Saturday the 29th was our sixth wedding anniversary. It was pretty low key in general. Our big outting was to go to The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant.
The night there started a bit rocky. We had reservations for 9:30 but didn't get seated until after 10:00. Then they gave us drinking water in dirty glasses. Ugh. At that point, we were getting quite disappointed. We called for the manager and told him about it. He promised to turn things around right away, and he did.
A four-course dinner is at least a two hour experience. Our waiter did a great job and the food was outstanding. Honeybun absolutely loved the desert: a chocolate sauce to dip bananas, strawberries, and cakes.
The surprise of the night was when we got the bill. The manager covered the dinner. We paid only a few bucks for the drinks (and of course a nice tip).
So, if there is a one near you and you have a special night coming up, go to The Melting Pot.
Sunday, November 30, 2003
Friday, November 28, 2003
Thanksgiving a celebration of faith?
Capitalism Magazine published an article they summarized as follows:
Summary: Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, celebrates man's productive ability. It is not a day of national guilt or a religious festival. This holiday is designed to celebrate, not faith and charity, but thought and production.
To say that Thanksgiving is not about faith or charity is to ignore the obvious. The name of the holiday inherently has religious implications. After all the Puritans we call The Pilgrims did not give thanks to man's productive ability but to God. In fact, Governor Bradford declared the pilgrims second day of Thanksgiving in 1623 because of an answer to prayer. The pilgrims had been through a severe drought and gathered to pray for ran - rain fell the following day.
This last week The History Channel ran a program on the history of Thanksgiving. The program described how the earliest Thanksgiving observances started in New England (of course commemorating the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving). Back to its earliest roots before President Lincoln declared in a holiday, Thanksgiving observances had a strong connection to charity.
The article claims that it is an insult to hard working people to believe in God's blessings. That view ignores that our we do not control everything that happens to us (though we are responsible for how we react to it). Christians ascribe some of those things as blessings from God. Our hard work from those blessing results in bounty such as Thanksgiving feasts.
Its amazing that someone would be able to ignore the facts and say that Thanksgiving is not a celebration of faith or charity. It is significant that this uniquely American holiday has such strong roots as a celebration of faith and expressions of charity.
Summary: Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday, celebrates man's productive ability. It is not a day of national guilt or a religious festival. This holiday is designed to celebrate, not faith and charity, but thought and production.
To say that Thanksgiving is not about faith or charity is to ignore the obvious. The name of the holiday inherently has religious implications. After all the Puritans we call The Pilgrims did not give thanks to man's productive ability but to God. In fact, Governor Bradford declared the pilgrims second day of Thanksgiving in 1623 because of an answer to prayer. The pilgrims had been through a severe drought and gathered to pray for ran - rain fell the following day.
This last week The History Channel ran a program on the history of Thanksgiving. The program described how the earliest Thanksgiving observances started in New England (of course commemorating the Pilgrims first Thanksgiving). Back to its earliest roots before President Lincoln declared in a holiday, Thanksgiving observances had a strong connection to charity.
The article claims that it is an insult to hard working people to believe in God's blessings. That view ignores that our we do not control everything that happens to us (though we are responsible for how we react to it). Christians ascribe some of those things as blessings from God. Our hard work from those blessing results in bounty such as Thanksgiving feasts.
Its amazing that someone would be able to ignore the facts and say that Thanksgiving is not a celebration of faith or charity. It is significant that this uniquely American holiday has such strong roots as a celebration of faith and expressions of charity.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
My Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving we will spend at home with family and friends. Honeybun has done a wonderful job of planning, cleaning, and preparing for about 10 other guests.
We'll be having a wonderful dinner of turkey, ham, twice baked potatoes, green bean casserole, bread rolls, and all kinds of pies & even cheesecake.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving
We'll be having a wonderful dinner of turkey, ham, twice baked potatoes, green bean casserole, bread rolls, and all kinds of pies & even cheesecake.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving
It should be a Happy Thanksgiving
Since 1970 Native American activists have designated Thanksgiving Day as a national day of mourning. In an online article date 7/14/98, Russell Peters - President of the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council - said, "It was not appropriate for the native people to feast in thanksgiving; instead we decided to fast and show by contrast our way of remembering our history."
It's sad that a man who enjoys the freedoms and blessings of the richest, most powerful nation on Earth can think of nothing to be thankful for on this holiday and must mourn the loss of a culture he never knew.
