Bobservations

Having read Stephen King’s The Stand … a few times … and seen the original TV mini-series, I wanted to watch the remake, so Carlos and I sat down to do so. He’d never read the book—King is not someone he cares for—or seen the original, so I explained that it takes place after a worldwide pandemic killed most of the population, and how it’s basically a battle of good versus evil. Carlos said it sounded like another movie we watched, and I asked which one and he said:

“There was a woman, and her husband was part of a men’s club—”

“The Stepford Wives?”

“No. There was a forest and trees and the children were not nice and there was an exit. And there were monsters in the woods; well, not monsters, but dogs or wolves.”

Ah, the movie with the husband and wife and kids and trees and an exit. God, I love that one.

Sidenote: he has never figured out what the movie and is sticking by his description.

Never underestimate a MAGAt’s ability to push two opposing ideas at the same time and think it makes sense.

Can someone, anyone, point out to me one single mega church in this country that has offered any help to Ukraine?

That’s what I thought.

I love when the weather changes and you can break out the Spring and Summer looks, like this nice jacket and tie, the high-waisted short shorts, the boots and the cool leather codpiece.

I’ll be the hit of the Farmer’s Market this weekend.

Mark Meadows, Thing 45’s former Chief of Staff, is accusing the January 6 Committee of leaking the text messages he provided to the panel in an effort to vilify him.

Oh Mark, you voter fraud, complicit asshat. They released your texts with your words so if anyone is trying to vilify you, look at yourself in a mirror. If you can.

MaxGoldberg has not been feeling well lately, and off to the vet we went again, only to discover that he has the same kidney issues as Tuxedo. Luckily, the suggestion was to put MaxGoldberg on the same diet as Tuxedo—who’s doing very well, thank you—and see how it goes.

The funniest part about all this is that, while Tuxedo has been eating the new food for several months, and MaxGoldberg has been trying to sneak a bite of it every chance he gets, but as soon as we put out the new food for him, he turns up his nose at it and walks away.

It was good when it was someone else’s food, but now that it’s his? Not so much.

Another thought on that SCOTUS anti-abortion draft … if all those men are so anti-abortion, perhaps they should get vasectomies. More vasectomies, less abortion, am I right?

Samuel Johnson, a former CEO of health care company VisuWell, is suing comedian Kathy Griffin, for ALLEGEDLY doxing him on Twitter, causing him to lose his job.

In case you don’t remember, Johnson lost his job shortly after Griffin Tweeted about his conduct toward a high school student. He was caught on tape stalking and berating then-student Dalton Stevens, who was wearing a red prom dress and headed to the dance with his boyfriend, Jacob Geittmann. Johnson told him he looked like an idiot and harassed him non-stop.

Um, Sam? That’s why you got canned. You acted like a homophobic jackass to a stranger and were caught on tape and Kathy Tweeted it. Next time, keep your ignorance to yourself, and you can keep your job.

A little more on the chance of Roe v Wade being overturned … the GOP has said, repeatedly, that stricter gun laws will not result in fewer guns deaths, but they want you to believe  that stricter abortion laws will result in fewer abortions.

PS Remember the statistic last week that the number one cause of death in children in the United Sates is death from guns, but, again, the GOP doesn’t want to address that because they don’t care about children once they are outside the womb.

This is Maor Luz, a 31-year-old fashion designer from Israel. A fashion designer and yet some of his best photos he’s not wearing the fashions, and I’m good with that but, Would You Hit It?

Two More Examples Of How "Christian Love" Is An Oxymoron

Remember how we all saw the outpouring of Christian love after Hurricane Harvey battered Houston? You know, like when millionaire mega-church “pastor” Joel Osteen immediately opened up his church for victims of the flooding after people shamed him for ignoring those in need on social media.

And, as a sidenote, if you didn’t hear, Muslim mosques opened up during the storm and welcomed anyone who needed assistance. But, you know, Muslims, terrorists, they must have been training those homeless folks how to build bombs or something.

But this isn’t about that; this is about Carmen Nix, a Navy combat veteran, who began volunteering in any way she could; she donated $500 worth of food to the food bank at the Calvary Church in Friendswood, Texas, and then took a week off from work so she could assist folks at the church who had no place to go after the storm. And then, in a stunning display of Christian love, the Calvary Church “fired” Carmen Nix when they found out she was :::gasp::: Jewish and :::double gasp::: a lesbian.

After three days of volunteering, Nix was called into an office to meet with the church’s pastor, Ron Hindt, who asked why she said “Shalom” after every prayer. When she explained that she was Jewish, she was asked to leave and not return.

And she did, but she was still so stunned at what had happened she called the church later that day to tell off the so-called “Good Christian” Hindt, who stunned her further by inviting her to meet him. She agreed, but when they met she wasn’t given a ‘Thank you’ or an apology, but was grilled about being a Lesbian.

When Nix told the “pastor” that she and her partner, or twenty years, Christia Fiddmont-Norfleet, had raised two children together, the “pastor” simply said:

“We can’t let you represent our church, as being a lesbian is a sin.”

