Jesus look-alike disrupts school … 103108

Is this political correctness? Is this another example of double standards? Is this religious suppression?

According to a report by CBS news in New Jersey, 13 y/o Alex Woinski was sent home from school for dressing up as Jesus for Halloween. Alex have been told that the length and texture of his hair gives him a Jesus-like appearance even though no one really knows what Jesus looked like. I’m sure they are referring to the paintings and pictures they see of Jesus.

The ironic thing about this is that other students who were “over-dressed” for halloween were told to tone down their costumes by making the necessary adjustments. How come Alex wasn’t given this opportunity? He was sent home.

On what grounds you may ask? Well according to the report, Alex states that the principal told him that it was offensive to some students. Excuse me Mr. Principal – offensive to some students or is to you wanting to be politically correct? Just wondering.

The school says this costume was a disruption and denies its religious nature had anything to do with it. “I don’t think I overreacted,” Principal Joan Broe told CBS 2. Disruption? Are you serious? I thought any kind of halloween costume would be a distraction from the normal everyday school dress code. Secondly, if the other members of the student body had costumes on, where would the distraction be? Who would be distracted?

These are just some of the questions that I’m having. I don’t know if I may have to retract some in the future if I learn more about this case.

Mr. Principal, please come up with a better explanation. Yes you overreacted.

Wealth Redistribution … 102708

I’m not sure who to give credit for the following explanation of wealth redistribution. Every now and then I will depart from the main theme of my blog to pass along interesting and informative articles that in some way will have some effect upon the family. It may not be direct and immediate, but will play an important role at some point.

The following was sent to me via email. Make your own decision. Feel free to comment. This entry is not to be seen as an endorsement for any political party or candidate.

Here is a creative approach to redistribution of wealth as offered in a local newspaper…

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read ” Vote Obama, I need the money .” I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a ” Obama 08 ” tie. Again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
OR IS IT………REDISTRIBUTION OF SOMEONE ELSE’S WEALTH IS A GREAT IDEA…………..or just a fools game !!

Nothing to fear if you stayed clear … 102408

Students at Normandy High School in St. Louis Missouri are lining up to have themselves tested for HIV. News10 reports that as many as 50 students may have been exposed to the virus that causes AIDS. St. Louis County spokesman Craig LeFebvre said Wednesday that the mode of transmission in the scare at Normandy High School could include sexual activity, drug use, piercings or tattoos.

There was no mention as to the origin of this viral spread.

This raises the question of why so many students would have become exposed. Is it that they are sexually active? Is it that they all went to the same tattoo shop? Is it that there is an epedemic of drug usage with shared needles?

We know that this virus is only transmitted through bodily fluids – sexual contact or blood transfusion. Since we do not know the origin because of the tight-lipped approach being taken, I won’t even speculate as to how so many students have become infected. I do know that sexual contact has been and still is the main method of such transmission.

The moral of this story is that if you stay clear, you have nothing to fear. No need to be tested. No need to join lines. No need to lose sleep. No need to fear.

A Deadly Mix – cellphone & a gun … 102308

According to ABC WPBF-TV, a 16 year old West Palm Beach teen may have accidentally shot himself while on his cell phone. Unfortunately, this was a fatality.

Police states that the teenage boy was home alone this past Tuesday talking on the phone while playing with the gun when it went off. I’m not sure how they know this, but it may seem to be the most plausible explanation at this time until further investigation is done.

Was this an accident? Was it planned? Was it a dare? Was this the old game of Russian Roulette? We do not know at this time. Regardless of how it came about, a teenager is dead!

Two other questions that come to my mind is, “why did he have a gun in his hand?” “Whose gun was it?”

There are some people who would use an incident like this to blame gun manufacturers. Would they also blame cellphone makers as well? When do we put the responsibility of the users?

All the dreams of both this teen and his family as it relates to him, is dashed. No more!

My heart goes out to his parents and family who now grieves this loss. Let’s keep them in our prayers.

Who let the dogs out? … 102208

Some parents are! Teens, you better watch out!

Drug use is becoming or already is and epidemic among teens that some parents are resorting to some very ingenious methods of making sure their teens are not having drugs in their home. This approach might be controversial and possible risky especially when it comes to maintaining healthy relationships among parents and teenage children.

According to an ABC article, some parents are following a new trend to have dogs sniff out any drugs that their teen may be hiding in their rooms or anywhere in the house for that matter. As a matter of fact these dogs have such sensitive nose that they can detect drugs such as crystal meth, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. They can also detect marijuana residue on clothes that were worn while smoking pot, up to two days later.

This is not cheap. For $200 per hour, you can have such “service”.

Some parents have resorted to this method as a last resort while others are using it as a preventative measure. This approach raises the issues of trust and privacy. Dr. Neil Bernstein, a Washington, D.C.-based clinical psychologist and author of the book “How to Keep Your Teen Out of Trouble” made this statement. “There are major repercussions for this type of intervention. When parents do this it erodes trust and goodwill.”

