Obama Rumors to Spread to Your Friends in Spam Emails

Here, courtesy of Christopher Beam at Slate, are 13 rumors the Obama campaign should start disseminating to email forwarders everywhere:

There are many things people do not know about BARACK OBAMA. It is every American's duty to read this message and pass it along to all of their friends and loved ones.
1. Barack Obama wears a FLAG PIN at all times. Even in the shower.

2. Barack Obama says the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE every time he sees an American flag. He also ends every sentence by saying, "WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL." Click here for video of Obama quietly mouthing the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE in his sleep.

3. A tape exists of Michelle Obama saying the PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE at a conference on PATRIOTISM.

4. Every weekend, Barack and Michelle take their daughters HUNTING.

5. Barack Obama is a PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. He has one HAND over his HEART at all times. He occasionally switches when one arm gets tired, which is almost never because he is STRONG.

6. Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It's upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.

7. There's only one artist on Barack Obama's iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.

8. Barack Obama is a DEVOUT CHRISTIAN. His favorite book is the BIBLE, which he has memorized. His name means HE WHO LOVES JESUS in the ancient language of Aramaic. He is PROUD that Jesus was an American.

9. Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.

10. Barack Obama's new airplane includes a conference room, a kitchen, and a MEGACHURCH.

11. Barack Obama's skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.

12. Barack Obama buys AMERICAN STUFF. He owns a FORD, a BASEBALL TEAM, and a COMPUTER HE BUILT HIMSELF FROM AMERICAN PARTS. He travels mostly by FORKLIFT.

13. Barack Obama says that Americans cling to GUNS and RELIGION because they are AWESOME.

The March to War in Iran

With even congressional democrats leading the charge to war in Iran everyone seems to be certain it is on its way. The left, the right, the Iranians, the pacifists (this video is very moving), and of course the libertarian leaning republican who has been saying this was inevitable for a little over a year now.

So what can we do? Probably nothing as it seems that once Cheney makes up Bush's mind there is nothing that will stand in his way, but given that they at least thus far have tried to push through some sort of congressional approval for things and there is a bill being pushed through the House right now to authorize Cuba like sanctions, the same kind that killed thousands of Iraqi children while we built bigger bombs to drop for this time around, so letting you local congressman know that killing children does not sit well with you may be useful in stalling it and then hoping that cooler heads prevail.

Check out this upcoming film

From the producers of the multiple-award winning Flight from Death comes The Philosopher Kings, a documentary film about the kind of wisdom that gets you through the day - the wisdom that comes from surviving hard times, lost loves, shattered dreams, and bad choices. To shed light on this matter, The Philosopher Kings goes deep into our nation's most well-respected and prestigious universities to seek wisdom from the people who see it all and have been through it all - the custodial staff. Set against the backdrop of young people yearning for knowledge to carry them through their lives, the film explores the wisdom that only living life can bring.

"A single conversation with a wise man is better than ten years of study." ~ Chinese Proverb

Three Kings

Just watched this movie again. It was a great movie prior to the the second Iraq war but now it is just plain hilarious. Go check it out.

Pics from the Freeze Project

Took the wife and son out to ESPN Zone and snuck out to get some pictures. Got some pictures of the freeze as well as a few of my son dancing to the South American band playing. Left my camera at home so the quality is not as great at should be. Notice the police and heavy security. I especially thought all the people talking to their families was really intersting. Overheard debates as to who was a statue and who was not. One little boy kept running underneath frozen people's arms. It was a lot of fun. Big crowds gathered and they all received some literature related to human trafficking. All in all a very cool event. Keep you eyes on The Freeze Project and Just One to find out more about the innovative and creative ideas they have.

Even "Maverick McCain" Can't Connect with Young Voters

As most of us know by now, McCain is not really a maverick, but a publicity hound. More and more society is seeking authenticity, openness and honesty. As with most social changes this is occurring from the youth up, so McCain will never connect with young voters. His positions are not the issue. His integrity is.

Even "Maverick McCain" Can't Connect with Young Voters

Stop Human Trafficking

Check out the Freeze Project. They are going to be at Downtown Disney tonight.

How Will You Save the Enviornment?

A great look at how eager people are to villify anything people claim harms the enviornment no matter how little rationale there is.

