Barb’s Blog » Archive for November 2008
The Bailouts and Lobbyists
Do you mean to tell me that our government is practically writing blank checks, giving it away, only to have those companies use the bailout money, pay lobbyists to ask the government for more??? Lou Dobbs says: Lobbyists from the banking industry and other groups are in a frenzy to win an even bigger share of the bailout for their clients. The list of industries seeking bailout money is expanding by the day. Lobbyists are making hefty profits even as this economic crisis worsens. According to CNN’s reports, limos are lined up like crazy in front of the Capitol, lobbyists, paid to ask for more money. Here is the report (I think a brief ad is first) … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
What Do We Know of Love?
I think of the word love and wonder how much do we really understand love. One of my favorite hymms speaks of divine love. O love divine, amazing love That brought to earth from heav’n above The Son of God for us to die That we might dwell on high He died for you, He died for me And shed His blood to make us free Upon the cross of Calvary The Savior died for me For us a crown of thorns he wore For us a cross of scorn he bore He conquered death and rent the grave And lives again our souls to save Chorus O wand’rer come, on Him believe His grace by faith receive Awake, arise and hear His call The feast is spread for all … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Happy Thanksgiving 2008
As Enric says, “Let the eating season begin.” How true! Looking forward to a day with family! … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Name Dropping
Interesting names making interesting news… Four major banks, including one that collapsed, two that received federal bailout money and one that filed for bankruptcy this past September, paid former President Clinton $2.1 million for 13 speeches he delivered.Citigroup paid Bill Clinton $700,000; Goldman Sachs paid $950,000; Lehman Brothers paid $300,000 and Merrill Lynch paid $175,000 to the former president Prince was recently accused of making anti-gay remarks…When asked about Proposition 8, he is quoted as saying while tapping his Bible, “God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.’ ” I don’t know if that is anti-gay as they accuse him of. Vaclav Klaus, of the Czech Republic is about to assume the rotating presidency of the … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
New Regime
Not feeling too positive about the headlines, bailouts, new regimes ready to take over, and the like. I do have though, this quote from Joseph Stalin. “Work for more government intervention and control of the business activities of the people. In this way the American people will accept Communism without knowing it.” Oh, here is another one of his that really makes me think… “The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.” … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
More Gift Ideas
Music boxes and globes have always fascinated me. I thought I would share a few from the San Fransisco Music Box Company… Harry Potter™ Fawkes in the Chamber of Secrets Water Globe This water globe features Harry with Dumbledore’s loyal companion, Fawkes the Phoenix, as seen in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This water globe is hand-painted and made of cold cast resin. www.harrypotter.com Animated Toy Chest Thisadorable toy chest features a cute animatedseal and a rotating centerpiece thathas lots … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Laura’s Birthday Weekend
Laura turned 15 today, and this weekend with some events planned and some left to spontaneity turned out perfect. Laura’s birthday weekend started with one of her favorite things ever, snow. That night Laura and all her friends and Miquel went to see Twilight She had a sleepover with Heather and Jenny. The next day, Laura got her belly-button pierced, a partial gift from Heather. I don’t have a photo available, and I hesitate to put one on … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
Back to the Future
Clinton Retreads? A little over a year ago, one of the candidates for President said, “The real gamble in this election is playing the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expecting a different result.” So far, President-elect Obama has announced (or leaked) the following appointments: Rahm Emanuel, former Clinton White House senior advisor, to be Chief of Staff. John Podesta, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff, as head of transition team (and who knows what thereafter). Eric Holder, former Clinton administration Deputy Attorney General, as Attorney General. Gregory Craig, former Clinton White House special counsel, as White House Counsel. Tom Daschle, former Senate Majority Leader, as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Arizona Governor and former U.S. Attorney (Clinton appointee) Janet Napolitano as Secretary of Homeland Security. Based on a variety of news reports, the … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Hooked On a Feeling
I should not have been surprised when seeing people interviewed, Obama supporters, that they had little or no knowledge of newsworthy items, high-ranking officials, or even which party was in control of Congress at this moment. Many interviewed seemed rather confused, an example being they took Saturday Night Live skits like Tina Fey’s as something factual, and when confronted with facts, didn’t know even remotely what candidate they came from. Something you can blame the mainstream media for, and this site has a name for it, Media Malpractice. Sounds right. I guess after seeing this, it’s just like what John says, "People voted a feeling, not what they knew." Indeed, that seems to be the case. Watch the video here, you will be amazed how few could answer some basic questions … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Crony Capitalism
This was in my inbox from Newt: There’s a term that’s commonly applied to the economic systems of some Asian and Latin American countries. It’s “crony capitalism.” Crony capitalism is when government controls significant parts of the economy. Under this kind of bureaucratic micromanagement, politicians – not the free market – call the shots. And that means that the decisions that control the economy are of necessity political decisions, not economic ones. Crony … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Time, He’s Coming to an End
A rare video of Phil Keaggy with his song, Time, which has thought-provoking lyrics. Well He hasn’t always been around And He won’t always be. But He’s on the move at this moment Measuring life for you and me. I fear we all submit to him Existing anxiously, And no one is able to turn him off Except the Lord who holds the key. When the Lord stops him, that’ll be it, Too late for apologies. Too late to forgive your brother, Too late to get on your knees. When the Lord stops him, that’ll be it, Too late to help the needy And worst of all it’s too late to turn You must face eternity. His name is Time and he’s coming to an end. His name is Time where will you be my friend? His name is Time and he’s coming to an end. His name is Time where will … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Unique Christmas Gift Ideas
I have already dusted off my Christmas songs, and there are signs in the stores that the season is fast coming upon us. We will also celebrate a little early this year with Enric, Miranda, and Silas visiting us the first of December. So, I thought it might be fun to dig into some of my merchants that I advertise for, and find some very different and unique gifts this first time out with some gift … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Houston, We Have a Problem
For some reason, a huge issue in this country was largely ignored in this past election campaign. Not the media, nor neither of any of the candidates touched on the issue of illegal immigration. Not too long after the election is over and settled, comes the latest headline, something we haven’t heard about in months. Thousands of inmates admit they’re in the U.S. illegally, but even those convicted of violent crimes are often released right back onto Houston’s streets. Federal immigration officials allowed scores of violent criminals — some ordered deported decades ago — to walk away from Harris County Jail despite the inmates’ admission to local authorities that they were in the country illegally, a Houston Chronicle investigation found. A review of thousands of criminal and immigration records shows that Immigration and Customs … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Scrabble for One (Continued)
After blogging sometime back about an online game of Scrabble Solitaire, I didn’t remember about it much until I saw in my stats people finding my site looking for the game. Which made me revisit the site and play a new game. I was happy to have bested my previous scores! Give it a try HERE … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Who Needs God Anymore?
