I wonder all the time if I have become irrelevant.(I did not say irreverent.I have always been that.) My episode of remorse has been a long time coming.If I do not say something, I will explode.
First, I must give a disclaimer. (I have searched in all my writings, for the place that I may exercise the term ‘mia coupa’. I always liked that car: My Coupe.)
I digress. My disclaimer is to all my friends, both close and a fire.Yep, purposely used.Most of the time, all friends are close. But some are so far away that you couldn’t find them with a cloud by day, or a fire by night.
My disclaimer is that for all whom I am intimate with (get your minds away from the gutter), I do not include you for my rant.
I am tired about the way sex is handled by the non-porn group.Couples live together, shack up, have friend with privileges, etc.Then after decades of decadence, they decide to make the world happy with their marriage.I ask you.Why get married?Is your guilt getting to you?Legal questions?One finally gives into the nagger.I do not think so.In fact, I really do not know the reason.
The reason for the rant is this. ‘Virginity’ has become a dirty word.Christians say, “I am saving myself.”Oh yeah, I know that verse.“Thou SHALL save thyself.”Many flippant Christians ‘tee hee’ about it.They hope the ‘Talk’ is sufficient.This is not that talk.It is the “make sure you have protection talk.”
Then, the parents send their children out with a ‘thing’ and a prayer.God, please do not let her come back with that ‘embryo thing’.Lord, please do not let him loose his responsible plans with irresponsibility.
If that is the scenario in a household, it comes to late. They already have had the talk from their culture and our society.
In the movie Young Frankenstein, there is a scene where the young Doctor is pressing the ‘Frau’ for her relationship with his father.She finally gives in and in her frustration yells, “Yes. Yes.He vas my boyfriend.”So, I end this diatribe by saying this about my wedding night, “Yes. Yes. Ve vere amateurs.”
Have a can of ravioli and celebrate Armistice Day. What is Armistice Day? Why ravioli? Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, came into being by declaration of President Wilson one year after the end of World War One. WWI ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 1918. Toward the end of that war, President Wilson invited nearly 2000 veterans to the White House to enjoy a "home cooked meal" of ravioli cooked by White House chefs and the President himself. If the President had guaranteed the "War Bonus" for the troops, they would have enjoyed that and bought their own dinners. But a free meal by President Wilson became the start of a tradition. This tradition was one of paying off veterans with free food.
During the ensuing years, Armistice Day has changed in many ways. It is now Veterans Day. While once being a national holiday, it is a federal holiday. Great Grandfathers, Grandfathers, Fathers, Sons, and Grandsons have all joined the Fraternity of Freedom. From Flanders Fields to the defeat of Hitler and Japan, knee deep in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia, then on the the deserts of the Middle East, generation after generation has paid the cost of liberty without even one "by your leave."
After WWII, the United States welcomed their heroes home to no jobs, no help, and a Holy place somewhere around the world left in many locations where they fell. Did any come home? Sure they did. Some walked with a limp, others had hidden places where they fought an enemy within the mind. Many more came home in a box to a closed casket homecoming. The remains were all there were. Identified by dental records or the DNA of some lump of remaining flesh.
Mothers, wives, sweethearts, and fathers take charge of what once a happy human being. They try to avoid all of the home town haunts where the young people were often seen and may have been happy before going to War.
Grand receptions have been planned for the Dough Boy, the greatest Generation, and the whole volunteer army in which we sent them for the purpose of defending the country. Not so for most of those who served in and in support of the Viet Nam War. While you cannot find many veterans who speak favorably about their return home, many are outspoken about the current volume of businesses that have gone out of their way to take advantage of this country's new found patriotism.
Why do many Viet Nam veterans feel a sense of betrayal? They are told and reminded often about having lost the first war in USA history. They suffer from diseases brought on by exposure to Agent Orange. PTSD is spoken of most often when a veteran's mental health is in question. Finally, a veteran sees his future with a sense of foreboding. Sometimes, out of anger, a veteran might rave at those who love him, or her. But this saying best describes how the veteran feels about the federal agency charged with a veteran's care. "Deny, deny, until they die."
