April 28, 1998
Arkansas boy’s don’t deserve death:
Why two Arkansas boys 11 and 13 years old would shoot and kill four of their classmates and a teacher is still a mystery. How to punish children when they commit heinous crimes such as this is a question society is now wrestling with.
Should we try them as adults and seek the death penalty? I think not. I pray I never live in a country that will put children to death no matter what their crime.
If I had the opportunity to counsel these two youngsters, I would point to the life of the Apostle Paul and his activity as a persecutor of the Christian faith. How he would drag off whole families of Christians and put them to death. He later became a pillar of the Christian faith.
In the same vein I suspect these boys in Arkansas are two of the most spiritual-minded young men in our society today. Let’s not kid ourselves, there is no punishment that fits their crime. If society does not ostracize them upon their release from jail, but will instead nurture them on a spiritual path, they too may become great men of God.
If you have been fortunate as I and never killed anyone, congratulations, but before you break your arm patting yourself on the back, remember these words, “But for the grace of God their go I.” In another time, in another place, you or I could not only have done what these children did, but what Timothy McVeigh did, or even Adolph Hitler did.
That, friends and neighbors, is our sinful nature.
September 7, 1998
Don’t Impeach, but commit Clinton
Printed Toledo Blade - February 27, 1999
Deadbeat Dad’ Label is Grossly Unfair
The label “deadbeat dad” is a brutal accusation to levy against a man. All too often a loving and devoted father is placed in a position in which compliance with a court order would strip him of his manhood and self-respect. I have been placed in such a position.
My divorce settlement was amicable for the most part, ample visitation, assets fairly divided, even the amount of child support is not a problem. What the settlement lacked, however, is a simple thing called “shared parenting.” For my former wife and I to share responsibility and accountability for our child’s welfare must be just too logical for the judicial system to grasp.
I don’t drink, use drugs, nor am I abusive. I am, however, a recovering alcoholic (sober 12 years now). Because of alcoholism I have a checkered and colorful past, including run-ins with the law. My wife wanted full custody of out daughter, the court saw my record and rubber stamped another case. When I look around our fair city I see men fathering children that shouldn’t be allowed to raise dogs, yet the government takes a child away from me, the best father in town (there may be equals, but there are none better).
I went to parenting classes and anger management classes. I have jumped through so many hoops to get my kid back I should join the circus. All to no avail. So I am placing my child support payments in escrow until the time a shared-parenting plan is issued. Not only do I accept my responsibility as a father, I embrace it, and I want my kid back.
April 16, 2002
Humans Are made In The Image Of God:
If you were somehow allowed to meet all 6 billion inhabits of this planet, and if memory would serve, you could recall everyone by name because we all look different. One nose, one mouth, two ears, two eyes, and we all look different. Evolution would not go to that much trouble. In the animal kingdom even God did not go to that much trouble. With only a handful of snowbirds in my backyard I’m hard pressed to tell them apart, although a sparrow will not fall to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29). They all look much the same.
Humans, on the other hand, made in the image of God on so many levels, are each unique, right down to our fingerprints and DNA. The very hairs of your hear are numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
According to the account of creation in Genesis, “pain in childbirth” is a punishment given to Eve for eating the “forbidden fruit.” No animal has anywhere near the difficulty women do in giving birth. Why hasn’t “evolution” corrected this difficulty, this injustice, by now?
Biblical arguments abound. And time will not allow a discussion of the scientific evidence of creation such as the universal flood and the wonders of physics.
Don’t be fooled, friends. It boils down to this. You can either serve God who makes you lie down in green pastures. Or a harsh taskmaster who will make a monkey out of you.
Monday, August 12, 2002
Men Sin Because They Are Sinners:
A child molestation scandal of apocalyptic proportions has griped the Catholic Church. Almost a hundred Catholic Priests are exposed as pedophiles. Only the tip of the iceberg, I fear. Yet a recent contributor to the Readers’ Forum still holds as sacred the blessing of a child molester. What planet am I on?
Can’t you just picture God scratching His head and saying, “What do I have to do to wake these people up, drop a ton of bricks on their head?”
Men sin because they are sinners; they are not sinners because they sin. Whether a Catholic pedophile, a Baptist whore-monger, a minister embezzling funds, or any other clergy with skeletons in his closet. Men are sinners. All men. This is Christianity 101.
Jesus had a few stinging words for the religious leaders of his day who thought they had arrived in a spiritual sense.
Once you understand that we sin because we are sinners, we are not sinners because we sin, wonderful things will begin to happen. You will avoid the two deadly extremes of self-condemnation and self-righteousness. Sincere Christians hunger and thirst after righteousness. Still we fall short; we miss the mark.
There is only one person who can forgive sins and that’s the man who died for them.
PRINTED IN TOLEDO BLADE: November 8, 2002
Scripture Condemns Homosexual Acts:
Regarding “Homosexual weddings are a wonderful thing,” have you ever noticed when people disagree with a well-established religious belief, they paint Christians in opposition as narrow-minded rubes who just fell off the turnip truck?
They claim the Bible too antiquated to be relevant for modern man. The letter writer call believers ignorant, prejudiced, and brainwashed; he then proceeded to misinterpret Scripture.
I have no business judging another man’s sexual activity. Lord knows I have had enough romantic misadventures of my own. But sinner to sinner I am compelled to speak. If he thinks God does not condemn homosexual acts his understanding of Scripture is flawed.
In the book of Leviticus, God spoke these words to Moses, “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (18:22) You don’t need to be a Greek scholar to understand that. With His very next breath God forbids bestiality. (18:23) How long before men start defending that perversion?
Contrary to the writer’s assertion, the word of God often speaks about homosexuality, and never in a positive light.
“Claiming to be wise they became fools… degrading their bodies with one another.” (Romans 1:22 and 24)
Claiming maturity they live as immature. Take a cursory survey of television sitcoms on any given night and you will see how embarrassingly immature our society is in regards to sex. Claiming freedom they live in bondage to sin.
Obedience to the probationary clauses in the Bible; the “Thou shall,” and the “Thou shall not,” is what lifts men above barnyard animals.
The homosexual whining like a spoiled child asking “why not?” And God like an exasperated parent answering “because I said so!” That should be all the reason you need.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: November 26, 2002
So Many Religions Claim to be the Way:
Dr. S. Amjad Hussain’s column in defense of the Prophet Mohammad was both well-written and justified. I would like to assure Dr. Hussain and those of the Islamic faith in our area that Jerry Farwell and most other televangelists do not represent me or the God I’ve come to know and love.
The Taliban is to Islam what the Ku-Klux-Klan is to Christianity – a fraudulent representation. No group of people enjoy being judged by the actions of a few.
Religion is an emotionally charged topic. Men need to come to the table of discussion calmly and respectively, with a thirst for the truth and with an appetite for humble pie.
The Qur’an offers some profound doctrine. As do the teachings of Buddha, Confucius, and Hinduism. From Aristotle to Einstein, great minds have offered words of wisdom. Jesus offers words of eternal life.
Good people don’t go to heaven; saved people do. So the question is not how to be good, but how top be saved.
From this Christian’s perspective, Jesus – the sinless one – shed His blood on the cross for the sins of the world. If that’s true, then it’s true if people believe it or not. Christian theology dictates that our responsibility is to accept His sacrifice, then be buried with Christ in baptism. For if we die with Him, are buried with Him, then likewise we will be raised with Him.
So many religions and philosophies claim to be the way. say what you will about Satan, one thing we can all agree on is that he is nothing if not clever. Where, except in a forest, could you hide the tree of life?
June 12, 2003
This Dough May Save That Dough
July 24, 2003
Guilt over Abortion never seems to end
Friday, September 5, 2003
Culture Making Us Callous, Unflappable:
“Be fruitful and multiply.” God spoke these words to Adam and Eve before the fall and in doing so unleashed a force of nature that men cannot harness.
Now the Episcopalian Church has elected a gay bishop. I’m not surprised. Are you? As a culture we have become callous, unflappable. Nothing a religious cleric or organization can do or say will even raise an eyebrow anymore. Yes, God loves the homosexual but hates homosexuality. He calls it sin.
Another teaching that is crystal clear is this. False piety, false humility, and false wisdom, or what the Bible calls the appearance of wisdom, will land more souls in hell than sins of the flesh ever will.
To stray from the ancient path in the name of enlightenment would be comical if the consequences weren’t so damning. We are technologically advanced in comparison to our first century ancestors to be sure; they wouldn’t know how to make toast.
However, we decided ourselves thinking we are spiritually more insightful than they. human sexuality? Look around, friends. We live in a sexual nuthouse. To think they were inhibited or their libidos less inflamed than ours is foolish.
Primitive Christianity is the narrow path that only a few find. Since the first false teacher stumbled over his ego, men have pleaded, “Don’t leave the path!”
You can put a monkey in a tuxedo, but it doesn’t make it James Bond. When men reach the zenith of their religious delusion let them visit the Liberace museum and borrow some of his duds, complete with sequined cape and feather boa. Now that might be a televangelist worth tuning in to.
January 28, 2004
Terror Alert System Needs Revamping
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BALDE: March, 7, 2004
May Movie be a Blessing to Mankind:
The Passion of the Christ was a commendable effort by Mel Gibson to dramatize the crucifixion of Christ though film. May the movie prove to be a blessing to mankind. In addition to movies like the Passion , cable television offers myriad bible oriented programs; Who wrote the Bible, Sex and the Bible, Biblical Disasters, In Search of Noah’s Ark, and many others.
Every generation should try to learn from the mistakes of the past. To learn from the triumph and tragedy of war, archeological digs, sociological/psychological studies, and surveys. The advances in medical science in our lifetime have been nothing short of miraculous. Microscopic and telescopic wonders of creation fill us with awe.
The average “Joe” with a computer can install Bible software or surf the net. We can manipulate a keyboard and access a Greek/Hebrew dictionary, atlas, concordance, study aids, and scripture in every translation known to man.
With the wisdom of the ages at our fingertips, why is religion still so divisive? One church speaks in tongues, another teaches a prosperity gospel, some bizarre and eccentric fringe group handles snakes.
The pro-abortion group and the gay marriage/gay priest issue further divide the cause of Christ. Each group claims they are led by the Spirit of God, but unless the Spirit of God enjoys contradicting Himself something is seriously amiss.
