By John Kubicek
Even as a little kid, I was very much into talk radio. I was lucky to have guys like Paul Harvey and Earl Nightingale on the AM radio for an occassional break from the Rock and Roll music filling most of the air time back then. It wasn't until I reached the old age of 35 that real talk radio started to be something to help the AM radio stations to make a gigantic comeback. Unfortunately, it was even a few years later when I discovered somebody so cavalier that would dare to talk about politics, and the religion of politics.
Yes, I'm talking about El Rushbo. Rush Limbaugh was a pioneer that changed the whole nature of talk-radio, and it wasn't until my late 30's before I was to make my discovery. I found that there were other people that felt just like me! And one of them was an up and coming radio talk-show host! I repeat, he felt JUST LIKE ME!!! And so did so many of the people that called into the show. I no longer felt alone in the realm of politics. It answered my questions about how Ronald Reagan had won two elections so convincingly when it seemed I was the only Conservative on the face of the Earth.
Okay, confession, that isn't entirely true. I knew there were a few other Conservatives out there, people that believed that there was a Power in the universe much better than what the government could do. That Power was in realizing the personal fortitude, perseverence, resilience and Faith that allowed anyone to succeed in life, as long as they knew the Lord, where that strength was coming from. I listened to many cassette tapes in the decade before I knew who Rush Limbaugh was. Those cassettes espoused the greatness of Free Enterprise. Even with Ronald Reagan as President during that time, I had the fear that the central federal government stifled Free Enterprise with massive regulation and tax laws. And along comes Rush, already on the same page.
And now, two decades later, there's not enough time in the day to listen to all the wonderful radio talk show hosts. We now have the ability to pick and choose who we listen to. Of course, that may just apply to people more on the Conservative side of the political spectrum. It seems as though the Liberal-slanted talk shows haven't done so well. The next President of the United States may be somebody that doesn't like the current slant of the playing field and could try to do his best to gain support for the resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine in order to level the playing field.
But wait, the left already has the slant of the playing field in their favor in the main stream media, Hollywood entertainment, education and now even in some Christian denominations. The only thing left to stop their dominance is talk radio, the New Media, and the blogs. Let's say it this way: If Rush is ever stopped, we're all in trouble!
More tributes to the king of talk radio:
WND columnists honor Limbaugh for 2 decades on air
This story also appears at Blogging in Our Time 2 Escape
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Snubbed by the NY Times: A lesson on the Fairness Doctrine
By John Kubicek
John McCain, this one's for you!
Really, Senator, now that you've seen what can happen in a political campaign, do you really think that the Fairness Doctrine should go back into affect? You, sir, were snubbed by the New York Times. They refused to publish your rebuttal to a Barack Obama staff-written commentary. And is that fair? Absolutely not! And just who came to your rescue (besides me)?
That's right, Senator McCain, it was Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge, and Fox News: the conservatives of talk-radio, the New Media and the leader of fair and balanced news! And I am sure many others have or will soon be throwing in their 2-cents. I am sure somebody from WorldNetDaily.com - most likely my hero, Joseph Farah - will be among the commentaries we'll be able to read that will go into further detail. That's not to mention yours truly, me, weighing in on this subject!
While heading to the grocery store today, I first heard about this on Rush's show. Just to tell you how big this was, in Rush's daily "Rush in a hurry - July 21, 2008," it was said, "The NY Times published an op-ed by Barack Obama. So John McCain submitted one, and the paper rejected it, but suggested they'd publish it if McCain rewrote the piece to sound more like Obama. This is how it is, folks." Clicking on the supporting story about this on Matt Drudge, NYT Rejects McCain's Editorial; Should "Mirror" Obama, I was able to learn even more!
Drudge wrote, "The paper's decision to refuse McCain's direct rebuttal to Obama's 'My Plan for Iraq' has ignited explosive charges of media bias in top Republican circles." Oh, really? Hey, Senator McCain, shouldn't that tell you something? That, just maybe, that Fairness Doctrine thing, you will assist the MSM (Main Stream Media for those in Rio Linda) in the further ability to increase media bias? You really need to rethink that.
You see, there won't be any oversight of the Main Stream Media bias should the Fairness Doctrine be reinstituted. The truth really is that when we DID have the Fairness Doctrine until Ronald Reagan was able to terminate it, nobody ever questioned their liberal bias. And why was that allowed to happen? To be honest, I do not know; I'm still in the process of researching that question, but my suspicion is that CBS, ABC and NBC had plenty of political support as long as they were able to deliver the right votes to the right people.
So, Senator McCain, you were given the press for your rebuttal to the Obamanation article because of the fair-and-balanced Fox News Channel. You should feel very lucky that they are around. You should very lucky for Rush Limbaugh's commentary, and the Matt Drudge piece that alerted Rush. And, in fact, you should feel good that johnny2k found this to be something that I would write about tonight (I know, a pat on my own back, but hey...).
But so that you know that I'm not out to totally discourage you, let me just say, sir, you were totally correct of your assessment of the War in Iraq and the way that your opponent, Senator Barack Obama, would have us lose.
