Greg votes...

Good afternoon, y'all

Thought I'd offer some views on the bubble sheet I'll be filling in on Tuesday.  I don't think my precinct will have the touchscreen, but if they do, here's where my index finger will/would be pointing. (I know the title is lame, but it's the best I can do without sounding like Kevin Costner in "Swing Vote."

MISSOURI SENATE = Roy Blunt
Sorry, Robin Carnahan.  Both "Blunt" and "Caranhan" are well known names in Missouri politics, so no one can claim "outsider"status here.  And you've both done your share of mudslinging.  I just have no desire to see more of what I've seen over the past two years.

MISSOURI REPRESENTATIVE (8th District) = Jo Ann Emerson
Two years ago, Tommy Sowers could have REALLY made this interesting.  But, after the past two years, why reward the Democratic party with more ability to pass multi-thousand page bills at 11:30p.m. CST.  It'd only be hyperbole if they hadn't already done it TWICE...

STATE AUDITOR = Tom Schweich

CAPE COUNTY PRESIDING COMMISSIONER = Clint Tracy
I think his experience in Jefferson City as Cape Girardeau's representative will serve the county well.  Pat Wissman (D) has also voiced opposition to using the old federal courthouse as a replacement to the Common Pleas Courthouse, which would not make me want to vote for him regardless.

CAPE COUNTY RECORDER OF DEEDS = Janet Robert
About the only Democrat I'm voting for.  She's done the job admirably while she's been in that office.  I see no reason to chance something that's working well.

FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH :: over in Illinois, I'd be a supporter of Republican Mark Kirk over Democrat Alexi Giannoulias for the U.S. Senate, and Republican Bill Brady over Democrat Pat Quinn for Governor.  In a state that is MONTHS, bordering on YEARS paying it's obligations to schools, counties, and doctors, why would I want to reward the powers/party in charge with another term?  Take one good look at Alexander County, and tell me how things have improved over the last couple of years.  Can't run a sheriff's department with the squad cars (you can't buy save for some charity from another department in Florida!) that you can't afford to keep gassed up.  The city of Cairo, IL, is a whole set of depressed and forgotten about from the folks up in Chicago.

Those in Cape Girardeau will be asked (for the third time) if they support the licensing of gambling/gaming operations in the city.  A yes vote would allow the city to pursue the final gaming licence available in the state.  For what it's worth, I'd recommend a YES vote on this one.  Put simply, if Isle of Capri's operation puts 400-475 people to work in an area with unemployment bordering up against 10%, why not allow what would be SOUTHEAST MISSOURI'S 6 to 8TH LARGEST EMPLOYER?  The two hospitals, Southeast University, TG-Missouri (Perryville), Mary Lee-Gilster, and Noranda (I think) would be the only bigger employers.  Morality aside, it is legal in this state, and my libertarian side, seeing the pros outweigh the cons, says go for it.(See editorial, Sunday, Oct. 24, for a full perspective.)


Those in Jackson will also be asked to approve a 1/4 cent sales tax in order to allow the construction and manning of a new fire station to cover the east side of the town.  Jackson, you've been growing by leaps and bounds over the past two decades.  Part of being a bigger city is making sure you can effectively serve your population.  I'm surprised that Jackson is STILL a one-fire-station town.  I'd vote YES.

MO Proposition A would prevent cities and counties in Missouri, other than St. Louis and Kansas City (who already have them) from imposing an earnings tax, and would require the voters of St. Louis and Kansas City to hold separate votes every 5 years to determine if the earnings tax remains or is phased out over a 10 year period.  Once gone in those two cities, it could not return.  At first, I was very much in favor of this proposal -- it's no secret that I'm in favor of anything that makes it tougher for taxes to be increased, and easier for taxes to end.  And I see the success of Cape Girardeau's Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) taxes (now in it's FOURTH rendition) as proof of the effectiveness of sunset clauses.  But I'm a little concerned that the entire state is being asked to vote on something that most directly affects the two largest cities in Missouri.  Why aren't the citizens of those two municipalities making that decision.  Of course, if it were just a vote of those two cities, many of those who work in St. Louis city and Kansas City wouldn't have a say in things.  A little split on this one, but I'm thinking this will get a YES vote from me.

