Speeding Legislators
The State Legislature started up this week - you didn't have to read the paper to know this. All you had to do was pull over and stay out of the way of the speeding Legislators on the turnpikes. Those tags with the "S"s and the "H"s were zipping down the pikes at 80-95 mph. All the new legislators must have gotten word already that Oklahoma Legislators made a law that exempts them from speeding laws if they are going to or from a Legislative session or meeting. I think they call it the Gene Stipe Law.
I'm afraid the only way the Legislators will ever repeal this stupid law is after one of them kills some innocent family on the road. Even then, I doubt if they'll give up this "perk".
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Surprise!: Don Nickles Hooks Up with Energy Firm
According to the Tulsa World outgoing US Sen. Don Nickles has been elected to the board of directors at Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. The election of Nickles to the company's board puts him in the company of former Republican Governor Frank Keating and Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward, the company's co-founders and largest individual shareholders. Aubrey and Ward are the same two men who recently bought (with $1 million in soft money campaign donations) newly elected Senator Tom Coburn - the Republican that replaces Nickles in the Senate.
McClendon is quoted as saying, "We are extremely pleased to have Don join Chesapeake's board. In a time of growing political debate about the country's energy policies, we will particularly appreciate his in-depth knowledge of energy public policy." Or maybe "Don" can lean on buddies in government to get us what we want? The cozy revolving door relationship between fossil fuel energy interests and the Republican Party leadership gets cozier everyday.
According to the Tulsa World outgoing US Sen. Don Nickles has been elected to the board of directors at Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. The election of Nickles to the company's board puts him in the company of former Republican Governor Frank Keating and Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward, the company's co-founders and largest individual shareholders. Aubrey and Ward are the same two men who recently bought (with $1 million in soft money campaign donations) newly elected Senator Tom Coburn - the Republican that replaces Nickles in the Senate.
McClendon is quoted as saying, "We are extremely pleased to have Don join Chesapeake's board. In a time of growing political debate about the country's energy policies, we will particularly appreciate his in-depth knowledge of energy public policy." Or maybe "Don" can lean on buddies in government to get us what we want? The cozy revolving door relationship between fossil fuel energy interests and the Republican Party leadership gets cozier everyday.
Governor's Home in Need of Sprucing Up
The Governor's Mansion needs some linens, a flat screen computer, and a refurbished family dining room - or so says the Friends of the Mansion. A recent wish list sent out to Oklahomans lists a range of improvements and gadgets they seek donations for. The list ranges from $5,000 for a play area to a mere $800 for two 3-gallon coffee urns. A letter was sent out, under the signatures of Governor Brad Henry and his wife Kim, on December 16th inviting people to become a member of the Friends of the Mansion for a minimum of $1,000 per year.
I found $8.50 in my pocket that I'm sending along in case they need a can of Pledge.
The Governor's Mansion needs some linens, a flat screen computer, and a refurbished family dining room - or so says the Friends of the Mansion. A recent wish list sent out to Oklahomans lists a range of improvements and gadgets they seek donations for. The list ranges from $5,000 for a play area to a mere $800 for two 3-gallon coffee urns. A letter was sent out, under the signatures of Governor Brad Henry and his wife Kim, on December 16th inviting people to become a member of the Friends of the Mansion for a minimum of $1,000 per year.
I found $8.50 in my pocket that I'm sending along in case they need a can of Pledge.
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Where's Charles Thompson?
Ever wonder what happened to Charles Thompson? The Sun-Sentinel has the story.
Ever wonder what happened to Charles Thompson? The Sun-Sentinel has the story.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Moratorium on Hate Radio Pays Off
Two months ago I went cold turkey when I stopped listening to extremist radio programs like Limbaugh, Savage, Hannity et al. I cut out both the far right and the far left (pretty much limited to Air America). The results? I feel great. I find that I am much more relaxed and less irritable. I feel like the red and blue toxins that were in my mind/body have dissipated. A day without hearing Rush's voice is a day in Heaven.
