Archive for January, 2009

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Saw some previews of annual Super Bowl commercial fun

Show of hands — How many of you watch the Super Bowl each year just to see the funny commercials?? Yeah, that’s what I thought. A LOT of people watch the Super Bowl more for the party fun and the funny television commercials than for the game itself.

I saw some advanced clips of new Super Bowl commercials just awhile ago watching “Today.” As usual, the marketing gurus seem to have come out in force for these $100,000 per second showcase commercials. Yeah, that’s right — advertisers are actually paying $3 million for 30 second ad spots.

Amazing. The clips I saw were pretty classy and all had some great touches of humor. But how amazing that advertisers are willing and able to spend that sort of money during recessionary times, urgently trying to get your business.

And here I’m running ads on my blog everyday.

But maybe you’ve barely noticed my advertising? In most cases, by the way, I make NOTHING from the ads I run on this blog. Most of the advertisers/merchants I “partner” with here rely on YOU, good readers, clicking on the ads to go to the merchant’s site and take some action, i.e., buy a product or service, or perhaps fill out a form, or whatever.

That means I only make money if someone clicks on the ad or link from my website, goes to the merchant’s website, and makes a purchase, fills out a form, or whatever the ad calls for them to do.

So, come on, folks, in the spirit of Super Bowl mega-bucks commercials, I encourage you to look around my site and notice — perhaps for the first time? — some of the ads, ad banners, and text ads I’m showing you. Then go ahead and “click through” to check out some of the useful merchandise and services here.

My flagging bank account and our flagging economy will both thank you for it!

Still waiting — on both economic stimulus AND Super Bowl …

SO — here we are 10 days into President Obama’s presidency, and we’re still waiting on the economic stimulus plan AND the Super Bowl. As you may recall, in my last post I linked the two together in the title, so it felt right to do so again.

The important difference, of course, between the Super Bowl and the economic stimulus plan is that one of them has a predictable outcome. Either the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Arizona Cardinals will win the Super Bowl.

As for the economic stimulus plan — pretty much all bets are off on that one. As a “liberal leaning” Democrat, I’m willing to believe Obama’s plan will eventually pass and will do some good. As a “liberal leaning” Democrat, I also am not sure I appreciate or understand all the nuts-and-bolts of the stimulus plan and how it should work. Of course, none of us has seen the details of the plan now in Congress, the one passed by the House and now heading to the Senate.

BUT — from what I’ve heard about that plan, I almost am willing to turn in my “party card” as a “liberal leaning” Democrat. I actually find myself nodding in agreement with some of the more conservative criticisms I’ve heard about the plan. Frankly, what irritates me most is the way the plan contains such goodies as several millions for the DTV switch over. I simply cannot see how that, and some of the other “pork” I’ve heard about, belongs in this bill. Sorry about that, fellow liberal leaning Democrats, but this is ABSOLUTELY NOT the time to add ANY pork or “earmarks” to legislation. Period. End of story.

Once again, put on your political metaphorical boots, faithful readers, and be ready to wade right into the fray!

So go ahead, fellow “liberal leaners,” convince me that this particular stimulus plan is good and is the one which we ought to pass and fund. I await comments from “liberals” and “conservatives” alike out there. (I hate using labels in general, but you know what I mean.)

Economy continues to tank, so let’s get to important stuff — Super Bowl Sunday coming up!

Enough of all the doom and gloom. If, as all the pundits liberal and conservative alike are saying, there’s no quick fix for the economy, let’s move on to the important stuff — Super Bowl Sunday is nearly here!

Who are you picking for this year’s Super Bowl? (Shameless plug — here’s another site I run which sells some great sports gear and collectibles for fans of many sports. Go take a look. We’ll still be here when you get back.)

My sentimental pick would be the Arizona Cardinals. After all, they’re the “Cinderella team” of the NFL this year if anyone could be. Who would have picked the Cardinals to even make the playoffs, let alone win the NFC Championship and be heading to the Super Bowl?? Certainly not I, nor anyone I know. Can they prevail over this year’s typically rough-and-tough Pittsburgh Steelers Team?

My heart says, yes, but my head says no — I’m picking the Steelers to win the Super Bowl by 7 points. But that’s just what I’m thinking — what about you? Any of you want to make a prediction, feel free to post a comment and let us know what you think.

Meanwhile, as a long-time Kansas City Chiefs fan, I’m looking forward to next season. Given the Chief’s almost total make-over this last season and now major coaching changes, who knows? Maybe 2009 will be the year for my Chiefs to get back in it … and maybe pigs will fly??

