How We think VS What We Think

I heard an interesting debate while listening to talk radio yesterday. The question was basically this: How come The Theory of Intelligent Design can't be taught in public schools side by side with Darwin's Theory of Evolution? Now, I am not posting this to continue the debate I already heard on the radio. This is a question that many have asked. Separation of Church and State right? Well, this guy was saying that you wouldn't need to cram it down the students' throats like Darwin gets crammed. Just make it a voluntary class, or elective for students who would like to hear another "theory". For that's all Darwin is...an unproved theory, that for whatever reason gets taught as fact every day in America's classrooms.

Anyway my actual reason for making this post is, one guy made a statement, and I don't want to detract from what he said by telling you what side of the debate he was on. I just think that what he said was profound, and good food for thought. Especially for those of us with kids who will or are participating in public school.

I will paraphrase the best I can from memory. He said, " You know in educational institutions you always hear of how important it is to promote free thinking. But, in reality free thinking is often found to be questioning authority, or being a trouble maker. I believe that we should be teaching our kids how to think, rather than what to think. Teach them to question everything. Teach them that questioning authority is not a bad thing, if done respectfully. In the end, it isn't the answers that are so relative, but maybe instead, it's the questions that we ask ourselves that matter most.

I heard this and thought to myself, "BINGO"! I know I had a bad experience with a history prof in my freshman year in college. Where I felt I was being treated unfairly because of my own religious and political beliefs. In high school my brother had an experience with a teacher when he confronted them in front of the class, calling into question some bogus thing they were trying to pawn off to the kids. Instead of getting in trouble, he should have been praised for the courage to question. Not just lap it up.

Whew! my two cents for today. = )

Touched By an Angel

I was at the gym last night working hard, when I noticed an unusual movement in the corner of my eye. I gave a quick glance and noticed a woman hopping around on one foot. At first I thought to myself that, yeah that would be a good exercise to build some leg strength. Upon further examination I realized she was an amputee. Her right leg was missing from mid-thigh down. Of course I have seen people with missing limbs before, but what made this extraordinary was her level of fitness. Her muscles were toned to rock hard shape, and her work out was just as intense as anyone else there.

As I watched her gather her crutches up under her arms and make her way painstakingly out of the gym, I couldn't help but feel inspired by her determination. I have to admit that I cranked out a few more reps after she left.

I wonder if she is ever aware of the inspiration she gives to others. It's funny how she so unknowingly touched me, and inspired me to be better, complain less, etc. Do others watch us? Do we unknowingly inspire others to do better? The thought of it is kinda scary. It sure makes me want to be a better person.

Not So Far From The Truth

A while ago White Salamander posted a blog about the TNIV translation of the Bible coming out soon. In the comments he got involved in a mini-debate. In his debate. scroll down to the post titled "See Paul Run"
he expressed his fears of the trend these days for evanglicals to be too light hearted concerning their Christianity. i.e. trying to make it more hip, and contemporary as to attract more Gen-X parishioners.

I have always held the same concerns myself and was satisfied to see his comments on the subject. Well, the other day I stumbled on this article. , and it seems to support even more the truth of what he was saying.

My problem with a show like this, is what do these people really know about Christ. This kind of show just further relegates the image of Christ to that of a mythological creation. like beowulf, or Santa clause. I am thinking someone has just taken notice of the box office success of "The Passion" or the long success of shows like "Touched By an Angle" and are trying to capitalize on the success of these shows.

Making Jesus cool, contemporary, and hip isn't the answer folks. Who wants to see The Almighty, Lord of Hosts, Only begotten of The Father, The Great I Am, portrayed as a doobie smoking, walkman carrying, hippie with a surfboard under his arm giving advice to a priest strung out on narcotics?

In a hurry to kill

Well, I have avoided posting about the Terry Shiavo case, but I just have a thought or two on it that I can't seem to ignore.

I don't claim to know or understand all the facts here, but to me it seems that these judges and courts ruling against Terry's parents are almost in a hurry to get it over with. I know the case itself has been ongoing for years now. I just think that with new allegations of possible abuse, plus a Mayo Clinic doctor who has examined her recently, claiming she is not in a persistent vegitative state, it might be prudent to put the brakes on for a moment here just to check things out. What would it hurt? If she doesn't "feel anything" anyway, then why the big hurry to kill her off?

I heard a quote on tv from the Florida Senate President from the last time her feeding tube was removed, and the Senate voted in "Terry's Law" to have the tube re-inserted. When the Senate had finished voting, the President stated to the rest of the house, " I hope we have done the right thing here tonight. I can't help but wonder if this is what Terry really wanted. If not, then God have mercy on us".