I can’t be the only one who sees a word in dire need religious reform. My obligation as a minister is a challenge your thinking, hard to do in a country where it is considered ill form to question someone’s religion. So I’m left with only one option, speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where the Bible is silent, and let the chips fall where they may.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: May 14, 2004
‘Bad Apples’: We Reap What We Sow:
Some members of the New Your City Police Department got their jollies by sodomizing a Haitian immigrant with handle of a toilet bowl plunger. Their superiors claimed a few “bad apples” had slipped into their ranks.
When the dawn of a new day burst upon the Catholic Church and pedophile priests scampered like cockroaches for the cover of darkness, the religious hierarchy claimed a few “Bad apples” had slipped through the cracks.
Now it’s the military’s turn to defend its sexual embarrassment. And what are the commanding officers saying? You guessed it, a few “bad apples” are responsible.
We have been feeding our children a steady diet of sex and violence for generations. Through video games, movies, music, and pornography the United States has been parading its violent, vulgar mind before the world. We do not fuel these billion-dollar industries with a few bad apples.
The Bible says: Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man (nation) reaps what he (it) sows. We either need to start sowing some better seed or prepare to eat some bitter fruit
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: June 19, 2004
Why Should God Bless Us With A Cure:
Just what is “stem cell research” and what’s all the fuss about? I won’t pretend to understand how some brilliant scientists plan to use stem cells in an attempt to cure a devastating, frightening illness like Alzheimer’s. On the one hand I recognize the moral concerns dealing with embryonic research, but on the other hand I certainly don’t want to stand in the way of a cure. My first inclination is to wish the scientists Godspeed.
With God’s guiding hand, scientists have discovered vaccines for mumps, measles, rubella, chicken pox, polio, and others. Still 50 percent of the children in Third World countries die before they reach the age of five. Preventable diseases coupled with starvation are what most of the children succumb to. Whether you believe in God or not, this is outrageous.
How can a civilized people sleep peacefully while millions around them live in poverty, squalor, and disease in the shanty towns of the world? This is the moral issue we should be concerned with, and in the end the one that will condemn us.
If we build another multi-million-dollar church building while children the world over are sick and hungry I’m afraid the Lord will disown the whole lot of us.
Why should God bless us with a cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or cancer when we’ve been such poor servants of His rich blessings? It’s time to put away childish things and get serious about the job at hand. Or we can build bigger barns and buy more toys; God always leaves that choice up to us. It doesn’t surprise me at all that the Word of God describes our human family as children of wrath.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Confusing diplomacy, spiritual cowardice:
As a preacher I appreciate a well-crafted and well-delivered speech. So I enjoy political conventions and presidential debates. In addition the possibility also exists that some politician will stick his foot so far in his mouth that toe jam will come out of his ears, and I don’t want to miss that.
The recent democratic national Convention did not offer much fodder for our nation’s comedians, and you may not have agreed with some politicians’ stance on an issue, but for the most part the speeches were well thought out and delivered.
One thing Sen. John Kerry said keeps gnawing at my psyche. He said: “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve.” He then went on to quote President Abraham Lincoln with these words, “I don’t claim to believe God is on our side, but I humbly pray that we are on God’s side.”
We cherish religious freedom. It would be improper for a presidential candidate to force feed us his specific religious belief, doctrine, or creed. As president of this great land, a man must stay generic and diplomatic in regards to religion, I understand that.
Lincoln was a man of God who also said, “No man has the right to consider himself educated until he has read the Bible.” Lincoln also said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is of greater value than a college education.”
If Mr. Kerry would have said that he spends the first hour of every day in Bible study and prayer seeking God’s will for this country and pleading for wisdom to lead his people, then he would have earned the right to quote Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Lincoln earned the nickname “Honest Abe,” and he didn’t earn it by confusing diplomacy with spiritual cowardice.”
September 24, 2004
A Delightful Form of Civil Disobedience
I find the type of civil disobedience orchestrated by the group known a “Fathers 4 Justice” nothing short of delightful. One of their members - Jason Hatch, 33 of Gloucester, England - scaled the wall of Buckingham Palace dressed as Batman.
Using what would best be described as childish pranks, Mr. Hatch and his cohorts go to great lengths to call attention to their cause; greater custody and visitation rights for divorced and separated fathers.
England, like the United States, is a country governed by laws. The concern I have for this group is that most people who witness their escapades will side with the court. The men in question will be viewed as unstable, in other words.
That would be a mistake. I have no doubt these men used every legal resource at their disposal. Legal wrangling when dealing with child custody is a maddening experience. My case is not unique.
In my naiveté I played the game, thinking justice would ultimately win in a court of law. Little did I realize the court had its mind made up before I walked through the door. Although not as creative as my English counterparts, I too began a protest, and just like my English cousins I landed in jail.
Looks like my friends over the pond are having a lot more fun. No wonder it’s called Jolly ol’ England. Bravo, my friends, bravo!
So if you see a man swinging from the giant chandelier on the portico of the White House and he’s wearing a red, white, and blue Spandex jumpsuit, a pink tutu, Grougho Marx glasses, and combat boots, it’ll be me.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: November 23, 2004
Just give convicted felons a zillion years:
Nowadays when a person reaches 100 years old we take notice, and if they live to see 100 with a relative degree of health we are truly impressed.
I’ve long ago quit trying to make sense of our judicial system. There is no rhyme or reason to be found there.
Even so when I see a headline that reads, “Sexual predator ordered to serve 195 years in prison,” I can’t help but be dumbfounded yet again.
Upon reading the article in question, I learned that James Perry, 34, is already serving a 180-year federal sentence on child-pornography charges. That takes him to a grand total of 375 years, and Mr. Perry still faces sexual assault charges in Illinois. Twenty-six additional charges were dismissed.
The article continued by stating Mr. Perry, “cried and rocked in his chair.” “I don’t have any excuse,” he said, “I wish I knew why.” One of his victims graciously offered forgiveness. “Thank you,” he said between sobs, “I’m sorry.” Reading between lines that translates, “God have mercy on me, a sinner.”
I know most of us want to scrape this type of individual off the soul of society like one scrapes dog feces off the soul of his shoe. In less disgusting words – life without parole – but when the court hands down ridiculous hyperbolic sentences, they look foolish. Why not just say a zillion years?
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
How can God allow this to happen?
Tsunami!
Wow! What else can be said about the Tsunami that devastated Asia. When the final body count is tallied the number of victims will have reached well into six figures. Wow!
The magnitude of human loss; the anguish and suffering of the survivors is beyond comprehension.
The age old question begs to be asked. If there really is a God, one that is all powerful and loving like Christians claim, why then did He allow this tragedy to happen?
Terrorist attacks, war, crime, and all manner of man made evil are just that, man made. Gospel preachers can point to the free will of man as being culpable. People seem to understand that.
How can I defend my theology, my belief and my understanding of a good and loving God in the face of a natural catastrophe the likes of which most of us have never seen?
This Tsunami tragedy will surely strengthened the agnosticism of some. If there is a God, they will reason, He is either uncaring, unloving or unable to intervene in the affairs of men. Your doubt is understandable, ever, I dare say, reasonable.
Speculation on my part, and a buck-and-a-half in your pocket will get you a cup of coffee, so let’s go to Scripture. Why be surprised and questioning about events Jesus predicted would happen? Fulfillment of prophecy should inspire belief. Following are some excerpts from the 21st Chapter of Luke:
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Thus saith the Lord.
February 25, 2005
Where have all the classy women gone?
In response to the recent contributor’s quizzical lament, “Isn’t there one decent man out there?” I can assure you that there are. I often pose a similar question, “where have all the classy women gone?”
As a musician I am no stranger to the club scene in Toledo. I always try to conduct myself as a Christian gentlemen, only to have some drunken bimbo ask me if I’m gay. Of course she does this while simultaneously scanning the faces of her friends hoping her razor sharp wit hasn’t escaped their notice.
Chivalry is not dead, but before I gallop in like your Knight in shining armor the aggressor will need to pose more of a threat than an intoxicated lout with a vulgar mouth. I will defend your physical safety, not your pride.
September 25, 2005
Congratulations to Finkbeiner, Ford
Congratulation to Mr. Finkbeiner and Mr. Ford for advancing to the general election, good luck to you both. Now that the primary election is nothing but a fading memory, it is time for this candidate to drift graciously into obscurity.
With the abundance of political pundits and shock-jock-radio-personalities that could easily run the world from their bar-stool, logic would dictate finding a qualified man or woman to run our city would be a cinch.
Unfortunately civilization has digressed to the point that having a caustic and abrasive tongue; being rude, crude and obnoxious of mind and mouth is often confused with being witty, clever and insightful. Civic leaders and role-models embrace their base nature and create strife rather than promote healing.
For obvious reasons I thought it prudent to stay low-key concerning spiritual matters during my campaign, so let me spell it out for my friends in the media. Gentlemen, if you want to come after me bring it on; I’m no frail old woman. But if you come after me you better come after me with a Bible in your hand.
I find it curious as well that men and women who make their living with words, whether the spoken word or in print, are not better at reading between the lines better than they are. Remember when I donned the funny glasses in the last televised mayoral debate and did my little song and dance? Interpret that as my assurance of, and declaration that, judgment is coming. Let’s see who’s laughing then.
Don Gozdowski
Candidate for Mayor 2005
3142 Franklin Ave.
January 26, 2006
Leave the graffiti to young lovers
I am a huge fan of well orchestrated civil disobedience; the more off-beat the better. Nevertheless I was surprised when Mike Ferner was arrested for defacing highway overpasses with anti-war messages. I don’t know Mr. Ferner personally, but the activity in question seemed out of place for a man of his social standing.
What did he hope to accomplish? It’s not as if a presidential motorcade was scheduled to pass by. The Blade let Mr. Ferner explain his philosophy in the Jan. 21 Saturday Essay. Comparing this civil disobedience to young lovers spray-painting a declaration of their eternal love and devotion for each other is an apples-oranges kind of thing.
When asked what prompted his civil rebellion, his response was: images, images, images, images — images of the lame, the blind, the crippled. Yeah, Mike, we get it. War is hell.
So his blood boils with indignation. Here the simile comparing his actions to those of young lovers may be apropos; neither entity can imagine anyone else ever felling such deep passion.
