Opus 2017-337: Watch Out for Falling Rock

I am assuming that this is a genuine report on Daily Time Waster.  One person was killed while rock climbing as a chunk of the mountain fell.  There are some really great pictures.  It is easy to overlook the loss of life.

My sympathy goes out to the families and injured.  Also of great concern is that I expect the caring people of the Nanny State to try to make rock climbing safe so that no one gets hurt.  Of course that will destroy the sport.  I have no interest in climbing rocks.  It isn’t just the danger.  I am too lazy.  But I think that part of the joy of life for some people is taking the challenge presented by risky endeavors.  Unlike drag racing on city streets, rock climbing does not generally threaten innocent bystanders. 

Let them take the risk.  They do not need your protection Sir Nanny.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-336: New Terms: IFF

The dirty side of politics is when partisanship becomes IFF, Ideological Factional Fanaticism.  That is what we keep seeing in the House and Senate.  An article in the Washington Times tracks the changing tune of some Democrats on the issue of tax reform.  They are laying the groundwork of “voting for something before they vote against it.”  I think John Kerry came up with that bit of insight. 

When appearing before voters a number of Democrats have appeared to favor tax reform.  They have even championed some of the points in the new plan presented by the Republicans and backed by President Trump.  And therein lies the problem.  Trump Derangement Syndrom sets in.  This sums it up.

“Democratic lawmakers have privately indicated that their opposition is more about sabotaging Mr. Trump than the merits of the tax plan, said Rep. David Schweikert, Arizona Republican....

“‘They understand the desperate need for the economic growth,’ he said of his Democratic colleagues. ‘But they almost make it clear — they almost can’t say that in front of a microphone [that] what would be actually good for workers might also be good for this president. And anything that’s good for this president, if you’re Democrat you cannot embrace.’”

Factionalism puts the agenda of the party ahead of the good of the country.  When you are a Democrat your party agenda is to advance socialism and a limitation of the liberty of Americans.  It is done for your own good, of course.  Democrats feel that they are the elite that knows what is best for you.

There are plenty of RINOs on board.  Currently the Democrats are in the drivers seat but they could not control the bus without a lot of help from those who should be our friends. 

So be bi-partisan, vote all the suckers out.  Remember a swamp drains quicker is there are more places to remove the scum.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-335: Hope or Headlines?

Instapundit linked to what appeared to be a potential cure for HIV.

I have mixed reactions.

First, I was encouraged.  HIV is a scourge that has the potential to match the destruction of the Black Death of medieval times.  Finding a way to stop it is a good thing.  It needs to be done before it mutates and starts to become airborne.

Second, I was skeptical.  Notice that it comes from the BBC.  In case you went to public school, the first “B” stands for “British”.  One of the things I have noticed when using Drudge as a source is that the vast majority of headlines that talk about miraculous progress in medicine come from British newspapers and are vastly overblown.  Usually when they claim a breakthrough it is simply because someone wanting more money says they have hopes of a breakthrough.  I am tired of reading about cures for diabetes, cancer and HIV that are nothing but dreams and drama.

Third, I have the same concern I have when I read about breakthroughs in weight control.  You know the dream of all us gluttons:  Eat all you want of whatever you want and still lose weight.  When I finally conceded that I was diabetic I had a choice.  I could either control my weight or start learning to use a needle.  In my case diabetes was a behavior issue.  I am a glutton.  I love food.  It is a character flaw.  The only way I could avoid serious health issues was to control my appetite.  HIV is in the same category.  It has deadly consequences.  It is also a behavior issue.  We could do away with HIV in a generation.  All it would take is abiding by Biblical standards of sexual behavior and the virus would not be passed on.  Yes, I know that you can get it from blood transfusions and such.  The statement is still true.

So don’t get too excited.  Cures are good.  Promises are elusive.

 homo unius libri

Opus 2017-334: Notable

I was going through my daily ritual of websites and perusing the one dealing with San Antonio.  Over on the right it has a feature called “Notable Deaths”.  That is the local term for “obituary”.  What struck me first was that I had never heard of anybody on the list.  When it listed what they had done to be notable I must confess that I did not even know that those things needed to be done.  Grab for whatever fame you can find.

The second thing that jumped out at me that three of the four who made the fold were younger than I am.  Maybe I should say, not as old. 

I have my problems.  We all do.  At the same time I am still cooking on most of my burners.  And as I tell people when they get squeamish about the topic of death, “I am ready to go.”

Being ready to go means everything from having clean underwear to having my sins forgiven by the grace of God.  There is a lot in between.  I am sure that I missed a few spots on the glasses.  Put it in my obituary. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-333: Locker Room Humor

You may have caught that one player on the Pittsburgh Steelers did not follow the coaches instructions.  Instead of cowering in the locker room and giving implicit support for the Anti-American antics of football snowflakes, Alejandro Villanueva came out and showed respect for the values of our country.  His parents taught him right.

At this point I am expecting him to be disciplined by the coach or the management.  Free speech is a one way street in the world of Progressive blizzards.  It only works when you are hating on America.  Perhaps one of his teammates will blind-side him in an attempt to teach him that hate will not be tolerated. 

I salute him.  I expect him to pay.

The frosting on the cake is that one account had the fans booing the team when it came out after being AWOL for the national anthem.  Kudos to Pittsburgh. 

In an interview after the game the coach was quoted at Powerline as saying,

“...he was looking for “100 percent participation” in whatever course of action the team took during the national anthem.”

It goes without saying that such a sentiment only applies when the action supports the left.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-332: RSVP

I can understand why the sheep who follow the Progressive elites would not want to go to the White House to meet President Trump.  I would feel the same level of enthusiasm if I had been invited by Barak Obama.  I would not call him all the gutter names they come up with.  I would voice my opinion with grammar and vocabulary that showed I had graduated from 8th grade.  I would not hold a press conference and, of course, no one would care.

