Sound of Music Remake BBC NEWS Entertainment TV hunt for Sound of Music lead Can you believe it? Why would you even think about remaking this classic? I don't care how talented you are, you have to be either crazy to even consider yourself genius enough to top this Julie Andrews hit.

USATODAY.com - 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' leads TV pack After 40 years, the Charlie brown Christmas special still is the annual favorite, not only for Grovers, but evidently for millions of Americans. We could venture a number of guesses as to why that is, but I will weigh in with just one. It is the only major T.V. special with a Christmas theme actually related to the true meaning of Christmas. It is difficult to imagine that in a culture where wars are raging over the replacement of the word "Christmas" with the word "holiday" that a major network feels that it still can get away with airing a special that has such a blatant Christian message. After all, how politically incorrect for Linus to recite the Christmas story from Luke's gospel? Really, Linus, try to do better next time.

Email Sent to Fox News Dayside Program in reference to Remarks about Home Schooling

I sent the following email text to Fox News' Dayside program after viewing the show. Several remarks were made assuming that homeschooled children are categorically sheltered and poorly socialized. Since I do not have children and have no family members who home school, I felt as though I could remark with little prejudice.

I noticed several times on today’s show that both the hosts and guests of Dayside made remarks that indicated that the two teens involved in the double murder in Lancaster County, PA may have been involved in the crimes because they were home-schooled. Several times assumptions were made that because the teens were home-schooled they must be poorly socialized and overly sheltered. While I do not know if the two teens in question were poorly or well socialized, is it fair to link the crimes to the two being home schooled? Would you likewise categorically blame public schools when a shooting spree or other heinous crime is committed by teens who attend public school? The assumptions that home schooled children are poorly socialized and sheltered are merely lies propagated by liberal groups like the NEA (National Educators Association) to protect their own existence and who themselves want to control the shaping of the young American mind. I know many families who home school and the degrees to which they socialize their children vary. However, it is not uncommon for home schooled children to actually receive a wider variety of socialization than children who attend school and experience cultures different from their own at a younger age. I attended public school but lived a far more sheltered life and less culturally diverse life than many home schooled children. The comments made by the guests and hosts of Dayside were assumptions and reveal how little you know about home school families. Jenn Grover Pittsburgh, PA P.S. I do not have children myself and have no family members who home school. Perhaps you should consider inviting a home school expert to your show.

Happy

Birthday

Chuck!

How would you to deal with a gator in your living room? People cleaning up from Katrina and Rita are finding all sorts of crazy things in their house - including this poor woman who was terrified when she came "face to tail" with an aligator in her home.

Listen to

James Earl Jones

Read Lincoln's

Gettysburg Address

You can listen to James Earl Jones reading the Gettysburg Address online at Verizon Superages.

Although Lincoln is often heralded as a great advocate of the Abolitionist movement in America, it can be observed that his entry into the Civil War was for more political reason than personal convictions as to the immorality of slavery. Lincoln, did object to slavery, but was chosen by his party to run for president because he was more moderate on the issue of slavery than others in his part with stronger Abolitionist sentiment.

However, as the war progressed, it seems notable, that Lincoln himself became convinced more and more of the righteousness of ending slavery and the war became a matter of conviction to Lincoln as well.

West Virginia

Speed Trap

Tops List

A recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the infamous Summersville, West Virgina speed trap caught my attention. Back in 1996, I fell prey to the speed trap. Of course, I was breaking the law. I was going 65 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. However, I really had been doing my best to abide by the law during my ten hour drive. The thing about the Summersville speed trap is that it falls in an area where the speed limit has just dropped from 65 to 55, so it is an easy error to make. The policeman was very courteous as he handed me my ticket.

I have been amazed at how many other people I have encountered over the years who have also been targeted by the speed trap. But I was even more amazed when I Googled Summersville and speed trap, and even yet more amazed when I learned that although Summersville has some 3,500 residents, over 18,000 speeding tickets were issued last year in Summersville.

