So I was reading the paper today, a recent and expensive habit I have picked up- and I was intrigued by an article apparently written by a conservative (apparently they DO make it in the papers sometimes). She was talking about a Virginia H.O.R. Virgil Goode who made papers by complaining about a Muslim swearing on the Quran- you probably remember that hash. Anyway, the town she visited had a mexican store that bore a mexican flag in the window. When she was interviewing Goode, he mentioned it to her and then asked this:
"When you went to the Italian restaurant, did you see an Italian flag?"
"No"
"The Chinese restaurant- did you see a Chinese flag there?"
"No"
"Did you see an American flag alongside the Mexican flag in the window?"
"No"
"I think that some who come to this country are not interested in being assimilated. They're interested in bringing their country here."
Welcome to America folks, home of the millions of brave immigrants from all sorts of different countries who threw aside their old national ties to form a new union. When you are an American you have the blessing of no longer having to care that you're Greek and the other man is Bosnian. You (shouldnt) have to worry that you are a Jew and another man is a Muslim. That is the essence of being a BOILING POT.
When you boil ingredients they contribute their flavors to each other and form a new unique flavor that combines all the separate ingredients. This is the way America is SUPPOSED to work. The problem seems to be that these new hardworking immigrants (Trust me, no harder working than any of the other immigrants in the past) don't want to blend in. They want to stand up and be specially noticed. They want to maintain their nationalistic ties to their own country in open defiance of the nature of this country (not to mention flag laws that state one must have an American flag placed higher than any publicly noticeable foreign flag).
This brings to mind the push for a Spanish national anthem- If we wanted to incorporate all our old languages into this country we would be living in a proverbial country of Babel. The national anthem is not in german or french or russian or a celtic tongue- it's in ENGLISH. We decided years ago that ENGLISH would be the language of this country. If you want to be in this country as a citizen you should accept that.
Maybe it's because America has grown up now. Maybe the old immigrants saw a country finding itself and found an opportunity to contribute, whereas new immigrants see a clique of rich people and they're trying to infiltrate with all the stealth of a 10 year old at a high school party. A psychologist should do a research project on that and find out.
In the meantime, those joining this country and those already in this country for a long time and those of every color, race, ethnicity, and religion should realize that for all intents and purposes in this greatest nation of the world, you are an AMERICAN and that means doing things the American way. You revere OUR flag, speak OUR language, shut up and enjoy the SAME rights we have, and for goodness sake if you hear someone praying to any god, be it Allah, Mary, or Shiva, just keep your mouth shut and your eyes forward. We'll do the same for you.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Irony walks the streets
http://www.walkagainstwarming.org/
Ok read that, now check out this article I've written:
Protesters for Global Warming!
In a shocking discovery yesterday scientists at a laboratory in Australia have noted that the ozone above their continent has undergone a sudden depletion. They predict now that temperatures will rise dramatically in the next couple of months by up to 3 degrees in response to the massive damage done to their piece of the atmosphere. What was shocking about this discovery is that the ozone depletion took place primarily over areas where protesters walked by the thousands to warn the government of the dangers of global warming.
Tests run today have confirmed that the excess carbon dioxide expelled by thousands of protesters due to extended walking has filled the atmosphere and could easily spell the doom of our mates in the outback. Some scientists are predicting that unless Australians immediately act to sit on their arses all day watching TV for the next 2 months, they could very easily be facing extinction within the next 2 years.
In other news, 3 of the more fanatical protesters, upon hearing the news of the fallout from their religious gathering, decided to suffocate themselves today to cease the "unintentional war we're waging on our atmosphere, brought about by our own traitorous lungs". When told about the 3 suicides, local police muttered condolences but had to restrain their laughter so that still-living fanatics wouldn't attack them for expelling excess breath.
A lab in Australia is now working on a 5 million dollar research project that will attach filters to the mouths of all humans which will convert carbon dioxide into harmless gases.
Ok read that, now check out this article I've written:
Protesters for Global Warming!
In a shocking discovery yesterday scientists at a laboratory in Australia have noted that the ozone above their continent has undergone a sudden depletion. They predict now that temperatures will rise dramatically in the next couple of months by up to 3 degrees in response to the massive damage done to their piece of the atmosphere. What was shocking about this discovery is that the ozone depletion took place primarily over areas where protesters walked by the thousands to warn the government of the dangers of global warming.
