Witness the awesomeness that is Metallica and their best song, "One." Anyone who claims heavy metal is puerile or just "noise" needs to check this powerful statement about the destructiveness of war.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Weekly Music Video
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Obama's Victory Speech
This guy knows how to talk.
I've heard lots of criticism of Obama's campaign and speeches as being a bunch of nice rhetoric, but ultimately meaningless without solid action to back it up. I disagree. One, because I think his record speaks as a man who does put his principles into action. Two, 99% of politics is talk. Even when pols are in Congress trying to pass legislation, they do it by talking. I think it is also important (no matter where you are) to have leaders that can inspire their people to rise up to something greater. Obama does that in a way that no other politician I have seen in my lifetime, not even Bill Clinton in his heyday. I want that. I want a President who will say, "Let's come together and create a whole better than the sum of the individual components." I don't even agree with many of Obama's positions, but I do believe he can raise our country up. All of us.
Big Victory in South Carolina
Barack Obama has pulled off a landslide win in South Carolina. He got more than twice the votes Clinton did. More importantly, he won in nearly every major demographic group, including older voters and women. This is exactly what his campaign needed. The last two weeks have shown voters the real nature of the Clintons (if they didn't know it before) and it hurt them in South Carolina. Of course, this race is not over, but I think this decisive victory is going to make it much harder for Clinton. I see some hope for our nation.
Going forward for Obama, I think it is very important he rise above the Clintons' smear tactics. It gets him off message and brings him down to their level. A positive focus is vital for him to keep this momentum otherwise he runs the risk of looking like just another pol. Yes, he needs to respond to attacks, but it needs to be specific and brief. I think he has what it takes and whatever else one can say about this election, I think it will strengthen Obama and make him that much tougher as a politician.
Paybacks
My mom tells me that my kids embarrassing me is payback for the times I embarrassed her. I got some payback today. I've been telling my daughters for a couple of months that I was going to take them to the bank to start a savings account for each of them. As it turns out, one of the teacher's aides at their school, Miss Ricki, works at my bank and told my daughters that I should talk to her because the bank has a promotion going on now.
So, yesterday I met her when I picked Erica and Shaena from school. She asked for my number and said that she would get an appointment set up for me and call me with the time. She did and this morning at 10:00, the girls and I went into Wells Fargo. We had to wait a little bit because the lady who was going to set up our accounts was still with another customer. While sitting in the lobby, we had this exchange.
Shaena: Dad, do you like Miss Ricki?
Me (knowing where this could go and groaning inside): Uh, she seems really nice.
Shaena: There's this girl at school who went over to Miss Ricki's for supper and she said that Miss Ricki is a really good cook. (Of course, my daughter's know that I do not like to cook.)
Erica (loudly): Shaena, do you think he's going to marry her?
Me (face turning red): Uhhhhh
Thankfully Miss Ricki was not nearby, though I'm sure a few other employees of the bank heard this. Kids. You gotta love 'em.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Joel Osteen's Message
An interesting article about Joel Osteen contains this gem:
“The reason [Osteen is] so popular is because of the spiritual infantilism of America. Not just spiritual, the infantilism of American culture,” Anthony says. “And he feeds the Paris Hilton, Britney Spears culture. It’s all me. Benefit me. What can I do for me? How can I feel better? What can I do about me? How you can get the best of your life? It’s all me-centered.”
Of course, Joel Osteen is popular. He asks nothing of you. Those sorts of people are easy to get along with. Unfortunately, if you surround yourself with people who accept the status quo and never strive for something better even when things may be pretty good, you will end up leading a shallow, empty life. Surround yourself with people who constantly say, "We can do better," and your life will be rich, the rich that counts and not the material wealth Joel Osteen wants you to have.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Heath Ledger Passes
Actor Heath Ledger has been found dead in his apartment. Drug overdose is the most likely culprit at this point. What a shame. I think he had a fine career ahead of him. I feel bad that one of my first thoughts was, "I hope he's filmed all of his scenes for The Dark Knight."
