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Question & Thought for February 20th, 2015!!!

Question & Thought for February 20th, 2015!!!

Good Friday Morning from you and the week’s news!

AND: I agree.  Our Constitution is definitely not just man made. But God
did a good job instituting the basis for a Godly nation.  (when it quit
being that I don’t know)

AND:Hi, Mark!  I’m so happy that you are considering a little fiction in
the mix.  I would challenge you to read Dostoevsky for yourself, but he’s
really not the best to introduce you to the power of fiction for
examining ideas! He never edited his work so it gets a little (or lot!)
wordy and convoluted. But I’m glad you are reading about his work!

AND: Deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf was criticized after she said “We cannot
on Monday, suggesting many people joined ISIS because of a “lack of
opportunity for jobs.”
​AND: ​My body is like my one car, full of bumps & dents, I run rough, &
don’t look too pretty.
AND: My thought, if you want to do a goat or who ever, that is your
business, not the governments  . You may be a little nuts and the Man
upstairs may think you off the planet. But that is between you and the man
up stairs even if your nuts! Not the gov’t.

AND: Today marks the 70th year since the beginning of the battle at Iwo Jima.  I use today as a reminder to give thanks to our greatest generation and specifically to PopPop’s service.  After landing on the beaches of Normandy and remaining there for 2+ months, PopPop returned to Philly for some R&R.  After two weeks in Philly visiting family and friends, he was assigned to the Pacific theater.  After several months in theater, he found himself off shore Iwo Jima on a ship, patching up US Marines as well as Japanese soldiers.  In a gesture of thanks, one of the Japanese soldiers gave PopPop a hand drawn map of the island, drawn on a handkerchief, along with a personal inscription.

We are fortunate to have had a generation of “PopPops” that rose to the challenge our nation and our world was facing.
AND:“No religion is responsible for violence and terrorism,” Obama
asserted. “People are responsible for violence and terrorism.”

Obama pointed out that, although the leaders of ISIS like to portray
themselves as religious leaders, they are mistaken.

“They are not religious leaders, they are terrorists,” Obama said. “And we
are not at war with Islam, we are at war with people who have perverted
Islam.”

AND: Gay marriage–What exactly is the issue?  Is it a Moral Concern?
Obviously not to the gay member; they would not see their actions as
immoral.  Is it a Civil Rights issue?  By no means is ‘marriage’ a right.
Is it a Union/Partnership issue? In states that offered such, unions were
found insufficient to the gay community and they rallied for marriage.  So
what is it about Marriage that the gay community is being cheated out of?
Where in this nation of laws and processes does Marriage matter or carry
weight?  Health Care/Privacy. Taxes. Liabilities. Divorce. There are
probably a few others, but these are the biggies.  Know what…?…each of
these large subjects can easily be modified to properly align same-sex
relationships…the exception being Taxes/IRS.  Can we get Congress to
modify anything easily?  Seems like not.

But understand our Federal Govt uses its Tax Code to fiscally motivate the
populace to move in a certain direction.  Why should a married couple w/
two minor children pay more taxes than the same married couple with 8 minor
children when both couples earn the same amount income?  Isn’t the larger
family using more government provided facilities (roads for example, public
transportation) than the smaller family?  Clearly one family is a higher
drain on our resources, yet we tax them less….why?  Because our govt is
motivating its populace to procreate…they “reward” having children.
Similarly a married couple earning $100,000 will pay less Federal Tax than
two individuals earning a collective $100,000.  Yes, get married and you
pay less tax….even if you marry your cat.

So instead of getting to the very heart of an issue, we decide we will
Legislate morality…which we have proven numerous times that it simply
cannot be done.  If Gay Marriage becomes the law of the land, I bet not one
single well discerning person will change his position/perspective on the
Gay community.  They either believed in it or against it before the Law and
no man-made law will sway their opinion.  But yes, there will be droves who
have not looked at the issue, could care less about the issue as it does
not impact them directly, and are simply happy to put the arguments to
rest.

Don’t read too much into my Thoughts here.  All I am saying is that
Legislating Morality on a national level is a futile effort.  Do I see the
Gay Agenda as a moral issue?  Yes. I don’t really care what societal
benefits are extended to Gays…I’m all for a level playing field.  But,
would I recommend a gay lifestyle to anyone who asked?  Heck no, and my
basis of such is purely spiritual morals.  I will not be silenced by the PC
crowd, my faith directs me to speak Truth and show the path to Truth.  Our
Supreme Court will not move my needle one iota on the subject.

AND: “We are in a religious war with radical Islamists,” Senator Lindsey
Graham of South Carolina said on Fox News last month. “When I hear the
president of the United States and his chief spokesperson failing to admit
that we’re in a religious war, it really bothers me.”

