Translations

Thursday, June 29, 2023

Texas “Christian” University Is Not a Christian University! (published 6-29-2023; article #420)

7/1/2023, Saturday, addendum: The section “The Literal Swarm of Waspers” is updated as follows. It was a swarm of yellow jackets! They looked like yellow jackets, but they weren't aggressive, like yellow jackets. (That's why I'd called them waspers.) Despite my declared victory, of 6/28/2023, a few yellow jackets kept trying to return to the hive. I fought them off daily. This morning, however, the kind and godly owner of Mitchell's Pest Control used his “nuclear bomb” equipment, to send every last yellow jacket to meet its Maker! The total victory is accomplished today! To local readers, I highly recommend Mitchell's Pest Control! They serve the Counties of Knox, Anderson, Campbell, Scott, and others counties that are near Knox County. That fine business becomes the ninth recommendation, under “Business Recommendations: northeast Knox County, TN.”

Introduction

Greetings, dear reader. I trust that you are well.

No matter how hard that I try, the ungodly swarms keep coming! Strong will forces me to publish this fifteenth article on the topic of “Worldviews in Conflict.” This is the third article on that topic this month. (The articles of June 5th and June 13th are the first two. The Cracker Barrel, apparently, decided to hide behind its rainbow rocking chair and not reply to the June 13th article.)

I'd rather write an uplifting or humorous article. My strong reaction to the shocking news, however, forces me to write.

This article begins with a touch of humor! First, it tells the tale of our literal fight with the waspers! That experience inspired the analogy of an “ungodly swarm of waspers.” One ungodly wasper, from one swarm, is exposed. The conclusion will caulk all swarms of waspers! I hope that this article helps you to laugh and to feel righteous anger. Spiritual caulk will keep out the ungodly waspers. The caulk is free. It's found in the Bible.

The Literal Swarm of Waspers

On the south side of our house, a framed glass door opens from the living room onto the deck. On each side of that door is a window that matches the size of the door. We have a nice southern view!

This true “life, such as it is,” story happened yesterday. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman noticed it, early in the morning. She heard a buzzing sound, coming from the lower corner of the window, on the east side, that faces the deck. Days before, Molly, our ol' puppy, had sniffed something, while she and I were on the deck. So, yesterday, once the sun was up, I stepped onto our deck. I saw the swarm of waspers! They had started a nest on the lower, right corner of the east window. A small crack, where the wood trim joins the aluminum base, was the entrance and exit point.

With wasper killing spray, caulk, and caulk gun, I secured and sealed the wasper nest! I caulked the entire aluminum base area. No more waspers!

That's the true and funny story. It motivates the analogy, next.

The Ungodly Swarm of Waspers

The following is but one wasp from one swarm. Sadly, millions of such wasps are abuzz, in thousands of ungodly swarms, in this once great nation.

TCU's “The Queer Art of Drag” Course

A good friend and I have been exchanging emails recently, along the general theme of worldviews in conflict. His email reply of yesterday (Wednesday, 6/28/2023), included a reference to the article: “Sexual criminality is deeply tied to gender ideology,” on Washington Examiner, by Dr. Debra Soh, 6/27/2023. The article is about a former New Hampshire state representative, who is “transgendered.” He (not “she,” since he was born a male) was arrested, last Thursday, for distributing child pornography. Good. The chickens came home to roost, for that degenerate.

I decided to review other articles on the Washington Examiner. I was shocked to find the following: “Texas Christian University offers drag queen class to explore ‘queer worldmaking,’” on Washington Examiner, by Breccan F. Thies, 6/23/2023. This is a spring 2023 course.

Going straight to the “Horned Frog's” mouth, I found “The Queer Art of Drag,” on Texas Christian University (TCU), AddRan College of Liberal Arts, Department of Women & Gender Studies. This is the actual spring 2023 course that Texas (so-called) “Christian” University is offering! That web page states:

Interested in learning more about the queer art of drag? We've compiled a list of resources, worksheets, tutorials, and scholarship to help you get started, based on the syllabus for WGST 30903: The Queer Art of Drag.

That web page includes, “Read Full Syllabus Here.” I read the syllabus, with morally sickening displeasure. On page two of the syllabus, the “Course Description” states, “The gender binary is enforced through compulsory norms, harassment, and violence in service of a white-cis-hetero-patriarchy.” (Propaganda! There are only two genders, male and female!) Under Learning Outcomes, the fourth outcome states, “Students will develop a drag persona and create a virtual drag performance that demonstrates their understanding of drag as critical performance practice.” (Shocking! The syllabus actually states that students will perform in drag!) Under “Bathroom Policy,” three options are available: a male bathroom, a female bathroom, and an “all-gender bathroom.” It states, in part, “Please use the bathroom that feels safest and most comfortable for you. You will not be penalized for taking a longer trek to the all-gender bathroom.” (Again, there are only two genders, male and female!)

Needless to say, I was shocked! How could a so-called Christian university divest itself of biblical morality that brazenly?

TCU's Heritage

Again, straight from the “Horned Frog's” mouth, TCU's About, Mission & History web page states (with my emboldening added for emphasis):

TCU’s story began in 1869 when brothers Addison and Randolph Clark dreamed of creating a college where men and women could acquire a classical education and develop character.

The Clarks forged an affiliation with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to “adopt” their school, giving it a new name and ensuring its future. . . . The relationship with the Disciples would continue to be one of heritage and values.

TCU began as a family endeavor -- an enriching place of spirited belonging for men and women of character to acquire a liberal arts education and strive to serve the greater good.

Nearly 150 years later, we are still that place.

No, TCU is notstill that place,” as it was, when it started, in 1869. The founders of the university, in 1869, would be shocked, if they could know about TCU's current course on “The Queer Art of Drag.” TCU, despite its name, promotes an ungodly and anti-Christian worldview.

Conclusion

I don't have a “dog in the hunt.” We don't live in Texas. We don't know anyone, who attends TCU. To readers in Texas, you may wish to express your views to TCU. The address and phone are: 2800 South University Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109; 817-257-7000.

