"where sin lasts beyond the end of time: Hell." [1]
[1] Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy. The Purgatorio, Notes, p. 497. Trans. John Ciardi. New York: New American Library, 2003.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
More Thoughts on Christmas Day -- December 25, 2012
What is Christmas?
Christmas is a belief that Jesus, son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary. He came to the world to shine light into the hearts and minds of all and to reflect back to each of us the evil within us by becoming the lamb that we tormented in life and tortured to death on a cross. If the ugliness in each of us can kill a sinless lamb, then there is no true justice on this earth for what true justice would permit us to exist so freely under such circumstance yet we continue to do so as we forgive ourselves again and again so much so that evilness has become neutral and acceptable as part of an ordinary life. If there had ever been a Christmas that has brought unconditional love to the forefront and peace to the hearts of people, that Christmas with the gift of fulfillment is not with us anymore.
The Christmas we have today is a belief that money is the solution and when it runs out, a government machine will simply print more of it. The government, Satan's puppet, has become "God" and all of its promises are curses of emptiness. Emptiness gives rise to endless cravings and cravings are what many, many people have in their hearts and minds today. Francis of Assisi is the only person whom I am aware of who truly put into practice Christ's lesson: to give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and give to God what belongs to God, and rejected Satan fully. To me, he is the true saint. He gave us the Nativity scene which is being rejected time and again by the power of Satan's government.
Therefore, the present, a time that is dominated by secularism, Christmas is merely a holiday without God, without Christ and the all-loving and beloved Virgin Mary. Nonetheless, on this Christmas Day, I would like to end my thoughts with a personal prayer: Dear Lord, as I take my every step with time toward my grave, please do not ever leave me, stay with me always, and continually guide me back onto the path toward You each time I stray.
Christmas is a belief that Jesus, son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary. He came to the world to shine light into the hearts and minds of all and to reflect back to each of us the evil within us by becoming the lamb that we tormented in life and tortured to death on a cross. If the ugliness in each of us can kill a sinless lamb, then there is no true justice on this earth for what true justice would permit us to exist so freely under such circumstance yet we continue to do so as we forgive ourselves again and again so much so that evilness has become neutral and acceptable as part of an ordinary life. If there had ever been a Christmas that has brought unconditional love to the forefront and peace to the hearts of people, that Christmas with the gift of fulfillment is not with us anymore.
The Christmas we have today is a belief that money is the solution and when it runs out, a government machine will simply print more of it. The government, Satan's puppet, has become "God" and all of its promises are curses of emptiness. Emptiness gives rise to endless cravings and cravings are what many, many people have in their hearts and minds today. Francis of Assisi is the only person whom I am aware of who truly put into practice Christ's lesson: to give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar and give to God what belongs to God, and rejected Satan fully. To me, he is the true saint. He gave us the Nativity scene which is being rejected time and again by the power of Satan's government.
Therefore, the present, a time that is dominated by secularism, Christmas is merely a holiday without God, without Christ and the all-loving and beloved Virgin Mary. Nonetheless, on this Christmas Day, I would like to end my thoughts with a personal prayer: Dear Lord, as I take my every step with time toward my grave, please do not ever leave me, stay with me always, and continually guide me back onto the path toward You each time I stray.
Thoughts on Christmas Day - December 25, 2012
Wherever there is God, Satan is not far away. Both can be present within us. We become the ugliest when we think that we are on God's side when in fact we are playing into the hands of the disguised Satan and when we do, we are not its victim but its master for only when we allow Satan to control us will we be controlled by evil.
To see Satan is to see the truth and the truth is hard to accept for who is willing to accept the regretful but very real fact that he/she is truly evil by masking envy in empathy, by injecting theft into trust or by killing kindness with fraud and betrayal?
To see Satan is to see the truth and the truth is hard to accept for who is willing to accept the regretful but very real fact that he/she is truly evil by masking envy in empathy, by injecting theft into trust or by killing kindness with fraud and betrayal?
Monday, November 19, 2012
Writings of Francis of Assisi On Money
"Let the brothers in no way receive, arrange to receive, seek, or arrange to seek money for leper colonies or coins for any house or place; and let them not accompany anyone begging money or coins for such places. However, the brothers can perform for those places other services not contrary to our life with the blessing of God. Nevertheless, the brothers can beg for alms for a manifest need of the lepers. But let them beware of money. Similarly, let all the brothers be careful of going throughout the world for filthy gain." [1]
[1] Armstrong, Regis J. O.F.M. Cap. et.al. Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume I, The Saint. Page 70. New York: New York City Press, 2000.
[1] Armstrong, Regis J. O.F.M. Cap. et.al. Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, Volume I, The Saint. Page 70. New York: New York City Press, 2000.
Noisy Thoughts & Empty Words
It has been over five months since I was here. Having spent some time with my elderly father who could be the mirror of my future, I seemed to have lost my way, troubled by the reality of an aged life when words no longer seem to matter, when the body awakens to awkward mobility and the mind to forgetfulness. So what is the point in putting down thoughts when they ultimately represent nothing but the compulsion of the still-capable intellect to act even though its product is as empty as the unclaimed cyberspace?
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thoughts On God, Sunday, June 10, 2012 - Poverty Of A Contemplative
Yesterday I happened upon a documentary on a Benedictine Abbey in Tulsa, OK, Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey [1], on EWTN, as I did a some time ago a documentary on another Benedictine Abbey in Berry, France, Fontgombault Abbey, also on EWTN [2]. As it turned out, Clear Creek Abbey was founded in 1999 by Notre-Dame de Fontgombault.
The 1,200 acre property was purchased in 1999 by Abbot Forgeot [1]. "Clear Creek runs through the property which gives it its name." [3] The property, the farm animals, the buildings and all that go into them together with utilities cost money and if I remember correctly over $10 million, but the range could be as high as $25 million based on the 2008 Excellence In Construction Award given to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma of Manhattan Construction [4].
From what I remember, Benedictines do take the vow of poverty but owning property and adding to it improvements in excess of $10 million is not exactly poverty by any stretch of the imagination. But then it was explained by a Benedictine monk at Clear Creek that the Benedictine philosophy is to own as much as possible and offer it to God while none of the monks at the monastery individually owns anything. And thus, I suppose, sufficiently satisfies the vow of poverty.
Of course, one can argue whichever way one chooses and find agreement or fault with that kind of reasoning. I happen to be in total agreement. If the contemplatives' sole purpose in life is to pray to and be in communion with God, they ought to have what God provides to them in return, abundance and serenity.
[1] http://www.clearcreekmonks.org/index.html
[2] Confession: I watch a lot of EWTN on TV in bed because it relaxes me and puts me to sleep, but I never know what's on and when. I just turn it on, like taking an Advil, when I need it. Neither of these programs, however, put me to sleep. I was captivated by the life of these Benedictine comtemplatives -- I had, after all, contemplated in joining a monastery, perhaps because of my nature, a thinker, but not because I went to a high school run by Benedictine monks since I saw so much politics and knew a few monks that I thought were not all that holy although a majority of them I thought were extraordinary and I learned many life lessons from them. The Benedictine monks at my high school were not contemplatives -- they work, they teach and they pray too, but not as often as do the comtemplatives. I did not know about contemplatives. I would have been drawn to it. I still am in a way but I am too old now, I think, to become one -- maybe not. We'll see.
[3] http://pryordailytimes.com/local/x1750829472/Christmas-at-Clear-Creek-Abbey
[4] http://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction/recognition/2008-2
The 1,200 acre property was purchased in 1999 by Abbot Forgeot [1]. "Clear Creek runs through the property which gives it its name." [3] The property, the farm animals, the buildings and all that go into them together with utilities cost money and if I remember correctly over $10 million, but the range could be as high as $25 million based on the 2008 Excellence In Construction Award given to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma of Manhattan Construction [4].
From what I remember, Benedictines do take the vow of poverty but owning property and adding to it improvements in excess of $10 million is not exactly poverty by any stretch of the imagination. But then it was explained by a Benedictine monk at Clear Creek that the Benedictine philosophy is to own as much as possible and offer it to God while none of the monks at the monastery individually owns anything. And thus, I suppose, sufficiently satisfies the vow of poverty.
Of course, one can argue whichever way one chooses and find agreement or fault with that kind of reasoning. I happen to be in total agreement. If the contemplatives' sole purpose in life is to pray to and be in communion with God, they ought to have what God provides to them in return, abundance and serenity.
[1] http://www.clearcreekmonks.org/index.html
[2] Confession: I watch a lot of EWTN on TV in bed because it relaxes me and puts me to sleep, but I never know what's on and when. I just turn it on, like taking an Advil, when I need it. Neither of these programs, however, put me to sleep. I was captivated by the life of these Benedictine comtemplatives -- I had, after all, contemplated in joining a monastery, perhaps because of my nature, a thinker, but not because I went to a high school run by Benedictine monks since I saw so much politics and knew a few monks that I thought were not all that holy although a majority of them I thought were extraordinary and I learned many life lessons from them. The Benedictine monks at my high school were not contemplatives -- they work, they teach and they pray too, but not as often as do the comtemplatives. I did not know about contemplatives. I would have been drawn to it. I still am in a way but I am too old now, I think, to become one -- maybe not. We'll see.
[3] http://pryordailytimes.com/local/x1750829472/Christmas-at-Clear-Creek-Abbey
[4] http://www.manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction/recognition/2008-2
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Thoughts On God, Sunday, May 27, 2012
The crucifixion date for Jesus is now determined to be April 3, 33. [1] But 1,979 years later, the Vatican is rife with intrigue, from power struggles and political backstabbing to financial mismanagement and corruption as well as the age-old question of whether or not the butler did it. [2] Paolo Gabriele, the Pope's butler, was charged with illegal possession of documents and arrested by the Vatican and placed in a cell within the Vatican. Was he the culprit or was he simply doing his duty, following orders to protect the Pope and the Catholic Church? If the butler turns out to be a pawn in the staging of evidence possibly by the Opus Dei which also happens to be the entity in charge of the investigations against a sinister player in this developing saga, then was he cooperating with Opus Dei in order to do God's work (pardon the pun)? If that is the case, who might this sinister character be? It seems that for now, all fingers are pointing to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Who is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone? He is Pope Benedict XVI's Secretary of State. Based on an article published by the Catholic Exchange on February 3, 2012, Cardinal Bertone seems to be an attention-hoarding, power-hungry Cardinal who acted as if he were the Pope. [3] Perhaps he is pro-Italy and in his mind it is time to return the control of the Vatican to the Italians, especially when Italy wants a share of the money the Catholic Church is pulling in to support the debt-ridden Italian government. In order to do so, Cardinal Bertone wanted more "confidentiality" rather than what the Pope wants which is transparency in the Vatican's financial operations. [4]
So where is God in all of this? I'm really not sure. You can "tweet" Pope Benedict XVI @Pope_Benedict. Maybe he has an answer. [5]
[1] http://news.discovery.com/history/jesus-crucifixion-120524.html
[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/26/popes-butler-charged-leaked-letters
[3] http://catholicexchange.com/vatican-watch-cardinal-bertones-overreach/
[4] http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gWr-mfVtHJn9yNC5SdrRDVvw9x0A?docId=99326afe325b40028903beb8e4227ce8
[5] Follow-up: Pope Benedict XVI's sermon on this Pentecost Sunday at St. Peter's Basilica answers this question with circumlocutional eloquence: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=591415
Who is Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone? He is Pope Benedict XVI's Secretary of State. Based on an article published by the Catholic Exchange on February 3, 2012, Cardinal Bertone seems to be an attention-hoarding, power-hungry Cardinal who acted as if he were the Pope. [3] Perhaps he is pro-Italy and in his mind it is time to return the control of the Vatican to the Italians, especially when Italy wants a share of the money the Catholic Church is pulling in to support the debt-ridden Italian government. In order to do so, Cardinal Bertone wanted more "confidentiality" rather than what the Pope wants which is transparency in the Vatican's financial operations. [4]
So where is God in all of this? I'm really not sure. You can "tweet" Pope Benedict XVI @Pope_Benedict. Maybe he has an answer. [5]
[1] http://news.discovery.com/history/jesus-crucifixion-120524.html
[2] http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/26/popes-butler-charged-leaked-letters
[3] http://catholicexchange.com/vatican-watch-cardinal-bertones-overreach/
[4] http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gWr-mfVtHJn9yNC5SdrRDVvw9x0A?docId=99326afe325b40028903beb8e4227ce8
[5] Follow-up: Pope Benedict XVI's sermon on this Pentecost Sunday at St. Peter's Basilica answers this question with circumlocutional eloquence: http://www.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=591415
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Thoughts On God, Saturday Vigil, May 19, 2012
It is not enough to be thankful for one's blessings; one needs to love God.
How? It's different for each person and everyone knows how deep down. It's natural to love.
How? It's different for each person and everyone knows how deep down. It's natural to love.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Thoughts On Mother Of God & Mom, Sunday, May 13, 2012
Reflections on Mother’s Day
I have my mom. I love her dearly because she is my mom, a mom whom I pray for and try to protect. I have another mother whom I also love because she is the Mother of God, a mother whom I pray to and ask for protection. I am incomplete without either and am grateful for both.
My mom is human and she has her failings and it is because of her failings that I have learned forgiveness. Mary, Mother of God, was human but I doubt she had many faults and even if she had them, the few she had been sanctified by her constant prayers and intercessions for those who go to her for help and for those who have failed to acknowledge her. The love of Mary is immense and I suppose humanly incomprehensible in many instances. It is because of the breadth of Mary’s love that I am able to reach for her forgiveness despite my continuous failings.
As a young child, I had daydreams about a mother’s love. Without really understanding it or perhaps not being able to obtain it when I needed it, I was only able to feel that love vicariously, by equating my love for my mom to my mom's love for me. That love in my fantasy world was inseparable from my very being and in its absence I was completely lost and in tears. I did not know Mary then, not in the way I know Mary now. I knew her to be the Mother of God but considered her to be a peripheral figure in my nascent self-formed beliefs in God, Satan, angels, demons, Heaven and Hell. Mary was not there when I was the boy who was seemingly lost, alone and distraught.
When such episodes vanish, I had my mom to go to and gone were my tears to be replaced by my mom’s presence and my contentedness to be by her side. No wonder Mary did not see a need to reveal herself and assert her constant love as if I were not being loved at all.
As I grew up, the boy in me did not. I still needed a lot of love, forgiveness and support but was too grown-up to rely on my mom for all of that. I needed a perfect mother to whom I could be fully truthful and bare my all and who would understand and love me unconditionally. It took time, but I found this love and my complete trust in Mary, Mother of God.
She came to me gently in the beginning because I did not know her. I felt that because she was my other mother, she was weak and that I needed to protect her. She proved me wrong and found the perfect chance to do so. I was moving from LA to SF one summer, loaded up my trunk and drove up Highway 5 when the passenger rear blew out in the middle of nowhere after a couple of hours of speeding. I was trying to loosen the lug nuts and could not. I did not know what to do (this was before cell phones were common). I said some Hail Marys but that did not work fast enough for me, so I thought that it was stupid to pray to Mary since she was a woman and she would be too weak to help me loosen them. Because I was not strong enough to do it myself, I prayed to Mary again and all of a sudden the first lug nut came loose, the rest of them then came off quickly. Perhaps it was pure physics, that time had passed and the wheel had just enough time to cool off for the lug nuts to come loose. Perhaps it was that, but I deliberately felt the heat on the metal and the nuts and all of them were still quite hot to the touch. Somehow I knew it was Mary who wanted to prove me wrong. This was the first time in my life I had felt Mary's presence. I am now convinced that Mary is strong, far stronger than I am, or any human for that matter.
From that time forward, Mary has been someone I go to, in happy times and in desperate, to share with her every aspect of my life that I am not prepared to share with my mom, for I do not wish to burden her with my internal struggles and unhappiness.
On this Mother’s Day, I am content that I have both my moms.
I have my mom. I love her dearly because she is my mom, a mom whom I pray for and try to protect. I have another mother whom I also love because she is the Mother of God, a mother whom I pray to and ask for protection. I am incomplete without either and am grateful for both.
