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A Photo Essay:
2008-05-16 05:42:00
I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this photo I took near some construction in my town. See any irony here?
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I Heart the Bear...and That's About It.
2008-05-14 17:03:00
by Nicole McIntyreSeveral months ago I posted an article about The Golden Compass and all the hullabaloo. My personal conclusion was that I was going to read the books and see the movie and use my God-given judgment.I just read The Golden Compass in December, not having the time or inclination to delve into the other two books in the series. Last night we finally had a chance to watch the movie.When I read the book, I could certainly see why some people would be offended by the constant use of "The Church" in a negative light. Especially since it was implied that they were corrupt and very Spanish Inquisition about heresy. Didn't really bother me, since we've already seen that in history. And the fact that it's fiction. Certainly in the first book there was no God Killing. I had been told that little tidbit was in the final book and I'm not there yet. So I'll save my final judgement on the literary side when I finish the series.I had also been told by several people that the mo...
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International Relations 101
2008-05-12 15:21:00
By Cameron ClarkHelp is on the way to Myanmar today. As our thoughts and prayers are with the Burmese people, our governments certainly don't see eye to eye on the ideas of democracy and capitalism, which had resulted in the prideful refusal of American aid by the Myanmar Junta. As heart-breaking as the conditions are on the ground in the cyclone ravaged nation, the rules of international diplomacy and national sovereignty are still intact regardless of the keen insight of the American public.Four days ago CNN ran a poll on its website asking if the United States should air-drop supplies into Myanmar even if the government refused aid: Much to my chagrin, 60% of the respondents said the U.S. should deliver supplies without Burmese consent.People are dying there, and I would imagine they don't care where help comes from so long as they receive it (thank God they are getting it now), but my problem is the 60% of respondents who couldn't quite get their mind around the entirety of t...
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Stereotypes
2008-05-09 16:07:00
We tend to pigeonhole people into groups based on many different characteristics because very few of us have the time or the brain power to really get to know each other individually. Some stereotypes are fair. Some are funny. Here are a few that I think are worth mentioning:-Proud to be a Texan Guy - I love him, but he's obnoxious. Main stereotype characteristics include giant cowboy hat, "don't mess with Texas" bumper sticker, unreasonable loyalty to either a longhorn or an aggie(?), and takes great pride in the fact that he can eat fire in the form of a crescent shaped pepper. He uses phrases like "padna" and "druther". Likes to kill animals. Good guy.-Depends on his athletic ability to make him money Guy - Most all professional athletes and many former college football stars are this guy. Main stereotype characteristics include multiple tattoos with names of his children on some kind of shrub, speaks in the third person about himself, thinks a strip club is a perfectly...
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Thanks for the Money...Can I Send it Back to China?
2008-05-08 21:02:00
by Nicole McIntyreSo our "economic stimulus" arrived on Tuesday. I have some mixed feelings on it's arrival. My own opinion is that this is a bad idea. I don't like debt and our national debt is ridiculous. It doesn't really surprise me that in a country that thinks debt is a way of life that our government would be leading the charge.Very little discussion went into what we were going to spend "our" money on. Our original plan was to put it all in savings. I have my eye on a minivan for a kiddie wagon replacement. We also have some work we want to do on our house that we are saving up for. No brainer, right?But then our ceiling fan died. I've been waiting for this stupid thing to die for a year. When we first bought our house we changed several of the light fixtures and such. There was only so much extra cash and the ugly fan didn't make the cut since it unfortunately worked. First on the new China Money list is a fan and some other smaller householdy things. The rest is stayi...
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Reflections on a Sunday
2008-05-07 16:41:00
by Nathan McIntyreHey there folks...been a little bit. I know. Things have been hectic in the lives of your friends from the Porch, and honestly, as much as we enjoy writing to you family and friends come first. I come to you this evening very tired. Another long day at the office, coupled with providing a semblance of guidance for my raging man of a toddler gets exhausting, and while there's a lot on my mind, which I'll get to soon, I just thought I'd share something a little special with you.This past Sunday was a very good day.It was about 2:30 on Sunday afternoon. I was the only person in the house awake, as Nikki and Braedon had both chosen siesta over society. The porch was, as usual, shaded and cool with a slight breeze drifting across from right to left, west to east. I love my neighborhood, as folks aren't too far away, and yet there is a sense of solitude that tangibly rests on each doorstep.I chose such solitude this day.An occasional car would lazily drift by, leavin...
