Today is Friday, August 31, 2012. Hot and humid again, many schools letting out early. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an Angust total of 61.3 miles. My weight was at 162.6 pounds.
QUOTE from George Bernard Shaw: "He knows nothing and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a political career."
One of the BLESSINGS of living in America: On August 20th I wrote in this BLOG a Letter I had ready to send to the editors of the Anamosa and Monticello newspapers. Yesterday it was published in the Anamosa Journal-Eureka. To be able to express my views in writing in a newspaper is one of the guarantees in the First Amendment. This amendment uses these words: Congress shall make no law......; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press........ That is why I was able to get my letter published in the newspaper. What a great country to live in. In many countries in this world I wouldn't be able to do such a thing. God Bless the First Amendment and God Bless James Madison for formulating the first Ten Amendments to our constitution - which we know as the original Bill of Rights.
HUMOR for today: I think this is a true story. A Baptist minister in Texas was conducting Easter service. He called the kids to the front for the children's sermon. The minister said,"This is Easter Sunday and today we're going to talk about the resurrection. Does anyone know what the resurrection is?" One little boy raised his hand, and the pastor said "Please tell us what the resurrection is."
The boy proudly answered in a clear voice. "It is when you get one lasting more than four hours, you gotta call a doctor." Laughter engulfed the congregation and the minister forgot about his sermon.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,218. What I learned about golf today.
Today is Thursday, August 30, 2012 - it is going to be 97degrees today and humid. Many schools are letting out early. My stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of the exercise ball and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 58.6 miles. My weight was 162.0 pounds.
QUOTE from Harry Vardon: "Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty."
What I LEARNED today: I learned that if I keep my head down and swing easy I can be more consistent in hitting good golf shots.
I've been golfing for 36 years and it is finally sinking in - I guess I'm a slow learner.
I disagree with the quote - One round a day is enough for me.
HUMOR for today: If your talking to (or listening) to an arrogant, ignorant loud mouth here are some putdowns to shut them up.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAKES YOU SO DUMB, BUT IT REALLY WORKS.
IF BRAINS WERE TAXED, YOU'D GET A REBATE.
DON'T GET LOST IN THOUGHT - IT'S UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY.
(There have been times when I would've loved to say something like the above. Last week I did tell a guy to shut his mouth when he was cussing out President Obama. He did.)
QUOTE from Harry Vardon: "Don't play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty."
What I LEARNED today: I learned that if I keep my head down and swing easy I can be more consistent in hitting good golf shots.
I've been golfing for 36 years and it is finally sinking in - I guess I'm a slow learner.
I disagree with the quote - One round a day is enough for me.
HUMOR for today: If your talking to (or listening) to an arrogant, ignorant loud mouth here are some putdowns to shut them up.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT MAKES YOU SO DUMB, BUT IT REALLY WORKS.
IF BRAINS WERE TAXED, YOU'D GET A REBATE.
DON'T GET LOST IN THOUGHT - IT'S UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY.
(There have been times when I would've loved to say something like the above. Last week I did tell a guy to shut his mouth when he was cussing out President Obama. He did.)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,217. More political humor.
Today is Wednesday. August 29, 2012 - another hot and humid one. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 38 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 55.9 miles. My weight was 161.6 pounds.
QUOTE by Paul Valery: "Politics is the art of preventing people from becoming involved in affairs which concern them."
My thoughts today are still about politics. So I'll share some of the funny remarks I have found
about the topic of politics.
Ronald Reagan made a funny remark about Congress. "I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
Adlai Stevenson said: "A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth."
Richard Nixon said: "Finishing second in the Olympics gets you silver. Finishing second in politics gets you oblivion."
Simon Cameron said: "An honest politician is one who when he's bought stays bought."
HUMOR for today. Hunter S. Thompson had this to say about Richard Nixon.
"For years I've regarded his very existence as a monument to all the rancid genes and broken chromosones that corrupt the possibilities of the American Dream; he was a foul caricature of himself, a man with no soul, no inner convictions, with the integrity of a hyena and the style of a poison toad."
(This made me laugh and I've concluded that Mr. Thompson did not like Richard Nixon - WHAT DO YOU THINK?)
QUOTE by Paul Valery: "Politics is the art of preventing people from becoming involved in affairs which concern them."
My thoughts today are still about politics. So I'll share some of the funny remarks I have found
about the topic of politics.
Ronald Reagan made a funny remark about Congress. "I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."
Adlai Stevenson said: "A politician is a statesman who approaches every question with an open mouth."
Richard Nixon said: "Finishing second in the Olympics gets you silver. Finishing second in politics gets you oblivion."
Simon Cameron said: "An honest politician is one who when he's bought stays bought."
HUMOR for today. Hunter S. Thompson had this to say about Richard Nixon.
"For years I've regarded his very existence as a monument to all the rancid genes and broken chromosones that corrupt the possibilities of the American Dream; he was a foul caricature of himself, a man with no soul, no inner convictions, with the integrity of a hyena and the style of a poison toad."
(This made me laugh and I've concluded that Mr. Thompson did not like Richard Nixon - WHAT DO YOU THINK?)
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,216. Politics is in the air.
Today is Tuesday, August 28, 2012 - it is hot and humid. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the exercise ball and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for an August total of 53.9 miles. My weight was 162.0 pounds.
QUOTE from Will Rogers: "A fool and his money are soon elected."
Politics is in the air. The Republicans are holding their national convention in Tampa Bay. I like politics so my thoughts today have to do with politics.
I really liked George H.W. Bush but I never figured out why he chose Dan Quayle as his VP. To me Quayle was an idiot as this remark from him will prove - this won him a special mention at the 1991 PLAIN ENGLISH FOOT in MOUTH AWARDS. "We offer the Republican Party as a big tent. How do we recognize the big tent philosophy within the platform, the preamble to the platform or whatnot, that remains to be seen. But that message will have to be articulated with great clarity." That is about as clear as George W. Bush trying to explain how privatizing Social Security would be a good deal for everybody.
HUMOR for today: A guy named G.K Chesterton kind of sums up my feelings and it makes me laugh. Chesterton said: "It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."
Another one that makes me laugh is from Henry Kissinger: "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other10 percent a bad reputation."
QUOTE from Will Rogers: "A fool and his money are soon elected."
Politics is in the air. The Republicans are holding their national convention in Tampa Bay. I like politics so my thoughts today have to do with politics.
I really liked George H.W. Bush but I never figured out why he chose Dan Quayle as his VP. To me Quayle was an idiot as this remark from him will prove - this won him a special mention at the 1991 PLAIN ENGLISH FOOT in MOUTH AWARDS. "We offer the Republican Party as a big tent. How do we recognize the big tent philosophy within the platform, the preamble to the platform or whatnot, that remains to be seen. But that message will have to be articulated with great clarity." That is about as clear as George W. Bush trying to explain how privatizing Social Security would be a good deal for everybody.
