Donatello Christmas Cracker

Christmas Crackers

We do this on Christmas Day, do you?

Christmas Jazz Hands

Christmas 2006? This is what the Dugan cousins do at the Dugan Family Christmas.

Free Money

I just finished most of my Christmas shopping with free money, thanks to the GAP. Let me tell you how this works. First of all, to set the stage, a few years back we were doing some shopping at GAP and the purchases totaled enough that I decided to take advantage of the GAP credit card to get the 10% off that purchase. In addition, the card was good at Old Navy (where we do shop) and Banana Republic (where I shop and then return everything I buy when I get it home because it's just not me). Also, they told me that for every $1,000,000 (or something like that) I spend there I would get a $10 gift certificate.

A few weeks ago, Mr. D and I were shopping. They had some nice things at GAP and they had marked them down to some really nice prices which I can't tell you about because it's a secret. Normally I use the check card since it's more fun in January to not get a big Visa bill. But, for all GAP purchases I used GAP Visa (they changed the GAP card to a VISA card a while back, but I digress) because they were also giving an extra 10% off if you used your GAP card. We got some great deals and felt very shopping savvy.

Then, on Saturday (during the blizzard) we thought it would be smart to get out and go to the Mall of America. We had to get out anyway to pick up our Sam's Club Christmas cards which Mr. D ordered online on Thursday and were supposed to be ready at 1:15 that day, but when I got there the next day to pick them up they were not ready and the guy informed me that everyone (except, I guess, the Sam's Club computer) knows that at this time of year Sam's Club takes 48 hours for photo cards. But, I digress.

We were at the GAP and noted an item had been marked down $20 off the great deal price we had paid for it the previous week. I remembered that the GAP policy is to make a price adjustment with only the receipt if the price goes down within 2 weeks of your purchase. So, I opened my purse and began the arduous process of finding all my GAP receipts in the hopes of finding the one with the marked down item.

Keep in mind that I always get receipts for everything (I'm getting better about not getting them for a cup of coffee at Caribou that I've paid cash for, but, I digress). Also, I rarely take receipts out of my purse. So, I knew I had them. Sure enough, I found 3 or 4, took them to the guy at the counter with a couple of small purchases and asked him if he could check for any discounted prices.

Now, this is the amazing part. He cheerfully said, "Sure," then took my three receipts and scanned them. Amazingly enough, a credit of $28 appeared on the screen! It was enough to make my new purchases and still leave $8 on my GAP credit card without me doing a thing. The transaction didn't involve handing him my GAP card and waiting for some manager to come over and authorize the refund and me giving a blood sample. No, he scanned my receipt and immediately money was credited to my VISA. Just like that.

Then, I remembered that I had made some purchases at GAP kids and had one receipt at home (Terry had made that one). He doesn't keep his receipts in his wallet (like that Seinfeld episode), he files them at home, but I digress. I was unstoppable.

Yesterday, I took my GAP kids receipt to the store and asked them to scan it and magically another $24 appeared on my card. Then, I went to the regular GAP and handed them my receipt, they scanned it and another $20 was credited to me!

Money for nothing. I love it. We got $72, about 1/3, back.

Moral of the story: Keep your receipts. Shop at GAP.

The End.

Quote

Humility is so shy. If you begin talking about it, it leaves.
-Tim Keller

Santa Claus, a Shepherd's Pouch, and the Sacred Pink Ornament

"Bah! Humbug!" These two words are instantly associated with Charles Dickens' immortal fictional anti-hero, Ebenezer Scrooge. Scrooge was the prototype of the Grinch who stole Christmas, the paradigm of all men cynical.

We all recognize that Ebenezer Scrooge was a mean person - stingy, insensitive, selfish, and unkind. What we often miss in our understanding of his character is that he was preeminently profane. "Bah! Humbug!" was his Victorian use of profanity.

Not that any modern editor would feel the need to delete Scrooge's expletives. His language is not the standard currency of cursing. But it was profane in that Scrooge demeaned what was holy. He trampled on the sanctity of Christmas. He despised the sacred. He was cynical toward the sublime.

Christmas is a holiday, indeed the world's most joyous holiday. It is called a "holiday" because the day is holy. It is a day when businesses close, when families gather, when churches are filled, and when soldiers put down their guns for a 24-hour truce. It is a day that differs from every other day.

Every generation has its abundance of Scrooges. The church is full of them. We hear endless complaints of commercialism. We are constantly told to put Christ back into Christmas. We hear that the tradition of Santa Claus is a sacrilege. We listen to those acquainted with history murmur that Christmas isn't biblical. The Church invented Christmas to compete with the ancient Roman festival honoring the bull-god Mithras, the nay-sayers complain. Christmas? A mere capitulation to paganism.

And so we rain on Jesus' parade and assume an Olympian detachment from the joyous holiday. All this carping is but a modern dose of Scroogeism, our own sanctimonious profanation of the holy.

Sure, Christmas is a time of commerce. The department stores are decorated to the hilt, the ad pages of the newspapers swell in size, and we tick off the number of shopping days left until Christmas. But why all the commerce? The high degree of commerce at Christmas is driven by one thing: the buying of gifts for others. To present our friends and families with gifts is not an ugly, ignoble vice. It incarnates the amorphous "spirit of Christmas." The tradition rests ultimately on the supreme gift God has given the world.

Thus begins a great article (great, of course, meaning one I agree with!) written by R. C. Sproul about Christmas.
Now, don't get me wrong, I like John Piper, but after reading the Sproul article, I read this by JP. A dead branch, shepherd's pouches filled with tape? Well, I guess if it works for them, it works for me. But, I like the tree, and the ceremonious hanging of the sacred pink ornament, and I still believe in Santa.

