Why must we protect people from the truth? We are taught that truth can be hurtful and I suppose that is so. But you know what; sometimes those jeans do make them look fat. My son played flag football for several years but they didn’t keep score cause they didn’t want someone to lose. Everyday, people lose. It’s part of life. Our kids need to learn to be gracious in victory and defeat. Sometimes the food tastes bad—don’t eat it. Sometimes behavior is not simply

I’m not calling for people to be rude. We need to stop being so courteous that we protect peoples little feelings from the truth that should be faced. If you want the truth to be different, change it! Yes, you can change certain elements of truth. It might be true that you’re out of gas… so stop at Wal-Mart and buy some gas. You just changed your truth on that subject. If your out of shape, start working out. Get it back and change your truth on that issue. If you’re a jerk, get some help to be a better person and change that truth about you.

Franklin Graham is a good and honorable man. He serves in ministry and blesses people all over the world. After being invited by the Pentagon to speak on the National Day of Prayer, someone protested remarks he made about Islam and that invitation was pulled. His remarks were not complimentary, but they were true. He spoke about the abusive treatment of women that this religion practices. It is true. He spoke about the violence it propagates. It is true. He spoke about their need for Christ. It is true.

But in the name of political correctness (or cowardice) the Pentagon bows to the whiners and refuses the ministry of this good man. It’s an outrage. This was the problem when the Muslim soldier, Hasan shot up Fort Hood last year. They knew what he was, but for the sake of not upsetting the Muslims, they refused to deal with it. Thirteen people are dead as a result of their cowardice.

What needs to happen is that people who are Muslim need to stand up and speak out about what is wrong in the practice of this religion. But their leaders don’t do this. They don’t lead the way, they hide. Why, because if you go against these so-called leaders, they might come after you. Right now most of the Christian world is standing against a group of people from the Westboro Baptist Church. Their actions are despicable. And all of Christendom stands against them. When will the Muslims start changing their tone. When will they change their ways.

It’s time that we started calling it like it is. Franklin Graham is right. The Pentagon is wrong.

telemicus out

I bought this car from my little brother. He drove it for a while then it experienced some catastrophic mechanical failures and ‘sat up’ in my parents back yard for several months. A time came when I needed a car, so I made a deal with Scott to get it fixed and buy it from him. That was in about 1998. I drove it until about two weeks ago when it suffered another major break down. I decided it was time for me to get another car. So with that, I face the sad task of ‘doing something’ with the Laser.

It has seen a lot of good times. Scott had adventures that the world may never know about (and that is probably good.) Back in his day, the car was a sort of sea mist green or aqua color. In my day, when a fellow at a construction site lost control of his concrete saw, it rolled off his truck and into the side of the Laser. As a result, I changed the color to black. It was a great choice. The car has a beast of a motor for a 4 cylinder, it has a turbo and it will move! Its fun to drive. In its day, it was decked out–power everything and power to move as well.

Now its come to the end of the road with me. I put it on Craig’s List and the calls started right away. I’m sure someone is going to want to take it and bring the boy back to life one more time. It has about 224,000 miles. I have enjoyed it a lot. But I now have a new car (well, it’s new to me.) It’s a 2008 HHR Panel. I’ve always wanted a panel van and this is the perfect choice. My heart skips a beat when I walk out into the garage and see it sitting there. As you can see, it’s beautiful.

I’m very grateful for the Laser and all the good it brought into my life. I had a lot of fun with it and certainly got my moneys worth from it. I was very content with it even though its old and some things are not working like they used to… I can relate to that. I’m also grateful to have the Panel. It’s a thrill to see and drive it. I plan to keep it a long time. I don’t trade cars often. My philosophy is that if you pay 10K for a car, finance it for 5 years and then trade again, you paid 10K for that car. But if you paid 10K for a car and pay it off and drive another five years, well you drove that car for half price. So like the old Laser… the HHR Panel and me got a lot of miles to go.

One seeming negative to this story though—I filled up the Laser right before it broke down. Losing a full tank of gas was a big disappointment. When I picked up the Panel, I got in, looked at the gas gauge and found the gauge pointing proudly to full… I’m living in the bonus folks . . . grateful to be living in the bonus.

telemicus out

I don’t like complicated. It gives me tired head. I don’t want complicated theology. I don’t want complicated cars. I don’t want complicated menus and I don’t want complicated politics. But it seems there are those among us who enjoy taking the simple jewelry of any subject and turning them into a tangled mess of tiny chains that require tweezers, magnifying glass, pliers and the jaws of life to untangle. 

I don’t care if he intended to call her a pig or not. It was a stupid comment and he did know better than to issue the line. But that is the first knot in the necklace. Then the media grabs the it, then the opposition, then the other side and in a while, the point is lost and necklace looks like metallic spaghetti.  

