tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67686052385734720602024-03-13T07:52:39.800-07:00RODG3RRODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-11212573515354834702015-03-27T20:48:00.004-07:002015-03-27T20:48:50.007-07:00Link in the Chain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QUZ7DC1PPE/VRYiZ-9Py-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/iXWq1hJqHbE/s1600/war%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bpolice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QUZ7DC1PPE/VRYiZ-9Py-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/iXWq1hJqHbE/s1600/war%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bpolice.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A police officer friend of mine posted this picture on his
Facebook.<span> </span>I shared it and received some
question back on my stance.<span> </span>Allow me to
answer:<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot understand the people who blanket hate police.
Don't they realize there are bad apples in every profession? Don't they realize
that simplistic answers like, disarm the police, offer no real world practical
answer to the fact that bad guys exist? Don't they realize that demonizing the
police only increases the likelihood of bad cops where working as a community
lessons the likelihood of corrupt departments? Don't they realize that police
officers are people who live in the neighborhoods too? Don't they realize that
our incarceration rate demonstrates precisely that there isn't a lot of
corruption in the police force compared to other places where bribery and
corruption is rampant?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Absolutely a police department can become corrupt and a city
can become a police state.<span> </span>Its actually
quite easy.<span> </span>We see it in all sorts of
groups.<span> </span>Churches become cults.<span> </span>Companies become fraudulent.<span> </span>Government agencies become abusive.<span> </span>Leaders at the top create a culture that coercively
adjusts people’s behavior, either in a good way or a bad one.<span> </span>You see it with companies that treat their
employees well and churches that do service in the community.<span> </span>Those are good examples.<span> </span>Then you have situations like Goldman Sachs
and Wall Street at the start of the recession.<span>
</span>Or that famous evil church who I won’t name because I refuse to draw
attention to them.<span> </span>Or Ferguson
Police.<span> </span>Or other Police departments such
as the two in Florida who were just disbanded because of corruption.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">What can we do about it?<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>First let’s take some thought about the real situation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The profession of police officer is already a difficult
one.<span> </span>Consider having to wade day in and
day out in the worst that humanity has to offer.<span> </span>Seeing abused wives and children.<span> </span>Seeing dead babies.<span> </span>Seeing people who have lost everything
because of a wrong choice.<span> </span>(In many
ways, the pastoral profession can get this way too.)<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Consider also the fact that NO ONE wants to see a cop in
their rear view mirror.<span> </span>How often are
they yelled at, cussed at, and treated like dirt?<span> </span>Think of the names, Five-O, Pig, etc.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Consider that they have to be right in split second
decisions 100% of the time and will get criticized in the media and courts by
people who have hours and days to think through and review their decisions
minus adrenaline, fear, and other pressures. <span></span>Or that they face regular false complaints from citizens of discrimination or wrong use of force, merely because said citizen didn't like the fact that the police officer was holding them accountable for their actions. All that with the knowledge that if they make
a mistake, they could die.<span> </span>Or someone
else could die.<span> </span>Wow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Police officers don’t truly “face death every day,” as an officer
friend of mine told me.<span> </span>Many days are riddled
with boredom and paperwork.<span> </span>HOWEVER,
they face the prospect of danger on any given day and any given call.<span> </span>Six hours of boring duty and paperwork could
suddenly result in minutes of terror and danger.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Their job results in blame sometimes no matter what they
do.<span> </span>Arrest the bad guy and his family
accuses you of discrimination or being a bully. <span> </span>Don’t arrest him and an hour later he has shot
someone in an armed robbery.<span> </span>Arrest the
husband who beat his wife and she turns on the officers (a common phenomenon in
domestic violence).<span> </span>Don’t arrest the
husband and later that night he beats her to death.<span> </span>Pull someone over for speeding and you are a
petty jerk for worrying about ten miles over the limit.<span> </span>Don’t pull them over and then maybe face having to go to
the accident scene where they hit some kids.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it any wonder they have such a high rate of divorce,
depression, and suicide? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This all causes them to withdraw into a shell.<span> </span>The thin blue line is a real thing.<span> </span>It’s no different than with soldiers.<span> They think no one cares. They believe, </span>“No one understands us but each other.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The very actions pushed by people like Al Sharpton or some
of the anti-government groups (and even some of the major Democrats) are
precisely the wrong choices because it exacerbates this very thing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jumping on every single police shooting as if it is an
example of an endemic problem is not the way to go about it.<span> </span>Protesting without considering the case by
case circumstances is wrong.<span> </span>Making
judgements based on shaky video taken out of context and with no backstory isn’t
good.<span> </span>Posting every copblock statement
about bad cops only skews your own vision and does no good.<span> </span>Announcing every bad thing done in any police
department everywhere and rarely if ever showing the thousands of positives
that go on every day isn’t helping.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">All those things do is push officers around the country more
and more into that ‘thin blue line’ fortress mentality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lest we forget, these same men and women live in our
neighborhoods.<span> </span>They have children and
families too.<span> </span>They want to go home at
night.<span> </span>They want to live without fearing
crime.<span> </span>Just like each and every one of
us!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Evil exists.<span>
</span>Period.<span> </span>The one thing I never see
from the protestors and anti-police types is an answer of how to keep our
streets and families safe without some law and order.<span> </span>It’s called anarchy folks and guess what,
those of us who desire peace will be in greater danger without police.<span> </span>I’ve been accused of being naïve about
this.<span> </span>But, the truth is, I recognize
that there are bad cops and even bad departments out there.<span> </span>Those must be aggressively rooted out, just
as bad pastors, politicians, teachers, and all others who use power for evil
must be rooted out.<span> </span>But you don’t cure
cancer by killing the patient.<span> </span>You cure
a cancer by rooting it out.<span> </span>I would
challenge that those who make blanket statements about police are the naive ones.<span> </span>The old saying is ultimately true, “when you’re
in trouble, you ain’t gonna call a crackhead.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Instead of all the negative, the solution is to get
involved.<span> </span>Get to know your local
officers.<span> </span>Call them out for the good
things.<span> </span>Invite your businesses,
churches, and organizations to award those who do heroic things. <span> </span>Volunteer on the civilian review board.<span> </span>Advocate. <span> </span>Do a ride-along.<span> </span>Join your block watch.<span> </span>Attend the police community presentations
that most departments do.<span> </span>Community is
the answer.<span> </span>Tomorrow, our church is
hosting a group called, Link In The Chain, who rally for the police because
they realize that we, as a community are part of the solution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Being part of the solution goes both ways.<span> </span>When the bad happens.<span> </span>When you do get that bad apple, we mustn’t be
afraid to stand against them.<span> </span>A great
example of that is what just happened in Phoenix with our previous Police
Chief.<span> </span><span> </span>Not only did his officers pull together to
stand up to him, but members of the community, including myself did so
also.<span> </span>Another example is our famous (or
is that infamous) Sheriff Joe.<span> </span>Integrity
for those who believe in the rule of law means calling him out for ignoring the
rule of law for the last 18 months.<span> </span>It
also means going the other way and calling out Al Sharpton and his ilk for
helping to destroy the career of Darren Wilson long before the real story got
out, and for not apologizing and working to make it right after the truth came out.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ultimately, we have to quit cultivating an Us versus Them
mentality in this situation.<span> </span>Pray for
your police officers.<span> </span>Let them know that
someone out there gives a damn.<span> </span>Hey, thank
them for their service…even when they write you a ticket.<span> </span>We all want safer, healthier communities and
that ONLY comes from working together.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's easy to complain, the hard thing is to stand up and get involved. </span></span>Choose to be a link in the chain supporting our police and community, don't be the one who breaks the chain but provides no hope or solution in exchange. </span></span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-50908436264664832862014-11-13T10:59:00.001-07:002014-11-13T10:59:14.909-07:00Will it take another Craig Tiger before we do something?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is with great concern that I learned of the suicide of
Officer Craig Tiger. My heart broke for his family, but then, as I became
aware of the circumstances leading up to it, I became angry. I am angry
that our city let this officer down, that he was injured in the line of duty
and we did not provide for him. It is my understanding that both his
personal psychologist <i>and</i> a city psychiatrist diagnosed him with PTSD
stemming from the shooting that occurred while he was on duty. Had he
been physically injured in the altercation, the department would have provided
him all the medical care, leave, and assistance humanly possible. Had he
been killed in the incident, he would have received an enormous recognition
from the department and his family would have been taken care of.
Instead, due to the stigma of mental health issues and the sad state of
leadership in our police department, this officer was mistreated and discarded
by the very department he served.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This issue is compounded by the growing awareness we in the
ministry and counseling community have of PTSD related to the wars our nation
has been fighting. The egregious issues that have come to light with the
V.A. here in Phoenix should have been a wake-up call to all of us, including
the police department.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am also concerned that Officer Tiger did not receive a
normal civilian review board hearing, but was taken directly to a Loudermill
hearing with the Chief who disregarded the findings of both counselors.
It is my understanding that the frequency of these Loudermill hearings and the
number of times that the Chief has disregarded the recommendations of the review
board have increased under this administration. The job of a leader is to
care for his subordinates, to be aware of the sacrifices they make and the
dangers that they face; it is not to be an authoritarian who demands total
loyalty and control to himself. Further, his treatment of news reporter
Donna Rossi was unacceptable. Chief Garcia absolutely owes an explanation
to Rebecca Tiger, to the officers who serve him, and to the City of
Phoenix. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It should be obvious to us all that there must be other
officers who are suffering from PTSD, depression, or other issues, who are
afraid to ask for help because they fear loss of their career, loss of
promotion consideration, loss of benefits, or stigma within the
department. This is unconscionable from a humanity point of view and
completely illogical from the point of view of a city which is struggling to
keep officers on the street and is already seriously understaffed. Why
would we hurt those who we need? How many other officers are
struggling? Donna Rossi’s final question to the chief demands an
answer: “Will it take another Craig Tiger before we do something?”</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">The City Council needs to get involved here and demand some
answers as our representatives. Chief Garcia owes an answer to the
community who employees him, he owes an explanation and a heartfelt apology to
Officer Tiger’s wife and daughters, and he owes Donna Rossi an apology
for his behavior towards her. If our Chief is that far out of touch with
his line officers and the community, perhaps it is time to consider someone
else for the job. I strongly request that your office would look into
this and hold the Chief and the leadership of the police department accountable
for their treatment of this officer and for the creation of what amounts to a
hostile work environment for those who risk their lives for us. I am sure
that you are a busy man, as am I, but I would sincerely appreciate a response
to this communication. I will follow up with a hard copy to your office. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pastor Rodger S. Loar</span><br />
<a href="http://www.mvccaz.com/"></a></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-39936895248121851192014-09-16T14:38:00.000-07:002014-09-16T14:38:11.681-07:00Lighten Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRzZd2ie4-o/VBish4uBsII/AAAAAAAAAUY/pvdccSumheE/s1600/FatKid02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lRzZd2ie4-o/VBish4uBsII/AAAAAAAAAUY/pvdccSumheE/s1600/FatKid02.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Hey Fatso, you’re a little piggy.”<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sixth Grade.<span> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mean
Kids.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was the first time I ever
remember being called fat, or even thinking of myself that way.<span> </span>Looking back, I was always the fat kid in
class.<span> </span>Always the slow one in Phys.
