TOPIC: Users Urged to Protect Computers from WMF Exploits...
I don't normally include Windows-type posts on my blog, BUT this warning is vitally important to all Windows XP/2003 users.
"The threat posed by the flaw in Windows WMF files is increasing. Now hundreds of websites are using exploits for the flaw to install malicious software on people's Windows-based computers. What makes the WMF vulnerability particularly insidious is that it can infect computers when users merely visit sites or view a maliciously crafted image in the preview pane of older versions of Microsoft Outlook; machines can become infected without requiring the user to click on anything or open any files. Microsoft is investigating the issue and says it will issue a patch, but has not yet said when that patch will be available."
[Culled from SANS.org and edited by yours truly...]

Microsoft’s “Suggested Action” is:

Un-register the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer (Shimgvw.dll) on Windows XP Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1. Microsoft has tested the following workaround. While this workaround will not correct the underlying vulnerability, it helps block known attack vectors. When a workaround reduces functionality, it is identified in the following section.
Note: The following steps require Administrative privileges. It is recommended that the machine be restarted after applying this workaround. It is also possible to log out and log back in after applying the workaround. However, the recommendation is to restart the machine.

To un-register Shimgvw.dll, follow these steps:
1. Click Start, click Run, type "regsvr32 -u %windir%\system32\shimgvw.dll" (without the quotation marks), and then click OK. The %windir% part refers to the directory in which Windows is installed (usually C:\WINDOWS or C:\WINNT).
2. A dialog box appears to confirm that the un-registration process has succeeded. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Impact of Workaround: The Windows Picture and Fax Viewer will no longer be started when users click on a link to an image type that is associated with the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.
To undo this change, re-register Shimgvw.dll by following the above steps. Replace the text in Step 1 with “regsvr32 %windir%\system32\shimgvw.dll” (without the quotation marks)."

Additional comments from the Sope-Bocks...

A.) Using an alternative browser like Opera or Firefox can offer some protection.
B.) One thing you can do *IF* you have a graphics editor (Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop, etc) is change the way WMF files are handled. In WinXP, go to My Computer => Tools => Folder Options => File Types. Choose WMF and then click Change to choose another program for that file type. I chose psp.exe, which is the EXE for Paint Shop Pro. OK the decision and close out of My Computer. This is a workaround that will work – or make WMF files fail (which is another method of not being exploited).

QOTD: Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false, and the false with the true. -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

TOPIC: 100 Years Ago - in History - 1906
As we turn the page to 2006, let's look back on historical events from 100 years ago...
January 09 - Campbell's soup was trademark registered
January 12 - First time Dow Jones closes above 100
February 1 - First federal penitentiary building completed; Leavenworth, Kansas
February 19 - W.K. Kellogg & Charles Bolin establish Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Co. (aka Kellogg's)
March 15 - Three Britons, Mssr's Rolls, Royce and Johnson form the company Rolls Royce, Ltd.
April 06 - First animated cartoon copyrighted
April 18-19 - The San Francisco Earthquake and Fire occur. Deathtoll = 4,400+
May 10 - Russia's Duma (Parliament) meets for first time. The Duma is dissolved the same year.
May 19 - Federated Boys' Club (aka Boys' Club of America) organizes
May 22 - The Wright Brothers patent the aeroplane (aka the "flying machine")
October 3 - "SOS" adopted as warning signal by first conference on wireless telegraphy
December 24 - Reginald A. Fessenden became first person to broadcast music over radio (Mass., USA)
December 30 - Iran becomes a constitutional monarchy
_____________________________________________________________
Other notable events of 1906:
- 15 American states had speed limits of 20 miles per hour.
- 39 year-old Bavarian immigrant Carl Laemmle (pronounced LEM-lee) opened his first nickelodeon theater in Chicago. From this foundation sprang what was to become Universal Studios.
- 1906 Games in Athens, Greece were (originally) officially considered the first modern era Olympic Games. The IOC now considers them "Unofficial Olympic Games".

TOPIC: Oil Company GREED...
As we close out 2005, one of the big stories on everyone's mind is the price of gas and oil. Folks, no matter what we were told this past Summer and Fall, there was one primary reason for the huge increases in retail gas prices. It’s pure and simple == GREED. A few weeks ago, I visited Hoovers.com and gathered some interesting info on the "Top Three" gas/oil companies:

BP
Profits Dec ’02 = $33,594 million
Profits Dec ’04 = $48,928 million
Increase = $15,334 million (+ ~45%)
Profits 1Q/’04 = $11,606 million
Profits 1Q/’05 = $21,803 million
Increase = $10,907 million (+ ~94%)

EXXON
Profits Dec ’02 = $69,208 million
Profits Dec ’04 = $100,442 million
Increase = $31,234 million (+ ~45%)
Profits 2Q/’04 = $23,812 million
Profits 2Q/’05 = $27,749 million
Increase = $3,937 million (+ ~17%)

SHELL
Profits Dec ’02 = $28,217 million
Profits Dec ’04 = $43,512 million
Increase = $15,295 million (+ ~54%)

While I realize companies are in business to make money, this is RIDICULOUS! BP’s profits for the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of last year (when we were being gouged to a lesser extent) have gone up nearly 100%. That’s an outrage when people can barely pay for a tank of gas for their car… and families are going without heating oil this Winter. Folks, the oil companies are LYING to us – and the proof is right in front of your eyes. If the internal costs were so high and the supply so low, they would NOT be able to double their profits as it clearly shown here. It’s time we start raising our voices.

I don’t believe in the government as the savior of our country, BUT it’s time to make them do their part – and act on this situation. We need to call our State Attorneys General, our Senators and Representatives and demand they hold formal hearings to bring charges against the oil companies and their executives for price gouging. We also need to DEMAND more petrol refineries be built in THIS country (not across the border)!

TOPIC: The Pardoning God
Someone has said that humor is only the truth thinly disguised. The phrase “I don’t get mad, I get even” is intended to be humorous, but the truth is evident. For some people, this phrase is like a mantra for relationship management. Its corollary statement is, “Do unto others before they do unto you.” Sadly, some people live with anger and revenge in their hearts—and at times that shows in their lives.
Consider this description of God: He “pardons sin and forgives the transgression . . . . [He does] not stay angry forever” and it is His “delight to show mercy” (v. 18). If that isn’t contrast enough, add the next verse. “You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (v. 19). With God, the only thing that gets walked over is our sins!
This is an amazing picture of God. He pardons, forgives, shows mercy and has compassion. Don’t miss the application of all of this. What He does is done for you and me. We are the ones who have sinned and need forgiveness. He is the One who through Jesus offers salvation to us. When we receive Jesus, we receive all the benefits of the God who pardons, forgives, shows mercy and has compassion.
And as you think of what this means for you, remember the responsibility that comes with the blessing. Paul put it this way: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Col. 3:13).

Key Verse: Micah 7:18
Authors: Woodrow Kroll, Tony Beckett
Source: Devotions.org

Q'sOTD: on HAPPINESS...
Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. -- Robert Anthony

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. -- Allan K. Chalmers

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. -- Benjamin Franklin

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go. -- Oscar Wilde

[These quotes are in response to yesterday's post about my coworker who cannot and will not be happy and content with anything.]

TOPIC: Have you ever met someone who...
...just couldn't be happy or satisfied with anything? I work with a young lady who finds something wrong with everything. A free meal isn't as good as the meals she used to get. A raise at work isn't enough money. Food delivered from a local restaurant didn't arrive fast enough and isn't hot enough. In fact, one of the local restaurants sent us a plate full of homemade cookies at Christmas. Rather than be thankful, her comment was, "Well, as much business as we do with them, they should have sent us SOMETHING." Argh!
I try to treat this situation according to a quote from Mark Twain, "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions..." Twain goes on to add, "Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." That's how I try to deal with others -- make them feel great; and point out the good side of things. It's easy to moan and groan, but it takes character to see the good -- in everything.

