Saturday, June 21, 2008

America the Beautiful

Mei Sermo is now available (online) at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and Booksunlimited.ie (Ireland)

The last 90 days of web logs are in the archive section under the headings: America the Great, Americana... the way it should be, and Hope for America.

June 21, 2008 10:00 p.m.

(NINETY-ONE) I am just going to reminisce a little for this blog, seeing how today is the official first day of summer. When I was a boy I loved summertime, it was my favorite time of year. And not only because I didn't have to keep inventing new ways to play hooky from school: there were other reasons as well.
There was the city park swimming pool with its large fountain in the middle and the water so cold it made you ache when you jumped in. There was the fishing hole in the cemetery just across the road from the pool, and it was well-stocked with catfish and bluegill. Of course, after fishing or swimming there was the giant 25-cent chocolate ice cream cones from Broughton's Dairy that I enjoyed eating.
A petting zoo with many wild animals was in the park also, and it sat near the largest lily-pond in the Eastern United States. I have only listed five of the many hundreds of things I enjoyed doing or going to as a young boy during the summertime in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Things change though: the lily-pond and the fishing hole were both filled in years ago. The petting zoo and the 25-cent chocolate ice cream cones are only a distant memory: the pool is not what it used to be; and summertime is no longer my favorite time of year.
I'll tell you a few other things that have changed. When I was a boy, it was a criminal act to kill a helpless child in the protective womb of its mother. When I was a boy, we said the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag at the beginning of every single school day. When I was a boy, no one thought it strange if someone led a prayer in the name of Jesus during graduation exercises. When I was a boy, by law, all stores closed on Sunday out of respect for the Lord's Day. When I was a boy no student had ever taken it upon themselves to take weapons to school and massacre their fellow students. Yep, things have changed.
Liberals said, it's alright to kill innocent babies in the womb of their mothers. Liberals said, we ought not to pledge our allegiance to the American flag. Liberals said, no one should pray in the public school and certainly not in the name of Jesus. Liberals said, blue-laws ought to be repealed and all stores should be able to do business on the Lord's Day. In 2008 liberals ask, "I wonder why we have an epidemic of students taking it upon themselves to take weapons to school and massacre their fellow students?"
Liberals, fools that they are, might not even understand all they have done to undermine everything which was once so good about America. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

June 22, 2008 9:55 p.m.

(NINETY-TWO) I wasn't sure what to write about, and then I decided on firefly's. (Lightning Bugs) I only decided on this because a few minutes ago I was participating in a catch-and-release program involving two of my young grandchildren, and several hapless flying bugs.
Never fear, no bugs were harmed in our ageless foray into the wonders of nature. I remember my own dad (and at about the same age as these girls are now) teaching me about the cold light that these bugs emitted. He said that if science could learn how these bugs were able to produce light, without heat, and if we could learn to do the same, then a lot of our energy needs would be more easily met. It is because there wouldn't be a lot of wasted energy in the form of heat being given off in order to produce the wanted result of light. Most of the present lighting that is still used in the world today is inefficient at levels above 80% of the total energy output as waste.
I wonder if God doesn't look down and smile at how ignorant human beings actually are. He has the knowledge to put one of the most profound wonders known to man in a little flying bug. And to Him, knowing how to do that is a simple thing. But for us, human beings, we can build a rocket that will fly man to the Moon, yet we can't fully figure out a simple little Lightning Bug.
Oh well, figure them out or not, they were fun to catch and release when I was a little boy, and 50 years later they are still fun to catch... and then place in the small upturned hand of a waiting grandchild... and watch them laugh as the little bug takes flight; to once again light up our night-time front yard. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

June 23, 2008 7:30 a.m.

(NINETY-THREE) I know there are people who will read the main point of today's blog, and not believe it too be true. However, if you read everything that I write, this will not be anything new. Nonetheless, the main point of today's blog... like my other writings... are factual.
At present we only have eight dogs. Sometimes, caring for that many dogs is a bit of a hassle because it makes it difficult whenever we want to go anywhere for more than a few hours at a time. Usually we have to enlist a combination of our three daughters and members of their families to care for them anytime we leave, and having that many animals is always expensive. An example is that their heart-worm pills alone cost more than $60.00 per month.
In addition to food, shots, pills, collars, harnesses, leashes, muzzles, and etcetera: there are, of course, daily treats I buy and toys I purchase for them. I know, I'm one of those types of people!
Two of our dogs we never leave behind even when we go on a car trip; Virgil and Stella goes with us. We had an urgent reason to go to Pittsburgh late last year and I did not have time to find a pet friendly motel. Usually though, I just sneak them in with me anyway. But this time I thought I would try something different.
I walked to the desk and told the receptionist (in a loud voice) that I had a service-dog with me and I needed a room near an exit. She probably thought the way that I talked she already knew my infirmity... deafness. Anyway, several months before I had done some (online) research and I knew that, by law, service providers, i.e., motels, restaurants, and etceteras could not even ask me what type of disability I had, (see note at bottom on disability) nor what type of service-dog he was. By the way, I am grateful for that law: because it might have been hard to explain that by service-dog, I only meant that I provide great service for him. She gave me the first room nearest the exit at the end of the hall.
The only reason I do not take him into restaurants with me, (while explaining that he is a service-dog) is because it would be difficult to make them believe he has had any serious training, while at the same time he is pausing to "mark" every table leg we pass.
I guess that even though our animals do cost us some things, monetarily or otherwise, it is still a good trade off: because in return we get unconditional love from them.
Now to the main point of my blog. Though none of our animals are for sale, it is especially true for Virgil: my boy. If you had at your disposal the treasures of Solomon, gold of Midas, holdings of John D. Rockefeller, Sultan of Brunei, Henry Ford, Gates, Carnegie, Vanderbilt, and add to that the wealth of Licinius Crassus, and you offered every cent of it to me in order to purchase my boy... I would look at you like you had three heads... and then I would laugh at you as he and I walked away. Now, I know most people reading this would think that is untrue... but it's not... there really are some things that are not for sale!
If you think about it, I bet you could come up with a long list of things that you wouldn't sell either.. no matter the price that was offered. At least, I would hope that you would be able to come up with many things that are (at least to you) priceless. If not, then in my humble opinion, you live a very tragic life.
I will now explain what my disability is. It is probably only this: I don't care what people think of me. I'll give you just one example of this. If I can't find a parking space in a lot near to the store I am going to shop in... I will... gasp... use one of the many handicap parking spaces.
Now, after all of these years you would have thought that my wife would have learned by now, apparently though she is educable slow, because she says exactly the same thing... every single time! "What are you going to do if a cop comes by?" And I answer her with exactly the same line... every single time! (It is a line Danny DeVito used in a movie.) I look at my wife and say, "If a cop comes by and asks me about parking here... I'm going to say... do I look normal to you?" (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

June 24, 2008 4:20 a.m.

