Separation of State from Church

There has, I think, been a misunderstanding when it comes to the Separation of Church and State. I contend that it is the phraseology of these words that is the root and cause of the problem. We use the metaphor of, "The Separation of Church and State", but the evidence supports the more aptly worded phrase, "The Separation of State from Church".
First off, there is no such thing as a complete two-way separation: a separation of Church from State and a separation of State from Church.
The First Amendment of our Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...". This, in essence, prohibits the Congress from establishing a National Religion.
Further support of the separation of the State from Religion can be found in the writings of John Locke, "According to his principle of the social contract, Locke argued that the government lacked authority in the realm of individual conscience, as this was something rational people could not cede to the government for it or others to control. For Locke, this created a natural right in the liberty of conscience, which he argued must therefore remain protected from any government authority."
And again in the Danbury Baptist letters, where Thomas Jefferson replies, "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
Further on August 15, 1789, James Madison, the principal drafter of the Constitution said, in reference to the First Amendment, "Mr. [Peter] Sylvester [of New York] had some doubts...He feared it [the First Amendment] might be thought to have a tendency to abolish religion altogether...Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry [of Massachusetts] said it would read better if it was that 'no religious doctrine shall be established by law.'...Mr. [James] Madison [of Virginia] said he apprehended the meaning of the words to be, that 'Congress should not establish a religion, and enforce the legal observation of it by law.'...[T]he State[s]...seemed to entertain an opinion that under the clause of the Constitution...it enabled them [Congress] to make laws of such a nature as might...establish a national religion; to prevent these effects he presumed the amendment was intended...Mr. Madison thought if the word 'National' was inserted before religion, it would satisfy the minds of honorable gentlemen...He thought if the word 'national' was introduced, it would point the amendment directly to the object it was intended to prevent."
And later, in a letter to Edward Livingston, Madison further expanded, "We are teaching the world the great truth that Govts. do better without Kings & Nobles than with them. The merit will be doubled by the other lesson that Religion flourishes in greater purity, without than with the aid of Govt."
Then in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, originally authored by Thomas Jefferson, but championed by Madison, we read, "... no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."
John Tyler, Jr., the tenth President of the United States is quoted in William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine of July, 1904, as having said, "The United States have adventured upon a great and noble experiment, which is believed to have been hazarded in the absence of all previous precedent-that of total separation of Church and State. No religious establishment by law exists among us. The conscience is left free from all restraint and each is permitted to worship his Maker after his own judgement. The offices of the Government are open alike to all. No tithes are levied to support an established Hierarchy, nor is the fallible judgement of man set up as the sure and infallible creed of faith. The Mahommedan, if he will to come among us would have the privilege guaranteed to him by the constitution to worship according to the Koran; and the East Indian might erect a shrine to Brahma if it so pleased him. Such is the spirit of toleration inculcated by our political Institutions . . . . The Hebrew persecuted and down trodden in other regions cakes up his abode among us with none to make him afraid . . . . and the Aegis of the Government is over him to defend and protect him. Such is the great experiment which we have cried, and such are the happy fruits which have resulted from it; our system of free government would be imperfect without it." (also referenced in Bernard Lewis', "THE ROOTS OF MUSLIM RAGE" and in The Cooper Union and or The Atlantic Monthly, September 1990.)
And while the SCotUS references the "separation" about 25 times, it is not unanimously held. Justice Rehnquist presented the view that the establishment clause was intended to protect local establishments of religion from federal interference and Justice Scalia criticized the metaphor as a bulldozer removing religion from American public life.
Not surprisingly absent from any source and resource on this topic is the idea or understanding that Religion must be separated from the State, only that the State must be separated from Religion. In other words, as a religious entity, I can have influence in the Government, up to but not including, the establishment of a State or National Religion.

(all references maintained at Wikipedia)

Visual-Spacial Learning

I have had a battle with Learning the way things are taught in the School Systems. They tend to teach to the Lowest Common Denominator. It was complicated by my being a little A.D.D.
I would get bad grades, and nobody could figure out why, because I was testing in the 97 percentile.
Well, here we are, more than 20 years later, and they have finally started putting things together.
Dr. Linda Kreger Silverman. Ph.D. has put into words what we previously didn't understand. It is called "Visual-Spatial Learning".
These are 3 things to look at when trying to decide if you are a Visual-Spatial Learner:

Visual-spatial learners think in pictures rather than in words. They learn better visually than auditorally. They learn all-at-once, and when the light bulb goes on, the learning is permanent.

They do not learn from repetition and drill. They are whole-to-part learners who need to see the Big Picture first before they learn the details.

They are non-sequential, which means they do not learn in the step-by-step manner in which most teachers teach. They arrive at correct solutions without taking steps, so "show your work" may be impossible for them.