Ed.<span> </span>Always the one uncomfortable in the
clothes that didn’t fit well. That was me: Fatty McFatterson.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are voices now that are calling for an end to “Fat-shaming.”<span> </span>They say, we should all be happy with just
who we are. I am here to offer another point of view on that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I shared the story of being called fat, because those are my
credentials.<span> </span>My school pictures show
it.<span> </span>My memories are burned with it.<span> </span>I have fought my weight for years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But please…<span> </span>Don’t
give me a free pass.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don’t want it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, I now volunteer at a local high school each
week.<span> </span>I am on campus and I have noticed
something disturbing:<span> </span>There is no fat
kid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">That’s right, there is no fat kid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are A LOT of them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was young, the fat kid was a rarity.<span> </span>Now, the schools are full of them.<span> </span>And, they aren’t just a little bit
overweight, not just a bit chubby, or could stand to lose a pound or two.<span> </span>Now, there are easily a third of these young
adults who would be classified as morbidly obese! Another third are probably on their way to that classification.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are dozens of fifteen and sixteen year old kids who
outweigh me!<span> </span>Most of them are even
shorter than me, too.<span> </span>Stop and consider
what I am saying here.<span> </span>High schoolers,
kids, under six feet tall and weighing 250, 300 pounds, or more.<span> </span>What’s more, P.E. is no longer required here
in Phoenix.<span> </span>The kids just have to take a
health class or (get this) they can take P.E. online.<span> </span>Yeah, read that again.<span> </span>Physical education by sitting in front of
your computer.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">This bodes ill for our future as a nation.<span> </span>Type II diabetes, cancer, heart disease, back
problems, knee problems, high-blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease –
all are increased with every pound you carry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I’m not suggesting that we go back to bullying fat kids or
calling names.<span> </span>And yes, there is a
danger of emphasizing weight and causing eating disorders, but perhaps it is
time to consider that encouraging obesity or letting it be OK is not the right
idea either.<span> </span>It’s not heartless to do
the right thing.<span> </span>(or is that the light
thing?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend who is a High School P.E. teacher.<span> </span>I regularly tell him, “Tomorrow, when class
starts, have a fat kid run a lap for me.<span>
</span>Tell him it’s a gift from a fellow fat kid.”<span> </span>I’m only partly kidding when I tell him that;
I wish I had people who made me be a bit more active as a child.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s easy to complain about a problem, but I believe in solutions.<span> </span>So here’s mine:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s give something up to add in Physical Education.<span> </span>Every single year of school.<span> </span>Let’s get these kids out on playgrounds, into
the gymnasium, running, jumping, and playing.<span>
</span>How about we give up algebra class.<span>
</span>Let’s be honest, most of these kids will never do a logarithm after high
school.<span> </span>Perhaps we could just start the
first half hour of every single day with calisthenics, every single day of
school from preschool through twelfth grade.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span>
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s encourage healthy eating.<span> </span>Stop giving Michelle Obama trouble about
pushing this as an issue.<span> </span>Whether you
agree with her husband’s politics or not, she is absolutely right, we must
start being healthier as a nation.<span>
</span>Further, we as parents need to step up too.<span> </span>Is it hard to offer healthy portions and
healthy food.<span> </span>Yes, it is.<span> </span>It’s also hard getting kids to do their
homework, finish their chores, and make a hundred other difficult choices.<span> </span>That doesn’t excuse us from teaching those things.<span> </span>Let us be the example too.<span> </span>Eat your veggies and get active.<span> </span>Stop eating so much fast food, and begin
getting active.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s not a good thing for us to be so heavy as a
nation.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s do the ‘light’ thing here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let’s lighten up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">No more fat kids.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, pardon me while I get up off my hypocritical butt and
go work out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Signed,</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Your Friendly Neighborhood (Former) Fat Kid</span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-25843870485631626912014-08-21T12:13:00.001-07:002014-08-21T12:13:18.954-07:00Is It Possible?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ-f_EbMHn4/U_ZCH8sxJKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/1rI7uVmwv3w/s1600/IsItPossible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VZ-f_EbMHn4/U_ZCH8sxJKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/1rI7uVmwv3w/s1600/IsItPossible.jpg" height="265" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is<span> </span>it Possible?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Darren Wilson was a great police
officer who made a mistake AND Michael Brown was an innocent guy in the wrong
place at the wrong time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Wilson was a flaming racist and made his choices based on that AND
that Michael Brown was a violent thug who made his choices based on that?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Michael Brown was a pretty good kid who
made some really dumb choices in the last day of his life?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Wilson was in fear for his life
and made a choice that he will regret for the rest of his life?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Michael Brown was a bully and was still
innocent in this particular incident?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Wilson could have been a bad cop
but still made the right decision in this incident?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Michael Brown was shaped by the racism
he experienced in many ways every day and that contributed to his actions?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Wilson was shaped by white
privilege and police officer training that contributed to his actions?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Michael Brown could have made the choice to move past his past experiences and approached this situation differently?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Officer Wilson made some assumptions about Michael Brown that caused him to approach this situation in the wrong way? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that the fact that Ferguson has a large black
population but the police department is predominantly white just might have a
little to do with all of this?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that people of different colors experience
the same situations differently because of their past experiences? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that a black person could support Officer
Wilson’s actions?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that a white person could support Darren
Wilson’s actions?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible for police officers to be caring people who
want to help the community AND be a little too militant because of training
choices?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that black community leaders could stand up
for equal treatment AND be honest about the problems generated by choices
within their own community?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that the strong police response ratcheted up
the situation and that they could protect businesses without confronting the
protestors?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that black community leaders could have
redirected the protests to limit the chance of large scale confrontations and
criminal looting?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that the black person standing in a crowd of
predominately black protestors staring across at a crowd of predominately white
police officers learns an unspoken lesson?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that a white police officer standing in a
crowd of predominately white police officers staring across at a crowd of
predominately black protestors learns an unspoken lesson?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that Al Sharpton is just as racist and unhelpful
as the KKK group that was raising funds for the fallen officer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible for both sides to be a little bit right AND
both sides to also be a little bit wrong?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that both sides are both terribly wrong?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that MSNBC AND FOX News intentionally reported the incidents in emotional ways because they have agendas to
push without regard to the truth?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that every politician that has commented on
this on both sides has made the situation worse?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that news media like The Blaze AND Huffington
Post have made the situation worse by their skewed reporting?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that YOU are responsible for making the
situation worse because you read and parrot your favorite news media without
regard to the slant?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that our culture is becoming so polarized
that we cannot see broader possibilities?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that we could all be wrong?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that we can find a peace that doesn’t care
what color or what political affiliation you are?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible to seek truth and peace at the same time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that YOU are reading this and agreeing, but
thinking, “There’s not much I can do”?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible that everything you have read about this incident confirms what you already believe because YOU limit the input of ideas to only those that already agree with your political stance?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible for YOU to reconsider your assumptions on
this situation and others by not turning to your usual news source first?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible to forgive even when YOU are the one wronged?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible for YOU to admit you might be wrong?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible for YOU to reach out and invest in truly
knowing and understanding people, who look, think, believe, and experience
things differently than you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible to hope?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Is it possible? </span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-48365483038171985612014-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:002014-03-28T16:23:20.020-07:00Black and White<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You know when he comes in the room.<span> </span>The lighting completely changes, the shadows
deepen, and somehow, the very air of the seems oppressive.<span> </span>Ominous music plays from nowhere and then you
see him.<span> </span>Black hat, black clothing, and
boots.<span> </span>There are always boots.<span> </span>All of these things point to him, but you could
get rid of all of that and still know him by the eyes.<span> </span>The eyes say it all. Squinty. Shifty. Dark. There's no doubt, once you see the eyes.<span><br /></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">He is the bad guy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Years ago, my daughter and I were watching some random kids
movie.<span> </span>If you have kids, you know these
movies.<span> </span>Terrible script.<span> </span>Bad writing.<span>
</span>Awful acting.<span> </span>Kid’s love
them.<span> </span>You watch them because your kid
loves them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Dad, is that the bad man,” my daughter asks in all her innocence. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Yes honey, that’s the bad guy,” I answer somewhat
offhandedly.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But wait.<span> </span>I stopped
there.<span> </span>I realized that perhaps I’ve just
taught my beloved child a terrible lesson.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If you’ve spent any time knocking around this world, you
learn very quickly that the “bad man” is rarely accompanied by menacing organ
music.<span> </span>The stage lighting doesn’t
suddenly change and there is no chorus of gasps when they enter the room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No, I can tell you as a Pastor, some downright evil people,
people so evil that it affects you.<span> </span>Like
an oil slick on the surface of water, you can’t help but get some on you when
you touch it.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some of the worst people I’ve ever dealt with have had a
smile on their face as they stab you in the back.<span> </span>I’ve seen people lie with so much sincerity
that you’re left breathless when they turn on you.<span> </span>I’ve watched folks who everyone placed on a
pedestal turn around and hurt others in the most brutal ways.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It’s the politician who kisses the baby even though he just
signed a bill that will leave the baby’s father out of work, and he knows
it.<span> </span>It’s the husband who abuses his
family in the most heinous ways, but smiles at church and plays the good
Christian.<span> </span>It’s the teacher that
everyone likes who turns out to be molesting kids.<span> </span>It’s the person at work who schemes and lies
for their own benefit, climbing the ladder over the bodies of their
coworkers.<span> </span>It’s the person who brings
drama and bile into the lives of everyone she touches, as she plays one person off against
another.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish I could continue to tell my daughter that the world
is divided nicely and neatly in to categories of good and bad, with the good
guys always wearing white hats and the bad guys always wearing black ones.<span> </span>I wish I could tell her that it was easy to
avoid the evil ones.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But no, the truth isn’t in the black and white, but in the
grays.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even an oil spill can be pretty.<span> </span>Have you ever seen the rainbow of colors on
the surface of an oil slick?<span> </span>Beautiful
colors that can hide an appalling evil.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can’t protect my daughter from the evil people in this
world, but I can be honest with her that sometimes bad guys wear masks so good
you can’t even tell they are masks. And sometimes the good guy comes out of
nowhere and surprises you.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">And sometimes, that oil slick of evil is going to stick to
you, no matter how hard you try to wash it off.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Life isn’t as easy as a kid’s movie.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I wish that she never would have to learn that lesson.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-3211362274332051482013-10-08T15:41:00.000-07:002013-10-08T15:41:32.830-07:00Integrity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTKdSEH-Ip4/UlSJTxNWehI/AAAAAAAAATc/q_kFnfQdzkM/s1600/DofS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CTKdSEH-Ip4/UlSJTxNWehI/AAAAAAAAATc/q_kFnfQdzkM/s320/DofS.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Integrity</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">That’s what bothers me.<span>
</span>Integrity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Politics kills people’s integrity.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">People I care about.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">People who I otherwise like and trust.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Democrats.<span>
</span>Republicans.<span> </span>Friends that I
like.<span> </span>I care about them.<span> </span>I don’t care about their politics.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I have friends on both sides.<span>
</span>Their politics are not a friendship test to me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I could drop my wallet and know they’d give it back with no
money missing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I know I could leave my child with them and they’d keep her
safe.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">I<span> </span>trust their
integrity in many things.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But, open the politics door, and integrity flies out the
window.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why can’t my Democrat friends look at the Affordable Health
Care Act and say, “It was wrong to use the tactics that were used, it was wrong
to pile so much stuff in there, and it was wrong to pass something that wasn’t
even read; my side was wrong.”?<span> </span>No, they
hoot and holler, cheering “My side won, screw you Republicans!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why can’t my Republican friends say, “There are people in
dire need who cannot get insurance and suffer because of that.<span> </span>We collectively must do something to help,
and that may mean some sort of government involvement.”?<span> </span>No, they stomp and fuss and compare the
President to a dictator.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">OR,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why do the Republicans who wholeheartedly supported George
Bush in all he did, including the war in Iraq, fuss about Barack Obama in Libya
and Syria?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">And the Democrats who hated all that George Bush was and were
angry about Iraq, but have no complaint about Libya and Syria?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">OR,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why do Democrats excoriate the Republicans for balking on raising
the debt ceiling and shutting down the government when President Obama voted
precisely that way seven years ago during the Bush administration?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why did the very Republicans who supported raising it in the
past, suddenly care about the cost to our children’s future?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why is it always the other group’s fault for not being
willing to give something in compromise when your own side draws similar
lines?<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why does party loyalty remove all sense of honesty that your
party doesn’t get it all right?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Perhaps this is why each side hates each other so?<span> </span>A person who has compromised their own
principals over politics, recognizes that same character in his opponent.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Where are the people of honor who can call out their own
side?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Where are the ones with character enough to call out what’s
right on the other side?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Where’s your integrity?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Signed, </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A Modern Diogenes</span></span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-19821134085324412972012-12-19T13:45:00.001-07:002012-12-19T13:45:34.656-07:00I Can't<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaO59hDRMCU/UNImxTpxKJI/AAAAAAAAAS0/cFekJCEaKEQ/s1600/grassroots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RaO59hDRMCU/UNImxTpxKJI/AAAAAAAAAS0/cFekJCEaKEQ/s640/grassroots.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t save children from being killed 2500 miles away, but
I can comfort those in my community who are scared to go to school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t feed all the starving and hungry in Asia, but I can
donate canned food to feed the hungry students from poor families at the local
high school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t give homes to all the homeless in Appalachia, but I can
shelter a few homeless here in Phoenix.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t stop corrupt cops in Chicago, but I can cook
Christmas dinner for the police officers here in Mountain View Precinct and
build bridges between them and the community.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t counsel every soldier returning from war with PTSD,
but I can help get groceries for the soldier’s wife down the street while he is
away at war, so he doesn’t have one more stress.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t save the elderly woman who froze to death in her New
York apartment last week because she had no heat, but I can visit the shut-in
down the street and help her pay her electric bill.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t stop the hurt and anger caused by that Kansas church
picketing funerals, but I can build relationships with people who have a
different lifestyle than I do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t stop every abortion, but I can adopt an unwanted
child in this city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t stop racism in Mississippi, but I can ensure that my
group of friends have lots of different skin colors and cultural backgrounds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t fix the political question of illegal immigration,
but I can get to know the pastor of the Hispanic church that meets locally.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t save the world, but I can live out my faith locally,
demonstrating God’s word through meeting the practical needs of those around me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t waste time waiting for someone else to change the
world, but I can get started making a difference by becoming the change in my
corner of the world.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can’t do all these things by myself, but I can invite you
to help too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">All solutions are grass roots and must start locally.<span> </span>The seed is planted in you, now what will you
do with it?</span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-66656871780531549212012-12-14T13:07:00.001-07:002012-12-14T13:28:13.304-07:00Un-Easy Answers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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My friends, I am sitting here at my desk in absolute sorrow
over the events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As of the recent reports, at least 18 children are dead this morning
along with teachers and staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flow of
emotions runs through me as I consider my love for own little girls, my anger
at the person who did this, my broken heart for those parents who will never
see their little children again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
same time, I pray for them and for the other parents and children that now know
a terror that will never truly be erased from their minds. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish I had easy answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d be a liar if I said I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a time to take a breath, to step back and hold our
loved ones, to stop and take stock of our lives and priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider that any day might be your last,
that there will eventually come a moment when you lose someone dear to you, and
that eventually, you too will face that moment for yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a Christian, I believe that humanity is made in the image
of God, but that we are inherently broken at our core being, by sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the best of us are damaged goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy to blame the murderer for his
choices, to blame the gun manufacturer for creating the tool, to blame the
government for too few regulations, to blame friends and family of the murderer
for not catching the danger; but, the truth is this, these events are just a
byproduct of the evil around us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just cannot take away every implement that can be used
to kill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor, can you station enough
people around with weapons to stop violence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just cannot lock away every person who has mental
problems, nor can you hope to catch every one who eventually snaps.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just cannot expect police to be there to stop every
crime, nor even hope that every officer of the law is safe from being the
perpetrator either. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just cannot expect to educate this type of behavior out
of society, nor can you pray it out either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You just cannot pass enough laws to change the fact that
evil exists, nor debate it away online.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We may try to pass some knee-jerk laws, but that won’t fix
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may blame someone
(Congress, Republicans, the President, the NRA, the murderer, his family,
violence on television, the school for not being locked, the police for not
responding fast enough), but that isn't going to solve it either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Safety, in this world, is nothing but an illusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why it becomes so urgent to figure
out your priorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This honesty about
safety and lack of urgency in our priorities is missing from our society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, the only urgency we have is in our
busy rush to numb our reality with entertainment and amassing money and stuff.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wish I could be more comforting in a time like this, to be
able to say, “It’ll all be OK,”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but we
both know that it won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may forget
this incident, but those who are there will not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, another incident will happen,
whether another shooting, a terrorist bomb, a plane crash, or even a
tsunami.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It will never be OK until we recognize the reality of a
broken world, and ultimately that that brokenness extends even to
ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At that point, our only hope is to look for the truth of God
in this world, the God who promises salvation from this world, if we but turn
to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please, I urge you to turn from whatever you are doing
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are a believer in Jesus, please take stock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you living your life with urgency?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you doing the things that God calls you
to do in this world, being a comfort to others, serving those in need, being a
peacemaker, sharing the hope of Christ?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you don’t know Jesus or if all you know about him is from
the obnoxious actions of a few, let me urge you to take a hard look at your
life’s priorities and consider the death that each of us faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray to God that you might find him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek out a Christian pastor who can help you
through this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All: Fall on your knees and please pray for the families of the victims today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for the children who have learned the
harsh lesson of evil, far too early in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pray for the police, fire, and medical emergency responders, for their
lives will be changed by this too. But then, when you get up, carry this lesson with you. Do something good in this world. Be a person of peace. Stand up for what is right. Love all people, even those who seem unlovable. Serve others. You cannot stop all the evil in the world, but you just might bring some small light of good where you are today. The smallest candle cast a huge amount of light in the darkest places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you wish to talk through your feelings on this tragedy,
if you wish for prayer, or if you want to know more about God, please contact
me through this blog or Facebook.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pastor Rodger</div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-67287689633468140922012-11-16T10:37:00.002-07:002012-11-16T10:37:42.126-07:00Reaching Across<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1Gtx8LnHRc/UKZ48MWjjyI/AAAAAAAAASg/V3IEHwNCe60/s1600/peace+war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U1Gtx8LnHRc/UKZ48MWjjyI/AAAAAAAAASg/V3IEHwNCe60/s320/peace+war.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I had a hammer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blowin in the Wind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where have all the flowers gone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sitting in my local coffee house this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The music playing overhead was right out of 1967:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joan Baez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Peter, Paul, and Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kingston
Trio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Croce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crosby, Stills, and Nash.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to stop and reflect on human arrogance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We always seem to think that we are so much
more civilized than previous generations, that we have it all figured out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what side of the political coin we
are on, we are absolutely positive that we are right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are quick to judge the motives and
ideologies of others, and assume that they are wrong, evil, or malicious.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems every generation, political ideology, and movement believes, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s us against them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have truth on our side.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have the right reasons.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have facts on our side.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We have pure motives.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We mean well.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Therefore, anything we do, is acceptable.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems to me, that any large movement in this line of
thinking becomes a steamroller that ends up squashing people who don’t agree
with them, smearing those who dissent, attacking those who dare to believe
differently:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the 60s protests to the War on Terrorism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the black berets of the Black Panthers to the white
sheets of the KKK.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From shameful signs of Westboro Baptist to the shaming
smears of GLAAD.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the Moral Majority to the affirmative action for
minorities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the Border Guard to the Derechos Humanos Coalition</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When groups become so assured of their righteousness on a single
issue, they begin to see all others as their enemy, and that isn’t healthy for
any of us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our culture claims to value diversity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It champions tolerance and equality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the truth remains that diversity rarely
includes opposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tolerance doesn’t
tolerate dissension, and everyone is equal unless they are on the other side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will history judge us for the choices we made today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there a way to bridge beliefs, to cross
boundaries, to befriend those who are radically different from us?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe there is, but it doesn’t come from a big movement.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It comes from the individual actions of people who care
enough to sit down with those who are against us, to have real conversations,
meals together, and intentional outreaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It comes from those who are willing to say that I sorely disagree with
you on this one issue, but we can come together in a dozen other places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes from those who are willing to be
humble and value others above themselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One on one, we can build relationships that can stand
through anything.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s the theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, comes the time to put it into practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you swallow your pride and reach out to
that family member who is in that other political party?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you invite that guy from the office out
to lunch who always talks about that one issue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you be the humble one and reach out to the friend on Facebook who
has strong opinions? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanksgiving is coming. What better time to sit down and make peace? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Someone has to make the first step.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Will you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves,</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
<span class="text"><span id="en-NIV-29396">not looking to your own interests but
each of you to the interests of the others.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philippians
2:3-4</i></span></div>
RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-6736167403972616092012-05-18T15:02:00.001-07:002012-05-18T15:03:20.723-07:00Mr. Brown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbxnZoI7A4I/T7bEl2mc7kI/AAAAAAAAASU/lkgL4K5mg4g/s1600/Mr+Brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kbxnZoI7A4I/T7bEl2mc7kI/AAAAAAAAASU/lkgL4K5mg4g/s200/Mr+Brown.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">It’s
his hat that I remember most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
think I ever saw him without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
know the kind: navy blue truckers hat... the kind with the foam front half and
plastic mesh back half with the little plastic snap band for sizing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>U.S. Navy was emblazoned in gold on the front
and that stuff that looks like scrambled eggs was on the brim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always wore it perched on his gunmetal
grey hair, everywhere he went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
dressed well too, always with a polo shirt and slacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d be walking down the street and there was
no doubt it was Mr. Brown when you saw him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">His
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always had the biggest smile and
friendliest laugh of anyone I’ve ever met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Always a joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always an
encouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always brightening your
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">Mr.
