What the -?!

I have not cursed as vehemently as I did this morning in a long time. For the sake of my conscience I will edit my remarks here.

This is the most incredible bull- I have ever seen so blatantly upheld. Oh. My. Word. Can people really be blind to this!?!?!

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/30/obama.effigy/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

(I just noticed how "CRIME" is in capital letters.)

"Two men have been arrested in connection with an effigy of Sen. Barack Obama that was hung outside a building at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, police said Thursday.

Joe Fischer, left, and Hunter Bush were arrested on disorderly conduct and other charges, police said.

Authorities found a life-size effigy of the Democratic presidential candidate hanging from a tree outside the school's Mines and Minerals building on Wednesday morning, police said.

Police said they arrested Joe Fischer, 22, a senior at the university, and Hunter Bush, 21, a former student at Bluegrass Community and Technical College.

'This was a serious incident. It caused a lot of wounds to be opened from racial tension,' Monroe said."

GRRAH! (That's me screaming through gritted teeth.)

Does no one remember this story????

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-palineffigy28-2008oct28,0,3849487.story

"Los Angeles sheriff's officials say the Halloween display isn't a hate crime. Authorities are keeping an eye on the house to make sure the situation doesn't get out of hand."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/10/sarah-palin-e-1.html

"A California couple who hung a controversial effigy of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin from a noose off the side of their house have removed the display under pressure from city officials."

There were no arrests in that case!! WHAT THE HECK PEOPLE! If those two men are to be arrested then the other two should as well. The "couple" in California took the effigy down, yes, after a stern talking to. Psh.

I think I'm going to be sick. Normally I can process through the load of manure that comes from the media and society as a whole with relative calm but this... it's too much.

******

After calling the University of Kentucky and speaking with several people, including some in the President's office, I have calmed down some. I recognize that different states have different laws. I'm all for that - more power to the states. But, gah, this is more than that.

Too bad those boys weren't a black California "couple." They'd be on their way to class today.

CDO Confessions.

C.D.O. (O.C.D. in alphabetical order) is no laughing matter... except when it comes to me. I have a confession to make :

Hi, my name is Stephanie. (Hi, Stephanie.) And I have C.D.O.

I readily and gratefully admit to you that it is not as bad as it once was. God's grace has broken many old patterns, habits and strongholds. But much like perfectionism and people-pleasing, anal-ness, to a degree, can never be completely healed - just brought under control. (I happen to be a recovering perfectionist and people-pleaser as well.)

When I was younger, 9-14 years old I'd say, I was a classic case. I counted steps constantly. (1,2,3. 1,2. 1,2,3. 1,2. - no, really.) And it was to a point where if the stairs didn't match the pattern or there weren't enough tiles I would skip steps or purposefully miscount. If I couldn't complete the pattern there was unrest. Likewise, if I was in a new place and the pattern worked perfectly I felt much more at ease.

So this morning as I was getting things together in the kitchen I came face to face with a "tick" that I didn't realize I still have.

As confession is good for the soul I confide to you that (in Stephanie's world) cookies should always be given in multiples of three. (If they are large and it is one serving, one cookie suffices.) Under no circumstance should someone be handed two cookies or a plate of cookies come to a number not divisible by three. (Ie. 4, 8, 11, 14, 20, etc.)

As some of you are rolling your eyes and shaking your heads, let me assure you that I realize most of this is more anal-ness rather than O.C.D. God has saved me from a lot more than I realize on a day to day basis.

So there you have it. *Whew* Glad I got that off my chest.

Political Thoughts.

Below is part of an email I sent to a friend regarding politics. I wrote it all out and once I reread it thought I may as well repost it here.

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As far as third party stuff goes - I think that, if God is merciful to our country and it continues to be a blessed, capitalistic republic (not a given with this upcoming election) that we will see the rise of a third party. Especially as our generation matures to the political age of 35. Neither party is representing a majority of Americans. Eventually, I pray, that people will open their eyes and take a stand. As the dear old saint in wal-mart told me yesterday, "people just have to get off their ass and get going." (I love her!!)

I am voting for McCain. I'll admit that, along with a large number of Americans, I was distraught with the choice until Palin's nomination. I don't think she is the be all and end all - but it does give me hope.

The American church needs to wake up. The acute stupor brought on by drinking the enemy's poison has silenced us. I try not to give in to fear, but as I wonder what it will take to wake this comatose giant, I look at what could possibly be on the horizon (and I shudder!) and wonder if that's not what it will take.

Oh God, have mercy on our Country.

My firm belief is in smaller government as well. Understanding that has actually helped in talking to people about politics. I don't necessarily know the details of every political position or issue but it can usually be boiled down to "does this limit or increase government?" If it increases it, I'm opposed to it. If it limits it, I'm all for it. Seems that I need to research the libertarian views more. As I said earlier, I believe that a third party is coming. What I'm not sure of is whether the change will come up within the currently defined parties (and change has taken place numerous times over the decades) or whether, like the Whiggs party, one or both will be voted out and a new party will come forward.

We are not to walk in fear. The early church was facing times of turmoil even greater than this. And those days are possibly ahead of us again. (Oh God, mercy we pray!) But no matter what happens, we have a secure fortress, a very present Help in times of trouble.

As Benjamin Franklin once said :
All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?" -Benjamin Franklin, To Colleagues at the Constitutional Convention

Speak and stand boldly where He has you. Mayn't it be for "such a time as this?"

Determined.

I realized something this morning...

I can do anything for a set period of time.

It is when there is no distinct end - no proverbial light at the end of the proverbial tunnel - that I find myself unmotivated to continue.

But there is an end in sight.