An Answer for Stephen

A bit ago in the comments for my Liberals Hate Children posting I had a commenter ask why I voted for Bush. In his 2 comments it was also implied that I should be in favor of government social programs because Jesus would want me to. This is my reply to Stephen...


Comment: - quote -
Seriously though Paul, all jokes and sarcasm aside:

You come across as a very nice guy to me, who cares about his community and family. I'd expect a man like you to have a real sense of humanity and a social conscience.

Chances are however that you voted Bush.
I really can't understand why people on the right wing (in the sense of 'moral' issues) seem to vote GOP.

Bush in my opinion is not a good person.

A man who is big on war and invasion. A man who has put many people (including children) to death, directly violating UN charters. A man who is responsible for a lot of death in Iraq, and a man who I believe is lying to the American people - telling them what they want to hear about morality and pumping them full of fear. A man who clearly supports the rich.

Are these the teachings of Jesus?

Don't get me wrong, I accept fully Bush's right to rule having got a decent majority this time around, it just perplexes me to think why so many voted for him.

Obviously, J Kerry wasn't a formidable opponent, but why did you Americans vote for Bush?

(Please don't respond aggressively, I'm genuinely interested)
- end quote -
Answer to Stephen's Questions

First of all I am going to assume that you are a Christian by choice and not a Christian as a result of heritage. By this I mean that at some point in your life you have personally met the risen Christ, made a choice to trust in Him for salvation and don't merely call yourself a Christian because your parents took you to that type of church. I've met people of many faiths and religions who fall into the latter category and I hope you fall into the first.

I notice from what you have written a lot of statements that could have been taken from talking points of John Kerry's election campaign. Indeed these points could be taken from most U.S. Democratic politicians, the hate Bush at every turn group and the Mainstream Media throughout the world. Bush is an evil liar, war is killing children in Iraq, socialism is the route for good Christians to go, etc. etc. etc....

I would suggest you take a good look at what the mainstream media (MSM) is feeding you and compare it with the Truth. I say Truth with a capital T because if you inspect the MSM you can see many times that simple bloggers have pulled them down because their veracity is very dubious in the majority of what they project. As you may have noticed recently NewsWeek was caught telling lies (Check also Dan Rather, Eason Jordan, ad infinitum...) about the flushing of a Koran down a toilet. Never mind that 99% of toilets would clog quickly, they printed the story. People have died as a result of this 'news' and then they turn around and blame Bush's administration for not telling them to not print the story.

The truth is that the U.S. soldiers are the ones providing Korans to the prisoners that are being held to protect their own countrymen. I understand that the U.S. soldiers have a special protocol in handling these books even wearing gloves as they are passed out. Prisoners themselves are the most likely source of the story.

Did Newsweek volunteer any of this info? No. Will they tell the world of this? Probably not. Why? Because they have an agenda to deceive. It is only because of the internet that they are loosing the power to keep us in the dark.

I said that to show you that the source of your questions is questionable in itself. If you are a true Christian and know Jesus in a personal way I'm confident that you would prefer the truth over living in a lie.

Well, here is some more truth. Bush is not an evil liar like the MSM would like you to believe. The U.N. had sanctions against Iraq and were not enforcing them due to the Oil for Food program. The fact that there have been no Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD's) found in Iraq does not destroy the fact that Saddam Hussein used gas weapons against his own people. Bill Clinton, John Kerry and many people against Bush and the war in Iraq declared that Saddam had the weapons and it wasn't until after the U.S. went in and did not find them readily available that they started screaming Bush lied. Do they mention that they lied too? How often do they point out the other, MAIN reasons the U.S. went to war with Saddam Hussein? He DID harbor terrorists (we keep finding them there). His presence caused instability in the region and he was a murderous dictator. In fact Eason Jordan wrote an article that his news organization had been NOT reporting the truth concerning Saddam and thereby allowing his crimes to go unreported. Do you really want to trust the news source that allows 11 year old girls to be raped by a dictator's sons because the news source didn't want to get kicked out of the country and lose their source for news. What is the sense of that? I think it is criminal and not the way to run a good news business. News business's should be in the business of reporting facts and leaving the editorial style adjectives off the front page.

Next time you see a news article on President Bush try highlighting the adjectives. See how many are negative fluff that really add nothing to the facts in the story.

The Anti Bush crowd were mistaken just as Bush was. They were trusting in intelligence data that was accrued during the Clinton administration. I will admit it was not smart of Bush to believe anything that came from this impeached president's term of office In fact, did you know that many people still working in our government received their jobs as a direct result of Bill Clinton. You know him. The 'impeached for lying to a court while under oath' president. I figure that if these people love the real liar they would not be above leaking lies to the press. Lies like flushing a Koran down a toilet... Newsweek has yet to let us know who the 'government source' was. Our government does not fire everyone from the previous administration because these people are not supposed to be for the political party but instead should be for the nation. In their misguided beliefs they feel that hurting Bush will help the nation.

The war in Iraq has been a good thing. Ask the people with purple fingers and thumbs that voted. Ask the children there that will not be raped by Sadamm's boys. Ask the people that will not end up in a mass grave. Ask the people that have started local newspapers with freedom of speech. Ask the people that have started businesses. Ask the girls that can now go to school. Ask the women that are not forced to wear burkas. Ask the women that will not be raped and then murdered because they 'cheated on their husbands'. Ask the boatmen whose marshes have been returned from opening Sadamm's dams. Ask the birds that have returned to the marshes. Ask the people that can raise their voices against the U.S. because we give them freedom of speech.

If we wanted their oil we could have walked in and taken it. In fact it would have been easier to take over Mexico and steal their oil. It is a lot closer. The U.S. is not in the business of colonizing other nations. We will however defend our interests. One of those interests is not having terrorists fly planes into our buildings. Even at this point I would like you to take a close look at the way these prisoners are really treated. How many come out of prison looking like the gaunt skeletons from Hitler's camps? Abu Garab was not the norm. It was an aberration.

Enough on the war and Bush. Let us turn to social issues. I'm sure you have heard the saying that, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for his life".

How many poor people do you know that give others jobs? Thousands? Hundreds? Dozens? I think not. Poor people do not give jobs to anyone. Except perhaps government employees. (More on this later)

Poor people go to business owners for jobs and business owners are not poor. This has been the way of things since before Buddha. I will admit that not all business owners are nice people. Some are, some are not. I have worked for both kinds. Chances are you have too. We must admit that it is the business owners that are taking the chances. The employees can walk away and (hopefully) find another job. If the business fails the owner could be liable for debts for years to come. Should governments work to help or hinder these benefactors to the working class?

If they help the employer the employees could benefit from higher wages in the future. Unless they have found a bum employer in which case they CAN move on to another company.

But what happens if the government takes more money from the employer's cash register than the company can afford? To top it off the government takes money from the employees in the form of payroll taxes. The government promises they are going to help the poor. A bureaucracy is set up of government employees getting high wages to decide which poor person gets the money. The employer goes broke and applies for the benefits and his employees are in line behind him.

That is the ultimate end of government largesse. Taking from the haves and giving to the have nots. Governments do not produce anything. They only help hold up the infrastructure and if they do a bad job of that the country will go broke. Often times programs are set up and the only people that benefit are the government employees. For this reason I would prefer an 'evil' corporation over a government social program. You would have a better chance of getting an even shake from the company. If all else fails you can walk away from the company. The government will hound you till after death for the taxes.

Now re: Jesus being a rebel. It is true that he turned over the moneychanger's tables. Why? Because, as he said, they had taken away the purpose of the temple. It had become a place where people went to fulfill legalistic obligations. He wanted it to be returned to God's original intent which was that it become a "House of Prayer". That is, a place where people could commune on a personal level with the Living God.

How many churches today are more like a place filled with money changers tables? I do not mean that money is the ultimate goal of these places. Most often it is 'good' reasons that they have as goals. It goes way beyond money. They have become places of social obligations. Buildings that people go to in order to appease a conscience burning with guilt but with no intentions of turning from sin to God. A structure where programs take precedence over anyone actually seeking God's will for their life. Indeed those that do so are ostracized as fanatics and forced to remove themselves from the company of those self satisfied that run the place with godless efficiency. As long as children can play basketball and football in a safe environment the church has fulfilled it's obligation to the Almighty. As long as the bags of food distributed are a bit more than the community needs the Divine need not bother them. Sunday service will not be disrupted with spontaneous praise for the Creator because the agenda must not be extended so everything is done 'decently and in order' as scripture so conveniently states and all the parishioners can get to the local restaurant before the church across the street lets out.

I think you get the point. Was the last line a run on sentence?

Jesus was indeed a rebel. At one point He had over 5000 men plus women and children at His command. They were well fed and ready to move. He could have tried to use them to gather others and worked to overthrow the Roman government.

Instead He climbed a hill by Himself and prayed. He felt the communion with His Father more important that ruling a country.

Jesus was not hot on social programs. He did like it when individuals saw the need in another persons life and would help to fill that need. It was not something forced on the individual but instead was a result from the Living God being active in the individual's heart. He did say that the poor would always be with us. (Matt 26:11 plus other gospels) He did not suggest that we should let government agencies take care of them. Indeed I'm confident He wanted it to be a personal matter. I'm confident too that He would prefer we cared for them by teaching them to fish.

Sorry this has gotten so long. I do want you to understand a bit of why I believe the way I do. Hope this helps - Paul - GBYAY -

Smoothing the Rough Spots

This morning a friend told me about a near tragedy that happened this last weekend. His son-in-law was driving with his daughter riding shotgun and a friend in the backseat in the diamond lane of a L.A. freeway. For whatever reason the son-in-law lost control of the car and as control was lost the daughter said, "Jesus, save us!" The car actually flipped over and ended up on it's roof. The car is unsalvageable. All three occupants got out of the car without a scratch.

