The Ogunbase Blog

Violently Corrective Accountability

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:50:00 +0000

Facebook is generally where I get my news from. However, one of the things I have been doing is posting political status updates, as well as links and adding snarky comments to them. I realize that while it feels cathartic in the moment, long term, it reinforces a negative way of thinking I am looking to change.

Like Eben Pagan says, "The short term results of an action, and the long term results of an action are often different, and usually opposite".

So, I will no longer be writing "rant"-style postings here on my personal blog, or any political ravings on Facebook or Twitter. I will be using language that will inspire, and uplift my fellow man (and woman), rather than focus on the negative aspects of our human condition.

I originally posted a status update that for each slip up I would donate $10 to The Kelly Award, a juvenile rheumatoid arthritis foundation. However, Chris Johnson of GenuineChris.com suggested I donate $50 to an organization that I hate. I remember reading something similar on his blog some time ago.

Each time I post negativity here on my blog, Facebook status or Twitter, I expect one of the people (mentioned below in the order I want them to send the letters) to drop the addressed and stamped letter into the mail with the check to NAMBLA (not linking to it...Google it if you need to know what these people believe/support).

So, I will be sending checks to my good friend Jessica Best, my advisor and friend Shonre Swift, my dad and my good friend Lisa "The U" Manley.

I recognize what a radical step this is. But, I need to form a new habit of using uplifting and positive language, and need an appropriate motivator. I have four sons, and another one on the way. Having to send that organization any money turns my stomach. However, using negative language brings me down as well as others around me. This is a habit I must replace immediately.

This is Violently Corrective Accountability.

Death Threats from The Religion of Peace

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:55:00 +0000

This post is in defense of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. Bet you never thought you'd see that from an ultra-conservative/libertarian blog.

Recently, South Park had an episode where they were making fun of various religions. Now, the one thing I like about the show is that they make fun of everyone. There is some truth in stereotypes, no matter what you want to believe. So, the show started making fun of religions. However, on this particular episode, the network, Comedy Central, censored one character. Who? Muhammad, the Islamic prophet.

This is interesting, because for YEARS, the show has been consistently ridiculing Jesus and Christians. But to censor a prophet? The hypocrisy from Comedy Central is disgusting.

Well, it gets a bit more interesting. A group called Revolution Muslim (website is curiously down right now) essentially threatened the lives of Parker and Stone.

I want to take you on a journey. We're going to play the Imagination Game. Close your eyes. Let's imagine for one moment that a group calling themselves "Revolution Christian" had a website. On that website they posted a photo of a dead man's body (who had been killed by another Christian) next to threats of violence against Parker and Stone. Why the death threats? For making fun of Jesus. So, this website is up. The site threatens the lives of these men. Oh...and a predominant preacher from this group went on a nationally syndicated news program and said, "We're commanded to terrorize non-believers!" Are your eyes still closed? Good. Now imagine turning to MSNBC or CNN (I know, some of you have better sense than that, but we're imagining) and viewing the responses by the talking heads on those networks. How do YOU think they'd react?

At what point will people realize that Islam is not a religion of peace? I know what's coming next..."The Crusades! You Christians killed people!". That was centuries ago. There weren't any Christians flying the planes on September 11, 2001. Those aren't Christians who slowly decapitate people on video and then broadcast it to Al-Jazeera. Those aren't Christians who ordered Fatwas on people for political cartoons. But, the Koran advocates violence against those who are "infidels".

Come to think of it, if Christians responded the way Muslims did, there'd still be prayer in schools, a National Day of Prayer, Christmas songs during "winter productions", and no South Park, among other things. But that would fly in the face of what Jesus commands us to do.

I'm about to start dropping f-bombs (work with me Lord), so here's the video. Let me know if it's not up. I'll find another one.

Unspeakable Evil -- Planned Parenthood Worse than KKK

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:28:00 +0000

Some of you won't agree with the message in this video or my opinion on it. But that's just it. The video is offering a look at history. You can research this information for yourself, and I encourage you to do so. As far as my opinion being offensive? You know I don't care. If you don't know, go back and read some of the pre-January 2009 archives.

Some of you may not know that at one time, Yemi was VERY liberal. I viewed the ACLU as an organization dedicated to preserving important Constitutional rights. I also viewed Planned Parenthood as an organization dedicated to preventing the creation of a deadly force on society...the dreaded BABY MAMA! Seriously, I held these beliefs, along with quite a few others that would make you question my sanity.

Now that I've grown up, I recognize that the ACLU will preserve CERTAIN Constitutional rights (except for the one that has any teeth), but will also do its damnedest to remove any religious display from the public view. But...Planned Parenthood?

Before I start, I must admit that I've gone to Planned Parenthood for condoms, as well as pregnancy tests (for my WIFE, btw). I even think Jen got a birth control shot from them a few times.

Today, it is my feeling that Planned Parenthood is WORSE than the Ku Klux Klan. Why? The Klan has always been upfront about their goals and mission. Unfortunately, I'm not surprised if men wearing white hoods burn a cross in someone's yard. Planned Parenthood? They're waging war against black people, and doing it with the government blessing, as well as that of our citizens.

Some of you will vehemently disagree with me and even think that I want to control your "reproductive health". Shut up for a minute. Watch the damn video, and then we can debate. Not before. If you aren't willing to invest two hours to look at this, then you're choosing willful blindness, and are complicit in unspeakable evil.

This video I'm posting here will open your eyes, provided you sit through it, as it's over two hours long. Watch this video. Share this video. THINK. Please.

Also, head over to Maafa 21 and purchase this DVD for others to see. It's THAT important.

(Let it load first. It's a two hour movie!)

The Socialism...I Mean Healthcare Reform

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 05:39:00 +0000

I'm an insurance agent who hasn't had health insurance for the past 5 years. Why? Because I didn't feel like paying a monthly note for something that would cost me MORE money for me to use later. Thanks to the assholes in Congress, and the bigger asshole in the Oval Office, I no longer have that choice. I HAVE to get insurance, or I face a fine. All this in the name of "hope and change". I call bullshit.

I got into a spirited discussion with someone who told me that all I valued was money because I was against the Congressionally approved Socialism...I mean healthcare reform. When I brought up the point of how it wasn't the job of the government to get into the health insurance business, the money thing came up again. Eventually, I discovered that this person liked the healthcare because it was a step toward wealth redistribution. Despite pointing out that "wealth redistribution" is actually known as STEALING, this person didn't get it. There's a fundamental difference in the thinking. I personally don't think I'm entitled to anything. Others feel differently.