The story in the Post-Gazette was about a businessman from Summersville who is fighting back. It was quite comedic. Next time you approach Summersville, prepare to be greeted by a sign alerting you that you are approaching the world's biggest speed trap!

Hannidate: The Conservative's Choice for Dating Well, only one person responded to my post about "House with a Bride", so I thought maybe you would all find "Hannidate" a better choice for me. Evidently, because of Sean Hannity's passion for family values, the next logical move for him was to set up a FREE dating service for Conservatives. I appreciate his desire to help. We all could use the help, that's for sure. And, besides, doesn't Hannidate rhyme with candidate?

Time for Dems

To Stand Up

And Be Counted

The Dems have finally been called on their bluff by the brilliance of fast acting Republicans who proposed a House Resolution for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and have brought it to the floor of the House for a vote as the last vote before Congress takes its Thanksgiving break,

Congress Jack Murtha has been waving the Democratic banner of withdrawal for the second half of the week, rallying Democrats as President Bush and other Republicans started turning the corner on the low of criticism that has surrounded the administration as of late.

Though Murtha is "hawkish", he is still a liberal Democrat from a union heavy western Pennsylvania who appeals not to logic or strategy, but only to emotion, in attempts to manipulate his peers and the public into caving into his brand of liberal sentiment. Republican Senator Young stated it well when he pointed out that Murtha has spoken more this week than than the sum of his twenty-four year career.

But, the real question has never been raised. How can we even consider bailing out of Iraq when it is clear that Al Queda is clearly entrenched in Iraq? Why would we give Iraq to Al Queda after we have paid such a cost? What would become of not only our safety, but those Iraqis who do not subscribe to militant Islam? Would not the generations that follow us charge us with murders and perhaps even the genocide of countless if abandon our mission in Iraq now? Yes, we pay a cost for our work in Iraq, but are we must count the cost and make the moral choice.

Tropical Storm Gamma to

Turn Into Major

Thanksgiving Week Snow

Event For East Coast

The record-breaking twenty-fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Gamma, is at tropical storm status, with the possibility of reaching hurricane status and then weakening again to tropical storm status before a possible south Florida strike. Accuweather is forecasting models that call for the collision of an arctic blast and the remnants of the moisture associated with Gamma next week which should distress holiday travelers but delight those who have been waiting for their first taste of winter weather. Accuweather's 30-90 forecast also calls for a colder than normal December. Weigh in on:

• Your thoughts about the Thanksgiving snow possibility,
• Calls for a colder December,
• What you are doing to reduce heating costs, and
• If you think Accuweather's model is just another ploy of media hype.

“I, I am he who blots out your

transgressions for my own sake,

and I will not remember your sins. "

- Isiah 43:25

Our culture boasts of not forgetting when we have been injured or wronged. "Remember the Alamo", "Remember 9-11". However, our God boasts of not remembering our sins against him. Why is it we make such a practice of remembering our sins when God makes such practice of forgetting them? All through Scripture God reminds us of this: He remembers our sins no more (Jr. 31: 34), that He removes our transgressions from us as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). Yet we seem to think we will find some solace in recounting them. But why is that? I have yet to find a single exhortation, or even a hint of one, that would encourage us to recount our own sins after we have received God's forgiveness. Perhaps it is our pursuit of self-atonement, or a penance of sorts. We punish ourselves where we feel God has left us off the hook. Perhaps it is our misunderstanding of living "cross-centered" lives. We gravitate towards making the cross an end in end of itself rather than the doorway to faith-filled joyful life that counts on God not remembering our sins and expects grace to change. So, in our self-sufficient attempts to keep the cross at the center we hang on to our sins longer or revisit old sins. I will be so bold as to say it is unchristian for us to remember our forgiven sins. I am not speaking of when we are sharing a testimony, but rather those times when we cling to condemnation in hopes of conjuring up some deeper sense of godly sorrow. But, I say to that Christian: Do not make more of the grief of your sin than you do the joy of God's forgiveness, for in doing so, you make more of yourself than you do of your God.