GOD HAVE MERCY ON US? Was he kidding? God have mercy on you for deciding to allow life over death? How about God have mercy on you for killing someone without knowing of a surety what her wishes were? If you are going to err, isn't it better to err on the side of life, rather than death?

Again, what's the big hurry here? Let's check into some of these new developements instead of sweeping her and her family under the all-powerful judicial rug.

Cutting back the calories

Well, after about 2.5 weeks of my new program, I am convinced that I am taking in too many calories. I have seen my waist expanding, and though I have not weighed myself on the scale, I can just feel it. I Figure I have given my body enough time to adjust to the new influx of carbs, and I must just be taking in too much. For anyone interested, and mostly for my self I am going to list my new diet that starts tomorrow. The workouts are great, and will stay the same, other than I need to start implementing some cardio now. I have done nothing but straight weight training for the last 2.5 weeks. My new diet is as follows:

5 AM 4 egg whites, and half of a whole wheat bagel (plain)
8 AM 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 serving whey protein, and 1/2 cup milk (together like a cereal )
9 AM Work out ( creatine monohydrate with 4oz apple juice immediately after workout )
11 AM 2 serving whey protein mixed with 1/2 cup mile, and 1 banana
2 PM 1/2 tuna sandwich on whole wheat, and 1/2 apple
5 PM 1/2 tuna sandwich on whole wheat, and 1/2 apple
8 PM Chicken Stir fry
10 PM 1 cup cottage cheese

Total = 1,820 calories

This is about a 500 calorie cut in my diet. The frequent eating should keep my metabolism burning, and prevent me from cheating as I always know another meal is right around the corner. I am about 215 lbs currently. At least I was 3 weeks ago. I figure if I stay dedicated to this diet and continue to make working out a priority than I should lose fat and add muscle. It's just a matter of finding the balance.

Living Breathing Document?

I got into an "exchange of ideas" at work the other day. And It prompted my next post on my blog.

I have heard people describe the United States Constitution as a "living breathing document". By this they mean the original intent of the drafters of the constitution was that the constitution be bend able, changeable to suit the ever changing tides of society.

I have a problem with this premise. I believe that the Constitution is there to protect us from tyranny. It is a document that was formed to limit the government from encroaching on what our forefathers believed to be unalienable rights.

Now I concede that sometimes change is needed. Not everything could have been foreseen. So, yes in a sense the Constitution is an ever evolving document. But to what extent should this be taken? My main concern here is the majority. Too many in this country think that the majority rules in every case. If the majority wants it....they should get it. If this were the case, you would have majority tyranny.

Let's take the freedom of speech for example. What if the majority in this country decided you can no longer openly criticize the President or something like that. Well, if the Constitution were truly a "living breathing" document, then they could do something like that. The Constitution should be solid. Should be there to protect the right to free speech, or right to bear arms, or whatever even if it's down to the last person who believes it anymore.

Some get so upset about prayer in schools. They get angry because one person can come in and have the court overrule the desires of the majority and ban a certain activity from a school just for one offended person. Now, I personally don't have a problem with prayer in schools-just for the record- but, sometimes we have to sacrifice the "wants" of the majority to protect the rights of the minority.

sigh...prayer in schools. I shouldn't have used that example. What a hornet's nest.

Week Three Begins

Well, today now marks the beginning of week three of my new attempt at body transformation. Week two went a lot better than week one. I got in all of my workouts. Probably due to being on graveyards this week, and was able to get into the gym at home and at work. (the company provides a small workout room for us security guards) I must admit that so far I have noticed an expansion in my waist. I even had to loosen my gun belt at work a tad. I am told that this is a temporary side affect to going back to eating carbs after so long. My body is storing it up just in case of another famine. Anyway, the good news is today I kinda noticed that possibly my waist is receding if maybe just a tad. Muscle growth has already been achieved in just two short weeks. I can see it, and feel it. And it feels terrific. I am still staying away from the scale for two more weeks. I am gonna see what bulk I can add. Starting week five I will begin recucing my calories a bit, and see what happens.

MR. AND MRS. JESUS?

I guess I'm going to have to read The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. According to Fox News, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, a high ranking official in the Catholic Church, claims that the wide spread success of this novel proves that there is a large anti-Catholic sentiment out there. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,150591,00.html

I gather that the main heresy in this book is the proposition that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had children. This topic has always caught my attention. Did Jesus marry? Is it completely out of the realm of possibility? And if he did...what does that change? Does it mean he can't be the only begotten of his father anymore?

