My son got married last Saturday. It was equal parts ceremony and celebration as all weddings should be. Members of all four sides of the family got to view this monumental occasion. Four? Grandparents of the bride and groom as well as grandparents of the mothers and fathers. Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, the whole magical magilla. Weddings are a celebration of family as well as love and commitment.
A few thoughts on the future:
1) To the Bride and Groom. The order in the previous sentence is that way for a reason. First its easier to say. Second, it is the traditional role of the husband to respect his bride. This should be the husband's first thought every day. As an equal, not a superior to be sure. Anyway, it evens out when people say husband and wife.
2) Your union has all the elements of a Biblical Covenant. Having traded vows at an altar, in the sight of God and all the elements of the family. Also having exchanged gifts (the rings). Also having began the marriage with a public proclamation of the vows. As such, marriage should be treated as sacred. Each day should carry some reaffirmation of that from both husband and wife, to each other.
3) You now have the challenge of not keeping anything from your spouse while communicating it as a conversation. Whats bothering you bothers your spouse more when it comes out too late to help each other.
4) No conversation should be one way. As many times as needed, the phrase "what do you think?" should pop up. Followed immediately by open ears, not mouth. Silence is only appropriate when you're both asleep.
5) Make no decision unilaterally. This probably will not be the case 100% of the time. It isn't always practical. But whenever humanly possible, follow this rule followed by seeing item 4).
6) Always remember your spouse is not perfect, you aren't either, but the two together are infinitely stronger than the two separate. Solve problems together, not alone or individually. Yes those are two separate things.
No marriage is perfect. Its how you handle each imperfection that makes a strong marriage. And each time you successfully handle imperfection you are stronger for it. Each time you don't, you miss the best oppportuinity of your marriage.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
A Catch within Health Reform
A debate erupted this morning about adult children out of work living at home with parents. First of all, I am convinced that one of the most important facets of the traditional family is the safety net feature. Not all kids progress in to careers at the same pace. They may need help from the family. That is a rational hope and expectation to the extent the family can provide it.
In the recently passed health care reform, insurance companies must provide coverage for dependent children up to age 26. A rational idea since the economy does not allow as many smooth transitions from education to self sufficiency as it once did. A further benefit for students who deliberately consider and try multiple options before settling on their true commitment.
However, the age 26 option carries with it a built in problem. In the IRS code, families filing a 1040 return get to claim an exemption for dependent children in one part of the tax return and a tax credit for dependent children in another part of the same return. How long before astute politicians seize on this anomaly between health reform and tax returns. Changing the tax regulations so the dependent age agrees with the 26 year old insurance reform age would reduce tax revenues.
So reform giveth and reform taketh away. In a time when burgeoning deficits threaten economic recovery, can we afford agreement between the two portions of federal law mentioned above?
In the recently passed health care reform, insurance companies must provide coverage for dependent children up to age 26. A rational idea since the economy does not allow as many smooth transitions from education to self sufficiency as it once did. A further benefit for students who deliberately consider and try multiple options before settling on their true commitment.
However, the age 26 option carries with it a built in problem. In the IRS code, families filing a 1040 return get to claim an exemption for dependent children in one part of the tax return and a tax credit for dependent children in another part of the same return. How long before astute politicians seize on this anomaly between health reform and tax returns. Changing the tax regulations so the dependent age agrees with the 26 year old insurance reform age would reduce tax revenues.
So reform giveth and reform taketh away. In a time when burgeoning deficits threaten economic recovery, can we afford agreement between the two portions of federal law mentioned above?
Friday, September 17, 2010
Saving Earth - One Issue at a Time
I'm all for keeping the earth clean, wisely husbanding resources, and other efforts at conservation. But the result needs to be a net benefit, not a benefit in one area of the environment and an offsetting degradation in another area. Consider the following items.
