On the eve of the election 2008, I have a rather solid feeling that Barack Obama will be our next president. Why? Here's my list.
1. The recent economic downturn has changed the focus of the nation away from the war in Iraq, McCain's strongpoint, and toward the economy, which favors democratic promises.
2. Barack Obama's race and his huge support among the black population.
3. Support of Barack Obama by former Hillary Clinton supporters. (They may go to McClain, but I think they are more democratic than feminists.)
4. The extraordinary advantage Obama had with financial fundraising.
5. The Vice-Presidential selection of Sarah Palin by John McCain, viewed by many as not qualified to be V.P.
What to expect now:
1. Increased rise in a "socialized" America.
2. More government entitlements, a larger federal government with more regulations.
3. The loss of a Pro-Life advocacy.
4. More liberal selection of Supreme Court Judges.
5. Increased support in the office of the presidency by the general public.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Seven Tees
The other day I met a pharmacist. As we talked I found out that she often volunteered at the County Poison Center. She shared with me several generic stories about the numerous cases of poisionings she had encountered and how they had occurred. Some were hilarious. In passing she mentioned that she has found that many of the poision incidents are the result of one or more of the seven tees. I asked her about this and she told me that she has observed that most poision incidents involve at least one of the following circumstances:
Testosterone
Tequilla
Tatoos
Trailer parks
Teeth missing
Tee shirts
Tennessee
Testosterone
Tequilla
Tatoos
Trailer parks
Teeth missing
Tee shirts
Tennessee
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Divisions of Society
During the Middle Ages men were considered as belonging to one of three groups; those who pray, those who fight wars, or those who work. Priests, Warriors, or Farmers. They each had their roles in society and it was possible, but rare, to move between groups. I wonder which catagory the aristocricy falls into. I presume the king was considered a warrior.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Thoughts on Time
It is hard to think of a concept more important to mankind, and more universally adhered to, than time. It is of the utmost importance to modern man. It guides nearly every facet of our lives. We assign appointment times to all of our tasks. We schedule events striving to fit as many of these tasks into our days as possible. We even take pride in our ability to multi-task (doing multiple timed tasks at once).
I wonder what it was like before the measurement of time was available? Yes, that once was the case. Sundials are very old, but during medieval times, 500-1500 AD there were no clocks as we know them today; they had not yet been invented. Water clocks were invented in Egypt but were not very accurate. Sundials and sandglasses were not uniform, widely used, or accurate.
It is interesting to note that early Greek scholars believed that time was circular, not linear. Taking their clues from the seasons, the tides, and the movement of celestial bodies, they thought that all events happened over and over again. For everything there was a circle which had no real beginning or end, but returned to its point of origin and renewed itself to begin the next cycle. The lives of men and animals were all part of the earth’s cycles.
Religious observers noted that the life of Jesus Christ was a completely unique event; never to be repeated in the history of man. So the means of measuring time was divided into two distinct periods, before Christ (BC) and after Christ (AD). From this point forward time was measured in linear increments.
In an agricultural world reliance on the seasons, and the associated work tasks, caused measurement of the movements of the sun to be essential. Holy days were established to recognize, and celebrate, these changing natural cycles. During the Medieval Ages summertime was the season for war. Vassals were required to provide military support to the King. No military activity was conducted in winter.
Churches began to measure the day by prayer hours. Lauds (3 a.m.), Martins (6 a.m.), Terse (9 a.m.), Sext (noon), Nones (3 p.m.), Vespers (6 p.m.) and Compline (9 p.m.). Kings and Lords had control of the work lives of men. Workers obeyed time imposed on them by bells, trumpets and horns.
The Greeks divided the year into twelve parts which they called months. Each month was divided into thirty parts called days. Their year only had a total of 360 days, or 12 times 30 (12 x 30 = 360). Since the Earth goes around the Sun in one year, the Greeks decided to divide the earth’s circle into 360 degrees.
