Malott's Blog

2012-01-25T16:47:00.002-05:00

The Conservatives' Clinton

Democrats still capable of experiencing shame... And they are becoming fewer in number every day... Didn't like the way Bill Clinton behaved around women. But they loved the way he could stick it to the Republicans.

Conservatives are torn right down the middle concerning Newt Gingrich. Some simply can't live with his past indiscretions, but they all love the way he verbally skewers the people and policies that are disfiguring this once beautiful nation.

Democrats are apoplectic in their hatred for Gingrich because he is so good at denuding their icons. They say they hate him because he is a womanizing scoundrel.

But I figure it this way... If clean cut, family man, and Boy Scout Mitt Romney were laying the same blows to The Left, The Dems would hate him just as much.

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2012-01-18T12:42:00.000-05:00

Tebow

Got this from my half-brother John.

Tim Tebow Foundation Tim Tebow with Jacob Rainey, one of the many people dealing with health problems Tebow hosted at Broncos games this season.

I've come to believe in Tim Tebow, but not for what he does on a football field, which is still three parts Dr. Jekyll and two parts Mr. Hyde.
No, I've come to believe in Tim Tebow for what he does off a football field, which is represent the best parts of us, the parts I want to be and so rarely am.
Who among us is this selfless?
Every week, Tebow picks out someone who is suffering, or who is dying, or who is injured. He flies these people and their families to the Broncos game, rents them a car, puts them up in a nice hotel, buys them dinner (usually at a Dave & Buster's), gets them and their families pregame passes, visits with them just before kickoff (!), gets them 30-yard-line tickets down low, visits with them after the game (sometimes for an hour), has them walk him to his car, and sends them off with a basket of gifts.
Home or road, win or lose, hero or goat.
Remember last week, when the world was pulling its hair out in the hour after Tebow had stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers with an 80-yard OT touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas in the playoffs? And Twitter was exploding with 9,420 tweets about Tebow per second? When an ESPN poll was naming him the most popular athlete in America?
Tebow was spending that hour talking to 16-year-old Bailey Knaub about her 73 surgeries so far and what TV shows she likes.

"Here he'd just played the game of his life," recalls Bailey's mother, Kathy, of Loveland, Colo., "and the first thing he does after his press conference is come find Bailey and ask, 'Did you get anything to eat?' He acted like what he'd just done wasn't anything, like it was all about Bailey."
More than that, Tebow kept corralling people into the room for Bailey to meet. Hey, Demaryius, come in here a minute. Hey, Mr. Elway. Hey, Coach Fox.
Even though sometimes-fatal Wegener's granulomatosis has left Bailey with only one lung, the attention took her breath away.
"It was the best day of my life," she emailed. "It was a bright star among very gloomy and difficult days. Tim Tebow gave me the greatest gift I could ever imagine. He gave me the strength for the future. I know now that I can face any obstacle placed in front of me. Tim taught me to never give up because at the end of the day, today might seem bleak but it can't rain forever and tomorrow is a new day, with new promises."
I read that email to Tebow, and he was honestly floored.

"Why me? Why should I inspire her?" he said. "I just don't feel, I don't know, adequate. Really, hearing her story inspires me."

It's not just NFL defenses that get Tebowed. It's high school girls who don't know whether they'll ever go to a prom. It's adults who can hardly stand. It's kids who will die soon.
For the game at Buffalo, it was Charlottesville, Va., blue-chip high school QB Jacob Rainey, who lost his leg after a freak tackle in a scrimmage. Tebow threw three interceptions in that Buffalo game and the Broncos were crushed 40-14.
"He walked in and took a big sigh and said, 'Well, that didn't go as planned,'" Rainey remembers. "Where I'm from, people wonder how sincere and genuine he is. But I think he's the most genuine person I've ever met."

There's not an ounce of artifice or phoniness or Hollywood in this kid Tebow, and I've looked everywhere for it.

Take 9-year-old Zac Taylor, a child who lives in constant pain. Immediately after Tebow shocked the Chicago Bears with a 13-10 comeback win, Tebow spent an hour with Zac and his family. At one point, Zac, who has 10 doctors, asked Tebow whether he has a secret prayer for hospital visits. Tebow whispered it in his ear. And because Tebow still needed to be checked out by the Broncos' team doctor, he took Zac in with him, but only after they had whispered it together.
And it's not always kids. Tom Driscoll, a 55-year-old who is dying of brain cancer at a hospice in Denver, was Tebow's guest for the Cincinnati game. "The doctors took some of my brain," Driscoll says, "so my short-term memory is kind of shot. But that day I'll never forget. Tim is such a good man."
This whole thing makes no football sense, of course. Most NFL players hardly talk to teammates before a game, much less visit with the sick and dying.
Isn't that a huge distraction?

Stephanie Taylor Not everything Tim Tebow does on one knee is controversial. Ask Zac Taylor.

"Just the opposite," Tebow says. "It's by far the best thing I do to get myself ready. Here you are, about to play a game that the world says is the most important thing in the world. Win and they praise you. Lose and they crush you. And here I have a chance to talk to the coolest, most courageous people. It puts it all into perspective. The game doesn't really matter. I mean, I'll give 100 percent of my heart to win it, but in the end, the thing I most want to do is not win championships or make a lot of money, it's to invest in people's lives, to make a difference."
So that's it. I've given up giving up on him. I'm a 100 percent believer. Not in his arm. Not in his skills. I believe in his heart, his there-will-definitely-be-a-pony-under-the-tree optimism, the way his love pours into people, right up to their eyeballs, until they believe they can master the hopeless comeback, too.
Remember the QB who lost his leg, Jacob Rainey? He got his prosthetic leg a few weeks ago, and he wants to play high school football next season. Yes, tackle football. He'd be the first to do that on an above-the-knee amputation.
Hmmm. Wonder where he got that crazy idea?
"Tim told me to keep fighting, no matter what," Rainey says. "I am.

Tim Tebow is a piece of work... I think I know Who did that work.

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2012-01-10T20:24:00.001-05:00

Heard this at Peter Heck's site and had to put it on my blog.

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2012-01-07T10:52:00.000-05:00

Faith and Time

One of the most interesting and universal characteristics of mankind is that it struggles to explain its existence. Atheistic science has come up with The Big Bang Theory which suggests that the components of the universe were once concentrated in an inconceivably dense glob of matter which subsequently exploded. Then on earth, the first living cell somehow came together and produced an ever evolving carbon based life.

But I've yet to hear an explanation of why there is a three dimensional universe composed of space, matter, and energy. It's a universe governed by the laws of cause and effect and yet what could be the cause of such a universe? Why does it exist? Where did the matter come from? We see its effects, but what caused it to be?

So much of what we see is in our universe is explained away by leaning upon time. The evolution of life took time. The light that reveals the existence and movement of galaxies took time to reach our eyes. But time does not create space or matter. Time does not create energy. Time causes us to look back at a cause and effect universe only to find that there is no explainable cause for what we see.

Time is the problem. It points forever backwards and begs for a beginning... And then asks, "What happened before that?"

I believe that when God created the universe, He created time... And that He exists independent of His time creation and physical laws. It's impossible for me to understand, but it's also impossible for me to imagine anything else.

And it's no accident of evolution that every culture on every part of the planet shares the need to explain its existence. We were created to worship and to glorify the Creator.

So I have Faith... because I know that I, and what I see are not independently possible... And all the time in the world can't alter that fact.

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2012-01-06T02:53:00.003-05:00

Is Jerry Sandusky Gay?

As you probably know, former Penn State Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky is rumored to have showered with, and forced himself sexually upon, young boys.

Does that mean he is gay?

I attended a Christian College, and when we studied Ancient Greece, Mary Renault's The Mask of Appolo was required reading. There was a fair number of homosexual relationships in the book, (they were handled tastefully) and the general rule was that the relationships consisted of an older man and a youth, or young boy.

I just think it's odd that no form of the word homosexual has ever been used in describing the activities of Jerry Sandusky when in fact it is homosexuality in the historical and classic sense. The ancient world was rampant with this kind of activity. And, it's what The North American Man/Boy Love Association (NAMBLA) is all about.

Now granted, the word heterosexuality would not be used in describing an older man molesting a young girl, but that is different. I know it's different because there is no North American Man/Girl Love Association, or NAMGLA.

You think maybe it's politically incorrect to associate Sandusky's activity with homosexuality?

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2012-01-02T09:32:00.000-05:00

Doomsday 2012

The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012. This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Various astronomical alignments and numerological formulae have been proposed as pertaining to this date, though none have been accepted by mainstream scholarship. (Harvard hasn't picked up on this?)

Professional Mayanist scholars state that predictions of impending doom are not found in any of the extant classic Maya accounts (But what do they know!), and that the idea that the Long Count calendar "ends" in 2012 misrepresents Maya history and culture.

As a life-long Mesoamerican, I am predicting that December 21st will be a happenin' Day! ...Eschatologically speaking... as I often do.

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2011-12-30T04:50:00.001-05:00

Cheetah is Dead

He was a star of the silver screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age, but Cheetah, the original chimpanzee sidekick in Johnny Weissmuller’s “Tarzan” movies of the early 1930s, passed away quietly Saturday at a Florida primate facility. He was believed to be 80 and succumbed to liver failure.