My mom is human and she has her failings and it is because of her failings that I have learned forgiveness. Mary, Mother of God, was human but I doubt she had many faults and even if she had them, the few she had been sanctified by her constant prayers and intercessions for those who go to her for help and for those who have failed to acknowledge her. The love of Mary is immense and I suppose humanly incomprehensible in many instances. It is because of the breadth of Mary’s love that I am able to reach for her forgiveness despite my continuous failings.
As a young child, I had daydreams about a mother’s love. Without really understanding it or perhaps not being able to obtain it when I needed it, I was only able to feel that love vicariously, by equating my love for my mom to my mom's love for me. That love in my fantasy world was inseparable from my very being and in its absence I was completely lost and in tears. I did not know Mary then, not in the way I know Mary now. I knew her to be the Mother of God but considered her to be a peripheral figure in my nascent self-formed beliefs in God, Satan, angels, demons, Heaven and Hell. Mary was not there when I was the boy who was seemingly lost, alone and distraught.
When such episodes vanish, I had my mom to go to and gone were my tears to be replaced by my mom’s presence and my contentedness to be by her side. No wonder Mary did not see a need to reveal herself and assert her constant love as if I were not being loved at all.
As I grew up, the boy in me did not. I still needed a lot of love, forgiveness and support but was too grown-up to rely on my mom for all of that. I needed a perfect mother to whom I could be fully truthful and bare my all and who would understand and love me unconditionally. It took time, but I found this love and my complete trust in Mary, Mother of God.
She came to me gently in the beginning because I did not know her. I felt that because she was my other mother, she was weak and that I needed to protect her. She proved me wrong and found the perfect chance to do so. I was moving from LA to SF one summer, loaded up my trunk and drove up Highway 5 when the passenger rear blew out in the middle of nowhere after a couple of hours of speeding. I was trying to loosen the lug nuts and could not. I did not know what to do (this was before cell phones were common). I said some Hail Marys but that did not work fast enough for me, so I thought that it was stupid to pray to Mary since she was a woman and she would be too weak to help me loosen them. Because I was not strong enough to do it myself, I prayed to Mary again and all of a sudden the first lug nut came loose, the rest of them then came off quickly. Perhaps it was pure physics, that time had passed and the wheel had just enough time to cool off for the lug nuts to come loose. Perhaps it was that, but I deliberately felt the heat on the metal and the nuts and all of them were still quite hot to the touch. Somehow I knew it was Mary who wanted to prove me wrong. This was the first time in my life I had felt Mary's presence. I am now convinced that Mary is strong, far stronger than I am, or any human for that matter.
From that time forward, Mary has been someone I go to, in happy times and in desperate, to share with her every aspect of my life that I am not prepared to share with my mom, for I do not wish to burden her with my internal struggles and unhappiness.
On this Mother’s Day, I am content that I have both my moms.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Thoughts On God, Sunday, May 6, 2012
Dante Alighieri gave us a glimpse of how he was inspired to write:
In contrast, plenty of attention is paid to everything else aside from Love by today's media, as was probably in Dante's time as well. Love, which we all desire, is far down that list. It is almost undetectable and an embarrassment to verbalize and is equally as invisible as the miracle of our very existence. And love, which is God's nature and ours, us being God's creation, is as much a part of what is required to sustain life as life's most basic necessities.
Therefore, when love is being factored out or when it is being commoditized and monetized in every which way conceivable, we as a society are not well. A society that is sick and when its sickness is denied becomes sicker and sicker and its sustainability becomes more and more like God, hoped for but unattainable.
[1] Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy. The Purgatorio, Canto XXIV, p. 491. Trans. John Ciardi. New York: New American Library, 2003.
And I: "When Love inspires me with delightEven Dante took his cues from inspiration, and as talented as he was, he was unable to write on demand. Of all the things that could inspire him, Dante picked Love. It was Love, not power, fame, wealth, talent, beauty, possessions or the accomplishments of self or others that gave him his voice.
or pain, or longing, I take careful note,
and as he dictates in my soul, I write." [1]
In contrast, plenty of attention is paid to everything else aside from Love by today's media, as was probably in Dante's time as well. Love, which we all desire, is far down that list. It is almost undetectable and an embarrassment to verbalize and is equally as invisible as the miracle of our very existence. And love, which is God's nature and ours, us being God's creation, is as much a part of what is required to sustain life as life's most basic necessities.
Therefore, when love is being factored out or when it is being commoditized and monetized in every which way conceivable, we as a society are not well. A society that is sick and when its sickness is denied becomes sicker and sicker and its sustainability becomes more and more like God, hoped for but unattainable.
[1] Alighieri, Dante. The Divine Comedy. The Purgatorio, Canto XXIV, p. 491. Trans. John Ciardi. New York: New American Library, 2003.
Friday, May 4, 2012
3 a.m. Telephone Call
BEIJING, China. It was more or less 3am EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) in Washington D.C. on or about April 29, 2012, when the telephone in the White House started ringing. America's children were safe and asleep. [1] On the other end was a blind Chinese activist (now a dissident [2]) critical of China's one-child enforcement tactics with a telephone on or about the same day, more or less 3pm CST (China Standard Time), calling the President of the United States from the US
Embassy in Beijing. No one picked up the call.
Meanwhile, Hillary was busy with a trip to Beijing. After she arrived, she picked up the telephone and spoke to the blind man. [3] Was this the 3am telephone call coming true? [1] The boss in the White House is still silent. The US President does not know what to do or say but the blind dissident had plenty to say and lots of ideas what he could do. He even called Congress. [4] During that call, the blind dissident said he wanted to leave China, fly to the US with Hillary, and rest. He said he had not rested for 10 years [5] even though he had been under house arrest for quite some time.
The story is still developing. It seems that the blind dissident has been offered a chance to study at NYU as a visiting scholar but the university did not indicate how long he would be permitted to visit. [6] He has also indicated that he feared for his immediate family and those who helped him escape. It is possible that this blind self-taught lawyer might organize a large community to protest against China's human rights record, perhaps as large as a 1/4 billion people and ask President Obama and NYU to bring them all to the United States so that they could rest in front of their televisions watching Wall Street protesters work on their behalf, to have the US government give them their entitlements, in the same way that he had been given food, shelter and healthcare in China [7]. He might even run for President as an even bigger community organizer than the current President of the United States, but not right away because he does not have a US birth certificate yet.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yr7odFUARg
[2] Definition of dissident (only for the purpose of this post): a person who is being dissed behind closed doors in Beijing and in Washington D.C.
[3] "Clinton urged China to protect human rights but made no specific mention of Chen, whom she had spoken to on Wednesday after he left the embassy." See http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11514848-blind-activist-chen-guangcheng-i-want-to-leave-china-on-hillary-clintons-plane?lite
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD5BEYt9apY
[5] What do people do when they are under house arrest? Are they busy 24/7? They do not ever rest? Quite an exciting house arrest program China must have.
[6] http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/18145239/clinton-says-progress-made-in-resolving-chinese-dissident-dispute
[7] What exactly does this blind man do when he was under house arrest? How did he get to have a house in the first place and who provides him food, water, clothing and healthcare?
Meanwhile, Hillary was busy with a trip to Beijing. After she arrived, she picked up the telephone and spoke to the blind man. [3] Was this the 3am telephone call coming true? [1] The boss in the White House is still silent. The US President does not know what to do or say but the blind dissident had plenty to say and lots of ideas what he could do. He even called Congress. [4] During that call, the blind dissident said he wanted to leave China, fly to the US with Hillary, and rest. He said he had not rested for 10 years [5] even though he had been under house arrest for quite some time.
The story is still developing. It seems that the blind dissident has been offered a chance to study at NYU as a visiting scholar but the university did not indicate how long he would be permitted to visit. [6] He has also indicated that he feared for his immediate family and those who helped him escape. It is possible that this blind self-taught lawyer might organize a large community to protest against China's human rights record, perhaps as large as a 1/4 billion people and ask President Obama and NYU to bring them all to the United States so that they could rest in front of their televisions watching Wall Street protesters work on their behalf, to have the US government give them their entitlements, in the same way that he had been given food, shelter and healthcare in China [7]. He might even run for President as an even bigger community organizer than the current President of the United States, but not right away because he does not have a US birth certificate yet.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yr7odFUARg
[2] Definition of dissident (only for the purpose of this post): a person who is being dissed behind closed doors in Beijing and in Washington D.C.
[3] "Clinton urged China to protect human rights but made no specific mention of Chen, whom she had spoken to on Wednesday after he left the embassy." See http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11514848-blind-activist-chen-guangcheng-i-want-to-leave-china-on-hillary-clintons-plane?lite
[4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VD5BEYt9apY
[5] What do people do when they are under house arrest? Are they busy 24/7? They do not ever rest? Quite an exciting house arrest program China must have.
[6] http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/18145239/clinton-says-progress-made-in-resolving-chinese-dissident-dispute
[7] What exactly does this blind man do when he was under house arrest? How did he get to have a house in the first place and who provides him food, water, clothing and healthcare?
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thoughts On God, Saturday Vigil, April 28, 2012
A few days ago I went into the kitchen for water but instead of pouring myself some I picked up an orange on the counter. I looked at it, it was like most other oranges that have been available at the markets lately, thin-skinned, brightly colored, fragrant, sweet and juicy (no, it was not organic). I cut it up and ate every single slice and found it to be exceptional, probably because I do not usually eat an orange when I am thirsty and I was thirsty and the fruit was tender and sweet and juicy.
While I was still eating the orange, my desire to have my thirst quenched gave way to thoughts of gratitude, thinking how lucky I was to be able to have this orange, eat it, taste the deliciousness of its juicy bits and to have it satisfy my thirst. I was momentarily in a state of bliss.
The totality of this experience ought not to be taken for granted for every step of the way was a gift from God. First was my existence, then my move to the Bay Area with seasonal fruits grown locally in Mexico and unseasonal fruits grown in Chile. I was also given good health so that I was able to move about, to go from place to place, to come across this orange, to be able to pick it up, to be able to pay for it, to be able to eat it, taste it and enjoy it. I also thought about the orange, its shape, its color, how it can grow and hang from a green and leafy tree and the miracle of its existence for human consumption.
In our busy lives in this multi-faceted world, we not “stop to smell the roses,” we simply assume that everything we can do and all that we have are what we are entitled to without giving any of it any second thought or being thankful in the least. I do not think that is right.
Every moment is a moment that is forever gone from our lives and every moment that we are whole is a moment that we are being cared for and loved by a force greater than our own. Each of these moments is a miracle because without these continuous moment-to-moment miracles, life can be very, very difficult.
I have a compelling urge to digress here. I write this passage without a scintilla or conceit or condescension and if I have not been successful in doing so, please accept my sincere and humble apology. The whole time I am writing I am mindful of those less fortunate than me. I am one person and as much as I would like I cannot level the quantitative scale of equality for those whose world I share. Perhaps on the qualitative scale of equality, my life is not as sweet as the orange that I ate compared to another person who did not have the occasion to pick up that orange.
I suppose each of us can compare ourselves subjectively to those who appear to be more fortunate or less fortunate than us and become bitter or vain, but I do not think that is what God intends for us to do. I think God intends us each to see the miracle in every moment and be thankful for that one wonderful moment even in the midst of tribulation.
I always believe that none of us is given a cross that is heavier than what we are able to carry for if the burden turns into more than we can bear, we would perish immediately.
In the end, we all are on a journey, a journey to find our better selves and to perfect our spirit, whether we are in the White House, Bill Gate’s house or the poor house. One thing is certain, we all eventually end up in the dirt.
I love you all. God Bless.
While I was still eating the orange, my desire to have my thirst quenched gave way to thoughts of gratitude, thinking how lucky I was to be able to have this orange, eat it, taste the deliciousness of its juicy bits and to have it satisfy my thirst. I was momentarily in a state of bliss.
The totality of this experience ought not to be taken for granted for every step of the way was a gift from God. First was my existence, then my move to the Bay Area with seasonal fruits grown locally in Mexico and unseasonal fruits grown in Chile. I was also given good health so that I was able to move about, to go from place to place, to come across this orange, to be able to pick it up, to be able to pay for it, to be able to eat it, taste it and enjoy it. I also thought about the orange, its shape, its color, how it can grow and hang from a green and leafy tree and the miracle of its existence for human consumption.
In our busy lives in this multi-faceted world, we not “stop to smell the roses,” we simply assume that everything we can do and all that we have are what we are entitled to without giving any of it any second thought or being thankful in the least. I do not think that is right.
Every moment is a moment that is forever gone from our lives and every moment that we are whole is a moment that we are being cared for and loved by a force greater than our own. Each of these moments is a miracle because without these continuous moment-to-moment miracles, life can be very, very difficult.
I have a compelling urge to digress here. I write this passage without a scintilla or conceit or condescension and if I have not been successful in doing so, please accept my sincere and humble apology. The whole time I am writing I am mindful of those less fortunate than me. I am one person and as much as I would like I cannot level the quantitative scale of equality for those whose world I share. Perhaps on the qualitative scale of equality, my life is not as sweet as the orange that I ate compared to another person who did not have the occasion to pick up that orange.
I suppose each of us can compare ourselves subjectively to those who appear to be more fortunate or less fortunate than us and become bitter or vain, but I do not think that is what God intends for us to do. I think God intends us each to see the miracle in every moment and be thankful for that one wonderful moment even in the midst of tribulation.
I always believe that none of us is given a cross that is heavier than what we are able to carry for if the burden turns into more than we can bear, we would perish immediately.
In the end, we all are on a journey, a journey to find our better selves and to perfect our spirit, whether we are in the White House, Bill Gate’s house or the poor house. One thing is certain, we all eventually end up in the dirt.
I love you all. God Bless.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Tweets
This evening I was on a roll on Twitter and here are my Tweets:
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Will any electronic gadget in 2020 be as collectible as 1 of Van Gogh's original artwork, none of which was deemed valuable during his life?
5m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
How much more happiness will be gained & how will lives be more enriched with the next generation of smart phones, note pads and tv's?
14m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Isn't chasing after the newest technology a form of insatiable greed under the umbrella of Gluttony?
18m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Every company that supports, sells or otherwise distributes an electronic product must pay a recycling & an earth material replenishment fee
32m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Hypocrisy, the interminable termite of righteousness.
38m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Tech gadgets become obsolete quickly while they are not as quickly biodegraded but the same ppl who use them are demanding sustainability?
42m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Something's amiss when ppl spend more on the latest tech gadgets & serv providers than on the food from farmers & fishermen that feed them.
51m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Is it possible that technology is the main culprit contributing to the ever widening gap between wealth and poverty?
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's thought: The best gifts we can give are freedom, support, encouragement, forgiveness and love.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Als thot:The most valuable asset we own is our character, the biggest debt we owe is ourselves our truth & the best thing we can do is love.
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Will any electronic gadget in 2020 be as collectible as 1 of Van Gogh's original artwork, none of which was deemed valuable during his life?
5m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
How much more happiness will be gained & how will lives be more enriched with the next generation of smart phones, note pads and tv's?
14m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Isn't chasing after the newest technology a form of insatiable greed under the umbrella of Gluttony?
18m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Every company that supports, sells or otherwise distributes an electronic product must pay a recycling & an earth material replenishment fee
32m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Hypocrisy, the interminable termite of righteousness.
38m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Tech gadgets become obsolete quickly while they are not as quickly biodegraded but the same ppl who use them are demanding sustainability?
42m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Something's amiss when ppl spend more on the latest tech gadgets & serv providers than on the food from farmers & fishermen that feed them.
51m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Is it possible that technology is the main culprit contributing to the ever widening gap between wealth and poverty?
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's thought: The best gifts we can give are freedom, support, encouragement, forgiveness and love.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Als thot:The most valuable asset we own is our character, the biggest debt we owe is ourselves our truth & the best thing we can do is love.
Monday, April 23, 2012
No Thoughts On God, Sunday, April 22, 2012
None because I visited a friend in San Rafael and actually participated in the living of life, even if my participation in his was somewhat vicarious. This is the friend that I think is one of the best people I have met, an angel amongst us. Perhaps that is why I had not the need to think of God yesterday because I was with one of God's angels on earth. In hindsight, yesterday was a Sunday that God took a vacation away from me as opposed to the Sunday before when I took a vacation away from God.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
No Thoughts On God, Sunday, April 15, 2012
I was out and about, occupying my time with activities a normal person might do, like getting a haircut, taking a walk in the Golden Gate Park and grocery shopping. I did not sit in front of my laptop to say a prayer, with hopes that I might be inspired to write something interesting about God.