The Egyptians and Babylonians considered the day to be from sunrise to sunset. They divided it into twelve parts that are called hours. They also divided the night, the time from sunset to sunrise, into twelve hours. But the day and the night are not the same length, and the length of the day and night also changes through the year. This system of measuring the time was not very accurate because the length of an hour changed depending on the time of year. Somebody finally figured out that by dividing the whole day into 24 hours of equal length (12 hours of the day plus 12 hours of the night), the time could be measured much more accurately. The hour was divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is further divided into 60 seconds. Dividing both the hours and minutes into 60 parts comes from the Sumerian sexagesimal system, which is a base 60 numbering system.
Like everything else, the accurate measurement of time can be both a blessing and a burden. Well, I gotta go now. I have appointments to keep.
I wonder what it was like before the measurement of time was available? Yes, that once was the case. Sundials are very old, but during medieval times, 500-1500 AD there were no clocks as we know them today; they had not yet been invented. Water clocks were invented in Egypt but were not very accurate. Sundials and sandglasses were not uniform, widely used, or accurate.
It is interesting to note that early Greek scholars believed that time was circular, not linear. Taking their clues from the seasons, the tides, and the movement of celestial bodies, they thought that all events happened over and over again. For everything there was a circle which had no real beginning or end, but returned to its point of origin and renewed itself to begin the next cycle. The lives of men and animals were all part of the earth’s cycles.
Religious observers noted that the life of Jesus Christ was a completely unique event; never to be repeated in the history of man. So the means of measuring time was divided into two distinct periods, before Christ (BC) and after Christ (AD). From this point forward time was measured in linear increments.
In an agricultural world reliance on the seasons, and the associated work tasks, caused measurement of the movements of the sun to be essential. Holy days were established to recognize, and celebrate, these changing natural cycles. During the Medieval Ages summertime was the season for war. Vassals were required to provide military support to the King. No military activity was conducted in winter.
Churches began to measure the day by prayer hours. Lauds (3 a.m.), Martins (6 a.m.), Terse (9 a.m.), Sext (noon), Nones (3 p.m.), Vespers (6 p.m.) and Compline (9 p.m.). Kings and Lords had control of the work lives of men. Workers obeyed time imposed on them by bells, trumpets and horns.
The Greeks divided the year into twelve parts which they called months. Each month was divided into thirty parts called days. Their year only had a total of 360 days, or 12 times 30 (12 x 30 = 360). Since the Earth goes around the Sun in one year, the Greeks decided to divide the earth’s circle into 360 degrees.
The Egyptians and Babylonians considered the day to be from sunrise to sunset. They divided it into twelve parts that are called hours. They also divided the night, the time from sunset to sunrise, into twelve hours. But the day and the night are not the same length, and the length of the day and night also changes through the year. This system of measuring the time was not very accurate because the length of an hour changed depending on the time of year. Somebody finally figured out that by dividing the whole day into 24 hours of equal length (12 hours of the day plus 12 hours of the night), the time could be measured much more accurately. The hour was divided into 60 minutes, and each minute is further divided into 60 seconds. Dividing both the hours and minutes into 60 parts comes from the Sumerian sexagesimal system, which is a base 60 numbering system.
Like everything else, the accurate measurement of time can be both a blessing and a burden. Well, I gotta go now. I have appointments to keep.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Staining the Cabin
My son and I own a piece of property near Point Isabel Ohio. It consists of about 25 acres and contains a small pond, lots of woods and a wooden cabin. One of the first items on our to-do list when we purchased the property was to stain the cabin. We went to Home Depot and purchased five gallons of the stain, (we chose chocolate because our grand-daughter Kristin loves chocolate). Due to one thing after another, a year later we still did not have the cabin stained.
Finally last week we went to work. First we took the stain back to Home Depot and had them reshake it. We bought brushes, and buckets. I rounded up my ladders, a large tarp and wasp spray. We tried to get the airless sprayer to work, but it had been in storage so long that the internal parts were cracked. So we began, using 4 inch brushes.
I thought that painting the higher side first was a good idea but I found the water-thin stain dripping all over the ground, the plants, and myself. Holding the brush over my head was very difficult and several rest breaks were required. But even after resting I was not able to make much progress. My arms ached to the point that I couldn't hold up the brush. Finally I just began to work, with my wife, on the sections I could reach from the ground. What a whimp.