Now, would they have escaped unscathed if the woman had not called out to Jesus? Impossible to tell. I can say this. If the woman did not have Jesus paramount in her heart anything else could have escaped from her lips. If she had filled her soul with certain types of music it could just as well been profanities filling the car instead of a prayer. That might have been tough to explain had they gone to meet their maker instead of exiting the car unscratched.

Which brings me to the point of this post. Trusting in Jesus does not mean that life will be a bowl of cherries with no troubles in it but the Lord does tend to even off the rough edges. In a less dramatic event in my own life I got a flat tire (explosive kind) at night just as I exited a freeway near my home. I was able to continue through a green light, across the street, down half a block and park the car across the street from my home. I thanked the Lord, went inside and went to bed, saving changing the tire till morning's light...

Laws I'd Like to See

There are a few laws I'd like to see passed. This list is in no way complete but some of the main ones are:

~~~~~~~~~
Re: taxes - Any politician proposes a tax hike he must first put half of his material possessions and half his paycheck into an escrow account. After his tax hike is proposed it is sent to the people affected by the hike for a vote. If the people vote 'yes' the politician gets his money back. If the people vote 'no' he loses and his money is distributed to all those who show a receipt showing they voted no.

~~~~~~~~~
Any politician caught trying to raise taxes without going through the escrow/voting process will be tarred, feathered & run out of town on a rail.

~~~~~~~~~
Re: gun control - Anyone who uses a gun in the commission of a crime will have these mandatory sentences on top of any other sentencing concerning any other charges.
1.) Brandishing or showing the gun during the commission of a crime. - 10 years min. with no time off for good behavior.
2.) Pulling the trigger during the commission of a crime. - 20 years min. with no time off for good behavior.
3.) Injuring someone with a gun during the commission of a crime. - 35 years min. with no time off for good behavior.
4.) Murdering someone during the commission of a crime. - Death penalty with rules below applying.

~~~~~~~~~
Re: Death penalty cases - Guilty party will have sentence fulfilled within 2-1/2 years +1 day of actual sentencing date. There will be only 3 appeals allowed.
1.) First appeal is mandatory
2.) Second and Third appeals are at the discretion of the sentenced individual. All evidence at this point must relate directly to the actual case and cannot be concerned with side issues such as bad upbringing, abusive parents, too many twinkies or the public school system failing to instill sound moral judgment.

~~~~~~~~~
re: taxes - Every seventh year of a persons life shall be TAX FREE. That is, for a full year measuring 365 (plus one day for leap years) This includes ALL taxes. Federal, state & local (water, trash disposal, utilities, sales, payroll, stocks and bonds interest, etc... Any taxes absconded with by the government during this period will be refunded from the congressional payroll office and congress's payroll will decrease in commensurate amounts.

~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~
I could come up with a bunch more but I thought some of you blog surfing folks might help me by coming up with a few of your own. Feel free to utilize the comment button and add your ideas.

NC Church Political Scandal Mis-Reported by MSM

Scotwise has posted the real scoop. Not that it is really news. Just business as usual for Main Stream Media. Don't bother digging. Just report what they got and guess at the rest. Waylan Owens taught Chan Chandler, the pastor involved in the East Waynesville Baptist Church in Waynesville, N.C., the church where "all the members of the church who would not support George W. Bush in the 2004 Presidential election were ousted". There is a lot more to the story and much info left out that would have been readily available to any reporter interested in finding the real story. - Check Scotwise daily for encouragement and great Christian teaching. - GBYAY -

Liberals Hate Children

Liberals hate children and want to keep them stupid. In order to accomplish this they make the grading system so meaningless that parents are in the dark about how ignorant the system is keeping their kids. How else could this be explained???

To Spank or Not To Spank?

Earlier (like 10-15 minutes ago) I left a comment on another blog. The initial posting was about James Dobson (Focus on the Family) getting a commercial on TV while the Church of Christ was left out in the cold. - 'So it goes', I figure in my usual cold hearted capitalistic fevered brain. The TV stations can show whichever commercials they want and if someone doesn't like it let 'em go start their own station. That settled, I perused the comments and saw a bit on Dobson's views on spanking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~quote~~~~~~~~~~~
Dobson on child care:
"Pain is a marvelous purifier. . . It is not necessary to beat the child into submission; a little bit of pain goes a long way for a young child. However, the spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely."

From Dare to Discipline, pages 6 and 7
"Some strong-willed children absolutely demand to be spanked, and their wishes should be granted. . . Two or three stinging strokes on the legs or buttocks with a switch are usually sufficient to emphasize the point, 'You must obey me.'"

whatever. children don't "demand" to have their will broken. some parents' tempers might demand that children be beaten. but that's a different thing, isn't it.
(posted by jami)
~~~~~~~~~~~~end quote~~~~~~~~~

My (single parent) mom never heard of Dobson and made sure that the tears were genuine. I tried faking it once and that didn't work at all. As a strong willed child I can say that many times my will was broken and in the end I came out a better person for it.

I did not receive spankings because my mom liked beating me. I received them because of direct disobedience to the set rules. The reason for a switch, brush, wooden spoon or belt was because it took mom (or me) a bit of time (wherein she could reflect and not be in anger) to get the item to be used for the spanking. Plus she would not end up hurting her hand.

The same hand she gave me food with was not used to spank me with. There was always a device between the two that in the long run would be a help in getting me to straighten up and fly right...

Worked for me. Wondering what others feel about the subject. I'm talking here of spankings for disobedience, not beatings because of evil, misguided parents.

Mobile Blogging Service Offered by Google

(From PC Magazine / PCMag.com) - Google has introduced a new service for Blogger.com that enables users to create new blogs and post images and text via mobile devices. A consumer using Verizon, AT&T, Cingular, Sprint or T-Mobile can send an e-mail or MMS to go@blogger.com, which instantly creates a new Weblog containing the information sent to Blogger. Google will then email the URL and a claim code back to the user, allowing him or her to view and manage the new blog.

go.blogger.com/mobile
and - help.blogger.com/bin/... - to get started!

The initial page will be a generic-looking site and users will be required to enter the claim codes, which will then allow them to change the templates, blog names, and colors, edit previous posts and activate other features. One such feature will apply to users who want to add mobile posts to an existing blog.

The Blogger Mobile site offers a word of warning to users who have a blog address which does not contain blogspot.com—any mobile posts made before making the switch will not be moved over automatically.

"So, if you plan on publishing mobile posts to your non-blogspot.com hosted blog, we recommend you to claim and switch early, thus avoiding a potential nuisance," the site says.

addendum:

Another link for this story and links to googles service:
- http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/050506-150128
- http://go.blogger.com/mobile-start.g
- http://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=1131

10 Commandments and U.S. Law

National Legal Foundation has a page that shows all 10 commandments being used and impacting America law and jurisprudence. Court decisions in times past has utilized the 10 commandments and the precedence is to continue doing so, NOT to abolish their use.

~~~~~~~~~~~
- It is interesting to cut and paste some of the case names into Google and see what comes up. -

Radio Blogger Sets Record at Disneyland

Radio Blogger, Generalissimo Duane - The Producer of Hugh Hewitt's radio show went through hell and lived to tell about it. The May 5th show was broadcast from Disneyland. Hugh, in his usual perverse fashion thought up a torture for Generalissimo Duane that surpasses anything the bleeding hearts would allow for terrorist prisoners. Fifty nonstop trips - in honor of Disney's 50th anniversary - through the Disneyland "It's a Small World".

Anyone who has ever ridden on this knows how the song can stick with you for the rest of the Disney experience. I figure for Duane it is going to take at least 3 weeks to recover.

Duane was on the 50th trip through when the show ended. Hugh claimed that he had not accomplished the goal. "So close but not good enough", Hugh said. This was said after he had given Duane the hope that if he was on the 50th trip it would count. Pulled the rug out of Generalissimo's crowning achievement in life. I wrote to Generalissimo to give him encouragement.

- Email do Duane - quote -
Ask Hugh if he believes in the Bible. It says - Out of the mouths of
two or three witnesses every truth shall be established - There has
been more than 3 witnesses (counting myself) that will verify Hugh
said getting in the ride on #50 counted.

Jesus said "It is finished." before he died even though he had not yet
given up the ghost at that point.

I believe as the boat entered the building on ride #50 you to had the
right to claim as Jesus did, "It is finished."
- end quote -

God Bless generalissimo Duane - Radio Blogger - A true hero!

