It's not even January 2nd and already I'm putting up another blog post... Oh my. Hope someone put down their resolution to read obscure blogs more often!
I'm up and I can't sleep. My brain keeps tinkering with thoughts and concerns keep me up. I know this happens to a lot of people, but my concerns probably don't qualify as "NORMAL." For example, most people would probably be concerned knowing there are people with guns. My concern is that someone might just take their guns away...
Hot-button issue across the country - Gun Control! You probably guessed my standpoint just from that last paragraph, but before you shoot down my position (hehehehe... gun humor!), take a moment to hear out my thoughts on this crucial issue.
Lock and Load!
The way I chose to look at this issue is by taking a glance at the history of our nation. Why do we even have the second amendment to begin with? What were the issues facing our fledgling country that compelled our founding fathers to allow these rights to exist?
I learned that there were many legitimate reasons for allowing Americans to possess their own firearms. Here's what they seemed to boil down to:
- Defeat invaders (British)
- Made it possible to form a militia (If needed to fight the British)
- Dissuade tyrannical governments from taking power (British AND American)
- Personal protection (From other people with guns!)
- Supress insurrection (Crazy people loyal to Britain)
One of the greatest reasoning behind granting the right to bear arms was so that the Colonies could muster a defensive force against the inevitable war against the British. Nowadays, our "Well regulated militia" is the Army, Navy, Marines, and National Guard. They do protect our borders. As so police men and masked vigilantes (not so often those last ones...).
So, the question MUST be asked: Do any of these reasons still apply to our society today?
Well... we don't have to worry TOO much about the British attacking. We already have a strong military (some say TOO strong...). We have other means readily available to suppress insurrectionists and traitors.
I would say that there are only two reasons still applicable today that would warrant upholding the second amendment: Dissuading tyranny and personal protection. Let's explore the notion!
Tyranny is always persistent. It doesn't matter how many checks and balances we put in place, people in power will always find a way to obtain more power. It's only a matter of time before someone decides to take the presidency a little too far. The price of freedom is perpetual vigilance from threats both foreign and domestic! Sometimes the greatest threat to our freedom comes from within.
If the majority of people agreed to give up the right to bear arms, then we could be opening a door down the road to massive tyranny imposing itself through the American Government. I know! It's a long shot right? The government telling us what to do, how to work, how much money we can make, what we can and can't eat, where to go for health care... Maybe not so much of a stretch after all...
If (and that's a BIG if) the government ever did get out of hand, our founding fathers wanted to give us the opportunity to fight back. At least it would make it a bit more difficult for the government to take over its people. I mean, we can't exactly get on another Mayflower and try this whole thing over again. Right? Probably a good enough reason alone is to keep the government in check. Like a last defense type of thing.
Then there's the self defense issue. Do we still have unsafe neighborhoods and people committing violent acts? Yes. Yes, we do. But are guns really necessary in order to protect ourselves? I mean, we have a WHOLE lot of non-lethal options: Tasers, pepper spray, socks with rolls of quarters in them, bricks in purses, phasers, plastic light sabers, attack pigeons... The list really goes on and on for effective close range weapons that aren't likely to kill an attacker.
And my personal position on self defense is that I wouldn't want a gun in my home. But you need to understand where I'm coming from with that. See, I have had the experience of being robbed at gun point. I have trained heavily in the martial arts. I know EXACTLY what to do if someone breaks into my home and is armed. I don't own a gun, because that would be largely ineffective for that situation. Someone breaks into my house at night, they're going to round a corner to come face to face with a razor sharp KATANA! Silent, elegant, but very messy...
My point is that non-lethal weapons are a GREAT advantage for the person who wants a great personal defense from up-close attackers. If you're grabbed or snuck up on, these weapons, and others, are great for SHORT RANGE situations.
But, if I were in a large room, outdoors, in a restaurant, anyplace where an attacker were from 20-50 feet away... well, even my 3 foot blade of slicing steel would be ineffective at that distance. Guns are ideal for stopping crazy people with guns in real life situations where the death toll can climb quickly. I dare say that the only time you'd need a gun for personal protection is when you're outside your own home.
There you have it. Those two reasons alone convince (my mind at least) that the second amendment should continue unimpeded. This is the futile thought - That making a LAW would possibly STOP a lawBREAKER. Laws don't protect us from people with guns, it just makes it simpler to punish them IF we catch them alive...
If you happen to have a favorite meme on this Gun Control issue, please share it in the comment section!
PEW PEW PEW!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year Resolutions
It's that time again! A whole bunch of calendars get thrown away, people make outrageous commitments to get in shape, half the civilized world gets trashed and then decides to play with fireworks (a brilliant combination). Of course, it's New Years! That time of resurgent hope and optimism that enables people to live rich, fulfilling lives complete with healthy changes... until February 2nd hits and then all bets are off.
Who knows why this happens? Maybe our resolve is scared away by the ground hog's shadow or something ridiculous like that. Or, it could be that it takes more than a moment's decision to impact our lives with any lasting benefit.
Don't get me wrong, resolutions are a great thing. Everyone should practice the introspection of their lives and see clearly where they could (and should) improve. People have the common resolve to be healthy, get into shape, stop smoking, be more adventurous, etc... But what most people lack is the staying power to see these changes through to the end of the next year and beyond.
Well, my resolutions aren't going to fail this year. I have a systematic plan. It's all about baby steps!
By the end of the year, I will be able to do 365 of any of these exercises:
-Push-ups
-Sit-ups
-Squats
-Pull-ups
-Jumping jacks
How am I going to get there? Easily! I will start by adding ONE extra rep each day. Today, one push-up. Tomorrow, two. And so on and so forth until I am Hulk-like by the end of the year.
Insane life goals are so much easier when you take it one step at a time. Sure, I'd love to just do the power 90 and do something hyper intense and see results quickly, but I think it's better to grow into something. Something intense may make an impact on my life, but I want transformation. I want to BECOME fit and not just experience it for a while. I want there to be a consistency in what I do. (Imagine being able to do 365 of each of these exercises EVERY day!)
