“Human” Global Warming

Those of you who listen to my radio program know that I end each hour with “Now, go do the right thing!” Well, I’m happy to report that that phrase was brought home to me last week.

After working on a local telethon, my husband and I went to a local restaurant with our best friend. When we arrived, there was only a table for two available, and people at every occupied table were just starting their meals. It was going to be a long wait!

I looked around the restaurant again and noticed a tall gentleman sitting side-by-side with a young child. They were each at a table for two that had been pushed together so they could sit next to each other. I said nothing, and hopefully, my face betrayed nothing.

It was barely a moment later when the gentleman motioned over the server and he and the child got up and moved to that available table for two. When he saw me notice this move, he pointed to his table for us to take it. As he sat down at his new table, I went over to hug him. I said, “That is so kind of you. Thank you so much!” He came back with “It was the right thing to do.”

He warmed my heart. He taught the boy a lesson in selfless generosity. He was a role model for everyone in the restaurant who noticed, and now you know about him, too.

That’s the kind of “global warming” for which I believe human beings should be responsible.

Dr. Laura

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IWA for Sunday 123007

Hey folks,

Well, this is it folks. The last IWA for 2007. We’ll be busy on Wednesday when we return. Looking through all the past winners this year and selecting the IWY. The Idiot of the Year.

This weeks winner is another example of Scaryence. The whole Global Warming Bunk. Yet another example of it being all about money, power, and control. Also another example of those that read this article, missing key words.

From the AP - Global warming to alter Calif. landscape

By NOAKI SCHWARTZ, Associated Press Writer
Sat Dec 29, 3:04 PM ET

California is defined by its scenery, from the mountains that enchanted John Muir to the wine country and beaches that define its culture around the world.

But as scientists try to forecast how global warming might affect the nation's most geographically diverse state, they envision a landscape that could look quite different by the end of this century, if not sooner.

"But as scientists try to forecast how global warming might," "that could," Scare words, "if not sooner"

Where celebrities, surfers and wannabes mingle on Malibu's world-famous beaches, there may be only sea walls defending fading mansions from the encroaching Pacific. In Northern California, tourists could have to drive farther north or to the cool edge of the Pacific to find what is left of the region's signature wine country.

"tourists could have to", Scare Words, "to find what is left."

Abandoned ski lifts might dangle above snowless trails more suitable for mountain biking even during much of the winter. In the deserts, Joshua trees that once extended their tangled, shaggy arms into the sky by the thousands may have all but disappeared.

{Sigh} "might, may" Scare Words, "have all but disappeared."

"We need to be attentive to the fact that changes are going to occur, whether it's sea level rising or increased temperatures, droughts and potentially increased fires," said Lisa Sloan, a scientist who directs the Climate Change and Impacts Laboratory at the University of California, Santa Cruz. "These things are going to be happening."

{Laughing} Sea levels rise and fall, floods and droughts, fires, "potentially" are going to happen. Of course they are. It's called cycles.

Among the earliest and most noticeable casualties is expected to be California's ski season.

ANY proof what so ever? Seriously? ANY?

Snow is expected to fall for a shorter period and melt more quickly. That could shorten the ski season by a month even in wetter areas and perhaps end it in others.

"expected, could, perhaps."

Whether from short-term drought or long-term changes, the ski season already has begun to shrivel in Southern California, ringed by mountain ranges that cradle several winter resorts.

"There's always plenty of snow, but you may just have to go out of state for it," said Rinda Wohlwend, 62, who belongs to two ski clubs in Southern California. "I'm a very avid tennis player, so I'd probably play more tennis."

Idiot. Look folks, you get the point. It goes on and on. But about our Idiot, Dr. Lisa Sloan. Get this. According to UCSC - UCSC geologist receives $625,000 Packard Fellowship.

Geologist and paleoclimatologist Lisa Sloan, an assistant professor of earth sciences, will receive $125,000 per year for the next five years to support her pioneering research on global and regional climate change. She is among 24 scientists and engineers chosen this year by the Packard Foundation for their exceptional promise and creative research.

Creative research to say the least. According to UCSU,

Sloan, 38, joined the UCSC faculty in 1995. She has several ongoing research projects aimed at understanding the causes and effects of climate change. Her work combines studies of past climates based on geologic evidence with computer modeling of Earth's climatic systems. Research on past climates can shed light on current and future climatic and environmental change, Sloan said.

Yeah called CYCLES. As for the computer modeling, remember, computers can only analyze what is put into them by man.

"The geologic record reveals a rich and varied history of constantly changing climate, with conditions shifting between extremes of warmth and cold," Sloan said. "Climate change is certain, but how and why it changes is a complex matter."

Your right Dr. But for saying that it's made-made, will destroy the planet one way or another with NO PROOF whatsoever, while using words of self preservation, such as might, could, may, possibly, ETC, you ARE the Idiot of the Week. Everyone knows that when one uses these words, they do so so they cannot be blamed when what they are telling you is proven false. They just say, "I said may, I wasn't wrong, it was possible."

Folks, everytime you see Global Warming Bunk, actually read it. How many self preservation words can you find? It can be humorous.

Happy New Year. See you Wednesday.
Peter

H.S. For Sunday 123007

Scaryence Again

Hey folks

Here we go again with more Scaryence. My new way of describing “Scare Science.” Scaryence is the way some use Science to scare people into conformity, participation in this or that, and basically, just to further agendas. Global Warming is a perfect example of Scaryence.

But this week we are talking about you. Yes, you. Now we all know that things happen to us as we get older. We all know that we slow down a bit. We have aches and pains, here and there. We get tired quicker. ETC. All of a sudden, what seems to be over night, we can’t do the things we use to do.

So some in the scientific community have decided to use this fact, that we all know and feel, the older we get, to make more money. Yup. Money. Get this from Reuters - Most older adults have brain disease: study

By Megan Rauscher
Fri Dec 28, 3:34 PM ET

Results of a brain autopsy study indicate that most older adults have significant brain pathology (disease), regardless of the presence or absence of outward signs of dementia.

So even if you feel GREAT, you have brain damage. {Laughing}

As part of the long-term Rush Memory and Aging Project, researchers evaluated the spectrum of abnormalities found in the brains of 141 older adults, with and without clinically evident dementia.

At the time of death, only 20 persons (14.2 percent) were free of brain disease, Dr. Julie A. Schneider, from Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, and colleagues found.

Most older persons with dementia (i.e., memory and other cognitive impairments) had more than one type of pathology in their brain causing the impairment, Schneider told Reuters Health.

"This most commonly was Alzheimer's disease pathology and cerebral infarcts (strokes), followed by Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disease, a disease related to Parkinson's disease," she said.

WE all have Alzheimer's and Parkinson's?

Older persons without dementia also frequently had brain disease, most commonly Alzheimer's-like disease, but also multiple other abnormalities, Schneider noted. Having more than one disease in the brain significantly increased the likelihood that symptoms of dementia will be present.

