CatHouse Chat

Oh, I love the Aussies!!!

UPDATE: AAAAIIIGGGHHH!!!! I don't know how it happened, but I entered the wrong embed code. Thanks to Scott telling me, it's fixed now... I hope!

Brilliant, guys! *NEVER* submit to criminal behavior!

"National Quilt Museum of the United States"...?!

My dearest buddy, who is very linked in with all the US Senate happenings, just let me know that the Senate is looking for a unanimous affirmative vote for H. Con. Res 209 (see here and here for text).

HConRes 209 (and how *DO* you abbreviate that? What, precisely, does it stand for? Must ask...) seeks to designate the Museum of the American Quilters' Society in Paducah, KY, as the "National Quilt Museum of the United States."

What can I say about the MAQS? This is like the Jerusalem, the Rome, for all dedicated quilters - here in America, at least. Once a year, the American Quilters' Society organizes a show in Paducah, KY, with the Museum as its crown jewel. *EVERY* American quilter worth her (or his) salt wants to attend this show at least once in their lifetime.

The Museum was founded to "educate, promote, and honor today's quiltmaker." I do not know how many quilts the MAQS has - well over a thousand, I would assume - but they are all chosen to exemplify the beauty of style, incredible imagination, frugality, craftsmanship, and whimsy of the American quilter through the centuries.

So, although this may seem a bit of a triviality for Congress, as a quilter I must offer my hearty endorsement!

Pass HConRes 209!!!

FoxNews turning into a tabloid?

I mean, really! How the heck did THIS get on the front page this morning? And not just on the front page, but above the fold?!

A 16-foot python stalked a family dog for days before swallowing the pet whole in front of horrified children in the Australian tropics, animal experts said Wednesday.

The boy and girl, aged 5 and 7, watched as the scrub python devoured their silky terrier-Chihuahua crossbreed Monday at their home near Kuranda in Queensland state.

Aw. Gee. Too bad.

If it had been their 18-month-old sibling, though, the story would have been news - but a dog? And a Chihuahua-nix, at that?! Give me a break!!

Yeah, I know. I haven't watched FoxNews in an eon either....

You want common sense about the uranium issue?

Well then, you ought to make sure that Support An Independent Study is on your RSS feed. Walter Coles, Sr., is listed as one of the authors, and made the initial post, but varockstar (the other listed author) has been doing a great job researching articles, asking good questions, and voicing the benefits Pittsylvania County might reap if the study shows we can mine safely.

I particularly enjoyed Sunday's post, where varockstar took on an editorial from the Danville Register-Bee by Bill Spieden. varockstar says:

First, Speiden contends that the milling site in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (a place where I spent several summers with my sister’s godmother and her family) “has been stabilized…it contains 161,000 cubic yards of capsulated, potentially dangerous radioactive material that will have to be monitored at taxpayers’ expense in perpetuity.” What Mr. Speiden fails to mention is that this monitoring in “perpetuity” also applies to loosely-regulated landfills. How many batteries and aerosol cans and household chemicals have been dumped in our local landfills? Do the workers have a chance to check every bag of trash that is deposited into these landfills? Of course not, and that is why the quality of the environment around landfills is constantly monitored, and it will also be in “perpetuity,” because that trash will not biodegrade in our lifetime.

Make sure you read the whole thing, and put the blog on your feed reader!

"Sacred Hideaway" returns to the air... um, NETwaves tonight!

Yay! I had to cancel last week's show because the old laptop I was using crashed several critical programs I needed to record the show (I seem to be the bane of laptops the past several weeks, huh?), but now that Blossom is here, this week's show is in the can and uploading to the Radio CIA server as I type.

So, make sure you click over to Radio CIA tonight at 7pm eastern time, for this week's Bible study. I'm introducing the Epistle of Philippians and serving up some great Christian music, and hope you can join me. The show will be "re-aired" on Thursday at the same time, so if you miss it tonight, you can catch it then.

Psalm 33

I have been lagging behind in my Bible study, Experiencing God, but I took the time today to work on catching up. My attention was grabbed by Psalm 33:10-11, and I looked up the psalm to read it in full:

Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the harp;
         Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
         Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

God wants His people to praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth. He is our Creator, He loves us with an everlasting love, and He sheds His mercy and blessings upon us all. When He saw us in our sin, He came down and lifted us up; He gave His own life so that we may accept His gift and stand pure and holy before Him

For the word of the LORD is right,
         And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
         The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

All good things come from the hand of God, and He can even transform pain and suffering into joy and praise. He never lies to us, and His plans are for our peace, to bring us hope and a future.

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
         And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
         He lays up the deep in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the LORD;
         Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done;
         He commanded, and it stood fast.

God made everything, and He sustains His whole creation. "In Him we live and move and have our being." What God has planned to do, no man can resist. God's power is supreme, and we should stand in awe and reverence before Him.

The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
         He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
         The plans of His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
         The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

Although we think we can go our own way, when our plans are contrary to God's, He will defeat them and bring about His own purposes. He is God, He is all powerful, He is good, and He is holy. When we join with Him in His work, when we worship Him and Him alone, that is when we are truly blessed.

The LORD looks from heaven;
         He sees all the sons of men.
From the place of His dwelling He looks
         On all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually;
         He considers all their works.