This was my problem. I couldn't show my work in most cases (I did learn how to at least look like I was showing my work). I couldn't do things sequentially, but that is how it was being taught. And if I tried memorization and practice, my grades actually dropped.
I finally got out of High School with a 3.5, and finished my degree with a 3.7. I could have done a lot better, but the system is not geared to handle Visual-Spatial Learners.

This is my view of the world,

When you look at it this way, it is amazing I got out of High School!

There are some Great Resources on the Web:
The Gifted Development Center
Visual-Spatial Resource
and of course,
"Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner" by Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D. (ISBN: 1-932186-00-X)
(The review is HERE)

Now, there are many ways that we can deal with Visual-Spatial Learners, but the most common are to put them in Resource, get them a Tutor, or stuff them in something like the Sylvan Learning Center.
These aren't necessarily bad, but if we can learn to deal with them in the right way, and work with them in their learning experience, we might have a more successful experience.
Many schools are now offering programs designed to deal with people with "different" or "special" learning needs. These programs have been a long time coming. However, they also have a long way to go.
Something we did with my daughter is put her in a "Physio-Neuro therapy" learning environment. This type of environment is provided by Learning Technics.
There may be other programs out there, but this program uses a variety of things to re-train the brain to work more efficiently and re-learn pathways to accomplish learning. It also works more specifically with people that are Visual-Spatial in nature. (although they don't specifically advertise this, it is a byproduct of the methods they use to help students learn how to learn.)

SO if you have ever wondered why learning was difficult for you, or why it is hard for your child, take a look at this, see if it fits, and if not, there are other resources for other types of learning. Good Luck!

Windows 7 WARNING

So the first thing Windows 7 does is declare it is susceptible to 7 out of 10 viruses...

If that isn't bad enough, it now has a Zero-Day Exploit...

The last time Ubuntu had a Zero-Day Exploit was in 2007...

And to make matters even worse, most security products for Windows simply fail to preform as expected...

Oh, and that isn't all, I guess IE8 is now suffering more issues:
New Attack Fells Internet Explorer
and
Major IE8 Flaw Makes "Safe" Sites Unsafe

Choose the Blue Pill - Wake up and come over to Linux...

(oh, and as a side note, there are some great informations about keeping you and your children safe online... It doesn't really pertain to Linux, but it still might be useful...
Free Tool to Online Safety)

Now, it turns out that there might be more to Windows 7 and it's effect on hardware:
Is Windows 7 killing your hard disks?
While this is just an opinion, it would be a good idea to start looking into other support forums and see if it is the Hard-Disk BRAND, the Laptop BRAND, or the Operating System.

And one last point, Microsoft has given the bad guys information that they need:
Microsoft accused of helping virus writers
We know that Microsoft has made a lot of things "easy" on developers and on 3rd-party vendors, but remember, hackers are developers too, and mal/spy/ad-ware is only another 3rd-party application.

Sheeple - is 911 your best bet?

We have become accustomed to letting others handle our safety. We believe that somehow the police will save us. If that is truly the case, why do we also say, "There is never a cop around when you need one"?
Not to mention that Police and Fire services are some of the first for budget cuts when times get tough. Have you ever wondered why? I can tell you, it is because the police are NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR INDIVIDUAL SAFETY...they are charged with the Safety of the Society as a whole.
If you want a personal protection type police force, we would have to have 3 officer for every 4 people (one officer per 8 hour shift, 3 shifts in one day). In the State of Utah, that would be approximately 217500 police officers in Utah alone (Utah's population is approximately 2.9 million) and if we pay them $30,000 a year, that would come to $65.25 BILLION for law enforcement only... To put this in perspective, the entire Utah State Budget for 2010 will be around $10 billion... You think taxes are bad right now?
There is a book, "Dial 911 and Die" that explains the problems with expecting or relying on the police to protect us.
The sad part is, we are told, by the police, to do nothing but dial 911... to acquiesce to the criminal and, essentially, become sheep.
Salt Lake City: Crime Tips
Under the section "If you are attacked or robbed: " you will find the following advice:

If the attacker is after your property, don't resist.

I refuse to be a Victim. You have the right to NOT be a victim. It is YOUR CHOICE.

Don't escalate this crime into a violent encounter.

