THE VEEPSTAKES CALCULATION - Just a Minute for Monday 5-26-08

Howdy, Howdy Everybody –

Monday morning – McCain and his band of brothers met in Sedona at Johnnie Mac’s invitation to eat BBQ, chew the fat and pray for the wind to be at their backs.

Comments I read on the web indicate picking a VP isn’t the biggest problem McCain has – he doesn’t seem to realize the lack of enthusiasm and vigor among his base for the coming contest – at least that’s what the Prince of Darkness Bob Novak writes. And there are others who write about the problems Obama has waiting for him – but say it still looks like a Tsunami of change is going to sweep over the GOP in the fall and leave taxpayers and conservatives high and dry on the shore.

Unless something changes rather drastically from this point right now… I would guess that’s probably a safe bet. My main consolation is that I am usually very bad at predicting winners and losers – particularly in the long range.

However today’s program deals with a Louisianan, who at least to this observer, sees the glass as half full rather than the other way around. I’m hoping he’s right and I’m wrong.

But there is a school of political thought that says it takes a good drubbing every now and then to get us back on track. This may be the drubbing year.

In any case listen to some of the qualifications of a newbie on the block. He’s a two year veteran of service in the House of Representative, but now occupies the governor’s chair in the Pelican state. If you know that then you don’t have to listen to today’s JUST A MINUTE to find out the new stuff. I’m praying for enthusiasm to fall from the heavens like rain – but I may be a little too early --- or too late.

Cordially, IN HIM

Jack

PS – Today’s script is below along with a link to the audio and to the comments line. –

“JUST A MINUTE”

THE VEEPSTAKES CALCULATION

Just A Minute – It’s time -- everyone yank out your Ouija (wee-gee) board, read your tea leaves, or stick a finger in the wind to guess at a Vice Presidential candidate. Obama and Madam Hillary are so far silent– so everyone’s looking to McCain since he’s the only Republican left standing – and pundits say something new is called for.

The latest gust calls forth Bobby Jindal, Governor of Louisiana, whose name keeps popping up on news screens. He’s taken the reins of the Pelican state and has plenty to say about governing smaller and more efficiently with lower taxes. The best summation so far comes from John Gizzi, of Human Events, who’s outlined the most compelling profile so far.

Piyush Jindal, son of Indian--as in Calcutta, immigrants, narrowly missed being elected governor of Louisiana in 2003, rebounded the next year to win a New Orleans-area House seat, and captured the governorship with ease last year. Piyush picked the name “Bobby” from one of the characters on ‘The Brady Bunch.” So there’s a name to put in your hat.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio link: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-26-08.mp3

ARE THE RICH REALLY DIFFERENT? - JAM for Friday May 23, 2008

Hello.. it’s FRIDAY>>> And I’m thankful… this has been a sort of wearing week… and it’s not over yet.

Well… we had to go through another of the same re-runs on election returns. Mrs. C. won overwhelmingly (65%) in KY… and Mr. O the same in Oregon. [But then it takes a lot of ‘quirkiness’ to travel in a covered wagon all the way from St. Louis across the mountains to the left coast. So… we should expect unusual character from the Pacific NW – and we get it. [g]] Just kidding folks.

Today Just a Minute takes a look in the files and finds out what was going on in this interminable campaign a year ago. Well.. there were a LOT more footprints in the sands. And with seven to ten people making daily speeches on both sides of the aisle… Well..it put 50,000 miles a year on eardrums. So you’ll be interested what turned up in the archives for almost a year ago. The script is right below… and the audio link below that plus a commentary line – which seems at time to be disconnected. [g]

Have a great weekend… Look for you Monday.

Cordially, IN HIM

Jack Buttram

“JUST A MINUTE”

ARE THE RICH REALLY DIFFERENT FROM YOU AND ME?

Just A Minute – It’s not quite a year since the San Francisco Chronicle revealed John Edwards – he of the two Americas, one rich the other poor – made a speech at the University of California Davis for which he charged fifty five thousand dollars. The title: "Poverty, The Great Moral Issue Facing America." He spoke at a total of nine universities that year earning $285,000.