The saddest thing is...the majority of African Americans who I talk to think that President Change walks on water and can do no wrong. They're also in favor of wealth redistribution because the government "owes us". It's no wonder that African Americans in this country haven't advanced further. Because the Democratic party as well as black "leaders" have put this idea into the collective African American consciousness that we're all ENTITLED to something.

I shake my head, I pray, and wonder what will be the catalyst for a second American Revolution. Because at this point, that seems to be the only solution. Last Sunday, our "elected officials" gave us the finger and told us where to go and how fast to get there. I also wonder if America has the stomach to fight for liberty, or if we're far too sissified.

Is it any accident that the current generation of men is the most sissified, wussy, generation in the history of our country? No. The breakdown of the family and the vilification of men in today's society is by design. If Dad is a loser and doesn't add anything of value, who is there to teach the boys of America how to become men? So who has to take over the role? Women. Women can't teach boys how to be men. I don't care if she's the most dynamic single parent on the planet! There's no substitute for a father in the life of a young man. Women, aren't confrontational. They prefer to work things out without resorting to violence or confrontation. That's a wonderful trait in a lady. A horrible one for a young man. So...we have a generation of men, raised by women, and while there are good men out there, there are also spineless ones. It seems like the spineless ones are gaining more and more power (some are even in Congress). It's disgusting.

America needs to do something, or we'll end up as citizen-serfs, like our buddies in Britain.

So, next month, I'm exercising my 2nd Amendment right, and will be purchasing my first firearm for protection. I suggest you do likewise, fellow patriots. We're under attack.

How Are You Living?

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:50:00 +0000

Someone whom I greatly respected and admired was called home to Heaven last Wednesday, St. Patrick's Day. It is a bittersweet moment, because if the fruit from his life is to be believed, then right now he's unimaginably happy, filled with joy, and in the presence of God. It is bittersweet because of the pain his physical death has brought his wife and children. This man, Pastor Don Hamer, will be loved and missed.

But, as I was reading his obituary (I don't know how long the link will be valid), I was struck by his date of birth. Pastor Don Hamer had JUST turned 56 in January. If God has given us both the same amount of time on earth, then with me being 29, I have a little less than 27 years left.

Wow.

My life would be more than halfway over. What have I spent it doing? Have I lived a life providing service to others? Have I lived a life that reflects my faith? Have I pursued what was important to me?

Basement Jaxx! What More Do You Need?

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:24:00 +0000

"Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx from the album Scars

In a desert you're standing
A silhouette in motion
On the glory afternoons in June I need you

Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
You feel so good upon my lips
Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
Even though you're a million miles away

There's a space out there
And then when we can move
On the glory afternoons in June I need you

Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
You feel so good upon my lips
Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
Even though you're a million miles away

Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
You feel so good upon my lips
Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
Even though you're a million miles away

You taste so great on my lips
You taste so good on my lips
Your moisture drips upon my lips
Just like a waterfall straight through the heart of me

Raindrops, raindrops
Raindrops, raindrops
Raindrops, raindrops
Raindrops, raindrops

Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
You'll feel so good upon my lips
Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
Even though you're a million miles away

Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
You'll feel so good upon my lips
Just like raindrops, just like raindrops
Even though you're a million miles away

When I want you I'll follow you
I'll follow you
When I want you I'll follow you
I'll follow you

PETA Should End

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:21:00 +0000

F*ck PETA. No seriously. I scratched my head, consulted Thesaurus.com, looking, hoping to find a word that could adequately express my frustration and anger at the group. Why?

I've watched the Tiger Woods drama unfold over the past few months. Yes, he cheated on his wife, ruined his image and has caused embarrassment for his family. With that said, the man is trying to rebuild his life. Sure, he could have just returned to golf, dominated the field and then let those headlines dominate. "Tiger is victorious in his return to the course" or something like that. But, instead, he's getting treatment for what is clearly a sex addiction/dysfunction and trying to fix his marriage.

What do the as**oles at PETA do? This. Kick the man while he is down in order to further their worship of animals. Disgusting. Because it's not only him who is affected. This is different than going after Michael Vick for his transgressions. Because it's just Vick who is being ridiculed. The PETA ad affects his wife and his children as well.

Tiger, I hope you sue PETA into liquidation. I dislike the organization that much.

Thanks to BlackSportsOnline for the link.

Beauty and Pain

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 01:46:00 +0000

Each time I hear Pachelbel's "Canon in D", I experience a range of emotions. First, I am overwhelmed with the sheer beauty in the music. Tears come to my eyes. As that happens, I invariably think of my late father and sometimes cry a bit harder. My father provided me my first exposure to classical music, and I didn't appreciate it until I was older.

But, as the strings begin building toward their final crescendo, I start thinking of how it would be to sit somewhere outdoors with him (it would have to be a place without mosquitoes, because neither of us were very fond of bugs), a glass of white wine, or single malt scotch and discuss this particular piece of music, along with other topics.

The beauty and passion for life that I feel while hearing this masterpiece contrasts so well with the pain and sadness of knowing that he's missing far too many of my life's perfect moments. I think each year of life adds a new layer of sadness. Because the last time I saw him alive was through 8 year old eyes, when I rewind certain scenes in my head and view them through 29 year old eyes, I get a different look at the person he was. I also wonder how he'd view me.

A Great Argument for Abstinence

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:09:00 +0000

Abstinence is not a popular stance in today's culture. People are ridiculed on a regular basis for promoting it. I used to be vehemently opposed to abstinence and was fortunate enough to have never caught a disease...other than the horrible flu I got over Thanksgiving weekend when I was a sophomore in high school. It came as a result from making out with someone I won't name. I spent my entire Thanksgiving break shivering and sweating, not eating anything. I didn't even watch football that year. It was horrible.

But...I can honestly say that if I'd seen this video as a junior high boy, my sexual activity would have been confined to hardcore m*sturbation until marriage. It has come out that this woman was lying and did not have AIDS. That doesn't matter. Not even a little bit.

I do a lot of reading, and have been studying psychopaths and sociopaths. My wife worries about me. I just like psychologically interesting people. I'm a psych major, whaddya gonna do? But, the video (which I will post in this entry) was disturbing to me. Because there are people out there who do what she joked about doing. Plus, this is the second AIDS hoax I've seen in the last year. These people create these elaborate hoaxes, but they also give ideas to others.

I don't personally know anyone who has AIDS or HIV, but it must be something to live under a death sentence. For the angry person, or someone who felt like they were taken advantage of, I can see how they would want to lash out in this manner. I don't agree with it. But how do you punish someone who is on death row anyway?

