CNN or FOX: You Make The Call

Let the evidence show the facts:
CNN is liberal leaning.
FOX is conservative leaning.

I try NOT to watch too much news anymore; it's depressing. When I do catch some news, it's usually CNN Headline News, since I can get the quick stories without the garbage commentary. The one news show I do try to watch is FOX News', "Your World" with Neil Cavuto. Cavuto has a shoot-straight way of presenting the business stories and his, "Common Sense" is excellent.

From CNN.com: White House scribe asks for the remote

The Washington's Post, Jim VandeHei, requested to watch CNN while aboard Air Force One during a trip to New Orleans. The channel was already set to FOX News. VanderHei feebly argued that the televisions are "taxpayer" funded and should be turned to whichever network he preferred.

(Notice the usage of "taxpayer" and "he".)

VanderHei whined that preferential treatment was given to FOX News, since the administration is Republican, a claim that White House spokesman Scott McClellan denied.

After further whining from VanderHei, McClellan had the station changed.

Henceforth, all was well in VanderHei's little world.

Only liberals would use the "taxpayer" argument to change something to their liking. VanderHei clearly could've made a simple request, to have the station changed, without making a big stink about it. But he whined. And you know what they say about the squeaky wheel.

Heck, if we "taxpayers" really did get our way, then The Disney Channel, Animal Planet, OLN, or HGTV should be playing and NOT the news channels.

ANIMAL!

This explains a lot. Believe me.

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Hat tip to Joel and Misawa.

I Ain't Happy With the SBC

My evening ritual begins with putting our boys in bed and getting caught up on my blog roll. Last night, however, something made me a little more than angry.

I visited Tim Ellsworth's blog to see the news that Bob Reccord resigned as President from the North American Mission Board. I saw this coming from the recent published audit report in The Christian Index.

No, I'm not mad at Tim, but I am mad at what is happening in the Southern Baptist Convention. As a lay person, I don't understand the apparent ongoing attacks aimed at the current leadership. Attacks aimed at Jerry Rankin, Wade Burleson, and now Bob Reccord. Is there something going on that I'm missing?

Maybe so, but this seems to me something more than just "change". This seems like an unnecessary, legalistic cleansing. You don't have to be a minister to see the writing on the wall.

So the question beckons: Who is next?

I mean, if the North American Mission Board isn't living up to the Convention's standards, I'm sure other groups aren't either.

Good Friday and My Birthday

It's not every year that my birthday and Good Friday come together. Today is a day of remembrance for what our Savior did for us: His struggle, His pain, His death, and His love.

What comes to mind is the poignant scene in Mel Gibson's, The Passion of the Christ, where Jesus is about to be scourged. While strapped to the whipping post, He looks at Mary and all the faces in the crowd. The love that is shown on his face is unforgetable. He knows death is near, but his love for us triumphs through the suffering.

I turned 37 today in knowing how much my Heavenly Father and Savior love me and have walked with me through this very difficult year. I have previously shared my bumpy ride, but it compares not with what others have been through. For example:

- Howie Luvzus giving us the suffering of Hurricane Katrina and his struggles to live through it.
- My sister shattering her ankle and having three subsequent operations to repair it.
- Kevin Bussey and his journey from Alabama to North Carolina.

There is so much more.

The good news is, Jesus is with us, now and forever. He has risen and we should be thankful for what he did for us.

In closing, I celebrate this day of life: A day of thanks, praise, and give Glory to the One who made me.

Atlanta Drivers

Yes...I am one of them.

But what I'm seeing every morning, and evening, is disturbing. Today I counted at least seven horn-honkings and two road rage incidents. All of this took place between Fulton and Gwinnett counties.

I have only been honked at once this week for driving the posted speed limit in a flashing school zone. The driver was a middle-aged woman, in her mini-van, with children.

Go figure.

(I think my son captures my mood perfectly.)

Moving Status

We are packing and junking and junking and packing.
(Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!)

The great thing about packing is rediscovering old stuff. For instance, my boys found some of my old music tapes. So they asked who was Michael Bolton or The Pointer Sisters or Phil Collins. My response, "Guys, this was music I played when I dated your mother." I don't think they believed me. Of course there were also the VCR tapes of old Steven Seagal movies. Ah, memories.

A big thanks to our friends, Misawa, his wonderful wife, and Misawa's brother in-law, we did a lot of moving last Saturday. There's more to go.

We are very blessed to be surrounded by great friends.

My wife has picked out our interior and exterior designs and appliances for our new home. We are very excited about this process and the opportunities to come. Speaking of...

We've discussed what kind of church we want to join in Canton. We want one that is Christ-centered, Biblical, and is heavily involved in local missions. If any of you know of a church that fits this criteria, please inform me.

The 2008 Presidential Election: Issues We Should Care About

In two years we will be hearing banter from both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates regarding their stance on issues facing our country. Such issues as fuel prices, taxes, national growth, and national security should be on the priority list.

Let’s expand on these issues for a moment:
Fuel Prices – Gas prices are almost at $3.00 a gallon. How much is this affecting your bank account? Can you say, “fuel alternatives”? Incentives should be given to companies that deliver safe and natural fuel alternatives. Agriculture will be our best resource.

I have a bad feeling this will tie into our next issue, national security.

National Security – It now seems Iran will have the capability to develop nuclear energy very soon. But the real question is, what will they do with it? And let’s dig a little deeper. If Iran decided to build nuclear weapons, what are the chances that they would use them as a weapon against, say, OPEC. What’s the possibility of Iran taking over the entire Arab-oil industry with the threat of a nuclear attack?

Now go back to our current gas prices. How would you feel if prices soared to $8.00 a gallon, or more, due to a hostile takeover?

Don’t believe me? Fine. But Iran wouldn’t just build a nuclear weapon to conquer Israel. Sure, extremist Muslims would love if all Jews and Christians were wiped off the face of the earth, but that’s not Iran’s itinerary.

FACT: Iran has the second largest crude oil reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia.
FACT: OPEC controls the price of a barrel of crude oil.

What would happen if they owned it all?

In addition to Iran, immigration has become a current hot button. Many politicians want to construct the equivalent of the Great Wall of China on our border with Mexico. This will not work. There is no clear-cut answer to this problem. I personally have an issue with what people ‘deserve’. It’s a privilege to live and work in this country. We don’t ‘deserve’ anything. We earn our income, our food, our clothes, our homes, our cars, our benefits, etc., etc.. Has anyone ever considered just being here a blessing?

Taxes – I’m all in favor of getting rid of our Social Security system and allowing the taxpayer to be responsible with their own fund. I don’t see taxes lowering anytime soon, so good luck to the next President with this one.

National Growth – As jobs are increasing at a slow rate, the forecast isn’t pretty. By 2009, several big companies will be completing announced layoffs thereby creating massive competition for jobs.

The presidential candidates will need to present a well thought-out plan for economic growth that will benefit small business owners and sole proprietors. Big business is no longer the economic staple it once was. In fact, it will get worse for them as time goes on.

Now I know many of you believe we should be concerned about such issues as abortion, homelessness, child welfare, public education, the poor and hungry. Yes, but don’t let the government dictate how you can personally help. If we can give millions of dollars to programs helping victims of Hurricane Katrina, then we can pull together to help our local citizens and public schools. The local mission field is wide open to all of us.

Lastly, this is NOT a doomsday scenario, but opportunities to make our country a better place.