HUMOR for today: A guy named G.K Chesterton kind of sums up my feelings and it makes me laugh. Chesterton said: "It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."
Another one that makes me laugh is from Henry Kissinger: "Ninety percent of the politicians give the other10 percent a bad reputation."
Monday, August 27, 2012
Pete's Blog-Day 26,215. Brad and his Dad = Who's the best predictor?
Today is Monday, August 27, 2012. My stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 51.4 miles. My weight was 162.4 pounds.
QUOTE from J.K. Galbraith: "There are two kinds of predictors: Those who don't know, and those who don't know they don't know."
Who's the best predictor in regard to the Hawkeye football season? I emailed Brad my picks yesterday and he answered with his picks. So here they are:
Brad's pick Dad's pick
Northern Illinois W W
Iowa State W L
UNI W W
Central Michigan W W
Minnesota W W
Michigan State L L
Penn State L W
Northwestern L W
Indiana W W
Purdue W W
Michigan L L
Nebraska W L
Bowl game L W
Brad's is predicting an 8-5 season Dad is predicting a 9-4 season.
HUMOR for today: Read the QUOTE above. Last year we both predicted a 9-3 season and we ended at 7-5. Which kind predictor are sonny boy and his Dad - the first kind or the second?
QUOTE from J.K. Galbraith: "There are two kinds of predictors: Those who don't know, and those who don't know they don't know."
Who's the best predictor in regard to the Hawkeye football season? I emailed Brad my picks yesterday and he answered with his picks. So here they are:
Brad's pick Dad's pick
Northern Illinois W W
Iowa State W L
UNI W W
Central Michigan W W
Minnesota W W
Michigan State L L
Penn State L W
Northwestern L W
Indiana W W
Purdue W W
Michigan L L
Nebraska W L
Bowl game L W
Brad's is predicting an 8-5 season Dad is predicting a 9-4 season.
HUMOR for today: Read the QUOTE above. Last year we both predicted a 9-3 season and we ended at 7-5. Which kind predictor are sonny boy and his Dad - the first kind or the second?
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Pete"s BLOG-Day 26,214. Hawkeye Football.
Today is Sunday, August 26, 2012. Hey, we've had rain since 3 AM and, at noon, it's still raining. HURRAH. No stats today. My weight was 162.8 pounds.
Every year at the end of August I get excited about how the Hawkeyes are going to do in football this year. So far, they are undefeated - they play their first game against Northern Illinois next Saturday in Chicago. The Cedar Rapids Gazette has been running a week long series of articles examining every position on the Hawkeye team. Of course, it looks like we have wonderful players at every position but the problem is that every other school feels the same way. So here are Pete's predictions for 2012.
We're going to start out with a 3-1 record. We'll lose to either Northern Illinois or Iowa State and we'll beat Northern Iowa and Central Michigan.
Then the BIG Ten starts on September 29.
Sept. 29. We'll beat Minnesota at home. October 13. We'll lose to Michigan State there.
Oct. 20. We'll beat Penn State at home. October 27. We'll beat Northwestern there.
Nov. 3. We'll beat Indiana there. Nov. 10. We'll beat Purdue at home.
Nov. 17. We'll lose to Michigan there. Nov. 23. We'll lose to Nebraska at home.
The good news is we don't have to play Wisconsin or Ohio State.
HUMOR for today: My prediction is 8-4 for the Hawks. (please don't rub it in if I'm way to optimistic)
Every year at the end of August I get excited about how the Hawkeyes are going to do in football this year. So far, they are undefeated - they play their first game against Northern Illinois next Saturday in Chicago. The Cedar Rapids Gazette has been running a week long series of articles examining every position on the Hawkeye team. Of course, it looks like we have wonderful players at every position but the problem is that every other school feels the same way. So here are Pete's predictions for 2012.
We're going to start out with a 3-1 record. We'll lose to either Northern Illinois or Iowa State and we'll beat Northern Iowa and Central Michigan.
Then the BIG Ten starts on September 29.
Sept. 29. We'll beat Minnesota at home. October 13. We'll lose to Michigan State there.
Oct. 20. We'll beat Penn State at home. October 27. We'll beat Northwestern there.
Nov. 3. We'll beat Indiana there. Nov. 10. We'll beat Purdue at home.
Nov. 17. We'll lose to Michigan there. Nov. 23. We'll lose to Nebraska at home.
The good news is we don't have to play Wisconsin or Ohio State.
HUMOR for today: My prediction is 8-4 for the Hawks. (please don't rub it in if I'm way to optimistic)
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,213. Anamosa and Obama's stimulus.
Today is August 25, 2012. Mt stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on exercise ball and 38 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 48.7 miles. My weight was 162.0 pounds.
QUOTE from Neil deGrasse Tyson: "I am driven by two main philosophies. Know more today than I knew yesterday, and lesson the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you." (that is my philosophy also)
What I learned yesterday from the Anamosa Newspaper. Anamosa has built a new Middle School and it will open next Monday. There was a huge controversy in Anamosa two years ago about where to build the new school. Finally the group that wanted it built on the northeast part of town close to the High School won the argument. According to the newspaper Jim and Ellen Kennedy of Fidelity Bank and Trust stepped forward and committed to purchase $8 million of the $12 million in bonds. Their quick response, showing financing was in place, ENABLED THE ANAMOSA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO QUALIFY FOR AND GET FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SCHOOLS. That money came from the Obama Stimulus Package - it was in the vicinity of $12 million dollars.Regardless of the political campaign ads saying Obama's Stimulus Program was a waste - I guess they haven't heard about Anamosa.
HUMOR FOR TODAY:
"Doctor, please help me," says an elderly patient. "I have silent passage of gas every morning. I have silent passage of gas every afternoon, and I suffer from silent passage of gas in the evening. Sometimes I have silent passage of gas at unpredictable times - for instance, just now. Doctor, can you help me?"
"Sure, I can help you," says the doctor. "But the first thing we're going to do is get you some hearing aids."
QUOTE from Neil deGrasse Tyson: "I am driven by two main philosophies. Know more today than I knew yesterday, and lesson the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you." (that is my philosophy also)
What I learned yesterday from the Anamosa Newspaper. Anamosa has built a new Middle School and it will open next Monday. There was a huge controversy in Anamosa two years ago about where to build the new school. Finally the group that wanted it built on the northeast part of town close to the High School won the argument. According to the newspaper Jim and Ellen Kennedy of Fidelity Bank and Trust stepped forward and committed to purchase $8 million of the $12 million in bonds. Their quick response, showing financing was in place, ENABLED THE ANAMOSA SCHOOL DISTRICT TO QUALIFY FOR AND GET FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SCHOOLS. That money came from the Obama Stimulus Package - it was in the vicinity of $12 million dollars.Regardless of the political campaign ads saying Obama's Stimulus Program was a waste - I guess they haven't heard about Anamosa.
