O'Dannyboy

What I want to know is why Vicente' Fox should care if we militarise the border or not. It seems to me that he wants the border to remain as open as possible. I personally don't care for temporary measures. The federal government has had more than two decades to develope a plan f nothing else. I can see where our government may have slow to act or reluctant to do anything due to funding issues, but the lack of any plans indicates a complete lack of interest and clear disregard for the security of the border despite everything that was promised back in the 80's.

I can understand recognising acheivements and contributions without discrimination, but I would not endorse any bill that encourages the mentioning of their sexual orientation as if it had some bearing on their contribution. They way the media is making it sound, the bill would allow for text books to mention a historical figures' sexual orientation without consideration to its bearing on the contribution. I agree that allowing text books to mention a historical figures sexual orientation cart-blanche would indeed be counter productive and could be considered a liscense to endoctrinate the children of California.

If he can forgive a prostitute, surely he will forgive us. We must remember however, those people that Jesus healed and forgave, he told each of them "go and sin no more". I saw in a movie this weekend that reminded me of what our sacrifices equate to. The character in the movie said, by becomming a priest, that he had "traded one set of complications for another set of complications". It reminds me that we will always have trials and tribulations to overcome, its how we let them affect us and how we face them, that is important. I once had a teacher who would give me hints when I was struggling with an answer to a test. She would not give me the answer of course, but she would ask me just the right question to help me find the answer myself. I think it is the same with God. These trials and tribulations are tests, so who best to ask for help with the answers then the one presenting the test?

We practically do that here in the U.S., but instead of cash they are given tax deductions and government aid (if applied for). Just look at the birth rates among the poorest in our nation. There is no incentive for them to restrain themselves. I think our government only contribues to the increase in the numbers of those who depend on assitance when the make is so easy to get. If the government stopped allowing tax deductions after three children, you can bet that most families would not grow larger than three children. Perhaps the young people of this nation would not continue to be so promiscuous and having children out of wedlock if they werent so sure about being able to fall back on government assistance.

So the "rich" people keep telling us. I believe its the middle class that pays the lions share and thats why such cuts are always for those who make $500k or more a year. Instead of taking less from the middle class, allowing THEM to invest, our leaders would prefer to give those who already invest, more money to do so. I would bet that most of our leaders in congress, senate and elseware make $500K or better a year, not in salary, but by investing and buisiness ownership, and so a capitol gains tax cut is just what the doctor ordered. Nothing our government does these days should be misconstrued as having been done "for the people". If it doesn't have anything to do with tax money or votes, our "leadership" will rarely get involved with it.

Actually I think that many would agree with me, that if there were one person they would want to commit a suicide attack, it would be the president of Iran.

How Ironic.

So Bush has not lived up to his promises, this is not anything new from the "leaders" of this nation. According to the polls, there are not very many people that think that Bush is doing a satisfactory job, so why bother stating what seems to be so obvious? I am not defending Bush by any means, only asking you to realise that it could honestly be worse. I simply hope that you don't honestly think, that saying "Bush is not doing a very good job as president, is actually news to any of us.

It's a shame how obviously dependant the Palestinians are on the charity of others (specifically Israel). Whats an even bigger shame is that they didn't realise it untill now. I would like to know why it is, that these nations claiming to support the Palestinians, have not helped them achieve some form of independence. Instead they only seem to pay lip service to "the palestinian cause" and permit them to live in squalor all the while blaming Israel for oppressing them. These nations that claim to support the Palestinians are equally, if not moreso, to blame for the plight of the Palestinians by encouraging militant activities rather than investing in their infrastructure and economy.