Q'sOTD: About LIFE...
The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live. -- Joan Borysenko

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. -- Albert Einstein

We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. -- Herman Melville

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier. -- Albert Schweitzer

TOPIC: Christianity in America - A FoxNews/Opinion Dynamics Poll
Here are some interesting statistics from recent FoxNews polls (along with Gallop, AP, CNN & others):

1) "Which one of the following is closer to your view? Religion is under attack in America today. Religion has too much influence in America today. The current standing of religion in America is just about right."
Under Attack = 49%
Too Much Influence = 17%
About Right = 22%
Unsure = 12%

2) "Do you feel like Christianity is under attack in the United States today?"
Yes = 59%
No = 37%
Unsure = 4%

3) "Around this time of year, there is talk about whether holiday decorations on public property should include a nativity scene. Some say nativity scenes should not be on public property because this violates the separation of church and state. Others say it is acceptable for nativity scenes to be on public property because they are part of the historical celebration of Christmas. What is your view? Should nativity scenes be allowed on public property, or not?"
Allowed = 83%
Not Allowed = 12%
Unsure = 5%

4) "Do you believe the motto 'In God we trust' should remain on U.S. currency and coins or should it be removed?"
Remain = 93%
Removed = 4%
Unsure = 3%

5) "Do you believe the phrase 'under God' should remain in the Pledge of Allegiance or should it be removed?"
Should Remain = 90%
Should Be Removed = 7%
Unsure = 3%

6) "Do you think it should be legal or illegal to display the Ten Commandments on government property?"
Legal = 76%
Illegal = 15%
Unsure = 8%

7) "Do you agree or disagree that the courts have gone too far in taking religion out of public life?"
Agree = 77%
Disagree = 17%
Unsure = 6%

8) "Do you favor or oppose allowing voluntary prayer in public schools?"
Favor = 82%
Oppose = 14%
Unsure = 5%

9) "Thinking about the presence that religion currently has in public schools in this country, do you think religion has too much of a presence in public schools, about the right amount, or too little of a presence in public schools?"
Too Much = 11%
About Right = 27%
Too Little = 60%
Unsure = 2%

10) "Now I have a few questions about the Bible. Do you believe that every word of the Bible is literally accurate -- that the events it describes actually happened, or not?"
Yes, Believe = 55%
No, Do Not Believe = 38%
Unsure = 7%

If these polls truly reflect the beliefs and feelings of American society, WHY are we allowing 17% of the citizenry to dictate how we, the Bible believing majority, live?!?

TOPIC: Merry Christmas!
Just wanted to take a quick moment to say Merry CHRISTmas to everyone. Please remember that the reason for the season is the birth of Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ and Savior of the world. Enjoy your presents, friends and family!

TOPIC: Where does he get those insightful quotes?
I'm so glad you asked. I posted info on the primary website I use awhile back. Lately, I've been using Quoteland for most of the quotable quotes on the Sope-Bocks. It's an interesting site, complete with discussion forums. Not everyone there is an insightful as the quotes, but some make for good reading nonetheless. Enjoy!

QOTD: The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together. -- Robert C. Dodds

TOPIC: A Worthy Cause
Do you have $15.00 to spare? If so, then you can make a child's day -- or help them gain eternal life. You can do this with a special Christmas gift. Samaritan's Purse is the catalyst. And Operation Christmas Child is how it's done. Here's a short summary of how it works:
1) Get a shoebox and fill it with goodies for a child (doll, ball, coloring book, pencils, bar soap, etc.)
2) Include a one-page letter about yourself and your family. Include your address and a picture, if possible.
3) Add a $5.00 check (to cover shipping expenses)
4) Pray, if you're a believer, that the items in the box will bless the child who receives them.
5) Drop the unwrapped box off at your local church or Samaritan's Purse Drop-site
My family has done this for the past few years. We are always blessed to see how our children get involved. We've also been blessed with letters from kids in Haiti and Africa. Remember, it is more blessed to give than receive. ;-)

QOTD: While forbidden fruit is said to taste sweeter, it usually spoils faster. -- Abigail Van Buren

TOPIC: Media Bias Is Real, Finds UCLA Political Scientist
From a UCLA article, "While the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal is conservative, the newspaper's news pages are liberal, even more liberal than The New York Times. The Drudge Report may have a right-wing reputation, but it leans left. Coverage by public television and radio is conservative compared to the rest of the mainstream media. Meanwhile, almost all major media outlets tilt to the left.
These are just a few of the surprising findings from a UCLA-led study, which is believed to be the first successful attempt at objectively quantifying bias in a range of media outlets and ranking them accordingly."
This is a VERY interesting article. Whether you want to believe the results or not, you should read this article and consider the findings.

Q'sOTD:
You don't love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her. -- Anonymous

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get, it's what you are expected to give -- which is everything. -- Anonymous

TOPIC: New Year's resolutions -- Almost a year later
At the beginning of 2005, I resolved to loose weight; learn more about my career choice (computers); to grow spiritually and to enjoy photography (my beloved hobby) more. Near the end of 2005, here are a few realizations about my New Year's resolutions:
1) I didn't loose nearly as much weight as I wanted (13 pounds currently)
2) I learned much more than I knew about computers, but still haven't attained the level of MCSA (as planned). On the positive side, I did earn my MCP.
3) I have not grown as much spiritually as I would have liked. Some definite strides were made in this area, but I'm not even close to where I want to be in my relationship with God.
4) I enjoyed photography much more than in recent years. Like the other resolutions, I'm not satisfied with my progress in this area either.
Am I a failure? I don't think so. Am I where I wanted to be at the end of 2005? No way. Will these be my New Year's resolutions for 2006? Probably. What are YOU thinking about for 2006? How did YOU do in 2005?

QOTD: The test of literature is, I suppose, whether we ourselves live more intensely for the reading of it. -- Elizabeth Drew

[This sums up how I would like you, the reader, to experience the Sope-Bocks. Are you living more intensely for the reading of it?]

TOPIC: The War on Pornography
With kids carrying cell phones at a greater rate than ever before, parents need to be aware that porno peddlers are now targeting cell phones. Since there are little or no parental controls on cell phones, smut peddlers are trying another route to get kids hooked on pornography. Remember, if they can get 'em while they're young, they'll probably have 'em for life. This is distrubing -- 9 out of 10 children aged between 8 and 16 have viewed pornography on the Internet. In most cases, the sex sites were accessed unintentionally when a child, often in the process of doing homework, used a seemingly innocent sounding word to search for information or pictures. (London School of Economics January 2002) I found this to be true, first hand, when searching online for a Barbie doll to give my youngest daughter.
And before the "freedom of speech" anarchists start on me, keep in mind that we're talking about kids here. If you guys don't have a life and want to look at Jenna Jameson on your 1.5" cell phone screen, that's your business. BUT, it's NOT acceptable to have pornography freely available to anyone, anywhere -- especially on a kid's mobile phone!
If you're a concerned parent or a person who knows the problems that pornography causes, then you might want to know about a website: War on Pornography. Wirthlin Research shows that 80% of Americans want to clamp down on pornography. As someone who has struggled with it myself, I wholeheartedly agree. THINK it over -- and join WoP if you think its a worthwhile effort.

