Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold!

Sound investment strategies. Diversification 102

2010-01-10T06:46:00.003-05:00

I posted this before (that was 101) but have been thinking of this again lately. Money, finances, investing is an important topic. As with many things in life we can learn a lot about someone by watching how they handle money. This is also true of use of spare time, eating, TV watching etc. Though money is a fascinating one. It was probably one of the biggest topics that Jesus covered in his time

Shakedown in Copenhagen

2009-12-18T08:19:00.000-05:00

If you would know what Copenhagen is all about, hearken to this nugget in The Washington Post's report from the Danish capital."Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenari -- who is representing all of Africa here -- unveiled his proposal Wednesday for a system in which rich countries would provide money to poor ones to help deal with the effects of climate change. ..."Zenawi said he would accept $30

Christmas - A covert inserton

2009-12-13T07:28:00.001-05:00

A friend posted on his blog that this time of the year reminds him that heaven invaded earth. This invasion was in the form of a baby. He then goes on to talk about the idea of heaven invading earth. This is helpful, the idea of warfare and what is really going on in heaven. It does affect us on earth. Our eyes only need to be opened to see the war (II Kings 6 for example) that most choose to

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet…”

2009-04-25T09:46:00.001-04:00

Unintended consequences. I’ve been a critic of Title IX for a long time. It shouldn’t take a lot of thought or argument for any rational person to see the error in these regulations. Gender politics, as most politically correct politics that cater to a some perceived downtrodden minority, tries to mandate some sort of forced equality. It is bad

“The Forgotten Ways”

2008-08-25T07:34:00.000-04:00

“It is almost impossible to find anything of its kind in the whole of scripture, and yet it became, and still is, the chief concern of theologians in the Western tradition.” Hmmmm, I wonder what this author is talking about? I am reading a fascinating and challenging book, “The Forgotten Ways” by Alan Hirsch. I’ve already referred to it here on my blog. Many of you would be bored by it, or

All That Glitters Is Not Gold . . . Obama vs. McCain

2008-08-24T06:45:00.001-04:00

I was putting the final touches on my latest post, one written by me, when my PC crashed. The auto save version did not have the last few minutes of creative genius (? ~;) So as I ponder how and when to reconstruct that, I’ll give you a fine and erudite and insightful post by Nina May from townhall.com, Sunday, August 24, 2008. I’ve read a lot on this topic lately but this stood out. So I’ll pass

China's Porcelain Facade

2008-08-22T14:07:00.004-04:00

With no real intro except to credit the author and the source this is must reading and self explanatory. I have mixed emotions watching the Olympics, certain sadness and occasional admiration for the Chinese athletes, and certain contempt for the oppressive regime. - I Am Rudy - China’s Porcelain Façade - Patriot Post By Mark Alexander Having just returned from Beijing, where I was

When He Returns - Bob Dylan

2008-08-21T06:36:00.001-04:00

I posted this last year, but thought today was a good day to remember who He is, and why He is different. He is the One whose birth, death, resurrection and return were predicted years before they happened. Something to consider since the frist three have happened and we look for the 4th. Bob Dylan the erstwhile "prophet" in what I believe is arguably the best Gospel album ever, before there were

“Peace begins with smile." - Part 2

2008-08-20T07:53:00.000-04:00

My last post entitled “Peace begins with a smile” ended up with a peek at Psalm 18. Today I want to look at Psalm 107. In “Peace begins with smile" my thinking was that evil, war and battle is part of the warp and woof of our existence on earth. We would all probably prefer it otherwise, and some try to ignore it or explain it away. However, it is evident in the Bible, Israel’s history and much

Economic Myths

2008-08-20T06:00:00.000-04:00

Have you been following the fall out, aka the various responses, from the Rick-Warren-Saddleback-Obamamania-McCainite forum? I’ve read very little of value on it. Of interest to me are those (conservatives) who see the forum as intrinsically wrong because of “separation of church and state” and related arguments. Sounds strange to me, and I’m one of them. Suffice it to say most of what I’ve read

