June 2010
Monthly Archive
Wed 30 Jun 2010
Mazatlan!
I rose early this morning since it was an early morning all the way around. 2 ports 2 days in a row, and a third tomorrow, is a lot when one attempts to maximize the evening shows and admire the sunsets. (I’ll skip mentioning the sunrises – which have yet to be glimpsed by my eyes).
This is where I spent my first 30 minutes of the morning! Two hot tubs I was the sole occupant! Bliss! Just sitting back watching Mazatlan draw closer. It was a nice time of solitude.
The morning begins with a shopping tour. Go figure, people pay for the privilege of being able to spend their money. I kind of like the old fashioned way where I just go out and spend it.
But alas, I spoke too soon. There was a value add. A sightseeing tour and show. We stopped at the oldest cathedral in Mazatlan. Of it’s many claims to fame was one I found the most impressive. The painting above the altar is a portrayal that is very rare indeed. It depicts God the Son, God the Father and the Holy Spirit (left to right). Notice the Holy Spirit is NOT portrayed as a dove, as is traditional. Christian doctrine holds firmly to the personhood of the Holy Spirit so it is a wonderment to me why the person of the Godhead is not normally portrayed in that manner.
I’ll spare you the agony of walking into shop after shop with 3 women on a mission in the 95 degree heat with 90% humidity. Did I mention the shops feel a few degrees warmer than standing in the direct sun. Suffice it to say, they were satisfied while I held the bags.
For my hard work I took a plunge from a 65′ high – high dive into a 9 foot pool of water. Had my decent not been perfectly timed with the surging ways it would have been disaster.
Well, to be honest thinking of the decent and splashdown made me think how fortunate I am to go to work in a cubicle for a living rather than support my family on my swimming ability as this young man does. I let some young man take my place. I’m not sure who needs the tips more… he and his family or me after my family goes shopping.
Tomorrow: Puerto Vallarta
Tue 29 Jun 2010
Cabo San Lucas!
The morning began earlier than yesterday but not quite early enough for my personal taste. Meaning, I enjoy my quiet time in the morning and there was enough activity this morning to shorten that time.
The morning began with breakfast which was followed by a beautiful view of Baja from a topside perch. We looked down and saw a throng of manta rays welcoming the ship to our first port. After watching the ship anchor mid-harbor we hurried down to queue for the tender to shore. It was only 10 minutes of waiting 4 floors up that we discovered we were supposed to be in the line in the forward part of the ship.
Hurry, hurry, hurry. That gained us 3 floors. Now we were only 1 floor up from our debarking point. I’ll wait in the wrong line every time for deals like that!
With a couple hours before our paid excursion, be visited the stores we were brought to port to see. Picking up our free bracelets, charms and gemstones we hurried out of there before we saved thousands of dollars.
Soon we are in the harbor on our parasailing excursion. Our guide and assistant partners the 8 of us up into pairs of two. Of course, I get my lovely bride of 1,008 weeks – truly a treat! I am liking this, sitting back and learning the ropes. He then asks who goes first. I don’t think he finished his sentence before my tandem buddy says, “ME!” Ah well, so much for me sitting back and learning the ropes! Trial by Fire – that’s my lesson for today.
Here were are going out. Notice my legs are raised a bit. I did not come here to get my shoes wet.
Following on our heels are our two daughters. They sure make landing on a moving platform look graceful.
Our captain is so kind to take us on a tour of the sites before heading back in to the pier.
Mon 28 Jun 2010
Day Two was our first full day at sea. Morning greeted us not with sunshine and blue skies but with overcast and occasional light mist. Oh but the morning was glorious, none the less.
I began my morning with a brisk walk around the track on deck 12. After 1 lap = 1/5mi my conscience kicked and I began a jog. 2 miles was the goal set and achieved. Better than that I calculated my average speed and since nearly half my speed was about 29mph and half at 21mph, I think it safe to say that for the 2 miles I averaged 25mph.
Oh the joy of posting my running speed relative of the earth from a moving vessel! Now if I can only keep up this pace at home.
The day was filled with reading, napping under the sun, which set every cloud packing by early afternoon, and walking up and down a lot of stairs. 2nd deck to 14th deck more than a handful of times.
Dinner tonight was formal. Our gracious co-guests at our table snapped this family photo. My first experience with escargo – better than sushi but not up there with a nice steak.
