The Muslims and the Preschool........

I am associated with two schools which I sometimes discuss here in 'comments'...  One is a preschool and I would like to talk about an incident that was touching and, I think, informative.

The preschool is a part of a church and "church" is in the title of the school, but we get parents interviewing us and asking "Do you actually talk about Jesus?"   The answer from our Director, of course, is always 'Yes'.   We lose a few, but not many.  There is no preaching but there are age-appropriate stories from the Bible from time to time, fun Christian songs, and the children learn prayers from time to time, learn Judeo-Christian values, and certainly celebrate Easter and Christmas at the school.  They also, on occasion, join the church service on Sunday and sing songs they have learned; the parents love this.  SO, I get to my story...

Last week was the Preschool Graduation Ceremony where little awards were given and we who guest-teach 30 min. classes each week on certain subjects, have the children show off what they've learned.   During this show and dinner which we hosted for the children and their parents, I saw something worth talking about;

A MUSLIM FAMILY from Saudi Arabia ("I am a Prince in my country") joined our preschool about eight months ago,   They asked about Jesus being mentioned at the school and our Director did not shirk (she actually wondered if this difference in religions was a good match herself, anyway) and said Jesus is definitely a part of our school, and...they enrolled.   All has gone very well.  Somehow, without bilingual education, their little girl has even learned a lot of English!  

Last week's Graduation was just starting when I saw the Muslim family come in (I had never seen them as their child doesn't come to school on the day I teach my particular once-a-week class) .  They were not hard to miss as the mother had a Chanel scarf wrapped as a hijab around her absolutely gorgeous, flawless face.  She was also wearing a rather roomy beige coat buttoned up to her chin on that warm evening.  The husband was relaxed and cool in his short sleeved shirt and slacks, a skinny man who's appearance, if you don't mind my saying so, didn't seem to merit her simply beautiful face. They had the little 4 year old who attended our school and an infant in a stroller.  They sat down at one of the tables and watched the show.    It was touching to see their smiles and to see the father join, with his camera, the parent-paparazzi as they all stood up holding cell phones and cameras in the air above others' heads in order  to catch the action on stage!  All the parents looked happy and very proud.

Later, the show was over and everyone was in line getting the dinner which was served to the whole group, and a friend of mine and I passed by this family as they sat at the end of a long table.  It was clear they were not participating in the dinner, but they were still there.  The Muslim man suddenly handed me and my friend a small cup and we realized it was something very hot, coming out of a thermos he had brought with him.   We accepted with smiles and thank you's and took a sip;  it was like a mulled wine tea, strong with herbs and ginger, and quite good.  As I thanked the man, he reached into a bag and brought out a plastic container with dates and opened it and offered me some.  I only took one, which killed me because I love dates, and it was delicious and I thanked him.  Despite the language problem, he made his point of being gracious and generous and I made my point of being very thankful and delighted at his generosity and thoughtfulness.

As I walked away with my friend, both of us sipping our brew, I said "Don't tell ME you didn't think 'now we're all going to die', what's in this stuff?"  She said it hadn't crossed her mind and then we both burst into laughter. A little nervous humor never hurts!

One of the teachers at our Christian preschool is Jewish from Iran.  Yes, she is, and some on the School Board hesitated to hire her because teachers take turns doing a 20 minute weekly chapel for the children.  This Jewish woman steps up to the bat and does a charming Christian chapel for the children, always including Jesus.Near the end of the dinner, the Muslim family still there, I looked over and saw our Jewish teacher in some kind of conversation with the Muslim couple... I say "some kind of conversation" because how they communicated is beyond me, but perhaps the Muslims have learned enough English in the months they've been here... ?   Anyway, I said to a friend "Look, the Jew and the Muslims at the Christian preschool...isn't that good?"    

It was a good night. Would that the world could be like that.  Would that we could all trust enough to 'drink from the cup...'

But, because of the flawed, even horrifying reputation other muslims have perpetrated, it's not so easy, is it.   I felt that family is aware of that and that our school had always put them at ease...a good thing.  What a tangled web......

z

OBL: Finally, the real story?

Osama Bin Laden was living with 3 wives in one compound and never left the house for 5 years. It is now believed he called the U.S. Navy Seals himself. :-)  THANKS, Impertinent! z

Sunday Faith Blog...and Father's Day

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MANY FATHERS AT GEEEZ!   

This being Sunday, it's a great day to honor your earthly father and your Heavenly Father even more than usual!    I want to take this day to thank you good fathers out there who've raised solid Americans who love this country and appreciate its exceptionalism and its blessings.  I know some of you have lost your fathers, as I have, and it's a time to remember them and feel the gratitude we have for who they were and what they did for us, isn't it.

"The father of a righteous man has great joy;  he who has a wise son (or daughter) delights in him.
May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
My son, my daughter, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways." Proverbs 23:24-26

"My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."-- Clarence Budington Kelland,

Can some of you GeeeZ Dads tell us what your family cooked up for you today?  Did you get a card from a geographically distanced child that made you happy?  Did you get a yacht? :-)  Did you go to the movies or get a special meal?  Tell us!  Thanks!  XX


Happy Father's Day to Mr. Z, who gave me the honor of mothering and fathering his two adult children when he left us.  And Happy Father's Day, Dad....I miss you very much.

