Life
Evangelicals and Israel
Son, I am so disgusted with American Evangelicals. They speak of ‘The security of Israel.’ Perhaps they should read the Old Testament. There are a number of biblically documented times when Israel was conquered, defeated, defiled, and the people exiled. Why? In each case it was because the folks there were not following the rules […]
9Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Evangelicals and Israel | Continued
actions and impact
Dad, I have been considering the impact that our words have on others, both in conversation and in this online magazine, and trying to figure out how much we should evaluate our words and actions out of respect for others. I have been attending the School for Lay Ministries with the Methodist Church for a […]
8Jan2008 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued
Bambi Obama
Son, Barack Obama has been anointed. Personally I am happy for him and for our country. But when a super star rises and the people rally – objective politics is endangered. Who wants to shoot Bambi? Dad An afterthought – I wrote the above post with on a whim. It had already been posted when […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bambi Obama | Continued
New England Patriots – love or hate
Son, The New England Patriots have completed the regular season with a perfect 16 – 0 record. Congratulations. But like many things in life – people have an emotional response. Football is a sport that requires talent on the field and emotion in the stadium. My emotions say, please don’t win it all. The only […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Bush – the Jimmy Carter of Republicans
Son, We should thank George Bush. He is the Jimmy Carter of Republicans. People talk about the Reagan Revolution – it was really the anti-Carter Revolution. Bush has led this country to a new revolution. His hard line on everything has highlighted the fundamental problem with being hard line. He has highlighted the fundamental problem […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Bush – the Jimmy Carter of Republicans | Continued
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Son, No demographic is an island, intire of it self; every demographic is a piece of the Continent, a part of the maine; if a Clod bee washed away by the Political Parties, American is the less, as well as if a promontorie were, as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of […]
8Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on For Whom The Bell Tolls | Continued
General Mood versus Individual Issues
Son, Statistics rule. The current political campaign for President highlights this truth. All of us pundits have been somewhat befuddled. But not as befuddled as the candidates themselves. Hillary Clinton has the most exhaustive list of issues and answers to the issues – yet she is struggling for support. Romney has taken traditional and well […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on General Mood versus Individual Issues | Continued
Death Penalty Politics
Son, Government has many responsibilities. The preamble to the constitution mentions ‘domestic tranquility” as one. What does that mean – generally we think of maintaining order in a civilized manner. And we maintain order with the rule of law. The rule of law is much better than the rule of Monarchy or dictatorship, or no […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Death Penalty Politics | Continued
Leader or Expert – Choosing a President
Son, Mitt Romney claims that leadership is more important than expertise on topic. “They are looking for judgment, wisdom, willingness to reach out to others, gaining the right information to make choices… Instead of asking who has the most expertise we should be asking who has the most executive leadership experience…. ” Very interesting points. […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Prose and Poetry in Politics
Son, Art and science are different but compatible. These two disciplines must each be mastered by presidential candidates. There is a science to politics, but good politics rises to an art form. The successful candidate will be the person who best masters the art. The science can be hired out. Art is a […]
7Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Prose and Poetry in Politics | Continued
Representing US to the World
Son, We live in a Republic. Our government represents us. Taxes, infrastructure, social justice, law, common defense – all of that traditional stuff. Stuff that is defined in the preamble to our constitution. But we live today in a global community. Someone has to represent us to the world. That someone is the President. […]
6Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Representing US to the World | Continued
Obama Rising
Son, Success is often dependent on understanding environment, on understanding culture, being willing to take a chance, and having a little patience. Success requires paying attention and being nurturing. Success requires purposeful deliberation. Barack Obama has these qualities. A good chef knows that his product is dependent on all of these qualities. So does a […]
6Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama Rising | Continued
Sculpting with Trees
Son, The past three years I have planted seven Redbud trees. They were all about a foot tall when first planted. I like Redbuds because they grow pretty fast – and that suits my need to sculpt them. They are now about twelve fee tall. Every winter, when the leaves are gone and the sap […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Sculpting with Trees | Continued
A Personal Understanding of Racism
