Santa at Bainbridge UMC

Here's Santa, having passed out presents from Bainbridge's UMC Youth Group. They do this each year. I've participate for the past couple of years. I probably get more out of it than the kids! I especially enjoy my walk thru town after leaving the Church. Everyone loves to wave at Santa!

All Too True for Me

The couple that snuck into the White House without any credentials!!!!! See pic below:

Santorum for President in 2012?

At least one on-line source thinks it might be a possibility. I could vote for him!!

Conservative/Liberal

I got another e-mail containing some comments I thought were quite funny. Here are the comments:

Conservative/Liberal

If a conservative doesn’t like guns, he doesn`t buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn`t eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.

If a conservative sees a foreign threat, he thinks about how to defeat his enemy.
A liberal wonders how to surrender gracefully and still look good.

If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.

If a black man or Hispanic are conservative, they see themselves as independently successful.
Their liberal counterparts see themselves as victims in need of government protection.

If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.

If a conservative doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Liberals demand that those they don’t like be shut down.

If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
(Unless it’s a foreign religion, of course!)

If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.

If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh. A liberal will delete it because he's "offended".

Walking Eagle

I just couldn't resist this.

President Obama was invited to address a major gathering of the American Indian Nation two weeks ago in upstate New York .

He spoke for almost an hour about his plans for increasing every Native American’s present standard of living. He referred to his time as a U.S. Senator and how he had voted for every Native American issue that came to the floor of the Senate.

Although President Obama was vague about the details of his plans, He seemed most enthusiastic and spoke eloquently about his ideas for helping his “red sisters and brothers.”

At the conclusion of his speech, the Tribes presented Obama with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name, “Walking Eagle.” The proud President then departed in his motorcade to a fundraiser, waving to the crowds.

A news reporter later asked the group of chiefs how they came to select the new name they had given to the President.

They explained that “Walking Eagle” is the name given to a bird so full of s**t it can no longer fly.

The Self-Portrait

Need we say more?

Thoughts for the Day

I received this (the paragraphs below) today when I opened my e-mail. My political philosophy is such that I agree with the statements. I think there are a substantial number of people who don't agree with the statements, and somehow we've elected them to be our representative in the Congress. If you are among those who agree with the statements below, please be sure to vote in the 2010 elections!

From the e-mail:

These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read. This is one paragraph that should be in every book in every school room in every city in every state in our great Union ... Our educators should make a lesson plan on this one statement and instill these words in the minds of all students.

1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.

4. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is the beginning of the end of any nation..

5. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

Oscars

DON'T BOTHER WATCHING THE OSCARS ON MARCH 7th . . .
THE CHOSEN ONE HAS ALREADY WON IT FOR BEST ACTOR!

Sovereignty, Is Ours Endangered?

From the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

Sovereignty, though its meanings have varied across history, also has a core meaning, supreme authority within a territory. It is a modern notion of political authority. Historical variants can be understood along three dimensions -- the holder of sovereignty, the absoluteness of sovereignty, and the internal and external dimensions of sovereignty. The state is the political institution in which sovereignty is embodied. An assemblage of states forms a sovereign states system.

Could Public Displays of Christianity End with Italian Crucifix Ruling? Check out this article from Catholic Online. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the display of crucifixes in (Italian) public schools restricted religious freedoms. We in the United States are having our own problems keeping religion from being banned from the public square. If the European Court of Human Rights upholds this ruling, how long will it be before our own Supreme Court looks to the European Union for more guidance? The Supreme Court has already referenced foreign laws in some of its previous decisions. Our current President is a big fan of Internationalism. He's a big supporter of the UN. He favors increasing cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). In the words of that great American, Earl Pitts, "Wake up America."

Sometimes, an extremist really is an extremist

What do you think Maj Hasan's motives were? Here's Jonah Goldberg's thoughts on the incident. LA Times Opinion Piece. My thoughts are: if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it might be, unless it is a politically incorrect to pick on feathered water fowl, A DUCK!

