Omar, from Iraq The Model blog asks "Can anyone tell me how can these terrorists be stopped from moving their zone of action to other countries if they weren't intercepted right here and right now?
There's no doubt that once Iraq falls in their hands they will start looking for other battle grounds and they will search for the 'greatest Satan' in other places.
It is the American existence in Iraq that attracted them to a great extent and when there are no Americans in Iraq Al-Qaeda will not simply drop their weapons and start a normal life, they will seek other places where they can find, and kill Americans.
What I want to say here is that it is our fate to fight terrorism on our own land and we (the majority) have accepted to challenge this fate the day we abandoned Saddam and welcomed our freedom but that's not the case for you in America.
Actually we've got no other choice but to fight and keep fighting until we win over the terrorists because otherwise we'll have to submit to their will and the damage would be irreversible.
Fighting terrorism for us in Iraq is a matter of life or death so we have no choice but to keep fighting until we kill or lock in jail every one of them and we're doing this whether the world supported us or not but in case we failed, the consequences will not be confined by Iraq's borders.
You (the west) can step back and wait for the terrorists to knock on your doors at any minute or you can put your s*** together and fight them while they're thousands of miles away.
This is war, it's not a picnic and don't think that we're enjoying it and we're not expecting you to enjoy it either.
By quitting now some might think that needless losses are going to be avoided but that's-in my opinion-is a very shortsighted way of thinking because quitting now will only expose America and the rest of the world to a much greater threat" IRAQ THE MODEL:
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Letters To Elected Officials - A Response
In previous posts I have reacted to the Supreme Court decision regarding seizure of private property for the benefit of other private parties. I wrote to all of my U.S. and State of NC Senators and Representatives requesting that legislation would be introduced and passed into law to protect peoples homes and small businesses.
U.S. Representative Charles Taylor responded to my letter as follows:
"Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the United States Supreme Court ruling regarding property rights. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and greatly benefit from knowing their views.
As you are certainly aware, the United States Supreme Court ruled on June 23, 2005 that local municipalities may force private property owners to sell their land to make way for private economic development when officials decide it would benefit the public. The Court was closely divided on a 5-4 vote. I am extremely disappointed in the actions of the Supreme Court and question the wisdom of this ruling. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been an ardent supporter of private property rights. The ruling of the Court is another example of an excessive government which seeks to seize property which people have earned through years of hard work and wise investment for some false "common good." Please be assured that if legislation is introduced to express Congress' displeasure with this ruling, I will certainly cast my vote in strong support of such a bill.
This emphasizes more and more why we need to get conservative judges into our court system. The original framers of the Constitution allowed, through the Fifth Amendment, for the government to acquire with full compensation such property that might be necessary in emergency situations. It was never the intent of the framers to take someone’s home or property to give it to another private individual or company to enhance their investment."
I have always received a response from Rep. Taylor speaking to whatever issue I wrote to him about. I receive a general letter thanking me for sharing my view from Senator Dole. I never got a single response from letters to John Edwards when he was Senator from NC.
Please consider writing to your legislators concerning the need to protect private property. Think of how many old churches now sit on what is prime land for developers as well as the modest homes and business properties that could generate a greater tax base if confiscated and turned into huge commercial centers or luxury
condos.
U.S. Representative Charles Taylor responded to my letter as follows:
"Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to the United States Supreme Court ruling regarding property rights. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and greatly benefit from knowing their views.
As you are certainly aware, the United States Supreme Court ruled on June 23, 2005 that local municipalities may force private property owners to sell their land to make way for private economic development when officials decide it would benefit the public. The Court was closely divided on a 5-4 vote. I am extremely disappointed in the actions of the Supreme Court and question the wisdom of this ruling. Throughout my time in Congress, I have been an ardent supporter of private property rights. The ruling of the Court is another example of an excessive government which seeks to seize property which people have earned through years of hard work and wise investment for some false "common good." Please be assured that if legislation is introduced to express Congress' displeasure with this ruling, I will certainly cast my vote in strong support of such a bill.
This emphasizes more and more why we need to get conservative judges into our court system. The original framers of the Constitution allowed, through the Fifth Amendment, for the government to acquire with full compensation such property that might be necessary in emergency situations. It was never the intent of the framers to take someone’s home or property to give it to another private individual or company to enhance their investment."
I have always received a response from Rep. Taylor speaking to whatever issue I wrote to him about. I receive a general letter thanking me for sharing my view from Senator Dole. I never got a single response from letters to John Edwards when he was Senator from NC.
