Contemplation Is Good For The Soul

Hmmmmmm....I'm very contemplative today. Do you ever really know people? It seems like more often than not, there is a surpise about someone just waiting around the corner.

Not Another Word On Gay Marriage Until They Execute An Adulterer

A great article from huffingtonpost.com, written by Cenk Uygur, of The Young Turks. I couldn't agree more!

The religious right picks and chooses which parts of the Bible they want to apply. And they choose based on which outsider group they would like to hate next. First, they emphasized slavery in the Bible when they wanted to hate black people. Now, they emphasize the parts condemning homosexuality so they can hate gay people.

They are completely and utterly disingenuous. They don't mean a word of it. They don't give a damn what the Bible says. They just want to use it as an instrument of hate.

The Bible says eating shellfish is an abomination. Yet there are no Red Lobster Amendments. The Bible says you shall not wear two different types of cloths at the same time. Yet there are no Propositions against cotton and wool combos.

The Bible says you should leave your family and join Jesus Christ. The religious right pretends that Jesus was about family values. He wanted you to abandon your family. Read the Bible.

The religious right pretends that the Bible says marriage is between one man and one woman. But that is a bald faced lie. Have any of these people ever read the Bible? The Bible is full of men taking on second wives, servants, prostitutes and concubines. And all the while, God heartily approves. How many wives did King David have? Eight? Twelve? Let alone his possibly gay lover, Jonathan.

Now the Bible says that a man shall not lie with another man. That is true. But it also says, in the same exact book, that adultery is an abomination. And the just punishment for this sin is execution. So, who will execute the first adulterer? Please step on up. May the one without any Biblical sin cast the first stone.

Here is a question no one can answer -- and lucky for the right wing, the media never bothers to ask -- why do you only focus on the part of the Bible against homosexuality but not on the part against adultery? It's one thing to say you're against adultery; it's another to take away their rights. How come no religious figure in this country has mounted a campaign to take away the rights of adulterers? Let alone execute them.

I'll tell you why. Because there are too many of them. Their followers are adulterers. They don't make for good scapegoats. They are not an easy target to ostracize and focus your hatred on. Gays are perfect. They are a small enough percentage of the population and different enough from the rest of us to be able to get people to focus their negative, barbaric instincts on them. The Bible is only a tool for this tribal, ugly tactic.

But I am tired of hearing people saying that homosexuality is a sin in the Bible when they never quote the rest of the Bible (probably because a great majority of church goers have never independently read the Bible or they have built up a reservoir of excuses for the parts they find inconvenient). So, from now, I would like to tell the Rick Warrens of the world, you are perfectly allowed to say how much you would like to take gay people's rights away from them based on the Bible so long as you agree to do one thing first -- execute an adulterer.

If you can do that for me, then I'll believe that you actually believe in the Bible literally and will accept your literal argument against homosexuality. Fair is fair. Step on up.

Watch The Young Turks Here

PS -- In case anyone is a maniacal literalist, please do not actually attempt to execute any adulterers or anyone else. Check yourself into a mental hospital instead because the seven headed dragon in Revelations could be out to get you.

RIP

My brother's dog, Patches, died this morning. We all knew it was going to happen before long, because you could tell she wasn't feeling well the past couple of weeks. She was listless, her ears were droopy, her breathing was heavy, and she wouldn't eat bacon, a sure sign she wasn't well. My dad said he helped her into her favorite chair about four this morning and covered her up with her blanket; when he got up, she had passed away. My brother, Michael, was at work and didn't know until he got home at nine. We had left her in the chair, covered up, because we weren't sure what to do with her...Michael asked if my dad and I would take care of burying her.

We decided on a spot under the apple tree in my mom and dad's back yard. The soil here is almost entirely caliche, so we dug for a while, and now the ground is soaking in water because it's freakin hard. At least it will be a nice spot for her. I couldn't bear to bury her anywhere outside of town...just here at home.

She would have been 11 in February. My brother adopted her when she was about nine months old...she was an abused puppy, and he gave her a loving home. She was the only dog I have ever seen who could climb a pecan tree! Patches was a rat terrier I believe, but am not sure.

I know later in the day will be extra hard for Michael. As was Xmas tradition, I took a picture of him and Patches together a few days ago for Xmas cards, and he is picking them up today. At least it will be one last fond memory of her.

We will miss you Patches. Rest in peace in doggy heaven.

