Swine Flu update

Apparently, a child that attends a Christian School in Henry County has been diagnosed with swine flu. The school is shut down.

Okay, it's really sick of me to ask this, but I really wonder if that kid has recently travelled to Kentucky (since he couldn't have gotten it here)!!!

If that sounds a tad obscure, read the previous post.

Just a little common sense, please

Just when I have made it through a couple of days without feeling like the media is trying desperately to push me right over the ol' ledge with their illogic and insanity, I find myself listening to a member of the CDC (Centers of Disease Control) give their magical pronouncement over the state of the swine flu "pandemic."

This genius calmly informed Georgians that since the gentleman in Newnan who had a confirmed case of swine flu was actually a permanent resident of Kentucky, that this particular incident of swine flu would be reported as occurring in Kentucky.

Okay. But, if the guys is down here spreading the virus all over central Georgia, wouldn't it make sense to be honest with those of us who may have come in contact with it????

I can hear it now, "Oh no, you can't be sick, that gentleman who coughed all over you is from Kentucky, so you can only be sick if you happen to be in Kentucky!" Am I the only one who finds that just a little nonsensical?

Better yet, there was a doctor interviewed who was quite angry with the CDC because when it looked like swine flu was on the rise, they quit running the lab tests that "confirm" the cases. According to the doctor, this is just for political expediency, so that the numbers stay artificially low. This doctor claimed to have 4 cases in his hospital which were clearly swine flu, but since the CDC refuses to "confirm" the cases, they won't show up in the totals.

Does this really make you think that these governmental agencies, for all of the good that they can and often do, are really looking out for you, the individual? I am not impressed. Just give me the truth.

Believe it or not, I can read and write and decide for myself.

Inauguration Day

Today we (our entire school) clustered around a television set in the library to watch the inauguration of our 44th President. Needless to say, teachers worked to help students understand the historical significance of this occasion.

Most of the students were enthralled to see how it all worked and how historic it was. They took it seriously and, perhaps, a bit reverently. It was really nice to see.

However, there are always though who can't see beyond themselves and their personal feelings to see the historic value of a situation. Regardless of personal politics, I truly believe that this is a very noteworthy day in American history.

Presidents come and Presidents go. More than one has been discovered to have lacked the character that we, as a nation, would have wished them to have. However, each has been selected by the will of the American people and our system as a Representative Republic (no, not a democracy--ask a history teacher!) and deserves the full respect of that office.

But, then again, how can we expect the students to understand that when their parents don't seem to get it? When parents encourage their kids to mock a newly elected President who hasn't had the chance to make any mistakes yet.

Worse yet, it is often racially motivated and not rooted in any genuine reason. It makes me sad.

Local School Board

The private school that I work for is looking for a new location. We are cramped in a too small facility and are paying high rent. There is an abandoned school building that we may be able to lease for less money than we are currently paying. Plus, we'll have more room. No more kids in trailers. No more having to schedule 5 or more lunches because we can't squeeze any more kids in the lunchroom at one time. A library with room for books appropriate for middle and high school. We have a library, but it is so small that it houses encyclopedias and elementary school books.

Sadly, we have loads of great books for middle and high school, but no where to house them except at our headmaster's home. It's a shame.

The local school board is going on a retreat this upcoming week and will vote on November 11th. I hope and pray that we can do this. I have already sent my letter to the board asking them to consider this. The school has sent out a letter asking for support from our parents who live in Spalding County.

If you live in Spalding County, Georgia, please contact your school board representative and encourage them to vote FOR Faith Christian Academy to lease the building on Flynt Street. Let me know if you need the contact information. Also, even if you don't live in the area, please pray for us. Thanks

Presidential Reflections

Okay, I tend not to blog heavily about political issues. Honestly, I assumed when I put the word "Christian" in my heading that people would have a general idea how I feel about many issues, including some very controversial ones like abortion. My parents are adoptive parents (they adopted my brother) and I am an adoptive parent as well. I truly believe that all children can have loving homes if given an opportunity and not killed. I vote my beliefs and my beliefs are in line with holy scripture. Period. God expects no less from his followers.

I pray for our nation's leaders and over our nation's elections. I pray for God's protection for our country and it's brave men and women serving in the Armed Services. I realize that God hears the prayers of the righteous, but does not always answer us in the ways we would choose, often for our own good.

Tonight, watching the election results was like staring at a train wreck. I didn't like what I saw, but I couldn't pull myself away. For me, it's not a racial thing; my family is very multi-racial in composition and I love it that way. But, I have to remember that sometimes God's will reflects larger issues, like calling a nation to repentance.

Tonight, we have entered a historic era with a historic President-elect who is racially different from all previous Presidents before him. I will pray for him as I have prayed for all the others.

Sometimes, we don't get what we ask for, but we get what we deserve.

Typical white people

Okay, as if the Obama speech on race wasn't odd enough, he had to explain himself. He referred to his grandmother who loved him as a typical white person. She also was occasionally scared of black people and had the "in-bred" reaction of fear and hatred that sometimes came out sounding racist.

What?? In-bred??

Well, I think I am typical. I know I am white. I'm reasonably sure that my family tree has branches and is not a singular trunk. Hmmm.

Some folks need to shut up while they are ahead, so to speak. Charisma can't fix stupid.

Am I the only one?

The news cycle has been absolutely "eat up" (yes, I live in the deep south) with the upcoming elections, particularly the quest for a definitive nominee for the Democrats.

Due to the recent flap over Pastor Jeremiah Wright's comments, presidential hopeful, Barack Obama had to address the situation. I found his response interesting.

First of all, let me say that Mr. Obama is a wonderful orator. He crafts his speeches well (indeed he wrote this one himself) and delivers them with absolute eloquence. However, being the word nerd (that means English teacher, by the way), I do realize that eloquence can in no way take the place of substance, especially when discussing a major issue in our nation.

I guess the part that particularly resonates with me is that Mr. Obama said that he sat and heard comments coming from the pulpit of his church that he didn't agree with and that it would be a similar situation with many Americans who have heard their pastors, rabbis, spiritual leaders say questionable things. Hmmm.

Except that I don't recall that ever happening in my 40 years on this Earth. But, I think I understand the reason why. I refuse to go to a church where anything is taught from the pulpit that is not biblical. Now, don't panic, I know that this is a touchy and delicate subject, but if I were to hear anything that didn't sit well with me from the pulpit, I have been instructed from birth to approach the speaker (never a Reverend where I attend, only God is to be revered) and ask them to show me the book, chapter, and verses that the information came from. If they can show me (in context), then I must examine my attitudes and put them in line with Holy Scripture. If they cannot, they must recant the statement before the congregation and correct it. Anything else is unacceptable (and unBiblical). I cannot claim to be a true biblical scholar, but it is my understanding that any other course of action is unacceptable.

But, then again, I haven't selected my church on the basis of how it can help me create a "power base" for a Presidential bid.

I haven't selected my church on the basis of creating "social change." I'll let Christ handle that one.

I haven't selected my church on the basis of my political leanings. I'll just vote in accordance with Holy Scripture.

Yep. I guess I am part of the lunatic fringe. The Church is about the Bible--period. That is my personal bias. I embrace it. However, understanding my personal bias, can someone explain to me why Barack Obama is less concerned about Biblical truth than social matters? Why is it okay to spew hate until you offend someone. If a person claims Christianity as his or her religion, why on Earth would he or she want to hear unChrist-like behavior from their spiritual leader.

I'll stick with the Bible.