Please consider writing to your legislators concerning the need to protect private property. Think of how many old churches now sit on what is prime land for developers as well as the modest homes and business properties that could generate a greater tax base if confiscated and turned into huge commercial centers or luxury
condos.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Experts Warn Houses of Worship at Risk After Court Ruling - Christianity Today Magazine
Experts Warn Houses of Worship at Risk After Court Ruling - Christianity Today Magazine: "Religious institutions may be more vulnerable to takeover through eminent domain after Thursday's (June 23) Supreme Court ruling that gives local governments greater power to seize properties for private economic development, according to some religious and civil rights advocacy groups.
Churches, mosques, synagogues and other nonprofit religious entities are considered especially at threat because they generate no tax revenue for cities, while developments like hotels or shopping malls are seen to be economic boons for urban renewal projects."
Churches, mosques, synagogues and other nonprofit religious entities are considered especially at threat because they generate no tax revenue for cities, while developments like hotels or shopping malls are seen to be economic boons for urban renewal projects."
Monday, June 27, 2005
Castle Coalition: Fighting For Property Rights
With the new Supreme Court decision that a government body can take anyone's private property and allow a non governmental business to take it over led me to join the Casle Coalition. When I first learned about "Kelo" I thought it involved people in New London alone. I encourage you to check out this link and check out links to organizations. This gives a brief description of SEVENTEEN groups fighting for property owners all across the country. We must unite and get the message through to our Senators and Representatives that we will not stand for this and they are in a position to offer legislation to block this assault on our rights to own property. For those who rent their apartments or homes, you are not immune because your residence could be seized to make room for luxury apartments or condos.Castle Coalition: What's New
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Eighth Grade Education
Eighth Grade Exam in l895 Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? well, check this out. Could any of us have passed the 8th grade in 1895? This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in
Salina, KS, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.
8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS -1895
Grammar
(Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of"lie,"
"play," and "run."
5. Define case; Illustrate each case.
6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show there in that you
understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.
Arithmetic
(Time, 1.25 hours)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many
bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel,
deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy
to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for
incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20
per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of
which is 640 rods? 10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
U.S. History
(Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States.
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn,
and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800,
1849, 1865 .
Orthography
(Time, one hour) Do we even know what this is??
1. What is meant by the following: Alphabet, phonetic, orthography,
etymology, syllabication?
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: Trigraph,
subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions
under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi,
dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name
the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise,
blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane,
fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.
Geography
(Time, one hour)
1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America.
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba,
Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco.
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same
latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the
sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the
earth.
I received the above in an Email.
Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete. Gives the saying "he
only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Also shows
you how poor our education system has become... and, NO! I may have a Masters degree, but I don't have the answers.
Salina, KS, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.
8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS -1895
Grammar
(Time, one hour)
1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.
2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.
3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph.
4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of"lie,"
"play," and "run."
5. Define case; Illustrate each case.
6. What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.
7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show there in that you
understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.
Arithmetic
(Time, 1.25 hours)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many
bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel,
deducting 1050 lbs. for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy
to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for
incidentals?
5. Find the cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20
per metre?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of
which is 640 rods? 10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
U.S. History
(Time, 45 minutes)
1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided.
2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.
3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.
4. Show the territorial growth of the United States.
5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.
6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.
7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn,
and Howe?
8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800,
1849, 1865 .
Orthography
(Time, one hour) Do we even know what this is??
1. What is meant by the following: Alphabet, phonetic, orthography,
etymology, syllabication?
2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?
3. What are the following, and give examples of each: Trigraph,
subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals
4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)
5. Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions
under each rule.
6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.
7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi,
dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.
8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name
the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise,
blood, fare, last.
9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane,
fain, feign, vane, vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.
10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation use of diacritical marks and by syllabication.
Geography
(Time, one hour)
1. What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?
2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?
3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?
4. Describe the mountains of North America.
5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba,
Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco.
6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.
7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.
8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same
latitude?
9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the
sources of rivers.
10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the
earth.
I received the above in an Email.
Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete. Gives the saying "he
only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning, doesn't it? Also shows
you how poor our education system has become... and, NO! I may have a Masters degree, but I don't have the answers.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Congress Must Act
Today's Supreme Court ruling that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development must not stand. Since the Supremes will not protect individual rights, Congress must. Please write to your elected representative and senators and demand they write a bill prohibiting this. I do not own property in the area that brought this to the US Supreme Court, but if they can do this in Connecticut, they can do this in any state. This violates individual property rights. Eminent Domain should pertain only to forcing sale of property that is needed for the wellbeing of society such as roads, community hospitals or schools.
To allow the seizure of private property for private development to increase the tax base for a community is a threat to all of us.
To allow the seizure of private property for private development to increase the tax base for a community is a threat to all of us.
Individual's Rights Have Taken a Major Hit
Supreme Court Rules Cities May Seize Homes: "WASHINGTON -- A divided Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights.
The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.
As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been a key swing vote on many cases before the court, issued a stinging dissent. She argued that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers."