Georgia On Our Mind

2008-08-19T07:54:00.000-04:00

From the light and fanciful posts to this one of great significance is how Rudy’s Blog goes. Life is not easy and decisions, personal and corporate do not neatly fit into little boxes. So is the current situation between Russia, Georgia, NATO, Europe and us. Thomas Sowell has something worth reading and thinking about. Of note is the basic personal and global perspective of not saying something

Fat Lesbians on Crack

2008-08-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

I love to read Mike Adams’ stuff. His book “Welcome to the Ivory Tower of Babel: Confessions of a Conservative College Professor” is insightful and a hoot. His regular columns offer lots of insight into what is going on at college campuses across our great nation. Today’s is different but you will get the point. Check it out! - I am Rudy - Mike S. AdamsTuesday, August 19, 2008 So

The Galbraith Effect

2008-08-12T06:46:00.000-04:00

As I often point out I love the well crafted book or article. I love the wordsmith who can evoke so much with just a few words. Then there are the ones who also have a lot of substance and logic, common sense. They are the icing on the cake, so to speak. I guess Sowell and Williams are chocolate icing and Cal Thomas is white icing. Then Mike Adams is white spicy icing. Dinesh D’Souza adds a bit

The question of progress

2008-08-10T07:46:00.002-04:00

Today I will start with the name of the book and author that I want to quote. But before that, a confession, an admission. I’m an addict. Clear and simple. I am enthralled and awed and “get high” on two things. The first opiate is pure and simple and uncut, the reading of exquisite and well written prose. The second is when the creative urge hits me and I make my stab at writing. The endorphins

Death of a Prophet

2008-08-07T06:29:00.000-04:00

I missed this. Did you? Solzhenitsyn will be missed. This article is a must read. It encapsulates so much critical information and crystal clear insight into human nature, the West, our decline into decadence and… you get the message. Read it!! - I Am Rudy - Death of a Prophet Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's work and life can best be described as those of a prophet. The prophet died last Sunday at

“Peace begins with a smile.”

2008-08-06T06:24:00.002-04:00

I was driving by a local church, one that I drive by frequently, and noticed the silly thought for the week on the sign out front. Remember I live in a fairly sleepy bed room community type area where the landscape demonstrates a competition between cows, horses, sheep, Ents, and palatial million$ houses on ½ acre lots (we do have zoning restrictions thank you very much). We are seeing foxes more

Politics as Usual

2008-08-05T07:07:00.000-04:00

As I have often said I think Cal Thomas is one of the best. So when I see something by him I stop everything I’m doing and check it out. You should do the same. - I Am Rudy - At the beginning of this long political season - if there ever was a beginning, since campaigns are now nonstop with only the players changing - it appeared this one might, just might, be different. Barack Obama,

Jesus and the Case for War

2008-08-04T06:09:00.001-04:00

Did you read my recent post, “Peace begins with smile"? One of the points I made was that what is often overlooked in discussions about war and peace is that there is evil, Evil, in the world and Evil people. The only way they will get stopped is by force. Shoot them before they shoot you or your family. Though I didn’t end up in the same place, Frank Turek addresses this issue as well. He

The Presidency Is Not An Entry-Level Position

2008-07-31T07:17:00.000-04:00

The title speaks for itself. But the substance of Frank Turek’s editorial is insightful, not to mention well written. Check it out. - I Am Rudy - Frank TurekThursday, July 31, 2008 Barack Obama’s recent op-ed in the New York Times declares, “It’s time to end this war.” (You remember that Senator McCain tried to respond, but the Times apparently wanted to give McCain his opinion rather than

Found in Space - How C. S. Lewis has shaped my faith and writing

2008-07-30T06:31:00.000-04:00

Here is a very nice tribute to arguably one of my top 5, top 3? (maybe #1?) author of all time. Plus it is a well written and insightful article. And of course Yancey is in my top 10. So there you go. My first Lewis book was Mere Christianity (MC). That was heavy, but life changing and earth moving. One of the next was the Space Trilogy which was equally impactful, but fiction. I remember

