D’s Corner

Tooth for a Tooth.  World of Blind people that can't chew.  Today all over the news in the morning an evening I overheard and watched a little on this obsession of a convict being put to death.  Dale Bishop.

Here's a news article I read:
"In Mississippi, Dale Leo Bishop was executed by lethal injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman for his role in the 1998 killing of Marcus James Gentry.

Bishop died by lethal injection at 6:14 p.m. CDT, corrections spokeswoman Tara Booth said. Members of Gentry's family attended.

Bishop apologized to Gentry's family and said he loved his own family. He also referred to Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential hopeful.

Bishop's attorneys said his life should have been spared because he did not swing the hammer that killed Gentry.

Bishop acknowledged participating in the attack, but another man, Jessie Johnson, admitted striking the lethal blows. Johnson was tried separately and sentenced to life without parole.

At the end of his 2000 trial, Bishop waived his right to a jury sentencing and asked the presiding judge to give him the death penalty. He later changed his mind after he said he went on medication for a bipolar disorder that was diagnosed in prison."

Apparently Dale, Jessie, a driver, and Marcus were in a car together when the driver asked Marcus about ratting out Jessie's brother.  Then Jessie hit Marcus over the head with a claw hammer.  Dale held him down as Jessie continued.  Then after Marcus ran from the car, Jessie told Dale to catch him, he did, and Jessie continued to strike him til he died.  At the trial, Dale spoke to the judge about his sentencing.  Telling him to put him to death because Marcus was his friend and he thought Jessie would just "kick his butt(change of words)" but went too far instead.  Basically that he wanted Marcus' family to get what they wanted.  Revenge for their lost relative.  

Apparently later Dale was pronounced mentally ill.  This seems like a person that wanted to partake in beating up his friend for ratting out someone, it went too far, he was mentally traumatized, later wanted to not take the death penalty, then was denied.  He was put to death today. 

Now, I don't claim anything right.  I think it was a sick act and the justice system does what it does.  Even though it doesn't seem right to me.  So I'll move on.

The thing about all this is the attitude people take on this whole thing.  "I want justice!"  "He took my child, so I want him dead!"  "Eye for an Eye!".  This family was so dead set on seeing someone die for this act.  Even though it was the one person that didn't even swing the hammer that killed their son.  When they pronounced him dead and they stood there and watched this man die, did they expect their son to pop up and be alive again?  Did they expect suddenly that everything would be grand again?

All over the news people rant and rave about trials for different things.  People steaming and flaming out their mouth wanting to claim their revenge.  The world lacks the mentality that we must forgive and forget.  Yes, we allow the law to come into effect.  But to dwell on it and let the anger rise in their hearts, they lose sight of love and reality.

Jesus Christ was whipped, beaten, forced to carry a wooden cross upon his back, spat on, strung up, nailed upon a cross, thorn crown upon his head, stabbed.  You know what he said?  "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do".  He spoke forgiveness.  He gave himself to that cross for US.  For our sin.  For our wrong doings.

Do we repay him with this spitefulness?  Do we repay him for shows like "Eye for an Eye"?  If you don't know what the show is, it's basically a court show where desputes are judged, then the winner gets to do the same to the accused.  (IE, this man is guilty of water hosing your car, so you get to do the same to his outside the studio!).

Satan is making his mark in society.  If we can't learn to forgive, then we play into his hand.  Don't let him win in your heart.  Let God win.

God Bless. 

So, another Tuesday night doing outreach ministries at the nearby jail. 

This week we had brought in the projector and laptop to show a DVD called "Hell's best kept secret".  I had not seen it before and it was a great video.  Man on the video spoke about how the church has lost it's way of teaching to foster a new idea of speaking about the benefits alone, and not the laws given to man to abide by.

He had a few clips of him out on the street preaching to people by basically following the same routine of going down the 10 commandments and asking if the person has broken those.  Then asking that when they went to heaven would they be found guilty.  Then revealing the only path to salvation.  To repent, turn away from sin completely, and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior.

Truly a recommended video and something to think about.  Someone said it best.  "Satan isn't attacking the church anymore, because it's right where he wants it."  Through Jesus Christ our sin is cleansed, but if we truly Repent, then we should walk away from that sin, never to look back.  For on the day of judgment, God will ask "What have you done with my Son."

