Yikes! It has been too long!

I am amazed at how this blog gets neglected! It is still active, but frankly I think it will eventually give way to Facebook altogether. Perhaps I should just start posting daily for awhile to see if I can! That might be fun. Well, who knows? Maybe I'll try it!

A Class Act

John McCain's concession speech was just what I expected and yet I was so proud to hear it anyway. He was gracious, humble, and put country first.

I will trust God to take an unqualified man with dangerous policies to lead our nation in these troubled times. God is Sovereign and equal to that task. I will pray daily for Mr. Obama and support and respect him as our president.

Who’s funnier: McCain or Obama?

Here's a great article about the two candidates bringing some much needed comic relief to the current political climate.

Who’s funnier? McCain, Obama trade jokes over dinner
By Jimmy Orr


Barack Obama and John McCain appeared together yet again last night, and unlike prior meetings they both came away likable.

Astounding? Yes. In light of three panned debates (although the last one was much better) and with the public’s hatred of the Congress (approval rating 13 percent), the two Senators appeared together at the fancy-schmancy Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in New York.

Really funny

Only the hardest of partisans could harbor ill feelings toward either of the candidates during the event. McCain and Obama were funny. Really funny. And they even appeared to like each other.

In a sign of the approaching apocalypse, Bill Maher even conceded that McCain was funny.

McCain monologue

Up to bat first for the uber-wealthy, white-tuxedoed crowd was John McCain. And the first part of his opening line must have thrilled New York Times columnist Bill Kristol, who has been advocating for the wholesale firing of McCain’s campaign staff.

“Events are moving fast in my campaign and yes, it’s true that this morning I’ve dismissed my entire team of senior advisers. All of their positions will be now be held by a man named Joe the Plumber,” McCain deadpanned.

The reference, of course, to the previously unknown sorta-plumber John McCain mentioned over 20 times in the third debate as a future victim of Barack Obama’s tax plan.

In the flurry following Joe the Plumber’s debut on the national stage, there has been much buzz that the quasi-plumber wouldn’t make enough to see a tax increase under Obama’s plan.

No matter.

“What they don’t know,” McCain explained, “…is that Joe the Plumber recently signed a very lucrative contract with a wealthy couple to handle all the work on all seven of their houses.”

The reference to McCain’s August “housing-gaffe” drew much laughter, applause, and smiles across the room — including a relaxed Barack Obama who seemed to be genuinely enjoying McCain’s self-immolation.

Underdog

Acknowledging that he was the underdog, McCain said that even in a setting of “proud Manhattan Democrats” he had a feeling that there was support in the room for him.

“I’m delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary,” he said pointing to Obama’s former rival.

Bill Clinton

McCain then asked where husband Bill was — acknowleding that the former president had a “subtle approach” to campaigning for Obama’s presidency.

“When a reporter asked him if Obama was qualified to be President, Bill Clinton pointed out, ‘Sure, he’s over 35 and a U.S. citizen.’ He was pandering to the strict constructionist crowd,” McCain said.

Olbermann

In a monologue interupted numerous times by laughter and applause, the joke that appeared to receive the most cheers was when McCain took a jab at MSNBC.

“It’s going to be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this off, ” he said. “I understand that Keith Olbermann offered up his own ‘Mission Accomplished” banner … If they need any decorating advice on that banner, ask Keith to call me so I can tell him right where to put it.”

Obama-time

Barack Obama was not upstaged by the Arizona Senator despite his faux displeasure at holding the event at the Waldorf-Astoria.

“I was originally told we’d be able to move this outdoors to Yankee stadium, and — can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested?” he asked, lampooning the venue and stagecrafting set up for him at the Democratic National Convention.

Taking an immediate jab at Sarah Palin, he offered, “I do love the Waldorf-Astoria. You know, I hear that from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tearoom.”

Oh, Joe…

His own running mate was fair game as well.