~~~~~~~
update: Rob Ismael, who joined Duane on the ride as moral backup has been bloging on this as well. He hopes to find the tape of Hugh saying, on the ride for number 50 counts. Check out his site and be sure to leave a comment. He needs encouragement too.
~~~~~~~

Authorities Arrest al-Qaida's No. 3 Commander

Hat tip to Hugh Hewitt -

NYTimes - U.S. counterterrorism official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said al-Libby was the No. 3 al-Qaida figure behind bin Laden and Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, who was captured in March 2003. The official called this arrest the most significant blow to al-Qaida since Mohammed's capture, saying al-Libbi is believed responsible for planning attacks around the world, including in the United States. - ''Their leadership and support network is fraying,'' said the official, who called this a ''significant capture'' and ''another chapter in the degradation of their network.''

Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao described al-Libbi as an ''al-Qaida planner'' who held a senior place in the terror group's hierarchy. He said the U.S. government was offering a $10 million bounty for information leading to al-Libbi's arrest...

prying1 sez:
This shows that the war against terrorism must continue. One by one the bricks fall and the wall comes tumbling down. As a result the world will (and is) a safer place as these terrorist groups find their support withering away.

Is This True Love?

The reason I came up with this blog is because I heard on Sean Hannity's radio program today the perfect example of love. You most likely heard of the Runaway Bride who disappeared from Duluth, Georgia 4 days before her wedding. The woman was missing for 4 days and everyone suspected foul play. She showed up in New Mexico alive and well. Apparently fear and perhaps insecurity or a panic attack drove her to take off the way she did. When she was returned to her home in Georgia, John Mason, her fiance met her and gave her the engagement ring she had left behind.

Quote - "'Cause we haven't walked down the aisle, just because we haven't stood in front of 500 people and said our I dos, you know, my commitment before God to her was the day I bought that ring and put it on her finger and I'm not backing down from that now," Mason told Hannity. - end quote -

A good description of true love comes to us in the words of St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians. (1 Cor. Ch.13 v.4 - 7) - Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. ... - (v.13) But now faith, hope, and love remain-these three. The greatest of these is love. (WEB)

This description is set in what might be called the more mystical chapters of the New Testament. They both deal with the gifts and workings of the Spirit of God. It seems from the 3 chapters that the Corinthian Church had a problem with various members thinking they, as individuals, were more important to the church than others around them. Paul set them straight by explaining that despite ones gifts or job description, no matter how exalted in the eyes of others, each individual was important in order to uphold the persons next to them. Yet, he says, The best way to walk with God is to walk in love.

How to do this? Back to the first paragraph.

Be patient with others. Sounds easy huh? It is unless that other is the slowpoke that slows down (a lot) and takes forever to turn the corner to get out of your way. Or perhaps the person in front of you at the grocers. The one that counts out 45 cents in pennies.

Love is Kind. No problem. Just don't kick the dog. Oh, and let your neighbor know that you will help them when they need it not just when it is convenient for you.

Love does not envy. Now who would envy the junk that guy has. I wouldn't own anything he has. I always pay top dollar for everything I own which brings us to: Love does not brag, is not proud (puffed up)

I'm sure you can go through the rest of the list and if you are honest you can find areas in your life that are a bit weak in the love department. I know I sure can.

One most important thing about love that John Mason exhibits is that LOVE IS A DECISION AND A COMMITMENT!

Congratulations to his future bride, Jennifer Wilbanks, She is getting a good man.

Whose Truth Works?

Many may come across my posting here and say, I don't care about that stuff. BORING! What does it matter? I want music/sports/romance/gaming/etc... blogs not this crap. To you I say, WAIT A SEC AND READ A BIT! - Check the link to Gone Away's post on absolute truth. It is a fun exercise of the mind. AND it is free!!!

A bit ago Gone Away ~ The journal of Clive Allen in America blogged on Poetry and I blogged the comments on his blog and he commented on my blog that he had hoped I would tackle the existence of God. My blog only quoted his statement and really went no further.

Alas and alack! Clive was forced to answer the existence of absolute truth using logic all on his own. I would have helped but I did not want to interfere with his train of thought. Actually had I got in front of his train of thought I would have been run over.

Clive Allen says:

There are only two ways to regard the matter of absolute truth: you either believe that there is such a thing or you don't (if you can think of a third position beyond mere indecision, please let me know - I'd be fascinated to hear of it). And, whether we are aware of it or not, our position on the matter depends on choices that we have made previously. Our personal philosophies are based upon our answer to the most basic question of all: Is there a God?

This is a question ALL must someday face and it just might be a good idea to look at it from a logical point of view. Just in case, you know...

Solutions for Iran Problem!

At The Adventures of Chester there is a post about the options for (the world) dealing with Iran. There is something bloggers can do to help. Collectively bloggers can and have made an impact in positive ways. Iran is another hotspot that must be dealt with soon. If you don't know why then get educated quickly. If you want to get involved Chester has some ideas including becoming a blog pal with an Iranian blogger.

Conclusion: If we, being the blogosphere, are going to have any blogging role in supporting dissidents, protests, and rebellion in Iran, then we need to lay some groundwork now to build some communication channels that will come in handy later. Some ideas:

US-Iranian partner bloggers: Sort of a pen-pal program for bloggers in the US and in Iran. Establishes a communication link. Casual interaction like this could be very useful at building speedy communications over a period of time.

Redundancy in communications links: if the government is going to shut down ISPs, we need some workarounds to get the stories out. Otherwise, the lights will be out here in the blogosphere, and we'll all be prisoners to whatever the networks and NPR toss up there. What about:
-phone cards so folks can call in stories from land lines in Iran? Would the government shut all of those down too?
-setting up networks of bloggers in neighboring countries (Iraq? Afghanistan? the Gulf States? who could receive phone calls from Iranians, then turn their reports into blog posts?
-old school: HAM radio operators?
-if we really want to get a little crazy, sat phones? This is not only expensive, but hard to choose who to get them to, and probably risky for the Iranians to have them.

If you want to get involved I suggest communicating with Chester first. Bloggers in Iran have been jailed and I'm certain that we would not want to be the cause especially if we have built up a rapport with a blog pal...

Be careful out there.

California Assembly Bill AB-19 To Thwart the Will of the People

61% of California voter said NO to homosexual marriage. Now the legislators are working overtime and the MSM is working undertime to pass AB-19 which will, in effect, thwart the will of the people and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he will sign it. Basically the bill strikes out "MAN/WOMAN" and replaces it with "TWO PERSONS" in the states family laws.

This bill seeks to amend California's family law by defining
marriage as between "two persons" instead of solely between a
man and a woman. The bill raises important questions of law and
public policy that are now being discussed across the nation and
around the world, reflecting one of this nation's most
significant civil rights issues for the 21st century.

In support of the bill, the author states "The time has come for
California to honor its commitment to equality for all
Californians." Except for the voters!

~~~~~~~~~~

SUMMARY : Seeks to end the state's denial of marriage licenses
to same-sex couples in California. Specifically, this bill :

1)Eliminates the current "different-gender" requirement in the
state's definition of marriage.

2)Clarifies gender-specific terms in the state's family laws
shall be construed to be gender-neutral, except in regards to
Section 308.5, concerning recognition of marriages contracted
in other jurisdictions (Proposition 22 of 2000).

3)Adds Section 403 to the Family Code to declare that no
religious official shall be required to perform or solemnize
any marriage in violation of his or her religious conviction.

EXISTING LAW :

1)Provides that "Marriage is a personal relation arising out of
a civil contract between a man and a woman, to which the
consent of the parties capable of making that contract is
necessary." (Family Code section 300. All further references
are to this code unless otherwise noted.)

2)Provides that "A marriage contracted outside this state that
would be valid by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the
marriage was contracted is valid in this state." (Section
308.)

3)Provides, immediately following section 308 that "Only
marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized
in this state.

prying1 sez:
In this bill there is no recognition that 61% of the voters have already said NO!

Should a very small segment of the population be given the power to change the definitions of words for their self centered agendas? Should elected officials decide their constituents do not know what is best and go against their will?

Pray on this one. The saying is, "As California goes, so goes the nation and then the world. Governor's Address and phone number -
Let his office know how you feel.
Governor's Office
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841 - It does not cost that much to call these days. Rates are cheap.
Fax: 916-445-4633 - Write a note and Fax it in - very effective!
Email from this page: http://www.govmail.ca.gov/

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Members Leno, Nunez, Goldberg, Koretz,
Laird, and Lieber
(Principal coauthors: Senators Kehoe, Kuehl, and Migden)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon, Chan, Chu, Dymally, Evans,
Hancock, Jones, Levine, Montanez, Nation, Ridley-Thomas, Ruskin,
Saldana, and Yee)
(Coauthors: Senators Cedillo and Simitian)

Peace! Peace! When There Is No Peace!

They have no knowledge of the way of peace, and there is no sense of what is right in their behavior: they have made for themselves ways which are not straight; whoever goes in them has no knowledge of peace. - Isaiah 59:8 BBE -

I always love it when blogsurfing to come across an interesting piece of news and decide to blog on it. This one I found on Steal the Bandwagon who gives a hat tip to Michelle Malkin.

Lovely story. Diminutive, 48 year old woman, 5'2" gets punched in the face by a "peace" protester AND his peacenik buddies do nothing to help apprehend him. Peaceable folks huh?

From - Columbia Daily Tribune - Rita Preckshot went to a peace rally, and a fight broke out.

It started out as a typical Wednesday for Preckshot, a 49-year-old who stands about 5-foot-2 and has hearing aids in both ears. She was standing on her normal spot on Providence Road, holding her signs in support of American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. For nearly four years now, this has been Preckshot’s life from about 4:15 to about 5:45 in the afternoon once a week. She started her solo troop-support effort to counteract the peace protesters who stand a couple of blocks away at the intersection of Providence and Broadway. The peaceniks hold signs that say things such as "honk for peace" and "end the occupation."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The man (Paul Allaire) stepped closer. She backed off a step. He shoved a sign in her face, and she backed off once again.

"Don’t touch me!" she told him.

Then, she says, he pushed her.

"He started taunting me and reached out and pushed on my shoulder," Preckshot says. "Each time he pushed, it got a little harder. When I saw his hand come at me again, I grabbed it. I felt fearful."

As Preckshot pushed the man’s hand away, "he slugged me right in the face," she says.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The man, Paul Allaire, doesn’t live in Boone County. He lists Arcadia as his home, though he’s a frequent attendee at the Wednesday protests. He has been charged with third-degree misdemeanor assault for his alleged attack on Preckshot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Paul Allaire said) "The only reason I even approached this woman was to try to understand where her extreme hatred came from," he says. The flier he says he was putting in Preckshot’s face showed President George W. Bush in a Hitleresque outfit and pose. He calls it a joke.

"I was neither being impolite nor threatening when I was slapped," he writes

prying1 sez:
It only goes to show that peace doesn't come from holding up a sign. He said he was wondering about HER 'extreme hatred' which shows HE most likely is caught up in believing the lies the liberals spread about those who support the war against terrorism.