"Older persons can often handle one pathology in their brain, but the burden of more than one pathology may tip them over the threshold of clinical dementia," Schneider said.

This is completely nuts folks.

Therefore, prevention of not only Alzheimer's disease but these other pathologies, particularly stroke and those things that may increase the risk of stroke, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, obesity, "are likely to significantly decrease the prevalence of dementia," Schneider added.

The findings are published in the journal Neurology.

Based on this study, write two neurologists in an accompanying editorial, "we may wish to maximize medical management of vascular risk factors in the growing elderly population, regardless of whether cognition is still normal or there are signs of overt dementia."

There you go folks, even if you are healthy, you are sick. Even if you have NO signs of disease, you have it. So now you will have to be treated most of your life so that the disease you have, will not get worse. Big Drug, Big Medical, and if the Government gets involved, you will not have a choice. It's for your own good after all. They will treat you, and you will pay them. Don't question it, after all, you have brain damaged, and cannot make those decisions.

Peter

Risking All Kinds Of Freedom

Hey folks,

Happy Sunday to you. I know, some of you are wondering, “What’s with all the preaching all of a sudden?” It’s really not all of a sudden. I am who and what I am. I always have been. I’m a “Christian” for the lack of a better term, but I have MAJOR problems with organized religion. I am a Conservative, yet I tow NO Party line. I believe in the Biblical teachings of a one on one relationship with God. I do not “Preach.” I talk about, and tell you truth according to The Word of God, when asked, the situation calls for it, or when appropriate. We all have to make our own choices as to what to believe and the deeds we do. I will not try to control what you do, what you believe, or attempt to brainwash you. If God gave us all free will, then who am I to tell you what you HAVE to chose. In the long run, and at the appropriate time, we all reap what we sow. We all answer to our choices we made along the way.

But it is things like this, that REALLY set me off from time to time. So I HAVE to share the Truth on these matters. It’s in the news, hence I am going to talk about it. What I’m talking about today, is the risk of us, as a nation, losing all kinds of freedoms. I do not believe it is Constitutional, nor do I believe that Congress has ANY authority on this at all. Nor do I agree with the teachings by some of these people, who I KNOW, the way some have been teaching them. So let’s get a little bit into it, shall we?

According to the AP on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007 `Gospel of wealth' facing scrutiny, By ERIC GORSKI, AP Religion Writer.

The message flickered into Cindy Fleenor's living room each night: Be faithful in how you live and how you give, the television preachers said, and God will shower you with material riches.

Not exactly true.

And so the 53-year-old accountant from the Tampa, Fla., area pledged $500 a year to Joyce Meyer, the evangelist whose frank talk about recovering from childhood sexual abuse was so inspirational. She wrote checks to flamboyant faith healer Benny Hinn and a local preacher-made-good, Paula White.

Only the blessings didn't come. Fleenor ended up borrowing money from friends and payday loan companies just to buy groceries. At first she believed the explanation given on television: Her faith wasn't strong enough.

"I wanted to believe God wanted to do something great with me like he was doing with them," she said. "I'm angry and bitter about it. Right now, I don't watch anyone on TV hardly."

This is why I HATE talking about this, VERY REAL Spiritual Law. People get the wrong ideas.

All three of the groups Fleenor supported are among six major Christian television ministries under scrutiny by a senator who is asking questions about the evangelists' lavish spending and possible abuses of their tax-exempt status.

To bad there is NO Constitutional Right for Congress to interfere with Religion. They have NO power over Churches and Religion in this country.

The probe by Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, has brought new scrutiny to the underlying belief that brings in millions of dollars and fills churches from Atlanta to Los Angeles — the "Gospel of Prosperity," or the notion that God wants to bless the faithful with earthly riches.

Which is Partly true. But not as some teach it.

All six ministries under investigation preach the prosperity gospel to varying degrees.

Proponents call it a bucolically sound message of hope. Others say it is a distortion that makes evangelists rich and preys on the vulnerable. They say it has evolved from "it's all right to make money" to it's all right for the pastor to drive a Bentley, live in an oceanside home and travel by private jet.

Well it is. The root of all evil is the LOVE of money. Not Money itself. Money is a tool. Like with all tools, it can be used for good or evil purposes.

"More and more people are desperate and grasping at straws and want something that will alleviate their pain or financial crisis," said Michael Palmer, dean of the divinity school at Regent University, founded by Pat Robertson. "It's a growing problem."

The modern-day prosperity movement can largely be traced back to evangelist Oral Roberts' teachings. Roberts' disciples have spread his theology and vocabulary (Roberts and other evangelists, such as Meyer, call their donors "partners.") And several popular prosperity preachers, including some now under investigation, have served on the Oral Roberts University board.

Not true.

Grassley is asking the ministries for financial records on salaries, spending practices, private jets and other perks. The investigation, coupled with a financial scandal at ORU that forced out Roberts' son and heir, Richard, has some wondering whether the prosperity gospel is facing a day of reckoning.

Which he has NO RIGHT to do.

While few expect the movement to disappear, the scrutiny could force greater financial transparency and oversight in a movement known for secrecy.

Because it is based in truth.

Most scholars trace the origins of prosperity theology to E.W. Kenyon, an evangelical pastor from the first half of the 20th century.

Not true. You have to go back to the time before Christ.

But it wasn't until the postwar era — and a pair of evangelists from Tulsa, Okla. — that "health and wealth" theology became a fixture in Pentecostal and charismatic churches.

It is taught in many Religions. Not just those.

Oral Roberts and Kenneth Hagin — and later, Kenneth Copeland — trained tens of thousands of evangelists with a message that resonated with an emerging middle class, said David Edwin Harrell Jr., a Roberts biographer. Copeland is among those now being investigated.

"What Oral did was develop a theology that made it OK to prosper," Harrell said. "He let Pentecostals be faithful to the old-time truths their grandparents embraced and be part of the modern world, where they could have good jobs and make money."

Complete Bunk. It has always been alright to prosper.

The teachings took on various names — "Name It and Claim It," "Word of Faith," the prosperity gospel.

Prosperity preachers say that it isn't all about money — that God's blessings extend to health, relationships and being well-off enough to help others.

TRUE.

They have Bible verses at the ready to make their case. One oft-cited verse, in Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians, reads: "Yet for your sakes he became poor, that you by his poverty might become rich."

That is a distortion. I do not know if it is by this writer, or if it was really being taught by some preachers. More on that and more REAL verses that deal with this a little bit later.

Critics acknowledge the idea that God wants to bless his followers has a Biblical basis, but say prosperity preachers take verses out of context. The prosperity crowd also fails to acknowledge Biblical accounts that show God doesn't always reward faithful believers, Palmer said.

The Book of Job is a case study in piety unrewarded, and a chapter in the Book of Hebrews includes a litany of believers who were tortured and martyred, Palmer said.

NO IT ISN'T! You know, I really wish some of these Idiots,,Huh, I mean experts, actually read and understood, the things they talk about. It might be useful for an intelligent debate.