Tests run today have confirmed that the excess carbon dioxide expelled by thousands of protesters due to extended walking has filled the atmosphere and could easily spell the doom of our mates in the outback. Some scientists are predicting that unless Australians immediately act to sit on their arses all day watching TV for the next 2 months, they could very easily be facing extinction within the next 2 years.
In other news, 3 of the more fanatical protesters, upon hearing the news of the fallout from their religious gathering, decided to suffocate themselves today to cease the "unintentional war we're waging on our atmosphere, brought about by our own traitorous lungs". When told about the 3 suicides, local police muttered condolences but had to restrain their laughter so that still-living fanatics wouldn't attack them for expelling excess breath.
A lab in Australia is now working on a 5 million dollar research project that will attach filters to the mouths of all humans which will convert carbon dioxide into harmless gases.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Liberalism/Feminism
It astonishes me to no end how liberals can shoot themselves in the foot while feeling righteous about it (and often with the end result of blaming us Righties somehow as well)
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=the_return_of_the_womens_equality_amendment&ns=AshleyHerzog&dt=04/10/2007&page=2
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/column.aspx?UrlTitle=the_return_of_the_womens_equality_amendment&ns=AshleyHerzog&dt=04/10/2007&page=2
Monday, March 26, 2007
Democrats for the ruin of the poor
In the news today: Democrats taking grand steps to increase American taxes by historic amounts.
Read the following:
http://www.atr.org/content/html/2007/march/032207pr-sc05housebudgetamdt.html
After seeing something as ridiculous as this, is anyone seriously under the impression that the Democrats have the poor (or any other income group) in their best interests? In my home state of Pennsylvania the yearly tax increase is expected to reach +$3000 by 2011.
And what are they using these funds for? Not much:
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/wm1405.cfm
Certainly not likely to be the betterment of society. Government involvement needs to be seriously reduced and here the democrats are setting us up for massive tax increases that lead to much stronger government control on the economy.
And, of course, these measures would decimate Bush's tax cuts in '01 and '03 that have benefitted the economy so much. It's simple: Less income tax, more consumption. Consumption = good for everyone. Why are the Democrats ignorant of this?
Especially after their disgusting political power play in reference to the issue of minimum wage increase, gathering votes based on the fact that common consumers love the idea of free cash. This just proves that for the Democrats, it's about lining the pockets of government so they can gain more power, all the while sweet-talking the masses like there's nothing going on. They are the real threat, not homeland security, not phone-tapping, not Bush.
Read the following:
http://www.atr.org/content/html/2007/march/032207pr-sc05housebudgetamdt.html
After seeing something as ridiculous as this, is anyone seriously under the impression that the Democrats have the poor (or any other income group) in their best interests? In my home state of Pennsylvania the yearly tax increase is expected to reach +$3000 by 2011.
And what are they using these funds for? Not much:
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/wm1405.cfm
Certainly not likely to be the betterment of society. Government involvement needs to be seriously reduced and here the democrats are setting us up for massive tax increases that lead to much stronger government control on the economy.
And, of course, these measures would decimate Bush's tax cuts in '01 and '03 that have benefitted the economy so much. It's simple: Less income tax, more consumption. Consumption = good for everyone. Why are the Democrats ignorant of this?
Especially after their disgusting political power play in reference to the issue of minimum wage increase, gathering votes based on the fact that common consumers love the idea of free cash. This just proves that for the Democrats, it's about lining the pockets of government so they can gain more power, all the while sweet-talking the masses like there's nothing going on. They are the real threat, not homeland security, not phone-tapping, not Bush.
Friday, March 23, 2007
God bless America- And Canada
An appropriate article reminding all us luxury-ridden people to be thankful:
"The Newsweek poll alleges that 67% of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69% of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4% of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70% of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31% approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69% of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they were going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did, how he would do it . Insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''
I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.
If you have never been in any country other than America, you don't realize that you never had it SO GOOD!
God Bless America "
"The Newsweek poll alleges that 67% of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69% of the country is unhappy with the performance of the president. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.
