James Stabile Info Blog April 2008

Entertainment

The History Channel and the Discovery Channel aired seasonal programs in March. Among which were "The Protestant Reformation" and a host of programs about Jesus, Easter and the like. These cable channels are excellent TV viewing at anytime of the year, but prove to be very informative and inspirational during the holiday times. If you get tired of the so-called reality shows, check out the real reality shows on these cable channels.

*****

Get ready, here they come, the new TV shows. The screen writers strike is over, almost in time for the summer reruns, but it's over and the 2008 TV season resumes. A few new shows were aired in March, the remainder are scheduled to be aired in April. I really haven't missed them too much. I used the lull to catch up on the shows that aired at the beginning of the season, especially the ones that are scheduled for anytime after 9:00 p.m. You see back in the days when I had to get up at 5:00 a.m., pre-January 18, 2008, I could never stay awake to completely watch any show 9:00 or after. Plus the 2008 primary and caucus news coverage filled the void for me. See, there is a silver lining to most clouds in our lives. In any case, it is nice to have the 2008 TV season back on track even though I despise most of the regular network broadcasts.

**********

Health, Fitness and Lifestyle

The word Lifestyle is in the title of this section of my blog. What does that term really mean? The simple answer is that people have different styles of living. This fact is obviously true. Taken a step further, it is implied in this blog that a person's lifestyle should be respected and not just tolerated, but embraced. Of course this respect and embracement depends very much on whether the lifestyle violates any legal, ethical or moral laws or social mores. That said, I feel that each person's life regardless of style is an expression of the humanity that we all share and should be celebrated.

I am so critical about hypocrisy in life. You know that is true, but is hypocrisy a crucial part of the human condition? Is self-centeredness and selfish pursuit of one's ideas, beliefs and goals also an integral component of this human condition? Are human beings born with the prejudices of race, religion, creed, sexual preference and the like? I think not. I can not quote the research, but I am very confident that scientists have studied the existence of prejudice in human life. I am quite confident that human beings are not born with prejudices. Rather, I believe that prejudice is a learned response perpetrated by the child's or person's life contacts. In other words, prejudice develops as we develop and is dependent on ignorance and hypocrisy to grow and blossom. To that end, parents and all people who come into contact with children must make a concerted effort to reflect a non-prejudicial attitude and behavior in their lives. All people must try to live a life that reflects love of one another and mutual respect and admiration for all people especially those with different lifestyles.

Who determines what's right or wrong when it comes to lifestyle related behavior? I think this is subjective. There are some acts that are legally, ethically or morally wrong. Murder is wrong. Adultery is wrong. Child abuse is wrong. In fact, any abuse is wrong. There are many other behaviors that are perceived wrong, but what about the behavior that is not universally declared wrong? What about sexual orientation? Must people respect, admire and embrace this type of lifestyle? I believe so, as long as it does not violate any legality. Sometimes that determination is hard to pinpoint. I think we must respect the person engaged in the lifestyle because we are all deserving of respect because of our shared humanity. What about the admiration and embracing stuff? Yes, for the same reason, we are all human beings - equal and free to live our lives as we determine.

Why do I write about such a controversial topic? Because there is too much hate in the world. There is too much self-righteousness in the world. There is too much hypocrisy in the world. We must rise above our differences and share our similarities. Those similarities are embedded in our same humanness. Our human condition is the reason that we must respect, admire and embrace all people regardless of their lifestyle. We are family.

A seventeen year old transsexual was murdered in Fort Lauderdale a few weeks ago. The police still have not declared it a hate crime. What are they waiting for? By the way, the young man murdered was doing nothing wrong. He was not interfering in anyone's life. In short, he was murdered because he was Gay. This is so sad. This young boy was robbed of his life because someone or some group of people did not like his lifestyle. His family was robbed of their family loved-one because their loved-one was Gay. The crime is being compounded by the slow action of the authorities in calling it a hate crime. In the end, each of us will answer for our actions. If not in this life, then the next.

O.K. I admit that some people may believe that being a transsexual is not moral. I know that some people may totally disagree on the boy's lifestyle. They say that it sets a bad example for younger children. They say that it is against nature, God's law, so to speak. That may be true, but none of us has the right to judge another human being concerning these matters.

