Cut the Spending! (After We Spend Some More!)

After listening to President Obama’s first State of the Union speech, one might have been tricked into thinking his party was finally getting serious about spending.  He called for a “spending freeze” and vowed to bring fiscal restraint to Washington.

Today, every Democrat in the Senate voted to raise the US debt limit to $14.3 trillion.  $14.3 TRILLION. Straight down party lines, 60-40.

That’s $45,000 per American.

And if you need to see the actual vote, to be sure there wasn’t a miscount, here you go: roll call vote.

There is no such thing as a fiscally-conservative Democrat.  At least, once they actually get to Washington.  I guess this proves that the President’s speech (his 420th in the last year!) was just that: more words.

First Amendment Rights and Corporations: The Big Deal

The First Amendment: Kind of a Big Deal

Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court in the matter of Citizens United v. FEC has come at the end of a bad week for liberal America.

They lost the hallowed “Ted Kennedy” seat to a Republican on Tuesday, which in turn lead to a flurry of responses to what would happen with the “health care reform” the Democrats were trying to hurry and get through Congress before the President’s upcoming State of the Union address.

You know it’s a bad week when they melt down over a decision over Freedom of Speech.  My entire life, I’ve watched the Left use the First Amendment as a cover for some of the most vile, horrible, anti-American, anti-Christian, anti-nice speech ever heard.  And yet, it’s true.  We live in a country where everyone has the right, guaranteed by the Constitution to really say what they want to say.

The First Amendment says this: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

It basically says that Congress cannot make a law establishing or prohibiting religion, that it can’t make a law taking away free speech (and includes in that a free press), and that it can’t make a law prohibiting people from getting together–or being angry at the government, either.

Since the decision yesterday, I’ve heard many people say, “Great, now corporations have freedom of speech.  Since when are corporations people?”

That’s not really what the Court said.  What the 5 justices in the majority said was that Congress can’t regulate political speech. It doesn’t say anything about whether or not corporations are people.  The important thing is not the speaker, it’s the speech.

This may be a little crazy for some on the left to understand, but that’s actually what’s protected in the First Amendment.  This decision simply recognizes the limits on the power of Congress and says nothing about the rights of corporations.

And if those on the Left really want to say the First Amendment doesn’t apply to corporations, then we should say goodbye to free speech from The New York Times and all the cranks on MSNBC and CNN who have used the First Amendment to bash and berate anyone who doesn’t agree with their opinion of how this country should be run.

To quote one of my favorite political blogs, the Ace of Spades:

Sure the Constitution protects ‘the press’ but as bloggers of today and pamphleteers of the founding era know, you don’t need to be a corporation to be ‘the press’. Clearly corporate media isn’t a necessary condition of ‘the press’ so why should media corporations be afforded special protections for 1st Amendment activities others aren’t?

There’s also the inconvenient fact that corporations are nothing more than an aggregation of individuals (investors, workers, managers, etc). Each of these people have first amendment speech rights. Why exactly should those rights be destroyed simply because they are exercising them collectively instead of individually? (hint: they shouldn’t)

There’s simply no merit to the left’s critique and they won’t like where it leads. The beauty of being a lefty is that every case is different and the argument you use one day, isn’t applicable to similar circumstances the next day if it doesn’t help you.

This decision wasn’t about awarding “personhood” to corporations, it was about telling Congress to obey the limitations placed on it by the Constitution.  McCain-Feingold was a clear violation of the First Amendment, it should never have been signed into law (by George W. Bush) in the first place.  Yesterday’s decision reminds Congress of that fact.

This decision doesn’t help Conservatives, by the way.  Most corporations are so terrified of the angry Left that they end up supporting much of their agenda anyway.  The very bankers who supported Obama in his quest for the presidency are the ones who were battered by the president this week because of the evil of making money.  And if anyone thinks that Big Labor won’t use this to their advantage, well, they’re living in a fool’s paradise.

