Mick Jagger sung a timelessly popular song,"I can't get no satisfaction," and it's timeless for a reason! The ditty totally describes how we humans are hardwired to always seek something more. If you take the time to think about it our satisfaction in just about everything is a fleeting thing. Look at the cell phone industry, a new model hits the market and you no sooner figure out how to turn it on and low and behold the next generation is introduced. The same applies for I-pads, cars, laptops, clothing style, the list is never ending. It all feeds off our lack of satisfaction.
This lack of satisfaction has led to many advancements and creature comforts in our lives, but it has also been the source of our biggest curse. The Bible tells us that God created man and placed him in a piece of paradise called Eden, a bit of heaven on earth. Now describing how wonderful that must have been is like trying to teach an ant calculus. We just can't comprehend it's wonders as we don't have the capacity. If you could imagine the purest form of gold, the most precious metal on earth, well, that's used as asphalt, for an example. It's just way past our comprehension, so anyway.... Man's dissatisfaction was addressed by God when he decided to bless us with...woman. Then while living in this paradise, a little piece of heaven, again we were dissatisfied. Man had to taste the forbidden fruit, because his life was not complete.The result of our lack of satisfaction was eviction from paradise, and the burden of sin. Why? Because..."I can't get no....satisfaction!" Ole Mick is pretty observant, if not prophetic!
God Bless!
Capt, Bill
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Ready, Aim, Focus!
So many times in life we are presented with problems. Without a doubt your life and the lives of people around you are filled with challenges, and how we address those challenges define our existence. Truthfully it all boils down to just one thing, focus.
When an obstacle presents itself to us, what do we focus upon? Is it the obstacle itself, or do we look for the solution? So many people get mesmerized by the wall in front of them, they forget that their focus should be on the way to either get over it, or around it. The large you allow that wall to become, the more difficult it is to focus on the answer.
Guard your thinking my friends, it's important to realize just how powerful focus is! A laser can cut through a six inch piece of steel with the same amount of energy it takes to operate a seventy five watt light bulb, the difference being how that energy is focused.
Recently a parent relayed to me a problem she was having with her son. Through an act of irresponsibility he'd wrecked his truck four wheeling in the woods. She allowed the wrecked truck to become a giant wall because it loomed in front of her as the problem. The problem wasn't a lack of an inanimate object, where the problem lay is in the irresponsibility of her son. Solve that and the truck was never an issue. Replacing the truck solved a short term issue and left the long term problem unresolved.
This all applies to social causes as well. Abortion, crime, divorce, child abuse, ignorance, poverty, I could go on and on, but we've become adept at applying the short term fix, rather than focusing on the long term solution. It's easy to achieve a sense of satisfaction applying the quick fix, but the gratification of dealing in the long term is really what we should seek. If you think about it the same social problems pop up over and over, because we've not gone to the root of the issue, rather we've applied a band-aid to a sucking chest wound. It's all about the focus! The road to this reoccurring hell has been paved with good intention.
We've been duped into thinking welfare solves poverty. Tax dollars make our children better educated. Higher taxes makes government more efficient. Abortion empowers a woman with choice. Civil dialog stops insane people from acting irrationally. Federally mandated healthcare will make us healthier. That powerful labor unions create job security. This list is exhaustive, and all misguided focus. Long term repairs that address the root of every problem usually involve painful sacrifice, and would we all rather avoid that? It's so much easier to take the ground hog day approach..................
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
When an obstacle presents itself to us, what do we focus upon? Is it the obstacle itself, or do we look for the solution? So many people get mesmerized by the wall in front of them, they forget that their focus should be on the way to either get over it, or around it. The large you allow that wall to become, the more difficult it is to focus on the answer.
Guard your thinking my friends, it's important to realize just how powerful focus is! A laser can cut through a six inch piece of steel with the same amount of energy it takes to operate a seventy five watt light bulb, the difference being how that energy is focused.
Recently a parent relayed to me a problem she was having with her son. Through an act of irresponsibility he'd wrecked his truck four wheeling in the woods. She allowed the wrecked truck to become a giant wall because it loomed in front of her as the problem. The problem wasn't a lack of an inanimate object, where the problem lay is in the irresponsibility of her son. Solve that and the truck was never an issue. Replacing the truck solved a short term issue and left the long term problem unresolved.
This all applies to social causes as well. Abortion, crime, divorce, child abuse, ignorance, poverty, I could go on and on, but we've become adept at applying the short term fix, rather than focusing on the long term solution. It's easy to achieve a sense of satisfaction applying the quick fix, but the gratification of dealing in the long term is really what we should seek. If you think about it the same social problems pop up over and over, because we've not gone to the root of the issue, rather we've applied a band-aid to a sucking chest wound. It's all about the focus! The road to this reoccurring hell has been paved with good intention.
We've been duped into thinking welfare solves poverty. Tax dollars make our children better educated. Higher taxes makes government more efficient. Abortion empowers a woman with choice. Civil dialog stops insane people from acting irrationally. Federally mandated healthcare will make us healthier. That powerful labor unions create job security. This list is exhaustive, and all misguided focus. Long term repairs that address the root of every problem usually involve painful sacrifice, and would we all rather avoid that? It's so much easier to take the ground hog day approach..................
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Could You Be Committed?
Morality doesn't necessarily beat immorality; good won't always triumph over evil. In this world the most committed win. That's why it's critical for the people who value an inclusive society-one that works for everyone- to continually increase their level of commitment. On the flip side, Americans have traditionally done the right thing, once they've been given all the information.
We play an interesting game here in this political experiment we call home. The balance between what is right, and what infringes upon our freedom. For instance the majority of Americans poll strongly against abortion, yet the law has found it to be a right of the mother to be, sidestepping the rights of the fetus. Very few citizens would vote to have a strip club in their neighborhood, but to avoid stepping on someone's rights to view what they see fit, pornography is readily available. This scenario is repeated over and over in our daily life reminding us that a committed few can push an immoral society on a moral majority.
Another great example is the president's campaign for hope and change. The committed left used every available source to bombard prospective voters to convince them. The Internet was a powerful tool in the outcome of the election, something the republicans overlooked. They used their ability to influence people through union support and showed us the power of community organizing. Again a tool the conservative right was behind the game about. The left's commitment to their cause caught the conservative right flatfooted, and the results are validated by a two year stint where the government did whatever it dang well pleased despite the will of the people.
Every experience has a lesson, and this one raised the level of commitment of the conservative cause here in America. Out of the ashes of defeat rose a committed Tea Party movement. Now the morality of the country is not only strongly represented, but committed. You see America has once again gotten all the facts, and they don't like the direction the country is heading. So the conservatives have wiped the sleep out of their eyes and begun to use the very same tools that brought them to defeat in the last election. The difference being when the Tea Party community organizes it brings people who are very committed to the cause, by their own means and at their own expense. It's not a bunch of people promised a bus ride and a free box lunch. The Tea Party activists know why they are there, and they have skin in the game. That's commitment! It's like the difference between a college student who's paying for their credit hours verses the one who's parents are footing the bill. Who's more likely to attend class come hell or high water?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
We play an interesting game here in this political experiment we call home. The balance between what is right, and what infringes upon our freedom. For instance the majority of Americans poll strongly against abortion, yet the law has found it to be a right of the mother to be, sidestepping the rights of the fetus. Very few citizens would vote to have a strip club in their neighborhood, but to avoid stepping on someone's rights to view what they see fit, pornography is readily available. This scenario is repeated over and over in our daily life reminding us that a committed few can push an immoral society on a moral majority.
Another great example is the president's campaign for hope and change. The committed left used every available source to bombard prospective voters to convince them. The Internet was a powerful tool in the outcome of the election, something the republicans overlooked. They used their ability to influence people through union support and showed us the power of community organizing. Again a tool the conservative right was behind the game about. The left's commitment to their cause caught the conservative right flatfooted, and the results are validated by a two year stint where the government did whatever it dang well pleased despite the will of the people.
Every experience has a lesson, and this one raised the level of commitment of the conservative cause here in America. Out of the ashes of defeat rose a committed Tea Party movement. Now the morality of the country is not only strongly represented, but committed. You see America has once again gotten all the facts, and they don't like the direction the country is heading. So the conservatives have wiped the sleep out of their eyes and begun to use the very same tools that brought them to defeat in the last election. The difference being when the Tea Party community organizes it brings people who are very committed to the cause, by their own means and at their own expense. It's not a bunch of people promised a bus ride and a free box lunch. The Tea Party activists know why they are there, and they have skin in the game. That's commitment! It's like the difference between a college student who's paying for their credit hours verses the one who's parents are footing the bill. Who's more likely to attend class come hell or high water?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 25, 2011
A.W.O.L.
Have you ever witnessed a young child going into hiding after they've done something wrong? The one's that seeks out a closet or some other dark place to cower rather than confront the unpleasant thought of facing the responsibility of standing up for their actions. As an adult you smile a little and use that as a teaching moment. Actions have consequences, and when your actions step outside of the boundaries, the consequences aren't often pleasant. But you never run and hide from what needs to be done.
Well unless your a democrat. What a wonderful example they are teaching the youth of our country! But doesn't that boil it right down to the whole problem? It's the democratic, liberal supported, government run school system that's failing our children, and this is just another reason why.
How many times during the health care debate did we hear, "elections have consequences!" Or do they only apply to conservative republicans? The right stood stoic and watched helplessly as the liberals took steps to unravel the Constitution for two whole years. The process our forefathers put in place to correct wrong thinking came into play and the majority shifted. It didn't shift under any misconception, America voted knowingly to bring an end to an error. The hope and change defined by the left wasn't palatable to the country's taste buds. Now not only do elections have consequences, politician's actions do too.
So is it too much to ask for the left to do the job they were elected and paid to do? If you don't like the legislation before you, come to the table and present ideas to improve it. Because I have to tell you, cowering in the closet like a two year old isn't going to do much for your political career. Not only are your actions cowardly, they border on criminal, and at the very least they are shameful and personally embarrassing.
Meanwhile, I'll pray the good Lord sees fit to enlighten you!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Well unless your a democrat. What a wonderful example they are teaching the youth of our country! But doesn't that boil it right down to the whole problem? It's the democratic, liberal supported, government run school system that's failing our children, and this is just another reason why.
How many times during the health care debate did we hear, "elections have consequences!" Or do they only apply to conservative republicans? The right stood stoic and watched helplessly as the liberals took steps to unravel the Constitution for two whole years. The process our forefathers put in place to correct wrong thinking came into play and the majority shifted. It didn't shift under any misconception, America voted knowingly to bring an end to an error. The hope and change defined by the left wasn't palatable to the country's taste buds. Now not only do elections have consequences, politician's actions do too.