One parent who lost her son to a drug overdose, said that she wished this service was around a few years ago because it might have saved her son’s life.

There are two sides to this issue, the parent and the teen. Whose side would you take and why? Do you agree with Dr. Bernstein? Do you agree with the parent who lost her son to the overdose?

Should we just let the dogs out?

Leave your teen behind … 101508

A safe-haven law in Nebraska allows for parents to drop off their minor child(ren) at any hospital or fire station without any questions asked. The intent of the law is that parents who do not see themselves fit or capable of raising thier child(ren) to have a “safe” out. In essence they would be giving their child over to the custody of the state in hopes that they would be better taken care of.

Some would argue that this is a loving action of a parent. When put in the context of children being abused, abandoned, and in some cases killed, this is a better alternative any time. It works especially well in the cases where these children are young but what happens when these children are in the pre-teen or teenager years.

“MSNBC reports that A Michigan mother drove roughly 12 hours to Omaha so she could abandon her 13-year-old son at a hospital under the state’s unique safe-haven law, Nebraska officials said Monday.”

Before you write her off or rush to judgment, think with me for a moment. For a mother to drive this distance to drop her son off, tells me that she had come to the end of her rope. This sounds like desperation. She might have seen no other way and may have exhausted all other means of getting help for her son. Most states wait until a child has gotten in trouble with the law before they get involved. This might be her way of trying to get help for him before he got into trouble.  In her mind, this might the most loving thing that she could think of.

I wonder what the conversation if any, was about during the 12 hours of driving. Did he know where she was taking him? This could serve as a warning to teens. Parents can and do get to this point – don’t push them!

According to the report, “a 14-year-old girl from Iowa was abandoned at an Omaha hospital by her grandparents. The girl has since been returned to her family” … thank God.

I hope this became a wake up call for her. On the other hand she could begin to build resentment and eventually become a ticking time bomb.

My concern is the traumatic effect this will have on a teenager. Can you imagine being abandoned like this – abandonment issues? This for them, is utter rejection. I know that some will argue that they “made their beds” so they should lie in it. Someone may say that what if they had done a criminal act and was sent to jail. Hmmmh!

Authorities are looking into revising this law, which I do hope they do when it comes to pre-teens and teenagers. Offering help to parents is probably a better alternative.

What do you think?

A Nation on the brink … 101408

This blog entry slightly departs from what the theme of my blogging is all about. At times I feel the need to do so and this is one of those times. Even though I use the term “depart slightly”, it may not really be such a departure because of the possible effect what I will be sharing will have upon the family.

Because of teens vulnerability, what I am about to share, could directly have an effect upon them. They could very well be involved as I shared my concern in a previous blog “Teens Inspired by Obama”. You could read that blog. For now, please bear with me.

We have experienced and are experiencing turbulent times in our nation. I believe this is historic on many fronts. We see this economically, politically, morally, ethically, and the list continues. Our nation is at a crossroads; it’s on the brink of disaster.

This precipice over which we find ourselves cannot be solved by any one person or party. Neither McCain or Obama can solve it. It cannot be solved by the Democrats or the Republicans. All the ads we are seeing. All the speeches we are hearing. All the lies we are being told has just one thing in mind – POWER. Someone is power hungry.

Why I think this nation is on the brink is because of the decisions that are being made to distance God from all that we do. We no longer want to embrace the very things that has held us together as a nation – the very fabric and foundation of our nation is being dismantled before our eyes and there seem to be no concern on the part of the majority. Its as if we are loving it or just resign ourselves to this fact – there’s nothing we can do about it.

I believe the time has come and now is that there needs to be a return to prophetic voices that speak out against that which is taking place even though it may cost them dearly and may be very unpopular.

When we have three of our states (California, Massachussets, and now Connecticut) passing a law making same sex marriages legal, the continual killings of the unborn with no end in sight, prayers being removed from the classroom, just to name a few, is it any wonder our nation is in peril. A nation that forgets God is doomed to perish. This has always been the case and always will. God is the very Source of life. He holds things together. So when He is removed, what do you have left – what we are experiencing – A COLLAPSE!

I believe this is just the beginning. This political climate is showing signs of another crisis that is emerging. It has become very evident that the lines are being drawn racially. Hatred is being spewed from both sides of the aisle.

Fireproof’s 3rd Week … 101308

This is the last week I will be updating the performance of Fireproof.  This is an amazing story of a small budgeted movie that has been at an advantage from the get-go against the other bigger movies – the Goliaths.

As I stated in past blogs, this movie has been shown in 1/3 less theaters than most of its competitors.  This past weekend has shown that Fireproof even though still in the top 10, has fallen to 10th place.