On the other hand I don’t think I ever referred to Obama as “not my president”.  He was president of the United States.  I am an American.  He won the election.  I am a patriot.  I did not like his policies.  His arrogance made Trump look humble.  His accomplishments made Trump look awesome.  I did not respect him but I did respect the office.

I often had this discussion with students.  It was hard for them to grasp.  They have been indoctrinated with the distortion that anyone who disagrees with them is a hater.  They have been groomed to live in the world of 1984 and they are well suited.

So stay away from the White House.  It is okay with me.  It will save us time because we won’t need to count the silverware after you leave.  It is called freedom and I want you to have it as much as I do.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-331: Is the Pope a Catholic?

That used to be a trick question.  I am not sure if that is still true. 

Instapundant had a link to a Catholic site that was calling Pope Francis to account for some of his statements about marriage, sexuality and family.  They seem to feel like he is opening the doors to people who might pursue heretical positions. 

They tried to walk the line of loyal opposition.

“The signatories stress they are not accusing the Pope of formal heresy...”

At the same time it is clear they see the logical progression of some of the pope’s warm and fuzzy social agenda. 

The Biblical standards on marriage and the place of sexual activity in marriage are watershed.  If we continue to drift down this road the consequences will be culturally shattering.  I might be good if the pope would get on board with the Nashville Statement.  If you have never heard of the Nashville Statement you might be advised to take a look.  That is really important if you attend a church with the word “united” in your name.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-330: Headlines: A Blizzard of Snowflakes

It looks like the battle between the working classes in America and the prima dona snowflakes of the sports world is escalating.  Again some disclaimer.  I do not pay attention to professional basketball.  I have never paid attention to professional basketball.  Now it seems that they are moving toward the list of overpaid-to-play-games crowd that live in a bubble. 

The NBA champions (?) will not be invited to the White House this year.  I think that is the impact of the headlines I am seeing at My San Antonio.  There seems to be some disagreement on whether they were invited in the first place or would ever consider attending but it is more fun to watch than an NBA game, at least for me.  I remember ignoring sport teams visiting the White House in the past.  Now I can ignore them not going.

We have all the hoopla over the NFL knee problems.  America as a whole has been cheering Trump as he says, “Fire the bums” even if we think turning off the TV is enough.  Now it seems to be spreading to the world of basketball.  Will baseball be next?  (Just checked Drudge, the answer is yes)  NASCAR?  Probably not, it is hard to kneel while driving a car.

I only hope that the librarians of America don’t start getting political in this way.  I would hate to boycott the public library.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-329: Critical Mass: Factions

Society has many bumps and potholes.  What happens when those potholes become sinkholes?  What happens when a small blip reaches Critical Mass.  Today I want to talk about extreme partisanship or factions. 

Being partisan is part of being free.  It is not a real issue.  What is an issue is the extreme form that becomes a faction.  A faction is willing to destroy the entire dining room just to keep others from having a place at the table.  We are seeing that attitude in activities like the use of special counsels to advance a political agenda.

I don’t have a problem with the special counsel digging into the dirt of Washington.  There is a heap of dirt to dig up and if he digs carefully he can discover where the bodies are buried.

What I have a problem with is only digging in one place and only recognizing one type of dirt.  The obvious example is the mountain of dirt that is clearly visible on the Clintons.  Does the Clinton Foundation ring any bells?  Does uranium for Putin sound familiar?  Where have I heard about some e-mails that got lost?  Are we looking into any of that corruption?  No.  They are on the protected species list put out by the left.

We have seen this kind of thing from Dan Quayle spelling potatoes in the alternative way supplied on a card by a teacher and being called ignorant to Barak Obama talking about visiting 57 states and being declared a genius. 

The Republicans could do something about the problem but they are secretly cheering the special counsel on.  They have more in common with the Progressives than the masses.  They don’t have a problem with destroying our liberty because they feel they will be among the select elite that run things when it comes crashing down.

So far the American people have been patient.  I don’t know how long that will continue.  The last election was the voice of the people saying, “Drain the swamp”.  All the elites hear is the anarchists and snowflakes chanting, “Not my president”.  My fear is that they will keep it up until the only answer is violence.  My other fear is that the masses will be complacent until violence is the only answer.

Vote the suckers out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-328: Should-a-Beens: Blanket Pardons

It may be time for the president to use the power of his office to start cleaning up Washington.  I say that because the Republican party seems determined to return to minority status instead of doing something about the crimes and abuses of the left.

What has me going is the obvious witch hunt by Robert Meuller.  His current target is Paul Manafort.  The plan is to keep digging into his past until you find some minuscule detail on which to hang him.  Rest assured, if they cannot find anything they will fabricate one.  Their hope is to intimidate him enough that he will turn on the president and start making up stuff that can be used to bring Trump down in a Deep State Coup.

I have a solution.  The president should start issuing blanket pardons to any member of his team that is being investigated by Meuller.  Let the tool of the Democrats then do all the digging he wants.  If he finds any dirt, good for him but he won’t be able to threaten people with jail and ruined lives for his left wing handlers. 

Is it possible that a few wrong-doers will be given Get out of Jail Free cards?  Yes.  It is definite though that more will be given Don’t Go to Jail in the First Place for No Reason Cards.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-327: Healthy Insights: Aisle Wisdom

My daughter is in town for a few weeks.  We have been looking forward to this for months.

One of the things we did was stop at a bakery near the town square.  It is a landmark bakery.  It has been there since buffalo could be seen outside town.