The Christmas Survey (from Nikki's blog)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper and lots and lots of wired ribbon.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real. Frasier fir. Purchased at Cobblestone Gardens (formerly Cal's) for way too much money.
3. When do you put up the tree? Around the 8th of December
4. When do you take the tree down? About the 8th of January
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. I also like fruitcake, but no one asked.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The Roy Rogers cap gun and holster (I used to LOVE to watch Bonanza with my dad). That, and the 2 weeks in Hawaii in 1973.
7. Hardest person to buy for? Hmmmm, don't know.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Will, he loves everything.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, handmade by my dad. Set up under the watchful supervision of Chris every year. Will likes to slide the shepherds down the roof.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail, and usually with the "religious" stamp.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? There is no such thing as a bad Christmas present.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? It’s a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown Christmas Special, A Christmas Story, Elf, Home Alone, While You Were Sleeping, You've Got Mail (counts because Christmas occurs during it), Bells of St. Mary's to name a few. This year we've already watched A Christmas Story, Elf, Home Alone (always watch that one on Thanksgiving evening to kick off the Christmas movie watching month).
13 When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday (but we go to Starbuck's for coffee on Thanksgiving morning at 8:30 to pick up the paper with all the adds and coupons).
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? That would be wrong.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Christmas Cookies and anything made by my mom.
16. Lights on the tree? Yes, including the old 1950's big bulbs with the metallic star reflectors.
17. Favorite Christmas song? I Heard the Bells with All is Well by MWS a close second.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay in town.
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner & Blitzen, but do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all...Rudolph...
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star purchased at Pottery Barn at the Galleria when it used to be a tiny store next to Williams Sonoma.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Family on Christmas Eve; Santa on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Not enough time to do everything.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Eclectic.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Prime rib and the Christmas jello.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Everyone together and happy.

Now it's your turn. Copy the questions, erase my answers and add your own.

Home Alone Ending With Peek-A-Boo

Things On a Platter

Continuing my comments about the MWS Christmas Concert, I thought I'd show you a couple of "things on a platter" from that delightful evening. First of all, we went to Cossetta's before the concert for chicken marsala on a platter. Note the Buckler "near" beer (we were going to a "Christian" concert, after all).

Nothing on a platter here, but Melinda Doolittle has a beautiful voice. Apparently, the X-cel Center is struggling, I'm thinking maybe they didn't pay their light bill, because they forgot to turn the stage lights on most of the night. Note here "the star" is singing backup in the dark. Sometimes, as you will see in a minute, the only light on was a spotlight on the piano! I happen to like Christa Black who is the backup singer right behind Melinda. She also plays the violin and guitar at MWS concerts, but not this time.

Another shot from our front row seats. Lots of leg room! It was great!

Right in front of us, all night was this guy. He played all sorts of interesting and ancient fife-bagpipe-recorder type instruments. Here is my favorite instrument. I have no idea what it is, but it sounded lovely. I'm sure someone (Barb J?) will know what it is (if they can see it, this was as light as the stage got!)

Finally, that MWS fellow plays the piano. A lot. When he did, this is what we saw. Mr. D referred to the pose as MWS on a platter. And thus ends our concert memories (since I forgot to take photos of our desserts at Cafe Latte--on a platter, of course).

MWS Christmas

Mr. D took me to the Michael W. Smith concert tonight. Okay, so I bought the tickets before I asked him if he wanted to go, but he agreed to come with. Isn't he the best? I was able to secure two seats in the front row at the X-cel Center. The best way to get front row seats is to join the fan club. So, I did.Michael (and everyone else) pretty much sang right to us. Interestingly enough, in this shot you will see not only Michael, but Diane Kogle. We ran into her this morning at Starbuck's and next thing we knew, she was walking out onstage with her cello. There's Michael and right behind him is Diane.

Here is Diane as she is walking off stage after the concert.

As we were leaving, George Huff was also leaving. We had been having a discussion about what year George was on American Idol and LeeAnne (who we always see at every MWS concert because she and Debbie Smith were roommates at college) decided to run over and ask him. He was very nice. Kept telling everyone thank you for coming and Merry Christmas! It was year three, in case you were wondering.

After that, it was off to Cafe Latte for dessert. Yum-O! Thanks for taking me, Mr. D and thanks for letting me join the fan club. Do you think Bobby Sherman will be in town any time soon?

Handy Tips for Mr. D

Safety Concerns When Cleaning a Fireplace -- powered by eHow.com

"The" Thanksgiving Cranberry Jell-O™ Salad

I am posting this recipe so that next year when I need it, I won't have to call Mom and Carol since I seem to misplace it every year and they have the original recipe in the family archives. It has been served on our Thanksgiving table since the early 1960's and will continue to be part of that tradition forever. Not sure which Johnson twin came up with it first, but it's a keeper.

Cranberry Jell-O™ Salad
1 pkg. raspberry Jell-O™
1 cup boiling water
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
2 bananas, diced
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Dissolve the Jell-O™ in the boiling water. Add the can of cranberry sauce and stir until it dissolves. Put in fridge and let thicken slightly, then stir in the bananas and walnuts. Pour in your favorite mold and enjoy.

Note to self: I double this and put it in the green Tupperware™ mold.

Second note to self: Buy bananas early in the week because if you try to buy them the day before Thanksgiving™ all the bananas will be green.

Show Me the Birth Certificate, Please

Here's a link to a petition requesting the Obama show us his ORIGINAL birth certificate. It seems only right that he would.

Dancing With the Dugans

Adam and Ali got married yesterday.

They danced.
Awwww, how sweet.
The reason this photo is artsy and romantic is because Mr. D took it.The bride danced with some of her attendants.

When it was time for the "Electric Slide", I took photos.
I can do the "Hokey Pokey" and I can fake "The Chicken Dance",
but "The Electric Slide" is a whole different story.
People tell me it is sooooooo easy and offer to show me.
They say, "It's grapevine right, two, three, tap, left, two, three, tap, after that part, I'm two left feet.

