Visiting Lady Liberty

There are many tourism hot spots around the country that have special appeal to the patriotic. Go to Washington D.C. and there are innumerable markers of historic significance - the Capital, the White House, the National Archives where one can view the original Declaration of Independence, the Smithsonian where one can see all sorts of Americana relics. Just across the Potomac you can wander through Mount Vernon, the home of our first president, George Washington.

Go to Boston and you will want to see Boston Harbor, site of the famous Tea Party. Go to Philadelphia and see the Liberty Bell. Go to Mount Rushmore and see the Presidents' faces carved in the cliff. Go to New York City and see the Statue of Liberty.

Actually, you might want to rethink the Statue of Liberty. Don't get me wrong. It's a great symbol representing freedom, particularly for those immigrants whose first impression of the U.S.A. was the proud Lady holding her torch. However, if you plan on taking a trip to New York City you should consider your itinerary.

I was in New York City several years ago on business and managed to squeeze in a few extra days for sightseeing. Naturally I thought I had to climb up to the top of the Statue of Liberty in order to relish the full experience. Unfortunately, there was a long wait so the whole excursion took up over three hours in the middle of the afternoon. There were a lot of other things I didn't have time to see, so if I had it to do over again, I would have opted to just take in the view from the ground level and then go on to other things. Next time I will plot my trip more carefully so I won't miss out on a Yankees game, trip to Madame Tussauds, or a Broadway show.

So if you are planning a last summer getaway and looking for things to do in New York or looking for things to do in Boston, consider a group such as Trusted Tours & Attractions who has great online travel guides. You will save yourself a lot of precious sightseeing time and legwork. They also have a special promotion where a person can win a $150 iTunes Gift Card by signing up for their newsletter or eNewsletter.

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Is A Vote For Obama A Vote For War?

The drumbeat of war between Israel and Iran is beating louder every day. Everyone from former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton to Mideast experts on the ground predict that a military conflict is no longer an 'if' but a 'when'. As Dick Morris and Eileen McGann point out in the following article, that 'when' might have serious ramifications on our coming election in November.

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How Israel's Race Could Shift Ours
by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann

Published in The New York Post on July 28, 2008.

The most important primary for our 2008 election may be yet to come - the Kadima Party primary in Israel in mid or late September. It pits liberal-leaning Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni against hardliner and former Army Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz. (Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is expected to sit out the contest and concentrate on staying out of jail.)

The polls are neck and neck; in the most recent, Livni’s once-formidable lead has shrunk to 2 points. Hanging over the battle is the Iranian nuclear program.

Livni is thought unlikely to attack Iran precipitously; she largely sees eye-to-eye with advocates of diplomatic solutions to the various problems her country faces. But Mofaz has openly said he’d resort to bombing Iran if it were necessary to stop the mullahs from getting the bomb.

So if Mofaz wins, military action becomes much more likely. But when?

By most accounts, the Israeli Defense Force would need considerable American cooperation to pull off such a strike. No top-level Israeli politician has much confidence that Barack Obama would be forthcoming. But most are confident that President Bush or John McCain would give Israel the help that it needs.

So if Obama wins here, a Mofaz government would feel great pressure to attack before Bush leaves office. If McCain wins, Israel would have more time.

But Mofaz might not want to wait for our election. Why risk antagonizing a President-elect Obama by taking military action that he might vigorously oppose? If Obama, having won, were to counsel patience, what Israeli prime minister could ignore him?

Before the US election, on the other hand, Obama might be reluctant to take a position - and the Israelis need feel no compulsion to conform to any advice from a man who isn’t yet be president-elect.

Surely, an Israeli attack on Iran would bring a sharp and instant response from Iran and from its satellites, Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as its pawns in Iraq. It would presage war in Gaza, Lebanon and the West Bank along with an air war of Israeli missiles and bombers against Iranian missiles.

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states would criticize Israel in public but probably breathe a sign of relief in private that Iran’s nuclear ambitions were thwarted or at least postponed.

The ensuing crisis would probably militate in McCain’s favor if it erupted before the US election. The more a foreign crisis intrudes on our politics, the more voters are apt to trust a seasoned hand like him and not to give an ingénue like Obama his shot.

Polls show that voters trust McCain much more than Obama to handle a foreign crisis. An unavoidable national-security threat would give McCain a huge boost. Just as in 2004, if the issue is terrorism or foreign crises, the Republican will prevail. If the issues are domestic policy, the Democrat will win.

Of course, Mofaz would need other parties to form a governing coalition. The dovish Labor Party might not lend itself to any aggressive purpose - but a Mofaz determined to bring down Iran’s nuclear program might reach across to Likud and bring in hardline ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a war politically possible.

For comments, go to www.dickmorris.com

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It is ironic to consider that election of the anti-war Obama could actually set in motion a war in the Middle East before he even takes the oath of office.

As always, we should remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

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The Godmobile Needs Air Conditioning

McCain rides around in the Straight Talk Express. Al Gore rides around in convoys of SUV's, limousines, and private jets. Batman drives the Batmobile. And, when we lived in Arkansas my husband drove the Godmobile.

At least, that is what I called it. When my husband pastored a church in Arkansas he drove around in an old Cutlass Supreme that was held together by prayer and the mold that grew on everything around our bog home. Or, as it says in Colossians 1:14, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Since it was God who held the Cutlass together as my husband drove it around on God's business, I referred to it as the Godmobile.

Kevin drove that old car around without any air conditioning for a couple of years. But, when he took a new job in Texas it was the lack of air conditioning that finally convinced us to trade in the Godmobile for something else. Fixing the air conditioning would have cost us more than the car was worth. (In fact, if gas prices would have been as high back then as they are now, filling the tank with gas would have doubled the value of the car.)

Well, if your car has problems with it's air conditioning I recommend that you take a different course of action than we did. When I think of my husband suffering through the heat without air conditioning I cringe. Discountacparts.com has everything you need to fix your automobile's air conditioning; ac compressor, ac condenser, ac evaporator, etc. Check them out.

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Separated At Birth #4

Tim Kaine and Liev Schreiber

Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, is recently rumored to be the top man in the running for Barack Obama's VP pick. That would probably be a good choice, as Kaine's popularity in the key state of Virginia would very much bolster the democratic ticket. Though he is mostly unknown in the rest of the country, that would quickly change as voters get to know him and come away impressed.

Actor, Liev Schrieber, is also rumored to be one of the top male actors to come on the scene in the past decade. Shakespearean trained, he bolsters most movies in which he appears. Though not yet considered a household name by most moviegoers, his time is surely coming. The right role will make him an A-lister in Hollywood.

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My Dream Job For A Day - PLEASE READ

Alright you guys it's time to take action. No, I'm not forming a Political Action Committee, I just want you to go on over to FutureResume.com and vote for my video. If my dream job video gets enough votes I win my dream job for a day, which is blogging for you guys while laying on the beach in Greece. And, hey, I need to do something special for the hubby after calling him deformed . . .

