Am Beannachadh Bealltain (The Beltane Blessing)

(From http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/beltaneprayers/qt/Beannachadh.htm)

Bless, O threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, my children.
Bless everything within my dwelling and in my possession,
Bless the kine and crops, the flocks and corn,
From Samhain Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.

Be the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Be the Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protecting me in truth and honor.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing every thing and every one,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all, I ask for your blessings on this day of fire.

----------------

Merry Beltain to All.

Knee-Jerk Stupidity

Why is it that so many people just react when they see something that they assume will be in conflict with their beliefs?

All reason seems to fly out of the window in favor of defensive posturing and canned fury.

People are so quick to take up the banner of their rhetoric that they don't even pay attention to that against which they believe they are railing...

Wouldn't the world be so much more productive if people stopped and paid attention before leaping into hysterics?

Blogger for Android!

I just found out that they released an official Blogger app for Android so I just had to give it a whirl.

So far, so good. Maybe this will inspire me to blog more often... Doubtful... LOL

At least I have a nice way to do it from my Android device now though. :)

Grant's Goals for 2011

As it is that New Year's Eve, 2010 has come to pass it must now be 2011 and with the changing of the year many folks feel the need to make resolutions. However, the sad reality of New Year's resolutions, as many know, is that well over 50% of them never come to fruition.

New Year, New You? Nice Try - The New York Times, Dec. 31, 2009

The article linked above talks about the dire success rates of New Year's resolutions but it also talks about some new methods for achieving success. I won't go into them here but I strongly urge everyone to give the article a read.

My purpose for writing this blog post is to use one of the methods mentioned in the article "don't do it alone." I figure that if I put my goals out here for all to see then they're here and they're official and everyone who bothers to read my occasional blog posts is now 'involved' with me reaching my goals.

So, without further delay, here are Grant's Goals for 2011:

1. WEIGHT LOSS - I keep coming back to this one year after year but I'm getting older and it's only going to get harder the longer I put it off. My weight is effecting my quality of life and I'm just plain tired of it. So, my first goal is to lose at least 1 lb a week and, hopefully 2 lbs. If I can do 2 lbs a week, I'll have lost over 100 lbs in the course of the year.
   
2. TIME MANAGEMENT - I always feel like I never have enough time to do everything I want and need to do on any given day but when I sit down and analyze things I see how much time I waste through procrastination and poor time utilization so my second goal is, simply, to start using my time more wisely so that I can be more productive at work and at home and so that I can enjoy wasting time when I have it to waste.
3. MONEY MANAGEMENT - This one ties in with the first two because I spend far too much money on eating out which makes losing weight all that much harder and I make less money then I could be because I'm not utilizing my time effectively which means I don't get as much freelance work done as I could. So in 2011, I'm going to stop wasting money at restaurants and start pushing for more freelance work in the hopes that I can finally get my finances in some semblance of order.
4. IMPROVE HOME LIFE - The last goal on my list here ties in with the first three because the better I feel about myself, the better equipped I am to be a better person for my girls and the more time and money I have, the more of them I can spend with the girls being a family. I started working on this one seriously several years ago and within the last month I've been working very hard at being a better parent so I feel like I've already got a good head start on this one.

So there you have them; Grant's Goals for 2011. Now they are official and I have a nice, logical list to which I can refer.

Here's to a happy and prosperous 2011!

From Where Do All of These People Come?

So last night, once again, what I thought was a logical discussion degenerated into a shouting match from the other side. I don't know if I just attract these folks or what but I am beyond tired of the BS. So read on to see the conversation unfold... Note that I feel that O--- J- H------- did a wonderful job of keeping things civil in the midst of the madness and I appreciate that.

Grant Smith: Stand up and speak out against bigotry and intolerance!!!

J--- O------: I will say this, I'm all for religious freedom. For everyone. That's one of the things that makes this country great! However, to put a mosque that close to ground zero...c'mon dude. They're just doing that to start crap. Well...it would seem like it worked. Because of a group of idiots, the whole religion is suffering. Hmph...sounds a bit like Christians. Because of a group of idiot Christians, we're all painted as hypocrites.

