There are three types of people in America today. Those who truly care about themselves, how they want the best for everyone around them, and want to make a positive difference for the world (they make up 2-3%, of America), those who are the exact opposite, wish harm, and make a point to inflict pain (2-3%), and then there is those who are into life for themselves only, are apathetic, not in tune with life, and unless something effects them directly could not care less (they seem to make up 90% of America). Here is an explination, how America is under attack by people who are just to lazy and apathetic to live:
It never ceases to amaze me how there are only three kinds of people in this country. There are people who are striving outwardly for what they perceive as the good of the world, it's people, and a yearning for harmony in all that they choose to do. Then there is a group of people that have the exact opposite viewpoint, with the same zeal and effort, to make the world a place filled with as much chaos and evil as possible. Finally, there is the majority of the world, the "Cafeteria People", or completely apathetic. The people who are not especially engaged in anything, other than themselves, what effects them, and really have not cognitive thought process about anything/anyone and a basic insipidness about life in general.
When Jesus said that the "path to righteousness, is narrow, and it was a lonely road." I do not think that He could have possibly understated that enough. How many people do you know that are actually looking to make a difference, in not only their lives, but also in the lives of ever person around them, every second of every day? In actuality, I do not know that many people at all that are leading a self sacrificing life, expecting nothing else in return and that is a very sad state of affairs. In the year 2006, things around the country seem very dire. Americans continue to spiral out of control, making the opportunity to meet and find people that are "making a difference for others, for themselves, but mainly for God" virtually impossible. Of course, only each person knows what is in his/her heart, but let's just look at one example: I was at the grocery store, right before Thanksgiving, and I counted two people that had a smile on their faces (they happened to be two younger people that were dating) and then I only heard one person (including employees) say the words: "thank you", "hello," "have a nice day," or any other kind of kind words. It is a sad state of affairs, not even counting the huge issues of the day (like Iraq, Iran, poverty, aids, etc....etc...), when the simple and solemn things in life (like common decency, etiquate, and a love for your fellow man) are slowly going by the way side. If those simple things are going the way of the dinosaur, then it is blatantly obvious that "most people" are also not living their lives with a fire to help others, themselves, and mostly utilize and glorify themselves with God's greatest gift, His Love. When people are utilizing this gift from God, then it is 100% obvious thru that person's daily life, choices, and overall attitude. I am not seeing this, and we are around Christmas, the time of season when it should be obvious that people are filled with God's love.
Then there is an obvious flip side to the above paragraph, and that is a group of people who are 100% dedicated to going in the opposite direction of God's Plan, Love, and/or Directions. However, these people are also in an almost M.I.A State also. I do not see a majority of people walking around, looking for trouble, outwardly looking to make people's lives worse and unbearable, and/or just having an overall disdain for people and good in general (although I do see a lot more of these kinds of people, than I do see the "good and Godly people"). However, people must admit that there are human beings making "CONSCIOUS CHOICE" to be the best person/Christian that they can be, living "thru God," for the betterment of society and overall good of mankind (I am going to say 2% that are on that "narrow Godly path," for the sake of this article). If there are 2% of the people that are doing this, then people must come to the conclusion that there is a greater number of people that are doing the "EXACT" opposite. People that are into making others feel pain, want others to have to experience the worst possible things that can be offered in life, and most of all will deliberately lead others astray, simply because they want evil to be the dominating force in the world. There is not any other conclusion, because I know that if I am working my absolute hardest to lead others down a quality path, thru God. There must be another person, my reciprocal ("if you will"), that is doing exactly the opposite of what I have on my agenda. However, I really do not think that this is the problem, or the reason for this article.
The last and most disturbing group of people, that I worry about and I hope that others would worry about as well, are those that do not fit into either one of the above categories. The people who are not living their lives for God and making the world the best place that they can possibly can (on their own, thru their plans with God), the people who are actually the "reciprocal" of those living a Godly lifestyle and are causing mayhem in the world, but the real problem group in the world are the "apathetic people" and the people who are just living for themselves, for the day, and have no interest in anything/anyone except if it fits into their lives. These people are making up the majority of our great country (I personally would say, 85-90%). "Cafeteria religious people," agnostics, atheists, or whatever group and/or nonaffiliated group, has a majority of its people who are just in life for themselves. There is not really any kind of disputing this, if there is an honest look at life in the United States, over the past forty to fifty years. The television, the radio, the Net, politics, religious fervor are all things that have exploded and have morphed to enable the old values and the "simple lifestyles of old" to go by the wayside.