MO Proposition B would prevent large-scale dog breeding operations from neglecting dogs, establishing new baseline handling and care standards, and would put limits on the number of dogs available for breeding at each operation.  Also creates a new misdemeanor of "puppy mill cruelty."  My question is "why?"  Outside of seeing cute fluffy puppies horribly mistreated, the arguement that current law fully enforced wouldn't correct the situation hasn't been made.  It hasn't even been offered.  Plus, considering the anti-agriculture and anti-hunting stances of the Humane Society of the United States (not to be confused with the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri or your local animal shelter) and the ASPCA, the fine print worries me.  Voting NO on this one.  Try again.

MO Constitutional Amendment 1 = Require County Assessors to be elected from all counties.  Why is the state dealing with something that is best handled at the county level?  More importantly, why are people wanting to make a position that handles how much your property is valued in regards to property taxes an elected position?  Since I can't tell why this is on the ballot, voting NO.

MO Consitutional Amendment 2 = Exempt former prisoners of war with a disability that is the direct result of their service in our armed forces from property taxes on their homestead.  Granted, if anyone deserves a property tax exemption, it's those who've served in our military, especially POWs.  Only problem with this is that I can easily see a slippery-slope on this one.  What about police/firefighters/military killed in action...    Kinda SPLIT on this one.

MO Constitutional Amendment 3 = Prevent state, county, and other political entitites from imposing any new tax regarding transfer of real estate.  Property owners already pay property taxes every year.  Plus, I'm all for eliminating any additional paperwork, fees, delays and taxes when I'm buying the largest item most people own in their life.  Voting NO on this one.

Random Funny Thought On Nutrition

From the fine friendly folks at Doghouse.

On September 11

Good morning, y'all: 

My apologies for the delay in getting this out -- trouble getting to the library plus a troublesome work schedule caused a few things to be pushed off the stove.

Two great articles here.  One is from Dan McLaughlin over at Redstate.com;  "Where I Was On September 11", giving his eyewitness testamony as to the events of 9/11, and some of his thoughts.  The post was originally written just after the terrorist attacks, so it gives some of the raw, unfiltered sort of first-hand experience as to what happened, especially when you're running late, but on your way to the 54th floor of Tower 1.  The second is from Doctor Zero, "To Battle The Unimaginable."  Given all the excitement over mosques, burning Qu'rans, and First Amendment rights, he reflects a little bit on the fact that, despite it all, our flag has never been truly desecrated, and how, regardless of scope or scale, America truly is a fight against previously unimaginable forces.  Both are worth a few moments of your time.

Next year, I'll be a little bit more timely.  Or at least I'll try...

Greg

On honor

Just read a great posting from Doc Zero. If you're just coming out from under a rock from this weekend, Glenn Beck hosted a rally on Saturday, called "Restoring Honor." Proceeds went to benefit a fund for children of special forces soldiers who had fallen in the line of duty.

I've mostly seen Americans as an honorable, moral and just people. So where did we fall down as a country? Food for thought here in this post. What are YOUR thoughts?

The post is right here.. Check it out, and toss your thoughts into the hopper.

See you next time ~ Greg

Maxwell ~~ "Acting Against Discouragement"

I like reading John Maxwell.  Having seen him in several of the Maximum Impact simulcasts, I like the way he presents lessons on ethics and leadership.  His recent post, "Acting Against Discouragement," tells the story about Samuel L. Jackson, and some lessons learned.  Thought it was good, so passing it along to you.  Because, who ISN'T dealing with some sort of discouragement?  (Especially on a Monday!)

The article is right here.  Enjoy!

Greg

"Right To Do" vs. "Right To Do"

Yes, I know that within two blocks of Ground Zero:

• There are "gentlemen's clubs".
• There is a McDonalds, Burger King, a BBQ restaurant, and a Dunkin Donuts. (While I haven't seen a photo of it, there's gotta be a Starbucks somewhere around there...)
• There is an Off-Track Betting center.
• There is a Vitamin Shoppe.
• There is an Irish themed restaurant and pub.
• There are countless street vendors selling t-shirts and other, too numerous souvenirs of the city. Probably replete with cheezy apples and replicas of Lady Liberty.
• There are so many other enterprises, businesses and centers of commerce in that area that to save you from clicking elsewhere due to boredom, I'll end the list here.

