tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.comments2015-03-11T11:43:47.904-07:00The Issues in FocusRitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-14857767510639604172013-11-12T07:35:23.589-08:002013-11-12T07:35:23.589-08:00An older friend once told me, "The truth neve...An older friend once told me, "The truth never changes, though our perceptions and understanding of it may change." Truth, like an immovable mountain we see in the distance, and toward which we are journeying, the closer we get to it the more clearly we can see what and how it really is.<br />http://harvyoder.blogspot.com/search?q=the+truth+never+changesharvspothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15733381818821830887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-19096405448817937102013-10-13T19:42:51.604-07:002013-10-13T19:42:51.604-07:00Thank you for choosing to continually work for God...Thank you for choosing to continually work for God with the skills He has given you and in the arena which He has designed for you. I believe you influence and help people more than you know. I know I, and many like me, are helped by having someone intelligently articulate important truths about issues our society faces today. Continue to remind yourself that your "chief end" is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Your work glorifies God, regardless of the response of any other human. Redeeming you wasn't even dependent upon your response, so we know honoring Him is definitely not dependent on anyone but God Himself. Keep writing, Rita!<br />.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555645403247137363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-62637311900784087852013-10-03T09:29:42.575-07:002013-10-03T09:29:42.575-07:00Thanks, Rita, for a thoughtful piece that brings a...Thanks, Rita, for a thoughtful piece that brings angst to my heart. (I wonder if the ang of angst is related to the ang in angina.) Sadly, this reporter and newspaper are the fruit of an "enlightenment" culture where language is mere power--including the language of AP standards. Whether the narrative or its details are factual or not is irrelevant as long as the words are useful for the cause (whether personal, political or corporate). It reminds me of a few decades back when a Ph.D. dissertation from my alma mater, Northwestern, conclusively demonstrated that the crucial historical facts which popularized (in books and news articles all over North, Central and South America) an Hispanic female hero were made up. Instead of receiving credit (other than the Ph.D.), the scholar was ripped up for hindering the cause the myth so well served. New Creation longings are stirring in my heart...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02878898284535675958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-49403152589885628982013-10-01T09:06:14.979-07:002013-10-01T09:06:14.979-07:00In response to your comment:
1. Fair point. The...In response to your comment:<br /><br />1. Fair point. The fact that an average person would have to take a week of vacation time to read a given law doesn't necessarily mean that it is a bad law, but I think the practice of good governance requires at least that those who pass the law have read it in its entirety and can underatnd it. I don't think that is true of the ACA. And beyond that, I don't think it is societally healthy for the people not to be able to know or understand the laws that govern them. <br /><br />2. O.k. This is a "concern" that I have.<br /><br />3. An auto insurance requirement accompanies a privilege (operating a motor vehicle on public roads) if I should choose to enjoy that privelege. That can't be said of the individual health insurance mandate.<br /><br />4. The employer doesn't want to "police" employees' decisions; only to be free from coercion to fund those that violate the employers' conscience. Can't I just turn this right back around and say, "why can't the employee just use her salary to obtain the services in question?"Ritahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-61807437658133751082013-10-01T08:47:58.775-07:002013-10-01T08:47:58.775-07:00I accept your "GOODS" ;)
For the BADS.....I accept your "GOODS" ;)<br /><br />For the BADS...<br />1. Length alone seems like a lazy argument. Argue that it's not precise, or that it has unnecessary stuff, not that it's "long." A complicated idea might take 900 pages and no one said affordable health care was easy. You're a lawyer for goodness sakes! ;)<br />2. Wait. You're arguing that this hurts "big business"... I don't see any evidence that "big business" is going to do anything other than make this work (or have slightly less oversized profits). I've seen several cases where companies are choosing to return employees to full-time e.g. Walmart http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickungar/2013/09/25/wal-mart-returning-to-full-time-workers-obamacare-not-such-a-job-killer-after-all/ At a minimum, I think we have to say that the jury is out on this and is at best a "concern" and not yet a "BAD"<br />3. I think we just don't see eye to eye on this... Yes the government can tax you. But if you prefer to think of it as them forcing you to buy a product then can we return to the auto insurance analogy? Do you feel as bad about that as you do about the health care mandate?