disheartening political imagery

Everyone seems to be uploading random pictures to Facebook these days. Some are humorous. Some factual. Some absurd and/or angering.

This week, I found two that I had to mention. I hate getting into long, drawn-out Facebook battles with political extremists, but I had to make a comment somewhere, hence here.

First, the budget on the right is fascinating. It really is amazing what removing a few zeroes can do. It's impossible for a family to survive on such outlandish spending. I'm a firm believer in fiscal conservatism, meaning limited spending and spending within one's means. I find it amusing that the ones harping on this are Republicans who rarely realize just how much spending Reagan and George W. Bush spent. It's not simply the evil Obama. Now, I'm not one to simply quote a liberal economics blog (in fact, they can be annoying for me to read at times), but this one by Paul Krugman, a New York Times opinion contributor, was particularly relevant. Here, he briefly reminds us where we are indebted to, largely ourselves. While this is still not where anyone should want our government to be, it's less scary than it could be. While I don't support a balanced budget amendment just yet (I don't think our country could survive), I believe we need to do mass scaling back until we can live within our means. Just not all at once.

Second, this picture ANGERS me. My friends posting this are pandering to political extremism. Clinton clapping for the forgotten American? I'm not necessarily a Democrat, but aren't Democrats doing more for forgotten Americans than Republicans? Aren't Republicans arguing solely for corporations? Okay, I exaggerated there, but being a lifelong student of History, I see this as an extremely inaccurate representation. While I instantly loved seeing presidents together, I found it disheartening to see such division. This picture does correctly identify that division. However, it only increases the divide and further damages Republican and Democrat collaboration. It shows flawed and close-minded both parties are. This picture shows me a need for a third party, a party where one isn't forced to worship Obama or find him a Constitution-crushing dictator (which he is not). I really hope people stop giving credence to an artist pandering to reckless political extremism.

what i've been reading

It seems that all I blog about is what I read. It's because I almost feel as though I'm defined by what I read. It's informing me, shaping me, whether I like what I read or not. Beyond the many (often 3-5) books I read, I also read the news and am thankful for blogs. Blogs keep me informed of friends' missionary travels, world journeys and post-college life experience. Reading about the Gilbert Brothers, Tommy Poole, Jeff Andersen, Logan Villarreal, Michael Woodruff, etc. is always fulfilling.

Other blogs too reminded me of the Christmas spirit and my blessings.

Donald Miller reminded me of the miracle of Jesus coming as an infant and its spiritual ramifications...

Dave Cameron blogs about the Seattle Mariners and is one of the best baseball writers around. A few months ago, he announced that he has cancer. His Christmas blog informed readers that he just may be alright now (still awaiting final test results)... even if the Mariners aren't...

My good friend Carrie Cloke is living in a new home, and though it's different, her family and traditions are enough. My family has changed locations many times and with each change comes a change in tradition. That's hard but there's nothing like being "home" with family for the holidays...

Having Christmas Eve on the Sabbath was a blessing. I love any excuse to connect Christmas with Christianity. Christmas sermons, family discussions, reminders about what it's all about. Similarly, Ryan Billington wrote of the Sabbath and reminded me of my own childhood experience and why it is so important...

my pohnpei birthday

Technically, it's still November 1. But, in the islands, it's November 2, my birthday. My facebook profile is becoming inundated with birthday messages from my island friends. It really makes me miss my Pohnpei birthday four years ago (I can't believe it's been so long!). My friend Tim Van Arsdale's birthday was November 1 and so we did two parties, an evening potluck on Nov. 1 and a brunch at The Village on Nov. 2. The Village is an awesome hotel on the east side of Pohnpei with some of the only actually sandy beaches and their famous Banana Macadamia Nut Pancakes (so good...). Great memories.

I was on lunch supervision on my birthday. Several of my seventh-graders came and grabbed me and said there was a classroom emergency and grabbed me. So I was herded into the room to find a cake and the entire classroom. They'd made a cake for me!!! I was flabbergasted. So honored.

some of my crazy 7th graders...

This really makes me miss my island home. Walking to town in a deep sweat. Getting a hair cut from someone who couldn't speak English. Eating at Angie's, a horrible fast-food restaurant that took longer than sit-down restaurants. Explaining American History to non-Americans. Jumping off gorgeous waterfalls. Taking a skiff across the open ocean. Eating stir-fry. Having a rusty bench press on my front porch. Actually hanging out at American Embassy events. SM camaraderie. Having the best devotions of my life.

I'm glad I have a birthday tomorrow to remind me of my most special birthday yet... Pohnpei, how I miss you!