Major Mike’s Musings

We were out to lunch with some friends yesterday and the wife said, “I need some discipline. I wish someone would give me a box of discipline for Christmas.”Here’s my question. If you were to give a box of discipline to someone, what would you put in it?

Here’s an article from Campus Ministry Update June 2007 published by Ivy Jungle:

“Porn Driven, Look-at-Me” Culture: The evidence of the mainstreaming of pornography is not hard to find in our culture today – from the provocative videos on YouTube to Myspace pages for adult film stars. Some researchers and observers continue to express concern over the impact on young people – particularly girls. “Sexiness” has become very important to girls, with an increasing push into raunchiness. High school counselors find themselves consoling teenage girls who have undressed and more in front of web cams. Employers are increasingly implementing dress codes. The American Psychological Association recently published a paper on the sexualization of girls. One great concern is that while boys tend to use pornography and other aspects of sex for their own pleasure; most girls who exhibit provocative behavior are doing so for the pleasure of someone else – often someone they don’t know well (or perhaps not at all thanks to the internet). Some women claim they have more power with their sexuality, but many researchers are seeing a very negative impact – especially among teenage girls. (AP June 4, 2007)

Here’s a semi-related photo I received via email some time ago:

Why does President Bush continue to say, “Nucular,” when he means, “Nuclear?” Of course President Carter, who was a nuclear power qualified officer in the Navy, says, “Nukee-er.” Come on. You guys are Presidents of the United States. Learn English!

Jadyn

At nearly a year old, my grand-niece, Jadyn, couldn’t be cuter.She lives out on the Left Coast with her mom, Jennifer, dad, Eric, and sister, Taylor. Taylor is cute, too. One day, I’ll post a picture of her.Jadyn has grown so much since we saw here in person in January when we went to Charlene’s mom’s funeral. Hello, Jadyn. Love you, Uncle Mike.

“24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.”~ Stephen Wright

A little old man shuffled slowly into “Kilwins“, an ice cream parlor in The Villages, and pulled himself slowly, painfully, up onto a stool.After catching his breath he ordered a banana split.The waitress asked kindly, “Crushed nuts?”"No,” he replied, “arthritis!”

In a speech last week, Hillary Clinton said she wanted “shared prosperity”. I wonder, is “shared prosperity” a euphemism for “socialism”?

In the May 3 GOP Presidential debate, Sen Sam Brownback was one of three who raised their hands to the question, “Is there anybody on the stage that does not believe in evolution?” This caused an outcry among atheists and some consternation in the main stream media. The atheist article claims that, “It’s not an issue where thoughtful people can disagree. You either believe in scientific certainty or you don’t.”¹ The exact same phrase the global warming alarmist use to kill debate on the subject.However, the debate is not closed. Sen Brownback offers one of the most lucid responses I’ve seen on the subject of faith and science.Thanks to John at The Daily Detour for raising the subject.

1. Italics mine [↩]

Do you think you’re getting hosed at the gas pump? In 2005, gas companies reported record profits of $62 billion. Of course, over the same period, gas taxes totaled $71 billion.”Who’s the big gouger, now?” I ask.