I just thought you might want to know that since he’s inflated the possibility another run at the Vice President’s office - or something having now abandoned his coyness of not endorsing anyone by joining the Obama camp.

The Chronicle thought parents might be excused for wondering since the UC system hit students with a seven percent increase in tuition this past year. He could have helped out by giving the speech for gratis…But you know 400 dollar haircuts are not cheap; and it takes a heap of cash to keep up a twenty-nine thousand square foot mansion.

Besides, does anyone really expect candidates to live up to what they say nowadays?

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio link: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-23-08.mp3

GOOD NEWS FROM A NEIGHBOR - Just a Minute Radio for 05-22-08 Thursday

Hi Folks…

 

We’ve had some thunder bumpers out our way…but people are glad to get the rain.

 

Raleigh may not welcome this news… John Hood, President of the Locke Foundation in Raleigh has been turning up some education data, and because he’s followed the progress or lack of it in his Old North State… he has some rather startling things to observe.

 

He harks back to a few years ago when he says the Education establishment undertook to shift the goal posts a bit and earned themselves some ‘national infamy’ by, he says, “attempting to mislead the federals and the public.” Perhaps you’ll want to go deeper into it yourself… the Locke Foundation does some good work in keeping public servants operating in the public interest and transparency. He finds educational administrators have fiddled around to make North Carolina’s record to appear better than it is – particularly on graduation rates.

 

I’m not an expert but it sounds like he’s on to something – perhaps if you’re a parent or grandparent with children in school, you’ll want to examine what he says more closely.

 

Meanwhile we await your comments here as you please.

 

The audio link and comment line are below along with today’s script.

 

Cordially, IN HIM

Jack

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

GOOD NEWS FROM A NEIGHBOR

Just A Minute – John Hood, CEO of the Locke Foundation based in Raleigh, compliments South Carolina’s educational record even as he compares it with North Carolina’s.

Hood says North Carolina several years ago [quote] “Gained national infamy by concocting a grossly exaggerated ‘graduation rate’ in a blatant attempt to mislead federal officials and the public.” He adds a series of studies shows North Carolina sets some of the lowest achievement standards in the U.S.

Backing that up he points to academic testing of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, calling it the touchstone of academic testing. From unbiased data, Hood says North Carolina has manipulated measurements and earns just a D plus among a small group of states getting D’s and F’s, contrasting it with South Carolina, which he says has NOT dumbed down standards to make themselves look better.

Hood urges Raleigh to face facts: North Carolina has little to teach the rest of the country about enacting good education policy; South Carolina does.

Thanks, Mr. Hood, for encouraging South Carolina’s educators – and for challenging those in the Old North State.   

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

 

 

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio link: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-22-08.mp3

 

 

 

WHO FIRED THAT SHOT? - JAM 5/21/08 NRA Makes Nice

Hi Folks…

 

Here we are at what some folks call “hump’ day… It’s as far back to Monday as it ‘tis to Friday… If we’ve made it thus far… maybe…

 

Well.. that’s a sort of dead-end philosophy I think… living just for the weekends.  For Christians ‘every day is a new beginning/ Every day is a life made new…” I’ll have to look it up and seen who wrote that in a poem.

 

In any case the folks at Playfair are listening to the campaign… and wishing “for the day” in the words of St. Luke writing about Paul just about to get washed ashore on Malta. I’ll have to admit I’ve not been in any ocean storms like that… a few Thunder Bumpers have made my wife’s knuckles turn white (and mine too) but we survived them by the grace of God. Like the old saying goes about old and bold pilots… there aren’t many … and I’m certainly not numbered among them. I meet the old part OK…

 

So it looks like the NRA have decided McCain is OK… falling into that political classification of the ‘least bad of a bad lot I guess...’ The drumbeat continues… let’s pray it isn’t a long hot summer. We need the ‘showers of blessing.’

 

The script and comment line are below.  So far only someone selling clothing has commented on the JAM comment line… that wasn’t what *I* had in mind in putting it together. (;-) You’ll find an audio link there too, (I trust.)

 

Cordially, IN HIM

 

Jack

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

WHO FIRED THAT SHOT?

MizP:  Just a Minit – Mr. Jack – You ‘member the feud story?