J--- O------: But I will say that was a VERY good article. I especially like what the Reverend Michael Kinnamon said. It does make sense to me. Thank you Grant.

A----- P----- O------: I say let them build it and let God sort it out. Burning the Quran isn't going to help anything, it's just creating more of a problem. I know it sounds lame, but seriously...what would Jesus do in this situation? He wouldn't approach it with hate and protest.

O--- J- H-------: I'm in agreement with J--- on this one....yea, they have the right to build a mosque, but it is clearly provocative and arrogant. I just think it is insensitive to the victims of 9/11, and out of respect for them they should move their mosque. It'd be like building a US aviation museum in Hiroshima after nuking it. They have every right to build it, but it doesn't help in mending already-strained relations between the muslim and non muslim world....I think that this was the perfect opportunity for the muslims to offer to move the mosque out of respect for the families of 9/11. It would have been a kind gesture that would have helped relations tremendously. Instead, this small group demands sensitivity from everyone else while showing no sensitivity to the victims, and that makes the angry crowd even more intolerant towards the larger Muslim population. It's no excuse for intolerance or bigotry, but its clearly not helping matters.

Grant Smith: A) It isn't a mosque, it's a cultural center that is slated to include a mosque. B) It's not at ground zero, it is blocks away. There is an existing mosque that is closer to ground zero that no one has said a thing about. C) If it was a Christian center, how would you react?

A----- P----- O------: I response to C), Christian terrorists didn't destroy thousands of lives on 9/11. Naturally, it wouldn't bother me in the least bit. This center/mosque is in poor taste, but if it is meant to be...it will be. I hope they are expecting all the negativity that is going to come their way though.

Grant Smith: A-----, Christian terrorists have destroyed many more lives over the course of the religion's history yet Christian churches exist everywhere.

Just because some morons CLAIMING to be Muslim committed a horrible act in the name of God doesn't mean that every Muslim should be punished.

J--- O------: And herein lies the problem. My wife is right, it WASN'T Christians who did this. It was Muslims. Plain and simple. There's no, what if. There's no, but what if it was. It just is. It IS in poor taste. My guess is the current mosque that's already there isn't being insensitive and flaunting and drawing unneeded attention to themselves. This group is. And that is where THEIR problem is.

Grant Smith: This group IS NOT. The attention was heaped upon them, they didn't ask for it.

See above.

A----- P----- O------: And there are no Christian terrorists. If they destroy lives, they aren't true Christians, no matter what label they put on themselves. I never said any Muslim should be punished. One of our very good friends is a Muslim and I love him like a brother. He's one of the best people anyone could meet.

J--- O------: You're right Grant. Every muslim shouldn't be punished. But...when a radical group of "christians" in Arizona threaten to kill our President, ALL Christians are blamed. When a radical group of "christians" in California protest military funerals, ALL Christians get looked at differently. Is it fair? No. Is it fair to the Muslims? No. But...welcome to America. If people are just now figuring THIS problem out, which seems to be the case here, then this nation is F%$KED!!!

Grant Smith: So the Christians that invaded the Holy Lands over and over again weren't Christian? The Inquisition and Spanish Inquisition that tortured and killed untold numbers of people in the middle ages for heresy weren't Christian?

If you take that stance, I would say you need to give the same courtesy to Islam as their's is also a peaceful religion...

Grant Smith: J---, just because bigotry exists doesn't make it right. That's not a justification.

A----- P----- O------: Again, I'm not blaming any religion for anything. It's all on the individual. And knowing what the Bible says, a Christian would not perform any act of terrorism. No harmful act is done in the name of Christ because HE wouldn't stand for that.

Believing and doing should go hand in hand. If more people understood that preaching the message isn't solely done with words, but also with actions...there would be a lot less confusion and hatred towards religion.

Grant Smith: Then, A-----, why are you differentiating between the building of an Islamic center versus the building of a Christian center?

