Political motivations

At the end of the day, I don't believe our politicians have a great deal of altruistic motives, even though they would like us to believe they do. My guess is they're interested in getting either, 1) re-elected, 2) hired by a large corporation and becoming a lobbyist, 3) looking for a way to make more money, or 4) tying to get power to accomplish one through three. These self serving interests are accomplished with taxpayer dollars and have already been abundantly distributed in very strange places. And now, they're after your pension!

Once again, I am reminded of the words of Solzhenitsyn who said, "You only have power over people so long as you don't take everything away from them. But when you've robbed a man of everything he's no longer in your power -- he's free again."

Words to ponder.

I keep reading between the lies

We cancelled our newspaper, the Rocky Mountain News a few years ago because it was a one-sided display of political liberalism and the articles were pasted with opinion instead of fact. It irritated me. If I want someones opinion, I should be able to go to the editorial page. I don't want it from some stupid journalist. Now I get the Wall Street Journal. There is no difference. In fact, the WSJ now has a section, which in my mind is nothing less than tabloid gossip. I guess it sells papers. It was Alexander Solzhenitsyn who said, "Hastiness and superficiality are the psychic diseases of the twentieth century, and more than anywhere else this disease is reflected in the press." I think this disease grows.

America

I was thinking about all the news related to Tiger Woods. It reminded of something in one of Bill Bryson's books somewhere I think. It went something like this, "To an American the whole purpose of living, the one constant confirmation of continued existence, is to cram as much sensual pleasure as possible into one's mouth more or less continually. Gratification, instant and lavish, is a birthright."

Well, that may be the way it is now but I don't think we started out that way. This is what advertisers and marketing companies told us over and over on TV for the last 50 or so years. It changed the nature of an entire culture. America. Now we live it.

What now is left to us but a glimpse of a forgotten past? In eternal despair we clutch and grasp for something that's neither principle or end. Such a life has nothing and is borne onwards towards infinity. What will become of such a people? The author of man comprehends it. No one else can.

My prayer is that we re-awake and consider what we are in the reality of things. Perhaps we should regard ourselves as lost and ask, "What are we really?"

Truth be told

It's somewhat ironic that the most truth found in the newspaper comes from comics. It was William Howard Taft who said, "Don't worry over what the newspapers say. I don't. Why should anyone else? I told the truth to the newspaper correspondents - but when you tell the truth to them they are at sea."

Dr. Bruce L. Shelley

I learned today that longtime friend, pastor, teacher, and dearly loved one Bruce Shelley passed away a few hours ago. He suffered from a stroke a few days ago and died here in Denver. Dr. Shelley taught us faithfully for years and was a tireless servant of God. He will be greatly missed by many.

The media in politics

Don't worry, this post is not so much about politics as the media. This photo was taken yesterday in downtown Chicago. It jammed the traffic up for miles and held up the arrival of Barack Obama. Is the news media tired of covering the news or just tired of covering this news?

If you were forced to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, which would it be? I guess I would grudgingly go with the latter! Thomas Jefferson thought newspapers should be divided into three categories: 1) Truth, 2) Probability, 3) Possibility, and 4) Lies. I would add a fifth category; 5) Omissions.

Evan Bayh

This article on Senator Evan Bayh's announcement that he won't seek re-election certainly reflects my opinion of our elected officials. It's a shame they all aren't like this guy, more interested in the public good than special interest groups and getting re-elected. I think Congress believes that there is no such thing as an enemy, only someone who disagrees with you today and who might be with you on the next vote. But, consensus is not a dirty word. It's only dirty if you leave your values behind.

Memory

It's a funny thing, this business of losing things and then trying to remember where you put them. For some reason I have a very hard time remembering names. My Dad however, could never remember where he put the car keys. We would spend all this time looking around for them only to discover they were in his pocket all the time. I used to think he had a photographic memory, but once in a while he forgot to take the lens cap off!

The ability to remember isn't necessarily innate. It can be learned through practice and there are tricks you can learn to do this, but I think it's the practice that let's you hone your memory skills. My cycling instructor is remarkable at remembering names and she is always practicing. I'm working on trying to remember things in advance! Maybe this will keep me out of trouble.

There it goes!

I find it hard to believe that a woman was made from a rib. A funnybone would be more like it! I wanted to go up to the top of it, but that idea had catastrophe written all over it.

Old photo in Havasupai

Here is an old photo I found of Scott Brown and I think that's Charlie next to him. Anyone else you recognize in this photo?

He's giving us money!

People who don't know why America is the Land of Promise should be here during an election campaign. You see, a politician is a man who approaches every question with an open mouth! Back in 1973 Reagan was frustrated with the economic state of America. He said, "Do you remember back in the days when you thought that nothing could replace the dollar? Today it practically has." Just wait and this really will be true!

Hard pill to swallow

Some things are just too much fun to pass up. The good news about all this health care stuff is we my be lucky and get a charisma bypass!

The latest photo

In case you're wondering, here is the latest photo I have of Seth, Noelle, and the kids. I thought you might like it.

Encounter with a tower

I found these photos the other day and thought you might enjoy them. Yes, this is the mountain featured in Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Richard Dreyfus made a mud model of it in his house and his wife (actress Teri Garr) thought he was nuts and left him. The local Indian lore said a maiden had run away from a giant bear and was trapped on top. The bear made all the scratch marks on the sides trying to reach her.

Here is my friend Jeff waiting for his belay up the 4th pitch of the tower (one pitch is about 150 feet). The tower is 800 feet high. Tyler was on this trip with us.

Nancy's appendectomy

Nancy had her appendectomy a few weeks ago and she is recovering nicely. We appreciate all the prayers. It reminded me of the last time we drove down to Tucson. On the way, we looked for the best place to get deep dish apple pie. Well, we all know how to find a good place that has the best deep dish apple pie. Look for the trucks! It was the same logic we used when she went to get her appendectomy. She goes to the Littleton East side General Hospital, because that's where all the truck drivers get operated on. I promised I wouldn't take any photos, but... oh well.

Girls

Girls are dynamite. If you don't believe that, try dropping one. So, I picked up this one and have kept her ever since. Good choice, don't you think? She makes good cookies!