Should we be able to take classes in public schools that teach students about the Bible?

The age long debate over how much our Church and state can be divided has caused many to scream and pull out their hair. Well hold your tongue and keep your hands down because while our Constitution allows for no excessive entanglement of religion and schools for fear that it will create an established Church like the one we fled from in England back in the day, it also allows for the free exercise of religion. Many would say well free exercise is merely an exception to the rule because you cannot disallow people from practicing their faith. And while yes I do agree with both the clauses, I think we should look at these elective courses about the Bible as more of a historical account of humans, rather than a faith-based belief. 

Much of what is recorded down in the Bible has been proven by archaeologists to be in fact plausible! So it really is history. Check out this find! The accounts of Jesus as the Messiah are the ones not accepted by all faiths, which is fine. But all religions base their fundamentals on similar accounts found in the Bible. 

Plus for those who say it is all what you believe: No one really knows how the Universe and the Earth was created. So for those who think it is evolution,  the Big Bang Theory or Intelligent design, it is really all the same. It is a belief. At least the Bible has been proven to have actual accounts recorded as part of history. 

So why don't we educate the teachers on how to construct a class that introduces children to the findings of the Bible. Already 6 states have these classes in place, I know that Texas is one of them. It is now time to start changing the way our religions are being persecuted and look to them as historical fact!

Debates = zzzzzzz....

So I have been watching these debates, which even a former White House Press Secretary agrees that there have been too many, in fact "There have been 18 Courtney! 18!" is what he expressed to me today when I ran into him, and let's face the facts that Americans are tuning out of these televised way too heavily covered debates. 

They have produced the same talking points from every major network out, some more than one time, and consequently the same answers. If the American public tuning into these debates or watching and reading the commentary about them has not grasped the message that Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, or Ron Paul yet then there is something wrong with our citizens. 

Focusing on the bore that was last night's debate, covered by NBC, moderated by Brian Williams, and tuned out by most viewers after about 10 minutes, I was concerned with the moderators policy questions. He did not mention the name of President Barack Obama until the last question. This I found very interesting as this could have been the perfect time for the candidates to hit on what they would mention if they had a State of The Union address today. You know, maybe challenging their real qualities to be a leader of the free world. Williams chose to focus more on the social issues, which the Republicans have not shown their strongest suit in. The audience was not allowed to participate by applauding, which resulted in zero energy for the candidates to feed off of. Overall a dull debate that brought the new term "self-deportation" into the mix as Romney stumbled over an immigration question. Ron Paul again had hardly any questions or answers given, go figure. Santorum showed that he should be the new face of the Republican party with a well formulated answer at the end of the debate steamrolling Gingrich and Romney's answers of the evening. 

I was left to wonder after the debate if there was going to be a rumble between Romney and Gingrich or if NBC chose to not even mention the State of the Union so the Republican candidates could not compete with the headline that is supposed to belong to Obama today? hmmm.... 

NYPD Trying to invade your privacy

I don't know if you heard but in New York City the police department is testing these terahertz imaging detection devices to scan people that they speculate to be carrying weapons illegally with them on the streets of New York City. Now they say that the detectors will only be used to in targeted areas that involve high weapons usage. 

As a citizen of this country, we have a right to be left alone, guaranteed by our right to privacy. This new technology would make it possible for the NYPD to search whom ever they pleased, whenever they pleased and in any matter they wished. Not to mention that this is basically a virtual pat down which already violates a personal right to privacy. 

The double edge sword of maintaining public safety and securing our freedoms is such a fine line. And while I do appreciate and enjoy the services that a police force and other means of protection that our governments provide, I fear greater a socialist movement of too much protection and regulation by the government leading to the destruction of our highly valued freedoms and rights.The scanning could go too far. And then are we going to have to put up security over those using the system? And then what about those people watching them?

This is a link to an article: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/01/17/nypd-testing-gun-scanning-technology/

Einstein's brain...

