Live Nativity Scene

Ok - here is a new twist that I LOVE!  People still have the right to public assembly in this great country so in an effort to take back our Christian heritage, here is a new take on an old tradition.  Back on December 1st the Reverend Patrick Mahoney gathered a group of people to protest by creating a LIVE Nativity Scene to be displayed in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Nativity Project is a reminder that our Constitution provides freedom 'of' religion not freedom 'from' religion. By encouraging people of good will to publicly display Nativity Scenes all across America, we are not only supporting religious liberty and First Amendment freedoms but we are loudly proclaiming the powerful message of Christmas." -Rev. Patrick Mahoney

This was a nationwide campaign to share the message of Christmas and to help confront the continuing erosion of expressions of faith and especially during the Christmas Season.

The Nativity Scene, sponsored by Faith and Action and The Christian Defense Coalition, was held on Wednesday, November 30 at 10:30 A.M.

The groups met at 109, 2nd Street NE (right behind the Supreme Court) at 10:30 A.M., then they had a processional with live animals and actors, in front of the Supreme Court and past the U.S. Capitol Building which ended back at 109 2nd Street.

National Defense Authorization Act - Homeland Security Treason

Alright, if you are NOT awake yet America...it is time to AWAKEN!  Under the name of Homeland Security (and more attacks on Americans freedoms) we now have more elected officials throwing away the Constitution of the United States of America.

I was talking to my Uncle in Canada on Thursday and he was telling me about what MY US congress was proposing and I had not heard a word about it...not until a friend posted this link: Freedom Watch.  Seems that in secret John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) have passed in a closed-door committee meeting, without even a sing hearing a new bill that declares that the entire United States of America is a Battlefield for the Military with the Military Detention of AMERICANS!  Chris Anders (Legislative Counsel for the ACLU) warns us that the worldwide indefinite detention without charge or trial provision is in S. 1867, the National Defense Authorization Act bill, which will be on the Senate floor on Monday (today) for the beginning of debate.

Anders states that the Senate will be voting on a bill that will direct American military resources not at an enemy shooting at our military in a war zone, but at American citizens and other civilians far from any battlefield — even people in the United States itself.  People WAKE UP!  Your Congressmen need to hear from you.  I don't think the “battlefield” should be in my front yard.  Who are the "good" guys and who are the "bad"?  And more importantly, WHO GETS TO DECIDE?

Ok, we all understand that Americans can be criminals and that they can even be criminals against our very fibers as Americans so our founders defined a class of criminals as "domestic enemies" in the "United States Constitution" for such a thing, but here today and OUR Congress is trying to pass laws that will make ALL American's loose our Constitutional rights!  HELLO - anybody out there??? Time to be CONCERNED!!!

"The homeland is part of the battlefield and people can be held without trial whether an American citizen or not." - Sen. Linsey Graham (R- S.C.).  Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) declared that the bill is needed because “America is part of the battlefield.”

The senate is to vote on this TODAY and they will define the whole of the United States as a "battlefield" and allow the US Military to arrest American citizens ANYWHERE, without charge or trial!

I am reminded of Hamen and the gallows.  What?  You don't know who Hamen is?  He was an Agagite nobel who lived around the 5th Century BC and was a vizier (a high-ranking political advisor in Muslim government) of the Persian empire under King Ahasuerus or better known as Artaxerxes II (King Xerxes).  Hamen was a descendent of Agag, the king of the Amalekites.  Ringing any bells yet? Hamen grew to hate the Jews, all Jews and especially he hated Mordecai and he crafted a plan to have his boss, King Xerxes help him rid the planet of Mordecai and all Jews.    

King Xerxes was the ruler of a massive Persian empire.  Here is the back history.  Xerxes holds a lavish party, initially for his court and dignitaries and afterwards for all inhabitants. He orders the queen (his wife) Vashti to "appear" at the party to show her beauty before the guests. She refuses. Worried all women will learn from this, the King removes her as queen and has her killed.  He then issues a royal decree sent across the empire that men should be the ruler of their households and should speak their own native tongue. He then orders all beautiful young girls to be presented to him, so he can choose a new queen to replace Vashti.