With all of the above in mind, let those who have treated these vets and any other vets heed these promises and warnings. Do not call this holiday in memory of the beloved vet who bought freedom for our country. Do not sell products on the back of those who have carried this country, kicking and screaming into protection. Finally, there is not a veteran around who does not appreciate a free meal. But, remember this, our allegiance cannot be bought with a 'soft roll'. Oh, before it is forgotten again. To all those who have served this country. "Welcome home."
I have wondered something for a long time. Most of you will are wondering about something yourselves at this time. you are wondering if I have gone completely mad, totally bonkers, wigged out to the point of baldness. I have been very careful not to write in the first person. Because of my anger, I have thrown everything out the window.
Whew! I bet you think I got it off my chest, or I am having chest pains. You do not even have any idea of what is wrong with me. Follow me, if you can.
Movie stars and actors have thought for a long time that they were intelligent. True, they know drama. They can become one character or another. They have meddled in politics. One of them has even killed a president.
This is not new. Actors have given their faces and voices to make the unwashed public to buy many ideas, positions, concepts, sciences, and onion choppers. Their complete knowledge is limited to the script from which they gain their character.
Now, they have become lawyers, judges, and experts on our society.
Please allow me to pause and catch my breath. I feel much better.
Yes, everyone has the right to have any idea and the opinion behind that idea. The problem is that their idiocy is hidden behind the gleaming smile, long wavy hair, hard body...Well, you know what I mean.
Here we go. Casey Anthony was found not guilty. Yes, not guilty. It was a verdict given by a jury of her peers. There was no hung jury. Although, there are many people who would like to hang the jury.
Obviously, the prosecution did not prove their case. Obviously, there was not "beyond a doubt." So where do these fake Mensa members, these non-graduates of Harvard and Yale, these entertainers, and beautiful people get the idea that this was a miscarriage of justice. They don't know. This is our system of law in this country. And, despite having a few warts, its is the best system in the world.
Thank you for listening. Goodnight all, and you too, Mrs Calabash, wherever you are.
Especially on Memorial Day, the Star Spangled Banner must be heard, so that the sacrifice of many may be remembered.
Since World War I, the one thing held in common by all of the US servicemen is their hate of the extreme weather in which they served. The Doughboys of World War I, the soldiers and Marines of the World War II Pacific Theater, and the Vietnam Vet hated the rain and mud. Rain does so many bad things to any service operating in a tropic zone, or anywhere where it falls and does not freeze on the way down. It obscures vision, rots men’s skin and cloths, and presents itself as a fantastic breeding ground for disease carrying insects.
Bone numbing cold that penetrates you no matter how many layers you have on. At the Battle of the Bulge, the 101st Airborne deployed against the German Army with clothing unfit for cold weather. The worst winter storm in years swept in on the battlefield and brought sub-freezing temperatures leaving the paratroopers shivering at all times. And yet, the Marines and soldiers fighting in Korea along the Chosin Reservoir were fighting in temperatures of –22 below zero. Oil for the trucks froze solid and needed defrosting.
Through all types of weather, whether heat, rain, cold, and all the resulting difficulties created, the United States citizen-soldier has fought, and many times, made the ultimate sacrifice. But, support for them has been erratic. The dead are honored. Sometimes the active-duty is honored, but many times they are not.
Honoring the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchantmen, and all Reserve and National Guard:
How will these active-duty heroes be treated when they become veterans before they are the honored dead? Sadly, this country has a history, which could possibly demonstrate a future attitude towards its Vets.
In 1924, Congress issued bonus certificates to the veterans of WWI that would be redeemable for $1000 in 1945. The Great Depression took its toll on all the citizens of the world. The Doughboys, who participated in the “War to End All Wars”, wanted to receive their money early. Some 17000 marched on Washington DC in 1932, and camped out in various places to make their demands. The Republican Congress and President Hoover would not help. The Army was ordered to disperse the demonstrators. Disperse, they did. Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, and George Patton, heroes of WWII, used tanks, cavalry, and armed infantry, which fired upon the homeless heroes of WWI.