I know, being fit is cliche... but that's one thing I want. I DO have another resolution, but this one needs your help:
I want my internet postings to actually make me some spending cash!
Something that I had discovered the other day; did you know that blogs and YouTube will PAY you if you have enough views or people clicking on ads? I thought that was just a whole bunch of nothing. Empty promises. But I checked on how much my blog has made in the past 2 years of its existence and I was shocked to find that I had accrued a stellar $1.90! Yes... that's not even enough for a coffee at Starbucks. Yes, that's a few pennies every month... BUT it gave me hope that maybe, just MAYBE I could turn this blog into something that enriches lives AND my wallet.
Same with YouTube. I decided that I must make use of the media available to me and attempt to make an impact. With views comes advertisements. And with advertisements come cash in my hand. Cash I can use to do more cool things with! (And maybe it would mean I could stop selling my blood on the side!)
So, you see; we can help each other. The more you share, the more you view, the more you comment, the more I'll be encouraged and motivated to bring better and better things to the internet table. You can be entertained, and I can have a means of having pocket money that doesn't involve pouring out my body's liquids.
I know this is probably a deal with the devil concept here that no one will take me up on, but if your resolution is to be more adventurous or just a better person, then I'm sure you can help!
What is your resolution? Share in the comments BELOW!
Who knows why this happens? Maybe our resolve is scared away by the ground hog's shadow or something ridiculous like that. Or, it could be that it takes more than a moment's decision to impact our lives with any lasting benefit.
Don't get me wrong, resolutions are a great thing. Everyone should practice the introspection of their lives and see clearly where they could (and should) improve. People have the common resolve to be healthy, get into shape, stop smoking, be more adventurous, etc... But what most people lack is the staying power to see these changes through to the end of the next year and beyond.
Well, my resolutions aren't going to fail this year. I have a systematic plan. It's all about baby steps!
By the end of the year, I will be able to do 365 of any of these exercises:
-Push-ups
-Sit-ups
-Squats
-Pull-ups
-Jumping jacks
How am I going to get there? Easily! I will start by adding ONE extra rep each day. Today, one push-up. Tomorrow, two. And so on and so forth until I am Hulk-like by the end of the year.
Insane life goals are so much easier when you take it one step at a time. Sure, I'd love to just do the power 90 and do something hyper intense and see results quickly, but I think it's better to grow into something. Something intense may make an impact on my life, but I want transformation. I want to BECOME fit and not just experience it for a while. I want there to be a consistency in what I do. (Imagine being able to do 365 of each of these exercises EVERY day!)
I know, being fit is cliche... but that's one thing I want. I DO have another resolution, but this one needs your help:
I want my internet postings to actually make me some spending cash!
Something that I had discovered the other day; did you know that blogs and YouTube will PAY you if you have enough views or people clicking on ads? I thought that was just a whole bunch of nothing. Empty promises. But I checked on how much my blog has made in the past 2 years of its existence and I was shocked to find that I had accrued a stellar $1.90! Yes... that's not even enough for a coffee at Starbucks. Yes, that's a few pennies every month... BUT it gave me hope that maybe, just MAYBE I could turn this blog into something that enriches lives AND my wallet.
Same with YouTube. I decided that I must make use of the media available to me and attempt to make an impact. With views comes advertisements. And with advertisements come cash in my hand. Cash I can use to do more cool things with! (And maybe it would mean I could stop selling my blood on the side!)
So, you see; we can help each other. The more you share, the more you view, the more you comment, the more I'll be encouraged and motivated to bring better and better things to the internet table. You can be entertained, and I can have a means of having pocket money that doesn't involve pouring out my body's liquids.
I know this is probably a deal with the devil concept here that no one will take me up on, but if your resolution is to be more adventurous or just a better person, then I'm sure you can help!
What is your resolution? Share in the comments BELOW!
Friday, December 28, 2012
E-motive
It's nearing 2am and I'm wide awake. Assisted by some coffee, I'm witnessing the graveyard shift at my local Starbucks. Why? Simply put, I can't sleep. Why? Even simpler, too much on my mind. What? Well... you're just full of questions tonight, aren't you?! Well, blogging tends to be my emotional outlet, so let's see what comes out.
The holidays are such a wondrous time. So much anticipation and deeply-rooted significance with these occasions. And yet, amidst the joy and cheer, there always seems to be something gnawing at the legs that cause this happiness to crumble into a mess of shattered pieces. Perhaps it's just the overwhelming expectations of joy and well being, maybe it's just the natural bathos back into normal life, or maybe it's part of the Mayan Calendar Curse that bursts bubbles... probably not that last one.
But whatever the reason, the holidays (as wonderful and amazing as they are) leave me feeling just a tad blue when they're over. The contrast of togetherness and family time yields to loneliness and mundane monotony plays its full course in just a matter of days. The cycle of smiles and frowns, like the moon, keeps on a predictable pattern. The joy of Christmas turns into melancholy emptiness. Somehow this continues year after year.
Again, I can only speculate as to why. Is it the natural let down after such high hopes and fluttering holiday emotions? Is it only me (or my family) who experience this phenomenon? If it's more of a universal occurrence, then perhaps there's something psychological to it.
Or maybe it's a deeper yearning for something greater than what the holidays have become? Let me venture a thought.
I know that this time of year has been regarded as a time of hope. Not only is it the celebrated memorium of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, being born in a stable in Bethlehem, but it's also the time of year when days begin to lengthen. The reign of darkness (both spiritually and physically) is nearing an end. The hope that these facts can evoke is marvelous.
But our society, namely corporations, have pushed our sentiments to the limit. Stores gear up for Christmas before the previous holiday is even past. I've begun to see Santas and candy canes pop up in stores before HALLOWEEN! Christmas music is pumped on the airwaves before the turkey is carved at Thanksgiving! By the time Christmas rolls around, there are many more Scrooges and Grinches than merry elves because too many of us simply tire of the motifs. The spirit of Christmas has been replicated ad nausium and so has lost its potency. Well... what do you expect?