Carmen Nix posted the story to Facebook:

SO! I have volunteered for the past few days tirelessly, working at the food pantry at Calvary Church, as it is close to my house. Took a week off of work in order to do so. Donated over $500 worth of food to the pantry and showed up every day as I agreed. Hit my neighbors up for donations and delivered 3 cars full of donations.

TODAY, I was "FIRED" from volunteering because I identify as Jewish (discovering my Jewish heritage recently) and would not say that I was Christian when called into the "Principal's Office" by the Head of their food pantry. I called the church and let them know how I felt when I got home. Pastor "Ron" asked if I would meet with him at Calvary. I went. He also informed me that it was thought or it was rumored that I am a Lesbian, which is against their Christian beliefs.

In actuality, I was asked by one of the volunteers if I was in a relationship and I said, "Yes, I have been in a relationship with a woman for 20 years." I guess she took it upon herself to pass that little fact on to someone. I told Pastor "Ron" that when they called me to volunteer, they didn't bother to ask me to check or not check those boxes...Jewish and Lesbian. Told him...

"When you needed me, it didn't matter. Now that you're dwindling down the operation, it seems to matter."

He gave me the tired "blah, blah, blah" that Pastors have a tendency to do. "We can't let you represent our church, as being a Lesbian is a sin..." I let him know he should be ashamed to call himself a Christian. Long story short.... DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO ANY CALVARY CHURCH...THE ARE NATIONWIDE. UNLESS YOU FEEL THAT BEING JEWISH OR GAY DISQUALIFIES ONE FROM TRYING TO HELP THOSE LESS FORTUNATE THAN YOURSELF. (You know that Christian Mantra...do onto others...etc). Just sayin'...

After her story was posted, “Pastor” Hindt responded, though his message was soon deleted; luckily, Carmen Nix shared it with us:

THIS WAS POSTED ON THE CALVARY WEBSITE IN RELATION TO MY ISSUE:

"As you know, Calvary Houston has been providing assistance to those in great need in the community in the wake of Hurricane Harvey with a Disaster Relief effort. We’ve prepared and served over 40,000 meals, cleaned out many homes, and provided food and supplies to those who have suffered devastating loss. We are so thankful for the hundreds of wonderful volunteers that have come out to serve the community with us. Of course, as a church our ultimate goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Recently, a resident of the community volunteered to serve with us and we wholeheartedly accepted her assistance. Honestly, the need is great in this area. We are so thankful for the many who have volunteered.

Unfortunately, we’re saddened by an incident involving some miscommunication that took place off campus in an exchange between various community volunteers at the church’s food pantry.

I met with the individual who was upset and apologized for the misunderstanding. (I apologize once again if you are reading this.) I invited her and her partner to sit with my wife and I in church this Sunday.

For the last twenty-six years, our heart at Calvary Houston has been to reach out and share the love of Christ to all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, etc. As demonstrated to our community for the last two weeks during the Disaster Relief effort on-site, this position has not changed.

Once again, I want to thank all of our volunteers, city officials, police officers, firefighters, first responders, and military personnel. You are the best! We love you!"

Carmen Nix says this is what actually happened:

“He invited my partner and I to come to his church and the spirit of the Lord would show me the evil of my ways and would change my hearts to realize that my 20 year relationship with my wife was a sin. Please let the Calvary Church know how you feel about my being fired as a volunteer and my contributions of time and money to his food pantry.”

I guess the “Good Christians” at Calvary Church don’t want Jews helping, and don’t like lesbians volunteering either.

I wonder what Jesus would do ....

Down under in Australia, the battle for marriage equality is heating up, and the anti-equality folks are getting quite ugly. But this is vile because it comes from a Presbyterian church, Ebenezer St John’s in Ballarat.

Steven North, the “pastor” at the church, has cancelled a straight couple’s wedding because the bride-to-be spoke out in support of marriage equality in Australia.

The country is holding a postal survey to help decide if parliament will allow same-sex couples to marry, and the 26 year-old woman posted a message of support to the gay community; she said same-sex couples should be able to marry, and that same-sex marriage has no affect on her relationship with her soon-to-be-husband.

“Pastor” North wrote a letter to the woman as well, saying:

“[Y]our commitment to same-sex marriage opposes the teaching of Christ Jesus and the scriptural position practiced by the Presbyterian Church of Australia and by me. This conflict of views has practical consequences in relation to your upcoming wedding.”

The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, have decided to leave the church, and posted their letter to North online:

“We feel this decision is absolutely disgraceful and is a disgrace to you and all the church, especially when we have been loyal and valued members of this congregation for 10 years. You were made aware from the beginning of our proceedings that we had gay friends and also that people in our wedding party were gay. How could you assume that we would abandon them or degrade them with regards to same-sex marriage?”

I guess “pastor” North is all keen on The Gays coming to his church, or even taking part in a “straight” wedding if they fill its coffers with their coins, but he will definitely not be marrying any same-sex couples or any opposite-sex couples who are pro-equality.

And I guarantee that neither Hindt nor North can explain why people are leaving their churches in droves, leaving organized religion by the masses.

Maybe it’s the hypocrisy?