Sure, I don't know what story they are trying to blow up out of proportion to try and get listeners all upset about but ... I find I can get along without that quite nicely. I just stick to the legitimate media (the ones that employ fact checkers) and I feel both informed and healthy.
Try it.
Two months ago I went cold turkey when I stopped listening to extremist radio programs like Limbaugh, Savage, Hannity et al. I cut out both the far right and the far left (pretty much limited to Air America). The results? I feel great. I find that I am much more relaxed and less irritable. I feel like the red and blue toxins that were in my mind/body have dissipated. A day without hearing Rush's voice is a day in Heaven.
Sure, I don't know what story they are trying to blow up out of proportion to try and get listeners all upset about but ... I find I can get along without that quite nicely. I just stick to the legitimate media (the ones that employ fact checkers) and I feel both informed and healthy.
Try it.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Oklahoma Man Dies After Getting Swept Out To Sea
HONOLULU -- Authorities say a 33-year-old visitor from Oklahoma died after he was swept to sea at South Point on the Big Island.
HONOLULU -- Authorities say a 33-year-old visitor from Oklahoma died after he was swept to sea at South Point on the Big Island.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Renting a Car in Miami
OkiePundit just returned from a biz trip to Miami, Florida. Nice weather but too much inefficiency. My adventures at the rental car place epitomize Miami for me. To begin with the taxi driver didn't listen to me (English wasn't his first language) and took me to the wrong branch of Alamo. Once inside Alamo it was pure chaos. The lobby looked like a third-world airport just hours before the rebel troops were set to entire the capital city. The lines were long and unmoving. Angry customers were fuming. Cranky bored children were wailing.
It took an hour to get waited on by a dismissive clerk that never acknowledged my existence. When I tried to find my car it was not in the designated slot so I had to re-endur the refugee scene but none of the clerks would help me. They kept shunting me off to someone else and ignoring me as other angry customers vied for their attention. Finally I started yelling at the only managerial-looking person behind the counter and got his attention for a millisecond. He yelled something in Spanish to someone else and they promptly resumed ignoring me.
After a lot more screaming and abominable customer non-service I got a car and left - having wasted an entire afternoon just trying to get a car in Miami.
Now I understand more about the hanging chads.
OkiePundit just returned from a biz trip to Miami, Florida. Nice weather but too much inefficiency. My adventures at the rental car place epitomize Miami for me. To begin with the taxi driver didn't listen to me (English wasn't his first language) and took me to the wrong branch of Alamo. Once inside Alamo it was pure chaos. The lobby looked like a third-world airport just hours before the rebel troops were set to entire the capital city. The lines were long and unmoving. Angry customers were fuming. Cranky bored children were wailing.
It took an hour to get waited on by a dismissive clerk that never acknowledged my existence. When I tried to find my car it was not in the designated slot so I had to re-endur the refugee scene but none of the clerks would help me. They kept shunting me off to someone else and ignoring me as other angry customers vied for their attention. Finally I started yelling at the only managerial-looking person behind the counter and got his attention for a millisecond. He yelled something in Spanish to someone else and they promptly resumed ignoring me.
After a lot more screaming and abominable customer non-service I got a car and left - having wasted an entire afternoon just trying to get a car in Miami.
Now I understand more about the hanging chads.
No Remorse
About 10 years ago the case of the rape and murder of Sri Sedjati Sugeng, an OSU student from Indonesia, was news. She was found dead in the bathtub of her off-campus apartment in Stillwater. Her family back in Indonesia was devastated of course. Can you imagine learning that your child has been brutally murdered on the other side of the Earth and there's not a thing you can do about it?
Lloyd Edward Mollett was found guilty of the murder and rape and was sentenced to death. The punishment was overturned by a Colorado judge because the District Judge Donald Worthington had foolishly refused to answer a question from the jury. I wonder what the victim's family thought about the American judicial system when they learned that the death penalty conviction had been overturned?
