My response to this whole Mueller Report and Investigation is what a waste!
What a waste of time, that can never recovered. What a waste of taxpayer money!
Now, I am not a Trump fan in the least. I like that he isn't a career politician, but that's about all.
I am upset that my country has been trying to get Trump out of office since his election. He won the election, get over it, move on and do some good for the people of America and our country.
To spend this amount of time and enormous amount of money to try to take down a duly elected President over nothing is completely shameful.
That is not how I want my tax dollars spent. I pay my fair share in taxes and I want to see it being used for the good of the people and the country - helping the poor, those with disabilities, for the military (I know, but it's a have to), education (but not providing free college tuition - that's a whole other issue), infrastructure, providing opportunity for people to work. That's how I want my tax dollars spent. Not lining the pockets of lawyers and those bent on getting the President out of office. I don't care if the President is Republican or Democrat - if they won the election - then get to work on making our country better. If all the Democrats (in this instance) who called for this investigation and supported it were billed instead of us, this never would have gone so far.
So, I am advocating that the nation's taxpayers boycott paying their taxes until those who called for this investigation pay the bill that the rest of us don't want to pay for because we most likely wouldn't have called for this investigation in the first place - made up by disgruntled elected lawmakers and supported by the media.
I believe that if all the taxpayers boycotted paying their taxes, Washington would finally take notice, because there would be no money to pay their salaries or pensions - hit them where it hurts and they will wake up and smell the coffee. You can't just go around blowing hard working American's money and thinking that is ethical, good and right. It is not their money, folks, it's ours and we give it trusting that our elected government officials will use to fund Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, SNAP, and a whole host of programs for the good of our country and its people. It seems to me, that when you are entrusted with someone's else's money you will practice greater stewardship than with your own. Our elected leaders have lost sight and seek only to line their own pockets and think they can spend our money any way they want.
I also believe that if we engage in civil disobedience together and boycott paying our taxes together, there aren't enough jail cells to hold us all, the DOJ couldn't handle all the cases, and the paperwork alone would drown the IRS. Perhaps, that is a bit revolutionary, but I'm thinking it could work. We all boycott paying taxes and let Washington see how much it can do without us. Maybe, it will teach them how to spend more wisely.
I can only hope! Probably not feasible, but the idea is a bit prophetic. One can pray that a difference could be made to stop such utter disregard for our money; yours and mine. We wouldn't just blow it. Why should they?
Think of all that could have been done with those taxpayer dollars that were blown! It just anguishes my heart and spirit to see how we so foolishly blow millions of dollars down the drain and for no good reason. It is pathetic and sad.
So, maybe some of those activists out there can get started on it and we can make a change for good.
Since I already paid my taxes this year and it takes time to organize this - I'm shooting for next year!!!!!
Monday, March 25, 2019
Thursday, March 21, 2019
NEW SLOGAN
I'm thinking up a new slogan for L church which is a downtown church in our small town.
I read a blurb in our weekly local paper, just one paragraph, about something an upstart, non-denominational church which meets in the high school on Sunday mornings is planning.
The church has been around about a year or two at most. I don't know who they are affiliated with.
The get an awful lot of press when it comes to our community First Friday events, which L church
participates in most months. Infact, I headed the Pirate Palooza last August and decorated the walk the plank area with seaweed from green trash bags woven into fish net, boxes labeled "RUM" and
small box labeled "POLLY"S CRACKERS", plus gave out pirate certificates for walking the plank, along with candy, gold plastic coin, Pirate's Lemon Rum (lemonade) and Fish & Chips (cups with goldfish and potato chips). Even another non-denominational church did a walk the plank, but ours was off the ground and better looking. Did we get our picture in the paper? No. But this upstart church did and gets on the front page nearly every month - just because they occupy the Gazebo in the middle of downtown. We're just a block north of the Gazebo and have yet to get our picture in the paper.
It appears that this church is going to hold an egg drop - renting a helicopter to drop gazillions of plastic Easter eggs on the football field on April 6th. There will be some entertainment plus there will be prizes given away - local restaurant gift cards, big screen TV, Xbox, and a Nintendo Switch, amongst the big ticket items.
