Financial Overhaul

Oh goody, more big brother and more government reform.  This thing is bad and it does nothing that would actually prevent the same kind of mess from recurring.   It does not touch Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - hmm let's see could it be because these are government sponsored enterprises?  Fannie and Freddie played a huge role in creating the financial derivatives market, funded or backed trillions of dollars in questionable mortgage loans and still control half of the U.S. mortgage market.  The new bill will kill as many 120,000 jobs and cost $6 billion dollars a year according the Business Roundtable. Expect banks to tack on new fees to offset the loss of fees in credit cards.  No wonder that a poll of 1,002 Americans by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards shows that four in five believe Congress and regulators have failed to "deal with the financial market problems and their impact on American investors".

Velveeta

Just a pause from our regular action.  Every other day or so, I like to make an omelet with egg beaters (which I discovered since my cholesterol is high) and I put Velveeta cheese in it.  First off, exactly what is really in Velveeta cheese? According to their branding, it is a pasteurized prepared cheese product, whatever that really means.  I mean there isn't American, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack and Velveeta.  I guess it is most like American, but not really.  Second is, why did they mess with the original recipe?  While I still like it, it just isn't what it was.  You knew it was bad for you, but you still loved it.  Somehow along the way, someone up top at Kraft decided it was too bad for you and dumbed down the recipe.  So Velveeta has become the hot dogs of cheese meaning you know it is an amalgamation of parts and you know it probably is bad for you, but you eat it anyway.  That's what makes us American.

Taser is the Right Response

Several months ago, a fan ran onto the field at a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game.  As he continued to run around and the fans cheered, he was tasered by the security officers.  Take a look.

The teen's father told ABC News that his son looked back and saw an "old guy" chasing him, felt sorry for him and was about to stop when he got zapped.
Bonnie Clark of the Phillies told ABC News today that the team is speaking with the Philadelphia police about whether an officer used excessive force by using a Taser on 17-year-old Steve Consalvi.
Was it excessive force?  Take a look at the most recent fan who ran around the Baltimore Orioles park for what seems like forever before surrendering himself finally to authority apparently after the umpire chastised him. 

The “fan” shows a remarkable ability to thumb his nose at all that is law in the interest of expressing his individuality.  He was promptly rewarded by the fans with a rousing ovation.  What kind of message does that send?
I’ll take the taser!

Thoughts From Hebrews 12:1 – An Endurance Race

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin which so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Continuing down our theme of looking at the action statement coming from our wall of faith of Hebrews 11.  So far, we have looked at the encumbrances we all face as Christians which block our effectiveness for the kingdom.  Last week, we looked at the sin which can so easily entangle us.  Both of these involve removing hindrances to our effectiveness.  The next three blog posts involve the positive things we must do to be effective for the kingdom. 

Consider if we only removed the negative things that block us, we could still not be effective for the kingdom because we would not be active.  God wants us to be active.  Inactivity is as much a sin as the wrong activity.  We must run.  I do not like to run – I do it because I have to to stay in shape.  My joints creak and I will do anything to not do it.  I never got that runners high that others refer to.  My daughter ran the Chicago Marathon a few years back and while I admired her fortitude to do it, I have no personal desire to train for one.  However, I do run because it is a matter of being proactive in my desire for physical fitness.  However, when I run, I never regret it after I am done. 

It is a matter of perseverance, a matter of duty to my body.  Other translations state it as a matter of endurance.  It is a 10k race, not a sprint.  That means pacing oneself.  I remember watching my cousin when he was in 6th grade running a mile race.  He sprinted out to an early lead only to fizzle out and finish back from the leaders.  My stepfather taught me to start real slow in my running and work my way up to a faster pace.  We must conduct our Christian race by pacing our walk – doing the right things and doing them for a long period of time.  I just learned from a Larry Burkett conference I was listening to about the concept of 9:59 which means to spend at least 9 minutes and 59 seconds in the word every day.  Not an hour, not even a half-hour but a minimum of just under 10 minutes every day.  Do it consistently, every day.  I now spend time every day, even if just a few minutes meditating on and memorizing Scripture.  I find as I do this, the Spirit brings to mind the scripture at even the oddest times.  Finally, the discipline of praying every day.  I am still working on that one, but I am finally learning what it means to literally “pray without ceasing” as Paul teaches us.

So let us start our training to run with endurance.  Next week – the learning about the race God has set before us.