“At one of these campaign rallies, someone in the crowd started yelling, ‘no-bama,’ announcing to everyone in the room that I shouldn’t be the Democratic nominee because there were far more qualified candidates. I really wish Joe Biden hadn’t done that,” he said.

Riffing right from recent news events, Obama announced the topic of his remarks.

“Recently, one of John’s top advisers told the Daily News that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain’s going to lose. So, tonight I’d like to talk about the economy,” he deadpanned, perfectly.

Economy

In regards to the nation’s economy and housing crisis, Obama upped the ante on McCain’s earlier remark stating, “And while the collapse of the housing market’s been tough on every single home owner, I think we all need to recognize that this crisis has been eight times harder on John McCain.”

Who is?

Mocking some of McCain’s recent campaign commercials which ask the question, “Who is Barack Obama?” the Democratic nominee offered a full explanation.

“Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor El to save the planet Earth,” he said.

As for his middle name “Hussein” which sadly has become an issue to fringe elements on the right, Obama sought to clear up an urban myth, “First of all, my middle name is not what you think. It’s actually Steve. That’s right. Barack Steve Obama.”

Obama's Terrorist Friend

Regarding Obama's Terrorist Friend


Obama's friend, Bill Ayers had this to say when interviewed in 2001: "I don't regret setting bombs," Bill Ayers said. "I feel we didn't do enough." Mr. Ayers, who spent the 1970's as a fugitive in the Weather Underground, was sitting in the kitchen of his big turn-of-the-19th-century stone house in the Hyde Park district of Chicago. The long curly locks in his Wanted poster are shorn, though he wears earrings. He still has tattooed on his neck the rainbow-and-lightning Weathermen logo that appeared on letters taking responsibility for bombings. And he still has the ebullient, ingratiating manner, the apparently intense interest in other people, that made him a charismatic figure in the radical student movement. (NY Times writer Dinitia Smith).

The Obama campaign is incensed that McCain would bring this up and acts like it is an unfair smear tactic. But the truth is, our close associates say a lot about who we are. Although the mainstream media will bury the story and try to spin it so that it is irrelevant, the truth is, Obama has been extremely vague and elusive about what he knows of Ayers; it is as though he has something to hide.

Obama has finally come out to say that he condemns Ayers' actions and yet again stresses that they don't know each other very well. It will be interesting to see if anyone will bring a stronger connection to light.

Here are a couple articles from ABC News that give some info.

Changing America

Changing America

In an article by Steve Schiffers of the BBC, "The distinguished historian Simon Schama argues that Barack Obama's emergence as presidential candidate represents a profound change in the American psyche."

This is an interesting article about the challenges facing America in this current economic crisis and of our resilience and faith. Worth the read!

John McCain Clear Winner of Debate #2

John McCain demonstrated in tonight's debate why he has what it takes to be the next president of the United States. He has experience and good ideas. His comment that this is not the time for "on the job training" should resonate with every American.

Consider the difference: Senator Obama has been serving in the Senate just since January 2005. Two years later he began his bid for the presidency. So add it up: He was a candidate for the Senate in 2004 and for president 2007-2008. He has more experience as a candidate for office than he does as a public servant. John McCain, on the other hand, served our nation as a Navy officer for 22 years (including 5 years as a POW) and has served in the Senate and/or Congress since 1982. That experience would serve him and the American people well in the next four years.

Not only does he have the experience and seasoning to be a good president, John McCain also has good ideas. While Barrack Obama keeps promising to give America everything from health care to a world-class education, McCain tells us that he is going to freeze spending and pare government down to a reasonable size. He plans to assemble bipartisan committees to address the nation's biggest challenges--and he has a proven track record to demonstrate that he knows how to do that. Senator Obama, in contrast, has virtually no experience working with the right and makes no promises that he will. His liberal voting record (as short as it is), suggests he will simply work within his own paradigm to push his almost messianic agenda.

