Sure...blame America.

The title irritated me, but once I read it, I laughed. Eventually America will be blamed for everything. Before you get to upset, remember that the envious are the first to say bad things about good people. The United States is the richest nation in the world, and most of the world hates us for it. We are blessed beyond imagination and those who are less fortunate than ourselves have to lash out to save face, since they have little compared to us.

Now with that said, we (citizens of the US) are arrogant, wasteful people who have no idea how good we have it. My wife knows. She went on a mission trip with our old church to Matamoros, Mexico to help build homes for the poor. She came back humbled. The pictures she took did not give a clear representation of what she witnessed. She cried at night. She was sad during the day. It clearly had changed her. She knows how good we have it here.

Now on a side note, I think this quake/tsunami was a message to us from our creator. He is giving us clear signs that he wants us to shape up. Asia is not a hotbed for Christian activity (most are Buddhist and Muslim), but there are missionaries there. Ever notice where a large number of deaths occur from natural disasters? Asia.

Food for thought | Fuel for the fire

Yikes!

I find this scary. The military could have a field day with this:

Scientists at the University of the West of England (UWE) have designed a robot that does not require batteries or electricity to power itself.

Instead, it generates energy by catching and eating houseflies. Dr Chris Melhuish and his Bristol-based team hope the robot, called EcoBot II, will one day be sent into zones too dangerous for humans, potentially proving invaluable in military, security and industrial areas.

It reminds me of the Michael Crichton book, "Prey".

I can see the desire for this technology, but this can easily get out of hand.

Killer Quakes

According to the new, this (The Indian Ocean quake) is the 4th most powerful earthquake recorded since 1900. So far the death toll is between 80,000 and 100,000 people, which about 1/3 are children. The numbers are expected to go much higher.

The number is high, but not as high as in China, Tangshan back in 1976. I do not remember that (I was 11 at the time) but the official death toll was 255,000. Before that it was China, Gansu in 1920 and China, Tsinghai in 1927 with 200,000 each. Asia has been hit pretty hard in the past 100 years or so.

BtW, no mass amount of animals have been found dead yet, just a stray here and there. No elephants, monkeys, dogs, etc. Freaky.

If you want to see a list of quakes with deaths greater than 1000 people, you may find it here:

Quakes

**Update** Death toll over 120,000
**Update** Death toll over 135,000
**Update** Death toll over 145,000
**Update** Death toll over 150,000 with the estimates being closer to 200,000 before it is over with.

Can Christmas Last All Year Long?

First off, I know I do not update this often. Contrary to popular belief, I do not live in front of my PC, although I am sure my wife would disagree.

BoT...Christmas time tends to bring out the best in many people and the worst in others. I found my heart being tugged on many times over the past few weeks (proof positive that God works on everyone, even a hot-head like me) by doing a RACK (Random Act of Christian Kindness) more often. Sometimes it was leaving a tip for an employee who may never get one (the maid who cleans the hotel room or the busboy who cleans your table), other times it was calling the police for someone who had been in a minor accident and did not have a mobile phone. I have been blessed to have had the oportunity (twice in 2 weeks) to call 911 for people who have been in mishaps. I even will pick up trash along the road. Last night I picked up a grocery bag full of it just on the short walk I take with my dogs to the elementary school and back.

Christmas can last all year long, if we all look at each other and do our part. Yes, we all get busy, and yes we have obligations, but being cordial, civil, and polite is not that time consuming and to be honest, it can be fun. The looks I get from people as I do the things I do makes me giggle. Most people do not have any idea how to react, simply because they have never been treated well by a stranger before.

Being kind to someone usually has a domino effect. You are kind to them and they are kind to someone else. If all goes as planned, that person continues the cycyle. It is wonderful to see that happen.

Do God, me, and your neighbors a favor. Practice RACK. Try it. It can be fun.

Fight for Your Child or Fight for Your Country?

Imagine being a father in the military (I think this is the National Guard). You get divorce and get custody of your only son and your ex-wife is ordered to pay child support. She becomes $6,000 in arrears on payment. You get remarried and the child becomes quite happy with your new wife, the child's step-mom. Next, you get called up to serve in Iraq. No problem, you say. My wife will take care of the child in my absence. NO! says the bio-mom, and she gets a lawyer to files (and gets) custody of your child. The kicker? All that back-child support means NOTHING. The entire time you are in Iraq, your pay will be tapped and support will be paid to your ex-wife.

It happened to a North Texas man. I wish I had the link, but I cannot find it. The soldiers last name was Wertz (not sure on the spelling...

Christian Rock Band -- Not in School

From the Toledo Blade . If the school said they were refused because of questionable lyrics, I could understand. But they are a Christian Rock Band.

Interestingly enough, this school has another skeleton hiding in the broom closet:

Interestingly, it was a 1936 Rossford High School graduate, atheist Madalyn Murray O'Hair, then known as Madalyn Mays, whose lawsuit against Baltimore public schools led to the 1963 Supreme Court ruling outlawing prayer in schools.

Crazy Liberals.

