truth B told

According to the DRUDGE REPORT:

ABCNEWS obtained a "terror threat" tape from a source in Waziristan, Pakistan over the weekend. The network has withheld airing it, initially citing concerns over its authenticity.

One senior federal official alleged ABCNEWS is now holding back from broadcasting any portion of the video out of fear it will be seen as a political move by the network during election week.

One ABC source, who demanded anonymity, said Thursday morning, the network was struggling to find a correct journalistic "balance.""

This is not something you just throw out there while people are voting," the ABC source explained. A second ABC source told DRUDGE: "We continue to report this story aggressively."

We have to ask these questions: Has ABCNEWS already stirred the political pot by admitting they haven't released the video because it may be seen as a political move? Are their political motives behind ABCNEWS, and that's why their integrity checks and balance siren went off? If ABCNEWS was confident of its objective news reporting, wouldn't this be an easier decision?

If this is a genuine find in Afghanistan, and it was really obtained this week, then I say let the video air. It's not election eve--like CBS had plans to air the missing stockpile story.

And since the CIA and FBI late Wednesday authenticated the video, ABCNEWS has the protection that this video is not a hoax.

The real question is: does this new threat help President Bush or Senator Kerry in the upcoming election?

I would suggest it undoubtedly helps Bush, because he has stronger polls in the area of foreign policy, war on terrorism, and homeland security. This video could be replayed in the minds of all voters as they step into the voting booth next Tuesday.

Is the video news worthy? That's the question ABCNEWS is asking themselves. However, critiquing the news agencies that cover of the news is becoming more newsworthy than the news itself.

Somtimes truth is blurry--especially when proclaimed from an anchor desk.

let the truth B told
-T

I have an average size, non-flip, cell phone that allows me to call my friends. It doesn't take pictures. There's no pretty color screen. No games. No calculator to figure out...(what do people use their phone calculator for?) And it comes with about 8 options for ringtones.

I can't download new ringtones in my phone. I can't set different songs to different caller numbers. I just hear a basic little ring that let's me know someone wants to talk to me. It's simple. It's boring. But it works.

Some people would be miserable to be in my shoes. They need the smallest, coolest, techiest phone available (I'm not talking about my in-laws who still have a 4-pound bag phone in their car.) Some people always have the best gadgets, and trendiest electronic stuff. There's a lot of people out there. And now the commercial market is grabbing the bull by it's musical horns and running with it.

According to Reuters:

Billboard Magazine is launching a new chart that will track the popularity of cell phone ringtones, as they are called.

The new chart, known as the Billboard Hot Ringtones Chart, will reflect the "Top 20" polyphonic ringtone sales for each week, including song title, artist, previous week's position and number of weeks on the chart.

Polyphonic tones are the dominant force in the ringtone market and are created using electronic synthesizers.

The ringtone market has exploded in recent years, with global revenues estimated to have topped $3.5 billion in 2003, according to industry estimates.

That's a lot of money to spend on ringtones. But I am beginning to understand how ringtones help shape a person's identity and image.

Like a rad pair of leg warmers or a stone-washed jean jacket, ringtones help make a person who they are in our plastic little world.

...I gotta go, my cell is vibrating in my pocket.

let the truth B told
-T

Please hear my plea for everyone to get out anf vote on Nov. 2

I've a few conversations with people that still don't know where some candidate stand on certain issues.

Here's a few sites that you can browse to gather more info on the candidates.

Project Vote Smart has good info even on the state candidates.
http://www.vote-smart.org/

Voter Information Services is a public report card on incumbant voting records.
http://www.vis.org/

D-Net is a project of the League of Women Voters Education Fund.
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/e4/

CNN--the issues. They break presidential platforms down issues by issue.
http://www.cnn.com

FOX--You Decide 2004. A lot of info to sort through. For issues, look at "interactive" section.
http://www.foxnews.com

Factcheck.org is a site that discusses errors in campaign ads, debates, and speeches. It doesn't really cover issues by issue for candidates. But it's worth a read.
http://www.factcheck.org

CitizenLink is a conservative "family-friendly" site. OK...very biased toward conservatives, but discusses the issues they care about.
http://election.citizenlink.org

Here's a little satire for you...


