I’m sure by the time I am done with this post it will be clear that it should be filed under “Rants.”

Let’s talk about math. Over the last few decades this seemingly straightforward school subject has been twisted every which way to make math more palatable for those not so inclined. While I think there is wisdom in understanding that we’re not all wired the same, I also feel that there is a point where the concepts are so diluted in order to bring up the rear that those in the lead are left with nothing to chew on. The net result, everyone passes, everyone goes on. Problem, those that were so inclined to learn mathematical concepts via the more traditional methods never get challenged. They move onto college level math with only rudimentary knowledge. They were handicapped at the expense of not handicapping someone else.

Math is a precise science. The skills and disciplines are essential in grasping more advanced mathematical concepts.

All subjects are not created equal. I say teach sciences as a discipline, teach the arts with the freedom to express and create, after all that’s what will cause one to excel in either area.

When the achievers are handicapped, someone is still losing – it’s just the other team.

Oh yeah, why is this posted under Politics? Philosophy, philosophy – it’s all about what is believed and what the goals are. Math is not immune nor has it been for several decades.

Are memories created or do they happen?

I’m not referring to the neuroscience of memories, I’m referring to those sentimental attachments that form in our heads. My question has to do with the idea of staging everything just right so that we capture a “Kodak moment.” Are those the fond attachments that form in our neural pathways and don’t get erased over the years – or is it something else that causes us to remember the smell of getting home from school and smelling fresh baked bread or that special aunt that sent a card saying that she was just thinking of us? What makes some memories more dominant than others?

In my example of the special card – we can assume that this is an aunt that always did thoughtful things like that, but for some reason this card at this time in my life is the one I remember. The others are somehow dimmed with time. Can I create that undimmable moment for someone else, or do I just let it happen?

Yes, I agree that events can be staged and well planned. A date with a spouse, a honeymoon and a myriad of other things can make moments memorable. All these SHOULD be done and planned for but I would argue that as the years go by there will be memories that are closer to our heart than others. Why?

The special quality of sentimental moments is such that we’d like to implant certain ones in the minds of those that we love, but I believe the truth is that it is up how the recipient sees life and others that determines which they will cherish to their grave.

A good friend encourages and supports.
A good friend helps you through the tough times.
A good friend is someone you enjoy being around.
A good friend is someone you can laugh with.
A good friend tells you when you’re messing up.

I wish I could say that I have learned that the more words I use the less my message is understood. I have noticed this for years and yet I fall into the same “many words” trap over and over again.

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 10:19 – New International Version (NIV)

For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Ecclesiastes 5:3 – King James Version (KJV)

Many words makes a fool of you and me.

Weighty things going now. So I’ll take the lighter approach in dive into the world of Lost.
If you are a fan and did not see last nights episode you may want to divert your attention to something else.

I am convinced that Oceanic flight 815 went down at 4.815°N 162.342°E, which appears to be 1,000 miles or so off the flight path between Sydney and Australia. I hold this to be the case.

Last night, wreckage of the flight was “found” in the Sunda Trench in Indonesia. There were newscasts and papers which covered the mystery of the missing flight – but not one of them asked the question that would be circulating over and over in a newscast. “Why was the plane found there? Not only off course but completely in the wrong direction.

Take look by clicking here.

If you look at the link above you will see Australia. Sydney is toward the lower right side of the continent. Los Angeles in off the map to the upper right and the Sundra (or Java) Trench is the dark line about an inch below the word Indonesia. The blue balloon with the black dot is where I insist that the flight went down.

The balloon is off course. The Sunda Trench is the wrong way. Why not a single mention of such a huge problem?

OK, before you go off and tell me it’s only a TV show, let me say “I know, it is ONLY a TV show.” But this is a show in which the writers have paid very careful attention to the smallest detail. Yes, Hollywood takes it’s toll, etc. But still this is not just an oversight by the writers. How can I be so convinced? Well for one thing The Numbers speak for themselves. The location that The Numbers pinpoint. I can go on and on.