If you are being robbed or attacked, it is already a violent encounter. You have every right to protect yourself and your property. You don't have to be a victim.
You will find similar advice from just about any and every Law Enforcement agency in the country. They give you a false sense of security. They cannot be with you 24/7/365, it just isn't possible...
Earlier this week, Shauna Lake, one of the reporters of Channel 2 News (KUTV) did a small piece on guns, it is called "Shauna Lake Learns How to Shoot". In it, she says that they cannot advocate that you go out and learn to shoot, get a Concealed Weapons Permit, and use a Gun for Self Defense... maybe I am just different, but I think that is exactly what people should be advocating. The police cannot protect you, it isn't their job (their job is "to society" not "to the individual"), it isn't their responsibility. It is YOUR responsibility, however, and one that you should take seriously.
Something you should know;
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, only 17% of the 4.7 million crimes in the US were committed with a gun. That works out to be 799000 crimes committed with a gun.
According to Researchers John Lott and Gary Kleck, legally owned firearms are used 2 to 3 million (2.5 million or so) times to PREVENT a crime from happening. Someone once estimated that the number was actually much higher, but we don't have hard statistics on that.
As you can see, people OTHER THAN COPS are doing a whole lot to help deter crime.
Criminals are cowards. they prey on the weak. This is something that any predator will do. Look at the Lion...does he eat other lions? No, he finds a smaller or defenceless animal to eat.
Why work harder than you have to?
The problem is, people (more specifically, the Bad Guys) find people that won't or don't fight back...the Police are telling you to not fight back... they are setting you up to be a victim. If people fought back, if they made the effort to tell the Bad Guys that "we aren't victims", the Bad Guys would go find easier prey, find something better to do...or they would find out the penalty for their crimes...either way, the threat is removed from society.
For more information on this subject, you can see the Civilian Self-Defence Gun Blog, it is a collection of the stories that you may or may not hear about "normal people" using their firearms to prevent crime.

If you think you are safe in your neighborhood, then you haven't been paying attention.
In the past few months, these are where some of the reported crimes have happened:
Rite Aid, Sinclair Store, Black Diamond, Check Into Cash, Tobacco Store, Wells Fargo Bank, Mountain America Credit Union, Golden West Credit Union, First National Bank, Deseret First Credit Union, Cyprus Credit Union, Southwood Pharmacy, Zion's Bank, 7-11, Family Dollar, Chuck-a-Rama, Far West Bank, Maverik Store, Tri-Mart, Boost Mobile, E-Z Loan, Wal-Mart, Pioneer Park, Ruelas Envios Y Multiservicios, Mormon Craft Store, Hampton Inn, Sam's Magazine and Video, Bob's Magazine, Key Bank, US Bank, Behive Credit Union, Washington Federal CU, Chase Bank, Henries Dry Cleaners, Holladay Pharmacy, Mr. Roberts the Cleaner, Walgreens, 5 Buck Pizza, Gift Basket Affairs, the U of U, Arctic Circle, some small restaurants and convenience stores, and HOMES in Logan, Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo... there are many other locations, just see THESE GUYS for more information.

If you use any of these places for any reason, you could be the target of a crime. There is no way to know when or where a crime might happen, and that is one of the biggest reasons that we cannot rely on the police to be there for us.

Now, if you are ever involved in a Self-Defense situation and use your gun, there are a few things you should know.

1 - Most legal uses of a gun go unreported, just like many crimes.
2 - The first to dial 911 is the "victim" (i.e. is NOT the Bad Guy)
3 - If you carry a gun, you should also carry a cell phone.
4 - If you have just shot someone, call 911 state that you were attacked and to send an ambulance and the police (in that order). If they want clarification, you state the Bad Guy has been shot and needs medical attention.
5 - When the police arrive, give them the essential details: I was attacked, I defended myself, I responded according to my training.
6 - You next statement is important: I am "shook up" and I will gladly cooperate with your investigation fully - AFTER I have had time to calm down and when I have talked to an attorney.
(these are the same rights the police have, and they are YOUR rights as well)
7 - DO NOT volunteer any more information or you may find yourself in trouble.
8 - Contact an attorney and have them explain it to the police.
9 - Never forget, YOU were the "victim" (i.e. NOT the Bad Guy) and the other person was the aggressor.
10 - You were scared for your life, and felt that deadly force was the only way.

I hope this information is useful.

<<>>
Woman robbed at Provo gas station - December 2nd, 2009 @ 7:16am

Woman Wakes Up To Man In Her Bedroom - Monday, Nov 30, 2009 @11:48pm CST

Intoxicated man breaks in, fondles woman - December 8th, 2009 @ 11:13am

Armed men break into Ogden home during early-morning hours - December 8th, 2009 @ 4:08pm

Man critically injured in Woods Cross stabbing - December 17th, 2009 @ 9:57pm

Nevada man arrested for robbing woman in Tremonton - December 15th, 2009 @ 1:14pm

Roommates fend off would-be robber - December 20th, 2009 @ 3:40pm

Cab driver attacked in Salt Lake City - December 20th, 2009 @ 2:55pm

Would-be victims fight back against thieves - December 22nd, 2009 @ 12:16pm

Privacy and the Dodo Bird

We have been hearing it a lot lately...
"Illegal wiretapping", "national security", etc...
These are things the Government does, and how they excuse it.
Recently, the Attorney General said that he wanted the "Illegal Wiretapping" law suits thrown out because of the risk to "National Security" such law suit could bring.
Hmmm...
I am of the opinion that if doing something illegal exposes National Security, then the Government shouldn't' be doing something illegal! In this case, specifically, I am all for the law suit exposing "National Security" because it might teach the Government a little lesson...

