Dogs are Better than Cats

It's been said that dogs have masters, cats have staff.  Dogs are loyal, obedient, and reliable.  They are easy to train, desire to please, and can help protect your family.  They love to work and play, and can earn their keep.  Cats are the ultimate narcissists.  Yes, they are soft and furry, when they allow you the privileged of stroking, scratching, and massaging them, but they are also aloof, lazy, and labile.

Please don't take this wrong.  We have a cat.  I like our cat.  When she is in a joyful mood, I enjoy playing with her.  Stroking her fur is relaxing.  Watching her chase toys and bugs makes me laugh.  But the cats we've had in my lifetime have never captured my heart like my dogs.  I don't have a dog right now, but I still have fond memories of Misty, Tipper, and, dearest of all, Kirstie.  I miss my Kirstie...

Dogs really are man's best friend.

Disarm the Police?

Read article here: NYPD: 9 shooting bystander victims hit by police



Last Friday, a disgruntled employee, in a city that has all but made guns illegal, used a gun (illegally) to kill a former colleague.  When police engaged the criminal, he pointed his gun at them, so they shot him... along with NINE INNOCENT BYSTANDERS!

NYC already has some of the most draconian gun laws in the country.  The criminal in this incident violated several of them.  As a result, one person was killed.  Police responded legally, and not only was one more person killed, but several others were injured.  Who's guns were more dangerous?  The criminal's?  Or those of the police?

I used to compete in PPC, a shooting sport developed by police to encourage the development of shooting skills.  Competitions were generally organized by police and held on police ranges.  Private citizens competed directly against police officers.  And we were better.  Every department had skilled shooters who would score with our best, but the average officer's shooting skills were far inferior to those of the average shooting enthusiast.

If gun control advocates believe the presence of a firearm is inherently dangerous, why do we arm police?  How is a gun in the hands of a police officer somehow safer and more beneficial than one in the hands of a private citizen?  Are police officers more responsible?  More ethical?  More rational?  In my experience, they're certainly not better trained.  Friday's incident supports that observation.

I'm not suggesting we disarm police officers.  What I am suggesting is that gun control advocates consider the possibility that their position on firearms is based more on emotion than fact.  To consider the very real possibility that their solutions to gun violence are ineffective.  To admit that they may be wrong.  

Wisdom Through Failure

"Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success." -- Dale Carnegie

"Before success comes in any man's life he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps, some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do." -- Napoleon Hill

"Don't be afraid to fail. Don't waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. It's OK to fail. If you're not failing, you're not growing." -- H. Stanley Judd

We have all heard that success comes from refusing to submit to, and be defeated by failure.  We are told to strive on when we experience setbacks.  We are to ask those who have succeeded for their wisdom of success.  We should look at the failures of others to discover and avoid their mistakes.

All of these things are true, but, perhaps, a bit cumbersome.  There are certain people in the world who are able to help us avoid learning all these lessons for ourselves.

To truly avoid mistakes and achieve success, we should not only look at mistakes that led to failure or choices that led to success.  We should look for people who have achieved both the wisdom of failure and the thrill of success from the same source.

We can learn about how to avoid divorce by asking a divorced spouse about what he or she did wrong, but the answer will be jaded by the person's desire to protect his or herself from the pain of true introspection, even if they have gone on to a successful second marriage.  We can look at a successful marriage, but the couple will be unable to advise on challenges they have never experienced.  If we want to have a successful marriage, we should look for a couple who has experienced failure, then rebounded to success.  A couple who has divorced, or come close, then reconciled and restored their marriage will have an intimate understanding of how to avoid marriage pitfalls and promote success.

The same is true in business.  Some wisdom can be gained by talking to someone who has experienced bankruptcy, then succeeded in the next company.  But imagine the wisdom gained from going bankrupt, then digging your company out of financial failure and leading it into real success.

Failing, then trying again is not the same as success achieved from refusing to accept failure.  We can learn tremendous insight from the rare individual who has turned failure into success.

Stop Living Life Through a Camera

Go to a school, music, or dance performance.  A sporting event or a kids' karate belt test.  A birthday party, 1st communion, or a graduation.  Look at the parents.  How many are watching and experiencing the event?  How many are instead watching their cameras, more interested in recording the event than experiencing it.

I admit, I've been guilty of this too.  But then I've put down the camera and watched.  There is no comparison.  Experiencing life first hand and creating real memories is so much better than recording life for later viewing.

Setting up a video camera and forgetting it is fine.  Taking a few stills to trigger memories is great.  But for the most part, we should put down the cameras and experience our lives.

Christianity is not a Hostile Takeover

As a Christian, I am charged with spreading the "Good News" of Christ's redemption and a better way of life offered through faith in Him.  I should tell others so they can enjoy the blessings of a life lived for God rather than worldly values and empty pursuit.

I have to remember, however, that Christianity is a choice.  Following the ways of the world is also a choice.  People are free to choose Christ or to choose the world at their own discretion.  Regardless of my wish to see everyone experience the joy of everlasting life with God, I have to respect the right of others to choose death instead.

This means that I cannot support laws based in Biblical values rather than secular argument.  Christians surrender to the will of God, so we follow His laws as we understand them.  We are bound by His commands.  The world, however, is not.

If we create law forcing non-Christians to follow God's will, they can never choose God.  The choice is taken away.  God's first law is to revere Him as God.  It would be wrong to make that a national law.  The Bible is often interpreted by Christians to prohibit things not mentioned specifically, like cigarettes, multi-partner marriage, abortion, unmarried sex, wealth, etc.  It would be wrong to outlaw these things as well, unless we, as a society, could provide sound secular argument to support these laws.

As Christians, it is our job to persuade others to choose God and to follow His will.  It is never our job to force our perception of His will on secular society. 

HBO's The Newsroom Goes Anti-Gun

Read Article Here:  HBO’s “The Newsroom” Shows Anti-gun Bias

I've watched a few episodes of HBO's The Newsroom, and I like it.  The characters are engaging and real.  The newsroom action is authentic and interesting.  The entire show is captivating.

But Hollywood reared its ugly anti-gun head in last weeks show.  Citing flawed statistics from a poorly modeled twenty year old study, they claimed that guns are useless for self defense.  Ignoring pre-presidential-run positioning on gun control and 2008 campaign comments, they claimed that President Obama is not unfriendly toward gun ownership and that all gun owner distrust toward the president is the result of a smear campaign by the NRA and conservative activists in an effort to raise revenue. 

I like this show.  The premise is great.  But to ignore data, distort facts, and present an agenda as reality in an effort to sway the opinions of ignorant viewers is irresponsible and unnecessary.  It added nothing to the show.  All they have succeeded in doing is alienating 40 million gun owners like me.

How sad.

Gymnastics isn't a Sport

I love the Summer Olympics.  I especially love watching gymnastics and the shooting sports.

But many of the Olympic events are simply not sports, including gymnastics.

Sports don’t require judges to assign points.  It’s really that simple.  Gymnastics, synchronized swimming, ballroom dancing, diving… All of these events are athletic.  All require skill and talent.  They are certainly contests and fun to watch.  But they are not sports.

A sport requires only that an objective be achieved.  Style doesn’t count.  Get the ball in the basket.  Put an arrow in the 10-ring.  Pin an opponent.  Finish the race first.  These are requirements of sports.  No one judges the technique, only whether the objective was met.  Did the ball go in?  Yes?  Point awarded.  There are no subjective scores, no artistic value.  Just yes or no.  Did you do it.  Period.

I love the artistic athletic events.  I just can’t call them sports.  And since they are not sports, I question whether they should be part of the Olympics.