Sound off. What do you think about this video?

In all the hubbub of the season I failed to alert you of a major loss in our family. I apologize.
The Silver Bullet is dead. No, not just dead, the Silver Bullet is dead and gone. It was hauled off today by Hughie and I’ll never see it again.
Jones road home in her from the hospital. It was the first car I ever purchased. It was our first car together as a couple. When we purchased it we got a great deal, about four grand.

*Pause for a note from India*
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*Resume Story*
After the initial purchase we have raked in about $4500 in insurance costs. Thank you Allstate! That little car not only transported our family, but it also purchased us a laptop, a down payment on a minivan, and payed some bills. That little silver car just kept giving and giving until it gave its last gift…the gift of my sister-in-laws life. While Jenna was driving our little Silver Bullet a few weeks ago she dozed off and ran into a tree. Luckily Silver miraculously saved Jenna’s life (though she did end up with a bump on her head). Sadly Silver gave his life for Jenna’s. So today Hughie took it away for a small pile of coins.
Goodbye Silver Bullet. I loved you. You gave everything…but you took my heart. You were always my David, you slew every giant in your path. May you find your slingshot in Hyundai heaven.

Matt said something at Renovatus’ Sunday gathering today and it got me thinking. He made a comment about how if he could meet anyone he might want to meet himself from last year. Then he could tell himself whatever it was that he should know for the upcoming year. Matt said it more simply and better than that, but it’s an interesting idea to contemplate at the beginning of a new year.
Jess and I have had a lot of wonderful memories, made some new friends, experienced a lot of great times, had our second child, and all sorts of other good things. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that we refer to 2007 as our year of hell. It was a tough year. It wasn’t really hell, but it was rough.
But what would I want to tell Ryan 2007? What would you tell yourself from one year prior, Mr. Blogger 2007? Mrs or Miss Blogger 2008 what insights, ideas, or warnings would you give last years model?
I don’t have any good advice thought up. I wish I had thought of something good before I started this blog…nope…maybe I’d say…”Ryan 2007, it’s going to be a rough year.” That’s all I’ve got so far. I mean, I could add something like…”Jesus is walking with you, don’t forget to find him in the dark places.” or, “don’t worry, you get sleep next year. Trust me.” or “Dude, you are lucky to have such a wonderful family, but you probably already know that.” or…like I said, I don’t have anything good yet. Do you?

I realize that fear is necessary. Fear protects us. Without fear there would be no courage. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (though I’ve been reading some neat stuff about how God takes us from fear to peace and love and relationship…anyway…). Fear plays a part in life, that’s just how it is. And so fear is a major motivator in our lives. Why is everyone so green right now? Well besides the fact that it’s become the cool thing to do, Al Gore scared us into it (and if he’s right it’s for good reason). Fear was/is the primary motivator in being green. And that’s ok, it’s valuable.

But here’s my question or observation. At what point does the use of fear become the beginning of terrorism? Or at least terrorism at it’s fledgling state. Here’s the dictionary’s definition of terrorism:
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.

And here’s the video that spawned my thoughts about this:

Doesn’t it seem as though this add crosses some of those boundaries? Is Rudy attempting to use fear to intimidate or coerce for political purposes? While I realize that some would suggest that our current president does this same thing, I’ve really got nothing to say about that because I didn’t just happen to watch a Bush video that depicts him as a terrorist. I don’t know much about politics and I’m not nearly as well versed as I should, but Rudy’s video seemed ridiculous to me. What do you think?

Here are some deals you won’t want to miss from Craigs List’s “free stuff”(with some commentary from me)…

• I’ve got a nearly full box of frozen otter pops (probably about 80 in there). Please help me make room in my freezer! I meant to take these to the fountain over the summer, but forgot, so if you have a larger freezer, you could save them for warm weather and pass them out – or enjoy them yourself, of course. (as a general rule otter pops aren’t good for you. But handing out used otter pops to neighborhood kids? Despicable!)
• Eighteen gallons of used cooking oil available free. You pick up. (seriously? I’ve got some bacon grease sitting in a can on my counter if you want to come pick that up too.)
• Lots of free horse manure ! We may be able to deliver if your in the Hillsboro area. (seriously? I’ve got some free…never mind…it’s never been more true than now that there is a lot of shit on Craigslist*)
• FREE WHITE TOILET. Only slightly used. email or call for directions. (Slightly used? As in, it was only peed in once? Eww.)

I love Craigs List.

*pardon my language, but seriously? How could anyone pass that up?