They are called the “Greatest Generation.” The veterans of a two-ocean war returned home as heroes. Were they successful? Yes. Did they have problems in reasserting themselves into society? Many of the injured returning Vets would not have survived in previous wars. The blind, the paraplegic, those with lost limbs, and many other disabled found it difficult to return to the stares of strangers, acquaintances, and families. The movie, “The Best Years of Our Lives”, was a realistic portrayal of this problem. In fact, an actual sailor, Harold Russell, played the role of Homer, the veteran with both hands missing.
The Viet Nam Vet and the veterans of the desert wars of the past 21 years have faced their own problems on returning. The former were demonstrated against during their service in the name of this country. They were called “Baby Killer” and spat upon. The soldiers of the latest wars are showing the wear and tear of combat, neurological maladies, and absence from home.
No matter the war, no matter the injury, the wounded Vet is finding no sympathy from the Veterans Administration. Every application for benefits is met with responses that seem to call the veteran a liar. That might not be true. But, the impression is.
What will happen if the veterans of the future find their return and care to be the same as the past? Will their patriotism begin to wane? Patriotism will still be a decision of the heart. But the hearts of this country must be ready to look at the veteran differently, before the veteran is the subject on Memorial Day. Hopefully, no more soldiers will be left out in the Rain.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert,
We're so sorry if we caused you any pain.
We're so sorry Uncle Albert,
But there's no one left at home
And I believe I'm gonna rain.
We're so sorry but we haven't heard a thing all day.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert.
But if anything should happen well be sure to give a ring.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert,
But we haven't done a bloody thing all day.
We're so sorry, Uncle Albert,
But the kettles on the boil and we're so easily called away.
Hands across the water. (Water)
Heads across the sky.
Hands across the water. (Water)
Heads across the sky.
Paul McCartney
http://youtu.be/ZWoGCdXT07g
What happened on May 21, 2011? NOTHING! This is not intended to be an episode of intense guffawing for those that were fooled by the great prophet, Harold Camping. He is a great prophet in his own mind.
Jesus told His disciples that in the "last Days" many would claim to know where the Messiah is (Matthew 26). This would include his programs and 'double secret handshake' with God.
Please Mr. Camping, do not besmirch Christian believers. This was his second time to miss a prediction. Maybe, if he tries it again, it will be his third strike. Remember, it is the true God who calls balls and strikes.
The King is Coming (Bill Gaither) Praise God, He's coming for me The marketplace is empty, no more traffic in the street All the builder's tools are silent, no more time to harvest wheat Busy housewives cease their labor, in the courtroom no debate Work on earth has been suspended as the King comes through the gate Happy faces line the hallway, those whose lives have been redeemed Broken homes He has mended, those from prison He has freed Little children and the aged hand in hand stand all a-glow Who were crippled, broken, ruined, clad in garments white as snow The King is coming, the King is coming I just heard the trumpet sounding and soon His face I'll see The King is coming, the King is coming Praise God, He's coming for me I can hear the chariot's rumble, I can see the marching throng And the fury of God's trumpet spells the end of sin and wrong Regal rolls are now unfolded, heaven's grandstands all in place Heaven's choir is now assembled, start to sing "Amazing Grace" Praise God, He's coming for me.
If a search of Christian history was made, it would be very difficult to find many years without the presence of controversy concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. Ever since Jesus proclaimed His return, many different people and groups have demanded that they have the true “skinny” on the exact time of the event. This claim can be compared to one of the greatest heresies against Christianity. Gnosticism is based upon a claim that there is a privileged few that know the secrets of God. They posses a special knowledge. Those who have said that they now can tell you the time would not like to be compared with the aforementioned heresy. But, they cause the same amount of confusion.
Paul’s epistles to the church at Thessalonica addressed some of the confusions about the return of Jesus. People were concerned about friends and loved ones, which had died before Jesus came back for His Church. Also, some in the church were sure they knew the exact time of the event. They had stopped living a regular life. They sold their possessions. They tied up all of the loose ends of this life and were now waiting for the Christ. In other words, they were so heavenly minded that they had become no earthly good.
