Dan Jenkins, not the sports writer!

States challenge nat'l driver's license

2007-02-04T18:45:00.000-05:00

States challenge nat'l driver's license

This isn't a good idea. I'm already convinced that the required Homeland Security measures required for getting a license in a new State are an invasion of privacy, harrassment of law-abiding citizens, and useless for policing illegal ALIENS! (They aren't immigrants, they are illegal ALIENS. See my earlier post on the baloney required now to get a driver's license in a new state, and then what happened to my wife's granddaughter .. the car she was riding on was hit by a vehicle driven by an unlicensed and uninsured illegal ALIEN! Lot of good the Homeland BS department, eh?

Just say "NO" to Big Brother .. no more invasion of privacy in the name of the unPatriot Act.

Flu shot and tetanus booster

2007-01-29T06:49:00.000-05:00

Saturday I received a tetanus booster in one shoulder and the flu shot in the other. About 7:30 in the evening I was so sleepy I had to go to bed and slept all night. I napped Sunday afternoon and went to bed a bit earlier than usual Sunday night. I forgot how much these shots can affect a person. My left shoulder is swollen and sore from the tetanus booster.

What is Important in Life?

2007-01-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

Leigh Hunt's poem:

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the presence in the room he said,
‘What writest thou?’—The vision rais’d its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answer’d, ‘The names of those who love the Lord.’
‘And is mine one?’ said Abou. ‘Nay, not so,’
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still; and said, ‘I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men.’
The angel wrote, and vanish’d. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And show’d the names whom love of God had blest,
And lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest.

The prophet Micah wrote this:
What is good, O mortal, and what does the Lord God require of thee? But to DO justice, to LOVE mercy, and to walk humbly before your Creator!

Bless and Curse Not

2007-01-21T07:53:00.000-05:00

This command by Jesus - bless and curse not, restated by Paul in Romans 12.14 - is amazing, difficult, simplistic and impossible!

There are those who are Christians who teach that our words have creative power. Therefore, for those who believe this, if you speak only positive things, your life will be filled with positive things; and, if you speak curses, your life will be filled with curses.

Interesting, but I know more than one person who constantly talks about having cancer, fearing flying, yaddah, yaddah, yaddah .. yet, they are in good health and in their 80s. And, I also know truly good persons who have died unexpectedly at very young ages in comparison. I mean, people who truly love others more than themselves, etc.

But, in spite of this, there is a real warning that we need to consider about cursing. The mentality behind cursing other people, cursing businesses, cursing government, cursing circumstances .. this mentality is a self-destructive one. It is an easy mentality to slip into, but it will end up destroying us if we continue in it. It destroys integrity and influence. It is a victim mentality. It is non-productive, most certainly, but even more so, it is destructive, because it is speaking curses upon other people and circumstances that we are not responsible for. Thus, if God is the Creator of the circumstances we are cursing, perhaps we are cursing Him. Dangerous ground.

On the other hand, if we get an attitude of blessing .. blessing our mean neighbor, blessing our stingy relatives, blessing those we do business with .. perhaps even having an attitude of blessing those who we are paying when we write out the check to pay our bills.... after all, if we can bless others, we are obviously blessed ourselves, and we will end up being blessed even more. Hey! If you are able to pay your bills, you are blessed!!!

We are blessed with good health, we are blessed to live in the USA, we are blessed to have heat and airconditioning, we are blessed to have great health care, we are blessed to have three good meals per day, we are BLESSED!

Haiti's Economic Struggles .. Solveable?

2007-01-15T10:44:00.000-05:00

Haitians are worth understanding. They are incredible people. In case you don't know it, the suicide rate in Haiti is one of the lowest in the world. Even though Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, they have the best attitude toward life that I have ever seen in a culture .. well, attitude toward accepting one's "lot in life", that is.

I learned a long time ago that if I speak truthfully about the problems and deficiencies of a culture / people group, that some people think I'm speaking hatefully about that culture / people group. This just isn't true, but I've also learned that it is just too much for some people to really think .. they prefer to go around spouting judgements and opinions based upon their willful ignorance. Anyway, if you are one of those kind of people, you'll probably think I hate Haitians after reading this article. Which will prove my point, eh?.

Anyway. I speak fairly good Haitian Creole. Can get around the country without a translator. Stay in the homes of the poor. Have been in country at least 25 times. Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Fouche, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Gonaives, Veudreuil, Cap Haitien, Bassin Bleu .. I've visited perhaps half of the country, and know some areas (Leogane, Callebasse, Petite Place Cazeau) very well.

