Friday, May 28, 2004
He lied when he said he was a "passionate conservative"
Oh yeah, since Ashcroft was approved.
When did Bush's administration become "radical, right-wing"?
Oh yeah, since Ashcroft was approved.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:49 AM | |
This is too much..
This time has not come as a result of the jokes or even the songs. But you realize that some people have gone overboard when you discover a online comic about the periodic table of elements.
And I thought I was bad.
There comes a time when you realize that there can be too much chemistry. And no, that time does not happen right after an organic chemistry final.
This time has not come as a result of the jokes or even the songs. But you realize that some people have gone overboard when you discover a online comic about the periodic table of elements.
And I thought I was bad.
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:48 AM | |
Thursday, May 27, 2004
Most (53%) Arizonans have taken an economics course
Do those 35% realize what would happen if the government regulated the price of gas? Assuming that the government would institute a price ceiling, there would be gas shortages. And if the gas was rationed, then the state government would be in a position of power to determine who had the most need for it.
In any case, the result would be inefficiency, waste, and higher prices--not lower.
Why we need an all-day kindergarten I don't know. What we really need is a required high school economics course for all state citizens.
Although 53% of the state's population believe that the gas price should be regulated by the market, 35% believe that gas prices should be regulated by the government.
Do those 35% realize what would happen if the government regulated the price of gas? Assuming that the government would institute a price ceiling, there would be gas shortages. And if the gas was rationed, then the state government would be in a position of power to determine who had the most need for it.
In any case, the result would be inefficiency, waste, and higher prices--not lower.
Why we need an all-day kindergarten I don't know. What we really need is a required high school economics course for all state citizens.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:03 PM | |
Cool Weaponry
Today is my day: not only have I read some funny things about terrorists and sex, I have just learned that Raytheon has made an even cooler missile than before.
Cheaper, smarter and more lethal - the next generation of the Navy's premier long-range weapon has arrived, and America's enemies had better watch out.
[...]
"It is a more reliable, more sustainable, more cost-effective and much more flexible weapon system...Our adversaries aren’t going to enjoy it, and that’s okay."
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:59 PM | |
More denigration of the English Language
I love the way journalists have begun to use slang in their articles. Makes for an interesting and quite appalling read.
I can completely understand how the word "b00bies" can be used by high schoolers or in some silly, entirely stupid publication, but that it was used in a recognized newspaper makes me wonder where the English language is going. First there was the word "bitchy" used in an online article and now this.
I love the way journalists have begun to use slang in their articles. Makes for an interesting and quite appalling read.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:42 PM | |
Things that make me go "Hah-hah. Hah-hah."
As Bunnie Diehl says:
Along with that last post, I found something else I couldnt keep myself from laughing about.
As Bunnie Diehl says:
Could some Islamic terrorists look any more like caricatures of evil people if they tried? WHO HAS A HOOK FOR A HAND ANYMORE? And what's going on with that one eye?
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:34 PM | |
Highly Amused: Sex and its role it plays in happiness
I am highly amused by this post from El Gringo concerning a study concerning the relationship between income, sex, and happiness.
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:33 PM | |
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Protest baby!
Hillary is coming! Hillary is coming!
She will visit our lovely state capital on Thursday, May 27th. The event starts at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass at 6pm.
For all you Phoenicians and anyone who can make it.
Hillary is coming! Hillary is coming!
She will visit our lovely state capital on Thursday, May 27th. The event starts at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass at 6pm.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:33 PM | |
Eliminating Recess
Elimination of recess would, in fact, be rather detrimental to the education and well-being of the students. In the world of Ritalin and ADHD/ADD, recess has become beneficial, letting children, especially boys, blow off some steam in a supervised and safe environment.
Not only that, but most adults cannot work three hours straight on a project. I find it hard to sit in one chair during a fifty minute lecture without wanting to tap my feet, fall asleep, or simply focus on something far more interesting. Why are children expected to be any different or even better?
Surely, if such a proposal were to be adopted by the district, it would have serious consequences, many of which include more behaviorial disruptions within the classroom.
Funny thing is, like everything else, educators are blaiming it on Bush's No Child Left Behind.
It appears as though many Yuma County elementary schools were reconsidering recess but have decided not to eliminate the breaks.
Elimination of recess would, in fact, be rather detrimental to the education and well-being of the students. In the world of Ritalin and ADHD/ADD, recess has become beneficial, letting children, especially boys, blow off some steam in a supervised and safe environment.
Not only that, but most adults cannot work three hours straight on a project. I find it hard to sit in one chair during a fifty minute lecture without wanting to tap my feet, fall asleep, or simply focus on something far more interesting. Why are children expected to be any different or even better?
Surely, if such a proposal were to be adopted by the district, it would have serious consequences, many of which include more behaviorial disruptions within the classroom.
Funny thing is, like everything else, educators are blaiming it on Bush's No Child Left Behind.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:22 PM | |
Saved
You know the quality of a movie when its reviewers start to praise it for its honest portrayal of christianity.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:50 PM | |
Changes in the educational system
Despite the fact that the UA seems ecstatic about the possible change of collegiate system, students and faculty from ASU-west seem less than thrilled.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:45 PM | |
Az's gay marriage ban
Though I currently support such a ban (particularly because the state and federal governments play a fiscal role in marriage), it does raise some disturbing points, like why does the government have the right to regulate who can get married and who cannot. After all, doesn't a license granted by the government give the couple permission from the state to marry?
One reason I was all for a covenant marriage, even before this big brouhaha.
The Arizona Supreme Court has gone against what seems to be the political norm these days. It has decided to maintain the ban on gay marriage.
Though I currently support such a ban (particularly because the state and federal governments play a fiscal role in marriage), it does raise some disturbing points, like why does the government have the right to regulate who can get married and who cannot. After all, doesn't a license granted by the government give the couple permission from the state to marry?
One reason I was all for a covenant marriage, even before this big brouhaha.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:41 PM | |
Clumsy Candidates
It appears as though both President Bush and John Kerry are a little accident prone.
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:57 PM | |
Saturday, May 22, 2004
I am not a historian or an economist...but...
In the past, Great Britian used to export the most missionaries across the world, spreading the gospel. After her prime, the United States took over that roll. But today, it is Eastern Asia that exports the most missionaries.
Of course, many of the eastern Asian countries suffer from economic downfall--like Japan's currency. But still, the countries in Eastern Asia are one of the most industrially important areas in the world.
Like the US used to be. Like England before us.
Hong Kong is one of the most economically free areas in the world whereas the US keeps slipping. Of course many countries in Europe are still considered higher than the US in its degree of economic freedom, but the point remains.
Unlike before, where the students in the US received a great education, where we had one of the highest literacy rates in the world, we have declined steadily in the past years. Instead, children in Korea and Japan read and perform academically at a much better rate than here in the US.
It has come to a point where I am wondering whether the US is about ready to fade into the past, where her glory, power and might will be dingy.
Have we gotten to the point where though the US is a great and powerful nation that we have actually lost our world dominance? What am I saying? Are we like Britian was when she lost the war against the colonialists? Have we become like her? And will we drift into the meaninglessness? Britian is still a powerful nation but nothing like she was earlier. Has the United States gotten to this point where she has reached her peak and now must descend?
In the past, Great Britian used to export the most missionaries across the world, spreading the gospel. After her prime, the United States took over that roll. But today, it is Eastern Asia that exports the most missionaries.
Of course, many of the eastern Asian countries suffer from economic downfall--like Japan's currency. But still, the countries in Eastern Asia are one of the most industrially important areas in the world.
Like the US used to be. Like England before us.
Hong Kong is one of the most economically free areas in the world whereas the US keeps slipping. Of course many countries in Europe are still considered higher than the US in its degree of economic freedom, but the point remains.
Unlike before, where the students in the US received a great education, where we had one of the highest literacy rates in the world, we have declined steadily in the past years. Instead, children in Korea and Japan read and perform academically at a much better rate than here in the US.
It has come to a point where I am wondering whether the US is about ready to fade into the past, where her glory, power and might will be dingy.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:46 PM | |
Hot hot Rumsfeld
Rumsfeld has a distinctive nose and chin. His hair needs some work, though. All I can say is that I am glad he has a much better pair of glasses today then he did back then.