Son, I grew up in a segregated America. My parents would have qualified as third generation hillbillies who came to town to work. We lived in a mixed race neighborhood in an inner city. Those were days when a fist fight on the corner was just that – no one pulled out a knife or […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
New Hampshire Gender Factor
Son, I don’t believe it. Not this time. Not in 2008. The pundits are trying to analyze the prospects of the candidates in terms of old ideas. Statistically, which means historically, demographics help predict outcomes. Not this time. Tim Russert was on NBC News tonight – preaching the same old stuff. “…New Hampshire has […]
5Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on New Hampshire Gender Factor | Continued
An American Revolution – 2008
Son, We are in a time of flux. This is a difficult time for statisticians. The Media Pundits are dissecting the Iowa statistics, trying to make sense of demographics and results. Some say Obama is about generational issues. Clinton is about gender. Edwards about populism. Huckabee about evangelism. This is not a time when these […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
NH Political Predictions of Ohg Rea Tone
Son, Some processes are all about momentum. Momentum is not arbitrary – there are roots of rationale. There is cause and purpose. The forces at play in breaking the sled loose continue to propel – mass in motion is difficult to stop. The block of votes gained in Iowa have gravitational pull that directly correlates […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on NH Political Predictions of Ohg Rea Tone | Continued
Where will Biden and Dodd supporters go?
Dad, I was at an Iowa caucus tonight. I saw the supporters of Joe Biden and Bill Richardson hold out until just before the final count, then join the Obama camp. Why did they do that? Why not join Hillary? One guy that I talked to in the Biden corner said that he was turned […]
4Jan2008 | bryan | 2 comments | Continued
Obama – the time has come
Son. The time has come for change in America. The genie is out of the bottle. The magic is in the air. Fresh breezes are blowing. Spring will see new life. How many ways can this be said. Barack Obama has sent a message to the White House. Barack Obama has sent a message to […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama – the time has come | Continued
Huckabee is a win for John McCain
Son, John McCain is the real winner tonight, this caucus night in Iowa. Mike Huckabee polled the largest numbers of support- soundly putting Mitt Romney in his appropriate place – way don there somewhere. But McCain is the real winner because the Republican Party does not want Huckabee. The importance of the Iowa Caucus was […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Huckabee is a win for John McCain | Continued
My first caucus experience
Dad, I just returned form my first caucus experience. It was quite an operation. The caucus was held at the Community Rec Center, which is indicative of the kind of event that it turned out to be. When we arrived, there were organizers at the doors in their campaign gear directing traffic. The gymnasium was […]
4Jan2008 | bryan | Comments Off on My first caucus experience | Continued
Obama Turns Out – MSNBC Reports
Son, It is 8:15 PM, CST, and MSNBC is reporting with 56% of the tally that Obama has 35%, Edwards has 32%, and Clinton has 31%. This is a major shift in the political landscape of the Democratic Party. Obama is going to present a stiff challenge to tradition. Adrea Mitchell is on now – […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama Turns Out – MSNBC Reports | Continued
Anybody but Huckabee
Son. It looks like Mike Huckabee is taking the first turn with a lead in the race. But my thought is that Huckabee appeals to a small but enthusiastic audience. As the race progresses the Republican leadership will take an Anybody but Huckabee stance. Huckabee has had several gaffs on foreign policy. He has directly […]
4Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Why Iowa Matters
Son, Politics – No one likes to lose. Worse – if we back a loser then we become the loser in the game of influence. Backing the winner translates into bragging rights, then influence, then power, then more bragging rights. It is the fundamental flaw of our electoral process. Caucuses are inherently unfair, or should […]
3Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Government by Terror
Son, Fear must not choose a President. That was the title of an earlier post. I have pondered this axiom of righteousness and find it wanting. There is more than fear. Our candidates harp on the politics of fear, on the use of fear to garner votes from weary political practitioners. But fear does not […]
3Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Government by Terror | Continued
John McCain, true Masculinity
John McCain is a true mature man. This is a person who has managed a life as a warrior and a humanitarian. He is a man of solid values. A man of strength and resolve. A man of compassion. A man of the world. And a man of common people. Can you tell that I […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on John McCain, true Masculinity | Continued
Resolutions 2008 – WWJD
Son, Faith is expounded by all candidates. Hey – the evangelicals have done a good job in politics. They have swayed elections. They have gained power. They influence the national debate. I just wrote a post on Mike Huckabee. He is that one guy who is a Christian Minister who is running for President. I […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Resolutions 2008 – WWJD | Continued
Huckabee exposed – ambition overrules compassion
