Shulamite

Reply to WWIII in the distance? in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Couchman -- a lot of great analysis to think about. I like what you did there --- including with the names. Pentagonese it is! With the US moving to squelch Iraqi military expansion so completely, what is the liklihood of doing the same with China? Of course there are SO VERY MANY variables to consider. One: a change of guard in the US after four years could mean a total sweeping change of policy regardless of the party in the Whitehouse. Also, I doub

Reply to WWIII in the distance? in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Good info to have, Ted. I appreciate the links and the added info. I'm glad you're on top of this -- by the way I posted your collection of press releases about the military in Iraq outside my classroom at school Lots of kids have read it. I put in big red maker "Thanks, U.S. Soldiers!!!!" on it. I think perhaps I'm a little perterbed at what the French and Germans say about us publicly and about the "food for oil program" stuff. Is it that

Reply to Surgery in Health & Medicine JoeUser Forums

Do you think the nurses at the office would feel free to talk? How would I find out about his/her record? Bedside manner is cool and all, but sometimes it has to be secondary to get the best physician. I'm talking myself into it steadily... a collegue is having the same surgery this Xmas. I'll so some investigations with that. makes me nervous just thinking about it... having some of me on the table and then put back... oi vei....

Reply to Are There Different Paths to the Same God? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Imajinit -- dude, I respect your response; it is very gentlemanly. (You're right -- we hear a whole lot about historical and some about theological, citical only by few, and even rarer, I believe do we get the exegetical. I get a lot of that from studying with Hank Hanegraaf. You probably have heard of him.) I once had a Japanese friend ask me, "why do missionaries always have to tell you about what they believe?" in a very exasperated tone. I

Reply to Why I Write in Blogging JoeUser Forums

iamheather -- you remind me a lot of myself. You're interesting to me. Danny -- you're a busy blogger! I always enjoy your comments. Thanks for commenting. And I do.

Reply to Surgery in Health & Medicine JoeUser Forums

Man... that sounds like good advice, getting an appointment now and walking through it. I'd be more specific about the surgery, but since I was raised a "lady" in the South, it's always difficult to talk about such things to anyone. This is part of why the surgery bothers me so badly. Shyness I suppose! (And I'm not a shy person!!!!)

Reply to WWIII in the distance? in Current Events JoeUser Forums

OI VEI!!! I left out India and and Pakistan!!!!! Well, Pakistan falls under the admittedly broad category of "Middle East" and India would go with us I believe. The war is ancient between the two countries, but never more potentially dangerous for other nations and their populace as now! 2 hr war... wow. Very likely to some extent. Or, perhaps its more likely to enter some sort of "Cold War" as we did with Russia. However I don't thi

Surgery in Health & Medicine JoeUser Forums

Just thinking about having surgery. I could live my life without having it, but do I want to? Yes, it would improve the quality of my life. But every time under the knife is a chance. And oi vei, it just is so disturbing, the actual thought of it all. Thank God for modern medicine, but I'm having the hardest time with this. Insurance will pay for it

Japanese Pacisfism in Current Events JoeUser Forums

It was only a matter of time, really. A nation like Japan, a world leader, booming economy, and now in need of military strength for serious defense in a volitile part of the world, needs a strong military. Their economy isn't doing as great as it was once doing and the PM can't get respect from the people. A military would certainly boost the economy, even

Why I Write in Blogging JoeUser Forums

I guess I have to start with why I write. At first, I thought, “Catharsis. Definitely.” But really, I don’t think I do a lot of that in my blog, really. I’m not much into the truly personal stuff. Sometimes I do but it’s secondary or tertiary. I don’t write to record my most intimate stuff. I write poetry for that, sure, but I don’t publish it here

WWIII in the distance? in Current Events JoeUser Forums

World War III heating up? Japan is steadily dumping its pacifism. Link , Link , Link , L

Reply to Faith in God in Religion JoeUser Forums

Draginol -- You're a very analytical person and there is NOTHING wrong with wanting some facts to back some stuff up. (Do you feel like your intellegence gets in the way of belief? as if it would be easier if you didn't always over-analyze stuff?) That's okay. I think it all still holds water even after stiff analysis. Everyone has given their recommendations. I'm not sure why I would think mine would be of any value whatsoever to you. As a p

