Chip's Church Chat

Don't Lose the Real Debate--"Health Insurance Reform" (cough, cough)

2009-08-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

All this health care talk is getting me upset. Issues are being bandied back and forth:

Quality of care for elderly/Euthanasia (end-of-life care)
Illegal Aliens “Rights to Services”
Cost, deficit issues, taxes
Overall quality of service (managed care verses European style)
Possibility of governmental intrusion
Freedom of choice diminishing
Abortion
And so many others

My contention is shouting doesn’t help. Liberal bureaucrats say “yes” or “no” to anything. The key for them: sign the deal, then legislate and judicate incrementally. They will promise the world and demonize opponents as mean-spirited. They will agree to any one of those issues: “Abortion, sure, we will make sure the government doesn’t get involved”. Several years later we are calling it ‘quality of life’ issues where the health of the baby and mother are at stake. Libs can promise anything—it’s not their money. It’s easy to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to anything.

Don't get hung up on those issues. We call it “insurance reform”; it’s really “democracy reform”—that’s what's at stake, our fundamental freedoms as a democracy. Keep using the word ‘socialism’ that’s what hyper-liberalism is. (<--notice the period)

I’m all for outreaches, help for the poor, truly reforming the health system but NOT for socialized medicine—no thank you. All the above will lose, but good “Red, White, and Blue” Americans do not want to be Socialists. If Americans expose this group of bureaucratic flakes as teetering Socialists, we may just get a new congress and President – then we get back to a democratic, capitalist system and true health process reform.

Ode to a Little Flag

2009-07-01T12:51:00.000-07:00

Blue, yellow, red, and green—you’re all lovely keeping me in my place. Disjointed thoughts and a thirsty soul crying for knowledge praise your position. Hundreds of you remain steady yet progressively move forward through history, language, theological discourse, poetry, science, and the Cat in the Hat. My mind fails; I would read the same text over and over and over. You move me and remind me of the place where I left—some call you “plastic”—I call you “rock”! Little Flag, Little Flag, you are majestic! Your service is never rewarded but always praised. Thank you sticky 3-M Post-it flags. My library is full of you, my heart is thankful, and my mind is blessed.

Psychopath/Sociopath

2009-05-29T22:39:00.001-07:00

I have become interested in the differences between these 2 diagnosis. There are both a medical and legal connotations. One of these cats crossed my path and I'm glad the relationship was short lived. It has been learned this person had done damage in other communities and I'm sure the person will do it in other communities too. Scary. I asked, "Is the person 'socio' or 'psycho' path?"

The lines are shady but it seems the socio path is in less control of himself where as the psycho appears more orderly. The sociopath would tend to get caught at his malfeasance where the psychopath is a bit smarter, but still unaware to his own faults. I'm learning he/she blames everyone for his/her own problems yet justifies his own guilt. Yow! The ethics are always self-serving. Ultimately because of his disorders both of the "paths" cannot be successful. He can only blame loved ones and society for his failures. I guess these trapped people go snap, crackle, pop when the awareness hits that, "Maybe it's me". I think when that realization hits it's a crossroad to hurting destructive behavior. The destruction can go in any direction. I wonder if before they hurt themselves or others if they can find surrender to Christ and therapy. Is wholeness possible for the socio/psychopath? Of course we all say yes, but has there been success for whole living for him?

Here is an explanation from WiseGeek.com :

Even those professionals that identify a difference note that the traits of the psychopath and sociopath are largely similar. Both psychopaths and sociopaths have a complete disregard for the feelings and rights of others. This often surfaces by age 15 and may be accompanied by cruelty to animals. These traits are distinct and repetitive, creating a pattern of misbehavior that goes beyond normal adolescent mischief.
Both the psychopath and sociopath fail to feel remorse or guilt. They appear to lack a conscience and are completely self-serving.

