Tuesday, October 30, 2007

English as a Second Language

If we're not careful, the title of this post will also soon become the title of a required class for high school graduation. Wait - I'm being too optimistic, it will probably just be an elective.

This has been all over the internet lately, but was emailed to me by a friend today as well. The good Colonel definetly gets it right:


On Wed, 6 Jun 2007 23:35:23 -0500, "Colonel Harry Riley USA ret" wrote:

Senators,

Your vote against an amendment to the Immigration Bill 1348, to make English America's offical language is astounding. On D-Day no less when we honor those that sacrificed in order to secure the bedrock character and principles of America . I can only surmise your vote reflects a loyalty to illegal aliens.

I don't much care where you come from, what your religion is, whether you're black, white or some other color, male or female, democrat, republican or independent, but I do care when you're a United States Senator, representing citizens of America and vote against English as the official language of the United States

Your vote reflects betrayal, political surrender, violates your pledge of allegiance, dishonors historical principle, rejects patriotism, borders on traitorous action and, in my opinion, makes you unfit to serve as a United States Senator... impeachment, recall, or other appropriate action is warrented.

Worse, 4 of you voting against English as America 's official language are presidential candidates: Senator Biden, Senator Clinton, Senator Dodd, and Senator Obama.

Those 4 Senators vying to lead America but won't or don't have the courage to cast a vote in favor of English as America's official language when 91% of American citizens want English officially designated as our language.

This is the second time in the last several months this list of Senators have disgraced themselves as political hacks... unworthy as Senators and certainly unqualifed to serve as President of the United States.

If America is as angry as I am, you will realize a back-lash so stunning it will literally rock you out of your panties... and preferably, totally out of the United States Senate.

The entire immigration bill is a farce... your action only confirms this really isn't about America ; it's about self-serving politics... despicable at best.

"Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience." ~ anonymous
The following senators voted against making English the official language of America :

Akaka (D-HI)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE) Wants to be President?
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Clinton (D-NY) Wants to be President?
Dayton (D-MN)
Dodd (D-CT) Wants to be President?
Domenici (R-NM) Coward, protecting his Senate seat...
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI) Not unusual for him
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA) Wanted to be President
Kohl (D-WI)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lieberman (D-CT) Disappointment here.....
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Obama (D-IL) Wants to be President?
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV) Senate Majority Leader
Salazar (D-CO)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Schumer (D-NY)
Stabenow (D-M)

"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale, and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled or hanged."
~ President Abraham Lincoln

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Friday, October 26, 2007

Tourette's Guy, Best Of

Body Carving


I can remember being with a friend when he passed out getting a simple tattoo, but I won't name names (B-dub). Imagine what this twisted girl must be feeling right about now!
What will these crazy kids come up with next?!
P.S. note the friend with the PBR - dead give away that these are some tough chicks.









Unions & Hookers

This was sent to me from a fellow construction type, I thought Sparky and Mr. Wilson might get a special kick out of it! Enjoy:
A dedicated Teamsters union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas and decided to check out the local brothels.
When he got to the first one, he asked the Madam, "Is this a union house?"

"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."


"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"


"The house gets $80 and the girls get $20," she answered. Offended at such unfair dealings, the union man stomped off down the street in search of a more equitable, hopefully unionized shop.



His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the Madam responded, "Why yes sir, this is a union house. We observe all union rules."



The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
"The girls get $80 and the house gets $20."


"That's more like it!" the union man said. He handed the Madam $100, looked around the room, and pointed to a stunningly attractive blonde. "I'd like her," he said.



"I'm sure you would, sir," said the Madam.

Then she gestured to a 92-year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has 67 years seniority and according to union rules, she's next!"

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Finally - someone who actually knows the difference between hatred and tolerance, and they write for the SF Chronicle of all papers.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Perpetually Juvenile

By Cinnamon Stillwell

While the famously liberal city of San Francisco is known for its anti-military shenanigans, it's the anti-Christian and, in particular, anti-Catholic sentiment emanating from activist elements of the city's gay population that's been getting all the attention as of late.... The latest instance of such sentiment originated with an all too familiar source: San Francisco's notorious Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The "sisters" are a group of gay men who dress up as nuns — of the drag-queen variety — in an attempt to parody Catholicism and, in a larger sense, Christianity, for what they perceive as its intolerance towards homosexuality. Their motto is "go forth and sin some more" and members have adopted satirical names such as "Sister Chastity Boner" and "Sister Constance Craving of the Holey Desire." ...I walked past one of the sisters standing outside a bar on Polk Street last weekend, joking loudly, with beer in hand, about going to "receive communion" later that day.

