I've been wanting an electronic book reader for years. If you could see my basement... with 4,000 books in boxes waiting for places to shelve them, you'd understand. (I'll never stop reading on paper though.) So I've watched the Kindle and figured someday.
Here's a recent review of the second generation Kindle:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/technology/personaltech/24pogue.html?em
I was looking at Kia's book bag and realized that the best use for something like this would be at schools. Put those monster text books in a Kindle, teach the kids how to use it to read, study, take notes, do homework, etc. and not only will they learn, they'll have better posture.
Perhaps my grandkids will do this.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Taking Chance
I watched the HBO movie, Taking Chance tonight. It's the story of a Marine Lt. Col.'s journey as he escorts a Marine PFC KIA from Dover, Delaware to the funeral in Wyoming. I found it moving and was rivited. My eyes teared up during most of the film as it portrayed common Americans who crossed paths with the body of Chance Phelps. The respect and honor given was a joy to my heart, knowing that there are so many people out there in my nation who feel as I do. People who want to honor those who serve, and give great honor to those who have died.
I read a review from some movie reviewer and he just didn't get it. I think he was looking at the movie as a movie without a message... because he is blind to the truth of our nation. He's a man who doesn't have patriotism and doesn't know anything about the sacrifice and dedication of our soldiers, so he sees the movie as empty. This movie reflects who we are. If you see it as empty, then you are empty. If you feel the emotions of a proud American who feels keenly the loss of one of our beloved sons... then you are a normal human being.
I read a review from some movie reviewer and he just didn't get it. I think he was looking at the movie as a movie without a message... because he is blind to the truth of our nation. He's a man who doesn't have patriotism and doesn't know anything about the sacrifice and dedication of our soldiers, so he sees the movie as empty. This movie reflects who we are. If you see it as empty, then you are empty. If you feel the emotions of a proud American who feels keenly the loss of one of our beloved sons... then you are a normal human being.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Washing hats
Maddy was looking at some dingus on ebay that you put your ball cap into and throw into the dishwasher in order to clean the hat. Shipping was three times the cost and I decided I didn't really need one. So then the conversation turned to what to do with all the dirty caps I have.
I told Maddy I'd gladly throw away all the other caps as long as the one I'm now wearing could be duplicated. She asked why I like it so much. It's a grey cap that says "St. Jude 1962". She got it after donating to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
I get a lot of comments on the hat (which I wear to work), all of them from people who say very nice things about St. Jude's. I keep wearing it mostly for the comfort. It's simply the most comfortable cap I've ever worn.
In addition, I realized that the cap is good because it sit's lightly on my head. It's a guilt-free hat! Since it came from St. Jude's, as a result of a donation to help children, I figure this hat must have plenty of virtue in it. And whether you're conservative or liberal, having at least one article of clothing that is 100% guaranteed guilt-free is a blessing.
So, if you need a cap and want one that everyone will see as a cap of virtue, one that will ride easily and keep your bald spot from getting cold... donate to St. Jude's and ask them for a cap.
I told Maddy I'd gladly throw away all the other caps as long as the one I'm now wearing could be duplicated. She asked why I like it so much. It's a grey cap that says "St. Jude 1962". She got it after donating to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
I get a lot of comments on the hat (which I wear to work), all of them from people who say very nice things about St. Jude's. I keep wearing it mostly for the comfort. It's simply the most comfortable cap I've ever worn.
In addition, I realized that the cap is good because it sit's lightly on my head. It's a guilt-free hat! Since it came from St. Jude's, as a result of a donation to help children, I figure this hat must have plenty of virtue in it. And whether you're conservative or liberal, having at least one article of clothing that is 100% guaranteed guilt-free is a blessing.
So, if you need a cap and want one that everyone will see as a cap of virtue, one that will ride easily and keep your bald spot from getting cold... donate to St. Jude's and ask them for a cap.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Too Much Thinking, Not Enough Writing
As I drive around doing my job I have time to listen to talk radio and time to think about stuff. However, when I get home I seem to spend more time watching TV and playing Spades than writing my thoughts down. I think what bothers me is that I get the flashes of ideas, and I think they are pretty good ideas, but I find it very hard to put them into words. So I dally and do nothing. Let's see if I can change that.
So, my last couple posts had to do with the culture wars. I've come to the conclusion that the venom, hatred, fighting and all the other nasty, mean part of the war of cultures all comes from the Left.
I know that there are Conservatives and Republicans who aren't angels, but most of the tough fighting is fighting back. Ann Coulter comes to mind. I had a friend like her when I was young. We were out doing evangelism one day and some guy accosted us and started telling us about his belief in Gnosticism. (This was in Santa Cruz, California.) My friend Chris started ripping the guy apart and wasn't exactly polite about it. He had me laughing because he was ridiculing this ignorant Gnostic (yeah, I know) and showing him for the pompous fool he was. Later my friend told me he felt the rules had changed and he didn't need to be polite and listen to the guy because he had approached us.