I don't claim to be perfect.  No one is but God Himself.  I too have a few things I am having to face facts and drop out of my life.  Through Jesus Christ's strength.

God Bless.

So, couple days ago my mom got a call from the humane society about requesting fostering before they euthanize because they were being over run by large amounts of intake of dogs.

We ended up taking home a puppy that was found almost hairless with a skin disease and nearly starved.  He was going to be put down but they instead treated him and whatnot because he was so calm and had an adorable stare.  Ever since we picked him up, he's been a great dog.  Calm with a spirt of puppy playful now and then.  His playful bark is chuckle worthy.  His hair is filling out again and he's almost got enough muscle and meat built up that you almost can't see his ribs and pelvis bones sticking out.

Sad to see a dog in such a state.  And such a friendly dog at that.  Animal abuse as I've stated before is just not right and is only fueled by anger and heartlessness.

I discovered yet another career I never want to get into yesterday.  Piping, Plumbing, or Construction in general.

So Friday I went to work.  Didn't have many computers to do, so I cleaned instead.  Swept up and tidied the front shop area.  Then cleaned around the tech benches.  Chucked about about 8 scrap towers.  Then after work, I went over to my brother's apartment and helped him move his larger furniture downstairs to his new apartment.  Then went home and relaxed for the night.

Next morning I woke up to my Dad starting to dig up our front yard to find a plumbing problem.  We were told many times we have a root problem causing the pipes to clog and back up.  So we dug up about 5 square feet of dirt, down about 2 feet to finally have the pipe found and exposed.  We then ran down to Lowes and bought some new piping and sealant.  We popped open the old piping to find a foot and a half long root cluster that we figured to be the problem.  It was thick enough to cover the entire pipe about 97%.

After placing new pipe in, we buried it all back up.  So all day today I've been a blob of ouch. 

Thank the Lord for helping us get through it.  Having found that clog about 2 feet away from the house, we diverted the issue of calling in a professional (whom have been saying it was under our drive way of cement) and paying them several grand to fix.  Days work and about 10 bucks of equipment. 

God Bless.

Came home today to a news broadcast of someone who has been forming a union to allow kids to carry guns as self protection in schools.  I got into a debate with my dad about it.

Basically in the wake of all the school shootings that have occurred in the last 10 years or more, there's groups pushing the idea that children should be able to carry guns with them in school so that they can defend themselves from shootings.

Okay, two things my dad brought up.  One was "Well, what's the difference between that and people carrying it outside schools all the time."  Basically, schools are different then anything in the world.  In the outside world, you have an array of places to go.  Some places are more calm than others.  Some places fit your personality more than others.  With schools, you have 200+ children of all different backgrounds, emotions, mentalities, personalities, all smashed in a small area.  Personalities are clashing, kids are being bullied, kids are having their faces thrown in a locker (Sorry to be graphical).  More room for conflict basically.  I'll bring this point back up after I talk about the other thing brought up.

Second thing brought up.  "Well, not EVERYONE will have one."  Now, think for a minute back in the days of everyone getting a cell phone.  It started out a few kids having it in school.  It was the 'cool thing' to be one of the few with a cell phone.  The idea of it being the 'cool thing' exploded it into every kid having one.  What kid doesn't anymore?  Okay so lets apply this to this situation.  Cool kid 'A' sees this go into effect and immediately wants to be the first to get one (Yes, I'm not joking.  Kids think like this).  Cool kid 'A' gets his permit, buys a gun, and goes into school with it flashing it around like it's the new 'in'.  All of kid 'A' sees this and wants to be cool just like him.  Cool kid 'B', 'C', 'D', and 'E' all go get their permits and guns.  Now, the people now in the cool kid group go "Wow, A B C D and E got one! I think I'll fit in more if I get one too!"  It starts.  Quickly flooding all over the place.  Parents being deluted into thinking it will protect them.  Parents that don't even pay attention to the whole thing.  Parents that don't care.  They will allow it.  They allow everything else that pollutes their children.

Now.  School is blossoming with guns.  Everyone feels 'safe' right?  Totally wrong.  Kids that can't get them feel unsafe.  They become exiled and feel belittled and scared, even terrified. 