Okay, here's the YouTube version, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO GO VOTE FOR ME !

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Imitation...The Sincerest Form Of Irritation

You've heard the expression, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." That might be true in that it is flattering to the one imitated. For the rest of us, imitation tends to be the sincerest form of irritation.

For example, a friend of mine was involved in the Christian music scene back in the eighties and attended a Christian Music Fest in Colorado. There was an open audition to be part of the show and hopefully come under the notice of agents and executives in the recording industry. Everyone was free to bring their own song selection for the audition. As it turned out, about a dozen of the young females had chosen, "El Shadai" made popular by the then 'it-girl' of Christian music, Amy Grant. By the time the sixth or seven rendition of "El Shadai" was cranked out by yet another Amy Grant wannabe, the audience had a hard time containing it's laughter and eye rolling. A little bit of "El Shadai" goes a long way.

Something similar also happened in the mid to late 1950's amongst those pursuing an acting career. Every young stud wanted to be the next Marlon Brando and attempted to adopt all of Brando's mannerisms and style of dress, straight out of "On The Waterfront." I heard a director/acting coach once joke that if he heard, "I coulda been a contender...I coulda been somebody" once, he heard it a million times.

All this imitation was probably flattering to Amy Grant and Marlon Brando but annoying to everyone else.

In the realm of politics, I believe Barack Obama has fallen into a similar copycat syndrome. Whenever he speaks he sounds as if he is trying to emulate Martin Luther King, Jr. With every victory speech during the democratic primary, one could detect that he ratcheted up the MLK-ishness one more level - voice inflections, cadence, mannerisms, the soaring rhetoric.

When it was announced that Obama would make his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention not in the traditional convention hall but at an outdoor stadium venue, my first thought was that he was trying to recreate the historical moment of King's speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Obama's address at the convention should appropriately be titled, "I Have A Dream That I Sound And Look Like Martin Luther King, Jr." speech.

On his recent trip to Germany, Obama broadened his copycat antics to include JFK, Reagan, Clinton and other former presidents, not only with his "citizen of the world line" but in his angling for his speech to be delivered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. German Chancellor Angela Merkel shot down the idea, citing that the location was appropriate for U.S. Presidents, not presidential hopefuls. She noted,
"It is unusual to hold election rallies abroad. No German candidate for high office would even think of using the National Mall (in Washington) or Red Square in Moscow for a rally because it would not be seen as appropriate."

The problem with excessive imitation is that ultimately, it proves empty. Great moments (whether they be in history, cinema, music, wherever) come because of great and talented people who have something unique to offer and leave an indelible mark. Forever emulating someone else and trying to recreate their moment is not a real contribution, it is piggybacking on the greatness of others.

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Photographic Troublemaker's

I'm blaming the folk at 42nd Street Photo for my husbands cantankerous nature. Thirty years ago my husband took a photography class and became a photographer for his high school yearbook. On one occasion there was a cake in the Picher High School teacher's lounge. So, my husband took his camera down there and told the janitorial staff who were in the lounge at the time that he needed to take their picture. While he took them to the auditorium to get their picture, one of his cohorts in crime sneaked in and stole the cake.

Having gotten away with it, he became the ornery cuss he is today.

So, how are the folk at 42nd Street Photo to blame for that. Simple -- when he was ready to order his first "professional" camera he ordered a Vivatar 220 SLR from 42nd Street Photo. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

Okay, maybe I can't blame them for his lack of sanctification. But, I am impressed that they have been in business for as long as they have in a business that has changed radically since the days of the Vivatar 220 SLR. If interested, you can check them out at their new 42nd street Wordpress blog.

Now, if you will excuse me, I had better go check on my husband who is probably photo "enhancing" pictures of candidates he doesn't like.

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Barack Obama And The Global Test

John Kerry once said that actions of the United States should pass "the global test." Evidently, Barack Obama has been studying for that exam. I found many of the things he said in this week's speech in Germany to be little more than pretty words and cliches. However, there were a few gems that that made my knees tremble, ... WITH FEAR.

What exactly does Barack Obama mean when he says "But the burdens of global citizenship continue to bind us together." I want to know exactly what Barack Obama means by "the burdens of global citizenship."

His speech may have passed the global test this week, but it made me more frightened than ever of a Barack Obama presidency.

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Red vs. Blue Credit Cards

Credit Cards -- they are convenient, but they can sure be a hassle if you are relying on the wrong ones. There are somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 bjillion different credit card options and programs out there (I rounded of to the nearest bjillion).

Seriously, do you think that John McCain and Barack Obama use the same credit card? Let's face it, war heroes who have served their country faithfully for decades just don't use the same credit cards as politicians whose friends are terrorists, racists, and criminals. Not that I'm pointing any fingers, mind you.

So, maybe these politicians need to check out Cardhub.com where they can use the menus to indicate credit preferences, browse the education center, or check out the editor's recommendations.

The only problem I have with the site? They don't have the cards broken down into red vs. blue.

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Taking Back The United Methodist Church, by Mark Tooley

The following is a book review by my husband, Kevin, of a new book Taking Back The United Methodist Church by Mark Tooley. It is a fascinating account of the inner workings of the denomination in regards to their support of questionable political and social activist groups both here and abroad. I picked up the copy late one night and was immediately caught up in the drama as Mark Tooley described it and was up till 3:00 in the morning. Tooley is still very much involved in his church, working with others seeking reform from within. I think every Christian, no matter their church affiliation would benefit from reading it.

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You have just discovered that the money you have been giving to your church is being used to support those engaging in terrorism – What do you do?

Silly question? Surely that is so far beyond the realm of possibility that it would be fruitless to explore.

IT HAPPENED – Okay, some flaky organization like Scientology or the Sacred Mushroom of the Cross did something stupid, you say. They are as far away from me and my faith as you can get.

I am not talking about Scientology, or Rosicrucianism, or Unity Village, — I am talking about the United Methodist Church.

Mark Tooley, member of the United Methodist Church, was confronted with this very dilemma when he discovered that the General Board of Global Ministries for the UMC was directing money given to support missions, to far-left political action groups – to Marxists, in guerrilla insurgents, to the re-education camps of totalitarian regimes, to the Palestinian Liberation Organization.

Pretty scary, huh? It gets worse. United Methodist Church resources were being used to promote abortion, homosexuality, and to criticize belief in the Deity of Jesus Christ and the authority of Bible.

But, there is good news. These things were happening not because it was the will of grassroots Methodists but because of entrenched Bureaucracy. And, for the last two decades Methodists have made great strides toward taking back the United Methodist Church.

Mark Tooley tells the story in his book “Taking Back the United Methodist Church.” It is fascinating reading for anyone, but crucial for members of the United Methodist Church and evangelical leaders of any denomination. Unfortunately, it is not yet available from Amazon and major booksellers, but you can get a copy for $14.95 from BristolHouseLtd.com.
I encourage you to read the book and to pray for our friends and family members in the UMC. May they be successful in Taking Back the United Methodist Church.

