The Gooch and I

The season finale of Dancing with the Stars is slated to be the most predictable in years. Kristi Yamaguchi is going to run away with it. She enters the fan voting period with a commanding 8-point lead in judges' scores (a perfect 60 for 60).

If that isn't enough, having me as her partner is sure to put her over the top.

Doesn't the U.N. have anything better to do?

Seriously. The council of clowns has decided to take a break from writing strongly-worded letters to oppressive dictatorships in order to investigate racism in the United States. Apparently they have an expert on staff, one Doudou Diene, who can sniff out a racist from a mile away.

Government policies in this country are already so lopsidedly in favor of minorities that, if this were a serious venture, Mr. Diene would recommend the abolition of every law overcompensating for institutionalized majority guilt for policies past.

While he's at it, he might as well do a thorough assessment of our Judeo-Christian value system and how it disenfranchises those who eschew any moral accountability.

Flowers for Mothers Day

For all you mothers out there, I shot some nice flowers for you.
Happy Mothers Day!

Playing the Ag Card

Pundits everywhere are saying that the age of America's clout on the international stage is just about over. And most evidence suggests that it's true. The Fed has gutted the dollar. Iraq has our military stretched way too thin. China pirates and replicates our technology even as it's developed. Our national debt continues to soar. The blight of illegal immigration increasingly stifles the economy. And the American lifestyle is characterized by living on credit – and those debts must be paid, sooner or later.

But there's one area in which America still dominates the world: food production. Here's a list of the world's top ten ag exporters:

World Top 10 Agriculture Exporters
Country	In Million Dollars
United States	42,826
France	24,262
Netherlands	19,780
Germany	13,842
United Kingdom	11,613
Canada	10,107
Australia	9,824
Italy	9,446
Belgium	9,013
Spain	6,621

The U.S. accounts for 27% of world food exports! The oil-exporting Arab countries are net food importers. China is on the verge of becoming one as well. If push ever comes to shove, that's some serious leverage right there. Maybe the economic equivalent of the 'red button.' Unfortunately, all the influential pinheads would proclaim that playing the 'food card' is inhumane and deplorable.

Personally, I say we start pushing our agricultural weight around, sticking our adversaries with higher prices for our commodities. Interestingly, the Cult of Global Warming may be accomplishing this very feat as it drives up U.S food prices. Let's have the government impose a stiff tariff against those who aren't behaving nicely towards us. That would not only give them incentive to cooperate, but also possibly ease rising food prices at home.

Reflections of Christ

I was forwarded me this beautiful slide show featuring photos from an exhibit entitled, "Reflections of Christ."



From the website,

The Reflections of Christ photography exhibit is a collaborative effort on many peoples part to teach about Jesus. The primary goal of the project was to create photographs that could cast new light on our perceptions of Christ. I hope that through the words and actions of our cast, crew, and me I guess, that the reader will be aware of how we feel about Jesus.

The photography exhibit is currently on display at the visitor center at the LDS (Mormon) temple in Mesa, Arizona.

UPDATE:

I stumbled across an excellent review of the exhibit. Here's an excerpt.

As I think of the many exhibits of art and photography I've enjoyed over the years, exhibits that brought tears from viewers have been rare. Tuesday night was one of those rare and dramatic moments. How fortunate I was to be in Arizona this week, with just barely enough free time on Tuesday night to dash over to the Mesa Temple and see "Reflections of Christ."

As I walked through the gallery again, the message delivered by this majestic work of art was stronger than ever: Jesus Christ is real! He is real, as real and as tangible as any of the people in these realistic photos. His love is real, His triumph over death His real, His grace is real. And each of us will one day stand before Him, kneel before Him, and recognize Him as our Lord. When that moment comes, we will either recognize Him as our Lord whom we have sought to serve and already know, or as a stranger who was far from the thoughts and intents of our hearts. May it be the former! But in either case, we will see that He is real, more real than any scene in any photograph. So why wait? Why wait for reality to surprise us when we can accept it now - accept Him now - and prepare for that wonderful day when we are united with the Lord, our true and very real Friend and Savior.

Quote of the Day

Most people on the right have no problem understanding people on the left because many, if not most, were on the left themselves when they were younger. But many, if not most, people on the left find it inexplicable how any decent and intelligent person could be on the right.

- Thomas Sowell

Detroit Public School Graduates are Scarce

When you look at the latest batch of native Detroiters, it's no wonder the city is in such a huge mess. Latest of many cases in point: Detroit schools rank last in graduation rate.

Having graduated from a decidedly average California high school, I'm guessing that maybe 5% of my class didn't make it. In Detroit? That number is nearly 70%.

That makes the remaining 30% the best and brightest of the city. The leaders. The councilmembers. The movers and shakers. The next hip-hop mayor.

The future looks bleak for Detroit. And the ailing auto industry is the least of its worries.