this is how i’m doing: in case you were wondering…

So, I was filling out the Texas common app to apply for grad school at UT Tyler and at the end I get to this question:

“If you are a U.S. citizen and were born outside of the U.S., explain how you became a citizen. If this does not apply to you please note as NA.”

Okay, I’ve filled out the common app a few times and have never had to answer this.  To be honest, it kind of ticked me off.  I already told them I was a U.S. citizen, why the flip does it matter HOW I became a citizen?  If you don’t know, I tend to be a bit of a smart-ass when I get frustrated (I get that, and my citizenship, from my father), so my response:

“Jus Sanguinis.”

If they don’t know Latin (like I don’t) they can google it (like I did).  Jus Sanguinis means “right of blood” which sounds much better than “my dad is a citizen” and is certainly much easier than saying:

“Birth Abroad to One Citizen and One Alien Parent in Wedlock: A child born abroad to one U.S. citizen parent and one alien parent acquires U.S. citizenship at birth under Section 301(g) INA provided the citizen parent was physically present in the U.S. for the time period required by the law applicable at the time of the child’s birth. (For birth on or after November 14, 1986, a period of five years physical presence, two after the age of fourteen is required. For birth between December 24, 1952 and November 13, 1986, a period of ten years, five after the age of fourteen are required for physical presence in the U.S. to transmit U.S. citizenship to the child.”

Consequently the same policy is what kept me from being able to claim dual-citizenship.  Italy is one of those countries that does not grant citizenship by jus solis (right of the soil), only by blood.

That’s it for today’s citizenship lesson.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” –  Phillippians 3:20-21

So, since when was McCain God’s candidate?

I love reading the facebook statuses that now read something like “trying to remember that God is still in control.”  If you, Believer, are now deflated by the nation’s choice for president, then you have bigger problems.

God never promised that our government would save us, or was even for us.  In fact, scripture tells us the opposite.  I really did struggle with my decision to not vote but found peace about my decision a few months ago in 1 Samuel 8.  Israel decides they would rather have a king to put their trust in instead of their God; and He allows it, but not without warning Israel what they were choosing.

I accept that by most people’s standards, I have “no right to complain” because I didn’t vote.  I have no need to complain.  I have no faith in government regardless of race, gender or political party.  This election is in no way a “loss” for Christianity or the Church, nor would it have been a “win” had it gone the other way.  My faith is in Christ and his bride, the Church.

More than listening to his music, I love to hear Derek Webb talk about tough issues (which he also does in his music); maybe it is because we tend to agree on a lot of things. When you get a chance, read what he has to say about the election here: http://www.patrolmag.com/times/922/how-shall-we-then-vote.

Or, download his “Election Edition” of Mockingbird for free (or for whatever you want to pay) at www.noisetrade.com.  Fair trade music, what a refreshing concept.

This is me not complaining — because I don’t vote see, and in this country you don’t have a right to complain if you don’t help pick the next American Idol… I mean president…  It’s in the constitution…

*Side note* — So if I write myself in for every position, does that count?  I mean, I would still be voting right?  No such thing as a wasted vote, right?  I think I might change my mind about this whole voting thing.  I’m voting for YOU this year; just gonna go straight down my blog roll.

Anyway, this is what (according to my insurance company) $105 worth of Clarinex looks like.  If you’re counting, that’s 30 tablets of 5mg desloratadine which happens to work WONDERS for my seasonal allergies.  That’s $3.50 per pill… for allergy medication.  I’m really not even mad about the cost - drug companies have to make money and I’m all for the making of money.  What bothers me is that the REASON it’s $105 is that it’s only available by prescription and the reason it’s only available by prescription is because the government said so.  Well, maybe the FDA thinks this is a dangerous drug that could be misused… nope.  The makers of Clarinex claim that switching the drug to OTC (over the counter) would hurt their ability to make money off the drug…  I wish I had that kind of federal protection for my freelance web design business.

Enter Canada.  Clarinex is classified as an OTC drug in Canada.  I can get 20 tablets for less than $20 in Canada (http://www.canadadrugs.com/otc/product/Clarinex/431/).  Same drug, same manufacturer, different government, different price.  Can anybody guess where Paul will be buying his next supply of Clarinex from?  Anyone?

Another note — this is not me saying that I prefer Canada’s form of government.  I’m not in favor of unviersal healthcare or other social programs run by the government.

 ”Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing the defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization.  I know which of these alternatives I must choose…”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This was said about National Socialism in Germany and Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 — but are we far off from such a decision?