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Living On The Corner Of The Roof

Proverbs 25:24 says,

It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house with a quarelsome wife.

Were it not for my conviction that we should not add to the Bible, I could certainly think of many relevant additions to the above statement. It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house with...

a teething baby
a 2 year old who missed his nap
a husband who missed his nap
a grumpy husband attempting to assemble anything
nonstop Sponge Bob cartoons
my daughter's Talking Dora squeeze doll
kids fighting over a toy
ringing telephones

The list could go on and on but you get the idea. This admission will probably not garner me the 'Mom Of The Year' award, but most of the household irritants that would lead me to a quiet escape to the rooftop involve my children, God bless them every one.

Knowing this to be the case, my husband and I decided to make a change to the new home we purchased when we moved back to Texas. The upstairs gameroom had a half wall that overlooked the foyer. We decided to have it enclosed, partly for safety reasons but also to eliminate at least some of the kid noise coming from the upstairs.

The enclosed wall didn't eliminate nearly enough of the noise. What we really needed was for the gameroom to have a door, but unfortunately the layout does not really make further renovation feasible. Had we had enough time before our move, I would have definitely checked out Schumacher homes and looked into their texas custom homes. When most people hear of 'custom homes' they imagine sprawling estates with every luxurious and expensive amenity. Schumacher has a philosophy that combines custom design and specifications with real value.

The next time we have to move, I'll know better. Next time I will make sure my little darlings are well barricaded have their own private place to play.

Texas is too hot to spend much time on the roof.

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Promotional Production for Politicians

Who doesn't love the little freebies that you pick up along the way; the ink pen they give you at the bank, the calendars from the insurance agent, the lei that they put around your neck on your flight to Hawaii. (I can only assume that the last one would be pleasant since my husband has never taken me to Hawaii, HINT, HINT, COUGH, COUGH.) Those little tokens of goodwill you get from the people with whom you do business are kind of like an adult version of the toys that come in a Happy Meal.

Such items are not just feel-good toys, however. Promotional items are a proven, effective way to market your candidate, company, school, service or event. So, if you are going to be hosting an event, promoting your politician, marketing a product or working to build your brand you might want to click on over to Gimmees and take a look at their promotional trade show items. I was even able to find one that I think the Obama campaign should consider using. They could have some of these calendars and planners printed up with Obama's timeline for losing the war and he could pass them out to the troops this week while he is in Iraq.

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Al Gore's 'Do As I Say' Global Warming Speech

Al Gore recently made a speech on global warming in Washington D.C. and the good folks from the Americans For Prosperity Foundation were there to capture him in all his hypocritical glory. While he lectures inside the building on how we should all take public transportation and stop driving our carbon emitting, gas guzzling vehicles, his personal fleet sits idling by waiting for his departure. Does the man's gall know no bounds? I suppose his wealth, his recent flurry of awards and adoration from the Hollywood crowd has gone to his head. Bravo to Americans For Prosperity for this great video. They deserve an award for this one themselves.



I'm sure Paul Simon appreciates his song being used as the background theme.

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SEO For Political Bloggers

My husband and I just sat through several hours of a sales pitch for a company that markets their online stores to people who are wanting to go into business for themselves. When it comes to the sales pitch these guys were real pros. I am guessing that more than half of the 120 people in the room purchased their services.

As a follow-up to this evening they are offering "free of charge" a training in which they will show you how their $3,600 Pro Package is essential. What is offered in this package? Well, the thing which they emphasized and spent most of their time promoting was Search Engine Marketing.

Their prices were way out of range, but one thing that they did have right was the value of proprietary tools for Search Engine Optimization. Those of you who are wanting to take your political blogging to the next level may very well want to check out what Pepperjam is doing with search engine advertising.

Before this evening I had never heard of the guys with whom I spent the evening listening to their internet sales pitch. However, most bloggers and webmasters will be familiar with Pepperjam. Pepperjam has established a reputation as one of the premier search-engine marketing companies in the world, providing a wide array of services from pay-per-click (PPC) management to search-engine optimization (SEO). Check them out.

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Are Conservatives 'Practicing' For An Obama Presidency?

In the 1982 comedy, Best Friends, Goldie Hawn and Burt Reynolds play Paula and Richard, a newly married couple who decide to travel to meet each other's parents. They arrive in Buffalo to spend some time with Paula's parents who are elderly and in declining health.

In one scene Paula describes to her new husband how she copes with the reality that her parents are aging and will one day die. She says she 'practices'. She explains that she imagines that they have already died, she allows herself to become very sad, so that she is going through a rehearsal of sorts to prepare her for when it really happens.

Richard (Burt Reynolds) is perplexed by this coping mechanism/ritual. He asks, "Okay, let me get this straight. In your mind you kill off your parents now, so you won't feel bad later?"

That scene came to mind recently as I attended the Defending The American Dream Summit in Austin, Texas. Many of the conservatives I met seem to have accepted the premise that an Obama presidency is inevitable, like death. There were jokes about 're-education camps' established once Obama was sworn into office, mixed with perilous predictions about what an Obama presidency will do to the economy, the make-up of the Supreme Court, and the liberties we are desperately trying to preserve.

While I understand that conservatives in general tend to be realists rather than idealists, I think this Republican mope-ishness that has descended upon the party and has also spilled over to many independents/libertarians is really uncalled for. It ain't over till it's over. Barack Obama sitting in the Oval Office come January is NOT a forgone conclusion. There is no need for us to be like the Paula character from the movie - no need for us to 'practice' for an Obama victory by becoming all sad and gloomy now, as if that will help us cope better should Obama actually win.

Many of the speakers at the Defending The American Dream Summit went a long way in counteracting the negative mood. Michelle Malkin, Robert Novak, John Fund and others were all very positive about the prospects for a McCain victory in the Fall, not a wishful thinking optimism but one grounded in facts.

For example, Malkin drew the obvious parallels between the experience and character of Obama versus McCain. Novak raised the issue of historical negative indicators which usually prove deadly for presidential candidates - incumbent party seeking a third term, unpopular war, low approval rating of standing President from the same party, etc. By all accounts Obama should be running away with this thing but he is not. The fact that the race is so tight despite the fact that McCain is facing ALL of these historical 'deal breakers' says a lot about McCain's ability to overcome and prevail.

John Fund of the Wall Street Journal cited some interesting statistics. In eight out of the last ten elections, the Democratic candidate was leading in July. Only three of those went on to actually win. Democrats tend to poll better in the summer when people are busy with barbeques and family vacations but still relatively unengaged politically. In the Fall, people start to pay attention and tend to focus on the bigger picture. The race tightens. If that pattern holds, McCain stands to gain a lot of ground starting in mid to late September.