From that time in early church history to the present, there seems to be no time in which the confusion of new apocalyptic theories did not torment the Church. People would like to think that apocalypticism has only been present in our civilization during the last two centuries. This is not true. And, since this is not a book or dissertation on this phenomenon, but just a short informational article, a cursory review of just a few examples will suffice.
There was a group that came to prominence in the New Age movement during the 12th century. The Joachimites believed that Joachim of Fiore had figured out the “nuts and bolts” of Christ’s return. His theory was based upon an interpretation of the Bible that revolved around a strange understanding of the Trinity. If the Old Testament was the time of the Father and the New Testament was the time of the Son, then there is a special history, which is the time of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would act as a revealer of special information about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. And oh by the way, Joachim identified the Antichrist as the present or future sitting Pope.
During the early 16th century, Thomas Muentzer organized a poor peoples’ revolt. He felt that it would usher in the return of Christ. The princes and rich ones of Germany slaughtered him, and over 5000 of his chosen ones. Jesus did not come to their rescue.
In the early 19th century, a prosperous farmer of upstate New York, by the name of William Miller, told of the fruits of his Bible study. He began to teach to any and everybody that Jesus would return in, or before 1843. When the new year of 1844 arrived, it became obvious that he had made an ‘oops’. His followers were known as ‘Millerites’. From this group came two strains of apocalypticism. They are the Jehovah’s Witness and Seventh Day Adventist of today.
Sometime during 1988, there was a pamphlet written and published by Edgar Whisenant with the name “88 Reasons Why Jesus Will Return In 1988.” Although he had the credibility of being a NASA engineer, he lost that as a Bible scholar when 1989 arrived. Another movement met similar failure in 1993. David Koresh led his apocalyptic “Branch Davidians” in an attempt to usher in a new era. But, his predictions met the same fate as those before him who also were listening to the wrong voice, or voices.
Now, we are confronted with another prediction of future disaster on the Earth ushering in the Rapture of God’s people. Here we go again. Research into this movement shows that the main power behind this apocalyptic prediction is Harold Camping. Camping has managed to take the purchase in partnership of one radio station and build it into a worldwide network of over 75 media outlets.
Although there has been an attempt by Camping to hide his involvement in the “May 21, 2011 Judgment Day” movement, it is obvious from his latest publications that he and his worldwide media empire is the energy behind this enormous “Judgment Day” campaign. When questions arise about the origins of this apocalyptic event, those contacted respond with “It is a group of Bible students.”
There are a few giveaways about Harold Camping’s teachings that tie his movement with most of the earlier heretical theories about the Return of Jesus. First, the leaders of these movements always claim that the churches of each era are apostate. Meaning that they all have stopped telling God-truth. (Gnostics anyone?) Secondly, these leaders announce that after many years of prayerful research God has spoken truth, a system, or a code by which they are able to tell, not predict, the exact time of the “Return” and the ”Final Judgment.” Finally, they preach a system of salvation that only applies to their followers. At this point it becomes obvious that the motive behind this campaign is one of power.
A few more topics in which Harold Camping departs from mainstream Christianity include annihilationism, the determination of true believers, and the ending of the Church Age in 1994. There are many other differences between Camping and mainstream denominations. But, it is that great number of apostates that have wandered off the “narrow road” not him. Who determined what the distinctions were and who was correct. It was not the Bible, nor Biblical scholars, or anyone other than Harold Camping. (How convenient!)
You may be asking what is the motivation of these people, and those to follow. It is greed and power. Writing about the “Second Coming” is a billion dollar industry. Not all who publish are crooks and charlatans. But, these theological con artists write a major portion of this literature. Is there a better way to make friends and influence people? Claim that you, and you only, have the ear of God. There are plenty of people in this world who are clueless and helpless in any conversation about spiritual subjects. There are plenty of Oprah’s and Tom Cruise’s out there which have no clue themselves, but will always lead with a heresy, all the way to confusion.
