Cry out to the father - they did, oops wrong one!

Kieth Darrell, who I have come to appreciate, has an observation on America's new religious fervor. Read it here.

I will have Compassion on whom I will have Compassion - God

Many people with a poor understanding of the nature of God is that he always blesses everyone, that everyone gets an unlimited measure of mercy and compassion, that God is just a big sugar daddy looking for ways to make your life better. This misunderstanding usually is parroted by people without much depth who criticize others with statements of the following preface:

• How can you call yourself a Christian if
• Jesus only spoke about Love and Forgiveness
• If God is a God of Love howcome
• and my all time un-favorites, Jesus said, don't be judgmental toward sin
  
• and he said: let he who without sin cast the first stone so we aren't supposed to be ____________

So, we are supposed to be as un-wise and indiscrimating as this god they have in their imaginations. It suits their purposes of course, don't question my motives, just give and close a blind eye to what I do. We used to call that being an enabler. Too harsh? OK, read on.

I'm not going to try to help you understand the Holy nature of God. I don't myself. But if you believe any of the above, I need you to think about this verse. God says to Moses in exodus 33:19. "" I will have mercy on those I will have mercy and compassion on those on whom I will have compassion"". Paul the Apostle reiterates this in Romans 9:15. Read all of Romans 9 and you will get a big picture of the situation.

The essence of these verses is simply this, God is no respecter of persons, we are not to ask why. God is not injust but he's not just according to human measurements. He does discriminate in his mercies, judgments and compassions.

So should we.

Julie Neidlinger (I will stop promoting her when she gets boring which may not be anytime soon) writes a brilliant essay on Compassion. I think everyone who struggles with wise giving needs to read this. I have forwarded it to several pastor friends and have found it to be pretty sound theology. They agree.

In The Chronicles of Narnia, an allegory by C. S. Lewis, the author has two girls, Susan and Lucy, getting ready to meet Aslan the lion, who represents Christ. Two talking animals, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, prepare the children for the encounter.

"“Ooh,"” said Susan, "“I thought he was a man. Is he quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."”

"“That you will, dearie," said Mrs. Beaver. "“And make no mistake, if there'’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they'’re either braver than most or else just silly."

"Then isn'’t he safe?"” said Lucy.

"“Safe?"” said Mr. Beaver. "“Don'’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Of course he isn'’t safe. But he'’s good. He'’s the king, I tell you!"”

We have a King, Jesus, he isn't safe, but you can trust him.

Rehnquist and Me

Everyone has a double, a doppelganger, a un-genetic twin.

There are people who make a living impersonating famous people because they look just like them. I never cashed in.

My double just died. Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

20 years ago when I moved to Chicago I was always amazed at people who would look at me funny, who would comment they knew who I was, and some would outright ask me. Walking thru airports particularly on the east coast was a hoot. Here'’s the strange part. I didn'’t know what it was all about until one day a man stopped me on the streets of downtown, asked me, then said, ""“You look exactly like the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court""”.

Of course, that'’ll get your attention. So, I found pictures. Sure enough. He had the temerity to look like me. The rascal.

Remember the movie Dave? The President of the United States has a stroke, they find a man that looks just like him, he impersonates the President. Does pretty well. Falls in love with the soon to be widowed first lady. Happy endings all around. I liked the movie. Thought it might mean that someday I would get a call to sit on the supreme court in lieu of the Chief Justice. My phone never rang. I guess my shot at power is gone. Pity, I would have been good at it. HEH!

I gained a pound or two. He got older. It was always interesting to see him age. I kept thinking, maybe I'’ll look that good 20 years from now. When he was 60 and I was 40, he looked young and I looked, well like I look now. We Redlins have this habit of hitting an age and stopping.

I hope the Chief Justice rests in peace.







He always was a good looking fellow.

Economic Fallout from 9-11 and/or Katrina

This is number 3 in a series of how 9-11 and Katrina are radically different in their impact. Again, if someone says, “Like 9-11” to make a point, ignore everything he or she says after that. They are full of poop.