Miss California Carrie Prejean Exonerated

2009-05-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

I appreciated Miss. CA's response to her being cleared of all wrong-doing.
This was part of her response afterward:

“Judge #8 began a cultural firestorm in the media; it went national, as he was trying to be self-promoting and hateful, while I have remained silent—since—I am honored to be here today. To finally let my voice be heard and address the hateful attacks, despicable rumors, and the false allegations I have had within the last 3 weeks…being at the center of a media firestorm is not something I had planned, or signed up for. But the days since have taught me to stand up for what you believe in regardless of the consequences, personal attacks, or disagreements.”

What if this situation were reversed? What if she were for same-sex marriage? What if she stated her own opinion for gay marriage, became maligned by the public, and then disgraced because of some shady photos (that didn’t fit the criteria for indecent)? How would the general media and Hollywood Left respond? Gotta admit, the kid stood up for herself without losing her congeniality. She also publically forgave anyone who slandered her. Some of those pics were photo-shopped and she forgave the hate-filled things said against her by people pushing their own agendas. May God give me the same grace when I am culturally attacked.

Girl, we beautiful people need to stick together!

Everything's amazing, nobody's happy

2009-03-26T17:04:00.001-07:00

This guy has a point.

Milton Friedman Tells Phil Donahue Why Socialism Fails

2009-03-22T21:22:00.001-07:00

Wow! Milton Friedman sets us straight decades ago. He makes a good point. What will really help us get out of this "grinding poverty"? Communism, Socialism, Nazism, Liberalism? President Obama needs to hear this.

Conservatism With Heart: Rush Limbaugh at CPAC!!#links#links#links#links#links#links#links

2009-03-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

* Conservatism With Heart: Rush Limbaugh at CPAC!! #links#links#links#links#links#links#links

Thank you Dee from CWH! I have seen Rush's CPAC speech but missed Ann Coulter's. She is a riot with some great points with regard to Democrats views on President Obama.

* Liberals beware: Listening to these Talking Heads could be hazardous to your presupposed political ideologies. Do not listen if you have no intention of becoming a Republican. Knowing you are living a lie while aiding and abetting the biggest scam in American history could do damage to your self-worth and personal religion. If you have no intentions of changing then run out of the house right now and hug a tree; throw your hard-earned money toward the government; and dust off your statue of Karl Marx and straighten you portrait of Barack Obama. If you do want a good belly laugh and are willing to accept that your political stances are bent, then by all means, listen. You have been warned. Chip's Church Chat (C3) cannot be held liable for dissensions in any family, institution, or political camp where members who use their brains convert from hyper-liberalism to rational-conservatism. For a full disclosure of all release of liabilities, contact Levine, Levine, and Levine law firm @ I.CheatumAndHow.com.

Kids, Watch and Learn!

2009-02-23T02:33:00.000-08:00

My mother is visiting this week. My four-year-old girl is ecstatic. My mom gets to meet my newborn too. I am thankful my wife is secure with the relationship I have with my mother. Since we first got married, 10 years ago, my wife has always encouraged my mom and me to continue the close relationship we had prior to my marriage. Mom has always appreciated this. She says, “Even if she (my wife) were the most devious person in the world (which she’s not), it’s a great strategy to ‘keep friends close and enemies closer’”. That’s my girl. Kerry is so secure with my relationship with mom that she rented a hotel for 2 nights just a mile away from our house so we could spend quality time together. What a peach.

The bed-and-breakfast-like hotel is quaint. It seems like a medieval chateau or someplace Shakespeare would write sonnets by candlelight. Wicked-cool! She got us the “president’s suite” for a bargain. She was a hotel manager and knows how to talk to other hotel managers. It’s cool. We did laugh a bit. It has a long bar with many barstools. Two big plasma screen TV’s. It has a living room with a wrap-around couch and mirrors all along one wall. It also has pictures of Marilyn Monroe and Holly Golightly (the only thing missing is Liza Minnelli and Barbara on the ceiling!). It has a Jacuzzi and even something that looks like a professional dancer’s pole near the bar. It’s a gas watching a 70’something year-old mom pretend she is Charo singing “oochie-coochie” on the Merv Griffin Show. We had fun eating things we ought not eat while watching Nancy Grace excoriate murderous tot moms. 1 snafu: there was only 1 bed. Sleeping with my mom was cute when I was 4, not 4 decades later. I went foraging for supplies.

