Man's Inhumanity to Man

We are transitioning once again. We must leave the Czech Republic due to my loss of health insurance. I We are transitioning once again. We must leave the Czech Republic due to my loss of health insurance. I suppose that means that I will also, once again, be starting a new blog, since I won't be in Prague.

So we are seeing some of the sights we have not visited while living here. Among these visits was one to a place called Terezin. This was a concentration camp during WWII. It is about a 45 minute ride from Prague. The camp was originally a fort to protect Czech lands from Prussian invasions.

During WWII, the Nazis, created a concentration camp here and turned the entire town of Terezin into a Jewish ghetto. The camp was "technically" not an extermination camp. It was a collection point and transportation center for transport to such places as Auschwitz and Treblinka. Yet, more than 30,000 people died at Terezin. The causes of death included torture and battings by the guards, starvation, and epidemics.

The cremation ovens (one is pictured here) were very busy, although it is claimed that no live persons were ever cremated. The cruelty portrayed in this, one of the "lesser" concentration camps, is astounding. As we went through the camp, the words that kept coming to both Sandra and myself were: "man's inhumanity to man."

But that kind of cruelty is a thing of the past, right? Think again. Remember what's going on in Nigeria, where Christians are killed regularly (for being Christians) and hundreds of young girls were abducted. How about Kenya, the site of numerous attacks and bombings in recent years. All over the Arab lands, intolerance and violence are regularly perpetrated, mostly in the name of religion. The list could go on, but you can look these things up yourself.

Thankfully, that can't happen in America, right? Once again, I urge you to think again. Persecution of Christians, in general, is high in the US. Just ask any baked, or florist, or landlord who attempts to stay faithful and will not sell of rent to active and blatant homosexuals. They go to court; they lose. Livelihoods are destroyed. Christian professors are being sacked from university jobs because of their  faith. I do not recall any stories about liberals or Muslims being sacked for their beliefs.

I could go on. I won't. I think you get the idea. Sin still exists, even in our "modern," progressive age. Men can be turned into haters rather quickly. They will even strap bombs to their own chests in order to rid the universe of those vile (fill in the blank.)

I remember that at the turn of the 20th century, Europe was a hotbed of international socialist love and peace. But, the instant the war broke out (thanks to Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and just happened to die in prison at Terezin), the Europeans of many nations became rabid nationalists crying for the deaths of their socialist "brother."

Pray, friends, for the courage* to face whatever trials may come. Pray that you will be able to stand. And pray for Jesus to come soon.suppose that means that I will also, once again, be starting a new blog, since I won't be

So we are seeing some of the sights we have not visited while living here. Among these visits was one to a place called Terezin. This was a concentration camp during WWII. It is about a 45 minute ride from Prague. The camp was originally a fort to protect Czech lands from Prussian invasions.

During WWII, the Nazis, created a concentration camp here and turned the entire town of Terezin into a Jewish ghetto. The camp was "technically" not an extermination camp. It was a collection point and transportation center for transport to such places as Auschwitz and Treblinka. Yet, more than 30,000 people died at Terezin. The causes of death included torture and battings by the guards, starvation, and epidemics.

The cremation ovens (one is pictured here) were very busy, although it is claimed that no live persons were ever cremated. The cruelty portrayed in this, one of the "lesser" concentration camps, is astounding. As we went through the camp, the words that kept coming to both Sandra and myself were: "man's inhumanity to man."

But that kind of cruelty is a thing of the past, right? Think again. Remember what's going on in Nigeria, where Christians are killed regularly (for being Christians) and hundreds of young girls were abducted. How about Kenya, the site of numerous attacks and bombings in recent years. All over the Arab lands, intolerance and violence are regularly perpetrated, mostly in the name of religion. The list could go on, but you can look these things up yourself.

Thankfully, that can't happen in America, right? Once again, I urge you to think again. Persecution of Christians, in general, is high in the US. Just ask any baked, or florist, or landlord who attempts to stay faithful and will not sell of rent to active and blatant homosexuals. They go to court; they lose. Livelihoods are destroyed. Christian professors are being sacked from university jobs because of their  faith. I do not recall any stories about liberals or Muslims being sacked for their beliefs.