TOPIC: How low will the American "entertainment" industry sink?
In an era when Desperate Housewives, American Chopper and Nip/Tuck are hits, the question begs to be answered. Add to the equation... Reality TV has taken over most networks. Full-time gay/lesbian networks have popped up on cable and satellite. Super-violent horror movies are shown at most theaters these days. So, I ask you -- How low will Americans sink in the name of entertainment?
Furthermore, the ratings system is all out of whack. Being a 42 year old, I remember the days when no one under 17 could get into an R-rated movie. In fact, I had to get an older friend to go with me to see "Saturday Night Fever". Maybe my memory is flawed, but I don't recall any R-rated movies being shown on TV (excluding cable, of course). Now, one episode of Fox's TV police drama, The Shield, has more vulgar language, violence and nudity than most of the R-rated movies I've seen -- and it's on regular TV during primetime! If I'm not mistaken, The Shield is also rated TV14. My oldest child is 13, but I'd NEVER allow her to watch such garbage.
And the movie theaters -- don't get me started! Movies like Wolf Creek, Saw, Freddie vs. Jason, Cellular and the like are (in my opinion) way out of bounds. These are SICK movies from sick minds, meant for sick people. This is NOT entertainment! It's gross and disgusting -- and it has no value, entertainment or otherwise. I won't even broach the subject of video games in this post. The diatribe would be too lengthy for the Sope-Bocks.
Let me simply remind you to think about one thing -- Hollywood will produce ANYTHING that makes money. They could care less about what you and I call entertainment as long as it makes money for them. SO, why not demand better quality entertainment? Why not stop watching the likes of Desperate Housewives, MTV, most reality shows and some of Fox's worst offerings? The advertisers will take a hint and take their money elsewhere, which will result in the networks changing the shows. If we, as Americans, demand better entertainment quality (with good moral values, etc.), Hollywood will follow our lead. Truthfully, they have NO OTHER CHOICE!

QOTD: Science is facts; just as houses are made of stones, so is science made of facts; but a pile of stones is not a house and a collection of facts is not necessarily science. -- Henri Poincare, French mathematician & physicist

TOPIC: Pride - Take Two
Yesterday's QOTD was: "Pride is a spiritual cancer: It eats up the very possibilty of love, or contentment, or even common sense." This is so true. When I find myself tooling around in my BMW 3, wearing my Polo baseball cap, Polo shirt, Ralph Lauren jacket and thinking I'm a cool dude (aka a "playa") -- I am reminded that my pride is taking contro of my attitudel. It's at those times when I don't think kindly of those folks driving the "junker" 1980s Cavalier; smoking up my finely tuned German engineered automobile. It's those times that I want to add an AC Schnitzer kit to my already nice looking Bimmer; to heck with the cost and what I could be doing for mankind with five-thousand dollars. It's at those times that I start to loose my common sense. If you don't understand, re-read the last two sentences and REALLY THINK about them.
Yes, pride is a spiritual cancer... and I don't want cancer. So, I'm continually working on changing my diet -- by taking healthy doses of humility and self-evaluation. Love, contentment and even common sense are very important to fight off the cancer of pride. Are YOU eaten up with "cancer"?

QOTD: Pride is a spiritual Cancer: It eats up the very possibilty of love, or contentment, or even common sense. -- C.S. Lewis, First Things First

TOPIC: Thanksgiving... and giving thanks
As I look back on another Thanksgiving, I don't think of it as "Turkey Day" or just another day off or even a great day to eat more than I should and snooze while the football games blare in the background. Nope! For me, Thanksgiving has meaning.
It is a day of remembering to give thanks -- to my God, to those who put their lives on the line, to those who have helped make me the man I am today. Thanksgiving is a special day, indeed.
Getting up on my soapbox... I thank God for being a merciful and patient God (whew, I am *really* thankful for this one). I thank God for His Son, Jesus, without whom I would get what I deserve as I pass from this life into eternal life. I thank the men and women of law enforcement, the military, the rubbish retrieval services, the postal service and others like them for putting their lives on the line every day. I thank my parents, my teachers, my pastors, my wife, my children and all those folks I don't even know about who prayed for me over the past 42 years.
For whom are YOU thankful?

QOTD: The very idea of freedom presupposes some objective moral law which overarches rulers and ruled alike. -- C.S. Lewis, The Poison of Subjectivism (from Christian Reflections)

TOPIC: Fibromyalgia
If you don't know what fibromyalgia is, please allow me to explain -- then offer you a couple of websites to help further explain.
In my own everyday life, fibromyalgia is like the day before you actually come down with the flu (or a severe cold). It's that all-over-your-body achy feeling that won't go away. It can't be satisfied and you can't get away from the pain. Do you know how you feel on that day -- the day before the bad cold or flu really comes on?
Well, for many FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) sufferers, EVERY DAY is like "that day". Thankfully, I am not severely affected by fibromyalgia this badly every day. However, it is something I deal with constantly. One depressing statistic is that a slight majority of FMS victims are considered disabled within ten years of the onset of the syndrome. Rather than whine, please allow me to point you to some Internet resources that might help you understand your friend or loved one who is suffering from FMS.

• What is Fibromyalgia?
  
• The FMS Community
  

Keep in mind that FMS is NOT arthritis! FMS is quite different from arthritis or rhuematism.

QOTD: You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers. -- John J. Plomp

TOPIC: Weight loss and healthy gains...
Like most 42 year old men, I need to loose weight. However, loosing weight seems to be a problem I do not resolve -- even though I know the problem is with me ALL the time. I love this quote from Totie Fields, "I've been on a diet for two weeks and all I've lost is two weeks." Yea, I've been on that diet, too.
The bad news: My doctor says I will not live to see my youngest child graduate from high school unless I lower my cholesterol and loose some weight. The good news: I can do something about both of those problems IF I put my mind to it. So, here's to loosing 25 pounds, at least 50 cholesterol points... and gaining the joy of ushering my children into adulthood!

QOTD: Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival. -- C.S. Lewis

TOPIC: Is the iPod really iPoop?
In an effort to educate myself on the benefits and features of portable MP3 players, I have read several reviews on the Apple iPod. It seems that the iPod is really not as great as the advertising touts it to be. Yes, most of the ZDNet-owned websites say it's the best thing since slice bread. And yes, most of the epinions of the world (and all other sites that get bucks for advertising) say the iPod *is* the deal if you want to listen to MP3. However, there are dozens of websites offering reviews from folks who are NOT deriving income from Apple's advertising. Many consumer reviewers say the iPod is really iPoop(c). In their words, the iPod is overly expensive, unreliable and only mediocre when it comes to sound quality and capacity. In fact, several companies' products rate higher than Apple's offering, including the originator of the portable MP3 player, Creative Labs.
Thinking towards Christmas and gift-giving, I think I'll forego the iPod and all of its expensive accessories. OUCH, have you seen what they're asking for a silly armband?!? Looks like the Creative Labs MuVo N200 1Gb or Zen Nano Plus 1Gb will be the gift of choice for 2005 -- at least on the Sope-Bocks' Present List. BTW, the MuVo N200 comes with cables, a clear "skin", armband and middle-of-the-line earbuds. Not bad for $125.00, huh?

QOTD: A great many of those who 'debunk' traditional values have in the background values of their own which they believe to be immune from the debunking process. -- C.S. Lewis, from The Abolition of Man

[This QOTD goes well with yesterday's post about evolutionists, dontcha think? BTW, Lewis was once an atheist and (somewhat) an evolutionist himself.]