To leave Iraq now would be a mistake. Imagine the adrenaline rush our withdrawal would give the insurgents. They would certainly view our pull-out as a victory; America the Great Satan has been slain, fueling the belief they are chosen by God to purge the world of infidels. We can help democracy take root in Iraq today, or our grandsons can try tomorrow.
Do my beliefs give me the right to spray paint, “Stay the Course” on public property?
Overpass fascias do not belong to you or me; they belong to us. They are not our personal billboards. Let’s leave the graffiti to the young lovers.
May 17, 2006
Where’s the motive in nun’s murder?
What follows is one layman’s take on the Father Robinson murder trial: Means, Motive and Opportunity; if I heard that said on police dramas once, I heard it a hundred times. Did Father Robinson have the means? Yes. Did he have the opportunity? Yes. But where’s the motive?
A satanic, ritualistic killing was one theory offered by the prosecution. That’s hard for me to accept. Rituals are done with meticulous care, and savored as long as possible by the participants. Ritualistic killings are not done on a spur-of-the-moment impulse in a semi-public location. Father Robinson could have easily used a ministerial pretext to lure Sister Pahl away to a secluded and secretive torture chamber.
Occult practitioners gradually work up to more sinister and wicked activities. Animals are usually abused and tortured first. Then after the Satanist has crawled deep into his dark soul a human sacrifice may be sought.
It’s hard to keep that stuff a secret, evil does not stand alone, someone must know if Father Robinson was active in the occult. It has also been suggested the murder was simply done in a fit of rage. Does Father Robinson have a history of violence? Is he quick to fly off the handle and lose his temper? It seems to me reasonable doubt could have easily have been established in this case.
Father Robinson may indeed be guilty, and he may have sprinkled ritualistic trappings around the crime scene to throw the police off track. But the notion of Sister Pahl’s murder being a premeditated satanic ritualistic killing, in the true sense, is a stretch, in my opinion.
September 5, 2006
Ferner could learn from Chicago activist
While driving home from Chicago last week I noticed a billboard that read, “Bring the Troops Home Now.” Being from Toledo I couldn’t help but contrast that billboard with the recent “graffiti-gate” scandal we experienced.
The anti-war message I saw in Chicago was not spray-painted on the side of a barn, but was rather a bought and paid for, professionally designed, advertising billboard. In smaller font under the message was an e-mail address, and an invitation to donate money to offset the cost of the billboard. Now that is a type of protest I could wholeheartedly endorse.
How wise I concluded the author and founder of that billboard to be; especially in light of what Toledo went through. Consider this; for one thing what he’s doing is legal. In addition, as people log on to his web-site, this social activist is building a support base of like minded individuals who are willing to put their money on the line. Talk is cheap – graffiti is easy. The billboard struck me as a grass-roots effort that has a chance of making a difference.
My options in Toledo are limited; I could rent a billboard and post my own message - pro or con - or, slip a graffiti artist a couple of bucks to buy a couple cans of spray paint.
I’m not suggesting a comparison between a world class city like Chicago and a small Midwestern town like Toledo. The amount of press coverage “graffiti-gate” generated locally is a sad commentary on how woefully short we would stack up,
USA Today - May 2, 2007
Stop playing enemy’s game
A Vietnam like quagmire. That’s the term most often used to describe the chaos that is the war in Iraq. There are similarities of course, in all wars young men die. The big difference about this war that I never heard about Vietnam is this. If we leave Iraq unstable the war will follow us home. I believe that’s true. So what can we do? How can we fulfill our commitment and moral obligation to the Iraqi people. How do we keep the violent factions in Iraq contained and unable to spread to their neighbors, and ultimately to our shores?
It is said a fanatic is one who can’t change his mind even in the face of failure, but will simply redouble his efforts. This quote seems to fit President Bush’s approach to the war in Iraq all too well I’m sorry to say. Send more troops, spend more money. I wish that were the answer, I don’t think it is.
We need to change course; change strategy. I have never been to Iraq and I realize it is all to easy to be an arm chair General. Having said that, this is what I would do differently. if I were in command. I would quit sending my men on patrols, most causalities occur from road side bombs, or Improvised Explosive Device (IED’s).
I would lock down the Iraqi boarder, and take total control of its airspace. Keep the hatred contained and let it feed on itself until like a forest fire it burns itself out. We are playing their game, on their home court, by their rules. That needs to stop. Take high ground, and if terrorist or insurgents want to fight us let them come.
July 25, 2007
City missed chance to act righteously
In November 2005 the City of Toledo elected Carty Finkbeiner to his third term as Mayor. A short time later, in seemingly unrelated news, Warren Buffett gave the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 37 billion dollars and joined their fight against famine and disease around the world.
Imagine with me for a moment if some political figure in Toledo had the daring insight to secure the Owens Illinois building for humanitarian efforts before it became a monument to the god America really worships… money.
Imagine if we would have been tuned into the heart and mind of God, ready to offer Bill and Melinda Gates the Owens Illinois building – along with the symbolic key to the city – and tell them, “Bill, Melinda, Mr. Buffett, our city is at your disposal, let us help you do some good in this world.” Ladies and gentlemen I believe with every fiber of my being that we, Toledoans, could have changed the very destiny of this planet.
Instead of being leaders in a righteous revolution we set our sites on building a Marina District, that is when were not squabbling about garage pickup. Men of God do not build playgrounds for the wealthy while children are sick and starving anywhere on this planet. That is my opinion, I will stand behind it, even if I stand alone.
And the forth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent of what they had done. (Revelation 16:8-9)
A little global warming anyone?
27 January 25, 2008
Using food to make fuel is depraved
Toledo Blade, front page banner headline, January 11, 2008: “Ohio hails ethanol era with Putnam Co. facility.” The stated article went on to report the ribbon cutting ceremony that signaled the opening of a Bio-refinery in Leipsic, Ohio. All the pomp and circumstance, along with the usual cast of characters we’ve come to expect at such an event were present.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland was given the honor of cutting the ribbon and declared, “This is a great day for Ohio.”
The research into alternative fuels, along with solar power and wind energy, coupled with conservation, will only become more crucial as time goes by. After all, petroleum is not a renewable energy source, when it’s gone, it’s gone.
The possibility of making fuel from corn cobs as the article postulates is an exciting prospect indeed. That being said, I do not see the opening of this plant as a “great day for Ohio,” but rather a crime against humanity.
With so much of the world ravaged by famine we dare celebrate our ability to take 22 million bushels of corn annually and turn it into 65 million gallons of ethanol. That just at one of three plants being built in Ohio, with 21 other ethanol producing plants nationwide owned by the same manufacturer.
If the impoverished people of the world were to read about this “great day for Ohio” what might they say? “Don’t the people of America claim to be a Christian– God fearing nation? Don’t they know our children are starving? Don’t they care?”
We would have to answer, “Yes, we know, and no, obviously we don’t care.
Using God given food sources to make whiskey, beer, and now bio-fuel is depraved. Research yes, but let’s not trade our soul for a tank of gas.
43 Printed: November 8, 2011
President Obama intends to raise taxes on the rich; “spread the wealth around.” Naturally the GOP asked, “Who are the rich? How much does a person need to make to be considered rich? 100K… a quarter million… a cool mill?
Pride and the twisted ego of man forbids the pursuit of God’s will. Society, speeding the advent of its own demise, demands silence from Scripture. God is way to classy to elbow His way into any conversation.
The Bible holds the key to societies most pressing dilemmas. “What is wealth?” If you have clothes on your back, food in your belly and a roof over you head, with these things be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8) Add indoor plumbing and a relative degree of health and God’s goodness to me is humbling. I am wealthy and blessed far beyond what I deserve. The key to contentment is lower expectations.
The Occupy Wall Street movement is full of self-serving, jealous, trouble-makers.
Do these naïve protesters really think they can make Wall Street tycoons care about their plight by shouting, “Shame… Shame… Shame” at them?
The Occupy Wall Street movement sparked a world wide event. Unfortunately all that energy is misdirected. It helps no one to occupy Wall Street and its European counterparts in this fashion. Commandeer instead the United Nations, and the various foreign chancelleries, direct your outrage at famine, disease, and war.
Or better yet occupy the Garden of Gethsemane. Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) .
29 December 5, 2008
How will we reflect on change in the future?
Until recently I didn’t realize how literal the term “Global Economy” was. We are in this world together; we sink or swim as one.
As the adage declares, “He who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it.” Let we look to history, not to place blame, but view her a wise teacher with wisdom to share.
If we don’t get beyond our us verses them mentally, civilization will continue its downward spiral. Politicians continually fail to acknowledge there is a spiritual reality within the body of man. Ignoring this fact does not make it go away. Our fallen nature, the anger and hatred, our self serving interests, our greed; these things must be faced— and fought.
Illegal immigration and jobs shipped overseas have many people in lather. Our neighbors near and far just want to feed their families, like you and I do. Desperate people do desperate things. Should I care more about the welfare of your children than I do about the welfare of theirs?
In our greed– unwilling to share the wealth. In our selfishness– unwilling to share the work. Buy American union workers demand, then gorge themselves on sweatshop/child labor produced trinkets without a twinge of compunction
I believe America has failed to meet her high calling; we now have a opportunity to do things differently. Love one another; no sacrifice is to demanding for love. Love for family and friends comes naturally. But, love for the alien, the stranger and even our enemies is a decision only the spiritually strong can make.
With a Barack Obama Presidency on the horizon it seems as if America has been given a clean slate, a second chance; a fresh page in the history book of the world, a page ready to be written by our hand.
How will it read?
Printed: March 1, 2010
What were Tiger Woods advisors thinking? If Mr. Woods felt a need for public confession and to otherwise humiliate himself because of martial infidelity against his wife Elin, fine, that’s his right. But Tiger does not owe you or I, and most certainly not the media an apology or explanation; personally I would love to see Tiger flip off the media and say, “Leave my family alone you voyeuristic perverts.” But that’s just me, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
To understand human sexuality is to understand humanity. Tiger has reportedly spent 45 days in a rehabilitation facility, and is going back for more. You can study human sexuality for 45 years and still not deserve a Ph.D. Read every page of the voluminous material produced by the two notable sexual research facilities - Masters and Johnson, and the Kinsey Institute - you will find statistics abound, concrete answers not so much.
I doubt if Mr. Woods counselors will let him in on that little secret. Human sexuality… the profound mystery of life.
The conclusion I’ve reached is that human sexuality has a spiritual dimension attached to it – the two become one – that simply put is why God placed some restraints on the activity. Man and woman within the bonds of marriage… His ideal.
