterday I got in it and started it up - glorious. 600 brake horsepower of thunderous heaven).

Back to the Acura. We looked it over and then were asked if we wanted to drive it. We did, and so they dug it out (they had to move an M3 out of the way) and pulled it around for us. During this time, he copied my license and insurance card and took down my phone number. Then he gave me the keys and said to call him if we wanted to buy the car. And then he walked inside. It was just Katie, I, and the MDX. Katie and I got in, and I immediately asked her when the last time she test drove a car without the sales guy. "Never." Nor had I. So, we drove it for a while. When we were done, we took it back and left the keys in it. Nobody came out to ask us if we wanted to come inside and talk about it or if we wanted to take it home that day for keeps or anything like that. We didn't see anyone since the gave us the keys and simply told us to call them if we wanted it.

Well, the next day, I called and said I did. I picked it up in the morning to take it for a pre-purchase inspection, and upon completion, we were told that the car was beautiful and in amazing shape and quality. Not surprising from what I've seen and researched about this place. We took it back to complete the purchase, and I would estimate the total time of paperwork to be about 10 minutes. No haggling. None. They simply priced it about $900 over wholesale (or dealer invoice - basically, what a dealership itself would buy the car for before jacking up the price thousands of dollars to resell to the public). I'm sure I could have negotiated them down a couple hundred, but I appreciate how they treated us, and they priced that car fairly. Very fairly. How they conduct their business should be honored by me as well. It was like car-buying for adults. What a novel idea . . . and very refreshing.

So, I highly recommend them. When was the last time you saw someone buy a car and then post about how great the experience was? Probably, it doesn't happen much. When you're next buying, I encourage you to switch to the broker or wholesale dealer method. There are a few really good ones in town, and I'd be happy to share my experience and research, because these are not your independent used car dealers that you drive by and shudder at their blinking lights and 1970 suits. These are professionals that treat you as a professional. It was a truly wonderful experience.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-10T09:44:00.004-06:00

Instead of directly copying Katie's post of our recent Christmas picture ordeal, I'm just going to direct you to her blog. Enjoy.

The complete set can be found on my mobileme gallery.

Remembering Jimmy V's ESPY Speech.

2008-12-09T21:15:00.001-06:00

The Obligatory Thanksgiving Post.

2008-11-28T16:21:00.009-06:00

It's Thanksgiving (well, the day after), and it seems apropos for everyone to write posts on their general thankfulness.

The past 30 hours I have fought this inclination to follow suit, but it appears I can no longer hold out. So, here's what I am thankful for right now:

1. Ryan Adams
2. Tony Romo
3. Baylor Basketball (and the University as a whole, of course)
4. Ice Cream
5. Food to put under ice cream, such as apple or pumpkin pie

Okay, so I'm really thankful for much more than this, but I'm fighting the urge, remember? Besides, if you have ever met my wife, family, friends, dog, or seen Katie recently, you're well aware of all the blessings for which I am thankful.

Katie's Shower.

2008-11-16T11:08:00.006-06:00

I'm a little late in posting this, but last Saturday, Katie was thrown a beautiful shower for Caroline. Katie had an absolutely wonderful time, and we are both blessed by everyone's generosity but, more importantly, friendship. Click on the picture above for photos.

marketing to motherhood.

2008-11-14T15:34:00.004-06:00

Today was Katie's last day of work. I suppose my wife is technically retired now. As most of you know, Caroline is due December 22, and our daughter will be blessed by having Katie steward, care, teach, clean, feed, and generally love her while I am away during the day...or at least until I can ditch the office and come home to help and share in the process. Famously, Proverbs 31 speaks of a woman whose worth surpasses riches, and I am blessed to intimately know of whom this poem speaks.

Katie as a worker in the American labor force has greatly blessed our family. Katie's role of going to an office has truly enabled us to be where we are now. Though it seems like long ago, it really was only six years ago when Katie and I became "Man & Wife." It was the summer after my junior year at Baylor University, and Katie had just graduated. She took a job at a company in Waco and worked while I completed my tenure at Baylor. We then moved to Dallas, where I went to DTS full time. Again, she supported us as I was in school. It wasn't until I left seminary and started at Turtle Creek that her role serving us as the primary breadwinner had ended. She has been working part time the past few years and now has left the professional work force for the foreseeable future. From WRS to Raub Cap, Katie has selflessly labored as my own academic life was being put to rest and professional life birthed.

Her presence now at home will be paramount in the growth and development of our daughter. Such is obvious. Katie, as a mother, has no replacement, and Caroline will benefit abundantly in qualities such as security and confidence through their time. I am grateful for this gift Caroline will daily receive from Katie, who will be doing the most important work of her life...and likely more important than anything I will ever do.

Interesting Tax Stats.

2008-11-07T11:21:00.002-06:00

From Vincent Farrell of Soleil Securities:

Top 1%
If you are lucky or hard-working enough to have earned $364,657 in 2006, the last year for which data is fully available, you are in the top 1% of earners.

That group earned 22% of all income and paid 40.4% of all taxes levied on individuals.

The top 1% paid almost as much as the lower 95%! The percent of taxes paid by the top 1% has increased from 19% of all tax to the current 40% over the last 25 years.

Top 5%
$145,283 in earnings landed you in the top 5% of earners, and the top 5% paid 60% of all taxes.

Top 10%
$103,912 was needed to qualify for the top 10%, and that group paid 70% of all taxes.

Top 25%
The top 25% of incomes (over $62,066) paid 86% of taxes.

Non Tax Payers
It’s estimated that, in 2009, well over 40% of American earners will pay no Federal tax.

(Thanks to Eddy)

Reflection.

2008-11-05T08:51:00.003-06:00

This post better sums up what I would want to say.

(Thanks to Angie)

David Frum's Diary: Nov. 1.

2008-11-03T21:09:00.002-06:00

For John McCain

10) No elected official in American life has contributed more to the security of the nation than John McCain. Latterly, McCain was the most senior and most forceful advocate of the strategy that has saved the day in Iraq. For that reason alone, he deserves your vote.

9) Over a quarter-century in public life, John McCain has defended the interests of the taxpayer, not only speaking for lower taxes (that’s easy) but fighting for the essential precondition of lower taxes, less government spending.

8) McCain’s healthcare plan is the first and essential step toward a market-based approach. If competition is to work, individuals must buy their own care. Barack Obama praises the employer-based system. But Obama knows full well that the employer-based system is dying – he’s just propping up its carcass until the time is ripe to insert full government control in its place.