A friend of mine knows of my undying love that borders on obsessive for Donald Rumsfeld. So, she sent me this link. And despite the fact that it was posted because of the poster and his audience's dislike of the Bush administration and Rumsfeld, I thought it was remarkably cute.
Rumsfeld has a distinctive nose and chin. His hair needs some work, though. All I can say is that I am glad he has a much better pair of glasses today then he did back then.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:31 PM | |
Thursday, May 20, 2004
Unemployment in AZ
Ludicrous. I tell you. But it might be partially because many businesses either decrease their employees' hours to part time or drop employees all together during the summer months when winter visitors have left. But whatever the causes, the fact that it is so high is slight unnerving in the fact that either a) people don't get off their lazy butts or b) wow, 27.7%?
Besides, what makes employment so important? There are cyclic waves of unemployment so why make such a big deal about it? People are in between jobs, whatnot. It'll get better--at least it will in three months.
Anyway, enough ranting for the night.
It makes me wonder how someone as unskilled as I am can find a job in one week whereas unemployment in the state has risen to be 5.4. Best of all is how my county, the county in which I found work within a week, has a 27.7% unemployment rate.
Ludicrous. I tell you. But it might be partially because many businesses either decrease their employees' hours to part time or drop employees all together during the summer months when winter visitors have left. But whatever the causes, the fact that it is so high is slight unnerving in the fact that either a) people don't get off their lazy butts or b) wow, 27.7%?
Besides, what makes employment so important? There are cyclic waves of unemployment so why make such a big deal about it? People are in between jobs, whatnot. It'll get better--at least it will in three months.
Anyway, enough ranting for the night.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:51 PM | |
And it made it all the way to NPR
For instance, I just love the reason why so many legislators are for this: it will spur businesses onto higher earnings.
Yeah, whatever.
Bunnie Diehl did a great job detailing the fallacy of such an argument. There is only one thing I disagree with: she says that the tax is passed onto the taxpayer. While somewhat true, it does not cover the extent of how the extra costs are shouldered by the public. Not only does the consumer pay for the extra cost but so does the business. The tax is not completely shifted to the consumer, but instead, the business itself shoulders some of the extra costs from the taxes.
In short, taxation to increase services with the goal in mind to increases business growth is counterintuitive. Taxation provides momentary incentative, but don't expect companies and individuals to be so stupid not to realize that for these extra perks, there is a cost. After all, you don't get something for nothing.
Instead, if the goal is to increase wealth in the state of Arizona, it would be best to repeal both corporate and personal taxes.
PS I am so not voting for Jim Carruthers, Yuma next time he is up for election. Down with the collectivists.
So, the House has decided to set aside appropriations for the new all-day kindergarten. Without getting into the "well, I was just fine and I went to kindergarten for half a day starting at six years old" whatnot, all I want to say is that it is a bunch of BS, socialist thievery. But with that out of the way, it is time to cover more issues than this.
For instance, I just love the reason why so many legislators are for this: it will spur businesses onto higher earnings.
Yeah, whatever.
Bunnie Diehl did a great job detailing the fallacy of such an argument. There is only one thing I disagree with: she says that the tax is passed onto the taxpayer. While somewhat true, it does not cover the extent of how the extra costs are shouldered by the public. Not only does the consumer pay for the extra cost but so does the business. The tax is not completely shifted to the consumer, but instead, the business itself shoulders some of the extra costs from the taxes.
In short, taxation to increase services with the goal in mind to increases business growth is counterintuitive. Taxation provides momentary incentative, but don't expect companies and individuals to be so stupid not to realize that for these extra perks, there is a cost. After all, you don't get something for nothing.
Instead, if the goal is to increase wealth in the state of Arizona, it would be best to repeal both corporate and personal taxes.
PS I am so not voting for Jim Carruthers, Yuma next time he is up for election. Down with the collectivists.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:04 PM | |
Hilarity ensues
I love you people who come here searching for "peace," "attacked by a chicken," and "tofu wrestling pictures." You just made my day.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:59 PM | |
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
McCain...again
Zonitics gives a reason as to why the newscasters are still constantly harping about what a great move putting McCain as Kerry's VP would be--or at least as his Secretary of Defense.
And whether or not McCain eventually accepts the possible nomination, I have my doubts as to whether Kerry will even be nominated as the party's representative.
In the Anyone-but-Bush atmosphere of this current election, its highly unlikely that such a weak candidate will be chosen to go against Bush.
Despite his winning the correct number of delegate votes, this is election is a war against Bush. Kerry, even now, is not pulling in enough votes in general to cause a win against Bush.
Along this line, he simply does not have the attraction that is needed to pull in the younger voters (eh, let me say this, younger voters are not alway necessary in an election, considering that most do not vote. However, to get the younger block to vote--and to vote for you--that would be a good thing...a tipping in the race).
He doesn't even seem to have a strong backing among the democrats. In short, he does not generate the sort of loyalty necessary to win this position.
So if not Kerry, than who? Unlike my mother, I do not see Hilarly Clinton running in this election, though it would be just like a Clinton to pull something at the last moment. But it simply wouldnt make sense. In running for the presidency, she would be risking her seat in the Senate for something that would not be a sure thing. What would be the best thing for her would be to wait until at least 2008.
However, I cannot find another alternate besides Hilary. Obviously Kerry is not the one, nor is Clinton. But then who?
After watching ten minutes of news in my hometown, I thought that the newscasters were just behind the latest news. Guess I was wrong.
Zonitics gives a reason as to why the newscasters are still constantly harping about what a great move putting McCain as Kerry's VP would be--or at least as his Secretary of Defense.
And whether or not McCain eventually accepts the possible nomination, I have my doubts as to whether Kerry will even be nominated as the party's representative.
In the Anyone-but-Bush atmosphere of this current election, its highly unlikely that such a weak candidate will be chosen to go against Bush.
Despite his winning the correct number of delegate votes, this is election is a war against Bush. Kerry, even now, is not pulling in enough votes in general to cause a win against Bush.
Along this line, he simply does not have the attraction that is needed to pull in the younger voters (eh, let me say this, younger voters are not alway necessary in an election, considering that most do not vote. However, to get the younger block to vote--and to vote for you--that would be a good thing...a tipping in the race).
He doesn't even seem to have a strong backing among the democrats. In short, he does not generate the sort of loyalty necessary to win this position.
So if not Kerry, than who? Unlike my mother, I do not see Hilarly Clinton running in this election, though it would be just like a Clinton to pull something at the last moment. But it simply wouldnt make sense. In running for the presidency, she would be risking her seat in the Senate for something that would not be a sure thing. What would be the best thing for her would be to wait until at least 2008.
However, I cannot find another alternate besides Hilary. Obviously Kerry is not the one, nor is Clinton. But then who?
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:02 PM | |
More internet problems and Laura Update
Maybe new template is in order--one that I designed myself.
I have four weeks off before work officially starts for me. Therefore, I shall be doing a lot of furniture refinishing, filling out random applications, working on templates, writing (both political and fictional), and especially reading.
Have finished several of Michael Crichton's books. If you havent read any of his books, you deserve to be eaten alive by a disasterously mean monster. Great books.
Also, at the same time (I can chew gum and walk at the same time, yes), I am reading some of F.A. Hayek's books and essays I was not able to finish during the school year. I shall be well-versed in the Austrian school of economics.
I need to read some of Ayn Rand's books since I am planning on joining the Student Objectivist Society next semester, despite the fact that I am not nor will I ever be an objectivist.
Other goals this summer include attending church (I have become such a slacker for no good apparent reason), attending county Republican meetings, attending the Freedom Library meetings held by Yuma's very own Howard Blitz (great guy, by the way. He was the one who introduced me to libertarian thought. I do a poor job representing him), and attend city council and high school district meetings.
My goal at the end of the summer: to become a functioning and productive member of society (read: networking).
If anyone cannot see the sidebar and instead has to scroll all the way to the bottom to see it. Let me know. I will try to fix it sometime in the near future. I am thinking its just a browser problem considering that I can see it on my own browser but not my father's office computer's browser (both are IE, but...who really knows). Either leave a comment or email at the right...or on the bottom right.