Though some reports disputed that this was the original Cheetah, the chimp’s amazing longevity — a normal lifespan is usually about 40 years — helped continue his celebrity as did the continuing popularity of the MGM “Tarzan” series that starred swimming champion Weissmuller as Edgar Rice Burroughs’ loincloth-clad “King of the Jungle.”

We've lost many great actors this year... Harry Morgan, Jane Russell, Elizabeth Taylor... And now Cheetah. I did a little research and learned that, in spite of an incredible body of work, Cheetah never received an Academy Award... Just like Cary Grant.

But we'll remember....

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2011-12-29T10:27:00.000-05:00

Ann Coulter on Illegals

Among the most effective measures against illegal immigration is E-Verify, the Homeland Security program that gives employers the ability to instantly confirm that their employees' Social Security numbers are legitimate. It is more than 99 percent accurate, and no employee is denied a job without an opportunity to challenge the records.

Although wildly popular with Americans -- including Hispanic Americans -- the business lobby hates E-Verify. Employers like hiring non-Americans because they can pay illegal aliens less and ignore state and federal employment laws.

Kowtowing to business (while pretending to kowtow to Hispanics), Ron Paul, Rick Perry and Rick Santorum oppose E-Verify. As a senator, Rick Santorum voted against even the voluntary use of E-Verify.

Only Michele Bachmann and Mitt Romney aren't trying to sneak through amnesty for illegal aliens. Both support E-Verify.

Coulter, shown above being interviewed by Peter Heck, feels that Obamacare and Illegal Immigration are the two issues in this election that will most effect the future of conservatism, and so the country. She is a Romney supporter.

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2011-12-25T07:16:00.001-05:00

Deathbeds and Foxholes

Merry Christmas to all the atheists in the world... Especially the tedious ones who try to replace my Christmas expressions with Happy Holidays, Winter Solstice, holiday tree, and all the rest.

In honor of your outrageous and stubborn refusal to believe in God, I've decided not believe in you.

Besides, there is evidence that you don't exist. I've heard that there are no atheists in foxholes. I've heard of famous atheists on there deathbed praying to some generic god or shaking their fist at Heaven.

Eternity is in the heart of every human being. And besides, I really think most atheists do not totally reject the concept of a Creator. It's the Lordship of Jesus that atheists reject... Many lukewarm believers reject His Lordship, too... You can tell because they live as if their lives are their own.

So, I don't believe in atheists.

And it's Jesus who ticks everybody off... Well, Jesus and Tim Tebow.

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2011-12-15T17:25:00.001-05:00

The Married Minority

The Wasington Post-- Just 51 percent of all adults who are 18 and older are married, placing them on the brink of becoming a minority, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census statistics to be released Wednesday. That represents a steep drop from 57 percent who were married in 2000.

In 1960... when most baby boomers were children, 72 percent of all adults were married.

I blame myself.

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2011-12-15T10:55:00.001-05:00

Rush and Greta

In this interview from the 14th, Limbaugh is allowed to speak uninterupted for about 30 minutes. He is allowed this format not because Greta is in any way conservative, but because Greta knows her ratings will skyrocket.

Limbaugh's words are music to conservative ears, and I wish more of our candidates possessed his conservative principles and the talent to express them this well.

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2011-12-14T12:31:00.004-05:00

It is the best tea (and most expensive) on the market. These are commercials that Rush Limbaugh listeners have made as part of a contest.

The Limbaugh owned company supports The Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation.

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2011-12-11T20:29:00.002-05:00

2011-12-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

Quote of the Day

In America recovery begins with a declaration of dependence on Almighty God. Recovery begins when we decide it's OK to offend a minority of people in order not to offend Almighty God.
--Andy Stanley.

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2011-12-03T19:25:00.000-05:00

Saturday Newt Fever

With Herman Cain suspending his campaign, I believe Newt Gingrich will gain supporters and achieve a double digit lead over Mitt Romney in national polls. Also, I would be surprised if Cain didn't end up endorsing Gingrich. This trend will most likely continue if other conservative candidates begin to drop out of the running.

Newt is saying the right things, mostly... But I still don't know who Newt is... Conservatives I trust aren't excited about his candidacy...

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2011-12-03T10:37:00.002-05:00

Sounds like a good idea... Then get rid of unions, ObamaCare, and federal regulations, and we should be headed towards full employment!

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2011-11-29T11:33:00.000-05:00

BIG

A friend of mine had worked for some time at Health and Human Services when a young technician, a black girl, was hired into the lab. My friend asked her to clean and sanitize a laboratory water bath and the black girl refused, claiming it was "maid's work." She added, "If you make me do work that is beneath me, I'll go straight to Blacks in Government (BIG) and there will be war!"

Choosing to avoid war, my friend cleaned the water bath.

I wasn't aware that there was a BIG. Evidently it's like an unofficial union that uses its influence to protect African Americans from having to clean and sanitize water baths... Or any other work they feel casts them in stereotypical roles. BIG was established in 1976... not exactly the heyday of racial discrimination.

My friend assured me that there is currently no organization called Whites in Government... or WIG.

However in just a few years, White-Americans, men and women of pallor, will be in the minority for the first time in our country's history. There will be no more playing the race card to intimidate Whitey. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Whitey will be a word that only Whitey will be allowed to use.

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2011-11-26T10:12:00.003-05:00

Head for the Hill, Barry-O!

When Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson accepted the reality that they could not effectively govern the nation if they sought re-election to the White House, both men took the moral high ground and decided against running for a new term as president. President Obama is facing a similar reality—and he must reach the same conclusion.

He should abandon his candidacy for re-election in favor of a clear alternative, one capable not only of saving the Democratic Party, but more important, of governing effectively and in a way that preserves the most important of the president's accomplishments. He should step aside for the one candidate who would become, by acclamation, the nominee of the Democratic Party: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Even though Mrs. Clinton has expressed no interest in running, and we have no information to suggest that she is running any sort of stealth campaign, it is clear that she commands majority support throughout the country. A CNN/ORC poll released in late September had Mrs. Clinton's approval rating at an all-time high of 69%—even better than when she was the nation's first lady. Meanwhile, a Time Magazine poll shows that Mrs. Clinton is favored over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney by 17 points (55%-38%), and Texas Gov. Rick Perry by 26 points (58%-32%).
--Democrat Pollsters Pat Caddell and Doug Shoen, Wall Street Journal

I cannot see Barry-O stepping aside for the good of the Party or the country. It is an interesting article and maybe Hillary would mop the floor with any of the Republican candidates. But Barry-O is all about... Barry-O. He will step aside for no one.

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2011-11-25T09:34:00.000-05:00

Irony of the Week

DirecTV has Planet Green Channel 286 placed immediately adjacent to The Military Channel 287.

It's sort of like Occupy Wall Street setting up their tents at Camp Lejeune.

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2011-11-20T17:25:00.001-05:00

Dear Ron...

What is it about squirrely little men from Texas with the initials RP?

First we had the egomaniacal Ross Perot whose third party candidacy coaxed a sufficient number of mental midgets away from George Senior in 92' to ensure the election of Reprobate-in-Chief Clinton, the fallout from which our culture will never fully recover. Now, evidently perennial candidate Ron Paul has fallen off the sanity wagon and is considering a third party run next fall.

That's swell Ron. This country won't survive another four years of Obama, but let's gratify those self-absorbed dreams of grandeur you harbor towards your celebrity and stroke that ego... The country be damned.

Look Ron... I get the Libertarian thing, and I think that it's healthy to hear that point of view in the debates. But at some point along the path you need to focus upon your chances of winning, and the unintended consequences of your third party candidacy. Ron, if you love your country you will stop threatening your country with a guarantee of 4 more years of cultural and economic decay... And you know that's what your third party run would mean. You need to do the right thing Ron, and endorse your party's nominee... And you know that your devoted followers (Theirs is not to reason why...) will do whatever you say. They're funny that way.

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2011-11-17T17:53:00.001-05:00

Changing Horses

June 10, 2011

WASHINGTON — The entire top echelon of Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign resigned on Thursday, a stunning mass exodus that left his bid for the Republican nomination in tatters. But the former House speaker vowed defiantly to remain a candidate.

NBC News confirmed the departures to Gingrich's team, including... campaign manager Rob Johnson, and strategist Dave Carney.

September 2, 2011

Texas Gov. Rick Perry today will announce top members of his presidential campaign staff, which this week moved into offices, in a former steam laundry at 8th and Congress, in downtown Austin: Rob Johnson, campaign manager; David Carney, chief strategist.

November 17, 2011

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers shows Gingrich with 32%... while Texas Governor Rick Perry grabs six percent (6%).

I have to wonder if Perry staffers Rob Johnson and David Carey are questioning their decision to dump Newt.

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2011-11-17T11:57:00.002-05:00

Dark Days, America, and Her Churches

SkyePuppy has a post with a cartoon representation of wealth redistribution, the Obama Doctrine, and the Occupy Wall Street mentality. It's very clever.