7) As a man, McCain is more pragmatic and more open to compromise in substance (and not just in verbal formulas) than Barack Obama. It’s a bad reflection on the McCain campaign that it has allowed the less ideological candidate to be depicted as the hot-head – and the more ideological Obama to position himself as the moderate. But the failures of the campaign are reasons to punish the campaign managers, not the country.

6) The combination of a Democratic president, a Democratic Senate, a Democratic House and federal control of the nation’s financial system is dangerous to prosperity and freedom. Even if I weren’t a conservative, I’d believe that this government bailout makes balanced government indispensable.

5) To borrow an argument from Mona Charen: The best thing about a president with a military background is that he has learned not to show too much deference to generals. Let’s not forget: The brass hats were against the surge!

4) This country hungers for moderate answers on social questions from abortion to stem cells to same-sex marriage. McCain’s split-the-difference instincts offer the hope of social peace. Obama’s 100% down-the-line social liberalism will provoke reactions that will aggravate and sustain these social controveries, when we need to find compromises that can allay them.

3) McCain’s victory would be the most surprising come-from-behind victory in American political history. It would prove that money and endorsements are not everything. That is healthy for American democracy.

2) McCain has never compromised on free trade. Never. Not to win a primary, not to win a vote. Never.

1) John McCain is white, the son and grandson of admirals, married to a wealthy heiress – and yet he has experienced degrees of suffering, despair, and defeat that not one in a million of us can imagine. Barack Obama wears a black skin and carries an exotic name. In the United States, people of darker color have faced oppression and discrimination for centuries. But in Barack Obama's own life, he has known nothing but an easy and welcoming path to success since he was 18 years old. Privileged John McCain has known more absolute degradation than any man ever to contest the presidency. Obama was born in adversity, but he has smoothly risen to a place where he is most comfortable with those for whom things are most easy.

I do not fear Barack Obama. I even rather like him. I certainly feel I have much more in common with him than I do with John McCain. To lead this country, though, I prefer the man who has seen more and suffered more and felt more. For all his faults, it is John McCain who is the more universal man.

I vote for John McCain.

One final comment. As readers of this space know, I have been very critical of the selection of Sarah Palin. Yet I do not regard her as a reason to cast aside the principles of my life on voting day. She may not bring much knowledge to this ticket. Yet she is obviously no fool. Indeed, using the favored metric of Joe Biden ("I think I have a higher IQ than you"), my guess is that she would probably outscore the Democratic vice presidential candidate on a standardized aptitude test. To his credit, Biden has conscientiously worked to familiarize himself with the great questions of national policy. To her discredit, Palin has not. But on Tuesday, I will trust that she can learn. She has governed a state - and she did risk her career by defying the corrupt leaders of the Alaska Republican party.

Beyond that, it says something important that so many millions of people respond to her as somebody who incarnates their beliefs and values. At a time when the great American middle often seems to be falling further and further behind, there may be a special need for a national leader who represents and symbolizes that middle. And if worse did come to worst, who doubts that the whole country - including Colin Powell and Larry Eagleburger - would rally to the aid and support of the first woman president, thrust into office by some unexpected tragedy?

This is a great and greatly enduring country. It flourishes because of the genius of its institutions and the decent and moderate instincts of its people. I look to the American future with confidence always - under a President McCain preferably, under a President Obama if it must be.

(reposted in full from here on National Review).

Washington Posts' Charles Krauthammer.

2008-11-03T09:33:00.003-06:00

Both excellent short reads:

McCain for President, part 1

McCain for President, part 2

(Thanks to Dan.)

Mark Steyn: Obama in 2-D.

2008-11-02T07:18:00.003-06:00

Again, from the National Review Online, a great article worth the quick read on the 3-D person behind the 2-D cartoon commonly portrayed.

An excerpt:

The Senator and his doting Obots in the media have gone to great lengths to obscure what Barack Obama does when he’s not being a symbol: his voting record, his friends, his patrons, his life outside the soft-focus memoirs is deemed non-relevant to the general hopey-changey vibe. But occasionally we get a glimpse. The offhand aside to Joe the Plumber about “spreading the wealth around” was revealing because it suggests a crude redistributive view of “social justice.” Yet the nimble Hope-a-Dope sidestepper brushed it aside, telling a crowd in Raleigh that next John McCain will be “accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten.”

But that too is revealing. As John Hood pointed out at National Review, communism is not “sharing.” In a free society, the citizen chooses whether to share his Lego, trade it for some Thomas the Tank Engine train tracks, or keep it to himself. From that freedom of action grow mighty Playmobile cities. Communism is compulsion. It’s the government confiscating your Elmo to “share” it with someone of its choice. Joe the Plumber is free to spread his own wealth around — hiring employees, buying supplies from local businesses, enjoying surf’n’turf night at his favorite eatery. But, in Obama’s world view, that’s not good enough: the state is the best judge of how to spread Joe the Plumber’s wealth around.

(Thanks to Stephen)

The Complete Tax Hike.

2008-11-01T08:31:00.006-05:00

This is written by Victor Davis Hanson with National Review Online, original post here. It is excellent, though disheartening. I have posted the full text:

Among the many fuzzy statements that Obama has made about taxes none is more erroneous than his "asking folks who are making more than a quarter million dollars a year to go back to the tax rate they were paying in the 1990s before the Bush tax cuts."

Note the nebulous phrase "tax rate" that conflates federal income taxes and FICA payroll taxes on income. As I recall, the Clintons never introduced legislation repealing the caps on payroll/Social Security taxes. Obama has; and so the new exposure to the 12.4% on self-employed income, coupled with the 2.9% contribution for Medicare, would mean that on self-employed income (and that would be the more likely target), we are talking about a 15.3% tax hike, added onto a 5% additional tax raise on income (34% to 39%).

One can support or reject Obama's plans, but he should at least admit he is not at all going back to the 1990s, but proposing something quite radically new: that anyone in America who makes over $250,000 (the targeted amount seems to change frequently), would pay a new additional tax of 19.3% on their income. And in some states with a 9% state income tax rate, coupled with the 2.9% Medicare rate, one can see that a total tax bite, federal, state, and FICA/Medicare, of at least about 65% of their income, aside from proposed increases in capital gains and inheritance taxes.

This is a radical effort at redistribution (in line with Obama's earlier statement that legislative rather than court action is more effective in redistribution), and nothing at all like the 1990s. The danger is that, coupled with exempting nearly half the wage-earning population from any federal income tax liability, we are going to discourage incentives at both ends of the spectrum. Human nature being what it is, the half of American wage earners exempt will not be so eager to work additionally if it means beginning to pay federal income taxes. The "rich" 4%, who now pay 60+% of the nation's aggregate income taxes, will not be so eager either, if it means giving 2/3s of their additional income to government(s) to give it back to those who are not paying any federal income tax.

