Firelance

absolutely brilliant, and barred from the superbowl

posted by Firelance @ 11:56 AM Comments: 6

Our economy's in trouble...let's...um...kill more babies!

Read a brief interview here with the 3rd in line to the presidency of our growing anti-life government. Whether or not you care about the issue, or even if you are one of those disenchanted but good-hearted people who think that voters and politicians (esp. conservatives) just lean on the crutch of the abortion topic, do you not see the danger in this kind of talk? Have you not witnessed the outcome in countries that don't always make the news? Have you never met anybody in France who wept as he told you his government threatened to cut off his family's socialized health care if they *didn't* abort their down-syndrome baby? Take a stand if you have any sense.

posted by Firelance @ 8:31 AM Comments: 0

Hope and change are in the air!

I was driving home from work the other day and heard a news story on the radio about a Dallas couple being charged for beating their 6 month old baby to death. I thought of my own boys and the more I listened to the details of the baby's brutal death, tears started to form in my eyes which slid down my throat, giving me the urge to vomit.

I then got home and learned that our new president's 3rd (by my estimate) order of business in office was to overturn what was known as the "Mexico City Policy." Simply put, that means that our tax money has now been freed up to fund international groups in "developing" countries focused on population control by encouraging different forms of abortion. My friends, I've been in these countries and have heard testimonies of government officials pressuring poor villagers through intimidation and violence to abort their babies, no matter what stage of pregnancy. Don't you think that was an interesting move on his first couple days in office? Remember that he has vowed to sign the Freedom of Choice Act in his first days in office, overturning any state limitations on abortion, including late-term abortion.

That 6 month old baby boy in Dallas may have gotten off easy compared to what is ahead for those children who are about to enter the world.

So what were the first 2 orders of business? Ordering the closing of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility and delaying the execution of the confessed mastermind of 9/11, all to improve our international image. Is there a plan on where to put the remaining detainees? NONE. I propose that they put them all in the basement at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Do you want them in your city? I don't either.

And finally, enjoy this lovely letter from the new first lady:

 

posted by Firelance @ 9:38 AM Comments: 1

The epitome of a sore loser

I don't know why, but I cannot stop laughing at this picture of the Cuban Tae Kwon Do athlete who was disqualified after taking too much injury time:

posted by Firelance @ 7:14 AM Comments: 2

Oh yes we can kill those babies!

So many of my friends have posted this Obama video on facebook . I'm not going to lie, the guy is a great speaker. Eloquent, commanding, and can really give a good, inspirational speech...on the surface. If the substance speaks, well, never mind, it just doesn't, yet. I'm ready to hear what the change and hope is going to look like. In fact, I think that MOST IMPORTANTLY, he left out of this speech the one thing that he fought against most in his un-notable career as junior senator: LIFE. If he were to add it to this speech, it would sound something like this:

"When we tried to abort our babies, and failed, and they came out alive, they tried to tell us we can't try to kill them a second time. Thanks to me, the state of Illinois now says: YES WE CAN!"

You think I'm joking about this stuff? Look up his record on Illinois's "Born Alive Infant Protection Act".

posted by Firelance @ 7:08 AM Comments: 7

My personal apology to Georgia

Dear Georgia,

I am truly sorry about what is unfolding in your country today. I am sorry that you are suffering the aggression of an evil empire, out to dominate, annex, and exploit you. I'm sorry that your European neighbors have lost their moral compass and just want to be seen on TV using big, empty words, all the while exchanging flowers and toasts while the flashes flicker. The Sarkozy-Merkel crowd like the sound of their own voices and I doubt they will do anything to actually help you or carry out justice.  I suspect that America is in an extremely tough position since, not only are we overextended and tired of fighting the war on terror, but half if not more of our country is also in the process of shedding our morality. Which brings me to a much deserved "thank you." Thank you for not only fighting Al Qaeda alongside American soldiers, but for also increasing your troop numbers while others, including our own people and potential president, want to cut and run.

Sadly, you are on your own, and my prayers are with you.

posted by Firelance @ 10:53 AM Comments: 3

Well done, good and faithful servant

Yet again I've found myself in a deep state of mourning. I haven't lost many that were close to me, in fact I still have all 4 grandparents, the youngest of which is 82. But last week we lost a dear friend, the first person I met at freshman orientation when I moved to Chicago 12 years ago. We were roommates at one point. Phil Penner died doing what he loved most, serving his Lord and savior Jesus Christ in Southeast Asia. There aren't a lot of answers, but in short, he caught dengue fever, which led to a bacterial infection that became septic, killing him suddenly.