Star Trek Trailer
Paramount has released the first teaser for the new Star Trek film coming out this December. It's definitely a teaser, so there is little in the way of detail. A new beginning definitely seems to be what they are going for. There are lots of shots of the Enterprise being put together. Whether this is a refit or a new ship remains to be seen. Hearing Leonard Nimoy's voice was also very cool. As skeptical as I am, I couldn't help but get a little excited.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
More Nevada Shenanigans
Another first-hand account of underhanded tactics by Clinton supporters in Nevada. Do you think we'll see either Clinton coming out against this? Yeah, right.
Uplifiting Words
Check out this transcript of a speech Obama gave in Atlanta this morning. Just reading it gave me chills. It is exactly why I support him, because words can be an opening to something greater.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Clinton Tactics
A first-hand account of some underhanded maneuvers by Clinton supporters in Nevada.
One voter who hadn't even finished registering said that she was undecided, and the Hillary operative physically escorted her to the Hillary side. I went to talk to the woman, but she was immediately surrounded by 3 Hillary supporters who would not let me in, and I had to attend to others registering at that point (our operatives were outnumbered by hers 2-1).
This kind of crap makes me sick. No, I don't think Clinton gave orders for any of this, but I don't doubt that it was not discouraged either. Is this really the kind of leader we want in the White House?
Nevada Results
On the Democratic side, Clinton took the race with a 51-45 victory over Obama. The race is certainly not over, but this is not good for Obama. The more Clinton's name is in the headlines as a victor, the more chance she has of building up a solid momentum. The breakdown of voters is interesting and highlights what Obama is going to face in southwestern states. Latinos overwhelmingly supported Clinton. Obama did get a majority of the black vote which should help him in the South if he can continue his support there. Edwards only managed low single digits. He's vowing to stay in until the August Democratic convention, but unless he pulls off a victory or close second in South Carolina, he needs to consider dropping out.
Andrew Sullivan has a brief post about the Latino/Black split in Nevada and a video with some insight into the minds of the Nevada voters.
Romney won the Republican caucuses. This victory is beginning to give Romney a solid lead in delegates. South Carolina could catapult one of the others back into the race, but it is looking more and more like Romney's nomination to lose.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Star Trek Pics
Moviefone has a picture of the Enterprise from the upcoming new movie. It's not the best shot, so it's hard to make a judgment on it. They also have pics of all of the major cast members. Even though I like J.J. Abrams, my expectations remain rather low. I hope I'm proved wrong.
Arrogant Clintons
The extreme arrogance of the Clintons, Bill and Hillary, is one of the most off putting things about both of them and a large reason I would have trouble voting for Hillary. The linked story is about Bill getting quite upset with a reporter over a question regarding the suit brought by Clinton supporters in an attempt to stop the casino caucuses in Nevada. They, of course, did not have a problem with them until a union endorsed Obama, a union that provides most of the staff for the casinos that will be hosting caucuses. They really seem to be baffled that anyone would stand in the way of them getting back into the White House.
Please, Democrats of the nation, give Obama the nomination. It will be better for us all.
The Tomb of Jesus
The controversy surrounding the possible tomb of Jesus first discovered in 1980 just won't go away. Of course something this volatile probably won't ever completely die out. No matter how much evidence is amassed one way or another, someone believing the opposite will refute it and carry the fight on. I personally find the tomb very fascinating and no matter what secrets it may hold they will not affect my spiritual beliefs.
One thing I disagree with from the article, though, is this quote from James Charlesworth, a theologian at Princeton Theological Seminary:
After all, [Jesus's] followers believed he was the Son of God.
The disciples of Jesus and his followers for a few generations after his death did not believe Jesus was the son of God, at least not in the divine way we think of it today. They certainly believed that Jesus was the messiah, that he was chosen by God. They did not believe he was divine himself, however, as this would have been an infringement on their strict monotheism. It was not until later that belief in a divine Jesus developed.
Another Girl
My family's takeover by females continues with the birth of another girl. Earlier this evening, my sister gave birth to Brooklyn Rae. She is a few weeks early, but doing fine. I now have four nieces in addition to my two daughters, three sisters, a mother, and my ex-wife. What have I wrought to deserve such a fate?
I can only hope that my friend, Jeromy, will continue having boys and balance this out somehow.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Armor of God PJs
Wow. Whatever happened to a nice metaphor? I guess I just don't understand the desire for always being literal. Next thing you know they will be peddling plate armor and real swords (they're cross-shaped!).
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