Congratulations, L and M XXX
Z

DON'T MESS WITH TRAVIS

The book DON'T MESS WITH TRAVIS is getting great reviews in all sorts of outlets.  The author, Bob Smiley, and I share a good friend......This book is supposed to be great!  I included the plot down below the glowing reviews below; Sounds like most of us would love it!   Here's one review HERE........

"If there were a Nobel Prize for political wit, Bob Smiley’s novel Don’t Mess With Travis would win it in a landslide. Much needed in this angry political season!"

-- Steve Forbes

"A freewheeling satire that does for politics what Texan Dan Jenkins' antic fictions did for golf and football. Smiley's first novel disproves the notion that conservatives can't be really funny." -- Kirkus Reviews

"One of the year's best, and arguably the most stinging work of political satire since Christopher Buckley's Boomsday. Sacred cows on the left... beware." -- Breitbart.com

"Smiley's incisive and derisive view of the political process makes this razor-sharp debut novel a timely and entertaining read."

-- Booklist

"The world of politics is anything but funny these days. That's why Bob Smiley's new book Don't Mess With Travis is so refreshing. If you need an escape and your politics lean to the right, put away the Wall Street Journal, crack open an ice cold beer, and prepare to laugh and cheer for a not so unlikely political hero."

-- Mark Meckler, co-founder Tea Party Patriots

"Some people might say that Don't Mess with Travis is a mix of Carl Hiaasen and George Will. But it's more than just a witty blend of larger-than-life characters and a prescient political narrative: It's intelligent satire - true on both the human and policy dimensions... Smiley is this generation's Christopher Buckley."

-- Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies, Cato Institute

"Bob Smiley gives us two things we really need: 1) a funny book about politics and 2) a Texas governor we can all get behind."

-- Steve Hely, author of How I Became a Famous Novelist and The Ridiculous Race

"A terrific read for the 2012 campaign season... funny for folks on either side of the aisle." -- Jeremy Blachman, author of Anonymous Lawyer

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Written with the comedic mastery of Christopher Buckley, Don't Mess with Travis tells the story of Ben Travis, a no-name Texas senator who becomes governor after a late-night accident takes the lives of the men ahead of him in the chain of command.

Before the paint has even dried on his parking spot, the recently divorced Travis uncovers the latest Washington power grab and decides there's only one solution: secession.

The stunt pits Travis (and Texas) against the president, a golf-obsessed, progressive egomaniac with spotty leadership skills, and the liberal elites behind him, who will try every dirty trick to derail the new governor and hold on to the most prosperous state in the Union.

Despite the doomsday threats from D.C., Travis forges ahead in a thrilling and hysterical quest to fight big government tyranny and restore sanity to the nation.

In the tradition of Advise and Consent and Primary Colors, Don't Mess with Travis brilliantly lampoons all that's wrong with present-day politics while waving the flag behind everything that's right.

 

 (and don't miss my post below about more Obama hypocrisy...amazing!)
z

Can't stop Deportation Through EXECUTIVE ORDER? REALLY?

RUH ROH!   I think Obama's a little confused.    Hoisted on his own petard..that's the expression, I think.



But... he HAS done it..............He HAS halted deportation and all on his own!!......what?

And Romney thinks Obama's move will make it harder for young immigrants! Click here:  MY GOODNESS!
Now, some of you might not like Romney's take on this, I'm not too big on it, but the kids ARE HERE and we need to wake up and realize THEY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.   The problem isn't that they're here, the problem is that many don't WANT to be American and they're taking money from us.  BIG MONEY.  And they're taking college slots that American, particularly white, kids can't get because they're not minorities, etc.   If we can fix these things............we'll have immigrants like my grandparents and yours who add to our country in wonderful ways.   And there are many Latinos who are like that, but others......not so much, sadly.

So, is Obama saying one thing and doing another?  I think so.  

(thanks, Ellen and Peter)
z

SANTA MONICA BEACH............by Mr. Z....I love this one.....  z

Germany's reaction to Obama...."you've lost that lovin' feelin...."

I emailed a very dear friend in Germany, a business man with whom Mr. Z dealt, and asked him what Germany's saying now about Obama.   He wrote back today about what he's reading and seeing in Germany and this post today, below the image, is all his. His English is obviously very good and I only changed a few things that you might not have understood.  Many Germans bought into the glamor and 'hope' but I think many of you will remember that, while the American media said Germany was glowing under Obama's spell as he spoke in Berlin, many Germans found it inappropriate that any American candidate would campaign there, particularly asking to speak at the Brandenburg Gates (he was turned down and wasn't happy), where only the highest Germans ever are allowed to speak. When I said to Mr. Z "But look how many thousands are out there to see him" he reminded me that on a rare warm night in Germany, anybody will come out for free food and rock music before any speaker. But, many Germans, of course, mostly the very left-leaning intelligentsia at the big papers and magazines like liberal Der Spiegel, loved him..HOPE! CHANGE! Hurrah for America! (remember, many of them only have the Int'l Herald Tribune to read in English, which reprints their owner, the NYTimes' articles so they don't get all the truth). The latest Der Spiegel cover, provided to me by my friend, is here along with Klaus's review of what even very liberal Spiegel is now saying:

