How many people know what "bovine spongiform encephalopathy" is? We know it better as "mad cow disease". I've dealt with many mad cows that put me over the fence, but that isn't the madness we're talking about. MCD (Mad Cow Disease) is a serious problem around the world that kills people who never entered a pen with the cow. I won't try to explain the disease, except that it is detectable before the meat is ever processed.

Isn't it interesting how we choose specific laws or commandments, in the Old Testament, to hammer those who don't have proper life styles to suit us. We ignore those commandments and laws that might require us to change our ways.

The following is an excerpt taken from a Church World Service email, I received, urging me to encourage my Senators to back the bill. It has already passed in the House.

Faith reflection: "Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts," Deuteronomy 15: 1; "Proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you." Leviticus 25: 10;

The Hebrew Scriptures talk to us about living in right relationship with God, the human community, and all of creation. One of the most profound practices is the observance of Jubilee, a time when slaves are set free, debts are forgiven, and land lost through debt is returned to its original owners. These are actions meant to restore the community to wholeness. While the full Jubilee liberation was set for a 50-year cycle, freedom for slaves, debt cancellation and rest for the soil were commanded for every seven years.

The Jubilee Act gives us an opportunity to apply the practice of Jubilee debt cancellation to our own time and world.

There is no record indicating this particular command was ever carried out in full.

We have just celebrated Memorial Day. This day was declared and set aside, originally, to honor all those who served and died in the defense of our nation. It has been expanded to include, not only memorializing the men and women who have died in the defense of our nation and culture, but to honor all those who served in days gone by or are serving today. It has also been expanded to include a formal recognition of family and friends, whether they served militarily or not.

I have received several emails urging me to become actively involved in flag waving and eulogizing the military causalities and the need to heap praises upon those actively serving today. Most of them expand the idea that our military might is what has created and protected our freedoms.

I fully agree that we owe those who have served or are serving our recognition of the sacrifice and dedication of all who gave up their civilian freedoms to serve. But I disagree with the indication that it is only the military who have given us our freedoms and protected them.

The world is in a food crisis! The rich American farmer is to blame. Congress just ignored this fact and passed the Farm Program Bill, over the President's veto. (They do something right, once in awhile.)

Our nation is in an economic crisis! Too many old folks expecting to collect on their retirement funds and asking for adequate health care are to blame.

Farm Program payments and the Social Security entitlements are being blamed for all our troubles. I'm to blame! I'm an active farmer, drawing Social Security and partially covering my medical expenses with Medicare benefits.

Some of us seniors (it's not politically correct to say old codgers) listen to the news and just passively head for the coffee shop where we can brag about what we used to do. We have become so disillusioned with politics that repeats itself over and over that we can't get highly motivated to get involved. The candidates of all persuasions make big promises and slandering accusations and then the winners settle into their cozy environment with special privileges, perks, and best of all; full medical coverage and retirement security for life.

Too many of our new appointees or electees cautiously enter the work place and check out the pecking order. Next, they tie themselves to their mentors in hopes of not coming across as young and naive whipper snappers that don't know you shouldn't try changing the course of the river. If they survive the climate, don't try to introduce too many new crops or the color of the machinery, they can establish themselves as full partners on the plantation.

I like the television advertisement that says, "If it weren't true, we couldn't say it on TV."

What amazes me is the number of viewers who don't bother to question their sources of information. We chuckle at the advertising scripters that must think they are talking to a primary age audience. But, wait a minute, have they figured out something? They are hawking merchandise that is meant for adults. Maybe the majority of the adult viewers have never learned the art of critical assessment.

We are a passive and captive audience. Even the news segments on television are as much advertising and entertaining as they are real and honest news reporting.

The internet is running stiff competition with the television industry. Email forwards seem to be the trusted source of news for more and more people. No one seems to have their own opinions or assessments. Just fill the addresses in with all your known addresses and hit the fwd button.