Jim Wallis vs Dobson vs Obama

James Dobson accuses Obama of `distorting' Bible

Dobson and Obama: Who is 'Deliberately Distorting'? (by Jim Wallis)

I really liked what Jim Wallis said, but to be fair I did not listen to Dobson's show (I have only read the news clippings about it.)

Random reflections from a trip to the book store:

So I finally found some time to go the bookstore. It is a quick trip from my office, but I still managed to allow my brain to spin out of control too far in too many directions.

On the way there I was driving behind a Coke truck with a huge Vitamin Water advertisement. Now I have never tried this stuff, but I cannot stop thinking, 'Do we really need to add anything to water?' In addition, I cannot get the movie Idiocracy out of my head. Part of the movie involved society trying to figure out why their crops were dying after they started watering them with gatorade. After all gatorade has everything you need, right?

Another thread of thought had to do with Christian radio. I wonder how often Christian radio is inspiring verse how often it is nothing more than entertainment for religious people. For me it is almost always nothing more than entertainment; should I feel bad that I am not inspired?

A smaller but more powerful thread of thought revolved around the difficulties I have with distance in relationships. I cannot stand being so far away from friends. I have a hard time communicating sometimes when I cannot see the other half of the conversation. Maybe I need to just improve my communication skills entirely?

Significantly less important I was thinking that I really do want to believe that the new X-files movie will not suck :)

Anyways - I bought three books:
The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism
unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters
Through Painted Deserts: Light, God, and Beauty on the Open Road

I wanted Jesus for President as well, but they were sold out.

Too much!

So I just got back from a trip to Vegas. We have a crazy love hate relationship. I really enjoy playing poker out there. The poker rooms are nice and are non-smoking. Both the tournaments and ring games are super juicy (because of donks like me.) There are plenty of choices when trying to decide where to play. The summer months in Vegas are simply the pinnacle for poker players. The WSOP and all the other Deep stack type events draws us in like a sci-fi tractor beam.

But then there is the excess. Excess everything. Vegas is simply too much. Anything you can have a problem with, an addiction, is readily available in massive quantities. From pornography to gambling, from tobacco to ego. The sex side of Vegas hits you almost immediately. Whether it be advertisements for men's clubs on and in the cabs, or advertisements for adult shows at major casinos. Not to mention everyone dressing a little skimpier while in Vegas, or the absurd waitress uniforms at some of the casinos.

The next thing you probably run into (depending what time you arrive,) will be tobacco. Walking through a casino in Vegas can be hell on earth for anyone even mildly irritated by smoke. Admittedly some casinos ventilate better than others. I could go on, but I think you get the idea. It just gets depressing. At times the desperation can be suffocating.

As for poker, I had a good time, and learned a few things. On my way back home I realized how much of a newbie I still am. I've probably spent fewer than 50 hours at the tables. I lost money while there, but not a whole lot. I cut myself off before I even reached my limit. Next time!