Related stories:
Bring on the Fairness Doctrine Debate - by Roger Hedgecock
The McCain Op-Ed The New York Times Wouldn’t Publish - Fox News Channel - by John McCain
John McCain, this one's for you!
Really, Senator, now that you've seen what can happen in a political campaign, do you really think that the Fairness Doctrine should go back into affect? You, sir, were snubbed by the New York Times. They refused to publish your rebuttal to a Barack Obama staff-written commentary. And is that fair? Absolutely not! And just who came to your rescue (besides me)?
That's right, Senator McCain, it was Rush Limbaugh, Matt Drudge, and Fox News: the conservatives of talk-radio, the New Media and the leader of fair and balanced news! And I am sure many others have or will soon be throwing in their 2-cents. I am sure somebody from WorldNetDaily.com - most likely my hero, Joseph Farah - will be among the commentaries we'll be able to read that will go into further detail. That's not to mention yours truly, me, weighing in on this subject!
While heading to the grocery store today, I first heard about this on Rush's show. Just to tell you how big this was, in Rush's daily "Rush in a hurry - July 21, 2008," it was said, "The NY Times published an op-ed by Barack Obama. So John McCain submitted one, and the paper rejected it, but suggested they'd publish it if McCain rewrote the piece to sound more like Obama. This is how it is, folks." Clicking on the supporting story about this on Matt Drudge, NYT Rejects McCain's Editorial; Should "Mirror" Obama, I was able to learn even more!
Drudge wrote, "The paper's decision to refuse McCain's direct rebuttal to Obama's 'My Plan for Iraq' has ignited explosive charges of media bias in top Republican circles." Oh, really? Hey, Senator McCain, shouldn't that tell you something? That, just maybe, that Fairness Doctrine thing, you will assist the MSM (Main Stream Media for those in Rio Linda) in the further ability to increase media bias? You really need to rethink that.
You see, there won't be any oversight of the Main Stream Media bias should the Fairness Doctrine be reinstituted. The truth really is that when we DID have the Fairness Doctrine until Ronald Reagan was able to terminate it, nobody ever questioned their liberal bias. And why was that allowed to happen? To be honest, I do not know; I'm still in the process of researching that question, but my suspicion is that CBS, ABC and NBC had plenty of political support as long as they were able to deliver the right votes to the right people.
So, Senator McCain, you were given the press for your rebuttal to the Obamanation article because of the fair-and-balanced Fox News Channel. You should feel very lucky that they are around. You should very lucky for Rush Limbaugh's commentary, and the Matt Drudge piece that alerted Rush. And, in fact, you should feel good that johnny2k found this to be something that I would write about tonight (I know, a pat on my own back, but hey...).
But so that you know that I'm not out to totally discourage you, let me just say, sir, you were totally correct of your assessment of the War in Iraq and the way that your opponent, Senator Barack Obama, would have us lose.
Related stories:
Bring on the Fairness Doctrine Debate - by Roger Hedgecock
The McCain Op-Ed The New York Times Wouldn’t Publish - Fox News Channel - by John McCain
Sunday, July 20, 2008
An EcoChallenge We Can Believe In
By John Kubicek
Our favorite hysterical comedian Al Gore gave a speech the other day in Washington, D.C., and the big news came when he said, "Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years." Does it sound even close to being sane?
Even Hank Green, writing for EcoGeek, mentioned how Barack Obama didn't show a lot of enthusiasm for the 10-year challenge. Barack didn't endorse, let alone mention, the 10-year deadline. Why? Well, as Hank wrote, "That is probably because the 10-year deadline seems a little insane. Gore's insistence on it's practicality is somewhat puzzling to me. But I certainly don't mind crazy goals..."
Now, let me tweak your mind just a little bit: I believe it IS possible! Your first thought, of course, is that John is losing it. But allow me to reassure you, I haven't. No, I haven't gone over to the dark side. I still disagree with the "Global Warming" hysteria, especially the way Al Gore makes us want to believe that mankind will not survive a coming apocalypse of massive climate changes. I don't believe in his desires for carbon taxes, global socialism, and bringing the American dream of freedom to an end. No, I haven't been converted to environmentalism.
In fact, as I've mentioned before, "I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green," and I stand by that still to this day.
However, it wasn't long after writing that piece that we began to see the price of oil increase at a quick pace, raising the prices we paid at the pump to keep our cars running, and of course, raising prices in many other places, because of the rising cost of transportation. Recent inflation figures came out that verified the huge increases in our expenditures for groceries.
Much of what I am saying can be summarized by the way Al Gore started his speech in D.C.:
Related stories:
I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green
Better Living Through "Chemergy"
Our favorite hysterical comedian Al Gore gave a speech the other day in Washington, D.C., and the big news came when he said, "Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years." Does it sound even close to being sane?