Stimulus Was a Grand Waste

The Obama administration claims that the stimulus and bailout efforts have "saved or created" 2.5 million to 3.6 million jobs.  The truth is that U.S. businesses have shed 3.1 million jobs since Obama became president.  Only 13% of Americans believe Obama's plans have helped the economy.  Remember the stimulus was supposed to somehow drive unemployment below 8% and not the 9.5% it is at now.  Consider the "shovel ready", bailouts, and Fed money-creation now total close to $3 trillion.  Public sector spending has been shown by two Harvard economists to actually have a negative effect, not a positive effect on GDP due to waste, inefficiency, and dead-weight loss of removing money from productive uses in the private sector.  The "medicine" of the stimulus has turned out to be poison.  Now factor in excess regulation and government involvement in the economy is overwhelming.  U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Tom Donohue states it well when he says we have moved from a "government of the people to a government of the regulators".

Class Action Suits

I received via e-mail this past week one of those notifications of a class action lawsuit.  The only that actually wins is these things is the lawyers.  Most of the time, I throw them away.  These things are sent seemingly to help us as consumers but in reality, they are a gross waste of time and money and most companies just cave and settle. If I posted this whole thing, you would never read the blog because it is hopelessly long and convoluted. 

The suit was against Classmates.com, a web site that helps to unite high school and college classmates.  I subscribed to it for maybe a year before coming to the conclusion that it was a waste of money and we could communicate more on Facebook for free anyway.  The claim of the suit was that somehow my privacy was violated.  Do I feel violated?  I am sure Classmates did something horrible.  My restitution for such a crime is that I can either get a $3 cash credit or a $2 credit off my membership (don't ask me why the credit is less than the cash payment).  To do this, I have to go online and fill out a form and submit it.  By the time I actually read the thing and fill it out, I probably would have made more at a minimum wage job.  But in the chance that many people actually do this, the suit further mentions there would be a pro-rata reduction of benefit paid.  In other words, my $3 cash in the bank or $2 credit could be even less. 

We wonder why it costs so much more to operate and why these costs are passed along to us.  I really feel vindicated by this law firm looking out for my best interests.

Thoughts From Hebrews 12:1 - Sin Which So Easily Entangles

Continuing down the thoughts from Hebrews 12:1.  Last Sunday, was the encumbrances which so easily distract us from serving God and having the faith of our hall of fame from Chapter 11.  This week is the focus on sin which so easily entangles us.  Encumbrances are things which are not bad in and of themselves, but can be distractions.  Sin are actions that or sometimes lack of actions that keep us from fellowship with the living God.  Paul says he does the things he hates to do (Romans 7:19).  It entangles him and prevents him from being everything God wants him to be.

I once had a phone cord that was always entangled.  Routinely, I would stretch it out, get the kinks out so I could actually use it more than six inches from the phone.  Inevitably however, within a matter of days, it was back tangled up again.  The phone cord just seemed to naturally gravitate to being all entangled again. It took constant effort to get it straightened out. So it is with sin.  Sin naturally entangles us because we are still natural sinners.  It does not seem a day that goes by that there is not a willful act of sin in my life.  Paul says he "when he wants to do good, evil is right there with me" (Rom 7:20).  But my inner being gives me the power supernaturally to overcome the sin which so easily entangles us.  I cannot overcome sin naturally, but supernaturally I can.  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ who gives the power to overcome this sin which so easily entangles us.  

Next week - the running a race with endurance.

A Sign That Says it All

Last year when Debsue and I were on our bike ride down the Towpath Trail, we stopped in the town of Peninsula to eat.  We discovered this sign.

In the software world, we call this a boolean expression which means it is a series of conditions all nicely laid out for us.  Let's try to break it down:

• The sign is directed at bicyclists - can't you tell by how clear the top red is?
• Only persons under 15 can ride on the sidewalk UNLESS
• Accompanying a rider under 11 WHICH
• May not ride in the street (but I guess can ride on the sidewalk) BUT
• If you see a pedestrian, you must dismount IF
• Passing said pedestrian

I guess all this is nicely laid out in the Peninsula code for those to look.  I wonder if these same people wrote the Internal Revenue Code.

Thoughts from Hebrews 12:1 - Encumbrance

Hebrews 12:1 is the first verse which follows the "faith" chapter of Chapter 11 where we are introduced to so many of the heroes of the faith.  These are the people that warts and all still are used by God and are examples of the faith.  They are our examples to follow.  Remember the "I Want to be Like Mike" commercials.  Those commercials described what we need to do or look like to be like Michael Jordan.  We are to look to these guys as our examples even as you look at them and all of their warts.  I don't think we would have a commercial that would urge us to be like Rahab, a prostitute.  The verse says "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith.