No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
         A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
         Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

Why do we like putting our trust in earthly treasures, instead of eternal things? I know that I am very prone to taking comfort in all the things which surround me, and placing my confidence of success in my own self. But God wants me to depend on Him, He wants me to acknowledge that everything I have comes from His hand. He wants me to put Him first in everything, to love Him above everything and everyone else.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
         On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
         And to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the LORD;
         He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
         Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
         Just as we hope in You.

Indeed, Father, I fail at this every day, and am still a poor sinner with no power in myself. I ask for Your mercy, for Your forgiveness, and for Your help. Mould me and make me into a vessel of Your love and grace and purity, so that my voice may grow stronger in Your praise each and every day.

Obama - right out of Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5...

Peggy Noonan has an article up in the Wall Street Journal today, "Try a Little Tenderness."  She opens with

Barack Obama's biggest draw is not his eloquence. When you watch an Obama speech, you lean forward and listen and think, That's good. He's compelling, I like the way he speaks. And afterward all the commentators call him "impossibly eloquent" and say "he gave me thrills and chills." But, in fact, when you go on the Internet and get a transcript of the speech and print it out and read it--that is, when you remove Mr. Obama from the words and take them on their own--you see the speech wasn't all that interesting, and was in fact high-class boilerplate.

I've read about this from various other pundits over the past couple of weeks, and I must admit, I'm a bit snarkily surprised that no one has quoted Shakespere's Macbeth:

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Sen. Obama, from what I've seen, is a good speaker - I agree with Ms. Noonan on that - but I haven't heard concrete examples of how he would implement all this "change" he proclaims. Rhetoric without substance is thrilling, but - like Chinese food - you're hungry again in half an hour...

I confess that I don't think he's ready for the big time yet; he's far too inexperienced - heck, he hasn't even completed his first term as a senator! - and although the enthusiasm of new blood is wonderful, it does need to be tempered by practical experience and knowledge. I just don't think he has it yet.

Of course, for me the point is moot: there's no way in hell I'd be voting DemocRAT this election season. However, I do confess there's little to compel me to vote ReTHUGlican, either...

Technorati Tags: Barak Obama,Election 2008,rhetoric,campaign speeches

Hey! Look what I did!

I started this top back in 2006, and it's ALL hand-pieced (hand sewn). It's a generous sized laptop right now, but I'm debating whether I want to add a border or two (yeah, I'd sew those on by hand as well...).

And then, of course, I've been told (and kinda reluctantly agree) that it would be criminal to do anything BUT hand-quilt the dang thing - remind me why I do these things to myself?!

But, I'm pretty proud of myself! Of course, now I need another project I can carry around and hand sew while traveling. I do need to complete a top from a kit by Judie Rothermel; I've got all the blocks done, I just need to sew in the cornerstone sashing, the setting triangles, and the borders... Yet, I've also wanted to do an apple core scrap quilt for ages - I'm just not so certain about handling the curved seams (although hand sewing curved seams is much easier than on the machine, or so I'm told).

Anyway, this quilt (the template is the "tumbler"), is obviously going to be special, which means that this is the last time the cats will be allowed on it...

... Well, at least for now!

Happy birthday, Mr. President!

The Father of our nation, a man of humility, integrity, and deep faith. Indeed, he was a blessing to our fledgling country, and set a high standard for all who followed him.

His eulogy declared:

First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere— uniform, dignified and commanding—his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting. . . . Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues. . . . Such was the man for whom our nation mourns.

How far have we fallen from the foundations our godly forebears gave to us! I pray that God will somehow have mercy on America and raise up sound leaders who will help us return to the principles which birthed this land.

Happy birthday, President Washington!

Pass House Resolution 888!

Affirming the rich spiritual and religious history of our Nation's founding and subsequent history and expressing support for designation of the first week in May as `American Religious History Week' for the appreciation of and education on America's history of religious faith.

Congressman Randy Forbes introduced this resolution, and I pray it comes out of committee soon and is passed... I would love to give a poke in the eye to those who mistakenly insist that our founders were not godly and religious men!

Here's the text of the resolution...

Maybe Cuba will be free soon...

One can only hope and pray!

FOXNews.com - Fidel Castro Resigns Cuban Presidency:

An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when parliament meets Sunday.

Couldn't happen soon enough... Make sure you go over to Babalu for all the latest and greatest news on Cuba!

Welcome 'Blossom'!

The CatHouse is pleased and proud to announce the arrival of the newest toy... My Dell Inspiron 1525! More later after I get her temporarily set up.

UPDATE: Working now to get connected to all our home network, downloading Firefox (booo Internet Explorer!) and my add-ons, and debating whether I want to use UBUNTU as a dual-boot, or only have Windows Vista run in VMWare for the few programs which need it....

I will need to take a nicer pic of Blossom's cover; it's very pretty! And, she also accepts my Sony MemoryStick Pro from my camera without another adapter, so *I* am a very happy camper!

Her keyboard feels nice and sharp, and kinda science-fictiony... The touchpad is integrated into her case, so there is no sharp little ledge for dirt to get caught in... I *EVEN* have a built-in webcam... Hmm... Maybe I can post a pic from it, but I'm not sure y'all really want to see my face at the moment, LOL ;-)

A harsh reminder on a Sunday...

