Laying On My Stomach, Staring At Jesus

By in Parenting, Religion, Spirituality Tags: , ,

 

We all have many wonderful memories of our childhood.

For me, there was nothing like Christmas.

I remember our nativity scene. I remember laying on my stomach and playing with the wise men and animals and staring into the eyes of the baby Jesus. I could have been as young as two or three when I started my annual nativity scene fascination.

There was the man holding a black bowl. I think it was for the incense. I remember putting my thumb in the bowl. It felt smooth. About ten years ago I bought those same figurines. I found them on eBay. They were made in Italy.

The set didn’t include the stable so I went to my Dad’s and made one out of some old grape crates from when he used to make wine.

While I was cutting the wood, I remembered a class I had in seminary. In ancient Palestine, the stable was always connected to the house. Joseph and Mary went to someone’s house to bring Jesus into the world.

I also remember reading that the first nativity scene, or crèche as it’s called around the world, was staged first by Saint Francis of Assisi in the 13th century.

I made our crèche a two-room nativity scene. I got some mud a smeared it all over the walls. The kids and I gathered wood and pine needles from a camping trip; that’s what we put on the floor every Christmas.

I still stare into the eyes of the baby Jesus every year.

I’m 52 years old. I was just laying on my stomach staring into the eyes of the baby Jesus.

There is still something magic about Christmas.

 

 

Arrows From Left And Right: Day 35 In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics, Uncategorized Tags: ,

 

One minute, “You are a f***ing liberal piece of “s**t pretending to be a Republican get a f***ing life!

Then the next, “How sick you to be in the dRump racist party that promotes pedophiles and wants to rob from the poor?”

Just over a month ago, I launched my campaign for U.S. Congress. I knew what I was signing up for. Speaking my mind isn’t new to me. Neither is criticism.

But I get attacked from those on the far left and those on the far right.

Of the 8 Democrats running in this race, I’m certain they don’t get castigated by fellow Democrats for being Democrats.

And Dana Rohrabacher, my Republican opponent, isn’t being chided by Republicans for being a Republican. In fact, despite mounting investigations against him for his ties to Russia — the OC establishment Republicans are 100% behind him.

So the 8 Democrats in this race (yes EIGHT) aren’t getting attacked for being Democrats. And Dana Rohrabacher isn’t being attacked by Republicans for being the Republican that he is.

So what’s the difference with me? Why do many on both sides find trouble with my candidacy?

I am a centrist.

In no particular order…

  • I believe people have far more in common than what politicians tell you. We all want to be safe, have decent jobs, be left alone, have the ve opportunity for us and our loved ones to have security.
  • I am a free thinker.
  • I don’t tow the party line unless it aligns with my convictions.
  • I don’t let any person or group tell me exactly what I need to believe, not even those in my own party.
  • I carefully analyze the issues, independent of pressures from either side.
  • I don’t subscribe to conservative or liberal news channels to tell me what to think.
  • I am a philosopher and am guided more by political philosophy than I am trending political events of the day.
  • My loyalty, above party, is to what is true and prudent and best and good, even if the idea comes from the other side.
  • I don’t consider it disloyal to speak up to those in my own tribe.
  • I believe good leaders have the courage to speak up for truth, no matter the cost to their political careers.
  • My heroes, going all the way back to the Socrates and the Christian scriptures, were willing to stand for what they believed right, regardless of the pressures, regardless of cost.

Here’s one current example of just how depraved party loyalty is making our country. Democrat leaders are calling for Senator Al Franken to resign for allegations of his sexual misconduct. Earlier this week, John Conyers, the longest-serving member in the U.S. House retired for allegations of sexual misconduct, after Democrats called for his resignation. At the very same time, Republicans, including our President, are increasing their endorsement for Roy Moore for Senate, who, like Franken and Conyers, has many allegations of sexual misconduct. In this case, with minor children.

Democrats are calling for their leaders to resign, while are Republicans calling for their leader to stay in.

Here’s another way of putting it. We are supposed to believe the women who accused Bill Clinton, Al Franken, John Conyers, Harvey Weinstein, Louis CK, Matt Lauer, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Piven, Brett Ratner BUT NOT THE ACCUSERS OF Roy Moore and Donald Trump.