Yet the prosperity gospel continues to draw crowds, particularly lower- and middle-income people who, critics say, have the greatest motivation and the most to lose. The prosperity message is spreading to black churches, attracting elderly people with disposable incomes, and reaching huge churches in Africa and other developing parts of the world.

One of the teaching's attractions is that it doesn't dwell on traditional Christian themes of heaven and hell but on answering pressing concerns of the here and now, said Brian McLaren, a liberal evangelical author and pastor.

THAT is TRUE. And sad.

But the prosperity gospel, McLaren said, not only preys on the hope of the vulnerable, it puts too much emphasis on individual success and happiness.

That is also true in some cases.

"We've pretty much ignored what the Bible says about systemic injustice," he said.

The checks and balances central to Christian denominations are largely lacking in prosperity churches. One of the pastors in the Grassley probe, Bishop Eddie Long of suburban Atlanta, has written that God told him to get rid of the "ungodly governmental structure" of a deacon board.

Some ministers hold up their own wealth as evidence that the teaching works. Atlanta-area pastor Creflo Dollar, who is fighting Grassley's inquiry, owns a Rolls Royce and multimillion-dollar homes and travels in a church-owned Learjet.

There are those that abuse their positions in Churches. As well as there those in Businesses, Government, and anywhere else. Good Doctors, bad Doctors ETC. We are all Human and susceptible to temptations of all types. Some fight those temptations, and do the right thing, some fail and go their own way. That is life.

In a letter to Grassley, Dollar's attorney calls the prosperity gospel a "deeply held religious belief" grounded in Scripture and therefore a protected religious freedom. Grassley has said his probe is not about theology.

He's right.

But even some prosperity gospel critics — like the Rev. Adam Hamilton of 15,000-member United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in suburban Kansas City, Mo. — say that the investigation is entering a minefield.

ABSOLUTLY!

"How do you determine how much money a minister like this is able to make when the basic theology is that wealth is OK?" said Hamilton, an Oral Roberts graduate who later left the charismatic movement. "That gets into theological questions."

There is evidence of change. Joyce Meyer Ministries, for one, enacted financial reforms in recent years, including making audited financial statements public.

Meyer, who has promised to cooperate fully with Grassley, issued a statement emphasizing that a prosperity gospel "that solely equates blessing with financial gain is out of balance and could damage a person's walk with God."

OK folks, here is the TRUTH.

The Word of God DOES teach giving and receiving. It IS a Spiritual Law. It DOES Work. But not in the way that some like to teach.

One of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shall Not Steal. One of the ways God see you as a thief, is NOT Tithing. In Malachi 3:8-10.

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This WORKS. What it means is 10 percent of your salary. You make $200.00 a week, your tithe is $20.00 If you make $1000.00 a week, your Tithe is $100.00. ETC.

Now what it says is, "that there may be meat in mine house." Which is to say, there will be the ability to help those in need of things. Food, cloths, shelter, ETC. It does not mean that you HAVE to give to a Church. The way I see this, is if you want, and you feel lead to do it, you can give to any church you want. Or you can go down to inner city USA, and buy $100.00 dollars of food and feed the homeless. Give them blankets. Help someone personally. There is nothing saying you cannot give to a food pantry, Goodwill, or just buy cloths for a poor family that might even live next door to you. You are still tithing and still doing God's will. Anything more than your ten percent, is what is called offerings. STRICKLY your choice to give more.

If you are in a church, and you see them doing NOTHING to help those in need, yet the Pastor is driving a fancy car, wearing gold and silver, and preaching to give him more money, not only would I not give to that church, I would leave all together.

Jesus DID talk about Tithes and Offerings, but not just money. Matthew 6

1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Mark 10:27-31

27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,

30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Now remember when someone came to Him and said that His Mother, brothers and Sisters desired to see him? He looked around and said "THESE are my Mothers, Brothers, and Sisters," meaning all the people there. If you give up your selfishness and all you you hold to yourself, you gain all those that are in God's Family. You receive THEIR families, houses and lands. These are all material things here, not that much of a concern for God, he is more concerned in what happens with your Soul.

Then Luke 11: 9-13

9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Holy Spirit that will Comfort you, guid you, help yoy, and remind you of all things.

Romans 8:28

28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

There is one of the main keys. God calls you. You have a plan and a purpose. He guarantees that He will make sure you have all things you need for that plan and purpose.

He promises your NEEDS will be met. But, sorry, God is not the Lottery. He is not the Stock Market. You SHOULD give your 10 percent. That is a Spiritual Law. If you chose to, you can give more of your own freewill. He WILL reward you. He may not give you Millions of dollars, He KNOWS what you will do with it. But He WILL bless you in many ways that are beyond your belief. It may not be the way you expect, but it will be the way you need most.

So the next time you hear a Preacher get up on a stage, behind a TV Camera, or on the Radio, with a Bible in one hand, and a mic in the other, and start telling you that you MUST give thousands of dollars to him and his Church, sit back, think about it, and know that NOW you know the truth. Just like many other things, we do NOT need government protecting us from ourselves. You chose to give all you have, it's YOUR choice. No one else's.
Peter

Quick Check In 123007

Hey folks,

Just a quick note. I will not be here, Monday 123107, nor will I be here 010108. I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year and will rejoin you on Wednesday January 2, 2008. Can you believe that 07 is gone already? You know, every time I look for and try to apply the break, time just speeds up.

Monday I will be sharing with you another insight and a really heartwarming story by Dr. Laura. Then you will see my New Year wishes to you and yours on Tuesday. But fret not, as I said I’ll be back in “The Chair” on Wednesday, were will pick up where we left off. I’ll be right back for the Sunday Edition of the OPN, and then I will see you all on Wednesday. Be safe, do NOT drink and drive. Start off the new year right. Not in jail, or dead.
Peter

Presidential Radio Address For Saturday 122907

President Bush: "Good morning. New Year's Day will soon be upon us, and with it will come New Year's resolutions. This weekend is a good time to give thanks for our blessings -- and to resolve to do better in the coming year.

One of our greatest blessings as Americans is that we live in a country with a growing economy -- where people can pursue their dreams, turn ideas into enterprises, and provide for their families. It is a measure of our economy's resilience that even with high oil prices and softness in the housing market, we're still growing. In November, our economy added jobs for the 51st straight month, making this the longest period of uninterrupted job growth on record. Unemployment is a low 4.7 percent. Exports are up. And the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

Economic statistics are important indicators. Yet it is more important to remember that behind all these numbers are real people. These people include the entrepreneurs who live their dreams by starting up new businesses. These people include small business owners who create most of the new jobs in our economy. And most of all, these people include the tens of millions of working moms and dads whose jobs provide for their families.

I know that even in this growing economy some of you have real concerns. Some of you worry about your ability to afford healthcare coverage for your families. Some of you are concerned about meeting your monthly mortgage payments. Some of you worry about the impact of rising energy costs on fueling your cars and heating your homes. You expect your elected leaders in Washington to address these pressures on our economy and give you more options to help you deal with them. And I have put forth several proposals to do so.