Should Texas (so-called) “Christian” University change its name? Yes, in fairness, it should. Rename it, for example, to “Texas Crossless University.” (It could still be TCU.) I'm not the only one, who thinks this way. An article from 2016 is: “Is it time for Texas Christian University to change its name? The school’s association with Planned Parenthood reveals its true worldview.” On World News Group, by La Shawn Barber, 8/31/2016. Another article from earlier this year is: “Is TCU a Christian School?” On Unhindered Truth, by Ryan Gilbert, 1/1/2023.

At the close of his second letter to the young evangelist, Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NIV)

Yesterday, the caulk sealed the wasper nest. The waspers are no longer swarming around us on our deck. Ungodly waspers swarm around us daily. Just use the spiritual caulk of God's inspired word, the Bible, to seal them out of your minds. I'm still shocked that Texas (so-called) “Christian” University has devolved into such an anti-Christian worldview. I'm using the reading of 2 Timothy 3:14-17 as spiritual caulk, to keep TCU's ungodly swarm from buzzing in my mind. It worked.

All that we, who affirm the biblical worldview, can do is to keep sealing out the hordes of ungodly waspers that try to invade our minds, by dwelling on and using biblical caulk. We can also share the biblical caulk, to those, who have the wisdom to hear. That's what this article is trying to do.

Share the caulk, y'all! This once great nation needs it!

Monday, June 26, 2023

Whirlpool Refrigerator Model WRT311FZDW Replacement Saga: Part 1 (published 6-26-2023; article #419)

Introduction

Greetings, to each local, regional, national, and international viewer! In the last seven days, website analytics show the following top three nations and their number of views: Singapore 1,940; United States 310; and China 35. I wonder if Singapore is using “bots,” to nibble at this website.

Welcome to the 95th article, under the “Life (such as it is)” topic section. This public service announcement article does not recommend the Whirlpool Refrigerator Model WRT311FZDW. Stay away from it! Stay very far away!

The 2003 Sears Kenmore

Photograph by M. Fearghail, 5/23/2023, 5:04 PM

The above photograph is of our original refrigerator. It was a Sears Kenmore, made by Whirlpool. I took the photograph, of all the business cards, papers, and magnets, just before Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I removed them. They will return to the new, new refrigerator, once we get it. (I didn't stutter. “New, new” is used for a reason, as this article will explain.)

That refrigerator had been working well, since 6/7/2003, when we moved into our newly constructed home. We did have to replace the thermostat last year and in 2021. Over the last several weeks, however, it was cooling too much. Even on the warmest setting, items on the lower shelves were freezing. We had to make room for those items on the upper shelves.

On 6/15/2023, I conversed with the good folks at Appliance Repair Service, Inc. (865-947-4100). They had replaced the thermostats. I highly recommend them, to any local readers. Even if it meant a loss of income from a service call, the good gentleman suggested that we acquire a new refrigerator. They had been lucky to find replacement thermostats. Parts for our old refrigerator would be impossible to find now.

It was time to “trade cars,” so to speak. I started searching online, for a new refrigerator. I kept the dimensions that we need and the color that we wanted in mind. Later, on 6/15/2023, at Home Depot, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I saw the Whirlpool model that would fit what we need, but it was only in that stainless steel color. We preferred “biscuit” (as it's called), which is a light tan, or white.

Did you know that the cost, for the same model of refrigerator, varies by color? It's the same as with cars! A new, silver Nissan Frontier, for example, may cost more than a new, green Nissan Frontier. It's the same for refrigerators. “Biscuit” colored refrigerators cost more than white, which costs more, or maybe the same, as stainless steel. This ol' educated country boy learned something new!

The Defective Whirlpool Refrigerator Model WRT311FZDW

6/26/2023 Snapshot from video “6-26-2023: Defective Whirlpool model WTR311FZDW,” on Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube).

I searched online, at various businesses, and spoke to a few of those folks by phone. Any higher dollar “biscuit” colored refrigerator that we wanted would back-order until late August! We settled on a white color, instead.

On Monday, 6/19/2023, “the Nineteenth of June,” we purchased online a “Whirlpool: 20 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator in White,” at Home Depot. The model number is WRT311FZDW. It's the same as the “33-inch Wide Top Freezer Refrigerator - 20 cu. ft.,” on Whirlpool.

Last Saturday morning, two good gentlemen delivered the new refrigerator. It was easy enough, to move the old one out and the new one in. The first defect, of the new one, became obvious, when the two guys tried to reverse the doors. (The doors need to swing open from the left, not the right.) The refrigerator is out of alignment. The screws, to hold the door hinges, will not fit the slots on the refrigerator's left side. The guys tried.

The other defect occurs, when the motor runs, to maintain the proper cooling and freezing settings. The motor, apparently, makes a too loud and high pitched sound. (It's not the quiet hum that our original refrigerator made.) Sometimes, we hear a grinding sound also. It only happens when the refrigerator is maintaining the settings, after a door has been opened.

Conclusion

To make a long story short, last Saturday and again today, I “jumped through the robot,” to reach a live person at Home Depot (800-455-3869). The Saturday call required follow up today. This morning, Home Depot placed me in a three-way call with Whirlpool. I was on the phone, mostly on hold, for an hour and a “lucky” thirteen minutes!

This is only Part 1 of the refrigerator replacement saga. Part 2, Lord willing, will conclude this sad saga. We are now waiting, 24 to 48 hours, until Whirlpool calls, to set up the date and approximate time that our new, new refrigerator will be delivered. (Yes, the defective new refrigerator must be replaced by a, hopefully not defective, new, new refrigerator -- of the exact same model and color.) Part 2 will let y'all know how that goes.