Reply to Are There Different Paths to the Same God? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Imajinit -- I'm not sure what your idea of "organized religion" is but it was an awfully nice way to dismiss everything I said. I've been studying (yes I mean studying) the Bible, moral philosophy, theology, and apologetics for years. Yeah, I know how to form the words for what my heart knows to be true -- that's all. My life is different because of my relationship with God and that relationship is one of grace, undeserved. I'm no longer a ch

Reply to Musing Red & Blue in Politics JoeUser Forums

And if you'll notice, county by county, it's not that red/blue don't exist in the opposite state. They're just outnumbered. For instance, most of northern CA is Red. Some places in backwoods TX is still blue (because their great great granddaddy wouldn't have no carpetbaggers comin' round their place). There are, as weird as it may seem, some reds in MA. Probably, many many more mods in MA than that. Blues congregate around Urban areas. I cou

Reply to Who Would You Die For? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Thanks, Danny. Ted, Since you said "Kill" and not murder... I'd kill for almost anyone. I know that sounds odd, but if you delineate between killing and murdering, well there's very few people for whom I'd not kill. My brother has beaten me to a feat I've long wanted to accomplish but have hiterto not had the funds for: owning a handgun and getting my license to conceal. I'm the kind of person who would protect anyone from being atta

Reply to Who Would You Die For? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

We all have grandiose notions of sacrifice when called and how we'd answer that call -- we hope we'd be brave, we'd not flinch from duty, and we'd stay strong. And we all can identify important things and people we'd die for. Funny how we're often not willing to *live* for those very same things.

Reply to My thoughts on Buddhism in Religion JoeUser Forums

Most all metaphors break down when you're talking about God, so I'm sure someone will have a response. That's why His word is the only thing that ever really stands. Amazing huh? However I gave you an insightful, because you pinpoint it. You say we can't do good and get anywere because good is relative (moral relativism) without a criteria, value, or some sort of standard by which to compare it. No human is good enough to be the standard. Bud

Reply to Are There Different Paths to the Same God? in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

These are very very very concise versions of what I know and contribute. I'll follow any that are of any use: If there are many rodes to heaven, why did Christ have to die? Seems a lot if you could make it some other way or if God wasn't all that particular. (I've discussed before the evidence for Christ's diety. Hebrews best defends it while CS Lewis best summarizes, "He's either lunatic, liar, or God.") As for the "age" of all those

Reply to Americans have no Culture? in Misc JoeUser Forums

You're right: it's not easily defined. We're many many many sub-cultures within one mosaicked culture. And I think it's rather beautiful.

Reply to BICS vs CALPS in Misc JoeUser Forums

Jamie, you're right. And it's sad that some teachers HATE these kids because they don't know what to do with them. They frustrate each other. However, it only takes 7 years IF there is no intervention. I'm holding on to that. Thanks, Danny. Needing all the prayers I can get.

Americans have no Culture? in Misc JoeUser Forums

I was blessed to talk with an Italian girl going to school at our high school. She was very verbal about her belief that Americans have no culture. "I knew before I came here Americans had no culture, but I had no idea it was this bad!" As someone who takes education VERY seriously and varies the nonfiction books I read into a wide range of subjects, I was a

BICS vs CALPS in Misc JoeUser Forums

"BICS are cool, but CALPS rule." I wish I could properly give credit to the much-wiser-than-me lady who said this regarding ESL, but I cannot remember her name off the top of my head. My apologies. I believe her name was Lilly. Teaching English as a second language in a mainstream English class is a challenge. I'm trying to make sure my Spanish speakers are

Reply to Prejudice in the Classroom in Misc JoeUser Forums

Thank you, king bee. Your comment means a lot to me. One could live off a compliment like that for a month -- or even maintain the energy it takes to conduct everything in English and broken Spanish so I can help these kids pass a state mandated test in English in just a couple months... Thanks

Prejudice in the Classroom in Misc JoeUser Forums

I took my exam to be certified to teach English as a Second Language this weekend. Before this test, I took the two-day prep course for the exam. The class was filled, of course. With the majority in Texas being Hispanic, the ESL courses are like meat and potatoes to school districts. Literally (and legally) you can't function without them. When discussing d

Reply to Taking the Christ out of Christmas?! in Religion JoeUser Forums

I think there is moderate backlash against the comercialism of Christmas. I know some families (albiet not many) who've given up on gift-buying all together. They just celebrate the gift of God and enjoy His blessings... meditate on the meaning of the season... do family things. It's stress-free. I love that. I love it up to my eyeballs. What a completely grand idea. Ergo: if we're going to get so defensive about having people take "Christ o