Back in Regularville---Light Years From Jackson Hole

SATURDAY: ROBER SPENSER---HOW MUSLIMS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE VERY FABRIC OF AMERICA UPDATE: HAPPY 102ND BIRTHDAY MILTON!
10 THINGS WINEMAKERS WON'T TELL YOU

ALTHOUGH IT POURED RAIN ALL DAY TUESDAY, AS I DROVE ACROSS WYOMING---6-7 HOURS AROUND YELLOWSTONE TO AVOID GOING THROUGH IT --to meeting friends in Clark near the Montana border--I already feel like I've landed in another universe.  Notwithstanding the 500 or so Hells Angels who are  convening in Cody this week,  it seems the tourist-scene is far in my rear view mirror.  I'm now in regular, middle-America again, where I belong. You can get a cheap cup of coffee here.

Although I'm committed to a near total blog-fast for the next 5-7 days,  I got talked into riding to Powell, Wyoming this morning with a friend and here I am in a wifi coffee shop with my little Dell laptop.  This is the sweetest, cleanest, slowest little town where mostly conservative ranchers and townspeople live and work year-round. It's not the center of political correctness, so I feel quite at home here.

Love it!  The sun is out and now all we have to do is wait for the rivers to come down and clear up, so we can do a little fly fishing.  We still have to watch out for grizzlies---though most of them are in the higher elevations to avoid the heat.  But on top of that, we now have to watch out for rattlesnakes---which JH doesn't have.  If it ain't one thing,  it's another, as they like to say in the South.

Also,  one of my men friends in JH just gave me a book on the Scots-Irish on American culture---Born Fighting---and I've dived into it like a swimming pool in 110 degree heat.  Terrific history lesson....so much so,  all I now want to do is read, read, read....and wait for the water to come down!

Hollyhocks, Rivers and Friends

EVEN THOUGH I KNOW IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO THE SOUTH SOON,  I feel a true melancholy to be leaving Jackson. Sure the mountains are spectacular and larger than life, and the landscape is like no other. Wildlife is everywhere and often too much everywhere for my taste. Still as a friend affirmed during breakfast this morning, what makes Jackson Hole so special is the people, the people, the people. I think I will always come back, even if for shorter and shorter times to reconnect with the people, many of whom I have decades of history with and others I've known for a shorter time. Still all have impacted my life in the real world in unique and meaningful ways. So many life lessons I've been privileged to learn in this beautiful, wild theater. I thank God for these myriad blessings.

Sunday, Pastor Mike Atkins On Isaiah 53: 4-6---Do You Understand What You're Reading?

ON MY LAST SUNDAY IN JACKSON THIS SUMMER, I post a recent, wonderful sermon by Pastor Mike Atkins at River Crossing that connects the New Testament to the Old.

Especially love sermons like this that show the continuity, linkage and critical importance of the two testaments to each other.

The power and prescience of Old Testament prophets like Isaiah are truly astounding to me, as I understand more and more what I read with the help of pastors like Mike Atkins.

 ISAIAH 53:4-6  (KJV) in which Isaiah prophesies the Savior who will be born 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ to save the world from its sins. Amazing!

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Summer Busy, Blogging Light

INSIDE THE CRUMBLING MARRIAGE OF JAY Z AND BEYONCE
FLIGHT MH 17 TRAUMA AND HEARTBREAK IN EAST UKRAINE VILLAGES
CATHOLIC BISHOPS:  OBAMA 'IMPLEMENTS DISCRIMINATION'
MICHELLE WITH DAUGHTERS PHOTOED @ BEYONCE CONCERT IN CHICAGO
PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ALREADY CHECKED OUT?  BEGGING TO BE LET GO?
THE SECRET OF MINECRAFT

THIS IS A SHORTER-THAN-USUAL SUMMER IN JACKSON FOR ME THIS YEAR. As the end of my stay approaches, life and activities seem to be speeding up.  Blogging will be light for the next two weeks, as I meet friends outside Cody for some days of fishing next week.  Internet and connectivity are spotty to non-existent but will try occasionally to post.

As ever,  best wishes and thanks for coming by.

Summer's Biggest Story:One Federal Appeals Court Deals Near Fatal Blow to Obamacare While Another Rules Otherwise

UPDATE:  DELTA HALTS ALL FLIGHTS INDEFINITELY TO ISRAEL

FEDERAL SUBSIDIES FOR OBAMACARE HAVE BEEN RULED ILLEGAL. 

More soon; however, there's no doubt this ruling is not the final word and will be appealed to SCOTUS by the White House and DOJ. What the Supremes do with it remains to be seen. Still,  it appears this once mighty piece of socialist legislation is in tatters more than ever. And that millions of people will be free of this onerous law.

