Political Correctness Gone Too Far

There is a serial rape suspect on the loose in Chandler, Arizona. His victims, all of them young girls, have described him as an Hispanic man. The police sketch also looks like an Hispanic man. Yet a Spanish-speaking radio station in Phoenix says it's wrong to describe him as an Hispanic man. Excuse me?

The term "Hispanic" is a description, not an ethnic slur. It is intended to get a scumbag off the street before he hurts another little girl. It keeps us focused on who we should look for, rather than someone who's not even close to being suspect.

I have Hispanic friends, black friends, Asian friends, Native American friends, gay friends, elderly friends, Christian friends, non-Christian friends, Jewish friends, weird friends, and friends that can be described in various other ways - even an Iranian friend! I do not mention these adjectives because they are slurs against their race, creed, nationality, age, sexual orientation, or whatever; I mention them only because that's who they are.

Everyone is unique, and these adjectives merely are part of distinguishing one person from another. I do not discriminate based on these adjectives, nor do I ever use these adjectives when describing a friend to another (for example, "He is one of my black friends.") because that is not important to me.

When I hear the word Hispanic, I think of the wonderful culture that has graced our society. It is a culture rich in history and tradition which encompasses a different language and ethnicities (plural).

Bottom line is that there is an extremely dangerous man out there who just happens to be Hispanic (just as there are dangerous people who happen to be whatever). This radio station needs to be calling him out, as well as the gang members, coyotes, and cop killers that are giving Hispanics a bad name. We become better people when we embrace the diversity around us rather than use it to divide us.

Gloom and Doom: My Concern

My major concern with the way things are going these days is that America has grown really soft. The line between right and wrong has become blurred. There is confusion as to what are needs and what are desires.

As a baby boomer, I heard about the hardships my parents endured as children growing up during the Great Depression and World War II. I feel that most of my generation was brought up to be prepared in case such hardships arise again. But somehow the message seems lost on Generation X - and Generation Y will never hear from them. I wonder if Generations X and Y could possibly survive if a major crisis were to hit this country. Would they even know what to do?

As I have read the Bible stories of how the people of Israel witnessed some of God's greatest miracles, I have often wondered how they could possibly have wandered and strayed from Him. But as I get older and wiser, I have gained a better understanding. I have seen firsthand in my lifetime how this country has declined, and therefore it is easier to understand how that happened in Israel on many occasions. I myself am guilty of allowing myself to be distracted by the things of the world.

I am grateful for my faith in Jesus Christ. Otherwise I feel too old, tired, and powerless to be an activist against the forces causing our nation's decline. I am resigned to being a witness to history rather than a participant. But I suppose writing about it as I am now is a good start.

Gloom and Doom: US Economy

Let's face it. We've been pretty lucky with our economy so far. But like the real estate, the bubble could burst real soon.

Part of that is due to the real estate market itself, especially in light of the the sub-prime mortgage crisis. There's a fair number of financial institutions in serious trouble now that the foreclosure rate is at all-time high. Home values (which were artificially high to begin with) are dropping, and entities such as local governments and school districts who depend on property taxes are hurting. Personally I'm glad that a lot of these fly-by-night mortgage companies are going under. Their morals and ethics are as sub-prime as the mortgages they pimped on the unwary consumers they victimized. Unfortunately, many are losing their homes because they can't get a mortgage they actually have to qualify for.

Oil prices are another big factor. Osama bin Laden has hoped that oil would reach $100.00 per barrel. Well, we're right about there (in fact, it has reached $100.00 briefly). Gasoline is at or near $3.00 per gallon, and $4.00 per gallon is foreseeable. All transportation - not just the family car - is affected, as well as our utilities. All of this translates to higher prices for everything. Some economists predict that $100/barrel oil will be a psychological breaking point for our economy.

The weakening dollar - which is affected by our trade deficit (including tainted Chinese goods), the wars, the mortgage crisis, and oil prices - is also a major concern. I work in an area that deals in foreign currencies, and over the years I have witnessed firsthand how the US Dollar is weakening. The Euro started out at about $0.88 to the dollar - now the ratio is turned the other way, but even more so. The Canadian Dollar is about the same as the US Dollar (and it has exceeded the US Dollar on recent occasions).

Ironically, oil prices which affect the dollar, are affected by the dollar. Saudi Arabia now fixes their price of oil on the dollar - they refuse to take a hit because of a weaker dollar.

The best remedy to this problem is to export more goods. Gee, do we make any goods anymore? Seems like all we have are goods made in China and serviced in India.

Gloom and Doom: Pakistan

One place in the world we need to be concerned about is Pakistan. There is a lot of political unrest there, especially between the former president who was overthrown by the current president (who stands to be overthrown by the former president). Al-Qaeda and perhaps other terrorists are operating in Pakistan, which is just over the border from Afghanistan. Which leads to the scariest aspect of all - that Pakistan has a nuclear arsenal. Although that arsenal is likely quite limited, that is not the point. I'm not concerned about the government that has a lot of nukes. I'm concerned about one madman who has only one nuke.

What's Up With China?

"What is this, like the 8,000th product from China to have lead in it? ...Why don't they just sell lead? Wouldn't that be easier?" - Jay Leno, The Tonight Show

There have been so many tainted products imported from China - from pet food to toys - that it's no wonder so many are calling for an outright boycott of goods made in China. Not to mention that some of the money we spend on Chinese goods goes into supporting an oppressive regime, and very little - if any - goes to the people who actually make the products.

Unfortunately it's easier said than done to boycott China. Just about every manufactured item on our store shelves is made in China. It's not like we have a whole lot of choice when the retailers only sell stuff imported from China.

You have to compliment China on their explosive economic growth. It's a lot like post-industrial revolution America when we produced a lot of stuff for ourselves and the world. And yes, some of those products were unsafe, too. The only difference is that we know better now what is safe and not safe. The Chinese should know better, too. So what is up with China?

A Bit Light on Blogging Lately

I must apologize - I've been a bit light on blogging lately. It seems I get involved in other pursuits - trivial or otherwise - and find myself saying, "I'll blog later." Well, it's later. And Blogger keeps adding new and cool features. I'll get my act together.