Tag United States

Sometimes What is is What is: A social Commentary

Allen Frederick 1 Comment

clip_image002A View from the Nest

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

By Allen Scott

Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them. Matt 12:35 (GW)–

Investigators searched on Friday for the motive behind a mass shooting at a sprawling U.S. Army base in Texas, in which an Army psychiatrist trained to treat war wounded is suspected of killing 13 people.

The suspected gunman, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, a Muslim born in the United States of immigrant parents, was shot four times by police, a base spokesman said. He was unconscious but in stable condition.

The Army declined to discuss possible motives while the investigation was under way. “We have to understand what caused the suspect to act in the way that he did,” Army Secretary John McHugh said after observing a moment of silence at the base. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20091107/ts_nm/us_texas_shooting

And thus the speculation begins. Was he suffering from Post Traumatic Stress disorder, an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat. Or could it be that Hasan was an Islamic terrorist, acting out a personal jihad? Perhaps he was emotionally disturbed. Perhaps there is a simpler explanation.


Good people do good things and evil people do evil things. Yes that’s right there are evil people in the world. Because of the effects of sin in the world the capacity for evil greatly increases as more and more of the world is removed from the saving grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the good news of the renewing effects of the Gospel is replaced with some other religion or teaching then there is no help for a sin-sick heart. There remains therefore no hope for those who are found under the influence of the evil within. Being left to their own devises they continue in their evil inclinations.

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:5 (ESV)–

A good-for-nothing man is an evil-doer; he goes on his way causing trouble with false words; His mind is ever designing evil: he lets loose violent acts. Prov 6:12 & 14 (BBE)

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, the taking of life, broken faith between the married, unclean desires of the flesh, taking of property, false witness, bitter words: Matt 15:19 (BBE)–

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? Jer 17:9 (RSV)–

There is hope however, if we acknowledge our evil heart with it’s evil intentions and pray for God to deliver us from evil, and lead us not into temptation.

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Matt 6:13 (RSV)–

In order to free us from this present evil world, Christ took the punishment for our sins, because that was what our God and Father wanted Gal 1:4 (GW)–

The world is looking for answers. Inquiring minds want to know why. Those who were victimized by evil want to understand how this could happen. Why is there evil in the world? Simply because man is evil and desperately wicked and in need of a savior which is Christ the Lord. Without the preaching of the gospel there is no hope of eradicating evil from the heart of man. And as long as there is evil in the heart of man and man refuses to ask for a “new heart” from God then there will be more Fort Hoods and similar incidents until evil is eradicated from the world through the return of Christ as final arbiter and judge.

And [how you] look forward to and await the coming of His Son from heaven, Whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, Who personally rescues and delivers us out of and from the wrath [bringing punishment] which is coming [upon the impenitent] and draws us to Himself [ investing us with all the privileges and rewards of the new life in Christ, the Messiah]. 1 Thess 1:10 (AMP)–

Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again. Psalms 51:10 (BBE)–


Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:1-4 (NKJV)–

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; and in that day the heavens will be rolled up with a great noise, and the substance of the earth will be changed by violent heat, and the world and everything in it will be burned up. Seeing then that all these things are coming to such an end, what sort of persons is it right for you to be, in all holy behaviour and righteousness, Looking for and truly desiring the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will come to an end through fire, and the substance of the earth will be changed by the great heat? But having faith in his word, we are looking for a new heaven and a new earth, which will be the resting-place of righteousness. For this reason, my loved ones, as you are looking for these things, take great care that when he comes you may be in peace before him, free from sin and every evil thing. 2 Peter 3:10-14 (BBE)–

I saw a large, white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, but no place was found for them. I saw the dead, both important and unimportant people, standing in front of the throne. Books were opened, including the Book of Life. The dead were judged on the basis of what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead. Death and hell gave up their dead. People were judged based on what they had done. Death and hell were thrown into the fiery lake. (The fiery lake is the second death.) Those whose names were not found in the Book of Life were thrown into the fiery lake. Rev 20:11-15 (GW)–

Yes America sometimes it really is what it is, evil, wickedness, sin. Let us call sin sin and evil evil. Let us not attempt to explain away the obvious effects of sin in the world. Sin will increase until it becomes exceedingly sinful. In other words, it is going to get worse before it can get better. And it will get worse so that even those who today are scrambling to try to explain away this evil will have to say, indeed it is what it is evil.

