TORTURE

It’s become a daily event for most Americans to endure the torture of the “torture talks”. As the Bush administration back peddles across Asia taking an obvious change of tone toward his war critics, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney keep shop at home, up to their eyeballs in debate.

Clearly the United States Government underestimates the American people by pretending as if “torture” methods are uncommon in intelligence gathering missions. Do they really expect us to believe that the Senate could actually pass a measure requiring U.S. troops to follow certain interrogation procedures that would work?

Think about it, would Abu Ghraib have happened if we had those procedures?

Absolutely.

Trying to say that the soldiers didn’t know they couldn’t act like that is as asinine as saying that most people do not understand right from wrong.

The point is this, for years our government has acted covertly and sometimes openly to dominate and take control of situations they deem as “threatening”, whether other nations pose a true threat or not.

Look at the CIA. Ever since President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, the CIA has been linked to death and government overthrows in countries like Iran, Guatemala, Haiti, Vietnam, Cuba and many more.

Our government has always operated under a shroud of secrecy and in some instances they felt they had to in order to maintain the quality of life in America we know today. So how are we surprised and outraged when the horrific tales of abuse and scandal leak into our homes every morning with the daily news?

Blinded by shock and outrage, our fair nation fails to realize that our society itself has glorified these tactics. Look at our entertainment industry for example. The movies that gross the most money are often spy films or adventure movies like “Mission Impossible” to the James Bond series or even the humorous Austin Powers films.

Every year U.S. citizens have begun sacrificing more of their rights and have handed over the decision-making and the reasoning to our elected leaders in exchange for “security.” In fact we have empowered the government to run freely and without question.

And now we are shocked by how the system operates? It cannot work both ways. If the citizens of this country are outraged, then they must stand up. Otherwise, we will continue to be led by people who will openly and blatantly lie to protect their own interests.

“The history of the United States military is clear. Torture doesn’t work,” Donald Rumsfeld said. “The military knows that. We want our people treated humanely.”

Case and point.

(www.ashersarlin.com)


DEAR INCONSIDERATE LAUNDRY ROOM HOG IN MY APARTMENT BUILDING,

For the last year I have kept silent. I haven't so much as complained, argued or posted annoying little notes. But after today, I just can't keep quiet any longer.

First and foremost I want to start off by saying that I am on to your little plan, and you suck.

A while ago I just chalked up your laundry room habits (ie: putting your clothes in the washer and conveniently forgetting them for an entire day, or putting your clothes in the bad dryer that requires $2 to finish your clothes and leaving them there damp so I can't take them out without feeling guilty) to lazyness. But now I see your genius. If you leave your clothes in the dryer, you know that most people will feel too guilty to take them out wet so they add quarters and time for you so that they will be able to use the dryer sooner. You are just a cheap ass aren't you?

I will no longer add quarters or for that matter, care about your wet clothes. I will no longer support you in a sick co-dependant laundry relationship. I'm sure you thought we had some good times, but the pleasure was always yours. Its over.

Although I'm sure that laundry is a chore we all don't like, we have to do it. So I try to get it over with in a fast and painless process. Why drag it out? And if you are going to drag it out, do it on a Monday for Christ's sake! Not SATURDAY or SUNDAY! Did you not know that the weekend is the busiest time for our fair laundry room?

So in closing I say this, you have made my life hell and now I am turning the tables. I hope you like mold my friend, because you will be seeing a lot of it from now on.

Thank you,

Your no-longer co-dependant neighbor.

Thats either one stupid cat or one really tough mouse.  

US to France: Welcome to our world


Now I'm not going to pretend that I am an expert in French History. Hell, I am only briefly familiar with your current history. But I can't help feeling like I need to weigh in on the current state of your country right now. Maybe its because for some reason I suddenly feel strangely connected to the French people.

Civil unrest you say? Class Struggle? Hmmmm... Do we ever have something in common.

I know that over the years there has been this Anti-French/Anti-American feud between our two countries, that has roots most likely found in war. And I also know that as hard as I may try, even I succumb to a little ignorance about your people now and again.

But considering that now you guys seem to be in quite a pickle, I feel it may be time for us to give up the stubbornness and for you listen to American advice for once. And not because we are some all-powerful, all-knowing nation, but simply because we know a thing or two about economic screw-ups. I mean really, who would be better than the United States to give you a crash course on what NOT to do in a time like this?

As the fires burn on in your fair country, I see many of your leaders in a political version of dodgeball. For this, I am very saddened. I don't know that much about this Nicolas Sarkozy character you got running the Interior ministry, but what I do know I don't like.

Any person whose bright idea for ending civil unrest is deportation is clearly not the sharpest tool in the shed. Does he not realize that that will only further the disdain and lack of trust by the poorer classes in your country?

