http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/RecentBlogs Recent Blog Posts on Tehachapi News en-us http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/AfricaHorn/8966 Greetings from the Horn of Africa where I sit at my computer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  I, and my family, are members of Country Oaks Baptist Church in Tehachapi.  We are sent out by COBC to serve in this region with an organization called Pioneers. Our ministry is to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it before, and to see God worshiped among the peoples of this part of the world.  We have lived here since January 2000 and love to call it our "home," even though it is 11 time zones/hours ahead of Tehachapi (except during Daylight Savings Time when it is 10 zones/hours). We hope you enjoy our blog.  Please visit often.! Mon, 07 May 2007 12:13:53 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/8961 And, here's what they do in THEIR streets: Jim Richards Nude Cyclists Want Respect From Motorists Dozens of Cyclists Ride Nude Through Downtown Mexico, Demanding Respect From Motorists Mon, 07 May 2007 11:34:35 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/8959 This is what they do on OUR streets: Jim Richards Mon, 07 May 2007 11:27:10 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/Vietland/8944 (Ha Noi - March 23, 2007) - The Ha Noi government has continued pressure Vietnamese dissidents moving for change toward more political openness and recognition for human rights. - On March 22, in Quang Ninh province police summoned Mr. Tran Van Hoa’s brother in law and Hoa, an active Christian and member of the People’s Democratic Party for interrogation. On March 23, they repeatedly summoned Hoa and his wife to Quang Ninh police station for further questions. They intend using family members to pressure Tran Van Hoa to denounce his democratic activities as well as to limit his religious practices. As a result, Tran Van Hoa’s family was asked to move out of Hoa’s brother in law house as soon as possible. - On March 22, at the same detention prison where the two human rights lawyers are currently being held, police warned Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan’s family members not to speaking out public regarding their cases without consideration for ‘their own safety’. Lawyer Dai’s wife, Mrs. Vu Kim Khanh is constantly being tailed by plain-clothe police. She is under 24 hours surveillance in order to discourage her from speaking to international media and organizations. Dai, an active Christian who defends imprisoned dissidents and Christian members and Cong Nhan, spokesperson for The Progression Party were both imprisoned at Ha Noi Detention Center, Cau Dien village, Tu Liem district where authorities have denied family visits. Up to the writing of this press release, prison officials have refused to comment on Dai and Cong Nhan’s hunger strike status. The government has quietly told many Vietnam’s lawyers that they would not be friendly to anyone hoping to take the case of the two detained lawyers Dai and Cong Nhan. - On March 16, Sai Gon police used Mr. Do Nam Hai’s family members, including his daughter, father and sister to pressure him denounce his democratic activities and to end his role in the democracy movement. Mr. Hai, also known as Phuong Nam is a well known leading member of The Alliance for Human Rights and Democracy in Vietnam. - On March 17, Sai Gon police magazine posted “wanted” signs for Mr. Nguyen Chinh Ket, a leader of the Alliance for Human Rights and Democracy in Vietnam, charging him with a so called “crime of carrying action against the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam”. Previously, police came to raid his house and announced an order of arrest to Mr. Ket’s wife and daughter. Mr. Ket is traveling overseas to report on human rights condition in Viet Nam. Current he is in Denmark after having visited the United States and Norway. As lawyer Nguyen Van Dai and Do Nam Hai, Professor Nguyen Chinh Ket is one of eight Vietnamese to be awarded Hellman/Hammett grant this year. - On December 2006, Sai Gon police arrested lawyer Nguyen Bac Truyen, central committee member of the People’s Democratic Party. No one from his family has been allowed to visit him at 4 Phan Dang Luu Prison since. To increase pressure on Truyen and intimidate his family members, police constantly harassed his business in Sai Gon with more than 40 employees until they were forced to close due to bankruptcy. As a result, his wife has abandoned his case. - On November 2006, Sai Gon police arrested Mrs. Tran thi Le Hong, founder of the United Workers-Farmers Organization of Viet Nam. She was held at B34 Prison in Sai Gon. Police informed her four children that Hong was a drug dealer and to stay away from her or risk reprisal. Hong is currently without family support. (Tran Nam) Mon, 07 May 2007 09:01:30 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/samheath/8932 While I was pleasantly surprised by the number of responses I received by email from those who remembered “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt,” the Bugs Bunny cartoon of 1941, there remains the question of whether we can any longer enjoy