I have asked very smart people to offer their views on this. The only comments I have received is, “I don’t know if I feel qualified to make a comment on this”.
That’s never stopped me before, it won’t now. I could be wrong, Or right. Ignore my viewpoint at your own risk.

So, here goes:

MONEY
9-11
Money stopped. You may have forgotten. People quit paying their bills. People lived in fear that the next day could be their last. Liquidity dried up. The government didn’t get it. Millions went bust.

Then several months later things loosened up. Too late for many, including yours truly. The damage was done. The happy talk didn’t help much from the government. Resources were taken to put in place policies which did nothing but inhibit the free flow of commerce (air travel).

Eventually after stock market free fall from fear the economy began to recover. For most of 2002 it sagged, surged, sagged. Unemployment was tremendous.

The economic shock rooted as much in fear and loathing as reality. People gave but it had no effect. The government paid off litigants. Money was used in place of compassion and impact. It was badly executed. The war on terror, Iraq and all has done little to really change the financial landscape. Only by the sheer determination of the American economy have we come this far.

Katrina and Money
There is no negative impact from the disaster in New Orleans. It’s all a zero sum game. Money in, money out. The best thing the government can do is leave hands off as much as possible. There are short term impacts which will be discussed below but for the most part this is a non event in the gross economy. No one is living in fear in Chicago that a hurricane will drop in and destroy us.
All the giving, all the federal help, all of everything that will happen in the next years will be zero impact. It in fact is a positive. It frees up money in the economy that might not otherwise been set free. I know it sounds callous but think of Hurricane Andrew. Locally a catastrophe, nationally no impact, net effect probably positive. Restructured insurance reinsurance a little.

OIL
9-11
Limited net effect. Market jerked around. It always does. There is no shortage of oil. In 3 months the effect on people’s pocketbook was negligible. There was an underlying view that invading Iraq would free up lots of oil. Of course that never happened.

Katrina
Oil will be short for a short time. Price will be high. It’s not crude. It refining and logistics. There is no global oil shortage. The good news is, the relaxation of boutique refining which will stay in place. It was a dumb idea to start with. Then there are refineries that will be brought on line to make up the shortfall. Several are sitting idle in the USA. Now the gates are open. Anwar. Drill. Offshore Mass. Drill. Drill. Every Russian is looking at the worldwide market and looking for a quick buck. All over Africa profiteers are looking for the quick buck before the market goes south. They are chasing the rabbit. There will be oil, it will be refined. A year from now, New Orleans will be open for business refining wise. Gas will be $2, crude $40 and all you want. This is the best thing to happen to oil since Regan took off controls in 1981. I’m taking bets for anyone who doubts this. This will fuel a great resurgence in the economy. Don’t sell that SUV yet.

A few other effects of Katrina that will you need to be aware of:

Shipping of grains and other commodities will be done by traditional ports. Duluth, Burns Harbor, (St. Lawrence Seaway) Seattle, and lots of other places. It will be inconvenient but grain will find a market. It will mean the elevator price will be lower than might have otherwise been but it will still be good. Crops are short. In a year or so New Orleans will open up for the 2006-shipping season.

Lumber will climb in price but supply will be OK. New building will push the inventories. Cement will be somewhat short. All building product will be harder to find than it was a year ago. This is a 2-year cycle after something like this. But in the end it will equalize.

Trucking and transportation (including airlines) will find fuel short and pricey. It will drive up prices and drive out weak competitors. This is a short-term effect and in 2 years after oil prices come down will back off some. But prices for transportation in general will never again be the bargain it was 2 years ago. This is a permanent price change.

Interest rates will hold or drop. There is a great deal of pressure from jitters about potential high priced oils effect on the economy to keep the rates down. I think we could see interest rates drop in all areas from here.