Religious and value based family upbringing, has gone by the wayside in most American homes. In epidemic proportions, things like anorexia, free sex and "hooking up" for teens, absentee parenting, relying on drugs and psychologists more than ever before, and forcing kids to become and deal like adults way before they can psychologically handle adult life (kids are being forced and prodded by parents to be smarter, compete sooner, and are all rushed thru their young lives faster and faster each year that goes by). Gone are the times of sitting at the dinner table as a family, discussing issues and instilling values into our kids, and in its place has sprung up a completely divergent type of separate lifestyles. Words and phrases like "tolerance," "separation of church and state," "apathy," and "self love" are the things that enforce and enable people to be simpletons, people who are easily controlled by events, things, and other people. You do not have to go farther than your local grocery store to see the changes of the "New American Attitude." (Next time you go, just bump your basket into another persons basket, and see what kind of "real attitude/reaction" that you get.) Watching a divide that can be seen anywhere, in any town, or city across this nation, is heartbreaking, However, it is also hurting our country.
Apathy and self love is the easy way out for the majority of American people, and 85-90% of Americans are taking it. Making things like Christmas irrelevant (other than who is getting what, or "keeping up with the Jones'), people "expecting" to get something out of life for nothing thru law suits and frivolous charges, and just a complete apathy toward America the country is rampant. I would rather split the country down the middle, having the people who are 100% on either side of the fence, whether they be for God and a positive way of living for everyone, or the other side and complete Anarchy. Then we could just see who would win the heart and soul of the country, once again. There would then be a day where every person would know where they stand with each individual. There would not have to be a constant blasé attitude about everything, everyone, and about this nation. However, if that was to happen, then everyone would have to not only make a choice, but they would have to have some kind of conviction. Of course this would never happen and it is just "Pie in the Sky Thinking," because Jesus Christ said it best, "the road to righteousness, honor, and salvation is a narrow one, and very few will actually 'CHOOSE' this path."
Saturday, December 9, 2006
Friday, December 8, 2006
MSNBC HAS CHANGED MORE IN 4 YEARS, THEN ANY OTHER NETWORK. CAN YOU SAY, "PARTISAN?"
After watching the cable and network news channels/shows, over the last either years, it pain me to see what a complete network can actually slump to, for ratings. Fox News, CNN, and even the network channels of CBS, ABC, and Fox all have different people, with different points of view. Some have more of a liberal slant, and other have a little bit of a right slant. However, none of the above have actually "changed formats" to fit what they think the American people want, for just plain old ratings, except for MSNBC/NBC.
Start off with the total NBC family and not focus on any of the actual personalities, or shows. NBC is the first network to straight out call the "War in Iraq": A 'CIVIL' WAR, as a declaration. News networks and their reporters are supposed to report the news, give out the overall outlook of the world as it is in context, but are they really supposed to make actual "declarations" of policy?
Then there is David Gregory, the White House Chief Correspondent for MSNBC/NBC. Day in and day out, for the last two years solid, he has been on a crusade to not only bash President Bush and the White House Staff. Of course, the American People, as a whole, are against the war as it stands now, and there is no analyst, pundit, or pole that will say otherwise. However, when David Gregory (who has been in vocal disagreements with VP Cheney, Spokesperson Tony Snow, and even President Bush himself, on numerous occasions) gets the microphone, there is only one thing that you can count on; "The David Gregory Show", staring David Gregory with a host of vile, distorted, and half cocked theories about the war. All of which are used as democratic sound bites, on the national scene, MSNBC, and NBC (the mother station). However, it is Gregory's actions that make him such a partisan, at this point in the game. Speaking over people, not letting the person finish his question(s), and most of all his "get out of his seat and lean in" approach in the White House. There is nothing noble, least of all professional about Gregory, and his agenda is blatant and tacky.
Then, the "Republican Show" of MSNBC, "Scarborough Country" (with Joe Scarborough), which was a very balanced, news conscious, and intelligent show. However, this was four years ago when Scarborough had a firm hold on his ratings, at the beginning of the war, and before Hurricane Katrina, and if you fast forward to the show today, it is a shadow of what it was. Nightly there are pieces like "Hollywierd," where Joe and two guests discuss the odd and crazy things happening in Hollywood (a far cry from political news). Not only is the time slot not in the prime time anymore (on at 5 p.m., and only 4 days a week, along with "Tucker"), but the news coverage is not "prime time material" either. Joe went from being an "average Joe" (as he was touted, in commercials), and has been transformed into an average Joke, every night. There is not any big name people on the show, one can only deduct that MSNBC's political slant, new format, and finally the fact that they are really only pushing "Hardball" now (being it's only true ratings hit) are reasons for the decline in Scarborough's ratings, guests, and overall performance.
