The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Sen Charles Schumer from New York wants to bail out homeowners whose homes are in foreclosure because it's not their fault.
I don't get this mentality. The ulitimat responsibility for personal finances rests with the borrower. Unless the broker flat-out lies to the borrower, I don't believe that anyone can be held responsible but the person who signs the papers and says, "Yes I understand that I have to pay this money back in this fashion." To claim "not fair" when your adjustable rate mortgage climbs up, after you signed the papers saying you knew it was going to do that, is amazing. These people should not have been given loans in the first place.
Why the government should bail people out who had no business borrowing in the first place is beyond me. How bout Schumer bail me out? I have paid my mortgage payments on time, and have outstanding credit. Why should the people who default get a reward?
I think that way to many people think only in terms of whether or not they can make the monthly payment on whatever it is they are buying. It used to be people were concerned with what the bottom line price was (cost+interest). Now, they don't care about that. Only if they can make the payment. Lenders structured loans to fit that way of thinking by making payments really really low for the first few years, and authorized unprecedented amounts of sub-prime loans (people with bad credit got money). Now, as interest rates climb, like they new it would when they signed the papers, the people with bad credit aren't paying. WHAT A SUPRISE!
And Schumer wants to bail them out. WHAT A SUPRISE!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
I am a Christian
Like the title says, I am a Christian. That means a lot of stuff though these days. Depending on who you are, that could mean that you think I am a radical right-winger, who is an intolerant, bigoted, homophobe who hates everyone who isn't also a "Christian" of the same denomination as myself. Or, it could mean that I am someone who subscribes to one of the many "spokes of spiritualism" that all lead to God, wherever "she" might reside.
So, I though I would lay out what I believe.
I believe that the Bible is the Infaliable Word of God. Written by humans, inspired by God.
I believe that Jesus is both fully God, and fully human.
I believe that he came to Earth as a man, endured and lived life as a man, and went to his death as a man. After that death I believe he was raised from the dead, conquering for all time the truth that the wages of sin is eternal death.
I believe that if somone accepts Jesus, they are saved from that eternal death.
I believe that God, in the form of the Holy Trinity, is active in the world today.
I think that is it in a nutshell. There is much much more to it, but that is the basics. I'm not a homophobe. I'm not bigotted. I don't hate anybody. Behavior certainly, but not the person. People say that the Bible is exclusive, that it teaches hate. I have spent a lot of time reading scripture, and I haven't found the hate part anywhere. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Scripture certainly makes no allowances for people's behavior. There are two kinds, that which brings you closer to God, and that which takes you further away, or sin. And really, I guess scripture is exclusive. But it would be towards the behavior of people, as opposed to themselves. There is not a person who would be excluded from God. Their behavior is the determining factor.
I can hear my friend Fred's voice in the back of my head saying, "What if a person is gay? God would turn away from someone he created a certain way? The Bible preaches that homosexuality is wrong, how can a loving God do that?" I believe that homosexuality is a choice. Behavior is ultimately a choice. I believe that homosexuality is a behavioral choice. The same kind of behavioral choice as anything else that takes somebody further away from God. Sin.
In all of scripture, sin is identified as that which seperates people from God. Not the people themselves, but their sin. Take that and look at it from an angle that the world won't. God hates the sin, not the people. In that sense he is open to everyone, excluding no one. Choices are what seperate people from God.
So, I though I would lay out what I believe.
I believe that the Bible is the Infaliable Word of God. Written by humans, inspired by God.
I believe that Jesus is both fully God, and fully human.
I believe that he came to Earth as a man, endured and lived life as a man, and went to his death as a man. After that death I believe he was raised from the dead, conquering for all time the truth that the wages of sin is eternal death.
I believe that if somone accepts Jesus, they are saved from that eternal death.
I believe that God, in the form of the Holy Trinity, is active in the world today.
I think that is it in a nutshell. There is much much more to it, but that is the basics. I'm not a homophobe. I'm not bigotted. I don't hate anybody. Behavior certainly, but not the person. People say that the Bible is exclusive, that it teaches hate. I have spent a lot of time reading scripture, and I haven't found the hate part anywhere. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. Scripture certainly makes no allowances for people's behavior. There are two kinds, that which brings you closer to God, and that which takes you further away, or sin. And really, I guess scripture is exclusive. But it would be towards the behavior of people, as opposed to themselves. There is not a person who would be excluded from God. Their behavior is the determining factor.
I can hear my friend Fred's voice in the back of my head saying, "What if a person is gay? God would turn away from someone he created a certain way? The Bible preaches that homosexuality is wrong, how can a loving God do that?" I believe that homosexuality is a choice. Behavior is ultimately a choice. I believe that homosexuality is a behavioral choice. The same kind of behavioral choice as anything else that takes somebody further away from God. Sin.
In all of scripture, sin is identified as that which seperates people from God. Not the people themselves, but their sin. Take that and look at it from an angle that the world won't. God hates the sin, not the people. In that sense he is open to everyone, excluding no one. Choices are what seperate people from God.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Why I like Scotch
I get asked why I like it all the time. The answer is actually quite simple, and complicated. Just like the liquor.
Scotch is a variety of whiskey, which means that it is in the same family as Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Bushmills, and other whiskeys. Scotch is so called because it originated in Scotland. There are basically two kinds of scotch: blended, and single malt. Blended is a collection of single malts put into a single batch, and then bottled. The blending process is done for taste, smoothness, etc. Johnnie Walker is one that falls into this category. Single Malt on the other hand comes out of the distilling process, straight into barrels for aging. The average aging time for single malt is 10-12 years, but there are varieties ranging from 8 to 60 years. From there it is placed into bottles. No blending involved. It is generally accepted that single malt is a much more complex spirit, with more to offer the palate than a blended scotch.
