That’s Elbert With An E

Today is April 20 or, in numerical form, 4/20. I have heard that this is unofficially National Smoke Weed Day. The reason: “420″ is a code-word for smoking marijuana, thus 4/20 would be the best day for inhaling an illegal substance. Wikipedia has some historical information on “420″:

Although many diverse theories exist to explain the origin of the term, one central root of the phrase stems from a group of teenagers at San Rafael High School in San Rafael, California in 1971; the teens would meet after school at 4:20 p.m. to smoke cannabis at the Louis Pasteur statue. The term became part of their group’s salute, “420 Louis!”, and became popularized in the late 1980s by fans of The Grateful Dead. Many North American cannabis users continue to observe 4:20 as a time to smoke communally. By extension April 20 (”4/20″ in U.S. dating shorthand) has evolved into a counterculture holiday, where people gather to celebrate and consume cannabis.

And here’s the charm to the Wikipedia entry:

In some locations this celebration coincides with Earth Week.

That speaks volumes!

There is some information posted here about marijuana. The web site provides a list of dangers which include:

• Impaired perception
• Diminished short-term memory
• Loss of concentration and coordination
• Impaired judgement
• Increased risk of accidents
• Loss of motivation
• Diminished inhibitions
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Damage to the respiratory, reproductive, and immune systems
• Increased risk of cancer
• Psychological dependency

The article also points out:

Although dangers exist for marijuana users of all ages, risk is greatest for the young. For them, the impact of marijuana on learning is critical, and pot often proves pivotal in the failure to master vital interpersonal coping skills or make appropriate life-style choices. Thus, marijuana can inhibit maturity.

So maybe the best thing to do on 4/20 is don’t smoke weed.

A mother in Des Moines, IA recently sold her son’s car after finding alcohol in it. Here’s an image of the ad:

Great job, snoopy mom!!

Stories are here and here.

The Corn Beltway Boys have the inside track on Santa Claus becoming a free agent after the Christmas 2007 season. Looks like Christmas will never be the same. What will the children do? What will Coca-Cola do? Christmas parades? Ho Ho No??

The proclamation given by George Washington for a day of thanks:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Taken from the Library of Congress web site.

I’m publishing this a day early because I’d like to give readers a chance to read it and because most of us won’t be reading or writing on the blogs on Thursday unless it’s between events. May you have a great Thanksgiving Day!

My mother said that some of my early educational experiences were from Sesame Street. I don’t remember much except that I liked Ernie and the Cookie Monster. Did you ever try to laugh like Ernie or eat cookies like Cookie Monster? When I woke up politically I did wonder how much of the Socialist Kool Aid I may have ingested. I don’t remember that show being so bad that it wouldn’t be appropriate for my kids or my far-in-the-future grandkids to see. It was a mix of entertainment and education. Harmless, unless you’re today’s hypersensitive liberal.

I saw this on Slashdot Sunday. Sesame Street: Old School volumes 1 and 2 are now available on DVD. The disks come with a warning (?): “These early ‘Sesame Street’ episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child.” Adults only?? This is SOOOOO stupid.

I wrote the post linked here about the 5th liquor store in Laurel opening, which prompted a comment which I’d like to address in this post. My reply to the question was going to be, in my opinion, too long for a comment box, so it will get it’s longer treatment here. In addition, it might stir up some additional discussion.

The question: Just wondering Elbert (not throwing stones) are you from that school of theology that totally eschews alcohol? - Comment by swampcritter2

I was raised to abstain from alcohol. The churches where I have been involved have not actually taught that a Christian should abstain from alcohol, but it was a behavior that was understood to be part of the Christian’s character.

I believe that the Bible is clear about drunkenness, but not about the abstinence from alcoholic beverages. The Scripture most often quoted as a license for consuming alcohol: Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. (1 Timothy 5:23 NIV) Apparently it was used medicinally at various times. I remember my mother telling me stories about getting a dose of whiskey (at least I think it was whiskey) just prior to going to bed when she had a bad cold.

A pastor friend of mine once visited a missionary his church sponsored in Germany. During his visit, he spoke to the missionary’s church. Sometime during his visit, the church had a family dinner after a meeting. He enjoyed the meal, but was uncomfortable when he saw that beer was served at the dinner. I settled on the idea (as did he) that the presence of the beer was mostly an overflow of the German culture.

I’ve written all this, at the very least, to make this post as long as one of Michael Swartz’s posts. Nah, just kidding. I’m hoping that the reader has the idea that I’ve at least though about this, regardless of my resulting opinion.

So how is all this shaking out in my life? I don’t drink nor do I want to drink. That decision comes from my religious upbringing in addition to the fact that beer smells bad and champagne tastes nasty. My father scared me when he was drunk, not because he was violent or abusive but because he appeared to have no control over his actions when he was under the influence. I have raised my children to stay away from alcohol. If asked, I would discourage anyone from consuming alcoholic beverages.

I’m aware that some of the more “liberal” Christians have no issues with drinking the occasional “adult beverage”, but I can’t lie, it does lower how I think of them. Would I want to avoid that person or not speak to them? No way. Would I pound them with my views about the consumption of alcohol? Not likely, but actually highly unlikely. If the person asks I’ll tell them what I think, but I won’t stop being their friend/neighbor. More than likely, this view will cause some to say that I’m not very conservative theologically, but I almost don’t care. I’m convinced that these issues lay in those areas that are not going to toss me out of Heaven. Regarding those issues, that might be subject matter appropriate for another post.

In light of what I just said, remember my disclaimer on my “About” page.

Does this answer the question?

The Laurel Liquors store opened up for business this past Friday. This is one of the now five liquor stores in a town of 3,668 at the 2000 census. This town is also serviced by one grocery store, two pharmacies, well you get the picture. I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s there. Remember, it’s the liquor store that is within 200 feet of the Boys and Girls Club as well as the Laurel Nazarene Church. I’m not optimistic about it’s success anyway, mostly because it’s also not that far from two of the other four liquor stores. I just don’t see how Laurel keeps 4 of them open, never mind adding another to the mix.

There are two upsides to this business opening (so that you don’t think I’m all “the glass is half empty”). First, it’s one less empty business in town, despite the fact it’s not the kind of business you really want in town. Second, they cleaned up the graffiti on the building.

I wrote about this previously on this post.