One area that will do well is trailer homes. Manufactured housing they call it. None the less, these evacuees will have to be housed somewhere. Some will be housed in trailers. This will be a 3 year exodus. I don’t expect more than 20% of the evacuees to return to New Orleans because I don’t expect New Orleans as we knew and loved her to be there other than as a symbol. Kind of like the business towers that are now 9-11. Get it?

Overall, I’m optimistic. This will have less effect than New Orleanites hoped it would have. In the big picture New Orleans and it's population just aren't that big a part of the national economy.

What gives me the right or edge to make such bold predicitons? I use a wide angle lense called 60 years. I've seen this all before.

Cheer up, give to the Salvation Army. It'll be OK.

Political Debris from Katrina vs 9-11

Nothing happens in a vacuum. Particularly in Politics. The differences between 9-11 and Katrina are significant for those in power.

THE PRESIDENT
9-11
President Bush became a spokesman for the heart of the county. Approval ratings thru the roof. Standing on the wreckage a few days after 9-11 was symbolic of our national resolve. “”We hear you, the whole world hears you””. This was the high point of his young presidency. Not that this was desired by President Bush but it was the best of times and worst of times for him. Never again has he ridden that high in the public’s estimation.

Katrina
President Bush said nothing. He didn’t know what to say for a bit. His approval was lax to start with. This has caused the public and press to pummel him painfully. He can do nothing right in their estimation. Too slow, too inattentive, too distracted. Oil prices, Iraq, and a dozen other things on his plate have put him off base so much he might not recover. This is the lowest point in his presidency. I feel sorry for him, I like the man, I voted for him, I’m glad Kerry’s not President in all this, as I was glad Gore wasn’t President during 9-11. Bush may find his sure hand but I think it might be too late. Were I in the White House I don’t know if I would have done any better.

CONGRESS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE
9-11
There were no liberals or conservatives, no Republicans or Democrats in the weeks and months directly following 9-11. Unity prevailed. I emailed Tom Dashle to congratulate him on his solid leadership. The press was measured and supportive. The country responded in unity.

Katrina
The wind hadn’t yet subsided and Bozo’s on the left, most notably Robert Kennedy Jr were blaming the Republicans for Katrina and it’s impact. The liberal press NPR and CNN have gone out of their way to harp on failed policies. How Iraq exacerbated the problem. The gale of hot air following the Hurricane is worse than the blow itself.

I’m ashamed of the people on both sides of the aisle who can’t be centered for the good of the people and not on their own political power grab. Where are the Revs? Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. They love a photo op. Show up with a semi load of water downtown Orleans why didn’t ya boys? Jesse’s boy owns a big beer distributorship that also sells bottled water in Chicago. I’ll bet they could get a truck. That’s what I hate about the left, all big talk, writing checks with their mouth their rear ends have no intention of cashing. Power is all they want. Get off your butts and do something other than jawbone about the situation. The congressional black caucus has been outspoken critical of Bush. I’ll bet they didn’t put in a phone call to see how they might help to any of the agencies in New Orleans. Any of the cable news channels would gladly carry their offer of help live. They could do that. Don’t hold your breath. Hypocrisy thy name is politics. Sometimes I hate democracy. It’s the worst form of government in the world except for all the others.

CORRUPTION
9-11
There was some profit taking. There were people scamming the system. Mostly they got caught. Some steel was stolen. Some companies cheated. But by and large the deal went off pretty well. It’s still an unfinished tome of course. But it was pretty corruption free.

