Egypt

Just a few notes and thoughts that I have about the Egyptian revolution...

* Kudos to the Egyptian people for conducting an extremely peaceful revolution. It showed great discipline and moral courage. That is definitely something to build on.

* I've been following President Obama's many comments about Egypt these past weeks (possibly a bit too many), and have been very impressed with his ability to speak with moral authority on this issue. Now that President Mubarak has stepped down, Obama has the responsibility to back up his words. When the most powerful man and leader of the free world repeatedly calls for regime change of a sovereign nation, he establishes ownership of that nation to a meaningful extent. In a sense, the "you broke it, you bought it!" rule applies. Lending financial aid, intelligence on successful transitioning, and establishing structure and organization to "bring all parties to the table" will be essential and obvious steps needed to help Egypt get back on her feet. However, dissuading the participation of certain groups that do not allow freedom will be another essential key to the success of the nation. I hope the President has the fortitude to take this very difficult stand. Since this would involve making additional moral judgments, I question whether Obama will shine on this front. Leadership is NOT running in front of world opinion and chiming in, rather leadership is doing what is right even when the world consensus opposes you.

* Egypt has a pretty cool flag.

* I wish Obama was half as forceful in backing the Iranian uprising a year and a half ago. I wonder why he wasn't.

* I'll be praying for the Coptic Church in the subsequent months and years. The current instability is very likely to lead to a rise in their already extreme persecution in this overwhelmingly "Cristophobic" nation. On a side note that I found fascinating: the first Coptic church was founded in Alexandria in the 1st century by Mark, Apostle of Jesus!!

* My mind also runs to my high school years and wonders how rapper/DJ Greg Broussard AKA Egyptian Lover feels about the revolution.

* Finally, I'm drawn to the Beatles song "Revolution" that is very thought-provoking at this time. "We'd all love to see the plan". Will Egypt be moving from secular despot to Islamic despot? The answer may be up to Mu-barak, I mean Barack.

Kobe vs. LeBron. Who's better?

One of the greatest sports arguments of this current era is: Who is better, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? This year's Most Valuable Player versus last year's Most Valuable Player! They led their teams to the best and second best records in the NBA. They have both gone to their conference's final playoff series, with the Lakers getting into the NBA Finals, and Cavaliers failing to match. Regardless of who wins the MVP award or NBA Finals, the debate of these two individuals will rage on for years to come.

First off, I'd like to establish some ground rules for better clarity on this question "Who is better?" The following are some examples of arguments that I'd like to eliminate on this issue.

When all is said and done, who will have the better career?

This answer is not possible to answer with certainty so it would be best leave such speculation out of the conversation. Clearly, thus far Kobe has enjoyed the better career as explained by Kobe's puppet. However, since LeBron is about 6 years younger than Bryant, his career could be even brighter. Either way, this would be an incomplete analysis, as both men have yet to complete their biographies.

If you could have one player for one game that you had to win, who would it be?

I don't believe this question is the most accurate in determining the best player, as one game does not a better player make. This answer would be hands down in favor of Kobe Bryant. I must present for the record the memory of an 81 point game, the second highest total in NBA history. A few weeks before that game, I went to the Lakers - Mavs game, in which Kobe had 62 points through three quarters... the Mavs had only 61. That's right, this one guy scored more than the entire other team. In addition to his ability to pour on insane scoring totals, more like a video game than a real life human against the greatest competition in the world, he is the greatest closer in the game. In fact, he may be the greatest Closer of all time - move over Kyra Sedgwick! Mine eyes have seen Kobe make more impressive and difficult shots when the game is on the line, than Magic, Kareem, Bird, Jordan, or Reggie Miller. Bringing those names in might bring on another disagreement best argued another day. For now, I believe most objective sports enthusiasts would agree that while LeBron has learned a lot in terms of taking games over in crunch time, there is NO comparison with Kobe on this point.