Our evenings entertainment was a Beattles Tribute Band. Stellar performance and a great show. A nice finish to a great day.
Sun 27 Jun 2010
The day we have long awaited for has finally arrived! We arrived easily on one time. A special thanks to our scoping out the area last night.
To coin a phrase used by every newbie cruiser, “What a big ship!:
The Mariner of the Seas
Minor stress of not knowing where to go or what to do with all the carry-on baggage as we waited for our room gave way to time to enjoy the beginnings of a week long party.
Our baggage arrived just after the ships drill. We unpacked as if to say we’re staying for a while. Then we dressed for a casual dinner of Sea Bass followed by a nice desert of chocolate cherry cake and coffee. This was nicely topped by the wonderful family we met. Ken & Rebecca sat at our table with their young two daughters. Our two families enjoyed a full table of polite conversation. We look forward to our formal dinner tomorrow evening.
After dinner we did more ship touring. The highlight of the evening was the welcome parade through the promenade. Tomorrow we may enjoy from our cabin window, but for tonight I’m signing off as wait for room service.
Good night from one tired guy trying to get his sea legs.
Sat 26 Jun 2010
Today is the day before our first cruise. I’m not sure if I’ll get to blog the entire trip – not sure about time, Internet access (AKA “can I keep shipboard costs down to only upload time?”), and even enthusiasm after what I think will be pretty full days.
But in trying to keep up with the Jones’s, or other unnamed parties currently in Italy, I will at least begin the first day since I’ll never make it to the last unless there is a first.
Day Zero is a travel day. Family was up early, finished final preps and handed baggage off to dad. Dad then took said baggage and stuffed into a PT Cruiser not actually intended to fit 4 large suitcases, 4 carry-on bags, snacks and 4 people at the same time.
The next 7 hours looked like this:
Well, to be honest, not always. Sometimes there were miles of semi’s lining the right lane with me in the back of the line unable to change to the passing lane due to miles of cars passing said miles of semi’s.
We arrived in the LA area a little earlier than expected and decided to take the coastal route to our hotel. My lovely navigator took off her hat as wife/companion and set the GPS to direct us via Venice Beach. After several round-abouts we saw all the traffic we cared to see and made a beeline for the hotel. Shortly after I figured out I needed to leave the keycard in the little slot inside the door, we had lights.
After a silly time at dinner we decided to take a “practice run” to the cruise terminal. Good thing. We found we had no actual address and the GPS did not list a point of interest called “World Cruise Center.” I would estimate that it only took about 90 minutes to make it to the cruise terminal which was 11 minutes away. Thank goodness we relied on this modern technology! Marked the location in the GPS for use tomorrow and set for return to hotel.
After 10 minutes of the GPS searching 4,000,000+ streets for the fastest route home I started driving based on my guess. Well my guess was 180 degrees off and as we crossed a major suspension bridge I’m thinking about where I can make a U-Turn, then suddenly I hear a “STOP, THE BRIDGE ENDS!” from my navigator. I can’t describe the number of thoughts that ran through my head immediately before sheer panic sets in and I start making mental provisions for how to make the U-Turn mid-bridge.
False alarm. As I slow down, my navigator, says something to the effect of “oops,sorry, it looked like it just ended.” <giggle>
Back in the room at last and the adventurers are settling down. I’m thinking, “Maybe my family should NOT help the captain navigate out of port tomorrow.”
We’ll sleep well tonight.
Fri 25 Jun 2010
Why is it that the more time I have, the less I have? In a “typical” week I have studies to do, people to meet with, work to get to and family to enjoy. It seems to all fit into the package of a “week.”
This week, as I prepare to go on vacation, I have no studies to do and met with only a portion of the people that I normally do and yet I have been running, running, running. How is it that I have more time at my disposal but less time? I have noted this phenomenon when I get to spend 3 weeks at our
paradise in Alaska as well.
How can one have more time but experience less of it?
Wed 23 Jun 2010
Posted @ 10:36 am
{Click to post comment} Category:
Rants Recently I headed down to my local banking establishment. I have been a loyal customer for 17 years. I’ve been with them since they had branches on every corner. I’ve been with them as they shut down the branches and installed more ATM’s. I’ve been with them as they decided that they can’t “give the personal touch” in the ATM world (read this to mean “they can’t solicit more revenue”) so they will open grocery store branches where an ATM was sufficient.
