‘If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the
newspaper you are misinformed.’
Mark Twain
I wonder if he would still say that today…?
Posts Tagged ‘news
24
Oct
12
Quote of the Week
I have been a denier on the subject of the Mayan Calendar and the end, I have even mocked the notion on this blog: I now realize that I was wrong.
I have been looking around the internet, listening to late-night talk shows and reading important items in the press; none of which was very convincing. Now I have seen it with my own eyes!
Here is the proof!!! This is a hydrangea bush on the north side of my house.
Another view…
As anyone who has ever visited my house in the summer (and it’s still spring!) can tell you, this bush has not bloomed before. I have lived here since 2006, and it has never had even a single bloom during that time. Now there is another hydrangea nearby, look at this:
This bush blooms every year, but there’s only a few white flowers on it. This is a few more than normal. Compare it to the plant that never blooms; amazing.
Now, just to be sure that you see carefully, here is the normal flower:
…and here is the flower on the bush that has never bloomed:
Can you see the difference? The bush that never bloomed has done so in this fateful year of 2012… and the blooms are RED!!! Obviously the world is coming to an end this December because the bush that never blooms has now bloomed more abundantly that any of the others, and the flowers are the color of BLOOD!!! (sort of) If that is not proof, I don’t know what is! I think I am going to write a book, make a DVD and get on Coast to Coast, I’ll bet the National Enquirer will pay a small fortune for the photos!
Now, don’t even think about being a denier like I used to be; we have to get ready for the end. We’ll all buy a bunch of food, maybe 10 years’ worth to hide in the basement. We’ll also run out and buy a bunch of guns and ammo. We’ll build walls around the house and some camo suits and stuff like that.
I’m not really sure what use that stuff will be when the world ends, but remember, I’m new at this!
Oh, I almost forgot: There was a dead bird in our pond this morning; see, that proves it again!!! (and the Cubs won yesterday, surely that proves the end is near)
OK, fine, be a kill joy. Of course all of the above is utter nonsense! The world will end what God decides it will, and I highly doubt that the Mayan Calendar will have anything to do with it. In the meantime, I’m not going to spend an instant worrying about it. I have an assignment, the one the Lord Jesus Christ gave to us and that is to go and make disciples… and that is what I’m going to do from now until He either takes me home, or brings this world to a conclusion. With this plan, I need not worry or sweat about the details; however He has it figured out will be just fine with me!
02
Jun
12
Diamond Jubilee!
I’ve never been much of a fan of Royalty or monarchy. As an American, I’ve generally taken the view that we fought two wars to be rid of kings and queens so who cares about the Royals?
Upon closer study, I still don’t want any part of monarchy for the USA, but there is one thing about Queen Elizabeth II that I must concede: Through a long and tumultuous time, she has demonstrated dignity, poise and class that is impossible to deny and sadly uncommon in our time. In short, I can’t help but to like and admire her.
I don’t have any idea what the “proper” thing is to write at this point, but this I will say to Her Majesty: Congratulations on reaching only the second Diamond Jubilee in history, and may there be many more years ahead! For our friends in the UK, I hope that you have a great celebration this weekend, and that you are duly appreciative of the class that your Queen demonstrates for all the world to see. She represents your great Nation very well indeed.
11
Apr
12
Quote of the Week
“Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.”
– Milton Friedman
Interesting thought these days!
06
Feb
12
Happy Birthday Ronald Reagan!
Image via Wikipedia
Well you guessed it, today is Mr. Reagan’s birthday…
I hardly know where to start with this one; I realize that Reagan remains a controversial figure today, but this isn’t a political blog as a rule, so I’ll let others discuss that side of the man.
One thing, though… even if a person disagrees with his politics, which is hard for me to follow, he is hard not to like as a person.