Sadly, I think more education on what the Constitution actually says might be in order.  President Obama, who was touted as a “Constitutional scholar” during 2008, had this to say in response: the high court had “given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics,” and pledged to “work immediately” with Congress to develop a “forceful response.”

Unless he means to bully Congress into amending the First Amendment, there’s really not much he can do, especially since the decision was based on Constitutional interpretation, and not just on the feelings of the justices.

And if the president thinks people are opposed to his health care legislation, he hasn’t seen anything compared to what the people’s response to that great idea would be.

What I’ve Been Up To…

I attended SCS from 1st through 12th grade and am currently the Secondary Theatre Arts teacher there as well.  Our alumni coordinator asked me to write a “what I’ve been up to” article for the alumni newsletter, and this is what I wrote.  The published article left out a big, very important aspect of the original version, which I have included here.

I got an email from Lloydine Linman asking me to describe what I’ve been up to lately.  Mrs. Linman and I go way back.  I sang in the old “Vessels of Praise” ensemble with Kyle, and her husband and I share the same first name.  We see each other far more often than I would have expected, more than 20 years after graduation from SCS—and I suppose that’s what she’s referring to.

What I’ve been up to isn’t very interesting.  What God has been up to in my life, well, that’s an entirely different story.  And I’m pleased to say that it’s His story—not really mine—and what He’s been doing to lead me to where I am today.  I’ve been married to the most incredible woman in the universe for 11 1/2 years.  We have four amazing children, two of whom are students at SCS.  I’m the Children & Family Pastor at New Life Church in Renton (the one on Maple Valley Highway).  I’m also the Theatre Arts teacher for SCS Secondary students, something I’ve been doing now for four years.

I gotta confess, I’m really kind of surprised that God has allowed me the privilege of serving Him in ministry.  I was kind of an arrogant jerk in high school.  For those of you who didn’t know the class of 1987, we were known as “mockers.”  We were pursuing the kind of ironic mocking humor Seinfeld would make famous long before Jerry and the gang even thought of it.  We made teachers cry.  We made fellow students cry.  We were not nice.

Funny thing is, God does amazing things on our hearts and lives when we let Him.  Thank God I’m not the same person I was back in those days.  My life would be a train wreck if I had pursued the life I was after.  I practically wrecked my life anyway, several times along the way of life’s journey.  God was always faithful to reveal more of Himself as I learned more about myself, and each time He peeled away a layer of the snarky, mocking me, and helped me see others as He sees them.

I’m a children’s pastor. (I know, it sounds a little crazy to me, too.)  I love working with kids and helping them see that they have value, that they are special to God, and that they don’t need to worry what others say about them, because God says they are important—they matter.  I want a generation of kids to grow up safe from people like I used to be.  I want them to know that whatever anyone else says, whatever the mocking they get, Jesus loves them.  He cares about them, and He wants to be their friend forever.

I’m very blessed to have lived the life I have lived since SCS.  I’ve done a lot I never expected (nearly a decade with Disney Consumer Products, 3rd place “Trivateer” in the National Disney Trivia Competition at Disneyland in 1999, college at Biola, a stint at Microsoft, 7 years writing musicals and productions at Overlake Christian Church), but the biggest blessings have been my wife, Robyn, my amazing kids, and the joy of sharing my faith with kids—elementary age at church, and high schoolers at SCS.

What have I been up to?  Not much, really.  But God?  He’s been up  to a whole lot.  And for that, I’m grateful.

Top 10 Movies of the Past 10 Years

A completely subjective list, but these are my picks for the best movies of 2000-2009:

10.  Amelie (2001)
This is one of those movies that is easy to forget about.  It’s light and airy, and it’s quite charming.  But it also says a lot about romance, love, and the power each of us have to change the lives of those around us through simple, small acts.  Audrey Tatou is absolutely amazing, and the score is one of the most imaginative soundtracks of the past 40 years.

