Jakubczyk on Common Sense

Applying faith and reason to ideas, issues and events in today's world

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Sequel to an article

The article below was picked up by Intellectualconservative.com a website devoted to articles reflecting a conservative and intellectual view on politics and public policy. The folks over there have run my articles before and for that I am truly grateful. I was told that the latest piece would generate some "hate mail" and to expect some rude remarks. Well, I have been involved in the pro-life movement for years and have been called all sorts of names by the pro-abortionists.
So that was not much of concern. So the article was published and the there were email messages that fell into four categories. The first was supportive. The second type disagreed but the person was polite and respectful. The third type was angry and the last type was angry, mean, vulgar and offensive. Sad to say but the last group represented the bulk of the comments. Most arguments immediately went personal and off topic. The angry ones who were not offensive seemed to have prepackaged responses. Their comments were very similar as if they had pulled from the same list of talking points. Those in disagreement all got very personal and off topic very quickly. I sent almost everyone a response. The polite person replied and thanked me for my email. I returned the favor and agreed that the purpose was to discuss ideas not attack individuals. So the folks at IC were right. But I am not the worse for wear.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. To those celebrating Hanukkah - Happy holy days.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Be careful on the road

This is just a reminder to all who drive. I guess that means almost everyone. Be careful out there or as my daughter would say, "Drive carefully." The holidays can be a hectic time for all of us. So in the interest of public safety and because being pro-life is a practical approach to day-to-day existence, here are some pointers.

1. Drive defensively.
2. Drive the speed limit.
3. Do not drink and drive.
4. Wear your seat belt.
5. Avoid talking on the cell phone while driving.
6. If you are between the age of 16 and 22,
a. Avoid being out after 11:00 pm;
b. Avoid having other young people in the car;
c. Avoid having the radio on especially at night;
d. Pay attention to the road and ignore conversations in the car.
7. Make sure you have a full tank of of gas.
8. Check your tires.
9. Avoid driving if you are tired or if you have been taking medication.

All of these suggestions are just common sense. But there are many people who forget to think and pay attention.

Another point to make. If the driver is under the legal age to drink and is stopped for any reason, and has been drinking - even if he is not impaired - in many states his privilege to drive may be suspended until he becomes an adult or in some states for up to two years. These are strong incentives for young people not to drink and then drive.

As for adults, just because the person may not seem to "feel" the effects of alcohol, does not mean that he may not meet the statutory minimum Breath alcohol concentration in his state. Since most states opted for US federal highway funds, it is more likely than not the state law prohibits having a BAC of .08 within two hours of driving. So make sure there is a designated driver for you if you decide to drink. Or plan on having a cab take you home. It is a whole lot less expensive than being pulled over for DUI.

On Agendas and Conspiracies

Talk about your obvious agendas. For the last month the press and the public relations types having been pushing this movie called, Brokeback Mountain, a story about two “gay” cowboys and their “love” and “loss.” No matter where one looks, one hears, sees or reads about this movie. During the weekend opening of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Variety did a front-page story on how Brokeback Mountain opened so well in limited markets, ignoring the $62 million that LWW took in over the first weekend. All the critics are raving about the movie and the media types are all talking Oscar. The other morning I opened my local newspaper and there it was again. It is all so annoying. It also raises some serious questions about the manipulation and the propaganda campaign going on in this country by those with an animus against the family and traditional mores. And if you do not like the movie or the subject matter, then the critics call you a bigot. So much for tolerance.

First though, let us look at the story line. Two so-called “cowboys” have a close encounter of the perverted kind. They move on with their lives after the incident and each marry and have children. However, they cannot forget the other and to the detriment of all that is rational and sensible resume this perilous relationship. To which Hollywood and the MSM are all agog. “A love story” the critics call it. Actually it is called sodomy; and adultery; and destructive behavior. Yet these are the actions that form the building blocks of a healthy relationship according to the movie critics and the Hollywood elites.

So here is the question. Why? Why is there this push from every quadrant of the entertainment world to force upon the American public the notion that homosexual behavior is normal? Why is there the effort to have such behavior intrude into every aspect of everyday life? Why can I not open up the newspaper without having to read about it every single day? Why do I have to screen the newspaper before I can let my ten year-old son read it?