Mr. D and Beth danced.
Mr. D was thrilled to discover that his pants had buttons for suspenders. Sigh.

Katie and Beth rocked out. (Is that what the young people say nowadays?)

Sadly, Chris and Tim forgot their dancing shoes.
They always forget their dancing shoes. Hmmmm.
Actually, that's not true.
Tim had his for one dance, then lost them.
This just in, apparently Chris found his dancing shoes for a song or two and I missed it.
If you have a photo of this momentous occasion, please send it to me.
Nikki and Mark were in a world of their own.
Mr. D and Steve saved their best moves for last.

And a good time was had by all.
The End.

How Ironic

For those of you conspiracy theory fans who haven't heard the news, the Pick 3 Illinois Lottery winning numbers for the day after the election were....Drum roll, please...

6-6-6

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...

Well, actually, it wasn't even that stormy till later, but it was dark when Mr. D went to pick Beth up at Grace Church last night. She called from her cell phone a little before 9:00pm with the word that a deer had hit the car. That's right, a deer came out of the dark and leaped at the Honda. Right by the West Bloomington Post Office on Old Shakopee Road! Driver and passenger were safe. Praise God. Who knows about the deer? They never saw it! Odd, but true, since it happened so fast.

Damage to the car: $3,600

Having the horrible thought at about 11:00pm that it might not have been a deer, but a person that was hit and heading out to the driveway in bathrobes with a flashlight to make sure it was deer "fur" and not human hair on the left front light: Priceless

Quotes to Get You Through the Day

“If I knew that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.” Henry David Thoreau

"If men will not be governed by the Ten Commandments they shall be governed by the ten thousand commandments." G.K. Chesterton

“There is something about a Republican that you can only stand him for just so long. On the other hand, there is something about a Democrat that you can’t stand him for quite that long.” Will Rogers

“Democrats are the party that says government can make you richer, smarter, taller, and get the chickweed out of your lawn. Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work, and then they get elected to prove it.” Will Rogers

One Good Thing

Ever positive Bethie came up with the quote of the day when she said:

One good thing about Obama being elected president is that people are reading their Bibles every 5 minutes.

Music to Get You Through the Day

Red Skelton and the Pledge

When I was little, one of my favorite shows was "The Red Skelton Show". Here is his famous "Pledge".

Happy 14th Birthday, Bethie!

Why I Will Not Vote Obama

1. He's pro-choice and pro-infanticide. He supports unrestricted abortions, including partial birth abortion. He believes children who are unplanned are a punishment. He wants to us my tax dollars to fund abortions.

2. He will invite testing from our foreign enemies.

3. He will unfairly raise taxes, yet he will also, increase spending through added government programs.

4. The first thing he says he will do if elected is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.

5. He's a relatively unknown who has friends in low places.

6. He will give the Democratic party complete control of our country.

7. He supports universal preschool. He's against school choice.

8. He's against the Defense of Marriage Act.

9. He chose Joe Biden as VP.

10. He supports national health care.

Why I'm Voting McCain (and Hope You Will, Too)

1. He's pro-life.

2. He will keep our country safer.

3. He will keep taxes fair and cut spending.

4. He will keep the House and Senate from having total freedom to do as they wish.

5. He has a proven backbone and proven lifelong service to our country.

6. He believes in appointing judges to the Supreme Court who do not legislate from the bench.

7. He believes in school choice.

8. He supports the Defense of Marriage Act.

9. He chose Sarah Palin as VP.

10. He doesn't support national health care.

Obama, Taxes, and Lies

On October 8th, Obama told Charlie Gibson:

Although here's what I'll say. I mean, first of all, we've been talking about student loans probably every day during course of this campaign. I mean, I've got a very specific plan to make sure that students are able to afford to go to college in exchange for community service or military service.

So we are going to make sure that every young person in America can go to college. They have a right to be worried about social security and Medicare because those entitlement program are going to be running out of money unless we make some fundamental changes. And those are going to be tough choices. You know, I have offered what I think is the best approach on Social Security, for example, which is raising the cap on the payroll tax, keeping the tax rate the same, but saying, you know, somebody like myself or Warren Buffet can afford to pay a little more in payroll tax to make sure the system is solvent.

Currently, the cap on Social Security taxes is $102,0000. The rate is 12.4%. For employees, half of this is payment is made by the employer. Self-employed business owners pay the entire amount.

A plan like this, without a cap, means that a self-employed person, making $149,000 (under the $150,000 that Biden mentioned) will see a "payroll" tax increase of $5,828. This means, that Obama is misleading people. There may not be an increase in Federal income tax for those making under $150,000, but there is a huge increase in "payroll" taxes. Add to that Medicare taxes on everything and a self-employeed person making $149,000 will pay an additional $7,191 in taxes.

The man is lying about no tax increase for those making under $150,000, $200,000, $250,000.

Who Is Saul Alinsky?

Saul Alinsky was a community organizer. He was an atheist and a Marxist.

In 1971, he wrote the book Rules for Radicals. That book was the subject of Hillary Clinton's senior thesis. Obama spent 4 years teaching workshops on the "Alinsky Method".

In Rules for Radicals Alinsky writes:

In the beginning the organizer's first job is to create issues or problems...through action, persuasion, and communication, the organizer makes it clear that organization will give them a power, the ability, the strength, a force to be able to do something about these particular problems. It is then that a bad scene begins to break out into specific issues, because now the people can do something about it.

Here is his dedication page:

Lest we forget at least an over the shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins-or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that at least he won his own kingdom--Lucifer.

Here is the first paragraph of that book:

What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away.

Community Organizing isn't about being more efficient with your time or getting more things done in your community. It's about getting people discontent with their lot in life and presenting yourself as the one who can help. The buzz word is change. The purpose is to exercise power over the masses.

