Influence--100 Words

Influence.

Been hearing that word a lot lately.

Parents worried about the influence Obama would have on their children.

Companies worry about the influence healthcare plans might have on their company.

Church leaders worry about the influence society has on their members.

Scott Adams said, “You don’t have to be a “person of influence” to be influential…the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they’ve taught me.”

So true.

So, what influences you?

TV? Politicians? Church? Family?

Hopefully, none of the above.

I hope your biggest influence is God. Only He is worthy!

Thank You Mr. President

The Obama administration is just a little over 100 days old. But, so far, we've gotten a good idea on where Mr. Obama is taking the country. Just think about these recent news stories:

* The Obama administration needed a place to speak to the American people. Georgetown University seemed like a great place to do it. It's close by. Nice setting. Beautiful backdrop. Only one problem. The name of Jesus is plastered on the wall. The solution? Cover the name of Jesus so that no one would be offended. Sorry Mr. President. I'm offended!

* The Obama administration decides to release photos and videos of terrorists being "tortured" by our military, even though 4 previous CIA directors (Democrats and Republicans) said not to do it. Yet, the White House classifies the pictures of Air Force 1 flying over Manhattan. Putting Americans in danger because of videos being released--so we can be transparent to the world--is okay. Releasing photos of a lamebrain idea of flying Air Force 1 over the Statute of Liberty and downtown Manhattan is a bad idea because it is a PR nightmare.

* The president and vice-president decide that it would be wise to go out to eat together, to show Americans how important it is to eat out, to put money back into the economy. Where do they choose to eat? Ray's Hell Burgers. Do you think choosing that hamburger joint, with that name, was an accident? I don't think so.

* There will be no National Day of Prayer celebration at the White House--it might be offensive to some groups in our country. Again Mr. President. But, being a Christian, I guess I don't count.

Thank you Mr. President. America voted for you. We are getting what we desired.

I seem to remember an Old Testament story about another "king" that the people wanted. They begged for a king. They wanted to be like everyone else.

Anyone want to remind me: How did that work out?

Just One Question Mr. President

Georgetown University hid a religious inscription representing the name of Jesus during President Obama’s address there Tuesday, because White House staff asked the school to cover up all religious symbols and signs while the president was on stage.

The monogram IHS, whose letters spell out the name of Jesus, and which normally perches above the stage in Gaston Hall where the president spoke, was covered over with what appeared to be black wood during the address.

“In coordinating the logistical arrangements for the event, Georgetown honored the White House staff’s request to cover all of the Georgetown University signage and symbols behind the Gaston Hall stage,” university spokesman Andy Pino said.

The White House said that the backdrop, which included blue drapes and a host of American flags, was standard during policy speeches and other events.

Georgetown is a private Catholic institution founded by Jesuits in 1789. The auditorium where the president spoke Tuesday is adorned with religious imagery, but only the symbols directly on the stage – those likely to be picked up by a television camera–were obscured.

The White House insisted that the move was made only to provide a proper setting for the speech—and said that “any suggestions to the contrary are simply false.”

I have just one question, just one: “Mr. President, what’s the problem you seem to have with Jesus?”

Honoring War Dead or Media Circus

The Air Force says the media were allowed to cover the arrival Sunday of an airman killed overseas, the first such opportunity since the Obama administration overturned an 18-year-old ban on news coverage of returning war dead.

The new policy announced in February gives families a choice of whether to admit the news media to ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, the entry point to the United States for the caskets of overseas war dead. Critics of the previous policy had said the government was trying to hide the human cost of war.

What do you think? Are we honoring the fallen soldiers or creating a media circus for political gain? I have an answer. Would love to hear yours.

Thank You Mr. Obama

Health and Human Services nominee Kathleen Sebelius has corrected three years of tax returns and paid more than $7,000 in back taxes after finding “unintentional errors,” the latest tax troubles for an Obama administration nominee.

The Kansas governor explained the changes to senators in a letter dated Tuesday that was obtained by The Associated Press. She said they involved charitable contributions, the sale of a home, and business expenses.

She and her husband paid a total of $7,040 in back taxes and $878 in interest to amend returns from 2005–2007.

Several Obama administration nominees have been derailed by tax issues, notably the president’s first nominee for HHS secretary, former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle. He withdrew from consideration while apologizing for failing to pay $140,000 in taxes and interest.