When people criticize events such as the national day of mourning as being part of anti-American movement, there is reason to believe they are right. Strangely enough, it is Mr. Peters himself who confirms it:
"In recent years, [the National Day of Mourning has] been orchestrated by a group calling themselves the United American Indians of New England. This group has tenuous ties to any of the local tribes, and is composed primarily of non-Indians. (emphasis added).
It's sad that a man who enjoys the freedoms and blessings of the richest, most powerful nation on Earth can think of nothing to be thankful for on this holiday and must mourn the loss of a culture he never knew.
When people criticize events such as the national day of mourning as being part of anti-American movement, there is reason to believe they are right. Strangely enough, it is Mr. Peters himself who confirms it:
"In recent years, [the National Day of Mourning has] been orchestrated by a group calling themselves the United American Indians of New England. This group has tenuous ties to any of the local tribes, and is composed primarily of non-Indians. (emphasis added).
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Higher education isn't educational
One of the employee's I supervise is attending school at Metropolitan State College of Denver - locally referred to as Denver Metro.
She is a biology major but is required to take a history course as a general education requirement. The course she is taking is called American Civilization. The course description of the class says, "American Civilization is an entry-level American history course designed to trace the roots of contemporary America."
Sounds like a good course and its intents probably are. Unfortunately, professors have their own agendas. The instructor of this class assigned Michael Moore's book "Downsize This". Michael Moore is as liberal as they come. The idea that his book is a "text book" is laughable. Not only is it biased, I really can't find a meaningful connection between a course on American History and a criticism of corporate America.
If that isn't bad enough, the student told me today that her classed was canceled so they could complete an assignment to - get this - go find a tree, sit next to it and get in touch with herself.
Really, a history class has turned into an indoctrination of New Age spirituality.
She is a biology major but is required to take a history course as a general education requirement. The course she is taking is called American Civilization. The course description of the class says, "American Civilization is an entry-level American history course designed to trace the roots of contemporary America."
Sounds like a good course and its intents probably are. Unfortunately, professors have their own agendas. The instructor of this class assigned Michael Moore's book "Downsize This". Michael Moore is as liberal as they come. The idea that his book is a "text book" is laughable. Not only is it biased, I really can't find a meaningful connection between a course on American History and a criticism of corporate America.
If that isn't bad enough, the student told me today that her classed was canceled so they could complete an assignment to - get this - go find a tree, sit next to it and get in touch with herself.
Really, a history class has turned into an indoctrination of New Age spirituality.
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Those who don't learn from The History Channel...
This week our cable provider added channels to our service (along with a price increase of course). But they finally added my favorite channel - The History Channel.
Ya, I'm a weirdo. I love history and THC is great. No real point here other than watching it last night was the highlight of the day after working 14 hours.
Ya, I'm a weirdo. I love history and THC is great. No real point here other than watching it last night was the highlight of the day after working 14 hours.
Friday, November 21, 2003
What to do for fun
Board games have made a resurgence. Last month Hasbro declared larger than expected earnings because of increased sales in board and card games. Overall, game sales increased 84 percent in 2003. Unplugged entertainment seems to do well in recessionary times.
Last year, the 20th anniversary Trivial Pursuit game was the best selling game of the year. Cranium is also a top seller. So, just in time for Christmas, here is a list of Jason's recommendations:
Cranium - Great variety game. All our friends like it.
Remote Possibilities - also a fun party game because I'm great at it.
Kill Doctor Lucky - a fun "pre-mystery" game. Like Clue but you committ the murder. More fun than murder sounds...and cheap too.
The Very Clever Pipe Game - Another Cheapass Game. Play cards to connect section of pipes. A quick fun strategy game.
Dungeons & Dragons - Yes, it's a roleplaying game. You need about 4 other people to play it. Find some normal people interested in Lord of the Rings type adventures and you'll have some fun.
Pocket Farkel - a quick dice game. All about luck and guts. Very addictive.
Empire Builder - a train game. You have to build your track and deliver goods across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The game board changes everytime.
These are games that my family enjoys. So turn off the TV and Playstation II for a while and enjoy the company of your family and friends.
Last year, the 20th anniversary Trivial Pursuit game was the best selling game of the year. Cranium is also a top seller. So, just in time for Christmas, here is a list of Jason's recommendations:
Cranium - Great variety game. All our friends like it.
Remote Possibilities - also a fun party game because I'm great at it.
Kill Doctor Lucky - a fun "pre-mystery" game. Like Clue but you committ the murder. More fun than murder sounds...and cheap too.