In the last month, Congress has responded to some of my initiatives. They passed a good energy bill, they passed a temporary patch to protect middle class families from the burden of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and they passed a law that will help protect families from higher taxes when their lenders reduce their mortgage debt. But this is only a start. Congress needs to do more to decrease America's dependence on oil. Congress needs to pass legislation that will help make health care coverage more affordable for small businesses and workers who buy their own policies. And Congress needs to act quickly on the rest of my proposals to help families struggling with rising mortgage payments keep their homes.

Most of all, we need to set a good example in Washington by being careful with your money. I'm disappointed that leaders in Congress sent me a massive spending bill that includes about 9,800 earmarks. Earmarks are special interest items that are slipped into big spending bills like this one -- often at the last hour, without discussion or debate. Among the earmarks Congress approved was one for a prison museum and another for a sailing school. In the last election, congressional leaders ran on a promise that they would reform earmarks. They made some progress, but not nearly enough. So my Administration is reviewing options to address wasteful earmark spending.

As we address earmarks, we also must restrain spending, keep taxes low, and continue on a path towards a balanced budget. And that is what the budget I submit in February will do. You work hard for your money and to live within your means. As you provide for your families, the last thing you need is wasteful spending that will lead to a tax hike. My resolution for the New Year is this: to work with Congress to keep our economy growing, to keep your tax burden low, and to ensure that the money you send to Washington is spent wisely -- or not at all.

Thank you for listening, and Happy New Year."

From The Emails 122807

A Question For You

Hey folks,

It’s Friday, time to go to the Emails. OK, I have a question for you. I’m serious about this. I want you to take a few minutes, sit back, clear your mind, and REALLY think about this.

How many people, that have been in your life, have died?

Now I’m not talking about TV or Movie stars. Nor am I talking about obituaries you have seen. I mean people you actually have known. I did. My list is as follows.

1- Grandmother
2- Grandfather
3- Father
4- Uncle
5- Good Friend of mine.
6- Officer friend of mine. {In the line of Duty}
7- American Soldier friend of mine. {Iraq}
8- REALLY Good friend I only knew for 6 months, watched him die of cancer.

If there were any others, they were when I was young and really do not remember. I thought this was a lot. I really did. I know people that have NEVER lost anyone they know.

So sit back, and make a list......... OK, ready?

I got this in the Emails on Saturday, December 22, 2007 3:54 PM The only thing the sender could say about this, was “Fascinating.” I have to agree. Here it is.

Just a quick refresher course lest we forget what has happened to many"friends" of the Clintons

1-James McDougal - Clinton's convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparentheart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in KenStarr's investigation.

2 -Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop in Georgetown . The murder happened just after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

3- Vince Foster - Former White House counselor and colleague of HillaryClinton at Little Rock 's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

4- Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported tohave died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigationreported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshotwound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spokepublicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the peopleon the plane also died. A few days later the air Traffic controller committedsuicide.

5- C. Victor Raiser II- Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund raisingorganization died in a private plane crash in July 1992

6-Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director found deadin a hotel room in Little Rock , September 1992. Described by Clinton as a"Dear friend and trusted advisor".

7-Ed Willey - Clinton fund raiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woodsin VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on thesame day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the ovaloffice in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fundraising events.

8-Jerry Parks -Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team in Little Rock .Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock .Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton . He allegedlythreatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriouslyremoved from his house.

9-James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a"Black Book" of people which contained names of influential people who visitedprostitutes in Texas and Arkansas

10-James Wilson - Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hangingsuicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater.

11-Kathy Ferguson - Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was founddead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled asuicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she were goingsomewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in thePaula Jones lawsuit. Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness forPaula Jones.

12-Bill Shelton - Arkansas State Trooper and fiance of Kathy Ferguson.Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiance, he was found dead in June, 1994 of agunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site of his fiance.

13-Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton 's friend Dan Lassater, died by jumpingout a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicteddrug distributor.

14-Florence Martin - Accountant & s ub-contractor for the CIA, was related tothe Barry Seal Mena Airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshotwounds.

15- Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he wasArkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

16-Paula Grober - Clinton 's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 untilher death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.

17-Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter. Investigating Mena Airport andArkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparently, in themiddle of his investigation.

18- Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at Mena Airport with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise" was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993 in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

19-Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington , Virginia apartment balcony August 15,1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guaranty scandal.

20-Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised,nude body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.

21-Charles Meissner -Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huangspecial security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.

22-Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health CareAdvisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash.Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton 's advisory council personallytreated Clinton 's mother, stepfather and brother.

23-Barry Seal - Drug running pilot out of Mena Arkansas , death was noaccident.

24-Johnny Lawhorn Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton inthe trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found dead after his car hadhit a utility pole.

25-Stanley Huggins - Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a purportedsuicide and his report was never released.

26- Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fund raiser died March 1, 1994when his plane exploded.

27-Kevin Ives & Don Henry - Known as "The boys on the track" case. Reportssay the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep onrailroad tracks. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before beingplaced on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony couldcome before a Grand Jury.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:

28-Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck,7/88.

29-Keith McMaskle - Died stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

30-Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

31-Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump inApril 1989.

33-James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death wasdue to "natural causes".

34-Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his pickuptruck in June 1990.

35-Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives / Henry deaths. He was killed in aset-up robbery July 1989.

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD:
36 -Major William S. Barkley Jr.

37-Captain Scott J . Reynolds

38-Sgt. Brian Hanley

39-Sgt. Tim Sabel

40-Major General William Robertson

41-Col. William Densberger

42-Col. Robert Kelly

43-Spec. Gary Rhodes

44-Steve Willis

45-Robert Williams

46-Conway LeBleu

47-Todd McKeehan

Now I thought eight was a lot. How many did you get? Why am I posting this? Uh, one, it IS fascinating. Two, SHE, wants to be President. Now let’s leave any questions of any actual involvement out for a second. No proof, so just pure speculation. But let’s think about this. How many on your list, died in a plane accident? Me none. Clintons? I count at least 5, IN DIFFERENT PLANES.

I also love this one. 33-James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to "natural causes". I guess technically that is true, hard to live without your head.

How about this. Think about this one. Out of all those on your list, how many were Suicides? Me none. Clintons? I count at least 12. I love this one.15- Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death.

So let’s say all these people killed themselves. These were people closest to the Clintons. Is being close to the Clinton so bad that you off yourself? I do not know about you, but I have no desire to find out. Just something to think about as we head into the Weekend. See you Sunday.
Peter


Note: "From The Emails" is a weekly segment in the Friday edition of the OPNtalk Blog. If you care to send in News Articles, Comments, Stories, or anything else you may wish to share, please feel free to send it to opntalk@netscape.net and as always, you never know what you are going to see here.