Lastly, there is "Hardball with Christ Mathews," a show that was actually up to par with shows like "Meet the Press" and other major political shows. However, as the last two years have shown, Chris Mathews has gone from a fair and well balanced interviewer, with some of the best guests (from each side of the aisle), to a partisan democrat ranting and raving. The proof of this obvious transformation, is on the mother station once again. However, the proof is on Saturday Night Live, not another news show. The fact that a "news anchor" is being spoofed in pop culture, is a great example that the actor may want to take a look at what they spoof is all about? However, this is not what has happened with Mathews, either. Like David Gregory, Mathews has taken this partisan ranting to a whole new level, actually stumbling on it with an interview during the 2004 Presidential Campaign, when he gave the infamous, "Duel Speech." Since that actual mishap, when the guest did not hear what Mathews actually said, and then responded hastily with "I wish we were in the days when two men could just go out and have a duel." Mathews has consistently gone the way of the partisan, punch pulling, satiric character that he has been portrayed on SNL. It isn't only Mathews "being Mathews" that has made the show go downhill though. On "Hardball" there is a constant and badgering theme of how bad the war in Iraq is going, with guests like Ron Reagan, Jr., Joe Trippy, and even the repeating republican guest Pat Buchanon (who is republican, but has been against the war from day one).
MSNBC/NBC had to do something, because Fox News was killing them in the ratings, consistently. However, all the changes that MSNBC/NBC has made throughout the last four years are really transparent. They are actually trying to cater to what they think that "the people want," but who are they really catering too? It is the people on each coast and the media elite. When a whole company can say that they are going to "Change the language of a whole American War in Iraq", by calling it a civil war ONLY, it is obvious that they are not only changing the company line, but that they are changing their slant, looking to change the edge of their programming, and lastly that they are making a genuine effort to make sure that all of their people are in line and with the company's overall delivering. MSNBC/NBC looks like they are trying to capture the overall news ratings that the Fox News Channel has, but what they do not understand is that just agreeing with polls, pundits, and what they feel the "BI-Coastal Communities" want to hear, will not do it. It just makes them the partisan elitists that they really are, behind the scenes, rather than doing their jobs in an honest and balanced way.
Start off with the total NBC family and not focus on any of the actual personalities, or shows. NBC is the first network to straight out call the "War in Iraq": A 'CIVIL' WAR, as a declaration. News networks and their reporters are supposed to report the news, give out the overall outlook of the world as it is in context, but are they really supposed to make actual "declarations" of policy?
Then there is David Gregory, the White House Chief Correspondent for MSNBC/NBC. Day in and day out, for the last two years solid, he has been on a crusade to not only bash President Bush and the White House Staff. Of course, the American People, as a whole, are against the war as it stands now, and there is no analyst, pundit, or pole that will say otherwise. However, when David Gregory (who has been in vocal disagreements with VP Cheney, Spokesperson Tony Snow, and even President Bush himself, on numerous occasions) gets the microphone, there is only one thing that you can count on; "The David Gregory Show", staring David Gregory with a host of vile, distorted, and half cocked theories about the war. All of which are used as democratic sound bites, on the national scene, MSNBC, and NBC (the mother station). However, it is Gregory's actions that make him such a partisan, at this point in the game. Speaking over people, not letting the person finish his question(s), and most of all his "get out of his seat and lean in" approach in the White House. There is nothing noble, least of all professional about Gregory, and his agenda is blatant and tacky.
Then, the "Republican Show" of MSNBC, "Scarborough Country" (with Joe Scarborough), which was a very balanced, news conscious, and intelligent show. However, this was four years ago when Scarborough had a firm hold on his ratings, at the beginning of the war, and before Hurricane Katrina, and if you fast forward to the show today, it is a shadow of what it was. Nightly there are pieces like "Hollywierd," where Joe and two guests discuss the odd and crazy things happening in Hollywood (a far cry from political news). Not only is the time slot not in the prime time anymore (on at 5 p.m., and only 4 days a week, along with "Tucker"), but the news coverage is not "prime time material" either. Joe went from being an "average Joe" (as he was touted, in commercials), and has been transformed into an average Joke, every night. There is not any big name people on the show, one can only deduct that MSNBC's political slant, new format, and finally the fact that they are really only pushing "Hardball" now (being it's only true ratings hit) are reasons for the decline in Scarborough's ratings, guests, and overall performance.