A Book for

Every Public

School Library

And a Chicken

In Every Pot

I have not read this book, but the idea made me laugh. However, it is a great time for me to opine about the conceptual breakdown of liberal socialism.

Just think how liberal ideal have slowly crept into American mainstream ideology:., "A chicken in every pot, a car in every driveway." It sounds good doesn't it? Who doesn't want their neighbors to have what they both need and want? And why shouldn't we who are better off shoulder the burden?

Now don't hear what I am not saying, I believe that it is our God ordained responsibility to shoulder the burden of the less fortunate, but it is not the government's role to administrate nor impose this responsibility. Do I think people would be selfish and let others go without? Yes, I do. But, I think people tend to more selfish and less generous because they count on the government caring for the less needy. People are already bitter about what is taken from them by the government and feel no need to do more.

Secondly, I believe that if individuals and churches cared for the needy, care would extend beyond finances. If care is handled through the taxes in my payroll deduction, there is nary a second thought to those in need receiving from income. However, if I am directly connected to those receiving the benefit, I can see their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs as well, and perhaps serve them in that capacity as well.

Lastly, if government were not left as chief American philanthropist, the needy would be left with more opportunities to give back. I am not speaking mainly of financial retribution, but I am referring to being able to reciprocate generosity with generosity of spirit.

Ruler of the Waves

I was reviewing one of my favorite J. C. Ryle books (Holiness) this evening and one of my favorite chapters in the book is Ruler of the Waves. I was struck by many things, but most significantly, by Jesus kindness. The except below is lengthy, but worth the read, because it is a great reminder of the Saviors patience and compassion towards us.

But what do you see in our Lord’s behavior towards these disciples all through His ministry? You see nothing but unchanging pity, compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, long suffering and love. He does not cast them off for their stupidity. He does not reject them for their unbelief. He does not dismiss them forever for cowardice. He teaches them as they are able to bear. He leads them on step by step, as a nurse does an infant when it first begins to walk. He sends them kind messages as soon as He is risen from the dead. "Go," He said to the women, "Go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me" (Matt. 28:10). He gathers them round Himself once more. He restores Peter to his place, and bids him "feed His sheep" John 21:17). He condescends to sojourn with them forty days before He finally ascends. He commissions them to go forth as His messengers, and preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. He blesses them in parting, and encourages them with that gracious promise "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matt. 28:20). Truly this was a love that passes knowledge. This is not the manner of man. Let all the world know that the Lord Christ is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax. As a father pities his children, so He pities those who fear Him. As one whom his mother comforts, so will He comfort His people (James 5:11; Matt. 12:20; Ps. 103:13; Isa. 66:13). He cares for the lambs of His flock as well as for the old sheep. He cares for the sick and feeble ones of His fold as well as for the strong. It is written that He will carry them in His bosom, rather than let one of them be lost (Isa. 40:11). He cares for the least member of His body, as well as for the greatest. He cares for the babes of His family as well as the grown–up men. He cares for the tenderest little plants in His garden as well as for the cedar of Lebanon. All are in His book of life, and all are under His charge. All are given to Him in an everlasting covenant, and He has undertaken, in spite of all weaknesses, to bring every one safe home. Only let a sinner lay hold on Christ by faith, and then, however feeble, Christ’s word is pledged to him, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." He may correct him occasionally in love. He may gently reprove him at times. But He will never, never give him up. The devil shall never pluck him from Christ’s hand. Let all the world know that the Lord Jesus will not cast away His believing people because of shortcomings and infirmities. The husband does not put away his wife because he finds failings in her. The mother does not forsake her infant because it is weak, feeble and ignorant. And the Lord Christ does not cast off poor sinners who have committed their souls into His hands because He sees in them blemishes and imperfections. Oh, no, it is His glory to pass over the faults of His people, and heal their backslidings, to make much of their weak graces, and to pardon their many faults. The eleventh of Hebrews is a wonderful chapter. It is marvelous to observe how the Holy Spirit speaks of the worthy men whose names are recorded in that chapter. The faith of the Lord’s people is there brought forward, and held in remembrance. But the faults of many of them, which might easily have been brought up also, are left alone, and not mentioned at all.