However, it has a much chance of happening as a snowball surviving Hell.

Here is a list of other wonderful things that the Government is doing to invade your privacy and your life... I am also going to include information on how to protect yourself.

Md. Police Put Activists' Names On Terror Lists

The Maryland State Police classified 53 nonviolent activists as terrorists and entered their names and personal information into state and federal databases that track terrorism suspects, the state police chief acknowledged yesterday.

Don't we have the right to belong to any "non violent" organization we so choose?

CCTV boom has failed to slash crime, say police

Massive investment in CCTV cameras to prevent crime in the UK has failed to have a significant impact, despite billions of pounds spent on the new technology, a senior police officer piloting a new database has warned.

We see them going up all over. Many are for "traffic" management or accident identification, but they are used for a variety of things, including tracking people's movements.

U.K. turns CCTV, terrorism laws on pooping dogs
Since they have to use the camera system for something, I guess a violation of your rights and privacy is ok to justify the expense:

Recent reports in the U.K. media indicate that the laws are being used for everything but terrorism investigations:

* Derby City Council, Bolton, Gateshead, and Hartlepool used surveillance to investigate dog fouling.
* Bolton Council also used the act to investigate littering.
* The London borough of Kensington and Chelsea conducted surveillance on the misuse of a disabled parking pass.
* Liverpool City Council used Ripa to identify a false claim for damages.
* Conwy Council used the law to spy on a person who was working while off sick.

You are Destroying America. Yes, You.

These are the whining tantrum-throwers who live in such a fear-choked world that they will trade in America's Constitution and Bill of Rights for far less than thirty pieces of silver.

And isn't it good to know, if you are a Patriot, Religious, or associated to a non-mainstream Political Party, you can be placed on a Terrorist List and find yourself facing the FBI's Terrorist Task Force...
http://keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg
http://keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Front.jpg

So, now the question is, what can you do? How can you protect yourself?
Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to that question, but here are some tips:

THE PROPER ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

All too often, answers to these questions seem to be based, not upon any solid principle, but upon the popularity of the specific government program in question. Seldom are men willing to oppose a popular program if they, themselves, wish to be popular – especially if they seek public office.

Holding Government Office isn't supposed to be a "popularity contest" but a position of supporting the Constitution and the People of this Country.

UNDERSTANDING PRIVACY

He argues that no single definition can be workable, but rather that there are multiple forms of privacy, related to one another by family resemblances. His theory bridges cultural differences and addresses historical changes in views on privacy.

This book actually goes into exactly what is "Privacy", it should be read by all.

The EFF on Privacy

New technologies are radically advancing our freedoms, but they are also enabling unparalleled invasions of privacy.

You would think the ACLU would be one of the biggest Proponents of Privacy, and I think they try, but other organizations are doing far more, like the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation).

Understanding the proper role of Government also includes understanding how the Government is supposed to work:
Essays Or Counsels - Civil And Moral

Know what is going on in your world:
Global Incident (Terrorist Activity) Map
News Map

Ass Free Citizens in this Great Nation, we also have the right to be heard. We are where the "buck stops" so we need to take responsibility. If you feel your voice needs to be heard, you can go to sites like Wikileaks.
Whistle while you work
Routine DNA Tests For Newborns Mean Looming Privacy Problems
And if you are concerned about Online Privacy, you can try:
EFF's Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy
EPIC Online Privacy Tools

Don't let your privacy go the way of the Dodo Bird. Fight for your Privacy Freedom. Write your legislators and let them know where you stand.

<<>>
So today there is an article in the news asking: "City surveillance: Crime deterrent or invasion of privacy?"
We already know my answer to this question, but seriously... if England cannot make it work, and they have more CCTVs per capita than the USA, how do we think we can make it work? Their laws aren't like our laws, the people have fewer rights, and are more willing or less capable of stopping the Government intrusion into their lives.

Police in Sandy have such a system, and call it a deterrent to crime.

Yes, maybe it is a deterrent, but yes, it is an invasion of our privacy.
Where and how do we achieve balance with this topic?

<<>>
To make it even more disturbing, there is an article that tells us how Britain is planning on installing CCTV in people's homes...how very 1984 of them...
UK Government To Install Surveillance Cameras In Private Homes
ANd before you tell me "its fake", well, here is the UK Government's White Paper on the subject... note the URL, this isn't some 3rd party, this is the Official UK Government's Web Site.