9. Cars (2005)
Pixar’s story about a lost car and a small town is a celebration of America’s road culture–and the small towns that once dominated its landscape.  A film that celebrates the racing world while at the same time saying we should all slow down a bit, it’s a bit contradictory.  But it’s beautiful, fun, and the song “Our Town” by Randy Newman and sung by James Taylor is a highlight.  Perhaps it wouldn’t score so highly if we didn’t drive through the same part of the country the summer the film was released.

8. A Mighty Wind (2003)
A mockumentary about a reunion of various 60’s folk artists, this film by Christopher Guest is actually one of his “sweetest” films.  Rather than making fun of the characters, Guest involves the audience in their quirks and makes you actually care about them–instead of just laughing at them.  However, there are PLENTY of laughs and one-liners that are priceless.  And the music, performed by the most talented (and underpaid) actors in Hollywood, is spot-on perfection.

7. Unbreakable (2000)
M. Night Shyamalan’s follow-up to “The Sixth Sense” is a far superior film.  A film about the true origins of superheroes, and asking the question–”What if they were real?”–it features powerhouse performances by Bruce Willis and Samuel Jackson.  Dark, brooding, yet full of hope, it is the director’s best film, because it’s NOT all about the twist ending.  (Although there is quite a good one.)

6. Up (2009)
Pixar’s latest film is perhaps one of their most unlikely successes: an unlikely trio of heroes (an 80 year old widower, a boy scout, and a crazy bird) combined with a most imaginative story and striking visuals make the film a true delight.  And the film says more about marriage, the power of dreams, and what it means to truly love another, than most films aimed at adults.  Easily the best film of this year.

5.  Gladiator (2000)
The movie that relaunched the sand and sword epic, and did it in a powerful way.  Russell Crowe is amazing in the movie, and its battle scenes, gladiator fights, and crowd scenes are epic to behold.  But what makes the movie so memorable is the fact that it says so much about manhood, standing strong, and fighting for what is right.  Much like “Braveheart” before it, the film speaks to the man of today by showing us a man of yesterday we can all aspire to be like.

4. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The rare sequel that is actually better than the original film, it’s also rare because it’s a big summer blockbuster that actually says something.  A film about the quest for identity, to discover who we are, Peter Parker’s story becomes a great picture of our own: who are we?  Who do we intend to be?  And we are called to a greater purpose.  The characters are better developed, Doctor Octopus is a much better and intriguing villain, and the sight of Spidey soaring through New York are still top notch.

3. Moulin Rouge (2001)
Baz Luhrmann’s dynamic musical was a tour-de-force of filmmaking, directing, editing, and art direction.  Starring the usually non-singing Ewan MacGregor and Nicole Kidman, this is a truly post-modern film, combining and celebrating the musicals of the past, while bringing new life and energy through creative conceptual energy.  Gitchee gitchee ya ya da da, indeed!

2. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
It’s not the best film of all-time, but man has its influence been huge.  A celebration of nerdy people, a commentary on teenage culture, and one of the most quotable films of all time (“Your mom goes to college.” “Vote for Pedro.” “My lips hurt real bad!” “Girls like guys with skills.”  And many more!), the movie is one of those love it or hate it pieces.  I happen to love it, and it’s one of those movies I can watch over and over again.

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2000-2004)
Alone, they are probably the greatest films of their respective years.  Taken together, Peter Jackson’s film versions of what Tolkien called “unfilmable,” are easily the greatest film of the past decade.  Beyond the special effects, sweeping spectacle, and amazing score by Howard Shore, there are rock-solid performances that take what could be an overwhelming melange of fantasy, war, and death, and turn it into a powerful, moving, and altogether human story.  It’s a triumph of film-making we are unlikely to ever see again in our lifetime, a combination of the epic storytelling of years gone by with cutting edge technology–and a story that remains powerful, moving, and triumphant.

Runners Up: Big Fish, Meet the Robinsons, The Pirates of the Carribean: Curse of the Black Pearl, Batman Begins, Pearl Harbor, The Patriot, The Passion of the Christ, Enchanted, and The Incredibles.

Bring a Torch

“It is Jesus, good folk of the village!

Beautiful is the mother — beautiful is her Child.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because that is what we do on Christmas,” came the answer.