This man is obviously troubled and I hope during his incarceration he finds true peace with his Maker. Hopefully to the point where he can see his wrong doing and repent (turn away) from it. Anger management will not help. This is a man who needs Jesus. Pray for him.

American Princess Corrects the Pledge of Allegiance

I would be OUTRAGED!!! OUTRAGED, I TELL YOU!!! If I thought that The American Princess were serious about her rewrite of the Pledge of Allegiance. Pretty funny stuff if you look past the fact that there are those who would love to adopt her version.

This blog of hers came about because of the news report of Everitt Middle School in Wheat Ridge, CO whose employee, Margo Lucero, the eighth-grade guidance counselor decided that the sixth anniversary of Columbine was a good time to be all inclusive.

Her version:
Instead of "one nation, under God," the voice said, "one nation, under your belief system."

Partial Quote of The American Princess' version - ...to the Republic] the totalitarian, theocratic, and fascist regime that is the current administration, which I contend is not legitimate as they disenfranchised minority voters in several states, [for which it stands], and state that, in fact, it is not representative of all of its people, only those who live in states that were labeled "red" by the mainstream media, and even then not by a mandate of voters, and certainly does not represent me, and I am sorry, world, that my countrymen were so stupid and shortsighted, and, ugh, Christian, to vote for a monkey,

Be sure to travel over to E. M. Zanotti site and browse around. It will be time well spent because Zanotti has a wonderful blog going.

Oh, and support her with some comments - pro or con. (attn. con - expect to lose any disagreements.)

L.A. Times says "Nuke The Filibuster"

Quotes from the LAT editorial "Nuke The Filibuster":

At the risk of seeming dull or unfashionable for not getting our own intellectual makeover, we still think judicial candidates nominated by a president deserve an up-or-down vote in the Senate. We hardly see eye to eye with the far right on social issues, and we oppose some of these judicial nominees, but we urge Republican leaders to press ahead with their threat to nuke the filibuster. The so-called nuclear option entails a finding by a straight majority that filibusters are inappropriate in judicial confirmation battles.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Liberal interest groups determined to keep Bush nominees off the bench are in such a frenzy that they would have you believe that the Senate filibuster lies at the heart of all American freedoms, its lineage traceable to the Constitution, if not the Magna Carta. The filibuster, a parliamentary tactic allowing 41 senators to block a vote by extending debate on a measure indefinitely, is indeed venerable — it can be traced back two centuries. But it is merely the product of the Senate's own rule-making, altered over time; the measure was not part of the founding fathers' checks and balances to prevent a tyranny of the majority. The Senate's structure itself was part of that calculus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

BUT IN THE EDITORIAL THE LAT SAYS: - quote -
But the Senate shouldn't stop with filibusters over judges. It should strive to nuke the filibuster for all legislative purposes. - end quote -

prying1 sez:
The Republicans are not calling for an end to all filibusters. Just to have the judicial nominees brought to the floor for a vote. It seems the LAT crossed the line to the Right (Conservative) side on this issue and kept on walking...

Hope they don't get lost wandering around like that...

Absolutely Absolute Truth!

prying1 sez: Gone Away ~ The Journal of Clive Allen in America has an interesting post on POETRY! (22-APR-05)

You sez: Poetry you say. Well who cares?

prying1 sez: I don't much except I like to learn stuff even if I never get to use it. Who knows when Alex Trebeck will come up to me and demand I be on Jeopardy to challenge Ken Jennings one on one. I gots to be prepared just in case.

You sez: Ok what about Clive's post.

prying1 sez: Well, go look at it in case Alex calls you up instead of me and while you are there check in the comments section where this exchange takes place:

Jodie said -

The only problem with absolute truth, Gone, is who gets to pick what it is? People these days have a terrible time agreeing on even the smallest of matters. :)

Gone Away replied -

That's just the point, Jodie: nobody picks absolute truth, it just is. And we ignore it at our peril. Would any of us decide that there is no such thing as gravity and jump off the Empire State building to prove our point? I think not. And whether we like it or not, there are truths as immutable as the law of gravity that pertain to right and wrong, good and evil, that we ignore or seek to argue away at our peril. It may not suit our personal agenda that there are basic truths about society that, if ignored, will destroy society. We see the evidence of our willful decision that societal rules no longer apply in our "enlightened society" all around us. How much longer can we ignore truth before society collapses into a new dark age?

Maybe I should blog this. It is, after all, what lies at the root of our cultural decay.

You sez: What does that have to do with poetry?

prying1 sez: Everything my lad, everything...

Haloscan - Trackback Auto Install WIPED OUT the comments amounts on all my posts. Each comments line says ZERO. It seems however the comments are still there. BUT new comments are not registering with the old comments. Guess I'll write to them and suggest they put a disclaimer on the autoinstall page...

I just wish I had taken the time to add the trackback info by hand.

The Truth About Gun Rights

Blog Explosion visitors. Please read this one! - Spread the word about it.

Who is it that is really behind the gun control that is spreading around the world? Brad Todd of Fundamentally Right has a post he entitled "Packing Heat" that gives a big clue as to the real forces behind this movement. It is a wake up call for those who love freedom.

We are told that guns are dangerous and need to be controlled. It is not the guns that are dangerous but criminals willing to use guns for nefarious purposes that are dangerous. Put controls on the criminals instead of the guns.

In his treatise Brad has a quote that I had never heard before. Many reading this may recognize it but just in case you haven't I'm pulling it from Brad's post and setting it here.

- quote -

"Corrupt the young, get them away from religion. Get them interested in sex. Make them superficial, destroy their ruggedness. Get control of all means of publicity and thereby: Get the peoples' mind off their government by focusing their attention on athletics, sexy books and plays, and other trivialities. Divide the people into hostile groups by constantly harping on controversial matters of no importance. Destroy the peoples faith in their natural leaders by holding up the latter to ridicule, contempt and obloquy. Always preach true democracy but seize power as fast and as ruthlessly as possible. Encourage government extravagance, destroy its credit, produce fear with rising prices, inflation and general discontent. Foment unnecessary strikes in vital industries, encourage civil disorders and foster a soft and lenient attitude on the part of government towards such disorders. By specious argument cause the breakdown of the old moral virtues: honesty, sobriety, continence, faith in the pledged word, ruggedness. Cause the registration of all firearms on some pretext, with the view of confiscating them and leaving the population defenseless."



Vladimir Ilich Lenin
- end quote -

prying1 sez: There are forces at work that deceive in order to achieve goals that are not in our best interest. A wake up call is being sounded! Can you hear the trumpet?

"Dictatorship of Relativism" Quote is Spreading

The evening before the new Pope was elected Hugh Hewitt read portions of Cardinal Ratzinger's homily for the mass for the election of the new pope on the air. That was the first I heard the line, "Dictatorship of Relativism". Soon after getting home for the evening I Googled the statement in quotation marks. The quote marks ensure that those words, in that order, are all that Google will pull up. It will not pick relativism from one sentence and dictatorship from another. Try it with and without and you will see what I mean.

That evening there was 0 (ZERO) hits on the quote. It was a apparently a brand new statement that the Cardinal had made. It did have some hits on the Google News Link reporting his homily but zero pages had it up to that point.

This evening I was doing a bit of blog surfing and came across Varifrank's blog. He has a hilarious satire on The brother of Pope Benedict XVI, Georg Ratzinger. It is titled, "Mom! Joey is looking at me again." (Must read for anyone with siblings) On Varifrank's comments I mentioned that it was apparently a new line and stated - quote - At this point in time (7 PM Calif 4-20-05) there are 5830 Google hits for the phrase... - end quote -

It is now 3 hours later (10 PM Calif 4-20-05) there are 10,300 hits for "dictatorship of relativism." - This statement has caused a blogswarm of sorts. - As Varifrank said in his blog concerning it: "I sincerely like the "Dictatorship of relativism" statement, and its made me think (which was I think, his whole idea)."

Thanks for the laugh Varifrank!

Why the Bible?

In conversations with friends a couple days ago the question was asked of me as to why I believe the Bible. There are two reasons really. One is that years ago I experienced an event that changed my life in a positive way. That was when I asked the risen Lord Jesus to really touch my heart. I'm sure you have heard of Easter. The day the tomb of Christ was found empty. Well, He did not die again after that. He is still alive and I asked him to prove it to me. He did by entering my life in a real and tangible way.

The second reason I believe the Bible is because every time I read it I find truth.
Yes some parts seem contradictory but some parts will apply to real situations in my life one day and the contradictory part will apply to my life the next day. It really is a comfort and inspiration for me to forget the things behind me and to stretch forward to the things ahead.

What about all the miracles and signs and wonders and stuff? Was that stuff true? All I know is that with God in my life I will believe in miracles. Without him I would believe...???

Dictatorship of Relativism Tries to Conquer God

Hugh Hewitt has a post of the words of Cardinal Ratzinger's homily at the mass for the election of the new pope. Hugh gives credit to Roman Catholic Blog for the tip. In the Homily are these words -

- Quote - Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and "swept along by every wind of teaching," looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires. - end quote -

On Hugh's radio Show he asked the question, "What is the dictatorship of relativism?"

Lots of good answers on Hugh's show but the idea I got when I heard the words is that "Moral Relativism" demands complete obedience to nothing. If you believe that anything at all is ultimately true and unchangeable you are labeled as any evil name that will discredit you. Logical argument is not allowed for it would surely loose. No credence can be given to anyone of faith because it destroys all the denial that the moral relativist clings to. Hence the relativism becomes lord over their lives as they strive to reach nothing...

This would be funny if it were not so pitiable.