New Toy

Anxiously awaiting my USB Barcode Scanner that will allow me to digitize my entire library. Very exciting stuff. Check out this website.

Church 2.0

I went to a really interesting meeting today with a bunch of Christian leaders from around Southern California. It was put together by Greg Atkinson who is is the process of writing a book on the future of the church both in terms of technology but also just how we embrace community and culture. It was a really good time and great to get to meet people and hear their stories. Below I have posted my lightly edited notes from the event. It was interesting to hear how some recurring themes from nearly any broad group gathering of Christians emerged. Do we find "Christian" versions of whats out there? Do we find redemptive uses for what already exists? Varied opinions (obviously). Check it out...

Church 2.0

Greg Atkinson

Sponsors for this event are Kindle, Logos/Uniquely , SplashPipe and 360Hubs

www.churchvideoideas.com
www.gregatkinson.com

Book is multiple parts

Creativity and innovation

Technology

Conversational format. What is working? What resources are there? How can be better using them? What is the Church doing to connect with people? Online, offline, believer, non believer…

My Church
Rachel
Social networking for churches
In general social networking allows the opportunity to keep in touch and get to know each other even when you aren't able to meet with them face to face. Some people will blog even when they may not teach.

Sandals--360 Hubs
What does it mean to use good stewardship with regards to social networking? People will adopt tech if they can use it. Sandals used it to connect people places and knowledge. How can you connect in an ongoing way? Church members can blog, one person is in charge of connecting people to their needs. But by having a social network people are able to connect with what they need quickly and easily. Collaboration allows the church to grow community and shepherd.

Blogs
Have to be ready for feedback. Have to be committed.
Must be comfortable with transparency. 60 years ago was the last time most churches had town halls.
Big yet small.

Churches for the last 60 years have had a leader who said what was true and left it at that...
Finding out pastor is going out with his wife or going to see a ball game with his son changes perception and makes them seem more real. More humanity more vulnerability
Not a tech issue, but a value issue.
Have to value everyone having a role.
For the church it’s a win....engagement and testimony. Connection to stories.
The need to be known and in community.
Can we find ways to use tech to bring the masses into the conversation.
How do we take our digital lives and make them real and meaningful to each other.
The 83 % are far more holistically connected than the church.

Social networking in plain English

Ephesians 4 is able to be lived out through web 2.0

www.talesfromthecarpoollane.com

Charles
Let’s contribute to the world's innovation rather than copy someone else's.
just4one.org
Poverty orphans social justice
improv everywhere
Freeze project
Downtown Disney
No angry activists, creative awareness

www.partnerup.com
Spencer The Ooze
Hand and foot, all churches can be a different part of the body rather than your right and you’re wrong.

Obama versus Dobson: An Epic Battle Between Two Christian Titans !!!

As many of you have probably heard, Obama and Dobson have been sparring quite a bit lately in the media. You can read more about that here. I stumbled across this post though that looked at it from the a different standpoint. I may not agree with anyone of these folks politics but I certainly can agree that the rhetorical devices employed lately are harsh, demeaning and a horrible reflection of Christ. Obama and Dobson have both accused the other one of lies, deceit and slander (all in the name of God, of course) simply over political differences (and only slight differences at that...

obama: I want to regulate a, b and c because thats what god would want.
dobson: you lying heretic!!! god want us to regulate x, y and z.)

Anyway, while Christian Obama supporters are an oxymoron in Dobson's eyes, here is one prominent one calling on all of us to raise the level of discourse among Christ's Church.

Free Market Education Ideas Get Union Blessing???

An amazing step forward in the fight for efficient use of our tax dollars in public schools and the fight for exceptional teachers. Lets hope the National Unions follow suit. Check it out here.

An important website for those who share my love of all things badger, mushroom and snake

http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/

On the Importance of Literacy

Warning President Bush makes a few explicit gestures in this video.

Funny Comic

I like to look at the lighter side of arguments. Again, no matter what side you take in the current debate, this is funny. Let us hope history does not remember our era in this same way...

Great Article on McCain by Matt Welch

He also wrote a book that goes more in depth called McCain-The Myth of a Maverick. Check it out if you like this article. Note that nearly everything said about McCain is pulled out of one of his four books. I think my favorite part though is when he wonders why Barry Goldwater did not like him. That made me giggle.