I don’t think I had been in the bakery since the last time she was here.  I avoid it because I know that I cannot control myself when I am inside.  Actually let’s say I will not control myself.  If you are like me you know that it is any excuse in a storm.  Give me the potential and I will find a reason to buy some pastry.  Once it is purchased it is never allowed to go stale.  Instead it goes in my mouth.

The best way to avoid fattening food is to not buy it.  The best way to avoid buying it is to avoid it.  Walking down the aisle that has an array of Dorito varieties is not wise.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-326: On the Street: Illegal Economics

Certain groups are in favor of open borders.  They make strange bedfellows.

You have the liberal democrats and the RINO businessmen.  You would think they are in opposition yet both want lots of illegal immigration.  The reasons are similar.  The Democrats want cheap votes.  The businessmen want cheap labor.  They are both willing to destroy our republic.

There is another reason that employers and business owners often like open boarders.  It isn’t just cheap labor.  It is also the existence of the cash economy.  If you can hire someone and pay them cash you are ahead.  You don’t have to pay a bookkeeper and pay all the extra expenses of insurance and taxes. 

About two years ago our neighbor was having some remodeling done.  I talked to her contractor over the fence for a few minutes.  I learned a lot. 

He was able to work cheaper because of the cash economy.  He was an American born Latino.  He spoke well and drove a really nice truck.  He was able to do this and charge lower prices because most of what he did was below the radar.  Yes, he started with employing illegals.  He also paid in cash and was paid in cash.  This combination allowed him to save thousands of dollars.  He charged less and made more.

Think about the expenses that are dumped on legal operators.  Next time you get a pay stub, look at all the items being withheld.  Notice how many are matched by the employer.  All of it has to be passed on to the person buying what you make or sell.  In addition your employer must pay accountants and bookkeepers to make sure the numbers work.  Then you have business licenses, construction permits, insurance and so forth.  The list goes on. 

Illegals work for less.  They are often afraid to complain about abuse.  If you are really sneaky you can pick up day laborers, have them work all day and not show up to give them a ride home or pay them. 

And you wonder why you can’t get a raise.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-325: Monday Pulpit: High Church

Sunday I was visiting another church.  On the whole is was a time I was able to worship.  I only had one problem, they served communion.

Normally communion is not a problem.  I know that if I am attending a Lutheran church I don’t join the congregation.  They practice what is called closed communion.  You need to be a member of their denomination or local church.  I would never dream of taking the host in a Catholic church.  They would consider that blasphemy.

The problem was they used real wine.  I thought I could deal with that.  I don’t drink.  The communion wine is very low alcohol.  The cup was small.  And I made it through just fine.  The problem is the taste stayed with me for hours.  I kept tasting rotten grape juice.  It would not go away.

One reason I don’t drink is it all tastes like what it is, food products gone bad.  It even smells that way.  It has been so long since I had anything alcoholic that I had forgotten how bad it is.

I guess I can use the occasion to remind me of the sacrifice that Jesus made.  Every time I get an after taste I can remember His death. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-324: Football and Pork Belly

First a bit of disclaimer.  I am not an interested party.  I can’t remember the last time I ever watched an NFL game.  I find that as I get older and my time of playing football gets further away, I have lost interest.  I can remember how New Years Day was a line up of football.  Now I don’t even know who is playing.  The same goes for baseball.

I can’t help but notice the headlines I keep seeing about the decease in interest in professional football.  The first time it came up was when the snowflake quarterback knelt during the national anthem.  I began reading comments of people saying they would not watch NFL games any more.  Since then we have had more and more rich, spoiled athletes protesting the terrible harm that America has done to them.  More people tune out. 

It is really cause and effect?  I don’t know.  I hope so.  It is the way a free market is supposed to work.  Professional sports offers a product.  It is not a needed commodity like corn or gasoline.  It is not pork belly or soybeans.  It is part of the luxury market.  They need to attract customers.  That is why the forward pass was made legal.  It is why they have those silly cheerleaders.  You have instant replay and all kinds of innovations.  It was to expand the viewer base.  People are free to tune in or tune out.

They seem to be tuning out.  Should players be free to sit during the national anthem.  Sure.  Should I be able to take a nap during Monday Night Football?  (Is there still Monday Night Football?)  Of course.  Could I read a book instead?  Or I might even go to the closet, pull out my old football and go out to throw it around.

So keep protesting, snowflakes.  Protest the system that has made you rich, famous and pampered.  It may raise the intellectual level of the nation and improve my health.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-323: Digging into Deuteronomy: Conditional Promises

(Deuteronomy 4:1 KJV)  Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

How many times do we need to see it to accept it.  It again seems that obedience is necessary so “that” (4616) (in order that NASB) God’s blessings will be bestowed.

The promise has been made.  The land is being given to Israel.  You would think that would be a done deal, but not so fast.  There are two other steps involved in this gift.

Israel needs to “go” (935) and “possess” (3423) (take possession NASB).  This is the action stage, obedience.  It would seem that the gift is a work in progress.  There seems to be a time element to the promise.  It seemed so final at first listen but not if you are paying attention.

Before they can act they need to “harken” (listen NASB) (8085).  I don’t know about you but this is the hard part. I don’t like to listen, or so my wife tells me.  There are different types of listening.  Some involve the ears, others the heart.  When we read we need to not only engage our mind but bring our heart into the mix.  We need to take the knowledge and make it our own.

