Footprints on the Moon

Today is the anniversary of the first moon landing!  I'm always speechless when I try to comprehend that it took thousands of years for man to learn to fly, and then only 66 years to walk on the moon!

To Boldly Go...

If we could accomplish these incredible feats, then even if certain powers that be want to hold us back and pack it up, with enough patience, embracing of history and our time-tested determination: We Will Go Back to Space, and Beyond.

I'm sure there were some 84 year olds watching the 1969 moon landing on their children's new-fangled TV sets, who remembered when they were recent high school grads in 1903 and heard about the Kitty Hawk flight on the radio.  In 1903, aircraft seemed a bit out of reach, especially since commercial flights were still a long way off--but it got the ball rolling.  And, despite the current setbacks, NASA exploration will continue in the near future.  Onward and upward!

What is and Should Never Be

The lies, the superior attitude, tone deafness, the endless personal narrative (which is also laced with lies to advance his agenda), horrible SCOTUS picks, Janet Napolitano, FLOTUS, wrecking relationships with foreign allies (while celebrating a self-congratulatory boost in how the world perceives us), OBAMACARE, taxes, gas prices "necessarily skyrocketing", spreading the wealth, golfing while the nation burns, dropping the ban on funding of foreign abortions, repeatedly banning oil drilling in the United States while GIVING billions to Brazil so they can do what he won't allow us to do, breaking the law, using water as leverage in the Valley that hope forget in California to get votes for Health Care, continually pushing the Dream Act and policies to circumvent the process, the internet Kill Switch he gave himself, and so much more...

In spite of this laundry list of despicable acts the action that cuts the deepest and upsets me at my core is his dismantling of the space program and erradication of any stake we once had in space.

I've been holding back on writing about the death, no strike that: MURDER of NASA and marginalization of the smartest and biggest dreamers on planet Earth, perhaps in all of history because I feel so strongly about reaching out into space to find answers about the universe, to see what's out there, and ultimately to spread the human race out among the stars.

We now live in a post-space-age era with no plan, no direction or promise to put us up there and out there like Kennedy did.  The drive isn't gone---but buried beneath progressive bureaucrats' red tape.

It's hard to choose one sin of Obama's that is his worst mistake because in the short term, he's made horrific ones.  The space program is about the future and progress for all of mankind--and NASA gave Americans pride and also assurances that we would be stewards of space (holding true to our founding principles).  The same can not be said of Russia or China or Iran and all the other dangerous nations who are staking a claim to our skies.

I'm a conservative guy and I'm concerned with progress and where we are going--and not just the next election cycle--but 50, 100, 500 years from now.  If only our "progressive" liberal president actually cared about real progress...

The picture that inspired this post is truly captivating and it's a fun family keepsake that unfortunately exists, despite the fact it never should have been possible.

A father and son have photographs of themselves attending the first and last space shuttle launches--I pray, at least until the next president starts a Gen 2 Shuttle Program.

Another Christian to be Murdered by Tolerant Muslims

Ann Coulter's words have never resonated more clearly.  As she said after September 11th, 2001:

Invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity.



With this latest report that a Christian Pastor is facing execution in Iran if he doesn't renounce his faith, we're reminded how vicious and archaic Middle Eastern Muslim governments are, as well as some here too.

We're not just at risk from terrorists who crash planes into buildings or insert explosives into their cavities.  They are waging a holy war against us.  From "honor" killings on American soil to random people in foreign streets burning the American and Israeli flag side-by-side, to slaying after slaying after slaying of innocent non-Muslims, we are being targeted for our beliefs (and our freedom afforded to us by the hard work and sacrifices of our founding fathers and military).

I do believe that we should not be the world's police force.  We can't even keep track of the crime on our streets, and refuse to enforce the immigration laws on our books.  That said, we need to protect our own.  The progressives are actively trying to make us forget the proud Judeo-Christian tradition in this country---not just in our beliefs, but also the founding documents that gave first live to our nation which contained philosophy and beliefs stemming from (gasp) religion.

If we can't unite with other Christians around the world to put an end to oppressive and evil regimes that would have an innocent man executed like it's still the middle ages, then we don't deserve to be called Christians.  I doubt even Jesus would die for that sin of passive non-involvement.

All the church bake sales in the world won't wash the blood off our hands if we let the persecution of Christians here and abroad to go unchecked.  It certainly doesn't help when Obama goes to Muslim countries waving his little olive branch and apologizing for our nation's mistakes--it gives them cover.