Okay.  Now comes the tie of all it together.  Cool kid 'A' wants to be cool and twirl his gun on his finger.  Gun goes off and kills Cool kid 'B'.  All kids around think it's another school shooting and start panicing.  Misfires go off killing others, people start panicing and firing all over the place.  Don't laugh.  You know it could happen.  It has happened in the past in different environments.  Laughing only means you can't accept it.

Scenario number 2.  Cool Kid 'E' wants to bully Timmy who he's always bullied.  He ratted on him while he was cheating on a test (or something, the typical stuff that deludes a kid to bully, I wouldn't know, I never involved myself in school, I just seen it alot).  Anyhow, E slams Timmy's face into a locker and throws a grin on his face.  Timmy is paniced and first thing comes to mind is that he has a gun in his pocket that he got to protect himself.  He turns and fires.  Now, put the previous paragraph scenario into play.  People panic and pull guns.

Again, this isn't a joke.  If you can't see this happening then you have not been to a public school.  Yes, there are school shootings alot these days.  But if you don't want to see them increase and labeled "Accident turned brutal" or "Bully gets a cap in his head?" then don't accept this in your schools.  Stand up.

God forgive our schools and the stray as we pray they see the wrong in their ways.  Instead of fighting bulet with bulet, bring out the prayer. 

God Bless.

My parents, on a regular basis, have on TV one of those music stations.  It plays music non stop of a specific genre, shows album pictures, and of course the artist/song/album name.  Of course the genre being Christian music.

Problem I keep noticing is with the album pictures.  These people look mad.. upset.. sad..  I keep yelling every time I walk by "SMILE!!" and "Why do they look so upset?"  We all know the answer to that of course, but it's upsetting.  Some person is flipping channels through, see a Christian station, and some mad person singing "God Saves!" merrily.  They are going to think "Why would I want to be a 'Christian', they look sad."

The answer we all know of course being that they want to look cool.  They want to look sexy.  They want to look "hot".  This is a complete backwards to their music itself.  Praise God, look happy, who cares what people think of how you look.  At that, show pictures of praising hands or of His Cross.

You're supposed to be a light of hope for the lost.  A beacon of love to show them our Lord and Savior.  If you are singing for God, then let it be for him.  Not the fame and the earthly glory of looking sexy and lustful.

BE HAPPY!  SMILE!!  GOD LOVES YOU!!!

Okay, my dorky title creation.  Today I was discussing with my mother about my ongoing idea of getting a Mac laptop.  My original plans was to slowly gather the funds and buy it.  Other idea was to setup a payment plan.  May end up going with the payment plan, so I now have to scramble to decide which Mac laptop I want.

I guess I was not alone in this problem.  As Apple.com has such a HORRIBLE information spreadsheet for it's very small list of products at any given time.  I mean... 8 whopping laptops total at the moment.  3MB, 2MBA, and 3MBP (MB=MacBook, A=Air, P=Pro).  Only 8 products in a category and you can't list more than just 5 things about it?

So anyhow, I ran around and did some research.  Running into millions of people asking "What exactly do I get for 900 extra bucks between MB and MBP?  (As for MBA, not even slightly interested in that junk).

This is what I'm finding (Important stuff for me anyhow):
-MBP has separate stronger graphics card versus MB's integrated graphics card.  The only thing that really uses the graphics card is things like Video Editing, 3D rendering, and Gaming.  I don't do any of those on a regular basis, and if I have to, I still have my PC for that rarety.
-MB has only glossy display versus MBP having choice between glossy and matte.  Basically, Glossy is more vibrant but get glare outdoors.  Matte is less bright but doesn't get the glare of outdoors.  I don't do much outside, so think Glossy is fine.  I do fear however later, when I'm used to being able to leave a desk when computing, I may like to type outside, which this may be a problem later..
-While MB only has 13 inch screen option, MBP has 15-17 inch.  This doesn't bother me so much as I enjoy the idea of smaller for something I carry around.
-MBP has a backlight for keys while MB doesnt.  I'm not a "Hunt-and-peck" person, so this doesn't bother me.  But may be as I'm not used to laptop key layout.
-MBP supposidly has a better responce keys, meaning they react to slighter touch and push back quicker.  I only heard this from one person, so not sure if it's true.

So basically, the only thing that really has me wondering if I should shell out an extra 800 bucks is reaction keys and the glossy versus matte thing. 