The Flying Imams Win and the rest of us lose....

Thanks to a Clinton appointed Federal Judge. Just click the title to read the article.

The Logic of Absolute Truth

Think about this, if you dare. And if you're not sure about your Atheism, and want to read a bit about Christianity, try something by Ravi Zacharias.

Fall Festival of Leaves - 2009 Set Up

I wanted to upload a few more pictures, but I've got to go to work. Just wanted to let everyone know that the Fall Festival is about to begin. These photos were taken on Thursday, Oct 15, 2009.

Issue #2

I received this in an e-mail from one of my friends. It is alleged to have appeared in a newspaper in San Francisco. I don't know, is it possible that someone is this naive? If this person lived in Ohio, would they be for or against Issue #2?












"Farm animals are social and intelligent individuals, as capable of feeling pain and frustration, joy and excitement, as the dogs and cats we welcome into our families." And I stopped reading at the Humane Society of the United States. Sorry, I don't buy into anthropomorphism. Animals are animals; they are not humans.

I read the editorial opinions of the Dayton Daily News and the Columbus Dispatch. What I hear them saying is that the problem being addressed with Issue 3 should not be enshrined in the state constitution, but rather dealt with by laws in the legislature. I agree with that. However, I also see that the HSUS has been successful in lobbying state legislatures to pass really restrictive laws governing animal treatment on farms. I think that will raise food prices. If you want to support what you consider better treatment of animals, go organic. Kroger has lots of organic foods. If you want to pay the higher price, ok, but don't force me to pay a higher price. Also, I think the HSUS eventual goal is to seriously reduce the amount of meat we eat (Go Vegan). Anything they can do to further that goal is something they will support.

So, while I'm not a fan of big government, I'm going to vote for Issue #2 as a way to head off the worse solution that would be offered by the HSUS.

Saturday Morning at the Paxton and Mark's Barbershop

Once again, it's time for a haircut. But first I have to stop in the Paxton and take major abuse from the resident Democrats. As it turns out this morning, even the waitress is a Democrat. What I won't put up with just to get a half order of biscuits and gravy! Although, I do bring it on myself. Thank goodness Dave Anderson was there, he's a Republican, too. I'm not sure about the other folks at the "Liar's Table". John Blair was there, too, but he plays his cards pretty close to the vest.

I got my haircut from Dave, of course!! Mark was obviously too busy!!!

Gaming in Ohio? Vote NO on Issue #3

Yes, gaming is the industry euphemism for gambling. The November issue of the magazine First Things has an article that those planning to vote yes on Issue 3 should read. I'll put a link here when the issue is available on line. In a few words, inviting the gaming industry into our state would be a mistake for the following reasons:

Increased social problems - the National Gambling Impact Study Commission released in 1999 noted that problem gambling doubles within 50 miles of a casino.

There is anecdotal evidence that embezzlement and robbery increase, and drunk driving increases (as a result of free drinks while "gaming".

Yes, the positive impact of the casinos is said to be more jobs and increased revenue for the state treasury. But how about the increased social costs associated with casinos? As the First Thing article notes, "What price should we pay for addiction, embezzlement, child neglect, increased debt, drunken driving, and suicide, as well as for the prevalence of problem gambling?"

The First Thing article continues: "The complex nature of the task (trying to quantify the social costs) didn't stop the University of Nevada at Las Vegas from doing its own study in 2003. Professor Bill Thompson estimated that the cost of social problems in southern Nevada, a region that includes Las Vegas, amounted, conservatively, to at leas $300 million to $450 million a year and possibly as high as $900 million -- more that the taxes that gambling contributed to the state treasury."

If you want to be like Nevada, take a look at this chart.

And of course there is the moral argument against gambling. But as we become a more secular and relativistic society, who's to say what's right and wrong? (I'm being facetious or is it sarcastic? How about both?)