But very much needed.

I hadn't posted these before because of the computer issues I've been having (but my new laptop should be here Tuesday!!!!), but the Jawa Report has two videos which reminds us of just what the murderous and satanic "religion" of Islam can be.

I am only going to link them, because they are GRAPHIC IN THE EXTREME and NOT FOR THE KIDS! Blood, gore, horror, callous disregard for life and no respect for others made in God's image. The religion which promotes these atrocities - even in the "fringe groups" (and how "fringe" are the Taliban and Al-Quaeda, anyway? Not very...) - is no "religion of peace."

Islam is a religion of legalism, intolerance, murder, and death. Period. These two videos are merely two more bricks in the massive foundation of proof available.

Anyway, remember that these two videos are GROSS, DISGUSTING, and show REAL MURDER. Before you click over to these two posts and watch the videos, prepare yourself to be a witness to slaughter. The Jawa Report has its own warnings up, and I add my cautions as well.

Videos are here (burning a hostage alive) and here (a 12 year old boy beheading someone).

You have been warned.

In contrast, I offer Romans 12:14-21 -

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

BREAKING: Another campus shooting?!

FoxNews is reporting

Northern Illinois University issued an alert on its Web site Thursday to notify students of a possible gunman on campus.

   

"There has been a report of a possible gunman on campus," according to the alert. "Get to a safe area and take precautions until given the all clear. Avoid the King Commons and all buildings in that vicinity."

Great. Just lovely....

More jobs coming to Danville

Well, I'd never heard of this company before, but if they're bringing jobs - and over 800, at that! - I'll welcome them with open arms; our area needs all the jobs we can get!

From the Danville Register-Bee:

A major manufacturer of mattresses and upholstered furniture [Com40] will invest $36.3 million to open a manufacturing plant in Danville, creating 813 jobs. [...]

The manufacturer, Com.40 Ltd, is a private company headquartered in Nowe Skalmierzyce, Poland. Com.40 is a key supplier to Swedish home furnishings retailer IKEA. This Com.40 project in Danville will help supply mattresses and upholstery to IKEA stores in North America.

Governor Tim Kaine was supposed to be here for the announcement, but couldn't make it due to the snow at the Danville airport.

But this is good to see! Along with all the business construction in Danville - Pet Smart opened last year, as did Office Depot, and we'll be getting a Target, a Coles', a Sam's Club, among others - this plant will contribute to revitalizing the area and helping our economy.

Now, folks, let's get more businesses in Pittsylvania County, too!

Uranium Study passes Virginia Senate

Well, this is certainly a step in the right direction:

Last week, the study bill cleared the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources Committee 15-0 and the Senate Rules Committee 16-1 before heading to the Senate floor for a final vote.

The bill now goes to the House of Delegates, where it will be assigned to committee and reviewed. The House also must approve the bill before it becomes law.

Senate Bill 525 would create a Virginia Uranium Mining Commission to study whether "uranium mining and milling in Virginia can be undertaken in a manner that will safeguard the commonwealth's environment, natural and historic resources, agricultural lands, and the health and well-being of its citizens."

I believe that this is a wise decision by the Senate, and I hope the House of Delegates will pass it, too. It is very important that we get all the information we can before deciding whether to open a uranium mine in Pittsylvania County or not.

Most people with whom I have spoken are in favor of the study, and are interested in the possible revenue the county would gain from this industry.

I have heard one person mention that he's concerned with the management aspect of the mine, and would prefer a large, established mining company to buy out Virginia Uranium, Inc. He believes that larger companies haven't made the offer because the mine isn't really feasible economically. I found that to be an interesting take on things, but since I'm not a business mastermind, I hadn't considered that angle, nor do I know whether it has any merit. Perhaps one or more of my readers might care to comment?

At any rate, Sen. Hurt refused his support for this bill until some amendments were made:

Hurt suggested holding public hearings and including representatives from Pittsylvania County and Halifax County on the commission.

The commission was later expanded from 15 to 17 members to include two representatives each from Pittsylvania and Halifax counties.

Hurt also asked that the commission be required to contract with the National Academy of Sciences or some other "independent entity" for the study.

Hurt, who voted for the bill, said he couldn't have supported the study without the changes.

"I am in agreement with my constituents and feel strongly that citizen input be a centerpiece of this study process," he said.

"I also believe that this study must be conducted by an organization that is universally accepted as an independent and objective authority in matters of science and economics. I would not have been able to support this bill without these critical amendments."

After the session, Wagner said he appreciated Hurt's input on the legislation.

"He made it clear to me that his support of this measure was dependent upon the input of the public and upon the independence of the study," Wagner said.

I believe this to be a very wise and reasoned action on Sen. Hurt's part. The changes make assure local residents that their concerns and interests on this issue will be voiced and considered, and emphasize that the study will be conducted in an unbiased and careful manner.