Maybe new template is in order--one that I designed myself.
I have four weeks off before work officially starts for me. Therefore, I shall be doing a lot of furniture refinishing, filling out random applications, working on templates, writing (both political and fictional), and especially reading.
Have finished several of Michael Crichton's books. If you havent read any of his books, you deserve to be eaten alive by a disasterously mean monster. Great books.
Also, at the same time (I can chew gum and walk at the same time, yes), I am reading some of F.A. Hayek's books and essays I was not able to finish during the school year. I shall be well-versed in the Austrian school of economics.
I need to read some of Ayn Rand's books since I am planning on joining the Student Objectivist Society next semester, despite the fact that I am not nor will I ever be an objectivist.
Other goals this summer include attending church (I have become such a slacker for no good apparent reason), attending county Republican meetings, attending the Freedom Library meetings held by Yuma's very own Howard Blitz (great guy, by the way. He was the one who introduced me to libertarian thought. I do a poor job representing him), and attend city council and high school district meetings.
My goal at the end of the summer: to become a functioning and productive member of society (read: networking).
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:51 PM | |
In a land far far away
She, like all my other friends, has decided to get married.
What is wrong with these people? Can't they stay single until I at least find the perfect someone? Bah. I doubt it.
Once again, I am feeling very old. I guess all I can do is forbid them to have children. Yes, that is it. Forbid them to have children. Muhah.
Yesterday, I received an envelope from a friend from high school. In it, she indicated that she is marrying this guy she has been dating for two years now.
She, like all my other friends, has decided to get married.
What is wrong with these people? Can't they stay single until I at least find the perfect someone? Bah. I doubt it.
Once again, I am feeling very old. I guess all I can do is forbid them to have children. Yes, that is it. Forbid them to have children. Muhah.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:48 PM | |
Arizona on the rise
It has been reported that Phoenix will be the fifth largest metropolis in the nation. Once again, no surprise, especially with Yuma considered the third fastest growing city in the nation and the first fastest growing city in the state.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:19 PM | |
Lions, tigers, and bears--oh my!
This was definitely not how some of my classmates had wanted the situation defused. After all, they believed that the animal had more rights to live and more rights to the land than the humans did. Funny, the way liberals think. Mayhap that is why they support socialism.
So, it seems as though the lion who was responsible for stalking earlier this spring has been shot and killed. Something for which I am relieved considering that it eliminates two threats--threat of an attack and threat of a lawsuit against the state for not doing all in its power to protect the citizens of Arizona from this threat.
This was definitely not how some of my classmates had wanted the situation defused. After all, they believed that the animal had more rights to live and more rights to the land than the humans did. Funny, the way liberals think. Mayhap that is why they support socialism.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:14 PM | |
If I had 700 concubines
I love little children. One little girl I was studying the Bible with last night ended up asking me about what a concubine was and then proceeded to ask me what if she had 700 concubines.
posted by Laura Keslar at 7:02 AM | |
Monday, May 17, 2004
State of Affairs in my household
And I am on dial-up.
I am back home. Its great stuff to have my room filled with boxes, suitcases, and other pieces of random furniture my folks thought would go well in their makeshift storage room. I have a part time job over the summer. My cat is simply adorable. I get good food. From cleaning, my fingers have blisters on them except two--the pinkies. CPR classes are almost all lined up. I have had my TB testing.
And I am on dial-up.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:02 AM | |
Women's Impowerment
I love it how in almost every commercial or TV show, the men are shown as poor, stupid nincompoops. For one car commercial, while the wife folds up everything in the car so elegantly the man is left standing outside the car trying to fold up the baby stroller. Like almost everything else, men are once again shown as being incapable, unproductive, uncreative, and ineffecient. Disgusting.
In another commercial from a while ago, the man followed his wife to her new job in Japan. The man...followed his wife? When does that ever happen? In reality, truly, hardly ever.
But maybe I need to consider who the audience of each product was. The first product was a minivan trying to be sold to a woman and the second product was some laundry detergent trying to be sold to a woman.
In either case, the audience was a woman. In both cases, while trying to market a typically female product (the minivan and the detergent), they tried to subtly buck at the norms and go for women impowerment.
Having once again access to a television and only three channels (this does not include the other three channels of Spanish), I am reminded of why I don't watch TV even when I have access to it. But this time, its not just the TV show, which are entirely vapid, or the news programs; instead, it is the commercials that are driving me batty.
I love it how in almost every commercial or TV show, the men are shown as poor, stupid nincompoops. For one car commercial, while the wife folds up everything in the car so elegantly the man is left standing outside the car trying to fold up the baby stroller. Like almost everything else, men are once again shown as being incapable, unproductive, uncreative, and ineffecient. Disgusting.
In another commercial from a while ago, the man followed his wife to her new job in Japan. The man...followed his wife? When does that ever happen? In reality, truly, hardly ever.
But maybe I need to consider who the audience of each product was. The first product was a minivan trying to be sold to a woman and the second product was some laundry detergent trying to be sold to a woman.
In either case, the audience was a woman. In both cases, while trying to market a typically female product (the minivan and the detergent), they tried to subtly buck at the norms and go for women impowerment.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:56 AM | |
Friday, May 14, 2004
Down with the Internet
Whatever. If that is the way its going to treat me, I shall be going back to my first love, MyIE2. Farewell, my short-lived romance with Mozilla Firefox.
I am slightly disappointed in Mozilla Firefox. I have had difficulty tweaking it to my preferences, part of which includes its use of tabs and how they open up. And then, it doesn't let me access some sites I am so used to accessing much easier.
Whatever. If that is the way its going to treat me, I shall be going back to my first love, MyIE2. Farewell, my short-lived romance with Mozilla Firefox.
posted by Laura Keslar at 6:22 PM | |
Napolitano's Numbers Falling
No, but as the article mentions, it seems as though the rural Democrats and Republicans are dropping in their view of her job performance. But as to why, the article hints that it was her policies during the mountain lion dilemma.
However, there has to be more reason than that that has caused her to drop. Maybe its her lax attitude toward immigration which does affect some rural communities more so than the urban areas. Or it could be her lack of respect for the President, when he comes to visit the state. Sadly enough, she has been available when Kerry showed up but when Bush did, she was out to play. But this still doesnt explain why there is such a difference in feelings about Napolitano between the urban and rural city dwellers.
Well, whatever it is, I shall give it more thought, come morning. Would be glad to hear of other suggestions.
Maybe it is a sign from God. I would only hope that her polls would drop low enough so as not to be re-electable. I mean, I so cried when she was elected.
No, but as the article mentions, it seems as though the rural Democrats and Republicans are dropping in their view of her job performance. But as to why, the article hints that it was her policies during the mountain lion dilemma.
However, there has to be more reason than that that has caused her to drop. Maybe its her lax attitude toward immigration which does affect some rural communities more so than the urban areas. Or it could be her lack of respect for the President, when he comes to visit the state. Sadly enough, she has been available when Kerry showed up but when Bush did, she was out to play. But this still doesnt explain why there is such a difference in feelings about Napolitano between the urban and rural city dwellers.
Well, whatever it is, I shall give it more thought, come morning. Would be glad to hear of other suggestions.
posted by Laura Keslar at 4:26 AM | |
Thursday, May 13, 2004
After all, it is war
However, to all those pointing out the abuses of Abu Ghraib and saying that this is war, what do you expect. I cannot help but agree, but it certainly does not negate the horridness of those actions. But, after all, it is war.
And if this is war, then it is only to be expected that the beheading of Nick Berg was an act of war. Disgust is right to be felt, but it should have come as no surprise. After all, it is war.
If such actions constitute war, then we have have been waging a war that we were unaware of, an unknown war that we thought affected everyone else--Russia, Israel, Iran, Malaysia--everyone else but us.
There has been a war occurring even before September 11. There has been a war being waged before the bombing of the Cole. There has been a war being waged before the first attempt at bombing the World Trade Centers.
So why does it surpise us any that Berg and Pearl were killed? Why does every suicide bombing surprise us?
After all, it is war and has always been war.