Image via Wikipedia
I well recall him as Governor of California, having grown up there in the 1960′s; lots of people were griping that he was cutting this and cutting that… yet even at a young age it occurred to me that if someone were complaining about ‘cutting’ things, they were completely forgetting that in order to pay for those things, the money had to be taken from someone else. Nobody ever wanted to talk about that! Oh, sorry, I wasn’t going to go there was I?
OK: Back on track now!
Since we are coming from a Christian perspective here, I have a favorite Reagan story for you. When Mr. Reagan was in the White House and it was time for the annual prayer breakfast one year, Mr. Reagan decided that he would give the blessing himself; after all they were eating at “his” table, right? The protocol and legal people gave him the briefing: There can be no mention of Jesus Christ, all prayers must be ‘non-sectarian’ and so forth… and no matter what, you cannot end the prayer “in Jesus’ name”.
When it came time for the blessing for the meal, President Ronald Reagan gave his prayer before all of the cameras and microphones and ended “in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Asked later about it, Mr. Reagan is reported to have said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know any other way to pray.”
And to that all I can say is that you Sir, and Happy Birthday!
Image via Wikipedia
Supreme Court turns away local government appeal over prayer at public meetings
By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, January 17, 9:09 AM
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from a North Carolina county commission over the mostly Christian prayers offered at the beginning of its public meetings.
The justices on Tuesday left in place a federal appeals court ruling that held that the predominantly Christian prayers at the start of Forsyth County commission meetings violated the First Amendment’s prohibition on government endorsement of a particular religion.
The commission said its doors have long been open to religious leaders of many faiths. But the appeals court in Richmond, Va., found that more than three-quarters of the 33 invocations given before meetings between May 2007 and December 2008 referred to “Jesus,” ‘’Jesus Christ,” ‘’Christ” or “Savior.”
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Lots more to follow tomorrow!
08
Dec
11
Evil on the Rise: Another Story
I made a rash decision! I rashly decided to find news stories that would answer the question, “Is Evil on the Rise?” I did so when I read the story from Canada that I’ve already posted. When you actually go out there looking for news stories about Evil, it’s simply too easy to find them.
So here’s a new story from the top of the news, and again I will pose the new question: Is there something in all of this for a Christian to learn? (Or is all of this as old as the Scriptures…or BOTH?)
Jerry Sandusky Arrested on New Sex Abuse Charges – ABC News
By COLLEEN CURRY
Dec. 7, 2011
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested and jailed today in the wake of new sexual assault charges filed against him by a grand jury.
Sandusky was handcuffed and taken out of his home by state police and brought to an arraignment before a judge in Centre County, Pa., for the new charges, which include assaulting two boys involved in his Second Mile charity.
Sandusky was taken to Centre County Correctional Facility for processing and will remain there until bail is posted. His attorney, Joe Amendola, said he is getting paperwork together to try and post bail by Thursday morning. Bail was set at $250,000, cash, although the prosecutor had asked for $1 million. If bail is posted, Sandusky is not permitted to step onto Penn State property and will be monitored electronically.
Amendola told ABC News that he had no knowledge of the charges ahead of the arrest.
Read the Criminal Complaint Against Jerry Sandusky
“I’m very disappointed that I didn’t even get a courtesy call that new charges had been filed. I had to find out from the media,” Amendola said.
Sandusky, wearing Penn State pants at the time of his arrest, requested that the arraignment not begin until Amendola arrived at the courthouse, according to ABC affiliate WPVI.
WPVI
Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State… View Full Size
Jerry Sandusky Arrested, Two More Alleged Victims Watch Video
Penn State Scandal: Accusers to Face Sandusky Watch Video
Sandusky Angers Accusers in New Interview Watch Video
Amendola greeted Sandusky in the courtroom by saying, “Told you. We had this discussion. Some day you will listen to me,” to which Sandusky smiled, according to WPVI.
In court, Amendola asked for lower bail, arguing that his client was not a flight risk, and that he’d been subjected to heavy media coverage and confined to his home.
