Trunk Monkey

Yup, trunk monkey...

An excerpt from TIME Magazine's "Why a Christian in the White House Felt Betrayed":

Christian conservatives trusted President Bush. After two years in the White House, I had come to realize that regardless of where the President's heart lay on the matter, the back-office Republican political machine was able to take Evangelicals for granted--indeed, often viewed them with undisguised contempt--and still get their votes. G.O.P. operatives trusted that Christian conservatives would see the President more as their Pastor in Chief than anything else. Bush had long used the podium as a pulpit, telling voters that above all he was an evangelical Christian who had been saved from his drinking by Jesus and rebuilt his life around his faith. That inspirational story was carried throughout the country by a network of prominent evangelical pastors who had been quietly working since 1998 to recruit thousands of other pastors to join the Bush team. After the election, however, those same pastors became accomplices in their own deception by not demanding that the President's actions in office match their electoral fervor.

As I finish reading this article, several conflicting thoughts swirl about. Now, I know that its easy to take shots at the President and most of the time its done from the left and in a mean-spirited manner. But David Kuo's, the writer and former second-in-command of President Bush's Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, words don't sound vehement or satirical; rather, when describing several events that precipitated his decision to write this article, the spirit is one of disappointment not only with the actions (or lack thereof) of the administration but of his own as well. Perhaps the most interesting facet to this is that Mr. Kuo is a Christian who believed in Bush's plans and promises in the arena of faith, that this isn't written from someone outside the body of Christ or even outside the body of the administration. And if he feels disillusioned and betrayed, shouldn't I feel the same? Even in the slightest bit?
I can go on and on about how I voted for Bush but did so hesitantly or how alarming it felt to discover the support from most Christians I knew was predicated simply upon his profession of faith or even how his detractors continually take shots at him which are for the most part, at best, cheap, and, at worst, malicious...however, here is a case in which a Christian on the inside is speaking out about a group of people who have been given a pass by the majority of the Christian community in America. Here is a voice that I had never heard before, a side to the story I had never seen. Now, I don't know anything about Mr.Kuo or the circumstances surrounding the events (other than what is written), but I can tell you that we share, for better or worse, pretty much the same conclusion: "George W. Bush, the man, is a person of profound faith and deep compassion for those who suffer. But President George W. Bush is a politician and is ultimately no different from any other politician, content to use religion for electoral gain more than for good works. Millions of Evangelicals may share Bush's faith, but they would protect themselves--and their interests--better if they looked at him through the same coldly political lens with which he views them."

Whoever came up with button-fly jeans for guys needs to be fired...what a stupid idea.

BCS

The first BCS Rankings are up for the year. Here is the top ten:
1)Ohio Sate
2)USC
3)Michigan
4)Auburn
5)West Virginia
6)Florida
7)Louisville
8)Notre Dame
9)Texas
10)California
If USC runs the table, they'll face the winner of the Ohio St/Michigan game in the National Championship. As much as I'd like to see that, they've been a little shaky even though they're unbeaten. They have the toughest last four weeks against #14 Oregon, #10 California, #8 Notre Dame and cross-town rival UCLA. Plus, Cal has been playing strong and blowing away teams. Yeah, they had a huge loss to Tennessee which excludes them from the national title but I think they might very well beat USC. I really hope West Virginia doesn't make it into the championship game because their schedule is ridiculously weak with only an injured Louisville (minus their starting QB and RB) left in their way. Its gonna be another interesting ending...go Cal and USC!

correction

On the previous post, I had stated that I work for Gap; what I actually meant was that I work at Banana Republic which falls under Gap Inc. In no way, shape or form do I work inside a Gap store. Just wanted to clarify, thanks.

