WHEN in the course of human Events, it becomes necessary….
In America if it’s worth doing. . . it’s worth overdoing
byVanderleunonFebruary 20, 2022
I’ve cued up Building an 85 MPH Barbie Jeep In 10 Minutes to the sidewalk, street, road, off-road, and way off-road racing parts. If you want to see the whole demented build, just reload the video. Street legal? What is this “legal” you keep saying?
Reason 157,985,725 why America is the greatest civilization that has ever graced the face of the earth. Only we do shit like this. Only we can.
Oh…if you don’t like it here, if you think America is “waciss”, then leave. I hear Africa has a few openings.
Snakepit KansasFebruary 21, 2022, 6:29 AM
I’ve been to Africa. Nice place to hunt, with some good local wines. Way too many bugs though. I was still picking ticks off my body two days after getting back to the US.
In Africa I’ve only been to Morocco and Egypt (1980). Took a train down the Nile to Luxor. I should not have drunk the water. After a few days of backpacking in Honduras (1986) I pulled 103 ticks from my body.
Almost enough to get me to take a run down to the lower forty eight, if I could talk 40 friends into putting together an armored convoy for the run through Canada.
Will MFebruary 20, 2022, 12:10 PM
We’re the greatest *technological* civilization ever. But we’re dead last among industrial nations in life expectancy; we’re on par with Guam’s life expectancy. There’s an obesity epidemic, a fentanyl epidemic. We’re now importing more than we export. An incredible number of Americans are on anti-depressants. There are armies of the homeless committing crimes, drugged up and dying in droves, and who should be institutionalized, but are not.
Yeah, I like it here, ain’t moving, as yet, anyway, but I think there are metrics other than tech accomplishment by which to judge the “greatness” of a nation.
Filter out the non-whites in your calculation, then get back to me. It was the Caucasians who built American civilization.
You complain because you believe that I used one metric to measure greatness—although I never did so—then you yourself went on to use one metric to measure greatness, that of life-expectancy. Hong Kong—apparently—has the longest life expectancy. Have you yet purchased your one-way ticket?
Since you place “greatness” in quote marks, perhaps you should consider moving to Guam.
FLSTFFebruary 20, 2022, 2:00 PM
Mike- maybe a better “filter” would be political affiliation instead of skin color.
In this day and age, I cannot think of a more consistently destructive, dangerous, or evil type of human than liberals and socialists. Can you?
I am what is colloquially known as a “white nationalist”, even though I am half Mexican. Weird. I favor what is best for Caucasians even if such a thing hinders other races. I expect other races to act the same—in their perceived best interest. When they do not I regard their actions as stupid, sentimental, short-sighted and suicidal.
Liberals and socialists are a great curse upon mankind—of whatever race.
FLSTFFebruary 20, 2022, 1:50 PM
I have no problem with the epidemics of obesity, fentanyl abuse, addiction to antidepressants, or drugged up homeless people dying in droves.
The major causes of those deadly defects can be directly attributed to laziness, gluttony, stupidity, and mental weakness- all major flaws that are a huge detriment to societies, and drag down the progress and survival of the fittest of our species. I’m not without compassion, but I feel no loss when a subhuman dies from their own lack of intellect.
Since Free Will is a gift from God, then we must recognize an adult’s choice of lifestyle. If he chooses drugs, then all effects from that choice are due to him. To treat him as merely unfortunate, or somehow ill, or deprived of some material good and thus not responsible, is to deny him his humanity. He must bear the consequences of his freely taken decisions. If these effects impinge upon civilized and lawful society, then he must pay the price for these as well—up to and including the electric chair.
AnonymousFebruary 20, 2022, 4:06 PM
FLSTF, but those are problems, if not immediately impacting us as individuals, then certainly to the nation as a whole.
I’m not going to say I’m not without compassion for those who really eff up – there but for the grace of God, etc. – but yes, the first dawning of spiritual awareness comes when we recognize that whatever mess we’re in, we and no one else are 💯% responsible for that mess.
Will MFebruary 20, 2022, 4:19 PM
FLSTF, but those are problems, if not immediately impacting us as individuals, then certainly to the nation as a whole.
I can’t say I’m totally without compassion for those who really eff up their lives – there but for the grace of God, etc. – but yes, the first dawning of spiritual awareness comes when we fully recognize that, for whatever mess we’re in, we are 💯% responsible for that mess. All the addicts, the homeless, the obese, each one is fully responsible for his or her degraded state. We can pray for them that in the fullness of time, through the suffering that their errors bring them, they’ll get a clue and dig themselves out.
