Why the Bible?

In conversations with friends a couple days ago the question was asked of me as to why I believe the Bible. There are two reasons really. One is that years ago I experienced an event that changed my life in a positive way. That was when I asked the risen Lord Jesus to really touch my heart. I'm sure you have heard of Easter. The day the tomb of Christ was found empty. Well, He did not die again after that. He is still alive and I asked him to prove it to me. He did by entering my life in a real and tangible way.

The second reason I believe the Bible is because every time I read it I find truth.
Yes some parts seem contradictory but some parts will apply to real situations in my life one day and the contradictory part will apply to my life the next day. It really is a comfort and inspiration for me to forget the things behind me and to stretch forward to the things ahead.

What about all the miracles and signs and wonders and stuff? Was that stuff true? All I know is that with God in my life I will believe in miracles. Without him I would believe...???

Dictatorship of Relativism Tries to Conquer God

Hugh Hewitt has a post of the words of Cardinal Ratzinger's homily at the mass for the election of the new pope. Hugh gives credit to Roman Catholic Blog for the tip. In the Homily are these words -

- Quote - Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and "swept along by every wind of teaching," looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires. - end quote -

On Hugh's radio Show he asked the question, "What is the dictatorship of relativism?"

Lots of good answers on Hugh's show but the idea I got when I heard the words is that "Moral Relativism" demands complete obedience to nothing. If you believe that anything at all is ultimately true and unchangeable you are labeled as any evil name that will discredit you. Logical argument is not allowed for it would surely loose. No credence can be given to anyone of faith because it destroys all the denial that the moral relativist clings to. Hence the relativism becomes lord over their lives as they strive to reach nothing...

This would be funny if it were not so pitiable.

Update: Roman Catholic Blog has another link set up to Doug TenNapel's site which has some really deep comments on the dictatorship of relativism.

Blog Surfing

I'm sure I'm not the only one that likes to Blog Surf. I think it is a great way to get to know people of like or differing opinions. Today Gindy.blogspot.com stopped by and left a comment.
What a wonderful site with eclectic posts. Each posting I found interesting. From Gindy's site I followed links to Sergeant America who has a few blogs going. (some rough language so be advised.) He has a site dedicated to revealing the 'real' John Kerry. You may have heard of him. He was a Vietnam vet that spent Christmas in Cambodia, The same one that came back from Nam and lied to the U.S. Senate.

Unfortunately I have to go to work so that is the end of the link jumping for this morning.

Just wondering how many others out there take the time to blog surf and visit your neighbors.

Radio Blogger posts Hugh Hewitt and Mort Kondracke on Judicial Filibuster

The entire conversation between Hugh Hewitt and Mort is posted at Radioblogger. I don't know how Generalissimo does it. Sure am glad he does though.

Quote from the interview: H: That's good to know, too. So it looks like they're going to win it. But the Democrats, I had Nan Aron and Ralph Neas on this past ten days, Morton. And Nan Aron is urging a filibuster of Supreme Court nominees if they are like Michael McConnell, Mike Luttig, and even John Roberts. These are mainstream, already confirmed judges. So they are burning their bridges. They're burning their ships.

MK: You know, for the life of me, I can't understand why...my solution to this problem is, let's have a debate on these people. I mean, if the Democrats are so convinced that they are extremists, then what they ought to do is start talking about who they are, what they stand for, what they've done, and all this. I mean, the Democrats in the past have been able to defeat Robert Bork. They had to character assassinate him in order to do it, but nonetheless, they did it. And they managed to get a majority of Senators against him. Now, granted those were in the days when the Democrats ran Congress, but nonetheless, if somebody is truly out of the mainstream, truly an anathema, or can be made to appear such, you can win it on a straight up or down vote. I don't understand...

HH: They admitted to me, both of them admitted to me that all of the filibustered judges would win confirmation if they were allowed to have a vote. And Mort, I made the same argument to them. If they are as bad as you say, have a debate. Ask for 60 hours of debate. And you know, the Republicans will give them as much time as they want, if there's and end to it. It's not about that, it's really about keeping certain people off. Now, I don't know if you've seen this, but Bill Frist has agreed to talk next Sunday at a nationally televised conference featuring James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Al Mohler of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, it's going to be beamed to churches all over the country. (see two blogs back for my take on the Frist appearance at "Justice Sunday"

It is obvious the democrats are unwilling to debate the true reasons for their opposition to these judicial nominees. They would have done so already. Instead they depend on their base continuing to help spread lies about the constitution and how evil these nominees truly are.

The only reason they do not like these folks is the abortion issue. I would like to have some democrats reply as to why ripping babies from their mothers wombs is the most important issue they stand on? Doesn't the blood get on your shoes?

Hugh also wrote an article for World Magazine. In it he says, "Ralph Neas of People for the American Way and Nan Aron of the Alliance for Justice wield so much power over Senate Democrats that their filibuster endorsement apparently signals Democratic intentions when President Bush nominates a successor to Chief Justice William Rehnquist, whose retirement is widely expected though not yet confirmed for early this summer. - end quote -

prying1 sez: Lovely people the Democrats have that are really running the party. Wonder if the base really knows who they are and what they stand for?

Progressive Conservatism Blogs on Chemical Weapons in Iraq

Progressive Conservatism has an extensive article on insurgents in Iraq attempting to brew up some chemical weapons. The question is then asked, did the insurgents try making the stuff as a result of the U.S. incursion or would they have done it without the U.S. removing Sadam from power.

Quote from Progressives Site: "They say Iraqi resistance groups have tried to manufacture "CW," and one might have managed it if the Americans hadn't swooped down on them. The danger has even spilled over into Jordan, where authorities say a plot hatched in Iraq aimed to kill thousands with "poison clouds." The threat demands "sustained attention," says the chief U.S. arms investigator." - End Quote -

prying1 sez: I think these 'insurgents' (read 'terrorists') will continue to murder as they murdered prior to the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Indeed they were murdering prior to 9-11. Leaving them to their own devices would not have slowed them down one iota. Meeting them on there own turf has slowed them down. Continuing in the "War on Terrorism" will, in the long run, save more lives than if we allow the thugs to continue running around loose.

Cute test to take - here is how I stacked up. - Quite a nice blog - Might want to check some of the other stuff out too.

Your Linguistic Profile:

75% General American English

10% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Judicial Nomination Filibuster Controversy Raises Ire of Dems

Chuck Colson, radio commentator and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, is a good man. Some do not like him not because he has been instrumental in helping prisoners get their lives turned around but because of how he has done it. His ministry leads people to Jesus Christ and at that point they decide whether to accept Jesus or reject him. If he just set up housing and job opportunities for these same men and women many of those now against Chuck Colson would be all in favor of his work.

James Dobson, also a good man is founder and chairman of the board of Focus on the Family. He offers practical help for marriage and child-rearing along with radio broadcasts that entertain and inform. Some do not like him because Christian principles are the bedrock of his teachings. If he left Jesus Christ out of his work he would not be the target of so much hate speech.

Now Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, has agreed to join Chuck Colson, James Dobson, and R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Frist will provide a four-minute videotape to be telecast to "Justice Sunday" An April 24th event at Highview Baptist Church, Louisville, KY.

Liberal Democrats are quickly attacking Senator Frist. Democrats accused Dr. Frist of exploiting religious faith for political ends by joining the telecast. "No party has a monopoly on faith, and for Senator Frist to participate in this kind of telecast just throws more oil on the partisan flames," Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York whines.

Schumer has been silent when liberal Democrats go to church services, exploiting religious faith for political ends and preaching from the pulpit while running for office. - (HINT: Jessie Jackson) - Schumer by his statement must also believe that people of faith are either not capable of thinking for themselves or should not hold any position on political matters. Christians are not required by law to separate their faith from political decisions and Christians can vote as they see fit. There are many in both parties. (Personally I would be offended by Schumer's comments but I consider the source and laugh instead.)

Democrats are saying that the judicial filibuster has nothing to do with the faith of the judicial candidates. However when questioned it seems that the main issue with them is the abortion issue which many Christians feel strongly about.

To find out more on this event you can go to Family Research Council's web page.

The NY Times also has a bit more on it. The NYT article as usual has mis-leading statements and is unreliable. Read between the lines.

Senator McCain - Traitor to Republican Party?

Evidently John McCain R?/AZ wants to have his name associated with liberals. He is willing to throw in with the democrats concerning the unconstitutional filibuster the Democrats are using to keep the full Senate from voting up or down on Bush's Judicial nominations. On TV today McCain rolled over and threw a few democrat talking points (read - LIES - ) out to explain his reprehensible behavior.

Write to your senators and tell them to allow the judicial nominations to get to the full senate for an up or down vote.

You can encourage these Senators to do the right thing by e-mailing any GOP senator or by calling their office at 202-225-3121.

As a Californian Republican I'm stuck with Boxer and Feinstein. I and many others in this state depend on Republican Representatives and Senators in other states to do the right thing. McCain still has not voted one way or the other and may change his mind BUT! He has lost ANY respect I once had for him.

(More on McCains comments - here - and - here)

Bush's Social Security Plan a Fraud?

Proof once again that Democrats have nothing but rhetoric to fix the U.S.'s Social Security Ponzi Scheme. Rep. Charles Rangel came out yesterday with a tirade against President Bush.

Quote (from New York Sun 4-12-05):

