NEWS FLASH #21

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.
___________________________________________________________________

I hope everyone had a nice holiday (those that had one). Life has kept me busy going into and coming out of Thanksgiving. I haven't been neglectful of my blog - just unable to do much with it.
I also decided NOT to have "The Great Healthcare Debate II" on this blog at this point. I don't want to turn this into THAT. However, I am still willing to discuss it in small parts and in the comments for those who are particularly interested. As a little response to some of the criticisms to universal healthcare, I can say that no inconvenience or even small expense should outweigh some of our less fortunate the RIGHT to healthcare. It is unconscionable to deny healthcare to anyone - especally for selfish reasons ("it will cost me more or inconvenience me more"). Jesus, I am sure, hates this system. He taught that people should consider the "least" of society as they do God's own son. I doubt too many people would look favorable to the idea of turning Jesus away because of lack of funds, do you?

What also bothers me is that most of the people who are against providing unversal healthcare are the same people that support the pointless Iraq war and all the money spent on it. This would be conservatives and (Ready for the irony?) the RELIGIOUS RIGHT. It has cost us hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars to fund this war, but we let 18,000 people die per year because of the lack of healthcare available to them because it costs too much to provide it. Disgraceful!

But, I digress . . .

NEWS - I think from time to time as the primary season starts to heat up, I will give my take on some of the candidates. Today, it is Ron Paul. I like Paul for a number of reasons. For one thing, he is a Republican who doesn't keep rehashing the company line. He is a bit of a rascal and radical. I like that. I like the "idea" of some of his positions (e.g. he wants to do away with income taxes), but I fear that if he were president, he would spend a lot of time and resources on this type of thing, just to fall flat on his face because it doesn't look feasible. Even if it was feasible, there are enough politicians out there that do not believe it is, so they will fight it tooth and nail till it goes away (like Hillary's healthcare plan from the Clinton administration). In addition, Paul's libertarian philosophy and the strict "let the market decide" mantra is just not good or practical. If libertarians had their way, thier policies would lead to class warfare. Unbridled capitalism is just greed in action. In economics, a total capitalistic system is just a phase of a good economic model, not the end result. Unbridled capitalism leads to monopolies and the consumer ultimately is held hostage. With these kind of philosophies, Paul loses me because he is against universal healthcare which, to me, is essential for a civilized, compassionate society.

ENTERTAINMENT - I love this time of year because all the Christmas specials are coming on the television. I just can't get enough of "Rudolph" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Also, apparently I am getting TWO copies of "Sicko" for Christmas. I think it is an important film, but I only need one copy. :)

WORK - All is calm, all is bright. Not too many virgins, though. Work is calm and I generally take vacation around this time of year so I have no complaints.

SPIRIT - I have been in wonder over God's love and patience. He knows my heart. Although I have been failing in a couple of areas, God's mercy and wisdom surfaces and picks up the slack. The result: Peace.

FAMILY - We had a nice Thanksgiving. We went to my niece's house. We were the second team, however, as my niece's husband's family was there at noon and we came in at 4:00 pm. It was fine, though, and my famous turkey was awesome this year; I added a brine to the recipe.

LOVE - Things are pretty nice at home. My wife has been very helpful, loving, and appreciative to me. It is better than last year at this time so I guess we are steadily moving in the right direction.

ANGUISH - I have had a terrible time dealing with the water department. I may go into it later, because it sure would fill up a lot of space if I was to relay it here and now. When I get it settled, I will fill you in. Let's just say, that I am not a fan of the socialistic aspects of my city's water department right now. Kristen, I hope you are happy! ;)

SPORTS - I finally had a nice week in football. My Bengals acted like the Bengals of a couple of years ago and my fantasy team has high week (for the moment anyway). I am enjoying it while I can.

HOME - My tenant moved in and spent the night for the first time in the house last night. He is going to pay me Wednesday. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.







9 comments:

Sayre said...

Jeff, I think this is the most positive NewsFlash you've had since you started doing them. Very pleased to read that LOVE is alive and well and going strong, that WORK and HOME and SPORTS are all going well. And that God is looking after you.

May this trend continue!

Balqiz said...

I agree wit Sayre. Keep it up!

The Real Mother Hen said...

You're getting Sicko for Christmas? Good for you :)

You know what, Jeff, if you really want to be in a position to see the REAL world and understand how we got to this point where the world hates us and we have 9 trillion debts, well I'll recommend these 2 books:
(a) Confessions of an Economic Hitman
(b) The World is Flat

Anonymous said...

Sayre: Wow, I didn't realize I was so negative. I don't FEEL negative. I guess negative is easier to write about. (see: news, nightly)

Balquiz: Hmm . . . we even have a second on that motion.

Mother Hen: I am going to the library soon. How do I know I can trust these titles? (Actually, I have heard of them, but not read them. Friedman's, I heard was very good.)

The Real Mother Hen said...

Yeah Friedman is good, but only partly true. Despite his many years in Arab, he somehow didn't quite sum up the attitude right. He was right in other things though, including the Chinese and the Indians.

Confessions of an Economic Hitman is brutal, so brutal that your library may not have it. Yet it's really how others see the US.

Enjoy!

mckay said...

love me some brined turkey :0)

Anonymous said...

Mother Hen: Thanks for the tips! We'll see!

McKay: Welcome! You and me both, I had to brine the thing in a cooler over night. It was quite tasty!

goddessdivine said...

Any time you are anti-socialized anything, I am happy.

I kinda like Ron Paul myself. But I need to do more research on him and his positions. Anytime anyone promotes less govt. (and less taxes), that catches my attention.

I'd be careful with Friedman's stuff. I've read some of his columns, and I don't trust the guy (but this is coming from a conservative).

And yay for more love in the home! Always a good thing.

Charles said...

I'm beginning to think that we'd be better off fixing problems in our own country before we go and try to fix someone else's.

All of that wasted money. But isn't health care a business though too. Kind of like big tobacco. They won't get rid of either if its looked at as a business.

I'm sucking this year with my fantasy football teams. 2nd to last in one, and fifth in the other. However I did get better with the NFL Home Team Challenge.

Isn't so much more fun when you spend Thanksgiving with family?