Finally! A Big Hotel with Good Internet Service: The Venetian

I know they are out there, but in my travels big hotels with good Internet service seem to be few and far between. So far, the quality of service at The Venetian in Las Vegas has been great. I'm using wifi in my room, and have no complaints. I even caught up on my podcast downloading, catching some videos I have been reluctant to download at home. 

The rooms are huge here, by the way. I have a living room and a bedroom, so to speak. There's even a TV in the bathroom. It was fun to shave to Bloomberg TV this morning. (I know, what a geek). 

Wireless Data Chip Breakthrough Called "Blink of an Eye" Fast

A Taiwanese researcher has announced a new system on a chip (SOC) design for wireless data transmission that blows away current standards. The UCLA-trained researcher says the chip could be mass produced for less than $1 each. 

Details at PhysOrg.com. 

Obama-Palin Photoshop'd Beyond Your Wildest Imagination

Drop everything and follow the link below for the funniest photoshop'd moment of the campaign. Trust me, whether you believe Barack Obama is da bomb or are praying for Sarah Palin, you will laugh out loud at this obviously doctored photo on Guy Kawasaki's blog:

http://holykaw.com/trust-me-drop-everything-and-l

Make a nice pair, don't they?

Newton's Law of Hotel Connectivity

I'm in another major city in another large downtown hotel for another
day of meetings. The details aren't important. I've reached a tipping
point in recognizing a fundamental truth about business travel, one I
will arrogantly describe as a law:

Newton's Law of Hotel Connectivity: The larger the hotel, the slower
the Internet connection.

The Party of Lawyers

I have noticed that the professional training one gets -- or the summary of life experience that replaces training for a specific profession -- strongly affects a person's outlook.

Take a look at the professional training of the men and women on the presidential tickets, both Democratic and Republican, of the last several years and a trend emerges. To make it easy, I have put one particular profession in bold type.

2008:
(D) Obama -- Lawyer
(D) Biden -- Lawyer
(R) McCain -- Military Leadership
(R) Palin -- Communications

2004:
(D) Kerry -- Lawyer
(D) Edwards -- Lawyer
(R) Bush -- Business Administration
(R) Cheney -- Political Science

2000:
(D) Gore -- Journalism; law school (did not graduate)
(D) Lieberman -- Lawyer
(R) See Bush/Cheney above

1996:
(D) Clinton -- Lawyer
(D) Gore -- See above
(R) Dole -- Lawyer
(R) Kemp -- Physical Education & Professional Athletics

1992:
(D) See Clinton/Gore above
(R) G.H.W. Bush -- Economics & Business Management
(R) Quayle -- Political Science and Lawyer

1988:
(D) Dukakis -- Lawyer
(D) Bentsen -- Lawyer
(R) See Bush/Qualye above

1984:
(D) Mondale -- Lawyer
(D) Ferraro -- Lawyer
(R) Reagan -- Economics
(R) GHW Bush -- see above

1980:
(D) Carter -- Engineering & Military Leadership
(D) See Mondale above
(R) See Reagan/Bush above

1976:
(R) Ford -- Economics, Political Science, Lawyer
(R) See Dole above

1972:
(D) McGovern -- Theology, History
(D) Shriver -- Lawyer
(R) Nixon -- Lawyer
(R) Agnew -- Lawyer

There is a clear trend here. The Democrats are the party of lawyers, the Republicans the party of every other career. If I had stopped before the Nixon era, the difference would be even more profound.

Lawyers are trained to be advocates, and to take a us-versus-them view. They see the answer to every problem in the law.

Sarah Palin is Ronald Reagan 2.0

In naming Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican nominee for vice-president, John McCain has introduced America to Ronald Reagan 2.0.

Whether that is good news or bad depends on the perspective you bring to politics. But the more I look, the stronger the comparison becomes. Conservative, but compassionate. A pragmatic politician, not an ideologue. A natural for TV. Articulate and passionate. A former union member.