My point is this: I will be showing the video of this woman to my sons when we have the intercourse talk. Is it disturbing? Absolutely. Will it shake them to their core? I hope so. I really do.

Measurements and Before Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:25:00 +0000

Well, today was a interesting day. I went to the doctor and got a full work up. I don't have my cholesterol or triglyceride numbers, but I will post those when they get back from the lab. However, here are some numbers as of today, January 5th, 2010.

Blood Pressure: 104/80
Resting Heart Rate: 71 beats per minute
Temperature: 97.4 F
Height: 5 feet, 7 inches
Weight: 252 pounds
Body Fat Percentage: 36.67%

My blood pressure is within the normal range. I'm not sure about my resting heart rate. However, my weight, and body fat percentage are completely unacceptable. Since I have heart disease on both sides of my family, I have to do something about this yesterday. I mean, 37% bodyfat? I'm a total lard ass, as you will see in these "before" photos. What's crazy is that I've grown adept at sucking in the gut, and saying things like, "I'm big boned" or "I don't have a six pack, I have a keg". As a result, I didn't think anything was wrong. But, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...well, I'd say mine are probably worth between 1500-1750 words. If you have a weak stomach, you may want to avoid this. No, seriously, I look like I'm days away from giving birth.

You've been warned...

These photos are a powerful explanation for the changes that I have to make in my life. Obviously, only God knows how many days I'll have on earth. But, why should I hasten my demise with unhealthy living and horrible dietary choices? I will post new photos every 30 days. Sorry if I've scarred you. It will get better, or I'll look like the biggest tool on the planet. And we know how I feel about tools.

Track 1, Yemi 0

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:51:00 +0000

As I posted yesterday, I have a goal to run a 12.5 second 100 meters by the end of the year. Today, we went to the local track to get a baseline time. The good news is that I can only improve! When I was part of the way down the track, I developed a cramp in my right hamstring and ended up limping across the finish line for a blistering time of 26.01 seconds.

Yes, the track kicked my tail. You may have won the battle, track. But I will win the war.

Time to limp to the kitchen to begin preparing my food for the week.

Before Photos coming...

A New Decade!

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:36:00 +0000

Happy New Year to you all. It's funny I say that like there are so many of you. The truth is, my blog has been neglected. I really hope to rectify that, as it nice to have a sounding board which is one of the top results if you Google "ogunbase". Thank you Dad.

Now, first things first. I'd like to call attention to the Photography Blog of one of my friends. This is the blog of my friend Katrina, whom I've affectionately named "Killa K". She is taking a photo everyday for the year. I am excited to see life through her eyes this year! I encourage you to add her blog to your RSS reader.

What's going on this year in the life of me? I have a few goals which I will define in greater detail in the coming weeks. But, here is the rough draft of goals for the year.

1. Reach 15% bodyfat
2. Learn Spanish (Spain)
3. Blog 3 times per week
4. Write and sell my first ebook
5. Run a 12.5 second 100 meters, 6 minute mile and do 10 pullups
6. Take an acting class
7. Learn enough of the 5 string fretless bass to record the bassline for a house music track, as well as play the bassline to Rusted Root's "Ecstasy" (listen here)

Why?

1. Well, I don't know what my current bodyfat percentage is, but I'm reasonably sure that it's over 25%, placing me into the morbidly obese category. With my atrocious family history, I'm at double risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, etc. I like living. God has seen fit to give me life, I'm going to maximize it and attempt to live as much of it as possible. As previously stated, I don't know my bodyfat percentage. So, on Monday, I will go to the doctor and get a full workup. I will post the figures and photos on the blog.

2. I've had an obsession with Spain and Spanish culture for years. It's gotten worse over the past year, and it's just time to learn the language. So, once I receive some windfall money (student loan refund check, tax return, etc), I will be purchasing the Rosetta Stone set for myself and Jen, as well as the homeschool version for the boys. The goal is fluency, so that when we take our trip to Spain (a goal for 2011), we'll feel comfortable communicating.

3. I've neglected my blog. But, no more! I would like to actually move it from Blogspot to its own domain name, and have it hosted elsewhere. I will also be posting updates on my progress toward completion of these seven goals. Plus, I need to stop neglecting my writing.

4. For years my mother has said that I should write some sort of ebook or pamphlet. She's right. I have quite a bit of knowledge that is just taking up space in my head, and it's time to utilize that knowledge to better the world, as well as my bank account. Yes, money is a consideration. I am a capitalist. I don't apologize for that.

5. I used to run track in high school. I wasn't the fastest person on the track team by any means (that was Bryan Bartling), but I had enough speed. A few years ago, my brother Michael and I went to the track by his house, and I ran a 100 meter sprint. I am embarrassed to say that my time was something in the 15 second range. For those of you who ran track, a 15 second 100 meters is disgusting. However, a 12.5 second time is respectable. I won't be competing in London for medals, but it's fast enough to outrun most. Since I don't know what my current time is, I will go to the local school, run the race and get the time, which will be posted here on my blog. I will post updates on my sprint time as the year progresses. I will do the same for the mile time and pullup number.

6. An acting class? In addition to the 36+ units I'll take in spring, summer and fall semester? Yes. I loved being on stage. Probably due to my borderline narcissism, but I loved it nonetheless. I'd like to do some acting. Plays at first. Maybe a series on Showtime. A movie. Who knows? But you have to take the first step. So, I will research acting classes at the local community college and post the results found here on the blog.

7. Those who know me, know of my affection for house music. However, funky, jazzy house just moves me. I love to listen to it, dance to it, etc. A few months ago, I played with a program called Mixcraft and actually put together a little beat. But I'd like to do that with some live instruments. It sounds better and allows for the beauty of improvisation. Why "Ecstasy"? Because the song is awesome.

What is the inspiration for these goals? Tim Ferriss. One can design the life they want if they eliminate the peripheral distractions. I have created far too many distractions. I was talking with my cousin last night, and I was going over just how much time I waste with things like checking Facebook, playing Facebook games, reading comments on sites and commenting. None of those things is going to improve the quality of my life, and wasted a lot of time. It is difficult to admit that you've been wasting time, but admitting the problem is the first step to eradicating it. My ultimate goal is to find that muse. A muse is automated income. For example, Tim Ferriss designed a "neural accelerator" which provides him with automated income. The title of his bestselling book refers to how much time he actually spends on his business, 4 hours per week. Obviously, I don't have a muse yet. I don't even know where to begin. But, that's part of the journey.

