Booklist

Those Who Walk In Darkness - John Ridley

In the near future, the world has become home to certain people with amazing genetic structures--giving them powers that make them frighteningly superior to normal humans.

I really enjoyed this book. While you'll recognize elements from other books, comics and movies, Ridley makes them his own with a fresh take. 4.5 out of 5.

Getting Back - William Dietrich

It's the late 21st century and all's right with the world, which is exactly what's driving Daniel Dyson nuts. Unemployment, hunger, war, are all in the past since mass privatization has revolutionized the quality of life and the entire planet is now run by the ultra-efficient United Corporations, a single entity with a name that speaks for itself. Dyson loathes his drone-filled office in the Pacific Northwest, and the feeling is mutual. He resorts to small acts of sabotage for minor thrills until he encounters beautiful and dangerous Raven, who tells him about Outback Adventure.

Not your standard boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-finds-girl and they make out book. That's the underlying story in this one, but everything else about this book makes it a definite good read and one to pick up. 5 of 5 from me.

Indelible by Kristen Heitzmann

Book Synopsis

Rescuing a toddler from the jaws of a mountain lion, Trevor MacDaniel, a high-country   outfitter, sets in motion events he can’t foresee. His act of bravery entwines his life with gifted sculptor Natalie Reeve—and attracts a grim admirer.

Trevor’s need to guard and protect is born of tragedy, prompting his decision to become a search and rescue volunteer. Natalie’s gift of sculpting comes from an unusual disability that seeks release through her creative hands. In each other they see strength and courage as they face an incomprehensible foe.

When a troubled soul views Trevor as archangel and adversary, Redford’s peaceful mountain community is threatened. Together with Police Chief Jonah Westfall, Trevor presses his limits to combat the menace who targets the most helpless and innocent.

From the very beginning of the novel I found myself drawn into the story and didn’t want to stop reading.

The very human characters felt like people you could and would like to know. Strengths and weaknesses of everyone in the book lead you to a genuine caring for the outcome.

The use of passages from Paradise Lost was interesting and added a special touch to the story from the viewpoint of the villain.

Heitzmann has crafted a wonderful story which leads me to want to read some of her earlier works.

Waterbrook-Multnomah provided me with this book free of charge for an honest, un-biased review.

Book List

Books I've read lately:

Tears of the Sun by S.M. Stirling

these next few are by Newt Gingrich & William Forstchen

Pearl Harbor
Days of Infamy
Gettysburg
Grant Comes East
1945

I have enjoyed all of Stirling's books. I've been pleasantly surprised by the ones which Gingrich has co-authored. I'm wondering how much he actually wrote.
Haven't been able to find the last of the Civil War series and I'm not sure if there will be a third in the Pacific War series since they have been writing about Washington, Valley Forge and the beginning of the US.
I liked 1945, and while it was written in '95 and a sequel is promised, there's not one yet. 

The Library

A while back I took Christopher and Kaitlyn to the library and got them both cards. They love the library, almost as much as their daddy does.
The branch closest to us is the Tryon branch which is in a new building. The downtown library is in the midst of a remodel. Which is sorely needed.
I could go and roam the stacks for hours looking at what's contained on the shelves.
I just have one frustration though, not being able to find complete series of books. I consistently find the first of a series or the second, but rarely both at the same time.
But that's just a minor thing that in no way takes the joy out of reading or looking for books.
Support the local library. Mostly free reading.

Freedom of Speech - As Long as You Say What I Say is Okay

My previous post spoke to a recent meeting among the city council members. You can read that below.

At the following meeting of the City Council (December 15, 2011) the Council president, Sam Hall, came out and laid down the law on how to speak at the open forum section of the meeting.
Prior to opening the session, Mr. Hall stated that anyone that might mention a connection to Hitler would be ruled out of order.

About 4 or 5 speakers in, Father Nathan Monk came before the council and began to speak on the limiting of freedom of speech by the council president. I'm not sure how much time is given to speak, but it must be around three minutes Maybe 5, since I've been listening to some Occupy clown for about that long). While Father Monk didn't specifically point anyone in particular, he did make it very clear that he didn't agree with actions taken at the previous meeting. About two minutes in the Supreme Council President decide that he didn't like the way the comments were heading and ruled him out of order. The actual wording was, "You're out of order, sit down!"
Father Monk disagreed obviously and declined to sit down at which point an officer from the Pensacola police department came up to provide encouragement to be seated. Father Monk pointed out that he had time left and again declined. At this point Police Chief Chip Simmons approached to add his support to the other officer.
Prior to being forcibly removed, however, Councilwoman Myers denounced the President and left the chambers. Father Monk's time must have elapsed at this time, because he left.