J--- O------: Grant, at what point did I say it was right? Oh that's right...NEVER! Dude, I think it's time to get off this little soap box you've so righteously placed yourself upon and THINK! While you're trying to be sensitive toward the Muslims, and it's noble, I assure you, you are smacking the faces of every single victim and their families with your stance of "Tolerance". By your stance, and opinion, you have managed to show more respect toward a foreign group of people, than you have people who were born and raised right in this very land that gave you a home as well. Remember dude, it's the AMERICAN soldier that is allowing you to defend terrorists. It sure as heck isn't the islamic soldier. I'm an American, and I'm PROUD of it! And if you can't respect THAT from EVERYONE...then you're not nearly as "tolerant" as you are trying to make everyone believe you are. I'm just sayin'...

A----- P----- O------: I said to let them build it. I just think that they know what they are doing and that it is in poor taste. Any negativity directed towards them should be expected. Not right, but expected. Really, out of all the places they could build...why this location? Because all attention will fall on them. It's what they want and you'd have to be blind to not realize that.

Grant Smith: I'm sorry, J---, but you're wrong. I'm not defending terrorists and it appears to me that you are implying once again that all Muslims are terrorists because that is who I'm defending.

In fact, I'm defending ALL religions, including yours, because that's what tolerance is all about.

YOU, my friend, are the one slapping faces here. The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" The American Soldier is out protecting that right for Chritians, Muslims, Hindus, Neo-Pagans and every other religion and people that imply that all practitioners of a given religion are terrorists are the ones being un-American.

By the way, there are plenty of Muslims in the military alongside the Christians, the Wiccans and even the Buddhists.

Grant Smith: Actually, A-----, they picked that location to help the community heal. Unfortunately, the country would rather scream in protest against that healing then actually look past the actions of a few morons to see the beauty of a peaceful religion.

J--- O------: Um...I'm confused. At what point did I ever say all muslims were terrorists? Again...NEVER! I ask that you please refrain from putting words in my mouth. Seriously dude...You're not defending Christians. I've never seen you defend Christians. If anything, you vilify us. I don't know what the intentions of this muslim group is with their mosque. But I DO know that it is in TERRIBLE taste. And if you can't see that, he of massive tolerance, then you're more blind that I originally thought.

J--- O------: And by the way, you just blasted Christians for something that happened thousands of years ago. How is THAT defending Christians?

J--- O------: And that WASN'T Christians. It was catholics. They don't count. HAHAHAHA!!!

A----- P----- O------: Just like pedophiles shouldn't be within a certain distance of schools due to the potential "threat", an establishment as such within the radius of Ground Zero is in poor taste. Screw congress and laws at this point. It's about morals and respect. If the people wanting this built had tolerance, they would realize that this is not morally right. POOR TASTE.

Grant Smith: J---. From your own mouth: " Remember dude, it's the AMERICAN soldier that is allowing you to defend terrorists."

I'm defending Muslims, you say I'm defending terrorists. Do the math.

A----- P----- O------: Riiight...I really believe that they are trying to heal the community. Please! That's such a load of crap. After the uproar that has been caused, they should realize that they are doing more harm than good and choose to move on.

J--- O------: Oh crap...LoL! Sorry...How exactly do you know that they aren't part of the "terrorists"? Could it be that they are? Sure. That is why I believe America is upset with this. It's the HUGE potential.

Grant Smith: A-----, there's no potential threat involved in a cultural center.

Grant Smith: So there you go, J---. You've just shown your colors. You've called out Muslims and Catholics this evening, who's next?

Grant Smith: And by the way, the Catholics were one of the FIRST organized Christian groups out there.

J--- O------: Dude! WTF?!?! Get off your HIGH HORSE! You are NOT better than me, yet you keep acting like it. In fact, all you're proving yourself to be is a stubborn, narrow minded idiot who REFUSES to listen to any sort of opinion whatsoever. "OH,... I'm Grant. I'm right, you're wrong! MY opinion matters more." SERIOUSLY?!?! I said the catholic thing as a joke. Notice the "HAHAHA" after what I said? OBVIOUSLY NOT! I'm done dealing with you. It's apparent no one can talk ANY sense into you. All I know is, the "Cultural Center" is in BAD FRIKIN' TASTE! If you can't see that, then I implore you to join them. See just how "peaceful" they truly are!