Update: Roman Catholic Blog has another link set up to Doug TenNapel's site which has some really deep comments on the dictatorship of relativism.

Blog Surfing

I'm sure I'm not the only one that likes to Blog Surf. I think it is a great way to get to know people of like or differing opinions. Today Gindy.blogspot.com stopped by and left a comment.
What a wonderful site with eclectic posts. Each posting I found interesting. From Gindy's site I followed links to Sergeant America who has a few blogs going. (some rough language so be advised.) He has a site dedicated to revealing the 'real' John Kerry. You may have heard of him. He was a Vietnam vet that spent Christmas in Cambodia, The same one that came back from Nam and lied to the U.S. Senate.

Unfortunately I have to go to work so that is the end of the link jumping for this morning.

Just wondering how many others out there take the time to blog surf and visit your neighbors.

Radio Blogger posts Hugh Hewitt and Mort Kondracke on Judicial Filibuster

The entire conversation between Hugh Hewitt and Mort is posted at Radioblogger. I don't know how Generalissimo does it. Sure am glad he does though.

Quote from the interview: H: That's good to know, too. So it looks like they're going to win it. But the Democrats, I had Nan Aron and Ralph Neas on this past ten days, Morton. And Nan Aron is urging a filibuster of Supreme Court nominees if they are like Michael McConnell, Mike Luttig, and even John Roberts. These are mainstream, already confirmed judges. So they are burning their bridges. They're burning their ships.

MK: You know, for the life of me, I can't understand why...my solution to this problem is, let's have a debate on these people. I mean, if the Democrats are so convinced that they are extremists, then what they ought to do is start talking about who they are, what they stand for, what they've done, and all this. I mean, the Democrats in the past have been able to defeat Robert Bork. They had to character assassinate him in order to do it, but nonetheless, they did it. And they managed to get a majority of Senators against him. Now, granted those were in the days when the Democrats ran Congress, but nonetheless, if somebody is truly out of the mainstream, truly an anathema, or can be made to appear such, you can win it on a straight up or down vote. I don't understand...

HH: They admitted to me, both of them admitted to me that all of the filibustered judges would win confirmation if they were allowed to have a vote. And Mort, I made the same argument to them. If they are as bad as you say, have a debate. Ask for 60 hours of debate. And you know, the Republicans will give them as much time as they want, if there's and end to it. It's not about that, it's really about keeping certain people off. Now, I don't know if you've seen this, but Bill Frist has agreed to talk next Sunday at a nationally televised conference featuring James Dobson, Chuck Colson, Al Mohler of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, it's going to be beamed to churches all over the country. (see two blogs back for my take on the Frist appearance at "Justice Sunday"

It is obvious the democrats are unwilling to debate the true reasons for their opposition to these judicial nominees. They would have done so already. Instead they depend on their base continuing to help spread lies about the constitution and how evil these nominees truly are.

The only reason they do not like these folks is the abortion issue. I would like to have some democrats reply as to why ripping babies from their mothers wombs is the most important issue they stand on? Doesn't the blood get on your shoes?

Hugh also wrote an article for World Magazine. In it he says, "Ralph Neas of People for the American Way and Nan Aron of the Alliance for Justice wield so much power over Senate Democrats that their filibuster endorsement apparently signals Democratic intentions when President Bush nominates a successor to Chief Justice William Rehnquist, whose retirement is widely expected though not yet confirmed for early this summer. - end quote -

prying1 sez: Lovely people the Democrats have that are really running the party. Wonder if the base really knows who they are and what they stand for?

Progressive Conservatism Blogs on Chemical Weapons in Iraq

Progressive Conservatism has an extensive article on insurgents in Iraq attempting to brew up some chemical weapons. The question is then asked, did the insurgents try making the stuff as a result of the U.S. incursion or would they have done it without the U.S. removing Sadam from power.

Quote from Progressives Site: "They say Iraqi resistance groups have tried to manufacture "CW," and one might have managed it if the Americans hadn't swooped down on them. The danger has even spilled over into Jordan, where authorities say a plot hatched in Iraq aimed to kill thousands with "poison clouds." The threat demands "sustained attention," says the chief U.S. arms investigator." - End Quote -

prying1 sez: I think these 'insurgents' (read 'terrorists') will continue to murder as they murdered prior to the U.S. led invasion of Iraq. Indeed they were murdering prior to 9-11. Leaving them to their own devices would not have slowed them down one iota. Meeting them on there own turf has slowed them down. Continuing in the "War on Terrorism" will, in the long run, save more lives than if we allow the thugs to continue running around loose.

Cute test to take - here is how I stacked up. - Quite a nice blog - Might want to check some of the other stuff out too.

Your Linguistic Profile:

75% General American English

10% Dixie

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Yankee

0% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Judicial Nomination Filibuster Controversy Raises Ire of Dems

Chuck Colson, radio commentator and founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, is a good man. Some do not like him not because he has been instrumental in helping prisoners get their lives turned around but because of how he has done it. His ministry leads people to Jesus Christ and at that point they decide whether to accept Jesus or reject him. If he just set up housing and job opportunities for these same men and women many of those now against Chuck Colson would be all in favor of his work.

James Dobson, also a good man is founder and chairman of the board of Focus on the Family. He offers practical help for marriage and child-rearing along with radio broadcasts that entertain and inform. Some do not like him because Christian principles are the bedrock of his teachings. If he left Jesus Christ out of his work he would not be the target of so much hate speech.

Now Senator Bill Frist, the majority leader, has agreed to join Chuck Colson, James Dobson, and R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Frist will provide a four-minute videotape to be telecast to "Justice Sunday" An April 24th event at Highview Baptist Church, Louisville, KY.

Liberal Democrats are quickly attacking Senator Frist. Democrats accused Dr. Frist of exploiting religious faith for political ends by joining the telecast. "No party has a monopoly on faith, and for Senator Frist to participate in this kind of telecast just throws more oil on the partisan flames," Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York whines.

Schumer has been silent when liberal Democrats go to church services, exploiting religious faith for political ends and preaching from the pulpit while running for office. - (HINT: Jessie Jackson) - Schumer by his statement must also believe that people of faith are either not capable of thinking for themselves or should not hold any position on political matters. Christians are not required by law to separate their faith from political decisions and Christians can vote as they see fit. There are many in both parties. (Personally I would be offended by Schumer's comments but I consider the source and laugh instead.)

Democrats are saying that the judicial filibuster has nothing to do with the faith of the judicial candidates. However when questioned it seems that the main issue with them is the abortion issue which many Christians feel strongly about.

To find out more on this event you can go to Family Research Council's web page.

The NY Times also has a bit more on it. The NYT article as usual has mis-leading statements and is unreliable. Read between the lines.

Senator McCain - Traitor to Republican Party?

Evidently John McCain R?/AZ wants to have his name associated with liberals. He is willing to throw in with the democrats concerning the unconstitutional filibuster the Democrats are using to keep the full Senate from voting up or down on Bush's Judicial nominations. On TV today McCain rolled over and threw a few democrat talking points (read - LIES - ) out to explain his reprehensible behavior.

Write to your senators and tell them to allow the judicial nominations to get to the full senate for an up or down vote.

You can encourage these Senators to do the right thing by e-mailing any GOP senator or by calling their office at 202-225-3121.

As a Californian Republican I'm stuck with Boxer and Feinstein. I and many others in this state depend on Republican Representatives and Senators in other states to do the right thing. McCain still has not voted one way or the other and may change his mind BUT! He has lost ANY respect I once had for him.

(More on McCains comments - here - and - here)

Bush's Social Security Plan a Fraud?

Proof once again that Democrats have nothing but rhetoric to fix the U.S.'s Social Security Ponzi Scheme. Rep. Charles Rangel came out yesterday with a tirade against President Bush.

Quote (from New York Sun 4-12-05):