Son, Mike Huckabee is running for President, in case you had not noticed. He is a clever guy – well, I suppose all of those folks are pretty smart. Huckabee is very clever – but clever is different than being smart. Last week the world saw a nasty and horrible assassination of a world leader. […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Huckabee exposed – ambition overrules compassion | Continued
Politics of Fear
Son, Fear is an interesting word. The word can be used on both sides of any given argument. And it is. Barack Obama is hot after the word today. “We cannot continue the politics of fear.” Another fellow once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” I use the word – […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Politics of Fear | Continued
Tigers Tony Temple – Cotton Bowl records
Son, The Cotton Bowl was pretty exciting – if one happens to be a Mizzou Fan. Tony Temple broke the big records. 281 yards rushing to break a fifty year old record, four rushing touchdowns to break the same fifty year old record. Tony Temple is from Kansas City. Tony Temple played for Rockhurst High […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Tigers Tony Temple – Cotton Bowl records | Continued
Tiger Attack
Son, Many of us in Missouri are disappointed that Mizzou is not in a BCS Bowl Game. The Tigers are in the Cotton Bowl – playing the number 25 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks. And they are having a great day. The game is presently late in the third quarter and Mizzou is ahead 28 to 7. […]
2Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Tiger Attack | Continued
2008 Resolutions to save money
Son, Budget, budget, budget. Plan, plan, plan. Then execute the planned budget with resolve. There are some general rules – and some specifics. For someone with no plan – plan. For someone with a plan, expand the plan. But why save – what is the purpose? There are many reasons – retirement, security, education of […]
1Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
2008 Resolutions – Gotta have a list
Son, The idea of resolve – what a concept. Who needs it? What about a parent – should they have resolve? How about Democrats, or Republicans – what might resolve look like in a political party? And how about elected government leaders – a little resolve could go a long way with those folks. So […]
1Jan2008 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on 2008 Resolutions – Gotta have a list | Continued
The Year of Fear – 2008
Son, Irony abounds. An Election for President of the U. S. is upon us. We are talking about the leader of the free world. Some candidates for this heralded office use fear to jerk the chains of voters. Freedom and fear are not compatible concepts. Further irony reeks from the pores of candidate supporters – […]
30Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Year of Fear – 2008 | Continued
Ron Paul – the Physician Metaphor
Son, Ron Paul is a physician, a doctor, a M. D. Some folks think that qualifies him to be President. He is obviously very intelligent and very well educated. I suspect he knows a thing or two about health care issues. His physician experience is as a flight surgeon in the U. S. Air Force […]
29Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Iowa – Caucus Country
Dad, Before I moved to Iowa, I would have said that corn was the number one thing that I think of when someone mentions the state. I now realize that Kansas has more corn than Iowa and that the caucus is more a defining characteristic of Iowa than the agriculture. I had never had the […]
29Dec2007 | bryan | 1 comment | Continued
Media Hosts Fail in Presidential Debates
Son, Is our inept Media driving foreign policy? Do we rely on celebrity Media Hosts to define important issues? I hope not. Because the Media Hosts are so infatuated with themselves that they are not aware of a big world and real issues that have real consequences. I hearken back to the Democratic Debate. Time […]
28Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Media Hosts Fail in Presidential Debates | Continued
Fear Must Not Choose a President
Son, When Benizir Bhutto was assassinated the entire world reacted. When the planes struck on 9/11 our government reacted. We Americans are again afraid. The moment we heard of the assassination all of us took two steps to the political right. Decisions made out of fear are not generally good decisions. But fear cannot be […]
28Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Fear Must Not Choose a President | Continued
Benazir Bhutto has died
Son, Craziness is ruling the world. Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a suicide bombing in Pakistan. We people in America should stand together today, grateful that elections are upon us. We live in a country where we can affect change without killing people. We live in a Republic. We have opportunity. We are blessed. […]
27Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
Obama – do the same thing
Son, Barack Obama is on a toot. He is using an old line from self-help programs. Yesterday he said, “You keep doing the same thing expecting different results.” Some people call that the essence of insanity – I have a slightly different take on the old saying. Real insanity is in doing the same thing, […]
27Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Obama – do the same thing | Continued
Challenging Sacred Cows of Politics
Son, I am one who attacks Sacred Cows. In that way Ron Paul and I are alike. There is something about the Ron Paul approach that unsettles me. It seems that he quotes obscure sources – fringe sources – sources of questionable repute. Are these sources questionable because they challenge old ideas or because they […]
27Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Challenging Sacred Cows of Politics | Continued
Ron Paul and Paulaholics attack Lincoln.