So is it too much to ask for the left to do the job they were elected and paid to do? If you don't like the legislation before you, come to the table and present ideas to improve it. Because I have to tell you, cowering in the closet like a two year old isn't going to do much for your political career. Not only are your actions cowardly, they border on criminal, and at the very least they are shameful and personally embarrassing.
Meanwhile, I'll pray the good Lord sees fit to enlighten you!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Dollars And Sense....Revisited!
The heritage of this great nation is based on it's founding principles. Fifty six brave souls put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence. By signing that document they knew they were putting their families, fortunes, and lives in jeopardy for their opportunity to pursue liberty for themselves and others. For their efforts....
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors tortured and died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
Even after all that sacrifice so that we might have the freedom to make choices and have options, there are a great many citizens of this country that will toss that all away and allow their fate to be placed in the hands of others. Effectively eliminating their voice,their right to make decisions for themselves, and limiting the options available to them. We call those victims, union members. Here's the kicker, they pay to lose their freedom of choice.
Now as ironic as that all is, I'm not done yet. After they've dedicated money to a cause that limits their freedom, and decided to place their fate in the hands of others, the have the nerve to protest when they don't like the outcome. Suddenly they decide to exercise their freedom of speech and their freedom to assemble after they forfeited that option by giving their voice to the union. They aren't mad at the people they pay to oppress them, they are mad at the other free citizens of this great country, who do for themselves, and ultimately pay their salaries. Biting the hand that feeds them, rather than the parasite that feeds off of them.
Here's a beauty relayed to me by an Illinois union police officer. He's allowed to retire after 30 years of service, During those 30 years he contributes $8000.00 per year toward his retirement fund, amounting to a grand total, without interest of two hundred and forty thousand dollars. His reward is a guaranteed income of fifty thousand dollars a year when he retires. Had he properly invested that money in the private sector with a modest return, he'd have a considerably higher bottom line allowing him a better lifestyle in retirement. But this is the price you pay for security. Yet his funds are not secure, because they are controlled by two entities that are bankrupt, the union and the government. So did he make a good decision?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Five signers were captured by the British as traitors tortured and died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Army; another had two sons captured.
Nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
Even after all that sacrifice so that we might have the freedom to make choices and have options, there are a great many citizens of this country that will toss that all away and allow their fate to be placed in the hands of others. Effectively eliminating their voice,their right to make decisions for themselves, and limiting the options available to them. We call those victims, union members. Here's the kicker, they pay to lose their freedom of choice.
Now as ironic as that all is, I'm not done yet. After they've dedicated money to a cause that limits their freedom, and decided to place their fate in the hands of others, the have the nerve to protest when they don't like the outcome. Suddenly they decide to exercise their freedom of speech and their freedom to assemble after they forfeited that option by giving their voice to the union. They aren't mad at the people they pay to oppress them, they are mad at the other free citizens of this great country, who do for themselves, and ultimately pay their salaries. Biting the hand that feeds them, rather than the parasite that feeds off of them.
Here's a beauty relayed to me by an Illinois union police officer. He's allowed to retire after 30 years of service, During those 30 years he contributes $8000.00 per year toward his retirement fund, amounting to a grand total, without interest of two hundred and forty thousand dollars. His reward is a guaranteed income of fifty thousand dollars a year when he retires. Had he properly invested that money in the private sector with a modest return, he'd have a considerably higher bottom line allowing him a better lifestyle in retirement. But this is the price you pay for security. Yet his funds are not secure, because they are controlled by two entities that are bankrupt, the union and the government. So did he make a good decision?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
America Isn't Stupid....Yet!
I have to apologize if it seems I'm stuck on the Wisconsin union thing, but there are so many things wrong here and so many lessons to be learned. It's a great teaching moment!
Unionization of a work force is simply the mass victimization of people. They collectively complain about their lack of exceptionalism. In effect, they've given up their individual freedom for mass mediocrity. Let's just think about that for a second. The union worker agreed to collectively bargain for their rights, forfeiting their ability to excel, then stand before a nation to complain when they don't like the current state of affairs. It's a strategy in life that prevents them from becoming successful, avoiding their ability to be rewarded for exceptional work ethic. They actually gave up value for comfort. So after trading their freedom that our forefathers fought so hard for, to be treated like a herd with no possibility to excel, they throw a tantrum when these actions fail to produce the desired results. This is the price of accepting average, when greatness is available. They are slaves to the tyranny of mediocrity instead of enjoying the liberty brought about by results.
Mediocrity is the height of selfishness, and lends one to making excuses for a lack of performance, or simply put, self deception and dishonesty. Nothing highlights this more than Wisconsin teachers standing before us demanding their due when the results show they've failed to do their job. 2/3's of the eighth grade student fail to read at a proficient level, yet the teachers are the victims! It doesn't take Albert Einstein to surmise why the people of Wisconsin have had enough. I'm sure there are some dedicated teachers in Wisconsin who do their job with pride and passion, but I can assure you they don't teach reading, and I'll bet you they would be embarrassed to be involved with this mob making demands.
America isn't stupid...yet.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Unionization of a work force is simply the mass victimization of people. They collectively complain about their lack of exceptionalism. In effect, they've given up their individual freedom for mass mediocrity. Let's just think about that for a second. The union worker agreed to collectively bargain for their rights, forfeiting their ability to excel, then stand before a nation to complain when they don't like the current state of affairs. It's a strategy in life that prevents them from becoming successful, avoiding their ability to be rewarded for exceptional work ethic. They actually gave up value for comfort. So after trading their freedom that our forefathers fought so hard for, to be treated like a herd with no possibility to excel, they throw a tantrum when these actions fail to produce the desired results. This is the price of accepting average, when greatness is available. They are slaves to the tyranny of mediocrity instead of enjoying the liberty brought about by results.
Mediocrity is the height of selfishness, and lends one to making excuses for a lack of performance, or simply put, self deception and dishonesty. Nothing highlights this more than Wisconsin teachers standing before us demanding their due when the results show they've failed to do their job. 2/3's of the eighth grade student fail to read at a proficient level, yet the teachers are the victims! It doesn't take Albert Einstein to surmise why the people of Wisconsin have had enough. I'm sure there are some dedicated teachers in Wisconsin who do their job with pride and passion, but I can assure you they don't teach reading, and I'll bet you they would be embarrassed to be involved with this mob making demands.
America isn't stupid...yet.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Represent!
We have an outstanding example being played out in Wisconsin of the difference between a democratic system and the republic design our forefathers bequeathed to us. Not unlike Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries that have a fight going on pushing for a democratic process, Wisconsin through the use of a sympathetic and complacent media, and the community organizing skills of the unions, has a battle between mob rule and how a representative republic works.
Using their right to assemble, and freedom of speech, the unions have bussed in people using those community organizing skills our president boasts so proudly of, to attempt to cloud the perception and deceive the rest of the nation into thinking it's the will of the majority. But because that same school system they are fighting so hard to finance didn't do it's job and teach the principles this nation was founded upon, they missed the point that this is not how our system works. Mob rule, or the democratic process isn't part of our heritage. We don't sway from what is right and principled because one group can yell louder than the other. That causes chaos, like the scene that's played out night after night on the television news. Suppose that same mob was to decide to put to death anyone that reached the retirement age in the interest of saving money. Just because they convinced themselves it was a good idea, and they could muster a lot of support, make signs, and throw a tantrum in the capitol city, doesn't make it the right thing to do. This is why we have a representative republic.
Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
John Adams
Now the process our country really uses has a representative, in this case a Governor, who was elected by the people of Wisconsin on his platform. His job is to be sure that the best interests of the state are looked after, and the entitlements given to the unions through spineless concessions by his predecessors will bankrupt the state he loves and is responsible for.
A government of laws, and not of men.
John Adams
The representative republic was put in place to avoid the will of the people, when it was not in their best interest. Instead the representative elected by a majority can present his plan to a group of representatives elected by the people in a system of checks and balances designed to hold everyone accountable to the voters. It's the best system designed so far to safeguard that a 51% majority cannot dictate like tyrants. If we don't like what the present representatives are doing, we can vote them out.
Or you can have a union.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Using their right to assemble, and freedom of speech, the unions have bussed in people using those community organizing skills our president boasts so proudly of, to attempt to cloud the perception and deceive the rest of the nation into thinking it's the will of the majority. But because that same school system they are fighting so hard to finance didn't do it's job and teach the principles this nation was founded upon, they missed the point that this is not how our system works. Mob rule, or the democratic process isn't part of our heritage. We don't sway from what is right and principled because one group can yell louder than the other. That causes chaos, like the scene that's played out night after night on the television news. Suppose that same mob was to decide to put to death anyone that reached the retirement age in the interest of saving money. Just because they convinced themselves it was a good idea, and they could muster a lot of support, make signs, and throw a tantrum in the capitol city, doesn't make it the right thing to do. This is why we have a representative republic.
Democracy... while it lasts is more bloody than either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide.
John Adams
Now the process our country really uses has a representative, in this case a Governor, who was elected by the people of Wisconsin on his platform. His job is to be sure that the best interests of the state are looked after, and the entitlements given to the unions through spineless concessions by his predecessors will bankrupt the state he loves and is responsible for.
A government of laws, and not of men.
John Adams
The representative republic was put in place to avoid the will of the people, when it was not in their best interest. Instead the representative elected by a majority can present his plan to a group of representatives elected by the people in a system of checks and balances designed to hold everyone accountable to the voters. It's the best system designed so far to safeguard that a 51% majority cannot dictate like tyrants. If we don't like what the present representatives are doing, we can vote them out.
Or you can have a union.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 21, 2011
One For All, And All For None!
The fact that the union protesters in Wisconsin sold out their integrity and character by using health excuses that were bogus, reminded me of a parable told by a pastor. I'm going to paraphrase it from memory so please forgive me if I overlook parts of it.
There was a wealthy man who desired to sleep with a married woman in his employment. Despite his best efforts she thwarted his advances constantly reminding him she was married and had taken a vow she intended to honor. The wealthy man wasn't used to accepting someone telling him no, persisted and was relentless. He offered promotions and lavish gifts and still the young woman refused him. Finally he decided to offer her a million dollars. Times were tough at home and the young lady rolled this over in her mind. The money would go a long way to pay some outstanding bills and make life more comfortable for her. She accepted the wealthy man's offer. The wealthy man placed a dollar on his desk and told her it was hers. She said, " we agreed on a million dollars.' To which the wealthy man replied, "No, what we've determined is your integrity can be bought. Now we're going to haggle on the price."