Since the relase of those pictures of abuses in Iraq, I have quite avoided the topic. And I will continue to avoid addressing them, for the most part, and devoting entirely long posts to them since you can read about that elsewhere (like here and here and here and here).
However, to all those pointing out the abuses of Abu Ghraib and saying that this is war, what do you expect. I cannot help but agree, but it certainly does not negate the horridness of those actions. But, after all, it is war.
And if this is war, then it is only to be expected that the beheading of Nick Berg was an act of war. Disgust is right to be felt, but it should have come as no surprise. After all, it is war.
If such actions constitute war, then we have have been waging a war that we were unaware of, an unknown war that we thought affected everyone else--Russia, Israel, Iran, Malaysia--everyone else but us.
There has been a war occurring even before September 11. There has been a war being waged before the bombing of the Cole. There has been a war being waged before the first attempt at bombing the World Trade Centers.
So why does it surpise us any that Berg and Pearl were killed? Why does every suicide bombing surprise us?
After all, it is war and has always been war.
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:40 PM | |
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
Sheer Stupidity: Bush's Sanction on Syria
While food and medicine can still be exported to Syria, all other US products have been banned. Perhaps not as dumb as Carter's grain embargo against the Soviet Union, the move by our current President is rather, to say the least, unintelligent.
Firstly, according to von Mises in his Omnipotent Government, limiting the access to products and other wealth can only result in increased violence and hostility. Limiting the goods entering the country will either cause the people to desire those products and services which they had access to before the embargo or they will seek them out elsewhere. If, unable to obtain them through normal means, that country will seek them out through other methods; and one such way is through an increase in military power (or, in much of the case in the Middle East, through terrorism).
Now don't write me off as one of those people who think every little thing done by the US in the ME will set off tons of more terrorist attacks, but, in all truth, its something to consider.
Increasing the military might of the country gives the impression to the citizens that through this army the people of that country might be able to obtain those products which they were denied access to. As such, it becomes necessary for the country prohibited access to those products to desire to become a military power in which to be better able to provide for itself. Therefore, the embargo that the President has placed against Syria will only cause the country to further fund and support terrorist organizations--its only viable means of protection of its will.
Not only that, but also American rights have been taken away. We pride ourselves so much in that we are free, that we have a free market, laissez faire and all. But when the President can so easily prohibit people in the American market from trading freely, the freedoms of those business--and ultimately America's people--are endangered.
The sanctions against Syria do not benefit the United States in the long run. In the short run, perhaps, but definitely not the long run. In times like these, when we are waging a war that strategies like Reagan's or Carter's (not to compare the two) are not going to work, new methods need to be considered--one of which definitely should not be an embargo.
As much as Syria is a breeding ground for terror, President Bush's sanction against US exports the country is pure stupidity. I understand that it is not a complete embargo against the country and only adds to the prohibitions already in place. However, it does nothing to help the already volatile situation and harms not only Syria, but the US as well.
While food and medicine can still be exported to Syria, all other US products have been banned. Perhaps not as dumb as Carter's grain embargo against the Soviet Union, the move by our current President is rather, to say the least, unintelligent.
Firstly, according to von Mises in his Omnipotent Government, limiting the access to products and other wealth can only result in increased violence and hostility. Limiting the goods entering the country will either cause the people to desire those products and services which they had access to before the embargo or they will seek them out elsewhere. If, unable to obtain them through normal means, that country will seek them out through other methods; and one such way is through an increase in military power (or, in much of the case in the Middle East, through terrorism).
Now don't write me off as one of those people who think every little thing done by the US in the ME will set off tons of more terrorist attacks, but, in all truth, its something to consider.
Increasing the military might of the country gives the impression to the citizens that through this army the people of that country might be able to obtain those products which they were denied access to. As such, it becomes necessary for the country prohibited access to those products to desire to become a military power in which to be better able to provide for itself. Therefore, the embargo that the President has placed against Syria will only cause the country to further fund and support terrorist organizations--its only viable means of protection of its will.
Not only that, but also American rights have been taken away. We pride ourselves so much in that we are free, that we have a free market, laissez faire and all. But when the President can so easily prohibit people in the American market from trading freely, the freedoms of those business--and ultimately America's people--are endangered.
The sanctions against Syria do not benefit the United States in the long run. In the short run, perhaps, but definitely not the long run. In times like these, when we are waging a war that strategies like Reagan's or Carter's (not to compare the two) are not going to work, new methods need to be considered--one of which definitely should not be an embargo.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:12 PM | |
A blast to the past
Ok, President Bush. It is time that you learn from the past. When things are going badly, have an affair with a young woman. We have already seen how well it works.
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:04 AM | |
Monday, May 10, 2004
Playing around with Blogger
UPDATE: Well, I did tend toward the purplish and gray theme with some yellowish orangish brownish color too. And like I promised, there is even my list of hot conservative men.
Comments did disappear and, well, to say the least...the comments no longer exist. So if anyone posted comments a long time ago...well, not that long but long enough...then you will find that they no longer exist. Such is the price of change.
I really should be studying for my biology test but can you tell how excited I am by that prospect?
UPDATE: Eh, I don't like bloggers comments. I am going back to haloscan, despite the fact that they limit the number of characters you can use.
Well now, blogger just got some new tools and whatnot and I shall be playing with them. This might cause comments to disappear or all comments before this to disappear. So my apologies. I am thinking color change. How about pink? The lazy person that I am, I am never really going to make up my own template, so I will use those provided by blogger with just some changes in color and whatnot.
UPDATE: Well, I did tend toward the purplish and gray theme with some yellowish orangish brownish color too. And like I promised, there is even my list of hot conservative men.
Comments did disappear and, well, to say the least...the comments no longer exist. So if anyone posted comments a long time ago...well, not that long but long enough...then you will find that they no longer exist. Such is the price of change.
I really should be studying for my biology test but can you tell how excited I am by that prospect?
UPDATE: Eh, I don't like bloggers comments. I am going back to haloscan, despite the fact that they limit the number of characters you can use.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:31 PM | |
Military and Education
But while reading this, I was caught up in my thoughts, particularly what is so wrong with women in the military as long as they are not fighting, on the front lines, or anywhere near the front lines (for instance, with this war in Iraq, no women in the service should be stationed in Iraq--keep them in the US, goodness). Of course, I had already mentioned that women belong in the home and not on the battlefield, except that I did not really justify my opinions as to why it would be better for women to be at home. So, with this still going, I shall continue my current ruminations.
Throughout our American history, we have been told to guard are rights jealousy. Those rights are threatened on all sides: within our own country and without, and even from within our own selves. Recent movements have emphasized the attack of our freedoms from our government and that voting is the way to prevent those attacks on freedom. And our current administration has emphasized the attack on our rights from outside forces--mainly terrorists and the Saddam government.
In order to protect our country, ourselves, our children, and our liberty, it is necessary to fight the war going on in Iraq. It is imperative that the war in Iraq be won. Therefore, the war requires personnel to fight it. With what many have been hounding as a lack of soldiers to fight, there has been talk of starting up the draft again, but this time including women in the conscription.
Although fighting the physical war is important, but there is an even more important battle going on in America--the battle for our children's minds and their hearts. Both wars are equally important. After all, many of the founders indicated that education was the key to protecting our rights and our freedoms. If we do not educate our posterity, what do we have left? What we have are people ignorant of the truth of history, people with only a facsimile of history, people who cannot defend their freedoms against the onslaught of collectivism and authoritarianism.
Unlike the battle we are fighting in Iraq, the terms for this battle are different, even unknown. But it is known that we must educate our children. In the past (excuse me for sounding so much like a paleo), our children were educated by their families and in their close communities. The responsibility for these children's education was the parents.
If women want to be effective, or if politicians want women to be involved in this war, it makes sense not to send them off to fight, to put them in physical danger, to put them anywhere near the front lines. Instead, it makes sense for them to stay at home with their children and educate them. Instead of a draft, it makes sense to encourage homeschooling instead of punishing it. With school's performances being so dismal and history books failing to teach history, this becomes an increasingly more effective way for women to fight this war.
If women want to play an important war in the war for freedom, it is time they take off their fatigues and instead put on their apron.
