Here We Go Again?
Defector to Bush officials: Strike N. Korea before it's too late.
Friday, July 11, 2003
Making The Case For The Death Penalty
Are you looking for that special someone? Do you like romantic drivesto in the lake, with the kids strapped in the back? Are you non-judgemental? If so, she's sensitive, caring, and kind-hearted, just ask Michael and Alex. Write her here.
Why isn't she dead? What is our problem?
Are you looking for that special someone? Do you like romantic drives
Why isn't she dead? What is our problem?
12.713 Billion Years Ago
It always amazes me to read articles like this. What amuses me most is the detail of information. They found the oldest planet ever detected.
"The old planet is located near the heart of a globular star cluster some 5,600 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. A light-year is about 6 trillion miles, about the distance light travels in a year."
OK, it's 5600 light-years from Earth. 1 light-year = about 6 trillion miles (5,865,696,000,000 miles ). Now, seriously, the human mind has a bit of a problem wrapping itself around that 6 trillion mile figure. 6 trillion. What about 5600 x 6 trillion. Can you even imagine how far that is? Really? And it's not even far at all when you consider other distances in the universe.
The Milky Way Galaxy is about 150,000 light-years across. That's just our galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy has at least 200 billion stars.
The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.3 million light-years away. Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. The galaxy is the largest member of the Local Group, a group of about 30 galaxies that includes our own Milky Way. So 2.3 million light years is considered part of our Local Group. Andromeda has about twice as many stars as the Milky Way.
"The most distant galaxies we can now see are 10 or 12 billion light-years away. We could never see a galaxy that is farther away in light travel time than the universe is old -- an estimated 14 billion or so years. Thus, we are surrounded by a "horizon" that we cannot look beyond -- a horizon set by the distance that light can travel over the age of the universe. This horizon describes the visible universe -- a region some 28 billion light years in diameter. There is every reason to think that the universe extends a long way beyond the part of the universe we can see. In fact, a variety of observations suggest that our visible patch may be a small fraction -- maybe an infinitely small fraction -- of the whole universe." From NOVA online: How Big Is The Universe? There is some BS in there when they start talking theories. You see, they really aren't as sure of the data as they make out.
OK, back to the original article.
"What we think we've found is an example of the first generation of planets formed in the universe," Sigurdsson said. "We think this planet formed with its star, 12.713 billion years ago when the (Milky Way) galaxy was very young, just in the process of forming."
They found an example of the first generation of planets formed in the universe. The planet formed 12.713 billion years ago. They go on to describe the process. It's fascinating how they know so much about something so far away and so long ago. They surety with which they tell you is a bit laughable. They could be wrong about some of these things. There may be errors in the formulas used to figure it all out. There are yet things undiscovered. Some assumptions they make may be wrong. The foundation on which they build is surely wrong as they leave God out of it, vehemently. But just because I do not leave God out as Creator does not mean I believe it was created only 6000 years ago. Starting at the 2nd verse of Genesis is desribed the rebuilding of a destroyed and flooded planet, not the beginning of the universe. The universe may be 14 billion years old, it may be older. Scientists are probably right about much of what they have discovered but they cannot know while leaving God out of it. They are wrong about many things as well.
"The neutron star evolved into a fast-whirling pulsar and changes in how it spun helped scientists determine that one of the three cosmic objects dancing in space was a planet, said Harvey Richer of the University of British Columbia."
" The old planet is too far away to be directly observed, but because it exerts a slight gravitational tug on the pulsar it orbits, scientists figured out its mass and position based on its pull on the pulsar, Richer said."
Yes, it's fascinating how we are able to figure out so much about something so far away. It's also fascinating that people so bright cannot see God in all they have discovered.
Speaking of Jesus Christ (read the context): Colossians 1:5 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
The fact is, when it comes to the very beginning of it all, without God, you have to resort to alot of BS to get "something the size of an atom inflated to the size of a galaxy." The universe began with a vast explosion of what? Where did it come from? Why did it explode? Why didn't it implode? Where did the laws that regulate all this come from? What is gravity? Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Matter can be converted to energy, and energy into matter, but the total amount of matter and energy in the universe remains the same. Science did not invent the laws of physics, they existed long before we did. Much of this is beyond our ability as humans to truly comprehend. We try, we do a pretty damn good job sometimes, but the incredible distances, the vast amount of time past, the enormous amount there is yet to know, and the time left in which to learn it, vastly limits us. It's interesting to be sure. I just think it's telling that we can amass such knowledge of the universe, yet the problems we face here on Earth, problems which are really more spiritual in nature, go unaddressed, and we're going to kill each other before we have a chance to finish our knowledge race. We're really good at the physical knowledge part, though. If only that were enough.