The union protesters are bartering their integrity as we speak. They have been duped by their organizers to sacrifice their character to retain their collective bargaining rights. Just like a herd of sheep they have been led to slaughter. When you sacrifice your individual freedom for security, you end up with neither. Union collective bargaining is an assault on a person's ability to make their own choices. You have to accept what they negotiate for you as part of the herd. Here's the kicker, these unionized workers are taking money out of their own pocket to feed this assault on their character. At the same time their pension funds the unions are suppose to be using their money for are under funded.
"These folks I'm afraid are living in the past. They don't believe in the free market. They're not interested in new solutions. And they only care about jobs if they are union jobs, many of which , frankly, have priced themselves out of the market with unrealistic wages or total inflexibility."-Sam Walton on unions
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
There was a wealthy man who desired to sleep with a married woman in his employment. Despite his best efforts she thwarted his advances constantly reminding him she was married and had taken a vow she intended to honor. The wealthy man wasn't used to accepting someone telling him no, persisted and was relentless. He offered promotions and lavish gifts and still the young woman refused him. Finally he decided to offer her a million dollars. Times were tough at home and the young lady rolled this over in her mind. The money would go a long way to pay some outstanding bills and make life more comfortable for her. She accepted the wealthy man's offer. The wealthy man placed a dollar on his desk and told her it was hers. She said, " we agreed on a million dollars.' To which the wealthy man replied, "No, what we've determined is your integrity can be bought. Now we're going to haggle on the price."
The union protesters are bartering their integrity as we speak. They have been duped by their organizers to sacrifice their character to retain their collective bargaining rights. Just like a herd of sheep they have been led to slaughter. When you sacrifice your individual freedom for security, you end up with neither. Union collective bargaining is an assault on a person's ability to make their own choices. You have to accept what they negotiate for you as part of the herd. Here's the kicker, these unionized workers are taking money out of their own pocket to feed this assault on their character. At the same time their pension funds the unions are suppose to be using their money for are under funded.
"These folks I'm afraid are living in the past. They don't believe in the free market. They're not interested in new solutions. And they only care about jobs if they are union jobs, many of which , frankly, have priced themselves out of the market with unrealistic wages or total inflexibility."-Sam Walton on unions
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Means To The End!
The labor unrest in Wisconsin once again proves adversity reveals character. Because it's illegal for those government union workers to avoid going to their job so they might protest, the union has found some doctors to supply illness excuses for the strikers. They justify this by using the Machiavellian principle where "the ends justify the means."
Let's assume the union has some justification to assemble and protest, just for fun. The whole cause just gets flushed down the drain as it's integrity is impeached by this less than ethical act.If they even had a valid point to base their displeasure upon, it's been flushed, and all because they sacrificed their character publicly.
Now what medical professional would risk their license by supplying these state employees an excuse that's not true? Would you ask this doctor to give you aid or a diagnosis? Not only has this movement ruined themselves in the eyes of a nation, they've put several medical professionals careers at risk. Once again rationalizing it with "the ends justify the means."
Now given the above facts, if you were a union employee, and have seen these breeches of ethics first hand, would you feel comfortable handing over your hard earned dollars to these unions to represent your best interests? Personally, if they can rationalize any behavior as justifiable considering the cause at hand, when do your interests become sacrificed because "the ends justify the means?"
Now as a parent and a tax payer of the State of Wisconsin, are you comfortable with these people who obviously lack character and integrity, being a role model, and instructor of your children for the better part of the day? Since it's quite apparent the ends are more important than the means, at what point do your children become the means and not the ends?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
P.S. Should those parents be comfortable having people teach their children math who can't figure out there is no money to continue the present level of compensation?
Let's assume the union has some justification to assemble and protest, just for fun. The whole cause just gets flushed down the drain as it's integrity is impeached by this less than ethical act.If they even had a valid point to base their displeasure upon, it's been flushed, and all because they sacrificed their character publicly.
Now what medical professional would risk their license by supplying these state employees an excuse that's not true? Would you ask this doctor to give you aid or a diagnosis? Not only has this movement ruined themselves in the eyes of a nation, they've put several medical professionals careers at risk. Once again rationalizing it with "the ends justify the means."
Now given the above facts, if you were a union employee, and have seen these breeches of ethics first hand, would you feel comfortable handing over your hard earned dollars to these unions to represent your best interests? Personally, if they can rationalize any behavior as justifiable considering the cause at hand, when do your interests become sacrificed because "the ends justify the means?"
Now as a parent and a tax payer of the State of Wisconsin, are you comfortable with these people who obviously lack character and integrity, being a role model, and instructor of your children for the better part of the day? Since it's quite apparent the ends are more important than the means, at what point do your children become the means and not the ends?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
P.S. Should those parents be comfortable having people teach their children math who can't figure out there is no money to continue the present level of compensation?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I Have The "Right!"
The union unrest facing our country is about to grow, as budgets become unbalanced the first place any operation looks is it's overhead. The biggest cost in the overhead is traditionally, labor. Since most of the government employees are unionized, this will create a rift.
Workers have been told they have a "right" to work. Now I'm a firm believer that "rights" are granted by God, not by man, and I've never seen the "right" to work as something God defined as ours. He has given us the "ability" to work, and he has encouraged fruitful labor, but He's never granted us the "right" to work.
This fallacy has evolved with the onset of the industrial age, and the unionization of the labor force. Man, or the union has created this "right" and indoctrinated it's members. As with any "right" granted by man it can be also taken away by man. Like when they tell someone after being arrested they have the "right" to remain silent, then do their best to take away that "right" and convince them to talk about what happened.
Let's look back to the beginning of our great nation. Just exactly what jobs were available to the early settlers as they made their way onshore? The work they engaged in was for survival, there was no employment to seek. If you didn't work, you perished, as many did despite their best work ethic.
You have no "right" to work, as you have no guarantees that all of your labor will fruitful and beneficial to your survival. We as humans have no control over any of that. Because any of those "rights" we so often hear about are created by man, or the union ideals. Therefore they can be just as quickly taken away as they were created.
Here's the scoop, if you have a job do it like no other could. That and that alone should determine your worth to those that employ you. It's the surest way to job security, and the highest possible compensation for your efforts. Or you could be self employed!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS- It never hurts to be thankful you do have a job.....
Workers have been told they have a "right" to work. Now I'm a firm believer that "rights" are granted by God, not by man, and I've never seen the "right" to work as something God defined as ours. He has given us the "ability" to work, and he has encouraged fruitful labor, but He's never granted us the "right" to work.
This fallacy has evolved with the onset of the industrial age, and the unionization of the labor force. Man, or the union has created this "right" and indoctrinated it's members. As with any "right" granted by man it can be also taken away by man. Like when they tell someone after being arrested they have the "right" to remain silent, then do their best to take away that "right" and convince them to talk about what happened.
Let's look back to the beginning of our great nation. Just exactly what jobs were available to the early settlers as they made their way onshore? The work they engaged in was for survival, there was no employment to seek. If you didn't work, you perished, as many did despite their best work ethic.
You have no "right" to work, as you have no guarantees that all of your labor will fruitful and beneficial to your survival. We as humans have no control over any of that. Because any of those "rights" we so often hear about are created by man, or the union ideals. Therefore they can be just as quickly taken away as they were created.
Here's the scoop, if you have a job do it like no other could. That and that alone should determine your worth to those that employ you. It's the surest way to job security, and the highest possible compensation for your efforts. Or you could be self employed!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
PS- It never hurts to be thankful you do have a job.....
Friday, February 18, 2011
What About Me?
We have a spectacular showdown going on in Wisconsin, where the socialist style union philosophy is going head to head with the capitalist theory of fiscal responsibility. First let's lay the ground work, this isn't a private labor force union but government workers. You know, back in the day they were the people you went to school with whom had little or no ambition and traded off a higher salary working in the private sector for the security of a lower paying government job with benefits. Now those jobs have morphed into the highest paying in their respective fields, in part because of government concessions to these unions in return for ballots and support on election day. These promised entitlements have begun to weigh heavily on state budgets, forcing many to the brink of bankruptcy. Something has to give!
The unions workers justify their tantrums with complaints that the government has mishandled funds and they should be held responsible for the shortfall. Their representatives voice the opinion that there is not a spending problem, simply a lack of revenue collected by the states, and conclude they need to tax the rich so they can have their just deserves. I have some serious problems with this convoluted thinking, here's why......
First if all men are created equal, and deserve equal justice under the law as defined by our founders; why would one man be taxed at a higher rate than another? A tax is defined by a law that has been approved by our government, so for justice to be served all citizens should be taxed equally. The union creed itself adapts this concept with their mantra, that all members bargain collectively and there is no reward for exceptionalism. The successful rich already bear the lion's share of the tax burden. Would the same union worker be as excited to raise the taxation level if the tax was applied only to union workers to pay for their benefits? It's time for shared sacrifice.
The government union worker has made the claim several times that the government shouldn't balance their revenue shortfall on the backs of the worker. The government is simply asking for the union worker to participate on a small level in their contributions toward their health care and retirement. If they don't benefit, then who does? When hard times hit any business their are either layoffs or compensation concessions so the evil business can continue to function and provide for it's employees. Again the concept of shared sacrifice. The government is a business. Either they accept this small concession, or workers will have to be dismissed lowering the level of service available to all the citizens. Again...who benefits?
What I see in this whole debacle is a bunch of spoiled brats throwing a tantrum and being unreasonable. There is a reason it used to be illegal for government employees to unionize. President Ronald Reagan dismissed government hired air traffic controllers when they tried to strike and shut down the nations airports. He didn't bargain, he fired them. I suggest these protesters who skipped work be fired for their dereliction, and be replaced with non union employees. With the level of unemployment this country is currently facing, it should be very difficult to make this transition to workers who would appreciate a job.
I haven't even scratched the surface of how wrong this whole situation is. The use of students by teachers to join them in the protest just frosts my backside, as the bulk of the kids don't even know why they are there. They are just darn glad to be AWOL from the classroom. The media coverage suggests this is a big deal that 25,000 people are causing an uproar in a state of millions. This is not the majority opinion! Lawmakers hopping a bus and leaving the state shirking their responsibility to bring this to a quick end. It all speaks to the poison that has infected the country in the form of "me first."