HUMOR FOR TODAY:
"Doctor, please help me," says an elderly patient. "I have silent passage of gas every morning. I have silent passage of gas every afternoon, and I suffer from silent passage of gas in the evening. Sometimes I have silent passage of gas at unpredictable times - for instance, just now. Doctor, can you help me?"
"Sure, I can help you," says the doctor. "But the first thing we're going to do is get you some hearing aids."
Friday, August 24, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,212. Ignorance in America.
Today is August 24, 2012. Pete'd stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 48 minutes of walking = 2.6 miles for an August total of 46.7 miles. My weight was 162.0 pounds.
QUOTE from Amos Bronson Alcott: TO BE IGNORANT OF ONE'S IGNORANCE IS THE MALADY OF THE IGNORANT.
The following are from the Reader's Digest. They made me think of ignorance in America. The majority of Americans - 3 in 4 - identify Larry, Curly, and Moe as the Three Stooges. But only 2 in 5 can correctly identify the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government.
More than three quarters of Americans can name two of the seven dwarfs, while less than a quarter can name two members of the Supreme Court.
HUMOR for today. I read the HAGAR THE HORRIBLE comic strip every morning - it was a funny one today.
Helga (the wife) is on her hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.
Hagar says, "Helga, I hate to see you working so hard this early in the morning....so I'm going to have breakfast down at the tavern."
QUOTE from Amos Bronson Alcott: TO BE IGNORANT OF ONE'S IGNORANCE IS THE MALADY OF THE IGNORANT.
The following are from the Reader's Digest. They made me think of ignorance in America. The majority of Americans - 3 in 4 - identify Larry, Curly, and Moe as the Three Stooges. But only 2 in 5 can correctly identify the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of our government.
More than three quarters of Americans can name two of the seven dwarfs, while less than a quarter can name two members of the Supreme Court.
HUMOR for today. I read the HAGAR THE HORRIBLE comic strip every morning - it was a funny one today.
Helga (the wife) is on her hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor.
Hagar says, "Helga, I hate to see you working so hard this early in the morning....so I'm going to have breakfast down at the tavern."
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,211.Pete and golf.
Today is Thursday, August 23, 2012. Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of exercise ball, and 39 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 44.1 miles. My weight was 162.6.
This morning I went golfing with my friend, Paul Lewison. It had to be one of my worst days ever on the golf course. I simply cannot keep my head down while making contact with the ball. I invariably sneak a peak a little too soon and will hit a worm-raper (by the way that is legitimate rape) or I will hit it off the end of the club and it ends up going to the right and into the rough or woods. I've actually thought about quitting the game but I can't. I can't because I enjoy being outdoors in the green atmosphere of a golf course and I enjoy the company and the bantering back and forth between me and Paul. Maybe the next time it will be better. Last week I couldn't miss a putt but I haven't made one in 3 rounds this week. I guess I'll blame it on not having a good nights sleep. I'm sure I'll try again next week - I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
This morning I went golfing with my friend, Paul Lewison. It had to be one of my worst days ever on the golf course. I simply cannot keep my head down while making contact with the ball. I invariably sneak a peak a little too soon and will hit a worm-raper (by the way that is legitimate rape) or I will hit it off the end of the club and it ends up going to the right and into the rough or woods. I've actually thought about quitting the game but I can't. I can't because I enjoy being outdoors in the green atmosphere of a golf course and I enjoy the company and the bantering back and forth between me and Paul. Maybe the next time it will be better. Last week I couldn't miss a putt but I haven't made one in 3 rounds this week. I guess I'll blame it on not having a good nights sleep. I'm sure I'll try again next week - I guess I'm a glutton for punishment.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,210. GOP and Platform
Today is Wednesday, August 22, 2012. Pete's stats: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 42.` miles. My weigth was 162.2 pounds.
The Republicans are writing their platform in Tampa, Florida in prepearation for their convention next week. The did it again. The platform committee embraced pro-life language with no mention of exceptions for rape or incest. I guess "legitimate rape" is alive and well in the Republican Party. My hope is that all these Republican delegates sign up to adopt the babies coming from women who have suffered through rape or incest. If they had to do that it would be a different story. AMEN!!
The Republicans are writing their platform in Tampa, Florida in prepearation for their convention next week. The did it again. The platform committee embraced pro-life language with no mention of exceptions for rape or incest. I guess "legitimate rape" is alive and well in the Republican Party. My hope is that all these Republican delegates sign up to adopt the babies coming from women who have suffered through rape or incest. If they had to do that it would be a different story. AMEN!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,209. Legitimate rape???
Today is Tuesday, August 21, 2012. It is another perfect day. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the exercise ball and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 39.4 miles. My weight was 162.8 pounds.
I learned a new phrase today and it is "legitimate rape." Missouri Congressman Todd Akin is the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. He was saying that when a woman suffers through a "legitimate rape" her body has the ability to shut down and not get pregnant. First of all I've never heard of a "legitimate rape" and I had no idea a woman's body can automatically shut down and prevent pregnancy when getting raped. Mr Akin must know something I don't. This is one of the biggest whoppers I've heard from the right-wing Tea Party freakos in America. These people scare me and to think they may actually get control of the presidency and the House and Senate!!!!! I guess this guy was leading in the polls in Missouri - I never did think the people of Missouri were the brightest in the world but now I'm convinced that my thinking was correct. And to see some right-wing fundamentalist groups are coming to his defense is beyond belief.
If the Republicans win everything in November the women of America had better watch out because your life will change dramatically.
Again, what is this country coming to????
I learned a new phrase today and it is "legitimate rape." Missouri Congressman Todd Akin is the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. He was saying that when a woman suffers through a "legitimate rape" her body has the ability to shut down and not get pregnant. First of all I've never heard of a "legitimate rape" and I had no idea a woman's body can automatically shut down and prevent pregnancy when getting raped. Mr Akin must know something I don't. This is one of the biggest whoppers I've heard from the right-wing Tea Party freakos in America. These people scare me and to think they may actually get control of the presidency and the House and Senate!!!!! I guess this guy was leading in the polls in Missouri - I never did think the people of Missouri were the brightest in the world but now I'm convinced that my thinking was correct. And to see some right-wing fundamentalist groups are coming to his defense is beyond belief.
If the Republicans win everything in November the women of America had better watch out because your life will change dramatically.
Again, what is this country coming to????
Monday, August 20, 2012
Pete's BLOG-26,208. My letter-to-the-editor.
Today is Monday, August 20, 2012. A beautiful day. Paul and I played golf this morning-it was best shot with a score of 41. My stats today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of lifting weights and 48 minutes of walking = 2.6 miles for an August total of 36.6 miles. Weight was 162.2 pounds.
I've been working on a letter to the editors of the Anamosa and Monticello papers. I'm going to type it here.
To the editor.