A----- P----- O------: Notice I put "threat" in quotes? No? Well I did. Meaning that there isn't necessarily a threat at all, but morality comes into play here. Right vs. Wrong. Like I've said all along...let them build it! I really don't care because I didn't personally lose a loved one during 9/11. What I think won't make one bit of difference anyway. I put the whole travesty in God's hands.

Grant Smith: I'm not the narrow-minded one here. I'm not the one claiming that Islam is out to destroy America because of the actions of a few delusional morons.

Just because Timothy McVeigh bombed the Oklahoma City Federal Building doesn't mean everyone that claims to be Christian is a terrorist. Do you think it would be in BAD FRIKIN' TASTE! for them to build a Christian center near that location?

Everyone wants to jump down these people's throats when they've done NOTHING wrong. Damn right I'll defend them the same way I stand up for ANY oppressed group. I'm tired of ignorance, stupidity and bigotry making my life and the lives of those I care about hell and it's gone on for thousands of years. Humanity needs to WAKE UP and it starts with everyone taking a stance like mine.

Grant Smith: A-----, so do the Muslims. The problem is that you say it's in bad taste but that you say a Christian center would be perfectly fine. That's where I have a problem. You're differentiating based upon religion. Hopefully God will open your eyes and you'll see the point I've been trying to make. I'm not trying to be an ass, I'm just trying to point out that this whole thing is being driven by fear, ignorance and bigotry on the part of groups that don't necessarily understand Islam or, far worse, groups that don't WANT to understand and would rather just brand everyone as a terrorist based on his religious affiliation.

A----- P----- O------: Any oppressed group? Even if what they are doing is wrong? Wow! That's just what humanity needs. How about defending that cop that killed the motorcyclist? His posse decided to stand up for him without a thought of what the family of the deceased may be feeling. Hurry, I hear they could use some support too b/c they are giving Indy police a bad name. **note, that is laced with sarcasm**

J--- O------: How are you tolerant? Because you're all about a FOREIGN group and their "rights"? They're NOT American. They aren't protected by OUR Constitution. You defend YOUR stance, and I will DIE for mine. You are tolerant of EVERYTHING except ...for Christians. Period. You have slandered ALL Christians in this thread, and in others. Oh and by the way, McVeigh was only said to be a "christian" by...drum roll please...MUSLIMS AND ATHEISTS! HAHAHA!!! Figures huh? Two groups who have nothing better to do than to try to destroy the love and joy of Jesus. You can say all you want that he was a Christian. But...sadly, he wasn't. TRUE Christians aren't like that. TRUE Christians offer peace, love, and hope. He did NONE of those. And NO, you will NOT stand up for ANY oppressed group. What the heck do you think Christians are? Christians aren't repressed? Think about it dude. YES, they are! Almost EVERY right a Christian has has been yanked out from under them. We can't pray in school (not even privately), we can't gather in "groups". You have a very skewed world view. And I feel sorry for you when that world view finally comes into focus.

A----- P----- O------: And I see your point, I just don't agree with it. I have a right to disagree. Just like you're trying to make a point....so am I. Again, I have nothing against Muslims. I just think the building site is a mistake.

Grant Smith: So, once again, we're back to claiming that the building of a religious center is wrong because a few morons claiming that religion committed an atrocity nearby.

In that case, there are plenty of religious centers around the world from plenty of religions that need to be removed to avoid offending people. Let us start with every Catholic church in Ireland where the Celts used to practice pre-Christian Paganism until mass conversion forced everyone to follow the Holy Roman Church or die.

That's obviously not the way it works, is it?

J--- O------: Say...I believe it is 2010. Not...however long ago it was. And again, "Christians" didn't do that. Catholics did. I love how every wrong thing the Catholic Church does falls into the lap of ALL Christians. I'm NOT Catholic. Nor will I ever be. You trying to blame Christians today for the travesties of yesteryear is like my African-American BROTHER (who happens to be Muslim) blaming YOU for his ancestors being slaves. It's just ignorant!

A----- P----- O------: There's a lot of wrong in the world. The people protesting THIS PARTICULAR BUILDING are choosing to take a stance (just like you are). Why is it wrong of them, but right for you? Just because history has examples of people not getting their way doesn't mean it should continue.