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The unions workers justify their tantrums with complaints that the government has mishandled funds and they should be held responsible for the shortfall. Their representatives voice the opinion that there is not a spending problem, simply a lack of revenue collected by the states, and conclude they need to tax the rich so they can have their just deserves. I have some serious problems with this convoluted thinking, here's why......
First if all men are created equal, and deserve equal justice under the law as defined by our founders; why would one man be taxed at a higher rate than another? A tax is defined by a law that has been approved by our government, so for justice to be served all citizens should be taxed equally. The union creed itself adapts this concept with their mantra, that all members bargain collectively and there is no reward for exceptionalism. The successful rich already bear the lion's share of the tax burden. Would the same union worker be as excited to raise the taxation level if the tax was applied only to union workers to pay for their benefits? It's time for shared sacrifice.
The government union worker has made the claim several times that the government shouldn't balance their revenue shortfall on the backs of the worker. The government is simply asking for the union worker to participate on a small level in their contributions toward their health care and retirement. If they don't benefit, then who does? When hard times hit any business their are either layoffs or compensation concessions so the evil business can continue to function and provide for it's employees. Again the concept of shared sacrifice. The government is a business. Either they accept this small concession, or workers will have to be dismissed lowering the level of service available to all the citizens. Again...who benefits?
What I see in this whole debacle is a bunch of spoiled brats throwing a tantrum and being unreasonable. There is a reason it used to be illegal for government employees to unionize. President Ronald Reagan dismissed government hired air traffic controllers when they tried to strike and shut down the nations airports. He didn't bargain, he fired them. I suggest these protesters who skipped work be fired for their dereliction, and be replaced with non union employees. With the level of unemployment this country is currently facing, it should be very difficult to make this transition to workers who would appreciate a job.
I haven't even scratched the surface of how wrong this whole situation is. The use of students by teachers to join them in the protest just frosts my backside, as the bulk of the kids don't even know why they are there. They are just darn glad to be AWOL from the classroom. The media coverage suggests this is a big deal that 25,000 people are causing an uproar in a state of millions. This is not the majority opinion! Lawmakers hopping a bus and leaving the state shirking their responsibility to bring this to a quick end. It all speaks to the poison that has infected the country in the form of "me first."
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Now And Then!
This morning I've found myself reminiscing....Society has changed, and I'm not so sure it's for the best. Some basic discipline have been replaced with permissiveness and that just night be the core root of the decline. Let's compare a 1960'ish upbringing verses today's.
Mealtimes were defined and the family joined to converse and bond. As children, we were evicted to the outdoors, often time without regard to the weather. When was the last time you saw a child in a long yellow rain slicker and boots, outside splashing in puddles? The ensemble was complete with a large brimmed hat that served as a mini umbrella, so we could "enjoy" the weather and get out of Mom's hair. Our banishment continued until our names were yelled from the front porch, advising us we had an extremely short period of time to get inside, hang up the coat, wash our hands, comb our hair, and be present at the table for mealtime along with the rest of the family. A set and defined routine that reeks of discipline. Step outside those parameters in my house and your meal included stinging sensation on your backside. It was also mandatory we ate everything on our plates because as I was told at least a thousand time, "there are children in Africa starving that would love to eat that." And should I find the menu not to my liking, it was served at the next meal, then the next, and the next until I found it palatable enough to finish. We did not waste food, nor did we have much input on the menu. Again an early lesson, life isn't always about what you want!
Today kids sit in front of the TV or a computer most of their free time and eat what they want, when they want. There is no value placed on the waste, and no disciplined time for the family to gather and eat.
Compare those last two paragraphs. It took me all that space to "define" my childhood and that was just a quick overview. Today's children's can be defined in two sentences, yet they find their lives so complicated. Could that be because they have no sense of discipline? How does that follow them into later life? Teachers are often heard complaining that the children have no respect for them in the classroom. That breakdown is the excuse for lower academic achievement despite our best efforts to throw money at the problem. Could the answer be as simple as redefining the guidelines and routines of early childhood and establishing a sense of discipline and respect? I'm thinking it can't hurt!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Mealtimes were defined and the family joined to converse and bond. As children, we were evicted to the outdoors, often time without regard to the weather. When was the last time you saw a child in a long yellow rain slicker and boots, outside splashing in puddles? The ensemble was complete with a large brimmed hat that served as a mini umbrella, so we could "enjoy" the weather and get out of Mom's hair. Our banishment continued until our names were yelled from the front porch, advising us we had an extremely short period of time to get inside, hang up the coat, wash our hands, comb our hair, and be present at the table for mealtime along with the rest of the family. A set and defined routine that reeks of discipline. Step outside those parameters in my house and your meal included stinging sensation on your backside. It was also mandatory we ate everything on our plates because as I was told at least a thousand time, "there are children in Africa starving that would love to eat that." And should I find the menu not to my liking, it was served at the next meal, then the next, and the next until I found it palatable enough to finish. We did not waste food, nor did we have much input on the menu. Again an early lesson, life isn't always about what you want!
Today kids sit in front of the TV or a computer most of their free time and eat what they want, when they want. There is no value placed on the waste, and no disciplined time for the family to gather and eat.
Compare those last two paragraphs. It took me all that space to "define" my childhood and that was just a quick overview. Today's children's can be defined in two sentences, yet they find their lives so complicated. Could that be because they have no sense of discipline? How does that follow them into later life? Teachers are often heard complaining that the children have no respect for them in the classroom. That breakdown is the excuse for lower academic achievement despite our best efforts to throw money at the problem. Could the answer be as simple as redefining the guidelines and routines of early childhood and establishing a sense of discipline and respect? I'm thinking it can't hurt!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Attitudes!
I hope we all have made ourselves familiar with the four personalities. If not pick up the book Personality Plus, by Florence Littauer, it's a great insight about the how and why people are like they are. Did you also know there are the five attitudes? Here's a quick overview of them, see if you recognize if any of these are present in your life.
The Refresher;
You have to love when you encounter this one. They are the little ray of sunshine in everyone's life! Somehow they manage to brighten up everyone's day. It seems effortless to them, and they are great company to keep. Your day should begin with a refresher!
The Reflector;
These wonderful souls are a mirror image of your attitude. If your happy, they are happy, if your sad, they are sad. They ape your perspective on the day, and are totally influenced by you. It's been said that imitation is the finest form of flattery, the reflector is all of that and so much more.
The Refiner;
Ah the refiner.....They are the fine tuner in your life. They tweak everything you do, following your every move to insure all your T's are crossed and your I's are dotted. They add the "tail" in detail. If you don't have someone like this in your life, go check the mirror, they'll be staring back at you!
The Reducer;
Not an attractive person, critical of everything you do. While it's been said there has never been a statue erected to a critic, these people are vying to be the first. Their objective is to keep you walking a fine line by verbal abuse. I have to think they are not very happy with themselves, you we bear the brunt of their dissatisfaction.
The Rejecter;
These people are basically insignificant. They refuse to participate in your life, and just why would anyone want them to? Just pray for this soul and hope the good Lord shows them the light. Until such time this is all the attention they deserve.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The Refresher;
You have to love when you encounter this one. They are the little ray of sunshine in everyone's life! Somehow they manage to brighten up everyone's day. It seems effortless to them, and they are great company to keep. Your day should begin with a refresher!
The Reflector;
These wonderful souls are a mirror image of your attitude. If your happy, they are happy, if your sad, they are sad. They ape your perspective on the day, and are totally influenced by you. It's been said that imitation is the finest form of flattery, the reflector is all of that and so much more.
The Refiner;
Ah the refiner.....They are the fine tuner in your life. They tweak everything you do, following your every move to insure all your T's are crossed and your I's are dotted. They add the "tail" in detail. If you don't have someone like this in your life, go check the mirror, they'll be staring back at you!
The Reducer;
Not an attractive person, critical of everything you do. While it's been said there has never been a statue erected to a critic, these people are vying to be the first. Their objective is to keep you walking a fine line by verbal abuse. I have to think they are not very happy with themselves, you we bear the brunt of their dissatisfaction.
The Rejecter;
These people are basically insignificant. They refuse to participate in your life, and just why would anyone want them to? Just pray for this soul and hope the good Lord shows them the light. Until such time this is all the attention they deserve.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Add It Up!!!!
I had to fact check this, cause I didn't believe it, but it's accurate, except for the current price of oil per barrel. A big thank you to Mark G. for bringing this to our attention.
CLUNKER MATH
Attributed to a professor at The University of West Virginia in Morgantown, West Virginia.
A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year.
A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons of gas a year.
So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.
The government claims 700,000 clunkers have been replaced so that's 224 million gallons saved per year.
That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil. 5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.
More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars.
So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million.
Therefore, $8.57 was spent for every $1.00 saved.
Take heart knowing that a better result can be expected with our health care.
Economics is simply math! As I noted in a previous post, the reason this country is in the financial shape it's in is because we don't do the arithmetic. The school system constantly changes the way math is taught to our children, yet math has never ever changed. So that begs the question, why is the process we teach it evolving? I'm beginning to believe the less math we know the more the government can use this type of economic hooey. Anyone who takes the time to venture into a modern math text book would be agog at the backwards method they use to arrive at the answers.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
CLUNKER MATH
Attributed to a professor at The University of West Virginia in Morgantown, West Virginia.
A clunker that travels 12,000 miles a year at 15 mpg uses 800 gallons of gas a year.
A vehicle that travels 12,000 miles a year at 25 mpg uses 480 gallons of gas a year.
So, the average Cash for Clunkers transaction will reduce gasoline consumption by 320 gallons per year.
The government claims 700,000 clunkers have been replaced so that's 224 million gallons saved per year.
That equates to a bit over 5 million barrels of oil. 5 million barrels is about 5 hours worth of US consumption.
More importantly, 5 million barrels of oil at $70 per barrel costs about $350 million dollars.
So, the government paid $3 billion of our tax dollars to save $350 million.
Therefore, $8.57 was spent for every $1.00 saved.
Take heart knowing that a better result can be expected with our health care.
Economics is simply math! As I noted in a previous post, the reason this country is in the financial shape it's in is because we don't do the arithmetic. The school system constantly changes the way math is taught to our children, yet math has never ever changed. So that begs the question, why is the process we teach it evolving? I'm beginning to believe the less math we know the more the government can use this type of economic hooey. Anyone who takes the time to venture into a modern math text book would be agog at the backwards method they use to arrive at the answers.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 14, 2011
Valentine's Day...The Story!
It is not exactly known why the 14th of February is known as Valentine's Day or if the noble Valentine really had any relation to this day. The history of Valentine's Day is impossible to be obtained from any archive and the veil of centuries gone by has made the origin behind this day more difficult to trace. It is only some legends that are our source for the history of Valentine's Day.
