James Watkins on Iraq exit strategy, Papal protests, more plus free .mp3 music . . .

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September 13, 2006
new heavy topics

9/11

iraq exit strategy

madonna's crass cross

papal protests

'prosperity' preachers

rosie's rant

school shootings

survivor-ism

heavy topics

adultsite4adults [pg-13]

articles and book excerpts

blog archives

newspaper column

political rants [off site]

spiritual resources

light touch

book reviews

comedy/drama scripts

devotions

the dredge report

ecards

encouraging quotations

original music in .mp3

top ten lists

writing resources

jameswatkins!com

bio [if you're really bored]

email

favorite sites

group blog

my wife's blog

press room

reprint permission

RSS

speaking schedule

XarisCom [our sponsor]

Wednesday, September 27, 2006
sittin' on the dock of the bay . . .

I'll be directing the Sandy Cove Writers' Conference October 1-4 on the shore of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. I'll be back as soon as I get my fill of hanging out with fellow editors and writers, as well as enjoying sunsets and crab cakes.
• Conference details
• Top ten great things about being a writer
• Sample chapter of my latest writing book, Writing to Change Lives
• Learn how to get your book published
• Additional writing resources

Tuesday, September 26, 2006
terrible, horrible, no-good, very-bad day . . .

Yikes! We all have those days—or weeks—when nothing seems to be going right. This is one of them! So, at least for me . . .
• Encouraging quotations including "When you are down down to nothing, God is up to something"
• Encouraging concepts concerning the why question
• Encouraging "Thursday Thoughts" from my wife

Sunday, September 20, 2006
introducing my iraq exit strategy . . .

Sixteen departments of United States intelligence community have concluded that, according to the New York Times, "the American invasion and occupation of Iraq has helped spawn a new generation of Islamic radicalism and that the overall terrorist threat has grown since the Sept. 11 attacks." I'm no expert on international politics, but I wrote over a year ago:

(September 11, 2005) Based on terrorists' beliefs, I don't believe we can win a war on terrorism by invading terrorist-friendly countries. That appears to have only alienated our allies and motivated the terrorists.

Emboldened by the affirmation of my amateur assessment, here's an idea for how to withdraw from Iraq:

Every day there are no terrorist bombings in Iraq, the United States withdraws one thousand soldiers. (As a goodwill gesture, the U.S. could immediately withdraw one thousand soldiers.)

It seems like a logical, win/win strategy in both side's interests. Unfortunately, the US is dealing with an illogical enemy that will only be satisfied when it wins and its enemies lose. It may, however, put responsibility on the terrorists (U.S. soldiers are there because terrorists keep bombing innocent civilians) and give America the moral high ground it seems to have lost as a result of the invasion. Just an idea!
• My 2005 column on terrorism
• My 2006 column on experts' claims we are winning the war on terrorism
• Some more thoughts on the Iraq War
• New York Times story on intelligence report

Tuesday, September 26 3 PM EDT
• President Bush challenges report

Tuesday, September 19, 2006
speaking on writing online, writing with humor . . .

Tuesday, I'll be speaking to a writing class at Taylor University Fort Wayne on "Heavy Topics with a Light Touch" (writing humor) and "Crossing Over with the Cross" (on writing for the general market). Friday and Saturday, I'll be conducting seminars at Gospelcon2006, an Internet conference in Chicago, on "Crossing Over with the Cross" and "Writing for Goldfish" (writing online). Click below for my lectures as well as the online class I teach at TUFW:
• Crossing over with the cross
• Interview with The Door on spreading the Word with wit
• Writing for goldfish
• My TUFW online class on freelance writing

Saturday, September 22 3 AM EDT
While at the GospelCon conference, I met with Web site consultant, Joel Boonstra of Agathon Group, who suggested changes in the navigation panel on the left. So, whadya think? Is it more user-friendly? more intuitive? more webby? Email your thoughts.

