Something to think about

Today Mark Salinas posted this about how we should not let things like politics ruin friendships.

I agree wholeheartedly with what he had to say in his very timely post. As I read through the comments though, someone else had something very profound to say.

Audra Krell from Krellfish said, "One other point is for people to look inward. As we get closer to the election, people become desperate and do and say things that they normally wouldn’t. We should all do an emotional check and see if possibly, our fears and other emotions are coloring our words and actions a little too much."

So far, in most of our conversations - those on the opposite side of the political fence have been able to have civil conversations with me, even when we disagree. And then there have been those times where I just wanted to enjoy being with my friend and I've said, "let's not talk politics today, okay?"

This election seems to be more charged than any other that I remember, and I hope that some people are not forgetting that we are all Americans and in the end - we have to all figure out how to work together whether we are liberal, conservative, democrat, republican or some combination of all of these things.

So in these last 2 weeks before the election I urge you to:

• be informed and research everything - if a story seems biased, it probably is - so check the facts yourself
  
• feel free to be passionate without being nasty
• don't steal signs out of people's yards (I'd like mine back please!)
• respect the opinions of others, whether you agree or not
• Pray for our nation, its leaders - and whoever is destined to be our next President - we all have an uphill climb ahead of us.

Okay - political discussion done. For real this time. Maybe.

Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?

If you have a moment - please read this article - and spread the word . . .

This article was written by Orson Scott Card, a democrat and newspaper columnist - and I agree with what he has to say . . . (I'll say no more, because he says it all.)

http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081017light.html

A lesson for those who didn't pay attention in high school . . .

I am trying to stay away from politics in my blog - but I had to post this because it is informative and may help people to understand some of the things they keep hearing about in the media.

Recently, Senator Obama spoke to Joe the Plumber who had asked him why he would get more taxes for a small business that just happens to make more than $250,000.

This was Senator Obama's response:

“It’s not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure that everybody who is behind you, that they’ve got a chance at success, too. I think when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”

Those words "spread the wealth around" have said to confirm some people's feelings that Senator Obama has more socialist policies than democratic.

What I've realized in my conversations with people my own age is this: no one paid attention in high school civics or government class and they don't have any idea what socialism is. And they really don't care! So I ran across this blog this morning which had a great excerpt from Mike Huckabee's book.

I wanted to share this lesson with you here:

“I once heard the various forms of government described this way:

Communism - you have two cows and the government takes both cows and gives you part of the milk.

Socialism - you have two cows and the government takes one of the cows and gives it to your neighbor.

Fascism - you have two cows and the government takes both cows and sells you the milk.

Nazism - you have two cows and the government takes both cows and shoots you.

Bureaucracy - you have two cows, the government takes both cows, shoots one, milks the other, and pours the milk down the drain.

Capitalism - you have two cows, you sell one and you buy a bull!

Our system, based on the capitalist idea, is intended to create incentives so there is a return on one’s endeavors. It has it’s flaws, but ours is still better than any other system on earth.”

I am hoping that this short lesson has helped some people understand these things they keep hearing on the TV but don't take the time to learn about.

I will leave you with a quote from Former President Ronald Reagan (which reminds me of a time when people had a respect for the one holding the office of the President of the United States . . .)

“All systems are capitalist. It's just a matter of who owns and controls the capital -- ancient king, dictator, or private individual. We should properly be looking at the contrast between a free market system where individuals have the right to live like kings if they have the ability to earn that right and government control of the market system such as we find today in socialist nations.”

Main thing: God is still God.

Be informed.

Vote on November 4th (or you do not have a right to complain).

(I am now finished with my political comments . . . until the next election.)

Happy Birthday Garfield!

Wow. Garfield is 30 years old today . . .

Eat some lasagna in his honor.

Guilty Pleasure

I admit it. I'm an American Idol Freak. I haven't watched it consistently for 7 years, but Hunkahubby and I have been pretty big fans since the end of Season 3.


So I just had to take the chance to say -

Congratulations David Cook! I've been rooting for him since the beginning. (My other favorites were Carly Smithson (awesome voice) and Amanda Overmyer (fellow Hoosier).)