This is sad... because I believe so many people WANT to experience Christmas. I mean, who honestly wants to BE SAD? I tend to think that people want happiness, joy, hope, the good emotions that come with the season. But these are not emotions that cannot be manufactured by Hallmark. The joy has to come from a more legitimate source.
I say, next year, let's shorten the season. Ignore the holiday up until the week before. Sure, if only a few people do it, the world won't change overnight... but if more and more begin to resist the tradition of commercialization, then eventually there can be an impact! Who knows, maybe the joy of the season will return when we don't experience the emotional burnout from the constant expectations of cheeriness.
Just my two cents (depreciated for inflation). Maybe now I can rest. Thanks for reading! Happy New Year!
The holidays are such a wondrous time. So much anticipation and deeply-rooted significance with these occasions. And yet, amidst the joy and cheer, there always seems to be something gnawing at the legs that cause this happiness to crumble into a mess of shattered pieces. Perhaps it's just the overwhelming expectations of joy and well being, maybe it's just the natural bathos back into normal life, or maybe it's part of the Mayan Calendar Curse that bursts bubbles... probably not that last one.
But whatever the reason, the holidays (as wonderful and amazing as they are) leave me feeling just a tad blue when they're over. The contrast of togetherness and family time yields to loneliness and mundane monotony plays its full course in just a matter of days. The cycle of smiles and frowns, like the moon, keeps on a predictable pattern. The joy of Christmas turns into melancholy emptiness. Somehow this continues year after year.
Again, I can only speculate as to why. Is it the natural let down after such high hopes and fluttering holiday emotions? Is it only me (or my family) who experience this phenomenon? If it's more of a universal occurrence, then perhaps there's something psychological to it.
Or maybe it's a deeper yearning for something greater than what the holidays have become? Let me venture a thought.
I know that this time of year has been regarded as a time of hope. Not only is it the celebrated memorium of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, being born in a stable in Bethlehem, but it's also the time of year when days begin to lengthen. The reign of darkness (both spiritually and physically) is nearing an end. The hope that these facts can evoke is marvelous.
But our society, namely corporations, have pushed our sentiments to the limit. Stores gear up for Christmas before the previous holiday is even past. I've begun to see Santas and candy canes pop up in stores before HALLOWEEN! Christmas music is pumped on the airwaves before the turkey is carved at Thanksgiving! By the time Christmas rolls around, there are many more Scrooges and Grinches than merry elves because too many of us simply tire of the motifs. The spirit of Christmas has been replicated ad nausium and so has lost its potency. Well... what do you expect?
This is sad... because I believe so many people WANT to experience Christmas. I mean, who honestly wants to BE SAD? I tend to think that people want happiness, joy, hope, the good emotions that come with the season. But these are not emotions that cannot be manufactured by Hallmark. The joy has to come from a more legitimate source.
I say, next year, let's shorten the season. Ignore the holiday up until the week before. Sure, if only a few people do it, the world won't change overnight... but if more and more begin to resist the tradition of commercialization, then eventually there can be an impact! Who knows, maybe the joy of the season will return when we don't experience the emotional burnout from the constant expectations of cheeriness.
Just my two cents (depreciated for inflation). Maybe now I can rest. Thanks for reading! Happy New Year!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Hallowed
It's October. Normally I don't go around announcing the name of the months like some sort of calendar, but this month is different. Every child in the US knows what comes at the end of October. It approaches with ever-gaining momentum as candy pours into stores and is bought up by savvy consumers. It's a celebration marked with costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins.
Of course I'm talking about Halloween. It's a hot-button holiday. The Christian community denounces it by striking the fear of God into kids which only adds to the ambiance for the rest of society who cannot see any spiritual implications from All Hallow's Eve. These two sides feed into each other. The fear that the Church throws out regarding Halloween is soaked up by those who enjoy it, which just makes the Church try harder... Perhaps a new approach to Halloween is necessary?
It's been widely accepted that Halloween finds its roots in pagan superstition. The belief is that the barrier between this realm and the spiritual realm are at their weakest, so the souls that walk this world have a chance to speak before moving on. The costumes and masks sprang up as a way to fool these spirits into not taking any revenge on someone unrecognized.
Pretty spooky, also pretty lame as far as superstitions go. Why atheists don't attack Halloween is perplexing. Seems it'd be right up their alley. Haven't heard a word on it yet... but whatever.
Even so, the Church did adopt this holiday and celebrated it for quite a while. All Saints Day, being November 1st, was a time to commemorate those passed and to honor the saints. Many of the superstitions from the pagan rituals were maintained, but it's hard to escape any and all influence from a reclaimed holiday.
Our dates for Christmas, Easter and St. Valentine's Day are a few examples of holidays reclaimed from pagan/secular influences. Even with a solid amount of Christian emphasis, these holidays retain a great deal of their secular influences alongside the spiritual significance.
Halloween, however, seems to be one holiday that Christians just couldn't keep a hold on... Instead of attempting another takeover of a secular holiday (as the Church HAS done in the past with a good deal of success) the Church seems to be content to disavow the holiday altogether. Ignore the decorations popping up in the neighborhood and relegating any participants with disdain and disapproval.
If you talk with any Pastor for an extended amount of time on the subject of Halloween, you will inevitably hear passages like "Do not have even the appearance of evil." OR "Be in the world, not of the world."
However, we do a great disservice to the world by not engaging it. We think that opposition or pointing out the negatives will somehow persuade the masses that Halloween is terrible and scary. We indulge those who maintain that Halloween is for seances, devil worship, animal sacrifices and summoning spirits. Instead of shifting focus to something productive, the Church has fallen into the same mindset that the world has propagated and has, incorrectly, decided to battle on demonic ground...