TOPIC: Evolution is a lie
I stated this in a previous Sope-Bocks post. Here are some interesting tidbits about the reasons why evolutionists hold so tightly to the theory:
Let’s use leading evolutionists’ own words in this debate: Thomas Huxley was known as Darwin’s Bulldog and the primary propogandist of evolution in 19th Century Great Britain. His grandsons were Sir Julian Huxley, a leading evolutionist of the twentieth century, and first director general of UNESCO; and Aldous Huxley, atheist philosopher, author of Brave New World, and patriarch of the modern drug culture.
Evolutionist Sir Julian Huxley once agreeably noted, "Darwinism removed the whole idea of God as the Creator of organisms from the sphere of rational discussion." Julian Huxley also wrote, "A religion is essentially an attitude toward the world as a whole. Thus evolution (will) prove as powerful a principle to coordinate man’s beliefs and hopes as God was in the past." Thus, evolution replaced the Bible with another philosophy for many people in our culture. This philosophy ushered in groups like the ACLU – and their slant on what the Constitution says about our country.
Folks, here is what the debate really boils down to – MORALS (or lack thereof). Again, in the words of a Huxley, "I had motives for not wanting the world to have meaning; consequently assumed it had none, and was able without any difficulty to find satisfying reasons for this assumption …. The philosopher who finds no meaning in the world is not concerned exclusively with a problem in pure metaphysics; he is also concerned to prove there is no valid reason why he personally should not do as he wants to do …. For myself, as no doubt for most of my contemporaries, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essentially an instrument of liberation.The liberation we desired was simultaneously liberation from a certain political and economic system and liberation from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom." —Aldous Huxley

QOTD: God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing. -- C.S. Lewis

[Found this quote to post as a follow-up to the topic from yesterday.]

TOPIC: I have to laugh...
You know, I have to laugh at people who refuse to believe in God, His sovereignty and the fact that we will all one day be judged. How can one gaze at the sun setting over the ocean and think it happens for no reason? How can anyone see, hear and touch a newborn baby and think that life is meaningless and hopeless? How can anyone look at the complexity of the world around us and tell themselves it all happened out of chaos and random chance? I laugh, though inside I cry.
I do not feel sympathy for people who refuse to believe. And, I don't feel contempt. I feel empathy and wonder how some, who are otherwise extremely intelligent, would hold so tightly to ideals that they must know deep, down inside are lies. Evolution is a lie. Situational ethics are lies. Freedom without responsibility is a lie.
I believe that the Newsboys' song is correct -- There is a "God-shaped hole" in all of us. We may try and fill it up with other things (sex, drugs, sports, business, entertainment, etc.), but NOTHING will fill the hole in our soul. Nothing, that is, except our Creator.

QOTD: It is hard to have patience with people who say "There is no death" or "Death doesn't matter." There is death. And whatever it is matters. And whatever happens has consequences, and it and they are irrevocable and irreversible. You might as well say that birth doesn't matter. -- C.S. Lewis

TOPIC: PayPal Warning!
If you have a PayPal account, be warned. They can and will steal your money. That may sound outlandish, but it is true. It happened to me AND my wife. I won't go into the sorted details here, but PayPal has basically stolen more than $2,500.00 from us over the past year. I don't want to use the Sope-Bocks for airing my dirty laundry, but I believe Sope-Bocks should know that PayPal is NOT the fine, upstanding company so many people think it to be. For that matter, neither is eBay -- when it comes to how it manages PayPal.
There are HUNDREDS of stories like mine documented at PayPalWarning.com and PayPalSucks.com. Yes, both sites have some idiots, liars and theives on them. However, many of the stories are true -- backed by documentation and evidence (some of it introduced in courts of law).
My Warning: Before you quit your day job in hopes of making a living by selling things on eBay using PayPal, DON'T! You're likely to end up like me and hundreds of others -- out thousands of dollars with little or no explanation from PayPal. FWIW, I'm not a fly-by-night eBayer. I was a member since 1997 (when eBay was AuctionWeb). I was also a Silver PowerSeller on eBay -- with more than 3,300 positive feedback and a 98+ positive rating. At the time, I was having severe recurring lower back problems (and dealing with fibromyalgia). My fault -- I shipped several items late (as much as 2-3 weeks late). Rather than ask me what was going on or warn me, PayPal killed my account. eBay killed my account. PayPal took my money (for items shipped) and never gave it back!
When my wife opened an account in order to sell some of the remaining stock that had been purchased to resell on eBay, PayPal grabbed her account, but said they would allow access to her funds once she proved $600+ worth of items was shipped. She provided proof, but PayPal denied her access to the money -- which caused an additional $1,100.00 loss (cost of goods, eBay/PayPal fees, customers' payments for goods, postage fees). THINK about that! PayPal accepted payments sent to my wife for products she sold. They demanded proof of shipping the items. Positive and verifiable proof was sent to PayPal. They kept the money! No matter how you add it up, that is STEALING!
Folks, my story is NOT unusual. You can read MANY similar stories on the aforementioned websites! Oh, and don't count on the Attorneys General of Nebraska or California to come to your aid when PayPal decides to "limit" your account (that's what they call it, so they can retain access to your checking account or credit card). Nebraska's & California's coffers are full of eBay's and PayPal's tax dollars, so they are not going to bite the hand that feeds them. You've been forewarned!

QOTD: A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell. -- C.S. Lewis

TOPIC: Wondering & Wandering...
Do you ever wonder about yourself? NO, I'm not a lunatic. However, I do wonder sometimes why I do the things I do; think the things I think and allow certain occurences to bother me when they shouldn't.
For instance... Why don't I ship customer orders on time, especially when I know the items need to be shipped? Why do I just sit in my office some evenings when I should head for home? Why do I get angry at morons who drive terribly, when I know that most folks don't give a rip about driving correctly these days? Why?
I wander through the possible reasons... and find little solice. Do I not care enough about some things? Do I care too much about others? Am I suffering from depression? Am I just lazy? Am I bipolar? I wander... but I don't always find answers. So, I continue to wonder...

QOTD: Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. -- C.S. Lewis, Author of Christian apologetics

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TOPIC: A year's hiatus from the Sope-Bocks...

Folks, I abandoned this blog over a year ago simply because I was bored and didn't think anyone was reading it.
After a rather tough year, both physically and financially (more on those topics later), I have come to learn that it doesn't matter how many people read my blog. What matters is that the Sope-Bocks gives me a place to vent, to journal, to discuss (even if only with myself at times) L-I-F-E and what happens during this life of mine.
I do hope the Sope-Bocks gathers a faithful following -- mostly in hope that something here will be meaningful to others. It's not about my ego, but a hope that others will share and learn and think -- which was the original intent of the Sope-Bocks.
So, join me...
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TOPIC: RATHER Interesting News From CBS
I can't believe what I saw and heard. It should have happened just this way, but I'm truly surprised that it happened at all. Dan Rather looked America in the eye and said, "I'm sorry". Dan Rather admitted his and CBS' huge error in accepting forged documents stating that President Bush (then Lt. Bush of the ANG) was a bad soldier who didn't obey orders.
What is even more incredible is that they found someone willing to publicly take the blame for the forgery. In my opinion, the way Dan Rather handled this situation should have cost him his job. However, I'm not his superior, so that was not my decision. Now, CBS and the Justice Department need to file charges against the forger and make sure he is prosecuted. Just saying "I'm sorry" is not enough -- but it is a good start. If CBS is really intent on seeing justice and truth served, they need to make sure the word is out via all their outlets. They also need to be front and center in the prosecution process. Forging government documents citing AWOL against a sitting President is a very serious matter.