I know by looking at the problem-ridden social programs instituted in the US by our government we are not setting a great example for a harmonious country, but at the end of the day we don't give up. That's the way it is here. We may have drama, but its everyone's drama to share and slowly (sometimes very slowly) we will figure things out.

Do you really want to run the risk of looking like the racist, bratty nation who decided that since they couldn't control the generations spawned from immigrant workers, that they would just sent them back? Seriously?

At least Jacques Chirac seems to have a clue:

``We need to respond in a strong and quick way to the unquestionable problems that many inhabitants of the deprived neighbourhoods surrounding our cities are facing,'' Chirac said.

So I say, get rid of this Sarkozy guy. He seems to be the reason a lot of rioters are unhappy in the first place. I can't remember which publication it was in but there was a great quote from this rioter kid who said the day they kick Sarkozy out of office would be the same day he would turn himself in. He could feel safe again in the hands of authorities.

Crazy right? Of course there is no way he would turn himself in but, hey whatever works right?

So dear France, in your great time of need I say look to us as your example, and try not to repeat. Learn to embrace your cultural differences for it will bring a chaotic beauty unparalleled. And most of all, give the Americans a break once in a while, for now you really see what it is like to live in complete dysfunction 24/7.

This is the kind of world we live in. ARE U KIDDING ME?? 

This is where I'm taking my next vacation. Anyone interested? 

A Filibuster A Day Keeps My Conflicts Away

So as we draw closer to our holiday seasons, there are things in life we look forward to and things that we dread.

Of course there is the hasstle of waiting in the circus-like lines of department stores as we make our last minute X-MAS purchases. (and when I say last minute I do mean the day before)

But then again, there is the luxury of food and booze that hopefully make all of our stresses melt away.

The other day as I was talking to my mother about the nomination of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, she said something that struck me as funny. She said she was looking forward to the controversy that will no doubtedly spark up a good filibustering for the holiday season.

How funny is that?

So I began thinking about the filibustering system, and might I say that I am a fan? The fact that you can postpone something as serious as legislation by resorting to tactics similar to temper tantrums utterly amuses me.

So folks, for this holiday season, I give to you my idea of incorporating the age old tactic of filibustering into our daily lives.

How great would it be if you could just filibuster anyone at anytime about anything?

Think about it, SBC pissing you off? FILIBUSTER. This is what you do, call them up and invoke your rights to filibuster them. No longer will corporations have us by the short and curlies if they are mandated to sit through a filibustering process with all of their customers. Until they take the time to come to your house and finally fix your DSL that you have payed $5o friggin dollars a month for (ON TIME) but still cannot use successfully, you will filibuster them and take valuable minutes away from their workdays.

Soon they will be paying people not to be productive, but to listen to whomever decides to tirade!!

And in the spirit of the holidays, you should be able to filibuster long lines. I know its happened to all of us before: there you are at 7:55pm the night before XMAS and the store is closing in 5 minutes. Of course there are nearly 30 people ahead of you so what do you do? FILIBUSTER.

You recite useless babble at an uncomfortable volume in a manner that is almost psychotic to get the people ahead of you out of your way. I mean, it has to work. Especially if you are in the burbs.

City people might be a little harder to shake considering most of us spend 50% of our commuting week next to the crazy drunk guy peeing on himself while reciting the words to Twinkle Twinkle.

But still, don't be discouraged.

Even when Strom Thurmond filibustered for a record 24 hours against the civil rights act (that eventually got passed anyway), he came prepared. Apparently he dehydrated himself in a sauna the day before, and had an aide on stand by with a bucket.

Now thats dedication. Sick dedication for a completely stupid arguement, but dedication just the same.

And how often in school have you received a sub-par grade for something that you knew deserved better? FILIBUSTER.

Oh man I can see it now. Crowded school hallways would part in my presence if I had the power of the Filibuster up my sleeves.

You never know, filibustering could become an everyday thing. And even if the results ended up against our favor, we could get all that crazy rage that we end up taking out on our families during the holidays.

But then again, X-Mas wouldn't be X-Mas without someone getting drunk, crying, or angry. Hey, thats what families are for.

Lessons for Life

What would the world be like if Mozart never had a piano? Would the world be as colorful if Picasso had never learned how to paint? What would the game of baseball have been like if Babe Ruth had never picked up a bat?

These questions may seem silly, but they are not unrealistic queries when you consider the future of arts, music and athletic programs in schools.

Recently a teacher at a Southside Chicago Public School sat down to discuss her concerns for being trapped in a system that doesn’t allow children to strive. In her school, the primary focus is the basics, math and reading, but her fear is that the schools are leaving time for little else.