Brown was an elderly black gentleman who I met when I was 17 and working at the
restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew his first name,
he always introduced himself with a smile and said, “I’m Mr. Brown, what’s your
name?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d come in and say, “Hello,” to
everyone in the dining room and every staff member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a way of talking to you that made you
feel like you really mattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
remember your name (and everyone else’s) and ask you how your dad was doing,
how you did on your final, or some other tidbit about your life that he had
tucked away during your last conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a presence when he came into a room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You couldn’t miss him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the most amiable man I have ever
known.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I
only saw him angry once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the
counter girls had been treated poorly by her boyfriend shortly before and she
had been crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Brown put his arm
on her and told her that she was beautiful and that she was too valuable to
waste her time with someone who couldn’t appreciate that. I believe that her
soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend would have been really sorry if he been there, at that
moment. Mr. Brown soon had her sniffing away the tears and laughing along with him.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">Mr.
Brown was generous with his time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
helped me do my taxes for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think he did the same thing for almost every young kid there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He helped my friend work on his car and
helped me fix my bike once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always
seemed to be helping someone with something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">We
walked together from the restaurant to my house to do my taxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was normally a 20 minute walk, but it was
five times that with Mr. Brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Along
the way, he stopped at almost every shop and business to say, “Hello,” to
people he knew there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took time with
every single one of them to flash his smile and to listen to their story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, he introduced me to every single one of
them as if I was his closest friend in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">Mr.
Brown impressed me so much, that I vowed that someday, I’d be like him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to live in a community of people and
be known by everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be able
to encourage people and help them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
want to lift up those whose spirits are down, and be the kind of guy who can
make a young girl smile through her tears and be just a bit scary to her loser
boyfriend who hurt her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to help
some dumb kid with his taxes and maybe pass along a few life lessons along the
way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">That’s
who I’d like to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like Mr. Brown.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">For
years, I’d see Mr. Brown and his Navy hat walking around the streets of this
neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I moved to a different
part of the city for a few years, and I haven’t seen him since I’ve moved
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s probably passed on by
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may not be theologically accurate,
but I like to picture Mr. Brown strolling the streets of heaven, wearing his
Navy hat, stopping and talking to every single person there, remembering their
name, and listening to their story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">He
may be gone, but Mr. Brown lives on in my memory, and in my desire to be just
like him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-49413715536168823902012-04-19T15:33:00.002-07:002012-04-19T15:33:50.606-07:00The Most Common Lie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpRlyZ3U9GQ/T5CR137a-4I/AAAAAAAAASM/7kEc1AHcu9U/s1600/lie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WpRlyZ3U9GQ/T5CR137a-4I/AAAAAAAAASM/7kEc1AHcu9U/s320/lie.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Every single day, you tell a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, you probably tell two lies at the
same time and haven’t even thought about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will go so far as to suggest that you tell these same two lies dozens
of times every day and it doesn’t bother you.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The first part of the lie is a word you use every single
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the four-letter F-word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is the part where you draw in an abrupt breath and cover
your mouth while using all of your Puritan roots to say, “I don’t use the four-letter
F-word.”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And this is the part where I say, “Yes, you do.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I can pretty much guarantee that someone walked past you
today and said, “How are you doing?”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You quickly said, “Fine, how are you?”</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And they replied with the same word, “Fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then off they went, and off you went, forgetting the entire transaction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">F-I-N-E, let’s spell it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the four-letter F-word.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You probably aren’t “Fine,” and they probably didn’t really
want to hear how you really are doing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You are both liars.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">There are few worse things in this life, that we accept so readily, than
missed opportunities for deeper relationship. We hide our own pain and never stop to think that the other person might be fighting the biggest battle of their whole lives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What might happen if we told the truth?</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What if we cared enough to love our neighbor as God calls us
to do? (Matthew 22:36-40)</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What if we were to bear each other’s burdens as we are told
to do in the Bible? (Galatians 6:2)</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">What if you actually stopped a moment and said, “You know,
Bob, I’m not fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, yesterday
was a real struggle, but I’m working my way back today.” </span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">What if Bob was concerned enough to stop and say, “I’m sorry
to hear that, I had a rough day too, a few days back, is there anything I can
do to help?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why, a connection might be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friendship developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope and encouragement could be given.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You might even grow a little.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It doesn’t always have to be burdens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you are having a major life
victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you think that you might
share that and encourage others?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It is my commitment never to use the four-letter F-word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise that I won’t lie to you by saying, “fine,”
if I’m not, and I won’t ask you how you are doing unless I’m ready to hear what
you have to say.</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I invite you to make the same commitment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">So…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">How are you doing?</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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</div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-8477141260999207112012-01-03T17:33:00.002-07:002012-01-03T17:33:11.221-07:00The Coffee House Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdJnVQ0Rmk/TwObtYJ8_cI/AAAAAAAAASE/XZl-1zTDz3M/s1600/cuppa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bXdJnVQ0Rmk/TwObtYJ8_cI/AAAAAAAAASE/XZl-1zTDz3M/s320/cuppa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sitting at one of my favorite coffee shops a couple of weeks ago, I observed a sad phenomenon that marks our culture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, though, I must tell you that </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I love coffee shops! Sights, smells, sounds, flavor, and
texture all come together to create an environment that welcomes almost
anyone. Where else can you put an overstuffed electric-blue couch next to a pair of Danish modern leather chairs? What other place has smells of coffee, chocolate, cinammon, and cardamom floating freely for your nostril's delight? How many other eating establishments allow you to nestle down in big squishy, comfy, sofa while kicking your feet up on the table? I frequent coffee shops several times a week and I love to have meetings and appointments there because the atmosphere tends to disarm people much more than sitting in THE PASTOR'S OFFICE seems to do (ominous organ music crescendoes).<br /><br />That's how I found myself sitting in a local coffee house several weeks ago, waiting for an appointment with someone. I arrived early and sat there nursing my coffee and watching the people around me.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A small group of police officers sat on the patio, lounging,
laughing, but also lethal, in their vests, uniforms and guns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an air of readiness to police
officers, their heads on swivels, constantly aware, ever vigilant. One of the
officers is clearly ‘The Old Guy,’ shaved head, grizzled squint to his eyes,
and clearly the center of attention from the other three.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two of the others have been cops for awhile,
aware of their surroundings, confident and experienced, but comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last guy is plainly the new guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all the cop shows, he is ‘The Rookie,’
still possessing an eagerness and shininess that is noticeable to anyone who
looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new-cop smell still hasn’t
worn off yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These guys have a long and
ranging conversation, but no one sits anywhere near them.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A gaggle of large women come in, clearly secretaries or
other anonymous office personnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
three could be sisters, all pale and pudgy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Non-stop prattle emanates from them as they gossip about the other women
at the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure who Susan is, but if they are
right, then she probably shouldn’t be doing that with their boss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think these women like her very
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After getting their coffees and
pastries, they move off to a table and sit together in a cloud of perfume and
judgment.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Near their table is a pretty young co-ed, listening to her
iPod and lackadaisically surfing the internet on her laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looks very, very sad: the kind of sad
where her eyes seemed to have tears ready, waiting for the slightest motivation
to fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what her story is, but
I don’t ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young college age boy
sits directly behind her, also surfing the web and listening to his iPod. Maybe
if they both got out of their data-driven isolation cells, they might have
something in common and maybe she wouldn’t be so sad.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Behind me are two men speaking in rapid fire Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I catch snippets of family life and stories
about their students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like
they are both teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have similar
complaints to those of my English-speaking teacher friends.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Looking over, I see that the cops have left, only to be
replaced by a young girl in her teens with hair a shade of red that doesn’t
occur naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sits next to her
heavily pierced friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both girls are busily
texting, but occasionally break their silence to comment to each other while
pointing to something amusing on their phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It appears that they are texting each other and at least one third
party, but they don’t speak much to each other in person, just inside their
electronic realm.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A large man in an even larger cowboy hat pulls up a
footstool to sit and talk to an even larger man in a camouflage trucker’s
hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cowboy Hat guy is wearing shorts
and sandals, and looks like he could do some damage to a horse if he sat on it,
so I’m pretty sure he really isn’t a cowboy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cowboy Hat and Trucker Hat get into a heated discussion about politics,
but take periodic breaks to glance over lasciviously at the sad young
co-ed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ignore the business man
sitting next to them in a suit as he talks too loud and too fast on his cell
phone, gesturing passionately as if the person on the other end of the line
could see him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He keeps checking out the
sad, pretty girl periodically too.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A black guy with shoulder length dreadlocks brings his bike
inside and orders coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think to
myself wistfully that I wish I could pull off the dreadlock look. It just
wouldn’t look nearly as cool on an overweight white guy as it does on a buff
black dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looks around the room
briefly, and then leaves with his coffee and bike.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">All of these people come together in the same place, brought
together by coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s little else
to connect them otherwise.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I find myself saddened that each one sits alone, or only
with those that are very much like them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In all this diversity, I can only find homogeny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to surround myself with people
who are exactly like me; who look, act, think, believe, and talk just like
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And.. I don’t want to be alone in a
2-dimensional, online world that exists outside of reality, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to strike up a conversation with each
of them, to find out their individual, poignant, funny, sad, and hopeful
stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find myself wondering why
someone would choose a gray existence of mirrored personalities over the rich
tapestry of real people around them.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Life is real, and it is short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s get out there and make it exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not just live lives in proximity to
each other, but let’s actually live our lives side-by-side with each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hold conversations with
people who look strange to us (because we probably look weird to them).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s talk about our experiences, our
beliefs, and our ideas, withholding judgment for a time, and seeking to find
commonality and even growth by the exposure to thoughts we’ve never considered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve read this far, I dare you to go to
the local coffee shop and strike up a conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask someone who looks interesting what their
story is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buy a cup of coffee for
someone and find out what they believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Say, “Hi,” and smile at those around you and ask them how their day
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, sit back and hold on tight as
your horizons are broadened and your life gets far more interesting.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-27030340912258566972011-12-14T10:41:00.002-07:002011-12-14T10:47:49.889-07:00Beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdnyNLE2Aoo/Tujdy-jHPsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/hlcI1ewjGo4/s1600/victorian+swimsuit+issue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EdnyNLE2Aoo/Tujdy-jHPsI/AAAAAAAAAR4/hlcI1ewjGo4/s1600/victorian+swimsuit+issue.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We stood as a small group in a parking garage outside of the
lecture hall, getting ready to head off for discussion groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14 teenagers, a close female friend as an
adult sponsor and myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In moments, I
was going to have my heart broken in a way I could never have anticipated, but
I didn’t know it yet.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I had the kids stand in a circle while I was trying to
gather my thoughts on what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had just come out of a summer camp session for high schoolers that talked about
the cultural and personal issues of sexuality by Craig and Jason of </span><a href="http://www.xxxchurch.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">XXX Church</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and had been instructed to meet
briefly to talk as a group and then to split by gender and have a more personal
discussion on these issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a powerful session that had
taught me something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always
thought that pornography was predominantly a male issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it is the subject of jokes and
lighthearted acceptance in our culture at large, the truth is, it consumes the
lives of many men, breaks their marriages, and is very destructive in a
multitude of ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But, here was something I hadn’t realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Craig and Jason pointed out was that the
overall culture of pornography also is destructive to the women in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked the question, “Why is it that when
you look at almost any men’s magazine, there is a beautiful half-naked woman on
the front?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, why is it that when you
look at almost any women’s magazine, you see the same thing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even discussing magazines such as
Penthouse or Hustler, but Swimsuit Issues, FHM, Maxim, and the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And women’s magazines such as 17, Vogue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a message of perfect beauty that
pervades our culture and it affects the self esteem of our young girls.</span></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Back in the parking garage, I recognized the truth of their
message, or at least I thought I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, it was about to be brought home in a powerful and painful way.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I asked the kids to look around at each other and then I
said, “These are your brothers and sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Girls, look at these guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every
single one of them struggles with these issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They deal with lust and temptation on a daily basis and it affects how
they look at women and how they look at themselves, and it’s a very real
struggle in each of their lives.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
kids looked at each other with some discomfort, but the moment passed and they
waited for what else I had to say.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Then, I said, “Guys, look around you at these girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each and every one of them struggles with
their self-value in some way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
wonder if they are pretty enough, smart enough, or valuable enough to be
loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They envy other girls for their
beauty while they secretly doubt themselves.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That’s when it happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought I had understood the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had worked with teens for almost a decade and had a young daughter of
my own, but I didn’t really understand.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I had finished my statement I saw every single one of
those girls, including the adult sponsor get the most heartbreaking look on
their faces and look quickly down at the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears ran down several of their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My words had struck home in a deeply personal way that was
shattering.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My own eyes teared up as I looked upon these girls who I
cared so much about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had known most of
them since they were small children, including the adult sponsor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, every single one of these girls was
beautiful and every single one didn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t say they were beautiful, “just
because I was their youth minister and I was supposed to say that kind of thing;” it’s true, every one of those
young women were physically beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There wasn’t one who wasn’t pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Very pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, I knew
every single one of them, and each was a beautiful person inside too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were my friends, they were my students,
and I loved them as if they were my own daughters. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Yet, here they were broken to their very core by the message
of value that our culture had put on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These lovely young ladies, each and every one, wondered if they were
loveable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not enough to say that my
heart was broken for them… It was torn with grief that they would have to fight
this battle.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As instructed, we broke into two separate groups, male and
female, to have our discussions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
walked quickly ahead of the guys to the room where we were going to talk, so
they wouldn’t see how much this had shaken me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I needed time to gather my thoughts before I spoke again.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have often discussed the issue of pornography with guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe that puberty is a much worse
experience for guys than girls. Everything that happens to guys is in secret
and it is culturally surrounded with shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every guy at some point feels like a dirty little pervert and wonders if
there is something wrong with him, because other guys don’t seem to have these
issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in a culture that is now seems
accepting of pornography, there is still an underlying message that you are
sick if you look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, the pictures and advertising that pervades our media,
magazines, movies, and music are destructive to our young women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Airbrushing, makeup, special lighting and Photoshop,
along with the selection of only a certain female models who meet a narrow set
of criteria, leads us to a standard of beauty that is all but impossible to
meet in the real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I once heard a
quote from a supermodel where she said, “We are freaks of nature.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years ago, we had a young girl in our youth
group who was a model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She did runway
shows and fashion modeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell
you, she was gorgeous even as a teen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tall, thin, long hair, and perfect skin… Amazing physical beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I saw here again a few years later, I
found out she was no longer modeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They told her that she was too fat!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked no different to me, most women
would envy her figure, yet she wasn’t ‘perfect’ enough for the modeling
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Dove (the soap company) has a drive to change this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In their Campaign for Real Beauty, they have
created videos that show the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhCn0jf46U"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">reality of women in
advertising</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> and the </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkFPN1WYi3E"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">painful