Katrina
I won’t even mention the looting. That’s lawlessness. There is a deeper problem. Have you ever wondered why New Orleans is called the big easy? Ask the contractors who were hired to do work on the levees that burst. Payoffs, skimming, hands in their pockets in exchange for “Permission” to do work. I live in Chicago, one of the more corrupt places you can do business. New Orleans makes Chicago look like a peanut gallery. It goes up and down the power structure from the top to the Police. Everyone is on the take. There has been a spirit of corruption that keeps the poorest poor. This is what makes this so tragic. Once this is all sorted out and they truth starts to come out what a black hole money sent to New Orleans has been all these years we will discover why it has become the city that doesn’t work. It parties hearty. It just doesn’t work. It’s not what you can do, it’s who can you pay off and how much to get it all done.
If you really want the root of the problem look at these links and ponder why the situation is as it is.
The Current Mayor came in to wipe out corruption
Someone asks how come corruption is part of New Orleans
Futility in fighting corruption
How gambling has corrupted corruption further
How the Democrats hide thier head in the sand at New Orleans corruption because it fits their needs

REBUILDING
9-11
There was established infrastructure after 9-11. Power, access, equipment, labor, and there was a reason to build New York back to make that area look like the rest of the city. New York needed rebuilding and it has for the most part. It was a thing of pride.

Katrina (New Orleans)
In a previous post I questioned the wisdom of restoring something so fundamentally flawed structurally. It’s not going to get better. There is no more infrastructure. It’s gone. There is no power access, equipment, labor. Does anyone really want to rebuild the “red zone” of New Orleans that represents the bulk of the flooded out poor people? There is nothing left to make anything from. Now if the purpose is to make a Disneyland-like main street (Bourbon Street), convention center and hotels in the areas that didn’t flood too badly perhaps. It will now be all faux. Faux balconies, faux old buildings, faux colorful old bars. It will look old, look real but be hollow like the Magic Castle is in Disneyland. Great for tourists but without andy soul. When you rap on it it’s all hollow. The soul of New Orleans is dead. Any rebirth will be a commercial effort like Vegas trying to look like Venice.

It’s over, it’s done. There’s no reason to rebuild except as an adult playground if that’s what you want. Who wants the squalor back that was much of New Orleans anyhow? I know the question has been asked, where will all the debris left from this storm be landfilled. Do you want me to really tell you the truth?

THE FUTURE?
My crystal ball is fuzzy on this one. I don’t think either political party shines in this. I don’t think 2008 rests on what happens in New Orleans. I do think this weakens any potential Republican candidacy no matter whom and strengthens Madam President and first husband Bill. Think I’m kidding? I got a hundred bucks says I’m right. Any takers out there?

2006 congressional. No huge shift to the left. The left is totally impotent to make hay out of anything. They just yell and point and accuse. As long as they do this I can live in confidence for the future. Conservatives will stay in power (except in the White House).

Last, there has been a long history of ignoring the problems regarding the levees and their funding. This is not Democrat or Republican. It's a fear of putting more money into a corrupt black hole. Neither Pres Clinton or Bush ever did what might have been done. They did what they thought was prudent.

An Excellent Perspective on Katrina

The person who's blog and encouragement placed me on your screen right now is Julie Neidlinger. She has recently changed her Website / Blog.

For a while she was AWOL from blogland. She's back again. Her new policy is to do less better.

Her brilliant perspective on Katrina is here. Check back with her from time to time. I updated the link on the right. Thanks Julie. I would like to hear about the squirrel however.

She is publishing some of her old writings in book form. I'm looking forward to the J letters. I smell movie rights.

PS: The word Katrina means Pure in German. If you verb the adjective with a ver (which all german can be) it would be to purify. Is that a coincidence? I don't think so.

9-11 and Katrina BIG DIFFERENCES Part 1.

Some of the news talking heads are trying to draw parallels between 9-11 and Katrina. Sorry guys, that dog ain'’t huntin. If one of them says, "like 9-11" to start a sentence, turn him or her off. This is NOT like 9-11!

9-11 was the result of aggression on the part of an ideology against the USA. People were unified by the act not the result. Hero'’s were easy to find. Firemen, police, Giulianini, Bush, and ordinary people.

Katrina was natural, random, and without cause against whom people could unite in their anger. Hero'’s are hard to find. Many there are who are there are not visible. Oh, there are heroes. We will see them eventually. But the ones who rose so quickly in 9-11 are absent in this event. Meanwhile the villain count is tremendous.