The novel approach would be to shift Halloween back to honoring those who have passed, dispelling the superstitious notions of spiritism and by utilizing the holiday for Christ.
Think about this: At no other time in history has our culture been SO preoccupied with the "dead" things. Vampires, witches, zombies and a whole litany of other macabre are at the forefront of our culture. Even history is being brought into this fascination with Abraham Lincoln - VAMPIRE HUNTER! Seriously, we must acknowledge this fascination and realize what our role is supposed to be as Christians.
As Christians, we have abdicated our role of concern. The world seems so much more concerned with the dead than we are. This should not be. Yes, our focus is life. Yes, we are promised eternal life, that is what we strive for, that is what we know. BUT, our MISSION is to seek out the lost, to be a light in this world. IN THIS WORLD, we are to be more concerned with the dead - those lost to sin.
Suggesting a new approach to Halloween does not come lightly. I've been mulling this over for years. I cannot wrap my mind around the accepted approach of denouncing Halloween. I cannot comprehend the reasoning behind separating ourselves from the world on a holiday that could make a POSITIVE impact if the positive message of Christianity were poured INTO it.
The WHOLE point of Christ dying was to TRANSFORM the dead, sinful creature of man into a LIVING witness for Christ. Why have we failed Halloween, Church? Why have we failed to engage culture on the forefront? Are we too scared of the decorations?
Boldly, we must pour in the light and love of Christ in ALL situations. The opportunity for transformation is too rich to pass up. Let's rethink our approach to this day. (It's just as superstitious to imagine that dressing up and giving out candy equates to demon worship...)
Of course I'm talking about Halloween. It's a hot-button holiday. The Christian community denounces it by striking the fear of God into kids which only adds to the ambiance for the rest of society who cannot see any spiritual implications from All Hallow's Eve. These two sides feed into each other. The fear that the Church throws out regarding Halloween is soaked up by those who enjoy it, which just makes the Church try harder... Perhaps a new approach to Halloween is necessary?
It's been widely accepted that Halloween finds its roots in pagan superstition. The belief is that the barrier between this realm and the spiritual realm are at their weakest, so the souls that walk this world have a chance to speak before moving on. The costumes and masks sprang up as a way to fool these spirits into not taking any revenge on someone unrecognized.
Pretty spooky, also pretty lame as far as superstitions go. Why atheists don't attack Halloween is perplexing. Seems it'd be right up their alley. Haven't heard a word on it yet... but whatever.
Even so, the Church did adopt this holiday and celebrated it for quite a while. All Saints Day, being November 1st, was a time to commemorate those passed and to honor the saints. Many of the superstitions from the pagan rituals were maintained, but it's hard to escape any and all influence from a reclaimed holiday.
Our dates for Christmas, Easter and St. Valentine's Day are a few examples of holidays reclaimed from pagan/secular influences. Even with a solid amount of Christian emphasis, these holidays retain a great deal of their secular influences alongside the spiritual significance.
Halloween, however, seems to be one holiday that Christians just couldn't keep a hold on... Instead of attempting another takeover of a secular holiday (as the Church HAS done in the past with a good deal of success) the Church seems to be content to disavow the holiday altogether. Ignore the decorations popping up in the neighborhood and relegating any participants with disdain and disapproval.
If you talk with any Pastor for an extended amount of time on the subject of Halloween, you will inevitably hear passages like "Do not have even the appearance of evil." OR "Be in the world, not of the world."
However, we do a great disservice to the world by not engaging it. We think that opposition or pointing out the negatives will somehow persuade the masses that Halloween is terrible and scary. We indulge those who maintain that Halloween is for seances, devil worship, animal sacrifices and summoning spirits. Instead of shifting focus to something productive, the Church has fallen into the same mindset that the world has propagated and has, incorrectly, decided to battle on demonic ground...
The novel approach would be to shift Halloween back to honoring those who have passed, dispelling the superstitious notions of spiritism and by utilizing the holiday for Christ.
Think about this: At no other time in history has our culture been SO preoccupied with the "dead" things. Vampires, witches, zombies and a whole litany of other macabre are at the forefront of our culture. Even history is being brought into this fascination with Abraham Lincoln - VAMPIRE HUNTER! Seriously, we must acknowledge this fascination and realize what our role is supposed to be as Christians.
As Christians, we have abdicated our role of concern. The world seems so much more concerned with the dead than we are. This should not be. Yes, our focus is life. Yes, we are promised eternal life, that is what we strive for, that is what we know. BUT, our MISSION is to seek out the lost, to be a light in this world. IN THIS WORLD, we are to be more concerned with the dead - those lost to sin.
Suggesting a new approach to Halloween does not come lightly. I've been mulling this over for years. I cannot wrap my mind around the accepted approach of denouncing Halloween. I cannot comprehend the reasoning behind separating ourselves from the world on a holiday that could make a POSITIVE impact if the positive message of Christianity were poured INTO it.
The WHOLE point of Christ dying was to TRANSFORM the dead, sinful creature of man into a LIVING witness for Christ. Why have we failed Halloween, Church? Why have we failed to engage culture on the forefront? Are we too scared of the decorations?
Boldly, we must pour in the light and love of Christ in ALL situations. The opportunity for transformation is too rich to pass up. Let's rethink our approach to this day. (It's just as superstitious to imagine that dressing up and giving out candy equates to demon worship...)
Thursday, September 13, 2012
A Tale of Three Topics
Greetings, readers! My absence had gone virtually unnoticed until a close family member mentioned that I've been neglecting my blog... SO here I am BACK again and I have been given 3 obscure blogging topics to cover in this Comeback Special blog post.
Now, since there are three topics, you may decide to ration these exceptional thoughts throughout your day. I suggest bookmarking this page. OR, even better, just keep the browser open on your laptop/smartphone/iPad or whatever. OR, if you won't be near a computer, print my blog out and staple it to your pants. That's the smartest way.