One closing Alinsky quote:

Power goes to two poles: to those who've got money and those who've got people.

Obama has money AND he has devoted followers.

The mantra of the community organizer is, "CHANGE".

WAKE UP PEOPLE!

GIRD YOUR LOINS!

The First Dude

We went to Bemidji a couple weeks ago for our annual "Read Some Books-Play Some Games-Drink Some Hot Beverages" weekend. We happened to arrive two hours before "The First Dude" and he happened to be 3 minutes down the road. So, Mr. D took me to see him. We got to shake hands with him. Here he is.

Obama and Abortion IV

Obama and Abortion III

Obama be they Name

Happy Birthday, Tim!

Where's Al's Lockbox?

When Obama talked with Joe the plumber about sharing the wealth, I thought he misspoke and was referring to income instead of wealth. However, this little article on Weekly Standard online makes me wonder. Do you want the government to confiscate your 401K and manage it for you? I don't think so. We need the lock box and we need it now.

Remember, if you like babies, freedom, and would not like the government to take over your retirement accounts, vote McCain. I'm MamaD and I approve this message.

House Democrats recently invited Teresa Ghilarducci, a professor at the New School of Social Research, to testify before a subcommittee on her idea to eliminate the preferential tax treatment of the popular retirement plans. In place of 401(k) plans, she would have workers transfer their dough into government-created "guaranteed retirement accounts" for every worker. The government would deposit $600 (inflation indexed) every year into the GRAs. Each worker would also have to save 5 percent of pay into the accounts, to which the government would pay a measly 3 percent return. Rep. Jim McDermott, a Democrat from Washington and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee's Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support, said that since "the savings rate isn't going up for the investment of $80 billion [in 401(k) tax breaks], we have to start to think about whether or not we want to continue to invest that $80 billion for a policy that's not generating what we now say it should."

Vote Life.

Bar Stool Economics

I found this on Doug Wilson's blog.

Bar Stool Economics

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.

The fifth would pay $1.

The sixth would pay $3.

The seventh would pay $7.

The eighth would pay $12.

The ninth would pay $18.

The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers, he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'

They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:

The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).

The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33%savings).

The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28%savings).

The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).

The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).

The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

'I only got a dollar out of the $20', declared the sixth man.

He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!'

'Yeah, that's right', exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!'

'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'

'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!'

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics, University of Georgia

For those who understand, no explanation is needed.

For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

On the Lighter Side

In mid-August, I was at the Bloomington Aquatic Center lounging by the pool and reading an Ikea catalog. I noticed a "text" contest and decided that I needed to learn how to "text". So, I entered the contest. It ended up being a "scavenger hunt" through the catalog where you would answer questions about a couch, or a desk, or a comforter. However, it turned into a never ending deal where they just kept asking me questions and I kept on answering at 20 cents for each item sent or received since we hadn't signed up for unlimited texting yet.
Anyhoo, I gave up at about $2 worth of texting and never thought about it again until last Thursday when I received a message from Ikea that they had to pull some more winners from their entries.
Lo and behold, I won the $1000 makeover. NOT! However, I did win a lovely $20 gift card which arrived on UPS express this afternoon and Mr. D and I will apply to the purchase of the bookshelf lamps that we hadn't gotten around to purchasing yet for our Billy bookshelves.

Wednesday, Mr. D and I got a quick bite to eat at Pei Wei. Here are our fortune cookies. He is about to enter a new and permanent relationship and I am about to have a change of luck. Hmmmmmmmm.

Obama and Abortion II

Obama and Abortion I

Spreading the Wealth Around

I've been thinking about Joe the Plumber and the "spread the wealth around" comment that Obama made and I realized something. I, too, am in favor of spreading the wealth around. In fact, I could argue that it is Biblical to spread the wealth around.

The issue isn't spreading the wealth around. The moral question is, "Whose wealth are you spreading around?"

The Bible tells us we are to spread the wealth around. Widows, orphans, needy people.

However, the Bible also tells us it is wrong to steal. If I take my money and give it to needy people, I have done a good thing. If I take your money and give it to needy people, I have stolen from you. Not so good. You get to decide what you do with your money.

Obama wants to spread Joe's wealth.
McCain wants Joe to spread his wealth.
There's a fundamental difference in the method.
The goal is the same.

Some things Joe can do with his hard earned money:

• Squander it
• Save it
• Buy a really, really big plasma TV
• Save for his kids college education
• Buy health care for his family
• Buy health care for his employees
• Buy a house, car, whatever
• Take a vacation
• Hire an extra employee or two
• Build a little office building for his business

Let's say Joe has a great year and makes $250,000. Under Obama's plan he would be taxed at 65%! What incentive would he have to make $250,000?

• Let's give Joe $50,000 in deductions so his taxable income is now $200,000.
• 65% (I'm told this is Obama's plan) of $200,000 is $130,000.
• Joe gets to keep $70,000 of his money under Obama's plan.
• Joe will have to buy his own health care. That's a minimum of $10,000 per year if he gets a crappy policy for his family.
• Now he has $60,000.
• Of course, being self-employeed he will have to pay his matching tax on the first $102,000 of income and since Joe makes $200,000 a year he will pay the max. About $7,650 extra.
• Now Joe has $52,350 and he hasn't spent a penny on anything for Joe.

This is not only wrong, this is foolish. Joe will probably have to lay off an employee or two. Joe will not be able to hire more employees. Joe will have trouble buying plungers for his business.

Soon Joe will fold his business and go on welfare. This will be good for Joe. The checks will come in regularly. He will get better health coverage.

So, my advice for Joe is to forget the part about buying the business and head straight for the welfare office.

Save yourself the trouble, Joe.

It's an Apple, Barack, not an ACORN!