It always amazes me to read articles like this. What amuses me most is the detail of information. They found the oldest planet ever detected.
"The old planet is located near the heart of a globular star cluster some 5,600 light-years from Earth in the constellation Scorpius. A light-year is about 6 trillion miles, about the distance light travels in a year."
OK, it's 5600 light-years from Earth. 1 light-year = about 6 trillion miles (5,865,696,000,000 miles ). Now, seriously, the human mind has a bit of a problem wrapping itself around that 6 trillion mile figure. 6 trillion. What about 5600 x 6 trillion. Can you even imagine how far that is? Really? And it's not even far at all when you consider other distances in the universe.
The Milky Way Galaxy is about 150,000 light-years across. That's just our galaxy. The Milky Way Galaxy has at least 200 billion stars.
The Andromeda Galaxy is 2.3 million light-years away. Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to our own Milky Way Galaxy. The galaxy is the largest member of the Local Group, a group of about 30 galaxies that includes our own Milky Way. So 2.3 million light years is considered part of our Local Group. Andromeda has about twice as many stars as the Milky Way.
"The most distant galaxies we can now see are 10 or 12 billion light-years away. We could never see a galaxy that is farther away in light travel time than the universe is old -- an estimated 14 billion or so years. Thus, we are surrounded by a "horizon" that we cannot look beyond -- a horizon set by the distance that light can travel over the age of the universe. This horizon describes the visible universe -- a region some 28 billion light years in diameter. There is every reason to think that the universe extends a long way beyond the part of the universe we can see. In fact, a variety of observations suggest that our visible patch may be a small fraction -- maybe an infinitely small fraction -- of the whole universe." From NOVA online: How Big Is The Universe? There is some BS in there when they start talking theories. You see, they really aren't as sure of the data as they make out.
OK, back to the original article.
"What we think we've found is an example of the first generation of planets formed in the universe," Sigurdsson said. "We think this planet formed with its star, 12.713 billion years ago when the (Milky Way) galaxy was very young, just in the process of forming."
They found an example of the first generation of planets formed in the universe. The planet formed 12.713 billion years ago. They go on to describe the process. It's fascinating how they know so much about something so far away and so long ago. They surety with which they tell you is a bit laughable. They could be wrong about some of these things. There may be errors in the formulas used to figure it all out. There are yet things undiscovered. Some assumptions they make may be wrong. The foundation on which they build is surely wrong as they leave God out of it, vehemently. But just because I do not leave God out as Creator does not mean I believe it was created only 6000 years ago. Starting at the 2nd verse of Genesis is desribed the rebuilding of a destroyed and flooded planet, not the beginning of the universe. The universe may be 14 billion years old, it may be older. Scientists are probably right about much of what they have discovered but they cannot know while leaving God out of it. They are wrong about many things as well.
"The neutron star evolved into a fast-whirling pulsar and changes in how it spun helped scientists determine that one of the three cosmic objects dancing in space was a planet, said Harvey Richer of the University of British Columbia."
" The old planet is too far away to be directly observed, but because it exerts a slight gravitational tug on the pulsar it orbits, scientists figured out its mass and position based on its pull on the pulsar, Richer said."
Yes, it's fascinating how we are able to figure out so much about something so far away. It's also fascinating that people so bright cannot see God in all they have discovered.
Speaking of Jesus Christ (read the context): Colossians 1:5 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Isaiah 40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
The fact is, when it comes to the very beginning of it all, without God, you have to resort to alot of BS to get "something the size of an atom inflated to the size of a galaxy." The universe began with a vast explosion of what? Where did it come from? Why did it explode? Why didn't it implode? Where did the laws that regulate all this come from? What is gravity? Matter can neither be created nor destroyed. Matter can be converted to energy, and energy into matter, but the total amount of matter and energy in the universe remains the same. Science did not invent the laws of physics, they existed long before we did. Much of this is beyond our ability as humans to truly comprehend. We try, we do a pretty damn good job sometimes, but the incredible distances, the vast amount of time past, the enormous amount there is yet to know, and the time left in which to learn it, vastly limits us. It's interesting to be sure. I just think it's telling that we can amass such knowledge of the universe, yet the problems we face here on Earth, problems which are really more spiritual in nature, go unaddressed, and we're going to kill each other before we have a chance to finish our knowledge race. We're really good at the physical knowledge part, though. If only that were enough.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
What Makes America Great?