And when 19 strippers, fast food cooks, baristas, pharmacists, thoroughbred horses, or irish pub goers take up box knives (or doughnuts, bottles of vitamins or cheezy souvenirs) and kill 3000 people in the single largest terrorist act on American soil, then I'll conceed that you may have a point.

19 men, who had a twisted, distorted view of Islam, killed themselves in the name of their god. The people involved in this sick, perversion of a religion have engaged us from the shadows in what has already become our longest war.

Coupled with that, the fact that throughout history, mosques have been built right on top of churches, synagogues, and other sites holy to other religions once conquered by those in the name of Islam. Conincidence could be plausible if it only happened once or twice. Not when the world's largest cathedral and orthodox patriarchial bascilica, St. Sophia, (located in Constantinople, Turkey) is replaced with the principal mosque of Istanbul. (It is now under the conservatorship of the Turkish government as a treasure of architectural history -- it is the first example of a round dome being placed atop a square building.) We can also look to Jerusalem, where one of the holiest sites in Judaism, the Temple Mount, now is the site of the Al Aqsa mosque. We can also look to Cordoba, Spain, where after that area was under Muslim control, a mosque was built immediately atop the existing churches. (It should be noted that the developer's original name for this project was "Cordoba House.") Other examples reside in the Far East, where Hindu temples have fallen to the same fate. (h/t to Polipundit.com for this post with more examples.)

Do we, as Americans, have a right to build houses of worship without government interference? Absolutely. Do these "Park 51 / Cordoba House" developers have this same right? Absolutely. But where did we lose the ability to say that while they may have the right to do a thing, that it may not be the right thing to do, and to comment and criticize accordingly? Wouldn't calling me (and all those opposed to this project) racists, Islamophobes, and all the uneducated epitaphs imaginable have a chilling effect on my right to free speech? You mean it's acceptable to argue and debate, as long as I agree with you? Just as freedom of religion is not an incremental right, neither is freedom of speech. Calling me names is just an fancy way of saying that I win in the arena of ideas.

Do they have this right?  Yes.  Is it right?  No.

Comments of all flavors are welcome. As always, be respectful, or be deleted.

Oops, almost forgot. When we talk of "property rights," are we ignoring Kelo v. New London? Or Tourkaris v. Arnold? Just wondering...

Greg

"The Destiny Of A Free Nation"

Read through this article by Doctor Zero at , and was thouroughly impressed. A great statement on what The American ideal is, and what it should not be. Beyond that, I can add little else. Take a read, and tell me where I'm wrong, or right.

Here's the article at HotAir.com. The article at Doctor Zero's site can be found right here. Or just head to www.doczero.com and check out this and other articles.

Until later,
Greg

Reflections on 3000 People and God's Sword

Over the past few weeks, I've been hearing, from various sources, references to the Book of Exodus.  (Jeremiah is also coming up, but I need to do some more reading...)  It seems logical -- with high unemployment, trying economic times, and unrelenting summer heat ("Heat index DOWN to 118 degrees"?  C'mon!), it's definitely a time of testing, trying, and purification for all those enduring the summer time doldrums also known as the "dog days of summer."  But as I was at the gym at 4 a.m. (going through some testing and purification of my own!), I caught something from one of the televangelists that seemed to stick with me, and I thought that I'd share it with you.

As I said earlier, what the Israelites went through in Exodus could definitely be considered trial, test and purification  (Wandering around the desert for 40 years definitely qualifies in my book).  But it's also a rather "bloody" book.  Moses kills the Egyptian overseeer (Exodus 2:11-15), the 7 plagues that God sends down to the Egyptians (Exodus 7:14 through 12:39), and finally, the closing of the Red Sea on the Eguptian army chasing the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 14).  But the instance used in his message was when Moses brought down the original tables holding the Ten Commandments, and found the Israelites worshiping a golden calf. (Exodus 32:15-28)

Moses turned around and came down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of The Testimony. The tablets were written on both sides, front and back. God made the tablets and God wrote the tablets— engraved them.