This appeared today on the news and my daughter’s reaction was very interesting. She said, “I guess they DO give Santa god-like qualities, I mean, think of the words, ‘he sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake.’ ” That was very insightful I thought. FoxNews Reported: Ads proclaiming, “Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness’ sake,” will appear on Washington, D.C., buses starting next week and running through December. The American Humanist … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Terragen and Tim Janis
Some nice lady once told me, as she was looking over my Terragen Art, “You know, your terragen landscapes compiled with Tim Janis music would be a very pleasing thing.” “Tim who?” I asked. I am so glad I learned about his music. Stirring, soothing, and inspirational all at once. Enric and Miranda also had one of his pieces played at their wedding. I never acted on those words of the nice lady till yesterday, some 3 years … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
The New 100 Years War?
No matter what your opinion is of the Iraq War, no matter what your opinions are of Obama and McCain, how far should we allow teachers to indoctrinate or belittle students who are pulling for a candidate other than theirs? At what point is it too far? I remember in 6th grade we had a mock election and I do remember our Social Studies teacher had some definate leanings, and was surprised when the majority voted against his candidate. He had some ways of belittling students, including me, on many subjects. So this subject is rather personal to me. This came back to me when I saw on the news today the following video. A fifth grade teacher giving a student a little lesson on WHY she SHOULDN’T pull for McCain. She … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items, Personal
Another Lesson from Gilmore Girls
Regarding today’s politics, maybe Lorelei from Gilmore Girls says it all in a scene from season six. She is preparing to sneak a dog chain on her dog, Paul Anka, so that he can spend the night with Sookie. SOOKIE: Hi! Paul Anka! You want to come have a sleepover at my house? Huh? [To Lorelai] What are you doing? LORELAI: [As she sneaks the dog leash behind her back] Uh, he freaks out if he sees … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Health
Health has been a big issue in the family for the past few weeks or so. So I decided to look up some quotes on the subject… The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are we. ~Author unknown, as quoted in Mimi Guarneri, The Heart Speaks: A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind. ~G.K. Chesterton There’s lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven’t the time to enjoy it. ~Josh Billings The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Yes We Can – Taxes!
Lifted from a very funny blogger, HockeyDino Obama just spent $650,000,000 to get a job that pays $400,000. Yes we want him to fix the economy! CAPITAL GAINS TAX MCCAIN 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax. OBAMA 28% on profit from ALL home sales. (How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
After Election Thoughts
What to watch out for: There is much at stake, and the battles on the horizon are myriad. Just in the next year conservatives will face a number of key challenges: 1. The censors want to silence conservative talk radio with the (un)fairness doctrine. 2. The unions want their card check mandates in order to do away with the secret ballot at the workplace. 3. The central planners will try to persuade the American people that it is the Federal Treasury—and not individual initiative—that creates wealth. 4. The socialists want to nationalize to one extent or another virtually every industry in the country and redistribute wealth. 5. The judicial activists want to bend the meaning of the Constitution to suit their radical agenda. In addition, the Bush tax cuts are … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Autumn Splendor
I love the first week of November in Pasadena… … Read entire article »
Filed under: Personal
End of the World As We Know It.
THE MASSES ARE INCURABLY IGNORANT -Plato … Read entire article »
Filed under: News Items
Election Day Quotes
An election is coming. Universal peace is declared and the foxes have a sincere interest in prolonging the lives of the poultry. ~T.S. Eliot The politicians were talking themselves red, white and blue in the face. ~Clare Boothe Luce If the World Series runs until election day, the networks will run the first one-half inning and project the winner. ~Lindsey Nelson … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
GOP Election Board members have been tossed out of polling stations
I HATE this election, it’s no longer fair, honest nor right. GOP Election Board members have been tossed out of polling stations in at least half a dozen polling stations in Philadelphia because of their party status. A Pennsylvania judge previously ruled that court-appointed poll watchers could be NOT removed from their boards by an on-site election judge, but that is exactly what is happening. It is the duty of election board workers to monitor and guard the integrity of the voting process. Denying access to the minority (in this case Republican) poll watchers and inspectors is a violation of Pennsylvania state law. Those who violate the law can be punished with a misdemeanor and subjected to a fine of $1,000 and sent to prison between one month and two years. more… A country with sense … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
Promises?
This woman feels she won’t have to worry about putting gas in her car or paying her mortgage. What promises is Obama making? … Read entire article »
Filed under: General
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