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Maverick Healthcare
2008-05-02 08:34:00
By Alan GableSenator McCain has been campaigning quite a bit lately on health care. The latest plan is that he wishes to offer Americans a tax credit - $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families - to purchase and hold their own health insurance. I have to assume that this credit is available each year and that it will not be a "refundable" credit. Refundable credits are those tax breaks that refund to the taxpayer more than was actually paid in if the application of the credit results in the taxpayer having a negative tax liability (which means the government owes them). Anyway, these are a few of my thoughts on this "plan".$5000 is a massive tax credit for the average middle class family. This would almost certainly wipe out any tax liability they have. It would force families to choose between their employer's group health coverage or purchasing health insurance on their own. I would guess that the net dollar effect would come close to breaking even but McCain's tax c...
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Milestones
2008-05-01 17:53:00
by Nathan McIntyreI have been insanely busy this week so please pardon the lack of updates, however I do wish to share with you a milestone I've been waiting on for quite a long time.199.4After unimaginably hard work and time, yours truly has passed under the 200 pound mark. It's taken me almost a year and a half, but 170 pounds later I've broken the barrier.Today is a good day.
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Jeremiah Wright and Animal House
2008-04-29 16:15:00
By Cameron ClarkWho knew Reverend Jeremiah Wright was such a great fan of the "White American" comedy classics like National Lampoon's Animal House ? Reverend Wright has obviously been studying the subtle humor and undertones of this movie for quite some time, as the expanded version of the movie's drollery has made its way into his sermons and speeches. For example, when Wright said, "In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01. White America and the western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ?disappeared? as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns," he was just expounding on Flounder's line: "The Negroes stole our dates!" Here's a short list of Reverend Wright's comedic musings that have been misinterpreted:"We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye."- Jeremiah WrightThi...

Alan's Mock "Stuff" Draft
2008-04-24 22:48:00
By Alan GableWith the NFL Draft (which honestly is the only draft worth airing on a national media scale) bearing down on us with great pomp and circumstance, I submit my mock draft of some random stuff I like. We'll go with ten because I like the Metric system.10. Metric System - The antiquated English measurement system is nonsensical from both mathematical and functional standpoints. We should do away with it. The basic framework of the metric system working in multiples of 10 instead of 12 is the main component of its awesomeness and deals a devastating blow to its Anglican step-brother.9. Golf - This is the most frustrating game ever devised by any dude. However, there is only one player on Earth good enough to get angry when he hits a bad shot. His name is Tiger Woods, and there will never be anyone like him. Everyone else should reserve themselves to the idea that poor shots happen. Golf is the only major sport where the average fan can still play on a regular basis...
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Congressional BcS
2008-04-24 13:00:00
by Nathan McIntyreIn a continued thought from Cameron's post yesterday, we certainly do know how to complicate simple goodness do we not?I'm no fan of the BCS of College football. Things could be so much more simple if we just kept it down home cuz and finished the season playoff style. Back before the telestrator, College football was a glorious parade of simple ideals and valor. Today, you can play the game on your Playstation before the actual gridiron, televise it on ESPN, and call it a pregame show.The BCS is the latest effort to simplify the end result of each season, and naturally, each year someone feels a little ripped off. With a new low, enter the whiners.At the behest of three University Presidents, Congress is now considering an investigation into whether or not the BCS violates federal anti-trust law. The series, being a contract between independent conferences is nothing remotely of the sort, however these three school representatives feel that wasting taxpayer doll...

The Cure All
2008-04-23 17:12:00
By Cameron ClarkHow often do we make life a little more complicated than it actually is? How often do minor problems turn into major crises, or small ruffles in our structured lives become massive emergencies? All too often I would imagine. Working ourselves into a frenzy over life's curb balls might be the most counter-productive thing we do in our unhealthy modernity. As Americans, we are over-worked, out-of-shape, and overwhelmingly stressed. No wonder we have such violence in our society. Coming into this week I had a few items on the "To Do" list I felt I absolutely "needed" to get done. It's true these things are important, but the fabric of the universe won't unravel if they are accomplished outside the parameters of my pre-determined methodology and time-table. I don't think I was feeling that way a couple of days ago.As my family is in the process of moving, we have spent the last few days house hunting. When I woke up on Monday, I could feel my veins constricting and ...
