The Weekend Five Ruminations - 8/18/07

Author's note: since this blog is currently updated only weekdays, I thought I would start a perpetual weekend post series as well, designed to give a glimpse of my thoughts on five (sometimes random) topics.

[1] It seems Hamas is continuing a show designed to instill martydom wishes amongst Palestine's youth. While this deplorable story speaks for itself, this quote tells the show's previous incarnation best: "'Tomorrow's Pioneers,' a weekly, hour-long Hamas television children's show [is] best known for bringing the world a militant Mickey Mouse look-alike and then having him killed off by an Israeli interrogator." Source: Foxnews/Associated Press.

[2] On a positive note, I will take an opportunity to give an unsolicited plug to LiftKids, an organization dedicated to bringing disadvantaged communities educational systems. They are pursuing some pretty amazing ambitions, and we will keep their efforts in our prayers. Source: LiftKids.

[3] The current Chinese toy recall is a reminder that despite our advances domestically in safety, there is always room for improvement, and we must be vigilant with imports from countries lacking similar regulations and standards. Here is little guide for parents regarding the recall. Source: Time Magazine [Katie Rooney/M.J. Stephey].

[4] An excellent article by Thomas Sowell on NRO discusses the ramifications of improving our nation's infrastructure by raising taxes. In economics, it is well known there are points on the scale whereby increasing taxes can actually decrease tax revenue for a variety of reasons. Source: National Review Online [Thomas Sowell].

[5] To close out this weekend, while Barroco Cervantes is a start-up blog intended mainly to aid Christians in applying faith into day-to-day activities and current events, we realize there is potentially a broader audience. There are those who may not share the faith; those who are seeking it, or those who may not even have considered it. Our prayers always are with all of you, no matter who you are, so that God will open all of our hearts and comfort those who suffer, and that all of us will come to know Christ more--no matter our background.