those old cartoons without either feeling guilty or being told we should. It is as though my generation should apologize for so many of the things that provided us with laughter during those decades past, things like Al Capp’s “Li’l Abner” for example. Perhaps since I was born in Weedpatch and during the 30s and 40s it bore a striking resemblance to Dogpatch in both name and characters I should have been offended. What cannot be denied, however, is the invaluable insights provided by old cartoons, films, comic strips and comic books that are a part of historical documentation as important in their way as any history textbooks. I look through my large volume of the Smithsonian collection of old newspaper comic strips recognizing many of them and I am reminded we Americans once had a genuine sense of humor, and most importantly we knew how to laugh at ourselves. It seems such laughter is now nothing but a memory. The world, America itself has now become too dangerous and what passes for “comedy” now is rank and vulgar, a parody of genuine humor. Real humor has been sacrificed to the gods of litigation, and one of the results has been that we Americans no longer laugh at ourselves, there is simply nothing funny about the many crises we are facing. It won’t do attempting to replace the humor of time past with jokes about politicians and sex, too much of this has degenerated into assaults against standards of civilized, decent, mannerly behavior and speech. At the best this can only be construed as cynicism, not real humor. There was certainly nothing funny about the remark by Don Imus, and there was certainly nothing funny about the reaction of hypocrites like Jackson and Sharpton to the remark. Real humor like that of the master, Sam Clemens, begins with the humorist goring his own ox, laughing at himself before turning the joke on others and making them laugh at themselves. This isn’t possible today, because if you were to write as did Sam you would find yourself being sued. Many of the comics and comic strips of the 20s and 30s were downright silly, rather than funny. The truly tragic aspect of this is that it marked a time when Americans could be silly. Because of the Great Depression, for example, there was a real need for just plain silly. Life was grim for many people, and sometimes the only relief to be had was silliness. But from WWII on our ability to laugh at ourselves began to be lost, recalled only in the humor of time past, and much of what attempts to pass itself off as such humor today is a hollow charade. It is more than nostalgia on my part, this missing of a time when we Americans could laugh at ourselves, seeing ourselves mirrored in the foibles of characters in the old comic strips, poking fun at pomposity and pretensions, and children learning the morals of such things, like the errors of taking yourself and life too seriously. As America began to lose its way, the way of such humor began to give way to more “realism.” I’m old enough to remember when the old spooky movies like Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Wolf Man were being shown in theaters. There was no need of the “realism” of blood being splattered everywhere; our imaginations buoyed by the great old radio shows like Inner Sanctum and The Whistler were more than sufficient to do the job. There was an innocence in those old films and programs I very much miss along with the innocence of the times. We have not been served well by our leaders and entertainment media serving up the realism of an America that has lost its way. America now is too much like the molested child, that once the child has been raped such cherished innocence betrayed is not only never to be regained, but becomes a lifelong nightmare. Yes, I believe in heaven; I believe in a place like Mayberry and Norman Rockwell’s America where I will rejoin my departed loved ones and friends; but for the time being I remain alive in an America that has been betrayed by those unworthy of calling themselves “Americans.” Now, our heritage, culture, our language, even our borders have been betrayed; America is being raped by those that have stolen the American Dream and turned it into a living nightmare. Take the “sanctuary cities” for an example of this nightmare. While no one has accused me of attempting to justify the drunk driver by making the comparison between Paris Hilton and illegal aliens driving drunk on our highways and getting away with it here is some perspective: “The city of Virginia Beach, Va., which has been a flash point in the national debate on immigration after an illegal alien killed two teens in a drunk-driving crash, is changing its policy and will now ask crime suspects about their immigration status, no matter how small the offense. Alison Kunhardt and Tessa Trachant of Virginia Beach, Va. were killed March 30, 2007, when they were struck from behind by a speeding car driven by Alfredo Ramos, a Mexican living illegally in the U.S. for seven years. The city’s previous rule had precluded police from asking foreigners about their status, with the exception of felony cases, but Police Chief Jake Jacocks says the new rule ‘is effective right now.’ Jacocks and Virginia Beach’s mayor, Meyera Oberndorf, came under heavy fire in recent weeks from Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, who called for both to be fired. He labeled Virginia Beach as ‘a sanctuary city,’ accusing Oberndorf – whom he called ‘clueless and deceitful’ – of intentionally permitting illegals to stay so they could work in local hotels. The city’s previous hands-off policy was put in the national spotlight after Alison Kunhardt and Tessa Trachant were killed March 30 when they were struck from behind by a speeding car as they sat at a red light. The illegal alien who struck the girls was Alfredo Ramos, 22, who admitted he has been living unlawfully in the U.S. for seven years. That fact never surfaced during Ramos’ previous court appearances for two charges of public intoxication and one previous DUI...” Sun, 06 May 2007 17:49:34 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/luvmy2girls/8921 I was very shocked to hear about what recently happened to a local woman. This lady is a volunteer for the hospital guild, or should I say was. Last week I was appalled to hear that she had been fired from her volunteer position...a position that she was doing for free, on her time, because she wanted to help at the local hospital. Now first of all I have never heard of a volunteer being fired, and I have to wonder why an organization that is admittedly short of volunteers (gee I wonder why) would fire one of their own. The most shocking thing of all is the reason she was "fired". This lady's sin was taking 2 weeks off to fly out of state to be with her 2 yr old granddaughter who was having major stomach surgery. Yes, how dare this women have the audacity to care about her young grandchild...how dare she take 2 weeks off from a job she does for FREE. When the woman who decided to "fire" her told her, she told her she had taken 4 weeks off...I'm not sure how good an idea it is for someone who can't count to be answering the telephone and transferring important calls throughout the hospital. Anyone who has ever called the hospital in the morning hours should know exactly what I mean. In my opinion the community should be very concerned about many things that are occuring at the local hospital. I believe most would be absolutely dumbfounded. I would encourage you all to attend the hospital board meetings and learn more about what is going on. Sun, 06 May 2007 14:13:24 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/8913 I have no wish to bash any particular ethnic group of people but I do have a wish to applaud some of them. In particular, the Vietnamese. They have no wish or desire or time to march in our streets waving the Vietnamese flag and throwing rocks and bottles at our police. And, they have no wish or desire to turn American into another Vietnam. They are too busy educating themselves and their children in the English language. They are too busy assimilating themselves into the American mainstream by working and melding into the American culture. Hat's off to the Vietnamese and welcome to your new home, the United States of America. In 1975, U.S. President Gerald Ford broadcast an appeal to Americans to welcome the thousands of Vietnamese refugees pouring into the United States. Jim Richards Sun, 06 May 2007 05:58:50 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/samheath/8900 Being a real fan of the Turner Classic Movie channel I seldom miss the Saturday morning cartoon feature. But this morning I was somewhat taken aback about the caution by the host concerning “Hiawatha’s Rabbit Hunt” that it might be considered offensive to Native Americans. Well of course many of the cartoons of that era are found offensive to various segments of society today, as were many of the comic strips and books of my era during the 30s and 40s. But there was just something about the TCM host feeling the need to offer an apology before showing a Bugs Bunny cartoon that made me feel uncomfortable, as though I was being cautioned I had better feel guilty for watching and enjoying the cartoon. It took a great many things to win WWII that would be considered offensive today. But had these not been done, had we not been able to demonize our enemies it is probable we would have lost that war. Consider, if you can, what America, what the whole world would be today in such an event. This generation can cringe at the old propaganda films and comics that demonized our enemies, they can vilify those of us who point out this was necessary to win the war, but they are free to do so only because that war was won through my generation demonizing our enemies. When “Casablanca” first showed in the theaters of America it was neither “camp” nor “classic,” it was not “altruistic,” it reflected what we were as Americans during that era, what the Norman Rockwell generation of America believed in. I find it personally offensive that I have to “Press one for English” and ballots are printed in foreign tongues. I know this is not the America so many were sacrificed for during WWII. I find it personally offensive that millions of illegal aliens are invading my America for the sake of slave labor benefiting only politicians and their wealthy corporate masters. I find it personally offensive that identity theft is rampant and some American