How about we simplify this thing? The role of government is not to solve problems. They don’t know how and they aren’t good at it when they try. They should do fewer things and try doing them well. Well Michael, you’re so bright, what should they do? Thanks for asking. Here is my political theory. 

Government should…

• Protect the borders from enemies and aliens.
• Protect the rights and freedoms of the citizens.
• Protect the helpless (unborn, children, elderly and impoverished.)
• Maintain a military equipped to defend our nation and stand with our friends.

• Educate our children through High School.

• Enforce our laws and punish lawlessness.
• Live within fair and reasonable tax revenue.

• Be limited in the degree they can intrude in business.

Government should foster…

• The private development of business to meet national needs.

• The private development of business for medical research.

• The private development of business for scientific research. 

Government should not…

• Protect its people from failure. (If you fail – it’s on you. Deal with it.)

• Create debt. (We have to live within our means the government should too.)

• Bail out failed businesses. (If your business fails – it’s on you. Deal with it.)

• Police the entire planet. (We cannot be the sheriff for the world.)

• Give money to our enemies. (If they need aid – we will distribute it, period.)

• Regulate private behavior

Okay – well that’s my simple look at it. Tell me what you think. Make sure that your suggestion doesn’t fit into one of the sections I’ve listed. I’ll post some of your thoughts as we go along. This could be fun. 

michael out

I have seen, and you have as well, a parent stand and talk, threaten, bargain, negotiate, cry, yell and even throw things in an effort to get their own child to do what they ask. But if the child knows that the parent is only making racket and will likely never follow through on their shrill threats, they have no reason to obey. 

We are told that the United States should use diplomacy first and force only when it is necessary. I think this is right. However, if the person listening to diplomacy does not believe the person speaking has the resolve to use the necessary force required they will not respond to diplomacy because the speaker has no credibility.  

A friend of mine used to tell his kids, “If you decide to obey after I have to get up or move to get you to obey, you’ll be punished because you didn’t obey at my words.”  

The extreme Islamic fascist who are our enemies are not responsive to words. They understand one language – the overwhelming use of force. The Taliban in Afghanistan had the opportunity to avoid war, but refused. The Iraqi’s had the same option but they ignored the U.N. resolutions not once but over thirty times. All they had to do to avoid war was comply, but they refused. The Russians are much the same now as they were in the early 60’s. They posture and strut around as if we are supposed to fall back in fear at their awesomeness. We never will. 

Some think they can play us. Kim Jong Il comes to mind. That pot bellied little tyrant agreed to dismantle the nuclear reactor in his country so that he could receive aid from the United States. But we hear this week that they have started reassembling the thing in secret. Like a child sneaking into the cupboard to eat his mother’s chocolate chips, Il thinks we wont notice. He will have to suffer significant pain in order to learn the lesson.   

Today, Secretary Rice is going to visit Libya. She is the first ranking US official to visit in over 50 years. Gaddafi learned his lesson about supporting terrorism. He has been behaving himself for many years since Reagan bombed Libya in response to their terrorist activities. After the US overthrew Hussein, Gaddafi also voluntarily gave up his secret WMDs. 

Last night John McCain explained what happened his life that changed him from a self-centered man to a man who loves his country more than himself. In that speech he said, “I hate war.” It should be a last resort. However, if our enemies do not believe that we mean business, they will not respond to talk. Some are wise enough to know that we will respond. Some are too naïve to realize the strength and sophistication they are dealing with. 

And some know if the person sitting at the desk in the oval office can be jerked around. This is why our enemies are hoping that Obama will be president and not McCain. Hear me now – believe me later. 

telemicus out

I love the movie, The Postman. It got a bad rap. The year is 2013; there is no government and no communication. There are militias that rule over various territories. The Postman (Costner) is a drifter trying to survive. He finds a bag of mail and a skeleton wearing a postal workers uniform. He assumes the identity of the Postman to get a meal. Then he made up a story that the United States have reorganized and a new President has been elected named Starky. He tells the people, “Starky has this thing he always says, ‘Things are getting better.’” He gave them hope. 

Guess what. . . these are NOT bad times. These are challenging for some, difficult for others, but they are not bad. We live in a time of opportunity. We are free, strong, prosperous and resourceful people. Unemployment is low, interest rates are still very low, outside of the fake price of oil driving the cost of fuel and goods higher, the economy is stable. We are winning in the war against the fascist enemies.  

It is here that we teach our kids balance. We “keep our heads when everyone around us is losing theirs,” it is in these times that we display strength and confidence in God and country. It’s now that we teach trust in God, to believe what is good, to stand on principle and refuse to buy into the panic and fear that the media promote every day.  