Evil and false men will become worse and worse, using deceit and themselves overcome by deceit. 2 Tim 3:13 (BBE)–

So instead of turning to psychology and science. Instead of looking to each other for reason and understand, why not look to the redeemer and ask Him to redeem you from the effects of sin and wickedness? Ask Jesus to save you from yourself and pray for your neighbors so they too can be rescued from the evil effects of sin. Until we all come to the full understanding of God’s love through Christ Jesus there can be no hope of peace on earth and good will toward men. There is no other name under heaven whereby man can be rescued from the evil of sin. It is what it is. And this is a view from the nest.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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Additional resources

Good Versus Evil in America

War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation’s Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

60 Minutes

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

clip_image002A View from the Nest

Random Ramblings from the Resident Raptor

Insight from the Journey across the Sky

By Allen Scott

I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:7 (GW)

clip_image00460 Minutes is an American investigative television newsmagazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by long time producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation. It has been among the top-rated TV programs for much of its life, and has garnered numerous awards over the years. It is considered by many to be the preeminent investigative television program in the United States. The autumn of 2008 saw the program’s 40th anniversary, and it currently holds the record for the longest continuously running program of any genre scheduled during American network prime time; it has aired at 7 p.m. Eastern Time Sundays since December 7, 1975 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/60_Minutes

Although 60 Minutes has the reputation of being the longest running news program, on Sunday evening Oct 4th, 60 Minutes was not the only 60 minutes in prime time. The evening featured not one but two 60 minute programs when the Pittsburgh Steelers took on the San Diego Chargers in what proved to be a 60 minute nail biter finish.

If you tuned into the first half of the Steelers Chargers match-up you would have left with the feeling that it was going to be a run away win by the Steelers. However after the first 45 minutes the whole atmosphere of the game changed and the remaining 15 minutes proved to be an intense back and forth fight to the finish.

You do not have to be an investigative reporter to understand that anything can happen on any given Sunday Night in the NFL. And Sunday night Oct 4th proved this truism once again.

Although the Steelers where leading 28-0 through three quarters of play San Diego came to life in the fourth quarter and quickly closed the gap on the Steelers lead. Big Ben and his offensive line could not ride out the clock on this match, they would have to play the whole 60 minutes.

The signature ticking time piece made famous by the 60 minutes news program constantly reminded the audience of how much time remained until the end of the program. An avid 60 minutes fan knows the program is not over until Andy Rooney gives his commentary. And a football fan also knows that the game does not end at the third quarter but when the final seconds tick off the scoreboard.

Casual football watchers may have grown bored with the first half of the Steelers Chargers match-up because it was all one-sided. The Steelers appeared to be running away with the game. The Chargers where unable to stop the Steelers offense.

The game was winding down with three quarters of the game past and the Steelers where holding to a commanding lead. But once the fourth quarter started things began to change. The Chargers quickly racked up touchdown after touchdown, even fielding an on-side kick to add points to the score. The gap was quickly closing as the official time piece was ticking off the final 15:00 minutes of play. The final score was determined within the last 2 minutes of the game’s end, proving once again that a football team has to play a full 60 minutes every Sunday. They can not play half a game or even three quarters of a game. They must play all four quarters.

Many of us schedule our lives by the hour. We set aside hourly blocks for different activities. Usually we set aside at least 60 minutes each Sunday for worship in our respected churches. We schedule lunch hours and business meetings. Much of our lives are ordered around the clock. Each 60 minute segment maps our course and if recorded will show our path and where we have been.

Each Sunday evening, for the last 40 plus years, the news team at 60 Minutes aired their program. And for the last 90 plus years each Sunday evening, the NFL has played 60 minutes of football. Of course it takes almost 3 hours to play those 60 minutes but officially the game only lasts 60 minutes on the official time clock.