With Sarah Palin on the ticket, disaffected social conservatives who are not comfortable with John McCain have a new reason to get energized about this race. Remember, it was the strong turnout of the so-called "Christian Right" in Ohio and a few other key states that gave the victory in 2004 to George Bush.

The media elites and the national intelligentia will have a field day trying to rip apart Sarah Palin in the next few weeks. They did the same thing to Ronald Reagan.

I know a lot of people who still on the fence regarding Obama vs. McCain -- I am one of them. Looking at the second name on the ballot, the Democrats now have a older white man who twice made an early exit from presidential primaries, and who has become a major player in perpetuating the status quo in Washington. The GOP counters with a young articulate passionate woman with executive experience in government and has a track record of busting up the old boy networks and cleaning up the resulting mess.

Tim Egan, the NY Times columnist who understand the Pacific Northwest (he writes from Seattle, Alaska's commercial capital), advises "underestimate her at your peril." I couldn't agree more.

Todd Bentley: Hate the Sin, Destroy the Sinner

There is a common phrase in American Christianity: "Love the sinner, hate the sin." Recent events have convinced me many are willing to set aside the phrase when the sinner is a high-profile evangelist.

For years Canadian healing evangelist Todd Bentley has been a controversial figure. He is covered with tattoos and piercings, he speaks openly about angel encounters, and he likes to relax by riding a Harley. Through the years his ministry has been responsible for many documented healing miracles, and thousands have come to know Jesus. He takes special delight in seeing God do miracles that turn the hearts of powerful African witch doctors and influential Islamic imams.

In April 2008 Bentley went to do a week of meetings at Ignited Church in Lakeland, Florida. The tangible presence of God and the outpouring of miracles was so profound, the local leadership and Bentley decided to extend the meetings. Word quickly spread, and they soon outgrew the church building. When I attended in early May (my availability due to previously scheduled business in nearby Orland0), the nightly sessions were held in the local sports arena, which holds about 8,000. Later the meetings moved to an outdoor setting that could hold 20,000+, and often did on weekends.

This month it was revealed that Todd Bentley has filed for divorce because of a relationship with a female staff member. All his meetings have been cancelled, and supposedly he is in hiding from various well-known pastors and evangelists who risked their reputations to be supportive of his ministry. Bill Johnson, Senior Leader of Bethel Church in Redding, California, (another man who has seen thousands of healing miracles during his years of ministry, but who is not flamboyant like Bentley), refers to the situation as a "major meltdown." I highly recommend Bill Johnson's open letter on the Todd Bentley situation.

Because I attended the Lakeland revival meetings, and because I spoke positively about my experience in my own church (where I am part of the senior ministry team), I feel I have a personal stake in what's going on. So I am using this blog post to summarize my observations and feelings.

What Todd Bentley did is wrong. He removed the guard from his heart and allowed himself to be attracted to another woman, then acted on that attraction. As Jesus taught, it doesn't have to get physical to be adultery. He has destroyed his marriage and deeply wounded his family, which includes small children. He broke trust with the thousands who have given financial support to his ministry organization. The many staff members and associate evangelists on the organization payroll will have to reorganize their professional and personal lives because of his behavior.

What Todd Bentley did is wrong, but his wretched life choices do not invalidate the work God was doing through him. "God never changes his mind about the people he calls and the things he gives them" it says in Romans 11:29, New Century Version. In more preachy language, the verse is translated by the Holman Christian Standard Bible as "God's gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable." A loving God gave Todd Bentley gifts, and Bentley was using them right up until the day his sin was revealed. If he never repents, 20 years from now he could still lay hands on someone and see them healed. If you have a problem with that concept, reread the Bible verse above.