One of these beauties is Esther.  She had no parents and was being cared for by her cousin Mordecai (remember from above - the Jew).  Esther finds favor in the king's eyes, and is made his new queen through Mordecai's instructions.  Esther, of course is also Jewish but she does not reveal this to the King who ADORES her. 

Mordecai discovers a plot to assassinate the King. The conspirators are apprehended and hanged, and Mordecai's service to the king is recorded.  Now fast-forward to when Xerxes appoints Hamen as his new prime minister. Mordechai, who sits at the palace gates, falls into Haman's disfavor as he refuses to bow down to him. Having found out that Mordechai is Jewish, Haman plans to kill not just Mordechai but all the Jews in the empire. He obtains Xerxes' permission to execute this plan, against payment of ten thousand talents of silver, and he casts lots to choose the date on which to do this—the thirteenth of the month of Adar. On that day, everyone in the empire is free to massacre the Jews and despoil their property.

When Mordechai finds out about the plans he and all Jews mourn and fast. Mordechai informs Esther what has happened and tells her to intercede with Xerxes. She is afraid to break the law and go to the King unsummoned as she remembers what happened to the last queen. To go to the King without a summons would incur the death penalty. Mordechai tells her that she must. She orders Mordechai to have all Jews fast for three days together with her, and on the third day she goes to Xerxes who stretches out his scepter (allowing her to come in) to her which shows that she is not to be punished. She invites him to a feast in the company of Haman. During the feast, she asks them to attend a further feast the next evening. Meanwhile, Haman is again offended by Mordechai and consults with his friends. Now Haman listens to his wife's suggestion, and so he builds a gallows for Mordecai.

That night, Xerxes suffers from insomnia, and when the court records are read to him to help him sleep, he learns of the services rendered by Mordechai in the previous plot against his life. Ahasuerus is told that Mordechai has not received any recognition for saving the king's life. Just then, Haman appears, to ask the King to hang Mordechai, but before he can make this request, King Ahasuerus asks Haman what should be done for the man that the king wishes to honor. Thinking that the man that the king is referring to is himself, Haman says that the man should be dressed in the king's royal robes and led around on the king's royal horse, while a herald calls: "See how the king honours a man he wishes to reward!" To his horror and surprise, the king instructs Haman to do so to Mordechai. After leading Mordechai's parade, he returns in mourning to his wife and friends, who suggest his downfall has begun.

Immediately after, Xerxes and Haman attend Esther's second banquet, at which she reveals that she is Jewish and that Haman is planning to exterminate her people, including her. Overcome by rage, Xerxes leaves the room; meanwhile Haman stays behind and begs Esther for his life, falling upon her in desperation. The king comes back in at this moment and thinks Haman is assaulting the queen; this makes him angrier than before and he orders Haman hanged on the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordechai. The previous decree against the Jews cannot be annulled, BUT the king allows the Jews to defend themselves during attacks. As a result, on 13 Adar, five hundred attackers and Haman's ten sons are killed in Shushan, followed by a Jewish slaughter of seventy-five thousand Persians, although they took no plunder. Esther sends a letter instituting an annual commemoration of the Jewish people's redemption, in a holiday called Purim (lots). Xerxes remains very powerful and continues reigning, with Mordechai assuming a prominent position in his court.  (The whole writing is found in the book of Esther.)

What does this have to do with this new law?  These conservative law-makers are like Haman.  They are
building "gallows" to deal with law-breakers but those LOOSELY defined laws will become the very laws used against them in the end.  I don't want my government "arresting" citizens and not giving them "due process" and having them subject to a military style court.  I want the CONSTITUTION for ALL people, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC!  This is NOT a liberal or conservative issue - this is a NATIONAL FREEDOM of ALL AMERICAN'S issue!

To the right of this story is a list of links called IMPORTANT LINKS TO REMEMBER.  Find your representatives both at the local and national level and SPEAK UP!  Let your voice be heard and start ringing the bells and sounding the alarms!


