See Dick
See Dick testify
See Dick calling himself a liar
Alrighty, well with everyone talking about Richard Clarke I think I'll chime in. But I won't use his words or anything he's saying. (He's said enough.) Instead I'll say something I believe in.
In working with kids, it's not uncommon to hear several interpretations of an incident. Perspective can be gained by listening to several stories, and trying to piece together the information from all the jargon.
Moving on. . . .I love the fact that I don't know what the government is doing at all times. (In fact, this is why I pay them for their services) If I knew every little detail about government actions, my own security would be jeopardized. Some people have a hard time with this raw fact. They simply want to know it all. What's going on behind closed doors, what's the CIA doing right now? What new military weapons are out there? Who's the biggest threat to us? How, Why, When??!?! Now, granted, I understand this mindset. I want to know all the details as well, but I realize if the government was foolish enough to make public every detail about its workings, we'd be much less secure, defeating the governments first goal.
With that in mind, what we as the people of America get, in terms of information, is bits and pieces of stories. We don't hear everything firsthand, so all we can know is what so and so claims took place; trusting a variety of sources. So here's the tie-in. It's just like hearing the kids stories. Sometimes they match up, but most of the time you get different 'truths' about what happened. This is what we're getting with these 9-11 hearings. We have some groups saying one thing, others claiming quite different 'truths'. So who do you believe? Well as always with partisan politics. . . .if you're a Bush supporter, you automatically think Clarke is a liar working undercover for John Kerry. If you're a Bush-hater, you assume Clarke is a hero for coming out and revealing the truth about an evil man named George Bush.
Here's my quick take. I'm not even going to comment on the issue at hand. I'll just say this. . . . .
Sometimes with the kids you get different stories, we already mentioned that. But sometimes you get one kid telling multiple stories; some that even contradict each other. When this happens credibility goes out the window.
Richard Clarke, with the latest 9-11 hearings, you have argued against positions you yourself took in the 2002 hearing. When asked to comment you have no explanation. Thanks for making it so clear who we should believe. Actually, I guess that's still up for grabs. I should have said "Thanks for making it so clear who NOT to believe."
See, working with kids comes in handy all the time. We just needed a kindergarten teacher to preside at the hearings.
This is some good revelation.
Thursday, March 25
Tuesday, March 23
Sound familiar.
I posted awhile back about being dissatisfied with life. Not me in particular, but our human condition of being unhappy with our world. Archived here. It's at the bottom of the page. The post is titled 'Finding Home'.
Anyhow, I came across a taped sermon from Matt Chandler on the First Baptist Church in Dallas website. They have a College worship service Tuesday nights called Refuge that's become very powerful to me. It's been a place where I can go and not be a church worker. I go to praise my God. (Shhhh, don't tell the LCMS I worship with non-Lutherans; they just might make my day and fire me.) Sorry, got sidetracked. So that's how I came across this sermon, although I hesitate calling it a sermon, because that makes it sound boring. But it's Matt talking about this very idea I mentioned before. Overall he's heading in a different direction with his talk, but he mentions this idea of being dissatisfied with this life.
Here's a link to the archived sermon page, and the one I'm talking about is from August 31, 2003. It shouldn't be too hard to find.
If you want to listen to some of it, listen for this section. This is what hit home with me. This section comes at about 4 minutes into the audio, so don't worry, you don't have to listen too long!
"You're going to find a whole country starving to death for righteousness,
with human souls all over the place going "whatever can do it, Make me right because
something is wrong in me. Something is wrong in me and no matter what I do and no matter
where I go and no matter what I get involved in it gnaws at me and it aches in my soul
and no matter what trinkets I get or how large my house gets or how many romantic nights
me and my girl have in a row there is something still gnawing at me and I cannot fix it."
And the whole world begins to beckon to us the things that might fix our souls; and in all
of it we begin to understand Ecclesiastes 'Vanity, vanity, it's all vanity.'
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has put a hole in the heart of man. He has placed
eternity there so that we might seek him. And that means there is nothing this side
of heaven that will fill the gaping hole of eternity in our hearts."
-Matt Chandller-
Anyhow, I came across a taped sermon from Matt Chandler on the First Baptist Church in Dallas website. They have a College worship service Tuesday nights called Refuge that's become very powerful to me. It's been a place where I can go and not be a church worker. I go to praise my God. (Shhhh, don't tell the LCMS I worship with non-Lutherans; they just might make my day and fire me.) Sorry, got sidetracked. So that's how I came across this sermon, although I hesitate calling it a sermon, because that makes it sound boring. But it's Matt talking about this very idea I mentioned before. Overall he's heading in a different direction with his talk, but he mentions this idea of being dissatisfied with this life.
Here's a link to the archived sermon page, and the one I'm talking about is from August 31, 2003. It shouldn't be too hard to find.
If you want to listen to some of it, listen for this section. This is what hit home with me. This section comes at about 4 minutes into the audio, so don't worry, you don't have to listen too long!
