Happy Days and Other Silly Greetings
I read
Down with Absolutes! on occasion for his liberal take on life. He is a good writer with a sharp wit. We have a good relationship in that he accepts me as a conservative and I do likewise with his liberalism.
I like that liberals want to be totally inclusive. I have that same goal in life. What I find amazing, though, is that liberals feel the best way to practice that inclusion is by making sure that they leave
NO ONE out of their holiday greeting. Yet, they are more than willing to rail on the administration (and conservatives in general) about anything and everything.
Me, I would rather wish someone a "Merry Christmas" and leave it at that. If I know that you're Jewish or Muslim or that you celebrate Kwanzaa or Festivus, I render the appropriate greeting (I, like Mike, am not sure exactly what drunkards celebrate this time of year). If I wish you a "Merry Christmas" and you answer with "Happy Chanukah" I will be more than happy to return the greeting.
Seems to me the real answer to an equal society is accepting people as they are and expecting to be accepted for what I am. Spewing some watered down, silly, meaningless greeting that tries to include anyone within earshot doesn't help. This is not inclusion, its dilution and it only succeeds in alienating everyone. Everyone, that is, except like minded, silly liberals. Maybe that’s why their numbers are shrinking and their club is becoming more exclusive by the hour.
2005 According to Reuters
Fascinating PicturesJudge for yourself if they represent the year you remember. Would you delete some and add others?
(hat tip:
Apostropher)
Bestest New News
Question: What type of news could make a duck smile?
Answer: Finding different employment!
Yes, dear readers, your friendly ignited drake has moved on. I've taken the leap, flown the coop, said, "sayonara!" (actually it was more like f--- you!) The evil warlock boss has power no more!
Christmas eve, a Marine in the family and a new position with exciting potential. Life just couldn't get any better!
A Gentle Reminder
Luke 2:1-14:
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
ST LUKE
CHAPTER 2
1 AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
Merry Christmas! May God Bless you during this season and into the coming year.
Literacy Problem In the United States!
Here's the
full article for your reading enjoyment.
From the article:
About one in 20 U.S. adults--which is 11 million people--are not literate in English, making it difficult or impossible for them to handle many everyday tasks from reading restaurant menus to job ads.
Shocking! And it's based on good science! (isn't it?)
The Associated Press reports that the federal study of 19,000 adults 16 and older from the Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Department of Education found that from 1992 to 2003, adults made no progress in their ability to read...
Even the experts are puzzled!
Federal officials say they are most puzzled by the fact that even as more people get a formal education, the literacy rate is not rising...
But then the REAL story!
Of course, some of those who are labeled illiterate in English are fluent in Spanish or another language; still, they are unable to comprehend English at the most simplistic level...
Poor illiterate people. Some can’t or won’t learn and some choose to continue to speak the language of the country of their birth. But they get by. They obviously haven’t found it important enough to address. Let's feel sorry for them and give them lots of money because THEY HAVEN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THEY LIVE!
Sheesh!
Newest New News!
You now have to salute the middle duckling. Signed with the Marines yesterday.
Did so well on the ASVAB (98 out of 100 and beat me by 6 points!) that the recruiter immediately sat him down and said he could basically choose any MOS the Marine Corp offers. Suggested that he look into the Washington D.C. protection unit. Might even get to protect the President! I don't know how these things work in the Marine Corp but it looks like his future is pretty bright.
Now put on some sunglasses and stand out of the way for a while. This proud papa is going to beam for a while! 8=]
Iraq in Perspective
No additional comments from me. Just read
this post.
"Think about everything you’ve heard about the conditions in Iraq, the role of U.S. forces, the multi-layered complexities of the war.
Then think again.
I’m a journalist. I read the news everyday, from several sources. I have the luxury of reading stuff newspapers don’t always have room to print. I read every tidbit I could on Iraq and the war before coming.
Everything I thought I knew was wrong..."
"I still haven’t seen U.S. troops engaged or encounter car bombs or explosives. But I did see them play backgammon with some local police and Iraqi soldiers. I saw them take photos with more locals and make jokes mostly lost in translation. They gave advice and expertise to local troops on how to conduct a neighborhood patrol. They drank the local customary tea, and many admitted they’ve become addicted to it. They know several locals by name. I didn’t hear one slight or ridicule of a very distinct culture. One soldier mentioned it might be a good idea to clean up the trash around one polling place, and another commented on the status of women in the culture, but they were nothing but respectful, friendly and buddy-buddy with the Iraqis they mingled with today."
ALL the news should be reported. This author did just that.
(hat tip:
WitNit)
An Aussie on the Australian Riots
I had wondered why these riots seemed "to come out of thin air." Now I know
there's more to the story.
"After taking an oath on the Qur’an, the man – known only as MSK – told the court he had committed four attacks on girls as young as 13 because they had no right to say “no.” They were not covering their face or wearing a headscarf, and therefore, the rapist proclaimed: “I’m not doing anything wrong.”
MSK is already serving a 22-year jail term for leading his three younger brothers in a gang rape of two other young Sydney girls in 2002. In his own defence, he argued that his cultural background, was responsible for his crimes."
The article clearly lays out how these riots (and by extension, I would say the war on terror) are a clash of cultures. While modern society can try to proclaim that we must accept others and thier belief systems, there will be friction if barbaric customs are practiced within civil societies. (Yes, I am making a value judgement here.) I am even hard pressed to let some of these customs from being practiced in their own countries!
It is my custom to read the Bible and proclaim it's truthfulness to anyone who asks. In some of these countries, persisting in these practices is enough to get me sentenced to death and yet this gentleman tries to say that he should be allowed to practice
rape because it fulfills some distorted sense of rightousness! Talk about hutspah!
I have an idea, I promise to refrain from trying to convert Muslems if they promise to stop forcing sex on women and girls. Deal?
My Flaming Duck "Sexy Name"
(hat tip;
Witnit)
Cox & Forkum: Historical Rewrite
More funny stuff.
.
A bit dated but I just found it.
Let the Truth be Told!
The Conservative v. Liberal take on evolution.
In the Middle of AmericaThis has got to be one of the funniest satirical essays I've read in a while (and I don't even drink)! Guess that just shows how long I've been away from the blogosphere.
Awarded for