The Brangelina-fication of the Obamas

2008-07-30T05:48:00.000-04:00

Did you see the cover shot? Did you have the nerve to read the article? Personally the cover photo made me so nauseous that was as far as I could go. In reality it has little to do with Obama who is the one who forced me to refill my Nexium prescription this week. Pretty much anyone on the cover of People, the tabloids in general, are people I don’t want to know more about. Obama and her, and

Our house is upside down

2008-07-29T07:31:00.002-04:00

This is very well written and perceptive. I found this on the NAS (National Assoc of Scholars) web site. Funny how we turn around the good to the bad and what was intended to be good becomes perverted. Read this and let me know what you think. - I Am Rudy - Last year, Polish businessman and philanthropist Daniel Czapiewski built an upside down house. It took 114 days to complete

He ventured forth to bring light to the world

2008-07-29T06:15:00.003-04:00

There are many followers of Obama. I suspect that they will also vote for him. They seem to believe his message of hope and often even admit the obvious that the hope is based on nothing more than rhetoric. But they “believe.” Those who oppose Obama seem to believe that his deception and or buffoonery will eventually be exposed. They might be right. I hope so. But the reality is that the day

A Lawsuit a Day Keeps the Leftist at Bay

2008-07-28T05:54:00.003-04:00

Many years ago when I, Rudy, was in PA school, my “Psychosocial issues” professor assigned us a book to read, with the ever present book report. I met the full written requirements for the paper, but she failed me. Her reason was that I disagreed with the author. I gave pros and cons, and cited contrary literature so that it was clear that it was not just my opinion. In fact she could really cite

Obama's Long March

2008-07-05T05:56:00.000-04:00

Barack Obama has sold his supporters a bill of goods. Molded and mildewed to be sure. The man of change has demonstrated, and it is not even November yet, that the change he is talking about his where he stands on any given issue. The Democratic chameleon candidate changes his positions to fit his audience and where his candidacy is at any moment. He fits well into the political realm by

YELLOW SCIENCE

2008-06-28T17:40:00.000-04:00

I’ve often thought of the association between Yellow Journalism and what we see in today’s media. I hadn’t thought of the relationship with science. But James Kerian has and has written a fine article. I am reminded of one thing I have written on before,. The public’s propensity to believe a lie. - I am Rudy - In the late nineteenth century, William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer

Boumediene: A Supremely Problematic Court Decision

2008-06-24T06:32:00.000-04:00

To be honest much of what I see happening in this country has me very worried. It appears we have a death wish and are circling the drain. That coupled with the general “personal peace and affluence” (PPAA) mentality, the overt goals of the populace, gives little hope for our future as a nation. BTW, “personal peace and affluence” can also translated, “It is all about me!” I’ve written before

You Need a Weatherman To Tell Which Way Obama Will Go

2008-06-22T06:51:00.004-04:00

Just about everything I see about Obama scares me. As incredible as it seems he makes Gore look like a safe Democratic candidate. Gore only makes me nauseous! He is a hypocrite and an ignoramus. Obama, aka “Barry” in this article, appears to be a calculated cultural activist seeking to change our society and country to be like the failed Socialist societies that we see around the world. Check it

The Great Media Depression

2008-06-22T06:30:00.000-04:00

Here is a fascinating synopsis comparing today’s economy along with the media coverage with that of the 1920’s era and Great Depression of 1929, along with the media coverage then. It is from the Business & Media Institute. Check it out and then ask yourself, “What was the media agenda then?” And, “What is the media agenda today?” And the answer is…? - I Am Rudy - The economy consumes

Important letter for all of us to read - as we lose more freedoms and money and...