AND:It is estimated that by the year 2042, white people not referring to
themselves as Hispanic will no longer constitute a majority but rather only
a plurality of the population of the United States. Minority groups, led by
Hispanic Americans (mainly Mexican Americans), Black Americans, Asian
Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islander Americans would together
outnumber non-Hispanic White Americans. According to the 2000 census,
roughly 11.1 percent of the American population was foreign-born, a major
increase from the low of 4.7 percent in 1970. A third of the foreign-born
were from Latin America and a fourth from Asia. The passage of the
Hart-Celler Act contributed to increased illegal immigration from Latin
America, especially Mexico, since the unlimited legal bracero program
previously in place was eliminated.
AND:Today the president issued a statement marking Ash Wednesday.

“Lent is a season of sacrifice and preparation, repentance and renewal.  We
remember those who are suffering, including those persecuted for their
faith.  We join millions in deepening our faith as we look toward the
Easter celebration.”

In that statement, the president describes himself as a Christian.

However, once again the president does not say who is persecuting people
for their faiths.  That would be the jihadists primarily.

AND: Interesting topic to have a discussion about Libertarian principles/

How do you weigh out on the Libertarian connotations below given the ‘does
not say you cannot be gay, do drugs, kill yourself, etc…’ which is one of
their biggest stances that tend to go off the rails a bit when it says its
your right to do heroin. Perhaps true but reckless when used so often as an
example.

I do love the context in which it clarifies the true intent of the bill of
rights and the constitution.

Since I believe in Free Will I also am a HUGE fan of Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of happiness wherever that takes you within the law b/c we are
called to respect authority until it oppressive enough to cause a revolt!
:-)

Personally I don’t support gay marriage BUT and here comes the BUT:  Free
Will allows us to choose certain paths.  So does Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness.  I prefer it to be a states rights issue and not a
constitutional or supreme court issue – one in the same of course.  But I
would not judge anyone and if they are my next door neighbor or a co-worker
I’m called to love them regardless.

Really messy one you sent today! :-)  I’d be a Libertarian if they weren’t
a bit off the rails sometimes….

AND: The Constitution should have been left in its original form. This was
specifically to limit the power of the Federal Government. The Bill of
Rights defined the rights of the people. Why was this necessary, for
ratification. However it opened the document to all manner of intrusions.
The 16th amendment does not limit government nor does it grant rights to
people. This is and was a transitivity. What the 16th amendment did and has
done is provide almost unlimited power to a government that by the very law
of the land should be severely restricted. The sixteenth amendment defines
neither a freedom bestowed by God or a limitation on power of the Federal
Government. This one amendment has done more to harm this country over time
than any other law or Constitutional alteration.  Further there is no
restriction on Federal Power, the government can spy on who it likes which
currently is everyone, it can destroy the precious value of citizenship
which is continuing today and it can require that the very act of “free
expression there of” to be null and void in the very halls which are funded
by the 16th amendment.  The destruction of America is real and at hand. The
very values that have made us exceptional are eroding and the America that
was once feared is now laughed at by nearly the entire world. To do nothing
will lead to a Venezuela or worse to do something will be extremely painful
for a time. It is now upon us to act and the process of doing nothing is in
fact an action. I pray this can be done through the polls, of course with
the erosion of the vote by illegals casting a ballot and fraud where does
this leave us? The citizen is soon to be no more? Long live the citizen.

AND: The revolution is coming, it won’t be long, 2017 could change that,
but too many radical changes are ruining our country… We need change,
bringing God back is a start, and not being afraid to tell people they are
wrong… This all accepting of everything marshmallow world most people
live in is corrosive to everyone.

Happy Presidents Day!

AND: Good stuff!  I wonder about this:
“”If you think God gave you cancer, or any kind of sickness, or your lot in
life – Why would you pray to Him to take it away from you?”

I find many times in the Bible where a person has done so.  Even the
Messiah,  in the garden asked for the cup to be taken.  If He did – then I
will!

Shavua Tov!

AND: Jesus overcame the 3 main sins of man kind. The lust of the eyes,  the
lust of the flesh,  and the pride of life. He was tempted by Satan to be
our overcomer when we finally meet Him and surrender to Him. Jesus cannot
be accused of never experiencing a certain sin because He did. Mankind has
the perfect Saviour, yet not all run to Him.