Further reads on the subject:
Arrest McCain and Levin Now
Media's Blackout of the National Defense Authorization Act
Iron Curtain begins Descending onto the USA

Class War

Interesting e-mail that I received today. It reflects the feelings of a lot of people.  Class war at its best.  I have never heard this said as simply or as well.

The folks who are getting the free stuff, don't really like the folks who are paying for the free stuff, because the folks who are paying for the free stuff can no longer afford to pay for both the free stuff and their own stuff..

And, the folks who are paying for the free stuff want the free stuff to stop. And the folks who are getting the free stuff want even more free stuff on top of the free stuff they are already getting!

Now... the people who are forcing the people who pay for the free stuff have told the people who are RECEIVING the free stuff that the people who are PAYING for the free stuff are being mean, prejudiced, and racist.

So...the people who are GETTING the free stuff have been convinced they need to hate the people who are paying for the free stuff by the people who are forcing some people to pay for their free stuff and giving them the free stuff in the first place.

We have let the free stuff giving go on for so long that there are now more people getting free stuff than paying for the free stuff.

Now understand this. All great democracies have committed financial suicide somewhere between 200 and 250 years after being founded. The reason?

The voters figured out they could vote themselves money from the treasury by electing people who promised to give them money from the treasury in exchange for electing them.

The United States officially became a Republic in 1776, 231 years ago. The number of people now getting free stuff outnumbers the people paying for the free stuff.

We have one chance to change that in 2012. Failure to change that spells the end of the United States as we know it.

ELECTION 2012 IS COMING1  A Nation of Sheep Breeds a Government of Wolves!   I'M 100% for PASSING THIS ON !!! Let’s Take a Stand!!!

1. Obama: Gone!
2. Borders: Closed!
3. Language: English only
4. Culture: Constitution, and the Bill of Rights!
5. Drug Free: Mandatory Drug Screening before Welfare!
6. NO freebies to: Non-Citizens!

We, the people, are coming.  It is estimated that only 86% will send this on. Should be a 100%.  What will you do?

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Now that all your "turkey" has settled and you are back into your routines, I ran across this posting regarding George Washington and his 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation.  A far cry from what we are hearing in the news today but this is what the First President of the United States believed.  Not only was this HIS belief but he was  repeatedly elected so you know that the "people" believed this same way.  The "people" had a heart for God and founded this nation to be a nation after the heart of God.  If the "people" had a different heart than this, they would have elected someone who represented their hearts.

That is what is going on today, many people have hearts that are far from God so they are electing people with godless agendas and selfish convictions.  God forgive us!

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789

 "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor - and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.'

"Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author  of all the good that was, that is, or that will be - That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks - for his kind care and protection of the People of this country previous to their becoming a Nation - for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war - for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed - for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

"And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions - to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually - to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed - to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord - To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us - and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best."

Chris Matthews on Obama

This is really an interesting interview to me.  If you ever watch Television News Talk shows then you have most likely heard of Chris Matthews.  He is currently the host of Hardball on MSNBC and has worked for many news organizations. A speechwriter during the Carter administration, Matthews later worked for Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O'Neil, which involved him in many key political battles with the Reagan administration.  He has had an unsuccessful campaign run for the Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district seat in the US House of Representatives in 1974 so he has had a LONG career of politics in America.

So why do we care what Matthews has to say?  Well, normally I would agree with you if you posed that question but what is interesting is this recent interview with him in which he poses MANY tough questions regarding the Obama administration.  Basically Matthews says Obama is not worth electing again as he hasn't done anything for the country and he has no clear-cut plan describing what he will do for the country.  Matthews further rants that people are waiting for direction from Obama and wanting him to give us something to do; in other words, lead!

Matthews speaking of Obama says, "Ask us to do something. There is no Peace Corps. There is no Special Forces. There is no 50 mile hikes. There’s no moon program. There’s nothing to root for."