Therefore, I submit, the most fair question to determine the better player is: If you could have either player for only one season, who would it be?
This takes into account the player's ability to lead his team on a consistent basis, and discover how he could best help their chances to win through an entire season. The marathon of an 82 game season plus playoffs would be the greatest test to determine the best player in the NBA.

When referring to the two teams' records, there is not much to contrast between the two players. LeBron's team (66-16) has only one more win than the Lakers (65-17), but in a much weaker Eastern Conference, so I will call this comparison a push. In terms of skills, Kobe's the better shooter, while LeBron's better at passing, driving to the basket and rebounding. They are comparable on defense. As mentioned, Kobe is better in the clutch, but LeBron is not far behind in being able to take over games. Under my analyzing - LeBron James is better! (Pause for Laker Nation to regain consciousness...) (Still waiting...) Since they are very close talent-wise, my reason for putting him above Kobe is because his style of play is better to build around. LeBron's bread and butter play is driving to the teeth of the defense. This causes a better field goal % (+2%), more free throws (+2 per game), and more assists (+2 per game). In short, LeBron style of play means that his contribution to his team is more efficient.

One of the most telling, albeit hypothetical, scenario I use to judge who is better is: how good would their teams be if they switched teams? Does anyone honestly believe that the supporting cast of Gasol, Bynum, Odom and three point shooters like Fish, Sasha, Ariza, Brown, & Farmar would be doing any worse with LeBron distributing shots to them after scrambling the defense after one of his dribble drives barrelling in through the key? Only the biggest Kobe die hard would say that the very unimpressive supporting cast of the Cavaliers would do better with Kobe. It seems obvious to me they would do much worse that 66 wins with Kobe as their leader.

This brings me to Kobe's biggest weakness. For years, Kobe has had to deal with the unflattering moniker of Ball-Hog. I would suggest his downside is a little more complex than shooting too much. He does average about 5 assists per game this season, which is very good considering that is 5th in the league amongst non-point guards. The problem is not as much his unwillingness to pass, as I've seen many times when he is in his facilitator mode that he passes a lot, and sometimes too much. His weakness is that he cannot switch his mind-set between the Cold Blooded Mamba style assassin of scoring and the distributor getting his team involved. Most great players in the NBA are very good at reading the play of the game and instinctively choosing whether passing or shooting would provide the best chance to have the team produce. Kobe's greatness and weakness are the two sides of the same coin. His greatness is due to his INTENSE FOCUS that results in success against the most improbable circumstances and defenses. His extreme confidence provides the mental edge needed to be considered the best player in the league for the past 9 years in the league, proving it night in night out, year by year. The only problem with this great focus and confidence is the drawback that is created in his teammates. Have you ever seen the rest of his team become tentative when Kobe is taking over a game? This is created by Kobe's lack of leadership in knowing when to pass and when to shoot. Because the top priority for a leader is NOT simply to succeed on the next scoring opportunity, but to make your team the strongest it can possibly be. Now everyone in the NBA is a great player and is getting paid insane amounts of money to be ready at all times. However, if your leader is telling you that his doubled-teamed fall-away three pointer is a better option than you being wide open 15 feet from the basket could you see how their confidence could be less than it could be? If the captain of the team is more comfortable shooting a left handed 17 foot bank shot on the run in traffic than hitting the open man and continuing to run the offense, it would most certainly plant a seed in his teammates to conserve their efforts when setting an additional screen or cutting so hard to the basket.

Due to these reasons, LeBron is now a better player than Kobe this year and actually was last year during Kobe's MVP year. Don't believe my assessment, please ask the NBA Logo.

I'm sorry to make the June Gloom a little gloomier for Laker fans. But do not lose hope, in my opinion, Mr. Bryant can still regain the title of Best Player in the NBA. His Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals was nearly flawless, rivaling Magic Johnson's unbelievable effort in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals. For almost the entire game he had the perfect balance of creating for himself and for his teammates. In the 4th quarter he got a little trigger happy, but he had already won the game. If Kobe can better hone this ability, he can once again be the Best in the current NBA and genuinely make a shot at the Jordan "All Time Title". (I would disagree and say that Earvin Johnson deserves this title... but that's another blog!) But until that ever happens, he'll have to be happy with being a close 2nd.

Obamastein's Monster

"miracles do not happen simply by accident", says the Great One regarding His latest act of Supreme Authority as He moves His hand to create a miracle. On March 9, 2009 President Barack Obama authorized federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Mark these words: this is a tragic step that will cement his record as creating a poor foundation for human rights. This is "genie out of the bottle" stuff. At the Civil Conservative, I hope to do only one thing - clarify misconceptions about the embryonic stem cell issue.

1. There is no one who is against Stem Cell research.

This is the research that has had dramatic breakthroughs and is very close to making Embryonic Stem Cell research unnecessary. Stem cells can be found in cord blood and bone marrow. The controversy is about Embryonic Stem Cell research, which is taking the fertilized egg, dissecting it amongst its cells and cloning them. The process kills the fertilized egg. There have been no "medical miracles" from this procedure, only the audacity to hope that by killing millions of eggs, there might be a benefit.

2. GW Bush did not have a ban on Embryonic Stem Cell research. It has been completely legal.

What was banned is federal funding of Embryonic Stem Cell research, meaning we wouldn't pay for this grizzly research. Unlike the statements you may have heard about the religious imposing their values, here is an example of the Leftist Utilitarians have imposed their will on the religious by forcing us to take part in this carnage that violently goes against our conscience.


3. Sadly this is an issue that takes deeper thought than most are willing to engage in, including the intellectual President.

Today he stated "we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society." Please do remember that stem cell research is cloning. So, while he is forcing us to contribute to destroying human life in order to clone and test it, the concept of putting these clones parts together ("for human reproduction") is where he draws the line. On what basis does he say this is wrong? Certainly not God, as that line has been crossed. Somehow he is under the belief that killing human life is OK, but creating it is not. His argument will not hold weight once we get to that point.


4. The question of when life begins is "above [his] paygrade".

If he was being truthful with this point, the last thing he should want to do is to err on the side of killing human life without knowing the facts. Simply because he can state "it is a difficult and delicate balance" does not mean that he has done the work to understand the issue. Life is SCIENTIFICALLY (not religiously) defined as an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. Under this definition, human life begins at conception. Perhaps the intellectual President should research a dictionary.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day My Love!

You are so beautiful to me. You're everything I hoped for. You're everything I need. You are so beautiful to me.

You're still the one that I love. The only one I dream of. You're still the one I kiss good night. Look at us holding on. We're still together, still going strong. I'm so glad we made it. Look how far we've come my baby.

But I want you to know. After all these years. You're still the oneI want whisperin' in my ear. You're still the one that makes me laugh. Still the one that's my better half. We're still having fun. And you're still the one that makes me strong. You are still the one that makes me shout. Still the one that I dream about.

Longer than there've been fishes in the ocean. Higher than any bird ever flew. Longer than there've been stars up in the heavens, I've been in love with you. Stronger than any mountain cathedral, truer than any tree ever grew, deeper than any forest primeval, I am in love with you. Through the years as the fire starts to mellow, burning lines in the book of our lives, though the binding cracks and the pages start to yellow, I'll be in love with you.

Listen Baby. There ain't no mountain high enough. Ain't no valley low enough. Ain't no river wide enough to keep me from getting to you.

I've found that once in a lifetime girl. You're the kind of woman that any man would be proud to know. Kind of woman that'll have a man bragging anywhere he goes. Cuz your sugar, your spice, your every thing nice.

Lie together, cry together, I swear to God I hope we [ummm] die together. Shorty I'm here for you anytime you need me. For real girl, it's me in your world, believe me. Back when I was nothin. You made a brother feel like he was something. That's why I'm with you to this day boo no frontin. Now that real to a brother like me, baby. I'm realizing that you didn't have to [mess] wit me. But you did, now I'm going all out kid and I got mad love to give, you my [wifa]!