As I head into my local grocery store (because the bank “can’t afford” a building), I wait patiently in line to see 2 handfuls of banking employees occupying the small corner of the store. It was an efficient operation. Tellers, teller supervisors and account managers (or whatever their fancy title is these days) were all present. I wait patiently in line because my withdrawal will be more than the daily limit allowed by the magic machines that make money.
In a very courteous, talkative manner my teller dispenses the funds from my account. At the conclusion of the transaction she informs me and her supervisor that there is time sensitive information regarding my account that I need to know about. The supervisor whisks me off to an office in the alcove which, surprisingly, has 4 large desks comfortably situated within its confines. I am introduced to a “personal banker” with some magnanimous title and asked to have a seat.
She then asks me if I am aware of the banking changes to be enacted in August. My response is a resounding, “It’s long overdue!” I see subtle signs of surprise on her face. Is she surprised that I even know what she’s talking about? Is she surprised that I diffused her awesome lead-in to tell me how the change in law means “I won’t be protected?” (An aside: the law I refer to is the new law on overdraft protection. A bank may not allow overdrafts, and the subsequent charges, unless a person opts in. In my opinion this has been a huge source of revenue for banks)
She informs me that she also has other ways for the bank to help me have more money. At this I tell her I am definitely not interested. The checking account meets my needs, thank you. It has no fees and I can transfer finds in and out of my online savings account and it provides me debit capability. Unless she is going to give me some money there’s not much she can help me with.
Why does everything have to be a sales pitch? Why can’t I even go into my bank and withdraw MY money without being told “there’s time sensitive information regarding your account you need to hear?”
I wonder if I fly into a remote area of Alaska, if the wildlife will come knocking at my door asking for handouts.
Tue 22 Jun 2010
What have I been up to in my spare time for the last 1½? Bonding with my teenage daughter.
Surprisingly she wanted to watch an almost 35 year old classic.
Rocky. You have to understand that when I talk of watching a movie made before the mid-90′s both of my teenage daughters look at me like I’m a dinosaur; as if they are in wonderment about whether filmography could have even existed in such an ancient era.
Of course watching Rocky lead to viewing the entire series of films spanning 30 years. We have both thoroughly enjoyed Rocky thru Rocky V (she learned what Roman numeral IV stands for). We have yet to make it to Rocky Balboa, the 6th in the Rocky franchise. Maybe we’ll squeeze it in this week, maybe not.
Regardless, even with the relative simplicity of the movie as compared to similar in the same genre, it was endearing with more wholesome values than most fare out there.
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Rocky (1976)
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Rocky II (1979)
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Rocky III (1982)
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Rocky IV (1985)
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Rocky V (1990)
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Rocky Balboa (2006)
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Fri 18 Jun 2010
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5
“Irrational Wisdom”
Date: 20 Jul 10
Required Resources: Whiteboard, “MacArthur New Testament Commentary – 1 Corinthians”
Introduction
Review:
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¿: What is the first problem Paul addresses in the book of 1 Corinthians?
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Book Outline (to date)
A. Salutations & Reminders (v1:1-1:9)
B. Divisions within the church (v1:10-4:21)
1. The manifestation of the problem (v1:10-17)
The question of: “Which group is most spiritual?” leads to emptying the cross of Christ of its power
a. Quarrelling (v10-12)
b. Christ’s body divided (v13-17)
Ü 2. The gospel contradicts human wisdom (v1:18-2:5)
These contests of “super-spirituality” are a contradiction to the gospel
a. God’s wisdom (v18-25)
b. Who you were (v26-31)
c. Who I (Paul) was (v2:1-5)
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Homework review:
- What title did you come up with for this section
- List some spiritual things that you have seen or experienced in which you have clearly seen the work of God BUT God did His work in ways you would have never done.
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The Text
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Scripture
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Observation
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1 Corinthians
1:18-2:5
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The Gospel contradicts human wisdom
The purpose in showing man’s wisdom vs. God’s wisdom was to show that man’s understanding of ‘the way things should work’ was nothing when compared to God’s ‘wisdom’ (the way God works).
