Do Black Lives Matter?

Just heard on the news that someone has written a text book regarding "Black Lives Matter".  Umm, so do white, Indian, Asian, etc lives NOT matter?
I am pretty sure if we wrote a book called "White lives matter" is would be considered racist and discriminatory.
How about this for a title - "Lives Matter"?  Lives of all matter.  Lives of the unborn matter.  I feel like Obama has stirred the race pot so much that racial tension is at an all-time high right now. I don't think any life is more precious than another.  And in America, of all places - the melting pot of the world.  The United States has so many races and cultures, and we have all managed to live together for many years. Now, all of a sudden, we are back to playing the race card around every turn of events. 
I live in a predominantly white town.  But our town has many other races who live here - black, Indian, Asian, Mexican, etc. As far as I know, we are all the same.  We all need to work, buy groceries, go to church, read books at the library, have backyard barbecues, etc.  We all eat supper.  We all go to bed at night.  We all want to be successful in our lives. 

Why, in this day, would someone write a book, and a textbook at that, that they wanted to be taught in schools?  History is history. It needs to be taught to everyone. When I was in school, we learned about how America was formed, the Civil War, how black people who originated as slaves came here and were eventually made free.  That's history - the facts.  We were taught sympathy and compassion for all races.  Is this no longer taught in our schools? We learned of Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.  We learned about determination and persistence and how we all have the opportunity to live successful lives, and improve our station in life if we so choose.

I hate that policemen are now accused of being racist just for doing their jobs.  But the racism seems to be only one way.  If a black policeman shoots a white thug while he is robbing a store, it is rarely publicized.  And I have yet to see white people burn down their local stores in protest. 

In today's world, no one owes you anything.  If you want money, get a job.  If you want a better job, get an education.  If you want new clothes, save your money and buy them. If you aren't happy with your life, change it.  Don't blame someone else and act like you are "entitled" to something just because you are black, white, or any other color.  If you committed a crime, fess up and take your punishment, and don't do it again. 

Yes, black lives do matter.  But most definitely, they don't matter more than any other color!

Ashley Madison - Not for Sissies!

Oh, my child...Your sins will find you out!!!
Isn't this most outrageous?!

First, I had no idea there was a site just for cheaters.(I know, I live in a sheltered world.) And all those sneaky people thought their doings were hidden from everyone! I have heard it said before - if it's on the internet, it's pretty much public knowledge.  I believe this perfectly demonstrates that!

Cheaters never win and winners never cheat!  Although it's their business if they want to cheat on their spouse, it becomes MY business when MY tax dollars are paying government employee salaries who peruse this site on their paid working time.  I believe that anyone who currently works for our government and has an account with Ashley Madison, AND if it can be proven that they accessed that site while on the time clock for work, they should be fired.  NO EXCEPTIONS. 

If they are cheating on their spouse, what makes you think they aren't cheating on their job as well?  Obviously some are cheating Uncle Sam out of payroll dollars by doing it while working.  In my book, if you are dishonest at one thing, you are probably dishonest at EVERYTHING.  I wouldn't want them working for me.

My mother's quote comes to mind: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!

Immigrants, Aliens, or Moochers?

I heard on the news this morning that Mexico is trying to put into place a deal where if you would like to cross into their country, you fill out appropriate paperwork and pay them  a $20 fee.
Say what?????

So, while we are desperately trying to control our border, and while hundreds of illegal Mexicans cross into the United States DAILY, and then pop out babies and receive FREE healthcare and a host of other benefits, Mexico is putting controls into place for Americans crossing into their country?

What's wrong with this picture?

First, I feel like we have much more capability of technology and organization than they do.  Would we not be more able to control crossovers than they are?  And suppose we imposed a $20 per head fee to all who wish to enter the US.  From ANY border. 

I am for "The Wall" Donald Trump speaks of.  When are we going to stop taking care of everyone EXCEPT Americans? It's basic common sense. You take care of your house before you take on the world.  And every country knows America is where you just show up.  People take our jobs illegally.  People get free healthcare illegally, while Americans can't afford it.  They pay no taxes.

How is this called "being compassionate" when our own are suffering so?

Moving Monuments?

This Freedom From Religion group must be crazy!  I heard on the news today they were objecting to a Desert Storm Monument being located on the grounds of a government office because the monument contained the Christian fish symbol. Again, citing the separation of church and state as their reason.
What a slam to our country's veterans!  These people, who left their families to go to foreign soil and fight for our country and our freedom, and some sacrificed their life, all as instructed by our government, are now told their symbol of bravery and courage can't sit on government grounds?  I am just guessing here, but I would suppose in the midst of gunfire, those government representatives of our country were praying to God - the God that's represented by the Christian fish on their monument. So, if they want a symbol on their monument, where is the harm?

And above all that, don't we live in a country that abides by democracy?  Let's vote!  In all branches of our government, the majority rules (or is supposed to).  So let's just vote and see who objects and who doesn't. And when the vote is over, no more complaining - the majority has spoken.

I also think these issues should be handled on a local level. Let each city or county decide what their citizens want and are in favor of.  I realize the Freedom From Religion has been in existence since 1978, but I feel they are "running amok"at this point about stupid things that make no difference.

What Is Religion, Anyway?