truth of how this affects our girls</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">. (Fair warning, the second video is
very sad)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a cartoon
that I have seen several times posted on the internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The caption says, “The difference between men
and women.” It shows two panels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
shows a girl looking in a mirror and the other shows a guy looking in the
mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guy is overweight and bald,
but looks in the mirror and sees himself like Charles Atlas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl is curvy and attractive, but in the
mirror, sees this dumpy ugly woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is so much truth here, it hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">What saddens me the most is that I see this message being
eaten up by my own preteen daughter and her young friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear them talk about diets and exercise,
not because they want to be healthy, but because they think they are fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me want to go have an angry and
quite violent encounter with the editors of every fashion magazine in
existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s time to dump these ideas as a culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t work, and they are spiritually and
emotionally (and sometimes physically) destructive to our daughters…. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">And our wives and mothers too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our culture values youth and discards the
aged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the scene in the movie, “A
Family Thing” where Robert Duvall is looking at old family pictures and says to
the Grandma, “You were very pretty back then,” and Grandma replies, “There ain’t
nothing wrong with the way I look now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, even our adult women are sucked into this twisted culture of youth
and beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liposuction, plastic
surgery, and fad diets are the way of life for many of our adult women.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let’s never spend another dime on one of these
magazines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s turn the channel when
shows like Top Model come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s send
the message to our girls that it’s good to be healthy and fit, but it’s not
healthy to obsess about appearance.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The cultural idea of beauty has changed over time. Sometimes it has been healthy, other times destructive. The 1911 Swimsuit Issue would have looked VERY different from the 2011 one! Let's change this culture's idea of beauty. Let’s send the message to the girls in our lives that they
ARE beautiful as they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let’s work for the day when another youth minister is
standing in a parking garage looking at his group of kids, saying, “You won’t
believe this, but many years ago, our society used to believe that a woman’s
value was in her physical beauty.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hope he never has to see the looks on his girls faces that I saw.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Tall or short.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Curvy or thin.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Black, White, Brown, Yellow, or Red.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Long straight hair or kinky afro.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Blonde, brunette, or redhead.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Young or old.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">You are beautiful, just as God created you.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">---------</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">P.S. To all of you girls that were there in the parking garage that day, you were beautiful then and you are still beautiful today. </span></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-78680108213938863802011-12-01T09:49:00.001-07:002011-12-01T10:57:52.748-07:00Long Before I Tell You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNAG8jN590Y/TtevixagFQI/AAAAAAAAARw/38g5_UM3Ju0/s1600/follow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNAG8jN590Y/TtevixagFQI/AAAAAAAAARw/38g5_UM3Ju0/s200/follow2.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a follower of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t assume you understand <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">what that means.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">It saddens me that <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">you probably don’t know at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even more heartbreaking,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I know you just got a picture<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">in your mind that looks very different<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">from what a follow of Jesus is.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">There are far too many people <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">that you’ve met,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and heard, and seen,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who say they are Christian,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but don’t follow his way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Feed the hungry,” Jesus says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get
them off welfare,” they reply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Give your money to the poor,” he tells the
rich young man<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well,
he didn’t mean me,” they explain away<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Turn the other cheek, and love your enemies”
he teaches<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll
get even,” they respond at work,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and
“torture the bastards” <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they
say of ‘enemy combatants’<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Invite the stranger in,” Christ requires of us,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but
their reply is, “What part of illegal don’t you understand?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Render unto Caesar,” he spoke,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s
not my president, I hate him,” they proudly proclaim.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I don’t condemn you,” he told the woman,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re
going to burn in Hell!” their sign says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">He says that his followers <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">will be known by their love,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but these ones have no compassion <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and forgiveness isn’t there<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">even for others who they claim to be their brothers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">He tells them, “follow me” and to leave <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the things of this world behind,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but they bring an American flag and <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">their political party too,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">as if the Kingdom of God<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">is split into two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s
my Lord, my very brother <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">as I’m a child of God,” they declare<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">while forgetting his words, “My brothers are
those <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who hear God's word <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and put it into practice.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus gave love and compassion <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">to the hurting and lost<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and he gave nothing but contempt and rebuke <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">to pompous religious fools<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who professed to follow God, <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but crushed others with their pride <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and judgment and deceit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">What of those today who claim him as their
own<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but condemn others and live as hypocrites.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know how they mixed up the messages,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the words are right there <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">in millions of copied pages.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">They don’t know his words <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and don’t do his works, <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but unfortunately, <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">arrogance and ignorance go hand in hand<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">just as the songwriter said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Why are the worst examples always the loudest
ones?<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I’m sorry that those are the ones you see on
the news,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the ones who preach at you at work,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the ones who condemn you for your sins <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">while conveniently ignoring their own.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Please know, there are others,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">many more than you realize:<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the quiet ones who listen,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the faithful who follow,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the busy ones who act, <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the selfless ones who serve,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">the ones who take his word seriously,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and do his works generously,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who live justly,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and who love mercy,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who walk humbly with their Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Watch for them, they are there,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and ignore the ones who talk <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but don’t bother to walk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t assume that you know what a Christian
is<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">because you’ve seen those others.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">A person can claim anything they want,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but you can see right through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jesus said you’ll know a person by their
fruit<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">just as you can tell a tree by what it bears;<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">if their fruit is condescension,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">self-righteous judging and rage, <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">they aren’t bearing the truth <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and don’t know his message,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">but if their fruit is love and joy and peace,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">patience, kindness, and goodness,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control -<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">well, that’s the right kind of tree<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and a message you can believe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Judge his message by <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">his followers who really live out their
faith,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who serve you and not hurt you<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who love you and not hate you<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who tell you truth gently and not hate-filled
rhetoric<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who earn the right to be heard and do not
demand it<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who are selfless and not selfish<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">who are like Jesus <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and not like those others you've seen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a follower of Jesus,<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">and I hope you can see him in my life<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">long before I tell you <o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="MsoSubtleEmphasis"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><em><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a follower of him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></em></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-52508288665711822702011-11-29T16:44:00.001-07:002011-11-29T16:54:54.446-07:00Ten Little Indians<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFISDlUzrvE/TtVuRPTUHqI/AAAAAAAAARo/nzbH896tvoc/s1600/teepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFISDlUzrvE/TtVuRPTUHqI/AAAAAAAAARo/nzbH896tvoc/s1600/teepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PFISDlUzrvE/TtVuRPTUHqI/AAAAAAAAARo/nzbH896tvoc/s200/teepee.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The drums start pounding in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rhythm begins building as the chief
raises his arms to the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warrior-dancers
stride boldly in, their warpaint fierce, their faces determined; this is their
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concentration fills their faces
as the wailing music starts and they began to dance around, mimicking the
elements of fire, water, earth and air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They dance with abandon to celebrate the joy of a harvest, to give
thanks for the food they will eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flashes
of light strobe across the scene and voices began to call.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Look this way, honey.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“You’re doing great.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Keep dancing, buddy, follow the teacher.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We parents watched our little preschoolers perform for the
school’s Thanksgiving feast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ten
little Indians were dancing around a fire made of construction paper and
cardboard tubes with a tipi made of window blind pieces standing in the
background. Paper headbands held pink and yellow feathers and tinkling bells
were tied around their ankles.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was probably as politically incorrect as you can get now
days and someone, somewhere is probably offended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, that someone, somewhere is always
offended about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we know
the Native Americans of the East Coast tribes who encountered the pilgrims didn’t
live in tipis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the second song was
sung in Spanish, not the language of the Wampanoag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the pilgrims arguably brought a new
culture that brought change to another culture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But, the kid’s celebration of Thanksgiving was enthusiastic
and warmed everyone’s heart. As far as political correctness goes, they were pretty
diverse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had White Indians, Black Indians,
Hispanic Indians and even an Asian Indian Indian bridging two very different
cultures who share a name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her big brown
eyes would melt anyone’s heart, so I’m pretty sure it made everything OK.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Sometimes an Indian is really an Indian and sometimes, she’s
from India.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes a tipi is a home
for plains dwelling Native Americans, and sometimes it is a butcher paper and
window blind structure for ambience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes a drama is for teaching history, and sometimes it is just
performing for parents.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here’s to all those who fuss and bother about titles and
proper names for things, for those who insist on the correct version of history
and those who are so tolerant that they are intolerant of anyone who doesn’t
agree with them. Relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let’s put aside politics for awhile and just enjoy watching
the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t care about any of
that anyway, they just want to dance for their parents.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Happy Holidays.</span></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-39505397241830503362011-11-14T16:33:00.001-07:002011-11-14T16:49:48.969-07:00What is the Christian Response to Abortion?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ryR-18A46k/TsGlIIoBkpI/AAAAAAAAARg/BLqcrZYCUA4/s1600/christianabortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ryR-18A46k/TsGlIIoBkpI/AAAAAAAAARg/BLqcrZYCUA4/s1600/christianabortion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ryR-18A46k/TsGlIIoBkpI/AAAAAAAAARg/BLqcrZYCUA4/s320/christianabortion.jpg" width="248" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was invited to serve my time on the picket line a few
weeks ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two ladies stopped in my
office to discuss the possibility of my church joining in the protest of a
local practitioner who performs the only private abortions in the state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listened politely and accepted their
literature, but then respectfully told them, ‘No.’</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t like abortion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s be clear about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think it is a positively awful and generally selfish choice that almost always
arises out of poor life decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though the debate often moves to questions like, “What if the pregnancy
is because of incest or rape,” I believe this is the exception and not the
rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With more forethought and more focus
personal responsibility instead of demanding personal rights, there would be
less need for abortions in this country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please understand, if you are a woman who has had an abortion, I do not
condemn you for it, but my heart breaks for the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never turn away someone who has chosen
or is considering abortion, especially in those exception cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I also do not like abortion protests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By and large, they are obnoxious and so
focused on this one issue, that they lose sight of all other humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take much of a leap to go from
charges of murder to feeling obligated to do anything in your power to prevent
the murder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus we get shootings of
abortion doctors and bombings of their centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even those who do not turn to violence, often turn to violent language,
graphic pictures, and intimidating tactics. Violence, hatred, and intimidation are NOT worthy of Jesus and are completely unacceptable from anyone who claims to follow him. I just cannot picture Jesus yelling epithets through a megaphone at a scared young girl. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">During college, members of my class were assigned to visit a
Planned Parenthood and ask questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
enter the center nearest me, I had to go through a heavy steel door with an
armored peephole that looked like it was out of a bank vault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inside lobby was small and the
receptionist window had that thick bulletproof glass that you see in
check-cashing businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interior
door to the counselors and patient rooms was also armored and you had to
present I.D. and wait to be buzzed through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was saddened that those doctors, nurses, and counselors were in an
armed camp, predominantly out of fear of people who call themselves
Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not how it should be.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ladies who invited our church to join them in this current
protest promised me that the signs would be about love and would, in fact, say,
“We Love You, Choose Life.” They told me the protest would be all about letting
the doctor and patients know that we loved them and that there would be no
graphic pictures of aborted fetuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
still am concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who controls what
goes on these signs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who controls who
gets to be there protesting?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the
most peaceful protests tend to draw the fringe elements, and that brings
danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I believe that the Christian response to abortion is not
protest, but Adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My challenge to
any and every protestor who would walk in front of an abortion doctor’s office,
is this: “How many children have you adopted?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For every pastor, teacher, or blogger who has written and spoken on the
subject of abortion, I would ask, “How many young girls have you provided for
so they can have a baby and put it up for adoption?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don’t know that holding a sign has ever changed a single
person’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know that a loving
offer to adopt has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do know that
giving a woman information can make an incredible difference (yet Planned
Parenthood consistently stands against any requirement for this).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know that groups like Crisis Pregnancy
Centers do an incredible job offering counseling, connecting women with
adoption agencies, offering financial assistance, and walking with a pregnant
woman through a tough time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even
offer post-abortion counseling for free, if a woman chooses that route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a believer in putting your money and your action where
your mouth is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>If you cannot stand up,</strong> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">please shut up</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here are the stats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According to the National Abortion Federation’s
website (a pro-choice group), there are approximately 1.3million unwanted pregnancies in
the United States each year. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">According
to Religion Facts, there are approximately 159 million Christians in the United
States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are already as many as a half a million
people seeking to adopt children at any given time in the United States and as
many as 1.58 million who have taken steps to look into adoption according to
Adoption.com.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are around 127,000 children awaiting
adoption in foster care right now, according to the Adoption Institute.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fertility Treatments can cost upward of $12,000
per cycle with the average spent on In Vitro Fertilization in the U.S. of
$100,000 per baby born!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>$4 billion
dollars a year is spent on assisted reproduction in the U.S.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The average cost of a foster adoption is $5,000
with domestic adoptions costing around $10,000 and international adoptions
running from $25,000 - $35,000 according to the Adoption Guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note – there are tax credits and grants for
adoption that alleviate some of this.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The simple truth here is, if every church in the U.S. took
this idea seriously, there would be little or nothing left to protest
about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are just over 12 times as
many Christians as there are abortions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There should be enough families to adopt every available baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If churches and families took the calling to
adoption seriously, there would be millions of families available to adopt and
millions of others available to support the families in those adoptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine if the money spent on fertility
treatments were spent towards adopting unwanted babies and children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine if churches stepped up and committed
to adopting every child available AND supporting those families that went
through with adoptions.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A pastor friend of mine and his wife* shared how they
adopted a little baby girl and then ten months later had the opportunity to
adopt twin newborn boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took little
thought for them to say, ‘Yes.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
said it was so hard taking care of three little babies, two of whom were
preemies, that they remembered little about that first year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What they did share was that the women of their