Mickey Mouse for Obama?

According to this article, Mickey Mouse tried to register to vote. His application had an ACORN stamp. No! Impossible! Officials in Florida turned down his registration. Whew, cuz you never know about those Florida officials!

Obama and Small Businesses

Obama will not stop at the killing of babies. He is moving on to the destruction of the small business. As the wife of the owner of a small business of 25 years, I suggest to you young people out there that whatever you do, you do not start a business of your own. In fact, if you want great health benefits, lots of vacation time, annual cost of living pay raises, might I suggest a government job cuz you won't get that with a small business. If Obama gets in, you will, by force, share your wealth.

Obama: “It’s not that I want to punish your success, I just want to make sure that everybody that is behind you, that they have a chance for success too. I think that when you spread the wealth around, it’s good for everybody.”

Wealth
by luvnews

Two Choices: Life or Death

There are only two viable candidates in this election. One thinks it's okay to kill babies after they are born. A vote for anyone other than McCain is a vote for infanticide. Choose life.

Obama is a wicked, wicked man. People need to understand just how wicked he is. Anyone who thinks it's okay to kill a baby after it is born, is unfit to lead anything.

Here is an excerpt from an article about a debate Obama participated in that took place on the floor of the IL State Senate (as excerpted from a post by Jill Stanek). I have highlighted in blood red what I thought were the most telling aspects of this legislative debate.:

In 2001, he (IL state Sen. Patrick O'Malley) introduced three bills. SB1093 said if a doctor performing an abortion believed there was a likelihood the baby would survive, another physician must be present "to assess the child's viability and provide medical care." SB1094 gave the parents, or a state-appointed guardian, the right to sue to protect the child's rights. SB1095 simply said a baby alive after "complete expulsion or extraction from its mother" would be considered a "'person, 'human being,' 'child' and 'individual.'"

The bills dealt exclusively with born children. "This legislation was about preventing conduct that allowed infanticide to take place in the state of IL," O'Malley told me.

The Judiciary Committee approved the bills with Obama in opposition. On March 31, 2001, they came up on the IL senate floor. Only one member spoke against them: Obama.

"Nobody else said anything," O'Malley recalls. The official transcript validates this.

"Sen. O'Malley," Obama said near the beginning of the discussion, "the testimony during the committee indicated that one of the key concerns was -- is that there was a method of abortion, an induced abortion, where the -- the fetus or child, as -- as some might describe it, is still temporarily alive outside the womb."

Obama made three crucial concessions here: the legislation was about 1) a human being, who was 2) "alive" and 3) "outside the womb."

He also used an odd redundancy: "temporarily alive." Is there another type of human?

"And one of the concerns that came out in the testimony was the fact that they were not being properly cared for during that brief period of time that they were still living," Obama continued.

Here he made another crucial concession: The intention of the legislation was to make sure that 1) a human being, 2) alive and 3) outside the womb was 4) "properly cared for."

"Is that correct?" Obama asked O'Malley.

O'Malley tightened the logical knot. "(T)his bill suggests that appropriate steps be taken to treat that baby as a -- a citizen of the United States and afforded all the rights and protections it deserves under the Constitution of the United States," said O'Malley.

But to these specific temporarily-alive-outside-the-womb-human beings... Obama was not willing to concede any constitutional rights at all.

To explain his position, Obama came up with yet another term to describe the human being who would be protected by O'Malley's bills. The abortion survivor became a "pre-viable fetus."

By definition, however, a born baby cannot be a "fetus." Merriam-Webster Online defines "fetus" as an "unborn or unhatched vertebrate" or "a developing human from usually two months after conception to birth." Obama had already conceded these human beings were "alive outside the womb."

"No. 1," said Obama, "whenever we define a pre-viable fetus as a person that is protected by the equal protection clause or other elements of the Constitution, what we're really saying is, in fact, that they are persons that are entitled to the kinds of protections that would be provided to a -- a child, a nine-month-old -- child that was delivered to term."

Yes. In other words, a baby born alive at 37 weeks is just as much a human "person" as a baby born alive at 22 weeks.

Obama, however, saw a problem with calling abortion survivors "persons." "I mean, it -- it would essentially bar abortions," said Obama, "because the equal protection clause does not allow somebody to kill a child, and if this is a child, then this would be an antiabortion statute."

For Obama, whether or not a temporarily-alive-outside-the-womb little girl is a "person" entitled to constitutional rights is not determined by her humanity, her age or even her place in space relative to her mother's uterus. It is determined by a whether a doctor has been trying to kill her.

Quote of the Day/Month/Year

Alexander Tyler, (in his 1770 book, Cycle of Democracy):

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over a louse fiscal responsibility, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world’s great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from spiritual faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage.”

Little Ones by Phil Keaggy

Never Heard Anything So Obviously Heretical

Who Says There's No Such Thing as an Almost Free Lunch?

I came across this blog, but haven't checked it out yet.

According to this guy, if you go to Byerly's or Lund's you can get Progresso soup for $.10 a can. That's right 10 cents.

Here's the link, I'll let you know if it's true when I go there this week.

Cheap soup link.

The Little Buddy

Life Goes On

In spite of the political drama that I keep writing about, we have had some fun this month! Mr. D and I went to the Ikea sale two weeks ago. Remember those bookcases that we had been meaning to buy? Well, they marked them down $30 each for a 3 day sale. Plus, that weekend, they offered a free breakfast! So, we headed over to Ikea for breakfast and bookcases.

Of course, there is no point in putting up the Billy bookcases (we settled on the black-brown) before you paint. So, it was off to Hirshfield's for our favorite Benjamin Moore Paint. We are doing "Panera" colors downstairs and did the bookcase wall green. Watch for the gold and rust wall to appear soon.

Mr. D is the best painter in the world. Here he is doing the taping.Next came the green paint.

