Is It Really That Bad?

So I decided to rant on something today, but had no idea what.  I posted a status message on facebook, but none of you bothered to give me ideas.  One person did, and it was actually worth talking about so here I go.  There seems to be this whole issue about illegal immigration in our country.  It's a pretty polarizing topic, surprisingly.  You see you have one set of people that believe that we should just let anyone come into our country.  That was the original premise for our country.  Ellis Island was created for the soul purpose of bringing in the tired, hungry, weak, and downtrodden to a new land.  If those people knew then, what we knew now...I don't think they'd come as often.  Let's just be honest, the biggest thing about illegal immigration isn't really the whole morality of trespassing.  It comes down to money and racism.  I'll go on the money rant first.  Apparently there is this general misconception that illegal immigrants take jobs from people.  If that isn't the biggest bunch of malarkey I've ever heard, I don't know what is.  Look, most of the "jobs" that are being taken by illegals are menial tasks that no one was really in a hurry to get anyway.  How many of you have been pining for a job picking fruits from an orchard?  Raise your hand if you've been dying to mop the floor at the McDonald's that you just got your last meal from.  Look, let's be real, the job isn't the problem.  So it comes down to racism.  Now I know that racism is a dirty word and most people would rather not be associated with it.  Let's just get it out there, what is the main people group we associate with illegal immigration?  Nine out of ten of you probably said Latino.  The other person said "Mexican".  It's gotten to the point that Arizona was wanting to pass a law that basically said that if any person looks to be of Latino decent, they can be checked for legality.  Not German, not French, not even Arab, Latino.  There are facebook groups that basically say, "I shouldn't have to press such and such for English, I'm in America."  That's kind of trivial if you ask me.  You should be more upset that you're on hold for 47 minutes and every person you talk to in the phone web is named "Peggy".  Yeah I stole that from a commercial, but whatever.  Now, before I get into my serious rant, I just want to preface this by saying that if you are not American and are here illegally, you're in the wrong.  There is paperwork to do, and there is a test to take if you want the benefits of being an American citizen and you should do all you can to obtain it.  Trust me folks, it's not that hard.  Now, to the rest of you, get over it guys.  Outside of a couple of folks, most of the illegals are just squatting at worst.  The people that keep them here are the supervisors that hire them for peanuts (in our standards).  If the supervisors can find cheap labor, why risk it?  According to them, it's about making money.  If you really want them gone, take the menial jobs that they're doing.  Take the cheap labor instead of stealing unemployment and spending it on new Nikes for your 1 month old.  Like I said, the Statue of Liberty promotes people who are in down times and people coming from most countries are in down times.  We're one of the wealthiest nations in the world, they want a piece of the pie.  The least we could do is a) help them get legal citizenship b) love them and pray for them and c) quit labeling all Latinos as illegals.  You're not doing us any favors.  Part of the reason that they are staying in the country is to spite us.  Let's be real, if a bunch of hateful people tell you this and that, you're going to want to spite them too.  I'm really tired of the holier than thou attitude that some people have about "their country" when it comes to Hispanics wanting to do what every person's ancestors wanted back in the olden days, prosper in America.  However that whole "their country" goes out the window when the president that was elected to lead the country gets mocked and persecuted (on both the left and right, it's all the same really) at the slightest deviation from their beliefs.  Like I said, I love America but it disappoints me with how they treat those that want to experience what we Americans have been blessed with.  Help them get into America legally instead of trying to build a giant fence to keep them out forever.

