Conspiracy Theories

I was chatting with a good friend the other day about conspiracy theories. Specifically the moon landings. Lately during midnight dog walks when the sky is clear I stare at the moon and wonder why we’ve never been back. Technology has certainly advanced tremendously in 30 years. Which naturally leads one to wonder if it ever happened right? Am I alone in this?

Do you think we ever actually landed on the moon?

How about these other famous conspiracy theories…

» The US government was behind 9/11
» JFK wasn’t shot by Lee Harvey Oswald
» Princess Diana was murdered
» Extraterrestrials are being hidden by our government
» Church’s fried chicken sterilizes black men
» Tupac, Biggie Smalls, and Elvis all live on an island somewhere

Filed under: 9/11, Conspiracy Theories, JFK, NASA, Space, Technology

Remember When?

Do you remember 9/11? The Tsunami in 2004? Katrina?

Do you ever look back and wonder if you could have done more during those times of need?

Today we have another opportunity.

Make the most of yours.

**UPDATE**
Thanks to Shane for doing the leg work on this one.

Every penny helps and no donation is too small:

» World Vision: Southern Asia Cyclone Relief

» Compassion International Disaster Relief Fund

» Samaritan’s Purse: Myanmar Relief

» Christian Aid: Burma Cyclone Appeal

From CNN.com:

One of the hardest-hit areas is Pyinzalu, a small town on the tip of the Irrawaddy delta, which has not fully recovered from the 2004 tsunami, according to World Vision health advisor Dr. Kyi Minn in Yangon.

Survivors from the delta villages described bodies along the road and floating in the rivers as they walked more than 100 kilometers to Yangon. That, Minn said, has had a significant mental impact on the survivors.

Yangon was pretty much back to normal, he said. Roads had been cleared of debris, and electricity and potable water were available.

World Vision, which has 500 aid workers in Myanmar, has provided aid in the country for more than 40 years. In a rare move, Myanmar’s junta specifically asked World Vision to help provide aid to cyclone survivors.

Filed under: 9/11, Burma, Cyclones, Death, Faith, Katrina, Life, Prayer, Service, Tragedy, Tsunami

!@#$R%

I’ve been monitoring this presidential race all year, and I swear tonight made me want to say bad words. We’re almost near the end of the primaries and still we are giving air time to the question of Obama’s flag pin missing from his lapel?

Besides Hillary standing right there next to him without one, and without either moderator wearing one themselves, and without the lady asking the question wearing one… the question itself is asinine.

For anyone making this “issue” something they will consider when voting, please don’t vote. How in the world does wearing a pin equal love of a country? Does the candidate wearing the most flare love America the most? Will God be looking for icthus stickers on our cars when the world ends?

And is anyone even interested in why he doesn’t wear one? Because he’s said why for years, and I whole-heartedly stand by his stance and reasoning (and for the record, I’ve never wore one in my life).

“You know, the truth is that right after 9/11, I had a pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq War, that became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security, I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest.

Instead, I’m going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great, and hopefully that will be a testimony to my patriotism.” —Barack Obama

Tell me you didn’t notice people trying to see who has the most flags and ribbons on their cars in the last 6 years. That means you love America more than me?

Please.

Filed under: 9/11, America, Barack Obama, Democrats, Flags, Flare, Hillary Clinton, Idiocy, Patriotism, Politics, Republicans

Movie Reviews

*This is the quickest I’ve ever watched 5 movies in my life.

Meet The Robinsons — Friday the fam sat down to watch this one together. I have to admit that I fell asleep for about a half-hour in the middle of this one. Not sure if it was because of the movie, or because I was beat. Regardless, it picked up steam once I woke up. It actually challenged me a bit because it was about adoption and that’s something that’s been on my heart in the last couple years. It might be time to take that leap of faith. Oh, it also featured a fun song by the Jonas Brothers, and a great song by Rob Thomas called Little Wonders. Gonna have to pick up that soundtrack… for Tanner of course.

Mission Impossible III — Later that evening I was refreshed from my mini nap and checked out the latest Ethan Hunt story. I really enjoyed this movie. I like most of Tom Cruise’s movies, and this is my favorite genre. Philip Seymour Hoffman was outstanding, and Simon Pegg was a great surpise in this movie. I’m a huge fan, and his character was hilarious. I can’t rate this one compared to the other two, because I really can’t remember them that well.

The Last Sin Eater — Saturday afternoon while Tonia took the dog to get a haircut and to shop for a bit, I popped this one in while I folded clothes. It took a good 15-20 minutes to get rolling in this movie, but in the end I really enjoyed it. It might have had a little to do with kids being the main characters, or with their cool accents, or with Elliott from E.T. (Henry Thomas) making an appearance. Whatever it was, I’m glad I watched this one. The story was very clever. So much better than Facing The Giants.

Return of the Jedi — Saturday night, after a going away party, a group of us gathered around to finish off the Star Wars saga. I honestly can’t remember watching this since it came out in theaters. I have to say, I sure don’t remember Leia wearing such a skimpy outfit. I guess I just wasn’t paying attention back then. But I sure did remember all of the cool new creatures. It was fun watching all of these movies all over again. I’ve been dying for the box set to come out. I wish Lucas would get off his butt and get that done already! Tanner has already said that he wants to be Yoda for Halloween next year. I’m stoked. I might have to get dressed up with him. I wonder what should I be.

Flight 93 — Sunday night Tonia and I sat down and watched this one. It’s weird watching a movie that you pretty much know what’s going to happen already. And it’s really weird watching a movie about September 11. But they really did a good job on this movie, and whoever made the call on not having established actors in this was genius. It wouldn’t have had the same effect otherwise. I know there are a million conspiracy theories out there concerning that day, and that flight in particular, but I like to think that these people acted quickly and selflessly to save the lives of others they never knew. True hero’s in every sense. Next on our que is World Trade Center, since we’re on the subject. Wonder how that will compare.

—-

Funny story about movies…

The other day Tonia and Tanner were at the library looking for a movie to watch, and Tanner picked one out. Tonia said he couldn’t watch it because it was PG-13, and he had to be 13 years old to watch it. He suggested they look for some good PG-4 movies then.

I love kids.

Filed under: 9/11, Culture, Jonas Brothers, Movies, Netflix, Reviews, Star Wars

The Anniversary

It was one of the first tragedies in my life where I can remember vividly where I was at the time it happened. I can recall the entire days events as if they were yesterday. I can also remember the one year anniversary. I wore a symbolic American flag tie, while two of my co-workers wore all black. That was a time of change for me. It was smack dab in the middle of some paradigm shifting, and today my entire perspective has changed. Today I would have wore all black as well. My focus now is more on the lost than on bucking up and showing my true American pride. And not only for those that suffered that fateful day, but also for those that continue to suffer as a result.

And now on the Sixth Anniversary, the man behind the whole thing has surfaced again.

There are two solutions to stopping it. One is from our side, and it is to escalate the fighting and killing against you. This is our duty, and our brothers are carrying it out.

The second solution is from your side. I invite you to embrace Islam. —Osama Bin Laden

Read More »

It appears Bin Laden is in fact alive, and still loathing all things American. I feel like I may have watched one too many movies, but I can’t help but wonder why we can’t eliminate this man. The entire world is resigned to the fact that he’s in Pakistan.

Filed under: 9/11, Hope, Mourning, Osama Bin Laden, War