Lastly, there is "Hardball with Christ Mathews," a show that was actually up to par with shows like "Meet the Press" and other major political shows. However, as the last two years have shown, Chris Mathews has gone from a fair and well balanced interviewer, with some of the best guests (from each side of the aisle), to a partisan democrat ranting and raving. The proof of this obvious transformation, is on the mother station once again. However, the proof is on Saturday Night Live, not another news show. The fact that a "news anchor" is being spoofed in pop culture, is a great example that the actor may want to take a look at what they spoof is all about? However, this is not what has happened with Mathews, either. Like David Gregory, Mathews has taken this partisan ranting to a whole new level, actually stumbling on it with an interview during the 2004 Presidential Campaign, when he gave the infamous, "Duel Speech." Since that actual mishap, when the guest did not hear what Mathews actually said, and then responded hastily with "I wish we were in the days when two men could just go out and have a duel." Mathews has consistently gone the way of the partisan, punch pulling, satiric character that he has been portrayed on SNL. It isn't only Mathews "being Mathews" that has made the show go downhill though. On "Hardball" there is a constant and badgering theme of how bad the war in Iraq is going, with guests like Ron Reagan, Jr., Joe Trippy, and even the repeating republican guest Pat Buchanon (who is republican, but has been against the war from day one).
MSNBC/NBC had to do something, because Fox News was killing them in the ratings, consistently. However, all the changes that MSNBC/NBC has made throughout the last four years are really transparent. They are actually trying to cater to what they think that "the people want," but who are they really catering too? It is the people on each coast and the media elite. When a whole company can say that they are going to "Change the language of a whole American War in Iraq", by calling it a civil war ONLY, it is obvious that they are not only changing the company line, but that they are changing their slant, looking to change the edge of their programming, and lastly that they are making a genuine effort to make sure that all of their people are in line and with the company's overall delivering. MSNBC/NBC looks like they are trying to capture the overall news ratings that the Fox News Channel has, but what they do not understand is that just agreeing with polls, pundits, and what they feel the "BI-Coastal Communities" want to hear, will not do it. It just makes them the partisan elitists that they really are, behind the scenes, rather than doing their jobs in an honest and balanced way.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
WHY IS BARACK OBAMA "THE BELL OF THE BALL," AND WHEN ARE THE POLITICANS GOING TO LEARN?
Jim Webb, new elect-congressman from Virginia (a fully decorated military serviceman, from the Vietnam War), give the snub to President Bush in the White House? President Bush just asked, "How Mr. Webb's son was/is, in Iraq?" Webb's response (in a nutshell), " That is my business, not yours Mr. President."
What is the deal, even when it is completely the same on the other side of the aisle, with Republicans snubbing Democrats? When the top of the people's nationally voted in "servants" can't have civil discourse. The United States of America's publicly appointed servants are always going to play politics, and do what they do. However, there is a difference between being a "politician," and then just being from a different planet, out for yourself, and just being plainly biased for a party (whatever party it may be).
These "blue blooded, hot headed, partisan, ivy league" politicians are either going to learn, or they are going to be out on their preverbal cans. Why is Barrack Obama the "bell of the democratic presidential ball" right now? Simpole, he is a star of the "Oprah Crowd," acts like he was brought up by a set of parents and not a group of jackals (out for blood and all that they can devour), but most of all Obama "seems" like he is a representative of the people and is "one of the people." This is the only thing that is separating Barrack, from people like Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and some of the other Presidential Hopefuls. Another example: Take a look at Heath Shuler, the freshman congressman from North Carolina. Of course, Shuler was a standout quarterback at the University of Tennessee, but why did he really win an election that he was supposed to lose? It is because Shuler was not into the "smearing and mud throwing attacks" in his commercials and overall running, he seemed like a fresh face with a "good 'ol boy" attitude, and yet he was well learned, had an agenda, and did not go off of the deep partisan end.
The democrats in this years election did not receive a "mandate" in their political victory. The difference between the 1994 republican landslide (lead by Newt Gingrich and the far right) win, and what happened in the 2006 election is simple: In 1994, people were tired of the taxes, broken promises, and the overall neglect of the democrats leadership in the house and senate. However, in 2006, the democrats won on the simple fact that the people hate that the US is in Iraq, they hated the corruption (of the Abramoff Scandal, Bob Ney and cohorts), but most of all they just plainly hate President Bush and drunk with power republicans.
If the democrats in the majority do not realize that these are TRULY new times that we are in as a country, as a nation of people, and a completely different world view, then there will be a complete demise of the political system, as the US has known it. It may be the best thing that could happen to the country, because the "Servants of the People" need to be just that and nothing more, servants. America is looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, North Korea, China buying up all of our debt/growing in astronomical proportions, Russia (and China) leaning towards a sealed military state, plus immigration, terrorism and the countless other problems (aids, Rwanda, Dar-Fur, South America being lead by multiple dictators), are all staring the country straight in the face. Are all of these things George W. Bush's fault? NO. Does the country need non-partisan, people thinking outside of the box, and most of all people that are into the political sphere for more than just themselves and their parties? YES! America needs people that are willing to lead, solve, and show all of the Americans that their votes were not cast in vain.
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