The most common question I get asked is, "How can you stand the taste?" I will admit that initially, the taste can be quite startling. It took a while to get used to it. Now though, I can say that it has become really enjoyable. Scotch is not a drink that can be consumed fast. To really enjoy it, it must be consumed slowly, with intentionality. Huh? It's not Kool Aid. There is no overwhelming burst of flavor. The flavors in a good single malt subtly intermingle with each other, and if you try do drink it fast, you will miss them.
It starts with what wine, brandy, scotch, or any serious fan of expensive spirits calls the nose. The malt is poured into a glass (about one fingers worth). Some will then add a little distilled water (just a little). Distilled water is used so the the flavor of any minerals doesn't color the flavor of the malt. Then you wait for about 10 minutes, for the aroma or "nose" to gather in the glass. Then very slowly, bring the glass to your mouth and as you take some in, gently inhale the nose that has gathered. Slowly move the scotch around in you mouth so that all parts of your tongue get a taste sensation, then swallow. Finally, contemplate. If I am properly relaxed, to consume a finger's worth will take me 45 minutes or more.
That though is the core. Being properly relaxed. Being distracted means that you miss some (all?) of the flavors. Which incidentally can range from citrus, cream, oak, caramel, smoke, and the list goes on. Successfully deciphering the flavors requires that I sit still, without much distraction, and RELAX. Scotch isn't the only way I relax, but it is a very nice change on occasion. Relaxation is an art if you think about it, which lately has seemed to require more and more effort. It is easy to turn off the computer, TV, lights, and be alone. The scotch (or my guitar usually) provides something to concentrate on, which in turn keeps my mind from wandering to other things that keep me from relaxing when it's quite and I'm by myself. Work, or things that have happened at work being the two biggest culprits.
So there it is. Why I like scotch. Or single malt scotch more specifically. Many who read this will think that I'm weird. Probably so. Not because of the scotch though.
Scotch is a variety of whiskey, which means that it is in the same family as Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Bushmills, and other whiskeys. Scotch is so called because it originated in Scotland. There are basically two kinds of scotch: blended, and single malt. Blended is a collection of single malts put into a single batch, and then bottled. The blending process is done for taste, smoothness, etc. Johnnie Walker is one that falls into this category. Single Malt on the other hand comes out of the distilling process, straight into barrels for aging. The average aging time for single malt is 10-12 years, but there are varieties ranging from 8 to 60 years. From there it is placed into bottles. No blending involved. It is generally accepted that single malt is a much more complex spirit, with more to offer the palate than a blended scotch.
The most common question I get asked is, "How can you stand the taste?" I will admit that initially, the taste can be quite startling. It took a while to get used to it. Now though, I can say that it has become really enjoyable. Scotch is not a drink that can be consumed fast. To really enjoy it, it must be consumed slowly, with intentionality. Huh? It's not Kool Aid. There is no overwhelming burst of flavor. The flavors in a good single malt subtly intermingle with each other, and if you try do drink it fast, you will miss them.
It starts with what wine, brandy, scotch, or any serious fan of expensive spirits calls the nose. The malt is poured into a glass (about one fingers worth). Some will then add a little distilled water (just a little). Distilled water is used so the the flavor of any minerals doesn't color the flavor of the malt. Then you wait for about 10 minutes, for the aroma or "nose" to gather in the glass. Then very slowly, bring the glass to your mouth and as you take some in, gently inhale the nose that has gathered. Slowly move the scotch around in you mouth so that all parts of your tongue get a taste sensation, then swallow. Finally, contemplate. If I am properly relaxed, to consume a finger's worth will take me 45 minutes or more.
That though is the core. Being properly relaxed. Being distracted means that you miss some (all?) of the flavors. Which incidentally can range from citrus, cream, oak, caramel, smoke, and the list goes on. Successfully deciphering the flavors requires that I sit still, without much distraction, and RELAX. Scotch isn't the only way I relax, but it is a very nice change on occasion. Relaxation is an art if you think about it, which lately has seemed to require more and more effort. It is easy to turn off the computer, TV, lights, and be alone. The scotch (or my guitar usually) provides something to concentrate on, which in turn keeps my mind from wandering to other things that keep me from relaxing when it's quite and I'm by myself. Work, or things that have happened at work being the two biggest culprits.
So there it is. Why I like scotch. Or single malt scotch more specifically. Many who read this will think that I'm weird. Probably so. Not because of the scotch though.
Why I want to do this.
I have always liked the idea of being able to put some of my thoughts into words. In a previous blog I did that (poorly I think), and ended up engaging in discussions with people who I didn't know, nor particularly care what they thought. I remember several times being up until the wee hours of the morning preparing a response to somebody in Bumfart, WI, about some obscure point that nobody cared about. I don't want to do that any more. Tooooo much effort. So I decided to be selfish. I have set the comments so that I get to choose who's get posted. That's assuming anybody reads, or even wants to comment.
The other thing I decided in regards to posting, is that there are already PLENTY of people commenting on politics, the Constitution, etc. Every time I would do that before, I would get angry. I don't like being angry. My job provides more than enough opportunity to engage in conflict. Not to say that I won't from time to time. But certainly not as a general rule.
The other thing I decided in regards to posting, is that there are already PLENTY of people commenting on politics, the Constitution, etc. Every time I would do that before, I would get angry. I don't like being angry. My job provides more than enough opportunity to engage in conflict. Not to say that I won't from time to time. But certainly not as a general rule.
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