If you do a web search on "Todd Bentley" today you will find hundreds of venomous posts, gleefully proclaiming the Florida meetings and all previous ministry by Todd Bentley to be the product of a fraud, a false prophet, or a deranged lunatic. I won't honor any of these posts by linking to them. Many are glad to see Todd Bentley brought down because his ministry activities violated their sense of how God does things. Others believe miracles ended with the death of the original twelve apostles, and think anyone who claims to move in a gift of healing or other miracles is at best deceived and at worst an operative of Satan. (I've never understood how someone being healed of cancer, etc. could be the work of Satan.) All who associated themselves with Bentley or the Florida meetings are now being attacked as well, in assigning guilt by association.

To me the Todd Bentley Affair has become a clear case of "hate the sin, destroy the sinner." How many of the happy bloggers have taken the time to pray for Todd Bentley and his family? How many took the time to evaluate his ministry in the light of all scripture? How many hope he remains a broken vessel as a permanent testimony of how a man can fail? If there can be such glee in a man's fall from grace, what does that say about the heart of the gleeful one?

"A Pharisee spirit breaks relationship with people when they fail, and no longer wants to be related to them. And they want to make sure they get punished for what they are doing." -- Kris Vallotton, from the podcast "Nothing Hidden" recorded August 19, 2008; available for free on iTunes.

The Gratitude Campaign: A Simple Way to Tell Our Troops You Appreciate Their Sacrifice

No matter your political opinion of the current US actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, I know all Americans agree that the members of our Armed Forces deserve to be given support and respect. Please follow the link to The Gratitude Campaign and learn a simple hand gesture that lets you communicate your gratitude and support for their willingness to serve their country.

http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php

George Washington Endorses ...

I didn't know America's first president, George Washington, was a Democrat. But it seems he is, because he has decided to make an endorsement in the Democratic party's race for a presidential candidate.

You can check his YouTube coming out at this link. (Warning: Video may offend those over 40.)

10 Obscure Google Search Tips from Lifehacker

LifeHacker has a great article on the "Top 10 Obscure Google Search Tricks." Even if you consider yourself a sophisticated Google user, I think you will find some gems in this list. Tips include shortcuts on tracking package shipments, how to get Google to search only faces in an image search, a quick way to get the local time anywhere, and how to convert different forms of measurement (money, weights, temperatures, etc.).

"Here Comes Another Bubble" -- Hilarious Video

Check out "Here Comes Another Bubble," now posted at one of the companies who are making the bubble happen.

A Short and Powerful Definition of "Pro-Life"

Francis J. Beckwith, an associate professor of philosophy and church-state studies at Baylor University, has written an op-ed column for the Waco (Tx) Tribune-Herald that is a powerful and remarkably short definition of pro-life. A quote:

What then is the pro-life position? It is the view that the membership of the human community includes prenatal human beings, even if excluding them would benefit those who are more powerful than the prenatal and who believe that the prenatal’s destruction is in their interest.

I highly recommend the entire piece, ("Let Us Define Pro-Life For You") especially if you consider yourself pro-choice. If you can't articulate a decent answer to Beckwith, you need to rethink your position.

Daniel Sepulveda, Hero of American Youth

Former Baylor punter Daniel Sepulveda is the two-time winner of the Ray Guy Award, for best punter in college football. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played his first official NFL game last week. The result is explained in a blog called Northbound in their piece "Daniel Sepulveda, Hero of American Youth." Several punting opportunities calling for different skills and high accuracy; Sepulveda delivered every time.

If punters can become superstars, put your money on Daniel Sepulveda. (I have historically disliked the Steelers, but with the Seahawks in the National Conference now, I might re-evaluate.)

Loomisboy Suffers Inextricable Cougar-Bear Karmic Link

[This is a letter to the Editors of BearMeat, a sharp-tongued and barely lucid blog about Baylor Sports and alt.waco.culture. The three reincarnated fools who run BearMeat appointed me Assistant Editor of Research and Fan Club President recently. I now give them cause to regret their actions.]


Dear BearMeat Editors,

On the afternoon of Sept. 16 2006 I was struck by a bolt of karmic lightning and have been suffering from the ethereal equivalent of delirium tremens ever since. Gentlemen, I fear for my sanity. Allow me to explain, if explanation is possible. Perhaps you can help.