Addressing black retired workers on the steps of City Hall yesterday, Rep. Charles Rangel called President Bush's campaign to reshape Social Security a "fraud" and urged African-Americans to combat the White House efforts as part of their civil-rights struggle
.......
For black Americans, the congressman added, the struggle against the proposed changes in the entitlement system was "not only a civil-rights fight, but a fight for America." Mr. Rangel called on African-Americans to continue their "missionary" work against the Social Security proposals and likened the effort to his marching with Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery.
.......
"We have to get rid of the bums that are trying to take it away from us," Mr. Rangel said of the Social Security sys system, referring to Republicans in Washington and City Hall - "people who sleep with Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, and the rest of them."
.......

~~~~~Then the article has this~~~~~~
Neither Mr. Barron nor Mr. Rangel detailed at the meeting why the president's proposals were harmful to the black community. When asked for specifics by The New York Sun after the event, Mr. Rangel said, "The progressive nature of being able to get returns means that lower-income people benefit more than higher-income people" from the Social Security system. Since members of minority groups disproportionately constitute the lower income brackets, the congressman said, they stand to lose the most from Mr. Bush's efforts - which the congressman labeled "fraud" and an "impeachable offense."
........
The president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, Robert Woodson, is quoted as saying:

Allowing Americans to save some of their Social Security contributions in private accounts, he said, was better. Black Americans wouldn't lose benefits to the same extent if they die younger than whites, because their unused accumulated wealth can be passed on to children and other survivors, he said, providing a basis for intergenerational wealth accumulation.

----end quotes -----

prying1 sez:

Is it strange that the morally bankrupt Democratic party continually wants to keep the 'poor black man' under the thumb of the Democratic party? Here is an opportunity for 'the poor' (whatever their color) of this country to get a step up financially and the ultra rich Democrat politicians are working overtime lying and conniving to fool the huddled masses. During Clinton's reign he tried to get a similar program going as that which Bush is proposing. Only difference is in Clinton's plan the government would decide which stocks and bonds would be bought. The citizen would have no control over his own money. Republicans stood against the government control of our money so that so it did not pass.

Whose money is it?

According to Rangel it is the governments money! Don't expect to keep it if you vote for Democrats. They do not care for you. Unless it is to keep your neck under their foot and voting for them because they have fooled you into thinking "they care".

Great site to visit! Outer Space Pictures!

Want to see some great Pictures from telescopes around the world? This is the site for you. Space.com has Image of the Day where you can see some amazing pictures of our universe. This is one site that you will want to check out on occasion so be sure to save the address in favorites. While you are at it you can give praise to the Lord for his wonderful creation!

Should the Catholic Church Change?

Public Theologian has a blurb re: Hans Kung on the Contradictions of John Paul II - In his post he says: - quote - What will be most interesting to watch over the next weeks as a new Pope is chosen, is whether or not the hard line positions that Kung describes which John Paul has espoused will continue under a new regime. The tradition has been that a conservative is followed by a liberal, but one can only hope. - end quote -

I have heard this same note of hope from other liberals, that is that the new Pope will "FIX" the church. This means making it into the image liberals have in their mind of the perfect church. Forget what God wants. Liberals know better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prying1 sez:
I do not expect much to change in the Catholic Church's stance on the 'major' issues. Priests getting married, abortion, birth control etc. From what I gather the new Pope will have to build on what those before him have said and decreed. For him to go total liberal would be tantamount to saying previous Popes were not 'infallible' when defining doctrine or morality for the whole church. That would endanger his own standing as 'infallible'.
This does not mean that I personally agree with all the doctrine in the Catholic Church. If I did, I would rejoin it. (Born and raised Catholic. - Left it at age 17) I do think it best to allow the Catholic Church to run itself and for those that disagree with it to go start their own church. It would be time better spent praying for the 'Universal' church as opposed to wishing for the neighbors doctrine to fall in line with ones own wishes...

Hewitt Offers Unwinnable Contest.

Hugh Hewitt of Radio/TV and Blogging fame has offered a free copy of his book 'Blog : Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World' to the first person that sends in a headline from a MAJOR news paper (if dinky blogs counted I'd do it here). The headline must include words that hits this note:

"Do Nothing Democrats Bank on Obstruction as Key to Comeback in '06: Reid says Country in the Mood for Stalemate Despite Dem Losses in '02 and '04. Daschle Said Advising Reid, Pelosi."