Not too long ago, I posted some of my opinion on women in the military, especially in the front lines. Just recently, I was reminded of yet another reason why women in the front lines in general is a bad idea.
But while reading this, I was caught up in my thoughts, particularly what is so wrong with women in the military as long as they are not fighting, on the front lines, or anywhere near the front lines (for instance, with this war in Iraq, no women in the service should be stationed in Iraq--keep them in the US, goodness). Of course, I had already mentioned that women belong in the home and not on the battlefield, except that I did not really justify my opinions as to why it would be better for women to be at home. So, with this still going, I shall continue my current ruminations.
Throughout our American history, we have been told to guard are rights jealousy. Those rights are threatened on all sides: within our own country and without, and even from within our own selves. Recent movements have emphasized the attack of our freedoms from our government and that voting is the way to prevent those attacks on freedom. And our current administration has emphasized the attack on our rights from outside forces--mainly terrorists and the Saddam government.
In order to protect our country, ourselves, our children, and our liberty, it is necessary to fight the war going on in Iraq. It is imperative that the war in Iraq be won. Therefore, the war requires personnel to fight it. With what many have been hounding as a lack of soldiers to fight, there has been talk of starting up the draft again, but this time including women in the conscription.
Although fighting the physical war is important, but there is an even more important battle going on in America--the battle for our children's minds and their hearts. Both wars are equally important. After all, many of the founders indicated that education was the key to protecting our rights and our freedoms. If we do not educate our posterity, what do we have left? What we have are people ignorant of the truth of history, people with only a facsimile of history, people who cannot defend their freedoms against the onslaught of collectivism and authoritarianism.
Unlike the battle we are fighting in Iraq, the terms for this battle are different, even unknown. But it is known that we must educate our children. In the past (excuse me for sounding so much like a paleo), our children were educated by their families and in their close communities. The responsibility for these children's education was the parents.
If women want to be effective, or if politicians want women to be involved in this war, it makes sense not to send them off to fight, to put them in physical danger, to put them anywhere near the front lines. Instead, it makes sense for them to stay at home with their children and educate them. Instead of a draft, it makes sense to encourage homeschooling instead of punishing it. With school's performances being so dismal and history books failing to teach history, this becomes an increasingly more effective way for women to fight this war.
If women want to play an important war in the war for freedom, it is time they take off their fatigues and instead put on their apron.
posted by Laura Keslar at 1:20 PM | |
Sunday, May 09, 2004
Hot Conservative Men, cont.
But I have also been asked to make a list of hot liberal men--or liberals I think are attractive. I am finding this more difficult to do than ever. I mean, the party with men like Ted Kennedy and Michael Moore, who is anyone kidding?
My friends and classmates have often accused me of bias toward conservative men and their attractiveness, because of my conservative leanings. That might be true, but, as before, how can you compare this to this? After this, I shall make the list on the side bar, which will be updated periodically.
Anyway, here is my update list of conservative men I find attractive:
Donald Rumsfeld (still top of the list)
Jonah Goldberg
Ramesh Ponnuru
Evan Coyne Maloney*
Kfir Alfia*
Matt Drudge
Well, I am glad to know I am not the only one who finds Jonah Goldberg hot, among others. I am thinking of updating my list of hot conservative men.
But I have also been asked to make a list of hot liberal men--or liberals I think are attractive. I am finding this more difficult to do than ever. I mean, the party with men like Ted Kennedy and Michael Moore, who is anyone kidding?
My friends and classmates have often accused me of bias toward conservative men and their attractiveness, because of my conservative leanings. That might be true, but, as before, how can you compare this to this? After this, I shall make the list on the side bar, which will be updated periodically.
Anyway, here is my update list of conservative men I find attractive:
Donald Rumsfeld (still top of the list)
Jonah Goldberg
Ramesh Ponnuru
Evan Coyne Maloney*
Kfir Alfia*
Matt Drudge
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:40 PM | |
Mother's Day!
Yes it's Mother's Day, and yes, I was baptized on Mother's Day last year. Now I only have to wait another two months for when I became a Christian.
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:38 PM | |
Laughable Majors
But I finally have realized just how trivial a major in these classes are while reading the AZ Republic:
For those of you with sociology as a major, this just indicates how much better you can do--unless of course you are one of those students who failed their math class.
During my freshman year, most of the girls in my dorm had ended changing their majors from something like chemistry, civil engineering, and pre-med to pyschology or sociology. By the time half the girls had changed their majors, I had come to the conclusion that the easy majors were, obviously, the social sciences.
But I finally have realized just how trivial a major in these classes are while reading the AZ Republic:
Math scores were not an indicator of academic failure," said Lynne Tronsdal, UA's assistant vice president for student retention.
"The kids who failed that were just in the wrong major. If they fail a social science class, like sociology, that's when a kid's in trouble."
"The kids who failed that were just in the wrong major. If they fail a social science class, like sociology, that's when a kid's in trouble."
For those of you with sociology as a major, this just indicates how much better you can do--unless of course you are one of those students who failed their math class.
posted by Laura Keslar at 5:01 AM | |
Why I don't belong to Campus Crusade for Christ
Once again, what original manuscripts? I am getting tired of my repetitiveness and the repetitiveness of these organizations. Who do they think they are fooling? Oh wait, nevermind.
The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (inerrant) in the original manuscripts. It is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks.
Once again, what original manuscripts? I am getting tired of my repetitiveness and the repetitiveness of these organizations. Who do they think they are fooling? Oh wait, nevermind.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:24 AM | |
Friday, May 07, 2004
Phoenix Is Not Cool
Phoenix is just not cool enough.
There you have it folks, and take that, Phoenicians.
Dan from Jackalope Pursuivant asks why Phoenix doesn't have a showing for Godzilla, and I have the answer for him.
Phoenix is just not cool enough.
There you have it folks, and take that, Phoenicians.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:51 PM | |
Ack. School is so boring
So far, I have come to the conclusion that it certainly could not be that it is finals season. Oh no. Never. It must be the fact that everyone is out partying while I refuse to do anything except sit here staring at the computer screen which is propped up on three heavy books.
But this summer, y'all will be treated to what life is like in Yuma, Arizona instead of at the University of Arizona. If I thought life here was boring, I wonder what it shall be like back in Yuma. Considering that I will be heavily involved with the Yuma Country Republicans (and, hopefully, the AWC CRs), Toastmasters, working and volunteering (hopefully for at least twenty hours a week--if not more), taking an accounting course at the community college, and attending church religiously (meaning, Sunday mornings and nights, Sunday Bible Study (happens before the evening service and after the morning service), Wednesday prayer meeting, Thursday visitation, and maybe Thursday Bible study), blogging will probably be filled with all sorts of boring Yuma stuff. Ugh.
Don't take me wrong, I love Yuma. I want to move back there and have a family there. But there is only so much one person can take living there with their parents.
While doing everything but studying, which even includes listening to crazy country music, I have begun to contemplate why life at the University of Arizona is so utterly boring that it is currently providing me very little news of what is going on that I can point my finger at and make fun of. Its to the point where everything is going down to the point of being semi-religious and or personal/diary style (:cough: like this post).
So far, I have come to the conclusion that it certainly could not be that it is finals season. Oh no. Never. It must be the fact that everyone is out partying while I refuse to do anything except sit here staring at the computer screen which is propped up on three heavy books.
But this summer, y'all will be treated to what life is like in Yuma, Arizona instead of at the University of Arizona. If I thought life here was boring, I wonder what it shall be like back in Yuma. Considering that I will be heavily involved with the Yuma Country Republicans (and, hopefully, the AWC CRs), Toastmasters, working and volunteering (hopefully for at least twenty hours a week--if not more), taking an accounting course at the community college, and attending church religiously (meaning, Sunday mornings and nights, Sunday Bible Study (happens before the evening service and after the morning service), Wednesday prayer meeting, Thursday visitation, and maybe Thursday Bible study), blogging will probably be filled with all sorts of boring Yuma stuff. Ugh.
Don't take me wrong, I love Yuma. I want to move back there and have a family there. But there is only so much one person can take living there with their parents.
posted by Laura Keslar at 8:14 PM | |
World Prayer Center's Position on Scripture
I am starting to see a trends among many of the Christian community's leading pastors and organizations. Among others is the belief only the originals were inspired by God.
