I read an AP article by Kim Curtis in the Houston Chronicle this morning, “Woman accused of burning homeless prostitute to death” (linked via title bar).
“SAN FRANCISCO — Two women are accused of soaking a homeless, drug-addicted prostitute with gasoline and burning her to death after she reported that one of them had robbed her.”
A little further down the page:
“Prosecutor George Butterworth said the crime showed "exceptional depravity."”
I’m not trying to make light of a tragic event that has taken place; however, it happened in San Francisco where it would be difficult to define “exceptional depravity”. Yesterday the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held hearings at the Stanford University Law School to determine what constitutes “hate speech” regarding natural family values and homophobic fear. I’m not making this up.
http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/02/15/9th-circus-hearing-hate-speech-case-you-should-worry/
The use of the term “exceptional depravity” might easily be construed to mean that Mr. Butterworth, a representative for the State of California acting in the capacity of prosecutor, does not approve of the alternative lifestyle that prostitutes exhibit. A careful examination of Mr. Butterworth’s religious background, previous statements regarding natural families or unacceptable relationships might be at variance with the progressive or even non existent social code in the San Francisco metropolitan area.
In a country where the right to life has been interpreted in such vagaries as to permit late term abortion and state assisted euthanasia it might be difficult to imagine any particular act committed by an individual or group of individuals as qualifying as “exceptional depravity”. It sounds like Mr. Butterworth might be a radical right wing Christian attempting to impose an ancient and outdated moral code on an advanced society far removed from any such restraints.
I’m certain that the term robbery will eventually show the earned wages that were forcefully taken from one individual and then redistributed clearly intended to mimic the actions of governmental attempts to do exactly the same thing. These individuals were simply advancing the State’s policy of maximizing social burden relief through confiscatory taxation.
The tragedy is that two hard working women of the streets have been castigated by an employee of the State of California intent on imposing his personal beliefs on the rest of society. Case dismissed!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Must be a Blue Moon
Every rare now and again you hear the phrase, “Once in a Blue Moon”, referring to the oddity of such an occurrence. In actuality it means that there will be a full moon twice in a calendar month; but most folks use it when talking about something truly odd; not necessarily having anything to do with the phases of the moon.
Years ago I had a police extra job directing folks into the Memorial Professional Building garage. There were two main entry drives, one for customers to use and the other for doctors and others with VIP status. I’d wave to anyone entering, nothing special, just being friendly.
There was one of the VIP types who drove a brown Lincoln who’d sneer at me when I would wave, as if some sort of class distinction existed which precluded her returning any such familiarity. I’d wave at her anyway and never let it bother me as the years went by. One day she must have forgotten to put starch in her underwear as she accidentally waved back.
I took out my pocket calendar and jotted a quick note in the square for that day. I noticed the woman in the brown Lincoln nearly had a wreck while driving up the ramp to the next floor, all the while trying to see what I was doing in her rear view mirror. A few minutes later she made it a point to confront me, asking; no, demanding to see what I’d written about her. I took out my pocket calendar, doing my best to keep from laughing as a huge smirk took the corners of my smile past respectable.
“She waved back”, was all I’d written. I explained in simple terms, how I’d waved to her for quite some time and that there must be a Blue Moon out for her to have chosen that particular day to wave back. She never forgot to wave from that day on, a lesson on being friendly that hit the mark.
I’ve gone around the long route to explain what a Blue Moon means. In today’s Houston Chronicle I read an op-ed piece by E. J. Dionne Jr. titled, “We can blame ourselves for abortion shuffle in politics” (linked via title bar). I should mention that I instantly related to that woman in the brown Lincoln because I have little if any use for the opinions and articles written by that moron.
I can hear Marshall Sam McCloud’s chastisement from the old television series, “There ya’ go; getting’ all riled up…” I suppose my conservative leanings are so antagonized by most of what E. J. Dionne Jr. writes as to discount nearly anything he has to offer. My apologies for calling him a moron; blithering idiot might sound a tad less offensive. “Now, there ya' go agin’” My dad has his own way of reminding me, “But he always has the nicest things to say about you…”
There must be a Blue Moon out because I actually agreed, at least in part, with what he had to say today. I’ll wash my mouth out with soap later and repent for having said that; but here’s what he said:
“But there is something systematic about the willingness of politicians to adapt their views on abortion to suit the preferences of whatever electorate they are facing at any given time. The reason: Our political system has created strong incentives for candidates to be less than candid about what they really think.”
He went on to explain the conservative view point on abortion with clarity of thought and then the liberal view point on “a woman’s right” with equal clarity followed by his concluding statement:
“But it's easy for me to take this less-than-pure position. I don't have to run in a primary. As for the politicians, we have created a system that encourages many in their ranks to adjust their convictions to their political needs. And then we denounce them.”
There are very few politicians with the courage to state their beliefs and hold to those basics without waffling in order to pander votes. I’m admitting my sophomoric attitude toward one of the dirtiest rackets ever played or entered into. In the back of my mind I see the need for congressmen and senators to ride off into the sunset riding on a white horse; knowing that when they complete the race we need to check for signs of doping or other clandestine operations implemented in order to win the day, how unfortunate.
Okay, EJ, you can mark this day down in your book, “He agreed with me”.
Years ago I had a police extra job directing folks into the Memorial Professional Building garage. There were two main entry drives, one for customers to use and the other for doctors and others with VIP status. I’d wave to anyone entering, nothing special, just being friendly.
There was one of the VIP types who drove a brown Lincoln who’d sneer at me when I would wave, as if some sort of class distinction existed which precluded her returning any such familiarity. I’d wave at her anyway and never let it bother me as the years went by. One day she must have forgotten to put starch in her underwear as she accidentally waved back.
I took out my pocket calendar and jotted a quick note in the square for that day. I noticed the woman in the brown Lincoln nearly had a wreck while driving up the ramp to the next floor, all the while trying to see what I was doing in her rear view mirror. A few minutes later she made it a point to confront me, asking; no, demanding to see what I’d written about her. I took out my pocket calendar, doing my best to keep from laughing as a huge smirk took the corners of my smile past respectable.
“She waved back”, was all I’d written. I explained in simple terms, how I’d waved to her for quite some time and that there must be a Blue Moon out for her to have chosen that particular day to wave back. She never forgot to wave from that day on, a lesson on being friendly that hit the mark.
I’ve gone around the long route to explain what a Blue Moon means. In today’s Houston Chronicle I read an op-ed piece by E. J. Dionne Jr. titled, “We can blame ourselves for abortion shuffle in politics” (linked via title bar). I should mention that I instantly related to that woman in the brown Lincoln because I have little if any use for the opinions and articles written by that moron.
I can hear Marshall Sam McCloud’s chastisement from the old television series, “There ya’ go; getting’ all riled up…” I suppose my conservative leanings are so antagonized by most of what E. J. Dionne Jr. writes as to discount nearly anything he has to offer. My apologies for calling him a moron; blithering idiot might sound a tad less offensive. “Now, there ya' go agin’” My dad has his own way of reminding me, “But he always has the nicest things to say about you…”
There must be a Blue Moon out because I actually agreed, at least in part, with what he had to say today. I’ll wash my mouth out with soap later and repent for having said that; but here’s what he said:
“But there is something systematic about the willingness of politicians to adapt their views on abortion to suit the preferences of whatever electorate they are facing at any given time. The reason: Our political system has created strong incentives for candidates to be less than candid about what they really think.”
He went on to explain the conservative view point on abortion with clarity of thought and then the liberal view point on “a woman’s right” with equal clarity followed by his concluding statement:
“But it's easy for me to take this less-than-pure position. I don't have to run in a primary. As for the politicians, we have created a system that encourages many in their ranks to adjust their convictions to their political needs. And then we denounce them.”
There are very few politicians with the courage to state their beliefs and hold to those basics without waffling in order to pander votes. I’m admitting my sophomoric attitude toward one of the dirtiest rackets ever played or entered into. In the back of my mind I see the need for congressmen and senators to ride off into the sunset riding on a white horse; knowing that when they complete the race we need to check for signs of doping or other clandestine operations implemented in order to win the day, how unfortunate.
Okay, EJ, you can mark this day down in your book, “He agreed with me”.
Jet Blue Gets Iced
I read an AP article on the AOL news site where some Jet Blue passengers were forced to remain on the tarmac for up to eleven hours due to winter storm conditions in New York.
“. . . the jam arose as the airline sent outbound flights to the runway - so they could leave immediately if the weather let up - while incoming flights filled up the gates. The problem grew as some equipment used to tow planes away from gates froze to the ground, he said.” (Link provided in title bar)
The thought of having to remain on a stuffy airplane for hours waiting for a chance to either take off or exit the aircraft is an unpleasant thought at best; however, the need to recognize that even in our age of technology, the forces of nature can still find a way to put us in our place. I’d rather be sitting on the ground while the weather pours out her furies than up in the air wishing I were on the ground.
Several years ago I was on my way home to Houston and had a lay over in Atlanta, one that lasted a couple of extra hours. The airplane I was waiting for had been delayed by bad weather on its way from Houston, one of those flights that goes back and forth and must thrill the pilot no end, kind of a human ping pong ball with stripes on his sleeve. Most of the passengers who got off in Atlanta had a pale green pallor; not a good sign, as they hugged and kissed the ground. I might be exaggerating some; suffice to say they were happy to be alive.
It never occurred to me that that same weather system would be crossed on the way back to Houston, no, not once did I think about such a prospect as I took my seat in the back of the plane. I don’t fly all that often, maybe a couple of times a year and that’s more than I would prefer except that it makes it possible to travel great distances in a relatively short period of time. I’m able to force myself during the unpleasantness of flight through small tricks, playing music in my head as a distraction helps to some extent.
Half way to Houston, long after the sun had gone down, the turbulence began to toss the airplane around; not just little dips and throws, this was more like a big roller coaster, the one I never rode after carefully analyzing the odds of heart failure. In between the groans which escaped the shadows from elsewhere in the plane came the special effects part of the show as lightning illuminated the cabin creating a horror film of kaleidoscopic extremes. Several of my fellow passengers lost the ability to control their bodily functions, opting to force the contents of previously held meals into the limited confines of the remaining barf bags; many of which had been used up on the flight before ours.
There is a point at which even the most experienced traveler desires to be on the ground, that issue becomes a bit disconcerting when the pilot joins those ranks and feels compelled to turn the plane around. “Ladies and gentlemen, due to weather conditions in the Houston area which are out of our control we are forced to turn back at this time.” He went on to explain that we would land in New Orleans and wait for a break in the weather. I can only guess; but it seemed that we had been bucking the storm for upwards of two hours and I had to wonder how Lucy was, seeing as how she was supposed to have picked me up several hours earlier.
We got to that point where the flight attendant tells everyone to put their seat backs in the upright position, make sure the tray tables are secured, “We’ll be landing in New Orleans momentarily.” I think most of the passengers had assumed crash position, sort of bent over with their heads tucked low; all that is except one passenger who had managed to sleep through the entire flight.
“New Orleans?” She let out as her ears took in the words, “I got on the wrong airplane!”, her panicked voice repeating her alarm a couple of times in the darkness of the cabin; the wheels made that wonderful sound as they hit the runway below. It was a tonic the rest of us needed as we broke into laughter and forgot all about the flight from hell we’d all been put through. I’m not exaggerating at all; suffice to say we were happy to be alive.
We all got off, stood around the empty New Orleans airport while a special crew came in to clean up and deodorize the cabin. A couple of hours later we managed to limp into Houston, the weather system which had spawned tornadoes around IAH had worn out its welcome and moved on. Lucy had arrived at the airport just as the storm hit and had waited the entire time there in her car protected by the multi level parking garage.