Also get this. During the TV “newscasts” there was a phone number displayed (1-888-548-0034) – at 31 minutes 6 seconds into the broadcast. A viewer caught it, recorded it and called it. Guess what? It’s a recording for friends and family calling to get information on Oceanic flight 815. The “easter eggs” cost $$$. Such a small detail was no accident. A LARGE detail such as the plane heading in the WRONG direction would not be overlooked. Why is no one in the Lost TV reality questioning this?

I don’t know how it all fits but then that’s what last nights episode was all about.

My American history professor asks us each week if we’ve had a “history moment.” By this she means to ask whether there is a moment during the week where we see today as a result of something we’ve learned from history.

I guess I had a “reverse history” moment this last week. Here is my Aha!, which came to me as I was doing my reading about the Puritans and the political climate of New England as the colonies were being established.

An interesting thing as the facts of the Puritans (and other dissenter groups) are observed is that “modern history” perceives their hearts as something other than I believe they were. John Winthrop gave a sermon telling them that they were a “city on a hill” open for inspection to the entire world. This message is appropriate to all believers in all times. They were imperfect men (and women) trying to do their best to live a life for God. Some things they got right, some they didn’t. Looking from the outside in it’s so easy to see all the things they did wrong and how “un-Christlike” they were. Oh that my life could not be remembered as the world remembers the Puritans!

For me I wish to be remembered for that I did right and that means that others will look at my life and not be able to see anything but Christ because if it were up to me there’d be lots of wrong. I want it remembered that His cleansing blood and my loving, tender, compassionate obedience to His precepts be all the world will see; that they can find not fault to hone in on and characterize my life by.

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
I Peter 3:14-16 – New International Version (NIV)

You know what? It’s really hard to figure out what you want to do when it’s clouded by so many factors – especially by things that are out of ones control, whether that is current circumstances or future events.

Wouldn’t life be easy if it were just a vending machine and you have a choice of 25 selections? You pay your dues, reach your hand in, grasp your selection and there’s your life – in a neat little package.

If making life decisions isn’t hard enough, what about advising someone else? Now that’s tough!

As I’ve put much thought into both ends of this question, “What should I do?” and “What should you do?,” I have arrived at the same basic question that needs to be analyzed.

“What do you want to do?”

If you can, as much as possible, remove all the other variables in a world where you could be granted anything you wished, with none of the baggage from the past hanging on to you, “What do you want to do?” The emphasis is on the you.

I know that’s a big question but it all starts there. In the unrealistic utopian world what would you do. Once that’s defined, then I’d say it’s time to use that as the target and adjust the course accordingly based upon reality.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 – New International Version (NIV)

It’s Super Tuesday and time select a candidate to represent the party of your choice – if your particular political party has more than one running for office.

I have a problem: As I look at the candidates running for my registered party I am having a difficult time distinguishing a tangible difference.

I have a question: Since the result is that my preferred my candidate wins in November, should I select the one most likely to win against the anticipated opponent or should I select the one I would most like to represent my interests and values?

If I select the one that best represents me and that person is not a strong enough candidate to win in November then I get someone representing me I really didn’t want in the first place. If I select the one that is more likely to overcome their opponent in November but this is not the one that best suits my preferences then I still get someone that I didn’t want in the first place. So should I cast my vote for the lesser of two evils and cast it based purely along lines of conscience?

My newest theory on the fate of the castaway’s is that the whispers are more than merely a plot device to raise audience tension. If I had to guess I’d say they’re integral to the story. Could the whispers be people from another dimension? We know that Jacob is sometimes in and out of the Losties reality. Could the whispers be others that are in the same state?

What I thought was a rather simple “continuation” episode that did not reveal much new info has started my wheels turning. There were indeed many nuggets to chew on.

When you see someone you care about hurting, you hurt deeply. When you feel helpless to help someone you care about in trouble, you feel inadequate.

What are you to do when someone you deeply care about is hurting deeply, gulping for air, about to go down for the third time and you know what they need. You throw a life preserver out and it’s close but not quite within reach. You yell out to them, “just one kick and its yours.” So close, but not close enough. So close and they choose to do what they’re doing, the one kick you ask for might sink them for sure. So on they go, doing the same as they’ve always done. Not seeing things from the outside, not seeing how close they really are to being rescued.

How do you feel then?