Are you one of those people who really want their lives to be lived for Almighty God?  Do you want to hear the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”?  It isn’t enough to know that there are promises.  You also need to follow the steps outlined above.  You need to listen and live.  At that point the promise is fulfilled in your life.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-322: On the Street: Self Deportation

What is happening with immigration?  Whatever it is, it is touching people in their every day lives.  We had a man doing some painting at our house.  He was an American born man of Mexican extraction.  I did not ask him if he spoke Spanish.  He was having a hard time keeping up with the work demand.  He blamed it on the deportations ordered by President Trump.  I pointed out that the only ones being arrested and deported were those with criminal histories.  He agreed.  He also agreed that people are going back to Mexico because of fear of deportation.  It seems all we need to do is get people to believe we will enforce existing law.  Meanwhile, all the people he used to hire are leaving.

I talked about the situation with our general contractor.  He said he tried not to hire illegals but claimed he sometimes had no choice.  When I pressed him on it he admitted that the problem was not a lack of Americans willing to do the job but finding Americans willing to work for what he wanted to pay.  That highlights why so many in business are for open borders:  Cheap labor.  If the Latino population that came legally would just pay attention they would realize that the threat posed by illegal immigration is also aimed at their jobs.  A hungry guy on the street corner will be willing to work for less than someone who has a mortgage.

If we can reduce the number of illegals working there will be two results.  First, it will provide more jobs for American citizens.  Second, it will raise wages.  In reality I can afford to pay a little more for a painter or to have my oil changed.  I might need to eat at home a little more often but it would improve the lives across the board.

Build the wall.  Enforce the law.  Arrest the criminals.  Cut off the benefits.  Watch the rest self deport.  It will work.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-321: New Word Needed

Cartoonists have had a field day with the hypocrisy of ESPN removing the broadcaster named Robert Lee.  Maybe we could start calling these people espners instead of snowflakes.  But it made me wonder.

I am finding I can’t use the word “trump” any more.  This could cause problems in card games all around the country.  It could really be a problems if a bunch of liberals are playing bridge.  We either need to find a new word for the suit that takes all others or get the president to change his name.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-320: Tax Dollars at Work: Illegal Education

More money is needed for education, at least in California.  It seems that their budget is going to be $200,000 short this year.  Why?  Because they used it for a left wing political statement.  The Long Beach Press Telegram reports that amount was set aside to help DACA victims apply to renew their position.

Now isn’t that why you voted more money for schools?

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-319: Headlines: Coming to a Blood Bank Near You

I was recently going through a procedure and one of the questions they asked me was “Are you willing to take blood if you need it?”  It sounds pretty innocent but I said “No.”  One reason I said “no” is because I don’t believe the blood supply is safe.  That feeling was reinforced recently when I was looking through Ninety Miles from Tyranny and came across a post about my beloved ex-state of California.  Evidently Governor Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown is ready to sign a bill which had passed the state assembly and senate which removed the felony charges for anyone with the HIV virus to knowingly give blood.  It seems that the People’s Republik is ready to allow the blood supply to be infected. 

This site links to something called Your News Wire.  They quote Fox news. 

It may come as no surprise that this is the work of the Democrats.  According to the article,

“All Republicans came out against the bill, claiming a reduction in penalties for exposing someone to HIV puts the public at risk.”

This would be a no-brainer but when you talk about Democrats that seems to be a synonym.  Keep in mind that California has no state-wide offices held by a Republican.  Republicans may not be the answer but we know that the Democrats are the problem.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-318: Headlines: Double Spin

Same newspaper, different spins. 

The lead article when I checked the Washington Times told me that President Trump had made another deal with Schumer and Pelosi.

It started out with the announcement,

“Democratic leaders emerged from a dinner meeting Wednesday night with President Trump to say they had worked out a deal to grant permanent protections to young illegal immigrants — without having to accept funding for the president’s proposed border wall.”

I didn’t wade through the entire article but what I did read seemed to indicate that the deal wasn’t that clear or that definite. 

Then why the headline?

In a sidebar we find an article that starts this way:

“President Trump tweeted Thursday that he did not make a deal with Democrats for children brought to the U.S. illegally, but indicated he has no desire to deport them.”

This leans the other way, again with disclaimers and all.

It would seem to me that if this were serious reporting both spins could be put in the same article with relevant quotes and then we could make up our minds whom to believe.  Or better yet, we could file it away in our memory and wait to see if one or both were lying to us.

Has Trump folded?  Are Schumer and Pelosi simply telling another big one for headlines?  I know I can’t believe anything a Democrat tells me but that does not mean the president is on the side of the angels either.

The adventure continues.  I understand that half a loaf is better than none and Trump has given us quite a few slices so far.  I worry about him throwing it all away though.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-317: Where Are the Headlines?

I would like to congratulate the Trump family for the addition of a new grandchild.  My wife must have seen a blurb about it on TV but when I went to check it out it was not announced on any of the major news sites.  I am still waiting for my first grandchild so to me it seems like a big deal but Bush Derangement Syndrome, excuse me Trump Derangement Syndrome, seems to be working in full force.  If you have trouble with the President as a grandfather how do you deal with the first lady being a grandmother?

Maybe I just missed all the celebration.  I know the Drudge has been heralding the birth of another left wing, celebrity hate fest as the Personalities got together to raise money for hurricane relief.  As if such an event was news.

And they claim to have raised $14 million.  The money is being managed by something called Comic Relief USA's Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund.  Now there is a charity that instills confidence in the hearts of Americans.  Maybe it is for hurricane Ironic instead of Irma.  At least it instills confidence in those who believe that anyone who does not accept global warming should be punished.  They also seem to still believe that Islam is a religion of peace.  They also need a safe-space every time the words president and Trump are mentioned together.  Actually, just shouting “Trump” will make them need a sniff test of their Pampers.