Bill Whittle has a 2 part essay that you need to read. Yeah, it's long but it's worth it. Trinity (part 1), Trinity (part 2).
Bill Whittle has a 2 part essay that you need to read. Yeah, it's long but it's worth it. Trinity (part 1), Trinity (part 2).
More Language Police
I've had some posts on this subject before and it really irks me every time I hear more of this going on. The insidiousness of this is beyond belief. My first real taste was when I worked at the state run Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital (now closed) in New Jersey. Among other things, that's where they first tried to tell me that it's impossible for blacks to be prejudiced against whites. A Small Victory brought alot more to my attention. Read what she has to say, follow the links. There's more at USS Clueless. The rest of us really need to open our eyes and see what these idiots are doing. Read about the tactics they are using here: America's Re-education Camps. You know it's going on, you see it for yourself on a regular basis. We just don't realize how far it's gotten. In the end I think it's gonna come down to some good old fashioned, politically incorrect violence to get rid of it because it's not gonna go away on it's own.
But wait, there's more! A couple of interesting posts at Mrs. Du Toit:
America's Library
What it means...
I've had some posts on this subject before and it really irks me every time I hear more of this going on. The insidiousness of this is beyond belief. My first real taste was when I worked at the state run Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital (now closed) in New Jersey. Among other things, that's where they first tried to tell me that it's impossible for blacks to be prejudiced against whites. A Small Victory brought alot more to my attention. Read what she has to say, follow the links. There's more at USS Clueless. The rest of us really need to open our eyes and see what these idiots are doing. Read about the tactics they are using here: America's Re-education Camps. You know it's going on, you see it for yourself on a regular basis. We just don't realize how far it's gotten. In the end I think it's gonna come down to some good old fashioned, politically incorrect violence to get rid of it because it's not gonna go away on it's own.
But wait, there's more! A couple of interesting posts at Mrs. Du Toit:
What it means...
Appetite For Destruction
Kim Jong-il's Chef escaped and wrote a book about the dictator (of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, what a joke!). Here's an article about it and it gives you a little peek into this guy's mind. He sounds like a fun guy to be around.
But Did They Mishandle the Evidence?
DNA cracks case of chicken-killing canine.
Tired of a dog killing his chickens he retrieved some hair from the chicken coop and got a DNA profile to nab the culprit.
"Tonight, Sabrina's owner, Karin Magid, will get her day in court. She is slated to go before a county panel to defend her dog and argue that Jones went overboard with his analysis, according to United Press International.
''We all treated it as a huge joke,'' Magid told the Globe. ''I don't deny that these dogs do this sort of thing, and my dog did eat one of his goats, but I think it was already dead.''
Some dog owners are in such denial about this kind of thing. Just last night on the news I saw there was a senior citizen who was attacked by a couple of Rottweilers, and the owner is pissed that they took his dogs and want to put them down. His excuse was, and I saw and heard him say this on TV, "If the dogs were trying they would have easily killed him." Hello? Here's a quote that I found in print:
"As for the dogs' owners, who were allowed to keep the one rottweiler that was still chained up, they wouldn't talk to us. But a relative claimed the dogs are harmless. "They just bark like any normal dog would. That's it. Hardly ever, never [see them running free] and when they do, they always come right back on their own right away," says Mike Torres"
Yeah, after terrorizing the neighborhood. And the news has been full of dog attacks lately. Don't these people understand the apprehension of other people when they see a large dog wandering around? If I see, and I occasionally do, a strange dog near my house I can't let the kids go outside and I only go out if I have to and then give thought to how to kill the dog if it is hostile. It's never a small dog either, it's always a large breed. It might be a great dog but I don't know that, and I will not just assume it. I should be able to shoot any dog on my property without my permission. If we could do that maybe the dog owners would suddenly become a little more responsible.
I'm not attacking all dogs or dog owners, I love dogs. But there is a certain percentage of dog owners who shouldn't be dog owners. They think a big, mean dog is cool. They think a wild, barely controllable, probably abused, large breed is protection. They have no concept of dog training. They are idiots. Every kind of pet has a certain number of owners who shouldn't own them but some animals have a far greater potential for harm or death of innocent people if they get out of your control and large dogs fit into that category.
A Happier Dog Story
Hurt hound hobbles into hospital.
The dog is hit by a car (they think) and limps to a hospital to get help. The hospital got hold of a vet and paid the dogs bill. That's cool!