church brought them dinners every night for six months and then continued to
regularly drop off food for months after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They also had church members who came over and watched the babies
periodically so they could get a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, that’s how it should work!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When we adopted my oldest daughter, we experienced the same
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church members organized meals
for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dropped off gifts of baby
clothing, formula, food for the family, and many other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think we bought a single diaper for
the first year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They helped us with
babysitting, and even just coming to visit.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">That’s how it’s supposed to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christian community is an amazing thing; it's much more powerful than any sign.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not suggesting that this would stop all abortions, but
I do suggest that it could be an amazing, life-changing experience for everyone
involved: the woman facing an unwanted pregnancy, the precious child, the
adoptive family, and the church as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know so many adoptive families and in every single case, the
experience has been a hard one, but a healthy one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The love these families and children
experience overflows on those around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">My wife and I have had a wonderful experience with adoption
and intend to adopt more children in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I invite every Christian family to step up
and either open your lives up to adopt a child, or open your pocket book up to
support adoption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="border-color: currentColor currentColor windowtext; border-style: none none solid; border-width: medium medium 1pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love is a powerful thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it is infinitely more powerful when
it is taken off of signs and put into action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">* Note: My Pastor friend does
participate in the protest at that site, holding a sign that says, ‘We love
you, choose life.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has adopted
several children; he has earned the right to hold a sign.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: currentColor; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a family
looking to adopt, may I recommend Christian Family Care Agency at </span></i><a href="http://www.cfcare.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.cfcare.org</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> ((602) 234-1935 or Arizona Baptist
Children’s Services at </span></i><a href="http://www.abcs.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.abcs.org</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> (623)
349-2227<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you can contribute
to adoption, please consider making a donation to </span><a href="http://www.cfcare.org/donate/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.cfcare.org/donate/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or to </span><a href="http://www.choicesaz.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.choicesaz.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a woman
experiencing an unwanted pregnancy, may I suggest you contact the local Crisis
Pregnancy Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Phoenix, you can
find them at </span></i><a href="http://www.choicesaz.org/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">www.choicesaz.org</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or by calling them at (602) 393-7501.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All assistance is free, fair, and
confidential.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you are a woman who
has had an abortion and would like to talk to someone, they also offer free
counseling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Other services offered
by Crisis Pregnancy Centers include:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pregnancy
testing<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">STD
Testing<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Physician
or Nurse Consultation<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Crisis
counseling<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Counseling
for parents, boyfriends, and husbands<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adoption
counseling<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adoption
referral<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Housing
referrals <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Childbirth
classes<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Parenting
classes<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Abortion
recovery<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ultrasounds<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another option is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope House </span></i><a href="http://womenscpc.org/#/hope-house-maternity-home/4552859533"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://womenscpc.org/#/hope-house-maternity-home/4552859533</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> located in Showlow, Az.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be a drive from Phoenix, but they
offer an actual maternity home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-81590626266549648572011-11-07T14:28:00.000-07:002011-11-07T14:28:32.751-07:00Pride and Prejudice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh3Kulbwq4A/TrhL3h8n0HI/AAAAAAAAARY/WV4HGB9thHk/s1600/PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh3Kulbwq4A/TrhL3h8n0HI/AAAAAAAAARY/WV4HGB9thHk/s1600/PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yh3Kulbwq4A/TrhL3h8n0HI/AAAAAAAAARY/WV4HGB9thHk/s1600/PRIDE_AND_PREJUDICE.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am a racist and very prejudiced; I hate people who are
different from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, that’s what
the writer of a recent email accused me of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was kind about it, suggesting it in an oblique way, couching it in
the nicest terms possible; but it sure didn’t feel very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so hurt and angry, that I had to kick
in my personal safety rule about email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Never respond by email when you are mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It actually took me four attempts at re-writing my response, in order to
calm down and be a peacemaker instead of firing back an accusatory and sarcastic
response in the same character as his original email.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The story behind it is very long, but the short version is
that we disagreed on how to help the homeless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our church and several other churches, charities, and ministries were
asked by the Phoenix Police to assist them by feeding the homeless at a
different location than the city park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The location is a short walk away from the park, has a gymnasium and
kitchen and helps resolve issues of the neighborhood families who would like to
take their kids to the park without having to see people defecating near their
picnic (actual event) or having pedophiles preying on their kids (two actual
events).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The homeless are still allowed
to use the park, they just cannot camp there and the many groups who feed them
are asked to move to this ministry other location that is a mile away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We agreed to work with the police and the
neighborhoods, this other group did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are still feeding the homeless and, what’s more, helping some to get
off the street, into housing, and back to work (4 in the last month).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even cooler, we are able to get dozens of
ministries and charities to work together, pooling our resources and thus doing
more than any one of us could alone.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I offered to meet with the fellow who emailed me and
talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I offered to listen and provide
answers if he needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought that
perhaps he misunderstood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t
interested in talking with someone he doesn’t agree with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He missed the irony of his own email, as much
of his problem was based on his own prejudiced assumptions about me that he
never bothered to clarify.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a friend on Facebook who likes to spout strong
opinions on political issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(actually,
I have several like that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This one, in particular,</span> regularly
reposted half-truths about the opposing party, internet rumors, and false statistics
to back up his point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to post
responses to his comments on a regular basis, asking questions, positing a
different point-of-view, or posting links to Snopes.com and factcheck.org when
he posted things that were internet hoaxes, or I would post links to surveys
which might dispute or clarify what he is saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He privately messaged me and asked me to no
longer do this because he didn’t appreciate how <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i></b> made <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">him</i></b>
look bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I have to give
him some props for being intellectually honest about his intellectual
dishonesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In both of these cases, the issue at hand was pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither one of them could conceive that there
might be another way, therefore, the problem was me – not them.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have a friend who is transgender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We correspond on social media and meet for
coffee every couple of months to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
try to listen and understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to
be completely honest here – I don’t really understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no frame of reference on the struggle;
it’s not mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I have known him
longer than her, pronouns can be a struggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, I listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seek understanding.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I have friends who are far-right conservatives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t agree with them on many issues, most
especially immigration, government regulation, and the way we treat this
planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe they’ve got some
things right, especially that we need to respect and protect small businesses,
those ‘rich’ people who provide most of the jobs in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we disagree, I love discussions
with them, because I can learn something, and hopefully they can too.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have friends who are far-left liberals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t agree with them on many issues, most
especially the idea that it’s OK to steal from someone who has more than you do,
that bigger government is the solution to all our problems, or that some groups
of people still require special rights that others don’t receive. I do believe
they get it right when they suggests that we need to protect our lands from
pollution and when they want to help those in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we disagree on some things, I
love discussions with them too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am an unabashed Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I believe that Christ offers us the only hope of salvation in this
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said, I have friends
who are Jewish, friends who are Buddhist, friends who are atheist, and some
friends who just don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Religious
discussions are some of my favorite, because there are so many ideas to
discuss.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">None of these conversations are comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some, in fact, get down-right
uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years ago, I read that our
brain views attacks on our ideas by releasing the same hormones that a physical
attack on our bodies causes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We go into a
similar fight or flight mode from ideas, just as we would if a guy in a hockey
mask was chasing us with a chainsaw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
no wonder things get uncomfortable, but who promised a life of comfort?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the only point of view you can see is
your own, it’s like placing a mirror between you and other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are there, but you no longer can see
them.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am not a fence-sitter when it comes to ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have opinions, and they have generally been
shaped through much thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not always
right on everthing, but hey, I’m not always wrong either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe the Socratic idea that the
unexamined life is not worth living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thus, some of my opinions have changed over years, often as a result of
a healthy discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politically, I
have been a registered democrat, a registered republican, and now a registered
independent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spiritually, I have been an
anti-Christian agnostic and now am a Christian pastor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Live and learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of this growth has come from people
challenging my ideas.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We have to have people who disagree with us in order to
become whole people ourselves.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">We need opposing ideas to keep healthy points of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We must recognize that few things are truly black and white
and truth is usually found somewhere in the grey middle ground.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, these things are harder and harder to
get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social media, email, and other
technology has made it possible to surround ourselves with homogenous
points-of-view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Facebook and Google both
shift their search results and advertising based on things you have commented
on, people you are connected to, and things you have previously searched
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can be a wonderful help when
you are using the internet as it makes it faster and easier to find things that
interest you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">But, it is also a bad thing as it begins to sift out any
ideas that disagree with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
regularly post from the Huffington Post, you will no longer see any results,
events, or advertising that suggests Republican ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you regularly disagree with President
Obama, you will stop seeing any information about Democratic themes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a Christian, these sites filter out
anything that might challenge my beliefs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For some of people, that may sound like a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, causes increased partisanship
and distills people to extemism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
demonize other points of view to the point that we no longer see them as
people, but as the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just read the
comments on any blog post related to political or religious ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of those commentors no longer see the
other side as humans, just as a problem to be resolved.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Just as a your average mutt of a dog is generally less
susceptible to genetic diseases than a purebred, the distillation of ideas
makes us unhealthy as a people and more susceptible to bad ideas and to violent
disagreements, up to and including civil war.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">We need people who think, believe, and look different from
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must share ideas, discuss
concepts, and seek to bridge our divisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We must let down our walls of pride and separatism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must allow ourselves to ask the question, “What
if I am wrong?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, just maybe, the
other person can help you grow while you, at the same time, challenge them to
growth. The simple truth is that we aren't always going to agree, and that is a good thing. But we must find a way to listen to each other, to take the best ideas, and to give a little and get a little.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let me just offer a caveat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I once was arranging to meet an old friend who I hadn’t seen in two
decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed that I was a pastor
and said that he wasn’t interested in having someone shove their religious
ideas down his throat because he is open-minded and believes x, y, and z.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a certain irony to his statement,
as well as an implied insult, but I replied to him saying, “Open-minded does
not mean empty-minded.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just
hoping to catch up with an old friend; I wasn’t bringing a proselytizing
agenda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did tell him, that he was
welcome to leave religious discussion completely off the table, but if he
wanted to talk about it, then I would be more than willing to meet challenge with
challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you have a discussion
with someone who is challenging your ideas, it is perfectly acceptable to
politely challenge them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let’s do this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you have read this far, take this dare yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seek out someone you would normally disagree
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take them out for coffee and
listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t go in with a bad attitude,
but a welcoming one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider what truth
they might have in their ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open
your mind and think the issues through from their point-of-view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider how to build bridges, and offer
serious but polite challenges back at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the end, you may still hold to a set of principles, but you might
just find that your hard-line ideas are tempered by the recognition that the
side has a valid point or two and that the other person is just that, a person.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Humanity would be much healthier if we could lose a lot of
our pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might just find that we
change our prejudices.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>P.S. – This is a good
time to renew my ongoing offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
want to have a discussion on an issue, if you have questions about my beliefs
(or your beliefs for that matter), if you just want to share your story, then I
invite you to join me for a cup of coffee and conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just click the Free Cup of Coffee link on the
right side of the page and I’ll be glad to meet you somewhere in the valley of
the sun (sorry if you are out of state, but you gotta meet me in the vicinity
of Phoenix, AZ).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll even buy the first
cup.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></i></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-90290328583056247322011-11-02T14:07:00.000-07:002011-11-02T14:07:15.204-07:00Degree of Debt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd0RCf_TDao/TrGv6EtecWI/AAAAAAAAARQ/bqGB1vfmewM/s1600/degreedebt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd0RCf_TDao/TrGv6EtecWI/AAAAAAAAARQ/bqGB1vfmewM/s320/degreedebt.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">College expenses are rising faster than students can pay for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way to graduate
college without a mountain of debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
quality education is out of the reach of most people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These statements and others like them just
aren’t true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s this either/or type of
thinking that gets us in so much trouble as a nation: “You EITHER get in
massive debt OR you don’t get to get a quality college education.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The truth is, though the average college student graduates
with $22,900 in Student Loan Debt<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>1</sup></b>,
it doesn’t have to work this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
past 40 to 50 years, college has become this fantasy experience in our
nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have allowed it to become
this all-expenses-paid right-of-passage full of alcohol, dating, parties, and
entertainment (with a few classes thrown in).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That may be fun, but it is expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve sold a false bill-of-goods to our children and now, those who are
graduating deeply in debt are struggling to pay for an education in an economy
when fewer jobs are available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
angry, and rightly so, but their anger is somewhat misplaced if it is used only
to blame Corporate America for a bad economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps some anger is due to themselves and poor choices that they have
made and unrealistic expectations that they have built their young fantasies
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps some anger is due their
parents, teachers, and guidance counselors who sold them on the myth of the
college experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let’s look at this myth a piece at a time.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">#1 – Let’s be honest here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not everyone has to go to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only that, many people should NOT go to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their study skills, life goals, and sheer desire
may not be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe they are going
because they feel they have to in order to find a good job, or because their
parents want them to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some, a
start in the work force is what is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Others may consider trade schools or union trade apprenticeship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not forget stay-at-home parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Financial concerns should never prevent
someone from getting to college, but desire may (and should).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All too often, we tell kids they must go to
college if they want to be somebody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many of the most accomplished entrepreneurs never went to college or
dropped out without a college degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak dropped out of college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy Joe McCombs of Clear Channel
Mediadropped out of law school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David
Geffen of Dreamworks fame dropped out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Walt Disney dropped out of high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So did Vidal Sassoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So did
Richard Branson of Virgin Records and Ray Kroc of McDonalds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay cosmetics never went
to college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hyman Golden of Snapple
fame, no college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Frank Lloyd Wright
never even went to High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
are hundreds of others on this list<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>2</sup></b>,
so let’s be honest that college isn’t required for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#2 – working your way through college is not a bad
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forget the whole ‘College
Experience.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t need to spend
tens of thousands of dollars to party for four years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is completely possible and realistic to
work 30-40 hours a week and still attend 8-12 hours of classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late nights? Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard work?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Severely curtailed dating
life? Absolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one said it has to
be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, the value of
working during your degree cannot be underestimated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part time jobs in food service, retail, and