There's no, no looking back for us. We got love, sure 'nough, that's enough. You're all I need to get by. You're all I want to strive for and do a little more. All the joys under the sun wrapped up into one. Like an eagle protects his nest, for you I'll do my best. Stand by you like a tree, dare anybody to try and move me. Darling in you I found strength where I was torn down. Don't know what's in store but together we can open any door. Just to do what's good for you and inspire you a little higher. I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn't have a goal. Cause we, we got the right foundation and with love and determination. You're all I need to get by.

If the sun refused to shine, I would still be loving you. When mountains crumble to the sea, there will still be you and me. Kind woman, I give you my all, Kind woman, nothing more. And so today, my world it smiles, your hand in mine, we walk the miles, Thanks to you it will be done, for you to me are the only one.

You fill my eager heart with such desire. Every kiss you give sets my soul on fire. I give myself in sweet surrender, my one and only love.

From beginning to end 365 days of the yearI want your same ol' love. All I want to you is keep on loving you. I want your same ol' love. Your undying love for me. Oh, it keeps me strong, keeps me holding on.

With sweet love and devotion, deeply touching my emotion. I want to stop and thank you baby. I close my eyes at night, wondering where would I be without you in my life. Everything I did was just a bore. Everywhere I went; it seems I'd been there before. But you brighten up for me all of my days with a love so sweet in so many ways. I want to stop and thank you baby how sweet it is to be loved by you. You were better to me than i was to myself. For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else

If I should die tonight, though it be far before my time, I won't die blue 'cause I've known you. How many eyes have seen their dream? How many arms have felt their dream? How many hearts have felt their world stand still? Millions never, and millions never will

I wanna love you and treat you right. I wanna love you every day and every night. Well be together with a roof right over our heads. Well share the shelter of my single bed. Well share the same room; God provides the bread.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away

You are the sunshine of my life, thats why Ill always be around. You are the apple of my eye, forever you'll stay in my heart. I feel like this is the beginning, though I've loved you for a million years.

You're my love; you're my angel. You're the girl of my dreams. I'd like to thank you for waiting patiently. Daddy's home. Daddy's home to stay!

Create a playlist at MixPod.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

To Jason and Earle, who I'm consistently involved in fantasy basketball leagues with, I apologize that you have to read this two years in a row. Now that I have a blog, I believe this is the more appropriate place for this note. I did not want Martin Luther King Day to go by without attempting to add some perspective. I was born in L.A. in 1971, in a multi-cultural community. I've been fortunate enough not to see racism. Oh, sure I've seen dummies who called people of different races bad names; and I've seen older women clutch their purse tighter around minority young men; and I've seen people stereotype different races. To me, these are examples of a category lighter than racism - ignorance or personal prejudice. But what I would consider "REAL RACISM" or institutional racism as Stokley Carmichael defines as the organizational structure excluding of minorities (specifically blacks), I have never seen.
So Helen, my now 7 yr old was in kindergarten last year, and was being taught about Martin Luther King in school and I was concerned exactly what message would be taught. So, as a parent I am constantly trying to gently communicate to the girls the things that they may not be ready for. Before this school lesson, Helen wasn't aware what a black person was. I recall a situation when she told me to "Look at that black guy". I would look over only to find a white guy in black clothes. She has friends of different races, but the issue of the color of their skin has never been a question in her mind. It was of no significance to her, as it shouldn't be. I certainly did not want the school to start teaching her the opposite of her own true and decent experience, I did not want them teaching her that race SHOULD BE of great focus. To me, creating this distinction (or segregation) in my girl's mind at her age can only be a negative thing. So, I decided to read up a little bit on Martin Luther King to see if I could take some truth right from the doctor's mouth into my girls' ears in a way that they can understand it constructively.