Virginia Uranuim, Inc., has offered to fund the study, but in all correspondence with me has maintained their insistence that the study be conducted in this equitable manner. Walter Coles, Jr., and the staff I spoke with were quite clear that they wanted an organization which would be neutral and dispassionate, and would have no follow-on interests with VUI whatsoever; I am glad to see that the bill was amended to reflect this concern. And, I am glad that Virginia taxpayers may not have to pay for it! ;-)

UPDATE: Here's the page for SB525 over at Richmond Sunlight (interesting comments going on - and RS is an excellent source for legislative information), and here's the page for the bill at the Virginia State Government site.

McCain: Will he, or won't he?

Well, I honestly don't know. I honestly can't, at the moment, say that I'll vote for him in November (I certainly didn't yesterday in Virginia's primary). I've said to many friends that I believe that Sen. McCain is not a man of principle, but rather of political convenience.

But you ought to go read SeeDubya's post at JunkYardBlog: For McCain is an honorable man:

In other words, he can start moving right if he wants to win. If he moves right, I'll vote for him in the general. A lot of people will. But if we don't vote for him, who will?

I think he'll do it, because one of my premises is that John McCain will do what it takes to win the war--including compromise with the conservative base on immigration. Unless I was wrong, and McCain's ego and his attachment to open borders are actually greater than his commitment to winning the war. (In which case, well...no great loss.)

If McCain is pragmatic enough to realize his weakness and take aggressive steps to address it, he may rally enough of the conservative base to really win in November.

All we can really do now is watch and wait...

Another "read the whole thing" for today

Link: American jobs - - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper.

Common sense, basic economics and the data indicate that admitting large numbers of poorly educated immigrants reduces job prospects and wages for less-educated/skilled Americans. Between 2000 and 2005, jobless Americans without a high school degree increased by 2 million. During the same period, immigrants without high school degrees grew 1.5 million.

The large, disproportionately undereducated influx of immigrant workers has depressed wages for less-skilled/educated Americans. In the last 25 years, hourly wages for high school dropouts decreased 20 percent relative to inflation. For American high school graduates, they decreased 10 percent. African Americans have been particularly hard hit, as Mrs. Clinton recognized in a CNN Democratic debate. Immigration accounted for a third of the jobs lost by African American high school dropouts over the last few decades.

Typically, pro-amnesty voices claim that illegal immigrants are needed because there aren't enough Americans to fill low-skill jobs. If this were true, then wages and employment rates for less skilled/educated American workers would rise as employers competed to hire them. Yet just the opposite has happened.

Look, I am not against immigration - not at all! - but I am against people coming here via illegal means, ignoring our laws.  I do not believe that all illegals are "evil"; my county has its fair share of them, what with the depressed economy in the area as well as our focus on agriculture. But what jobs we have available ought to go first to American workers.

Look at the next paragraph in the article:

Enforcing immigration laws improves pay and job opportunities for less-skilled/educated American workers. When illegal immigrants were removed from the Cruder poultry plant in Stillmore, Ga., wages increased significantly. Additionally, Cruder provided workers from nearby towns with shuttles and free dormitories. Cruder hired workers from the local unemployment office, probationers and men from a homeless mission. The Wall Street Journal noted, "For the first time since Latinos began arriving in the late '90s, Cruder's processing lines were made up of local African Americans."

So, if you want to come to America to work, we'd love to have you - just remember to get here according to our laws, and then remember that our first and foremost responsibility is to our own citizens.

Anyway, another excellent article (thanks to the Beloved Husband, I've been re-introduced to Real Clear Politics) that is worth reading today.

A rock and a hard place...?

Very interesting article my husband saw this morning (yes, I was praying for either a delay or a closing for school today - we got the delay LOL): When Reality Bites -

There’s a big difference between the Republican and Democratic campaigns: The Republicans have split on policy grounds; the Democrats haven’t. There’s been a Republican divide between center and right, yet no Democratic divide between center and left.

But when you think about it, the Democratic policy unity is a mirage. If the Democrats actually win the White House, the tensions would resurface with a vengeance.

You've got to read the whole thing.

So, if either Clinton or Obama wins the White House, they're definitely in for a bumpy ride, and we'll see just how much influence the lunatic fringe of the left really has...

Hm... Somewhere in the background, I"m hearing the faint strains of "My Heart Bleeds for You...."

Thank you, all! Your prayers worked (of course!)

Well, our power was out for about 90 minutes yesterday because of the high winds, and of course we had that brushfire. Fortunately, the fire was further away than it looked to us, but my husband's emergency radio was VERY busy!

I apologize for the long delay in getting y'all an update, but the widns (or something) took out our DSL as well, and we only just got it back.

But, we're fine here at the CatHouse, thanks to God's grace. I would ask you to continue to pray for the town, though - several buildings (mostly abandoned, I believe) burned down, and some people had to be evacuated.

Thanks for your concern!

Brush fires near the CatHouse

I dont think we're threatened, power is out - and a few prayers for our town would be welcome!To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required. Visit www.apple.com/quicktime/download to download the free player or upgrade your existing QuickTime® Player. Note: During the download

TypePad Team Beta!

I am honored to have been selected (along with who knows how many others) to participate in the TypePad Beta team. I have been hosted on TypePad since I began blogging in September, 2004, and have loved the service from the start.

I am proud to have a voice in making - KEEPING! - TypePad as the best, most versatile, and service-oriented blogging platform!