Janet and I are discussing tonight these defining moments in our young lives--losing two close friends (Nathan Taylor) in a year and a half, both men of strength and faith, fathers, husbands, men who truly lived for what was important. It is hard to cope, hard to swallow, and yet, defining.

God is so good to me, He provided a ticket for me to go home for the funeral. Surely stories and pictures will follow in the days to come, but please watch this short video clip of my friend, Phil Penner. It was an honor to know such a great man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsmisXYW06M

posted by Firelance @ 3:10 PM Comments: 1

Corregidor Island

I had the honor to visit this island on our trip. The fortress, impenetrable in its day, until the airplane. Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and on the same day, begins their assault on the Philippines where thousands of Americans are stationed. General Douglas MacArthur in command, out of retirement, is given the order to abandon his troops, and friends, including President Manuel Quezon. He refuses repeatedly and submits finally to a presidential order coupled with promises of coming help. "I SHALL RETURN." He departs, no help comes, and the American/Filipino force surrenders. Bataan Death March follows, along with mass killings of POW's. They say that for 27 days, approximately 16,000 bombs fell on Corregidor before the surrender, shown below at the Malinta Tunnel. Very moving, all of it. 48,000 graves or names to commemorate it. MacArthur fulfills his promise and comes through. What a picture of him landing at Leyte Gulf! I have never heard such stories of camaraderie as those of the Filipino Scouts and American Soldiers. I love the picture of them below with the two flags flying in the backdrop.

posted by Firelance @ 3:35 PM Comments: 1

Happy St. Patrick's day!

I bind to myself to-day
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

I bind to myself to-day
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgment Day.

I bind to myself to-day
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I bind to myself to-day
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.

I bind to myself to-day
God's power to guide me,
God's Might to uphold me,
God's Wisdom to teach me,
God's Eye to watch over me,
God's Ear to hear me,
God's Word to give me speech,
God's Hand to guide me,
God's Way to lie before me,
God's Shield to shelter me,
God's Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seduction of vices,
Against the lust of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.

I invoke to-day all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.

Christ, protect me to-day
Against every poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the poop [deck],
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I bind to myself to-day
The strong virtue of an invocation of the Trinity.
I believe the Trinity in the Unity
The Creator of the Universe.

posted by Firelance @ 10:21 AM Comments: 1

"It gathers and feeds at the table of our memory, stepping uncautiously among the thorns. We grieve the loss of the one we had. We grieve the loss of the one we didn’t have. Of him who was and him who might have been. The one we may now rediscover at the digging of the great root, just below the soft and hallowed surfaces of the child’s forgotten earth." David Teems

I echo my sister's effort yesterday. I remember a year ago today, traveling out to the state where I grew up, to say goodbye to a friend who was like a brother. Lauren asked for stories about Nate, and I have a small one: Nate was the youngest among all 5 of us Mezger/Taylor boys, and one day we decided to climb Mt. Hogsback in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Nate couldn't have been older than 5. All I remember was thinking that he was too little to go, and that he should stay behind. Long story short, he pretty much led the way all the way up and all the way down. We were gloating about him to the adults when we got back and I just remember his calm, peaceful grin that we all seem to remember so well.

I tried to call people yesterday, but leave it to me to neglect my internet bill--I had been cut off. I'm glad to have spent the time with you all in Oregon last year and love you dearly. We're one year closer to glory...

posted by Firelance @ 11:50 AM Comments: 2

For my Orthodox friends:

and others too I suppose, but I thought you, especially would love this. I took my friend Jason to the coast last weekend while Janet was at a ladies' conference. We visited the ancient city called Salona, containing the remains of a 2nd century church! That is like, impossible to find outside of Palestine. Diocletian ruled Rome from the neighboring city, Split, and was said to have made Nero look like a choir-boy in his ferocious persecution of Christians. I felt something amazing in my spirit as I walked through the ruins of this place where so many were killed through preserving the Christian faith. Enjoy the pictures!

