Should Senators Read 2,074-Page Bill Before Voting?

I’m simple minded, I suppose. It merely seems logical that our congressmen would read a bill before they vote on it. How is it that such a question could even be raised?

Hefty rascals, huh? The bills I mean.

President Obama Will Not Read Sarah Palin’s Best Selling Book

I find it interesting that, according to an interview covered by CBS News, CNN and Fox news, President Obama has said he will not read Sarah Palin’s best seller, Going Rogue. Any ideas as to why.

 

Take Heart: Conscience at Work

Delightful! A conscience that works! Fifty years after they were due, someone returned two library books, along with a money order to cover the accumulated fines. AP reports this account from Phoenix.

PHOENIX — A high school librarian in Phoenix says a former student at the school returned two overdue books checked out 51 years ago along with a $1,000 money order to cover the fines.

Camelback High School librarian Georgette Bordine says the two Audubon Society books checked out in 1959 and the money order were sent by someone who wanted to remain anonymous.

Bordine says the letter explained that the borrower’s family moved to another state and the books were mistakenly packed.

The letter said the money order was to cover fines of 2 cents per day for each book. That would total about $745. The letter says the extra money was added in case the rates had changed.

Bordine says the money will buy more books, and the overdue books will be returned to the shelves.

Neat, huh. I thought of that person at length this morning, and those two books that sat around somewhere for 50 years, and that smote his/her conscience every time they were viewed. Finally, it was enough. The books were bundled up, taken to the post office, the money order was purchased, and today on this Sunday as I write, someone’s conscience is freed.

Beware of This Show And Tell

She only wanted to participate in her class Show and Tell. Her pet, though, jumped from the truck before he could be proudly presented. What kind of pet? An alligator!

An alligator lost by a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer at his daughter’s school show-and-tell is likely safe in a nearby swamp and animal enthusiasts shouldn’t worry about the reptile, the agency says.

Complete story here.

Courteous

I read once–don’t recall where–of researchers who in cooperation with the US Navy researched the effect of the voice as orders were given to the sailors. The results overwhelmingly showed the way a person is addressed determines largely how he responds.

If the orders were spoken softly, he would answer in a similar way. Same for shouts: Shouted at, he answered in the same rough way. It was also interesting that the results were much the same whether the communication came face-to-face or by telephone.

I’m attracted to people who are polite, kind and thoughtful. Not surprising, for the Bible tells us to be courteous, to care about each other, to be humble-minded, and to prefer each other. Kind of a neat way to live, huh?

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. I Peter 3:8

Edit: Just read on Facebook where Pastor James Groce posted this:

Rudeness is a weak man’s imitation of strength. – Eric Hoffer

Sickening, Preposterous…and Dangerous

Mohammed and the four others — Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi and Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali — are accused of orchestrating the attacks that killed 2,973 people on Sept. 11, 2001, and will now be tried in a courtroom down the street from the World Trade Center.

Fox News

I find it outrageous that President Obama has approved that these men will be tried in a civil court room. Many believe this is a crucial step in President Obama’s plan to close down the terrorist center  at our facilities in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Photo purporting to show Khalid Sheik Mohammed–a self-proclaimed Sept. 11 architect in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (AP)

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This is sickening…and dangerous.

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Veterans Day and Fort Hood

From my heart today–this Veterans Day 2009–I speak my appreciation and gratitude for every person who has served our country by involvement in the military division of the United States of America. At times unsung, unappreciated, misunderstood, forgotten–you have yet stood your post, and kept your charge. You have guarded my babies and me. You have kept us safe. Thank you.

Many of you have made the supreme sacrifice, shedding your blood on both foreign soil, and recently and sadly, on our own earth–the earth of America. Thank you.

Many of you are now elderly, shaking and unsteady.

And some…were mere babies. Thank you…and to the families, my thoughts and prayers.

Honest

The man looked intently into my eyes as he spoke. “My children are honest. They wouldn’t cheat anybody, and they tell the truth.”

“That’s a great attribute,” I responded. “A great attribute.”

Incident happened yesterday, and this morning  I’ve thought long on that short conversation. Want to remind you.

Honesty is a great attribute.

“Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!”

I cannot let this day pass without noting the significant event that shook the world 20 years ago today. Nor can I mute my mouth and fail to give credit to President Ronald Reagan whose bold words and courageous demeanor contributed to the destruction of the wall; an ugly wall that divided the city of Berlin–East from West, Freedom from Subjugation. Standing before the Brandenberg Gate, often noted as a symbol of communism, the President of the United States spoke directly to the communist leader:

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

The press paid little attention to the speech, except that the Soviet Tass spoke of Reagan as giving an “openly provocative, war-mongering speech.”

But within months, the wall had fallen–chiseled, hammered, clawed at, and axed. Deliverance had come to Berlin.

I’ve brought over a couple of videos. One is of President Reagan speaking the historic words; the other is a moving account of the destruction of the Berlin Wall by photographer Anthony Suau.

…I long for President Reagan, the liberator…I long for his courage, conservatism, honor, and love for our country, these United States of America.

Stunning Response from President Obama

As a drugged, slow-moving giant rouses from his bed, so America appears to be awaking from its political slumber.

Now from Chicago, no less, comes this riveting analysis of President Obama’s response to the horrific shootings on Thursday. A report yesterday of the results of a large poll show 85 % of those interviewed judged Obama to have responded to the tragedy in a less than desirable manner.

President Obama didn’t wait long after Tuesday’s devastating elections to give critics another reason to question his leadership, but this time the subject matter was more grim than a pair of governorships.After news broke out of the shooting at the Fort Hood Army post in Texas, the nation watched in horror as the toll of dead and injured climbed. The White House was notified immediately and by late afternoon, word went out that the president would speak about the incident prior to a previously scheduled appearance. At about 5 p.m., cable stations went to the president. The situation called for not only his trademark eloquence, but also grace and perspective.

But instead of a somber chief executive offering reassuring words and expressions of sympathy and compassion, viewers saw a wildly disconnected and inappropriately light president making introductory remarks. At the event, a Tribal Nations Conference hosted by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian affairs, the president thanked various staffers and offered a “shout-out” to “Dr. Joe Medicine Crow — that Congressional Medal of Honor winner.”  Three minutes in, the president spoke about the shooting, in measured and appropriate terms. Who is advising him?

Anyone at home aware of the major news story of the previous hours had to have been stunned. An incident like this requires a scrapping of the early light banter. The president should apologize for the tone of his remarks, explain what has happened, express sympathy for those slain and appeal for calm and patience until all the facts are in. That’s the least that should occur.

Source: Robert George NBC Chicago

Take a look here if you want to see this for yourself.