children will not discover until they get their first jobs that their Social Security numbers were stolen by illegal aliens. I find it personally offensive that I am being extorted through taxation without representation to pay for “free” medical and schooling, for jails and prisons to house illegal aliens, for the billions of dollars of taxpayer money going to support slave labor through courts and lawyers. I find it personally offensive the corrupt nation of Mexico is not held to account for its own citizens while Mexicans march in our streets demanding the rights of legitimate American citizens! Why aren’t these Mexicans marching in their own streets? The entire world considers America a lunatic nation led of lunatics. American TV and Hollywood, our politicians and judiciary together confirm this in the minds of other nations. And this makes for a very dangerous world and an increasingly dangerous America. The message of this lunacy is not being lost on nations like Russia and China, but who is supporting this lunacy in America, and for what purpose? Follow the money is the general answer, and it seldom leads a false trail. Whatever anyone’s opinion you just can’t get past the fact our police and border patrol are being emasculated from performing their duties for fear of losing their jobs, being sued, or even ending up in prison. And as several have told me personally “Who needs the grief.” But judges suffer no such restraints, and even Paris Hilton is not immune to America’s “gods in black.” Take the following for example: ABC News: “A $10 dry cleaning bill for a pair of trousers has ballooned into a $67 million civil lawsuit. Plaintiff Roy Pearson, a judge in Washington, D.C., says in court papers that he’s been through the ringer over a lost pair of prized pants he wanted to wear on his first day on the bench. He says in court papers that he has endured ‘mental suffering, inconvenience and discomfort.’ He says he was unable to wear that favorite suit on his first day of work... ‘People in America are now scared of each other,’ legal expert Philip Howard told ABC News’ Law & Justice Unit. ‘That’s why teachers won’t put an arm around a crying child, and doctors order unnecessary tests, and ministers won’t meet with parishioners. It’s a distrust of justice and it’s changing our culture...’ “ While the whole story is rather complicated the bottom line for me is that summation of Howard about people in America now being scared of each other, of how judges and lawyers have managed to change our culture because of a distrust of justice, the chief architect of this fear and distrust being the ACLU. This organization no longer has any right to call itself “American” having taken up defending illegal aliens, ballots in foreign tongues, “Press one for English” and porous borders among other obscenities to America and Americans. Howard is correct in his assessment of how a legal system that makes people afraid and distrustful of justice is changing our culture, but this could not have been done without a complicit ACLU, its deep pockets including money extorted from We the People to sue anyone not going along with this anti-American organization’s agenda of remaking America into its own image. In this manner an unholy alliance has been forged between politicians, judges, lawyers, and MSM that has thrown America into the present turmoil of fear and distrust, that has in fact changed our culture to one of fear and distrust, a fragmented and divided nation no longer having a national identity, without a heritage, culture, common language and secure borders, those inescapable imperatives by which all nations are defined and preserved and without which no nation can survive. But our own leadership throughout is so patently corrupt this alone would account for We the People becoming increasingly fearful and distrustful. When it is being proven Americans and others were lied into the wars of Caesar Bush and Company together with a complicit Congress things become both fearful and dangerous beyond just distrust. And then to have so many going along with such corruption just to have open borders for the sake of slave labor is nothing short of lunacy! It is the kind of lunacy that leads to a judge suing for $67 million over his lost pants, Paris Hilton being sent to jail while illegal aliens drive drunk on our highways murdering American citizens with impunity. And We the People are told we just have to continue putting up with this lunacy! Not this American! Bring the troops home to secure our own borders and expel all illegal aliens. Demand our immigration laws be enforced, and demand accountability of our elected leaders beginning with Bush all the way down! Or is it lunacy to believe anything like this can actually be done. But if so; who are the real lunatics. Sat, 05 May 2007 12:26:56 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/samheath/8850 Given the vitriolic attacks on Lou Dobbs by a minority of professional haters of America the question naturally arises why any American would hate him? The only conclusion I can come to, since Lou speaks for the views held by the great majority of Americans, is his haters have another agenda than the welfare of America. I can only hope if Fred