There are plans to release about 30 million barrels of oil from the National Reserves. When asked, "Why not allow drilling?" the excuse is, "Well, that will take ten years to have an effect." I love that logic. So, when your kid wants to go to college and get that degree you can say, "No. That will take four years before you'll get it." Save for a decent down payment for a house? "No. That will take too much time. Better to get a bad loan with less money down." Nothing like "instant gratification" to base all decisions.
©
Emittravel 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Through These Doors
An exit?
Or an entrance?
The end?
Or the beginning?
Perspective determines attitude.
Or is it the other way around?
Where are you going?
Have you given it thought?
Or are you walking through these doors
into the hands of chance?
The footsteps of the righteous
are ordained of the Lord.
As you pass through these doors,
As you pass through these doors,
they will close behind you;
forever separating these portions of your life.
Memories that fade in time.
Good.
Bad.
Gone.
Your future lays before you.
Your past behind you.
Through these doors.
J.P. Wiegand
J.P. Wiegand
©Emittravel 2000
A gift for the graduates. -j.p.
© Emittravel 2011
© Emittravel 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Memorial Day - Sit Down Already!
On Memorial Sunday, my church's choir sings a number from the upcoming Patriotic Musical - to be performed close to the Independence Day weekend celebration. During the song, which is a celebration of our country's military, members of the congregation who currently serve or have in the past served in our country's military are asked to stand and be recognized.
I hate it.
Not that I am ashamed of my time in the military (U.S. Navy, 1984 - 1988). I'm not! I'm very proud to have served my country; to be a plankowner (commissioning crew member) on one of our navy's finest vessels: USS Elrod (FFG-55). To have served in Desert Shield was an honor.
We stand and are recognized on Independence Day. We stand and are recognized on Veterans Day. But Memorial Day? No. This day is set aside for those who CANNOT stand. It is to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They are in a different class from the rest.
No, we service members should not stand and be recognized on this day - unless EVERYONE ELSE stands with us.
To the fallen - thank you. May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give you everlasting peace.
© Emittravel 2011
I hate it.
Not that I am ashamed of my time in the military (U.S. Navy, 1984 - 1988). I'm not! I'm very proud to have served my country; to be a plankowner (commissioning crew member) on one of our navy's finest vessels: USS Elrod (FFG-55). To have served in Desert Shield was an honor.
We stand and are recognized on Independence Day. We stand and are recognized on Veterans Day. But Memorial Day? No. This day is set aside for those who CANNOT stand. It is to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. They are in a different class from the rest.
No, we service members should not stand and be recognized on this day - unless EVERYONE ELSE stands with us.
To the fallen - thank you. May the Lord bless you and keep you, make His face shine upon you, and give you everlasting peace.
© Emittravel 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Libby's, Libby's, Libby's on the Label, Label, Label
I received a comment concerning one of my blog entries (via Facebook) that said I "told it like it is regardless of personal affiliations." That was a very nice thing to say, but at the same time it got me thinking: Why do we have this desire to put labels on everything and everyone?
I'm no Republican, though many of my comments line up with conservative Republicanism. I'm no Democrat, though I have a big heart for the down-trodden - I just believe there are different methodologies needed than "government" to solve social issues. I don't consider myself religious, though I believe Jesus was and is who He said He was and is - ("religion" - an old word meaning "to strangle").
The idea, I suppose, is that it is easier to make decisions based on group-think, than on individuals themselves. Voter blocks instead of voters. Too messy I guess trying to connect with each one. Just ask our House of Representatives how easy it is for 435 members to really connect with 300 million people. Do the math. And you wonder why lobbyists have so much power?
But that's a topic for another blog entry.
Maybe some of these labels ring a bell: "evil rich", "upper class", "middle class", "lower class", "Hispanic", "black", "white", "liberal", "conservative", "right-wing", "left-wing", "heathen", "righteous", "jock", "drama f*g", "in-crowd", "out cast" . . . stupid. I'm sure you can think of plenty yourself.
How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a label? When asked what you do, do you respond with who you are? "I am an administrative assistant, fireman, teacher, accountant, etc." As if your very identity was tied to your job . . . a label? It's so easy to do that. Sometimes it's nothing more than common grammar usage - but what if it is truly you applying a label to yourself? And who are you if that label gets stripped away?
I hope as people get to know me that they will have a lot of difficulty placing a label on me. And if they do I hope that I can take a cheap erasure and smudge it a bit. How about you?
© Emittravel 2011
I'm no Republican, though many of my comments line up with conservative Republicanism. I'm no Democrat, though I have a big heart for the down-trodden - I just believe there are different methodologies needed than "government" to solve social issues. I don't consider myself religious, though I believe Jesus was and is who He said He was and is - ("religion" - an old word meaning "to strangle").
The idea, I suppose, is that it is easier to make decisions based on group-think, than on individuals themselves. Voter blocks instead of voters. Too messy I guess trying to connect with each one. Just ask our House of Representatives how easy it is for 435 members to really connect with 300 million people. Do the math. And you wonder why lobbyists have so much power?
But that's a topic for another blog entry.
How do you see yourself? Do you see yourself as a label? When asked what you do, do you respond with who you are? "I am an administrative assistant, fireman, teacher, accountant, etc." As if your very identity was tied to your job . . . a label? It's so easy to do that. Sometimes it's nothing more than common grammar usage - but what if it is truly you applying a label to yourself? And who are you if that label gets stripped away?
I hope as people get to know me that they will have a lot of difficulty placing a label on me. And if they do I hope that I can take a cheap erasure and smudge it a bit. How about you?
© Emittravel 2011
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