Trent Ruble's Blog: The Other Way It Is , page 8

You're Gay? So What, I'm a H8TR

After writing an article about the Girl Scouts (see Bob Morris vs. Girl Scouts of the USA, February 26, 2012), I received a comment from an offended reader stating that I hated women. I know everyone has strong opinions and that mine can be quite polarizing, but I do not hate women. In fact, I think there are many ways in which we are inferior to them (see Until Death, April 1, 2012). Unfortunately, it is all too common these days to label anyone who disagrees with one's position a "hater," or "H8TR," as I observed on a bumper sticker.



A label similar to "hater" is "phobic," as in "homophobic." The term "homophobic" indicates a fear of homosexuals but is used by some of those promoting homosexuality to label anyone who is opposed to the homosexual lifestyle. Well, that would include me. However, I can say with certainty that I am not afraid of homosexuals nor do I hate them. What I hate is homosexuality and, even more so, the promotion of homosexuality as normal. I have my own vices to be sure (see We're Fighting to Lose! May 06, 2012), but I'm embarrassed by them and certainly don't push for them to be accepted as normal.

The labeling of those who disagree with one's position is really a control issue. The use of these labels is an attempt to relegate people of opposing viewpoints to a status of no value. Therefore, their opinions don't count (think "Birther."). We require our government to allow free speech, so let's do the same with one another. Let's let our opinions stand on their own merit without regard to those who think differently. Rather than assigning a label, maybe it's just better to agree to disagree.

Image originally posted on www.ronitbaras.com

Left? Or, Right?

The nearer we come to the November elections here in the United States, the more we are inundated with political advertisements... and none of them are true. They may be technically true (sometimes), but universally misleading. The ads are full of non-contextual sound bytes and extremely unflattering photographs. Campaigns even employ companies to search every word an opponent has spoken looking for gaffes. These blunders will then be used to make the opponent look like an idiot. No one can pass these tests.



I suggest that we believe nothing and vote based on ideology only. We can't rely on the politicians to tell us what they will do, or even what they have done. Whomever is the incumbent will tout his or her accomplishments while the opposition shows how the same accomplishments were mistakes. But, we know the platforms and that's really all we know.

The right is generally pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Israel, stands for traditional marriage, and strives for less government, including less welfare. The left, on the other hand, is generally the opposite. So, if you're an American voter, find yourself in there somewhere and vote accordingly. It's really all we have to go on.

Image courtesy of DragonArtz – www.dragonartz.net

September 11, 2001

Eleven years ago this past week, on September 11, 2001 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked. The attack eleven years ago on the island of Manhattan, Northern Virginia and an airliner over Pennsylvania caused severe damage to America. Very many American lives were lost.

Our enemies have again undertaken a surprise offensive. The facts of this past week speak for themselves. The people of the United States have formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated attack, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

Hostilities continue to exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.



Of course many of you recognize that I have manipulated President Franklin Roosevelt's December 8, 1941 speech. I did this in order for it to address the attack 60 years later on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, as well as the continuing violence directed toward Americans including attacks this very week in Egypt, Libya, Yemen and elsewhere. I did this to remind us of what we sometimes forget.

We forget that, in addition to the nearly 3,000 deaths and multitudes of injuries just as we suffered at Pearl Harbor, our nation has now permanently lost its sense of security. We forget this when we yield to the politically correct instead of common sense. We forget this when we grant not only equal, but special treatment to those who want to destroy us. To our enemies and, especially, to ourselves I say, "Let us forget no longer. Let our determination be unbounding and let us persevere until we have achieved absolute victory. Let us fight like it's 1941."

Customer Disservice

I'm on hold as I write this, waiting for my telephone company to help me register my SIM card. For some reason my dumb phone (as in "non-smart phone") stopped recognizing my old SIM card last week. I called the phone company, followed one prompt and then another before waiting on hold for 15 minutes. This in order for the nice lady, whom I could sometimes understand, to tell me to remove the card then put it back in. Of course, since I'm not an idiot, I had tried that several times without success. So, when it again failed, the lady said she'd send me a new SIM card.

The card came in the mail today and, following the directions that came with it, I put it in the phone. Of course the phone didn't like that and displayed, "unregistered SIM card." I think I'd have liked it better if it had just growled at me. The instructions suggested going to the company website for assistance. I tried every link that could remotely concern registering my SIM card but there was nothing that could help me. So, after going through the phone tree again, I'm on hold and have been for 30 minutes. I wish I could bill them for my wasted time.

Most of us have had similar experiences with this and other big companies who have relegated customer service to "necessary evil" status. It was nice in the days of old when most every national company had a local office where one could speak in person to another human in order to solve whatever problem they might have.