Each human being and especially each American has rights as expressed in the United States Bill of Rights. Each person has the freedom to live life as he or she determines. That is freedom. It must be protected. Perpetrators to that idea of freedom must be held accountable. There are many different people in our world. There are many different views of living one's life. Each person must be respected, admired and embraced as a human being with certain undeniable rights, freedoms and privileges. This is the meaning and essence of humanity. We are family, all of us.

**********

Politics & World Affairs

The 2008 Democrat presidential nominating season is still not over. By April the primaries and caucuses are not only still going on, but are playing an historic role in the selection of the next Democrat presidential nominee. Most people, especially those in the power structure of both political parties, are extremely surprised and a little disenchanted with this season's results. The political party leaders want the nominee determined like yesterday. They want to move on to the unification step in the nominating process

Republicans are currently in this process, but the Democrats, well that's quite a different story. The constant bickering between the camps of the two frontrunners, Senators Clinton and Obama as well as the candidates themselves will continue until at least the Pennsylvania Primary on April 22. The only way that I see a final nominee emerging after Pennsylvania is if Senator Clinton loses the primary contest. And even then, I wouldn't be surprised if Clinton continues her fight. The contest will probably go until the first week of June, the end of the primary and caucus season. However, even at that time if the candidates are neck-and-neck I don't see a vicar emerging, We may go all the way to the convention before the Democrat nominee is crowned.

Most of the leaders of the Democrat party want this contest to be over. They would love it if the candidates would come to a compromise and declare a winner. But it is not going to happen. I disagree with the party leaders. I think this debate is extremely important and historic in magnitude. Too bad about the party and party unity, but this is the American political process in progress. I feel that this contest and all such contests should go to the convention if necessary. I think we the people must be a part of the selection of any presidential nominee. The people, not the political parties nor even the candidates, are the crucial ingredient in any election. In a strong democracy, it is the people who should be the ones who choose the nominees, presidential or otherwise. In this regard, I am happy, excited and motivated by the 2008 Democrat presidential selection process.

By the way, Senator Clinton has the right to pursue her bid for the nomination of her party for president. I believe that she should stay in the contest until every vote in every primary or caucus is counted. And then if there is still no winner declared by the total number of delegates, the decision should go to the super delegates and if necessary to the convention. This is democracy in action. It must not be stopped or otherwise derailed. We the people deserve to be involved in this process.

What about Michigan and Florida? Should their delegates count in determining the delegate tally at the convention? No. The elected and non-elected party leaders in each state violated the Democrat National Committee rules concerning the selection of the delegates. Rules are rules. Rules must be followed and respected. Violations of the rules should be dealt with by consequences of actions. Once again, this is democracy in action.

**********

Religion & Spiritualism

Good vs. Evil and The Book of Revelations? Well, let me tell you. First I must declare that I am not an evangelical right wing conservative. As you probably realize, if you regularly read this blog, I am a Catholic Christian, a sincere Catholic Christian. However, more than that I am a spiritual being. By that statement I mean that I believe that our earthly struggle against good and evil which eventually evolves to our finding salvation and eternal life has more to do with being spiritual than being religious. Religion is a man-made concept, whereas spiritualism is more of a God or good seeking venture. Eternal salvation may have nothing to do with or very little to do with religion, but it has everything to do with spiritualism. If you care to read more on the subject, more on my views, then peruse the Religion & Spiritualism section of my past monthly blogs. The matter at hand in this blog is the Book of Revelations and the battle between good and evil.

Have you read Revelations? It's in the New Testament. I haven't read it in it's entirety either. However, I have a general knowledge of the thesis of this book of the Bible by other readings and by watching documentaries and other discussions on the subject. It is my understanding that the Book of Revelations gives a pretty specific outline for the end of time or Armageddon. There's talk of the beast or the Anti-Christ and the fight between good and evil. The Anti-Christ is supposed to be the Devil's descendant sent to Earth to finally avenge the defeat of his father the Devil himself. Do I believe this notion? Somewhat. I don't think I believe it verbatim. However, I do believe the concept and the message it teaches.

There is good and evil in the world - human and otherwise. I believe that there is a constant conflict between the forces of good and evil that each human being faces on a daily if not constant basis. I believe that this struggle is inherent in our existence as human beings. I also believe that the forces of good will always be victorious over the forces of evil. But there is a catch to this struggle. We as human beings must choose the good over the evil. I believe that most people will choose the good, but some will deliberately, consciously and willfully choose the evil. The people who chose the good will inherit everlasting life. The people who choose evil will be banished to an eternity of loss. I believe that all people must face this struggle. I most firmly believe that the idea is true, but the final circumstances, setting and actual portrayal of this struggle is known by God alone.