Addressing black retired workers on the steps of City Hall yesterday, Rep. Charles Rangel called President Bush's campaign to reshape Social Security a "fraud" and urged African-Americans to combat the White House efforts as part of their civil-rights struggle
.......
For black Americans, the congressman added, the struggle against the proposed changes in the entitlement system was "not only a civil-rights fight, but a fight for America." Mr. Rangel called on African-Americans to continue their "missionary" work against the Social Security proposals and likened the effort to his marching with Martin Luther King Jr. from Selma to Montgomery.
.......
"We have to get rid of the bums that are trying to take it away from us," Mr. Rangel said of the Social Security sys system, referring to Republicans in Washington and City Hall - "people who sleep with Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, and the rest of them."
.......

~~~~~Then the article has this~~~~~~
Neither Mr. Barron nor Mr. Rangel detailed at the meeting why the president's proposals were harmful to the black community. When asked for specifics by The New York Sun after the event, Mr. Rangel said, "The progressive nature of being able to get returns means that lower-income people benefit more than higher-income people" from the Social Security system. Since members of minority groups disproportionately constitute the lower income brackets, the congressman said, they stand to lose the most from Mr. Bush's efforts - which the congressman labeled "fraud" and an "impeachable offense."
........
The president of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, Robert Woodson, is quoted as saying:

Allowing Americans to save some of their Social Security contributions in private accounts, he said, was better. Black Americans wouldn't lose benefits to the same extent if they die younger than whites, because their unused accumulated wealth can be passed on to children and other survivors, he said, providing a basis for intergenerational wealth accumulation.

----end quotes -----

prying1 sez:

Is it strange that the morally bankrupt Democratic party continually wants to keep the 'poor black man' under the thumb of the Democratic party? Here is an opportunity for 'the poor' (whatever their color) of this country to get a step up financially and the ultra rich Democrat politicians are working overtime lying and conniving to fool the huddled masses. During Clinton's reign he tried to get a similar program going as that which Bush is proposing. Only difference is in Clinton's plan the government would decide which stocks and bonds would be bought. The citizen would have no control over his own money. Republicans stood against the government control of our money so that so it did not pass.

Whose money is it?

According to Rangel it is the governments money! Don't expect to keep it if you vote for Democrats. They do not care for you. Unless it is to keep your neck under their foot and voting for them because they have fooled you into thinking "they care".

Great site to visit! Outer Space Pictures!

Want to see some great Pictures from telescopes around the world? This is the site for you. Space.com has Image of the Day where you can see some amazing pictures of our universe. This is one site that you will want to check out on occasion so be sure to save the address in favorites. While you are at it you can give praise to the Lord for his wonderful creation!

Should the Catholic Church Change?

Public Theologian has a blurb re: Hans Kung on the Contradictions of John Paul II - In his post he says: - quote - What will be most interesting to watch over the next weeks as a new Pope is chosen, is whether or not the hard line positions that Kung describes which John Paul has espoused will continue under a new regime. The tradition has been that a conservative is followed by a liberal, but one can only hope. - end quote -

I have heard this same note of hope from other liberals, that is that the new Pope will "FIX" the church. This means making it into the image liberals have in their mind of the perfect church. Forget what God wants. Liberals know better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prying1 sez:
I do not expect much to change in the Catholic Church's stance on the 'major' issues. Priests getting married, abortion, birth control etc. From what I gather the new Pope will have to build on what those before him have said and decreed. For him to go total liberal would be tantamount to saying previous Popes were not 'infallible' when defining doctrine or morality for the whole church. That would endanger his own standing as 'infallible'.
This does not mean that I personally agree with all the doctrine in the Catholic Church. If I did, I would rejoin it. (Born and raised Catholic. - Left it at age 17) I do think it best to allow the Catholic Church to run itself and for those that disagree with it to go start their own church. It would be time better spent praying for the 'Universal' church as opposed to wishing for the neighbors doctrine to fall in line with ones own wishes...

Hewitt Offers Unwinnable Contest.

Hugh Hewitt of Radio/TV and Blogging fame has offered a free copy of his book 'Blog : Understanding the Information Reformation That's Changing Your World' to the first person that sends in a headline from a MAJOR news paper (if dinky blogs counted I'd do it here). The headline must include words that hits this note:

"Do Nothing Democrats Bank on Obstruction as Key to Comeback in '06: Reid says Country in the Mood for Stalemate Despite Dem Losses in '02 and '04. Daschle Said Advising Reid, Pelosi."

prying1 sez:
The fact that Democrats have stopped judicial nominations, offered nothing to straighten out Social Security (unless you want to call saying there is no problem 'a solution', continue to bad mouth Bolton and deny that anything good has happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. When are these jokers going to get a life and face reality. They are losers.

Update: Hewitt also warns Democrats to stay out of the wood in Minnesota. From what I have heard of Minnesota hunters I hope they heed his warning.

Breast Cancer Cure - Cells Aged and Killed!

Thanks to My Biotechnology for the heads up on this one. Quite a nice blog he has going and lots of interesting items.

It seems A Korean research team has developed a way to selectively age and kill cancer cells for the first time in the world.
Donga.com reports:

The team led by Yonsei University biology professors Cheong In-gwon (47) and Lee Tae-ho (49) announced on April 3, saying, “We are the first to confirm the fact that cancer cells stop growing and start aging and eventually die when the gene ‘MKRN1’ is injected into them.”

------

Professor Cheong and his team separated breast and cervical cancer cells from the body and cultured them for a month before injecting them with MKRN1 genes. As a result, the growing and dividing cancer cells began aging and finally disappeared. This was possible because the genes suppressed the function of an enzyme called “telomerase” that helps grow cancer cells, which only works on cancer cells.

------

“This research was done in the lab, but it is as good as having developed an actual therapy since we’ve experimented on human cancer cells instead of those of rats,” Professor Cheong said.

Cheong anticipated, hence, good results from the clinical tests soon to be performed on real cancer patients.

The research result is reported in the latest edition of the famous biotech magazine: “Genes and Development.” (Reg. Req.)

------

prying1 sez: I know I'm not up on all the news. I get most of it from the radio but it seems to me this is BIG. Wondering why there is not rejoicing in the streets over this...

Spitzer AIG Google and Ethics

Maybe I'm missing something here. A politician runs an online ad and with Google links that ad to some work he is currently doing. His opponents call foul. Google link is pulled. So what am I missing?

FT.com has: - quote - Eliot Spitzer was accused on Wednesday of blurring his role as New York attorney-general with his political ambitions to run for state governor after his campaign office paid Google to link a search for “AIG” to a website promoting his gubernatorial bid.

AIG, the world's largest insurer, is at the centre of investigation by Mr Spitzer and others regulators into alleged improper accounting. - end quote -

NY Post has a quick blurb on State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer using Google for a "sponsored link" so that searching 'AIG' pulled an ad for Spitzer. The ad is for a webpage for people to learn about and contribute to his (possible?) run for Governor.

Ok, I understand that the investigation into AIG finances are ongoing and the opponents to Mr. Spitzer running for governor are throwing sand in the air over this but I don't see where it is illegal OR unethical for him to link his ad to work he is currently doing.

Yahoo News has a bit of an article about it. I can see why he pulled his ad/link off. It seems instead of standing up to opponents the 'in thing' for politicians to do is bow and scrape and act like a weak girly man as they exit backwards apologizing and sniveling any time someone criticizes them.

I'd rather see him stand up, tell his critics to go cry in their porridge and keep the link.

Open Letter to CA Congresswoman Jane Harman

After taking an online poll at Jane Harman's website I decided to back up my feelings with a letter. Now is the time to notify your representatives on how you feel on issues...

Dear Jane Harman. You know as well As I do that during the Clinton administration the Social Security was in 'Crisis'. Bill Clinton and AlGore both said so. The Democrats were wanting to do something but were afraid to make any move because they had been scaring the 'old folks' that the Republicans wanted to steal their Social Security. So they did nothing. Fear of losing their cushy jobs caused many to falter in the steps they should have taken.

Now we have a president that is not filled with fear. Now is the (perhaps) last chance to change Social Security and work toward making it viable.

I'm asking YOU to be bold, stand up and do what is right. Please don't just fall in lockstep with the Democratic party on this one. Your constituent's children are depending on you. Please work towards crafting a plan to straighten up the Social Security mess and help President Bush get it through Congress.

Guilt Laden Email Stopper

Don't you just hate those "send me to ten of your friends" emails that have been around for years and every so often they come around again (and again, and again...). How about the ones that tell you if you pass the message on Bill Gates is gonna send you money. Ever gotten the one that promises to print coupons from your printer for a dinner at the Outback etc... Just forward this to 10 friends and you will have good luck for 10 days. Personally I get real irritated from them.

Really bugs me because the original sender knows nothing of sending emails BCC. The dang thing has an email list that is a spammers paradise. And now you know your address is in the mix being forwarded around the planet endlessly...

Well here is a link to send back to the sender. Hopefully they will get the message. Bonus deal!!! - If you send it to every address that is in the original email then you can expect your address to travel around the globe in perpetuity. Again...

SOAP BOX

Another fun spot to visit and sent to these emailers is Snopes Urban Legends"Little Billy 'Smiles' Evans" for one of the most pathetic pleas for help ever heard or seen on the internet.

Poor Billy! He needs your help. If you won't help him Who will? I know I'm not going to.

BREAKING NEWS - UN TO OVERSEE ELECTION OF POPE!

Here it is! Hot off the keyboard! Cross-eyed Bear got the scoop on Drudge!

- Quotes:

Teresa Heinz Kerry has called for the U.N. to oversee the election of the new Pope.

Speaking to reporters, Kerry said "The possibility of right-wing infiltrators hacking into the Vatican mother computer cannot be denied. It's clear they already know how to do it, based on the obviously fraudulent results here. Can you imagine what would happen if someone like Clarence Thomas becomes the next Pope? It'd be a disaster."

More at Cross-eyed Bear...
- end quotes -

Prying1 sez: Ignore the little 'satire ahead' tag at the top of Crosseyed's article. This is for real! Some right wing conspiracy nut put the tag there to fool you...

Write to Kofi today and demand his son, Kojo be elected Pope!

Chicago pharmacist Forced By Government To Ignore His Moral Values!

Michael Medved today had a segment dealing with a Chicago pharmacist that refused to dispense the 'morning after' pill. The Chicago Sun Times has the story (in a twisted sort of way.)

I work in a printing shop (Century Press in Inglewood Calif. Plug, plug)

I have to wonder if a local adult book store walked through the door and demanded we print pornographic images for them would the government force us to do so? I think not. It would be the same spiritual/religious/moral choice on our part that would be trampled by any government rules/laws to force us to do so.

Yahoo IM - Instant Messenger - Phishing Attacks

Information Week sez: Victims get instant messages that appear to be from friends and end up at fake Yahoo-like site. -

Phishing is an attempt by thieves to steal information from you by tricking you into giving it to them. A phony web page is set up to look like a real page from a trusted company. Users are encouraged to log in and supply personal information (CC numbers etc.) and their information is captured by the scamsters. Banks, Credit Unions, Auction Sites and NOW Yahoo & MS IM's are subject to these scams.

Yahoo Messenger is the target of a phishing attack in which victims receive messages that appear to come from people on their buddy lists. When they click on a link in a message, they're transported to what they believe is a Yahoo Web site, where their login information is taken down by perpetrators. A Yahoo spokesperson confirmed the attack Friday.

Informationweek has a blog that is well worth visiting.

If you are not sure if an email or IM came from your friend then email them (From a different window) and wait for the reply. You might want to set up a code with good friends to verify the message is from them. For example start or end messages with initials or GBYAY!

Update: Check this link to an article on Microsoft sueing pfishers.

Turn the Radio Off!

OK! I'm ready to gripe. If you are in a good mood I suggest you leave. Otherwise you may be as ticked as I am by the time you finish reading this.

Know what I hate about radio?

(Crowd in background) "NO! What?"

Some of the commercials really tick me off.

"Which commercials?" they ask.

Well, you asked for it. The ones I absolutely abhor are the ones with two wimmen talking and they are both so, sooo syrupppy happy and continually giggling and absolutely nothing is funny. Could be about which bank they use, favorite window installer, where they want to be buried, which house painting company or even perhaps a home loan company. It doesn't matter what they sell. The conversation is contrived and of course they share the stupid phone number back and forth 6 times in the allotted minute. I do have to say that after the minute is over I THANK GOD I'm not married to either of them.

Next is the commercial that has a helpless male with the woman coming to the rescue. I mean, this guy is so dumb that he doesn't know how to look in the phone book for a plumber. You just know that he sits on the edge of his bed in the morning staring at his socks. Wondering which one goes on which foot. Then the happy, happy, happy, happy sounding woman comes on and fixes whatever the hell problem was with a wave of a hand and leaves the guy looking like only a sex change operation can help him. Then he will know how to handle lifes little problems. Like how to dial information for a roofer. The commercial ends with the world knowing that he is just typical of all men. Totally incompetent and too stupid to know it...

Another is the fast talking legalspeak that explains if you get a home loan, buy a car, find true love on a web site or open a can of dog food from the bottom you will not be covered by any warranty expressed or implied and you might as well eat the dog food because they will come to take your home, car, your true love will leave you for the plumber in the other commercial and you are just out of luck buddy! You should have listened to the fast talking legalspeak harder!!!!

Ok, My question is, Do people really call these outfits? I guess so because they keep making the commercials. Would help some if I wasn't addicted to listening to talk radio. But with out it I wouldn't know which sock to put on which foot in the morning. (sigh...)

Word of the Day

This being Sunday and all I figured I will give a touch of what went on in the church I attend (I would say, "My church" but I don't want to offend anyone who thinks of the church as always being 'universal';-)

Anyway, two things that really hit home. One is that the past week has predominately been centered around 'death'. Both Terri Schiavo and the Pope. But we have been told in the Word that, "death is swallowed up in victory". Through Jesus, Who conquered death through His resurrection, we need not fear it. It is simply a portal to a better place.

The second thing I caught was that through Jesus we have true freedom. Freedom from the effects of sin. Freedom from chains (habits) that bind us up. Freedom from oppression and depression that can so easily beset us.

This freedom can be found in a commitment to put good habits, thoughts and actions into our lives. Over time the bad habits, thoughts and actions will be pushed out of our hearts. I don't mean to make it sound easy because it does take a commitment that can be broken in a moment. Here is where the power of Jesus Christ comes in.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" - I John 1:9 -

Jumping the hurdle of self righteousness, pride or shame mixed with a dash of prayer will bring us into contact with Him and He will set our feet back on the path He has set before us.

Logic of Dennis Prager Equals Plus for Christian/Jewish Relationship!

Dennis Prager has written a piece explaining in a logical fashion why Jews (and liberals) should not be offended by Christians. The only problem with the article is that it does use logic which can be argued against by any illogical person. Most people like to come against logic with emotion which puts apples and oranges in the same basket and is then called fruit. (Something different from apples and oranges)

If there are any arguments against his hypothesis please start with where he errs in his logic and go from there. Rants about personal experiences will only show that all people are human, not that Dennis's article is wrong.

Some Highlights:

Evangelical Christians believe it is necessary for a person to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
- - -
(prying1 sez: I would add the word "most" to this statement as there are some Christians that leave a bit of leeway on who gets in. He does touch on this in the article.)
- - -
According to every liberal I know – Christian, Jew or other – Jews are supposed to find this theology offensive and frightening. According to liberals, the evangelicals' doctrine that no non-Christians can be saved is so awful that all other evangelical views must be held suspect – even their unique support for Jews and Israel.

I would therefore like to announce, as a practicing, believing Jew, that I am in no way offended, let alone frightened, by evangelical Christians who believe that it is necessary to have faith in Jesus in order to be saved.

Why should Jews not be offended by this evangelical Christian belief?

First, since all non-Christians are unsaved, this doctrine is in no way anti-Jewish. It is pro-salvation, not anti-anybody. The evangelical view of who is not saved is applicable, by definition, to all non-Christians. There is, therefore, no reason whatsoever for a Jew to be personally offended. It is no more applicable to Jews than to Hindus. When most evangelicals single out Jews, it is only to support them and Israel, and to reaffirm Jewish chosenness. It takes paranoia, ignorance and ingratitude for a Jew to join the anti-evangelical critics.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Third, all those who condemn evangelicals for their belief in the necessity of affirming Christ for salvation are doing exactly what they accuse these Christians of doing – judging and condemning people solely for their beliefs. Here is the liberals' rule: Christians may not judge others by their religious beliefs, but liberals may judge Christians by their religious beliefs.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Fourth, one of Judaism's core teachings is that God judges all people by their behavior rather than by their faith alone, and that we are to judge people in the same way. I apply this teaching to evangelicals. I judge them not by their theology but by their behavior. I find that behavior often exemplary, and I regard them as America's best hope to stem the country's cultural and moral decline.

My Remembrance of Pope John Paul ll

The Pope is nearing the time of crossing over. Indeed as I type this he may have reached the other side. I felt it in my heart to share a bit of my feelings/thoughts concerning this point in history. Trust me on this. No disrespect is meant on this post. I was raised Catholic but left the fold in my 20's for a more non-denominational type church.

One thing that really impressed me about Pope John Paul was a bit I read in a book by Terry Law, The Power of Praise and Worship I think. It has been a while and I can't find the book right now. I do remember the bit Terry wrote about being in a church in communist Warsaw, Poland and after a concert of praise and worship a local Catholic priest invited the group to his abode. They spent the majority of the night praising and worshiping God, the priest joining in with his voice and guitar. At a later date and prior to the publication of this book the priest was elected to be Pope.

It seems the time is nearing that this same priest will be adding his voice to the heavenly crowd of worshippers.

The other remembrance that immediately comes to mind is when the pope came to visit L.A. California.

Leave it to Los Angelinos to make a buck no matter the weighty business involved. A news article in the L.A Times (LAT) told of a man selling standup cutouts of the pope that were designed to be set up on front lawns. A garden hose was to be connected to it and water would come from the cutouts hands raised in benediction. The words, "Let us Spray!" completed the image of the popes concern over the care of your lawn.

Only in America!

Email Humor

Often time I get forwarded emails from someone I know and if I do not forward them in in a timely fashion, 2-3 days later I get the same email from someone else. I always wonder what route it take from my uncle in CA to an eBay friend in NJ. This one came from my uncle. I thought a bit of humor might be good right now... (Wonder how long for Nancy to send it to me if she does decide to forward it...)
~~~~~~~~~~
Subject: The wrong e-mail address