1. Performance Enhancing Drugs in the Workplace
We're not talking about COFFEE here. We're talking the good stuff. The stuff that's already "illegal" but still used in the sports world. C'mon, if professional athletes can make good use of drugs to progress their careers, why can't the the rest of us?
Let's be honest - at first, this sounds like a GREAT idea. Imagine an office where the mail guy runs 20MPH and can throw mail over 200 yards. Think about a staff that could answer phones, withstand brutal meetings all day and still be able to unload the office supply truck without the aid of dollies and hand carts.
Imagine just being able to type faster than 30 words per minute! (I just googled and learned that 40wpm is considered average... now I feel slow)
Sounds like a super productive work environment, right? Just a few performance enhancing cocktails to go with the doughnuts and you have yourself a thriving hyper-competitive business.
But think about it; the job market is already saturated with inexperienced college grads who are having a tough time making use of their (VERY) expensive education. Thousands fail to jump into the workplace because there aren't enough jobs to fit their years of training.
Do we really want to make the workplace MORE competitive? Do we really want to make it MORE difficult for a poor college student with zero experience to obtain an entry level position with a company? Well, if everyone IN the workplace is nearing superhuman capabilities, that's precisely what would happen.
The job market would be completely run by the few elite, highest performing, enhanced workers while the plain college kids suffer in unending misery. This would ultimately yield a collapse of civilization and result in our next topic...
2. Comparing Socialism and Zombies
At first glance, you would think these two things have NOTHING in common. However, nothing could be further from the truth. With the threat of impending social collapse due to steroid abuse in the workplace, it's only a matter of time before one of these events take place. Here's a point-by-point comparison and how to prepare.
My sister is already in the R&D portion of creating the Borg. While she endeavors on this eventuality I'll butter up the public so that her creation can be accepted by the masses. Here's my reasons why the Borg would benefit society:
Hope you enjoyed this blog. Also... hope you didn't read it all at once. That's a bit of a dose of CRAZY!
Now, since there are three topics, you may decide to ration these exceptional thoughts throughout your day. I suggest bookmarking this page. OR, even better, just keep the browser open on your laptop/smartphone/iPad or whatever. OR, if you won't be near a computer, print my blog out and staple it to your pants. That's the smartest way.
1. Performance Enhancing Drugs in the Workplace
We're not talking about COFFEE here. We're talking the good stuff. The stuff that's already "illegal" but still used in the sports world. C'mon, if professional athletes can make good use of drugs to progress their careers, why can't the the rest of us?
Let's be honest - at first, this sounds like a GREAT idea. Imagine an office where the mail guy runs 20MPH and can throw mail over 200 yards. Think about a staff that could answer phones, withstand brutal meetings all day and still be able to unload the office supply truck without the aid of dollies and hand carts.
Imagine just being able to type faster than 30 words per minute! (I just googled and learned that 40wpm is considered average... now I feel slow)
Sounds like a super productive work environment, right? Just a few performance enhancing cocktails to go with the doughnuts and you have yourself a thriving hyper-competitive business.
But think about it; the job market is already saturated with inexperienced college grads who are having a tough time making use of their (VERY) expensive education. Thousands fail to jump into the workplace because there aren't enough jobs to fit their years of training.
Do we really want to make the workplace MORE competitive? Do we really want to make it MORE difficult for a poor college student with zero experience to obtain an entry level position with a company? Well, if everyone IN the workplace is nearing superhuman capabilities, that's precisely what would happen.
The job market would be completely run by the few elite, highest performing, enhanced workers while the plain college kids suffer in unending misery. This would ultimately yield a collapse of civilization and result in our next topic...
2. Comparing Socialism and Zombies
At first glance, you would think these two things have NOTHING in common. However, nothing could be further from the truth. With the threat of impending social collapse due to steroid abuse in the workplace, it's only a matter of time before one of these events take place. Here's a point-by-point comparison and how to prepare.
- Both seek to destroy free thought
Socialism and zombies both aim at the same weakness - the brain. Zombies tend to devour human brains (that's where the highest concentration of fats are) while socialists simply stifle ANY thought or expression contrary to (insert current dictator here)'s wishes or desires. The socialist numbs the brain with propaganda and mind-altering mantras. The zombie numbs the brain with rancid botulism foaming from its mouth...
The way to fight against zombies and socialist mind control is to USE your head. DON'T go out where zombies are - DUH! And don't let some socialist sway you with fancy arguments about the people's rights. It sounds like social justice, but give a warped individual power over you and you forfeit your individual rights (NEVER trade your responsibilities as a human being for pleasure offered by the Devil), freedom of thought and expression being among the first to be ripped from your cold, dead, zombie hands... - Hordes
The same thing that is horrifyingly true of cockroaches is true for these two groups - If you find one, thousands are nearby...
Zombies tend to propagate in groups because they turn from civilization to undead hungry, brain suckers. Socialists gather in groups due to similar means.
In all seriousness, socialism exists for the sole purpose of making more socialists. The weak build their living off the backs of the strong. Those who work have their earnings ripped from them and it's redistributed to the poor, lazy and those who fancy themselves "in charge." It's tyranny reborn.
Combating each group is, again, the same tactic - single them out. You cannot take on an entire zombie horde. Every comic book, movie, and poorly done webisode shows the most effective way to survive a zombie horde is to bottle-neck them and single them out one by one! You can do the same thing for socialists; get them away from the chanting mobs and challenge their logic and lines of thought until they crack and see the errors of their ways.
*Note, it is almost as difficult to turn a socialist back into a human as it is to turn a zombie back into a human... - PersistenceIt doesn't matter what you throw at zombies, they will still persist until you wipe them out with nuclear force. Same goes for socialists.
Ummm... if the solution didn't seem clear from the description, you have to use nuclear force with either problem.