As I watched the debate tonight I couldn't help noticing how much Senator Obama stammered around --especially when the topic turned to foreign affairs. McCain was strong, clear, and confident. Obama's oratorical skills failed him tonight. There is no question in my mind that John McCain was the clear winner of this debate. He showed why, more than his opponent, he is ready to lead our nation.

Why I Think Obama will Be the Next President

Admittedly, I have been watching this election cycle with a certain level of cynicism. I am not really looking forward to casting my vote this year--it is so tiresome voting for the lesser of two evils, as it were. Where are the strong leaders who represent a Christian world view? Alas, they seem to be totally absent from the political arena.

But while my political prophecies lack any divine quality or promise of accuracy, I will at this date hazard my guess that Obama is on his way to the White House. Here is why:
1) Our nation is weary of the status quo.
2) Our nation has a lingering love affair with John F Kennedy.
3) Our nation feels guilt over the racial divide and the assignation of Martin Luther King, Jr.
4) Our nation loves to be a part of making history.

Does anyone doubt that as a nation we are ready for a change? These past few years have stretched to the breaking point our short attention span and revealed our abhorrence of patience. We demand microwave solutions for all of our problems--even if it means making a fast buck at the expense of American jobs, or reneging on our wedding vows when the feeling's gone. We can't wait any longer; we must have change--now! Sorry, John McCain, but you don't wear that message well.

Who can deny that the prospects of an Obama presidency conjure up memories of JFK and his young family in the White House? As we boomers are reaching the end of our tenure as leaders of the free world, it is almost impossible to pass up the promise of another incarnation of Camelot. In this culture that has worshiped youth since Kennedy, it only seems fitting that we would be energized by this handsome, well-spoken young man.

As white boomers have aged, we have, as a rule, forgotten the emotions that drove our xenophobia and made us so resistant to the civil rights message. Actually, we are almost past our guilt, having apologized so much that it doesn't even feel authentic any more. And yet, in my experience, black America still, to some degree, remembers the angst of the 50s and 60s and cries out for some sort of vindication. Truth be told, both sides of the racial divide yearn for closure. Obama in the White House would be a way for whites to say--see we're not racist anymore; it would be a way for blacks to say--see we told you we were equal! What could be better than to say--see Dr. King's dream is coming true?

There is a game that we all seem eager to play; perhaps it even rivals baseball as a national past-time. It is the "Where were you when..." game. Maybe it is a product of our 24/7 media mania that causes us to derive a sense of importance by simply being present during key moments of history. After watching in real time commentator after commentator remind us of how history will remember this or that event, and then to see those same events become movies and docudramas, we can't help but believe that we are somehow more than simply our "plain old selves" because we were alive when a man first walked on the moon, or when the twin towers fell, or when the first black man became president. Don't get me wrong, it isn't necessarily a bad thing to want to be a part of history. It just may not be a good reason to vote for a particular candidate. But I believe it will still drive many to the polls in November.

For my part, I find Mr. Obama to be an extremely likable young man with a strong "excitement factor." I believe he is sincere and wants to make the world a better place. He strikes me as a leader who will strive with passion to make a difference. Unfortunately, given his liberal voting record, the unborn (and indeed the unwanted new-born) has less of a chance for life with Obama in the White House. That is the primary reason I will be voting against him in November. But my guess is, he'll still be the next president.

Something New

We're going to try something new at ICC. On the 29th of February, we will read the entire New Testament in a 24 hour period. Starting at 8am Friday and ending at 8am Saturday two readers per hour will carry us through all twenty-seven books. We are going to invite the community to come at will to hear as little or much as they care to. Pray that this will be a blessing!

"Get a Beret"

I was in a restaurant today getting ready for lunch when an older gent got up from his nearby table and walked over to me and said: "Do you watch Mythbusters?" "Yes," I replied--"I love that show!" He winked and said "Get a beret!" and sat back down smiling. Hmmm.