Sunday, April 15, 2012, is in past. I would not have the chance to go back, to re-live it, to think about God and to pray for an inspiration. Even as I was conscious of the time that was passing, even as I was feeling a degree of guilt that I had not forced myself to meditate on God, I continued to deny God my time, my thoughts, my concentration and as much as I would hate to admit it, my love on that day (most of that day). Yet on that day, like any other day and any moment of any day, He would be there for me to rely on if I needed help. I would perish if God were to shut me out had I called out to God and that all I would see is a wall of darkness. I would be devastated.
This hour, I hope to have made up for my defiance, for in this hour I have acknowledged the weakness in my will, the gap in my love and the need to take a vacation from God when it is God who has given me free will, the capacity to love and the grace to know and experience divinity in all its glory. And I wanted to take a vacation from that which is perfect?
Sunday, April 15, 2012, is in past. I would not have the chance to go back, to re-live it, to think about God and to pray for an inspiration. Even as I was conscious of the time that was passing, even as I was feeling a degree of guilt that I had not forced myself to meditate on God, I continued to deny God my time, my thoughts, my concentration and as much as I would hate to admit it, my love on that day (most of that day). Yet on that day, like any other day and any moment of any day, He would be there for me to rely on if I needed help. I would perish if God were to shut me out had I called out to God and that all I would see is a wall of darkness. I would be devastated.
This hour, I hope to have made up for my defiance, for in this hour I have acknowledged the weakness in my will, the gap in my love and the need to take a vacation from God when it is God who has given me free will, the capacity to love and the grace to know and experience divinity in all its glory. And I wanted to take a vacation from that which is perfect?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
More Thoughts On Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
Easter Sunday would have been a regular Sunday without the Resurrection of Christ but it is precisely the Resurrection of Christ that confirms Jesus as the Son of God. The Resurrection is, in my opinion, the last of three events that showed Jesus to exist both in the flesh and bones of man and in the realm of God. [1] The first was Jesus' birth. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary so even when He was a fetus, Jesus was part God and part man, and on the cross where He died, He had let out blood and water when His side was pierced by a sword. [2] Between His birth and His death, Jesus' entire human body was transformed during the Transfiguration. It was a momentary departure from the human form where Jesus assumed a divine appearance on earth before a few of his disciples. Whether the transfigured Jesus had both characteristics of human and God simultaneously is uncertain even though I have included in my count that The Transfiguration is the third time Jesus existed both in the flesh and bones of man and in the divine realm.
[1] I have omitted to include the opening of the heavens after the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and all the miracles (even one as amazing as the raising of Lazarus from his death) as events that showed Jesus was both man and the Son of God because in none of these events was there a direct nexus between the composition of Jesus' physical body and Jesus' divinity.
[2] I could have counted the flow of blood and water from Jesus' pierced side as a separate event with a direct nexus between the body of Christ and His divinity but I did not because I consider this union between man and God to be part of Jesus' body from birth.
[1] I have omitted to include the opening of the heavens after the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and all the miracles (even one as amazing as the raising of Lazarus from his death) as events that showed Jesus was both man and the Son of God because in none of these events was there a direct nexus between the composition of Jesus' physical body and Jesus' divinity.
[2] I could have counted the flow of blood and water from Jesus' pierced side as a separate event with a direct nexus between the body of Christ and His divinity but I did not because I consider this union between man and God to be part of Jesus' body from birth.
Thoughts On God - Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012
This is the third day on which Christ arose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.
While on earth, He led a group of twelve. He was their Savior, teacher, leader, peer, friend and brother. Had I been there as an observer, I would likely have noticed that the disciples were not in agreement with Christ at all times and that they retained their individual personalities. Even though they all were chosen by Christ, Thomas, for instance, remained a skeptic and John remained Christ's favorite since it was John to whom Christ entrusted His mother before He died on the cross. Despite the differences the disciples had among themselves, together they stayed until Judas Iscariot, the weakest of them succumbed to the power of Satan and left the group during The Last Supper.
They were a family just like any family bound together by a certain love but this love could be different from the love that shares common strands of DNA. [1] The first thing that came to mind was that it was an ideal love, a kind of love that is not exactly immediate or passionate and one that is easy to claim that he/she has it in him/her. However, on second thought, that cannot be right. The disciples' love for Christ was not a distant and idealized love that was low-maintenance; it was an immediate and passionate love that required constant attention which was simultaneously exhausting, frustrating and unrewarding at times, like loving and caring for a relative who is always right.
Thus, for the love for Christ to be real, it has to be as equally passionate, immediate and high-maintenance as the love for someone who is near and dear. In other words, to truly love Christ is not easy. Christ is not someone with Whom we share the same mind (we have more in common with the Devil in that way) just as we do not think like our parents even though we love them to a certain inexplicable degree.
[1] Because I did not come from a family with adopted children and have never been married or partnered, I do not know whether the love between a parent and an adopted child or between spouses or partners is equally as passionate and difficult as the love between a parent and his/her biological child.
While on earth, He led a group of twelve. He was their Savior, teacher, leader, peer, friend and brother. Had I been there as an observer, I would likely have noticed that the disciples were not in agreement with Christ at all times and that they retained their individual personalities. Even though they all were chosen by Christ, Thomas, for instance, remained a skeptic and John remained Christ's favorite since it was John to whom Christ entrusted His mother before He died on the cross. Despite the differences the disciples had among themselves, together they stayed until Judas Iscariot, the weakest of them succumbed to the power of Satan and left the group during The Last Supper.
They were a family just like any family bound together by a certain love but this love could be different from the love that shares common strands of DNA. [1] The first thing that came to mind was that it was an ideal love, a kind of love that is not exactly immediate or passionate and one that is easy to claim that he/she has it in him/her. However, on second thought, that cannot be right. The disciples' love for Christ was not a distant and idealized love that was low-maintenance; it was an immediate and passionate love that required constant attention which was simultaneously exhausting, frustrating and unrewarding at times, like loving and caring for a relative who is always right.
Thus, for the love for Christ to be real, it has to be as equally passionate, immediate and high-maintenance as the love for someone who is near and dear. In other words, to truly love Christ is not easy. Christ is not someone with Whom we share the same mind (we have more in common with the Devil in that way) just as we do not think like our parents even though we love them to a certain inexplicable degree.
[1] Because I did not come from a family with adopted children and have never been married or partnered, I do not know whether the love between a parent and an adopted child or between spouses or partners is equally as passionate and difficult as the love between a parent and his/her biological child.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
On Good Friday, April 6, 2012
On Good Friday, April 22, 2011, this was my blog:
At St. Dominic’s church, the huge cross was there before me but the two smaller ones were not yet in place even though I did not notice or care about them not being there. Later a pair of acolytes in white vestments carried out one of the smaller crosses followed by another pair carrying out the other. They placed them in their respective stands but took them away after a fitting and centering the main cross between the two.
After saying the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, I reflected on the purpose of the crucifixion of Jesus. From occasional church attendances over the years, I learned that Christ died for our sins, and that the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world, but I have never questioned the validity of the statements. Today, however, I thought how could that be since I am still sinful and I am pretty sure a lot of others are as well, which brings me to this blog entry.
The first thing I did after coming back from church was to open up my Bible, to find out if Jesus said Himself that His death would take away sin. Since I do not read it much, I researched the issue on the Internet. A website directed the reader to Matthew 1:21. [1] In my Bible, that passage reported that an angel told Joseph that Jesus would save His people from their sins. [2] The angel did not say that Jesus had to die on a cross to do so.
The website also referred the reader to Matthew 26:28. [1] This was the scene of The Last Supper where Jesus took a cup and told His disciples to drink from it “for this is my blood of the covenant, which shall be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” [2] These words of Jesus, together with the bloody scourge at the pillar and Jesus’ blood from the thorny crown and the five wounds inflicted upon His body on the cross are all the evidence I need to convince myself that the lessons I have learned are not unsubstantiated extrapolations.
Perhaps it would be well to stop here.
But I will not. What entered my mind while I was kneeling in meditation before the large cross was new to me and certainly unorthodox as it relates to the forgiveness of sins (to put it mildly).
So here goes it: Death of Jesus on the cross was definitely not enough for the forgiveness of my sins unless Jesus’ death is a continuous remission of sins continuously committed.
Is Jesus’ death a continuous remission of sins continuously committed? How can that be true, thinking that one can go on sinning and sinning and Jesus’ blood will keep on cleansing and cleansing the stains of sins to save one’s soul, even though I have faith that it is true?
What if it is not true? Have I deceived myself into NOT believing that experiencing the death of our own sins is necessary for the salvation of the soul and that relying solely on the blood that Christ has shed during His torture and His crucifixion is not enough?
Perhaps it is easier to live with the fiction that the blood of Christ is the detergent for sins than to look at Christ and the forgiveness of sins another way. Perhaps it is time I do.
Was the death of Christ not also the death of temptation, of greed, of pride and of vengeance? Is it possible that Christ was showing us the path to salvation by His refusal to prostrate before Satan and accept Satan’s offer of the world’s riches and by His humility in accepting Judas’ betrayal, His haters, His false accusers, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the taunting and the unjust death sentence? Could therefore the blood that Jesus Himself said He would shed for the forgiveness of sins is not to be taken literally but illustratively?
I think so. Accordingly, we cannot expect automatic salvation but need to shed our weakness for temptations, our greed, our pride, our desires for vengeance and justice just as Jesus had in order that we may save our own souls. [3]
[1] http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/WhatDoesTheBibleSayAboutSalvation.html
[2] The New American Bible. NY: Oxford University Press, Inc. 1990.
[3] Note: Why didn’t God simply write on another tablet the recipe for salvation and hand it to someone? The Ten Commandments have not proven to be effective since neither Jew nor Gentile has paid them much heed. Why did God make Jesus the sacrificial lamb? Perhaps man is only capable of recognizing the road to salvation by seeing the Son of God Himself suffer profoundly and only able to have salvation by living purely as He had and dying humbly as He did.
Kneeling at St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco before a huge cross flanked by two smaller ones on either side, praying: Cleanse my sins. Starting today, may my years begin and end with Good Friday.
At St. Dominic’s church, the huge cross was there before me but the two smaller ones were not yet in place even though I did not notice or care about them not being there. Later a pair of acolytes in white vestments carried out one of the smaller crosses followed by another pair carrying out the other. They placed them in their respective stands but took them away after a fitting and centering the main cross between the two.
After saying the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary, I reflected on the purpose of the crucifixion of Jesus. From occasional church attendances over the years, I learned that Christ died for our sins, and that the Lamb of God takes away the sins of the world, but I have never questioned the validity of the statements. Today, however, I thought how could that be since I am still sinful and I am pretty sure a lot of others are as well, which brings me to this blog entry.
The first thing I did after coming back from church was to open up my Bible, to find out if Jesus said Himself that His death would take away sin. Since I do not read it much, I researched the issue on the Internet. A website directed the reader to Matthew 1:21. [1] In my Bible, that passage reported that an angel told Joseph that Jesus would save His people from their sins. [2] The angel did not say that Jesus had to die on a cross to do so.
The website also referred the reader to Matthew 26:28. [1] This was the scene of The Last Supper where Jesus took a cup and told His disciples to drink from it “for this is my blood of the covenant, which shall be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.” [2] These words of Jesus, together with the bloody scourge at the pillar and Jesus’ blood from the thorny crown and the five wounds inflicted upon His body on the cross are all the evidence I need to convince myself that the lessons I have learned are not unsubstantiated extrapolations.
Perhaps it would be well to stop here.
But I will not. What entered my mind while I was kneeling in meditation before the large cross was new to me and certainly unorthodox as it relates to the forgiveness of sins (to put it mildly).
So here goes it: Death of Jesus on the cross was definitely not enough for the forgiveness of my sins unless Jesus’ death is a continuous remission of sins continuously committed.
Is Jesus’ death a continuous remission of sins continuously committed? How can that be true, thinking that one can go on sinning and sinning and Jesus’ blood will keep on cleansing and cleansing the stains of sins to save one’s soul, even though I have faith that it is true?
What if it is not true? Have I deceived myself into NOT believing that experiencing the death of our own sins is necessary for the salvation of the soul and that relying solely on the blood that Christ has shed during His torture and His crucifixion is not enough?
Perhaps it is easier to live with the fiction that the blood of Christ is the detergent for sins than to look at Christ and the forgiveness of sins another way. Perhaps it is time I do.
Was the death of Christ not also the death of temptation, of greed, of pride and of vengeance? Is it possible that Christ was showing us the path to salvation by His refusal to prostrate before Satan and accept Satan’s offer of the world’s riches and by His humility in accepting Judas’ betrayal, His haters, His false accusers, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the taunting and the unjust death sentence? Could therefore the blood that Jesus Himself said He would shed for the forgiveness of sins is not to be taken literally but illustratively?
I think so. Accordingly, we cannot expect automatic salvation but need to shed our weakness for temptations, our greed, our pride, our desires for vengeance and justice just as Jesus had in order that we may save our own souls. [3]
[1] http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/WhatDoesTheBibleSayAboutSalvation.html
[2] The New American Bible. NY: Oxford University Press, Inc. 1990.
[3] Note: Why didn’t God simply write on another tablet the recipe for salvation and hand it to someone? The Ten Commandments have not proven to be effective since neither Jew nor Gentile has paid them much heed. Why did God make Jesus the sacrificial lamb? Perhaps man is only capable of recognizing the road to salvation by seeing the Son of God Himself suffer profoundly and only able to have salvation by living purely as He had and dying humbly as He did.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Thoughts On God - Palm Sunday, April 1, 2012
Palm Sunday.
Man is unable to bestow upon another (or himself) an honor more lasting than the Crown of Thorns man forced upon the Son of God. [1] He wore it in humility while suffering from painful wounds, thirst, hunger and exhaustion and He carried a heavy wooden cross to Golgotha where He would be crucified alive. At His death, He was a man without guilt and without sin.
For believers, Jesus was God's son Who had died to redeem the sinful; for non-believers (those who know about Jesus but do not believe that He is the Son of God), he was a just man who once wore a crown of thorns whose life's story remains a thorn in their lives.
[1] From my "tweet" this morning @al_in_sf
Man is unable to bestow upon another (or himself) an honor more lasting than the Crown of Thorns man forced upon the Son of God. [1] He wore it in humility while suffering from painful wounds, thirst, hunger and exhaustion and He carried a heavy wooden cross to Golgotha where He would be crucified alive. At His death, He was a man without guilt and without sin.
For believers, Jesus was God's son Who had died to redeem the sinful; for non-believers (those who know about Jesus but do not believe that He is the Son of God), he was a just man who once wore a crown of thorns whose life's story remains a thorn in their lives.
[1] From my "tweet" this morning @al_in_sf
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Obamacare - Day Two At The U.S. Supreme Court
Arguments on Day 2 at the United States Supreme Court on Obamacare (Department of Health and Human Servs. v. Florida) are fascinating and on audio. [1]
The key questions on the constitutionality of Obamacare's individual mandate are:
1.
2.
The defense: In my opinion, there is none that would pass constitutional muster or even on moral grounds because the coverage is not limited to emergency health situations but includes contraception and general wellness.
I predict that the individual mandate will fail by more than a 5-4 margin. I think Justices Kennedy and Bader-Ginsburg will side with individual freedom, leaving the two Obama appointees to argue some kind of fiction to uphold Obamacare.
Tomorrow's hearing is on the severance clause. There was one originally but it was taken out in the final version of the bill. The issues is whether the rest of Obamacare can stand without a severability clause if the individual mandate fails. No prediction on this yet.