(NINETY-FOUR) Have you read the latest poll on "religious tolerance" in America. If it's true, and I have my doubts, it would at least explain how someone who says they are a follower of the Lord Jesus, might still cast a vote to put a baby-killing abortionist into public office. The reason I said I have my doubts about the accuracy of the poll, it also concluded that 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it. Talk about your Cybil complex. Can you imagine the following argument: "Yes there's a God."
"No there isn't."
"Of course He's real."
"Don't be absurd." And the argument that's taking place... is only internal, and coming from the same person!
Let me say what I believe as succinctly as possible. "When it comes to salvation, only Jesus the Christ can save anyone's soul!" All other religions, beliefs, practices, and "isms" will leave its followers in their same "lost" condition, and upon their physical death their soul will begin to suffer damnation in Hell.
People like Gaddy, and all "interfaith groups" that teach the great lie of "the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man" are all straight from Hell itself! There is only one God, and faith alone in God, the Lord Jesus the Christ which grants eternal life to the believer.
Look, if you are not a devout follower and believer in Christ as the only way to eternal life, why waste your time going to church on Sunday? Instead, go play golf, fish, watch television, or even sleep in... but there is really no good reason for people like yourself to take up space in a church pew.
Let me ask you a few related questions. Do you enjoy drinking a cup of hot coffee? Do you like drinking a glass of iced coffee? If you answered "yes" to both of those, let me ask you a third question. If the coffee you enjoy drinking is neither hot or cold, but only lukewarm, what do you do when it enters your mouth... you spit it out... don't you? Of course you do. Hot or cold, it's delicious... but lukewarm, it gags you and you are forced to spit it out! Keep in mind that the liquid you enjoy the taste of is still the same, the only thing that has changed is its "temperature." Yet, that change in temperature (only) is enough to make your drink no longer worth drinking.
That is exactly how Christ describes people who are only lukewarm for Him. He will "spit" you out: because you, the fence sitters, have left a very bad taste in His mouth. God is giving His final message for the Laodicean age: which is of course saved for the last days on Earth and that is what the "church" is in now. Revelation 3:15-16: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
Remember those words the next time you take a sip from something that is supposed to be either very hot or very cold, and it has grown to room-temperature and your "gag reflex" kicks in and you want to spit the bad taste from your mouth. That is how Jesus feels about all of the "fence sitters" out there. Either get on board with Him, and all that He teaches, or get off completely and make room for others who whole heartedly support all that He teaches. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/25/2008 8:05 a.m.

(NINETY-FIVE) In ages past history attests that decadence within a particular society always was a precursor to its imminent downfall. From Sodom to Rome, it is always the same... everything and nothing of any value. Let me explain.
A recent sale of a Monet painting, "Water Lily Pond" sold for more than 80 million dollars! Think about it: this single painting sold for more than enough money so that 16,000 families (with four people in each group) could have been well-fed for an entire year. Besides the tragic waste of money for the painting, it is not particularly good art. Any competent art student could paint a copy of "Water Lily Pond" that could pass as the original.
Within this same story are 18 other items that recently were purchased by collectors. Read through this list and you will see that the world has apparently gone completely crazy. Some of the items purchased were cars, diamonds, more art, a piece of cereal from a box of cereal, and even a truffle that sold for more than one-hundred thousand dollars per pound. INSANITY!
As a saved person who enjoys studying end-time events there are myriad reasons why I believe the world, as we know it, is fast approaching Armageddon. And most of the reasons has to do with fulfilled Bible prophecy: but not all. In history past as a local society was about to fall it always went through the same stages. The last stage was always depravity and what I call the everything and nothing of any value.
Today it seems like it is the whole world and not just a local state, country, or empire that is afflicted with this mentality. The world is putting great value on every "thing" such as poor art, cereal pieces with odd shapes, and other such nonsense: yet, the nothing of any value is placed upon unborn children, (kill them at will) morals, (openly mocked by the majority of people) feeding starving people, and anything else which is "good" and was once held in high esteem and assigned a place of great value by the world at large... is now devalued to the point of not even entering into the conscience thought of most people.
The decadence and depravity that was once rampant only in localized pockets, just before they fell, such as Sodom, Rome, and etcetera, is now happening worldwide and all at the same time. However, this is a good news, bad news scenario. It is very bad news for all of those who are taking part and "enjoying themselves" in these last days... but, it is very good news for all of those who are saved by Christ and are looking for His soon appearing. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/26/2008 7:00 a.m.

(NINETY-SIX) If there is still any doubt about why we need a conservative president voted into office this next election, then all you have to do is look at two recent rulings from the United States Supreme Court and there will be no doubt left.
The single most powerful thing any president can do is to appoint judges to the nation's highest court. Other than that, both Houses of Congress have more impact on the daily lives of Americans than does any sitting president.
Two (recent) 5/4 votes came down from the Supreme Court with the liberals in lock-step voting on the wrong side of the issue. The first decision gave terrorists (who were captured overseas while fighting against and killing our soldiers) the same rights as American citizens! Now, in Boumediene v. Bush, and according to five liberals who sit on our High Court (Kennedy, Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, Breyer) captured terrorists have habeas corpus rights. WHAT A JOKE!
Of course, and as usual, it is the conservative men on the High Court who are watching out for American values and they voted against such a laughable action. These men are: Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, and Alito.
Now, the latest travesty by the same liberals on the High Court in the case Kennedy v. Louisiana says that a man can repeatedly rape a five-year-old baby girl until she needs corrective surgery, yet, the state cannot impose the death penalty for such a brutal act. Naturally those on the High Court that thinks brutalizing a five-year-old baby is not that bad are the liberals, Kennedy, Stevens, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer.
Of course, and as usual, it is the conservative men on the High Court who are watching out for America and its children. These men are: Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, and Alito. These men are conservative and they rightly believe that a monster who would brutally rape children ought to die for their actions.
That is why we need a conservative president voted into office in 2008. Put Obama in and we have more liberal monsters like Ginsburg, Souter, and the other libs on the High Court. However, vote for McCain and we are likely to get more men like Roberts, Scalia, Thomas, and Alito placed on our nation's High Court.
Just ask and answer one easy question. The two cases I wrote about in today's blog, the decision came about because of the libs on the Supreme Court. So, here is the question: Do you think that America, and its children are made safer by those decisions? Of course the answer is no. Therefore, if we had only one more clear-thinking conservative on the High Court that would cause future decisions to come down on the right side of decency and morality.
Your choice in this next election is very simple after all. Vote for McCain and see conservative people placed on the High Court who will kelp to protect all American life... born and unborn. However, vote for Obama and see more of the same... coddle terrorists, excuse baby rapists, and many other ungodly causes that liberals always want to support.
Daily (in my prayers) I ask God to either save the liberals on the High Court (which would cause them to cease supporting all of the liberal causes they endorse) or see that they are removed. And by removing I mean by retirement, illness, or their death. Ginsburg, who is a card-carrying member of the rotten ACLU and her liberal cohorts on the Supreme Court are a blight on America and its values. If you name the name of Jesus the Christ, you ought to join with me as I pray for the Lord's Divine-will to be accomplished with those who sit on our nation's High Court.
It is also important to understand to pray for His Divine-will to be accomplished. It is not enough to only ask for God's-will to be done. For we might only get His permissive-will.
Let me succinctly show you (in a single statement) the difference between the two wills. Divine- will would have given a second term to Bush 41; however, permissive-will allowed a Clinton presidency. (LOL)
(Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/27/2008 7:03 a.m.