The cable channel AMC aired The Omen 1, 2 and 3 one Friday night in March. The Omen, all 3 parts, are exactly about this situation, the struggle between good and evil. I was aware of the plot and story-line of The Omen, but I never watched each part in it's entirety. I've seen bits and pieces of each, but never the complete trilogy. That Friday night I stayed up and attempted to watch the three movies, but I feel asleep at the beginning of the third movie. I did see enough and recollected enough to get a general view of the plot and outcome. The movie is about the descendent of the Devil, Damien. The movies follow Damien from birth, though childhood, adolescence and adult life. It showed the fulfillment of the prophecy outlined in the Book of Revelations as far as the Devil's descendent is concerned. It showed the devious, conniving and convincing workings of evil in an attempt to overtake good. The purpose of Damien's life was to gain monetary wealth, public recognition and political power in this world. In short, to gain dominion over the world.

I'm not sure about a demonic Damien-like figure, but I most sincerely belief that evil exists and takes many forms. Evil tries to gain acceptance and recognition by satisfying people's need for a liberator. He or she would offer the American public a better life, a life of benefits and services with an icing of motivation, goodwill and empty promises. As in The Omen this person would surround himself with people who share his ideas and beliefs in an attempt to recognize cooperative shared goals. Is this type of infiltration and success possible in the United States of America? Beware of false prophets?

Religiously speaking, this type of attack on America as well as American values and morals is possible. The power of evil is a constant and relentless force. It must be fought with wisdom, determination and trust in an ultimate supreme power. It demands that we stop the madness of verbal and nonverbal attacks on one another. It demands that we start valuing every living being, even beings that are different from the norm. Love, respect and acceptance must be our weapons in this fight against evil. We will succeed in this fight if we approach it on a personal level. We must personally know God and abide by the rules of a loving God. Most importantly, we must recognize that God is love and His command to each of us is "To love one another as I have loved you." Our lives must reflect that love. Whenever this ultimate reckoning occurs, we must face it personally, one at a time, on God's terms. If we do so successfully, we will be among those who know God. However, we must understand that this is a personal venture and will happen at different times for each of us. In the end, Armageddon may occur in mass for those people who are left on Earth, but make no mistake each of us will face it at some point in our life. We must ready ourselves for our personal Armageddon by following the two most important commandments of God - love God and love one another. We must also realize that this struggle is nothing to fear. We must face it with love, understanding and with the conviction that good will be victorious over evil. To be successful in this struggle we must be genuinely, humanly and totally a believer and follower of truth and the Word.

*****

On Holy Saturday night I watched a program on the History Channel about the Protestant Reformation. Not only was it informative, but it was awe-inspiring to me. I thought that I was educated in the history of Catholicism including those Dark Ages "scandals", but this presentation was extraordinarily written, produced and presented somewhat of an epiphany for me personally. It not only reconfirmed my beliefs concerning those dark days of the Church, but it gave creditability to my own personal beliefs concerning my quest for truth.

From the time of Christ until the Middle Ages the Christian Church was basically Catholic. At that time Christian and Catholic were one in the same, the church started by Jesus Christ. During the Middle Ages the hierarchy of the Church became very corrupt and anything but "Christ-like". I must mention the fact that this did not apply to all of the Church's clergy, but to a vast number. They began acting as if the Church was there own creation and existed for their pleasure. Promises of indulgences were being sold by church leaders. Profit, financial gain and lavish lifestyles were becoming the objectives of the Church. Greed and corruption had overtaken the hierarchy of the Church.

Let me back up a little and discuss the idea of indulgences. To the Catholic Church, an indulgence is a reward one receives for acts of prayer, charity or any unselfish action toward another. An example, a person could receive an indulgence if he or she prayed a particular prayer or prayers. If the person was duly sincere in his or her prayer, then he or she may receive a special "grace" in the eyes of God. An indulgence is not like a "get out of jail free card". It has no magical power. It is basically a spiritual aid in earning eternal life. The idea of an indulgence is a man-made idea. However, it is no different from praying to God and asking for a particular request. The clergy of the early Church was selling these indulgencies to people. In a way they were selling free tickets to heaven for money. This has never been an acceptable practice in the Catholic Church.