Only the top 5%?

2008-11-01T08:12:00.004-05:00

I've been delayed in posting this, but maybe you've noticed the trend as well. The original line between "tax cuts" (see a few articles below) and the largest tax hike in history seems to be lowering from $250,000 to $200,000 . . . to $150,000 . . . to ?.

More Obama BS.

2008-11-01T08:10:00.000-05:00

http://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxtopics/taxcalculator.cfm

More media.

2008-10-31T14:02:00.000-05:00

Charlie Gibson's questions to Obama:
How does it feel to break a glass ceiling?
How does it feel to "win"?
How does your family feel about your "winning" breaking a glass ceiling?
Who will be your VP?
Should you choose Hillary Clinton as VP?
Will you accept public finance?
What issues is your campaign about?
Will you visit Iraq?
Will you debate McCain at a town hall?
What did you think of your competitor's [Clinton] speech?

And the Palin questions:
Do you have enough qualifications for the job you're seeking? Specifically have you visited foreign countries and met foreign leaders?
Aren't you conceited to be seeking this high level job?
Questions about foreign policy
-territorial integrity of Georgia
-allowing Georgia and Ukraine to be members of NATO
-NATO treaty
-Iranian nuclear threat
-what to do if Israel attacks Iran
-Al Qaeda motivations
-the Bush Doctrine
-attacking terrorists harbored by Pakistan
Is America fighting a holy war? [misquoted Palin]

(thanks to eddy b.)

Adler on the Election's effect on the Courts.

2008-10-31T09:03:00.004-05:00

Jonathan Adler with National Review Online examines how the courts hang in the balance with the upcoming Presidential election.

WSJ: Obama's 95% Illusion.

2008-10-30T08:58:00.004-05:00

Check out the review of Obama's 95% "tax-cut" in the Wall Street Journal.

An excerpt:

For the Obama Democrats, a tax cut is no longer letting you keep more of what you earn. In their lexicon, a tax cut includes tens of billions of dollars in government handouts that are disguised by the phrase "tax credit. . ."

. . . Here's the political catch. All but the clean car credit would be "refundable," which is Washington-speak for the fact that you can receive these checks even if you have no income-tax liability. In other words, they are an income transfer -- a federal check -- from taxpayers to nontaxpayers. Once upon a time we called this "welfare," or in George McGovern's 1972 campaign a "Demogrant." Mr. Obama's genius is to call it a tax cut.

The Tax Foundation estimates that under the Obama plan 63 million Americans, or 44% of all tax filers, would have no income tax liability and most of those would get a check from the IRS each year. The Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis estimates that by 2011, under the Obama plan, an additional 10 million filers would pay zero taxes while cashing checks from the IRS."

Michael Malone on Media Bias.

2008-10-29T08:34:00.002-05:00

I implore you to read the following piece by ABC columnist Michael Malone on the media's slanted election coverage and reason why.

An excerpt (but please, read the whole article):

No, what I object to (and I think most other Americans do as well) is the lack of equivalent hardball coverage of the other side -- or worse, actively serving as attack dogs for the presidential ticket of Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Joe Biden, D-Del.

If the current polls are correct, we are about to elect as president of the United States a man who is essentially a cipher, who has left almost no paper trail, seems to have few friends (that at least will talk) and has entire years missing out of his biography.

That isn't Sen. Obama's fault: His job is to put his best face forward. No, it is the traditional media's fault, for it alone (unlike the alternative media) has had the resources to cover this story properly, and has systematically refused to do so.

Why, for example to quote the lawyer for Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., haven't we seen an interview with Sen. Obama's grad school drug dealer -- when we know all about Mrs. McCain's addiction? Are Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko that hard to interview? All those phony voter registrations that hard to scrutinize? And why are Sen. Biden's endless gaffes almost always covered up, or rationalized, by the traditional media?

Obama & Redistribution of Wealth.

2008-10-28T09:52:00.003-05:00

Is it too strong to say that redistribution of wealth is the application of socialism?

David Brooks: Ceding the Center.

2008-10-27T12:57:00.004-05:00

I just finished reading an excellent article by David Brooks in the International Herald Tribune on the third (and centrist) political tendency in The United States' limited two party system. It is very much worth a read.

(Thanks to o wise one.)

NYT Historical Endorsements.

2008-10-25T16:34:00.004-05:00

The New York Times published an interactive timeline of their Presidential endorsements. You may notice that they have endorsed every Democrat candidate since 1960. What a bold statement of partisan bias.

President Obama's promised first act.

2008-10-22T14:47:00.004-05:00

Through Dan's new blog, I was led to a piece about Obama and abortion. What I did not know, though was both disappointed but unsurprised to learn, was that Obama told Planned Parenthood that "the first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act."

While such a name, like so many things, sounds wonderful, it is in fact not...at all. An Obama Nation would indeed (and likely will) be an abomination. (Sorry, I've been waiting to use that homophonic phrase). This man is just so, so left. Anyway, I encourage you to read more here.

Philemon 1:4-7.

2008-10-20T21:37:00.002-05:00

Today the reading for The Journey struck a chord with me. Part of the passage was Philemon 1:4-7:

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that the faith you share with us may deepen your understanding of every blessing that belongs to you in Christ. I have had great joy and encouragement because of your love, for the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

This prayer challenges me very deeply. If someone remembers me in their prayer, would this be the context? Would such a person thank God for their great joy and encouragement that came from my love for them? To be honest, I doubt it. I hope on some level some people out there would. However, I'm not so sure that my faith in Christ or my love for His saints always stand out as the defining bedrock of my character. My new prayer for myself is that God would mold me into a person whom would have resonance with the above prayer from Paul. If I pop up in your mind during your own prayers and your thought isn't to thank God for my refreshing upon your life, feel free to intercede for me that in time I would be such a friend and brother in Christ. I would be eternally grateful.

The new MacBook.

2008-10-18T17:41:00.003-05:00

Last Wednesday I went and picked up the new MacBook (the first day it arrived in stores). I've been waiting for it to come out since late last year and have been religiously following the main Apple rumor sites. To say that this new notebook meets my expectations would be an understatement. It is beautiful. It is beyond well-made: it is manufactured at level unheard of and unmatched. An industry-first, it is literally made out of a solid block of aluminum. The performance? Well, that's another first-of-its-kind found in its integrated graphics processor that makes it five times faster than the previous model. The trackpad is glass and multi-touch . . . up to four fingers. Just like you control the iPhone with pinching zooms, rotates, and then swipes, you manipulate the MacBook in the same manner. I'm going to stop talking about it and instead refer you to here.

a brief follow up.