(NINETY-SEVEN) Today I am blogging in red ink to signify that for all freedom loving Americans this is, in fact, a red-letter day. The United States Supreme Court, in still yet another 5/4 vote, voted to uphold the Second Amendment and stated that DC's ban on handguns was unconstitutional. Finally, one for the good guys!
Do you realize though, how scary (close) it was for all of those in America who understands the framers of our Constitution meant for all of its citizens to be able to keep and bear arms, that we were just one (crazy) liberal short of losing that right.
Who else, but a liberal with their own agenda could read the Second Amendment and not understand that it guarantees the right for an ordinary citizen to keep and bear arms! It reads: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."
I have often written (and publicly stated) that there is a very easy way for any person to understand what both the writers of the Bible and the framers of the Constitution meant by everything they wrote. Besides reading what is written without inserting your own bias into what has been said, there is another sure-fire way to get to original truth and intent. Antonin Scalia is a brilliant legal scholar and he clearly understands this truth. In writing for the majority he stated that facts are supported by "the historical narrative." In other words, go back in history to the time before and after the Constitution was written and ratified, and see if the "average" American was keeping and bearing arms.
If you do this you will certainly see that virtually every single person owned and carried firearms. Therefore it is easy to see that "the historical narrative" supports the Second Amendment right for all American citizens to be able to protect and defend themselves by owning guns!
Think about it: if the framers of our Constitution did not mean for all citizens to be able to keep and bear arms, we would have hundreds of historical records that showed American citizens being prosecuted for breaking the law by owning and bearing guns. But, this never happened because the writers of our Constitution knew the value of all of its citizens being able to protect themselves.
Two more points on this matter and I will be done. DC is one of the most crime-ridden cities anywhere in the world. And until now, they had one of the most stringent gun control laws anywhere in the country. The reason for this seeming incongruity, and the point libs always seem to miss, is that with or without laws on the books, criminals will always be able to arm themselves. So, gun control laws do not work because all they do is take away the right of the law abider to protect themselves. If you don't accept that, then compare crime stats with cities where gun control laws were stringent, and where they were lax. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS... whatever area had a lot of gun control on the books, violent crimes soar, and where gun control laws were more lax, violent crimes drop. It is because those areas were letting all criminals know that any person they were preparing to rob, rape, kill, etcetera... just might be armed themselves... and of course, violent crimes drop.
Remember this fact. A policeman coming to your rescue is always after the fact! Between the time they are called, and they arrive... the victim has already been robbed, beaten, raped, and etcetera. Please, arm yourself and maybe you can one day do the cops a favor and remove a criminal from society all by yourself.
The last point is this: What if Kennedy had not departed from the liberal side and joined with Scalia, Roberts, Alito, and Thomas? That would mean that all of us American citizens who were heretofore law abiding citizens, would now be classified as criminals because if you are like me, then no present day law on the books that is written by liberals (who would devalue and undermine our Constitution) would cause me to turn in a gun. In the words of Charlton Heston, You can have my gun when you pry it "from my cold, dead hands." Vote for McCain and we get Justices on the bench like Roberts who support and honor the Constitution. Vote for Obama and we get more Justices like the ACLU's Ginsburg. God forbid! (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/28/2008 12:01 a.m.

(NINETY-EIGHT) Later this morning, myself and one of my sons-in-law will experience a practice in futility. At least for him this will be a futile exercise because his chance of being selected as a contestant for the show is slim to none... and "Slim" is out of town. (pun intended) Although I certainly appreciate his willingness to accompany me as I go to a casting call for the "Biggest Loser" show that airs on NBC.
If this show had been to Louisville approximately one year ago, then (...) my son-in-law might have had a little better chance to be selected, though still not great because he was never that out of shape. However, in the past year he has worked very hard and has dropped weight and positioned himself to, in the very near future, run a full marathon. To give you an idea of my size... if you combined our two weights and heights, then divided by two... you would have one normal person.
The problem for me (in this particular casting call) is not that I would not be a good candidate for their show, people like me is who the show was created for. No, the problem is that they are looking for "couples." You can be related or just friends, but they are looking for two people. Wait... I have an idea. Maybe, all by myself I can pretend like I am two people. (Me talking to casting agent) "C'mon buddy, you don't seriously think one person could be this big... do ya?"
(Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/29/2008 8:55 p.m.

(NINETY-NINE) Just a brief blog to talk about two unrelated events. First: I reached somewhat of a personal milestone today. I have spent a little more than 15 years of my life as a vegetarian. The first time I quit eating meat I was 21 and at that time I stopped eating meat for more than a year. June 29, 1994 I quit eating animals again, and today is 14 years without eating meat of any type. Technically I am called lacto-ovarian vegetarian. I eat the byproduct of certain animals but not the animals themselves: i.e., I drink milk, eat eggs, and honey.
The second thing is that my wife and I returned from Belpre, Ohio a little while ago as we had gone there yesterday to celebrate her younger sisters 50th birthday! Wait a minute, something just occurred to me. If my wife has a younger sister and she is 50 years old... then how old is my wife? Surely she can't be over 50 years old. I mean, I remember the first time I saw her. She was walking home from school and with school books in hand she was walking past my kitchen window, at that time she was only 17. That first time I watched her till she was out of sight.
Certainly that didn't happen more than a dozen years ago... did it? At least it doesn't seem like it. If you get nothing else from today's blog, take this next thought with you. Time flies!!! (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

6/30/2008 3:10 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED) I don't know if you have seen the story or not, but some liberals have hired a person who looks like Bush to do some anti-Bush and by extension, anti-Republican commercials. If any conservative out there would like to do the same type of commercial: anti-Obama and by extension, anti-Democrat... I have your man. This guy is a dead-ringer for Obama.
Go to "You Tube," online. Once you are at their site, type in: Obama caught acting... then hit "search." The video that will be at the top of the screen, play that one. Although it is quite possible that it is not an actor on the commercial, but actually Obama himself. (sic) In between gigs of finding known terrorists to support him, Obama had to make money somehow. Perhaps this is how he did it. If it isn't him then I feel sorry for the other guy. Because I thought that, surely, no two black men on planet Earth has ears that stick out that far from their head. But hey... maybe I'm wrong. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