READ: MacArthur, pg 39, ¶ 1 “… men scoff at the gospel. It calls them to do nothing – It allows them to do nothing, but accept a simple faith in what God has done.”
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1 Corinthians
1:18-25
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God’s wisdom
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18-19
ò
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¿: What was the message of the cross? [that life must be laid down in order to have it]
Ü A message of self-renunciation, of complete obedience to God.
Cf. Mark 8:31-35
This is a life in which dying to self means to live, wholly and completely
Christ’s death on the cross was against the nature who men look to as a savior – typically a savior would be a strong man, a wealthy man or of nobility – associating power with a man crucified as a common criminal made no sense
Nothing in the Gospel appeals to the “pride of man’s knowledge” (wisdom)
Cf. Acts 17:32 “… some of them scoffed.”
Prior to coming to Corinth, Paul spent time in Athens. When he preached there he received scorn because of his teaching. Corinth was also in Greece, only about 50 miles away. I expect the reaction would have been similar.
Even during Jesus life, Peter rejected the idea of the cross (cf. Matt 1:21-22)
Again in the garden Peter still “didn’t get it.” (cf. John 18:10-11) Not until after the resurrection did Peter (and the disciples) understand (cf. 1 Peter 2:24)
v19 is a paraphrase of Isa 29:14 which refers to 2 Kings 17-19.
Judah was going to be attacked by the Assyrians and they (Judah) were relying on a pact with Egypt for deliverance. Isaiah told King Hezekiah that to trust in this pact was an act of rebellion. Judah needed to trust in God alone, not what they could do. Judah was saved by God’s power alone. An angel of God came to the Assyrians and slew 185,000 of them. (cf. 2 Kings 19:35)
The Gospel sets aside any efforts of man to save himself.
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20
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Paul is saying, “Where are the smart people?”
Philosophy = “beloved wisdom”
Paul shows that all humanly devised philosophical systems end in meaninglessness because they have a wrong concept of God and His revelation. God did not consult with men – God’s methods are not mans.
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21
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In Greek comedy the hero would pretend to be stupid (until the end when he proved smart) and the fool would claim to be wise.
The brilliance of man cannot appreciate the plan of God.
Cf. Isa 55:8-9 ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
God’s purpose [salvation] was accomplished through what was regarded as foolish [a criminals death of the one coming to save]
In God’s sovereignty it was established that human wisdom would not open someone’s spiritual eyes.
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22-25
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It is on God’s terms we find what we need
¿: Did Jews get a sign? (cf. Matt 12:38-40 – sign of Jonah). Why didn’t they believe? [only interested in one who would establish earthly kingdom]
¿: Did the Greeks get wisdom? (cf. Acts 17:20-32). Why didn’t they believe? [only interested in debating wisdom]
Ü In both cases they DID GET what they were seeking, but it was rejected because it was not REALLY what they wanted
No “sign” in Christ’s death (for the Jews)
No human wisdom in sending a savior to die
¿: Do you think Paul’s message changed based on his audience (Jew or Greek)?
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1 Corinthians
1:26-31
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Who you were
If they acknowledge that not many were wise, noble or influential – then they can more fully understand their selection by God was NOT BASED on their class or attributes but solely upon God’s wisdom.
The point is that they were acting as if somehow, now after their salvation, God works differently.
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26
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“not many” allows for some to be in this class – not the majority
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27
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examples:
taking Jericho w/marching and trumpets,
Gideon and 300 with trumpets defeated the Midianites,
feeding 5,000 with 5 loaves & 2 fish
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28-29
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All glory to God, none to man – salvation is God’s
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30
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Wisdom – Believers have become “wise” in Christ. (cf. Col 2:2-3)
Present – The cross is no longer the foolishness it once was
Future – A continual process of enlightenment by God as He takes our understanding deeper and deeper.
Righteousness – Believers are made right with God (cf. Rom 4:5)
Sanctification – Believers are made holy due to Christ’s nature now in us. (cf. John 17:18-19)
We can no longer be content to live in sin. Although we may and do fall into sin, we now find habitual sin a struggle. Progressively, God is using these struggles to cleanse sin from us and make us pure so that we can “become holy as He is holy.”
Redemption – Believers are bought back. (cf. Rom 3:22-24)
God by Christ has purchased us from sin and its penalty.
