Pro v. Con - For v. Against - Roe v. Wade = LIFE V. DEATH

Today, I am facing irony clean in the face. It is an irony that I seem to face every year at this time. It seems clear to me that in the fight between life and death, life should always win. However, in our world, there are those who vehemently disagree. There are, it seems, times when life is no longer a concern. Death is a “choice” for them that clearly overrides life.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the controversial Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court Decision that made Abortion legal in the United States. I will not go into all of the details of Abortion in this entry, but I will clearly state that I am 100% against abortion. I do however think of how far we’ve come since 1973 in this issue. The 2 sides of the issue are still completely adamant that they are correct, and more separated than ever in ideology. More importantly, the issue has become even bigger. Since 1973, we also have to worry about: Late-term abortions, Partial-birth abortion, and State/Federal/tax-subsidized abortion.

So the irony for me is the way the other side can totally ignore what most would consider the #1 protected entity – life. Even more staggering is the main reason they state for the justification of terminating life – choice. It is utterly sickening to me that some people believe that their “right” to choose the death of another human life is more important than life itself. It doesn’t matter the reason in my book, it is still choosing death over life. I guarantee that there would be plenty of willing adoptive parents waiting in line for these babies if the mothers would choose the obvious choice of life. It wouldn’t hurt if the government would get out of the way of adoption and make the process more simple and inexpensive either.

Now, let’s move on to the topic that originally caused me to write this today. As I hear the media report about the National Right to Life day activities in Washington, one thing is clear. Political correctness and political pressure has totally hurt the cause for life. First of all I would prefer they not call the March a Protest, but that is an issue of semantics. It is hard for me to think of it as a protest when these people are speaking out for life. So, it is odd for me to think of speaking out for saving life as a “protest”. Secondly, it amazes me how the media refers to the 2 sides. The folks who agree with aborting living babies are the “pro-choice supporters”, and those of us who are for saving innocent children who don’t get a choice are “anti-abortion activists”. Do you see the way those terms set the 2 sides up? The “Pro-choice” folks are painted as obviously the most rational and therefore supporters of choice. The “anti-abortion” folks are painted as scary, irrational activists who are against the establishment. Wow, what a built-in promotional tool for the pro-abortion crowd. I think if they are going to be referred to as pro-choice, then call us pro-life or anti-death like we would like. Or if you insist on calling us anti-abortion, then call them anti-life or pro-abortion. It is a totally unfair position that all the media takes as a whole (even FOXNEWS). Listen for yourself and see if I’m right – I am!

Anyway, it appears that something is going to come to a head in 2006 with this issue. It appears that Samuel Alito is going to be installed as a Supreme Court Justice to replace Sandra Day-O’Conner in the next week or so. We also have the recently appointed Chief Justice John Roberts. It appears that both of these men lean towards the conservative side and would vote “pro-life”. Yesterday it came out that the South Dakota legislature is going to bring up a bill for a statewide ban on Abortion in 2006. There are other Abortion related cases already in appeals court as well. One example is the New Hampshire parental notification law that the Supreme Court sent back down to the lower court after the appeals court overturned the law. I’m not sure what will happen, but I am encouraged by comments from President Bush to the March for life rally yesterday. "The self-evident truths of the Declaration of Independence apply to everyone, not just to those considered healthy or wanted or convenient," Bush said. "These principles call us to defend the sick and the dying, persons with disabilities and birth defects, all who are weak and vulnerable, especially unborn children." The pro-life movement, he said, "is a cause that appeals to the conscience of our citizens and is rooted in America's deepest principles. And history tells us that with such a cause, we will prevail."

One thing is for sure, our father God is in control. God loves all human life; his word makes that point clear. As a father myself, I can not imagine making the choice to abort a life under any circumstance. No matter how you justify this choice it is, at the heart, a choice for DEATH! God rest those innocent children who never got the chance to make any choices or be heard at all. They did nothing worthy of being destroyed; and yet selfish, depraved people (their own flesh and blood) chose to kill them. I can only speak up in their favor, and wait on the Lord my God for his resolution of the topic. It will happen in his time and in his mighty, just, and loving way!

That is my 2 cents. Please pray for life and morn the 40+ million children that have been aborted since 1973!

Get used to it!