This verse I believe has so much in it, I have had to literally unpack it piece by piece.  This post is only about encumbrance.  There are those things that have the potential to crowd out God.  They are not bad in and of themselves, but they have the potential to become an idol.  They are different for each one of us.  For me, it is work and baseball among potentially others.  The author says to lay it aside.  Does that mean to stop it?  Possibly if it becomes a real problem.  Is it hindering the work of Jesus in my life?  Being aware of these things is the first step.  Acknowledging their potential before God to encumber you is the second step.  So what do you do if they become encumbrances?  It may require simply asking God to show you them in their perspective.   However, it may require jettisoning them - lay them aside.  I remember my brother giving up golf because he could not control his temper on the golf course and he simply didn't enjoy it.  So he quit and has not played since.  He simply could not keep the game in perspective.  We need to view all things in the light of eternity.  I believe if we give up encumbrances, God will fill the void as we grow in faith.  

Lebron - Me, Myself, I

I was going to originally label this post RIP: The Death of the Local Sports Market.  I was going to go into all about how the local sports market can't compete with national sports teams and how places like Cleveland simply can't hold onto players who want to make more money and get the spotlight elsewhere.  But this post is more about the pompous, egotistical, young man who basically thumbed his nose at his hometown.  Check this editorial out which mirrors my opinion http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100709/ap_on_sp_bk_ne/bkn_jim_litke070810.

I have no problem with Lebron going to Miami or anywhere else.  That is his right in the stupid world of professional sports.  However, it was the way and the manner that he conducted it that completely turned me sideways.  There was the whole drawn out process - have six teams come and "present" to me at a downtown Cleveland hotel.  There was the whole ridiculous national t.v. prime time event where he announced his "Decision".  It was how it was drawn out and built up.  It was a complete lack of gratitude and humility towards the area that basically adored and idolized him since he was in his mid teens.  But why should we be surprised at a guy who shows up at Indians games wearing a Yankees cap and at Browns games wearing a Cowboys hat.  As Debsue has stated, he has had people kow-tow to him since he was a kid in this area so we tended to look the other ways at such things.  He also didn't extend any courtesy at all to the team and the town that did everything possible to try to win a championship.  You can't fault the Cavalier owner who spent lavishly to put players around him, who build a first rate practice facility, and gave Lebron's buddies jobs.  In the ridiculous world of pro basketball, it seems to pay to get really bad before getting really good by getting way under the salary cap.  But finally, it was the self aggrandizement that got me.  "I am going to take my talents and play in South Beach".  If Lebron's goal is to build his brand and leave a legacy, he greatly tarnished it.  While it may be masked in the form of preferring to play for a team that can win championships, it clearly was rooted in ego.

I am done with professional sports - I can no longer support professional athletes (and owners too) who create a transient environment of overpriced entertainment.  I will take my entertainment dollars and time and invest them elsewhere.

Moratorium on Offshore Drilling

The oil spill is a massive crisis, there is no doubt about that.  We can empathize with an entire fishing and tourism industry that has been crushed by the effects of the spill.  However, the moratorium on offshore oil drilling is a typical government overreaction that has also had significant economic consequences that dwarf the impact of the fishing and tourism industry. 

According to Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the impact of halting work on 33 exploratory wells will be devastating.

• Rigs: $250,000 to $500,000 a day means losses of up to $16,500,000 per day in costs for idle rigs.
• Supply boats: $30,000 per day for 33 rigs will cost about $1,000,000 a day.
• Employees: Up to 140 per shift at $1,804 a week could add to $330,000,000 a month in lost wages.  

The fact remains that the people on the Gulf Coast rely much more heavily on the oil and gas industry than on the farming, forestry, or fishery industries.  According to the U.S. Commerce Department, Louisianans earn $13 from mining and related activities for every dollar they get from fishing.  In 2007, the last year for which we have data, the total compensation paid to people in Louisiana working in forestry, fishing, and related activities came to just $310.0 million.  the figure for mining and support activities was $4.1 billion, with nearly all of it related to oil and gas. 

It shows the complete lack of understanding to even suggest that BP foot the bill for the government's position.