Thompson decides to run for President the same vitriolic haters of Lou will not take after Fred. One of the reasons I believe Fred Thompson has a chance to beat the odds and win the presidency is not only his impeccable credentials for the office, but the lackluster, to be charitable, performance of GOP contenders and the Democrats being locked into a no-win position of retreating on the issues like immigration and Iraq most important to America. Another reason is Fred now appearing on websites including Townhall where I have been posting for a very long time. In my opinion, Townhall has the very best of conservative writers, even welcoming dissenters like me on many issues, and Fred is most welcome and in good company there. But speaking of beating the odds, multiplied millions of people live in hope of doing so; this is the appeal of gambling in general and state lotteries in particular. Take a look at the odds of having a winning lottery ticket. Given such enormous odds against winning why do people continue to buy lottery tickets? The obvious answer is that someone has to win, so why not the person buying the ticket. And while I have yet to buy my first lottery ticket, I have been witness to things happening that given the odds one would think improbable at best. It may be that the universe is the biggest lottery of all, and our solar system beat the trillions of odds against such a thing happening. And while I credit supernatural forces at work, for many a kind of space lottery is as good an explanation as any offered thus far by science, especially since near daily discoveries are leading to the conclusion our universe is very hostile to all life forms. Here is a recent example of improbable odds right in my hometown of Bakersfield. The population of Bakersfield is around 800,000. Now if you had not seen someone for several months and you should suddenly see the person, given the population what are the chances you would run into them accidentally? Not one in 800,000, but you would have to factor in the time on the basis of 24 hours in a day, geographical and other variables as well. The actual odds, once all the variables are considered, is one chance in about 500 million. But this recently happened with a friend of mine. So yes, in the face of improbable odds someone has to “win the lottery.” Sure it’s a sucker bet, but the bottom line for multiplied millions is someone has to win so why not the person buying the ticket. Out of all the millions all have the same hope they will buy that winning ticket. And if you have the winning ticket, you have beaten the odds. So yes, I believe Fred Thompson has a very good chance of beating the odds, which are far more favorable than anything like buying a lottery ticket. But what are the chances for America beating the odds against a nuclear terrorist attack? Given the present course our leaders and others are taking not very good; especially when you have the haters of America venting their hatred toward those like Lou Dobbs who stick up for our rights as Americans to a national identity based on heritage, culture, language, and secure borders, things all other nations in the world including Mexico demand for themselves but illegal aliens and their supporters claim America has no right to demand. One poster to The Bakersfield Californian (Katatak) writes: “Why isn’t the Mexican oligarchy called to account? Why isn’t their brutality against their own citizens (subjects?) debated in our media? Mexico is one of the richest nations in our hemisphere but why doesn’t Mexican wealth “trickle down” to their peasants? Canada doesn’t impoverish its citizens, so why does Mexico do it? I do not believe Dobbs is a wild-eyed racist hater, quite the opposite: I believe he is speaking up for lawful immigration and turning the debate toward the vicious character of the brutal rulers in Mexico. That should be discussed in our media but it isn’t and that shame shames all of us.” I added this comment to his post: “The haters of America will hate Lou Dobbs and all of us who believe our nation cannot possibly survive the invasion by Mexico with the support of our own corrupt government. The haters of America will continue to preach against all of us who believe in our rights to a national identity based on heritage, culture, language, and secure borders just as Mexico and every other nation in the world.” Some two years ago Lou was kind enough to correct me about an error I had made in attribution. I had known him as a courteous gentleman and his calling my attention to this error was greatly appreciated. It angers me when people attack him for his views since they reflect the views of the majority of We the People. But over the years I have come increasingly to wonder what the purpose is of those that are attempting to destroy America by destroying our rights to a heritage, culture, language, and secure borders? Sunday, May 6, Leslie Stahl will interview Lou Dobbs concerning illegal aliens. Unlike politicians and their politically correct lies about the situation, Lou believes the US could deport most of the illegal aliens here in America. I certainly agree, but the point Lou continues to make is the widespread corruption in our government has prevented