Isn't this what you're whole point is about? Standing up for what you believe in? Both parties are doing just that and the three of us going back and forth on FB isn't going to change on damn thing on the outcome. Sit back and see where this goes. In the meantime, I'll be praying about a peaceful resolution that benefits everyone.

A----- P----- O------: *one (sorry)

J--- O------: It's wrong Amanda because it's not Grant's stance. Plain and simple. It's not the stance he wants them to take. Thus, it's the wrong stance.

Grant Smith: I have ONLY 'slandered' (it's actually libel because it is written) Christians in this discussion to point out how others across the country are slandering and printing libel against Muslims.

I don't know what country you live in but there are MILLIONS of American Muslims, both naturalized and natural born in this country and they are JUST as American as you and me.

Regardless of who said McVeigh was or was not a Christian, the point still stands and he is only one of MANY examples. Another would be the man who recently walked into a CHURCH and SHOT a doctor DEAD for performing abortions. I believe that was in Kansas. The point is that ANY group can have minorities that do NOT represent the whole and to classify the whole group based on that minority is BIGOTRY.

By the way, YOU CAN PRAY IN SCHOOL PRIVATELY. However, I don't want to have to say Christian prayers in school because I'm not Christian so damn right that school-mandated prayer needed to go away. The First Amendment requires separation of church and state to protect ALL of our religions, not just Christianity. And the same goes for gathering in groups too.

Grant Smith: Yes, J---. Let us just call all Muslims terrorists and feel better about hating them for their beliefs. Sorry, I call FOUL.

Grant Smith: Yes, A-----. We should all stand up for what we believe! However, our beliefs should NOT be based on fear, ignorance or stupidity. That's when problems occur.

I think your idea of prayer is a great one.

J--- O------: Again, it's wrong of me to not like this thing being built because it's not your opinion. I am my own person, and I have a right to feel how I feel. Just as you do. If they aren't terrorists, and they're as "peaceful" as you claim them to be, even though you don't know them, then they would move to a different location and show the love and "peace" that you're claiming they have. I don't like the building. I don't care for the building. I do not think that the building should be built. Point made? I hope so. I have MY stance. Whether you think it intolerant or not is completely moot. I will pray, and have been praying that no matter what happens, it happens peacefully. That it happens without another life being needlessly taken. That it happens so that ALL can come to a mutual agreement. THAT is my stance. Peace dude. Peace. For a pagan, you don't have much of it being as how intolerant of mine and my wife's opinions you have demonstrated.

Grant Smith: You definitely have a right to feel how you feel. However, I won't stand by and let people use religion or fear to justify irrational feelings.

I am intolerant only of ignorance, stupidity and bigotry.

O--- J- H-------: I find the people who hate muslims because they think the religion is evil are ignorant and bigoted. However, the 9/11 families and victims have a right to feel angry whether it is rational or irrational...they are the true victims here...not the ones trying to build the mosque...which is why I feel they should back off and move the mosque elsewhere as it is causing such a stir, valid or not. Even the mayor tried to talk them into moving and they refused to back down.

O--- J- H-------: just a little more sensitivity on all sides and this problem goes away!

Grant Smith: O---, I appreciate your comment. However, I do not agree that the vicitims of the 9/11 attacks have a right to hate Muslims. They have a right to hate Muslim extremists, religious extremists and extremists in general but Islam did nothing to them.

As far as the cultural center goes, I don't feel that it is disrespectful. As I stated, it isn't as if they want to build a minuetted mosque on the site with a 'WE WON' flag which is how this is being framed. It's a cultural center that is blocks away.

Grant Smith: By the way, thank you for the thoughtful comments.

J--- O------: Ugh...

J--- O------: Grant...I really do respect you, and your opinions. However, I think that this time you're not part of the solution. I think that you might be part of the problem. You're no better than the idiots who are protesting this thing being built. Just my opinion. I am now...finished.

J--- O------: You're just on the opposite side of the fight. No better. Just different.

Grant Smith: You're entitled to your opinion but, apparently, we agree since you just said that those who are protesting it being built are idiots.