Monday, September 18, 2006
popeye hospitalized following spinach recall

(8:00 AM EDT) The spinach-eating cartoon character is in fair condition following the nationwide recall of spinach for E. coli contamination. Popeye's spokesperson and fickle girlfriend, Olive Oyl, reports that he did not get sick from eating spinach however, but was beaten badly by Bluto since he was unable to purchase the source of his super strength. Film at 11.

Monday, September 18, 2006
Jesus joins my space.com to meet 'tax collectors and sinners'

Yep, Jesus, 33-year-old Middle East male, has joined the multitudes on myspace.com. His online profile reads:

Interests: Beard care, extreme waterskiing

Music: "Kum Ba Yah," obviously

Status: Single

Here for: Friends

Hometown: Nazareth

Occupation: Ex-carpenter

Who I'd like to meet: Tax collectors and sinners
• Myspace.com listing [off site]
• Online profile of Jesus
• His friends list

Sunday, September 17, 2006
bombs, shootings as Pope links islam with violence

How do some Islamics protest the Pope linking Islam and violence with his five-hundred year-old quote that Mohammed "brought . . . only evil and inhuman" behavior? They attack churches in Gaza with guns and firebombs. They murder a nun in Somalia. They call for the execution of the Pope. And they wonder why the Pontif is concened about Islam's link to violence?!

I wholeheartedly agree with Rod Dreher's Dallas Morning News column, "Oh, Get Over It Already." He wrote, "Honestly, the thin-skinnedness of many Muslims is getting awfully tiresome. How on earth are we ever supposed to be able to have a dialogue if the non-Muslim side has to walk on eggshells to avoid offending the wounded sensibilities of Muslim leaders, who seem very eager to take gross offense at anything critical?"
• Dreher's column [off site]
• How Christ and Mohammed taught followers to react to critics
• A really radical response to criticism

(Thursday, September 21) In today's USA Today, Zuhdi Jasser, of the American Islamic Forum is quoted as saying about those being violent over the accusation of being violent, “It’s almost like they’re waiting for an excuse to claim victimization and claim that there is a war against Islam.” Ebrahim Moosa, a Muslim scholar at Duke University is quoted saying such reactions are “completely unacceptable” in a religion he says accepts criticism, even of Mohammed. “They are being baited, and unfortunately, some of them are too stupid to know it.”

Friday, September 15, 2006
do something really 'radical' in response to rosie's rant

The American Family Association is all worked up by Rosie O'Donnell telling “The View” viewers, "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have separation of church and state.” Founder Donald Wildman wrote in a mass email, “O'Donnell was saying there is no difference between the radical Muslims who kill in the name of Allah and Bible-believing Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus.” He urged Christians to email “ABC that O'Donnell's comments deserve an apology and a reprimand.”

I’m not sure that’s the right attitude. Didn’t Jesus say, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11).

So like Baalam’s curse of the Israelites turning into a blessing (Numbers 24), isn’t O’Donnell blessing followers of Jesus and providing a great reward in heaven? The truly “radical Christian” thing to do, might just be to email her a “thank you” note!
• Email O'Donnell
• Email me your thoughts
• (9.16) How radical Muslims respond to perceived insults

Thursday, September 14, 2006
can survivor outwit, outplay, outlast racial criticism? part two

Previously on [dramatic pause] Survivor, we asked is separating tribes by race, well, racist? It seems at best a ratings ploy. Certainly the show, which lost 25 percent of viewers last season, is getting much needed publicity. Here's how next season—if there is one—can separate teams with no charges of racism, sexism, age-ism, or any other "ism." Divide tribes along political lines (blue states vs. red, Hillary lovers vs. haters), team preferences (Indiana vs. Purdue, Packers vs. Vikings, NASCAR vs. Indy racing), personal preferences (Leno vs. Letterman fans, Pepsi vs. Coke, Wal-Mart vs. K-Mart, imported vs. domestic, boxers vs. briefs), or perhaps blood types, astrological signs or favorite survivor TV shows ("Gilligan's Island" vs. "Lost" fans). My point—and I do have one— is that there are lots of creative ways to divide up the teams rather than on the basis of race. (Then, again, PC vs. Mac or Methodists vs. Baptists probably wouldn't draw much of an audience.)
• Can Survivor outwit, outplay, outlast racial criticism? Part one
• My wife's "Thursday Thoughts" on Survivor controversy