The new alleged victims came forward in the wake of the earlier allegations against Sandusky, including 40 counts of child molestation, for which he was charged on Nov. 5.
According to the state attorney general, both men met Sandusky through the Second Mile charity, were plied with trips to football games, and were abused by him in Sandusky’s home.
The man, now 19 and identified as Victim 9, met Sandusky at a Second Mile swimming event when the boy was 11 or 12, according to new information in the grand jury presentment. Sandusky asked for his phone number, which he then used to ask the boy’s mother if he could spend more time with the boy, and then proceeded to pick the boy up from school and take him to Sandusky’s home for sleepovers.
At the Sandusky home, the boy said he was forced to stay in the basement at all times, and was even brought his meals there by Sandusky and told not to leave. He testified that he had little contact with Dottie Sandusky, Jerry’s wife, and that she never came to the basement. Sandusky allegedly sexually assaulted the boy in the basement bedroom numerous times, including forcible rape. On one occasion, the boy screamed for help, hoping Dottie Sandusky would hear him from upstairs, but she did not come downstairs, he said.
The man testified that Sandusky would also take him to a hotel in State College and assault the boy in the pool and jacuzzi there.
The other victim identified in the new allegations, now in his mid-20s, says Sandusky met him through the Second Mile when he was 10 and invited him to his home for a Penn State football game. Sandusky then started a pattern of abuse that included wrestling with the boy and then pulling his pants off and performing oral sex on him, according to the testimony.
The man said that Sandusky also groped him in the campus swimming pool before playfully throwing him above water.
Sandusky also allegedly requested oral sex from the boy on multiple occasions, including one time in a vehicle while the two were driving somewhere. The boy refused, and terminated his relationship with Sandusky.
The new charges include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors.
The new charges will be included in an already-scheduled preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
via Jerry Sandusky Arrested on New Sex Abuse Charges – ABC News.
08
Dec
11
Evil on the Rise?
Is Evil on the rise in today’s world? In light of the news of recent years, many people might think… in the Middle East or other areas that seem remote and far away. But how about in places closer to home? How about in place where you just don’t usually hear about terrible things happening?
Our usual frames of reference tell us that you don’t have violent anti-Jewish acts going on in Canada or the US, but they are on the rise… as are quite a few other things that might surprise you. Here is a story of one such incident. In coming weeks, I will post some more. Are there lessons for Christians in all of this?
Charges pending against student for setting girl’s hair on fire, uttering slurs
Winnipeg – Charges are pending against a 15-year-old male student who allegedly uttered antisemitic slurs at a Jewish girl of the same age, then proceeding to light her hair on fire using a lighter on Nov 18.
Police are looking into the Oak Park High School hallway incident. The accused student, who is said to have possible neo-Nazi and skinhead ties, was arrested last Friday and was later released on the promise to appear in court.
According to Lawrence Lussier, Pembina Trails School Division superintendent, “There was definitely some racial comments made and some physical aggression occurred…[the] ends of [the girl’s] hair were singed [by a lighter].”
The school was made aware of the incident, when, three days after it took place, the female student came forward, telling a counsellor what occurred. The male student was then suspended, and has since withdrawn from the Charleswood-area school (where the female student continues to attend).
“We are still working with the school principal on educational efforts that will promote respect and acceptance and hopefully prevent any futures action like this. This is not something that happens regularly,” said Lussier.
Other students were present while the assault occurred, and some of the witnessing students assisted the victim afterwards.
Senior members of the Crown (due to the uniqueness of the allegations) are considering what charge is most applicable. Although a hate crime charge is possible, it is unlikely (due to such a crime’s definition), but it may be used as an aggravating sentencing factor. An assault-with-a-weapon charge is more likely.
As the accused male student is a youth, any charge he may face would be under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The quiet community of Charleswood and fellow Oak Park students are disturbed and shocked by this incident.