Who Says TV Doesn't Influence Kids?
Palestinian TV Urges Young Men to Become Martyrs. Kill a Jew, get 72! Virgins that is.
Kim Jong-il's Chef escaped and wrote a book about the dictator (of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, what a joke!). Here's an article about it and it gives you a little peek into this guy's mind. He sounds like a fun guy to be around.
But Did They Mishandle the Evidence?
DNA cracks case of chicken-killing canine.
Tired of a dog killing his chickens he retrieved some hair from the chicken coop and got a DNA profile to nab the culprit.
"Tonight, Sabrina's owner, Karin Magid, will get her day in court. She is slated to go before a county panel to defend her dog and argue that Jones went overboard with his analysis, according to United Press International.
''We all treated it as a huge joke,'' Magid told the Globe. ''I don't deny that these dogs do this sort of thing, and my dog did eat one of his goats, but I think it was already dead.''
Some dog owners are in such denial about this kind of thing. Just last night on the news I saw there was a senior citizen who was attacked by a couple of Rottweilers, and the owner is pissed that they took his dogs and want to put them down. His excuse was, and I saw and heard him say this on TV, "If the dogs were trying they would have easily killed him." Hello? Here's a quote that I found in print:
"As for the dogs' owners, who were allowed to keep the one rottweiler that was still chained up, they wouldn't talk to us. But a relative claimed the dogs are harmless. "They just bark like any normal dog would. That's it. Hardly ever, never [see them running free] and when they do, they always come right back on their own right away," says Mike Torres"
Yeah, after terrorizing the neighborhood. And the news has been full of dog attacks lately. Don't these people understand the apprehension of other people when they see a large dog wandering around? If I see, and I occasionally do, a strange dog near my house I can't let the kids go outside and I only go out if I have to and then give thought to how to kill the dog if it is hostile. It's never a small dog either, it's always a large breed. It might be a great dog but I don't know that, and I will not just assume it. I should be able to shoot any dog on my property without my permission. If we could do that maybe the dog owners would suddenly become a little more responsible.
I'm not attacking all dogs or dog owners, I love dogs. But there is a certain percentage of dog owners who shouldn't be dog owners. They think a big, mean dog is cool. They think a wild, barely controllable, probably abused, large breed is protection. They have no concept of dog training. They are idiots. Every kind of pet has a certain number of owners who shouldn't own them but some animals have a far greater potential for harm or death of innocent people if they get out of your control and large dogs fit into that category.
A Happier Dog Story
Hurt hound hobbles into hospital.
The dog is hit by a car (they think) and limps to a hospital to get help. The hospital got hold of a vet and paid the dogs bill. That's cool!
Who Says TV Doesn't Influence Kids?
Palestinian TV Urges Young Men to Become Martyrs. Kill a Jew, get 72! Virgins that is.
Wednesday, July 09, 2003
Anatomically Correct
"SHOCKED six-year-old Leah Lowland checked out a mystery bulge on her Incredible Hulk doll — and uncovered a giant green WILLY." Yes, there are pictures.
"SHOCKED six-year-old Leah Lowland checked out a mystery bulge on her Incredible Hulk doll — and uncovered a giant green WILLY." Yes, there are pictures.
Burnt Offerings
Anyone care for a BBQ? It's strange that some of those animals (goats, rabbit, pig, even buffalo) are somewhat commonly eaten and it's no big deal but because they were in a zoo it becomes verboten.
I remember reading about a college student who bought a mouse and announced he would kill it (I think he said he was going to crush it, but he didn't really have plans to go through with it), the town was in an uproar, the newspapers ran with the story, they even threatened this guys life. In the end he returned it to the pet shop and one of the "animal lovers" bought the mouse and gave it a good life, however he left all the other mice in the shop destined to be snake food.
I put animal lovers in quotes because the crazy, insane "animal lovers" would have you believe if you even so much as keep animals as pets you are an evil, slave keeping monster and couldn't possibly love animals and if you eat animals you are a murderer. Obviously, I don't agree.
Good Morning!
Man wakes after nearly two decades in coma, greets mother. His daughter was born shortly after his accident and is now 19 years old and they are meeting for the first time. You don't hear stories like this very often.
Anyone care for a BBQ? It's strange that some of those animals (goats, rabbit, pig, even buffalo) are somewhat commonly eaten and it's no big deal but because they were in a zoo it becomes verboten.