<<>>
Chicago's Camera Network Is Everywhere
Chicago seems to be getting into the act with their CCTV network... but here is something to consider:
1,000 CCTV cameras to solve just one crime, Met Police admits

So the question is, "Is this practice of using CCTV a violation of Privacy?" and the other questions to help answer that one...
If we set a standard, "the CCTV network is to solve crime" shouldn't that network be proven to solve a significant amount of crime?
How much crime balances the cost in privacy?
Would you let them put a camera in your home, if, some day it might identify a burglar?

Hmmm...

What is your price for your privacy?

<<>>
How do you affect Privacy Laws?
Read this...
How online life distorts privacy rights for all - By Zoe Kleinman - Technology Reporter, BBC News

Some privacy concerns are just now coming to light, and have been around for YEARS...
Routine DNA Tests For Newborns Mean Looming Privacy Problems

What can or should we do about them?

Thank God we have the Government

My wife suffers from a condition which requires some extremely expensive medications. I have insurance to pay for those medications, at least, in part, but there was still some extreme incompetence exercised this past week, as they attempted to fill my wife's prescriptions.
I ordered her medications last week, to give them enough time to get here before she runs out. I ordered them online, and gave them my FSA account information, just like I have in the past. I received a confirmation number and everything seemed to be good.
When they didn't show up by the end of the week (I had selected to get expedited shipping) I went back to the web site to see what the hold-up was. I found the order and the confirmation, and it said that they wouldn't be shipping the medications until the 13th. Really? It will take 13 days to ship something "expedited"?
Then I received a letter on Monday that said, "call member services"... Which I had to wait to do until Tuesday. So I called them, and found that they couldn't or wouldn't ship the medications for 2 reasons... First, there was a balance on the account of $85.00. Not only does this balance NOT show up on my online account information, but that was from a previous order 3 months ago, and I have not received a bill or any notification that there is a balance on the account.
Second, the FSA account supposedly has a $100.00 limit on prescriptions. I know this is false, as when I look back at the previous billings from the medication provider there are charges against the account for over $700.00.
So, the issues here,
#1 - I ordered the medication on the 1st and requested expedited shipping
#2 - They won't ship until the 13th
#3 - There was a balance on the account that was unknown to me for over 3 months
#4 - There is a phantom limit on my benefits account
#5 - I was given a confirmation # for the order, but it couldn't be filled because of #3 and #4
#6 - There is no remedy to fix this situation and get the medications faster

I paid the $85 balance, and the currently owed amount for the new order from another account, and it will still take another week for an expedited order...go figure.

So I started to think about how much things will change when the Government runs our healthcare. Will the billing errors and mismanagement go away? No. According to Obama, one of the main reasons that they are attacking the healthcare field is to get rid of "fraud and waste". If they know it exists and they haven't fixed it until now, there is no reason to believe they will fix it in the future.
How about wait times? If I have something that is important, like medications, will they make sure I have them on time when I order them? If you think so, maybe you haven't been to the DMV or had any dealings with the IRS? Things are done in 30 and 45 day cycles.
How about other benefits? My Grandmother, the wife of a WWII, Korea, Viet Nam vet, was supposed to receive my Grandfather's benefits when he died. They are now denying any claim for anything that my Grandmother needs. Their reasoning? Well, that is just it...she cannot get anyone to tell her why. She is lost in the bureaucracy.

I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to "universal healthcare"...especially in light of how efficient our government is... boy howdy! It will be a great day (in hell) when they finally pass that mess.

Just to let you know what to look forward to...take a look at how the Government Safety Regulations protect you:
How Terahertz Waves Tear Apart DNA

Now a team led by Los Alamos National Labs thinks it knows why. They say that although the forces that terahertz waves exert on double-stranded DNA are tiny, in certain circumstances resonant effects can unzip the DNA strands, tearing them apart. This creates bubbles in the strands that can significantly interfere with processes such as gene expression and DNA replication. With terahertz scanners already appearing in airports and hospitals, the question that now urgently needs answering is what level of exposure is safe.

Shouldn't they have figured out what was SAFE BEFORE they started using these machines?

Social Security and Medicare finances worsen

Social Security and Medicare are fading even faster under the weight of the recession, heading for insolvency years sooner than previously expected, the government warned Tuesday.

They cannot even manage the programs that they have currently, what will happen when we give them more to manage?

Health care bill reignites abortion debate

health care legislation that would prevent women from obtaining abortions through government-sponsored insurance or any plan that receives government subsidies.

They are already doing what they said they wouldn't do, dictate who and or what will be covered. The system is supposed to give healthcare, and now they are dictating what "healthcare" means.

Healthcare Proposal To Cost $725 Billion Tax Increase

The United States House of Representatives has rolled out its revised health system reform plan, and it is a hard pill to swallow. Advertised as costing “only” $894 billion over ten years, accounting tricks and hidden taxes indicate that the total cost could be much higher, somewhere between $1.1 trillion and $1.5 trillion. But, the biggest problem with the proposal is how to pay for it.