In B’nai Brith Canada midwest regional director Alan Yusim’s view, this occurrence “tears at the fabric of the community…. There should be zero tolerance for any hate-motivated activity in our schools…. It’s unfortunate these things happen, but they’re out there, and they must be dealt with effectively because everybody’s a victim when that sort of an incident occurs.”
As of late Monday morning, Yusim has been in an in-depth discussion with the victim’s mother.
“Between the time the incident occurred and this morning [Dec. 5], five students have been suspended over this – one of whom has been arrested and charged, and another will be arrested, charged, and taken down to the police station today,” said Yusim.
“The police can charge an individual with murder, but cannot charge an individual with a hate crime. Only the attorney general can sign on personally to add the element of hate as an aggravating or primary factor in a case like this. But at least the police have a charge they can work with, with assault or assault with a weapon.”
Yusim said such incidents are sadly not new. “They are insidious and happen everywhere.
“B’nai Brith will do everything we can to assist the victims, the school, and the school division in developing programs to take action against hate-motivated activity.
“B’nai Brith Canada is calling on the community to report all acts of antisemitism and hate-motivated activity by calling our anti-hate hotline 1-800-892-2624 or email http://www.bnaibrith.ca. Professionals are ready to assist victims 24/7.”
via Jewish Tribune – Charges pending against student for setting girl’s hair on fire, uttering slurs.
Here is a local TV Newscast about this incident:
Keep an eye out for more “Evil on the Rise” and let’s see if there are some lessons for Christians in all of this…
10
Nov
11
Penn State Perspective
Like everyone else, I’ve been listening all week to story after story about the terrible Penn State sex scandal. It is clearly one of the most disturbing quagmires that have come to light in many years.
The alleged child molestation of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is beyond contempt. The apparent cover up by University officials is beyond belief. The behavior of the students in the wake of Coach Paterno‘s dismissal is revolting. I could go on, but unless you’ve been living in a cave, you already know all of this…
Joe Paterno
The aspect of this that I would like to concentrate upon in this post is simply this:
We place our trust in institutions, in men and women of high reputation and in the system of laws and justice that we have created… and they fail to protect the least of those among us; including our little children.
Let’s consider some of the se things that are in play in this sordid story:
Penn State University is one of the finest institutions of higher learning in America. Their reputation has been unquestioned and above reproach. In fact, several years ago, I sent my own son to a rugby camp there; it was a wonderful experience for him. Now look at what has happened… over a 17 year period, no less.
Main entrance of Old Main, at Penn State
As for the individuals involved, it is truly sad that Coach Paterno, who has been a role model for over 60 years, whose accomplishments and integrity have been held up for all to respect, has found himself in such a terrible position. Yet, how can an open-minded person look at the news of this past week and not wonder how anyone could have been so dense that he allowed Mr. Sandusky to still be using the facilities just last week… in spite of all that he had to have known. Let’s be fair here… Coach Paterno may not have grasped early on the seriousness of what was going on. He may never have intended to harm anyone… but he was called before the Grand Jury, how could he not have a very good idea of what they were investigating… and Sandusky is still on his premises!
It is all so very sad…
We would be wise to recall that things like this have happened before, in fact they are as old as the Scriptures. “And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.” (Isaiah 5:7b)
There are literally hundreds of references like this in the Bible… and the newspapers have been full of this sort of scandal for decades… The sad reality is that the institutions of men will fail.
There is only One who will not fail, and He is the One in whom we must put our faith and trust.
In light of all that we have heard and read this past week, maybe it’s about time that we put our faith where it belongs, in our Lord Jesus Christ. In His love, let us seek forgiveness. In His steadfastness, let us place our reliance. In His faithfulness, let us place our faith.
Related articles
- Penn State Scandal: Riot for Joe Paterno a Permanent Black Eye for University (bleacherreport.com)
- As Penn State’s players struggle with scandal’s fallout, I feel for them (aol.sportingnews.com)