“But why?”

“Really, Jeannie.  You know perfectly well why we open presents.  It’s to show our love for each other and our love for Jesus.”

Pause.  “Mommy, why do we give each other things on his birthday?”

“What, dear?”

“Why don’t we give Jesus presents on his birthday?”

“But we do.  We give him our love and thankfulness.”

“That’s not a very good present, Mommy.  I think he would want something more.”

Pause.  “Like what, Jeannie?”

“I don’t know.”

“Jeannie, he is God.  What kind of present can we give God?”

Pause.  Giggle.  “I could give God what I made in school.”

“That paper maché candle?  What would God do with it, dear?”

“He could use it to — to –.  I don’t know.”

“See what I mean, Jeannie?  We can’t give presents to God, so that’s why we give presents to each other.”

Pause.  “Mommy?”

“Yes, dear?”

“Mommy, couldn’t God have used the candle long ago, when Jesus was born?”

“Well, yes, I suppose so…”

“And Mommy, couldn’t he have used it to light the way for Jesus and Mary and Joseph?  To get them to the stable and keep them out of the dark?”

“Yes, dear, I’m sure he could have.”

“So, Mommy, there are ways God can use what we give him, right?”

“Well…”

“And Mommy, all we have to do is make sure we give our presents to him.”

“Yes, Jeannie.”  Pause.  “All we have to do is give them to him.

Ah, Bleak and Chill the Winter Wind

“Ah, bleak and chill the wintry wind, but colder far be he who hath no warmth of love to share.”

She had been standing on the corner since morning.  The skies had clouded up, and the first hints of winter snow fell.   But she was standing on the corner, wrapped tightly in her winter coat, the baby in her arms, the sign at her feet.

Few had stopped to ask her how she was.  The lunchtime crowds had hurried from the buildings surrounding her, dwarfing her, and no one noticed or paid much attention.  Like many before her, she stood in the busiest section of the city, not begging, not pleading, but asking.

And being refused.

Some of the shoppers had glanced at her out of the corner of their eyes.  “Why doesn’t she get herself a job,” muttered one to another as they hurried from store to store — their eyes set more on the shop windows than on the street in front of them.

No one read the sign that day.  The snow had stopped early in the evening, but she did not move.  Standing alone in the shadow of the department store, she did little more than smile at the occasional passerby who happened to look her in the eye.

She had eaten her lunch there, from a brown bag like so many others, and had fed the child there as well.  She had watched the setting sun glint upon the multi-story glass buildings, and saw the street lamps light and the trees lit with hundreds of small lights.  And, shortly before nine o’clock, when the streets were finally empty, she left.

The next morning, two others had taken her place and no one noticed the difference.  If they had only looked at the sign.  The sign was there to explain the truth and the need.

No one looked at the sign — yes, it still lay there, leaning wind-worn and tired against the marble.  But we can do what no one else would do.  We can take time to notice the sign and read what it says:

“I’m not asking for money.  I don’t wish for a job.  I have both and I am happy.  But others are not.  And for their sake, please look.  Look past the coldness and remember what Someone said long ago: When you have done it unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me. Open your eyes to those around you and maybe we will find a way to make peace in this world.”

Over two thousand years ago, the signs were ignored, and the cold wind of those who rejected Christ still blows.

Today we have a second chance.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

“Peace on the earth, good will towards men from heaven’s all gracious king.”

It wasn’t a particularly good day for the shepherds.  Four of the sheep had gotten caught among the brambles, and two had wandered off in search of greener pastures.  The sun had been warm all day, and nothing hurt more than resting on that stony ground around David’s City.

A few had given up for the day and went home.

Home to bed and warm food and sleep.

But a few, the hardened shepherds, the ones who knew no other life, stayed on into the night and huddled around a fire meant to keep them warm in the now cold darkness.

The quietness hung around them like the coats over their shoulders.  The occasional bleat from a lamb frightened by a rustle in the tall grass was the only sound to hover near them, and it soon disipated into the ever-increasing silence.