Receiving Holy Communion is exactly what two members of the group set out to achieve earlier this month. The sisters attended Mass at San Francisco's Most Holy Redeemer Parish on Oct. 7 and, in effect, forced Archbishop George H. Niederauer to deliver the Eucharist to them as his rather stunned congregation looked on.

Holy Communion, as described in a Chronicle article on the subject, is "a sacrament, and Catholics believe the consecrated bread and wine are the 'Body of Christ' and the 'Blood of Christ.' It is to be taken reverentially, as it is considered the source of Christian life." But the attitude of the sisters was hardly one of reverence for the church or its traditions. In fact, their publicity stunt was conveniently filmed and later disseminated to the media, although the sisters claim this was not their intention.

On the spot

Obviously, the point was to put the archbishop in an uncomfortable position whereby he could either refuse to comply, thereby handing the public a gold mine of alleged Catholic "intolerance," or go along with the ruse. The archbishop chose the latter route, and, frankly, it's hard to imagine what else he could have done in the situation. According to Rev. Jim Bretzke, professor of moral theology at University of San Francisco, a Jesuit Catholic university, "the sisters ... (did) not meet the criteria the church has for denying Communion."

Nonetheless, many Catholics were upset about the incident, seeing it as a desecration of the church. As Bill May, chairman of San Francisco's Catholics for the Common Good, put it, "They were there to make a statement and embarrass the archbishop and, in doing so, they desecrated what is most sacred and dear to every Catholic in the world." A disingenuous letter sent afterwards to Archbishop Niederauer by one of the perpetrators, "Sister Delta Goodhand," thanking him for his "inclusiveness," did little to assuage the feelings of those on the receiving end of the group's mockery.

Responding to the outrage, Archbishop Niederauer later apologized for giving the sisters communion, calling their actions "deeply offensive." In a statement at the Catholic San Francisco Web site, Neiderauer noted that this had been his first visit to the Most Holy Redeemer Parish and that, not having previously encountered members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, he failed to recognize them as such. Given that the church is located in the heart of San Francisco's most well known gay neighborhood, the Castro District, and that it touts itself as an "inclusive Catholic community," Niederaurer might have been better prepared.

However, he was clearly caught by surprise and faced with a conundrum. He concluded that, "Someone who dresses in a mock religious habit to attend Mass does so to make a point. If people dress in a manner clearly intended to mock what we hold sacred, they place themselves in an objective situation in which it is not appropriate for them to receive Holy Communion, much less for a minister of the Church to give the Sacrament to them."

Prudent response

While there has been little mention of the incident in the wider media, O'Reilly has been keeping up the pressure with his television show. In the process, he has expressed disappointment with the leadership of the Catholic Church, which has remained largely silent on the matter. However, the situation has put church leadership in something of a bind. Much like Archbishop Niederauer, it could not respond aggressively without appearing to overreact and, therefore, provide ammunition to its critics. The church may very well have taken the most prudent approach, even if it was one that left many Catholics unsatisfied.

Frustration about the blatant double standard when it comes to mocking Christianity is indeed growing, and not without reason. Anger over the sisters' publicity stunt comes on the heels of a widely publicized and tasteless advertisement for San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair, an annual event for purveyors of sadomasochism and exhibitionism. The ad featured a group of leather-clad men and women sitting around a table festooned with sex toys, in a manner obviously modeled after painter Leonardo Da Vinci's depiction of Christ and his disciples, "The Last Supper." The advertisement was clearly intended to mock Christianity and it succeeded in that goal. Similar expressions of ridicule were found at the Folsom Street Fair itself, where stands selling sex toys with Jesus and, in some cases, Buddha heads, were captured online. (zombietime.com/folsom_sf_2007_part_1/).