So, you will probably see the occasional post about the new features TypePad puts into beta. And I promise, although I love TypePad, I will do my best to evaluate the new features fairly. But, you will need to remember that I'll be coming at it from the perspective of someone who has NO coding skills; therefore, I'm sure I'll be rating things according to a) how easy they are for me to use, and b) how relevant they are to how I blog. In other words, the more technical advances will probably get a pass from me ;-)

But thanks to TypePad for opening up this beta team to me; I hope that my input will improve TypePad and make it the most nimble and friendly blogging platform available!

Support the Semper Fi Act of 2008!

OK & TX U.S. Senators Introduce Semper Fi Act of 2008.

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma), Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-Oklahoma), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and David Vitter (R-Louisiana) introduced the Semper Fi Act of 2008. The bill would rescind over $2 million in hidden earmarks for Berkeley, California in the 2008 Omnibus Appropriations bill, and transfer the funds to the Marine Corps. U.S. Congressman John Campbell (R-California) is introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives. [...]

One earmark provides $243,000 in taxpayer dollars for the organization Chez Panisse to create gourmet organic school lunches in the Berkeley School District. Chez Panisse is dedicated to "environmental harmony" and their menu features "Comté cheese soufflé with mâche salad," "Meyer lemon éclairs with huckleberry coulis," and "Chicory salad with creamy anchovy vinaigrette and olive toast."

Another earmark would spend $975,000 in taxpayer dollars for the University of California in Berkeley Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, to create a new endowment and cataloging the papers of Congressman Robert Matsui.  U.C. Berkeley currently already has a $3.5 billion endowment.

OK, may I inquire what part of the Constitution supports giving money for organic gourmet lunches and college endowments? What right does the federal government have to spend OUR HARD-EARNED tax dollars that way?

Certainly, giving it to the Marines instead would promote national security, which *IS* the proper business of the federal government (or perhaps it would be good to use that money to BUILD THE BORDER FENCE?)

And, actually, when I was scanning Thomas for yesterday's congressional activity, I was amazed and disgusted with all the drivel that even comes up for a vote!

• Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya
• Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
• Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United States Explorer I
  satellite, the world's first scientific spacecraft, and the birth of
  the United States space exploration program.
• Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 99th anniversary.
• Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the special relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Thailand.

Just the first five results I saw... Now, I'm sure these are all well and good, and are items worthy of note and congratulations... But how about getting to the business of governing OUR country? How about something worthwhile, like, say... EARMARK REFORM?!

*hiss, spit* I've got all my fur ruffled in irritated indignation... *claws flexing*

 

Two wrongs

... don't make a right:

"House Republicans are deeply disappointed the speaker [Nancy Pelosi of California] and her Democratic colleagues have refused to join us in supporting an immediate moratorium on all earmarks," said House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, Ohio Republican. "Wasteful pork-barrel earmarks have become a symbol of a broken Washington."

Democrats blocked the measure in a 204-196 vote that split closely along party lines, prompting Republican charges that Democrats are soft on reforming earmarks, the process by which members slip pet projects into spending bills.

The vote to bring up the bill garnered support from 189 Republicans and seven Democrats. No Republicans voted to reject the measure.

Democrats, who passed some earmark reforms last year, said Republicans abused the earmark process for the dozen years they ran Congress and were now touting the issue solely for political gain.

"For the Republican Party leadership to belatedly give us lectures on earmarks is, in my view, akin to reformed alcoholics giving lectures on temperance," said Rep. David R. Obey, Wisconsin Democrat and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. "The previous Republican leadership was notorious for using earmarks as enticements in order to get their membership to vote for bills that individuals may otherwise not be inclined to vote for."

And...? Thus...? So...?

Therefore, because you guys are all miffed about the Republicans previous irresponsibility (and they were awful, I agree), now you're going to take your toys and go home without even trying to fix the problem?

You idiots! You DemocRATS ought to have grabbed the ball from the ReTHUGlicans and run with it - you should have spearheaded sweeping reform, and done your best to promote fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Instead, you're going into a sulk like spoiled toddlers.

Oh, yeah, that's right - we are talking about Congress, after all...

And besides, who better than a reformed alcoholic to talk about the evils and consequences of alcoholism?

Lest we forget, conservatives...

Today would have been Ronald Reagan's 97th birthday. He was a good man of integrity and courage, a man with a moral vision who wasn't afraid to stand for what it right and good and true. Yes, he had faults (who doesn't?), but his grace and easy humor paired beautifully with his character and humility and gave America a President worthy of leading this blessed country.

Ladies and gentlemen, I miss Ronald Reagan and the legacy and values for which he fought. But we don't need another Reagan, and we ought to stop looking for one. What America needs is a man (or woman) of character, integrity, honor, and courage who isn't Reagan but simply... himself.

Yes, that person will be standing on the shoulders of a giant - of many giants! - but Reagan's qualities didn't start with him, and they are not unique to him. Men and women of his caliber used to be all around us; where are they now? If conservatives want to return this wonderful country to the foundation of liberty and freedom and limited government, DON'T LOOK FOR ANOTHER REAGAN.

