Merry Christmas,
Peace on Earth,
Goodwill Toward Men,
and Keep your Powder Dry!

-Uwe-

We Christians didn't just steal Christ's DOB from pagan cults. If you read enough about the Mediterranean PRE-Christ, you will find accounts of pagan cults that are well-nigh identical to Christianity, other than the name. Complete with virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection. Also, the evidence for the existence of a historical Jesus is surprisingly sparse and more controversial than Wikipedia would lead you to believe. That's why you don't find a whole lot of Christian Germans - in the 19th century they produced a whole bunch of very disappointed biblical scholars.

But - so what. There's not much out there that is much more appetizing than Christianity. Right now Islamic fundamentalists are busy pick-axing to pieces the ancient mausoleums of Timbuktu; their goal is to destroy ALL of them.

In re killing - there are degrees there, as there are with most things. Even vegans live from things being killed - try ploughing a field without killing something. However, Jains do revere those who, from religious motives, die of self-starvation.

Merry Christmas.

Quote:

Six months ago my wife said "I want a divorce", out of nowhere.

Damn, feel the pain. Happens to quite a few men . . . critical you get your head on right and don't in any way think it's your fault. And I mean that.

Whether you want her back more than anything in this world, or want to see her burn - you response should be one of complete and utter radio silence.

I'll PM you here when I get free on Christmas Day. Endure, and this might be the Christmas of your Renaissance.

CBxer, it's all perspective. I'm gonna be alone and I'm looking forward to it. Well, alone from people. It'll just be me and my pets and that's perfect for me. Go to the pound and get a dog or a cat. The little furballs are nice to have around and you can feel good about saving a life.

Zero spiritual beliefs or observation of xmas here - but somehow this Ticker entry seems cheery. Thanks?

Yep off to a secluded beach to be alone for the day. No stress - gift to myself. Same with new years - 2 days on kona side diving in seclusion (if I don't post in Jan have someone grab my body when it gets to Tahiti)

Cbxer - hang in there :)

My focus for the upcoming year is to focus on where I spend my money. More focus on spending with local business. Moving my spending to non taxed items (craigslist and farmers markets). All these will be more work and might cost a little more but I feel its the right thing to do.

Kareninca, that's a load of rubbish.

Karl - Merry Christmas and thanks for all the insights. Have been preparing since 1998, no debt except a small mortgage with 70% equity, 25 YO daughter is college grad with no debt (who is here with a Vegan pizza, likability TBD), married 30 years next year. I kind of started prepping with Dave Ramsey on AM radio in the car (along with the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban).

Karl,

Thank you for all you have done this past year.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTx-sdR6Y....

Well, since we don't know for sure what day Christ was born, someone had to pick a day.

Some speculate it was in the spring, because the shepherds would not be out in the fields in the winter. Whatever, the days are getting longer now and that's a good thing.

All I can say is whew..it's been a long day. I've been cooking for 12 hours now so I can take it easy tomorrow.

Oh and Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 2:14 NLT

Merry Christmas to all on TF. Thank you Karl for all your hard work.

"Err... Is this turning into some kind of preach/church now? I mean, seriously,
Ddebernardy said:


"this blog used to be about macroeconomic analysis, rather than religious hogwash, gun control, US politics, and what not. It used to be very good, too... back then. I appreciate that ad revenues go up when you grow your audience and cater to it, but I wish that there was some kind of tag I could subscribe to that filtered out everything but economics."



It's about whatever Karl says it's about.
Since it's Christmas, I won't tell you you're a jerk.

Oh yeah, Merry Christmas

Well said, Karl, all of it.

Last year, we terminated a family relationship that included our relatively 'normal' family and some cousins and an aunt. For the better part of four decades, our family had the affluence of the cousin's family lorded over us 'po' folk' (we were solid middle class, however). Their family is now a wreck due to oxycodone, hydrocodone, alcohol and "bad choices" that always involved their inability to do third grade math. One of the cousins, diagnosed as 'bipolar', decided to 'improve his lot in life' by marrying an unmedicated paranoid schizophrenic. Yeah, you can imagine how that's worked out.

The stress level last Christmas, being non-existent, made last years' celebration one that we talked about all year. This year has been already, a memorable one, with more relatives in town, more late night card games, more simple joy than we've had in...well, forever.

May you and your family enjoy these happy times, and cherish them. They're gone too soon from us.

...and all this time I thought I was alone with the thoughts that WHERE my monies go....and HOW they are used is not at all even remotely close to being used for the betterment of my fellow humans.

All this time, all these years I knew there was "blow back" and death of innocents done on a very regular basis, paid for by me and done "in my name" because THEY HATE ME FOR MY FREEDOM.

So many years, so much political failure, so many dead children on all sides.

Happy holidays KD and the ticker folk. Party up! Best wishes to all except banksters and the deranged.

KareninCA,

You have been sold a bill of goods. Those 19th century German biblical scholars had an agenda as insincere as Paul Krugman. OK, maybe not that bad, but almost. Some of that Mithras crap was dispensed with in the early second century AD. Read Justin Maytyr's First Apologia, chapter 66 (and the whole Apologia). As to there being minimal historical evidence for the existence of Jesus, that's frankly ludicrous. There was vastly more written about Jesus within living memory than there was about many other historical persons whose existence is not questioned at all. One can't prove the biblical writings, but to say there is little historical evidence of his having existed is beyond ridiculous.

If you want a good book refuting the agenda of those (Elaine Pagels & co) who try to assert that the canonical gospels were written centuries after the events in question, try "Redating the New Testament" by Robinson, which makes a strong case that the entire NT, with the possible exception of 2 Peter & the Book of Jude was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Or you could spend a couple of years here:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/

Of course anyone not interested in this can just skip it.

Merry Christmas, all !

While I don't consider anyone here a friend and haven't ever met anyone who posts here, I feel myself blessed by having found this site and by everyone's contributions. I hope that everyone has a relaxing, joyful holiday.

Just for fun here's the quote of the day from our house. It's from the father of one of our 14 year old daughter's friend that he told her before they opened gifts "Disappointment is a gift" :)

Merry Christmas to all.

There are some good posts on the thread. It's great that we have this place for intelligent and civil discourse. I think tickerforum is the best place on the web, a beacon of light amongst so much nonsense.

Hope we all enjoy family today, or if circumstances find us alone, then we can look to our Creator for guidance as to what will be bring us pleasure. I take pleasure in and praise Him for his gifts of music and nature which can be intricate, sublime and grand at the same time.

Hope the tf community also finds joy in music today and in whatever nature brings your way, whether a cardinal on a snow-laced holly, a warm sun, or even if the Lord waters the earth with a shower in your locale. I realize that blizzards and ice storms, hurricanes and tornados are incomprehensible..
but the calm after the storm does come..and I was near gz for Sandy.

oh well, enough preachin' -peace to all.

Happy Holiday to all. Be safe and healthy.

Happy Holidays everyone.

And thanks, Karl, for providing this lone place on the web to find some sanity.

Merry Christmas TF

Great sentiments, Karl. We're currently in Bangkok, ate at a local restaurant, and both Mr 2dogs and our younger daughter got a touch of food poisoning. So... we go to a medical clinic. They both see a Dr, have several diagnostic tests performed, get a diagnosis, and get several prescriptions filled each. Total cost for both: 4,300 baht, about $143. There's no reason the same shouldn't be true in the U.S.

We got a nice little dusting of snow...first of the year last night. Hudson Valley region of New York.

Merry Christmas to All

Thanks Karl...don't burn out your finger tips.