This week Mollett was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Tulsa World reports that Mollett has shown no remorse. I've seem the state pen at McAlester (on a tour) and the thought of spending the rest of a life locked in those tiny cells would possibly be worse than death. Just the thought that one's life has been wasted would be bad enough. As awful (and deserved) as that outcome is, the victim is a young lady from a far off land that came to America to pursue a dream. No one other than Mollett, no one else in the world, is responsible for snuffing out her possibilities and the hope of her family. Mollett needs to apologize to her family.
On a hopeful note, I'm reading a book by Noah Levine, "Dharma Punx", his story of his descent into drug addiction and crime and his turnaround to become a Buddhist teacher and writer. From not caring about his victims (which included his family) to a life of profound compassion. How does one get from one point to another? Read the book.
About 10 years ago the case of the rape and murder of Sri Sedjati Sugeng, an OSU student from Indonesia, was news. She was found dead in the bathtub of her off-campus apartment in Stillwater. Her family back in Indonesia was devastated of course. Can you imagine learning that your child has been brutally murdered on the other side of the Earth and there's not a thing you can do about it?
Lloyd Edward Mollett was found guilty of the murder and rape and was sentenced to death. The punishment was overturned by a Colorado judge because the District Judge Donald Worthington had foolishly refused to answer a question from the jury. I wonder what the victim's family thought about the American judicial system when they learned that the death penalty conviction had been overturned?
This week Mollett was resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Tulsa World reports that Mollett has shown no remorse. I've seem the state pen at McAlester (on a tour) and the thought of spending the rest of a life locked in those tiny cells would possibly be worse than death. Just the thought that one's life has been wasted would be bad enough. As awful (and deserved) as that outcome is, the victim is a young lady from a far off land that came to America to pursue a dream. No one other than Mollett, no one else in the world, is responsible for snuffing out her possibilities and the hope of her family. Mollett needs to apologize to her family.
On a hopeful note, I'm reading a book by Noah Levine, "Dharma Punx", his story of his descent into drug addiction and crime and his turnaround to become a Buddhist teacher and writer. From not caring about his victims (which included his family) to a life of profound compassion. How does one get from one point to another? Read the book.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Libraries and Hanging On
I almost didn't get back from OKC in time to vote in Tuesdays library bond issue in Tulsa - but I did. I voted for it of course. I wanted a much better library. Unfortunately, the negative nabobs, the anti-tax at all costs folks, outvoted the forward-looking citizens that remembered to vote. The result finds me again contemplating giving up on Oklahoma and moving somewhere more progressive. I know this is heresy - but I'm not the only one wondering if it's worth hanging on. Life is short.
I love Oklahoma so this is hard to admit.
I almost didn't get back from OKC in time to vote in Tuesdays library bond issue in Tulsa - but I did. I voted for it of course. I wanted a much better library. Unfortunately, the negative nabobs, the anti-tax at all costs folks, outvoted the forward-looking citizens that remembered to vote. The result finds me again contemplating giving up on Oklahoma and moving somewhere more progressive. I know this is heresy - but I'm not the only one wondering if it's worth hanging on. Life is short.
I love Oklahoma so this is hard to admit.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Indian vs White Racial Tension
A story in the Native Times reveals that racial tensions may exist at a high school in Fairfax, Oklahoma. A former student of the school that has since moved to New Mexico is quoted as saying:
There was a definite undertone of racism there,” Stock said. “I would get into arguments with other students because they would always be saying things like ‘Indians need to stop complaining all the time’. Rebel flags are common on the trucks there.”Stock said that Scully was “not helpful” when it came to complaints about racial remarks. One thing Stock is sure about: New Mexico is much more tolerant when compared to Oklahoma.“If you are Indian here, people are interested in that. Maybe that is because there are so many reservations here. It seems like in Oklahoma people are really close-minded. They don’t try to hide the fact that they don’t like Indians.”
I'm a bit surprised by the situation described by Stock but if it is an accurate assessment then Fairfax needs to find out what's behind it. Having grown up in an area of Oklahoma with a very large Indian (or Native American if you prefer) population I never witnessed any racial tension between the whites and Indians (there were no blacks). I had many 100% Indian friends but I never thought of them as "Indian friends" - just as friends. Maybe the reason was that there was so much mixed blood - nearly every family (including my own) had intermarried. It's pretty hard to hate a piece of yourself.