I have no dog in this particular fight since I very much doubt that my local government has any plans at present for the use of my property. What is at stake is that local governments are often swayed by the people with money to fund their campaigns for election no matter what their party affiliation may be. I doubt very much that business developers select property in the more affluent areas of homes but rather the modest properties owned by families who have spent their lives investing their funds to provide a comfortable home for their families. To me, this is just not fair.
The 5-4 ruling represented a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are slated for destruction to make room for an office complex. They argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.
As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has been a key swing vote on many cases before the court, issued a stinging dissent. She argued that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers."
I have no dog in this particular fight since I very much doubt that my local government has any plans at present for the use of my property. What is at stake is that local governments are often swayed by the people with money to fund their campaigns for election no matter what their party affiliation may be. I doubt very much that business developers select property in the more affluent areas of homes but rather the modest properties owned by families who have spent their lives investing their funds to provide a comfortable home for their families. To me, this is just not fair.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
The Game Goes On
In an attempt to safeguard his political career, Dick Durbin finally offered an apology to those who misunderstood him. As he dropped the ball in the fight against President Bush and his administration, Nancy Pelosi was right there to capture the ball and keep on dribbling. To my knowledge, neither has visited Gitmo and they have evidently discounted any positive thing that has occurred because of interrogation. The Democrats seem to seek the negative while being blind to the comments of others who actually served at Gitmo. Have they ever read the policies under which our soldiers function at Gitmo?
Dick Durbin has not retracted his statement by saying it was wrong or in error--he simply selected poor analogies and the American public is to stupid to understand. Finally, he is brought almost to tears as he is forced to utter a statement that resembles an apology. If he can cry because he has been humbled by the outcry of citizens and our military can he not have some empathy with those serving our nation at Gitmo if on rare occasion they respond to having feces, urine and spit targeted at them. The military have indeed provided those who would kill us very humane treatment.
Dick Durbin has not retracted his statement by saying it was wrong or in error--he simply selected poor analogies and the American public is to stupid to understand. Finally, he is brought almost to tears as he is forced to utter a statement that resembles an apology. If he can cry because he has been humbled by the outcry of citizens and our military can he not have some empathy with those serving our nation at Gitmo if on rare occasion they respond to having feces, urine and spit targeted at them. The military have indeed provided those who would kill us very humane treatment.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Wake Up Arabs! America is Not the Enemy!
The views of a Saudi woman regarding the USA is a day brightener.Wake Up Arabs! America is Not the Enemy!
The Way It Was
"There are some timid ones among us who say that we must preserve peace at any price -- lest we lose our liberties forever.
To them I say this: never in the history of the world has a Nation lost its democracy by a successful struggle to defend its democracy. We must not be defeated by the fear of the very danger which we are preparing to resist. Our freedom has shown its ability to survive war, but our freedom would never survive surrender. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
There is, of course, a small group of sincere, patriotic men and women whose real passion for peace has shut their eyes to the ugly realities of international banditry and to the need to resist it at all costs. I am sure they are embarrassed by the sinister support they are receiving from the enemies of democracy in our midst -- the Bundists, the Fascists, and Communists, and every group devoted to bigotry and racial and religious intolerance. It is no mere coincidence that all the arguments put forward by these enemies of democracy -- all their attempts to confuse and divide our people and to destroy public confidence in our Government -- all their defeatist forebodings that Britain and democracy are already beaten -- all their selfish promises that we can "do business" with Hitler -- all of these are but echoes of the words that have been poured out from the Axis bureaus of propaganda. Those same words have been used before in other countries -- to scare them, to divide them, to soften them up. Invariably, those same words have formed the advance guard of physical attack.
Your Government has the right to expect of all citizens that they take part in the common work of our common defense -- take loyal part from this moment forward.
I have recently set up the machinery for civilian defense. It will rapidly organize, locality by locality. It will depend on the organized effort of men and women everywhere. All will have opportunities and responsibilities to fulfill.
Defense today means more than merely fighting. It means morale, civilian as well as military; it means using every available resource; it means enlarging every useful plant. It means the use of a greater American common sense in discarding rumor and distorted statement. It means recognizing, for what they are, racketeers and fifth columnists, who are the incendiary bombs in this country of the moment."(my emphasis)
If you noticed the quotation marks, you realise this did not originate with me. Do you know who said these words? None other than the President of the United States in a Radio Address Announcing the Proclamation of an Unlimited National Emergency, "We Choose Human Freedom" May 27, 1941FDR RadioAddress
To them I say this: never in the history of the world has a Nation lost its democracy by a successful struggle to defend its democracy. We must not be defeated by the fear of the very danger which we are preparing to resist. Our freedom has shown its ability to survive war, but our freedom would never survive surrender. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
There is, of course, a small group of sincere, patriotic men and women whose real passion for peace has shut their eyes to the ugly realities of international banditry and to the need to resist it at all costs. I am sure they are embarrassed by the sinister support they are receiving from the enemies of democracy in our midst -- the Bundists, the Fascists, and Communists, and every group devoted to bigotry and racial and religious intolerance. It is no mere coincidence that all the arguments put forward by these enemies of democracy -- all their attempts to confuse and divide our people and to destroy public confidence in our Government -- all their defeatist forebodings that Britain and democracy are already beaten -- all their selfish promises that we can "do business" with Hitler -- all of these are but echoes of the words that have been poured out from the Axis bureaus of propaganda. Those same words have been used before in other countries -- to scare them, to divide them, to soften them up. Invariably, those same words have formed the advance guard of physical attack.