2008-06-06T07:19:00.002-04:00

Dear Concerned Taxpayer,Right now, the Senate is considering “cap-and-trade” energy legislation that will attempt to limit greenhouse gas emissions, principally carbon dioxide, and establish a trading system for emissions allowances. But in reality, this legislation will place severe regulatory burdens on domestic industry, impede trade, and harm our nation’s

MEN ARE JUST HAPPIER PEOPLE

2008-06-06T06:19:00.003-04:00

I recently received this from my good friend KNUCKLEHEAD. I think it is worth posting. I'm not sure who started it but they sure have insights into the innate differences between male and female. In fact my brother who does pre-marital counselling told me he is going to start using this as part of that process. - I Am Rudy - NICKNAMES If Laura, Kate and Sarah go out for lunch, they will

Obama and McCain

2008-06-05T06:58:00.000-04:00

Don’t get me started on the idiocy of the Democratic potential presidential candidates and the supposed now chosen one. Nor about the issues with the Republican candidate. There are deep issues here. And I’ve been one of those struggling with “opting out” this year, or possibly finally going 3rd party. Admittedly these are poor options as well. Anyway with that in mind here is Thomas Sowell’s

The Bad War?

2008-06-05T06:46:00.001-04:00

I’ve been intrigued by Buchanan’s new book, “Churchill, Hitler and ‘The Unnecessary War’: How Britain Lost Its Empire and the West Lost the World.” However, I have not yet read it. I’ve also been concerned because it does sound like a rewrite of history with, as they say, 20-20 hindsight. I don’t know. However, this post from townhall.com by an erudite, well educated, prolific author and

America's generosity is unmatched

2008-06-03T06:14:00.000-04:00

I really like Star Parker. I bet she is a nice person, and she sure is insightful. This is another in those types of articles I like to post that give insights that seem to go counter to what we think we know, and definitely counter to what we are often told. Check it out. - I Am Rudy – Americans don't need government to make them care, contribute, and volunteer Americans are hearing so much

The Environmental Benefits of Offshore Drilling

2008-06-03T06:04:00.000-04:00

Sounds like a mistake doesn’t it? Don’t often see those words in the same sentence do we? I’m talking about the title to the post I found at townhall.com. I hope someone, lots of someones wake up and starts drilling, or allowing companies to drill, both offshore and in ANWR. Also a few more refineries are in order. And while we are at it a few nuclear power plants and we are headed towards energy

Gay Marriage: Even Liberals Know It's Bad

2008-05-26T08:24:00.003-04:00

It is an interesting insight to consider when a proposition is being considered, and especially when it is aggressively being advanced (some might say shoved down our throats…) despite concerns about its impact on those most vulnerable and defenseless and the implications to those involved, without consideration of the consequences. That is both intended and unintended. Some consequences are

Like Your $5 Gas?

2008-05-25T07:07:00.000-04:00

Today I’m posting a very well written and informative post from Kevin McCullough. Most of what he has written I agree with and the facts all seem correct. However, I don’t like his combative and confrontational style, though it is not as in your face or bombastic and insulting as Ann Coulter’s. It seems to me that the way one frames their arguments can mitigate some of the vitriol from the

Post-Christian America

2008-05-23T07:19:00.001-04:00

Pat Buchanan hits the nail on the head. I can’t add anything so I won’t pretend I can. Except I will add something written a few years back, OK maybe a few thousand…. “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil”- I Am Rudy - "A Victory for Equality and Justice," blared the headline above the editorial. "Momentous," "historic," "a major victory for civil rights," "a scrupulously fair

The United States' New Pre-Emptive War

2008-05-22T06:46:00.001-04:00

Wow! George Will is good. Sometimes he is so erudite I can’t understand him. However, he comes through loud and clear in this post from today’s townhall.com. He hits at the root of the dangers, real not imagined, with the left’s use of the environmentalist movement. Their banging and clashing cymbals “postulated futures” are imagined not real. Despite the fact that they are rarely if ever

Random thoughts on the passing scene from May 20

2008-05-20T06:33:00.001-04:00

This morning I read a very thought provoking post by Pat Buchanan on President Bush’s allusions to Hitler. You might want to check it out at www.townhall.com. Of course reading the posted responses to Pat’s post were illustrative of the polarized readers who can’t seem to see beyond the tips of their tainted noses because of their own preconceptions and illusions. No one seems to be able to

Who could object to a day of silence? Hmmm...