Even Hank Green, writing for EcoGeek, mentioned how Barack Obama didn't show a lot of enthusiasm for the 10-year challenge. Barack didn't endorse, let alone mention, the 10-year deadline. Why? Well, as Hank wrote, "That is probably because the 10-year deadline seems a little insane. Gore's insistence on it's practicality is somewhat puzzling to me. But I certainly don't mind crazy goals..."
Now, let me tweak your mind just a little bit: I believe it IS possible! Your first thought, of course, is that John is losing it. But allow me to reassure you, I haven't. No, I haven't gone over to the dark side. I still disagree with the "Global Warming" hysteria, especially the way Al Gore makes us want to believe that mankind will not survive a coming apocalypse of massive climate changes. I don't believe in his desires for carbon taxes, global socialism, and bringing the American dream of freedom to an end. No, I haven't been converted to environmentalism.
In fact, as I've mentioned before, "I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green," and I stand by that still to this day.
However, it wasn't long after writing that piece that we began to see the price of oil increase at a quick pace, raising the prices we paid at the pump to keep our cars running, and of course, raising prices in many other places, because of the rising cost of transportation. Recent inflation figures came out that verified the huge increases in our expenditures for groceries.
Much of what I am saying can be summarized by the way Al Gore started his speech in D.C.:
There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes. Those who, for whatever reason, refuse to do their part must either be persuaded to join the effort or asked to step aside. This is such a moment. The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk. And even more – if more should be required – the future of human civilization is at stake.
I don’t remember a time in our country when so many things seemed to be going so wrong simultaneously. Our economy is in terrible shape and getting worse, gasoline prices are increasing dramatically, and so are electricity rates. Jobs are being outsourced. Home mortgages are in trouble. Banks, automobile companies and other institutions we depend upon are under growing pressure. Distinguished senior business leaders are telling us that this is just the beginning unless we find the courage to make some major changes quickly.
I really do not believe that many of us could argue with those points. We really do have to find the courage to make some big changes. However, those changes don't have to be by higher taxes and deflating our "lavish" lifestyles. In fact, it is this author's opinion that the challenges we face can not only be solved, but that it can result in a better WORLD, a more peaceful world, with much less poverty and better health. What may happen is that even the countries that do not enjoy the benefits we have in America can become much better off.
Despite the ongoing debate that higher amounts of carbon in the atmosphere leads to catastrophic global warming, or possibly climate changes, I can see the great benefits to all of us by replacing hydro-carbon fuels with other sources of energy! Having a cleaner environment will help us all. Yes, I said, "having a cleaner environment," and I will go out on a limb to state that increased oil production won't help us reach that goal. There is a better way.
Let me repeat that: There is a better way. This is another mind tweaker for you to contemplate. Al Gore's 10-year challenge can be done; not for the same purpose and not in the same way as he would have it be accomplished. There's a much better way, with a much greater purpose, with by far better results.
There is a way. The challenges we face can be overcome. For the sake of our imagination, for a minute let me pretend that I was writing our President's next speech, where he says the following:
Ladies and gentleman, our country is facing a great challenge. The security of the United States of America is threatened. And what many people of this great nation are wondering, is if there is the leadership available to overcome the obstacles we face. As your President, I know there are people out there that still believe we can persevere. I would agree with those that know that the liberty we have been given, along with the God-given talents and ingenuity that will continue to sustain the freedom we enjoy, regardless of all that has come upon us in new and great challenges.
The focus of our newest concerns is whether or not America will be able to have the continued prosperity that we have enjoyed in the last few centuries. I do, with all my heart, believe that we can, and we will, continue to be the shining light on the hill. But, how can that be accomplished considering the great impact on our economy and our lifestyles, should this great nation not have the energy to keep fueling the amazing growth that we've seen over the last decade, or for that matter, the last few centuries?
It is simple, but it will take the massive amount of ingenuity and the freedom to allow us to put our newest innovations into place. Our form of government need not to be a deterrant to finding better ways to fuel our economy. No, it is just the opposite of that; our leadership, the people you vote for, should be finding ways to give you all exciting new incentives to find ways to replace our dependence on foreign oil. Yes, you may be surprised to hear that from this administration, but we have a belief that we can find alternatives to our energy needs. With capitalism and free enterprise, new solutions can be found.And today, I announce that new solutions have been found. All it needs is the leadership and reduction of the amount of government regulations that can instill the great amount of fortitude and hope this country has in it's normal prosperity; this can be done. I am telling you today, that in place of oil - fossil fuels, if you want to call it that - that one of the ways to harness the power of solar energy will be in developing the production of energy from alcohol, a source of energy that does not produce those hydro-carbons that some say have resulted in catastrophic climate change.
In conclusion, I believe that there is hope for this country, and for the world as we know it. You know, America wasn't just an accident. There should not be a fear of what can happen, but a hope and the will to get through what faces us in the future. We can do it. And the many generations of Americans, and in many places on this planet, will thank us for it. What I believe is that fear can be replaced with faith and hope. God bless you, and God bless America! I believe in you, and I believe that God isn't done with this country.