While reading a post on Mac Swift's website, I found an interesting link which led to my searching for the World Prayer Center.
Anyway, as I was perusing the World Prayer Center's website, I came across their mission statement.
We believe in the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God, divinely inspired, infallible, entirely trustworthy; and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 17:17; Matthew 5:17,18
Though it is common among other churches and organization, that belief stopped me in my tracks. What would I ever want to have to do with this organization if it doesn't even believe we have a reliable bible?
But I am wondering, if they believe this specifically. What do the pastors who endorse this organization use to preach to their congregation? Do they teach out of the Hebrew, Koine, and whatnot--Mel Gibson style? Or do they teach a fallible translation and verses that might have been translated incorrectly?
Although I would have a problem with people declaring that the NIV or some other corrupt version as the true word of God, an inspired translation, I have an even greater problem when people claim that, in general, no bible version is the word of God and instead point to some elusive book or series of them (codices, for those being picky).
What happens with this position that we have no version that we can trust is that ultimate trust in the Bible and Scripture goes down the drain. Instead, we are left with people who doubt what the english version says and instead go back to the "originals" and what other people say the "originals" mean. People start to trust commentaries, Strong's, and others on their interpretation of the scriptures instead of what is actually written.
Rather than trusting what the Spirit says to them (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) they trust what fallible men say. Rather than cross-referencing Scriptures, they trust someone elses interpretation of that verse.
Its a sad state when the Church doesnt even have a Bible in a language in which they can read and, in its place, we have a Bible that is torn up, illegible in many places, and written in a language hardly anyone can understand.
(I am still avoiding homework/studying)
I am starting to see a trends among many of the Christian community's leading pastors and organizations. Among others is the belief only the originals were inspired by God.
While reading a post on Mac Swift's website, I found an interesting link which led to my searching for the World Prayer Center.
Anyway, as I was perusing the World Prayer Center's website, I came across their mission statement.
2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; John 17:17; Matthew 5:17,18
Though it is common among other churches and organization, that belief stopped me in my tracks. What would I ever want to have to do with this organization if it doesn't even believe we have a reliable bible?
But I am wondering, if they believe this specifically. What do the pastors who endorse this organization use to preach to their congregation? Do they teach out of the Hebrew, Koine, and whatnot--Mel Gibson style? Or do they teach a fallible translation and verses that might have been translated incorrectly?
Although I would have a problem with people declaring that the NIV or some other corrupt version as the true word of God, an inspired translation, I have an even greater problem when people claim that, in general, no bible version is the word of God and instead point to some elusive book or series of them (codices, for those being picky).
What happens with this position that we have no version that we can trust is that ultimate trust in the Bible and Scripture goes down the drain. Instead, we are left with people who doubt what the english version says and instead go back to the "originals" and what other people say the "originals" mean. People start to trust commentaries, Strong's, and others on their interpretation of the scriptures instead of what is actually written.
Rather than trusting what the Spirit says to them (1 Corinthians 2:6-16) they trust what fallible men say. Rather than cross-referencing Scriptures, they trust someone elses interpretation of that verse.
Its a sad state when the Church doesnt even have a Bible in a language in which they can read and, in its place, we have a Bible that is torn up, illegible in many places, and written in a language hardly anyone can understand.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:27 PM | |
Bible Correctors!
I won't talk much about it, but why is it considered proof-reading in regards to what the people at Peachtree do to modern versions whereas what was a series of edits in the KJV is considered to be total revisions?
In neither case, was the original translating changed, only the superficial changes of spelling, punctuation, and format was changed. Yet, somehow, the people at Peachtree are preserving the integrity of the text but the editors of the AV1611 created several revisions.
Bah. I cry double standard.
WND mentioned a story about modern day bible correctors--perhaps proofreaders is a better term for them, but I figured, why not try what everyone else does when it comes to proofreading and changing spelling, etc errors that happens when books go to print.
I won't talk much about it, but why is it considered proof-reading in regards to what the people at Peachtree do to modern versions whereas what was a series of edits in the KJV is considered to be total revisions?
In neither case, was the original translating changed, only the superficial changes of spelling, punctuation, and format was changed. Yet, somehow, the people at Peachtree are preserving the integrity of the text but the editors of the AV1611 created several revisions.
Bah. I cry double standard.
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:12 PM | |
National Day of Prayer
Interestingly enough, in 1775, the First Continental Congress had one. Then, in 1952, President Truman signed it into law, only to be followed in 1988, when Reagan signed the law after its amendature (not a real word, as far as I know, but you get the point). (Via The Federalist)
Godly men in the past have placed much importance upon prayer. And sometimes we wonder why. How many times have I been praying and lacked to receive an answer...or even an answer I wanted. But Scripture itself is very firm upon praying and the reasons and motives for prayer.
As Christians, we are exhorted to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, and Colossians 4:2).
The reasons for this is many but most importantly that we not enter into temptation. Jesus said, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation" (Luke 22:40).
There also seems to be a relationship between prayer and watching. This relationship is first established in Nehemiah 4:9. This relationship is further expounded upon in Scripture, with Christ exhorting the disciples to "watch ye therefore, and pray always" (Luke 21:36). Peter and Paul, following the example of Christ, admonished the believers to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2) and to "be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).
You often hear from televangelists about the power of prayer. Not to give them much credence, but they do have a point; James writes that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Prayer has the power to heal--both spiritually and physically--(James 5:15); it sanctifies food (1 Timothy 4:5). In regards to demon-possession, Christ even said that the devils leave only after "prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).
Now, what is there to pray for? We could take Jesus' advice and say the Lord's Prayer. But Jesus also prayed for those who were saved and for those who would be saved (John 17:20); Paul said that his prayer for Israel was for her salvation (Romans 10:1) and the disciples were told to pray for workers (Matthew 9:38) and for the spread of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Philipians 4:6 says to bring our requests to the Lord.
Reading the scriptures you get a sense of the importance of prayer, its purpose and its value.
We should take a page from the Muslims: they pray (or at least, they should) five times a day. If the heathen can do it, what is preventing Christians from doing the same, when, in fact, Bible exhorts the believer to prayer.
Being the slacker that I am, I totally forgot to mention that yesterday (Thursday) was the National Day of Prayer, but I wonder how many of us remembered it and how many of us commemorated it. As much as I hate to admit it, but I did not spend today in prayer.
Interestingly enough, in 1775, the First Continental Congress had one. Then, in 1952, President Truman signed it into law, only to be followed in 1988, when Reagan signed the law after its amendature (not a real word, as far as I know, but you get the point). (Via The Federalist)
Godly men in the past have placed much importance upon prayer. And sometimes we wonder why. How many times have I been praying and lacked to receive an answer...or even an answer I wanted. But Scripture itself is very firm upon praying and the reasons and motives for prayer.
As Christians, we are exhorted to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, and Colossians 4:2).
The reasons for this is many but most importantly that we not enter into temptation. Jesus said, "Pray that ye enter not into temptation" (Luke 22:40).
There also seems to be a relationship between prayer and watching. This relationship is first established in Nehemiah 4:9. This relationship is further expounded upon in Scripture, with Christ exhorting the disciples to "watch ye therefore, and pray always" (Luke 21:36). Peter and Paul, following the example of Christ, admonished the believers to "continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2) and to "be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer" (1 Peter 4:7).
You often hear from televangelists about the power of prayer. Not to give them much credence, but they do have a point; James writes that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). Prayer has the power to heal--both spiritually and physically--(James 5:15); it sanctifies food (1 Timothy 4:5). In regards to demon-possession, Christ even said that the devils leave only after "prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).
Now, what is there to pray for? We could take Jesus' advice and say the Lord's Prayer. But Jesus also prayed for those who were saved and for those who would be saved (John 17:20); Paul said that his prayer for Israel was for her salvation (Romans 10:1) and the disciples were told to pray for workers (Matthew 9:38) and for the spread of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Philipians 4:6 says to bring our requests to the Lord.
Reading the scriptures you get a sense of the importance of prayer, its purpose and its value.
