January 2, 2007

What’s new in 2007?

Apparently not a great deal – the world is violent, the United States still maligned (especially from within), and certain reporter(s) (One must assume there is more than one “list”.) from the mainstream press apparently have exclusive knowledge of what makes a trend; what is in and what is out, what is hot and what is. Not. Since when? One would think such lists would be available from luminary publications such as “Cosmopolitan”, “Seventeen”, “Star” and the ever popular supermarket tabloid “The National Enquirer” – not so. One only needs to go to the pages of that great American tabloid, the Washington Post, to find the answer to 2007’s trends. Self-proclaimed “List Czar”, Hank Steuver (extensive bio available at Hank Seuver.com gives American’s, nay, the world, the guideline to personal behavior this coming year.

Hank’s Washington Post approved advice. God is out, promiscuity is in. His extensive list includes: Out: Bringing Sexy Back: In: Bringing Soldier’s Back; Out: Blood Diamonds (when we’re they ever in?), In: Moissanite (not according to WWD), Al Gore made both the in and the out list: Hank conflicted. Bible Study Groups are to be replaced by Iraq Study Groups, and the list goes on ad nausea.

So, is this actually a “what’s hot and what’s not?” list? Hardly. Thinly veiled enthusiastic sarcasm regarding the powers that be in Washington, (or incoming and outgoing more to the point), (Bibles out: must be referring to those “right wing Christian’s who failed to retain a house seat in 2006. Promiscuity, Al Gore, No God in the Public Square or America’s Conscious, must be aimed at “that other party”.

In any event, Mr. BBC, Mr. MSNBC, Mr. Washington Post Lifestyle Writer (Give me a break), while trying to be savvy and funny, comes across a bit Borat (tasteless “documentary” that received rave reviews in this same paper and others - due to its valor in exposing anti-Semitism by using it extensively throughout the film. Sadly, some American’s who still read the papers (what 20% and falling? (note: that is sarcasm, ok, might be accurate), actually fell for the whole “Borat hype”, and I daresay that some idiots who read Mr. Steuver’s list may miss the sarcasm entirely, drop their bible’s and make sure that they have premarital sex. (Does Mr. Steuver’s bio also include a stint at Planned Parenthood?)

All kidding aside, Bill O’Reilly’s “Culture Warrior’s” aside, it is precisely this type of tripe that lowers expectations – especially of the press.

Other noteworthy articles courtesy of Matt Drudge and the very noteworthy: Drudge Report that indicates trends for the coming year:

Dem’s Eager to Put Stamp on Congress myway.com

9 Year Old Boy Hangs Himself Like Saddam news24.com

US Toll in Iraq lower than in Past Wars My Way
(Anyone with any sense of history or the availability of Google, could get this one figured out)

And the list goes on, and on… Very little has changed, the left hates the right, maniacally so (for more evidence of “off your meds” insanity, go to the political or town forum (pick anyone), at Mass Live the Springfield, MA Republican’s answer to…let’s just say: it’s good comedy; real people, or real journalist (more to the point), post what they feel are deep, insightful, groundbreaking notices on these forums. A Sample: “Impeach Bush Now. Bush Lied!” It is no wonder that promiscuity, absence of God and Al Gore are now “in” according to the very same “Crowd”?

Happy New Year!

New Year's Resolutions

It is that time of year, once again, where one is compelled to look their past years personal performance and vow to make certain changes. The coming of the New Year does, afterall, offer one a fresh start, so to speak.

Resolutions: Stop spending and start saving, stop smoking, stop drinking, spend more time with the family, become more involved with the community and volunteer, lose weight, join a health club, etc.

All very noble.

I am picking two, and hoping to actually accomplish one of them. Understanding that spending is out-of-control under the best of circumstances, weighing the necessity of each purchase may bring this under control. (I'm going into this one with a grain of salt).

Spending time with my family. This is a must. Dinner together is fine, but it also accounts for merely an hour of the entire day. Play more, talk more, and show the love more.

Now if I can only tear myself away from the news for an hour or two more per day, (and realize that eBay is not news!), I should manage to accomplish this goal.

Wishing all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Christmas - What’s in a name?

Christmas – Lately the word, and perhaps the meaning, conjure up visions of ACLU lawsuits filed on behalf of atheists who find that the colors red and green, a plastic or ceramic statue of a baby, or the singing of songs with the words “God, Jesus, Christmas” included are deeply offensive and somehow are infringing on their constitutional rights.
Bah Humbug. The “War on Christmas”, as explained by commentator Bill O’Reilly is a systematically planned attack on Christianity by secular progressives who have, over a period of years, infiltrated our courts, our schools, our towns and our villages.

When this was brought to the publics attention (and also denied vehemently by most major media outlets), a funny thing happened. Some retailers, Target to name one that comes to mind, immediately switched commercials from Happy Holidays to Merry Christmas. Money talks. The fact remains that the Holiday is Christmas, about Christ and about Christians who shop with the intent of buying “Christmas presents”.

Upon reflection of the retail aspects of the season, it is necessary to step back and take a moment to understand where this gift-giving frenzy originated. It was back in Bethlehem, with the arrival of wise men from the east, bearing gifts for:
Christ.

The real meaning tends to get a bit lost in all that glitters. Expectations are high and disappointments follow – generally speaking due to the fact that the original message, the redemption of society and mankind by the birth of God Made Man and his subsequent messages outlining how to live to attain freedom, is lost a good deal of the time.

This season, take the time to reflect on the true meaning, Christ, and God’s gift to mankind. The following guidelines are helpful: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and secondly, Love your neighbor as yourself. Not impossible tasks. Give to the poor, show kindness to the elderly neighbor, the relative you normally try to avoid (we all have one) and have yourself a Merry Christmas.

Signs of the Season (or topics that amuse,shock or annoy):

Daytona Beach Man Strangles Grandmother with Christmas Lights

Ahmadinejad Opponents Leading Elections (Yes,Virginia, there is a Santa Claus)

Teen Shot 6 Times,Robbed of Gold Teeth

Christmas Trees Return to Seattle Airport

Man Strangled by Pet Snake