We're blessed

Most of you have heard about all the recent tradgedies around here. If not, check out my friend's blogs. I'll write more about them when I have more time.

So for now...I hope this is uplifting!

My real-dad sent me this. My only disclaimer is that I do believe that God blesses other countries in pretty cool ways too, even if the people don't believe in Him or acknowledge Him. And that God's goodness is not dependent on how "good" we have it here.

"I don't know (and don't care) if Jay Leno actually wrote this. It's
agood read anyway...
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If you're not a Jay Leno fan read what he wrote anyway. My respect
andesteem for him has really increased.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some
polldata I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the
source,right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy withthe
direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country isunhappy with the
performance of the president. In essence 2/3's of thecitizenry just ain't happy
and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are
sounhappy about?'' Is it that we have electricity and running water 24hours a
day, 7 days a week? Is our unhappiness the result of having airconditioning in
the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that95.4 percent of these
unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the abilityto walk into a grocery store at
any time and see more food in momentsthan Darfur has seen in the last
year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the
AtlanticOcean without having to present identification papers as we move
througheach state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we
wouldfind along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess
havingthousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world isjust
not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car,emergency workers
show up and provide services to help all and even senda helicopter to take you
to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. Youmay
be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, agroup of trained
firefighters will appear in moments and use top notchequipment to extinguish the
flames thus saving you, your family and yourbelongings. Or if, while at home
watching one of your many flat screenTVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an
officer equipped with a gun anda bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and
your family againstattack or loss. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood
free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging theresidents. Neighborhoods where
90 percent of teenagers own cell phonesand computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we
enjoythat are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has
67percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the worldhas
ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a greatdisdain for its
citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessedpeople in the world who
do nothing but complain about what we don'thave, and what we hate about the
country instead of thanking the goodLord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has
noplan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approvalrating?
Is this the same president who guided the nation in the darkdays after 9/11? The
president that cut taxes to bring an economy out ofrecession? Could this be the
same guy who has been called every name inthe book for succeeding in keeping all
the spoiled ungrateful brats safefrom terrorist attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out theredefending
you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the newsor talk show? Did
this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy youcouldn't take a look around
for yourself and see all the good things andbe glad?

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually
caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told youhe was failing to
kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
havevolunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your
freedom.

There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go.They
are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general''discharge, an
''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst casescenario, a ''dishonorable''
discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent
ofAmericans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleedsit leads
and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a carcrash with blood and
guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade atthe corner? The media knows
this and media outlets are for-profitcorporations. They offer what sells, and
when criticized, try to defendtheir actions by "justifying" them in one way or
another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpsonto write a
book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did hewould have done it this
way......Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut offthe
TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of yourbird cage.
Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. Thereis exponentially
more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed peoples on Earth and should thank Godseveral
times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative."

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides,
flooding,severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another,
andwith the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this isa good
time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
Jay Leno
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P.S. 86.4 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Please pray that I could effectively convey to my freshman girls how God for reasons way bigger than what Jay Leno has to say.