Then, the bookcase assembly.

Finally, the finished product, but not properly categorized yet and not all books in place, but you get the idea.

Moving on. Hollywood hit Bloomington this week. Well, actually starting in early September. The Coen brothers (who attended my alma matter St. Louis Park High whilst I was there in the early 70's, but I never knew them) were filming their latest movie and showed up at Normandale College--just 6 blocks north of us. When I went to pick up Tim on Monday, I pulled up to the Student Center and there was the craft services truck with a California address. I couldn't figure out why a catering truck came all the way from California. Then, the next day, Mr. D noticed signs that said "To Set" and "To Base Camp" along with some Universal Studios trucks parked along France Avenue. We soon figured it out. Here is the "Base Camp". Okay, so I wasn't that close, but those are the studio trailers.

Here are the trucks parked alongside France Avenue for the entire week. We also discovered the neighborhood in East Bloomington where they filmed. Perhaps I will take some more photos, after all, it's not every day Hollywood shows up in Bloomington.

From a Blog I Read

Here's what Douglas Wilson had to say about the VP debate. I don't always agree with him, but I'm with him on the Palin thing. And the line about if Obama wins he will be battening down every hatch he can find, sadly, I'm starting to batten down a few hatches already.

On homosexual marriage, I thought Palin deftly turned the tables on Biden. Though it looked like they were saying the same thing, they were not at all. Palin said that marriage was for a man and a woman, period, and everyone believes her. Biden said the same, but nobody does. That is why the homo activists are not yelling for Biden's head right now. They are (all of them) just biding their time. And Palin said that homosexuals should be allowed to leave things in their wills to whomever they please, and to visit whomever they want to in the hospital. Well, look at me. I think that too, and so does Biden. But he wants that in a way that would lead to civil unions that in turn pave the way to homo marriage later. Palin's interest in all that appears to be more libertarian, as mine would be. You don't need to have civil unions or marriages in order to have the civil right to throw fabulous parties for one another. Everybody has that civil right now.

As I have argued before, my driving issue is Roe v. Wade. The only reason I am even thinking about voting for McCain/Palin is that she is "no exceptions" pro-life and she will be the reason McCain wins, if he does. I have said before that I thought that McCain was going to walk away with this election. That was before the Wall Street meltdown, which has certainly altered the game, and has made me significantly less sure of that. At the same, while cheerfully admitting that this could well be wrong, I still think that McCain is going to take it. But if he takes this election, I believe that everyone will know that he owes his victory to Sarah Palin. In that context, I think a double-cross Supreme Court appointment would be unlikely. And if one or two more sane heads make it onto the Court, then Roe would go down, and that would be the basic turnaround I am looking for.

If Obama wins, then that will be what believing Bible students would call a holy cow moment. I for one will be scurring around the top decks, battening every hatch I can find.

Say it ain't so Joe

Just which Katie's restaurant was Home Depot Joe referring to?

New Version of a Video I Posted Earlier

Freddie and Fannie or How Dare Nancy Pelosi Lecture the Republicans

Katie and Joe

Check this one out at about 2 minutes. We've all heard about this Biden blooper, but somehow it didn't click with me that it was our beloved Katie who did the interview. Ms. Couric obviously didn't know who the president was in 1929 or she would have edited this out. And then she has the gall to stupidly grill Palin. Gimme a break.

If You Live in Ohio (or anywhere else for that matter)...

...and prefer McCain to Obama, be sure an VOTE! If you have some extra time and don't mind Democrats swearing at you, offer your services for the "Get out the Vote" calling the days before the election.

This Michelle Malkin post ought to make everyone realize that it's nearly over for this country as we knew it.

The only way to overcome this is for people who care to not sit this election out. Every vote counts.

Update on the Children's Choir Video

Apparently, the Obama children's video has been taken down thanks to Rush, Drudge, and Hannity and Colmes, discussing it. It must have reminded too many of the Young Pioneer children's indoctrinating group in the former Soviet Union.

It started with a sweet little girl with a beautiful voice singing acapalla something like:

"We're gonna have happiness, we're gonna have freedom...and Obama's gonna lead 'em."

Then, they cut to the group of children, all in a light blue t-shirt that said "Hope" and they moved on to the chorus of a "Yes, we can" sort of chant/song.

One conspiracy theory I wasn't buying into is the one that says Obama is the anti-Christ. After watching this, I'm not so sure and started having thoughts like, "You know, this man has no parents..."

Oh, my gotta go, there are black helicopters landing in the yard.

May There Always Be Sunshine

May There Always Be Sunshine! (Russian:Пусть всегда будет солнце!) is a Soviet Russian song, written for children. It was created in 1962, music was composed by Arkady Ostrovsky and the lyrics were written by Lev Oshanin.
Bright blue the sky.
Sun up on high—
That was the little boy's picture
He drew for you
Wrote for you, too
Just to make clear what he drew.
Chorus:
May there always be sunshine,
May there always be blue skies,
May there always be mummy,
May there always be me!
My little friend,
Listen, my friend,
Peace is the dream of the people
Hearts old and young
Never have done
Singing the song you have sung.
Chorus
Soldier lad, stay!
Hear what we say—
War would make all of us losers
Peace is our prize
Millions of eyes
Anxiously gaze at the skies.
Chorus
Down with all war!
We want no more.
People stand up for you children
Sing everyone—
Peace must be won,
Dark clouds must not hide the sun.
Chorus

I'm Scared, I'm Very, Very Scared

Random Thoughts on the Morning After the Sky Fell

Last night, according to all the news channels, the sky fell.

So, I thought I would offer a few random thoughts the morning after.