Jack: Of the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s.

MizP:  And how they laid down their guns finally.

BB: Yeah – I wasn’t there but I ‘member…

Homer: Whut about hit Miz Pearl?

MizP: Sum of their long lost relatives voted in Kintucky yestiddy.

Homer: An sum deesendents at went west on th’ wagon trains voted in O-regon.

Jack: But there’s an even better story today – The National Rifle Association put it’s arms around John McCain when he spoke there a couple of days ago.

MizP: Really – Ah thot they wuz man at him fer McCain-Finegold and other thangs. Ah’m surprised.

 BB: The fellers at th’ Bait Shop and Sushi Bar says they’s looked over whut th’ other choices is an McCain’s a whole heap better’n the othern's.

Jack: That’s interesting – but I still don’t think

MizP: Don’t think whut Mr. Jack?  

Jack: Well West Virginia – see Sen. Bob Byrd is stickin’ with Sen. Obama no matter what the vote said – and no question there are more people angry with the President and wanting to do *something* else… I’m concerned …

 Homer: So whut are you concerned about Mr. Jack?

Jack: With so many people angry and deciding they’re gonna do *something* different…

MizP: You’re worried hit’s Jimmy Cahter time again… ain’t you…

Jack: Weeeellll…

Homer: I’ve heered you say hit many times Mr. Jack… “That’s whut Demicrats is fer.. ta' remine us why we vote Reepublikin!

Jack:  Ah…I’m Jack Buttram

 ( END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

AUDIO TRACK: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-21-08.mp3

 

 

==

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISASTERS DON'T FAVOR TYRANTS AND DICTATORS - Just A Minute Radio for Tuesday 5/20/08

Howdy – Very glad to have you aboard today.

 

It’s still on my mind all those relief supplies sitting on the dock in Myanmar held up because some power hungry elite generals don’t want their apple cart jostled. The earthquake and it’s significant aftershocks have exposed the character flaws in the Chinese government and the society it has built. Huge numbers of peasant laborers and migrant workers in China roam the countryside trying to eke out a living in the nearly uninhabitable and unfertile land of mountains and rocks – which describes large parts of Sichuan province where the earthquake was most severe. This means the people living in the cheapest, shoddiest shelters were the first to be damaged by falling cement and bricks. The others making up a large part of the victims are school children as cheaply built schools, and materials weakened by corrupt contracting practices, were among the first to collapse and trap thousands of children.

 

Parents know this – and though they grieve we understand they don’t want to reveal their identity lest government reprisals land more troubles on their backs. Today I cite Guy Sorman’s book “Empire of Lies: The Truth About  China in the 21^st Century” published within the past year. He says these totalitarian governments think they have everything under control, but when some natural disasters (and some not so natural disasters like Avian Flu and outbreaks of foot, hand and mouth diseases)break out the real culprits are corrupt government officials, businesses and builders willing to cheapen the construction and increase their profits.

 

Which of the ten commandments would these offenses fall under? Take your pick – false witness – stealing – covetousness – even murder. All are the antitheses of loving your neighbor as yourself.

 

Today’s script and link to the audio track are just below. Please avail yourselves.

 

Cordially, IN HIM

 

Jack

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

DISASTERS DON’T FAVOR TYRANTS

Just A Minute – There’s little question, those who’ve suffered the most in China have been of the peasant class, migrant workers and school children. Many Chinese laborers have been loosed from their economic moorings and inhabit the nearly uninhabitable places in China. Mountainous Sichuan Province is such a place.

The first buildings to crumble, were those erected by government – schools. Grieving parents won’t voice their complaints along with their names lest government reprisals fall swiftly. The mourning is, nonetheless, concentrated among the lower, more poverty stricken classes.

Guy Sorman, author of, "Empire of Lies: The Truth About China in the 21st Century," points out children crushed by the walls of their schools are victims of the dishonesty of builders, businesses and government officials as much as earthquakes. The people know this, posturing for aid and shrugging shoulders won’t soften hearts hardened by grief and pain. It’s always that way with autocratic regimes. It’s what insurance companies call “an act of God” that exposes the character flaws in such a system.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

 

 

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio link: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-20-08.mp3

 

 

 

WHAT CAN ONE MAN DO? -- Just a Minute for Monday 05-19-08

Good Morning it’s Monday…    

 

We still have the occasional buggy gremlins hanging around the site… but gradually, like cockroaches, we’re stamping them out. (I Hope.)