2008-05-18T06:43:00.001-04:00

Over the past several months we have been enjoying our local rural newspaper, “North county News”. Maybe it shows our age. But the articles are all about happenings that are pertinent to us who live in the north of this county. Traffic on the rural roads, a cover story about my wife and I going on a medical missions trip to Jamaica, developers trying to destroy the rural feel of the area and on.

Too "Complex"?: Part III

2008-05-17T06:15:00.001-04:00

I forgot to post Part III of the series by Thomas Sowell. This is very good and addresses issues that we hear and see every day. It is hard to imagine or really understand the vehement hatred by so many against the chain stores. Not that there isn’t anything to complain about, but I’m all for letting the marketplace settle these issues. Makes too much sense I guess… - I Am Rudy - In one of

Bush Caves to Polar Bear Ploy

2008-05-15T06:16:00.002-04:00

This is good. It seems to end abruptly, but I guess that was intended. More nonsense from inside the Washington Beltway. - I Am Rudy - The Bush Administration named the polar bear to the “threatened species” list based on computer predictions of the anticipated loss of sea ice due to global warming Tuesday. “Computer models predict sea ice is likely to recede in the future,” said Department of

Congressional Problem Creation

2008-05-14T06:08:00.003-04:00

Not that we can do anything about it, but congress and our elected officials have run amuck. They create problems and then are forced to create “solutions” to the problems THEY created. Then they have new problems that again need them to “fix”. The cycle seemingly cannot be broken. One look at the hapless candidates running for President this year, even more than in past quadrennial election

Too "Complex"?: Part II

2008-05-14T05:18:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I posted Part I of this excellent article by Thomas Sowell. Here is part 2. Also there is a nice companion article today by Walter Williams which I am also posting. Check them out and weep. Or maybe we can do something? Probably not! The government is out of control until some crisis comes along that it can’t “fix.” Maybe when the dust settles there will be some improvement. It all

Too "Complex"?

2008-05-13T06:02:00.001-04:00

Thomas Sowell’s common sense insights are on target. Again. He is right. The politicians don’t get it. The gullible public don’t get it. Read my last post on believing lies. The government is very clearly the cause of most of the problems we see today with gas prices, health care costs, economic woes in general. Sowell clearly puts the blame where it belongs. And yet the politicians have the

Do you believe lies? Why are some people so easily snookered?

2008-05-10T07:46:00.003-04:00

I love this passage from the historical biblical book of II Chronicles. One reason is that it doesn’t fit into any of the traditional ways of interpreting the Bible and God’s ways. In other words, systematic theology can’t systematically systematize this one. I guess I should say traditional fundamental perspectives can’t. They seem to try too hard to create a water tight system, that doesn’t

Who's Influential?

2008-05-08T06:29:00.002-04:00

Cal Thomas does it again. And again. Regular readers of this blog will know how much I like him and respect him. Check it out.- I Am Rudy -Time magazine has published another one of those silly and meaningless lists some in the media occasionally and irritatingly compile to validate their self-importance. It is the 100 "most influential people in the world." I didn't make it, but then I don't

Environmentalists' Wild Predictions

2008-05-07T07:06:00.004-04:00

I don’t want to be Orwellian, but still George got it write with his picture of how governments or power blocs would ignore history or rewrite it for their own ends. Intertwined with this concept is his concept of good ol’ newspeak and doublethink. People will believe what they want to believe. Any there are always people who are willing to take advantage of them.Too

Random Events

2008-05-06T06:19:00.000-04:00

Random? There is a lot in the news today. I’ll choose this story. Do your best. Don’t whine. Work hard. Don’t expect handouts. Forget your ancestors, and others. Don’t forget history. Read today’s article by Sowell. It is good. It is motivational. And true. Not like Obama, motivational. And false. - I Am Rudy - Sometimes unrelated events