I remember reading about a college student who bought a mouse and announced he would kill it (I think he said he was going to crush it, but he didn't really have plans to go through with it), the town was in an uproar, the newspapers ran with the story, they even threatened this guys life. In the end he returned it to the pet shop and one of the "animal lovers" bought the mouse and gave it a good life, however he left all the other mice in the shop destined to be snake food.
I put animal lovers in quotes because the crazy, insane "animal lovers" would have you believe if you even so much as keep animals as pets you are an evil, slave keeping monster and couldn't possibly love animals and if you eat animals you are a murderer. Obviously, I don't agree.
Good Morning!
Man wakes after nearly two decades in coma, greets mother. His daughter was born shortly after his accident and is now 19 years old and they are meeting for the first time. You don't hear stories like this very often.
Tuesday, July 08, 2003
Slim and None
Israel wants full EU membership. I had not heard this before. I doubt it will happen, for the same reason I know England won't go full membership but I won't go into that. I just wanted to point out this article. It's time for me to hit the sack anyway.
Israel wants full EU membership. I had not heard this before. I doubt it will happen, for the same reason I know England won't go full membership but I won't go into that. I just wanted to point out this article. It's time for me to hit the sack anyway.
View From Iran
If you want government to take care of you, then come to Iran. This government will tell you how to dress (men and women), what religion to believe in, and what to think. (Not that Iranians are listening…) Government that cares for you turns you into a child.
From View From Iran
Thanks to Redheaded Ramblings for providing the link.
If you want government to take care of you, then come to Iran. This government will tell you how to dress (men and women), what religion to believe in, and what to think. (Not that Iranians are listening…) Government that cares for you turns you into a child.
From View From Iran
Thanks to Redheaded Ramblings for providing the link.
Bid Early and Often
Place your bid for a genuine, authentic Elvis Presley tooth. But wait, there's more! Also included is a lock of hair originally presented to famous late night talk show host Joe Franklin by Elvis himself. And just in case you're still not impressed they'll include a "special edition gold plated record given in recognition of the prestigious achievment in reaching million seller award status for RCA records "Love Me Tender." Of course, all items "have irrefutable documented by experts."
I guess he was getting alot of joke bids because he ended the auction and relisted it requiring verification before bidding. Here's the new link. No bids yet as I write this.
Place your bid for a genuine, authentic Elvis Presley tooth. But wait, there's more! Also included is a lock of hair originally presented to famous late night talk show host Joe Franklin by Elvis himself. And just in case you're still not impressed they'll include a "special edition gold plated record given in recognition of the prestigious achievment in reaching million seller award status for RCA records "Love Me Tender." Of course, all items "have irrefutable documented by experts."
I guess he was getting alot of joke bids because he ended the auction and relisted it requiring verification before bidding. Here's the new link. No bids yet as I write this.
Monday, July 07, 2003
Little Known Facts about the American Revolutionary War
This is an interesting page, I found this link at The Scobleizer Weblog. I know it was more appropriate a couple of days ago but it's still a good read.
Linux
I also saw this link to an interview with Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system. I've always liked Linux but just don't have time to fiddle with my computer and Linux was always high maintenance.
Sunday
"The European Union has set up the policy that every member-state must have one day of rest during the week."
I didn't know it was a law. Interesting in that the new European Constitution completely ignores religion. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding.
"In Italy, the designation of Sunday as a "day of rest" was first set in 1993. That policy was changed in 2000, however, when-- in order to grant more flexibility for employers-- the nation required only that every employer produce workers with a 24-hour rest period each week. But by August 2003, under the new European policy, Italy will again be required to fix a certain "day of rest."
"In an interview with the daily Corriere della Sera, Bishop Giancarlo Bregantini-- who heads a committee dealing with social issues for the Italian bishops' conference-- remarked that attitudes on the observance of the Sabbath are "already bad enough" without a change in national policy. He said that any move away from the Sunday rest would be "a perverse act." And Cardinal Pio Laghi, the former prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, asked La Repubblica: "How can you overlook the fact that Sunday is a special day for millions of Europeans?"
It may wind up being Sunday for all the European states. That's significant in light of biblical prophecy, the sign or mark of God being the Sabbath, the mark of the beast being Sunday observance, a counterfeit of God's Sabbath. Of course, many would argue that point but time will tell. Why Keep Saturday for Sunday?
This is an interesting page, I found this link at The Scobleizer Weblog. I know it was more appropriate a couple of days ago but it's still a good read.
Linux
I also saw this link to an interview with Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux operating system. I've always liked Linux but just don't have time to fiddle with my computer and Linux was always high maintenance.