Be Careful What You Wish For

I know it's been a while since I last posted a blog, but nothing's really been on my mind lately.  That is until this weekend.  There seems to be some sort of idea that Obama may start taking steps (if he hasn't already) to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in the military.  For those not familiar with it, it basically states that if a homosexual joins the military, his fellow soldiers cannot ask him if he/she prefers the same gender and they don't have to tell you if it is asked.  Basically, it's to keep homosexuals from being harassed and mocked by their fellow soldiers.  Now I have to say this before I get started, if a person feels compelled to join the military no matter their race, gender, sexual preference, shoe size, favorite television show, or any other thing that could be ridiculed, that is their business.  In fact, I salute you for making that ultimate sacrifice to defend my country.  I don't think that a person who loves their country should feel compelled to not join for fear of ridicule.  Those that mock others have no business joining the military.  In fact, you should be ashamed of yourself because those that you mock are the people you are defending.  If you can't respect someone enough to respect them for who they are and what their choices might be, then I suggest not defending my country, because you certainly don't love my country.  My country is full of every kind of person imaginable.  To mock one aspect of my country is to mock all of my country.  Jerry Springer has a point when he says that people on his show are America, better or worse, they are America.  Now, to the homosexual people out there.  Like I said, I respect you for wanting to honor my country.  I respect you for wanting to be a part of the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.  However, although a lot of people read my blog, not enough have influence to change an entire culture.  If DADT gets repealed, that gives those with no class or ethics free range to harass you.  Do you really want that?  I mean, you can go and report them to a commanding officer, but you're taking a risk of being considered a snitch or a crybaby.  That in turn gives those people more ammunition to mess with you more.  Look, I know you're not going to prance on the battlefields with a tutu or kiss the first thing you see in a shower.  However, you are going to give some people the creeps.  Those people aren't nearly as intelligent as need be to handle that kind of thing.  And what about a commanding officer.  If they find out that there are a few homosexuals, you may find yourself in more peril than you bargained for.  They may throw you on the front lines like they did to the black people on South Park.  I know that's a television show, but work with me here.  Point being, you're asking for a whole heap of trouble when you ask for people to change their entire philosophy overnight.  It takes a little time and education to understand what you're thinking or going through.  Now I know that you'll give me examples of some military people who are accepting, but I'm not talking about some.  I'm talking about the culture.  You will be offended by conversation.  And if they are in fear of talking because you're in the room, welcome to the isolated life.  Like I said, I have no problem with you wanting to fight for my country.  I love America and want everyone within its borders to love it too.  However, you're asking for a lot of people to do a heavy thing simply because you're not comfortable.  I don't drink.  However if I go to a baseball stadium and raise holy heck because there's beer being served, what does that do to me?  I'll get pelted with items, including the beer I don't drink, and ran out of the stadium.  I can't tell an entire baseball stadium to stop drinking because I don't do it.  I simply sit down, watch the game, and outsmart the drunk people for foul balls.  So maybe you should think about what you're asking for when you ask Obama to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell".  Realize that it could open up a whole new can of worms that you thought wouldn't be opened.

Touchy Subject? Maybe

So I was watching Glee last night and couldn't help but get enthralled by the subject.  If you didn't, I'll recap as best I can.  Kurt, the gay kid, goes through a bad time when his father has a heart attack and is left in a coma.  Some of his glee club friends tell him that they're praying for his dad.  Kurt doesn't believe in God because of His people.  Surely a blemish on our Christian record as well as a pretty sad commentary on how Christians are viewed by the outside world.  Throughout the episode a bit of a schism comes into play.  Kurt believes everyone is "forcing religion" onto him when he just wants his dad back.  Everyone else thinks Kurt's being "evasive and isolated."  The athiests that watched the show will probably side with Kurt in this battle.  People of faith will be more inspired by how open some of the cast members were about their faith.  I had a day to stew over the episode.  I think Christians should have a better testimony for those who don't believe in God.  You have to make a way to get people that don't know Christ to understand what Christ is about.  That means not going to military funerals with "God Hates Fags" signs.  That means having respect for people that don't look like you.  The KKK have made a mockery of God by saying they're doing God's work by eliminating blacks and Jews.  I'm not saying you do wrong and accept things.  I'm just saying respect other people and love them like Jesus loves us.  It's the least we can do to share Jesus' love with everyone else.  The Jesus I know wouldn't throw a kid out of church for having an earring in his lip or a tattoo on his neck.  Jesus would ask what the tattoos mean and ask how much it hurt.  You athiests aren't excused either.  If you really are as open minded and tolerant as you say you are, when will you go a day without finding something wrong with a Christian or a Republican?  I thought open mindedness meant that you listened to all explanations before developing an opinion.  I love my Lord more than anything.  However part of loving your Lord is loving other people and treating them with respect.  And if you see Jesus in your grilled cheese sandwich, don't ask for weird things like it's a genie.  It's just a funny shaped grilled cheese sandwich.

