Hyperbole and High Hopes

Reuters: ""The Obama numbers are unprecedented and speak volumes to the global fascination with the new American president, his wife and young family," Payack told Reuters. "Obama is the biggest story of the century so far."
...

That surpassed media interest generated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the global financial meltdown in 2008, the Iraq War in 2003 and the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington, Payack said."

Obama's inauguration is the biggest story of this century?

Bigger then September 11? I simply cannot believe that. It certainly will not have as big an impact as the terrorists hijackings.

This kind of excitement and exuberance towards the new administration may wind up being harmful politically to the democrats. There's really no where to go but down from this high, and that kind of crash hurts. The blows will be softened as the mainstream junk journalists provide cushion.

Back-ish

Here's what is going on, and why I haven't posted in a while.

About 20 minutes after I posted the previous announcement, I dropped my laptop and the screen broke. Now, don't mock me because it fell out of my lap while i was trying to catch a remote control for the TV, because it was very important I could press unmute to watch the Dallas Mavericks.

Road trip went very well, came back home with the ladies without a hitch. I'm also back in school this semester as well as working, so my posts may (nay, will) be more sporadic as the spring rolls in.
So, when I reclaim my piece of the computer world with a new laptop, I'll let ya'll know.



In other news, the best political T-shirt I've seen in a while crossed my radar on immaculation, er, inauguration day.
'Rosa Parks Sat so King Could Walk so Obama Could Run'

Road Trip!

So, I'll be gone until Monday morning from the blogosphere. Early Wednesday morning, I'm flying out to Florida with a friend to pick up my girl friend, MaryKate. We're moving her back to Texas. Should be fun, we'll be back Sunday night.

If you remember, pray for a safe drive on the way back.

And now for the imporant stuff:
Steelers win over Baltimore, 17-10
Arizona continues defensive domination, beats Philadelphia 34-23

America...

Famous DC: "Here’s how it went down. [Congressman] Massa drove one fuel cell car while a hybrid SUV towing an additional SUV followed along. Once he got half way, he switched to new fuel cell car. The empty fuel cell was then towed back by the first SUV. As he continued on his journey, the second SUV followed. Once Massa arrived in DC, the second SUV then towed the second fuel cell car back to NY." Environmentally speaking, that makes about as much sense as setting someone's backyard ablaze with 20 gallons of gasoline.


WSFA: "the head of the Alabama NAACP, however, wants Mobile's Azalea Trail Maids to stay home on Inauguration Day, claiming the group reminds him of slavery.

"These are not just regular costumes. These are the costumes that remind someone of the plantation in Gone with the Wind," Edward Vaughn said in a phone interview."

Actually, I agree with this stance. There really is no other time period this goes back to then the Antebellum south, who's wealth was often built upon the backs of black slaves. Whoever set this up for the presidential inauguration wasn't thinking.

FOCA & Hysteria & Reality

(Hat tip to MaryKate for bringing this up)

Email forward: "For those of you who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if congress passes it on January 21-22 of 2009. The FOCA is the next sick chapter in the book of abortion. If made a law then all limitations on abortion will be lifted...
...
Perhaps most importantly the government will now have control in the issue of abortion. This could result in a future amendment that would force women by law to have abortions in certain situations (rape, down syndrome babies, etc) and could even regulate how many children women are allowed to have."

After reading that, I had my interest piqued. Any time there is mass hysteria amongst the Christian Right, its often times disproportionate to the issue at hand.

A bill of this caliber is simply too hot to pass both houses and be signed into law, its like shooting your own political kneecaps.

After spending nearly a quarter hour finding any useful information on FOCA, I found this article from the Wall Street Journal:
""Our No. 1 concern would be the FOCA bill," said Connie Mackey, senior vice president of Family Research Council Action, a conservative group that focuses on social issues. "We have to appeal directly to the American public."

The opponents of this legislation appear more eager for a debate over it than the proponents do, perhaps knowing it is a strong way to rally their supporters early in the administration....
Among them is the "right of conscience" regulation that is expected to be published this week. It will take effect 30 days after being issued. That means that if the Bush administration issues the regulation this week, it will become final before Mr. Obama's inauguration on Jan. 20, and his administration won't be able to undo it easily.

