I'm proud to be an American (usually)

Presidential candidate Barack Obama's wife Michelle stuck her foot in her mouth last week when she said, "For the first time... I'm proud of my country". I will give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she either misspoke or was misunderstood. Cindy McCain quickly let it be known that, “I always have been and will always be extremely proud of my country."

I believe that there is middle ground somewhere between the views of these two women, one of whom will likely be the next first lady of our country. There is certainly much to be proud of about America. It is still the land of the free (mostly - see below) and home of the brave. Opportunities still exist for people who are willing to work hard. We are free to worship as we please.

However, for Americans who are not too preoccupied by the modern equivalents of bread and circuses, there are numerous reasons why one may not be so proud. Such as:

• There are 1 million unborn babies murdered in our country every year. And this tragedy goes largely unmentioned except at election time when the Republican faction of the Government party want the Christian vote.
  
• One of every 100 American adults is in jail or prison. The U.S incarcerates more people than any other nation and is also the leader in inmates per capita. This is not healthy for a nation, whatever the reasons/causes may be.
  
• Nearly 40% of American children are born out of wedlock. Again, not healthy for the future of our nation.
  
• Our country launched a pre-emptive, i.e, unprovoked, war in Iraq that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Iraqis, not to mention 4 thousand dead Americans and a trillion dollar price tag.
  
• Supposedly 40% of Americans attend church on a weekly basis. Based on my neighborhood on a Sunday morning I guess that the number is maybe half of that (and I'm in the Bible belt).

And don't get me started on the government. Of course no one should make the mistake of considering the country and the government as one and the same thing. I can be proud of my country while I detest the government.

The kid's favorite

This is the kids favorite video courtesy of YouTube. Their favorite part is at 3:15 into the video.

You Never Let Go by Matt Redman



Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Thoughts on 'The Pilgrim's Progress'

I'm currently wading through John Bunyan's "The Pilgrim's Progress". If you ever decide to read this Christian allegory classic then I recommend the modern English version. However, even in the original version (published 1678), Bunyan's story of the character Christian's pilgrimage is an interesting and worthwhile read (not to mention theologically enlightening).

Update: If you are buying a used book, do a quick scan to make sure it is not missing pages 177-208. I enjoyed Part I of the book (Christian's Pilgrimage), but the only book more sleep inducing for me than Part II was Dickens' "The Pickwick Papers". "The Pickwick Papers" put me to sleep every night for months.

A more important topic

Now that Dr. Paul's bid for the presidency is over, let's move on to a more important topic. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training today and the middle of the Astros lineup is murderer's row. Tejada, Berkman, Carlos Lee and Hunter Pence will need to provide plenty of run production to support a weak pitching staff (Roy O. excluded).

To celebrate a new baseball season why not waste some time at a unique website that I came across - 88 Topps Cards. They take a look at the 1988 Topps baseball card set, card by card, and provide some amusing commentary as well. The only thing better would have been a 1978 Topps Cards website - 1978 being the midst of my own card collecting years.

McCain - A Candidate Inspires

Although not a supporter of Barack Obama, I do like this video. And as the video says, good luck with that in November.

I'm throwing in the towel

In a message last week to his supporters Ron Paul ruled out a third party candidacy, which means that I'm throwing in the towel on the 2008 presidential election.

I won't remove the 'Ron Paul for President' sticker from my bumper until after the March 4 Texas primary and will still cast my primary vote for Dr. Paul, but my hopes for real change in Washington (not the socialist hell disguised as change that is promised by Obama) have been extinguished.

Although sometimes frustrating, Ron Paul's candidacy has been very formative in my own political beliefs. I've come to realize that there is no place for me and my beliefs in the Republican party. I cannot support the perpetual war candidate. (As a selfish aside - my son will be draft age in 12 years, just 1/8 of the way through McCain's 100 year plan for Iraq.) And of course the Democratic party offers no alternative. As disgusted as I am with the GOP, the democrats are still socialists who think it is OK to murder unborn babies.

The lesser of two evils is still evil, so I will either stay home in November or vote for the Libertarian/Constitution party candidate. Either way, come January 20, 2009 we will have a new president; and I will still go to work every day, pay my taxes, pay my bills, love my wife and kids, cheer for the Texas Longhorns, take my family to church on Sunday, and put my faith in God (and not any man).

You won't see this in the MSM

According to the Federal Election Commission report on 4th quarter 2007 campaign contributions that was released today, Ron Paul received more donations from members of the military than all other presidential candidates combined.

Paul: $286,764; 1349 donors
McCain: $79,597; 413 donors
Romney: $29,250; 140 donors
Huckabee: $24,562; 94 donors

Obama: $81,037; 466 donors
Clinton: $49,523; 181 donors

While John McCain says having US troops in Iraq for 100 years "would be fine with me," Ron Paul wants to bring the troops home. And apparently members of the US military agree with Ron Paul.