The first day was on the issue of whether the penalty on the individual mandate, effective in 2014, is a tax, i.e, you will have to pay a penalty starting in 2014 if you do not buy health insurance as mandated under Obamacare. If the 2014 penalty is a tax, then "the Anti-Injunction Act, an 1867 law that says taxpayers can't challenge a tax until it's collected," [3] and the case would not be ripe for judicial review. On this issue, I think there could be a unanimous ruling that the individual mandate is a penalty and not a tax and therefore Obamacare will be decided on the merits before the November presidential election. The audio on Day 1 of Obamacare at the U.S. Supreme Court is not that exciting and may well serve as a sleep aid. [4]
[1] Listen to the oral arguments here -- http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio_detail.aspx?argument=11-398-Tuesday
[2] http://ifawebnews.com/2012/03/27/justices-question-constitutionality-of-obamacares-individual-mandate/
[3] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303816504577305783436646466.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
[4] http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio_detail.aspx?argument=11-398-Monday
The key questions on the constitutionality of Obamacare's individual mandate are:
1.
“Can you create commerce in order to regulate it?”
— Justice Anthony Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court, Tuesday, March 27, 2012, addressing U.S. Solicitor General Don Verrilli on his defense of the portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires all Americans to purchase health insurance. [2]
2.
“What is left? If the government can do this, what, what else can it not do?
— Justice Antonin Scalia, U.S. Supreme Court, Tuesday, March 27, 2012, asking U.S. Solicitor General Don Verrilli what limits the government might have if the PPACA’s requirement that all citizens purchase health insurance is found constitutional. [2]
The defense: In my opinion, there is none that would pass constitutional muster or even on moral grounds because the coverage is not limited to emergency health situations but includes contraception and general wellness.
I predict that the individual mandate will fail by more than a 5-4 margin. I think Justices Kennedy and Bader-Ginsburg will side with individual freedom, leaving the two Obama appointees to argue some kind of fiction to uphold Obamacare.
Tomorrow's hearing is on the severance clause. There was one originally but it was taken out in the final version of the bill. The issues is whether the rest of Obamacare can stand without a severability clause if the individual mandate fails. No prediction on this yet.
The first day was on the issue of whether the penalty on the individual mandate, effective in 2014, is a tax, i.e, you will have to pay a penalty starting in 2014 if you do not buy health insurance as mandated under Obamacare. If the 2014 penalty is a tax, then "the Anti-Injunction Act, an 1867 law that says taxpayers can't challenge a tax until it's collected," [3] and the case would not be ripe for judicial review. On this issue, I think there could be a unanimous ruling that the individual mandate is a penalty and not a tax and therefore Obamacare will be decided on the merits before the November presidential election. The audio on Day 1 of Obamacare at the U.S. Supreme Court is not that exciting and may well serve as a sleep aid. [4]
[1] Listen to the oral arguments here -- http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio_detail.aspx?argument=11-398-Tuesday
[2] http://ifawebnews.com/2012/03/27/justices-question-constitutionality-of-obamacares-individual-mandate/
[3] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303816504577305783436646466.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
[4] http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_audio_detail.aspx?argument=11-398-Monday
Sunday, March 25, 2012
More "Tweets"
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
After 300 Tweets-A look back:like a volatile bt thinly traded stock.0 followers 4ever then up2 11 now back to 8.Humbled 2have even1.Thank U!
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if the world's growing debt mirrors the rapid pace w/ which resources r consumed beyond Eden's replenishment or replacement capability?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if human's sole mission on earth is not to conquer Mother Nature but to discover her rhythm and harmonize with it?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if every human is born with the power to transform earth into heaven?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if there are an infinite number of virtual Knowledge Trees and Apples of Temptation & the challenge is to leave them alone?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if planet Earth is the Garden of Eden?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
When are environmentalists not hypocrites?When they become wildlife & synchronize with Mother Nature =>The Great Environmentalist Migration.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
"Ethics, not rules.." by @ISISLESPACE to which I'd like to humbly add "or scams."
Expand
10 Mar Isis L'espace Isis L'espace @ISISLESPACE
Ethics, not rules..
Retweeted by Al in SF
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A true charity: Donate to a bank owned by those very people who need to take out micro loans to fund their work to maintain their livelihood
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why do RICH PEOPLE need to go half way around the world to do charity in order to feel good about themselves? Give 2 your local motel maid.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Investment advice [cont.] - How to lend money to say, AIG? Call your broker, buy its bond.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Investment advice:Lend your $ to & collect interest frm those TooBigToFail, not to those who don't know what's a bailout-they won't get one.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I get it. http://Kiva.org gets a %-tage off the top even if u poor suckers can only lend $25. If the biz goes sour, ur $25 is gone.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I had no idea that poverty can be so enriching for the privileged - perhaps I have ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE TO KNOW!
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
http://Kiva.org is a win-win-WIN: Blood,sweat & tears win for them, a comfy couch win for you and a jackpot for its Linked-in founder.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
OMG! http://Kiva.org is brilliant -- making the underprivileged work hard & make $ for the privileged. It's a win-win-win!
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if the Apple plucked from the Tree of Knowledge was a "placebo" to test the human's strength in resisting temptation?
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's"What If's" begins today. (Emphasis Added)
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Actually, I relish @EricFehrn's imagery of Etch A Sketch b/c it'll be fun to see how Obama's Etch A Sketch matches up with Romney's.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A jaded consultant @EricFehrn sees campaign promises as political entertainment & caricatures them on Etch A Sketch. It's time 4 a vacation.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
"Romney's positions are written not in stone but in polystyrene beads" http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/stocks-triple-etch-sketch-company-romney-campaign-173859076.html Moses' were in stone but became polystyrenebeads
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Imperfections can be endearing (so long as they are not repetitive to the point of annoyance).
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
An angel thought (on humans): They are so cute but they need help.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Everyone, especially the young, ought to live their lives with at least a scintilla of compunction while indulging in ravenous consumption.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Humans naturally survive based on one another's existence, not the other person's extinction.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Perhaps peace can begin with this mutual thought: how my enemy can help me, not how I can destroy my enemy.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Origin of hate begins with an over-inflated ego feeding its ignoble character.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why are terrorists not synonymous with bullies? b/c victims of bullies aren't aggressors, can't kill the bullies or bomb them pre-emptively.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Sen.ScottBrown on Santorum getting Secret Service said,"I think it’s the first time he’s actually ever used protection.”http://nation.foxnews.com/scott-brown/2012/03/19/scott-brown-secret-service-santorum-first-time-he-s-used-protection
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
With @JLin7 & @TimTebow both in NY, God can cut commute time and save on gas.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Happy 6th Birthday @Twitter! A billion "tweets" every 3 days until I showed up then it's every 2 days & 23 hours :-)
21 Mar Jack Dorsey Jack Dorsey @jack
It's 12:50. Happy 6th Birthday @Twitter. From 1 tweet to over 1 billion every 3 days. I'm so proud of our users and our team.
Retweeted by Al in SF
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Some claim that Jesus was a Jew. Was the Holy Spirit Jewish? Is there a Jewish person who was immaculately conceived?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Of course, not all Jews are a pain in the holes of the universe & Jews cannot be blamed for all the wars (MelGibson) & I have Jewish friends
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Is it possible that the Jews aren't as Christ-like as Jesus would like them to have become but r just as sinful as&more needy than the rest?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why haven't the Jews sued Deutsche Bank Group? Were the holocaust victims worth nothing compared to the victims of Gaza?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
By suing the Bank of China, the Jews have put the lives & livelihood of the American people and its economy at risk for what, a few bucks?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The Jews want to sue a bank owned by a sovereign(China) that lends $ to the US which they have asked 4$ &lives 2defend against their enemies
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Jews would've branded Jesus a "terrorist" had the term existed then but it didn't matter. He was crucified.Still NO apology & NO reparation.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
NY Sup.Ct.rules Jewish victims may sue Bank of China in NY http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/145744#.T2pnVNlq_Yg Not surprised since only Jews can define who is a terrorist.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Humans are continually in a tug-of-war between good and evil even though the line demarcating them remains fuzzy within Human Reason.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Lenten thought: Only Christ can resist "the last temptation" in the "Last Temptation of Christ" movie (1988) and go to His crucifixion.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The things on Satan's Temptation platform are too attractive, too convenient & too luxurious for me to let go but I also cannot let go God.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Has life been lived correctly in this 21st century?
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I. God created earth for humans & Satan created on it a platform called Temptation over which it has perpetual intellectual property rights.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
II. Satan owns everything that is grown or built on its Temptation platform. When they consume the being & the soul is when Satan gets paid.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
III. The more fulfillment & enjoyment come from enticements on Satan’s Temptation platform the more Satan gets rewarded.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
IV. When complete fulfillment & happiness arise solely from Satan’s Temptation platform is when Satan owns both the slave & his/her soul.
After 300 Tweets-A look back:like a volatile bt thinly traded stock.0 followers 4ever then up2 11 now back to 8.Humbled 2have even1.Thank U!
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if the world's growing debt mirrors the rapid pace w/ which resources r consumed beyond Eden's replenishment or replacement capability?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if human's sole mission on earth is not to conquer Mother Nature but to discover her rhythm and harmonize with it?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if every human is born with the power to transform earth into heaven?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if there are an infinite number of virtual Knowledge Trees and Apples of Temptation & the challenge is to leave them alone?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if planet Earth is the Garden of Eden?
23 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
When are environmentalists not hypocrites?When they become wildlife & synchronize with Mother Nature =>The Great Environmentalist Migration.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
"Ethics, not rules.." by @ISISLESPACE to which I'd like to humbly add "or scams."
Expand
10 Mar Isis L'espace Isis L'espace @ISISLESPACE
Ethics, not rules..
Retweeted by Al in SF
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A true charity: Donate to a bank owned by those very people who need to take out micro loans to fund their work to maintain their livelihood
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why do RICH PEOPLE need to go half way around the world to do charity in order to feel good about themselves? Give 2 your local motel maid.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Investment advice [cont.] - How to lend money to say, AIG? Call your broker, buy its bond.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Investment advice:Lend your $ to & collect interest frm those TooBigToFail, not to those who don't know what's a bailout-they won't get one.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I get it. http://Kiva.org gets a %-tage off the top even if u poor suckers can only lend $25. If the biz goes sour, ur $25 is gone.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I had no idea that poverty can be so enriching for the privileged - perhaps I have ABSOLUTELY NO DESIRE TO KNOW!
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
http://Kiva.org is a win-win-WIN: Blood,sweat & tears win for them, a comfy couch win for you and a jackpot for its Linked-in founder.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
OMG! http://Kiva.org is brilliant -- making the underprivileged work hard & make $ for the privileged. It's a win-win-win!
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
What if the Apple plucked from the Tree of Knowledge was a "placebo" to test the human's strength in resisting temptation?
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's"What If's" begins today. (Emphasis Added)
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Actually, I relish @EricFehrn's imagery of Etch A Sketch b/c it'll be fun to see how Obama's Etch A Sketch matches up with Romney's.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A jaded consultant @EricFehrn sees campaign promises as political entertainment & caricatures them on Etch A Sketch. It's time 4 a vacation.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
"Romney's positions are written not in stone but in polystyrene beads" http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/stocks-triple-etch-sketch-company-romney-campaign-173859076.html Moses' were in stone but became polystyrenebeads
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Imperfections can be endearing (so long as they are not repetitive to the point of annoyance).
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
An angel thought (on humans): They are so cute but they need help.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Everyone, especially the young, ought to live their lives with at least a scintilla of compunction while indulging in ravenous consumption.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Humans naturally survive based on one another's existence, not the other person's extinction.
22 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Perhaps peace can begin with this mutual thought: how my enemy can help me, not how I can destroy my enemy.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Origin of hate begins with an over-inflated ego feeding its ignoble character.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why are terrorists not synonymous with bullies? b/c victims of bullies aren't aggressors, can't kill the bullies or bomb them pre-emptively.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Sen.ScottBrown on Santorum getting Secret Service said,"I think it’s the first time he’s actually ever used protection.”http://nation.foxnews.com/scott-brown/2012/03/19/scott-brown-secret-service-santorum-first-time-he-s-used-protection
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
With @JLin7 & @TimTebow both in NY, God can cut commute time and save on gas.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Happy 6th Birthday @Twitter! A billion "tweets" every 3 days until I showed up then it's every 2 days & 23 hours :-)
21 Mar Jack Dorsey Jack Dorsey @jack
It's 12:50. Happy 6th Birthday @Twitter. From 1 tweet to over 1 billion every 3 days. I'm so proud of our users and our team.
Retweeted by Al in SF
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Some claim that Jesus was a Jew. Was the Holy Spirit Jewish? Is there a Jewish person who was immaculately conceived?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Of course, not all Jews are a pain in the holes of the universe & Jews cannot be blamed for all the wars (MelGibson) & I have Jewish friends
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Is it possible that the Jews aren't as Christ-like as Jesus would like them to have become but r just as sinful as&more needy than the rest?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Why haven't the Jews sued Deutsche Bank Group? Were the holocaust victims worth nothing compared to the victims of Gaza?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
By suing the Bank of China, the Jews have put the lives & livelihood of the American people and its economy at risk for what, a few bucks?
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The Jews want to sue a bank owned by a sovereign(China) that lends $ to the US which they have asked 4$ &lives 2defend against their enemies
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Jews would've branded Jesus a "terrorist" had the term existed then but it didn't matter. He was crucified.Still NO apology & NO reparation.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
NY Sup.Ct.rules Jewish victims may sue Bank of China in NY http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/145744#.T2pnVNlq_Yg Not surprised since only Jews can define who is a terrorist.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Humans are continually in a tug-of-war between good and evil even though the line demarcating them remains fuzzy within Human Reason.
21 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Lenten thought: Only Christ can resist "the last temptation" in the "Last Temptation of Christ" movie (1988) and go to His crucifixion.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The things on Satan's Temptation platform are too attractive, too convenient & too luxurious for me to let go but I also cannot let go God.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Has life been lived correctly in this 21st century?
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I. God created earth for humans & Satan created on it a platform called Temptation over which it has perpetual intellectual property rights.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
II. Satan owns everything that is grown or built on its Temptation platform. When they consume the being & the soul is when Satan gets paid.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
III. The more fulfillment & enjoyment come from enticements on Satan’s Temptation platform the more Satan gets rewarded.
20 Mar Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
IV. When complete fulfillment & happiness arise solely from Satan’s Temptation platform is when Satan owns both the slave & his/her soul.
Thoughts On God - Sunday, March 25, 2012
Do most people live out their lives without being concerned with the consequences of their actions?
I believe they do. Some, however, continually struggle against their fates over which they seemingly have no control, but that is a myth. Each person is in full control because of free will. To exercise his/her will in a way that conflicts with the prevailing mores of society is to choose to suffer. Nobody wants to suffer, at least nobody I know, including myself.
That maybe why there is a Supreme Being, so that people can worship an ideal. Whatever that ideal maybe, it is something better than what they are able to do or can be themselves.
I believe that the Supreme Being is the same in any religion because humans are the same everywhere. They think and fear alike. Their differences arise from the ego which is fed by greed and enhanced by wealth, power and the desire for self-importance and self-gratification. Their enemies are not those with whom they share time on this planet. Rather, they are co-conspirators against those who are yet unborn for they are polluting their pristine air and contaminating their clean water, and they are doing so with speed, the speed of their technological advancements, a speed too fast for Mother Nature to re-cycle, regenerate or replenish. [1]
The fast obsolescence of technology is not driven by need but by greed, which underlies the mores of today’s society. Each time a new generation of smart phones, personal computers and other technological achievements come to market, the old ones become trash, non-biodegradable trash, at least not biodegradable in the lifetime of those beneficiaries inhabiting the planet. The saying, “kicking the can down the road,” is not limited to deficit spending but includes irrevocably degenerative consumption of earth's natural resources.
Consumption drives the economy, but it is greed that stimulates the appetite for consumption. On an economy that is based on a reckless desire for comfort, there is no place for a Supreme Being, for God, for His creation that is earth, for Mother Nature that sustains life or for heaven on earth.
I am as responsible as anyone living on this planet, destroying it for my own comfort and turning into a hell that I pray to avoid, knowing full well that any action or inaction on my part is having an insidious impact.
My hypocrisy is patent. Knowing and having experienced holiness, I am nonetheless a slave to Satan, having accepted all the richness the world can offer, the exact offer that Christ had rejected by refusing to bow before Satan, the Tempter of souls, and worship it. [2]
Unable to overcome temptations, I believe that salvation is possible through faith in Christ and prayer. I also believe that no one is forced to go on board Satan’s luxury craft (one that is becoming more and more advanced and luxurious with relative but disturbing quickness) or that one has to sail through life on it and cannot disembark from it at will.