But, for those of you who believe ...

Houston

Australia

Buy Bishop Hilliard New Helicopter Blades And God Will Give You A New Car

I have posted quite a bit about my views on organized religion, but let me say it again, clearly and concisely: I am against it because it’s seems more exclusive than inclusive. And I often wonder why the pastors and priests, reverends, rabbis and ministers often live in the best houses and drive the newest cars while talking about doing their all for God.

Now I know why …

Let’s take a look at one Bishop I. V. Hilliard, who has built what many call a religious empire at the New Light Church in Houston. He has thousands of, ahem, followers, and also has six locations for his church. He’s like the Visa card; he’s everywhere you want to be. And now he wants to be in your wallet.

The Bishop has sent a letter to members of his church asking for donations. Okay, so church leaders are always asking for donations to feed the needy or help the homeless, or buy a new car or something, but Hilliard s letter tells church members that he needs to raise $50,000 to replace the blades on the church helicopter.

Yes. The.Church.Helicopter.

I mean, you cannot expect Hilliard  a holy man of God to travel by car like minions can you? He needs to fly, and he needs his flock to pay for it. And, in return for their donations of just $52 each, his congregation will receive a blessing from God. You don’t say? What kind of blessing, and when?

Well, Hilliard says if you give him $52 so he can fix his whirlybird, God will give you a new car--apparently God thinks he’s Oprah--and you will receive said car in 52 days … or 52 weeks. The Bishop isn’t sure because, apparently, God is still working out the details with the local dealership.

And the crazy part of this whole mess is that some people are giving the fifty bucks for the new chopper blades and will be sitting home for the next year waiting for the sound of a car horn in their driveway.

One couple, who briefly attended New Light, differ on the issue of donating to replace the blades on the helicopter. Michelle says, "There are people out there who need that $50 for something else …  maybe he can get a company to donate it." Her husband, Roger, says, “Yeah I think it's a good idea if that's what it needs."

Here’s hoping Michelle holds the purse strings in that family.

When asked about his request from his congregation to pay for his new helicopter blades, Bishop Hilliard issued this statement:

New Light Church World Outreach and Worship Centers, Inc. regularly make appeals to Special Partners, Members and friends of the church for the support of various programs and services. Occasionally, it is not uncommon for an appeal to be directed toward specific Kingdom projects or specific needs.

In this instance, the appeal was directed to our Special Partners and friends who are familiar with the Biblical principles upon which we base our faith. We sincerely regret if anyone was offended by this appeal in that it was not our intent.

Bishop Ira V. Hilliard

Doin’ God’s work. In a helicopter paid for by the congregation in exchange for one of God’s cars to come their way.

source

Just A Thought

Glass Houses and Such

T.D. Jakes is a pastor at one of those megachurches, this one in Dallas. And of course, being that he needs the cash to feed his ego, er, his lavish lifestyle, I mean, uh, church, Jakes sermonizes all kinds of anti-gay hate. He has said that he would never hire a sexually active gay person, is (obviously) against same-sex marriage, and has called homosexuality a "brokenness."

Brokenness.

Pot.

Kettle.

Black

See, 'cuz this minister of hate's son was arrested in a sex sting after approaching law enforcement officers in a park and exposed himself to them while masturbating. Yes, indeedy, young Jermaine Jakes pulled out his weenie in front of cops and gave it a little stroke-me-stoke-me to boot.

Daddy done raised a good boy. A good boy so obviously full of self-loathing that he takes to jerkin' off in parks for a good time.

According to the Dallas Voice: "Jermaine Donnell Jakes, 29, faces a charge of indecent exposure after allegedly exposing himself in front of two undercover vice detectives shortly after 10 p.m. on Jan. 3. Senior Cpl. Janice Crowther, a DPD spokeswoman, confirmed Thursday, Feb. 12 that the detectives were both male. According to an arrest affidavit, the detectives were conducting an investigation into citizen complaints of sexual activity when they observed Jakes and several other unknown males park their vehicles in the lot east of the park at 2106 W. Kiest Blvd. The detectives followed Jakes into a wooded area, where he approached them with his penis exposed through his unzipped pants, the affidavit states. Jakes masturbated for several seconds while making eye contact with one of the detectives. Jakes made no attempt to conceal his penis despite people walking and jogging on a trail nearby, the affidavit states. According to court records, Jermaine Jakes listed his place of employment as T.D. Jakes Ministries."

So, the masturbator works in Daddy's church?

The flock is gonna love that. Until Daddy T.D. calls his son a sickness, a brokenness, and offers to counsel the lad to put him back on the ' ahem,' straight and narrow. See, T.D. needs some damage control; his ministry, Potter House, has a membership of 30,000, and that's a whole bunch of money comin' in each week.

Seriously though, when are these supposed 'men of God' going to start checking themselves before they cast that first stone.

Jimmy Swaggart anyone?

Ted Haggard ring a bell?

All of these holier-than-thou-holy-rollers need to take a step back and realize that the world is made up of all kinds of folks, and they ought not be demonizing any one group lest they are secure in the fact that they aren't a member of said group.

Or the father of a member.