No, I’m not unaware of the price of gas, the condition of the economy, the financial institutions, the price of food or the mortgage crises. But the truth of all this is that every entity that exists in the context of abuses requires correction. This is true in small business, sports teams, churches, government, corporations and even families. Those that don’t make corrections fail – every time. 

Failure is sometimes the right thing. The government (we the people) shouldn’t bail out failing businesses. If they fail, it is on them. The day will come when these oil companies will be asking for help because they are failing. Their abuses will be visited back upon them. Just as the savings and loans in the 80s, the over valued dot-coms of the 90s, and all the other failures we’ve seen when wisdom is abandoned and abuse is tolerated. I’m not without compassion. I know that when an organization fails it hurts people. I’ve been in businesses and churches that failed because of foolishness and abuse.  

So, here is my advice. Don’t wait on the government to fix things. They only know how to mess things up. Turn up your thermostat (if you need to), drive less (if you want to), be wise, look for solutions and opportunities to change your life. Dream big! Take risks! Believe in the gifts that God gave you and don’t buy into the Chicken Little panic that you hear blasting from your radio and T.V. We are the children of God. We live in the greatest country on the face of the Earth. We stand firm with American resolve and confident faith. Things are getting better. 

telemicus out

Okay, here’s the deal. I am a free market capitalist. I think the market should drive the cost of goods and services. I’m not against profits. But I have to say that I’m against crooked thieves who practice gouging, extortion and screwing the consumer because they can. There are many elements in this equation, but I want to just address a few and then draw some perspective. 

THERE IS NO GAS SHORTAGE! Supply is not the problem causing gas prices to rise in the ridiculous manner they have in recent months. I know what you’re thinking, “Michael, what makes you an expert in the oil and gas business?” Trust me, I know little, but I observe, read, and learn. Click Here if you would like to read some of the background for my opinion.  

The culprit is a three-headed beast. The first head is the speculators in the oil markets. The second head is the ethanol mandate from the government. (This is not only affecting gas prices, don’t get me started on the long-term damage this will do, it is also having a negative affect on the price of poultry and grain products.) The third head is the Bush administration. (Although I am a conservative and I like George Bush, he’s not done well on a great many things.) 

So what can be done; not much in the short term. The speculation bubble in the oil markets will eventually burst. Those making obscene profits will make smaller ones. I wish I could say that “they will get theirs,” but they won’t – at least not now. The best we can do for now is adjust lifestyle. Elect people who will be responsible concerning energy policy. (good luck on that) And of course there is the thought of one comedian who said, “Let’s use all the oil and gas we can. We’ll use it all up. Our kids will figure out a new way to get around without it. They will never have to deal with OPEC or worry about the price of gas. So take the family on a long road trip and stick it to the oil companies.” (it is funny) 

On the lighter side, my friends Gary and Darla Miller sent a piece to me a few weeks ago that I think provides valuable perspective. If you feel gas is too expensive, consider this…

• Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 = $9.52 per gallon

• Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 = $10.00 per gallon

• Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 = $10.17 per gallon

• Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 = $10.32 per gallon

• Evian water 9 oz $1.49 = $21.19 per gallon

• Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 = $25.42 per gallon

• Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 = $33.60 per gallon

• Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 = $84.48 per gallon

• Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 = $123.20 per gallon

• Vick’s Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 = $178.13 per gallon

• Printer Ink .05 oz $18 = $5,200 per gallon

Overall, I think it’s going to be ok. We need perspective, we need wisdom and of course, a break would be nice. It’ll come back into balance in time. Don’t get despondent. We have it better than most countries in the world. I’m ok with thinking GREEN, it’s certainly better than thinking BLUE. Above all the frustration, think good things. I know the squeeze of dollars that this puts on all of us. We can do this. Stand fast… drive happy.

telemicus out

Last November, I went on a self-imposed exile from the News, Talk Radio and News television programs that involve people screaming at one another. I thought it would last for 30 days. My family said I would never make it - I was too “hooked”. It’s now been seven months. 

I’ve focused on music and good reading material. Through this, I tore down some of my own prejudice and explored new ideas. I’m more at peace, less angry and frustrated and happier. This week I realized again why this is a good thing. 

I saw clips on Letterman, Leno, Ferguson or Kimmel – (I surf!) of that Rosie person screaming at some other woman. (I know they aren’t on a news show, but it feeds off the same thing.) This is the reason for my exile. Constant conflict is not good for the soul. I love a good debate of facts and ideas. However, when the debate is not about the facts or ideas, but rather who can scream or verbally beat down the opponent, this is no longer good. 

In a song called Belief – John Mayer says,  

Is there anyone who really recalls - Ever breaking rank at all

For something someone yelled real loud one time 

Belief is a beautiful armor - But makes for the heaviest sword

Like punching under water - You never can hit who you’re trying for 

I’m not good at compromise when it comes to beliefs. But I’m trying to stop using my beliefs as a weapon against people. Don’t hear more than I’m saying – there is a time to stand and fight for what we believe in. But with people, love and share and teach with gentleness and kindness.  