Can you see it?

If you close your eyes and look, maybe you can see them.

There, to your left are two of the older fellows, and on your right a couple younger ones, all gazing up at the silent stars.  The fire before you is burning bright and just over that tall shepherd’s shoulder you can make out a few lights in David’s City.

The tall fellow looks about his companions, nods to himself in satisfaction, as if to say, “Everyone is still here,” and closes his eyes.  Sleep sounds good.  He’s been here since morning and after finding the two lost sheep, he is tired.

Wham!  Bam!

The lights across the country are turned on as the hillside suddenly bursts forth into singing!  No man is sleeping, and no animal shakes from fear.  The silence is shattered and thousands of voices sing in unison, “Peace on the earth!  Goodwill toward men from heaven’s all-gracious king!”

The solemn stillness is broken.  It is silent no more.  The angels have sung and the clear sky is a burst with lights.

The tall fellow never got his nap that night.

But that was okay.

He figured he didn’t need it.

Heaven’s Fairer Eye

Christmas is less than a month away.  The buying, the carol-singing, the decorating, suddenly all of these things are the most important and I’m filled with what some sage has termed, “the spirit of the season.”

But I pause.  I stop and I reflect and look at those carols.

They are songs to be sung at Christmastime.

They bring good cheer and warmth to an otherwise cold and hostile world.

They are taken from their resting places (where we stuffed them January 1) and sung with cheerful voices.

So, because they are well-loved, because they are part of the most-loved holiday of the year, I want to look at them.  I want to do more than sing the words or hum the tunes.  I want to look into them and understand why.

Why they are so well-loved.

Why they are shared by all mankind.

Why they help us understand the Christ of whom they speak.

Pause with me, will you?

Get a mug of spiced cider and put on your favorite Christmas album.  Curl up in your most comfortable chair and let’s sing them and share them and love them.

And maybe, while we do, we’ll find something more.

I will be sharing a new story inspired by a classic Christmas carol several times a week between now and Christmas.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts and stories with you.

Standing Tall for America. (Not)

A uniquely American ideal is the fact that we are all equal.  Our leaders are equal to the average individual.

In that, our President represents that unique idea.  He is not only the leader of the nation, he is the symbol of its stand, its leadership, to the world.  America, since its inception, has not bowed before royalty.  We overthew a tyrant in 1776 for the right to stand as freemen, shoulder to to shoulder, face to face.

On his most recent apologize for America tour, President Obama continued his showing the leaders of other countries that in his America, we are not the strong leader or rugged individuals we once were.  In Obama’s America, we bow to the Saudi king, and now, we bow to the waist to the Emperor of Japan.  Yes, the Japan we practically destroyed in World War II.  Here’s how Obama greeted the Japanese ruler.

The Bower-in-Chief

According to gojapan.com: “It depends on the social status or age of the person you bow to. If the person is higher status or older than you are, you should bow deeper and longer. It is polite to bow, bending from your waist.“

Yes, Akihito is older, but Obama is still the freakin’ President of the United States.  You don’t bow to the leader of another country unless you’re clearly trying to tell them: “Yeah, you pretty much are better than us.  Sorry for all the arrogance of the past 8–oops, I mean 200+ years.”

In contrast, here is former Vice President Dick Cheney greeting Akihito.  Say what you like about Dick, the man knows who is boss and is unashamed of America’s place in the great hierarchy of nations.

Yes, I'm from America. And we rock.

Think America is alone in this?  Nope.  Pretty much every other nation that has ever greeted the Japanese ruler, whether from country great or small, has taken the Dick Cheney route.  Only Obama feels he has to show his country isn’t as great as his host’s.

Check out this to see it for yourself.

Christmas Music 2009 (Part One)

I’m a huge fan of Christmas music.  Since I bought my first Christmas CD in 1987 (I believe it was First Call’s An Evening in December), I have accumulated hundreds and hundreds of albums, shared out of print albums digitally across the web, and found obscure and new items on iTunes and other internet sites.