I could go on. I won't. I think you get the idea. Sin still exists, even in our "modern," progressive age. Men can be turned into haters rather quickly. They will even strap bombs to their own chests in order to rid the universe of those vile (fill in the blank.)

I remember that at the turn of the 20th century, Europe was a hotbed of international socialist love and peace. But, the instant the war broke out (thanks to Gavrilo Princip, who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and just happened to die in prison at Terezin), the Europeans of many nations became rabid nationalists crying for the deaths of their socialist "brothers."

Pray, friends, for the courage* to face whatever trials may come. Pray that you will be able to stand. And pray for Jesus to come soon.

*Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for theLord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Westboro Baptist Church and Me

This blog entry was originally posted on December 6, 2005. With the death of Fred Phelps it has been made relevant once more. I rerun it in its entirety.

Who Does God Hate?

Last week someone sent a copy of a URL to one of the boards I frequent. The website was something called “God hates veterans.” It is published by the same people, in Kansas, who maintain the “God Hates fags,” website.

After reading the web page, I was quite offended and I let the people responsible know how I felt. Here is the content of what I sent them:

Mr. Phelps (I will begin addressing you as Reverend on the same day I extend that extreme honor to Jesse Jackson),

I read your God Hates Veterans page. Wow. You’ve certainly got our number.

As a veteran, a confirmed Calvinist, a Christian who does not question his election, and a Baptist pastor, I must congratulate you on being the greatest bigot I have ever encountered – and I have known a few.

Yes, I hate homosexuality, perversion of all sorts, sin, and Satan. I do not, however, spread hate-filled messages throughout my universe. I can’t imagine what is gained by such foolishness. I preach Christ, and Him crucified. Yes, we must be serious and truthful about sin. We must not teach “easy-believism.” But the Gospel is, in fact, a positive message of the offer of salvation from our sinful situation. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.

I question your salvation. Read God’s Word as a tonic, not a toxin. Get right with God. May He have mercy on your soul.

In Christ,

Pastor Curt Lovelace 

I was not expecting a reply, but I got one. It’s a beauty! Below you will find that reply in all its glory. I’ll leave any assessments up to the reader.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. - This is Curt Lovelace

Shame on you!!!!

You call yourself a man of God, yet you pick at the Saints of God? You know NOTHING of God or the Bible. You need to listen to the sermon from December 4. It addresses you -http://www.godhatesamerica.com/sound/ghfsermons/Sermon_20051204.mp3

Shame on you for volunteering to serve a nation that has forsaken God (Ps 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.) Any God fearing person would run from serving in this evil nations' armed forces. What is the matter with you? Can ye not discern the signs of the times?
Mt 16:1 ¶ The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Not only did you serve in the fag infested, God hating military, you BRAG about it. You've propped up the military and the flag as your idol and have far more reverence for them than you do the Lord your God.

You think FAR too highly of yourself.
Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

You are ashamed of the gospel of Christ, and you don't even know what that means. You have to preach the WHOLE counsel of God, not just what people will pay you for.
Ac 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Mr 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Ro 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Ro 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Ro 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Where is your spectacle?
1Co 4:9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
How can you be a spectacle when no one knows who you are? It's your job to preach to this nation, and you're not doing it.
Isa 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

You are not the city set on a hill which cannot be hid.
Mt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Where is your banner?
Ps 60:4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
Isa 13:2 Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Does the world hate you?
Lu 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Joh 15:18 ¶ If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
1Jo 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

Why don't you love your neighbor?
Le 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Mt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Your quarrel isn't with us, it's with God. God does not know you, and you're headed straight for Hell.
Mt 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

By the way, you can take your title "Reverend" and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Was that supposed to be an insult? All you've done is proven your total ignorance of the scriptures. The word reverend is used one time, in reference to God, not man.
Ps 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Only a fool would apply the attributes of God to himself.

It didn't escape my attention that a "Christian", "Baptist pastor", and "confirmed Calvinist" such as yourself didn't put one Bible verse to support your claims. That's incredibly pathetic. Next time you decide to take on the Saint's of God, you might want to at least try and support your claims.

Don't forget to listen to last Sunday's sermon and read all of godhatesfags.com, godhatesamerica.com, priestsrapeboys.com and smellthebrimstone.com.

Thanks for writing. You're going to Hell, have a nice day!