As for my experience today, I eventually hung up and called again.

The Final Frontier

While I'm not sure Neil Armstrong went to Heaven last week, I suspect that he did. I'm sure that, wherever he went, it is a far more interesting place than the Moon. But, even while he was alive, Mr. Armstrong visited a place more important to him than the Moon. In 1988, while he was standing on the steps of the Temple in Jerusalem, upon which he'd learned that centuries earlier Jesus himself had stood, Mr. Armstrong said, "It means more to me to stand on these steps than to stand on the moon." (www.travelife.ca) I pray that Mr. Armstrong has begun the journey of a (post) lifetime, not just where God once was, but in His very presence.



Neil Armstrong represents the pinnacle of the United States of America. In 1969, when Mr. Armstrong became the first to set foot on a world other than our own, America was unquestionably the most powerful, and most scientifically advanced, nation in the history of the world. At that time the future of American space travel looked bright as we envisioned astronauts planting Old Glory on Mars and beyond. But, as it turned out, only 12 men would walk on the Moon with the last being Eugene Cernan in 1972. Since then there have been no further manned space flights to have left Earth orbit. And, in 2011, President Obama discontinued the Space Shuttle program, which had been the only remaining manned space program operated by the United States, leaving us to rely on other nations for transport to the International Space Station. How embarrassing for the once great America.

While I don't believe we will ever encounter aliens (see Light Years to Next Door, April 22, 2012), I do believe that space travel is important to our society and should be reinstated. Not only did it provide a dream career goal for aspiring children everywhere, the wealth of knowledge to be gained is immeasurable. And, who knows what minerals or other materials could be discovered. In addition, there have been many products that have been created or improved because of the space program.

Someday, the first man to land on Mars will become a national hero. But, it just might be a Chinese national hero. Whoever it is, I wish Neil Armstrong could have been here to see it. We miss you, Neil, and everything you represent.

I CAN Handle the Truth!

There is so much deceit in this world that I'm surprised we talk to each other at all. It's true that almost everyone wants their child to be honest and most of us teach them that lying and deceit are wrong. So, how did there get to be so much dishonesty? That story is as long as the history of man.

Oh, there's a lot of truth flying around out there. The problem is that some truth is in direct opposition to another truth. And, many times, the purveyors of these opposing "truths" are convinced their version is correct. I discovered this when, as a police officer, I would interview people involved in various incidents. It seemed that, even if they were involved in the same incident, no one told the same story. Even innocent victims and witnesses withheld information that might have made them look bad in some way, or that would lessen the severity of what someone did to them. Whenever we would interview parties involved in a domestic dispute, each would leave out anything they did to incite the other. Because it was nearly always this way, we waited to get both sides of a story before taking any action, except in some emergency situations.

The problem of perspective based truth is evident everywhere. If a student gets a bad grade, he or she will generally give a different reason for the grade than the professor. And, it isn't just individuals who do this. Nations have been guilty of the same thing time and again. We call it revisionist history. I'm sure if you check with an Egyptian, for example, his version of history would be different than that of an Israeli. You could insert "American" and "Russian," or any of a number of other sets of enemies.

Public relations firms routinely "spin" the truth in order to avoid embarrassment for the companies or campaigns who employ them. In court, truth matters little when compared to what can be proved. And, if the truth is about to come out, a lawyer will spend much effort discrediting the witness in order to avoid losing a case.

In spite of all the differences in what we believe truth is, there is still only one truth. Jesus said, "...you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32, NIV 1984). He then told us what that truth is when he said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6, NIV 1984). As I've said previously (see "Freedom from Being Offended", October 03, 2011), I aim to speak the truth whether you like it or not and I'm not going to apologize for it. Otherwise, why would you believe anything I say?

Move-In Day

Thursday was move-in day at the university where I work which means the campus has been transformed once again from quiet to bustling. It's been interesting watching the kids and all their belongings flow into the dorms while remembering last year's move-out day, when so much ended up in the dumpsters.



Most of the kids I saw Thursday had parents assisting with all their stuff, which made me think, even as my own son moved into his apartment at a different college the very same day; some of these same parents will be receiving phone calls from their kids saying they're on the Dean's List, or have been selected Homecoming Queen, etc... Yet others will get calls telling them their child has been suspended, expelled, or even arrested. Last year a kid moved in and was arrested before school even started. His roommate called the police after he decided he wasn't going to put up with the pot smoking all year.

This school year will return some old friends as well as new faces and names to remember. Some of the new freshmen will likely become my friends, as the others have, and, as with their predecessors, I will hope to see them through to a college degree. It will be a long process and, when it's over, they will go about their lives. Some I will not see again. But, they will be replaced with more kids, eager and naive, bringing more stuff to the dorms and the cycle will begin again. Life is a funny thing.