After the lengthy call this morning, I entered the following review on the Whirlpool website, for the model number:

This note is on 6/26/2023, Monday. The 6/19/2023 Home Depot purchase of this model WTR311FZDW arrived on Saturday, 6/24/2023. The refrigerator is defective. The doors won't reverse, from right to left open, since the holes won't line up! The refrigerator is visibly out of alignment. Further, after the refrigerator reached the “recommended” settings for freezing and cooling, it started making a high pitched and loud sound, when it tries to maintain those settings. (My audio-video recording, today, is included in this comment.) Earlier today, in a three-way call, with Home Depot and Whirlpool, I understand that Whirlpool will replace the defective refrigerator. The replacement refrigerator MUST have the doors set to open on the left, and it MUST be tested first, to ensure that it doesn't make that high pitched and loud sound!

The audio-video recording, mentioned in my review, is “6-26-2023: Defective Whirlpool model WTR311FZDW.” It's the latest episode, on Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube).

I remember when a man could walk into a local appliance store, pick the appliance that he wanted (which was in stock), test and check it out himself, buy it (at a reasonable price), and take it home or have it delivered. That's not the “new normal,” sadly.

Please wait for Part 2. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are waiting 24 to 48 hours, for Whirlpool to call. After that, we'll wait a few days or weeks, until Whirlpool delivers our new, new refrigerator. It had better not be defective!

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Cracker Barrel “Pride Month” Vs. Everlasting Biblical Pride: We Used to Like to Eat at the Cracker Barrel (published 6-13-2023; article #418)

Store Exterior at Night,” on Cracker Barrel, Newsroom, Photos, Our Stores. “Photos . . . are available for download.”

Introduction

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I used to like to eat at the Cracker Barrel. (The headquarters are in Lebanon, Tennessee.) We have done so often, over a few decades, at different stores, often with family and friends. The food is good. The country theme reminds us of our Appalachian heritage. The service is typically friendly and sufficiently prompt. The wait time to be seated is usually reasonable. The cost is acceptable. There were no “rainbow rocking chairs.”

Last Friday, however, I was stunned to realize that the Cracker Barrel promotes "Pride Month.” Their “rainbow rocking chairs” signify their corporate “pride.” Apparently, the restaurant chain has been doing this since 2018. I hadn't known until four days ago. This is not our biblically-based Appalachian heritage!

This fourteenth article, under the topic “Worldviews in Conflict,” shares the news from a few media sources and then from Cracker Barrel itself. It then references previous articles that comment on marriage and so-called “Pride Month.” My public statement to Cracker Barrel precedes the conclusion, which emphasizes the everlasting pride in the biblical worldview, despite the ungodly worldviews that are promoted, accepted, and forced upon those who disagree.

From the News Media

Last Friday, I happened upon the stunning news, while reading an article on another subject. The article had a reference to the news. Searching for “Cracker Barrel celebrates Pride Month” found many articles. The following are five of several sources. They include facts, historical notes, “reactions,” and various “spins.” The articles are in alphabetical order by publisher. I added comments under the Dailymail and the FOX Business articles.

“Cracker Barrel faces boycott call for celebrating Pride Month,” on CBS News Moneywatch, by Khristopher J. Brooks, 6/9/2023

“Cracker Barrel faces backlash for sharing Pride post saying 'everyone is always welcome at our table' - as conservatives accuse restaurant chain of 'caving to the mob',” on Dailymail, by Noa Halff, 6/9/2023. The Dailymail is in the United Kingdom. Even our “cousins across the pond” have heard about it!

“Cracker Barrel Has ‘Fallen’? Folksy Southern Food Chain Becomes Latest Unlikely Target Of Anti-LGBTQ Crusade,” on Forbes, by Conor Murray, 6/9/2023

“Cracker Barrel faces backlash for posting celebratory Pride Month rocking chair: 'Showing true colors:' Conservative accused Cracker Barrel of going 'woke,' and vowed to stop supporting the restaurant,” on FOX Business, by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, 6/10/2023. FOX News has its web page: “America Together, Celebrating Diversity: LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH,” which states, “FOX News Media celebrates the contributions to America by the LGBTQ+ community.” My article of 6/26/2022, under the section “LGBTQ Pride Month,” has commentary on FOX News' acceptance of that worldview.

“Cracker Barrel the latest to stir controversy around Pride month,” on Washington Examiner, by Jenny Goldsberry, 6/9/2023

From the Cracker Barrel

Deciding to go “straight to the horse's mouth,” I visited various web pages on the Cracker Barrel website. As a humorous sidenote, their top-page advertisement, with Father's Day approaching,” is: “A gift for Dad & something extra for you. Buy $50 in gift cards and get a FREE $10 digital Bonus Card. Buy Now.” Clicking the 'x' closes the advertisement. Will Cracker Barrel eventually replace “Dad” with “Inseminating Person?” We will see.

Under “About Us,” Cracker Barrel has a “Diversity and Inclusion” section titled “Everyone Feels at Home: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Cracker Barrel.In the first two paragraphs, Cracker Barrel indicates that their “inclusive culture” extends welcome “to everyone who walks through” their doors. It states: “Discrimination, overt or through unconscious bias, has no place at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.” That seems innocuous enough.

The following is stated, however, under the heading “Recognitions & Achievements:”

In 2021, Cracker Barrel scored 80 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index. This national benchmarking tool measures policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) employees and is a primary driving force for LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.

Further, under the headingWhat We've Done,” the following is stated quite proudly (pardon the pun):

Zero Tolerance for LGBTQ Discrimination and Harassment: Cracker Barrel has zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. This was made clear when it quickly condemned and turned away an anti-LGBTQ+ pastor when he announced plans in 2019 for his church group to meet at a Knoxville area Cracker Barrel. We issued a statement disagreeing strongly with the pastor's statements of hate and divisiveness, and he was not permitted on-site.

Cracker Barrel Recognized by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: We are proud to have our Cracker Barrel LGBTQ+ Alliance BRG be named Employee Resource Group of the Year in 2018 by Out & Equal Workplace Advocates.

The Limited-Edition Rainbow Pride Rocker: To show our support and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, we worked with the Hinkle Rocker Company of Springfield, Tennessee, to develop a Limited-Edition Rainbow Pride Rocker beginning in 2018. Since then, we have donated these rockers to various LGBTQ+ organizations to help with fundraising efforts. Check out our team celebrating Nashville Pride 2022!