I have compassion for those who are not responsible for their situation: the vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widows and orphans, and their like. For all else, no. Why should I? The existence of legions of the drug addicted is also the reason why I am always—always—well-armed. I will not allow their poor choices to affect my life if I can help it.
AnonymousFebruary 20, 2022, 5:30 PM
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
Will MFebruary 20, 2022, 5:32 PM
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
Will MFebruary 20, 2022, 5:35 PM
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
A belief in reincarnation is non-Christian: “…“…each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…”—Hebrews 9:27. As such it is not something I have ever given much thought. Why would I? And it is non-negotiable. Your thoughts on it are Hindu in their sentiments.
“..it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us…” Creation is not a college seminar. We are put on earth to know God. Everything else is extra credit. One life is more than enough time for that.
Leftists and their acolytes have no idea of true compassion. With them such a sentiment always comes with government coercion.
Most Saints were indeed screw-ups of one type or another before they were Saints. Living in the dark always leads a man to appreciate the Light.
Will MFebruary 21, 2022, 7:38 PM
Mike, yep, my thoughts on reincarnation are similar to Hindu beliefs, also to Jewish mysticism in the Kabbalah, to Buddhism, the Cathar Mvt in the 12-14 centuries, to the Rosicrucians, etc.
JC made it pretty clear that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah. (Luke 1:13, Matt 17:12). Was this a special case, limited to one individual? James, bro of JC says of Elijah – “Elijah was a man just like us.”(James 5:7), so Elijah was like the rest of us, of woman reborn, And there’s these two suggestive quotes from the Bible: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there”. (Job 1:21) …. and …”when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.”(Hebrews 7:10)
Quotes aside, your statement that one life is all that is needed to know God is prima facie in-your-face full stop incorrect. Obviously there are gradations in coming to spiritual transcendence, just look around. Some people have just begun their walk on the path, others are more advanced, others have not yet started. And there is the matter of those who through no obvious fault of their own, are dysfunctional to the point where they can’t conceive of spiritual transcendence, the criminally insane, a child who is abused and molested and grows up, fearful and full of hatred for his or her full term, I could come up with dozens of more examples. In my view, it is impossible for everyone to come to God in one lifetime.
Catholic tradition does allow for the existence of Purgatory which brings the unperfected soul to divine perfection after death. And infants and children who die before having the opportunity to choose or reject God are essentially given a free pass. In both these instances, maybe Purgatory in particular, human free will is taken away. Purgatory is a passive state in which the soul is acted upon and cannot act itself, there is no choosing.
I have to believe that ultimately we can only reach the transcendent through our God-given free will, and that requires more than one lifetime – that’s why I accept the reality of reincarnation. Think of it as a necessary app that a just and merciful God would install into His Creation.
“Syncretism /ˈsɪŋkrətɪzəm/ is the combining of different beliefs and various schools of thought. Syncretism involves the merging or assimilation of several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, thus asserting an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.”
AnonymousFebruary 20, 2022, 1:36 PM
No, Mike, you didn’t read me carefully – I didn’t say you used one metric to determine greatness in a civilization, nor did I use one metric to determine the same. There’s a list of things there. There’s also the spiritual welfare of a nation to consider, and in that we are sorely lacking – whites and non-whites are taking the fall for that.
Re: life expectancy – it’s just one metric, but not necessarily the most telling one. Life expectancy in 1790 America was something like 40 years of age, maybe less, due to infancy deaths, but I’ve no doubt we were much more spiritually prosperous than we are nowadays. Yeah, so “greatness” should be in quotes.
We each appeared to use one metric. But your point is well taken. I would say that spiritual health—that is, recognizing Christ as the Son of God—is by far the most important metric. All else is mere matter: subjective, constantly changing, and everywhere in decay. Our time here on earth is fragile and temporary. All men should know this, ponder this, and act upon this.
tallow potFebruary 20, 2022, 1:44 PM
I hate to see sandy beaches used as a motorized playground. All I think about are all the Dungeness crabs, Pismo clams, sand shrimp, and razor clam beds being destroyed.
VanderleunFebruary 20, 2022, 1:47 PM
I believe that’s a reservoir in Idaho.
ghostsniperFebruary 20, 2022, 6:40 PM
There’s not many of those things on the beaches, almost none at all, since they die pretty quick when out of water. Doesn’t anyone know how to think any more?
TerryFebruary 20, 2022, 4:18 PM
North Idaho. My neck of the woods in this wonderful Country.