The 15th Amendment to the constitution reads as follows:
\Section 1. THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE U.S. OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, COLOR, OR PREVIOUS CONDITION OF SERVITUDE. ("abridge" means "to make less or deprive")
It was the Republican Party that secured the adoption of this amendment in 1870. The purpose of this amendment was to insure that the freed slaves would be able to vote.
They did get to vote but only for six years. WHY? The election of 1876 changed everything. This election is the most ugly and controversial in our history. The Democrat, Samuel J. Tilden, got 250,000 more popular votes and 37 more electoral votes than the Republican, Rutherford B. Hayes, but did NOT become president. WHY? There was some hanky-panky done with the electoral vote to make it a tie at 184 each. A 15 member commission was appointed to select the winner and they chose Hayes 8-7. The Democrats felt they were robbed of the presidency but saw an opportunity to get something they wanted. The wanted the end of Reconstruction. The told the Republicans they wouldn't fight the commission's decision if the Union would withdraw its troops. So Hayes became President, the troops were removed and Reconstruction ended.
The result was that the South came under the control of the white-controlled Democratic Party. For the next 90 years the Democratic Party denied blacks the right to vote. They finally got the right to vote again when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
What is the GOP doing in 2012? Around 30 states controlled by Republican governors and legislatures are passing "voter suppression laws." These laws are "abridging" the voting rights of nearly 20 million Americans. There 3 strategies are:
1. Passing voter ID laws. Around 20 million Americans do not have one. The majority of these citizens are black, seniors, disabled, and young.
2. Setting up barriers to register to vote A 91-year-old Floridian was notified by Floriday election officials he may not be legally registered even though he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y and had won the Silver Star in the Battle of the Bulge. He had to go to the Florida election officials and show them his Army Discharge papers to prove he was a U.S. citizen and legally registered.
3. Reducing early or absentee voting periods.
What is the goal of the GOP in 2012? It is simply to make it as difficult as possibe for many of the citizens who voted for Obama in 2008 to NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR HIM in 2012.
In Pennsylvania a Republican member of the state legislature bragged that Pennsylvania's new ID law should enable Romney to win PA. What a great American he is!!!!! Republicans like Lincoln, Teddy
Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Reagan would be appalled at the GOP of today.
Our democracy is about getting more people to vote-not less, I guess the GOP doesn't feel that way.It appears they will do anything to defeat Barack Obama. That includes ignoring the 15th Amendment to our constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I find it mind-boggling that the Party that gave blacks the right to vote in 1870, is trying to do the opposite in 2012. If I were a Republican I would be ashamed. What is our democracy coming to?????
I've been working on a letter to the editors of the Anamosa and Monticello papers. I'm going to type it here.
To the editor.
The 15th Amendment to the constitution reads as follows:
\Section 1. THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT BE DENIED OR ABRIDGED BY THE U.S. OR BY ANY STATE ON ACCOUNT OF RACE, COLOR, OR PREVIOUS CONDITION OF SERVITUDE. ("abridge" means "to make less or deprive")
It was the Republican Party that secured the adoption of this amendment in 1870. The purpose of this amendment was to insure that the freed slaves would be able to vote.
They did get to vote but only for six years. WHY? The election of 1876 changed everything. This election is the most ugly and controversial in our history. The Democrat, Samuel J. Tilden, got 250,000 more popular votes and 37 more electoral votes than the Republican, Rutherford B. Hayes, but did NOT become president. WHY? There was some hanky-panky done with the electoral vote to make it a tie at 184 each. A 15 member commission was appointed to select the winner and they chose Hayes 8-7. The Democrats felt they were robbed of the presidency but saw an opportunity to get something they wanted. The wanted the end of Reconstruction. The told the Republicans they wouldn't fight the commission's decision if the Union would withdraw its troops. So Hayes became President, the troops were removed and Reconstruction ended.
The result was that the South came under the control of the white-controlled Democratic Party. For the next 90 years the Democratic Party denied blacks the right to vote. They finally got the right to vote again when the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
What is the GOP doing in 2012? Around 30 states controlled by Republican governors and legislatures are passing "voter suppression laws." These laws are "abridging" the voting rights of nearly 20 million Americans. There 3 strategies are:
1. Passing voter ID laws. Around 20 million Americans do not have one. The majority of these citizens are black, seniors, disabled, and young.
2. Setting up barriers to register to vote A 91-year-old Floridian was notified by Floriday election officials he may not be legally registered even though he was born in Brooklyn, N.Y and had won the Silver Star in the Battle of the Bulge. He had to go to the Florida election officials and show them his Army Discharge papers to prove he was a U.S. citizen and legally registered.
3. Reducing early or absentee voting periods.
What is the goal of the GOP in 2012? It is simply to make it as difficult as possibe for many of the citizens who voted for Obama in 2008 to NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR HIM in 2012.
In Pennsylvania a Republican member of the state legislature bragged that Pennsylvania's new ID law should enable Romney to win PA. What a great American he is!!!!! Republicans like Lincoln, Teddy
Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and Reagan would be appalled at the GOP of today.
Our democracy is about getting more people to vote-not less, I guess the GOP doesn't feel that way.It appears they will do anything to defeat Barack Obama. That includes ignoring the 15th Amendment to our constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I find it mind-boggling that the Party that gave blacks the right to vote in 1870, is trying to do the opposite in 2012. If I were a Republican I would be ashamed. What is our democracy coming to?????
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day26,205 and 26,207. Computer is finally fixed.
Today is Sunday, August 19, 2012. We had computer problems yesterday but everything is working today.
The Century Link guy came this morning and fixed things. We had a waterlogged connection under the house. He replaced it and said things will now work - no more static on the phone and the modem will keep us connected to the internet - so far so good. And to make things even better today I put a new "fill valve & flapper kit" in my stool and it is working perfectly - way to go Pete. I'm such a plumbing genius.
I went to 8 AM church today. I got caught up on Darvin's (my 92-year buddy) love life with his 87-year-old girlfriend. And I gave Pastor Bill and wife Ann a photo of Brad, Alex and Inge. Their son Todd is going to study in Denmark for a year. He arrived in Copenhagen on Thursday and had no place to stay until Saturday when he joins his host family. So Alex and Inge picked him up at the airport and let him stay at their house for Thursday and Friday nights. Pastor Bill had written us an email and expressed his gratitude for Alex and Inge helping Todd get through his first two days in Denmark. Ruth Ann and I thought he and Ann would appreciate a photo of Inge and Alex. They loved it.
Pete's stats for yesterday and today. I walked 66 minutes = 3.6 miles for an August total of 34.1 miles.
I'm trying to finish a Letter-to-the-Editor about the GOP and voter suppression laws. So I'm saying adios for today.
The Century Link guy came this morning and fixed things. We had a waterlogged connection under the house. He replaced it and said things will now work - no more static on the phone and the modem will keep us connected to the internet - so far so good. And to make things even better today I put a new "fill valve & flapper kit" in my stool and it is working perfectly - way to go Pete. I'm such a plumbing genius.