*** EXCLUSIVE TRUTH B TOLD REPORT****
GHOST TOWN, Fla. -- GOP campaign officials along with Kerry's bus pulled into Wal-Mart early Friday morning to pick out costumes for Halloween.

Bush representatives were browsing through the lab coats trying to find a perfect fit for a moderate stem-cell researcher outfit. Others observed Bush's people looking through urban hip-hop collections and large gold chains. Whispers suggested he would like to appeal to a missing black community vote that he would love turn out to the polls in his favor on election day.

Lady Bush's representatives were in the briefcase section, thinking a business look could appeal to corporate ladies. However, rumors are that she will be wearing a Rainbow Push t-shirt accented with a pink gay-pride ball cap.

In a move to seem young and hip, Cheney's people were seen buying a large white sheet to be made into a toga. "He wanted a wild fraternity-boy look," a close source revealed. "He did think about being a trial lawyer for Halloween, but he didn't want to scare the kids."

On the other side of the store, Kerry's assistants were in the hunting section buying a lot of orange stocking caps and camo vests for all the door-to-door volunteers in the Midwest. Kerry, himself, was in the fitting room trying on a Superman outfit. His advisers claim the late Mr. Reeve's final request was that Kerry help the Superman legacy live on.

On a side note, a right-wing activist was arrested after secretly placing an Adam's Family "Lurch" outfit in the cart.

Teresa Heinz Kerry browsed a few moments in the costume section, but then wandered in the beer and wine section to buy a few essentials for the campaign bus. She told reporters that she was getting a custom-made ketchup bottle costume for the upcoming holiday.

And for James Carville, he was simply buying a wig.


copyright 2004 truth B told
http://donotfeartruth.blogspot.com

I e-mailed state representative Craig Fitzhugh who was accused of being responsible for distributing the "Special Olympic Bush" flyer. (see my Oct. 13 post) I wanted his comment.

Here it is:

Thank you for your email. I have stated in several articles, "It is
totally, unequivocally, completely a lie. I am completely disgusted by the accusation, by the distribution, by everything about it."

And he attached a few newspaper articles regarding the flyer investigation. It turns out to be political poopoo on the part of some dumb activist group.

Oh, the game of politics....
Sorry Mr. Fitzhugh for questioning you as a political idiot...
And to the GOP websites that jumped all over this before an investigation...shame on you.

let the truth B told
-T

This has potential for explosion...

Read this essay in the Washington Post...

I have some opinions...but I'd love to read your comments about it ...

Some areas to ponder:

• Should the First Lady be consumed with another job?
• Should the First Lady be aggressive in opinion, or calm and quiet?
• Does corporate leadership experience benefit the First Lady?
• How important is public popularity to the First Lady?
• What are a few must-have traits in the First Lady?

Let the comments flow.

Has the October surprise been dished out by the hands of Pat Robertson?

Robertson, an ardent Bush supporter, told CNN in an interview Tuesday night that he urged the president to prepare the American people for the prospect of casualties before launching the war in March 2003.

Robertson said Bush told him, " 'Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties.' "

Do you think Bush really said this? Why would he have sent our military in with chemical warfare protection, initiated the conflict with shock and awe, and asked the American people on the eve of war to pray for the safety of our troops if he didn't think their would be a chance of casualties.

Pat Robinson has a hidden agenda. And he's name dropping the Lord to see it come to fruition.

"I mean, the Lord told me it was going to be A, a disaster, and B, messy," Robertson said. "I warned him about casualties."

Did God specifically tell him this, or is this a normal gut feeling that everyone had knowing the history of Saddam Hussein's barbaric ways of warfare and killing innocent people?

I believe time will tell why Pat Robertson got on CNN a few weeks before the election and dropped this choice-cut steak in the mouths of the media while sitting at the table of public debate.

I'm smelling a new book coming out and he needs some easy press.

No matter what the case, he was totally out of line as a "Christian leader" to air these statements on national television.