I’m not afraid to call that hypocrisy. Nonsensical. Groupthink.

I refuse to parrot the groupthink of my own party.

As a Republican, since I think the Democrats should resign for their abuse, so I think the Republicans should for theirs.

I feel the same about Russia’s interference in our election, and the investigation. I want to get at the truth. If Trump is cleared, great. If he’s found guilty of obstruction or collusion, great.

And I’m not afraid to tell the Democrats that virtually every offer they make to better our nation is one that will result in the expansion of the federal government, increased bureaucracy, and higher taxes ffor everyone. They want to make government bigger, and we would be the ones to filp the bill,.

What matters is truth.

My mother, who never shied away from inserting a saying at the apt time, was right: Birds of the same feather, flock together.

I think the saying works okay for pigeons and penguins; I don’t think it’s working really well for Republicans and Democrats.

Birds of a different feather, sometimes, need to flock together.

We need more people to think for themselves, to become centrists.

I’m that kind of candidate — a centrist, and the only one in this race.

If you support this kind of vision, please click here to endorse, pledge, learn more! 

Islam: Bush Versus Trump.

By in Politics, Religion Tags: ,

 

Today President Trump retweeted videos posted by Jayda Fransen, leader of conspiracy theory far-right group Britain First. Even Trump sympathizers, including Piers Morgan, didn’t waste a minute in responding

Prime Minister of Britain, Theresa May, then came out and condemned Trump’s actions:

“British people overwhelmingly reject the prejudice of the far-right, which it is the antithesis of the values that this country represents: decency tolerance and respect. It is wrong for the President to have done this.”

Contrast Trump’s continued xenophobic and racist attack against Muslims with the leadership of President George W. Bush, just days after September 11, 2001.

Bush knew the difference between crazy extremists who we need to be destroyed, versus Muslims, such as the over 5,000 that serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

___________________________________

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary


September 17, 2001

“Islam is Peace,” Says President

Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

3:12 P.M. EDT

 

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you all very much for your hospitality.  We’ve just had a — wide-ranging discussions on the matter at hand.  Like the good folks standing with me, the American people were appalled and outraged at last Tuesday’s attacks.  And so were Muslims all across the world.  Both Americans and Muslim friends and citizens, tax-paying citizens, and Muslims in nations were just appalled and could not believe what we saw on our TV screens.

These acts of violence against innocents violate the fundamental tenets of the Islamic faith.  And it’s important for my fellow Americans to understand that.

The English translation is not as eloquent as the original Arabic, but let me quote from the Koran, itself:  In the long run, evil in the extreme will be the end of those who do evil.  For that they rejected the signs of Allah and held them up to ridicule.

The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam.  That’s not what Islam is all about.  Islam is peace.  These terrorists don’t represent peace.  They represent evil and war.

When we think of Islam we think of a faith that brings comfort to a billion people around the world.  Billions of people find comfort and solace and peace.  And that’s made brothers and sisters out of every race — out of every race.

America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country.  Muslims are doctors, lawyers, law professors, members of the military, entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, moms and dads.  And they need to be treated with respect.  In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.

Women who cover their heads in this country must feel comfortable going outside their homes.  Moms who wear cover must be not intimidated in America.  That’s not the America I know.  That’s not the America I value.

I’ve been told that some fear to leave; some don’t want to go shopping for their families; some don’t want to go about their ordinary daily routines because, by wearing cover, they’re afraid they’ll be intimidated. That should not and that will not stand in America.

Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don’t represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior.

This is a great country.  It’s a great country because we share the same values of respect and dignity and human worth.  And it is my honor to be meeting with leaders who feel just the same way I do.  They’re outraged, they’re sad.  They love America just as much as I do.

I want to thank you all for giving me a chance to come by.  And may God bless us all.

END

3:19 P.M. EDT

 

___________________________________

What a difference.

 

Our Lungs Work. Our Hearts Work. Our Minds Work.