Yes, free will, and make your life what you want as an individual. The drugs? Where do they come from? They are supplied by the fed dot gov. All drugs, the so-called good and the bad.
CCWFebruary 20, 2022, 6:12 PM
Great to see some good old boys having some fun !!!
Thanks for sharing the video.
Lighten up Francis(s)
ghostsniperFebruary 20, 2022, 6:47 PM
In my yoot, age 8-14, I raced professional grade go karts. 2 McCulloch 11hp 2 cycle engines, direct drive, no clutch. 60-70 mph flat track. To stay out front you have to bust the ass end loose in the curves and use the steering as a controlled brake while keeping the engine wide open. Beyond exhilarating to drift 180 degrees around the whole curve and come out the other side with 2 wheels in the air. I still have one of the spare engines, a 9hp model. Been sitting in a box for 50 years.
Amazing, although it’s store bought, have a “Polaris Razr” 1000, 20 inch’s of travel 160 HP, two seater, and it hauls ass. Haven’t rolled it yet, but it’s coming. If your born with the “ push the envelope gene”. Will probably get you in the end.
At 65 I’ve literally got 35 motorcycles. I just dragged in a 2004 Honda 450 CRF. Needs rear wheel bearings and tires, will be my new trail bike. This thing scares me. Can’t wait to rip on it.
Real World Address for Donations, Mash Notes and Hate Mail
Gerard Van der Leun
1692 MANGROVE AVE
APT 379
Chico, Ca 95926
Green Pants Interior by Klahn
Who Am I? by Carl Sandburg
My head knocks against the stars.
My feet are on the hilltops.
My finger-tips are in the valleys and shores of universal life.
Down in the sounding foam of primal things I reach my hands and play with pebbles of destiny.
I have been to hell and back many times.
I know all about heaven, for I have talked with God.
I dabble in the blood and guts of the terrible.
I know the passionate seizure of beauty
And the marvelous rebellion of man at all signs reading “Keep Off.”
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Duty, Beauty, Liberty, Country, Honor, Family, Faith — Plus a few simple easy to follow rules for guys
Men saw the stars at the edge of the sea
They thought great thoughts about liberty
Poets wrote down words that did fit
Writers wrote books
Thinkers thought about it
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
Many’s the road I have walked upon
Many’s the hour between dusk and dawn
Many’s the time
Many’s the mile
I see it all now
Through the eyes of a child
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
Lost dreams and found dreams
In America
In America
In America
And close your eyes
Leave it all for a while
Leave the world
And your worries behind
You will build on whatever is real
And wake up each day
To a new waking dream
Take it where you find it
Can’t leave it alone
You will find a purpose
To carry it on
Mainly when you find it
Your heart will be strong
About it
[Chorus]
Change, change come over
Change come over
Talkin’ about a change
Change, change
Change come over, now
Change, change, change come over
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I’m gonna walk down the street
Until I see
My shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
I see my light
See my light
See my shining light
Gerard Van der Leun
Comments on this entry are closed.
Reason 157,985,725 why America is the greatest civilization that has ever graced the face of the earth. Only we do shit like this. Only we can.
Oh…if you don’t like it here, if you think America is “waciss”, then leave. I hear Africa has a few openings.
I’ve been to Africa. Nice place to hunt, with some good local wines. Way too many bugs though. I was still picking ticks off my body two days after getting back to the US.
In Africa I’ve only been to Morocco and Egypt (1980). Took a train down the Nile to Luxor. I should not have drunk the water. After a few days of backpacking in Honduras (1986) I pulled 103 ticks from my body.
http://mikeaustin.org/AAA/All%20Pics/Picture%20002.jpg
Yeah, I counted every one. Demonic little bastards.
Here they are with the fab rats at the king of the hammers;
https://youtu.be/YiVcf2e-wrw
Almost enough to get me to take a run down to the lower forty eight, if I could talk 40 friends into putting together an armored convoy for the run through Canada.
We’re the greatest *technological* civilization ever. But we’re dead last among industrial nations in life expectancy; we’re on par with Guam’s life expectancy. There’s an obesity epidemic, a fentanyl epidemic. We’re now importing more than we export. An incredible number of Americans are on anti-depressants. There are armies of the homeless committing crimes, drugged up and dying in droves, and who should be institutionalized, but are not.
Yeah, I like it here, ain’t moving, as yet, anyway, but I think there are metrics other than tech accomplishment by which to judge the “greatness” of a nation.
Filter out the non-whites in your calculation, then get back to me. It was the Caucasians who built American civilization.
