Home Articles posted by kidologist (Page 152)

Thoughts on the Election of 2008

First of all, congratulations to President-Elect Barack Obama. I won’t even pretend to imagine the significance and impact of Obama’s election to my African American friends and all those who never thought they’d see the election of an African American to the highest political office in world. It is a great testimony to the progress of America and especially to the color blindness of young Americans who, if they do consider race, lean more toward supporting minorities than fearing or resisting the progress of fellow Americans who are different than they are. I sincerely am happy for our nation in the sense that the election of Barack Obama proves that indeed any one can become President of the United States no matter their race or background, and that, in and of itself, is a good thing – and I am proud to live in a country where the People choose their leader and the transfer of power, even in a fiercely fought election, is peaceful. America continues to be the grandest experiment in human history. Indeed, Obama was unstopable in this election. While I never gave up hope, and did my little part to support Senator McCain, I felt in…

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Lightening McQueen Spotted!

According to All-Things-Disney-Expert, Steve Tanner, while the movie Cars made nearly 500 million at the box office, by summer 2007 it had grossed over 2 billion in merchandise sales! (source) We certainly can relate! We have Cars toys, clothes, sippy cups, band-aids, towel, blanket, snacks, even an ice packet to help put ice on owwies. And now, the Halloween costume! Lightening McQueen? More like Lukie McQueen with his Pit Chief! Lukie McQueen with Mommy. Now that’s one good lookin’ kid! It was fun to go Trick or Treating… starting at Grandma and Grandpa’ and then going with cousins. Luke enjoyed the walking and seeing the lights and cars at various houses. The candy wasn’t that big a deal. After thirty minutes he said he didn’t want any more candy. “Enough,” he says. We didn’t argue. So we headed over to a church outreach that had thousands of visitors. They had game rooms, live music, petting farm, food, pumpkin patch, a cake walk, and so much more. But Luke’s favorite (of course) was the cars on display! A Sheriff Hummer! (your tax dollars at work) Lukie McQueen always manages to find a cool car! No matter what we were doing, Luke…

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Karlos Bastimente

Hanging out in California for a few weeks. I’m here because I’m speaking at Nino Mania, a Spanish Childrens Ministry conference hosted at the beautiful Crystal Catheral in Garden Grove, CA. This is such a beautiful church, here are a few iPhone pictures. I’ll add an update to this post later. Doing a general session and then a bunch of Speed Stacks workshops proving I am bi-lingual; I can Stack in any language! Here are a few pics of the church:

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Trick or Treat

Sometimes a picture says it better than a long post. Happy Halloween!

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Have a Beer, on Me!

(I figured that title would grab the attention of my readers!) You have got to read this parable that clearly explains the US tax code, and what Obama is planning to do with his “tax cut for 95% of Americans,” 40% of which do not pay any income tax. But first, the story: A brilliant explanation of our tax system using actual percentages, the impact of a tax cut, and the public reaction that everyone should be able to understand. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59. So, that’s what they decided to do. The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. ‘Since you are all such good customers,’ he said, ‘I’m…

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