7/01/2008 7:50 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-ONE) Just a brief blog to keep you all updated on some of our family history. Yesterday our family heard some surprise good news. Our group of grandchildren has grown from seven wonderful kids to a new number: eight. Our middle daughter is expecting a child, and in approximately eight months she will be able to bring the baby home from the hospital. At that time they will be a family of five.
At this time there is also a wonderful little boy, by the name of (.....) and he is in the care of one of our daughters and her husband. Daily I pray that he also will become a part of our family and then the number eight... can grow to nine. Nine is a good number... but not as good as ten... eleven... twelve... etcetera. Are you listening girls? Keep those kids coming... we love children and puppies. Or is it puppies and children? I'm getting old... I can't remember.
One of our daughters gave me a framed picture of a "smiling" dog. Under his picture is the inscription: "We had to get rid of the kids... the dog was allergic." I have that picture hanging on the wall near my desk... I use the sentiment it portrays to keep the grandkids in line.
I sincerely hope that every person who reads this blog has family members they enjoy as much as we enjoy ours. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

7/02/2008 10:35 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-TWO) Have you ever wondered if certain people who are in the news a lot have sold their soul to the devil. I don't mean like you literally see in old horror movies where a deal is made and then inked, however, I do believe that they have sold out nonetheless and their "eternal reward" is going to be found in the Lake of Fire. And that, I do mean literally.
At first, on their part, it might not even be a conscious thought that they do this... but ever so slowly, you see them get farther and farther away from Christian teachings that they used to profess they believed, and at the same time they are falling away... you see them become more famous and wealthier in this world's goods.
Of course Oprah immediately comes to mind and she is now so far gone that she is quite possibly in bed with Satan himself. She has gone from a professing believer in Christ to now embracing the weirdest teachings on the planet today: Tolle.
Now we have another Hollywood loon, Will Smith building a school that will teach a course from the loony tune Hubbard and the Hollywood cult of Scientology. Now, Mr. Smith is becoming a tool for evil as he will use this school to try and shape the minds of young children and cause them to believe lies which will, in turn, damn their souls.
As you watch the lives of people who once said they accepted Christ, but now they do not, watch and see if they do not start becoming more "successful" in this world. Remember, the devil also rewards his own people. When the devil came to Christ to tempt the Lord he offered "all of the kingdoms of this Earth" if only the Lord would worship him. Of course Christ rebuked him and he fled. But it is worth noting that it wasn't a false offer. In this world, money, fame, etcetera can and are given by Satan to people who will turn away from following the one true God, if only they will openly embrace many false gods. A few examples: Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Shirley Maclaine, etc. etc. etc.
These people who do this are shortsighted fools who will trade a nanosecond of time on Earth, in order to have an easier life, for eternity in a place that is apart from God. The sad truth is that Hubbard and others who started cults which now has large followings are already dead and in Hell, and now they await those who foolishly followed after their crazy teachings. Repent before it is forever too late. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/03/2008 9:15 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-THREE) With all of the important news stories and events that are happening worldwide at a mind-boggling pace, I am going to tell you about something which is quite trivial. Tonight, my wife and I received poor service at a local Pizza Hut and, of course, I asked to see the manager in order to register a complaint. What is rather newsworthy though is the fact that I very calmly told my waiter that he gave poor service and in the same tone of voice I also told the manager that he ran a poor operation. As usual, my poor beleaguered wife waited quietly by the door while I spoke to the people in question.
For those who actually know me you probably are thinking that I am being facetious when I said that I did all of this calmly, but you would be wrong. In a pleasant and normal conversational tone, and level of voice, I told them why I wouldn't be back. Of course I did not pull out the, "Do you know how much money I spend here?" Because I am well aware that unless they actually own the place, typical management doesn't care if I spend a dollar bill in a year, or ten-thousand dollars: it is all the same to an hourly employee; in the end it is just a weekly paycheck for them.
Nor did I say in an indignant tone of voice, "I guess I'll just have to go to Papa John's." Again, and for the same reasons I already stated, they would be overjoyed if all of their patrons, including me, ate elsewhere: that would only make their time they are at "work" that much easier.
So, after telling the manager all that I thought was wrong with his establishment my wife and I left and we went to a nearby Tumbleweed Restaurant. The service was very good and the meal was enjoyable. On a $29.00 bill for the meal, I tipped $8.00 and also handed our young waiter a Gospel tract and we left. Because of the excellent service we received at Tumbleweed this evening: in the words of the extremely liberal, and faux Republican, Arnold Schwarzenegger, "Ahhll-be-bahhk." (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/04/2008 8:50 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-FOUR) Happy 4th of July! I hate to say it, but this might be the last 4th of July that America celebrates as the greatest country in the history of the world... that is if Obama and his people have their way.
It is important to understand that Obama is not a black man, his true color is a "green" man. And I don't mean that because of his wacky leftist views on global warming. I mean that because he and the small lizard the chameleon evidently share the same DNA. Obama, like the lizard he is... always tries to blend in to his surroundings.
Obama, while running for the right to head up the party for Democrats was a "pink" man. In order to get the nod from liberals he knew that he had to be farther left than even the Clinton's, and it worked. During that campaign he was in bed with the ultra-left group called Code Pink and he stated over and over that if elected he would end the war in Iraq and bring our soldiers home now!
Obama now has the nomination and he has changed colors again and he is turning into a conservative "white" man. His views on the war are now sounding exactly like President Bush. Obama's message is now that he will listen to "commanders on the ground in Iraq" and he will bring our soldiers home whenever that country is stable.
If elected, we would see the chameleon (Obama) changing into a blacker than night "black" man and he would act on his former pastor's radical views on "black liberation theology."
America is great because of its autonomy. Obama is actually concerned that we can't eat what we want... keep our thermostats set on 72 degrees... drive what we want.... and expect that the rest of the world is just going to say Ok. Yes folks, Obama, the "green" man, is an idiot.
So, while I can still say it, and mean it, "happy 4th of July... freedom day... to all freedom loving Americans." And may God bless all of our soldiers, past and present, and their families. "God bless America!" (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/05/2008 5:00 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-FIVE) Just a short blog to tell the world what it obviously needs the most. It almost sounds too simplistic to be true, nonetheless, it is still true. Salvation through the Lord Jesus the Christ would end (overnight) most of the problems the world is experiencing.
Let me ask you a question. How many rich, famous, powerful people you can quickly name that died because of drug overdose? Perhaps you can begin with Heath Ledger and count backward. How many others you have read about, who, might still yet be alive but they are also suffering many addictions, sex, alcohol, etcetera. Hollywood and Washington D.C. are apparently full of people like what I am describing.
Have you ever thought, "Why?" I mean, these people seem to have everything most people are trained to want. They are famous, wealthy, powerful, and in many cases they are physically attractive, and they even have people who wait on them hand and foot; yet, they are still extremely unhappy and are looking for something... anything to fill the emptiness they are experiencing. That is why they indulge in sex, drugs, or alcohol... yet, they are still unhappy.
Many times in the past I have had messages where I stated that if a person was never going to be saved, they would be better off to live their lives and die without ever realizing any of their dreams. At least in that way they would have always held to the false belief that if they ever had money... fame... wealth... etcetera, then they would have been a happy person.
It is because the empty person (lost man) who achieves his goal, yet he is still without salvation, is still an "empty person," and too late he understands that none of those things, wealth, fame, etcetera has made him happy. So, he turns to drugs, sex, etcetera... trying to fill his emptiness.
Now, contrast the empty life of a person who has all of the material goods that the world has to offer, and yet they remain totally unhappy... compare their life to a person who has little material goods, yet because they personally know the Lord Jesus... they are both happy and content. This latter group of people do not turn to drugs or drink to try and "fill their emptiness." Christ has done that for them and they are at peace. I will close with an axiom: "Know Jesus, know peace: No Jesus, no peace. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/06/2008 7:15 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-SIX) It seems that everywhere I turn lately another person is predicting the date the world will end. So, I thought I would go ahead and jump on the bandwagon and be like everyone else who is giving an exact date for the end of the world. Ready: October 4, 2026. More on that later.