Do I think it's wrong because it may hurt Bush? Not really. I have other reasons...

I believe Pat Robertson is playing the biggest game of "I told you so" that we've ever seen. If he truly feels this way about the President of the United States, and truly heard the president make those comments, and truly heard the clear voice of God on this matter...then he should privately discuss the matter with Bush, and leave it be.

Out of respect and loyalty to a friend, as well as his authority, Robertson should never have made this a public matter. It was disrespectful, dishonoring, and disloyal--characteristics no Christian should have toward leadership.

I believe Pat Robertson, as founder of the Christian Coalition, should lead by example in the area of respecting leadership, and dealing with matters in an honorable way.

There is no doubt that if this conversation that occurred in 2003 is still eating at Robertson's spirit, then he should act upon in in a private manner. Throwing it into the public domain weeks before the election is clear evidence that Robertson needed a little national attention.

There has to be a reason he appeared on CNN and made these comments....time will tell.

Book deal....that's my call.

let the truth B told

-T

ABC news anchor Peter Jennings said the media will never be completely objective.
(see story here)

"I'm a little concerned about this notion everybody wants us to be objective," Jennings said. He said that everyone -- even journalists -- have points of view through which they filter their perception of the news. It could be race, gender or income. But, he said, reporters are ideally trained to be as objective as possible.
"And when we don't think we can be fully objective, to be fair," the anchorman said.

What is fair? What is the standard for fair, and who sets it?

Obviously this is great fodder for a journey for truth. Some recent "comments" suggest I haven't been fair in my search for truth. That I tend to post anti-liberal articles and such. As I read through the news items of the day, I do get interested in a variety of news topics. I post some that are funny, some thought provoking, some politically stirring, and some to be pondered in the spiritual side of life.

Can news be objective? Can absolute truth be found on the evening news? Is there concrete absolute truth? How much does perspective, cultural experience, education, and upbringing have to do with perspective of thought?

Through the presidential debates we've experience how facts, numbers and stats can be truthful, yet manage to tell two different stories. How can a box of puzzle pieces be formed into multiple pictures? Who decides what is accurate, trustworthy, right, and just?

Today I post a lot of questions....very few answers.

But I do thank Peter Jennings for bringing to surface the fact that absolute objective reporting is impossible. And for that, we must always read with caution and careful analysis.

It's up to us, our brains, our guts, and our faith to sort out truth, perspective, opinion, and fantasy.

Truth seeking isn't for the apathetic.

let the truth B told... (I still believe it can...)

- T

My church volunteers once a month to help pre-sort food at the local food pantry. It's a non-profit, government funded food distribution center in our community. Although the government provides some funds for the program, the center is largely dependant upon volunteers. Several churches volunteer time, money and people power to accomplish a major task--help feed the needy in our town.

I'm very proud of our churches for bringing in troops to help with the cause. Some people stereotype evangelicals as people who are not concerned for the needy. I beg to differ. Although we may not stand on a soap box shouting the cause, we do quietly stand in the trenches and do our job. Sure, more people are needed and many do nothing. But last night I watched 16 people work hard to make sure people get food this week. From elementary students to retired seniors, people gave up an evening to work at the food center.

Sixteen evangelical volunteers in a town of 20,000 may not be conquering the global hunger problem, but we are doing our part. And for that...I say job well done. Obviously not finished, but for last night...well done.

ALso....
More hairy politics.... click here

Lastly...
Sorry I didn't post the last couple of days. My laptop is having severe problems. Thank goodness for techy friends who are willing to reach out a helping hand. Thanks A!

Read the following paragraphs taken from a story by Knight Ridder Newspapers...

The hip-hop anarchist (KRS-One) has declared his solidarity with al-Qaida by asserting that he and other African-Americans "cheered when 9-11 happened," reports the New York Daily News. The rapper, real name Kris Parker, defiled the memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks as he spouted off at a recent New Yorker Festival panel discussion.