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31
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A quote from Jer 9:23-24 “This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the LORD. “
God’s selection is different
Christ alone personified the wisdom of God -> in Christ we have righteousness, holiness & redemption. Outside of Christ we have none of this.
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1 Corinthians
2:1-5
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Who I (Paul) was [the methods Paul used as he entered the city]
Orators in the day followed certain well-established conventions when they entered a city. They were expected to give flowery speeches in praise of the city and their own personal achievements. They did this in order to establish their reputation and reap financial rewards as political orators and teachers of the rich. Paul makes it clear that he rejected the entry conventions which proclaimed eloquence and wisdom. {New Bible Commentary, pg 1165, Inter-Varsity Press, 1994}
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1
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Paul recognized the difference between appealing to man’s emotions and a simple presentation of the Truth.
“testimony” – Paul spoke of what he had seen and heard. He did not need to fabricate a message which was eloquent and persuasive.
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2
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Paul resolved (decided) to be concerned about nothing other than Christ. He wasn’t going to fall into the “systems” of the people.
¿: At what point in time do you think Paul made this decision/resolution?
¿: What would be the harm in do what the people expected in the way they expected? [it is possible they would have simply judged Paul based on their standard and not even listened to what he had to say]
¿: Do you think in 1½ years at Corinth Paul preached only “evangelistic” messages?
Ü What is the great commission? [cf. Matt 28:19-20]
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3
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¿: Was Paul shaken & unsure because he was out of his league with these well educated philosophers? [no, this reflects Paul’s dependence on and subjection to God]
“weakness and fear” – Paul took the message to have the utmost seriousness.
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4
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Faith was induced by a demonstration of the Spirit’s power and not a product of human ingenuity.
If Paul had persuaded them with words, then Paul’s converts could say they were converted to Paul. They could have missed the point, which was entirely spiritual and not “rational” (in their thinking).
¿: What risks do we take today as we make the gospel ‘palatable’ to the lost?
¿: Should we ignore our giftedness in order to assure the message of the cross doesn’t get confused with “our skills or abilities?”
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5
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¿: What did Paul want the Corinthians faith to rest in?
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Summary
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¿: How does this passage on God’s wisdom vs. man’s wisdom fit into the greater passage of divisions in the church?
Paul did not adapt his message to fit the methods of the day. Paul simply brought God’s message in ‘all it’s foolishness’ – this was the power of the cross mentioned in v1:17 – not emptied or drained of it’s power by man’s manipulations.
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Conclusion
Personal Application:
- If you’re reasoning with someone and they “pray the prayer” – should you tell them they are saved or leave that to the Holy Spirit?
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- What spiritual practices could you do more to obtain more of God’s wisdom?
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Homework:
- Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, complete page 6 in study booklets.
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Thu 17 Jun 2010
Posted @ 8:46 am
{Click to post comment} Category:
Rants How does one boycott a boycott?
My illustrious city (I only claim this loosely because I live in an unincorporated area) has decided to join the cities across the nation in boycotting Arizona products, services and companies.
It seems they are unhappy with a law going into effect in that state which is simply a law to allow enforcing the law of the land, of which all 50 states are bound. As a reminder to my fellow Americans, the issue of federal vs. state rights was fought and argued for the 50 years leading up to the Civil War. Four long years and much American blood was spilled as this issue was resolved about than 150 years ago.
Every state in this Union should either wholeheartedly support the federal laws or aggressively lobby to have them changed while following the law. Either way, we are duty bound to follow the law.
Why in the world would you boycott a state which has struggled more than most states to keep ILLEGAL immigration in check. Do you have a better idea of how to enforce the law of the land? Hide behind “racial profiling” if you will, but the fact is, it’s not masses of Europeans or Asians illegally entering the country from the Mexican border. Come on, exercise some common sense. Who else should I make sure is here legally? It is not an issue of race, IT IS an issue of nationality. Guess what? Most nations are composed of people of a specific race, duh!
I would like a list of all municipalities and states who are boycotting Arizona and begin a boycott of my own.
If the real issue is immigration, please change the law – then we all have to follow that. Yes, then if Arizona, or any others, try to resist the law of the land I’ll be there with you putting pressure on them.
Please don’t support only laws you support. Support all laws. The beauty of our democratic republic is that we, unlike most people in most times, can effect a change. Use the system if you expect others to do the same.
Cool down time….
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