I guess I just don't understand how buying and reading this book would make you anti-catholic. I haven't read the book, so I can't say a whole lot on it. But to me the whole stance this Cardinal is making on, " Don't buy it...Don't read it ", just kind of smacks of the old Church where nobody was allowed to even read the scriptures unless they were a priest. (or whatever the restrictions were) Is this yet another attempt by the Catholic Church to keep it's members in the dark? I am sure the Church has moved beyond that by now. Or have they? Not to be anti-catholic or anything.

BROTHERS-IN-ARMS

I am currently reading a historical novel called “Gates of Fire” by Steven Pressfield. It is a most excellent read about the battle of Thermopylae. My brother recommended the book, and I have found it most rewarding.

I came across a paragraph in the book that struck me so brilliantly that I actually paused to read it over several times. If the book actually belonged to me instead of my brother I most likely would have highlighted the paragraph with a yellow highlighter.

Before I share this paragraph, let me just qualify for a moment why I found it to be so profound. I have mentioned before that I work as a security guard at a nuclear installation for the Department of Energy. I know that when I mention, “security guard”, the first vision to pop into one’s head is probably some Barney Fife look-alike, in polyester black pants, a tin badge on his shirt, and a roll of quarters on his belt so he can call the real cops should something happen. LOL.

In actuality we are quite a paramilitary guard force. My uniform is military BDUs, and the training I’ve received is more along military combat training. I can’t get into many specifics, so let it suffice when I say that we are better armed and equipped than your typical police officer patrolling the streets. We train and plan for terrorism. We try to mentally prepare ourselves for the possibility of combat, and make it a practice to believe that, YES it COULD really HAPPEN. With that said let me share this paragraph from the book, and if you can bare with me a brief commentary at the end.

Nothing fires the warrior’s heart more with courage than to find himself and his comrades at the point of annihilation, at the brink of being routed and overrun, and then to dredge not merely from one’s own bowels or guts but from one’s own discipline and training the presence of mind not to panic, not to yield to the possession of despair, but instead to complete those homely acts of order which Dienekes had ever declared the supreme accomplishment of the warrior: to perform the commonplace under far-from-commonplace conditions. Not only to achieve this for oneself alone, as Achilles or the solo champions of yore, but to do it as part of a unit, to feel about oneself one’s brothers-in-arms, in an instance like this of chaos and disorder, comrades whom one doesn’t even know, with whom one has never trained; to feel them filling the spaces alongside him, from spear side and shield side, fore and rear, to behold one’s comrades likewise rallying, not in a frenzy of mad possession-driven abandon, but with order and self-composure, each man knowing his role and rising to it, drawing strength from him as he draws it from them; the warrior in these moments finds himself lifted as if by the hand of a god. He cannot tell where his being leaves off and that of the comrade beside him begins. In that moment the phalanx forms a unity so dense and all-divining that it performs not merely at the level of a machine or engine of war but, surpassing that, to the state of a single organism, a beast of one blood and heart.

Now, I know that to truly appreciate these comments one must probably truly experience real combat. I can say that in training scenarios, I have experienced this to some degree. feeling a certain kinship with another guard who I don’t even know, or even a brotherly love for some clown I don’t even really like most of the time. At least I thought I didn’t . I think Pressfield has nailed something quite poignant here. I am still trying to get my arms all the way around it. I don’t know how many people come by to read my blog, but if any with insight could comment I’d appreciate it. Perhaps someone with real combat experience might be able to validate the above comments. If I can feel it in force on force training scenarios, then to what degree does it occur in the real situation?

Week Two of The Change

Well, it today marks the beginning of week two of my new diet and workout regimen. I have to say that after a few days I got a little nervous. I felt myself gaining weight. My pants aren't fitting as loose as they were. I consulted with a good friend of mine who is a personal trainer, and he said that I should expect some weight gain after coming off from Atkins. Alot of it according to him is water weight, and not to worry. So, on I plunge into this new body experiment.

I realize that I most likely won't be able to achieve the same results as Charlie Poole from my former post. But, if in three months I can do what he did in just 4 weeks, I'd be way way happy with the results.

This last week didn't go quite as well though workout wise as I had hoped. It started off really well, but my job interfered with me being able to get a consistent workout program really going. I did manage to get a few good ones in though. This week however, my schedule is different, and I should be able to have a good solid week of eating right and consistant workouts. Hopefully, for now on my job won't be such an interference to the routine.

In addition to everything else, I have decided to take some supplements to help me on the way. One is a whey protein powder shake, and the other is Creatine Monohydrate. These are supposed to be among the top supplements among bodybuilders.