Winner of the Nashville LGBT Chamber's Corporate Diversity Award: Cracker Barrel was honored by the Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce with the Corporate Diversity Award in 2018. The award was in recognition of the progress and growth that has been made in the area of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion in recent years.

As an important note, the “Check out” link (embedded in the above quote) is to “Cracker Barrel LGBT Alliance.” Apparently, Cracker Barrel has an “LGBT Alliance” and another “LGBTQ+ Alliance” (as mentioned in the fourth paragraph that follows this one). Of course, Cracker Barrel may be confused by the evolving and euphemistic acronyms. Their LGBT Alliance web page states, in part:

As [the month of] June prompts us to reflect on the core values of PRIDE: People/Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Diversity, and Excellence, Cracker Barrel believes these are core pillars that should guide our decisions year-round.

To the Cracker Barrel, PRIDE is an acronym, meaning “people/professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence.” Well, that sounds morally innocent enough. Where is the so-called LGBTQ+ worldview in this acronym? It is hidden under the word “diversity.” The basic meaning of “diversity” relates to people of different races and cultures. Of course, the word has been co-opted and propagandized, to include the hidden agenda, which attempts to force an ungodly worldview on those who affirm the biblical worldview.

One definition of “pride,” as a noun, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is: Pride: 2. b.: an event or series of events celebrating and affirming the rights, equality, and culture of LGBTQ people.” That dictionary defines “LGBTQ” as: “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (one's sexual or gender identity).” LGBTQ is a euphemistic acronym that belies the promotion of an ungodly worldview.

Near the bottom of the “Diversity and Inclusion” section (titled “Everyone Feels at Home: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Cracker Barrel”), Sandra B. Cochran, Cracker Barrel President and Chief Executive Officer, states: "As we say in our People Promise, Cracker Barrel values what everyone brings to the table. We are committed to hiring, developing and retaining diverse talent that not only reflects the communities we serve, but enriches our company and each other.” Cracker Barrel does not value the values that I bring “to the table.”

At the bottom of that web page, underProud Representation: Business Resource Groups,” one of the seven groups is LGBTQ+ Alliance: Supporting Home Office and Field employees to bring their whole selves to work while strengthening Cracker Barrel's relationship to the LGBTQ+ community.” (Is this the same as the “LGBT Alliance,” which the fourth paragraph, above, mentions?)

In summary, Cracker Barrel is another company that has joined the “Pride Month” bandwagon, as it rolls downhill. Bud Light did so recently (and saw its profits decline). Other companies, to name a few, include Adidas, Chick-fil-A, Nike, Starbucks, Kohl’s, Target, North Face, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The list goes on. Their stories have all been and are in various media sources.

Previous Articles on Marriage & So-Called “Pride Month”

Before mentioning previous articles, I will establish credibility, based on the analytics for this website. Yesterday, 6/12/2023, at 4:25 PM, I checked the number of views, from which nations, and on which articles -- within the last 24 hours. At that minute in time, in the last 24 hours, views were 740 (so far). Views the day before, on 6/11/2023, were 296. Analytics shows only the top 20 articles that are being viewed. I saw those top 20 articles and the number of views that each one had. Apparently, other articles, below the top 20, had views as well. Views were from eighteen different countries (which I'll not list in this article). I keep a monthly log, for the number of views each month. The number of local, regional, national, and international viewers establishes credibility. (By the way, today, at 3:31 PM, just before this article was published, the total views today, so far, were 230. That number keeps rising.)

Now that I've established credibility, a review of previous articles on this website finds at least the following five that relate to marriage or that comment on the euphemistically-called “Pride Month.”

"Marriage Melee" (published on 6/3/2006) is an early and brief article that affirms marriage between one man and one woman only. A more recent article is on 6/26/2022, under the section LGBTQ Pride Month.” This is the second article under the topic “Worldviews in Conflict.” The conclusion, to that section, states, which I still affirm:

The inspired apostle Paul stated that the first century worldview included women, who “exchanged the natural use for what is against nature,” and men, who left “the natural use of the woman” and “burned in their lust for one another.” The majority view, even in churches, that contradicts God's morality on this subject is wrong. The biblical worldview is right. I rest my case.

The article of 12/15/2022 concerns the 12/13/2022 “Respect for Marriage Act” (RFMA), which defines “marriage,” in opposition to the Bible, as between two people, regardless of gender.

The article includes my public comments to the current president of this once-great nation. In response to the false allegation that opposition to the practice of homosexuality is so-called “hate speech,” I wrote, “ . . . one can hate the sin and love the sinner, by loving efforts to persuade the sinner to repent of his or her sin.” Further, in opposition to the incorrect label of “homophobic,” I encouraged the president to be “. . . theophobic, by changing your worldview to reflect, in reverential fear, the biblical worldview.” The conclusion states, which I still affirm:

God's law on marriage is that one man and one woman unite as husband and wife. No other option defines marriage, according to the Supreme Lawgiver.

The article of 2/26/2023 and the most recent article of 6/5/2023 were written in the context of 2023 Tennessee legislation that became law. Those laws affirm, correctly, the biblical worldview, which the Tennessee State Constitution incorporates, predominately. The ungodly and unconstitutional judicial response to one law is mentioned in the most recent article. The conclusion to the 2/26/2023 article states, in part, “Society should not accept as right what God calls wrong.” Under the section “The Alien Worldview,” in the most recent article, I wrote and still affirm, Once again, this month, biblical morality endures the ungodly and alien morality of the euphemistically named 'Pride Month'.

My Public Statement to Cracker Barrel

As the introduction stated, my wife and I used to like to eat at the Cracker Barrel. As I recall, it was in 1991, when I stopped buying Levi blue jeans. We lived in Charleston, Missouri, and I was in full-time ministry. Levi had started to flaunt its acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle. I haven't bought Levi blue jeans since then. Of course, other blue jean makers -- including the brand that I buy, rarely, when needed -- may have joined Levi's ungodly worldview. I haven't seen them flaunt it yet.