Not to long ago, as most adults will recall, a school day at most public schools consisted of the dreaded classes, horrific lunches, and to the dismay of most students, gym class. But even if you were the uncoordinated kid, you went to school acknowledging that at least you were getting some exercise.

And then there were the creative-type students who found their only outlets of release through art or music classes. After being the target of almost every dodge-ball game in gym class or lamenting the pointlessness of Algebra, the artistic students at least had an opportunity to forget about it all for a short time every day and immerse themselves in their work.

Today the world is shaping up to be a very different place for young minds.

The Southside teacher explained that currently at her school the kids have gym once a week and there isn’t any kind of music program at all.

How can this be?

In a recent study conducted in nearly 1000 schools in Illinois and with information supplied by superintendents, the hope for diverse learning programs is dwindling. Stephanie Banchero, a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune, investigated into this issue and found some very troublesome results.

In her early October article, she reported that as school budgets tighten across the country and the mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act take hold, educators are being forced to eliminate many art, music and athletic programs in schools to focus on the fundamentals of standardized testing.


So the real question yearns to be asked: What will our world be like in 10 or 20 years when we are not providing the tools for our children to explore the colors and beauty of music and art?

As our small world becomes even smaller with the advent of technology, it is a pretty safe assumption that without these things, we are running the risk of becoming a dull and homogenized culture.

And as the education systems in the U.S. bend to meet the needs of standardized testing, our country will be most likely producing far less creative thinkers. This could be a dangerous proposition in a technological time where creativity and innovation are of the highest importance to stay competitive with the rest of the world.

Pablo Picasso once said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” If this is true, and we are not providing an environment for art to flourish in our youth, then where will art ever fit in?

Thanks Starbender!! 

Happy Halloween Ya'll 

This posting is in honor of my mother who is currently sitting outside the White House with thousands of other people protesting George W. Bush. 

This is about right....... 

This is how I feel today 

The Service Industry: Dealing with morons since the dawn of time.

To all my fellow comrades who have fought along side me for years in the thankless, dirty, and frustrating trenches of the service industy: I commend your efforts. This blog is dedicated to all of the people who have ever been stiffed by customers, asked their age 99 times a night, had their asses pinched, been puked on or in the vicinity of, had to clean puke, wait on bachelor/bachelorette parties, I SAY THAT ONE AGAIN, Wait on bachelor/bachelorette parties, and listen to the general annoyance of women with shrill high pitch voices screaming about nothing while some asshole in a suit clicks his fingers at you as if your a fucking butler.

I am not your slave, I simply provide your drinks asshole.

Whew! Now that I got that out of the way, I have to say to all the people who shake their heads at this blog thinking, "Well you chose to work in a bar!", Shut up. Just shut up.

I think now would be an appropriate time to break out my vision of how to make this world a more liveable place. I think it should be mandatory (like civil services in Germany) for every high school graduate to work in the service industry for at least 2 years.

Reason #1- You learn the value of hard work and earning money

Reason#2- You absorb an endless amount of manners about how you should behave in public. (Due to the fact that you realize that most people do not have any)

Reason#3- You become a generally more considerate person to other people in social settings. (However, you do run the risk of completely losing respect for all human beings at the same time.)

Its amazing to me how close to animals people really are. NO really. Currently aside from a social experiment I call "corporate hell", I work in a music venue/bar. And over the years working at various establishments, I have realized that people, no matter what background or race or religion, all share one very common trait.

Manners.

Yes folks, manners. I have come to realize that we have stumbled upon a point that all people regardless of class or gender, all seem to fall short on.

I wont bore you people with the details, but lets just say this, I could write this blog for 4 days without stopping, just on the stupid things people have said to me, or done in my presence while in a bar/restaurant.

And we are talking everyone. Example: Man walks into the bar I work at. See's a bar full of people and a band playing on stage and asks "Do you guys have live music tonight?" Am I missing something? Does the loud music and people playing guitars escape this guy that easily?

Apparently. It happens at least twice a night!



Or my personal favorite on a slow night: "Where is everyone tonight?" I am often tempted to slap people upside the head, but I usually just reserve to my handy dandy sarcastic response of, "I don't know, I thought they were all with you."

Anyway, I dont mean to rant......actually I do, but the point is, try to be a bit more aware of your surroundings people. And no, despite what you might think, I am not pulling in hundreds of dollars a night, thats what strippers make, so dont be so fucking cheap!

Thank you for listening. I must leave now to go spend another night "Serving" you people. I just hope this blog gets to you in time.

Dear President Bush,

It occured to me this morning as I read the Hurricane coverage in the newspapers, that you might need a little reminder of something.