prying1 sez:
The fact that Democrats have stopped judicial nominations, offered nothing to straighten out Social Security (unless you want to call saying there is no problem 'a solution', continue to bad mouth Bolton and deny that anything good has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. When are these jokers going to get a life and face reality. They are losers.

Update: Hewitt also warns Democrats to stay out of the wood in Minnesota. From what I have heard of Minnesota hunters I hope they heed his warning.

Breast Cancer Cure - Cells Aged and Killed!

Thanks to My Biotechnology for the heads up on this one. Quite a nice blog he has going and lots of interesting items.

It seems A Korean research team has developed a way to selectively age and kill cancer cells for the first time in the world.
Donga.com reports:

The team led by Yonsei University biology professors Cheong In-gwon (47) and Lee Tae-ho (49) announced on April 3, saying, “We are the first to confirm the fact that cancer cells stop growing and start aging and eventually die when the gene ‘MKRN1’ is injected into them.”

------

Professor Cheong and his team separated breast and cervical cancer cells from the body and cultured them for a month before injecting them with MKRN1 genes. As a result, the growing and dividing cancer cells began aging and finally disappeared. This was possible because the genes suppressed the function of an enzyme called “telomerase” that helps grow cancer cells, which only works on cancer cells.

------

“This research was done in the lab, but it is as good as having developed an actual therapy since we’ve experimented on human cancer cells instead of those of rats,” Professor Cheong said.

Cheong anticipated, hence, good results from the clinical tests soon to be performed on real cancer patients.

The research result is reported in the latest edition of the famous biotech magazine: “Genes and Development.” (Reg. Req.)

------

prying1 sez: I know I'm not up on all the news. I get most of it from the radio but it seems to me this is BIG. Wondering why there is not rejoicing in the streets over this...

Spitzer AIG Google and Ethics

Maybe I'm missing something here. A politician runs an online ad and with Google links that ad to some work he is currently doing. His opponents call foul. Google link is pulled. So what am I missing?

FT.com has: - quote - Eliot Spitzer was accused on Wednesday of blurring his role as New York attorney-general with his political ambitions to run for state governor after his campaign office paid Google to link a search for “AIG” to a website promoting his gubernatorial bid.

AIG, the world's largest insurer, is at the centre of investigation by Mr Spitzer and others regulators into alleged improper accounting. - end quote -

NY Post has a quick blurb on State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer using Google for a "sponsored link" so that searching 'AIG' pulled an ad for Spitzer. The ad is for a webpage for people to learn about and contribute to his (possible?) run for Governor.

Ok, I understand that the investigation into AIG finances are ongoing and the opponents to Mr. Spitzer running for governor are throwing sand in the air over this but I don't see where it is illegal OR unethical for him to link his ad to work he is currently doing.

Yahoo News has a bit of an article about it. I can see why he pulled his ad/link off. It seems instead of standing up to opponents the 'in thing' for politicians to do is bow and scrape and act like a weak girly man as they exit backwards apologizing and sniveling any time someone criticizes them.

I'd rather see him stand up, tell his critics to go cry in their porridge and keep the link.

Open Letter to CA Congresswoman Jane Harman

After taking an online poll at Jane Harman's website I decided to back up my feelings with a letter. Now is the time to notify your representatives on how you feel on issues...

Dear Jane Harman. You know as well As I do that during the Clinton administration the Social Security was in 'Crisis'. Bill Clinton and AlGore both said so. The Democrats were wanting to do something but were afraid to make any move because they had been scaring the 'old folks' that the Republicans wanted to steal their Social Security. So they did nothing. Fear of losing their cushy jobs caused many to falter in the steps they should have taken.

Now we have a president that is not filled with fear. Now is the (perhaps) last chance to change Social Security and work toward making it viable.

I'm asking YOU to be bold, stand up and do what is right. Please don't just fall in lockstep with the Democratic party on this one. Your constituent's children are depending on you. Please work towards crafting a plan to straighten up the Social Security mess and help President Bush get it through Congress.

Guilt Laden Email Stopper

Don't you just hate those "send me to ten of your friends" emails that have been around for years and every so often they come around again (and again, and again...). How about the ones that tell you if you pass the message on Bill Gates is gonna send you money. Ever gotten the one that promises to print coupons from your printer for a dinner at the Outback etc... Just forward this to 10 friends and you will have good luck for 10 days. Personally I get real irritated from them.

Really bugs me because the original sender knows nothing of sending emails BCC. The dang thing has an email list that is a spammers paradise. And now you know your address is in the mix being forwarded around the planet endlessly...

