Hi Shawn,

That was hilarious! Thanx for that!

Its very sad too, especially when our entire legal system  (and everyone elses) can be traced back to its origins to a few documents:  Hamurabi's Code (I just know I spelled that wrong), 10 commandments, up thru the Magna Carta etc.

Heck I didnt like it when they took prayer outta school. Now the kids carry guns, and massacre each other in school.

Now They are talking about taking "In God We Trust" off the Money".

Hey Im not a very good Christian, being more like the demons who tremble and believe, but guys....Nothing Good can come of this!!!!

If there was every a time when our financial and economic system needed the hand of God in there...its NOW!

just my 2 cents,

Lenny

OK Lenny.....   There should be a 11th... Thou shall not post someone elses picture to be your Avatar....  But have you?

I know during the ITEC... we (our class) went out into Vegas and tried to drink all their alkeehaul.... and then at the SS convention... you must of spiked our drinks (with that snake stuff) during your chinese drinking customs class....  but I'll be darn if I remember you looking like that....  

BTW... there is a chance I might be coming to Texas City... just south of you during the holidays....  maybe we could get together for a beer or two. I would like to take you to my favorite English  pub... in Baycliff/Dickinson ... on Hwy 146 called The Duck... (The Bayview Duck)awesome food and drinks!! You could meet my whole fam damily!!   I spent a week there one night.... 

Hi Kelsey,

Yep I cut off my hair, sometimes wear a suit (even tho no one died or is getting hitched),  and I gained  weight and got older. And I love wearing shades now.

If your coming to Texas City, Ill (we the whole family) will make sure we get there! Just let me know when.


Oh Shoot, Which Holiday? I will be in Texas for Thanksgiving, and up north skiing for Xmas (nothing helps ring in the new year  like broken limbs ) and then in Washington DC after that for a bit.

Lenny

 

 

Hi Joe,

This post of mine  is politcally incorrect, and fecitious. (not the first numbered part)

I truly respect your opinion, because

1.) youre smart

2.) youre cool

3.) I just have always liked you, I cant explain it, chalk it up to charisma.

But I agree to disagree with you. Ive been all around the world. In other countries if you dont speak the languange and have no tranlator, tough luck. I just voted, ballots in english (Im surprized that still happens), Spanish (of course) and Vietnamese (that was a surprize)! On the phone Im tired of stepping thru language choices while in America. We speak english here, or used to.

In the mideast, I wore a cross, and read the Bible while sitting in public areas. I was advised agaisnt doing this, (The Kurds will ikill ya, I was told) and I rarely do that in the US, but I just had a point to make. In the middle east they teach 1 religion in the schools. Its Muslim. Now my idea is have prayer in schools, have the school clubs, Muslim Clubs, Christian clubs, Hindu clubs, Jewish clubs, yada , yada, everyone does thier own prayer. How cool is that?, but that was shot down by the supreme court.

In the mideast, Ive lived there, the horns (and they are loud) go off for daily (several times) for prayer at the Mosque (everywhere in public areas) , youre not allowed to talk to others about religion. Guess what religion they teach in thier schools?. They arrest you, and sometimes in China and other countries too. Dont even get me started on India and Vietnam.

All Im saying is we should preserve our national idenity. If you want to be Muslim, or Hindu or reformed druid, we are a secular country, go for it guys. But this is a Christian , english speaking nation. Thats what we were founded on, I dont think we should have to hide that or sweep it under the rug to make a minority feel all warm and cozy..

England is having a big problem  with that, having incorporated a humanistic philosophy into thier govt. You are now hard  pressed to find a true englishman  (pasty white, big ears, bad teeth).  Just kidding, that was a joke, sort of.


Joe, I think this is becasue you are back at school , the seat of Humanistic philosphy.

Yes I protested agaisnt Vietnam, I didnt refuse to say the pledge, I hurled tear gas back at the cops, along with some rocks.

As for statistics on school shootings , yes you are correct, but its a trend, and my point was take God outta school, the kids have no moral compass. That should come from school as well as home.

Oh BTW everybodies stocking up on guns now, me too, going to a gun show Sunday.

Im trying to teach the wife about weapons.."No thats not an Insult Rifle..Its an Assault Rifle"..Geez!

Joe , you are completely out of touch with the world. Have you been there, to other countries and lived there for years? Or did ya just read stuff in one of them there skool books, or talk to someone?


Anyway all the Best, Good luck in School. Im sure you do well, humanistic schooled college teachers love responses like yours and give them an A+.

Unfortunatly those who can do, those who cant teach.

Lenny

 

Hi Joe,

I missed a part. I would have voted against Gay people getting married. In Texas that wasn’t a ballot issue (go figure). I have some flaming gay friends. We got it clear from the beginning, I can be your friend but DONT EVER try that gay crap on me! We get along fine. I hate their freaking cats, but they are OK with me.