When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting noisily, he said to Moses, "That's the sound of war in the camp!"

But Moses said,
Those aren't songs of victory,
And those aren't songs of defeat,
I hear songs of people throwing a party.

And that's what it was. When Moses came near to the camp and saw the calf and the people dancing, his anger flared. He threw down the tablets and smashed them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made, melted it down with fire, pulverized it to powder, then scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

Moses said to Aaron, "What on Earth did these people ever do to you that you involved them in this huge sin?"
Aaron said, "Master, don't be angry. You know this people and how set on evil they are. They said to me, 'Make us gods who will lead us. This Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt, we don't know what's happened to him.'
"So I said, 'Who has gold?' And they took off their jewelry and gave it to me. I threw it in the fire and out came this calf."
Moses saw that the people were simply running wild—Aaron had let them run wild, disgracing themselves before their enemies. He took up a position at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is on God's side, join me!" All the Levites stepped up.
He then told them, "God's orders, the God of Israel: 'Strap on your swords and go to work. Crisscross the camp from one end to the other: Kill brother, friend, neighbor.'"

The Levites carried out Moses' orders. Three thousand of the people were killed that day.

That's right. Under orders from God, 3000 Israelites died.  God's sword fell on those who had sinned against Him.  Even after this, God sent down a plague on the remaining refugees as a further punishment. (Exodus 32:30-35).

Flash forward a whole bunch of years -- to the first Pentecost.  Another group of 3000 saw the effects of God's sword, but from a whole different angle: (Acts 2:37-41)

Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?"


Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites."

He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!"
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

And here's where I started to see parallels and changes.  Just as 40 days is a symbolic statement for "a sufficient period of time," I see the use of 3000 people as a good number of people.  We're not talking small groups or gatherings here, but a rather significant number of people.  In Exodus, I see the sword of God of the Old Testament -- a jealous god that tolerated no substitution, no competition, and no quarter.  Sin against Him at your own peril.  In that time, we were all sinners, falling fall short of God's expectation of us, and there was nothing we could do about it.  Even worse, there was nothing, no one that stood between us and God.  This meant that the sword was leveled at us -- or, more specifically, the 3000 that didn't stand with God in Exodus 32.

The sword that we see in Acts at that first Pentecost is the same sword.  The sword of a jealous god.  We're still sinners, and nothing that we could do to change it.  However, we had someone on our side -- Jesus Christ -- to stand in our stead to take our punishment.  And in a post-Easter world, it's Christ that not just stands in our stead for our punishment, but also stands by our side.  Here, in this post-Easter world, God's sword is no longer pointed at us as it was in Exodus, but at the Devil.  Me thinks I'll keep standing with God.

Greg

And the 4th pitcher is...Oswalt?

Good afternoon, y'all:

Heard this floating around Cardinal nation -- the possibility of adding Oswalt (Houston Astros) to the Redbird lineup.  And there's no shortage of comments.  Bernie Miklaz (St. Louis Post Dispatch) has a great analysis of the potential upside and downside of the trade online (you can find it riiiight....here.)

The first rumors I heard about the trade were that Pujols and/or Wainright would be involved in a trade to get Oswalt to St. Louis.  Doubt that seriously -- if Pujols were traded, there would be a violent riot outside Busch Staduim in no time flat.  Trading a pitcher as hot and strong as Waino is dealing right now...also something I wouldn't handle without it being a great deal (read: Cardinals sweep NLDS, NLCS and World Series).

I'd hate to run the farm system dry, but adding Oswalt to Carpenter, Wainwright, and Garcia for a starting four would be intimidating.  Adding to the fact that bullpen would be ready for the late innings would be bouns for sure.  Only question -- would/do the Cardinals have the offensive firepower to capitalize on the pitching effort.  A "0-1" loss counts the same in the standings as a "6-5" loss.

Whayddathink?

Thoughts on a Mid-Summer's Night Dream...