Protect Marriage, Protect Children, Prohibit Divorce

For you "Christian" Prop 8 asses:

Protect Marriage, Protect Children, Prohibit Divorce - watch more funny videos

Anticipation....Excitement

It's getting closer...can you feel it? The excitement and anticipation in the air is thick! You thought I was talking about Xmas....really I was thinking of Barack Obama's inaguration as President!!!!!!!!!

I'm excited about both events. This will be my 46th Xmas on this earth, and will be two firsts: the first without my mom, but on a happier note, the first with my new grandson, Robert, whom I might add is absolutely adorable.

Barack Obama, 44th President. It's nice to have someone in the Oval Office who is my age. But I can't decide if that means I'm old, or what! I'm excited, curious, and nervous all at the same time, about his presidency and what he can accomplish. And I'm already sad that he can only serve two terms! Ha! I know that's crazy!

So the countdown is on: 7 days until Xmas, 22 days until Tyler's birthday (;o), and 32 days until inauguration...Bye Bye, Little Georgie!

Xmas Spirit...

Today, I finished wrapping presents (thank God), and put up stockings. Our family has quite an array and quite a collection, one for every member of our family which has grown to 26 (I think)...I may be missing one or two. I am the only one of my siblings with a significant other in their life. I love you Nicol!

It was really hard when I took my mom's stocking out of the box. It's the little things like that that tear at your heart. Even though she isn't here with us in body, she's still with us in spirit, so I put her stocking up anyway! Anyone who has an issue with that can go to hell! (Ah! The joy of Xmas!).

Like Adrienne, I too enjoy the holidays. As our family has become more extended, it's harder for us to get together. Try as you might, there is never a day that works out for everyone. There will always be those who bitch and complain, or make excuses no matter what you do. So I choose to see the holidays this year through my grandkids eyes...and what beautiful eyes they have! We still have a gingerbread house to make, along with Jagger and Jalee, my great nephew and great niece. There's cookies to bake, Christmas lights to look at, and so much more to do.

Do Da Xmas Dance

How can you resist this song????????

Bailout, Schmailout

I'm glad the bailout for the automakers is meeting with resistance, and possibly won't pass. Why should taxpayer dollars be freely given to a company(ies) who prove year after year that they are unable to manage their money? If I was a poor manager of my business, do you think the government would rush to give me monetary assistance? For decades, the US auto industry has been giving us crap to drive...if you're lucky, you'll make it off the car lot in one piece, and it will fall apart while it's still under warranty. They cry and whine every time the government tries to enact stricter mileage and emission standards. They've mismanaged, and overpaid, and now they are paying the piper, because less people here and abroad are buying American made cars.

My car is a Toyota....they're well made, last a long time (over 250k miles, easily), get good gas mileage, etc. It's worth the money you pay. The foreign automakers aren't asking for a bailout.

If Chrysler, GM, and Ford want our money so badly, they definitely should have rules to follow...closely minded rules that make them accountable for every cent. Perhaps they should have to go to Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Kia for training, and to learn how to build a car that people want. Perhaps they should give their CEO's a pay cut. Perhaps one of the criteria should be some type of hybrid or electric car. The jobs that will be lost directly and indirectly if these companies fail will be significant; but we have been taken advantage of long enough. It's time for them to think green. It's time to get our money's worth when we use our hard earned dollars to buy a car that is necessary for so much of our day to day lives. It's time to kick the greed out of Detroit.

Undeserving....

Several of you out there who know me, know that I am a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. I've been a fan as long as I can remember, from the days of "Dandy Don" Meredith and Roger Staubach, and the Doomsday Defense, to Troy Aikman, Moose Johnston, Emmit Smith, and the Cowboys who won three Super Bowls in four years...

Which brings us to the present day Cowboys...T.O., Marion Barber, and last, and in my book least, Tony Romo. I flipped back and forth Sunday between the Cowboy game and the Bronco game, for two reasons: a)I like the Broncos, and wanted to be a part of it with Tyler and Abby; and b) Dallas makes me nervous, and I can barely stand to watch a full game.

The point I want to make in this blog is in reference to the enormous salaries players receive these days. Last season, Tony Romo's first full season, the Cowboys were 13-3...not a bad record for a rookie quarterback, who ultimately choked during the biggest stretch of the season. Nonetheless, Romo was awarded with a HUGE contract to secure him as the quarterback of the future, as was Jason Garrett, the offensive coordinator who did a great job calling plays...LAST year.