Voters Don't Care About Global Warming, But They Should

2008-05-04T08:47:00.002-04:00

I’ve overheard or been involved with too many conversations lately where the assumption is that there is such a thing as a carbon footprint that we need to be aware of and reduce. Also global warming is a fact and a danger and that we (the government) need to act now to reduce its threat. The economy is in danger. The Democrats can fix it. WHOA!!!!!!! Here is one particularly insightful

An Old Newness

2008-05-01T05:57:00.000-04:00

I’ve always been impressed by the biblical passages that describe how we will believe a lie. Now this is essentially a spiritual issue, with spiritual implications and that reflect a deep spiritual problem. But much of life reflects what is going on in the spiritual realm. I believe that believing lying political leaders dovetails nicely with this and may even be part of what is going in with

Planned Parenthood Puts A Hit Out On Black Children

2008-04-29T07:26:00.001-04:00

Churches and Christians have struggled for years to find the balance between their work for the Kingdom of God and how that plays out on earth and especially in regards to social policy and government mandates and actions. This has come to the fore again as the so called Emerging (or Emergent) Church has seemingly moved the pendulum completely back to actions for the sake of action. Social

Is Planned Parenthood Above The Law?

2008-04-23T06:29:00.000-04:00

SO!!! Have YOU seen the movie yet, “EXPELLED: No Intelligence Allowed?” I’m sure it is at a theater near you. I saw it last night, along with my favorite 22 year old daughter. It is VERY GOOD. It moves along well, has a nice balance of interviews, special effects and video montage. And Ben Stein makes his point well. I can see why there have been such scathing reviews in the newspapers. The movie

Win Ben Stein's Monkey

2008-04-22T06:44:00.000-04:00

So who wrote this? You will find out when you get to the end. Talk about being out of character! Nevertheless it has some good stuff and, of course, the quote of the day. Dinesh D’Souza he is NOT, but he is who he is and we can settle for that. Not much choice really. I wonder if this article represents some change of “heart” for him. Or maybe all of these years this is the person hiding behind

Ben Stein Exposes Richard Dawkins

2008-04-21T06:45:00.001-04:00

I am posting two articles on Ben Stein’s movie. I’m hoping to see it soon, but from what I’ve heard and read it is an extraordinary movie. I’m not going to try and convince you. So read this article by Dinesh and the companion one by Brent Bozell and then go see the movie. Let me know what you think. - I Am Rudy - In Ben Stein's new film "Expelled," there is a great scene where Richard

Ben Stein Vs. Sputtering Atheists

2008-04-21T06:43:00.003-04:00

This is installment number 2 on Ben Stein’s movie, “Expelled.” I don’t think God needs my help. He can take care of Himself. However, Darwinism/evolution as well as other areas that Brent refers to have become so much a part of our modern folklore that no one can question them or any of their component parts. This is wrong, narrow minded and bigoted. Maybe this movie will help fix that problem.

Seven Uncomfortable Truths For Liberals

2008-04-18T06:26:00.001-04:00

Although the terms “conservative” and “liberal” are useful, they can be misleading as well. That being said I found so much insight in John Hawkins post (not to be confused with “Mater Hawkins”) that I felt his post from townhall.com worthy to be placed on Rudy’s Rogue Yam blog! This is despite the fact that he quotes Ann Coulter. Talk about a "rogue." These truths are the sort that we need

The Sugar Pushers

2008-04-16T11:01:00.000-04:00

April 16, 2008 Paul Jacob is a level headed libertarian. I receive his daily “Common Sense” editorials. This was so good I had to post it. “They” just don’t get it when it comes to public education! - I Am Rudy - Banned! First alcohol prohibition, then other drugs. Now candy.Yes, candy is now banned on many school campuses. Why? Refined sugar is so bad for you it’s wicked.I’m sure you know

Rest of the story

2008-04-16T06:20:00.001-04:00

The title of this article probably is a reference to the great radio shorts by the late Paul Harvey. He gave interesting and little known facts that were the story behind the story, “the rest of the story.” Speaking of history, did you see the “Tiger” comic above? Learning from history is important, and learning what really happened or who was really making decisions is also enlightening and