<br />4. I guess I don't see eye to eye on this one either... It's not the business owner's job to police the decisions of their employees. Providing health care that could be used to get contraception or an abortion isn't much different than providing money (i.e. a salary) to get the same. If they really have an issue then don't run a business. Part of benefiting from the economic system of America is abiding by the rules and I don't see how this is any different than any other rule.Andy Harbickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01207294937045717563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-20522039377817974422013-09-12T16:16:29.209-07:002013-09-12T16:16:29.209-07:00Rita, I admire your courage, and the fact is no on...Rita, I admire your courage, and the fact is no one really knows for sure how to answer the WWKD question.Harvey Yoderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733381818821830887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-14526443807398185892013-09-12T08:39:43.905-07:002013-09-12T08:39:43.905-07:00Rita...if people descend into personal attacks, th...Rita...if people descend into personal attacks, then you know they're unwilling and unable to prevail on the underlying issue.<br><br>Wear the insults as a badge of honor, as I do, simply because on some issues, there is a "right" and a "wrong".David Briggmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019352201405953792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-13673880824548767572013-07-12T04:51:48.116-07:002013-07-12T04:51:48.116-07:00Thanks for this good piece.Thanks for this good piece.Harvey Yoderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15733381818821830887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-77733092037804202512013-06-25T09:07:05.482-07:002013-06-25T09:07:05.482-07:00Over 912,790 people in VA don't know where the...Over 912,790 people in VA don't know where their next meal will come from. 16,000 violent crimes annually in VA. And many more extreme problems in the state and Harrisonburg and you're addressing the Tilted Kilt? Also, your generalization that men who visit the Tilted Kilt are slaves to their physical desires and don't respect women is inaccurate. I would also appreciate you not telling me what my wife thinks or feels because, quite frankly, you don't know.Concutiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06582354361190229503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-22205613205618758142013-05-17T08:32:17.904-07:002013-05-17T08:32:17.904-07:00Kay, I appreciate the integrity shown by your apol...Kay, I appreciate the integrity shown by your apology, and I accept! I also appreciate your heart of compassion for the TK folks involved, as it certainly reflects the heart of a redemptive God. <br><br>I am currently working on a way to reach out to the TK waitresses, in particular, with a positive, affirming message. If you would like to be involved with that effort, please e-mail me at rita.dunaway@gmail.com.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-3612233253952223882013-05-16T18:38:13.381-07:002013-05-16T18:38:13.381-07:00First of all, Rita, I want to apologize for the wa...First of all, Rita, I want to apologize for the way I spoke earlier. I did to you exactly what I accused you of doing to others. I was out of line to assume that I know the condition of your heart and after being on the receiving end of unfair judgment many times, it was really uncalled of me to do that to you. I am really sorry for how close minded and self-righteous I portrayed myself. A few minutes after posting that, I realized that I had taken my anger out on you and that isn't right, nor is it in any way Jesus like. <br>We all have causes that speak to us, and it is unfair of me to say that what speaks to you isn't important. Although I don't find the Tilted Kilt any more offensive than a high school or college cheer leading squad, I do understand why you feel that way.<br>Again, I am so sorry for the way I behaved, and I hope that you accept my apology.<br>And I definitely agree with you that we were made to do miraculous things with Jesus guiding us.K Dallowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556174473487073506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-10443569468265042052013-05-16T16:14:16.553-07:002013-05-16T16:14:16.553-07:00Kay,Wow! After I read your comment I had to re-re...Kay,<br><br>Wow! After I read your comment I had to re-read my article to make sure we were talking about the same piece—and I’m still not certain! But let me respond:<br><br>1) I disagree with your conclusion that calling for the failure of a business is categorically “atrocious.” For instance, if a widget factory opened up down the road that illegally used child labor, would calling for its failure be atrocious? What about a brothel (and no, I am not “likening” TK to a brothel!). The point is that some businesses are so inherently harmful that we SHOULD want them to fail if we care about others.