 

In the grand scope of things happening in the world, it would seem to me the deaths of thousands in China and Burma plus the tens of thousands more who are injured and homeless coupled with the absolutely incomprehensible refusal of the Myanmar government to allow relief efforts to assuage the needs of their people looms far larger on a scale of importance than the squabble over whether Obama specified pre-conditions before talking with terrorists; or any of a dozen other “issues” that occupy the media and the political periscope.

 

People are dead. Children are bleeding, dying needing help urgently and we are distracted by the noises coming from political platforms. I am not unaware of the importance of who gets to sit in the White House and explain why they were unable to keep the extravagant promises they made while on the campaign trail, but the picture that keeps flashing across my frontal lobe is one of Nero playing his fiddle while Rome burned. Are we not like a dimwitted group of inconsiderate, unconcerned and uninformed French elite who continued their parties while the guillotine and the French Republic collapsed and society disintegrated around them?

 

I saw TV pictures of pallets of water, food, temporary shelter all on Burmese tarmac waiting until *somebody* would let them begin to relieve the suffering. Yet we continue to pay far too much attention to words flying back and forth between foolish partisans. It’s appalling – in fact unreal. The scope of cheap, shoddy materials in collapsed school buildings in China which will fill hundreds of *children’s* graves is horrendous. Yet I hear hardly a murmur of outrage. The Marines, Airmen and medical people on the front lines see it and are aghast. We have apparently become inured. I’m simply amazed.

 

Today’s program is about one man… doing what he can.  Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. – I used to be his morning program’s recording engineer – used to say: “Remember boys and girls, in your community – you andGod make a majority.”  You can’t do everything – but you can do something. What you can do, you ought to do… and by God’s grace, resolve you will do.

 

Cordially, IN HIM

 

 

Jack

 

Below are today’s script, and a link to the audio track.

May the Lord bless us all with HIS guidance.

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

WHAT CAN ONE MAN DO?

Just A Minute – Terrible reports from the Far East due to storm, earthquake and government corruption continue to reach. The agony and needs of these people challenges belief. We’ve sought to encourage you to pray. So, may I share with you this report which came to me via a sister Christian broadcast organization which I pass to you for your prayer and concern.

Matthew 12:15 tells us as a great multitude followed Jesus,  "He healed them all." Its clear Jesus showed compassion for the spiritual as well as the physical needs of people. … The Lord touched the heart of a Korean listener to travel at his own expense and danger into earthquake ravaged China. He thought of ways he could help… he’s strong, he can help move debris – so he took blankets, clothing, bandages and literature telling people how they can come to call on the Lord. Claiming the promise in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." He’s most likely in the country now. Let us pray for this brother, that The Father will multiply his efforts and glorify Jesus.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

 

 

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

E-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio link: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-19-08.mp3

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LITTLE MAN WHO ISN'T THERE -- Just a Minute for Friday 5/16/08

Hello Again…

 

One of these days we hope to learn how to ride this technological bull and whip this blog into shape.  Meanwhile thanks to those of you who keep on reading and listening.

 

Today it’s post-mortem time on the Edwards endorsement of Mr. Obama’s candidacy.  (Post mortem sounds rather dismal… I just mean “after the deed is done.”) Mr. Edwards did his act in a Great Lakes state – where the rust-belt syndrome has hit hard and I would guess the Obama people wanted to have him there to make his announcement to generate excitement among the unemployed – particularly union members. Perhaps aiming now more toward the general election.

 

Edwards delayed his endorsement (in fact examination of the news morgue files [There comes that mood again.]) as today’s script shows – indicates his game plan seemed to have him holding out until the Democrat Convention.  So I won’t re-hash all that – just to say this, reading about 90 comments on his action in the ‘letters’ file of the Washington Post on Thursday, there seems to be a great disaffection for him among the rank and file. Too many mentions of how rich he is, how much he combs his hair, how he and his wife apparently disagree over whom to endorse – there’s just an air of negativity about the whole thing that sort of takes the shine off whatever advantage the endorsement of America’s number one trial lawyer might contribute to the campaign of a Harvard Law Review editor (Mr. Obama).  It’s all pretty far away from the world of the working man or woman.