I've remembered that lesson. And most of our commentators and politicians on the Right should take it to heart. They are trying to stay 'above the fray' when the very people they need to do battle with are reporting on them and slandering them.
Part of the culture war needs to be targeting the guardians of the news portals. We complain of the media, and rightly so, but there are many reporters and a few senior editors. Those senior editors make the decisions as to what is news and what isn't. They decide on the slant and encourage young reporters to write a certain way, allowing the liberal ones to pass muster, while any conservatives or balanced writing never sees the light of day.
It's time for the Right to rally together and go after the Left with all they've got. We have facts on our side. If we present ourselves in line with the truth, we will have the majority and will be able to guide our nation away from the disaster the Left is heading for.
So, my last couple posts had to do with the culture wars. I've come to the conclusion that the venom, hatred, fighting and all the other nasty, mean part of the war of cultures all comes from the Left.
I know that there are Conservatives and Republicans who aren't angels, but most of the tough fighting is fighting back. Ann Coulter comes to mind. I had a friend like her when I was young. We were out doing evangelism one day and some guy accosted us and started telling us about his belief in Gnosticism. (This was in Santa Cruz, California.) My friend Chris started ripping the guy apart and wasn't exactly polite about it. He had me laughing because he was ridiculing this ignorant Gnostic (yeah, I know) and showing him for the pompous fool he was. Later my friend told me he felt the rules had changed and he didn't need to be polite and listen to the guy because he had approached us.
I've remembered that lesson. And most of our commentators and politicians on the Right should take it to heart. They are trying to stay 'above the fray' when the very people they need to do battle with are reporting on them and slandering them.
Part of the culture war needs to be targeting the guardians of the news portals. We complain of the media, and rightly so, but there are many reporters and a few senior editors. Those senior editors make the decisions as to what is news and what isn't. They decide on the slant and encourage young reporters to write a certain way, allowing the liberal ones to pass muster, while any conservatives or balanced writing never sees the light of day.
It's time for the Right to rally together and go after the Left with all they've got. We have facts on our side. If we present ourselves in line with the truth, we will have the majority and will be able to guide our nation away from the disaster the Left is heading for.
Ongoing cogitation
I want to read a book on what is going to be happening to our political and cultural disputes over the next few years but I don't think the right book has been written yet. Perhaps I'll work on it by blogging my ideas here. More than likely I'll start and not finish... but if I keep trying eventually I'll do something useful.
We are in the final stages of the Culture Wars. (I should note that I am heavily influenced by Generations and The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.) Politically the Liberal/Leftist culture has the upper hand. Socially, they seem to, but I doubt that it's that clear. Victor Hanson says that there will be a conservative revolt if the Democrats continue as they have, but without some serious thought and some serious candidates, the revolt will be shallow. The 1994 Republican takeover of Congress turned out to be shallow. We need to do better.
I'm looking at myself as part of the problem. I'm not in politics, but just by being a parent and a taxpayer I'm involved in this war. Unless I do something I'll end up as a casualty.
The Left has the advantage in this battle. They appeal to the basest instincts we have. If I want to be a lazy bum, not work too hard, not worry about excellence, not care what happens to my kids, not try to do anything to secure a future... the Democrats will provide what I want. Or, at least they will tell me that I'm a victim and they will say they will help.
In order to be a good conservative I need to work hard, try to be honest and upright in my dealings, be a good father to my children, love my wife, overcome adversity and perhaps receive no credit for any of this. If I try to stick my neck out and get involved in politics, the higher I rise, the greater the danger. The Left has proven to me that I need have NOTHING in my past that I could be embarrassed about, but they will still attack and defame and destroy me. They know that we're in a war and they take no prisioners.
More later...
We are in the final stages of the Culture Wars. (I should note that I am heavily influenced by Generations and The Fourth Turning by Strauss and Howe.) Politically the Liberal/Leftist culture has the upper hand. Socially, they seem to, but I doubt that it's that clear. Victor Hanson says that there will be a conservative revolt if the Democrats continue as they have, but without some serious thought and some serious candidates, the revolt will be shallow. The 1994 Republican takeover of Congress turned out to be shallow. We need to do better.
I'm looking at myself as part of the problem. I'm not in politics, but just by being a parent and a taxpayer I'm involved in this war. Unless I do something I'll end up as a casualty.
The Left has the advantage in this battle. They appeal to the basest instincts we have. If I want to be a lazy bum, not work too hard, not worry about excellence, not care what happens to my kids, not try to do anything to secure a future... the Democrats will provide what I want. Or, at least they will tell me that I'm a victim and they will say they will help.
In order to be a good conservative I need to work hard, try to be honest and upright in my dealings, be a good father to my children, love my wife, overcome adversity and perhaps receive no credit for any of this. If I try to stick my neck out and get involved in politics, the higher I rise, the greater the danger. The Left has proven to me that I need have NOTHING in my past that I could be embarrassed about, but they will still attack and defame and destroy me. They know that we're in a war and they take no prisioners.
More later...
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