I'm looking forward to reaching these seven goals, and I'm happy to have you, dear reader, along for the ride!

Not Sure What to Say

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:10:00 +0000

There are times where you hear things about people, and you wish you hadn't. My brother (not saying which one) and I were talking and he said, "Dude! Did you know that ________ and _________ are adult film actors?"

I am sad to say that one of the young ladies he mentioned was not a surprise at all. However, with the other young lady, it was shocking. Definitely more shocking than the season finale of Dexter.

I have no idea what either young lady is thinking or doing or whatever. At this point I could rail on about the morality of adult films, but that would be hypocritical. Why? Because, for a large part of my life, I have supported this industry in every way. How?

I've spent time, money and energy on adult films/websites. When doing it, I certainly wasn't concerned with the moral aspect of things. By visiting an adult site, viewing the material and storing those images in your mind, you are supporting the industry. You are supporting the exploitation of young women with few choices. You are supporting the drug use and disease prevalence among these adults. You are supporting the warping of the minds of those who view the material. You are supporting the hurt and pain a young wife experiences once she realizes she cannot compete with the images her husband associates with sexual intercourse. You are supporting the frustration and shame experienced by a husband who realizes he needs these images of women other than his wife so that he can climax. You are supporting the pain of the divorced couple, broken up after adding multiple partners to their marriage bed to "keep things exciting".

I've supported those things. As well as the decision of those two young women to sell their purity and self-respect. Imagine if/when her future children find out? What if they have kept this from their future husbands?

After looking at this with new eyes, my heart breaks for these young women, as well as anyone who feels like the only way to "make it" is to sell their self-respect and immortalize their horrible choices on Google Images and/or YouTube.

My heart also breaks for how depraved I was. How I (although unknowingly) supported all of the things I mentioned above.

Come soon Lord. Please.

NaNoWriMo, Redux

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:18:00 +0000

Sorry blog readers. With school and work, there haven't been regular updates. I will be undertaking the NaNoWriMo challenge again. For those of you who don't know what NaNoWriMo is, it is an abbreviated version of National Novel Writing Month. Starting November 1, I will begin work on a 50,000 word novel. The goal is to have the 50,000 words written by the end of November. I will finish it this time! Some of you know that I have attempted this before, but I didn't properly manage my time to keep up with the output. This year will be different. I'm far more focused, and driven.

If anyone has a suggestion for the plot, please advise. Thanks!

On Fatherhood...

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:16:00 +0000

First of all, Happy Birthday to my younger boys, Elijah and Malakai! Today, they are 4 years old. Time certainly flies when you're having fun. It feels like just yesterday that they were born. Jen had a C-Section with them, so I spent the first hour of their lives with them. Singing and talking to them, just the three of us. In terms of memories, that experience is definitely in my top five.

So for most of the month, my two older sons, Taye and Quddus have been in California, visiting their grandparents. They spent a week with Jen's parents, and then a week with my parents. Well, last night I was talking to my Dad, and he was just praising them. Praising how well they behaved, how respectful they were, and just overall how impressed he was with the parenting of Jen and I. As he said these things, I realized that he had a part in the disposition of his grandsons.

You see, I've been fortunate in that I grew up with two fathers. My biological father went home to be with the Lord when I was 11. What he instilled in me was an overall sense of self-esteem. A sense of self worth which sometimes borders on arrogance. My stepfather, my mother's second husband, has been in my life since I was 4. We haven't always gotten along. In fact, for years, I thought I hated him. But, I realize that I thought he was coming in to try to usurp the role as my Dad, from my Dad. But, someone once showed me why he was the way he was. It wasn't his goal to have me be a good kid. He wanted me to become a good MAN, which is the goal of any man who parents little boys. There were times he was hard on me, but I have since realized that those times weren't malicious. He just wanted me to have that seemingly endless well of internal strength that I still think he has. That strength where everything seems to be falling apart, but as a man, you present the positive to your family and charge forward, rather than wallowing in worry and despair.

So, to hear that Jen and I are doing an excellent job with our boys, from someone who helped (despite my own efforts to thwart him) me become the man I am today meant a lot. But Dad, you had a part in it. A major part. Thank you.

20 Questions on the Obamacare Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 03:34:00 +0000

I feel bad, dear reader. I've not left you with a decent post in nearly a month. I'm sorry. I'll get better. As you know, the geniuses in government are debating this healthcare debate. Liberals are saying one thing. Conservatives are saying another. As a result, uninformed people are springing up on Facebook and other forums with hyperbole and vitriol.

A good friend of ours, Teresa, posted this article on her Facebook. The article is written by a gentleman named Robert Tracinski. I will be posting the questions here in their entirety. I do this because so much changes on the internet, and some really good content ends up disappearing over time. I know this, because I spent 2 hours last month searching for a GQ article on the failed internet company Boo.com. What's upsetting is that I came across the article about 8 months ago, and didn't think to save the text on it. Anyway...here are the questions.

1. The government has been "reforming" health-care for sixty years—tax breaks for employer-provided health-insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, encouraging HMOs and managed care, and government health-insurance at the state level in Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon. Government health-care has expanded until it is now more than 50% of all health-care spending. Yet after sixty years of government "reform," the problems with health-care are just getting worse. So why should we believe that even more government is the solution?

2. President Obama keeps telling us that he's not trying to get rid of private health insurance. But the bill being debated in Congress would require all new insurance policies to be offered through a government-run exchange, in which the rates that can be charged and the coverage that has to be provided will be dictated by the government's so-called "Health Choices Commissioner." Employer-provided health-insurance will fall under the same regulations in five years. How is this insurance going to be "private" if the government controls everything about it?

3. A video on YouTube shows Barack Obama back in 2003—only six years ago—saying that he is in favor of a "single payer" system. The "single payer" is government, so this means he was in favor of socialized medicine. And just a few weeks ago, Barney Frank—one of the Democratic leaders in the House—said that he considers the current bill a step toward "single payer." So when Obama and the Democrats tell us this bill won't lead to a government takeover of health-care, why should we believe them?

4. Medicare is broke. Social Security is broke. Federal tax receipts are falling, and Congress has already voted on trillions of dollars of stimulus and bailouts in the last year. The national credit card is maxed out. So how can you justify voting for a bill that will require even more money that we don't have?

5. The health-care bill that is being discussed includes huge taxes on businesses to force them to provide more health insurance for their employees, as well as a whole set of mandates telling health insurance companies who they have to cover and what they have to cover them for. This is an enormous increase of costs for businesses and insurers. Have you considered how they're going to pay for all of this, or whether they will even be able to pay for it? How many of these companies will go out of business or lay off more workers after the government forcibly increases their expenses?