So, why does the nation continue to struggle economically? That is the main point of this article. Because of my love of Haiti and the Haitians, I've studied their culture and history diligently. And, I've sought to understand the fundamentals of economics, looking for answers for Haiti.

One of the most important things I've learned about economics came from a Tom Clancy novel. He stated a foundational principle of economics so succinctly and clearly: The more times a dollar changes hands in a day, the more dollars there are in an economy! It seems so simple, and yet so profound and complex. It is, because why economies change or remain stagnant are not the sum of one cause .. there are complexities in a nation / culture which contribute to what is.

So, in my reading about economies, I came across a great article about Hong Kong, which has the fifth strongest economy in the world, according to that article. Why? Under the English Governor (colonial government), the government stuck to it's job: security, infrastructure and enforcement of contracts.

This made it possible for the peoples' natural entrepreneurial abilities to take over and build a thriving economy. Understand, Hong Kong is overpopulated and has no natural resources to speak of. And, like Haiti, it is an island nation. Haiti too is overpopulated and has no natural resources. So, would it be possible for Haiti to become like Hong Kong and have a strong economy? I believe so.

HOWEVER, certain conditions will have to exist before this can happen. There will have to be a stable government that provides equal justice for all, enforces contracts, provides security for the people and provides infrastructure. WoW .. these are all things that the government has never been able to provide in Haiti.

It seems that Haiti is the poster child for that principle "power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Every man who has become President of Haiti has manifested some level of corruption. And, only a handful have died natural deaths .. most have died violent deaths while in office at the hands of political enemies.

There is a clan mentality in Haiti. The Haitians joke about the reality that when a Haitian gets a job in the government, soon all their cousins are driving Toyota SUV's! It isn't that government jobs pay that well. It is that the government workers take bribes to do their jobs and they take care of their clan. Well, it seems the President usually has the same mentality. When it comes to law and government, there really is not a national identity or psyche among the Haitians. Just stating reality, not putting them down.

So, if the Haitians want to see their economy change, the mentality toward the government and justice for all must change. This will probably take a couple of generations of specific educating. And I suspect it might have to be under the rulership of a benevolent dictator. Sorry. I just know Haitians too well.

Wait. There is one more thing. I know this about Haitians, too. Haitians are very industrious and have an entrepreneurial spirit. There are perhaps 1.5 million Haitians in the USA, and they are very productive financially. Given the opportunity in Haiti, Haitians will prosper and build a strong economy. They just need the security of a stable government that provides justice, security and infrastructure.

Zee Prezident

2007-01-15T08:57:00.000-05:00

I probably shouldn't write this .. but, I'm sick and tired of George's leadership. Make no mistake, he is a leader. It's just that I'm fed up with the direction he is going.

I'm a social libertarian and a fiscal conservative. Libertarian means the government should keep its nose out of our personal lives except to incarcerate criminals (HOWEVER, "no knock" search warrants do NOT cut it .. cops make toooo many mistakes).

Anyway, George first got my dander up by using the National Guard in Iraq .. The National Guard are CITIZEN soldiers whose purpose is homeland security, not the fighting of foreign wars. They have a civilian mentality .. they have families .. they have jobs and obligations of civilians, rather than having their lives ordered around military duty. It is the Regular Army which is trained to fight foreign wars, not the National Guard. George, of course, can't understand that ... probably doesn't care.

Early on I suspected that W's real reason for going to Iraq was to make up for his father's stupid mistake when he pulled out of Iraq .. nothing like a kid getting even for his daddy!

I also came to the opinion early on in W's first term that Evangelicals would ONE DAY (probably not soon .. they are slow learners) become very embarrassed for supporting W so strongly. Why?

Primarily, the reason we should all be afraid of W is the unPatriot Act. We have no idea how seriously our privacy and freedom has been damaged by this secret "law". Let me give you an example ..

A few weeks ago I had to apply for a Georgia license. I had a perfectly good Pennsylvania driver's license, recently renewed for another 5 years. But, since I moved to Georgia, I had to get a GEORGIA driver's license! Anyway, guess what? I had to provide a certified birth certificate or a passport in order to PROVE I was born here in the USA!!!!!!

Now, while I was in harms way in South Vietnam, fighting for "American freedoms", BoBo was partying here in the good old USA. Guess who has to prove he was BORN here in the USA? BoBo? &%#* NO .. I have to! Why? "HOMELAND SECURITY"!!!! ROFLOL .. Yeah right!

Let's see... have they stopped the flood of illegal immigrants entering the USA? NO! Have they stopped the flood of DOPE entering the USA? NO!