"I say that proudly," the rapper went on, insisting that, before the attack, security guards kept Blacks out of the World Trade Center "because of the way we talk and dress."So when the planes hit the building, we were like, 'Mmmm - justice.' "

The atrocity of 9-11 "doesn't affect us the hip-hop community," he said. "9-11 happened to them, not us," he added, explaining that by "them" he meant "the rich ... those who are oppressing us. RCA or BMG, Universal, the radio stations."

Some people live in a bubble. Maybe you would say I live in a bubble. But I would hope to have a more balanced perspective on the September 11 tragedy than this guy. This isn't a race issue. This guy could be brown, white, black, red, or blue. It's not the color of the skin that should be focused on. It's the level of self-centered, victim-mentality, anger that he possesses. This is a severe case of selfishness. It's a severe case of other things too...but I'm no therapist.

Terrorism has affected all Americans in some aspect of life. I wish this guy would take a few moments and look at the big-picture of life before he makes the mistake of mocking other horrific tragedies that affect our nation....our neighborhoods...and our world.

let the truth B told

-T

Regarding a question on homosexuality at Wednesday night's debate...

WHAT JOHN KERRY SAID: "And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as."

VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY REACTION: "You saw a man who will say and do anything in order to get elected. And I am not speaking just as a father here, though I am a pretty angry father, but as a citizen." and to NBC..."I would have said Sen. Kerry was out of line to bring my daughter into it. I thought it was totally inappropriate."

LYNNE CHENEY AT POST-DEBATE RALLY: "The only thing I could conclude is that this is not a good man. This is not a good man. And, of course, I'm speaking as a mom. And a pretty indignant one. This is not a good man. What a cheap and tawdry political trick."

ELIZABETH EDWARDS ACCUSES LYNNE CHENEY OF "SHAME" OF HER DAUGHTER: "She's overreacted to this and treated it as if it's shameful to have this discussion. I think that's a very sad state of affairs… I think that it indicates a certain degree of shame with respect to her daughter's sexual preferences… It makes me really sad that that's Lynne's response."

KERRY CAMPAIGN: Senior Kerry aide acknowledges to ABC "it was not his best moment," but calls charges that it was inappropriate "ridiculous… The woman is in her thirties. She's public about her sexuality. It was brought up in the last debate. So, what the hell?"

let the truth B told
-T

John Kerry, last night, had the opportunity to respond to Bush's comments on how his faith is a part of his position as president. (Bush clearly shared how his faith is personal, and that it will be a part of everything he does since it's such an important part of his life.)

Kerry--looking a little hesitant--told Americans he respects the president's faith, and even shares it. But then went on to give kudos to all the faiths of the world. Ahh, such political savvy for a guy looking for votes and watching the polls.

Here's his quote: "Everything is a gift from the Almighty. And as I measure the words of the Bible -- and we all do; different people measure different things -- the Koran, the Torah, or, you know, Native Americans who gave me a blessing the other day had their own special sense of connectedness to a higher being. And people all find their ways to express it."

Then Kerry went on to say we should love our neighbor, but the Bush administration hasn't done a good job at that.

Here's my point that needs to be highlighted. Bush talked about his faith in a personal way. You can tell he talks to God in a personal way and that it's a staple ingredient of his life. Kerry, on the other hand, threw out some religious terms that would make everyone happy, but then bashed President Bush as he quoted scripture about loving thy neighbor.

Now, I obviously have no sure-fire way or knowing the inner heart of each man. But by their statements, their practices, and my observations...I would dare to say Bush's faith is personal, and that Kerry's seems to be a little more political.

Those are my thoughts.....go ahead and pull out your guns and shoot at 'em.

Read the entire debate transcript here

let the truth B told
-T

here's the flyer...

According to traditionalvalues.org...Tennessee Democrats in a race for a state House seat in District 82, are circulating a flyer that shows a retarded child with President Bush’s face running in a track race. The headline says: “Voting for Bush Is Like Running In The Special Olympics: Even If You Win, You’re Still Retarded.”

