Please Tell Me I'm Not a Conservative!

Does it ever shock you when you find yourself agreeing with the "other side?" Now this gets into politics, and I know I said I was taking a hiatus, but--I'm having a political identity crisis!

Yesterday I was eating lunch and reading a local paper that happens to have a conservative bent. Why was I even reading it, you ask? The reason is the paper does a good job of local coverage, but the editorial slant is so obviously conservative that I only pick it up every few weeks out of curiosity.

The editor is talking about the recent ousting of the Honduran president (oh wait, did I just lose you?)--and I actually agreed with him! I'll make this short. From what I understand, Pres. Manual Zelaya wanted to have another term, which was a constitutional no-no. He tried to change that, but both the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court said, "You're outta here!" They've installed a temporary president until elections can be held.

Here's where it gets tricky. In the U.S., this is being labeled a "coup" because the Honduran military raided Zelaya's home and tossed him out of the country, albeit with the backing of the Supreme Court and Congress. Most world leaders have condemned this action. So this conservative local paper was asking, "What gives?"--and I found myself agreeing! Even in the U.S. we can remove a president through a specific process with other branches of government. So, was it the voice of the Honduran people or not?

Of course, nothing's that simple, as I found out when doing more research. Sounds like Zelaya had lots of enemies and they drove him out, using "the democratic process" to further their own ends. *sigh*

Fortunately, I don't think I'm turning conservative. But this is what happens when you stop listening to the news or doing your own research! The local paper obviously hasn't done its homework--it was just spouting rhetoric. Be careful, my friends, and question everything!

To Honduras--Bueno suerte! (good luck)

Please Tell Me I'm Not a Conservative!

Does it ever shock you when you find yourself agreeing with the "other side?" Now this gets into politics, and I know I said I was taking a hiatus, but--I'm having a political identity crisis!

Yesterday I was eating lunch and reading a local paper that happens to have a conservative bent. Why was I even reading it, you ask? The reason is the paper does a good job of local coverage, but the editorial slant is so obviously conservative that I only pick it up every few weeks out of curiosity.

The editor is talking about the recent ousting of the Honduran president (oh wait, did I just lose you?)--and I actually agreed with him! I'll make this short. From what I understand, Pres. Manual Zelaya wanted to have another term, which was a constitutional no-no. He tried to change that, but both the Honduran Congress and Supreme Court said, "You're outta here!" They've installed a temporary president until elections can be held.

Here's where it gets tricky. In the U.S., this is being labeled a "coup" because the Honduran military raided Zelaya's home and tossed him out of the country, albeit with the backing of the Supreme Court and Congress. Most world leaders have condemned this action. So this conservative local paper was asking, "What gives?"--and I found myself agreeing! Even in the U.S. we can remove a president through a specific process with other branches of government. So, was it the voice of the Honduran people or not?

Of course, nothing's that simple, as I found out when doing more research. Sounds like Zelaya had lots of enemies and they drove him out, using "the democratic process" to further their own ends. *sigh*

Fortunately, I don't think I'm turning conservative. But this is what happens when you stop listening to the news or doing your own research! The local paper obviously hasn't done its homework--it was just spouting rhetoric. Be careful, my friends, and question everything!

To Honduras--Bueno suerte! (good luck)

Obama's "New Beginning" with Cuba Continues as Hillary Leaves for Latin American Visit

Although Sec. of State Hillary Clinton won't visit Cuba, it will certainly come up while she's in the neighborhood visiting El Salvador for the new president's inauguration and a meeting of the Organization of American States in Honduras. Some Latin American nations want to readmit Cuba to the OAS, but until they do things like we want, that probably won't happen. It will be interesting to see how far proponents will push the issue and how much we push back (or don't).

Over the weekend came more signs of the thawing relations between us and Cuba, with the announcement that we can now resume talks--like adults--over immigration, drugs and other issues important to both sides. Former President Bush suspended these talks in 2003 because he didn't like the looks of those Commies.

Here's hoping for a positive outcome for Hillary's trip.

Obama's "New Beginning" with Cuba Continues as Hillary Leaves for Latin American Visit

Although Sec. of State Hillary Clinton won't visit Cuba, it will certainly come up while she's in the neighborhood visiting El Salvador for the new president's inauguration and a meeting of the Organization of American States in Honduras. Some Latin American nations want to readmit Cuba to the OAS, but until they do things like we want, that probably won't happen. It will be interesting to see how far proponents will push the issue and how much we push back (or don't).

Over the weekend came more signs of the thawing relations between us and Cuba, with the announcement that we can now resume talks--like adults--over immigration, drugs and other issues important to both sides. Former President Bush suspended these talks in 2003 because he didn't like the looks of those Commies.

Here's hoping for a positive outcome for Hillary's trip.

Would You Tattoo Yourself with '666?'

Apparently, followers of Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda are. Ironically, they're excited about his claim to be the AntiChrist, and are following his example by tattooing "666" on their bodies. I can appreciate that they're reclaiming, if you will, such a disparaged number; when I growing up, Christians I knew took great pains to avoid any association with this "mark of the Beast." But it's all rather silly, don't you think?

Jose thinks he's Jesus or the AntiChrist or both! He does say that sin and the devil don't exist--so I agree with him on that. He also says that his followers must give him Rolex watches, and that's where I'm puzzled. Why do some people fall prey to these characters? If you want to tattoo "666" on your arm and give some religious person all your money, I suppose you have that right. But why are people so gullible? Why do they look to others to provide "salvation" or affirmation?

Jose's Growing in Grace church is worldwide and growing, but Honduras is taking up the welcome mat. Seems Jose has all sorts of financial and legal troubles here in the States, including a messy divorce, and Honduras is saying "Stay out!" Sorta dims the sparkle on all that religious glitter, don't it?

Just been pondering lately all the spiritual and religious stuff out there, including my own interest in pagan stuff, shamanism and druid revival movements. My take is, look, as long as you're not hurting anyone or being taken advantage of, believe what you want. But please, if I ever decide to get a "666" tattoo--someone please stage an intervention!

Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda

Would You Tattoo Yourself with '666?'

Apparently, followers of Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda are. Ironically, they're excited about his claim to be the AntiChrist, and are following his example by tattooing "666" on their bodies. I can appreciate that they're reclaiming, if you will, such a disparaged number; when I growing up, Christians I knew took great pains to avoid any association with this "mark of the Beast." But it's all rather silly, don't you think?

Jose thinks he's Jesus or the AntiChrist or both! He does say that sin and the devil don't exist--so I agree with him on that. He also says that his followers must give him Rolex watches, and that's where I'm puzzled. Why do some people fall prey to these characters? If you want to tattoo "666" on your arm and give some religious person all your money, I suppose you have that right. But why are people so gullible? Why do they look to others to provide "salvation" or affirmation?

Jose's Growing in Grace church is worldwide and growing, but Honduras is taking up the welcome mat. Seems Jose has all sorts of financial and legal troubles here in the States, including a messy divorce, and Honduras is saying "Stay out!" Sorta dims the sparkle on all that religious glitter, don't it?

Just been pondering lately all the spiritual and religious stuff out there, including my own interest in pagan stuff, shamanism and druid revival movements. My take is, look, as long as you're not hurting anyone or being taken advantage of, believe what you want. But please, if I ever decide to get a "666" tattoo--someone please stage an intervention!

Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda