Those Carson boys are in what nation?
On what structure are they doing their thing?
Why is Ben threatening to jump?
Friday, April 25, 2008
ITS THOSE CARSON BOYS AGAIN!
Those Carson boys are in what nation?
On what structure are they doing their thing?
Why is Ben threatening to jump?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
JUDGEMENT
We had just concluded a successful telephone negotiation with a contractor when, as we walked out of the room, I remarked lightheartedly to my bright, young engineer colleague, that our discussion went a lot better than Hillary's campaign. He laughed and said, "I'm for Obama". I couldn't let this moment go without finding out what motivated this 25 y/o obviously intelligent man to want Obama for his President. So I asked him, "Why?"
He then parroted back the Obama campaign slogan of "Change and Hope". Trying to keep this discussion non-confrontational (not my strong suit!) I asked him what Obama was going to change. "Politics as usual", was his reply. I suggested that change can be good, bad or neither, and did he understand that? He acknowledged that was true, but "believed" that Obama would do great and wonderful things if President.
Moving on, I asked my intrepid engineer if he was disturbed by Obama's associations. He wasn't sure what I was referring to, so I mentioned the Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers. He honestly did not know one thing the Rev. had said, so I gave him 3 examples. His rather flippant comment was, to the effect, why condemn someone because their preacher said come controversial statements. I related to him that the Reverend's comments were not controversial. They were lies and completely untrue as anyone in the country with an ounce of sense would know. He reluctantly agreed. Further, I said Obama has picked this man to be his spiritual advisor and freely associated with him for 20 some years. He seemed somewhat befuddled with that statement as if he didn't know that little factoid. I asked him if he or any common man would associate and sit in the pew of a preacher that spewed hate for blacks? He said he wouldn't, but why should you hold bad associates against someone. I suggested that in the world we are judged by the associations we make. He did agree to that.
Finally, I suggested that the candidates, during this election, will promise all kinds of things. They always do, and they seldom deliver because of the built in inertia of our system. I said when it comes down to selecting a President it really comes down to judgement. "Who, when this very dangerous world starts coming apart, will have the good judgement to navigate the country through the mess, without making the mess worse." Then I said, "The common citizen is looking at Obama's associations, his and his wife's elitist statements, and asking, "do I want this man's finger on the nation's trigger"?"
We parted on friendly terms, but I think I gave him some things to think about. In retrospect, however, my engineer is almost the stereotypical Obama supporter. And his views can be summed up in what he told me as he left. He said, "Younger people want change."
I guess all I want is good sound judgement in my President. Something that seems to be in short supply lately.
God Bless America! We need it now more than ever.
He then parroted back the Obama campaign slogan of "Change and Hope". Trying to keep this discussion non-confrontational (not my strong suit!) I asked him what Obama was going to change. "Politics as usual", was his reply. I suggested that change can be good, bad or neither, and did he understand that? He acknowledged that was true, but "believed" that Obama would do great and wonderful things if President.
Moving on, I asked my intrepid engineer if he was disturbed by Obama's associations. He wasn't sure what I was referring to, so I mentioned the Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers. He honestly did not know one thing the Rev. had said, so I gave him 3 examples. His rather flippant comment was, to the effect, why condemn someone because their preacher said come controversial statements. I related to him that the Reverend's comments were not controversial. They were lies and completely untrue as anyone in the country with an ounce of sense would know. He reluctantly agreed. Further, I said Obama has picked this man to be his spiritual advisor and freely associated with him for 20 some years. He seemed somewhat befuddled with that statement as if he didn't know that little factoid. I asked him if he or any common man would associate and sit in the pew of a preacher that spewed hate for blacks? He said he wouldn't, but why should you hold bad associates against someone. I suggested that in the world we are judged by the associations we make. He did agree to that.
Finally, I suggested that the candidates, during this election, will promise all kinds of things. They always do, and they seldom deliver because of the built in inertia of our system. I said when it comes down to selecting a President it really comes down to judgement. "Who, when this very dangerous world starts coming apart, will have the good judgement to navigate the country through the mess, without making the mess worse." Then I said, "The common citizen is looking at Obama's associations, his and his wife's elitist statements, and asking, "do I want this man's finger on the nation's trigger"?"
We parted on friendly terms, but I think I gave him some things to think about. In retrospect, however, my engineer is almost the stereotypical Obama supporter. And his views can be summed up in what he told me as he left. He said, "Younger people want change."