However, you're the one that just posted a scripture whereby Christ told us to love one another and that is all I am doing here. I'm loving everyone regardless of whether he is Muslim or Christian or any other religion. I don't see how that is part of the problem.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." - John 13:34

I like that scripture.

Grant Smith: Also, I think intolerant and bigoted are more accurate than idiot.

J--- O------: You're not loving those who don't want this thing built. You just see it as "OK".

Grant Smith: I love them fine. I don't love their ignorance, stupidity and bigotry. I've stated this several times.

J--- O------: It's easy to love those who have the same views and beliefs that we have. However, it proves true love when you can love them even through your differences.

Grant Smith: Indeed. And I show my love through education.

J--- O------: You call it education, I call it being just as ignorant, intolerant, and stupid as those you're trying to "educate". If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. - Luke 6:32

Grant Smith: If I only loved 'those who love me' then I wouldn't be fighting for people I've never met.

O--- J- H-------: I wasn't trying to insinuate that they have a right to hate Muslims....I was just saying that a lot of hurt was caused and people respond to grief differently. I'm against the death penalty, but if someone harmed someone very close to me, I... might feel differently out of anger. You might be blessed with the ability to never hate even when harm is done to you, but the natural response is to be angry and sometimes that anger is taken out on people that do not deserve it. It doesn't solve anything, nor is it right, but with such a huge tragedy, I can't imagine how hard it is to control the anger. This is why I feel that nothing should be done to instigate the victims and tolerance should focus on them until time heals their wounds a bit better.

I think most of the 9/11 families are mainly outraged at the thought of the extremists celebrating overseas, claiming the mosque as a victory, even though that is far from the purpose of this mosque. Most probably do not hate Muslims, but when they see that this group is not backing down over their concerns, it causes more anger and negative feelings about the religion. There are even muslims that see the problem that this is causing. Look at Raheel Raza's (from the Muslim Canadian Congress Board) plea to the mosque builders to stop the confrontational behavior...

I don't want to see any anti-muslim/anti-christian sentiments anywhere in the world, and I feel that the mosque situation is pouring salt on old wounds even though that wasn't the intention. A lot more wounds would heal if they would just move the thing instead of arrogantly putting their foot down. That's my 2 cents!

Grant Smith: I would be outraged by the extremists' celebrations as well but I would not punish good people here for the sins of others.

So there it is, another night spent fighting the good fight. It's a waste of time most of the time but at least I feel like I tried...

Wow... Just... Wow...

Check out the insanity here, folks:

-----------------------------------------------

C-------- D--------

“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”~ Barack Obama, in his book Audacity of Hope... who is Obama really for?

V---- T-----

good question!

Grant Smith

From http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/ownwords.asp

This statement is a rewording of a passage from page 261 of The Audacity of Hope, in which Barack Obama spoke of the importance of not allowing inflamed public opinion to result in innocent members of immigrant groups being stripped of their rights, denied their due as American citizens, or placed into confinement, as was done with Japanese-Americans during World War II. The original contains no specific mention of "Muslims":

"In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly: they need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

It looks to me as if he is with the American people whether they are native born or naturalized.

V---- T-----

Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen or national of that country when he or she was born.

Taxes are increasing, we can't afford to have ILLEGAL immigrants here paying nothing and not do anything about it.

So if Obama plans to stand with someone who is breaking the law then that is just one more reason why Obama's a bad president.

Thanks for pointing that out to me(:!!

Grant Smith

V----, what are you talking about??

Naturalization is the LEGAL process of obtaining citizenship. There's nothing illegal about it. Illegal immigration is the OPPOSITE of naturalization.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD

V---- T-----

Oh, well you got me on that one. i wasn't reading it right. thanks for correcting me.

But i still don't agree with any of it.

http://righttruth.typepad.com/right_truth/2008/02/i-will-stand-wi.html

Grant Smith

V----. go to the library and check out a book by Mr. Obama titled 'Audacity of Hope'. Turn to page 261 and read it for yourself if you think Snopes is lying.

