Mike Huckabee Bumper Sticker
It is taped upon the back of my wife's car, which I think to be an interesting statement of just how thin is her support for this highly unknown candidate. I am certainly unable, at this time, to announce my preferred person to become president. He or she will support Conservative positions, and will be electable. Could it be Huckabee? I am a bit irritated at some of things the guy has been quoted as saying, like his low-blow toward Romney and his religion. Also his repeated feigning to have a degree in theology has been a deliberate, albeit slight, deception. Of course, when you place any person under a microscope and relentlessly examine, inconsistencies and flaws will become evident.

I am insulted by the review of Rich Lowry, who does more than intimate that Huckabee cannot handle the job of President because of his blue-collar, Baptist background. The piece drips of snide, elitist prejudice. A cursory glance at our current line of elected officials shows how ludicrous is the idea that, somehow, connections with Washington and degrees from Ivy League schools better equip a person for political service. In the article, with surprising candor he lets it be known that he wants the votes of Huckabee supporters, just not their candidates.

Cantata Fears
Tomorrow morning we perform our Christmas Cantata. I participate, not because I can sing, but to show my support for the choir. Let's be honest- I cannot read music, cannot hold a key, and am totally lost when the director insists that we sing parts or interpret the melody. It will be interesting, and I don't think I'll be posting the audio files on this blog.

Another Day, Another Funeral
2:00 today. I have done a lot of funerals. Being observant, perhaps too observant and with likely an inappropriate sense of inspection, there are a good bit of things I don't like about funerals. I prefer closed caskets, the lowest expenditures possible without all the niceties encouraged upon the families by the funeral homes, and short eulogies/sermons. Of course, the person has already preached his funeral with his life. It seems, to me, presumptious of a preacher to stand up there and try to convince others of how wonderful was the dearly departed. And I don't. I seek to comfort the family and impress upon all the sufficiency of God at such a time.

Ham Exam # 2
Ah yes, another taste-testing this past week, courtesy the scheduling of my wife. Another $30 for the effort, ripped from my hands and gone forever. I'm getting better at this, being able to taste the subtle differences. Did you know that store-bought hams, like Kroger or Publix, have been previously frozen? Neither did I. This time I met the apprentice ham professor. We had a nice little chat beside the elevator, and he told me how much he enjoys his job. Ham. Somebody has to do it.

Sleeveless Shirt In The Middle Of December
She is 23, about to graduate from College. She is weighing a job offer from a Cruise Line in Alaska. She is fiercely independent, "not a kid" she reminds me. She just walked by, as I was seated at the computer, on her way to work. It's really cold outside. I said, "You better put on a jacket". She rolled her eyes, "Dad, I'm an adult!" Yeah? She still needs me.

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.15.07 (11:00 am)

Great post.

"I am insulted by the review of Rich Lowry, who does more than intimate that Huckabee cannot handle the job of President because of his blue-collar, Baptist background."

I'm with you on this except that I remember very well how the last unconnected president did in the eyes of the country. Personally, I thought Jimmy Carter was a great president in many ways, but he was torn to shreads for not being part of the cadre - which also lead to his being castigated for encouraging us to face our problems head-on than with the fix that came in the way of Reagan's band-aid, that surely did what he needed it to do, but also tripled our national debt over his eight years. Huckabee may indeed end up having similar problems.

I hope the tape is waterproof at least.

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.15.07 (11:02 am)

Shoot... Meant to say "rather than with the fix..."

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posted by: inkspector (reply)
post date: 12.16.07 (2:49 pm)

We have had two snow storms here this week, and I have seen people still wearing shorts when it is around freezing out. I guess this is a new way of thinking, maybe your daughter is part of this movement?

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posted by: kurtmaddox (reply)
post date: 12.16.07 (7:32 pm)

Ron Paul for President!

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.17.07 (6:48 am)

Reply to: surrogate
Unconnected president, I guess, means from outside the Washington beltway. That would include Carter, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Well, Bush certainly had connections. You are right, Carter is an example of how the Washington establishment culture looks with a frown upon such an outsider, including one's own party. Carter's recent, meddlesome comments about President Bush continue to lower my estimation of his character, but that has nothing to do with the current subject of conversation. I find interesting how the establishment seems to be rallying around McCain as they become fearful of just such an outside candidate. I don't think McCain will secure the nomination, but the media and old-time Washingtonians would like for it to happen.

Well, enough rambling. I've got to get to work.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.17.07 (6:51 am)

Reply to: inkspector
Shorts in a snowstorm? That's crazy. I still do not understand, nor appreciate, the popular jackets without sleeves. What good is a jacket without sleeves- my arms tend to get the coldest? Jacket without sleeves, gloves without fingers, shorts in a snowstorm- it's a crazy world. I'll sit here in my longjohns and try to figure it out.

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posted by: PastorDave (reply)
post date: 12.17.07 (6:54 am)

Reply to: kurtmaddox
If he could ever move beyond his consistent 2% of the vote, then I'd gladly give him consideration. Well, this stuff about doing away with the army, navy, and marines might keep me from considering him a viable, or sane candidate.

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posted by: emerging (reply)
post date: 12.17.07 (9:23 am)

I don't imagine anyone would hold up under close scrutiny, but there's something to be said for a person who admits that their choices don't always line up with what they claim to value. God knows I've been plenty guilty of that myself!

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posted by: surrogate (reply)
post date: 12.18.07 (6:26 am)

So? How did the Cantata go?

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posted by: Barbara (reply)
post date: 12.18.07 (6:57 am)

23? I lost a year somewhere. But I know others of that generation who don't wear long sleeves in winter. She should be ok in Alaska if the cold doesn't bother her that much... Please don't let her go, I'll miss her.

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posted by: ggirl (reply)
post date: 12.18.07 (7:34 am)

I agree with everything you said about funerals. That must be a really hard part of your job (one that has many hard parts, I know).

As for the cantata, I was going to suggest you just mouth the words--no actual singing.

Have a lovely day!

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posted by: ammegan (reply)
post date: 12.18.07 (5:44 pm)

You reminded me of my dad. He joins in the choir but only mumbles and pretend with swaying movements...:)

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