tame

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Favorite areas of study/hobbies: Philosophy, theology, history, constitution

Taste in music: I am extremely eclectic. insofar as musical genre (both in my own music, as well as the music of other artists), I am a big fan of power pop. Artists I enjoy include Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys (my favorites), The Wondermints, Tripsitter, Philip Bardowell, Cheap Trick, the Cars, Blondie, the Beatles, Billy Idol, Electric Light Orchestra, the Go Gos, Adrian Baker, Jeffery Foskett, Papa Doo Run Run, RUSH, Credance Clearwater Revival, Mylene Farmer, the Carpenters, Astrud Gilberto, Henry Mancini, Dean Martin, Glenn Miller and his Orchestra, Burt Bacharach, John Denver, Kathy Troccoli, Jan and Dean, Johnny Horton, Billy Joel, Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, the Eagles, Hank Williams, Sr., Sons of the Pioneer, choral music--songs by Robert Schumann, Brahms, Mendelson, the Maranatha Praise series #4 through 9, and a CD titled I AM. i also like THE WITNESS featuring Barry McGuire (yes, the EVE OF DESTRUCTION guy), and The Second Chapter of Acts (that's a vocal group). I think this album was put out in 1978.

Favorite secular recording artist: BRIAN WILSON (of the Beach Boys).

Favorite female pop vocalist: KAREN CARPENTER. Even in her youth her singing voice had a stunning maturity, seeming to possess the wisdom of the ages. Her tone was so rich you could cut it with a knife. Uncontrived and Beautiful. Absolutely Beautiful.

Some of the most ground breaking music albums of the rock era (in my humble opinion)--I'll allow myself only one per artist:

1) PET SOUNDS by The BEACH BOYS.

2) CRIMSON AND CLOVER by TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS.

3) REVOLVER by THE BEATLES.

4) TIME by ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO).

5) SGT. PEPPER'S... by THE BEATLES.

My all time favorite secular songs/recordings:

1)THE WARMTH OF THE SUN by THE BEACH BOYS (the "stereo" version where Brian Wilson's lead vocal is in one channel, and the back-up vocals are in the other channel). This song is so youthful, yet so profoundly sad--a tragic beauty, if you will. I love to listen to this track with the balance control nob turned 98%--100% to the channel with the back-up vocals, where you can barely hear Brian's lead vocal--it's eerie, kind of like a ghost.

some of my other all time favorite songs/recordings, pretty much in order (although this list is subject to mood swings) :

2) TU ME DELIRIO by Astrud Gilberto--This song is my adult lullabye. Incredibly beautiful and soothing latin/jazz ballad. Listening to this song brings me joy and peace--it's just beautiful.

3) MOMENT TO MOMENT by Henry Mancini and his orchestra.

4) CRIMSON AND CLOVER (extended version) by Tommy James and the Shondells

5) GOOD VIBRATIONS (Back Track w/ Cello) by The Beach Boys

6) ALONE AGAIN, NATURALLY by Gilbert O'Sullivan.

7) LOVE THEME FROM THE MOVIE "AIRPORT" by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra.

6) SUMMER MEANS NEW LOVE by the Beach Boys.

8) SO MANY STARS by Sergio Mendez and Brazil '66.

9) TRACY HIDE by The Wondermints.

10) All OF MY LIFE by The Carpenters--This is not a well know track. It is a song from the Carpenters' TICKET TO RIDE album. I like it for many of the same reasons I love THE WARMTH OF THE SUN.

11) WENDY by The Beach Boys.

12) SHE KNOWS ME TOO WELL by the Beach Boys.

13) LET'S GO AWAY FOR A WHILE by the Beach Boys.

14) CALIFORNIA GIRLS by the Beach Boys.

15) WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN by the Carpenters.

16) CLOSE TO YOU by the Carpenters.

17) RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS by The Carpenters--Do I really have to comment beyond the title? I'm sure you already know the merits of this classic.

18) THIS OLD GUITAR by John Denver.

19) SOMEDAY by the Carpenters. Same kind of thing as track #8.

20) KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG by Roberta Flack.

21) TWENTY FIRST CENTURY MAN by Electric Light Orchestra (Jeff Lynne and E.L.O. came up with a masterpiece in this song from their TIME album).

There are sooooooooooo many more incredible songs--too many to list all of them :o(

Favorite Beach Boys albums besides Pet Sounds (not necessarily in order, except for the first one):

1) SHUT DOWN, VOL. 2.--This album stands out for "Warmth of the sun" alone, and also has great trax like "Don't worry baby", "Keep an eye on Summer", and yes, I'll admit it, I like "In the parking lot", and "Pom Pom Play Girl".

2)ALL SUMMER LONG--because of the trax "Wendy" and "Girls on the Beach".

3) BEACH BOYS TODAY--I love "Please Let Me Wonder"", "Good to my Baby", "When I Grow Up To Be A Man", "She Knows Me Too Well" and, yes, I love "Help Me, Rhonda".

4)SUMMER DAYS AND SUMMER NIGHTS--I love "Summer Means New Love", "Salt Lake City", "Let Him Run Wild", "Girl Don't Tell Me".

Most significant secular music album for me personally: ENDLESS SUMMER by the Beach Boys. It is a greatest hits compilation put out by the record company. I was a very young boy when I first heard it in 1975 or so. My aunt played it in her camper, and it was my first exposure (that I remember, at least) to the Beach Boys. It had an incredible impact on me. I only wish I did not have to sneak the 8 track tape (remember those?) from my sister in order to hear it.