Katherine Hockenbarger
An humble Tachmonite, and thankful member of Westboro Baptist Church

Another New Era

Things keep changing! If you read this blog at all, you've noticed that I have not been regular in my posting. I did put up a number of news reports about the Ukraine crisis, though.

I am in the midst of a Media makeover at the moment. I'm trying to get my web ducks in a rowand make things more accessible and sensible.

Therefore, this blog will be even less active in the near future. I will post to it from time to time, but I will be primarily concentrating on my new site at  www.jcurtislovelace.com. Please remember that this is very much a work in progress - as in "not ready for primetime." 

I will be posting tidbits of news and information, starting dialogues (arguments), and adding an occasional blog-type entry. Please go over there and "follow" me and pass it along to your friends, neighbors, relatives, and even enemies. I really want to start conversations.

At the top of that page at the moment, you'll see a "product-type" semi-announcement (incomplete infer, but a teaser). Celebrate it with us.

That's it for now. Go to www.jcurtislovelace.com.

Birthday Boy

Last Wednesday was my birthday. I'm 60 years older than Henry, who also had a birthday Wednesday. As I have done once or twice in the past, I looked up my co-celebrants. Many on the list were unknown to me, though touted as being celebrities. I did recognize a few, though.

Prince Andrew of England was born on February 19, 1960.

On that date in 1916, famous jockey Eddie Arcaro was born. For author Amy Tan, 1952 was the year. The list goes on, but there is one name I want to give special attention. That would be Nicolaus Copernicus, born on what would become my birthday in 1473.

Copernicus, a Pole, was a mathematician and an astronomer. He was also trained to become a church official. His uncle, who raised him, was a Bishop. But, Nick ran afoul of the church for his views on the universe. He, you see, was the astronomer who declared the universe heliocentric. In other words, he proposed that the Sun was in a stationary position and a all the other heavenly bodies of our solar system (including earth) revolve around it. Many in the church hierarchy disputed this view. While he was not persecuted during his life, Nick's book De revolutionibus erbium coelestium ("On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres") was banned by the Roman Catholic church shortly after his death in 1543.

According to Biography.com, even Martin Luther was hostile to Copernicus's ideas.  

When De revolutionibus orbium coelestium was published in 1543, just before Copernicus's death, religious leader Martin Luther voiced his opposition to the heliocentric solar system model. His underling, Lutheran minister Andreas Osiander, quickly followed suit, saying of Copernicus, "This fool wants to turn the whole art of astronomy upside down."(http://www.biography.com/people/nicolaus-copernicus-9256984?page=3)

Later exonerated, Copernicus has been called the Father of Modern Science.

Happy Birthday (OK, two days late), Birthday Boy.

Ukrainian Situation Continues

There is a lot of information coming out of Kyiv (Kiev) right now. We cannot be sure of the veracity of all of it. What we do know is that the situation is still unstable. We also know that the Obama regime continues to do nothing at all.

Allow me to share some of the most important (IMHO) dispatches from Maidan, the nerve center of the protest activity. Euromaidan reports:

People on the Maidan are not pleased with the results of the agreement signed today. One of the leaders of the Self Defense units interrupted the speech given by the opposition leader and demanded that Yanukovych resign by February 20th -- otherwise an armed resistance would begin. 

The Ukrainian Parliament just voted overwhelmingly to re-enact the Constitutional amendments passed in 2004, and then cancelled by the Yanukovych-controlled Constitutional Court in 2010. In other words, Ukraine just became a Parliamentary-Presidential republic again.

There are conflicting reports on whether the current truce is holding. Claims and counterclaims are being made regarding the use of rubber bullets aimed at legs or AK 47s aiming to kill.

A positive note was seen in the response in several European capitols. 

Even more encouraging is the FoxNews report that clergy of several denominations have been out in the streets braving bullets and bullies, setting up tents as chapels and offering solace and prayer to the people in the Independence Square.

The report quotes Roksolana Stojko-Lozynskyj, of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America stating,

“They are there as pastors looking over their flocks,” Roksolana Stojko-Lozynskyj, of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, told FoxNews.com. “Although they are not in [an official] leadership [role], they are well-respected in the community."