My sister is already in the R&D portion of creating the Borg. While she endeavors on this eventuality I'll butter up the public so that her creation can be accepted by the masses. Here's my reasons why the Borg would benefit society:
- They could wipe out our zombie/socialist problem
- We could use them as slave labor
- They could build the Enterprise and research warp coils
- Learning would be a thing of the past! We could just connect to the hive mind and download all known information (kinda like on the Matrix, but faster)
- The iPhone would FINALLY have 4G speeds
- They make better doctors - HMO costs CUT!
- Resistance would be futile
- The world could stop worrying about currency since everything was done by the Borg
- With no currency, we could ALL just enjoy life through moral betterment and soul searching
- Everyday would feel like Halloween
- There'd be no need for violence (unless futile resistance was made)
- Bunnies
- War would be at an end
- Peace in the middle east
- Efficiency in the workplace would go up 10 million percent.
- Did I mention - Resistance is futile?
Hope you enjoyed this blog. Also... hope you didn't read it all at once. That's a bit of a dose of CRAZY!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Four Reasons why Christians Shouldn't Cheer for the Olympics
As Christians, we are called to walk on the side of Truth in EVERY situation. To that end, I've compiled a short list as to why we shouldn't be raising our voices to cheer on America in these 2012 Summer Olympics.
ONE
The whole concept of the Olympics has become a remnant of barbarism amidst these modern times. Look at what's been going on through these sports in the past few years; enhancement drugs, speculations of cheating, doping and what not. Not to mention those poor athelets. In some cultures, they pick prime candidates from children and train them for their entire lives just to compete in the games. That's their whole life. Unending practice, no social life, strict penalties for slacking off when national pride is on the line.
This is not exactly something that Christ would condone or cheer for.
Then there's the flailing morals of the atheletes themselves. London has supplied thousands of condoms to the participants in the games. After competition is complete, the olympic village might as well be called a brothel. Do you think Christians should really be lifting up a cheer?
TWO
The fact that this is a competition represents the sad fact that there will be other countries that will feel inferior due to their lack of medals. As of the 2010 Olympics, 80 countries have yet to win a medal in the olympic games. Eighty! That's a large number. All those preparations and training, all those atheletes who have spent their time and energy to compete, after all that, they still haven't tasted victory.
It's a sad testament to Christian values, which strive to embolden and build people up, when Christians support and cheer for an organization which, by its very nature, ensures that humiliation is heaped upon those countries who can't perform as well. They must endure their shame as they watch victors being adorned with precious metals and applauded for their accomplishments.
Christians shouldn't make themselves a part of something so degrading to the human spirit. In order to lift someone up and allow them to claim victory, someone must be torn down and allowed to experience defeat and humilation. Destroying self-confidence and nullifying years of hard work and training.
We shouldn't be supporting anything or anyone because it might be taken the wrong way from these countries. We shouldn't rub our greatness in their faces.
THREE
Simply cheering for America presents its own problems. Forget the fact that the rest of the world has a particular disdain for our Country, and by cheering for the US of A we solidify and cause ourselves to become in opposition with our fellow nations. When Christians cheer for America, we entrench the notion that American = Christian.
The world has cause to double hate American Christians. Go overseas and you will still find people upset at the whole Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades. I mean, c'mon. We have to stop the hate somehow. We can't become associated with this because it only fuels hatred from countries that desperately NEED to be shown Christian love.
FOUR
This whole cheering for the olympics yields nothing productive for the kingdom. SO just don't do it. Jesus would probably condemn the way we sit idly by the television waiting to see our champions claim victory when there's work to be done, souls to save, people to love. We must do better.
CONCLUSION
False: Sorry, readers. I couldn't help myself. I don't agree with anything I have just written. There is nothing wrong, biblically, with enjoying sports, rooting for your favorite team, or anything like that. This farce was inspired by this guy's blog where he uses a similar (loosely based) biblical logic to explain why the church shouldn't have supported Chick Fil'a. You can check out his blog HERE and see if you agree with his lines of thought.
I don't believe that Christ wanted us to love others at the cost of supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ. I also don't think that God ever wanted us to chicken out on doing the right thing and standing for the principles of holiness, righteousness and redemption just because it might be taken the wrong way by observers or other people.
Go, GOD! Go, AMERICA! Go, DAN CATHY! Continue to stand up for what's right amidst the onslaught of nay-sayers and critics who only want to slow down the advancement of God's kingdom.
ONE
The whole concept of the Olympics has become a remnant of barbarism amidst these modern times. Look at what's been going on through these sports in the past few years; enhancement drugs, speculations of cheating, doping and what not. Not to mention those poor athelets. In some cultures, they pick prime candidates from children and train them for their entire lives just to compete in the games. That's their whole life. Unending practice, no social life, strict penalties for slacking off when national pride is on the line.
This is not exactly something that Christ would condone or cheer for.
Then there's the flailing morals of the atheletes themselves. London has supplied thousands of condoms to the participants in the games. After competition is complete, the olympic village might as well be called a brothel. Do you think Christians should really be lifting up a cheer?
TWO
The fact that this is a competition represents the sad fact that there will be other countries that will feel inferior due to their lack of medals. As of the 2010 Olympics, 80 countries have yet to win a medal in the olympic games. Eighty! That's a large number. All those preparations and training, all those atheletes who have spent their time and energy to compete, after all that, they still haven't tasted victory.
It's a sad testament to Christian values, which strive to embolden and build people up, when Christians support and cheer for an organization which, by its very nature, ensures that humiliation is heaped upon those countries who can't perform as well. They must endure their shame as they watch victors being adorned with precious metals and applauded for their accomplishments.
Christians shouldn't make themselves a part of something so degrading to the human spirit. In order to lift someone up and allow them to claim victory, someone must be torn down and allowed to experience defeat and humilation. Destroying self-confidence and nullifying years of hard work and training.
We shouldn't be supporting anything or anyone because it might be taken the wrong way from these countries. We shouldn't rub our greatness in their faces.
