January 2006

Bush, Kerry, Gore and Hillary

Well, the Google adsense ads on my site are listing links to "I hate Bush," "Don't blame me, I voted for Kerry," and other anti-bush propaganda. Interesting that they would show up since I do not have any anti-bush propaganda on my blog. So, this now brings me to this topic.

I do not hate Bush, but I am gravely disgusted and disappointed with him. Back in 2000 Gore was a cretin, so we had to choose the smarter of the two. In 2004 I told everyone that no matter who we chose, we would be burned. I felt that Kerry was a Forest Fire and Bush was a Brush Fire. Both would burn us and both would hurt, but Kerry would consumer us. I felt we again, had to choose the lesser of two evils, which is terrible when you think about it. Before you bombard me, know this...I vote on principal not political party. We are called to vote on conscience, principals, morals, and ethics and choose a person who most closely fits that. Having said that, I am disgusted and no longer feel that people who run for the most powerful position in the world are ethical. How can they be? Logic would dictate that to accede to the most puissant position in the world does not eventuate by being ethical and nice. That person has to step on a few people and play the political dance which throughout history has proven it's unethical place. This brings us to Hillary Clinton, or the Hildabeast as Neal Boortz calls her.

I do not trust her, and I do not want her in that position. It's not a Democrat vs. Republican thing. It's an, I-don't-trust-her thing. Many of Bill's (as if I know him personnaly and we're on a first name basis) former staff have said this and many who personally know her have also made this statement. Then, anyone with eyes and a brain can see that the whole whitewater ordeal was vanguarded by her. Bill was/is a good guy...though ardent, he's a nice guy. Do I know this personally...No, just like I don't know personally the evils that pervade from Hillary. But many, even those who hate him, indicate how nice a guy he is. Hillary on the other hand is not liked by many and is feared by others. So, when you all vote for her and she wins, I may go out and buy one of those bumper stickers saying, "Don't blame me, I voted for..."

Christian Contemporary Music

Years ago I had a site dedicated to Christian Contemporary Music (CCM), however when Yahoo took over Geocities, they dumped my site. Funny thing is, my wife had a site and her's was not dumped. Weird!

Anyway, this site was dedicated to how CCM is gone the way of the dogs. I tend to lean to the conservative side when it comes to religion, and my music tastes follow that lead. CCM used to be people who sang their praises to God and used their voices for witnessing. But today, it seems to be for the show, the sound and the money. It is more commonly known that many groups cannot start in the mainstream secular music because they just don't have what it takes. So, what do they do? They start their careers singing CCM. Once they get recognized, sell a few albums, they then make the jump to secular where they wanted to be all along. Though I don't take issue with that - side note: I wish many more would do the same because they in no way portray the Bible or Jesus in any good way: end site note - I do take issue with them using God to make a profit.

I for about four or five years did not listen to anything but CCM. During that time I became rather familiar with CCM and it's musicians. I saw Michael English fall; Sandy Patti Fall; Steven Curtis Chapman change his style after touring with Audio Adrenalin; Michael Card drop out of making albums for major labels; Steve Green Make comments about the industry; Michael W. Smith go after the $$; Carmen become the largest concert selling artist; Jackie Velasquez change; Susan Ashton kinda slightly sell out to country; and many many more.

My page made note how out of all the CCM musicians there were two that I highly respected and admired. Well, 5 years later and four years after yahoo dumped my geocities site, Steve Green and Michael Card are still my favorites. They have stood the test of time and show that their hearts are there for the witnessing of Christ and not the money like the rest of the industry. I have my eyes on a few newcomers, but for now, if you do not know Steve Green and Michael Card, do yourself a big favor and become familiar with them. I will definitely be talking about them again. Meanwhile, guard your hearts against the rapid secularization of modern CCM.

Give back and Get back foolishness

Its interesting how the government wants to make oil companies "give back" to the poor. Isn't it interesting how they use the term "give back" as if there is something to give back. Nothing was taken. Kind of reminds me of people who file taxes and "get back." These people have no clue. You get back what you give. But those who get back, are simply given. Those who pay taxes don't get back, and logic would show that they are the very taxes being taken from those who pay only to be given to those who don't. Man, this really aggrevates me.