6. One of the main demands of the health-care bill is that insurers are required to cover people with "pre-existing conditions." That's like getting insurance on your car after you crash it. It's just a way of getting someone to bail you out for something that has already happened. This isn't insurance, it's a handout. So doesn't that mean that the rest of us will have to pay more for our insurance to absorb the cost of those handouts?

7. The health-care bill will mandate what costs insurance companies have to cover. For example, they will have to pay for routine check-ups and physicals, or they will have to provide every woman with maternity coverage. But what if you don't want to pay for that extra coverage? Right now, if you're young and healthy and don't need frequent check-ups, you can save money with a high-deductible insurance that doesn't cover them. Or if you don't want children, or already have children, you can save money by dropping the maternity rider on your policy. By taking those choices away from us, won't this bill actually make our insurance more expensive, not less?

8. A lot of people have been upset about Congress passing bills that they haven't had time to read—and they haven't even finished writing the health-care bill yet. But what I want to know is, with a bill this big and complex, have you taken the time to read it and understand it? Can you really say that anyone has had the time to figure out how all the parts will work together and what all of the consequences will be? With a bill this big, is it even possible to figure out all of that and really know what you're voting for?

9. President Obama and the Democratic leadership are making us a lot of promises about what we will get and what we won't get from this health-care bill. But what is or isn't in this one particular bill is not the end of the story. For example, how many times has Medicare changed over the last forty years? As more and more of us become dependent on the government for our health-care coverage, won't we have to worry about what some future Congress or some future bureaucrat will decide to cover or not cover?

10. The defenders of the health-care bill claim that it's going to lead to all sorts of savings, not by actually cutting any services or denying care, but just by finding "inefficiencies" that will save money. Do you think this is remotely plausible? When has anybody ever said, "This project has to be lean and efficient—let's get the government do it"?

11. One of the ways that has been proposed for government-provided health insurance to save money is by substituting Medicare reimbursement rates for market rates when paying doctors and hospitals. But many private hospitals and medical practices have said that if they have to accept these lower rates, they can't cover their expenses, and they will go out of business. So doesn't this bill guarantee an immediate shortage of doctors and medical services?

12. Medicare cuts costs by paying lower rates to doctors and hospitals, who then shift these costs to those of us with private health insurance, who get charged higher rates. But if the government takes over and starts dictating Medicare reimbursement rates for everyone, who will the costs get shifted to then?

13. When the government starting portraying people in the financial industry as villains and started limiting their pay and subjecting them to more regulations, banks reported a "brain drain" as smart and well-educated people left the industry or went overseas looking for better pay and less stress. But the term "brain drain" was originally coined in the 1960s when doctors and medical researchers left Britain to escape socialized medicine. Aren't you afraid we might see the same kind of brain drain from the medical profession here in America?

14. Do you know the meaning and significance of the term "quality adjusted life year"? (For this question, you will need the answer, which you can supply if your congressman is forced to admit that he doesn't know it—preferable after some stammering and a long, awkward pause. "Quality adjusted life year" is a term used under socialized medicine to determine whether elderly patients are allowed to get expensive drugs or treatments, depending on some bureaucrat's calculation of how many good years they have left. You should ask your congressman: Can you assure us that the same thing won't happen here?)

15. One of the proposals for how the government is going to save money is that it's going to have a panel of medical experts who will dictate from Washington, DC, what the proper medical practices are that should be paid for, and what practices are supposedly "wasteful" and "unnecessary." Won't this mean interfering with decisions that would normally be made by me and my doctor? And won't this discourage innovation by requiring any new idea to get approved by a board of establishment "experts" before a doctor can even try it out?

16. Government-run health-care is not some new, untested idea. In Britain, it has led to a "postcode lottery," where the medical procedures you are allow to get depend on where you live. In Canada, it has led to a shortage of doctors and waiting lists for major surgeries. In America, Medicare ended up costing far, far morethan anyone expected. Massachusetts and Maine spent enormous amounts of money to extend government coverage to very few people. The Oregon Health Plan may not cover your cancer treatment—but it will cover assisted suicide. Given all of this experience, what makes you think that somehow this will be the exception that will avoid all of the problems that government health-care has always led to?

17. Why does "reform" always mean more government? Are you aware of proposals that have been put forward for free-market reforms of health care? Congress has already approved Health Savings Accounts, where individuals buy their own high-deductible health insurance and save money tax-free, which they can use for their out-of-pocket health-care expenses. This gives people more control over their spending on routine medical treatments while keeping them covered for a serious illness, and it allows them to keep their health insurance if they change jobs. But this program has been limited in size. Are you open to ideas like this, for free-market reform of health-care?

18. A lot of doctors say that medical malpractice insurance is what is really driving up health-care costs. Doctors have to charge more to cover their expenses, and they also have to practice "defensive medicine," ordering unnecessary extra tests just to make sure they can defend themselves in court if something goes wrong. So why isn't tort reform—for example, limiting excessive jury awards in malpractice lawsuits—being considered as part of health-care reform?

19. What part of your decision on this bill, if any, is affected by a consideration for liberty, individual rights, and the Constitution? Would you consider opposing this bill forno other reason than because it gives more power to government at the expense of the freedom and property rights of private businesses and individuals? Would you consider opposing it simply because it grants powers to the government that are not authorized anywhere in the Constitution?

20. Thomas Jefferson said, "A wise and frugal government which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government." Notice what is not on his list: government-provided housing, or government-provided food, or government-provided health care. And Jefferson's views on the role of government were widely shared by America's Founding Fathers. So my question is: Please explain where you disagree with the vision of our Founding Fathers, and why.

Marion Jones and Mistakes

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Earlier this afternoon, the Ogunbase family was at H.E.B., doing a little shopping. I picked up a box of gumbo mix, but then decided it wasn't needed. As I was walking to put it back, my lovely bride hissed at me to come back. As I walked back toward her, Marion Jones turned the corner in front of me.

When the Summer Olympics are on, I only watch a few things. Judo? No. Archery? No. But swimming and the track & field events? Absolutely. I'm glued to the screen, and will DVR them, even if I already know who won. I like swimming, but the sprint events in track and field are loves for me. I was watching when Michael Johnson ran the 200m in 19.32 in Atlanta. I watched this past summer as Usain Bolt ran a superhuman 9.69 100m (which he actually slowed down for). I also watched as Marion Jones destroyed her competition in Sydney, in 2000.