So sincere congratulations to the Trumps and sincere sympathy for the Hollywood celebrities.  I hope that some of the money they “raised” actually helps people.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-316: Digging into Deuteronomy: Roots of Anti-Semitism

(Deuteronomy 2:25 KJV)  This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

One of the questions I have heard regards the widespread loathing that so many in the world have toward the Jews.  All are familiar with the Nazi holocaust.  If you saw the movie “Fiddler on the Roof” you are familiar with pogroms.  The concept of being anti-Semitic is well known.  The Jews are the focus of much hatred and hatred is often disguised fear or jealousy.

We see this around the world today and it is particularly virulent among the Arabs.  We see it among liberals.  It is at the root of so many Democrats that hate to hear that Israel is victorious.  It is why the news refuses to acknowledge that Israel is the only free country in the Middle East.  It is also, strangely enough, why so many non-religious Jews act like they do.  It is not a new phenomenon.  Here are the roots.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-315: Headlines: The Russians Are Back

I guess it was too good to be true.  Now that Irma is calming down the media brings back the Russian mantra.  The main story in the Washington Times on Monday involved Mueller’s fishing expedition against Trump.  I can’t believe that this is being allowed to go on.

This Democrat operative has hired 16 left wing experts who are committed to digging through everything Trump and his family have ever done.  They will keep at it until they find some little accounting mistake and then all hell will break loose.  Meanwhile, no one is looking into all the millions in bribes that Hillary raked in over the last few years.

I keep thinking of the intimidation factor.  This is a case of the entrenched government forces trying to scare anyone from standing up for what is right.  Picture how most of us would be destroyed by legal fees if these parasites came after us.  The strategy is to make anyone of principle afraid to say they are for Trump.  On the street we call them Antifa.  In the courts we call them special counsel or Your Honor.  All rule by intimidation.

Does the name Scooter Libby ring a bell?  He was given 30 months in prison, lost his law license and had his life ruined by these people.  His crime?  He gave an incomplete answer in an interview with the FBI.  Some say he refused to turn on President Bush so he was taken down on a technicality.

They are trying the same tactic on President Trump and anyone who is willing to work in his administration.  I am glad most of them can afford lawyers.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-314: Did You Really Pray for Florida?

“My prayers are with you.”  How many times have you heard that or something close?  I try to avoid promising to pray for people because I often forget after the energy of the moment. 

We are now beginning to pass the energy of the moment in regard to the two hurricanes that have touched on the United States.  I am sure that the people with water in their living rooms don’t agree with that.  If you are on the west coast of Florida you are still worried.  If you live in a certain part of Mexico you might still be looking for family in the wreckage.  At church yesterday they were still asking people to volunteer in the recovery.  But for most of us the drama is receding and we are continuing with our regular lives.

At times like this I wonder how much the prayers helped.  I wonder this as a devout Christian who believes that prayer changes things, but how much?  As I look at Hurricane Harvey and the billions of dollars in damage and the lives lost it is easy to focus on that and not stop to wonder why any houses are still standing and why tens of thousands are not dead.  I would suggest the prayers of God’s people.

How about Hurricane Irma?  I checked a local news source and had to read most of the article before I found that it was down to a category 1 hurricane at this point.  Yawn.  Isn’t high school football starting?  Not so fast.  At one point all we heard about was category 5 and Florida being wiped out.  What happened?  Maybe prayer.  Consider how much more damage and death we would have seen if the track of the storm had been just a few degrees different.

Prayer is harder to track than a hurricane.  It is different from the scientific method because it is not an experiment you can go back and run over again with different variables.  All you can do is look at the results and wonder, “What happened?”

Let me go out on even thinner ice.  We have two massive hurricanes and have less than 100 dead.  Other parts of the world experience similar touches of weather and have thousands dead.  One of the questions I will always wonder about, and plan to ask about after the resurrection, is “How much does the Christian salt repel disaster in places like America?”  There are cases in the Bible from the last plague in Egypt to the escape clause for Sodom that indicate God’s people don’t have the same amount of tragedy as the nations that have rejected Him.

It is a touchy subject but one we can wonder about in the recesses of our hearts.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-313: Never Forget

I was listening to an old podcast from The Art of Manliness and the conversation came around to the topic of heroism.  The host mentioned the policemen and firemen who had gone into the Twin Towers to rescue people on 9/11.  In one sense they were just doing their jobs but in a more real sense they were deliberately risking their lives, and losing them, in order to try to rescue others.  I had to admit that is a good definition of a hero.  The heroes were not the people trapped in the building.  They were victims who had no choice.  The heroes were the ones who chose to go in harms way for the benefit of others.

Compare that view of manliness with the terrorists and the social justice warriors.  One risks his life to try to save others, with no guarantee of success.  The other risks others in order to make themselves feel important.  One is showing courage; the other, cowardice.  One quietly goes home if he survives, the other dances in the streets celebrating the carnage. 

Compare the cultures that elevate each behavior.  Western culture mourns with those who suffer.  From what we see the masses of Islam rejoice in the agony of their enemies.  I do not know the Koran well enough to pull up a verse explaining their joy but I do know why the West, which has been influenced by the Bible takes the high road.

Our Jewish heritage lays the groundwork.

(Proverbs 24:17-18 KJV)  Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:  Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

And in the next chapter,

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

For those who don’t look that far back, accept the words of Jesus,

(Matthew 5:44 KJV)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Different cultures.  Different religions.  Different ways of responding to the suffering of others.

Remember 911, but remember from the Christian perspective.  Yes, some people must be killed to protect our civilization, but it is to be done to save the innocent not for revenge.

Never forget.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-312: Spam: I Am Awesome

I love the terms used to describe my post:  Astounding, clarity, spectacular, expert, and gratifying.  I was a bit concerned that he wanted to “clutch” my RSS feed though.  I did have a question before I deleted the comment:  Why did it take the spambot six years to find this wonderful bit of writing?