She closes: I'd say that 2013 can't come soon enough, but the politicians who have a track record of actually slashing government spending aren't the ones who are running. And the ones who are in the race have been ever so eager in the past to take away our candy and give it to Barry and the other kids in the neighborhood. I can't say I'm optimistic.

I know that many of our nation's problems are unprecedented, but the days seem no darker than the 60's and 70's when there were riots, our culture was turned upside down, fuel was scarce, and we faced double digit unemployment, interest rates, and inflation. But America rebounded in the Reagan years.

Today's challenge is that the federal government in Washington is tearing at the fabric and structure that made the Reagan rebound possible.

But my biggest fear is that churches in America have never been more worldly or compromised. The Bride of Christ is doing great, but she is more and more outnumbered on Sunday mornings by lukewarm believers who date Jesus on Sundays, but crawl into the world's bed the rest of the week. I fear that this may ultimately precipitate the lifting of God's hand from America, and then the entire world will suffer.

But I'm hopeful for two reasons.

America has rebounded before, and as long as we have the freedom to speak, our voices will be heard and the freedoms that made this country great may survive the present onslaught.

Also, I'm confident that The Church will survive, and even prosper in hard times. And if persecution comes, I believe even the worldly and lukewarm among us may revive and remember that there is a war going on. They may reject our ugly culture and stop spending three hours every night fraternizing with the enemy. We, the rich of the world who believe, may stop living as if our lives are our own. And as holiness and separation are once again spoken in our gatherings, we may become more spirit-filled and stronger than we have been in years.

Bring it on...

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2011-11-16T09:23:00.000-05:00

Eye of Newt

So who is this guy? Obviously he is the best "thinking on your feet" candidate on the stage at Republican debates. He seems to understand that any of the Republican candidates would be better than the trainwreck that currently infests The White House. And for now, he is sounding very conservative.

But if he gets the nomination, will he suddenly be revealed as just another Washington Insider that thinks the federal government is the answer to all our problems? Will he sound more like Lindsay Graham than Jim DeMint? Will he be the Newt of the 90's... Or will he be the ridiculous figure camped out on a couch with Nancy Pelosi discussing global warming?

Michelle Bachman is a better conservative. Mitt Romney is a better man. But Newt Gingrich is by far the best politician.

But who is this guy? Really?

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2011-11-12T08:34:00.001-05:00

Peter Heck

Obviously more than just a snappy dresser...

2011-11-10T11:22:00.000-05:00

Joe Paterno fired for Passing the Buck

Penn State fired a coach whose family donated more than $4 million to the university, helping fund scholarships, faculty positions and the construction of a library that bears his name.
Penn State fired a coach who was never accused by the NCAA of breaking its rules in 46 seasons, and whose players seemingly always graduated, fostering a belief that the Nittany Lions always did things the right way, even as other major college football programs' reputations were sullied by salacious scandals involving academic fraud and illegal booster benefits.

In 2002, then graduate assistant Mike McQueary alledgedly witnessed former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky subjecting a 10-year-old boy to anal intercourse in the shower room. He then reported the incident to Coach Paterno.

A source told ESPN's Schad that Paterno hopes to clarify what he was told by McQueary as soon as Thursday. According to the source, Paterno recalls McQueary "vaguely" referencing "fondling" or "touching" or "horsing around" by Sandusky and a youth. But Paterno never had the understanding that McQueary had witnessed a "sodomy" or "rape."

Evidently Paterno did exactly what the graduate assistant did - he told his superiors at the university about the alleged incident. The police were never contacted by the witness or his superiors. It was handled internally.

My guess? At the age of 76, Joe Paterno just couldn't handle something so ugly said about a friend he had coached with for years. And after all, though Sandusky was still associated with the football program, he was no longer coaching under Paterno. So Joe decided to let his superiors at the university handle it.

So Joe passed the buck, and yesterday, with no convictions in the case and Paterno's involvement still sketchy, the 84-year-old legend was fired. Joe Paterno did so many things the right way, and so many young men were made better because of him. But sadly, he will be remembered for a lapse of judgement late in his life.

"The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones".
- William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

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2011-11-07T23:35:00.001-05:00

Herman Cain and His Accusers

Isn't it amazing how easy it is in our culture to destroy a man. And we wonder why good men don't step up to serve.

I never jumped aboard the Cain Train, but I am saddened that a successful private citizen, a conservative black man that wants to serve the country he loves, could be so vulnerable to charges that can neither be proven nor refuted.

Sexual harassment is unique in that it is such an ugly, debasing, and mortifying accusation... And once tarred with it, lends its target to endless jokes and belittling comments. It strikes at a man's most valued possession... His dignity.

I don't know if you remember, but when Anita Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment... it was a large portion of the black community that stepped away from politics and generally called it a "he said, she said" situation. I wondered at the time if that was because they had seen their fill of racial stereotypes and bigotry surrounding black men and their sexuality. There is not a more despicable or hurtful example of a racist cliche or slur... And only a racial bigot would peddle it.

I believe conservatives will continue to believe in Mr Cain. Interestingly, it will be liberals who will easily and eagerly believe that he is just another negro male who can't be trusted with women... A child... an animal... a savage who can't control his sexual urges...

But when I look at the landscape of Herman Cain's life and consider what that life has been about, it's going to take more than one -single- documented accusation to make me question the man's character.

Sorry Mr Cain... You deserved better.

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2011-10-31T19:52:00.001-04:00

Quote of the Day

"They're going to come after me more viciously than they would a white candidate. And so, to use Clarence Thomas as an example, I'm ready for the same high-tech lynching that he went through -- for the good of this country."
--Herman Cain... May 15, 2011

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2011-10-31T17:22:00.003-04:00

"Where Da White Women?"
--Herman Cain

I assume they're white... I hope they're white! It makes a much more intriguing stereotypical accusation if they're white!

Yeah, I think we can stick a fork into Herman Cain... He's done. If you're a capable, smart, and conservative black man, you had better not be so uppity and presumptuous as to run for public office. Didn't we learn anything from Clarence Thomas?

And you can be certain that Cain is a Republican, because if he was a Democrat, the press would have crucified his accusers by now.

But I have to ask old Herman... Did you think these accusations weren't going to surface? Do you think maybe you should have addressed them 6 months ago?

Geez. Look, I hope this good man is a good man, and that his good name is restored... But if I was betting, I don't think he will recover... Innocent or not.

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2011-10-28T03:19:00.002-04:00

No Mo DNA Testing?

Mo Qaddafi was much more than just a snappy dresser. He was a survivor.

My question: Is he still a survivor? He seems like the type of guy who would have one or more "doubles" who would willingly (or under duress) take a bullet for the Big Guy. He had a whole lot of money and a whole lot of options.

Maybe one day soon a photo will emerge of a Qaddafi-esque gentleman on a St Barts beach. Maybe there will be sightings of Mo meeting Elvis on Union Avenue in Memphis? Will a man fitting his description be seen on the streets of Dearborn or at a Detroit Lions game?

Time will tell.

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2011-10-19T08:46:00.000-04:00

Young Democrats

A Party's philosophy of life is best understood by observing its youth.

2011-10-15T04:35:00.003-04:00

Closer to Home

Marian Malott is now a permanent resident at a nursing home which lies about a mile from my house. She no longer recognizes the streets of the town she has lived in for 60 years, but she still recognizes her family.

This is a picture I took of her last weekend with her new great-granddaughter. (Click to enlarge... Because you know you want to...)

When I visit her on warm days, I usually wheel her outside and out to the pond where we count the geese. She seems to have developed a new laugh... I think it's a little girl's giggle.

Mom was always a very generous woman... kind, friendly... But very proud.

But the Lord has been faithful and has sanctified her... and she is no longer proud. In fact I am confident that He is working miracles in her every day... as He polishes her up for the trip home.

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2011-10-07T17:27:00.002-04:00

Are You Ready for Some Football?

Good Old Boy Hank Williams Jr recently compared President Obama to Adolf Hitler on Fox and Friends, and subsequently lost his job singing before football games on ESPN.

This is the same ESPN that featured Keith Olberman as a football sports analyst when he was slandering George W Bush, calling him a war criminal, a liar, a mental dwarf, the "least informed person in the world," addled brained... And who said to Bush on national television, "Shut the hell up"... yes, that ESPN.

I get it... Obama is black... Obama is sacrosanct... Obama is an inviolable commodity. And the politically-correct Nazi-hypocrites at ESPN must bow to the new god, the new savior of all mankind... the president and liberal movement which labors to transform this nation into the failing, moribund state carcasses that populate Europe.

I get it...

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2011-10-05T09:18:00.000-04:00

Mondegreen for Wednesday

Manfred Mann's "Blinded By the Light...revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night."

I heard, "wrapped up like a douche, you know the runner in the night."

And I know I'm not alone.

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2011-10-01T13:54:00.001-04:00

Which Morgan Freeman Do You Like?

I like this Morgan Freeman better than the one that called the Tea Party racist last week.

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2011-09-30T15:16:00.001-04:00

My Best Biscuits

When the weather is cold I often get up and make biscuits from scratch and make either sausage or (more often) chipped beef gravy to ladle on top of them. My gravy is always good, but my biscuits sometimes don't "rise" to the occasion.