Today in church our pastor was preaching on the Second Coming of the Lord, (Christ). His "prediction" was Biblically correct because he never gave a date for the Lord's imminent return. He only stated that it could be at any time.
However, after I came home I saw where they are reviving one of the older news stories about the Mayan calendar. Of course, according to people who follow the "logic" of the Mayan's calendar being correctly crossed over to the Gregorian calendar is a leap, and add to that... so what. Maybe the Mayan whose job it was to make the calendar just got tired of scratching symbols on a piece of rock. (sic) I can though give you an exact date that the world will not end: December 21, 2012.
Another group believes the world will fall into a "black hole" that several scientists might "possibly" create when they start up the world's biggest "atom smasher." This machine has been given the name of the "Big Bang." For those of you who believe that this machine starting up will be the beginning of the end of the world... well, I hate to break it to you... but you just have a few weeks to live. The machine will be turned on next month.
In the late '80's there was a lot of play given to an author who wrote a book, and gave 88 reasons why Christ would return in '88. I probably should have authored a follow-up book in '89 called: "89 Reasons Why Jesus Didn't Return in "88. Keep in mind that I do not doubt His imminent return, nor do I doubt the end of the world is near. It is just that I believe the Book and I know that it is not up to man to know the date God will end this old Earth. Those plans are in His very capable hands. I will say though, be ready... by all of the signs abounding in the world today... I can only say... look up, your redemption draweth nigh.
Now to my date that I gave for the end of time. On that date (October 4, 2026) my wife and I will have been "married" 53 years! It just seems to me that 53 years is an incredible length of time to be married to the very same person, so that is my date... after that length of time (married) to the very same person... I am more than ready for the end of the world. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/07/2008 8:45 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-SEVEN) Just a couple of questions for today's blog. First: Why isn't more people calling (what some supposed followers of Islam do whenever they blow up women and children) what these acts actually are: cowardly! I loved it a few years ago when I saw the pictures of American soldiers on patrol (in Iraq) using translators and megaphones and calling the cowardly insurgents out to fight in the open. Of course, because these men were cowards they refused to come out from hiding and fight like men.
People like this would rather strap a bomb on a small child, or a mentally impaired person and send them into a crowded market to blow up a lot of innocent women and children. People like this are cowardly to their very core!
Secondly: Here at home, and overseas racial profiling ought to be used at all times! Until, and unless a bunch of cowardly bombers start coming from a Judaeo-Christian background, then law-enforcement needs to quit wasting everyone's time and target only those people who fit the "profile" of a cowardly suicide bomber.
Look, history proves that if law-enforcement is looking for a serial killer, primarily they need to concentrate their resources on people who fit a certain "profile." Most serial killers will fall into the category of a Caucasian male between the ages of 18-32. He will have been either physically or sexually abused as a child and he will have experienced three things in his youth that is referred to as the "McDonald Triad." 1. Bed-wetting after the age of ten. 2. He would be known for having harmed small animals. 3. And he would have a history of starting fires.
The above profiling of a serial killer does not mean that every single serial killer fits that profile, but, more often than not they will. Because of that fact law-enforcement does not need to waste a lot of time and energy in tracking a group of people where a serial killer has never been known to come from. And I, as a white man, do not feel like the "white race" is being unfairly targeted because law-enforcement would take a very close look at all men who fit that "racial profile."
Worldwide, all cowardly suicide attacks (to date) have come from the very same type and group of people! Because of that irrefutable fact... law enforcement ought to quit wasting their time in the interest of "political correctness" and target only Arabic Muslims! It does not mean that every single Arab who goes to a Mosque and wears a towel on their head is automatically a cowardly suicide bomber... but it is as good a place as any other to start looking for them. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/08/2008 5:45 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-EIGHT) I wonder how often people stop to think about how great the changes are in the world over the past 40 years and then relate that to end-time events. The apostle Paul spoke of "perilous times" that would be happening just before the end of days and I would like to talk about only two of them. Remember, a sign of the end of days is when what used to be thought of as "right" is now considered "wrong," and vice-versa.
Have you noticed how everything seems to be turned upside down, as it relates to sound thinking and all things considered godly. I will write about only two, seemingly unrelated facts and show how they actually tie in with each other and are, in fact, a sign of the end-times.
First: When I was a boy, stores were closed on Sunday and churches were full. Today, on Sunday, many churches have closed and the stores are full.
Secondly: When I was a boy you could cut down a tree, but it was illegal to destroy a human baby. Today, many places in America it is illegal to cut down a tree, but you can destroy a human baby. It seems that many in the world has followed Alice down the rabbit hole and they are as crazy as the Mad Hatter.
It is because people has abandoned the churches for the stores that we think it is ethical and right to save the trees, but kill our heritage. Look, I do not reverence this "rock" I live on. It is not Mother Nature, nor is it something I was placed here to take care of. Men have it backwards. This Earth was made by God to take care of me! It is, at best, a Habitrail. The Earth is nothing more, or less, than a place God designed to house His creation. We, human beings, were given the dominion over it, never was it supposed to be the other way around.
Why do ignorant men and women believe that God intended for them to take special care of this "rock" that He stated in Scripture He is going to destroy anyway: yet, ignorant men and women destroy the very thing (babies) He designed this "rock" to care for. I suppose that it is because of this type of backward thinking (by most liberals) that I purposefully go out of my way to show that this "rock" is nothing more to me than a temporary cage and I am only passing through. So, I spoil it and use its resources any way that I see fit. Remember, according to God, I have dominion over the Earth... not the other way around! Two more questions and I am through: one for the liberal, and one for the Christian.
Liberal: Have you hugged your tree today while feeling happy that it is still legal to murder unborn children In America?
Christian: Have you hugged your child today and (perhaps) cut down a tree only so you could burn it for toasting marshmallows with your family? (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/09/2008 6:55 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-NINE) There are certain news stories that cry out for a different type of justice for some crimes. Such a case is happening in Georgia with a Pakistani named Chaudhry Rashid. The type of justice I am speaking about is swift and usually came at the end of a long knotted rope.
This is a case of another fool who is practicing a heathen ritual from a backwoods third-world country. Rashid is another coward who murdered his daughter for something called an "honor killing." Basically it works like this: If the female child does anything that displeases or supposedly can impune the "honor" of the family, an older male sibling or the father will kill the female child... and this act is supposed to somehow restore the family's honor? What a joke!
And there are actually idiots in the United States who say that Islam is a "religion of peace." Again, what fools some people are. I have an idea. Why don't those who are living in our country and who believe in the practice of honor killings take your heathen selves and your heathen religion back to your heathen third-world countries and live your damnable lives there.
I also have another idea. In order to restore the honor of the state of Georgia that allowed a scumbag like Rashid to live there, I hope the prosecutor asks for and gets the death penalty. I further hope that the sentence is quickly carried out and Rashid gets what he deserves: both in this life and the next. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/10/2008 7:55 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-TEN) There might be many things that one day will kill me, but I can give you an ironclad guarantee that "karoshi" will not be on that long list!
While it is true that God gave man a job to do: at first it was "gardening" in the Garden of Eden and later it was only specified that man should "work," (if a man doesn't work, neither should he eat) but it was not spelled out what the work was supposed to be. But, God also incorporated into mankind's work week a "day of rest." God never intended for His creation to work like many people throughout the world do.
It is probably due in large part to the unions within our country that we, here at home, do not have the mindset that other countries like Japan has. At least for that I can honestly say, "Thank God for labor unions."
