Tuesday, November 3, Maine will vote on a same-sex marriage proposal.

So, some thoughts:

Why is God so bent out of shape?

Why is marriage different from same-sex unions

Why I support civil unions

Your thoughts?

As you’ve probably heard, the world as we know it will be ending on December 21, 2012. That’s when the Mayan calendar ends—and the world with it—according to producers of the motion picture 2012 and the usual conspiracy theorists.

According to the Web site december212012.com, expect everything from super volcanoes, destructive sun spots, and the arrival of “Planet X” into our galaxy causing all kinds of astronomical disasters to the government requiring ID chip implants and the Catholic church admitting that, and I quote, “they have been misleading the church for hundreds of years.” (Fortunately, there is no mention of Sara Palin running for US president.)

The calendar in my office ends December 31, 2009, but I’m not worried since people have been predicting the end of the world since Noah! And except for that watery end, everyone else has been wrong in their gloom and doom.
For instance . . . [more]

According to the Associated Press, “Anti-abortion activist Randall Terry is calling on people to burn effigies of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid this Halloween, as part of a “Burn in Hell” video contest to protest the health care legislation in Congress.” Terry told the AP, “If Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid force us to pay for child killing and they die unrepentant, they will burn in hell for this.”

Click here for some thoughts.

President Barack Obama certainly catered to lesbians, gays, bi-sexuals, trans-sexuals at a recent dinner.

“We cannot and we will not put aside issues of basic equality. This fight continues now. And I’m here with a simple message: I’m here with you in that fight.”

I agree that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect as God’s creations, which is why I support civil unions.

But—and it’s a big but—Obama went on to say he wants to look back over the years of his administration to “see a time in which we as a nation finally recognized relationships between two men or two women as just as real and admirable as relationships between a man and a woman.”

That’s where I would argue that same-sex marriages are not “admirable.” (Click links for further thoughts on this issue.)

Related commentary

U.S. House passes hate crimes bill. Why I hate it

Here’s what’s new this month:

• Don’t become a digital dinosaur! (interview with Upper Case)

• Hope and Humor: Beyond McPrayer

• The man who wrote the book on humor (interview with Jeanette Levellie)

• Top ten pages

• When God Turned Off the Lights by Cec Murphey (book review)

And, of course, our annual look at Halloween and other twist topics

According to Politico.com:

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) received a handwritten note Thursday from Joint Committee on Taxation Chief of Staff Tom Barthold confirming the penalty for failing to pay the up to $1,900 fee for not buying health insurance.

Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor and could face up to a year in jail or a $25,000 penalty, Barthold wrote on JCT letterhead. He signed it “Sincerely, Thomas A. Barthold.”

Let me get this straight: Free housing, all utilities paid, three meals a day, clothing and laundry included—and health care provided!
Jail sounds like a great deal!

“Do the happy crab!” Four-year-old Hannah and I both lean back on the couch and wave our hands and feet in the air.

It’s our original way of celebrating whenever someone wins “Candy Land,” “Hungry, Hungry Hippos” or any other board game. And the rule is, we both celebrate no matter who wins the round.

Hopefully, it’s a way to move her from “Ha! I won!” to being able to, as Scripture admonishes, to “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” And she seems to have more fun being a “happy crab” than actually winning a game. (Or maybe it’s because “Papaw” looks absolutely ridiculous doing it.)

It’s something I—slightly older—should do in all situations. When a friend gets a promotion, do the happy crab. When a friend signs a big book contract, do the happy crab. Whenever someone succeeds—and I don’t—do the happy crab. It sure beats being a crabby crab!

A couple new posts at jameswatkins!com:

Beyond ‘McPrayer’
Sometimes I’m afraid I treat God like the drive-through window at McDonalds. I scan the menu board of “promise verses,” place my order, and then race my engine as I wait impatiently. More

Humor makes your healthier, smarter
Writing with Banana Peels claims humor makes you healthier and smarter. Free sample chapter

• Writing with Banana Peels: Humor Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls is now available! (Read Table of Contents, sample chapters and endorsements, and of course, buy a case for family and friends!)

But wait, there’s more at jameswatkins.com!

• I’m now on YouTube with three of my favorite sketches as well excerpts from talks at American Christian Writers conferences.

And, if you’ll act now . . .

• Hormonal Output Toxicity Syndrome (HOTS): Why guys do what guys do
• This month’s “Light Touch for Heavy Times”: I quit! A perfectly respectable response

Here’s what’s brand spankin’ new:
• ACW Press features moi on YouTube
• Free sheet music: “Loving God and You”
• Gender is not black and white The South African “woman” track star
• Government offers “Cash for Flunkers”
• Help me! Use me! Love me! Confessions of an author/speaker
• How to pursue speaking engagements
• My virtual home theater: enjoy music and videos here
• Quotations from Hudson Taylor
• This month’s light touch for heavy times: Are you listening to God or Goliath?
• Top ten top great things about being in ministry (latest column from Rev.)
• Writing with Banana Peels: The Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls of Writing Humor Pre-order today with free postage!