Oh heres a joke I heard..A guy was getting on a boat to immigrate to Australia. He was asked why? He replied in my grandfathers day, they hung homosexuals. In my fathers day, they put them in prison. Now its legal. Im leaving before its mandatory.

All joking and kidding aside, If 2 consenting adults want to be gay, that’s OK. Not the choice I would make but its OK, if its OK for them. Oh a funny story, I met with a govt guy IN China, population control came up as a side issue, and the 1 child Chinese policy. My response was think outta the box, encourage gayness. If it catches on, in 1-2 generations problem solved. He was livid at the suggestion.

I don’t think we should sanction gay marriage, or allow gay couples to adopt. Its an aberration. Im sure we will disagree on this, but that’s the way I feel.

Lenny

"... think outta the box, encourage gayness."

As G-d is my witness, that is the perfect standalone bumper sticker for pro-gay (well, male anyway - although even female) groups. I don't think I've seen better.








Think about it.

Tom,

Im not pro gay by any snese of the word. You kinda know me...Im the devils advocate . I just said that to PO that Chinese govt guy. I hated those guys and vice versa.

Nice two posts BTW, I agree and it made me smile. I loved the point on longjevity...maybe they were vampires?



Lenny

 

 

Did you get the Yager and Evans (sp?) joke? (in th eyear - 2525...)

I'm actually a bit pro-gay, or at least not bothered by the fact. I just think it is certainly a deviant lifestyle. (NTTAWWT) Civil rights? sure, why not? Gay marriage? Nah, don't think so.

I am not an educated person on govt or religion. I am not entirely sure why I have the following belief, but I do.

I think when the founding fathers decided on "seperation of church and state" it was because the church was the govt, or at least one of the main rulers of the govt.

You can have seperation of govt and religion and still have beliefs. "In God We Trust" can be my God or your God, it can be any God and in my humble opinion merely signifies that there is a faith in something making all this work. Seperation of govt and religion in my opinion merely means that the religion does not make the rules and laws and I do not think having prayers in schools or "In God We Trust" on currency violates that concept.

I believe there is a basic human emotional need to have a belief in something. Throughout history all human societies believed in some form of higher or supreem entity. It does not matter what it is, but there is always something.

The only problem I have is when someone tries to get me to abandon my beliefs in favor of theirs. EVERYONE is entitled to their own beliefs as long as they do not physically harm anyone else.

Thanks for letting me voice my opinion.

Bill

Bill,
I agree with you on your thoughts, but need to defend Joe on his obvious (to me, anyway) point.

The god referred to when the concept of placing "In God We Trust" on the currency is most decidedly not just 'any' god. It is referring to the Christian/Judeo God as described in the bible, and I think any other translation of it would be disingenuous.

Your interpretation (as is mine) to justify it is actually a reinterpretation of the true intent of those that decided to place it there. I would think they needed to have something to replace "In her majesty we trust" or somesuch to declare the authenticity and the intent to have the full backing and faith (small 'f') of the country producing the otherwise worthless paper it is printed on.

I could be wrong, but the notion that we originally intended to have any other deity thrown into the mix is to not look at the face of the time.

Well, My God can beat up your God..na-na-na-na-na-na I like to think its more of WELCOMING other religions...I am glad we dont hafta vote to see whos religious quotes and phrases, etc gets to go up in government buildings..

I guess it better to have nothing at all and just promote America with an eagle and a flag.
I remeber when that topic flys around the jobsites and people start flipping out..I would like to suggest if that is your case then why dont you just hang up them big demands in your living rooms, etc...heck remodel your whole house to look like St. Pat's Cathedral..we are just trying to respect others i guess

I kinda like alot of different quotes from the Ghandi's and jesus types...and i think Jesus was one cool dude...but sometimes I pray to God that he saves me from some of his evangical followers

I think this thread is going borderline contraversial...I want to admit for the record if your a cool dude and act awright and respect others...I really dont care what religion you believe in..ya got a friend in Florida

Lenny I was wondering if ya want ta go to one of those Rattlesnake biting religons..I think they are having a revival the Sunday during the expo...ya wanna go..you problay are the king of the snake wine...these good ole southern folk will love ya...halley ula

I don't believe the words "Separation of Church and State" is anywhere in our constitution. This country was founded on freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Our founding fathers were very much religious souls. Do we really want to keep changing the "meaning" of our constitution to fit what is the current fad? That's a dangerous road to start down.

Teaching Religion in schools is not forcing religion on anyone.  Keep in mind, many board a big wooden boat to an unknown land to be free to choose the religion that suited them.  There is nothing wrong with "In God We Trust" on our government buildings or currency.

You are not punished or imprisoned if you don't believe.

Religion is part of our history and should be respected.  Many of the laws of the land are based on religion.

Exactly Andy!

Posted By Gene McDonald on 08 Nov 2008 11:16 AM
Well, My God can beat up your God..na-na-na-na-na-na I like to think its more of WELCOMING other religions...I am glad we dont hafta vote to see whos religious quotes and phrases, etc gets to go up in government buildings..