2008-10-10T11:17:00.006-05:00

As a timely follow up for yesterday's post, I thought I'd post this email I got today from another friend...happy birthday to her, I should say as well. Anyway, I thought it was interesting and reminds me of not long ago when a recently returned Marine spoke to my Kiwani's chapter. He made what to me was a remarkable statement...and a disappointing one. He said that he wasn't aware that the United States was losing the mission in Iraq until he returned back home. For, in fact, they aren't losing at all. I was astonished to hear the actual facts of security and peace brought to Iraq, especially when compared to its previous state. This must sound astounding to anyone who sees the opposite reported nightly on the news. Anyway, here is the email. She checked it on SNOPES as well.

This not sent from me as a political bid for a vote for either party. It is just an awesome story, and if our media (CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, etc. intentionally did not tell us, that's scary!! By the way this checked out true on SNOPES.

Largest Re-enlistment Ceremony - Ever

I'm sure you already know about this. It was shown over and over on TV, right?

OK, so maybe it wasn't shown over and over, but surely it was shown on TV at least one time, wasn't it ?

This was the largest re-enlistment ceremony ever held in military history. The ceremony was held on the 4th of July, 2008 at Al Faw Palace, Baghdad , Iraq . General David Petraeus officiated. This amazing story was ignored by the 'mainstream' media.

For those who have been in the Al Faw Palace, you'll have a better appreciation of the number of people crammed around the rotunda supporting the re-enlisting soldiers.

American men and women volunteering to stay longer in Iraq, so that when we leave, the new democracy will have a chance of surviving, is the exact opposite of what the media wants you to think about Iraq. If only a bomb had killed 5 civilians in a marketplace - now that's the kind of news the media is eager to tell you about.

A pizzeria in Chicago donated 2000 pizzas that were made and shipped to Baghdad , and were delivered on the 4th.

The media did report that 2000 pizzas were sent to Iraq on July 4th... The only part they left out of the report was the event for which the pizzas were sent.

I can't help but wonder...

What would the opinion of Americans be if they weren't getting such obviously biased 'news?'

Pass this on and we will do the work for the Media.

On Media Bias.

2008-10-09T16:52:00.007-05:00

A friend of mine wrote me this email, and I thought it was worth posting. Anyone who has seen Katie Couric is already well aware of media bias...

Conservatives are regularly reported on negatively in all media, while Liberals receive positive press in nearly every media format. Unfortunately, what used to be considered “Main Stream” media now suffers from a most dangerous bias, even an ideological agenda, in its selective reporting of information. Bias can materialize in many forms, not limited to the slant of a report. The selection of information the media chooses to pass on can have a great impact on what opinions their audience develop. The sad situation is that citizens can no longer rely on traditional sources to provide well rounded reportage of events. Viewers of NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, PBS and MSNBC simply are not exposed to the whole story, they are feed half truths designed to lead reasonable people to form opinions consistent with the liberal agendas of the organization. There are a few exceptions; notably Juan Williams of PBS, Lou Dobbs of CNN and Glen Beck of CNNHeadline News. Other prime offenders are the New York Times and National Public Radio –NPR, these organization intentionally report negative information about those that oppose their point of view and only positive information about those that line up with their ideology. Witness the appalling display by Charlie Gibson in his disrespectful and condescending interview of Governor Sarah Palin, his obsession with hubris might be more appropriately turned inward.
The following are not opinions or attacks, they are facts available from public record. .

Example – how much exposure has the traditional media given the following information about the results in our nation under the Bush Administration?

Treasury revenue is up over 20% since the implementation of the “Bush tax cuts”. Over the last eight years High School test scores are up, the number of college graduates is up, education spending is up 39% under the Bush administration. The average citizen has experienced a 12% increase in net take-home pay during President Bush’s current term of office and we have enjoyed the longest period of uninterrupted job growth in American history – 53 straight months!

After the implementation of President Bush’s Faith Based initiatives we have experienced a decline in homelessness, abortions, teen pregnancies and teenage drug use is down 24%. According to Bob Geldolf, head We are the World, the international organization focused on fighting AIDS in Africa, President Bush has done more to save lives in Africa through his Executive Powers as President of the United States than all other efforts combined, literally tens of thousands of babies have survived that would have otherwise died. Mr. Geldolf stated, “There should be a statue of George Bush in every village in Africa!” How much of this information has been featured in the elite media news casts?

Example – How much attention has the traditional media given to the fact that Barack Obama has never won a contested political race? That he is a career member of the Chicago “Dailey Machine” and won the offices of State Representative and U.S. Senator respectively by using “Chicago Machine Politics” to eliminate competition. First by challenging the petition that placed his opponent for the State legislature (a life long black female civil rights activist whom marched with Dr. King) on the ballot and having her name removed so he had an uncontested race. Once he was in the Illinois Legislature he voted “Present” over 160 times. For U.S. Senate his campaign filed suit to have the sealed divorce records of Obama’s opponent opened, his opponent withdrew to avoid humiliation for his self and his children. Alan Keys was rushed in at the last minute in an attempt to at least have an opponent on the ballot.

How much media attention has been given to Obama’s refusal to vote in favor of a Bill in Illinois that would require that prematurely born babies be provided medical care? In Illinois, where late term abortions are legal, sometimes the attempt to abort the baby fails and the babies are born alive, the current procedure is to deny the baby care. The new-borns are placed in a storage room in the clinic and allowed to expire. One nurse that exposed these tactics was interviewed on Fox News and through her tears told of being discovered by the “Doctor” as she knelt in the store room holding a tiny baby as she waited for it to die. The nurse was reprimanded, told this was perfectly legal and none of her affair. A Bill was introduced in the Illinois Legislature to require these born alive babies be given medical care, Obama again voted “Present”, counted as a no vote in Illinois. Obama has tried to dance around this point by making false claims about language in the Bill, research of the actual Bills in question has revealed State and Federal Bills to be identical. Barrack Obama voted against a Bill that would require prematurely born babies been given life saving medical care.

The “Christian” Church the Obama’s have attended for 20+ years and raised their children in is the private congregation of Rev. Jeremiah Wright that is dedicated to Black Liberation Theology. I have seen the film clips of Rev. Wright screaming from the pulpit, “God Damn America” over and over. According to Rev. Wright AIDS is a plot by “whitey” to eliminate blacks, I have seen the video also.