You complain because you believe that I used one metric to measure greatness—although I never did so—then you yourself went on to use one metric to measure greatness, that of life-expectancy. Hong Kong—apparently—has the longest life expectancy. Have you yet purchased your one-way ticket?
Since you place “greatness” in quote marks, perhaps you should consider moving to Guam.
Mike- maybe a better “filter” would be political affiliation instead of skin color.
In this day and age, I cannot think of a more consistently destructive, dangerous, or evil type of human than liberals and socialists. Can you?
Actually, no.
I am what is colloquially known as a “white nationalist”, even though I am half Mexican. Weird. I favor what is best for Caucasians even if such a thing hinders other races. I expect other races to act the same—in their perceived best interest. When they do not I regard their actions as stupid, sentimental, short-sighted and suicidal.
Liberals and socialists are a great curse upon mankind—of whatever race.
I have no problem with the epidemics of obesity, fentanyl abuse, addiction to antidepressants, or drugged up homeless people dying in droves.
The major causes of those deadly defects can be directly attributed to laziness, gluttony, stupidity, and mental weakness- all major flaws that are a huge detriment to societies, and drag down the progress and survival of the fittest of our species. I’m not without compassion, but I feel no loss when a subhuman dies from their own lack of intellect.
Since Free Will is a gift from God, then we must recognize an adult’s choice of lifestyle. If he chooses drugs, then all effects from that choice are due to him. To treat him as merely unfortunate, or somehow ill, or deprived of some material good and thus not responsible, is to deny him his humanity. He must bear the consequences of his freely taken decisions. If these effects impinge upon civilized and lawful society, then he must pay the price for these as well—up to and including the electric chair.
FLSTF, but those are problems, if not immediately impacting us as individuals, then certainly to the nation as a whole.
I’m not going to say I’m not without compassion for those who really eff up – there but for the grace of God, etc. – but yes, the first dawning of spiritual awareness comes when we recognize that whatever mess we’re in, we and no one else are 💯% responsible for that mess.
FLSTF, but those are problems, if not immediately impacting us as individuals, then certainly to the nation as a whole.
I can’t say I’m totally without compassion for those who really eff up their lives – there but for the grace of God, etc. – but yes, the first dawning of spiritual awareness comes when we fully recognize that, for whatever mess we’re in, we are 💯% responsible for that mess. All the addicts, the homeless, the obese, each one is fully responsible for his or her degraded state. We can pray for them that in the fullness of time, through the suffering that their errors bring them, they’ll get a clue and dig themselves out.
I have compassion for those who are not responsible for their situation: the vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widows and orphans, and their like. For all else, no. Why should I? The existence of legions of the drug addicted is also the reason why I am always—always—well-armed. I will not allow their poor choices to affect my life if I can help it.
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
Mike, well, if one perceives reincarnation and karma to be true, as I do, then even those who suffer the seeming vagaries of fate, natural disasters, birth defects, widowhood, and the like, are also responsible in final analysis. Not trying to sell this, it’s just what I’ve come to accept after years of meditating on it. If I had to sum it up, it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us, that we’re here to learn. I think we’re here to learn *all* the earthly lessons before we can graduate permanently to higher realms. That, for most, takes a lotta time, and I suspect, a lotta incarnations.
As for genuine compassion – it’s not the goo fest that lefties and the Woke think. Real compassion is emotionally detached, at a distance, and it can appear as cold and clinical, as allowing someone to die from their own eff ups. But it’s also a recognition that a life loser can turn on a dime – many saints had been eff ups before they woke up, and there’s Mary Magdalene – and we should be there as Christ was to set an example and offer an acknowledgment and maybe a hand-up if needed.
And as reincarnationalist (I don’t think that word really exists, but hey), I have to believe that I too really effed up in the past, I mean badly, and suffered for it. I learned my lessons and am better for it now in this incarnation. People spiritually evolve at their own pace. Recognizing this is a compassion.
A belief in reincarnation is non-Christian: “…“…each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment…”—Hebrews 9:27. As such it is not something I have ever given much thought. Why would I? And it is non-negotiable. Your thoughts on it are Hindu in their sentiments.
“..it seems to me that one earthly incarnation is not near enough space to learn the lessons that our material existence has to teach us…” Creation is not a college seminar. We are put on earth to know God. Everything else is extra credit. One life is more than enough time for that.
Leftists and their acolytes have no idea of true compassion. With them such a sentiment always comes with government coercion.
Most Saints were indeed screw-ups of one type or another before they were Saints. Living in the dark always leads a man to appreciate the Light.
