Passports, President, Politics and Pastors! Part 1of 3

By SEANCHAÍ (Gaelic for "The Storyteller")

Gentle Readers,

As I told you in the past but just to remind some of our new readers my family comes from Mallow County Cork in (where else? Ireland). By way of Toronto Canada and then when no one was looking we came to the United States (No really we are here legally, just joking no one can understand my humor anyway they can’t tell when I am joking or not, you choose- rather like the election). I have spent more time in school and study around the world than most. I have in fact a world class education (from several world class universities.) (Not bragging just fact, teaching and preaching). Hundreds of Churches and thousands of people have heard me preach and teach with coffee cup in hand telling all sorts about the love of God and His Son. and what Grace is all about.

It’s been more than 15 years since I have been home (Ireland) and we have settled in here for the reasons that I am about to relate. A fact that you might not know Ireland is one of the countries that can carry a dual citizenship that is the U.S. Government will recognize the Irish Citizenship even though I can be a citizen of both countries.

Now for about 10 years I was pastoring in a small church just outside of Springfield Illinois when I received a call from my mother in Indiana that my step father had contracted Alzheimer’s disease, a fatal brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Knowing that my mother would need help

We resigned our post at this little church that we loved and moved to Indiana to help my mother. My step father lingered for a long time and we bought a little home to be close. I took the first job I could to pay the necessary bills at a Blueprint shop (where Ammonia is used to develop the blueprints- more on that latter). The shop in Indiana required me to work 14-16 hour days 7 days a week just to keep up with the jobs that came in and as a consequence I suffered a massive heart attack called Myocardial infarction or MI [which is is the death of heart muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. ] I lost a 1/3 of my heart due to the heart attack. But within a month I was back at work....

To be continued ...

The Politics of Hate (Aren't we better than this?)

Dear Gentle Reader,

One last thing before the election takes place, I have seen good people take sides on both of the candidates some for senator McCain others for Senator Obama. Frankly I have been pulled by groups from both sides.

But what bothers me the most is that I have not seen so much passion about the things that I deem important. Recently I watched a rally for Senator McCain (I watch way to much news, from CNN to Fox and everything in between, I even have been able to get Marti to become interested in the political scene). I heard these things being said about Senator Obama coming from the crowd. "Terrorist, traitor, KILL HIM, Lynch him..." I have also seen women (I wonder if they were ladies) beat up on some college students, because they didn’t agree with those around them.

And I remember an innkeeper who told a young mother to be and her husband "there’s no room in the inn" Go stay in a stable, and so they did and her child was born in the lowest of places.

Well, gentle reader, in my humble opinion, there is no room for "the politics of Hatred" whether you agree with one of the political candidates or the other. The is no room for such demonstrations of hatred in this country.

We have room for millions of immigrants (Your family and mine were immigrants once)! But hatred?

If we claim (there that pesky Greek word again åé ) if and it is true { A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.: - forasmuch as, if, that, ([al-]) though, whether. Often used in connection or composition with other particles} To be a Christian then how is it that we see around us so much hatred? And who feeds off of this hatred? I hate to even suggest it Gentle reader, but perhaps we are now living in the Post-Christian era in America.

Remember that bully who beat you up when you were in grade school or high school I do. His name was Jack Morrison (he was just mean and a bully) he beat me up every day and at the time I didn’t know how to defend myself. Well He grew up now and so did your bullys. In my case I spent almost 30 years learning Tae Kwon do with such people (Here is where I become a name dropper, sorry but you need to get the whole picture) Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris, Mike Stone (He taught Elvis Presley’s wife) Ed Parker (Father of American Karate) Jhoon Ree (Father of American Tae Kwon Do) Ans so many others. To tell you that I was one of the best (At the time I was ranked 3^rd in the all Korea Championship). So I learned bent on taking revenge.

Now back to Jack Morrison (the bully) I came to Lafayette, IN after serving during the Vietnam conflict. Jack Morrison was on my mind. I found him drinking a beer in a Pizza Hut and I walked up to him intending to do so major bodily harm, But then Gentle Reader, something happened. Jack had been told that I was looking for him , and he laughed.

But when he was told that I now was a Black belt in Korean Karate and wanted to see him again. His laugh changed to a weak whimper.

So as I walked up to Jack, and said ("Dia dhuit, Conás átá tú - Hello, how are you?, in Irish) Jack turned white expecting some sort of Bruce Lee scream and me to knock him in to the next zip code.

But Gentle Reader, what I saw was a middle aged fat man with no thought of doing good to anyone nor no hope for any future beyond sitting on a stool in a pub drinking and frying his brains with false courage. I walked away, but the point of this revelatory story is to point out no matter who ever you vote for and what ever outcome. We are still the best hope of the world and we are so much better than to spread hate around not only this country but the world. Join with me as we pray not that God will cause who ever we like to be elected but that His will be do one earth as it is in Heaven. Just remember Gentle reader, God doesn’t take sides, He takes over.