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I'm Just Bitter...Hanging on to My Guns and God
2008-04-17 13:00:00
By Nathan McIntyreI believe in the Bible. I believe that it is the inspired word of God. Perhaps my definition of inspired will differ from yours, nevertheless, it's a good read.Somewhere in between the desert themed Vacation Bible School and five loaves on a flannel graph there is a fabulous passage noting "that from the wellsprings of the heart, the mouth speaks." Basically, it says to keep talking. We'll figure you out eventually.Wholly true for Barack Obama.Speaking to a closed fundraiser in San Francisco, California, last week, Obama said decades of lost jobs and unfulfilled promises from Washington have left some Pennsylvanians "bitter" and clinging "to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."Apparently Sen. Obama has never read any Dale Carnegie, because good Mr. Carnegie took issue with Obama from the get-go.The question was asked why so many in the "heartland"...
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Hostile Takeover...
2008-04-16 22:04:00
by Nicole McIntyreAs I have mentioned on the Porch previously, I like to peruse the online edition of my home paper every once and while. Usually it's to see who's gotten married, had babies, or died. During basketball season I check to see how the Ole Alma Mater is doing, or the occasional shot at Mark the Spot. Lately I've been a little more interested, since the Harrison City Council has been looking into the idea of annexation.I'm not a huge fan of a city's forced annexation on the surrounding populous. When we lived in Murfreesboro, the city itself seemed to be bent on taking over the world. Or at least Rutherford County. The main reason: the city was in debt and wanted the tax revenue. The people who lived in the proposed area had no say and all they would get out of the deal was higher taxes. Sounds like a winner. Of course, since the homeowners had no vote, they were annexed. It only took a few days for the city to get the new sign up proclaiming the area as the city li...
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Barack, Abortion, and Punishment
2008-04-15 21:12:00
Isn't it amazing how the left will cheerfully defend the collective rights of the many while solely focusing in only one policy on the individual's "right to choose?" Perhaps if the unborn paid taxes they wouldn't be so quick to allow their murders?If he didn't lose you at his little ditty on defense, then perhaps you can wash yourself of Obama here as he describes a baby as "punishment." I don't know. This kind of talk really makes it hard for me to vote for Obama. Who am I though? Just a freedom loving taxpayer, and parent....and can anyone explain to me how STD's are prevented by abortion?
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Illegal Immigration, Taxes, and Statistics
2008-04-14 15:20:00
By Cameron ClarkAn article about undocumented workers and their tax burden appeared in Friday's Tennessean. Although it's good to see some illegal immigrants pay their share of taxes (plus a little more), I still can't help but have a problem with this whole botheration perpetuated on our southern and northern borders. Please allow me to display my libertarian philosophies for those of you who think we have "been seduced by the dark side."Here are some facts the article conveniently omits when attempting to state the case for uncontrolled immigration as a fiscal positive:-Illegal immigrants consume almost three times as much in social services as they are estimated to pay in state and federal taxes (for those that pay taxes) to the tune of $2,300 per worker, as opposed to the $7,700 each consumes, regardless of their tax burden, or lack thereof. However, it has been estimated that amnesty for illegals could double the cost of socialization. (U.S. Congressional Budget Office) {The...
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Ignorace + Hate= Alicia Keys???
2008-04-14 03:07:00
Hard to believe people actually believe this kind of stuff. Worse yet, some other poor souls actually listen to the opinion of entertainers and regard them as fact.
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So Is THIS Socialism?
2008-04-11 22:59:00
by Nathan McIntyreFor those of you thinking I've been a little paranoid lately over a President Obama, check out this little snip from Mark Rose (courtesy of TennesseeFree.com). Enjoy, er, shudder."Barack Obama has written in his autobiography that he organized his life around the ideals imparted by his Kenyan father, Barak H. Obama, a Harvard-trained economist. So what were those ideals?PrestoPundit has found a 1965 paper written by Obama's father, in which he advocates:- 100% taxation- communal farms / the elimination of private farming- the nationalization of businesses owned by "Europeans" and "Asians".- "active" measures to bring about a classless society Yikes! This is right out of Marxism/Leninism. It's not watered-down socialism. It IS socialism -- in its purest form."So is Obama a socialist?