Some things that struck me tremendously, were there was not very much that I could directly communicate to my 6 year old (at that time) for two major reasons. 1. King's arguments were political about how the government needs to change. This is a concept that is over the head of my very intelligent youngin. 2. The reason I wrote this piece, was that it is just shocking how bad racial oppression was just 45 short years ago. This is stuff that happened in our parents lifetime. I'm only 8 year short of 45!! It's not so long ago that the situation in this country was so absolutely disgraceful with respect to black people. The degree of this disgrace, I can not yet communicate to my developing daughter and stunt her developing spirit by telling her the country I love so much and uplift every time I get a chance acted so evilly towards decent people for no good reason.

I was most moved by King's "Letter from a Birmingham Jail". Here's an excerpt from it to spell out how much evil America allowed, and why King DEMANDED change from this government and its blatant hypocrysy towards the Declaration of Independence principal stating that "All Men are Created Equal":

"We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jetlike speed toward gaining political independence, but we stiff creep at horse-and-buggy pace toward gaining a cup of coffee at a lunch counter. Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the stinging dark of segregation to say, "Wait." But when you have seen vicious mobs lynch your mothers and fathers at will and drown your sisters and brothers at whim; when you have seen hate-filled policemen curse, kick and even kill -your black brothers and sisters; when you see the vast majority of your twenty million Negro brothers smothering in an airtight cage of poverty in the midst of an affluent society; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six-year-old daughter why she can't go to the public amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky, and see her beginning to distort her personality by developing an unconscious bitterness toward white people; when you have to concoct an answer for a five-year-old son who is asking: "Daddy, why do white people treat colored people so mean?"; when you take a cross-county drive and find it necessary to sleep night after night in the uncomfortable corners of your automobile because no motel will accept you; when you are humiliated day in and day out by nagging signs reading "white" and "colored"; when your first name becomes "nigger," your middle name becomes "boy" (however old you are) and your last name becomes "John," and your wife and mother are never given the respected title "Mrs."; when you are harried by day and haunted by night by the fact that you are a Negro, living constantly at tiptoe stance, never quite knowing what to expect next, and are plagued with inner fears and outer resentments; when you are forever fighting a degenerating sense of "nobodiness" then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait. There comes a time when the cup of endurance runs over, and men are no longer willing to be plunged into the abyss of despair. I hope, sirs, you can understand our legitimate and unavoidable impatience."

Can you imagine such treatment just 45 years ago? I hope that this information can cause us all to take a moment, bow our heads and thank the Almighty God that this great man was willing to answer God's call to stand boldly, and give his life, for the Freedom that America holds as it's ideal, at such a time when his words could be heard loudly. At such a time, when he could change the hearts of men.

Now as we are on the doorstep of a new first for black Americans, Monday will serve as a reminder of a great man and why we celebrate him.

The Obama Presidency - The Bad and The Ugly

In keeping with the Civil Conservative two-part series on the Obama Presidency and what it means for America, this post will outline the negative side of his election and administration. May I suggest and remind any liberals who are reading this post who might be sensitive to criticism of Obama, especially before he even gets into office, to view the post entitled "The Obama Presidency - The Good". Hopefully, consideration of both posts would provide a comprehensive perspective on my positions, and therefore allowing both sides to be heard more clearly.

Before any discussion of what impact an Obama Presidency would have on three major issues, a huge factor that must be discussed and plays a role in every issue - Barack is an unknown quantity. While 53% were inspired to vote for him, most are not clear exactly where he stands on the issues (of course other than "change"), even two months after being elected. I do understand that all politicians make conflicting statements in attempts to be all things to all people. This is a terrible thing in itself, when the pursuit should be the clarity of ideas not the confusion of ideas. Unfortunately, we allow and even expect our politicians to send different messages to different groups in order to get elected. However, their record on big issues can provide insight to their true beliefs; those same beliefs they spend a good amount of time attempting to make cloudy. Very often, the decisions made at a time when a person is not campaigning, reveal more about a candidate than campaign promises. Sadly this is the state of politics, especially when voters are disinterested.