There were the usual child-on-child cruelties but anti-Indian talk was just something I never heard. People got along very well. Is Fairfax an isolated incident or a disturbing trend?
A story in the Native Times reveals that racial tensions may exist at a high school in Fairfax, Oklahoma. A former student of the school that has since moved to New Mexico is quoted as saying:
There was a definite undertone of racism there,” Stock said. “I would get into arguments with other students because they would always be saying things like ‘Indians need to stop complaining all the time’. Rebel flags are common on the trucks there.”Stock said that Scully was “not helpful” when it came to complaints about racial remarks. One thing Stock is sure about: New Mexico is much more tolerant when compared to Oklahoma.“If you are Indian here, people are interested in that. Maybe that is because there are so many reservations here. It seems like in Oklahoma people are really close-minded. They don’t try to hide the fact that they don’t like Indians.”
I'm a bit surprised by the situation described by Stock but if it is an accurate assessment then Fairfax needs to find out what's behind it. Having grown up in an area of Oklahoma with a very large Indian (or Native American if you prefer) population I never witnessed any racial tension between the whites and Indians (there were no blacks). I had many 100% Indian friends but I never thought of them as "Indian friends" - just as friends. Maybe the reason was that there was so much mixed blood - nearly every family (including my own) had intermarried. It's pretty hard to hate a piece of yourself.
There were the usual child-on-child cruelties but anti-Indian talk was just something I never heard. People got along very well. Is Fairfax an isolated incident or a disturbing trend?
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Good Message Derails
The sermon at my evangelical megachurch today regarded the worth of people. The pastor made the point, in a number of ways, that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. No matter your color, gender, physical condition, age - we are all equally valuable. He dwelled at length on abortion - his position being that humans in a womb are as worthy as a human out of the womb. I agree with him on that 100%. Where he lost me was when he made the ludicrous statement that evolutionism is the cause of the devaluation of human life and thus the legalization of abortion.
"If the world was created by accident as the evolutionists claim, then we are just a mass of flesh with no worth," he went on. "Stalin used evolution theory to justify the elimination of millions of people." Ok, now he is in outer space. It's hard to see how he gets from point A to point B and then on to point C. I'm no expert on Stalin but even if he did embrace social darwinism to justify his pogroms that in no way disproves the validity of the theory of evolution. If humans misuse a scientific reality to justify a looney and self-serving action that misappropriation of the reality does not make it less real. Nor does it make the theory evil. Ironically, both the pastor and Stalin may be guilty of knowingly twisting science to suit their needs.
Many religious fundamentalist leaders are telling their believers that evolution is false because their holy books, written thousands of years ago, don't jive with what we've learned since. Now at least one is telling them evolutionists are responsible for abortion and the devaluing of human life. This is truly ironic when you think about all the wars and horrors that have been loosed on the world by people who believe they are doing God's work. I'll take my chances with the scientists thank you.
The sermon at my evangelical megachurch today regarded the worth of people. The pastor made the point, in a number of ways, that everyone is equal in the eyes of God. No matter your color, gender, physical condition, age - we are all equally valuable. He dwelled at length on abortion - his position being that humans in a womb are as worthy as a human out of the womb. I agree with him on that 100%. Where he lost me was when he made the ludicrous statement that evolutionism is the cause of the devaluation of human life and thus the legalization of abortion.
"If the world was created by accident as the evolutionists claim, then we are just a mass of flesh with no worth," he went on. "Stalin used evolution theory to justify the elimination of millions of people." Ok, now he is in outer space. It's hard to see how he gets from point A to point B and then on to point C. I'm no expert on Stalin but even if he did embrace social darwinism to justify his pogroms that in no way disproves the validity of the theory of evolution. If humans misuse a scientific reality to justify a looney and self-serving action that misappropriation of the reality does not make it less real. Nor does it make the theory evil. Ironically, both the pastor and Stalin may be guilty of knowingly twisting science to suit their needs.