Yeah, big surprise that Hamas wants help from Fatah to wage war against Israel. Again Hamas makes it abundantly clear that they are NOT an organisation that wants peace with Israel. As long as the Palestinians, through their chosen leaders, are not agreable to a two state solution, I see no reason for Israel to continue to act as if its their responsibility to make it happen. As the son of the Shaw of Iran recently said, Israel simply wants to live in peace and to be left alone. As long as Israel continues to be subjected to hostility and violence by elements within the palestinian population I will support Israel in discontinuing any and all support for them. I, for one, do not see it as Israels responsibility to feed or supply the Palestinians as long as they are unwilling to submit to Israels authority. The message I am hearing from the Palestinians, by having elected Hamas to power, is similar to that of a child declaring independence from their parents, obilvious to the fact that everything that child has was and is being provided by the parents. They can hold out in their fort in the back yard as long as they wan't, but when that box of cereal and bottle of cool aid run out around night time, and the promise of a very uncomfortable nights rest on the cold hard ground sets in, they will wish they hadn't spoken so quickly or acted so brashly and irresponsibly.

In the form of a true politician, Deans' speach should serve to remind us of what our government has been reduced to.

It's a no win situation. Democrats want big government, so the tax money winds up being spent wastefully, but the money the republicans claim to be saving, on a smaller government, they return as tax cuts to their rich buddies. Wouldn't it be nice if the people making modest incomes were empowered to invest rather than those who can already afford to invest. The only reason such tax cuts seem to be so justifiable is because the wealthy are a minority, and so individually it means higher returns and because they are the ones posessing/controlling most of the money.

Thats funny Amor. On your 666'th post you decide to quote scripture.

When I first heard the idea of using the military along the border, I was thinking more like national guards training camps and large facilities. Now, I am thinking they should have, something close to fire towers/watch towers spaced out for maximum effectiveness. This would likely prove to be more expensive than building a wall, but harder to circumvent. Ultimately its going to cost allot of money to protect our borders but at least its money going back into our own economy. I would not be opposed to increasing our military enough to cover the border. At least we know it will be money well spent.

Anyones contributions should be recognised, but I don't see where anyone should feel it necesary to make mention of their sexual preference. The gay community wishes to highlight their sexuality in eveny instance they can, while whining about equal treatment and descrimination, yet at every turn they are the ones continualy flaunting their sexual preferences in the public arena. The article does not mention whether or not the sexual preference of the "contributor" ,to be acknowledged, will be also be mentioned. As far as I am concerned, as long as the persons contributions were significant enough to merit being recognised, then by all means they should be mentioned and/or recognised for having done so. However, unless the text book is doing an in depth biography of that person, I do not see where it is necessary to mention anything about their sexual preferences or their lifestyle outside of anything relevent to the contributions themselves. Just thinking about it, I would not be surprised, at this point, if the gay community weren't actively seeking to move gays , or their supporters, into positions in companies that publish these text books.

He just insured that he would not be getting a retrial based on his new plea. I still think they should put him in a plane and fly into the side of a cliff or something. I hate to think of him in our prisons converting hardened criminals to Islam. Thats all a bunch killers need is justification to do it again.

I was just reading this article and noticed that I did not see it anywhere in the current news section. I thought for sure this would be a topic worth discussing. I hate to sound unsympathetic to the Palestinians who are suffering over this but they did ask for it. They, collectively, voted Hamas into power and if there is anyone to blame ofer these crises it is Hamas. Hamas may be responsible for the welfare of the people, but they will in no way represent the the people in the way they had hoped. In my mind, when they voted a terrorist organisation into power, they essentially were saying that they would like to see increased violence against Israel. This could be considered a pretty big curse, and in turn they have cursed themselves. They, obviously, had no idea how dependant on Israel they are. Without question, the lack of funds to the Hamas led government has had a serious impact and is the main reason for the fuel company to cut off supply untill it somehow gets paid. I hope the people get food and aid soon, but I agree with making sure Hamas in no way receives any funds untill it recognises Israel and denounces violence against them. The way I see it, untill the Palestinian people make it abundantly clear that a two state solution is agreable and renouce violence against Israel, Israel has every right to fight their enemy by any means necessary including atrition.