In modern time, indulgencies or prayers or Mass said for a person or intentions are so to speak - free. They do not work better with a monetary value associated with them. Make no mistake - the monetary gift is not the determining factor in the granting of any type of spiritual favor. The attitude, motivation and action of the person making the request or making the prayer seals the deal with God. However, as an expression of gratitude, people do give the priest or other church representative, a monetary gift for offering Mass or other prayers for their particular intention. Again, the prayer, the intention the active involvement - these are requests to God for His help or mercy. The answering of the request has nothing to do with any money. Significantly, the prayer or request is between the person and God. There is no mediator.

Back to the Middle Ages, members of the hierarchy of the Church were abusing their positions and God's redemptive promise. The Protestant Reformation occurred because Monk Martin Luther and others disagreed with the immoral practices going on by members of the clergy. The Church would not discuss the issue with Martin Luther. All Martin Luther wanted to do was to end the selling of indulgences by those in the hierarchy who were abusing their power. He wanted a compromise, but was forced to flea the Catholic Church and thus the Protestant Reformation was born.

Martin Luther studied the Bible to find a way to justify his problem with the clergy of the church of Middle Ages. He found a simple, but universal truth in the New Testament of the Bible, The Book of Romans. Paraphrased, that revelation implied that the Church founded by Jesus Christ is obtainable by any person willing to seek it. It does not require a strict, unquestioning allegiance to any manmade church or institution. In short, we as individuals have the power to seek God, find Him and abide with Him on our own terms.

I guess I have had my own protest with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. I sincerely belief that there are many members of the hierarchy who are currently violating the basic foundation of the Church. They are completely misrepresenting the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, I think we need to work with the Church, not against it. I guess what I'm saying is that the teachings of Jesus Christ remain constant, accurate and irrefutable. The hierarchy of the Church which is made up of human beings, sometimes erroneously misinterpret those teachings due to their humanity. They sin against the teachings of God, but those teachings remain above reproach. The church of Jesus Christ remains in spite of human frailty. This belief keeps me searching for God, mindful of the search of others and respecting my Catholic heritage. However, my search is vindicated by me alone in union the the God I search.

**********

Technology and Business

April 15 is tax day. If you have been putting off completing your tax return, the deadline is fast approaching. There is an added incentive to filing this year - the 2008 tax stimulus. I'm sure that you have heard about the tax stimulus? Maybe not? The congress has passed a tax stimulus package this year. President Bush has signed it. The first rebates should be hitting American mailboxes sometime in May. There is one major hitch to this plan. To get the rebate, you must file a 2008 tax return. The wage criterion for a rebate is very low, somewhere around $3500, but you must file a return to qualify for the rebate. Some people, generally senior citizens or Americans with low income levels are not legally required to file a return, but this year all people regardless of their wage amount should file a return in order to qualify for the rebate. Rebates range from a minimum of $300 to $600 and beyond depending on the number of children in the household. The rebates will be issued in May according to the date the tax return was submitted. The earlier filed returns will receive the first rebates. An exception, people who filed online may receive their rebates in May regardless of their actual date of return. Now what to do with the rebate?

The United States governmental leaders would like the rebates to be used by Americans to stimulate the economy. This is the expressed purpose of the rebate. However, the economy is in shambles. Americans are going bankrupt at alarming rates. They are losing their homes, regardless of their employment situation. People are also losing their jobs, but this isn't always the prerequisite for defaulting on today's mortgages. The nation's economic situation is terrible. Why spend that tax rebate? The answer, don't spend it frivolously. Use it to pay bills or deposit it in some savings plan. In light of the financial plight of a lot of Americans these days, I think most people will use it to keep from drowning in financial debt. In any case, use it to help yourself.

This rebate thing is really stupid to me. Historically income tax rebate programs do not help the economy. Putting the money in job creation programs would be a more efficient and productive option. A tax rebate is more of an emotional ploy and political in nature in order to get public opinion on the side of the federal legislators and president. This rebate plan will do nothing for the economy. Americans must realize this fact and use their rebates to help their personal financial recovery. The economy needs help, more help that what the rebates will realize. The economic condition of the United States must be dealt with on a business or technical level, it should not be a political matter.

**********