When a crisis befalls a person it is understandable for him or her to grasp at the religion of their youth. Tiger Woods is no exception and in his case that religion is Buddhism. I can only hope that when the dust settles; after Tiger and Elin have had some time to heal and reflect they will weather this storm and come out stronger than before.
Printed: May 30, 2011
Those of us who earn our daily bread from the sweat of our brow are indebted to union organizers of days gone by.
The need for workers to organize was obvious: unsafe working conditions, long hours with little pay, and no legal recourse for wrongs suffered at the hands of greedy, unscrupulous employers. The birth of unions was a hard fought struggle; with Toledo leading a fight where men bleed and died for justice.
Unions began with noble intent, but soon stopped trying to lift society and began protecting their own. Union leaders and government officials should have been fighting for a living wage for all Americans— floating everyone’s boat. Instead union leaders watch silently while many strive to survive at minimum wage, keeping the American Dream just out of reach for most.
Unions did not bring about affirmative action. Unions did not win minorities and women equal rights; you could argue unions hindered minority struggles. Unions, with ties to organized crime allowed cronyism and nepotism to rule the day.
That said, the benefits unions won are the envy of many, especially healthcare. What employers once offered as a generous perk soon became a staggering swipe at their bottom line. Fifty years ago who would have dreamt the wonders medical researchers were about to unfold? Unfortunately, the miracles of medical science don’t come cheap.
Police and Firemen, Teachers and Skilled Labor from every discipline all have unique concerns; no one begrudges these professionals from forming unions to protect their livelihood and lift their profession to a higher standard.
The government now has Safety and Environmental Protection agencies; as well as strong anti-discrimination laws. The union’s role in an evolving society has changed. The sooner unions realize that the better.
This world is not our home… we’re just passing through.
Printed: April 27, 2011
The argument abortionists use when defending a woman’s right to destroy the baby in her womb is: “a woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her own body.” This savage, disgusting, barbaric practice defended under the guise of personal liberty sickens me.
I’m trying to understand why the same statute; this, so called, defense of freedom does not carry over into the realm of prostitution? Offer sex for money, or money for sex and you get arrested.
Rarely does the entertainment industry demonstrate enough talent or class to refrain from exploiting overt sexual themes or covert sexual innuendoes. At very least they rely on sexual tension between two characters to move the plot along. The advertising industry would be ham-strung without sexual energy to sell their product.
Adult bookstores pepper the landscape. Worldly-wise purveyors of porn understand their clients live vicariously through the imagination; they smirk that evil grin knowing their product is protected by the Constitution.
But, let some hapless smuck tired of feeling like a hideous Troll in the midst of a mid-life crisis, complete with a beer-belly and receding hairline; whose only crime is having an insatiably desire to have a woman he finds attractive offer some affirmation to his manhood, get caught up in a prostitution sting and the State tries to ruin his life. At very least he will suffer public humiliation; his family life and livelihood may be destroyed.
A woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her own body. Do you now?
Printed: June, 14, 2010
Crystal Bowersox for President! Am I a fan? You bet; what’s not to like? Her talent is undeniable, she’s cute as a button, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about her character. But fame and fortune can do strange things to people.
I hope Crystal understands— and I believe she does—it is her humble demeanor people of all ages find attractive and refreshing. I trust Crystal will stay focused on her craft and continue to use her new found celebrity for philanthropic endeavors, whether medical, humanitarian, or environmental. May Crystal dive deep into her pool of inspiration and concentrate on being a singer, songwriter, philosopher, and poet.
If however Ms. Bowersox chooses to lend her voice to religious and political issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, or any number of other hot-button issues of our day; if she becomes a Hollywood type social activist, not burdened with a cause, but driven by hubris, she will weaken her fan base and tarnish her shining star. It will be fascinating to watch Crystal play the hand she’s been dealt.
Live long and prosper Crystal. Walk in Wisdom, and God Bless.
March 26, 2008
Wright’s comments lose candidate vote
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory diatribe cost Sen. Barack Obama my vote. Sen. Obama is one of the most gifted men I have ever seen in public life. Articulate, poised, intelligent, insightful. I have every confidence America would have a president in Barack Obama we could be proud of again.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments— actually the African American community’s response to them— concern me. If Rev. Wright was one man trapped in the sixties, a holdover from America’s embarrassing past, a grown man still dealing with a trauma he experienced in his youth, the anger he expressed could be excused.
The hard reality is he is a leader, role model, and spokesman for much of the Black community. His audience that day did not sit in polite silence, nor did they receive his hate-speech with jaw dropping stunned disbelief, but rather affirmed his rhetoric with yes-yes nods, surely a few “amen’s” peppered the auditorium; saying “amen” to a preacher is like saying “sic-em” to a dog.
In religious circles what Rev. Wright did would be called “preaching to the choir,” in other words preaching to an audience certain to accept your message. If Rev. Wright would have given that same speech in a “lion’s den,” perhaps a joint session of congress, with all those gray haired, white faced, good old boys starring back at him Rev. Jeremiah Wright would now be a hero of mine. Instead he is what I perceive to be as an embarrassment to the cause of Christ.
It’s hard to believe Rev. Wright spent over 30 years in the pulpit; could his persona really symbolize his idea of Christ likeness?
March 26, 2008
Wright’s comments lose candidate vote
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory diatribe cost Sen. Barack Obama my vote. Sen. Obama is one of the most gifted men I have ever seen in public life. Articulate, poised, intelligent, insightful. I have every confidence America would have a president in Barack Obama we could be proud of again.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments— actually the African American community’s response to them— concern me. If Rev. Wright was one man trapped in the sixties, a holdover from America’s embarrassing past, a grown man still dealing with a trauma he experienced in his youth, the anger he expressed could be excused.
The hard reality is he is a leader, role model, and spokesman for much of the Black community. His audience that day did not sit in polite silence, nor did they receive his hate-speech with jaw dropping stunned disbelief, but rather affirmed his rhetoric with yes-yes nods, surely a few “amen’s” peppered the auditorium; saying “amen” to a preacher is like saying “sic-em” to a dog.
In religious circles what Rev. Wright did would be called “preaching to the choir,” in other words preaching to an audience certain to accept your message. If Rev. Wright would have given that same speech in a “lion’s den,” perhaps a joint session of congress, with all those gray haired, white faced, good old boys starring back at him Rev. Jeremiah Wright would now be a hero of mine. Instead he is what I perceive to be as an embarrassment to the cause of Christ.
It’s hard to believe Rev. Wright spent over 30 years in the pulpit; could his persona really symbolize his idea of Christ likeness?
Printed: September 27, 2011
When someone asked infamous gangster John Dillinger why he robbed banks, his commonsense answer was, “that’s where the moneys at.” President Obama could be asked a similar question: “Mr. President why do you want to raise taxes on the extremely wealthy?” His answer, “They have the money.”
It takes tax money to maintain a municipality; police, fireman, roads, schools, etc. People realize that and don’t mind paying taxes to maintain function and order in society. However, when Government officials with reckless abandon blow through billions to pay for entitlements and pet projects people balk.
Just because you have more money than you could spend in ten lifetimes does not give the government the right to take it. The money is yours to do with as you see fit; scripture is clear about that. The Bible is equally clear about the condemnation awaiting wealthy overlords who keep people in chains of financial bondage.
Businessman can only make money in one of two ways; by offering a service or making a product. This is where the working class come in; by performing that service or making that product.
A Government’s highest calling is to protect the populace from harm— above all to protect those least able to protect themselves. Congress should fight for the underdog; a constant fight to raise the minimum wage, a penny or two here, a nickel or dime there. That’s the fair was to narrow the gap between rich and poor; slim down the bloated fat-cats and maintain a healthy economy able to stand the test of time. Our financial dilemma could be solved by raising the financial bottom. Stimulating an already top heavy economy was a dismal failure.
How times have changed! Technology has outpaced childhood development. Children are forced to process information and make decisions their naiveté and lack of experience leave them totally ill-equipped to process.
In my youth, when my buddies and I got our horny, hormone fueled little hands on a Playboy magazine that was a big deal. We quickly headed to the woods and began working on those mysteries without any clues Bob Seger sings about. Today a steady diet of sex and violence fills the idle time of many pre-teens and adolescents. I can only imagine how my development might have changed if those days were like these.
Reaching sexual maturity is a difficult journey, filled with awkwardness and anxiety. No easier in this information age; perhaps even harder and more prone to missteps. With society’s unabashed acceptance of homosexuality I wonder how often a boy’s first foray into sexual adventure is of the homosexual variety. Older boys easily able to manipulate and take advantage of the pliable mind of a child.
That’s why my wish for the new year is that the homosexual community would stop making their sexuality my business, making a public spectacle of a practice that will always be divisive. I know Lady Gaga, the High Priestess of the gay and lesbian community claims, “you were born that way.”
Maybe you were, so what.
According to Scripture you can live a celibate life and still be a homosexual, fornicator, or adultery. Just as a drunkard is not drunk every minute of the day, nor does a thief continually steal, they are nevertheless branded as such because their core; their character is damaged. There are plenty of unflattering personality traits woven into the fabric of humanity, we are after all fallen creatures in need of forgiveness.
February 9th, 2012
You have got to be kidding me! Has the Catholic Church learned nothing from its pedophile scandal? Apparently not. While the Catholic faithful struggle to make responsibly family planning and healthy reproduction choices Church leaders burden them with guilt.
All men have equal access to the mind and will of God through Scripture. Some cowards frightened by the creative energy percolating in their loins try to hide from God by living a cloistered life covered with religious bling, then think they can tell others how to live. What do you think men do in seminary? Learn a secret handshake.
Hello Rome, whatever authority you thought you had to teach morality is long gone. Catholicism has no right to take the moral high ground while discussing human sexuality. The nerve of some people. Your hypocrisy, apostasy, and arrogance are palpable; like a disease infested whore teaching sex-education to children.
Instead of honoring an intelligent God by wrestling with Scripture in an attempt to understand God’s will for mankind, the Catholic hierarchy teach as doctrine a list of prohibitions steeped in tradition, ritual and superstition. Their delusions of grandeur continues.
One final word for the Vatican — blush.
Arkansas boy’s don’t deserve death:
Why two Arkansas boys 11 and 13 years old would shoot and kill four of their classmates and a teacher is still a mystery. How to punish children when they commit heinous crimes such as this is a question society is now wrestling with.