The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern day honors.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February.
It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time.
The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.
The ban on marriage was a great shock to the Romans. But they dared not voice their protests against the mighty emperor. The kindly Bishop Valentine also recognized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of the young lovers who gave up all hope of being united in marriage. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested.
While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by a jailor, Asterious. It was said valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people. Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that Valentine in some way did succeed to help Asterius' blind daughter.
When Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine.
Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of this friend's imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
Now you know why gentlemen, your scrambling around hunting down flowers, candy, and cards. There is a story behind this madness, and it might surprise your significant other if you were able to tell her just how touching this love story is.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The modern St. Valentine's Day celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman tradition. As per one legend, the holiday has originated from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalis/Lupercalia, a fertility celebration that used to observed annually on February 15. But the rise of Christianity in Europe saw many pagan holidays being renamed for and dedicated to the early Christian martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius turned Lupercalia into a Christian feast day and set its observance a day earlier, on February 14. He proclaimed February 14 to be the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr who lived in the 3rd century. It is this St. Valentine whom the modern day honors.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine. While one was a priest in Rome, another was a bishop in Terni. Nothing is known about the third St. Valentine except that he met his end in Africa. Surprisingly, all three of them were said to have been martyred on 14th February.
It is clear that Pope Gelasius intended to honor the first of these three aforementioned men. Most scholars believe that this St. Valentine was a priest who lived around 270 AD in Rome and attracted the disfavor of Roman emperor Claudius II who ruled during this time.
The story of St. Valentine has two different versions - the Protestant and the Catholic one. Both versions agree upon Saint Valentine being a bishop who held secret marriage ceremonies of soldiers in opposition to Claudius II who had prohibited marriage for young men and was executed by the latter. During the lifetime of Valentine, the golden era of Roman empire had almost come to an end. Lack of quality administrators led to frequent civil strife. Education declined, taxation increased and trade witnessed a very bad time. The Roman empire faced crisis from all sides, from the Gauls, Slavs, Huns, Turks and Mongolians from Northern Europe and Asia. The empire had grown too large to be shielded from external aggression and internal chaos with existing forces. Naturally, more and more capable men were required to to be recruited as soldiers and officers to protect the nation from takeover. When Claudius became the emperor, he felt that married men were more emotionally attached to their families, and thus, will not make good soldiers. He believed that marriage made the men weak. So he issued an edict forbidding marriage to assure quality soldiers.
The ban on marriage was a great shock to the Romans. But they dared not voice their protests against the mighty emperor. The kindly Bishop Valentine also recognized the injustice of the decree. He saw the trauma of the young lovers who gave up all hope of being united in marriage. Whenever lovers thought of marrying, they went to Valentine who met them afterwards in a secret place, and joined them in the sacrament of matrimony. And thus he secretly performed many marriages for young lovers. But such things cannot remain hidden for long. It was only a matter of time before Claudius came to know of this "friend of lovers," and had him arrested.
While awaiting his sentence in prison, Valentine was approached by a jailor, Asterious. It was said valentine had some saintly abilities and one of them granted him the power to heal people. Asterius had a blind daughter and knowing of the miraculous powers of Valentine he requested the latter to restore the sight of his blind daughter. The Catholic legend has it that Valentine did this through the vehicle of his strong faith, a phenomenon refuted by the Protestant version which agrees otherwise with the Catholic one. Whatever the fact, it appears that Valentine in some way did succeed to help Asterius' blind daughter.
When Claudius II met Valentine, he was said to have been impressed by the dignity and conviction of the latter. However, Valentine refused to agree with the emperor regarding the ban on marriage. It is also said that the emperor tried to convert Valentine to the Roman gods but was unsuccesful in his efforts. Valentine refused to recognize Roman Gods and even attempted to convert the emperor, knowing the consequences fully. This angered Claudius II who gave the order of execution of Valentine.
Meanwhile, a deep friendship had been formed between Valentine and Asterius' daughter. It caused great grief to the young girl to hear of this friend's imminent death. It is said that just before his execution, Valentine asked for a pen and paper from his jailor, and signed a farewell message to her "From Your Valentine," a phrase that lived ever after. As per another legend, Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer during his imprisonment. However, this legend is not given much importance by historians. The most plausible story surrounding St. Valentine is one not centered on Eros (passionate love) but on agape (Christian love): he was martyred for refusing to renounce his religion. Valentine is believed to have been executed on February 14, 270 AD.
Now you know why gentlemen, your scrambling around hunting down flowers, candy, and cards. There is a story behind this madness, and it might surprise your significant other if you were able to tell her just how touching this love story is.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Let That Keen Edge Shine!
I've mentioned before I read daily from the Bible, and currently I'm working my way through the writing of Ezekiel. Now this prophet has it going on! I think I've pulled more posts out of his writings that any before him. He starts each chapter with these words, "The word of the Lord came to me," which today led me to this...
"A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished, sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightening."-Ezekiel 21:9
Now that caused me to think, as I suppose it was meant to do. Back in the day this was prophesied the sword was the ultimate weapon. Since they didn't have gunpowder, nor nuclear weapons the sword represented protection. It had value. It was what man relied upon to administer justice, and keep the peace. Basically it was man's masterpiece, it gave him significance. A sword represented power. It was a source of respect and admiration from your peers. It was also a symbol of man himself.
Just as God made man his masterpiece, so did man make the sword his masterpiece. The quote from Ezekiel reminds us as God's masterpiece we should be polished to a shine and honed to a keen edge so as to reflect ourselves in the best light to honor our Maker.
So I had to take a hard look at myself and compare how much I shine and how keen my edge was. Honestly I do take steps daily to improve, but is my effort worthy of the honor I've been blessed with? After all God could have chosen the zebra or the monkey to be his centerpiece, but he chose man as his outstanding creation. So this served as a reminder to me to strive to be worthy of the position in God's creation mankind was blessed with. As power is granted to the holder of the sword, so is power granted to man as the steward of God's universe.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"A sword, a sword is sharpened and also polished, sharpened for slaughter, polished to flash like lightening."-Ezekiel 21:9
Now that caused me to think, as I suppose it was meant to do. Back in the day this was prophesied the sword was the ultimate weapon. Since they didn't have gunpowder, nor nuclear weapons the sword represented protection. It had value. It was what man relied upon to administer justice, and keep the peace. Basically it was man's masterpiece, it gave him significance. A sword represented power. It was a source of respect and admiration from your peers. It was also a symbol of man himself.
Just as God made man his masterpiece, so did man make the sword his masterpiece. The quote from Ezekiel reminds us as God's masterpiece we should be polished to a shine and honed to a keen edge so as to reflect ourselves in the best light to honor our Maker.
So I had to take a hard look at myself and compare how much I shine and how keen my edge was. Honestly I do take steps daily to improve, but is my effort worthy of the honor I've been blessed with? After all God could have chosen the zebra or the monkey to be his centerpiece, but he chose man as his outstanding creation. So this served as a reminder to me to strive to be worthy of the position in God's creation mankind was blessed with. As power is granted to the holder of the sword, so is power granted to man as the steward of God's universe.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Thank You Sister Janice!
I got to spend some quality time with my mentor yesterday as I drove him to the airport It's amazing how a couple of hours engaged in quality conversation will spark ideas and draw conclusions you've never been drawn to before. Anyway the drive back home gave me some great time alone to process my thoughts and my mind wandered off to a part of the conversation that really had me go off on a tangent. Has anyone else noticed that just about every generation has it's students taught "new math?"
Now I don't know if you realize this but math is the foundation of just about everything. Math is the cornerstone of logic, it's the basis of how we draw our thoughts together to come to a conclusion. Discovering patterns in life is all centered on math. In depth studies have been done to show that even the smallest event in our lives is driven by a mathematic equation, principle, or theory. So why is it that every generation they find a new and more confusing way to teach it?
Now math for some people is not something they grasp easily. I'm one of the fortunate ones that had an exceptional math teacher, so because of the persistence of Sister Janice I can do many of the calculations in my head. Like I said I was blessed, there are many who struggle with even the simplest of problems, so if their children are struggling with math problems, how would they help them? The answer is, they can't. I propose this is by design, after all math is the basis for logic. How dangerous would it be for this bureaucracy if the electorate's forte' was logic? Confusing the process of how a student achieves their answers goes a long way to keep the logic at a lower level. People can never build on their math foundation to achieve a higher level of logic because first of all they hate math, and second they don't understand it. So by default they avoid it like the plague. And what better way to keep that logic at bay than to keep changing the way math is taught? It retards the learning curve and keeps the intellectual elite safe from the common man. Just as long as the populous struggles doing just the most rudimentary math, adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division, they'll never achieve the higher mathematical abilities it takes to apply logic.
On our ride Orrin was commenting someone had once asked him how he knew so much about economics. He told them that he hadn't yet done any detailed study on that subject but he found it was just mathematics. Orrin was drawn to the subject by examining a chart that exposed the facts of compound interest, and how it heavily favors the lender leaving the borrower to overspend enormously. He's since read a mountain of books and teaches it to others in a simple common sense manner. Is it a wonder that since most people struggle with math, how our financial decisions are the disaster they are? Now, think a while and use the logic I just exposed and draw the conclusion of who that favors........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Now I don't know if you realize this but math is the foundation of just about everything. Math is the cornerstone of logic, it's the basis of how we draw our thoughts together to come to a conclusion. Discovering patterns in life is all centered on math. In depth studies have been done to show that even the smallest event in our lives is driven by a mathematic equation, principle, or theory. So why is it that every generation they find a new and more confusing way to teach it?
Now math for some people is not something they grasp easily. I'm one of the fortunate ones that had an exceptional math teacher, so because of the persistence of Sister Janice I can do many of the calculations in my head. Like I said I was blessed, there are many who struggle with even the simplest of problems, so if their children are struggling with math problems, how would they help them? The answer is, they can't. I propose this is by design, after all math is the basis for logic. How dangerous would it be for this bureaucracy if the electorate's forte' was logic? Confusing the process of how a student achieves their answers goes a long way to keep the logic at a lower level. People can never build on their math foundation to achieve a higher level of logic because first of all they hate math, and second they don't understand it. So by default they avoid it like the plague. And what better way to keep that logic at bay than to keep changing the way math is taught? It retards the learning curve and keeps the intellectual elite safe from the common man. Just as long as the populous struggles doing just the most rudimentary math, adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division, they'll never achieve the higher mathematical abilities it takes to apply logic.