It never occurred to me that the airline owed me anything for having kept me aloft all that extra time, for the delay in New Orleans or the nasty on board experience. I figured that kind of went with the territory. Maybe those folks in New York had a bad time of it, all that snow and ice keeping them pinned down and having to wait on a stuffy airplane. Maybe the airline could have figured out a way to make things happen, maybe not; after all it was a really nasty storm. I’m a little old fashioned and think they should have said “Thank you for keeping us safe and giving us a chance to fly a little later, to live another day.”; but that’s just my opinion.
“. . . the jam arose as the airline sent outbound flights to the runway - so they could leave immediately if the weather let up - while incoming flights filled up the gates. The problem grew as some equipment used to tow planes away from gates froze to the ground, he said.” (Link provided in title bar)
The thought of having to remain on a stuffy airplane for hours waiting for a chance to either take off or exit the aircraft is an unpleasant thought at best; however, the need to recognize that even in our age of technology, the forces of nature can still find a way to put us in our place. I’d rather be sitting on the ground while the weather pours out her furies than up in the air wishing I were on the ground.
Several years ago I was on my way home to Houston and had a lay over in Atlanta, one that lasted a couple of extra hours. The airplane I was waiting for had been delayed by bad weather on its way from Houston, one of those flights that goes back and forth and must thrill the pilot no end, kind of a human ping pong ball with stripes on his sleeve. Most of the passengers who got off in Atlanta had a pale green pallor; not a good sign, as they hugged and kissed the ground. I might be exaggerating some; suffice to say they were happy to be alive.
It never occurred to me that that same weather system would be crossed on the way back to Houston, no, not once did I think about such a prospect as I took my seat in the back of the plane. I don’t fly all that often, maybe a couple of times a year and that’s more than I would prefer except that it makes it possible to travel great distances in a relatively short period of time. I’m able to force myself during the unpleasantness of flight through small tricks, playing music in my head as a distraction helps to some extent.
Half way to Houston, long after the sun had gone down, the turbulence began to toss the airplane around; not just little dips and throws, this was more like a big roller coaster, the one I never rode after carefully analyzing the odds of heart failure. In between the groans which escaped the shadows from elsewhere in the plane came the special effects part of the show as lightning illuminated the cabin creating a horror film of kaleidoscopic extremes. Several of my fellow passengers lost the ability to control their bodily functions, opting to force the contents of previously held meals into the limited confines of the remaining barf bags; many of which had been used up on the flight before ours.
There is a point at which even the most experienced traveler desires to be on the ground, that issue becomes a bit disconcerting when the pilot joins those ranks and feels compelled to turn the plane around. “Ladies and gentlemen, due to weather conditions in the Houston area which are out of our control we are forced to turn back at this time.” He went on to explain that we would land in New Orleans and wait for a break in the weather. I can only guess; but it seemed that we had been bucking the storm for upwards of two hours and I had to wonder how Lucy was, seeing as how she was supposed to have picked me up several hours earlier.
We got to that point where the flight attendant tells everyone to put their seat backs in the upright position, make sure the tray tables are secured, “We’ll be landing in New Orleans momentarily.” I think most of the passengers had assumed crash position, sort of bent over with their heads tucked low; all that is except one passenger who had managed to sleep through the entire flight.
“New Orleans?” She let out as her ears took in the words, “I got on the wrong airplane!”, her panicked voice repeating her alarm a couple of times in the darkness of the cabin; the wheels made that wonderful sound as they hit the runway below. It was a tonic the rest of us needed as we broke into laughter and forgot all about the flight from hell we’d all been put through. I’m not exaggerating at all; suffice to say we were happy to be alive.
We all got off, stood around the empty New Orleans airport while a special crew came in to clean up and deodorize the cabin. A couple of hours later we managed to limp into Houston, the weather system which had spawned tornadoes around IAH had worn out its welcome and moved on. Lucy had arrived at the airport just as the storm hit and had waited the entire time there in her car protected by the multi level parking garage.
It never occurred to me that the airline owed me anything for having kept me aloft all that extra time, for the delay in New Orleans or the nasty on board experience. I figured that kind of went with the territory. Maybe those folks in New York had a bad time of it, all that snow and ice keeping them pinned down and having to wait on a stuffy airplane. Maybe the airline could have figured out a way to make things happen, maybe not; after all it was a really nasty storm. I’m a little old fashioned and think they should have said “Thank you for keeping us safe and giving us a chance to fly a little later, to live another day.”; but that’s just my opinion.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Timing is important
I caught a glimpse of a “breaking news story” last night as I was getting ready to turn in for the night, something about a lone gunman going postal at the Trolley Square Mall in Salt Lake City. My memory of the Trolley Square Mall is minimal at best; having been there only once, the night before my daughter Jennifer got married.
We decided to eat at a popular place, one I’d never heard of, The Rodizio Grill, a South American themed restaurant where the waiters dressed up like Gauchos. It was a great idea and I was impressed with the variety and quality of meats that they cut and served right there at our table. We had a feast, one that marked a spot on our family’s event list.
This morning I read about the nightmarish event and looked at some images posted on the Foxnews site. There were photographs of panicked citizens, not sure how to react to the carnage which had been brought to their own quiet lives, some shopping, some out for a walk and, no doubt, some out to have a special family meal. There were pictures of police officers going about the business of protecting the citizenry, some in protective gear going through the parking lot, others inside stationed at various positions of deployment.
I saw one picture (linked via title bar) that brought my thoughts into focus, three police officers standing together, one of them holding a shotgun as he peered cautiously down from his location; the large Rodizio Grill neon sign in the background above them.
“For hours after the rampage, police searched stores for scared, shocked shoppers and employees who were hunkered down awaiting a safe escort.”
Timing is important; being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or, in our case, being able to look back and breathe a sigh of relief that we’d been in that same exact location so many years ago and been blessed to have a peaceful family dinner together.
The last line in the article summed up my thoughts, both as a retired police officer who has seen the ugliness in our society and as head of my family, one who desires to shield his family from those dangers.
"We are devastated and shocked by this senseless, random act of violence and tragedy at Trolley Square, owner Tom Bard said in a statement posted on the KSL-TV Web site. "At this time our greatest concern and prayers are with the victims, their families and loved ones."
We decided to eat at a popular place, one I’d never heard of, The Rodizio Grill, a South American themed restaurant where the waiters dressed up like Gauchos. It was a great idea and I was impressed with the variety and quality of meats that they cut and served right there at our table. We had a feast, one that marked a spot on our family’s event list.
This morning I read about the nightmarish event and looked at some images posted on the Foxnews site. There were photographs of panicked citizens, not sure how to react to the carnage which had been brought to their own quiet lives, some shopping, some out for a walk and, no doubt, some out to have a special family meal. There were pictures of police officers going about the business of protecting the citizenry, some in protective gear going through the parking lot, others inside stationed at various positions of deployment.
I saw one picture (linked via title bar) that brought my thoughts into focus, three police officers standing together, one of them holding a shotgun as he peered cautiously down from his location; the large Rodizio Grill neon sign in the background above them.
“For hours after the rampage, police searched stores for scared, shocked shoppers and employees who were hunkered down awaiting a safe escort.”
Timing is important; being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or, in our case, being able to look back and breathe a sigh of relief that we’d been in that same exact location so many years ago and been blessed to have a peaceful family dinner together.
The last line in the article summed up my thoughts, both as a retired police officer who has seen the ugliness in our society and as head of my family, one who desires to shield his family from those dangers.
"We are devastated and shocked by this senseless, random act of violence and tragedy at Trolley Square, owner Tom Bard said in a statement posted on the KSL-TV Web site. "At this time our greatest concern and prayers are with the victims, their families and loved ones."
Friday, February 09, 2007
HPD Guidelines for Unauthorized Beards
I found a set of photographs taken after I’d come back from two weeks in Colorado at the end of a vacation from the Houston Police Department. I was to report back for duty that night and procrastinated shaving off the beard I’d managed to produce in that short time. I trimmed it and took these photographs. You might say these are the HPD guidelines for unauthorized beards which might one day become authorized based on how great my particular beard looked. I did shave off the beard and I will never know how much hot water I’d have been in had I shown up for work that way; however…
I was going to link with an article that I’d posted back February 19, 2005; but, try as I might, I couldn’t locate it anywhere in the archives. I found the date it was posted by going through my “posted” files; but the article wasn’t to be found when I went to get the URL link. That got me to wondering how accurate the archive process is and how much I could depend on it when looking for old posts. Rather than go on and on I’ve decided to just add it on here.
Roll Call Inspection
Night shift for the police department was more relaxed than any other shift. That included mandatory inspections, a formality that was nearly non-existent on nights. I can remember officers borrowing hats or nightsticks from officers getting off of evening shift out in the hall just so they’d have the proper equipment for a few minutes. At least it was that way until Sgt. Kennedy transferred in.
I was going to link with an article that I’d posted back February 19, 2005; but, try as I might, I couldn’t locate it anywhere in the archives. I found the date it was posted by going through my “posted” files; but the article wasn’t to be found when I went to get the URL link. That got me to wondering how accurate the archive process is and how much I could depend on it when looking for old posts. Rather than go on and on I’ve decided to just add it on here.
Roll Call Inspection
Night shift for the police department was more relaxed than any other shift. That included mandatory inspections, a formality that was nearly non-existent on nights. I can remember officers borrowing hats or nightsticks from officers getting off of evening shift out in the hall just so they’d have the proper equipment for a few minutes. At least it was that way until Sgt. Kennedy transferred in.
Sgt. Kennedy came to us from the other side of the city where it was even more relaxed. His hair was much longer than Department guidelines would allow, even for night shift. It might not have been an issue except that we’d also gotten a new shift commander, Lt. Crawford, who was in every way a product of the “spit and polish” generation.
I was sitting in my regular seat, the center of the back row, while Sgt. Kennedy was reading the nightly bulletins from the podium. Lt. Crawford sauntered into the room and placed himself directly behind Sgt. Kennedy. After all the bulletins had been read and signed Lt. Crawford announced that he’d noticed how SOME officers had strayed from Departmental guidelines in grooming habits and there would be a formal inspection in two days. Lt. Crawford made his announcement, all the while looking at the back of Sgt. Kennedy’s head; not specifically mentioning anyone by name and yet making his point quite clear. It made for a rather awkward moment that would have to be addressed.
My personal grooming habits had not changed much from the days when I was in the academy. I considered my overall appearance satisfactory; possibly exemplary. While preparing the night of the intended inspection I took a good look in the mirror after putting on my uniform. I thought a little mustache wax might add to the general effect. I looked around but could not find any. I rummaged through a drawer and could only find some Halloween make up that had been saved in a zip lock baggie.
There was a container of black mustache “enhancement” base that I concluded would have to suffice. I stroked it liberally into my mustache. I noticed immediately that the black contrasted with my own natural brown pigment; however, it would not wash out and tended to smear rather than come off. Time was running short and rather than panic I decided to have some fun. I was two weeks from retirement, a little mischief might be just the ticket. I dipped the brush into the enhancement base and formed an exquisite “Jerry Colona” style handlebar mustache; painting areas of my face that had never had hair with the thick medium.
“Dad, you’re not going to work with that, are you?”, my son asked as he got a good look.
I made it a point to enter the station via the back door, not wishing any supervisors to see me, at least not until inspection time. If I was going to have some fun, let it run its full course. I motioned for the desk officer to hold his tongue as he gasped.
I found my regular seat as my fellow officers entered the roll call room. I made sure that they would play along. The K-9 unit officer next to me was busy removing dog hair from his trousers until he happened to get a look at my “creation”.
“Hey man, I got nothing to worry about now!”, he blurted out and left the matted dog hair on the other half of his trousers. At ten o’clock Sgt. Kennedy walked in, sporting his new haircut, well within policy. He never looked at anyone while going over the bulletins. He then began assigning each officer to his respective beat, whereupon he had to look at each officer for acknowledgement. “Stern, Five Frank Twenty Six.”, he glanced in my direction reflexively since I normally sat in the same place.