Continue to pray, friends. This is not over by a longshot. What happens here may spread to other nations. A taste of democracy has a way of encouraging people to risk all. Americans, in particular, note well what lengths people will go to to attain and/or protect freedoms. Note also the lengths to which despots will go to protect their nefarious reigns.

Connecting Some Critical Dots - Ukraine Connection

Ukraine is burning. I wonder if the kindling is now being laid at the feet of the American Republic. Is the match already lit? Allow me to elucidate some of the thoughts which lead me to these questions.

First, Ukraine is in the middle of a full-blown revolution. To me it makes the various "Arab spring" incidents look like marshmallow fights. Most likely you have read of or heard something about this. It certainly should trump news about the Winter Olympics (except perhaps the news that some Ukrainian athletes have dropped out of the Sochi Olympics in solidarity with their countrymen). The basics of the situation are these:

• President Viktor F. Yanukovych is a pro-Putin despot. While the people of Ukraine long to throw off the memory of their Soviet-era enslavement, Yanukovich wants stronger ties to Russia. Vladimir Putin, a former KGB leader, is striving to rejuvenate the "glories" of the Soviet empire. The fact that Ukraine is leaning westward and has aspirations to membership in the European Union, means that Russia could lose access to oil and natural gas deposits as well as the pipelines connecting Russian oil with the west.
• Barricades are up and governments troops have been battling protesters in the streets of the capitol, Kiev. Hundreds are dead (it's difficult to keep up with the mortality count). According to FoxNews,"... fresh clashes between both sides have left at least 33 dead, bringing this week’s death toll in Kiev to 59. Dr. Oleh Musiy, the coordinator for the protesters' medical team, claims that Thursday’s [20 February] death toll alone is at least 70, but there is no way to independently confirm his statement."
• A truce was allegedly agreed to on Wednesday, but didn't last 24 hours.

This is a deadly situation, Kiev is literally on fire and under fire. For another view on the situation, read here.

Thought number two has to do with the media in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission has announced plans to put "monitors" in newsrooms across the country. This includes radio, TV, and newspapers. According to the ACLJ,

Last May the FCC proposed an initiative to thrust the federal government into newsrooms across the country. With its "Multi-Market Study of Critical Information Needs," or CIN, the agency plans to send researchers to grill reporters, editors and station owners about how they decide which stories to run. A field test in Columbia, S.C., is scheduled to begin this spring.The purpose of the CIN, according to the FCC, is to ferret out information from television and radio broadcasters about "the process by which stories are selected" and how often stations cover "critical information needs," along with "perceived station bias" and "perceived responsiveness to underserved populations."

Who will decide what the stations should be reporting? Why should these "monitors" be allowed access in the first place. This, friends, is a totalitarian tactic. I studied modern revolutions as a graduate student in history. One of the first objectives of a revolutionary force is to seize control of the communications media. (See Lenin's "Manual to Seize Control of a Society"). In days gone by this has been done by military troops. In the US today, it is being done by means of FCC "monitors." Perhaps the First Amendment to the US Constitution has no meaning in the current regime.

What ties this all together? Maybe nothing. Obviously, however (at least I think it's obvious), I don't think that "nothing" is the correct answer. The United States is on a great swing to the left. It seems to this humble observer that the current leadership in the United States is every bit as "pro-Putin" as the President of Ukraine. While US government officials have made some noises about "the situation" in Ukraine, nothing has actually happened. Government forces in Kiev continue to kill citizens who dare to stand up and call the regime to account. At least the European Union is discussing "sanctions," as lame as that may be. It reminds this student of history of the Hungarian uprising of 1956. Hungarians were dying in the streets of Budapest in front of Soviet tanks. They were sending pleading radio messages to the west. Nobody, most notably the US - which had in a sense encouraged the revolution - lifted a finger. Many died. The Soviet Union prevailed.

I think that all freedom-loving individuals should have an interest in these stories. For me it's a matter of freedom, dignity, human rights, and just plain fair play. I have worked as a journalist. I wish the US could return to the days when journalists were journalists. I once worked as a managing editor of several newspapers. I had a (protected) reporter working for me whose sole job, in his estimation, was to publish the press releases he received. He was ahead of his time. That seems to be the main source of alleged news today. The press releases are all coming from the same, government-controlled, sources.