So being the knuckle dragger I am, I starting thinking, ''What are we so unhappy about?''
Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4% of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all involved. Whether you are rich or poor they treat your wounds and even, if necessary, send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
Perhaps you are one of the 70% of Americans who own a home, you may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of having a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes; an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.
Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31% approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat out discontentment in the minds of 69% of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds, it leads, and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells. Just ask why they were going to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book and do a TV special about how he didn't kill his wife but if he did, how he would do it . Insane!
Stop buying the negative venom you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.
I close with one of my favorite quotes from B.C. Forbes in 1953:
''What have Americans to be thankful for? More than any other people on the earth, we enjoy complete religious freedom, political freedom, social freedom. Our liberties are sacredly safeguarded by the Constitution of the United States, 'the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man.' Yes, we Americans of today have been bequeathed a noble heritage. Let us pray that we may hand it down unsullied to our children and theirs.''
I suggest we sit back and count our blessings for all we have. If we don't, what we have will be taken away. Then we will have to explain to future generations why we squandered such blessing and abundance. If we are not careful this generation will be known as the ''greediest and most ungrateful generation.'' A far cry from the proud Americans of the ''greatest generation'' who left us an untarnished legacy.
If you have never been in any country other than America, you don't realize that you never had it SO GOOD!
God Bless America "
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The real inconvenient truth: Cows
I found this article both hilariously ironic and informative. I wonder what the PETA's and Environmentalists of the world would propose to do about it?
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2062484.ece
I personally propose an immediate research project spanning billions of dollars of Federal budget. The express purpose- to develop BFS (Buttocks Filtration Systems) for all cows around the world. We can't allow them to continue to destroy our atmosphere!
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2062484.ece
I personally propose an immediate research project spanning billions of dollars of Federal budget. The express purpose- to develop BFS (Buttocks Filtration Systems) for all cows around the world. We can't allow them to continue to destroy our atmosphere!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Al Gore- Is he a follower of Tetzel?
A friend of mine sent me this wonderful article- it draws striking comparisons between John Tetzel and Al Gore with his inconvenient demagoguery.
Read on:
In 1517 Pope Leo X made a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel commissioner of indulgences for all Germany. The Vatican was in dire need of money to pay for its extravagant building and art projects. Tetzel soon toured around the country selling papal indulgences to the masses. He created a little rhyme which translates as "When a coin in coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs." Tetzel is famous (or infamous) for having even created a chart documenting how much it would cost to receive an indulgence for various sins, and even boasted that the indulgences he sold could secure forgiveness for the heinous sin of violating the Virgin Mary. An indulgence is simply a pardon of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. In other words, a person who purchased an indulgence would supposedly escape the punishment merited by his sin.
Fast forward to 2007 and we are in the midst of a controversy about global warming. Some people claim that humans are responsible for an increase in the world's temperature with the prime culprit being carbon dioxide emissions. Some scientists dispute this, but most people in our society are convinced that humans are causing global warming and that we need to radically alter our behavior if we are to save this planet. Leading this charge is Al Gore whose slideshow/film just won an Academy Award and who is currently the golden boy of the Hollywood crowd.
Just a couple of weeks ago it came out in the news that Gore, who tours North America trying to convince people they need to reduce the amount of energy they use, has a home that consumes twenty times the national average. The average household consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours per year. In 2006, the Gore home consumed nearly 221,000 kilowatt-hours. In the world of environmentalists, this has to be the rough equivalent of raping the Virgin Mary. Thankfully, Gore has found his Tetzel and has purchased indulgences. Gore's spokesman says that he and Tipper "purchase offsets for their carbon emissions to bring their carbon footprint down to zero."
According to the David Suzuki Foundation (David Suzuki is Canada's answer to Al Gore) "A 'carbon offset' is an emission reduction credit from another organization's project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than would otherwise occur. Carbon offsets are typically measured in tons of CO2-equivalents (or 'CO2e') and are bought and sold through a number of international brokers, online retailers, and trading platforms."