“Oh, shi…..”, was all he could say. He quickly looked down at his clip board; praying that something there would help him. Lt. Crawford had been sitting in the very last chair on the back row, waiting to have formal inspection. Several officers had blocked his line of sight from me; at least until that moment. Lt. Crawford, sensing something amiss, leaned forward and turned in my direction. I was all smiles, silly mustache and all. The entire roll call room exploded in laughter.
“I guess that about takes care of the inspection.”, Lt. Crawford breathed out in a sigh. “Stern, I’d like to see you in my office after roll call.” Sgt. Kennedy swallowed hard as the rumble of laughs settled out. I swallowed to clear my own worries about what I had done, still mildly confident that my two weeks until retirement would count for something.
“Promise me you won’t do this again?”, there was a pleading in Lt. Crawford’s demeanor. He hoped the prank was a one time ordeal.
“You have my word on it, Sir.” It may have been the best thing that could have happened around our station. Lt. Crawford had made his point about following policy without having to be too hard nosed, Sgt. Kennedy was out of the spotlight and able to retain a semblance of dignity and the troops had a good laugh. My only regret; I wish someone had taken a picture.
Legitimate State Interest
I read the hand writing on the wall, a glimpse of our future, in an AP article posted on CNN, “School wants lawsuit over gay discussions dismissed” (linked via title bar).
“Officials from a suburban Massachusetts school district asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two couples who claim their parental rights were violated when homosexuality was discussed in their children's classrooms.”
{. . .}
“John Davis, an attorney for Lexington school officials, argued in court Wednesday that teaching diversity is a "legitimate state interest." He said that it would be "an administrative nightmare" for schools in Massachusetts to try to predict when the topic of gay marriage will come up and to inform parents ahead of time.”
Teaching diversity is a “legitimate state interest”; diversity is everything and nothing because it’s a lie, the idea is to teach something other than what used to be taught. Diversity is teaching children about the religion of evolution under their assertion that evolution is a provable science; but doesn’t include teaching alternative religious theories which might compete with the chosen religion of the state.. Diversity is teaching that we should respect religions of the world such as Islamism or atheism; but refuses to permit any hint of Judaism or Christianity in our schools.
It has become necessary to remove the Judeo/Christian God in order to advance the State as His replacement. Diversity is the mechanism by which deviant lifestyles such as homosexuality or same sex marriage can be shown as something other than deviant while removing moral judgment from the teaching process because it might advance Christian foundations which at one time were a part of the American philosophy, that part of our American background which might be in conflict with the godless agenda.
Teaching diversity is how the state schools implement their socialist agenda, an agenda which eventually destroys the family unit, the foundations of a free society, religion and replaces God with “the State”. Democracy is replaced with pure socialism and communism. I suppose I should be grateful that John Davis was so open about the purpose of our state run public educational system. John, keep talking, I want to hear all about it.
Edited 2/09/07 3:45pm
Stop the ACLU is celebrating a 2nd year anniversary by holding an open trackback weekend. You might stop by and leave a comment to let them know their efforts are valued.
http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/02/09/2-year-blogiversary-open-trackback/
Edited 2/10/07 7:25am
loboinok of Stop the ACLU cross posted on Ogre’s Politics & Views. The article was about folks distributing Bibles on a public sidewalk who were arrested after a school principle called local police.
http://ogresview.mu.nu/archives/214953.php
“Officials from a suburban Massachusetts school district asked a federal judge Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two couples who claim their parental rights were violated when homosexuality was discussed in their children's classrooms.”
{. . .}
“John Davis, an attorney for Lexington school officials, argued in court Wednesday that teaching diversity is a "legitimate state interest." He said that it would be "an administrative nightmare" for schools in Massachusetts to try to predict when the topic of gay marriage will come up and to inform parents ahead of time.”
Teaching diversity is a “legitimate state interest”; diversity is everything and nothing because it’s a lie, the idea is to teach something other than what used to be taught. Diversity is teaching children about the religion of evolution under their assertion that evolution is a provable science; but doesn’t include teaching alternative religious theories which might compete with the chosen religion of the state.. Diversity is teaching that we should respect religions of the world such as Islamism or atheism; but refuses to permit any hint of Judaism or Christianity in our schools.
It has become necessary to remove the Judeo/Christian God in order to advance the State as His replacement. Diversity is the mechanism by which deviant lifestyles such as homosexuality or same sex marriage can be shown as something other than deviant while removing moral judgment from the teaching process because it might advance Christian foundations which at one time were a part of the American philosophy, that part of our American background which might be in conflict with the godless agenda.
Teaching diversity is how the state schools implement their socialist agenda, an agenda which eventually destroys the family unit, the foundations of a free society, religion and replaces God with “the State”. Democracy is replaced with pure socialism and communism. I suppose I should be grateful that John Davis was so open about the purpose of our state run public educational system. John, keep talking, I want to hear all about it.
Edited 2/09/07 3:45pm
Stop the ACLU is celebrating a 2nd year anniversary by holding an open trackback weekend. You might stop by and leave a comment to let them know their efforts are valued.
http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/02/09/2-year-blogiversary-open-trackback/
Edited 2/10/07 7:25am
loboinok of Stop the ACLU cross posted on Ogre’s Politics & Views. The article was about folks distributing Bibles on a public sidewalk who were arrested after a school principle called local police.
http://ogresview.mu.nu/archives/214953.php
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Don’t you dare honk at us, we’re talking!
I happened to get behind a car with three or four young people during rush hour traffic this past Wednesday. We were on a major artery of traffic, Stuebner-Airline where it crosses FM 1960. The light changed and I could see the young woman in the driver seat was too busy talking to a young man in the passenger seat, too busy to notice that traffic was moving ahead while her vehicle sat idle. I tapped lightly on the horn to catch her attention and the young man in the passenger seat put is arm out the window and flipped me off as the young woman looked in the mirror, as if to say, “Don’t you dare honk at us, we’re talking!”
A couple of intersections down the road I had the misfortune of getting into the left turn directly behind the same vehicle while waiting for the light to change. These young people could be seen chattering away and not paying attention to traffic as the light changed indicating it was safe to turn left. I waited a “three count” before tapping my horn to get their attention; time was running out for a chance to proceed. The young man put his arm out the window and held it with his middle finger extended. “How dare you honk at us, again, while we’re talking; we’ll show you a thing or two!”
Their vehicle made the left turn; but instead of moving along in a normal fashion, they decided to play the blockade game. They moved down the road never going faster than fifteen mile an hour, all the while flipping me off and taunting me to attempt to pass them; knowing that it would not be possible in rush hour traffic. I was happy to see them turn off at the first opportunity; even so, I have to wonder what these young people have been taught.
I must be maturing, at least a little. I was on my way to serve at the temple and refused to sink to their level. In my younger days, like this past Tuesday, there might have been a much different outcome than my waving and smiling at their inappropriate behavior. This is not to say that should they pull that kind of stunt during the rest of the week I might not revert to a more primitive mindset; after all, I’m a work in progress with plenty of room for improvement. A night or two in jail might be worth teaching those little jerks some manners.
(Just as a note: The new Blogger version is acting more than a little strange this evening. The tool bar has no means of changing the style or size of text.)
A couple of intersections down the road I had the misfortune of getting into the left turn directly behind the same vehicle while waiting for the light to change. These young people could be seen chattering away and not paying attention to traffic as the light changed indicating it was safe to turn left. I waited a “three count” before tapping my horn to get their attention; time was running out for a chance to proceed. The young man put his arm out the window and held it with his middle finger extended. “How dare you honk at us, again, while we’re talking; we’ll show you a thing or two!”
Their vehicle made the left turn; but instead of moving along in a normal fashion, they decided to play the blockade game. They moved down the road never going faster than fifteen mile an hour, all the while flipping me off and taunting me to attempt to pass them; knowing that it would not be possible in rush hour traffic. I was happy to see them turn off at the first opportunity; even so, I have to wonder what these young people have been taught.
I must be maturing, at least a little. I was on my way to serve at the temple and refused to sink to their level. In my younger days, like this past Tuesday, there might have been a much different outcome than my waving and smiling at their inappropriate behavior. This is not to say that should they pull that kind of stunt during the rest of the week I might not revert to a more primitive mindset; after all, I’m a work in progress with plenty of room for improvement. A night or two in jail might be worth teaching those little jerks some manners.
(Just as a note: The new Blogger version is acting more than a little strange this evening. The tool bar has no means of changing the style or size of text.)
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Apollo 13 Spoof on YouTube
This may be the best spoof of a movie ever made. A big tip of the hat to my daughter Bonnie for sending this to my email. Rated PG-13 ( Two Swear Words )
Monday, February 05, 2007
Arf!
I saw this article on the Houston Chronicle website this morning, “HPD dog bites man attempting burglary at impound lot” (linked via title bar). In the briefest of summations:
“They found the man hiding in one of the cars, but he refused to exit the vehicle. A canine unit was called in to get the suspect out of the car.”
“The man suffered a dog bite to the arm. He was arrested for trespassing and could face burglary charges.”
I may have shared a similar police incident some time back; one that fits the same mold, it bears repeating, or should that be dogs repeating? I’d been dispatched as a one man unit to an alarm going off on a combination gas station grocery store. One of the windows of an all glass store front had been broken leaving a large enough hole for somebody to enter. I caught a glimpse of movement, a head wearing a ball cap that dropped down as I arrived so I had a K-9 unit check by.
We called inside to advise the suspect that we were about to let the dog go and got no response. The dog picked up on the suspect’s location in a matter of moments and latched onto his shoulder and dragged him out through the hole in the window. We handcuffed the suspect, searched him down, looked at the bruised and torn shoulder area and took him off to jail. Now, if we as police officers had bruised or bitten the suspect’s shoulder we’d have been up in front of the grand jury for violating his rights; but since the K-9 dog had performed his duties within departmental guidelines every thing was hunky dory.
Somewhere there’s a bit of Dirty Harry mentality in all cops, knowing that some small measure of justice had been dispensed prior to the courts slap on the wrist. I was always grateful when a K-9 unit was able to check out the dark corners of a building prior to my having to go in after the bad guys. Give that dog a bone.
“They found the man hiding in one of the cars, but he refused to exit the vehicle. A canine unit was called in to get the suspect out of the car.”
“The man suffered a dog bite to the arm. He was arrested for trespassing and could face burglary charges.”
I may have shared a similar police incident some time back; one that fits the same mold, it bears repeating, or should that be dogs repeating? I’d been dispatched as a one man unit to an alarm going off on a combination gas station grocery store. One of the windows of an all glass store front had been broken leaving a large enough hole for somebody to enter. I caught a glimpse of movement, a head wearing a ball cap that dropped down as I arrived so I had a K-9 unit check by.
We called inside to advise the suspect that we were about to let the dog go and got no response. The dog picked up on the suspect’s location in a matter of moments and latched onto his shoulder and dragged him out through the hole in the window. We handcuffed the suspect, searched him down, looked at the bruised and torn shoulder area and took him off to jail. Now, if we as police officers had bruised or bitten the suspect’s shoulder we’d have been up in front of the grand jury for violating his rights; but since the K-9 dog had performed his duties within departmental guidelines every thing was hunky dory.
Somewhere there’s a bit of Dirty Harry mentality in all cops, knowing that some small measure of justice had been dispensed prior to the courts slap on the wrist. I was always grateful when a K-9 unit was able to check out the dark corners of a building prior to my having to go in after the bad guys. Give that dog a bone.
Can you say, Passport?
I took notice of an article by Leslie Miller posted on the AOL news site, “States Challenge National Driver's License” (linked via title bar). There was a veiled threat, the big dogs in Washington holding everyone in check, “States will have to comply by May 2008. If they do not, driver's licenses that fall short of Real ID's standards cannot be used to board an airplane or enter a federal building or open some bank accounts.”
