Double Standard

Most conservatives would agree that most of our news media exhibit a liberal bias. But more and more I think they have moved beyond a merely liberal bias to a specifically Obama bias. Dick Morris (former Chief of Staff for Bill Clinton, now a political writer and commentator) was on The O'Reilly Factor last night after President Obama's press conference. He pointed out that last night's event was President Obama's third prime time press conference since taking office. He is basically having one per month. Bill Clinton, on the other hand, had only two prime time press conferences during his first term. Dick Morris said that the Clinton administration asked for more--would have liked more--but the networks wouldn't cough them up.

It seems to me that Obama is still in campaign mode and that these press conferences are as much about whipping up popular support and keeping the adulation quotient up as they are about answering questions. Moreso, in fact. I read an article this morning at American Thinker about the importance of Americans' fascination with celebrity to President Obama's popularity. Here's a key quote: "The emergence of Barack Obama marries American popular culture and American politics."

Considering the state of our popular culture in this country, that's a troubling thought indeed.

Swine Flu

Usually I love where I live, but this is one of those times that I don't. Right now I'm thinking Montana would be nice.

The Illinois State Public Health Director has announced that there are currently nine suspected cases of swine flu in my state. Five are in Chicago and four are in outlying counties, two of them very near the county in which I live. Boy, this thing isn't wasting any time.

I know that it remains to be seen how serious this will get. But in my opinion now is the time to start taking precautions. I have reviewed with my children things they can do to protect themselves from germs when they are out in public. For example: avoid touching your face. If you have to use a public restroom, don't turn off the faucet after you wash your hands, but instead get a towel and dry them first and then use that same towel to turn off the faucet and open the bathroom door to exit.

I have purchased some hand sanitizer for each of our cars and will start having people use it after we have been in a public place. Today I ordered a package of these, which I know aren't foolproof but are better than nothing. And I have for some time now been trying to stock up on non-perishables so that if we need to hole up at home for a while we'll be able to. I also plan to keep the car filled up with gas and to make sure we are well stocked on our prescription medications.

For several years I had a piano student who was immune suppressed. Whenever anyone in our house was even slightly ill, I would inform her mother and she would skip that week's lesson. Sometimes during cold and flu season she would take her piano lesson wearing a mask. When she left my house and got in her car the first thing she would do is put sanitizer on her hands. She and her parents weren't being paranoid but simply taking reasonable steps to protect Katie in an environment that was potentially full of dangers to her health.

I think right now we should all take a lesson from Katie. Better safe than sorry.

Doublespeak

Our president is on television right now talking about how he plans to launch a new era of spending discipline in which if the government wants to institute a new program or a tax cut it must first tell the American people where the money is coming from. His statement was met with wild claps and cheers from the adoring crowd.

Does anyone find this is as chilling as I do?

Work Day

Yesterday we called a house and yard jihad, cancelling school and declaring war on our property. Everyone helped.

Well, almost everyone.

(Photo credit: Evan)

Here's a picture of our whiteboard with the list of things that we wanted to get done. (The house and yard items are in the bottom left quadrant; the other lists pertain to other things like school, errands, or longer term projects.)

Here's what we accomplished:

Inside

Replace bad light switch in Evan's room

Everyone clean his or her own bedroom

Dust inside of china cabinet

Vaccuum cobwebs in ceilings and corners

Organize school supplies

Vacuum & dust

Clean bathrooms

Switch house house air flow to direct upward, close downstairs vents and open upstairs ones for summer cooling

Put away clutter and personal belongings around the house

Replace sunroom storm windows with screens

Throw out dead sunroom plants

Lubricate sticky sliding glass door

Outside

Pick up doggie poo

Mow

Pull weeds

Pick up yard trash and debris

Set out deck chairs

Connect garden hoses

Sweep steps and sidewalk

It's nice to have a neater house and yard!

(Photo credit: Evan)


And a clean bedroom!

Here's what didn't get done:

Trim shrubs

Mop

Clean windows

Wash curtains

We're having another work day on my husband's next day off (Tuesday) and if necessary, again the week after that. We have to get our garden planted! And there are still lots of things on the longer term task list, such as organizing books, cleaning the carpet, getting caught up on putting photos in albums, filing/shredding paperwork, and doing various small house beautification projects such as painting. But I think we got an amazing amount accomplished yesterday, don't you? Thanks, family! You're a great team!

Yay, Fox!

The Fox network (not to be confused with Fox News) has announced that it will not be pre-empting its regular programming to broadcast the President's 100th Day press conference tomorrow night but will follow its normal schedule (which on that day and time means viewers will get to watch an episode of the series Lie to Me. I'll leave the sarcastic comments to my readers.)

I approve. The press conference will be broadcast on Fox News and a plethora of other stations (including, no doubt, ABC, CBS, and NBC as well as the other major cable news networks). Our president is all about freedom of choice, is he not? There will be plenty of other places to watch the press conference (and the ensuing media love fest). Good for the Fox network for giving viewers an alternative.

Quote of the Day

"Never, ever put a man in charge of your military defense who has not at the very, very least, successfully done battle with his own teenagers."

