Sunday, July 25, 2010
Bruce's Profound Thought
I was cleaning file cabinets today when I found a small slip of paper that Angela Mauthe, age 4, had given to Bruce at church. She had drawn something that I thought looked like a house, with a blue sky and green grass. On the back of her picture Bruce had written, "Is it a house or a temple? To a child what is the diference? A loving, safe, encouraging home is a temple for a child! It is a holy place."
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Grandbaby #50
Grayson Alexander arrived in arrived in early June, becoming our 50th grandchild. Juan, Chris and family are thrilled and are busy spoiling him. We are anxious to see him this fall.
Julian is proud to be a "Big Brother".
A Timely Perspective
Back on Uncle Sam's Plantation
Star Parker - Syndicated Columnist
Six years ago I wrote a book called Uncle Sam's Plantation . I wrote the book to tell my own story of what I saw living inside the welfare state and my own transformation out of it.
I said in that book that indeed there are two Americas -- a poor America on socialism and a wealthy America on capitalism.
I talked about government programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS), Emergency Assistance to Needy Families with Children (EANF), Section 8 Housing, and Food Stamps.
A vast sea of perhaps well-intentioned government programs, all initially set into motion in the 1960s by Democrats, that were going to lift the nation's poor out of poverty.
A benevolent Uncle Sam welcomed mostly poor black Americans onto the government plantation. Those who accepted the invitation switched mindsets from "How do I take care of myself?" to "What do I have to do to stay on the plantation?"
Instead of solving economic problems, government welfare socialism created monstrous moral and spiritual problems -- the kind of problems that are inevitable when individuals turn responsibility for their lives over to others.
The legacy of American socialism is our blighted inner cities, dysfunctional inner city schools, and broken black families.
Through God's grace, I found my way out. It was then that I understood what freedom meant and how great this country is.
I had the privilege of working on welfare reform in 1996 which was passed by a Republican controlled Congress.
I thought we were on the road to moving socialism out of our poor black communities and replacing it with wealth-producing American capitalism.
But, incredibly, we are now going in the opposite direction.
Instead of poor America on socialism becoming more like rich American on capitalism, rich America on capitalism is becoming like poor America on socialism.
Uncle Sam has welcomed our banks onto the plantation and they have said, "Thank you, Suh."
Now, instead of thinking about what creative things need to be done to serve customers, they are thinking about what they have to tell Massah in order to get their cash.
There is some kind of irony that this is all happening under our first black president on the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.
Worse, socialism seems to be the element of our new young president. And maybe even more troubling, our corporate executives seem happy to move onto the plantation.
In an op-Ed on the opinion page of the Washington Post, Mr. Obama is clear that the goal of his trillion dollar spending plan is much more than short term economic stimulus.
"This plan is more than a prescription for short-term spending -- it's a strategy for America 's long-term growth and opportunity in areas such as renewable energy, healthcare, and education."
Perhaps more incredibly, Obama seems to think that government taking over an economy is a new idea. Or that massive growth in government can take place "with unprecedented transparency and accountability."
Yes, sir, we heard it from Jimmy Carter when he created the Department of Energy, the Synfuels Corporation, and the Department of Education.
Or how about the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 -- The War on Poverty -- which President Johnson said "...does not merely expand old programs or improve what is already being done. It charts a new course. It strikes at the causes, not just the consequences of poverty."
Trillions of dollars later, black poverty is the same. But black families are not, with triple the incidence of single-parent homes and out-of-wedlock births.
It's not complicated. Americans can accept Barack Obama's invitation to move onto the plantation. Or they can choose personal responsibility and freedom.
Does anyone really need to think about what the choice should be?
"The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."
Star Parker - Syndicated Columnist
Six years ago I wrote a book called Uncle Sam's Plantation . I wrote the book to tell my own story of what I saw living inside the welfare state and my own transformation out of it.
I said in that book that indeed there are two Americas -- a poor America on socialism and a wealthy America on capitalism.
I talked about government programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS), Emergency Assistance to Needy Families with Children (EANF), Section 8 Housing, and Food Stamps.
A vast sea of perhaps well-intentioned government programs, all initially set into motion in the 1960s by Democrats, that were going to lift the nation's poor out of poverty.
A benevolent Uncle Sam welcomed mostly poor black Americans onto the government plantation. Those who accepted the invitation switched mindsets from "How do I take care of myself?" to "What do I have to do to stay on the plantation?"
Instead of solving economic problems, government welfare socialism created monstrous moral and spiritual problems -- the kind of problems that are inevitable when individuals turn responsibility for their lives over to others.
The legacy of American socialism is our blighted inner cities, dysfunctional inner city schools, and broken black families.
Through God's grace, I found my way out. It was then that I understood what freedom meant and how great this country is.
I had the privilege of working on welfare reform in 1996 which was passed by a Republican controlled Congress.
I thought we were on the road to moving socialism out of our poor black communities and replacing it with wealth-producing American capitalism.
But, incredibly, we are now going in the opposite direction.
Instead of poor America on socialism becoming more like rich American on capitalism, rich America on capitalism is becoming like poor America on socialism.
Uncle Sam has welcomed our banks onto the plantation and they have said, "Thank you, Suh."
Now, instead of thinking about what creative things need to be done to serve customers, they are thinking about what they have to tell Massah in order to get their cash.
There is some kind of irony that this is all happening under our first black president on the 200th anniversary of the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.
Worse, socialism seems to be the element of our new young president. And maybe even more troubling, our corporate executives seem happy to move onto the plantation.
