Why Can't I Own a Canadian?

October 2002
Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim

Hope that you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving Holiday! It is getting a little colder outside, the Christmas lights are up around town, and my money is depleating, yes, the holidays are here. I love this time of year, but then again who doesn't?

We have a brand spanking new layout for December and that will pretty much be our trend around here for each month that comes. Brandon Ching and myself have a pretty good time trying to come up with some creative and funny stuff for the cover, and I am sure it can only get better with more practice.

Finals is just about here, good luck to all the students! Worry not, winter break will be here! With that said, I am currently in the process of planning a website release party with model, Kim Duong (www.kimduong.com.) So far the date that we have set is for January 7th, 2006 at O Lounge on Kapiolani Blvd. We are brainstorming and coordinating the details to best fit our styles and ideas. I will keep you all posted, your input is also appreciated!

Warmest Regards, Kayko

I have received news that I will be graduating with my first degree this semester! Relief, excitement, and accomplishment fits the discription of how this news makes me feel. However, this is only the first step in the many steps I must take towards achieving my goals.

Other than that, I have been occupying myself with loved ones, and work.

I have a new interest in AM talk shows. Thank you Glenn Morohoshi for sharingTom Lykis and Dr. Laura with me!

Thanksgiving is a hop-skip-away!

Always Late? Procrastinate?

Some people are never on time, while others are constantly putting things off.

Dr. Phil offers the following advice.

What is your payoff?
Ask yourself why you are late and/or why you put things off. What is your payoff for the behavior? You wouldn't continue unless you were getting some reward for it. Be encouraged that this behavior can change overnight. Know that you are being tardy or procrastinating because you can, and there is some sort of payoff.

Examine your mental process.
If you know that it takes 45 minutes to get ready and arrive at a destination, ask yourself why you would spend 30 minutes doing something else and then try to get ready and get to your destination in 15 minutes. How do you justify the behavior? You're not late at 11:00. If you have to be somewhere at 11:00 and it takes 30 minutes to get there, you're late at 10:30 if you're still at home.

Get real about your tardiness.
If you are always late, yet you tell yourself and others that you try to be on time, get real. You can't always be late unless you work at it. You would be on time just by accident occasionally!

Stop using your behavior to control situations.
Understand that procrastination or being late is a way of manipulating and controlling a situation at the expense of others. When everything is about you because everyone has to wait on you, you are unfairly controlling the situation while assuming that others should and will wait on you. It's an arrogant behavior.

Make priorities.
When running late, don't think that you're so important to what you are doing that you can't move on to the next thing. If talking to your neighbor is making you late for work, realize they aren't going to curl up and die if you say, "Excuse me, I have to go to work."

Add negative consequences to your behavior.
When there aren't enough negative consequences to the behavior, you continue it. To change this behavior, cost yourself something of value every time you are late and/or procrastinate. This will discourage you from continuing the behavior. The penalty needs to be something that is disturbing to you. For example, if taking a daily shower is very important to you, you can decide that you won't allow yourself to take one when you are late and/or procrastinate. Or, don't allow yourself to brush your hair or put on makeup the next time you go to work if you're not on time.