We should take a page from the Muslims: they pray (or at least, they should) five times a day. If the heathen can do it, what is preventing Christians from doing the same, when, in fact, Bible exhorts the believer to prayer.
posted by Laura Keslar at 10:50 AM | |
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Foul Fowls
Of all fowl, chicken are the foulest
I hate to admit this, but I am utterly afraid of chickens. And geese. And ducks. And most fowls, but basically and foremost, chickens. Besides, turkeys have spurs on them. You have a right to be afraid of those things. Cockatiels also bite hard when they are laying eggs and guarding their nests. Horrible creatures.
But as for me being attacked by a chicken, it happened last summer when I was feeding some neighbors animals (dogs, chickens, and rabbits) while they were on vacation. I had scooped up some dog food for the dogs and I was about to put it on the ground outside so that the dogs could, obviously, reach it to eat it. Well, all that time I was in their backward taking care of the animals, this one chicken had been following me around. By the time I had gotten to the part of my day to feed the dogs, the chicken was standing in front of me, staring at me.
Suddenly, it jumps.
And it jumps high. I jumps about level with my head and I am 5'10. That was frightening and, well, being stupid and female, I screamed and threw dog food at the chicken.
After that, I turned on the hose to fend off the attack chicken.
Then, the summer before that, I was at another friend's house feeding and watering their pets and collecting chicken eggs from the coop. In order to get the chicken eggs and feed and water the chickens, you had to enter into the coop.
Now, it was not the typical coop that is red, large, and chickens nice and orderly. No no no. Of course not. Instead, it was wire, small, and squat. I could barely stand up inside to collect the eggs. And when you opened the door, the chickens rushed your legs with their ugly, mean little mouths. I learned after the first day that it is necessary to wear boots and jeans when you feed those monsters. I came back with red, bruised, and torn skin.
Ugh. I hate chickens.
After having successfully made a pigeon run for its dear life, I laughingly stated:
I hate to admit this, but I am utterly afraid of chickens. And geese. And ducks. And most fowls, but basically and foremost, chickens. Besides, turkeys have spurs on them. You have a right to be afraid of those things. Cockatiels also bite hard when they are laying eggs and guarding their nests. Horrible creatures.
But as for me being attacked by a chicken, it happened last summer when I was feeding some neighbors animals (dogs, chickens, and rabbits) while they were on vacation. I had scooped up some dog food for the dogs and I was about to put it on the ground outside so that the dogs could, obviously, reach it to eat it. Well, all that time I was in their backward taking care of the animals, this one chicken had been following me around. By the time I had gotten to the part of my day to feed the dogs, the chicken was standing in front of me, staring at me.
Suddenly, it jumps.
And it jumps high. I jumps about level with my head and I am 5'10. That was frightening and, well, being stupid and female, I screamed and threw dog food at the chicken.
After that, I turned on the hose to fend off the attack chicken.
Then, the summer before that, I was at another friend's house feeding and watering their pets and collecting chicken eggs from the coop. In order to get the chicken eggs and feed and water the chickens, you had to enter into the coop.
Now, it was not the typical coop that is red, large, and chickens nice and orderly. No no no. Of course not. Instead, it was wire, small, and squat. I could barely stand up inside to collect the eggs. And when you opened the door, the chickens rushed your legs with their ugly, mean little mouths. I learned after the first day that it is necessary to wear boots and jeans when you feed those monsters. I came back with red, bruised, and torn skin.
Ugh. I hate chickens.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:37 AM | |
Surprise Surprise
Something must be going wrong.
First of all, you have the example that Mac Swift presents: scripturally unsound churches. It is from these churches, at least according to Mac, that the Lord has driven them from. When you have churches that no longer believe the Bible is the word of God, that we must rely on unseen originals, and whatever other fairy tales people chose to believe, what would you expect but for them to drift away from what the word says and err accordingly? It is a sad state when those who love God cannot find a godly church to attend.
Then you have the example of the seeker sensitive church, where compromise oozes from every corner. When you have nothing differing from the world, why attend such a church? Hackneyed argument aside, it sure doesnt help to look just like everyone else. But as it goes, these are barely two of the many problems which complicate the matter of the lack of church attendance.
The evidence seems to refute much of what some pastors are saying from the pulpit. Having attended one charismatic church when I was younger, you would constantly hear how revival was on the way, how the nation would be swept with revival, and so forth. Besides the fact that they believed that their church was going to be the start of such a revival, as saith another like-minded church in Australia via a word from God and besides the fact that it has yet to take place, we all should have known it was a sham...simply because in the last days, many will fall away. There is no more revival in the land. Instead, we will have a Christian church that is ineffective for the Lord.
But as it goes, these are barely two of the many problems which complicate the matter of the lack of church attendance.
So, after hearing about how a fourth of pastors would not recommend the KJV and how only a fourth use the KJV in their own study, I began to wonder how much of a surprise it was that the ranks of the unchurched are rising.
Something must be going wrong.
First of all, you have the example that Mac Swift presents: scripturally unsound churches. It is from these churches, at least according to Mac, that the Lord has driven them from. When you have churches that no longer believe the Bible is the word of God, that we must rely on unseen originals, and whatever other fairy tales people chose to believe, what would you expect but for them to drift away from what the word says and err accordingly? It is a sad state when those who love God cannot find a godly church to attend.
Then you have the example of the seeker sensitive church, where compromise oozes from every corner. When you have nothing differing from the world, why attend such a church? Hackneyed argument aside, it sure doesnt help to look just like everyone else. But as it goes, these are barely two of the many problems which complicate the matter of the lack of church attendance.
The evidence seems to refute much of what some pastors are saying from the pulpit. Having attended one charismatic church when I was younger, you would constantly hear how revival was on the way, how the nation would be swept with revival, and so forth. Besides the fact that they believed that their church was going to be the start of such a revival, as saith another like-minded church in Australia via a word from God and besides the fact that it has yet to take place, we all should have known it was a sham...simply because in the last days, many will fall away. There is no more revival in the land. Instead, we will have a Christian church that is ineffective for the Lord.
But as it goes, these are barely two of the many problems which complicate the matter of the lack of church attendance.
posted by Laura Keslar at 2:22 AM | |
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Women drafted
But consider, the CRs' positions were based upon "if" a draft would occur. They never indicated their support of the draft, or lack thereof, but their silence on the position as well as their contemplation of what should happen if the draft were reinstated has led me to believe that it was indicative of their acquiescence.
I am not fond of an involuntary draft or even of women in the military. First of all, as with what Andrew McCarthy implied, an involuntary draft undermines the individual freedoms insured by Constitution to the people. A draft, in all essenses, is forced servitude to the government. Not only that, but when a person can better serve herself and community outside of the military, such a draft removes and effectively reduces a person's ability to be a productive member of society.
The shibboleth that war translates, oftentimes, into enhanced and secured freedoms, though true, cannot be used to justify the reduction of rights of both men and women. There is never a time when one person can unwillingly sacrifice his own rights for those of someone else. To force someone into conscription in order to insure liberty for the future generations is vain and a violation of those very rights that are held dear. This violation, though innocuous at first, can lead to greater and worse violations. I hate the slippery slope argument, but even cliches have a bit of truth in them.
Besides, I am of the mind that a woman's place is not on the battle field or behind a computer screen in a battle field, but in the home, raising her children. However, this point becomes moot considering that women today are opting out of reproducing; and, if they do choose to reproduce, they employ outside help to raise their children. In a sense, because of the degree to which women hand over the raising of their own children to someone else, they have become, to say the least, more fit for the draft.
And, besides, when people consider drafting women, they often think of conscription into military as combantants. Israel's IDF does not give women combantant roles. However, as evidenced by the results of the Iraqi war, we have seen that women do not have to be fighting in order to be endangered.
The only way I could ever even contemplate a drafting of the female population in the United States is if they had similar exemptions as Israel gives its women: marriage, motherhood, and religious reasons. In this sense, it protects and esteems the role of the mother and wife as much as or more so than that of the militarist.
What a surprise I had this morning when I happened upon a recent Wildcat article. Though my surprise had little to do with the journalistic integrity of the piece, it had a lot to do with what many of the people interviewed had said. I found myself agreeing more with the objectivists in this article than I do with the CRs, which is, historically, not the case.
