Hot Time in the City and a Dubious Anniversary

Today marks a rather dubious anniversary. It was on this date seventeen years ago that the temperature in Phoenix reached 122° - the all-time high. Yikes. I remember a couple of days later commenting to a coworker that it felt noticeably cooler - it was only 118°. There's even a mathematic formula where the date equals the temperature: 6 + 26 + 90 = 122.

'Tis the season, I guess. Temperatures above 110° in the Sonoran Desert are actually a rather necessary precursor to the monsoon. The ancient Indians in the area also timed the monsoon as an event occurring after the cicadas arrived - and I've heard a few lately.

I am, however, thankful we did not hit 122° today. But the thermometer here at our house did record the highest temperature so far this summer - a mere 114°. I'll be glad when the monsoon arrives.

Fighting Amongst Themselves

It has certainly been a rather intriguing time in the Middle East lately.

In Lebanon, the Lebanese Army has crushed militants from the Fatah Islam group after a month-long standoff centered in a Palestinian refugee camp.

Meanwhile, after months of trying to get a viable government going within the Palestinian Authority, it appears that Fatah and Hamas are locked in a civil war in the Gaza Strip. Last week, Hamas virtually seized control of the government, and President Mahmoud Abbas declared a national emergency.

In Iraq, Shiites and Sunnis continue to fight each other as the U.S.-led coalition tries in vain to establish some sort of order there.

What a tangled web we weave.

Taking A Stand: Embryonic Stem Cell Research

"...and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them." Psalm 119: 128-129

"If this bill were to become law, American taxpayers would for the first time in our history be compelled to support the deliberate destruction of human embryos." President George W. Bush

"Unfortunately, because of the stubbornness of one man — President Bush — these people continue to suffer as they wait" Diana DeGette, D-Colorado

As maligned as our president is these days, George Bush has done something to remind me why I admire him and why I voted for him. He stood up against Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, further supporting his assertion that this legislation "crosses a moral line that I and many others find troubling." I can't agree more.

In cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother's health, I agree that abortion may be the only option. But otherwise it is immoral. Period. There is nothing you can say or show me that would justify it - not even the harvesting of embryonic stem cells.

"A woman should have the right to control her own body," is something I've heard argued, and I totally agree. With all the preventative measures out there - for both women and men, there's really very little excuse for an unplanned pregnancy. The problem these days is that too many people are not willing and able to take responsibility for their own actions. And parenting a child is an immense responsibility.

Another concern is that the harvesting of embryonic stem cells could encourage some women to get pregnant for the sole purpose of providing stem cells. They would essentially prostitute themselves to the health care industry who in turn would likely pay them as little as possible.

Stem cell research does not require embryonic stem cells. Just as it is no longer necessary to kill a rabbit to determine a pregnancy, it is also not necessary to terminate a human life to harvest stem cells. Duh! There is plenty of material out there. Embryonic stem cell research is just another way to justify abortion.

Stem cells offer us hope to potentially cure many dreaded diseases. I'm all for that. But stem cells do not have to be embryonic.

I have one of those dreaded diseases myself. I have type-II diabetes. I expect it will be my ticket to heaven sooner or later. So what? Even Lazarus - whom Jesus raised from the dead - eventually died again. We all die, and stem cell research isn't going to change that.

Too many people have already sacrificed their lives for my physical needs and my freedom. Indeed, Jesus sacrificed his life for my very soul.

Personally, if it ever becomes practice, I will ensure any medical directive of mine clearly states that I will not allow the life of a human embryo to be sacrificed in order to save mine. If such measures are taken against my wishes, then those medical personnel better hope it doesn't work. Because when I get better, I will sue the crap out of them.

Do you think President Bush is being stubborn? Do you think I am being stubborn? Fine. But know this - some things are right and true whether you believe in them or not. I've made my stand.

Back From Camp

Another summer music camp has come and gone...now I'm back home where it's nice and hot (whoopee).

This year's camp was a bit smaller as about a dozen kids we usually get from one particular church did not come this year. Too bad.

We also had a rather unfortunate and serious incident (of which I can't really elaborate) that resulted in sending one camper home. On Wednesday night, Pastor B and I drove back to Phoenix to take him home. Not something I ever want to do again.

