Welcome to America, Occupy

Remember when Occupy was just an annoying distraction? Ah the good ole days.
Now instead of just "peacefully" trashing parks, they've gone on a move to disrupt even more of the working American's lives. Today they moved into being "Occupy Walmart". Parks were one thing, but this is where millions of Americans work, let alone shop and take their kids.
Many people like to take shots at Walmart and "the people of Walmart", but the company is about as American as you can get. It believes in the free market system, the people who work for it, and giving back to the communities. O no one can deny that Sam Walton's kids are ridiculously well off. But Walmart and Sam's Club stores give back hundreds of thousands each to charities, medical foundations, and other community helpers in their areas.
And this is now the company that they've chosen to protest. Once again they've chosen to protest a lot of what makes America great, rather than the actual problems that sit in Washington.
But all that you my readers know, as you're intelligent Americans unlike the occupiers.
I really wanted to hit on some highlights of the attempt by Occupy to block a Walmart distribution center in Loveland, Colorado.
This was apparently organized by Occupy Denver, but led by a member of Occupy Oakland. You may remember Occupy Oakland as the ones who keep trying to shut down the port there, and cause other forms of general mayham like rape and murder. The arrests have definitely increased with 13 of 50 Occupiers taken into custody for blocking Walmart trucks from entering and leaving the center.
Out of today at Loveland, came my (at least so far in the movement) all time favourite quote from Occupy: "I'm out here for fairness for all people of this country," said Loveland resident Carla Massaro. "Corporations are not people. I have a sign on my car that says, 'I refuse to believe corporations are people until Texas executes one.'" Wait! Did Occupy just say they're pro death penalty?
But my definite all time favourite moment was that whilst the Loveland police sent out their SWAT, the Larimer County Sheriff sent the Posse. Was great seeing the Occupiers met by horses ridden by cowboys with long mustaches. Welcome to America!
Also very proud of the police who were there. Even one protestor that was arrested commented on how polite and nice the officers that arrested him were.

Who to Support in 2012?

All in all there are currently 23 candidates officially running for President of The United States of America. Some of them you'll never have heard of. And they're from all over the political center, with a few exceptions to the wings.
As things get close to the primaries, we face some crucial challenges. None of the three leading Republican candidates are really that conservative. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are both only partially conservatives, whilst Ron Paul's answer to our problems is basically to burn everything down (part of which is turning our back on all our allies including Israel) and then see where we can get. Sadly there does not seem to be anyone who has enough backing to win and who is actually conservative and would move forward to help the country recover and improve. None are actually good choices, but they might at least be improvements over Barack Obama.
To add to it, possibly major players Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump have both threatened to run as third party, independent candidates. O, and the ever humble Ron Paul has as well.
Most if not all of the runners who continue on as third party candidates will take votes away from the Republican candidate.
Rumors of Hilary Clinton running against Obama are making the rounds again, but not likely to bear fruit this late in the game. She is the only one who could really take a chunk out of the Democrat votes.
So we're back to facing internal conservative battles as the truest threat in 2012.
As conservatives how do we choose between Romney, whose Romneycare was the basis for a lot of Obamacare; Gingrich, who is politically and morally ambiguous; and Paul, who whilst likely being the most honest politician ever is...well just scary?
Romney simply isn't conservative, he says things that are, but his growth of government control shows his true colours. And how much the main stream media protects him is disturbing as well.
Paul, well his idea of balancing things is to start at zero, which is totally a bad idea and about as destructive (if not as much (or maybe even more so)) as Obama's growing the government as quickly as possible. Starting at zero reeks of anarchy, rather than the Republic we are supposed to be.
Which leaves us with Gingrich. And that about says it, he's the lesser of the evils. Of the three leading Republican candidates he is most inline with conservatism. He is the least threatening to our freedoms and safety, and the most likely to actually get us on the road to recovery. In no way is he the "perfect candidate", but no one ever will be.
So of the three I choose Gingrich. But no matter what, in the end we must remember to Hang Together or Separately, our nation is at stake.

Winning a Cold War With China

As mentioned yesterday, Obama seems intent on beginning a cold war with China. Whether it be with statements that, "the United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay."; the deployment of extra troops to Australia; or the gifting of twenty-five F 16 fighters to Indonesia the Obama administration seems determined to build up US, allied, and "friendly" strength in a wall of power around China.

But can the US win a cold war with China in the same way it did with the Soviet Union, through pure military build up?  With the Soviet Russia, the American economy was truly the main force behind the conflict that the USSR just could not keep up with let alone match. But the Chinese economy does rival the US one. In fact many of the key components to US military weaponry are made in China, so an economic war would be disastrous for America.