But consider, the CRs' positions were based upon "if" a draft would occur. They never indicated their support of the draft, or lack thereof, but their silence on the position as well as their contemplation of what should happen if the draft were reinstated has led me to believe that it was indicative of their acquiescence.
I am not fond of an involuntary draft or even of women in the military. First of all, as with what Andrew McCarthy implied, an involuntary draft undermines the individual freedoms insured by Constitution to the people. A draft, in all essenses, is forced servitude to the government. Not only that, but when a person can better serve herself and community outside of the military, such a draft removes and effectively reduces a person's ability to be a productive member of society.
The shibboleth that war translates, oftentimes, into enhanced and secured freedoms, though true, cannot be used to justify the reduction of rights of both men and women. There is never a time when one person can unwillingly sacrifice his own rights for those of someone else. To force someone into conscription in order to insure liberty for the future generations is vain and a violation of those very rights that are held dear. This violation, though innocuous at first, can lead to greater and worse violations. I hate the slippery slope argument, but even cliches have a bit of truth in them.
Besides, I am of the mind that a woman's place is not on the battle field or behind a computer screen in a battle field, but in the home, raising her children. However, this point becomes moot considering that women today are opting out of reproducing; and, if they do choose to reproduce, they employ outside help to raise their children. In a sense, because of the degree to which women hand over the raising of their own children to someone else, they have become, to say the least, more fit for the draft.
And, besides, when people consider drafting women, they often think of conscription into military as combantants. Israel's IDF does not give women combantant roles. However, as evidenced by the results of the Iraqi war, we have seen that women do not have to be fighting in order to be endangered.
The only way I could ever even contemplate a drafting of the female population in the United States is if they had similar exemptions as Israel gives its women: marriage, motherhood, and religious reasons. In this sense, it protects and esteems the role of the mother and wife as much as or more so than that of the militarist.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:33 AM | |
NIV most popular version among Protestant pastors
But with 40% of pastors choosing their personal bibles over the perceived accuracy of the text, you kind of begin to wonder where those pastors think that the NIV is more accurate in its textual basis.
World Net Daily reports that 31% of protestant pastors prefer the NIV whereas only 23% prefer the KJV. You know, that means I have less than a 1 in 4 chance of finding a church where the pastor uses the KJV in his personal study and a 1 in 4 chance that I would attend a church where the pastor would not recommend the use of the KJV.
But with 40% of pastors choosing their personal bibles over the perceived accuracy of the text, you kind of begin to wonder where those pastors think that the NIV is more accurate in its textual basis.
posted by Laura Keslar at 4:17 AM | |
Federally sponsored spam
I mean, I just found out that the VA clinic performs (and, subsequently, pays) for scrotum implantations for women wanting to become men.
Wonderful usage of limited funds. No, wait. They arent limited. Just raise taxes or go further into debt. Money really does grow on trees.
I am wondering, does the federal government pay for the spam offering to increase my penis size?
I mean, I just found out that the VA clinic performs (and, subsequently, pays) for scrotum implantations for women wanting to become men.
Wonderful usage of limited funds. No, wait. They arent limited. Just raise taxes or go further into debt. Money really does grow on trees.
posted by Laura Keslar at 3:49 AM | |
Women = Peace?
Steven Nelson, a sociology doctoral student, said drafting women may invoke peace.
"One of the most enduring beliefs about gender differences is that men are inherently aggressive and warlike, whereas women are essentially passive and pacific," Nelson said. "If women can do war, maybe men can do peace."
Besides the fact that this guy is a blatant sexist, his statement seems to be going against recent national news sources.
Something in the last article from the Wildcat made me laugh.
"One of the most enduring beliefs about gender differences is that men are inherently aggressive and warlike, whereas women are essentially passive and pacific," Nelson said. "If women can do war, maybe men can do peace."
Besides the fact that this guy is a blatant sexist, his statement seems to be going against recent national news sources.
posted by Laura Keslar at 3:35 AM | |
Napolitano's All-Day Kindergarten
My mother's biggest complaint about the full-day kindergarten is that current elementary schools do not have the funds necessary to run them. In many of these schools, students share text books. As my parental unit says, fix the system we have first and then add to it if it isnt working.
However, The Goldwater Institute gives even better reasons why the all-day kindergarten would be wasteful and useless. (Yes, yes. I am extremely late, about two months late. My apologies for my slacking.)
I only went to kindergarten part time, and look how I turned out.
My mother's biggest complaint about the full-day kindergarten is that current elementary schools do not have the funds necessary to run them. In many of these schools, students share text books. As my parental unit says, fix the system we have first and then add to it if it isnt working.
However, The Goldwater Institute gives even better reasons why the all-day kindergarten would be wasteful and useless. (Yes, yes. I am extremely late, about two months late. My apologies for my slacking.)
posted by Laura Keslar at 12:47 AM | |
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
Die Microsoft Die
I hate IE. I am changing browsers and saying goodbye forever to this monstrosity which is IE. If you are using IE and cannot see my sidebar, we can both stand here and talk foul things about IE and how would be the best way to annihilate it from existance. Gr.
posted by Laura Keslar at 1:40 PM | |
Monday, May 03, 2004
Silly People
Mayhap I won't give a brief post on the loveliness of organic chemistry and the conjugated diene benzene. After all, I have had several people access this site by searching for "benzene of doom" and "crazy benzene" so I am some how having second thoughts about half the people who come here searching for information on benzene.
posted by Laura Keslar at 11:42 AM | |
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Benzene Rings and Organic Finals
I feel badly for y'all who are coming here by searching for "benzene" or "benzene rings" or any other sort of semi-chemistry related search phrase. I should...within a few days, give a brief chemistry lesson. That way, everyone who comes searching for that info, can find it...and I won't feel so badly about not having anything relevant to the title. Hey, and it shall help me study for organic finals. Bleh.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:37 PM | |
You want news about the UA?
All I know is that in front of Coconino dorm, there is a huge pothole...a pothole big enough to break someone's ankle.
So, if anyone passes in front of that dorm, while walking...be careful and watch out for potholes.
And yaay for me, since I shall be home until Tuesday and the only reason I am going back to the dorm on Tuesday is because that I have to turn in some homework on Tuesday. I hate school, by the way.
Oh, by the way, anyone in Tucson looking for a roommate? Female, non-partier (yeah, I live a boring life. The highlight of my week is watching a new episode of Gilmore Girls), studious, semi-upper (semi, because...well...does junior count as upper classman? It might...right now, I really don't know nor do I really care) classman looking for something of the same. I have no allergies to animals or otherwise. Email me at ringsofbenzene@yahoo.com if you are interested...not that I expect much of a response...or anything like that....
Well, if you do, I don't have any...particularly because I went home for the weekend hoping to get away from the stress of school and roommates. Yeah, I doubt my life is as stressful as everyone elses, but hey, I like to pretend it is...ok?
All I know is that in front of Coconino dorm, there is a huge pothole...a pothole big enough to break someone's ankle.
So, if anyone passes in front of that dorm, while walking...be careful and watch out for potholes.
And yaay for me, since I shall be home until Tuesday and the only reason I am going back to the dorm on Tuesday is because that I have to turn in some homework on Tuesday. I hate school, by the way.
Oh, by the way, anyone in Tucson looking for a roommate? Female, non-partier (yeah, I live a boring life. The highlight of my week is watching a new episode of Gilmore Girls), studious, semi-upper (semi, because...well...does junior count as upper classman? It might...right now, I really don't know nor do I really care) classman looking for something of the same. I have no allergies to animals or otherwise. Email me at ringsofbenzene@yahoo.com if you are interested...not that I expect much of a response...or anything like that....
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:35 PM | |
One Family for Sale
Does anyone want a family? You can have mine. I think I shall trade them in for free--and you don't even have to give me anything in exchange! I promise.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:24 PM | |
My smile for the day
That sounds like a badly written line from a cheap romance novel.
"It's time to increase your manhood's size."
That sounds like a badly written line from a cheap romance novel.
posted by Laura Keslar at 9:01 PM | |