TOPIC: Hollywood Musicals
If you saw the recent releases of "Chicago" and "Moulin Rouge", you may think you've seen a true Hollywood musical. BUT, you would be mistaken. The era of the true musical is dead and gone -- never to be revived again. This is not to say that either of the movies mentioned is bad. It's just that they are not true Hollywood musicals. You see, modern Hollywood has proven that it must place a twist, spin or other "something" into every old idea. They think it makes movies better. They are wrong. The true Hollywood musical needs nothing a single wardrobe artist, cameraman or director can add -- especially their social agenda.
I was reminded of this while watching Turner Classic Movies this weekend. We watched "Anchor's Aweigh", "Singin' in the Rain" and "On the Town" -- the three movies that paired Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. My wife is a big Sinatra fan, from her childhood. I'm a Gene Kelly fan. Our children love the '50s era movies, so we were all thrilled to see these great Hollywood musicals.
What brought the two thoughts together -- modern Hollywood's failure to reproduce the true musical and the essence of the musical era in tinseltown -- was Sydney Pollack's comment regarding the status of "Singin' in the Rain". It is in the top 15 comedies of all time; the number one musical and an award winning production that is truly the epitomy of "classic movies". Try as they might, the jaded eyes of Hollywood can never again produce the innocense that once belonged to a whimsical musical.

Q'sOTD: SUCCESS

A great secret of success is to go through life as a man who never gets used up. -- Albert Schweitzer, French philosopher & physician

Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value. -- Albert Einstein

A truly successful man knows the value of playing ball with his son, and does it. -- Charlie

Success is not measured by how much you get, but how you give. -- Charlie

QOTD: The person who makes a success of living is the one who see his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. -- Cecil B. DeMille, Movie producer

TOPIC: Gender Bias In The Written Word
Have you seen all of the truly incorrect grammar in books and mags lately? The traditional and correct pronoun to use when one does not know the gender of the person referred to is the masculine. Yet, political correctness has told us to write books, magazine articles, short stories and even technological reports using feminine pronouns such as "she", "her" and "hers". Besides the fact that this is grammatically incorrect, it has come to show the definite bias against men.
The bias is most evident when someone writes about negatives -- especially in the case of crimes such as hacking, forgery or anything violent. The pronoun used then is ALWAYS masculine -- as if women never commit crimes. This bias can be found in almost any newspaper, magazine or technical journal. The "pretty stories" often use "she", "her" and the like. While anything written about an unidentifed hacker, forger, robber or murderer is written using "he", "him" and "his".
Remember, the purpose of the Sope-Bocks is to get YOU to THINK for yourself. This kind of bias is WRONG. If you're going to fall into the trap of political correctness, you should be unbiased towards men as well!

QOTD: People who ask our advice almost never take it. Yet we should never refuse to give it, upon request, for it often helps us to see our own way more clearly. -- Brendan Francis

TOPIC: 9/11 Memories...
I clearly remember that morning when thousands of people lost their lives on American soil. The morning started as normal -- take the kids to school, have some breakfast with the guys and head off to work. While driving to Myrtle Beach to do a job, my wife called and said something was going on -- a plane had hit the World Trade Center. She couldn't get to a TV or listen to the radio, so she asked if I would find the news and call her back with details. Switching to a talk radio station, I heard that a "small commuter plane" had hit one tower of the WTC. As I arrived at the Myrtle Beach destination, everyone was glued to NBC's Today show. News helicopters were circling the first tower and the commentators were discussing what might have happened. As I saw the smoke rolling from the tower, I knew that a small commuter plane was not the source of the damage. Something bigger had hit the tower -- with a lot of force.
Just then, something streaked across the screen and the second tower exploded in a mass of glass, smoke and white paper. My first reaction was that I had seen two events; a news helicopter flying by and an explosion in the tower (possibly caused by the first crash). Then it hit me (and the NBC commentators) -- another plane had gone into the second tower. As I stood there watching the now burning buildings, my heart hurt and my eyes flooded with tears.
You see, *I* was supposed to be in NYC that morning -- flying out from LaGuaradia at around 9:00am. At the last minute, plans had changed and I didn't need to go to New York. But, in my heart and mind, it still hurt. I would have been in NYC, or lifting off from LaGuardia just as the two planes plunged into the World Trade Center -- and terrorism struck America. The tears were flowing -- both for what could have been and what was actually happening. People were dead, dying and desperately trying to get out. Seeing them jump from the building's windows in a thoughtless attempt to get away from the smoke and flames made me sick to my stomach. I felt as though I was going to vomit.
I called my wife and told her to be prepared to leave work, get the children and rush home. I didn't know what to tell her, but I was sure this was no accident. Something big was happening and we needed to be prepared for anything. I remember that I told her to pray -- pray for the folks in the WTC and those all aroujnd it.
Just then, the company I worked for paged me and told me to be prepared to leave as the bank (where I was doing the job) was closing in a few minutes. The Federal Reserve thought this might be a terrorist attack -- and there could be more. As I wished everyone well and prayed for them, I left Myrtle Beach and headed towards home. My wife and I talked several times that morning as I told her the gruesome details of what I saw and heard.
For the remainder of the day, we watched TV, switching news channels, into the night. That chilling morning has never left my memory. Sometimes we look back on history and defining moments in history with nostalgia, fondness even a sense of wishing we could have been there. Like millions of others, I witnessed this horrific act of terrorism on US soil. But I don't think I'll ever look back on it with nostalgic fondness.
Praise God for the men and women who risked their lives to save others that day. Thank God the tragedy was not worse -- as tens of thousands could have died that day. Thanks God we have a President who didn't sit back and wait until it happened again. *I* remember 9/11... and I hope YOU do, too.

TOPIC: Bush Document Forgery Is RATHER Obvious! [LONG]
The Tech Central Station article first caught my eye. As I left that page, with my mouth hanging open, I moved over to the Little Green Footballs blog to find out what all the fury was about. The next stop was TheCorner, a blog from the National Review Online. In between, I visited CBS News, the DrudgeReport, INDC Journal (offers a real expert's analysis) and a few other sites. The first statement that comes to mind is: Are you kidding me?!? This can't be happening in America!

In a country of netizens savvy to the ways of the press... in a country where so many people make their living by deceiving others... in a country where so much of the MSM is liberal (damn the truth)... this *IS* happening in America! What is happening?

Byron York wrote, in his piece, "On Wednesday, CBS News released four previously undisclosed documents which it said were written by Killian, who died in 1984. One of them, dated August 18, 1973, refers to Killian's reluctance to evaluate Bush's performance. Suggesting that top Texas Air National Guard officers were putting pressure on him to 'sugar coat' Bush's performance rating, Killian wrote, 'Bush wasn't here during rating period and I don't have any feedback from 187th in Alabama. I will not rate.'
But as the first document suggests, months before, Killian — and Harris — had quite decisively declined to rate Bush's performance. If Killian was under pressure to 'sugar coat' Bush's performance, he had certainly not yielded to it. Nor had anyone else 'sugar coated' the Bush evaluation."
Marjorie Connell, Killian's widow, and Gary Killian, the Lt. Colonel's son, have both cast doubt on the authenticity of the documents.

But the first stone was apparently cast by Charles Johnson at Little Green Footballs (LGF). Charles looked at the CBS documents and found something very interesting about them -- they looked the same typed in MS Word. Not close, not similar, but almost 100% identical. Yet the memo was reportedly typed 32 years ago -- on a typewriter. Even more interesting when you consider that there is virtually no way a Lt Col in the ANG would have had a first generation word processor in 1972. In fact, LGF's bloggers have noted many problems with the document as it relates to technology of the time and military protocol.