I can’t buy into that particular empty threat. There already exists an authorized national identification system; it’s called a Passport. In January it became mandatory to hold a passport upon entering this country, something which should have been done years ago. I see nothing sinister about requiring a passport to enter the United States of America and since the use of airports and flying is of major concern to the safety and security of our citizenry it would seem only a natural extension of thought to include passports as a means of identifying passengers on domestic flights as well.
They better be more specific about opening “some bank accounts”. Maybe they think that an IRA account funnels money to the Irish Republican Army; you know how rotten Republicans are. That part about entering a federal building might have some teeth in it; oh golly gee wiz and Auntie Em I want to go home; give me a break, so I won’t open an office in a federal office building.
The flip side of such an asinine requirement would be how easily it is to forge a passport, to manufacture them in mass quantities; at least that’s what I got from watching the Bourne Identity and the Bourne Supremacy movies. That guy had a passport for every day of the week and they all looked real enough to get him where ever he wanted to go.
We’re back to square one then, liars are going to lie, thieves are going to steal and we keep sending them to Washington where they make our lives more difficult ; what is wrong with us?
I can’t buy into that particular empty threat. There already exists an authorized national identification system; it’s called a Passport. In January it became mandatory to hold a passport upon entering this country, something which should have been done years ago. I see nothing sinister about requiring a passport to enter the United States of America and since the use of airports and flying is of major concern to the safety and security of our citizenry it would seem only a natural extension of thought to include passports as a means of identifying passengers on domestic flights as well.
They better be more specific about opening “some bank accounts”. Maybe they think that an IRA account funnels money to the Irish Republican Army; you know how rotten Republicans are. That part about entering a federal building might have some teeth in it; oh golly gee wiz and Auntie Em I want to go home; give me a break, so I won’t open an office in a federal office building.
The flip side of such an asinine requirement would be how easily it is to forge a passport, to manufacture them in mass quantities; at least that’s what I got from watching the Bourne Identity and the Bourne Supremacy movies. That guy had a passport for every day of the week and they all looked real enough to get him where ever he wanted to go.
We’re back to square one then, liars are going to lie, thieves are going to steal and we keep sending them to Washington where they make our lives more difficult ; what is wrong with us?
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Freedom of Speech and The Harm Principle
Originally I started this out as a “brief” explanation to comments I received via email in which the following was stated, “My understanding of freedom of speech is that anyone can speak, print their ideas no matter how offensive and the good news is you can select who to read or listen to (buy from).” I had planned to send my “short” response back as a direct reply, “I see where, “no matter how offensive” was included as part of freedom of speech; you are not alone in that false presumption, so much for brevity of thought.
The topic “Freedom of Speech” is a double edged sword that cuts deeply into the foundations of our society’s and our so called “commonly held” beliefs. It’s a hot topic at every level of our society to include cases which now are in front of the courts. I read recently where one particular “freedom of speech” issue has some long lasting implications.
From CNN’s website Friday February 2, 2007:
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Feb02/0,4670,ProfanityArrest,00.html
“An officer who arrested a man for cursing in a public meeting violated the man's right to free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision that Montrose Township police officer Stephen Robinson had probable cause to arrest Thomas Leonard in 2002 when Leonard cursed while addressing the township board.
"It cannot be seriously contended that any reasonable peace officer, or citizen, for that matter, would believe that mild profanity while peacefully advocating a political position could constitute a criminal act," the three-judge panel wrote in Friday's decision.””
This particular case hinges on the presumption, by an extremely liberal court, that profanity has become common in our society, that it can no longer be considered objectionable and has become acceptable. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could be ranked 2nd only to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in rendering decisions that fly in the face of two hundred years of case law.
Historically it isn’t hard to understand how we have fallen to such a level as to consider profanity or pornography as being anything other than obscene. You might look up the changes that have occurred beginning with John Stuart Mill's “Harm Principle” (1978) which outlined morality by redefining social norms.
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/hilde/Philhandouts/Mill-Harm_Principle(Myers).html
“...the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilis(z)ed community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right...The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.”
Our most basic “rights”; the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness as found in the Declaration of Independence are given through powers which belong to God, not government. Our nation was the first to make such a declaration of rights and tie them directly to God while forming a new nation. This followed the Magna Charta and other attempted reformations to existing governments; the idea was not new; however, it was an experiment in self government and novel to the world. The Constitution and Bill of Rights were established to define those God given rights by limiting our government’s ability to infringe upon those rights; not as some claim, to explain those rights which our government has seen fit to permit the individual citizen.
The Harm Principle turned upside down how the law interpreted injury through expression, such as so called freedom of speech, to include any and all expressions regardless of content. Our Supreme Court has fallen into this philosophy and this has become the standard by which solipsism or the destruction of common held interpretation of long standing principles became possible. It creates a society of one in which nothing is dependent on society, one in which reality is decided daily and subject to revision based solely on that individual’s desires or needs; in a nut shell, the end of the rule of law.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2005/05/author-of-liberty.html
I have also written about how absurd it is to presume that God would provide our founding fathers with divine inspiration to pen our most precious documents; The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in order to establish a nation in which pure doctrine could be established and then expect those documents to presuppose that God has included anything in those documents which would or could be in direct conflict with his expressed commandments. (How’s that for a run on sentence?) Men have found ways to rationalize corruption; you might be familiar with the scriptural reference from Isaiah, “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/01/right-to-peacefully-assemble.html
The current level of moral decay has gotten us to a point where the law of the land is dependent on whatever the highest court says it is, that being the Supreme Court. I have in the past referred to an article in the Meridian Magazine and an interview with Robert Bork.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/031119bork.html
Unfortunately the elitist status which has been granted those 9 unelected overseers has created a schism which ought not to exist, that they can determine morality rather than review constitutional law means that they now believe themselves to be above the populous for whom they serve, gods if you will. They have created constitutional rights which do not and never were in the constitution such as the right to privacy, the right to abortion and other current popular notions not found in the document, all in the name of political expediency. Laws which protected morality have come under a constant barrage from the godless; laws which covered profanity, pornography and obscenity have been struck down in the name of “freedom of speech”.
Well, freedom of speech never included the right to offend your neighbor’s ear in public, no different than slapping someone in the face or spitting on them. Such actions have historically been considered a form of assault; that is until recent times. No one will argue that it’s against the law to yell “Fire” in a crowded theater; however, some feel that it is perfectly within the scope of individual freedoms to offend, strike that, to express any manner of profanity as if such expression was acceptable no different than “please” or “thank you”.
My reference to Isaiah stands and such profanities are and should continue to be against the law in public. Granted, most popular movies and television shows would have to be thrown in the trash; but they are only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to how depraved our society has become.
The article to which I voiced my complaint regarding pedophilia being objectionable has to do with a known pervert who continues to prey on the innocents in our society, regardless of the Canadian law which claims that sex with a 14 year old does not constitute any violation of law. His having published a book through a company in direct affiliation with Amazon.com and then having Amazon.com act as his agent to distribute such depravity under the recently acquired rulings that support such deviant behavior as expressions covered by free speech only underscores what I have stated.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/02/amazoncom-pedophilia-is-objectionable.html
The self imposed censorship that Amazon.com should use, that which in former days would have been accepted as reasonable by those who wish to salvage some semblance of morality, has been set aside in order to obtain either notoriety among those with little or no moral foundation or to exact a few more dollars to an already profitable venture. The smut dealers, the hole in the wall outlets which have always existed sell XXX material to the dregs of society, should not and do not represent society as a whole. The fact that a mainstream distribution outlet such as Amazon.com has elected to sink to such levels of depravity, all in the name of freedom of speech or freedom of choice; which I have shown to be nothing but self centered interest in direct opposition to anything which God intended when such freedoms were provided to men. Amazon.com’s policy to provide obscene material on demand stands as a declaration that they have no morals or intent to uphold the standards of the community.
The topic “Freedom of Speech” is a double edged sword that cuts deeply into the foundations of our society’s and our so called “commonly held” beliefs. It’s a hot topic at every level of our society to include cases which now are in front of the courts. I read recently where one particular “freedom of speech” issue has some long lasting implications.
From CNN’s website Friday February 2, 2007:
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Feb02/0,4670,ProfanityArrest,00.html
“An officer who arrested a man for cursing in a public meeting violated the man's right to free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision that Montrose Township police officer Stephen Robinson had probable cause to arrest Thomas Leonard in 2002 when Leonard cursed while addressing the township board.
"It cannot be seriously contended that any reasonable peace officer, or citizen, for that matter, would believe that mild profanity while peacefully advocating a political position could constitute a criminal act," the three-judge panel wrote in Friday's decision.””
This particular case hinges on the presumption, by an extremely liberal court, that profanity has become common in our society, that it can no longer be considered objectionable and has become acceptable. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals could be ranked 2nd only to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in rendering decisions that fly in the face of two hundred years of case law.
Historically it isn’t hard to understand how we have fallen to such a level as to consider profanity or pornography as being anything other than obscene. You might look up the changes that have occurred beginning with John Stuart Mill's “Harm Principle” (1978) which outlined morality by redefining social norms.
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/hilde/Philhandouts/Mill-Harm_Principle(Myers).html
“...the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilis(z)ed community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right...The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.”
Our most basic “rights”; the right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness as found in the Declaration of Independence are given through powers which belong to God, not government. Our nation was the first to make such a declaration of rights and tie them directly to God while forming a new nation. This followed the Magna Charta and other attempted reformations to existing governments; the idea was not new; however, it was an experiment in self government and novel to the world. The Constitution and Bill of Rights were established to define those God given rights by limiting our government’s ability to infringe upon those rights; not as some claim, to explain those rights which our government has seen fit to permit the individual citizen.
The Harm Principle turned upside down how the law interpreted injury through expression, such as so called freedom of speech, to include any and all expressions regardless of content. Our Supreme Court has fallen into this philosophy and this has become the standard by which solipsism or the destruction of common held interpretation of long standing principles became possible. It creates a society of one in which nothing is dependent on society, one in which reality is decided daily and subject to revision based solely on that individual’s desires or needs; in a nut shell, the end of the rule of law.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2005/05/author-of-liberty.html
I have also written about how absurd it is to presume that God would provide our founding fathers with divine inspiration to pen our most precious documents; The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in order to establish a nation in which pure doctrine could be established and then expect those documents to presuppose that God has included anything in those documents which would or could be in direct conflict with his expressed commandments. (How’s that for a run on sentence?) Men have found ways to rationalize corruption; you might be familiar with the scriptural reference from Isaiah, “Woe unto them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/01/right-to-peacefully-assemble.html
The current level of moral decay has gotten us to a point where the law of the land is dependent on whatever the highest court says it is, that being the Supreme Court. I have in the past referred to an article in the Meridian Magazine and an interview with Robert Bork.
http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/031119bork.html
Unfortunately the elitist status which has been granted those 9 unelected overseers has created a schism which ought not to exist, that they can determine morality rather than review constitutional law means that they now believe themselves to be above the populous for whom they serve, gods if you will. They have created constitutional rights which do not and never were in the constitution such as the right to privacy, the right to abortion and other current popular notions not found in the document, all in the name of political expediency. Laws which protected morality have come under a constant barrage from the godless; laws which covered profanity, pornography and obscenity have been struck down in the name of “freedom of speech”.
Well, freedom of speech never included the right to offend your neighbor’s ear in public, no different than slapping someone in the face or spitting on them. Such actions have historically been considered a form of assault; that is until recent times. No one will argue that it’s against the law to yell “Fire” in a crowded theater; however, some feel that it is perfectly within the scope of individual freedoms to offend, strike that, to express any manner of profanity as if such expression was acceptable no different than “please” or “thank you”.