Should we try them as adults and seek the death penalty? I think not. I pray I never live in a country that will put children to death no matter what their crime.
If I had the opportunity to counsel these two youngsters, I would point to the life of the Apostle Paul and his activity as a persecutor of the Christian faith. How he would drag off whole families of Christians and put them to death. He later became a pillar of the Christian faith.
In the same vein I suspect these boys in Arkansas are two of the most spiritual-minded young men in our society today. Let’s not kid ourselves, there is no punishment that fits their crime. If society does not ostracize them upon their release from jail, but will instead nurture them on a spiritual path, they too may become great men of God.
If you have been fortunate as I and never killed anyone, congratulations, but before you break your arm patting yourself on the back, remember these words, “But for the grace of God their go I.” In another time, in another place, you or I could not only have done what these children did, but what Timothy McVeigh did, or even Adolph Hitler did.
That, friends and neighbors, is our sinful nature.
September 7, 1998
Don’t Impeach, but commit Clinton
Printed Toledo Blade - February 27, 1999
Deadbeat Dad’ Label is Grossly Unfair
The label “deadbeat dad” is a brutal accusation to levy against a man. All too often a loving and devoted father is placed in a position in which compliance with a court order would strip him of his manhood and self-respect. I have been placed in such a position.
My divorce settlement was amicable for the most part, ample visitation, assets fairly divided, even the amount of child support is not a problem. What the settlement lacked, however, is a simple thing called “shared parenting.” For my former wife and I to share responsibility and accountability for our child’s welfare must be just too logical for the judicial system to grasp.
I don’t drink, use drugs, nor am I abusive. I am, however, a recovering alcoholic (sober 12 years now). Because of alcoholism I have a checkered and colorful past, including run-ins with the law. My wife wanted full custody of out daughter, the court saw my record and rubber stamped another case. When I look around our fair city I see men fathering children that shouldn’t be allowed to raise dogs, yet the government takes a child away from me, the best father in town (there may be equals, but there are none better).
I went to parenting classes and anger management classes. I have jumped through so many hoops to get my kid back I should join the circus. All to no avail. So I am placing my child support payments in escrow until the time a shared-parenting plan is issued. Not only do I accept my responsibility as a father, I embrace it, and I want my kid back.
April 16, 2002
Humans Are made In The Image Of God:
If you were somehow allowed to meet all 6 billion inhabits of this planet, and if memory would serve, you could recall everyone by name because we all look different. One nose, one mouth, two ears, two eyes, and we all look different. Evolution would not go to that much trouble. In the animal kingdom even God did not go to that much trouble. With only a handful of snowbirds in my backyard I’m hard pressed to tell them apart, although a sparrow will not fall to the ground apart from the will of God (Matthew 10:29). They all look much the same.
Humans, on the other hand, made in the image of God on so many levels, are each unique, right down to our fingerprints and DNA. The very hairs of your hear are numbered. (Matthew 10:30)
According to the account of creation in Genesis, “pain in childbirth” is a punishment given to Eve for eating the “forbidden fruit.” No animal has anywhere near the difficulty women do in giving birth. Why hasn’t “evolution” corrected this difficulty, this injustice, by now?
Biblical arguments abound. And time will not allow a discussion of the scientific evidence of creation such as the universal flood and the wonders of physics.
Don’t be fooled, friends. It boils down to this. You can either serve God who makes you lie down in green pastures. Or a harsh taskmaster who will make a monkey out of you.
Monday, August 12, 2002
Men Sin Because They Are Sinners:
A child molestation scandal of apocalyptic proportions has griped the Catholic Church. Almost a hundred Catholic Priests are exposed as pedophiles. Only the tip of the iceberg, I fear. Yet a recent contributor to the Readers’ Forum still holds as sacred the blessing of a child molester. What planet am I on?
Can’t you just picture God scratching His head and saying, “What do I have to do to wake these people up, drop a ton of bricks on their head?”
Men sin because they are sinners; they are not sinners because they sin. Whether a Catholic pedophile, a Baptist whore-monger, a minister embezzling funds, or any other clergy with skeletons in his closet. Men are sinners. All men. This is Christianity 101.
Jesus had a few stinging words for the religious leaders of his day who thought they had arrived in a spiritual sense.
Once you understand that we sin because we are sinners, we are not sinners because we sin, wonderful things will begin to happen. You will avoid the two deadly extremes of self-condemnation and self-righteousness. Sincere Christians hunger and thirst after righteousness. Still we fall short; we miss the mark.
There is only one person who can forgive sins and that’s the man who died for them.
PRINTED IN TOLEDO BLADE: November 8, 2002
Scripture Condemns Homosexual Acts:
Regarding “Homosexual weddings are a wonderful thing,” have you ever noticed when people disagree with a well-established religious belief, they paint Christians in opposition as narrow-minded rubes who just fell off the turnip truck?
They claim the Bible too antiquated to be relevant for modern man. The letter writer call believers ignorant, prejudiced, and brainwashed; he then proceeded to misinterpret Scripture.
I have no business judging another man’s sexual activity. Lord knows I have had enough romantic misadventures of my own. But sinner to sinner I am compelled to speak. If he thinks God does not condemn homosexual acts his understanding of Scripture is flawed.
In the book of Leviticus, God spoke these words to Moses, “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (18:22) You don’t need to be a Greek scholar to understand that. With His very next breath God forbids bestiality. (18:23) How long before men start defending that perversion?
Contrary to the writer’s assertion, the word of God often speaks about homosexuality, and never in a positive light.
“Claiming to be wise they became fools… degrading their bodies with one another.” (Romans 1:22 and 24)
Claiming maturity they live as immature. Take a cursory survey of television sitcoms on any given night and you will see how embarrassingly immature our society is in regards to sex. Claiming freedom they live in bondage to sin.
Obedience to the probationary clauses in the Bible; the “Thou shall,” and the “Thou shall not,” is what lifts men above barnyard animals.
The homosexual whining like a spoiled child asking “why not?” And God like an exasperated parent answering “because I said so!” That should be all the reason you need.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: November 26, 2002
So Many Religions Claim to be the Way:
Dr. S. Amjad Hussain’s column in defense of the Prophet Mohammad was both well-written and justified. I would like to assure Dr. Hussain and those of the Islamic faith in our area that Jerry Farwell and most other televangelists do not represent me or the God I’ve come to know and love.
The Taliban is to Islam what the Ku-Klux-Klan is to Christianity – a fraudulent representation. No group of people enjoy being judged by the actions of a few.
Religion is an emotionally charged topic. Men need to come to the table of discussion calmly and respectively, with a thirst for the truth and with an appetite for humble pie.
The Qur’an offers some profound doctrine. As do the teachings of Buddha, Confucius, and Hinduism. From Aristotle to Einstein, great minds have offered words of wisdom. Jesus offers words of eternal life.
Good people don’t go to heaven; saved people do. So the question is not how to be good, but how top be saved.
From this Christian’s perspective, Jesus – the sinless one – shed His blood on the cross for the sins of the world. If that’s true, then it’s true if people believe it or not. Christian theology dictates that our responsibility is to accept His sacrifice, then be buried with Christ in baptism. For if we die with Him, are buried with Him, then likewise we will be raised with Him.
So many religions and philosophies claim to be the way. say what you will about Satan, one thing we can all agree on is that he is nothing if not clever. Where, except in a forest, could you hide the tree of life?
June 12, 2003
This Dough May Save That Dough
July 24, 2003
Guilt over Abortion never seems to end
Friday, September 5, 2003
Culture Making Us Callous, Unflappable:
“Be fruitful and multiply.” God spoke these words to Adam and Eve before the fall and in doing so unleashed a force of nature that men cannot harness.
Now the Episcopalian Church has elected a gay bishop. I’m not surprised. Are you? As a culture we have become callous, unflappable. Nothing a religious cleric or organization can do or say will even raise an eyebrow anymore. Yes, God loves the homosexual but hates homosexuality. He calls it sin.
Another teaching that is crystal clear is this. False piety, false humility, and false wisdom, or what the Bible calls the appearance of wisdom, will land more souls in hell than sins of the flesh ever will.
To stray from the ancient path in the name of enlightenment would be comical if the consequences weren’t so damning. We are technologically advanced in comparison to our first century ancestors to be sure; they wouldn’t know how to make toast.
However, we decided ourselves thinking we are spiritually more insightful than they. human sexuality? Look around, friends. We live in a sexual nuthouse. To think they were inhibited or their libidos less inflamed than ours is foolish.
Primitive Christianity is the narrow path that only a few find. Since the first false teacher stumbled over his ego, men have pleaded, “Don’t leave the path!”
You can put a monkey in a tuxedo, but it doesn’t make it James Bond. When men reach the zenith of their religious delusion let them visit the Liberace museum and borrow some of his duds, complete with sequined cape and feather boa. Now that might be a televangelist worth tuning in to.
January 28, 2004
Terror Alert System Needs Revamping
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BALDE: March, 7, 2004
May Movie be a Blessing to Mankind:
The Passion of the Christ was a commendable effort by Mel Gibson to dramatize the crucifixion of Christ though film. May the movie prove to be a blessing to mankind. In addition to movies like the Passion , cable television offers myriad bible oriented programs; Who wrote the Bible, Sex and the Bible, Biblical Disasters, In Search of Noah’s Ark, and many others.
Every generation should try to learn from the mistakes of the past. To learn from the triumph and tragedy of war, archeological digs, sociological/psychological studies, and surveys. The advances in medical science in our lifetime have been nothing short of miraculous. Microscopic and telescopic wonders of creation fill us with awe.
The average “Joe” with a computer can install Bible software or surf the net. We can manipulate a keyboard and access a Greek/Hebrew dictionary, atlas, concordance, study aids, and scripture in every translation known to man.
With the wisdom of the ages at our fingertips, why is religion still so divisive? One church speaks in tongues, another teaches a prosperity gospel, some bizarre and eccentric fringe group handles snakes.
The pro-abortion group and the gay marriage/gay priest issue further divide the cause of Christ. Each group claims they are led by the Spirit of God, but unless the Spirit of God enjoys contradicting Himself something is seriously amiss.