Will Smith Is Right

Hey folks

Happy Thursday to you. OK, you all already know what I think about Celebrities and their opinions. I have talked about it for years, Their opinion does not count any more or less than anyone else. Just because they has been given a certain status, doesn’t mean they know more, or are more important than anyone out there that do other things for a living. Truth is, most of the time, unless they are reading a script, a lot of them are not all that intelligent, or that knowledgeable about current events. They spend years in make-believe, out of touch with what most deal with on a daily business. Yet, they feel that they are important, and that YOU must listen to what they say. However, sometimes they are right.

Now I do not follow gossip or the entertainment business all that much. I couldn’t really care less. If I like a movie, or a TV show, I like it. If not, I do not watch it. But my existence does not hang on what these people do or say. I do not care what they do after the camera turns off. I do not care who they sleep with, where they live, or what they think, or are told to think, about this or that. However, the sad thing is, MANY people do.

Now to Will Smith. Will made a statement that some took offense to. According to ABC, WPTF.TV 25 out of West Palm Florida, Will Smith Says Hitler Comments Misinterpreted

LOS ANGELES -- Will Smith is angry over celebrity gossip Web site articles that he says misinterpreted a recent remark he made in a Scottish newspaper about Adolf Hitler.

In a story published Saturday in the Daily Record, Smith was quoted saying: "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'Let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good."'

He is RIGHT!

Over the weekend, dozens of celebrity gossip Web sites posted articles about the comment, many saying that Smith believed that Hitler was a "good" person.

Typical.

In a statement, Smith said "it is an awful and disgusting lie." Smith said "Adolf Hitler was a vile, heinous vicious killer responsible for one of the greatest acts of evil committed on this planet."

Now you can like Will Smith, or not. You can actually listen to what he was saying, or you can allow others to dictate to you what he said and how he meant is. The truth is, when he said, "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'Let me do the most evil thing I can do today.' I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.'" he was right.

This is why people like Little Hitler, {Ahmadinejad} are so dangerous. They THINK they are doing good. They THINK they are doing what they are for their GOD. Jesus never compromised. His message was clear. It was not politically correct. It was not all inclusive. "Do whatever you what and follow whatever you like about what I say." Were not the words he preached. Therefore, His disciples did not compromise either.

NO "Holy Book" or "teachings" of any real Religion out there teaches, you can pick and chose what you want to follow. It's all or nothing. Either you are with them, or against them. Even most cults out there believe they are doing the right thing.

This is why negotiations with these people will NOT work. They will not compromise what they feel are directives from GOD. One of the BIG Liberal beliefs is to be all inclusive. To reason and compromise with people to come to an agreement that suits all. But the problem is, these types of people will NEVER do that. This is why they are so dangerous, and why the Libs do not get it. Another reason, THEY {Libs} are so dangerous, and should NOT be elected into power.
Peter

Reverend Compares Illegal Aliens TO Christ

Hey folks,

Happy Hump Day to you. Relax, only two days left until most of us get a break again. But let’s get to work. I saw this article yesterday when I wishing you all a Merry Christmas. THIS type of thing is NOT helping their cause. As a matter of fact, not only has it angered me, on CHRISTMAS, but it also will divide churches, further divide the country, and HURT the ILLEGAL Aliens cause. As well it should.

What I’m talking about is all those people that keep saying, as said to me, “What would Jesus do about Illegal Aliens? Would he help them, or would he have them locked up and deported?” The answer is simple. I’ll give it to you in a few minutes.

According to Reuters -Help for immigrants divides congregations

By Andrea Hopkins Tue Dec 25, 12:22 AM ET

He doesn't speak Spanish and has no idea what America should do about illegal immigration, but Rev. Larry Kreps knows he's now on a list somewhere of people willing to help illegal immigrants in a time of crisis.

WHAT CRISIS? They are to blame for their OWN situation. THEY CHOSE to come here illegally. They chose to break the law. The American people are done with that. The politicians got the message after three attempts to give them amnesty. Now there are nation wide crackdowns going on. As well there should be.

Make no mistake though folks, if the wrong person gets in the White House and the wrong people stay in power, we WILL have Amnesty faster than you can blink. It’s not over by a long shot.

It started out small enough. Months ago, a member of Kreps' suburban Ohio congregation was looking for a place where local Hispanics could meet, and Kreps offered some space at John Wesley United Methodist Church. A Sunday school lesson on immigration followed in August.

Days later, with just a phone call for warning, dozens of desperate immigrants fleeing a massive raid on a nearby poultry plant turned up on the church's doorstep, seeking sanctuary.

And Kreps decided to aid and abet.

Kreps let them in, and members of his overwhelmingly white congregation sprang into action. Some brought food, some set up space in the gym and a choir room for the immigrants to sleep.

SOME Members.

"Someone slipped me $100 to buy stuff," Kreps recalled as he stood in the now-quiet church kitchen where the meals were prepared. It was a tense night as scared families and Kreps himself worried police or federal agents might come knocking.

"I wasn't real clear legally whether authorities could come into a place of worship," he said. "But we saw it as 'What would Jesus do?' in the simplest way -- that you help first and you ask questions later."

ABSOLUTELY FALSE!

But helping illegal immigrants has become an unpopular business in America. On the presidential campaign trail, Republican and Democratic candidates alike have backed down from any previous support for illegal immigrants, and ordinary Americans are treading just as carefully in the face of a growing backlash against the 12 million people here illegally.

BECAUSE they are CRIMINALS.

One-third of Americans want to deprive illegal immigrants of social services, including schooling and emergency health care, a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll showed this month.

STOP! {Sigh} As you can see, I’m getting tired of all this bunk. I really am. Americans do not want to DEPRIVE anyone, anything. What we want is to NOT reward CRIMINALS. What we want, is to enforce the law. What we want is these Illegal Aliens to be Immigrants and come here LEGALLY.

DIVIDED CONGREGATION

The political stalemate over immigration in America and stepped-up raids to deport undocumented workers has pushed the everyday crisis of illegal immigration into the hands of people like Kreps.

Who is aiding and abetting. Which makes HIM and those like him, criminals.

Susan Woodward, 54, helped feed the scared families who stayed at John Wesley church for two days. But she knows not everyone in the congregation thought the church should be helping people they view as illegals. As a result, outreach then and in the days since has been done quietly.

"It's tricky. Things are being done unobtrusively, gently. The people who feel strong about giving support are doing it, but not drawing attention because they don't want to create more conflict for the people they are trying to help."

Or themselves.

Sylvia Castellanos, who works for the Coalition for the Rights and Dignity of Immigrants, is slowly working her way through churches in Ohio, offering information sessions for congregations about the plight of illegal immigrants.

She said church leaders so far have all welcomed the dialogue, but churchgoers who attend the sessions are not always as inviting.

"We live in this area which is very conservative and people who come to these events sometimes follow stereotypes," Castellanos said. "But it is good for them to come with their concerns, to have that dialogue."

