Beef...It's What's For Dinner

My big beef with most "Christian" music is that it is...well...simplistic and unoriginal. There are a few musicians out there in that "genre" who are the exception, but, for the most part, the lyrics are really simple and basically the same thing over and over again. They do not only repeat overly repetitiously throughout the song, but throughout the whole world of CCM (contemporary christian music). It is as though most of those people have troubles coming up with something new that requires more thought to both write and to listen to than "Jesus Loves Me". Do not take me wrong, I like "Jesus Loves Me," but there is more to life and music than just that. Just my opinion.

Watch Those P's and Q's (and E's and U's)

Wow! Talk about a major typo! It seems that a website for the United States Congress made a mistake in their reporting. Instead of saying that nuclear testing went on in Sedan (in Nevada), they accidentally reported that the United States performed nuclear tests in Sudan. The Sudanese were not too happy when they read that a foreign government was doing that under their nose. Although they were completely assured by the United States that it was a mere typing error and no testing took place, they are still performing investigations to make sure that nobody starts glowing in luminescent colors or growing multiple limbs in weird places. The Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said, according to BBC News, that, "Our first concern of course was for the people of Sudan." If only they were that concerned about all their people. By the way, I ran this post through spell check a couple of times before posting it...just in case.

Cold Snap

Cold Snap (n.): The time of year when everyone becomes tired of the cold weather and, when they can no longer bear being confined indoors, eventually snap and go out of their minds.

The Greater Good

There are many examples in literature and history of one man dying for the greater good of the many. Sometimes it is to save lives, other times to improve living conditions. The question is, is it worth it? Here are just a few of those examples:

In the movie Master and Commander, a sailor, by the name of Wharley, falls overboard during a storm when the mast that he is on snaps. His only hope of rescue is to grab onto the yardarm of the mast as it is tossed in the waves, dragged along by the ropes that still attach it to the ship. The problem is that the yardarm in the water is acting as an anchor, dragging the ship down and putting it in great risk of capsizing and sinking, and taking the entire crew down with it. The captain, "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, is forced to make the decision to cut the ropes holding the yardarm to the ship, thus leaving Wharley to die in the midst of the storm. His life is taken so that the rest of the crew may live on. Was it worth it? In this case, I would say yes since, there was not much chance of his being rescued and, in the attempt, everyone else may have gone down with him. However, there was a slight chance that both he and the ship may have been saved, but it was not very likely. As Jack Aubrey said, "one must always choose the lesser of the two weevils (evils)."

Raskolnikov, the main character in the book Crime and Punishment, comes up with the same idea, that sometimes it is necessary for a select few to die that society as a whole may prosper by it. He carries out his idea by murdering an old pawnbroker who owns large sums of money, while those around her live in poverty. His crime is eventually found out when he can no longer live with his own conscience and admits to doing it. This time, however, the death of one does not aid the many, but, instead, makes more people suffer. Was it worth it? In my opinion, even though Raskonlnikov may have become a better person after all of his trials, it was not worth taking the life of the old woman and, as it ended up, her sister.

Those are both fictional stories, but there is a prominent example in history of the notion found in the man Jesus. He also died, suffering a cruel death, so that others may live and have better lives. His death allows others to escape the wrath of God for their rebellion against him. While they are sometimes persecuted for believing in his death and the salvation that comes from it, their lives are in many ways better because of the forgiveness for their rebelliousness and the hope for the future. Was Jesus' death worth it? I would emphatically say yes.

Happy Birthday to Me!

...and a very merry unbirthday to the rest of you!

I'm right, you're wrong, and that's all there is to it!