Your Government has the right to expect of all citizens that they take part in the common work of our common defense -- take loyal part from this moment forward.
I have recently set up the machinery for civilian defense. It will rapidly organize, locality by locality. It will depend on the organized effort of men and women everywhere. All will have opportunities and responsibilities to fulfill.
Defense today means more than merely fighting. It means morale, civilian as well as military; it means using every available resource; it means enlarging every useful plant. It means the use of a greater American common sense in discarding rumor and distorted statement. It means recognizing, for what they are, racketeers and fifth columnists, who are the incendiary bombs in this country of the moment."(my emphasis)
If you noticed the quotation marks, you realise this did not originate with me. Do you know who said these words? None other than the President of the United States in a Radio Address Announcing the Proclamation of an Unlimited National Emergency, "We Choose Human Freedom" May 27, 1941FDR RadioAddress
Monday, June 20, 2005
The Fourth Rail: In Response to a Question
Grim's take on whether we are winning or losing in Iraq is well worth reading.
The Fourth Rail: In Response to a Question
The Fourth Rail: In Response to a Question
Saturday, June 18, 2005
News From Iraq's Front Line
I have in previous posts recommended Michael Yon's blog about current events in Iraq. He has posted once again and I have excerpted what reads like his mission statement.
"I came to Iraq to walk the line. Modesty demands that I qualify this by saying I am not placing myself on a level of greatness of any of these men. I just happen to follow that same principle. Here in Iraq, where so many things are so very different from the way they are reported in the mainstream media, I am actively guided by the advice of these men every step of the way.I did not come to Iraq with the intention of having someone tell me what the people on the "front lines" were thinking and feeling. I came to see with my own eyes. "LINK
On Michael's most interesting blog, there is an area where you can sign up to be notified when he posts. He frequently includes photos along with the information about what our military are doing as well as Iraqis he meets. Try reading it once and I am quite certain you will return as often as he posts.
"I came to Iraq to walk the line. Modesty demands that I qualify this by saying I am not placing myself on a level of greatness of any of these men. I just happen to follow that same principle. Here in Iraq, where so many things are so very different from the way they are reported in the mainstream media, I am actively guided by the advice of these men every step of the way.I did not come to Iraq with the intention of having someone tell me what the people on the "front lines" were thinking and feeling. I came to see with my own eyes. "LINK
On Michael's most interesting blog, there is an area where you can sign up to be notified when he posts. He frequently includes photos along with the information about what our military are doing as well as Iraqis he meets. Try reading it once and I am quite certain you will return as often as he posts.
The UN
Much has been written about the failings of the UN with oil for food, rape by UN peacekeepers etc. Congress is now considering holding part of the US contribution to the supportg of this organization unless some important changes are made. I am uncertain as to whether this would increase our position within this organization or weaken it. Arguments from both sides have some rationality. What I am certain of is that the UN is in great need of overhaul and one of the greatest needs is to reign in it's interference with sovereign countries right to protect it's unborn. World security should be it's concern and the protection of life in all nations so that it can intervene in cases of genocide, civil wars, nuclear capabilities by non democratic nations etc. It should stop interfering with the laws extablished by a nation's constitution or passed by the elected members of a sovereign nations legislative body.
"STRASBOURG, June 17, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) " A Polish woman who claims her health was in jeopardy because of a pregnancy has taken her case to the European Union's court of human rights.
The UN Human Rights Committee, at the conclusion of a review of Poland's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in October, demanded that the mostly-Catholic nation “liberalize” its abortion laws and thereby allow the killing of pre-born children.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
U.N. Demands Poland Overturn Laws against Abortion
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/nov/041109a.html
Poland Wants Assurance EU Treaty Will Not Hamper Pro-Life Laws
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/jan/03012906.html
Polish Leaders Reject "Pro-Abortion Pressure" From European Parliament
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/jul/02070403.html
ourt of human rights."
"STRASBOURG, June 17, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) " A Polish woman who claims her health was in jeopardy because of a pregnancy has taken her case to the European Union's court of human rights.
