Disqus - Latest Comments for TimBurkey

Re: How to Get Out of Debt the Right Way

Tim Burkey — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 16:34:20 -0000

After reading the whole article, the advice seems to be both biblical and supportive (which I think you're saying is the right way). It lines up with biblical principles like "get out of debt as fast as you can" (my Proverbs 6:1-5 paraphrase), "the borrower is slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7), and "don't covet" (Exodus 20:17). It's supportive because he gives specific plans each of these types of people should follow to get out of debt.

By that definition, telling people to "focus, set a plan and maybe get a second job" is biblical, supportive and the "right way." It definitely isn't the easiest way, however, and it's completely counter-cultural and comes with great short-term sacrifice. Patience and self control are fruits of the Spirit. This plan may even help Christ-followers grow those fruits in their lives.

Re: Engadget's back to school guide 2011: tablets

Tim Burkey — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:58:37 -0000

These are great! Also, if the BlackBerry Playbook ever gets native email and Android app-support, it would be worthy of inclusion in a list like this.

Re: Engadget's back to school guide 2011: headphones

Tim Burkey — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:36:45 -0000

These look amazing, but I'm surprised to not see any DD Beats or Bose QC's in here... ?

Re: Engadget's back to school guide 2011: televisions

Tim Burkey — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:45:00 -0000

I sure love the value of Vizio!

Re: Engadget's back to school guide 2011: speaker docks

Tim Burkey — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:40:56 -0000

These are awesome!

Re: Engadget's back to school 2011 sweepstakes: we're giving away $3,000 worth of gear... 15 times!

Tim Burkey — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:59:45 -0000

I see at least three ways to read Engadget among these prizes. I LOVE it!!

Re: Engadget's back to school guide 2011: digital cameras

Tim Burkey — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:55:54 -0000

Great stuff! It's nice to get an unbiased opinion on cameras that aren't solely Canons.

Re: We won some Webby Awards, and now you can win a BlackBerry PlayBook!

Tim Burkey — Thu, 05 May 2011 13:07:15 -0000

I would LOVE to win a PlayBook! Thanks for running this contest. :)

Re: A Christian Budget? Pt. 1

Tim Burkey — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:40:46 -0000

I don't think we're going to see eye-to-eye on this. I think we have fundamentally different views of the world. I don't believe the government helps those in need better than organizations, businesses or citizens. I'm not even sure I know exactly what you believe since you said, "no organization is free of corruption, no matter how noble they seem. But just as I don't believe that just because there are some corrupted churches and charities that all fall into those categories...".

But I know this: if you believe your church is corrupt or wasteful, stop tithing to that church (and stop going there, for that matter). If you know an organization, private or non-profit, is wasting your money, stop giving it to them. But what about when a government wastes money, or is greedy and corrupt? What if its systems just cause generational poverty and dependence, instead of helping people in need get back on their feet and build sustainable lives for themselves? We can't stop giving to those programs because, even if they run at a loss every year, they are funded by tax dollars. And whether or not we agree in the worthiness of these programs, the IRS is getting what belongs to them. I'm fine with giving Caesar what is Caesar's but since we as citizens are part of Caesar's government (of the people, by the people, for the people), I'd like to make sure my money isn't wasted.

In order for America to get back to financial stability, we will have to be able to look at all spending, across the board, with an objective eye and cut those programs that are wasteful, wrought with fraud, or are hurting, instead of helping those they are intended to aid. Until then, we'll just keep raising the debt ceiling and passing the bill on to our children or their children. That doesn't seem very Christ-like to me.

Re: A Christian Budget? Pt. 1

Tim Burkey — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:06:29 -0000

Saying charities and churches have lots of waste and corruption is neither fair nor true. Non-profit organizations have to run fiscally lean and responsible at all times or they won't be able to employ the people who do the work, much less provide the benefits and services they exist to give. Whenever there is an organization that is corrupt, wasteful or fraudulent, it's all over the news because it doesn't happen very often. When that does occur, everyone is free to stop donating to that organization.

Not so with the government. Everyone knows these problems exist and only when it's time to tackle the budget are things like waste and corruption in the welfare system looked at closely. (Here's just one example, from Katrina: http://gao.gov/htext/d06844... )

The truth is, the government has a great platform, from which it can encourage people to give time and money to causes and people in need. Look at Haiti, for example. When leaders asked everyone to give, Americans donated $22m through texts on their cell phones - if American cell phone users were a country, they'd rank third in the world in terms of donations to that one disaster in Haiti. (Here are some sources for that: http://bit.ly/hjer5u and http://wapo.st/7r5Abt ) That's not merely an exception either, but the rule.

When government lets us keep our money and do with it what we please, America prospers AND Americans help those in need - more-so than any country in the world.

But as it stands right now, America's government can't afford to dole out money to everyone who needs it; it needs to get it's fiscal house in order first. In order to do that, it must include conversations and debates like this one, about the role of government and the need to clean up the waste and fraud. Accepting or expecting less of those in leadership positions is just letting bad guys off the hook and not living up to the ideals that made this nation great for so long.

Re: A Christian Budget? Pt. 1

Tim Burkey — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:37:43 -0000

You make a good point. Christians and churches need to put their money (and time) where their mouths are. However, it is completely idealistic to think the government actually does a good job of providing good services and care to those who need it most. I challenge you to name one government program - WIC, food stamps, welfare, even Social Security and public schools - that isn't wrought with waste and corruption.

Also, if you think taxing the "insanely" wealthy and large corporations is a good idea, name the last poor person who hired you. These principles can't work and would destroy a nation that has allowed people to prosper more than any other in the history of civilization.

By the way, I agree we should cut defense and get out of other countries' business but I'd cut everything down to bare bones; the whole point of establishing a government is to establish justice and protect the people from threats. I'll never understand how WIC, unnecessary wars, and ethanol subsidies fit into that.

Re: A Christian Budget? Pt. 1

Tim Burkey — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:28:10 -0000

I completely agree and would just have to add that the word "justice" means that poor and rich (and black and white, christian and atheist, man and woman) are given the same rights and treated the same under the law. We've somehow gotten this "social justice" doctrine mixed up with what actual justice is and what it means. America has been a great nation because it provides everyone with equal justice under the law. As a result, everyone has a chance to prosper and make something of themselves.

Re: MySpace Preview Fatigue

Tim Burkey — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:29:19 -0000

Re: MySpace Preview Fatigue

Tim Burkey — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:27:13 -0000

As a music fan, I would have to submit that neither of these albums are very exciting, at least on the first listen. I didn't make it through the first song on Chinese Democracy even though I LOVE Appetite for Destruction.

I'm working on making it through McCartney's project because I really WANT to like it, but it definitely didn't GRAB me as a listener. I love The Beatles and his solo stuff; maybe I'll like this after a few listens, but that's not really what a MySpace album preview is for.

I think in both artist's case, they would have been better-suited to just release a few preview "singles" on their pages and create anticipation for the records.