Wednesday, April 29, 2009

News Media

I get so frustrated with how our News informs us... do you think it's biased, one-sided, has an agenda??

Take this Swine Flu thing for example.
The Center for Disease Control says that each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications; 20,000 of those are children younger than 5 years old; and 36,000 people die from the flu. Therefore, it is their recommendation that you get a yearly flu vaccine which protects from 3 main flu strains. They also suggest that you cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze - hey, I think this falls under "good manners" if not common sense. Also - WASH YOUR HANDS folks! You really cannot do this enough, so simple and yet so effective to keep germs from entering your body. The CDC also says to stay away from sick people. Might it be better to have sick people stay away from us? Why do we go to work sick? Why do we send our children to school sick? It is no wonder that sickness spreads to everyone in our midst.

Evidently 36,000 people dying from regular flu is not news worthy, not when you compare it to the panic of swine flu spreading rapidly at our borders. Perhaps the people who are so anxious to allow non-Americans come into our country will change their mind a little bit now. But this is not a note about our borders.

This is a note about politics however.

Today is President Obama's 100th day. I have not seen earth-shattering legislation that is helping me. I have seen my local property taxes increase. I have been watching how a stimulus bill (which was not even READ by our president) was passed, and I have watched him briefly on the news (and some YouTube news) as he "makes nice" with all foreign leaders. I have to tell you that it was a little scary watching him with other world leaders, reminded me of a Left Behind (the movie) scene. I have no doubt that we move closer to the end days. And in the end, the U.S. does fall from its top position as world leader. Did you ever think it would happen? We enjoyed so many days of excess and prosperity, as if it would never end. And we, so much like Israel, seem to always repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.

I have located some good blogs for conservatives, if you want to read any. They are in my blog list. But, if you are like me, you read these things, your blood pressure goes up and you get discouraged, depressed, frustrated... a good way to handle those emotions is to WRITE YOUR POLITICIANS! Let your voice be heard, whether you choose email, snail mail or even your telephone, get involved and get active. The only way that change will happen is if YOU get involved.

Don't just sit back and let someone else do it. You do your little bit too. It is going to take ALL of us.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Tis the season of Proms...

...and graduations... and awards ceremonies... another year ending... and my "baby" is leaving high school.

When they were small, I could never imagine this day. You are so overwhelmed with the constant demands of young children, they are always needing you, wanting you, touching you... and then suddenly, they hit the teenage years, going through hormonal changes and personality changes; oh, they still need you, but they are not as willing to share with you and tell you they need you! and when my first one left the nest, i still had the others, and then the next one, but i still had one at home... and so it goes.

I expected to feel more sadness, but somehow God really does prepare you for this time. And ~ perhaps my sadness is overshadowed by my more natural emotion of anxiety, stress, fear! (okay, that is supposed to be a little funny.) Truth is, when we send them out each day, we have no control over anything. I realize that the truth is: Control of anything is an illusion! But isn't it easy to convince ourselves that we DO have control? It is a daily struggle for me to NOT let my flesh control my emotions, my actions, my feelings.

For the present, we have a prom hair appointment to get to (more money added to all the other pre-prom festivities). You "dads of baby daughters" get prepared for the expenses involved in getting our girls out to their social events! You have a few years so start saving now. lol

Talk to you soon.