Gore buys his carbon offsets from Generation Investment Management LLP, which is "an independent, private, owner-managed partnership established in 2004 and with offices in London and Washington, D.C.," that, for a fee, will invest your money in "high-quality companies at attractive prices that will deliver superior long-term investment returns." Gore just happens to be the Chairman and founding partner of this tax-exempt company. So Gore is his own Tetzel. When a coin in the coffer rings, an oxygen molecule to the atmosphere springs. And Gore pats himself on the back. I found it interesting to hear that the gift bags given to participants in the Academy Awards contained carbon offsets sufficient to offset a year's worth of emissions. Clearly these Hollywood types are very interested in atoning for their environmental sins.
Carbon offsets don't really do anything. Most people don't even pretend that they do anything more than raise awareness for environmental issues. And, of course, they pad the pockets of people selling them. According to Canada's Free Press they "(1) demonstrate commitment to taking action on climate change; (2) add an economic component to climate change; (3) help engage and educate the public; and (4) may provide local social and environmental benefits that help to encourage the use of low-carbon technologies...The real design behind offsetting, then, is to impact the public debate, not to avert the dreaded global warming. "
They are much like indulgences in that way, aren't they? The papacy promised that indulgences would cause those purchasing them to avoid the punishment their sins deserved. But this is a promise that can never be fulfilled. If the people purchasing indulgences were true believers, they should have know that Christ had already taken the full punishment for their sin. If they were not true believers, nothing will reduce the just sentence for their crime. They will suffer horribly and will suffer eternally despite the piece of paper given to them. Their indulgences will not offset their crimes.
I was amazed, as I thought about this, how humans are so eager to rely on their own actions instead of grace. Indulgences bypass grace through action, through human merit. Carbon offsets do the same, relying on self-punishment (purchasing "forgiveness" for crimes committed) to assuage guilt. By purchasing an indulgence a person neither needs to regret nor change his behavior. He can simply buy forgiveness in the form of a piece of paper. The same is true with carbon offsets. A person can continue to drive his SUV and fly around the world in a private jet, but have his conscience clear because he has offset his guilt with the offsets he purchases. If we ever reach the point where we are forced by the government to purchase carbon offsets, it is the poor who will suffer and the rich who will benefit. There will be no equality.
Indulgences and carbon offsets showed me something. Somewhere in the human heart is something that demands justice, but demands a perverted justice. It demands a justice that is so human, so flawed. It demands a justice that does not rely on grace.
---Tim Challies--- www.challies.com
Makes sense to me- all the big thinkers recognize global warming is just the newest demagogue's dream for riling the masses to gain power and cash.
Personally I'd also draw the comparison that global warming is so effective for 2 reasons that also served to lead the masses into the coffers of the Catholics in the 1500s:
1. The majority of us don't know better so when big names and science labels tell us something, we latch onto it
2. We are a guilty people- we feel guilty for our affairs, our children in daycare while we work 2 jobs, our SUV's, our dying social life and, to a widening extent, our failure to recognize any being greater than our own egotistical selves. So, yea, we LOVE to jump on the bandwagon of anything that serves to redeem us in some way, be it a pat on the back or a little bit of good cheer. It relieves our overwhelming guilt in a healthy, relatively noncommital and inexpensive way. ...Just wait until the taxes hit.
Read on:
In 1517 Pope Leo X made a Dominican monk named Johann Tetzel commissioner of indulgences for all Germany. The Vatican was in dire need of money to pay for its extravagant building and art projects. Tetzel soon toured around the country selling papal indulgences to the masses. He created a little rhyme which translates as "When a coin in coffer rings, a soul from purgatory springs." Tetzel is famous (or infamous) for having even created a chart documenting how much it would cost to receive an indulgence for various sins, and even boasted that the indulgences he sold could secure forgiveness for the heinous sin of violating the Virgin Mary. An indulgence is simply a pardon of the temporal punishment due for sins committed. In other words, a person who purchased an indulgence would supposedly escape the punishment merited by his sin.
Fast forward to 2007 and we are in the midst of a controversy about global warming. Some people claim that humans are responsible for an increase in the world's temperature with the prime culprit being carbon dioxide emissions. Some scientists dispute this, but most people in our society are convinced that humans are causing global warming and that we need to radically alter our behavior if we are to save this planet. Leading this charge is Al Gore whose slideshow/film just won an Academy Award and who is currently the golden boy of the Hollywood crowd.