As you surveyed the damage from a safe leisurely distance, you had the realization that not enough was being done to help the people. The realization struck you so much that you continued the feeling by expressing it to the mainstream media. And i quote,

"The results are not acceptable"

May I remind you that you are the PRESIDENT. You control the money, the miliary, and the economy?! So any failure on their part is a direct failure of leadership on yours!

Of course the response is not acceptable.......you suck. You are in charge. What else can we expect?

Anyway, I thought someone needed to remind you before you continued to shove your foot farther into your mouth.

And here is a marvel idea! If you really want to help, prove it. I think you should move people into the White House. Let them stay with you! You have no problem housing the families of Sultan and Arabic princes when they come visit! Or let them use your ranch. Whatever.

Here is the chance to redeem yourself. Will you take it? I know I know.....redeem is a big word. Here is a chance to help your people, we all know you dont like to help anyone else.

Sincerely, (seriously is more like it)

Concerned citizen of the US

Playboy.....oh does he play!

So, I have to say this. I admire Hugh Hefner. To me, if you are an 80 year old man and you can convince a woman...err......let me clarify... a beautiful woman, to frolick around your house and bedroom like a endless sexual game of romper room, I applaud you. And to do it with 3-7 women? Come on the guy has got it made!

However, I am a woman, so therefore I see something a bit perverse in the whole situation. First of all, after watching the new E! television show "Girls Next Door", I desperately wanted to hate them and their lives. But I didn't. Seriously, how can you hate on a lifestyle that sweet?

But, there is that perversity again. I know he is Hugh Hefner, an icon, a sexual dynamo who has bedded more beautiful women than I can keep track of, but still at the end of the day..........

HE IS 80 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGGHHH.

I quote from the movie Big Daddy, "Old Balls....gross"

And what facinates me about Hugh Hefner and the Playboy Enterprise, is how quickly women are willing to strip their clothes off for Hugh. How quickly every rising star actress will pose for a spread just for a little notoriety, or just to be seen in something as legendary as Playboy.

Marilyn Monroe was in it for Christ's Sake!

But at the same time, the typical american women spits fire over a nipple incident at the Superbowl, or a MTV makeout between Madonna and that white trash chick...whats her name? Oh yeah Britney.

But you give that same american women the opportunity to strip down and run wild around the Playboy Mansion, I would say 80% would do it in a heartbeat. Odd isnt it?

And back to the old balls. I love you Hugh, don't take it the wrong way, but your 80. That borders on perversion. Your older than most men live to, and typically at that age they wear diapers.

I can just see it now, you and me cuddling on the couch and you reach over to give me a kiss, and there it is, the old smell. Well, what do I know? You have enough money you might have figured out a way to cover the smell.

But really, a word of warning to the girlfriends: ( And you should take this very seriously!!!)

Make sure you enjoy your time there, but get out quickly! You don't want to be stuck being the girlfriend that stayed too long and has to feed him his baby food. You know what I mean, it is bound to happen. He's 80. you are playing with fire! You think a 9 p.m. curfew is bad? It could always be worse.

Our Slow Downward Spiral.....

Recently I was lucky enough to escape the claws of corporate america, school, and my other job long enough to have what we Americans call a "Vacation". Vacation to us is really any time where we are not involved in some sort of activity that involves thought. To the rest of the free world a Vacation is called a "Holiday" because you are actually gone long enough to break free of the mental imposition created by the mundane actions of everyday life. Fuck yeah! Celebrate! Its a Holiday! If only we were so lucky.

Anyway, back to my point. On my "vacation" I found myself sitting among a few folks out to catch a drink in the early afternoon hours at a family resort. Hell, its a vacation.

As I sat there quietly enjoying a lovely cocktail, immersed in the words of Steinbeck, a man next to me leans over and says, "Whatcha doin'? As if I was invovled in some sort of intergalactic learning activity unknown to the human kind.

So, I swallowed my disgust, leaned over, and politely but sarcastically said, "Reading. You know, words on a page, they form sentences in which you put together to form stories."

As I waited for some sign or recognition, I began to feel less normal and more like a social outcast.

And then came the words.............

"People still do that?"

I am not kidding.

I laughed politely again.....this time swallowing contempt and replied, "Yep, yes we do."

The point of this whole story is that I never realized how far removed people have become from books. And it scared me.

And it wasnt just that guy. My other afternoon drinking companions began discussing the last books that they had read.....................in high school.

I guess living in a city I take for granted that most people do not read. Everday I am surrounded by people glancing across pages on the trains or buses. And to me it doesnt even matter if they are reading a "Youth directed" lower standard newspaper, or a jaquelyn steele novel, the point is that they are reading.