So, while they won't raise Income Tax, they have created NEW taxes and are finding ways to raise OTHER taxes. I guess you really cannot spend money you don't have... now if we could just reduce the National Debt... (oh, ha-ha)

Seriously, people, rethink this. Contact your Congresscritters(tm) and tell them to STOP this insanity. If they want to fix things, they need to go after the fraud and waste, give a little thought to tort reform, and work with the states to get "mandatory minimums" from the insurance companies.
Once that is done, THEN we can look at other possibilities (at the State Level).

From the Round-File

I have to wonder what we are doing with our money...
In Kansas, there is a Sea Urchin Study that is receiving something like 6 million in federal grant money... Has anyone noticed how close Kansas is to the Ocean?
Or how about a study to figure out why men don't like condoms... I think that study received 3 million...
So, what, are we looking to see what we could spend "all that money we don't have" on? Just deposit it into my account, and I will come up with some really stupid studies and products...

Fear Detector To Sniff Out Terrorists

Iraq Swears By Dowsing Rod Bomb Detector

These are just a couple examples of where our "copious quantities of cash" are going...

Prop. 8 Hate Redux

I read a news article that basically stated that the "Gay Movement" wants to "reconcile" with the Mormons (the LDS Church). I have to wonder, "reconcile?" I mean, that would indicate that the Mormons have done something wrong. I am still trying to figure that one out...so bear with me here.

My previous Blog Post on this issue, EXPOSED: Anti-Prop. 8 Hatred against the Mormons, explored the aftermath directed at the Mormon Church by the "Gay Movement". Mostly from a web site called, Mormons Stole Our Rights.

More recently, I wrote about the The Price of Prop 8. Outlining the Heritage Foundation's opinion and fact finding about the animosity between the "Gay Movement" and the Mormon Church.

Today, I have to address this petition that the "Gay Movement" has out on LDS Apopogy...

They open the petition with a quote by Stephen R. Covey;

“It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize … A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.”

I find it ironic, just a little, that they quote an LDS Speaker who says, "A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values".
The LDS, in general, have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values, they are the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A Set of Teachings and Beliefs about the nature of God and our Relationship with Him. These teachings and beliefs also include a few codes of conduct that govern our lives: the Law of Chastity, the Word of Wisdom, and other items are the Values we hold sacred.
The "Gay Movement's" use of this quote is supposed to, somehow, excuse the fact that their behavior violates several of these "fundamental principles and values"?

They use another quote by Marilynne Robinson (Home, 2008);

“There is a saying that to understand is to forgive, but that is an error, ... You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding.”

Then they get to the meat and potatoes of the petition, I will quote it and comment on it as we go:

We the undersigned, in the spirit of love and peace, earnestly seek to create a climate for reconciliation between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gays and lesbians who have been affected by the policies, practices and politics of the Church.

According to the WordNet at Princeton, reconciliation is "the re-establishing of cordial relations".
The same source says cordial is:
"affable: diffusing warmth and friendliness", "politely warm and friendly", and "sincerely or intensely felt".

The LDS Church has always had an "open door policy". You are welcome and invited to attend Church, Classes, and Functions (as long as you follow the codes of conduct), and even become a member (so long as you comply with the requirements for membership). The Church has never forbid or evicted anyone except on that person's decision to not follow the code of conduct, or their failure to comply with the requirements of membership... This is a choice of the Individual, not the Church.
The Church provides a loving and supportive environment for people to learn and become like God. Only when people sin is there conflict, and even then, only when they refuse to repent of their sins. The Church is all about the GOOD in life (and after this life).

There is another couple meanings to the word, "reconciliation" is also "getting two things to correspond."
And WordNet says "correspond" is to "match: be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics" or to "equate: be equivalent or parallel, in mathematics."

If they are using this definition of the word, then they are actually asking for us to become similar...or to become compatible...
Unfortunately, as I explained above, this isn't possible. It isn't Man's job to dictate the requirements of God. God set the requirement, it is listed out in the Bible and other Scriptures, and it is for us to follow. Homosexuality is what sets us apart. Since the Church cannot change God's law, the Church cannot become LIKE the "Gay Movement", but that doesn't preclude the "Gay Movement" from becoming LIKE the Church...it would mean they need to look to themselves for the Change necessary. Better yet, that "climate for reconciliation" has existed for years, it is called the "First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel", and it leads to Repentance, Forgiveness, and Remission of Sin.

We recognize that issues surrounding sexuality and gender orientation are complex;

I would have to disagree with this statement. While there may be something biological or physiological about SSA (Same Sex Attraction), the act of Homosexuality is a CHOICE and violates the Biological Imperative of sex. Homosexuality, like abstinence or celibacy, and heterosexuality is a choice.