In the midst of the turmoil in our country right now, it seems religion comes into play more often than not.  The people who aren't "religious" want freedom from religion.  I, too want freedom from religion. I want to be able to worship, or not worship, whatever I choose.  And I want to be able to worship AS I choose.
The radical groups continue to speak of "Separation of church and state". But to say that religion has no place in government is a little hard to do.  Our governing laws (or most of them) mimic the Biblical laws set forth by Almighty God.  No killing.  No stealing.  Don't lie.  When the original separation of church and state came into play, it was to prevent the government from telling you what religion you had to be.
Our first amendment rights allow Americans to be whatever religion they choose, or no religion at all, if they choose that.  To my knowledge, that is still in force today.  So why the big uproar?  If you don't believe in God, that's your choice.  And IF you don't believe in God, why do you care what others believe in?  God commands Christians to love and have compassion on others, to show mercy and grace to people who don't deserve it, just like God showed mercy and grace to us when we don't deserve it.  If you are charged with a crime, whether you are guilty or not, don't you hope for the deciding judge to show you mercy and grace? Whether you deserve it or not?
As Christians, we have never tried to force non-believers to believe.  Our hope is that through what you see in our lives that we might be an example of God's love and compassion, and persuade you to not just believe in God, but know God in a personal way.  But if you still choose not to believe, that is totally your choice. However, you do not have the right to infringe on MY religious beliefs.  If I want to hold to my convictions, based on what the Bible says, I should have that right. That should include being able to display religious signs and sayings at my home, my business, my vehicle, etc.  The fact that a local Sheriff's vehicle says "In God We Trust" isn't a bad thing.  It means to me that as a whole, the department is God-fearing, doing their jobs as required, but with all the kindness and compassion possible.  If they had a sticker that said "in satan we trust", I would be fearful of them.
I don't understand why it's not enough that you are free to be an atheist, a catholic, a baptist, etc.

So, here's my question:  If, at the end of my life and you non-believers' lives, one or the other of us is wrong, what's the worst case scenario?
If I am wrong, then I have lived my whole life striving to be good, honest, fair, kind, generous, and at the very end, my heart stops beating and my body lies silent in the earth. That's it - the end.
If you are wrong, you face a much darker fate.  According to what I believe, as foretold in the Bible, those who reject God will stand before Him on the day they die, in judgement for the unpardonable sin, which is rejecting God.  The Bible says, "Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord".  So, I believe, that whether you believe or not, one day you will know that God is real, and on that day it will be too late for you.  The Bible says you will be cast into an eternal lake of fire, literal fire, where you will continuously be burned over and over and over.  That unimaginable pain and torment will be eternal.

Religion, or no religion, I choose God.

IN GOD WE TRUST

So now some anti-religious organization has objected to law enforcement vehicles having stickers displayed that say "In God We Trust". Really?
Your offense offends me! 
I don't see what harm there is in displaying this message.  If you don't personally believe, then don't believe it.  You're wrong, but whatever - it's your life.  We have had "In God We Trust" imprinted on our money since 1861.  Have you sent letters to the federal government asking them to remove it from our currency as well?  If you are so against this phrase, then do you not spend money?  Do you not have a dollar in your pocket that says "In God We Trust"?  Doesn't that make you a hypocrite?

The following was a letter written by Salmon P. Chase, United States Secretary of the Treasury to James Pollock, Director of the Mint in 1861:

Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.

This was a smart man.  He knew the strength of a nation was directly proportional to their faith in God.  All the groups who object to this have gradually gotten God and His word removed from public places a little at a time.  Now, we have parents who aren't allowed to discipline their children.  Schools who aren't allowed to discipline students.  People entering public places and shooting random people for unknown reasons.  Students bringing guns to school and shooting teachers and students.  ISIS terrorists beheading Christians in our country. Think that's a coincidence?  I don't believe it is.

And here's my other peeve.  What is it, about God and Christianity, that is so bad?  God directs Christians to live by the Ten Commandments.  There is nothing but good qualities there.  Islam promotes mass killings because people don't believe like they do.  Satanism is, well, satanism - nothing good there.  Christianity is about loving your enemies.  Praying for your enemies.  Taking care of your friends.  Loving God. Respecting others.  Spreading the word of God and his love for people.  Striving to do what is good and moral and ethical.  Is that so bad?

ANOTHER Ferguson Shooting?!!

As my mother has said many times, "Criminitlies!"  I'm not even sure that's a word or of it's meaning if it is, but she always used it during times of disappointment and exasperation.

What on earth are those people doing there?  More smashing storefronts and rioting?  I have always though a "protest" was a way to make your voice heard in a calm, peaceful manner, so that the governing bodies could see that you were against (or in favor of) something.  I have never known of a violent riot resulting in getting your point across.  And why would you want to destroy businesses where you live?  These are black people, and they are destroying black-owned businesses.  How is this a good thing?

And this particular person in this latest shooting shot at a vehicle containing policemen.  Why would anyone do that?  What did he hope to prove?  And if that wasn't dumb enough, his father was quoted as saying he was "just running for his life".  Well, duh!  You shoot at a car full of policemen who begin shooting back, what else are you going to do but run for your life?

And why were those people gathered anyway?  They already made their point a year ago.  Of course I don't know if they realize it or not, but the point they made was they were mad, so they destroyed property of people who owned businesses and lived in Ferguson. Still not sure of what was productive about that.

Here's a little advice:  GO HOME!!  GET A JOB!!  RAISE YOUR CHILDREN!!  STOP ROBBING STORES!!! 

Michael Brown was nothing but a street thug.  He robbed a store, for Pete's sake!  Had he NOT been committing a crime, he would never have been pursued for questioning, and HAD he surrendered upon the FIRST request of the officers, he would not have been shot.  And if he had a JOB, he would have been otherwise occupied on that day. 

I will never understand this. If I bump into you at the store, church, on the street, or anywhere else, I will be polite and treat you respectfully, regardless of your color, religion, etc.  But if you are trying to hurt me or my family, rob me, or kill me, better bring your lunch - might be an all-day job.  Again, doesn't matter what color your skin is - I will defend myself and my family however I can, and if that means shooting you, then so be it. 

Why don't these people stop being "black" and start being "American".  Do something productive.  Give of yourself.  Be responsible!