I now live in a nation with a Soviet past. The Czech Republic was once a part of the evil empire (to coin a phrase). The first directly-elected president of the Czech Republic, Milos Zeman, is pro-Russia and pro-Putin. Communists have gained a new foothold in the nation in recent elections. Is it possible that beautiful Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) could go up in flames? I'm not predicting this. I don't expect it. We all must protect against such situations in whatever way we can, however.

Barack Obama is being quiet, but he is not silent in these several situations. The worst thing that could happen to him, however, is to be successful in his agenda. After all he, like the rest of us, cannot serve two masters. I'm not questioning his claim to be a Christian. That's God's province. However, to be in the service of a Pro-Soviet style Russia and Pan-Muslimism is not a tenable position. While many pundits claim that Islam is the new Communism, the resemblance is merely skin deep. At it's root, Communism is against all religions. Modern Russia's several wars have been almost exclusively against Islamic nations (Afghanistan and Chechnya are the leading examples). Islam cannot countenance Communist doctrine. Here is just one viewpoint on this basic animosity.

Just a few thoughts on several burning issues. Pray for the people of Ukraine, my praying friends. Pray also for the people of the United States and the Czech Republic. There is no greater power than prayer; there is no greater mediator than God Almighty.

Ethnicity please

So, my “million mile medical tune up/service” continued this morning with a CT scan. I have experienced a wide variety of such scans in the past six months. This one involved strangely warming dye being injected into my body. It was no problem. I’ve become accustomed to such things.

The real issue began before I got onto the table that drove me into the machine. I had to fill out yet another form/survey. I could not believe the stupidity of some of the questions. I can only assume that this was some government-inspired way to get lots of personal information about me.

Here was the worst of the questions, in my opinion. The question asks: “What is your ethnicity?” Possible answers were, of course, supplied. The choices? “Hispanic or Latino”; Not Hispanic or Latino”; “US Ancestry”; “Unknown”; “Declined”; “Other”.

So MY questions include, what does "US Ancestry” mean? Why are neither African-American nor Caucasian listed? Evidently Asians don’t need to be counted, either. Who created this questionnaire? Then there is the question we taught our children to ask, “who wants to know?”

Is there an agenda here? I went to “Uncle Google” (actually Goodsearch) to find some info. The agenda was not clearly revealed. I found very little having to do with hospitals and other medical facilities. What I did find was that the US Census Bureau has mandated ethnicity questions since 1997.

U.S. federal government agencies must adhere to standards issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in October 1997, which specify that race and Hispanic origin (also known as ethnicity) are two separate and distinct concepts. These standards generally reflect a social definition of race and ethnicity recognized in this country, and they do not conform to any biological, anthropological, or genetic criteria. The standards include five minimum categories for data on race: "American Indian or Alaska Native," "Asian," "Black or African American," "Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander," and "White." There are two minimum categories for data on ethnicity: "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino." The concept of race reflects self-identification by people according to the race or races with which they most closely identify. Persons who report themselves as Hispanic can be of any race and are identified as such in our data tables. (http://www.census.gov/population/hispanic/about/faq.html).

So race and ethnicity are different. Not only that, but "Hispanics" can claim any racial group they like. I would imagine that to give quite an advantage in some aspects of life - like seeking scholarships, grants, or other quota-driven benefits.

Is there a subtle racism (or ethnicism) going on here? I don't know. I do know that this was one of the strangest surveys I've ever seen. And it disturbed me. 

BTW, I answered "Other: Western European."

"Press 1 for English."

                

ExPat Life

I was working on some things related to the renewal of our residency permit (visa) this morning. If you've ever lived in a foreign country, you know that this is not a simple process. If you have never experienced this, you really have no clue.

This can be a daunting and frustrating experience. Once accomplished, there is a sense of accomplishment, maybe even exhilaration. But, if you are going to live in a foreign country legally (the recommended way) you simply have to go through the bureaucratic steps.

• First, in our situation at least, the rules change frequently. You must have a knowledgeable national working for you as a visa agent. 
• Costs can be high. You must pay the agent, of course. You will also have fees to pay to the government and pay for translation services of various documents you will need to supply.
• Time frames are fluid. You may meet all your deadlines, but be frustrated by the fact that the government in question does not.
• In our case, we need to have health insurance, from a company approved by the Czech government. The policy must cover the entire period of the visa and has to be paid for up front. For us that's four years worth of insurance premiums at one time. When you reach our ages, the premiums skyrocket.