Gap and Bono

I'm a huge fan of Bono but not so much for what he does musically but more so for what he does socially. His (Product)Red is really groundbreaking in terms of both its scope and implications. Being how I work for Gap, I gotta mention its partnership with Bono; yesterday, Gap launched its (Product) Red limited edition collection of clothing with half of the profits going to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Theres some pretty cool stuff, plus its gonna be interesting to see if this consumer-centric approach will work. If you think I'm biased, read this article from Relevant Magazine or even better, check out some of the links yourself:
As James put it, “… faith without deeds is useless.” If you want to be a part of the action that young people are taking, visit gap.com/red or invisiblechildren.com to find out how you can make an impact in the world. Your life is busy, but your life is also the best place in which you can minister. Take action, and through your deeds, let the world see that your generation will be the first to rise up and reclaim this world for God. Wear your heart on your sleeve, literally, and let your deeds speak loud and clear. Above all, remember that what we do now is a start and not a finish. The world will not be won easily. As the ads imply, be “inspi(red),” be “inc(red)ible,” until this world can be “cu(red)”. None of that can come merely from the purchase of a T-shirt, but everything can come to fruition through raised awareness, through social consciousness and through our own recognizing that we ourselves can make a great difference in the world around us—even through what we wear."

Crazy!

Yesterday, there was a plane crash in Manhattan at around 3pm. I didn't know anything about it until my mom called and left me a message asking if everything was alright. I think everyone's first thoughts went right to 9/11 and feared that this was another act of terrorism. It turned out not to be that but, tragically enough, the plane crash killed both passengers;and here is the wild part, the pilot turned out to be Yankees' pitcher Cory Lidle.
My buddy Kyle lived one block away from the site of the crash too...crazy stuff always happens in New York, man.

New Orleans-Trip Two

Being back in New Orleans was alot different than the first time back in January...different in more of a good way than a bad way. I really didn't know what to expect which is, honestly, the manner in which I like to experience life so it worked out fine. The first thing that is most evident is number of people who've come back to rebuild and live in the city again; the streets are busier, more stores and restaurants are open, street lights are on...just the little things that you notice which give indication that New Orleans is slowly moving forward,and the operative word there is slowly. While alot has been done, there still alot more to do. There were parts of the city that haven't been touched...a couple of our projects were with houses that nobody has been to since Katrina hit.
We stayed at Jeff Box's church at Suburban Baptist. The last time we were here, we helped get the place ready for their first church service since the hurricane so it was cool to take part in what they've done since and see their plans to expand the church even more. I got to work in Lee and Bonnie's house as well. Again, it was good to how far along they've come since we were there in January...Bonnie was so incredibly happy with her new kitchen; being how its the center of the house and the place where the whole family can finally come together for dinner, I couldn't help but be filled with the same joy. I remember how stark and cold it looked with the ground floor and studs and now to see it taking shape as a true home was amazing. And of course it was more than just a house, the progress and work also symbolizes the mending of their lives and the healing of a broken community.
And I think thats what stuck with me this time around...I know that whenever we work, its unto the Lord but when you get the opportunity to help and serve those you know personally, its always a little more special. To be able to put a face to a name or meet the person whose house you're gutting or whose lawn you're clearing is always a memorable experience. Personally, meeting people and spending time serving or sharing with them about life, sports, God, etc., is a large part in why I chose to come back to New Orleans. I've said it before, it is a great city filled with great people.

What the frick?

So I'm gone for the weekend only to come back to discover that the Yankees are no longer playing?! I, honestly, don't know what to do with that right now.

Just started packing for our trip to New Orleans tomorrow. Although I'm eager to get down there, a small part of me is a bit hesitant...I don't know why that is; maybe its that selfish part of me that doesn't want to take more time off work or miss all the baseball and football games during the next few days...I so need prayer.

Yankees

The Yanks start their World Series run tonight when they play the first game of the ALDS against the Tigers. This is the batting line-up awaiting Detroit:
1.Damon
2.Jeter
3.Abreu
4.Sheffield
5.Giambi
6.Rodriguez
7.Matsui
8.Posada
9.Cano
Are you kidding me? This is arguably the best and most dangerous line-up in the history of baseball. Joe Torre said that he could've picked names from a hat and still be happy with whatever order came out. Who could blame him?

SNL Season Premiere

Last night's show was probably one of the top four SNL shows that I've been to...Dane Cook's opening stand-up was hilarious! Top to bottom, the sketches were funny and "Weekend Update" with Seth Meyers taking over for Tina Fey was surprisingly good. Everything had a new feel to it with a different opening montage, new "WU" stuff, and Darrell Hammond doing some new jokes during the warm-up before the show. The best part was meeting Dane Cook; that guy came out and took pictures, sign autographs, and hung out for a bit which blew everyone away. Oh yeah, The Killers were pretty good too.