posted by Firelance @ 1:13 PM Comments: 4

Why I don't believe in socialized health care

I've got three sad stories for you today. Do with them what you will. Just let me say at the outset that they originate from Sarajevo, Bosnia where the whole country used to *enjoy* socialized health care. Though the war has brought "democracy" for the first time ever in its history, Bosnia still operates under socialism because it is all they know. Democratic problems cannot be solved by socialistic means,and these stories just scratch the surface of deep rooted problems:

Story #1: Amela and Mohamed live next door to us in a basement apartment. They are villagers who moved to Sarajevo to find work. Sarajevo lost up to a half of its population during and after the war. They were either killed or fled as refugees. Those numbers have been replenished by people like Amela and Mohamed. They are typically looked down upon as "not real Sarajevans", especially if they are from the village. Amela went into labor the other night at 1:00 am. Mohamed woke me up by knocking on our window and I knew right away it was time to go to the hospital. We found our way there--their first visit to the hospital--and walked in the front door. The hallways were cold, no lights were on, and the guy at the reception desk was out cold and not even hiding the pillow that he brought to work.
We start walking down the hall looking for life and a nurse comes around the corner and barks at us, "WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING!?" She opens a door and turns on a light, rubs her eyes and just stares us all up and down, obviously noting that they are very poor. She asks for Amela's ID card and Mohamed gives his. "ARE YOU HAVING THE BABY OR IS SHE!!??" Mohamed explains that she doesn't have one (I know that they can't afford it) but gives the nurse her medical record book. The nurse stares at it, throws it aside, and just stares at Amela for a minute in silence. "HOW CAN YOU LIVE LIKE THAT? YOU'RE 21, HAVING YOUR THIRD BABY, YOU CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO OFFICIALLY GET MARRIED AND GET AN ID CARD. GET OUT OF HERE YOU PILE OF ______!" None of us moved, we were too shocked. Mohamed breaks the silence and says softly, "I'm sorry m'am but she's ready to push." Amela is ready to collapse at my side. The nurse literally sits there waiting for us to leave. Finally she gives up and calls in the doctor.

Story #2: The doctor comes in and kicks Mohamed and I out. We hear him berating her inside the room. Finally Amela comes out in a nightgown and is sent walking up some stairs. The doctor tells us to come back the next day and to bring her clothing, toothpaste, food, bedding, and toilet paper. TOILET PAPER.
We come back the next morning and are informed that she had a little girl. Of course we can't see either of them, "Come back tomorrow."

Story #3: The next day Amela is finally released with her baby. She tells us that when we had last seen her at 3 am they took her up to a room and disappeared for 5 hours. She was left alone on a delivery table while the doctor and nurse went back to sleep. She started to push around 8 am, just as the new doctor was coming in for the morning shift. Just after her baby was born, there was an uproar in the room next door because a lady had pushed her baby out unattended and the baby fell on the floor and died. The husband showed up with a lawyer saying that they should have at least let him in to deliver the baby and the hospital administration kept saying "mi nismo kriv"--"it's not our problem, you should have applied for that permission ahead of time."

We came home with the baby and Mohamed left the next day for Montenegro where he had been promised a construction job until next March. He worked all summer on some buildings just down the road from us and has still not been paid a cent.

Lord have mercy.

posted by Firelance @ 9:08 AM Comments: 7

I'm not complaining, really.

I never get to just sit down and write any more. I'd like to keep up this blog and put some stimulating posts up here and there, but I just don't think it's possible with little kids. So I guess this is sorry for letting this blog die, though that may sound presumptuous, as if you all are sitting around waiting for me to post.

Life is crappy right now. Not bad, crappy. Crappy diapers day and night. Pukey too. Nathan pukes like none other. You'll just be holding him and at the most random times, he just lets it fly. Sometimes it looks like he's painting the carpet. Or I just find him creating his own slip 'n slide with his puke on the kitchen floor. Simeon runs and screams like a madman and sometimes can't understand why I don't always do the same, meaning that sometimes I do. Teeth grow and then sleep stops. Last week we had three nights with 2-4 hours of sleep.

I'm still passionate about some of the same things, and my heart and mind are growing along with my sons'. I'd like to share them with you sometime, and especially tell you stories from Bosnia, but like I said, life is crappy. And crappy is good.

posted by Firelance @ 2:32 PM Comments: 9

Brothers

You may not know this, but my boys have the exact same age difference as me and my brother, Josh. That makes me feel good. Especially on Josh's birthday a couple days ago. I hope and pray that they grow up as close as we did.

posted by Firelance @ 5:46 PM Comments: 4