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LIFE IS MORE THAN A JOB!

I have no idea at this point (with 3+ years left) as to how history will judge the 43rd president. The next 40+ months could go in a lot of directions for George; however, what I do know for sure is that he’s not concerned about it. In George W. Bush we have a man who knows who he is in Christ.

The past week, the press jumped all over Bush for making his 50th visit to his ranch in Texas- in less than five years. No one knows the stress and work ethic this being president brings to the table. I cannot imagine the toll that running for president, not once but twice, places upon a person.

We all know that Bill Clinton lived for the office, the job, the fame. Of yes, and then there was the fact that he didn’t have a home to go to! Clinton was a homeless man (unless you want to call the White House home). And we all know the health problems that he has recently had due to his drive, lack of sleep and poor eating habits.

Bush just took his annual exam and was declared more than fit. I don’t know how that can make such a statement; however, doctors have declared Bush to be the most fit president in history. For a 59 year old man he’s in the top 1%! One percent! His body fat is a mere 15%, he works out six days a week, he dropped eight pounds in the last year, and his cardiac numbers are more than impressive.

Bottom line. Bush is a president (a etter word would be person) who does his job but for whom the job is not his life. If he leaves no other legacy, wouldn’t that be something worth modeling? A man who does his job, but doesn’t over do it. A man who takes care of his life, spends time with family and friends, and puts God at the center of his life and being. Amazing. I wonder if we will ever see such an example again.

Sad, but I seriously doubt it.

THE NEW AMERICAN GODS (Judges)

What a fine mess we find ourselves in as August opens it’s doors and days to us. The Republicans will get their chance to counter the Democrats. And if there ever was a time or place that UBL would like to hit, it would be New York with the Republican convention going on. My second guess would be Houston’s refineries!

You see oil is now way over $43 a barrel and it’s putting the brakes on the economy and raising the spectre of inflation to the Nth degree. Who can pay $2 to $3.50 a gallon for gas without cutting back somewhere. Increased gasoline prices is just another way of experiencing TAXATION without representation. And hammering a couple of our (Bush’s) refineries would certainly take oil over $50 a barrel and have the U.S. over the proverbial barrel. I can hear it now. If Bush can’t protect his own home state, how can he protect America? (Get the picture?)

But I submit to you that worse than the above scenario is the one we’ve been living since 1966: the year that the Supereme Court did away with the concept of “precedence” and decided they were the “new gods”. The USSC has passed on that legacy and DNA to the Appeals, District, and State courts such that it is our judiciary that is DEFINING life in America!

Our judges are the “new elite” who decide when life begins and ends. They decide who can marry and who cannot. They decide what punishment is legal and not. I could go on but it’s a bit depressing. And guess what, many are totally above the law. They are elected for LIFE (with few exceptions or alternatives that are viable to the public).

Think we should make some changes before the “separation of powers” political philosophy still has some meaning?

UNUSUAL POLITICAL COURAGE

I have to believe that on Friday, one of the potential cadidates for the 2008 presidential campaigns decided to NOT run. His name would be Bill Frist! I also have to admit that I really don’t have enough information to make a reasoned decision on stem cell research. It’s not that I am void of information, it’s just the very convoluted nature of combining religion with science in this area.

There’s no doubt but what Frist is a Godly man, a dedicated doctor and all the covenants that brings to his table, and he’s a very close friend of George Bush. So, for him to decide to part with the president on this issue tells me two things. It’s a deeply held personal opinion and he’s decided to not run for the president in 2008.

He just alienated a whole lot of people with his decision while not gaining any Democrats to his political ambitions as well. It was basically a lose-lose proposition politically. Many Democratic leaders immediately came to his defense and praised his decision, but none are going to do anything more for him, that’s for sure.

For whatever ramnifications it may cause to any future political ambitions Frist might have, I have to applaud a man who has the courage of his convictions.

THE ROAD TO RESPECT?

What we’ve all known for weeks is now official. It’s John Kerry against George Bush (and probably Dick Cheney). The John-John team has hit the road to touch 21 states in as few hours as modern day technology will allow. George Bush has left Crawford, Texas and he’s on the road as well.

What we didn’t know was just how the Democrats would position themselves for the run for the White House. With Kerry’s acceptance speech we now know. The focus was a one-two punch of “making America stronger at home and RESPECTED around the world.” Ahhh!

The only sure-fire way to make America “respected” around the world is for us to cease to exist. Most of the world hates America because of who we ARE. So, are we going to change US to make THEM happy? We were despised long before Bush came to town. If there’s anything we’ve learned from our welfare system, it is that those who have to get a “hand-out” wind up being mad at those giving a hand. It’s a self-esteem thing.