I went to 8 AM church today. I got caught up on Darvin's (my 92-year buddy) love life with his 87-year-old girlfriend. And I gave Pastor Bill and wife Ann a photo of Brad, Alex and Inge. Their son Todd is going to study in Denmark for a year. He arrived in Copenhagen on Thursday and had no place to stay until Saturday when he joins his host family. So Alex and Inge picked him up at the airport and let him stay at their house for Thursday and Friday nights. Pastor Bill had written us an email and expressed his gratitude for Alex and Inge helping Todd get through his first two days in Denmark. Ruth Ann and I thought he and Ann would appreciate a photo of Inge and Alex. They loved it.
Pete's stats for yesterday and today. I walked 66 minutes = 3.6 miles for an August total of 34.1 miles.
I'm trying to finish a Letter-to-the-Editor about the GOP and voter suppression laws. So I'm saying adios for today.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Pete's Blog-Day 26,204. Computer headaches.
Today is Friday, August 17, 2012. Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of weight lifting and 45 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for an August total of 31 miles. my weight was 162.4 pounds.
We have been having computer problems for a couple of months. We have called Century Link 3 times for technical help. None of the 3 conversations have solved the problem. We still can't access the internet on a consistent basis. We never know when the modem will have the internet light on. It'll be on for an hour and go off for two. So I called Century Link in Des Moines and told them to get a human being to our house ASAP or we will go to another company. He is coming on Monday morning and he better get the problem fixed or it will be GOODBYE Century Link. I'm also sick and tired of having to talk to a frickin' computer voice before I can get a real human on the phone.
Now I'm going to work on my Letter-to-the-Editor regarding the GOP and voter suppression.
We have been having computer problems for a couple of months. We have called Century Link 3 times for technical help. None of the 3 conversations have solved the problem. We still can't access the internet on a consistent basis. We never know when the modem will have the internet light on. It'll be on for an hour and go off for two. So I called Century Link in Des Moines and told them to get a human being to our house ASAP or we will go to another company. He is coming on Monday morning and he better get the problem fixed or it will be GOODBYE Century Link. I'm also sick and tired of having to talk to a frickin' computer voice before I can get a real human on the phone.
Now I'm going to work on my Letter-to-the-Editor regarding the GOP and voter suppression.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,203. Fun in Minnesota.
Today is Thursday, August 16, 2012. We got over an inch of rain overnight - HURRAH - the farmers are happier.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 38 minites of walking = 2 miles for an August total of 29 miles. My weight was 162 pounds.
(Days 26,199 to 26,202 were spent in Minnesota.)
We went to St. Peter, Minnesota on Sunday and came home on Tuesday. We, along with Marlys, (Chuck's widow) stayed at brother John and Lorna's home. We golfed Monday morning at Shoreland Country Club and went to the Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton, Minn. in the afternoon. We left Tuesday morning to come home but on the way we stopped to see Bethany, John and Lorna's daughter. She lives in Eagle Lake and is the new mother of a five week-old Jaxon. He is a little cutie. Ruth Ann and I both held him and he got a red face trying to do a good poop. He succeeded. Bethany is now 32 years old and looks great - she is a beautiful lady. We're so glad we stopped to see her. I think she really appreciated it. We got home at 7 PM. For the record Ruth Ann made $50.00 and I made $10.00.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the ball and 38 minites of walking = 2 miles for an August total of 29 miles. My weight was 162 pounds.
(Days 26,199 to 26,202 were spent in Minnesota.)
We went to St. Peter, Minnesota on Sunday and came home on Tuesday. We, along with Marlys, (Chuck's widow) stayed at brother John and Lorna's home. We golfed Monday morning at Shoreland Country Club and went to the Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton, Minn. in the afternoon. We left Tuesday morning to come home but on the way we stopped to see Bethany, John and Lorna's daughter. She lives in Eagle Lake and is the new mother of a five week-old Jaxon. He is a little cutie. Ruth Ann and I both held him and he got a red face trying to do a good poop. He succeeded. Bethany is now 32 years old and looks great - she is a beautiful lady. We're so glad we stopped to see her. I think she really appreciated it. We got home at 7 PM. For the record Ruth Ann made $50.00 and I made $10.00.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,198. Voter fraud in Iowa?????
Today is Saturday, August 11, 2012. It is a picture perfect day.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on exercise ball and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 27 miles. My weight was 162 pounds.
The Secretary of State in Iowa is Matt Schultz. He is a Tea Party ultra-right- wing conservative Republican. He is bound and determined to prove there is voter fraud in Iowa because he wants the state to adopt a VOTER ID law. In the paper this morning Schultz said he has identified 2,000 voter fraud violations in Iowa. So he has appointed a Special Agent from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation to investigate these 2,000 cases. And to top it off Schultz is going to pay him $280,000 of Iowa taxpayers money over the next two years.
What is so stupid about this action of Schultz is that every county auditor is Iowa said we have never had a problem with voter fraud in our county. So why is he pushing this? The answer is simple. These 2,000 cases are most likely African-Americans and Hispanics and they voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008. So go figure - the same old crap is going on in about 30 other states where the Republicans control the governors chair and the legislature. It is an effort to make sure fewer people get to vote for Obama in 2012 - it is called voter suppression. I have lost all respect for the Republican Party.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on exercise ball and 50 minutes of walking = 2.7 miles for an August total of 27 miles. My weight was 162 pounds.
The Secretary of State in Iowa is Matt Schultz. He is a Tea Party ultra-right- wing conservative Republican. He is bound and determined to prove there is voter fraud in Iowa because he wants the state to adopt a VOTER ID law. In the paper this morning Schultz said he has identified 2,000 voter fraud violations in Iowa. So he has appointed a Special Agent from the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation to investigate these 2,000 cases. And to top it off Schultz is going to pay him $280,000 of Iowa taxpayers money over the next two years.
What is so stupid about this action of Schultz is that every county auditor is Iowa said we have never had a problem with voter fraud in our county. So why is he pushing this? The answer is simple. These 2,000 cases are most likely African-Americans and Hispanics and they voted overwhelmingly for Obama in 2008. So go figure - the same old crap is going on in about 30 other states where the Republicans control the governors chair and the legislature. It is an effort to make sure fewer people get to vote for Obama in 2012 - it is called voter suppression. I have lost all respect for the Republican Party.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Pete's BLOG-Day 26,197. Homosexuality and Jesus.
Today is Friday, August 10, 2012. We actually got an inch of rain last night. HURRAH
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of weight lifting and 60 minutes of walking = 3.1 miles for an August total of 24.3 miles. My weight was 162.4 pounds.
The reason I got on the Liviticus thing was I read in my bathroom book that the very strict Puritan Christians had killed a 16 year-old boy for having sex with some animals. And they killed the animals also because it was the law - the law being chapter 20 verse 15 in the book of Leviticus. So I set out to find how many other laws were in Leviticus that christians should follow. It was interesting to say the least.
