Now that this is "fixed" maybe they can get about finishing up the budget before state government shuts down in a couple of weeks.

As worn out as I was by the last election, I'm kind of looking forward to the next one.

He gets the moral case for conservatism. His message of independence vs. government dependence was spot on because that is our end game. And he did it without mentioning the programs by name. As soon as our candidate says medicaid or medicare the left jumps up and down screaming about us starving the poor. He rightly only spoke of the specific programs after they were reformed and had become success stories.

A couple of thoughts.

• We don't know what direction is being given to the technicians and analysts operating these programs. In this economy a secure government job is a big deal. I trust that under normal circumstances these workers hold as tightly to their responsibilities as they do to the jobs, but these are not normal circumstances.
• If sold as a legitimate means of protecting the people with assurances that the security/liberty scales were in balance, those operating the programs would accomplish their assigned tasks unless something really wrong popped up. This seems to be the case Snowden is making. I haven't read the full stories, watched the videos, and especially not looked at the supposed documents because I don't have the clearance or the need to know and have been directed to behave accordingly. (Side note: such direction gives the story some credibility.)
• I've not made my case against the program based on supposed or potential domestic spying. Rather, I find the amassing of data about me "just in case" to be repugnant. I'll hopefully sort the jumble of thoughts on this and provide a better explanation why soon.

Good post, thanks.

I think this is part of the problem. Our culture has all but eliminated that part of the process. There's very little drama to be had in the hook-up culture, at least not the good kind of drama.

Hmmm. Like was already mentioned, I always think "her dad must be so proud" when the gratuitous scenes come up.

I would have thought sex scenes incapable of adding to a character until I watched Borgia recently. The main character is so ruled by his passions that all the boot knocking seems pretty necessary.

The most erotic scene I can recall in a movie is the bedroom dance scene in My Stepmother is an Alien. Kim Bassinger kept her clothes on but really poured on the sensuality. Wrong movie for it probably, but she really got that one right.

We can't get another truck driver or crane operator to do actual work but they can hire for this? 

How does Congress defund anything if they refuse to pass a budget? How good is oversight if those called before Congress simply lie?

Meh. When I hear the organ I don't see God, I see old people, the scary ones who smelled funny and liked to pinch my cheeks when I was a kid.

Just cracked and peeled. One of the eggs peeled in a single piece. I should have taken a picture.

But, I am a critic of much of contemporary worship music for just the reason your church states, Amy.

Not all, and it could be argued that such analysis is wrong. Contemporary worship simply emphasizes relationship. It's a response to more traditional worship music that can leave a person completely disconnected from the savior. You end up with a full head but an empty heart.

Question for the group: what is it about the organ, other than tradition, that garners such strong support? It's just another instrument no holier  or baser than any other.

I started out Methodist and went Baptist when I was old enough to understand doctrine, so you're probably right. Some of the hymns really are worshipful, but many churches doing them are not. Of course, growing up in Texas where social Christianity is rampant may have colored my perception.

Yes, much of the modern music lacks some the theological oomph and grandeur of hymns, but it makes up for it with relatable imagery and emotion. One of my favorite things is the updating of hymns by artists like Chris Tomlin. Of course, I also like to get in the way-back machine with groups like Anuna.

Can I go on record as absolutely loathing the music of hymns? Not the message or the doctrine (mostly), but the music. I've never been to a "choir and organ" church where the hymn didn't end 10-20 bpm slower than it started. Maybe I've just never seen it done right, but I've never been drawn into worship by a church singing hymns. I've worshipped with hymns when some friends and I just broke out the hymnals and sang together in the empty sanctuary, but never in the formal setting.

Also, the snobbery and conceit turns people away. I think the Pharisees might appreciate it, but I don't.

Open fire, cause I know it's coming.

The most moral thing to do if we're involved is take out Assad and the rebels. Still, there is no direct interest in what happens there other than a humanitarian one.