Why is the U.S. bombing Libya? They are not attacking us. They haven't even threatened us. Our Government has no moral or legal right to do so. The U.S. simply cannot be the world's policeman. We can't afford it. How many of our sons have to die on the other side of the world before we say "Enough!" Our economy is in a terrible state and endless war is just too expensive, both in terms of money and lives lost.
Now that Obama, the ultimate liberal, has proven himself to be a warmonger, maybe Conservatives will stop supporting war. The Americans in the Middle East are not fighting for our freedoms! Freedom is taken away by our OWN government, not by governments on the other side of the world!
Bring our troops home! Get the U.S. out of the Middle East!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tiger Mom
I haven't read the book, "Tiger Mom," but I have read a few excerpts and passages from it. I have heard that the draconian mother in the book is righteously defending how she raised her children on TV and in other places.
I would like to say that yes, many American children lack discipline, and yes, it is detrimental how much TV time and video game time some children have. Too much TV and computer time is bad for adults, as well!
But I would like to say that the measures used by people like "Tiger Mom" go to the other extreme. Whatever happened to the principle of moderation? I have known quite a few families whose children are very bright and talented and pursuing college educations who NEVER resorted to the concentration-camp style tactics of "Tiger Mom."
My own sister could play the piano beautifully and, as far as I can remember, my parents never really "made" her practice. She practiced because she loved music. My other sister never went to college but has had a highly successful career as a loan underwriter.
Discipline is important, don't get me wrong! I am not advocating letting children run wild or be completely lazy. Parents have to be tough!!! On the other hand, I would also like to advocate balancing being tough with a gentle, loving attitude, the kind that you find in the parents of the Ann of Green Gables books or Little Women. And let a kid be a kid. Let them have plenty of free time to play and enjoy childhood.
I would like to say that yes, many American children lack discipline, and yes, it is detrimental how much TV time and video game time some children have. Too much TV and computer time is bad for adults, as well!
But I would like to say that the measures used by people like "Tiger Mom" go to the other extreme. Whatever happened to the principle of moderation? I have known quite a few families whose children are very bright and talented and pursuing college educations who NEVER resorted to the concentration-camp style tactics of "Tiger Mom."
My own sister could play the piano beautifully and, as far as I can remember, my parents never really "made" her practice. She practiced because she loved music. My other sister never went to college but has had a highly successful career as a loan underwriter.
Discipline is important, don't get me wrong! I am not advocating letting children run wild or be completely lazy. Parents have to be tough!!! On the other hand, I would also like to advocate balancing being tough with a gentle, loving attitude, the kind that you find in the parents of the Ann of Green Gables books or Little Women. And let a kid be a kid. Let them have plenty of free time to play and enjoy childhood.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Haven't blogged in awhile
I haven't blogged in awhile but I have been "down" quite a bit and not up on my usual reading. Today, however, I don't feel very well, so I don't have the energy to go shopping (one of my favorite hobbies) or even drink a couple of beers (my especially favorite hobby). So I thought I would peruse the internet and after reading some other blogs, I have decided that I need a change. Now that the kids are grown up, and my only grandson lives so far away, I need to develop some new interests. I would really like to join a hiking club but I have to find one that only goes on four mile maximum excursions (I get tired easily). I would like to learn to crochet and knit but our local craft store charges too much for lessons. Book club? Art or music lessons? New recipes? A new pet? Invite someone over for dinner? Any suggestions?
I don't have anything political to share other than the political and economic scene are both pretty bleak right now! Enough said, I suppose.
I don't have anything political to share other than the political and economic scene are both pretty bleak right now! Enough said, I suppose.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Warnings to the Tea Party
There is a conservative political movement afoot, whose favorite form of demonstration is the "Tea Party." This is very positive in many ways. I am glad to see so many people with courage to stand up to the government and stand against tyranny.
However, what many (most?) of these people are overlooking is the fact that it was George Bush, both I and II, who took away so many of our freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism.
I will quote here from The Wanderer, June 17, 2010 edition:
"Tea Partiers have unfortunately been fed a line of hokum by politicians aided and abetted by the mainstream media. They fail to understand that it is precisely the interventionist defense and foreign policies that are driving the bad things they see in government...The federal government is twice as big as it was in 2001 and there has been the creation of major new bureaucracies at the Department of Homeland Security and the office of the director of National Intelligence...The Tea Partiers should understand that terrorists will only tear down the United States if we Americans help them to do so. Irrational fear of a small group of men hiding in a cave in Asia is what drives larger government, the infringement of civil liberties, and more taxes and regulation...So how can the Tea Party turn things around? It can only do so by realizing that the first thing that must be done ...is for the United States to end its wars overseas and dramatically scale back on its international commitments."
"The Bush war policies have given President Obama too much unchecked power..."
by Phil Giraldi of the American Conservative.
However, what many (most?) of these people are overlooking is the fact that it was George Bush, both I and II, who took away so many of our freedoms in the name of fighting terrorism.
I will quote here from The Wanderer, June 17, 2010 edition:
"Tea Partiers have unfortunately been fed a line of hokum by politicians aided and abetted by the mainstream media. They fail to understand that it is precisely the interventionist defense and foreign policies that are driving the bad things they see in government...The federal government is twice as big as it was in 2001 and there has been the creation of major new bureaucracies at the Department of Homeland Security and the office of the director of National Intelligence...The Tea Partiers should understand that terrorists will only tear down the United States if we Americans help them to do so. Irrational fear of a small group of men hiding in a cave in Asia is what drives larger government, the infringement of civil liberties, and more taxes and regulation...So how can the Tea Party turn things around? It can only do so by realizing that the first thing that must be done ...is for the United States to end its wars overseas and dramatically scale back on its international commitments."