From Kyle-Anne Shiver, "Barry, Honey, Can We Talk About Torture?", American Thinker

Miss California

A lot of people who share my world view have lately been celebrating Carrie Prejean's performance in the question & answer segment of the most recent Miss USA pageant. They liked her answer because she defined marriage as being between a man and a woman.

I agree with her definition, and I am pleased that she stood up for her views even though the questioner was clearly looking for a different, politically correct response. But I don't quite get the rush to turn Carrie Prejean into some sort of role model for young Christians. She was competing in a beauty pageant, for goodness' sake. And why was she there? Because she's smart and talented? Well, maybe she is. But that's what not got her up on the stage. She was on that stage because she has a beautiful face and body. The Miss USA pageant, unlike the Miss America pageant, doesn't even have a talent segment.

I have to say also that I didn't find her to be particularly articulate. I didn't watch the pageant but first heard her response played on the radio a day or two later and found myself chuckling at yet another goofy beauty pageant answer. Miss Prejean started out by saying how great it is to live in a country where one can choose. Well, in my opinion, choice is not necessarily a good thing. It depends on what one is choosing. She went on to say that while some may choose same-sex marriage, she believes in "opposite" marriage. Huh? That left me scratching my head. When she finally got to stating her own view of marriage, it was a little less than stalwart, beginning with the words "I think I believe . . . ."

I'm not trying to diminish Miss Prejean. I do applaud her for not giving the PC answer. But I also don't think she deserves to be turned into some sort of conservative pop hero. And apparently I'm not the only one.

Like Father, Like Son

A few days ago I rounded the corner from our kitchen to our family room and saw a masculine figure sitting at the computer. It took a second look to discern whether it was my husband or my older son.

Later that same day while I was upstairs in my bedroom I heard a deep male voice singing in the living room. It took a few more seconds before I could ascertain which of the baritones in my family it belonged to.

Yesterday the younger of those two baritones led the chanting of Psalm 4 at church. There was a time when I used to read Psalm 4 to that same child almost every night before bed: "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you, alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

It's getting harder and harder to tell who's playing the piano at any given time, and to sort out the socks and underwear, and to talk to a male member of my family without looking up.

I think I'm seeing a pattern here, and it's wonderful and depressing at the same time.

One Down, Nineteen to Go!

If you went to church today . . .

please consider visiting my husband's blog and weighing in on a question he is posing in the comments section of his most recent post there. Your reward will be a couple of great stories about the power of excellent hymnody!

Piano Competition, Part 2

And now, here's Trevor performing Frederic Chopin's Ballade #1 in G-minor, Op. 23. It's almost 10 minutes of stunning playing; if you don't have time for the whole thing, you can just pick a few spots at random because it's all stellar. I wish the sound quality of both videos were better; this was recorded with my cell phone (my old video recorder is broken, but a new digital recorder is on my wish list)! This was Trevor's fifth year to compete in this event and his second year to win first place in his level; he also won first place overall in the advanced division of the competition, for which he was awarded $100 and the distinction of not being allowed to return next year. So we are looking for alternative competitions--let me know if you have any suggestions!

Piano Competition - Part 1

My two oldest children participated in the Southwest Suburban (Chicago) Piano Competition today. Here's Caitlin playing Puck, Op. 71, No. 3, by Edvard Grieg. The piece is a lot of fun to play and to listen to, evoking the mischievous nature of the mythological character from which it gets its name. The piece suited Caitlin quite well, perhaps because she shares Puck's mischievous playfulness and fondness for nature. She's also a night owl like him! This is a magnificent performance. You can tell she's progressed in her skills because this year she got to perform in the auditorium on a Steinway!

Be Careful, Everyone

Swine Flu in Mexico Has Pandemic Potential

Quick and Healthy Breakfast

Not long ago, my Lutheran homeschooling email list spent some time discussing breakfast. One of the list members asked for easy breakfast ideas and received such suggestions as bagels with cream cheese, toast with fruit spread, yogurt with granola, oatmeal, and boiled eggs. I have another suggestion to add to the list:

Dark chocolate covered raisins.

You think I'm kidding.

I'm not kidding. I had them for breakfast today. Just think about it: by eating dark chocolate covered raisins, you get to enjoy all the health benefits of both dark chocolate and raisins. And if you have them with coffee while you're reading email and blogs, I can guarantee you will start the day off with the right attitude.

Go ahead. Try it sometime, with my blessing. (Just don't tell my 5-year-old, okay?)

A Better Reading List

Not long ago I shared my thoughts on a list of literary works that the College Board recommends college-bound students read before leaving high school. In my opinion the list is unrealistic in scope, with too many titles and a number of selections that I consider to be more college than high school terrain.

Here's a better list, compiled by Bill Bennett a few years ago after he posed the question to a group of experts he selected. I have read either all or part of everything on the list except for the Communist Manifesto. (Must I?) I didn't finish War and Peace, I can't say that I have read every last word of Homer, and I've only read parts of Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics and Tocqueville's Democracy in America. Oh yes, and I'm ashamed to admit I haven't read every one of Shakespeare's plays (although I've read many). That's one of my goals before I die. But the rest of it I've got covered--even all of Paradise Lost (that is one great read, let me tell you). Do you think that means I could get back into college? What about you? Are you college material. Go and see. (To my teenagers: if you want to see what's coming in the next few years, this list will give you a good idea. And take note of what we've already read. We're making good progress!)