On our ride Orrin was commenting someone had once asked him how he knew so much about economics. He told them that he hadn't yet done any detailed study on that subject but he found it was just mathematics. Orrin was drawn to the subject by examining a chart that exposed the facts of compound interest, and how it heavily favors the lender leaving the borrower to overspend enormously. He's since read a mountain of books and teaches it to others in a simple common sense manner. Is it a wonder that since most people struggle with math, how our financial decisions are the disaster they are? Now, think a while and use the logic I just exposed and draw the conclusion of who that favors........
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 11, 2011
Egypt, Hope And Change Is On The Way!
The media has announced that the people of Egypt are searching for their agent of change, their Barack Obama if you will. I for one can feel their pain, I mean we did without one for over 200 years, so in the spirit of giving, I suggest we send them ours. After all we are hardly using this one, his hands are so tied by the Constitution.
No Barack Obama would be complete without his supporting cast of characters, we are all very aware they , are a matched set. So, we would be remiss if we didn't also offer Joe Biden, Valerie Jarrett, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, Steny Hoyer, and all the rest of the utopia seeking left wing legislators.
I don't think we could be satisfied without assuring Egypt has the full compliment of our diverse government so Barney Frank will also be a must. Then there is that wonderful chap from Georgia whose name escapes me at the moment, that is sure Guam will tip over if we continue to send more of our troops there. He needs a seat at this table as well!
Now since Barack Obama is of African heritage, we better send a full compliment of race advocates to insure equality in this venture. So Sheila Jackson Lee, pack your bags honey, your going to the promise land. She'll need a support staff, perhaps we could see ourselves clear of missing Reverend Jesse Jackson and the ever race minded Reverend Al Sharpton. Then our conscience can be clear that all race issues will be brought promptly to the attention of the public!
Now with all this hope and change going on we have to let the people know just how lucky they are, so once again we Americans will have to make a sacrifice! Say good by to Katie Couric, David Gregory, Chris Mathis, Arienna Huffington, The New York Times, and all the rest of the left wing media that gets a thrill up their leg every time our president speaks. Only with this crew will we know the Egyptian people are being properly indoctrinated, er, informed.
Since I've solved this problem, I can look forward to a stress free weekend, with no news reports of unrest! I hope you enjoy the same!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
No Barack Obama would be complete without his supporting cast of characters, we are all very aware they , are a matched set. So, we would be remiss if we didn't also offer Joe Biden, Valerie Jarrett, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reed, Steny Hoyer, and all the rest of the utopia seeking left wing legislators.
I don't think we could be satisfied without assuring Egypt has the full compliment of our diverse government so Barney Frank will also be a must. Then there is that wonderful chap from Georgia whose name escapes me at the moment, that is sure Guam will tip over if we continue to send more of our troops there. He needs a seat at this table as well!
Now since Barack Obama is of African heritage, we better send a full compliment of race advocates to insure equality in this venture. So Sheila Jackson Lee, pack your bags honey, your going to the promise land. She'll need a support staff, perhaps we could see ourselves clear of missing Reverend Jesse Jackson and the ever race minded Reverend Al Sharpton. Then our conscience can be clear that all race issues will be brought promptly to the attention of the public!
Now with all this hope and change going on we have to let the people know just how lucky they are, so once again we Americans will have to make a sacrifice! Say good by to Katie Couric, David Gregory, Chris Mathis, Arienna Huffington, The New York Times, and all the rest of the left wing media that gets a thrill up their leg every time our president speaks. Only with this crew will we know the Egyptian people are being properly indoctrinated, er, informed.
Since I've solved this problem, I can look forward to a stress free weekend, with no news reports of unrest! I hope you enjoy the same!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Each Will Be Judged By His Own Conduct
Ezekiel has really been on a roll. This next passage is so pertinent to modern day, and I'd like you to take notice when you read it who it holds accountable. I'll give you a hint, it's not the government!
"If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right-if he does not eat upon the mountain or lift his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbors wife or approach a woman in her time of impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery , gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with garment, does not lend at interest nor take any increase, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances--he is righteous, he shall surely live says the Lord God."-Ezekiel 18:5-9
I guess we know now where our founding fathers located the idea of individual responsibility, and keeping the government out of our affairs. It doesn't suggest any form of government clothe or feed the poor, it's up to each individual. It does suggest every man be held accountable for his, and only his actions. Let's break it down like this....
If we start with the individual, hold ourselves to a higher standard of accountability as suggested by this prophecy told by Ezekiel, then the rest will take care of itself. There is no need for legislation, nor a new world order if each person holds themselves accountable. The title of this passage is," Each Will Be Judged By His Own Conduct." There is no suggestion of collective bargaining here, nor a need for a socialistic approach. This is cut and dry, every man, woman, and child is responsible for their behavior and will be judged accordingly. Isn't then the best course of action to follow those guidelines above and strive to be the best individual we can be? There isn't a hint of government involvement in any of this, and I hate to tell those pompous asses in Washington this, but (yes I did say but) this comes from a higher power. How much simpler could this possibly be than the answer lies within the power of one? You yourself hold the key to salvation, and a better world.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
"If a man is righteous and does what is lawful and right-if he does not eat upon the mountain or lift his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbors wife or approach a woman in her time of impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery , gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with garment, does not lend at interest nor take any increase, withholds his hand from iniquity, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and is careful to observe my ordinances--he is righteous, he shall surely live says the Lord God."-Ezekiel 18:5-9
I guess we know now where our founding fathers located the idea of individual responsibility, and keeping the government out of our affairs. It doesn't suggest any form of government clothe or feed the poor, it's up to each individual. It does suggest every man be held accountable for his, and only his actions. Let's break it down like this....
If we start with the individual, hold ourselves to a higher standard of accountability as suggested by this prophecy told by Ezekiel, then the rest will take care of itself. There is no need for legislation, nor a new world order if each person holds themselves accountable. The title of this passage is," Each Will Be Judged By His Own Conduct." There is no suggestion of collective bargaining here, nor a need for a socialistic approach. This is cut and dry, every man, woman, and child is responsible for their behavior and will be judged accordingly. Isn't then the best course of action to follow those guidelines above and strive to be the best individual we can be? There isn't a hint of government involvement in any of this, and I hate to tell those pompous asses in Washington this, but (yes I did say but) this comes from a higher power. How much simpler could this possibly be than the answer lies within the power of one? You yourself hold the key to salvation, and a better world.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
A Cure For The Mid-Week Hump!
"And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it." -Ezekiel:17-24
Makes you sit up and take notice, no? Sounds like a great reason to give all the glory to the Lord whenever He's seen fit to allow us to shine in His honor. It also speaks to where our prayers of hope and our visions of the future should be directed. I'd rather be blessed with His fertilizer, than pruned back or pulled like a weed.
While Carl Sagan has noted, "nothing happens but first the dream," I'm thinking we might seek approval of that dream through prayer. Only by God's grace will that dream come to fruition. With prayer, all things are possible. So take a moment and lift your eyes up and honor the good in your life, and humbly ask for His grace on your vision of the future. It's a great way to get over that mid week hump!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Makes you sit up and take notice, no? Sounds like a great reason to give all the glory to the Lord whenever He's seen fit to allow us to shine in His honor. It also speaks to where our prayers of hope and our visions of the future should be directed. I'd rather be blessed with His fertilizer, than pruned back or pulled like a weed.
While Carl Sagan has noted, "nothing happens but first the dream," I'm thinking we might seek approval of that dream through prayer. Only by God's grace will that dream come to fruition. With prayer, all things are possible. So take a moment and lift your eyes up and honor the good in your life, and humbly ask for His grace on your vision of the future. It's a great way to get over that mid week hump!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
But,But,But!!!!!
Today we are going to discuss one of by worse faults, getting off our "buts." No that's not misspelled, we're not going to explore our derriere, but (see I did it again), how important it is to lose this word from our vocabulary.
Our first example is the excuse. Often when someone throws out the word "but," the excuse follows. I was going to clean my room, "but" little Johnny came over and wanted to go out and play. I really wanted to complete the assignment, "but" (you fill in the excuse).
The second example is the use of "but" to criticize. Example; The food was great, "but" the service was terrible. Of course there is the dyslexic example; The service was terrible, "but" the food was outstanding. In either case the word "but" is an indicator of a dissatisfaction. Let's look at it from a leadership position. Communication with those who look up to you is an art. A simple misuse of a little word like "but" can change the whole attitude of a conversation. Example; I love the floral arrangement you picked out, "but" let's put it over here. Verses; I love the floral arrangement you picked out, and if we both put our heads together I'm certain we can find a place for it that really highlights this room. First one reeks of criticism, where the second example void of the word "but" enlists a spirit of cooperation. Trading the "but" for an "and" makes all the difference in the world. A subtle word change results in a monstrous difference in cooperation and attitude. Lord knows we can all use a little less attitude, and a little more cooperation!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Our first example is the excuse. Often when someone throws out the word "but," the excuse follows. I was going to clean my room, "but" little Johnny came over and wanted to go out and play. I really wanted to complete the assignment, "but" (you fill in the excuse).
The second example is the use of "but" to criticize. Example; The food was great, "but" the service was terrible. Of course there is the dyslexic example; The service was terrible, "but" the food was outstanding. In either case the word "but" is an indicator of a dissatisfaction. Let's look at it from a leadership position. Communication with those who look up to you is an art. A simple misuse of a little word like "but" can change the whole attitude of a conversation. Example; I love the floral arrangement you picked out, "but" let's put it over here. Verses; I love the floral arrangement you picked out, and if we both put our heads together I'm certain we can find a place for it that really highlights this room. First one reeks of criticism, where the second example void of the word "but" enlists a spirit of cooperation. Trading the "but" for an "and" makes all the difference in the world. A subtle word change results in a monstrous difference in cooperation and attitude. Lord knows we can all use a little less attitude, and a little more cooperation!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 7, 2011
Oops, Your Culture Is Showing....
How does a seasoned performer flub the words to the National Anthem? Was it a case of nerves, or a testament to how our nation's culture has declined? I hope and pray the nerves were the issue, but I have to be honest, it doesn't bode well in front of the rest of the world.
I hope ever parent takes this opportunity to instill the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem till it is committed to their children's memory. Apparently it's not given any priority in our education system. Anybody want to bet me every man, woman, and child that lives in China can recite China's National Anthem? If the President wants to improve our education system, and is so enamored by China's and India's we might just start there.