The focus needs to shift then. Before the USA can even begin to contemplate battling China, they must first build up their own struggling economy. Products must be manufactured in the states, ending the dependence on foreign corporations. "Drill here, drill now" must be joined by "Private sector Jobs here, private sector jobs now" and "Build it here, build it now". If this was accomplished the United States' economy would be once again strengthened and could get back to being unrivaled in the world. Only then could America even hope to win this new conflict.

Except we live in the world of Obama's Hope and Change, where reality takes a back seat as we are driven at extreme recklessness across the bridge to nowhere. In Obama's world giving our military technology away is a good idea. In the Nobel peace prize winner's mind a few marines (why 250 not 300?) will stop the millions of Chinese, should they ever try to do something. In this President's head, we are still the un crippled United States of America that no one messes with, because we can not only take them on, but all their friends with them.

It's time to wake up and realize the situation. Reality does not go away if you just ignore it. As much as we do need to protect ourselves from increased Chinese influence we need to start doing that by rebuilding ourselves at home first. And to do that, we must elect a President who won't bow to other governments. A President who's allegiance is to the Flag of the United States of America and to The Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Only then can we worry about a cold war with China.

F16s to Indonesia

In case you missed it, we are now giving F-16s to Indonesia. Yes, not selling, but giving 25 of our fighters. To a quote unquote friendly nation. Yes, Indonesia is one of the more powerful nations in that part of the world, and strategically key due to its location, since we seem to be beginning a cold war with China. But, it is one of the most unstable governments in the area as well, constantly fighting rebels and separatists. The country is also a haven for terrorists, including Al Qaeda, who last I checked we were still at war with.
So lets repeat, we are gifting F 16s to an unstable government, who is only semi friendly, that harbours (or at least doesn't fight to get rid of) terrorist organizations that are currently at war with The United States of America. What could go wrong?
If we are serious about giving away military tech (that may be old for us, but is still beyond top of the line for most countries) how about we give it to a proven friend, that's stable, and helping us fight the war on terror? But that would be intelligent, and the administration again and again shows it is not that.
The only real possible benefit to this is the increased presence around China, but does any really thinking Indonesia would get involved if the situation actually went to war? No, they'll stay out of it, then back the winner.
At the very least we could've sold the jets to them, then we'd at least have gotten something out of it. We are facing a bad economy aren't we? O it wouldn't have solved it or anything, but when refurbishing the engines costs up to $30 million a plane, you know we could've made a few billion easy.
So President Obama and Secretary Clinton, what real benefit was there to handing over our technology to a place that will likely lose it all too quickly to our enemies? I'd love to hear about it or see it.
Lets face it, this at best another blunder by the administration, if not a complete failure. Hopefully our troops will never be shot at with these planes, but I'm sure the tech will lead to something new being shot at them.


Update: This article was picked up by Landmark Report.

My Blogcon11 and Plans

For those that totally missed it, Blogcon11 was this weekend here in Denver. Sadly I missed out on the conference, due to not being able to get it off work. Luckily, I was able to head on down Saturday evening and spend time meeting and conversing with various bloggers and twitterers. This did mean I missed Occupy Denver's attempted invasion, but did get to see a few of them (and the police keeping an eye on them) on my way to the hotel where blog con was at.
A very special thanks to @Jimmiebjr for introducing me to many of those that I met, the blogging and cpac advice, and talking with me most of the night.
Someone else that I met, and spent most of the night was Karen Harrington who is running for Congress in Florida's 20th district. She was awesome, totally real, and literally just hung out with us the whole night. If I lived in her district she would completely have my vote, I'd likely even volunteer at her campaign.
Through out the night I met a couple dozen people, some of whom I talk to regularly, others who are known to many of you, and some who I'm sad I hadn't heard of before.
If you're reading this and I didn't specifically mention you, it's not meant as a slight, I did consider mentioning everyone I met in here, but decided that was too much like bragging rather than thanks. Many of you I didn't get to talk to as much as I'd've liked, and some of you I did get to for bits at various times. I'm grateful for all of you who took the time to meet and talk with me. Definitely look forward to expanding that in the future.
To those that I didn't get to meet, I'm saddened by that, but time was limited. Hopefully we'll get to rectify that soon!
Twas all in all a great night, and I really hope I get the chance to repeat it at Cpac12.
If you haven't had the chance to meet people like that or go to a convention, you should seriously think about it. Tis definitely worth it!