• Sometimes, I get the feeling that the press and politicians are turning this into more of a crisis than it really is.
• Does anyone else think it is sort of encouraging that the House of Representatives actually represented the people yesterday?
• Which reminds me of some Mark Twain quotes: "No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while Congress is in session", and "The only difference between the taxidermist and the tax man is that the taxidermist leaves the skin."
  
• Mr. D and I went to the bank this morning to move a couple IRAs to a more secure place. I asked the banker about loans, since all we hear on the T and V set is that the money is tightening up and soon all business everywhere will have no cash flow and no houses will be purchased ever again and all retirement accounts will have a 0 balance and no one will have a job. She said they are still closing loans, but they are getting more difficult. For example, they no longer do 80/20 loans. Having no idea what an 80/20 loan was, she explained that people take out two loans. They borrow the down payment of 20%. What in the world? Who knew you could do that? She said loans are still being closed for qualified buyers and businesses.
• I don't get how people think that Obama can help this mess.
• I think that the liberal press is really mean to Sarah Palin and I don't much care for Tina Fey or Katie Couric.
• Frank, Dodd, Pelosi=hubris
• I see that tomorrow night, one of McCain's fellow POWs will be at the Eden Prairie McCain Office working the phone banks and meeting people. I'd go if I didn't already have other plans.
• Fall is beautiful. I love the colorful leaves against the bright blue sky.
• The thief comes to kill and steal and destroy, but God takes care of me and He is always loving and faithful to all who call on His name.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Night...

...the rain was pouring down, his jacket was off, his white dress-shirt was clinging to his body...

"The beginning of a trashy, murder mystery novel", you ask?

"No," say I, "The beginning of an ABC news article describing an Obama campaign stop."

Unbelievable

Someone has to say it. That disgusting Charlie Gibson interview where Sarah Palin tells the world that she can see Russia and everyone is making her out to be an idiot. Take a look at it. It's at about 4:20. Could it be any more obviously edited to make it look like she answered the question with only the, "I can see Alaska from my house," line? Seriously, I'm really sick of the media and their obvious biased editing.

I suppose I will have to break down and watch the Couric interview, but from what I saw, it was obvious that Palin was highly distracted by something. There was something else going on. Don't know if it's the editing or what.

But, Biden tells a disabled vet in a wheelchair to stand, tells us that Roosevelt spoke on the T and V set in 1929 when he wasn't even president and the T and V set wasn't available till the late 30's. Really, he gets a pass.

Now I see that they are attacking McCain because he "lied". It seems Normandy wasn't the greatest invasion in history. Turns out the greatest invasion in history was Operation Barbarossa. Who knew?

Please, I'm begging. DON'T VOTE FOR OBAMA!

A Classic

When I was little, my parents had a book shelf on which sat the entire set of Harvard Classics. There were lots of books that were worth the read, but to a 10 year old, the only one that really stuck out was Volume 17. It was entitled Folklore and Fable: Aesop, Grimm, Anderson. Looking over the list of titles as an adult, I now see that I would be a much more learned person, had I opened the rest up. But I stuck with the Fairy Tales.

One from Aesop seems appropriate for these times. It would be a good story for Congress to take a minute and read. But, I hear from Nancy that things are back on track now that McCain is leaving them alone. Here's a little story for you to enjoy as you wait for Nancy, Barney, and Christopher to tell us how much corn we are going to have to fork over to the grasshopper,

The Ant and the Grasshopper
In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.
“Why not come and chat with me,” said the Grasshopper, “instead of toiling and moiling in that way?”
“I am helping to lay up food for the winter,” said the Ant, “and recommend you to do the same.”
“Why bother about winter?” said the Grasshopper; “we have got plenty of food at present.” But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food, and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:
“IT IS BEST TO PREPARE FOR THE DAYS OF NECESSITY.”

The Fox is Guarding the Hen House

Jennifer has this on her political blog. It's long, 9 minutes, but it offers some insight that is hard to find on MSNBC. ;-)

Every time I see Dodd or Frank blaming McCain, the Republicans, Bush, the free market system, or whoever, I want to shout to the world, "Hey, world, you've got the fox guarding the hen house."

And, the blame shifting? Well, I guess that goes back to The Garden. You know, it was the woman, no it was the serpent. Whoever it was, we ended up with a problem that had to be fixed by someone who had NOTHING to do with it. And, it cost a lot.

Note to Obama

This is the line that bothered me the most during the debate last night.
Barack said:

“The problem with a spending freeze is you're using a hatchet where you need a scalpel. There are some programs that are very important that are under-funded. I want to increase early childhood education....”

Hey Barack, we need the hatchet. There will be time later for the scalpel.

Hey Barack, we don't need more (or any if you ask me) funding for "early childhood education".

PBS Poll on Palin

Say that fast 10 times.

Anywho, PBS is taking a poll asking the nation if Sarah is qualified. You can go here to vote. When I voted it was almost 50/50, but the person who sent me the link said it was 60/40 against poor Sarah when she voted. So, let's turn this around in a big way.

Happy Autumnal Equinox

Here's your NASA photo of the day in honor of the Autumnal Equinox.

And, here is a great post. Be sure and watch the video first. Then, (don't cheat watch the video first), click on the word "here" that is in the post.

Things the Government Should Do

• Preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.
• Defend me, my family, and my stuff
• Not take my money or my stuff and give it to other people who don't have as much money or stuff
• Not take other people's money and give it to me because I don't have as much money or stuff as they do
• Not waste the tax money they demand from me (under penalty of law)
• Not use my tax money to kill babies (or do research with fetal stem cells)

Things People Should Generally Be Responsible for Without Help from Anyone Except God

• A place to live
• Food
• Clothes
• Medical Care
• Education

Things Individuals and Charities Should Help Provide for People if They Really, Really Need It

• A place to live
  
• Food
• Clothes
  
• Medical Care

Things the Government Shouldn't Take My Money and Provide Me or Anyone Else With

• A House
• Food
• A College Education
• Medical Care

Internet Rumors to Pass Along

I received this forward in my e-mail this morning. I thought I'd pass it on because of my love of conspiracy theories and also because I predicted it (only I said by the end of September). Biden is saying such goofy things that the have to get rid of him, but have to come up with a good reason. Plus, October surprises are not new and often are helpful.