In an op-Ed on the opinion page of the Washington Post, Mr. Obama is clear that the goal of his trillion dollar spending plan is much more than short term economic stimulus.
"This plan is more than a prescription for short-term spending -- it's a strategy for America 's long-term growth and opportunity in areas such as renewable energy, healthcare, and education."
Perhaps more incredibly, Obama seems to think that government taking over an economy is a new idea. Or that massive growth in government can take place "with unprecedented transparency and accountability."
Yes, sir, we heard it from Jimmy Carter when he created the Department of Energy, the Synfuels Corporation, and the Department of Education.
Or how about the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 -- The War on Poverty -- which President Johnson said "...does not merely expand old programs or improve what is already being done. It charts a new course. It strikes at the causes, not just the consequences of poverty."
Trillions of dollars later, black poverty is the same. But black families are not, with triple the incidence of single-parent homes and out-of-wedlock births.
It's not complicated. Americans can accept Barack Obama's invitation to move onto the plantation. Or they can choose personal responsibility and freedom.
Does anyone really need to think about what the choice should be?
"The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Prophetic Words of Comfort
“Men may fail in this country, earthquakes may come, seas may heave beyond their bounds, there may be great drought, disaster, and hardship, but this nation, founded on principles laid down by men whom God raised up, will never fail. This is the cradle of humanity, where life on this earth began in the Garden of Eden. This is the place of the new Jerusalem. This is the place that the Lord said is favored above all other nations in all the world. This is the place where the Savior will come to His temple. This is the favored land in all the world. Yes, I repeat, men may fail, but this nation won’t fail. I have faith in America; you and I must have faith in America, if we understand the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are living in a day when we must pay heed to these challenges. I plead with you not to preach pessimism. Preach that this is the greatest country in all the world. This is the favored land. This is the land of our forefathers. It is the nation that will stand despite whatever trials or crises it may yet have to pass through. (Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World, 350-51).
"When the Second Coming takes place, the flag of the United States will still be flying over this land." Ezra Taft Benson. This quote is found in a book by Vaughn J. Featherstone, but it can also be found in a Church News article on the internet at: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/50783/Lessons-of-patriotism-best-learned-at-home.html
"When the Second Coming takes place, the flag of the United States will still be flying over this land." Ezra Taft Benson. This quote is found in a book by Vaughn J. Featherstone, but it can also be found in a Church News article on the internet at: http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/50783/Lessons-of-patriotism-best-learned-at-home.html
Swine Flu Update
What is the difference between Bird Flu and Swine Flu?
For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment
For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Levi Owen
How excited we are to welcome Levi to our brood of grandchildren. Born on Sep 29th, to Mike and Baranie, he has quickly grown and is already smiling as he watches his brother and sisters' antics. He bears a stong resemblance to Baranie's side of the family with his dark hair and facial features. 
Ginger, her boys and I visited Levi and family yesterday. At 5 weeks, Levi has a double chin, chubby cheeks and thighs. Adam, 21 months, is funny; he is possessive of Levi when Greta tries to give Levi any attention, but also jealous when Dad wants to hold the baby instead him.
Ginger, multi-tasking as Mom and Auntie! 
Adam, a real cutie! He is such a happy boy and quite the helper. Yesterday, after his family had been to our home for a visit, everyone was headed out the door to the car, when he spotted Greta's shoes in the play room. He ran over, picked them up without any prompting, and carried them out to the car to give to Greta. How caring is that for a 21 month old!
Clara, 7, and Lincoln, 11 mos.
Amid lots of wiggles and giggles, I got a few cute shots of "Da Cousins". Levi was the most cooperative.
Ginger, her boys and I visited Levi and family yesterday. At 5 weeks, Levi has a double chin, chubby cheeks and thighs. Adam, 21 months, is funny; he is possessive of Levi when Greta tries to give Levi any attention, but also jealous when Dad wants to hold the baby instead him. 
Ginger, multi-tasking as Mom and Auntie! 
Adam, a real cutie! He is such a happy boy and quite the helper. Yesterday, after his family had been to our home for a visit, everyone was headed out the door to the car, when he spotted Greta's shoes in the play room. He ran over, picked them up without any prompting, and carried them out to the car to give to Greta. How caring is that for a 21 month old!
Clara, 7, and Lincoln, 11 mos.
Amid lots of wiggles and giggles, I got a few cute shots of "Da Cousins". Levi was the most cooperative.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Paige's "DO"
Cowlicks are most often found in the crown area but they may also be found along the front of the hairline around the face and the nape areas. Most people are born with their cowlicks. The little tufts of hair tend to be unruly and will tend to pop up anywhere. Cowlicks occur when hair forms a pivot that distributes the hair from a specific point around in all different directions. On some heads the hair recedes at the temple hairline causing a type of erratic hair pattern. Alfalfa from the famous Our Gang hit comedy series of the 1930s and 1940s was famous for his cowlick. Usually Alfalfa had one persistent cowlick that would stick straight up at the back of his crown. While Alfafa's hair was part of an enduring characterization, most people hate any sort of hair anomalies that are difficult to deal with.
Unfortunately Paige inherited her grandma's cowlick hair. But she isn't alone; Jon and Clara have shared the honor too. The good news is that once the hair grows out some, it isn't too problematic.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Luke's Blessing
On Sunday our family gathered at church for Luke's blessing. After the service, we had lunch at Jared and Dawn's home. They are moving next week, and we'll miss them so. Fortunately they'll just be 2 hrs away! All the kids enjoyed playing together while the parents chatted. Luke, a little bored with all the commotion,took a nap.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Father's Day Thought, 2009
"Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected." ~Red Buttons
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