Related stories:
I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green
Better Living Through "Chemergy"
Friday, July 18, 2008
Better Living Through "Chemergy"
By John Kubicek
Well, if anyone were to ask me at this moment how I'm doing, I'd have to use Dave Ramsey's famous line, "Better than I deserve!"
So, how could I be so happy today, despite the rising prices of food, and fuel for my car?
Oh, for sure, anyone that gets all their news from the main stream media, would have to be depressed - except for the fact that oil prices had dropped dramatically in the last few days.... Wait, you didn't hear that?
But wait, believe it or not, that is NOT the news that is making me so happy today! Do you really want to know what IS making me so happy? Ecstatic? How about a lot of alcohol! No, not for my own personal consumption, but something as an alternative fuel to feed to our vehicles.
What I heard somebody talk about last night on the radio was the perfect antidote to Al Gore's rage about global warming. Did you hear or read all of what Al Gore said? Just to summarize it, the news headlines mentions that Al Gore feels that we should and can be "100% Carbon Neutral by 2018"! That's a great idea! Algore was 100% correct for the first time in his life!
Huh?
Allow me to explain, please. At a good old liberal website, http://www.ecogeek.org/, the whole Al Gore philosophy of blaming America and Free Enterprise just came down to a crashing end. While The truth really is that it will be America AND Free Enterprise that will keep us all going for another generation or two!
While Al Gore was making his usual lame claims that we are all doomed, he really did say the right things, and that is we need to get off the addiction, the habit, of using "fossil" fuels in order to live. We really need to quit importing oil from countries that want nothing more than to see our way of life fail. (Our FREEDOM makes them look bad, right?) So, don't you think we should cut back on our life-styles, our way of driving the SUV's, of being so blatantly selfish? Should we continue to torment the rest of the world in our way of exploiting the hydro-carbon resources so available in every other part of the world? And in our part of the planet?
No, I know, you think that the answer I'll provide is that we need to Drill, Drill, and Drill some more! I've been accused of feeling that we should sacrifice our "pristine" environment in order just to maintain our lush lifestyles. And maybe until last night, you could have been right!
True, that is like the garlic to vampires, to believe that real people could not in any way give up our freedoms or our lavish life-styles. Why, shouldn't we all know by now, that burning all these hydro-carbon fuels, supposedly created by dead dinosaurs, would make the world too warm for us to survive?
The Al Gore global-warming hysteria really never affected me. Really, it didn't, but I needed to make a big point of it, for a very positive reason: What I heard said last night just made all the more sense to me. We all know about the energy problem we are in right now. One side says to drill, drill and drill to slash our dependency on foreign oil. The other side says that we need alternatives to oil - really cool stuff like renewable sources, such as wind and solar generated electricity. In fact, I heard about a guy, just yesterday, that says that power can be produced by riding those various exercise machines at the health center!
We have all learned, though, that we need an energy source that isn't going to leave that big-foot sized carbon footprint. Isn't that the goal? To reduce the amount of carbon that we release into the atmosphere? Then, why aren't more people listening to a genius like David Blume? Oh, who's he?
David Blume is an Ecological biologist who realizes the "importance and benefits of alcohol-based fuels, and how the petroleum industry has suppressed their development." I am no environmentalist, but I do believe in preserving the environment through conservation, which includes the full use of our natural resources in an economical way. I found out that we don't have to produce energy by taking all the corn we can produce and making it even more difficult for agricultural enterprises to afford to feed their cows and chickens.
I could write about this all day, but I don't need to. David Blume has done all the work for me, already! What I heard about last night, based on his book, "Alcohol Can Be a Gas", blew me away, and it'll do the same for you! Everything I heard about it made me realize what an opportunity that true entrepreneurs really have in this country!
Our answers to the energy crisis - to paying $4.00/gallon for gas for our transportation - will not be solved by Congress passing legislation, and the President signing them into laws. It has NOTHING to do with the government, as a matter of fact. David Blume has given us information for US to use, at the grass-roots level. What I heard was totally opposite of the bitterness, the class-envy, that we are all used to thinking about - for those that listen to nothing but the lame-stream news (MSM)....
Can we beat the energy crisis? You bet we can!
Can we find energy that doesn't further pollute our environment? You bet we can!
Can we convert bio-mass into energy without keeping people from giving up that one vital need we have, to eat food? YOU BET WE CAN!
So, are you ready to make a difference? (And no, I'm not talking about anything but "Change")... Do you want to be a revolutionary? What I heard David Blume tell George Norre, and US last night, will do just that: eliminate our dependence on oil coming from countries that are not our friends, and at the same time, offer many new opportunities for those of us that feel we can take care of ourselves; we don't really NEED the government to take care of our only need... which is why this article may or may not ever see the light of day!
Related stories:
I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green - by John Kubicek
Global Gorecaster's 'green' lies infect popular mag - by Barbara Simpson
Related Web sites:
ALCOHOL CAN BE A GAS!
Recap from Coast to Coast A.M. on July 17, 2008 - Alcohol-based Fuels with David Blume
Well, if anyone were to ask me at this moment how I'm doing, I'd have to use Dave Ramsey's famous line, "Better than I deserve!"