Rush Limbaugh to world: ‘I hope he fails’

Yeah, perhaps you’ve already seen coverage of Rush Limbaugh’s remarks yesterday concerning Barack Obama — he hopes the president fails. That’s right. While 99 percent of the nation sees how important it is for ALL of the nation that Obama succeed, Limbaugh (and probably a ton of his followers) seems to think the nation’s best interests rest in Obama’s failure.

I understand the need for a “royal opposition” to make either or any party in power toe the line. I truly understand and appreciate that need. And I applaud that our Founding Fathers understood and appreciated the need for open discussion and open action by the government.

But I truly do NOT understand the miscreants like Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and the whole gang who would take delight in Obama’s failure. Let me hasten to add, I felt the same way about any liberals or others who took delight when President Bush faltered and had problems.

People, there is no reason for glee in failure when it comes to the governing of our nation. To echo the words of Benjamin Franklin at the signing of the Declaration of Independence: “We must all hang together, gentlemen … else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.”

Or better yet, in the words of the incomparable Red Green: “I’m pulling for you. Remember, we’re all in this thing together.”

Have you adopted or considered adopting a child?

Have you adopted or ever considered adopting a child?

My wife and I have never adopted nor considered adopting a child. Nor do we know of anyone in our immediate families who have adopted. We DO know a few people from work, church, and other contacts who have adopted all or some of their children and it was the most wonderful thing, they say, that happened to them.

I thought about this today as I realized that tomorrow, January 22, marks the 36th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion in America. That, of course, is an entirely overwhelming story on its own, and I don’t intend to get involved with that discussion here.

I’m sure, however, that women of all ages across our nation are facing today the news of an unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. The hard reality is this: Many will choose abortion solely because they feel they have no other option. Even some who want the child will opt for abortions simply because they feel trapped and feel they have no other solution.

Adoption can and has become one very good option to abortion for thousands of women in America, because there really are many good people and good organizations out there willing to help and support women who know of no option to abortion — and to help them find good, loving homes for their babies.

So the good news is that there ARE adoption options. There are people willing and able to offer support, financial and at every other level, to help many who feel they have no option other than abortion. (One such organization I found only recently is the Adoption Network Law Center. Go take a look for yourself.)

If you find yourself in a position to adopt a child — a child of any age, any ethnic background — I applaud you. There are literally millions of infants and children in need of good homes, any one of whom could “super charge” your family and bring joy into your life.

Pregnant and considering abortion? Help is waiting!

What’s your computer of choice? Laptop? Desktop? Cell phone? Netbook?

What’s your computer of choice? Do you use mainly a laptop or a desktop? Or do you rely on your cell phone and wireless service for all your “computer” needs? Are you far more up to speed than I — probably! — and rely on one of the “netbooks” mini-computers coming on the market?

I confess technology has gotten way past me on this one. My son purchased a new laptop a few months ago, a Sony Vaio, and got a really good deal on his new machine. (His previous computer was a very old desktop he gave to a friend and one ancient, almost non-functioning laptop I gave him when I replaced it with a newer model.) And just today, I read a review that Sony “shocked” the technology world when it unveiled a new “VAIO P” netbook small enough to easily fit in a jacket pocket.

Netbooks are a new frontier for me. I would love to see how they develop in the next couple of years. It would be wonderful — my Old Guy eyesight permitting — to make my next business computer something small enough to fit in a pocket. When I was a Young Guy, the now old-fashioned PDAs were just coming into vogue. Now look what technology has done. The PDAs appear to be joining the dinosaurs and technology has “lapped” me once again in the race of life.

So — what’s your cutting edge computing solution? Laptop? Desktop? Cell phone? Or, here’s that term again, netbook?

Everyone should hope, pray for President Obama’s success — then work to help it happen

I just finished watching the Inauguration of President Barak Obama and I was struck again by the HUGE turnout. I’ve jokingly posted here references to Obama as “Messiah” or Obama as “Antichrist.” In reality he is President Obama — a common mortal, just like every other American president has been.

I felt Obama made it very clear in his inaugural address that we, frankly, are all in this mess together, and that we can work ourselves out of this mess if we truly work TOGETHER. He called upon each of us to get back to the role of doing all we can as individuals, and not just assuming our elected leaders will have the ways and means to “solve” all the crises we face.

Good speech. Good start. Now we’d better all get busy if we are going to deal with all the problems we face as a nation and as individuals. Are you up for the game? We’ll see, won’t we?