Separated by a Common Language

My wife, Tami, and I are back in Indiana after a three week visit to the British Isles. We've returned with some lessons learned, some new appreciations, and some plain old observations. First of all, we had a wonderful time and were treated very well by almost everyone we encountered. We like the British and, it seems, they like us.



Both of us had been to Britain in the past so nothing was a total shock, except for my experience in driving. I found that learning to drive on the opposite side of the road, from the opposite side of the car, on super narrow streets, in one of the largest cities in the world, and during the Olympics, can be quite stressful. It didn't help that I'd been up all night prior to renting the car. I eventually became accustomed to driving on the left but was never able to get from one place to another without missing at least one turn.

British Motorways (similar to US Interstate highways) are well marked but, along secondary roads, street signs are difficult to find. Instead of being on a sign post they will usually be found on the corners of buildings...usually, but not always. Streets change names seemingly in the middle of a block, lane markings are worn off, and directional signs are not placed far enough ahead to allow for lane changes, etc... In this area the United States has the advantage with its relative ease of travel.

However, when it comes to public transportation, the UK's thoroughly developed system is far superior to that found in the US. We would see what appeared to be city buses everywhere, even far from the cities, traveling routes on country roads. Here in Fort Wayne, the nearest bus stop is eight miles from my home even though I live just 150 yards outside the city. In London there is also the option of using the subway, or "Underground," as it is known. It is super easy to use with color coded maps placed everywhere and route names like "Jubilee" and "Picadilly" that are easy to remember. Most of the other "tube" passengers were friendly, although the cars were sometimes very overcrowded.

We discovered numerous words and phrases common in Britain that we don't use here, such as whilst (while), biscuit (cookie), sat-nav (GPS) and trainers (sneakers). Of course the opposite is also true; American words such as French Fries (chips), gasoline (petrol) and laundromat (launderette) are not used in Britain. Even so, most everyone understood us and vice versa.

Tami and I won't likely stay in a bed and breakfast again. I thought it would be a good way to really experience British culture and, in that regard, it was a successful endeavor. But, most B&Bs were not clean which ruined the experience. One in Glasgow was so dirty we checked in then checked right back out. I've found the same problem with lodging in other countries, including the United States, so it isn't unique to Britain.

There were a couple of times we had some really good food, such as the expensive chowder I ate in Ireland or the shrimp (or "prawn," as it is known locally) chimichanga I enjoyed in England. But, overall, we are not fond of British food. I especially didn't like the "award winning" faggots I had in Wales, which I found tasted like liver. I never dreamed I would eat such a thing and certainly never will again. The mushy peas were the best part of the meal and I don't like peas.

We were, however, captivated by the very old buildings found throughout Britain, some of which are in ruins. It seemed that each town had at least one old cathedral, abbey or castle. Sometimes these buildings were over a thousand years old and were so grand they would be far too expensive to be built today. Here in America even the old buildings we do have will often be torn down rather than be refurbished. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but in modern America, governments, churches and companies must answer to financial boards that will almost always find it less expensive to tear down old buildings and erect new ones rather than preserve the old.

We found that the British style is generally more sophisticated, but not always. A polished British accent goes well with sharply dressed professionals, but there's an underclass there, as well. In general, though, we liked the respectfulness in the British manner. This could be seen, for example, when the local media interviewed British Olympic athletes. They were always gracious when interviewed and gave credit to their teams instead of themselves. This is refreshing after watching American athletes over the years become more and more prideful. Many times their boastings have ruined what would have otherwise been great performances.

We attended three worship services while in the UK, including one at Westminster Abbey. None were like our home church in Fort Wayne, but all of them seemed to be doing the right thing in their own way. Christianity is on the decline in Europe so it was good to see some solid believers. We pray that they will be a great influence to their people.

Prices were definitely higher in Britain. Tami and I ate at a Hard Rock Cafe' in Edinburgh and paid over $50 for a sandwich, fries and Pepsi for both of us. It cost about $92 to fill our rental car with diesel fuel, which seemed to last forever.

By the end of our trip we learned to appreciate the comfort of our own home and our own culture while admiring the ways of a land from which much of our culture is derived. But, I think I've had my fill of travel... for at least a few months.

Doubting Trent

Even though I believe God's plan for us as laid out in the Bible, an occasional doubt will creep into my mind. Please don't think this means I'm teetering on unbelief. I believe occasional doubts are normal as everyone I've talked to about it has experienced the same thing. When this happens to me I remind myself of some of the reasons I believe the Bible. At first it was because my mother told me it was the truth and that, if I didn't believe it, I would go to Hell when I die. But, as I grew older, I learned of the Bible's consistency and longevity, as well as its hundreds of fulfilled prophecies. Some of the strongest evidence is in the stories of first-hand witnesses who were martyred for telling others about what they'd seen and heard. I came to believe that no man or men could have devised such a story as the one told by the Bible.