I hope this is wrong. I hope this is bad information.
Please tell me Democrat Craig Fitzhugh is not doing this, and this turns out to be a hoax.

let the truth B told
-T

The last time I was at the Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson was to see the men's bathroom, not the show. In fact, I've never seen the show... but I've been to the theater twice to experience the restrooms. The men's restroom has a pool table with a guy ready to rack the table for you. The stalls have solid wood doors with black marble toilets. But the best thing ever...there is shaved ice in urinals. Why? I have a few opinions, but I'll keep them to myself in this writing.

Why am I reminiscing about the ice-filled urinals in Branson? Because today I read that urinals are the new billboards of the day.

To quote from a press release: "To help create buzz for its new landmark television event, CMT OUTLAWS concert and countdown specials premiering Friday, Oct. 29, CMT will target men at bathroom urinals in bars, concert venues, colleges and radio stations with the -- Wizmark(R) -- the world's first and only device of its kind. The deodorizing urinal drain filter cover - featuring a waterproof anti-glarelenticular viewing display, pre-recorded audio and flashing lights -- is motion-activated: step up to the urinal and the unit starts flashing, talking and alternating pictures. The units are designed to last more than 10,000 flushes."

Some lady is going to tell you to watch Country Music Television as you're peeing. I just don't know what to think about this. Shouldn't this be a private time? Can't I get away from ads at least when I'm looking down trying to take care of some business?

Where will this stop? I hope I never sit down in a public restroom to poop and the toilet tells me about a new South Beach diet book that's available at the local bookstore.

let the truth B told
-T

Reality Wake-Up
"Superman" actor Christopher Reeve died Sunday. (story)

Almost every young boy's favorite superhero in the 70s, 80s, and 90s was Superman. Now the man who played this awesome caped crusader is dead. As sad as this is, it's a humbling reminder that we all have an eternal destination waiting for us. Kryptonite isn't the problem we must face, but a life without a relationship with our Maker.

Before we get too wrapped up in TV, politics, stem cell research, entertainment, and the MLB playoffs, let's take a little time to evaluate our real life, and where we'll be after we pass from this life on earth to our next destination.

Life will continue for all of us. But the destination of life is upto you. Jesus says that He is the way, the Truth, and the Life. Consider Him today.

Spinning Stupid
On a much less serious note....
I was watching the debates Friday and finally got sick of the spin. Both Republicans and Democrats have such obnoxious representatives to shout victory or point fingers at the end of each debate. Why do news programs air this stuff? Because people eat it up.

Can people think for themselves? Does the amount of spin on the TV after the debate suggest Americans are stupid and can't process the debate information without all the biased comment? I'm worried people wait to hear all the commentaries before they decide how the cadidates performed. Maybe we should all watch C-SPAN instead.

The Bag Lady
Want to see the most ridiculous outfits in fashion? ....click....

It's the weekend...heading to a pumpkin patch with the family!
Clear here for recent headlines.....DRUDGE REPORT

the tallest building in the world

Take a look at the above picture. The full story is here.

"The 1,679-foot-tall structure in Taiwan--which some liken to a giant bamboo shoot of glass and steel -- received the title from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization involved in the planning, design and construction of skyscrapers."

Man's journey for achievement is interesting. Some people want to build huge structures to show off their power and influence. Others are jealous. Some are so irate their willing to destroy the monuments of accomplishment.

Although the future of tall buildings seemed uncertain after Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States destroyed the World Trade Center towers in New York, fear didn't stand in the way of global pride in having the biggest building.

Ever sit and think about the things we get proud of. People are proud of their nice cars, their golf scores, their green lawns, their position at work, and even their cosmetically enhanced body features.

Between striving for success and harboring pride, we have to question ourselves as a culture to what truly is important, healthy, and beneficial to our lives. Building the tallest office complex offers what to humanity? Instead of reaching to the stars in fame, notoriety, and global recognition for constructing a building, maybe we should find reward in helping others, bettering our society, and pleasing our creator.

Several thousand years ago a group of people in the plain of Shinar wanted to build a tall building so they could have a name for themselves. To squelch their path to unstoppable pride, God scattered the people and put a stop to their rebellious behavior.

Is building a big structure wrong? No. What about working on a project or dedicating a lot of time to something that feeds your ego, but offers little to your world?