My theory was that his reason would be a "family" emergency. (To mock the idea that Sarah Palin has a Down Syndrome baby and a pregnant teenage daughter, but is so career driven that she wouldn't give up her political ambition to take care of her family.) But, a "health crisis" for Biden would work, also, and give him a last minute out.

So, I invite you to theorize with me. If Biden goes, and Hillary enters, what excuse will Biden give? Let me know what you think.

Here's the forward I received.

On or about October 5th, Biden will excuse himself from the ticket, citing health problems, and he will be replaced by Hillary. This is timed to occur after the VP debate on 10/2.

There have been talks all weekend about how to proceed with this info. Generally, the feeling is that we should all go ahead and get it out there to as many blog sites and personal email lists as is possible. I have already seen a few short blurbs about this - the "health problem" cited in those articles was an aneurysm. Probably many of you have heard the same rumblings. However, at this point, with this inside info from the DNC, it looks like this Obama strategy will be a go. Therefore, it seems that the best strategy is to get out in front of this Obama maneuver, spell it out in detail, and thereby expose it for the grand manipulation that it is.

The First Birthday Party

A small boy. A scary large chocolate cake.

The paparazzi showed up.

The cake was delicious. The end.

I LOVE Conspiracy Theories

Remember my post about Obama and the 57 States?

Well, thanks to a forward I just received from the Pfaus, it is taking on a fun, new conspiracy theory twist.

I love conspiracy theories, except the movie Conspiracy Theory was too intense for me, so I stopped watching at the end and never found out what happened because Mr. D refused to tell me. He also refused to tell me how Air Force One ended, but he said it was a very exciting ending. So, I don't like suspense. It's too suspenseful.

Anyway, back to the 57 states. According to the forward from the Pfaus, Rush Limbaugh mentioned that there are 57 Islamic states. So, I googled. Sure enough, there are.

Although, the Wiki article seems to have been tampered with. In the "cached" stuff it says 57 states. And, on the sidebar it says 57 states, but in the body of the article, it says 51 states. There you have it, another conspiracy.

Just How Low Can it Get?

Someone is selling this.

Poetry Monday

Afternoon With Grandmother
by Barbara A. Huff

I always shout when Grandma comes,
But Mother says, "Now please be still
And good and do what Grandma wants."
And I say, "Yes, I will."

So off we go in Grandma's car,
"There's a brand new movie quite near by,"
She says, "that I'd rather like to see."
And I say, "So would I."

The show has horses and chases and battles;
We gasp and hold hands the whole way through.
She smiles and says, "I liked that lots."
And I say, "I did, too."

"It's made me hungry, though," she says,
"I'd like a malt and tarts with jam.
By any chance are you hungry, too?"
And I say, "Yes, I am."

Later at home my Mother says,
"I hope you were careful to do as bid.
Did you and Grandma have a good time?"
And I say, "YES, WE DID!!!"

For the Record

2007 Income Obama-$4,200,000 with $240,000 charitable contributions (5.7%)

2007 Income McCain-$405,409 with $105,467 charitable contributions (24%)

2007 Income Biden-$320,000 with $993 charitable contributions (0.3%)

Palin's tax records were not yet available.

Joe Biden averaged $369 per year in contributions for the last 10 years. Of course, we know that number is a few billion low. After all, he's given away billions in the last 10 years, it just wasn't all his money.

Also, the salary of members of Congress is around $165,000. Shouldn't someone be asking the question, "How did Obama make $4.2 million last year?"

Will is One Today!

Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

Charlie, the School Superintendent

I wonder if Charlie Gibson, who sat there with his nose in the air (probably was trying to keep his spectacles in place) as he interviewed Mrs. Palin yesterday, thought twice when asked to do the interview. Did he ponder whether or not he was the man best qualified to do it? Or, did he say yes immediately. Because if he did, I think that type of unwavering confidence borders on hubris.

Mr. D thought Charlie looked like the Superintendent calling in the new Principal to question her qualifications or give her a scolding.

Did anyone else think that the camera angle on Charlie was from a low position, making him look elevated and the camera on Mrs. Palin was from above, making her look small? Maybe it was just me.

I think the McCain campaign should have gone with someone more fair than Charlie Gibson, say, for example, Chris Matthews.

Good thing for Sarah, that she was able to remember all the answers that her handlers told her to say. And, that she remembered how to correctly pronounce Saakashvili.

By the way, if Charlie would Google "Bush Doctrine" he might realize that there is more to the "Bush Doctrine" than preemptive strikes. The phrase came about after 9/11 and originally meant that the United States had the right to treat countries that harbor or aid terrorist groups as terrorists themselves, then it evolved to mean more. So, Mrs. Palin was correct in asking him what he meant by it. Charlie was misinformed or underinformed.

Alessandra Stanley of the NYTimes wrote:

ABC News delivered the first glimpse of Palin without a script or a cheering audience, and it was a strained and illuminating conversation. Palin, who kept inserting Gibson's nickname, "Charlie," into her answers, as if to convey an old hand's conviviality, tried to project self-confidence, poise and even expertise: She let Gibson know that she had personally reassured the Georgian prime minister and correctly pronounced his last name, Saakashvili. At times, her voice hesitated, and she looked like a student trying to bend prepared answers to fit unexpected questions.

Thank you NY Times for informing us that she was able to fake poise and expertise. And that she could pronounce Saakashvili correctly. Can you imagine if they had said that about Biden? No one would have thought twice if he had pronounced a name incorrectly.