So, how could I be so happy today, despite the rising prices of food, and fuel for my car?
Oh, for sure, anyone that gets all their news from the main stream media, would have to be depressed - except for the fact that oil prices had dropped dramatically in the last few days.... Wait, you didn't hear that?
But wait, believe it or not, that is NOT the news that is making me so happy today! Do you really want to know what IS making me so happy? Ecstatic? How about a lot of alcohol! No, not for my own personal consumption, but something as an alternative fuel to feed to our vehicles.
What I heard somebody talk about last night on the radio was the perfect antidote to Al Gore's rage about global warming. Did you hear or read all of what Al Gore said? Just to summarize it, the news headlines mentions that Al Gore feels that we should and can be "100% Carbon Neutral by 2018"! That's a great idea! Algore was 100% correct for the first time in his life!
Huh?
Allow me to explain, please. At a good old liberal website, http://www.ecogeek.org/, the whole Al Gore philosophy of blaming America and Free Enterprise just came down to a crashing end. While The truth really is that it will be America AND Free Enterprise that will keep us all going for another generation or two!
While Al Gore was making his usual lame claims that we are all doomed, he really did say the right things, and that is we need to get off the addiction, the habit, of using "fossil" fuels in order to live. We really need to quit importing oil from countries that want nothing more than to see our way of life fail. (Our FREEDOM makes them look bad, right?) So, don't you think we should cut back on our life-styles, our way of driving the SUV's, of being so blatantly selfish? Should we continue to torment the rest of the world in our way of exploiting the hydro-carbon resources so available in every other part of the world? And in our part of the planet?
No, I know, you think that the answer I'll provide is that we need to Drill, Drill, and Drill some more! I've been accused of feeling that we should sacrifice our "pristine" environment in order just to maintain our lush lifestyles. And maybe until last night, you could have been right!
True, that is like the garlic to vampires, to believe that real people could not in any way give up our freedoms or our lavish life-styles. Why, shouldn't we all know by now, that burning all these hydro-carbon fuels, supposedly created by dead dinosaurs, would make the world too warm for us to survive?
The Al Gore global-warming hysteria really never affected me. Really, it didn't, but I needed to make a big point of it, for a very positive reason: What I heard said last night just made all the more sense to me. We all know about the energy problem we are in right now. One side says to drill, drill and drill to slash our dependency on foreign oil. The other side says that we need alternatives to oil - really cool stuff like renewable sources, such as wind and solar generated electricity. In fact, I heard about a guy, just yesterday, that says that power can be produced by riding those various exercise machines at the health center!
We have all learned, though, that we need an energy source that isn't going to leave that big-foot sized carbon footprint. Isn't that the goal? To reduce the amount of carbon that we release into the atmosphere? Then, why aren't more people listening to a genius like David Blume? Oh, who's he?
David Blume is an Ecological biologist who realizes the "importance and benefits of alcohol-based fuels, and how the petroleum industry has suppressed their development." I am no environmentalist, but I do believe in preserving the environment through conservation, which includes the full use of our natural resources in an economical way. I found out that we don't have to produce energy by taking all the corn we can produce and making it even more difficult for agricultural enterprises to afford to feed their cows and chickens.
I could write about this all day, but I don't need to. David Blume has done all the work for me, already! What I heard about last night, based on his book, "Alcohol Can Be a Gas", blew me away, and it'll do the same for you! Everything I heard about it made me realize what an opportunity that true entrepreneurs really have in this country!
Our answers to the energy crisis - to paying $4.00/gallon for gas for our transportation - will not be solved by Congress passing legislation, and the President signing them into laws. It has NOTHING to do with the government, as a matter of fact. David Blume has given us information for US to use, at the grass-roots level. What I heard was totally opposite of the bitterness, the class-envy, that we are all used to thinking about - for those that listen to nothing but the lame-stream news (MSM)....
Can we beat the energy crisis? You bet we can!
Can we find energy that doesn't further pollute our environment? You bet we can!
Can we convert bio-mass into energy without keeping people from giving up that one vital need we have, to eat food? YOU BET WE CAN!
So, are you ready to make a difference? (And no, I'm not talking about anything but "Change")... Do you want to be a revolutionary? What I heard David Blume tell George Norre, and US last night, will do just that: eliminate our dependence on oil coming from countries that are not our friends, and at the same time, offer many new opportunities for those of us that feel we can take care of ourselves; we don't really NEED the government to take care of our only need... which is why this article may or may not ever see the light of day!
Related stories:
I'm Seeing Red Whenever I See Green - by John Kubicek
Global Gorecaster's 'green' lies infect popular mag - by Barbara Simpson
Related Web sites:
ALCOHOL CAN BE A GAS!
Recap from Coast to Coast A.M. on July 17, 2008 - Alcohol-based Fuels with David Blume
Monday, July 14, 2008
The First 40 Days of Purpose Award goes to....