Such hostility towards Christianity is by no means shared by San Francisco's entire gay community. In fact, I had an enlightening conversation with a taxicab driver last week who described himself as gay and conservative and who shares some of the traditional views held by practicing Christians in regards to marriage and adoption.

Hatred of Christianity?

But where anti-Christian sentiment does arise in the local gay community, it tends to originate in the perception that Christianity, by adhering to its own orthodoxies, is promoting hatred. But, as I've noted previously, disapproval is not synonymous with hatred. The very nature of organized religion is to present human beings with a set of standards by which to live, and this includes taboos. Reform is a necessary part of this process and, indeed, various liberal Christian and Catholic parishes have sprung up around the country. But many gay activists are not content with this state of affairs. It seems that until the Catholic Church bends to their will and, essentially, dispenses with all its traditions, they will not be satisfied.


In the spirit of tolerance so often claimed by such activists, it might behoove them to allow the devout their own beliefs, even where they find them offensive. For it was never written in stone that Americans are to be free of offense, despite what the arbiters of political correctness would have us believe. One is not compelled to like or approve of the lifestyle or actions of another, as long as violence or incitement to violence is not employed in the process. And, again, registering disapproval is not tantamount to promoting violence.

In contrast, it's the antagonism expressed towards Christians by their critics that often veers dangerously close to hatred. In an earlier column, I noted a T-shirt worn by a salesclerk in a San Francisco gift shop that read, "So many right-wing Christians, so few lions." One can only imagine the reaction had another group been substituted for Christians. It seems that, for some, anti-Christian bigotry has become the last acceptable prejudice.

Anti-gay prejudice in Muslim world

While the urge to mock tradition and make light of the Judeo-Christian foundations of Western civilization is strong among San Francisco's gay activists, little is said about a religion in which homosexuals are not only disapproved of, but actively oppressed. In Islamic societies such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and, increasingly, the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, where Sharia law rules the day, gays are routinely arrested, tortured, subjected to lashings, stoned to death, hanged or beheaded.

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to Columbia University shed light on this sad state of affairs when he made the rather sinister claim that "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country." (The two Iranian gay teenagers who found themselves on the receiving end of a public hanging in 2005 might have begged to differ had they been allowed the freedom of speech accorded their inhumane leader by the denizens of academia). The audience at Columbia responded with laughter and, indeed, Ahmadinejad came off as something of a rube in the process. But there are serious issues involved that needn't be swept aside in order to avoid giving offense.

What's more likely is that fear of incurring violence is at the heart of the matter. Gay activists need not worry that an archbishop or a nun is going to kidnap and behead them, even if they desecrate the Catholic Church. But were such an "infidel" to do the same in a mosque, it's more than likely that his life would be threatened from that point on, as has been the case with various reformers, critics, and simple satirists.

If groups such as the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence spent half as much time criticizing Islam for its abuses against gay rights as they do Catholicism, then perhaps their attempts at activism might be seen as truly groundbreaking. As it is, their juvenile behavior is redolent of a son desperately rebelling against his father, a teenage girl telling her mother she hates her because she can't stay out as late as she'd like, and other similarly adolescent expressions of fury.

When we start seeing sex toys with Muhammad's likeness on them being sold at the Folsom Street Fair or sisters infiltrating mosques in burqas, then perhaps we can call these activists and their supporters brave. Until then, perhaps it's time for the sisters to grow up.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Mess Hall Time

Calling all Canteen soldiers for an evening of R&R at Jerry's Steakhouse in Raytown along 350 Hwy - Saturday, November 3rd.

P.S. - Jerry's is a registered Missouri Lottery Pull-Tab and Keno retailer.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Favorite Quote

"He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper." - Edmund Burke

As one who is often accused of being somewhat of an antagonist, I take comfort in the fact that it just might mean I'm a really good "helper";)

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Check it Out!

I got this Caminetto at Cigar and Tabac off Metcalf today. Can't wait to break it in.

Holy Shiite!