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Bold Predictions
2008-04-11 12:59:00
By Nathan McIntyreI am not a huge baseball fan. It's a looooong season and I'm no mathematician. Stats often bore me. However, I do love me some Atlanta Braves baseball. I grew up watching the only good thing about Atlanta suffer through the '80s, and finally get that well-deserved respite in the '90s and '00s. They are a proud franchise. I love 'em.Jayson Stark has a great little piece (a bit old but still a good one) on his bold prediction. Check it out."You know, you get to my time frame, and there's kind of a desperation," Smoltz said. "If I had to write my perfect scenario -- along with Tommy and Chipper, who have been here and endured it the most -- I think it would be to just kick off the next generation with guys who are starting their run. I'd like to say, 'I was along for the ride, I got one more sweet taste of it, and now it's their chance to run off a string of championships.' ... Nice.
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Wandering Along
2008-04-10 15:00:00
by Nathan McIntyreI've gotten some emails and comments recently that first of all, I thought I'd take a moment to address. It seems that some of you fair people out there believe that I, or Cameron have "gone off the deep end," or "drank the kool-aid" of the left. I can assure you this is not true. My dear Conservative friends, how jaded and blunt you have become. How little some of you read. How much talk radio you digest. How Bush's gaggle of "yes men" has dulled your wit.If any of us here on the Porch have seemed to and fro over the issues, it's only because we are being honest. Simply put, there are issues of which Barack Obama has very clearly communicated, and quite frankly, at some points I agree. There are many points of contention as well. It is not because I am unstable, or "too weakminded" as one called us. Rather, it is because I am human, and fully equipped with a heart and brain.The two are searching for a home amongst the rubble of the American political landscape...
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The Toddler Tube
2008-04-09 20:01:00
by Nicole McIntyre As the parent of a toddler, I've been fighting the seemingly losing TV battle. In an effort for my kid to talk more, the TV is hardly on. The fact that my kid is virtually mute doesn't help. A couple times a week I may turn on a Baby Einstein for him, but he's such a zombie that I always feel sort of guilty. Aren't I supposed to be interacting with him instead of letting a big electronic box do it? There's tons of research out there saying that TV is detrimental...sort of. There are those that say your child's attention span will be warped because their TV watching has rewired their brains. Studies that say your kid will become "aggressive." I would say that my generation watched TV with no ill-effects, but with ADD on the rise I really can't. So the fact that my toddler might actually benefit from some TV time sort of snuck up on me. The Bug is way into imitating people right now. (Except in speech. A herd of wild horses can't d...
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McCain On the Issues
2008-04-08 18:46:00
By Cameron ClarkNow that we've thoroughly covered Barack Obama, let's do the same to Sen. McCain . I have made some colorful comments as to not bore you to death should you choose to peruse this article; under no circumstances should my comments or my choice of legislation covered be interpreted as my opinion on Senator McCain or his policies. Simply using the legislation to decipher "conservative" or "liberal" tendencies. John Sidney McCain III (pictured left from his guest appearance on Hawaii 5-0) has the reputation for being a "maverick", although I didn't know being confused and a career politician qualified for "maverick" status. Since securing the nomination, McCain has been doing his level best to become the "conservative" answer to whomever the democrats will nominate. Let's take a thorough look at his record, using the roll call from Project Vote Smart, and see how he measures up.Abortion- He fits the classic example of conservatism on this issue. He has voted to ban it...
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Ok, now he's just scaring the crap out of me...
2008-04-08 03:19:00
By Cameron ClarkIf you're on the fence on Obama (or squarely in his column for that matter), here's a policy that will make you want to change your name and hide under a sofa.Have a great Monday evening!
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The Obama Counter
2008-04-04 15:55:00
By Alan M. GableThis is a response by Alan Gable during the course of a series of emails on the topic. It is insightful, intelligent, and a very tangible criticism of Obama 's policies and his abilities to lead this country in the direction he has promised. Here it is, only edited for personal statements that have no bearing on the political thought:I don?t hate Obama (pictured upper left corner, during in his "Shaft" groove). In fact, I have been more vocal in my disdain for that thing from Arizona than for any of the Democratic schmucks. However, John McCain would be better, or at least less destructive, than Barrack Obama. Here are some reasons:1. Obama treats national security and federal taxation like a couple of the Barbie Dolls he no doubt played with as a child in Hawaii. In my humble opinion, these are the 2 things any President must take very seriously. His immediate withdrawal from the middle east will never bring any type of lasting peace; it will only change this ...