The UN Human Rights Committee, at the conclusion of a review of Poland's compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in October, demanded that the mostly-Catholic nation “liberalize” its abortion laws and thereby allow the killing of pre-born children.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
U.N. Demands Poland Overturn Laws against Abortion
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/nov/041109a.html
Poland Wants Assurance EU Treaty Will Not Hamper Pro-Life Laws
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/jan/03012906.html
Polish Leaders Reject "Pro-Abortion Pressure" From European Parliament
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/jul/02070403.html
ourt of human rights."
Friday, June 17, 2005
More Prisoner Mistreatment
Senator Durbin is so concerned about humane treatment that he is now featured on Al J TV as an example of how our national leaders have to admit how bad we Americans are. A good response to Durbin's concern for prisoner treatment is found closer to home according to Captain's QuartersLINK: "However, in his zeal to protect America from the Creeping New FascismTM of American servicemen, Durbin somehow missed an opportunity to find similar horrors much closer to home. John in Carolina notes that Durbin's political ally and fellow Democrat in Chicago, Cook County Sheriff Michael Sheahan, operates a jail that sounds like it has a lot more problems than Gitmo or anything else run by the American military."
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Embryonic Stem Cells -- Hope and Hype
"The prestigious British medical journal has denounced media claims that cures for diseases from embryo stem cells are around the corner. Calling it �sensationalist� and �hype.� In a June 4th editorial titled "Stem cell research: hope and hype," The Lancet warns that "no safe and effective stem cell therapy will be widely available for at least a decade, and possibly longer.�
While this warning may be true for stem cell therapies derived from human embryos, the Lancet mentions that the future of stem cell therapies is far from dead in the water. Dozens of diseases are currently giving way in experiments to treatment with adult stem cells. Several forms of cancer are already routinely treated using the patient's own stem cells derived from his blood or bone marrow.
The Lancet quotes Neil Scolding, a British neurology researcher at the University of Bristol saying, "(An) increasing appreciation of the hazards of embryonic stem cells has rightly prevented the emergence or immediate prospect of any clinical therapies based on such cells. The natural propensity of embryonic stem cells to form [tumors], their exhibition of chromosomal abnormalities, and abnormalities in cloned mammals all present difficulties."
(Lifesite News.com 6/15/05)
I have posted on this topic before and would encourage continued, extensive research into the use of adult stem cells and those found in placentas and cord blood. These have been documented to be effective in various disease states. Embryonic stem cells, requiring the destruction of potential human life, have not had positive findings. Why should research dollars continue to be spent on potential life destroying techniques rather than being spent on the form of stem cell research that has been more promising?
While this warning may be true for stem cell therapies derived from human embryos, the Lancet mentions that the future of stem cell therapies is far from dead in the water. Dozens of diseases are currently giving way in experiments to treatment with adult stem cells. Several forms of cancer are already routinely treated using the patient's own stem cells derived from his blood or bone marrow.
The Lancet quotes Neil Scolding, a British neurology researcher at the University of Bristol saying, "(An) increasing appreciation of the hazards of embryonic stem cells has rightly prevented the emergence or immediate prospect of any clinical therapies based on such cells. The natural propensity of embryonic stem cells to form [tumors], their exhibition of chromosomal abnormalities, and abnormalities in cloned mammals all present difficulties."
(Lifesite News.com 6/15/05)
I have posted on this topic before and would encourage continued, extensive research into the use of adult stem cells and those found in placentas and cord blood. These have been documented to be effective in various disease states. Embryonic stem cells, requiring the destruction of potential human life, have not had positive findings. Why should research dollars continue to be spent on potential life destroying techniques rather than being spent on the form of stem cell research that has been more promising?
Monday, June 13, 2005
My Thoughts on Gitmo
Much is being talked and written about "torture and abuse" at Gitmo. Organizations and non Americans have told us again and again how horrid Americans are. That Americans who proclaim their patriotism join in on these accusations is something I will never understand. Why this occurs is something that has developed in the past fifty years. Last night I watched War Stories about the first black pilots who functioned so heroically and with such patriotism while still subjected to racial separation in the service and the very overt racism at home. One of these distinguished black Americans said something to the effect that "we were Americans at war and we did our best for our country no matter how the racism hurt. We put that aside and fought for our country." That is not an exact quote but conveys the message he spoke.
My question to the politicians and ordinary Americans is why could these black patriots overlook their common mistreatment by fellow citizens and still offer their best to their country because "we are at war".The elected minority leaders along with those who did not support the USA going to war would rather criticize our nation because their personal wishes are not the policy of the land. WE ARE AT WAR!