So it got me thinking. How much more educated would we become as a whole if everyone was forced to travel public transportation, therefore creating more demand for reading materials to cure boredom?

Of course now with gas prices being as high as they are, that doesn't seem to be such a bad idea.

Screw our government, lets get the people from Disney to come in and build monorails connecting every town to every city in every state. They seem to have a pretty efficient system working for them.

Then again, I dont know how much travel imposed happiness I could take before getting nauseaous.

Well regardless of gas prices and our lack of vacations, I think we are struggling with a larger problem in our midst; Generations of people motivated only by visual stimulus, who call exercise lifting the T.V. controller from the sofa.

For gods sake people, Read a Book.

RELIGION ROYAL PT.2

Following the posting of my relgious debate with "Peter", I had an interesting conversation with "W" who we will call "Will". Below is a transcript of our conversation.

"W":

(Peter) and I (Will) both have devoted our lives to Jesus Christ but there are details about our faith that we disagree about because God has not revealed Himself completely to us at this time. So right now, we only see in part and know in part, but one day we will fully know about God when Jesus Christ returns. CS Lewis, (the author of the Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,) wrote a book called “Mere Christianity.” I mention it because it is common-sense reasoning for Christianity without using the bible. You may have heard of it, because it is a classic in Christian literature, but it describes the current state of the world, the human nature and condition, and argues that the world is ordered and controlled by one God, and follows that everything in nature and the world points to a one single God who has control over the tiniest aspect of life. It is written, that “No one is without excuse because all of nature majesty witnesses to God.” Abraham is the founder of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, and he did not have the organized religion system the bible outlines, but he recognized that there a powerful creator that gave him life, and he had faith.
The world did not create itself out of nothing, and arguments about common descent don’t dodge the order of the world. We are like children who think they own their parent’s house, and forget that “life is absurd” (to misquote Sartre.) How is it that I didn’t exist 27 years ago, but now I think that I created myself or have always existed, because this world is mine?
I think it’s easy to get hung up on bad examples of Christians, or blame governments for oppression and spend all our time serving our common man, so that we loose site that there is a God who has made everything, and that he is in absolute control of the tiniest detail. Our pride is our biggest enemy. I don’t think it’s hard to believe in God at all, but what makes it hard is our pride. We want to be in absolute control of our lives, and do anything we want when we want it. Jesus was not concerned with governments, but did what he was required as a citizen. America is one country that has only existed 200yrs, and will likely disappear like all the great empires in the past. When our constitution was formed, the framers were trying to create a government that honored God, but they are men, so if there are flaws in the system its okay, because we have a perfect God, that if we follow Him, then our lives will be fine.
"Peter" and I both believe that God is absolutely in control, and that Jesus Christ is His son, and that Jesus Christ is returning. Things like politics for example. I voted for Bush, and like Him, and I don’t mind if my vote doesn’t “count” because I believe that God is the one that runs all governments in the world and that if I follow God, everything will turn out fine. I know this by the examples of believers throughout history, and the evidence of the bible, etc. The bible is a religious document, but it is natural that we would observe an all powerful god, who controls the smallest atom, and know truths about him. It is obvious that the world was created, and all the commands in the bible are observances of this wonderful Creation. "Peter" discussed hygiene in levitical laws given to the Israelites. It was a brilliant example (to praise my friend) because it shows that Christianity is not a fiction, but is entwined with creation, so that they are inseparable. There is not a secular world and a religious world, but there is the way the world works, and then there is man’s attempt to remove God from creation because the world justifies it. The bible testifies that God is in control, because he shows us truth before we realize them, and as man has progressed, God has revealed himself more and more, through prophets and history, that is exclusive to Christianity. The original document reinforces God’s dominion because it is evidence that He is in control, like I said when all nature testifies to God.
Now you mentioned many truths but I don’t believe that is true. I believe that science and Christianity are inseparable, but all of the details are not defined. Christianity is a word we use to describe our vignette of the truth, but there is no more accurate religion in the world, or ever will be. New religions form from out pride, and desire to be God, and do our own will. God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, and since the Fall, man has progressed further away from God. Buddhism, Islam, etc, are versions of Christianity that start with the truth, but then include the mutilations and altercations of man; each with its own tactic for distracting away from God. Even Christianity has had its dark times when man has tried to manipulate it, like the Reformation of the Catholic Church, or the Crusades, etc.
The glory of Christianity is it allows imperfect men to be considered sons of God like Jesus Christ, although we are imperfect. We are unable to know God and to follow God on our own. It’s important to know that it’s the sovereignty of God that has allowed the Bible to be maintained, but it’s also obvious that we would be unable to quiet the voice of creation, (which testifies of God) so that no matter how hard we have tried to hide the voice, ultimately, the truth will never be quieted. So it is impossible for men to tamper with the Bible. Like the reformation, when the Catholic Church tried to reinterpret the scriptures for power and control, the Holy Spirit caused the church to rise up and recapture the truth.
I can go on and on about how God is in absolute control and that is why Christianity is exclusive and true. "Peter" did a good job of arguing that also. This is why I am not so concerned about politics, but I am concerned about serving God. Christianity will never leave, because Jesus is coming back soon.
I tried to touch on how we are just waves in the ocean, that appear and disappear, and worrying about controlling our lives and making the most of it is really not something we can do. God decides the fate of the world, and he does use tragedy and pain to accomplish his will. I remember reading about Aaron’s son dying when he made an incorrect sacrifice. There is a great freedom in trusting God and following him, and knowing that we are temporary and have no real control. God has shrouded himself because of our sinful nature, so that we don’t know everything about him, and although "Peter" and I, and all other Christians have a personal experience with God, God is still the same and unchanging, and in absolute control. Debates about politics and religions and such will be ceased when Jesus returns, because there will no longer be this veil over our faces, and we will see God face to face, and know the truth and find freedom in it.

