I Can’t Resist

 My world (wide web) has been turned upside down since I started using a Macbook, but this cartoon clearly defines why I chose to turn to Mac.

 

 

Happy Birthday G!

What About the American President Last Season or the Russians Before That?

Like many others, I LOVE 24. But never have I looked at a Muslim and thought to myself “Gosh, this guy might be a terrorist because there are some Muslim terrorists on 24.

Calling Americans stupid by “fearing they won’t know the difference between reality and fiction” won’t win you any points Mr.Ahmed. One does not need to watch 24 to find a reason to fear Muslims. There is no need for fiction. Those who have become fearful of Muslims can just refer to the events of September 11.

Do I think all Muslims are terrorists? Clearly, the answer is no. But is harder now, to walk by strangers who look like those who seek to destroy my home, but I do it. And others do it.

Racial profiling is unfair; I know. But profiling is just a new word for what has been happening to most of us our entire lives. And living in a post 9/11 world, many see a justifiable reason for it. It’s common in all walks of life. Almost all of us pass judgment on each other without facts or knowledge of intentions.

Perhaps it could be considered small minded to be more cautious, but we all view the world differently now, and ‘24’ is not at fault.

If You Know Me…

…you have to know how much I love this article. 

So often I hear from family and friends (who have never lived outside of the south) that I should be married or searching for a husband. I’ve written about this before. But it seems that more women agree with me now than disagree. If 51% of women are unmarried then I’m no longer in the minority. I think it’s proof that women are able to make lives for themselves with or without husbands.

I’m not advocating the “Sex in the City” lifestyle, but I do think it’s great that so many women are seeing themselves as their own foundation.

Most people I know from high school, relatives and friends are younger than me and married. In my mid-twenties, while I enjoy dating, I see no reason to rush into marital “bliss” with the first guy who looks my way. Many women do; kudos to them.

It’s hard to explain to a married person why you want to be a lawyer and not a housewife or that kids just may not be for you.  And I don’t want to sound ultra-negative here, but it seems like the married people I know (happy and unhappy) want me to join their club. Why? I don’t mean to be skeptical, but I think the cliché might apply here- “misery loves company.”

Of course, not everyone who is married is miserable. But the divorce rate in this country is high, and it seems logical to hesitate joining this group.

I have in no way sworn off the idea of marriage, and I doubt many have. But the older I get, the more I realize how much I’ve changed and continue changing. And it has become increasingly clear that I need to be firmly on my path before taking someone else along for the journey.

Jack Is Back

We are less than 24 hours away from a new season of 24!!!  If you don’t watch it, start Sunday. 

How Could Anderson Cooper Get Cooler?

…by having Andrew Sullivan on his show. Next time I hope he gets to talk!

God Compared To An Evil Dictator?

I just read a post in which the author compared God to an evil, terrorist dictator. And it appears to be what the author intended.

In his imaginary story (where the dictator proves to a world government that he is capable of blasting the world with 6 nuclear bombs) the evil genius was able to prove to the world governments that he had the ability to carry out his threat of terror. Is God able to carry out His threat of the ultimate terror of Judgment Day?”

Then after several pages of saying God can carry out his threats to destroy the world, he continues…

“I wish that I could be accused of, My, are you exaggerating! My, are you getting carried away! I wish that could be an honest accusation but it isn’t. I am not getting carried away. I wish I could be ten times more excited about this. I wish I could tremble 50 times more than I am trembling as I think about where the world is. And please, when you read about the various acts of terror that are going on, and they are going on, that is a diversion. That is a diversion to get our minds off the real problem. The real problem is that the greatest terror of all is almost here. It is almost here.
God is teaching that He has become cruel with wrath and fierce anger to lay the land desolate, and He shall destroy the sinners out of it. Isaiah 13:10a”

He also goes on to say that people calling help lines are being told that whatever their problems are, no man can possibly help because God is the only solution.

He says as Christians, our only task is to read the Bible. And if someone debates from a theological standpoint, just say “I don’t know. I’m no expert, but read the Bible.”

He ends his post saying,

“May we fully realize that you and I, who are true believers, are the only security system that God has put in place. It is the only security system that can give any protection from this gigantic, super terrible terror that is about to happen, and it will happen. Without any question whatsoever, it will happen very soon.”