BUT, in the NAME of stopping these criminal dangers to the security of the USA, they are invading the privacy of law abiding citizens! Hey, BoBo .. you and your unPatriotic politicos can kiss mine! I know what this is about. Momma didn't raise no fools. This is NOT about securing the USA .. this is about getting the government's nose into our private business. And, it is WRONG.

Well, I have to stop here ... anything else I might say could get me into serious trouble with the "law" .. because we don't know for sure what all the penalties are for criticizing the unPatriotic Act .. seriously.

Places I've visited outside the USA

2007-01-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

South Vietnam - 1970-1971, courtesy of the US government's travel agency known as the US Army.

Thailand - 1971 (5 days)

Haiti - at least 25 times between 1983 and 1997 .. looking forward to going back this year. Ann palé Kréyol!

Grand Cayman Island - 1989

Mexico - flew into Cancun and took a bus to Belize in 1996, then drove a car to Belize from the US with a friend a few months later .. drove border to border in 28 hours .. that adventure could make a small book, the story is so good.

Belize - twice in 1996

Guatemala - day trip while in Belize ... shopping was interesting.
My wish list: I'd love to visit New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Antigua, St. Croix. But, I doubt it will happen. We do plan to take a cruise this year that will visit Belize, and I hope to visit Haiti again this year. However, the security in Haiti is terrible. The kidnappings continue, and lawlessness reigns.

Places I've lived

2007-01-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

Born in Lima, Ohio

Briefly in Cape Giradeau, Missouri

Family traveled the country for 3-4 years .. was in 22 States before I entered first grade.

Richmond, Indiana .. first and second grade

Liberty, Indiana .. let's see .. third grade was Mrs. Orr, I think Showed my entrepreneurial temperment there .. mowed lawns (hand push mower!), lemonade stand, etc.

Morristown, Indiana .. 4th and 5th grades .. some stories could be told .. I remember when the 5th grade teacher came out on his front porch and shot his pistol into the air because three of us were outside his house on halloween night .. he was a butt!

Indianapolis, Indiana .. 6th grade. I remember getting heat stroke working with my father one summer day. We lived just south of Idlewild airport before the big expansion .. took a tour of one of the first jet airliners that flew in to Idlewild. Became an auto racing fan while there, but never have been to the Brickyard (Indy 500) in person.

New Hampshire, Ohio .. boy, oh boy .. the things I learned from those farm boys! I think I was in 8th and 9th grades while we lived there. Raised calves and chickens, plowed gardens, published a local newspaper on a memeograph machine, etc.

Piqua, Ohio .. lived there when I got my driver's license ... I think we were there for 3 years .. moved after I graduated from high school.

Perrysburg, OH .. went to one year of college (at Mt. Vernon, OH), then worked in an auto detail shop, then joined the Army

Army stuff: Ft. Campbell, KY basic training; Ft. Rucker, AL, Helicopter maintainance school; Phan Thiet and Phan Rang, South Vietnam; Naval Air Station Lakehurst .. discharged 1972, then went back to college in Mt. Vernon, OH.

Quincy, MA .. college and marriage 1973

Clifton Spring, NY (1975?)

Fredericktown, Ohio

Gallup, NM 1979-80

Mansfield, OH for a few months

Columbus, OH 1981-83

Wilmore, KY to 1985

Toledo, OH to 1989

Zanesville, OH 1990

Pittsburgh 1990 - 2005

Kittanning, PA 2005-2006

Atlanta area 2006 to present

This kind of looks like I'm a gypsy, doesn't it? Perhaps it is the Seminole Indian blood (great-great maternal grandparents) in me?

Comments

2007-01-13T12:10:00.000-05:00

Blogexplosion says my comments aren't enabled and so they keep denying my blog for inclusion ... grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So, this post is a test to see if I have the problem fixed.

More Favorite Things

2007-01-11T11:21:00.000-05:00

Peachtree City Homes

Georgia Real Estate Sense

Tom Clancy books .. learned more about real, practical economics in one chapter of one of his books than I could have in 20 college courses.

Dick Francis mysteries .. great writer, great plots and great research

The view of the lake out of our back window

Maserati QuattroSporte .. WoW .. well, a person can dream, can't they?

An even bigger dream .. the Maybach .. manufactured by Mercedes Benz .. incredible limosine!

The new concept in homes .. Courtyard homes .. all the living areas open into the courtyard .. looking at the cluster home concept of courtyard hoes . love the privacy, compactness, etc.

Jesus of Nazareth .. the most incredible revolutionary of all .. He teaches us that revolution begins within .. within me. All other revolutions are destructive .. only His revolution is constructive and has future benefits out of this world. Great way to insure we can sleep well at night, too. Questions? Contact me.