The Very Clever Pipe Game - Another Cheapass Game. Play cards to connect section of pipes. A quick fun strategy game.
Dungeons & Dragons - Yes, it's a roleplaying game. You need about 4 other people to play it. Find some normal people interested in Lord of the Rings type adventures and you'll have some fun.
Pocket Farkel - a quick dice game. All about luck and guts. Very addictive.
Empire Builder - a train game. You have to build your track and deliver goods across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The game board changes everytime.
These are games that my family enjoys. So turn off the TV and Playstation II for a while and enjoy the company of your family and friends.
But I don't feel jingoistic
Tom Brokaw accepted an award from the National Press Club on Wednesday for being on TV for a long time to read news stories written by other reporters.
During his speech he said, "Radio stations have become instantly jingoistic and savagely critical of any questions raised about the decisions leading up to, for example, the war on Iraq...motivated not by ideological or intellectual passions, but instead by the raw commercial possibilities of creating mob mentality."
The old, they-really-don't-believe-their-views argument. By extension, we can only believe those with sincere views are the major network news hosts. To me, it sounds like someone is upset with sinking ratings as viewers continue the abandon old oligopoly media. The blogging revolution is only the continuance of what started with talk radio. We are tired of information being controlled by the likes of Tom Brokaw.
During his speech he said, "Radio stations have become instantly jingoistic and savagely critical of any questions raised about the decisions leading up to, for example, the war on Iraq...motivated not by ideological or intellectual passions, but instead by the raw commercial possibilities of creating mob mentality."
The old, they-really-don't-believe-their-views argument. By extension, we can only believe those with sincere views are the major network news hosts. To me, it sounds like someone is upset with sinking ratings as viewers continue the abandon old oligopoly media. The blogging revolution is only the continuance of what started with talk radio. We are tired of information being controlled by the likes of Tom Brokaw.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Heroes
Rush Limbaugh returned to hosting his radio show yesterday after completing a 5 week drug rehabilitation program.
Today a judge refused to dimiss obstruction of justice and insider trading against Martha Stewart. Her trial is expected to start in January.
Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was searched by police today, apparently related to new allegations of child molestation.
All three have legions of devoted fans. They all have their flaws. They all show that people only have farther to fall when you put them on a pedestal.
Today a judge refused to dimiss obstruction of justice and insider trading against Martha Stewart. Her trial is expected to start in January.
Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was searched by police today, apparently related to new allegations of child molestation.
All three have legions of devoted fans. They all have their flaws. They all show that people only have farther to fall when you put them on a pedestal.
Friday, November 14, 2003
The most important day
Not much to write about today except...
Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm taking the day off from work and spending it with my family. Have a good weekend.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm taking the day off from work and spending it with my family. Have a good weekend.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
This guy is sick
Ted Rall wrote a column yesterday once again trying to push the notion that the war in Iraq is about oil. He ignores that if the war was about Iraqi oil, the United States would have kept it in 1991 when we had it.
He writes his column in a truly dispicable way, writing a recruiting
letter for terrorists. In the letter he justifies ("regretfully")
killing our military members. On Veteran's Day, he said our military
men and women served because that was the only way they could
afford "university" or they were too poor and uneducated to
understand they were pawns for Dick Cheney.
The silver lining is that this liberal thinking will surely lead to
the re-election of George Bush.
He writes his column in a truly dispicable way, writing a recruiting
letter for terrorists. In the letter he justifies ("regretfully")
killing our military members. On Veteran's Day, he said our military
men and women served because that was the only way they could
afford "university" or they were too poor and uneducated to
understand they were pawns for Dick Cheney.
The silver lining is that this liberal thinking will surely lead to
the re-election of George Bush.
Wearing the pants in the house
New York Magazine ran an article on the problems that develop in a marriage when the wife is the main or sole breadwinner.
Is the problem that men are threatened? The article actually emphasizes the changes in the wives attitudes toward their non-succeeding husbands. Women are attracted to achievement. The stay-at-home man is just not attractive to women. As a result, the article points out, the spousal sexual relationship suffers.
One woman said:
“He was the best sex I ever had.” But that was long ago. “We fight instead,” she says. “We’re embroiled in some weird combat. It’s like Lysistrata. I tell him, ‘Your business is going to have to get better faster.’ Until then, I’m withholding.”
The article interviews a number of divorced women. These women were not divorced because their husbands left after being threatened by their success. They were divorced because the wives lost respect for their husbands.