Now I ask, what does this have to do with Easter? (Aside from the eggs?)
This is what a church does to draw members?
Feeding into the consumeristic and what's-in-it-for-me mentality? That church is about entertainment and what we get out of it, rather than the offering of ourselves to God?
What a poor example of stewardship and call to faith.
Perhaps, since I entered a new decade, I'm now of fuddy-duddy age, but really? I simply cannot believe this.
So I am contemplating putting a new slogan out front of the church - "We Invite and Don't Bribe"
Maybe we're not flashy, maybe we're mainline, but maybe we are grounded in stewardship, doctrine, grace, and what it means to live our faith in Christ Jesus in community and out in the world.
I think about the money being spent on this venture and know that 3 local agencies could well use that money - a shop that gives out diapers, and items that kids need, a group that helps folks pay their rent, electric, gas or water bills, and the Salvation Army that gives out food, school supplies, & runs an after-school program. Every mainline church in town supports these 3 agencies and they help many people in our community.
I'm not saying church can't be fun and do fun things - but when it is excessive and feeds into the entertainment, narcissistic, consumerism of society, then I have problems with that.
Or am I just an old fuddy-duddy?
In the meanwhile, I still like the "We Invite and Don't Bribe."
Any thoughts?
I read a blurb in our weekly local paper, just one paragraph, about something an upstart, non-denominational church which meets in the high school on Sunday mornings is planning.
The church has been around about a year or two at most. I don't know who they are affiliated with.
The get an awful lot of press when it comes to our community First Friday events, which L church
participates in most months. Infact, I headed the Pirate Palooza last August and decorated the walk the plank area with seaweed from green trash bags woven into fish net, boxes labeled "RUM" and
small box labeled "POLLY"S CRACKERS", plus gave out pirate certificates for walking the plank, along with candy, gold plastic coin, Pirate's Lemon Rum (lemonade) and Fish & Chips (cups with goldfish and potato chips). Even another non-denominational church did a walk the plank, but ours was off the ground and better looking. Did we get our picture in the paper? No. But this upstart church did and gets on the front page nearly every month - just because they occupy the Gazebo in the middle of downtown. We're just a block north of the Gazebo and have yet to get our picture in the paper.
It appears that this church is going to hold an egg drop - renting a helicopter to drop gazillions of plastic Easter eggs on the football field on April 6th. There will be some entertainment plus there will be prizes given away - local restaurant gift cards, big screen TV, Xbox, and a Nintendo Switch, amongst the big ticket items.
Now I ask, what does this have to do with Easter? (Aside from the eggs?)
This is what a church does to draw members?
Feeding into the consumeristic and what's-in-it-for-me mentality? That church is about entertainment and what we get out of it, rather than the offering of ourselves to God?
What a poor example of stewardship and call to faith.
Perhaps, since I entered a new decade, I'm now of fuddy-duddy age, but really? I simply cannot believe this.
So I am contemplating putting a new slogan out front of the church - "We Invite and Don't Bribe"
Maybe we're not flashy, maybe we're mainline, but maybe we are grounded in stewardship, doctrine, grace, and what it means to live our faith in Christ Jesus in community and out in the world.
I think about the money being spent on this venture and know that 3 local agencies could well use that money - a shop that gives out diapers, and items that kids need, a group that helps folks pay their rent, electric, gas or water bills, and the Salvation Army that gives out food, school supplies, & runs an after-school program. Every mainline church in town supports these 3 agencies and they help many people in our community.
I'm not saying church can't be fun and do fun things - but when it is excessive and feeds into the entertainment, narcissistic, consumerism of society, then I have problems with that.
Or am I just an old fuddy-duddy?
In the meanwhile, I still like the "We Invite and Don't Bribe."
Any thoughts?
Friday, March 15, 2019
Appalling
Simply appalling how people, celebrity or not, think they are the exception to the rule and live so unethically, to find ways to circumvent the system and get their darling child into college.
Perhaps, their "darling" child has no interest in college - just going for the parties. Send them to community college or don't send them at all until they decide that is what they truly desire - an education to make a contribution to the world.