This author is not so simplistic as to think that he should or can only purchase products from companies that support his biblical worldview. That approach is not practical -- especially since so many products are made in other countries, since some companies that promote ungodly worldviews have a monopoly on their products, and since so many companies have accepted ungodly worldviews. A Christian, who upholds the biblical worldview, however, is free to stop doing business with any company that flaunts its unbiblical worldview in his or her face, such as Cracker Barrel has done!

My public statement to Cracker Barrel is:

Thank you, Cracker Barrel, for “parading” your “Pride Month” in my face, on Thursday! My wife and I will spend our hard-earned money at other dining locations. You have several competitors that don't flaunt their ungodly worldviews, if they have them, in my face. I wasn't aware of your unbiblical, anti-traditional family, and anti-rural American values, until you flaunted them in my face. I won't come sit in your “rainbow rocking chairs.” I will continue to stand on the Solid Rock of biblical morality.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, I plan to include a reference to this article, in the postal letter that I mail to: Sandra B. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cracker Barrel Headquarters, PO Box 787, Lebanon, TN 37088. Sandra Cochran is welcome to comment, as an official response to this article, in the comments section. This article will be updated, to denote her response, if she replies.

Conclusion

The words in “Marriage Melee (published 6/3/2006)” are still timeless and valid. I still affirm, as Mason said to Dixon, “We have to draw the line somewhere!”

The power of ungodly propaganda, unfortunately, turns public opinion. Like a ship without a rudder, public opinion drifts with the tide of that propaganda. What society once knew was wrong becomes accepted as right. The process takes decades. This has been the case with the unbiblical worldview that has been and is behind the euphemistically called “Pride Month” of June.

This article, on 6/13/2023, predicts that polygamy will be accepted by the majority, in time. The propagandists have been at work, but, so far, they do not have enough persuasive power. Their power is growing. See, for example, the following two Gallup articles. First, from 2020, “Understanding the Increase in Moral Acceptability of Polygamy,” on Gallup, by Frank Newport, 6/26/2020, states (emboldening added for emphasis):

Another important trend has been the increase in the moral acceptability of gay and lesbian relations, now 66%, up from as low as 38% (in 2002).

When Gallup first included polygamy on the list in 2003, 7% of Americans said it was morally acceptable, and that fell to 5% in 2006. But over the past decade, this percentage has gradually increased -- moving into double digits in 2011, reaching 16% in 2015, and this year, at 20%, the highest in our history. In short, there has been a fourfold increase in the American public's acceptance of polygamy in about a decade and a half.

Next, for 2022, “Untangling Americans' Complex Views of Morality,” on Gallup, by Frank Newport, 6/17/2022, states (emboldening added for emphasis):

Americans' views that each of the following is morally acceptable has increased significantly over the past two decades: sex between an unmarried man and woman, having a baby outside of marriage, sex between teenagers, and gay or lesbian relations. And while just 23% of Americans say that polygamy is morally acceptable, that's up from 7% in 2003.

Will the Cracker Barrel (and other companies) accept, promote, and flaunt polygamy -- when the propagandists of that lifestyle reach sufficient power, to turn the tide of public opinion to accept it? The Cracker Barrel has changed -- from the morally straight and narrow rudder of God's word -- to the rudderless, propagandized, and immoral rudder of public opinion.

Morality is not subjective! It is not based on societal norms or public opinion polls. Morality is absolute. It flows from the nature of the Moral Lawgiver, God. For the complete reasoning on this point, see, on this website, “Christian Evidences (Apologetics): Does God Exist - Moral Argument (published 11-4-2022; article #370; series article #2).”

Jesus stated, in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7):

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mt. 7:13-14, NIV)

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. (Mt. 7:24-27, NIV)

The mixture of metaphors is as follows. Morality, which flows from the nature of God, should be the rudder that guides a person, a society, and a nation along the straight and narrow course. That is the Solid Rock foundation, which holds firmly, against the immoral winds and the shifting sands of ungodly propaganda and public opinion.

I hope that the Cracker Barrel chooses wisely. I trust, dear reader, that you have already. If you are drifting with the ungodly winds of societal degeneration, please get on the straight course. It will help you stand, and it will lead you up, in the heavenly direction. The “Contact Form” is available, if you would like to converse privately.

The Cracker Barrel -- along with many folks and organizations, in this once-great nation -- can have their “Pride Month” in June. I endure it. I, however, will retain my everlasting pride in the biblical worldview. I rest my case.

Monday, June 05, 2023

Alien News Desk: Reaction to the 6-1-2023 Report by Phobos and Deimos (published 6-5-2023; article #417)

2/20/2020 photo, by Brooke Denevan on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Imagine, in the above image, that Phobos is driving, Deimos is sitting behind him, and their camera man is also in the back seat. Don't worry. I'll explain!

Welcome to this thirteenth article in the “Worldviews in Conflict” topic section, dear reader! It's also the 105th entry under the “Humor” topic.

This article, combining humor with solemnness, presents the 6/1/2023 “Alien Newscast,” by Phobos and Deimos. Then, it elaborates on the alien worldview. The conclusion encourages those, who follow the alien worldview, to follow the biblical worldview.

As an aside, I didn't know, until deciding on the title for this article, that “Alien News Desk” was a twelve-part, animated series! I came across “Alien News Desk,” on SYFY Media, LLC. It is described as “. . . a weekly, half-hour topical animated series set in an extraterrestrial newsroom. . . . [T]he 12-episode series will cover up-to-the-minute news and commentary about the universe’s most baffling species - the inscrutable Humans of Planet Earth.” The series aired from 2/27/2019 to 5/4/2019.

Well, hang on! This “space trip” starts off funny, but it ends on a sobering note. Please enjoy the ride. Thank you for riding along with me, dear reader.