Now there have to be rules to be followed, but the limitation of a person's freedom of speech because you don't like it is just wrong. It seems that the council president has become infatuated with his alleged power, so much so that he has forgotten the premise of freedom of speech.

Councilwoman Myers came back and addressed the freedom of speech very forcefully and thoroughly.

I've listened to the rest of the meeting and Councilman Johnson has again stated that he's offended when people question his faith, and associate him with Nazi's, and might call him anti-homeless.
Once again, as noted previously, cowboy up and get a thicker skin. Also, that proposed ordinance is anti-homeless. As mentioned by a representative of the mayor's office that ordinance was in the works by a previous city attorney before the Occupy movement, so it obviously has to be targeted at the homeless.

The city council is not a house of lords, ruling with an iron hand, handing out the rights that they think we should have. Some might think they are, but that time has long passed and should be impressed on the council, just as it should be made evident to the federal government. 

Can You Spare a Brother a Sleeping Bag? Don't Try in Pensacola

**correction: actually it was the Committe of the whole, not the actual council - my bad

Earlier this week the City Council of Pensacola brought up an ordinance proposed by the Mayor, Ashton Heyward.

Here is the proposed ordinance:

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Pensacola, Florida, hereby finds that in order to provide for, secure and promote the aesthetics, sanitation, public health, and safety of its citizens, it is necessary and in the public interest to adopt an Ordinance prohibiting in part and regulating the conduct of camping on public property, as defined, within the city limits.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF PENSACOLA, FLORIDA:

SECTION 1. Section 8-1-22 of the Code of the City of Pensacola, Florida, is hereby created to read as follows:

Sec. 8-1-22. Camping prohibited; exceptions

(1) For purposes of this section, "camping" is defined as:

(a) Cooking over an open flame or fire out-of-doors; or

(b) Bathing in public for purposes of personal hygiene; or

(c) Sleeping out-of-doors under one of the following circumstances:

(i) adjacent to or inside a tent or sleeping bag, or

(ii) atop and/or covered by materials such as a bedroll, cardboard, newspapers, or

(iii) inside some form of temporary shelter.

(2) Camping is prohibited on all public property, except as may be specifically authorized by the appropriate governmental authority.

(3) Camping is prohibited on all property in the City used for residential purposes; provided, however, that camping is permitted on such property with the permission and consent of the property owner.

(4) An individual in violation of this ordinance who has no private shelter, shall be advised of available shelter in the City of Pensacola or Escambia County, in addition to any penalties of law.

SECTION 2. In any word, phrase, clause, paragraph, section or provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid or unconstitutional, such finding shall not affect the other provision or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared severable.

SECTION 3. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage by the City Council.

Needless to say this proposed ordinance created quite a stir and a fairly large crowd assembled to voice their opinions. Since Stacey is involved with the Nothing Lost Outreach Ministry which works with the area homeless she watched the meeting via streaming.

By my count there were at least three members of the local clergy that spoke along with a number of others. Pastor Jeff Henry (Ensley First Baptist), and Pastor Joshua Wallnofer (Klondike Baptist), were both pointed in comments, but also not antagonistic in their commentary. Not so much for Father Nathan Monk (Saint Faustina Old Catholic Church – according to what I found online) seemed more than ready to be bombastic and antagonistic toward the city council members. That the council might pass the ordinance was compared to crucifying Jesus – just a little over the top in my opinion.

Not to be outdone however, a military veteran later compared them to Heinrich Himmler. There was also a young woman who was ruled out of order and wouldn’t stop speaking and had to be escorted away from the meeting. And for comedy relief there was the gentleman, also a veteran, who was blustering on about something not germane to the topic and was also ruled out of order and asked to sit. He was outraged and told the council president that he couldn’t believe he was ruled out of order and that “you know my rank!”

Oh, I almost forgot one of the “Occupy Pensacola” guys who chimed in on a number of subjects. When this Mensa was ruled out of order, his comeback was, “You’re out of order! This is all out of order!”

Not that the crowd had the corner on brilliance at the meeting.

Let me point out that two of the council members (Councilwoman Myers and Councilman Jerralds) had “the vegetables,” as Toby Keith might say, to state they wouldn’t vote for the ordinance and gave cogent reasons for their position.

On the other hand, Councilwoman DeWeese mentioned that she seconded the ordnance so that discussion could go on about it. Laudable I guess, then she went on to say that she was offended that someone would question her faith and attack that faith and also compare her to Nazi’s. Seconding that line of thought was Councilman Johnson. At this point the council president, Mr. Hall apologized to both offended members and said he wouldn’t allow that kind of rhetoric to go on anymore. I think it was also at this point that Mr. Messer, the city attorney , said that if the president didn’t handle it he was (I could be wrong about who said that, but it was said).