What should I, as a reader and a Christian, take from this message? And what should a non-Christian take from this message?

What I read is a portrayal of God to be harmful, evil and anything but forgiving and loving.

The TBN, 700 Club, Jerry Fallwell crowds love to instill fear in Christians and non-Christians. Their favorite phrase is “The world will end soon.” What is soon? And why is it significant?

To those crowds I ask, What about everything written in John 3? Most of us have probably heard “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not parish but have everlasting life. John 3:16. Where is this message? Where is the portrayal, in the above story, of God’s love and willingness to cleanse us? “For God sent not his son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

I’m not trying to preach a sermon on mstiggy.com, but after reading what I read this morning, I think I have to tell a different story. You can bully people as much as you want, but it will not lead them into a relationship with God.

To the author of today’s lesson, it seems if you want people to enter into a relationship with Christ, they should have the whole story. Instead of pounding fear into their hearts and minds, and comparing God to a terrorist, you should remind them of the joy and HOPE that comes with salvation.

Notes: I did not post the entire transcript because I did not obtain permission to copy it. If you’d like to read it, send me an e-mail, and I’ll tell you how.

Six Months Later

I finally watched Anderson Cooper’s interview with Angelina Jolie. It originally aired in June, about a week before I was lucky enough to meet him. And at the time, I didn’t care about seeing it. I didn’t care the other night when it aired, but I was up late, my TV was on and he’s just so fun to look at.

When the interview began, I thought I’d see an ignorant, pompous celebrity on a soap box. Instead, I saw someone who was well-spoken and humble. Sure, she’s had some opportunities that others don’t have, but she’s doing something positive with them that many others don’t do. I appreciate that. I respect that.

Who knew I could become a fan of “Brangelina?” I didn’t! But add another to the list. I still don’t know much about her movies, but as a person, I think she rocks.

 

And while we’re on the subject – this interview by I Want Media, is stellar so check it out.  

"Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act"

I’m just posting some information directly from the site for Tabacco-Free Living, as requested by Jenn.

It will be interesting to see the effect this has on business.  I think it’s a postive move for the state.   

 

 

 

The "Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act" (Act No. 815), effective January 1, 2007, prohibits smoking in most public places and workplaces, including all restaurants with or without attached bars. Smoking will still be allowed in stand-alone bars and casinos.

Perhaps most important, Louisiana’s partial preemption of local smoke-free air ordinances was repealed and replaced by a specific non-preemption clause. This means local communities are now free to strengthen the Act with stricter local ordinances.

Thanks to Governor Blanco and our legislators for responding to Louisiana citizens who want and deserve the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air. We will all breathe a little easier in the upcoming year and beyond.

Louisiana’s Smoke-Free Air Act is a major turning point for our state – Louisiana is now among national leaders in the effort to protect Americans from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

The Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act (Act 815) covers:

• Restaurants (including those with bars and the bar located within the restaurant)
• Cafeterias
• Sandwich stands
• School cafeterias
• Kitchens
• Catering facilities
• Banks
• Healthcare facilities
• Hotel-motel lobbies
• Public transportation
• Sports arenas
• Theaters
• Shopping malls
• Laundromats
• Reception area/waiting rooms
• Retail stores
• Places of employment (including work areas, employee lounges, restrooms, conference rooms, meeting rooms, classrooms, employee cafeterias, hallways and vehicles)
• Private residences when used for licensed child care, adult day care or health care facility
• Private cars that are used for transporting children for child care, health care or adult day care centers or those that are carrying children ages 12 and younger (under Act 838)
• Educational facilities
• Schools (elementary and secondary)
• School buildings, the entire campus within the school gates and all school buses

Fines for individuals: $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $100 for the third or subsequent offense.

Fines for employers: $100 for the first offense, $250 for the second offense and $500 for the third or subsequent offense.

Half of the fines collected will go to the Department of Health and Hospitals’ Tobacco Control Program.

 

For more information, visit:  Tabacco-Free Living.org or call the toll-free TFL hotline at, 1-866-I-AM-4-TFL.