How much attention has the traditional media given to the fact that after Barrack Obama was elected to the Illinois legislature, Michelle Obama received a 153% raise in salary to over $350,000. per year as a University professor? Her husband then used his new position to earmark a one million dollar grant to that same school. Women on Senator Obama’s staff earn on average 72% of Obama’s male staffers compensation. How much media coverage have the Broadcast Networks or PBS given to Bill Clinton’s initiative for “Fair Housing” pressuring banks through threats of racism, to make unsound loans to unqualified borrows. Barack Obama served as the attorney for ACORN suing Citibank and forcing them to start making unsound loans in South Chicago. In his 942 days in the U.S. Senate Obama has requested $942 million in pork barrel spending. In 27 years John McCain has requested $0. – zero! Barack Obama launched his political career in the home of William Ayers, unrepentant terrorist, bomber of our Capitol and Pentagon. Obama provided funding for Ayers radical education programs and served with him on a community board. Barack Obama voted to leave our troops in the field unfunded and in actual peril of their lives, he made statements accusing our troops of atrocities that have no basis in fact.
This final paragraph is my opinion.
The Liberal class/race warfare tactics of vote buying through wealth redistribution and hand-outs only divides people in order to control them, it sickens me. Our Founding Fathers struggled to prevent this type of imperial national government choking our individual freedoms. Liberals see people only as members of groups, conservatives view people as individuals, as did our Founders. History proves that Government hand-out programs actually harm the people they are purported to help. . . .
John McCain is a life long patriot that will protect our children and grandchildren, everything else is secondary.

If any of this information is surprising it is because neither of the above sighted examples have received meaningful coverage in the traditional media. The fact is if one does not watch Fox News, listen to AM Talk Radio or read papers like Human Events, they are simply not receiving an accurate accounting of the facts. American citizens may believe as they choose and vote as they please, yet I believe most people do not appreciate being misled and betrayed by media bias.

Why I love Wednesdays.

2008-10-08T16:09:00.002-05:00

Used to, there really wasn't anything that special about Wednesdays. It was merely hump day. The last month however, I have joined some of my family after work for some coffee and a snack at the nearby Corner Bakery. I know, I know. It's very Mayberry, but I really like it. What has been most enjoyable though has been spending weekly time with my aunt, whom I absolutely love being around. Conversation with Connie (the aunt) is always thoughtful, and she is one of those people that when I talk with her, or if she is asking me something, I feel that she really does care. This I have found to be both refreshing and encouraging. So, now you know where I'll be in about 30 minutes (well, if you read this real-time, anyway).

i am the pumpkin carving king.

2008-10-04T12:01:00.000-05:00

Writing on the Wall.

2008-10-01T10:38:00.004-05:00

Blake sent me this great article from the New York Times, written on September 30, 1999. The proximity of date is highly ironic, as the article foreshadows this week's struggling of the United States' banking system. Be sure not to miss paragraph seven.

Santa Barbara 2008.

2008-09-28T14:01:00.008-05:00

Katie and I recently returned from our first trip to Santa Barbara. Our first...of many more to come. Santa Barbara quickly took place in our hearts as our favorite city in the United States, and we're going to make this a regular escape for us. It is that perfect blend of mountains, ocean, and town. It is commonly referred to as "The American Rivera" and is amazingly European. With a population of 89,000 in Santa Barbara, it is a small town, but a very nice one, no doubt. Next to Santa Barbara, you'll discover Montecito, which is where Katie almost clipped John Stamos in our grossly embarrassing gangster car rental (Chrysler 300). We had a great time of just hanging around, walking, sipping coffee, and dining. We did see a movie, which is rare for the two of us, but we watched it in The Arlington Theatre, which is absolutely amazing. Click the link and look at their banner to see a picture of the inside - it looks like you're in an outdoor theatre. It is actually very believable. The best dinner we had was our last night at Bouchon Santa Barbara, an excellent French inspired restuarant that was a Giada pick and is famous for their wine, listed as a top restaurant in the country by Wine Spectator. The food was absolutely splendid, the highest of excellence. It was a great way to end what was a perfect week.

Door of the Episcopal Church, right by our house.

Katie & I eating at The Boathouse. Excellent breakfast. We ate there twice, in fact.

The Mission. Later in the week, we saw a wedding held here.

View of the Mission from the gardens in front of the house I wanted to buy. It already sold.

The house is furthest to the right. Notice the park with rose gardens.

This is State Street. It's perfect.

View from atop Town Hall.

And another.

And another...with us.

Inside Town Hall.

Still Town Hall, this time with Katie.

If you live in Santa Barbara, I think you need a boat. A nice one is preferable.

Katie by Lake Cachuma, on our way to the wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley.

Luckily, we happened to also catch Danish Days in Solvang.

A Viking, circa AD 2008 California.

Solvang is a Danish town.

On our way back into Santa Barbara, we stopped of at Cold Spring Tavern to eat with bikers.

Though it looks cloudy, it has only rained once in Santa Barbara this year. The weather forecast is always the same: Perfect.

I'm contemplating the Pacific Ocean.

Below, you can make out The Boathouse, restaurant of choice. A Giada pick.

Beauty with a backdrop of beauty.

I guess this picture was to show that you can park at The Boathouse. Who knows.

The house we stayed in was very cute. It is owned by an artist and an architect, so you know...

The main room opens up to a courtyard...

...where we were often joined by Bootsie.

Today.

2008-09-24T19:47:00.003-05:00

McCain suspended his campaign in order to return to Washington and help the country work through the current financial situation. He is basically going to back to work and serving the country as he has his whole career...both in military and in politics. Obama, however, is staying on his personal mission of speaking ambiguous messages of hope and change. McCain, however, as complementary of his past experience, is actually working on bringing this nation hope and change in the face of its current circumstance. Obama is being consistent with his entire political career - lending nothing to legislation, leadership, or progress within the confines of the Senate. Changing nothing, absent except when voting "present," and building celebrity through inspiring, ear-tickling words spoken from a hollow frame standing on a foundation of sand. McCain, however, is doing what he always has - putting action to his words. Country first.

Dear Mr. Obama.

2008-09-11T17:22:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the Republican Party.

2008-09-09T10:42:00.005-05:00

I got this story emailed to me from Katie the other day. I'm not sure if this has historical referent or was just written as fiction, but either way, the point is great.

Lesson Learned!

I was talking to the little girl of a friend of mine the other day who said she wanted to be President some day.

Both of her parents, who are liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President what would be the first thing you would do?'

She replied, 'I'd give houses to all the homeless people.'

'Wow - what a worthy goal,' I told her, 'but you don't have to wait until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow, pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward a new house.'