At this point let me say to both of the offended council persons, I personally thought it was in very poor taste to compare you to any Nazi’s of any sort, to also equate you to Pilate and those that crucified Christ was also way over the top. As for some of the other statements pertaining to stuff that is actually in the Bible… well, you might want to read a little more closely. You don’t get a pass because you are a high-and-mighty city council person. And also, if you can’t take criticism, well maybe you’re not in the right job field. If you want the big stick, you have to take some of the responsibility and heat that comes with it, just ask Albert Pujols.

While mentioning council members, big kudos should also go to the president of the council, Mr. Sam Hall. He was the virtual caricature of the big boss man. Always right in everything, kissing up to the others on the council and sticking it to the actual citizenry that showed up to share their obviously misguided and dim opinions. It was very obvious by Mr. Hall’s demeanor that he really would have rather not allowed any discussion on the subject. At a couple of points the parliamentarian attempted to interject, but the president is obviously a superior parliamentarian to be corrected.

After all of the fun was over, comments were cut off, instead of “cowboying up,” the council voted to unanimously send the ordinance back to the mayor’s staff for refinement. After all of the bluster, out of the nine members of the council, only two members actually had the guts to stand up and say where they stood on the issue.

Imagine that!

A question that was asked by one person strikes me as particularly relevant. Where was the mayor? He had his staff cook the ordinance up and send down for a vote, why didn’t he show up and defend and/or explain his reasoning?

For the record, I do not live in the city limits, and am glad of it. I would have voted for Ashton Heyward, because I think that Pensacola needs a younger generation with different ideas in a leadership position. However, fortitude is also needed in leading. If you think you’re right, be a man and defend your position, don’t hide behind a bush somewhere.

I think that this came to fruition because of the Occupy Pensacola crowd that got everyone flustered. They took over MLK plaza and nothing was done except to roll over and get a belly scratch. Then after a couple of weeks OP was made to move to the grounds of City Hall and the no-tents rule was waived for another couple of weeks. Then that ordnance was finally enforced.

Now the Occupy movement by-and-large is fueled by the unions and malcontents that don’t have anything better to do (IMO) (Also MO, corporations are made up of individuals who work for the corporation and/or invest in it - many of them in that 99% that Occupy claims to represent). There are some good people in the mix with valid opinions and causes, the fact that they make up about 1% of the crowd is the problem. The same goes for Pensacola, there are some whack jobs and malcontents in the mix along with honest, concerned people.

In the Mayor’s zeal to take care of OP, the homeless of the community were thrown under the same bus. The only issue is that most of the OP members have someplace to go, the homeless don’t. That sleeping bag they have is all the home they have.

A better solution has to be available. It is a virtual impossibility to get rid of them no matter how hard you try (hint, hint, SR County). We have to find a way to help them. “Help” is the operative word.

A start will be to have some sort of round table with the City Council, the County Commissioners and local leaders that work with homeless so things can be discussed. Now that’s a tall order, because that would mean some egos would have to be left at the door. In many cases I don’t think that some local leaders are capable of doing that.

One other thing that everyone involved should think about:

You can disagree without being disagreeable.

I don’t think that many of them can do that either.

Really! She's Not From Venus

When I told my wife I was going to be reading a book that would help me understand her a little bit better, she rolled her eyes and gave me a sarcastic “Right.” I wasn’t sure myself, but after reading the book, “for men only,” by Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, I actually have a glimmer of hope in the quest to understand my wife just a little better.

Being a guy, there are some things I’ve never thought about concerning my wife, because like most men, I’m oblivious to many things right in front of me. And, who can tell what a woman is thinking or how her mind works? The answer? Other women. The research conducted in preparation for the writing of this book included surveys of actual women with very specific questions. The answers were a surprise to me and some of the other facts revealed by the authors were surprising as well. The six keys that are given in the book are somewhat obvious, but often overlooked.

While definitely biblically based, the reader isn’t beaten over the head with scripture, so even the non-churched male should find this a good book to read. It also doesn’t pretend to have all of the answers as many marriage-help books seem to lead one to believe.

This is a book that every man would do well to read and have on hand to re-read as necessary.  

This book was provided to me free of charge by Waterbrook-Multnomah in return for an unbiased review, which you have read above.

  “As I was writing For Women Only to help women understand the inner lives of men, over and over I heard that men wished there was a way to understand their wives, but they felt it was probably impossible. I heard from them, ‘You are writing this little slim volume about men, but if it was about understanding women, it would have to be the size of an encyclopedia! Women are random and complicated!’ These men were surprised and encouraged when I assured them that women are neither random nor complicated, and we can be understood. Men just want to love their wives well, and For Men Only will help them do that.”

—Shaunti Feldhahn