My reference to Isaiah stands and such profanities are and should continue to be against the law in public. Granted, most popular movies and television shows would have to be thrown in the trash; but they are only the tip of the ice berg when it comes to how depraved our society has become.
The article to which I voiced my complaint regarding pedophilia being objectionable has to do with a known pervert who continues to prey on the innocents in our society, regardless of the Canadian law which claims that sex with a 14 year old does not constitute any violation of law. His having published a book through a company in direct affiliation with Amazon.com and then having Amazon.com act as his agent to distribute such depravity under the recently acquired rulings that support such deviant behavior as expressions covered by free speech only underscores what I have stated.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/02/amazoncom-pedophilia-is-objectionable.html
The self imposed censorship that Amazon.com should use, that which in former days would have been accepted as reasonable by those who wish to salvage some semblance of morality, has been set aside in order to obtain either notoriety among those with little or no moral foundation or to exact a few more dollars to an already profitable venture. The smut dealers, the hole in the wall outlets which have always existed sell XXX material to the dregs of society, should not and do not represent society as a whole. The fact that a mainstream distribution outlet such as Amazon.com has elected to sink to such levels of depravity, all in the name of freedom of speech or freedom of choice; which I have shown to be nothing but self centered interest in direct opposition to anything which God intended when such freedoms were provided to men. Amazon.com’s policy to provide obscene material on demand stands as a declaration that they have no morals or intent to uphold the standards of the community.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Amazon.com - Pedophilia is Objectionable
I sent the following letter off to voice my complaint; it explains what I wanted to say.
February 3, 2007
Amazon.com
Public Relations Department
Subject: Pedophilia is Objectionable
Dear Sirs;
I came across an article by Glib Fortuna while reading one of my regular blogs, Stop the ACLU, entitled, “Amazon defiantly, unexplainably continues to line pockets of a child molester” (link provided below). In the article was a response to a complaint regarding Amazon.com’s policy to include the work of a pedophile as a regular stock item.
“Thank you for writing to Amazon.com. As a retailer, our goal is to provide customers with the broadest selection possible so they can find, discover, and buy any item they might be seeking. That selection includes some items which many people may find objectionable. Therefore, the items offered on our web site represent a wide spectrum of opinions on a variety of topics Amazon.com believes it is censorship not to display certain articles because we believe their message is objectionable.” ( emphasis was added by Glib Fortuna in his article )
http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/02/03/amazon-defiantly-unexplainably-continues-to-line-pockets-of-a-child-molester/#comment-36382
I commented that this would fall under self censorship or the right not to do business with scum. It isn’t any different than the publishing house that backed away from OJ’s book, even if that took an angry public to force them into making that happen. The public’s outcry does have significant power. I enjoy the ability to purchase books and other forms of entertainment through the convenience of your site; fact is I made a purchase this past week and am awaiting its arrival.
I’ve never been a multi million dollar company with the ability to do what ever I pleased without regard for the loss of one or two customers, treating even the smallest customer who chooses to do business with me as if he/she were my only customer. I would think that companies which have the benefit of such power as Amazon.com could be more selective in their choice of marketing standards, call it censorship if you will; but you also have an obligation to maintain a minimum level of moral decency to be considered reputable.
Thank you,
T. F. Stern
February 3, 2007
Amazon.com
Public Relations Department
Subject: Pedophilia is Objectionable
Dear Sirs;
I came across an article by Glib Fortuna while reading one of my regular blogs, Stop the ACLU, entitled, “Amazon defiantly, unexplainably continues to line pockets of a child molester” (link provided below). In the article was a response to a complaint regarding Amazon.com’s policy to include the work of a pedophile as a regular stock item.
“Thank you for writing to Amazon.com. As a retailer, our goal is to provide customers with the broadest selection possible so they can find, discover, and buy any item they might be seeking. That selection includes some items which many people may find objectionable. Therefore, the items offered on our web site represent a wide spectrum of opinions on a variety of topics Amazon.com believes it is censorship not to display certain articles because we believe their message is objectionable.” ( emphasis was added by Glib Fortuna in his article )
http://stoptheaclu.com/archives/2007/02/03/amazon-defiantly-unexplainably-continues-to-line-pockets-of-a-child-molester/#comment-36382
I commented that this would fall under self censorship or the right not to do business with scum. It isn’t any different than the publishing house that backed away from OJ’s book, even if that took an angry public to force them into making that happen. The public’s outcry does have significant power. I enjoy the ability to purchase books and other forms of entertainment through the convenience of your site; fact is I made a purchase this past week and am awaiting its arrival.
I’ve never been a multi million dollar company with the ability to do what ever I pleased without regard for the loss of one or two customers, treating even the smallest customer who chooses to do business with me as if he/she were my only customer. I would think that companies which have the benefit of such power as Amazon.com could be more selective in their choice of marketing standards, call it censorship if you will; but you also have an obligation to maintain a minimum level of moral decency to be considered reputable.
Thank you,
T. F. Stern
Sorry for all the wrong reasons
I read a story on the CNN website, “Turner Broadcasting ready to pay for Boston Sign scare” (linked via title bar). The city of Boston was nearly shut down this past Wednesday after it was reported that little boxes which began showing up all over the city might be some kind of terrorist related plot.
“Turner Broadcasting apologized for the incident. The company took out full-page ads in local newspapers apologizing to residents, according to the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.”
"We never intended this outcome and certainly did not set out to perpetrate a hoax," the ad said. "What we did is inadvertently cause a great American city to deal with the unintended impact of this marketing campaign. For this, we are deeply sorry."
The advertising scheme which was responsible for the small boxes popping up everywhere had the image of an animated cartoon figure “flipping the bird” at those passing by in order to generate interest for some new adult programming.
When I was growing up I would say I was sorry anytime I got caught doing something I shouldn’t have done. I then got to listen to a familiar lecture, “Are you sorry you got caught or are you sorry you broke the rules?” When I said I was sorry it was because I got caught and continued to misbehave until getting caught again. Eventually I took to heart the lesson being taught and figured out that I needed to apply my efforts toward obeying the rules.
Does anyone else think it’s wrong to have an adult show, with who knows what other offensive material, that Turner Broadcasting Network should resort to “flipping” every one off who happens upon it, something they must think is rather funny? Maybe they could get Vice President Dick Chaney to do spot commercials, “Go F--- Yourself!”
No, it wasn’t ever intended to cause a public to panic. Those living in Boston are sheep that bleat at the least threatening sound; is it any wonder that they would panic when faced with such a stunt. Why would Turner Broadcasting Network be so quick to fork over money for reimbursement to emergency crews dispatched in efforts to “save the public” from a terrorist threat which never existed or a hoax which never was a hoax. It was a publicity stunt that went badly, not because anyone was offended for having been “flipped off”, but because it scared the sheep.
I wrote about “Symptoms of Decay” (link below) in our society this past week. This is just another example and validates what I had to say in that article. “Ted, your apology is not acceptable, try again when you have had a chance to think it over. Now go to your room”; that’s what my mother would have said.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/01/symptoms-of-decay.html
“Turner Broadcasting apologized for the incident. The company took out full-page ads in local newspapers apologizing to residents, according to the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.”
"We never intended this outcome and certainly did not set out to perpetrate a hoax," the ad said. "What we did is inadvertently cause a great American city to deal with the unintended impact of this marketing campaign. For this, we are deeply sorry."
The advertising scheme which was responsible for the small boxes popping up everywhere had the image of an animated cartoon figure “flipping the bird” at those passing by in order to generate interest for some new adult programming.
When I was growing up I would say I was sorry anytime I got caught doing something I shouldn’t have done. I then got to listen to a familiar lecture, “Are you sorry you got caught or are you sorry you broke the rules?” When I said I was sorry it was because I got caught and continued to misbehave until getting caught again. Eventually I took to heart the lesson being taught and figured out that I needed to apply my efforts toward obeying the rules.
Does anyone else think it’s wrong to have an adult show, with who knows what other offensive material, that Turner Broadcasting Network should resort to “flipping” every one off who happens upon it, something they must think is rather funny? Maybe they could get Vice President Dick Chaney to do spot commercials, “Go F--- Yourself!”
No, it wasn’t ever intended to cause a public to panic. Those living in Boston are sheep that bleat at the least threatening sound; is it any wonder that they would panic when faced with such a stunt. Why would Turner Broadcasting Network be so quick to fork over money for reimbursement to emergency crews dispatched in efforts to “save the public” from a terrorist threat which never existed or a hoax which never was a hoax. It was a publicity stunt that went badly, not because anyone was offended for having been “flipped off”, but because it scared the sheep.
I wrote about “Symptoms of Decay” (link below) in our society this past week. This is just another example and validates what I had to say in that article. “Ted, your apology is not acceptable, try again when you have had a chance to think it over. Now go to your room”; that’s what my mother would have said.
http://tfsternsrantings.blogspot.com/2007/01/symptoms-of-decay.html
This just in:
I shut down too soon, having found yet another article on CNN ( linked below):
“An officer who arrested a man for cursing in a public meeting violated the man's right to free speech, a federal appeals court ruled Friday.”
“The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's decision that Montrose Township police officer Stephen Robinson had probable cause to arrest Thomas Leonard in 2002 when Leonard cursed while addressing the township board.”
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LAW/02/02/Profanity.arrest.ap/index.htmlLife and Lessons
Last night we had JJ and Jocelyne over so the kids could have a date all by themselves, a terrible burden for grandparents to have to bear. They ended up spending the night and started off the morning with us as well. Lucy’s in the kitchen fixing breakfast, for you not familiar with my choice of words, there’s nothing broken; breakfast is being prepared, eggs, grits, bacon and toast.
Jocelyne was jibber jabbering away with the language that only very small children can fully appreciate, pointing to Bubba sitting on the far counter top. I picked Jocelyne up and carefully let her reach over to touch the top of Bubba’s head, to feel the tips of her ears and watch for any danger signs. Bubba tolerated it a couple of times and then backed away.
I eased Jocelyne down so she could stand on her own, below cabinet level and yet within the danger zone, and kept a closer eye on Bubba as Jocelyne was jibber jabbering away, something about how cute, soft and wonderful Bubba was, that Bubba was her favorite furry friend forever and a day; a rough approximation based on the gleam in her eyes. Bubba sat with patience as Jocelyne moved the foot stool out of her way to be closer to her new best friend, her hands reaching higher and yet below the level where she might reach Bubba.
It was over in a flash; Bubba shot a few quick jabs downward striking Jocelyne on the top of her outstretched hand and said something so ugly it wasn’t fit for printing. Jocelyne stood in disbelief for several seconds, reviewing in her mind what had been explained to her, “I don’t like little children with fingers covered with sticky slime. I don’t want to be your friend unless you have a can of tuna already opened and carefully sectioned in my favorite dish. I’d like to tear the skin off those chubby little hands and watch you die a slow death from blood poisoning and I never was your friend to begin with.”; or something like that.
Jocelyne broke down in tears and loud cries as would be expected when a heart is torn asunder. Lucy wrapped her in her arms and tried to soften the lesson in reality that had to be learned; Bubba hasn’t room in her heart for anyone, much less a little girl who might be a threat.
I’m reminded of a warning in Matthew, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Bubba better be more careful who she gets riled at.
I’m pretty sure the lesson is for us, not some persnickety feline; the tender feelings of a child are vulnerable and can only withstand a little injury before becoming hardened and insensitive. Are we not all children of our Father in Heaven, seeking tenderness and love? Let’s work on being more kind and not have to worry about being fitted for a millstone.
Jocelyne was jibber jabbering away with the language that only very small children can fully appreciate, pointing to Bubba sitting on the far counter top. I picked Jocelyne up and carefully let her reach over to touch the top of Bubba’s head, to feel the tips of her ears and watch for any danger signs. Bubba tolerated it a couple of times and then backed away.