American Civil Liberties Union : Pennsylvania Parents File First-Ever Challenge to 'Intelligent Design' Instruction in Public Schools

American Civil Liberties Union : Pennsylvania Parents File First-Ever Challenge to 'Intelligent Design Instruction' in Public Schools

This saddens me. I have a very inquisitive nature and I firmly believe that science and religion can exist peacefully. Why must some people do this? The theories of the universe's beginnings are just that, theories. Why are some theories taught and not others? If I have to listen to some old theory that has not been proven being taught in school, why can't other theories be taught? We are not teaching Christianity here so I cannot see why the ACLU is getting so upset about. We are not placing one religion above another. We are simply saying that some sort of higher power planned this thing we call 'existence'.

Scott Peterson -- Death Penalty

I am sure you have heard that Scott Peterson has been found guilty and sentenced to death by a California jury (not that he will ever be executed in THAT state) and many of you are probably very relieved. I am not. I am not convinced he killed his wife and unborn son. Oh, don't get me wrong, in my opinion, he is a slimeball. What kind of man cheats on his pregnant wife (at Christmas time at that), goes fishing on the night she reportedly disappears and lies to police? I just do not like the fact he was convicted and sentenced to death on circumstantial evidence. There was no hard evidence linking Scott Peterson to the death of Laci and the unborn child. Do I think he knew about her death? Yes, I do. Did he killer her? I am not sure, but I am leaning towards no.

I struggle with this. I am not in favor of the death penalty unless there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt proving so. We are talking about a man's life here (no matte how sorry it may be...).

Not Just Americans

For months (maybe years) we have been force-fed the idea that Islamic Terrorists hate Americans. We read in the news how Americans are terrorized both here and abroad. However, if you take a look at the back pages of your printed news or check out the various news web sites you will see that is this not 100% true. No doubt that the Islamic terrorists do hate us, but it is not just us they hate. They literally hate ANYONE who is not just like them. They not only bomb/kill/torture Americans, but they do the same to any Western culture that does not agree 100% with their ideas. They kill their countrymen, women, and possibly children in the name of their "faith". Even in Amsterdam, where almost anything goes, terror exists. A "radical" terrorist planned on bombing the red light district disguised as a pizza delivery man.

In Spain, the terrorists insisted that the Spanish troops pull out of Iraq or there would be more violence in Spain. The government gave in and removed the troops. Just a few months later, the attacks in Spain continued. What did the terrorists learn? What did the Spanish people learn?

I used to think the Islamic terrorists hated us because of our leaders. They did not like the way the American government operated, nor did they like the policies of our government. However, now I do not think that is the case. We as Americans are free to live most any way we choose. The Islamic terrorists want to be in control and we stand in the way. The US stands for freedom and democracy. The Islamic terrorist wants Islamo-Fascist theocracy. Freedom? Check it at the door.

The right to practice religion as you see fit is something I very much believe in. But if that practice harms any other person, then that right has been lost.

Anti-Christian?

I get a little worried when I read the news on the webs and in other blogs about the appearant anti-Christian movement being led my secular America. A couple of examples that come to mind deal with the Christmas holiday season.

• Denver, Colorado had a parade during the recently and the powers that be (PTB) refused to allow a church to participate simply because they planned on using a (GASP!) Christian themed float and sing a (HORRORS!) Christian Christmas hymn.
• The City of New York is even getting into the anti-Christian act. The evergreen tree that has been decorated and publicly displayed is a "holiday" tree, not a Christmas tree. Children around the nation are not allowed to sing certain Christmas carols in fear they may offend some group, namely the secular, liberal movement.
• Retail stores nationwide are telling their employees not to say "Merry Christmas", but wish shoppers and co-workers a "happy holiday". I can understand this to some degree, but I think we are going too far. I find it simply amazing that Christians, who are the largest religious group in the United States, has to cow-tail to all the other groups, especially during the holiday season. Why is it that we as American's are so politcally correct (PC) with everyonr but Christians? Why is it OK to offend them, but not any other group?
• I remember the days when the only thing I had to worry about during the holidays was saying "Merry Christmas" to someone and they would answer back, "Happy Chanukah!", reminding me we had 2 major religious events going on during December. I know, some of you will say, "What about, Ramadan, Kwanzaa, and the other non-Christian holidays?" What about them? In the United States, we have (until Kwanzaa) only recognized Christmas and Chanukah during the "holiday season". Ramadan (I believe) is based on the lunar calendar, so it does not fall in December every year. Kwanzaa is not religious, nor is it a substitute for Christmas. Don't believe me? Look it up on the web for yourself. In the United States, the holiday season we normally associate with Christmas has always been geared towards 3 groups: Christians, Jews, and the non-religious population who use Santa Claus as a holiday symbol.

I have also heard rumors that Michael Moore's film, "Farenheit 9/11" will be nominated for an award (Oscar, Golden Globe, etc) but Mel Gibson's powerful "The Passion of the Christ" will not. Hollyweird, in all its secular, liberal glory sees more value in MM's trash than the story of the last hours of our Savior. Sad.

Maiden Post

Welcome to "Always a Dull Moment", my rant blog. I hope to post every few days with thoughts and insight that will get you thinking. My goal is not to get you to agree with me. I want you to read these posts and THINK about what I write.

If you find any inaccuracies, let me know. I am not too big to be corrected.

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