Most poor nations like the hand out but dislike the provider. Then there’s the 1.2 billion Muslims that have obvious dislikes for us. Oh yes, and then there’s France! So, we can either take the Kerry approach to “respect” (which won’t work), or we can stay with the Bush approach: doing the right thing and not worrying about the popularity polls world-wide. After all only the U.S. citizens vote for president of the U.S.

PUTTING THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE

John Kerry arrived in Boston today by boat along with a couple of ex-admirals and Viet Nam buddies, while speaker after speaker railed on Bush about the war in Iraq. And that’s about all I want to say about that. It is a platform from which I want to jump though.

Several web sites keep track of the men and women that we have lost in the war, and in case you’re not aware of it, the U.S has seen 908 of our young men and women end their lives on a strange and foreign battlefield. As it has been said, “The loss of any life is a tragedy, but the life of thousands of people is a statistic.” The near 3,000 people that died in the collapse of the Twin Towers was more than a “statistic” to America.

And while we mourn as a nation for the loss of every service man and woman, and while children will go fatherless, and fathers will go without sons, we need to put it all in perspective.

Bush isn’t commiting genocide as some proclaim. He’s defending our nation. But let me put it this way. We lose 435,000 each year to tobacco and smoking related deaths- by our own choice! More than 43,000 people are killed in car crashes every year.

More people were murdered in Chicago and LA last year than have been killed in Iraq. More people were murdered in Houston and NY last year than have been killed in Iraq. And, get this. It is estimated that 195,000 people were accidently, inadvertedly (patient-safety, preventable incidents they call it) killed while in the hospital to get well: to be healed!

Yes, every death is a loss- and some greater losses than others. But, when we look at the 908 people that have laid down their lives for our freedom, call it anything but genocide. And then consider the many other less worthy ways they could have died.

TALK ABOUT AN EMBARASSMENT

It sure is hard when you get caught with your hand in the cookie jar. It’s even more humiliating when you arrest the wrong person for stealing the cookies. Right?

Okay, here’s my point. In late May, the U.S. was looking for one, Haroon Rashid Aswat (of Indian heritage). It was thought that he was trying to set up a terrorist training camp somewhere in Northwest, America (Byl, Oregon to be more specific). Our intelligence had tracked him to South Africa and was ready to arrest him when it was discovered that he held a British citizenship.

No problem!

Yes, problem. Until two weeks ago, the British were acting like the liberal left here in America: worried about individual rights and freedoms. So, they said, no way: he’s one of ours! That was then, this is now.

Now, Aswat is in custody in Zambia. And what’s the big deal about that? Well, it just so happens that he’s now being wanted by Scotland Yard with being one of, if not the mastermind, the July 7 bombers that killed 52 British citizens.

Am I going to say they would not have been killed had the Brits let us apprehend him two months ago? I have no way of knowing or proving that. I can ask this question though with full confidence. Hey British intelligence, or whover made the decision to not allow us to arrest Aswat, how do you like that egg on your face: sunny side up or over easy?

FROM SLOW TO TOTALLY DULL?

Neilson ratings from Monday showed that the kick off of the Democratic convention was something of a yawner. Conventions used to have excitement when there was a brawl and knock-down drag out among two aspiring presidential candidates. Not today. It’s the Kerry and Bush show. Why waste your time listening to the rhetoric that one can hear any day of the summer?

So, what we’re hearing are sideline stories like Nasa showing the pictures of John Kerry in a space suit. Dirty tricks yell the Democrats. Say what? And then there’s Michael Reagan claiming that Nancy loves Ron Jr. more. Now there’s a story for you!

And then there’s the stories about how the Democrats were shafted in Florida in 2000. Will they ever get over it? Probably not. I could go on but let me just use Dan Rather’s description as he posited Tuesday as DULL! The really exciting news came out of California Tuesday. The “girlie-men” finally descided to go along with Arnold, rather than being “terminated” as they agreed to a budget.

At least there’s some action somewhere! Hollywood of course. Once again I missed out on the “doings”, and I’m havng to rely upon Dan Rather and the internet for my information. I chose to sit outside (though much warmer tonight) and watch my elephant ears grow. I’ll log on around eleven and see what Fox has to say. Wednesday promises to be an exciting day as John Edwards takes to the podium. Right!

THE 2006 WARM UP SWEEPSTAKES

I am sure that everyone konws that we’re now just twelve months away from a lot of heavy mud-slinging. This time next year, both major parites will be duking it out, not just for the November ‘06 elections but for what they call in pool, “the set up shot”.