Cheer up conservatives! It is not necessary to practice sadness and despair now, rehearsing for an Obama presidency which may never come.

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Preventing The Infestation

My husband was out behind the parsonage working on his garden while our daughter, then not quite two years old played nearby. My husband looked up to see a look of horror on our daughters face. She never cried out, but something was obviously wrong. He ran to her and saw that her legs and feet were covered with hundreds of fire ants. She was standing right in the middle of a fire ant mound.

The thing with fire ants is that they do not bite you immediately upon climbing onto you. They wait until they have you covered and then somehow they signal each other and they all bite you at the same time. I don't know if it is telekinesis or what, but I know from experience that is how it works.

My husband grabbed up our little girl and as rapidly as possible he brushed the ants away, then ran her to a nearby hose where he washed any remaining ants away. It was awful; we counted 127 little white blisters where the ants had bitten her. Poison control and the local hospital emergency room walked us through the process for treating her.

We would have saved our daughter lots of pain, and ourselves lots of anguish had we prevented the fire ant infestation in the first place. You might want to check out the following link for hints on ant control.

I have been listening to some of my conservative friends talking about sitting out the next election and allowing Barack Obama to be elected, then after he destroys our economic system and puts our country into chaos stepping in to provide poison control and emergency services.

I think we would be better served by preventing the infestation to start with.

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Defending The American Dream Summit

I have enjoyed attending the Defending the American Dream Summit Texas Summit over the last few days. Michael Steele, Michelle Malkin, Samsphere, Michael Williams, Bob Novak, ... what's not to love. I am percolating on all that I have taken in over the last few days and plan on writing a series of related posts over the next week. But, I just wanted to write a quick note to the events sponsors, especially the Sam Adams Alliance. While here I have made many new political blogger friends and I look forward to continuing these relationships.

I encourage anyone who can make it, to attend the National Summit in Washington, D.C. in October. You won't be disappointed.

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A Day At The Beach

When I was in my early twenties, a friend of mine and I decided to take a long weekend and drive to the beach. I had just purchased my first 'brand new car' ever so we didn't even dread the seven hour drive.

A few days before we were due to leave, we chatted about what we needed to pack and my friend mentioned things like dog bed, dog bowl, dog food, dog leash, etc. Paraphenelia that sounded suspiciously like she planned on bringing her dog. In my new car. For seven hours. I wasn't thrilled with the idea but she was my best friend and I knew how attached she was to her dog so I didn't express any reservations.

As it turned out, I needn't have worried. On the morning we left, that dog was bathed and perfumed and smelled better than me. After a day at the beach, the dog even looked better than me. He had definitely mastered the windblown look much better. And thankfully, there was never any accidental peeing on my new upholstery by my dog or my friend.

Looking back, however, I probably would have been smart to go the car rental route. Had my new car smell been destroyed and I had to smell dog urine anew whenever the weather got warm, I might have always been a bit annoyed and a friendship damaged or damned. The price of a rental car is small compared to the value of a relationship. And besides, a trip to the beach is so much better in a convertible, and right now you can get up to a 50% discount on Luxury and Convertible car rentals with Advantage.

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The YearlyKos, Netroots Nation, RightOnline & Little Ol' Me

I am currently in Austin, TX attending the Defending the American Dream Summit. I will have much to write about it over the next few days.

The Defending the American Dream Summit is a collection of online activists and high-profile bloggers from coast-to-coast will converge for a summit "focused on taxes, spending, and strengthening the conservative online activist community." The summit is being sponsored by the Americans for Prosperity Foundation, the Sam Adams Alliance, Heritage Foundation, Leadership Institute, Media Research Center and other leading conservative organizations. The program includes training seminars, panel sessions, and an impressive line-up of speakers such as Michelle Malkin, Barry Goldwater Jr., former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele, RedState.com’s Erick Erickson, columnist Robert Novak, the Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore and John Fund, and American for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist..

In conjunction with the summit, the grassroots free-market group Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is leading up a coalition of groups to organize RightOnline, which aims to establish a conservative counter-weight to the left’s web 2.0 community. I don't know if the timing and location is intentional or coincidental, but even now, just across town there is a gathering of liberal activists called Netroots Nation (formerly YearlyKos). AFP President Tim Phillips commented that “For years the left has built a superior online political infrastructure, leaving conservatives at a severe disadvantage. Those who are tired of being left behind now have an opportunity for change.”

I am excited to be part of this event and will be reporting on it and sharing about it in more detail over the next few days.

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Is That Your Grandfather That's Ticking?

Have you ever noticed how many scenes in movies are inhabited by a grandfather clock? It would seem that families on television and in Hollywood movieS own grandfather clocks in a number disproportionate to the general populace. Why?

I haven't gone out and hired Barna or Gallup to do polling, but I have a guess. There is something substantial about a grandfather clock that makes a house feel like a home. When Hollywood wants to use symbols to show that a certain family has strong ties, or to express permanence, solidity, or age, there isn't a better tool available to them than to place a grandfather clock in the foyer or formal living room.

It is not surprising then, as someone who cherishes family, loves God and country, and longs for a return to biblical values, that I would love to have a beautiful Howard Miller Chateau Grandfather Clock in our home. I would place it in our formal dining room where it would be visible to our visitors, its hourly chimes a permanent presence for our family, and close enough to the master bedroom that I could hear the calming tick, tick, tick on those night when I lay in bed, wrapped up in the knowledge of how I have been blessed, and giving thanks to God.

To see some beautiful Howard Miller grandfather clocks go on over and check out the inventory of 1-800-4CLOCKS. And, check out their blog to read some stories shared by others with a love for grandfather clocks.

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Goodbye Tony Snow

Our thoughts and prayers today go to the family and friends of Tony Snow, former White House press secretary, former White House speech writer, conservative journalist and all-around great guy. Funeral was held today at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

President Bush spoke at the funeral, saying Tony "amassed a rare record of accomplishment. He knew the job of a reporter was vigorous. He understood the profession and always treated it with respect."

"We will always remember his wry sense of humor and abundant goodness. We will also remember he was lots of fun," Bush said.

Bush also had kind words to Snow's three children, Kendall, Robbie, and Kristi. In a particularly poignant moment, he talked directly to them, noting that he'd often called their father on the weekend seeking his advice and just as often would find that he was helping his kids with homework or cheering them on the soccer field.

"He loved you a lot," Bush told the three children. "I hope you know we loved him a lot, too."

For those of us who didn't know Tony Snow personally, we too are feeling a sense of loss. We felt a bond with them via the communication medium where he excelled. As conservatives, we admired his intellectual rigor in the way he tackled tough subjects and tough guests in his interview. As Americans, we were encouraged by his bright optimism about what makes this country great. As believers, we were inspired by his faith which he credited with giving him the courage to fight against the cancer that ultimately claimed his physical life.

Rest in peace.