Spam.  The original fake news.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-311: Headlines: Sharing the Blame for Sharing the Wealth

A lot of us are upset with the president for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling and borrowing more money.  What is a bit hypocritical is Republican leaders blaming him.  If you are one of those who think this is a deal between Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi and Donald Trump you were not paying attention in your high school government class, assuming you had one.

The bill was signed, according to the Washington Times.

“President Trump signed a bill Friday afternoon to inject billions of dollars into disaster relief, racing to deliver the funds as Hurricane Irma bears down on Florida and as cleanup efforts from Hurricane Harvey get fully underway in Texas.”

We hear cries of “President Trump made a deal.”

Okay, class, listen up.  Where do all spending bills for the United Stated government start?  If you knew it was the House of Representatives you probably cheated.  Who is in charge of the House?  Paul Ryan.  The next line in the article is,

“Mr. Trump acted just hours after the bill cleared the House in a strong bipartisan vote.”

In order for it to get to the president’s desk it also had to go to the Senate, where the Republicans also have a majority, and pass there.  So by the time it reaches the president all the Democrats and RINOs had a chance to nix it.  They did not.

Where were all these patriots when the president said he was ready to sign a bill ending Obamacare?

Crickets.  So go ahead and be upset with the president but don’t forget your local congressman.  And don’t leave out all of us that think the U.S. Government is there to ride to the rescue when we have a problem.  We are digging our own graves, one crisis at a time.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-310: Headlines: That Disgusting Freedom

The Battle for America continues.  The focus at this point is in the First Amendment regarding what is popularly called “freedom of speech”.  The Progressives, represented by all the forces of the left from the Democrats, through the RINOs, to the Antifa thugs, are trying to shut down freedom of expression.  They have been passing laws against thoughts.  That is basically what “hate crime” legislation is all about.  Somehow if you murder someone because you hate them that deserves stronger punishment than if you just murder them.  Are they more dead?  The goal is to be able to put people in jail if you disagree with them by judging what is in their head.  Obviously that is impossible or, at least, it is obvious to me.

According to the Washington Times a “white nationalist” has been given the right to exercise the First Amendment at the University of Florida.  This should be one of those, “Why is this news?” moments in our lives.  Instead it is a headline event. 

What got me though was in the last paragraph. 

“Other colleges, meanwhile, aren’t on the same page. A spokesman for Ohio State said Wednesday that the school has denied a request to host Mr. Spencer next month due citing the possibility of ‘substantial risk to public safety,’ putting it in the same category as other colleges that have rejected him recently including Michigan State, Penn State and Texas A&M.”

Notice the words in quotation marks.  What is being ignored is that the people causing the risk are in the audience, not on the platform.  It is not the person expressing unpopular views that is being violent but the people who understand the First Amendment and don’t want it applied to anyone but themselves.

The risk to public safety comes from the left.  If the University wanted to guarantee the safe exchange of ideas they would have a security team on hand to arrest anyone in the audience that tried to start violence.  I guarantee no one on the platform will be going to jail.  If we keep shutting down the process of public debate because one side threatens violence we might as well let them keep the football and go home to our snowflake rooms.

We can’t do that because after they secure the public square they will come for us in our homes.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-309: Headlines: The Left Coast Strikes Again

I now have another reason to be glad I am out of the People’s Republik of Kalifornia.  In a link on The Daily Gouge I was taken to an article in the LA Times stating that the voting is over, part of a California freeway will be named after Barak Obama.  Trust me, it is in the Times but I don’t want to give the dignity of a link.  I forgot to check before I clicked.

The section mentioned was one that I would have been forced to drive over on a regular basis.  What about my feelings?  Will they post trigger warnings?  They say the signs will only cost a few thousand dollars and be paid for from private funds but what about the cost of constructing safe spaces along the route.  The only reason I can see for this choice is that it goes by the Eagle Rock dump.  It would have been interesting if they had chosen 118 which goes by the Reagan Library or the one going by the Nixon library.

It is still undecided if the concern over white privilege will bar the road to citizen’s of European extraction. 

The article said he lived in Pasadena while attending the expensive, exclusive Occidental College.  Interesting.  I worked in Pasadena for 30 years and I never heard that before.  The city brags about Jackie Robinson who actually accomplished something.  I wonder why they never mentioned President Obama.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-308: Headlines: Compromise or Warning?

The Washington Times has an interesting editorial by Charles Hurt.  He is responding to the way in which Trump went around the Republicans and made a deal with the Democrats on the budget and relief for Hurricane Harvey.  I was not happy with the deal.  I hope this is just another step in Donald Trump’s education.  I don’t think he understands yet that he cannot believe anything the Democrats tell him.  I remember George Bush I promising “no new taxes” and then he trusted the Democrats when he made a deal with them.  He pretty much destroyed his presidency then and there. 

I am not worried about Trump destroying his presidency.  He is a fighter and resilient enough to get back on his horse after he hits the ground.  My hope is that he will realize his mistake and get back on course. 

The points made later in the editorial are what stirred my thinking.  Hurt pointed out how the President has been trying to work with congress in fulfilling his promises to America.  Everything he promises is consistent with the principles of the Republican party.  As a reward the Senate and Congress have achieved very little and spend their time jumping on the bandwagon to lampoon him.  You can read the summary.  It is good.

My hope in this is that Trump is not falling for the smiles and love-hugs of the left.  My hope is that he is firing a shot across the bows of the Republican Rinos and saying, “If you won’t play with me I can find other friends”.  I am hoping that this is a warning.  I hope that Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the establishment realize they had better stop stabbing the president in the back and start supporting what the American people want. 