One last thought. For the next four weeks I will not be weighing myself on the scale. I know that I am heavier now than I was a week ago, but I don't want to panic myself by overdoing it on the scale.

Women's rights or common sense

I have hesitated on writing this post because to many it may seem sexist, but I think I have to speak my mind on this. There may be people who get angry with me for writing what I'm about to write, just because it is stuff that, although true, yet remains things we shouldn't say, or facts we aren't supposed to acknowledge, even though we know the truth in our hearts.

First of all, let me say thank heavens on the capture of fugitive Brian Nichols, the guy in Georgia who overpowered his police escort to court, took her gun and shot her and three other people before fleeing.

As an armed security officer this is an issue I have dealt with secretly in my mind for a long time. I have to wonder with all the equality issues between men and women, why are we forced to ignore common sense many times just for the sake of political correctness? What in the world was a female officer doing escorting a guy like this, uncuffed, alone, and a known danger??? The day before, officials had discovered shanks in Brian Nichols' shoes. Because of this the judge, now dead, had ordered beefed up security be placed on Mr. Nichols. My heck people!!

Yes, I do believe that women have a place and a role to fill in police work. But, let's be honest. In most cases women are going to be physically weaker than men when it comes to brute strength. Could this have happened if a male officer had been the escort? You bet it could, and has! Especially with a man this bold and dangerous, plus the relaxed circumstances he was being escorted in. On the other hand. Is it possible that the fact that his escort was female incouraged Nichols into the action he took? Do you think it might have been more of a deterrent if instead he'd been escorted by one or two burly, mean-looking male cops? I have to say, probably. And if it wasn't a deterrent, how quickly could Nichols had overwhelmed a male cop in comparrison to the female?

I am not trying to throw disrespect on Cynthia Hall, the female cop. She was just doing her job. And, I'm not putting forth that women should lose the right to vote, and be required to veil their faces in public. But, now several people are dead, and we have to think of that. I am afraid women's equality issues must take a back seat in this case. To me it goes waaaay beyond just giving a woman the chance to prove her worth, blah blah blah, in this case. When other lives are depending on it, we need to excercise good judgement and common sense.

That's all I have to say on that.

Yellowstone Park Pristine Wilderness

As a kid growing up in Idaho I had the chance to take numerous visits to Yellowstone National Park. My father, making his living as a struggling artist, would use the road through the park to reach various western art galleries in Wyoming and Montana to deliver his paintings. Many times it seemed these trips to the revered park were on almost a weekly basis. At the time I remember the price to get in was only a few bucks. Now it costs around $20.00 to get into the park!

I just want to know how is this fee justified? Some would say to maintain the park. I ask; maintain what? The government has long held that Yellowstone should be kept pristine. It is illegal to remove anything, i.e. pine cones, stones etc. from the park. And back in 1988 when the park was practically burning down, at first officials refused to fight some of these destructive fires. "Let nature take its natural course". This was the policy, (even though some of the fires were caused by man, not nature)

Let me get to my beef. I agree with the general theory. This is a special area. It should be protected and preserved for people to enjoy. And yes it should remain (as much as possible) in its most pristine, natural condition. Then,would someone explain to me what is so natural and pristine about: Guard gates, paved roads, boardwalks, dumpsters, outhouses, inns, giftshops, offices, bumper to bumper traffic, and even a ...TRAILER PARK? Is that what my twenty bucks goes to maintain?

Go into Yellowstone Park and you will see all of this. On the flipside, go into Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness area in the lower 48, and you don't see any of this. Aside from the occasional camping area, or trail,this wilderness is a much better example of the pristine than Yellowstone can hope to be at this point.

I guess what I'm trying to say is look at all the money poured into Yellowstone in comparison in an effort to "preserve its beauty". If it were up to me, I'd rip out the board walks, the shops, guard gates, and out houses. I'd tear up the paved roadways. Truly return the area to its natural state. If people want to see amazing sights like Yellowstone Falls, let them earn it by hiking up to it. And then maybe they'd actually appreciate it enough not to throw their official Yellowstone Park bottled water container into the river as they head for their car.

I don't know....maybe I'm extreme. Maybe I'm being selfish. Maybe I should just grab my camera, head to Yellowstone, and take pictures of the majestic grizzlie in the heart of its pristine eco system foraging for food, in a dumpster.

The Transformation Continues

Today marks day two of my new diet and weight lifting program. Although I won't really be giving a daily update of my progress I decided to do another post today to respond to a comment to yesterday's post. Here is one of the first websites I came accross that really opened my eyes to what a person can really do when they are motivated. bodybuilding> This is an amazing 12 week transformation! There are also a ton of good articles on the site, including some written by Charlie himself.

