More of Jefferson's Prescient/Prophetic Observations

John F. Kennedy once said to a assembled group of scholars in the White House, “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” It amazes me how many things Jefferson wrote and said, that are still relevant today.

For instance, he once shared...

“I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.”

And this pithy comment was also made by Jefferson - and we would be prudent to heed his counsel...

“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

Amen! I'll take Jefferson's word over the yapping politicos of today any time. What about you?

A Great Time of the Year!

I like this time of the year (almost as much as Fall: October-December). I don't care much for winter when you live in a no snow zone but I love Autumn.
But the beginning of the school year is always so cool. It's still hot enough to use the ole swimming hole and the days are still sunny and long. But the excitement of starting a new school year is such a rush. New faces, new things to learn. (the picture is of last year's class)
Then there's the county fair with all the exhibits, friends you haven't seen in a long time, and corn dogs and elephant ears! (Funny how all the good things to eat are named after animals!) I always like to go to the Fair in the evening when it starts to cool off and the lights are on and the music is fantastic (esp. when my brother's band is playing).
And then there's all the anticipation of the Autumn holidays - some of the coolest. Even as a kid I would look forward to Halloween, Thanksgiving and of course - the mother lode of all holidays - Christmas. Throw in my birthday and a few sibs birthdays in between those and you can see why we used to call it "The Goody, Goody Season." There is a holiday every 2 weeks or so.
Yep, that's why this is such a great time of the year!

When Have You EVER Heard Christians Doing This?

Monday, August 03, 2009

"Christian Family Burned to Death in Pakistan After Koran is 'Defiled' (they should have said allegedly defiled - read on)...

Paramilitary troops patrolled the streets of a town in eastern Pakistan yesterday after Muslim radicals burned to death eight members of a Christian family, raising fears of violence spreading to other areas.

Hundreds of armed supporters of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi ... after allegations that a copy of the Koran had been defiled... opened fire indiscriminately, threw gas bombs and looted houses as thousands of frightened Christians ran for safety. “They were shouting anti-Christian slogans and attacked our houses,” Rafiq Masih, a resident of the predominantly Christian colony, said. Residents said that police stood aside while the mob went on the rampage. “We kept begging for protection, but police did not take action,” Masih said.

Police and local officials said that at least eight people, including four women and a child, were killed in the fires. Two others died of gunshot wounds. Residents said that the casualties were much higher; one claimed that the number of dead could be in the dozens as many bodies were still buried under the rubble. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minister for Minorities, said that 40 Christian homes were torched in rioting. He said there was no truth to allegations that a Koran had been

defiled...Tension started mounting last week after Muslims accused three Christian youths of burning a copy of the Koran. They denied the allegations, but clerics called for their death..."

Can you imagine the uproar if a Christian pastor called for someone's death - let alone have it happen! Yet no one seems to notice or even mind that Muslim clerics do this all the time! Islam is NOT a religion of peace (it never has been) but it is an even bigger enemy to Liberty and Freedom than communism ever has been.