And they're off .........

The Wife and I are leaving tomorrow morning to head down to "L.A." as my dad calls it (or lower Alabama). My sister will be getting married there on Saturday. It seems an odd location since she and my parents have been living in Orlando Fl for the past 7+ years, we are originally from Memphis and the groom still lives there. But my sister is being very giving in the fact that my Grandmother (who is 90!) cannot sustain the drive to either place, so Hannah has brought the wedding to her. Hannah will be the last grandchild to tie the knot. Ad she really wanted her grandmother to be there for it.

Grandmomma (as we call her) lives in Gannt, Al on a small river called the Conecuh. The house she lives in was originally a trailer that she and my grandfather scrimped and saved to buy. They moved out to the river when my dad was about 8 or 10. (1957) My dad, his brother, and my Grandfather all worked to build the house that now stands there. It's a beautiful little brick ranch with hardwood floors. The view from the back porch is awesome in the mornings. The sun comes up and glistens on the still waters of the river; the few sounds that can be heard are birds chirping, a rooster crow, a fish jumping to catch it's breakfast. At night it is utterly peaceful. It is one of the places where no matter where you go outside you can always look up and see stars. And cell phones don't pick up there. It's that nice.

I am looking forward to the small vacation. The drive not so much (10 hrs) but being there is definitely worth it. So I will be incommunicado for a few days but will be back on Monday. Keep Hannah and Derek in your prayers. They will need it.

The day we've all been waiting for

That's right this Thursday. It's been months and it's finally here. It's almost as big as Christmas. It's the first college football game. And Saturday is even bigger. Soooo many games and so little time. Everyone is talking about his/her team. How good they were and what this season will bring. What are the expectations? For some it's only about winning the rivalry, for other's it's about not losing - ever.

What is great about college football is the unknown. Could we have another year where App State pulls a large upset. Their first game is at the swamp. They have decided to take on LSU. I have news for App. You're in the SEC now! Things are done differently. Football is a religion. It's sacred. And don't expect to catch breaks like you did against Michigan. Expect to be punished for thinking you could handle the SEC. SEC football is hard nosed physical punishment with some finesse of passing, mixed in. You want to win in the SEC you have to be tough. I mean REAL tough. You have to have depth at every position because we're here to make it painful. There are no easy wins in the SEC.

And while I'm talking about the SEC please don't bother trying to tell me that we are an overrated conference and the Big 10 or some other western conference is just as good or better. Look at the pre-season rankings. Five or six team are ranked ( depending on which list you look at). And another 3 got votes. So 9 of 12 teams are being looked at to be in the top 25. What other conference can boast that 3/4 of their teams are good enough to even be considered for the top 25???? And here's the kicker. At the end of the season we will still have those numbers. I'd rather suck in the SEC than reign elsewhere! That being said ......

As most know I'm a huge Mississippi State fan. And last football season we finally made our impression. But this year has a chance to be even bigger. We have a great squad and returning a great number of people. Our coach has expressed his belief that this year we could be posed to do more than just impress but make our mark. But I won't brag , I'll just let my guys talk on Saturdays.

Make up your mind

So I was reading the paper the other day and came across an article that got me all up in arms, or "on my pole" as the Wife would say. The title was something to the effect of "Spankings in schools disproportionately against minorities". Of course anyone who knows me knows exactly where I'm headed. First they scream that there isn't enough being done in our schools to help parents rear their children (because obviously it isn't being done at home). And our government schools are the next best place for children to receive instructions[all sarcasm meant here]. Anyways I digress. So along comes this research group and decides to find out how this punishing is going. Lo and Behold they find that children of Latino and Black decent are being punished more than white kids. (Imagine their look of shock and awe).

At this point I want to reach through the paper to those doing the study and ask how many times they ram their heads into brick walls before realizing the wall won't move. Are they really shocked that this demographic that also fills more slots in our prisons and has more teenage out-of-wedlock childbirth is the demographic that gets more paddlings in schools? Really? So now are we going to have to introduce the Equal Oportunity Paddlings Act (EOPA). For every minority you paddle you must make sure there is one white being paddled. Because as my father said, "You may not have done something this time, but I'm sure there's something I don't know about."