Everywhere you look, you can see the behind the scenes maneuvering. Take today (Wednesday) as an example. Though he trails the probable Democratic challenger (Eliot Spitzer) for governor of New York, few feel Pataki could lose in a bid for a fourth term. But today he announced he’s not running again. Why? How about because he’s getting ready for a 2008 run for President.

Suprise, surprise as John McCain reactivated his political action committee- Straight Talk America. Wonder why? And I am sure I don’t have to tell you that Hillary is only running for Senator of New York next year to set the stage for a presidential run. As though she needed the exposure.

However, outside of the specific candidates jockeying for positions, there are the parties who are setting up all the balls so they can “run the tables.” Is there any better proof of that than Rumsfeld visit to Iraq today and the announcement that we could begin a major draw down of troops next Spring, if all is going well. IF? If you say? It’s a for sure deal because IF the Republicans want to retain control of the Senate and House next year, we can’t still be at war with the terrorists.

Speaking of which, in case you hadn’t picked up on the subtle change, the administration is no longer talking about a “war on terror“. Wonder why? Could it be that Americans have grown tired of war?

LOST OUR NATION’S SOUL?

The first night of the Democratic convention is over, I guess. I chose to sit outside in the abnormally cool and dry air on the 26th day of July and enjoy nature. While my son jams away on his guitar and my wife attends a “sleep-over” (at someone else’s house), I’ve taken advantage of the “quiet” of my back yard. However, I have been booted up on my laptop, and from time to time I’d check in on who was saying what- via the internet. And if Drudge is right, they have drudged up some nasty things that Teresa Heinz Kerry had to say about Kennedy & the Democrats in the past.

After having read the highlights of the “we’re not going to attack Bush” Democratic convention, somewhere the train must have jumped the tracks. It seems as though Hill & Bill were civil; however, the bitter loss in 2000 for Gore just doesn’t allow him to be forgiving. Mind you, I’m just reviewing the words, having not seen or listened to the tone.

The headline that caught my eye though was that of the near 80 year old Jimmy Carter, who said what was at stake was “America’s soul”. He seems to think that Bush has departed from our American principles. Let me see now.

Hasn’t Bush basically stood UP for American principles, and said we’re not going to let someone come and bomb our buildings without some retribution? Hasn’t Bush been rallying the American spirit and soul, and reminding us of what we stand for, and who we are: under God?

And, wasn’t it Jimmy Carter who did nothing to free our captives in Iran while proclaiming that America was suffering under a “malaise”? Wasn’t that Carter who basically
misplaced and lost the soul of America? And wasn’t it Ronald Reagan who got it back by taking him out of office?

Maybe this semi-cool air of the evening has somehow messed with my mind and brain neurons; however, maybe it’s Carter who’s memory is getting a bit foggy at 80. Could it be?

TWO DIFFERENT WORLD VIEWS

One of the things that bothered me about the war with Iraq was the “end game”. Stephen Covey, in his book, Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, gives us this insight. One should not start something that you haven’t thought about where it would wind up. Or, as he he puts it, “begin with the end in mind”.

It also reminds me of a principle that all good attorneys try and remember when litigating a case. And that is, don’t ask a question of a witness that you don’t already know the answer. Failing to do so can cause you to lose your case. Of course you still get paid.

What bothered me about the Iraq situation was the political-religious mind set. After freeing the people from Saddam, a new constitution and government would have to be set up. The problem would be what kind of government. The objective was to FREE the people: ALL the people. But I must ask, free them from WHAT? Free them from Saddam only, or free them in life in general?

In Muslim countries, it is understood that that the government should be run by Islamic principles. In other words, whereas we in America believe in separation of church and state, in Muslim countries the church IS the state. And guess what?

We are now deep enough into the constitutional process to get some idea of where the interim leaders are going. Surprise! The government newspaper, Al-Sabah published this today, “The draft states no law will be approved that contradicts “the rules of Islam” - a requirement that could affect women’s rights and set Iraq on a course far different from the one envisioned when U.S.-led forces invaded in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein. Islam is the official religion of the state and is the main source of legislation. No law that contradicts with its rules can be promulgated.”

So, if freeing the MEN was the goal, it looks like our war was a success. If our goal was to free the women as well, I think we failed. The Muslim world just simply sees things differently than we do. Duh!

HERE HE COMES AGAIN!

Let’s be realistic, if anyone knows exactly what that entails. Let’s say you want to make a movie. So, you start going to various people to not only produce and fund it, but to distribute it. There’s just a couple of problems in the presentation though.