The “Alien Newscast,” of 6/1/2023, and My Reaction

Brother Jim Richardson's website, From My Brain to Yours, is one of the four listed, under the “Folks, to Whom I Subscribe” section of this website. The 10/28/2022 introductory article, to the ongoing Christian Evidences series, referenced two articles by Jim Richardson that had inspired the series.

Well, brother Jim's article of 6/1/2023 has inspired this article! Please pause, to read his article: “Alien Newscast: Aliens reporting on Earthly events this week (not so fake news),” on From My Brain to Yours, by Jim Richardson, 6/1/2023. (You can click “continue reading,” to read his article, without cost and without the need to create an account.)

Writing as Deimos and Phobos -- the names of the two Martian moons -- Jim comments on six recent events, which include: (1) Canada wants to label each individual cigarette, in a pack, with warnings! Cigarette packs already have warnings. Amazing! (2) Four young Connecticut women are suing, since men, who think that they are women, beat them in track races. Insanity! (3) A mayor in a New Hampshire town is using federal “Monopoly money,” to pay a drag queen, to perform at a high school! Sickening! (4) Artificial Intelligence (AI) may kill us humans. Really? (5) Old predictions of global disasters, due to so-called man-made climate change, were fake news and didn't come true. Of course they didn't! (6) A twenty-two page article, filled with scientific mumbo-jumbo, warns folks, who took the new cold virus injection (or series of injections, with booster injections), that their health could be in danger. I'm glad that I never took a “Corony” shot! I'm not worried!

Jim's sarcastic article is very funny! It ends, however, with a sobering theme. Writing in the third person, as alien newscasters, Jim exposes, masterfully, the inscrutable and alien human worldviews of the majority. I hope that his article forces the majority to view themselves from a different perspective, as they think outside themselves.

On Friday, 6/2/2023, my comment on Jim's article included, in part:

. . . I had to comment on this one! It's loaded with my style of sarcastic humor and imagination!

I did a little digging. Deimos and Phobos are the two moons of Mars. It's funny that I'd not known, unless I'd heard and forgotten, that Mars has moons. Deimos (from Greek, Δειμος) means “dread-fear, terror,” and Phobos (from Greek, Φοβος) means “panic-fear, rout.”

If ungodly earthlings could just see what they are doing, from an off-world view, then they might just realize how much dreadful panic that they are causing, by following their unbiblical worldviews. God, of course, sees all this much better, in a far more universal view, than Deimos and Phobos see it.

By the way, ask Deimos and Phobos if they could come on down here, to see if they can broadcast globally, to all ungodly earthlings! Those earthlings are not listening to godly earthlings or to God!

I had also asked Jim's permission to reference his article, in a future article that I'd planned to write. Graciously, he agreed. Thanks, brother Jim, for inspiring this article!

The Alien Worldview

The sarcastic and humorous purpose, as cited previously, of “Alien News Desk” (the SYFY animated series of 2019) was to report on “the universe’s most baffling species - the inscrutable Humans of Planet Earth.” Inscrutable is a good way to describe the alien worldviews of the majority of humans on this planet! Inscrutable means not easily understood.

Local, national, international, and, apparently, even extraterrestrial media are the daily, ad nauseam, sources of too many instances of “alien worldviews gone wild!” It's sickening, of course.

This article cites only one recent bilge, in my home state of Tennessee. The following is one, of several, articles that has the alien worldview news. The article is: “Federal judge tosses Tennessee's controversial anti-drag law, declares it unconstitutional,” on Memphis Commercial Appeal, by Micaela A Watts, 6/3/2023. (Content warning! The article includes a photograph of so-called “drag queens.”) Apparently, just after 12 AM, on Friday, 6/2/2023, Judge Thomas L. Parker (United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee) ruled, in a lawsuit filed by an ungodly and so-called non-profit organization, that "the Court finds that -- despite Tennessee’s compelling interest in protecting the psychological and physical wellbeing of children -- the Adult Entertainment Act ('AEA') is an UNCONSTITUTIONAL (sic) restriction on the freedom of speech." The ruling, apparently, affects only Shelby County.

The bill, which Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law, on 3/2/2023, is “SB0003, HB0009,” on Tennessee General Assembly. The “Bill History” tab lists the chronological history of the bill, which Governor Lee signed into law. The “Summary” tab states, at first:

This bill creates an offense for a person who engages in an adult cabaret performance on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret performance could be viewed by a person who is not an adult. The bill defines an "adult cabaret performance" to mean a performance in a location other than an adult cabaret that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to a prurient interest, or similar entertainers, regardless of whether or not performed for consideration.

Why the State of Tennessee even had to create such a law, only to have it stuck down, in Shelby County, is beyond my understanding. Common decency dictates that folks, especially young people, should not even go near such alien lifestyles.

For previous comments on this ungodly and alien worldview, see my 6/26/2022 article, under the “LGBTQ Pride Month” section. See also my 2/26/2023 article, “'Knox Pride' versus God's Pride.” Over 92% of the American population is heterosexual, as various recent studies show. (See, for example, “U.S. LGBT Identification Steady at 7.2%,” on Gallup, by Jeffrey M. Jones, 2/22/2023.) Once again, this month, biblical morality endures the ungodly and alien morality of the euphemistically named “Pride Month.” Don't worry. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman or I change channels or turn off the TV, when the media propagandizes the events. When that alien minority attempts to force my acceptance of their ungodly lifestyle, I stand, firmly on the solid rock, such as in this article, to affirm the biblical worldview!

Returning to the main point, however, what are these alien worldviews? Atheism, humanism, naturalism, socialism, environmentalism -- and all such “isms” -- are aspects on only one alien worldview. It is the ungodly worldview. Don't let all the various “isms” confuse you! They all march downhill, along the wrong path!

Conclusion

Jim's article, as cited previously, ends with the same verse, which begins this conclusion.

Folly brings joy to one who has no sense, but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course. (Proverbs 15:21, NIV)

The inspired wisdom of Solomon also stated: “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12, NIV).