There are NO stereotypes. You break the law, you are a criminal. You go somewhere you do not belong, you do not get what that place has. If I see, “Warning, no trespassing.” and I decide to go there anyway and take things from that place, I have just committed TWO crimes. I trespassed , and committed theft. Someone that decided to hide me from the cops looking for me, has just committed a crime. If the cops find me, both me and the one helping me WILL go to jail. Rightfully so. Why should ILLEGAL ALIENS be any different?

SHOULD BE IN JAIL

Dialogue can be difficult at First United Methodist Church in Hamilton, Ohio. Just seven miles from John Wesley, First United is within the border of Butler County, home to the poultry plant that was raided.

Debate over immigration has raged in Butler County, where an influx of immigrants has brought Mexican grocery stores and bakeries. Opponents say Hispanics bring crime, put strains on schools or hospitals, and take American jobs.

Which, like it or not, is ALL true. Not to mention them just BEING there has brought crime to the area. The are there ILLEGALLY.

The First United congregation is conflicted.

"I would say we're fairly evenly split," said Rev. Kenn Barton. "We have some people who see it in terms of legality ... 'They're illegal so we can't have them in our church. They don't have to come to worship because they should be in jail, or back in their country."'

EXACTLY. I also am willing to bet that the church is not as “evenly split, as the Rev says.

Barton is trying to broker change through education and a focus on God's love, but treads carefully. Even discussing the issue is sensitive, and Barton apologizes when members of his congregation opposed to illegal immigration refuse to discuss it with an outsider.

They should leave the church.

"It's tough," he said. "I tend to try to go slow."

THIS is what put me over the top. Get this.

John Wesley pastor Kreps said he, too, is still struggling to reconcile all the issues around illegal immigration as he waits for more scared families to show up on his doorstep. In the meantime, he's thinking about another long-ago family struggling to find shelter.

"Of course we're coming into Christmas and the question: 'Is there room at the inn?'," Kreps said. "I'd rather be someone who makes room somewhere."

He just compared Illegal Aliens to Jesus. What a completely idiotic, outrageous, and completely bogus statement. Let’s educate Mr. Kreps shall we?

Joseph and Mary, were NOT in Bethlehem illegally.

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luke 2

There was no room at the Inn, because EVERYONE was coming into town to be taxed. There were a lot of people there for that reason. No one was trying to reject them, or not give them room. There was simply, no room.

Now to answer the question, “What would Jesus do?” He would forgive the Illegal Alien, YET, it would be for his Soul. It is a Spiritual matter. If an Illegal Alien would come up to Jesus, first, the Illegal’s Soul would have to be right. He would have to ASK for forgiveness and Repent, or turn away from the sin he was committing. This means STOP DOING IT. Then Jesus would forgive them.

However, Jesus NEVER advocated to ANYONE, that they should break the laws of the land. When asked if the Saints should pay tax, which most felt were oppressive he said, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's” Matthew 22:21

When the two criminals were hanging on the Cross, one to his left, and one to his right, they, in essence, asked for forgiveness. He said they would join him in Paradise. But they still died for the payment of their crimes.

Jesus deal with the Spirit of man, not the laws or the land. He did not have the authority, nor was he even interested in pardoning someone from the Laws they violated. But His concern was to make their Spirit right, to go before God, when their time came.

Sorry Rev., but Jesus would NOT have seen these people as oppressed, hated, or in need of pardoning. He would not have hid them from those attempting to enforce JUST laws of the land. He would have told them to go back to their countries and do the right thing, hence, Sin no more. He would forgive them, but would not allow them to continue Sinning.

So the next time someone says to you, “What would Jesus do?” Take a little time and find out for yourself, what Jesus WOULD do, and then, tell them the truth.
Peter

Merry Christmas To All

Merry Christmas, happy Holidays to all. Wishing you nothing but the best this Holiday Season, and all the year through.

Sincerely,

Peter, Laura and of course, Joshua.

The True Reason for the Season.

Hey folks,

You cannot talk about Christmas, without talking about God. Nor can you truly understand the meaning of the season, without talking about Jesus. So if the Bible, Jesus, God, or anything that could be deemed "religious" offends you. STOP READING THIS NOW. If not, read on.

It’s Christmas Eve. "All through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse." Well, that’s not exactly true. All the Moms and Dads are stirring, while they play Santa. Getting things ready for the big day. Getting the things ready for the kiddies when they get up. To further the magic that IS Christmas morning.

But is this all that it is about? Is Christmas just a time for family and friends to give gifts? To go into debt trying to out do the year before? Or is there another reason? A more import one. One that MADE Christmas? The REAL reason for the season.

From the beginning of time man’s heart has been evil. From the Garden to Noah’s day, man did and invented many evil things. This made God so discussed that He sought to destroy what he had made. But Noah found favor in the eyes of God. Because of this one man, God spared mankind through him, his wife, their sons and their wives.

After the flood. Noah thanked God for sparing him and his family, and in essence, mankind it self, through burnt offerings.

Gen 8:21

21And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

God was so pleased with Noah, that he told him of this, and made a covenant, a promise, to him.

Gen 9:13-16

13I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

14And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

15And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

16And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.

So every time you look up in the sky, and see a rainbow, you are actually seeing the manifestation and physical evidence of this covenant between God and Noah. So since God cannot lie, will never go back on HIS word, he is BOUND to allow us to exist no matter if we deserve it or not.

But man, being man, continued to be evil, and do wicked things. So God created laws. The were not followed. God sent prophets. They were ignored. God talked to man directly. Few listened. So what was God to do? He cannot destroy us utterly again because of His promise. So,

John 3:16,17

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Hence the beginning of the very first Christmas.

Story of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-25

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Now to fully understand the importance of His Birth, you MUST fully understand His life, and most importantly, His death, yet rather, His resurrection.

During His life He preached love and humbleness. He healed the sick, gave hearing to the death, and let the blind see. He preached life eternal, and the peace of a one on one relationship with God the Father of all. He was rejected as were all the prophets before Him. As God’s word. He was arrested, beaten, and hung on the Cross. He fulfilled all to bear YOUR sins, sickness, and diseases. He shed His blood for yours. He died so that you may live. Then,

Jesus Risen Matthew 28


1In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

8And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

9And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

10Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

11Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

12And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

13Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.

15So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

16Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

17And when they saw him, they worshiped him: but some doubted.

18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

20 "Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Now you can get hung up on the stupidity of this,"Is this the right time of year?", "Could the birth took place some other time?" stuff if you want to. But this really does not matter. We have set this time aside to remember the greatest gift of all. Sent by God, through His flesh, Jesus, to allow ANYONE who simply receives His gift to be forgiven of Sin, pardoned of death, and to have life everlasting.

So just keep in mind, that while you a battling it out in the stores for the last {Insert the big thing this year here}, while you are depressed because you cannot get much to give, stress out about all the "Holiday" stuff, the REAL reason for the season is just waiting to hear,

"Oh Heavenly Father Lord God. I’m a sinner. I cannot change that. But I know you can. I have heard of Jesus coming to earth and dying for MY sins. I pray that you forgive me Lord. I ask you to come into my life, and set me free. I repent my sins and give myself to you this day. In the name of Jesus, Amen."