So Gentle reader,

I hope you’ll vote for your passion and I hope your passion is not to take revenge but that for this historical moment in History that we turned into better people, to people who value decency, love, compassion, and kindness. Which reminds me of something our Apostle Paul said "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:22-25).

As we change presidents let’s also change our direction of our attitudes. Just my hope and prayer for this country and people.

Love ,

Denis

I know James Garner and

Your no maverick!

Gentle Readers,

 Did you watch last night?

 Did you you get the impression that only one person came to debate. The other came to wink, look cute and give a 90 minute commercial!  This is what you have to look forward too? Where's my passport?

The NO spin zone?

Gentle Readers,

Bill O'Reilly find himself on the end of a Intellectual. Why are intellectuals considered liberal. When there are intellectual on both sides. Let's think outside the box.

 

 

this is the 1st part of the segment.
David Letterman knocks out Bill O'Reilly AGAIN! 27Oct06
Bill O'Reilly at one point in his face off with David Letterman attempted to stump Letterman and prove Iraq had ties to terrorism by sighting Ansar al-Islam. According to O'Reilly, Ansar al-Islam was a terrorist group tied to al-Qaeda who was in Iraq before the war working with Saddam Hussein. Of course, it's a lie. O'Reilly LIES ALL THE TIME! IT'S A SHAME PEOPLE LISTEN TO THIS "undereducated person" AT ALL.

The Senate Report of Pre-War Intelligence on Iraq has concluded that Ansar al-Islam was considered a threat to the Saddam regime. They were enemies -- not allies.

David Letterman doe a great job standing up for his own beliefs and for the average American.

O'Reilly just plays for the greedy who want more and the ignorant fools who know no better. It's a sad stae of affairs here now. But even normal middle of the road folks like Dave are just fed up, and to see this by accident just past midnight on NBC was like a breath of fresh air.

Love,

Denis

Bailout?

It's the Economy, stupor

Dear Gentle Readers,

Somehow our congress doesn't get it so here is a suggestion from a friend. The numbers are not mine but I think the principle is right.

To my fellow Americans......

*I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.*

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a *We Deserve It Dividend*.

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18 . 
Our population is about 301,000,000 /- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18   into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18 as a *We Deserve It Dividend*.

Of course, it would *NOT* be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18 has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18 has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
*What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?*

*Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.*

*Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads*

*Put away money for college - it'll be there*

*Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.*

*Buy a new car - create jobs*

*Invest in the market - capital drives growth*

*Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves*

*Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else*

*Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18   **including the folks* who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00  economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, *let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18 !*

*As for AIG - liquidate it.*

Sell off its parts. (send the high priced CEO'S to Iraq or Afghanistan let them give until it hurts) 

Let American General go back to being  UN American General.
Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

*Here's my rationale.* *We deserve it and AIG doesn't.*

*Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."*

But can you imagine the *Coast-To-Coast Block Party*!

How do you spell* Economic Boom?*

*I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion* *We Deserve It Dividend* more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.

And remember, this plan only *really *costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

*PS:  *Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it's either good for a laugh *or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use *$85 Billion!!

 I am just saying....

 P.P.S. Put our dollar back on the Gold Standard (everybody gains when we do that!

 Denis

Stealing your money

Dear  Gentle Reader,

Election 2008 remains the most important election I have ever witnessed. For example You money, your investments are not only at risk but will be the last you see of it, if some get their way!  This just in!

Buried deep in Treasury Sec. Henry Paulson's  hastily crafted plan is,  Section 8.

What does Section 8 do?

It grants Paulson unlimited authority to do whatever he wants with the trillion bucks. ALSO, it insulates him from ever having to answer -- in court or elsewhere --  for his handouts to the Wall Street mob that got us into this bind.

It's just like Cheney's trickery that snookered Congress into attacking Iraq -- don't worry about the details; we'll handle that. Anyone who dared ask questions was branded as an enemy of the people.

Paulson's crafty Section 8 probably also reminds Congress of how they were stampeded into approving -- without question -- the USA PATRIOT Act, which, it turns out, evaporated the American people's protections from the predatory Present Administration (Bush in case you forgot who stole your young men and lives to make a name for himself) regime. Remember: anyone who bothered to ask a single question about THAT one also was branded a traitorous terrorist sympathizer.

Now, the Bushies are branding anyone who asks a single question about Paulson's plan a threat to the nation's existence.

Maybe, just maybe, Congress learned a tiny lesson from getting burned so badly on the WMDs and the PATRIOT Act.

There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.  ~Alexis de Tocqueville

So Gentle when you think of your money being used to bail the Billionaires who couldn't stop their greed long enough to help their fellow Americans. Just Remember the Boston tea party!