This might sound like it is fading but until you see how it is performing against the others, you will see that it is anything but.  Again be reminded that every other movie was showing at over 1000 theaters.  Fireproof has never gotten past 875 theaters.  What if it had the theater exposure as the other movies did?

Here is a summary report:

TW	LW	Title (click to view)	Studio	Weekend Gross	% Change	Theater Count / Change		Average	Total Gross	Budget*	Week #
1	1	Beverly Hills Chihuahua	BV	$17,502,077	-40.3%	3,218	+3	$5,439	$52,532,310	-	2
2	N	Quarantine	SGem	$14,211,321	-	2,461	-	$5,775	$14,211,321	$12	1
3	N	Body of Lies	WB	$12,884,416	-	2,710	-	$4,754	$12,884,416	$70	1
4	2	Eagle Eye	P/DW	$10,913,762	-38.4%	3,614	+98	$3,020	$70,409,979	$80	3
5	3	Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist	Sony	$6,420,474	-43.2%	2,421	-	$2,652	$20,730,708	$10	2
6	N	The Express	Uni.	$4,562,675	-	2,808	+2,061	$1,625	$4,562,675	$40	1
7	4	Nights in Rodanthe	WB	$4,541,201	-38.4%	2,575	-127	$1,764	$32,297,101	-	3
8	5	Appaloosa	WB (NL)	$3,321,389	-34.2%	1,290	+245	$2,575	$10,867,693	$20	4
9	20	The Duchess	ParV	$3,304,841	+269.7%	1,207	+1,080	$2,738	$5,603,061	-	4
10	8	Fireproof	Gold.	$3,140,997	-21.2%	875	+23	$3,590	$16,875,765	$0.5	3

This is what one site has reported about Fireproof: “dipping only 21% to $3.1M was Fireproof which has banked a solid $16.9M to date”.  Not bad for a low-budgeted movie that put God to the test.  God took the “foolish” things of the world and confound the “wise and prudent”.  (See 1 Cor. 1:27)

Gay School idea … 101008

A notion to open up a “gay friendly” school in Chicago, was voted on and passed by the majority of the 50 residents who attended the meeting. According to the article, this school would give gay students a safer and friendlier environment. My first question would be, “is this for learning?”

The article goes on to say “it would provide a supportive atmosphere for gay pupils, using prominent gays and lesbians – including James Baldwin and Gertrude Stein – in its curriculum“. Is this information important to the ongoing education of students preparing them for a competitive world? How will this be helpful? It may help with the validation of these students “sexual orientation” more than education. Just a thought.

I have no problem with providing students with supportive and safe atmosphere FOR ALL STUDENTS. There should not be a preferential treatment given to any student based upon race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Where do you draw the line? This could become a precedent for any group that feel discriminated against or for that matter, feel the environment they are in, is not “friendly”. Hello, so is our world!

Isn’t the training of students to be “tolerant” and “respectful of others” one of the school’s job? Do we pull groups out and begin a school for them just because of what they are feeling or thinking? Isn’t the school a place where students can learn the necessary skills to live with others who might not agree with them on certain issues? How will they survive the world that awaits them once they leave school?. They cannot be in this so-called “safe” environment for ever!

How many other groups are facing such “hostility”. Should they ask for a separate school? If they do, will they get even a hearing?

Don’t misunderstand, I am all for safety for school students, but I’m not for giving any group of students preferential treatment.

Teens inspired by Obama … 100708

I came across the video below, and watched as ten teen boys made their declaration for their future. This declaration seem to be a direct result of being inspired by Sen. Barack Obama. However, the beginning and ending is of concern to me. Only God is and should be referred to as the Alpha & Omega.

Let me hasten to say I’m not trying to provoke those who are anti-Obama by my comments or am I endorsing Obama or McCain for that matter. I see myself as a Christian who has conservative views and will participate in the voting process as it is my right to do so.

Having said that, I could not help to think that these teens are being inspired by Obama pledging to become productive, responsible, and dedicated members of society. Credit must be given where it is due. If for no other purpose, Obama’s involvement in the political process and his incredible achievements, seem to be serving some good. If teens can be motivated to such commitment and will follow through not for Sen. Obama, but for themselves, then I would say, thank you Sen. Barak Obama for a job well done.

On the flip side, one could ask the question whether or not this is inspiration or indoctrination. Are these teens who are not yet old enough to vote, becoming young radicals? This video has a militant bent to it and some might oppose the way they are reflecting their hopefulness. Is this putting too much hope in a person? Could this be a cause for concern?

View for yourself and make your own decision. FLASH: TEACHER SUSPENDED OVER VIDEO

Here’s how one person responded. Let me know if you agree or disagree with them.

“This should scare the hell out of any freedom loving American. The Democrats, their accomplices in the media and the schools, are producing the next generation of Hitler Youth. Welcome to the People’s Socialist Republic of America.”