American Idol and the Presidential Election

2008-04-15T07:00:00.002-04:00

So there is an interesting juxtaposition. And believe it or not I saw it several places in separate blogs and message boards recently. So what’s the link? This year, for the first time ever, if you are in our house on a Tuesday or Wednesday (or Thursday?) evening you will see us unblinkingly glued to the boob tube. The TV has taken on a new meaning as we await the coronation. This is

In Darkest Pennsylvania

2008-04-15T06:09:00.001-04:00

You may have heard Barack’s latest gaff. Here is Pat Buchanan’s point by point dissection of what he said, what it meant and why. To me it further exposes the root issues of this candidate who if elected (how do I know? But it sure seems to be true!) is even more dangerous than Annie Oakley Hillary. He would be as destructive as anyone in recent memory to the America that was intended by the

Political Loathsomeness

2008-04-09T07:04:00.000-04:00

Today’s post is from everyone’s favorite economy professor, Walter Williams. Hold on, don’t leave me! This is not an economy lesson. Though if Williams wrote on that topic you would still enjoy it. Today’s post is on that forgotten document, the US Constitution. You know, that ignored document that is gathering dust somewhere and virtually ignored by Congress and then in the ultimate complicity

Was It 'The Good War'?

2008-04-04T07:10:00.000-04:00

Wow! Pat Buchanan asks (rhetorically) an interesting question. As horrific as its many consequences, itemized in the article below, can we compare the results of WWII to what would have happened if nothing had been done? Read his fascinating article, but first Rudy’s comments. This may seem to be a mundane comparison, or maybe just a bad one, but I’m reminded of a research trial with a new

Liberals and Their False Idols

2008-03-31T05:53:00.001-04:00

It is time for some light-hearted yet perceptive political commentary by one of my favorites, Burt Prelutsky. I’ll have to admit that much of what he says is right on. Though I also have to admit that there are many “liberals” at the grass roots who don’t completely meet the caricature that he paints. They are just wrong, not whining. They are misinformed, not dangerous, except that they might

The 10 Commandments - Part 2 (I hope I don't sound too irreverent...)

2008-03-27T07:09:00.002-04:00

I’ve got to do a sequel on this topic. And probably another. This week while driving around Baltimore I tuned into a local Christian radio station. I was in time to hear that Scottish preacher who is on these days. He is a polished speaker, and who doesn’t like to hear the Scottish brogue? I’m sure he is a fine man and pastor. It seems I’ve heard messages from him that I’ve liked. But too

Do you, can you, keep the 10 Commandments?

2008-03-25T06:50:00.003-04:00

I admit that I’ve felt guilty in the past because I couldn’t quote the 10 Commandments. It may seem strange because I’ve heard them all of my life. I don’t want to diminish their importance or their authority, but it fits with who I am. I am not one to memorize useless information. Not useless? Read on. But let me also confess that I’m also not one to memorize information that, though maybe

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE WINE

2008-03-23T07:15:00.000-04:00

Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn't even match the old garment. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins.

When Birds Attack

2008-03-20T06:49:00.001-04:00

If you’ve never seen Hitchcock’s The Birds, you’ve probably seen a few chilling out-takes. People running. Birds swooping. People screaming. Glass shattering.Could the scenario be even scarier? Well, yes: if, say, it were illegal for the victims to defend themselves.This is not a movie remake. That’s what the beleaguered citizens of Bartow are currently facing. This is a small town outside of

Obama's Speech - Thomas Sowell with Rudy's intro

2008-03-19T05:17:00.003-04:00

For those who love well written compositions, today’s post is a feast for the starving. For those who are looking for truth and candor in the midst of a political candidacy that reeks with pure duplicity, posturing and vacuous policy statements, today’s post is a banner of truth and reasoned rhetoric (yes, rhetoric can be good). For those who are worried that America stands on a precipice of

Are you burdened down?

2008-03-16T08:22:00.001-04:00

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 So which is heavier? The burdens of our everyday worries? Worries about the future?