If you say this prayer in your own words and by your own belief, you WILL receive the greatest gift of all. Yes folks, it IS just that simple. You have to do nothing. Simply accept. THIS is the reason for the season. The birth of the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. The opportunity for all, that includes you and me, to receive that of which we can NEVER earn. The grace, mercy, and unconditional love of God.

So decorate your tree. Get your gifts. {Try to stay in your budget. Trust me, I speak from experience.} Spend time with your loved ones, and remember, no matter what you hear, how you hear it, what anyone says, if it were NOT for Jesus, there would be no such thing as Christmas

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.
Peter

Person Of The Year?

Hey folks,

Good morning and Merry Christmas Eve. I caught this yesterday, simply ran out of time. I’ll admit I had no clue. I guess I’m not alone. I found out about this by Bloomberg. com. Apparently, according to Rasmussen Reports, only 42 % of you DID know.

Forty-two percent (42%) of American voters know that Vladimir Putin was selected as Time Magazine's Person of the Year. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 14% thought Al Gore won the award, 9% thought someone else was selected, and 35% were not sure.

Gee, I wonder why this was not a bigger deal. Remember who the Person Of The Year was last year? Me {Smile} Yup. Me, and you. Bloggers. DB Posters, ETC.

However, Americans were not enamored with the selection. When asked who they would have selected, just 4% named Putin. Only 20% of American voters have a favorable opinion of the Russian leader while 59% have an unfavorable view. Twenty-one percent (21%) believed he has helped Russia while 43% say he has hurt the nation.

He wants to bring back the Soviet Union. He has threatened to revive the Cold War. Person of the Year?

Bloomberg. com reported it this way.

Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin was named Time's ``Person of the Year'' for bringing his country ``roaring back to the table of world power,'' the magazine said on its Web site.

By threatening Cold War?

Putin, 55, who has said he may become Russia's prime minister after stepping down as president next year, has helped lead the country back to stability ``at significant cost to the principles and ideas that free nations prize,'' Richard Stengel, the magazine's managing editor, wrote in an article explaining the choice.

I would not be surprised if he DOESN’T step down.

``With dauntless persistence, a sharp vision of what Russia should become and a sense that he embodied the spirit of Mother Russia, Putin has put his country back on the map,'' Stengel wrote.

Remember folks, there are some HERE saying that THEY want to bring THIS country to what they feel it should become. With is just as much Socialism as the old Soviet Union. This may be why Putin was selected.

Time, owned by Time Warner Inc., started the annual ``Person of the Year'' cover story in 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, the aviator who made the first solo trans-Atlantic flight. Last year, Internet users behind the self-made content on Web sites such as Google Inc.'s YouTube.com won the honor.

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Prize winner, ``Harry Potter'' author J.K. Rowling, Chinese President Hu Jintao and David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, were named runners-up, the magazine said.

Time's nomination ``is not a recognition of Putin's positive impact,'' political analyst Yevgeny Volk of the Heritage Foundation in Moscow said by telephone. ``Many people have been named who played a rather controversial role,'' he said.

I’ll admit I did not know this either. Get this., they seem to have ALWAYS liked Tyrants.

Past winners include Adolf Hitler in 1938 and Josef Stalin in 1939 and 1942. Other Soviet and Russian leaders named Person of the Year by Time include Nikita Khrushchev in 1957, Yury Andropov in 1983 and Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987 and 1989.

``It's certainly a recognition of Putin's impact on domestic and world politics,'' Volk added. ``He really plays a big role in shaping the Russian political landscape and influencing international policy.''

I guess the truth is I did not know, because I really do not care. But it is interesting. Slate. com - Nation, world headlines Russian leader is time’s person of the year

NEW YORK — Russian President Vladimir Putin was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” on Wednesday for imposing stability that restored Russia as a world power.

The magazine recognized Putin’s “extraordinary feat of leadership in taking a country that was in chaos and bringing it stability,” said Richard Stengel, Time’s managing editor.

The magazine noted that “Person of the Year” is not an honor or endorsement but a recognition of leadership that shapes the world.

Sorry, but I give out the Idiot award for Idiots. Or those that have Idiotic moments. If I were going to award someone for the Person of the year, I would someone for positive reasons. But I’m not a lib.
Peter

Sources:
Rasmussen Reports - Person of the Year: Democrats Would Have Picked Gore, Republicans Rice or Petraeus
Bloomberg - Russia's Putin Is Named Time's `Person of the Year' (Update2)
Slate. com - Nation, world headlines Russian leader is time’s person of the year

H.S. For Sunday 122307

Picture THIS Times Thousands

Hey folks,

Here is even more reasons that those who feel Universal Healthcare is so great, to think about it. This is from the AP - Calif. family blames HMO in girl's death By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer

The family of a 17-year-old leukemia patient blamed Cigna Corp. on Friday for her death, saying the health insurance giant's initial refusal to pay for a liver transplant contributed to her death.

You think?

"They took my daughter away from me," said Nataline Sarkisyan's father, Krikor, with tears in his eyes at a news conference at his lawyer's office.

The Philadelphia-based insurer had initially refused to pay for the procedure, saying it was experimental. The company reversed the decision Thursday as about 150 nurses and community members rallied outside of its office in Glendale in suburban Los Angeles. Nataline died just hours later.

They did not only say it was experimental, they said that she would most likely not be helped by it. These were not Doctors that made this decision. It was those in the finantal offices.

The insurer "maliciously killed" Nataline because it did not want to bear the expense of her transplant and aftercare, said family attorney Mark Geragos. He did not say when or in what court he would file the civil lawsuit.

Geragos also said he would ask the district attorney's office to press murder or manslaughter charges against Cigna, an allegation that one legal expert described as difficult to prove and "a little bit of grandstanding."

Why not, if they agreed to pay for it, she may have been saved. Greed killed her.

A district attorney's office spokeswoman declined to comment, saying it would be inappropriate to do so until Geragos submits evidence supporting his request.

The family's "loss is immeasurable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them," Cigna said in a news release Friday. "We deeply hope that the outpouring of concern, care and love that are being expressed for Nataline's family help them at this time."

Won't bring her back, now will it?

Nataline was diagnosed with leukemia at 14 and received a bone marrow transplant from her brother the day before Thanksgiving. She later developed a complication that caused her liver to fail. She was in a vegetative state for some time, her mother Hilda said.

Nataline was taken off life support at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center on Thursday, her mother said. Nataline died within the hour.

In a Dec. 11 letter to Cigna, four doctors had appealed to the insurer to reconsider. They said patients in similar situations who undergo transplants have a six-month survival rate of about 65 percent.

One of Nataline's doctors, Robert Venick, declined to comment on her case. UCLA Medical Center staff refused to make her other doctors available for comment.

The case raised the question among at least one medical expert over whether a liver transplant is a viable option for a leukemia patient because of the immune-system-suppressing medication such patients must take to prevent organ rejection.

Such medication, while preserving the transplanted liver, could make the cancer worse.