For one, I can fully say that I am appreciative of all of the nominees that Mr. Obama has put forward who have come forward to correct their tax situation. I think a good idea would be to continue the revolving door of nominees who have not paid their taxes, place them up for nomination, and then magically watch as they realize the importance of paying their back due taxes.

Our economy is definitely on the rebound, just with Mr. Obama’s tax-dodging, I mean tax ignorant, nominees.

What Are We Thinking!

I'll admit it up front. You either love Glenn Beck or you hate him. I tend to do a little of both, depending on what he's saying. And, knowing that he got his start at CNN and now he is at FoxNews, again, you'll either think he is the worse liberal on the face of the earth or too conservative for God to accept.

But, what this video. It is troubling, to say the least!

Putting America First--Not

It’s a cold evening in the nation’s capital, but the guests at a local cocktail party hardly feel the winter chill. Amid the low symphony of glasses clinking and a dull hum of chatter, men and women mill about, likely dining on the finest finger foods that catering has to offer.

It’s Wednesday night at the White House, and the era of the cocktail party has returned. Only eight weeks into the Obama administration, the president and first lady have already hosted their fair share of social events. Indeed, White House social secretary Desiree Rogers has announced that the Obama administration plans to make Wednesday night social events a tradition.

“It’s not so much a cocktail party necessarily,” Katie McCormick Lelyveld, press secretary to first lady Michelle Obama, told FOXNews.com. “It’s a gathering that takes on the shape of the week’s agenda. The driving force is to reserve time Wednesday evenings to have at hand to use for whatever is at the top of the list of priorities that week.”

The announcement seemed to be a departure from the past several years, as the parties had all but fallen out of fashion since the Reagan era. President George W. Bush was rumored to dislike cocktail parties, and had given up drinking years before he was sworn in. As former press secretary Dee Dee Myers told Politico.com, the Clintons did not have a wide circle of friends in Washington and were “not as social” the Obamas have shown themselves to be. The Reagans reportedly cultivated relationships with Washington society and Hollywood alike, while Carter instead enjoyed a more quiet social life.

But the Obamas, known to be active in their community, have already hosted several events that have taken on different forms: from a bipartisan meeting of Democrats and Republicans before voting on the stimulus bill, to a concert in honor of Obama’s favorite musician, Stevie Wonder, to a Super Bowl party (on a Sunday, of course), to a black history event hosted by the first lady.

But not everyone is lifting a glass to toast the host and hostess.

The political watchdog group Freedom Watch has sought information from the federal government as to how much taxpayer money is being used for the events.

Well. What should I say? Nothing like mixing politics and booze to turn the economy around!

Who would have thought that alcoholics having “high-level” discussions would be better for America than a good ole fashion Wednesday night prayer meeting?

How Big Is That Shoe?

Do you remember when an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at George W. Bush last month at a Baghdad press conference?

The attack caused a flood of Web jokes, political satire, and street rallies across the Arab world.

Now the “attack” has inspired a work of art—a sofa-sized shoe statue.

Baghdad-based artist Laith al-Amari described his fiberglass-and-copper work as a homage to the pride of the Iraqi people. The statue also has inscribed a poem honoring Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist.

Now, I’m tempted not to comment and just let you comment away and share your thoughts about this. To see if you are angry or amused.

Well, I’m not going to wait for the two or three of you who comment regularly to do so. I’ll go ahead and share my thoughts about it.

At first glance, I was kind of angry about this monument going up. After all, this man attacked our President. And, whether that President is George W. Bush or Barak H. Obama, it shouldn’t matter—an attack is an attack!

But, just look at the monument! It is a monument of a shoe! A fiberglass-and-copper shoe! And, a big one at that.

But, is that monument any more ridiculous than some of the monuments we have in our own country? What about these:



This massive prairie chicken is propped up in the small town of Rothsay, Minnesota. From the plaque: “Prairie chickens moved ahead of the settlers to inhabit the prairies of Minnesota. A large concentration of the protected bird can still be seen on prairie meadows of the Rothsay area. In the early spring the male prairie chicken performs his mating ritual called booming. This statue of a booming prairie chicken was designed and built by Art Fosse with assistance and funds from the community. The statue stands 13 x 18 feet and weighs 9,000 pounds. It was placed on this site and unveiled, June 15, 1976. “



The Boot Monument is an American Revolutionary War memorial that commemorates an unnamed American Patriot general, Benedict Arnold. The monument commemorates Arnold’s contribution to the Continental Army’s victory over the British in the Battle of Saratoga. Arnold was wounded in the foot during the Arnold expedition as well as at Saratoga near where the monument is located. The injury effectively ended his career as a fighting soldier. Benedict Arnold is not mentioned by name on the monument because, several years later the wounded Arnold turned traitor to the United States and joined with the British and their Loyalists. Arnold attempted unsuccessfully to hand over his American command, West Point, to the British. Although this attempt failed, Arnold was given the rank of a British brigadier general and the British exchequer paid him £6,000.