If you want more information on the problems associated with "gaming", take a look at Stop Predatory Gambling Foundation.org

Democrats Know What's Best for the Country

I thought the legislature was a place for debate about ideas? Sounds like this guy figures he has all the answers and Republicans just need to go away and let the Democrats run the country, since they know what's best for everybody. 2010 can't get here fast enough!!

Is Obama Jesus?

See what Andrew Klavan has to say: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Pajamasmedia#p/u/0/wjrn4GZGd34

Australian Cartoon -- How True!

Absolute Truth - What is Truth

An interesting YouTube video I came across today!

Hillsboro, Ohio Is Ready for Halloween

As I drove thru Hillsboro on Sunday morning, Oct 4, I saw this house. I just had to stop and take a couple of pictures. It's wonderful; sort of a Halloween version of the Griswolds Christmas House.

Have you seen the latest on ACORN?

ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is up to yet new "tricks". Look at this YouTube video of ACORN employees conspiring to help avoid taxes for a criminal enterprise.

Are you an Independent?

What do you think of these? Got it right with Bush, but not with Obama? Who does the art community support? Look at what the NEA is now up to!

What First Amendment Right?

Rev. Pat Mahoney asks 'Is this the future of all those who disagree with the President?'

What did he do? He peacefully placed some roses in front of the Chinese Embassy on the 20th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

What happened? He was visited by the FBI, and questioned about his actions.

For the full story, check here.

Imprimus (Latin: in the first place)

If you have Conservative leanings and you've never heard of Hillsdale College, I'd recommend you take a look at its web site. "Hillsdale’s educational mission rests upon two principles: academic excellence and institutional independence. The College does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of its operations." Further, it publishes Imprimus:

Imprimis, which in Latin means "in the first place," is Hillsdale's national speech digest. It publishes presentations delivered at the College's many seminar and lecture programs. Begun in 1972 with a circulation of 1,000, it now reaches over 1.7 million readers monthly, the largest thing of its kind. Imprimis promotes the principles of individual rights, limited government, free market economics, personal responsibility and strong national defense. It comes at no cost to anyone who wishes to receive it, as part of Hillsdale's commitment to "pursuing truth and defending liberty."

The current issue of Imprimus concerns "The Constitution and American Sovereignty"

Saturday Morning, Aug 22

This is certainly a suspicious looking group outside of the Paxton Restaurant on a beautiful Saturday morning. I suspect they are plotting on how to keep the Democrats in power for the remainder of their lives.

Kids from Paint Valley High School trying to earn money for some worthy cause. The homemade Cinnamon rolls were delicious.

Folks from Lighthouse Youth Center - Paint Creek getting set up to sell mums and sweet corn.

I'd say this is really good cheesecake. I know I certainly enjoy eating it! They're only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but I believe you can pick up special orders anytime. If you want to check out their web site, look for Mystical Retreat. They are physically located on Main Street, Bainbridge, right across from the Paxton Restaurant.

Some Thoughts on Socialism

I always liked Ronald Reagan. Listen to what he was saying in 1961. He even has a Chestertonian-like (G.K. Chesterton) line at the end of the talk..."governments don't tax to get the money they need, governments will always find a need for the money they get."

On Vacation

We were on vacation in Seattle, WA for a week or so. Therefore I've not had an opportunity to do any posting. I hope to get into town this weekend and have a few interesting things to post shortly.

While We're At It

My letter to the Editor of the Chillicothe Gazette was published yesterday, July 30. The letter was basically what I had written in this blog last Friday. After I blogged, I thought it might be interesting to see if the Gazette would publish what I had written on their editorial page. Success. Now if some of the folks who have commented on the letter would just take a few minutes to read the referenced books, I might have accomplished a little something.