I am reminded of the story of the frog and the boiling water. The heat is put on very slowly so that the frog does not realize it is getting cooked until it too late. Then there is the story of the fellow who lived next to the dairy farm. At first the stench from the cattle and the manure was overwhelming. But little by little as the time passed, the fellow got used to the stench. After awhile, he did not even notice it.

The AIDS crisis was just one historical example of the deadly effect of homosexual behavior upon a society. But now that the crisis has infected the general population, especially in Africa, it has been conveniently forgotten how the disease was primarily spread. Further, the vitriolic attacks upon anyone who disagrees with the “gay” agenda has silenced all but the courageous in public life. To challenge this culture of death is unthinkable for those who with to advance their positions and careers in entertainment or education or even in politics. To advance the idea that the “gay” lifestyle is selfish and destructive is considered a “hate” crime and in Sweden, a Christian pastor who preached against homosexuality was arrested and tried for the crime of intolerance. While he was acquitted, the event had its effect. He won’t be raising the issue again.

Even the Roman Catholic Church cannot provide guidelines on the admission of candidates into her priesthood without being accused of intolerance and homophobia. It is so absurd that a priest in Mesa, Arizona, submitted his resignation because of the instruction. He was offended. Well, good grief! The man is a priest and he is supposed to have put aside his old self and become a new creation in Christ. But apparently, Christ is not enough for the fellow. He has to be “gay” as well. Now perhaps I am a little dense, but if the fellow is suppose to be chaste, why is it important that he announce to the world that he is “gay?” It seems like the man is more interested in putting himself in the center of his world than in being a priest and putting Christ in the center of his life.

Perhaps this appears judgmental and strident. But there are some truths that cannot be denied. First is the purpose for which certain parts of the human body exist and their mode of operation. Second is the relationship of men and women in the natural order of things. Human beings are made male and female. That’s it. And in spite of the psychologists who try to excuse certain aberrant behavior that is a reality that almost all of us understand instinctively. Trying to force the average fellow to accept aberrant human behavior by setting it in the context of two cowboys is not going to work. Most people just do not want to think about it. After all to quote one of my older sons, “That’s just nasty.”

The problem is that we cannot ignore it because such constant bombardment is meant to wear us down into first acceptance and then affirmation. The “homosexual” agenda being fanned by the leftist elites and the ACLU types is not just about live and let live. It is about destroying marriage. It is about forcing us to accept their “behavior” as legitimate and equal to normal male female relationships. As one can see from the assault on the law to the programs on television to the plays in the theater, everywhere one turns, there is this push to normalize aberrant behavior.

This message will not endear me to those who see nothing destructive about homosexual behavior. And some will see this as “hateful” and mean. In reality, it is conceived in hope that there may be an awakening to the truth. Because only in truth can one truly be free. Unfortunately many do not realize that their actions can be enslaving and self-destructive. Having counseled and advised countless people over the years whose lives cascaded out of control because of addictive behavior, this plea for awareness and response is borne out of a genuine concern for the human person.

Each of us is made in the image of God. We were made for a purpose that would give glory to Him and allow us to find fulfillment as human persons. God wants us to be happy and He wants us to find peace. All of this comes in living in His love, which in turn allows us to be truly free. But there is a requirement on our part. We must seek His truth. We must make Him the center of our lives. And we must turn away from any behavior that is destructive to ourselves and to others. We must turn away from sin. That is the hard part. And during this season of Advent, it is what we are called to do. Only then can we appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. The sad reality is that the world will not accept this message. It did not 2000 years ago and it will not today. Those who follow the message of Christ along with those who live Golden Rule must reflect the true nature of the human person. Our children require this of us. It is after all our duty.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

First Post

I realized the other day when I wanted to comment on some current events that my current blog Jakubczyk on Life was not the appropriate place to air my thoughts. So in keeping with the rush of web logs being set up every day, I have created a new blog, designed to carry those thoughts and opinions of a more general nature. I hope those of you who see this will continue to check the AZRTL web page and offer your thoughts and ideas as the case may be.

I will continue to note my opinions on life issues and hope this division will be beneficial.