... We believe that people of good will may have differing views about homosexuality, while maintaining amicable relationships.

Yes, the LDS have differing views, but that doesn't seem to be enough, not even for this faction of the "Gay Movement" who is asking for "reconciliation" or for the LDS Church to accept Homosexuality. That isn't "reconciliation", it is "capitulation".

True reconciliation requires that parties on both sides of this issue be willing to honestly examine their attitudes, behaviors (including past behaviors), policies and practices—and be open to understanding, forgiveness (both asking for and accepting), and apology.

I am curious what attitudes and behaviors they are referring to here. As to the policies and practices, we have already explained, these are DOCTRINES and are not subject to negotiation.

For individuals who have suffered or been forced to watch a loved one suffer mistreatment, misunderstanding, or demonization as a consequence of the LDS church's official policies, actions, and teachings regarding sexual orientation ...

Ah, here we are. Remember that I said they want "capitulation" not "reconciliation"? Remember the definition of "correspond" is to "match" or to "equate"...
They want the LDS Church to stop believing that Homosexuality is a sin. They want the LDS Church to change the Laws of God.
This is not possible. If the Church reverses the position of God on this issue, then the Church becomes false.

For Church leaders, reconciliation requires examining ways in which official statements, rhetoric, policy and practice have been injurious to gays and lesbians and their families and friends

How about the behavior of the "Gay Movement" and how it has affected the Church, it's Leaders and it's members?
We have already discussed how the LDS Cannot change the policy of God, so what more do they want?

have caused unnecessary pain and suffering, rejection, psychological and spiritual damage and even death.

Paul talked about this, he called it the "wages of sin". Nephi said, "wickedness never was happiness". These issues are all the direct result of people's failure to follow the Plan of God, nothing more. With one exception, "rejection". This is wrong to reject someone. We reject the sin, not the sinner. The Sinner is always welcome to come to the Lord.

This means scrupulously acknowledging such practices as “reorientation”-- reparative, revulsion, and shock-therapies

The "same old thing" right from the pages of the falsification play-book. "Shock-therapies" have never been used or endorsed by the LDS Church.

such teachings as homosexuality being an evil perversion, a condition that is chosen and changeable and one that can be overcome through fasting, prayer, sacrifice and heterosexual marriage

Ah, but it is a choice. I can feel attracted to a woman other than my wife. Using the logic here, I should be able to act on that attraction, and expect the Church to change it's position that Adultery is a sin. Then I should be able to ask the Church for "reconciliation" (aka "capitulation") and try to make my behavior "acceptable", because I hate being told I am a sinner.

and using scriptures that are taken out of context, mistranslated or that are highly selective to condemn homosexuality.

Something that might not be known about me. I speak Greek.
Here are the scriptures that they are claiming are "taken out of context" or "mistranslated"...
Levit. 18:22:

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."

Levit. 20:13:

"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."

Matt. 15:10-20:

"...For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man..."

In the Greek (the original language of most of the New Testament) the word for "fornications" is "pornia" which means "any form of illicit sexual behavior".

Since the Jews believed that Homosexuality was a sin, punishable by death, it falls squarely into this definition. He was not speaking ONLY of Homosexuality, but ALSO of Homosexuality.

And when Paul, in the Epistle to the Romans, says:
Romans 1:21-32:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ... Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves ... For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. ... God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death ..."

Note here, Paul mentions "lusts of their own hearts", "dishonour their own bodies between themselves", "vile affections", "men working that which is unseemly", "fornication", "without natural affection"...

He doesn't stop at "fornication" or "pornia", but he is very specific and says it in several different ways, the most clear of which is, "for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another"

Are these the "selective" scriptures that they mention in the Petition? So the question becomes, why doesn't the "Gay Movement" show us the scriptures that support their position that Homosexuality is not a sin, or where God is "ok" with Homosexuality. Because as it stands right now, God isn't ok with it:
Alma 45:16:

... for the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.

They finish up with:

It also means to repudiate publicly circulated articles, essays, books, speeches, and conference addresses that have stereotyped or demonized gays and lesbians.

More demands for capitulation. "Denounce what you believe"...

We believe that the time is right for healing over this issue to begin, for those on both sides to manifest forgiveness, magnanimity, and especially, love. ...

They don't want "healing" they want "justification". They want to feel that their behavior is acceptable. They want to have the LDS Church say, "Its ok"...
Sorry, as I have clearly shown, the Church cannot do that.