any leader arising with the honesty and integrity to either address this issue or deal with it. Lou has shown courage in confronting the issue, but until the majority of We the People make our own voices heard the haters of Lou, the haters of America will continue on their path of thirsting for slave labor, for power and political advantage to the destruction of America. It isn’t that there are no solutions to the problems we are facing as a nation, but the only viable solutions will have to come from putting the interests of America and Americans first before all other considerations. And where will the leader come from who will do that? It certainly cannot be a leader heeding the voices of the vitriolic professional haters of Lou Dobbs and America. I can only hope the odds for such a leader arising will be better than that of winning the lottery. Fri, 04 May 2007 10:37:58 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/NattyClark/8822 So I went to a local salon after being reccomended by a family friend. I told the women doing my hair I wanted golden brown with light blonde weave and that it was for my wedding. Long story short all she did was put bleach in which didnt get rinsed all the way out, missed spots and the bleached leaked throughout my hair causing me to not be able to put my hair up without looking like a 1st grader did my hair. Don't get me wrong she was nice just not paying attention or doing what I had asked for. I called the owner 2 days later and explained the situation she said to come back and the girl would fix it we made an appt. I went to my appt. and the shop was locked. After waiting about 15 mins a lady unlocked the door saying she was the only one there. So they changed my appt. to tomorrow without telling me, were supposed to call me back tonight and never did plus the hair on the nape of my neck is coming out. Thu, 03 May 2007 20:43:39 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/jimr/8808 NOW THEY ARE SUING! HUH?   Are there any Boys and Girls here who couldn’t see this coming?   Those illegal alien marchers are now claiming they did not understand the Police bullhorns telling them to DISPERSE because they could not understand English! Huh? Does anyone here recall the Mexican woman who called 911 because her baby was choking and the 911 operator could not understand Spanish? They were sued…and she won millions. This is more of the same.   And, that so-called video “journalist” who had his camera knocked out of his hands? Did you see someone filming HIM while he was busy flying a Mexican flag attached to the top of his camera? I saw it.   And, the L.A. Police Chief said he was “disturbed” by what he saw his cops doing? Huh? I’M disturbed that HE was disturbed!   They will sue…and WIN millions, maybe Billions..all to be sent back to Mexico! Huh?   We stand idly by and gripe and moan among ourselves but the SYSTEM will let them win. What the hell, it’s only money, and there’s plenty more where that came from. Just ask any American Taxpayer!   Jim Richards Thu, 03 May 2007 14:26:13 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/samheath/8805 A peculiar thing surfaced some time ago in correspondence with friends in England. When I asked about the situation concerning Muslims there, especially with them marching in the streets and demanding “Muslim rights” very few would comment. One friend put it in perspective by saying it was an “inflammatory issue” and “these days one must exercise caution.” Knowing how England suffered because of Hitler, I asked another friend old enough to recall the Blitz and lost her sister to one of Hitler’s bombs why the English did not draw the parallel of his propaganda machine refusing any criticism of the Nazis and how Britain’s press had clamped down on any criticism of Muslims? Her cryptic response to the question was “I wish I could answer you.” Here in America it isn’t just about Big Oil, though that is a major factor. With so many factions jockeying for position and neither Republicans nor Democrats having either the courage or integrity to tell the truth but rather are shamelessly pandering for votes, America is being denied dissent on the part of those of us who believe we cannot survive as a nation without a national identity based on heritage, culture, language, and secure borders. To speak out about this is to invite the bullies from every faction demanding special privilege on the basis of perversion or ethnicity, attempting to silence dissent by labels like “anti-Semitic, racist, homophobic, xenophobic” until dissenters fall silent just as Hitler accomplished his goals by the same methods. But recalling those newsreels just before WWII of the Brown Shirts marching in Germany, they are reminiscent of the “Brown Shirts” marching here in America demanding illegal aliens be rewarded with citizenship because of their breaking the law, their demands supported by the White House and Congress and with an accommodating media and ACLU selling out and betraying America for profits it presents an ugly picture of things yet to come, things that are already happening in England and Europe, things very much like the tactics Hitler and his Brown Shirts used with such telling effect in Germany. To the point; one