By the way, there is nothing on Bennett's list younger than 30 years old. I like that. Not that a work has to be old to be good. But I think it takes a little time to ascertain if something is a classic or not. The College Board list was, in my opinion, a bit too eager to open the door to modern literature.

(HT: Kathryn Lopez, The Corner at National Review)

Happy Birthday, Will - Updated

William, that is. Shakespeare. Today is probably his birthday (historians don't know for sure but guess at it based on his baptismal record). If you want to join in a little fêting, here's one place you can do so.

Update: If you're so inclined, you're invited to come back here after visiting the link and play along by posting your own favorite Shakespearean play.

I may have to change my coffee (and my profile)

I admit it: I'm a coffee addict. I don't think I drink as much as some people--I generally have two cups--okay, mugs--in the morning and one in the afternoon when the sleepies hit. But I must acknowledge that I am dependent, especially on that first morning cup. Without it I can count on a headache.

For years now I have been drinking Caribou coffee. I just prefer the taste to Starbuck's. We like Caribou coffee so much that a few years ago my husband looked into opening our own franchise. (I'm kind of glad he stuck to church music.) At that time he also looked into concerns about Caribou's connections to Islamic militants. If you check into Caribou's history on Snopes or Urban Legends, you will find that yes, First Islamic Investment Bank is majority owner of the company and that at one time there was an advisory board member known for having strong anti-Israel and anti-American views. But you will also find that the person in question is no longer on the advisory board (having left in 2002) and that Caribou has hired an American law firm to review its charitable donations and affirm that none are going to organizations banned under U.S. law.

Still, I wonder if my money could be better spent. If only Starbuck's coffee tasted a little better it would be easy! Today, though, I may have another reason to make a change not only to my preferred coffeehouse but also to my profile. Starbuck's, maybe it's time we got to know each other a little better.

It Worked!

I got him posting again!

Actually, I can't take credit. There are some things going on in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod that are highly significant and time-sensitive. Go to my husband's blog (yes, I have given up all hope of maintaining any kind of anonymity here--you all know who I am, anyway) to find out more. He lays it out pretty clearly and provides a link to a place where you can make your voice heard. I strongly encourage all of my LCMS readers to do so as soon as possible.

Read This

I'm not going to provide quotations or context for you. It's short. You just need to read it.

Editorial from the Washington Times:

Rationing Health Care

Everyday Heroes

You are probably familiar with the Susan Boyle craze that is sweeping the blogosphere. She is the middle-aged woman whose audition for the television show Britain's Got Talent has taken on a life of its own. I have to say that when I first watched the video of her singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables, I didn't quite get what all the fuss was about. Yes, she has a very good voice--but I know a lot of good singers, including several that I think have better ones. Why aren't they on YouTube getting all this attention? All I could come up with is Susan Boyle herself and her life story and her looks, both of which for some reason make people think she won't be able to sing. So she's never been kissed and she's not model-attractive. Why does that make people surprised that she can sing? Watching the video of her audition, I will admit I was moved by the sight of an everyday woman like myself finally getting to pursue her dream. I get that. Good for her! But my initial reaction to her voice was that yes, it's nice, but it is lacking a bit in nuance and sounds like it could use a little more training. All you Susan Boyle fans out there, please don't come gunning for me!

But then I heard this recording of Ms. Boyle singing "Cry Me a River" (HT: Gene Veith). It's from a charity CD recorded in 1999. All I can say is "Wow!" Now that is a voice! I think it's much better than her rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" and shows off much more of what her voice is capable of. The "I Dreamed a Dream" performance uses sort of an all-out Broadway approach, whereas this song in my opinion shows many more layers of Ms. Boyle's voice. I can't help wondering if the Britain's Got Talent people got hold of Ms. Boyle and made her dress and sing a certain way and perhaps even picked that song (listen to the words) so as to maximize the desired effect. Certainly it is to their benefit to have the Susan Boyle phenomenon sweeping the world the way it is, and seeing as how this is not the first time something like this has happened with this show, I can't help wondering to what extent it was set up.

I know; I'm a cynic. But none of this takes away from the personal stories of Paul Potts and Susan Boyle, both of whom are gifted people who in pursuing their dreams have obviously inspired and touched millions of people. At the same time, I'm a little troubled by the implication that neither of them did anything worthwhile until they hit it big on YouTube and that only now have their lives taken on any meaning. There are many, many talented people in the world--people who are just as talented as these two and whose stories are just as compelling--who will never win a talent competition or make it on to YouTube, and I am inspired by them as much as by Susan Boyle, even moreso, because some of them are people I know personally and have watched day in and day out as they try to make a living and care for their families and go to church. They may not have fame, but they are every bit as admirable and inspiring as Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, and I don't have to go to the internet to see them.

I bet you have some of those people in your life, too. Next time you see them, why don't you give them a YouTube moment and let them know how special you think they are?