Random Thoughts & Occasional Musings
Today is one of those days where I have a lot of my mind, but not one thought that is dominate above all. This means that you’ll get to read a smattering of what is going on in my head instead of having me target one topic.
Pity you.
Let’s get started:
- I’m amazed that there a very few voices who are speaking out with passion against the pork-laden “stimulus” bill. I’m sure that they are out there, but they are not getting the air time needed. Nor do Americans seem to really care.
- George W. Bush must really be enjoying his life away from the White House. I sincerely wish him well.
- Why do the people who insist on getting their own way seem so very unhappy? Not that I want Pelosi or Reid to crack a smile….
- It will be a long, long time before people with money decide to risk it or invest it in ways that might court government scrutiny. The Bible doesn’t say that ”money is the root of all evil.” Rather it says, “…the love of money is the root of all evil.” I thank God when wise people invest in capital projects that offer a benefit far beyond what they reap for themselves.
- Crude oil is trading for less than $38/barrel, but I’ve noticed that gas prices have climbed by about thirty cents per gallon since bottoming out late last year. I wonder what that is all about. More importantly, I wonder what “crisis” will be manufactured come this Spring to drive prices skyward yet again.
- Our new president has quickly abandoned hope and has embraced catastrophe as his mantra. Just weeks ago he was comparing himself to Lincoln and Reagan, but he is now starting to make Jimmy Carter look pretty good. Imagine that!
- General Motors and Chrysler must submit plans to Congress by this Tuesday to let the federal government know how they plan to “make it” long term. Clearly, both companies have gotten in over their heads by going to the federal trough for relief. The more the feds get involved, the uglier this whole matter will be. Kudos to Ford for resisting the government dole.
- Angering our trade partners seems to be the recipe of fools. Kind of like grabbing a cat by the tail, pulling it hard and being surprised when she gives you a deep scratch.
- It has been said that life begins at 60, but it seems that insanity precedes that age by several years.
- The Book of Proverbs is an excellent resource for teaching us in the way that we should go, while the Book of Ecclesiastes shows us the vanity of those ways when God is left out of the equation.
- Never has a generation of people espoused to be so spiritual, while having absolutely no idea what God wants from them or what He has already done for them.
Thank you for reading my many and varied thoughts. A happy Valentine’s Day to all — may the love of God keep you at peace this weekend.
By Karen & Gerard Zemek, February 14, 2009 @ 5:35 am
These are tough times we are in and all Christians should be praying for our leaders and for God to change our hearts as a nation to return to obeying Him. Our President has tremendous responsibilities and huge decisions to make. So far, it’s not looking very good, but God is in control and that gives me hope.
Karen & Gerard Zemeks last blog post..Commenters Q&A Interaction Game: love
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 14, 2009 @ 5:39 am
Thank you, Karen. Much of what our country is going through is a reflection on our hearts. If we were pursuing God, we’d have leaders who were honest, looking out for our best interests and above all else seeking God’s direction as they lead.
We’re far from all that right now which means prayer is more essential than ever before.
By Daniel, February 14, 2009 @ 7:29 am
May this hardtime will go away soon for all of us.I am just wandering here in search of job.I never thought such economy can face such hardtime.I here on met someone on OySite.com talking about crisis and results.
I will pray to god for soon end of this hard time
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 14, 2009 @ 8:33 am
Daniel, I hope (and pray) that your job search is successful. It certainly can be discouraging when times are tough, but as you seek God, may He direct all of your ways.
By Lillie Ammann, February 14, 2009 @ 12:57 pm
Matt,
Thank God we have His love and peace. With everything that is going on now, I can’t imagine facing it all without God.
Lillie Ammanns last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 14, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
Lillie, we’re living in a time when life must be quite grim for those whose trust is in things that are perishing. I’m amazed how quickly things have declined over the past few years, but we’re not a nation that (collectively) seeks God in all that we do.
By Dominique, February 15, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
You wrote, “Kudos to Ford for resisting the government dole.” I recently read about another era where the car dealerships were being told what their prices must be by the government. During that time, Ford was the only one that said “no” even when it meant they didn’t get any federal contracts. Makes you think maybe we should support Ford after all is said and done.
Dominiques last blog post..A democrat who GETS it!
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 15, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Dominique, I would definitely consider Ford if I were in the market for a new car. Their quality levels are up, on the same level as Toyota and Honda, and they like their product line.
Taking federal money means one thing for companies: you are no beholden to the federal government and will effectively be told what you can sell and for how much. General Motors and Chrysler have gotten themselves in a mess with these loans.
By Frank Carr, February 15, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
On the oil vs. gas price thing, this is caused because crude oil and gasoline are two different commodities and traded on the futures contract market differently. Gasoline prices are determined by national and regional supply and demand and tend to be cyclical in nature and subject somewhat to the whims of nature. Crude oil is dependent on the production schedules of a few nations in a cartel and subject to international geo-political manuring, er, maneuvering.
I don’t think it will take Obama 3 years to make a malaise speech like it did Carter. He’s pretty much already done one. Google on Carter’s 1979 speech and you’ll see why people are calling him “Carter 2.0″ and “Welcome Back Carter”
Frank Carrs last blog post..Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T77 Review
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 16, 2009 @ 5:26 am
You are correct, Frank. Oil and gas prices don’t always go in the same direction as that depends on production of each.
Welcome back, Carter — I’ll have to remember that statement! I’ll have to dig around to see if I can find my old disco ball and designer pants ‘cuz it is Saturday Night Live and we’re living the good times again!
Change ‘ya can believe in….
By Santro, February 17, 2009 @ 2:46 am
I like proverbs because I usually use lot many in my conversation with others. So I would like to know about the book in detail as such. Thanks for sharing.
By tom, February 17, 2009 @ 5:22 pm
ive been looking for a job for about 6 months now and still… its not looking good.
By Matthew C. Keegan, February 18, 2009 @ 5:24 am
Hi Tom! That’s a long job search and I don’t have any simple answers to share with you. Redouble your efforts and contact everyone you know to let them know you are looking for work. Sometimes the family or friend contact can lead to a position, one that you might not hear about otherwise.