The Paxton Restaurant, Main Street, Bainbridge

This is the inside of the Paxton. I think you can see the remnants of my half order of biscuits and gravy at the far end of the counter. With my Golden Buckeye discount, this artery clogging breakfast only cost $2.87 and that included a cup of coffee! Small town living is great, except that the Democrat that was in the barber chair before me was also at the Paxton when I got there. You just can't get away from them in Bainbridge! Just kidding, Frank!

Frank Posey is on the left (no pun intended). I don't know who the man on the right is, but he talked like he might be a Republican! I look forward to next Saturday morning in town!

Another Saturday Morning at Mark's Barbershop

See, Saturday morning at Mark's Barbershop. There is Mark on the left, and the only paying customer is in his Dad's chair. This is a familiar sight on Saturday mornings. Dave cut my hair. He does a great job on flat tops!

Suggested Reading for Folks Leaning to the Left

Before we redistribute ourselves to Serfdom with the help of our current President and Congress, I certainly hope some folks read these books and take their warnings to heart. In the name of fairness, we are about to lose major amounts of our freedom. Neither are particularly long books; de Jouvenel's is under 100 pages and Hayek's is just under 300. You should be able to read them in only a couple of days. Both books are available from Amazon.com and you should be able to by both for under $25. Considering what is about to happen to our taxes and our liberty, the books would be a wise investment. And who knows, it might Stimulate Amazon! These authors will certainly give you a different perspective on what is going on in our country right now and where we are headed if it continues.

Here's a quote from Adam Smith that introduces Hayek's Chapter 5, Planning and Democracy:

The statesman who should attempt to direct private people in what manner they ought to employ their capitals, would not only load himself with a most unnecessary attention, but assume an authority which could safely be trusted to no council and senate whatever, and which would nowhere be so dangerous as in the hands of a man who had folly and presumption enough to fancy himself fit to exercise it.

Here's a quote from de Jouvenel's book:

The more one considers the matter, the clearer it becomes that redistribution is in effect far less a redistribution of free income from the richer to the poorer, as we imagined, than a redistribution of power from the individual to the State.

Press One for English....Huh?

I've been looking for something that riduculed the "Press One for English" nincompoops.

American Tea Party Anthem by Lloyd Marcus

Great, of if you believe the Paint Valley Jamboree sign, Grate song!

I Love Music

I received a Tea Party Invitation and it had a link to this youtube video. I just love music!

Mark's Barbershop on Saturday Morning!

This is Mark Anderson, explaining the finer points of democracy and why the country is going to do so well with our new President and the wonderful Change he is bringing. Change like the increased tax on tobacco! If Mark only knew, the next thing on the Amazing One's agenda is to Socialize Barbering, right after Medicine!

This is the way to start your morning if you like starting with humor! If you prefer food, start at The Paxton Restaurant just down the street. The only problem Mark has is that on Saturday all the folks waiting for a haircut are waiting for his Dad, Dave. Notice that Mark's chair is empty. All the customers have waited until Saturday, when Dave joins Mark in cutting hair.

So, if you're in Bainbridge on a Saturday morning, and want a laugh or two, and maybe a haircut by a good Barber, stop by Mark's, and get a trim from Dave!

Jester Hill Grill

If you want a good sandwich on the weekend, take a drive up Jester Hill. My favorite is the ham and turkey club. It's delicious.

Bainbridge History by Nancy Baum

Here's a history of Bainbridge by a long-time resident of Bainbridge. Mrs. Baum was also a music teacher at Bainbridge Elementary (the old building). The history was published in 1994 with the Bainbridge Historical Society providing information, papers and pictures. The illustration on the front cover depicts the falls of Paint Creek, and was done by Dan Crusie.

Blog Update Schedule

As I get time and take pictures, I'll update this blog. Again if anyone in the area wants to help in this effort, just drop me a note.

First Dental School in the Country

First Post

This is the first post for this Blog. Take a look at what Wikipedia has to say about Bainbridge. If anyone else from the area would like to participate in maintaining this blog, drop me a line.