"You're going to find a whole country starving to death for righteousness,
with human souls all over the place going "whatever can do it, Make me right because
something is wrong in me. Something is wrong in me and no matter what I do and no matter
where I go and no matter what I get involved in it gnaws at me and it aches in my soul
and no matter what trinkets I get or how large my house gets or how many romantic nights
me and my girl have in a row there is something still gnawing at me and I cannot fix it."
And the whole world begins to beckon to us the things that might fix our souls; and in all
of it we begin to understand Ecclesiastes 'Vanity, vanity, it's all vanity.'
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God has put a hole in the heart of man. He has placed
eternity there so that we might seek him. And that means there is nothing this side
of heaven that will fill the gaping hole of eternity in our hearts."
-Matt Chandller-
Thursday, March 18
Creating Reality: Jethro and Mikel
Jethro could see through the field that the sun had just made it past the horizon. This day started as usual, with two buckets of feed and a short walk to the troughs. The only thing separating this day from the countless others was the anticipation. Today Jethro would finally see King Osland. Not only him, but Jethro’s entire family would be in town for the King’s ride through their humble community. Preparations had been in the works for several weeks, ensuring the village would be ready for their King. While some of the villages’ older members had seen King Osland, most folks had only heard rumors of the man. Jethro had been dreading this day since they first got word the King would be coming.
With morning work out of the way, Jethro headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Claudine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to tell us of more taxes, at the very least”, Jethro mentioned as he passed Claudine. “At the worst, he’ll tell us how we’ve all been behind for too long, and he’ll have the village burned to the ground!” “Don’t be so paranoid!” Claudine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You buy into those rumors much too easily.” “Oh c’mon Claudine, Osland’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip for fun? There has to be something wrong.”
Mikel could see through the field that the sun had just made it past the horizon. This day started as usual, with two buckets of feed and a short walk to the troughs. The only thing separating this day from the countless others was the anticipation. Today Mikel would finally see King Nartok. Not only him, but Mikel’s entire family would be in town for the King’s ride through their humble community. Preparations had been in the works for several weeks, ensuring the village would be ready for their King. While some of the villages’ older members had seen King Nartok, most folks had only heard rumors of the man. Mikel had been anxious since they first got word the King would be coming.
With morning work out of the way, Mikel headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Nadine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to inspire us with words of the expanding kingdom!” Mikel mentioned as he passed Nadine. “At best, he may be seeking men for his royal army!” “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Nadine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You always expect far too much.” “Oh c’mon Nadine, Nartok’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip to harm us? There has to be something more!”
Jethro and Claudine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Claudine. When Osland comes by, we’ll be in the first crowd he sees.” A deep-rooted fear came up from Jethro’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Osland was close.
Mikel and Nadine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Nadine. When Nartok comes by, there’s no way he’ll see us.” A deep-rooted loyalty came up from Mikel’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Nartok was close.
After a great feast, King Osland had Jethro and Claudine come to the head table for recognition. “My faithful servant, how could you have been afraid of me? I love you as my people, and I’ve come to ensure your safety.” Jethro looked at his feet while he heard these words. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
After a great feast, King Nartok had the heads of Mikel and Nadine brought to his table for recognition. “How could this man rush my chariot? I am King Nartok, and I’ve come to take what’s rightly mine from this village.”
Just moments before Mikel’s life ended, he heard the words of King Nartok as he ordered his death. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
With morning work out of the way, Jethro headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Claudine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to tell us of more taxes, at the very least”, Jethro mentioned as he passed Claudine. “At the worst, he’ll tell us how we’ve all been behind for too long, and he’ll have the village burned to the ground!” “Don’t be so paranoid!” Claudine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You buy into those rumors much too easily.” “Oh c’mon Claudine, Osland’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip for fun? There has to be something wrong.”
Mikel could see through the field that the sun had just made it past the horizon. This day started as usual, with two buckets of feed and a short walk to the troughs. The only thing separating this day from the countless others was the anticipation. Today Mikel would finally see King Nartok. Not only him, but Mikel’s entire family would be in town for the King’s ride through their humble community. Preparations had been in the works for several weeks, ensuring the village would be ready for their King. While some of the villages’ older members had seen King Nartok, most folks had only heard rumors of the man. Mikel had been anxious since they first got word the King would be coming.
With morning work out of the way, Mikel headed in for a meal. There would be no time for much else, as he and his wife Nadine had several miles to get into town. “I’m sure he’s come to inspire us with words of the expanding kingdom!” Mikel mentioned as he passed Nadine. “At best, he may be seeking men for his royal army!” “Don’t get ahead of yourself!” Nadine muttered, as she finished gathering her things for the walk, “You always expect far too much.” “Oh c’mon Nadine, Nartok’s never set foot in our town, yet he’s been our King as long as anyone can remember, and you think he’s making this trip to harm us? There has to be something more!”