I can’t be the only one who sees a word in dire need religious reform. My obligation as a minister is a challenge your thinking, hard to do in a country where it is considered ill form to question someone’s religion. So I’m left with only one option, speak where the Bible speaks, remain silent where the Bible is silent, and let the chips fall where they may.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: May 14, 2004
‘Bad Apples’: We Reap What We Sow:
Some members of the New Your City Police Department got their jollies by sodomizing a Haitian immigrant with handle of a toilet bowl plunger. Their superiors claimed a few “bad apples” had slipped into their ranks.
When the dawn of a new day burst upon the Catholic Church and pedophile priests scampered like cockroaches for the cover of darkness, the religious hierarchy claimed a few “Bad apples” had slipped through the cracks.
Now it’s the military’s turn to defend its sexual embarrassment. And what are the commanding officers saying? You guessed it, a few “bad apples” are responsible.
We have been feeding our children a steady diet of sex and violence for generations. Through video games, movies, music, and pornography the United States has been parading its violent, vulgar mind before the world. We do not fuel these billion-dollar industries with a few bad apples.
The Bible says: Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked. A man (nation) reaps what he (it) sows. We either need to start sowing some better seed or prepare to eat some bitter fruit
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: June 19, 2004
Why Should God Bless Us With A Cure:
Just what is “stem cell research” and what’s all the fuss about? I won’t pretend to understand how some brilliant scientists plan to use stem cells in an attempt to cure a devastating, frightening illness like Alzheimer’s. On the one hand I recognize the moral concerns dealing with embryonic research, but on the other hand I certainly don’t want to stand in the way of a cure. My first inclination is to wish the scientists Godspeed.
With God’s guiding hand, scientists have discovered vaccines for mumps, measles, rubella, chicken pox, polio, and others. Still 50 percent of the children in Third World countries die before they reach the age of five. Preventable diseases coupled with starvation are what most of the children succumb to. Whether you believe in God or not, this is outrageous.
How can a civilized people sleep peacefully while millions around them live in poverty, squalor, and disease in the shanty towns of the world? This is the moral issue we should be concerned with, and in the end the one that will condemn us.
If we build another multi-million-dollar church building while children the world over are sick and hungry I’m afraid the Lord will disown the whole lot of us.
Why should God bless us with a cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or cancer when we’ve been such poor servants of His rich blessings? It’s time to put away childish things and get serious about the job at hand. Or we can build bigger barns and buy more toys; God always leaves that choice up to us. It doesn’t surprise me at all that the Word of God describes our human family as children of wrath.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Confusing diplomacy, spiritual cowardice:
As a preacher I appreciate a well-crafted and well-delivered speech. So I enjoy political conventions and presidential debates. In addition the possibility also exists that some politician will stick his foot so far in his mouth that toe jam will come out of his ears, and I don’t want to miss that.
The recent democratic national Convention did not offer much fodder for our nation’s comedians, and you may not have agreed with some politicians’ stance on an issue, but for the most part the speeches were well thought out and delivered.
One thing Sen. John Kerry said keeps gnawing at my psyche. He said: “I don’t wear my religion on my sleeve.” He then went on to quote President Abraham Lincoln with these words, “I don’t claim to believe God is on our side, but I humbly pray that we are on God’s side.”
We cherish religious freedom. It would be improper for a presidential candidate to force feed us his specific religious belief, doctrine, or creed. As president of this great land, a man must stay generic and diplomatic in regards to religion, I understand that.
Lincoln was a man of God who also said, “No man has the right to consider himself educated until he has read the Bible.” Lincoln also said, “A thorough knowledge of the Bible is of greater value than a college education.”
If Mr. Kerry would have said that he spends the first hour of every day in Bible study and prayer seeking God’s will for this country and pleading for wisdom to lead his people, then he would have earned the right to quote Abraham Lincoln.
Mr. Lincoln earned the nickname “Honest Abe,” and he didn’t earn it by confusing diplomacy with spiritual cowardice.”
September 24, 2004
A Delightful Form of Civil Disobedience
I find the type of civil disobedience orchestrated by the group known a “Fathers 4 Justice” nothing short of delightful. One of their members - Jason Hatch, 33 of Gloucester, England - scaled the wall of Buckingham Palace dressed as Batman.
Using what would best be described as childish pranks, Mr. Hatch and his cohorts go to great lengths to call attention to their cause; greater custody and visitation rights for divorced and separated fathers.
England, like the United States, is a country governed by laws. The concern I have for this group is that most people who witness their escapades will side with the court. The men in question will be viewed as unstable, in other words.
That would be a mistake. I have no doubt these men used every legal resource at their disposal. Legal wrangling when dealing with child custody is a maddening experience. My case is not unique.
In my naiveté I played the game, thinking justice would ultimately win in a court of law. Little did I realize the court had its mind made up before I walked through the door. Although not as creative as my English counterparts, I too began a protest, and just like my English cousins I landed in jail.
Looks like my friends over the pond are having a lot more fun. No wonder it’s called Jolly ol’ England. Bravo, my friends, bravo!
So if you see a man swinging from the giant chandelier on the portico of the White House and he’s wearing a red, white, and blue Spandex jumpsuit, a pink tutu, Grougho Marx glasses, and combat boots, it’ll be me.
PRINTED IN THE TOLEDO BLADE: November 23, 2004
Just give convicted felons a zillion years:
Nowadays when a person reaches 100 years old we take notice, and if they live to see 100 with a relative degree of health we are truly impressed.
I’ve long ago quit trying to make sense of our judicial system. There is no rhyme or reason to be found there.
Even so when I see a headline that reads, “Sexual predator ordered to serve 195 years in prison,” I can’t help but be dumbfounded yet again.
Upon reading the article in question, I learned that James Perry, 34, is already serving a 180-year federal sentence on child-pornography charges. That takes him to a grand total of 375 years, and Mr. Perry still faces sexual assault charges in Illinois. Twenty-six additional charges were dismissed.
The article continued by stating Mr. Perry, “cried and rocked in his chair.” “I don’t have any excuse,” he said, “I wish I knew why.” One of his victims graciously offered forgiveness. “Thank you,” he said between sobs, “I’m sorry.” Reading between lines that translates, “God have mercy on me, a sinner.”
I know most of us want to scrape this type of individual off the soul of society like one scrapes dog feces off the soul of his shoe. In less disgusting words – life without parole – but when the court hands down ridiculous hyperbolic sentences, they look foolish. Why not just say a zillion years?
Wednesday, January 5, 2005
How can God allow this to happen?
Tsunami!
Wow! What else can be said about the Tsunami that devastated Asia. When the final body count is tallied the number of victims will have reached well into six figures. Wow!
The magnitude of human loss; the anguish and suffering of the survivors is beyond comprehension.
The age old question begs to be asked. If there really is a God, one that is all powerful and loving like Christians claim, why then did He allow this tragedy to happen?
Terrorist attacks, war, crime, and all manner of man made evil are just that, man made. Gospel preachers can point to the free will of man as being culpable. People seem to understand that.
How can I defend my theology, my belief and my understanding of a good and loving God in the face of a natural catastrophe the likes of which most of us have never seen?
This Tsunami tragedy will surely strengthened the agnosticism of some. If there is a God, they will reason, He is either uncaring, unloving or unable to intervene in the affairs of men. Your doubt is understandable, ever, I dare say, reasonable.
Speculation on my part, and a buck-and-a-half in your pocket will get you a cup of coffee, so let’s go to Scripture. Why be surprised and questioning about events Jesus predicted would happen? Fulfillment of prophecy should inspire belief. Following are some excerpts from the 21st Chapter of Luke:
“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. Nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Thus saith the Lord.
February 25, 2005
Where have all the classy women gone?
In response to the recent contributor’s quizzical lament, “Isn’t there one decent man out there?” I can assure you that there are. I often pose a similar question, “where have all the classy women gone?”
As a musician I am no stranger to the club scene in Toledo. I always try to conduct myself as a Christian gentlemen, only to have some drunken bimbo ask me if I’m gay. Of course she does this while simultaneously scanning the faces of her friends hoping her razor sharp wit hasn’t escaped their notice.
Chivalry is not dead, but before I gallop in like your Knight in shining armor the aggressor will need to pose more of a threat than an intoxicated lout with a vulgar mouth. I will defend your physical safety, not your pride.
September 25, 2005
Congratulations to Finkbeiner, Ford
Congratulation to Mr. Finkbeiner and Mr. Ford for advancing to the general election, good luck to you both. Now that the primary election is nothing but a fading memory, it is time for this candidate to drift graciously into obscurity.
With the abundance of political pundits and shock-jock-radio-personalities that could easily run the world from their bar-stool, logic would dictate finding a qualified man or woman to run our city would be a cinch.
Unfortunately civilization has digressed to the point that having a caustic and abrasive tongue; being rude, crude and obnoxious of mind and mouth is often confused with being witty, clever and insightful. Civic leaders and role-models embrace their base nature and create strife rather than promote healing.
For obvious reasons I thought it prudent to stay low-key concerning spiritual matters during my campaign, so let me spell it out for my friends in the media. Gentlemen, if you want to come after me bring it on; I’m no frail old woman. But if you come after me you better come after me with a Bible in your hand.
I find it curious as well that men and women who make their living with words, whether the spoken word or in print, are not better at reading between the lines better than they are. Remember when I donned the funny glasses in the last televised mayoral debate and did my little song and dance? Interpret that as my assurance of, and declaration that, judgment is coming. Let’s see who’s laughing then.
Don Gozdowski
Candidate for Mayor 2005
3142 Franklin Ave.
January 26, 2006
Leave the graffiti to young lovers
I am a huge fan of well orchestrated civil disobedience; the more off-beat the better. Nevertheless I was surprised when Mike Ferner was arrested for defacing highway overpasses with anti-war messages. I don’t know Mr. Ferner personally, but the activity in question seemed out of place for a man of his social standing.
What did he hope to accomplish? It’s not as if a presidential motorcade was scheduled to pass by. The Blade let Mr. Ferner explain his philosophy in the Jan. 21 Saturday Essay. Comparing this civil disobedience to young lovers spray-painting a declaration of their eternal love and devotion for each other is an apples-oranges kind of thing.
When asked what prompted his civil rebellion, his response was: images, images, images, images — images of the lame, the blind, the crippled. Yeah, Mike, we get it. War is hell.
So his blood boils with indignation. Here the simile comparing his actions to those of young lovers may be apropos; neither entity can imagine anyone else ever felling such deep passion.