Well here is a link to send back to the sender. Hopefully they will get the message. Bonus deal!!! - If you send it to every address that is in the original email then you can expect your address to travel around the globe in perpetuity. Again...

SOAP BOX

Another fun spot to visit and sent to these emailers is Snopes Urban Legends"Little Billy 'Smiles' Evans" for one of the most pathetic pleas for help ever heard or seen on the internet.

Poor Billy! He needs your help. If you won't help him Who will? I know I'm not going to.

BREAKING NEWS - UN TO OVERSEE ELECTION OF POPE!

Here it is! Hot off the keyboard! Cross-eyed Bear got the scoop on Drudge!

- Quotes:

Teresa Heinz Kerry has called for the U.N. to oversee the election of the new Pope.

Speaking to reporters, Kerry said "The possibility of right-wing infiltrators hacking into the Vatican mother computer cannot be denied. It's clear they already know how to do it, based on the obviously fraudulent results here. Can you imagine what would happen if someone like Clarence Thomas becomes the next Pope? It'd be a disaster."

More at Cross-eyed Bear...
- end quotes -

Prying1 sez: Ignore the little 'satire ahead' tag at the top of Crosseyed's article. This is for real! Some right wing conspiracy nut put the tag there to fool you...

Write to Kofi today and demand his son, Kojo be elected Pope!

Chicago pharmacist Forced By Government To Ignore His Moral Values!

Michael Medved today had a segment dealing with a Chicago pharmacist that refused to dispense the 'morning after' pill. The Chicago Sun Times has the story (in a twisted sort of way.)

I work in a printing shop (Century Press in Inglewood Calif. Plug, plug)

I have to wonder if a local adult book store walked through the door and demanded we print pornographic images for them would the government force us to do so? I think not. It would be the same spiritual/religious/moral choice on our part that would be trampled by any government rules/laws to force us to do so.

Yahoo IM - Instant Messenger - Phishing Attacks

Information Week sez: Victims get instant messages that appear to be from friends and end up at fake Yahoo-like site. -

Phishing is an attempt by thieves to steal information from you by tricking you into giving it to them. A phony web page is set up to look like a real page from a trusted company. Users are encouraged to log in and supply personal information (CC numbers etc.) and their information is captured by the scamsters. Banks, Credit Unions, Auction Sites and NOW Yahoo & MS IM's are subject to these scams.

Yahoo Messenger is the target of a phishing attack in which victims receive messages that appear to come from people on their buddy lists. When they click on a link in a message, they're transported to what they believe is a Yahoo Web site, where their login information is taken down by perpetrators. A Yahoo spokesperson confirmed the attack Friday.

Informationweek has a blog that is well worth visiting.

If you are not sure if an email or IM came from your friend then email them (From a different window) and wait for the reply. You might want to set up a code with good friends to verify the message is from them. For example start or end messages with initials or GBYAY!

Update: Check this link to an article on Microsoft sueing pfishers.

Turn the Radio Off!

OK! I'm ready to gripe. If you are in a good mood I suggest you leave. Otherwise you may be as ticked as I am by the time you finish reading this.

Know what I hate about radio?

(Crowd in background) "NO! What?"

Some of the commercials really tick me off.

"Which commercials?" they ask.

Well, you asked for it. The ones I absolutely abhor are the ones with two wimmen talking and they are both so, sooo syrupppy happy and continually giggling and absolutely nothing is funny. Could be about which bank they use, favorite window installer, where they want to be buried, which house painting company or even perhaps a home loan company. It doesn't matter what they sell. The conversation is contrived and of course they share the stupid phone number back and forth 6 times in the allotted minute. I do have to say that after the minute is over I THANK GOD I'm not married to either of them.

Next is the commercial that has a helpless male with the woman coming to the rescue. I mean, this guy is so dumb that he doesn't know how to look in the phone book for a plumber. You just know that he sits on the edge of his bed in the morning staring at his socks. Wondering which one goes on which foot. Then the happy, happy, happy, happy sounding woman comes on and fixes whatever the hell problem was with a wave of a hand and leaves the guy looking like only a sex change operation can help him. Then he will know how to handle lifes little problems. Like how to dial information for a roofer. The commercial ends with the world knowing that he is just typical of all men. Totally incompetent and too stupid to know it...

Another is the fast talking legalspeak that explains if you get a home loan, buy a car, find true love on a web site or open a can of dog food from the bottom you will not be covered by any warranty expressed or implied and you might as well eat the dog food because they will come to take your home, car, your true love will leave you for the plumber in the other commercial and you are just out of luck buddy! You should have listened to the fast talking legalspeak harder!!!!

Ok, My question is, Do people really call these outfits? I guess so because they keep making the commercials. Would help some if I wasn't addicted to listening to talk radio. But with out it I wouldn't know which sock to put on which foot in the morning. (sigh...)