We should pray for the life of  pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and all the Christians living in hiding in dangerous parts of the world.  But our involvement shouldn't stop there.  God expects us to help our brothers in need, otherwise we will be letting all of their prayers go unanswered.

Dining Sans Whining

Nothing ruins a dinner out more than a crying baby.  Some babies are quiet by nature, and some kids are quiet and respectful because they were taught that by their parents.  Unfortunately, the growing trend is for parents to sit idly by as their children carry on like banshees.

Just  this week I was enjoying dinner out with family and friends when another family with various children and two children under two years old took over.  The (for lack of better term) mother had her back turned from the one child, whose only response was to cry incessantly.  What was worse was that none of the other ten people at their table looked concerned for the baby's well-being, tried to console the baby, or even looked ashamed at the spectacle they had become by disrupting everyone else!

It was a pizza buffet restaurant and on a fairly related note, I watched as a young guy behind the line helped separate a piece of pizza for a five or six year old from another party.  He was being helpful and kind and what did that entitled brat do to thank the man?  Nothing.  He just walked away to fill his face.

What's becoming of our culture?  Kids think everyone lives to serve them and parents think it's okay to disrupt the lives of everyone in a restaurant.

"Well, I have to put up with that screeching every day at home.  Why shouldn't you too?" 

It's sad but I really can picture that woman saying that to me had I said something to her.

But!  There's hope!

A restaurant in Pennsylvania (you know, those folks who cling to God and guns and antipathy toward people who don't look or sound like them) has issued a ban on children under six from entering the establishment.

If Vegas can do it, why not the rest of the country?  In an email to customers they said:

"We feel that McDain's is not a place for young children. Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers."
The owner of the "upscale, casual and quiet" restaurant explains to WTAE Local News, he's got nothing against kids in general, but their endless screams at public dinner tables are "the height of being impolite and selfish."

I find it appalling that we've come to the point where banning kids from restaurants is necessary to ensure a positive experience for the rest of the customers.  There's really no alternative to help in the short-term, though.  If in the long-term, parents start parenting again: punishing, providing time outs, teaching respect through their own example and other important lessons perhaps bans such as these will be temporary.  But when the parents need an education in the proper decorum, it certainly does not bode well for their offspring (or the rest the country that they are subjecting their families to).

One thing's for sure...now I know why Germans prefer to take their dogs out to dinner and leave their kids at home.

60% Price Hike for the Only Show in Town

Netflix burst onto the scene as the convienent, digital-age response to renting movies.  It was so successful in fact, it has all but rendered movie rental stores obsolete.

Apparently, now that they control the marketplace, Netflix is expanding their...prices for their services. 

The company's abandoning its $9.99 a month plan that enabled subscribers to watch unlimited video streams and also have one DVD out at a time sent via mail. The price for that combo service will jump to $15.98 as Netflix requires consumers to separately order unlimited streaming for $7.99 a month or 1-at-a-time DVD rentals for $7.99.

For 2 dollars less, you only get half the current service.  There isn't even a penny discount for having both packages.  How stingy!  I'm guessing that this is a way to curb those stone-age knuckle-draggers who still prefer getting their DVD's in the mail as opposed to streaming online.  I bet more people (who must choose between one service or the other now) will opt for the streaming service because it's seemingly a better deal.  Although, all I hear from subscribers is that the selection is rather limited, especially with television.

With streaming movies and e-readers making DVD's and DVD Stores as well as books and bookstores obsolete, it brings to mind the classic Twilight Zone episode, "The Obsolete Man".  We're not quite to the point of murdering people in so-deemed 'obsolete' professions, but dismantling entire industries for the sake progress...that doesn't seem very wise.

I always maintain that while computers and digital media has its place in society, we can't lose sight of the fact that we are human beings.  We don't live in cyberspace.  We live in the real world and therefore require things to touch and hold and interact with.

This is why I'm concerned that e-book sales were higher than hardcover books last year.

As for netflix, how does that affect us personally?  A 60% bump in price definetely dissuades me from signing up.  I'm sure others will grow tired up it as well.  This is the Obama economy after all.  We can't all jet off to foreign locales like the President does to make FLOTUS happy.

The leadership at Netflix has been itching to change their mantra all year.  It all started with a January blog post which was not well-received by netflix subscribers.

In a seemingly innocent 109-word blog post, Netflix director of product management Jamie Odell announced, "We're removing the 'Add to DVD Queue' option from streaming devices," suggesting that it was being done so that the company "can concentrate on offering you the titles that are available to watch instantly."

They are erradicating your options...but they are doing it for you--so you can watch titles instantly (which you already could do, just not on DVD now...that's all). 

