New Year’s 2008 – Looking forward to 2009

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS!

New Year’s 2008

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY READERS!

Tuesday Tidbits

Governor Sarah Palin makes a remarkable debut at the #2 spot on Gallup’s “Most Admired Woman 2008”. Not bad for a hockey mom from Wasilla. I look forward to her topping the list in the coming years.

Palin, McCain’s 2008 vice presidential pick and the first woman ever to run on a Republican presidential ticket, makes a strong second place debut, named by 11% of Americans. Her entrance on the list crowds Oprah Winfrey out of second place, a position she held each year from 2002 through 2007. Winfrey now ranks third, mentioned by 8% of Americans (down from 16%) a year ago.

Mike’s America examines how Carolyn Kennedy-Schlossberg makes Sarah Palin look like a genius (which she is). I guess she looked at Pennsylvania’s Senator Casey and thought she too could win a Senate seat by pretending to be her father.

Voters may reasonably wonder just how low Democrats hold their esteem when confronted with news that Dems are trying to raffle off a Senate seat to the highest bidder in Illinois, a sad clown is trying to steal one in Minnesota, and someone with no other qualifications than who her father was is seriously considered for the seat representing one of the largest states in the union.

President George Bush and family gather at Camp David for Christmas:

Hello BDS sufferers – here is a nice dose of reality regarding the myths and facts of the Bush administration. Hope it helps.

Why The Office Rules:

All I am going to say is that I may or may not have known someone at my workplace that owned an ‘orb’.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Gaza, December 28, 2008:

Via This Ain’t Hell: Israeli IDF have a YouTube account. This technology certainly redefines the ‘theater’ of war.

Tuesday Tidbits

Governor Sarah Palin makes a remarkable debut at the #2 spot on Gallup’s “Most Admired Woman 2008”. Not bad for a hockey mom from Wasilla. I look forward to her topping the list in the coming years.

Palin, McCain’s 2008 vice presidential pick and the first woman ever to run on a Republican presidential ticket, makes a strong second place debut, named by 11% of Americans. Her entrance on the list crowds Oprah Winfrey out of second place, a position she held each year from 2002 through 2007. Winfrey now ranks third, mentioned by 8% of Americans (down from 16%) a year ago.

Mike’s America examines how Carolyn Kennedy-Schlossberg makes Sarah Palin look like a genius (which she is). I guess she looked at Pennsylvania’s Senator Casey and thought she too could win a Senate seat by pretending to be her father.

Voters may reasonably wonder just how low Democrats hold their esteem when confronted with news that Dems are trying to raffle off a Senate seat to the highest bidder in Illinois, a sad clown is trying to steal one in Minnesota, and someone with no other qualifications than who her father was is seriously considered for the seat representing one of the largest states in the union.

President George Bush and family gather at Camp David for Christmas:

Hello BDS sufferers – here is a nice dose of reality regarding the myths and facts of the Bush administration. Hope it helps.

Why The Office Rules:

All I am going to say is that I may or may not have known someone at my workplace that owned an ‘orb’.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Gaza, December 28, 2008:

Via This Ain’t Hell: Israeli IDF have a YouTube account. This technology certainly redefines the ‘theater’ of war.

Boscov Bailout Boondoggle

Snyder County refuses Boscov Bailout!

Al Boscov made a sales pitch to Snyder County last week, asking the county’s commissioners to approve a federally backed loan to help him complete his purchase of the Boscov’s department store chain.

Nonetheless, Snyder County commissioners voted 2-1 against supporting the loan.

Snyder was one of seven counties being asked to support $5 million in loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or a total of $35 million. Snyder County is the only one to refuse, so far.

Story still developing.

Boscov Bailout Boondoggle

Snyder County refuses Boscov Bailout!

Al Boscov made a sales pitch to Snyder County last week, asking the county’s commissioners to approve a federally backed loan to help him complete his purchase of the Boscov’s department store chain.

Nonetheless, Snyder County commissioners voted 2-1 against supporting the loan.

Snyder was one of seven counties being asked to support $5 million in loans from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or a total of $35 million. Snyder County is the only one to refuse, so far.

Story still developing.

Nativity Drama in West Chester

Karen Porter, Director of the CCPM and Chester County Obama Team leader recently penned a letter to West Chester’s Daily Local newspaper expounding on what she perceives to be an offensive creche on display outside the Chester County Courthouse. Apparently, the offense stems from the use of non middle eastern statues in the display. If she finds this sublimely beautiful creche to be contemptuous, then there are creches from every culture that she may find equally offensive. Pope Benedict recently reflected on the meaning of the creche:

On Gaudete Sunday, December 14, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Standing before the crèche, we will be able to taste Christian joy, contemplating in the new-born Jesus the face of God who out of love made himself close to us”

Surely, as a life long christian, she would know that transcending any type of creche is the simple message of renewal, hope and love gifted to humanity on that fateful night. This gift is reflected in the faces of all those who believe regardless of ethnicity. In his ministry on earth, Jesus welcomed sinners, outcasts, crucified criminals, the wealthy and the poor alike:

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus did not discriminate based upon the ethnicity of his followers, only those that would seek to abuse Christianity would do so. However, I suspect it not the skin color of the statues that is offensive to Karen Porter, but the message itself. She is no more a Christian than Mohamed the prophet was.