Jethro and Claudine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Claudine. When Osland comes by, we’ll be in the first crowd he sees.” A deep-rooted fear came up from Jethro’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Osland was close.
Mikel and Nadine stood in the back of a crowd. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into being up here Nadine. When Nartok comes by, there’s no way he’ll see us.” A deep-rooted loyalty came up from Mikel’s gut as he heard the trumpets. He knew King Nartok was close.
After a great feast, King Osland had Jethro and Claudine come to the head table for recognition. “My faithful servant, how could you have been afraid of me? I love you as my people, and I’ve come to ensure your safety.” Jethro looked at his feet while he heard these words. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
After a great feast, King Nartok had the heads of Mikel and Nadine brought to his table for recognition. “How could this man rush my chariot? I am King Nartok, and I’ve come to take what’s rightly mine from this village.”
Just moments before Mikel’s life ended, he heard the words of King Nartok as he ordered his death. Words that were turning his whole world upside down as his perceptions had been wrong.
Thursday, March 11
Give it up
Thursday, March 4
My life of crime
Date: February 13, 2004.
Location: Downtown Lewisville, TX.
Scenario: A green Ford Focus, known near and far as 'The Green Machine' heads North on Main St. through Lewisville. The posted speed limit is 30 mph. The driver, obviously a wreckless danger to society, barrels through the streets at 41 mph. Suddenly, with swiftness and disregard for personal risk, an unmarked Lewisville policeman manages to catch the daredevil. Charged with speeding, this villain had the gal to present a drivers license donning an old address!
Today I went to Lewisville to state a plea to the judge that I was a student during 2003, and my address was still valid. All fine and dandy, except I was no longer a student come January 9, 2004, and law states you have 30 days to change your address, hence, the $85 fine remains. A few noteables during my time at the courthouse. . .
I walked into the courtroom to find 4 other people waiting. It was quiet. And I don't mean quiet like no one was talking. I mean quiet like if you blink everyone can hear it. I wanted to make a joke about the situation, but I figured some of the people around me might be in real trouble, or real pissed, so I didn't want to risk it.
Moment #1: When asked why she [the judge] should reduce the speeding charge of $180, a young guy said "Uhhhhhhhh. . .ummmmmmm, uhhhhhhh, welll. . . .uhhhhhhhh, hmmmmmm. . . .see I'm in college, and uhhhhhhhhh, I can't ummmmmm, afford it right now." Absolutely brilliant. Right there I wanted to tell the judge to guess what 'college' this guy attended. . . .man at least be smart enough to lie your way into an excuse. Geez I learned that when I was in kindergarten.
Moment #2: When I asked the judge how long the law gives you to change your license address, she didn't seem to know exactly. What ensued next was a mini debate between her, the balif, and the court reporter. The three of them came to the decision that you have 30 days to change it. And when I say 'the three of them', I really mean that the reporter said "I think you have 30 days" and that seemed good enough for the judge, so she just says "umm, yeah, you had 30 days to change it."
I love seeing Texas justice at work.
Location: Downtown Lewisville, TX.
Scenario: A green Ford Focus, known near and far as 'The Green Machine' heads North on Main St. through Lewisville. The posted speed limit is 30 mph. The driver, obviously a wreckless danger to society, barrels through the streets at 41 mph. Suddenly, with swiftness and disregard for personal risk, an unmarked Lewisville policeman manages to catch the daredevil. Charged with speeding, this villain had the gal to present a drivers license donning an old address!
Today I went to Lewisville to state a plea to the judge that I was a student during 2003, and my address was still valid. All fine and dandy, except I was no longer a student come January 9, 2004, and law states you have 30 days to change your address, hence, the $85 fine remains. A few noteables during my time at the courthouse. . .
I walked into the courtroom to find 4 other people waiting. It was quiet. And I don't mean quiet like no one was talking. I mean quiet like if you blink everyone can hear it. I wanted to make a joke about the situation, but I figured some of the people around me might be in real trouble, or real pissed, so I didn't want to risk it.
Moment #1: When asked why she [the judge] should reduce the speeding charge of $180, a young guy said "Uhhhhhhhh. . .ummmmmmm, uhhhhhhh, welll. . . .uhhhhhhhh, hmmmmmm. . . .see I'm in college, and uhhhhhhhhh, I can't ummmmmm, afford it right now." Absolutely brilliant. Right there I wanted to tell the judge to guess what 'college' this guy attended. . . .man at least be smart enough to lie your way into an excuse. Geez I learned that when I was in kindergarten.
Moment #2: When I asked the judge how long the law gives you to change your license address, she didn't seem to know exactly. What ensued next was a mini debate between her, the balif, and the court reporter. The three of them came to the decision that you have 30 days to change it. And when I say 'the three of them', I really mean that the reporter said "I think you have 30 days" and that seemed good enough for the judge, so she just says "umm, yeah, you had 30 days to change it."
I love seeing Texas justice at work.
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