Any sports team can attest that the outcome of a game is not determined at the beginning but rather at the end. It is after the last seconds tick off the clock that the final outcome is known. Until the last second there is still

(an opportunity) a chance to change the course of a game. Had the San Diego Chargers decided that after three quarters the game was over they would not have “almost” won the game. Had Pittsburgh decided they only wanted to play for 45 minutes they would have lost the game. The possibility of a Steelers loss loomed large at the start of the last 15 minutes of the game. However, in the end, the Steelers were victorious and the Chargers left town with a lose.

No matter what has happened during your last 60 minutes of life you can still change the outcome. If you are reading this article then the official time clock of your life has not reached the final second. You are still involved in the game of life, and you can still effect the outcome of your life. If things have been going badly for you do not despair, the game is not over. Even if you have been loosing for 3 quarters of your life, there is still the final quarter to play. Never give up, never quit, never lose hope, but keep the faith and fight on, you can still effect the outcome and change the course of your life.

The Chargers charged back during the final 15 minutes of the Sunday night football game and almost came out a winner. Alas it was not to be, but I loved the fact that they never gave up.

Paul wrote to Timothy declaring that he too had fought a hard fight and had kept the faith. He completed the race. He never gave up. There were parts of Paul’s life that were not very victorious, but in the end he could say that he played the whole game. He never quit. He kept at it.

The only losers in life are those who quit living, who quit trying, who give up before the last tick of the time clock. As long as there is breath within you, keep fighting the good fight. Things can change in 60 minutes.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

Along for the journey

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You Can Praise Him but DO NOT Oppose Him

Allen Frederick 5 Comments

The one was on the air again last night giving yet another speech on his plans to socialize as much of America as possible. When one freshman congressman had about all he could stand he blurted out: “you lie” and the attacks came fast and furious.

No the attacks were not focused on the “LIAR” but on the one who outed him. Rep. Wilson who was sent to Washington D.C. to be the voice of his constituency back home was only saying what so many of us were yelling at the top of our lungs as well. “YOU LIE” in fact the whole speech was full of misleading and false statements. One thing was clear though, if you want to give his highness a STANDING OVATION you are more than welcome to interrupt him, but DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO not oppose ‘the one’ because that will not be tolerated in the hallowed halls of the joint house.

Rep. Wilson you need not apologize to anyone for me. In fact I want to stand and applaud you for standing up and saying what we back home have been saying for months. And now to the rest of you in the house, perhaps you all should apologize to your constituents who put you there to fight for US and not apologize to ‘the one’ who wants to pick a fight with us.

I am greatly distressed by the SILENCE of our representatives who are not speaking on our behalf. Instead you simply nod and keep still while this President continues to deride, degrade, berate, and ridicule America, while he attempts to remake America into a socialist style government. You, our elected representatives were sent to Washington to protect our interets and not sell us out to the self-anointed one.

President Obama and every representative who voted for his phoney stimulus bill, his failed bailout bills and his porkulus spending bill OWE AMERICA a HUGE apology. In fact they would do us all a favor by simply resigning.

clipped from www.newsmax.com

Rep. Joe Wilson is apologizing for blurting out “You lie!” during President Obama’s nationally televised address Wednesday night — but he’s not backing down one bit about Obama being wrong in saying healthcare reform won’t subsidize insurance for illegals.
“This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President’s remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the healthcare bill,” the South Carolina Republican said in a statement issued shortly after the president’s speech to a joint session of Congress ended. “While I disagree with the President’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”
Reaction to Wilson’s outburst came fast and furious. Republicans distanced themselves from the breach of protocol — Sen. John McCain of Arizona decried it
and House Democrats actually called for Wilson to be censored.

Dr. Barak or Mr. Hide?

Allen Frederick 2 Comments

https://i0.wp.com/3.bp.blogspot.com/_9yGODh_-dmk/SLOC-OrZJkI/AAAAAAAAAG4/iWbKHofRE6Q/s400/barack%2Bdent.jpg
BLACK MAN SPEAK WITH FORKED TONGUE!

To be fair Obama is half black so perhaps he is having an identity crisis and really  does not know who he is. After all he is not sure if he was born in Hawaii or Kenya, whether he is Christian or Muslim, whether he is for a single payer health care system or against it. Which is it? Is Barack Obama two-faced or simply confused? Could it be his teleprompter is schizophrenic?  Perhaps he is simply mis-informed? Maybe he is trying too hard to be all things to all people? Or is it simply the bloom coming off the rose? Will the real Obama please stand up? Dr. Barak or Mr. Hide?

