Black Friday | What Would Jesus Buy?

A Black Friday post at insideWork.
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Buying Less | Giving More

Black Friday is coming...click the image
to read Lisa Belkin's thoughtful post on
buying less and giving more.

open letter to Senator Lieberman

Senator, I heard you explain your attacks on Senator Obama by saying it was in the heat of the campaign and these things happen to all of us. Really, sir? Is that your message to your grandchildren? It's worth noting that Senator Obama did not say, in the heat of the campaign, the kinds of things you said. Your colleagues may look the other way; I don't know if your constituents will. I would say a more reflective mea culpa might cost considerably less than what you're likely to pay for today's schoolboyish dismissal of responsibility for your words. Man up Senator...for the kids.

Get Your War On: New World Order

Get the latest news satire and funny videos at 236.com.

[h/t Dave]

Now you are the 501(c)(3) of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it

Just as a 501(c)(3), though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one 501(c)(3), so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one 501(c)(3)—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the 501(c)(3) is not made up of one part but of many.

   Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the 501(c)(3),” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the 501(c)(3). And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the 501(c)(3),” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the 501(c)(3). If the whole 501(c)(3) were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole 501(c)(3) were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the 501(c)(3), every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the 501(c)(3) be? As it is, there are many parts, but one 501(c)(3).

   The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the 501(c)(3) that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the 501(c)(3) together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the 501(c)(3), but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

   Now you are the 501(c)(3) of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

— 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 American Reversed Vision

Great Expectations

As a kid I was taught to believe that any boy could grow up to be president and, I supposed, any girl could grow up to be that president’s ...uh...First Lady?

Don’t hit me; that’s the America where I grew up. In fact, quite a few baby women grew up to prove that a woman’s place is not only looking after the House but the Senate as well. They grew up to be Members of Congress and governors and judges and attorneys general. Pretty soon I expect there will be a woman in the Oval Office. Not bad for people who were denied voting rights less than a century ago.

My daughter grew up in a different America — version 2.0 or something like it, I suppose. She grew up knowing, I think, that she enjoys some of the privilege and bears some of the responsibility that goes with that.

Most earthlings never expect to own the roof under which they sleep nor travel on anything but public transportation or on foot. But things are different on the continent where I live. Compared with most people who ever drew a breath on this planet, I and my offspring are lucky — or fortunate if you prefer . . . or blessed.

But that's not how it feels right now. Right now, even suburban children are being taught to believe they’ll be lucky if they have a half decent job that pays enough to afford a house and a car — without which, of course, how can they ever hope to be happy?

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BLAME ME | IVFH

Today I announce the national Blame Me: I Voted For Him campaign.

Details to follow but you get the idea...

a last word on November 3, 2008

posting via iPhone tonight (please pardon any thumbing mistakes) from Pennsylvania where Susan and I are enjoying a few days with her father, Dale.

Today, Dale -- who, at 89, recalls vividly what happened when Americans were willing to employ the strength of our elected government for the common good in another time of economic and political crisis -- put it as clearly as anyone could. "If people like what George Bush has done the last eight years, they should vote for John McCain. If they don't like the last eight years, Obama is their man."

I find no fault in that summary. Senator McCain isn't President Bush but I think he's too close for comfort. Beyond that, I hardly know who he is. Certainly not the Senator who had my grudging respect in the 90s. Senator McCain surrendered significant ground to the Bush Administration on the constitutional doctrine of habeas corpus and historic legal prohibitions prohibiting torture. Senator McCain's lack of curiosity and discernment about economics -- especially after his involvement in the costly Keating financial scandal is disheartening. And then there's the selection of Governor Palin, a choice in which I find no upside.

I don't wish to demonize Senator McCain; I just don't think he's the right person to lead our government.

I like Senator Obama on foreign affairs. I like him on the Constitution, on health care, on tax policy, on the economy (though I feel confident we're in for tough sledding in the economy no matter what). In short, I'm more confident in Senator Obama's worldview than Senator McCain's. Perfect? Of course not. But, as far as I'm concerned, much better.

That's why I voted for Senator Obama in early balloting. It's why Dale will vote for Senator Obama at his polling place tomorrow.

Don't be afraid. This way to the future.