Reaching for the stars for fame, popularity, and power is such a dangerous journey. Many people fall along the way. Reaching toward heaven, on the other hand, and partnering with the Creator of the world to help humanity is a act that may go unnoticed in the newspaper, but is being recorded in an eternal media file that will be read in the heavenlies.

Guard your heart from pride.

Let the truth B told
-T

I was feeding my 17-month-old son breakfast this morning. As a post-egg snack, I gave him some Kix. On the box it provides its marketing logo: mother tested, kid approved." I wondered, What about dads?

Then I ate some of them.

The cereal reminds me of miniature cheese puffs without any cheese flavoring. In other words, small Styrofoam pellets. It's a good thing God created moms with the internal makeup they have. Because dads would pick Fruitloops any day over a bowl of Kix.

I guess us dads are just kids trapped in bigger bodies.

God knew what he was doing when he created man and woman. The differences between the two are a perfect balance in life.

let the truth B told

-T

As the AP story says: "All he wanted were the facts. But Dick Cheney ended up generating confusion_ and lots of it." We must look at the small details in determining truth. In our VP's situation, the difference between "com" and "org" is like driving to a quiet local library verses driving into fire-storm barrage of bullets aimed at your head.

The situation, as you've probably heard and read, came about Tuesday night the the midst of the nasty VP debate. In a discussion (burning accusation) regarding Halliburton, Cheney and tax loopholes, Cheney in 30 seconds could not explain all the details, but invited the public to check their facts at a non-partisan webpage that does the fact checking for you.

Sounds like a logical idea. However, Mr. Cheney leads people to factcheck.com instead of factcheck.org.
The dot.com site is a billionaire funded anti-Bush site. The dot.org site provides facts.

Unfortunately for Bush supporters, the anti-Bush site was on fire with hits Tuesday night at the urging of his very own running mate. The small details do count.

When we are examining truth in all chapters of life, the small stuff counts.

My wife and I came across this man when we were on our honeymoon in 1997. He was standing at an "scenic overlook" in the Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN. We was giving away cookbooks that had religious material added to it. I believe it was a mix of Buddhism and New Age philosophy, and some other stuff. When he found out I was a Christian, he immediately attempted to make connections. "My brother is Baptist." And, "The Bible is a good book." I imagine he confused people all day with spiritual talk. But I asked him a few direct questions that separated my beliefs from his. Although he would like to promote all "people of higher faith" as heaven-bound individuals, he refused to accept the Acts 4:12 truth that no other name besides Jesus can make way for an everlasting life with God.

The guy sounded spiritual. But when you examined the details, he was a buffet of religion standing in a state park.

Whether you're surfing political news or searching for real hope and truth, make sure you look at the details--it'll make a difference.

let the truth B told

- T

When I was in college (Eastern Illinois University) I worked on staff at The Daily Eastern News all four years. The motto of the paper was "To tell the truth and don't be afraid." What an exciting mission statement. No matter the cost, no matter the consequence...get the truth out.

I covered local news in Charleston, IL. City council meetings, county board, local biz updates....stuff like that. Then I moved up the chain to city editor and eventually found myself sitting in the editor-in-chief office. All the time, we passionately nosed around for truth, and was passionate about sharing it to our 9,000 plus readers on a daily basis.

My life has taken a turn in the area of career... but the mazing thing is that I still want to the tell the truth and not be afraid. That will be an ingredient in the this blog...my journey for truth, sharing truth with others, and discovering together how to apply truth to our lives.

Oh yeah...I am a Christian. Before stereotyping me, I follow Jesus, and that's what makes me a Christian. If you have preconceived opinions of Christians, please be fair enough to give me a shot at showing people that Christianity is real, and not as hokey or hypocritical as some have unfortunately painted the picture.

So..this is the begining of an online, transparent journey. Come along...comment along...

let the truth B told

- T

Today i decided to dedicate a little time to journaling my life's journey for truth. ....I'll continue a little later...but first (please don't laugh) I need to figure this whole technical stuff out. I'm new to all this, but what a journey it will be.

- T