I snapped this picture this morning before my morning commute.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Archive for the ‘Rant’ Category
When a power hungry politician enters office on the cloud of popular reform and “change”, begins to sway political thought, influence media, erode freedoms, tie up liberties, suppress any opposition, expand bureaucracy, and generally corral populations towards “one-size-fits-all” solutions, then the world is in trouble whether we are speaking about today or the past.
75 years ago that same thing happened in Germany and gained huge momentum on this date in the form of “Kristallnacht” or “Night of Broken Glass”. You see, Hitler had risen to power and assumed grip upon German political infrastructure. One of his tactics for the many hurts of Germany (economy in depression, humiliation from WWI defeat) was to seek out scapegoats. While there were many — gypsies, handicapped, non-Aryans — his favorite and most successful were the Jewish people. And on this night in Germany and Austria 75 years ago, he was able to kick start an engine of evil that decimated Jews for years to come. I’ll end my history lesson here and instead point you to a much better penned blog post over at this blog — http://politicsandfinance.blogspot.com/2013/11/kristallnacht-tutorial-for-jews-and.html
The lesson is:
- History repeats itself
- We MUST remain vigilant
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
I love the quote below. So often in this life along our path we allow detractors, naysayers, pessimists, know-it-alls, clowns, asshats, buffoons, wannabes, posers, haters, and so many other low lifes that live life in the cheap seats to sabotage, deflate, demoralize, demotivate, dismiss and diminish our idea, ambition, fortitude, momentum or dream by throwing cheap barbs, insults, opinions and sarcastic comments at us. Well, for me it stops right now. Hopefully, I was not one of the contributors of that negativity, but if I was, it stops now. And for those I allowed to negatively influence me, your influence stops now.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.” — Teddy Roosevelt – excerpt from “Citizenship in a Republic” on April 23, 1910
So in summary, if you ain’t in the arena with me getting your butt kicked, I ain’t open to your feedback.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
40 years ago today, our country was at a crossroads. We chose evil when the Supreme Court legalized the murder of innocent, unborn babies. It is not a reason to celebrate.
This morning I broke with my normal Friday routine, and instead joined other prayer warriors in front of the infantacide factory downtown. There was definitely spiritual warfare going on — many cold hearts matched by the frigid temperature of 15F. However, “with God, all things are possible”. I hope that just as Noah after 40 days of rain found hope, just as the Israelites after 40 years of wandering found the promised land, just as Jesus after 40 days of temptation found relief, that we as a nation after 40 years of over 50 MILLION dead will find innocent life as valued and protected.
This video is a very impactful illustration of the horror our country as endured in the name of “choice”…..which, interestingly, only leads to death.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
Yesterday was a relaxing and productive day with family. I had the day off work and needed to knock off a few items on my “honey do” list. But before that happened, the wife and I headed out early in the morning to get a few errands done before the heat of the day set in. Her truck needed gas and I needed to hit the home improvement store for a few things for my projects.
While we were in town we decided to hit Garden Ridge to replace an umbrella that was taken out in a storm this last Sunday. We were appreciative for the rain but the numerous lightning strikes and 60+ mph winds were unwelcome. Luckily, the only damage was the lone pool deck umbrella that levitated like Mary Poppins and slammed into the ground disabling any future shade generation.
Our Garden Ridge visit was very quick. With our budget and envelope system intact, we have very little need and funds to lollygag and “browse” shop. Whether Lowes, Kroger or Garden Ridge, we have a list and we are disciplined to stick to it. In this case it was a single umbrella on the list so we homed in on that section. However, as we made our way to that part of the store, guess what we passed? —- “the Christmas display!!!!!”
WHAT?!?!?!? Christmas lights, trees and ornaments already out???? It is literally the 4th of July and you are getting Christmas displays ready? My wife LOVES Christmas and even said that it was not right. And what was really out of place??? — the cinnamon smelling pinecones as we walked out with our summer market umbrella. I even commented to my wife that the cinnamon smell did not fit on this day, the 4th of July (and I like the cinnamon smell).
So we proceeded to purchase our umbrella and focus on enjoying the beautiful summer day that was laid before us.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
It is imperative that all of us STOP the modern day Hitler equivalent — Joseph Kony!
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
The video below is exploding virally across the net. And for good reason — it aims to make a change that we can all agree upon — eradicating the cruel, evil and hideous violence of abducting innocent African children from their homes and using them, mutilating them, and destroying them as sex slaves or youth soldiers.
