you gotta have the BALLS to change

Ours is a generation of world-changers. We have talked over coffee for hours covering the "what-ifs" and "how comes" of our schools, economy, politics, media, and countless other social injustices. We see the states and cities separated by income levels, the healthy from the sick, the fit from the fat, republicans from the democrats. MTV versus PBS. Sure, we are a generation of world-changers, a population craving something more. Visionaries. But how does this translate to our day-to-day activities? We shop organic, we turn off the TV sometimes. But how do ensure our good intentions live through and past our lives? The answer is simple. Those of us who wish this "screwed up world could change" must raise our children as if our own hopes are in fact reality. We are already climbing the fence, one side being raised on McDonald's and dessert, the other side being the reality of impending death. Sound harsh? We all know its true. As my broad introduction funnels into my main points, allow me to share some examples. When McDonald's is invited to the YMCA Healthy Kid's Day Fair - something is wrong. When children are raised thinking fried chicken parts and apples dipped in caramel sauce are a good meal - something is wrong. When a eight-year-old boy cannot run for 3 minutes without being out of breath - something is wrong. When Wal-mart advertises a "good life," but encourages its employees to use state welfare programs for health insurance - something IS WRONG. No wonder people are angry. No wonder people are sick. No wonder people are fat. Did somebody you know die early of a heart disease - ever wish they could have made it just one more year? Grandpa could have seen you get your degree, Mom could have been there for the birth of your first child. This is an invitation to true change, a desperate and sincere plea to the first generation of world-changers - raise your children to be intolerant. Teach them to not tolerate food that literally destroys their body, no matter how much more affordable it is. Teach them to not tolerate unethical businesses and to never shop there, no matter how much more affordable it is. Where did all this pollution start? Did we demand too much convenience, cheaper prices? Look at the price we have paid now. How many children do you see with pot bellies? NOT NORMAL. Average, yes. But not NORMAL. Teach your children that too much fried chicken makes the body sick and slow, teach them it is so sad that business would sell so much fried chicken to people. Make them gawk when some kid brings chips to school for a snack. Teach them that hydrogenated oils in their foods is unacceptable. Teach them high fructose corn syrup is not necessary. A majority of the foods marketed as healthy or a smart choice, contain at least one of these deadly culprits. Teach them to turn over the box and READ what is in their food - STOP the blind purchase of processed "food." Instill your hope for healthy food, honest programs, ethical business, LOVE. Teach your children all of your hopes for the future, whether they are similar to these or not. Teach them as if your hope is already a reality, and that not everybody knows it yet. Does this make us revolutionists? Yes - This is an invitation to change, and the truth is - you gotta have the balls to change.


Note from the author: If you made it through this post, first of all THANK YOU. Second, repost this if you think someone on your friends list may want or need a little extra encouragement on topics that feel uncontrollable. We may not be able to stop these business giants, but if we raise our children right, they have a hell of a chance. You may feel like you sound crazy at first, like a mad revolutionist. But you know what? I am. I am mad - and there must be a revolution.

say WHAT?

i don't know how dangerous it is to hyperventilate once a day every day for over a month, but i just may do it. damien m f rice is coming to t-town in mid september. hopefully the section for the weeping hysterical girls is roped off.

ok, so maybe i won't be that bad...

damien m f rice.

HEY YOU!

can YOU pass the idiot test?

sanguine

Word History: The similarity in form between sanguine, "cheerfully optimistic," and sanguinary, "bloodthirsty," may prompt one to wonder how they have come to have such different meanings. The explanation lies in medieval physiology with its notion of the four humors or bodily fluids (blood, bile, phlegm, and black bile). The relative proportions of these fluids was thought to determine a person's temperament. If blood was the predominant humor, one had a ruddy face and a disposition marked by courage, hope, and a readiness to fall in love. Such a temperament was called sanguine, the Middle English ancestor of our word sanguine. The source of the Middle English word was Old French sanguin, itself from Latin sanguineus. Both the Old French and Latin words meant "bloody," "blood-colored," Old French sanguin having the sense "sanguine in temperament" as well. Latin sanguineus was in turn derived from sanguis, "blood," just as English sanguinary is. The English adjective sanguine, first recorded in Middle English before 1350, continues to refer to the cheerfulness and optimism that accompanied a sanguine temperament but no longer has any direct reference to medieval physiology.

partial

"... As sure as the sun brings life - my love abounds,

and it's only desire is to exist within your world."

you may roll your eyes at me for posting this -

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?
October 2002

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,

Jim