I had planned to get up early this morning and have home made biscuits and gravy with my coffee... But I slept later than I'd planned. So I hurried and was less meticulous in my biscuit making. I sort of measured the flour and baking powder, but guessed with the salt and shortening... And I spent less time blending in the shortening with my pastry knife. I did measure the buttermilk that outdated last spring, but didn't kneed the dough much... I just wasn't in the mood...

In the oven my biscuits raised beautifully.

I figure this: My Great-Grandmother Lawrence made biscuits most every day. (My Mother still dreams of them) She didn't measure anything and she probably didn't blend her shortening to perfection because she probably used a table knife, not the five blade pastry tool that I use... nor did she kneed the dough to death.

So I've decided that the next time I make biscuits I'll review the recipe on the label of my Clabber Girl Baking Powder tin... but I'll simply wing it from there and use my best judgement... I'll carelessly mix and kneed... and think of my Great Grandmother Lawrence... How she cooked for her husband Alonzo... Her beloved "Lonnie."

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2011-09-27T17:43:00.002-04:00

Must See Black and White

My understanding is that movies filmed in black and white require an artistry peculiar to the black and white film... an artistry that could not be appreciated if the movies were colorized. I think that's why many movie-buffs threw a fit and fought colorization. I think these are the same people that fought for the TV letterbox editions of wide screen movies.

Anyway, I'm leaving out black and white Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life, Philadelphia Story, Dr Strangelove, Bringing Up Baby, Harvey, Sunset Blvd, and a few other movies that I figure... If you haven't seen them, there's no hope for you anyway. I hope to include some lesser-known gems.

1. You Can't Take It With You... Comedy 1938... Jean Arthur, Jimmy Stewart, Lionel Barrymore, Edward Arnold, Spring Byington, Ann Miller... What a cast! I love Jean Arthur.

2. The Snake Pit... Drama 1948... Olivia de Havilland was nominated for best actress in this look into an insane asylum.  When the poor souls sing "Going Home"... If you don't get a tear in your eye, you're an insensitive thug.

3. Teacher's Pet... Comedy 1958... Clark Gable, Doris Day, Gig Young, and a young Marion Ross (Happy Days) ... Just a great movie.

4. It Happened One Night... comedy 1934... Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert... Oscar's Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Picture... enough said.

5. Sitting Pretty... Comedy 1948... Clifton Webb, Maureen O'Hara, Robert Young, and the always nasal Richard Haydn... Webb's 2nd best movie after Laura.

6. Anatomy of a Murder... Drama 1959... Jimmy Stewart, Ben Gazarra, George C Scott, Eve Arden, and a very young and sexy Lee Remick.

7. The Plainsman... Western 1936... Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur... Wild Bill and Calamity, what fun! I love Jean Arthur.

8. Now, Voyager... Drama 1942... Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains... If you like cosmetic makeovers, you'll love this "best of" Davis.

9. Arsenic and Old Lace... Comedy 1944... Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre... My mother's favorite movie, and in my childhood, the one "late show" offering deemed important enough for me to stay up and watch.

10. The Shepherd of the Hills... Drama 1941... John Wayne, Harry Carey, Betty Field, Ward Bond, Marjorie Main... Early Duke, you just want to hug Betty Field.

11. Love in the Afternoon... Comedy/Drama 1957... Gary Cooper, Audrey Hepburn, Maurice Chevalier... Spring-Autumn Romance, and the leads are so good you believe it... But watch the movie for Chevalier.

12. Gaslight... Drama 1944... Ingrid Bergman, Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, and a very young Angela Lansbury... Origin of the psychological term, "gaslighting."

13. Mr Deeds Goes to Town... Comedy 1936... Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur... Same Movie as Mr Smith Goes to Washington and Meet John Doe, but better. I love Jean Arthur.

14. To Have and Have Not... Drama 1944... Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Walter Brennan... Maybe B and B made a better movie when they made Key Largo, but you need to see this one.

15. Ball of Fire... Comedy 1941... Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck... A hot chick falls in love with a geek, so I had to include this one. Very funny movie!

16. All About Eve... Drama 1950... Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Celeste Holm, Thelma Ritter, Gary Merrill, and some newcomer named Marilyn Monroe... Just a great movie.

17. The Day the Earth Stood Still... Science Fiction 1951... Michael Rennie, Patricia Neal, Sam Jaffe, Aunt Bea (Frances Bavier) with scenes of Washington D.C. before it became a sewer.  This film gets my vote for the best science fiction movie ever made.

18. Angel and the Bad Man... Western 1947... John Wayne, Harry Carey, Gail Russell. The influence of a good woman... And Gail Russell is 1940's-Drop-Dead-Beautiful.

19. The Westerner... Western 1940... Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan... Oscar for best Supporting Actor went to Walter Brennan because he stole the show!

20. Rebecca... Suspense 1940... Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Nigel Bruce, Leo G Carroll... Oscar's Best Picture, and Joan Fontaine's performance was so compelling... she was nominated for best actress... and lost to Ginger Rogers?

21. Laura... Drama 1944... Clifton Webb, Gene Tierney, Dana Andrews, Vincent Price... Great murder mystery, Clifton Webb's best.

22. Grand Hotel... Drama 1932... Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore, Wallace Beery... Great cast, great movie... If for nothing else, watch it for Garbo's face.

23. Manhattan... Comedy 1979... Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemingway, Michael Murphy, Meryl Streep... Annie Hall was great, but this is Woody Allen's best film. Gershwin tunes, New York, comedy... the best!

24. The President's Lady... Drama 1953... Susan Hayward, Charlton Heston... Absolutely one of my favorite movies ever! Andrew Jackson's life and his love... Heston also played Jackson in The Buccaneer, but that was in color.

25. Sergeant York... Drama 1941... Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Ward Bond, Noah Beery Jr, and a very young June Lockhart... If you watch it with a liberal, he will say it trashes the concept of a conscientious objector.

26. Rain... Drama 1932... Joan crawford, Walter Huston... Morality, bad girl, overbearing Christian... I loved it, but don't try to watch it with a full bladder.

27. Suspicion... Mystery 1941... Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Nigel Bruce... Joan Fontaine won Oscar's Best Actress, probably because she should have won for Rebecca... One of Hitchcock's best. (Rear Window was his best, but in color)

28. The Best Years of Our Lives... Drama 1946... Frederick March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Virginia Mayo, Cathy O'Donnell (who played Judah Ben Hur's sister)... An amazing movie about the men who came home from WWII.

29. The Killers... Drama 1946... Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner... I include this movie because this film-noir classic feautures Gardner's face... stunning, unforgettable...

30. Shane... Western 1953... Alan Ladd, Jean Arthur, Van Heflin, Jack Palance... Jean Arthur was 53 years old when she made this movie... and still beautiful. I love Jean Arthur.

I spent a lot of time on this list, (I love lists) but how many did I leave out? How many have you seen?

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2011-09-23T02:57:00.003-04:00

Perry Como-Nover

During Thursday night's Republican presidential debate, Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Santorum all took shots at Rick Perry's record on illegal immigration. Bachmann said that Texas's law allowing in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants acted like a "magnet" for illegal immigrants. Perry's response was forceful and personal. "I don't think you have a heart," Perry told his critics.

Now I will support the Republican nominee no matter who it is, but I don't like Perry's Illegal Immigration record and I really don't like him suggesting that those of us who respect the rule of law somehow do not have a heart. What an arrogant, condescending comment from this corn-fed hayseed of a J.R. Ewing impersonator... ... ... who I will enthusiastically support if he gets the nomination.

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2011-09-21T16:41:00.001-04:00

Hostages Released

The last two of three hikers kidnapped two years ago by the criminal government in Iran were evidently released today. That's nice. I guess someone paid the ransom of one million dollars.

I heard that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in New York... I wish someone would kidnap him and plant his criminal ass in a jail cell... waste two years of his life...

I'd like that...

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2011-09-17T17:26:00.001-04:00

Compton's Hardware

Last Thursday the light in my refrigerator went out... Looking for your food with a flashlight is no way to live. Since I worked in Tipton today I decided to visit my favorite hardware store to replace the bulb.

Compton's Hardware is in an old brick building on the main drag, and when you walk inside, you walk into the past. The rough wooden floors are ancient and the air smells like dust. The shelves and walls are crowded... packed full of inventory, some of which I'm sure dates back to the 50's... maybe earlier.

I walked up to the old guy behind the bench and handed him the burned out bulb. I followed him as he shuffled a couple aisles over and he handed me the replacement. $1.35

My plastic bucket split open earlier this summer, so I asked him if he had a bucket that would last me the rest of my life. I followed him to a table where he handed me a metal bucket with a heavy steel handle. $11.49

The bulb was $1.35 and the bucket was $11.49, so naturally my total bill was 12 dollars even.

Tipton sports a lone strip mall which features an ACE hardware store with bright lights and a clean linoleum floor. The inventory is well organized and I'm sure the stock is rotated efficiently. But there is no romance... No ambiance that transports you back in time.

If you ever find yourself in rural Tipton, Indiana... Do yourself a favor...

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2011-09-16T09:17:00.003-04:00

Wth the Global Warming Hoax winding down, Evidently Al Gore has found another crisis to save us from.