I got choked up in the end, watching he and his family overcome with emotion. I think he is going to make some great music and I'm really looking forward to what he comes up with. I mean seriously, anyone who can turn Mariah Carey's "Always be my Baby" into a relevant hit for a guy . . . he's a winner in my book!

Yay!

Gas Prices Got you Down? You could try singing . . .

Just don't get arrested . . .

Stealing from Church

I had to share this article from Church Marketing Sucks about how a church responded to things (a portable trailer filled with 75% of the church's equipment) being stolen from them.

How this generation really feels about Christians . . .

Something needs to change:

Today's young people, ages 16-29, have a more critical view of Christians than previous generations. Specifically, they think Christians are judgmental, anti-homosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered. And that's not just a minority viewpoint--it's an overwhelming majority who say Christians are ...

Anti-homosexual: 91%
Judgmental: 87%
Hypocritical: 85%
Old-fashioned: 78%
Too involved in politics: 75% [...read the rest here]

[Picture from http://www.ezthemes.com/previews/j/jesuscrying.jpg]

Can you believe this?

A woman was driving on I-69 and made a LEGAL U-Turn. A fast driving truck came up behind her and motioned for her to pull over. When she did, a man got out of his truck and started yelling at her, when she got out of her car to apologize, he smashed her cell phone and picked her up and THREW her into oncoming traffic!!!

THAT is a bad case of road rage. The woman is injured, but alive, thanks to some good Samaritans.

Read the full story here.

STARBUCKS IS CLOSING?!?!?!?!

Okay - so this headline caused me to have a little bit of heart palpitations (almost as much as when I drink too many mochas from Starbucks . . .)

Luckily - it is just a marketing ploy and a closing that will only last a few hours.

Check out the story here . . .

I guess Starbucks is training their staff to better the "Starbucks experience" due to competition from places like Dunkin Donuts and McDonald's who are now offering "premium coffee" at cheaper prices.

I happen to believe that Starbucks is a lot about the atmosphere. I am not a big coffee drinker, but for some reason, I LOVE Starbucks coffee. Maybe they slip an extra addictive ingredient in it, I'm not sure. (or maybe its just the regular addictive ingredients . . . like sugar . . . and caffeine . . .)

Yes, Starbucks is expensive. And in an economic downturn - many people are likely trying to give up their Starbucks habit. I even found a blog post to help you do just that.

So . . . . tell me . . . are you addicted to Starbucks? Will you be wooed away from Starbucks by other restaurants? Will you have the jitters knowing the store is closed for a few hours, even if you know it is going to re-open a few hours later? OR do you hate Starbucks and everything it stands for??

Do they still have the right stuff??

This article made me crack up laughing and cringe all at the same time.

Yes, I admit it - I am a child of the 80s and proud to be one. I can't wait for big hair to come back (the kind where you needed a building permit, just to do your hair),
neon green used to be my favorite color - and I still believe that nothing will ever top 80s music for nostalgic value (sappiness) and the perfect music for slow dancing at school functions . . .





However . . . I find it hard to admit . . . that I actually saw the New Kids on the Block in concert when I was in 7th grade. But, it's true. I did. And I loved it. And I was crazily in love with Donnie (who we now know as Marky Mark a.k.a. Mark Wahlberg, serious actor's brother) . . . why? I don't know . . . when I look at old pictures of NKOTB . . . I REALLY don't know.

Honestly, I loved the 80s . . . but an NKOTB comeback? Seriously??? Aren't there enough boy bands without bringing old ones back from the dead?

What do you think??

Why does this always happen?

Apple unveils iPod touch



The new iPod touch introduced today features built-in Wi-Fi networking and a revolutionary multi-touch user interface—first introduced on iPhone—that makes it easy to find all of your music, video, and other digital content and enjoy it on the gorgeous widescreen display on iPod touch. . .

To read the rest of the article, go here . . .

I had held out on buying an iPod Video. However, they were running an educational discount where you could get one for pretty cheap when buying a desktop or laptop. My husband bought a new laptop, so I told him to order me an iPod. I got it less than two weeks ago - and now, I'm already behind the times again!!!

I am waiting until Leopard comes out before I buy my iMac. I don't want to miss something else really cool.

And at least I didn't buy my iPhone yet!!!