A friend sent this to me, thought I would share. You may have seen it, but its worth a second read.


The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went to.In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response.She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK.Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.Are you laughing?Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it ... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards.Honestly and respectfully,Ben Stein

Update

I haven't written in awhile, just too damn lazy, but I thought I would update on the family a little.

Mason: Doing great in school and actually seems to be branching out a little. Mason is pretty much a keep to himself kind of kid, but I had a conversation with him last night and he seems to be getting bolder and more open. I think his mother sending him to just about every extra class the WDM school system offers, is a big reason why. He loves the classes and is really learning. He had a science class that ended yesterday. I asked him what his favorite part of the class was, he said his favorite part was learning about the next class that starts in Jan. Living in the future. He is also in a sign language class and I'm amazed at how much info he retains from the class. I only know 1 sign language phrase, but I can't show it to him or I'll get yelled at. I was looking through the WDM section of our paper and saw a picture of Mason in his science class. It's always a little surprising when you see someone you know in the paper, but to see your own kid for the third time is really surprising. I'll try to take a picture of the paper and post it, but it might not come out very well.

Makiah: He really loves school and is learning his sight words faster than Mason did. I think it helped to work with the flash cards with Mason in view of Makiah, because he all ready knows some that he hasn't worked on in school. Their minds are so open to learning, I wish mine still was. Makiah has had strep several times this year, so I think the tonsils will be removed if he gets it again. The little guy goes from being the sweetest kid, hugs and I love you galore, to me wanting to smash him into the freezer for rest of the week. I know Mom and Dad are laughing their asses off, but it aint funny.

Max: This is our climbing monkey. He went to school with Marcy last week to have lunch with the boys and fell off his chair and split his lip in 2 places, and got the Shrum bloody nose. (Mason gets bloody noses all of the time) He got caught on the kitchen counter with the candy cabinet open this morning. This last weekend, he was climbing on a storage tub and jumping off. It's only about 18 inches high, but he seems to have no fear of getting hurt. If he does and starts crying, I just ask him if he wants to go to bed, he says no and stops crying. Not sure how much longer that will work, but I'm using it until its dead.

Marcy: Marcy is still working at our church and seems to be enjoying it. The money isn't as good as the good ole days of a full in-home daycare, but she is happier and that is worth a fortune right there. She is on a painting and redecorating kick right now, so the house has a little more color than it did just one week ago.

Me: Same ole shit. I am going to Houston in Nov. to do a physical count of a warehouse we have there, that I'm looking forward to and I'm not. I like to travel, but this warehouse is so messed up that I think I'll be more frustrated while I'm there than I am now. I told my rep I was going to be there and she was fine with it, but her boss is none to happy about my visit. Probably because they don't know where our stuff is and don't want me to see that. Trust me, I all ready know. I bought a new dishwasher and it will be delivered on Friday. Sad state of my life, that is the most exciting news I have, a new freaking dishwasher. Long gone are the days of all night parties, lots of girls and crazy fun. (Wait, I never had any of that) I got my "contribution" report from church the other day and realized I have spent $800 dollars on mission trips so far this year, with a $150 deposit now due on my next one. I never totaled it before, but seeing that, makes me think I need a second job to support my habit:)

Well I need to get back to work. I hope you are all doing well. I've got more rants, so I'll post again soon.