"The Bush war policies have given President Obama too much unchecked power..."
by Phil Giraldi of the American Conservative.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
A Jansenist/Calvinist sermon
Borrowed from "The Virginian," by Owen Wister.
"The cowboys were told that not only they could do no good, but that if they did contrive to, it would not help them. Nay, more, not only honest deeds availed them nothing, but even if they accepted this especial creed which was being explained to them as necessary for salvation, still it might not save them. Their sin was indeed the cause of their damnation, yet, keeping from sin, they might nevertheless be lost. It had all been settled for them not only before they were born, but before Adam was shaped. Having told them this, he invited them to glorify the Creator of the scheme. Even if damned, they must praise the person who had made them expressly for damnation."
"The cowboys were told that not only they could do no good, but that if they did contrive to, it would not help them. Nay, more, not only honest deeds availed them nothing, but even if they accepted this especial creed which was being explained to them as necessary for salvation, still it might not save them. Their sin was indeed the cause of their damnation, yet, keeping from sin, they might nevertheless be lost. It had all been settled for them not only before they were born, but before Adam was shaped. Having told them this, he invited them to glorify the Creator of the scheme. Even if damned, they must praise the person who had made them expressly for damnation."
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Drivel of the Heretics
From the May 27th, 2010 edition of "The Wanderer."
More than 30 years ago, Dietrich Von Hildebrand said: "One of the most horrifying and widespread diseases of the Church today is the lethargy of the guardians of the faith of the Church...I am thinking of the numerous bishops...who make no use whatever of their authority when it comes to intervening against heretical thelogians or priests, or against blasphemous performances of public worship...
"But it is most especially infuriating when certain bishops who...show this lethargy toward heretics, assume a rigorously authoritarian attitude toward those believers who are fighting for orthodoxy..."
"A partial list of abuses calling for apology by the many bishops in the U.S. hierarchy is:
-To the millions of Catholic parents and grandparents who are enduring incredible sufferings over the collapse of the faith and morality of their children and grandchildren, which includes not only spiritual concerns for their children's salvation, a source of constant inner anxiety and distress, but on the practical side they see their children unable to practice chastity, engaged in lives of adultery and fornication and the breakdown of family life."
More than 30 years ago, Dietrich Von Hildebrand said: "One of the most horrifying and widespread diseases of the Church today is the lethargy of the guardians of the faith of the Church...I am thinking of the numerous bishops...who make no use whatever of their authority when it comes to intervening against heretical thelogians or priests, or against blasphemous performances of public worship...
"But it is most especially infuriating when certain bishops who...show this lethargy toward heretics, assume a rigorously authoritarian attitude toward those believers who are fighting for orthodoxy..."
"A partial list of abuses calling for apology by the many bishops in the U.S. hierarchy is:
-To the millions of Catholic parents and grandparents who are enduring incredible sufferings over the collapse of the faith and morality of their children and grandchildren, which includes not only spiritual concerns for their children's salvation, a source of constant inner anxiety and distress, but on the practical side they see their children unable to practice chastity, engaged in lives of adultery and fornication and the breakdown of family life."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Fatherless
This blog is based on what I read in the April 8, 2010 edition of "The Wanderer." It includes several sources, including Amy Alkon of the Canadian Children's Rights Council; Patrick Fagan and Dorothy Hanks, "The Child Abuse Crisis: The Disintegration of Marriage, Family and the American Community"; Adolescent and Family Health, vol. 1, n.1; the Victoria Times Colonist, January 8, 1998; The FBI, The U.S. Census Bureau, and the National Fatherhood Institute.
"Why is it socially reprehensible for a man to leave a baby fatherless, but courageous, even admirable, for a woman to have a baby whom she knows will be so?...The vast majority of child physical and sexual abuse is committed in single-parent homes, homes usually where the father is not present...Contrary to public perception, research shows that the most likely physical abuser of a young child will be that child's mother, not a male in the household. The father is the parent most likely to be the protector of the children. The presence of the father... placed the child at lesser risk for sexual abuse.
"Father deprivation is a more reliable predictor of criminal activity than race, environment, or poverty."
"Father deprived children are:
1)72% of all teenage murderers
2) 60% of all rapists
3)3 out of 4 teen suicides
4)90% of runaways
"Father deprivation is a serious form of child abuse that is...entrenched within our legal system. Powerful sexist people have a vested interest in diminishing the role of men, especially their role as fathers."
"Why is it socially reprehensible for a man to leave a baby fatherless, but courageous, even admirable, for a woman to have a baby whom she knows will be so?...The vast majority of child physical and sexual abuse is committed in single-parent homes, homes usually where the father is not present...Contrary to public perception, research shows that the most likely physical abuser of a young child will be that child's mother, not a male in the household. The father is the parent most likely to be the protector of the children. The presence of the father... placed the child at lesser risk for sexual abuse.
"Father deprivation is a more reliable predictor of criminal activity than race, environment, or poverty."
"Father deprived children are:
1)72% of all teenage murderers
2) 60% of all rapists
3)3 out of 4 teen suicides
4)90% of runaways
"Father deprivation is a serious form of child abuse that is...entrenched within our legal system. Powerful sexist people have a vested interest in diminishing the role of men, especially their role as fathers."
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