There's nothing to NOT believe, here. It's all in print. The only thing NOT to believe is the silly fear-mongering occurring on sites such as that which you just linked.

By the way, you DID see that even your fear-mongering site posted a correction to the quotation. At least they did THAT right...

V---- T-----

Grant, what a wonderful idea. i will get right on that.

What is in printing? That Obama is a bad president? He has lied repeatedly to our nation and we just want it happen.

And as for fear-mongering, it's better to be prepared for the worst then to be unprepared.

Grant Smith

It is not 'better' to spread lies and misinformation. C-------- posted a great Snopes article dispelling many lies earlier today. You 'Liked' it so I figured you read it... http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/50lies.asp

What's in print is the book you say you don't believe in.

You're entitled to your opinions but you should not base those opinions on lies and misinformation spread only to cause fear and win back lost votes.

V---- T-----

you are right about one thing, i am entitled to my opinion. but what i believe is not lies. what you believe is just a fabrication of what is really happening! you have no clues how much i wish you could open your eyes and see that what i believe is not lies.

yeah i read the Snopes article. i thought it was dead on. Obama is lying to Americans and some of us, like you my friend, are blinded by those lies. i feel for you i really do.

Grant Smith

The Snopes article DISPELLED the 'lies'. Almost all of them were confirmed to be fabrications. Obama's not the liar, the people who propagate those lies are.

I'm starting to think you're not much on reading.

My eyes are quite open. You should open yours in kind.

V---- T-----

I read plenty. and i really just don't understand where you think you come from telling me to open my eyes.

Obama is a liar. how can you not see this. he has done nothing but lie. and his latest lie, the tax increase.

Grant Smith

So it is OK for you to tell me to open my eyes but not OK for me to tell you the same? I said you should open your eyes because your reading comprehension seems to be pretty lacking from our conversation and I attributed it to not paying proper attention.

The article, once again, pointed to the fact that the 'lies' pointed out by the original emailer were, themselves, truths and that the emailer was, in fact, the liar.

And, as I've pointed out, Obama did not raise taxes, he let tax cuts that were due to expire do so. His only mistake was making an overly broad statement that is now being used as ammunition by his critics to fear-monger and garner votes.

V---- T-----

well hears the deal. i believe what i believe. nothing you say is going to change it. i just think that you need to rethink Obama.

He is changing the country alright. and not for the good.

Grant Smith

Your opinion, not mine.

And regardless of your opinion, everything I've said here is still fact. You can't argue against fact.

I'm only pointing out that you're scared of falsehoods perpetrated by conservatives for political ends and that your fears are baseless. However, I can only lead a horse to water, I can't make her drink...

By the way, it's "here's".

V---- T-----

i am done talking to you Grant. (thanks on the correction though, misspelled word)

and there is nothing wrong with the Conserative views. you may think you are saying the facts. but all you are doing is repeating Obama's lies.

i've heard them, don't make me do it again please.

Grant Smith

I haven't repeated any of Obama's words here.

I've pointed out that C-------- misquoted a book. You wanted to argue with me over that and I've been correcting your ignorance ever since.

1. Naturalization is LEGAL
2. Obama said he would stand with American citizens not 'Muslims'.
3. The Snopes article regarding "Obama's 50 Lies" shows that almost all of those "lies" were actually quite true.
4. You're forming opinions based on falsehoods which have been PROVEN to be falsehoods in the course of this discussion.

So, like I said... I've done my part... I've provided the knowledge... However, if you don't want to accept it, that's just stubborn stupidity. It's like denying that water is wet. Have a good evening living in fear.

V---- T-----

okay here's the thing, don't call me ignorant or stubborn!

i said i am done. don't bring me into it personally, say what i say is a lie all you want. but DO NOT call me names.

Grant Smith

‎

1. Ignorance is "a lack of knowledge" which you have clearly shown. It was not an insult or name-calling, just a statement of fact.
2. Stupidity is "a lack of understanding". Again, merely a statement of fact because you have proven through this discussion that you do not understand the topics about which you keep arguing.
3. Stubborn is "refusing to move or change one's opinion". Once again, this is merely an observation made throughout the course of this discussion. In fact, you said as much yourself when you said "i believe what i believe. nothing you say is going to change it".