I guess all I want is good sound judgement in my President. Something that seems to be in short supply lately.
God Bless America! We need it now more than ever.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
ANOTHER ONE FOR YOU DETECTIVES
Where was this picture taken? What is the significance, if any, of the grey house in the background?
Monday, April 14, 2008
RE-JUDAIZING JESUS
I read an interesting article on page 60 of the March 24, 08 TIME Magazine.
It was imbedded in an Article of 10 Ideas That Are Changing The World. The gist of the article is that main stream Christians are finally starting to attempt to read the Gospels through the eyes of a Jew. Not just any Jew, but none other than Jesus. They are saying things like if you get Jesus' Jewishness wrong you get Jesus wrong. He was foremost a Jew, culturally and spiritually. Jesus and Paul, the foremost people featured in the New Testament, were profoundly Jewish.
What I found interesting about this movement towards understanding Jesus' cultural and spiritual heritage is that Mormonism has acknowledged this from the very start. Many Christians almost discount the Old Testament, while Mormons are instructed by the teachings found there. Mormonism sees Jesus' teachings as a continuation of the true Jewish religion, not a departure from it.
As an exercise, read Paul's letter to the Romans. Try to feel the Jew Paul as he talks about God fulfilling his covenant with Israel. You get the idea he is speaking as a Jew to Jews. Of course he is. And without beating the reader over the head, I need to say again that Mormonism has long cherished the traditions and covenants made to Israel and celebrates the connectivity to these modern times and to Christianity.
It was imbedded in an Article of 10 Ideas That Are Changing The World. The gist of the article is that main stream Christians are finally starting to attempt to read the Gospels through the eyes of a Jew. Not just any Jew, but none other than Jesus. They are saying things like if you get Jesus' Jewishness wrong you get Jesus wrong. He was foremost a Jew, culturally and spiritually. Jesus and Paul, the foremost people featured in the New Testament, were profoundly Jewish.
What I found interesting about this movement towards understanding Jesus' cultural and spiritual heritage is that Mormonism has acknowledged this from the very start. Many Christians almost discount the Old Testament, while Mormons are instructed by the teachings found there. Mormonism sees Jesus' teachings as a continuation of the true Jewish religion, not a departure from it.
As an exercise, read Paul's letter to the Romans. Try to feel the Jew Paul as he talks about God fulfilling his covenant with Israel. You get the idea he is speaking as a Jew to Jews. Of course he is. And without beating the reader over the head, I need to say again that Mormonism has long cherished the traditions and covenants made to Israel and celebrates the connectivity to these modern times and to Christianity.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
Not confirmed, but hot off the ethernet!!!
Word is circulating that Larney Farney AKA "Larney Farney" of the BIG BIG arms was bested in a contest of Arm Wrestling by Bennie Boots AKA "Nacho Libre". Observers of the event were stunned at the loss. Some rumoured that the Champ had been out of training and hitting the noodles a little too heavily.
Reporters on the scene said that the former champ asked for a rematch, only to be humiliated in less that 5 seconds by the determined and very buff Nacho.
No word on how the former champ took his trouncing from the heretofore unknown giant killer. However, he was heard to remark, "I'll be BACK!"
Nacho, always a humble and self effacing gentleman, said with a tear in his eye, and we quote, "Larney was always my hero. He's still a great role model, even if he is loosing his edge."
Ern was heard to offer some consolation to his "little" brother, "Tough noogies", he said.
Word is circulating that Larney Farney AKA "Larney Farney" of the BIG BIG arms was bested in a contest of Arm Wrestling by Bennie Boots AKA "Nacho Libre". Observers of the event were stunned at the loss. Some rumoured that the Champ had been out of training and hitting the noodles a little too heavily.
Reporters on the scene said that the former champ asked for a rematch, only to be humiliated in less that 5 seconds by the determined and very buff Nacho.
No word on how the former champ took his trouncing from the heretofore unknown giant killer. However, he was heard to remark, "I'll be BACK!"
Nacho, always a humble and self effacing gentleman, said with a tear in his eye, and we quote, "Larney was always my hero. He's still a great role model, even if he is loosing his edge."
Ern was heard to offer some consolation to his "little" brother, "Tough noogies", he said.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
I LOVE AMERICANS!
Lizzie and I just returned from a trip to St. George and Las Vegas. As is our established habit, we flew to Vegas, rented a car, drove to St. George, visited the Grand folks, then returned to Vegas for the business portion and finally flew back home.