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2011-09-15T09:27:00.001-04:00

America's Poor

According to the Census Bureau 46 million Americans live at a level of poverty that allows them to be considered "poor" by the United States Government. But being poor in America is a little bit different than being poor in third world countries.

For example:
1) Eighty percent of poor households have air conditioning. By contrast, in 1970, only 36 percent of the entire U.S. population enjoyed air conditioning.

2)   Fully 92 percent of poor households have a microwave; two-thirds have at least one DVD player and 70 percent have a VCR.

3) Nearly two-thirds have cable or satellite television.

4) Half have a personal computer; one in seven have two or more computers.

5) More than half of poor families with children have a video game system such as Xbox or PlayStation.

6)   Just under half — 43 percent — have Internet access.

7) A third have a widescreen plasma or LCD TV.

8) One in every four has a digital video recorder such as TiVo.

9) The average poor American has more living space than the average non-poor individual living in Sweden, France, Germany or the United Kingdom.

10)   Forty-two percent of all poor households own their home; on average, it’s a three-bedroom house with one-and-a-half baths, a garage, and a porch or patio.

11) Nearly 75 percent have a car or truck; 31 percent have two or more cars or trucks.

12)   Four out of five poor adults assert they were never hungry at any time in the prior year due to lack of money for food.

I do not list this data to suggest there is no suffering in America. There is drug use, child neglect, homelessness...

But I think of the movie Arthur and Grandma Bach telling her grandson, "You can't be poor, Arthur... You don't know how!" Well, obviously there are people in America who have figured it out.

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2011-09-13T16:49:00.000-04:00

Best Rock Albums from My Youth

Before there were CD's... Before you could purchase individual tracks from the Internet... We bought records and played them on a record player. It was a technology made for eventual failure because records eventually wore out... Although the technology was superior to the 8-track tape.

Many records had one or two terrific cuts, but were balanced with songs that were sub par... and this fact plays a tremendous role in my choices. My "best" albums are good from beginning to end. They do not include "best hits of" albums from a particular artist.

I also consider innovation, fresh new sounds, and lyrics.

15. The Doors The Doors... In an amazing display of parental ignorance my mother, upon my request, gave me this album as a Christmas present when I was 14 years old... Light My Fire, Break On Through, Backdoor Man... A great trashy album.

14. Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road... This was a dynamo when I was in college. This double album started with the instrumental Funeral for a Friend and never let up.

13. Carole King's Tapestry... Who didn't own this album? ...An incredible songwriter with a style that delivered.

12. Neil Young's Harvest... Great album with Heart of Gold, A Man needs a Maid, The Needle and the Damage Done... Good from beginning to end.

11. Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill... No filler... all good.

10. Dan Fogelberg's Home Free... An incredibly fresh sound. He followed with Souvenirs which was almost as good.

9. Jackson Browne's Late for the Sky... This soulful, romantic poet's wordy offerings had incredible depth... The cool girls loved him.

8. The Eagles' Hotel California... On the Border and their first, Eagles, had a charm all their own, but from beginning to end, Hotel California was their best.

7. Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA... (OK, maybe a little past, or at least encroaching upon the edges of my youth...) Maybe the best Rock and Roll album of all time, though his Born to Run album was maybe more artistic and innovative.

6. The Beatles' Abbey Road... Epic, incredibly innovative... Maybe Let it Be came close, but Abbey Road was their best.

5. Linda Ronstadt's Simple Dreams... Referred to by many as "the best pipes in the business," this was Ronstadt's best... Every song was good.

4. Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon... This album stretched the boundaries of recorded sound, and the lyrics were amazing.

3. Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water... This album had everything from Keep the Customer Satisfied with its amazing instrumental arrangement, to The Boxer which explored the dark side of humanity.

2. Joni Mitchell's Miles of Aisles... This is the best live album of all time. Maybe it breaks my "best hits of" rule... But this poet with a voice like the wind produced something incredible. If my "best hits of" rule was strictly enforced, I'd still place her here for Court and Spark.

1. Billy Joel's Piano Man... Joel went commercial after his first effort, but I don't care. This was a great album. It had its hits, but every song was entertaining and fresh.

I think this is a good list, but the problem with lists is placement... I can't really say that Piano Man was greater than Tapestry... And I wonder who I have forgotten...

I would love to hear about your favorite albums...

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2011-09-12T22:24:00.001-04:00

You can't beat a girl that can sing and play an instrument at the same time. I confess that I loved The Carpenters... Until I went to college and learned they were utterly uncool.

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2011-09-12T20:36:00.000-04:00

Malott Eats Fish

OK... So I have been a big beef, pork, and chicken eater all my life... Which is probably why bachelors such as myself die young. But I have recently developed a love affair with baked fish. My girlfriend from college, who lives in Maryland not far from the Chesapeake Bay, who occasionally tosses an email my way... She told me about "Old Bay Seasoning" that the local crab shacks use. She said it would be good on fish! I found it at WalMart and have used it liberally on frozen Tilapia fillets that I bought at Sam's Club.

Old Bay Seasoning is produced somewhere near Baltimore... Her old stomping grounds.

The Tilapia fillets come individually wrapped and I bake them at 350 for 30 minutes... Delish!

Today I bought a big bag of "Swai" fillets from Vietnam... only eleven bucks. I had never eaten communist fish before, but tonight I tried them and they are almost as good as the Tilapia. If my butt doesn't itch in the morning I figure they either have no parasites, or the baking process killed them. I'll let you know.

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2011-09-10T08:16:00.000-04:00

10 Years Later...

I was working in a hospital laboratory on September 11, 2001. I had just been diagnosed with melanoma and was facing surgery in a few days... I had been told I had a 92% chance of still being alive in 8 years.  Up until that time I had been indestructible.

I was processing blood samples in Chemistry when Annie told me what had happened in New York, and I immediately followed her into the break-room where two other workers were huddled around the TV.. I remember the instant nausea. I remember the inability to concentrate on my work.

Three young girls in their early twenties were working with us that day, and it amazed me how unaffected they appeared to be. They went about their work and even laughed, I remember.

Heather, one of the three, came into the break-room to tell me something and glanced at the image on the TV screen. I said, "You realize our world changed today?"

Last year I asked Heather if she remembered what I told her that morning. Without hesitating she replied, "You said our world had changed."

I remember the moment when I felt better. It was when I saw a picture of a young man standing on an overpass, waving a big American Flag at the cars passing below.  When asked later he said something like, "I felt I had to do something, and I didn't know what else to do."

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2011-09-08T23:27:00.003-04:00

Net Hymnal

The saddest disgrace in the modern American Church... well, besides all the rich, lukewarm, worldly believers taking up space... is the abandonment of the hymn. Even small rural churches with mostly older populations have one or two frustrated performers up in front singing the modern stuff, oblivious to whether or not any one else is joining in. They don't care... They have their microphone and the attention they crave. The modern Christian music sounds more like the world's music... ... ... What a treat for The Lord that we've found another way to be more like the world!

I hope that didn't sound harsh or unloving.

Anyway, I found a web site called Net Hymnal... And it electronically plays the hymn, lists the words, the composer's name, picture, and brief autobiography. Love it!

So if you're tired of the pap every Sunday morning, go to Net Hymnal and remember the rich heritage that has inspired generations... Up until the modern church decided it knew better.

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2011-09-07T09:46:00.000-04:00

Quote of the Day

“One reason I supported President Obama is because he said we must protect clean air, water and lands. But what good is it to say the right thing unless you act on it?” Redford writes. “Since early August, three administration decisions -- on Arctic drilling, the Keystone XL pipeline and the ozone that causes smog -- have all favored dirty industry over public health and a clean environment. Like so many others, I'm beginning to wonder just where the man stands.”
--Robert Redford

Obviously there are those who are even more clueless than President Obama.

Liberal Hollywood Elites have theirs... They will never be poor or middle class... They will never struggle to find a job, sacrifice to pay college tuition, or pinch pennies to make their retirement savings stretch after inflation makes their money worth less.

They can afford to be carelessly and mercilessly idealistic.

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2011-09-01T11:24:00.000-04:00

Bleh, bleh, bleh... (said with a heavy fake French accent) For years we've heard talk about waste and abuse in government spending, but have you noticed that Washington never does anything about it? Republicans do nothing. Democrats want more. The Tea Party is (was?) our last chance.

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2011-08-29T07:14:00.000-04:00

Irene Saves Hundreds

The Telegraph lampoons the television and governmental coverage of Irene, calling it The Perfect Storm of Hype:
The surf may have told a story but so too did the sight behind the reporter of people chatting and ambling along the sea front and just goofing around. There was a man in a t-shirt, a woman waving her arms and then walking backwards. Then someone on a bicycle glided past.

I realize there was flooding and property damage, and I'm still a little antsy having not heard from Grammy, but I do not believe that Irene lived up to her wall-to-wall coverage over the weekend.

In fact, my theory is this: Irene saved lives.

Think of how many people stayed home over the weekend and did not get killed on the highway. The way Irene was hyped, I'm sure that every death that could possibly, in any way, be attributed to the storm was meticulously counted and placed in Irene's column. But how many people didn't die by remaining safely at home with their rented DVD's and gratuitous groceries.