There are some things that were suggested to me, that I had been thinking of anyways, which will hopefully help me become a better blogger for you. I'm going to do my best to find a time, that each week I can write on something, so that y'all can always expect some kind of regular piece. For me it will be a bit of a struggle as I generally only write when inspired, as I like those pieces since they just flow out.
Also, I hope to purchase a notepad of some sort so that I will no longer be limited to my droid for all my writing. This will greatly increase my ability to write, as well as read your blogs.
With any luck both of those will take place within the remainder of 2011.
As I've mentioned, I hope to be able to go to Cpac12. Working on it, may take some doing for me to make it, but I'm really hopeful! Prayer that things work for me to get there would be appreciated.

Shelby for President

In a move to show their ever increasing intelligence Occupy Denver has officially announced a leader, Shelby, a three year old border collie. This move was made in response to requests from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock to form a leadership that he and other Denver city officials could meet with. One could easily be reminded of a certain Roman emperor that set his horse as his highest advisor.

A blatant slap to the face of intelligent Americans and all of humanity, Shelby shall no doubt become a mascot for not just Denver, but other cities as well, maybe even the whole movement. We likely now have our third Presidential candidate. Shelby in 2012!

In normal society this would be the end of a movement. But in this ludicrous movement which seems to draw crazies, it will bring even more. Already Occupy Denver has invited all

civic minded dogs to join the march.

So no longer is this just a human movement. Animal Farm anyone?

We must hope that this will bring about an end though. For if not, more of our tax dollars will be wasted cleaning up and ensuring the safety of the rest of America from these occupy groups. Tis time for sanity to kick in, to say nothing of morality and decency.

Pumped Up Kicks

If you listen to any kind of top 40 radio, you've more than likely heard this song Foster the People's "Pumped Up Kicks". What you might not be aware of is the words.
To most people it describes one school shooting or another, with the main character also finishing off his dad as well. Some say that this is a song that promotes school violence in response to being bullied. Others that it is only trying to make us more aware. In various interviews, the band seems to give mixed signals on this as well.
Either way this is an important issue. The fact that some teens get to the point where they decide taking a weapon to school to use on their peers is extremely troubling. The aftermath of such a decision all the more so. Liberal forces within our country use it as an excuse to impose more government controls to limit our freedoms. Guns especially are targeted. But the guns aren't the issue.
The issue is that teens today see such violence as a possible way out, if their peers mistreat or don't accept them. Parts of society have taught them violence and even suicide are the ways out. But they aren't.
O we could blame the music, video games, TV, and movies that involve and maybe even encourage violence. But again, that's not the issue. Censoring the first amendment rights would be a wrong following a wrong, just as is attacking the second.
The issue is society and what it encourages and promotes. Games, music, TV, and movies only mirror what society accepts. O sometimes they'll be on the borders of acceptability, or maybe even beyond, but the majority only gives what is asked for. The real issue isn't what the song actually means, but what caused society to get to a place where it wants songs like that.
So how do we fix society? How do we keep another kid from going to school and shooting their classmates? How do we re instill morality and law?
No matter what, we can not do it by taking away freedoms. Any society that thinks it can save itself by doing so is sowing it's own down fall all the more.
Education, not just in schools but in values is the key. Without ethical values and morality being taught, society will crumble. History shows this time and time again. Will we repeat it? Or will we finally learn from the lessons of the past?

In, Not Of

For me, and I'm sure many other Christians tis really difficult for us to be in the world and not of it. The easiest thing is to be in the world and become of it as well. For most if not all Christians it is a daily struggle. Some of those that it is not a struggle, don't even try to fight it anymore, they have become in and of the world, yet still believe in Christ. That is a very difficult and dangerous position to be in, if not impossible and spiritually deadly. Another way that most tend to give up is to have almost two separate lives. One is the one they show off at church and with that group of people. The other is the one they show the rest of the world. They are the hypocrites that most of the world takes note of. People who say two different things, and live two different ways. Another danger is what some choose. Being not only not of, but doing their best to be not in as well. Tis a very hard task to do, and people take from these Christians, that Christians are arrogant and uncaring of the world. Most churches as a body are stuck in this mode. To be in, not of a Christian must live the way Christ did. This doesn't necessarily mean going on missions around the world, or even dying for their beliefs. It could simply be taking the step to show the light of the word in areas around them that don't usually see it. But it is not just the individual Christians who need to do this. Churches as a unified body need to step out of their comfort zones and go to the front lines of ministry in their own areas, or maybe a nearby one. Individuals and bodies must come together remembering that we are called to serve and minister to the world we are in. We should not demand that the world come to our places of worship to know God. This can be done through local service projects of varying types, or maybe renting a theater or some other neutral place for a night and having a free concert for their neighbourhood. God is everywhere. Everywhere we go, we take Him with us. To truly be in, not of and be faithful to your belief you must go out and introduce your neighbours to the loving God, their Creator, and Saviour. Create a place where they will feel welcome, and maybe they'll experience God for the first time and acknowledge His grace.

