NEWS FLASH #19

NEWS FLASH is basically news or thoughts that may be changing over time - an update or an evolution of thought that covers a multiple of topics. It is what makes a blogger tick and it is the reason why we read. So, with that in mind, I came up with NEWS FLASH as an acronym that stands for what is going on in life:



News (or current events)
Entertainment (movies, TV, celebrity, etc.)
Work (thoughts on the job or employer)
Spirit (thoughts on God and/or the supernatural)
Family (or friends)
Love
Anxiety (a rant or a trouble)
Sports (also considered should be contests, reality tv, recreation, cards, games), and
Home (house, yard, or even another family type of thought.
___________________________________________________________________


NEWS - There is a Christian ministry founder that is serving 10 years in prison for tax and employment problems in Florida. It seems that his sentence has been excessive beyond legal guidelines. The judge claims that she is "making an example" of him. This minister is kind of excentric and has some strong and unorthodox views of taxes and the power of the government. I don't think greed or anything like that ever entered into his thinking when found to be in violation of these laws. As a matter of fact, he never charges for his appearances and does a lot of debates and seminars for free. It has really been uplifting, though, to read some of his blog entries from federal prison.


ENTERTAINMENT - Sicko is out on DVD. Go right now and buy or rent it. Even if you don't like Michael Moore and he betrays your conservative Republican sensibilities, rise above the petty, political influences your mind has, and view this documentary with an open mind. It is not a pro Democrat piece. It is not an anti-Republican piece. It is an interesting, funny, and sad representation of the state of healthcare in the US compared to other countries. Even if you do not like documentaries, politics, current affairs, news or anything like that, I promise you that you won't be bored with this DVD. Don't bother to comment on this if you aren't open minded enough to check out what you are insulting. ;)

WORK - Work would be pretty slow and easy right now if I hadn't gotten behind missing time at work to go to my wife's dad's house. That is why I am having a tough time being timely with this blog. That and this new discussion site I am participating in. It doesn't help that I got addicted to Turbo Risk while at my F-I-L's. It is a miracle that I hadn't put it on my work computer - yet.

SPIRIT - Got it! Actually, I feel a little bogged down here, too. It is my own fault; I am putting the squeeze on my time I spend with God. It is going to help my life immensely to pick it up a bit. I do want to thank my friend, Anne for introducing me to that discussion site I am on. It has helped me think spiritually while debating such things with her. LOL

FAMILY - As mentioned before, I spent last weekend with my wife and father-in-law in Illinois. It was a nice time. Nothing real exciting, but I got along with my wife okay - till we got back, but that was in the last post. I ALWAYS get along with the F-I-L. The tiff wasn't that big a deal, really. I am going to respond to the feedback again, shortly.

LOVE - The wife and I are doing okay. She doesn't like it that I am picking up extra jobs. It makes her feel that I am telling her that her part-time job isn't enough. Well, it isn't, but I am not saying that. I can't help it if we need more income. I told her that I liked that she has the job that she has and I am not telling her to do anymore. It is her guilt that has a problem with me, I suspect. For the most part, however, we are doing fine.

Anguish - Nothing too bad, really. I wrote a comment on my local paper's web site ranting about the stupid bridge traffic again. All the lanes are open, but they still have a 35 mph speed limit on it and it doesn't look like it is warranted. I don't care, really, but they aren't visibly enforcing it so half the traffic is crawling and the other half is flying. It is kind of a dangerous situation. They either need to scrap it or enforce it. I also dislike people who do not bother to use their turn signal until after the light turns green (when it is too late for you to move to the other lane). If I forget to do that, I will go up a block and turn on a side street just so not to inconvenience the motorists behind me because of my carelessness. I think I am the only one on the planet who does this, though.

SPORTS - Everyone in football I like, sucks. Thank God basketball season is here. GO IU! The Hoosiers are looking good this year.

HOME - Well, I am renting the house I am trying to sell. It is both good and bad. First the bad, I want to SELL it - get it out of my responsibility list! Second, I am renting it so cheap that I am still paying a couple of hundred more on my mortagage payment than collecting in rent. But, a little is better than zero. Now the good, at least I am getting SOME return now. Plus, the tenant will pay the utilities and that will save me a little more. Two, I can use the back apartment on the lot as storage so that will offset any storage cost I would have to pay for elsewhere. Finally, the guy I am renting it to is making improvements to the property like crazy. He did all the outside work, mowing, weeding, landscaping even before he officially was renting it (he still isn't officially in as I am trying to move some stuff out still). This means that the property will probably be worth more later when the housing market improves. I am not thrilled with the arrangement, but it is a definite improvement.

That's it for this week. Why are you still here? I told you to go rent that DVD!

12 comments:

Shan said...

Good to know you and your wife is doing well but heed what I said I guess...

Don't work too hard, I know what it's like having two jobs. Enjoy life mate!

goddessdivine said...