It is a hard video to watch. But we cannot just sit by the sidelines and turn the channel or go back to our lattes. As our world becomes more connected, we must shine the bright light of truth into the cold, dark places where evil hides and reveal it as what it is. If you are not yet moved let’s put it another way — if your own child was abducted and put through this tortuous ordeal, would you do anything other than everything in your power to stop it and pursue justice?
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” — Ephesians 5:11
Stop Joseph Kony in 2012!!!!!
— www.kony2012.com
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
These funnies might be funny if they weren’t so true. Hat tip to Dad.
I am really concerned about North Korea’s appointment of the “dear leader”, Kim Jung Ill’s youngest son to be the new leader of North Korea– a nuclear power!
After all, Kim Jung Un (pronounced Kim’s young-un?) had NO military experience whatsoever before daddy made him a four-star general in the military. This is a snot-nose twerp who has never accomplished anything in his life that would even come close to military leadership: he hasn’t even so much as led a cub scout troop, coached a sports team or commanded a military platoon… …So, setting that aside, next they make him the “beloved leader” of the country. Terrific!!!
Oh, crap! I’m sorry. I just remembered that we did the same thing here. We took a community organizer who has never worn a uniform and made him Commander-in-Chief; a guy who has never led anything more than an ACORN demonstration and made him the leader of this country. I’m sorry I brought this up, never mind.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
I have been a regular blood donor for over two decades — since 1990. It has always been something that I do that I know has a positive impact on others. I know the precious life giving power blood gives someone who needs it. And it such a simple, selfless act that really anybody can perform. You just need to be healthy and you need to be willing — that’s all.
Recently, I have even spent my donation time in prayer as I lay there, praying that God will use the blood cells to heal, nourish, and protect the recipient who receives my blood. As a believer in Christ, I believe my blood will have, not only the scientific and medical impact, that is desired, but the additional, more powerful spiritual impact that is life changing.
My wife’s ER and hospital trip yesterday was the first time I have personally benefited from our nation’s blood supply. And while I knew blood donations were a good thing, I am now an even stronger advocate because my family has benefited from the actions and sacrifice (time and the pain of a needle stick) of dedicated donors.
What I want to do is educate and encourage others out there to give blood on a very regular basis. The “bang for the buck” for the donor is huge. There aren’t too many other single acts that you can do where 30-45 minutes of your time and inconvenience can truly save someone else’s life.
If you aren’t currently giving blood, it is because you are A) – not healthy (or eligible) or B) – not willing. And while I cannot do anything to help you with A, I can definitely encourage and challenge you on B. We are all busy in our lives (one of the most common reasons for not donating). But put yourself or a loved one in the hospital and position as a recipient and it changes that perspective now, doesn’t it. I would hope you would MAKE the time to donate with that perspective in your head.
If you are afraid of needles or the pain (another common reason people don’t donate), again, put yourself or a loved one in the hospital and in the position as a recipient. The small, minor inconvenience of a needle stick sure looks pretty wimpy when you project it against a child cancer patient, an anemic pregnant mother, or a traffic accident victim. I know you might be afraid — I was when I first started giving blood. My only fear was of needles. And I forced myself to get over that (unreasonable) fear by donating blood. Again and again. While I don’t cherish the physical process of drawing blood, I do cherish the opportunity to save someone’s life.
If you are unwilling because it is your own body and your own blood and you are reluctant to share, then I have nothing for you. This world is much greater than yourself and until you begin to see that, nothing I say can help and I will not waste my time. Blood donations are the least of your worries. Continue on living in your bubble island.
So, get out there, call your local donation center, set up an appointment, and go give of yourself so that your action can have a huge, positive impact on our community and world.
For those of you that already give blood donations routinely, THANK YOU!!!!! You had a positive impact on my wife yesterday, because that could have been your blood she received.
This has been a public service announcement.
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
As with most government legislation, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) will not stop online piracy but instead restrict the liberties of law abiding individuals.
Think of it as “gun control for the internet”. Gun control has been proven to be ineffective — SOPA would be no different.
So in protest of this asinine legislative attempt to control and subvert, I am blocking out my text (other sites are going black) in an effort to show what could potentially be impacted by this nanny state rule.
Take action here!
…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net