Trump has moved things forward in spite of congress.  Just imagine what could happen if they were actually worried about being reelected.

Meanwhile, as a general principle, vote the suckers out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-307: Headlines: PC Comes to Church

It looks like it is time to rename the “National Cathedral”.  No longer does it represent a place for American Christians to worship.  It is now moving into being a poster-person for the revisionist left.  According to the Washington Times the Cathedral is going to remove some stained glass windows that represented Confederate generals.  Their reasoning was that

“they act as ‘a barrier to our important work on racial justice and racial reconciliation.’”

This certainly helps clarify why this building can not be a center for Christian worship any more.  If you search the Bible you will find that the word “reconciliation” is a term usually used in reference to restoring the relationship between God and man with a mention of estranged husbands and wives.  Never is it used for racial issues.  In fact, the concept of racial reconciliation is not a Biblical issue but a left wing social adjustment issue.  What needs to be dealt with is sin, not our hangups about being victims, and although the ways we wrong our brothers is important they pale in comparison to our rebellion against God. 

People who are concerned about some imagined racism don’t seem to be worried at all about the sins God has listed in the Ten Commandments.  In fact they are working hard to remove the Ten Commandments from the public square along with the statues of American history.

After they remove the windows depicting Confederate generals I would suggest that they complete the project to be consistent.  Check for references to Peter.  He denied the Lord.  And since slavery was accepted in Old Testament times I would suggest that any Old Testament character be removed.  Jesus did not chose any women as disciples so He would also need to be removed as an advocate of male dominance.  Maybe we could replace them with windows depicting Caesar Chavez, Antifa social justice warriors, Mao and Stalin.  Maybe to remove the existing windows they could invite some anti-hater demonstrators to bring their rocks, bottles and clubs to knock them out.  Then we could have a national holiday commemorating the event.  Finally we could change the name of the country to the Socialist States of America.

Needless to say, I have no plans to visit what used to be the National Cathedral.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-306: What Is French for Spam?

Spam gets more creative all the time.  One made it through my filter but was all in French.  It had a name and everything.  The name?  acheter Levitra.  Being of a suspicious nature I did some Google searches and even had Google translate a page for me.  The key words were “erectile dysfunction” on a pharmacy site.  Since I didn’t want to cause any anxiety in potential readers, I marked it as spam.

The adventure of the internet is ever ending and I keep asking myself, “Don’t these people have something better to do with their time?”

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-305: Should-a-Beens: The Rule of Law

How come the left thinks that burning an American flag is an honorable expression of free speech but a bumper sticker with a Confederate flag is an expression of hate?  We are seeing the results of the Progressives attempting to push “hate” crimes.  That means they get to pick and chose whom to prosecute and the ones they pick are the ones who disagree with them.

The Constitution does not recognize speech or thoughts as being something to have laws against.  In fact we are guaranteed the freedom of speech and the press just so we can express thoughts and beliefs that people hate.  No one passes laws against ice cream.  Well, maybe they would in California, but what do you expect there.  I have never heard anyone advocate a law against ice cream.  I would be in favor of a law against liver and onions being served in public, but I know I would be laughed out of the office.  Some things are not allowed.

Liberty means that we are not only free to have our opinions, but so is the other guy.  It is called the rule of law.

Hate that can be legislated against is the hate that brings physical abuse against another.  I can say I hate rap music.  I can advocate against rap music.  I can ban rap music from my home.  It is not a crime until I go out and beat up a rapper.  That is why the KKK can get a permit to march in protest.  That is why CNN can create fake news.  That is why politicians don’t go to jail for not keeping their campaign promises.  That is why these anarchists of the left that beat up conservatives should be going to jail.  It isn’t because they disagree.  It is because they assault.

The authorities need to enforce the law not ignore it when the violation is from the left. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-304: Fashion King

Recently my wife wanted to run out for something to eat.  Her target was a local hamburger stand that was about 10 miles away.  Keep in mind that the closest gas station is seven miles.  I decided to put on a collared shirt over my t-shirt, after all I was going out of the house with my wife.  She called me a clothes horse.

If I were really a clothes horse I would have made sure that my underwear goes with my socks and I certainly would not have wanted to be seen in public with her dressed the way she was.

Some days you just can’t win.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-303: Headlines: You Can Run but You Cannot Hide

Or as I used to tell students who thought they could get away from me, “I know where you live”.  The context of my observations is an article in the Washington Times talking about parents pulling their children out of a school that taught a lesson on accepting transgenders.  The parents only found out about it because the children told them.  It used to be sex education that the schools hid, now it is creative sexuality that gets the nod.  Most parents don’t spend much time talking or listening to their children so they still don’t know.

These parents have my sympathy.  This is one of the reasons why we decided to home school our children.  We even avoided Christians schools because of the trend in the church to conform to the world instead of being salt.  What the parents need to understand is that you can’t get away from this stuff.  It is being pushed with dollar signs and jail time.  That is a modern version of the carrot and the stick.  If the school conforms to the demands of the Progressive leftists in education and government, they get a check.  If they refuse they can go to jail.  Sounds like a win/win for the socialists and a lose/lose for America.

A comment by one official should be underlined in red and printed in capitals.

“Rocklin Academy is not the only school bypassing parents to teach children the progressive view of gender identity.”

And of course this was in California.  What is scary is the way in which I see education in Texas going the way of education in California.  The cultural civil war is being fought and only one side is showing up at the battle field.  I think we are finding out what happens if they give a war and nobody comes.  The host of the conflict wins.