I love counseling people who really are seeking answers.

Things I love to do

2007-01-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

Counsel and encourage people who are hurting, especially from broken relationships.

Play my keyboards

Play my 12 string guitar

Play the electric bass

Write

Create websites

Entrepreneurship

Play Chess

Read Westerns (Zane Grey, etc.)

Read mystery novels

Read about history

Visit Haiti

Study Haitian history and culture

Learn Haitian Creole

Read on the boat while my wife fishes

Make my wife happy

Drive my wife around to do her errands

Preach! Don't ask me why .. it doesn't really seem to help anyone.

Drive fast .. when it is safe.

Bring peace into stressful situations.

Life in general .. Need some counsel?

2007-01-06T10:46:00.000-05:00

Hi! Are you dealing with a problem in your life? Need someone to give you different perspective on problems with your job, your marriage, your finances, your emotional hang-ups, etc? I'm here to help. Send your question as a comment, and I'll respond with an answer here on the blog!

No Kidding!

2007-01-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

I believe in separation of Church and Hate!

One Year Later?

2007-01-01T23:19:00.000-05:00

I am having a hard time believing that I haven't posted here for a year. Well, no resulutions this year either. Although, I did start the New Year out right .. 1.5 miles on the treadmill. I'm about 7 pounds lighter than I was a year ago, and losing weight. So ...

Nope, no resolutions

2006-01-02T03:06:00.000-05:00

I didn't even waste time making resolutions. Today is just another day. A day for new beginnings, but the changes will be much less than my daydreams desire.

If I could just lose as much weight this year as I did last year, I'd have a very expensive clothing bill.

Guest article, debt management

2005-12-31T23:59:00.000-05:00

Online Debt Management and Credit Debt Management
By Christian N

Online debt management sources provide financial tools and options for anyone interested in budgeting, controlling spending, debt relief, investing, retirement, mortgages, and education accounts for children. There are non-profit agencies, Christian financial ministries, law firms, money management companies and debt relief businesses that can assist you in all your credit debt management interests. Some sources offer credit debt management specialties through debt consolidation and debt negotiations. Others offer services for personal investments and savings. Still other organizations provide a broad range of services from financial education to implementing financial strategies for the client.

Online debt management is one of the top needs of consumers today as unsecured debt continues to burden individuals and households because of huge credit card debts, personal loans, unforeseen medical bills, and unplanned educational costs. The most appealing, beneficial and short-term solution that has appeared on the financial horizon is credit debt management through paying off debt through debt negotiation or debt consolidation methods. Credit debt management is a critical need of the American household, as analysts believe that the plague of debt cannot only hurt the family institution, but the national economy as well.

Financial difficulties are one of the top reasons for discontent and breakups among married couples, making credit debt management priorities an important area to establish for the sake of everyone. Those who have decided to get their finances under control have contributed to the popularity of debt settlements and consolidations by choosing these solutions for their credit debt management dilemmas. There are Christian and secular business company's who offer debt settlement and consolidation programs to any client willing to adjust financially in order to secure a debt free future. Each online debt management program has its particular debt relief solution allowing clients to choose which is best for them.

A debt negotiation company basically provides professional arbitrators who are competent in negotiating a settlement with creditors for total debt amount with penny's on the dollar. This type of online debt management can totally wipe out all outstanding debt with sometimes as high as a 60% percent savings to the client. Debt consolidation offers methods through mortgage loans or loans for other existing collateral, with the purpose of paying off all debt through one low-interest, monthly payment. The overall savings for many qualifying clients through debt negotiations has caused this credit debt management option to become more and more attractive to consumers. Check for the many credit debt management programs throughout the Internet and find the financial assistance you need.

For more information about online debt management, visit:
http://www.onlinedebts.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christian_N

No hat!

2005-11-17T23:23:00.000-05:00

Does this make me superficial? I don't like wearing hats. Why? Because they mess up my hair!

It is freezing in Western Pennsylvania tonight .. I should have worn a hat when I was outside, but I didn't. So, my ears froze.

Thank-you

2005-11-17T22:02:00.000-05:00

Just a note to add my thank-you to every man and woman serving in the military, and the civilian contractors who are in harms way in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.

Just because I have issues with the war doesn't mean I don't appreciate the sacrifices that people are making.

2005-11-10T11:11:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the personal blog of Dan Jenkins. My personal interests include: theology, writing, music, sailing, whitewater rafting, Internet websites (design and maintainance), and many other things. I'll be posting more here soon.