I eased Jocelyne down so she could stand on her own, below cabinet level and yet within the danger zone, and kept a closer eye on Bubba as Jocelyne was jibber jabbering away, something about how cute, soft and wonderful Bubba was, that Bubba was her favorite furry friend forever and a day; a rough approximation based on the gleam in her eyes. Bubba sat with patience as Jocelyne moved the foot stool out of her way to be closer to her new best friend, her hands reaching higher and yet below the level where she might reach Bubba.
It was over in a flash; Bubba shot a few quick jabs downward striking Jocelyne on the top of her outstretched hand and said something so ugly it wasn’t fit for printing. Jocelyne stood in disbelief for several seconds, reviewing in her mind what had been explained to her, “I don’t like little children with fingers covered with sticky slime. I don’t want to be your friend unless you have a can of tuna already opened and carefully sectioned in my favorite dish. I’d like to tear the skin off those chubby little hands and watch you die a slow death from blood poisoning and I never was your friend to begin with.”; or something like that.
Jocelyne broke down in tears and loud cries as would be expected when a heart is torn asunder. Lucy wrapped her in her arms and tried to soften the lesson in reality that had to be learned; Bubba hasn’t room in her heart for anyone, much less a little girl who might be a threat.
I’m reminded of a warning in Matthew, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Bubba better be more careful who she gets riled at.
I’m pretty sure the lesson is for us, not some persnickety feline; the tender feelings of a child are vulnerable and can only withstand a little injury before becoming hardened and insensitive. Are we not all children of our Father in Heaven, seeking tenderness and love? Let’s work on being more kind and not have to worry about being fitted for a millstone.
Friday, February 02, 2007
A Little Voice In My Head
I was flipping channels looking for a movie, any movie that was about to start and stopped on one I was unfamiliar with. It had some familiar names in the cast, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Brenda Blethyn. Most of you are familiar with the first two; Brenda Blethyn was in an exceptional film, Saving Grace, which I heartily recommend. Tonight’s film was called, Little Voice, never heard of it; but decided to take a chance.
The story revolves around an extremely shy woman, played by Jane Horrocks. The young woman lives above a record store operated by her obnoxious mother, Brenda Blethyn. Most of the film would be what I’d classify as forgettable and I stuck around only because there was some good music played on old vinyl platters by the young woman while hiding from life up in her room. She would console herself while looking at a picture of her father, who died leaving her to put up with a cruel world; only her records to get her through each day.
The power for the apartment goes out while Michael Caine’s character is in amorous embrace with the mother down stairs, while the young woman was playing her records upstairs. He gets to hear the young woman’s ability to mimic Judy Garland’s voice flawlessly with the power out. On top of that she also does Marilyn Monroe and Shirley Bassey. He has her perform a full show at a local talent spot where she knocks them dead with an electrifying performance, all the time in her mind she’s singing to dear departed dad’s ghost sitting in a chair out front.
When the movie was over, during the rolling of credits I learned that all the songs had been performed by Jane Horrocks, the shy little woman with a squeaky apologetic voice. I had assumed that everything was done with voice over technology, kind of a lip sync from old recordings; wow, that was an eye opener. The movie was mostly depressing; imposing people being rude and ugly to everyone; all except Ewen McGregor and Jane Horrocks.
I’d never heard of Jane Horrocks so I looked her up on Google; found the movie listed on Amazon.com and a couple of recordings she’d made. The first was the movie soundtrack which I’m glad I didn’t buy. The reviews explained that while the movie may have had Jane Horrocks voice doing the old songs, the soundtrack didn’t; what a waste. I then found a CD, “The Further Adventures of Little Voice Jane Horrocks”, which was more to my liking. It has her talents listed with each song, even one where she’s matched up with a resurrected Dean Martin. I’m looking forward to getting that one in the mail; as for the movie, thumbs down and make sure to flush.
The story revolves around an extremely shy woman, played by Jane Horrocks. The young woman lives above a record store operated by her obnoxious mother, Brenda Blethyn. Most of the film would be what I’d classify as forgettable and I stuck around only because there was some good music played on old vinyl platters by the young woman while hiding from life up in her room. She would console herself while looking at a picture of her father, who died leaving her to put up with a cruel world; only her records to get her through each day.
The power for the apartment goes out while Michael Caine’s character is in amorous embrace with the mother down stairs, while the young woman was playing her records upstairs. He gets to hear the young woman’s ability to mimic Judy Garland’s voice flawlessly with the power out. On top of that she also does Marilyn Monroe and Shirley Bassey. He has her perform a full show at a local talent spot where she knocks them dead with an electrifying performance, all the time in her mind she’s singing to dear departed dad’s ghost sitting in a chair out front.
When the movie was over, during the rolling of credits I learned that all the songs had been performed by Jane Horrocks, the shy little woman with a squeaky apologetic voice. I had assumed that everything was done with voice over technology, kind of a lip sync from old recordings; wow, that was an eye opener. The movie was mostly depressing; imposing people being rude and ugly to everyone; all except Ewen McGregor and Jane Horrocks.
I’d never heard of Jane Horrocks so I looked her up on Google; found the movie listed on Amazon.com and a couple of recordings she’d made. The first was the movie soundtrack which I’m glad I didn’t buy. The reviews explained that while the movie may have had Jane Horrocks voice doing the old songs, the soundtrack didn’t; what a waste. I then found a CD, “The Further Adventures of Little Voice Jane Horrocks”, which was more to my liking. It has her talents listed with each song, even one where she’s matched up with a resurrected Dean Martin. I’m looking forward to getting that one in the mail; as for the movie, thumbs down and make sure to flush.
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Evolution or Eternal Progression
A fellow who goes by the moniker, “Probiligo”, stops by once and a while and leaves a comment. He lives in New Zealand and has his own blog where I also visit now and again. This past week he wrote an article which he called, “On Consciousness 2” (linked via title bar). It was an interesting voyage into the workings of the human brain worth the read. He provided an insight as to how quite a few folks believe or think about the state of man.
"The brain is a product of evolution, and just as animal brains have their limitations, we have ours."
Probligo highlighted this sentence and stated that he agreed with it so I will start from there. I so dislike the word evolution that I automatically start to jerk my knee whenever it passes my senses. That having been said, I agree that we have our limitations, as do all creatures.
My understanding of man’s existence is tempered considerably by religious doctrine, some of which may be unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe that man is made in God’s image and that as such we are given to achieve in like manner; blasphemy in some circles of Christianity. I do not buy into the idea that prehistoric similar creatures that walked upright are the same as man; no more so than I believe that monkeys or apes are men. They were separate and distinct creatures, man being the result of God’s intention to reserve such status for His children. This statement being at variance with the secularists might irritate; heck, I know it irritates the so called scientific community. They have as much right to their opinion as do I. The nature of man has to be considered from the beginning, and by that I do not refer to the first breath taken in mortality.
Each man/woman has existed from the beginning as spirit entities with intelligence and an awareness of being. The scriptures explain that there was a great council which separated those spirits willing to follow a plan proposed by that being we identify as God, the Father of all, while a third of the host of heaven rebelled and followed Satan. These rebellious spirits were thrown out and forever consigned to the existence to which they had “progressed”; being denied the opportunity to obtain a mortal body or to progress any further.
Those who accepted God’s proposed plan accepted Jesus as the Savior and agreed to follow all the rules and commandments as set down in that heavenly council. Upon reaching mortality a veil of forgetfulness separates man from having a clear memory of his first estate providing a platform in which to test his/her resolve to complete those promises which were made, a probationary state if you will. We are to be tested all through our mortality to see how we perform under stress and various challenges in order to separate further those who will follow God’s plan from those who claimed they would but lacked the necessary character.
I would proceed further with my explanation of the Great Plan of Salvation; however, for what I wish to explain today this much will suffice. Man, upon passing mortality and obtaining a perfected body, one that is reunited with his eternal spirit, is to forever progress along that same opportunity of experience as did God.
I might be splitting hairs when I say that I dislike the word evolution; perhaps it is because evolution and the far ranging associated meanings have been perverted into a false science by those intent on denying God’s grand creations, preferring instead to assign such magnificence to calculated random chance. We wandered out of a pool of slime and one day sat in our easy chair sending digital images from our cell phones; might as well call that a “religion of tall tales” when compared to my belief in a Father preparing a means whereby all of His children might fulfill the measure of their existence to the highest level possible.
God, the image of our existence, has attained powers, understanding and knowledge that we are capable of, we just have to wait until such time as we are ready for such knowledge, understanding and power. We don’t hand over the car keys to a five year old, why should we expect the power, intelligence and understanding of God in our infancy. I have no idea how other men understand the eternities, we being more comfortable with finite logic. I can only proceed on my limited understanding that if I have a quantity of intelligence, understanding and ability today, that tomorrow I have the ability to add to that, even if it is but a little, it will be more than I had the day before. Progressively, I will have “X”, then “X+1”, then +1 more and so on through all eternity. I can no more catch up with God in His ability than I can ever be as old as the brother born before me; but I can increase without limitations as long as I desire to increase.
Last on my list would be the idea Probligo brought up on color and the recognition that there is no way for one person to understand how another perceives or accepts the hue, shape and reflection as you perceive it. It is speculation on my part that part of the eternities will be spent in conversation with all those other eternal beings with whom you desire to continue quality moments with, going over how you might have felt when you saw that spectacular meteor shower in November of 1966 or the fantastic rainbow that graced the sky the day you asked your intended to marry you. Imagine sitting down, with no time limits attached, while the feelings and descriptions of such tender moments are shared. I can only guess that my Father in Heaven would be interested in how my spirit appreciated His handy work, that we might spend time, much as any father would take with one of his children, to check on each one’s progression and growth.
"The brain is a product of evolution, and just as animal brains have their limitations, we have ours."
Probligo highlighted this sentence and stated that he agreed with it so I will start from there. I so dislike the word evolution that I automatically start to jerk my knee whenever it passes my senses. That having been said, I agree that we have our limitations, as do all creatures.
My understanding of man’s existence is tempered considerably by religious doctrine, some of which may be unique to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe that man is made in God’s image and that as such we are given to achieve in like manner; blasphemy in some circles of Christianity. I do not buy into the idea that prehistoric similar creatures that walked upright are the same as man; no more so than I believe that monkeys or apes are men. They were separate and distinct creatures, man being the result of God’s intention to reserve such status for His children. This statement being at variance with the secularists might irritate; heck, I know it irritates the so called scientific community. They have as much right to their opinion as do I. The nature of man has to be considered from the beginning, and by that I do not refer to the first breath taken in mortality.
Each man/woman has existed from the beginning as spirit entities with intelligence and an awareness of being. The scriptures explain that there was a great council which separated those spirits willing to follow a plan proposed by that being we identify as God, the Father of all, while a third of the host of heaven rebelled and followed Satan. These rebellious spirits were thrown out and forever consigned to the existence to which they had “progressed”; being denied the opportunity to obtain a mortal body or to progress any further.
Those who accepted God’s proposed plan accepted Jesus as the Savior and agreed to follow all the rules and commandments as set down in that heavenly council. Upon reaching mortality a veil of forgetfulness separates man from having a clear memory of his first estate providing a platform in which to test his/her resolve to complete those promises which were made, a probationary state if you will. We are to be tested all through our mortality to see how we perform under stress and various challenges in order to separate further those who will follow God’s plan from those who claimed they would but lacked the necessary character.
I would proceed further with my explanation of the Great Plan of Salvation; however, for what I wish to explain today this much will suffice. Man, upon passing mortality and obtaining a perfected body, one that is reunited with his eternal spirit, is to forever progress along that same opportunity of experience as did God.