In 2012 many right-wing christitan churches use chapter 18:verse 22 (homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin) to defend their anti-gay and anti-gay marriage views but they conveniently don't mention all the other rules they should follow from the book of Leviticus.
What did Jesus have to say about this topic? Well, Jesus never once mentions homosexuality, but instead offer two simple laws: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.
I like the words of Jesus better than the words of Moses.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of weight lifting and 60 minutes of walking = 3.1 miles for an August total of 24.3 miles. My weight was 162.4 pounds.
The reason I got on the Liviticus thing was I read in my bathroom book that the very strict Puritan Christians had killed a 16 year-old boy for having sex with some animals. And they killed the animals also because it was the law - the law being chapter 20 verse 15 in the book of Leviticus. So I set out to find how many other laws were in Leviticus that christians should follow. It was interesting to say the least.
In 2012 many right-wing christitan churches use chapter 18:verse 22 (homosexuality is absolutely forbidden, for it is an enormous sin) to defend their anti-gay and anti-gay marriage views but they conveniently don't mention all the other rules they should follow from the book of Leviticus.
What did Jesus have to say about this topic? Well, Jesus never once mentions homosexuality, but instead offer two simple laws: Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.
I like the words of Jesus better than the words of Moses.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,196. One more Leviticus law.
Today is Thursday, August 9, 2012. Still no rain.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the exercise and 50 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for an August total of 21.2 miles. My weigth was 161.6 pounds.
I'm going to do one Leviticus thing today - these were written for the Jewish people by Moses around 1200 BC.
20:9. Anyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to death - for he has cursed his own flesh and blood.
(All I have to say on this one is I would've died in 1956 when I was a teenager in Chatfield, Minnesota.)
24:15,16. And tell the people of Israel that anyone who curses his God must pay the penalty: he must die. All the congregation shall stone him; this law applies to the foreigner as well as the Israelite who blasphemies the name of Jehovah. He must die.
(A couple of comments on this one. We have the Stone City Quarry near Anamosa so there would be no shortage of stone.)
(My second comment is that it is pretty evident that Moses never played golf.)
My whole objective in this Leviticus thing is to show that people pick and choose what they want from the Bible to justify their beliefs. It is a form of propaganda when "half or more of the story is left out." That is why I have lost all respect for many of the right-wing conservative christian churches in the U.S.
The sad thing for me is that many people fall hook line and sinker for this kind of propaganda.
I could do a lot more stuff from Leviticus but I've done enough to prove my point
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes on the exercise and 50 minutes of walking = 2.5 miles for an August total of 21.2 miles. My weigth was 161.6 pounds.
I'm going to do one Leviticus thing today - these were written for the Jewish people by Moses around 1200 BC.
20:9. Anyone who curses his father or mother shall surely be put to death - for he has cursed his own flesh and blood.
(All I have to say on this one is I would've died in 1956 when I was a teenager in Chatfield, Minnesota.)
24:15,16. And tell the people of Israel that anyone who curses his God must pay the penalty: he must die. All the congregation shall stone him; this law applies to the foreigner as well as the Israelite who blasphemies the name of Jehovah. He must die.
(A couple of comments on this one. We have the Stone City Quarry near Anamosa so there would be no shortage of stone.)
(My second comment is that it is pretty evident that Moses never played golf.)
My whole objective in this Leviticus thing is to show that people pick and choose what they want from the Bible to justify their beliefs. It is a form of propaganda when "half or more of the story is left out." That is why I have lost all respect for many of the right-wing conservative christian churches in the U.S.
The sad thing for me is that many people fall hook line and sinker for this kind of propaganda.
I could do a lot more stuff from Leviticus but I've done enough to prove my point
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,195. Still more Leviticus laws.
Today is Wednesday, August 8, 2012. A decent day temp wise - we even had 331 drops of rain this morning.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of weight lifting and a 50 minute walk = 2.5 miles for an August total of 18.7 miles. My weight was 162.2 pounds.
Here are some more Leviticus laws from 1200 BC by Moses.
19:33-34. Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.
(I wonder if this applies to the Mexicans working in the vegetable and fruit fields of the southern and southwestern states of the U.S.
How about the packing houses of the midwest? How about the innocent, peaceful, nonviolent Muslims living in the U.S. How about the Sikhs who were massacred last week in Wisconsin? For some reason we never hear about these two verses from the ultraconservative right-wingers.
Pete's stats for today: 10 minutes of yoga, 10 minutes of weight lifting and a 50 minute walk = 2.5 miles for an August total of 18.7 miles. My weight was 162.2 pounds.
Here are some more Leviticus laws from 1200 BC by Moses.
19:33-34. Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.
(I wonder if this applies to the Mexicans working in the vegetable and fruit fields of the southern and southwestern states of the U.S.
How about the packing houses of the midwest? How about the innocent, peaceful, nonviolent Muslims living in the U.S. How about the Sikhs who were massacred last week in Wisconsin? For some reason we never hear about these two verses from the ultraconservative right-wingers.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,193 and 26,194. More Leviticus rules.
Today is Tuesday, August 7, 2012. Hot and rather humid and no rain.
My stats today: I did 10 minutes yoga stretches and breathing, 10 minutes on the exercise ball and walked 40 minutes = 2.1 miles for an August total of 16.1 miles. My weight was 161.6 pounds.
Yesterday my computer was on the blink again so no post. But I did go golfing with Paul Lewison, my 80 year-old golfing buddy. We did best shot and had a 43. The good news is we parred the last 3 holes thanks to my wonderful putts. I made 3 putts of 12-15 feet, that's unusual for me. I also hit the ball better. Considering I had not golfed since June 15. I thought I did a pretty job. I'm ready to hit the links again because I'm finally getting this game figured out!!!!! ha, ha, ha.
Here are some more Leviticus rules from 1200 BC, written by Moses.
19:19. Obey my laws: Do not mate your cattle with a different kind; don't sow your field with 2 kinds of seed; don't wear clothes made of half wool and half linen. (As I read this I'm wondering if that applies to the T-shirt I have on - it is half polyester and half cotton. If it does apply "I have sinned." Doggone it, I won't sleep tonight. I wonder why we never from the right-wingers about any of these laws - we only hear about the homosexuality one in Leviticus 18:22.)
My stats today: I did 10 minutes yoga stretches and breathing, 10 minutes on the exercise ball and walked 40 minutes = 2.1 miles for an August total of 16.1 miles. My weight was 161.6 pounds.
Yesterday my computer was on the blink again so no post. But I did go golfing with Paul Lewison, my 80 year-old golfing buddy. We did best shot and had a 43. The good news is we parred the last 3 holes thanks to my wonderful putts. I made 3 putts of 12-15 feet, that's unusual for me. I also hit the ball better. Considering I had not golfed since June 15. I thought I did a pretty job. I'm ready to hit the links again because I'm finally getting this game figured out!!!!! ha, ha, ha.
Here are some more Leviticus rules from 1200 BC, written by Moses.