She thought that over for a few seconds… because she's only 6.

And while her Mom glared at me, the little girl looked me straight in the eye and asked, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and you can just pay him the $50?' and I said:

'Welcome to the Republican Party.'

Her folks still aren't talking to me.

rnc: Sarah Palin.

2008-09-04T18:00:00.002-05:00

RNC: Rudy Giuliani.

2008-09-04T17:56:00.000-05:00

GB: Keeping my distance from the Democrats.

2008-08-29T16:18:00.006-05:00

A friend of mine sent me this email yesterday, where he included commentary from Glenn Beck. I think I've seen 45 seconds of Beck in my life, but I think this is pretty worthwhile.

___________________

I'm really reticent about forwarding on political stuff, and my capacity for political debate is about 5 minutes. Nonetheless, this one fell under the 5 minute reading rule, and while I'm not a follower/huge fan of Glenn Beck, he cuts through the rhetoric pretty well.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/27/beck.conventions/index.html

Commentary: Keeping my distance from the Democrats

NEW YORK (CNN) -- ........ Here are my impressions of some of the noteworthy quotes from the convention so far, which I observed from a safe distance.

Nancy Pelosi: "I am very proud of the Democrats in Congress."

Never mind that no Congress in the past 20 years has passed fewer public laws than this one, according to the Wall Street Journal. How could they?

They are spending one quarter of their work week debating and passing symbolic measures such as creating National Watermelon Month. The Journal says no Congress in the past two decades has proposed more symbolic resolutions than this one -- 1,900, for those of you keeping score at home.

Pelosi went on to mention 10 specific accomplishments, which worked out to 0.9 accomplishments per percentage point of congressional approval rating. Ten accomplishments, 9% approval.

Nancy Pelosi: "On the most important policy decision of our time, the war in Iraq, Barack Obama is right and John McCain is wrong -- very, very wrong."

By her definition, do you know who else was very, very wrong? The Democratic vice presidential nominee, Sen. Joe Biden. And the last vice president they nominated, John Edwards. And the guy he ran with, John Kerry. And your headline speaker Tuesday night, Hillary Clinton, among many, many others.
Don't Miss

* Obama makes history as Democratic nominee
* Glenn Beck on Headline News
* In Depth: Commentaries

Michelle Obama: "That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities."

Michelle Obama's chosen career path led her to make $275,000 per year at a private hospital. Is that really a "public service" job?

It seems to me that a Republican wouldn't be able to get away with such a generous assessment of their résumé. They would surely be harassed for making a six-figure salary inside the evil health care industry, while millions suffer without insurance.

But hey, there's nothing wrong with making money, at least to me. And remember, she didn't say she was volunteering. She said she was "working to empower young people to volunteer," which is totally different.

Michelle Obama: Barack Obama will achieve his goals "the same way he always has -- by bringing us together and reminding us how much we share and how alike we really are."

How will he do it? He'll talk everyone into it. Yes, that has worked with his nomination, but can he "remind" me into wanting the government to pay for universal everything?

I don't think so. I must not be hoping hard enough for change.

Michelle Obama: If her husband wins, her children can tell their kids someday that they "decided to stop doubting and to start dreaming."

Sometimes doubting is good. For example, it's good to doubt that other countries' failing policies, such as universal health care, will suddenly work here.

Hillary Clinton: "John McCain doesn't think that 47 million people without health insurance is a crisis."

She must have missed the update that this number dropped by over a million. While it's still too high, I doubt she would have missed the news if it had risen.

She also missed, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, that 37 percent of the uninsured live in households making more than $50,000 a year, most of which can afford health insurance.

Twenty percent aren't even citizens of this country. One in three are eligible for government insurance, but aren't enrolled. So, while our health care is far from perfect, it's much better than Hillary wants you to believe.

Hillary Clinton: "I will always remember the boy who told me his mom worked for the minimum wage and that her employer had cut her hours."

So, how will raising the minimum wage get that mom more hours? If the business owner found her employment too expensive at the lower wage, won't they be cutting her hours even more now?

By the way, since the minimum wage increase, teenage unemployment is at a 15-year high. I'm sure there's no relation whatsoever.

Joe Biden: "Even today, as oil companies post the biggest profits in history ... John wants to give them another $4 billion in tax breaks."

Here is the justification behind this talking point:

1.) John McCain wants to cut corporate income taxes for all companies.

2.) Oil companies are companies.

That's it.

Democrats believe that you think oil companies are mean, so they single them out, hoping you think McCain has cut a special deal just for them. He hasn't.

I guess it's really hard to drum up anger against your opponent when you say, "John McCain wants to cut taxes for companies that make delicious ice cream sundaes, feed the puppies of toddlers and fix veterans' wheelchairs," but that's just as truthful as what Biden said.

Tonight, it's Barack Obama, at a football stadium, in front of what Reuters says looks like a Greek temple. Next week, we'll get to watch the Republicans' attempt at choreographed pageantry.

Am I the only one who can't wait for November fifth?

Yesterday.

2008-08-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

I set a personal record for regurgitation in both duration and cumulative count. It was a very bad day.

Summer Television: In Plain Sight.

2008-08-21T15:32:00.000-05:00

Okay, so we basically all understand that summer is not ripe with quality television. It has traditionally become a mecca for overplayed reruns and reality garbage. However, there have been over the past few years some decent shows to debut during summertime. Many, if not most, of these never reappear on their airing network; however, occasionally you'll find some gold that you really hope won't get the traditional boot. This summer, such show for me was USA Network's In Plain Sight. I missed the first couple of episodes but soon became a pretty big fan. The characters are great, but this should be expected...I mean, USA Network does carry the tag line "Characters Welcome." Good plots with great chemistry and character development make this a very likable show which will easily draw you in. My only disappointment is that it won't return, as scheduled, until summer 2009. That's a long time. If you missed this first season, catch the reruns or watch online at ips.usanetwork.com.

Colorado 2008.

2008-08-18T16:45:00.008-05:00

(click the above picture to see more.)

Katie and I recently spent a blissful one and a half weeks in Colorado. We started out spending Thursday through Saturday with my uncle, aunt, and two cousins in Denver (with a side trip to Boulder), Sunday in Vail with my other cousin and his family, and then Sunday night through the next Sunday morning in Breckenridge with Katie's family. It was a glorious trip of great family, fun, and weather. I absolutely love spending time with my Colorado family - those who know me well know the love and respect I have for my aunt and uncle. We had a great hike, refreshing walks, good food, and wonderful times of conversation. Katie and I were so blessed to have time with them and my cousins, who are the greatest. Once we arrived at the house in Breck, it felt as if we already had a satisfactory vacation...but it was just beginning.