Many religious fundamentalist leaders are telling their believers that evolution is false because their holy books, written thousands of years ago, don't jive with what we've learned since. Now at least one is telling them evolutionists are responsible for abortion and the devaluing of human life. This is truly ironic when you think about all the wars and horrors that have been loosed on the world by people who believe they are doing God's work. I'll take my chances with the scientists thank you.
Don't Need No Stinkin' Helmet
KOTV reports that...
Oklahoma is one of 23 states with no helmet law for riders age 18 and older. Officials say only about one-third of Oklahoma motorcyclists wear a helmet. Neurological surgeon Stan Pelofsky says he can't conceive why there isn't a helmet law. Pelofsky says they're proven to save lives and reduce the cost of health care.
KOTV reports that...
Oklahoma is one of 23 states with no helmet law for riders age 18 and older. Officials say only about one-third of Oklahoma motorcyclists wear a helmet. Neurological surgeon Stan Pelofsky says he can't conceive why there isn't a helmet law. Pelofsky says they're proven to save lives and reduce the cost of health care.
Friday, November 26, 2004
Oklahoma Gun Law Alarms Corporations
The Kansas City Star reports that:
A new (Oklahoma) state law allowing employees to keep guns in their locked cars on company property has alarmed some of Oklahoma's biggest corporations and pitted them against gun enthusiasts. The law was passed by the Legislature this year and was scheduled to go into effect Nov. 1. A federal judge blocked its enforcement while he considers a challenge filed by companies fearful that guns at work could lead to bloodshed.
The Kansas City Star reports that:
A new (Oklahoma) state law allowing employees to keep guns in their locked cars on company property has alarmed some of Oklahoma's biggest corporations and pitted them against gun enthusiasts. The law was passed by the Legislature this year and was scheduled to go into effect Nov. 1. A federal judge blocked its enforcement while he considers a challenge filed by companies fearful that guns at work could lead to bloodshed.
Monday, November 22, 2004
Turkey Mountain Swamp
It was a misty day around the Arkansas River today - my favorite environment for walking across the pedestrian bridge at 31st Street in Tulsa. The best view in Tulsa is looking north from the balcony in the middle of this old railroad bridge. Looking north over the wide Arkansas one sees downtown Tulsa's skyscrapers peeking up above the cottonwood trees that line the river. The entire image is reflected in the tranquil waters just above the spillway here. When the trees turn colors at this time of year is the best time to enjoy this view.
On the other side of the bridge - looking south, one can watch seagulls, pelicans and cranes standing on rocks or hovering over the spillway in search of fish. It's a glorious sight on any day but when the water is running high and a mist softens the edges - even the electric plant on the river bank can't ruin the mood. Looking south past the I-44 bridge one can see the bulk of Turkey Mountain looming over the Arkansas near 71st Street.
Near Turkey Mountain is a shale formation that bears untold numbers of carbonized plant fossils squeezed between the layers of these 300+ million year old Pennsylvanian Era rocks. In these shales are the mineralized remains of giant ferns and tree-sized rushes that once flourished where Tulsa is now. As I watch the birds catching fish in the foreground my eyes occasionally drift up and off into the distance to Turkey Mountain and thoughts of the tropical swamp that bubbled here all those millions of years ago.
The sight helps put talk of petty politics, football games, and injustice in some sort of perspective.
It was a misty day around the Arkansas River today - my favorite environment for walking across the pedestrian bridge at 31st Street in Tulsa. The best view in Tulsa is looking north from the balcony in the middle of this old railroad bridge. Looking north over the wide Arkansas one sees downtown Tulsa's skyscrapers peeking up above the cottonwood trees that line the river. The entire image is reflected in the tranquil waters just above the spillway here. When the trees turn colors at this time of year is the best time to enjoy this view.