19:19. Obey my laws: Do not mate your cattle with a different kind; don't sow your field with 2 kinds of seed; don't wear clothes made of half wool and half linen. (As I read this I'm wondering if that applies to the T-shirt I have on - it is half polyester and half cotton. If it does apply "I have sinned." Doggone it, I won't sleep tonight. I wonder why we never from the right-wingers about any of these laws - we only hear about the homosexuality one in Leviticus 18:22.)
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,192. I'm campaigning today.
Today is Sunday, August 5, 2012. We got an inch of rain yesterday but don't know if it will the wilting corn and soybeans. It can't hurt.
Pete's stats for today: No yoga today - only a 41 minute walk = 2.1 miles for an August total of 11 miles; weight went to 161. 8 pounds.
There will no Leviticus today - I'm delivering campaign literature to 31 homes in the mobile home park for a former student of mine who is running for the Iowa Senate. His name is Nate Willems, he has been our representative for 6 years and due to redistricting he is running for the Senate seat in what is mostly a new district. He told me that if he wins the Democrats should retain control of the Senate. If he loses the Republicans will most likely take over the Senate and we'll be seeing in Iowa what happened in Wisconsin last year. I don't want to see that.
Pete's stats for today: No yoga today - only a 41 minute walk = 2.1 miles for an August total of 11 miles; weight went to 161. 8 pounds.
There will no Leviticus today - I'm delivering campaign literature to 31 homes in the mobile home park for a former student of mine who is running for the Iowa Senate. His name is Nate Willems, he has been our representative for 6 years and due to redistricting he is running for the Senate seat in what is mostly a new district. He told me that if he wins the Democrats should retain control of the Senate. If he loses the Republicans will most likely take over the Senate and we'll be seeing in Iowa what happened in Wisconsin last year. I don't want to see that.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Pete' s BLOG - Day 26,191. Leviticus rules for menstration and intercourse.
Today is Saturday, August 4, 2012. Still hot and humid but a possibility of some rain today. I'm finally HIV again, Thank God.
Pete's stats for today: 12 minutes of yoga breathing and stretching; 10 minutes on exercise ball; 39 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 8.9 miles; weight is 162.2 pounds.
My goodies today from the book of Leviticus are about menstration and sexual intercourse. I want all the ladies (and men) reading this to pay special attention because these rules from the Bible could change your life bigtime. These rules were written by Moses around 1400 BC to 1200 BC so they must relevant to life in 2012.
17:19-24, 29-30 (NOTE: 1. "defile" means to make filthy or dirty, pollute 2. to make ceremonially unclean). Whenever a woman menstrates, she shall be in a state of ceremonial defilement for 7 days afterwards, and during that time anyone touching her shall be defiled until evening. Anything she lies on or sits on during that time shall be defiled. Anyone touching her bed or anything she sits upon shall wash his clothes and bathe himself and be ceremonially defiled until evening. A man having sexual intercourse with her during this time is ceremonially defiled for 7 days, and every bed he lies upon shall be defiled. On the 8th day the woman is to bring 2 turtledoves and 2 young pigeons to the priest to offer them as a sin offering and a burnt offering, to make atonement for her before the Lord, for her menstrual defilement. (My quesion is how the hell do you catch these turtledoves and pigeons?)
16:18. After sexual intercourse, the woman as well as the man must bathe, they are ceremonially defiled until the next evening. (I disagree with Moses on this one - my own personal opinion is to bathe before you do it. What if you've been working all day in the fields or herding sheep or fishing and are all sweaty and stinky? I wonder how many right-wingers know about this rule.)
Pete's stats for today: 12 minutes of yoga breathing and stretching; 10 minutes on exercise ball; 39 minutes of walking = 2.0 miles for an August total of 8.9 miles; weight is 162.2 pounds.
My goodies today from the book of Leviticus are about menstration and sexual intercourse. I want all the ladies (and men) reading this to pay special attention because these rules from the Bible could change your life bigtime. These rules were written by Moses around 1400 BC to 1200 BC so they must relevant to life in 2012.
17:19-24, 29-30 (NOTE: 1. "defile" means to make filthy or dirty, pollute 2. to make ceremonially unclean). Whenever a woman menstrates, she shall be in a state of ceremonial defilement for 7 days afterwards, and during that time anyone touching her shall be defiled until evening. Anything she lies on or sits on during that time shall be defiled. Anyone touching her bed or anything she sits upon shall wash his clothes and bathe himself and be ceremonially defiled until evening. A man having sexual intercourse with her during this time is ceremonially defiled for 7 days, and every bed he lies upon shall be defiled. On the 8th day the woman is to bring 2 turtledoves and 2 young pigeons to the priest to offer them as a sin offering and a burnt offering, to make atonement for her before the Lord, for her menstrual defilement. (My quesion is how the hell do you catch these turtledoves and pigeons?)
16:18. After sexual intercourse, the woman as well as the man must bathe, they are ceremonially defiled until the next evening. (I disagree with Moses on this one - my own personal opinion is to bathe before you do it. What if you've been working all day in the fields or herding sheep or fishing and are all sweaty and stinky? I wonder how many right-wingers know about this rule.)
Friday, August 3, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,190. Chidbirth rules from Leviticus.
Today is Friday, August 3, 2012. And yet another hot, humid and rainless day. I'm sick of it.
My stats for today: 12 minutes of yoga stretching and breathing, 10 minutes of weight lifting, and 50 minutes of walking = 2.6 miles for an August total of 6.9 miles. My weight was 162.2 pounds.
I've been reading the Old Testament book of Leviticus. Bible scholars believe this book was written by Moses in 1440BC or 1220BC. It was designed to be a handbook for the priests or Levites, hence the name Leviticus. It sets down the regulations that were to govern the life of the people of Israel.
The reason I'm reading it is that some right-wing Christian churches like to quote verses from this book that they agree with. BUT they simply ignore the ones that do not fit in with their beliefs in today's world. I'm recording some of the rules they ignore.
Today I'll record the rules for childbirth.
12:2-4. When a baby BOY is born, the mother shall be ceremonially defiled for 7 days, and under the same restrictions as during her monthly menstrual periods. On the 8th day, her son must be circumcised. Then, for the next 33 days, while she is recovering from her ceremonial impurity, she must not touch anything sacred, nor enter the Tabernacle.
12:5-6. When a baby GIRL is born, the mother's ceremonial impurity shall last for 14 days, during which time she will be under the same restrictions as during menstration. Then , for a further 66 days she shall continue her recovery. When these days of purification are ended (whether a boy or girl), she must bring a lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. She is to bring these to the door of Tabernacle and give to the priest, and the priest will will offer them before the Lord and make atonement for her; then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth.
Ladies, what do you think of these rules? Tomorrow I'll explain the rules for menstration and intercourse.
My stats for today: 12 minutes of yoga stretching and breathing, 10 minutes of weight lifting, and 50 minutes of walking = 2.6 miles for an August total of 6.9 miles. My weight was 162.2 pounds.