Which DVD would I recommend to music lovers, especially those of you who are not yet appreciative or convinced of Brian Wilson's genius?: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO BRIAN WILSON This was a spectacular gala event that took place at Radio City Music Hall with Various artists including George Martin (Beatles Producer), Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, David Crosby, Darius Rucker, Heart, Carly Simon, Jimmy Web, The Go Gos, Ricky Martin, Vince Gill (he does a beautiful version of The Warmth of the Sun), etc., etc.

Things I share in common with many radical leftists: I love John Denver's music, and I love the environment.

One of the books I am currently reading (and enjoying):

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW by J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig. I don't necessarily agree with everything in the book (e.g., God having a "tensed" view of time, etc.), but I like it a lot! Again, I'm not finished reading it yet.

Some of my favorite books in my collection (not necessarily in order, except for the first book):

1) THE BIBLE by GOD

2) REAL THREAT AND MERE SHADOW by Dr. Daniel Dreisbach. This Oxford Rhodes scholar did a masterful job writing this book about the First Amendment (the "no-establishment" clause), and religious liberty.

3) PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION by Dr. Norman Geisler.

4) CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS by Dr. Norman Geisler.

5) SCALING THE SECULAR CITY (Christian apologetics/philosophy) by Dr. J.P. Moreland.

6) BODY AND SOUL by Dr. J.P. Moreland and Scott Rae. (Philosophy) It's a defense of the Thomistic Substance Dualist view of the soul, and the implications that has on bio-ethics.

7) ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell.

8) CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE by Raymond Franz. Ray Franz was on the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, and his uncle Fred Franz was the former president of the Witnesses. Ray left the Witnesses and wrote a shocking expose of the unbridled authoritarianism and the inner workings of the organization. This book is a real page turner and, I might add, a great companion to Bruce Narramore's book (see below). I don't think any Jehovah's Witness could read Crisis of Conscience with an open heart and still remain a Jehovah's Witness.

9) GREEK GRAMMAR BEYOND THE BASICS by Dr. Dan Wallace. A great text on biblical greek for intermediate students and beyond.

10) TREASON by ANN COULTER.

11) THE ZONDERVAN PICTORIAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE BIBLE (Five Volumes), General Editor Merrill C. Tenney. I think this set is crucial to have on the shelf near your Bible for in-depth or general study.

12) THE KINGDOM OF THE CULTS by Walter Martin

13) THE KING JAMES ONLY CONTROVERSY (Can You Trust The Modern Translations?) by James R. White This is a refutation of the King James Only movement. It's great for beginners who would like to get a basic understanding of the different Bible translations and their history.

14) NO CONDEMNATION by Dr. Bruce Narramore. An interesting psychological study on the problems, causes/origins (human development) of guilt feelings, legalism, etc., from a Christian Psychologist's perspective. Many "Christian" psychologists seem to pay no more than a mere lip service to the scriptures and to the Christian worldview.

On the other hand, many theologians neglect the important research, etc., in the field of psychology. I believe that Dr. Narramore does a great service in taking the scriptures VERY seriously (in depth exegesis), while thoroughly analyzing the views of guilt from Mowrer, Freud, Skinner, etc.

Narramore is not afraid to address the distorted views on guilt which certain Christians hold. He also addresses the equally distorted world views of certain secular psychologists. Narramore ends up with a balanced, fascinating look at both objective and subjective guilt, including guilty "feelings", neurosis, strong conscience, weak conscience, the role parents play in our perceptions of God, sin and atonement, etc.

15) AN EXHAUSTIVE BIBLE CONCORDANCE. Every home should have one.

16) AN EXHAUSTIVE UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY. Every home should have one.

17) AN ECYCLOPEDIA SET. There are different kinds and versions. If at all possible get a set because every home should have one.

18) SEVERAL OTHER BOOKS by William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland, Norman Geisler, James R. White, Greg Bahnsen, etc., etc., not to mention the Classics--Aquinas, Calvin, etc., etc.

A hilarious letter of support to the DNC:

"Dear DNC:

Thank you for giving the opportunity to speak my mind.

I lost my job this past year. When Clinton was president, I worked in a prosperous enterprise. But in the last year, we had to close our operations. We simply could not compete with foreign labor.

This foreign labor worked for low pay under very bad conditions. They worked very long shifts, and many even died on the job. This competition could hardly be called "fair." I was forced out of the place where I had worked for 34 years. Not a single government program was there to help me. How can Bush call himself "compassionate?"

Far worse, I lost two of my sons in Bush's evil war in Iraq. They gave their lives for their country, and for what? So that Bush's oil buddies can get rich. My pain of losing my sons is indescribable.

While it is trivial next to the loss of my sons, I regret to say that I also lost my home. I simply had nothing left. How can Bush call himself a Christian when he neglects people like me? I am a senior citizen with various medical problems. I'm not in a position where I can begin a new career.

I was reduced to the point where I had to live in a hole in a ground, all because of President Bush. And when the authorities found me there, did they have any compassion for my misfortune and ailments? No, I was arrested. Mr. Bush, I dare you to look me in the face and tell me you are a compassionate man! I dare you to look me in the face and tell me you a Christian!

If I had any money left, I would donate it to the Democratic party. If Al Gore had been elected in 2000, I guarantee I would still have a job, a home, and most importantly, my dear sons!

Regards,

Saddam Hussein"