I am just saying, when you vote make it count!

 Love,

Denis

The American Dream (Part 2)

Remember Gentle Reader, one  true voice rings louder than a crowd!

Gentle reader,

 In Michigan there are those who would stop people who have lost their homes from voting Hmmm who could that be? Try the initials GOP.

And here in Indiana the Governor (running for reelection) who has cut spending to those homeless people and cut health care for 1000's says that he intends to privatize the whole system. More graft?

Since I lost my job through Indiana's "right to work law" which states that an employer can fire anyone without cause, It's quite popular if you can't afford to send jobs overseas to send them to Indiana (a red state)! I suffered a massive heart attack and lost 1/3 of my heart and a lung! 

Why don't we demand that these "public servants" work for the same wages that we do?

 Am I mad? No Gentle Reader, for I know the expression that my father told me. When good people stand up for transparency in Government then the vermin will scurry for the darkness.  

 It's time to send a message heard round the world. That is, all Americans  Red, Blue, or neutral want Government to be fair and balanced. If they can't they don't get to go to Washington anymore.

Those in Washington are neither dedicated rightist or dedicated leftist  they are just dedicated to staying there!

The Fault is not only with Wall Street as some  politicians would like you to believe, for it was congress who deregulated the system to begin with and when you lost your home you could see the "fat cats" getting rich (which is OK as long as they don't steal from someone to do it). The Prime mover and shaker of de regulation who wrote the laws was a Republican and adviser to Senator John McCain, Phil Graham a ex senator and lobbyist for the  Big Banking System! 

 I am just saying, get to know your Government!

 Love, 

Denis   

P.S. Next  Time I'll share with you details of how at least in this State Politicians play fast and loose with the people that are sworn to protect and serve. How I lost my job, home and all health benefits among other things. I know that many of you have similar stories. Am I a patriot ask those soldiers who I trained in the VietNam conflict (heroes all)!

 

 

The American Dream

Is not dead ....It just has been hijacked!

Gentle Reader,

For the next few weeks, I have decided to wade in on our Political scene, So for the time being we will suspend the study on the ‘Gospel of Judas" The first thing you need to know is where I am coming from. So here is a brief background I am a conservative Evangelical. I majored in Government/Political and Economics and History in College. My undergraduate degree was with a Bachelors of Science in what was then called a Social Area major with more than 100 semester credit hours  or 90% of my studies in those subjects with the intent of finishing law school and intending to go on to become a Constitutional Lawyer. (I never made it,  God had other ideals).

I have tried to keep quiet about the recent events however I believe that this election will be a defining moment in this Nations History. So what you can expect from me is as much as lies within me a honest appraisal of this that I observe. I do not plan to take cheap shots at either major Party. For in truth this is more than just an Political Election and if you wish to vote for a Party that certainly is your right. So if I offend your donkey or elephant I do so with love of this Great Country.

Here the rules I will go by. I am neither a wild eyed liberal nut case nor a Radical rightist I am an American Citizen with the same rights that you have (more or less). I am not partisan I will tell you as much truth as you can handle,  if you believe me then pass these facts on if you don’t then show me where I am wrong and if you are factual enough and convincing enough then I will change my position and thank you for it.

First of all let me say it not a matter of Right or Left it is a matter of Right and Wrong. So let’s start with some of my considered suggestions as to how to turn our Economy around.

Our Elected officials are called "public servants" that is they are to serve the public trust. If we can’t trust a public leader then they should not be in Public Office.  If we need to sacrifice, then they should also, (and are subject to the same laws [rule of Law] as you and me. So since our constitution has be abrogated by the present administration (The George W. Bush Administration) We the people need to take back our "rights" that have been "stolen" from us. We need transparency in our Government.

Why is it that the Vice President and administration officials(e.g. Karl Rove et al) get to ignore the "Rule of Law" To ignore legal Congressional Subpoena and ignore our official law making body? Can you do this? We need someone (not to blame) but to be accountable!

Who else has decided that Subpoenas are like Trix (for kids) Why Gentle reader the potential Vice Presidential Candidate for the Republican Party (and her husband) Is this the transparency that you want?

Why doesn’t Congress vote to suspend all their salaries for one fiscal year? So they may get in touch with what your going through?

How about the gas, or milk or bread that you are paying more for than you ever have?

Let’s put our devalued American dollar back on the Gold Standard (each dollar has an equal value in Gold) Everyone gains in this way. And our trade deficit becomes less and we own more  not less.

Let’s hold these high priced C.E.O.’s to return they "Golden parachute" the millions of dollars in bonuses they took from the stockholders while the stockholders lost millions in their savings.

It’s time Gentle Reader to take our country back would you not agree?

More later,

Love,

 The jury is still out!

Denis