Would you go to the Inauguration if you could? Or perhaps you are?

I don’t know whether any of you reading this are headed to D.C. for Barack Obama’s Inauguration or not — but would you if you could? Assuming you had whatever ticket or access is necessary to be within sight of his swearing in, and assuming you had whatever travel deals and housing arrangements necessary, would you want to be there?

The historian in me says “yes,” but the Old Guy in me says “no, not really.”

Of course, it’s a rhetorical question for most of us anyway, I assume. For months access to the big event as well as housing and travel plans for it all have been filled up, gone, done.

But perhaps some of you reading this already have plans and have made arrangements to be at this truly historic event. If so, come back afterward and leave us a comment telling us about your experience. Personally, I’ll stay home and watch it on television. Much easier that way, and no weather worries, either.

‘Hero’ doesn’t seem adequate for airline pilot who landed in Hudson

The term “hero” really doesn’t seem adequate for the, what, “superhero,” pilot who landed the US Airways jetliner in New York City’s Hudson River yesterday. Yeah, probably “superhero” is a better label for cool career pilot Chesley B. Sullenberger III. His quick, incredible action saved the lives of all on board, something like 155 passengers and crew.

The amazing thing about this crash landing, as several news sources have been pointing out on TV all morning, is that the pilot had to, 1) make a quick decision to hit the river, 2) navigate without power (or with little power?) into the relatively narrow landing area in the river, 3) avoid hitting a major NYC bridge, and, 4) set the plane down without breaking it apart or sinking it.

Kudos to all the crew, and to all the incredible rescue people who got those folks out of the nearly freezing river, and saved lives. A big salute to everyone involved!

Only bad Bible exegesis says U.S. must ALWAYS back Israeli actions

Really bad Bible exegesis says the U.S. must ALWAYS back Israeli actions, no matter what Israel decides to do, no matter how the react to opposition, no matter how they treat the Palestinians or any of their Arab neighbors.

Those who insist opposing Israel in any way will bring God’s curse or judgment upon our nation usually base that on a Bible passage in the Book of Genesis, where God made a covenant with Abraham. It reads like this (from the New Revised Standard Version):

“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed’ … Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and said, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’ ” (Genesis 12:1-3, 7).”

Most fundamentalists and “hard core” biblical literalists use this passage of Scripture to teach two basic “facts” about Israel and the U.S.-Israeli relationship: 1) “cursing” or opposing Israel in any way will bring a curse upon the U.S., and, 2) God made his first promises here that the land we know as Israel will belong to the Jews as Abraham’s descendants.

As a graduate of an accredited Bible college and a one-time pastor, I speak from some understanding when I say the Bible does NOT teach that opposing Israel will bring some sort of condemnation or judgment upon the U.S., or any other nation in this Bible passage. That’s just plain wrong. And, the Bible does NOT teach in this passage that the “Holy Land” belongs to Israel as God’s chosen people.

You really don’t need to be a highly educated Bible scholar (I don’t claim to be; I have an undergrad degree in Bible and theology and most of an M.A. in history) to figure this out. You simply need to read the Bible and pay attention. I am perplexed and, yes, angered, at the so-called “Bible teachers,” evangelists, pastors, and “tele-vangelists” out there who have duped so many people, based on Genesis 13, into slavishly supporting everything modern Israel does.

I’ve already wasted too much time on this stuff, but here goes. Let’s assume there was a historical figure we know from Scripture as Abraham. Let’s assume God appeared to him and made these promises. Let’s further assume, as the rest of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers (the Pentateuch, as this section of Scripture is called), teach, that Abraham became the father of Isaac — from whom the Jews descended — and Ishmael, from whom the Arab nations descended.

Given all that, here’s the deal: This narrative of God’s promises to Abraham came BEFORE Isaac and Ishmael were conceived or born. So — to be consistent (and many biblical literalists have HUGE problems with consistency), Genesis 12 applies to ALL descendants of Abraham, Jews and Arabs. Given that truth, we are obligated, as far as the “blessing and cursing” conditions of Genesis 12 are concerned, to never oppose either Israel or the Palestinians.

In other words, the oddball teaching pushed by those who say we are facing judgment if we speak out against atrocities by Israel, must also say we face that issue if we speak out against atrocities by the Arabs or Palestinians.

End of game — it’s a draw. Israel gets no more of a “free pass” to destroy Palestinians and their villages than do the Palestinians to destroy Israelis and their villages.

Now can we set aside the silliness and work for some sort of reality in the Middle East?? Probably not.

Ah, well.

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