So, tell me your thoughts. Found any strange monuments that you want to share with us? If so, include a link here and others can enjoy a great laugh as well.

Welcome Mr. President!

Yesterday, Barack Hussein Obama became the 44th President of the United States of America.

I did not vote for President Obama. My reasons are my reasons. Chief among those reasons was his lack of experience in political life. Running for political office doesn't quality a person for the job.

While I didn't vote for Mr. Obama, he can know that he has my constant prayers during his term in office over the next four years. Over these next four years, I will pray:

1) For his safety.

2) For his sanity.

3) For support of the American people as he leads to the best of his ability.

4) For wisdom to lead our country in the right direction.

5) For his cabinet and those who surround him daily, that they will not be just "yes men" and "yes women" but will have the backbone to stand up for what is right and just.

6) For a peace of mind and heart that surpasses all understanding.

7) For his family and his balance of their needs to the country's needs.

8) For his walk with the Lord God and his personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

9) For the ability to know right from wrong and the way that is broad between the two.

Mr. Obama, if the national media is correct, the world is watching. I hope and pray that the promises you made genuinely reflect the desires of your heart for a better country and one that retains our freedoms. You have the eyes and ears of the world watching every step you take and listening to every word you utter. I doubt you will find the job as easy as you thought it to be and you'll probably come away with a greater respect for the man who preceded you in office.

You have my prayers Mr. President.

Thank You Mr. President!

Today, President George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States of America, leaves office.

Thank you Mr. President for the faithful commitment and dedication you've shown over the last eight years.

I will always be appreciative of your presidency for the following reasons:

1) Your love for America.

2) Your desire to keep America safe from further terrorist attack.

3) Your unshamed wearing of the American flag on your lapel! Then again, you first wore the American flag on your uniform as you served our country's military. So, who's surprised.

4) Your ability to laugh as yourself and others.

5) Your pet names for the White House Press Corps. Maybe that is why they didn't like you! That's probably not the reason, but it was fun!

6) Your obvious love for your wife and daughters. And, your admiration and support of your parents.

7) Your love for baseball, the greatest game on earth.

8) Your faith in Jesus Christ. While you did not always follow the path Jesus charted for you, who does?

9) Your ability to admit past mistakes, and current ones as well.

10) Your ability to ensure a smooth transition with the Obama team! There have been no reports of vandalism like when you came to office and the "W's" were missing from the computer keyboards and towels were stolen from Air Force One. Mr. President, thanks for exiting the scene with class.

Mr. President, I hope you enjoy some time with family, friends, and resting. After the two terms you've had in the Oval Office, you deserve a little "down-time!" I hope you find it and enjoy it.

Is This Really Change?

Do you recognize the picture above?

Be honest. Do you?

Don't be surprised if you don't. Most people won't. Only those who really follow politics will.

The man pictured above is the likely candidate to become the new director of the CIA--the Central Intelligence Agency. You know the group, the spies amongst us.

The man pictured above has no experience in the intelligence field. None. He's never been a spy. He's never worked for the CIA or even the FBI. Yet, he's bringing needed change to the agency.

He does have Washington, DC experience. He was the Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton. Yes, you read that correctly. The Chief of Staff for the former president.

He was also a congressman from California for many years.

Now, he will become the director of the CIA. The chief spy himself.

Do you know him now?

He's none other than Mr. Leon Panetta.

Now, politics aside. Seriously. Didn't Mr. Obama run under the theme of "Change"? Didn't he promise change in America and the American government?

I'm confused. Especially since so many in his cabinet and other governmental appointees have ties to the Clinton administration.

I guess change simply meant away from Republican leadership to Democrat leadership.

To me, that's not much change, just more of the same old same old.

