Is the Sky Really Falling?

For days now, every time I see or hear the news all I hear about is how we are all going to die from this swine flu pandemic. Is it really that bad? I suspect not. There has been 1 death thus far from swine flu in the United States. Meanwhile since the first of the year there have been over 10 thousand deaths from the regular old boring flu. You know the kind you already had back in February.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we don't need to take a look at this strain, however I suspect it is only a slightly more dangerous version that the one I seem to get twice a year anyway.

If I were to venture a guess, I would think the only people at serious risk are the very young, very old, and those whose immune systems are compromised. So, the exact same people who need to be concerned about any strain of the flu.

Lets take a look at a segment from this article....

A 6 to 7 percent death rate would make the Mexican swine flu nearly three times
deadlier than the worst flu pandemic in the last 100 years — the 1918 Spanish
flu, which killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million people worldwide.

Seriously. Really. You gotta be kidding me. The swine flu which has killed less than 200 people worldwide is now worse than a flu which killed almost 50 million people. What world am I living in. I can only shake my hand at what passes for journalism.

Garage Sale Phenomenon

I don't know if it is a chemical found somewhere in the recesses of the female brain, or simply a symptom of cabin fever, but just as quickly as the first few days of spring hit the garage sale signs begin to appear. It's almost as if they spring right up out of the ground as a result of the spring showers.

These garage sales I mention are a great love for my wife. I on the other hand loath them. I shouldn't. My wife is the queen of the garage sale and can sniff out a bargain from many blocks away. She gets that look in her eye and God help me if I'm in the car, for surely I will be her hostage until she has satisfied her addiction to the beast.

It isn't that I don't see the value of the garage sale. I can see their purpose, and the value associated. I just don't care for digging through the debris to find the possible treasure at the bottom.

While I Wasn't Paying Attention in Church

While I would like to pretend that I am the ideal parishioner, I confess that often I am not. This past Sunday while the preacher was speaking on the topic of.... well I forgot that too, I was thinking of something else. Although this time I can say it was Jesus who was occupying my thoughts.

If Jesus were to arrive today in the United States, not to take us to heaven, but if His first coming were to be today, I would love to just sit and pick His brain. I found myself wanting to ask about what we as a nation should do regarding the "War on Terror". What we as a nation should do about our economy, or poverty or gun laws. If He came today, I would ask Him and surely he would tell me, and probably agree with what I believed all along.

It was then that it hit me. Those are exactly the thoughts the pharisees were having. They thought Jesus would come as a reigning king. He would ride in, destroy the roman oppressors and lead Israel back to her promised glory. Instead He came and spoke to individuals.

If Jesus were to have come for the first time, and I saw Him, maybe I would have asked those questions. If I had, I believe Jesus would have answered cryptically because I would have been asking the wrong questions.

The right questions are. What should I do about the killing in my town? What should I do about my neighbor who needs help? What should I do about the poverty around me? What should I do? That is the question.

Thankfully I don't have to wonder. He already told me.

Shame on you, Associated Press.

What is the Associated Press trying to prove with this story?

The Headline reads, "For Somalis, Piracy Road to Power, Prosperity". That's right ladies and gentlemen the Somali people can not be faulted for taking over a ship and holding it's crew hostage for millions of dollars. What choice do they have? This is the same argument liberals have been using to justify gang violence for years.

The story goes on to say, "For young Somalis, piracy offers a life of adventure and money: At sea, they are armed with automatic weapons, rockets and grenades. On land, they are a cross between a town official and a gangster rapper — with grand houses, luxury cars and beautiful wives." Do you notice how the writer of this story attempts to glamorize the life of a hostage taker, and how you are almost encouraged to sympathize with the plight of the pirate?

Shame on the AP for writing this story, and shame on Fox News for running it. These are terrorists. Or should I say were terrorists.

3 out of the 4 hostage takers were killed by snipers this Easter morning. The 4th surrendered. And yet the headline says that the hostage was "released". No he wasn't released, he was rescued heroically.

I'm so tired of the way the news organizations vilify our military all the while sympathizing with our enemies.

Adoption Blog

My wife had asked me if I'd want to simply use my existing blog to become our adoption blog. Well the answer is no. I am far to indulgent to give up my home of political and religious rants to give this one up.

So, in light of that fact, Here is the link to our new blog where you can follow our adoption process, and find out a little bit more about us.

Let the fund raising begin. A few moments ago my wife and I submitted our application to adopt a child (possibly 2) from Ethiopia. This is one of the poorest countries in the world and some estimates have as many as 4 million children under 18 orphaned. Many of those orphans are living with other relatives and friends, but far too many have noone to care for them.

Costs are likely to run us between 25 and 30 thousand dollars. By almost anyone's estimate that is a staggering number that truely gave us pause. We don't have that kind of money, but we are believing that God will provide the funds.

A number of questions come to mind. Just a couple of those include; Why outside the United States when there are so many kids needing loved here in our own country? Why would it cost so much money?

First I'll address why so many couples go outside the United States. I know you are thinking we made this decision in order to be seen as trendy like Jolie or Madonna. In a word it is due to lawyers. If my wife and I adopt within the United States the costs would be slightly less, but birth parents rights would allow them to claim parental rights in some cases up to years after the adoption. Depending on the State. In addition we were told we would likely be on a waiting list for 4 years or more. Why, when apparently there are so many kids needing a good home? All I know is that is what happens when the government does anything. Overseas the process can be done in as little as 6 to 9 months. More likely 15 months, but still far sooner than 4 years.

Second is the issue of costs. While I don't like that it would cost so much to adopt I do understand that there are staff both in the United States and the country where the child resides. In addition Christian World Adoption (the organization who we are using) actually provides care for both children destined for adoption, and those who will not. This costs money. In addition flight costs are not exactly inexpensive. We are expecting (estimating high for safety)up to 8 thousand dollars in airline costs.

We are very excited and will be putting up a separte blog for those of you wishing to follow our process.

Am I a Republican?

I don't consider myself a Republican. I consider myself a conservative. Obviously much of the time that means I lean to the Republican party, which more closely matches my convictions. Am I ready though to join the ranks of a party to which I become more disillusioned with each passing day?

The cause for this self examination is the chair of my county's Republican party who continues to petition me to not only join, but to serve as a treasurer on the county board. I will admit that I am torn. I hesitate to become part of a group (as a national party, not on the county level) that has disappointed me more often than not in the past 6 years or so.

On the other hand this would give me the opportunity to help guide the direction of the party at a grass roots level.