THREE
Simply cheering for America presents its own problems. Forget the fact that the rest of the world has a particular disdain for our Country, and by cheering for the US of A we solidify and cause ourselves to become in opposition with our fellow nations. When Christians cheer for America, we entrench the notion that American = Christian.
The world has cause to double hate American Christians. Go overseas and you will still find people upset at the whole Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades. I mean, c'mon. We have to stop the hate somehow. We can't become associated with this because it only fuels hatred from countries that desperately NEED to be shown Christian love.
FOUR
This whole cheering for the olympics yields nothing productive for the kingdom. SO just don't do it. Jesus would probably condemn the way we sit idly by the television waiting to see our champions claim victory when there's work to be done, souls to save, people to love. We must do better.
CONCLUSION
False: Sorry, readers. I couldn't help myself. I don't agree with anything I have just written. There is nothing wrong, biblically, with enjoying sports, rooting for your favorite team, or anything like that. This farce was inspired by this guy's blog where he uses a similar (loosely based) biblical logic to explain why the church shouldn't have supported Chick Fil'a. You can check out his blog HERE and see if you agree with his lines of thought.
I don't believe that Christ wanted us to love others at the cost of supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ. I also don't think that God ever wanted us to chicken out on doing the right thing and standing for the principles of holiness, righteousness and redemption just because it might be taken the wrong way by observers or other people.
Go, GOD! Go, AMERICA! Go, DAN CATHY! Continue to stand up for what's right amidst the onslaught of nay-sayers and critics who only want to slow down the advancement of God's kingdom.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
I Hate Hate (Hypocrit)
It's about as polarized as they come. On either side there is a bitterness that cuts through any sensible logic or argument. Valid points lost amidst a fury of deeply rooted resentment. Insults hurled back and forth as trenches are dug deeper and deeper and the fight for the last few straggling followers who are yet undecided escalates to a frenzy.
I'm talking, of course, about the continued "dialogue" between the Homosexual rights activists and those who hold to Biblical Truths and morals. What probably started out with the best of intentions as a civil discussion quickly took a bathos turn and has now erupted as one of the biggest Hot-Button issues in our nation.
Why am I talking about this topic, you ask? Well, like everyone else, I have thoughts on this subject and even though my opinions are rarely popular, I am told that I am still entitled to share it at liberty.
So here goes.
There is one issue that I haven't quite been able to wrap my mind around. Maybe some of you can help me understand, and correct me if I'm WAY out of line in my perceptions on this thing called "Reality." But I saw, not too long ago, that the homosexual community strongly desires the right to marry. The right to have unions between man and man, woman and woman, stand on equal ground as that between man and woman. That's a whole can of worms in and of itself, and since I'm a Christian, I don't think there's any point in going into what I think on that aspect of this subject. BUT what I do want to comment on is the comparison the proponents had made about their quest. They said that their fight for equal rights is no different from that of the Black community searching for civil liberties.
Again, correct me if my powers of observation are lacking.
I understand why this comparison could be made. Both minorities lacking representation. Both groups feeling oppressed. Both groups desiring something that they do not have. But I think the comparison ends there...
Does anyone remember way back when, during the first thoughts about homosexual rights? Back in the late 80's early 90's? Anyone? They began talking about homosexuality as the "alternative lifestyle." This phraseology indicates a choice. Then they began to express that this was about "sexual preference." Again, a phraseology that seemed to indicate choice.
THEN, suddenly the phraseology changed. It's NOT a choice. Homsexuals are BORN this way. It's NATURAL. It no longer became about freedom of choice. They changed the rhetoric to say "We have no choice in who we are. Are we not allowed to express who we are?"
Now, I'm not one to say that homosexuals are or are not born the way they are. I'm not an expert on DNA, I cannot with any certainty deny or validate that claim. The thing is, neither can they; nor any expert in the genetic field...
But, from my particular viewpoint, I'm willing to concede on this point in this capacity - I believe that there are people who are born with the capacity and propencity to be attracted to members of the same gender. That assertion does not disagree with biblical teaching at all. But it also doesn't help the homosexual proponents' argument and this misplaced comparison either...
See, the whole point of the civil rights movement was to say (in a nutshell), "We ARE the same (HUMAN BEINGS) as you, and should be treated as such even though we LOOK differently." The crux of the argument for civil rights (and I should say, aptly supported by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) was that people are people. We are the same despite color or outside appearance. The segregation and treatment of colored people during that period was grossly wrong and detestable. And our nation was made to see the light on that issue.
The whole point of the homosexual movement (in a nutshell) has been, "We are DIFFERENT, but we demand to be treated the SAME." All you have to do is look at the rhetoric leading up to the current time to see this is true.
But, even if someone is born with a predisposition to homosexual tendencies, that does not mean that people are born homosexual. Someone is homosexual when they engage in sexual activities with someone of the same gender. From the biblical perspective, EVERYONE is born with a predisposition to sin. Gay, straight, whatever. And sexual sin is a common one. You're not an adulterer until you engage in sexual activity or lust towards a woman who is not your wife.
All I'm saying is that even straight people have to deal with the sin nature given their apparent orientation.
This is precisely why, given my biblical perspective, I find it so wrong that the homosexual community has made this comparison. Black people truly have no choice. They are born with their color. And simply because of that, they were mistreated. That was wrong.
Homosexuals may be born with a predisposition to be attracted to members of the same sex, but they (like everyone) have the choice to act on those impulses or not. I find it distasteful to liken the fight for equality in sexual preference to the fight for equality of a truly persecuted people group.
At this time, many states that have had laws against sodomy have looked the other way, or removed those laws. It's not illegal to be gay. There are no segregated washrooms for homosexuals. They are not second class citizens. They cannot be fired based on sexual orientation. They cannot be refused being hired either. Seems to me that they have the civil rights in the bag. The only thing they desire is this redefinition of marriage to allow them the same rights for what has been reserved solely for union between a man and woman.