Same song. Different verse.

She's Up to Her Old Self Again

Oprah is up to her old self.

When I typed that, I really didn't mean it to be a pun, but I quickly realized that it was. I started to delete it, but then I thought, no, I'd leave it. Because the statement is true. Oprah, by her own admission, has gained 50-60 pounds over the last year or so and is now back over 200 pounds.

So, what's the world's richest woman to do about it?

Simple. Cover the entire story in her monthly magazine, dedicate countless shows to the subject, and host a webinar next week to discuss why she and so many others are overweight.

If you love Oprah, then this blog post isn't for you. You might as well close it out now and go read another blog. You see, I'm not a huge Oprah fan. The reason? Oh, far too many to count in the space I will give to this post. Let's just say that I think Oprah is searching in all the wrong places for happiness in her life.

I did catch a couple of minutes of her show when I got home from work on Monday. When her personal trainer asked her why she had gained weight over the last year or so, her answer was simple: she has lost her balance--she has allowed life to get out of control. It seems that she is dedicating too much of herself to everyone else and not to herself. [I almost screamed at the TV--"If this is about balance and not letting other people be in control, then why are you writing about it, doing interviews about it, hosting webinars about it, and talking on and on and on about it?"]

When Oprah was asked why she was being so honest about her life and her weight gain, she said, and this is almost a direct quote, "It's all about me."

Sorry Oprah, but everything isn't about you. It really isn't. Life has more to it than to be limited only to your needs and problems.

Why not dedicate your incredible power and talent [and financial resources] to the real needs in the world? Why not focus on the hunger in Haiti, the people forced into child labor around the world, the children sold into prostitution in Europe, or the United States economy that your man Barak is about to inherit. Wouldn't those issues/concerns/needs be far more important than you?

I guess not. Not to you. And apparently, not to your vast following.

Thankfully, I have more important things to do than to watch Oprah. And, I have no doubt that I'll go out of my way in 2009 to do those things instead of tuning in to your latest discovery about your needs, life, feelings, weight loss/gain, etc.

A Troubled Economy

Our economy is in trouble. Is there anyone denying that?

If you are denying it now, just wait a few more months, and I can assume you’ll be recognizing the effects of the mortgage crisis, banking and auto bailout, and the increasing employment issues facing our country.

So, who’s fault is it?

I happen to be of the school that believes there is plenty of blame to go around! Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are responsible for where we are now. Then again, so are millions of Americans who bought into the “easy money” lies that have been “preached” for decades and decades.

However, to no one’s surprise, the name calling has begun!

Just last week, the White House began pushing back hard against a New York Times article that essentially blamed President Bush for the sub-prime mortgage mess and the Wall Street collapse.

In a 5,000-word article in the Times on Sunday, under the headline, “White House Philosophy Stoked Mortgage Bonfire,” said Bush was also encouraging a “hands-off approach” to regulation that encouraged “lax” standards on behalf of lenders. “He pushed hard to expand homeownership, especially among minorities, an initiative that dovetailed with his ambition to expand the Republican tent—and with the business interests of some of his biggest donors,” the article said.

“That’s about as myopic as you can get,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said in response.White House counselor Ed Gillespie lashed out at the Times for its interpretation of Bush’s housing policies. “They’ve had to mortgage their building in Manhattan to help make ends meet, and they’ve been reduced to junk-bond status. I don’t know if the New York Times’ shoddy reporting is the result of being in junk-bond status, or if their junk-bond status is what’s resulting in their shoddy reporting,” Gillespie said.

In fact, the Times’ article ignored a wealth of its own reporting, dating back to the era of Bill Clinton, whom the article mentioned only once, in passing. For example, in September 1999, the Times noted that, “Fannie Mae, the nation’s biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stockholders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.” The 1999 piece went even further: “In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980’s.”

Likewise, the Times made no mention over the weekend of President Clinton’s aggressive deregulation of the financial services industry, which empowered banks, brokerage firms, and insurance companies to engage in some of the very practices—such as credit default swaps—that contributed most to the current fiscal crisis.

While the Times mentioned that mortgage bankers and brokers donated almost $850,000 to President Bush's 2004 reelection campaign, the newspaper omitted the fact that the top three recipients of campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and its sister organization Freddie Mac over the last two decades were all Democrats. Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd, head of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; President-elect Barack Obama; and Bush’s 2004 opponent John Kerry all benefited from Fannie and Freddie.