They learned their lessons from Cass Sunstein well.  They tried to nudge us into their streaming-only philosophy and it failed.  They haven't quite shoved us yet, but now they've doubled down with their nudging to hit us where it hurts--the pocket book.

"That'll teach them!"

Prayer: An Alien Affair

It's hard to find a show on tv these days that present a positive view of religion and prayer--except of course for the feel-good Islam-isn't-all-bad story.  (We get it, but what about our Judeo-Christian traditions in America?)

Enter: Falling Skies, the new TNT drama about the human struggle to survive and fight back after an alien invasion.  It stars Noah Wyle as a history professor and father turned resistance leader (and second-in-command, no less) of a group of civilians and soldiers.  The series deals not only with the goal of taking back Earth from the skittering alien invaders, but with how to deal with the loss of loved ones and the turmoil of an apocalypse.  The series also stars Moon Bloodgood as Anne, a pediatrician turned head doctor.  She provides a lot of emotional stability for the other character's-- especially for Wyle's Tom Mason who is dealing with the death of his wife and the fact his middle son is a prisoner/slave to the aliens.

What really stands out is the addition of Seychelle Gabriel as Lourdes, a young woman who through all of the death and destruction has held onto her faith and carries a sense of optimism that often surprises her fellow survivors.  In the episode "Grace", several others join her in a prayer of thanks for all that do have.  Others around them prayed quietly as well.  It was a moment they all clearly needed.

I was impressed with the fact she wasn't trying to 'force' her faith on anyone.  She was just being herself, explained how prayer has helped her and invited others to join her.  This welcoming expression of religion is lacking in film and tv.

TNT also had the series Saving Grace that had strong religious themes, although they cancelled it.  The only really potent example on television now that portrays Christianity in a positive light and in a substantive way would be Blue Bloods on CBS.  Seeing the family together each week around the dinner table, laughing, discussing life and praying is a shining light through the dark culture of Gaga and Showtime's Gigolos.

The family drama aspect is not lacking in 'Skies' either.  Hal, played by Drew Roy is Tom's oldest son and at 16 he is now a soldier.  The chemistry between father and son is perfect.  Hal has had to grow up fast, but he's still a kid and always his dad's son--first and foremost.  You can tell Tom wants to protect all of his sons but it's a new world...

Science fiction has been open to religion in the past, albeit alien faith, with shows like Star Trek: Deep Space 9, Babylon 5 and Battlestar Galactica (2003) all enriching their stories with different types of faith.

Falling Skies has allowed a more natural diversity of characters to emerge, since religious people rarely fill our screens.  Thankfully, TNT has ordered a second season of this engaging, new sci fi drama.  I'd say our prayers have been answered, but that would be corny.

Primary Bickering

The worst part of the election process is the time leading up to the primaries.  In this case, all of the Republican's best hopes are fighting amongst themselves, contradicting themselves on their support for fellow candidates and generally losing focus.

It's kind of like Kirk and Spock fighting.  It'll get you ratings and headlines, but everyone ends up bruised and dirty when the dust settles.

The first debate found the candidates unified against Obama, but that sentiment has been replaces by the desperate compulsion to win.  I guess we can't blame them too much...I just wish the candidates elevated their own positions--of course pointing out the weaknesses of the others--but without contradicting themselves and their past support of various colleagues.

Tim Pawlenty is the latest example of this unfortunate trend.  He hasn't gotten much support and he's competing against a Congresswoman from his own state of Minnesota.  That would be a tricky situation for any candidate lagging behind, as Michele Bachmann continues to surge in the polls.

"Well, I like Congresswoman Bachmann. I've campaigned for her. I respect her, but her record of accomplishment in Congress is non-existent. It's non-existent," Pawlenty told NBC's "Meet the Press."

Not only is that not true, but it doesn't fill me with any more confidence in Pawlenty.  We must remember that Bachmann came into the United States Congress when Democrats swept into power back in November of 2006.  She pushed many solid, conservative policies but often was faced with too much opposition.  An example is her opposition to the light bulb ban in America.  Thankfully, Congress will actually be revisiting that horrible and dangerous policy this week. 

Pawlenty should focus on convincing us why he's the guy for the job.  Not only would he look like a gentleman, but we would know his resume and stances.

To me, he's one of two things:

1. The guy who coined "Obamneycare" as a way to cleverly link Obama's health care monstrosity with that of Mitt Romney's health care program when he was governor---only to backtrack and completely avoid the subject and Romney at the debate. (We need more from a President.)
2. That guy from Michele Bachmann's state.