By in Parenting, Relationships, Spirituality, Teenagers Tags: , , ,

I took my morning run today at 5:30. I was tired. It was cold. On this particular morning, I thought true thoughts.

I thought of my two legs — I have two legs. I thought of my children — I have children. I thought of their health — they have health. I thought of my wife — one of the most decent people I’ve ever known. I thought of my warm home —I  have a warm home. I thought of my incredible friends — I have incredible friends.

I thought of my mother and father and three sisters — I have a mother and father and three sisters. I thought of my three brothers in law — I have three brothers in law. All good men.

I thought of my faith — I’m grateful for my faith. I thought of my car — I have a car. The A/C works. The brakes work. So does the radio and the and the generator and the battery and the alternator and the rear window defroster. It gets great gas mileage.

I thought of my ten fingers and ten toes — I have ten fingers and ten toes. I looked down and thought of my New Balance 993′s—I have New Balance 993′s. Two pairs, in fact, one gray, one black.

I thought of my books — I cherish my books. I thought of my trials — trials turn to gold. I thought of my freedom — I am nobody’s slave. I thought of those living under oppression — I am not oppressed. I thought of my education — I am grateful for opportunities to learn and grow.

As long as I have breath, I will always learn and grow.

I panted in the cold air as I ascended a daunting hill. There are many hills in this life. I thought of my will and my strength and my faith to get over hills.

The sun broke through these dark clouds and I saw radiant beams of sun. Then I thought of my eyesight —  I can see.

I had no pain in my body. No pain in my body. I had no pain in my body.

I thought of my family again — they are healthy and funny and grounded and happy. I thought about later posting a picture we took a while ago.

Our lungs work. Our hearts work. Our minds work.

I am loved. I am accepted. I contribute to the wellbeing of others. My friends mean the world to me. And they care for me. My family means the world to me. And they care for me.

Life is full of good things and difficult things. But every time we focus on the good things, we become grateful.

It’s kind of like that thing Lincon said, “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

 

(this post was adapted from a previous post that you can see here)

It Is My Moral Duty: Day XX In The Life Of This Candidate For United States Congress.

By in Politics, Religion Tags: ,

This is a sad and pathetic story. I don’t like writing about this stuff. But I must.

Roy Moore, running for Senator as an Alabama Republican, now has 5 women who have accused him of sexual abuse.

Over the past week, virtually every major Republican voice has called on Moore to step down. Yesterday, Sean Hannity of FOX News said, “You must remove any doubt. If he can’t do this, then Judge Moore needs to get out of this race.”

One Republican leader has been mysteriously silent: President Trump.

The problem for Trump is the thorny logic. Moore has 5 credible female accusers. He calls them all liars. And yet, Moore is receiving increased pressure to step down. Donald Trump has 16 credible female accusers. He calls them all liars, too. But he seems to have no inclination to step down.

Why?

Trump once told reporters of his accusers, “All I can say is it’s totally fake news. It’s just fake. It’s fake. It’s made-up stuff, and it’s disgraceful, what happens, but that happens in the — that happens in the world of politics.”

The “pink elephant” in the room here is glaringly apparent and it begs a host of questions.

Why the double standard?

Are Moore’s accusers credible, and Trump’s not?

Do you get a pass when you are President? (Well, no — Bill Clinton didn’t.)

On what moral basis can Sean Hannity offer Moore such an ultimatum, but not ask one of Trump?

Are Trump’s accusers, by virtue of the fact that Trump is President, less believable?

And if Trump joins the chorus of influential GOP leaders calling on Roy Moore to step aside, how will he and his supporters defend calling his 16 accusers “liars?”

Some Republicans get mad at me for “speaking against your own party.” But right is right. Wrong is wrong. I’m no typical political yes-man.

Perhaps it’s political suicide for me to bring stuff like this up, but I’m a candidate who will always speak from my heart, and tell the truth, even if it “hurts” me politically.

It’s my moral duty as a husband, father, brother, friend, and candidate for the United States House of Representatives to defend the defenseless — in this case, women.

We can do better. Please visit my campaign page by clicking HERE and supporting a new kind of Republican!

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