The NonSilent Majority

Ponder the Following Facts

Once again, I don't know who wrote this since I received it in an email, but I think it is excellent.

PONDER THE FOLLOWING FACTS

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five   were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

Educational Background

Barack Obama: Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations.  Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain: United States Naval Academy - B.S. Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester; North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study; University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism; Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester; University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but .............

Quick thoughts on "The Shack"

I LOVE books!

Love book stores, libraries, book clubs, etc...

I was always the geeky kid that ordered the most books from Scholastic Books during my grade school years.

Love books. Love to read really good books. When I'm in the middle of a really good book, I can't wait for the time in each day where I get to pick up my book and read.

So when I read a book that has been highly recommended and I find it less than wonderful, I feel a great sense of disappointment.

And that's how I feel about The Shack.

As a Christian, I agree with almost all of William Paul Young's descriptions of relationship versus religion and the importance of the first and the detriment of the second. As best I can remember, at only one point in the book did I think, "Nope, don't agree with that." (In reference to relationship versus religion.)

But

It could be that I have misinterpreted his point.

For those that have not read the book and are planning on doing so, I'll not go into detail. If anyone would like to know the point I am referring to, please ask me in a comment and I'll discuss it there.

While I'm glad to see a fiction book that takes on the difference between relationship with God and religion on the New York Times bestseller list, I just wish it would have been a book with smartly written dialogue.

The dialogue in The Shack is actually painful it's so poorly written.

The basics to a good story is there, but the dialogue is just plain bad.

Sadly, this is what I find in most "Christian" books and movies -- really, really, really bad dialogue.

It's as if these writers are so afraid of being real, they use some sort of "writing for the Christian market" formula and the dialogue turns out to be nothing but a bunch of cliches and "usable" words and phrases from popular TV shows.

And The Shack is full of this type of dialogue between the characters.

Knowing that Mr. Young did not write this story with the intent to publish it, but rather as one for his children makes me feel a little hesitant to comment on the writing...

But

Since he is looking to turn his book into a movie, I am sincerely hoping any producer that options this book will include the right to hire a [dialogue] writer in his/her contract.

And

Then will hire a good one.

Ron Howard, Henry Winkler and Andy Griffith: A Call to Action!

Being a long time fan of all three gentlemen and their careers aside, this is one of the best "election" videos I've seen so far.

Smart, creative, straight-to-the-point message and enjoyable!

more about "Ron Howard, Henry Winkler and Andy Gr...", posted with vodpod

Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama for President

Powerful words...

more about "Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama fo...", posted with vodpod

Finding Hope

Politics...

Whether we like it or not, politicians are the lawmakers of our country.

For me, the more I watch and observe politicians the more this becomes an increasingly disturbing thought.

But

Hope continues to reign supreme.

Where do I find this hope?

My faith, of course...

But

Also through the amazing phenomena called social networking.

A small number of my real life friends poo-poo social networking because of this or that, but for me, every time one of my social networking "friends" posts a link or a humorous status update or an amazing blog about the current political atmosphere, I am encouraged by their strong voice and hope prevails.

Today's posts on Political Voices of Women serve as a fine example -- no, the posts serve as one of THE BEST examples.

Intelligent women writing with integrity about important issues and making solid points in positive, constructive, and often times humorous ways -- good job, ladies! You are the voices that bring hope. You are the voices that make a difference. You are the voices that bring about change.

How nice to go to a website focused on political issues and not feel like I need to take a shower after reading only a small handful of posts and/or commentary.

To the remarkable, intelligent women of integrity posting on Political Voices of Women, you are the Alice Paul's and the Lucy Burns's of today.

Keep talking. Keep writing. Keep posting.

Call + Response

Do your part to END human slavery NOW!

Finally less than 100 days left in office for Bush and buddies

Finally...the long awaited day when the Credo counter would register Bush and his administration with less than 100 days left in office.

What an unbelievable path of destruction this administration continues to leave in its wake.

And, to me, from everything Sarah Palin has presented, she is more of the same if not worse.

She reminds me of the type of person that one would initially trust and then later get burned for doing so.

John McCain...after the last debate, what more is there to say?

Except to remember the two words that will probably haunt John McCain for the rest of his life and on November 4th vote for:

Sarah Palin Debate Flow Chart

Spot on accurate and funny. You betcha!