I guess it better to have nothing at all and just promote America with an eagle and a flag.
I remeber when that topic flys around the jobsites and people start flipping out..I would like to suggest if that is your case then why dont you just hang up them big demands in your living rooms, etc...heck remodel your whole house to look like St. Pat's Cathedral..we are just trying to respect others i guess

I kinda like alot of different quotes from the Ghandi's and jesus types...and i think Jesus was one cool dude...but sometimes I pray to God that he saves me from some of his evangical followers

I think this thread is going borderline contraversial...I want to admit for the record if your a cool dude and act awright and respect others...I really dont care what religion you believe in..ya got a friend in Florida

Lenny I was wondering if ya want ta go to one of those Rattlesnake biting religons..I think they are having a revival the Sunday during the expo...ya wanna go..you problay are the king of the snake wine...these good ole southern folk will love ya...halley ula

Hi Gene,

That made me smile. I decline the snake handling evangelical invitation. They had a lot of those in West, by God, Virginia.

I always declined the invitations. I like my snakes dead and in wine.

Im not too evangelical, I used to PO them at the Mall. I hate people trying to jam religion down your throat, but will defend to death, religion in America.

Example (evangelical at Mall many years ago)...do you believe in God?

Lenny (I lied) No!

Evangelical..do you believe in Jesus?

Lenny (lying again) ..No

Evangelical...What do you believe in?

Lenny (lying again)..Flying Saucers

You shoulda seen the look on her face!

Priceless,

Lenny

“But this is a Christian , english speaking nation. Thats what we were founded on, I dont think we should have to hide that or sweep it under the rug to make a minority feel all warm and cozy..”

Lenny:
Here’s a guy who may know whether or not this is a “Christian, English-speaking nation”, as he was a founder of same. His name is Thomas Jefferson. Ring a bell?

A Wall of Separation
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.” --Letter to the Danbury Baptists, January 1, 1802

It Does Me No Injury
“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” --Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781 – 1785

The Example of History
“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.” --Letter to Alexander von Humboldt, December 6, 1813

Total Separation
"[T]he number, the industry, and the morality of the Priesthood, & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church from the State." -Letter to Robert Walsh, March 2, 1819 – James Madison

The Treaty with Tripoli was unanimously approved by the Senate on June 10, 1797. Article 11 read, “As the government of the United States of America is not founded in any sense on the Christian religion – as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims] – and as the said states have never entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.”

“Joe , you are completely out of touch with the world. Have you been there, to other countries and lived there for years? Or did ya just read stuff in one of them there skool books, or talk to someone?”
 
Lenny, of all your quotes, this one saddens me the most. When my mother-in-law can’t win on the merits of her argument, she’ll say something like “You really ought to trim those nose hairs.” You’re doing nearly the same thing here. You bring up a completely irrelevant subject, my living in other countries, which you know I haven’t done and therefore can’t counter, in a vain attempt to deligitimize my position. You’re saying that living in other countries gives you more knowledge or authority as to interpreting the United States Constitution? That is nonsense, Lenny, and you know it. Please try another tack, the country/schoolbook thing is going nowhere.

“I don’t think we should sanction gay marriage, or allow gay couples to adopt. Its an aberration. Im sure we will disagree on this, but that’s the way I feel.”

Lenny, let’s substitute “interracial” for “gay” and see how your sentence sounds, O.K.?

“I don’t think we should sanction interracial marriage or allow interracial couples to adopt.” Ouch, that doesn’t sound so good, does it? It’s similar to saying “I support equality for persons of color, just so none ever get elected president of the United States.”

I get your point though. Why have children adopted into stable loving homes by those with “aberrations” when they could live perfectly wonderful lives in the under-burdened and over-funded foster care system. I find it incredibly ironic that the people who want to criminalize abortion and encourage adoption are the very same folks advocating for narrowing the pool of potential adaptors.

“Anyway all the Best, Good luck in School. Im sure you do well, humanistic schooled college teachers love responses like yours and give them an A+.”

Thanks. I know I’ve earned an “A” here.

Secularly,

Joe

Posted By Wags on 08 Nov 2008 04:30 PM
I don't believe the words "Separation of Church and State" is anywhere in our constitution. This country was founded on freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. Our founding fathers were very much religious souls. Do we really want to keep changing the "meaning" of our constitution to fit what is the current fad? That's a dangerous road to start down.

Wags:
Your right to vote, to have a trial by a jury of your peers and to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in that trial appear nowhere in the Constitution of the United States. Neither does the Electoral College.

“God” appears nowhere in the Constitution of the United States. Before you get to the “year of our Lord” section, have it in proper context. This was common secular and religious use at the time.

If we didn’t have the unwritten “right to privacy” women couldn’t take birth control pills.

If the “separation of church and state” appear nowhere in the constitution, and if specific enumeration is a criteria for enforcement, we’re probably due for another baby boom.

Joe