[1] Technological advancements are a product of the Human Intellect. It goes awry when it is motivated by avarice. I will have more to say on it in a future blog entry.
[2] Matthew 4:8-9
I believe they do. Some, however, continually struggle against their fates over which they seemingly have no control, but that is a myth. Each person is in full control because of free will. To exercise his/her will in a way that conflicts with the prevailing mores of society is to choose to suffer. Nobody wants to suffer, at least nobody I know, including myself.
That maybe why there is a Supreme Being, so that people can worship an ideal. Whatever that ideal maybe, it is something better than what they are able to do or can be themselves.
I believe that the Supreme Being is the same in any religion because humans are the same everywhere. They think and fear alike. Their differences arise from the ego which is fed by greed and enhanced by wealth, power and the desire for self-importance and self-gratification. Their enemies are not those with whom they share time on this planet. Rather, they are co-conspirators against those who are yet unborn for they are polluting their pristine air and contaminating their clean water, and they are doing so with speed, the speed of their technological advancements, a speed too fast for Mother Nature to re-cycle, regenerate or replenish. [1]
The fast obsolescence of technology is not driven by need but by greed, which underlies the mores of today’s society. Each time a new generation of smart phones, personal computers and other technological achievements come to market, the old ones become trash, non-biodegradable trash, at least not biodegradable in the lifetime of those beneficiaries inhabiting the planet. The saying, “kicking the can down the road,” is not limited to deficit spending but includes irrevocably degenerative consumption of earth's natural resources.
Consumption drives the economy, but it is greed that stimulates the appetite for consumption. On an economy that is based on a reckless desire for comfort, there is no place for a Supreme Being, for God, for His creation that is earth, for Mother Nature that sustains life or for heaven on earth.
I am as responsible as anyone living on this planet, destroying it for my own comfort and turning into a hell that I pray to avoid, knowing full well that any action or inaction on my part is having an insidious impact.
My hypocrisy is patent. Knowing and having experienced holiness, I am nonetheless a slave to Satan, having accepted all the richness the world can offer, the exact offer that Christ had rejected by refusing to bow before Satan, the Tempter of souls, and worship it. [2]
Unable to overcome temptations, I believe that salvation is possible through faith in Christ and prayer. I also believe that no one is forced to go on board Satan’s luxury craft (one that is becoming more and more advanced and luxurious with relative but disturbing quickness) or that one has to sail through life on it and cannot disembark from it at will.
[1] Technological advancements are a product of the Human Intellect. It goes awry when it is motivated by avarice. I will have more to say on it in a future blog entry.
[2] Matthew 4:8-9
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Another Thoughtful Evening
My "tweets":
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The things on Satan's Temptation platform are too attractive, too convenient & too luxurious for me to let go but I also cannot let go God.
4m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Has life been lived correctly in this 21st century?
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I. God created earth for humans & Satan created on it a platform called Temptation over which it has perpetual intellectual property rights.
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
II. Satan owns everything that is grown or built on its Temptation platform. When they [begin to] consume the being & the soul is when Satan [first] gets paid. [1]
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
III. The more fulfillment & enjoyment come from enticements on Satan’s Temptation platform the more Satan gets rewarded.
8m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
IV. When complete fulfillment & happiness arise solely from Satan’s Temptation platform is when Satan owns both the slave & his/her soul.
[1] The 140 character limit limits my ability to write more precisely but on here I can insert more to be more clear.
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The things on Satan's Temptation platform are too attractive, too convenient & too luxurious for me to let go but I also cannot let go God.
4m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Has life been lived correctly in this 21st century?
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
I. God created earth for humans & Satan created on it a platform called Temptation over which it has perpetual intellectual property rights.
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
II. Satan owns everything that is grown or built on its Temptation platform. When they [begin to] consume the being & the soul is when Satan [first] gets paid. [1]
7m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
III. The more fulfillment & enjoyment come from enticements on Satan’s Temptation platform the more Satan gets rewarded.
8m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
IV. When complete fulfillment & happiness arise solely from Satan’s Temptation platform is when Satan owns both the slave & his/her soul.
[1] The 140 character limit limits my ability to write more precisely but on here I can insert more to be more clear.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Thoughts On God - Sunday, March 18, 2012
Definition of dream: an imagination of anything that is good, not anything that is evil for that would be a wishful curse and that is fully within the purview of Satan.
Heaven is made for all those who wish for it but dreamers are made for heaven. In a dream, one can be in a God-like state where one is able to create anything from nothing and make it ideal and perfect.
Intrinsic to creation without limitation is absolute freedom. Although absolute freedom is a concept of creation itself, it is not a subset of creation and thereby not absolutely free. Rather, absolute freedom is a mirror of creation and like creation, it has no limiting parameter so much so that evil forces can and are always shaping its outcome which is a truth that begs the question: Why were evil forces permitted to exist in the first place? If they were not, then having free choice would be pointless if everything is good without the option to choose it.
Having the ability to remove evil entirely in their dreams, dreamers, unlike realists, relish not in the excitement of earthly luxuries and hope to be in heaven some day, whatever heaven happens to be, but have a fairly good vision and a sense of heaven. That vision and sense is in the core of all dreamers who against all the temptations of evil find on earth their refuge in heaven in their dreams.
Heaven is made for all those who wish for it but dreamers are made for heaven. In a dream, one can be in a God-like state where one is able to create anything from nothing and make it ideal and perfect.
Intrinsic to creation without limitation is absolute freedom. Although absolute freedom is a concept of creation itself, it is not a subset of creation and thereby not absolutely free. Rather, absolute freedom is a mirror of creation and like creation, it has no limiting parameter so much so that evil forces can and are always shaping its outcome which is a truth that begs the question: Why were evil forces permitted to exist in the first place? If they were not, then having free choice would be pointless if everything is good without the option to choose it.
Having the ability to remove evil entirely in their dreams, dreamers, unlike realists, relish not in the excitement of earthly luxuries and hope to be in heaven some day, whatever heaven happens to be, but have a fairly good vision and a sense of heaven. That vision and sense is in the core of all dreamers who against all the temptations of evil find on earth their refuge in heaven in their dreams.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
"Water Is A Human Right"
"Clean and potable water is a human right" according Vatican's Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace as reported by Catholic San Francisco. [1]
I agree, except that the Vatican should have continued to say that until every person on earth has enough clean and potable water to live on, anyone who is part of the Vatican, including the Pope, shall have only those basic human rights necessary for his existence and nothing more. [2]
[1] http://www.catholic-sf.org/digital_paper.php (on page 4)
[2] My "tweet" - Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Vatican: "Water is a human right" http://www.catholic-sf.org/digital_paper.php (p.4) Of course, check out the Vatican Gardens & the fountains https://www.google.com/search?q=Vatican+gardens&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=M2N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=AxJlT-n2J5DOiALDrvmjDw&ved=0CFQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=616
I agree, except that the Vatican should have continued to say that until every person on earth has enough clean and potable water to live on, anyone who is part of the Vatican, including the Pope, shall have only those basic human rights necessary for his existence and nothing more. [2]
[1] http://www.catholic-sf.org/digital_paper.php (on page 4)
[2] My "tweet" - Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Vatican: "Water is a human right" http://www.catholic-sf.org/digital_paper.php (p.4) Of course, check out the Vatican Gardens & the fountains https://www.google.com/search?q=Vatican+gardens&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=M2N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=AxJlT-n2J5DOiALDrvmjDw&ved=0CFQQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=616
Friday, March 16, 2012
Letter To A Friend (Redacted )
Dear Daen,
After returning from lunch I called up ____, ____ and ____ telling them how beautiful your drawings were and how happy I was, and I am still thrilled.
You are truly a gem, like no other I've seen, and I will say that again and again and hope you won't get tired of hearing it. This is actually the first time I have experienced your genius and it is miraculous!
I described to ____ your condition (a name I cannot remember) and she wishes you well. I told her that I could not see anything externally and that you are doing extraordinarily well under the circumstances.
Your deep humility and your resolve to continue to share your gift with others and to support your staff in light of your condition have become a beacon of light and an inspiration in my life. I have happily received from you serious and challenging lessons to be learned. They are not going to be easy but I don't want to fail myself and I don't want to fail you.
Today, you have permitted me to catch a glimpse of these other-worldly places you have been. In the time to come, please remember me, look for me and bring me along. I need a lot more help than just the project at hand.
Thank you for your kindness and love, Al [1], [2]
[1] Related "tweet": Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Lunch@PiccinoCafe w/ Daen - a gem with the humility of a grain of sand, a divinely inspired genius, a suffering angel & God's special child.
[2] In the shadow of Daen I stand in reverence and in humility.
After returning from lunch I called up ____, ____ and ____ telling them how beautiful your drawings were and how happy I was, and I am still thrilled.
You are truly a gem, like no other I've seen, and I will say that again and again and hope you won't get tired of hearing it. This is actually the first time I have experienced your genius and it is miraculous!
I described to ____ your condition (a name I cannot remember) and she wishes you well. I told her that I could not see anything externally and that you are doing extraordinarily well under the circumstances.
Your deep humility and your resolve to continue to share your gift with others and to support your staff in light of your condition have become a beacon of light and an inspiration in my life. I have happily received from you serious and challenging lessons to be learned. They are not going to be easy but I don't want to fail myself and I don't want to fail you.
Today, you have permitted me to catch a glimpse of these other-worldly places you have been. In the time to come, please remember me, look for me and bring me along. I need a lot more help than just the project at hand.
Thank you for your kindness and love, Al [1], [2]
[1] Related "tweet": Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Lunch@PiccinoCafe w/ Daen - a gem with the humility of a grain of sand, a divinely inspired genius, a suffering angel & God's special child.
[2] In the shadow of Daen I stand in reverence and in humility.
Revising A "Tweet"
Earlier I wrote this: Alone on the beach I am at sunset a silhouette from a distance to be engulfed by that of earth and in that darkness I am part of the universe.
Like a musician who sometimes writes variations on a theme, I'm going to do the same: Alone on the beach I am at sunset a silhouette from a distance waiting to be engulfed by that of earth to become part of the universe.
The original entry is like a diptych going from twilight that is earth on one panel to night that encompasses the universe of planets, stars and galaxies on the other, and is metaphorically about existing in solitude (an imagination) to being part of a huge party where nobody can be absent (a reality). The variation is more like a self-portrait on a single canvas than a diptych, representing my life as it is ending just as the day is ending and showing me alone waiting for that which is inevitable - death - and pondering the eventual decomposition and transformation of the body to other biological and chemical matters that were part of the universe from which they came.
Here the Catholic saying on Ash Wednesday: "From dust, to dust you shall return," is apropos. In that sense, the flesh and bones dressing up the soul are temporal. Beyond the temporal is an eternity and it is during life, in particular in final stretch, that I hopefully have the strength to take a stroll along the beach and the mind to reflect on the existence and eternity of non-decomposable matter - the soul, and to seek the cleansing of sin and the blessing of transfiguration in order to be re-united with the Creator.
Like a musician who sometimes writes variations on a theme, I'm going to do the same: Alone on the beach I am at sunset a silhouette from a distance waiting to be engulfed by that of earth to become part of the universe.
The original entry is like a diptych going from twilight that is earth on one panel to night that encompasses the universe of planets, stars and galaxies on the other, and is metaphorically about existing in solitude (an imagination) to being part of a huge party where nobody can be absent (a reality). The variation is more like a self-portrait on a single canvas than a diptych, representing my life as it is ending just as the day is ending and showing me alone waiting for that which is inevitable - death - and pondering the eventual decomposition and transformation of the body to other biological and chemical matters that were part of the universe from which they came.
Here the Catholic saying on Ash Wednesday: "From dust, to dust you shall return," is apropos. In that sense, the flesh and bones dressing up the soul are temporal. Beyond the temporal is an eternity and it is during life, in particular in final stretch, that I hopefully have the strength to take a stroll along the beach and the mind to reflect on the existence and eternity of non-decomposable matter - the soul, and to seek the cleansing of sin and the blessing of transfiguration in order to be re-united with the Creator.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
An Unusually Thoughtful Evening
Here are my "tweets" after having my cup of decaf coffee:
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The first government was formed by Cain after he killed Abel. His first supporter was a coward who feared that he too would be killed.
22m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's definition:Government - an assembly of cowards clinging to their guns & cowering in fear who sadly have reasons to fear for themselves.
23m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Those who seek power over others are necessarily weak; anyone with the resolve to unconditionally help one other person is undeniably strong
38m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
[continued from below] this place is not to carry out a cause but is a cause to celebrate.
40m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Where the air is clean & the water is crystal clear, and the sky an ever-changing palette of colors, [continued at above]
47m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A dreamer who cannot paint can only tap into the dreams of others to create in the mind's eye an other-worldly universe of beauty.
Expand
55m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
In this boundless time-space continuum humans share earth's common air & water. To let anything else come in between this bond is a failure.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Strengthened by my spirit over which I have no control, my life is a series of memorable vignettes, earthly as wells as heavenly.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Alone on the beach I am at sunset a silhouette from a distance to be engulfed by that of earth & in that darkness I am part of the universe.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Conserve energy: Bio-engineer the human sensors to detect and eyes to see the environs in darkness.
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The first government was formed by Cain after he killed Abel. His first supporter was a coward who feared that he too would be killed.
22m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Al's definition:Government - an assembly of cowards clinging to their guns & cowering in fear who sadly have reasons to fear for themselves.
23m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Those who seek power over others are necessarily weak; anyone with the resolve to unconditionally help one other person is undeniably strong
38m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
[continued from below] this place is not to carry out a cause but is a cause to celebrate.
40m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Where the air is clean & the water is crystal clear, and the sky an ever-changing palette of colors, [continued at above]
47m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
A dreamer who cannot paint can only tap into the dreams of others to create in the mind's eye an other-worldly universe of beauty.
Expand
55m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
In this boundless time-space continuum humans share earth's common air & water. To let anything else come in between this bond is a failure.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Strengthened by my spirit over which I have no control, my life is a series of memorable vignettes, earthly as wells as heavenly.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Alone on the beach I am at sunset a silhouette from a distance to be engulfed by that of earth & in that darkness I am part of the universe.
1h Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Conserve energy: Bio-engineer the human sensors to detect and eyes to see the environs in darkness.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Thoughts On God – Sunday, March 11, 2012
One of the Ten Commandments, thou shall not kill, has been dogging me the last few days so I am going to write about it. I suppose the reason that it was given to the Chosen Ones by God through Moses rather than osmosis was to preserve the gift of free will, even the will to kill. Back then the world was not as diverse or polarized as it is now but killing must have already been fashionable prompting God to prohibit it specifically. I imagine that as soon as the commandment was announced it was deemed to be a suggestion that can be disregarded to the extent that even God’s only Son, Jesus, was put to death on a cross.
That being the case, it is reasonable to conclude that people, chosen or not, will never stop shooting at or bombing each other and in their spare time finding new ways to eliminate one another. I suppose that killings, intentional and unintentional, will evolve along with and result insidiously from advances in technology and changes in political dynamics even though the reasons for ending other people’s lives remain primitive, such as envy, greed, fear and hate among others.
However, I would like to believe just the opposite, that killings will end before the world ends for there is the grace of God that is always present and will ultimately prevail over the sins of Satan. God’s grace is simple and can be summed up in a word, love, or two, humility and love.
We all understand love because as infants we require it to survive and we all understand humility because as kids without the means to acquire food, water and shelter, we need to be humble to stay alive. If only we can see others as grown-up babies needing love and if only we can view ourselves as grown-up youngsters depending on care, then perhaps everyone can co-exist peacefully as God eternal children.
Note: This entry did not arise from an inspiration because I had none. I hoped for one but it never came. This was an analysis therefore unremarkable and unmoving. I was bored by it. A tiny inspiration did arrive later in the evening and I "tweeted" it:
That being the case, it is reasonable to conclude that people, chosen or not, will never stop shooting at or bombing each other and in their spare time finding new ways to eliminate one another. I suppose that killings, intentional and unintentional, will evolve along with and result insidiously from advances in technology and changes in political dynamics even though the reasons for ending other people’s lives remain primitive, such as envy, greed, fear and hate among others.