But, Ms. Jones didn't win with just what God gave her. She added to it, with performance-enhancing drugs. She was found out, and actually served six months of jail time for lying to a federal grand jury. In addition to that, her entire body of work from September 2000 on has been removed from the books. It's as if she never ran. She had to give up her medals. The other women who ran relays with her had to surrender their medals.

I got to thinking about that. She spent her entire life training for the Olympics. Everything she'd done from what should have been the pinnacle of her career is erased. Could she have beaten those other women with what God gave her? I think so. I mean, plenty of people take performance enhancing drugs, but plenty of people DON'T run 10.65 100m.

Ms. Jones was very kind and gracious, despite my interrupting her Sunday shopping with her children. When I asked who she was, there was brief flash of shame/worry. I wonder if she thought I was going to berate her for her mistakes. But she asked me for my name, looked me in the eye and shook my hand. But I regret this meeting. I regret that I didn't convey to her that even though she fell through her own choices, I still loved how I felt watching her compete. I especially regret that I didn't convey to her that Jesus loves her. I wish I had expressed that to her. Because I think that's something that she may know, but needed to hear.

I want to go deeper into this, but I have a 4-5 page research paper due in less than 6 hours, and I don't even have an outline.

This is the FINAL Time I...

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:19:00 +0000

...will mention Michael Jackson on my blog.

When he died, I was saddened, because I'd never seen him in concert, he left behind 3 children, and was a real contributor to music. However, some of the things I've heard in the last week and a half have been truly idiotic. Stupid. Moronic. I'll post one, and then after that, no more Michael Jackson on The Ogunbase Blog.

My lovely bride pointed me in the direction of this gem from the very wise Lil' Mama, from that show America's Best Dance Crew.

"Jesus Christ touched so many people. The story that they gave of this man...He healed people. Michael Jackson did the same thing, not only with his music, but with his performance and his personality."

No. That wasn't a typo. In the eyes of this dim 19 year old, Michael Jackson's impact on the world was like that of Jesus Christ.

I'm in disbelief that I can't even think of anything snarky to say. To compare the impact of the King of Kings (who is still making an impact, more than 2000 years since He LEFT the earth) to Michael Jackson is insulting. At BEST, Jackson will be remembered for another 50-60 years. I would hope some of that will be his music. But his memory will probably go something like this, "Michael Jackson was one of the best entertainers to ever walk the earth. It's too bad he ___________" (fill in the blank).

No, Lil' Mama. Michael Jackson's impact is nowhere near that of Jesus Christ. You should be ashamed of yourself for saying so.

The King of Pop

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:21:00 +0000

So by now, everyone has heard, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop has died. Ever since I heard, I've been trying to put together a blog post, one that would accurately capture my feelings about this. I don't know that I'll be able to. For years, I've been conflicted about Michael Jackson. One of the most important albums of my life was the "Bad" album. It was the first vinyl album I purchased, and one that I purchased on tape as well. I have memories of dancing to the "Thriller" album with my cousins Joel, Lendale and Shonnie, while in my late father's basement. I saw "Captain EO" at both Disneyland and Epcot Center in 1988. I remember that a music video by Michael Jackson was something far different than a music video by any other artist. For example, the video for "Remember the Time" excited me as much as the first time I saw "The Matrix". When he and Janet made the video for "Scream", I thought my head would explode from the sheer awesomeness.

When I started dancing, it was my goal to be able to moonwalk (one which I haven't reached, but will). Michael Jackson inspired the dance moves for an entire generation of performers such as Usher, B2K, Marques Houston, Ginuwine, Chris Brown, etc.

Yes, the man had his personal issues, but no one will ever be able to deny his talent. I hope that before his death, he came to know Jesus Christ. If he did, then he will truly be able to Rest In Peace.

You will be missed Michael. Thank you for entertaining us for these years, and showing me how to feel the music.

Universal Demand Law

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:01:00 +0000

I came across this while reading about the ROM machine. If I had $15,000 and NO DEBT, I would probably buy one. Exercise for 4 minutes a day? I'm all about it. They are available cheaper on eBay, and once we complete our Debt Snowball, I may save for one. But, the head of manufacturing of the ROM machine, Alf Temme, has some good insight and some good ideas. I was at another one of his sites, and I'm going to post the text in its entirety, because I thought it was that good. You can find the original article here.

Mr. Temme, I hope you don't mind my posting your ideas here. I just love the insight and look forward to more.
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Universal Demand Law

The Universal Demand Law makes clear what outcomes to expect from placing demands on anything living and, more importantly, what outcomes to expect from NOT placing a demand on anything living. Worst of all would be to give support to anything living that could survive without support.

The word DEMAND here is to be understood as placing a load on anything living and as "requiring or requesting something urgently and forcefully". It is not to be understood as in "supply and demand".

Not only does this law govern human affairs, it actually affects all aspects of life in all things living. This law of nature makes abundantly clear that Mother Nature is not a socialist but instead an apparently heartless and mean practitioner of laissez-faire economics.

Violations against this important law of nature are punished by Mother Nature with outcomes that are totally unexpected by most that have no knowledge of this most powerful and as yet not widely known law discovered by me around 1975. It deserves to be taught in schools and specially in universities. It should be mandatory to be applied by politicians whenever they are creating new laws and regulations. It should also be retroactively applied to existing laws and regulations to strke them from the books if they fail the UniversalDemandLaw litmus test. That would result in far fewer laws and regulations on the books and it would restore and preserve more of our freedoms. It would prevent the majority of economic and societal disasters created by so many undoubtedly well-intentioned laws and regulations.

This law applies to anything living such as a single living cell, or a cell tissue, a whole organ, an entire person or animal, groups of people, a leaf of a tree, a branch or a whole tree.

The 4 points of the Universal Demand Law

1. If a demand or overdemand is made on any living thing, it will strengthen and/or improve that living thing. The greater the demand the greater the potential improvement.

2. If a demand is decreased on any living thing or support is given to a living thing that would survive without such support, the living thing will weaken and/or deteriorate. The lower the demand, the more deterioration.

3. If the demand on any living thing is too great it will break or malfunction . . . . . .

4. . . . . from which the living organism will recover, and will emerge stronger than before it was broken, IF IT WAS NOT BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR.

The Universal Demand Law as tested against the real world:
To test and demonstrate the theoretical validity of any Universal Law, the best method is to test it against known outcomes in the physical real world.

Some examples

1. RUN OVER BY A TRUCK
If you are run over by a truck, the demand likely is a too great overdemand and the body will be broken beyond proper repair.