I might be splitting hairs when I say that I dislike the word evolution; perhaps it is because evolution and the far ranging associated meanings have been perverted into a false science by those intent on denying God’s grand creations, preferring instead to assign such magnificence to calculated random chance. We wandered out of a pool of slime and one day sat in our easy chair sending digital images from our cell phones; might as well call that a “religion of tall tales” when compared to my belief in a Father preparing a means whereby all of His children might fulfill the measure of their existence to the highest level possible.
God, the image of our existence, has attained powers, understanding and knowledge that we are capable of, we just have to wait until such time as we are ready for such knowledge, understanding and power. We don’t hand over the car keys to a five year old, why should we expect the power, intelligence and understanding of God in our infancy. I have no idea how other men understand the eternities, we being more comfortable with finite logic. I can only proceed on my limited understanding that if I have a quantity of intelligence, understanding and ability today, that tomorrow I have the ability to add to that, even if it is but a little, it will be more than I had the day before. Progressively, I will have “X”, then “X+1”, then +1 more and so on through all eternity. I can no more catch up with God in His ability than I can ever be as old as the brother born before me; but I can increase without limitations as long as I desire to increase.
Last on my list would be the idea Probligo brought up on color and the recognition that there is no way for one person to understand how another perceives or accepts the hue, shape and reflection as you perceive it. It is speculation on my part that part of the eternities will be spent in conversation with all those other eternal beings with whom you desire to continue quality moments with, going over how you might have felt when you saw that spectacular meteor shower in November of 1966 or the fantastic rainbow that graced the sky the day you asked your intended to marry you. Imagine sitting down, with no time limits attached, while the feelings and descriptions of such tender moments are shared. I can only guess that my Father in Heaven would be interested in how my spirit appreciated His handy work, that we might spend time, much as any father would take with one of his children, to check on each one’s progression and growth.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Symptoms of Decay
I may wander around a bit before stumbling onto how I want to cover my unassembled thoughts which have to do with my observations on our ever decaying social structure here in America and around the world. I started the morning reading the Houston Chronicle website, an article by Michael Hedges and James Pinkerton, “Images of dying soldier renew war coverage debate” ( linked via title bar). The New York Times, well known for its desire to supply a story without thinking of the consequences, printed pictures of Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija as he lay dying from a wound to the head during combat in Iraq.
“A photograph and videotape of a Texas soldier dying in Iraq published by the New York Times have triggered anger from his relatives and Army colleagues and revived a long-standing debate about which images of war are proper to show.”
I said that the New York Times prints stories without thinking of the consequences; more accurately that should have been that they might have thought about it, they just disregard decency, moral obligations to those involved and leaking sensitive information to our enemies all in the name of obtaining a dollar. The New York Times, as are most large media outlets, are not in the business of providing news; they are in the business of providing entertainment to a customer base which requires instant gratification.
Before going on I’d like to point out that Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija was an honor student and a member of the football team at his local high school; not some drop out who couldn’t get a job other than flipping burgers or emptying waste baskets. I continue to hear blanket insinuations that the military seeks the lowest, the dregs of society, to fill its quota of bodies. This past week one our local NBC affiliates, KPRC, had a special teaser, a short piece of film intended to spark interest in a more detailed documentary that would air at later time. It was included at the end of each news broadcast, something to do with how Army recruiters were able to side step the qualification process to get less than qualified and possibly dangerous individuals past certain check points.
This past week Stephen Littau of Fearless Philosophy For Free Minds wrote and posted, ”Old Media VS New Media”, http://fpffressminds.blogspot.com/2007/01/old-media-vs-new-media.html#comments having to do with the way the media covered certain stories in a haphazard and sloppy manner, or worse, intentionally slanted information in order to sway public opinion. Stephen had many good points that were brought out and I left a comment, some of which I will print here:
“You are correct, “Yes, you and I are the main problem. Far too often, we do not think critically about the news and receive it passively.” You continued to identify the issue when you asserted that we need to ask the proper questions, “As consumers of the news, we should ask the same questions journalists are supposed to ask: who, what, when, where, how, and why.””It is not enough to ask the proper questions, I believe that we are not waiting long enough for the process of questions and answers to run its proper course. We are geared for instant gratification, so much so that we throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have no time to follow up on a story that caught our interest on Monday, desiring instead to hear something different or new on Tuesday. The news media, at all levels, caters to instant gratification, not news.”
Our society has been on a constant rate of decay, sometimes taking huge leaps toward unbridled depravity under the delusion that any and all is fair game and covered under the constitutional right “freedom of expression”. We have been lowering the bar of what is acceptable in news, entertainment, representative government and social order in general. How’s that for rocking the boat in one sentence?
Our Bill of Rights prohibits our government from making laws that limit the free exercise of or abridging our freedom of speech or of the press and there are many who would have us believe that to mean “anything goes”. I’m reminded of specific exclusions to freedom of speech, yelling “Fire” in a crowded theatre simply to create chaos being one; thanks to DL at TMH Bacon Bits for the thought he left in a comment this past week.
Our televisions are full of reality shows, an odd assortment of survival situations staged to show scantily clad bronzed beauties running through the jungle attempting to capture the flag. Our movies splatter the screen with enough blood and gore to fill a cesspool to overflowing while portraying our society as devoid of morality or social order, at least nothing worthy of redemption. Is it any wonder that the New York Times had few if any qualms when it decided to proceed with its coverage in the death of Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija?
A friend of mine from way back in junior high, that’s middle school for the newer generation, Alan McClung, ( spelling not guaranteed correct ) had some insight regarding the proper way to honor the dead. Alan and I didn’t get along much in the 8th grade but; thinking in retrospect, we were really two of a kind, smaller than most and the target of bullies. Alan grew up to be a veterinarian and I found him quite by accident one night when my black Labrador Retriever, Oscar, got hit by a car, having jumped the fence one night, his last night.
The lady whose car struck Oscar stopped and read the information on his tags, giving us a chance to learn of his need for immediate treatment. We found a late night animal hospital and that’s how I was reunited with Alan, now Dr. McClung.
Alan took Oscar in the back room to see what could be done. I waited in the empty lobby for what seemed forever. Alan eventually came back to let me know that there was nothing he could do to save Oscar and asked if I would let him take care of the disposal. I asked Alan if I could go see Oscar, a farewell to an old friend. Alan’s thoughtful advice has stayed with me all these years, “You shouldn’t look at him the way he is now. You’re better off remembering him the way he was before the accident.”
I’ve wandered around quite a bit while trying to put my finger on why the New York Times printing of some war photographs ate at me this morning. I won’t even go into another story I read about, some young man’s demented video that ended up on MySpace showing how he staked a stray cat to the ground just so he could tape his pit bull tearing it to shreds. We have to decide what we watch, what we listen to, what we think about, with whom we associate along with and all the other choices that go along with the freedoms afforded each and every citizen here in America. I’m afraid that far too many are making poor choices, the kind that drag an entire society into the gutter to be swept down the drain; but isn’t that what drains are for, to receive the remnants of decay left exposed to the light?
“A photograph and videotape of a Texas soldier dying in Iraq published by the New York Times have triggered anger from his relatives and Army colleagues and revived a long-standing debate about which images of war are proper to show.”
I said that the New York Times prints stories without thinking of the consequences; more accurately that should have been that they might have thought about it, they just disregard decency, moral obligations to those involved and leaking sensitive information to our enemies all in the name of obtaining a dollar. The New York Times, as are most large media outlets, are not in the business of providing news; they are in the business of providing entertainment to a customer base which requires instant gratification.
Before going on I’d like to point out that Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija was an honor student and a member of the football team at his local high school; not some drop out who couldn’t get a job other than flipping burgers or emptying waste baskets. I continue to hear blanket insinuations that the military seeks the lowest, the dregs of society, to fill its quota of bodies. This past week one our local NBC affiliates, KPRC, had a special teaser, a short piece of film intended to spark interest in a more detailed documentary that would air at later time. It was included at the end of each news broadcast, something to do with how Army recruiters were able to side step the qualification process to get less than qualified and possibly dangerous individuals past certain check points.
This past week Stephen Littau of Fearless Philosophy For Free Minds wrote and posted, ”Old Media VS New Media”, http://fpffressminds.blogspot.com/2007/01/old-media-vs-new-media.html#comments having to do with the way the media covered certain stories in a haphazard and sloppy manner, or worse, intentionally slanted information in order to sway public opinion. Stephen had many good points that were brought out and I left a comment, some of which I will print here:
“You are correct, “Yes, you and I are the main problem. Far too often, we do not think critically about the news and receive it passively.” You continued to identify the issue when you asserted that we need to ask the proper questions, “As consumers of the news, we should ask the same questions journalists are supposed to ask: who, what, when, where, how, and why.””It is not enough to ask the proper questions, I believe that we are not waiting long enough for the process of questions and answers to run its proper course. We are geared for instant gratification, so much so that we throw the baby out with the bathwater. We have no time to follow up on a story that caught our interest on Monday, desiring instead to hear something different or new on Tuesday. The news media, at all levels, caters to instant gratification, not news.”
Our society has been on a constant rate of decay, sometimes taking huge leaps toward unbridled depravity under the delusion that any and all is fair game and covered under the constitutional right “freedom of expression”. We have been lowering the bar of what is acceptable in news, entertainment, representative government and social order in general. How’s that for rocking the boat in one sentence?
Our Bill of Rights prohibits our government from making laws that limit the free exercise of or abridging our freedom of speech or of the press and there are many who would have us believe that to mean “anything goes”. I’m reminded of specific exclusions to freedom of speech, yelling “Fire” in a crowded theatre simply to create chaos being one; thanks to DL at TMH Bacon Bits for the thought he left in a comment this past week.
Our televisions are full of reality shows, an odd assortment of survival situations staged to show scantily clad bronzed beauties running through the jungle attempting to capture the flag. Our movies splatter the screen with enough blood and gore to fill a cesspool to overflowing while portraying our society as devoid of morality or social order, at least nothing worthy of redemption. Is it any wonder that the New York Times had few if any qualms when it decided to proceed with its coverage in the death of Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija?
A friend of mine from way back in junior high, that’s middle school for the newer generation, Alan McClung, ( spelling not guaranteed correct ) had some insight regarding the proper way to honor the dead. Alan and I didn’t get along much in the 8th grade but; thinking in retrospect, we were really two of a kind, smaller than most and the target of bullies. Alan grew up to be a veterinarian and I found him quite by accident one night when my black Labrador Retriever, Oscar, got hit by a car, having jumped the fence one night, his last night.
The lady whose car struck Oscar stopped and read the information on his tags, giving us a chance to learn of his need for immediate treatment. We found a late night animal hospital and that’s how I was reunited with Alan, now Dr. McClung.
Alan took Oscar in the back room to see what could be done. I waited in the empty lobby for what seemed forever. Alan eventually came back to let me know that there was nothing he could do to save Oscar and asked if I would let him take care of the disposal. I asked Alan if I could go see Oscar, a farewell to an old friend. Alan’s thoughtful advice has stayed with me all these years, “You shouldn’t look at him the way he is now. You’re better off remembering him the way he was before the accident.”
I’ve wandered around quite a bit while trying to put my finger on why the New York Times printing of some war photographs ate at me this morning. I won’t even go into another story I read about, some young man’s demented video that ended up on MySpace showing how he staked a stray cat to the ground just so he could tape his pit bull tearing it to shreds. We have to decide what we watch, what we listen to, what we think about, with whom we associate along with and all the other choices that go along with the freedoms afforded each and every citizen here in America. I’m afraid that far too many are making poor choices, the kind that drag an entire society into the gutter to be swept down the drain; but isn’t that what drains are for, to receive the remnants of decay left exposed to the light?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Lt. Larry Smith - a final tribute
I read where an old friend of mine passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer. I never worked with him directly, at least not under his command while I was in the Department. He’s the nicest guy I ever hit with a folding metal chair, accidentally and without malice. I suppose I should explain that last line.