Sometimes It's the Right Card to Play

This is 2010.  At this point in our country's brief history, we should be above a lot of things.  Two years ago, we voted in our very first African American president.  A few years before that, we had the first ever Super Bowl between two African American coaches.  We've been blessed to have a lot of things happen to one of the most oppressed groups of people in history.  African Americans have been the subject to a lot of ridicule and strife.  Far more than I will ever know since I haven't lived in the harsh parts.  However it's a fact that racism still plays a part in a lot more than we're willing to admit.  This new law in Arizona that basically said that "if you look hispanic, your immigration status will be verified."  That's racism in it's purest form really.

That's not really what I want to talk about.  I want to talk about this thing going on in Miami.  Recently, LeBron James and his business manager have both said that race played a role in the backlash LeBron got for leaving Cleveland and going to Miami to play basketball.  Notice he said that "it played a role" not that it was the underlying reason.  I'm sure he understood that making a television show about which team he was going to play for was kind of over the top.  I'm sure he gets the fact that he broke the heart of all of Cleveland, Ohio that night.  However I don't think he expected this much flack for it.  Seems like it's a pretty valid idea.  If you look at the Q scores, LeBron is now one of the six most hated athletes.  Along with Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco, and Kobe Bryant.  Notice that the six most hated athletes are all African Americans.  Three of them have NEVER been accosted for crimes at all.  One was in prison, so I get that.  One was accused of rape but never saw trial.  What baffles me is that Brett Favre (who is still my favorite athlete despite playing for the worst team ever) has done what LeBron has done 3 times in three years, waffling between playing and not playing for a certain team.  What baffles me is that Ben Roethlisberger has put himself in harm's way with women twice and isn't in the top 6.  Roger Clemens, who pretty much cheated at baseball isn't among the top 6, but LeBron is?  It makes no sense to me.  Terrell Owens' biggest crime was answering a question the media asks of him about his quarterback, yet he's more hated than an alleged rapist?  Tiger Woods' biggest crime was cheating on his wife, is that worse than cheating at in a sport that values integrity and honesty over statistics (see Pete Rose)?  Look, I know that racism is somewhat fading away, but it's still very prevalent.  Always has been, and always will be.  I have seen multiple people on my facebook friends list join the group: "Dear Lord, This year you took my favorite actor, Patrick Swayze. You took my favorite actress, Farrah Fawcett. You took my favorite singer, Michael Jackson. I just wanted to let you know, my favorite president is Barack Obama. Amen."  I don't think there has ever been this much backlash for a president, not even George W. Bush.  That's not a coincidence, my friends.  Like I said, I'm not saying that everyone hates Obama simply because he's black.  There are a lot more groups opposing a president than ever before.  And racism isn't just delegated to politics and negatives.  There are a lot of people that commit reverse racism.  That is to basically assume that because something is said or done, a person has to be offended by it and they must stop the injustice.  I think of that situation with Don Imus and the Rutgers women's basketball team.  Now I'm not condoning what Imus did, but people took his comment way out of proportion.  Honestly, when I first heard it, he delivered it in a pretty funny way.  People jumped all over him and called him the worst racist ever.  I don't think he was trying to be racist.  He just said a line that was more crude than racist.  Basically, people are telling other people that they should be offended by what other says.  Don't tell me how to feel.  If I want to be offended, I'll do it myself.  Point being, we have a long way before we can consider our country enlightened and intelligent.  If you really want racism to stop, go about it scientifically.  Science proves that there is only one color, just the amount of melanin added to that color.  It's Kool-Aid and sugar.  The more sugar that's in it, the sweeter it is.  The more melanin in a person, the darker they are.  Or you can look at it biblically, God loves all and wants all in Heaven.  Just look at each other as people who need love, care, guidance.  Not people who need protection, special rights, and facebook groups wishing death upon them.