Just a couple of weeks ago it came out in the news that Gore, who tours North America trying to convince people they need to reduce the amount of energy they use, has a home that consumes twenty times the national average. The average household consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours per year. In 2006, the Gore home consumed nearly 221,000 kilowatt-hours. In the world of environmentalists, this has to be the rough equivalent of raping the Virgin Mary. Thankfully, Gore has found his Tetzel and has purchased indulgences. Gore's spokesman says that he and Tipper "purchase offsets for their carbon emissions to bring their carbon footprint down to zero."
According to the David Suzuki Foundation (David Suzuki is Canada's answer to Al Gore) "A 'carbon offset' is an emission reduction credit from another organization's project that results in less carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere than would otherwise occur. Carbon offsets are typically measured in tons of CO2-equivalents (or 'CO2e') and are bought and sold through a number of international brokers, online retailers, and trading platforms."
Gore buys his carbon offsets from Generation Investment Management LLP, which is "an independent, private, owner-managed partnership established in 2004 and with offices in London and Washington, D.C.," that, for a fee, will invest your money in "high-quality companies at attractive prices that will deliver superior long-term investment returns." Gore just happens to be the Chairman and founding partner of this tax-exempt company. So Gore is his own Tetzel. When a coin in the coffer rings, an oxygen molecule to the atmosphere springs. And Gore pats himself on the back. I found it interesting to hear that the gift bags given to participants in the Academy Awards contained carbon offsets sufficient to offset a year's worth of emissions. Clearly these Hollywood types are very interested in atoning for their environmental sins.
Carbon offsets don't really do anything. Most people don't even pretend that they do anything more than raise awareness for environmental issues. And, of course, they pad the pockets of people selling them. According to Canada's Free Press they "(1) demonstrate commitment to taking action on climate change; (2) add an economic component to climate change; (3) help engage and educate the public; and (4) may provide local social and environmental benefits that help to encourage the use of low-carbon technologies...The real design behind offsetting, then, is to impact the public debate, not to avert the dreaded global warming. "
They are much like indulgences in that way, aren't they? The papacy promised that indulgences would cause those purchasing them to avoid the punishment their sins deserved. But this is a promise that can never be fulfilled. If the people purchasing indulgences were true believers, they should have know that Christ had already taken the full punishment for their sin. If they were not true believers, nothing will reduce the just sentence for their crime. They will suffer horribly and will suffer eternally despite the piece of paper given to them. Their indulgences will not offset their crimes.
I was amazed, as I thought about this, how humans are so eager to rely on their own actions instead of grace. Indulgences bypass grace through action, through human merit. Carbon offsets do the same, relying on self-punishment (purchasing "forgiveness" for crimes committed) to assuage guilt. By purchasing an indulgence a person neither needs to regret nor change his behavior. He can simply buy forgiveness in the form of a piece of paper. The same is true with carbon offsets. A person can continue to drive his SUV and fly around the world in a private jet, but have his conscience clear because he has offset his guilt with the offsets he purchases. If we ever reach the point where we are forced by the government to purchase carbon offsets, it is the poor who will suffer and the rich who will benefit. There will be no equality.
Indulgences and carbon offsets showed me something. Somewhere in the human heart is something that demands justice, but demands a perverted justice. It demands a justice that is so human, so flawed. It demands a justice that does not rely on grace.
---Tim Challies--- www.challies.com
Makes sense to me- all the big thinkers recognize global warming is just the newest demagogue's dream for riling the masses to gain power and cash.
Personally I'd also draw the comparison that global warming is so effective for 2 reasons that also served to lead the masses into the coffers of the Catholics in the 1500s:
1. The majority of us don't know better so when big names and science labels tell us something, we latch onto it
2. We are a guilty people- we feel guilty for our affairs, our children in daycare while we work 2 jobs, our SUV's, our dying social life and, to a widening extent, our failure to recognize any being greater than our own egotistical selves. So, yea, we LOVE to jump on the bandwagon of anything that serves to redeem us in some way, be it a pat on the back or a little bit of good cheer. It relieves our overwhelming guilt in a healthy, relatively noncommital and inexpensive way. ...Just wait until the taxes hit.
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