And who is to blame? The parents. Parents who are helicopter parents. Step in and take over for their child. Who don't encourage their child to get a part-time job in high school to learn how to work, to be responsible, to answer to a boss, to get along with co-workers, to earn your way. These are privileged children who haven't had to lift a finger, had things done for them, and lead very shallow lives. Their parents have done their "darling" children a great disservice.
It is amazing, that as a child of immigrant parents, I went to college and graduate school. I had chores as a child, my parents were not able to help me with "new math" foreign to their learning, nor did I have help in English and writing papers. Indeed, I had to correct and write my father's business letters. Instead of my asking for help with my papers and essays, my Dad came to me to make sure
the grammar and word usage was correct! It was expected that we make the honor roll, to try harder, to practice until we get it, to set goals, to go to college. And I did it on my own. My parents never typed a paper for me, never filed out an application, work or school, for me. I had a newspaper route. I had piano lessons, I played flute in band, I was a thespian, on speech team, in the German Club, and synchronized swim club. In my junior year of High School, I got a part-time job and surrendered some of my activities for work. I worked in college, sometimes for a mere pittance. But that money paid for over three years of college(yes, my parents helped much to pay for tuition & room & board), and some incidentals. I lived on campus, I ate on campus. Once every month or two, I would get a pizza, or a Hardy's Hot Ham & Cheese sandwich. That was a luxury. I never went on Spring Break - if I wanted to go on a trip - I was expected to pay for it, not my parents. Yes, it was living austerely, but I didn't want for anything.
I took my own SAT and ACT tests, once. I didn't ace them with over the top scores. Mine were average. I applied to a private college, which provided me with a double-major and was a listed best buy school with a very good and solid reputation. I did go to community college for two years and took all the required classes for cheap, lived at home and worked part-time. I was accepted into the college of my choice and all my credits transferred.
I graduated, got accepted into grad school. I wrote my own papers, read the books (or most of them!), I even passed all my Standard Ordination Exams on the first try. I am not the most stellar student. I am not brilliant. I am average. But I work hard, and am responsible. I was taught to value education and that it is something earned and something one doesn't take for granted. College and post-graduate study is not about social life, but education.
I grew up in a faith community, in a small Presbyterian Church. We gave a nickel or dime every time we went to Sunday School - we put the coins in the small white plastic church with slot in the roof and it went to missions. Mom would also pick up a can of food, bag of rice, flour or sugar, at least once a month that went into the collection box at church. We weren't rich by any means, but we grew into the call to be giving and generous as Christ was. We learned that God loves us, forgives us, brings us hope and life. I went to Vacation Bible School every summer. We learned to be honest, to be fair and to treat others fairly and justly just as we would want to be treated. To love God and to love others as ourselves. To keep a promise. To forgive and be forgiving. To live into the calls of our lives - to care for others, those in need, for creation, to be kind, to do things and for others without expecting praise or reward - do it because it is the right thing to do, the loving thing to do, the things God desires us to do. I have never handled being lifted up and sometimes being publicly thanked (like a thank you lunch, and being showered with gifts for serving as an interim) very well. I am so painfully self-conscious. I would prefer just riding off into the sunset and next position and giving my best in the next congregation. A simple note of thanks is more than enough for me.
I learned to keep my word and not give it unless I can keep it. To live with integrity - be ethical and honest - even when no one is watching or notices. I can't fool God anyway, who knows everything, so why bother?
So I am simply appalled that these privileged parents have done such a disservice to their children. They have ruined their careers, jobs and set an awful example to their children - to lie, to cheat their way ahead in life.
If I, an average student, can make it (ok, I don't have a high-powered career, but that was not my call in life), into a good college, well-regarded graduate school and be a professional in my field for over 34 years ( with next to no wealth to show for it - at least monetarily), they can certainly make it on their own without their parent's misguided intervention.
I am saddened that in our present society - that cheating and lying is the way to make it in life., be it getting into a college, graduate school, or on one's resume to get a job. I didn't benefit from my parent's connections to people or job networking - they really didn't have a huge social network. Yet, I am here. I am still serving. I am still living with integrity.