WHO AMERICA THINKS IT IS
9-11 changed the way the USA saw itself. Needing security. Needing to stop the evildoers. Mostly unified in its efforts. We saw ourselves as victims who would strike back at whomever were victimizing us. We saw ourselves as good people who did good things attacked by bad people who did bad things. Good and evil was easy to identify.

Katrina is also changing the way the USA sees itself. Not for good. Yes, there are good people doing good things. I won'’t mention them all here, you know who they are, Doctors, Red Cross, Salvation Army etc etc etc. But the ugly underbelly of humanity has been exposed for what it is. The looting, anarchy, violence, lawlessness of New Orleans has shocked everyone. The impotence of government, local, state and national to do anything has been dazzling. The lack of leadership has left people astounded. We are much more vulnerable to anything than we thought we are. Half the police in the New Orleans area have just quit. Our military is helpless. Oh we'’ll get it under control at some point but the damage is done. What we have seen on our TV screens is indelible.

Every state, every large city has these cesspools of human debris who at the drop of a metaphorical disaster hat will now replicate what we have seen in New Orleans. Permission has now been granted. Go ahead, they can'’t stop you. I am more than a little concerned that the fallout from this will be increased anarchy and lawlessness. Up until now at least they believed there could be consequences. There isn't. Barney Fife has left the building.

SPIRITUAL DIFFERENCES
9-11 spiritual spurt. For a few weeks after 9-11 there was some modicum of spiritual activity. People went to church other then on Easter or Christmas. It didn'’t last. In 6 month the pews were back to their less then capacity occupancy.

Katrina has demonstrated the total fallen nature of man. We sin because we are sinners in need of saving. Jobs won'’t solve this, welfare doesn'’t solve this. CHURCH --- The whistle has blown. The game is ON. The line is drawn. You are either going to get in the game or be sidelined as useless. This is the day you prayed for. ""Lord, give us the chance to be your arm, to reach out to the world"". Well, guess what, it just happened. I am heartened to see and hear of many small, medium and large churches in LA, MS, MO, AR and TX taking on the task of sponsoring these refugees in their Church buildings, taking them under their wings, educating their kids, helping them find places to live and talking to them about a better life in Jesus. CHURCH --- Don'’t just pray, you are a part of the answer to every prayer you pray. If all you plan to do is pray and sit on your blessed assurance, please don'’t BOTHER, it'’s taking the Lord'’s name in vain. If all you can do is pray (by reason of infirmity) then please do. God'’s arm moves in response to prayer but his hand is US. This line in the sand will result in tremendous victory for those bold enough to take it. Every Church can do SOMETHING. We have a responsibility to our culture and to our God to restore the fallen spiritually and physically so this kind of descent into chaos never happens again. Church, you have prayed for God to send you sinners in need of a savior. You will never have this chance again. This is Romans 8:28 alive and well. He wants to take this evil and make it for good. There are hundreds of thousands ready to see the gospel lived out in your actions. Hut Hut Hut, You'’ve got the ball, now what you gonna do with it?

Wal-Mart steps up

This may shock you, but I am not a big fan of Wal-Mart. In fact I have taken them to task for their corporate hypocrisy in this blog often. However: they are contributing $15,000,000 to the New Orleans disaster relief fund. I must begrugingly say, Good for you Wal-Mart.

You are still the anti-Christ. But if you want to rule the world you have to throw some help to the serfs from time to time. Oh, by the way, to put this in it's proper perspective, for the average earner (like me) this is equivalent to throwing a hundred bucks in the pot next Sunday. Not a radical sacrifice but not too bad either.

I Honestly Couldn't say it Better

If you know, (Knew) me you know that the opinon I respect most is my own. Except--------

I must offer up a brilliant editorial from a writer I respect as much.
Peggy Noonan.
Her analysis of Katrina and aftermath is stunning.
I wish I could write as well as she does. Maybe Someday?