Sunday
"The European Union has set up the policy that every member-state must have one day of rest during the week."
I didn't know it was a law. Interesting in that the new European Constitution completely ignores religion. I could be wrong, but that is my understanding.
"In Italy, the designation of Sunday as a "day of rest" was first set in 1993. That policy was changed in 2000, however, when-- in order to grant more flexibility for employers-- the nation required only that every employer produce workers with a 24-hour rest period each week. But by August 2003, under the new European policy, Italy will again be required to fix a certain "day of rest."
"In an interview with the daily Corriere della Sera, Bishop Giancarlo Bregantini-- who heads a committee dealing with social issues for the Italian bishops' conference-- remarked that attitudes on the observance of the Sabbath are "already bad enough" without a change in national policy. He said that any move away from the Sunday rest would be "a perverse act." And Cardinal Pio Laghi, the former prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, asked La Repubblica: "How can you overlook the fact that Sunday is a special day for millions of Europeans?"
It may wind up being Sunday for all the European states. That's significant in light of biblical prophecy, the sign or mark of God being the Sabbath, the mark of the beast being Sunday observance, a counterfeit of God's Sabbath. Of course, many would argue that point but time will tell. Why Keep Saturday for Sunday?
Friday, July 04, 2003
Us and Them
Kim du Toit has a link to the article Where Are You Going, Europe?, and I agree with what he has to say about it. I have to add one thing, however, Europe is not finished. The united states of Europe in it's present form will fail, no doubt, but when it does collapse, watch out. Think WW II.
Isaiah 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
Life, Liberty, and the American Way
More gems from Kim. All too often native born Americans take our freedom for granted or just really have no understanding of what our constitution gives us, but not all foreigners get it either. Finding people like Kim is harder now than say, 100 years ago. I think one of the problems this country has is the great influx of foreigners who also don't understand, they come here with dollar signs in their eyes, bringing their own culture and languages, not willing to give them up or subjugate them to the "American way".
Kim du Toit has a link to the article Where Are You Going, Europe?, and I agree with what he has to say about it. I have to add one thing, however, Europe is not finished. The united states of Europe in it's present form will fail, no doubt, but when it does collapse, watch out. Think WW II.
Isaiah 10:7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
Life, Liberty, and the American Way
More gems from Kim. All too often native born Americans take our freedom for granted or just really have no understanding of what our constitution gives us, but not all foreigners get it either. Finding people like Kim is harder now than say, 100 years ago. I think one of the problems this country has is the great influx of foreigners who also don't understand, they come here with dollar signs in their eyes, bringing their own culture and languages, not willing to give them up or subjugate them to the "American way".
Thursday, July 03, 2003
He Coulda' Had A Corvette
This is the kind of news you don't want to hear. Harold, my stepfather, was down in Atlantic City one Saturday a few weeks back. He had a comp card (I think that's what they call them), you use it in the machines you're playing and the casino tracks your gambling, I mean gives you freebies as you rack up points. Something like that. On this Saturday they would enter you in a drawing to win a 2004 Corvette. The drawing was in the evening, Harold went home earlier. A business associate of his was at the drawing and heard Harold's name called as the winner of the Corvette and the winner has one hour to claim the prize. He tried to get to call but couldn't get him that night. So that's it, Harold won a brand new Corvette but didn't win it cause he didn't stick around for the drawing. Don't think you'll never win anything, you never know.
225th 227th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Every American should read this page from top to bottom.
"We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped."
Calvin Coolidge, speech on the 150th Anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence, July 5, 1926
As we continue to sink into pagen materialism.
Historical Maps of the U.S.
If you are interested in what this country looked like at different times in the past this is the site for you.
You're Only Off By A Couple Of Area Codes
I got a call tonight (on the local line, not 800 number) from a woman looking for her friends in Rm. 246. Vacant room. 346? Don't have that number. She doesn't even know the name of the person. It's the black guy and white girl on the second floor. Oh yeah, now I know! No, I didn't say that. I told her she must have the wrong hotel, we have 4 by the same name on this road, which one did she need. She asked if we were the one on Taimiami Trail in Sarasota. Sarasota? That's not even close. We're in Kissimmee, maybe 2 hours or more away. I gave her the correct number.