 

But time will sort all of that out – let us know what you think it means and we’ll pass it along to other reader/listeners. I’m just thinking if everyone else is as tired of this campaign already as I am – it’s going to be a long hot summer.

 

Cordially, IN HIM

 

Jack

 

The script (in what I hope is its more presentable form) and the audio link – both are below… as well as the place for attaching comments if you wish.  We love to hear from you. – jeb

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

THE LITTLE MAN WHO ISN’T THERE

Just A Minute – On May 9^th In an interview with People magazine, the former N.C. senator and his wife, Elizabeth, (quote) “finally, officially, totally on the record [said] they will not endorse in the Democratic presidential primary between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.” 

But Edwards went on to give his opinion of the two candidates:

On Clinton:  "Um, still a lot of the old politics…"

As for Obama: "Sometimes I want to see more substance under the rhetoric."

            But on March 16^th, Richard Stengel, editor of TIME magazine said on the Chris Matthews show -- Edwards would endorse Hillary.

            New York Times writer, Denny Crane, said on April 29^th Elizabeth Edwards would endorse Hillary.

Publicly, Mrs. Edwards has said she favors Mrs. Clinton’s health care plan. Privately, she’s told several associates she is unsure if Mr. Obama is the party’s best candidate. Which has caused serious speculation she will endorse Hillary while Johnnie endorses Barak?

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

 

 

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

AUDIO LINK: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-16-08.mp3

 

 

FW: HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA - JUST A MINUTE for 5-15-08 Thursday 2008

-----Original Message-----
From: Jack Buttram [mailto:jebco1311@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 10:26 PM
To: 'Angelo Mack '; 'Brian Robbins'; 'Burke Crohn'; Caleb Buttram; Carl D
Blyth Sr.; 'Dibet Hotchkin'; Donald Caviness; Jack Buttram; James Williams;
'Jeff Gainous'; 'Joe Norris'; 'John Cassidy'; 'Josiah Smith '; Kevin
Buttram; 'Randy Melchert'; 'Ray Epling'; 'Rick Hulkenberg'; 'RUSH'
Subject: HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA - JUST A MINUTE for 5-15-08 Thursday 2008

Howdy -

Many people have remarked in my hearing there seems to be something
going on with the cyclones, more tornadoes this year than usual, seismic
events that don't readily link to global warming upon which almost
everything else seems to be blamed from errant politicians to allergies.
There is no doubt we hear more about it than before. The Internet is a
24/7 news machine for good or ill.

I was just going through the account from CAA (China Aid Association)
which deals with abuses of power in China. No matter how they encase it
with a bamboo curtain, or simple stonewalling, China is growing to be
the 1.2 million pound gorilla that sits where she wants to sit and acts
like she wants to act. But aside from that China will have the biggest
"carbon footprint" in the world and likely to remain foremost in that
category for the foreseeable future.

In any case my thoughts were with the reports coming out of China since
the beginning of May - We have documented cases of police overreaction
and callous treatment of Chinese pastors and House Church members on May
2nd, 4th, 8th , 9th, 11th from various provinces and Beijing itself.
Individuals have been imprisoned mistreated and expelled from the
country. If you want more information so you may pray and support our
brethren in China click on -- www.chinaaid.org
<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9021668&msgid=125018&act=YD4H
&c=142953&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chinaaid.org> -- and
you'll see what I mean. The Chinese government does not have a handle on
keeping their populace calm and quiet during the Olympics. Signs of
uncontrolled strife are appearing - especially in the areas away from
the major population concentrations.

Meanwhile the old "Burma" we knew in WWII days is now Myanmar - and at
this writing is facing *another* major 'cyclone' (as they call them out
that way) which may further exacerbate the terrible conditions in that
part of the world. It's unfathomable that the Myanmar government is
dragging its feet in letting relief supplies in. But NPR says it's
because the military junta running the country is more interested in
keeping things stable than risking an uprising because of a disgruntled
populace and a corrupt government.