I'm sure the media will beat this to death, and rightfully so. I have a tinge of sympathy for Christina Aquilera, but honestly this was not the work of a seasoned professional performer. I'll be curious to see how this is treated in the news. Will they harp on the fact she made a mistake, or highlight the decline in culture?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
I hope ever parent takes this opportunity to instill the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem till it is committed to their children's memory. Apparently it's not given any priority in our education system. Anybody want to bet me every man, woman, and child that lives in China can recite China's National Anthem? If the President wants to improve our education system, and is so enamored by China's and India's we might just start there.
I'm sure the media will beat this to death, and rightfully so. I have a tinge of sympathy for Christina Aquilera, but honestly this was not the work of a seasoned professional performer. I'll be curious to see how this is treated in the news. Will they harp on the fact she made a mistake, or highlight the decline in culture?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Egypt, As Seen From Offshore!
I guess you've noticed that I've been suspiciously removed from the controversy going on in Egypt. Honestly I've made some observations, so today I thought I'd share my views on this quagmire.
The first most noticeable thing is the violence. The organized mobs the roam the streets exude hatred, and find all kinds of ways to express it. They throw rocks, Molotov cocktails, sticks, they loot, and cause any kind of havoc they can think of. What I see here is a classic example of a lack of emotional maturity that proves the fact, that people who want to react violently will do so despite the fact they cannot get their hands on weapons. People are driven by emotion, emotion causes hatred, hatred causes violence, and violence usually ends up with someone hurt or dead. So, weapons don't case violence, people do. Outlawing things to keep people safe, when things don't cause the problem, is a false sense of security. Punish those who abuse humanity, promptly and harshly. Punish the behavior not the inanimate object.
One other thing I've noticed is the number of protesters. Egypt is a land of over eighty million people. The media has made this look like a giant revolt, when in fact the largest crowd reported has been in the two hundred and fifty thousand range. That's not a overwhelming majority! If the whole country felt this way, where are they? This isn't even one percent of the population. It is a well organized and violent group, but it's hardly the majority. Are we once again being misled by media coverage?
I've heard the media say this is a democratic movement taking place in Egypt. It is classic democracy, mob rule! We should use this as a civics lesson so we can understand why America is not a democracy, but a representative republic. Fifty one percent of the voting block cannot out shout the rule of law, nor our principles. Never allow the elitist to speak democracy into existence, and always be sure the next generation understands the difference. The liberals who produce the history books our children learn from have conveniently bent the facts, and distorted the representative republic into a full blown democracy. While we are a democratic society, where our voice can in fact be heard, we are not a mob rule form of government. It's a vital distinction.
America could learn a great lesson here. We compromised our principles to achieve our goals, and sided with a dictator. What a great life lesson to compliment our leadership journey! The ends DO NOT EVER justify the means. Stand stoic on your principles and never compromise your values. Once again we look like the bad guy in the Middle East because we used compromise instead of leadership values. We are painted by those who seek to discredit us as hypocrites for siding with an oppressive dictator, and rightly so. Instead of being an example of good for that unstable part of the world, we stand as the pillar of evil. This is why we don't hold the hands of and placate regimes that don't represent freedom. When we hold out our hands for peace, it needs to be within our guidelines. Compromise of principles is not a sign of goodwill, it's a sign of weakness. Next time we vote, let's find a candidate that speaks from a position of power like Ronald Reagan did, not one that speaks in sound bytes.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The first most noticeable thing is the violence. The organized mobs the roam the streets exude hatred, and find all kinds of ways to express it. They throw rocks, Molotov cocktails, sticks, they loot, and cause any kind of havoc they can think of. What I see here is a classic example of a lack of emotional maturity that proves the fact, that people who want to react violently will do so despite the fact they cannot get their hands on weapons. People are driven by emotion, emotion causes hatred, hatred causes violence, and violence usually ends up with someone hurt or dead. So, weapons don't case violence, people do. Outlawing things to keep people safe, when things don't cause the problem, is a false sense of security. Punish those who abuse humanity, promptly and harshly. Punish the behavior not the inanimate object.
One other thing I've noticed is the number of protesters. Egypt is a land of over eighty million people. The media has made this look like a giant revolt, when in fact the largest crowd reported has been in the two hundred and fifty thousand range. That's not a overwhelming majority! If the whole country felt this way, where are they? This isn't even one percent of the population. It is a well organized and violent group, but it's hardly the majority. Are we once again being misled by media coverage?
I've heard the media say this is a democratic movement taking place in Egypt. It is classic democracy, mob rule! We should use this as a civics lesson so we can understand why America is not a democracy, but a representative republic. Fifty one percent of the voting block cannot out shout the rule of law, nor our principles. Never allow the elitist to speak democracy into existence, and always be sure the next generation understands the difference. The liberals who produce the history books our children learn from have conveniently bent the facts, and distorted the representative republic into a full blown democracy. While we are a democratic society, where our voice can in fact be heard, we are not a mob rule form of government. It's a vital distinction.
America could learn a great lesson here. We compromised our principles to achieve our goals, and sided with a dictator. What a great life lesson to compliment our leadership journey! The ends DO NOT EVER justify the means. Stand stoic on your principles and never compromise your values. Once again we look like the bad guy in the Middle East because we used compromise instead of leadership values. We are painted by those who seek to discredit us as hypocrites for siding with an oppressive dictator, and rightly so. Instead of being an example of good for that unstable part of the world, we stand as the pillar of evil. This is why we don't hold the hands of and placate regimes that don't represent freedom. When we hold out our hands for peace, it needs to be within our guidelines. Compromise of principles is not a sign of goodwill, it's a sign of weakness. Next time we vote, let's find a candidate that speaks from a position of power like Ronald Reagan did, not one that speaks in sound bytes.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Put A Little Sugar On It Baby!
If a man's heart is rankling with discord and ill feelings toward you, you can't win him to your way of thinking with all the logic in Christendom. Scolding parents, and domineering bosses and husbands, and nagging wives ought to realize that people don't want to change their minds. They can't be forced or driven to agree with you or me. But they may possibly be led to, if we are gentle and friendly, ever so gentle....and ever so friendly....-Dale Carnegie
It is old and true maxim that " a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." So with men! If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart; which, say what you will, is the great high road to his reason! -Abraham Lincoln.
Why aren't these simple principles taught in our education system? Why is it left to the individual to seek and learn these experiences on their own, rather than have the wisdom of those who've walked this path before them? Once again we are faced with the reality that our education system is preparing the students to apply for a job, not equipping them for life. Since they are there anyway, why don't we teach them to love to learn, not train them to be employed? I've always been of the school of thought animals were trained, not people. People should be thought to think, then pursue those thoughts to a conclusion. Not be told how to perform.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
It is old and true maxim that " a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall." So with men! If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart; which, say what you will, is the great high road to his reason! -Abraham Lincoln.
Why aren't these simple principles taught in our education system? Why is it left to the individual to seek and learn these experiences on their own, rather than have the wisdom of those who've walked this path before them? Once again we are faced with the reality that our education system is preparing the students to apply for a job, not equipping them for life. Since they are there anyway, why don't we teach them to love to learn, not train them to be employed? I've always been of the school of thought animals were trained, not people. People should be thought to think, then pursue those thoughts to a conclusion. Not be told how to perform.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 4, 2011
Media Matters!
The elitist liberal view in this country is that the citizens they rule over are merely machines, and can be taught so their resistance to manipulation is weakened step by step. They seek a modern authoritarian government with almost endless means of manipulation, beginning in with early education, and ending with the media. They've taken great steps to control both the education process and the television media. How can the mindless machines they view us to be, resist a properly managed TV schedule, with it's edited illusions of reality, be as it enters every home and it is watched for endless hours by both young and old? Remember, every form of television is edited for content, and we see only what those doing the editing allow.
The achieved goal is a world view of an elite, and a world view of the central news media colliding. It's fair to say with few exceptions, the media is a ready vehicle for manipulative authoritarianism. People have been taught the truth as if the objective truth does not exist. "Snookie" sets the bar for our youth as the level of intelligence one needs to attain to be successful. While Charlie Sheen shows the adults that all morals and rule of law are seen as relative, thus people gravitate through this suggestive manipulation and are a bit more open to what is acceptable in today's society. Some feel that society's cannot derive the ought from the is. What ought to be, as defined by our moral code, is in direct conflict with what their eyes see is.
Besides completely divorcing ourselves from the media and becoming completely removed from today's society, there is but a few rays of hope. A select few voices rise above the din to assure this form of media manipulation is exposed. The problem being they too are subject to editing, so again if it's seen on TV, your only allowed to see what the editors want. One of the biggest obstacles the elitists face is a free and open Internet. Unedited copy flows freely, free of manipulation. While this has it's short comings too, it helps to expose the truth. The problem being, what exactly is the truth?
Example; you watch a play in a football game. As it is represented your first impression leads you to a conclusion. The editors then beak down the play in slow motion and play it from different angles revealing what you first saw may not be in many cases what actually happened. The player's foot may have been in bounds, that called foul ball did sneak inside the foul pole, the reception did in fact hit the ground, and the second baseman got the tag down in time, all clearly different from your original perception, but brought to light by new information shown either in slow motion, or from a different angle. The magic of television. Now apply that to your nightly news.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
The achieved goal is a world view of an elite, and a world view of the central news media colliding. It's fair to say with few exceptions, the media is a ready vehicle for manipulative authoritarianism. People have been taught the truth as if the objective truth does not exist. "Snookie" sets the bar for our youth as the level of intelligence one needs to attain to be successful. While Charlie Sheen shows the adults that all morals and rule of law are seen as relative, thus people gravitate through this suggestive manipulation and are a bit more open to what is acceptable in today's society. Some feel that society's cannot derive the ought from the is. What ought to be, as defined by our moral code, is in direct conflict with what their eyes see is.
Besides completely divorcing ourselves from the media and becoming completely removed from today's society, there is but a few rays of hope. A select few voices rise above the din to assure this form of media manipulation is exposed. The problem being they too are subject to editing, so again if it's seen on TV, your only allowed to see what the editors want. One of the biggest obstacles the elitists face is a free and open Internet. Unedited copy flows freely, free of manipulation. While this has it's short comings too, it helps to expose the truth. The problem being, what exactly is the truth?
Example; you watch a play in a football game. As it is represented your first impression leads you to a conclusion. The editors then beak down the play in slow motion and play it from different angles revealing what you first saw may not be in many cases what actually happened. The player's foot may have been in bounds, that called foul ball did sneak inside the foul pole, the reception did in fact hit the ground, and the second baseman got the tag down in time, all clearly different from your original perception, but brought to light by new information shown either in slow motion, or from a different angle. The magic of television. Now apply that to your nightly news.....