The “Alien Newscast,” by Deimos and Phobos, presents the inscrutable nonsense of ungodly, human worldviews that lead to spiritual death. God, viewing this planet from His lofty location, sees the same ungodliness.

In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5 - 7), Jesus encourages:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mt. 7:13-14, NIV)

In the words of this educated country boy, Jesus wants us “to turn right and go straight.” Why? The “ultimate acknowledgment of truth,” as I call it, is coming.

The atheist (who worships himself), the humanist (who worships humankind), the naturalist (who worships nature), the socialist (who worships his socio-economic system), and the environmentalist (who worships the environment, in contrast to the conservationist, who cares for the environment but worships God) will each face the “ultimate acknowledgment of truth.” Then, however, it will be too late to change their ungodly worldviews.

What is that ultimate acknowledgment of truth? The inspired apostle Paul described it, in his first century letter to the Corinthian church.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10, NIV)

See also the apostle Paul's words, in Romans 14:10-12, and Jesus' words, in Matthew 25:31-46. At the last judgment, the atheist has to acknowledge that God exists, as the ultimate acknowledgment of truth, but it will be too late.

True wisdom is to know and believe in Jesus, as the one true Son, of the one true God, as revealed in His inspired Bible. To believe is to follow His worldview.

I trust, dear reader, that you are already following the Lord. If you are not, but would like to, you are welcome to use the “Contact Form,” if you would like to converse. I'm just one formerly poor beggar, still imperfect, who found the Bread of Life. I'll be glad to share.

To any reader who considers this article to be “hate speech,” it is not. This article is written in loving and biblical guidance, to any reader, who follows alien worldviews. To those readers, please turn right and go straight, before it's too late! Judgment day, the ultimate acknowledgment of truth, is coming.

Saturday, June 03, 2023

2006 Nissan Frontier: New Starter Cost -- plus $2.01 for a bottle of water (published 6-3-2023; article #416)

 Photograph by M. Fearghail, 5/30/2023, Tuesday, 1:17 PM

Introduction

Greetings, on this third day of meteorological summer, y'all! The introduction to the article of 5/27/2023 began with the following sidenote.

. . . Friday, 5/26/2023, my '06 Frontier and I hauled trash, bought Molly (our ol' puppy) edibles at the Tractor Supply, got gas, and bought groceries at the local store. With groceries in the truck bed, warming in the sun, my ol' truck would not crank! A good Samaritan, in a black Dodge Ram, and I tried to jump start my truck. The battery was fine. The good Samaritan brought the melting groceries and me to the house. Thanks, good Samaritan! The local towing service hauled my ol' truck back to the barn. The repair saga continues next Tuesday. The plan is to tow my truck to the fix-him-up shop. I'd say that he needs a new starter. Stay tuned!

This article is the “stay tuned” follow up to that sidenote -- and what a follow up it was! First, this article summarizes the new starter saga -- and the cost. Then, the reason why the above photograph is in this article will be explained. The conclusion will confirm, well, that “a dollar ain't worth much nowadays, boys” (as Dad said for many years). It will also educate folks, who need it, as to what true customer service is all about. I hope that Rusty Wallace Nissan is listening!

I hope that this 104th article on humor will draw a comment or two, give you a good laugh, or at least grant you a polite chuckle! Thanks for stopping by, to read a while, dear reader.

The New Starter Saga

The introduction mentioned how the saga started. The tow cost $100 cash. That Friday, I called Rusty Wallace Nissan and set a repair appointment for Tuesday, at 8:30 AM -- with the assumption that the repair would be that day or the next, depending on if they had a new starter in stock. The breakdown had to be on the Friday, before the long Memorial Day weekend. On Monday, good folks, in this once great nation, paused to honor those, who fought and died for our freedom. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I enjoyed a family gathering, with her folks, on Memorial Day.

The next day, Tuesday, 5/30/2023, the same local towing service hauled, at another $100 cash, my '06 Frontier and me, to Rusty Wallace Nissan, about fourteen miles away, for the appointment that I'd scheduled the Friday before. As I'd predicted, my ol' truck needed a new starter. Of course, the shop didn't have one in stock, as I'd suspected. The polite service department lady estimated that -- in hope -- the new starter would arrive the next day, be installed, and my truck would be ready for pick up. I walked to the business next door, Enterprise, and rented a 2022 Toyota Corolla. My purchase of a $2.01 bottle of water, including tax, was on the way to the monthly chiropractor appointment, in the rental.

The next day, Wednesday, was day two of the starter saga. After a couple of phone conversations with the polite service department lady, I had assumed that my truck would be ready late that afternoon. The new starter was in. It's a two-hour job. The rental got me to Rusty Wallace Nissan, about 4:30 PM. The polite lady in the service department, ironically, had left voicemail on my cell phone, at 4:27 PM. I saw my truck, at least. He was still waiting his turn! Amazing! Apparently, the technician that had diagnosed the bad starter, the day before, had to do the work. He was busy on a transmission, for another vehicle. What? Can't someone else replace the starter? The wasted trip was my “shame on me,” for assuming that the service would be done promptly.

Thursday was day three of the starter saga. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman drove the rental to and from her last day of work, before summer break. It was a half day, and I didn't expect a call, to say that my truck was ready, until late in the afternoon. With no call from Rusty Wallace Nissan yet, I called the polite service department lady, about 5:10 PM. Well, she really hoped that my truck would be ready the next day! The technician assigned to service my truck was still elbow deep in the transmission, for another vehicle. Again, what? Can't someone else replace the starter?

Yesterday, Friday, was day four of the starter saga. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman answered the polite service lady's call, at 10:48 AM. (I'd predicted that she would call, while I was in the outhouse.) My truck was ready! So, I returned the rental to Enterprise ($220.97 total cost). Then, I walked next door to Rusty Wallace Nissan, to get my truck. The polite service department lady was at lunch. The General Manager was also at lunch. I really wanted to speak with the General Manager. “Go straight to the top” is my motto.