I like traveling. It forces me out of my comfort zones giving me fresh perspectives on the human condition. In a nutshell, this trip, my impression is that Americans are a wonderful race. Just a few of my experiences:
Wally Park – We left our Corolla and hopped the Wally shuttle to DIA. In the rush to load our bags into the shuttle, un-noticed by us, the driver grabbed a big black bag I keep in the car for emergencies at the plant. As we were getting off the shuttle I (not mister detail man) walked past the bag saying to my self, “That looks like the bags we use at the plant?” Lizzie (the boys know her as Inspector Gadget) noticed my name on the bag. Now what to do? We didn’t have time to go back to the car!! The driver said he would put it back into the trunk. And true to his word it was there when we returned seven days later.
Advantage Rent a Car – Long line trying to get the car. A nice lady sees the line and comes in from out in the garage to help us. She takes me and makes a deteriorating experience into a pleasant one, even upgrading the car without me asking.
Mandalay Bay – The pleasant Maitre d’ at the Buffet. Made the whole experience brighter and he remembered us, seating us by an open window each time we visited. Which was way too many times!
Taxis – The District would rather we not rent cars for the business portion of our trips. My hats off to the cabbies and the hotel staff that keeps ‘em coming: Always polite and helpful with a little wit thrown in for good measure. I jump in a cab at the Mirage heading for the M’ Bay in high traffic. The Cabbie, a dark skinned Middle Eastern type, says, “Where you from?” I tell him Denver, and to return the favor, ask him where he is from. He replies, “Iraq, are you afraid of me now?!” Thinking as quickly as a 64 y/o man can, I replied laughingly, “ I’m a citizen of the meanest, toughest, most violent country in the world and served this nation in war and peace for 26 years. Why should I be afraid of you? You should be worried about me sitting here behind you in the back seat.” He laughed, and as we weaved through the back streets of Vegas making great time, we had a wonderful conversation about his time in America, his aspirations, and love of freedom.
I usually tip cabbies well. They have a tough job. After paying the fare of a very pleasant East Indian cabbie, he blessed me with a Hindu blessing. I was very touched.
Bellagio – The team that choreographs the Fountain must be delightful people full of talent and humor. We never tire of visiting there.
These are only a few of the experiences I had with super people.
I like traveling. It forces me out of my comfort zones giving me fresh perspectives on the human condition. In a nutshell, this trip, my impression is that Americans are a wonderful race. Just a few of my experiences:
Wally Park – We left our Corolla and hopped the Wally shuttle to DIA. In the rush to load our bags into the shuttle, un-noticed by us, the driver grabbed a big black bag I keep in the car for emergencies at the plant. As we were getting off the shuttle I (not mister detail man) walked past the bag saying to my self, “That looks like the bags we use at the plant?” Lizzie (the boys know her as Inspector Gadget) noticed my name on the bag. Now what to do? We didn’t have time to go back to the car!! The driver said he would put it back into the trunk. And true to his word it was there when we returned seven days later.
Advantage Rent a Car – Long line trying to get the car. A nice lady sees the line and comes in from out in the garage to help us. She takes me and makes a deteriorating experience into a pleasant one, even upgrading the car without me asking.
Mandalay Bay – The pleasant Maitre d’ at the Buffet. Made the whole experience brighter and he remembered us, seating us by an open window each time we visited. Which was way too many times!
Taxis – The District would rather we not rent cars for the business portion of our trips. My hats off to the cabbies and the hotel staff that keeps ‘em coming: Always polite and helpful with a little wit thrown in for good measure. I jump in a cab at the Mirage heading for the M’ Bay in high traffic. The Cabbie, a dark skinned Middle Eastern type, says, “Where you from?” I tell him Denver, and to return the favor, ask him where he is from. He replies, “Iraq, are you afraid of me now?!” Thinking as quickly as a 64 y/o man can, I replied laughingly, “ I’m a citizen of the meanest, toughest, most violent country in the world and served this nation in war and peace for 26 years. Why should I be afraid of you? You should be worried about me sitting here behind you in the back seat.” He laughed, and as we weaved through the back streets of Vegas making great time, we had a wonderful conversation about his time in America, his aspirations, and love of freedom.
I usually tip cabbies well. They have a tough job. After paying the fare of a very pleasant East Indian cabbie, he blessed me with a Hindu blessing. I was very touched.
Bellagio – The team that choreographs the Fountain must be delightful people full of talent and humor. We never tire of visiting there.
These are only a few of the experiences I had with super people.
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