Anther terrific site I went to that explained alot on proper diet, nutrition, and supplementation: bodybuildingdiet> It is a good website that explains it all in good plain english.

As far as me. I am doing good mentally. The food seems so much healthier and I feel much better. Eating stuff like chicken stir fry, tuna on whole wheat, Banana smoothies, apples, cottage cheese, bean burritos on whole grain tortilla etc. I don't have that feeling that I am constantly on the cusp of a sugar binge like I did when on Atkins. Tonight hope to make it to the gym to get in some Back, biceps, shoulders and a little cardio. Gonna be harder to make it today. We shall see.

Gonna make a change

Well, today marks my first official day of my transformation. I am rededicating myself to losing fat, adding muscle and becoming over all healthier. Up until now, I have been on the Atkin's diet for about the last 2 years. I have seen some success, losing around thirty pounds. But, Atkin's just doesn't seem to be doing it anymore. Not really the diet's fault, as I just don't have the will power to eat like that anymore.

So, here I go to see what else I can do. I have adopted a new diet that I put together after visiting several bodybuilding websites. I eat six smaller meals a day, carefully mixing proteins and carbs. This supposedly will increase my metabolism, and provide protein and nutrients for muscle growth, along with energy for my newly designed workouts.

Today, was the first day in the gym where I worked my chest and triceps. It felt great!! We willl see where this takes me eventually. The best of luck to myself.

STRAIGHT GUYS MOLEST TOO?

In my locality there is a big story that has broken, and is on the front page of the local newspaper every day this week. ( www.postregister.com ) It is the sad story of boy scouts being molested at scout camp by a counselor. Apparently he was convicted some time ago, and is already out of jail. The big story is that the BSA (boy scouts of America) was succesfull up until now to keep the details of the case locked away. Now, a judge has ordered the details be opened to the public, and the local news paper has run rampant with it. Unfortunately The Post Registser's website is not free, and I can't post links to the articles, so you are going to have to take my word on alot of this.

In my opinion the writer, Peter Zuckerman, has taken every advantage to land low blows against the BSA, practically laying all of the blame in the BSA's lap. On occasion he grants the BSA a repreive to lamblast the LDS Church, who is the major sponsor of the BSA in this area. Brad Stowell, the convicted scout camp molester, seems to escape much blame in Zuckerman's stories, as the focus is mainly applied to what the church and the BSA could've should've done to prevent the molestations. Although, personally I believe that the Church and the BSA aren't blameless, and should be held somewhat accountable for what happened, I think it's fruitless and destructive to pursue the amount of blame which Zuckerman seems to promote. After all, it was Stowell who manipulated, lied, and committed the crimes.

Whether true or not, a rumor has arose now that Zuckerman is a homosexual, which would explain his obvious vendetta against an organization such as the BSA who is under constant attack by the gay community for disallowing gays to serve as scout masters. Though, not in so many words, Zuckerman seems to be saying, " See, straight guys are allowed to be scoutmasters, and they are capable of molesting too "!

It is on this point I'd like to dedicate the rest of this blog post. Many gays have submitted this argument; That sexual preference doesn't play a part in molestation. Straights as well as gays are capable of such an act. Personally I believe the percentage is probably higher in gays than straights, but let's for the sake of argument accept that the chances are 50/50 of a straight scoutmaster molesting his scouts, and vice versa with a gay scoutmaster. Cough...(yeah right) ahem....

You people out there who think a homosexual should be allowed to be a scoutmaster in the BSA, have you ever really thought it out beyond just the seeming priciple of your argument? Can you really imagine this gay scoutmaster at the city pool changing into swimsuits with his scouts? This is not a blog to argue homosexuality. In fact let's assume again for the sake of argument that homosexuality is a completely moral, acceptable thing in our society. Would you still put a gay with a bunch of young adolescent boys? Think about your young adolescent daughter...would you be comfortable with her going swimming, camping, etc. with a 30 year old man? Having her change into her swimsuit and what not right in front of him? While he stands there in the nude? I know it sounds absurd. At least it should. A male homosexual with young boys in the same situation is just as absurd as a straight male with young women. It's just a matter of looking at the facts of sexual attraction, and what is common sense.

Yes, there are straight guys out there that can prey on young men. ( yeah right, they're straight ) That is something that can't always be detected and avoided. Once in a while one of these sickos succeeds in his plots. All we can do is try our best. It is up to all of us in our community to see to it that predators are stopped before they can strike. Unfortunately in the story above, the community did too little too late.