Let's face it. Men and women are different. Men want nuturers women who can take care of the emotional needs. Women are attracted to achievement. Those who can reverse those roles are the exception, not the rule.
Maggie Gallagher says:
"The sexual truth is that women (unless they're lesbians) are attracted to men. And masculinity is not like femininity. It is a performance. It has to be won -- and it can be lost."
Is the problem that men are threatened? The article actually emphasizes the changes in the wives attitudes toward their non-succeeding husbands. Women are attracted to achievement. The stay-at-home man is just not attractive to women. As a result, the article points out, the spousal sexual relationship suffers.
One woman said:
“He was the best sex I ever had.” But that was long ago. “We fight instead,” she says. “We’re embroiled in some weird combat. It’s like Lysistrata. I tell him, ‘Your business is going to have to get better faster.’ Until then, I’m withholding.”
The article interviews a number of divorced women. These women were not divorced because their husbands left after being threatened by their success. They were divorced because the wives lost respect for their husbands.
Let's face it. Men and women are different. Men want nuturers women who can take care of the emotional needs. Women are attracted to achievement. Those who can reverse those roles are the exception, not the rule.
Maggie Gallagher says:
"The sexual truth is that women (unless they're lesbians) are attracted to men. And masculinity is not like femininity. It is a performance. It has to be won -- and it can be lost."
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Veteran's Day
Today is the day the United States honors its veterans of military service. Yesterday was the 238th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Thanks to all those others who served and to those who still serve. Stay safe.
Semper Fidelis.
Thanks to all those others who served and to those who still serve. Stay safe.
Semper Fidelis.
Saturday, November 08, 2003
Persecuting...um prosecuting a hero.
Lt. Col. Allen West seems to be a hero. The Lt. Col. fired a handgun near an Iraqi prisoner's head while interrogating the prisoner who had refused to talk. The prisoner then confessed to a conspiracy to ambush American troops and named his co-conspirators who were arrested before the ambush could be sprung. The prisoner was not injured.
American lives were saved. Great, right? Well now the Army says Lt. Col West's actions were assault on the prisoner. Lt. Col. West now he faces a court martial.
This is why terrorists think America is soft. Bureaucrats value the comfort of our enemies above the lives of our troops. War is a nasty business. Scaring a prisoner into talking, especially when he is left uninjured is not a war crime.
Army prosecutors are sending a message to our enemies. Your secrets are safe from us. We are too soft to find them out. When someone is brave enough to scare one of you, we will punish him for it.
American lives were saved. Great, right? Well now the Army says Lt. Col West's actions were assault on the prisoner. Lt. Col. West now he faces a court martial.
This is why terrorists think America is soft. Bureaucrats value the comfort of our enemies above the lives of our troops. War is a nasty business. Scaring a prisoner into talking, especially when he is left uninjured is not a war crime.
Army prosecutors are sending a message to our enemies. Your secrets are safe from us. We are too soft to find them out. When someone is brave enough to scare one of you, we will punish him for it.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Slut and proud of it
Pop singer Christina Aguilera is defending her reputation for sleeping around and dressing in slutty clothing.
She says,
"I see a lot of double standards in society, Men can do things and women can do the same things yet get criticized for it, labeled for it -- they are just constantly put down for things that men can do so freely and so openly and get almost praised for"
She also wrote a song about it:
Can't Hold Us Down
I don't understand why it's okay
The guy can get away with it & the girl gets named
All my ladies come together and make a change
Start a new beginning for us everybody sing
Her argument is false. She makes two errors. She assumes that men are praised for sleeping around and she assumes that men and women are the same.
Men are not universally praised for promiscuity. They get labeled with names like womanizer, skirt chaser, or lecher (maybe she should expand her circle of influence).
The second point is that men and women are not the same. Perhaps there is not as strong a condemnation of men as women. That is because of the respect our society has for women. Women have long been thought to be able to control their more base instincts better than men. Women are assumed to be more monogamous than men. In times gone by, women required men to give up their promiscuous ways by committing to marriage. This respect for women was the basis for all of Western society for millennia.
Now Christina wants to turn that upside down. I don't understand how women giving up the power they had in society gives them more respect. Ask any man if he respects a woman who jumps in the sack on the first date. I remember a conversation I had with another man a few years ago. He said, "Sure I'll have sex with a woman on the first date. I won't respect her, but I'll have sex with her."
