How does American history lead us to trans fats?
I teach American History. In eight grade we cover the stretch from the first settlements to World War I. Currently we are in the period between the Texas War of Independence and the Civil War. I am constantly on the lookout for repeating themes that resonate today. One of the issues that keeps coming up is the conflict between the expanding power of the central government and the liberty of the people. It hides under various titles: States rights, popular sovereignty, checks and balances and so forth.
If you watch you see this conflict played out in the greatly expanded federal power in the ability to tax. Bear in mind that until the early 20th century the government was funded mainly by tariffs. Look at your pay stub and recognize that the deductions listed did not exist in 1900.
Issues that have gone national are slavery, women’s suffrage, and the age of voters. All of these have had constitutional amendments.
Still in the courts and on the streets are abortion, marriage, drugs, guns, education and religion. Most of these conflicts are being pushed by elite judges and leftist politicians who are putting a noose around the liberty of the people to make choices and set standards.
The latest power grab is in our foods. Trans fats anyone?
We were established as a federal republic. We are becoming a feudal oligarchy. The change is slow and insidious. I hope the general population wakes up before it becomes time to water the tree of liberty with the blood of tyrants and martyrs. I didn’t make that up. The credit belongs to Thomas Jefferson.
Remember they have the best of intentions. They do it for your own good. It is just coincidence that it gives them more power.
homo unius libri
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.
Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.
Opus 2014-35: Why?
Why do I keep teaching?
The quick, flip answer is I need the health insurance. That reason may go away any day. Another quick response is that I can’t afford to retire. Taxes may change that. A third is that my wife freaks out at the idea of me being home all day. That has validity.
But why do I keep at it?
I guess there is a bit of the idealist in me. I have accepted that I won’t see a lot of change in the students I serve. Most would hide it if they were aware of it. I take a longer view. Most of us do not become what we are in a moment but in a series of moments. If I can be one of those moments then somewhere down the road there may be a different outcome. Perhaps discussing the rule of law as opposed to regal fiat will stick and emerge at a key time. Perhaps cause and effect will dawn on them someday as they step into a voting booth. Perhaps they will remember that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are given by God not granted by a benevolent dictator in Washington.
One can hope. Meanwhile I buy ammo when it is available, check the locks before I go to bed, make sure that my gas tank is full and above all trust God as the author and finisher of all things.
homo unius libri
The quick, flip answer is I need the health insurance. That reason may go away any day. Another quick response is that I can’t afford to retire. Taxes may change that. A third is that my wife freaks out at the idea of me being home all day. That has validity.
But why do I keep at it?
I guess there is a bit of the idealist in me. I have accepted that I won’t see a lot of change in the students I serve. Most would hide it if they were aware of it. I take a longer view. Most of us do not become what we are in a moment but in a series of moments. If I can be one of those moments then somewhere down the road there may be a different outcome. Perhaps discussing the rule of law as opposed to regal fiat will stick and emerge at a key time. Perhaps cause and effect will dawn on them someday as they step into a voting booth. Perhaps they will remember that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are given by God not granted by a benevolent dictator in Washington.
One can hope. Meanwhile I buy ammo when it is available, check the locks before I go to bed, make sure that my gas tank is full and above all trust God as the author and finisher of all things.
homo unius libri
Opus 2014-34: Should-a-Beens: Off the list
She is off my list.
A young lady that works at a restaurant I frequent was on my list of women I would like to introduce my son to. We are getting desperate to get him married. This young lady seemed to be a really nice person. She had a good attitude, worked hard and seemed to go the extra mile. In my world of “should have been” I could see me introducing her to my son and a spark igniting. A guy can dream, can’t he?
My dream was shattered the other day. Why? She got a tattoo. I am not rejecting her as a person. She still seems like a great human being. She is still off my list.
Is she a different person now that she got a tattoo? No. She is the same person. It is just that I see her more clearly now. There is something in her personality that wants to conform to current fads enough that she is willing to permanently disfigure her body. I understand that a tattoo doesn’t prove anything evil. It could just be my personal hang-up. Got it.
On the other hand how do I deal with this?.
I may have to live with nose rings, but tattoos send a message I can't ignore.
homo unius libri
A young lady that works at a restaurant I frequent was on my list of women I would like to introduce my son to. We are getting desperate to get him married. This young lady seemed to be a really nice person. She had a good attitude, worked hard and seemed to go the extra mile. In my world of “should have been” I could see me introducing her to my son and a spark igniting. A guy can dream, can’t he?
My dream was shattered the other day. Why? She got a tattoo. I am not rejecting her as a person. She still seems like a great human being. She is still off my list.
Is she a different person now that she got a tattoo? No. She is the same person. It is just that I see her more clearly now. There is something in her personality that wants to conform to current fads enough that she is willing to permanently disfigure her body. I understand that a tattoo doesn’t prove anything evil. It could just be my personal hang-up. Got it.
On the other hand how do I deal with this?.
(Lev 19:28 KJV) Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.In the NASB the word “marks” is “tattoo.”
I may have to live with nose rings, but tattoos send a message I can't ignore.
homo unius libri
Opus 2014-32: Cornerstone Considerations: Going First Class
Life just got more expensive.
My wife told me they just raised first class postage by three cents. I was totally unaware. It didn’t make the big headlines. I guess health care and the Super Bowl are more on people’s minds.