Here are several examples:
33, 50, 98, 128, 132, 145, 149, 152, 159, 160, 169, 178, 246 / 268 (aside from the idiotic use of 4-ltr words, good points here), 299, 315, 331, 389, 433, 439 and 444 are all good information. *IF* you decide not to read the entire 465+ comments, you can get the gist of the story reading just those posts. A couple of the most damaging posts are: 166 (along with associated link to Selectric.org), 431/452, 450 (which names Martin Heldt as a possible conspirator) FWIW, a couple of good rebuttal comments are: 99 and 462. The award for totalling missing the point (purposely??) goes to boingboing.net who turned the story around completely.

If you don't think this is big news take note: CNS, the AP, CNN, NBC, FOX and several other news agencies have all weighed in -- most on the liberal side.

NRO White House correspondent, Byron York, also reports: "Beyond that, surviving relatives of Bush's then commander, Lt. Col. Jerry Killian, the author of the purported documents, insist they are fake. They say Killian always believed Bush was an excellent pilot and that he never wrote these documents. Killian died in 1984."

OTOH, CBS' Dan Rather says, "The story is true. The story is true... The questions raised in the story are serious and legitimate questions." Rather denies there is any internal CBS News investigation under way -- a statement backed by the network. Furthermore, "Rather also said the possibility of issuing any kind of recant or apology was 'not even discussed. Nor should it be.'" So much for journalistic integrity. Looks like pride is at the top of Dan Rather's list - Damn the truth.

QOTD: It is the duty of every citizen according to his best capacities to give validity to his convictions in political affairs. -- Albert Einstein, 'Treasury for the Free World' c. 1946

TOPIC: SEARS - Independent Dealers
If you *think* going to your local Sears store gets you the backing of a multi-national corporation bent on serving the customer, you had better think again. Many small town "Sears stores" are NOT Sears stores at all. They are basically franchises, owned and operated by small town yocals. I witnessed this first hand last week. As I was waiting for the untrained, know-nothing clerk in the Loris, SC Sears store to assist me with an exchange, a middle-aged man entered the store. He was visibly upset, but spoke calmly as he explained his situation to a manager.
It seems that he had purchased a brand new refridgerator from this store four days earlier. The fridge had died already -- and the man's entire stock of cold foods and frozen foods was spoiled. The manager told him there was little she could do about the situation, but happily offered to give him a service depot number to call. She also offered for him to bring the fridge back to the store for someone to check out.
I have to give credit to the man because he remained calm instead of smacking this moron into next week. Instead, he again calmly explained this his brand new, four day old fridge was dead and that he had lost all his cold food because of it. Furthermore, he reminded her that he had already paid this same store $40.00 to deliver a fridge he had bought from them. The franchise manager seemed to care less. Again, she told him all she could do was to call someone who might be able to provide service within 2-3 days.
All the while, I'm dealing with the know-nothing clerk who can't even take two items back and exchange them for one item of the same value. She had to interrupt the manager four times before she could handle the return and new purchase. I apologized to the man whose Sears fridge had died. He smiled and nodded. As I left the store shaking my head, I heard him start to explain again...
A *real* Sears store manager would have handled the situation. These yocal franchisees could care less about service. They just want the sales. I think I'll drive the extra miles the next time I want something from Sears. I hate to bypass the local business, but a lack of professionalism and service is inexcusable -- from any company. Buyer beware! Ask before you make a purchase -- Is this a Sears franchise or the real deal?

TOPIC: The Labor Day Weekend
My family just returned from our Labor Day weekend trip to Camden/Keshaw, SC. We decided to attend the Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd's event at the Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC. What a weekend! Other than a terrible time with Best Western Camden West (which I'll post about later), the weekend was exceptional. The CMP staff was GREAT! The drivers and car owners were FRIENDLY. The cars were AWESOME!
I have been a fan of Porsche and other exotic makes for more than 30 years -- yes, since I was a small child. However, I have never personally attended any race that involved these cars. This weekend was a dream come true for me. I have the privilege of seeing, touching and enjoying more than two dozen Porsche 911's, 930's, RSRs, 914's and others -- not to mention Triumphs, Mazdas, Jaguars, classic Mustangs and vintage Corvettes. Along with vintage and production cars were retired Indy cars and GTP racers. Mixed in with all of those was a Lotus, a Panoz, and a Genova. And that was just the race cars!
Fellow enthusiasts attended the event driving classic Austin Healeys, Porsches and Maseratis. The one make I was hoping to see, but didn't, was Ferrari. Small disappoinment; easily forgotten. Needless to say, I was drooling most of the weekend.
Folks, if you get a chance to attend an HSR event, especially if they are offering the Rolex Endurance Series races, GO SEE IT! You won't be disappointed. This is IMSA style racing at its best!

TOPIC: PRIDE
I am convinced, beyond all doubt, that pride is the worst of ALL personality traits. It is at the heart of greed, envy and jealousy -- not to mention a good portion of crime and other malice. It is what motivates hackers to hack, murderers to kill and thieves to steal. It is a source of depression, suicide and all sorts of addictions. Pride is the root of so many problems in society. It is rarely the source of any good thing.
One unfortunate aspect of pride is that we're constantly bombarded with advertising messages that convince us to be prideful -- of our car, our home, our clothes, our jewelry and even our debt (in the form of prestigious credit cards). Ads from automobiles (Mercedes Benz comes to mind) to whiskey (the current "Captian Morgan" campaign) all promote P-R-I-D-E.
Pride is not a problem that is current only to our culture. It has been a plague of many cultures over countless centuries. Democritus, a Greek philosopher from 400 years before Christ, wrote: "The pride of youth is in strength and beauty, the pride of old age is in discretion." And 19th century Lebanese artist & poet, Kahlil Gibran, offered excellent wisdom on the subject of pride, "Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need." Even dale Carnegie offers us something to think about when it comes to pride and personalities: "When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bustling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity."
What a shame! If we were all a little more humble and not so self-serving, the world would be a better place to live.

QOTD Props: As you know, I've been in a "Quote of the Day" mood lately -- with a dozen or more QOTDs posted on the Sope-Bocks. Props go out to "The Quotations Page" for their awesome website offering hundreds of good quotes. Check out the site and as always, I encourage you to READ and THINK FOR YOURSELF. Enjoy!

TOPIC: The Republican National Convention
OK, you all know I'm a conservative. I am NOT a Republican, but my ideology lends itself much better to the Republican party - as opposed to the Demabortionmindedgaylovingfemihims from the other party. So, I'm going to admit - right from the beginning - that this commentary is a bit biased. I know, understatement of the year, right. Well, because it's my soapbox! Anyway...
Democrat Zell Miller of Georgia was the keynote speaker of last night rounds of cheering and jeering at the Garden. In my opinion, he hit the nail on the head -- John Kerry has voted against every major defensive weapon and technology. He protested a war - after he fought in it. He's protesting another war - after he voted for it, then against it, then said he could win it, but promises to be "sensitive" to others while fighting. What, Mr. Kerry would we have fought with if the country had followed you? Zell Miller suggested spitballs. Those of you who are Democrats should be ashamed, embarrassed and angry that your leaders stuck you with such a loser.