Look for a person of integrity, both in public and private life. Look for a person of courage, who can stand for what is right, even when the opposition is overwhelming. Look for a person who can speak the truth clearly and forcefully, but who can also laugh at themselves. Look for a person who is gracious and humble, who remembers and appreciates those who have given them support and encouragement. Look for a person who is optimistic, who loves this country and believes in the potential of our citizens. Look for a person who is thoughtful, who reviews the facts and can listen to and accept different opinions before making a decision. Look for a person who can make decisions with confidence, and without excessive concern for what the world thinks. Look for a person who can own up to a  mistake, and make an apology without passing the buck.

Reagan was a good man. He was a good president. But he's dead; let him enjoy his well-earned rest.

We don't need another Reagan. All we need is another person of honor, courage, and integrity.

(But, because he had great ideas, I'll post a video and transcript of his speech, "A Time for Choosing," below the fold...)

Just a little quiet time alone... With You

Last night at church, during the meeting for the Bible study groups going through Experiencing God, our pastor asked us to respond to one of the statements from the video, which had first made an appearance in last week's study:

I hear many people say, "I really struggle trying to have time alone with God." If that is a problem you face, let me suggest something; make the priority in your life to love Him with all your heart... People who struggle to spend time with God don't have a scheduling problem; they have a love problem. (p. 59)

The silence in the room went on for a while. I know that *I* didn't want to say anything because I know it's a problem in my life.

But as the members of our little group opened up, I listened and realized that I wasn't all that unusual: we all had problems getting away and finding time alone with God. We all struggled with guilt and a lack of faithful time with our loving Father. I wasn't alone in this.

Suddenly I realized that God doesn't require me to sit and study the Bible for hours on end - that's important, but that's not a relationship. I realized that I didn't have to meet with Him from 6:23 a.m. to 6:48 a.m. every day for a "quiet time" - that's legalistic. I didn't have to have a set schedule of 10 minutes of prayer, 15 of Bible study, three hymns, one teaching program and an hour of interceding for my country and my family... No.

God simply wants me to spend some time... with Him. He just wants me to talk... to Him. The irritations and fears and triumphs of the day need to be discussed... with Him. That wonderful song which touched my heart so much needs to be shared... with Him.

God just wants me to be with Him and love Him.

You know, He gave me a great example last week (which, being Madam Sieve-for-Brains, I promptly forgot): I was driving in to pick up the Munchkin at school, and I got a little nudge to just turn off the car radio and drive in the quiet. Suddenly, I started talking:

God, I really don't know how to do this. I mean, really, I am totally clueless here! I feel so out of control, I don't know what to do next, and I know I'm failing You. Sometimes I don't know why You bother with me; I'm a terrible Christian, and I don't love You as I should, but I don't know how! I'm feeling frustrated because I can never get it right, and absolutely helpless to move one way or another, and I just feel so STUCK! You have got to fix this, God, 'cause I don't know how and it's driving me completely out of my mind with irritation and disgust for myself!!! AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!

And just as I wound down, a little tendril of peace wiggled into my heart. Just a little piece, and it seemed to say, "It's OK. I've got you."

That's all.

But when I recalled the event last night, I realized... that's enough. That was all I needed to remind me of the God of the WHOLE UNIVERSE, who really and truly loves little ol' me... and just wants me to spend time with Him.

Even if it is in the car on the way to school. The glory of God, wrapped up in the mundane routine of life.

You know... God... is really - really! - COOL!

A conservative's dilemma...

Who to vote for?

I mean, I told an RNC caller just two months ago that the Republican Party could just kiss me goodbye if either Guiliani or McCain were the nominee. Guiliani, thankfully, has now made that point moot (unless he's a VP nominee *shudder*), but McCain looks to be the favorite at the moment.

Huckabee is all wrong; on the unlikely chance that he did win the White House, I truly think he'd be an embarrassment to Christians (rather like Jimmuh CAHtuh). Ron Paul, while he has a lot of good conservative principles, is really unelectable and I cannot abide some of the dreck surrounding him about 9/11 and the War on Terror. Romney? A "successful" Republican in a state that's so liberal they pass blue urine? I dunno...

I certainly can understand with Ann Coulter's assertion that she'll campaign for Hillary if McCain wins the Republican nomination; Clinton would certainly provide someone for Republicans to rally against... But I think that that argument really isn't sufficient. Besides, I'd rather vote FOR something... Yet, the need to vote against another corrupt Clinton in the White House is a possibility...

*sigh*

Frankly, I'm sick of the whole line up - on BOTH sides.

So at the moment I believe I'm firmly in the "They're all self-serving liars, and a lot can happen between now and November, so I'm throwing up my hands in intense frustration and waiting until October."

But, I swear, if I end up voting for McCain, I'll be slinking into the voting booth wearing stealth-clothes and carrying an airsick bag...

Can you say, "Pot, meet kettle"?

Google Assails Microsoft Over Yahoo Deal.

Google Inc. raised the specter of Microsoft Corp. using its proposed $42 billion acquisition of Yahoo Inc. to gain illegal control over the Internet, underscoring the online search leader's queasiness about its two biggest rivals teaming up.

*sigh* *yawn* Same stuff, different day... Of course, with the current level of animosity I have for MSoft, at the moment I think I'd be rooting for Google to take over the world...

Besides... YaHell?? The only product of theirs I use and enjoy is Flickr; the rest of it is irrelevant...