A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything. James 1:8

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Would you Believe? Liar In Chief Strikes Again

Allen Frederick 3 Comments

This comes from an AP story which up to now has mostly been in the tank for Obama. However even a stopped clock is right twice a day so here is one of those times even AP got it right.

AP FACT CHECK from the OBAMA speech on July 22, 2009 in an article titled:

FACT CHECK: Obama’s health care claims adrift?

By CALVIN WOODWARD and JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writers Calvin Woodward And Jim Kuhnhenn, Associated Press Writers – Thu Jul 23, 3:06 am ET

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s assertion Wednesday that government will stay out of health care decisions in an overhauled system is hard to square with the proposals coming out of Congress and with his own rhetoric.

Even now, nearly half the costs of health care in the U.S. are paid for by government at all levels. Federal authority would only grow under any proposal in play.

A look at some of Obama’s claims in his prime-time news conference:

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OBAMA: “We already have rough agreement” on some aspects of what a health care overhaul should involve, and one is: “It will keep government out of health care decisions, giving you the option to keep your insurance if you’re happy with it.”

THE FACTS: In House legislation, a commission appointed by the government would determine what is and isn’t covered by insurance plans offered in a new purchasing pool, including a plan sponsored by the government. The bill also holds out the possibility that, over time, those standards could be imposed on all private insurance plans, not just the ones in the pool.

Indeed, Obama went on to lay out other principles of reform that plainly show the government making key decisions in health care. He said insurance companies would be barred from dropping coverage when someone gets too sick, limits would be set on out-of-pocket expenses, and preventive care such as checkups and mammograms would be covered.

It’s true that people would not be forced to give up a private plan and go with a public one. The question is whether all of those private plans would still be in place if the government entered the marketplace in a bigger way.

He addressed some of the nuances under questioning. “Can I guarantee that there are going to be no changes in the health care delivery system?” he said. “No. The whole point of this is to try to encourage changes that work for the American people and make them healthier.”

He acknowledged then that the “government already is making some of these decisions.”

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OBAMA: “I have also pledged that health insurance reform will not add to our deficit over the next decade, and I mean it.”

THE FACTS: The president has said repeatedly that he wants “deficit-neutral” health care legislation, meaning that every dollar increase in cost is met with a dollar of new revenue or a dollar of savings. But some things are more neutral than others. White House Budget Director Peter Orszag told reporters this week that the promise does not apply to proposed spending of about $245 billion over the next decade to increase fees for doctors serving Medicare patients. Democrats and the Obama administration argue that the extra payment, designed to prevent a scheduled cut of about 21 percent in doctor fees, already was part of the administration’s policy, with or without a health care overhaul.

Beyond that, budget experts have warned about various accounting gimmicks that can mask true burdens on the deficit. The bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget lists a variety of them, including back-loading the heaviest costs at the end of the 10-year period and beyond.

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OBAMA: “You haven’t seen me out there blaming the Republicans.”

THE FACTS: Obama did so in his opening statement, saying, “I’ve heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it’s better politics to ‘go for the kill.’ Another Republican senator said that defeating health reform is about ‘breaking’ me.”

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OBAMA: “I don’t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that. But I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home, and, number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there’s a long history in this country of African-Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately.”

THE FACTS: The facts are in dispute between black scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and the white police sergeant who arrested him at his Cambridge, Mass., home when officers went there to investigate a reported break-in. But this much is clear: Gates wasn’t arrested for being in his own home, as Obama implies, but for allegedly being belligerent when the sergeant demanded his identification. The president did mention that the professor was charged with disorderly conduct. Charges were dropped.

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OBAMA: “If we had done nothing, if you had the same old budget as opposed to the changes we made in our budget, you’d have a $9.3 trillion deficit over the next 10 years. Because of the changes we’ve made, it’s going to be $7.1 trillion.”

THE FACTS: Obama’s numbers are based on figures compiled by his own budget office. But they rely on assumptions about economic growth that some economists find too optimistic. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, in its own analysis of the president’s budget numbers, concluded that the cumulative deficit over the next decade would be $9.1 trillion.

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Associated Press writer Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar contributed to this report.

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