Son, Ron Paul is on the telephone with the Morning Joe folks. He is arguing that Lincoln is part of the “Hamiltonians who wanted a strong central government. Why did all other nations get rid of slavery without a civil war.” Asked of Paul, “How long should slavery have gone on? What was Abraham Lincoln […]
27Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 2 comments | Continued
United Way – A Sacred Cow
Son, The United Way is a great idea. Who would not want to be united in the way we treat our fellow man? The problem with the concept lies in longevity – after forty years the United Way has become a Sacred Cow and locals who administer the money are afraid to challenge impropriety. Even […]
27Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on United Way – A Sacred Cow | Continued
Ronald Reagan and Ron Paul
Son, In 1976 Ronald Reagan made a serious run at the Republican nomination for President. Our country was just emerging from Vietnam, Watergate, and a disgraced presidency. There are correlations to today. We are embroiled in an unpopular war, White House lackeys are being pardoned for crimes committed on behalf of the administration, and we […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Ronald Reagan and Ron Paul | Continued
Qualities of an American President?
Son, This is a redraft of a previous post. The previous post focused on Ron Paul – but while writing that post I realized there are bigger issues at stake. Ron Paul is running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. ON the surface it seems entirely remarkable that this man of […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Qualities of an American President? | Continued
The Rise of Ron Paul
Son, Ron Paul is running for the Republican nomination for President of the United States. ON the surface it seems entirely remarkable that this man of little logic is having so much success, both in admiring fans and his ability to raise money. He is worth looking at – not because of his ideas – […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 3 comments | Continued
Chris Matthews – arrogance personified
Son, I was once a fan of Chris Matthews. He is on Morning Joe again this morning and he is absolutely pathetic in his self promotion. They are discussing the 2008 election and Matthews just said, “If Obama winds in Iowa then Bill Clinton will be saying, ‘Matthews was right.’” Whooee – Does he think […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 1 comment | Continued
Ron Paul, leaps of logic
Son, Ron Paul’s candidacy for president is not unusual. Every election draws fringe candidates – candidates who generally focus their energy on single issues, make their splash, and then go away. Ron Paul is different in that he addresses multiple issues – but more importantly – he is actually attracting an audience. This success says […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | 5 comments | Continued
The Prophecy of Ohg Rea Tone – 2008
Son, I am compelled on this Christmas Day in 2007 to offer some insight into 2008. In the true spirit of prophecy I will focus on conditional prophecies. Conditional prophecies are most useful because they allow us opportunity to have some say in future events – if we were only aware of the conditional stimuli. […]
26Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on The Prophecy of Ohg Rea Tone – 2008 | Continued
Nostradamus – a cruel hoax
Son, I have a bad knee – well, they did surgery on it in 1983. My knee now reacts to the weather. I can always tell when it rained yesterday. Such is the case with the predictions of Nostradamus. It is Christmas Day and I am tired – I stayed up late last night – […]
25Dec2007 | Ohg Rea Tone | Comments Off on Nostradamus – a cruel hoax | Continued