Maybe at some point they will actually start looking towards the home and putting the blame where it actually belongs, on the parents who aren't teaching their children right from wrong.

Tolerance

Why is it so hard for Christians to be tolerant? Is that not what Jesus commanded us to do? Love one another. Just look at our past. The Crusades, England, Ireland. Jesus spoke a doctrine of love and compassion for those who didn't believe as we do. You win people by showing that you genuinely Care for them as people, not by forcing your beliefs on them.

I think this part of Christ's message was well understood by our forefathers. They did not set up a country that was designed to be a Christian state. They laid the ground work based on Christian values, yes. But in the establishment clause they specifically stated there was to be no forced religion on the people. The people are FREE to choose what and if they want to believe.

What has gotten so many Christians up in arms is the fact that many secularist see displays of God and Bible verses on buildings and money and that up sets them. The exact same way it upsets Christians that those people want it removed. The hardest part about living in a free society is where do we draw the line of inflicting beliefs. Should the minority always win or the majority. Someone's feelings have to be hurt. But who decides?

This is where tolerance comes in. And by tolerance, I mean LOVE. Why can't we as Christians be the bigger person? Why are we so quick to judge, when Christ has said "he who is without sin may cast the first stone". I know for sure that I can't even look at the stone much lest pick it up to think about throwing it. If Christians want this nation to return to a more God centered one we need to start at home. Literally!!

Once we can open our eyes to see just how oppressive we are, only then can we change. If we greeted those we disagree with with open arms and minds instead of harsh words we can start the change we want. Having the willingness to sit down and have an open discussion with someone who is the exact opposite of you is a great start. Find out where they are coming from and why they hold their beliefs so dear. What you find may shock you.

All of this was sparked by an e-mail I received that spoke of the Christian values of our forefathers and places in our nation's capital that verses are displayed. At the end of this message was a call to fwd it on to those who I thought would appreciate it and agreed with it's message. And I did until the end. The last sentence said We need to return to a God fearing nation and those who don't agree should "sit down and shut up". And that I don't agree with and from the way I've learned Jesus' heart neither does he.

Rock Band

Last Friday the Wife and I hung out with some friends of ours at their house. They have a Playstation and the game Rock Band. Now I'm not much of a "gamer". But this was a great time. It has the ability for up to 3 players to play at a time. One on drums, one on guitar and the third to sing. It has a view for each of the instruments to tell you when to play and what "notes". As with all games it has different levels. I'm definitely a beginner. I did ok at the guitar and singing, BUT I'm definitely NOT coordinated enough to be a drummer. That's some hard stuff. We will be getting a "band " together for practice often. I will leave updates as to when the first album is due out. I will try not to forget those of you who have been there for me when I was just a struggling cook.

Peace out

Random political findings

Taken from articles on hotair.com

1) Rather than exercise her power responsibly by calling lawmakers back to the Capitol to address Americans’ concerns about gas prices and energy independence, [Nancy] Pelosi has dismissed oil and gas drilling as a “hoax”—even as she reportedly encourages vulnerable Democrats to embrace drilling to bolster their electoral prospects. In 2006, she blamed a Republican congress for high gas prices. In power for 19 months, Madame Speaker now blames the Republican minority for gas prices that have nearly doubled.


2) “In my opinion, the choice could not be more clear: between one candidate, John McCain, who’s had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, another candidate who has not,’’ Mr. Lieberman said. “Between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put the country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate who has not. Between one candidate who’s a talker, and the other candidate who’s the leader America needs as our next candidate.’’ Quote from Joe Liberman the Democratic nomination in 2000 for VP


3) On the Dems convention:

“You are required to volunteer.” That would normally be a splendid example of an oxymoron, but it also describes the process for those who want to see Barack Obama speak at Invesco Field as he accepts his nomination. Instead of simply throwing open the doors to the public free of charge, as the Obama campaign publicly proposed, tickets get distributed on a pay-in-kind basis:

“I got a call that if I want the tickets I have to volunteer two shifts of three hours apiece — for one ticket. If I want two tickets, then it’s four shifts of two hours apiece,” said Berenice Christensen.