On the other side of the bridge - looking south, one can watch seagulls, pelicans and cranes standing on rocks or hovering over the spillway in search of fish. It's a glorious sight on any day but when the water is running high and a mist softens the edges - even the electric plant on the river bank can't ruin the mood. Looking south past the I-44 bridge one can see the bulk of Turkey Mountain looming over the Arkansas near 71st Street.
Near Turkey Mountain is a shale formation that bears untold numbers of carbonized plant fossils squeezed between the layers of these 300+ million year old Pennsylvanian Era rocks. In these shales are the mineralized remains of giant ferns and tree-sized rushes that once flourished where Tulsa is now. As I watch the birds catching fish in the foreground my eyes occasionally drift up and off into the distance to Turkey Mountain and thoughts of the tropical swamp that bubbled here all those millions of years ago.
The sight helps put talk of petty politics, football games, and injustice in some sort of perspective.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Evolution Tales
Today our Pastor focused on the need to be thankful for everything God has done for us - a timely message. Still, he managed to throw in an attack on the theory of evolution and the "natural world's" attempts to promote evolution through every media. He said it was a lie "that we are descended from monkeys". This is coming from an "educated" man no less - one who either doesn't know that Darwin never said we were descended from monkeys or knowingly uses this common misstatement about the theory to arouse the ire of the homo nimcompoopus among his flock.
I collected fossils like many a young boy and frankly would have developed the theory of evolution if Darwin hadn't of beaten me to it. It's so darn obvious to anyone that has collected fossils. Two recent books on this subject are worth reading: The Map That changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester or Richard Dawkins' The Ancestor's Tale : A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution. If you don't have the time then look at last month's National Geographic magazine's "Was Darwin Wrong?" This silly argument over evolution vs creationism was settled over a hundred years ago but an astounding near-majority of modern Americans still believe the creation story of the Bible precludes the theory of evolution. Among the many things I'm thankful for is that the Church has given up on the flat Earth doctrine.
Today our Pastor focused on the need to be thankful for everything God has done for us - a timely message. Still, he managed to throw in an attack on the theory of evolution and the "natural world's" attempts to promote evolution through every media. He said it was a lie "that we are descended from monkeys". This is coming from an "educated" man no less - one who either doesn't know that Darwin never said we were descended from monkeys or knowingly uses this common misstatement about the theory to arouse the ire of the homo nimcompoopus among his flock.
I collected fossils like many a young boy and frankly would have developed the theory of evolution if Darwin hadn't of beaten me to it. It's so darn obvious to anyone that has collected fossils. Two recent books on this subject are worth reading: The Map That changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology by Simon Winchester or Richard Dawkins' The Ancestor's Tale : A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Evolution. If you don't have the time then look at last month's National Geographic magazine's "Was Darwin Wrong?" This silly argument over evolution vs creationism was settled over a hundred years ago but an astounding near-majority of modern Americans still believe the creation story of the Bible precludes the theory of evolution. Among the many things I'm thankful for is that the Church has given up on the flat Earth doctrine.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Oklahoma Creek Indians Tossing Status Honors around Europe
As detailed in the Belfast Telegraph a group of Creek Indians from Oklahoma has conferred "warrior status" on Londonderry's Sinn Fein (IRA-associated) Mayor, Gearoid O'hEara.
A team of 20 Americans, hailing from Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia, honoured the Mayor and the city with a blessing during their visit yesterday. The Mayor said he was honoured at being conferred with warrior status by Creek Indian peace chief Negel Big Pond.
This should tick off a number of Oklahoma mayors who have yet to achieve warrior status.
As detailed in the Belfast Telegraph a group of Creek Indians from Oklahoma has conferred "warrior status" on Londonderry's Sinn Fein (IRA-associated) Mayor, Gearoid O'hEara.
A team of 20 Americans, hailing from Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia, honoured the Mayor and the city with a blessing during their visit yesterday. The Mayor said he was honoured at being conferred with warrior status by Creek Indian peace chief Negel Big Pond.
This should tick off a number of Oklahoma mayors who have yet to achieve warrior status.