The next week was filled with hiking, rafting, reading, quiet strolls through town and around the neighborhood, and amazing golf. The following pictures speak for itself in regards to the latter:

Best of all though, as always, was time with Katie, Liz, Chad, Robert, & Dawna. This time we stayed in The Highlands, which is right outside of the downtown area, around Breckenridge Golf Club. This was a beautiful locale that lent itself to great walks and satisfying and peaceful quiet. The house we stayed in was absolutely amazing and beautiful, and it played a great host for opportunities for us to have good time together...even if just watching the world's worst movie ever in the media room. (Let's just say that there should have only been two Pirates of the Carrabean.) Like the scenary, the weather provided great refreshment. I believe the day it was 107 degrees in Dallas was the same day as one of the nights we cooked smores over the firepit. Simply amazing. The last night, Robert took us to dinner, where he ordered a bottle of champagne and extended the first toast to our daughter. It was very a special time of kindness and love and was a great wrap up to a magnificant trip. The week progressed much to quickly, and I think we all decided a longer trip would be necessitated next time. I could say that it's good to be home, but...well, I think we all know the truth here.

In Memoriam.

2008-08-03T23:00:00.002-05:00

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
1918-2008

Eucharist at Incarnation.

2008-07-24T17:23:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I went to the Holy Eucharist Service at Church of the Incarnation. I’ve been wanting to visit there since I was in seminary, and recently I have been thinking of it more and more. I suppose my main motivation that pushed me to go was the fact that I have been missing partaking in Communion. Watermark presents the Elements once a month on Sunday night with Raise the Mark; however, I never make it out to it – fully of fault to my own. As Watermark adds a Sunday night service, I’m curious what they will do with extending Communion, but hopefully it will become part of the service on a scheduled basis. Still, I really enjoy expanding my perspective as regularly as possible (though, this too finds rare application) and receiving the Eucharist in an ecclesiastical environment defined by higher liturgy has steadily grown more and more appealing to me. I’ve also been poking around for something mid-week that can motivate my focus. So I went.

What I found was something very meaningful and satisfying. I felt pretty out of place, like I was “the new guy,” and this brought out a little more of my natural paranoia to be sure. I never really knew what was coming next and what my response was supposed to be – both in aspect to standing, sitting, and kneeling, as well as, the proper vocal affirmation in call-and-response readings. I followed along as best I could through the 20 year old Common Book of Prayer that was provided by my pew, but I never quite stopped flipping through, trying to find more insight to where we were and what was to come. As far as propriety and courtesy with regard to when to bow, kneel, how to hold hands when receiving the Body (for those interested, it is right hand over left, symbolizing a manger), etc, I just followed the lead of others around me. Thus, I was also that guy who, while everyone else was praying and looking penitent, was looking hopefully out of the corner of my eye for some sort of cue on about everything that went on.

Having been once, followed by an insightful conversation with my father (who is Anglican), I think I survived without desecrating the chapel, and at the same time, graciously found peace and satisfaction in the Eucharist and worship of our Creator and Savior. Two for two on goals met. I am very much looking forward to next week, because knowing now what I do and having already seen everything, I feel pretty confident that I won’t be so paranoid and can better participate in the worshiping our Lord and receiving the grace of His Sacraments.

Hummer is greener than Toyota Prius.

2008-07-16T18:09:00.003-05:00

Here's an interesting editorial from The Recorder.

March 7, 2007
Prius Outdoes Hummer in Environmental Damage
By Chris Demorro
Staff Writer

The Toyota Prius has become the flagship car for those in our society so environmentally conscious that they are willing to spend a premium to show the world how much they care. Unfortunately for them, their ultimate ‘green car’ is the source of some of the worst pollution in North America; it takes more combined energy per Prius to produce than a Hummer.

Before we delve into the seedy underworld of hybrids, you must first understand how a hybrid works. For this, we will use the most popular hybrid on the market, the Toyota Prius.

The Prius is powered by not one, but two engines: a standard 76 horsepower, 1.5-liter gas engine found in most cars today and a battery- powered engine that deals out 67 horsepower and a whooping 295ft/lbs of torque, below 2000 revolutions per minute. Essentially, the Toyota Synergy Drive system, as it is so called, propels the car from a dead stop to up to 30mph. This is where the largest percent of gas is consumed. As any physics major can tell you, it takes more energy to get an object moving than to keep it moving. The battery is recharged through the braking system, as well as when the gasoline engine takes over anywhere north of 30mph. It seems like a great energy efficient and environmentally sound car, right?

You would be right if you went by the old government EPA estimates, which netted the Prius an incredible 60 miles per gallon in the city and 51 miles per gallon on the highway. Unfortunately for Toyota, the government realized how unrealistic their EPA tests were, which consisted of highway speeds limited to 55mph and acceleration of only 3.3 mph per second. The new tests which affect all 2008 models give a much more realistic rating with highway speeds of 80mph and acceleration of 8mph per second. This has dropped the Prius’s EPA down by 25 percent to an average of 45mpg. This now puts the Toyota within spitting distance of cars like the Chevy Aveo, which costs less then half what the Prius costs.

However, if that was the only issue with the Prius, I wouldn’t be writing this article. It gets much worse.

Building a Toyota Prius causes more environmental damage than a Hummer that is on the road for three times longer than a Prius. As already noted, the Prius is partly driven by a battery which contains nickel. The nickel is mined and smelted at a plant in Sudbury, Ontario. This plant has caused so much environmental damage to the surrounding environment that NASA has used the ‘dead zone’ around the plant to test moon rovers. The area around the plant is devoid of any life for miles.

The plant is the source of all the nickel found in a Prius’ battery and Toyota purchases 1,000 tons annually. Dubbed the Superstack, the plague-factory has spread sulfur dioxide across northern Ontario, becoming every environmentalist’s nightmare.

“The acid rain around Sudbury was so bad it destroyed all the plants and the soil slid down off the hillside,” said Canadian Greenpeace energy-coordinator David Martin during an interview with Mail, a British-based newspaper.

All of this would be bad enough in and of itself; however, the journey to make a hybrid doesn’t end there. The nickel produced by this disastrous plant is shipped via massive container ship to the largest nickel refinery in Europe. From there, the nickel hops over to China to produce ‘nickel foam.’ From there, it goes to Japan. Finally, the completed batteries are shipped to the United States, finalizing the around-the-world trip required to produce a single Prius battery. Are these not sounding less and less like environmentally sound cars and more like a farce?