I hate shoddy reporting. I hate even worse when people with an agenda write about their opponents.

Let’s face it folks. The current economic situation didn’t happen during President Bush’s term in office. The problems leading to where we currently are began happening in the 1980s and 1990s.

So, writers, editors, and reporters can take the coward’s way out and blame President Bush (if they are more liberal) or President Clinton (if they are conservative). But for me and my house, we’ll go back to what I said at the beginning—there’s plenty of blame to go around!

Does "O" Mean Obama or Oprah?

Is Oprah Winfrey going to be part of Barack Obama’s kitchen cabinet? Or is she just looking to buy her own kitchen cabinets?

The talk show giant is reportedly looking at ultra-luxury properties in Washington, DC; something suitable for, say, possible consultations with the President of the United States.

Insiders tell the New York Post that Winfrey’s people have been scouting a nine-bedroom mansion in D.C.’s swanky Georgetown neighborhood with a whopping price tag of $50 million.
“She has never personally been to see it,” another source tells the paper.

FOXNews.com researched listings in the area and found a single house that fits that description: a $49 million, nine-bedroom, four-bathroom mansion on three-and-a-half acres with parking for 100 cars, a gatehouse, and an additional building overlooking the Washington monument.

In case Oprah has any very special guests.

Question for the day: Do you think Michelle Obama or the American people should be more worried?

May God Bless America

Well, today is the day. America will decide the next president of our country. We will either elect the first African American man as President or elect the first female Vice-President. Either way, history will be made. Either way, one party will be disappointed, while the other celebrates. Some will know the thrill of victory, others the agony of defeat.

Either way, our country will remain divided after a bitter political contest that has lasted nearly three years. And, my guess is, that before the night is over, someone will predict who the next candidates will be in four years.

But, the greatest news is this: Come Wednesday morning, God will be on His throne, just as He always has been. God will not change come Wednesday. And, God's desire for all of us will remain the same--He will still desire for all of us to come to salvation through His Son Jesus Christ.

Listen to the words of our first President, George Washington:

"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

"And finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.

"Grant our supplications, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

(George Washington, Written at Newburg, June 8th, 1783, sent to the governors of all the states)

What wise words for America today. May they be so! May our next President be such a person of faith, hope, and integrity!

What's Fair is Fair

Meeting with a Crazy Man

Iran’s President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has challenged the United States presidential candidates to a debate when he is in New York for the U.N. General Assembly next week.

“I am ready for a debate with the U.S. presidential candidates over global issues in the presence of the media at the U.N. headquarters,” Ahmadinejad said at a press conference in Tehran. “I have no plans in my schedule to meet with U.S. politicians.” (As if U.S. politicians would really want to meet with him. Do you think they’ll be lining up to visit?)

“Last year, I said I was ready to meet with [President George W.] Bush. But now he is at the end of his term and [a meeting] will not impact our relations and future,” Ahmadinejad said.

So, do you think Mr. Obama or Mr. McCain will agree to meet with the crazy president of Iran?

My bets are no. Even though Obama has promised that he would negotiate with leaders of other countries with whom the U.S. has strained relations.

I guess time will tell.

Was Obama Flip in His Answer?

I want to ask a question, not really trying to stir the pot in any way, and not trying to make this blog political; however, in this election year in particular, I think we will continue to see situations like this, and I’d really like to know how you handle it.

Here’s the situation. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama acknowledged this past Sunday that he was probably too flip when he said it was “above my pay grade” to answer a question about when is a baby entitled to human rights.

You remember the setting. Senator Obama gave his answer last month at a nationally televised religious forum sponsored by Rick Warren at his church in Orange County, California.

Asked on ABC’s “This Week,” whether the “above my pay grade” answer was too flip, Obama said: “Probably....What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into ... It’s a pretty tough question. And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don’t presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions.”

So, here’s my dilemma. Which answer should I believe? Was his answer to Rick Warren his real answer? Or, was his answer on “This Week” more genuine? Or, was his answer this week simply the one framed by his handlers and advisors?

I’m seriously struggling to understand this. I’m not interested in bashing Senator Obama or his campaign. But, as a Christian, how do I make heads or tails of his initial response vs. this response?

Or, even if I remove being a Christian from the equation, how do I understand this as a voting citizen?