UPDATE:  Oops, Not so fast! SCOTUS will decide the matter once and for all.

Sunday--Beauty For Ashes

 

THIS IS ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE SERMONS OF PASTOR MIKE ATKINS at River Crossing here in Jackson, Wyoming.

 I pray that you will be encouraged and strengthened by it, as I am, as I listen several times.

 ISAIAH 61


MEANWHILE,  I'M HEARTENED TO SEE PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POSITION ON ISRAEL IN GAZA. 

Hamas Attempting 'Suicide Donkeys' Against Israeli Forces In Gaza---It Won't Work

ZH: WHERE THE HAPPIEST AMERICANS ARE AND AREN'T

I'M TOTALLY WITH ROGER SIMON,   ISRAEL NEEDS TO FINISH THE JOB IT'S STARTED IN GAZA NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES. 

That job aims to destroy the myriad tunnel system and underground shelters Hamas has built under the border and into Israel to attack and destroy the Jewish state. As usual, there are protests all over Europe about the bad guy Israelis verses the good guy terrorist Hamas.  Oh Pleeaassee! Israel needs to carry on in spite of this craziness.

 Meanwhile, Zero Hedge reports  this morning about Gaza terrorists using suicide donkeys against Israeli fighters. Evidently it's nothing new in that part of the world, but it's news to me.   Interesting to see how they 'arm' the donkeys,  then send these poor beasts into the war zone only to be shot at then blown to smithereens.    I mean, shouldn't the SPCA be protesting this?

What's More Painful--- Divorce or Tattoo Afterwards?

PRUDEN: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LEGACY OF IMMIGRANT INVASION

HERE'S A GREAT PIECE ON TATTO REGRET AND THE 440% SURGE IN TATTOO REMOVAL in the last 10 years.  Getting them taken off is very painful and far from a perfect process.

What are the main reasons for wanting to reverse body art?   Romantic and relationship breakups/divorces and the urgent need to get in, or back into, the job market to support oneself.  Growing up is the short answer.  Yes, I know hundreds of professional players have them, but are the mojority of them really adults?

As the business of tattoo removal surges, Marketwatch has the full story and statistics.

Have to admit I have a bias against people/20-somethings with tattoos. I think tattoos are vulgar.  To me it screams immaturity, rebellion/anger and not taking care of one's body. It seems to go with smoking, heavy drinking/drugs taking and sexual indiscretion .  Surely that's not true across the board, but it certainly seems true in my  little world.

 Now then, a temporary tattoo that washes off with, say, a drawing of William Shakespeare or a little butterfly or rose ....well, that's a different, more fun story! Do it, then wash it off.

Devastating: Eastern Ukraine After Surface-to-Air Missile On Malaysian Air---Killing 295 Unsuspecting Souls By Thugs

WHY REBELS WHO SHOT DOWN THE MH 17 HAVE LOST
 JULY 18-19 NATIONAL AMNESTY PROTEST LOCATIONS CITY BY CITY

ON THE CHARRED GROUND IN REBEL TERRORIST-THUG UKRAINE TERRITORY WHERE DEBRIS AND BODY PARTS FROM THE HORRIFIC CRASH ARE SCATTERED OVER  TEN MILES . SOURCE


It's high time United States leadership grow some serious backbone and help the Ukrainian people against the terrorist separatists and pro-Putin Russians who are at serious war with Ukraine. President Obama's lightweight amateurish foreign policy---when he has time in between non-stop Democratic fundraisers---is an absolute disgrace.  Ukraine, an ally of the U S, has repeatedly asked for help from us---and has yet to get it in any meaningful way.  Hopefully this sophisticated and well-coordinated  terrorist attack will change that and the United States and its allies will help this country in a meaningful way.

May God be with the the families and loved ones of the victims of this horrific act.

MEANWHILE:   ISRAEL INVADES GAZA AND NOW IT NEEDS TO FINISH THE JOB THIS TIME

In More Important News: Archbishop of Canterbury Quits Travellers Club For Lack of Admitting Ladies To Full Membership

AFTER ANGLICANS VOTE TO ALLOW WOMEN BISHOPS IN THEIR CHURCH, THE ARCHBISHOP WON'T STAND FOR LADIES BEING BANNED FULL MEMBERSHIP in his favorite stodgy men's club in London---throwing a hissy fit and promising to quit.