How truly sad that these children have been so coddled, so unchallenged, given so little responsibility for themselves, and given such a poor example of how to live and have integrity. They have been cheated in their life and their shallowness reflects that. I am saddened that this is a generation which will one day be in charge without their parents to interfere, to smooth everything out for them, to make things happen for them. They will have to do that on their own and I fear for the world, when the selfish, ungrateful, incompetent are in charge. But perhaps, through the ages, that has always been the case to some degree.
I stand for all those who have made it on their own merit, worked hard, put their energy, time and talent to whatever they have been called to and where their passion lies. I applaud all those parents who make their children do their own work, but merely lend an occasion helping hand, who allow their children to fail, to make mistakes, to be disappointed at not making a team or group and encouraging them to work at it, to practice harder and try it or try out again, or offer an alternative better suited to their abilities. I give thanks to parents who encourage their children to get a job, do a chore, take on some responsibilities, who don't give their children everything or give in to their children's demands or wants every time, who know how to discipline and set boundaries that are to be respected, who live by example what it means to give and be generous with out lives, our money, our talent, our gifts, who give their children a faith foundation - so that kids grow up knowing they are loved by One greater than their parents, live with hope, learn what forgiveness is and how to forgive, to know true peace and goodness in life amidst the hard and challenging, who keep their word and live ethically being a model and example to their children.
Perhaps, it all sounds old-fashioned, but these are eternal and timeless qualities, lessons, and ways of being and living in the world, that have withstood time, pressure, governments, wars, poverty and wealth. They never go out of style or fashion. Not everyone can be bought.
This scandal, too shall pass. But for now, may it stand as reminder that there is a better way, to be honest and genuine, to know that we cannot do everything for our children and they must do for themselves - even when it is hard and difficult - and our hearts ache to ease the way for them. Allow them the opportunity to see what they can accomplish on their own. You and they will be amazed, energized, and astounded. Life becomes richer and more wonderful than ever. This is the gift to give our children! And you will never be appalled or disappointed. You won't compromise your integrity and children will be ever grateful to live into the life they have been called into and be successful in more ways than one.
Perhaps, their "darling" child has no interest in college - just going for the parties. Send them to community college or don't send them at all until they decide that is what they truly desire - an education to make a contribution to the world.
And who is to blame? The parents. Parents who are helicopter parents. Step in and take over for their child. Who don't encourage their child to get a part-time job in high school to learn how to work, to be responsible, to answer to a boss, to get along with co-workers, to earn your way. These are privileged children who haven't had to lift a finger, had things done for them, and lead very shallow lives. Their parents have done their "darling" children a great disservice.
It is amazing, that as a child of immigrant parents, I went to college and graduate school. I had chores as a child, my parents were not able to help me with "new math" foreign to their learning, nor did I have help in English and writing papers. Indeed, I had to correct and write my father's business letters. Instead of my asking for help with my papers and essays, my Dad came to me to make sure
the grammar and word usage was correct! It was expected that we make the honor roll, to try harder, to practice until we get it, to set goals, to go to college. And I did it on my own. My parents never typed a paper for me, never filed out an application, work or school, for me. I had a newspaper route. I had piano lessons, I played flute in band, I was a thespian, on speech team, in the German Club, and synchronized swim club. In my junior year of High School, I got a part-time job and surrendered some of my activities for work. I worked in college, sometimes for a mere pittance. But that money paid for over three years of college(yes, my parents helped much to pay for tuition & room & board), and some incidentals. I lived on campus, I ate on campus. Once every month or two, I would get a pizza, or a Hardy's Hot Ham & Cheese sandwich. That was a luxury. I never went on Spring Break - if I wanted to go on a trip - I was expected to pay for it, not my parents. Yes, it was living austerely, but I didn't want for anything.
I took my own SAT and ACT tests, once. I didn't ace them with over the top scores. Mine were average. I applied to a private college, which provided me with a double-major and was a listed best buy school with a very good and solid reputation. I did go to community college for two years and took all the required classes for cheap, lived at home and worked part-time. I was accepted into the college of my choice and all my credits transferred.
I graduated, got accepted into grad school. I wrote my own papers, read the books (or most of them!), I even passed all my Standard Ordination Exams on the first try. I am not the most stellar student. I am not brilliant. I am average. But I work hard, and am responsible. I was taught to value education and that it is something earned and something one doesn't take for granted. College and post-graduate study is not about social life, but education.