Consider Jesse Jackson's proposed boycott of BP stations.  Sure sounds good - let's make BP pay!  He obviously didn't understand that 10,000 BP stations in this country are independently owned and it costs $250,000 to buy a franchise.  Might help some of these guys to actually understand before they talk.

Entertainment Value

This past Fourth of July weekend saw us going to the Indians game on Friday night and then to Blossom to hear the Cleveland Orchestra.  We went to the Indians to hear a daughter of a friend of ours sing the national anthem.  We spent $56 which included $10 towards dinner to sit in the bleachers.  We spent $5 to park in a downtown garage.  Finally, we spent an additional $5 each for dinner to include beverage meaning the total spent was $71.  All to watch a mediocre team play (we did skip the fireworks which are good).  Contrast that to Blossom where we spent $26 to hear a one of the top 5 orchestras in the country play which included parking and we brought our own food in.  We also got a nice fireworks show.

As money gets tight, we are ever mindful of the value our meager entertainment dollars go for.  I would have rather saved at least half of the money on the Indians and saw either our Class A or Class AA teams play which are not much worse.  Professional baseball and really all of professional sports are is overpriced.  We have stopped going to any Cavs games because to sit in nosebleed seats costs $50 each ticket.  And half the teams in the NBA make the playoffs.  Save your money.

Lebron Mania

I have never seen such hoopla in one town over a single individual, let alone a sports figure.  There is actually a Lebron rumors column that shows up every day on the sports page.  There was front page coverage in today's paper about Lebron's interviews of the various teams that bow to his presence.  Then there are the Lebron sightings.  Was Lebron in NY?  Was he in Chicago?  All this plays into our defeatest shriveled Cleveland sports heart.  Don't get me wrong, I would love to see Lebron stay and it would mean a lot to our city.  We have never had a major sports star of this magnitude in this city since Jim Brown.  But it is basketball and life will go on if he leaves.  I would hope that we can actually give this much attention to actual issues in our city.

Independence Day

Today is Independence Day.  A time of great celebration; fireworks, parades, cookouts, etc.  Our tradition has been always to go to the Aurora parade and pick up the mounds of candy tossed from passing parade marchers.  We still do that even as our kids have grown up.  I think there are a lot of dentists marching in the parade. 

We still live in the greatest nation on the earth.  I may complain about our government, but make no mistake this is still the best country out there.  I really pray it stays that way and our country will remember its roots.  Lots of people died to preserve the freedom and liberties we have.  I pray for revival in the USA.  We have so watered down our Christian heritage.  I don't believe there are Christian countries, but the USA was founded on a belief system and that belief system is under siege.  God bless the USA!

A Little Boys Game

I am fifty years old and I still play hardball baseball.  And I still love it.  I play in a 47 and older league (having moved up from 38 and over league).  Sometimes you are just glad to be able to run around and make it through a game unscathed.  Remember two years ago my little "incident".  I play all summer and then play for a week in Florida in November.  It is truly a blast.  The last two weeks have been something special because I have hit two bombs out of the ballpark.  Keep in mind that most fifty year olds are barely able to hit it out of the infield.  To hit it at least 380 feet was truly a rare feeling and then to do it two weeks in a row was really special.  I won't mention the other little dribblers I hit because the bomb is all you remember.  It is like when you hit that memorable golf shot that goes into the cup.  It doesn't matter what you did the rest of the round - it is what you remember.  Sports memories are like that - you do something special and it kind of is like a little pick me up.  So I am still that little kid who plays that little kids game and never grows up... and never wants to grow up.

Should a Game End in a Tie?

I have been only modestly into the World Cup.  I tend to love world sporting events, but it is really hard to love a sport where at least half the games end in a tie.  Even worse, a low scoring tie.  Who is going to remember a 1-1 game or even worse a 0-0 game?  Anyone remember the baseball All-Star game from a few years ago where they let it end in a tie and how upset the fans were?  After all a tie is like kissing your sister (sorry Laura).

Contrast that with the epic Wimbledon battle from last week.  Three days, eleven hours of play.  About a close a match as you can imagine.  Someone still had to be a winner and someone still had to be a loser.  That is the way sports has to be.  Part of the reason I love baseball is because it is nine innings and there is always the possibility of a comeback.  A few years ago I was on the mound with a 15-1 lead in the fifth inning when I was pulled.  My relief core promptly blew the game and we lost 19-18.  I remember that like it was yesterday.  Sports is about winning and losing even if you are on the very shallow end of the losing side.