I agree we hold ourselves to a higher standard than the atrocities that have been committed against our captive military in previous wars. I am against inflicting severe bodily harm to any human being. Eliciting fear in those enemies caught on the battlefield fighting against us is hardly something to wine about. Sleep deprivation eventually may lead to eliciting information and in my way of thinking is not torture or abuse. If this is decided to be abuse, I look for the arrest and arraignment of all colicky newborns for the torture and abuse of their parents due to inflicting sleep deprivation. Humiliation is survivable and I doubt there are many Americans who have not been subjected to such humiliation. Remember being forced to take showers in view of others following phys ed classes? This may not be common today, but it was frequently done to many of us during our prepubescent years while many were ahead or behind in developing the expected changes in our bodies. Somehow we survived this torture and abuse.
I am proud of the humane way in which these deadly prisoners have been treated (with a few exceptions) in that our government feeds, clothes, provides for personal hygiene and provides for their religious practices. We did not have to provide Korans, paint arrows pointing to Mecca, sound the prayer times etc. for this group of killers.
We are and have been respectful of their basic physical and spiritual needs. Emotional pain is surely not greater in these terrorists than the emotional pain experienced by families sending off their loved ones to serve our nation in dangerous areas or the emotional pain of seeing a loved one comes home lacking limbs, vision and even life. This is emotional stress that I doubt very much these terrorists feel.
If we close the prison, do Americans really want them to be housed on US soil, in our prisons and pay for their legal defense? Are these men who have killed or attempted to kill our military to be treated as if they deserve our constitutional guarantees which belong to our citizens? Are those who most loudly protest the lack of legal representation members of the legal profession who can bill our government for legal fees and jam up our already overcrowded courts. Are American citizens awaiting court dates to b e held for longer periods of time while our courts and judges do all they can to assist terrorists get their day in court?
I believe they should continue to be held so long as WE ARE AT WAR! Final adjudication can wait until terrorists cease their activities. Then send them home for time served or turn them over to their own governments for trial and punishment if found guilty under their countries legal systems.
In the meantime, the focus belongs on our brave military and the families who support them. We hear little of the good deeds, the heroism and downright human goodness demonstrated by the majority of those who serve. Let us support and honor them now and when they return home so that never again do our men and women in uniform need to wait forty years or so be recognized for their service and for their worth to our nation. Read the post below regarding the experience of a Vietnam Vet and Ann Margaret.
My question to the politicians and ordinary Americans is why could these black patriots overlook their common mistreatment by fellow citizens and still offer their best to their country because "we are at war".The elected minority leaders along with those who did not support the USA going to war would rather criticize our nation because their personal wishes are not the policy of the land. WE ARE AT WAR!
I agree we hold ourselves to a higher standard than the atrocities that have been committed against our captive military in previous wars. I am against inflicting severe bodily harm to any human being. Eliciting fear in those enemies caught on the battlefield fighting against us is hardly something to wine about. Sleep deprivation eventually may lead to eliciting information and in my way of thinking is not torture or abuse. If this is decided to be abuse, I look for the arrest and arraignment of all colicky newborns for the torture and abuse of their parents due to inflicting sleep deprivation. Humiliation is survivable and I doubt there are many Americans who have not been subjected to such humiliation. Remember being forced to take showers in view of others following phys ed classes? This may not be common today, but it was frequently done to many of us during our prepubescent years while many were ahead or behind in developing the expected changes in our bodies. Somehow we survived this torture and abuse.
I am proud of the humane way in which these deadly prisoners have been treated (with a few exceptions) in that our government feeds, clothes, provides for personal hygiene and provides for their religious practices. We did not have to provide Korans, paint arrows pointing to Mecca, sound the prayer times etc. for this group of killers.
We are and have been respectful of their basic physical and spiritual needs. Emotional pain is surely not greater in these terrorists than the emotional pain experienced by families sending off their loved ones to serve our nation in dangerous areas or the emotional pain of seeing a loved one comes home lacking limbs, vision and even life. This is emotional stress that I doubt very much these terrorists feel.
If we close the prison, do Americans really want them to be housed on US soil, in our prisons and pay for their legal defense? Are these men who have killed or attempted to kill our military to be treated as if they deserve our constitutional guarantees which belong to our citizens? Are those who most loudly protest the lack of legal representation members of the legal profession who can bill our government for legal fees and jam up our already overcrowded courts. Are American citizens awaiting court dates to b e held for longer periods of time while our courts and judges do all they can to assist terrorists get their day in court?
I believe they should continue to be held so long as WE ARE AT WAR! Final adjudication can wait until terrorists cease their activities. Then send them home for time served or turn them over to their own governments for trial and punishment if found guilty under their countries legal systems.
In the meantime, the focus belongs on our brave military and the families who support them. We hear little of the good deeds, the heroism and downright human goodness demonstrated by the majority of those who serve. Let us support and honor them now and when they return home so that never again do our men and women in uniform need to wait forty years or so be recognized for their service and for their worth to our nation. Read the post below regarding the experience of a Vietnam Vet and Ann Margaret.
Ann Margaret Understands
This is a good counter balance story to the
Jane Fonda/Vietnam/ Woman Of The Year Story
Ann Margaret
Viet Nam 1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand I just wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
This tale is not mine, it coms from an Email but I wanted to share it.
Jane Fonda/Vietnam/ Woman Of The Year Story
Ann Margaret
Viet Nam 1966
Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Viet Nam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.
A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing.
When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.
Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.
He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand I just wanted her to see it."
She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Viet Nam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"
With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.
Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said.
That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.
I now make it a point to say "Thank you" to every person I come across who served in our Armed Forces. Freedom does not come cheap and I am grateful for all those who have served their country.
This tale is not mine, it coms from an Email but I wanted to share it.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Take Back The Memorial
Please visit this site and write to the people who can help keep the 9/11 Memorial a tribute to the victims of 9/11 and the American heroes who sought to rescue and save the victims. Memories of Indian genocide, slavery, holocaust, etc. can find another site to promote whatever the supporters agenda is. This is not appropriate at the site of the twin towers.Take Back The Memorial
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Spelling???
Remember how hard we tried to learn to spell correctly?
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid! Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deson't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tohught slpeling was ipmotrant.
From an Email
I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid! Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde
Uinervtisy, it deson't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tohught slpeling was ipmotrant.
From an Email
Monday, June 06, 2005
Medical Use of Marijuana
I have never in my life used marijuana and I am personally against the use of illegal drugs. I do feel the Supremes are in error in outlawing the use of marijuana as medicine when prescribed by a licensed physician.
The Supreme court has now decreed that the use of marijuana as a prescription medicine can be prosecuted by federal law enforcement. We have for years allowed citizens to use narcotics when prescribed by a licensed physician. I fail to see why marijuana is any different.
Prosecution of licensed doctors who casually prescribe either marijuana or narcotics would seem a better choice. Misuse of a license to prescribe drugs is an enforceable law in all states which can take away licenses. Pharmaceutical grade marijuana, sold only in Pharmacies by prescription would help prevent persons from getting adulterated drugs as well as offer a means to control it's sale just as narcotics are accounted for. Arguing that patients would sell unused dosage is no greater with this drug than any other prescription medicine. This to me is a weak argument since scripts can be written to the need of the patient. If they need one daily dose, the script will call for smaller quantity than for a person who requires this four times a day.
Allowing sick people to suffer without adequate relief because a drug is misused by some is cruel and unjust. You can argue that scientific studies have not demonstrated medical benefits. Many sick people will tell you this is the only thing that provides relief. Morphine has long been the standard by which efficacy of other pain killers is compared. Morphine, codeine, heroin are all derivatives of Opium. My body does not achieve any relief from opiate drugs. I found this out after major surgery as a teenager. Doctors have tried to give me codeine, offered oxycodone etc. for relief of severe pain. Vioxx helped me while the other cox inhibitors did not. Demerol relieves my pain but is too addictive to use as freely as used after surgery. Does my experience with my idiosyncrasy perhaps apply to some who find relief using marijuana? I believe it just might. Who is better able to judge the effectiveness of a drug than the patient for whom it is prescribed? Pain and nausea do not have an objective measure. In medicine, there is a subjective pain scale. The patient is asked to rank their pain on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most severe, debilitating pain. In my career, I have seen many under medicated patients because of excessive caution on the part of a doctor. Use of patient controlled analgesia and the great efforts a few years ago to prescribe adequate pain relief have perhaps helped some. Now we have judges practicing medicine by determining what drug may legally be prescribed despite what individual state legislatures have approved. Not only is this a disservice to persons who find some relief from the drug, it is also trampling on the rights of states to determine law in their respective state.
I live with pain of 3 to 4 on the 10 point scale. This definitely has altered the quality of my life and decreased my ability to be physically active. My physician will prescribe Demerol if I tell him I need it. I have some of my old prescription from recent knee replacement surgery that I have not used more than the first day I returned home. I am unable to take many medications because of requiring coumadin for a blood problem. If it were legal and my pain increased, I would be willing to give any new medicine my doctor prescribed a chance. It seems to me that the use of marijuana has been tested over many years of illegal use and as of yet, I have not known it to increase the chance of heart attack or stroke as with my previous, prescribed pain killer.
The Supreme court has now decreed that the use of marijuana as a prescription medicine can be prosecuted by federal law enforcement. We have for years allowed citizens to use narcotics when prescribed by a licensed physician. I fail to see why marijuana is any different.
Prosecution of licensed doctors who casually prescribe either marijuana or narcotics would seem a better choice. Misuse of a license to prescribe drugs is an enforceable law in all states which can take away licenses. Pharmaceutical grade marijuana, sold only in Pharmacies by prescription would help prevent persons from getting adulterated drugs as well as offer a means to control it's sale just as narcotics are accounted for. Arguing that patients would sell unused dosage is no greater with this drug than any other prescription medicine. This to me is a weak argument since scripts can be written to the need of the patient. If they need one daily dose, the script will call for smaller quantity than for a person who requires this four times a day.