However, I would like to believe just the opposite, that killings will end before the world ends for there is the grace of God that is always present and will ultimately prevail over the sins of Satan. God’s grace is simple and can be summed up in a word, love, or two, humility and love.
We all understand love because as infants we require it to survive and we all understand humility because as kids without the means to acquire food, water and shelter, we need to be humble to stay alive. If only we can see others as grown-up babies needing love and if only we can view ourselves as grown-up youngsters depending on care, then perhaps everyone can co-exist peacefully as God eternal children.
Note: This entry did not arise from an inspiration because I had none. I hoped for one but it never came. This was an analysis therefore unremarkable and unmoving. I was bored by it. A tiny inspiration did arrive later in the evening and I "tweeted" it:
Al in SF @Al_in_SFMarch 11, 2012, 11:19 pm
Believers can instantly find fulfillment in God; non-believers suffer from an interminable need to find reasons for their insatiable void.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Thoughts On God - Sunday, March 4, 2012
March 4th is one of my favorite days because it rhymes with "march forth." Marching forth is exactly what Christ wants us to do despite the burdens we carry just as He had marched forth with a heavy wooden cross to Golgotha where He was crucified. Not so coincidentally, the center statue representing Christ the Redeemer at the top of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican shows a figure in motion carrying a cross that towers over him, with his right finger pointing forward and his left foot stepping ahead of his right.
I spent hours looking at those statues decades ago and to this day, I still think that the sculptor was divinely inspired. The statue representing Jesus is the only one in motion. The cross he is carrying is the biggest and the tallest, taller than any of the statues. When I was looking at it, I saw in my mind Jesus. He was the only one Who was not just standing around like the rest. He was on the move. He was determined to go forward carrying the weight of sins and the burden of hardships. He sought no pity and waited around for no one; He hoped not for a hand but rather gave others a hand [1]. He was strong. He was a leader. With His finger pointing forward, His one foot ahead of His other, He gave confidence to all to follow, to march forth with Him fearlessly. I love Him.
[1] My original sentence was: "He hoped not for a hand or a hand-out." It has been bothering me for days so I deleted it and rewrote it. A hand-out was not part of my consciousness let alone the thought of Jesus hoping for one, especially from a government. It was not until Barack Obama became president that the "notion of a government hand-out" was burnished into my consciousness and at my fingertips. For these reasons I had put it in. Leaving it in would not have been a proper recount of my thoughts. Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 5:15 a.m.
I spent hours looking at those statues decades ago and to this day, I still think that the sculptor was divinely inspired. The statue representing Jesus is the only one in motion. The cross he is carrying is the biggest and the tallest, taller than any of the statues. When I was looking at it, I saw in my mind Jesus. He was the only one Who was not just standing around like the rest. He was on the move. He was determined to go forward carrying the weight of sins and the burden of hardships. He sought no pity and waited around for no one; He hoped not for a hand but rather gave others a hand [1]. He was strong. He was a leader. With His finger pointing forward, His one foot ahead of His other, He gave confidence to all to follow, to march forth with Him fearlessly. I love Him.
[1] My original sentence was: "He hoped not for a hand or a hand-out." It has been bothering me for days so I deleted it and rewrote it. A hand-out was not part of my consciousness let alone the thought of Jesus hoping for one, especially from a government. It was not until Barack Obama became president that the "notion of a government hand-out" was burnished into my consciousness and at my fingertips. For these reasons I had put it in. Leaving it in would not have been a proper recount of my thoughts. Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 5:15 a.m.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thoughts On God - Sunday, February 26, 2012
It's not just on Sunday but every day that my thoughts go to God but not every thought is worth this space that Google so charitably provides to all. Although I am not a deserving recipient of charity, nonetheless this space is a gift that Google has given, that looks deceivingly like a blank canvas that ought not to be scoffed at but to be thankful for, to be used to the best of one's unique abilities, to turn it back into a gift. Mine may not be a very nice gift, but it is the only gift that I am able to make with the abilities that I have been given, and I want to give it my best to make it the best gift I can.
Google is not God, but God has played a part in giving the founders of Google their blank slates. They have embraced their blank slates and worked on them and turned them into things much bigger, bigger than perhaps even they themselves can contain or comprehend. That is the miracle, to be able to do things that seem to flow effortlessly from what has been given, to make something from something so deceivingly simple that it is almost taken for granted, something we call life. [1]
[1] I was completely captured by the truth (and my personal fascination) that every person has in varying degrees the ability to create just as the Creator is able to create when this was written, so the words "to make something from something" was all about creation and have nothing to do with procreation. (Footnote added March 1, 2012.)
Google is not God, but God has played a part in giving the founders of Google their blank slates. They have embraced their blank slates and worked on them and turned them into things much bigger, bigger than perhaps even they themselves can contain or comprehend. That is the miracle, to be able to do things that seem to flow effortlessly from what has been given, to make something from something so deceivingly simple that it is almost taken for granted, something we call life. [1]
[1] I was completely captured by the truth (and my personal fascination) that every person has in varying degrees the ability to create just as the Creator is able to create when this was written, so the words "to make something from something" was all about creation and have nothing to do with procreation. (Footnote added March 1, 2012.)
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I Cry
I cry for kindness, when it’s mistaken for meekness.
I cry for innocence, when it’s seen as weakness.
I cry for love, when it’s thought of as purpose.
I cry for selflessness, when it’s depreciated to heroism. [1]
I cry for hope, when it’s overcome by fear.
I cry for freedom, when it’s trampled by irresponsibility.
I cry for conscience, when it’s taken over by greed.
I cry for loneliness, when it’s filled with self-pity.
I cry for desire, when it’s not for God.
[1] An act of selflessness originates from and is done out of conscience, the goodness within. I believe that such acts do not result from chance or coincidence but are miracles. When a miracle that is factually substantiated and corresponds to a selfless act and is being judged to be heroic, then what was once goodness in its purest form has been reduced to heroism, a secular concept that is often further cheapened by profit motives, rankings and trophies that are handed out under media's spotlight, pomp and circumstance. (Footnote added on March 1, 2012.)
I cry for innocence, when it’s seen as weakness.
I cry for love, when it’s thought of as purpose.
I cry for selflessness, when it’s depreciated to heroism. [1]
I cry for hope, when it’s overcome by fear.
I cry for freedom, when it’s trampled by irresponsibility.
I cry for conscience, when it’s taken over by greed.
I cry for loneliness, when it’s filled with self-pity.
I cry for desire, when it’s not for God.
[1] An act of selflessness originates from and is done out of conscience, the goodness within. I believe that such acts do not result from chance or coincidence but are miracles. When a miracle that is factually substantiated and corresponds to a selfless act and is being judged to be heroic, then what was once goodness in its purest form has been reduced to heroism, a secular concept that is often further cheapened by profit motives, rankings and trophies that are handed out under media's spotlight, pomp and circumstance. (Footnote added on March 1, 2012.)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thoughts On God - Sunday, February 19, 2012
Creation defined: Making something from nothing.
Only God is able to create. The ability to have thought is an integral part of and subordinate to Creation. The concept of evolution, resulting from thought, is a subset of thought and a distant derivative of Creation.
Creation is good but not everything derived from it is good or benign like the theory of evolution. Throughout the ages, many thoughts turned into working concepts, which in turn became realities. The wheel, cooking with fire, the Internet and an implantable wireless chip that delivers medications and drugs to the human body [1] are all realities but not all good.
The wheel had led to automobiles that led to fossil fuel consumption that led to wars that continue to this day. Cooking with fire had led to gas stoves that led to food consumption that led to people over-stuffing themselves and obesity. The Internet had led to computers that led to smart phones that led to interactive televisions and other electronic gadgets with quick obsolescence that contribute to non-degradable matters that make the land and water on earth more and more toxic. The implantable wireless chip that delivers medications and drugs is still too new to know its eventual path but I surmise that it will be used by some governments to control the populace, by taking away God’s two most precious gifts to all: life and free choice. [2]
[1] http://thenextweb.com/us/2012/02/17/mit-professors-have-developed-a-microchip-that-delivers-drugs-remotely/
[2] After reading the article, I Tweeted the following:
Only God is able to create. The ability to have thought is an integral part of and subordinate to Creation. The concept of evolution, resulting from thought, is a subset of thought and a distant derivative of Creation.
Creation is good but not everything derived from it is good or benign like the theory of evolution. Throughout the ages, many thoughts turned into working concepts, which in turn became realities. The wheel, cooking with fire, the Internet and an implantable wireless chip that delivers medications and drugs to the human body [1] are all realities but not all good.
The wheel had led to automobiles that led to fossil fuel consumption that led to wars that continue to this day. Cooking with fire had led to gas stoves that led to food consumption that led to people over-stuffing themselves and obesity. The Internet had led to computers that led to smart phones that led to interactive televisions and other electronic gadgets with quick obsolescence that contribute to non-degradable matters that make the land and water on earth more and more toxic. The implantable wireless chip that delivers medications and drugs is still too new to know its eventual path but I surmise that it will be used by some governments to control the populace, by taking away God’s two most precious gifts to all: life and free choice. [2]
[1] http://thenextweb.com/us/2012/02/17/mit-professors-have-developed-a-microchip-that-delivers-drugs-remotely/
[2] After reading the article, I Tweeted the following:
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The temptation to mandate the use of wireless drug chip[s] echoes the first temptation Satan presented to Eve & Adam.
18 Feb Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Satan is known as the master of disguise. The wireless drug chip is life-controlling disguised as life-saving.
18 Feb Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Satan is forever perfecting man's imperfections.
18 Feb Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
To want a wireless drug delivery chip in your body is to give to Satan God's gift to you - your life.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Tweets - Wireless Drug Delivery Chip
Al in SF @Al_in_SF
The temptation to mandate the use of wireless drug chip[s] echoes the first temptation Satan presented to Eve & Adam.
14m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Satan is known as the master of disguise. The wireless drug chip is life-controlling disguised as life-saving.
26m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Satan is forever perfecting man's imperfections.
29m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
To want a wireless drug delivery chip in your body is to give to Satan God's gift to you - your life.
1h T.A. McCann T.A. McCann @tamccann
MIT professors have developed a microchip that delivers drugs remotely: http://thenextweb.com/us/2012/02/17/mit-professors-have-developed-a-microchip-that-delivers-drugs-remotely/
Retweeted by Vinod Khosla
Friday, February 17, 2012
Selected Tweets On Disappointment
A prayer is seldom answered in the time or the way one expects it to be, but when it is answered, inner peace will prevail.
24m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Faith transforms disappointments and despondence into courage to reach out and to reconnect the dots in new, fun, creative & rewarding ways.
44m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
When what has really been worked at & hoped for does not pan out, that is God intervening and directing me away from further foolishness.
24m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Faith transforms disappointments and despondence into courage to reach out and to reconnect the dots in new, fun, creative & rewarding ways.
44m Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
When what has really been worked at & hoped for does not pan out, that is God intervening and directing me away from further foolishness.
Selected Tweets on Religion
15 Feb Al in SF Al in SF @Al_in_SF
Blah... blah....boring. Boring myself with my last Tweets.
Man who naturally embraces the many faces of God cannot resist turning away from the mutating faces of Satan.
Man who tends to freely believe in good (a religion) cannot resist monopolizing, monetizing & manipulating it (the politics of religion).
Al's definitions: Religions - the many faces of God. The politics of religions - the mutating faces of Satan.
Blah... blah....boring. Boring myself with my last Tweets.
Man who naturally embraces the many faces of God cannot resist turning away from the mutating faces of Satan.
Man who tends to freely believe in good (a religion) cannot resist monopolizing, monetizing & manipulating it (the politics of religion).
Al's definitions: Religions - the many faces of God. The politics of religions - the mutating faces of Satan.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
More Tweets
I had no idea I had so much to Tweet and Tweet so often:
Al_in_SF Al in SF
History: The uncivilized re-live it; the enlightened live beyond it.
2 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definition: History - The same human triumph, tragedy and cruelty hashed and rehashed.
4 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definition: Wisdom - A refrain of humanity's melody with different lyrics.
13 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's moment of wisdom: At the peak of external success begins the ascent toward internal meaning.
37 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's riddle continued: Who are you?
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al’s riddle: A nobody when you’re young, make money for others in your prime, forgotten as you age & your good parts recycled after you die.
@Al_in_SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
History: The uncivilized re-live it; the enlightened live beyond it.
2 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definition: History - The same human triumph, tragedy and cruelty hashed and rehashed.
4 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definition: Wisdom - A refrain of humanity's melody with different lyrics.
13 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's moment of wisdom: At the peak of external success begins the ascent toward internal meaning.
37 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's riddle continued: Who are you?
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al’s riddle: A nobody when you’re young, make money for others in your prime, forgotten as you age & your good parts recycled after you die.
@Al_in_SF
Tweets (links lengthened)
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's irreverent definition: St. Valentine - patron saint of merchandising love.
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
St. Valentine, also the patron saint of epilepsy. Makes sense. People who throw epileptic fits resulting from disappointed romance need help
3 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
St. Valentine not only patron saint of romance, but also of epilepsy | Irish News | IrishCentral http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Valentine-not-only-patron-saint-of-romance-but-also-of-epilepsy-139277323.html
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definitions: Hypocrite - Betrayer of self truth. Self truth - One's own reality.
3 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Want cheap oil? Move to Alberta, Canada. Carbon concerns? Live indigenously -- http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology/2011/02/09/%E2%80%98the-last-free-people-on-the-planet%E2%80%99/
11 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
@MittRomney The true pains of economic reality can elevate Romney's intellectually-based campaign to match Obama's passion-driven strategy.
56 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
China's VP to skip SF (snub Mayor Lee of Chinese descent) to go LA to meet with Major Villaraigosa http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/13/4261349/chinas-future-leader-to-visit.html
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Vatican In Crisis:TheStar Call it a conspiracy, but Vatican leaks show power struggle in Holy See: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1130643--call-it-a-conspiracy-but-vatican-leaks-show-power-struggle-in-holy-see#.TzoHOMAc-dI.twitter
14 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Update on Muscatine, Iowa - http://muscatinejournal.com/news/local/it-s-not-all-the-tea-in-china-but-a/article_9fa71532-56b5-11e1-9760-0019bb2963f4.html
14 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Just saw the exorcism dance on Greta. It's funny but what's even funnier is if she mocks the Jews at the Western Wall doing the head knock.
15 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama wants to invest $800m in Arab Spring (i.e.Egypt's riots) but I doubt Egyptian politics is black & white so it's the overseas Solyndra.
15 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
JohnMcCain wants the NGOs to mould the future of Egypt. He should remember that they showed Israelites & Moses the door even with God around
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I can't wait for John Grisham or Scott Turow to thicken the plot and solve the mystery of the 2012 unholy political trinity - the 3 branches
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
No arrest has yet been made in the Justice Stephen Breyer robbery, and, of course, no truth shall be told.
19 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
USSC spokesperson said robber took cash. $1000 is not enuf in a real emergency and too much for a place that takes credit card & has ATMs.
20 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Swing voter Stephen Breyer USSC Justice robbed http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/13/us/justice-breyer-robbed/index.html & was told to be careful which way he swings on gay marriage & Obamacare
20 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Dolphins hitch rides on whales in rare playful display between species grnd.tv/6/32710
Al's irreverent definition: St. Valentine - patron saint of merchandising love.
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
St. Valentine, also the patron saint of epilepsy. Makes sense. People who throw epileptic fits resulting from disappointed romance need help
3 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
St. Valentine not only patron saint of romance, but also of epilepsy | Irish News | IrishCentral http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Valentine-not-only-patron-saint-of-romance-but-also-of-epilepsy-139277323.html
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al's definitions: Hypocrite - Betrayer of self truth. Self truth - One's own reality.
3 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Want cheap oil? Move to Alberta, Canada. Carbon concerns? Live indigenously -- http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology/2011/02/09/%E2%80%98the-last-free-people-on-the-planet%E2%80%99/
11 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
@MittRomney The true pains of economic reality can elevate Romney's intellectually-based campaign to match Obama's passion-driven strategy.
