The Front Porch

You've seen and heard all about the SERIOUSNESS of global warming.  Some politicians and groups want you to think time will come to an end due to global warming.  Maybe or maybe not, but we are definitely not in such a trend. 

Competitive Enterprise Institution, who believes "individuals are best helped not by government intervention, but by making their own choices in a free marketplace," put together two outstanding 60-second spots, which aired between May 18 and May 28. Maybe you saw one on your local television station.  If you didn't have the opportunity to watch, at least view this one spot.

WINDOWS MEDIA:  HI or LOW
QUICKTIME:  HI or LOW

Yesterday evening, while getting ready for church, I turned the beginning of the CocaCola 600 race on.  Before the national anthem was sung, the military took the stage.  In light the Memorial Day weekend, a trumpet played taps.

I called my daughter into the room, and tried to explain Memorial Day to Vivian.  I made it through my own Dad's funeral without crying, and as I stood with my arms around my two year old girl, listening to taps, and explaining why Memorial Day is so special, I began to cry.

To the families of our fallen soldiers.  THANK YOU!!!  I wish you never had to know the hurt and loss.  I wish you never had to see an empty bed and unworn clothes.  Your pain may never feel "worth it."  But to your investment, I am greatful.  Freedom comes at a cost, and you've paid the ultimate. 

A retired U.S. Army Lt. General, Jay Graner, offers excellent thoughts in his column, Three issues demand U.S. leadership. 

The Lt. General emphasizes the focus on Iraq, the ongoing war on terrorism, and nuclear proliferation; and calls for "an effective, visionary, coordinated, consistent strategy." 

I'm not sure what to make of his solution yet, but believe he has pinpointed the major, world-wilde political issues.

Barack Obama can motivate multitudes with his emotional speeches, turn heads in a crowd with his confident demeanor, and win over his critics with his glowing grin.  However, his extremely liberal views frighten many--me included. 

 

 

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Have you seen the latest movie?  No, not the one by that guy about that theory.  I'm talking about AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH.  This is the Al Gore documentary about global warming.  Whether you go see the movie or not, check out Dr. Roy Spencer's questions.

Every Tuesday, I will show a burial site of one of yesterday's religious leaders.  Growing up, I enjoyed walking through Valley Grove Cemetery in Milton, IN.  Morbid? Sick?  Whatever, but grave sites interest me.  If you have a specific religious leader you'd like to know about, please give the name in the COMMENTS.

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We'll start with a great musician.  Frances Crosby, better known as Fanny, was born in southeast New York.  Throughout her life she wrote many hymns such as Blessed Assurance and one of my favorites To God be the Glory.  At the age of 95 she went home to be "safe in the arms of Jesus."

Fanny Crosby's body was laid to rest in Mountain Grove Cemetry (Bridgeport, CT), which is the same cemetery where one would find a stone for P.T. Barnum of Barnum and Bailey's Circus.

Photo courtesy of Michael Reed at www.thecemeteryproject.com

I've never been this old before.  Today I turn 30. 

Of course, through these few years my main beliefs center on Christ birth, death, and resurrection, as well as the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and infallable.  Other than these I've been inspired by Tom Peters to write my 30 at 30 [he wrote 60 at 60].

1. Trust is the foundation to every relationship.
2. Time is more valuable than money, and people are more valuable than time.
3. You can learn a little something from everyone if you just listen long enough.
4. Influence begins with motivation.
5. Accountability is not about only finding out where a person went wrong.  It also includes celebrating a person’s success.
6. The Christian life is too short to have spectators.
7. I’m not beyond failure, but fear of failure will not keep me from success.
8. I must make time to do it right, because I don’t have the time to do it twice.
9. Pink is not a symbol of one’s masculinity.
10. Golf is a cult.
11. Mentor-relationships are a lifestyle not a task.
12. Success is not measured in dollars but lives.
13. God’s plan for you on this earth does not end the moment you die.
14. There is joy in serving Jesus.
15. Credit cards are our enemy.
16. Life is a battle with real heroes and real enemies.
17. Education should not be measured in years and levels or by the school or teacher.  Instead, education is measured by the recipient and the way he uses that education.
18. I don’t mind being busy, as long as I’m getting ahead and not just always catching up.
19. Dumb ideas deliver packages the next day, put electricity in your home, and help you quickly travel long distances.
20. You can’t stop a charging bull, but you can keep him from charging.
21. It’s better to edit than create.
22. The life of a dog seems so nice; dogs have little responsibility in life.  On the other hand, they have little reward to show for their life.
23. Life is not about sorting friends and enemies.  Do the right thing and everyone will find his place.
24. Mulligan and re-do do not exist in child rearing.
25. Problems in a task are not a problem.  The problem comes when I am surprised by the problem.
26. Teens are a product of their environment.
27. Never be afraid to dream too much.  Always be afraid to only dream.
28. Visionaries are a dime a dozen, innovators are priceless.
29. Be passionate!
30. I don’t care much for passivity.