even janitorial are great character builders and offer an education in and of
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learn how to deal with
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learn how to serve
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learn the value of a dollar
earned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You learn a trade that will
always be a valuable back up when times are hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I earned my way through college the first
time working in fast food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I
will always be able to support my family in the roughest of times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not afraid of cleaning toilets and I am
not ashamed of flipping burgers or washing dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A waiter or waitress can make great money if
they are hard workers and good at entertaining people too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, the flexible schedule of
restaurant work allows you to go to school during the day and work at nights
and on weekends. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">#3 – in almost every situation, going to an Out-of-state
college is not worth the investment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In-state tuition is cheaper and the ability to stay with relatives*
makes it much more affordable, compared to paying exorbitant out-of-state
tuition and dorm fees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know that
every kid is itching to move away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, I know that Florida State University is right near the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know that every guidance counselor in
high school wants you to apply at every college in the U.S.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, the truth be known, you can get an
excellent education at your State University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">* it was
pointed out to me that some states have larger rural populations that make
staying with relatives an untenable proposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The savings on in-state tuition as well as
using some of these other tips (especially number 4 below) still makes much
more sense than going out of state.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#4 – You don’t have to go all four years to the same
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Save money by taking your basics
at a community college or online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the
current schedule of fees and costs, I can take English 101 at a Maricopa county
community college for $76 a credit hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Contrast that with taking the same class at ASU for $658 a credit hour<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>2</sup></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is TEN TIMES the cost for the same class
that will transfer!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recommend
community college for most kids as a starter for several reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Financially, it is significantly more
affordable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It gives the young adult a
chance to experience a wide range of classes before locking into a degree
program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it gives them a chance to
see if college is even right for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only ones that I recommend go right into a full university are those
kids who have earned a full ride scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they’ve already worked that hard, they are ready for college, and
they don’t have to worry that their classes are more expensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do recommend that any students starting at
community college talk with an adviser from their prospective degree university
to make sure that classes they choose at the community college will
transfer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The great thing about a
community college is it gives you a chance to experiment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take 2-3 classes of basic requirements and 1
class that looks interesting as an elective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most students change their degree program at least once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attending community college first allows you
to try different things before locking in, and allows you to do it at a much
more affordable rate.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">#5 – Scholarships are available for more than just perfect
grades or football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are thousands
of scholarships and grants available for students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just have to find them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The college financial aid counselor will
point you towards some of them, but others require research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first time I went to college in my late
teens, this meant hours in the library looking through Scholarship and Grant
books and then writing essay after essay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This time, it’s all on the internet and you can often apply online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often, you must still include an essay, but
you can copy and paste right from your MS Word document to the online
form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#6 – Extra-curricular activities are just that: extra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless you have a scholarship that demands
your participation in a specific sport or other program, then these things are
tertiary to your primary goal of getting a good education and secondary goal of
paying for the degree without drowning in debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>If</u></i> you have time then
you can join a sport, a club, or a fraternity or sorority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These things may be fun, but they just aren’t
what you are there for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only do
these things distract you from your education and waste time that is better
spent elsewhere, they cost more money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Brutal realism is required for good financial health. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">#7 – Get a degree that matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very few students that I have dealt with over
the years in Youth Ministry have had any clue what they really want to do for a
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often they have these fantasy
jobs and sound certain of their goals with all the assurance of youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who has dealt with High School and
College age kids knows the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
they think they want to do coming out of High School is rarely what they end up
doing for a career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>General degrees in
business and education prepare you for almost any career.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get an Associates and/or Bachelors in these
fields and then specialize with a Masters degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you spend four years on an Art History
degree, don’t be surprised if there are few jobs open when you get out of
college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#8 – You have to earn your stripes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important lesson that we, adults,
can teach kids is that you must expect to work your way up from the
bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to pay your dues. When
you get out of college, you just might not be able to find a job right
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I know, the college recruiter
said that you would be making $100,000 a year within six weeks of graduation
and that the college will help you find that job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guess what… The college recruiter’s job is to
get you to come to their college (and bring money with you).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not always so honest about what
happens after college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, they
cannot control the economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will
probably have to start at the bottom of your degree field and earn you way
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have to do jobs you don’t
like to earn your way to the job you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You may even have to struggle in a different field for awhile till you
can even get into the company you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prepare
for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acknowledge it now and save
yourself the stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is another
good reason NOT to get into huge college debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being debt-free or mostly so upon graduation gives you time to find your
niche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a good reason to work
your way through college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can get
in on the bottom floor in a field similar to or the same as you will be working
in, you may find that internship or first time job that puts you ahead of the
rest of the field when you get out of school.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#9 – You don’t need credit cards to get through
college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sad truth is that most
college students<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>graduate with student
loan debt AND credit card debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
average college senior graduates with an additional $4,100 in credit card debt<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><sup>4</sup></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is in addition to the $20,000 plus in
student loans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Credit card companies
love to come to student events and give away free Frisbees and pizza for
everyone who applies for a credit card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students, whose parents have often spent a lifetime in debt, now sell
themselves into debt slavery for a slice of pizza and a toy that they won’t
even have by the time they pay the bills.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">#10 – College doesn’t have to take four years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, a six year degree while you work is
much more realistic and will provide you with an opportunity to gain
experiences that you might not have otherwise gotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By working your way through a realistic class
schedule, you will be able to have the flexibility to take internships, study
abroad for a year, serve for a summer in a charity, or any number of other life
experiences that will help you be a better, well rounded person and also
impress future employers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The college experience myth is busted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can have that fantasy of fraternity
parties, football games, and dating the cheerleader while going to classes, but
it is going to cost you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you choose
this fairy tale, don’t be surprised when you graduate with debt up to your ears
and little prospect for financial freedom in the near future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, if you accept reality for what it is and
are willing to put a little blood, sweat, and tears (no, not the 70s band) into
your education, you can come out with something of real value at a fraction of
the cost, and with the ability to earn your way to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the rest of us, the teachers, youth
ministers, coaches, parents, and every other person who influences young
adults: it is our duty to help these kids be realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not feed them any more lies about
college and debt, but give them a kick start in life by teaching them the value
of hard work and an earned education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let us pass on the idea that the world doesn’t owe them a living and
they shouldn’t expect someone else to pick up the tab for their choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I am not totally hard-line against any debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have to use a little to get through
your last year unpaid internship, then do what you have to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is much harder to get a master’s degree
debt free, but do as much as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
just the thought of teaching our kids that debt is unavoidable, so let’s just
use loans for all four years and hope that we can get a job right away to pay
it all. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Finally, let us help our kids in the ways we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can financially help a kid get through
college, do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can pay for a
book, buy them dinner, or give them your old computer or bicycle, do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can encourage them, help them research
scholarships, give them a quiet place to study, do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can help them get a part-time job
where you work, or write a recommendation for their internship, do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you can help with their laundry, give them
a ride, or assist them with homework, do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whatever happens, let’s help where we can and let’s not harm them by
perpetuating myths.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">As long as we believe that it isn’t possible and keep
telling ourselves and our kids that, then we will continue to stick them with
large amounts of debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when we quit
making excuses and quit perpetuating myths, then we can change our kid’s
future.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://news.consumerreports.org/money/2011/05/2011-college-grads-have-highest-average-debt-to-date.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://news.consumerreports.org/money/2011/05/2011-college-grads-have-highest-average-debt-to-date.html</span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/100-top-entrepreneurs-who-succeeded-without-a-college-degree/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/blog/100-top-entrepreneurs-who-succeeded-without-a-college-degree/</span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=2353&profileId=2"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/CollegeDetail.jsp?collegeId=2353&profileId=2</span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.credit.com/press/statistics/student-credit-and-debt-statistics.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">http://www.credit.com/press/statistics/student-credit-and-debt-statistics.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">P.S. - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s funny, but I’ve been accused of being
unrealistic and fantasizing for thinking that things can work this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In most cases, it is from people who don’t
want to think they have made wrong choices, so they say things like, “debt is
unavoidable,” or, “it’s just not possible to live debt-free.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I know others who have taken personal
responsibility and recognized that past choices do not dictate the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people are paying off debt steadily and
living less stressful lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
includes myself and my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got
into deep debt during my first college experience and young adult years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After years of hard lessons and even harder work, we are almost debt
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is reality, not fantasy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invariably, the people making the excuses and
saying that debt free living is a fantasy are the ones continually making the
same choices that continually get them further into debt and continually cause
them suffering or don’t want to be honest about their own responsibility for
past choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those who are brutally
honest with themselves get out of trouble, those that blame others continue
living in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is my
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YMMV<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">#Occupy Yourselves</span>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-60227491744906015602011-10-31T12:09:00.000-07:002011-10-31T12:09:45.929-07:00A Comparison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H64yHZJrxDw/Tq7u6653MzI/AAAAAAAAARI/q8RTHlkcjHo/s1600/OWS+VS+TP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H64yHZJrxDw/Tq7u6653MzI/AAAAAAAAARI/q8RTHlkcjHo/s640/OWS+VS+TP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been watching the whole fuss about the Occupy Wall Street and I remember all the fuss about the Tea Party. It's been very amusing to watch the Facebook postings on each. I have friends on both sides of the political aisle and I have now seen several postings comparing the two movements posted by each side. It's fun to watch each side pick the worst fringe of the other side to compare to the best of their own. I can't be sure if they truly believe it or if they are purposely being intellectually dishonest. <br />
<br />
Here is my comparison of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tea Party<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Occupy Wall Street<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grass Roots movement co-opted
by Republicans<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grass Roots movement co-opted
by Democrats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Represents the little guy who
feels stepped on by the government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Represents the little guy who
feels stepped on by corporations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has people dressed in goofy
costumes from 1700s<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has people dressed in goofy
masks from 1600s<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has people playing fifes and
drums<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Has drum circles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blames big government for
everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blames big corporations for
everything<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thousands of people marching in
big cities holding signs calling for change<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thousands of people marching in
big cities holding signs calling for change<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actually has some good points
about the situation we are in with too much corporate money controlling our
government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Actually has some good points
about the situation we are in with too much corporate money controlling our
government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hates the government bailouts
of big corporations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hates the government bailouts
of big corporations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blames President Obama for the
bailouts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Remembers that the Bailouts
started under President Bush and blame him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Offers a several overly
simplistic solutions to a single complex problem <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Offers no solutions to a wide
range of complex problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Caricatures the OWS by
comparing the worst fringe element of the other side with the most logical
and centrist parts of their own movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Caricatures the Tea Party by
comparing the worst fringe element of the other side with the most logical
and centrist parts of their own movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forgets that they only
represent about a third of our country and that the other 2/3 has perspective
and ideas too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Forgets that they only
represent about a third of our country (despite the 99% claim) and that the
other 2/3 has perspective and ideas too.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinks it’s a crime to believe
in socialism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinks it’s a crime to believe
in capitalism<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Old Republicans and young
hipster conservatives<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Young Democrats and old hippies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Primarily composed of real people with a heart to make a difference.</span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Primarily composed of real people with a heart to make a difference.</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Complained that the media, which is (of course) all owned by the left-wing, wouldn’t cover them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Complained that the media, which is (of course) all owned by rich corporations, wouldn’t cover them<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fox News and Drudge Report cover everything positive about this movement. <o:p></o:p>Huffington Post and MSNBC cover
everything negative about this movement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Huffington Post and MSNBC cover
everything positive about this movement. Fox News and Drudge Report cover everything negative about this movement.<o:p></o:p><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conservative media writes articles
saying that you shouldn’t compare these movements because the Tea Party is
right, peaceful, and the voice of the people and the OWS movement is wrong,
potentially violent, and doesn’t represent most of America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liberal media writes articles
saying that you shouldn’t compare these movements because the OWS is right,
peaceful, and the voice of the people and the Tea Party movement is wrong,
potentially violent, and doesn’t represent most of America.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Small fringe groups in this movement
calling for overthrow of government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Small fringe groups in this
movement calling for overthrow of government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">People seen carrying assault
weapons at rally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">People seen carrying assault
weapons at rally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flyers found threatening death
of government officials<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flyers found threatening death
of police<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone spit on congressperson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Someone pooped on police car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some prejudiced hangers-on hate
black people and immigrants and seen carrying signs that suggest the country
would be better off without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some prejudiced hangers-on hate
Jews and Evangelical Christians and seen carrying signs that suggest the
country would be better off without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Supported by two rich old white
guys – the Koch Brothers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Supported by one even richer
old white guy – George Soros<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; border-style: none solid solid; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Held their rallies and stood
around complaining, but then got people out to vote to bring some change to
government<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 239.4pt;" valign="top" width="319">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Holding their rallies and
standing around complaining, let’s see if they can actually get people out to
vote to bring some change to government.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />What a mess we are in as a nation because of discourteous partisanship. It's perfectly OK to have differing points of view, but the lack of any respectful disagreement and the lack of recognition that the other side might have some good points leaves us at war with one another and keeps us voting charlatans and crooks into office because, at least they vote for my side.<br />
<br />
Let's not forget that we are all in this together. RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-72549960142086472292011-10-24T16:17:00.002-07:002011-10-24T16:23:27.380-07:00Cannonballs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxmIM8q_wI/TqXw_cqYYrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DMPtGiz5SD4/s1600/cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxmIM8q_wI/TqXw_cqYYrI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/DMPtGiz5SD4/s320/cannon.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My wife and daughter just got back from a trip to Arkansas, of all places to visit family. They brought back a silly family game with them. At random times during conversation, one of them will suddenly say, "Apology Accepted." No purpose, no reason, just a goofy game. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In real life, apologies should matter. That's what I was taught growing up, but somehow that has changed. Demanding an apology is now just a tool of the overly sensitive and politically correct.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Hank Williams Jr. likens President Obama’s golf game with
Speaker John Boener with Hitler playing golf with Netanyahu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is promptly castigated in the news media
and issues a formal apology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Johnny Depp likens the paparrazi taking so many photos of
famous people without their permission to being raped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is promptly castigated by the news media
and issues a formal apology.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Do a Google search for the phrase “…apologized for saying”