Even without the campaign-finance issues, this looks very much like a bait-and-switch by Obama. The entire point of the Invesco address was to welcome everyone for free, perhaps because they wanted to ensure that the place was filled to capacity. Now, with everyone excited about attending this free event, Obama suddenly tells them that they can’t get a seat unless they work for him first.

Like most of Obama’s plans, nothing is free. We’ll pay one way or the other for every supposed giveaway in his policies. And in the end, he wants everyone working for him, while tossing hosannas at his feet and giving him the best optics he can possibly get.

One last thing: Obama didn’t require Germans in Berlin to work for him in order to cheer him at the Tiergarten. Why does Obama treat Germans better than Americans?

Welcome

Madeline Leigh Mullinnix
August 11, 2008
8:31 am
5lb 15 oz.
19"


This is Madeline with her proud Aunt
(aka the Wife)

New Addition

Today I will become an uncle. In an hour the Wife and I are driving up to High Point, NC to see her sister and brother-in-law. They will be having their first child, Madeline Leigh. Melissa is already at the hospital and being prepped for surgery. They are doing a C-section. The Wife is sooooo happy, so much so that she couldn't sleep last night. Which in turn hindered some of my sleep, but not much. ( I can sleep through almost anything).
So if you get a chance or a moment, lift up a prayer for Melissa and Bryce. Their world is about to change forever.

Thought for the day

Calling an illegal alien an 'undocumented immigrant'
Is like calling a drug dealer an 'unlicensed pharmacist'

New Car

So last weekend I bought a new car. It's a 2001 Volvo CrossCountry Wagon. It had 80K and was very nice. I needed something that got better gas mileage than my truck. This gets 21 city and 28+ hwy. It has a 5 cyl engine and runs oh so smooth. I will miss sitting high up in a truck but all the bells and whistles that come with this car are quickly making me forget. The one thing I was surprised by is the gas tank. I thought I was downsizing. But the tank holds about 3-4 gallons less than my V8 truck. So I guess I will have to fill up less often. I guess now all I need are a few kids to fill it up.
I think I'm getting older.

Welcome to Wal-Mart

Yesterday Wal-Mart shoppers we're treated to new greeters. It's actually people you and I have been asking for for a long time. Known as "Imegra" to my latin friends, but you and I know them as INS. That's right! Imigration officers were at the local Wal-Mart (kinda like hunting a baited field) asking to see proof of residency and green cards. Without it, "Get on the bus" was heard. I found this out from one of my legal workers at the restaurant. "All the Mexicans are scared", she told me. As they should be.

But I'm not so sure they just shipping them off back to Mexico is the best solution. It costs a lot of money these days to travel anywhere. And I'm sure we the tax payer are funding their free ride home. I asked my worker won't they just come right back. "Noooo", she says, "you have to wait 10 years before you can come back, or the next time you get caught you go to jail". But to rebut that I know personally a few guys who have been sent back more than once and are back. Why don't we just start signing them up to pay taxes. Then start with an automatic penalty to be assessed. This penalty should be high enough to help deter people from coming. We don't want them to be like, "well if we do get caught it's only X number of dollars". And I also believe that the dollar amount should increase as age increases thusly stating that the older you are the more cognizant you are of your choice to break our laws. And children are NOT exempt. This will also deter families from coming. Most of these people already have good steady jobs and are only here to make a better life for themselves and their families. I don't fully believe we should take that dream away. Our forefathers had the same dream and we're here. The only people who have total right to be here are Native Indians and their descendants (Your's truly). But we do need to punish the act of breaking the laws.

Also I'm tired of everything being translated into Spanish. If you are part of a company that does that with your products you have lost the right to bitch about illegals being here b/c you are just catering to their lack of respect to learn the language and giving them more reason to stay.