Yesterday, two young ladies showered outdoors in downtown Tulsa. The point they wished to highlight was, we should conserve water (hence the shower) by becoming vegans since beef production and processing uses an inordinate amount of water. If we all did this, beef consumption would be replaced by plant products (squash, green beans, beets, etc.). Except, the net benefit is in question. The change to vegan would require greater production of vegetables. In order to successfully grow veggies, you have to water them. That added veggie growing, water consumption lowers the net gain over beef. The consumption driven increase in vegetable growing would require more vegetables to be washed in preparation for shipping, and more water consumption in the cooking process (steamed or boiled). That further reduces the net water savings. Feed for beef cattle (hay and oats) has to grown to nourish the beef cattle, so water savings for being vegan goes back up by some amount. Further, what's the impact of putting more land area under plow for veggies rather than cattle feed? Not sure there.
Another example is ethanol. Story goes, if we use ethanol in motor vehicles we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce air pollution. How do we get ethanol? In the U.S. we grow corn and refine that in to ethanol. Ethanol can also be created from sugar cane. Both of those divert land area from the production of corn or sugar for human consumption, otherwise known as food. That diversion is an upward pressure on the cost of land. At some point in time raising food prices in general or reducing the amount of food the U.S. can export to other countries. Up ward pressure on land prices eventually works its way through the economy to higher housing prices. Is the a net benefit to the overall economy? that's in the eye of the beholder or home buyer.
The fundamental point is this. All efforts at conservation involve ending or adjusting human consumption. These efforts have both costs and benefits. Some may be net benefits for non economic reasons. Many carry their own set of costs. The ripple effect of conservation efforts (costs and benefits) ultimately traces back to one fundamental fact, total human consumption. Human consumption is driven by human population.
Are we capable of controlling the earth's population? First making the decision to do that, then carrying out that decision. Of course not. That would be the ultimate in-humanity. It would be a serious, if not fatal, degradation of our personal/individual humanity. Each generation should recognize we are stewards of the earth's resources. We should also approach the material benefits of environmentalism with skepticism. None are ever all good, or all benefits.
Yesterday, two young ladies showered outdoors in downtown Tulsa. The point they wished to highlight was, we should conserve water (hence the shower) by becoming vegans since beef production and processing uses an inordinate amount of water. If we all did this, beef consumption would be replaced by plant products (squash, green beans, beets, etc.). Except, the net benefit is in question. The change to vegan would require greater production of vegetables. In order to successfully grow veggies, you have to water them. That added veggie growing, water consumption lowers the net gain over beef. The consumption driven increase in vegetable growing would require more vegetables to be washed in preparation for shipping, and more water consumption in the cooking process (steamed or boiled). That further reduces the net water savings. Feed for beef cattle (hay and oats) has to grown to nourish the beef cattle, so water savings for being vegan goes back up by some amount. Further, what's the impact of putting more land area under plow for veggies rather than cattle feed? Not sure there.
Another example is ethanol. Story goes, if we use ethanol in motor vehicles we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce air pollution. How do we get ethanol? In the U.S. we grow corn and refine that in to ethanol. Ethanol can also be created from sugar cane. Both of those divert land area from the production of corn or sugar for human consumption, otherwise known as food. That diversion is an upward pressure on the cost of land. At some point in time raising food prices in general or reducing the amount of food the U.S. can export to other countries. Up ward pressure on land prices eventually works its way through the economy to higher housing prices. Is the a net benefit to the overall economy? that's in the eye of the beholder or home buyer.
The fundamental point is this. All efforts at conservation involve ending or adjusting human consumption. These efforts have both costs and benefits. Some may be net benefits for non economic reasons. Many carry their own set of costs. The ripple effect of conservation efforts (costs and benefits) ultimately traces back to one fundamental fact, total human consumption. Human consumption is driven by human population.
Are we capable of controlling the earth's population? First making the decision to do that, then carrying out that decision. Of course not. That would be the ultimate in-humanity. It would be a serious, if not fatal, degradation of our personal/individual humanity. Each generation should recognize we are stewards of the earth's resources. We should also approach the material benefits of environmentalism with skepticism. None are ever all good, or all benefits.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Midguided Pastors et al
First, Pastor Terry Jones of the Florida micro church announces he will burn multiple Korans on September 11. That date is of course tied to the largest hostile attack on the mainland United States since the War of 1812. Emphasis on the word "burn". Not only does he seek to insert his activity on a day of intense tragedy, he does it a way that hearkens back to an infamous image of Nazi Germany in the 1930's. What more unamerican act can there be than burning instruments of free speech and thought?