Wait, I haven’t even got to the best part yet.

When you pool together all the combined energy it takes to drive and build a Toyota Prius, the flagship car of energy fanatics, it takes almost 50 percent more energy than a Hummer - the Prius’s arch nemesis.

Through a study by CNW Marketing called “Dust to Dust,” the total combined energy is taken from all the electrical, fuel, transportation, materials (metal, plastic, etc) and hundreds of other factors over the expected lifetime of a vehicle. The Prius costs an average of $3.25 per mile driven over a lifetime of 100,000 miles - the expected lifespan of the Hybrid.

The Hummer, on the other hand, costs a more fiscal $1.95 per mile to put on the road over an expected lifetime of 300,000 miles. That means the Hummer will last three times longer than a Prius and use less combined energy doing it.

So, if you are really an environmentalist - ditch the Prius. Instead, buy one of the most economical cars available - a Toyota Scion xB. The Scion only costs a paltry $0.48 per mile to put on the road. If you are still obsessed over gas mileage - buy a Chevy Aveo and fix that lead foot.

One last fun fact for you: it takes five years to offset the premium price of a Prius. Meaning, you have to wait 60 months to save any money over a non-hybrid car because of lower gas expenses.

On Beer & the American Feminist Church.

2008-07-11T16:19:00.005-05:00

A while ago, a friend of mine sent me this article. In the business of life and work, I have just gotten around to reading it. Now you can too. There are obvious problems with the article, but if you really care, then just read my disclaimer in the comments...or here.

This is taken directly from Credenda, Volume 11, Issue 2: Recipio.

Beer

Ben Merkle

As Melville put it-"The world's a ship on its passage out, and not a voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow." This quote descibes wonderfully how feminism ruined beer. Our culture is lead by its pulpits. As the preachers of Christianity became emasculated, our culture was dragged into effeminacy. Part of this trend in our culture is reflected in the destruction of our beer.

We see the result of this curse in the drastic disparity between American beer and the beer served throughout Europe during the last century. For decades America's beer of choice has been the watered-down lager, brewed (as was recently advertized) in vats the size of Rhode Island; whereas our European brothers have enjoyed a diverse selection of the richest and darkest beers. What transpired in the American religion to rob us of this selection? Our culture, with our European ancestors, began well, but something happened along the way.

Beginning in Europe, one of the most Christian beverages in the European world was beer. Charle-magne's favorite brewer, Saint Gall, was a Christian missionary to the Celts.¹ Shortly after Charlemagne's reign, the church became Europe's exclusive brewer, and in order to imbibe, one needed to be on good terms with the church. When a young woman was married, the customary response to any wedding gifts was a special ale the church brewed called the "bride ale" (which later evolved into our word bridal). This close association between the church and beer was originally part of our own country's heritage. When the pilgrims, seeking religious fredom, landed at Plymouth rock, the first permanant building put up was the brewery.²

However, somewhere along the road America lost its stomach. This is evidenced in the type of beer selections that Americans have been given over the last eighty years. Europe has been blessed with a great variety of beers, from the Belgian Ale to the English Porter. America, however, has had one beer-a watered down lager in an aluminum can. Why is that?

During the latter half of the nineteenth century and into the beginning of the twentieth, American culture experienced a major shift in power. This shift is more thoroughly described in the Thema of this issue, but the result was a bowing of the church to feminism. As the reins of the clergy passed into female hands, piety became blurred with femininity. This abdication of masculinity paved the way for prohibition. In general, beer, especially the darker beer, is a drink preferred by men. But as femininity became enshrined as godliness, the feminine scorning of alcohol became more and more synonymous with virtue.

During the early twentieth century, the fight for a dry country and the fight for women's suffrage went hand in hand. The following lines from a prohibition-era song demonstrate this: "But if the men can't drive it out we'll call for women voters; they'll scrub out the nation's barber shop with all the whiskey bloaters. When we get women voters, good-by to beerkeg toters. O-ho! O-ho! When we get women voters."³

In order to drive out the sins of America, what we needed was women voters! Many of the prohibition songs display this presumption that the sanctifying influence in this world was femininity. "'Twas near the hour of midnight, two lovers loitered late. The moon hung o'er the city, while they hung o'er the gate. And as he stooped to kiss her, his arm around her belt, an odor strong of liquor then suddenly she smelt. In vain he did deny it, then vowed he'd drink no more; When she replied, sarcastic, `I've heard such talk before.' How often, O how often, he begged, and then did sigh; how often, O how often he listened for reply. At last, in desperation, he swore that he would quit; but in the moonlight tender, she simply said, `You git.'"⁴, ⁵

Prohibition was simply applied feminism, and the passing of the eighteenth amendment was feminism victorious. When prohibition was finally repealed in 1933, most of the breweries had gone under. Only a few of the largest had been able to survive during prohibition by making malt products or near beer. (It was often said that whoever named near beer was a poor judge of distance.)⁶ When prohibition was finally repealed the remaining breweries were then left with the task of reintroducing the American people to beer.

Since only the largest breweries had survived, brewing became a mass-marketing endeavor. Beer was pumped out as quickly as possible and marketed to please the greatest number possible. Unfortunately, the repeal of prohibition had not removed the great prejudices against the drink. To fight the resentment that women had againts beer, the breweries had to market their product to please women. This became even more important as World War II replaced the working man with Rosy the Riveter. Brewers had to brew beer that the working woman would like. The solution was a very light beer that anyone could get down-a lager.

The lager is a lighter, practically clear beer. It's a far cry from the dark, chewy porters and much more appealing to feminine tastes. American brewers even advertise how few calories lagers contain, appealing to the weight-conscious female mind. It would seem that the goal of American brewers has been to brew a beer that bears as little resemblance to beer as possible.

Recently, as the micro-brew market has opened up, America has seen the resurgence of a number of great beers. But this is only a superficial recovery. While it is true that we are now offered a variety of beers, the root of the problem remains. The church, in general, still links the prohibitionist mentality to piety and can't even stand alcohol in the Lord's Supper. It would appear that the American culture aptly portrays the American church. We have an emasculated church and wimpy beer to match.

1 Gregg Smith, Beer (New York: Avon Books, ) p. 18.

2 Jim West, Drinking With Calvin and Luther! (Carmichael, CA: Jim West 1995), p.14.

3 Dr. J. B. Herbert, The Live Wire, (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Co., ) No. 8.

4 Ibid. No. 7.

5 Although not discussed in this article, one begins to wonder if there is a correlation between the demise of American lyrics and prohibition.

6 Gregg Smith, Beer, Avon Books, New York, p. 121.