This... is just SO wrong...!

... I don't know that I'll ever be able to listen to Deep Purple again...

(**hiss**MEOW!**spit, spit** to K-man, who I will never forgive! LOL)

This Sunday's hymn...

More and more, I am loving the church I've been attending recently. It's small, but warm and welcoming - and we sing out of the hymnal! It's been so long since I've been in a church that uses and appreciates its hymnal. So, I'm learning new hymns and really enjoying the God-focus in them. Yes, my voice may waver off tune, but the music and the meaning help me lift my eyes to God in praise and true worship.

Each week, one hymn seems to leap out and grab me, so I'm going to try and post it so my readers can enjoy it, too. Thanks to a query by my friend David of Third World County, I've found a wonderful site called Timeless Truths, an online library which has a whole HOST of old hymns as well as mp3-type files so you can hear the melodies - and often sung by real people! Love it, love it, love it....

So this week's hymn is "Higher Ground," written by Johnson Oatman in 1898, and set to some music written by Charles Gabriel in 1892. Make sure you click to listen at the site!

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:
Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

UPDATE: Wow, I didn't realize, but Charles Gabriel also wrote the music for "His Eye is on the Sparrow," which is another hymn I love, and Johnson Oatman wrote the lyrics to "Count Your Blessings," which I mentioned the other day and which is another favorite hymn! There are so many fantastic old hymns, it's a shame they appear to be fading away...  And however much I love contemporary Christian music, there are very few people out there who really write good music that is doctrinally sound and God-centered...

The Armor of God (UPDATE: Completed)

Well, with all my computer issues (which have pretty much been resolved until I earn enough money for a new laptop) as well as our not-so-faithful Otto (the auto [get it? "Auto - Otto"? Never mind] music shuffling program) messing up over at Radio CIA, I haven't posted a new study in Ephesians in a bit. This will actually be the last installment I'll do for this epistle, covering chapter six, verses 10 through 20. The last few sentences of the letter are Paul's farewells to the church, and I wanted to concentrate on doctrine and exhortation.

"Wait!" you say. "What about chapter six, verses one through nine?" Well, I confess that I never posted that study, and recorded the show off of my notes instead of a full-blown, written essay. I will try to write it out soon, but if you ask me in a week or two (once the Beloved Husband grabs all the data off my old hard drive), I'll send the show's file to you via YouSendIt, all right?

By the way, I would love for my readers to let me know which book of the Bible you think I should go through next. I had been leaning toward Philippians, but 1 John is looking very interesting, too.... and then there's always James... Don't ask me to tackle Romans yet - I'd never leave it! Oooo, but Galatians might be a good beginning... So, please do let me know which one you think would be best, even if I didn't list it.

At any rate, let's jump in to the section about the Armor of God:

I know it's not really proper, but...

I have totally fallen in love with the LOLCat Bible Translation Project! It reminds me a little of the copy of the New Testament I have which was translated into Hawaiian pidgin (yeah, really), although it is much more light-hearted, of course.

Here's a sample from the LOLCat Bible - The Ten Commandments

1 Then Ceiling Cat spoked all them werds:

2 I iz Ceiling Cat An I iz Top Cat, An I broughted u out of hawt lend wit no cheezbrgrs for hard werk at all

3 No can has other ceiling cat!! U gotz other Ceiling Cat, I shoot yous wit mah lazer eyes.

4 If u try be Ceiling Cat of any of mai creayshunz up in floaty skai, down in erth or in watr or I shoot yous wit mah lazer eyes.5 If u think faek Ceiling Cat iz Ceiling Cat, I mek u ded An ur children ded An ur children-children ded, for being stupid.6 If not I wuv u An all ur childrenz-childrenz-childrenz!

7 U sez Ceiling Cat bad, I shoot yous wit mah lazer eyes, for I dun liek it. Srsly.

8 Remembur caturday An keep holy .9 U werk 6 dais An finish werk, K? 10 Caturday, u no werk. U An all ur peepz go wrship me. 11 I maded heavenz An erth An see An the stuff that does teh funney hoppey stuffz in An on it - so I make it holy cuz I no werk.

12 Bez u good to papa An mama so u has long lief.

13 U no mek peepz ded!

14 U no mek sexxes wit other gurlz or menz than ur wief (so no awsum treesum alowed!).

15 U no tek stuffs for free if not getz for free.

16 U no tell bad stuff about ur neibor.

17 U no wantz neibor stuff! No wief, no gurlz, no menz, no animulz, NO BUKKITZ! NOT YOURS.

Yes... Monstrous liberties with the text... But "Ceiling Cat" certainly cuts to the chase!

Well, **D'UH!** Ya think???

Illegal Immigration Debate Rages in Utah:

"It’s not a good situation," said Utah Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R.-North Ogden. "As other states take away the benefits, then we become a magnet, and I say that the best fence to build is not chain link and barbed wire, but is to take away the benefits — take away the perks of being an illegal immigrant."

The article has too many good quotes to excerpt, so I suggest you go read the whole thing. But, I've gotta add one more (it's my favorite!):

Perez, a U.S. citizen who came here from Mexico illegally three decades ago, said the community knows who is here illegally, but most of the illegal immigrants work hard and don't cause trouble.

