Archive for December 21, 2008

Missing something

Posted: December 21, 2008 by datechguy in opinion/news
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In his New York Times column today Nick Kristof talks about Arthur C. Brooks book Who really Cares. The book contends that by all measures that conservatives tend to be more charitable with their money than liberals.

Arthur Brooks, the author of a book on donors to charity, “Who Really Cares,” cites data that households headed by conservatives give 30 percent more to charity than households headed by liberals. A study by Google found an even greater disproportion: average annual contributions reported by conservatives were almost double those of liberals.

A lot of this has to do with religion. Brooks study concludes religious Americans tend to be more generous than secular ones. There is one question that I would have on the subject myself. What is the source of the data?

As I haven’t read the book I can’t say but I know for myself I never claim any of my charitable deductions on my taxes even though I itemize my taxes. If I’m giving I’m giving I don’t need a tax break to do it. I don’t know how many other people think this way.

That’s why I always wince when people use tax returns to say “Oh this guy is stingy.” unless we know if they are claiming their gifts we don’t know.

In the end looking at what other people do is just fuel for pride. If you want to give; give. Don’t worry about what other people are doing.

Chris Muir reads Jonah Goldberg

Posted: December 21, 2008 by datechguy in opinion/news
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Today’s Day by Day strip suggests that read and remembered Jonah Goldberg’s book Liberal Fascism.

As I was grabbing the link for the book at amazon I was surprised to see it listed at 123 among hardcovers. Not bad for a book that was released almost 350 days ago.

Happy Hanukkah to all

Posted: December 21, 2008 by datechguy in Hiwired, Uncategorized
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Tonight begins the 8 days of Hanukkah.

For those who don’t know it is celebrating the purification of the temple after it had been defiled by their foes, you can find the longer story in the 1 Maccabees 4:35-59 the meat and potatoes of it are here:

On the anniversary of the day on which the Gentiles had defiled it, on that very day it was reconsecrated with songs, harps, flutes, and cymbals. All the people prostrated themselves and adored and praised Heaven, who had given them success. For eight days they celebrated the dedication of the altar and joyfully offered holocausts and sacrifices of deliverance and praise. They ornamented the facade of the temple with gold crowns and shields; they repaired the gates and the priests’ chambers and furnished them with doors. There was great joy among the people now that the disgrace of the Gentiles was removed. Then Judas and his brothers and the entire congregation of Israel decreed that the days of the dedication of the altar should be observed with joy and gladness on the anniversary every year for eight days, from the twenty-fifth day of the month Chislev.

To all those who celebrate it, a Happy and Holy Hanukkah and to those who do not, Have a nice week.

Let me give a shout out to the old HiWired company in closing, every year we would have a greeting for Christmas, and Hanukkah on the blog. It unabashedly acknowledged the religious nature of these days. It spoke very well of the company that they were not afraid to acknowledge religious holidays and I take my hat off to them.

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