Back in the old days, before the DWI folks had taken over the bottom floor of the old police academy building behind 61 Riesner at the main police station, DWI suspects were taken to the second floor roll call room to be processed. There was a cubby hole of a room where they had a breathalyzer and a couple of long work tables where we would fill out all the necessary forms. There were supervisor’s offices around the perimeter of the room, Accident, Traffic Enforcement and Point Control.
My partner, R. C. Kersten, and I had arrested a rather large fellow, think of the Green Mile and John Koffee, “like the drink only spelled with a K”. We’d arrested him after he’d driven several miles the wrong way down the outbound lanes of the Katy freeway when he exited downtown and stopped him after he traveled another fifteen blocks or so. His wrists were so large that I don’t think even leg irons would have worked, much less a pair of plain handcuffs so we were more than grateful that he was “peaceable” when he finally figured out we wanted him to stop. This was before all the police cars had Plexiglas or even a mesh cage to separate the front seat from the back. My partner and I had little if any seniority and were driving an older unit, one without a divider, so the prisoner was placed in the passenger seat up front with only a seat belt to hold him in place.
I was pretty good at talking softly and kept things light and easy all the way to the station while Bob drove the suspect’s vehicle to the impound lot; yes, a lot of things changed over the years. We had the suspect sitting in one of the metal folding chairs under those ugly fluorescent lights that illuminated the large roll call room. He was looking all around and started to become upset when it dawned on him that he’d been arrested and was going to jail. When he got up; rather, he exploded in rage it took a room full of young police officers to tackle him to the floor. Chairs and tables were being knocked around and folks from their private offices came out to see the small scale riot.
Lt. Smith was in one of those offices and came to jump into the fray just as I was letting fly with a chair aimed at the suspect who had managed to get back to his feet, several officers clinging as he dragged them across mid field. The chair glanced off Lt. Smith’s shoulder as I attempted to stop it once I realized what was about to happen. I don’t think it got him too badly, at least he didn’t complain; facts be known, I think he even smiled for having been able to join in a good fight. Once everything was under control we escorted the suspect down to the jail and finished the paper work later. Funny how something from so long ago would be the first thing I thought of when I heard of his passing. Farewell and peace be with you for having fought the good fight.
Back in the old days, before the DWI folks had taken over the bottom floor of the old police academy building behind 61 Riesner at the main police station, DWI suspects were taken to the second floor roll call room to be processed. There was a cubby hole of a room where they had a breathalyzer and a couple of long work tables where we would fill out all the necessary forms. There were supervisor’s offices around the perimeter of the room, Accident, Traffic Enforcement and Point Control.
My partner, R. C. Kersten, and I had arrested a rather large fellow, think of the Green Mile and John Koffee, “like the drink only spelled with a K”. We’d arrested him after he’d driven several miles the wrong way down the outbound lanes of the Katy freeway when he exited downtown and stopped him after he traveled another fifteen blocks or so. His wrists were so large that I don’t think even leg irons would have worked, much less a pair of plain handcuffs so we were more than grateful that he was “peaceable” when he finally figured out we wanted him to stop. This was before all the police cars had Plexiglas or even a mesh cage to separate the front seat from the back. My partner and I had little if any seniority and were driving an older unit, one without a divider, so the prisoner was placed in the passenger seat up front with only a seat belt to hold him in place.
I was pretty good at talking softly and kept things light and easy all the way to the station while Bob drove the suspect’s vehicle to the impound lot; yes, a lot of things changed over the years. We had the suspect sitting in one of the metal folding chairs under those ugly fluorescent lights that illuminated the large roll call room. He was looking all around and started to become upset when it dawned on him that he’d been arrested and was going to jail. When he got up; rather, he exploded in rage it took a room full of young police officers to tackle him to the floor. Chairs and tables were being knocked around and folks from their private offices came out to see the small scale riot.
Lt. Smith was in one of those offices and came to jump into the fray just as I was letting fly with a chair aimed at the suspect who had managed to get back to his feet, several officers clinging as he dragged them across mid field. The chair glanced off Lt. Smith’s shoulder as I attempted to stop it once I realized what was about to happen. I don’t think it got him too badly, at least he didn’t complain; facts be known, I think he even smiled for having been able to join in a good fight. Once everything was under control we escorted the suspect down to the jail and finished the paper work later. Funny how something from so long ago would be the first thing I thought of when I heard of his passing. Farewell and peace be with you for having fought the good fight.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Tell me I’m mistaken…
I was reading Greg’s article, “Rev. Robert Drinan – RIP”, at his blog, Rhymes with Right where he brought to light how the Vatican forced him from public office rather than have a priest in the public spot light (link via title bar)
I immediately thought of another highly outspoken religious figure who served in public office, Ezra Taft Benson. I had recently posted a short piece on the right to peacefully assemble and was aware of how strongly Ezra Taft Benson felt regarding the Constitution and individual rights. I went to the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to search the archives for references, then went to Wikipedia to obtain a brief biography, an overview of how the secular world perceived his efforts. Here is what Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture under Dwight D. Eisenhower and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had to say regarding communism.
“I have talked face to face with the godless communist leaders. It may surprise you to learn that I was host to Mr. Kyrushchev for a half day when he visited the United States, not that I’m proud of it. I opposed his coming then, and I still feel it was a mistake to welcome this atheistic murderer as a state visitor. But, according to President Eisenhower, Khrushchev had expressed a desire to learn something of American Agriculture — and after seeing Russian agriculture I can understand why. As we talked face to face, he indicated that my grandchildren would live under communism. After assuring him that I expected to do all in my power to assure that his and all other grandchildren will live under freedom, he arrogantly declared in substance:
“‘You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.’
“And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.” (Ezra Taft Benson “Our Immediate Responsibility.” Devotional Address at Brigham Young University. circa 1968.”)
Our elected Congress and Senate must not have read the warning as they constantly sugar coat the poison of socialism and spoon feed it to us in ever increasing amounts. They sound so sincere as they stand up in front of the microphones pandering for votes, “It’s for the children” or “We need to make sure that everyone gets what they’re entitled to in this land of opportunity”, never stopping to consider the irreparable damage done to a once free people by shackling everyone to permanent socialism and yes, communism. What is the cost of their programs to redistribute earned wealth through taxation and confiscation? “And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.” There is no doubt in my mind that Ezra Taft Benson was indeed a Prophet, Seer and Revelator; tell me I’m mistaken.
I immediately thought of another highly outspoken religious figure who served in public office, Ezra Taft Benson. I had recently posted a short piece on the right to peacefully assemble and was aware of how strongly Ezra Taft Benson felt regarding the Constitution and individual rights. I went to the official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to search the archives for references, then went to Wikipedia to obtain a brief biography, an overview of how the secular world perceived his efforts. Here is what Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture under Dwight D. Eisenhower and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had to say regarding communism.
“I have talked face to face with the godless communist leaders. It may surprise you to learn that I was host to Mr. Kyrushchev for a half day when he visited the United States, not that I’m proud of it. I opposed his coming then, and I still feel it was a mistake to welcome this atheistic murderer as a state visitor. But, according to President Eisenhower, Khrushchev had expressed a desire to learn something of American Agriculture — and after seeing Russian agriculture I can understand why. As we talked face to face, he indicated that my grandchildren would live under communism. After assuring him that I expected to do all in my power to assure that his and all other grandchildren will live under freedom, he arrogantly declared in substance:
“‘You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.’
“And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.” (Ezra Taft Benson “Our Immediate Responsibility.” Devotional Address at Brigham Young University. circa 1968.”)
Our elected Congress and Senate must not have read the warning as they constantly sugar coat the poison of socialism and spoon feed it to us in ever increasing amounts. They sound so sincere as they stand up in front of the microphones pandering for votes, “It’s for the children” or “We need to make sure that everyone gets what they’re entitled to in this land of opportunity”, never stopping to consider the irreparable damage done to a once free people by shackling everyone to permanent socialism and yes, communism. What is the cost of their programs to redistribute earned wealth through taxation and confiscation? “And they’re ahead of schedule in their devilish scheme.” There is no doubt in my mind that Ezra Taft Benson was indeed a Prophet, Seer and Revelator; tell me I’m mistaken.
The Right to Peacefully Assemble
The Right to Peacefully Assemble
I read an AP article on the Foxnews website, “Moscow Mayor Calls Gay Rights Parade 'Satanic'”. The gay rights activists have demanded the opportunity to hold a parade and the mayor has staunchly denied permission ( link provided in title bar )
In America we have the Constitution and the Bill of Rights; I know, just a piece of paper to some folks, that provide a means of recognizing specific individual rights. One day it might be nice if we all took a few moments to read those documents. I can’t fathom why any individual or group of individuals who live a life style that I can only call a “deviant expression”, deviant as pertaining to those actions declared so by our Father in Heaven, why these folks would want the spot light turned on them as they wallow in their filth.
That having been said, our First Amendment clearly defines the rights of such deviants to express themselves in group protestation against the very society from which they have strayed; provided that the celebration or grievance is done in a peaceable manner. What constitutes “peaceable manner”; does that mean threat of violence either by those involved in the march or does it imply that those who deplore the deviant life style might not be able to contain their loathing and become violent against the marchers?
I have no idea what kind of individual rights are set down in law over in Russia; don’t really give a hoot either, I live in America. All things being equal, or if Moscow were here in America I’d have to side against the mayor and proceed on the assumption that all marches are peaceful assemblies on face value; to imply otherwise chips away at the foundation of our most basic belief that all are innocent until proven otherwise. It is lawful to be a homosexual, even if such deviant behavior is an abomination before God; the consequences are of an eternal nature and should be left to God when judgment is exacted. By extension it is lawful for a group of homosexuals to gather in groups, to march and to glorify their deviant life style in the face of those who have chosen a more conservative path, one which they believe to be in accordance with the will of God.
I would require safe conduct be provided by law enforcement; both to protect those involved in the march and to enforce laws which outline proper conduct in public. I have observed many marches in my twenty years as a police officer, many times while I was assigned in exactly that capacity, to provide a safe environment when hostilities run high.
I have had the opportunity, a modest alteration of how I might have expressed such an assignment earlier in my life, to provide police protection for all manner of unpleasant marches; KKK, Iranian protests and even against Dung Chiow Ping (spelling optional, lol). We had a special squad of officers to provide pre-march security measures; removal of strategically placed weapons along the parade route such as sacks of rocks stored in newspaper sales boxes, clubs that had the appearance of being picket signs and such.
On only one march did we as a specialized group of police officers have to (get to) storm the “minority” marchers and remove several of them when it was determined that they were holding “clubs” rather than banners on sticks. I’m not sure what the difference is between a tomato stake pole with a flag and a club with a flag; but the march had turned particularly ugly and it might have been the best way to put a lid on it and that was a command decision made higher up the chain. It gave us a chance to use the riot tactics we had practiced for years; not to mention a chance to remove some human slime from the side walks of Houston, even if it was just for a little while it felt good.
We need to remember that the rights that we claim for ourselves are evenly distributed with the rest of those we share this country with; the rain falls on the just and the unjust. While I cannot accept the deviant life styles put on display by the “gay rights” individuals or groups, they should not be denied freedom of expression as long as such expression does not cross over the fine line between civil and one that is patently offensive with the intention of causing harm.
I have written in the past, mostly in the form of comments to articles I have read by others, on how ironic it must seem that the use of God given rights can be heralded by those intent on defiance of those restrictions placed on mortals by that very same God. It is not logical that the Creator of Heaven and Earth, that God who provided the inspiration to pen such magnificent documents as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights would have given those individual freedoms and rights, the necessary “agency of man” intended to permit his/her return to His presence once mortality had finished, to be perverted in meaning as to include such bizarre expressions as homosexual “rights”, abortion or as it has been called by the politically correct, “women’s right of choice”, pornographic displays in the name of “free speech” and so on down the line of depravity.
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