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Is Crime Still An Election Issue?

The front burner issues this election year are the economy, high fuel prices, health care, and the Iraq War. Actually, I guess that makes four 'front burners'. There are certainly other concerns such as education, abortion and in light of the recent California Supreme Court Ruling, same-sex marriage. However, there has not been as much emphasis on crime as in previous election cycles. Is it still simmering on the political stove?

The reaction to the recent lifting of the Washington D.C. handgun ban shows that crime and gun control are still important to many Americans. Some agreed that the U.S. Supreme Court was correct in striking down the ban as unconstitutional while others fear that crime would be even more prevalent if handguns were more accessible to everyone. Those who don't really care have probably never been the victim of crime.

In my opinion, few human emotions are as vexing as that of helplessness. To be the victim of a violent crime, to be subject to someone's cruelty or perhaps even worse, to watch a loved one suffer at an evildoer's hand, is the epitome of helplessness.

When I was eighteen, I walked in on a burglar. Coming home late one night from a date, I found the front door of my parent's house unlocked. Assuming they had just left it unlocked for me, I was unconcerned as I entered the dark entryway. I walked straight down the hallway to my bedroom and got ready for bed. After about ten minutes passed, I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth and heard a noise at the front door. Looking down the hallway, I had a straight view of the front door and watched a figure in the darkness rattling the lock. I called out to my dad, hoping it was just him checking the deadbolt. The stranger didn't answer, just looked up at me for a few seconds, then proceeded to let himself out the front door.

I know I was extremely lucky that I got out of the situation unhurt. When I look back on the incident, the emotion that comes to mind is helplessness. When I stood there watching the intruder watching me, I had no idea what he was going to do. I felt cornered and vulnerable. Since that time I have always held a certain caution whenever I have been out and about, particularly when going to and from my car. For years I carried mace on my keychain and it gave me an added sense of security.

Because I like to go walking/jogging I am currently looking into M18L, a pepper mace that comes in a convenient 'jogger model' with a velcro-like strap to fit snugly around the hand. It has an 18 gram stream unit that contains 10, one second bursts and sprays 8-12 feet.

I don't know how relevant crime will be to this year's presidential campaign. While the recent SCOTUS decision clarifies the citizen's right to bear arms, the fact is that most of us will not pursue a permit to carry a firearm. A good pepper spray/mace at least provides some defense against attackers. No one should feel completely helpless.

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The New Yorker Covers Obama

The New Yorker is getting it from all sides for the cover of their July 21, 2008 edition. With Barack Obama in traditional Muslim attire, Michelle dressed as a terrorist and giving him the official terrorist fist bump, an American flag burning in the fireplace under a picture of Osama bin Laden it definitely takes aim at some of the stereotypes that Obama is facing. Whatever was being aimed at, however, the Obama campaign is claiming that it is Obama who was hit.

"The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that
their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's
right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it
as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."

It may have sought to parody the "crazy ignorance out there" but supporters of Obama fear that he will be pulled off-message; forced to respond to the stereotypes rather than talk about substantive policy issues.

At least that is what they are saying.

Personally, I think they are using this to navigate away from substantive policy issues. When Obama talks about substantive policy issues he reveals how little substance there is to his campaign. And, further, he can't remember what policies he advocated a few hours earlier so there are news clips of him advocating exactly opposite positions on the very same day.

I think that the Obama campaign ought to hire their very own caricaturist and pass out her drawings to the media. That way they could avoid talk about real issues indefinitely.

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Obama Versus Those Who Read Their Bibles

In a recent article in Christianity Today, I noted the following quote regarding evangelical support in the coming presidential election:

Burress, whose Ohio group is preparing two million bulletin inserts for 10,000 churches about the two candidates' stances, predicted Obama's efforts to reach evangelicals will fall flat.

"The only evangelicals that he's going to win over are those who have never read the Bible," said Burress...

Immediately my attention went to the hidden premise in this argument. The speaker implies that most evangelicals actually "read" their Bibles. However, that is not necessarily true.

According to a 2001 Barna Group study only 38% of Americans read their Bible when they are not at church.

I would suggest that of the 38% of Americans who actually read their Bible, only a small portion read it with care in order to know God, know God's truth, and know God's ways.

Like the speaker above, I do believe that those who carefully read their Bibles to know God, his truth, and his ways will have a difficult time justifying a vote for Barack Obama. But unlike the speaker above, I don't believe that to be a significant number of the American populace.

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Texas Sun, Costly Energy, and Shutters

The only thing hotter than Texas politics and Texas food is the Texas sun. The Texas sun will scorch your lawn, fade your paint, and run your energy bills sky high. I have a message that I want to send as loudly and clearly as possible to those who represent me in Congress. I did not vote for you so that you could waste months determining whether or not there is abuse of steroids in major league baseball. And, the IRS is perfectly capable of investigating those televangelist dudes y'all are so hot to catch. Get busy and do something about our energy situation. NOW!

While I fully expect my representatives in government to act on our behalf, I also know that we must do what we can at home. One essential for Texas homes is exterior shutters. If you are looking into options to bring down your energy bills, or just want to add a little pizazz to your home, be sure to check out Larson Shutter Company. Larson Shutter Company offers online ordering and free shipping of premium quality wood, vinyl and composite exterior shutters and exterior shutter hardware. They seem to have every imaginable style, size, and color. Check them out.

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Sic et Non Barack Obama

In the twelfth century Peter Abelard wrote Sic et Non documenting the many ways in which the early church fathers contradicted each other. However, with Barack Obaba, it seems that there are many ways in which he is contradicting himself (sometimes on the same day). Dick Morris recently wrote the following

The list of issues on which Barack Obama has flipped now that the primaries are over is long and growing rapidly.

• He now opposes late-term abortion.

• He suddenly is a devotee of using faith-based institutions to deliver public services.

• He now says that he won’t raise Social Security taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year. In the primary, he said he’d eliminate the threshold entirely, including on people making as little as $100,000.

• He recently opposed the Fairness Doctrine for talk radio.

• Now he says he’s going to consult with the military before pulling out of Iraq.

But so extensive a list of flip-flops, all in the past few weeks, begs the basic question: Was he lying before when he was a liberal, or is he prevaricating now?

I have to say that it does not "beg the question" with me. I could care less "when" he was lying. The fact that it is perfectly obvious to all that he has been lying is enough for me to write him off completely.

He lies, he hangs out with terrorists and crooks, those closest to him engage in racist talk (including members of his own family), he promises to meet with dictators and tyrants but won't meet with our generals on the ground in Iraq, ....

How can anyone take this guy seriously?

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Understanding Intelligent Design - William Dembski

It seems like many politicians not only fail to understand Intelligent Design, but simply choose to be misinformed and downright ignorant of its arguments. Some have a vested interest in combating I.D. Others seem to think that anything that hints at a Designer of the world is a sign that one is unsophisticated in matters of scientific understanding. The last thing a liberal politician wants to do is leave the impression with the liberal elite that they fail the "sophistication test."