This type of action usually brings out cries to do away with the Post Office and turn it over to private enterprise. After all, private business could do a better job, just look at UPS and Fed Ex. There is a problem with that solution. The existence of the Post Office is one of the responsibilities given to congress by the Constitution. It is short and sweet.
Article 1, Section 8 begins with the word, “The Congress shall have power...” and by my count the seventh power of the legislature is “To establish post offices and post roads;”
It doesn’t say how it is to be established or maintained but it is clear that the Founding Fathers felt that being able to communicate was something that should not be in the hands of the states or individuals.
It would seem that there is also justification for federal highway funds also.
The existence of a Federal Postal System is constitutional.
homo unius libri
My wife told me they just raised first class postage by three cents. I was totally unaware. It didn’t make the big headlines. I guess health care and the Super Bowl are more on people’s minds.
This type of action usually brings out cries to do away with the Post Office and turn it over to private enterprise. After all, private business could do a better job, just look at UPS and Fed Ex. There is a problem with that solution. The existence of the Post Office is one of the responsibilities given to congress by the Constitution. It is short and sweet.
Article 1, Section 8 begins with the word, “The Congress shall have power...” and by my count the seventh power of the legislature is “To establish post offices and post roads;”
It doesn’t say how it is to be established or maintained but it is clear that the Founding Fathers felt that being able to communicate was something that should not be in the hands of the states or individuals.
It would seem that there is also justification for federal highway funds also.
The existence of a Federal Postal System is constitutional.
homo unius libri
Opus 2014-31: Headlines: How Goes the Battle?
As I was dressing Sunday morning my wife again had the TV on some news channel. The topic was the coming Olympics and how things were not going well. One reason was the failure of the ex-Workers’ Paradise to be able to do anything except military well. What did you expect?
The other big issue was the difficulty of dealing with the terrorist threats. The reporter talked about security measures and checkpoints. It was obvious that the world of the Olympic had been transformed into some kind of military installation. My reflection on this is that the terrorists are winning.
The point of terrorism is not to win battles but to paralyze society by causing crippling fear. If they can get us to change how we do things, they win. If they can get us to constrict our freedom and always look fearfully over our shoulders, they win. If they can transform us into a police state we might as well buy Korans and prayer rugs.
They are instilling terror. They are changing our way of doing things.
The only way we can continue to exist as a free people is to accept the risks of freedom. Some will die. Some will suffer. If we make sure that the terrorists do not live to strike again, eventually we will come out on top. If they see they cannot make us cower behind our doors, they will give up and go home.
We need to replace the Department of Homeland Security with the Department of Burying Terrorists.
Freedom beckons. Do we want it enough to risk our lives?
homo unius libri
The other big issue was the difficulty of dealing with the terrorist threats. The reporter talked about security measures and checkpoints. It was obvious that the world of the Olympic had been transformed into some kind of military installation. My reflection on this is that the terrorists are winning.
The point of terrorism is not to win battles but to paralyze society by causing crippling fear. If they can get us to change how we do things, they win. If they can get us to constrict our freedom and always look fearfully over our shoulders, they win. If they can transform us into a police state we might as well buy Korans and prayer rugs.
They are instilling terror. They are changing our way of doing things.
The only way we can continue to exist as a free people is to accept the risks of freedom. Some will die. Some will suffer. If we make sure that the terrorists do not live to strike again, eventually we will come out on top. If they see they cannot make us cower behind our doors, they will give up and go home.
We need to replace the Department of Homeland Security with the Department of Burying Terrorists.
Freedom beckons. Do we want it enough to risk our lives?
homo unius libri
Opus 2014-30: Feeling Your Pain
Have you had your colonoscopy yet?
This procedure has become a part of life for so many people. The worst part for me has always been the preparation which involves drinking a large volume of disgusting liquid. The rest has been a breeze because I have always had doctors who would “put me out” for the process. I would be on my side listening to the team prepare. The next thing I know I am on my back in the recovery room. Easy, right?
I am beginning to wonder. Does it mean I actually did not feel the discomfort or just that I can’t remember feeling the discomfort? It makes a difference. The thought of going through the discomfort that some describe and just not remembering it means that I was suffering but don’t know. Was I in agony that I would avoid if I remembered or was I truly numb to the experience.
The same would go for things like surgery. Is it relief or a trick of memory. I have had indications of what it can feel like. Once during an outpatient surgery the anesthesia began to wear off. I have been in the dentist chair when the pain-killer began to get tired. I know pain. I don’t want to go through that even if I can’t remember it.
So many questions in life.
homo unius libri
This procedure has become a part of life for so many people. The worst part for me has always been the preparation which involves drinking a large volume of disgusting liquid. The rest has been a breeze because I have always had doctors who would “put me out” for the process. I would be on my side listening to the team prepare. The next thing I know I am on my back in the recovery room. Easy, right?
I am beginning to wonder. Does it mean I actually did not feel the discomfort or just that I can’t remember feeling the discomfort? It makes a difference. The thought of going through the discomfort that some describe and just not remembering it means that I was suffering but don’t know. Was I in agony that I would avoid if I remembered or was I truly numb to the experience.
The same would go for things like surgery. Is it relief or a trick of memory. I have had indications of what it can feel like. Once during an outpatient surgery the anesthesia began to wear off. I have been in the dentist chair when the pain-killer began to get tired. I know pain. I don’t want to go through that even if I can’t remember it.
So many questions in life.
homo unius libri
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