I headed downstairs to the Hotel California’s frontdesk to speak with the nightman to grovel for a pillow, a sheet, and a blanket to sleep on the big couch in the big room with the big TV. He looked like the mullet-sporting, skeleton-looking guy from Rocky Horror Picture Show. I think his name was Norman Bates. He walked me into a creepy closet and walked me up the creepy stairs back into my creepy room. It was creepy. I’m glad he didn’t tuck me in. Tourists come from all over to see this haunted hotel. I ignored all the stories parishioners have told me and kept repeating the mantra, “I don’t believe in spooks; I don’t believe in spooks!” I don’t; I guess. I have seen neither split pea soup flying across the room nor tables blocking exits thus far. If I had I would have checked our long ago; we are spook free!

It’s good to have my Italian/Portuguese mother here, even if it is a weird room. I can hear her sleeping as I type. Being the youngest of 5, I know I will know her the shortest time compared to my older sibs. I am a tad jealous. Having a newborn reminds me of how much I love her as I know she looked at me the way I look at my 2 kids. And if she looked at me the way she looks at my 10-week old, then I was a very happy infant. I have never seen such love in a woman’s eyes beside my wife for our kids. Jr. did not come from Lou’s womb, well, not directly—maybe there is something to that.

I am thankful for my wife too. She has inner-contentment and serenity. What other woman would rent a room for her husband and mother-in-law to get some “alone time”. My wife has fun with my mom and me, but says, “I see my family all the time, but you’re lucky to see you mom once a year”. I could have had a wife who was jealous or insecure with my mom’s closeness with me, instead, she encourages it. I hope Kerry reaps what she sows inheriting a daughter-in-law who encourages a fond relationship with our son and my wife Kerry. I pray she looks back and smiles that our son took the good from his old man and found a girl a little like his mom. I pray my future 40+ boy has as much fun with Kerry as I had “doing nothing” with my mom tonight. Let’s cherish the time with our parents while we can. We don’t know how much time we will have with them or the “facilities” we will enjoy, with them, or us.

Sopranos A&E

2009-02-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

The last 8 or so years have been rough. My family watched the Sopranos every Sunday night and repeats on HBO throughout the week. The program has so many great Italian-American and East Coast references, yet the swearing, violence, and nudity is too much. It’s too bad. It would have been a great bonding piece with the family. As the youngest of 5, I’m used to missing out on all the fun!

Well, now the Sopranos are edited and watchable for my dainty eyes and ears on A&E channel—“I’m back, BABY!” I may be a decade behind, but at least I now know all the inside jokes.

One of my favorite quotes so far is Rosalie Aprile telling Adriana (who sold herself out to the feds) the reason why Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero’s wife is no longer welcome to lady’s functions. S he explains, how even Judas didn’t act like Pussy when he betrayed Jesus…"At least Judas didn't go into any 'Apostle protection' program -- he hung himself, he knew what he did."

Thanks A&E for great editing, and thanks Sharon Angela for a good belly laugh!

Stimulus Package

2009-02-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

What got us into this financial disaster in the first place? Well one of the first places I can think of are these easy-credit, house scandals. We chucked money at people and lenders who had no business buying high-dollar homes. The mortgage rates were screwy and people signing the contracts had no idea what they were signing or the ramifications of actually paying that money back.

Another problem is a credit problem. Average Americans, and even college kids, became too debt heavy. Kids live of school loans and credit cards. Once they get married, they realize a difficult reality, "You have to pay that money back!" A welfare mentality is not just in "the hood" but in the suburbs, on Wall Street, and in the Beltway too.

We are at a financial crossroad, so what do we do? Feed the monster.

Obama, Pelosi, and Reed are given a Trillion dollar credit limit to "stimulate" the economy. The audacity to even ask for such a credit limit during these times, and especially knowing how we got into these times. A "Trillion" dollar credit limit can buy Microsoft, Walmart, Pepsi, Coke, and Google, with cash to buy some other mega-goodies! Who is going to pay the balance? My kids and their kids. Maybe our kids will just declare bankruptcy which is just saying uncle to socialism/communism. I wish we could just cut the cards and find other ways.