Then, Jones continues his ersatz media campaign by announcing his negotiation with the New York Imam who wants to build a mosque very close to the now destroyed World Trade Center site. If this is successful he will call off the offensive burning. As if he is a necessary intermediary in a larger process. Next, he appears before cameras again to say the deal either is off or may be off.
"The Rev. Terry Jones said Thursday he would call off the planned burning of Korans based on a deal negotiated with the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida that the location of a mosque planned near ground zero in New York would be changed. But Imam Muhammad Musri said he was clear on Thursday when he told Jones that he could only set up a meeting with planners of the New York City mosque, whose leader said he had spoken to neither the pastor nor Musri. Jones responded by opening the door, if only a crack, that he would go forward with his plan on Saturday. "We are just really shocked," Jones said of Musri. "He clearly, clearly lied to us." - Washington Times Website September 10, 2010
Book burning back on.
All this to say two simple things. Why is this pastor intent on this activity? He heads a congregation of 50 or so people. Forget the content of what they are doing for the moment. The public announcement screams publicity stunt. It could be that the hope was to marshall forces together so that the numbers of participants on the appointed day would be much larger. In that Pastor Jones failed. If his efforts were to force a change in the mosque construction, failed there too. There are so many more players involved than just Jones and the New York Imam. Standing before a mike stand won't work.
No this is a stunt. Its true meaning and plan is a mystery, as is this congregation and its "leader?". Whatever the case most important fact in this show has been unsaid until now. Jesus Christ admonished us to "turn the other cheek". That is, His followers are to be examples not enforcers. Koran burning is not in this teaching. Witnessing, praying, and living along side of is. We are not martyrs, but we are called to be fearless in our witness.
In this most important facet of our faith, Pastor Jones displays ignorance. Either purposeful or accidental.
Then, Jones continues his ersatz media campaign by announcing his negotiation with the New York Imam who wants to build a mosque very close to the now destroyed World Trade Center site. If this is successful he will call off the offensive burning. As if he is a necessary intermediary in a larger process. Next, he appears before cameras again to say the deal either is off or may be off.
"The Rev. Terry Jones said Thursday he would call off the planned burning of Korans based on a deal negotiated with the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida that the location of a mosque planned near ground zero in New York would be changed. But Imam Muhammad Musri said he was clear on Thursday when he told Jones that he could only set up a meeting with planners of the New York City mosque, whose leader said he had spoken to neither the pastor nor Musri. Jones responded by opening the door, if only a crack, that he would go forward with his plan on Saturday. "We are just really shocked," Jones said of Musri. "He clearly, clearly lied to us." - Washington Times Website September 10, 2010
Book burning back on.
All this to say two simple things. Why is this pastor intent on this activity? He heads a congregation of 50 or so people. Forget the content of what they are doing for the moment. The public announcement screams publicity stunt. It could be that the hope was to marshall forces together so that the numbers of participants on the appointed day would be much larger. In that Pastor Jones failed. If his efforts were to force a change in the mosque construction, failed there too. There are so many more players involved than just Jones and the New York Imam. Standing before a mike stand won't work.
No this is a stunt. Its true meaning and plan is a mystery, as is this congregation and its "leader?". Whatever the case most important fact in this show has been unsaid until now. Jesus Christ admonished us to "turn the other cheek". That is, His followers are to be examples not enforcers. Koran burning is not in this teaching. Witnessing, praying, and living along side of is. We are not martyrs, but we are called to be fearless in our witness.
In this most important facet of our faith, Pastor Jones displays ignorance. Either purposeful or accidental.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Another Gameshow? Nope Its the Future
For at least twenty years I have tried to solve a puzzle. It's contained in the Bible.