William Dembski and Sean McDowell have authored a new book to help explain Intelligent Design -- Understanding Intelligent Design: Everything You Need to Know in Plain Language. It is aimed at a younger audience, but this may be just the right tool for a number of folk who should get it, but don't. I don't know how many times I have now heard George F. Will misrepresent I.D. I encourage you to get a copy of Understanding Intelligent Design: Everything You Need to Know in Plain Language and after reading it pass it along to someone you know who would benefit from it. Also, check out the video below in which Dembski and McDowell discuss the book and the premise behind it.

Not convinced? Here is a free pdf download of a chapter from the book to whet your appetite.

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RELATED ARTICLES

Prime Time Theologian

Intelligent Design - Select Quotes

William Dembski on World Magazine Top-100 Book List

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RELATED BOOKS

Probe Ministries has published an excellent DVD based study on Intelligent Design called Redeeming Darwin: Discovering & Declaring a Designer. The study guide that goes with it lists the following recommend books and videos:

Recommended Resources

Books

Bohlin, Ray, ed., Creation, Evolution and Modern Science. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2000.

O’Leary, Denyse, By Design or by Chance? Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Press, 2004.

Pearcey, Nancy, Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2004.

Strobel, Lee, The Case For A Creator. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2004.

Wells, Jonathan, The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design, Washington DC: Regnery, 2006.

Woodward, Thomas, Doubts about Darwin: A History of Intelligent Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2003.

Woodward, Thomas, Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2006

Videos

Unlocking the Mystery of Life: The Scientific case for Intelligent Design

The Privileged Planet: The Search for Purpose in the Universe

The Case For A Creator ‎

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Finding God's Man For Your Church

Looking for a pastor? This guy is selling himself on eBay. At the time I am writing this he has 3 bids and is selling for $2.25.

I recently read that the average time it takes a pastor to find employment is 18 months. However, eBay auctions last 10 days maximum. So, this may be a more effective way for pastors to locate a place of service... if you can live on $2.25 per year.

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FoxNews Checks Out Zenni

FoxNews must be a frequent reader of Politics & Christianity. No sooner do I sing the praises of ZenniOptical.com, than I find Zenni on Fox

Politically conservative viewers of Fox who are also financially conservative of their own budget, will likely check in with Zenni the next time they need a new pair of prescription glasses. There is no better place online to shop for frames that are stylish and affordable, starting at only $8.00. They have single vision lens, sunsensor (potochromic)lens, tinted sunglasses lens, bifocal lens and progressive lens.

I long ago gave up the idea of buying expensive sunglasses because they inevitably got crushed in my purse or lost somewhere. I am starting to adopt the same philosophy about my husband's prescription glasses. Since he alternates with his contacts, his glasses are frequently left on the nightstand or his bathroom counter, in tempting reach of my two year old who knows exactly where to find them. Consequently, we have to go shopping for glasses a lot more frequently than in the pre-kid era. Now, we can just go online.

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Reading Obama

I believe that a Barack Obama presidency would be disastrous for America. I would rather be ruled by an eighth grade civics class making decisions by throwing darts at a board than by the policy positions which Barack Obama has advocated (then unadvocated, then advocated again).

However, I could not agree more with his recent statement on the importance of reading to our children.

“Over the course of four years I made time to read all of the Harry Potter books out loud to my daughters. If I can do that and run for president, then you can find time to read to your kids. That’s some of the most special time you have with your children.”

Kudos to Obama for recognizing the importance of fatherhood and reading to his children. However, there will be some who think that such a statement justifies voting for Obama. That shows just how shallow or decision making has become when we are determining who will be the leader of the free world. "He reads to his kids so I'm going to vote for him." Where does he stand on economics? What does he think about partial birth abortion? How will he negotiate with tyrants and dictators. "Well, I don't know about those things but he reads to his kids so I'm going to vote for him." (Heavy sigh...)

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RELATED ARTICLES

John McCain's Five Favorite Books About Soldiers In Wartime

Hillary Clinton's Favorite Books

Abraham Lincoln's Love of Reading

100 Books Every Child Should Read

Great Books Trivium

Books & Reading - Select Quotes

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RELATED BOOKS

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The Plight Of The Preacher's Kid

Life as a preacher's kid can be tough. My beloved hubby, Kevin, was such a kid and while I know the spiritual benefits of having committed Christian parents who give themselves to ministry is great, there are a few downsides. One of them can be money. People don't generally enter Christian service as a career with the idea they are going to get rich, or at least they shouldn't. My husband was one of four children and times were often tough.

When it was determined that young Kevin needed glasses, his parents naturally took him to an uncle who was an optometrist. Unfortunately the glass frames he was fitted with were always the cheapest (and ugliest) that his uncle happened to have around. Knowing that the family finances were tight, Kevin didn't feel like it was right for him to complain. And so behold, in the photo above is Kevin at ten years old ready to set the world on fire! I still think he's adorable, despite the hideous glasses.

Though our own children do not need glasses, if they ever do, Kevin has vowed they will have COOL glasses!

Just in case that need ever does arise, I have zennioptical.com on my 'go to' list. They sell stylish, fashionable prescription glasses online. They have a huge selection of frames, with single vision lens, sunsensor (potochromic)lens, tinted suglasses lens, bifocal lens and progressive lens. Because they sell their own manufactured frames directly to the customer, they keep their costs low.

I get to keep my cool looking kids and stay on budget.

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Jesse Jackson Lets Loose On Obama Near Open Microphone

In an unguarded moment near an open microphone at the FoxNews studio, Jesse Jackson was caught on tape making a vulgar reference about Senator Barack Obama. Accusing Obama of "talking down to black folks", Jackson said he wanted to "cut his (Obama's) n--ts out."

Recently Obama has made references in several speeches for African Americans to be responsible parents, particularly fathers. He has advocated more reading over video games and encouraged black youth to stay in school and look beyond careers as basketball players and rock stars.

Evidently Jackson interpreted these statements as criticisms of the African-American culture, in much the same way as some have perceived Bill Cosby's speeches and writings in which he laments absentee fathers and the breakdown of the black family.

Jesse Jackson immediately issued and apology to Barack Obama. "My support for Senator Obama's campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal," he said in his statement. "I cherish this redemptive and historical moment."

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Safe Boating

I am not a libertarian but I do believe that government should not generally be making laws to protect citizens from self-inflicted hardship. However, there is a very fine line between protecting someone from himself and protecting the welfare of the community as a whole. It is not always easy to differentiate where protection ends and intrusion begins.

One place where it is very clear that government has the right, and obligation, to provide regulation, is in the area of boating safety. When someone is Boating Operating Under the Influence, or otherwise boating like an idiot, they not only endanger themselves, but the lives of others, as well. Arizona has taken the initiative in providing education programs for its boaters, which include both online boating education and creative advertising.