On that fateful day in 2006 I was standing in front of my home, doing my best to avoid any report of the Baylor-Washington State game in progress. (You will remember when you appointed me as Assistant Editor of Research and Fan Club President that I am a Cougar by birth location and a Bear by life path). Just then my sister and her husband pull in the driveway. Janine rolls down the window (do we still "roll" windows in this modern era?) and says, "Why aren't you listening to the game?" in that voice only a kid sister can use and get away with.

(In the eastern two-thirds of Washington, on Saturday afternoon there is no need to explain what game. Of course she means the Washington State University Cougars. Our Division I teams are few and far between in this part of the world, unlike Texas which seems to have them in every hamlet. There is rumored to be a pack of dogs west of the Cascades with pretentious ambitions toward college athletic prowess, but all of us in area code 509 know that Coasties are notorious liars. The only football team of note over there plays in the NFL.)

(Can you tell by the many parenthetical interruptions that my very sanity is at stake here?) I told Janine that I was too conflicted to listen to the game. (As I alluded to above, you will recall that I was born, raised and continue to live in Cougar country [where real cougars actually roam with impunity and occasionally kill real {albeit either young or stupid} people]. I found my way as a youth to Bear Country [where the only bears are caged females who exist to amuse frat boys with too much time on their hands {and yes, you can read too much into that last line}]. Separated by the 2,500 miles of mountains and prairies between Loomis and Waco, I learned to embrace two college football loyalties. My simple bliss was interrupted only once, in 1994 when the two met in the Alamo Bowl. I sat mute in front of the TV and couldn't speak for hours afterwards. I assumed such a football eclipse would never happen again, and went on with my life.)

"Well stick your head in here and listen anyway" she commanded. It was the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, and the game was not yet decided. You will recall what a nail-biter it was, settled with only 9 seconds remaining as WSU scored a field goal and held on. As Bob Roberts, the golden baritone of the Palouse for more than 40 years, announced the Cougar victory, I was suddenly transported to another plain of existence. I could see myself, head sticking in car window, listening to the game. At that moment the duality of my fanboy life appeared before my eyes, and I realized that by listening to the game I had shifted a delicate eternal balance. From that moment on, the fate of my two favorite teams were inextricably linked -- and I was the karmic link. Both went on to have rotten seasons, adding insult to misery.

I have fought hard to put that moment -- and that season -- out of my mind. But the start of the 2007 season finds me as firmly convinced of the karmic link as ever. Baylor and WSU are both 1-1. Both had rotten openers on the road, then came back in week two to post glorious victories. Both wins were led by record-setting performances at quarterback. I am now hopelessly resolved to the fact that Baylor and WSU are -- because of my very existence -- twins in parallel universes, with me stretched between them as 10,000 volts of karmic energy surge through me to connect the two sets of warriors.

I sense my destiny in all this is only the continuation of something much bigger than Loomisboy, BearMeat or any pathetic blog entry. When WSU visited Waco for the first meeting between the two teams (1952), the noble Cougars brought black athletes into Baylor Stadium for the very first time. The four were forced to stay in a separate hotel, but as one of them later said, "We fraternized in the black community and were treated well." (Do realize that four black players at WSU represented a sizeable percentage of the black population of eastern Washington in those days.) In 1966, when Baylor traveled north to meet the Cougars, The B's first black player, an ordained Baptist minister (no less) by the name of John Hill Westbrook scored Baylor's winning touchdown.

The two teams meet again in Waco in 2008. Part of me wants to gather some friends and do a road trip to Waco (driving time one-way, 48 hours). Another part of me wants to gather my children and do a road trip to West Edmonton Mall (driving time one way, 16 hours) a world away from any thought of college football and fanboy karmic links. I would hate to be the cause of a karmic bolt of lightning striking whatever row of Floyd Casey Stadium I might be seated in that day.

Your erstwhile reporter,

Loomisboy