In my humble opinion, unless you are working in a profession that has eternal significance like the ministry, I can not imagine anyone being "defined" by the job they have. Working any job ought to only be a "means to an end" but never the "end" itself. I sometimes read of someone who has won the lottery and they say they are going to continue working as a secretary, trash collector, cop, etcetera, and my first reaction is always... they are lying. My next thought is how tragic their life must be if their fulfillment actually comes from some job they hold.
Don't get me wrong. If you are earning money working for yourself or for another, you ought to give a good account of yourself while on the job. However, when the work day is through, whatever "job" you have ought to be put out of your mind until the next time you are slated to work. Again, unless you are in the ministry, nothing else has eternal consequences and is so pressing that you ought to work until you experience karoshi.
What a sad statement it would be on your life to have someone say, at your funeral, that you worked so hard and long at building cars, houses, teaching, plumbing, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera, that it actually killed you! All I can say for any person who is reading this and they feel "defined" by the job they hold and because of that they are sacrificing family and health to do their job... get a real life... before your job kills you. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/11/2008 8:30 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-ELEVEN) Have you read the latest thing that liberals have found in order to be mad at President Bush? Let me tell you about this "story."
It seems that our economy is "catching up" to an old television show as life is devalued. As a younger man I watched Lee Majors play the role of Steve Austin... The Six Million Dollar Man. It was a pretty good show and six-million dollars seemed like an extraordinary amount of money wherewith to value a single individual.
Today, liberals are decrying the fact that the "average American life" has been "devalued" to 6.9 million dollars. Think about it... that neighbor of yours who is unemployed, twice divorced, and daily stands on his front porch wearing only shorts, a wife beater tee shirt and swills beer all day long is still worth nearly seven million dollars in the eyes of President Bush. And yet, libs are still mad at Bush.
Of course I am making fun at libs who are constantly looking for any reason to be mad at President Bush. If singlehandedly he developed a cure for all types of cancer libs would still find a way to fault him... perhaps for not having found it sooner. There are things that I disagree with that he has done, however, they are "real" things and I do not have to manufacture a non-story about life being devalued as a cause to become angry at our president.
And yes, I know some of the ramifications that "might" follow such a reduction in the value placed on Americans... and I feel obligated to say... so what? I think the tree-huggers need to get a grip, or better yet... get a life. I honestly just don't care what environmental policies, may, or may not be affected by this change in valuing an American life.
As for me I plan on enjoying this day as I travel to Brown County and realize that in the eyes of President Bush, I am worth a million dollars more than Steve Austin... LOL (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/12/2008 8:30 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-TWELVE) Today will just be a brief blog to lament the news of Tony Snow dying. Of course, everyone was aware that he was ill for sometime but I think most of us thought that he would beat the cancer he had. Even though it was the same type (colon cancer) that killed his mother three decades ago.
I enjoyed watching him on television and he was a regular on Limbaugh's show whenever Rush was on vacation, or had other commitments. Mr. Snow was a strong voice for reason, morality, decency, and all things conservative. He was different than many who are very conservative in at least one way: though he would not back down to liberals or some of their insane ideas, he was still able to make many in the liberal camp like him, even while he staunchly held to the conservative viewpoint. However, that is not the thing I liked best about him.
I liked the fact that from everything I read, heard, or saw... he was a very good family man. In this day and age... that means a lot. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/13/2008 8:00 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-THIRTEEN) I have two basic questions for you. First: "Why are so many people enthralled whenever a stranger they have never met and will never know is having a baby?" Case in point: Angelina Jolie. I only write about this silly phenomenon of strangers closely following events in peoples lives (whom they will never know) because it is all over the news.
I full well understand why a person's immediate family and their close friends would be excited and happy at a birth... but, why does anyone else care? And, even if you were going to be interested in a stranger giving birth... why her? Apparently, if you are a known whore in Hollywood, that is about all it takes to have a following of self-serving sycophants. If you are one of the "sheep" who is interested in this story and you don't like being called a sycophant, then I will give you another name... "toady."
Look, I don't wish anyone ill, but I could care less if a person I will never meet and would have no interest in knowing gives birth to children or not. Second question I would like to ask those people who are actually interested in the lives of strangers who are giving birth to children. "Is your own life so unhappy that you must try to live vicariously through another person?"
If you fall into that last group of people, I have a suggestion for you. Turn off the television... fold the newspaper... shut off the radio and your computer... and go out and do something fun with people you actually know... your own friends and family! (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/14/2008 5:25 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-FOURTEEN) There are two stories in the news I want to talk about. First: If any God-hating liberal in America seriously doubts how great our country is, I have an easy test you can watch for during this Olympics that will prove your error. What I am speaking about happens during every Olympic games, and this year it has already started and the games have not even begun. Mehbooba Ahadyar, Afghanistan's only female athlete that was slated to perform in the Olympics has packed her bags and left... literally.
She will turn up somewhere seeking asylum, then, as in the past, "Mehbooba" and all of the athletes from oppressed nations who have defected will eventually find their way to the greatest country on the face of the Earth, America!
When she finds her way to America, a country infinitely better than the one she left, I do have a suggestion for her. Change her name... immediately. Me-booba just doesn't cut it.
Secondly: The liberal press in America is angry at Senator McCain for his joke about sending cigarettes to Iran and maybe killing them that way. Actually it was a very funny joke and I imagine Letterman or Leno wished their writers had thought of it first. Let me point out the obvious hypocrisy in our leftist press. The midget from Iran, Ahmadinejad has repeatedly stated that he would like to see Israel and the United States destroyed and this fool gets good play in the press by liberal newspapers.
McCain makes a joke about killing Iranians with imported cigarettes and libs are "incensed" at how crude that remark was. What a bunch of fools liberals are.
I have a better idea than just imported cigarettes if anyone really wants to see Iran and its leaders destroyed. Have Madonna and several other Hollywood whores hand-carry cigarettes to Iran along with cases of Kentucky bourbon. Included in these "ditty bags" will be movies made by Michael Moore and Al Gore. If you also add a few writings from Al Franken and Maureen Dowd, that should just about do it.
I mean, if vices such as cigarettes and liquor, whores like Madonna, and liberal ideas from people like Dowd, Franken, Moore, and Gore has gone a long way toward harming America, then a backward country like Iran would be utterly destroyed by these same people and their leftist philosophies. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/15/2008 5:25 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-FIFTEEN) I have just a few observations this morning. First: the cover of The New Yorker, in my humble opinion, is very funny and most probably ideologically correct. (LOL)
Secondly: Though I am planning to vote for McCain, simply because there is no other choice to make, he is far too much of a "girl" for me to like him very much. Don't misunderstand, I like girls, but I don't like men who are acting like a (stereotypical) "little girl." Have you noticed the things that McCain is "morally disgusted" with? Things like magazine covers, a comedian mentioning Obama's middle name, Republican television ads that question the patriotism of Obama and his family, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Suggestion for McCain to consider: Quit acting like a little girl and behave like a man. Whenever you choose to get "disgusted," do it over things that matter and quit whining... you are sounding too much like Obama and his camp.
Whenever Obama cries foul and complains that someone is not "playing fair" I expect that type of little-girl attitude from a man (?) whose wife is obviously head of their family. Michelle is apparently quite accomplished, as she is playing both the matriarch and patriarch roles of the Obama clan.
Third: of course the usual group of libs, i.e., Huffington and her ilk are upset with the cover art of The New Yorker which depicts Obama and his boss (wife) dressed in clothes that more accurately fit what many in the world believe are their leftist views. But, to this left-leaning group of people who state that they always want to be fair: where was your "outrage" when Maclean magazine depicted President Bush dressed like Saddam? I actually thought that cover was very funny, even as I think the cover of The New Yorker is also very funny.
If any liberal wants to be outraged... try getting angry at something that really matters, I'll even give you something that ought to make your blood boil. "Obama thinks it ought to remain legal in the United States to continue butchering helpless baby infants!" Doesn't that make you angry? No wait... I forgot... all of you liberals only want to save the environment... not babies. Ok, for all of you liberal-Democrat tree-huggers who are out there... I am going to make up a headline that will get your blood boiling.