Transplantation is not an option for leukemia patients because the immunosuppressant drugs "tend to increase the risk and growth of any tumors," said Dr. Stuart Knechtle, who heads the liver transplant program at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and was not commenting specifically on Nataline's case.

The procedure "would be futile," he said.

Should say, COULD have been. There is evidence to the contrary.

So they said no, we will not pay for it. She died right after they changed their mind. Too little, too late. So now take this case and multiply it by thousands and possibly MILLIONS. Let's say we are stupid enough to elect a Socialist to be President. Let's say they create and inact Universal Healthcare. Now you get sick. It will not, just like this case, be the Doctors that are treating you, to decide what treatment you get, or DON'T get. It will be the government. Do you REALLY want that?

Let's look at welfare. If you happen to be a minority, or an Illegal, you are taken care of. What if you are White? Not so much. Let's look at failures in just about ANY government run programs. So now they control who, when, how, and why, YOU get medical care. Do you REALLY think this will be any different?

All you have to do, as I have said many times, is look at Universal Healthcare ANYWHERE it is active. It does not work. Why do you think you have all these people coming HERE to get Healthcare?

What if you could come up with enough money to get a major operation done by the best Doctors on the face of the planet? Under a government run, Universal Healthcare, you couldn't do it with ANY amount of money. THEY will tell you when, where, why, and how. Where are you going to go now? Wherever they tell you.

You think HMOs are money hungry? They make bad decisions? Wait until the government get's involved.
Peter

IWA For Sunday 122307

Hey folks,

It's SUNDAY! Time for the IWA. This weeks winner just boggles my mind. The fact that anyone is EVER going to even think about buying her new book boggles it even further. Parent of the year? Well, if Putin can get Time's Person Of The Year, then I guess she may qualify.

Yes, of course I'm talking about Lynne Spears. Mother of Britany and Jamie Lynn Spears. So what's my problem with her? What's not? Truth is folks, Britany and Jamie Lynn are in the situations they are in BECAUSE of HER. She failed as a parent, but that's just the beginning.

Now I understand some of you out there for compassion sake, or just have no clue what it is to be a parent, may have a problem with this one, but it doesn't change the fact that Lynne Spears IS to blame.

Remember when Britany first came out. Sweet, innocent, little girl with a couple of hit songs? Then BAM! At an awards show, she ripped off her cloths, well, the rest is history. Kid after kid, drugs, alcohol, running around without panties flashing everyone. Back on Nov. 9, 2007, MSNBC -Lynne Spears takes blame for Brit’s troubles

NEW YORK - Lynne Spears say she’s responsible for her daughter Britney’s troubles.

“I blame myself,” she tells Life & Style Weekly magazine.

“What mother wouldn’t?”

EXCELLECT! Taking credit. She got a lot of support for this. People had great compassion on her for taking credit.

“I wish I’d been there more while she was touring,” Spears says. “But I couldn’t be. I had the other kids to look after.”

Did a great job with Jamie, don't you think?

Spears, the mother of three children with ex-husband Jamie Spears, is writing a memoir about raising her family in the public eye. “Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World” is set for release May 11, which is Mother’s Day.

That's not a joke folks. As a matter of fact, according to US Magazine - Yes, It's True: Lynne Spears to Write Parenting Book

Britney Spears’ mother Lynne Spears is writing a book on parenting for Christian publisher Thomas Nelson, Usmagazine.com has confirmed.

Christian? What is Christian about the way she par,,make that FAILED in parenting these two girls?

“We’ve signed her to a deal,” a spokesman for Thomas Nelson tells Us. The book, which will be coming out next Mother’s Day is titled Pop Culture Mom: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.

“It’s a parenting book that’s going to have faith elements to it. I don’t think it’s totally been written yet,” says the publisher’s rep, who expects the manuscript by December.

{Sigh} Back to MSNBC

“I didn’t raise my children to have Hollywood careers. This all just exploded in my face, and big dreams became big headaches,” says Spears, who recently reconciled with her 25-year-old pop singer-daughter after a period of estrangement.

So HOW did they get into the business? Did someone sneak up to the bathroom window while Britany was singing in the shower and say, SHE has to sing? OH YEAH, it was Mickey Mouse. Wasn't she on the MMC? Who got her in the business MS. Spears? Did you object? Most likely the same amount you object to all the money you are making off your kids.

As a matter of fact, EVERYTHING you seem to do, is an attempt to make MORE money off your kids. What about this? According to IMDB - Lynne Spears

This 2004 TV-movie is based on Britney and Lynne Spears' novel "A Mother's Gift", and was co-executive-produced by the pair. The heroine, Texan teenager Holly Lovell (played by Lindsey Haun), is an aspiring singer and Britney fan - she has a poster of the notorious pop princess on her bedroom wall and Ms Spears' song "Stronger" appears on a number of occasions and in several guises.

This was all about Britany. This was all about Lynne Sprears. I guess you can now do a novel about a teen TV start that gets pregnant at 16. Right?

So you, Ms Spears, said you could not take care of Britany because you had other kids to raise. So, let's talk about Jamie Lynn. You are pushing for another cut of big money, uh, I mean, you are helping your underage daughter further her career in TV. How did SHE get in the business? Anyway you also said that you have no idea how she got pregnant because she doesn't break curfew.

So let me get this straight. You set a curfew for you 16 year old daughter, when she is not bringing in more money for you, yet you allow her to date an 18 year old? Is that not statutory rape in you state? Are you planning on doing anything about that?

Now folks, I realize that Jamie will not be fired from Nic. They will exploit this for all they can get out of it. I know that Lynne will not do anything about the ADULT getting her child pregnant. I also know that the Mass Media LOVES this stuff.

A comment is still ringing in the back of my head from Greg Moseley, 18, said he was sick of hearing the name Jamie Lynn Spears. “Why do we care about Britney Spears’s little sister?” Mr. Moseley said. “Why does it make a difference? What does it mean? Nothing.”

EXCELLENT POINT! We as a society tend to do this all the time. We allow some of these dysfunctional stars to dictate to us what WE should think, how we should act, ETC. It's like, "I played a Doctor on TV so I know about this situation and you must listen to me." Or "I played the President, so I know about foreign policy." "I'm and Actor who is sick, so you must listen to me." ETC.

Who cares? Apparently, and sadly, a lot people. So when one of these "Stars" start having a bad influence, they should be corrected or removed from being able to do any more harm.

But in these cases, Britnay and Jamie, who;s to blame? Lynne Spears. Plain and simple. She even admitted it. Congratulations Ms. Spears, for caring more about what your daughters can do for you, fortune and fame wise, then you do about your daughters well being, you ARE the Idiot of the Week. Good luck on your new book.
Peter

Source:
OPNTalk - Tell Me Again Why I’m Wrong
MSNBC - Lynne Spears takes blame for Brit’s troubles
US Magazine - Yes, It's True: Lynne Spears to Write Parenting Book
IMDB - Lynne Spears