This is the kind of news you don't want to hear. Harold, my stepfather, was down in Atlantic City one Saturday a few weeks back. He had a comp card (I think that's what they call them), you use it in the machines you're playing and the casino tracks your gambling, I mean gives you freebies as you rack up points. Something like that. On this Saturday they would enter you in a drawing to win a 2004 Corvette. The drawing was in the evening, Harold went home earlier. A business associate of his was at the drawing and heard Harold's name called as the winner of the Corvette and the winner has one hour to claim the prize. He tried to get to call but couldn't get him that night. So that's it, Harold won a brand new Corvette but didn't win it cause he didn't stick around for the drawing. Don't think you'll never win anything, you never know.
Every American should read this page from top to bottom.
"We live in an age of science and of abounding accumulation of material things. These did not create our Declaration. Our Declaration created them. The things of the spirit come first. Unless we cling to that, all our material prosperity, overwhelming though it may appear, will turn to a barren sceptre in our grasp. If we are to maintain the great heritage which has been bequeathed to us, we must be like-minded as the fathers who created it. We must not sink into a pagan materialism. We must cultivate the reverence which they had for the things that are holy. We must follow the spiritual and moral leadership which they showed. We must keep replenished, that they may glow with a more compelling flame, the altar fires before which they worshiped."
Calvin Coolidge, speech on the 150th Anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence, July 5, 1926
As we continue to sink into pagen materialism.
Historical Maps of the U.S.
If you are interested in what this country looked like at different times in the past this is the site for you.
You're Only Off By A Couple Of Area Codes
I got a call tonight (on the local line, not 800 number) from a woman looking for her friends in Rm. 246. Vacant room. 346? Don't have that number. She doesn't even know the name of the person. It's the black guy and white girl on the second floor. Oh yeah, now I know! No, I didn't say that. I told her she must have the wrong hotel, we have 4 by the same name on this road, which one did she need. She asked if we were the one on Taimiami Trail in Sarasota. Sarasota? That's not even close. We're in Kissimmee, maybe 2 hours or more away. I gave her the correct number.
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Where Does The Web Begin?
Apparently right here. I could find no other site claiming to be the beginning or start of the web or internet. I did, however, find the center. I guess all the action is at the end of the web.
Wait, you can take a Journey to the Center of the Web: Part I and Part II. This is alot more interesting than the first two. There are 13 root servers at the center of the web.
"The worldwide web is controlled from some tiny offices in southern California by what critics claim is a self-appointed group of people who answer to nobody. You think Chicago politics are something… "
Al Gore did not invent the web...somebody tell Apple...please.
Apparently right here. I could find no other site claiming to be the beginning or start of the web or internet. I did, however, find the center. I guess all the action is at the end of the web.
Wait, you can take a Journey to the Center of the Web: Part I and Part II. This is alot more interesting than the first two. There are 13 root servers at the center of the web.
"The worldwide web is controlled from some tiny offices in southern California by what critics claim is a self-appointed group of people who answer to nobody. You think Chicago politics are something… "
Al Gore did not invent the web...somebody tell Apple...please.
This Is The End
Over at Mandarin I found this link to the end of the internet. Hmmm. Was that really the end. I was curious. I did a little searching and found this end. And this end. And this. This one. And this one (Fancy!). And this one. This one too. Are you getting tired? Here's another. And another (In Newfoundland, wow, I'd like to visit there.) And another. Here's a scary one. And, finally, because I'm out of time, this one wants you to turn off the internet.
Over at Mandarin I found this link to the end of the internet. Hmmm. Was that really the end. I was curious. I did a little searching and found this end. And this end. And this. This one. And this one (Fancy!). And this one. This one too. Are you getting tired? Here's another. And another (In Newfoundland, wow, I'd like to visit there.) And another. Here's a scary one. And, finally, because I'm out of time, this one wants you to turn off the internet.
Lunatics Teaching
The theory:
"The educational publishing industry follows very specific guidelines to ensure that school children are not exposed to words or topics that might be controversial, especially those that are related to gender, race, religion, or sex."
The practice:
"In Michigan, the state does not allow mention of flying saucers or extraterrestrials on its test, because those subjects might imply the forbidden topic of evolution. A text illustrator wrote to say that she was not permitted to portray a birthday party because Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in celebrating birthdays. Another illustrator told me that he was directed to airbrush the udder from his drawing of a cow because that body part was "too sexual."
"a well-known local writer for children sold a story to an American textbook company, along with illustrations. The U.S. publisher, however, informed her that she could not show a little girl sitting on her grandfather's lap, as the drawing implied incest. So, the author changed the adult's face, so that the little girl was sitting on her grandmother's lap instead. A contributor to a major textbook series prepared a story comparing the great floods in 1889 in Johnstown, Pa., with those in 1993 in the Midwest, but was unable to find an acceptable photograph. The publisher insisted that everyone in the rowboats must be wearing a lifevest to demonstrate safety procedures."