Mike, yep, my thoughts on reincarnation are similar to Hindu beliefs, also to Jewish mysticism in the Kabbalah, to Buddhism, the Cathar Mvt in the 12-14 centuries, to the Rosicrucians, etc.
JC made it pretty clear that John the Baptist was the reincarnation of Elijah. (Luke 1:13, Matt 17:12). Was this a special case, limited to one individual? James, bro of JC says of Elijah – “Elijah was a man just like us.”(James 5:7), so Elijah was like the rest of us, of woman reborn, And there’s these two suggestive quotes from the Bible: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there”. (Job 1:21) …. and …”when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.”(Hebrews 7:10)
Quotes aside, your statement that one life is all that is needed to know God is prima facie in-your-face full stop incorrect. Obviously there are gradations in coming to spiritual transcendence, just look around. Some people have just begun their walk on the path, others are more advanced, others have not yet started. And there is the matter of those who through no obvious fault of their own, are dysfunctional to the point where they can’t conceive of spiritual transcendence, the criminally insane, a child who is abused and molested and grows up, fearful and full of hatred for his or her full term, I could come up with dozens of more examples. In my view, it is impossible for everyone to come to God in one lifetime.
Catholic tradition does allow for the existence of Purgatory which brings the unperfected soul to divine perfection after death. And infants and children who die before having the opportunity to choose or reject God are essentially given a free pass. In both these instances, maybe Purgatory in particular, human free will is taken away. Purgatory is a passive state in which the soul is acted upon and cannot act itself, there is no choosing.
I have to believe that ultimately we can only reach the transcendent through our God-given free will, and that requires more than one lifetime – that’s why I accept the reality of reincarnation. Think of it as a necessary app that a just and merciful God would install into His Creation.
Also sorry for the previous triple post.
You are a case study in syncretism:
“Syncretism /ˈsɪŋkrətɪzəm/ is the combining of different beliefs and various schools of thought. Syncretism involves the merging or assimilation of several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and mythology of religion, thus asserting an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.”
No, Mike, you didn’t read me carefully – I didn’t say you used one metric to determine greatness in a civilization, nor did I use one metric to determine the same. There’s a list of things there. There’s also the spiritual welfare of a nation to consider, and in that we are sorely lacking – whites and non-whites are taking the fall for that.
Re: life expectancy – it’s just one metric, but not necessarily the most telling one. Life expectancy in 1790 America was something like 40 years of age, maybe less, due to infancy deaths, but I’ve no doubt we were much more spiritually prosperous than we are nowadays. Yeah, so “greatness” should be in quotes.
We each appeared to use one metric. But your point is well taken. I would say that spiritual health—that is, recognizing Christ as the Son of God—is by far the most important metric. All else is mere matter: subjective, constantly changing, and everywhere in decay. Our time here on earth is fragile and temporary. All men should know this, ponder this, and act upon this.
I hate to see sandy beaches used as a motorized playground. All I think about are all the Dungeness crabs, Pismo clams, sand shrimp, and razor clam beds being destroyed.
I believe that’s a reservoir in Idaho.
There’s not many of those things on the beaches, almost none at all, since they die pretty quick when out of water. Doesn’t anyone know how to think any more?
North Idaho. My neck of the woods in this wonderful Country.
Yes, free will, and make your life what you want as an individual. The drugs? Where do they come from? They are supplied by the fed dot gov. All drugs, the so-called good and the bad.
Great to see some good old boys having some fun !!!
Thanks for sharing the video.
Lighten up Francis(s)
In my yoot, age 8-14, I raced professional grade go karts. 2 McCulloch 11hp 2 cycle engines, direct drive, no clutch. 60-70 mph flat track. To stay out front you have to bust the ass end loose in the curves and use the steering as a controlled brake while keeping the engine wide open. Beyond exhilarating to drift 180 degrees around the whole curve and come out the other side with 2 wheels in the air. I still have one of the spare engines, a 9hp model. Been sitting in a box for 50 years.
Looked very similar to this one:
http://vhka.mysite.com/images/dscf2851.jpg
Amazing, although it’s store bought, have a “Polaris Razr” 1000, 20 inch’s of travel 160 HP, two seater, and it hauls ass. Haven’t rolled it yet, but it’s coming. If your born with the “ push the envelope gene”. Will probably get you in the end.
At 65 I’ve literally got 35 motorcycles. I just dragged in a 2004 Honda 450 CRF. Needs rear wheel bearings and tires, will be my new trail bike. This thing scares me. Can’t wait to rip on it.
Irk
That pink carts insane.