Speaking of Islam, I took a closer look at the ‘decorations’ on the tree of knowledge that is looming over the creche. What I found did not surprise me:

Book covers discussing the fraud of Christianity:

Book covers discussing the fraud of Christ:

Book covers discussing the fraud of the God:

The case against Christmas and various similar themes:

What I did not find on this tree shocked me. Not one book cover detailing the fraud of Islam, or for that matter, the “fraud” of Hinduism, Buddhism or Jainism. Why not – they are organized religions as well? Why such a narrow focus on the ‘tree of knowledge”?

Perhaps a better name for this tree would be “The Tree of Bullhockey”.

The ‘offensive’ Creche of West Chester, Pa:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for unto you is born, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11)

Full disclosure prompts me to inform the readers that I am Catholic but claim no superior knowledge on any religion. However, I do possess an excellent BS detector!

A reader posted a great quote in the comment section that needs to be read far and wide:

Thanks ADN!

Galatians 3.26-3.28

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Rock What Ya Got!

MEET SARAH PALIN

Nativity Drama in West Chester

Karen Porter, Director of the CCPM and Chester County Obama Team leader recently penned a letter to West Chester’s Daily Local newspaper expounding on what she perceives to be an offensive creche on display outside the Chester County Courthouse. Apparently, the offense stems from the use of non middle eastern statues in the display. If she finds this sublimely beautiful creche to be contemptuous, then there are creches from every culture that she may find equally offensive. Pope Benedict recently reflected on the meaning of the creche:

On Gaudete Sunday, December 14, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said, “Standing before the crèche, we will be able to taste Christian joy, contemplating in the new-born Jesus the face of God who out of love made himself close to us”

Surely, as a life long christian, she would know that transcending any type of creche is the simple message of renewal, hope and love gifted to humanity on that fateful night. This gift is reflected in the faces of all those who believe regardless of ethnicity. In his ministry on earth, Jesus welcomed sinners, outcasts, crucified criminals, the wealthy and the poor alike:

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

Jesus did not discriminate based upon the ethnicity of his followers, only those that would seek to abuse Christianity would do so. However, I suspect it not the skin color of the statues that is offensive to Karen Porter, but the message itself. She is no more a Christian than Mohamed the prophet was.

Speaking of Islam, I took a closer look at the ‘decorations’ on the tree of knowledge that is looming over the creche. What I found did not surprise me:

Book covers discussing the fraud of Christianity:

Book covers discussing the fraud of Christ:

Book covers discussing the fraud of the God:

The case against Christmas and various similar themes:

What I did not find on this tree shocked me. Not one book cover detailing the fraud of Islam, or for that matter, the “fraud” of Hinduism, Buddhism or Jainism. Why not – they are organized religions as well? Why such a narrow focus on the ‘tree of knowledge”?

Perhaps a better name for this tree would be “The Tree of Bullhockey”.

The ‘offensive’ Creche of West Chester, Pa:

“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people; for unto you is born, this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11)

Full disclosure prompts me to inform the readers that I am Catholic but claim no superior knowledge on any religion. However, I do possess an excellent BS detector!

A reader posted a great quote in the comment section that needs to be read far and wide:

Thanks ADN!

galatians 3.26-3.28

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The Organized Blogger

Does such a creature exist?

Yesterday, I spent the better part of the day embarking on what I had thought was a quick clean up. One shelving unit, two file cabinets, one desk chair and 3 picture frames later I was finally able to start putting everything back together.

My den/office over the past few months had slowly become a disorganized disaster. The last straw came this past Friday when I had to step over three piles of books before clearing my desk in order to find my keyboard. Not good at all. I have many projects coming up in 2009 and need an effective work area.

I took a look at the storage in the room itself and realized that as much as I needed more space, the storage available was not being used effectively. Books should be placed on the bookshelf, not on the floor. Looking around, I had to ask why do I still hold onto a modem that was last used in 2003 or a backpack last used 10 years ago?

Several hours and two Strongbow Ciders later, I reorganized both bookshelves, my CD, DVD, and VHS collections, hung posters that have been sitting in storage tubes for years, and trashed a bewildering variety of things that I’ve held on for no discernible reason.

It is nice to blog in a room with organized bookshelves, a CD, DVD and VHS collection within easy reach, and Maxfield Parrish posters adorning the walls. There is a feeling of Feng Shui about this newly reorganized room. Now that the den/office is reorganized, I can set my sights on reorganizing the GOP in my area.

Oh, I need to find a place to hang this poster, it was a gift, any suggestions?