A couple from New York decided to go to Southern California to thaw out during one particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the very same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.

Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left NYC and flew to L.A. on Sunday, and his wife flew out the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an e-mail to his wife. However, he inadvertently left out one letter as he was typing in her e-mail address, and, without realizing his error, sent the note.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister of many years who passed away following a sudden heart attack. The widow decided to check her e-mail, expecting messages of condolence from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:


To: My Loving Wife Subject: I've Arrived Date: June 20, 2005

I know you're surprised to hear from me. This is quite the place. They have computers here, hooked up to the internet, and you are allowed to send e-mails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is hot down here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know this is not the best joke on the internet. but you must admit it is rather humorious.

When I received this email it had the little arrow thingies (You know. The elbows!) at the start of each line.
Great way to get rid of them for archiving your favorite jokes or cleaning them up for forwarding: http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm (Psst. John... It's FREE!)

Terri Schiavo Crosses the Great Divide

May she rest in Peace. May her family find comfort. May the Living God touch all concerned on both sides of the issue deciding her early passing.

Hillary Searches for Schiavo Truth

At least I think that is where she has been. Perhaps she is out on golf courses asking OJ how to find the truth. Could she be in Hollywood asking the stars? At the UN seeking advice from Kofi? One thing I do know is she has been mighty quiet on the subject of Terri Schiavo so I guess she has no opinion. That is what we need in a presidential candidate. Decisiveness.

Will someone tell me why they think Hillary Rodham Clinton Rodham is a good pick for the presidency for 2008? - One of the biggest controversies of the year and she keeps her mouth shut. Even her husband, Bill Clinton, has spoken up on it. A controversy that transcends party lines and she won't tell us what to do, how to fix it...

The Queen of Cattlegate normally is very up front about what she believes. NewsMax.com reminds us that during the health care debacle of 1993 Hillary said: "I think there should be a discussion in this country about what is appropriate care ... With more thought and more concern about both the human and the economic cost,"

Hillary Knows all about economics. After all, she lost money on Whitewater and has some of the papers (They're around here someplace or did those get shredded too?) to prove it.

She also said, ""If we do this health care reform right [we can] create the kind of security we're talking about so that people will know that they're not being denied treatment for any reason other than it is not appropriate, it will not enhance or save the quality of life."

Did she mention back in 1993 who decides on the definition of 'quality of life'? Oh well, It doesn't matter because I'm sure she and her friends will not mind being treated like Terri Schiavo if it is for the greater good.

We know that Hillary really cares about life because she did not kill Bill when she first learned about Monica Lewinski. Speaking of Hillary first learning about Monica, Time.com has a poll (at the time of this posting anyway) that asks, "Do you believe Hillary Rodham Clinton's account of when she first learned of her husband's affair with Monica Lewinsky? - Yes 46.8% / No 52.9% - Wonder if that is the same numbers we would see if the Deathocrats really decide to let her run.