I've Been Thinking...I Know, Bad Idea

It's been a while since I've posted a blog.  Sorry about that, it's just been a busy and hectic life I've lived over the past few weeks and this had to take a backseat.  People tell me how amused or inspired they are by my blogs and that humbles me.  To think that people from many walks of life look at my blog and enjoy what I have to say is truly eye-opening.  So I'll try my best to be a little more active in doing this blog.

I'm kind of sick of politics.  I'm not a genius about the subject, don't get me wrong.  However, I am a human being and I have an opinion.  That alone allows me to chime in on the subject.  First of all, I have an issue with the politicians.  It's not a big issue.  Their job is to make promises that may or may not come true to convince you to vote for them.  And of course they filter what they want to say based on their audience.  Doesn't bother me too much because I don't really listen to lip service.  At least not on purpose.  My big deal is with the "news" stations. This morning I turned on some morning news because a) I like Morning Joe because Joe Scarborough is a funny dude and b) Fox News is a couple of channels down, so it's good to go right near by a differing view.  However today, both channels shared a similar clip about a political candidate (name slips my mind) confronting a journalist about a story.  Fox defended the politician because he was a Republican.  MSNBC defended the journalist because the politician was a Republican.  Let's call a spade a spade, two immature, middle aged men are arguing in public and making fools of themselves.  What happened to that part of news coverage.  There's also a big huhbub about a lady who won the Republican primary in Delaware.  O'Donnell I think her name is...anyway, some news places are just ripping this girl apart because she doesn't say what she should and isn't like all the other Republicans.  But weren't people complaining about the Republicans being the same person every year?  Now someone is different and they rip her apart for not being like everyone else.  Make up your minds people.  Oh, and just a heads up, she won the primary, so she must be appealing to SOMEONE, and more of those someones voted for her than not.  Call the elections like they are and nothing else.  Stop giving me an opinion and give me facts.  I miss facts in the news.

What Do You Expect?

There's been kind of a big deal being made about improprieties in the NCAA.  I mostly want to talk about the whole Reggie Bush Heisman Trophy situation.  Actually what led to it is more my goal.  If you don't know, Reggie Bush was stripped of his Heisman Trophy due to receiving improper benefits as a collegiate athlete.  Apparently, an agent offered Reggie and his family a lot things that they didn't have before in order to be Reggie's agent when he wanted to become a professional athlete.  Now I'm not saying what Reggie did was okay, because it's not.  As a collegiate athlete, you are not to receive any kinds of benefits during your tenure in college.  It's basically saying that you can't be paid to be an athlete.  However it bothers me a lot that Reggie's actions caused a lot of backlash for his former school.  Actually, it's not really Reggie's actions that bother me.  It's the actions of the agents that know better.  These agents are so greedy that they can't wait until the young man finished his collegiate career to jump on him and his fame.  Yes he was destined to be a superstar in the pros.  Yes he was destined to make millions in endorsement deals.  Yes he was destined to be a face of the NFL.  But we forget that he was still just a young man wanting to help his family get out of poverty.  This isn't just singular to Reggie Bush.  So many collegiate athletes come from low to very low income situations.  You throw money in a poor kid's face and tell him he can help his mother get out of debt and never have to worry again, they're jumping on that opportunity.  It doesn't help that the athletes don't see much of the money that they're making for their school.  People say, oh they're getting a free education.  They're getting an education for playing basketball, that's easy.  Not really.  They have to balance dedication to the sport they're playing with dedication to classes and dedication to being a 19 year old kid and having fun for themselves.  And what happens if the athlete gets hurt severely and can't play the sport at college any more?  They get tossed to the wayside like nothing happened.  How fair is that?  I don't think it's fair that these agents don't face criminal charges for their actions.  They keep making their millions from other clients with no penalty.  It's a shame.  I don't know what any of us would do if we were in the same situation.  I don't make a lot of money now, so being offered something to keep me from worrying about next month is something I'd totally be on board with.  I guess not totally, but at the very least have me thinking.  Like I said, Reggie knew the rules beforehand, so he should have exercised caution.  Maybe talked to somebody about the situation.  However, grown men with years of business savvy should at the very least have the decency to let the kid be a kid before trying to take advantage of him.  If you're that good of an agent, you shouldn't have to offer improper benefits to get him to sign with you in the first place.