And what about all those people at home with no electricity? What are they doing to amuse themselves? How many unplanned pregnancies will be directly attributable to Irene? Irene was most likely responsible for more new lives than lives taken.

So there you go!

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2011-08-27T12:35:00.002-04:00

White Michael Vick

...to me, Vick seems to have a deeply African-American approach to the game. I'm not saying that a black QB who stands in the pocket ain't playing black. I'm saying Vick's style is so badass, so artistic, so fluid, so flamboyant, so relentless -- so representative of black athletic style -- that if there were a stat for swagger points, Vick would be the No. 1 quarterback in the league by far.

A decade after he became the first black QB to be drafted No. 1 overall, about one in five of the league's passers is African-American, compared with two-thirds of all players. But after his arrest for dogfighting, so many people asked: Would a white football player have gotten nearly two years in prison for what Vick did to dogs?

I don't know what it's like to be a black man. I suspect it's like the proverbial monkey on your back... Always feeling as if you have to prove your character is above all the old stereotypes... laziness, dullness of wit... feeling as if you enter every arena of life painted with doubt and suspicion.

But articles, like this one in ESPN Magazine, that trumpet an unlevel playing field and that instill anger... and worse, discouragement... They simply offer another excuse for failure and sub par behavior.

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2011-08-20T09:28:00.001-04:00

Onions

It seems like every year the weather cooperates to produce a good crop in one or two areas of the garden. This was the year for kale, corn, and onions.

These beauties are dried to perfection, and should last well into the spring. They'll be used on sandwiches... pots of boiled arm roasts and pork roasts... scrambled eggs... vegetable soup and chili soup... and my hash brown casserole.

Click twice to enlarge... Because you know you want to.

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2011-08-19T00:06:00.000-04:00

Romney vs Perry
For conservatives, the two front runners for the Republican nomination carry baggage from their days as governors. As I've said before, you can't get elected governor of Massachusetts sounding like Lester Maddox... And you can't get elected in Texas with a hard line on illegal immigration.

I believe Romney has learned his lesson on health care... Romney-Care was a failure... His other problem is his religion, but I think a Mormon is preferable to Obama's religion... Which is the hate-filled rhetoric of Reverend Wright. But then there is Romney's recent obsequence to the global warming idiots.... Very troubling.

From what I've read about Perry, he has much to answer for his stand on illegal immigration. He is definitely a Christian, but so was George Bush, who really didn't represent conservatives on immigration.

There is no perfect candidate... Just give me the one who can win.

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2011-08-16T16:24:00.000-04:00

When Modems Die

My ability to enjoy the Internet at home is currently made impossible due to the death of my DSL modem which crashed late last week. The good people at AT&T are sending a new one for free... which is supposedly faster... And they are giving me a discount in monthly fees for my trouble...But they are wasting no money shipping it to me.

Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers who offer free WiFi.

I'll be back.

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2011-08-04T16:40:00.002-04:00

Malott Spends Money

I recently gave (unloaded) my futon to my lovely niece and found myself without a couch in my Family (hah!) Room.

This is me and my lovely niece.

Anyway, I bought a sofa and a couple end-tables, (or is it in-tables?) choosing micro-fiber over leather because I am basically cheap at heart... And it looks like this:

Now I want to jerk up the carpeting, exposing the hardwood floor underneath, buy a thousand dollar rug, purchase the matching love seat, a flat screen TV with HD, two recliners, seating for seven or eight, though I have never entertained in the nine years I have lived here...

I figure I can do it for 5K... which I have... And since bachelors die young... It kind of makes sense...

Click on pictures to enlarge... because I know you want to...

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2011-07-30T09:46:00.002-04:00

Party Albums

Back in the early 60's when I was in grade school, the culture was gentler and more innocent. There were two kinds of party albums in our home: Bill Cosby, and The Smothers Brothers. I had every word on the albums memorized because I listened to them over and over again on my sister's mono-speakered record player. (This was before stereo) I would mouth the words and pretend people thought I was funny.

I still pretend people think I am funny.

This is a classic early Smothers Brothers bit. It's still funny.

And here is Jack Paar introducing a very young black comedian.

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2011-07-29T09:32:00.002-04:00

Old Dan Tucker

When I was little, my grandmother, Thelma McRoberts, would rock me and sing this song with a heavy backwoods Kentucky accent...

Old Dan Tucker was a fine old man
He washed his face in the frying pan
He combed his hair with a wagon wheel
And died of the toothache in his heel

Get out the way for old Dan Tucker
He's too late to git his supper
Supper's over and dishes washed
Nothing left but a piece of squash

I would give 500 dollars to have a recording of that.

Sitting next to her during the song service at church was priceless.

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2011-07-28T17:45:00.001-04:00

2011-07-28T13:39:00.001-04:00

2011-07-27T08:13:00.001-04:00

2011-07-19T09:47:00.002-04:00

When You Water Stuff

Since I moved into my house 9 years ago, my Black-Eyed Susans have been going downhill... The leaves never looked healthy and the flowers became fewer and less attractive.

But this year they took off early in the spring and grew like crazy! This was also one of the rainiest springs that I can remember.

So, never the fool, I put two and two together. Rain... Plants... Water... Plant growth...

At the end of June, when the rain stopped coming, I started pouring a full watering can on my Susans and other flowers, and I can't (duh) believe the difference. (Click on picture twice)

Next year: Miracle Grow Fertilizer!

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2011-07-16T16:22:00.000-04:00

I Need This Truck Accessory

2011-07-14T12:34:00.000-04:00

A Man with Onions

...and a baseball.

Got many the size of softballs this year. They are Burpee's version of Texas Granos, and they are very sweet.

I also have corn that is tasseling...

I hope you all are impressed!

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2011-07-13T15:32:00.000-04:00

Gov. Perry's Invitation to The Response from The Response USA on Vimeo.

Not sure I want him to be president, but this is refreshing.

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2011-07-10T10:54:00.001-04:00

Legalism and License

Just finished listening to a sermon by Chuck Swindoll from his 4th of July service. His subject was freedom in Christ, and he used the circumcision issue in the early Church to suggest that we don't need to let legalists tell us how to live our lives... That there is nothing we need to do to compliment the free gift of salvation... Not baptism, not nothin'... except possibly attending Church... and maybe financially supporting radio ministries. (Ok, he didn't say that)

So we believe and are saved, and that's that. What a legalist Paul was to suggest that we should work out our salvation with fear and trembling! Legalist! Jerk! Why fear? Why tremble? Don't need to! We're saved by grace!

If the Apostle Paul went to Sodom and Gomorrah his message would not be about grace. He would tell them to believe on Christ, come out, and be separate... Which is the same message he would have for the Church in the United States. Paul would not be shocked by our culture. He would be shocked by the extent to which believers embrace it... And willingly pollute themselves with it.

There are too many believers that call themselves the Bride of Christ, that have never actually made the commitment. They date Jesus on Sundays, but crawl into the world's bed the rest of the week.

Swindoll would be calling me a legalist about now.
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2011-07-09T06:55:00.000-04:00

The Obama Administration and Vanilla Prayers

The Houston National Cemetery, which, at 419 acres, is the second-largest cemetery administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, exceeded in size only by Arlington. Recently, however, (Arleen) Ocasio, the cemetery’s Obama-appointed director, has been credibly accused of engaging in a pattern of censorship directed against private religious expression.

In May, with the approach of Memorial Day, Ocasio required that the ministers who planned to speak at the cemetery submit their proposed prayers to her in advance. Pastor Scott Rainey of Living Word Church did so, and was told to revise his prayers to be more “inclusive” — by excluding specific reference to his own religion.

Rainey took his case to federal district court in Houston, where Judge Lynn Hughes sharply rebuked the VA and Ocasio, issuing a restraining order against them on May 26. As Hughes said in his opinion, “the government cannot gag citizens” in the name of “some bureaucrat’s notion of cultural homogeneity.”

Scott Rainey prayed on Memorial Day as he had originally proposed, including the Lord’s Prayer and this closing: “While respecting people of every faith today, it is in the name of Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, that I pray. Amen.”

I'm glad Mr Rainey happened to get the right judge, but since Memorial Day, Obama's prayer monitor is at it again:

The chapel has allegedly been closed, its cross and Bible removed, and it is now said to be used as a “meeting space” when it is unlocked at all. The carillon in the 75-foot bell tower no longer tolls on a regular basis. And members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the National Memorial Ladies, attending upon the bereaved families and friends at veterans’ funerals, say they have been required to have their prayers pre-approved by Ocasio’s office, and have been told that the words “God” and “Jesus” are not to be used by them if they wish to continue their volunteer service at the cemetery.

I think we need some peaceful civil resistance aimed directly at our over-reaching federal government.

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2011-07-07T16:26:00.004-04:00

The Fox is on the Town-o, Town-o, Town-o!

I have no rabbits wreaking havoc upon my garden this year. I suspect this is because I have a wabbit-killing-buddy living under my neighbor's shed.

I tried to thank him this afternoon, but alas, he is shy... Too humble to accept thanks for his good deeds, and he took off into the soybean field behind my house.

I wonder if he has babies living under the shed with him... And I wonder if when a couple of the rabbits greased his chin... I wonder if the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o...