P I T Y   (SCHADE means PITY...or "How sad")
Obama's failed presidency.
Obama- a President of Disappointments


He is responsible for the big "Graben" (fissure) between the Americans and the demerger and schism of the American society. The article names many of his failures and shows that he did too many promises that he didn't keep. He failed with his so intensively announced  project of national reconciliation, on the contrary, he has contributed to America's split. The cultural struggle has strengthened, rather than to (become) calm during his presidency. But the Republican-dominated House of representatives makes it extremely hard for him and in such a climate, no president would have the opportunity to shape the world to his wishes.


Consequently, for many citizens Washington became an object of hate, the epitome of mediocrity and botch-up.  Many are willing to reckon up his deeds (ignore the problems) with his charisma, what is irrational and naive.He has stylized himself to the noble knight of the change. CHANGE stood on his flag.. His slogan "yes, we can" went around the world , but in America now the feeling prevails - even with his adherers and fellow party members, that he simply didn't deliver and perform on many fields.


What I notice in the financial economy and with my many international contacts is pretty alarming - at least for me.  Many of these guys fear that Obama could win some terrain in the last months so that they believe he'll be re-elected.
What a creepy vision !!  **  End of Klaus's input.

Thank you, Klaus, for your overview of the Spiegel article and the sense you're getting from those you talk to.  It is alarming, you are so right.

Z

Secret intelligence? WHICH PART?

U.S. expands secret intelligence operations in Africa

The U.S. military is expanding its secret intelligence operations across Africa, establishing a network of small air bases to spy on terrorist hideouts from the fringes of the Sahara to jungle terrain along the equator, according to documents and people involved in the project.


At the heart of the surveillance operations are small, unarmed turboprop aircraft disguised as private planes.


THEN, get a load of THIS "SECRET" INFORMATION:

A hub for secret network
A key hub of the U.S. spying network can be found in Ouagadougou (WAH-gah-DOO-goo), the flat, sunbaked capital of Burkina Faso, one of the most impoverished countries in Africa.
Under a classified surveillance program code-named Creek Sand, dozens of U.S. personnel and contractors have come to Ouagadougou in recent years to establish a small air base on the military side of the international airport.

Well....I don't imagine one can hide easily in Ouagadougou since it's so flat and impoverished.  And I don't imagine our guys all LOOK like they're from Burkina Faso, right?  And they now know the code name is Creek Sand, and they know about how many US personnel and contractors are there.....which part is the SECRET?


Is it me, or is this another kind of leak, compliments of the Washington Post?!!

z

FLAG DAY

ANGRY Democrats.....it's about time

Wait till you read THIS.....(thanks to "Jan" for emailing it to me)...I've always said that we can't win this election unless Democrats start seeing through Obama, too.

Well...it's happening.   Dianne Feinstein is furious about, well..Fast and FURIOUS.....other Democrats voted with Republicans to force the AG to come up with the approximately 80,000 of pages they've refused to turn over. (until today, as Holder is finally saying he will "compromise"....a word which seems to be yet another jab at Republicans, right?).

But there's new trouble that needs exposure before Americans vote.  Here is the excerpt from the above linked article I thought you should see (and PLEASE send to voting friends and family):

The leaked document has been posted on the website of Public Citizen, a long-time critic of the administration's trade objectives. The new leak follows substantial controversy surrounding the secrecy of the talks, in which some members of Congress have complained they are not being given the same access to trade documents that corporate officials receive.
"The outrageous stuff in this leaked text may well be why U.S. trade officials have been so extremely secretive about these past two years of [trade] negotiations," said Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch in a written statement.
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has been so incensed by the lack of access as to introduce legislation requiring further disclosure. House Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) has gone so far as to leak a separate document from the talks on his website. Other Senators are considering writing a letter to Ron Kirk, the top trade negotiator under Obama, demanding more disclosure.
The newly leaked document is one of the most controversial of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. It addresses a broad sweep of regulations governing international investment and reveals the Obama administration's advocacy for policies that environmental activists, financial reform advocates and labor unions have long rejected for eroding key protections currently in domestic laws.
Under the agreement currently being advocated by the Obama administration, American corporations would continue to be subject to domestic laws and regulations on the environment, banking and other issues. But foreign corporations operating within the U.S. would be permitted to appeal key American legal or regulatory rulings to an international tribunal. That international tribunal would be granted the power to overrule American law and impose trade sanctions on the United States for failing to abide by its rulings.

This is quite something, isn't it.   WE will have to continue to have our hands tied but foreigners....?  notsomuch.  We're living in an anti-American TWILIGHT ZONE, folks.........

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

z