Personally I think men need a last bastion---a place of their own with a few rooms where women are not allowed--like an old bar and smoking room. Good for the gentlemen for holding the line for now. It probably won't last however.   I myself much prefer to be taken to the Metropolitan Club for lunch and a glass of  dry sherry by a gentleman any day than ever contemplating being a member there.

Think Augusta and the Metropolitan Club in D.C. may allow one or two women in as full members but you can bet your bippy, it's very tightly controlled as to who gets in---like Condolezza Rice and Sandra Day O'Connor.  No matter what the policy changes, Kim Kardashian need never apply.

Christian Adams @PJMedia: Conservatives Must Go On Offensive for Border Crisis Against President's Willful, Shameful Lawlessness

                
THIS PIECE IS A MUST READ TODAY. I too simply don't understand all the hand-wringing about this terrible situation with no one in political power galvanizing support to do something concrete to stop it sooner rather than later.

If we won't or don't  start raising hell big time, then taking massive action to change things as they now are, we're in for a worsening crisis beyond our wildest dreams.

Then there's this in the Washington Times:  4/5 Fail Driver's written test under D.C.'s new drivers law.

PRUDEN:  Costly Fantasy of Impeaching Obama (or Most American Voters Are Over Sarah Palin too).

Mark Perry @ Carpe Diem:  People who claim to worry most about global warming use most electricity and energy (think Al Gore with the largest carbon footprint in modern civilization.)

Mighty Snake in High, Vicious Velocity Claims A Fishing Friend's Wife Late Sunday Afternoon

OH DAVID

FAR TOO PAINFUL TO TALK OR THINK ABOUT RIGHT NOW.  VERY EXPERIENCED FISHERMAN/ BOATSMAN HUSBAND, LIFE JACKETS ON, BEAUTIFUL AFTERNOON FLOATING WITH FAMILY AND GRANDCHILDREN.

Then as they were coming into the takeout at Moose, the boat flipped and pinned her under, even with a life jacket on, she---Donna---couldn't  begin to escape the high velocity current. Their lives are forever changed in an instant.  Many friends and families' hearts here today are bleeding with sadness. And many of us are praying for them as they try to wrap their minds around their very great loss. May God comfort and keep them.

But by the Grace of God go any of us.

 

Learning and Living Good Manners As Important for Kids Is As Grades

STUART HAS A WONDERFUL, WISE POST TODAY.  Good manners are as important, if not more so, than GPA. They make you more likable---standing you in good stead personally and professionally. Never has it been more important than today with our loss of civility and anything goes social media.


Still, learning to be ladies and gentlemen never goes out of style or becomes passe.  Poise and manners are always attractive. They involve taking the longer route---rather than the instant fix---in  relationships both personal and professional. But manners pay dividends in the long run and the very long run, often when we least expect it.

Sunday: Donny Writes About Being Led To Christ & Forgiveness After Luring A Young Girl Named Mindy Into Pornography & Massive Self-Destruction

REAL STORY OF TOM RYMAN'S CONVERSION &  BUILDING THE RYMAN AUDITORIUM  FIRST A CHURCH, THEN HOME OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY

CONFESSIONS OF AN EX-PORN PRODUCER AND THE TERRIBLE HIDDEN COSTS OF PORNOGRAPHY

THIS IS NOT EASY TO READ. In fact I almost couldn't get through it, it upset me so badly.

It's the story of a man who gets in the porn business then finds and leads a 'star' 18-year-old female into the dark world of porn, prostitution, drugs and terrible mental illness. Please pray for this young woman named Mindy on an ongoing basis. Please pray for all these women who are led astray by dark men in similar ways by  promises of adoration, money, fame and fortune which never, ever come.  Instead, these women are often lost forever in a world of darkness, despair, shame and self-destruction and loathing.

Come Lord Jesus into their lives and redeem them as only You can.  Amen.

SOURCE

Supermoon Rising

FIRST OF THREE CONSECUTIVE SUPERMOONS this year.

COUNTRY SUPERMOON STAR/BUSINESSMAN GARTH BROOKS TO RELEASE FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 13 YEARS AND SKIP i TUNES to begin releasing all his digital music on his own website.  Why don't more musicians do this great idea?

RICHARD KARLGAARD @ Forbes:  Paul Krugman is actually dumber than we thought

My Former Publisher & Boss John Seigenthaler Dies Today In Nashville and So Far The Tennessean Completely Misses His Greatest Legacy

LEBRON GOES HOME TO CLEVELAND

FIRST AMENDMENT TEACHER AND ADVOCATE, CRITICAL THINKER, DEBATER BEFORE THE DREARY DAYS OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS AND ENTERTAINMENT AS NEWS

JOHN WAS A CHARISMATIC, ENIGMATIC MAN AND MANY, MANY, MANY THINGS TO MANY PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS.