Check out how your Senators and House Representatives rank.

The rumor mill is spinning that Hillary Clinton may now have a tough competitor in the Democrat Primary.  "Who?" you ask.  Well, none other than her husband's veepee.  "I'm a recovering politician," Al Gore told Atlanta Progressive News, "You always have to worry about a relapse."  Media speculates his comeback as well as the movers and shakers in the blogospheres delight over such fodder.

How should the Republicans respond?  Well, I've always said the worst move for Hillary would be to have Rudy Giuliani run against her for her Senate seat.  Rudy has a good shot at beating her; at least a better shot at the Senate than the Oval Office.  Rudy vs. Hillary could potentially be an extremely exhausting race for Hillary--knocking some wind out of her sail.  The Republicans' second best scenario would be a Gore vs. Hillary primary.  Gore will dip into some of Clinton supporters pockets, but to what extent is uncertain.  The only other Democrat to compete would be Barack Obama from Illinois.  However, he's kept so quiet that a serious run is doubtful, but here's a guy that can motivate and excite.  One other honorable mention would be Evan Bayh from Indiana, but he's already proven himself incapable.

While we're on the topic.  Who will be the serious contenders for the Republicans?  John McCain of course.  If his health stays strong, he'll be tough to beat.  The only person who has the support to beat him at this point is George Allen.  Many would argue for Giuliani, but he, like McCain, is a social liberal.  In other words, he's too much like McCain without any national leadership.

The stage is getting set for another exciting year and a half of national politics.

Here are headlines from various columns covering Bush's speech he gave last night on securing the border.

Good speech, one bad idea:  The Seattle Times
Bush's speech leaves activists grumbling:  Chicago Tribune
President's Middle Path Disappoints Both Sides of Sharpley Divisive Immigration Issue:  The New York Times
Father's message lost on Bush: Boston Globe

Of course politician throw their proverbial two cents at the speech as well.

Sen. Hillary Rodham C., D-NY:  “It is certainly not in keeping with my understanding of the Scripture because this bill would literally criminalize the Good Samaritan and probably Jesus himself."

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-TN: "Upholding the rule of law on our border is as important as defending our freedom in Iraq."

Sen. Richard Lugar, R-IN: "Immigration policy should be updated in a comprehensive way to provide some realistic resolution to the status of at least 11 million undocumented immigrants."

Gov. Bill Richardson, D-NM: "I need the National Guard in New Mexico to help with forest fires, emergency preparedness. The problem is that many of these guardsmen their mission is not border security. I'm concerned that they're tired from Iraq and Afghanistan."

Sen. George Allen, R-VA: "We need to secure the border. And I'm glad that the president has come around to recognizing that we need more enforcement at the border with personnel, detention centers, actual fences, and virtual fences."

Last night our local FOX station broke in with the latest news--"Sniper along 385."  OH NO, our very own Beltway sniper! 

Knowing that our local FOX tends to over react and dramatizes every little "might-be-news" story, my wife and I decided to flip through and see if any other channles were covering the story.  They were not.

To our humorous delight, we later found out that our sniper had hit only three cars using a b-b gun.  SNIPER?  You gotta be kidding me!  I know these little guns can be dangerous (they kill up to four people per year--I guess that's the quota they meet and then they stop), but I'd hardly call a teenager with a Daisy a sniper.  That'd be like calling me Chef just because I put peanut butter between two slices of bread.

The family is going to Florida.  We have a beautiful island that we've started visiting.  Can't tell you where it is... I'm afraid it won't be so peaceful if others find out about it.  Right now it's just us and a bunch of Grandparents.