Children today are required to have a Social Security Number.  They know where your children are.  When we home schooled we were able to drop off the grid because the kids did not have numbers.  That can’t be done today.  SSN are assigned at birth.  They know who you are and where you are at.  Soon it may be a computer chip like you put in your pet.

666 anyone?

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-302: Headlines: At Last We See Trump Bowing to a Head of State

I don’t know if you have looked at any of the pictures of the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey.  Even if you are not into that kind of thing it might be good to spend some time so that you know whom you are praying for and to thank God for the blessings you are experiencing.

As I looked at the lead article in the Washington Times I noticed that President Trump was shaking hands with Governor Abbott of Texas on his visit to Houston.  My first thought was that it is a good thing Joe Biden did not make it to the presidency or we might have had another one of those foot-in-mouth moments where he asked the governor why he did not show respect by standing up.

My second thought was that we at last see President Trump appearing to bow to a head of state.  In fact, the picture makes it look like he is about ready to kneel.  He even took off his hat.  That is as it should be.  Real American leaders do not bow to foreign kings but in our federal system I could accept the President of the United States showing humility in the presence of the Head of State of Texas.

It must be driving the media crazy that, except for a few debatable decisions by the Mayor of Houston (Democrat), things seem to be going well.  The red-necks got out their boats and monster trucks and rode to the rescue.  The greedy businesses of Texas ponied up space and supplies to help the needy.  Churches are organizing relief and clean-up crews.  In the article it says that victims were cheering the President but I noticed that they did find one guy who forgot to move his truck and was mad at Trump.  It said he was a construction worker who lost his job.  The good news is that there will plenty of work for him in the immediate future.  He probably moved here from California.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-301: Call to Prayer

The President has declared today to be a day of prayer for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. 

How dare he violate separation of church and state like that?  After all, just because George Washington and Abraham Lincoln called for national prayer, who does he think he is?  That gives the left another reason to hate him.

Pray for those suffering.

Pray for those helping.

Stop and give thanks for the blessings you have experienced.  Go ahead, look around you and then go look at some of the pictures of devastation.

If you are going to give, make sure it is to a reliable charity like the Salvation Army, not the ones who siphon the money off to their own pet projects and pay their CEO’s half a million a year.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-300: Headlines: The Wrong Side Is the Right Side

An important statement has come out regarding where Christians should stand in the current debate on sexuality and sexual issues.  World Magazine reports on something being called “The Nashville Statement”. 

A summary was given as,

“The statement affirms marriage only as a covenant between one man and one woman and denies that God designed marriage for homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous relationships. The statement also says God designed humans distinctly male and female, and a homosexual or transgender self-conception is not ‘consistent with God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption.’”

That sounds totally consistent with the Bible I have been reading, but of course there are many people who view the Bible as something to be revised and redacted to fit current trends.

The key criticism seemed to be,

“Opponents argue the Nashville Statement and its signatories are on the wrong side of history.”

They are right but what they are overlooking is that Biblical Christianity has always been on the “wrong side of history”.  As the Apostle Paul said,

(Romans 12:2 KJV)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

That is why the church has been persecuted down through the ages and is still being persecuted.  That is why the devout within the church have been persecuted and are still being persecuted.

Although it is a significant statement for our times, for those who are Bible believing Christians this statement is a ho-hum, “tell me something I didn’t already know” item on the level of January 1 is New Years Day.  To those trying to make their Christian faith a comfortable adjunct to popular culture it comes as a frontal assault.  They will need to decide which side they are really on, Almighty God or the ACLU.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-299: Headlines: Why Have a Trial When the Jury Is Rigged

Like most reporting coming from modern journalism, everything is innuendo and insinuation, even from the Washington Times.  That being said it seems like there is some solid ground for thinking that James Comey wrote his exoneration of Hillary Clinton in the e-mail investigation before key witnesses had been interviewed.  His mind was made up and he wanted it to be clear before he was confused by the facts.  Two senators seem to be pursuing the issue and in a letter to FBI director said,

“‘Conclusion first, fact-gathering second — that’s no way to run an investigation,’ the senators wrote...’”

The problem is the government and the news media seem to work this way.

If the accusations are true then there should be arrests, indictments and trials.  If it is all a smoke screen it seems that there is an awful lot of smoke for no fire.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-298: Lasts: Blood Donations

I have been donating blood for years.  It never bothered me getting stuck by the big needles.  They tell me I have good veins. What made it hard was that little prick to check for iron content.

Evidently that is at an end.  The radio was calling for blood donations in the wake of Hurricane Harvey and reminded me it had been awhile.  After a half hour of filling out forms and such I was told that I could not give because of a medication I am taking.  They said if I go two days without taking it, I can come back.  Can I go two days without the medication?  I think it could be done.  My wife starts screaming at the thought.  I will ask the doctor and see if he screams.

It would seem to me that there are people in need who could use my blood in spite of the medication, but again, we run into the legal world where people sue you even if you are trying to save their lives. 

So, no more blood sharing.  I will ask the doctor, but even if he says “yes”, I am not sure my wife can handle it.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-297: Firsts: Entitlements

Mark your calendars.  Today we move into the tender hands of Medicare.  It will be a matter of learning a new set of rules and habits.  The doctors we have been dealing with in Texas don’t think it will be a problem.  We are suddenly babes in the woods.

One of the things that was not clear to us about Medicare is that, just like regular insurance, you can opt in for different types of programs.  We have always been able to stay away from HMO plans and it looks like we will be able to do that still.  Whatever it is like I still think of all those who have been left in the lurch by a combination of bad decisions such as a vacation instead of health care, government interference in the free market through regulations and mandates, and lawyers that make doctors unwilling to take risks out of fear of lawsuits.

Either way, I am now on a government program.  Please keep paying your taxes.

homo unius libri