Rules for Living

No. 312: Never mix professional football players, nightclubs, and guns.

Black Friday

The moniker "Black Friday" took on a whole new meaning when a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death yesterday by a bargain-hungry mob in New York. I don't think we'll ever think about a "door-buster" sale the same way again. We are so eager to get past the commercially useless Thanksgiving holiday that we open our new temples, the stores, in the wee hours, enticing worshipers with the promise of a better life at a discount. How many people must be sacrificed on the altar of consumerism before we realize what the holiday season is really all about?

Thanksgiving Turkeys

I'd enjoy Thanksgiving football more if we didn't have to endure Detroit every year.

Terror Returns

News item: Islamic terrorists kill scores in a series of coordinated attacks targeting Americans and Britons in India's financial capital.

Question 1: Wasn't the world supposed to love us now that we have elected Barack Obama as our next president?

Question 2: If this incident had happened before the election, would more people have voted for John McCain?

Comment: The Democrats may find that slogans don't work very well when it comes time to actually govern. They had better pray that the Republicans don't politicize national security issues the way they did.

Vertical Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, when it is noticed at all in the culture, appears to be only horizontal. We thank people who have blessed us in one way or another, and rightly so. But we seem less enthused about the vertical aspect of this holiday. Tomorrow, remember to thank God, from whom all blessings flow.

Red Ink

Why is it that deficits only seem to matter when Republicans are pouring out the red ink?

Rules for Living

No. 28: Get it done early.

Jupiter

Think the weather's bad in Chicago? Try Jupiter.

Rules for Living

No. 20: If you can't sleep, get up and accomplish something.

Rules for Living

No. 85: If it's not your show, you're not the celebrity.

Standing Still

Moving forward can be overrated. Sommetimes standing still is the best you can do.

Formula for Faithfulness

Work. Pray. Trust.

Snow

Since you can do nothing about the snow, build a snowman.

The Price of Memories

Good memories carry no pricetag.

Sin and Grace

Expect sin. Be surprised by grace.

Rules for Living

No. 23: Restock before you run out.

Crisis Belief

A crisis often reveals what we really believe.

Night and Day

Is it just me, or are the media treating President Bush with decency and respect now that the election is over? Same goes for Sen. Obama's treatment of the commander-in-chief. I wonder what else will change now that the votes have been counted.

Bailing Out Detroit

Now the auto industry wants a bailout, and the president-elect apparently is ready to dole out more government (read "taxpayer") cash. Here's a suggestion for Detroit: Try building better cars for less money.

If automakers need a handout, then why not Starbucks, or the magazine industry? Let's change the economy so that no one can fail ... or succeed.

Actually, this has been tried before. It was called Marxism. You'll find the results over there on the ash heap of history. Is that where Sen. Obama intends to take us?

Questioning a Miracle

What happens when the miracle comes and things are not put aright?

Good Job

You don't need a good job to be happy. But it helps.

Rugged Individualism

Rugged individualism doesn't work when you get old. We all need the bonds of community to fully express and enjoy our humanity through all of life's stages.

Happy Anyway

Barack Obama is going to take over the White House, but don't let his election take away your happiness. Don't give him, the Democrats, and a cheerleading media that kind of power over your life. Decide to be happy anyway.

Memo to Democratic Voters

When you arrive at the polling place, do not be alarmed if you do not see George W. Bush's name on the ballot. Rest assured that this is a technical oversight. Democratic Party lawyers and ACORN representatives are working to rectify the problem. Go ahead and vote. Polls open at 7 a.m. on Thursday.

Words from the Pope

"America, your deepest identity and truest character as a nation is revealed in the position you take towards the human person. The ultimate test of your greatness is the way you treat every human being, but especially the weakest and most defenseless ones." (John Paul II)

Rules for Living

No. 1: Take no day for granted.

Three for the Price of One

Joe Biden isn't really Barack Onama's running mate. But don't worry; the junior senator from Illinois has plenty of company at the top of the Democratic ticket. He will have not one vice president, but two: Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. If you approve of the job these two congressional Democrats have been doing, be sure to vote for Obama, because you'll definitely be seeing a lot more of them. Imagine the wonders they can work with both the executive and legislatives branches of government (and, eventually, the judicial branch) firmly controlled by the liberals.