TOPIC: Headline: President Bush Says "We Can't Win The Way On Terror!"
Did you hear Matt Lauer's interview with President Bush? Remember just a few weeks ago when I told you about the liberal slant of Today, Lauer and Couric? Well, Lauer and the rest of the liberal media extrapolated something from Mr. Bush's answer to a question on winning the war on terrorism -- something the President didn't didn't say. Lauer and the other talking heads then proceeded to broadcast their ignorance all over the country. Even ambulance-chaser John Edwards took his own cheap shot on the matter.
Since many folks didn't hear the exchange for themselves, let me give you the paraphrased version. Lauer asked the President if we could win the war on terrorism. The President said he didn't think it is a war that can be won (in the traditional sense of winning wars). He went on to talk about what we were doing to beat back terrorism, keep our country safe and promote a democratic world. Lauer and others twisted Mr. Bush's words to report that the President said we cannot win the war on terrorism.
Folks, it is VERY clear what the President meant. The war, as any 8th grader knows, is not a "war" in the traditional sense -- with geography, a certain number of countries and formal militias involved. The war on terrorism is being fought against ideas, individual maniacs and radical extremists groups. It is not a war where geography matters, where a government is solely at odds or where a formal structure of military exists. These are givens -- and the nightly news anchors know this. Yet, they decided to blast the President as being weak and not even believing in his own policies.
Sorry libs -- look in the mirror or across the aisle. This side is NOT two-faced, afraid or backing down from our convictions. We know the truth and the truth will set many men free.

QOTD: Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? -- George Carlin

[George Carlin is not someone I would normally quote. However, in light of yesterday's post, I thought this one was appropriate. I have actually found myself saying those very things: "That moron, he needs to speed up" ... "Look at that maniac going 70 in a 55 zone." :-) ARGH! I hate it when life catches me red handed at being predictable!]

TOPIC: Left-lane drivers - Someone get me a bazooka!
OK, I don't live in a metropolis. The closest thing we have to a real freeway, parkway or tollway is a measly 4-lane highway that runs east to west in this part of the state. Nonetheless, I have a beef with people who refuse, at all costs, to move from the left lane to the right lane. HELLO! The RIGHT lane is for driving. The LEFT lane is for passing ONLY, period. Move over.
The worst culprits are what I call "oblivions" -- the morons who have NO IDEA why everyone is zooming around them, flipping them off and honking the horn. They seem to think they're on a country drive Sunday afternoon and all the zooming, "waving" and honking is other friendly folk out for a Sunday stroll around the country.
I'm sure some of my more "agressive" readers have their own favorite trick to pull on these idiots. Here's mine -- IF there are not a lot of other cars in the same area, I politely pull up behind pokey and flash-to-pass. If he doesn't move over in a reasonable timeframe, I pull up a bit closer and toot the horn a couple of times. If he still doesn't get the hint, I usually switch to the right lane, pass and go on. BUT, if ol' poke-along has been holding up traffic for awhile (and no one is very close by at the moment), I simply pass, get back in the left lane and then coast down to around 45. Pokey normally gets annoyed and moves to the right lane. When he does, I kick in the 5.7L V8 and leave him in the dust -- and in the right lane. I know, not mean enough for some of you... but I don't want to play dirty. Two wrong don't make a right. But, can someone get me a bazooka?!?

Q'sOTD: Lest you think the productions & politics of Hollywood are sincere or heartfelt, here are three good quotables on the topic of tinseltown...

You can't find any true closeness in Hollywood, because everybody does the fake closeness so well. -- Carrie Fisher

Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul. -- Marilyn Monroe

You can take all the sincerity in Hollywood, place it in the navel of a firefly and still have room enough for three caraway seeds and a producer's heart. -- Fred Allen, radio comedian of the 1950s

Q'sOTD: Confucius, the Chinese philosopher & reformer, was wise for his time. Though I don't agree with some of his proverbs, here are a couple worth noting...

The man who in view of gain thinks of righteousness; who in the view of danger is prepared to give up his life; and who does not forget an old agreement however far back it extends - such a man may be reckoned a complete man. -- Confucius, from The Confucian Analects

To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle. -- Confucius

[The last one is especially true. Confucius spent a lot of time thinking and writing about virtue -- and all to often forgotten trait that should be admired in any culture.]

QOTD: Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip. -- Will Rogers

[This quote made me laugh out loud -- which drew a funny look from my supervisor. Oops! He doesn't mind me blogging at work, though. My job is kinda stressful, so we all take a break now & then to play a little, laugh a little, and relax a little.]

TOPIC: What's Your Sign Baby?
In case you're wondering, my birthday is today. I don't put one ounce of faith in horoscopes, though I'm a Virgo in the cusp of Leo. BTW, Dr. D. James Kennedy offers a wonderful apologetic on the "signs" of astrology and their original meanings. You can probably find his lecture at Truths That Transform.
Anyway, I'm 41 today. I'm not so sure I like birthdays any more... but then again, they are better than the alternative -- in some ways. The time of this blog post is the exact time of my birth -- 3:06pm, August 25th.

Q'sOTD: The following quotes of the day are food for thought regarding God and wisdom...

Pray as if everything depended upon God and work as if everything depended upon man. -- Francis Cardinal Spellman, c.1946

God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into its nest. -- J. G. Holland

Call on God, but row away from the rocks. -- Indian Proverb

I especially like the last one. Believe in God, but don't tempt Him. Use common sense and don't step in front of that bus in hopes God will save you. He might, but He expects us to do some measure of the work/thinking for ourselves. Otherwise, we'd be mear puppets.

TOPIC: My Wife's Birthday Present (Part II)
Well, the big day came and went... Guess what I bought my lovely bride of 13 years!?! From the children; a 14k gold bar w/ a bezel-set peridot -- for her charm bracelet. From yours truly... drum roll, please... a sterling silver bracelet, AND... you guessed it -- a bagger for the lawn mower. Darn it! She really wanted the bagger. I even tried to get the kids to probe her for more ideas. She wouldn't tell me or the kids ANYTHING else -- just a bagger for the lawn mower.
The compromise deal we struck is -- she agreed to tell her friends and coworkers ONLY of the jewelry, cards, cake and balloons -- but NEVER tell them she got a bagger for her birthday.
[! HUMOR !]

TOPIC: Hamming it Up!
A new chapter has opened in my life. No, I'm not doing standup at the local comedy lounge. It's much more mundane than that. I just received my amateur radio Technician license. That's right -- I am officially a "ham".
This is a very cool (in my book) prospect for someone who wants to serve the community and enjoy a world reknown hobby -- at the same time. OK, so it's not rocket science, but being an amateur operator is not for the faint of brain or those who love anarchy. Ham offers both a service to their community (under the alspices of the FCC) AND a fraternity shared only by those who can and will study, take the test and then obey the rules (lest thee be fined THOU$AND$ by the FCC or other foreign government).
I'm not going to give my callsign here mainly cuz I don't want all the fruitloops to have my personal info. So, I'll just sign-off with 73s to you...