I just watched High Fidelity for the umpteenth time today. Jack Black at his best.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

It's all in the wording

The Mrs. and I spent the afternoon in a lively debate regarding an occurrence at our Sunday School class this morning, so she suggested I include it in on the Canteen. According to her, I am simply too critical, pessimistic, and always looking for details to pick apart. I believe this is thinking for myself rather than blindly accepting what another has to say, even if they are saying it for the greater good. I also believe it is possible to agree in general with something, but to disagree on the finer points of the matter. Before I go on, I must explain that I agreed with 99.9% of what was taught this morning, but this one detail could have major implications to someone who took it at face value.

The topic in question arose while studying Romans Chapter 5, specifically verse 2. It reads, "...and rejoice in hope of glory of God." Our teacher explained that the word "rejoice" also meant "boast" in a Greek word study that they had done. They went on to say that, as Christians, we should be boastful of God's grace and His glory. This is the detail where my ears perked up.

I don't doubt the Greek word study that was done, but in today's English (which we were speaking) "boast" has a negative connotation that comes with it, it corresponds with pridefulness, bragging, and a sense of being better, or having something better, than others. The word "rejoice," as found in at least 4 different translations, simply means to be joyful about, none of these other negative meanings are associated with the word that is actually printed in the Bible(s) that we were all reading out of. Why then was it necessary to do a word study to find an alternate meaning? What more comes out of using the word "boast" in place of it?

When I questioned this point I was reminded that it was important to look at the root meanings of the words used in the Bible if one wanted to dig deep into the meanings, and that in the Greek language, the word "boast" did not have the negative connotations that it does today in English. Absolutely! That's why we're not reading Greek versions of the Bible today, it would make no sense to us. It's hard enough to keep up with our own language as the meaning of words change from time to time depending on the context they were used. Take for example "bad". There was a time when it clearly meant good, or better yet cool. 50 years ago nobody would bat an eye if I said I were feeling "gay," but today most people would choose a different word, even though "gay" would be gramatically correct.

But more importantly, I was especially sensitive to this mis-wording because of it's implication. Christians are often seen as prideful, boastful, and yes, as hypocrites. So to say that we should be boastful of God's grace really struck a nerve. I don't believe it does any good, at any time, to be boastful, especially concerning spirituality. This does not mean one shouldn't be proud and confident in their faith, just that Christians should be sensitive to how others may already view them, so to purposefully take a boastful approach to spreading the word stands the chance of doing more harm than good.

Christians who boastfully exclaim their faith (we all know the type) are looked upon with great scrutiny from those of no, or different, faith. Even the non-believers know the difference between right and wrong, so even the seemingly small sins (bragging, gossip, etc.) of the boastful Christian are magnified and used against them as reasons to not want to be a Christian. See Romans 2: 23-24.

I realized I've rambled on for quite some time now, but I see this as a major stumbling block in modern day Christianity. I'm curious as to your thoughts. Do you scrutinize Christians more than others, do you especially scrutinize "boastful" Christians? Do you use those individuals to reaffirm your spirituality, or lack there of? Does a prideful approach to spirituality turn you off, or make you wish for what they had? Is there a Christian person in your life that has had a major impact in your life, positive or negative, and if so, what was their approach?

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Rives



I had dinner with this guy tonight at Grinders. He is a slam poet and I thought you might like to listen. Hallmark brought him in for Word week.

Gorilla Goes Country

The General getting two-step lessons from comely young female primate in preparation for upcoming Hoedown.

Photo by Sparky

Friday, October 5, 2007

Gay Last Supper

Homosexuals Mock 'Last Supper' With Sex-Toy Twist

I'm always puzzled why people with same-sex desires wonder why their life-style isn't more broadly accepted when they give people opposed to their life-style so much ammunition. It reminds me of an Onion article from a few years back entitled Gay-Pride Parade Sets Mainstream Acceptance of Gays Back 50 Years.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

That's Entertainment!


How many of you all know folks who got Halo 3 ASAR (As Soon As Released)? Seems to me video games are creeping up with TV, movies (& books & board games) as a popular, mainstream pastime. Mountain Dew has Halo 3 labels. My 18 year old (GIRL!) cousin pretty much grew up on Star Wars shooters--and Mario, of course.
For me, my step-dad (yes, over sixty) and my brother (mid-20's) both had the big release fired up on their 360's right away. I'll play it soon, but thought I'd play quickly through 1 & 2. For old time's sake. And you?