I grew up in a faith community, in a small Presbyterian Church. We gave a nickel or dime every time we went to Sunday School - we put the coins in the small white plastic church with slot in the roof and it went to missions. Mom would also pick up a can of food, bag of rice, flour or sugar, at least once a month that went into the collection box at church. We weren't rich by any means, but we grew into the call to be giving and generous as Christ was. We learned that God loves us, forgives us, brings us hope and life. I went to Vacation Bible School every summer. We learned to be honest, to be fair and to treat others fairly and justly just as we would want to be treated. To love God and to love others as ourselves. To keep a promise. To forgive and be forgiving. To live into the calls of our lives - to care for others, those in need, for creation, to be kind, to do things and for others without expecting praise or reward - do it because it is the right thing to do, the loving thing to do, the things God desires us to do. I have never handled being lifted up and sometimes being publicly thanked (like a thank you lunch, and being showered with gifts for serving as an interim) very well. I am so painfully self-conscious. I would prefer just riding off into the sunset and next position and giving my best in the next congregation. A simple note of thanks is more than enough for me.
I learned to keep my word and not give it unless I can keep it. To live with integrity - be ethical and honest - even when no one is watching or notices. I can't fool God anyway, who knows everything, so why bother?
So I am simply appalled that these privileged parents have done such a disservice to their children. They have ruined their careers, jobs and set an awful example to their children - to lie, to cheat their way ahead in life.
If I, an average student, can make it (ok, I don't have a high-powered career, but that was not my call in life), into a good college, well-regarded graduate school and be a professional in my field for over 34 years ( with next to no wealth to show for it - at least monetarily), they can certainly make it on their own without their parent's misguided intervention.
I am saddened that in our present society - that cheating and lying is the way to make it in life., be it getting into a college, graduate school, or on one's resume to get a job. I didn't benefit from my parent's connections to people or job networking - they really didn't have a huge social network. Yet, I am here. I am still serving. I am still living with integrity.
How truly sad that these children have been so coddled, so unchallenged, given so little responsibility for themselves, and given such a poor example of how to live and have integrity. They have been cheated in their life and their shallowness reflects that. I am saddened that this is a generation which will one day be in charge without their parents to interfere, to smooth everything out for them, to make things happen for them. They will have to do that on their own and I fear for the world, when the selfish, ungrateful, incompetent are in charge. But perhaps, through the ages, that has always been the case to some degree.
I stand for all those who have made it on their own merit, worked hard, put their energy, time and talent to whatever they have been called to and where their passion lies. I applaud all those parents who make their children do their own work, but merely lend an occasion helping hand, who allow their children to fail, to make mistakes, to be disappointed at not making a team or group and encouraging them to work at it, to practice harder and try it or try out again, or offer an alternative better suited to their abilities. I give thanks to parents who encourage their children to get a job, do a chore, take on some responsibilities, who don't give their children everything or give in to their children's demands or wants every time, who know how to discipline and set boundaries that are to be respected, who live by example what it means to give and be generous with out lives, our money, our talent, our gifts, who give their children a faith foundation - so that kids grow up knowing they are loved by One greater than their parents, live with hope, learn what forgiveness is and how to forgive, to know true peace and goodness in life amidst the hard and challenging, who keep their word and live ethically being a model and example to their children.
Perhaps, it all sounds old-fashioned, but these are eternal and timeless qualities, lessons, and ways of being and living in the world, that have withstood time, pressure, governments, wars, poverty and wealth. They never go out of style or fashion. Not everyone can be bought.
This scandal, too shall pass. But for now, may it stand as reminder that there is a better way, to be honest and genuine, to know that we cannot do everything for our children and they must do for themselves - even when it is hard and difficult - and our hearts ache to ease the way for them. Allow them the opportunity to see what they can accomplish on their own. You and they will be amazed, energized, and astounded. Life becomes richer and more wonderful than ever. This is the gift to give our children! And you will never be appalled or disappointed. You won't compromise your integrity and children will be ever grateful to live into the life they have been called into and be successful in more ways than one.
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