Personally I think the Deathocrats ought to really put her on the ticket. Her shrillness needs to be seen by all of America to show us what depths the Deathocratic party has fallen too. And then too we can watch her squirm when the question is put to her, "Should the judicial system put all people like Terri to sleep?"

The good Samaritan goes to jail

Townhall.com columnist Terence Jeffrey has an article comparing the Good Samaritan to the Terri Schiavo situation -
- - - Quote - - -

The Gospel only says the Samaritan was the traveler's good neighbor and that Jesus told the Samaritan's story to teach a so-called "expert in the law" just what it means to be a good neighbor.

Apparently, the wounded traveler's precise clinical condition and prognosis were not important factors in determining what simple human decency demanded of the traveler's neighbors.

Now who are Terri Schiavo's good neighbors?

prying1 sez:
Please don't think that when Terri dies the story will end. Many believe the judges now consider themselves to be above Congress and the President. The branches are supposed to be co-equal and our government is designed to reign in any branch that gets out of control. Clearly the Judicial Branch now feels they can demand murder with impunity and no control by the other branches of the government. Terri's clinging to life has opened the eyes of many from the left who do not want to be associated with the party of death.

Some Stars Favor Life for Terri Schiavo

- 13 Days - Court Agrees to Consider Review of Schiavo Case - According to ABC News:

Twelve days after Schiavo's feeding tube was removed under a state court order, parents Bob and Mary Schindler had apparently exhausted all their judicial options in the bitter family dispute that has escalated into a highly politicized national drama.

But late on Tuesday, lawyers for the Schindlers requested a rehearing of their appeal at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. A three-judge panel there last week rejected the appeal against a lower court's rebuff.

A spokesman for the Atlanta court, Matt Davidson, said the court had agreed to consider the Schindlers' request for a rehearing by all 12 judges. The documents in the case were forwarded to the judges overnight.

The judges did not indicate when they might decide to rehear the case or not, he said.

Doctors have said that Schiavo, 41, would likely live up to two weeks after removal of the feeding tube, and family members have said she is weakening so there was little time left for any court intervention.

Also some TV and music stars have come out in support of Terri as has Jesse Jackson.

NewsMax reports Bill Clinton (Who always knows which way the wind is blowing) is now in favor of the Schindler family. Terri's story certainly is making strange bedfellows.

It is getting down to the wire for Terri. I'm praying the Lord will sustain her. I'm also expecting the usual gabble about quality of life and how she is damaged goods, must be thrown away, I wouldn't want to live that way (as if anyone would prefer it).

Here it is for the naysayers. (Most) Christians believe that the breath of life was given by God and is to be respected and protected until the final one taken by each of us.

Kofi Annan Not Quitting U.N.

Guess my previous post suggesting Annan might be quitting was a bit premature. The report comes out and 'clears' him of wrong doing in the Oil For Food program
From Reuters:

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A key report concluded on Tuesday that Secretary-General Kofi Annan did not influence contract decisions for a firm that employed his son but it faulted the U.N. chief for conducting a superficial probe of the controversy.

"Hell no!" Annan told a news conference when asked if he would resign, as some lawmakers in the United States, had demanded.

"After so many distressing and untrue allegations have been made against me, this exoneration by the independent inquiry obviously comes as a great relief," Annan said.
~~~~~~~~`
Kojo Annan, 31, and living in Nigeria, issued a statement through his lawyers, saying "I have always maintained that neither myself nor my father exercised any undue influence in the awarding of the U.N. oil-for-food contract to Cotecna."

The younger Annan was a trainee with Cotecna from late 1995 until the end of 1998, about the time the firm received the U.N. contract for inspecting goods in Iraq.

He did not immediately reveal that he continued to earn $2,500 a month from 1999 until February 2004 in return for not joining Cotecna competitors in West Africa. The report also raises questions about Kojo Annan's one-time plans to do business in Iraq with Franco-Lebanese Pierre Mouselli, who at one time lived in Nigeria..

prying1 sez -
So much for improvements in the staffing of the UN. Wonder if they could move the U.N. building down and all its inhabitants down to Cuba. It is taking up valuable property that could be put to better uses.

Like a landfill.

Update: Question is asked by Rush Limbaugh as to why Billions are stolen through this program and everyone wants to focus on $400,000? Good Question!

Link Meandering Comes to a Nice End.

Started at Radioblogger and lost track of time. Followed Duane's link to Free Republic and had to go see the source of all the hubbub. The News-Record, A North Carolina Newspaper that has set several employees up as bloggers.

Well, now I must give a hat tip to Lex Alexander at The Lex Files of the News-Record for this one. First I must say that Lex Alexander is doing a good job and I believe his blog is an asset to the planet. Now Lex has posted about this great deal. - An online course "designed to help "grassroots" journalists, bloggers, students and other Web publishers without formal journalism training to write more accurate and informative content." - For a price even Scotwise will love. FREE!

OJR introduces new wikis on journalism - Ethics, Reporting and Writing are covered. Links to other resources are included and looks to be chock full of good advice, common sense and the ability to grow with (registered) reader participation. I would suggest beginning bloggers run through the site and learn a bit. Longtime bloggers may want to share some of their expertise or a link to a helpful site. - Enjoy!

Kofi Annan to Resign UN Leadership Post?

Looks like the fire under the pan is getting too hot for Mr. Kofi Annan, the current U.N.leader. New report to be released on Tuesday revealing he had three undisclosed meetings with the company, Cotecna, before and after the U.N. Oil for Food contract was given to them. Kofi's son, Koji, had received $300,000 to $4,000,000 from the company apparently after he quit working for them but before the $60 million was awarded.

Times Online U.K.> has this: Mark Malloch Brown, Annan’s British chief-of-staff, said the meetings were brief and had nothing to do with Cotecna’s contract. If some of the allegations against Kojo were confirmed, that would create “a very different situation, but for Kojo — not the secretary-general”.

Kojo and Cotecna insist he had no part in securing the oil for food contract and that his work related to activities in Nigeria and Ghana.

New scandals continue to erupt, however. One revelation last week was that the UN had agreed to pay legal fees for Benon Sevan, the disgraced head of the oil for food programme, out of the funds raised from the Iraqi oil sales.

“Kofi Annan is going to find his position increasingly untenable,” said Nile Gardiner, an expert on the UN at the conservative Heritage Foundation. “There is a strong possibility he will resign voluntarily because of his declining credibility.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WorldNetDaily has this: U.N. staffers report that Annan is severely depressed over the oil-for-food investigation and the scandals involving sexual abuse of civilians by U.N. peacekeepers. One observer describes his moods as being like a "sine curve," and he is currently near its bottom.

A U.N. staff member tells The Australian: "Kofi is going to have a rough time. For how long will depend on what Volcker has got. But it's not going to be easy for him."

"Kofi may be placed in a situation where he has to consider all his options," confides another U.N. official. "That includes resignation. You won't find many people who would want that outcome, but events may unfold in a way that makes it a real possibility."

prying1 sez:
Well this is certainly something to pray about. If the U.N. gets a new leader could it be cleaned up enough to make it a worthwhile organisation? The problem is the crooks and child molesters that are left behind will be fighting tooth and nail to keep control from any honest and upright people. Same thing as is happening in Iraq.
It certainly is worth trying to save the shell of the U.N. but the inside must be gutted...

Continue in Prayer!

I have found that since Terri Schiavo's situation re-hit the news and I have been blogging on it I have increased my prayer time - Praying for Terri, her parents and family. Praying the judge would not starve and dehydrate her. Praying her husband would give up custody etc. Praying the congress attempt would be successful. Praying something could be done through the law so that our government could/would not be accused of committing murder...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my prayer now. I pray that others that have enjoined in prayer at this time do not decrease the amount of time they pray if and when Terri expires. I pray that they direct the extended prayer time to lifting up before the throne of God the family, friends and neighbors that they personally know are in need of God's attention. I pray that they spend time getting to know the mind of God as opposed to just ordering him around with directives. I pray that they also earnestly lift up Judge Greer and Michael Schiavo and pray God's protection over them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last line might be hard for some of us to swallow. I know it is for me. I am working real hard to make sure a root of bitterness does not grow in my heart. The best way I know is to pray God's mercy, grace, and loving kindness upon them. This is perhaps the toughest thing God has commanded us to do. Pray for your enemies, Pray for those who despitefully use you. By doing so we prevent ugliness in our hearts from destroying our relationship with God.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm certainly glad that, except for a few incidents, most of the people that really care from both sides of the debate have conducted themselves in a legal manner.

The law in this country is important and for those that wanted the FL Governor and the President to break the law to save Terri did not fully think through the results had either of them done so. Had they chosen to travel that road the ultimate end result could well be anarchy.

On the Lighter Side

my uncle sent this email to me and I'm sure many have seen it. It has made the rounds - However I once read in a joke book that every good joke should come around every 20 years. The new generation has to hear it to carry it on to their progeny...

Interpreting Employment Ads

"Competitive Salary"
- We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.

"Join Our Fast Paced Company"
- We have no time to train you.

"Casual Work Atmosphere"
- We don't pay enough to expect that you will dress up.

"Must be Deadline Oriented"
- You will be six months behind schedule on your first day.

"Some Overtime Required"
- Some time each night, some time each weekend.

"Duties will Vary"
- Anyone in the office can boss you around.

"Must have an Eye for Detail"
- We have no quality control.

"Seeking Candidates with a Wide Variety of Experience"
- You will need to replace three people who just left.

"Problem Solving Skills a Must"
- You are walking into a company in perpetual chaos.
Haven't heard a word from anyone out there.
Your first task is to find out what is going on.