Matthews goes on in the interview to slam Obama and his credibility to lead.  He talks of how he doesn't communicate with congress and he is off doing what?  He challenges with things like, "What are we trying to do in this administration? Why does he want a second term? Would he tell us? What's he going to do in the second term? More of this? Is this it? Is this as good as it gets? Where are we going? Are we going to do something the second term? He has yet to tell us. He has not said one thing about what he would do in the second term. He never tells us what he is going to do with reforming our healthcare systems, Medicare, Medicaid, how is going to reform Social Security. Is he going to deal with long-term debt? How? Is he going to reform the tax system? How? Just tell us. Why are we in this fight with him? Just tell us, Commander, give us our orders and tell us where we’re going, give us the mission. And he hasn't done it."

This is a clear indication that even the "left" has left Obama.  Matthews poses great questions and his discussion sounds more like something I would say than a liberal like he is.  Wake up America!  Obama is just smoke and mirrors and I want to know who is the puppeteer behind him! Very interesting indeed.

Hermain and His Faith

How many politicians do you know that would stand up and sing yet alone at with a bunch a reporters around?  Ok - now add to the fact that it was a song of praise to the Lord?  I am liking this guy more and more.

Praying Herman Cain is not just too good to be true!  I still have reservations about his ties to the fed but I can't establish is there was any muck that he was involved with while being there. 

We certainly need a GODLY man to run our country.  If the election were today, he would have my vote.

Swedish Boy Removed Permanently From Home

I was reading today on the Christian News Wire about a very troubling article regarding a now 9 year old boy who was removed from his family two years ago in Sweden because they home-schooled him.  Rather than summarizing the article, I have just posted it here in it's entirety.

Homeschool Parents to Lose Children Permanently

Government Officials Seek to Terminate Johansson Parenthood over Homeschooling
Contact: Jeremiah Lorrig, Home School Legal Defense Association, 540-338-5600

PURCELLVILLE, Va., Oct. 12, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Swedish officials on the Island of Gotland are seeking to terminate the parental rights of homeschool parents Christer and Annie Johansson. The latest development in this monumental homeschool rights case started when the state seized the parents seven year old son in June 2009. Domenic, now 9 years old, has been held in state foster care for more than 24 months.

News of these developments does not sit well in the homeschool community. "The United States Supreme Court has called the termination of parental rights the family court equivalent of the death penalty," notes Michael Donnelly, Director of International Relations at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).

Seven-year old Domenic Johansson was snatched by Swedish police in June 2009 from an airplane bound for India, his Mother's homeland. Among the reasons given for the seizure was that Domenic was homeschooled. Since then his entire family has been denied virtually any contact with their son. HSLDA and the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) filed a joint application on behalf of the Johansson family at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in June 2010 and have been working to support the family since shortly after Domenic's seizure.

Both ADF and HSLDA are currently asking for letters to be written in an attempt to renew attention to the family's case and to encourage Swedish officials to release Domenic back to his family.

"The government shouldn't abduct and imprison children simply because it doesn't like homeschooling.  That's bad enough. But now the state is going even further by attempting to get the parents out of the way altogether," said ADF Legal Counsel Roger Kiska. "This simply cannot stand.  We will do everything in our power to help reunite this family."  

History of Democratic Party

This is a good look at the "real" Democratic party and it's history.  So many people think that the Democrats are pro the black but maybe people better dust off those history books and take a closer look!

To think that SO many blacks are voting with the party that wanted to keep them in chains is really mind-boggling and it would behove those same people to do some research and find out the real truth.    Here is a black conservative man making some very valid points and people really need to listen up and re-study their history; bet you didn't learn these statistics in your history classes!  Excellent information here that was originally authored by Larry Elder and Rev. Wayne Perryman. Here are few of the points made in this video.  Take a few minutes and follow along!