<br><br>2) You also take issue with my saying that TK waitressing is a “subtle from of prostitution.” I appreciate your concern that this statement may hurt the feelings of waitresses who do work there, but I believe it is a true statement. For instance, one online dictionary defines prostitution as to “sell[] one's abilities, talent, or name for an unworthy purpose.” My intention was not to insult, but rather, as I explicitly stated, to encourage these young women to realize how their bodies are being exploited and refuse to debase themselves. I took great pains, in fact, to tailor my words to that end. Despite that, I suppose I should have been prepared for the fact that some readers would, as you have done, assume and assign to me motives about which you know nothing. (As you stated, “This is an insult wrapped up in a compliment, and completely lacking in sincerity.” How can I possibly respond to that?)<br><br>3) We agree about one thing, at least: Jesus befriended the prostitute and any others whom society deemed “unworthy.” He reserved his harshest criticisms not for the notorious “sinners,” but for the religious leaders of the day. And yet, Jesus never sacrificed truth in the name of “love,” because telling people the truth IS love. Challenging people to re-think actions that are harmful to themselves and others IS loving—both to those being challenged and to the third parties being harmed.<br><br>4) Despite what you appear to assume about the condition of my heart, I’ll just throw this out there: I am in no position to judge or condemn any person. I am a sinner, saved by grace, and my stockpile of sins goes far deeper than wearing a bikini top in a bar to earn money. But if I were engaged in an activity that was demeaning to myself and damaging to others, I would HOPE that people around me would gently and lovingly confront me about it. <br><br>In closing, let me be clear: before a holy, righteous God, my mess is no better than that of the waitress, manager, or owner of TK. But because I have been saved by His grace, I am called to love God with all my heart, mind, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. For me, in this place, at this time, that means resisting the incredible harms being done by TK and refuting the evil lies its business model perpetuates. We were made for MORE! And people need to know that.<br>Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-87134818012014324552013-05-16T13:32:53.897-07:002013-05-16T13:32:53.897-07:00I've been to this blog probably a hundred time...I've been to this blog probably a hundred times since the Tilted Kilt opened, hoping for some tact in what I'm about to say. Like the person above said, calling for the failure of a business as well as likening their professions to prostitution is just downright atrocious. Need you be reminded that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute before meeting Jesus and when Judas criticized her for it, Jesus corrected HIM and not her. As Christians, we shouldn't pray against people, but for them.<br>Jesus spent his time with drunkards and the outcasts of society, meeting them where they were. As you've implied, those who patronize and work at these types of businesses probably need the most love from Christians. What they don't need is to be told that they are prostitutes followed by a half-hearted, "but God still loves you just the way you are!" These types of comments hold the same sort of power you claim the Tilted Kilt has in diminishing the self-worth of women in our society.<br>That is an insult wrapped in a compliment, and lacking in any sincerity. My aim is not to insult you, because as followers of Christ, we should be focused on building one another up. I know you mean well, I really do, but this media frenzy created by your Open Forum post in the DNR has done nothing but attempt to tear people down. And I don't believe that Jesus would ever stand for that.<br>We are called to act out of love, and when Jesus narrowed the 10 Commandments down to 2, one of them was to love one another as ourselves. Clearly, both sides of this issue have failed to follow these commandments very fully.<br>Kay Plowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01556174473487073506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-18206613204357075782013-05-15T09:26:12.472-07:002013-05-15T09:26:12.472-07:00Well said. In this case, you're putting in a l...Well said. <br><br>In this case, you're putting in a lot of effort to address a situation that you might only be touching the surface of. Mimicking someone else's perception in order to attain peace, love and understanding could just cover up problems or create more problems instead of actually helping the people you care about the most.Justin Neitzeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132972927400688189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-79056864693426865032013-05-15T09:08:44.755-07:002013-05-15T09:08:44.755-07:00Justin, thank you for your thoughtful analysis.Man...Justin, thank you for your thoughtful analysis.