He was the Cat's Meow: Memorial Serivce for Dog To be Attended by Over 300 Cats What's worng with this picture? What sef-respecting dog would allow itself to be named an "honorary cat" and be euligized by cats? Newsday reports that's exactly what the story is with Ginny, the wonder-dog. Ginny, was a dog who had participated in in the rescue of scores of cats and now upon her death is being honored by them. This is one bizare story. Harry Carey would say about Ginny, "She was a curious dog, that's why her friends called her Whiskers".

And by the way folks, that's an ugly dog.

Bah Hum Blog

You wouldn't think a broken ankle would slow down my blog, but it has. Hopefully, I will be back up and blogging now.

The ankle is even more swollen and bruised now, but I guess that is to be expected. I have wrangled a few meals out of it and Buddy is feeling rather spoiled with Bethany walking him every morning.

America's Most Beautiful City

I realized the beauty of blogging is blogging about what you want to blog about. So, tonight, I blog about the 'Burgh, America's most beautiful, braggable, and bloggable city.

Known as the City of Bridges, The Golden Triangle, The Steel City, The City With a Smile on its Face, and a host of other affectionate titles, Pittsburgh is, in my opinion (and I make no claims to it being a humble opinion) the best city on earth. I never tire at gazing on its skyline, the trolly rides never grows wearisome, the local's accent never loose their charm, the river's keep their mystery, and the aura of what make Pittsburgh unique is completely captivating. I often wonder how I have been fortunate to live in such a place? A place where my 80 yearld home sits on a coblestone boulevard and I am just a ten minute walk to a great cup of cofee. A place where the neighbors still greet each other and ladies still ask young boys for help carrying groceries. A place where Fred Rodgers never went out of style.

This may sound hokey, but maybe that's because you haven't spent enough time in Pittsburgh yourself. Among our favorite attractions are:

• The Carnegie (Includes the museums of Natural History, Science, Art, and Science and the Andy Warhol Museum)
• The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
• The Frick House - Clayton
• Phipps Conservatory
• Mt. Washington (personal favorite)
• PPG Place - and Light Up Night
• Station Square and the Grand Concourse
• Kennywood
• Falling Water/Kentuck Knob (Frank Lloyd Wright Homes)
• Miles and miles of rails to trails
• Beautiful downtown architechture (First Presbyterian Church, Allgheny County Courthouse)
• PNC Park (Most beautiful baseball park in America and home to the 2006 MLB All star game) and Heinz Field
• Heinz Regional History Center
• Plus, so much more!!!!!

If you are trying to decide where to plan your next vacation, consider Pittsburgh. You've got a friend in Pennsylvania.

House With A Bride Why didn't I think of that? Sell your house and the bride comes with it! I am speechless. Leanne was quoted as saying, "I am not that desperate." By the way, the bride listed the opening bid for herself as priceless and the bid for her fully furnished home at $600, 000.

Personal Preparedness A Matter Of Civic Duty Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff is laying out plain and simple: "For those people who say, 'Well, I can take care of myself no matter what, I don't have to prepare,' there is an altruistic element — that to the extent that they are a burden on government services, that takes away from what's available to help those who can't help themselves," Chertoff said. "That is a matter of civic virtue." Isn't is about time someone said it isn't the government's job to provide food and water to people, especially when they have warned people to store three to five days worth of supplies? I am guilty myself, of not following Homeland Defense's guidelands for personal preparedness. It will be my goal to not only begin to prepare myself, but also to talk to my friends and family members about doing the same. It is a civic responsibility to be rpepared. When I am not prepared and I could be, I impose on the govenment and on others. To learn how you can be prepared, visit: http://www.ready.gov/index.html

Study: Male Mice Sing to Their Mates

I couldn't resist this article about male mice singing to their mates.