To leave Iraq now would be a mistake. Imagine the adrenaline rush our withdrawal would give the insurgents. They would certainly view our pull-out as a victory; America the Great Satan has been slain, fueling the belief they are chosen by God to purge the world of infidels. We can help democracy take root in Iraq today, or our grandsons can try tomorrow.
Do my beliefs give me the right to spray paint, “Stay the Course” on public property?
Overpass fascias do not belong to you or me; they belong to us. They are not our personal billboards. Let’s leave the graffiti to the young lovers.
May 17, 2006
Where’s the motive in nun’s murder?
What follows is one layman’s take on the Father Robinson murder trial: Means, Motive and Opportunity; if I heard that said on police dramas once, I heard it a hundred times. Did Father Robinson have the means? Yes. Did he have the opportunity? Yes. But where’s the motive?
A satanic, ritualistic killing was one theory offered by the prosecution. That’s hard for me to accept. Rituals are done with meticulous care, and savored as long as possible by the participants. Ritualistic killings are not done on a spur-of-the-moment impulse in a semi-public location. Father Robinson could have easily used a ministerial pretext to lure Sister Pahl away to a secluded and secretive torture chamber.
Occult practitioners gradually work up to more sinister and wicked activities. Animals are usually abused and tortured first. Then after the Satanist has crawled deep into his dark soul a human sacrifice may be sought.
It’s hard to keep that stuff a secret, evil does not stand alone, someone must know if Father Robinson was active in the occult. It has also been suggested the murder was simply done in a fit of rage. Does Father Robinson have a history of violence? Is he quick to fly off the handle and lose his temper? It seems to me reasonable doubt could have easily have been established in this case.
Father Robinson may indeed be guilty, and he may have sprinkled ritualistic trappings around the crime scene to throw the police off track. But the notion of Sister Pahl’s murder being a premeditated satanic ritualistic killing, in the true sense, is a stretch, in my opinion.
September 5, 2006
Ferner could learn from Chicago activist
While driving home from Chicago last week I noticed a billboard that read, “Bring the Troops Home Now.” Being from Toledo I couldn’t help but contrast that billboard with the recent “graffiti-gate” scandal we experienced.
The anti-war message I saw in Chicago was not spray-painted on the side of a barn, but was rather a bought and paid for, professionally designed, advertising billboard. In smaller font under the message was an e-mail address, and an invitation to donate money to offset the cost of the billboard. Now that is a type of protest I could wholeheartedly endorse.
How wise I concluded the author and founder of that billboard to be; especially in light of what Toledo went through. Consider this; for one thing what he’s doing is legal. In addition, as people log on to his web-site, this social activist is building a support base of like minded individuals who are willing to put their money on the line. Talk is cheap – graffiti is easy. The billboard struck me as a grass-roots effort that has a chance of making a difference.
My options in Toledo are limited; I could rent a billboard and post my own message - pro or con - or, slip a graffiti artist a couple of bucks to buy a couple cans of spray paint.
I’m not suggesting a comparison between a world class city like Chicago and a small Midwestern town like Toledo. The amount of press coverage “graffiti-gate” generated locally is a sad commentary on how woefully short we would stack up,
USA Today - May 2, 2007
Stop playing enemy’s game
A Vietnam like quagmire. That’s the term most often used to describe the chaos that is the war in Iraq. There are similarities of course, in all wars young men die. The big difference about this war that I never heard about Vietnam is this. If we leave Iraq unstable the war will follow us home. I believe that’s true. So what can we do? How can we fulfill our commitment and moral obligation to the Iraqi people. How do we keep the violent factions in Iraq contained and unable to spread to their neighbors, and ultimately to our shores?
It is said a fanatic is one who can’t change his mind even in the face of failure, but will simply redouble his efforts. This quote seems to fit President Bush’s approach to the war in Iraq all too well I’m sorry to say. Send more troops, spend more money. I wish that were the answer, I don’t think it is.
We need to change course; change strategy. I have never been to Iraq and I realize it is all to easy to be an arm chair General. Having said that, this is what I would do differently. if I were in command. I would quit sending my men on patrols, most causalities occur from road side bombs, or Improvised Explosive Device (IED’s).
I would lock down the Iraqi boarder, and take total control of its airspace. Keep the hatred contained and let it feed on itself until like a forest fire it burns itself out. We are playing their game, on their home court, by their rules. That needs to stop. Take high ground, and if terrorist or insurgents want to fight us let them come.
July 25, 2007
City missed chance to act righteously
In November 2005 the City of Toledo elected Carty Finkbeiner to his third term as Mayor. A short time later, in seemingly unrelated news, Warren Buffett gave the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 37 billion dollars and joined their fight against famine and disease around the world.
Imagine with me for a moment if some political figure in Toledo had the daring insight to secure the Owens Illinois building for humanitarian efforts before it became a monument to the god America really worships… money.
Imagine if we would have been tuned into the heart and mind of God, ready to offer Bill and Melinda Gates the Owens Illinois building – along with the symbolic key to the city – and tell them, “Bill, Melinda, Mr. Buffett, our city is at your disposal, let us help you do some good in this world.” Ladies and gentlemen I believe with every fiber of my being that we, Toledoans, could have changed the very destiny of this planet.
Instead of being leaders in a righteous revolution we set our sites on building a Marina District, that is when were not squabbling about garage pickup. Men of God do not build playgrounds for the wealthy while children are sick and starving anywhere on this planet. That is my opinion, I will stand behind it, even if I stand alone.
And the forth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent of what they had done. (Revelation 16:8-9)
A little global warming anyone?
27 January 25, 2008
Using food to make fuel is depraved
Toledo Blade, front page banner headline, January 11, 2008: “Ohio hails ethanol era with Putnam Co. facility.” The stated article went on to report the ribbon cutting ceremony that signaled the opening of a Bio-refinery in Leipsic, Ohio. All the pomp and circumstance, along with the usual cast of characters we’ve come to expect at such an event were present.
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland was given the honor of cutting the ribbon and declared, “This is a great day for Ohio.”
The research into alternative fuels, along with solar power and wind energy, coupled with conservation, will only become more crucial as time goes by. After all, petroleum is not a renewable energy source, when it’s gone, it’s gone.
The possibility of making fuel from corn cobs as the article postulates is an exciting prospect indeed. That being said, I do not see the opening of this plant as a “great day for Ohio,” but rather a crime against humanity.
With so much of the world ravaged by famine we dare celebrate our ability to take 22 million bushels of corn annually and turn it into 65 million gallons of ethanol. That just at one of three plants being built in Ohio, with 21 other ethanol producing plants nationwide owned by the same manufacturer.
If the impoverished people of the world were to read about this “great day for Ohio” what might they say? “Don’t the people of America claim to be a Christian– God fearing nation? Don’t they know our children are starving? Don’t they care?”
We would have to answer, “Yes, we know, and no, obviously we don’t care.
Using God given food sources to make whiskey, beer, and now bio-fuel is depraved. Research yes, but let’s not trade our soul for a tank of gas.
43 Printed: November 8, 2011
President Obama intends to raise taxes on the rich; “spread the wealth around.” Naturally the GOP asked, “Who are the rich? How much does a person need to make to be considered rich? 100K… a quarter million… a cool mill?
Pride and the twisted ego of man forbids the pursuit of God’s will. Society, speeding the advent of its own demise, demands silence from Scripture. God is way to classy to elbow His way into any conversation.
The Bible holds the key to societies most pressing dilemmas. “What is wealth?” If you have clothes on your back, food in your belly and a roof over you head, with these things be content.” (1 Timothy 6:8) Add indoor plumbing and a relative degree of health and God’s goodness to me is humbling. I am wealthy and blessed far beyond what I deserve. The key to contentment is lower expectations.
The Occupy Wall Street movement is full of self-serving, jealous, trouble-makers.
Do these naïve protesters really think they can make Wall Street tycoons care about their plight by shouting, “Shame… Shame… Shame” at them?
The Occupy Wall Street movement sparked a world wide event. Unfortunately all that energy is misdirected. It helps no one to occupy Wall Street and its European counterparts in this fashion. Commandeer instead the United Nations, and the various foreign chancelleries, direct your outrage at famine, disease, and war.
Or better yet occupy the Garden of Gethsemane. Seek ye first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33) .
29 December 5, 2008
How will we reflect on change in the future?
Until recently I didn’t realize how literal the term “Global Economy” was. We are in this world together; we sink or swim as one.
As the adage declares, “He who forgets the past is doomed to repeat it.” Let we look to history, not to place blame, but view her a wise teacher with wisdom to share.
If we don’t get beyond our us verses them mentally, civilization will continue its downward spiral. Politicians continually fail to acknowledge there is a spiritual reality within the body of man. Ignoring this fact does not make it go away. Our fallen nature, the anger and hatred, our self serving interests, our greed; these things must be faced— and fought.
Illegal immigration and jobs shipped overseas have many people in lather. Our neighbors near and far just want to feed their families, like you and I do. Desperate people do desperate things. Should I care more about the welfare of your children than I do about the welfare of theirs?
In our greed– unwilling to share the wealth. In our selfishness– unwilling to share the work. Buy American union workers demand, then gorge themselves on sweatshop/child labor produced trinkets without a twinge of compunction
I believe America has failed to meet her high calling; we now have a opportunity to do things differently. Love one another; no sacrifice is to demanding for love. Love for family and friends comes naturally. But, love for the alien, the stranger and even our enemies is a decision only the spiritually strong can make.
With a Barack Obama Presidency on the horizon it seems as if America has been given a clean slate, a second chance; a fresh page in the history book of the world, a page ready to be written by our hand.
How will it read?
Printed: March 1, 2010
What were Tiger Woods advisors thinking? If Mr. Woods felt a need for public confession and to otherwise humiliate himself because of martial infidelity against his wife Elin, fine, that’s his right. But Tiger does not owe you or I, and most certainly not the media an apology or explanation; personally I would love to see Tiger flip off the media and say, “Leave my family alone you voyeuristic perverts.” But that’s just me, let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
To understand human sexuality is to understand humanity. Tiger has reportedly spent 45 days in a rehabilitation facility, and is going back for more. You can study human sexuality for 45 years and still not deserve a Ph.D. Read every page of the voluminous material produced by the two notable sexual research facilities - Masters and Johnson, and the Kinsey Institute - you will find statistics abound, concrete answers not so much.