By John Kubicek
If I were to ever be allowed to write a biography about somebody, there is a person that I would want to write about, unfortunately, posthumously. With all due respect to the family and friends of a great man, a project I had started back in early June had unintended consequences. All the things that I learned during that time seemed to all be summed up by the end of a patriot's life, on the last day of the project, July 12, 2008.
It was just two years and eleven months ago, I started reading Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life", with the commitment to broadcast what I learned while reading the book. I posted my thoughts in my forum concerning each "Day" while reading that book. And then, for some odd reason, I began posting each day's writing on DIGG.com back in June, about 10 days before the epic flood of Biblical Porportions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On the very last day of my posts on Digg.com, one of the people that could influence me, even more than Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, passed away of that insidious disease, cancer.
There should be no doubt by now, if you've watched any of the positive news about Tony Snow, he touched a lot of lives in a positive way. Tony exemplified the way we should be living our lives. It had nothing to do with "fame" or "glory". It was the way he treated people, whether it was Bill O'Reilly, the President, or just some person on the street that recognized him and wanted his autograph. He treated everyone with the same respect.
Tony left a legacy. Because of the way he lived his life, he definitely would deserve being the recipient of the First 40 Days of Purpose Award. Now, if I could just find out what Tony would want to have benefit from this. I'm hoping to get many suggestions. This is new to me (it's the First "40 Days of Purpose Award" , you know). Do we help cancer victims? Their families? Research for the cure of cancer?
My thoughts, prayers, and love go to Tony's family. I'm only hoping that what Tony has done for me can be spread to many other people.
Related stories:
Tony: You were loved
40 Days of Purpose - TABLE of CONTENTS
If I were to ever be allowed to write a biography about somebody, there is a person that I would want to write about, unfortunately, posthumously. With all due respect to the family and friends of a great man, a project I had started back in early June had unintended consequences. All the things that I learned during that time seemed to all be summed up by the end of a patriot's life, on the last day of the project, July 12, 2008.
It was just two years and eleven months ago, I started reading Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life", with the commitment to broadcast what I learned while reading the book. I posted my thoughts in my forum concerning each "Day" while reading that book. And then, for some odd reason, I began posting each day's writing on DIGG.com back in June, about 10 days before the epic flood of Biblical Porportions in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On the very last day of my posts on Digg.com, one of the people that could influence me, even more than Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter, passed away of that insidious disease, cancer.
There should be no doubt by now, if you've watched any of the positive news about Tony Snow, he touched a lot of lives in a positive way. Tony exemplified the way we should be living our lives. It had nothing to do with "fame" or "glory". It was the way he treated people, whether it was Bill O'Reilly, the President, or just some person on the street that recognized him and wanted his autograph. He treated everyone with the same respect.
Tony left a legacy. Because of the way he lived his life, he definitely would deserve being the recipient of the First 40 Days of Purpose Award. Now, if I could just find out what Tony would want to have benefit from this. I'm hoping to get many suggestions. This is new to me (it's the First "40 Days of Purpose Award" , you know). Do we help cancer victims? Their families? Research for the cure of cancer?
My thoughts, prayers, and love go to Tony's family. I'm only hoping that what Tony has done for me can be spread to many other people.
Related stories:
Tony: You were loved
40 Days of Purpose - TABLE of CONTENTS
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Tony: You were loved!
Anyone that watched Fox News tonight would have seen what a great person Tony Snow was. They would have seen what kind of love that Tony had for people, and how much he was loved.
As Geraldo Rivera stated, Tony had this way of talking about the way that people who had cancer could beat it. And yes, there are the many that beat it. My own mother, still alive, beat it. I always believed that whatever comes at us could be overcome.
When watching Fox News tonight, yes, I was unable to hold back the tears.
God bless you, Tony. You were loved. You lived the life that made God and all of us proud! We'll miss you, my friend.
As Geraldo Rivera stated, Tony had this way of talking about the way that people who had cancer could beat it. And yes, there are the many that beat it. My own mother, still alive, beat it. I always believed that whatever comes at us could be overcome.
When watching Fox News tonight, yes, I was unable to hold back the tears.
God bless you, Tony. You were loved. You lived the life that made God and all of us proud! We'll miss you, my friend.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
HEADLINES FROM THE YEAR: 2029
Being that I was getting a little bored in the last few weeks from being off work, I tinkered around in my garage for a few days, and came up with my latest invention - a Time Machine. In the process of taking a few "test drives", I started by going back to the past. Funny thing was, I kept getting error messages for any times I set before 8,000 BC. That error message kept saying, "ERROR 001: SORRY, BUT THAT YEAR WOULD SEND YOU TO OBLIVION, AS THE UNIVERSE HAD NOT BEEN CREATED YET...OUT OF LIMIT. PLEASE RECALCULATE." I was very disappointed not to go see those big dinosaurs that have provided all of our oil.
So, I proceeded to try a few other years within the LIMIT, specifically wanting to see things like the Ark, meet Abraham, Job (one of my favorite guys in the Old Testament), Moses... Okay, you get the idea. I can tell you one thing for sure: Cars don't pollute nearly as much as camels! So you think the stuff spewed out from the diesel-powered tractor-trailers going down our roads is bad, try camel's breath! Whew!