• Democrats supported slavery and it's expansion into northern states.
• After the Civil War, 23 blacks (13 of them ex-slaves) were elected to Congress, ALL as Republicans.
• The first black democrat was not elected to congress until 1935 from the state of Illinois.
• The first black congressional Democrat from a southern state was not elected until 1973.
• Democrats in 1854 passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act that overturned the Missouri Compromise and allowed for the importation of slaves into the territories.
• Democrats opposed Senate Bill 60 of 1866 to give blacks 40 acres and a mule.  It was Democratic president Andrew Johnson that vetoed the bill.
• Democrats opposed the 1866 Civil Rights Act.
• On July 4, 1867 in Houston, 150 blacks and 20 whites formed not the Black Texas Republican Party, but the Texas Republican Party.  Blacks across southern states also founded the Republican parties in their states.
• In 1850, Democrats passed the Fugitive Slave Law.
• President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.  In 1865 the 13th Amendment emancipating the slaves was passed with 100% of Republicans voting for it and only 23% Democrats voting for it.  The 14th Amendment was passed giving the newly emancipated blacks full civil rights and federal guarantee of those rights, superseding any state laws.  Every single voting Republican voted for the Amendment, NO democrat voted for it.
• Congress passed the 15th Amendment in 1870 guaranteeing blacks the right to vote.  Every single Republican voting for it with every single Democrat voting against it.
• During 1872 Congressional investigations, Democrats admitted beginning the Klux Klux Klan as an effort to stop the spread of the Republican Party and to reestablish Democratic control in southern states.  Blacks who were all Republican at that time were the primary targets of violence.
• Southern Democrats like Al Gore, Sr. and William Fulbright debated against the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• Southern Democrats including Al Gore, Sr. and William Fulbright debated against the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
• Democrats supported and participated in burning down middle-class black communities like those in Rosewood Florida, Wilmington, North Carolina, and the Greenwood District - Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Between 1870 and 1875 the Republican Congress passed many pro-black Civil Rights laws but in 1876 Democrats took control of the House and no further race-based Civil Rights laws passed until 1957.
• In 1892 Democrats gained control of the House, the Senate and the White House; repealed all of the Republican based Civil Rights laws. That enable the southern Democrats to pass the Jim Crow Laws, the Pole Taxes, literary tests, and so on in their individual states.
• Only 64% of Democrats in Congress voted for the 1964 Civil Rights Act, while 80% of Republicans voted for the Act.
• Democrats in an effort to keep blacks in their place, used sadistic torture, terror and violence including lynchings, mutilations, murder, decapitations, beatings and burnings to death countless numbers of blacks.

Time for people to wake up and READ their history in context!  Pretty amazing information that you won't hear on the liberal media outlets and unfortunately too many people just like to push along the rhetoric without checking the facts.  Maybe now you can have an informed discussing with those wanting to wave the Dem's flag about fairness and history!

F-35 B Landing

Ok this is really cool if you are into military aircraft.  This is a BIG deal to those in the aviation world and really cool to watch even if your not.

Check out the new F-35 making a vertical landing on the aircraft carrier.  This is the new baby from Lockheed Martin and it is a joint venture with many countries as well.

Yeah, this is pretty much incredible!

Edward Andrew Stumm's Parole

On facebook today a friend sent an urgent plea to have letters written to stop the parole of Edward Andrew Stumm.  Stumm is a 67 year old man who back in August of 1993 was found guilty of sexually assaulting eleven mentally-challenged adults who lived in a group home setting where he (Stumm) had a part-time job.  See, my friend's life was personally affected by Stumm's behavior as her brother (a Down's Syndrome man with an IQ of a 3 year old) was one of the victims terrorized by Stumm.  (If you happen to know my friend or more importantly the victim, please don't bring up this situation with him as it still too difficult.)


Many of you are already moved to compassion but there may be many of you who may ask, "What is that to me?"  Well, there is more to this story that you should know.  See, In 1992, Edward Andrew Stumm was a full-time Public School Administrator in Hood County! He used his part-time job as an opportunity to gratify his sexually deviant behavior.  He terrorized his victims through forces sexual acts, as well as threatening torture and violent death.  As I have stated, he was ultimately charged with sexually assaulting eleven of the clients and the jury returned with a guilty verdict and sentenced him to serve: one 99 year sentence for Aggravated Sexual Assault with a Deadly Weapon, three 99-year sentences for Aggravated Sexual Assault, and two 20-year sentences for Sexual Assault. The severity of the sentences deemed appropriate, by the jury who heard the evidence, are indicative of the heinous details of abuse disclosed during the trial.