AND:As we travel this road we are driven down different paths by the
handouts of our elected officials. The issue with elections currently is
the corruption. illegals voting the buying of votes with the gift of an EBT
card and such. Every corrupt vote is a vote taken away from those that
produce those that defend those that strive for a better America. There are
no African Americans or Asian Americans or Polish Americans, we are
Americas. Americans who are watching our great nation being given away by
politicians who lust for power above all else, who denigrate the very
country that created the Constitution the Declaration of Independence.
Political Correctness is speech fostered and encouraged by the government
what sense does this make, why do we need the government to define what
speech is good and what is unacceptable. Why does the government force one
to take the health insurance that they demand but exempt themselves from.
If it is so good so righteous why is it mandated should the people not
flock to such a good deal. Why is the government fearful of my firearms. To
whom am I a threat except for the lawless and the tyrant.  Where and when
did we lose the common sense of our fore fathers, the common sense to abide
by that great document that limits government and guaranties our right to
be and live free. Why is it now necessary to define those freedoms. Free
speech zones what in hell have we come too?  Let use go forth with new
vigor to return to that as outlined in the Constitution and not define our
selves in government terms but in the terms of freedom to do less is the
end of this great republic and the end of a beacon of freedom world wide.

Don’t text and drive. EnJOY your weekend!
Platypus – be good- do good!
*Question & Thought & ANDs…*
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Questions & Thought for President’s Day 2015!!!

Questions & Thought for President’s Day 2015!!!
Happy President’s Day 2015!
1. Question – Are you genuinely proud of America? Is America the ‘Hope’ of the world? What does your heart say to you about ‘Your Country?’ What do you envision America to be like in 20 years?
2. Thought – In his Second Inaugural Address in 1985, Ronald Reagan stated:
History is a ribbon, always unfurling; history is a journey. And as we continue our journey, we think of those who travel before us….Now we hear again the echoes of our past: a general falls to his knees in the hard snow of Valley Forge; a lonely president paces the darkened halls and ponders his struggle to preserve the Union; the men of the Alamo call out encouragement to each other; a settler pushes west and sings a song, and the song echoes out forever and fills the unknown air.

 

​It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big-hearted, idealistic, daring, decent, and fair. That’s our heritage; that is our song. We sing it still. For all our problems, our differences, we are together as of old, as we raise our voices to God who is the Author of this most tender music. And may He continue to hold us close as we fill the world with our sound-sound in unity, affection, and love – one people under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom that He has placed in the human heart, called upon now to pass that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world. (The Founder’s Bible by David Barton)​

 

​Have a Great​ week!

 

Platypus – be good- do good! 
Question & Thought & ANDs…

Question & Thought for the 1st Sunday of February 2015!!!

Question & Thought for the 1st Sunday of February 2015!!!
Good Sunday Morning!
1. Question – How do you make zero progress this year?
2. Thought – That’s right, if you follow this advice, 2015 will be a huge waste of time. Let’s get started shall we?
First, worry a lot. Start worrying early in the morning and intensify your anxiety energy as the day progresses. Short on a supply of things to worry about? Check the evening news on television or the internet. You’ll have enough bad news, doomsday reports, human tragedies, foul weather, and late-breaking calamities to keep your heart and mind churning all through the night.
Something I have found helpful in my own worry is to do a lot of reflecting on my failures and mistakes.
Hanging around negative people is another secret you won’t want to forget this New Year. They spread worry like germs.
Second, make hard-and-fast plans with unbending and unrealistic expectations. Hey, why not? All of 2015 lies in front of you. Your date book is empty and ready to be filled with detailed plans. Of course, you’ll need to ignore that little throwaway line in the book of James,
Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there for a year. We will do business there and make a profit. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog – it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. (James 4:13-14 NLT)
Forget this verse, and chisel your expectations in stone, convinced that things will turn out exactly as planned.
Third, fix your attention on getting rich quick. This is a great one. With this mind-set, you’ll fit right in with the flimflam that’s gushing out of most self-help seminars and conferences. Make certain to get your ideas about money from the secular bookshelves, and definitely don’t pay attention to men like Solomon, who wrote:
Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.
In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5 NLT)
I mean, what does Solomon know about money and contentment and consequences…and wisdom?
Fourth (and this is a great one), compare yourself with others. Another surefire time-waster for 2015. Not only will you ricochet between the extremes of arrogance and discouragement, you will spend another year of not knowing who you are.
Fifth, lengthen your list of enemies. Playing the blame game will keep your wheels spinning during 2015 more than any other activity. Your skill at this game should improve with age because the longer you live the more ammunition you will have. With a full arsenal of suspicion, paranoia, and resentment, you can waste endless evenings rehearsing your feelings of resentment as you stew over those family and friends who have made your life miserable.
Okay, so there you have it! Five proven time-wasters. Put these suggestions into motion, and your new year could set records in wasting valuable time.
But on the other hand, who wants to do that?
No one aims to make zero progress – it just happens. So, let’s get started in the right direction.
Beware of time-wasters! Instead, pray more than worry. Be flexible. Give more. Be content with the way God made you. And let the oil of forgiveness loosen your grip on those grudges. In other words, make this year your most productive ever.
That’s my plan! (Insights, January 2015, by Charles R. Swindoll)

EnJOY the game!