As I said in the beginning, there are a couple more meanings to the word "reconciliation", and the final one is theological,

Reconciliation, a theological term, is an element of salvation that refers to the results of atonement. Reconciliation as a theological concept describes the end of the estrangement, caused by sin, between God and humanity. John Calvin describes reconciliation as the peace between humanity and God that results from the expiation of our sin and the propitiation of God's wrath. Evangelical theologian Philip Ryken describes reconciliation in this way; "It is part of the message of Salvation that brings us back together with God. ... God is the author, Christ is the agent and we are the ambassadors of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5)." Although it's only used five times in the Pauline corpus (Romans 5:10-11, 11:15, 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, Ephesians 2:14-17 and Colossians 1:19-22) it is an essential term, describing the "substance" of the gospel and salvation. Ralph Martin writing in the Dictionary of Paul and his Letters, suggests reconciliation is at the center of Pauline theology. Stanley Porter writing in the same volume suggests a conceptual link between the reconciliation Greek word group katallage (or katallasso) and the Hebrew word shalom, generally translated as 'peace.'

In other words, the "Gay Movement" should be less concerned about "reconciling" with the LDS Church, and more concerned with Reconciliation with God.

D&C 1:38:

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

So when we get right down to it, they don't want "reconciliation" they want "capitulation", they don't want us to believe what we believe, they want us to deny what is the truth and agree with their sinful practices and they want to feel better about themselves even though they live in sin. That is the short of it.

Obama breaks another promise...big surprise

Obama's platform was filled with promises of Hope and Change. He made several promises, and has been attempting to fulfil them with some measure of success. He has also failed on several fronts, and the failures are only getting worse and more frequent.
One of his promises was for "Open Government".
So, what of this "secret treaty" that the Federal Government has been working on?
It is called the ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.
The Government has cited "National Security" issues concerning this treaty, and that is what has made it "super secret"...
Well, hello my Mega Powerful Decoder Ring (the Internet)...
Secret Copyright Treaty Leaked
Treaty = DMCA + Trade? How do they manage that?

If you notice the Internet Chapters, you will see the harsh requirements and restrictions. Just another way for the Government to control just about every aspect of our lives. Not to mention, giving the ISPs an excuse to ask the Government for subsidies for lost revenue and bail-outs when they fail because of the draconian law.

Someone asked, "How does an "Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement" fall into "National Security"? Haven't we had enough of that in the past 8 years?"

This just goes to show, Obama isn't about Change, unless that change is about making things worse...
Another Promise Broken, no "Open Government" for you!

Aren't we glad we elected him?

The Price of Prop 8

Abstract: Supporters of Proposition 8 in California have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, vandalism, racial scapegoating, blacklisting, loss of employment, economic hardships, angry protests, violence, at least one death threat, and gross expressions of anti-religious bigotry. Arguments for same-sex marriage are based fundamentally on the idea that limiting marriage to the union of husband and wife is a form of bigotry, irrational prejudice, and even hatred against homosexual persons. As this ideology seeps into the culture more generally, individuals and institutions that support marriage as the union of husband and wife risk paying a price for that belief in many legal, social, economic, and cultural contexts.

Compare and Contrast this with my comments back in November 2008:
EXPOSED: Anti-Prop. 8 Hatred against the Mormons

Conclusion: When people stand firmly by their beliefs about marriage as the union of husband and wife despite facing social stigmatization, economic hardship, and other reprisals, they provide an important example of civic courage and inspire particular vir­tues that are essential to the proper functioning of any free and open society. The freedom of parties on both sides of the marriage debate to voice their views and to promote them in public policy should be respected.

"The Price of Prop 8" by Thomas M. Messner, a Visiting Fellow in the Richard and Helen DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at The Heritage Foundation.

From the Round File

Lets talk about current events.
Remember a month ago how Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? Well, we are back to normal, I guess, cause the Palestinians now accuse the U.S. of killing peace prospects. Sure sounds like something the winner of the Nobel Prize SHOULD do, don't you think?

Do you remember the BILLIONS of dollars for "stimulus"? And how that money was supposed to create jobs? I have posted the links a few times from Political Math that show how the Stimulus, like Cash for Clunkers, has failed. Well, Obama is finally admitting his failure as he warns more job losses coming.

But Obama is still determined, he says the Economy is Recovering, but experts are saying that if the Stimulus ends too soon, everything will come apart. So is the economy really recovering, or is it still too early to say?

One of the biggest dangers to our way of life is all the Social Programs the government is trying to foist upon us. The Free Market system really does work. The American people are showing their support of businesses that are Honest and have (at least some) Integrity, and were Fiscally Responsible and Business Savvy enough to avoid taking Stimulus and Bail-Out dollars. Ford is actually doing quite well as they show a profit and their shares soar.
It seems to me that the People have Spoken with their actions. Go Ford!

And, wasn't Obama supposed to have done something about the Oil Companies? Why are Gas Prices going up again? How is it that we keep getting hit from all sides? Why doesn't Obama keep any of his promises?
Ok, enough with the questions already...we know why, and it is only going to get worse from here.