I did not call you any names nor did I state anything that was out of line with what has been shown to be true here in this discussion.

Also, "I'm done" generally means that you're done and yet you keep posting.

I'm done.

C-------- D--------

Grant, you're comments are laughable.. once again! Thanks :)

-----------------------------------------------

MY comments are laughable? Wow...

So, then.... I think I just lost IQ points here. I really need to stop wasting my time but it is against my nature to turn away from the opportunity to dispel ignorance and even more so to tolerate stupidity.

Combative? You decide...

So... Anyone who has known me for more than a couple of days knows that when I believe I am right I will stand up for that belief and I can be quite passionate.

People who know me also know that I am not Christian.

The following conversation took place on Facebook when I decided to point out Christ's teachings against violence to some Christians who seemed to think violence was OK.

The back story to where the conversation turns is that I had tried to educate someone on the simple fact that Linux had been created prior to the inception of Mac OS X.

Read and decide who is combative here...

[J--- O------] I try so hard to be a good person, and do what God wants me to do. But sometimes, there are just some people that need SLAPPED! I want to be good. I really do. But slapping those people would make me feel SOOOOOO good! :-P

[B---- S----] A lot of people DO NEED to be slapped. Whether it feels good to do it or not.

[J--- B------] Sometimes you have to do what you have to do. If you do it all you have to do is ask for forgiveness.

[B---- S----] Sometimes it isn't a sin though. Depends on the situation.

[A----- H--- M----] NO SLAPPING, J---!!!!

[Grant Smith] “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth...” (Matthew 5:5), “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (5:9), “You have heard that it was said by them of old time: You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (5:21-22). “You have heard that it had been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you, that you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also” (5:38), and “You have heard that it had been said: You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44), and he commanded his disciples saying: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (10:16)

[J--- O------] Wow Grant. I was just playin' around...I think everyone seen that. Just because I don't like someone doesn't mean I'm going to slap them. Just my way of releasing pent up frustrations.

[A----- H--- M----] I know what you meant J---. You can slap ME, how's that?

[M--- M----] IM not gonna comment, I now refrain.

[Grant Smith] That was more in response to the responses than to you. Anyway, I like the verses. :)

[M--- M----] NVM, question for Grant, since your belief is not Christian, do you read the gospel for combative reasons or are you a new believer?

[Grant Smith] Neither.

[Grant Smith] I have read and continue to read texts from many faiths in order to better educate myself about the people with which I live on this wonderful planet. My library includes many versions of the bible, the qu'ran and many books on ancient and modern Paganism. I have always enjoyed studying religion.

[M--- M----] I was asking out of my own curiosity, as you are a very combative individual when it comes to being right or proper.

[Grant Smith] I'm stand up for what I believe and I generally don't tolerate ignorance or bigotry. Aside from that, I'm not at all combative. :)

[M--- M----] Ok Grant. your right im wrong...

[Grant Smith] Right... Oh, and 'I stand', not 'I'm'... LOL

[M--- M----] well Mac was developed in 1984 and linux was developed in 1991, I guess thats not combative or ignorant is it? but its all good Grant.

[Grant Smith] I don't know why you're bringing that up again but "The first version released was Mac OS X Server 1.0 in 1999, and a desktop-oriented version, Mac OS X v10.0 "Cheetah" followed on March 24, 2001." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_OS_X).

While Apple is much older than Linux, Linux is older than Mac OS X. Mac OS prior to Mac OS X was not UNIX-based...

With that being said, I think we've seen who is being combative. Especially since the topic of this discussion has nothing to do with computers and you are the one tat came at me regarding my quoting of the bible in the first place.

I'm done with both topics at this point. :)

[M--- M----] K, night Grant

[M--- M----] btw, wiki, anyone can edit this, not such a great source....

[M------ J---- P-------] I was just gonna say it's okay to "want" to slap someone as long as you don't do it..but the conversation has changed..soooo...go microsoft...lol

So... Am I the only one that felt that he who called me out for being combative was the only one being combative here? Or was I being unintentionally combative? On-topic comments are welcome.