I've heard a lot of complaining and griping over the past 4 to 6 months about the price of gas going up, up, up. Up until a few weeks ago I was one of the loudest shouters (who me, and I'm usually so quiet). Then oil drilling in the Alaskan Wildlife Refuge was voted down by Congress yet again. I just can't believe that the Republicans have a majority and still can't sneak this one through. It is one of the most important domestic economic issues to ever face our country, and yet political pressure groups have so much power and influence that it may never pass. We have the worst case of politicians who are in the pockets of lobby groups we've ever seen. The Congress is no longer lead by the best interests of their constituency, but by what is the best for their continued political power and $ Gain $.

Today the Oil prices went up yet again, and they are quickly headed to where they were after Hurricane Katrina. All I'm saying is don't expect Congress or even the President to get as upset as we are and actually do something about it. Because while we're making our measily salary and living month to month, they are sitting there in their multi-million dollar houses with their madea and nannies asking what the problem is. So stop worrying and losing sleep, because your representative sure isn't.

That's my 2 cents!

Senseless Playoff Picking time

I've held off on doing any NFL playoff picks so far. But now that the 4 Conference championship games seem to be toss-ups, I'll take a shot at it. I have heard picks on both sides of both games.

Let's start with the NFC, the home of the weirdest grouping of Playoff teams ever. Now we are down to the obvious Pick going in - Seattle, and the 5 seed - Carolina. This one is a no brainer to me. In the playoffs, defense wins every time. Yes, Sean Alexander will get his yards. Yes, Matt Hassleback will have some success throwing the ball around. But, Carolina will cause turnovers, and they will decide this game. Not to mention Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme. They dismantled the supposed #1 defense (who hadn’t played much of anyone) last week and made it look like they were playing a high school team. So, my pick is the Road Warrior Carolina Panthers to make the Super bowl with a 31 - 24 win over the playoff cursed Seahawks.
Now for the AFC game no one predicted. All the "experts" said it would be the Patsies and the Colts. They were wrong. I said all along that Denver would make it. I did not see the Steelers coming. As a Charger fan, I assumed the Steelers would lose out in favor of my Chargers. But, Pittsburgh is there, and playing well. This is the real toss up. Both are great defenses with great pass rush, great secondaries, and the ability to limit the run. I'm impressed with the growth of both QBs this year. I'm not ready to anoint either as great QBs, but both are very efficient and are now limiting errors well. Both running games are good, but Denver's combo is more consistent. The receivers are pretty even as well with Rod Smith and Hines Ward as the big dogs. I will say Pittsburgh’s receivers have the edge in big play potential. One difference is that with the emergence of "Big Money" Heath Miller, Pittsburgh has a great option at Tight end that Denver does not really have with Putzier. So what separates these 2 teams on Sunday? Here is where I make Pittsburgh fans mad. 2 things: Coaching and home field advantage. I feel strongly that Shanahan's playoff and Super Bowl experience will make the biggest difference. No one game plans better for these types of games. He will have this team ready, and they will shock the Steelers like the Steelers did the Colts last week. No, I don't mean Dominating Drives. I mean they will have a plan that will totally control the momentum of the game. On the other point, I know I picked the road team in the Carolina game, but those teams were not nearly as even as these 2. First off, Denver is virtually unbeatable in their house, and second Denver has only played one game and it was at home. They are fresh, and Pittsburgh is road Weary. At the end of this one, it will be Denver 35 Pittsburgh 24.

Those are my 2 cent predictions for what it's worth.

Quick College Football Gripes

OK, I stayed up until 1am to watch one of the best football games I've ever seen and the best individual college performance I've ever seen. The Texas vs. USC match-up is the first game to live up to the Hype in a long time. Unbelievably, I still have a short list of Gripes. So, Here goes.

1. Keith Jackson? What was up with that? Keith, my friend, I feel the same way about you as I do Bret Favre. You have both had tremendous runs as the best at what you do, but it is time to hang it up. I've never heard a play-by-play guy make so many mis-statements in my life. And what is with the "times out" deal? You will always be remembered, but please stay off of my TV.
2. Bowl Officiating? Was this not the worst case of bowl game officiating ever? It was horrable all around. So why did I think the National Championship game under the not so watchful eye of the NCAA would be any different.? Thank goodness that those horrable calls didn't ruin the outcome of the game. My wife said to me "they sure are having to review a lot of calls". That is because there were so many bad ones. What a disgrace. I wish the NCAA would pay some attention to the officiating issues and not spend so much time worrying about a coach who bough a recruit a donut at Saint Wigwaam University.
3. The unfairness of the media hype machine- You got a good look last night at what I've been saying the whole year. Vince Young, not Reggie Bush, should have won the Hiesman Trophy. Texas gets so much less publicity and game exposure than USC that everyone thinks Reggie Bush is the end all be all and Vince Young is just OK. Last night Vince young proved his point and vaulted himself ahead of Leinert if he comes out for the draft. I'll even say that Houston has to take a second look at Vince Young over David Carr instead of just simply defalting to Reggie Bush.
   