Some thoughts on the All-Star Game tonight: 

Bernie Miklasz (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) has some thoughts on the game tonight, worth the 5 minutes reading time.  Check it out either in print, or over at the online version of Bernie Bytes: Can the NL finally win?

Some things he left out, (unfortunately), and others demanding amplification

Will Obama pay another visit to this game, throwing the first pitch, and occupying the announcing booth for an inning like he did in St. Louis last year?  (And no, I still haven't forgiven him from ruining The Man's moment in the sun...)

Can the National League FINALLY win home field advantage in the World Series?  Last time the Senior Division took the win was back in 1996.  That was FOURTEEN years ago!  Thinking that the "Visiting" team will bring home the win tonight may actually be a dream.  Stranger things have happened!

Amen to Griffey, Jr.  Even if he doesn't play, a curtain call is well deserved.

Let's see what happens.  I'd love the road to the championship end up where it belongs -- Busch Stadium!

Play ball! -- Greg

Requiscat in pace Mr. Steinbrenner

Good afternoon, y'all:

Yesterday, I posted about the theory of playing baseball "the Cardinal Way."  Gutsy, tough play based on fundamentals, strong pitching, running out singles, all that stuff we learned playing Little League baseball or from our parents as we watched the game when we were young.  A friend of mine (originally from Nevada) remarked to me how unusual and refreshing that Cardinal fans would stand and applaud players from the other team if they used to wear the Birds on the Bat, or were great and gifted players worthy of respect.

Today is no exception.

Granted, I'm not a Yankees' fan, so I wasn't overwhelmed with sorrow, sadness and grief at hearing the news of George Steinbrenner's death earlier today at the age of 80.  (Come to think of it, I think there may be a few fans of the Bronx Bombers that may not be too upset as well, but I digress...)  But, like the men that take the field or step into the batters box, Mr. Steinbrenner deserves a moment of applause.

Since he took over control of the Yankees, they've gone from a shadow of the team that once had its uniform on the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, and countless other legends to what can be legitimately called as one of the premier teams of Major League Baseball.  Seven of the 27 flags representing World Series Championships came under his reign.  He's put together a team that, for much of the 37 years, has been a perennial contender.  Ranging from Reggie Jackson, Jim "Catfish" Hunter, to Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees have typically represented the best money can buy.  (FYI -- Steinbrenner at first saw free agency as something that could destroy baseball!)  "Lead, Follow, or Get Out Of The Way" was more than a plaque on his desk -- it represented the management style of the man appropriately nicknamed "The Boss."  Demanding the best was one thing, hiring and firing manager Billy Martin FIVE times takes it to a whole new level.  Regardless of everything else, the man led the Yankees' back to prominence, back to success, and back to "leading," instead of following or getting out of the way.

Sadly, Steinbrenner's death comes one day after Bob Sheppard, "The Voice Of Yankee Stadium," who long served as stadium PA announcer of the Yankees.  His voice and delivery is just as legendary as the players he announced coming to the plate.   His voice last graced the stadium three years ago, but the standard he set is as solid as the legacy of any other Yankee honored in Monument Row.  Sheppard was 99.

For more information -- From the websites of the Yankees', the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (good stuff there!)and MLB:

On Bob Sheppard

On George Steinbrenner

Views from St. Louis sports writers on Steinbrenner

Requiscat in pace, gentlemen.  Well done.

The "Cardinal Way"

Good morning, y'all:

Came across this article at StlToday.com (the website of the Post-Dispatch) -- thought it very appropriate given Herzog's induction into the Hall of Fame, plus the All-Star Game this week.

I've seen it in recent billboards and other promotional materials -- "Play Like A Cardinal."  And, growing up in Southeast Missouri, I've grown fond of the Cardinals, and may be a little biased.  But it seems that quite a few teams have their own way of playing the game -- call it their DNA.  In the article, Dan O'Neill talks to several Hall of Famers who wore the "Birds on the Bat" as to whether the "Cardinal Way" of playing baseball is just a marketing campaign, or if it goes a little deeper than that.

The article is here.