Allowing sick people to suffer without adequate relief because a drug is misused by some is cruel and unjust. You can argue that scientific studies have not demonstrated medical benefits. Many sick people will tell you this is the only thing that provides relief. Morphine has long been the standard by which efficacy of other pain killers is compared. Morphine, codeine, heroin are all derivatives of Opium. My body does not achieve any relief from opiate drugs. I found this out after major surgery as a teenager. Doctors have tried to give me codeine, offered oxycodone etc. for relief of severe pain. Vioxx helped me while the other cox inhibitors did not. Demerol relieves my pain but is too addictive to use as freely as used after surgery. Does my experience with my idiosyncrasy perhaps apply to some who find relief using marijuana? I believe it just might. Who is better able to judge the effectiveness of a drug than the patient for whom it is prescribed? Pain and nausea do not have an objective measure. In medicine, there is a subjective pain scale. The patient is asked to rank their pain on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most severe, debilitating pain. In my career, I have seen many under medicated patients because of excessive caution on the part of a doctor. Use of patient controlled analgesia and the great efforts a few years ago to prescribe adequate pain relief have perhaps helped some. Now we have judges practicing medicine by determining what drug may legally be prescribed despite what individual state legislatures have approved. Not only is this a disservice to persons who find some relief from the drug, it is also trampling on the rights of states to determine law in their respective state.
I live with pain of 3 to 4 on the 10 point scale. This definitely has altered the quality of my life and decreased my ability to be physically active. My physician will prescribe Demerol if I tell him I need it. I have some of my old prescription from recent knee replacement surgery that I have not used more than the first day I returned home. I am unable to take many medications because of requiring coumadin for a blood problem. If it were legal and my pain increased, I would be willing to give any new medicine my doctor prescribed a chance. It seems to me that the use of marijuana has been tested over many years of illegal use and as of yet, I have not known it to increase the chance of heart attack or stroke as with my previous, prescribed pain killer.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
A Good read
The Fact Is Home Page: "The Intolerance Of Absolute Moral Relativists
The law of non-contradiction holds that two statements which are logically contradictory cannot both be true. For example, either there is a God or there is no God. If there is a God, either He is just or He is not just. Now if God is just, then He would have to reveal the criteria by which He will execute justice, because it certainly wouldn't be just to judge people without informing them ahead of time as to which behaviors will be condemned.
Moral relativists insist that no one can know for sure if there is a God, if He is just, or what his criteria for judgment might be. Therefore, everyone is free to decide for himself what is right and what is wrong.
This may sound tolerant and accepting, but in fact most of those who claim to be tolerant moral relativists are actually absolutists. They neither respect nor tolerate any opinion but their own. They are absolutely certain that anyone who believes that a loving God would not leave us in the dark as to what right and wrong is not only personally deceived, but actively trying to deceive others.
Absolute moral relativists believe that their opinions about what is right and what is wrong are correct and they want their opinions enforced by law. For example, most absolute moral relativists believe:
that women have an inalienable right to abortion
that any law that interferes in anyway with a woman's exercise of that 'right' is evil
that no one who does not accept abortion as a human right should be allowed to be a federal judge
This is, of course, what the entire debate about the appointment of judges by President Bush is really all about.
And there are other 'rights' about which absolute moral relativists are absolutely sure...
Read the article for more
The law of non-contradiction holds that two statements which are logically contradictory cannot both be true. For example, either there is a God or there is no God. If there is a God, either He is just or He is not just. Now if God is just, then He would have to reveal the criteria by which He will execute justice, because it certainly wouldn't be just to judge people without informing them ahead of time as to which behaviors will be condemned.
Moral relativists insist that no one can know for sure if there is a God, if He is just, or what his criteria for judgment might be. Therefore, everyone is free to decide for himself what is right and what is wrong.
This may sound tolerant and accepting, but in fact most of those who claim to be tolerant moral relativists are actually absolutists. They neither respect nor tolerate any opinion but their own. They are absolutely certain that anyone who believes that a loving God would not leave us in the dark as to what right and wrong is not only personally deceived, but actively trying to deceive others.
Absolute moral relativists believe that their opinions about what is right and what is wrong are correct and they want their opinions enforced by law. For example, most absolute moral relativists believe:
that women have an inalienable right to abortion
that any law that interferes in anyway with a woman's exercise of that 'right' is evil
that no one who does not accept abortion as a human right should be allowed to be a federal judge
This is, of course, what the entire debate about the appointment of judges by President Bush is really all about.
And there are other 'rights' about which absolute moral relativists are absolutely sure...
Read the article for more
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