I'm sorry

I know that it's been a while since I last blogged.  My new housemates decided to fiddle with the internet and cause me mass problems.  It's okay, I had TV to keep me occupied.  However a lot of things have come about that I think I need to address.  First of all, I have a huge problem with some people doing things in the name of my God against their fellow man.  There is a pastor in Florida who up until this weekend was planning on burning the Quran in memory of the September 11 attacks as well as in protest to the Islamic Whatchamacallit that's being built anywhere from 2 to 7 blocks (depending on your news source) away from Ground Zero.  The burning of someone else's sacred texts is wrong.  As a Christian, I'd be outraged if someone burned my Bible.  I would compare it to trying to get a child not to sleep with a teddy bear and burning it to send the message home.  You just don't take something that is precious to someone else and ruin it to get them on your side.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a Muslim sympathizer and I'm not pledging any allegiance to Allah.  Quite the contrary, actually.  I think the best way to defeat Islam is to show love and compassion for them.  To help them when they're in trouble.  My Bible says that what you do for the least of these, you do also for Christ.  If I were to burn the Quran, I'd be slapping my Lord and Savior in the face by not showing love to others.  For that same reason, and I know this will get a lot of people fired up, I have no issue with the Islamic Thingamajig being built near Ground Zero.  Here's my reason.  There's already a Muslim worship center even closer to Ground Zero already there.  It's in a basement at a building that's surrounded by a lot of closed down businesses.  It's not the most desirable place for a worship center, but hey it works for them.  Now according to most sources, this center being built is going to house a cooking school, a basketball court, and other nice amenities.  I don't really know all the juicy details, and I'm not about to go searching.  I just know this, telling people how they can or can't use a building is against the Constitution.  My church recently went through an almost similar situation.  We bought a building, were ready to worship in it, and the government said no.  We fought, and now our church is meeting in said building with many visitors and new members every week.  I know, our God is real, theirs isn't.  I understand that point.  However, I think we should keep our nose out of it.  It's what the separation of church and state was written for to begin with.  To keep the government from putting their nose into church affairs.  It's why the pilgrims left in the first place.  I'm not converting to Islam.  I'm not changing.  I know that one day, those who don't accept Christ as Savior will not be in heaven.  However, what harm is it to have a basketball court in NYC?  Trust me, our God will prevail.  He's the only God that will.  So don't get yourselves in a tizzy over a building.  More than likely, if our God is who He says He is, it will be gone in no time.  I'm more upset that my fellow Christians in NYC didn't pounce on the property and build a church for those victims first.  I think that's what Muslims need to see, Christians fighting the powers of evil with love, care, and compassion.  Not with horrible signs, burning sacred texts, or just being a flat out evil person (I'm talking to you Westboro Baptist).  If you want God to prevail, do what Christ did.  Love those that persecute you.  Bring a meal to the homeless instead of telling them to get a job.  Instead of telling them they're on their way to hell, tell them how to get to heaven.  Sometimes I get so frustrated with my fellow Christians in how they act towards others.  The ones that call our President foul names, the ones that tell homosexuals that God hates them.  I don't think God once hated anyone.  He only hates sin.  Can we get back to what made Christianity so cool in the early 1900s.  Love, peace, grace, mercy, stuff like that?