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My Own Personal Struggle With Barack Obama
2008-04-03 13:00:00
--Nathan McIntyreIt's a cool April afternoon as I sit here writing to you on my own porch. You'll likely read this Thursday morning, so it's not exactly "coming at ya live." Programming admissions aside, I'll preface all I'm now about to say with a few more insights.As I write I feel incredibly conflicted. Each one of us carries within us a heart, and mind, and the two of mine are at war. Pardon me if this piece feels like a running mental dialogue. It's what I'm in the mood for, and it is my lil nook o'the web after all.It seems like the Front Porch lately has been more like Barack Obama 's back patio, with much being written about the Illisnois senator's candidacy for the White House. Indeed, he is a enigmatic character; one which sets my passion and intellect at conflict with one another. As many of you know, I supported Ron Paul's libertarian candidacy for the past year, and improbable as it was I believed in him. Many of you did too, and with the same fervor at which ...
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The Political Bluhs
2008-04-02 16:32:00
by Nicole McIntyreIt seems that this "political season" has been too long already, and there are still seven more months to go. Sigh. I try to be a responsible citizen and stay informed, but it seems like there hasn't been any new information in months. Who was shocked/surprised/amazed when John McCain became the obvious Republican candidate? Or that the Democrats are still battling it out between their two Golden Children, even though that seems pretty set in stone. Thus far I've done my part, supporting my candidate and voting in my state's primary. But my candidate isn't making it to the big dance. The current options represent very few of my beliefs and views. What's a girl to do?I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see over the next few months. Bide my time and see what my choices end up being, if they are even choices at all. The last presidential election I had to choose between the lesser of two evils, and we see where that got us. I may see a write in for Fred ...
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Christianity, Libertarianism, and Obama
2008-04-02 01:05:00
By Cameron ClarkI recently fielded a question from a very old friend on some ideologies and actions of mine that seem, at first glance, to be incongruent. When it was coupled with a heated and un-illustrious exchange (on my part) on The Porch, I found I needed to address it with my final post here. I was asked how I could be educated in Christian institutions, hold a "libertarian" platform, and support Barack Obama for President. Here is my reply:"That's a VERY good question!.....(omitted) as I was educated in some seriously conservative Christian schools, I witnessed some practices and attitudes that I believe are thoroughly un-Christian. Because of these mis-applied Christian ideologies, I think the establishment clause in the 1st amendment needs to be heavily enforced to keep the varying interpretations of scripture far away from the laws that govern this nation. I think separating church and state is the only way to keep all citizens, and Churches, of this nation free.As a libe...
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Words Worth Hearing
2008-03-28 02:40:00
By Cameron ClarkI think it is important for those of us engaged and interested in the gladiatorial arena of politics to take the time to listen to and scrutinize more than just the simple summations made by Fox News, CNN, or the local paper when it comes to our candidates. We should diligently measure and examine the candidates for all offices, whether local or federal, in order to know if their words, their ideas, and their actions are things we would support with our vote. Senator Barack Obama was given a "7-10 split" to knock-down when he addressed the comments of his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. After listening to every word he had to say on the subject, I truly believe Sen. Obama met the challenge and conquered the task with authority. Just because I love Sen. Obama's oratory doesn't mean I agree with all of his policies. I may only agree with 25% of his vast platform, but I am starting to think that may be enough to be part of a needed change; To be part of a movemen...
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"Long Legged Mack Daddy?" Huh?
2008-03-27 19:47:00
I'll let Ser8d say the rest.Um...wow.The thing that gets me is how can anyone embrace the Revs. Jeremiah Wright OR this guy?_____________________________________ _____ Obama is "A Long -Legged Mack Daddy !" -- Reverend James David Manning, Ph.D. From today's Nashville City Paper: Reverend T.J. Graham, midday talk show host at WVOL-1470AM, a Nashville radio station with a primarily black audience, had as a guest Rev. James David Manning, the pastor of Harlem's Atlah Worldwide Church.In the article, Rev. Graham described Rev. Manning as 'controversial'... ?This man has been trashing Barack Obama in a fashion that makes what the Rev. Jeremiah Wright said sound mild,? Graham said of Manning. ?He?s called Obama?s mother trash, and is on the record as saying any black man who hasn?t been in jail can?t be trusted. He?s downing him in very specific and vicious language.? So, being charitable and cautious, I searched the web for information on Rev. Dr...
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The Obama Religion...Can I get a witnayasss!
2008-03-27 13:52:00
After watching the following video dedicating souls to the Obama candidacy, I thought I'd shoot a couple of videos that I found especially horrify- um, interesting. What do you think? Are we building a religion? (An awesome song by the way...dig it even more now)He's all about celebrity endorsement ain't he?
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