Ugh, aside from all that, I think I got my fill of MacFanbois for an entire year.  One of the more funny things was a guy saying "Can your PC do this".  A video of him with a website up, then opening 40 files in different windows, then cascading them all over his screen.  Afterwards, with MSN Messanger running, vista side bar, object dock, Aero transparancies, dreamscene background, winamp, and firefox with the youtube video still up.  I opened 40 some files in seperate windows flawlessly, then used Vista's cascading 3d alt-tab to flip through them seamlessly.  This is all on a custom built AMD Dual Core PC with 4 Gigs of Ram and integrated video. The Macbook would have at least a 2 GHz dual core INTEL processor and of course integrated video.  Not sure the RAM, but I'm sure the above currently running programs would offset a little.  Kicker being my PC only costed me 300 bucks, versus 1200+.

I am no PC fanboi.  I'm a Computer user.  Macs have the same components as PC.  PC has same components as Macs.  Only difference is a bridging difference at the Processing side and the Operating Systems.  I wish some people would just give the whole thing a rest.  They both have their purposes.

Well, hopefully here soon I'll have my new laptop.  So I won't be chained to my desk anymore.  Wish me luck.  If anyone has any input, let me know.

God Bless.

My Pastor is out of town for the week.  My father and family friend OT along with my pastor goes weekly to the local County jail to minister to the people there.  Well, this week I went with my father and OT since they were of course a man short. 

Last night I was kind of frightened by the idea when I realized I'd be going to a jail.  Always had the haunting visions in my head of countless movies and reports of stories of happenings in jails.  Was almost going to back down at the last minute but decided to go anyhow.  I have to say afterward I was really happy I went.

We were a little saddened that we were unable to bring in our bi-monthly gift bags we give them that is full of different things such as soap, shampoo, batteries, toothbrushes, toothpaste.  Guy currently working at the front just had no information that we did that so it was alright.  He apologized but we quickly said it was okay.  Can't blame a person for doing their job. 

We gathered in a room and members slowly walked in one by one.  Started out with about 4 initially before we started talking alot.  Eventually turned in 8 people.  Giving each a greeting handshake and hug.

We discussed some different topics to break the ice til we had about 6 of the 8 in.  My dad then brought out a lesson my pastor made to discuss.  But after reading the first scripture we quickly dove into a 3 hour "rabbit hole" where we all took turns discussing the topic into another into another.  But it all ended up being for the good.  We all input alot of personal experiences, verses, life changing points, gospel, ect.

I felt really comfortable and spoke many times.  It was nice.  I hope to go again soon.

Thank the Lord for a great night of speaking, learning, and ministry.  I couldn't have walked through the door without his guidance. 

Kind of a random post, but feeling random today.  I don't know dog breed names very well, so excuse my inaccuracy.  But I would say Daisy is a black Border Collie.  Very shaggy. 

She's a very old dog that lives next door to us.  I can't say her and the other dog with her is not well kept, they are fed and watered.  However the other is limp back leg and they both are infested with huge ticks.  I don't think I've ever seen their owners spend time with them.  They just get excited when they come by to feed them, then that's it.  I never really got around to getting the other's attention or knowing it's name.  I just knew Daisy's because my mother said that was her name.

Our dogs, a daughtson and a dalmation, get bark spews back and forth.  The dalmation more excited, with a wagging tail.  While the daughtson seems more jealous and agressive (The standard little dog that thinks it's bigger than it is).

With that in mind, interaction and giving Daisy almost unseen attention, I drop by the fence when the other dogs arnt around, and give her much needed petting.  She's overly excited when I do.

Some people rescue animals, some people get them as a present, some present them as a present, some discard them after the first couple months as neusance, some cherish them as family.  Man is to rule over animals.  As food, assistance, transport, companion, or aid.  Abuse of it is just anger.  Neglect is just as the same. 

God Bless.

So today, I discovered something that will stick with me for life.  I will never, ever become a carpenter.

Today my parents wanted to strip down the kitchen cabinets that consisted of 14 doors and 4 drawers.  Well, after we got done taking apart all the things easily taken apart.  I picked up the sander and went at the doors and drawers.  Then later went at the cabinet shell itself.  I got so much random particles in my eyes, and self because it jettison out the side and front. 

Left me with a splitting head ache and sore eyes.  The entire house is left filled with dust.  But at least I was able to do it instead of my father.  Thank the Lord for the strength to get done what was needed.