To compound this problem, Barack Obama is set apart from most politicians in that he does not have much of a record to look back on in order to gain a clear view of how he would govern. Since he 1. speaks as artfully as any politician's ever had evading stands that could be limiting his appeal, 2. has been a US Senator for only 2 years before running for President and 3. had opted not to be put on record by voting 'present' on many controversial votes while in the Illinois state senate. These three points disallow us from having a good understand where he stands. So, with each issue I layout, please keep in mind that he is a wild card on each one, which can be a cause for great uncomfort to all.

I will make only a few short points on three issues that could make his an unsuccessful presidency. Other than the issue of Innocent Life which is always extremely important and of which he has an abismal record, the three issues that are most timely are foreign policy, the economy, and energy policy, which I believe he has shown at best dangerous ignorance, at worst a dangerous ideology.

Obama's foreign policy has not been very well explained other we should to act in a way that other countries will not resent us. He first obtained national attention from the anti-war American Left in 2002, while a member of the Illinois senate, by opposing the effort to go to war with Iraq. I do wish to state I find this a very fine position to take, if you believe the evidence doesn't justify such a risk. However, many of those who were in a position of responsibility and better information in the United States Senate on both sides of the isle, including such prominant Democrats such as Hillary, Biden, Kerry and Edwards found Obama's viewpoint a position too risky to vote for. On top of this decision, when the war was not progressing well, he called for a 16 month time table for withdrawl. As we know now, if this would have been acted on when he called for it, the world would be a much more dangerous place, and we wouldn't be at the doorstep of relative peace in Iraq. While this position of his made for a better run to the presidency by exciting the Left and the youth, it reveals him as a bit more careless and naive in terms of how to address the world.

In addition, he has made uninformed and downright irresponsible positions on our relationship with rogue countries ("I would"), and seemed completely uninformed on the Georgia Russia conflict, as he held both the victim and aggressor as equally blame worthy, looking for both sides to stop fighting. Sadly, attempts to have other countries view us as fair make likely expose the country to danger. In fact, his positions have been so dangerously naive, his VP and Secretary of State ("I know Senator McCain has a lifetime of experience he will bring to the White House. And Senator Obama has a speech he gave in 2002,") selections have felt it important to call him on the carpet in most serious ways.

During the primaries, he hasn't offered any compelling insight on the economy. Frankly, he is often too busy discussing what the government can do for you, rather than how the private sector can do for you. This leads to the charge of Socialism. Where one draws the line of socialism in this day and age is debatable. What can be said is that his commitment towards Global Warming, a type of Universal Health Care, and increasing taxes on the richest 1% (or put another way, the most productive 1%) compounded by having a very strong Democratic congress, will create very large obstacles for the free market's attempt to bring this country back to prosperity. Keep in mind: the government does not generate any wealth, private business give people jobs through innovation within the rules the government makes. Could the rules that an Obama administration create make innovation more difficult?

I had planned to issue a blog solely about the third issue, energy. Hopefully this daddy of three will have time to publish that piece, so I will keep this point brief. This is an extremely important small window of time in history when gas prices are cheap. Once the world recession recovers, those prices will be a distant memory and we will see $4 a gallon again, even worse. So we have a little breathing room to focus on the solution. Obviously, the situation cannot be fixed within the next year, however a foundation can be laid for weening us off the oil of volatile nations while also doing all things necessary to get our economy back to its typical world-leading strength. There is NO ONE who believes that we can have a successful economy when the only energy we use is wind, solar and currently undeveloped clean coal energy, yet this is what Obama is pushing for. He has often portrayed "Big Oil" as an enemy to the US and for the most part has disagreed with create more of our own oil, talked of the coal industry going out of business, and has stated that nuclear is not a viably safe option. With these positions, Obama has revealed that being Green nation is more important than being prosperous nation.

