It is the year 2000 and the Lord speaks to a man named Noah who lives in the United States. The Lord says, "Noah, in one year, I am going to make it rain for forty days and forty nights and cover the whole earth with water until all living creatures on the face of the earth are destroyed. I want you to build an Ark which I will use to save you and your family and two of every kind of living thing on the earth.
In a flash of lightning, God delivered the specifications for an Ark. With fear and trembling, Noah took the plans and agreed to build the Ark. "Remember," said the Lord, "You must complete the Ark and bring everything aboard in one year."
Exactly one year later, a fierce storm cloud covered the earth and all the seas of the earth went into a tumult. The Lord saw Noah sitting in his front yard weeping. "Noah," He shouted, "Where is the Ark?"
"Lord, please forgive me!" cried Noah. "I did my best, but there were big problems. First, I had to get a permit for construction and your plans did not comply with the codes. I had to hire an engineering firm and redraw the plans.
Then I got into a fight with OSHA over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system and floatation devices. Then my neighbors objected, claiming I was violating zoning ordinances by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.
I had problems getting enough wood for the Ark, because there was a ban on cutting trees to protect the Spotted Owl. I finally convinced the U.S. Forest Service that I needed the wood to save the owls. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service won't let me catch any owls, so, no owls!
The carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the AFL-CIO. Now I have 16 carpenters on the Ark, but still no owls.
When I started rounding up the other animals, I got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me only taking two of each kind aboard the Ark. They said only an idiot would devise such a risky plan that could put all species in danger of extinction. Just when I got the suit dismissed, the EPA notified me that I could not complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take very kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of some so-called Creator of the Universe.
Then the Army Corps of Engineers demanded a map of the proposed new flood plan. I sent them a globe.
Right now, I am trying to resolve a complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that I am practicing discrimination by not hiring godless, unbelieving people to build your Ark!
Additionally, the IRS has seized all my assets claiming that I'm building the Ark so I can flee the country to avoid paying taxes. I also just got a notice from the state claiming I owe them some kind of user tax and a penalty for failing to register the Ark as a "recreational water craft".
Finally, the ACLU got the courts to issue an injunction against further construction of the Ark, saying that since God is flooding the earth, it is a religious event and therefore, it is unconstitutional.
"I really don't think I can finish the Ark for another 5 or 6 years!" Noah wailed.
Suddenly, the sky began to clear, the sun began to shine and the seas began to calm. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up hopefully, "You mean you are not going to destroy the earth, Lord?"
"No", said the Lord sadly. "I don't have to. The government already has."