2. BREAKING A MAJOR BONE
If you break a major bone in arm or leg and it is a clean break, and it is not broken beyond proper repair, then the place where the bone mends will be repaired by the body with denser bone tissue and it will be stronger than before the break happened.

3. PARENTS DISCIPLINING THEIR CHILDREN
If parents place a demand on their children, even if it is a slight overdemand, those children will have a good propects to develop into reasonably well functioning adults.

4. PARENTS NOT DISCIPLINING THEIR CHILDREN
If there is no demand placed on children, they more likely will deteriorate and more likely develop into poorly functioning adults. Click on "Parenting"

5. WELL INTENTIONED SOCIALISM
If you take the natural demands of normal daily life away from adults by placing them on one or other form of socialist program such as welfare for example, the Universal Demand Law predicts that they will deteriorate further.

6. EQUAL EDUCATION FOR ALL IS NOT GOOD
If students are subjected to equal education for all, the Universal Demand Law predicts that only a small percentage of the students (perhaps 20%) are subjected to the proper demand to induce optimum learning improvement and 40% or so may have an over-demand and another 40% may have an under demand resulting in the predictable disappointing outcomes that can be expected according to the Ubiversal Demand Law, namely deterioration and failure in the group on which equal education for all results in an under-demand and mental overload for the group that is not sufficiently mentally equipped for the demands placed upon them, with the resulting breaking and malfunctioning. Most members of this latter group will still benefit from the over-demand if they were not broken beyond repair.

7. ADVERSE EFFECTS FROM LOWER REQUIREMENTS
Lowering University entrance requirements for special ethnic groups is counter to the Universal Demand Law and can only lead to other than the loftily envisioned and doubtless well-intentioned outcomes.

8. PROHIBITION ALWAYS FAILS
According to the Universal Demand Law, placing a heavy demand on illegal drug use will only increase the consumption of illegal drugs. According to the Universal Demand Law, prohibition is the wrong way to proceed against hard drugs or similarly desired (but generally un-desirable) substances or services (prostitution). Giving people the freedom to fail is always the lesser of the evils. Good advice and education is the best prevention or remedy. The role of parents is to give valuable advice and guidance to their children in their formative years. The role of parents is not to keep their children in a straightjacket for life. Similarly the function of Governments is to give valuable advice to the governed. The function of Government is not to keep its constituents in a straightjacket of freedom restricting laws and regulations for life.

9. MUSCLE STRENGTH
Placing a demand on muscles makes them stronger. Conversely, taking a demand off muscles will cause them to atrophy (a leg in a cast for six weeks will have lost a lot of muscle tissue). The health of a person confined to a hospital bed (or any other bed) will deteriorate very rapidly because demand is taken off the entire body. Specially when that person is given sedatives because that will keep that bedridden person even from making movements and from employing any muscles, adding to muscle deterioration.

10. LANGUAGE IMMERSION COURSES
Placing a heavy demand upon immigrant children by teaching them in an immersion course the language of their new adoptive country will render them fluent in that new language in record time. Conversely, taking the demand off them by coddling them with lessons taught in their native language will handicap them for long periods of time and may prevent them from ever fully integrating in the society of their new adoptive country.

11. EMOTIONAL DEMANDS
A person enduring adverse human experience such as losing loved ones or going through a divorce or being subjected to other mental pressures, will emerge stronger as a result of the adverse mental demands or will succumb to them and be mentally broken in the process if the demands were too great where they broke the person beyond repair.

12. PHYSICAL HANDICAPS
People born with physical handicaps may be mentally strengthened by the extra demands placed upon them through the constant mental demands placed upon them (dealing with the handicap) and will excel in life beyond expectations. Others will not benefit from the extra physical demands when society will try to offset the demands by over-compensating for those demands with institutionalized social support for physically handicapped people.

The list of examples that prove the Universal Demand Law is endless. You can test the UD-law yourself with examples of your own and you will find that it holds true in every instance.

It is difficult to determine the right dose of demand
Since all living entities, including people, have different levels of capacity to tolerate demands placed upon them, it is difficult to determine what constitutes a demand and what will be an over demand or a demand that will break the living organism beyond proper repair. What may be an under demand for one, may be an over demand for another. The most effective method for maximum result may be a slow and gradual increase of demand to slightly past the point of failure. THat would constitute a small overdemand but would not break the living organism beyond proper repair.

The importance of the UD-law.
The discovery of the Universal Demand Law is extremely important to the future of the human condition because it explains in all instances the reason for success or failure of human endeavors. The UD-law will shed light on many aspects of all things living and on the functioning of their subcomponent parts.

Naming of laws that govern the workings of things within the Universe.
I prefer the term “Universal Laws” to describe the absolute unassailable laws by which the Universe seems to function. Unfortunately this term has been confusingly used to describe many other concepts as well, including metaphysical and religious concepts.

Known Universal Laws and this recently discovered Universal Law.
A well known Universal Law is the Universal Law of Gravitation discovered by Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s law is also referred to as the law of gravity. Another well known Universal Law is Einstein’s Law of Relativity. Both of these laws seem to be subject of dispute about their Universal applicability and correctness. An additional newly discovered Universal Law is this one, Alf Temme’s Universal Demand Law.

Very essential knowledge to understanding the Universe
It is very likely that most everything that happens and everything existing within the Universe could be adequately explained if all Universal Laws were known and correctly interpreted.

Most Universal Laws remain undiscovered and religion, myths and misinformation fill the void where human knowledge and understanding is lacking.
Unfortunately the human race has not as yet discovered much about Universal Laws. Consequent to this lack of knowledge and lack of understanding, humans are subject to a lot of wonderment and awe about many things and happenings within the Universe.

Where knowledge and understanding are lacking, myths and religion and misinformation fill the void. Interestingly, most religious writings do not portray their Gods and deities as dictators. They rather portray their Gods and deities as wise and tolerant guides that give their constituency all the freedom to fail while teaching and proposing the methods and the guidelines for actions and behavior with which to succeed.

Practical application of UD-Law to exercise.

I have been involved in the development of a very clever but very expensive exercise machine called ROM (www.FastExercise.com ). This machine gives maximum results for minimum time investment. The full daily workout on the ROM requires EXACTLY 4 minutes (never more). Also here the rule applies: Where knowledge and understanding are lacking (in exercise) myths will fill the void. The objective of exercise is to place a demand on muscles which in turn will place a demand on tendons and joints and on the cardio-vascular system. To achieve optimum results from exercise the demand on all body systems involved in the exercise should be such that all the systems are slightly traumatized (damaged) but not damaged beyond proper repair. The ROM machine follows the Universal Demand Law to near perfection in that it adaps its workload every second during its 4 minute workout to precisely slightly over-match the user's ability to perform work so that a slight overdemand results and slight damage and slight pain will be invoked.