Dating: Can You be Too Picky? And Some Things to Avoid

Is there actually such a thing as being too picky when it comes to finding a mate?
No, there absolutely is not. This peson is meant to be your soul mate, your one and only. You want to be picky! Settling for someone that is less than what you deserve is the worst thing you can do.
You need to take your time and not rush things. Go out on dates, and get to know many different people. Figure out what you like and don't like. Make a list of qualities that are necessary, another of things that you can't stand, a third of what you'd like, and a fourth you'd rather they not have. If your necessity list is bigger than your likes you're in trouble and need to rethink some things. Not necessarily during the date, but definitely after go through your lists and see how that person matches up.
If someone doesn't fit at least ninety percent of your likes and necessities they're probably not right for you. If less than fifty percent definitely not. But just because they don't fit your mate ideal doesn't mean write them off completely. Some of them could end up being your best friends in life.
You may not find your mate, but great friends are always great. If you're really lucky you'll end up with both.

Some things to look out for and avoid whilst dating:
Cheaters! Always be sure you're not helping someone cheat. You don't want to be that person. And if they'll leave someone for you, they're all too likely to leave you for someone else.
People needing rescue. If you help them as a friend, and everything gets fixed then there may be possibilities. But if you get involved when they're still in trouble, then they very likely might leave you once they don't need to be rescued any longer.
Liars. If they'll lie to begin with then they'll never stop.
Jealousy. If they don't want you even spending time with friends when you're dating they'll become even more controlling later on. Beware and get out.
Abusers. Whether its emotional, verbal, or physical never put up with it. Don't even start with someone who is. Walk away if you already are.
And never be with someone just because its easy or to avoid being single. Never know what you could miss whilst you're just settling into a false comfort zone.

Yom Kippur, Fasting, and Eating Disorders

In case you missed it, this Saturday was Yom Kippur. To quote from Wikipedia

Yom Kippur, also known as Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the year for the Jews. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im ("Days of Awe"). Yom Kippur is the tenth day of the month of Tishrei. According to Jewish tradition, God inscribes each person's fate for the coming year into a book, the Book of Life, on Rosh Hashanah, and waits until Yom Kippur to "seal" the verdict. During the Days of Awe, a Jew tries to amend his or her behavior and seek forgiveness for wrongs done against God and against other human beings. The evening and day of Yom Kippur are set aside for public and private petitions and confessions of guilt. At the end of Yom Kippur, one considers oneself absolved by God.

Yom Kippur reminds me of my human frailty and how much I need God's guidance to survive. How grateful I am to know He has a plan for me. I need not doubt, only have faith in Him and His plan, and know that His grace is protecting me.

For me Yom Kippur and the other days of fasting are also difficult times. They remind me of part of my senior year when I nearly died from anorexia. No one around me noticed how much weight I had lost. Luckily, for me, I had a good friend end up hospitalized because of anorexia. She had passed out and they finally noticed she was anorexic. I was almost to that point as well. Her experience scared me badly enough that I began eating again.
The fasting days also remind me of not long later in my senior year when I'd had a migraine every day for a month. Drs. couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, tests were coming up completely negative on everything. So they ordered me to fast for a week. I was worried the whole time that I would end up anorexic again if I got in the habit of not eating. Results were inconclusive, so they ordered me to have another week of fasting. I almost refused, but so badly wanted to find out what was wrong with me, that I went through with it. After that second week, they found I have a liver disorder that effects my metabolism, I need to eat more often that most people or my body stops functioning correctly. Even just a one day fast like Yom Kippur will result in a major headache, weakness, fatigue, and possibly passing out. Due to all that this is the first time in ten to eleven years that I've participate in a fast.

But my experiences have also given me one of my personal crusades, fighting eating disorders.
Very few people realize how many suffer from them. We all likely know at least two people with one, and very likely never noticed that they have one. Anorexia and bulimia are probably the most well known types, but there are many others. There are lots of different causes of them too. They can be caused by psychological, biological, or environmental effects upon someone's life. Even such common things as depression and peer pressure can cause one to occur, and ADHD is known to increase the chances of developing one. Most forms can be easy to correct, and often are totally avoidable in the first place.
The easiest prevention is the person's knowing they have someone who cares for them just as they are. Even a smile could help someone. Who amongst us couldn't use those?