"Obama is seen cutting down a tree!" Now, for all of you liberals out there... aren't you so mad at that mental image that you can't see straight. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/16/2008 10:00 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-SIXTEEN) I just came back from one of the more sad places in our country. I let the teenage girl (who sat behind the desk) know that I felt sorry for her having to work there, and every day seeing what she saw. She smiled, slowly shook her head, and said, "I know, if people would only .... or ...... " I agreed with her and then I left.
There are other places more tragic than where I just left, but not many. There are orphanages where young children, who are "guilty" of nothing more than having the misfortune of being the biological son or daughter of cold-hearted people, will grow up without ever having known the closeness of a loving family.
There are hospitals with entire wings dedicated to the care of terminally ill children. There are a few other places, as well, where working there would cause any sane and caring person a lifetime of sadness. Yet, even knowing such places exist do not mitigate the fact that the place I just left is also a place of heart-wrenching sadness.
The reason I wrote that last sentence is that I have had people actually try to use that type of twisted reasoning against me whenever I have tried to call them out for their total disregard of the plight of animals. It is as if by reminding me that there are more tragic things in the world then abusing animals, that it makes it somehow more palatable for them to continue harming any less powerful creature.
If that type of "logic" worked, (just trying to remind someone that there are worse things in the world) then I could slap a small child... as long as I didn't use my closed fist. Or, I could punch a child, in the face, with my fist... as long as I didn't use a club. Or, I could use a knife... as long as it wasn't a gun... If a person is doing wrong, or there are bad situations out there, just the fact that there are people out there who are doing more wrong than you are... or, there are worse situations than what you are describing: does not make what you are doing, or the situation being described any less wrong.
I have written all of the above, just to say: It is not right for any person to harm, or mistreat any animal... just because they can! Besides, according to the authority of the Holy Bible, such actions speak to your humanity... or lack thereof.
While it is true that there have been evil little boys and girls who took pleasure in harming small animals, yet they did not grow up to become serial killers: there has never been a serial killer who did not first begin their murderous ways by harming small helpless animals!
As I passed every cage this morning looking for the lost puppy of one of my daughters, I saw two separate litters of puppies along with their moms. Most of the puppies, along with their moms will be "put down" and will be burned in the large furnace that sets directly behind the kennel.
Each cage I walked by elicited a different reaction from the animals. The cats mostly began to pace and rub against their cages while make crying sounds... I imagine they were hoping to recognize a familiar face. Only three of the dogs remained quiet as I walked by, my guess is that they have been there the longest and they are no longer looking for their "master" to come to their rescue. They are resigned to their fate.
The rest of the dogs were leaping and barking as loud as they could in order to make certain that I saw them. Who knows... maybe I was there to take them back to their home? I wonder what they thought as I continued to walk past their cages and out of sight. I also wonder how many days and people will pass, their cage, before they too become like the three quiet dogs... just silently watch people walk by and know that no help is coming for them.
I have just a couple of questions for you and then I will be done. If the Bible states that the "just shall live by faith" doesn't that also mean that the "unjust" shall not live by faith? You cannot accept the one without understanding the opposite statement is also true. With that understanding I give you a verse from God's Holy Book. Whether or not you believe me is unimportant, but, if I were you, I would not dismiss Him so carelessly. Proverbs 12:10a: "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast:" Understanding that the opposite statement is also true: then a man who does not "regard" the life of his beast... is he not an unrighteous man?
As I was leaving the animal shelter I said to the teenage girl who sat behind the desk: "I feel bad that you have to work here and see that everyday... it's terribly sad."
She smiled, slowly shook her head, and said, "I know, if people would only spay or neuter..." Her voice trailed off and she didn't finish her thought... she didn't need to. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/17/2008 12:00 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-SEVENTEEN) It would be worth everyone's time to read the story of Robert Murat. First, let me say, I do not know anything of his guilt or innocence, as it pertains to the little missing girl: Madeleine McCann. The point of today's blog is simply to point out how "news" agencies, many times, act as if they have proof of someone's guilt. Then, they libel these people with slanderous lies and attacks. Thankfully, it is not as easy as it used to be for them to try and hide behind the First Amendment.
I am for free speech, in this country and abroad: I believe my blog proves that; I am not though for reporters taking certain "facts" and twisting them to try and prove a point. Recently several British newspapers learned the hard way (to the tune of millions lost in libel suits) that they can not make someone appear guilty in the press, without suffering damages.
Keep in mind that newspapers are supposed to only "report news" and not "make news."
At an early age I learned that everything you read in a newspaper can only be fully believed if you back it up with further research. I was 14 and I had just won a tristate pool tournament. A reporter was called in to take pictures for the local paper. I was handed a trophy... told where to stand... and to smile. That's it. The picture was taken and a few days later a story was in the newspaper... along with my quote. WHAT?
I had never said a word to the reporter or the photographer... just stand and smile like an idiot while they snapped a picture. Now the quote they attributed to me wasn't something bad, corny yes, but not bad. However, that's not the point. The printed words in the paper that were attributed to me were never said.
That experience taught me a good lesson and it is the reason that to this day before I accept, as fact, something said about anyone, I make sure I have multiple and varied sources to support what I read or heard. That is unless I already know the situation to be true (or not) because of firsthand knowledge. My policy, as it relates to what you read or hear about any person would be a good policy for everyone to adopt. (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/18/2008 9:20 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-EIGHTEEN) How many other Americans are as sick as I am of shows and such that all have the same theme: poor widdle bwak peepl. The latest is some show that asks "what's it like growing up 'black' in America?" I have a suggestion for another show for any black person who did not like growing up black in America. Let's do a show and ask the question, "what's it like growing up 'black' in Africa?"
Let's see, in Africa there is famine, extreme poverty, pestilence, AIDS, civil war, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. I think anyone who is black in America ought to daily pray and thank God for the tremendous hardships and sacrifices their early ancestors endured in order for them to be able to live today in America and not Africa.
I have heard and read of certain black "leaders" in America talking about how hard it is for them in America, yet, I don't see these people boarding planes and going to Africa to live. There is a reason for that. Today, Africa would be a horrible place for most people to live: black or otherwise.
One more thing and I am done. In the interest of "political correctness" for all left-leaning liberals in America, where are the shows on what's it like growing up Hispanic, Jewish, Chinese, etcetera in America? Why are Hollywood and the liberal media only concerned about the black minority? (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/19/2008 10:55 p.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-NINETEEN) Just a brief blog tonight to tell you about something I would like to do for myself. I would like to quit... everything... and live the rest of my life off the "grid." No running water, no utilities, no store bought food, and my house would be built 100% free with materials that are casually thrown away by 99.99 % of the American public.
Places like what I am talking about are being built in Taos New Mexico (Earthships) and entire communities are living free! Can you stop for a second and imagine what it would be like to actually "live free." People think that because we have many freedoms in America that we are somehow free. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You are working and trading the majority of your life for your possessions.
I have a sincere question to ask you. Do you own your possessions, or do they own you? What would it be like to not have a house payment, car payment, utility bill, or credit card bills. Nothing... nada... you could live the rest of your life as a free person who is living off the land and using resources God gave you to provide for you and your family.
Wouldn't it be nice to live without any worry about the economy... talk about recession proof... that's what living off the "grid" would mean. I have always liked the idea of being self-sufficient and the lifestyle I am speaking about is the ultimate test. One of these days... Lord willing... I will type my last blog and move somewhere that I can begin living "free." (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.