Doesn't it happen, nine times out of ten, that when you give a guy a LOT of money, they choke the next year. In all of the years I have been a sports fan, I find that is true, regardless of the person or the sport. Maybe it's because the athlete no longer feels the pressure to prove that he is worthy of such an inflated salary, and whether he performs up to his potential or not, that money will go into his bank account every week.

Romo and Garrett have proven my theory correct this year, and then some! Romo has been pathetic, and the play calling by Garret has fallen wayyyyy short of last year. Same players, different result.

I THINK that all professional athletes should be paid by their performance. A base salary plus performance incentives...if you reach this level, you get a bonus; if you don't, we'll keep it for you until you earn it. Tony Romo lost the game for Dallas on Sunday, with careless errors, and a lackluster performance. Jason Garrett's play calling was pathetic. Really, there is no excuse for their underperforming...except that they have no real "reason" to give it their all...they get paid, anyway. Both of them should have to give back part of their salary, or donate it to a charity.

Romo makes it really hard for me to be a Cowboys fan. I might just have to switch full time to the Broncos. And Tony, two things: when you throw an interception or fumble the ball, it's not funny; and wear your hat right.

If It's In The Bible, It Must Be True...(more fairy tales to follow)!

This is a post from Daily Kos. Of course, we know that the "Christian Righties" only want to abide by "certain" rules in their holy text. I can't think of anything that is more of a threat to the sanctity of marriage than divorce or adultery...and we all know how rampant that is in the "Christian" community.

"jem6x has an excellent diary on Newsweek's great cover story on the Bible and gay marriage. Go check it out. But this comment by gladkov was particularly excellent. In short, if we are to let the Bible define what "traditional marriage" should look like, then our marriage laws should be amended as such:

A. Marriage in the United States shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women. (Gen 29:17-28; II Sam 3:2-5)

B. Marriage shall not impede a man's right to take concubines in addition to his wife or wives. (II Sam 5:13; I Kings 11:3; II Chron 11:21)

C. A marriage shall be considered valid only if the wife is a virgin. If the wife is not a virgin, she shall be executed. (Deut 22:13-21)

D. Marriage of a believer and a non-believer shall be forbidden. (Gen 24:3; Num 25:1-9; Ezra 9:12; Neh 10:30)

E. Since marriage is for life, neither this Constitution nor the constitution of any State, nor any state or federal law, shall be construed to permit divorce. (Deut 22:19; Mark 10:9)

F. If a married man dies without children, his brother shall marry the widow. If he refuses to marry his brother's widow or deliberately does not give her children, he shall pay a fine of one shoe and be otherwise punished in a manner to be determined by law. (Gen 38:6-10; Deut 25:5-10)

G. In lieu of marriage, if there are no acceptable men in your town, it is required that you get your dad drunk and have sex with him (even if he had previously offered you up as a sex toy to men young and old),tag-teaming with any sisters you may have. Of course, this rule applies only if you are female.(Gen 19:31-36) "

Oh, Romy-oh!

Since Friday, I have had the pleasure of the company of Romy, Tyler and Abby's dog. She needed a babysitter while they went to Jackie and Ryan's wedding (congratulations to the happy couple) and to the Bronco game in Denver (jealous.). What a wonderful little animal she is. Smart. Fun. Playful. And last but certainly not least, freakin adorable! I've never been around a Shih Tzu dog before, but I had imagined them to be spastic and irritating like poodles. Not Romy. Maybe it's just her, and not the breed...I don't know. All I know is that Tyler and Abby are very lucky to have her. She and my dad really like each other, which is unusual for him! I think she told me last night that she likes Honey the best and wouldnt mind living with her forever! Ha!

Prop 8: The Musical

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Xmas Decorating Randomness

Yesterday, I put up the Christmas tree here in Jal, New Mexico (pop. 800 maybe), at my parent's house. What was I thinking? I have decided that is not one of my favorite things to do! Maybe if I didn't have to do it by myself, it would have been more fun; instead it was more like a chore...bah, humbug! I have to admit it was a little emotional, thinking about this being the first Xmas without my mom, seeing all of the old ornaments she collected, etc. I had a little cry, and I'm sure there will be more to come. Now it needs presents underneath, because it looks bare.

I don't like artificial trees. I LOVE the smell of a real tree, but don't like the mess it leaves, and don't like the fact that you have to cut down a tree, decorate it, and then throw it away after you're done with it. Talk about a cheap date! Guess I will stick with the artificial one. Does anyone know where you can buy "real tree" perfume?