For the Ladies

He Who Must Not Be Named

Barack H*ssein Obama. Oh, wait, sorry. Barack Obama. Never mind that this current President goes by George W. Bush or that his father is known as George H.W. Bush, that apparently is ok. But, Lord help you, it is the ultimate sort of "fear-mongering" to actually state that Barack's middle name is H*ssein.

What is amazing to me and why this still is I do not know, is that many of the people of left-leaning persuasion can be racists, bigots, and sexists without dismay! Take for instance Obama. A year ago a US Senator said he is the first "clean and articulate black guy". The media circled the wagons for him! He must not have meant it! Their is a story in the Washington Post (WaPO) today about a hilarious SNL skit from Saturday complaining that they got a "white guy" to play the part of Barack Obama. Was it racially motivated?

Now you have another twist on the race card. You have a bunch of liberals wondering if Barack is "black enough". You also have Barack asking not to be made fun of for his ears. We also cannot call him a liberal. And finally, according to his wife, we are not allowed to mention "he who must not be named."

I wonder, maybe we shall call it a "thought experiment", if John McCain's middle name was Adolf. Would he get the same treatment that Obama is asking for now? Would the media be circling the wagon after a talk show host uses it in a speech? And for that matter isn't it the media who are pushing the Muslim connection of Obama anyway? Who can forget that video of Ted Kennedy calling Obama Osama.

I understand Michelle Obama's point concerning those who would try to make this a wedge issue. I think she is right. Yet, it's not conservative who made a big deal about it here. It was many different liberals! But now since a conservative did it: It's racism! I know I don't care and frankly have not cared about the fact that he is 1) Black 2) black enough 3) and his middle name is H*ssein. It is and he is all those things! It's not like we aren't speaking the truth! It's the media whose trying to blow this stuff up along with hidden racist liberals! Barack needs to man up! It's who you are! Stop the fear mongering and address it! Instead of giving the Voldemort treatment and treating your middle name like a curse, utilize it and stop acting like a chicken! Your middle name is Hussein, who cares! Somehow I don't think the girls passing out at your speeches is going to stop when they hear "Hussein". I expect more from the savior of all mankind!

Being Single can Kill You!

There is a fascinating article in the UK Daily Mail entitled: "Being unmarried makes a woman a high suicide risk."

When I first saw the title of the article I was a little skeptical. I started it hoping that this wasn't some post-valentines day blues or some love sick advice but it turned out to be something completely different. They surveyed "single" woman who do not actually marry anyone but instead cohabitate and then those who are just single compared with married women and their respective suicide rates. They concluded with this:

"It found that those who do not marry were killing themselves at three times the rate of wives."

The rate was something like this: "By 2004, there were 15 suicides in 100,000 single women and five among married women."

In Britain you have an obvious decline in morals concerning sexuality and especially when it comes to marriage. For example according to this article: "Since then, ministers have stripped away tax breaks for marriage, abolishing the Married Couples Allowance and removing all reference to marriage from tax and benefit forms." The Brits don't even apparently acknowledge this stuff anymore! They continued:

"The findings, in a study by the Government's Office for National Statistics, suggest that cohabitation has made a high proportion of young women more vulnerable to depression."

This last comment is perhaps the most honest statement I have ever read concerning this subject! We have heard over and over again that women who are married and stay at home are not really woman. That they are submitting themselves to a lesser existence compared to woman who go out and "make something of their lives". These "devil wears prada" women have no need for men just like fish don't need bicycles. They can survive on their own and maybe occasionally meet up with someone to fulfill "biological needs". Yet, the Brits have landed on, roughly I bet, a hard truth that we (men and women) both need each other and only a strong commitment, dare we say covenant, seems to work. For some reason marriage is a commitment that apparently, according to this study, brings more fulfillment in life. Now to be fair it no where states why these women committed suicide, a very important question I would like to know, however it's a fascinating look into how those who took the study interpreted it. Being single may kill you!

Quote of the Day

Straight talk from the straight talk express:

Do you think you are a good person?

I want to kind of state upfront that the subject matter of this video is rather sad, disgusting, and if there are little ones around you may want to skip the video. Disclaimer aside, here it is:



I do not wish to concentrate on the first section of the video concerning the alleged adultery. This couple has admitted to knowing about it before going on the show (along with the stealing) and just playing the part in order to win money.

It is worth noting however that this woman, after all that she had admitted, would still think she is a "good person". Even more telling was her husband shaking his head no and her father (I think) saying that she was! By even the world's standards this woman was pushing it! Yet, her first reaction, a sort of defensive mechanism, shout out: "Of course, yes I am a good person!" The lie detector put that defense to rest.

What's perhaps the most tragic aspect of this video is not only that the woman believed what she believed or that she did do any of these horrible things but that many will watch this and be blown away by the audacity but if they took a moment to put a lie detector to their own lives they'd realize they are so much like her! I think of myself in, lets say the past 3 weeks. I've lusted, lied, according to Jesus (Mt. 5) I've committed adultery, and many other things I'm sure I am not aware of! Yet, like this woman, I'm quick to shout out:"Of course! I'm a good person!" I may not have wires hooked up to tell me other wise but in my heart of hearts I know that I am not; just like she did!

Ravi Zacharias once said that: "Jesus did not come to make bad people good but to make dead people live." This woman echoes the times she lives in. "I'm progressing, I'm learning, etc." This is a evolutionary ethic. It's not a godly one. Time does not make someone "better" it just sharpens the depravity to make it sharper and deadlier. This seems to be the illusion that so many of us and our politicians for that matter, seem to live under. That with time we will get better. Yet, why is that never the case? Why doesn't that reflect reality? Because it is not true! If a person is dead to sin, they don't become a better dead person! Their still dead! We need a radical remedy to our deadness- someone to defeat it. If no one did that (or has done it) then we only get "deader" not "better". The question then is: What's the remedy?