The film is a religious film: strike one. The film is about Jesus Christ and it is highly graphic on violence (ie. scourging): strike two. Oh yes, and the language is in Aramic with a little Latin thrown in (and I’m not talking Jennifer Lopez here): strike three!

Did I mention the film took in $400,000,000 domestically to become the all-time eight highest grossing film? So, with that level of succcess under his belt, what’s a man to do with his hundreds of millions of dollars. Well, would you believe Mel Gibson is going back in time once more, except this time he doesn’t need anyone to help with anything.

And if you thought Aramic was hard to understand, his next movie is entitled APOCALYPTO and is filmed in an obscure Mayan dialect! And yes, there will be subtitles since few I know of speak such language.

Only Mel!

AND IT’S OFF TO BOSTON WEEK!

So much for all of that “spiritual” stuff last week. Let’s get back to the stuff that “fantasy” is made of- POLITICS! It’s been called Ft. Boston, but I choose to call it SPIN Boston, as New York will be called Spin city next month.

It’s all about how you “spin” or shall we say how you “manipulate” expectations. The Republicans say that the historical “bounce” out of a convention is 10-15 points. The Democrats say that since they chose their VP weeks ago, they got their “bounce” then. Say what?

If the Democrats really get no bounce, then are they saying they’ll come out of the Republican Convention behind? So, what can we expect out of Boston? Probably that which the stock market wished that it had- more BULL!

We will have protests and more protests. We’ll have Kennedy, Bill, Hillary, John, and John. With those five, you just called out the entire extreme left wing of the Democratic party- the nation.

Oh yes, then there’s Ron Reagan Jr., the son of President Reagan. Why is he getting prime-time? The name, the name! When Nancy was on the USS Reagan as it came into port, honoring her husband this past week, Ron Reagan Jr. wasn’t anywhere around. Why should he be since he never voted for his father: didn’t share his dad’s beliefs. He only speaks for 5-8 minutes (on stem-cell experiments) but it’s the name (can you say SPIN) that matters.

Anyway, let’s give the Democrats their week in the spotlight, and on the wheel, because the Republicans will get their a month later.

A TRIBUTE TO GREATNESS!

On Sunday, Lance Armstrong will cycle in to Paris and be crowned the Tour de France winner- for the seventh time! Did I mention it is seven in a ROW? There will be all kinds of celebrating; however, the other riders in the event who have had to take a back seat to Lance will probably be applauding the most. Maybe 2006 will be their year!

But there is far more to Lance than just being able to ride a bike incredibly well and fast over twenty one days. His story is pure Hollywood stuff as this editor writes, “If scripted by Hollywood, the story would be dismissed as trite melodrama: A deadly disease strikes a promising athlete. Despite desperately thin odds, he manages not only to beat the affliction but also to return to the sport and win its top prize. Unbelievable, except it’s true.”

As doctors will tell you, he has a unique physical gift from God with unusually large lungs, a need for less oxygen, and a pulse rate that benefits his sport. His incredible story will only grow with the passage of time. Team Discovery will now need to look for another leader. I applaud his decision to go out ON TOP. He could probably win another one of two races, but he’s not into a lot of the things that other egotisitc athlete fall prey to.

His yellow wrist band and Cycle of Hope efforts are as much about Lance as is his cycling prowess. A tip of the hat to a grand champion- a sportsman for the ages!

A SPIRITUAL COMPASS- Part # 7

I am going to put a weekend wrap on this “spiritual journey” I’ve talked about over the last week: as it applies to what’s going on in the natural. It was Paul who reminded us in his writings in I Cor. 15 “First the natural and then the spiritual”.

There is a “backdrop” for all that is going on, a shadow government if you will. It seems as though there are things going on in the world that I’ve seen, felt, or lived through before. Some call it deja-vu. Plato recognized this centuries ago and he called it “anamnesis”, or the soul’s remembrance of the past. Time as we know it has another true dimension you know- beyond our experiences.

There are things that I simply know are true, they are at one moment strange and at the other moment familiar. A word of knowledge? A premonition? A seeing both backwards and forwards? Whatever it is, it IS!

Monday my son and I shared such a moment, which is taking things a little further down the road. While watching the Dodgers beat the Astros my son “sensed” a foul ball was going to come our way on the next pitch- as I did: and as it did! Paul Tillich called it the “eternal now”. Call it the Twilight Zone, call it the Matrix, but call it real.

My spiritual compass is spinning because I see so many things happening in the natural with what appear to be invisible strings manipulating them (us), like giant puppets. So, time will tell. Will one of the candidates make the presidential race not close? Will we have a terrorist attack? Will we have a natural (not man-made)catastrophe between now and the end of the year? Will UBL be captured? Hmmm.

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