07/20/2008 8:05 a.m.

(ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY) Jackson was (again) caught using another racial slur: this time it was "nigger." In the past, of course, he let his hatred of Jews be known when he called them, "Hymies" and New York was referred to as "Hymietown." But, the fact that Jackson uses racial slurs is not the point of this blog.
I want to only mention something about his "apology" and then to the main point of this blog, the reason behind why he (and others) feels safe in using racial slurs in the first place. And I want to talk about another man who also let his true beliefs be known when he thought no one was recording.
Jackson's most recent apology, as well as other leaders, always begin the same way: "If I have offended anyone..." All of these apologies (by all who are making them) sound fake and are "canned speech." To date, I have only heard one person making apologies for calling someone a nigger, and their words did not sound like they were written by a speech writer and then memorized: Dog the Bounty Hunter, Duane Chapman.
I thought he was over-the-top with his apology, nevertheless, it sounded sincere. Now I want to talk about the reason all of these people who are saying stupid things feel safe to say them. They wrongly believe they are not being recorded! Well, I've got news for you... it is those times, when you believe no one else is watching... that you say what you mean.
Jackson used the words, nigger and Hymie because that is what he really thinks of certain groups in society. The fact that he only used them because he thought no one would ever find out only speaks to his arrogance and inner belief. It is exactly the same thing that happened when Obama was speaking in San Francisco and he let his elitist beliefs shine through. People are far more likely to let their defenses down and "be themselves" when they feel they are alone. That is exactly what (both) Jackson and Obama did.
To prove the main point of this blog, i.e., people are more likely to say what they really feel if they think it is not going to get out where a lot of people would hear about it: try this simple test. Imagine any group of people who you feel has wronged you: then imagine telling only one representative person from that group exactly how you feel. And, keep in mind... no one but you and that representative from that other group are ever going to hear what you say. What words would you use? If you can imagine such a conversation, and you would say things that you would not if the whole world were listening... aren't those thoughts and words your true self! Of course they are, don't let these "leaders" off the hook because of some fake apology! (Robin L. Johnson)
You can always email me at clarkmatthews1@aol.com.