4. Dan Fouts doesn't get enough credit as a Color guy. He did a great job last night.
5. 4-1 Pete Carroll doesn't look so Brilliant. Where was Reggie Bush (Decoy or otherwise) on that 4-1 play at the end. It made the offence very one dimensional and easy to stop. Bad call Pete.
6. Matt Leinert Can't run.
   
7. The stupid games start too late. Start them at 7pm so I can get to bed before too late. Now I'm tired, grumpy, and mean. Wait, that is not exclusive to today! Sorry!
8. That's my 2.1 cents!
   

My Top Ten New Years Resolutions for 2006 that most likely will not last

10. Stop watching 24 Hour Cable news. They are so hungry for news that they report speculation and not fact. I can't tell you how many times I've heard them have to correct information; it is just usually smaller information. In the case of the WV Coal Mine incident, it was just big enough to raise eyebrows. Who am I kidding, I'm a hopeless spot news (must know right now or die) addict.

9. Try not to get mad at idiot Virginia Drivers. This will be a tough one. Most folks around here don't understand that acceleration lanes are a place to accelerate, NOT STOP! I also hate the slowpokes in the passing lane. Must learn to love them and be patient with them, good luck!

8. Start looking for capital to start a year round Professional Football league. There is still a month until the Super Bowl, and I'm having withdrawal symptoms already. OK, I know, wish in one hand and you know what in the other. . .

7. Never eat at McDonalds again. My distaste for both their food and their ultra-brat, teenage, smart-mouthed, brainless excuse for workers has driven me to a full-on boycott of the lousy franchise. I have given in to my wife and children in 2005 maybe 10 or 15 times and gone there only to be totally disgusted and mad upon leaving. My 2006 goal is to not darken their stupid doorways or drive throughs at all. My daughter's big brown eyes are already beginning to burn a hole in my heart. So, this one may not happen.

6. Give in to the friends and begin to look for the right fit for a run for political office. For years, friends have mentioned that they would love to see me run for political office, and they would vote for me. I have often said that the world is not ready for someone to the right of Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage. I've also said that I'd have to run as an independent because the Republican Party would never stand for an uncontrollable candidate. I would vote my way, and speak my mind (ouch that hurts already). But this time it's for real, I'm going to do it. OK maybe I should just give this one up again before it even starts.

5. I plan to do something kind for a stranger every day in 2006. Wait, I already do this now. I open doors for people who are rude or worse in return. I've even been told by an obvious feminist that I was insulting her by holding the door. I am one of the few people who let the crazy drivers in front of me when leaving a crowded parking lot. In turn they flip me off. I try to saw kind words to everyone as I pass, only to be given a nasty look. I try to be patient with the stupid clerks at Wal-Mart, only to get bomblasted with the fact that they don't want to be there and generally hate everyone. OK, I'll already revise this one. I plan to do something nice for all of my civil friends and family every day in 2006.

4. Stop listening to sports radio. I don't think it is healthy to overload my tiny little brain with so many different people's crazy opinions. It also adversely affected my fantasy football performance this year because I listened to too many experts. So, I will no longer listen to that stuff. OK, so I've already screwed that one up, I'm listening to Dan Patrick right now.

3. Begin a new daily exercise program. That was last year, and it lasted for 2 weeks. 2 years ago it went for 8 months. OOPS.

2. Stop asking everyone the huge cliché, bla bla bla question everyone asks when they run into someone "how are you doing?" Aren't you sick of hearing that question? I always tell people the honest answer when I'm asked that question. So, for the upcoming year, I plan to bite my tongue and say something different to folks. It's such a habit phrase, this one could fall quickly!

1. I want to start a campaign to smack anyone who I see using the bathroom and then walking out without washing their hands. I normally just boil inside in disgust when I see this, but no more. I will speak out to everyone I see do this. OK, you think I'm overreacting? Next time you are eating your lunch in the break room at your office just look around at everyone touching everything and think about how many of them didn't wash their hands. I hope you keep your double bologna super cheese sandwich down. I feel sick!