only has to ask why the Mexicans marching in our streets are not doing so in Mexico demanding a better life there rather than making the demands they are making here, or why no other nation in the world would countenance such a thing in their own countries. Only in America. But why? Follow the money and corruption on both sides of the border. If slave labor and drugs were not being encouraged by our own politicians and their corporate masters for profits with an accommodating media and ACLU there would be no Brown Shirts marching in our streets or “Press one for English.” The L.A.P.D. is catching hell because of the way some marchers were treated. Not much is being said about the way some of the marchers treated the cops. So, if the cops are intimidated and prevented from containing any future marches what will have been accomplished? Just like our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq being commanded to fight a losing battle, sacrificing their lives for politicians and their corporate masters the same thing is happening in police departments across America. But here come the Brown Shirts, ready to bully me, accusing me of supporting police brutality. What is always missing on the part of such bullies is the real reason for their bullying; the attempt to silence dissent of their own agendas just as did Hitler and his Brown Shirts. But I despise bullies, and will not submit to the Brown Shirts. I’m an American, and will put the interests of America and Americans first before all others! The White House and Congress are selling out and betraying America, aided by the universities, the MSM and ACLU. They may hate each other, but they all love slave labor and keeping the Great Unwashed divided, ignorant, and illiterate. But mine will remain a dissenting voice so long as I am able to dissent. Of course, as some correspondents have mentioned to me it seems lunacy for so many here in America to be so intent on killing the goose laying the golden eggs. Quite obviously America cannot possibly much longer endure being fragmented and divided, inviting terrorism through our treasonously open borders with an invasion by millions of illiterates from Mexico impacting disastrously on America, having more dogs feeding at Caesar’s table than workers supplying the food. A reasonable person cannot dismiss the seeming lunacy of such a thing, but how to make any sense of this self-destructive path our leaders and others are taking us on? For my part, the only answer I am left with is America is terminally infected by lunatics or the Bible is correct about Satan; and the Evil One has it in for America. Whether or not, apart from divine intervention given the present course our leaders are taking us on I cannot but fear the end result of destroying America is assured. Good people remain good people no matter what “label” they carry otherwise; and likewise with bad people. Whether Satan is real or not, the world is not hastening toward peace, but, rather, seems hastening to destruction. America cannot possibly be of help to other nations if we cannot save ourselves. For the present it would seem We the People have no one to really call on but God while America and the world seem to be going to the Devil by whatever definition. Utterly lacking any “certain trumpet sound” in America, but rather a cacophony of voices making demands hastening our demise, and knowing there is little I can do about it but dissent, as a well qualified scholar I turn increasingly to theological and philosophical speculation. And the Bible remains the best source for such speculation. Quite understandably so, the Bible being the most influential book the world has ever known, containing some of the best and highest thoughts of humankind to be found notwithstanding its weaknesses. For example, there is a god-consciousness wired into much of humankind; and no matter how reasonable I attempt to be about it, this belief of mine that there is supernatural intelligence involved with life and death remains with me. Each of us is unique to ourselves, and this fire of life we carry about in our bodies seems to relate to a supernatural intelligence with which we have a personal relationship. However, through my decades of Bible study I have changed my mind about many of the things I once believed as a Christian, things I used to preach as the “gospel” from pulpits. But there were things that troubled me about Christian orthodoxy, both Protestant and Catholic; there were many troubling things I found in the Bible that did not make sense. There were contradictions and fabulous stories that no reasonable person could possibly accept at face value. Increasingly I became disillusioned about any kind of orthodoxy and began to entertain the questions I had previously considered heretical at best, if not actually blasphemous! But the age old questions of good vs. evil, where did we come from, why are we here, and where are we going remained. And the Bible continued to be the best source available in attempts to answer these questions. The very unimaginable enormity of our universe would seem to declare our earth could not possibly be unique, let alone have the singular attention of the gods the Bible proclaims it to have. And