Given the times we live in, the idea of the end of the age of man is not as far fetched a thought as it was, say in the 1960's. That golden decade was still some twenty or so years removed from the first two uses of the atom bomb (versus Japan). That decade also included history's next brush with conflagration, the United States versus the Soviet Union masquerading as Cuba in 1963. No fallout resulted from that one, no duck and cover response for real. But certainly a close call.
With the increase in technology in recent years, cable channels have included much more religious broadcasting. All kinds of formats, all kinds of churches. Prophecy is a frequent subject. Where would Bible prophecy be without the end of the age of man? The forties had Japan, the sixties had the Soviets, the eighties had something of a void with Reagan tearing down East Germany's wall, and now to the 21st century with 9/11 and all its tentacles.
Within the Bible there are many prophetic statements. Unraveling them is a huge intellectual task. But one stands out. Does the Bible accurately predict the rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948? The chain of logic starts with the original nation of Israel going in to captivity in Babylon. The book of Ezekiel predicts 430 years of punishment for Israel. The book of Leviticus contains a rule saying the punishment will be 7 times that for specific reasons. When adjusted for the change from lunar to Gregorian calendar (360 day years to 365.24 day years) and the passage from BC to AD (no year zero)the calculation brings us from the aforementioned captivity in Babylon to May 14, 1948.
Why is this a big deal? Haven't all generations wonder if this is it? Likely so. I first heard about this news over 20 years ago and it has stuck in my mind ever since. First as an intellectual challenge, a sort of unmade bed of the mind. Then as a serious consideration our circumstances.
The truth is, the advance of technology has occurred in warfare as well as medicine. It has advanced our capacity to communicate so that catastrophes are seem closer to us than a scratchy far away radio voice from the European front sixty years ago. We are closer to the triumph and disaster that ever, which personalizes those things more.
The Bible that seems to predict the 1948 restoration of Israel also has other, more sinister things to say about the "End of the Age of Man". Hal Lindsey wrote his widely read book "The Late Great Planet Earth" in 1970. Man has always watched history unfold before his eyes. Our ability to make warfare has been on an ever upward technological trend over the same time span. It would be well to watch current events with a Bible close by. Not to evangelize so much as to exactly how divinely inspired it has always been.
Given the times we live in, the idea of the end of the age of man is not as far fetched a thought as it was, say in the 1960's. That golden decade was still some twenty or so years removed from the first two uses of the atom bomb (versus Japan). That decade also included history's next brush with conflagration, the United States versus the Soviet Union masquerading as Cuba in 1963. No fallout resulted from that one, no duck and cover response for real. But certainly a close call.
With the increase in technology in recent years, cable channels have included much more religious broadcasting. All kinds of formats, all kinds of churches. Prophecy is a frequent subject. Where would Bible prophecy be without the end of the age of man? The forties had Japan, the sixties had the Soviets, the eighties had something of a void with Reagan tearing down East Germany's wall, and now to the 21st century with 9/11 and all its tentacles.
Within the Bible there are many prophetic statements. Unraveling them is a huge intellectual task. But one stands out. Does the Bible accurately predict the rebirth of Israel on May 14, 1948? The chain of logic starts with the original nation of Israel going in to captivity in Babylon. The book of Ezekiel predicts 430 years of punishment for Israel. The book of Leviticus contains a rule saying the punishment will be 7 times that for specific reasons. When adjusted for the change from lunar to Gregorian calendar (360 day years to 365.24 day years) and the passage from BC to AD (no year zero)the calculation brings us from the aforementioned captivity in Babylon to May 14, 1948.
Why is this a big deal? Haven't all generations wonder if this is it? Likely so. I first heard about this news over 20 years ago and it has stuck in my mind ever since. First as an intellectual challenge, a sort of unmade bed of the mind. Then as a serious consideration our circumstances.
The truth is, the advance of technology has occurred in warfare as well as medicine. It has advanced our capacity to communicate so that catastrophes are seem closer to us than a scratchy far away radio voice from the European front sixty years ago. We are closer to the triumph and disaster that ever, which personalizes those things more.