56 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
China's VP to skip SF (snub Mayor Lee of Chinese descent) to go LA to meet with Major Villaraigosa http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/13/4261349/chinas-future-leader-to-visit.html
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Vatican In Crisis:TheStar Call it a conspiracy, but Vatican leaks show power struggle in Holy See: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1130643--call-it-a-conspiracy-but-vatican-leaks-show-power-struggle-in-holy-see#.TzoHOMAc-dI.twitter
14 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Update on Muscatine, Iowa - http://muscatinejournal.com/news/local/it-s-not-all-the-tea-in-china-but-a/article_9fa71532-56b5-11e1-9760-0019bb2963f4.html
14 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Just saw the exorcism dance on Greta. It's funny but what's even funnier is if she mocks the Jews at the Western Wall doing the head knock.
15 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama wants to invest $800m in Arab Spring (i.e.Egypt's riots) but I doubt Egyptian politics is black & white so it's the overseas Solyndra.
15 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
JohnMcCain wants the NGOs to mould the future of Egypt. He should remember that they showed Israelites & Moses the door even with God around
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I can't wait for John Grisham or Scott Turow to thicken the plot and solve the mystery of the 2012 unholy political trinity - the 3 branches
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
No arrest has yet been made in the Justice Stephen Breyer robbery, and, of course, no truth shall be told.
19 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
USSC spokesperson said robber took cash. $1000 is not enuf in a real emergency and too much for a place that takes credit card & has ATMs.
20 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Swing voter Stephen Breyer USSC Justice robbed http://edition.cnn.com/2012/02/13/us/justice-breyer-robbed/index.html & was told to be careful which way he swings on gay marriage & Obamacare
20 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Dolphins hitch rides on whales in rare playful display between species grnd.tv/6/32710
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Thoughts On God - Sunday, February 12, 2012
Last night, awoke in bed, I was fretting that I would again draw a blank when it came time for me to write a Sunday piece my thoughts on God. The fret did me no good, nor watching ETWN, nor reading Dante's Divine Comedy, nor reading Francis of Assisi nor praying. I continued to draw a blank.
So I am sitting down in my apartment in San Francisco pouring myself a second glass of red (light to medium-bodied 2008 Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, a decent table wine from Costco) and my inspiration seems to be arriving. It came in part from just having completed ordering a photography book from Pavel Filatov, “Altai: A Journey Through The Siberian Wilderness,” and in part from being in a mild inebriated state.
Last year I visited St. Petersburg and Moscow but not Siberia, which is where Pavel and Elena Filatov are located. It must be a cold place in February even when they are having the finest Beluga caviar with the world's smoothest vodka; even if they are not, I imagine it to be a warm place where there are few distractions except for the beauty of nature in the wilderness nearby, and the relatively small number of people who live there (compared to India and China), who know them, who care about them and I suppose, who love them dearly. Perhaps they are among some of the lucky ones to be born there, to become accustomed to the climate, to breathe the breath of life while living the gift of being surrounded by fresh air, clean water and the grandness of natural simplicity.
I imagine that the distance between God and man is farther away when man is immersed in his unending quest for knowledge, however imperfect and misunderstood are his finds, and when he continuously thirsts for control of his environment, wrestling it to submission, however clueless he is as to its consequences, but that the distance between God and man is closer when man shares in God's vision of heaven on earth, when he is in harmony with the beauty of that vision which suspends his breath in mid-air and his soul midway to heaven.
In this suspended state, man is imperturbable, rendering his surround and the events surrounding his life irrelevant, desiring the inner peace that brings joy and complete fulfillment that only God can give, and to offer to God his most treasured possession - his entire being, to be re-united with his Maker.
So I am sitting down in my apartment in San Francisco pouring myself a second glass of red (light to medium-bodied 2008 Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, a decent table wine from Costco) and my inspiration seems to be arriving. It came in part from just having completed ordering a photography book from Pavel Filatov, “Altai: A Journey Through The Siberian Wilderness,” and in part from being in a mild inebriated state.
Last year I visited St. Petersburg and Moscow but not Siberia, which is where Pavel and Elena Filatov are located. It must be a cold place in February even when they are having the finest Beluga caviar with the world's smoothest vodka; even if they are not, I imagine it to be a warm place where there are few distractions except for the beauty of nature in the wilderness nearby, and the relatively small number of people who live there (compared to India and China), who know them, who care about them and I suppose, who love them dearly. Perhaps they are among some of the lucky ones to be born there, to become accustomed to the climate, to breathe the breath of life while living the gift of being surrounded by fresh air, clean water and the grandness of natural simplicity.
I imagine that the distance between God and man is farther away when man is immersed in his unending quest for knowledge, however imperfect and misunderstood are his finds, and when he continuously thirsts for control of his environment, wrestling it to submission, however clueless he is as to its consequences, but that the distance between God and man is closer when man shares in God's vision of heaven on earth, when he is in harmony with the beauty of that vision which suspends his breath in mid-air and his soul midway to heaven.
In this suspended state, man is imperturbable, rendering his surround and the events surrounding his life irrelevant, desiring the inner peace that brings joy and complete fulfillment that only God can give, and to offer to God his most treasured possession - his entire being, to be re-united with his Maker.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Greece Communist Party
"On the second day of a 48-hour protest strike, about 50 Communist party activists draped two huge banners on the ramparts of the Acropolis Saturday, reading: 'Down with the dictatorship of the monopolies (and the) European Union.'" [1] .... Something akin to what Obama might say.
[1] http://news.yahoo.com/anger-greece-parliament-vote-bailout-011756625.html
[1] http://news.yahoo.com/anger-greece-parliament-vote-bailout-011756625.html
Friday, February 10, 2012
Away From The Noise
Away from the noise, reality ends and dreams begin in places like this ... see http://www.pavelfilatov.com/ru/gall/Altai_Mountains/mini.php
Almost Heaven: The Sanctus of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in D Major, Opus 123, by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with William Preucil, the violin solo, in a 1988 Telarc recording with conductor, Robert Shaw.
Almost Heaven: The Sanctus of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in D Major, Opus 123, by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus with William Preucil, the violin solo, in a 1988 Telarc recording with conductor, Robert Shaw.
My Tweets - Continued
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama did right by approving the $25b foreclosure settlement. It will begin healing the devastating econ wound inflicted by an inept Bush#43
39 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama violates my religious freedom by requiring me to pay for abortive services INDIRECTLY through my health insurance premiums.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Egypt to US: We don't want your money. How long will that last? Until a regime change in the US. Can't mess with the Cradle of Civilization.
3 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mubarak's revenge: A 1-term Obama. The parallel is clear - Carter & the hostage crisis in Iran to Obama & the hostage crisis in Egypt.
3 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Plus, the subscriber gets a Happy Meal and a Happy Meal Toy in San Francisco.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Oh, and for every new subscriber to this new Catholic health insurance group, a dollar will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
For Obama to require ALL health insurance companies to provide free abortive services but if one is Catholic it violates religious freedom.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Fight back Bill Donohue by starting a Catholic health insurance company and take only patients insured under it & Obama will be in the creek
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Bill Donohue Prez Catholic League on Fox said Obama is "devious" by INDIRECTLY requiring Catholic hosp to subsidize abortion at free clinics
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Has Obama's decision to support the ousting of Egypt's Prez Mubarak backfired with Egypt now holding 19 American hostages?
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
If Assad's Syria is a secular state, why is Obama upset when Assad is trying to stop a Sunni uprising? Isn't Obama a secularist? im confused
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A refrain:The Ultimate Obama Dilemma - President Obama: Are you for the EU (Romney-type cuts) or the Greek people (Obama-type entitlements)?
18 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Fascinated by Greece.The U.S. should outsource the Fed Reserve to the EU. Their rule: No Disbursements Without Cuts In Government Spending.
18 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A new magazine: RE-WIRED, to be published by the universe's most intelligent PC (Parasite Colony) -- see Re-tweet immediately below.
9 Feb
Evan Williams
ev Evan Williams
How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy: theatlantic.com/magazine/archi… Amazing story.
9 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Making connections:Tiger Woods - Sexting; Old-fashioned - Corner of Fast & Sleazy; High-Tech - Algorithms
8 Feb
Wired
wired Wired
Exclusive: Path's CEO explains why his app collects address book data, and how the company intends to make things right bit.ly/A5pcNv
8 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's Ultimate Dilemma: For the people of Greece, or for the EU demanding cuts in government spending, jobs & pensions to have a 2nd term?
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Greece - an over-bloated government with unaffordable public pensions despite high taxes (45% income and 23% V.A.T.)
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Greece - Obama's America In The Making
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mitt Romney: Your road to the White House is rocky, tortuous and long. Keep the faith! I want you to get there so please get there. Thanks.
7 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Correction:An earlier tweet today I used the word "radiate," it s/b "irradiate." So if Israel bombs Iran, Iran could make Hormuz radioactive
7 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
On the pre-emptive strike on Iran: With no oil in the Mideast, Israel's voice will be loud like my Tweet; with it, it deafens humanity.
Obama did right by approving the $25b foreclosure settlement. It will begin healing the devastating econ wound inflicted by an inept Bush#43
39 minutes ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama violates my religious freedom by requiring me to pay for abortive services INDIRECTLY through my health insurance premiums.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Egypt to US: We don't want your money. How long will that last? Until a regime change in the US. Can't mess with the Cradle of Civilization.
3 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mubarak's revenge: A 1-term Obama. The parallel is clear - Carter & the hostage crisis in Iran to Obama & the hostage crisis in Egypt.
3 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Plus, the subscriber gets a Happy Meal and a Happy Meal Toy in San Francisco.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Oh, and for every new subscriber to this new Catholic health insurance group, a dollar will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charity.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
For Obama to require ALL health insurance companies to provide free abortive services but if one is Catholic it violates religious freedom.
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Fight back Bill Donohue by starting a Catholic health insurance company and take only patients insured under it & Obama will be in the creek
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Bill Donohue Prez Catholic League on Fox said Obama is "devious" by INDIRECTLY requiring Catholic hosp to subsidize abortion at free clinics
4 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Has Obama's decision to support the ousting of Egypt's Prez Mubarak backfired with Egypt now holding 19 American hostages?
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
If Assad's Syria is a secular state, why is Obama upset when Assad is trying to stop a Sunni uprising? Isn't Obama a secularist? im confused
16 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A refrain:The Ultimate Obama Dilemma - President Obama: Are you for the EU (Romney-type cuts) or the Greek people (Obama-type entitlements)?
18 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Fascinated by Greece.The U.S. should outsource the Fed Reserve to the EU. Their rule: No Disbursements Without Cuts In Government Spending.
18 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A new magazine: RE-WIRED, to be published by the universe's most intelligent PC (Parasite Colony) -- see Re-tweet immediately below.
9 Feb
Evan Williams
ev Evan Williams
How Your Cat Is Making You Crazy: theatlantic.com/magazine/archi… Amazing story.
9 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Making connections:Tiger Woods - Sexting; Old-fashioned - Corner of Fast & Sleazy; High-Tech - Algorithms
8 Feb
Wired
wired Wired
Exclusive: Path's CEO explains why his app collects address book data, and how the company intends to make things right bit.ly/A5pcNv
8 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's Ultimate Dilemma: For the people of Greece, or for the EU demanding cuts in government spending, jobs & pensions to have a 2nd term?
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Greece - an over-bloated government with unaffordable public pensions despite high taxes (45% income and 23% V.A.T.)
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Greece - Obama's America In The Making
8 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mitt Romney: Your road to the White House is rocky, tortuous and long. Keep the faith! I want you to get there so please get there. Thanks.
7 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Correction:An earlier tweet today I used the word "radiate," it s/b "irradiate." So if Israel bombs Iran, Iran could make Hormuz radioactive
7 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
On the pre-emptive strike on Iran: With no oil in the Mideast, Israel's voice will be loud like my Tweet; with it, it deafens humanity.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
My Tweets
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Pure Greed is not a secular evil; denying it is.
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A Feb 3 tweet on Pure Greed comes true: 2010 Obama: Superpacs threatens democracy. 2012 Obama: Supports a superpac supporting him.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A retired general said Iran would retaliate against Israel's bombing by targeting US interests.That's so yesterday. Just radiate the Hormuz.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Israel says it plans to bomb Iran. I wonder if Putin will soon say: Not. Nyet.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Critics say Obama was "cocky" b/c he walked out of a gathering with #41 present before the next speaker Jeb Bush spoke. No, just unrefined.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
It is no secret that the only way to shrink the enormous US debt is to inflate the US dollar.
2 hours ago
Ron Paul
RepRonPaul Ron Paul
The Federal Reserve's explicit goal: Devalue the dollar 33% - Forbes onforb.es/znzE4V
3 hours ago
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
#43 was the Decider and #44 is the Divider.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama who himself used speech to get into the White House now wants to silence the voice of the religious in God's House.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The depth of a man's love is measured by the pain of his loss.
11 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A trophy static in a Man Cave collects dust and loses its luster but the living pain of defeat continually polishes a man's character.
11 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Or is it Shocked & Awwwww? Bush #43 SHOCKED to find no WMDs in Iraq and he said awwww because so many died and Iraq is still a mess.
12 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
But maybe there was! Saddam Hussein drew WMDs with Uni-ball Fanthom Erasable Gel Ink Pens on paper but erased them when Shock & Awe started.
12 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
To correct a spelling error in an earlier tweet: it's phantom WMDs, not fanthom WMDs.There's no such thing as a Uniball Fanthom Erasable WMD
13 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al'sStupidPhysics:1st,2nd,3rd dimensions:L,W,H; 4th,5th,6th:mass,speed,time;7th:human spirit;8th:coincidence;9th:evil; past9th:boundlessness
19 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
That's the way I see the world: hands over my face and through my fingers, but I fight those epic battles between good & evil head on.
20 hours ago
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
I cover my face while watching scary movies, then watch it through my fingers. #teamfollowback #followme
22 hours ago
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
Id rather be hurt by the truth, than protected by a lie. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
People that dont know me think Im shy. People that do know me wish I were. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
ATweet4Twitter: Although I hope to get in on Facebook's IPO offering but it is Twitter that I can't wait to invest in if ever it goes public
22 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A Tweet 4 Twitter: It is fast becoming my favorite place to blog but I still work on my Google blog at lemomentdepaix.blogspot.com
22 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
God gave the Chosen Ones richness in Christ and the Arabs wealth in oil. Who says God isn't fair?
23 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
This new economically and technologically globalized world cannot function with family feuds that began before Christ still brewing.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan spent $ on an arms race with Russia. Bush #43 spent $ on fanthom WMDs and the oil business. Obama spending $ on socialist programs.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan said the economy will eventually grow enough to cover his deficit spending and the then-mounting US debt except only the debt grew.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan and Obama are merely actors on a stage reading well-written scripts that pull at patriotic heart strings and spending recklessly.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Berlin Wall came down and behind it were these entitlement countries that are still dependent on a now-insolvent western Europe.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Reagan debt numbers can be found at lmmartin.hubpages.com/hub/The-United…
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
With all due respect to Reagan fans, Ronnie started his term with 980mil of debt and left it with 2.6trillion of debt but nobody blames him.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
So, who else besides Gronkowski can catch Tom Brady's ball?
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
And Jerry Rice who caught Joe Montana's and Steve Young's long touchdown throws.
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I miss the days of Joe Montana and Steve Young of the 49ers who ran with the ball and threw short passes.
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
NY Giants played well. How well will Obama do? It's going to be close one (back-tracking my earlier prediction for a Romney win).
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Muscatine, Iowa news: "Heartland Return for Chinese Leader" see online.wsj.com/article/SB1000…
4 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
D.Trump is too loud to be irrelevant and too irrelevant to make a difference with his endorsement.