Thursday, September 14, 2006
time to confront 'prosperity' preachers

This week's TIME cover story asks "Does God want you to be rich?" David Van Biema and Jeff Chu have done a good job presenting both sides of the "prosperity gospel" debate. You only need to turn on so-called "Christian" TV to hear the "health and wealth" perspective, but here are some of the opposing views presented in the article:
• Click here
• My two-cents worth on prosperity preachers
• Brother Bob Blessing meets Saint Peter (a humorous sketch)
• Why aren't we all "healthy and wealthy"?
• Healing: faith or fake?

5:00 PM EST Wednesday, September 13, 2006
school shooting prompts concerns

A 19-year-old gunman opened fire at Montreal’s Dawson College wounding 13 people, eight critically. Although this will make tonight's news, you're actually more likely to be struck by lightning than shot in school. Here's an excerpt from The Why Files answering students questions about school shootings.
• Click here
• The Why Files: students questions about sex, death and the supernatural

Wednesday, September 13, 2006
madonna's crass cross

As Madonna takes her "Confessions" concert to Russia, the church is once again speaking out against her latest abuse of the cross of Christ. The Rev. Vsevolod Chaplin, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, told Associated Press Television News. "This lady . . . plays with religious symbols, and I think it's not only a matter of financial advancement of her production but it's also a kind of attempt to justify and sanctify her message and her sins, using something holy."
• Story from Associated Press
• Some thoughts on crass commercialization of the cross
• Your thoughts?

MADONNA SUSPENDED ON CROSS
DURING 'CONFESSIONS' CONCERT

Monday, September 18, 10 PM EDT
NBC is planning to include the cross scene in it's broadcast of Madonna's concert during November sweeps. "We viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate," NBC said. Unbelievable!
• Announcement from Access Hollywood

Wednesday, September 13, 2006
terrorist attacks america's fault, eh?!

According to CBC News, and I quote, "A majority of Canadians believe U.S. foreign policy was one of the root causes that led to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks." The poll also revealed that, "77 percent of Quebecers polled primarily blame American foreign policy for the Sept. 11 attacks. The results suggest 57 percent in Ontario hold a similar view."

This is the same cold-hearted (and bone-headed) logic that claims women are raped because they dress provocatively. Whether U.S. foreign policy is offensive (and I tend to be offended by it myself) or women appear seductive, this doesn’t justify the cold-blooded murder of nearly 2,800 innocent Americans or the rape of 300,000 women each year!

• Report from CBC: "New poll says most Canadians blame U.S. for 9/11 attacks"
• Same cold-hearted (and bone-headed) thinking in U.S. classrooms
• My thoughts on "Lone Ranger" foreign policy
• Click here for special 9/11 anniversary commentaries

September 1, 2006
last issue's hot topics

America (and jameswatkins.com) commemorated 9/11, Steve "Crocodile Hunter" was killed, "Survivor" was accused of racism, and I lost 50 pounds on the "PhotoShop" diet.
• Click here to go back in time to September 11
• Click here to go back further to September 1

August 2006
last month's top ten sites

I have in my right hand, direct from my home office, last month's top ten sites . . .

• 1 Home page

• 2 "The Platypus Players"' billabong page

• 3 Home Page, September 4, 2005

• 4 Home Page, January 15, 2006

• 5 "Jim Shorts" on sex

• 6 Top ten reasons I'm not divorcing my wife

• 7 Quips and quotes of encouragement

• 8 "Adult site" for adults

• 9 Archives

• 10 Falling in love . . . and getting back up

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Read a book excerpt, then go to amazon.com and buy them for yourself, family, friends, co-workers, next door neighbor, paperboy, dentist, pastor, . . .

sandy cove writers conference

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