Caylee Burried Yesterday

2009-02-11T22:23:00.000-08:00

Rest In Peace three-year-old Caylee Marie Anthony. She was buried yesterday in Orlando, FL. As a father with a daughter the same age and with the same eyes, I pray justice comes quickly and we take a public stand against horrific crimes like this.

Love the Cable Guy!

2009-02-11T22:10:00.000-08:00

I like TV; no, I love TV. I love my TIVO too. You can watch what you want, when you want, and get right to the point. I must say too, I prefer cable over satellite. What’s nice about cable is you can juice the wires any way you want. You can’t do that with satellite. In NY we had Time Warner Cable and Road Runner Internet. We never had a problem. With the DVR we could tape two shows at once and watch another; very cool. We moved to CA and wanted to have Time Warner/Road Runner again. I asked the cable guy to put some holes in the wall that even a novice like me could do. He got all sassy telling me how much extra money it would cost. Basically he pouted. I asked him to leave and we have had Dish Network for over 2 years now.

Time Warner called me up offering a $33/$33/$33 deal for cable/internet/phone. That was an offer I couldn’t refuse, and because I juiced up the house with wires myself; I was willing to endure that pouty, sassy cable person. To my elation, I got a new guy with an upbeat attitude. He wasn’t a schmoozer but was a serious guy who took the tour around my house and told me everything I wanted was not only possible but made sense—WOW! He went above and beyond and did all the wire work through our tiny little attic. What a great guy. No wires! I pecked out a quick thank-you note to him and the company. Here’s why I prefer my cable over satellite:

They were very nice over the phone and threw in a bunch of freebies. The cost was better than satellite. No long term commitments; I can just cancel. Theoretically, I can tape two shows at once and watch two others with PIP (picture in picture). I can pipe my cable to any room in the house (including garage and back patio). Satellite allows only four. The best thing was the service. I have never had sales people and service people be so kind to me. For me, the service from the waiter in a restaurant is more important than the food or prices. Same with TV. For Time Warner/Road Runner, the prices got me, but the service will keep me.
Thanks TW/RR. I wish you all the success in the world!

☆Love six-year-old Connie Talbot!

2009-02-07T23:12:00.001-08:00

Where did this kid come from?????
Best of luck CT!

Yes, They Can

2009-01-20T09:08:00.000-08:00

It’s difficult to explain the joy and elation I feel as an American to truly say “anyone can become president of the United States”. It doesn’t erase the stain on our country to the harsh, inhumane treatment of Africans and many Native Americans, but it does open the door for young people of any color to say “I can be president”. My hope is that the pessimistic outlook of many youth will be lifted today and they can seize the opportunities of a Democratic, Represented Republic.

It’s a glorious, sentimental time. I appreciate the hopeful cadence in Obama’s voice. I’m smitten with George and Laura’s humble class as they hand over power. Even Bruce Springsteen’s raspy voice makes me feel patriotically nostalgic. It’s all good. This may sound odd, but what gave me a moment of hopeful serenity is seeing young Jenna and Barbara Bush giving a White House tour for Malia Ann and Sasha Obama. That made it all real for me.

This is the first day for our President’s journey. Let’s pray for him and his family. It’s bitter-sweet for us Americans. We pray 4 years for each leader. Other Christians need to pray a lifetime for their country’s kings or dictators. No matter what political bent, let’s pray for the Obama’s. May God bless them and America; and may we Americans be a blessing too.

Wrights, and Warrens, and Robinsons--O' My!

2009-01-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Isn't that special...

USA Today--Activists cheer Obama's choice of gay bishop

He loves controversial ministers. President Elect Obama has now asked controversial Episcopalian Bishop, Rev. Gene Robinson, to take part in the inauguration. What meaneth thou this? It is said a President Obama will do away with “don’t ask, don’t tell” approaches to government employees. He plans to appoint gay officials in high ranks . These gestures are troublesome for many denominations. It’s difficult to think of anyone more polarizing than Robinson. Robinson's appointment is becoming the "shot heard around the world" causing the biggest church split of our day. Including Rev. Robinson does placate a fringe among the radical left. Warren is likened to Hitler by some. Robinson’s addition appeases them—for the moment.