QOTD: Rumor travels faster, but it don't stay put as long as truth. -- Will Rogers in 'Politics Getting Ready to Jell' The Illiterate Digest c.1924

[Keep this in mind the next time your neighbor's tongue is wagging with that juciy bit of gossip. Be quick to listen and slow to speak -- that's why God designed us with TWO ears and ONE mouth. It shoulda been a hint. ;-) ]

TOPIC: My Wife's Birthday Present
Before you pass this one by, take a moment to consider this -- especially if you're a married male. My wife's birthday will be here in a few days. I have asked several times what she would like as a present. Without fail, she has told me one thing -- a bagger for your lawn mower. My reply -- I am NOT buying you a bagger for the lawn mower! :-)
Let me back up a bit -- my wife loves working outdoors. She loves moving the lawn. Since I have horrible allergies that flare to the point of allergy-induced asthma, I don't mind if she mows the lawn. My wife is a loving and giving woman -- a cherished Christian who lives as Proverbs 31 tells us a woman should live. BUT, I'm still not buying her a bagger for the lawn mower!
Not bragging, but my lovely wife tells me that her friends at work think I am a great guy. I take her out to dinner; buy her nice gifts when we can afford it; give her days at the spa for gifts and generally don't sit around on my fat arse eating chips and drinking beer every Saturday.
As such, I have a reputation to uphold! I can just hear the conversation when she returns to work after her birthday... Coworker: "Hey, happy belated birthday! Did you have a good birthday?" MyWife: "Thanks. I had a great day and received some nice presents." Coworker: "Really? What did your family get for you?" MyWife: "Well, the kids made cards for me... and they gave me a charm for my bracelet. Oh, and my husband gave me a bagger for the lawn mower." Coworker: "Reeaallly... (says to herself) That schmuck. I thought he was a nice guy and here he is giving his poor darling wife a stupid bagger for their LAWN MOWER. Men! They're all alike... (says aloud) That's nice. Gotta run."
Get the picture?!? I just can't buy her a bagger for the mower. It will ruin my reputation. So what would YOU do?
[! HUMOR !]

QOTD: The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. -- Thomas Jefferson, Statesman & Co-author of US founding documents

[As I continue to harp on the liberal media, it is sometimes humorous to find such quotes. As the risk of over stating the obvious, this quote, by one of our founding fathers, is included purely for your amusement.]

Speaking on the same topic from Saturday...

QOTD: Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save. -- Will Rogers, Humorist & showman, in the New York Times, April 29, 1930

TOPIC: Why So Many "Quotables"?
I've been doing a lot of reading of quotes lately -- as is evident here on the Sope Bocks. Even though this blog's purpose is to provide an outlook on life through my eyes, I don't want to be selfish. My ego is not bruised by quoting others. My thoughts are no more important than others.
For those of you who have asked why I'm blogging quotables -- here's your answer. I'm no poet. I'm not a philosopher (well, at least not in some ways). I'm no intellectual guru. I'm just an average guy who wants to contribute to the world at large -- and share a piece of my mind with those who will take a moment to read the Sope Bocks.
Therefore, quotables are sometimes a good way to offer compelling, thought-provoking and even dissenting ideas. My goal is make you THINK for yourself. If someone else's words help in that endeavor, then quotables are exceedingly welcome on the Sope Bocks.

QOTD: The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible. -- Albert Einstein

[I always wondered why Einstein was not the mega-rich, egotist of his day. Seems to me he had it right -- possessions, outward success & luxury are but trite and vain attempts to find happiness and fulfillment.]

QOTD: My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind. -- Albert Einstein

[Here is further proof of Einstein's belief in God. It is amazing to me how modern science is so afraid of religion -- especially Christianity. They work so hard to try and disprove a living God and Creator of the universe -- and all things in it. They work hard to prove their religion of evolution -- which fails its own tests over and over again. Were they only as humble as the genius of Einstein. Who knows what science could discover...]

QOTD: Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish.

[This is a great quote with so much truth. I betcha can't guess who said it. Nope, not him... Nah, not her either. OK, I'll give you a hint: This man is thought by many to be the most intelligent person to ever be born. Still don't know? One more hint: He was a German physicist from the early 20th century. Give up? This quote is from the lips of Albert Einstein. That's right. Even Einstein believed in God. Though he was not a Christian or member of any orthodox religious group, Albert Einstein did see and acknowledge God's hands in Creation. Pretty profound, eh?]

TOPIC: Work-a-day Worries
I don't know about you, but every day life sometimes weighs on me. I get up in the morning and head off to work. At the end of the workday, I head home. During the workday, my mind sometimes drifts from the tasks at hand... towards valiant efforts; profound accomplishments OR just spending the evening in our pool. Some days, these thoughts - especially the ones concerning what I could be doing IF I didn't have to make a living - bug me. They worry me. I don't always feel as though I'm doing enough to make the world a better place. Do YOU ever feel that way?
Well, I don't have the answer for making the work-a-day worries go away... but I am working on it. :-) Usually, I pray about doing a better job to be a better employee, a better coworker, a better husband, a better father and a better person. Over time, God has given me several tasks to handle. On the days, I put my energy, my worries and my fears in His hands, I always come out on top -- rested, at peace and a sense of accomplishment. IF you haven't tried it, take some time out today to pray to the true and living God. He WILL hear you.
For added encouragement, here's another Churchill QOTD: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Remember these words. They are SO true!

QOTD: Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. -- Sir Winston Churchill.

[I've been on a kick with Winston Churchill's quotes over the past few days. Some are so profound they need no further comment. When you read them, mull the words and their meaning over in your mind. Let the meaning sink in to your very soul. There is wisdom in these quotes. Let them help you find meaning in your life.]

QOTD: One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. -- Sir Winston Churchill

[This Quote of the Day is particularly poignant during this time of war; election and political rhetoric. Where would the world be if the USA had turned it's back on the threatened dangers we now face?]

QOTD: Complaining is good for you as long as you're not complaining to the person you're complaining about. -- Lynn Johnston, Canadian cartoonist' from "For Better or For Worse" [11-06-03]

TOPIC: What Liberal Media?
Some of my readers have asked... What liberal media? I don't see anything decidely liberal in the media. Apparently, neither does Lesley Stahl of CBS. Here is a 2003 quote from her:
CBS’s Lesley Stahl: “Today you have broadcast journalists who are avowedly conservative....The voices that are being heard in broadcast media today, are far more – the ones who are being heard – are far more likely to be on the right and avowedly so, and therefore, more – almost stridently so, than what you’re talking about.”
Fox's Cal Thomas: “Can you name a conservative journalist at CBS News?”
Stahl: “I don’t know of anybody’s political bias at CBS News....We try very hard to get any opinion that we have out of our stories, and most of our stories are balanced.”– Exchange on Fox News Channel’s After Hours with Cal Thomas, January 18.
The voices being heard in the media today are avowedly conservative... yet Mrs. Stahl cannot name one conservative journalist at CBS. Pretty fishy logic -- as is the idea some of the Soap Bocks readers have espoused. Ya can't hide it, folks. Liberalism permiates the media every single day.

TOPIC: Katie Couric should be FIRED!
I could quote dozens of examples of why Katic Communist should run out of New York City on a rail. Here's a fine example of her ultra liberalism slant found on Best of Notable Quotables 2003 :
“Derrick Jackson, who’s a columnist for the Boston Globe, Tim, back in July when ESPN hired Rush Limbaugh, he wrote a column about some of the comments that Mr. Limbaugh has made in the past. In the 1970s, according to this column, Limbaugh told an African-American caller, ‘take that bone out of your nose and call me back.’ He goes on to say Limbaugh has always had crime and black people on the brain. He once said, ‘have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?’...Given the fact that Rush Limbaugh has made these kind of inflammatory comments in the past, was it appropriate for ESPN to hire him in this capacity?”– NBC’s Katie Couric to Tim Russert on the October 2 Today. Couric did not identify Jackson as a left-wing columnist or note that his source was a book published by a far-left group more than 10 years ago.
The big problem with Ms. Couric is that she doesn't know the truth even when it's in plain view. Her overt liberal slant on every story she mouths is simply unacceptable. Sometime, I'll find the transcript from her interview with a liberal after Matthew Shepard's death. She asked that person if James Dobson was to blame for Matther Shepard being killed. Absolutely absurd! NBC, fire Katie Couric. She has NO place in serious journalism!