Sex and the Married Governor

2008-03-13T06:07:00.001-04:00

As I’ve said many times I love Cal Thomas. This is especially true since he came to his senses after his “Moral Majority” days. Make sure you read his book Blinded By Might. This much aligned book is nothing like those who like to hate it report. Anyway, I don’t have much to add to what his latest editorial already says. It is a good sequel to what I’ve already posted on this subject.

When Did Hiring Hookers Become Decent?

2008-03-12T07:00:00.002-04:00

This is definitely a story. If you haven’t heard go grab a newspaper or Google “Eliot Spitzer”. Ben Shapiro (below) definitely highlights one aspect that you are unlikely to hear much of from the media. I picked this story and editorial as a natural follow up to recent posts about the relativism of this age. But there is more to this story. Another is compassion, there is a human side to

To Die For NAFTA

2008-03-11T06:50:00.000-04:00

So why is it that the most erudite tend to be the most vilified? Just as in my recent ongoing poll, answer #1 to the question regarding a politician pointing out that government really causes more woes than it solves, is that the person would be vilified! Few would actually listen to them and examine their rationale, to see if what they said had any merit or was true (see Acts 17:11 in the Bible)

Poets Against Obamamania

2008-03-10T05:43:00.002-04:00

I think I would like this article even if I believed Obama. This is not an indictment against him. After all it isn’t his fault that he doesn’t have a substantive position on anything, except to trust him and an ever expanding control of everything in our lives by an ever-expanding government. This is an in expose, a reminder, of what has happened to our society over the past 50 years.

On the road to Emmaus - nonfiction

2008-03-10T04:00:00.000-04:00

I used the following quote, kind of rewritten as an archive from a Jerusalem newspaper, as the basis for two posts. Check out: “We’ve Always done it this way” and “The Past, The Present and The Future – a seamless garment” The former, more than the latter, relies heavily on this non-fictional account. - Rudy - Yesterday as Passover was becoming a memory two of Jesus' followers were

We’ve Always done it this way!

2008-03-09T06:42:00.000-04:00

In a recent blog post I talked about relevance and irrelevance. Sort of. Check it out. Maybe this little tale will help if I mislead you or you got lost somewhere in my garrulous ramblings. So anyway we know that most churches have a personality. An identity. Something that sets them apart. Somehow. The “Church of the Emmaus Road” (CotER for short) is no different in that regard. Every

The Past, The Present and The Future - a seamless garment

2008-03-06T05:58:00.000-05:00

Our faith is still faith. As Peter says, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” However, despite accusations to the contrary, an important consideration of some of the writers of the New Testament is the reality of what we believe, the tie in with history, and the fact that these are

Will Evangelicalism Go the Way of Mainline Protestantism?

2008-03-01T06:56:00.003-05:00

But first some comments from Rudy, who really doesn’t have the foggiest idea what he is talking about, but this is his blog so we have to put up with him. First of all I, Rudy, believe the answer to the above question is “Yes”. A resounding “YES!” That is because we are stupid and we don’t learn from history. When we institutionalize the message of Jesus our “God in a box” that we just

Ever wonder why people do such horrible things?

2008-02-25T07:43:00.001-05:00

Two of the best books I’ve ever read were by the late Francis Schaeffer. They are: Whatever Happened to the Human Race? And How Should We Then Live? Isn’t it interesting when a book title ends with a question mark? I wonder how often the authors of these books answer the questions posed? Schaeffer does. Indeed! How should we then live? The words “How” and “then” are key parts

In the blink of an eye...

2008-02-24T07:52:00.001-05:00

I talked about Lot in my last post. Peter calls him, “righteous Lot”. Read this and think about it. "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. "And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about

Do you struggle with the world trying to squeeze you into its mold?

2008-02-22T07:04:00.003-05:00

This passage has often struck me. “ But at the same time, God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a good man who was sick of all the immorality and wickedness around him. Yes, he was a righteous man who was distressed by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.” It came to my mind yesterday when I was traveling and was forced to work with people who I would not normally have