Reason Magazine - Be Afraid of President McCain

Gay Marriage Is Good for America - WSJ.com

As I have provided links to modern Republican arguments against gay marriage, libertarian view of privatization of marriage all together, I thought it only fair to offer up this well written article in the Wall Street Journal.

Gay Marriage Is Good for America - WSJ.com

Marriage

The last post ran long. I dealt largely with the problems existing in the existing debate. Many have written about various solutions but "Privatize Marriage: A simple solution to the gay-marriage debate." by David Boaz is by far way better than anything I could dream up and in my humble opinion, the best answer to date.

http://www.slate.com/id/2440/

Marriage in California

I am continually struck by how strongly I can affirm, respect and agree with someone one day and then just be blown away by something the next. John Mark Reynolds is a brilliant philosopher and I often read even his political works knowing that they will contain wisdom and insight that many other "conservative" writers posts do not. Reading Reynolds article about the upcoming Gay Marriage Ban vote here, I could not help but feel compelled to respond. It lacked his usual well thought out and well stated arguments and simply equated to a schoolyard "I saw it first." This last election has been rough on Moral Majority Republicans I know, but one cannot allow a series of stinging defeats to disintegrate the level of discourse. I am fairly certain he will never read this but hopefully it will provide you all some talking points to discuss among coworkers and friends.

First and foremost, let me lay out that this is a political and philosophical argument, not a theological one. I affirm, as a Christian what the scriptures say about homosexuality. I also affirm what they say about submitting to authorities and yet often change lanes without signaling thus have trouble justifying the harsh treatment people who are homosexual receive at the hands (and blogs) of those claiming to be Christian. All this to just reassure you that I am not part of the (oft discussed in right claiming Christian claiming) gay agenda. I simply try to treat people equally as Christ did. Christ loved the least and the lost, do you? I will end my plea to not be destroyed as a heretic to Conservatism and/or Christianity (which are not linked) please note the ever so wise Thomas Jefferson to the nation during his first inauguration in 1801, "Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle."

What we have here is a fundamental misunderstanding both on the role of government and the authority of the church as well as a scary overlap in the two (anyone remember the great Reformation?)

Churches are debating this issue as much as voters. Thus, having the government step in and make the decision for us sets a dangerous and terrible precedent. What's next? Do some theologians in the dispensationalism or covenant theology debate get the government to decide that Biola University or Westminster Seminary need to change their theology (I know at least one A-Team Blogger has his fingers crossed.) Of course all (well most) Christians can agree that this is preposterous. How about at your office? Should the government solve that pesky TPS report debate? (Office Space reference for those not in the know.) Absolutely not. It is the sole decision of churches, denominations and parishioners how they will handle same sex couples wishing to be married. Reynolds got it right here, marriage is largely a religious institution. Why is he then advocating government intervention when some churches disagree? Some churches are theologically liberal and take the approach that the homosexuality passages in scripture were cultural constructs. Some churches take another stand and say that homosexuality brought down the Roman Empire and we are next. Others see homosexuality as wrong, but like me do not want the government to be involved in religious decision making.

The government should never have gotten into the business of marriage. And make no mistake it is a business, having married recently and lost a marriage licence I know they are making some cash. The requirement for marriage licences in U.S. has been justified on the basis that the state has an overriding right, on behalf of all citizens and in the interests of the larger social welfare, to protect them from disease or improper/illegal marriages; to keep accurate state records; or even to ensure that marriage partners have had adequate time to think carefully before marrying. But all of these things are not the role of government as outlined in the Constitution. Prior to the mid 19th century marriages were not regulated by the state, but once the influx of "inferior races" started they became important to "protect the social welfare." What redemptive value does alienating people and making them hate you have? C. S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity that Christians shouldn't be trying outlaw divorce by legislation. The church is clear on its position, he said, and we would know who was really a follower of Christ and who wasn't by their conduct, so there was no point in trying to force people to obey Christian morality. After all, he went on, we wouldn't like it very much if the "Mohammadans" came in and tried to outlaw alcohol! As I write this in a nod to Lewis I have cracked open a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon (I know really high class). I think the implications of this hero of the faith to the modern debate are clear but just in case you can substitute the words "gay marriage" for the word "divorce" and the argument still makes a lot of sense.

