The search function of the site is user-friendly. I’m given a list of women in my area. Their profile pictures are surprisingly provocative—low cut shirts, exposed shoulders, skin-tight pants, pouty lips. The selection proves again that while the Lord may “looketh at the heart,” His people are still very much interested in outward appearances.
Yeah, methinks he’s got that right. And the rest of it too. It’s not that one cannot meet one’s future spouse online, though I’m old fashioned enough that it seems odd. It’s just that the theology is so hopelessly wrong. No, make that shallow—and disgusting.
I have been interested in politics as long as I can remember. Lately I’ve been blogging about it less, and that’s likely to continue. There’s just too much to do! But I want to note one trend.
Practically every national election I’ve voted in has featured concerns about increasing executive power. In the modern era, the power to make war has been a particularly strong example of a shift of power toward the executive, with the powers of the commander-in-chief stretched past the limit, in my view. Yes, war happens faster, but rather than taking up their responsibility and finding a way to authorize (or not) actions more rapidly, congress has generally let the power to declare war slip away from them. But that’s just an example.
McClatchy has an article, Obama turning to executive power to get what he wants, and it illustrates how similar President Obama is to President Bush. What’s always amused me about the complaints regarding Obama’s policies, especially on foreign policy, is that he has, in fact, changed so little.
There are a couple of quotes I’d like to highlight:
Arguably more than any other president in modern history, he’s using executive actions, primarily orders, to bypass or pressure a Congress where the opposition Republicans can block any proposal. (source)
And the real danger:
Now that Obama has showed a willingness to use those tactics, advocacy groups, supporters and even members of Congress are lobbying him to do so more and more. (source, emphasis mine)
Undoubtedly, some of these same groups would have been up in arms if President Bush carried out some of the same sorts of actions as they are now, and rightfully so. In fact, many groups were, quite correctly, critical of Bush for abusing executive power, particularly signing statements.
We tend to focus more on the results than on the process, but when we bypass the process in order to get the results we want, we also make it easier for others to get results we don’t want by bypassing the process in turn. Patience in doing things the right way might just be critical.
C. Michael Patton has a seven level division that has “essential for salvation” at the core, and “pure speculation” as the outer layer. Now what I’m wondering is whether getting the division of your essentials right is an essential or not. It makes one wonder!
I’m not a fan of Rand Paul, but I respect him more after this filibuster than before. It was for a good cause, and one which should have gotten much more attention. Indeed, there are a number of other areas where we have handed power to the federal government ostensibly because of terrorism, but unnecessarily in my view.
But it was also a good demonstration of what the Senate, and particularly a Senate filibuster should be about … forcing actual debate. For all the good action on the floor of the House and Senate does these days our senators and representatives could stay home and debate and vote over the internet. The personal interaction seen here should again become part of our deliberative process.
I’m not a fan of the current filibuster rules. I wasn’t a fan when Republicans were in the majority either. The idea of indefinitely blocking a vote on absolutely anything without having to go to any work annoys me. But heading down to the floor for a good, old fashioned talking filibuster? That’s good stuff. It’s people who care fighting about issues that matter.
Now if they’d just discuss some justification for how many Pakistani civilians we kill using drones, I’d be almost happy. But I doubt that’s going to happen.
I’m posting this for discussion. I plan to use as the question in our Energion political debate in April. Right now the participants are discussing the budget. From the middle of March (March 21) into April they’ll be discussing the role of government and why they take the position they do. Then starting April 18 we’ll be discussing income distribution.
But here’s the video. Get started thinking!
Note: While there are just two official participants, I will link from the debate posts to anyone who sends me a response on the current topic. Note that any essays on income distribution will not be posted until after April 18. Through mid-March, essays and comments are welcome on the budget.
There are so many annoying ads on television it’s hard to nominate the most annoying one, but I think the ads for ChristianMingle.com have the inside track on such an award. It’s not that I object to online dating services as such, though I have numerous reservations. (Fortunately I’m married and my children are married. Now to protect the grandchildren!) But the attempt to make using this service sound like the “holy” and “godly” thing to do just grates.
Actually, the most troubling part of the evening was the incessant Christianmingle.com commercials. God can’t seem to get around to putting a stop to hunger and war, but he has definitely taken the time of subcontracting out to a website the means by which you can find your perfect mate.
In French, the title of The March of the Penguins was La Marche de l’Empereur (The March of the Emperor). Knowing that, behold, an ad for the film shown on French television.
It seems it can do so by fully documenting the extent of the camps and other facilities involved. Just using the term “facilities” there makes my skin crawl, but I can’t think of another word at the moment.
Prayers for Rick Warren (2013/4/6) My profound sympathy and my prayers go to Rick Warren, whose 27-year-old son committed suicide. May God bring comfort and healing. (0)
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