Each year I am thrilled to add more music to my collection, which currently numbers more than 6,500 songs and takes up 30 GB of hard drive space.  If I let the music play for 24 hours/7 days a week, Christmas music would stream from iTunes for 15 days without repeating.  Yes, I love Christmas music.

This year, I’m going to post on some favorite albums and give some suggestions on collections or recordings you should add to your collection.

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Ralphie, Before He Shot His Eye Out

This year’s “Big Find” (at least, so far) was the original soundtrack to the Christmas classic, A Christmas Story.  Long-requested but never before released, the music is not ground-breaking.  It didn’t win any major awards, and it’s definitely not going to give composers like John Williams a run for their money.

But from the opening jingling of bells in the main title sequence, to the menacing pastiche of “He Had Yellow Eyes,” which beautifully rips off the wolf’s theme from Peter and the Wolf, to the barking, jaw-harp twang of the Bumpus Hounds’ theme, there isn’t a tune on here that won’t bring back memories of this well-loved film.  Most of the music is adapted from classic Christmas carols or classical music themes, which makes it ideal listening for the season.

None of the period songs were included on the album, which is available from iTunes and Amazon, which means you won’t hear the classic songs of 1940’s America.  But whether it’s the opening title sequence (which is oddly combined with the themes for the Old Man’s Major Award) or the wonderful ripoff of Groffe’s “Grand Canyon Suite” forming the basis of Ralphie’s adventures fighting Black Bart, the music is charming, nostalgic, and sure to conjure up wonderful memories of past viewings of this classic film.

When the whole thing wraps up neatly with “Beautiful, Glorious Christmas,” you’ll agree with Ralphie: “All is right with the world.”

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For sheer Christmas perfection, there is no greater album than The Andy Williams Christmas Album.  Recorded in 1963, it has become one of the biggest-selling Christmas albums of all-time, and for good reason.  I grew up listening to this album, and the familiar grin of Andy from the lower left corner of the cover brings back many memories. But, unlike many Christmas albums that make one nostalgic, this album has withstood the test of time and emerged a classic.

Like many holiday LPs of the era, Andy’s eponymous album was divided by sides. Side One conjures the secular fun of the holiday while Side Two dedicates itself to the carols of the season. What this ends up as for the contemporary listener is a wonderful musical journey that is full of delights.

The first track is Andy’s soothing rendition of “White Christmas,” which is mellower than Bing’s–and a perfect way to kick off the album. From there, “Happy Holiday-The Holiday Season” shows what Andy will be leaning toward as the album progresses–some fun, swinging numbers. This track was so good that the Manhattan Transfer virtually duplicated it on their own Christmas album 30 years later. The classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” debuted here, which helps explain why Andy’s version is still the definitive one. (On a side note, one of the co-writers of the tune is more famous as the composer behind the “Gilligan’s Island” theme.)

This Picture Means Christmas is Coming

“The Christmas Song” is beautiful–especially when Andy soars into the final chorus. I prefer it to Nat King Cole’s original recording for sheer beauty. Andy’s version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (A Song and a Christmas Tree) takes the song to wonderful heights of 60’s-era stereo tricks, while “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” (arranged by the lady more famous as the author of the “Eloise” books) kicks the end of Side One into the stratosphere. Absolutely amazing arrangement that swings with the best of the psychedelic 60’s.)

Andy’s versions of some best-loved carols are also quite lovely, with his versions of “The First Noel” and “Silent Night” being among the loveliest recordings. His “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” makes excellent use of his vocal ability and showcases the beauty of his under-appreciated talent. The only drawback to Side Two is the warbly-voiced child who practically wrests control of “Away in a Manger” away from the star.

All in all, though, this is a stand out for any season. Often copied (Michael W. Smith most recently did a version of “Kay Thompson’s Jingle Bells” that is virtually identical to Andy’s), but never duplicated, it is a triumphant holiday album that will be listened to by my great-great grandchildren. And somehow that red cover with Andy’s grin will bring back holiday memories for them, too.

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Many more albums to come.  Happy listening!