I have been alternating between two churches, one of which I am a member and the other is where I attend Sunday school. I cannot say that I have been happy at the services held at either church. The interim pastor at the first is loud and forceful and the pastor at the other is very soft spoken and mild manored. Oddly enough I find myself getting sleepy with the loud pastor while the soft spoken one I have to pay special attention to whats being said or I will miss the message. I apreciate what the pastor is trying to do when he harps on one "topic" for over an hour. I mean, the message for the day might be peace, or submitting, or prayer but in the end I do not feel as though I have learned anything. The most satisfying times I have had at church were when the pastor, in essense, held a bible study for the congration. I gues thats where the controvercy begins really. Some go to service to receive spiritual nourishment, while others go mainly to worship. For me, when I go to church services, I am seeking to be inspired to learn more of Gods word. I also enjoy praising God in song, not necessarily to see a show. I do believe the modern church is plagued with those who aim to dumb it down and dress it up when what is needed is more participation and more information. Wouldn't it be nice if every service included at least one tesimonial from a member of the congragation? Talk about edifying. I'm sure each of us is looking for something different when we attend services but it does appear that for all of us, something seems to be missing. There are simply too many churches focussed on Glamorising instead of Glorifying. I like the shows every now and then, but I, for one, am a proponent of grass roots Christian teaching and living.

I recently saw a spot on television about CAIR and how they lost in court. They were using legal bulldogs to scare off critics and are now paying for it. Their ruse has been exposed and they can no longer deny ties to terrorist groups. Their cover has been blown and its only a matter of time before they either disolve or rename their operation to deflect the attention they will now receive.

Perhaps not to you, but to some of us it matters a great deal. Some of us understand, no matter how bad it seems at the moment, it could really be worse. Yes, GWB's performance is sorley lacking and it doesn't seem he is making any efforts to regain the peoples confidence. All I hear about the President these days is either to do with Iran or his pushing HIS "guest worker" program. But, as I have said already, nothing anyone can say will make me regret choosing Bush over Kerry. However, if you think this is a ploy to distract from Bushes short commings then by all means point some of them out rather than criticizing our comments.

I' sorry to say, Shelak, that once you ask a question on a forum it's out of your hands. The best you can do, once your question is answered, is to move on. Since this is a Christian forum, you call expect that many of your posts will end up in a theological discussion, and some of them way even wind up a bit heated. You should in no way feel responisble when people get carried away on a thread you started. As for your questions, feel free to ask them, but you can, in no way, expect every answer to be short and sweet, especially here. There are many very learned people here and they, like I, enjoy sharpening themselves against others. Try not to take it personal if a discussion you started continues without you. I am very glad your question was answered and hope you will feel comfortable enough to ask more of them.