The political system in America is very aggravating. It is basically split into two parties--the Republican and the Democratic--and anyone who does not agree with either gets lost in the shuffle. The people belonging to the different parties seem to think that they are always absolutely right and their opponents are always absolutely wrong. One has only to label a person a "Democrat" or a "Republican" and part of the country automatically hates them and will not listen to anything they say, while most of the rest will love them and accept pretty much whatever they proclaim. The opposing party, whichever one it may be, is drawn as a freedom-hating faction with horns, a tails, and pitchforks in their hands. People do not seem to want to consider that possibly, just maybe, the other side has a good idea every once in a while. They would not have to agree all the time, and I would hope they would not, but maybe some good would come of it. In the end, it appears to me that there is really only one word to describe politics: frustrating.

Why?

That is the question that history helps to answer. It is more than just a bunch of dates and names to memorize and put in order--it is a story that explains how things got to be the way they are today. History is a useful medium for studying human thoughts and ideas, and the societies created by the resulting actions. From learning about individuals, one can learn about entire civilizations, and by learning about the civilization and world events of the time, one can better understand the individuals living in it. One can learn about what works, what does not, and why. The various traditions and beliefs instilled in different societies throughout the past still influence the actions of people in the modern world. It is difficult to imagine that anyone would not be excited about studying the world's history!

Mistakes, Mess-ups, and Movie Stars

I have no idea what that means, but it sounded like it would make a good title. Hold it...yes I do know! We all make mistakes, but most of them go unnoticed by the world at large. The few people that surround us and know us may notice them, but most earthlings have no clue that we even exist, much less make a mistake. However, there are select human beings who have their lives watched and scrutinized by the public, and every little (or big) mess-up in their life is suddenly the headlines in papers across the nation. Why do we watch them like little hawks? Perhaps it is because they appear to be too perfect--they get the beautiful boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse; perfect, fashionable clothes, tons of money, and thousands of people fall in love with them. We see them and become jealous, causing us to hardly wait for them to mess up and prove that they are still human like the rest of the world's population. Perhaps for that small moment, our egos are fed and we feel like we are better than them because they are no longer "perfect." They are brought down to our level, and even lower, for a time. However, we need to realize that they are just like us: human beings who mess up and sin, whether in the public eye or not.

Cruelty to Candy!

Animal rights groups in New Jersey are are complaining about Kraft's new gummi product featuring snakes and squirrels squashed with tire tracks. They say that having the fruit-flavored candies in the shape of roadkill will cause people to go out and create more roadkill.

"It sends the wrong message to children, that it's OK to harm animals. And that's the wrong message, especially from a so-called wholesome corporation like Kraft," said society spokesman Matthew Stanton.

When was the last time that you ate a gummy bear, teddy graham, or gingerbread man without slowly dismembering him by biting off his head, arms, legs, or ears first? Most people enjoy doing so to their sweets, yet do not go out and do so to actual, living animals. Chocolate Easter bunnies receive similar treatment, as their ears are usually the first part to go, yet there are thousands of rabbits hopping around with their ears still intact. Even worse, the candy Sour Patch Kids are little gummies in the shape of, that's right, kids, and yet nobody compains about those being sold and eaten. What makes this any different than eating a animal-shaped candy that is already dead (although roadkill candy does not sound very appetizing)? I do not think that people will be influenced by their candy to out driving for the soul purpose of running over snakes and squirrels, much less to pick up dead animals lying by the side of the road and eating them. Most people would never think of it.

A Stink Bomb of Memories

It is amazing how smells can bring back memories so vividly. You get a wiff of a fragrance and memories explode in your mind, just from a brief moment of scent. There is a certain flavor of chapstick that transports me back to a vacation in Florida the moment I smell it. I am back on the beach walking along in the freezing cold waves. When I get a sniff of baby shampoo I immediately think of the guinea pig I owned when I was around twelve years old. Although he was usually quite stinky due to the fact that I was lax on cleaning his cage, whenever he got a bath, I would smother him in baby shampoo and he would smell sweet and clean. His cage, on the other hand, was a different story. The smell of pine brings back a night when I was a little girl and we were setting up the Christmas tree that we had bought earlier that day. My parents were out in the garage and I was sitting on the ground in the living room with my older sister surounded by toys and pine needles. Sawdust reminds me of a summer day when I was playing in a pile of sawdust that was left after my dad had cut a lot of wood. Thankfully, all those smells bring back pleasant memories, but there are some that make me cringe. Last summer I declared war on some earwigs that had decided to move into my flowerbox. They were eating my plants, so I decided to try a remedy I had heard of. I sprayed them with a mixture of water and dishsoap. Amazingly, it worked and the earwigs ran of of their hiding places, shriveled up, and died. However, whenever I wash my dishes I now get visions of the earwigs coming out of their holes, which is not exactly a very pretty sight. It all just goes to show that, as Helen Keller once said, "Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived." How very true.