I doubt if Mr. Woods counselors will let him in on that little secret. Human sexuality… the profound mystery of life.
The conclusion I’ve reached is that human sexuality has a spiritual dimension attached to it – the two become one – that simply put is why God placed some restraints on the activity. Man and woman within the bonds of marriage… His ideal.
When a crisis befalls a person it is understandable for him or her to grasp at the religion of their youth. Tiger Woods is no exception and in his case that religion is Buddhism. I can only hope that when the dust settles; after Tiger and Elin have had some time to heal and reflect they will weather this storm and come out stronger than before.
Printed: May 30, 2011
Those of us who earn our daily bread from the sweat of our brow are indebted to union organizers of days gone by.
The need for workers to organize was obvious: unsafe working conditions, long hours with little pay, and no legal recourse for wrongs suffered at the hands of greedy, unscrupulous employers. The birth of unions was a hard fought struggle; with Toledo leading a fight where men bleed and died for justice.
Unions began with noble intent, but soon stopped trying to lift society and began protecting their own. Union leaders and government officials should have been fighting for a living wage for all Americans— floating everyone’s boat. Instead union leaders watch silently while many strive to survive at minimum wage, keeping the American Dream just out of reach for most.
Unions did not bring about affirmative action. Unions did not win minorities and women equal rights; you could argue unions hindered minority struggles. Unions, with ties to organized crime allowed cronyism and nepotism to rule the day.
That said, the benefits unions won are the envy of many, especially healthcare. What employers once offered as a generous perk soon became a staggering swipe at their bottom line. Fifty years ago who would have dreamt the wonders medical researchers were about to unfold? Unfortunately, the miracles of medical science don’t come cheap.
Police and Firemen, Teachers and Skilled Labor from every discipline all have unique concerns; no one begrudges these professionals from forming unions to protect their livelihood and lift their profession to a higher standard.
The government now has Safety and Environmental Protection agencies; as well as strong anti-discrimination laws. The union’s role in an evolving society has changed. The sooner unions realize that the better.
This world is not our home… we’re just passing through.
Printed: April 27, 2011
The argument abortionists use when defending a woman’s right to destroy the baby in her womb is: “a woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her own body.” This savage, disgusting, barbaric practice defended under the guise of personal liberty sickens me.
I’m trying to understand why the same statute; this, so called, defense of freedom does not carry over into the realm of prostitution? Offer sex for money, or money for sex and you get arrested.
Rarely does the entertainment industry demonstrate enough talent or class to refrain from exploiting overt sexual themes or covert sexual innuendoes. At very least they rely on sexual tension between two characters to move the plot along. The advertising industry would be ham-strung without sexual energy to sell their product.
Adult bookstores pepper the landscape. Worldly-wise purveyors of porn understand their clients live vicariously through the imagination; they smirk that evil grin knowing their product is protected by the Constitution.
But, let some hapless smuck tired of feeling like a hideous Troll in the midst of a mid-life crisis, complete with a beer-belly and receding hairline; whose only crime is having an insatiably desire to have a woman he finds attractive offer some affirmation to his manhood, get caught up in a prostitution sting and the State tries to ruin his life. At very least he will suffer public humiliation; his family life and livelihood may be destroyed.
A woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her own body. Do you now?
Printed: June, 14, 2010
Crystal Bowersox for President! Am I a fan? You bet; what’s not to like? Her talent is undeniable, she’s cute as a button, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about her character. But fame and fortune can do strange things to people.
I hope Crystal understands— and I believe she does—it is her humble demeanor people of all ages find attractive and refreshing. I trust Crystal will stay focused on her craft and continue to use her new found celebrity for philanthropic endeavors, whether medical, humanitarian, or environmental. May Crystal dive deep into her pool of inspiration and concentrate on being a singer, songwriter, philosopher, and poet.
If however Ms. Bowersox chooses to lend her voice to religious and political issues, such as abortion, gay marriage, illegal immigration, or any number of other hot-button issues of our day; if she becomes a Hollywood type social activist, not burdened with a cause, but driven by hubris, she will weaken her fan base and tarnish her shining star. It will be fascinating to watch Crystal play the hand she’s been dealt.
Live long and prosper Crystal. Walk in Wisdom, and God Bless.
March 26, 2008
Wright’s comments lose candidate vote
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory diatribe cost Sen. Barack Obama my vote. Sen. Obama is one of the most gifted men I have ever seen in public life. Articulate, poised, intelligent, insightful. I have every confidence America would have a president in Barack Obama we could be proud of again.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments— actually the African American community’s response to them— concern me. If Rev. Wright was one man trapped in the sixties, a holdover from America’s embarrassing past, a grown man still dealing with a trauma he experienced in his youth, the anger he expressed could be excused.
The hard reality is he is a leader, role model, and spokesman for much of the Black community. His audience that day did not sit in polite silence, nor did they receive his hate-speech with jaw dropping stunned disbelief, but rather affirmed his rhetoric with yes-yes nods, surely a few “amen’s” peppered the auditorium; saying “amen” to a preacher is like saying “sic-em” to a dog.
In religious circles what Rev. Wright did would be called “preaching to the choir,” in other words preaching to an audience certain to accept your message. If Rev. Wright would have given that same speech in a “lion’s den,” perhaps a joint session of congress, with all those gray haired, white faced, good old boys starring back at him Rev. Jeremiah Wright would now be a hero of mine. Instead he is what I perceive to be as an embarrassment to the cause of Christ.
It’s hard to believe Rev. Wright spent over 30 years in the pulpit; could his persona really symbolize his idea of Christ likeness?
March 26, 2008
Wright’s comments lose candidate vote
The Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory diatribe cost Sen. Barack Obama my vote. Sen. Obama is one of the most gifted men I have ever seen in public life. Articulate, poised, intelligent, insightful. I have every confidence America would have a president in Barack Obama we could be proud of again.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s comments— actually the African American community’s response to them— concern me. If Rev. Wright was one man trapped in the sixties, a holdover from America’s embarrassing past, a grown man still dealing with a trauma he experienced in his youth, the anger he expressed could be excused.
The hard reality is he is a leader, role model, and spokesman for much of the Black community. His audience that day did not sit in polite silence, nor did they receive his hate-speech with jaw dropping stunned disbelief, but rather affirmed his rhetoric with yes-yes nods, surely a few “amen’s” peppered the auditorium; saying “amen” to a preacher is like saying “sic-em” to a dog.
In religious circles what Rev. Wright did would be called “preaching to the choir,” in other words preaching to an audience certain to accept your message. If Rev. Wright would have given that same speech in a “lion’s den,” perhaps a joint session of congress, with all those gray haired, white faced, good old boys starring back at him Rev. Jeremiah Wright would now be a hero of mine. Instead he is what I perceive to be as an embarrassment to the cause of Christ.
It’s hard to believe Rev. Wright spent over 30 years in the pulpit; could his persona really symbolize his idea of Christ likeness?
Printed: September 27, 2011
When someone asked infamous gangster John Dillinger why he robbed banks, his commonsense answer was, “that’s where the moneys at.” President Obama could be asked a similar question: “Mr. President why do you want to raise taxes on the extremely wealthy?” His answer, “They have the money.”
It takes tax money to maintain a municipality; police, fireman, roads, schools, etc. People realize that and don’t mind paying taxes to maintain function and order in society. However, when Government officials with reckless abandon blow through billions to pay for entitlements and pet projects people balk.
Just because you have more money than you could spend in ten lifetimes does not give the government the right to take it. The money is yours to do with as you see fit; scripture is clear about that. The Bible is equally clear about the condemnation awaiting wealthy overlords who keep people in chains of financial bondage.
Businessman can only make money in one of two ways; by offering a service or making a product. This is where the working class come in; by performing that service or making that product.
A Government’s highest calling is to protect the populace from harm— above all to protect those least able to protect themselves. Congress should fight for the underdog; a constant fight to raise the minimum wage, a penny or two here, a nickel or dime there. That’s the fair was to narrow the gap between rich and poor; slim down the bloated fat-cats and maintain a healthy economy able to stand the test of time. Our financial dilemma could be solved by raising the financial bottom. Stimulating an already top heavy economy was a dismal failure.
In my youth, when my buddies and I got our horny, hormone fueled little hands on a Playboy magazine that was a big deal. We quickly headed to the woods and began working on those mysteries without any clues Bob Seger sings about. Today a steady diet of sex and violence fills the idle time of many pre-teens and adolescents. I can only imagine how my development might have changed if those days were like these.
Reaching sexual maturity is a difficult journey, filled with awkwardness and anxiety. No easier in this information age; perhaps even harder and more prone to missteps. With society’s unabashed acceptance of homosexuality I wonder how often a boy’s first foray into sexual adventure is of the homosexual variety. Older boys easily able to manipulate and take advantage of the pliable mind of a child.
That’s why my wish for the new year is that the homosexual community would stop making their sexuality my business, making a public spectacle of a practice that will always be divisive. I know Lady Gaga, the High Priestess of the gay and lesbian community claims, “you were born that way.”
Maybe you were, so what.
According to Scripture you can live a celibate life and still be a homosexual, fornicator, or adultery. Just as a drunkard is not drunk every minute of the day, nor does a thief continually steal, they are nevertheless branded as such because their core; their character is damaged. There are plenty of unflattering personality traits woven into the fabric of humanity, we are after all fallen creatures in need of forgiveness.
February 9th, 2012
You have got to be kidding me! Has the Catholic Church learned nothing from its pedophile scandal? Apparently not. While the Catholic faithful struggle to make responsibly family planning and healthy reproduction choices Church leaders burden them with guilt.
All men have equal access to the mind and will of God through Scripture. Some cowards frightened by the creative energy percolating in their loins try to hide from God by living a cloistered life covered with religious bling, then think they can tell others how to live. What do you think men do in seminary? Learn a secret handshake.
Hello Rome, whatever authority you thought you had to teach morality is long gone. Catholicism has no right to take the moral high ground while discussing human sexuality. The nerve of some people. Your hypocrisy, apostasy, and arrogance are palpable; like a disease infested whore teaching sex-education to children.
Instead of honoring an intelligent God by wrestling with Scripture in an attempt to understand God’s will for mankind, the Catholic hierarchy teach as doctrine a list of prohibitions steeped in tradition, ritual and superstition. Their delusions of grandeur continues.
One final word for the Vatican — blush.
