Inquiring minds want to know: Is there another word for synonym?

The original Little Caesar?

Let's work through our checklist. We covered Monday. Check. Handled Tuesday. Check. Took care of Wednesday. Check. Ready to deal with Thursday. Check. Hello and welcome to my weekly day checkoff activity where we seek to do the best we can and we'll do it here, on this March 15, 2012. Of course it is that day that became known as The Ides of March where Caesar was warned of impending danger, that did, in fact, come to fruition. The ides of March was an ordinary expression that referred to the 15th of March until it became connected to the assassination of Julius Caesar, then it became the beware of the ides of March. Of course we have a very modern example in our 9-11. Before 2001 this number would have basically referred to either a date or the nationally recognized number to be called in the event of an emergency. Because of what happened on that date we now have enshrined it as a remembrance. But today is the 15th and we are blessed to be up and going for another run at making the most of it. Hypocrisy haunts nearly every politician regardless of party affiliation. Sometimes it glares like the neon signs in LasVegas. This happened to Vice President Biden the other evening. He was at a fund raiser dinner where folks had paid $10,000 for the privilege of sharing a meal with him. He stood up, expensive wine in hand, to make a few remarks. On the table were the remains of his exotic steak that had been uniquely fed for its purpose, along with the potatoes laced with truffles. What was the theme of his remarks? It was to remind his dinner partners of how that only he and the President and the Democratic Party could really identify with the common man and what they were going through during these economic hard times. How many times have I told you? You cannot make this stuff up.

Believe it or not, there are plenty of folks who give him and for the most part, all politicians, a pass on this obvious disconnect, because of believing that's just how the game is played. I read another article that said the White House would no longer list the wines served at state dinners. This has been a long standing practice because it typically promotes American wines. It seems that the current administration's campaign folks didn't like some of the blow back when folks responded to the Chinese delegation being served wine that cost $399 per bottle. That expensive wining and dining stuff didn't seem to fit their claim that the party opposite, as they say across the pond, are out of touch with the common man. Don't get the idea that I am pointing fingers just at them. It has become a part of the fabric of our political system. Those running for the Republican nomination have their own skeletons to deal with. Sure. None of us are perfect. People don't like it when I tell them I am not comfortable saying 'anybody but'. I heard the governor of Alabama last night speaking about why he voted for Rick Santorum. He said he voted for him because he best represented his views. The interviewer asked if he thought Mr. Santorum could win the nomination. The governor responded that reading the delegate counts makes that a very unlikely prospect. The network guy then asked, knowing that, why would he vote for Mr. Santorum. The governor gave a wonderful answer. He said you don't always vote for the one who is most likely to win. He had voted for the person he felt that best represented his views. I agree. I hope and pray there will be someone I can vote for that meets that test. But, and this is the thing that people don't like, if there isn't a candidate for President that meets that test for me, I will have to go with none of the above, because my conscience demands it. Meanwhile, I continue to hope and pray there will be a candidate that I can support. But, that's me, and you are entitled to your own opinion. Thank God, we can still do that in America. Amen.

I know what some of you are thinking. A little of that analysis will go a long way. Enough already. I know that sentiment well but when it comes down to it, we cannot hide from the reality we live in. That's right folks. Moving right along, have you noticed the price of gas lately? It is high. Folks are beginning to take photos of the pump with their cell phones and then they post them on Facebook. One college student from our local fellowship drives a pickup and she posted one the other day that read a little over $97. That will rearrange your spending program faster than you can say "Now wait just a cotton picking minute." It reminds me of that insurance commercial where the guy talks about people on a budget, a Ramen noodle budget. I get it. The Ramen noodle connection with cheap is common place. In the commercial it is about a college kid but with these gas prices, we might all be there soon. We've had those noodles in our home. Our boys have eaten them. I have not. I'm not opposed to them. I just have never had them before. It could be, however, a coming attraction. That is unless I decide to show up for one of those dinners where they are passing out steaks that come from very well nourished, contented cattle. And, don't forget the truffle laced potatoes. Truffles are those fungus thingies that grow underground that pigs hunt over in Europe. You can order you some online for about $140 per ounce. I believe that same $140 will buy about 500 packages of the Ramen Noodles. Just so you know. No. I don't intend to start sharing coupons. But, I do close out today's session with a prayer for us all, that we would be encouraged knowing that God is in control. Amen.     .....More later.