<br><br>Many of the conclusions I have reached (as to the impact of my actions on others)have come from the benefit of being engaged in deep, meaningful, relationships with close friends. Many such friends have shared with me, at various times, their own feelings of insecurity, their struggles with lust or addiction to pornography, and the devastation those things have brought to their marriages.<br><br>As long as this whole issue remains simply an intellectual or philosophical exercise, I might just assume that I am projecting my own concerns onto others and that I need to "free my mind," to "live and let live." But once I am confronted with real friends and neighbors who are hurting, and once I have gained awareness of the rottenness of my own motives, loving others means changing my behavior.<br><br>Also, as I hoped to convey in my blog post, I don't think ANYONE can categorically say that wearing a bikini (or doing so in public places) is SIN. Because it is not anyone's PERCEPTION of behavior that makes it sin. God, alone, defines what is sin, and He hasn't said anything about bikini wearing. He has, on the other hand, said plenty about loving our neighbors.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-10797851378350977902013-05-15T08:39:43.948-07:002013-05-15T08:39:43.948-07:00Can I suggest an alternative?You may have given up...Can I suggest an alternative?<br><br>You may have given up bikinis because of false perceptions. <br><br>You perceived fear out of lack of peace in your mind, your self-image and personal insecurity. <br><br>You perceived selfishness because you were comfortable with what you were wearing and thought that because other people weren't wearing the same thing, you might be insulting them.<br><br>You perceived competition, so instead of freeing your mind of it you withdrew from an imaginary race.<br><br>You say you still wear a bikini around your husband, privately. Why not be completely unclothed? You might then perceive temptation from your husband? <br><br>What could also be happening now is that you are advocating for perception of fear, selfishness and competition in others. You pass along yours in hoping to instill it in others with good intentions. You're concerns for yourself are valid because they are your concerns. <br><br>We allow ourselves to draw imaginary lines of acceptable behavior for many reasons. I don't follow Amish perceptions of sin, nor do I force my wife to dress in a burqa. I drink beer and eat pork. I have gay friends that I would like to see married and like shooting guns. <br><br>What makes my ideals of living better than others? What makes yours better than mine? <br><br>Those are the questions I ask myself in social situations and at work and at home teaching my son about life. They are my tools for living a good life. If you "guide" your decisions based on the Bible, let me guide mine with my own. We may not see eye to eye on things, but that's okay.Justin Neitzeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05132972927400688189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-36329211319992861522013-05-14T16:03:23.144-07:002013-05-14T16:03:23.144-07:00I think your proposed op-ed piece is ideal, Andy! ...I think your proposed op-ed piece is ideal, Andy! While I didn't mention this in my piece, I am, in fact, presently working on an outreach project to the TK staff.<br><br>That said, I think we have to be careful that we don't, in our desire to present the love and grace of the Gospel (which I agree MUST be presented), shy away from standing against depravity in our culture. And I think it is even more important for us to do so when there are such high societal costs involved.<br><br>My goal with the piece was simply to challenge people who do care about our community to consider the various ways that this kind of business harms people and relationships. I have no doubt that there are a hundred ways it could have been done better.Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09711999458894354862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-30017256439133236772013-05-14T14:09:11.907-07:002013-05-14T14:09:11.907-07:00Let me put another spin on the "if you don...Let me put another spin on the "if you don't like it don't go there" comment.<br><br>From the point of view of a hypothetical customer of Tilted Kilt:<br><br>---------<br>Dear Ms. Dunaway,<br><br>What do you expect of me? I have no problems with the Tilted Kilt, I like their wings and I don't see any harm in oogling some scantily clad women who *applied* for the job and weren't coerced to be there. Some of them are probably glad to have a job. Are you asking me to change my opinion on the matter? Should I feel guilty that I don't see a problem with the business? Maybe you don't hope to change me or guilt me or whatever, but if it's not your intention to change anyone then is there any point in sharing your opinions other than sanctimony?<br><br>Sincerely,<br>OneHappyTKCustomer<br>---------<br><br>The point is that I think you're engaging in a battle of ideas, philosophies, and words and in a postmodern culture I think that carries very little weight. You've also judged the business owners, managers, investors, and customers and found them morally lacking and implicitly found yourself to be virtuous since you've found a righteous place to stand (arguably objectively so); also not effective in a post modern world.