I don't like to watch people who fabricate the truth. Many fallacies have been found in his movie (I'm not surprised); that is why I won't watch it. I also will never, ever get behind socialized medicine. NOT A GOOD IDEA. (And I can hardly look at the guy long enough to watch one of his mockumenteries).

Ok, I know that was bold, but you told me I could be so on your blog. So I did.

I still have high hopes for your marriage. Good luck.

Jeff said...

Shan: Thanks, and I like being called "Mate:. ;)

Kristen: I would have bet my life that you were going to comment here. lol I know the Republicans tried real hard to rebut "Fahrenheit 911" but I haven't heard many sound arguments against "Sicko". I would love to hear them. I mean, 90% of the movie, Moore had the primary sources WITH HIM. Hard to refute that!

You are right. I did say you could be bold on my blog and you are welcome to it. I also stated, "Don't bother to comment on this if you aren't open minded enough to check out what you are insulting." LOL If you adhere to one, you must adhere to the other. ;)

Thanks for your encouragement concerning my marriage. You are a good friend - even if you are a puppet of the GOP. :P

Brian said...

I'm totally with you on the traffic thing. The other day I considered starting a new blog where I can just rant about the things or people that bother me while I'm driving.

goddessdivine said...

Ouch. A puppet of the GOP? That hurts.

I'm first and foremost a conservative. If a Republican candidate happens to harness my values then great. It's just that most, if not all, Democrats don't even come close. Well, except for Zell Miller. He's awesome. I would even vote for him if he ran for president. (I've even read two of his books).

As far as Sicko is concerned. Moore visited the best hospital that Cuba has; he didn't even step foot in the rest of the country's poor excuses for hospitals....which lack supplies, sterility, and competent staff. I've personally lived in a third world country with socialized medicine. So not the way to go. And in Canada, the average wait for an MRI is 12 weeks. 12 weeks!! My mom just had one and only had to wait 2 days. Many countries with socialized medicine show a decrease in quality. When the govt's in charge they decide which procedures are 'necessary' and which you will just have to do with out.

What we need to do is crack down on trial lawyers like John Edwards who have made millions suing doctors for ridiculous reasons. This is what's driving up health care costs. That and govt regulation.

I'm open-minded. But some things are just at my core beliefs that I don't bend. This is one of them.
Remember: less govt is always better. When govt intervenes too much it takes away agency, and accountability.

Whew....Ok, totally went on a little rampage there. I'll stop. Just had to make myself clear. Thanks for indulging me ;-)

Anonymous said...

Brian: I'd read it - and comment. It drives me absolutely crazy.

Kristen: I meant that puppet comment affectionately. ;)

First of all, it doesn't matter to me what hospital he went to in Cuba. That really wasn't his point. Secondly, how do you know?

As far as socialized medicine, there are a couple of things to consider. On second thought, I should just turn this into a post.

Stay tuned.

Hey, and thanks for your spirited response! You are still and always welcome to share your talking points, er . . . I mean Republican, er uh . . . I mean conservative opinion here. LOL Seriously, it makes for interesting discussion.

BTW - again for clarification, I am an independent and look at each issue independently. I argue with both parties . . .er philosophies.

goddessdivine said...

jeff--I read a lot.....that's where I know Moore's movie has flaws. I've read some pieces from political commentaries who have debunked several of his claims.

Glad you think I'm spirited. I'll take that as a compliment. I hope I don't offend you with my 'passionate' responses. I know I'm opinionated and am not usually shy about it. Just know that when you present your next post I'll be waiting in the wings ;-)

I've considered switching over to independent; just haven't done that yet. Thing is, you'll never see me registered as a Democrat.

Anne said...

Jeff,
I am a Libertarian so I agree with Kristen. Government (for the most part) BAAAD, free agency GOOD! I did NOT see the movie so feel free to get on my case.
But the more the government mucks around with things, the more they fuck it up. I honestly cannot see myself waiting 12 months to go to the doctor, even if its a free or VERY cheap doctor. I'd much rather pay for quality, ease of use, and speed. U.S. doctors have saved my life several times over, and had I needed to wait for essential services back then you'd no doubt be minus 1 Annie right now.
Whatever the health care system does wrong (and I know, its a LOT) I think its the lesser of the two evils. For now.

Shan said...

Glad you like being mate :)

I have awarded you the be the blog award. Come and pick it up at my blog mate :)

Jodi said...

Hey...
Glad to hear things are going well for the most part.
I miss our e-mails.

XX,
J.

Brian said...

I hate to say it, but my teams are for once the ones winning, Illinois football, and the Pack! Basketball season should be interesting though, we'll see the Hoosiers on Feb 7th! Wanna place any wagers?!?! :)

Jeff said...

Brian: I am always game to wager. What do you have in mind? They play twice, you know!