right there is my point of departure from both orthodox science and orthodox religion; my choosing to believe the earth is unique in the universe, and choosing to believe in multiple gods. As to the first, there is legitimate scientific speculation concerning our earth, our solar system to be unique despite the trillions of odds. But despite my love of SciFi, my wish Klaatu would visit earth, these trillions of odds against such a thing as our solar system and earth being unique is rapidly being diminished by near daily discoveries about how inhospitable to life the universe is. As to the second, the Bible, Jesus himself would seem to concur with the most ancient mythologies about the multiplicity of gods. A Psalm of Asaph: Psalm 82:6: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” In John chapter ten we read Jesus claimed to be the son of God. So some of the Jews threatened to stone him, accusing him of making himself equal to God by claiming God was his father: “The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” Quoting from the Psalm of Asaph “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” As to the multiplicity of gods, the opening chapters of Genesis are in agreement with such thinking. And then there is the fascinating account of such a thing in Job chapter one: “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” In the New Testament we find the story in Job being credited by Jesus affirming Satan is the god of this world; that the kingdoms of the world are Satan’s to offer whomever he will and rewarding those that follow him. And Jesus does not dispute the story in Job about Satan appearing as a son of God, though other Scriptures lead us to believe he was a son gone bad and remains so. Other writers in the NT emphasize the presence of Satan and his spawn, these being at enmity with the children of God. In an otherwise lunatic world, this at least makes some sense of the lunacy. The only happy thought is that those who choose to do right no matter the Devil’s offers or afflictions will remain the children of God. Thu, 03 May 2007 12:57:11 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/weebles/8801 I read a study that was recently published that said people have fewer trusted friends then ever before. In fact, the number of people who say they have no trusted frineds is at nearly 25%. The rest of the people surveyed averaged barely two trusted frineds, and fully 9% of the people surveyed said they completely rely on their spouse. So, how about it, folks? Do you have friends? I'm talking about the kind of friends you can call at 2:30 a.m. on a workday and they'll answer the phone. The ones who's house you can show up at 10:30 p.m., needing a place to crash, and they'll let you stay there without prying when you say you don't want to talk about it. Here's the link for the article. Thu, 03 May 2007 12:35:58 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/softballjoe/8797 Is it Thursday all ready? Let me see what's going one for the next few days.           Thursday:             Visited County Rec. Dept. paid for the field & lights for the All-star game.             Ordered awards for the Kern County Senior High School All-Star Softball Game. Think the players & coaches will like them?             Contacted some people about sponsorships, also sent out some e-mails.             Attending Ridgeview vs Stockdale, going be a good game, Stockdale won the last meeting.          Friday:             Finalizing details for the All-star game, flag, speakers, etc..             Putting to gather packets for the leagues all-Star coaches'           Saturday:             ASA day with the  Fresno State Bulldog Softball team.                  BASA is selecting it's all-stars             Will hold a All-Star Coach's meeting to give out tournament packets.          Monday:             ACE Certification Clinic out at BASA          Tuesday:             Order shirts, go over design of them?             Gotta be a softball game some where?  All-Star Event is coming along nicely. Have an outstanding choice confirm she will attend to throw out first ball, a very deserving choice. Had first RSVP of one of our City Leaders that will attend. Coaches are starting to send in names of the senior players. Letters to all 30  County High Schools have gone out as have letters to Colleges Coaches and all our local politicians. Well that's my upcoming week, hope it's a good one... Thu, 03 May 2007 10:42:54 PDT http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/VtKid/8768 Ok, with nearly 18 months left before we pick our next leaders, let's have a little fun and see who our dream team would be. I personally believe the country has had enough Bush and Clinton for the past 20 years, so enough is enough of those names. How about Fred Thompson & Joe Lieberman? There's a little something for everyone without the extreme drama!! How about McCain / Obama, experience offset by youth? What would be the three main issues this team should focus on, because taking on more would be overwhelming to accomplish. Homeland Security? Health Care? Economy? Tax Code? Social Security/Medicare? If you had 1 minute with your team, what would you tell them?         Wed, 02 May 2007 16:10:35 PDT