C:

Ok, where do I start. I dont mind the conversation, but what I dont understand is why everytime a valid question is posed, the response is "Because I believe" or its "Gods will".

To me, that is a way of avoiding very obvious truths and questions. Everything I or any skeptic might say is easily combated with the rehashed words over and over again that have been drilled into your minds.

I think that its amazing that you believe in something so great. But I also think it is sad when one shuts off his ability to question. Where would we be as a species if there was no one to question or go against the grain? I know your answers already......"it was gods will for that person to go against the grain."..yadayadayada.

But really, you believe and live your lives along this very straight line, choosing to believe and refusing to question. I refuse to live my life that way.

Another thing, you said in your last email that if we "choose to follow HIM, our lives will be fine."

Are you kidding? Is that not the biggest piece of religious propoganda used to scare people into becoming well mannered and devout followers? I know many people who CHOSE to believe in him, whose lives were, well, NOT fine.

And I mean no offense in my statements, but you really have to hear what you are saying sometimes. You said in your email that Christianity is one of the most accurate religions in the world. WHAT? According to WHO? The Bible, Your own personal blanket? Christians? Why yes, of course you are going to believe that your beliefs are accurate. In the same way that I believe that the New York Giants are the best football team in the world. According to ME. I assure you that there are many people who would dispute that.

I wasnt going to bring this up until W mentioned it, but you discussed the Levitical issues that C was talking about in your last email. He was using that reference as proof that the Word is true. What you are both forgetting is that while, hygiene was discussed, there was also discussion of things that don't make any sense at all. We can get more in depth about that another time.

And your discussion of pride being the enemy. I disagree. Pride is not the enemy. Ignorance is. I believe that we have very few things in life that we can hold on to and call our own. Our deeds, accomplishments, experiences. And without pride, the human ego would not have a reason to go on with life. I am proud, well, to be proud. That is what sets me apart from other people. My ability to work harder, acheive goals, and gain valuable relationships and experiences keeps me going. I do not live my life according to pride and do things only for recognition, instead I enjoy quiet moments where I can reflect and know that I am responsible for the happiness or drama in my life. You understand?
One more thing. It seems to me that you are under the assumption that all things have come from your religion and its affect on the world. However, i think it is very dangerous to say things that infer that all cultures, including eastern cultures religions are spun from Christianity.

I think you said something about Buddism being the same until man mutilated and altered its principles. Where are you getting your information from exactly. (and if you say the bible Im going to kill you!) Really, I would like to know.

Okay, back to work!!