All of that to say I believe *the very best and most important thing* we
can do for our brethren in that part of the world is to pray. This
headline comes on the latest report from China. CAA calls upon the world
churches to pray for and provide aid for the victims of the earthquake
in Sichuan province.

To that I sincerely and heartily add my Amen!

Jack Buttram

PS - Here's today's script below and below that an audio link plus a
line for posting your comments.

"JUST A MINUTE"

HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA

Just A Minute - Just as I was preparing a script about House-Church
arrests in China - news of a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China crossed
the wires: Now prayer is increased beyond families roughed up by Chinese
police, to all those in peril from disasters by government or from
extraordinary causes.

Soon the number of 15 thousand dead flashed in news spaces only to be
instantly replaced by larger numbers as the scope of the quake enlarged.
Further, another major sea-born storm bore down on the Burmese coast
where the devastation from a previous "cyclone" was barely assessed and
the Myanmar government drug its feet over allowing relief supplies into
the country.

Everyone asks "Why should a government resist any efforts to relieve its
people? An NPR correspondent attempted to explain it as the government
putting its desire for "stability" ahead of responsibility to aid its
people.

It's my view, that's what happens when rulers, un-enlightened by the
love of Christ, hunker down to protect themselves. The citizens go
un-aided, un-protected.

<> I'm Jack Buttram

(END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio track: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-15-08.mp3
<http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-13-08.mp3>

HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA - JUST A MINUTE for 5-15-08 Thursday 2008

Howdy –

 

Many people have remarked in my hearing there seems to be something going on with the cyclones, more tornadoes this year than usual, seismic events that don’t readily link to global warming upon which almost everything else seems to be blamed from errant politicians to allergies. There is no doubt we hear more about it than before. The Internet is a 24/7 news machine for good or ill.

 

I was just going through the account from CAA (China Aid Association) which deals with abuses of power in China. No matter how they encase it with a bamboo curtain, or simple stonewalling, China is growing to be the 1.2 million pound gorilla that sits where she wants to sit and acts like she wants to act. But aside from that China will have the biggest “carbon footprint” in the world and likely to remain foremost in that category for the foreseeable future.

 

In any case my thoughts were with the reports coming out of China since the beginning of May – We have documented cases of police overreaction and callous treatment of Chinese pastors and House Church members on May 2^nd, 4^th, 8^th , 9^th, 11^th from various provinces and Beijing itself. Individuals have been imprisoned mistreated and expelled from the country. If you want more information so you may pray and support our brethren in China click on -- www.chinaaid.org  -- and you’ll see what I mean. The Chinese government does not have a handle on keeping their populace calm and quiet during the Olympics. Signs of uncontrolled strife are appearing – especially in the areas away from the major population concentrations.

 

Meanwhile the old “Burma” we knew in WWII days is now Myanmar – and at this writing is facing *another* major ‘cyclone’ (as they call them out that way) which may further exacerbate the terrible conditions in that part of the world. It’s unfathomable that the Myanmar government is dragging its feet in letting relief supplies in. But NPR says it’s because the military junta running the country is more interested in keeping things stable than risking an uprising because of a disgruntled populace and a corrupt government.

 

All of that to say I believe *the very best and most important thing* we can do for our brethren in that part of the world is to pray. This headline comes on the latest report from China. CAA calls upon the world churches to pray for and provide aid for the victims of the earthquake in Sichuan province. 

 

To that I sincerely and heartily add my Amen!

 

Jack Buttram

 

PS – Here’s today’s script below and below that an audio link plus a line for posting your comments.

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

HUGE DEATH TOLL IN CHINA

Just A Minute – Just as I was preparing a script about House-Church arrests in China – news of a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China crossed the wires: Now prayer is increased beyond families roughed up by Chinese police, to all those in peril from disasters by government or from extraordinary causes.

Soon the number of 15 thousand dead flashed in news spaces only to be instantly replaced by larger numbers as the scope of the quake enlarged.