Disintegrate the integrity of marriage based on sexual preference, and you open up the possibility of other, far worse, things. I know people have gone off the deep end and say, hypothetically, where will it end? People can get benefits for marrying animals? Who's to put a stop on love? More legitimately, what about people who decide that polygomy (something we have already taken a clear stance on as a country) is their sexual preference. That they simply have too much love for one man or woman?
What it boils down to is this; if you break the integrity of marriage on the weak argument for sexual preference which is hiding behind this call for "equal rights" then you may as well shatter the whole thing. It'd only be a matter of time. If 3% of the population is all it takes to make this change, then a million polygymists will push for their cause. Will we make an exception for them too? If they holler loud enough will we yield to their cry for equality? What if two hundred thousand who practice beastiality make a march on Washington, will we allow for animal lovers to receive similar benefits? Sexual preference... Equal rights... same thing as the Civil Rights movement? Maybe only in their resolve, definitely NOT in essence.
That's my two cents. Whether or not they're worth anything, only time will tell.
I'm talking, of course, about the continued "dialogue" between the Homosexual rights activists and those who hold to Biblical Truths and morals. What probably started out with the best of intentions as a civil discussion quickly took a bathos turn and has now erupted as one of the biggest Hot-Button issues in our nation.
Why am I talking about this topic, you ask? Well, like everyone else, I have thoughts on this subject and even though my opinions are rarely popular, I am told that I am still entitled to share it at liberty.
So here goes.
There is one issue that I haven't quite been able to wrap my mind around. Maybe some of you can help me understand, and correct me if I'm WAY out of line in my perceptions on this thing called "Reality." But I saw, not too long ago, that the homosexual community strongly desires the right to marry. The right to have unions between man and man, woman and woman, stand on equal ground as that between man and woman. That's a whole can of worms in and of itself, and since I'm a Christian, I don't think there's any point in going into what I think on that aspect of this subject. BUT what I do want to comment on is the comparison the proponents had made about their quest. They said that their fight for equal rights is no different from that of the Black community searching for civil liberties.
Again, correct me if my powers of observation are lacking.
I understand why this comparison could be made. Both minorities lacking representation. Both groups feeling oppressed. Both groups desiring something that they do not have. But I think the comparison ends there...
Does anyone remember way back when, during the first thoughts about homosexual rights? Back in the late 80's early 90's? Anyone? They began talking about homosexuality as the "alternative lifestyle." This phraseology indicates a choice. Then they began to express that this was about "sexual preference." Again, a phraseology that seemed to indicate choice.
THEN, suddenly the phraseology changed. It's NOT a choice. Homsexuals are BORN this way. It's NATURAL. It no longer became about freedom of choice. They changed the rhetoric to say "We have no choice in who we are. Are we not allowed to express who we are?"
Now, I'm not one to say that homosexuals are or are not born the way they are. I'm not an expert on DNA, I cannot with any certainty deny or validate that claim. The thing is, neither can they; nor any expert in the genetic field...
But, from my particular viewpoint, I'm willing to concede on this point in this capacity - I believe that there are people who are born with the capacity and propencity to be attracted to members of the same gender. That assertion does not disagree with biblical teaching at all. But it also doesn't help the homosexual proponents' argument and this misplaced comparison either...
See, the whole point of the civil rights movement was to say (in a nutshell), "We ARE the same (HUMAN BEINGS) as you, and should be treated as such even though we LOOK differently." The crux of the argument for civil rights (and I should say, aptly supported by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.) was that people are people. We are the same despite color or outside appearance. The segregation and treatment of colored people during that period was grossly wrong and detestable. And our nation was made to see the light on that issue.
The whole point of the homosexual movement (in a nutshell) has been, "We are DIFFERENT, but we demand to be treated the SAME." All you have to do is look at the rhetoric leading up to the current time to see this is true.
But, even if someone is born with a predisposition to homosexual tendencies, that does not mean that people are born homosexual. Someone is homosexual when they engage in sexual activities with someone of the same gender. From the biblical perspective, EVERYONE is born with a predisposition to sin. Gay, straight, whatever. And sexual sin is a common one. You're not an adulterer until you engage in sexual activity or lust towards a woman who is not your wife.
All I'm saying is that even straight people have to deal with the sin nature given their apparent orientation.
This is precisely why, given my biblical perspective, I find it so wrong that the homosexual community has made this comparison. Black people truly have no choice. They are born with their color. And simply because of that, they were mistreated. That was wrong.
Homosexuals may be born with a predisposition to be attracted to members of the same sex, but they (like everyone) have the choice to act on those impulses or not. I find it distasteful to liken the fight for equality in sexual preference to the fight for equality of a truly persecuted people group.
At this time, many states that have had laws against sodomy have looked the other way, or removed those laws. It's not illegal to be gay. There are no segregated washrooms for homosexuals. They are not second class citizens. They cannot be fired based on sexual orientation. They cannot be refused being hired either. Seems to me that they have the civil rights in the bag. The only thing they desire is this redefinition of marriage to allow them the same rights for what has been reserved solely for union between a man and woman.
Disintegrate the integrity of marriage based on sexual preference, and you open up the possibility of other, far worse, things. I know people have gone off the deep end and say, hypothetically, where will it end? People can get benefits for marrying animals? Who's to put a stop on love? More legitimately, what about people who decide that polygomy (something we have already taken a clear stance on as a country) is their sexual preference. That they simply have too much love for one man or woman?
What it boils down to is this; if you break the integrity of marriage on the weak argument for sexual preference which is hiding behind this call for "equal rights" then you may as well shatter the whole thing. It'd only be a matter of time. If 3% of the population is all it takes to make this change, then a million polygymists will push for their cause. Will we make an exception for them too? If they holler loud enough will we yield to their cry for equality? What if two hundred thousand who practice beastiality make a march on Washington, will we allow for animal lovers to receive similar benefits? Sexual preference... Equal rights... same thing as the Civil Rights movement? Maybe only in their resolve, definitely NOT in essence.
That's my two cents. Whether or not they're worth anything, only time will tell.
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