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2011-07-07T10:02:00.000-04:00

Hiker Killed

A husband and wife's backcountry hike along a popular trail turned tragic when they stumbled upon a grizzly bear and her cubs and the 57-year-old man was mauled to death, Yellowstone National Park officials said. The initial indication was that the sow grizzly was protecting her cubs.

Officials explained that the bear would not be destroyed for displaying more maternal instinct than Casey Anthony, who was recently found not guilty in the death of her cub.

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2011-07-05T20:50:00.000-04:00

Not Guilty

Casey Anthony was found not guilty of killing her baby 24 months too late. It's an important lesson for all American women to learn... That while babies' lives are cheap in this country, if you put off your abortion into the toddler years, you may run the risk of spending the balance of your life in prison.

Then again... maybe not.

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2011-06-29T22:24:00.001-04:00

Who Is This?

Is it... It looks like her... She seems to get used a lot in Indiana Wesleyan ads.

I'd give worlds to know.
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2011-06-29T11:03:00.000-04:00

Thanks Grammy

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2011-06-28T22:06:00.000-04:00

How to Beat Obama

You forget about what color Obama is, you take off the politically correct gloves, and you pulverise him with his record.

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2011-06-28T11:10:00.002-04:00

The Difference Between Men and Women

Difference #1: Women hope to change their husbands. Men hope their wives will not change.

Working in a hospital, I've worked with women all my life... And I have heard a thousand complaints about what husbands do and what they don't do. The wives get ticked off... Feel powerless... They cry... They moan...

Men don't do that. Men rarely complain to other people about their wives. If their wife can't cook, they eat out or learn to cook themselves. If their wives are lazy and keep a messy house, the husbands help clean, clean it themselves, or get used to the mess.

"Why can't a woman be more like a man?"
--Professor Higgins

Of course this is a generalization, but I believe wives have a harder time accepting their mate as he is than do husbands.

I love women... always have... They are so much more sensitive, intricate, and interesting than men. But I often want to tell them to accept the bum as he is, take the responsibility upon themselves to make the best of their lives... as best that they can... And shut up.

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2011-06-21T14:28:00.001-04:00

Religious Bigots and Hypocrites

PRINCETON, NJ -- Though the vast majority of Americans say they would vote for their party's nominee for president in 2012 if that person happens to be a Mormon, 22% say they would not, a figure largely unchanged since 1967.

The question is mainly relevant to the Republican and independent vote in 2012, given that the current Republican front-runner, Mitt Romney, is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the Mormon church, and that another Mormon, former Utah Gov. and former Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman, may enter the race for the GOP nomination as early as next week.

I remember the 2008 Republican nomination process when the former Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee attacked Romney and had nothing but praise for RINO John McCain... I wondered then if Huckabee's attacks were based upon the belief that the Mormon religion was a cult.

Well now let's be honest. The Catholic Church is a cult that glorifies Mary as divine... Protestant churches, including my own Church of Christ is a cult of rich, lukewarm believers that date Jesus on Sundays and sleep in the world's bed the rest of the week... So picking on another cult seems a little hypocritical.

Orrin Hatch, Mormon Senator from Utah has been a friend of Republican conservatives for many years and doesn't seem to scare the faithful. I guess I just don't understand the reason for the data... unless it's just a kind of religious bigotry.

But if a Mormon can't win... Fine. Nominate someone else. But I have to say that the rich, lukewarm believers of the Catholic and Protestant Churches, and their rich, lukewarm believers with a Bible college degree... Their hypocrisy makes me want to spit-up on my shoes.

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2011-06-19T19:26:00.000-04:00

Gore Applauds Romney's Stand on Global Warming

"Good for Mitt Romney — though we've long passed the point where weak lip-service is enough on the Climate Crisis ... While other Republicans are running from the truth, he is sticking to his guns in the face of the anti-science wing of the Republican Party."
--Al Gore

If that isn't the kiss of death, I don't know what is.

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2011-06-15T10:54:00.000-04:00

Crying Tornado!

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- In the wake of the April 27 tornadoes, veteran television meteorologist James Spann is questioning whether too frequent tornado warnings are causing people to ignore them.

Doppler Radar is an amazing thing. It has the ability to pick up rotation in storm clouds that might lead to the formation of one of Mother Nature's most deadly phenomena, the tornado.

Currently when Doppler senses rotation, a tornado warning is issued for the counties in the storm's path, and tornado sirens warn the public. This spring we've heard the sirens several times, but no tornadoes have touched down in our county. The problem is this: our warning system cries wolf again and again, and human nature is such that we become complacent... We hear the siren, we play the odds, we turn over in bed, and place our pillow over our ears.

I suggest this:
1) When a warning is issued, the sirens blare for two minutes, non-stop... Then they blare for 15 seconds every 10 minutes until the danger is past.
2) If an actual tornado is spotted, the sirens blare non-stop.

I know... It's not a perfect plan. But it might be more effective than what we have now.

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2011-06-13T17:07:00.001-04:00

A Pretty Grill is Like a Melody

I have found love. Her name is Weber, and she is my grillfriend.

She is a pretty grill, a quiet grill, and she cooks my meals and never complains. She is not perfect... She always has gas... But when I touch her nobs, it lights a fire in her...

I've never been one to be grill-crazy, but Weber and I have so much in common. We like the same literature, and I often read to her in moments of quiet repose.

Please don't judge us. For aren't we all just flesh, and blood, and steel, and igniter switches... Looking for warmth in a cold world?

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2011-06-10T17:42:00.001-04:00

O'Reilly Trashes Cain

Last night I watched Bill O'Reilly interview Herman Cain... O'Reilly treated him as if he was the "Boy" sitting in the back of the bus. Bill was condescending and verbally combative.

Cain is a very successful African American who has accomplished more and overcome more in his life than the arrogant FOX entertainer / school teacher could ever dream of... This interview exposed the fact that Bill is a Country Club Republican who is embarrassed by men like Cain. I believe O'Reilly attempted in this interview to douse the growing enthusiasm of conservative Republicans for this relatively unknown candidate.

Rush Limbaugh calls O'Reilly the "Ted Baxter" of network news programming.

Today I agree.

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2011-06-07T10:44:00.002-04:00

Quote of the Day

"If you voted for Obama in 2008 to prove you weren’t a racist, you’d better vote for someone else in 2012 to prove you’re not an idiot."
--unknown

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2011-06-05T08:09:00.001-04:00

Why My Life is Better Than Yours

Reason #9

Every day, people I barely know stop me on the street and ask me... They say, "Malott, your life is obviously better than mine. Can you tell me why?" Usually I just push them out of my way, especially if they're old, female, and feeble.

But there are times when I take a moment and try to pass on a tiny bit of perfection to those less worthy.

This is one of those times.

Reason #9: I have a clothesline.

When I was growing up clotheslines were found everywhere in the neighborhood, and on summer afternoons they were regularly populated with sheets, pillow slips, and the familiar clothing my friends wore. Some had fancy clothespin bags, while some mothers just made-do by stuffing their apron pockets full of clothespins.

I have two kinds of clothespins.

I'm sure there was a clothespin manufacturer in America when I was a boy. But now they would be made in China. And they would be plastic.

Last Monday mine was probably the only property in town that had bedsheets on the line, billowing in the warm breeze. And when I went to bed that night, I'm pretty sure I was lying between the best smelling sheets in town.

But I guess people like you will just have to suffer with Downy, Snuggle, and other pathetic substitutes for excellence.

I hope this little peek into... what it's like to be me... brought a moment of sunlight to your dark little world. I hope it added a scintilla of joy to your meager and pointless life.

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2011-06-03T02:28:00.001-04:00

Quote for the Day

"To convert one sinner from his way is an event of greater importance than the deliverance of sub-Saharan Africa from the problem of Aids."
--Allistair Begg... A variation on George Smeaton's, "To convert one sinner from his way is an event of greater importance than the deliverance of an entire kingdom from temporal evil."

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2011-05-31T07:38:00.000-04:00

Peter Heck Puts Abortion Deaths in Perspective

Do NOT Miss This

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2011-05-30T19:15:00.000-04:00

RINO Huntsman Speaks

This is the RINO that the Left is trying to foist upon the Republican Primary voters... Like they backed loser RINO John McCain. The Left knows if this guy gets the nomination, conservatives and Tea Partiers will stay home in droves... Allowing another four years of Obama.

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2011-05-30T04:58:00.001-04:00

Quote for the Day

"Those who are kind to the cruel will be cruel to the kind."
--Dennis Prager quoting the Talmud, contrasting the Left's treatment of radical Islam and its treatment of the Tea Party Movement.

Bonus Prager Quote:
"The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen."

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2011-05-29T11:43:00.001-04:00

Quote of the Day

"Have you noticed how arrogant Satan is becoming these days? If you haven't, you're asleep. Sin that used to slink down back alleys now struts down Main Street."
--Adrian Rogers

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2011-05-28T04:47:00.002-04:00

Blogging Up is Hard To Do

A friend of mine recently told me that Facebook has destroyed the blogosphere... That a short paragraph, a picture posted, a little thumb pointed up... It's all that most people feel the need to express, and it satisfies their need to reach beyond their living room.