For decades, federal law has said that doctors and nurses can't be compelled to perform abortions. The new regulation broadens that to make clear that all health-care workers may refuse to provide information, such as a referral, to patients looking for an abortion. The Department of Health and Human Services estimates the regulation would affect 584,000 hospitals, doctor's offices, pharmacies and other entities."

So for the time being, the Pro-life forces have the upper hand, courtesy one last favor by W. I think FOCA will remain a bill tabled in congress to placate the ornery proponents of murder on the left, while being entirely to controversial to ever pass the bi-cambial legislature.

Employment news

AP: "For all of 2008, the economy lost 2.6 million jobs. That was the most since 1945, when nearly 2.8 million jobs were lost, although the number of jobs in the U.S. has more than tripled since then. ...

Even with a new government stimulus, the unemployment rate is expected to keep rising this year. Some think it could hit 9 percent or 10 percent at the end of this year."

So, the perceived downside to refusing the Economic Stimulus plan? Jobs would be lost. The potential upside to accepting the Economic Stimulus plan? Jobs would be lost. Would the masters of mediocrity please step forward. I'm talking to you, National Republican Party and George W. Bush.

Admittedly, this isn't even that bad in historical terms. In recent history it is, but its been a while since we had a bust phase in our economy. Normally these phases clear out the fetters of industry, and the surviving companies are more efficient and productive with their capital.
Not so this time. In the wisdom of Washington, we are keeping bungling companies afloat to garner votes.

Why the World Needs Jesus

UK Times (Matthew Paris)"

Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

I used to avoid this truth by applauding - as you can - the practical work of mission churches in Africa. It's a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the package, but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it.
...
In the city we had working for us Africans who had converted and were strong believers. The Christians were always different. Far from having cowed or confined its converts, their faith appeared to have liberated and relaxed them. There was a liveliness, a curiosity, an engagement with the world - a directness in their dealings with others - that seemed to be missing in traditional African life. They stood tall...."


This is one of the themes that is lost in the streams of the rise and fall of civilizations, the pathway of Christianity through mankind. It's a faith that simultaneously takes the individual and removes him from the equation, and yet instills freedom and a sense of direction in any circumstance.
To be like Christ, to stand tall and apart in a world that is filled with Darkness is what Christianity is about.

Its not really a surprise then, that even those who wrongly believe in the absence of a deity would recognize the benefits of Christianity. At its roots, it truly is a 'Religion of Peace', propagated not by the sword or the spear, but by the love and communication of Christians.

What is the main difference between the Western school of political thought, and the rest of the world? Men have rights endowed by God for Life & Liberty, and are not owned by the state.
That is the natural outgrowth of Christianity, where the power to choose life and death rests in the hearts of each and every man.
At it's core, freedom is the ability to choose. This choice is the ultimate expression of freedom, and that gives men reason to stand tall in the face of a fallen world.

Franken's last laugh

Wall Street Journal: "Mr. Franken started the recount 215 votes behind Senator Coleman, but he now claims a 225-vote lead and suddenly the man who was insisting on "counting every vote" wants to shut the process down. He's getting help from Mr. Ritchie and his four fellow Canvassing Board members, who have delivered inconsistent rulings and are ignoring glaring problems with the tallies.
...
Minnesotans like to think that their state isn't like New Jersey or Louisiana, and typically it isn't. But we can't recall a similar recount involving optical scanning machines that has changed so many votes, and in which nearly every crucial decision worked to the advantage of the same candidate. The Coleman campaign clearly misjudged the politics here, and the apparent willingness of a partisan like Mr. Ritchie to help his preferred candidate, Mr. Franken. If the Canvassing Board certifies Mr. Franken as the winner based on the current count, it will be anointing a tainted and undeserving Senator."

I thought this was wrapped up a couple of weeks ago... figures though, that in a game of dirty politics the Dems will win.