Following the ROM exercise the muscles, tendons and joints must have at least a 48 hour recovery time to repair the slight "damage" that has been induced by the exercise. All bodily systems, that were subjected to a small over-demand, will emerge better and stronger after the 48 hour recovery period.

Predictable patterns

Universal Laws are laws of nature that apply to observed highly predictable patterns of occurrences in nature or the universe as a whole. Universal Laws apply to patterns of behavior or outcomes that can be predicted with near 100% accuracy.

Such observed patterns of outcomes or behavior were observed by Newton, Kepler, Faraday, Pascal, Boyle, and the like and the laws of nature, or universal laws, observed and described by them became known as laws with their names attached to them, such as Newton's Law, Law of Pascal, Kepler's Law. Law of Faraday, Einstein's Law, Boyle's Law, Heisenberg's Law etc. So you could call this Universal Demand Law "Temme's Law" but I think "Universal Demand Law" is better and certainly more descriptive. Maybe Temme's UniversalDemand Law?

I discovered the pattern of predictability of this law that I eventually named "Universal Demand Law". I became very convinced by the universality of this law starting around 1970, but I was still unsure about its universal applications to all things living. Around 1985 I had gained enough confidence in the law to give it the name of Universal Demand Law and in 1999 I decided that the law appeared unassailable and ready for publication. It would be a great service to society as a whole and the economy in particular if the law became known and applied by all government bodies around the Globe so that all new law proposals could be tested against the Universal Demand Law for their efficacy before they were to be enacted as laws . People could use the law to improve their personal lives and modify their decision making processes as well.

The UD-law explains why many actions taken by humans have such unexpected and often disappointing not intentioned outcomes.

If you wish to comment or have some suggestions on more examples that support the universal applicability and validity of my "Universal Demand Law", please feel free to email me at alf@fastexercise.com

Alf Temme

Jesus and the Law

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 02:29:00 +0000

So, I had this paper due for my Philosophy class, and some friends said they wanted to read it. I was originally going to post the paper here, but MS Word doesn't mix well with Blogger, so the formatting got all wonky, and it bothered me. Email me, or send a message to my Facebook and I'll send you a copy of it. Please be gentle...

Take Photos With Your Murdered Child!

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:34:00 +0000

Last week, I discussed the murder of George Tiller, aka "Tiller the Killer". However, I neglected to go through the feeds on my Google Reader. If I had, I'd have seen this horrific scene brought to public awareness by Ingrid Schlueter of Slice of Laodicea.

Seriously, murder your kid, then have a "memorial service"? I don't even have words for this.

(H/T: Slice of Laodicea)

P.S. Ingrid and her husband Tom are expecting a beautiful baby girl in a few weeks. Please pray for their family.

Should a Murderer Be Mourned?

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 10:39:00 +0000

This article will offend some of you. Most of my regular readers know that offending people is something I care little about. If you're offended, there isn't much I can do about that. All I can do is speak my mind, and the truth. If you want to leave, click here. You've been warned.
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Dr. George Tiller, also known as "Tiller the Killer" was killed as he went through the motions of being an usher at his church on Sunday, May 31, 2009. Why "went through the motions"? Because someone who regularly murders human beings for a living is just going through the motions at church. I also have to wonder about a "church" who would have a known murderer serving in any capacity, but that's not the point. My point is this, if this man had been known for killing over 60,000 3 month old cooing babies versus that many unborn babies, would the public be as sympathetic? No. He murdered unborn human beings for MONEY. This isn't a man who was a saint. He was a killer. Would there be this much outpouring of sympathy if he were Hitler, Stalin or Mao? Of course not. The only tragic thing is that this man wasted his life, taking the lives of others. I'm assuming he wasn't saved. Is that arrogant? Probably. But someone who kills people for a living, in what appears to be an unrepentant manner is probably not saved. I really don't view his death as a tragedy.

Doug Phillips, the Director of Vision Forum Ministries, has written an excellent piece on Tiller. I linked to it, because the text is a bit long. He handles his post with far more tact than I do. Check it out.

Movement

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:07:00 +0000

The Ogunbase Family is moving. Yes. Again. I know. Well, why the move?

A couple weeks ago, I was laid off at my job. So, in the course of seeking other employment, I applied for an advertising company that was looking for reps for New Orleans, Austin and Memphis. Well, since we decided that we'll never leave Texas (unless I go here for seminary, and then head right back), and we consider Austin to be home, I applied for the position.

After a longer interview process, an offer was made, and we are moving to Austin!

Pros: H.E.B., Bush's Chicken, the Brushy Creek Sprinkler Park, employment, large savings in monthly expenses ($1250/mo current rent vs $760/mo future rent).
Cons: Saying good-bye to LifeChurch Fort Worth, lifelong friends we've made here, as well as a couple of my best friends.

We're hoping and praying that this will provide the stability for us to get on our feet financially, and actually get ahead.

To all of our friends in the DFW area, thank you for inviting us into your lives and hearts, and you are always welcome in Austin!

Host a Home Bible Study? Pay Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Yemi Ogunbase) — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:42:00 +0000

Oh, I wish I were joking. When I read the article, I was hoping that World Net Daily was just playing a practical joke. But no. It's no joke. The County of San Diego is wanting to force a couple who holds a home Bible study to spend thousands of dollars to obtain a Major Use Permit. As anyone who has ever lived in California (land of tolerance and diversity) can attest, nothing comes easy or cheap, when the government is involved. For example, in the mid 1980's the La Mesa Family Fun Center was torn down to make way for a new freeway, specifically the 125. I graduated high school in 1998, and they were STILL working on 125. Why? Because of lawsuits and the legal red tape required to build anything in the state.

According to the article,

a Major Use Permit is one that often involves traffic and environmental studies, compliance with parking and sidewalk regulations and costs that top tens of thousands of dollars.

Seriously? For a home Bible study? Even worse, if the couple does not obtain the permit, they'll be fined.

When government oversteps their bounds, it's time for new government. That's all I have to say on that.

This hits me particularly hard, as I grew up in San Diego County. But this is just the beginning. Once Congress gets around to passing the Hate Crimes bill, we're going to be hit with fines, jail, or (as commenter Olivia suggests here) re-education camps.

Make no mistake my fellow believers, they are targeting us. Am I worried? No. Am I annoyed? Absolutely.