Check out the video below:

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Spurgeon Laments 'Change'

The guys at PyroManiacs spend a little space each week to highlight the writings of the great London preacher Charles Spurgeon. Christians today would certainly profit by spending some quality time with this voice of reason from the nineteenth century.

This excerpt I read recently caught my eye as it seems to speak not only to the current church climate, but the political climate as well. It is from a sermon called Hold Fast, preached at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London on June 9, 1878:

There is and always has been a great desire for novelty. We are all the subjects of it: we all like something fresh. But there are some who are sick with the changeable disease; you see them zealots for a creed today, but all of a sudden you find them deeply immersed in the opposite teaching. Ah, now they have found out something very wonderful: just as the idiot who saw the rainbow, and believed that there was a jewel at the foot of it, ran for miles to seize a glittering sapphire and grasped a piece of glass bottle; so do they forever pursue and never attain.

We have a few of these gentlemen in most of our churches, but you will find them nowhere long. Another inventor starts a new system, and away they go, pining always to be the first disciples of each new prophet. May God save us from the Athenian spirit, which for ever hungers for something new.

*****

Are there not many today in this election who are also behaving like zealots (perhaps idiots?) running for miles to seize a 'glittering sapphire'? Will they discover belatedly that it is merely a piece of glass bottle?

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Check Your Bills IQ

Both Congress and presidential candidates are wrestling with possible solutions on dealing with the mortgage crisis. In light of the debate, I heard an interesting statistic. Over 60 percent of families who let their homes fall into foreclosure do so without having any contact with the mortgage company.

How could this be? Were financial conditions perceived as so bleak that a phone call to the lender was considered just a waste of time? Did they believe there was simply no point in negotiating? Were people waiting for a last minute windfall of some sort to bail them out?

In at least some cases, a consultation with a financial adviser would be a tremendous help. Of course if you are already strapped for cash, you probably don't feel like you can afford to pay someone to tell you you are strapped for cash. However a check up on your Bills IQ would be a great help.

I checked mine and while I fell in the range I expected, I was able to get some facts straightened out on finances that I had wrong. It is also interesting to compare your score to others in your age, education, and income brackets. You can even compare your score to others in your geographic location.

For those that are interested or even struggling with finances, billsiq.com offers tips and advice as well as some good resources in the area of credit or tax issues to help folks get back on their feet.

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Congress Approval Rating Drops To Single Digit

When Mr. Smith went to Washington he aspired to do great things. Important things. I think he had his sights set higher than a 9 percent approval rating.

That's right. According to the latest Rasmussen poll, a measly 9 percent approve of congressional performance. A majority of Americans, 52 percent, say Congress is doing a poor job, which also ties a record high.

Not surprisingly, the Democrat-controlled Congress enjoys its highest rating among Democrat respondents, 13 percent of whom rated the Congress favorably. Only 8 percent of Republicans were willing to say Congress is doing a good job, while an almost non-existent 3 percent of unaffiliated voters gave Congress a positive rating.

Respondents were also asked if they thought Congress has passed any legislation in the last six months to improve life in this country. 12 percent said yes, while 62 percent said Congress has done nothing to improve life in America. A further 55 percent said it was unlikely that Congress would do anything in the near future to address important problems facing the nation.

Not exactly a rosy scenario for those sitting atop Capitol Hill.

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High Gas Prices Affect How We Do Business

The high cost of filling the tank is causing for major adjustments in all sorts of industries. Airlines are canceling flights. Rather than patrolling in police cars, police officers are doing more 'walking the beat' or bicycling, golf carting or as the case in Ft. Worth, Texas, riding horseback. School districts are looking at going to a four day school week. Many employees are also angling for four day work weeks (good luck with that one!)

Business conventions in Las Vegas are lagging, as companies are looking at other options. Teleconferencing is taking the place of traveling for meetings. And what of the all-important sales force that drives profits? As a former outside sales rep who had to pay to fill my own tank and then hope my commissions would make it worthwhile, I can only imagine the angst of those in sales who are weighing the pros and cons of driving fifty miles to meet with a customer who might not really be a bona fide prospect.

Qualifying potential clients is imparative, now like never before. To help businesses save not only their time but their monthly Exxon bill, The Lead Dogs is a service that steps in and conducts business to business telemarketing, qualifies inquiries from marketing campaigns (direct mail, trade show, events, website, etc.) to identify those that are sales-ready. They fill the sales pipeline with qualified leads identified by phone and are experts at nurturing and managinging those leads as well as generating new ones.

As politicians appear deadlocked over what to do about the fuel crisis, the rest of us are looking for ways to make every drop count.

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Military Families Facing Foreclosure

There are several aspects of military life that seem to me, should just be 'a given'. Here are just a few examples.

One - If a serviceman or woman returns home with an injury, they should never receive a medical bill. Ever.

Two - If someone has been called to active service in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere, they should not have to worry about their homes falling into foreclosure. It is a sad day in America when a soldier who has spent all day and all night avoiding sniper fire and roadside bombs, calls home to find that he will soon have no home. Many in the reserve are recalled to active duty, leaving their current higher paying job to serve for a year or more. Unable to sell his house and relocate his family because of the housing crunch, he flies overseas not knowing what will befall his loved ones while he is gone.

In the past year, the foreclosure rate around military bases has risen a whopping 400 percent! For families in such circumstances, they need to aquaint themselves with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The bill was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2003. This is the law that now governs legal protections for members of the United States Military.

In many, if not all instances, mortgage lenders are required to freeze interest rates at 6 percent. Arrangements can also be made to delay payments until 90 days until after the servicemember returns home.

This may be just the lifeline that struggling military families are grasping for.

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Blue Collar White Male Vote Up For Grabs

Now that Hillary is out of the presidential race, the often asked question is, "Where will all her blue collar white male voters turn?" It is presumed by some pundits that the reason they were not for Obama was due to a lingering racism. While that may be true in some cases I don't think that was the overall pattern. I believe the fact that Obama does have a whiff of the elitist air about him, proved noxious to the hardworking men who put on work boots every day.

In states such as Pennsylvania Hillary had a strong showing. Men who are struggling to provide for their families and fill their gas tanks when the price has skyrocketed over $4.00 a gallon, didn't appreciate Obama's attitude that implied he thought that price and even higher was just peachy, he only regretted that we didn't have more time to work our way up to it.

No wonder such voters feel Obama is out of touch. I recently read of a man who works fourteen hours a day building bridges and has a 125 mile round trip commute every day. His cost for gasoline per month is now $600.00. That is a huge percentage of his monthly take home pay. If Obama had a similar percentage taken out of his monthly operating expenses just for gasoline, he wouldn't be merely lamenting the fact he didn't have time to work his way up to it.