She says,
"I see a lot of double standards in society, Men can do things and women can do the same things yet get criticized for it, labeled for it -- they are just constantly put down for things that men can do so freely and so openly and get almost praised for"
She also wrote a song about it:
Can't Hold Us Down
I don't understand why it's okay
The guy can get away with it & the girl gets named
All my ladies come together and make a change
Start a new beginning for us everybody sing
Her argument is false. She makes two errors. She assumes that men are praised for sleeping around and she assumes that men and women are the same.
Men are not universally praised for promiscuity. They get labeled with names like womanizer, skirt chaser, or lecher (maybe she should expand her circle of influence).
The second point is that men and women are not the same. Perhaps there is not as strong a condemnation of men as women. That is because of the respect our society has for women. Women have long been thought to be able to control their more base instincts better than men. Women are assumed to be more monogamous than men. In times gone by, women required men to give up their promiscuous ways by committing to marriage. This respect for women was the basis for all of Western society for millennia.
Now Christina wants to turn that upside down. I don't understand how women giving up the power they had in society gives them more respect. Ask any man if he respects a woman who jumps in the sack on the first date. I remember a conversation I had with another man a few years ago. He said, "Sure I'll have sex with a woman on the first date. I won't respect her, but I'll have sex with her."
Why we should not send our daughters to war
The book on Jessica Lynch's story of her capture will be released Tuesday. The book confirms what many suspected all along. Jessica Lynch was raped by her captors.
There are many horrors of war. Why do we insist on sacrificing the femininty and dignity of our wives and daugters? We do not send our women to war out of respect for them. For centuries we did what we could to keep them out of war because of that respect.
There are many horrors of war. Why do we insist on sacrificing the femininty and dignity of our wives and daugters? We do not send our women to war out of respect for them. For centuries we did what we could to keep them out of war because of that respect.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Censorship or not?
CBS has decided not to air a mini-series about Ronald and Nancy Reagan. This is not a decision about censorship.
Many people point to free speech issues as a reason this should be shown. The error in reasoning here is that slander was never intended to be protected by the First Amendment.
People would not be offended by an unflattering presentation of the Reagans if the depiction was true. The problem is that the writers admitted to including dialogue that the Reagans never said (they do claim they have a basis for including it - whatever that means). They even go so far as to claim that Ronald Reagan suffered from Alzheimer's disease while in office despite proof to the contrary.
Dissent is protected by the first amendment and is a principle of this country. Let's hope libel and slander aren't included in those principles.
At least CBS got a clue.
Many people point to free speech issues as a reason this should be shown. The error in reasoning here is that slander was never intended to be protected by the First Amendment.
People would not be offended by an unflattering presentation of the Reagans if the depiction was true. The problem is that the writers admitted to including dialogue that the Reagans never said (they do claim they have a basis for including it - whatever that means). They even go so far as to claim that Ronald Reagan suffered from Alzheimer's disease while in office despite proof to the contrary.
Dissent is protected by the first amendment and is a principle of this country. Let's hope libel and slander aren't included in those principles.
At least CBS got a clue.
Judicial tryanny
The judicial branch has once again flaunted its tyranny. Within minutes of President Bush signing into law a ban on partial-birth abortion, a federal judge has issued a restraining order preventing the ban from being enforced on four doctors. The ACLU (once again on the wrong side of civility and liberty) represented the doctors.
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean warned the ban would "chill the practice of medicine and endanger the health of countless women."
Someone please explain how a baby can endanger a woman's life when it is delivered out of the womb and only the head remains in the birth canal?
Even former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop (not a conservative thinker) says that partial-birth abortion is never necessary.
Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean warned the ban would "chill the practice of medicine and endanger the health of countless women."
Someone please explain how a baby can endanger a woman's life when it is delivered out of the womb and only the head remains in the birth canal?
Even former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop (not a conservative thinker) says that partial-birth abortion is never necessary.
Do these guys know what they are talking about?
MSNBC published an AP article claiming that a survey shows 44% of people asked will vote against President Bush in 2004 compared with 38% who say they will vote for him.
That sounds bad, but the story looks more like biased reporting. A recent poll shows President Bush's approval rating at 53%. Historically, only JFK and George H.W. Bush's ratings were above 50% at this point in their presidency.
That sounds bad, but the story looks more like biased reporting. A recent poll shows President Bush's approval rating at 53%. Historically, only JFK and George H.W. Bush's ratings were above 50% at this point in their presidency.
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