Otherwise, it was a really great camp. The children wrote and performed a wonderful little opera. The weather was cool (even downright cold one day), and we even got to have campfires despite the fire danger.

From our church we had three children attend this year - they all had a great time. Their parents and grandparents can attest to that.

As for me, this was perhaps the best camp experience (even with the glitch) that I've ever had. There's just something about that place. I consider it one of my God places. As one of my fellow staff members said, it's a place that helps turn my spiritual life back to normal. Without a doubt, I prayed more this past week than I have been lately. I got to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones, all with whom there was much levity. My friends at church told me today that I looked more peaceful. Well, I sure feel that way. Onward and upward.

Ding Dong, the Bill is Dead

I was very pleased to see that the immigration reform bill that was being considered by Congress is dead - at least for now. For too many reasons to specify, it was a bad bill (and if it does get resurrected, I will go into detail at that time). I would even go as far as saying this bill was unconstitutional. One thing that is certain is that our Congress very nearly sold us out.

I have no problem with hard-working, law-abiding people who want to become U.S. citizens - in fact they make our country that much better, and they already contribute to the national economy. But this bill would have handed the keys of our country over to gang members, drug traffickers, terrorists, welfare leeches, and various other ne'er-do-wells.

Arizonans and the residents of other border states have made their voices clear on this crisis. We are fed up with the Federal government not enforcing the laws already on the books. It is the states now that have to take up the slack with tough legislation of their own.

Instead of taking junkets to Iraq and Afghanistan (and in Nancy Pelosi's case - Syria!), our congressmen need to come see what it's like right here. It's high time that Ted Kennedy get his fat ass down here.

Headed Off to Camp

I will be spending the next week at camp, so obviously I won't be blogging unless someone brings a computer with an internet connection. But it is, after all, about getting away from it all, isn't it?

There are some things I won't miss. Like the summer heat in Phoenix (although it hasn't been that bad this year yet). Like hearing about the continuing saga of Paris Hilton (can we serve some cheese with that whine?). Like work.

And who knows, maybe I'll even see one of those elk thingies.

Checking In

With everything going lately, I've been too busy to blog. So here's the latest:

Met The Future In-Laws
With J and R's wedding coming up in October, it was decided that we should meet with J's future in-laws. So we met for dinner at J and R's house last Sunday evening. Nice folks. Not surprising since they have such a nice son. Got to see the grandson, the future granddaughter, the grandpuppy, and grandcat also. It was a grand evening.

The Grandpuppy Visits
We got to see Zoe again on Monday evening. Zoe had some surgery on a fractured front leg recently, and she now seems no worse for the wear. I think Princess can attest to that. Zoe has grown a bit since she last visited and is probably two or three times bigger than Princess. When I got home, I was being told to go rescue Princess from her "mauling" - and indeed she was pretty wet around the neck and sides from all the dog slobber. But closer observation of their antics revealed that Princess was the chief instigator (gotta love a little dog with attitude) and Zoe was just being a puppy. Princess, as usual would let Zoe chase her around and around the chair, then turn around and get in her face. Zoe's usual defense was body-slam Princess and sit on her. Funny and cute.

Nice BBQ at Church
For the Memorial Day weekend, it was decided by our Congregational Care Committee (of which I am now a member) to hold a barbeque. I was volunteered to flip burgers on the church's new charcoal grill. Hmmm. Standing by an open fire on a May afternoon in Phoenix. Actually, it wasn't too bad - we were in the shade (although it was just a palm tree). Lucky, the church cat, layed in the grass next to us - no doubt hoping for a handout or an accidental drop. The food turned out great. The best part of it was the fellowship with my fellow griller and our kitchen helpers. I'd do that again in a heartbeat.

Princess Goes to the Vet
Princess was overdue on her shots so I took her in Thursday for her exam. All is well with her, although she seems to have allergies (which I've noticed whenever she's been out on the grass for a while). I don't think she was too traumatized, but between the thermometer, two shots, and (pardon my sharing of TMI) an expressing of her anal glands, Princess didn't seem to appreciate the extra attention toward her rump. I made it up to with a trip to Petsmart.

Camp is Coming Up
A week from now I shall be packing for my week at summer music camp. Should be fun as always, even with the challenges one normally faces when dealing with that many kids. Mingus Mountain is my favorite "God place" and I look forward to spending some time up there.