W:
No one has committed intellectual suicide, but we have realized that the truth is that Jesus Christ is God, and that He’s coming back soon. I don’t stop at every green light, because I’ve learned over time that green means go, and it would be foolish or even dangerous to stop at the green lights because someone could hit me. I still ask questions, but both "Peter" and I are satisfied that there is no greater truth than Christ. Of course there are things we question all the time, but we consider some things as facts. viz. I have no doubt that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose again, but if a TV preacher tells me that he’s selling holy water from the Jordan river and I have to buy it to go to heaven, I’m going to question it against what I’ve learned is truth.
We will be fine if we trust in God. I believe this life is temporary and like a mist that disappears quickly. I am here maybe 100yrs, and in comparison, that’s not long at all. I think that my entire life could be in torture, but once Jesus returns, or my life ends, then all my suffering will be nothing compared to future joy. There is no promise that I will be content in life, and God could strike me dead at any moment. Pleasure does not define what is good either.
Pride is the embodiment of all that is wrong, and it is rebellion against God. Cory made a good contest that there are so many evils in the world he wished he never knew about. I think that seeing ignorance as the enemy is our pride saying, we must understand to be better and have more power, but ignorance is to let go of that power and have faith that you will be okay. We are slaves to the lives we live and that’s okay. I would consider innocent children better than a man like me who uses his knowledge for gain. It’s written that Knowledge puffs up, but Love builds up. ;)
Nothing is truly our own, because we are given everything. From our thoughts, to our language, to our reasoning, to our six senses to our very life, it was all given to us, and there is nothing we have that we can say we truly earned. Life is a gift and when you treat it as a gift and not strangle it, you become free of control. If you want your life, you have to lay it down because if you try to force it, you’ll lose it in the end.
I’m not saying that all religions spun from Christianity, but rather Christianity is the Word of God, and although we were not aware of Christianity, the truth about God has always existed. Abraham was not fully aware of Jesus Christ, but it was planned before life began that Jesus would come. There was an ideal of Adam and Eve, when they were innocent in the garden. They ate the apple, because they doubted God, and their knowledge led them further into sin. So I’m saying that God’s truth has been the same since the beginning, but all eastern religions are spun off from that truth. That’s obvious because how desperate many try to tie into the root to gain credibility. "Peter" said that Islam points to Ishmael, as its entry point, and even religions like Mormonism tie into the bible at some point. As for Buddhism and Hinduism they’re removing the Almighty god from it and freeing yourself from the cycle… Buddhism is an extension of Hinduism, and you can see the procession away from God. Hinduism removes God and says that nature punishes itself through Karma, but Buddhism says we don’t need to go through 83million births to be freed, but we can have nirvana on our own. Anyway, that’s a very detailed argument, and I’m more concerned with Jesus Christ. I believe once you understand Jesus Christ, the flaws of other religions become very visible

C:

I would rather be a slave in this life, and enjoy the ever present beauties that life has to offer, than exchange it for feeling content with a "faith". The difference between me and you guys essentially comes down to the fact that you are not comfortable living this life without feeling that there is Jesus, and a reason for it all. I on the other hand am comforted by knowing that I could never ever really know it all, and wouldn't want to. I dont need to put labels on things to feel happy, or sad. I don't need to wear a shroud of "faith" in order to understand why I feel things the way I do. I just know I feel.

I think it is very arrogant to say that you understand Jesus Christ. I have said before and I will say it again. If there is a higher purpose, what makes you so sure that you Understand what the real purpose is. You are human. I know what you are thinking.....because your love of Christ is enough. I say, bullshit. You are relying on the same instinct to turn inward for solace, that I use. Except when you come back out you are armed with your version of security, "Christianity", and I come out with inner perspective. I don't think it is pride when I admit to knowing nothing. How could it be?

As for knowledge puffing up, I hope to be the size of the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. I love to learn, open my mind, explore new depths, as I am with you in discussion. And I feel built up with love everytime I take a breath. you dont have to trade one for the other.

Your search for "truth" is ultimately a search for divine knowledge, without which you feel you would have no purpose.

Anyway, I think that we all could go back and forth forever. A seemingly endless debate of words and will. It will always have the same outcome though. You are both truly happy in your place in life, and I in mine. I have enjoyed our talks, and feel that if more people communicated as openly and freely, we would all be in better shape.

Trimming the fat

Today, in the Chicago Tribune there was an article about how the FAA is beginning to have weight issues aboard aircrafts due to the rising weight of passengers.

Sometimes I am embarrassed to be a human.

When did it become acceptable to be morbidly obese? And I wonder whether the culture in this country is changing so much that skinny people will eventually become the outcasts and target of all mocking.

The interesting thing is, there are food shortages and humanitarian crisises of epic proportions occuring right now in Africa. There are 3 and 4 year old children that weigh about 14 lbs, and here in the states we have "super babies" hitting 50 pounds.

What kind of country are we building? The health care system is literally "weighed down by these people, and every day more and more people die from heart disease.

So I propose a plan. We have a people swapping program. Screw fat camp! We are sending you people to Africa to live off of millet for 3 months! Supersize what??

We in turn will take boat loads of starving children and adults, fatten them up with greasy fast food, and send them home with a few extra pounds and a taste for consumerism.

It will be an interesting experiment that will no doubtedly level the scales.

Honestly though, if more people relyed less on modern technology, and more on themselves, we wouldn't be facing the same issues.

It leads me to wonder, is the ever growing dependency on modern invention, fueling our appetite? When everything is so accessible, is it safe to say that it slows down our human urge to hunt, gather, forage, destroy, and conquer? Are we destined to become a race of useless blobs?