and review the results going back a year or two and you’ll see dozens of people
who made unfortunate (or sometimes completely accurate) characterizations of
situations that they immediately had to apologize for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It always follows the same pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone says something comparing one thing to
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news media jumps on it and
tears them apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pundits speak
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Activists call for their
resignation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person quickly
explains, “I didn’t mean it that way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The news cycle grows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally,
the person gives a formal apology, usually read<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>by their attorney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This apology
is never a real apology but is legalize that says something along the lines of,
“I’m sorry if someone may have been accidentally offended by my words,” without
actually saying anything that might lead to legal action or further
misinterpretation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Do we not know what a metaphor is anymore?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we become so afraid of offending someone
that we cannot use symbolism or allegory?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are we really that uptight that we cannot understand the core truth that
can be found in a little hyperbole and that the exaggeration often points to
the seriousness of the core truth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Do we really need to explain that the President and Speaker
have serious political differences that are radically far apart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can we not understand that having someone
take your picture at all hours in all situations whether you want it or not is
akin to having something stolen from you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Our language has historically been very rich with the use of
figures of speech to make a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Read
some of the greatest historic speeches and you’ll find them littered with
figurative language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a beautiful
thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Speak what you think today in
words as hard as cannon balls, and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard
words again, though it contradict every thing you say today.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Let us be bold in our speech and not give apologies every
time some delicate person feels their ears are wounded by a well placed
simile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let them take this chance to
grow a little and invite them to make polite, but ideally placed turns of
phrase that give a strong clear picture of the point that they wish to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I'm not suggesting that we all be jerks just to be jerks, but certainly, we can say things without having to worry about our every sentence having to be run through a cleanser before being spoken. How flat and grey would our world be if everyone spoke in carefully crafted legalese so as to not offend anyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">With that, I must apologize for using Ralph Waldo Emerson’s
quote that suggests that cannon balls are the equivalent to hard words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am truly sorry if any cannon balls felt
hurt by my poorly chosen words.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Apology Accepted.</span></o:p>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-34031204421027004992011-10-20T15:54:00.002-07:002011-10-20T16:02:16.954-07:00John<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFWGCIGd1A/TqCk75mBkcI/AAAAAAAAAQw/O0syXnENoZo/s1600/Last+Generation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-foFWGCIGd1A/TqCk75mBkcI/AAAAAAAAAQw/O0syXnENoZo/s400/Last+Generation.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“What is this generation going to do?” asked John, as he
stood in the doorway of my office, “How are they ever going to survive this
economy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John is an older man who lives
around the corner from the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stops in my office about once a month for a short conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a joke, because, if you knew John,
you’d know that there’s no such thing as a short conversation when he comes
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been retired for a lot of
years and forgets that not everyone has as much free time as he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I groan inwardly when I see him
come in, because I know I have to stop what I’m doing for a half hour, but
in the end, I generally enjoy our conversations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has seen a lot of things in 80 plus years
of life and, I have learned that if you ask the right questions, he always has an interesting
story.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I can’t call John an old man, because, though he is more
than twice my age, he is still very spry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He lives his life much more fully than many people that I’ve met who are
a quarter of his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rides around on
his bicycle and tinkers around in his tool shed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He works in his garden, and fixes stuff
around the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, he comes
in and talks to the young pastor in his neighborhood on a regular basis.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Usually, when John comes in, it’s to talk about something
specific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has something on his mind,
be it a neighbor who isn’t taking care of their property, or to talk about some
issue of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today, he was wondering about the economy and the Occupy Wall Street protests
in the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that this
‘recession’ seemed to be turning into a depression, and he was worried about
his country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This generation thinks
they should be given everything; they don’t want to work for it, they don’t
want to earn their own way,” he told me, “How are they going to survive
this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I know John was a child during the Great Depression, as he
has shared some of his stories about World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I asked him, “How did your generation
make it?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">He looked me in the eye and said, “Well, we buckled down and
did what we had to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked
hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saved things and made due.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked together to help each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t run out to buy something new when
it broke, we just fixed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it’s
different today, we didn’t have computers and all this new stuff that everyone
thinks they need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“It’s no different today, John,” I replied, “The answer
today is the same as it was back then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People in the 1920s had luxuries, they were frivolous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when the 1930s and 40s came, they
learned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They cut back and made better
choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They worked harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They scrimped and saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They treated their possessions with more
value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families and communities helped
each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grew gardens and canned
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They quit being so wasteful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It wasn't pretty, it wasn't easy, but you did what you had to do. </span>That’s what you grew up with, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Yes, sir, that’s how we did it.” </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Then,” I went on, “That’s how this generation is going to
do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just have some hard lessons to
learn first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, some of us are going
to learn the hard lessons and some of us won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The ones that don’t are going to struggle and blame others for their
problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those that learn those hard
lessons will make it through together, and be better for it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I don’t think he really needed me to tell him that, I think
he was just looking for reassurance that someone else knew the answer too.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">John smiled at me and headed back out the door to his truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped and looked back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parting shot was, “I don’t think you’ll
have to work too hard to learn those lessons.” </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I hope not, John, I truly hope not.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">#Occupy Yourselves</span>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-61322142312488279872011-10-17T13:04:00.000-07:002011-10-17T13:04:55.386-07:00Cooking Up an Answer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCcKKP0A96Q/TpyImVkGeUI/AAAAAAAAAQg/PEFchEvg4WE/s1600/OWS+FOOD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vCcKKP0A96Q/TpyImVkGeUI/AAAAAAAAAQg/PEFchEvg4WE/s1600/OWS+FOOD.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">"There is so much ingenuity and innovation right here in this kitchen that is so lacking in so many other areas of the country," said Sam Tresler, a 32-year-old consultant from Brooklyn as he dropped off a pot of mashed potatoes he had cooked that morning. "It's inspiring."*</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was a quote from one of the people donating food for the Occupy Wall Street group as he dropped off food for the protestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have set up a make-shift kitchen to feed those people who are there and lack food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Volunteers have worked together to solve the logistics of getting food through the clogged streets, portioning out food and serving hundreds of people several times a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The article tells of an 80 year old Jamaican woman who drops a $100 in a donation bucket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She doesn’t give her name because she says she doesn’t want people to think she’s rich, but she wants to try do donate again next week.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Funny. Ironic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It didn’t take the government to make this work. </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">They didn’t need to pay a large food service corporation to make things happen.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">They cleaned up the park too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But they didn’t need the city to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They didn’t need a large janitorial service to do it.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">These people are working together to provide for each other.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">It’s almost like this is the way it’s supposed to work.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I just wish they could see the lesson in this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to be out blocking traffic and holding up picket signs to make a difference for one another in a rough economy.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">You just have to be willing to get your hands dirty, willing to stretch your money, willing to give to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">A single pot of mashed potatoes may feed a dozen people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hundred dollars can buy enough food for several dozen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take an act of Congress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take a shareholder meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes an open heart and a willing soul.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If only they could get off the streets and put these lessons to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grow a community garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start a babysitting co-op.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Potluck with your neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Invite an out of work friend to live with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take food to your elderly neighbor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Barter goods and services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offer that $100 to the guy up the street who is out of work if he’ll fix your cabinets.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Tressler, who so generously brought the mashed potatoes talked about ingenuity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s precisely the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little ingenuity and cooperation to solve financial problems, a little personal responsibility to help others and to get each of our own financial houses together, and we won’t need to occupy Wall Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll occupy ourselves. Ingenuity has always been the American Way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do these things and you take the power away from politicians and corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Riot in the streets and you give them back the power to ‘solve’ your problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t be pawns of politicians, unions, or wall street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let anarchy rule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vote with your ballot to change the politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vote with your dollars to change corporations.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">#Occupy Yourselves</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">* Quotes and information from article found in the Arizona Republic: </span><a href="http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/10/17/20111017protest-food1017.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2011/10/17/20111017protest-food1017.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>viewed at 12:36pm 10/17/2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Article originally posted by </span></span></i></b><strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Helen O'Neill</span></i></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> - Oct. 17, 2011 12:00 AM <span class="org">Associated Press</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-53910827865606154272011-10-13T14:53:00.005-07:002011-10-13T15:11:07.856-07:00The Only Man in the Room Without a Tallit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNGMJ-QqgPg/TpdcvJZoV5I/AAAAAAAAAQY/IJxKlaxGFBw/s1600/tallit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNGMJ-QqgPg/TpdcvJZoV5I/AAAAAAAAAQY/IJxKlaxGFBw/s400/tallit1.jpg" width="217" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The service began thirty minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Actually, I'm not entirely sure. </span>Somewhere off to my right some one is singing in Hebrew, but I can’t see him because I am sitting slightly behind the stage and my view is partially blocked by lace curtains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dozens of men milled around on my side of the room, shaking hands, greeting one another with a rousing L’shana Tova!*<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were putting on their prayer shawls (Tallit), long white pieces of fabric usually with blue or black stripes and long tassels attached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Hebrew singing continues and periodically some of the men will join in with the chant, but most are paying no attention as they catch up with friends, holding conversations on business, school studies, and how their kids and grandkids are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though many people say, hello and L’shana Tova to me, I feel distinctly out of place and unsure of myself.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It all started a couple of weeks before the service when I asked a business acquaintance, who I knew to be Jewish, if he could recommend adult Hebrew classes for me to help me with my seminary studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a brief conversation about religious difference that culminated in him inviting me to Rosh Hoshana services at Chabad of Scottsdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I showed up a thirty minutes early and hoped to see my friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood out front, off to the side and watched the line of people entering the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wore a suit, figuring it was better to be overdressed than too casual, but many of the younger men were wearing casual clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being Scottsdale, I had to laugh at the man wearing cowboy boots, a western vest and a yarmulke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, this older gentleman came up to me and asked in an accented voice, “Why wait out here and don’t go inside?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him that I was new and waiting for a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “From today on, I am your friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can come inside now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that, he took my shoulder and escorted me inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him, I have no kippah (yarmulke) and he laughed and said not to worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What color you should want, red, black, green, blue?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll get you one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking through a drawer, I found a simple black one and put it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then showed me to my seat and wandered away, jovially saying, L’shana Tova to everyone he passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Somehow, I was expecting something similar to Christian church services I have attended so many times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing of the like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though it was a religious service, and there were many things that were similar, it’s the small differences that made it such a cross-cultural experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s even hard to explain all the differences, but they added up to an experience that was far from anything else I’d ever experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The elderly man who was my new friend, came wandering back with the Rabbi, who promptly began speaking to me in Hebrew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embarrassed, I told him I wasn’t Jewish and spoke no Hebrew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled friendly and told me that’s OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> (it made me think of the old Mel Brooks movie joke, "I'm not Jewish" and the response is, "That's OK, nobody's perfect.") </span>My new friend told him I was waiting for my business acquaintance, whom the Rabbi knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rabbi welcomed me and wandered off, back to the stage area which was actually around the corner from my chair, so I couldn’t even see what was going on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The service continued with the Chazzan (song leader) singing in Hebrew with brief moments of audience participation in Hebrew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The service was laid out in a book with Hebrew on one side and the English translation on the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to follow along, but, since everything spoken was in Hebrew, the English was only of limited help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally recognized the Hebrew word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">melech</i> which I know means ‘king’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since they use that word A LOT, it became easy enough to at least keep up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rabbi also kept calling out the page numbers, so I managed to stumble along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still felt greatly out of place because the others knew when to stand, to sit, to take a few steps back and forward, and when to bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I was always a little bit behind. </span>This part was very comparable to a Catholic service, which, since my wife grew up Catholic, I have had occasion to experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The Rabbi came back and brought someone else with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He introduced us and told the new guy who I was waiting for and they both wandered off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Periodically, the Rabbi would bring someone else by and let him know who I was waiting for and would introduce us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this occurred while the service was going on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the next hour or so, men and women continued arriving, going to their different sides of the room and beginning rounds of greeting with those participating in the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slaps on the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greetings of L’shana Tova.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Discussions about children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These all continued while the Hebrew singing and audience participation continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, the Rabbi and others kept bringing people up to meet me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me chuckle to picture this happening at a Christian church, with people greeting each other while worship went on or while the pastor gave his sermon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s more, as the service continued over the next few hours, I noticed that people were not only coming in, but wandering out and leaving on their own schedules.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My friend finally showed up and stopped to welcome me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several men came by and told him I was there looking for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He must have thought that I had met the whole congregation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By that time, I may have, because of the busy little Rabbi introducing me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave some explanation and guidance about what was going on and a little about what the purpose of the service was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He invited me to stay or leave as was comfortable and then went to his assigned seat to participate.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">After five hours of Hebrew singing, quiet prayer, a brief homily in English, shofar blowing and lots of standing and sitting, I finally had to go pick up my daughter from school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quietly left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I was sad that I couldn't stay through the end, but I had enjoyed the experience. </span>Perhaps the only disappointing part of the whole experience was the blowing of the Shofar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expected a deep resonating tone, like something out of an old movie about Vikings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it was shorter and high pitched, more like a child’s toy horn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just goes to show that we shouldn’t base our expectations on Hollywood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">My favorite observation concerned the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They came and went, often coming into the room and climbing up on Grandpa’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the rabbi held a young boy for awhile while still running the service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How rich it must be for children to grow up immersed in their culture and not sent off to another room for a watered down version of religion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I truly loved the respect they showed to the Torah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they opened the Ark each time, where there were several Torah stored, everyone would stand and become quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These were no small scrolls, but very large, very ornate, and very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it was finally time for the Torah reading, they brought two out and walked them around the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men would touch the corner of their Tallit to the Torah scrolls and then kiss the Tallit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would wish that more Christians held that type of respect to the word of G-d.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Though somewhat uncomfortable, as all cultural experiences are, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it made me question my own traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When someone comes in and visits our church, do they have any idea what is going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though our service is in English, does an outsider understand some of the words and phrases that we use that are specific to Christian faith and practice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we missed out on some beautiful and rich traditions by losing the essential Jewishness that marked Yeshua, Shaul, Shimon, (Jesus, Paul, Simon), and the other disciples, and completely saturated their teachings? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the short conversation that my friend and I had weeks before, when he invited me to the service, it was immediately clear that he misunderstood some basic concepts of Christianity, even though the Christian faith came directly out of the Jewish faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure that this is how he understood things from previous explanations, but still, it wasn’t quite right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can we better communicate our similarities and the truths of what we believe without assuming that they already understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have we lost in our Christianity over the centuries, considering the first ‘Christians’ were actually Jews who believed that Meshiach had come in the form of Yeshua.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">During the service, it was painfully obvious that I was the stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the only man in the room not wearing the Tallit and obviously out of place and unsure, I must have stuck out like a sore thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though people were very welcoming and polite, it was still clear that they recognized me as a visitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes me wonder, how then can we as Christians be welcoming without making someone feel like they are the stranger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to be honest, while we don’t wear any special clothing like a Tallit or kippah, it is still clear who comfortably belongs and who is just visiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am thankful to my friend for inviting me and I hope to visit again, because I want to understand the similarities and the rich history that comes from our Jewish roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are separated by the belief that Meshiach has come, and by some unfortunate historic anti-semitism that must be apologized and atoned for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, those things don’t have to separate us today as people of G-d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will continue to build my Hebrew vocabulary till I am fluent, in hopes to be a better scholar and to better understand the precious word of G-d.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Next time I visit, though, I’ll bring my Tallit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually own one that I purchased for Seder several years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that way, I won’t feel so out of place, and really…. just how many chances does one get to wear a Tallit?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Till then, L’shana Tova Tikatevu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May you be inscribed in the Book of Life.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Please know that these are observations from an outsider and not meant to be flippant or in any way disrespectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any accidental affronts, misuse of terms, or misunderstanding of the events described are unintentional, coming solely from my ignorance and only reinforce my desire for understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please accept my apology if there are any such offences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for sharing your faith and traditions with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you to Jerry, Nathan, the Rabbi whose name I missed, to the Orthodox Jewish young man who gave me his seat, and the dozens of wonderful people who were so welcoming to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks also to Chabad of Scottsdale for the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May you each be blessed by the King and Creator of all.</strong></em></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">*L’shana Tova means Happy New Year in Hebrew</span></span></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-33903047212320040402011-10-10T12:00:00.000-07:002011-10-20T16:08:15.939-07:00THEY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzMLIic8q3A/TpM_9hooZuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/72XgQtGxdMQ/s1600/99percent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YzMLIic8q3A/TpM_9hooZuI/AAAAAAAAAQM/72XgQtGxdMQ/s320/99percent.jpg" width="320" /></a> <span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was at Starbucks about a month ago and saw a guy come in and ask for a free cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked like he might be homeless, but not so far gone that he really was living on the streets for any length of time, more a panhandler than someone really in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Barista said, “I’ve told you before, you can’t come in here and get free coffee and you aren’t allowed to ask customers for money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can have water, but that’s all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave the guy a cup of water and the panhandler said, “What, no ice?,” as he walked out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A female customer at the cash register started castigating the barista.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Why couldn’t you just give him a cup of coffee?, she asked, “Why did you have to be such a jerk about it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She continued to harangue him about how Starbucks can afford to give away coffee because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> make so much money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why should the barrista care if <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> lost a few cents giving away one cup of coffee?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wondered at the irony of her situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here she was castigating Starbucks for being rich and not being as generous as she thought <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> should be, but she, who was standing there waiting to pay $5 to Starbucks, never once offered to buy the homeless guy a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s so much easier to blame <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i></b> than to blame ‘I’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are mysterious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are aloof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are different from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are faceless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> cause all the problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> are to blame.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">They</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> don’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Politicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Corporate fat cats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investment Companies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As if some alien species came to earth in the last few decades (during the Bush years if you are a Democrat or during Obama’s administration if you are<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a Republican), suddenly, there is this ober-class of people who are to blame for all that’s wrong in this country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any serious student of history can tell you that it’s always been this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>J.P. Morgan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leland Stanford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John Jacob Astor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dale Carnegie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cornelius Vanderbilt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Charles Schwab. Fisk. Duke. Plant. Ford. Seligman. Frick. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rockefellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Kennedys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Du Ponts. The Lehmans. Many of these names we recognize as street names and product names.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are responsible for some of the greatest acts of philanthropy in our nation’s history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many are also responsible for terrible depredations on their workers, the environment, and on consumers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s no different today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are rich people like Steve Jobs, so lately lamented, but known specifically for his lack of generosity and his cutthroat business decisions and tyrant management style.. Or perhaps Bill Gates, also known for cutthroat business, but also known for enormous acts of charity and generous donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It sure is easy to blame those rich people for our problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s even easier to blame the anonymous banks and big corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is no person’s name attached, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> become an even easier target for our ire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How dare <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> have billions of dollars when I struggle to pay my mortgage, my car loans, my student loans, and my credit cards?!?!?,” we demand with righteous indignation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“What’s up with these politicians, why do <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> keep screwing us so badly with laws that don’t help the little guy?!?!?!,” we yell out with all the moral anger we can muster.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Good questions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not really a good questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, quite bad ones.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Perhaps we should rephrase them:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How dare I complain about faceless bankers when I keep using their money so poorly?” and, “Why do I keep voting for the same people just so my party stays in control, with little or no consideration to the best choices for the country?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The problem with our nation comes down to 308, 600,000 individuals (give or take a million) who need to start taking personal responsibility and quit blaming the unnamed <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i></b> for our problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We need to swear off debt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quit borrowing from Bank of America and suddenly that BOA constrictor loses its power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t like that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i></b> are charging a fee for debit transactions… Vote with your feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t spend another dime with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Period.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Upset that hedge funds, junk bonds, and mortgage securities were at the heart of our current economic recession?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s time to reconsider the idea that everyone should own their own home, including people who cannot afford one or people incapable of paying their bills on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it is time to take personal responsibility for wisely purchasing just enough home for what we need and not overburdening ourselves with large houses just because, at the top of the market, we could convince a bank to give us that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s time for families to live together again, supporting mom and pop or giving the kids a chance to save up for a better start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s time for us to educate ourselves on mortgages before we take whatever product the realtor, banker, and broker convince us to take.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s time to go back to the idea of saving up a huge down payment, learning discipline in the process, and then paying off that mortgage as fast as we can.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Don’t like that partisanship in politics?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quit voting your party line and take the time to educate yourself on the individuals on both sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider that there are people on both sides of the issue and perhaps we need to give a little credence to the other side and the middle too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, instead of complaining about gridlock, we should stop listening to soundbites and recognize that a nation of 308 million people are actually going to have different points of view from you and perhaps that’s a healthy thing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the heart of this is individual responsibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s not enable those who are occupying Wall Street now and blocking real working people from their jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s encourage them to occupy themselves with working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have large amounts of student loans to get a degree in art history, perhaps it’s time to learn a hard lesson about the real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there aren’t jobs there, create something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Start a new business or create a new product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe, consider moving to a place where there are jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the American way and it is this innovation, stick-to-it-iveness, and willingness to work that have made us such a leader among nations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of those rich people that we covered above didn’t start out that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are the richest people in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the richest 4% or so of the entire world, let’s try to keep a clear focus on the fact that there are billions of people who would be willing to tell us, in a multitude of languages, where we can stick our pre-printed 99% signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one loud and raucous voice, they would shout together in Hindi, Farsi, Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, Mandarin, Urdu, and a hundred other languages that they would be more than willing to take our jobs and work without complaining, that they would gladly accept our educations and put them to work, that they would give anything to have won the cosmic lottery that is a U.S. citizenship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those who are occupying Wall Street and other locations – I respect your voice that times are hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t respect mob control and I certainly do not respect the politicians who are trying to make political hay out of this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean up your mess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put down the signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ditch the ridiculous hyperbolic rhetoric of, “hitler’s bankers,” “crimes against humanity,” “enslaved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grow up and join the real world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yes, times are hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the Economy is rough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, corruption has happened.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But, stop blaming “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">They</i></b>” and start saying, “<strong><em>I</em></strong> will take responsibility for myself.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">* For the record, I spent more than a decade working for banks and mortgage brokers, including at least half that time at Bank of America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a corporate culture, they are not a good company to work for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have led the charge on almost every fee that could be charged to their customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They regularly reorganized, right-sized, downsized, rif’ed, and every other pseudonym for messing with their employees lives in the interest of increasing stock-holder profits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always wondered at what point someone would realize that you can cut a pie a hundred ways and still have the same amount of pie, just much messier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t bank with them and I don’t recommend anyone bank with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If A.P. Giannini truly was the man that they said he was, who built his bank by working with the common working man, then I am absolutely sure he is spinning like a dervish in his grave at the company that Bank of America has become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me take advantage of this blog to recommend that you never work for, borrow from, deposit money with, invest money in, or even walk too slowly past Bank of America or any of the other large banks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use small local banks and credit unions for deposits, and live debt free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If enough of us do that, then real change can occur in that industry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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</div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768605238573472060.post-45254616695772826032011-09-06T11:45:00.000-07:002011-09-06T11:45:35.402-07:00It's Your Choice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQDQAAXuhCQ/TmZqF5JKHoI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7CuTeZA4I1w/s1600/sodachoice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AQDQAAXuhCQ/TmZqF5JKHoI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7CuTeZA4I1w/s320/sodachoice.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Her finger waivered, floating back and forth over the dozen items on the touch screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stood there for an eternity before realizing that she was holding up other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave an exasperated shrug and then settled on Coke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just plain old Coca-Cola.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she walked off shaking her head.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sat watching as person after person encountered the new soda machine at a fast food restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This machine offers dozens of soda choices to begin with, along with tea, sports drinks, and flavored waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On top of all of that, there are a bunch of flavorings that you can add to each drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each item you choose leads to a submenu of more choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of where I sat, I could see the people and their faces at they dealt with the multitude of options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Throughout my lunch it was interesting to note that almost everyone who used the machine would just stand their completely befuddled for a few seconds up to a minute or two, ranging through the choices.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At first it was just amusing, but then, I began to take interest and spent my lunch watching this phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even adjusted my seat so I could observe their choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time and time again, after a lengthy time of confusion, the participants in my unofficial experiment chose just plain Coke, just plain Pepsi, or just plain tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The line sometimes got quite long as each person had to face the cacophony of choices.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would observe that the more choices we are given, the less choice we end up having.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example: if Fastburger puts in a Coca-cola machine and all options are Coke products, then your average Pepsi drinker will have a Coke when they go there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, if Tacos-R-Us across the street offers both options, then your Pepsi drinker will generally choose Pepsi products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If the Pepsi is runs out, then he might just try Coke, Mountain Dew, or even have some water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, Chicken Delight opens up with their multi-choice machine and in most cases, Pepsi man is just going to revert to Pepsi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is unlikely to try something new and is likely to bypass all the extra choices for that which is comfortable.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watched this happen recently in my own family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were looking to paint a few accent walls in the new place, so the wife and kids and I all piled in the car and went to the local Home Depot paint section and grabbed all of the decorating samples and pamphlets in the paint section. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told my wife to pick the accent colors and I’d paint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A week went by, then two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw her looking through the stack of samples time and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally asked her what colors she wanted and she told me she just couldn’t decide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I took the samples and narrowed the choice down to three sets that I liked and gave them to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then quickly made her mind up in a matter of minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many choices were overwhelming, but narrowed down to a few, she could quickly judge between them.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Who cares about soda choices or the paint on the wall?” you may ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly doesn’t matter in the bigger scheme of things, but human behavior can be observed in these little microcosms of life.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Consider the amount of advertising, media, and marketing we face on a daily basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way we can take it all in, so we begin to tune much of it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have thousands of choices that we face each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Offer a person a few choices and they will tend towards their comfort zone but may occasionally step out and try something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, offer this same person hundreds of choices and they will always revert to the simplest and most comfortable option.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is almost a paralysis in overwhelming choice that leads to an irony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">More choices = less options = less trying of new things<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fewer choices = greater options = more experimentation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This whole idea plays out in the political arena too and is, in fact, becoming a dangerous threat to our political system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to gain control of the issue of choices, systems like Facebook and Google cater to our existing comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The results that show on a given Google search or the advertisements that Facebook shows you are based on previous choices, comments, notes, and searches that you have done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This begins to limit your access to important information from other points of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is rapidly distilling our points-of-view and making us more and more partisan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The threat of propaganda and lies become that much more real because we no longer receive the broader range of information, and often, our minds become more and more closed to what little we see from the other side.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I watch this happen, almost on a daily basis, on Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have friends who are Republican and friends who are Democrat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their posts are always very partisan and they see major events through a polarized lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When something happens in the world, I can usually predict what each of them will post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This used to be an amusing game: ‘Guess what So-and-So will post about the president’s speech?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is no longer funny, because it occurs to me that we are polarizing ourselves into two nations within a nation.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m not sure what the answer is here, but it will be interesting to watch this play out over a generation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My children will be exposed to more information and choices than I ever have known in my lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be bombarded with data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are already aggressively marketed to, by an industry that no longer waits until they are teens to target them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will they develop ways to use this information and grow from it, or will they become overwhelmed by the deluge and retreat to the comfort of a single point of view that pits one group of people against another?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are richer when we reach out to others who believe differently from us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are stronger when we test new ideas and logically accept or reject them based on fact and not emotion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are better people when we associate with those who look different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We grow by rubbing off on each other and being challenged on what we think we know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will our choices control us or will we control our choices?</span></div>RODG3Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17605495378862251962noreply@blogger.com0