"They need us, but we need them too because there’s nobody going back to the fields and do the job," he said. "Nobody’s going to do the dirty job that they’re doing."

Arguments like that don't fly with Cawley and his group. They say that by entering the country illegally, immigrants have forfeited their shot at the American dream.

"All that we ask is that you respect our flag, you obey the law and you assimilate into our value and culture, that’s all," Cawley said.

Yup. PreCISEly!

Don' MESS wit' me, bro'!

What military aircraft are you? EA-6B Prowler You are an EA-6B. You are sinister, preferring not to get into confrontations, but extract revenge through mind games and technological interference. You also love to make noise and couldn't care less about pollution.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Got this from the Military Motivator... You're not reading it??? SHAME on you!!!!

FRIDAY CATBLOGGING!!! (It's been far too long...)

It has, indeed, been too long... But Pixel (the bi-colored furrpurr) and Smudge (the pitty-white-kitty) were all snuggled up together cozy and warm today. They haven't been interested in snuggling with each other recently, so I had to take the shots.

Thus, for your viewing pleasure, and hot off the digital camera, here are the Precious Purrs, Reigning Monarchs of the CatHouse!

Smudgie, paranoid purr that she is, just HAD to keep her eye on me... But I love seeing comfy-cozy, curled-up, cuddle kitties on a quilt in cold climates!

Submitted to the Friday Ark over at the Modulator's, as well as to the Carnival of the Cats (hosted this week by When Cats Attack! I've also found that, during my long hiatus from CatBlogging, two new cat-worshiping round-ups have joined the fray: the Bad Kitty Cats Festival of Chaos (this week at the Bad Kitty Festival Home), and Weekend CatBlogging (an eminently sensible title!) which will be at A Byootaful Life.

Count your blessings - turning the question around

Due to a two hour delay for school this morning (blessing #1), I started surfing via my RSS feeds (blessing #2), and stumbled across the Instapundit's link to his wife's post, "What is right with the world." (blessing #3). Dr. Helen had gotten the question - sort of - from the Anchoress (blessing #4), when she posted "What's wrong with the world?" The Anchoress quotes G.K. Chesterton's reply from 100 years ago (blessing #5):

About 100 years ago, a British paper invited many writers to answer the same question, What’s Wrong With the World?  They extended the invitation to G. K. Chesterton who wrote back,

Dear Sirs;

I am.

Sincerely,
G.K. Chesterton

I will take his answer for my own.  Have at it.

Dr. Helen, as you see, turned that question around, which reminded me of this old song, "Count Your Blessings" (blessing #6):

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, indeed. See? I'm already up to six, and that's without even trying...

You see, actually, that both questions are good questions - and everyone needs to ask them. Part of the problem, however, is that when people answer the first question, "What is wrong with the world?" they don't have the same humble courage G. K. Chesterton had. Remember, when you point your finger at something, you have three other fingers pointing right back at you...

What is wrong with the world? I am.

I am selfish and self-centered. I want things my own way, and I want them now. Other peoples' needs and hurts are far less important than my own. If I am comfortable and secure in my own little world, then I have no need to worry about anyone else. If I am not all comfy-cozy, then I am preoccupied with my own hurt and anxiety and am quite willing to make it all about me, me, ME.

We are all like that, to one degree or another.

But after you have asked the first question, and answered it honestly, you now have the opportunity to answer the second question, "What is right with the world?" correctly:

• The Lord my God is beautiful in His holiness, power and mercy
• God my Savior has reached down to offer His hand to any who will take it
• The Creator of everything has proven His love for His creatures by a lonely death on a bloody Cross
• The King of Kings has conquered death and triumphantly risen by His own power
• The gentle Carpenter from Nazareth has taken me into His family because of His love and grace
• He has given me an honorable and loving husband as well as a beautiful and winsome daughter
• He has given me parents who love me and raised me to respect "old-fashioned" values
• He has given me good friends, who stand by me through thick and thin, giving love and encouragement
• He has given me health and comfort
• He has given me discipline and guidance
• He has given me food for my table and a roof over my head
• He has given me a country where I can still worship and obey Him in freedom and peace
• He has given me a voice to proclaim His glory, to make my opinion known, to laugh with family and friends, to share my small knowledge and offer love and support to those who need it
• He has given me hands for service, a heart of gratitude, and a soul full of praise and joy

What is wrong with the world? Me.

What is right with the world? God.

And that is as it should be...

I will extol You, my God, O King;
         And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You,
         And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
         And His greatness is unsearchable. 
         
One generation shall praise Your works to another,
         And shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
         And on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
         And I will declare Your greatness.
They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
         And shall sing of Your righteousness. 
         
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
         Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all,
         And His tender mercies are over all His works. 
         
All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,
         And Your saints shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
         And talk of Your power,
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
         And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
         And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
         
The LORD upholds all who fall,
         And raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
         And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand
         And satisfy the desire of every living thing. 
         
The LORD is righteous in all His ways,
         Gracious in all His works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
         To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
         He also will hear their cry and save them.
The LORD preserves all who love Him,
         But all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD,
         And all flesh shall bless His holy name 
         Forever and ever. (Psalm 145, NKJV)