God forbid there was any actual natural disaster that would leave us without food, water, electicity, or......hold on kids.....IPODS!!!!!!!!! Whatever would we do?

(Note: I do not own an IPOD.I try to fight forward movement from time to time, and yes I carry a walkman cd player. According to my friends, avid IPOD users, I might as well be carrying around an 8 track player.)

Anyway, I guess I want to say, no offense to those of you who struggle with obesity and are really trying to get better, but to the rest of you here is some advice:

1) Stop making excuses. It is not acceptable to live in a culture that sympothizes with others who are living highly destructive lives.

2) Stairs are not just for normal weight people. You can use them too!

3) Take the words "Extra" out of your vocabulary

4) YES, one little milkshake will hurt.

5) Flaming hot Cheetos and Pepsi is not an acceptable breakfast

6) If you find yourself complaining to a store clerk about them not carrying your size, its probably because they dont make clothes that size.

7) Just because it is called channel "Surfing", does not make it a sport.

8) Calling a built in tummy tray for beverages and snacks convienient, is the same thing as calling a triple bypass fun.

9) Wheelchairs are for the elderly and disabled. If you find yourself in one, you have a problem.

10) If you don't want to have to pay for 2 seats on an airplane, become 1 person.

There, I feel better now. Again, I want to say that I support overweight people who have serious problems and are trying to get better. However, if you choose to live your live extra large, dont be suprised when you have to expand your pants and your budget.

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE CENTS$$

Dear Chicago Cab Drivers,

Alright cabbies , I got some beef with you. You see, I am on to you. I have figured out your ways, and Im here to say......um.....im here to say......ugh..........Well I figured you out!! Haha!

Here's the deal, I take cabs on a pretty frequent basis, about 2-3 times a week. Usually late at night when public transportation becomes a bit too scary for my taste, or after a night of light to heavy drinking.

So recently as I made my way home, grumbling on the inside about having to shell out almost $20 for the ride, I made a realization about the way in which we are conditioned to tip. ( Now for those of you who are non-tippers, I have to say in defense for all other service industry workers and veterans, you are scum, and I will deal with you in a later blog. )

Anyway, I noticed when we pulled up outside my apartment, the meter said $13.45. So, being the consciencious and very generous person that I am, I always assume to give a dollar tip just for the ride. (Note: If they put anything in or out of the trunk for you, it is a few more)

Now there are those of you who may consider a dollar cheap, but you are the same people who probably never take cabs, and when you do, you are visiting friends and whip the money around indispensibly like toilet paper, and than go on and on about how good you feel to give tips to cab drivers that have moved here from other countries. But for the rest of us, who frequent cabs all the time and have since grown tired of interviewing every driver on his country of origin and what his plans are in the U.S. , we understand that a dollar per trip, with an occasional conversation is more acceptable.

Anyway I digress. So, I was about to hand the driver a 20 when I realized that he only had $6 in his hand. Seems fair right? $13.45 fare, I give him $20 then he gives me $6 of which I can choose to tip him.

But then I got to thinking. What about the other .55 cents? Now, I know this might come off as a self righteous or selfish rant, but considering I work in the service industry, I feel I have a right to pose a concern on this issue.

When I give change at work, I give them ALL the change, not the rounded up number. Just think of how much extra money I would be making if I rounded up every tables change and then extended my hand for additional gratuity.

Now I know it's just pocket change, but when I mentally add that pocket change over the course of one month it figures something like this:

3 cabs a week: $1 tip + 50 cents they assume= $4.50 a week

X 4 weeks = $18.00 a month in gratuity

$18!!! Thats more than a whole cab ride!!

So even if I am nitpicking, and I don't count the voluntary gratuity, the cabs are recieving a amount of $6 a month in money they are not even offering me in change.

That might not seem like alot to some people, but $72 a year is a lot to some people.


Anyway, the moral of the story is, don't look at me funny when I ask you for the .55 cents, or the .35 cents after giving me my change. Because you know what, that's not how it works. YOU give ME my change, then I decide what I want to tip YOU.

And for all of you that think that I am giving cabbies a hard time, I'm not, I got much love for them escorting me home night after night, dealing with all the traffic, drunks, traffic, etc. etc.

And I understand gas is expensive, but remember, I am aware of the fact that the prices of cabs just went up too! And now I am aware of your other side operation. So start carrying change guys, cause if you come across me, I'm gonna want it.

P.S

Oh and by the way, when a girl gives you a few extra dollars to make sure she gets inside her apartment safely without being mugged, dont be a jerk and drive off until she is inside. At least give the illusion that you give a shit. Thank you for listening.