Is the Property Really Mine?

Should the government be able to take away your property and pay you what it considers just compensation for the purpose of giving your property to others who would put in their own company's developement? What if it is for the benefit of the community at large and would bring in tax dollars or create more jobs? Some say that they should be able to if it is for the common good, and claim that it is a right of the government protected by the U.S. Constitution. This problem is coming up before the Supreme Court this week.

What exactly does the Constitution say? The Fifth ammedment says, along with protecting criminals' rights: "nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." The key phrase there is "public use". If I am interpreting the that correctly, the Constitution does not say that the government's right to emminent domain does not mean that it can take away private property and people's homes to give it to someone else to develop into a sports stadium, casino, more upscale development, resort, store, or the like. If the private companies wish to own your land, they should approach you directly with an offer, not have the government take it from you by force.

I hope that the Supreme Court makes the right decision on the case. It could have long reaching effects on other property suits and protect private owners from the whims of the government and other, richer developers.

"Just" a Thought

I believe that we, the church in America, have forgotten what we are here for. We gather together to sing pretty songs, help others, and have good times with other nice people. But, what sets us apart from other clubs? There are many charities out there that do good things for other people in the name of goodwill and humanity. Music is a lovely thing to have, and I have yet to attend a concert in which there were not people singing along to each and every song. Clubs exist for practically everything, including fellowship with other "'nice" people who have similar interests to your own. There are feel good sessions and meditation/prayer in yoga classes. People all over the world have passion for the various things they do. Thus, what makes the church any different than the rest of the society?

There are many reasons why people go to church. Some go because that is what their friends do and they want to spend more time with them. Others go because it is traditionally in the culture the "thing to do" and they do not want to break with the things that have just always been done. There are some who go to church because it makes them feel good and makes them feel that they are a good person. Some people enjoy the weekly sing-along, while others like to meet people, play games, and share stories. Then there are those who go to church because they believe that they should be fellowshipping and worshipping with a group of people who believe in the same truth and believe that they have the same purpose: to worship God, grow spiritually, help each other to grow, help other people with their physical and spiritual needs, and bring others to believe in Christ. Unfortunately, not everyone in the church belongs to the last group of "churchgoers."

How many people in the churches across the nation every Sunday, Saturday, and Wednesday would still be there if their lives were threatened because of it? How many people truly believe that God sent Jesus to save us from our sins and would be willing to die for Him?

In countries around the world, especially places like China and Sudan, people are persecuted and even killed for believing in Jesus, yet there are enormous numbers of people who still profess to be Christians. They risk their lives everyday and yet still meet together as a church in homes. What would happen if our government were to throw off its foundation of Christianity and its principles and refuse to allow people to be Christians? Would the church still exist? Would its numbers increase, decrease, or stay the same? How many people truly believe? Just a thought.

To what floor of the universe are you going?

A man named Bradley C. Edwards is trying to make a radical idea into a radical reality by trying to figure out how to build an elevator out of a suspended cable attached to the surface of the earth and extending into space. Using mechanical means instead of the law of conservation of momentum to "launch" people beyond our atmosphere, Edwards claims that the elevator would greatly cut the large costs that are currently part of the space program. Supposedly, the cable that the elevator would travel on would be kept taut by "the competing forces of gravity on Earth and the outward rotational acceleration of the planet in space."