The Bible that seems to predict the 1948 restoration of Israel also has other, more sinister things to say about the "End of the Age of Man". Hal Lindsey wrote his widely read book "The Late Great Planet Earth" in 1970. Man has always watched history unfold before his eyes. Our ability to make warfare has been on an ever upward technological trend over the same time span. It would be well to watch current events with a Bible close by. Not to evangelize so much as to exactly how divinely inspired it has always been.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
What's it worth to you -
One and one half million dollars is a lot of money, as is 555 million. The first is roughly what the city pays the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce to promote the city around the nation and attract jobs. The second is the city's total budget for fiscal 2010-11.
There is an old Frank Sinatra song recorded in 1959 called "High Hopes", about an ant trying to move a large rubber tree plant. Part of the refrain goes "He's got high hopes, He's got high hopes, He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes."
Just when you thought the Tulsa civic leadership could not descend any lower in to minutia, they prove me wrong. We now have a news item involving the Mayor's wife. It's over a $16 bill for business cards used by the Mayor's wife. The cards had the city logo on it as well as a city e-mail address. This $16's is about to negate the efforts represented by the much larger numbers above. Not by itself but as a part of the overall drama at city hall.
Counselor G.T. Bynum thinks the following list is notable:
Community Development Block Grant allocations
Election reform task force
Traffic signal synchronization task force
Disparity study task force
Creation of the Economic Stabilization Reserve Fund
ShopTulsa initiative
Ethics advisory committee review
Approval of PlaniTulsa Comprehensive Plan update
Sale of former City Hall
See August 20 edition of the Tulsa World
Let's see how these things are playing out.
Election reform?, in the works, not finished.
Traffic signalization?, taskforce just started.
Disparity study taskforce? Maybe not even empanelled yet but will just issue a report.
Economic Stabilization reserve fund. Maybe voted in to existence but how much money is in it?
ShopTulsa? That's a good move. Counselor Christianson is to be commended for this effort. It serves as a reminder to encourage people to keep their money in Tulsa.
Approve PlanItTulsa? That's the long term work of a lot of people. All the council did was vote.
Sale of former City Hall. Again, they analyzed and voted, that's all.
Accomplishments are finished, completed items
Ethics advisory committee review. The circle is completed. Key word here is review. This is an interesting item considering the current climate. The Mayor's wife made use of $16 worth of business cards paid for by city money. This resulted in an ethics complaint being anonymously filed. The anonymity aspect is not an issue. Whistle blowers have to be protected, even to the extent of anonymity. It's necessary to encourage an organization to self police.
"Mrs. Bartlett is not an employee or official of the city. Therefore, she is not entitled to be provided with business cards," states an Aug. 10 letter sent to Ethics Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Slankard. (Tulsa World article by P.J. Lassek dated August 21. The issue is one of magnitude. Large contracts tainted with preferential treatment of vendors? Sure. Business cards printed with ambiguous references costing $16? Not on your life.
The aforementioned spending for city government and economic development and jobs stunted by a tempest in a teapot of acrimony? Priceless and jobless.
There is an old Frank Sinatra song recorded in 1959 called "High Hopes", about an ant trying to move a large rubber tree plant. Part of the refrain goes "He's got high hopes, He's got high hopes, He's got high apple pie in the sky hopes."
Just when you thought the Tulsa civic leadership could not descend any lower in to minutia, they prove me wrong. We now have a news item involving the Mayor's wife. It's over a $16 bill for business cards used by the Mayor's wife. The cards had the city logo on it as well as a city e-mail address. This $16's is about to negate the efforts represented by the much larger numbers above. Not by itself but as a part of the overall drama at city hall.
Counselor G.T. Bynum thinks the following list is notable:
Community Development Block Grant allocations
Election reform task force
Traffic signal synchronization task force
Disparity study task force
Creation of the Economic Stabilization Reserve Fund
ShopTulsa initiative
Ethics advisory committee review
Approval of PlaniTulsa Comprehensive Plan update
Sale of former City Hall
See August 20 edition of the Tulsa World
Let's see how these things are playing out.
