Funny that the candidates are so quiet on the war issue.
Lauding a winning strategy isn't in the conversation of either the candidates or the press. Yet, there are devoted service men and women who wake up in the morning away from their loved ones, who live a deprived life fraught with danger, and who follow orders because they are sworn to. The cumulative impact of each of their obeyed orders is a world different that it was on Sept 10, 2001, different for us and different for the bad guys. The story is leaking out despite the failure of those who control the information.
We can go to sleep tonight grateful for all of them, from the Privates to the Generals, and the voluntary sacrifice they make.
And, despite the politics of any of it, we can thank a leader with the heart for standing by his convictions despite the opposition, who stands by a principle tall and straight, and has not only not failed us, he is leading us to (dare we say) winning.
Which candidate is strong enough to do the same, to say the same? Let's look and vote for that person.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Life reduced to the basics
About a year ago a student of mine (I was a high school teacher then...I since have quit) suffered a brain injury in an auto accident that essentially left him with no apparent awareness of the world around him. For quite some time he appeared unconscious and immobile, and it was hard to think that he'd ever come out of it. It was very sad to see this young man in his senior year cut down and trapped in a body that doesn't work anymore.
I visit him once a week to read to him. The theory is that if he has some continuity in his life he might maintain (or redevelop) some connectivity and awareness. He hears my voice. I tell him each time I visit it is me, and what I am going to read. He has recently begun some responses. He can squeeze your hand if you ask a question and indicate the response a squeeze is (like squeeze if you want me to continue to read). He does a "thumbs up". His eyes do some weird things, 2 different size pupils and some twitching and scanning...but if he shuts his eyes while I'm reading I remind him that I'm his teacher and he's not allowed to sleep while I'm reading, booiinng! His eyes pop open just like they did when I had him in class!
It is truly a miracle to watch this slow progress...slow but definite. It is also a miracle that we pray together, that I can talk to him about the Lord. This student who was "into" so much before can't be into much now. The irony is that before I had to be careful that I didn't allow "religion" to be a subject of my teaching in public school, but now his mother yearns for someone to come to pray with her son.
One day he might get on his feet, one day he might be able to talk, or sit up, or swallow on his own. His wants are reduced pretty low now, but, the fact is, the miracles in his life now are very clear, very easy to see.
I visit him once a week to read to him. The theory is that if he has some continuity in his life he might maintain (or redevelop) some connectivity and awareness. He hears my voice. I tell him each time I visit it is me, and what I am going to read. He has recently begun some responses. He can squeeze your hand if you ask a question and indicate the response a squeeze is (like squeeze if you want me to continue to read). He does a "thumbs up". His eyes do some weird things, 2 different size pupils and some twitching and scanning...but if he shuts his eyes while I'm reading I remind him that I'm his teacher and he's not allowed to sleep while I'm reading, booiinng! His eyes pop open just like they did when I had him in class!
It is truly a miracle to watch this slow progress...slow but definite. It is also a miracle that we pray together, that I can talk to him about the Lord. This student who was "into" so much before can't be into much now. The irony is that before I had to be careful that I didn't allow "religion" to be a subject of my teaching in public school, but now his mother yearns for someone to come to pray with her son.
One day he might get on his feet, one day he might be able to talk, or sit up, or swallow on his own. His wants are reduced pretty low now, but, the fact is, the miracles in his life now are very clear, very easy to see.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Would all of the percentages please stand up!?
| Republican Candidate | Vote | % |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Huckabee | 40,841 | 34.4% |
| Mitt Romney | 29,949 | 25.2% |
| Fred D. Thompson | 15,904 | 13.4% |
| John McCain | 15,559 | 13.1% |
| Ron Paul | 11,817 | 10.0% |
| Rudolph W. Giuliani | 4,097 | 3.5% |
| Duncan Hunter | 524 | 0.4% |
| Tom Tancredo | 5 | 0.0% |
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Don't try to paper over the crime...
One of the very complex parts of our very complex household is the toilet paper. We have 6 bathrooms, some used more than others. One of the most aggravating things I can imagine is sitting down for the obvious purposes, getting comfortable and awaiting the impending relief when - voila! - there is no paper on the roll. ERRRRGGHH!
Like so much in our household, the act of taking the last square without replacing the roll is a crime never admitted - usually committed by our most frequent actor; a child named "Not Me".
Recently, there has been a small amount of progress. I noticed a clandestine effort to make sure they NEVER take the LAST square. You know the trick don't you? They leave the last bit of paper that goes around the cardboard - so little you can actually see the color of the cardboard under the paper; and, of course, you cannot use that amount to wipe more than a drop of water. With that little trick they can legitimately claim "I didn't take the last paper!" There, they got me. ERRRRGGHH!
My dad always knew the value of toilet paper - what brand was on sale and how much the cost-per-sheet was to determine the best buy. I haven't had that luxury - the value I preach is more fundamental - make sure there is SOME on the roll!
If we ever get this down maybe we can move to the next level of toilet paper sophistication - putting the roll on so the end comes over the top versus hanging from the bottom. That's one of my wife's issues. Wonder if I'll ever get there!?!?
How in the world did my dad ever get all the way to determiing the best buy...?
Like so much in our household, the act of taking the last square without replacing the roll is a crime never admitted - usually committed by our most frequent actor; a child named "Not Me".
Recently, there has been a small amount of progress. I noticed a clandestine effort to make sure they NEVER take the LAST square. You know the trick don't you? They leave the last bit of paper that goes around the cardboard - so little you can actually see the color of the cardboard under the paper; and, of course, you cannot use that amount to wipe more than a drop of water. With that little trick they can legitimately claim "I didn't take the last paper!" There, they got me. ERRRRGGHH!
My dad always knew the value of toilet paper - what brand was on sale and how much the cost-per-sheet was to determine the best buy. I haven't had that luxury - the value I preach is more fundamental - make sure there is SOME on the roll!
If we ever get this down maybe we can move to the next level of toilet paper sophistication - putting the roll on so the end comes over the top versus hanging from the bottom. That's one of my wife's issues. Wonder if I'll ever get there!?!?
How in the world did my dad ever get all the way to determiing the best buy...?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
So, what's new?
So with all of the hoopla and the new year and all, what will really be new at all? The election? The candidates? Policy?
Reality?
What will history say?
Reality?
What will history say?
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