Aside from that, President Elect Obama plans to have a dinner honoring opponent John McCain. This is seen as chivalrous by some political talking heads. It seems like it to me too. Is Obama a genuinely nice guy; or a calculating, smooth-talking, maniacal, tyrannical liberal with a “3 steps forward-2 steps back” approach to cultural, governmental change? I’m not sure. Either way, let’s just follow the money and follow the power to see what plays out. I love symbolism, but as for me and my house, we will choose substance any day.

PRW Anointing PE-BO

2009-01-06T14:02:00.000-08:00

Seems like President Elect Obama will have Pastor Rick Warren give the invocation at his inauguration. The far left and far right are in a lather. I had a good, initial reaction to it. I was worried the sky would fall when Barak Obama came into office. It is exciting to have a black president; I’m just lamenting he has among the most liberal records in the Senate. For me the Warren prayer was just a small bone he could throw to guys like me. I now wonder if he actually can walk among both sides of the aisle; (that’s kind of easy when you have majorities in the both branches).

He is catching flack for Warren but is sticking to his guns. It's an easy decision to stick to though--good for him. I'm more surprised how much he ran on “change” yet pads his administration with dinosaurific, Clinton-machine leftovers. Hillary??? Leon Panetta???? Gimmee a break. Yeah, m-hm, that's change. T'will be an interesting 4 (8?) years. But hey, thanks President Elect Obama for an evangelical invocation. I look forward to bigger bones chucked my way throughout this long, arduous hidden-tax-filled presidency. Call me an optimist. :-)

Pro-life Back Pastors Wary of Obama

2008-07-06T23:17:00.000-07:00

Wahington Times Article: Views clash on abortion

Julia Duin of the Washington Times reports the difficult quandary many conservative Black pastors are in as it relates to Barack Obama. He is unapologetically pro-life and pro-gay; those 2 things don’t set too well with these Bible preachers. Many in their flock are willing to sell out their core values for the sake of seeing a person of color in the White House. I can’t say I blame them. Many feel McCain is a weak candidate for the GOP—that doesn’t make things easier.

I am thankful an African American has been elected to run for president. We have a black teenager who is living with us. It is wonderful to say with confidence, “You can run for president too.” It’s no joke. I do appreciate the candor of these black pastors in this article. They claim they are “Christians first, and black second”. I respect that. I so want a black president but just not Barack Obama. He will not respect life nor will he respect marriage. There is a part of me that wants to make history this November, but I know in my heart that history will help destroy the future. McCain is no prize but I’d rather deal with the 20% I don’t agree with him, than the 80% I disagree with Obama. It would be more difficult if I were black. The history or the future—which to vote?

chip.

Rush Limbaugh shows Bill Clinton faking tears after funeral

2008-06-16T16:30:00.001-07:00

I am sooooo glad Bill won't be First Lady.
BO, do not pick HC as your Veep. This was Ron Brown's funeral; how do you think he and VP Clinton would act at yours?
chip.

Possible Ancient Christian Shrine Found in Jordan

2008-06-12T09:01:00.000-07:00

Archaeologist Abdel-Qader Hussein, head of the Rihab Center for Archaeological Studies, says the catacombs were unearthed in the northern Jordanian city of Rihab after three months of excavation and show evidence of early Christian rituals. Shortly after the death of Jesus Christ, disciples founded churches in the area, many of them underground to escape persecution.

The Story

ARETHA FRANKLIN -- Dr. Feelgood

2008-06-10T00:51:00.001-07:00

How wouls she do on AI?

The High Cost of Saving ANWR

2008-06-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

Where the heck have I been? Why have I not ever heard of Raymond S. Kraft, a retired attorney and gifted writer from northern California? He makes tons of sense. Read this article on The High Cost of Saving ANWR. Raymond seems to think we are being held hostage by liberal congressmen’s constituencies who don’t want ANWR touched at all, even at the cost of our national interests. There is more to drilling in ANWR than meets the eye. Kraft hates seeing us pay $130 a barrel to OPEC countries who hate us. We export $700 billion dollars a day to Middle Eastern countries. Hugo Chavez gets a nice chunk of that too. But we are outsourcing job, jobs that could be here in America. Kraft belives by drilling in Alaska and offshore again, we could hypothetically lower our low unemployment rate from 5% to 0%! People could actually stop collecting unemployment and welfare.