3 Feb
Ben Romney
BenRomney Ben Romney
We have been dealt a hand of 4 of a kind in Nevada and Donald Trump is our ass in the hole. Or do I mean ace? #gop
2 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Too soon to be giddy: The true measure of economic recovery can be found in one hard figure:TAX REVENUE MINUS COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The linkage Obama does not want: A BIG spender just like Bush#43--each oblivious to his mismanagement of the country's finances. Vote4Romney
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Bush #43 does not understand money b/c he grew up with too much of it. Obama does not understand money b/c he grew up with too little of it.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Ultimate Irony -- Obama: The socialist version of Bush #43.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
8 years of Bush#43 gave showed us the worst of capitalism: pure greed. 8 years of Obama will give us the worst of socialism: pure greed.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
My apologies, Prez BO. In the heat of passion below, I confused you, #44, with Bush #43 since you guys are similarly yet differently inept.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mr. President:The Holy Spirit is a silent spirit. If it enters, it fills you completely with absolute peace and expands-just be careful tho.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
By the way, Mr. President, the Holy Spirit does not intercede and tell you what to say. You should call Bush #44 and talk to God together.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
President Obama: God and Christ are not to be used as political tools-the fact that you are using them as your pawns says a lot about you.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Change in Obama: Inspirational > Hopeful > Sullen > Condescending > Defiant > Preachy > ... to be continued as campaign season picks up.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Being the poorest of the poor, the United States with trillions of debt has no sympathy from Obama - he's only making the country poorer.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Not surprised by Donald Trump's endorsement of Mitt Romney rather than his earlier favorite since he's always quick to dump a loser.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Poor man's dream realized by Obama: spending money he does not have but gets it from a machine that prints legal tender.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Will Obama earn money from speeches post-presidency?No. What capitalist will pay for socialism & what socialist will pay for an entitlement?
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's "Two-term Fund" should instead be the "Life-Term Entitlement Fund For The Embittered".
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's cronyism is "Deficit Cronyism" NOT "Capital Cronyism" because US has NO capital. It has continuous deficits that add to its debt.
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Gingrich challenges FL's winner-takes-all rule. He's the only candidate oblivious of it. Can a cry-baby who's inept or senile be president?
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
After criticizing Romney for eliminating Kosher food for holocaust survivors, Gingrich then proposed food with eye of newt for old witches.
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Speaking of unrealistic expectations, I would like Mitt Romney to win CA in November. (Romney will be the republican presidential nominee.)
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Saying Mitt Romney's win in FL should have been more impressive could only come from an Asian whose parents have stratospheric expectations.
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Herman Cain endorses Newt Gingrich. Wonderful! They can both go on the campaign trail and espouse their opinions on marriage [in]fidelity.
28 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
That's the star I was waiting to see in Mitt Romney and it was shining tonight during the debate in Jacksonville FL. Bravo!! Mitt Romney!!
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Hillary is resigning! Has she just elected Mitt Romney? Her vote is like the equivalent of all the swing states.
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Icy intellect can be a heady experience when it is on fire and like fire, it can burn both ways.
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama said the rich should pay more taxes. He's wrong. I say the not-so-rich should not have to pay any taxes.
25 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
My definition of socialism: Ask not what you want do with your money, ask your country to do what it wants with it.
23 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Huffpost community moderator Dallas Don's slogan: Four More For Forty-Four! My answer: Survive And Vote For Forty-Five!
16 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
2012 - I have one follower but Twitter can't seem to find that person LOL.
7 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
When Obama spoke of change, I had no idea he meant that I was going to change from a liberal to a libertarian. LOL!!
3 Dec
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Dirty Oil Sands | Oklahoma Family Fights Land Grab for Canadian Tar Sands Oil Pipeline dirtyoilsands.org/news/article/o…
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I can't wait to see Kelso v TransCanada being argued in front of a new US Supreme Court to overturn Kelo v City of New London.
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Sue Kelso, stand your ground. Reverse Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005). Justices Souter and Stevens left. You have a chance.
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Pork prices in China rose 50%. Try chicken, the original white meat.
12 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The deadly German strain of E.coli has sickened two in Bordeaux, France. It has a name: 01O4:H4 but no birth place. Not yet anyway.
27 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
When China's streams, rivers & lakes are probably too toxic for e-coli to survive, they are alive and well in a stream in Hesse, Germany.
19 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Wanting proof, a Bill Warren is diving for bin Laden's remains. The one dying to prove he's not dead is bin Laden himself, except he's dead.
14 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
known for precision in engineering (mechanical, enviro- & nuclear) Germany quit nuclear, is struggling with e-coli but has good Porsches.
6 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
@kseeker6599 good to see you on here :)
3 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Germany to shut down all nuclear plants thinking it is earthquake-prone with a history of tsunamis leading to a Fukushima-style meltdown :-]
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Pure Greed is not a secular evil; denying it is.
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A Feb 3 tweet on Pure Greed comes true: 2010 Obama: Superpacs threatens democracy. 2012 Obama: Supports a superpac supporting him.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A retired general said Iran would retaliate against Israel's bombing by targeting US interests.That's so yesterday. Just radiate the Hormuz.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Israel says it plans to bomb Iran. I wonder if Putin will soon say: Not. Nyet.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Critics say Obama was "cocky" b/c he walked out of a gathering with #41 present before the next speaker Jeb Bush spoke. No, just unrefined.
1 hour ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
It is no secret that the only way to shrink the enormous US debt is to inflate the US dollar.
2 hours ago
Ron Paul
RepRonPaul Ron Paul
The Federal Reserve's explicit goal: Devalue the dollar 33% - Forbes onforb.es/znzE4V
3 hours ago
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
#43 was the Decider and #44 is the Divider.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama who himself used speech to get into the White House now wants to silence the voice of the religious in God's House.
2 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The depth of a man's love is measured by the pain of his loss.
11 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A trophy static in a Man Cave collects dust and loses its luster but the living pain of defeat continually polishes a man's character.
11 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Or is it Shocked & Awwwww? Bush #43 SHOCKED to find no WMDs in Iraq and he said awwww because so many died and Iraq is still a mess.
12 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
But maybe there was! Saddam Hussein drew WMDs with Uni-ball Fanthom Erasable Gel Ink Pens on paper but erased them when Shock & Awe started.
12 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
To correct a spelling error in an earlier tweet: it's phantom WMDs, not fanthom WMDs.There's no such thing as a Uniball Fanthom Erasable WMD
13 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Al'sStupidPhysics:1st,2nd,3rd dimensions:L,W,H; 4th,5th,6th:mass,speed,time;7th:human spirit;8th:coincidence;9th:evil; past9th:boundlessness
19 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
That's the way I see the world: hands over my face and through my fingers, but I fight those epic battles between good & evil head on.
20 hours ago
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
I cover my face while watching scary movies, then watch it through my fingers. #teamfollowback #followme
22 hours ago
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
Id rather be hurt by the truth, than protected by a lie. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
People that dont know me think Im shy. People that do know me wish I were. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Matha Spella
Swaggin_MathaSp Matha Spella
Happiness is where we find it, but rarely where we seek it. #teamfollowback
6 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
ATweet4Twitter: Although I hope to get in on Facebook's IPO offering but it is Twitter that I can't wait to invest in if ever it goes public
22 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
A Tweet 4 Twitter: It is fast becoming my favorite place to blog but I still work on my Google blog at lemomentdepaix.blogspot.com
22 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
God gave the Chosen Ones richness in Christ and the Arabs wealth in oil. Who says God isn't fair?
23 hours ago
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
This new economically and technologically globalized world cannot function with family feuds that began before Christ still brewing.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan spent $ on an arms race with Russia. Bush #43 spent $ on fanthom WMDs and the oil business. Obama spending $ on socialist programs.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan said the economy will eventually grow enough to cover his deficit spending and the then-mounting US debt except only the debt grew.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Reagan and Obama are merely actors on a stage reading well-written scripts that pull at patriotic heart strings and spending recklessly.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Berlin Wall came down and behind it were these entitlement countries that are still dependent on a now-insolvent western Europe.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Reagan debt numbers can be found at lmmartin.hubpages.com/hub/The-United…
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
With all due respect to Reagan fans, Ronnie started his term with 980mil of debt and left it with 2.6trillion of debt but nobody blames him.
6 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
So, who else besides Gronkowski can catch Tom Brady's ball?
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
And Jerry Rice who caught Joe Montana's and Steve Young's long touchdown throws.
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I miss the days of Joe Montana and Steve Young of the 49ers who ran with the ball and threw short passes.
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
NY Giants played well. How well will Obama do? It's going to be close one (back-tracking my earlier prediction for a Romney win).
5 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Muscatine, Iowa news: "Heartland Return for Chinese Leader" see online.wsj.com/article/SB1000…
4 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
D.Trump is too loud to be irrelevant and too irrelevant to make a difference with his endorsement.
3 Feb
Ben Romney
BenRomney Ben Romney
We have been dealt a hand of 4 of a kind in Nevada and Donald Trump is our ass in the hole. Or do I mean ace? #gop
2 Feb
Retweeted by Al_in_SF
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Too soon to be giddy: The true measure of economic recovery can be found in one hard figure:TAX REVENUE MINUS COST OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The linkage Obama does not want: A BIG spender just like Bush#43--each oblivious to his mismanagement of the country's finances. Vote4Romney
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Bush #43 does not understand money b/c he grew up with too much of it. Obama does not understand money b/c he grew up with too little of it.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Ultimate Irony -- Obama: The socialist version of Bush #43.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
8 years of Bush#43 gave showed us the worst of capitalism: pure greed. 8 years of Obama will give us the worst of socialism: pure greed.
3 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
My apologies, Prez BO. In the heat of passion below, I confused you, #44, with Bush #43 since you guys are similarly yet differently inept.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Mr. President:The Holy Spirit is a silent spirit. If it enters, it fills you completely with absolute peace and expands-just be careful tho.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
By the way, Mr. President, the Holy Spirit does not intercede and tell you what to say. You should call Bush #44 and talk to God together.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
President Obama: God and Christ are not to be used as political tools-the fact that you are using them as your pawns says a lot about you.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The Change in Obama: Inspirational > Hopeful > Sullen > Condescending > Defiant > Preachy > ... to be continued as campaign season picks up.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Being the poorest of the poor, the United States with trillions of debt has no sympathy from Obama - he's only making the country poorer.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Not surprised by Donald Trump's endorsement of Mitt Romney rather than his earlier favorite since he's always quick to dump a loser.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Poor man's dream realized by Obama: spending money he does not have but gets it from a machine that prints legal tender.
2 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Will Obama earn money from speeches post-presidency?No. What capitalist will pay for socialism & what socialist will pay for an entitlement?
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's "Two-term Fund" should instead be the "Life-Term Entitlement Fund For The Embittered".
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama's cronyism is "Deficit Cronyism" NOT "Capital Cronyism" because US has NO capital. It has continuous deficits that add to its debt.
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Gingrich challenges FL's winner-takes-all rule. He's the only candidate oblivious of it. Can a cry-baby who's inept or senile be president?
1 Feb
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
After criticizing Romney for eliminating Kosher food for holocaust survivors, Gingrich then proposed food with eye of newt for old witches.
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Speaking of unrealistic expectations, I would like Mitt Romney to win CA in November. (Romney will be the republican presidential nominee.)
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Saying Mitt Romney's win in FL should have been more impressive could only come from an Asian whose parents have stratospheric expectations.
31 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Herman Cain endorses Newt Gingrich. Wonderful! They can both go on the campaign trail and espouse their opinions on marriage [in]fidelity.
28 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
That's the star I was waiting to see in Mitt Romney and it was shining tonight during the debate in Jacksonville FL. Bravo!! Mitt Romney!!
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Hillary is resigning! Has she just elected Mitt Romney? Her vote is like the equivalent of all the swing states.
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Icy intellect can be a heady experience when it is on fire and like fire, it can burn both ways.
26 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Obama said the rich should pay more taxes. He's wrong. I say the not-so-rich should not have to pay any taxes.
25 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
My definition of socialism: Ask not what you want do with your money, ask your country to do what it wants with it.
23 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Huffpost community moderator Dallas Don's slogan: Four More For Forty-Four! My answer: Survive And Vote For Forty-Five!
16 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
2012 - I have one follower but Twitter can't seem to find that person LOL.
7 Jan
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
When Obama spoke of change, I had no idea he meant that I was going to change from a liberal to a libertarian. LOL!!
3 Dec
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Dirty Oil Sands | Oklahoma Family Fights Land Grab for Canadian Tar Sands Oil Pipeline dirtyoilsands.org/news/article/o…
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
I can't wait to see Kelso v TransCanada being argued in front of a new US Supreme Court to overturn Kelo v City of New London.
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Sue Kelso, stand your ground. Reverse Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005). Justices Souter and Stevens left. You have a chance.
20 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Pork prices in China rose 50%. Try chicken, the original white meat.
12 Jul
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
The deadly German strain of E.coli has sickened two in Bordeaux, France. It has a name: 01O4:H4 but no birth place. Not yet anyway.
27 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
When China's streams, rivers & lakes are probably too toxic for e-coli to survive, they are alive and well in a stream in Hesse, Germany.
19 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Wanting proof, a Bill Warren is diving for bin Laden's remains. The one dying to prove he's not dead is bin Laden himself, except he's dead.
14 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
known for precision in engineering (mechanical, enviro- & nuclear) Germany quit nuclear, is struggling with e-coli but has good Porsches.
6 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
@kseeker6599 good to see you on here :)
3 Jun
Al in SF
Al_in_SF Al in SF
Germany to shut down all nuclear plants thinking it is earthquake-prone with a history of tsunamis leading to a Fukushima-style meltdown :-]
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thoughts On God (Belated) - For Sunday, February 5th, 2012
Coming up with a thought about God every Sunday, as I have hoped to do since last Sunday, is a task that seems simple but it is not, at least not for me, even though it seems to be automatic for Joel Osteen. To say that God had not provided me with an inspiration because I am being punished is not true (I am just realizing this as I am writing [1]). I believe the ability to be personally inspired spiritually requires just such a desire and making that desire integral to one's daily existence. That, of course, is easier said than done for one's earthly existence is replete with a variety of tasks, work, troubles, worries, distractions, entertainment, wants and needs that overwhelm the senses day after day to the exclusion of any period of quiet that would permit a connection with God. Without spending time focusing on God, one will sense that God is absent, or worse, non-existent. In such an event, the mind's eye can see only darkness.
The more one is fascinated by earthly matters and the more time one spends on them to the exclusion of God, the farther away God is and the darker and thicker is the space between one's existence and God's existence, to the extent that God's existence becomes merely an academic issue or a passing interest. It is sad indeed when one has reached that point, or beyond, when one believes that God is irrelevant, or does not exist.
[1] I was of the opinion that if God has left one in darkness, it amounts to punishment or rejection. I am troubled by this new revelation because I am not ready to relinquish my belief that when a religious finds herself/himself without God that it is not punishment or rejection. A religious is betrothed to God in love yet has become unfaithful to that commitment. The betrayal of God's pure love in return by a committed religious would generate such intense and unbearable pain that it encases then dissolves the bond that was once created between God and the religious so that God has no choice but to forsake the relationship, leaving the religious in the emptiness of darkness.
The more one is fascinated by earthly matters and the more time one spends on them to the exclusion of God, the farther away God is and the darker and thicker is the space between one's existence and God's existence, to the extent that God's existence becomes merely an academic issue or a passing interest. It is sad indeed when one has reached that point, or beyond, when one believes that God is irrelevant, or does not exist.
[1] I was of the opinion that if God has left one in darkness, it amounts to punishment or rejection. I am troubled by this new revelation because I am not ready to relinquish my belief that when a religious finds herself/himself without God that it is not punishment or rejection. A religious is betrothed to God in love yet has become unfaithful to that commitment. The betrayal of God's pure love in return by a committed religious would generate such intense and unbearable pain that it encases then dissolves the bond that was once created between God and the religious so that God has no choice but to forsake the relationship, leaving the religious in the emptiness of darkness.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
A Wrong Prediction
Tom Brady's NE Patriots lost the Superbowl just now along with me losing my bragging rights for making a call that Tom would win. [1] I miss the good old days of Joe Montana and Steve Young of the 49ers who ran with the ball and threw short passes, and Jerry Rice who caught their long passes and touchdown throws.
With renewed humility, I will backtrack and revise my prediction for a Mitt Romney win in November against Barack Obama. [1] I will only say that it will be very, very close so that I would not again be very, very wrong.
[1] My blog entry on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
With renewed humility, I will backtrack and revise my prediction for a Mitt Romney win in November against Barack Obama. [1] I will only say that it will be very, very close so that I would not again be very, very wrong.
[1] My blog entry on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
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