Red States Love Blue Culture
Frank Rich has some interesting observations on how the red states are chasing after blue culture and Rupert Murdoch and Fox are reaping the profits thereof. Frank also throws in a mention of the recently uncovered rampant lesbianism in Oklahoma.
Frank could also have illustrated his observation by pointing to Oklahoma's simultaneous election of Tom Coburn and the passage of a pro-lottery (gambling) law.
Frank Rich has some interesting observations on how the red states are chasing after blue culture and Rupert Murdoch and Fox are reaping the profits thereof. Frank also throws in a mention of the recently uncovered rampant lesbianism in Oklahoma.
Frank could also have illustrated his observation by pointing to Oklahoma's simultaneous election of Tom Coburn and the passage of a pro-lottery (gambling) law.
We've Got a Friend
Sometimes we Okies feel "put upon" by the rest of our countrymen and women but it seems we do have a friend - the computer.
Sometimes we Okies feel "put upon" by the rest of our countrymen and women but it seems we do have a friend - the computer.
Monday, November 15, 2004
The Dirty Goings On in Europe
In our church this Sunday Pastor drew our attention to a recent sinister event in a far off land that was overlooked in large part because of the presidential election in our own land. The Europeans signed a European Union Constitution in - can you believe it? - Rome! His tone conveyed an unmistakable "well you know what this means?"
Before my synapses could fire he continued,"the prophecies are coming true", he orated, "but before the enemy takes Europe there will be a great harvest." At this point, being the novice evangelical that I am, I'm trying to understand the significance of this news.
He goes on - "a man from Poland tried to get God into the European Constitution but he was rejected. A man from Italy tried to get marriage as a union of a man and a woman written into the Constitution and he was thrown out! Europe is going the wrong way but thank God for a country like America that's going the other way."
In doing a little catch-up research after the sermon I found what Evangelicals-in-the-know already know that: Europe is the heart of the Antichrist beast-system of governmental, economic and religious control prophesied to engulf the world. It seems that many among the Evangelicals believe the Bible prophesies that Europe will alse experience a peace process that will initiate the tribulation, which will culminate at Armageddon. This, no doubt, is good news - as Armageddon leads directly to the Rapture - without passing Go. Unfortunately, we have to go through a few difficult times to get to the good times.
Least the Europeans among you get snooty about your sophistication let's see how you Europeans feel about hosting the anti-Christ and hastening the Armageddon cum Rapture? Apparently, Europeans not only know they are hosting the antiChrist, Dr. Ian Paisley knows exactly who it is. Well, at least America does not have a monopoly on religious paranoia.
In our church this Sunday Pastor drew our attention to a recent sinister event in a far off land that was overlooked in large part because of the presidential election in our own land. The Europeans signed a European Union Constitution in - can you believe it? - Rome! His tone conveyed an unmistakable "well you know what this means?"
Before my synapses could fire he continued,"the prophecies are coming true", he orated, "but before the enemy takes Europe there will be a great harvest." At this point, being the novice evangelical that I am, I'm trying to understand the significance of this news.
He goes on - "a man from Poland tried to get God into the European Constitution but he was rejected. A man from Italy tried to get marriage as a union of a man and a woman written into the Constitution and he was thrown out! Europe is going the wrong way but thank God for a country like America that's going the other way."
In doing a little catch-up research after the sermon I found what Evangelicals-in-the-know already know that: Europe is the heart of the Antichrist beast-system of governmental, economic and religious control prophesied to engulf the world. It seems that many among the Evangelicals believe the Bible prophesies that Europe will alse experience a peace process that will initiate the tribulation, which will culminate at Armageddon. This, no doubt, is good news - as Armageddon leads directly to the Rapture - without passing Go. Unfortunately, we have to go through a few difficult times to get to the good times.
Least the Europeans among you get snooty about your sophistication let's see how you Europeans feel about hosting the anti-Christ and hastening the Armageddon cum Rapture? Apparently, Europeans not only know they are hosting the antiChrist, Dr. Ian Paisley knows exactly who it is. Well, at least America does not have a monopoly on religious paranoia.