****Nuclear Lightbulbs****

I started my morning routine pretty much like every other morning. Got my cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee, made a bagel, put on my slippers and plopped myself down in my comfortable chair to read through the news before having some one one one with G-D. One site I frequent (mostly for my Red Sox News, cause we know God likes to hear prayers concerning the Sox) is Boston.com and one headline caught my attention rather quickly:

Energy benefits of fluorescents may outweigh risk

Frankly, I couldn't get away from the light bulb today. I walked into the grocery store and BOOM there it was. These energy savers conveniently placed right in opening aisle. Even though they are risky, causing the death of children, unborn "fetuses",(although how can there be danger to something that isn't a someone?) and poor old fluffy! But, don't worry! Risk aside, at least you save money and save the planet at the same time! Fluffy must be happy!

I then stumbled upon a "to do list" just in case one of these light bulbs breaks. The story starts like this: "Compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of toxic mercury that can vaporize when the bulbs break, creating a potential health risk for infants, young children, and pregnant women." But, let's just say the inevitable happens and Fluffy knocks over the lamp! I mean it happens right? Well, just follow these easy steps to clean up the mess:

Keep people and pets away. Open windows, and leave the area for 15 minutes before beginning the cleanup.

Do not use a vacuum cleaner, even on a carpet. This will spread the mercury vapor and dust and potentially contaminate the vacuum.

Wear rubber gloves.

Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar.

Next, scoop up the smaller pieces and dust using two stiff pieces of paper such as index cards or playing cards.

Pick up fine particles with duct tape, packing tape, or masking tape, and then use a wet wipe or damp paper towel.

Put all waste into the glass container, including all material used in the cleanup. Remove the container from your home and call your local solid waste district or municipality for disposal instructions.

Continue ventilating the room for several hours.

Wash your hands and face.

As a precaution, consider discarding throw rugs or the area of carpet where the breakage occurred, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women. Otherwise, open windows during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.

I had to laugh after reading this insanity! I understand wanting to save energy and it makes sense to be more efficient but both of those don't come at the expense of human life! There are all types of dangerous things around the house for sure but many of those items are not going to require HazMat treatment to clean up! And most of them are not in range of kiddies! So when you do get your Nuclear Lightbulbs, just make sure you know what you are doing! Cause you can't trust anyone else to warn you!

The Negotiables: Stuck Being Single

"Hello. My Name is Matt".

"Hello, Matt".

"I've been single now for about 3 1/2 years and I've not had a relapse since."

*insert clapping*

I apologize for the pathetic opening to this blog but I have to tell you, that is what I feel like I'm doing whenever I seem to fall into these conversations concerning singleness. It seems like no matter where I go people just can't believe I'm still single! It's more of a shock to them then it is me! I seem to be the only one who is ok with my current marital status. It's only when other people keep harassing me about it that I get annoyed. It's also when I see the following that I get even more perturbed:



This was the list of things which a Pastor was looking for in a youth pastor as it appeared on the AGTS job opportunity board. Now, I don't know the Pastor and he/she is entitled to their opinion. God made them leader and I have no problem with how they lead but this creates quite a frustration for me!

First, as if it is not bad enough to constantly have to answer the stupid single question and feel the stares as if I have three heads cause I'm not with someone, now I am starting to wonder if it's even possible for me to get turned down because of it! I have an answer to this question and I shall return to it but looking at this stupid picture caused the thought.

Second, I would think that we would foster an environment where we promote people being in love! Not force a litmus test! Not make people rush the marriage process or the finding a mate just so they can have a job! I can make myself learn to play the guitar. I can't make myself fall in love with someone~!

Third, Why is it that many people, when they find out you are not married, look at you like you haven't arrived yet! You really are not a grown up! You have to prove yourself as one after they find out your not married when, if you were, they would presuppose some type of "maturity". Granted, there are things that only a married person can know but I don't remember reading that my immaturity is guilty until proven other wise?

I believe I am going to wed someday. In fact I know I am because God has spoken to me in the past about it and even now He leads me on it. That said, I find a lot of times these type of conversations or signs on a bulletin board can have a certain affect on a person that can lead one to make brash decisions or really start to doubt God. When those thoughts come into my mind a certain story pops in to confront them.

Abraham was promised a son even though he and his wife were well passed the "production" stage of their relationship. In many ways it was a laughable idea. Now, I'm not relating this story because of the obvious relationship, sexual, marriage tones but being the good exegete that I am I look for the heart of the story. Which I believe is: does God respect His promises?

It seems like whenever faced with these "Ishmael" moments we can so easily take things into our own hands! I could easily say that this is a sign that I should get married and go out and find someone! Yet, I can't because I know what God has promised me! I could try and make something fit God's plan but I can't cause that's exactly what Abraham tried to do and look what happened! Many times, as I proved at the opening, it's easy to get mad at the Pastor for playing the Evangelical Yenta, however I do believe this could be the hand of God shutting the door towards that specific ministry for me. Which I would say is a sign of the opposite of which I would normally expect yet still clearly a sign even if I don't like it! The promises of God can face many moments like the bulletin board however what ever happens, God's brought me this far and He isn't going to let me down now! I can't negotiate the promise of God to fit my own whim. And most of all I can't force the will of God into my life without missing a possible "better blessing" if I had just remained patient! If I make it a negotiable, then that might make Satan a bidder. Something God isn't to fond of~