One of my latest stops in the past was when I went back to the time this country was founded. It was amazing! Nobody seemed to be able to say a sentence that didn't include God (or Providence) and Freedom! Oh, and prayer seemed to be constant. It was a joy to make that journey on July 4. Better than any fireworks I've ever seen!
But now, for the other news... Going into the future was very strange. I wasn't sure if that would even work. I kept getting a warning message on the display: "WARNING: GOD'S WILL DOES NOT MATCH FUTURE EVENTS. UPON RETURN FROM THIS TIME, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ALTER FUTURE EVENTS BY YOUR PERSONAL ENDEAVORS." What could that mean? Well, let's see... Let me start at about 2029, and see what happens...
There weren't any newspapers, but I did finally find the ON button to the wall display, and found the way to see the latest news headlines:
But of course, I wrote this post in "jest"; the Time Machine I worked on in the garage really didn't work, for some reason. People on the electrical grid were pretty upset about their power going off continuously. Fortunately, it was blamed on the power company because of the flood... But I digress. Somebody sent me the Headlines from 2029 in an email, and I thought about those - shaking in my boots. But I loved how the email was concluded: "Now, send this to whomever you want and as many as you want, then, guess what....NOTHING will happen. No miracles, no money, absolutely nothing, except you might make someone smile or very, very scared."
With that, I will conclude with the final profound words of that viral email:
"I love this Country. It's the Government that scares me!"
So, I proceeded to try a few other years within the LIMIT, specifically wanting to see things like the Ark, meet Abraham, Job (one of my favorite guys in the Old Testament), Moses... Okay, you get the idea. I can tell you one thing for sure: Cars don't pollute nearly as much as camels! So you think the stuff spewed out from the diesel-powered tractor-trailers going down our roads is bad, try camel's breath! Whew!
One of my latest stops in the past was when I went back to the time this country was founded. It was amazing! Nobody seemed to be able to say a sentence that didn't include God (or Providence) and Freedom! Oh, and prayer seemed to be constant. It was a joy to make that journey on July 4. Better than any fireworks I've ever seen!
But now, for the other news... Going into the future was very strange. I wasn't sure if that would even work. I kept getting a warning message on the display: "WARNING: GOD'S WILL DOES NOT MATCH FUTURE EVENTS. UPON RETURN FROM THIS TIME, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ALTER FUTURE EVENTS BY YOUR PERSONAL ENDEAVORS." What could that mean? Well, let's see... Let me start at about 2029, and see what happens...
There weren't any newspapers, but I did finally find the ON button to the wall display, and found the way to see the latest news headlines:
HEADLINES FROM THE YEAR: 2029
Ozone created by electric cars now killing millions in the seventh largest country in the world, Mexifornia, formerly known as California.
White minorities still trying to have English recognized as Mexifornia's third language.
Spotted Owl plague threatens northwestern United States crops and livestock.
Baby conceived naturally! Scientists stumped.
Couple petitions court to reinstate heterosexual marriage.
Iran still closed off; physicists estimate it will take at least 10 more years before radioactivity decreases to safe levels.
France pleads for global help after being taken over by Jamaica. No other country comes forward to help the beleaguered nation!
Castro finally dies at age 112; Cuban cigars can now be imported legally, but President Chelsea Clinton has banned all smoking.
George Z. Bush says he will run for President in 2036.
Postal Service raises price of first class stamp to $17.89 and reduces mail delivery to Wednesdays only.
85-year $75.8 billion study: Diet and exercise is the key to weight loss.
Average weight of Americans drops to 250 lbs.
Global cooling blamed for citrus crop failure for third consecutive year in Mexifornia and Floruba.
Abortion clinics now available in every High School in United States
Senate still blocking drilling in ANWR even though gas is selling for 4532 Pesos per liter and gas stations are only open on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Massachusetts executes last remaining conservative.
Supreme Court rules punishment of criminals violates their civil rights.
Average height of NBA players is now nine feet, seven inches.
New federal law requires that all nail clippers, screwdrivers, fly swatters and rolled-up newspapers must be registered by January 2030.
IRS sets lowest tax rate at 75 percent.
Floruba voters still having trouble with voting machines.
But of course, I wrote this post in "jest"; the Time Machine I worked on in the garage really didn't work, for some reason. People on the electrical grid were pretty upset about their power going off continuously. Fortunately, it was blamed on the power company because of the flood... But I digress. Somebody sent me the Headlines from 2029 in an email, and I thought about those - shaking in my boots. But I loved how the email was concluded: "Now, send this to whomever you want and as many as you want, then, guess what....NOTHING will happen. No miracles, no money, absolutely nothing, except you might make someone smile or very, very scared."
With that, I will conclude with the final profound words of that viral email:
"I love this Country. It's the Government that scares me!"