This tri-fecta of ignorance will likely dog Obama's presidency, and could put us in a worse place than we are today. In light of these points, I think it confused and unfair to compare Barack to Lincoln & FDR, it appears he is more similar to Carter. But I will keep an open mind. Perhaps that unknown factor I spoke of earlier could mean he'll abandon his promises on these issues once he has responsibility on his shoulders.

The Case Against Santa - Adult Eyes Only!

OK. Yes, It is a shameless trick. I AM hoping the "Adult Eyes Only" comment would increase my hit count. The point of my innuendo was that I will be speaking honestly about Santa and perhaps a Santa-believing child might not wish to hear this. Therefore proceed with caution.

First off, let me establish that my family loves Santa. We have tree ornaments that are of Santa and usually watch any Christmas cartoons that include Santa, especially Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and my girls have recently taken a picture with Santa. But, like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph, my wife and I have made a point of explaining to our girls that Santa is a fairy tale. Now, before all of the Civil Conservative readers fall on the floor from shock, let me give my best explanation at why I'm willing to rip this exciting fantasy away from my kids. Hopefully, I can present a compelling case for any parents to consider.

I will focus my case towards those readers who have Faith in God. Although I will note that even atheists can argue the point that we should not teach our children that Santa is real, my argument is based on those who wish to nurture and strengthen your child's Faith. For any of you who are from the South Bay and believe you're a big deal, walking through the Del Amo mall some Christmas season will tell you that many countries have different variations on Santa Claus. What is generally understood in the US about Santa is mainly through popular songs. Santa has a list of all children that he checks twice - the nice list and the naughty list. Those on the nice list get presents, while those on the naughty list get coal in their stockings or nothing. These lists are created of course, due to his ever-watchful eyes. He knows if you've been bad or good, so you'd better be good for goodness sake. At supernatural speeds, he goes to every house in the world to deliver presents to children based on his lists. To any of those who are Christian, this role may sound a bit familiar to you. Well, like God actually. That is what God does. We believe that He is the One who watches you at all places at all times, and assesses your behavior and rewards you for your deeds. What's important to note is that even if a parent does not explain to their child each of these Godly characteristics and connects them to Santa, by merely playing the game that he exists is tacit approval of this portrayal of Santa that is taught to the children through our culture.

As a matter of full disclosure, I was taught about Santa. In fact, my mom still gives me presents from Santa. Indeed, I am not warped (despite what Trishee might say) by it, nor have I lost my Faith in the Almighty. I concede this point to show that I'm not making an exaggerated point but a subtle one. I do not believe that children who are told Santa is real will be screwed up, they will survive. Please know that I understand this. I do not contend this being a make or break decision to their happiness. But I do believe that Faith is a very fragile thing and this tender time of innocence is a fertile ground for planting seeds of Faith that make deep roots. Any one who has children can clearly see the purity of their souls. To maintain this purity, they require clarity on a real, but intangible & invisible God. How to see His beauty in nature, how to feel His leadership directing them, and how to hear His subtle call when the distractions are very loud need strong Faith.


Oh, the test we would have given them to reveal that Mommy and Daddy have lied to them year after year. Each year our lies becoming more elaborate to outsmart their challenging questions. I believe this would affect their trust in us, albeit in an unconscious way. I would be concerned that this fun is jading their ability to trust an unseen Santa-like figure who is watching their lives looking for their correct behavior? When they grow up and get out into the mainstream world and are told that God is a Fairy Tale just like Santa Claus, will this have any traction with them due to our attempts to mislead them? or will they have the proper foundation from which to answer?

I am very aware this is a counter-cultural idea, as I've viewed many peoples' astounded faces when I have told them of this decision my wife and I have made. As such, please do not hold back and give me your two cents on this issue. Is there any validity to this position? Or am I harming our kids by not allowing them to fully experience Christmas?