He was husband to wife Delores, father to John Michael  the consummate newspaper reporter, editor, publisher of the big morning daily in Nashville, friend of the Civil Rights movement, and close friend to the Kennedys (an honorary Kennedy----if  that is important to you). All of it is mostly true. Still critical and balanced thinking, as he taught me, is always required in writing, reading and absorbing the news.

John Seighenthaler's greatest legacy, at least for as long as I knew him professionally was none of this. His greatest legacy and that of his city room and the editorial board, was that he and it were  major proponents of our First Amendment---America's most basic freedom. How shocking and shameful that The Tennessean's story today gives absolutely no mention of this in its writeup of his life's major accomplishments.

How far the limp MSM has fallen.

John Seigenthaler, along with his most famous city editor and my old, ailing friend Frank Ritter, drilled the real meaning of the First Amendment into my and every reporter/writer they hired heads day-in and day-out.  For the record,  they were never about being politically correct, nice or saying what readers wanted to hear, no matter what your political persuasion.

The newspaper business was a rough-and-tumble business where I was assured I would be offended, lied to and threatened with my life on a continuing basis. I was also taught I would have to defend what I reported and wrote in the paper.

After Al Neuharth and Gannett bought The Tennessean, John went to USA Today as director of editorials and commuted to and from Washington, D.C for years.  After that stint,  he came back home to Nashville as the head of Gannett's newly created First Amendment Center in  our hometown. It is his greatest legacy, no matter what anyone else says.

I respected John Seigenthaler for his dedication to the First Amendment and thank him and Frank Ritter for what they taught me. It has and continues to serve me well..

MEANWHILE, CHANNEL 5  AND PHIL WILLIAMS GETS IT RIGHT.

When I see and hear Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton saying the wildest things imaginable,  I remember that John and Frank told me to expect it.  They said that most people in America have no idea what the First Amendment really means.  They also warned that readers needed to engage critical thinking and never believe everything they read or hear in the news, but they usually don't.

This training---even as I've moved to the right of John over the years--- has served me well in the age of political correctness and news-as-entertainment and fluff which often has nothing to do with reality....

Thank you, John.  May you rest in peace.

Postscript:  For all that I learned from John Seigenthaler and  Frank Ritter, they never could teach me to spell very well...instead, they insisted I carry a dictionary in my purse,  in my car and everywhere I went in between.  Of course that's what good editors are  for.Thank heavens for spell-check today.

Updated Tax Form: IRS Models New Filing Behavior For American Taxpayers

CALLED THE LOIS RETURN

PRESENTED WITHOUT FURTHER COMMENT. Because none is needed.

Thanks ZH

Getting Back Soon

....THOUGH SOON COULD BE A WHILE

SUMMER IS SHORT....with too many steep trails to climb. And then there's recovery and replenishing those electrolytes in between. What's a girl to do but follow her path upward?

Sunday: Pastor Mike Atkins---Fight the Good Fight of Faith

FIGHT, DON'T FLEE. Lay hold to this life God has given you. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Christensen On Religous Freedom In A Free Society

Finally: The Still Great Frankie Valli

A CLASS ACT THAT'S STOOD THE TEST OF TIME,WEATHERED MANY STORMS AND JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER.

Declaration of Independence 101: The First 4th For Children and Adults Who Need A Review (All of Us)

9 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE DECLARATION

SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO GET BACK TO BASICS.

AMAZING:  QUADRUPLE  WAR VET AMPUTEE PREPARES FOR ARMS TRANSPLANTS

Covered Wagon Ride-Cookout Adventure

 
AT THE BAR T 5 IN JACKSON, complete with an  Indian ambush along the way. Now all they need is a real grizzy bear sighting to make it the trip of a lifetime which they'll talk about endlessly back home with their friends!

SCOTUS: Do Critics Know the Specific Drugs Hobby Lobby Objected to Providing Because of Religious Convictions?

UPDATE: A SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR HOBBY LOBBY DECISION CRITICS APPARENTLY NOT. But hey! Who'd want to let facts or information get in the way of a good summer protest and riot-filled costume party? SOURCE And here's another thing: liberal women want to make this case about sexual freedom and rights (without responsibilities) when the case is really about religious freedom and being able to hold moral convictions in the worldplace over government mandate that would dictate otherwise. An immature woman incorrectly believes---or says she believes---that a woman's right to irresponsible, unprotected sex then having it underwritten by taxpayers should trump all other Constitutional freedoms. In other words, her highest concern is her body---which by the way, she turned over to the federal government years ago.