Even so, these doubts pop into my mind at times and, before convincing myself otherwise, I sometimes think about how unlikely the Biblical story is. God loves me? And, he sent his son to die so that I can live? Why? As a police officer I have seen the underbelly of our society and I know how unlovable we are, myself included.

But, I also think about how equally unlikely some of things are that we all accept as fact. For example, consider the universe and its infinity. Or, if you believe it has a boundary, consider what lies beyond that, and beyond that, etc... Or, think about yourself. You are alive! And, you're intelligent! Think about where you were before you were conceived. Where did all the energy that is you come from? Think about the systems of the Earth and the perfect balance in which it lies in order to support our lives. These things should serve to convince us that we live in a supernatural world.

So, what about other religions? Do they present a more plausible explanation than Christianity? None of them seem logical to me. So, I guess the point is, don't discount Christianity because it doesn't seem likely. Something is true and, whatever it is, it's unlikely.

Note- I will be out of the country for the next three weeks so no new articles will be published until I return. In order to satisfy your need of a Hoosier Perspective until then, look through the older articles and feel free to leave a comment or two. Oh, and to the burglars lurking about, my house will be occupied for the duration of my time away.

Thank God for Superheroes!

There seems to be one superhero movie after another these days and, I have to admit, they're not bad. I think they're popular, in part, because we long for a hero who will stand up to evil and deliver victory. But, we don't need to create fictional characters to fulfill this desire for truth, justice and the American way!



On February 13, 1861, United States Army Assistant Surgeon Bernard J.D. Irwin (1830-1917) led a team on a 100-mile mule ride in order to rescue 60 men who'd been trapped by the enemy. Because of his successful rescue he became the first of 3,458 military men and one woman who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Fourteen of them have been awarded a second medal after demonstrating an additional act of heroism (Congressional Medal of Honor Society). These are true superheroes.

The most recent recipient is Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr. (1948-1970). Sabo earned the medal while serving as a rifleman with the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division in Cambodia. On May 10, 1970, Sabo and his platoon were on patrol when they were ambushed. Rather than seeking cover, Sabo ran toward the enemy position and killed several of the attackers. He was successful in drawing enemy fire away from his platoon mates and eventually forced the enemy to retreat. Next Sabo exposed himself to danger by running across an open field in order to obtain more ammunition. As he was reloading, an enemy grenade landed near him and a wounded soldier. Sabo threw the grenade then shielded his comrade with his own body. He absorbed most of the blast and saved the wounded soldier's life. Now seriously wounded himself, Sabo ran toward the enemy bunker from which the assault had come and was wounded further. He continued toward the enemy position by crawling and then threw a grenade into the bunker. Specialist Sabo successfully ended the enemy assault saving the lives of those in his platoon, but lost his own life in the process (Congressional Medal of Honor Society). Would the Amazing Spider-Man give his fictitious life to save us?

The military isn't the only arena in which we find heroes. The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor is awarded by the President of the United States to public safety officers who have gone beyond the call of duty while exhibiting exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of personal safety, while attempting to save or protect human life (United States Bureau of Justice). One such recipient is Officer Pedro Garcia of the San Antonio Police Department.

On September 8, 2008, Officer Garcia and his partner responded to an "officer in trouble" call in order to assist three officers who'd come under fire while attempting to serve a felony warrant. Upon his arrival, Officer Garcia and the other officers attempted to remove a wounded officer from the building. As he approached the wounded officer, Officer Garcia was shot in the face. Even so, he continued to the wounded officer and pulled her out of the building while returning fire. As the gunfire from the house continued, Officer Garcia carried the wounded officer to his police car and then drove her to a waiting ambulance. He then returned to the scene to assist the other officers (medalofvalor.gov). I'd like to see Batman try that.

Of course, heroism isn't exclusive to the government. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu (1910-1997), better known as Mother Teresa, was a teacher who spent 45 years serving the poorest, first in India and then around the world. She began the Missionaries of Charity which grew into an organization of thousands serving the poor from 450 locations worldwide. For her extreme dedication, Mother Teresa was awarded the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize (nobelprize.org). And, in 1997, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President Bill Clinton (Public Law 105-16). Have you ever seen Iron Man teach, feed and clothe the poor?

The salvation provided by these heroes is only temporary, of course. For permanent salvation we must look to the greatest superhero of all time; Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:5-7, NIV 1984). Not even Superman can say that.