The biggest challenge to the space elevator has been developing a cable tough enough to extend 62,000 miles without breaking. This, Edwards explained will be solved with carbon nanotube composites - tiny bundles of carbon weaved together to form a ribbon that will be stronger than steel. His startup company, Carbon Designs, Inc., is currently focused on developing this technology.

Is this really possible? Would the design really work without defying the laws of physics? Would the coreolis effect have an influence on it? There are probably a lot of skeptics out there (like me) who think that this is too weird to actually work, but then there were most likely a lot of skeptics about the ability of airplanes to fly, when they are obviously much heavier than air and, according to normal human reasoning, would never get off the ground. There were probably also a lot of people who were unsure of the idea of sending people up beyond the confines of our atmosphere into space in a rocket. The sky is no longer the limit. You never really know what might happen next. It will be interesting to see what develops, if anything, from Edward's proposition.

A Beautiful Letdown

That is how I would describe today. As I look out the window, I can see birds flying in the air and fighting for birdseed on the ground. The grass is getting back it's green shade, even though the trees and bushes are still just bare twigs swaying in the breeze without any leaves as of yet. There is not a flake of snow left on the ground as a remnant of the winter flurries. Due to a high pressure system that is passing over, there is not a cloud in the clear, light-blue sky. All appearances point to a beautiful, brisk spring day that should have everyone outside working on their gardens and shooting hoops. Unfortunately, that picture is spoiled once one actually goes outside and the brutal reality of the situation hits them squarely in the face with a blast of freezing cold air. Twenty degree weather is not generally conducive to gardening. What a letdown. Nevertheless, the world outside is still quite beautiful to gaze upon.

The Politics of Education

Should the views expressed and taught on college campuses be balanced? It depends. Should the views expressed and taught on college campuses be legislated? No.

Although many do not want to admit it, anyone with half a brain can see that universities tend to be quite liberal and seem to shun conservative thinking. It is pretty much common knowledge. But what should be done about it? Fox News had an article on what some congressmen in Ohio are trying to do to keep the education system "balanced" and "fair." They are introducing a bill to ban political bias on universities.

"Students should be free to give their opinion without fear of retribution," said Ohio GOP State Sen. Larry Mumper.

According to Mumper, professors in the Buckeye State are discriminating against students who don't hold the same political views, and the bias is usually a liberal one. He points to a recent study by a Santa Clara University researcher that found Democrats outnumber Republicans eight to one among social science and humanities faculty as evidence of the left slant.

Well, that is the view from one side of the political spectrum. What is the other? hmmmmmm...

Opponents say the legislation amounts to unnecessary meddling.

"We shouldn't limit discussion, open debate, and limit our universities from having ... what I believe is a free market system of ideas," said Ohio Democratic State Sen. Teresa Fedor.

One side says that there is not an ability to discuss all opinions and views while the other says that there is a "free market system of ideas" with "open debate." Is the latter in denial and blind to the fact that people are not always allowed to express what they think? This bill sounds nice doesn't it? Universities would finally have to be "fair" in their dealings with their students, faculty, and the world at large and open debate would be a reality.

However, I do not completely agree with either side. What was that one thing in that one document? Oh yeah: Freedom of Speech. Also, it is not the government's job to meddle in the affairs of education and it is usually not a pretty sight when it does. While I agree that the slant that shows its ugly head in universities does not allow for a free exchange of ideas and beliefs, I do not think that bringing the government into the mix is the answer. What is the solution? I honestly do not know.

When a Story Hits Home

It is very rare that reading a book makes me cry. In fact, I do not think that I have ever before cried while reading a book. The book Dana's Valley really hit home with me and I not only cried, but left my pillow soaking wet in the process. The story was told from the perspective of a young girl, Erin, who was a middle child in her family. While I am no longer that young, I have still felt everything that comes with being a middle child and I could really identify with Erin. Not only was she a middle child like me, but her younger sibling also had the same name as mine, making the narration seem even more real.