Platypus – be good- do good! 
Question & Thought & ANDs…

Question & Thought for January 26th, 2015!!!

Question & Thought for January 26th, 2015!!!
Good Monday Morning!
1. Question & Thought –

Is America Becoming an Idiocracy?
When watching Obama’s State of the Union show, with his laundry list of Nanny-State proposals and usurpation of our God-given rights, remember that nothing of this world lasts forever. That includes nations.
The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans; none stood the test of time.

In 1787, a crowd gathered outside the hall where the Constitutional convention was held in order to learn what had been produced behind closed doors. As the doors were opened and the delegates began to emerge, a woman identified only as Mrs. Powell of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

Franklin is said to have answered, “A Republic, madam, if you can keep it.”
The more I learn of the founders of our nation, the more convinced I am that they were and are still the greatest collection of minds to walk this earth.
Franklin knew, as did the other founders, a republic, like children, must be nurtured and given constant attention, lest it stray down the wrong path.
The founders charged the citizens of this country actively to pursue righteousness in our elected officials and to remain alert to the activities at every level of government.
With each passing decade, we have become forgetful and complacent. The average American today knows little to nothing of our own founding or the original intent of our government, or what those people endured to allow us the opportunity to rule ourselves.
Yet over time we have willingly squandered that opportunity to instead choose to be ruled by those who should serve us.
Some would say that the citizenry is just too busy to be bothered by such things. As our society has “evolved” and “progressed,” it is said that things have just become too complicated and the founders could not have foreseen the problems of today.
Woodrow Wilson said just that as he advocated for a “Living Constitution.” Is that not why we have elected officials? We send the politicians (the smart people) off to fight on our behalf and deal with the bedeviling issues of our time, so we may get back to whatever seems to be more important. As long as our lives don’t measurably change, all is evidently well.
All, unfortunately, isn’t well. We are teetering on the precipice of tyranny and most don’t even realize it or care. It seems a growing majority of this country believes the government was formed to take care of us — to be our security blanket.
Again, Franklin had an answer for that when he exclaimed, “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”
Sam Adams stated, “The liberties of our country, the freedoms of our civil Constitution are worth defending at all hazards; it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors. They purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood. It will bring a mark of everlasting infamy on the present generation – enlightened as it is – if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of designing men.”
They knew that throughout every society, since the beginning of time, one overriding thing has not and will never change — human nature. No matter how evolved and sophisticated we think we’ve become, it can always be boiled down to that one thing.
Every great society eventually becomes decadent and intellectually lazy; it’s human nature, and America is not exempt from this tendency.
I am reminded of a movie from years ago called Idiocracy, where mankind has not evolved, but devolved into a collection of morons concerned and consumed only with the worst inclinations of society.
Look around you. Watch some “man on the street” interviews. The latest one asks questions about Martin Luther King, Jr. Some people believed that he had just died (He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.) Another person believed he walked on the moon. Everywhere is the pursuit of self-gratification and nothing more. The average American is more likely to know the judges on American Idol than a single Supreme Court justice.
As in Idiocracy,” we glorify sex, violence, and fame.
Our lives are broadcast to the world via Facebook, You Tube, and Twitter. Why? Because it seems everyone wishes just to be famous and, of course, people are idolized for just being famous.
Nowhere is the violence in our society more evident than the rise of the gladiator culture via the explosive popularity of Mixed Martial Arts competitions. They enter, not just a ring, but a cage, beat that heck out each other, for fame and our amusement. The only things missing are weapons and lions. Give them time. I understand that combatants have been killed during these fights. They have not been allowed to televise them — yet. Again, give it time.

Why do we care about people like the bubble-head Kim Kardashian? Because she is attractive? No, not just because she is attractive, but but also due to her sexual persona. She is famous for being famous, yet by all accounts she’s never done a worthwhile thing. And for that she is celebrated and enriched.

Watch your TV or listen to your radio. It seems the commercials are either about promoting government or sex. Male enhancement drugs, female sensitivity formulas — Viagra, Cialas, and of course, advice from the government on how to properly order our lives. Is this what we’re most concerned with?
Will it be okay to hand over our republic to tyrants as long as they allow us watch UFC and have lots of sex? You can take away our gun rights, but don’t cancel “Dancing with American X Factor Idol Stars that think they have Talent”.
Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said: “Without morals, a republic cannot subsist any length of time.”