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 3, 2011
A Timeless Message!
I was doing my daily reading of the Bible this morning when something caught my eye in the book of Ezekiel. As the story is told, the Big Man upstairs is kind of unhappy with the chosen people of Israel. He's pretty much evicted them from the promised land and allowed their enemies to have their way with them. The burning of incense and other worshiping to gods other than Him has Him a little ticked off. You see they messed up their priorities and placed other things above Him who created them.
Well as the example continues it seems the Jewish people not only screwed up their priorities, the refused to accept responsibility for their fate. They mistakenly blamed God himself for their troubles, as noted by this passage....
"The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see."- Ezekiel 9:9
Sound familiar? I seem to remember somewhere in my life where some fools were trying to sell us God is dead. As the story continues, you'll see how accepting that hooey is a bad idea!
The Lord then sent some executioners, accompanied by what I can only describe as accountants as they are described like this...
" And He called to the men dressed in linen, who had the writing case at his side. And the Lord said to him...Go through the city and put a mark on the head of all the men who sigh and groan over the abominations they are committing in it."-Ezekiel 9:3,4
So if your an bean counter, there is an afterlife! Who'd have thought being an accountant was an eternal sentence? Anyway, the executioners proceeded on the Lord's command to slay everyone who didn't have the mark on his head. So it might be prudent, and healthy to show your disdain whenever you see acts of abominations being committed. I know I am, because shortly after this cleansing the Lord made this proclamation...
" And you shall know that I am Lord; for you have not walked in my statutes, nor executed my ordinances, but have acted according to the ordinances of the nations that are round about you."-Ezekiel 11:12
You know the nations of the world, and all good Christians just might take a step back and heed this message. It seems pertinent in modern times. Some of us have rearranged our priorities and placed our Creator somewhere down the list, rather than atop where he belongs, and we certainly have no shortage of abominations going on.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Well as the example continues it seems the Jewish people not only screwed up their priorities, the refused to accept responsibility for their fate. They mistakenly blamed God himself for their troubles, as noted by this passage....
"The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see."- Ezekiel 9:9
Sound familiar? I seem to remember somewhere in my life where some fools were trying to sell us God is dead. As the story continues, you'll see how accepting that hooey is a bad idea!
The Lord then sent some executioners, accompanied by what I can only describe as accountants as they are described like this...
" And He called to the men dressed in linen, who had the writing case at his side. And the Lord said to him...Go through the city and put a mark on the head of all the men who sigh and groan over the abominations they are committing in it."-Ezekiel 9:3,4
So if your an bean counter, there is an afterlife! Who'd have thought being an accountant was an eternal sentence? Anyway, the executioners proceeded on the Lord's command to slay everyone who didn't have the mark on his head. So it might be prudent, and healthy to show your disdain whenever you see acts of abominations being committed. I know I am, because shortly after this cleansing the Lord made this proclamation...
" And you shall know that I am Lord; for you have not walked in my statutes, nor executed my ordinances, but have acted according to the ordinances of the nations that are round about you."-Ezekiel 11:12
You know the nations of the world, and all good Christians just might take a step back and heed this message. It seems pertinent in modern times. Some of us have rearranged our priorities and placed our Creator somewhere down the list, rather than atop where he belongs, and we certainly have no shortage of abominations going on.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A Modern Parable!
I was reflecting back and I came upon a lesson I almost overlooked. Back in my son's younger days he participated in Pop Warner football. The team he played on was a consistent winner of the National Championship, in fact over a twelve year period, they won it ten times. The backbone of this successful organization was the president and head coach. He just seemed to have a magic touch about assembling a team that could and did compete on a national level. This is his story.
He was a well respected, happily married, businessman in the community. The respect he'd garnered earned him the top position of the Pop Warner organization, where he continued to shine. In fact he was asked to assist in the local private school's team as a bonus. His success had advanced him to the next level and it appeared he was being groomed to take the head coaching position for the high school team. Something he'd obviously yearned for. This advancement would also guarantee his son a position as on of the teams coordinators.
As often happens a fallible man placed in a position of leadership draws the attention of admirers. How they handle this often speaks volumes to their character. This fellow was no exception! A younger well, proportioned, divorced mother of one of the players began to seek his attention, and he responded in kind. An affair ensued, and he placed his marriage in jeopardy. The community took notice, and he was asked to leave the private school's coaching staff. He'd lost his dream because of a failure of character. Then the real bomb hit, the next election of board members, he was relieved of his position as president of the Pop Warner team he's nurtured for over a decade. Apparently adultery wasn't something the parents wanted glorified in front of their children.
Our fellow moved on to a rival organization, dropped the affair and patched up his wounded marriage. He's not yet been able to bring the magic to his new organization he enjoyed with the championship squad. But he has seen the light, and is slowly mending old fences, broken by a flawed decision to put pleasure over his character.
There is a lesson here for all to learn. Even in this confused day and age, your decisions have consequences. It's not worth putting your character in jeopardy for sinful pleasure. People are watching those of us in leadership, and they judge you by your actions. Our coach traded great for not so great and the whole transaction hinged on his decision to pursue an act that expressed a lack of principles. What we do, even in the smallest instance, affects our outcome in life. Protect your character!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
He was a well respected, happily married, businessman in the community. The respect he'd garnered earned him the top position of the Pop Warner organization, where he continued to shine. In fact he was asked to assist in the local private school's team as a bonus. His success had advanced him to the next level and it appeared he was being groomed to take the head coaching position for the high school team. Something he'd obviously yearned for. This advancement would also guarantee his son a position as on of the teams coordinators.
As often happens a fallible man placed in a position of leadership draws the attention of admirers. How they handle this often speaks volumes to their character. This fellow was no exception! A younger well, proportioned, divorced mother of one of the players began to seek his attention, and he responded in kind. An affair ensued, and he placed his marriage in jeopardy. The community took notice, and he was asked to leave the private school's coaching staff. He'd lost his dream because of a failure of character. Then the real bomb hit, the next election of board members, he was relieved of his position as president of the Pop Warner team he's nurtured for over a decade. Apparently adultery wasn't something the parents wanted glorified in front of their children.
Our fellow moved on to a rival organization, dropped the affair and patched up his wounded marriage. He's not yet been able to bring the magic to his new organization he enjoyed with the championship squad. But he has seen the light, and is slowly mending old fences, broken by a flawed decision to put pleasure over his character.
There is a lesson here for all to learn. Even in this confused day and age, your decisions have consequences. It's not worth putting your character in jeopardy for sinful pleasure. People are watching those of us in leadership, and they judge you by your actions. Our coach traded great for not so great and the whole transaction hinged on his decision to pursue an act that expressed a lack of principles. What we do, even in the smallest instance, affects our outcome in life. Protect your character!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
There Is A Reason!
Have you noticed lately the unusual acts of violence that plagues our nation? Citizens sit on the edge of their chairs awaiting the classification of the perpetrator, well most of us, the media almost always announces it has to be one of those gun toting, God fearing conservatives run amok. Then we get the truth, but then the truth is likely the cause of what drove those liberals to their acts of insanity. Realization that everything you've ever believed is illogical and hypocritical, just might be what drove those people insane.
Let's start where their philosophy begins, Charles Darwin (1809-1882), the father of evolution. His theory as presented in his book titled, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or Preservation of favored Races in the Struggle for Life," teaches survival of the fittest. Most liberals have traded the theory of evolution for the belief that there is a creator. Herein lies the problem....No one has yet shown how man could have been brought forth from non-man solely by the application of time plus chance. And when these "thinkers" decide man is autonomous, they find there are no values or principles, because there is no higher power to hold them accountable. So first you have a theory with no credible explanation, then the mathematical community applies logic and shows the laws of chance totally disprove this as even a possibility.
Now if you believe that only the strong survive, as preached by Darwin, how do you then move to a socialist society where everyone is on a level playing field? Can you begin to see where the contradiction plays on the sanity of the believer? Isn't anyone who isn't strong prey for those who are? But then the field is only level under those who rule, as the elitist who rule enjoy the perks.
Liberals as stated above, are strong defenders of a socialistic form of government, yet there isn't one in history that has survived. And the capitalism they abhor stands as the model of longest standing success of a government model. Add to that the fact the capitalist's poor enjoy a better standard of living then anyone living under socialist or communist rule, and you have contradiction after contradiction. Logic sets in and the liberal, once enlightened, sees that under this philosophy the truth is only in one's own head, and the possibility of objective truth is gone.
These are just a few of the realizations that could be the factors that drive those liberals insane. All the philosophy falls apart and everything they've know becomes illogical. The awareness of the facts their beliefs are grounded in non-reason overcomes them and they become pessimistic and depressed. Now on the flip side, those grounded in faith, have answers they believe in. They know God created man, man comes from man, there are absolutes, and principles and values have a reason. Kind of comforting, don't you think?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Let's start where their philosophy begins, Charles Darwin (1809-1882), the father of evolution. His theory as presented in his book titled, "The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection or Preservation of favored Races in the Struggle for Life," teaches survival of the fittest. Most liberals have traded the theory of evolution for the belief that there is a creator. Herein lies the problem....No one has yet shown how man could have been brought forth from non-man solely by the application of time plus chance. And when these "thinkers" decide man is autonomous, they find there are no values or principles, because there is no higher power to hold them accountable. So first you have a theory with no credible explanation, then the mathematical community applies logic and shows the laws of chance totally disprove this as even a possibility.
Now if you believe that only the strong survive, as preached by Darwin, how do you then move to a socialist society where everyone is on a level playing field? Can you begin to see where the contradiction plays on the sanity of the believer? Isn't anyone who isn't strong prey for those who are? But then the field is only level under those who rule, as the elitist who rule enjoy the perks.
Liberals as stated above, are strong defenders of a socialistic form of government, yet there isn't one in history that has survived. And the capitalism they abhor stands as the model of longest standing success of a government model. Add to that the fact the capitalist's poor enjoy a better standard of living then anyone living under socialist or communist rule, and you have contradiction after contradiction. Logic sets in and the liberal, once enlightened, sees that under this philosophy the truth is only in one's own head, and the possibility of objective truth is gone.
These are just a few of the realizations that could be the factors that drive those liberals insane. All the philosophy falls apart and everything they've know becomes illogical. The awareness of the facts their beliefs are grounded in non-reason overcomes them and they become pessimistic and depressed. Now on the flip side, those grounded in faith, have answers they believe in. They know God created man, man comes from man, there are absolutes, and principles and values have a reason. Kind of comforting, don't you think?
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
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