Godly wisdom said, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). You may join me in the exile from toxic people and angry fights. The world could use a break from the sword of beliefs. Lennon was wrong about that “all you need is love” thing. It’s not all you need, but its certainly that right place to start.

telemicus out

Last week, Brittany and I were watching TV and caught an episode of The Wonder Years I had not seen before. It was the one about choosing teams for basketball. 

In that horrible way that we all experienced, the coach selected certain boys to be captains and they took turns choosing the players they wanted on their teams. Of course the worst players were chosen last – among them Kevin’s friend Paul. 

Kevin, grieved by how this process makes those chosen last feel, goes to the coach privately and expresses his concern that its “unfair.” The coach’s solution is to select Kevin to be a captain and see if he will choose the good players over the bad ones.  

When it came time for Kevin to make his first pick – he argued with himself and then, true to his noble heart, he picked his friend Paul. Everyone laughed! With each opportunity, Kevin goes on to prove his point by selecting all of the worst players to be on his team. In the course of their game, they face how terrible they are with honesty… but they also find again how to have fun simply playing the game. 

What I like about this story is that Kevin doesn’t have any illusion about the bad players. He wants them to have a little dignity and respect. This is a godly attitude. Paul said, “…but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). Defending the cause of the helpless is a part of God’s character and His heart. The Psalmist wrote, “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4).   

The noble heart sees the mistreatment of people, (and even animals) as an assault on God. The neglect of care for the oppressed is the neglect of God as well. We may not change the world by picking the bad player first at basketball – but it might be changed by picking them last. I just read that the young man who killed so many this week was teased and picked on a lot. Where was his Kevin Arnold? 

telemicus out

John Stossel does those, Give Me a Break programs on ABC. I like them because most of the time he is saying things the rest of us think but don’t have a platform to speak about. Like why when you buy a box of Pop Tarts – and the box is 30% empty. Like we’re to dumb to know they’re doing this to us. Give me a break. Well I think there comes a time for each of us when we’ve had enough and we simply need a break. I’m a news junkie. I listen to talk radio a lot. Love to watch FOX News. I enjoy railing on liberal media and their deceptions. I love sports, politics and religious talk. And I’m tired of all of it. I need a famine in regard to these things. It’s been a week since I watched, read or listened to the news, saw a little sports and only did bible study and worship, no religious talk. 

Famines can be dangerous though. In the Old Book, famine always represents God’s judgment on a people. And worse than a famine of food is the famine of hearing God’s word. God warns us through the Prophet Amos, “The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land– not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.” Amos 8:11   A self-imposed famine from the things that bog us down is a good thing. What’s in your life that you need to set aside for a while? Are there some people you need a break from? Have you been experiencing a famine from hearing God? Perhaps those other things are crowding him out.  

I don’t know how long I will stay clear of all that stuff, but I have a ways to go. So consider this free advice from a friend. Take a famine from the things that burden your heart and allow the things of God to fill in the gaps. The things you don’t hear will free you… the things you hear from God will amaze and inspire you. telemicus out

This past week our souls were once again assaulted by evil. And once again the nobility that God placed within the heart of humans by his own will, in his own image shined through and over the evil that was so weakly displayed. For this spineless man, (no I wont use his name) whose greatest courage was the cowardly act of assaulting little girls was found to be less than human and certainly less than courageous. On October 2^nd the peace and gentleness of the Amish world was attacked by an outsider who intended evil. When it became clear that intended to kill, Marian Fisher, a 13-year-old young woman, bravely asked the pathetic man to kill her first - thinking that it might give the other girls a chance to live. Marian displayed the noble heart that resides within us – not because we are good or strong or because we choose it, but because we are made in the image of God. And even with our weaknesses and frailties, He shines through.  

A couple of weeks ago the satirist Bill Maher, an unabashed hater of religion was on T.V. and, as is his custom, he was speaking ill of the Christians. Maher proclaimed, “If Christians would act like Jesus instead of acting like Christians that would be fine.” So I have this message for Maher. Take note of the Amish people who ministered to the family of the killer. Take note of the way they cared for each other and the love they demonstrated in the name of Christ. Don’t forget Marian Fisher. She acted like Jesus. Don’t forget how she was brave in the most terrifying situation we can imagine. Don’t forget that she loved others more than her own life. She was living what she believed.  

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,” John 15:13    Be sure to tell your kids about Marian Fisher. Make sure they know that the ability to live as Christ would in the world is in them because God’s Spirit lives within them. Remind them to display a noble godly heart in the world. And don’t forget Marian. telemicus out