The fact is that the high cost of gasoline (and everything else that is dependent on fuel) has little impact on Obama because he can afford to take the hit. It doesn't affect him in the least - he is still free to fuel up his private airplane and jaunt off to wherever he needs to be. A sluggish economy has not necessitated a complete revamping of the household budget.

John McCain has a real opportunity here. These blue collar white male voters are definitely up for grabs this election year.

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Israel Attack On Iran Considered Likely

As we wrap up the Fourth of July weekend in which we celebrate America's independence and freedom, we are nevertheless reminded of threats to that freedom. Oceans do not provide us a safe cushion from danger. Terrorism is still an ever present reality.

WorldNetDaily's Jerusalem bureau chief Aaron Klein was a guest on Fox News Channel's weekend program "America's Election Headquarters" and discussed the likelihood of an Israeli military strike against Iran. Klein conducted an interview with Meir Amit, former director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, who stated Israel should use force to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The comments from Amit, one of the most esteemed figures in the Israeli intelligence establishment, are significant since, until now, he has refused to support an attack against Iran.

Amit's statements followed an ABC News report quoting a senior defense official in Washington saying he believes Israel may attack Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of the year.

According to the official, two "red lines" would prompt an Israeli strike. The first trigger would be once Iran produces enough highly enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb, which U.S. and Israeli assessments predict could occur within one to two years. The second trigger, according to the official, would be Iran's acquisition of an air defense system it is purchasing from Russia.

Last week, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton stated an Israeli attack against Iran could take place between the U.S. election in November and the presidential inauguration in January.

Bolton spoke after leaked media reports of a major Israeli military exercise over the Mediterranean involving 100 aircraft. The drill was widely seen as Israeli preparations for a possible bombing of Iran's nuclear installations.

Klein, considered one of the most wired-in reporters in the Middle East, is author of the recently released book, "Schmoozing With Terrorists".

Have Americans again fallen into a peaceful slumber with regards to terrorism? Are the events of September 11th now considered too much of the distant past for us to be really concerned? After all, nothing else has happened since then. No further attacks. Perhaps it was just a freakish series of security lapses that allowed the terrorists to board those airplanes. Surely a tragedy of that magnitude couldn't happen again.

I fear that it could very well happen again. Though downplayed by mainstream media, there have been many near misses by terrorists upon our country since September 11th, averted because of the increased cooperation of our security agencies. Despite all of George W. Bush's faults as President, he has kept us safe from further attacks. He does not receive credit for that, at least not now.

Should Israel strike Iran, Israel will come under heavy criticism. However the acquisition of nuclear weapons by a country who pledges to wipe you off the map, does cause you to take notice. Israel does not have the luxury of falling into a peaceful slumber.

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Strange Bed Fellows

Politics makes strange bedfellows.

We've all heard that expression and there is a great deal of truth to it. Political interests can bring together people who otherwise have little in common. This saying is adapted from a line in the play The Tempest, by William Shakespeare: “Misery acquaints a man with strange bedfellows.” It is spoken by a man who has been shipwrecked and finds himself seeking shelter beside a sleeping monster.

Misery also acquaints you with another sort of strange bedfellows...actual bedbugs. When I was a kid and my mom would tuck me in with the expression, "Nighty night, don't let the bedbugs bite!", I just assumed bedbugs were just made up, mythical creatures like unicorns. But they are definitely real. They usually live inside of mattresses, where they have convenient access to a food source - you. They crawl out just before dawn and bite you, sucking out blood for about five minutes. You don't feel anything until after the bed bug is already safely back in its home. Lovely thought right before you go to sleep, huh.

Infestation can become a real problem, as each bug can lay up to 5 eggs a day. Some renters have even filed bed bugs lawsuits against landlords who they believe were negligent in keeping the little buggers exterminated. For more info on getting rid of your unwanted nighttime guests, check out bedbugsguide.com

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Bobby Jindal - Governor, VP Hopeful... Exorcist?

Louisiana’s Governor Bobby Jindal's name has been batted around as a potential veep for McCain, and he may indeed be able to exorcise some demonic elements out of Washington, D.C.

In 1994 he wrote an article for the New Oxford Review about his participation in college of an exorcism on a female friend he identifies only as Susan.

Susan had been diagnosed with skin cancer and complained of smelling sulfur in her room, which Jindal interpreted as a sign of demonic possession. Jindal invited Susan to a prayer meeting, where Susan had a seizure. The exorcism reportedly lasted a few hours and though Susan tried to leave, she was restrained by the group present. Jindal claims Susan was tested not long after and was completely free of cancerous cells.


Here is an excerpt form Jindal's article:


Strangely, I found myself repeating the Hail Mary until it became a chant. Being a recent convert to Catholicism, I had yet to accept the Catholic doc­trines concerning Mary and considered any form of Marian devotion to be idolatry. Though I had never before prayed a Hail Mary in my life, I suddenly found myself incapable of any other form of prayer. Somehow, Mary's intercessions allowed me to find peace during that long night; I knew that I had sur­vived the worst and that I would exit with my faith intact. It terrified me to recall how close I came to turning away from Christ out of fear.

The crucifix had a calming effect on Susan, and her sister was soon brave enough to bring a Bible to her face. At first, Susan responded to biblical pas­sages with curses and profanities. Mixed in with her vile attacks were short and desperate pleas for help. In the same breath that she attacked Christ, the Bible's authenticity, and everyone assembled in prayer, Susan would suddenly urge us to rescue her. It appeared as if we were observing a tremendous battle between the Susan we knew and loved and some strange evil force. But the momentum had shifted and we now sensed that victory was at hand.

While Alice and Louise held Susan, her sister continued holding the Bible to her face. Almost taunting the evil spirit that had almost beaten us minutes before, the students dared Susan to read biblical passages. She choked on certain passages and could not finish the sentence "Jesus is Lord." Over and over, she repeated "Jesus is L..L..LL," often ending in profanities. In between her futile attempts, Susan pleaded with us to continue trying and often smiled between the grimaces that accompanied her readings of Scripture. Just as suddenly as she went into the trance, Susan suddenly reappeared and claimed "Jesus is Lord."

With an almost comical smile, Susan then looked up as if awakening from a deep sleep and asked, "Has something happened?" She did not re­member any of the past few hours and was startled to find her friends breaking out in cheers and laugh­ter, overwhelmed by sudden joy and relief.

*****

Obviously the 'exorcist rap' did not hamper Jindal's bid for Governor of Louisiana. How would it play with voters in a general election should McCain pick him as his VP? Aside from providing lots of material for Leno, Letterman and all on the late show circuit, I don't think there would be any real damage. Not only Catholics, but many mainstream Protestants and Evangelicals believe there is real demonic activity in the world. If democrats tried to make it an issue, they would risk offending some in their own party (especially Hispanics) who take such spiritual matters seriously.

I have not heard any Republican pundits comment that this revelation should disqualify Jindal from consideration. However, if it was Huckabee who was accused of casting out demons, it would be a different story.

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