"Too many of us look upon Americans as dollar chasers. This is a cruel libel, even if it is reiterated thoughtlessly by the Americans themselves."

"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

"The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education."

"Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal."

"Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding."

"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."

"He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."

"Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind."

New thought on old practice.

If there is one thing that I am passionate about it is following the current events of the world and politics. Yes, politics. Now why in the world does anyone find that fascinating? It is just a bunch of men who belong to the elite class catering to our needs with speeches and entitlements in laws to keep getting our votes, right?
Yes and no.
Politicians are just leaders among the public that have a vision and want to put their vision into practice because :
1. They have a deep love for the country.
2. They want to see the country they love performing at the highest capacity and efficiency.
3. They have the qualities needed to get their nation inspired and motivated.
4. They recognize a good thing when they see one.
5. The need to serve their country is great.
As a citizen who has a strong sense to serve those who need to be led, have realized that this is the only way too see beyond the corrupt reputation that they have received. Yes people will always vie for the win in any way possible, but that is a competitive human nature that I believe is an inherent quality.
What if citizens and the media actually believed in the politicians and gave them a better rep by exposing not the bad things, but the great character traits they hold?
I understand the argument that then it is undermined by the human nature to feed one's ego and that if they were not out doing things other than maintaining the respect for the Constitution and the nation they swore themselves to when they were slaying each other for our votes, then we could have faith in them. But think about when people did not know the bad things about each other because there was no camera to reveal them.... hmmm what a nice picture. We put so much pressure on these individuals to be perfect and be the epitome of what we ourselves want to be, but in the outlook we could be to blame for asking so much from these people.
I just do not want people thinking that since mommy, daddy, sister, auntie, grandpa, anchorman, officer all think that politicians are corrupt, they have to see them as that way.
President and politician Ronald Reagan once magnificently said, "Freedom is the right to question, and change the established way of doing things."
Now I think that seems like a guy that wants exactly what everyone wants, not a immoral, corrupt pundit.
Just thinking about things from a different perspective allows new windows to be opened and who knows you may come to love politics as much as those up in Washington one day.

Bam! New Philosophy?

(from the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place)

"So many people live with unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."

Turn away from your regularly scheduled program called your life and take a chance, change the status quo, get out of your regular routine and redefine living for yourself!

Out with Resolutions

(New Year's Eve with my Sissy)

So the major questions now that we have entered into 2012, what are your New Year's resolutions? I have decided to change the game (with hopes that it will catch on) and make a New Year's Bucket List. This bucket list is not the major one that people check off for life accomplishments like traveling to exotic places or meeting influential people, but more off smaller plans that you can check off through out the year.These plans can include going places, volunteering weekly, taking someone special somewhere, treating yourself to something special, etc. Just make sure they are specific because the intent is to get away from a broad resolution that you forget and never achieve.

This is of course the first time I am trying it, but I do have some expectations for the new plan:
1. A more accomplished feeling because you can check off the activity when completed.
2. Actually achieving the goals because they are smaller and more specific.
3. Gives you a final report at the end of the year to see where you are in your life.
4. May help you cross off those items off your real bucket list.
5. If hung in a common place, you will be reminded of your goals!

So I want to share my 2012 Bucket List...
- Grand Canyon Three day adventure outline! http://www.sunset.com/travel/southwest/grand-canyon-south-rim-activities-00400000050096/
- At least one 5K and a competitive bike ride.  
- Take my sister to get a massage
- Manchester Orchestra Concert (anywhere)
- Let’s Rodeo San Antonio with Aunt Jeannie!
- Volunteer at least one day a month.
- Get a hiking friend!
- Cut out the unwanted, unnecessary stress that causes heartburn.
- Attend at least one Red Sox game !
- Start a blog. And keep up with it.
- Stop eating anything to-go.
- Start reading the Bible more, at least two times a week plus church.


So turn away from the regularly scheduled programming known as New Year's resolutions, and use your freedom to make a New Year Bucket List !