Last thoughts here. To be certain there are a ton of competing viewpoints here. Reynolds (and most Moral Majority Republicans points) article makes it seem like their are two choices: Christian or Not. It is my contention that the gay marriage debate has more to do with one's opinions on the role of government than one's faith in Christ or even moral values. To set up such horrible dichotomies, and us versus them, viewpoints only serves to further de-legitimize Christianity's influence in our culture. So here is my Pauline statement on the matter (referencing Acts 17:17-34), "I am amazed at how focused the US is at making sure that people have equal access to marriage licences."

Someone Else Beat Me to These Book Reviews...

The Politics of Freedom: Taking on the Left, the Right, and Threats to Our Liberties, David Boaz, Cato Institute, 329 pages

Leave Us Alone: Getting the Government’s Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives, Grover G. Norquist, HarperCollins, 338 pages

I have been wanting to get to this but Amcon did a great job so read their review...

http://www.amconmag.com/2008/2008_06_02/review.html

Republican's Versus Conservatives

Check out the Southern Avenger's take on the Senate race in South Carolina.

Iraqis Condemn American Demands - washingtonpost.com

Most proponents of the war in Iraq say that we are liberators and that we are wanted in the country for stability. Our interest there is peace it is said. Apparently, our negotiations with Iraqi leaders regarding our control of their country are showing some differing sides of the story. For more info about SOFA's refered to in the article below check out Chalmers Johnson's works on them both in his scholarship regarding Japan and more recently his American Empire Project work.

Iraqis Condemn American Demands - washingtonpost.com

Federalist Number 84 May 28, 1788

"I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and in the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colourable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why for instance, should it be said, that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed?" —Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 84 May 28, 1788

How a GOP conspiracy continues to cheat Ron Paul « Doug Wead The Blog

Doug Wead, inventor of Compassionate Conservatism, speaks of his conversations with GOP bigwigs and their thoughts on Paul.

How a GOP conspiracy continues to cheat Ron Paul « Doug Wead The Blog

I'm Voting Republican

Regardless of your feelings on the political parties, this is a funny video. It's also interesting to note that by and large this is how a lot of people view the Republican party. If they continue to drift so far from the humble foreign policy advocated by Bush during his first campaign, and advocate out of control spending and try to control every area of individuals lives all while giving corporations a license to do whatever they want they will be slaughtered in November.

Reassurance Versus Challenge or Sunshine Versus Truth

The cover of June's Esquire has a picture of Barack Obama and a very well written article inside of it. I am not an Obama xealot and disagree with much of what he believes about the role of government. Charles Pierce though makes one comment which appears on the cover though that is important for everyone to hear and take to heart.

"What we need now is not a leader to assure us of our greatness...but one who will challenge us to reassert it."

This is absolutely true in politics as well as the rest of life. In American culture we have become so consumer minded that many would prefer to hear our leaders (be they politicians, bosses or pastors) tell us how great we are, how wonderful we are doing or why everything is great.

Proverbs 27:5-6 says that, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Thrice sings a song about friendship that says a true friend will stab you in the front.

America is a great nation but it is foolish to think she is infallible. You and I try our best but it would be ridiculous to assume we do not need a reminder every once in a while as to how to do things well. In work, in life, in our world everyone makes mistakes. To think otherwise is unwarranted and dangerous. To view criticism of ourselves, our nation, our churches, our friends as off limits is to open the door to major problems.

Love and respect is an absolute neccesity, but out of that love and respect should flow honesty, even when it is unpleasant and hard; especially when it is unpleasant and hard (who else will do it then?).

Is there someone challenging you or your thinking on a topic right now? Have you shut them down, asked them for reassurance (sunshine) instead of taking what they have to say and growing from it? It is time that the Church, our nation, our families and friends started stabbing each other in the front.

I Love You

Too amazing not to share with the world. . .

The Amazing Oratorical Skills of John McCain

John McCain...

A great article looking at "maverick" Senator McCain, and opportunistic shape shifter candidate McCain.

Check it out...

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080616/scheer