Eye on Faith

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

No Small Accomplishment

KKW in 2020 (Public Domain)

They call it the “baby” bar exam, but Baby, look at her now! Say what you want about some of Kim Kardashian’s less-than-savory moments, but believe in the power of all God’s children to rise above such choices.

Many students of the law have the luxury of focusing mainly upon their studies. Kim could have that luxury, were it not for her four children and numerous professional endeavors. Throughout it all, she has remained faithful to the dream of being a social-justice lawyer.

Her advice to the rest of us: “Bottom line is don’t ever give up even when you are holding on by a thread…”

Resources

https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/13/entertainment/kim-kardashian-law-exam-scli-intl/index.html

Monday, December 13, 2021

Your Money or Your Life

Hmmm... (Public Domain)

There’s an old Jack Benny skit in which the comedian is approached by a thug who demands, “Your money or your life!” Jack Benny hesitates, then finally says, “I’m thinking it over…” The audience roars with laughter.

What’s show-biz funny can be tragic in real life. When workers at the candle factory in Mayfield, Kentucky recently heard tornado sirens, some asked to go home. These requests were allegedly “rebuffed,” and many remained on the job.

The factory was subsequently reduced to rubble. Employee McKayla Emergy wound up in the hospital with serious injuries after being "trapped for six hours." Coworker Mark Saxton stated, “It hurts, ‘cause I feel like we were neglected.”

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/factory-bosses-workers-tornado-leave-214937404.html

Insurance is not Assurance

National Insurance Act of 1911 (Public Domain)

An integral part of many church services is the Prayer of Confession, followed by the Assurance of Pardon. Such assurance is vital to every facet of our lives.

There is no equivalent in material matters. What’s called insurance is often a numbers game that is stacked in favor of corporate gains. This has been especially true during the pandemic when there were far fewer car accidents.

According to Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, insurance companies have been hoarding billions of surplus funds rather than distributing them fairly among customers. She is calling for “$400 back for each vehicle” that drivers own.

New Mexico, Massachusetts and Washington have also been questioning this disparity. Illinois and Nevada have “class-action lawsuits” pending. Some companies are waiting on proactive requests from customers before issuing refunds to them.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/400-refunds-coming-millions-drivers-160000954.html

Social Insecurity

(Photo by Djembayz)

A college professor once said, “Statistics don’t lie, but liars use statistics.” Things are not always what they seem when it comes to playing with numbers.

Whereas 2022’s 5.9% Social Security increase seems like a much-needed boon for struggling seniors, overall inflation is at 6.2% and Medicare will spike by 14.5%. You don’t have to be a math whiz to figure that seniors are falling farther and farther behind.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/m/821349a6-f2e3-311b-ac3b-76bc5acae714/2-pieces-of-really-bad-news.html

Friday, December 10, 2021

A New Leaf

(Photo by Kpjas)

Once upon a time, push mowers and rakes could be found in most American garages. They not only got the job done, but also provided healthy exercise for homeowners.

These days, engines and blowers have infiltrated the scene. You can hardly walk down a yard-filled street without hearing, smelling and inhaling their toxic emissions.

Studies have shown that a gas blower spews as much pollution in one hour as a gas car that’s been driven a thousand miles. California is therefore turning over a new leaf. The “sale of new gas-powered lawn equipment” will be fully banned by 2024. Manufacturers will meanwhile be encouraged to produce battery-operated alternatives.

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/california-eyes-tough-standards-trucks-210010104.html

More than one type of spam

This little piggy went to Hormel (Public Domain)

There’s spam, and then there’s SPAM. It’s hard saying which is more distasteful.

Nevertheless, both are common within certain circles. Spammers the world over have been infiltrating lives. SPAM, too, has been making steady gains. Hormel Foods reports that sales of this Specially Processed American Meat have been soaring for the past seven years.

It just goes to show that seven is not always the luckiest number.

Resources

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/spam-sales-hit-record-high-for-seventh-straight-year-in-2021-says-hormel-foods-ceo/ar-AARF90J?ocid=uxbndlbing

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Moving Forward

Sister Helen Prejean in 2006 (Photo by Don LaVange)

The Roman Catholic Church is said to have a “glass ceiling” when it comes to women attaining key positions.

Yet priesthood is not the only key position. Females have been assuming more and more authority within Vatican circles. Pope Francis has been encouraging this through appointments and by changing certain aspects of canon law. For example, women are now able to become acolytes and lectors, thus giving them “official recognition” during Mass.

Such change seems slow but steady. The females themselves have been spurring it on “with their requests, their projects, their identity.”

Resources

https://news.yahoo.com/barred-priesthood-catholic-women-other-161047145.html