I've been reading the Old Testament book of Leviticus. Bible scholars believe this book was written by Moses in 1440BC or 1220BC. It was designed to be a handbook for the priests or Levites, hence the name Leviticus. It sets down the regulations that were to govern the life of the people of Israel.
The reason I'm reading it is that some right-wing Christian churches like to quote verses from this book that they agree with. BUT they simply ignore the ones that do not fit in with their beliefs in today's world. I'm recording some of the rules they ignore.
Today I'll record the rules for childbirth.
12:2-4. When a baby BOY is born, the mother shall be ceremonially defiled for 7 days, and under the same restrictions as during her monthly menstrual periods. On the 8th day, her son must be circumcised. Then, for the next 33 days, while she is recovering from her ceremonial impurity, she must not touch anything sacred, nor enter the Tabernacle.
12:5-6. When a baby GIRL is born, the mother's ceremonial impurity shall last for 14 days, during which time she will be under the same restrictions as during menstration. Then , for a further 66 days she shall continue her recovery. When these days of purification are ended (whether a boy or girl), she must bring a lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering. She is to bring these to the door of Tabernacle and give to the priest, and the priest will will offer them before the Lord and make atonement for her; then she will be ceremonially clean again after her bleeding at childbirth.
Ladies, what do you think of these rules? Tomorrow I'll explain the rules for menstration and intercourse.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,189. More Leviticus food rules.
Today is Thursday, August 2, 2012. Yes, another hot one. The U.S. Drought Monitor is now calling the drought extreme instead of severe. It is really bad news for the farmers.
This morning I did yoga, the exercise ball and walked 43 minutes = 2.2 miles for an August total of 4.3 miles. My weight today was 162.2 pounds.
I'm really enjoying the Olympics from London. I'm amazed at the athletic ability of the athletes.Some real learning and fun events for me have been handball, archery, rowing, beach volleyball, whitewater canoeing. ping pong, swimming, gymnastics and diving. I'm anxious for track and field.
And now more Old Testament Leviticus rules for foods you can eat and not eat. For some reason the right-wing Christians do not talk about these. But they sure love that anti-homosexual verse(18:22) .
Leviticus chapter 11: verse19. People may NOT eat the following birds: eagle, metire, osprey, falcon, kite, raven, ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawk, owl, cormorant, ibis, march hen, pelican, vulture, stork, heron, hoopoe, and bat.
11:20. All insects that fly and walk or crawl are FORBIDDEN. But you may eat those that jump - that includes locusts, crickets and grasshoppers.
11:27. Any animal that walks on PAWS is forbidden to you as food.
11:29,30. You may NOT eat small animals which scurry about your feet or crawl upon the ground - that includes the mole, rat, great lizard, gecko (it is a tropical/subtropical lizard), mouse, lizard, snail, and chameleon.
11:41,42. Animals that crawl shall not be eaten. This includes all reptiles that slither along upon their bellies as well as those that have legs. (I guess that rules out alligator meat.)
Well, what do you think about these food rules? Some more goodies coming in my next post.
This morning I did yoga, the exercise ball and walked 43 minutes = 2.2 miles for an August total of 4.3 miles. My weight today was 162.2 pounds.
I'm really enjoying the Olympics from London. I'm amazed at the athletic ability of the athletes.Some real learning and fun events for me have been handball, archery, rowing, beach volleyball, whitewater canoeing. ping pong, swimming, gymnastics and diving. I'm anxious for track and field.
And now more Old Testament Leviticus rules for foods you can eat and not eat. For some reason the right-wing Christians do not talk about these. But they sure love that anti-homosexual verse(18:22) .
Leviticus chapter 11: verse19. People may NOT eat the following birds: eagle, metire, osprey, falcon, kite, raven, ostrich, nighthawk, seagull, hawk, owl, cormorant, ibis, march hen, pelican, vulture, stork, heron, hoopoe, and bat.
11:20. All insects that fly and walk or crawl are FORBIDDEN. But you may eat those that jump - that includes locusts, crickets and grasshoppers.
11:27. Any animal that walks on PAWS is forbidden to you as food.
11:29,30. You may NOT eat small animals which scurry about your feet or crawl upon the ground - that includes the mole, rat, great lizard, gecko (it is a tropical/subtropical lizard), mouse, lizard, snail, and chameleon.
11:41,42. Animals that crawl shall not be eaten. This includes all reptiles that slither along upon their bellies as well as those that have legs. (I guess that rules out alligator meat.)
Well, what do you think about these food rules? Some more goodies coming in my next post.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Pete's BLOG - Day 26,188. More Leviticus rules.
Today is Wednesday, August 1, 2012. It is another mid-90s day and no rain. The drought is getting very serious. I feel for the farmers who depend on nature for rain for their crops.
This morning I did yoga, lifted weights and walked 40 minutes = 2.1 miles.
The other day I wrote about right-wing Christian churches and how they use verses in the Bible to justify their prejudices against gays and same sex marriage. I said I would do more research in the book of Leviticus to illustrate what they choose to ignore. So today I will identify some of those verses - starting with FOODS you can eat and not eat.
11:2-3. Tell the people of Israel that the animals which MAY BE USED FOR FOOD include any animal with cloven hooves and chews its cud.
11:4-7. This means that the following may NOT be eaten:
The camel (it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves);
The rock badger (does not have cloven hooves);
The hare (does not have cloven hooves);
The swine (has cloven hooves but does not chew the cud).
11:9-12. As to fish, you may eat whatever has fins and scales - any water creature that does not have fins or scales is forbidden. I guess that rules out shrimp. I've eaten shrimp so according to this verse I'm in big trouble. I wonder if any of these right wing Christians have eaten shrimp - shame on them if they have. There might be a little bit of hypocrisy here.
Tomorrow I'l write more about foods.
This morning I did yoga, lifted weights and walked 40 minutes = 2.1 miles.
The other day I wrote about right-wing Christian churches and how they use verses in the Bible to justify their prejudices against gays and same sex marriage. I said I would do more research in the book of Leviticus to illustrate what they choose to ignore. So today I will identify some of those verses - starting with FOODS you can eat and not eat.
11:2-3. Tell the people of Israel that the animals which MAY BE USED FOR FOOD include any animal with cloven hooves and chews its cud.
11:4-7. This means that the following may NOT be eaten:
The camel (it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves);
The rock badger (does not have cloven hooves);
The hare (does not have cloven hooves);
The swine (has cloven hooves but does not chew the cud).
11:9-12. As to fish, you may eat whatever has fins and scales - any water creature that does not have fins or scales is forbidden. I guess that rules out shrimp. I've eaten shrimp so according to this verse I'm in big trouble. I wonder if any of these right wing Christians have eaten shrimp - shame on them if they have. There might be a little bit of hypocrisy here.
Tomorrow I'l write more about foods.
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