"When it comes to illustrations in textbooks, certain images--women cooking, men acting assertive, scenes of poverty, and old people walking with the aid of a cane or a walker--are likewise considered unacceptable. The specifications for photographs, I have learned, are exquisitely detailed. Men and boys must not be larger than women and girls. Asians must not appear as shorter than non-Asians. Women must wear bras, and men must not have noticeable bulges below the waist. People must wear shoes and socks, never showing bare feet or the soles of shoes, and their shoelaces must be solid black, brown, or white. People must never gesture with their fingers, nor should anyone be depicted eating with the left hand. Things to avoid: holiday decorations and scenes in which a church or a bar appears in the background."
"On the last administration of the Regents' English examination in January, the state (NY) asked high school seniors to write about a poem by Matthew Arnold. However, the examination did not mention the name of this famous poem ("Dover Beach"); it inexplicably offered only one stanza of the four-stanza poem; and it changed or misquoted an important line. Instead of Arnold's exclamation, "Ah, love, let us be true to one another!" it stated, "Ah, friend, let us be true to one another!"
It's a wonder anyone learns anything in public schools these days.
You can read the article here.
I tend to agree with Neal Boortz on this: "I learned that, in short, sensitivity sucks. It's a trap. Think about it - the truth knows no sensitivity. Life can be insensitive. Wallow too much in sensitivity and you’ll be unable to deal with life, or the truth. So, get over it."
Point to ponder: Our Declaration of Independance, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights could not be written and passed through Congress today.
Speaking of Neal Boortz
I've known about this Commencement Speech for a while now and I don't believe I ever linked to it. It's about time.
The theory:
"The educational publishing industry follows very specific guidelines to ensure that school children are not exposed to words or topics that might be controversial, especially those that are related to gender, race, religion, or sex."
The practice:
"In Michigan, the state does not allow mention of flying saucers or extraterrestrials on its test, because those subjects might imply the forbidden topic of evolution. A text illustrator wrote to say that she was not permitted to portray a birthday party because Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in celebrating birthdays. Another illustrator told me that he was directed to airbrush the udder from his drawing of a cow because that body part was "too sexual."
"a well-known local writer for children sold a story to an American textbook company, along with illustrations. The U.S. publisher, however, informed her that she could not show a little girl sitting on her grandfather's lap, as the drawing implied incest. So, the author changed the adult's face, so that the little girl was sitting on her grandmother's lap instead. A contributor to a major textbook series prepared a story comparing the great floods in 1889 in Johnstown, Pa., with those in 1993 in the Midwest, but was unable to find an acceptable photograph. The publisher insisted that everyone in the rowboats must be wearing a lifevest to demonstrate safety procedures."
"When it comes to illustrations in textbooks, certain images--women cooking, men acting assertive, scenes of poverty, and old people walking with the aid of a cane or a walker--are likewise considered unacceptable. The specifications for photographs, I have learned, are exquisitely detailed. Men and boys must not be larger than women and girls. Asians must not appear as shorter than non-Asians. Women must wear bras, and men must not have noticeable bulges below the waist. People must wear shoes and socks, never showing bare feet or the soles of shoes, and their shoelaces must be solid black, brown, or white. People must never gesture with their fingers, nor should anyone be depicted eating with the left hand. Things to avoid: holiday decorations and scenes in which a church or a bar appears in the background."
"On the last administration of the Regents' English examination in January, the state (NY) asked high school seniors to write about a poem by Matthew Arnold. However, the examination did not mention the name of this famous poem ("Dover Beach"); it inexplicably offered only one stanza of the four-stanza poem; and it changed or misquoted an important line. Instead of Arnold's exclamation, "Ah, love, let us be true to one another!" it stated, "Ah, friend, let us be true to one another!"
It's a wonder anyone learns anything in public schools these days.
You can read the article here.
I tend to agree with Neal Boortz on this: "I learned that, in short, sensitivity sucks. It's a trap. Think about it - the truth knows no sensitivity. Life can be insensitive. Wallow too much in sensitivity and you’ll be unable to deal with life, or the truth. So, get over it."
Point to ponder: Our Declaration of Independance, our Constitution, and our Bill of Rights could not be written and passed through Congress today.
Speaking of Neal Boortz
I've known about this Commencement Speech for a while now and I don't believe I ever linked to it. It's about time.
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