The story was of the narrator's older sister's struggle with leukemia and the impact that it had on her and her whole family. It started me wondering about what it would be like if my own older sister became that sick and (spoiler warning) ended up dying. I think that was what initially started off my lacrimal glands (That is what they are called, isn't it?). The descriptions of how sick and weak her older sister looked towards the end of her life also brought back vivid memories of my own grandfather and his final days after his battle with cancer. That just compounded the tears and, before I knew it, I had finished the book and the clock said that it was after midnight.

Perhaps I was so emotional over this book due to the fact that I was extremely tired, but I could still identify with the story in a way that made it all the more real to me, in a way that no book before it has been. Even though I would not classify it among the works of "great literature", it is still a book that I am glad I read.

Would Mona Lisa Frown?

Yesterday night I had the opportunity to see the movie Mona Lisa Smile. To tell you the truth, I thought it would be a whole lot better than it was, even though I did not have very high expectations for it to begin with. Instead, I came away with the impression that the movie has almost no redeeming qualities in it. The story is of how a conservative college during the fifties obsessed with tradition becomes more liberal after a year with new art history teacher. The movie praises sexual freedom and condemnes the rules and social standards that are in place. A school nurse who gives out contraceptives becomes a heroic martyr, a teacher who frequently sleeps around is "prince charming", marriage is for wimpy women, and there are no moral standards to say that anything is right or wrong. The message of the movie was that everyone should do what feels good and seems right to them. One of the only truths that I found in the movie was how weak and silly traditions are when they have nothing to back them up.

Unwanted Houseguests

Arachniphobes down under, beware! It seems that the redback spider, a relative of the American Black Widow, has become unhappy with its current living conditions and has now decided to move in with unsuspecting Australian homeowners. An article from Reuters said that "A female redback's bite usually results in sweating and pain, which slowly builds to the point of being unbearable." Thankfully, although there have been bites reported at the rate of about one a day, there is now an antivenom that has prevented the excruciating pain from turning into eternal sleep. Even after hearing about this and combining that with the fact that I am extremely scared of most species of spiders, Australia is still one of the many places that I hope to one day visit.

Caught With Their Pants Down

It is now against the law in Virginia to wear pants that expose any underwear. If a person is caught with their pants riding too low, they can now be fined $50. Talk about a frivolous, overreaching law! I guess that this means that the cost of hiring a plumber in Virginia will now go up with them having to pay the fine all the time ; ).

Update: It was not a law but was merely a bill which has since been killed by a Senate committee in Virginia. Sorry for the misinformation! You can continue to visit the state without having to worry about how low your pants may be! What a relief! -Becky

Room, Board, and License Plates

It seems as though there are now officials in Will County, Illinois who want to make prisoners pay to spend time in prison. The county auditor thinks that taxpayers should not have to pay the bill for criminals' room and board. At first this sounds like a great idea, but the more I have thought about it, the less I like it.

First of all, it would probably hurt the prisoners' families more than the prisoners themselves since being in jail means that they cannot be out in the world working and earning money. Many prisoners thus could probably could not afford to pay out of their own pocket, and their relatives would have to pay instead, even if they had nothing to do with the crime and are living in the slums on government welfare. Aren't the people in prison already paying for their crimes by losing their freedom?

Secondly, punishing the wrong doers is one of the main reasons for having a government in the first place. If they want to cut the costs to save taxpayers money, they should start by taking cutting the prisoners' access to things like cable television. After that, they can start cutting other programs that are unrelated to law enforcement and are rather frivolous (I am sure that they can find several).

What would happen if the prisoner refused to pay the fee? Would they be expelled from the prison and sent back into the streets? It is not like putting them in prison for rebelling in that way would make much sense, as it would only end up costing more. If they really want prisoners to help cut the cost of keeping them locked up, why not put them to work to raise money or at least cut costs in another area of government? Just a thought.