I think it goes much, much deeper.  More than just getting a uniform dirty with solid fundamentals, tough pitching and a gritty defense.  More than running out the singles into doubles, and making opponents earn every win.  And I think that the "Cardinal Way" is best personified in Stan Musial.  Granted, most of my reading of Redbird history starts about 1941, so I don't know much about "The Rajah" or many of the players that held court at Sportsman's Park.  But the more I read about Musial, especially in light of the LeBron James debacle, the more I sense that there's a bit more to the "Cardinal Way" than just performance on a field.  Players are held to a higher standard on and off the field.  A shortstop makes a disparaging display to fans in the stadium?  Traded off to San Diego.  (And yes, the player we got in exchange didn't do too bad at all, either!)  You don't see our players at nightclubs or trolling around at 3:30 am.  And if they (or their manager) are, there aren't too many forgiving eyes. 

Today, many athletes on professional sports teams act in manners that are far from what we can consider "role models."  The "Cardinal Way" runs opposite to that.  Which made me even happier that my kids learned how to properly cheer at a baseball game in the same way I did.

"Go Cardinals!"

"The Selective Modesty of Barack Obama"

(h/t to Roy R. for bringing this to my radar screen)

This article by Charles Krauthammer ties a few things together -- from his "number one priority for NASA" to remarks over the past year.  It does make me wonder how Obama views America -- not just our history or governement or process -- not the theory, but the belief in what America has been, is today, and can be tomorrow.  The potential of America, in my opinion, lies in the belief that we are a collection of ordinary people capable of doing extraordinary things, due in no small part to the fact that our society and government sees the individual as sovereign and equal -- a trait that is immutable and irrevocable.  Krauthammer makes some very good points here -- well worth a 5 minute read.

Greg

Thoughts for today

Today, there will be countless blog entries, numerous Facebook postings, and oh-so-many other expressions of what this holiday, and all our celebrations mean. For some, it's a time to celebrate the birth of our nation, our republic, arguably the most succesful, strongest and most powerful nation this world has ever seen. To others, today is a time to pay homage to, and remember all who have sacrificed, both military and civilian, to make this country what it is today. And to still others, a time to celebrate our freedoms and rights we are able to so freely exercise in this country. There will be postings of our Declaration of Independence, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, speeches and writings from Founding father to patriot, from Paine, Jefferson and Adams to Reagan, Hannity and Beck.

But I'd like to take a moment, and turn our thoughts towards something a little simpler, something more profound, something more basic and integral to this great, 234 year old experiment.

I celebrate an idea. I celebrate a belief.

A belief that we all are, by design, a free and sovereign people.
A belief that these rights to exist, to choose our own paths, and pursue that destiny are irrevokable and undeniable.
A beleief that, as a free and sovereign people, we alone have the right and freedom to choose who governs us, in which matter, and under which laws.
A belief that God created us all equal, but left wide open our potential, limited only by our choices.

And a belief that can be but one generation away from extinction. Reagan famously said that "if we lose freedom here, there's no where left to run- this is the last stand for freedom on Earth."

While this grand experiment in liberty is a third of the way through its third century, it is far from impossible to fail. Great nations have fallen to tyranny before. But today is a day to remind ourselves of our past, and rededicate ourselves to that simple belief that has been the cornerstone of our republic.


To me, second only to my salvation, my free-will, liberty and freedom are the most important gifts from God.

So where have all the Christians gone?

Good question. In some ways, a double whammy -- the number of Christians as a percentage of the U.S. population is dropping, and the number of Christians that affiliate themselves with a denomination (such as Lutheran, Baptist, or Methodist) or with an existing institution (a non-denominational church).

Here's the article -- http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/09/25/bruce-feiler-christians-americans-gone/

Personally, a Christian is a Christian, pure and simple. But I do find (generally) that those Christians that aren't "lone wolf" believers -- those believers that find a group of like-minded people to strengthen and nourish their faith and fellowship tend to be stronger in their faith.

And of course, I like this passage from Ecclesiastes 4 (emphasis mine)...

I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.

It's better to have a partner than go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there's no one to help, tough!

Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.

By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped.

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

(The Message paraphrase)

The devil LOVES the divide and conquer strategy. One on one, he's got us outmatched and outgunned. Together, along with Christ, the game's done, and we're the one with the W. What do you think?