I hate Facebook. People want to be my Facebook friend and I don't even know them. I never turn down "friend" requests - that would be unforgivably rude - but I almost never go to the site.

But I digress.

I have noticed a decrease in general traffic in the blogging world along with a decrease in blogging among my blogger friends. This change was concurrent with my own loss of interest in Malott's Blog.

I now look upon a body of work that stretches back to 2005, some of which I'm very proud of. But when I read what I used to post compared to what I write now... I sometimes feel that I shot my wad a long time ago. And, with a shrinking audience, the desire to express my thoughts has waned.

But for now, I'll keep posting from time to time...

Blogging sometimes provides a relief denied even to prayer.
(Apologies to Mark Twain...)

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2011-05-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Republicans are Anti-Woman

In an emotional assault on the Republicans, new Democratic Party Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz today called the GOP agenda "anti-women" and "a war on women" that will backfire on Republicans in the 2012 election and provide a cushion for President Obama's re-election bid.

The entire staff at Malott's Blog is prepared to accept that statement as fact... We just want to add that Democrats are anti-Christian, anti-Economy, anti-Baby, anti-Big Business, anti-Small Business, anti-Military, anti-Black Family, anti-Gun, anti-Federalism, anti-Free Enterprise, anti-Traditional Marriage, anti-Parental Rights, anti-Free Speech, anti-Personal Responsibility, anti-Fair Election, anti-Personal Property Rights, anti-Crime Victim, anti-Self Governance, anti-Border Security, anti-Freedom, and generally opposed to anything else that once made this country the best place in the world to live.

It's good when we can all agree.

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2011-05-24T16:18:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry....

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2011-05-15T07:47:00.001-04:00

Quote of the Week

"It's true that ObamaCare is a blatant Big-Government Power-Grab. But our freedom... Certainly our freedom to govern ourselves, is threatened much more by faceless men in black judicial robes who edit The Constitution, inserting their personal preferences and their little notions of justice."
--Malott

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2011-05-15T07:32:00.001-04:00

Huckabee Opts Out

Mike Huckabee said Saturday there would be no sequel to his surprisingly strong 2008 White House bid, in which he won the Iowa Republican caucus and finished second in the primaries to Sen. John McCain.

Donald Trump said, "Mike, your ratings are high, you're making a lot of money, you're building a new home in Florida... Sit back and enjoy the show."

Mike said he sought the Lord's guidance in this matter, but I think Trump enlightened us concerning a couple other considerations.

It's hard not to like Mike Huckabee. But he made it a little easier when he failed to challenge RINO John McCain's record in the last presidential primary. The former Baptist preacher certainly attacked Mormon Mitt Romney... But not RINO McCain.

Mike Huckabee was the hands-down choice of several people that I respect very, very much. So I'll just leave it at that.

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2011-05-14T11:22:00.001-04:00

The Religion Of ~~Peace~~ Porn

The discovery of pornography taken during raids on Islamic militants is not uncommon, officials told Reuters.

Ah the sanctimonious and devout Muslim. Of course Moody Church says polls among Christian believers expose an ever growing problem with pornography among church-goers... Both men and women.

But honestly... Any Believer in this country with a TV has a problem with pornography... porn with clothes on... porn in a bikini... porn between consenting adults... porn talk... porn situations.

For most Believers in this country, porn is anything sexually disgusting. And what isn't porn?... It's whatever you've grown used to. Lacerations to your Holiness eventually scar-over and callous.

But I digress...

I have read that Mullahs Make Lousy Scoutmasters, but evidently in the male-dominating Muslim world, porn is rampant. You could knock me over with a feather.

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2011-05-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

Stay Home Mitch

Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, said recently that Republicans needed to relax on the social issues... Which is RINO for abortion.

From Real Clear Politics:

Daniels accepted an invitation from those 55 students to meet at a spacious bar several blocks away after the event; he sipped Woodford Reserve bourbon as he asked them about their own lives and families. In return, they asked him who he might like to tap as his vice presidential nominee if he runs.

Hypothetically, he told them, he'd like to pick Condoleezza Rice.

Rice is pro-choice... Sounds like a losing team to me.

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2011-05-04T12:32:00.001-04:00

Quote for the Day

People get so used to the dark that they think it is growing brighter. We are the salt of the earth, mind you, not the sugar. Our ministry is to truly cleanse and not just to change the taste.
--Vance Havner

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2011-05-02T10:50:00.002-04:00

Did They Really Kill Him?

Are we to believe that the American Government passed up on a wealth of intelligence information? Think how much Bin Laden knew!

We may see pictures. But I will still wonder.

If I was president, Bin Laden would be in a safe house in Afghanistan... And the sodium pentathol would already be in an IV drip.

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2011-05-02T08:51:00.001-04:00

Intelligence and Politics Forces President Obama's Hand?

Evidently the intelligence that led to Usama Bin Laden's death on Sunday originated in August of 2010. That's nine months ago... nine months of gestation... nine months that a murderer avoided justice.

I'm glad this piece of the puzzle has been placed. Bin Laden has long been the poster boy for the millions and millions of murderous-Muslim-monsters scattered around the world. But I won't be rallying around our President and praising his actions... Not just yet.

We will be learning more about the timeline of what we knew and when we knew it, but based upon President Obama's actions and sympathies in the past, I wonder if this president acted only when he had no other choice... When not acting threatened him politically. We will see.

But today it is proper to celebrate a justice long overdue.

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2011-05-01T15:00:00.003-04:00

Showing Skin in Church

Evidently last night was Prom Night because this morning all the young girls wore their Prom Dresses to Church... And every girl I saw was baring more than I wanted to see... The low cut... The bare back... The bare shoulders.

Now I would have been shocked, but I have never been one to confuse The Church with organized religion. But it's like this... If a worldly little girl from a worldly little home wants to go to a dance and draw lustful attention to her body by uncovering vast tracts of her skin... She has that right. (Why should she have fewer rights than prostitutes and cheerleaders?)

But when it's time for Church she should cover up. After all, scattered here-and-there among all those rich, lukewarm believers is the Bride of Christ... and dressing immodestly distresses them and distracts them from their worship.

Don't get me wrong... I like rich, lukewarm believers... They have chosen a reasonably moral lifestyle and they make great neighbors. And they need to have a place to go on Sunday morning where they can hear a sermon offered by a rich, lukewarm believer with a Bible College degree... and they can love God, before going back to loving the world after the benediction.

But deep in the bowels of organized religion there are a few odd souls who have come out from the world to be separate... Who tithe and give generously because they don't covet the things of the world... Who have stopped watching the world's televised trash... Who dress to cover, not to attract... Who struggle to lead Holy lives... And who seek to honor God by excising piece-by-piece this prurient, polluted world from their lives.

The world should hate us for our Holiness and be covetous of our love. But I digress.

In short... I think, after the Prom, before Church, the little tramps should put their clothes back on.

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2011-04-23T13:39:00.000-04:00

Suicide Note for April

"So tired of buttoning and unbuttoning."
--Anonymous Elderly Person

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2011-04-21T21:38:00.001-04:00

Quote for the Day

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked for he knows their day is coming.
--King David... Psalm 37: 12,13

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2011-04-20T20:50:00.003-04:00

The Coal Powered Car

This car runs on electricity. Most electricity is produced by coal. President Obama wants to reduce coal production in the United States. President Obama wants us to buy electric cars.

If everyone gets a Coal Car, I figure my light bill will suddenly require that I get an extra job... or two.

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2011-04-20T20:42:00.000-04:00

World's Largest Oil Producers

And their % share of world production...

15. Norway... 2.45 %

14. Algeria... 2.47 %

13. Venezuela... 2.80 %

12. Iraq... 2.81 %

11. Kuwait... 2.93 %

10. Nigeria... 2.95 %

9. Brazil... 3.20 %

8. United Arab Emirates... 3.30 %

7. Mexico... 3.39 %

6. Canada... 4.30 %

5. Iran... 4.9 %

4. China... 5.0 %

3. United States... 10.4 %

2. Russia... 11.6 %

1. Saudi Arabia... 12.1 %

It is estimated that the United States uses 25 % of the world's oil production, 60-70 % imported. The United States and Canada use oil more for transportation than for heat and power, but the opposite is true for most of the rest of the world.

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2011-04-20T19:54:00.000-04:00

Let the Polling Begin

Obama enjoys just a single-point advantage over Romney in the Marist poll. In the hypothetical matchup, 46 percent of registered voters said they would reelect Obama, while 45 percent would elect Romney. Nine percent were undecided.

Forty-four percent of registered voters in the poll said they would definitely vote against Obama in 2012, compared to 37 percent who definitely intend to vote for Obama's reelection. That margin widens with independents, 47 percent of whom said they would definitely vote against Obama, and 32 percent of whom favor his reelection effort.

Obama would best Palin 56-34 percent and beat Trump 54-38 percent.

I look at these polls and my mouth involuntarily drops open. Who are these registered voters? Who are these people who want to re-elect this man... A man who in the minds of many, has eclipsed Jimmy Carter as the worst president in modern history? I mean, I know there are Leftists and party loyalists... but 46%? That number surprises me.

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