My son Tony was much more adept at staining. He not only completed the section I had left, but completed the most difficult sections, including the eaves. My daughter-in-law MaryBeth completed half of the back of the cabin by herself and then came around and helped my wife and I on the front. I felt as though I had not done my part. Not only that, but we needed to purchase three more gallons of stain and Tony and MaryBeth went back to the property two additional times and finished the job.
All in all, the cabin now looks great. What I had envisioned as a relatively simple job turned into an arduous task. Younger muscles saved the day
Finally last week we went to work. First we took the stain back to Home Depot and had them reshake it. We bought brushes, and buckets. I rounded up my ladders, a large tarp and wasp spray. We tried to get the airless sprayer to work, but it had been in storage so long that the internal parts were cracked. So we began, using 4 inch brushes.
I thought that painting the higher side first was a good idea but I found the water-thin stain dripping all over the ground, the plants, and myself. Holding the brush over my head was very difficult and several rest breaks were required. But even after resting I was not able to make much progress. My arms ached to the point that I couldn't hold up the brush. Finally I just began to work, with my wife, on the sections I could reach from the ground. What a whimp.
My son Tony was much more adept at staining. He not only completed the section I had left, but completed the most difficult sections, including the eaves. My daughter-in-law MaryBeth completed half of the back of the cabin by herself and then came around and helped my wife and I on the front. I felt as though I had not done my part. Not only that, but we needed to purchase three more gallons of stain and Tony and MaryBeth went back to the property two additional times and finished the job.
All in all, the cabin now looks great. What I had envisioned as a relatively simple job turned into an arduous task. Younger muscles saved the day
Monday, May 5, 2008
Every Man
I believe the Bible is absolute truth; the word of God.
The Bible says “God made man in his own image”.
Since man produces after his own kind,
Every man has been created in the image of God.
I am the descendant of a man.
I too was created in the image of God.
Therefore every man, including me, is related to every other man.
And every man, including me, was created in the image of God.
Every man is a member of my family.
Every man is subject to a specific life time on the earth.
Every man is subject to the elements of nature.
(He requires air, water, food, shelter etc.)
Every man has feelings.
(He likes some things, and dislikes others. He shows sensibilities, intelligence and ignorance)
We must assume that he is doing what he feels is right for himself.
Does this mean that I should love every man?
Proverbs 21:2 says, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts”.
My response to every man should be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
God will judge the heart of every man.
The Bible says “God made man in his own image”.
Since man produces after his own kind,
Every man has been created in the image of God.
I am the descendant of a man.
I too was created in the image of God.
Therefore every man, including me, is related to every other man.
And every man, including me, was created in the image of God.
Every man is a member of my family.
Every man is subject to a specific life time on the earth.
Every man is subject to the elements of nature.
(He requires air, water, food, shelter etc.)
Every man has feelings.
(He likes some things, and dislikes others. He shows sensibilities, intelligence and ignorance)
We must assume that he is doing what he feels is right for himself.
Does this mean that I should love every man?
Proverbs 21:2 says, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts”.
My response to every man should be love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.
God will judge the heart of every man.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Beginners
What a valuable asset are the beginners
Precious tyros, rookies, novices
Bright with ideas
Alive with confidence
Unafraid, voluntary servants to dreams
Working hours upon end
Trying every option
Failing in most, and yet
Undaunted and resilient
Pressing on
Gaining experience, seniority, familiarity
And mediocrity
Yet some slim few
Radicals all, full of luck and serendipity
Gain great success and acclaim for themselves
And move forward the achievements of mankind
Precious tyros, rookies, novices
Bright with ideas
Alive with confidence
Unafraid, voluntary servants to dreams
Working hours upon end
Trying every option
Failing in most, and yet
Undaunted and resilient
Pressing on
Gaining experience, seniority, familiarity
And mediocrity
Yet some slim few
Radicals all, full of luck and serendipity
Gain great success and acclaim for themselves
And move forward the achievements of mankind
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