"Labor" Day -- Losing something?

"Labor Day reverence is lost, say historians"
[Click here for the article in the San Diego Union-Tribune]

There's a good article in today's San Diego Union-Tribune by John Wilkens that reminds us why Labor Day was created. No, it wasn't to grill up the last of the summer's supply of ribs and steaks, nor was it a last chance to take a mini-vacation before school really got into session. Over 125 years ago (127, to be exact) Labor Day was founded as a day of protest against the working conditions of the time -- 12 hour work days, 7 days a week(84 hour work-weeks? That's worth marching in a parade for), with truly horrid working conditions. From all of this spawned more than a holiday, but the beginnings of the labor unions.

Over the past century and a quarter, the power and might of the unions have seen it's highest points, and is currently in one of it's lowest points -- a recent Gallup poll found that on 49% of Americans have a favorable view of labor unions -- the first time that rating has fallen below 50% since that question started being asked around 1937.

PRINCETON, NJ -- Gallup finds organized labor taking a significant image hit in the past year. While 66% of Americans continue to believe unions are beneficial to their own members, a slight majority now say unions hurt the nation's economy. More broadly, fewer than half of Americans -- 48%, an all-time low -- approve of labor unions, down from 59% a year ago.

These results are from the 2009 installment of Gallup's annual Work and Education survey, conducted Aug. 6-9. The 48% of Americans now approving of unions represents the first sub-50% approval since Gallup first asked the question in the 1930s. The previous low was 55%, found in both 1979 and 1981.

Source -- "Labor Unions See Sharp Slide in U.S. Public Support" by Lydia Saad. [Article here]

And I can understand why -- at its height, unions fought for the workers and against unfair labor practices. Their efforts spearheaded the 40-hour work week, fair wages (not to be confused with minimum wages), and many of the benefits they rightfully enjoy today. (My family was able to put my sister and I through a combined 12 years of college on our dad's earnings as a railroad engineer -- so I know how good the fruits of that labor have been to us.) But right now, unions are at a low point. I think their involvement in political campaigns that go far beyond 40 hour work weeks and good working conditions is in no small part to blame. Americans are looking at the past 5 or so years, and they're not liking what they see. And with "Card Check" (a nice way of taking away the secret ballot when it comes to elections), and "health care reform," there's probably not much to change this pattern anytime soon. At the bottom are more of the results of the Gallup poll in quick hits fashion -- if you want to see the analysis, head over to the Gallup page. The current economic conditions lean toward a strengthening of the labor movement -- but their politics might blunt, or negate that trend. Granted, I strongly believe that our national holidays, formed for good reason (Independence Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas leading the way), are being lost do to apathy and neglect, but here, I wonder if the organizations that "represent" labor are shooting the holiday that honors labor in the foot? What do you think?

Glad I'm an LCMS Lutheran...

And here comes more of the slippery slope for the ELCA.

I understand how easy it is to be overly permissive -- to let things slide. Standards and rules can get messy, tough to enforce. Good gravy, with 3 kids, I've let hard-and-fast "rules" bend a bit.

But we're talking about God's word here. A little bit higher standard than cleaning your plate, or choosing what socks to wear to school.

Here's the article from the St. Louis Post Dispatch :: http://preview.tinyurl.com/nbvh2n

What ever happened to "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner?" Can we not pull the two apart? Isn't that a VITAL part of forgiveness?

This is only a test...

OK, using the "Networked Blogs" app on Facebook -- just doing a little test here.

Sunday morning, and all is well...

...for now.

Ellen's at work, and it's me vs. three kids. Two rooms in desperate need of cleaning out. Facebook pages needing updating, and a blog in desperate need of a posting.

One down, and a few more to go.

A good resource for the summer blockbuster season

Came across this story on MSN.com. http://runpee.com is a little tool that lts you know when it's a good time in the story to rush over to the restroom and, ahem, deal with that 64 oz soda you picked up at the concession stand on the way in, and have since drank. (Or, as is my case often, dealing with the earlier soda, and getting a refill). Looks pretty cool. Give it a look, and let me know what you think!