             Further, another major sea-born storm bore down on the Burmese coast where the devastation from a previous “cyclone” was barely assessed and the Myanmar government drug its feet over allowing relief supplies into the country.

Everyone asks “Why should a government resist any efforts to relieve its people? An NPR correspondent attempted to explain it as the government putting its desire for “stability” ahead of responsibility to aid its people. 

It’s my view, that’s what happens when rulers, un-enlightened by the love of Christ, hunker down to protect themselves. The citizens go un-aided, un-protected.

<> I’m Jack Buttram

(END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

Audio track: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-15-08.mp3

 

WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT? Just a Minute - West Virginia Surprise - 05-14-08

Hi Folks…

 

If you’ve gotten two almost similar copies – It’s because I do things and then forget I did them or where I put them.

 

In any case… Today’s program is wondering why there was such a big fuss last night about Hillary’s BIG win in West Virginia. I had talked about it I thought… and written something about it, I thought… but couldn’t find it in the file. In any case it’s pretty common knowledge WV is only about 4 percent black citizens – So the big votes Obama got from SC, for instance, where he took something like 65% of the black vote that constituted one third of the Democrats voting gave him a very large boost that was just not available to him in WV.

 

And Hillary has done well in PA and OH and other states where there’s lots of “working class” males who are often also union members etc. – and there’s a LOT of those in WV so she did well among what the nets characterize as the ‘lower class.’ [Personally I find that rather demeaning .. but I’m just a lonely voice on one radio station.]  So his natural constituency was reduced and her’s was magnified… and that’s why last time I looked at the TV she was well over a two to one victory margin and building.

 

Will that make a difference in the outcome?  Bill and Hillary didn’t dump a pile of their own money in this race just for fun. They plan to win one way or another… or possibly claim the prize of forcing Barak to take her on as VP – no matter how uncomfortable.  (Think the Kennedy’s deciding LBJ as VP was their only hope of carrying the south and winning the election.) That’s the size of these compromise deals when the conditions demand. 

 

Surely there are more journalists with memories as long as mine… David Broder of the Washington Post for instance… same with Bob Novak… But sometimes the message just doesn’t get to Garcia.

 

The script for today is below… and the audio link below that. Hope you’ll leave a comment or drop me an e-mail.  The silence from “out there” sometimes makes me wonder if I’m on the right planet. [g]

 

All the best..

 

Cordially, IN HIM

 

Jack

 

 

“JUST A MINUTE”

WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?

MizP:  Just a Minit – Mr. Jack – Wuz you s’prised by th’ West Virginny vote yestiddy?

BB: Yeah – didja thank Miz Hillirary was gonna win almost two to one?

Homer: Awl th’ TV crews seemed ta' be set back on their heels.

 Jack: Problem is there is so much static going on they weren’t paying attention.

MizP: Really – Ah’m surprised.

Jack: Sure I’ve written it on the JUST A MINUTE blog. And the TV folks themselves have said it.

 BB: Even the fellers at th’ Bait Shop and Sushi Bar have tawked about it .

Jack: Sure – there are only four percent blacks in West Virginia – and education tends to be low. Obama was missing his black bloc and Hillary gets the working class males.

MizP:  Now I ‘member all tha-ut.

Jack: So almost everyone knew – he knew he wasn’t going to do well there… I don’t know what’s the big deal?

Homer: So it was a matter of demigraphits?

Jack: I’d say so… and there’s a whole band of independent minded voters that live along the mountain ranges in the east… where the Scots-Irish settled.

MizP: So – is she gonna git th’ nomination…?

Jack: It’ll be a tough go –

MizP: So whut’s gonna happin?

Jack: Don’t we wish we knew… They don’t know. The questions about Florida and Michigan voters probably won’t shake out ‘till the Convention…

MizP: Ohh… so excitin’ …

Jack: Just pretend you’re reading a mystery – filip over to the end and see how it comes out.

MizP: Oh, that’d be cheatin’.

Jack: <>  I’m Jack Buttram.

( END)

Jebco Editorial Service

www.justaminuteradio.blogspot.com

e-mail n4zhk@arrl.net

AUDIO TRACK: http://www.jebcovoice.net/audio/jama05-14-08.mp3