Election reform?, in the works, not finished.
Traffic signalization?, taskforce just started.
Disparity study taskforce? Maybe not even empanelled yet but will just issue a report.
Economic Stabilization reserve fund. Maybe voted in to existence but how much money is in it?
ShopTulsa? That's a good move. Counselor Christianson is to be commended for this effort. It serves as a reminder to encourage people to keep their money in Tulsa.
Approve PlanItTulsa? That's the long term work of a lot of people. All the council did was vote.
Sale of former City Hall. Again, they analyzed and voted, that's all.
Accomplishments are finished, completed items
Ethics advisory committee review. The circle is completed. Key word here is review. This is an interesting item considering the current climate. The Mayor's wife made use of $16 worth of business cards paid for by city money. This resulted in an ethics complaint being anonymously filed. The anonymity aspect is not an issue. Whistle blowers have to be protected, even to the extent of anonymity. It's necessary to encourage an organization to self police.
"Mrs. Bartlett is not an employee or official of the city. Therefore, she is not entitled to be provided with business cards," states an Aug. 10 letter sent to Ethics Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Slankard. (Tulsa World article by P.J. Lassek dated August 21. The issue is one of magnitude. Large contracts tainted with preferential treatment of vendors? Sure. Business cards printed with ambiguous references costing $16? Not on your life.
The aforementioned spending for city government and economic development and jobs stunted by a tempest in a teapot of acrimony? Priceless and jobless.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
What Stimulus?
Let's remember something about the jobs picture and the pallet on which it's painted.
As of 2008, the Gross Domestic product of the United States was $14.6 trillion dollars. According to the Americans for Prosperity website in an article titled "Can Government Spending Stimulate the Economy, the various stimuli packages cost about 900 billion dollars. To put it in perspective. about 6.2 percent of GDP. What or who gets excited about that?
The overriding principal here is that jobs from government stimulus are temporary. The level of spending on that effort can't continue year after year, or the budget would be further bloated, as would the national debt. Government stimulus yields temp jobs, not full time or career jobs. What we have is 900 billion dollars of unemployment benefits under a different name.
Pumping 6/10's of a percent of GDP in to the economy is not to create anything except a ripple. And a temporary one at that. It does get some needed(?) projects done(?). But that's about all. It's a small pot of catch up money.
Only the private sector generates permanent jobs. Here's the catch. New jobs are created out of profits. Profits come from well managed companies. Well managed companies need certainty and profits to make investments in new products, new markets, new technology, as well as sustain existing products. Growing government spending and deficits create uncertainty.
Therefore, the very presence of a government stimulus of any amount in the current deficit situation leads to the exact opposite of what is needed for the job picture to turn around. Government can say it jumped in to the breach to save American workers, but will it last to the next payday and beyond?
As of 2008, the Gross Domestic product of the United States was $14.6 trillion dollars. According to the Americans for Prosperity website in an article titled "Can Government Spending Stimulate the Economy, the various stimuli packages cost about 900 billion dollars. To put it in perspective. about 6.2 percent of GDP. What or who gets excited about that?
The overriding principal here is that jobs from government stimulus are temporary. The level of spending on that effort can't continue year after year, or the budget would be further bloated, as would the national debt. Government stimulus yields temp jobs, not full time or career jobs. What we have is 900 billion dollars of unemployment benefits under a different name.
Pumping 6/10's of a percent of GDP in to the economy is not to create anything except a ripple. And a temporary one at that. It does get some needed(?) projects done(?). But that's about all. It's a small pot of catch up money.
Only the private sector generates permanent jobs. Here's the catch. New jobs are created out of profits. Profits come from well managed companies. Well managed companies need certainty and profits to make investments in new products, new markets, new technology, as well as sustain existing products. Growing government spending and deficits create uncertainty.
Therefore, the very presence of a government stimulus of any amount in the current deficit situation leads to the exact opposite of what is needed for the job picture to turn around. Government can say it jumped in to the breach to save American workers, but will it last to the next payday and beyond?
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