I can only tell you how it happened for me, and perhhaps you can gleen something of use from it. September 2004. It was a Thrusday night. During those days I was playing Star Wars Galaxies as my thing to do in my spare time. Whenever I would play I would have plenty of beer and plenty of cigarettes handy. I can't tell you what I was doing specifically, but I did finally realise that I was living a simulated life and was adicted to things that I did not absulutely need to survive. I can't tell you how ashamed and pitifull I felt. I had a beer in one hand, a cigarette in the other and I put both down and wept. I realised for the first time, I mean realy understood, that I was my own worst enemy. As I wept I cried out inside myself for anyone, if there was anyone, to help. Without knowing it, I had surrendered to his will. I poured out the beer I was drinking, put out my cigarette and went to bed. I went to work the next morning and did my work as usual, perhaps with a little more zest. It wasn't untill lunch time that I realised that I hadn't smoke one cigarette that day. The strangest part was that I did not wan't one. I didn't even have a craving. When I got off work, I got in the car and lit one up out of habit. I though nothing of it. I went home and, being a friday night, knew I could stay up late playing my games. It's still somewhat of a blur. Anyhow, I played the night out drinking and smoking. Call it a last fling if you will, unbeknownst to me. After sleeping in I woke up and turned on the TV to let the reality of having a day off set in, and without a thought, lit a cigarette. I didn't smoke half of the cigarette before I suddenly felt pain in my chest. Needless to say I put the cigarette out and lie on my back for 10 or 15 minutes dealing with the pain. While I was suffering with this pain, in the back of my mind I understood someone or something telling me "we can do this the easy way, or the hard way". At that point I knew that whether or not I still wanted to quit, It was no longer my choice. I asked for help, and help is what I got. Help that I am ever so thankfull for now. Later that day I gave all of what remained of my carton of cigarettes to my roommate and have not smoked another since. Its been over a year and a half and I have not had one craving since the night I asked for help. That night changed my life. Not only was I saved from myself, I finally believed in God. I knew that someone heard my cry for help and loved me enough to answer my prayer. Not wanting to risk fueling any cravings I also gave up sodas and coffee and yes, the beer too. The only withdrawl I went through was the caffeine withdrawls. I suffered a week long headache when I gave up caffiene. I can tell you now that I am ohh so happy to be free of those vices. Tips? Give up anything, chemical dependancies included, that might contribute to the strength of your cravings. Drink lots of water and chew lots of gum. I understood that it would only take 21 days before i was over the hump with these nasty habits. They are not only addictions, but nasty habits as well. Beating the chemical dependancy part was especially easy for me since God took away the cravings. The habits were harder to beat. When you decide to change a habit, you have to know that it only takes 21 days to change a habit or form a habit, as a general rule of thumb. So, all you need to do it to find something ELSE to do when ever you feel a craving. You can try, writting about how you feel whenever you get an urge. Try brushing your teeth whenever you get a craving. Whenever I found myself looking for something to do with my hands I sometimes brushed my teeth or filed my nails. There is any number of things you can do when you realise you need something to do with your hands. Over a year and a half later I have quit smoking, stopped drinking alcoholic and caffinated beverages, vastly improved my oral hygiene and stopped biting my nails. All thanks to a God that I did not believe in. I sure hope that helps someone.

Now thats an interesting question. I am only guessing but an Isrealite is most likely a person who is one the lineage and/or beliefs of Jacob, meaning they are a mamber of the nation of Israel. To me, an Israeli is someone who lives in the land now called Israel. To be an Israeli you simply have to live in Israel, but to be a Jew is to be a member of the nation of Israel by blood. Though by todays standards, to be a jew you merely have to beleve as the Jews to be considered one, I think.

You said you were able to get it to turn over after you bypass a thing or two, so you already know where one problem is. I was going to suggest the coil but it seems that you found that too. To test the coil? Not really. Best bet is to price out a new coil. If you can get a used on somewhere then more power to ya. Chances are it wont be too expensive, or at least I would hope not. Somewhere around 20-40 bucks I would think. Make sure you buy it some place that has a decent return policy so you can return it if by chance it turns out to be something else. While your at it you might want to check your plug/plugs and make sure they weren't fouled when the coil went out. Get a tube of dielectric grease and lube all your terminals, especially those that are exposed to the elements. Sounds like a good time to change the oil too. Heck, you might as well sharpen the blade while your at it...LOL. the easiest way to check and see if the coil is working is to pull the/a spark plug wire from a plug. Stick a plilips head screwdriver where the plug would have clipped in and hold the screwdriver (by the handle) with the metal part about 1/4 inch away from a bare metal part of the lawnmower. Preferably not the fuel tank. Turn the engine over and watch for sparks to ark to the frame. If its bad you will have no spark or a very weak orange spark. Good spark is Blue or white. The only other way I can think of to test the coil is to have someone bench test it for you, perhaps at a small engine shop. They shouldn't charge you to test it. Especially if they think they will get to sell you a new one. Best of luck.

I don't want to sound like a doomsayer but this COULD be the beginning of what has been called "the great apostatcy". The bible speaks of a falling away in the end times just before things "get cranking". It makes ya wonder. How far will they go in promoting this story? I guess as long as they are making money at it they will continue to do it. I guess we can start worrying when this movie or book becomes popular in muslim countries.