<br><br>Imagine instead an op-ed like this:<br>---------<br>I have an 8 year old daughter whom I love dearly and it is my earnest hope that she grows up as a self-respecting, confident woman who knows she is beautiful and loved beyond all imagination by God. I hope the same for all women, but with the opening of the Tilted Kilt the servers there are even more on my heart. The culture of sexuality in America, particularly evident at establishments like the Tilted Kilt, simply reinforces the message to women that "you're only valued as a sexual object." I want to do my part to battle this lie not only with words, but by being the face of love to women who feel their best option is the Tilted Kilt. If you'd like to help me tangibly show love to the servers of TK (things like childcare assistance, free pedicures, coffee together, and countless other ideas) please contact me at XXX...<br>---------<br><br>Hopefully the difference in approach is obvious but indulge my being pedantic for a second ;). First, it's intensely personal. It's about your daughter (and implicitly about all of the daughters of America). Second, there is no judgement of specific people (business owners/manager, servers, or customers) but instead is judging our culture and implicitly judging yourself along with it. There is something significant about collective judgement that diffuses "us" / "them" and makes it only "us." Sadly "forgive *us* Father for *we* have sinned" sounds strange in a culture that is intensely individualistic as well. Finally, there is a boots on the ground call to action. Everyone, I assume, has a daughter/sister/niece/neighbor/friend they love and you've just invited people to love someone's daughter. Only an ass would say "good luck with that, though I hope you fail."<br><br>I suspect the responses to this op-ed would've been different; perhaps not extravagant volunteerism, but probably also not negative sniping.Andrew Harbickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01207294937045717563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-55201344186974246862013-01-20T18:55:16.249-08:002013-01-20T18:55:16.249-08:00Great work Rita!Great work Rita!Steve Watershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10362419010141069461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-24751182393493999542013-01-20T09:01:38.843-08:002013-01-20T09:01:38.843-08:00Thanks for sharing this morning concerning your he...Thanks for sharing this morning concerning your heart for those who carry the image of our Creator. God bless your ministry in the trenches! http://www.principalthoughts.net/2013/01/i-have-dream-we-bear-image.htmlJohn Barlowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02688177509520499385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-7192205339339672502012-03-14T09:39:39.509-07:002012-03-14T09:39:39.509-07:00I get rerally tired of hearing "A woman's...I get rerally tired of hearing "A woman's right to choose". The phrase is always used falsly because while a woman DOES have a right to choose to have intercourse; she DOES NOT have the right to kill a child. Somehow the Warran Court found that right in the US Constitution but we can't stop opposing this thinking until this shameful decision is overturned.345c02dc-6df4-11e1-9349-000bcdcb2996https://openid.aol.com/opaque/345c02dc-6df4-11e1-9349-000bcdcb2996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-64508105452616587232011-02-19T05:37:21.823-08:002011-02-19T05:37:21.823-08:00Thanks for all your hard work (and travels) on our...Thanks for all your hard work (and travels) on our behalf! I have a feeling this story isn't finished yet....Adinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09573251622170665973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-71055810904146386142011-01-31T06:09:02.187-08:002011-01-31T06:09:02.187-08:00Thanks. I'll do this in the next day or so.Thanks. I'll do this in the next day or so.Adinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09573251622170665973noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-21059724181701185022010-03-24T18:02:42.802-07:002010-03-24T18:02:42.802-07:00Thank you for this reminder! Right before the pre...Thank you for this reminder! Right before the presidential election, we heard a sermon with this same message that has played in my head many times since then. He is sovereign and always will be!Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02833798475666661569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961492340655686080.post-58390223528242785702010-03-13T04:40:09.843-08:002010-03-13T04:40:09.843-08:00Rita,A necessary ingredient for a culture that aff...Rita,<br><br>A necessary ingredient for a culture that affirms life is practical support of women who are facing unplanned pregnancies. So many women choose abortion because they fear "loss of self". If only the message was clearer that both lives are deeply valued - her life and the life of her child. <br><br>Thank you for sharing this message.<br><br>AdinaAdinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09573251622170665973noreply@blogger.com