Think of it: once we begin drilling, the prices will come down. Countries will begin competing for our business. It’s a matter of opening 2,000 acres of the 19,049,236 area of land (that’s 2 commas, as in ‘millions’).

Let’s not let Algorish-type senators stop our country from flourishing. Do not vote for a selfish, self-destructive liberal this year. Pretty soon they will try to protect the corn fields from being harvested. Using our natural resources in America keeps our money and jobs here; it helps stop terrorist countries from getting crazy rich; it brings down unemployment.

Thank you Raymond S. Kraft. Keep writing.
chip.

What the real, selfish Clinton would have done.

2008-06-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well, did you hear Hillary Clinton’s Don’t Cry for me Argentina speech—yuck!

Basically her speech was about her -- “I, me, my/myself”— and, oh yeah, "Barack" too. I went through the speech to do a word count and found her using the words “I” 63x’s; “me” 17x’s; “my” 26x’s; and “myself” 1x (I, myself, am not a big fan of the pronoun “myself” either—that doesn’t make “me” like her any more though).

Do you want to hear the real Hillary? This is what we would have had to contend with to have Clinton in the White House for 4 l-o-n-g years. Here the big quote from her speech:

This isn't just an issue for me. It is a passion and a cause, and it is a fight I will continue until every single American is insured, no exceptions and no excuses.

We all want an America defined by deep and meaningful equality, from civil rights to labor rights, from women's rights to gay rights ... from ending discrimination to promoting unionization, to providing help for the most important job there is: caring for our families.

And we all want to restore America's standing in the world, to end the war in Iraq, and once again lead by the power of our values ... and to join with our allies to confront our shared challenges, from poverty and genocide to terrorism and global warming.

Summary: Socialized medicine; special rights; big labor; more “hate crime” bills; “caring for families” (socialization/education/welfare/Planned Parenthood—abortions); pull out of Iraq/invade Darfur; follow United Nations’ lead; shake-down corporate growth for cash.

Isn’t it amazing how she has been so moderate during the campaign? Today, she revealed what we missed out on—4 years of hyper/social, tax-and-spend programs. As I mentioned months ago, I feared the Clinton's’ grandiosity and indestructibility similar to the Nixon Administration. You think the Clinton's were dangerous before??

I don’t want Obama to win, but if he does, it won’t be the end. I’m just not sure I could take 4 years of Hillary. I may just go where Alec Baldwin never went. I am glad from her “concession” speech today, I got to hear what she would have been all about—“herself” and socialism. I do not feel bad for this selfish, dangerous person, at all.

I will close this thought about the Clinton machine in the same way thriller movies often close…The End?

Abortion failed! Baby is fine!

2008-06-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world baby Finley Crampton of England!Mama Jodie Percival and husband Bill decided to abort the 8-week old after learning he would probably have kidney trouble. The abortion DIDN'T TAKE!!!! And guess what; the parent aren't suing but are rejoicing--look at that handsome, dapper kid!

Kerry and I are 11-weeks pregnant. We had our baby's 1st sonogram at 8-weeks; he was the cutest, little tadpole I had ever seen. You should've heard that little heart beating at 185 bpm!

Ladies and gentleman: read Finley's story and reconsider abortion.

Doctors: stop aborting and choose life. You will be blessed because of it and so will your 3 patients--the mom, the dad, and the baby.

chip.

More Jazz!

2008-06-07T03:41:00.001-07:00

Heavy cats. Life gets no better than this. Youtube, send me your bill.
chip.

Tea For Two

2008-06-07T03:12:00.001-07:00

Join me for a flashback to Anita O'day singing "Tea For Two" at Newport, RI Jazz Festival--Summer of 1958.

She swings!
chip.