These are just a few of the regular issues being faced by your friends who live in countries of which they are not citizens. Please don't get the idea that I am complaining! These are simply part of the cost of living (legally!) in another country. The rewards are also great.

Chelsea Fagan wrote this about the experience of being an expat (expatriate; one living in a country away from his/her own place of birth and citizenship)

When you live abroad, you realize that, no matter where you are, you will always be an ex-pat. There will always be a part of you that is far away from its home and is lying dormant until it can breathe and live in full color back in the country where it belongs. To live in a new place is a beautiful, thrilling thing, and it can show you that you can be whoever you want — on your own terms. It can give you the gift of freedom, of new beginnings, of curiosity and excitement. But to start over, to get on that plane, doesn’t come without a price.

To read the entire article, click here. I don't agree with everything she writes, but it is a good look at expat life.

I will follow up in coming weeks with some more snippets of life in a foreign milieu. Let me know what you think and what you may have experienced.

What a Nag!

So, you think you may have a bit of a problem. She' always on your case, you perceive. Well, maybe Ben has some thoughts for you to consider. He starts his latest blog entry this way:

Uh-oh. Your spouse is at it again, telling you what you’ve done (or not) and what you need to do to fix it. Like some sort of self-appointed personal improvement counselor, your spouse thinks they know exactly what’s wrong with you and is not afraid to tell you what you need to do to fix it. They then get angrily frustrated that you just won’t listen!

Maybe we should read this together. To join me go to  http://tinyurl.com/ppdbxek.

The Greening of America

A few months back, I began a series of blog entries regarding global warming and associated myths. Titled "Is God Green," the series was truncated by a number of factors, including my recent illnesses. Now it's time to start back in on this important subject.

As I type these words, the temperature outside has warmed up to 30 degrees fahrenheit. This "warming trend" is only expected to last one day, then it's back to single digits. The relationship between the Global Warming alarmists and the environmentalist movement is well-documented. In this installment I'd like to give some attention to historical examples of environmentalism, primarily in the American experience.

While I’m sure that there have always been those who were interested in cleaning the cave or saving some aspect of life that seemed to be going extinct, we should probably date what we would call Modern Environmentalism from the industrial revolution. New levels of pollution and disease caused by manufacturing and living in close quarters sparked protests and attempts to mitigate the ill effects.

In the US, the philosophical foundations for environmentalism were established by such men as Thomas Jefferson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot.   

Organized environmentalism began with the conservation movement in the late 19th century.  State and national parks and forests, wildlife refuges, and national monuments were created to preserve natural treasures. Early American conservationists included President Roosevelt, Pinchot, and John Muir, the founder of the Sierra Club. Several other groups, such as the Audubon Society were created early in the 20^th century.  With WWII behind us, and many folks beginning to feel the freedom of the post-war world, activism began to become commonplace with some projects such as dams, being halted due to the outcry. Environmentalists do not like dams.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the public was becoming aware that conservation of wilderness and wildlife was but one aspect of protecting an endangered environment. Concern about air pollution , water pollution , solid waste disposal, dwindling energy resources, radiation, pesticide poisoning (particularly as described in Rachel Carson's influential Silent Spring, 1962), noise pollution , and other environmental problems engaged a broadening number of sympathizers and gave rise to what became known as the "new environmentalism." Public support for these issues culminated in the Earth Day demonstrations of 1970.

The new movement had a broader goal—to preserve life on the planet. The more radical groups believe that continued industrial development is incompatible with environmentalism. Other groups, notably Greenpeace , which advocated direct action to preserve endangered species, often clashed violently with opponents. Less militant organizations called for sustainable development and the need to balance environmentalism with economic development. 

Environmentalists like to call upon scientists – and pseudo (non-)scientists (think Al Gore and Michael Moore) to provide a foundation for their claims.  

Since the late 1960's and early 1970's, environmentalist scientists have been predicting various ecological doomsdays. Very few, if any, of these disasters have befallen mankind. In another blog entry we will take a look at some of the hot-button issues.