The service department manager -- with whom I'd wanted to speak, since the General Manager was out -- handled my payment. Please notice that I am not calling the service department manager a “polite lady,” as I've called the polite service department lady.

Taking three full days (Tuesday morning to Friday morning) to replace one started was too long! It's a two-hour job! I expressed that thought -- politely -- to the service department manager, hoping for her apology and assurances. If our roles were reversed, I would have been far more cordial, polite, and understanding -- with assurances that Rusty Wallace Nissan was working to improve service timeliness and customer satisfaction. After all, the “Service & Parts” section on Rusty Wallace Nissan states, rather excitedly, in part:

We know how difficult it can be to try and go about your day without your usual mode of transportation. . . . [O]ur team can work efficiently to get your vehicle out of our shop and back on the road.

Notice the word “efficiently,” in the above quotation. The service department manager, however, took a rather combative stand. She kept emphasizing that all repair shops, not just that one, were backlogged, causing repairs that should take a day to take several days. It's, apparently, the “new normal.” The unpleasant service department manager needs to improve her style of so-called “customer service!”

Despite the service department manager's combative style of “customer service,” I still thanked her, since my truck had a new starter -- finally. In common sense, I suggested to her that, when a person calls, to set a service appointment, and if the shop can't get to it for a few days, then set the appointment a few days out! Please! My truck could have rested in the “barn” (i.e., garage) at the house, instead of “basking in the sun” in a parking lot, at Rusty Wallace Nissan, awaiting his turn.

Let's see what this starter saga cost in total! Calculators ready? Let's punch buttons! The two tows cost $200 total. Rusty Wallace Nissan's total cost was $1,218.10. (That was for all labor, supplies, sales tax, the new starter, an oil change, and a tire rotation. I'd asked for the oil change and tire rotation. With labor and parts, the starter cost $1,079.26 -- if you can believe it.) The Enterprise rental car total cost was $220.97. Did you get $1,639.07 total? That's what I got. I guess that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I will eat soup beans and “taters” a while.

$2.01 for a Bottle of Water

You ask, “What do the high-dollar costs of the tows, the rental, and the new starter have to do with the price of a water bottle?” Well, I'll answer, from the “for what it's worth” department.

As I'd stated before, on Tuesday, while going to my monthly chiropractic appointment, in the rental, I stopped at a Shell station, to buy a bottle of water. (Yes, I know. I should have carried a bottle of filtered tap water from home.)

Of the numerous selections, I picked “Niagara: Natural Spring Water.” It's a 16.9-ounce bottle of spring water. The company is Niagara Bottling, LLC, in Diamond Bar, California. The water comes from “protected springs” in either Roaring Gap, North Carolina, or Blue Ridge, Georgia. Well, that was good. (Yes, I read labels.)

The price, without tax, for that bottled spring water was $1.84. (It was the least expensive option.) Adding the sales tax, the cashier rang up $2.01! (Yes, I should have asked for a cup of ice! It may have cost only a dollar.) I had three one-dollar bills and no change. I asked if the cashier had a penny, and she did. So, thanking her, I walked out with my bottle of water. It tasted like spring water.

The cashier, a bit older than me, had started the conversation, as I was buying that high-dollar bottle of spring water. She complained about the outrageous cost of that bottled water, and she bemoaned the future of this once great nation, with concern for her children and grandchildren. The cost of everything is outrageous, as we both agreed. Growing up, store-bought bottled water didn't exist! We had spring water and well water. Once I started driving, I filled an empty soda bottle with tap water and carried it with me.

My final comment to the cashier was, “Well, a dollar ain't worth much nowadays.” She understood and smiled. I think that Dad must have laughed.

Conclusion

First, yes, Dad (Earl Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) was right: “a dollar ain't worth much nowadays!” It's worth way less now than when he was still living. The inflationary rush toward “Socialist Utopian Oblivion,” in this once great nation, is “progressing” rather quickly.

Viewer analytics for this website indicate that at least three of my seven articles on inflation are viewed almost daily -- despite the few comments that they are drawing. Those articles are:

An Invitation to the First President of the USSA to “Show Me the Money” Tree (published 5-22-2021)

President Biden's Reply to My Letter – Over a Year Late (published 7-27-2022; article #341)

Raise the Debt Ceiling, Increase Income, or Lower Spending? (published 1-23-2023; article #386)

The recent raise the debt ceiling ruckus, at the federal level, has convinced me, once again, that the majority know that “the house is full of garbage spending.” Instead of “hauling off some garbage spending,” they want to “raise the roof, to add more garbage debt.”

Finally, on true customer support, the two ladies at Enterprise were both excellent -- at the Tuesday rental and Friday return. They were professional, personable, very polite, and understanding -- especially when the rental required three days, not just one. When we need or wish to rent another vehicle, then they will have our return business!

Rusty Wallace Nissan, however, is a different story. The polite service department lady was doing her best, to ensure that my truck was serviced as quickly as possible. She was friendly, polite, and understanding. She admitted that Rusty Wallace needed to improve its “efficiency” and speed of service.

The service department manager, however, needs to improve her attitude. Her combative style was coming from her personality. You can't train true customer service into a person, who has a combative, defensive, and negative personality -- as she does.

Early next week, I plan, Lord willing, to communicate with the General Manager of Rusty Wallace Nissan. The content of this article will be explained. I will suggest highly that the business become “efficient” in the service department, as their website says that it is. I will also suggest that the service department manager receive remedial training, to understand true customer service. Rusty Wallace Nissan will no longer get my return business.

Well, I'm done with this little “life, such as it was,” article. Yes, the new starter saga was aggravating, but it's over! It's even a little funny today. Life has its “good, bad, and ugly,” with apology to Clint Eastwood. The temporal aggravation, involving the delays and the cost for the new starter, are behind me. What's coming up next? Will it be good? I hope so. Eventually, everlasting life at Home will be perfectly wonderful. Once I join Dad, and so many others, at Home, I wonder if he will laugh, when I tell him about this little temporal triviality? I figure that he will.