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Celebrating Independence Day in a Much Different Way
Tonight, I went to the DIGG page for my latest submission for my blog, "A Fourth that I'll always remember." DIGG user Brad3378 wrote a comment saying, "Best wishes towards a speedy recovery in Iowa." For some reason, other than just being very appreciative of that one comment at this point, I was inspired to write the following:
Brad, my friend, you're awesome. Thank you very much!
Yeah, it's pretty tough here in Cedar Rapids. Took a ride through downtown Cedar Rapids tonight - where ground zero of the flood was. It was pretty devastating, but
wow, things are getting better every day.
And yet, many lives have been tragically affected, and most of us here certainly understand that. Yes, even I lost my job because of the flood, but for me it was a totally different situation. When it came right down to it, everyone was affected in one way or another.
Yes, the normal 4th of July celebrations in this area were very subdued. It is because nobody could say that they didn't know anyone else that had something bad happen; we all knew somebody that either lost their job or their home, or both. I can only say that there was a large sense of sorrow like I've not ever seen, not even after 9/11.
But what I did to celebrate the 4th was very uplifting. I had a good friend of mine over, and it took a lot of convincing, but got 'er done. My friend Ron, who lost his wife a little over a year ago, came over, and we had a great time. We grilled out, we watched some fireworks, talked, listened to some music, and forgot about out troubles for a little while. It was the best thing we COULD do! It was all about making a choice to be happy, to make the best of our situations.
Hey, not only did I convince Ron to come over, I think I even got him to believe that attitude is a choice. While it wasn't easy, we eventually got talking about all the things that we could still be thankful for. There were people out there going through the worst things of their lives, losing everything, yet they were able to find something to be positive about - they were thankful to still be alive, I guess....
For Christians, and maybe for any other religions, it was the greatest opportunity for doing what we could do to help each other out, whether by financial support or moral support. I was glad to hear that there was a Buddist group in Cedar Rapids that helped out a lot of people, Christian churches in Cedar Rapids were responsible for helping to evacuate thousands of people that may have perished when the city began flooding by going door to door, because the police couldn't get it done by themselves. A lot of people have been touched by the efforts of various religious groups, mostly Christian of course, but everyone that could, and cared, has been pitching in however they could.
I'm not ready to write off the City of Cedar Rapids, the state of Iowa, or even this country. Most of all, I'm not ready to write off our freedom. This is why I celebrated on July 4th, America's birthday, what is called Independence Day, with all ferverence that I could! And spending the time with a very special friend on Friday, and time with my family Saturday night, was the best thing that I could have done.
I can't wait until the fireworks show NEXT year!
Yes, while having plenty of sorrow in our lives, knowing and feeling the pain of others that suffered far more loss that we can ever imagine, had it's own way of lifting many of us up. So, just imagine that, while suffering our own losses, realizing that many others have had even worse things fall upon them, being there for each other, caring and finding ways to help each other, it can make all the difference!
There was a big reason that I decided to post this blog tonight, my friends. First of all, I'm very proud of the efforts of many people in this community. Many people have pitched in, just to help make the lives of others not seem to be so harsh. So, what if.... just a second, wiping tears from my eyes.... what if this attitude was to be duplicated throughout this great country? Not just here in Cedar Rapids, in Iowa, but all through out this great land of ours?
Despite all the possible efforts of the government, we will not all be taken care of. No, we will actually need to depend on each other. On family, on friends. What each of us must do, without a doubt, is to do our best to do all we can just to make sure that each of us make it through whatever distress we are encountering during these times. Not all of our efforts can be done with just financial support. Much of our effort should be on one thing, and one thing only: Keep on loving people and being there for each other. Sometimes, as I learned this weekend, it is just spending the time, listening, and being a friend.
And, let me remind you, it is a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Is it an easy job to find ways to bring somebody up that has suffered the loss of much of their life's memories, all their efforts to be able to live comfortably in their later years? Heck no, it "ain't easy"! But do you realize that sometimes you can do more to uplift somebody just by spending some time with them, by finding ways to make them happy, maybe just by your company? Really, sometimes it just doesn't take much more than just your time, and your love!
Friday, July 04, 2008
A Fourth that I'll always remember
Just one year ago, I had the opportunity to spend some special times with special friends. A year ago, times were good. It may be much different on this Independence Day celebration. Because of the Flood of 2008, there won't be the annual celebration in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Thankfully, though, I will have this video to help me to reflect on what is so great about the meaning of Freedom.
Earlier today, I had even more enlightenment about the Independence that we celebrate every year. My good friend Alexander had written a great piece, called "The Greatest Freedom" and it helped me to understand much more about what Freedom is all about.
July 4, 2007: A Fourth I'll always remember! Although, maybe this will be a year I'll remember even more.
Have a wonderful Independence Day, a.k.a. 4th of July. Stay free!
Earlier today, I had even more enlightenment about the Independence that we celebrate every year. My good friend Alexander had written a great piece, called "The Greatest Freedom" and it helped me to understand much more about what Freedom is all about.
July 4, 2007: A Fourth I'll always remember! Although, maybe this will be a year I'll remember even more.
Have a wonderful Independence Day, a.k.a. 4th of July. Stay free!
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