The terror experienced by the victims of Edward Stumm were, and still are, very real to those he tormented through sexual and emotional abuse.  He came up for parole once already and people were up in arms then that Fifteen years was too little time to serve for all the crimes he committed. Justice demands that Stumm be required to serve his full sentence was the cry after 15 years of imprisonment. People launched a crusade to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to have him kept in prison, where many feel he belongs.

I did my own checking up on this case and as a Texas resident with children, this is a real threat and now with money being short in the prison system decisions are being made (many we don't know about) that are putting us as risk!  Keeping prisoners in prisons cost money...lot's of money and many think it's time to free up this money but letting criminals loose back into society is a troubling solution.  If we as a people would have dealt with atrocities such as this as crimes punishable by death, maybe people would think twice before dabbling in behavior that could end their own life.  I'm not saying all people would be stopped from their choices but eventually they would be stopped when caught and sentenced to pay with their life.

Back to the problem at hand, Stumm will be paroled UNLESS people rise up and begin to DO something.  What can you do?  Write a letter, send an e-mail or send a fax THIS WEEK (9-19-2011 until 9-23-2011) to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Victim Services Division.  Here is the address:

Texas Dept of Criminal Justice - Victim Services Division
Angela McCown, Director
8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Ste 265
Austin, Texas 78757

Email: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us

Fax: 512-452-0825

http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/victim/victim-home.htm

Please include the following:
Offender: Stumm, Edward Andrew
State ID: 04738957
TDCJ ID: 00648361

You still want more help with this?  Here is a sample letter:  

Dear Parole Board Members:

RE: Edward Andrew Stumm  TDCJ-ID# 00648361

As a concerned citizen, I am writing to ask that you DO NOT grant parole to Edward Andrew Stumm.  In 1992, Stumm was a full-time public school administrator who worked a part-time job caring for mentally-challenged adults.  Stumm used his part-time position as an opportunity to gratify his sexually deviant behavior.  He was ultimately charged with sexually assaulting eleven of his victims. He terrorized his victims through forced sexual acts, as well as threatening torture and violent death.  Stumm received an accumulative sentence of 436 years.  It is appalling that he is can even be considered for parole.  Stumm's heinous acts should preclude any such consideration.  Justice demands that Stumm be denied parole.

Please DO NOT grant parole to Edward Andrew Stumm.  To lessen the emotional trauma the parole review process has on the victims, please grant a five year or greater set-off for future parole reviews.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

Here is another sample letter for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles:

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
c/o Ms Angela McCown, Director
TDCJ-Victim Services
P.O. Box 13401
Austin, TX 78711
Fax # 512/452-0825
E-mail to: victim.svc@tdcj.state.tx.us

Dear Parole Board Members:

RE: Edward Andrew Stumm TDCJ-ID# 00648361

As a concerned citizen, I am writing to ask that you DO NOT grant parole to Edward Andrew Stumm. In 1992, Stumm was a full-time public school administrator who worked a part-time job caring for mentally-challenged adults. Stumm used his part-time position as an opportunity to gratify his sexually deviant behavior. He was ultimately charged with sexually assaulting eleven of his victims. He terrorized his victims through forced sexual acts, as well as threatening torture and violent death. Stumm received an accumulative sentence of 436 years. It is appalling that he is can even be considered for parole. Stumm's heinous acts should preclude any such consideration. Justice demands that Stumm be denied parole.

Please DO NOT grant parole to Edward Andrew Stumm. To lessen the emotional trauma the parole review process has on the victims, please grant a five year or greater set-off for future parole reviews.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

(Your Name)

If you want to view for yourself some information on this case and others go to the Texas Tribune and read about it.  Here is some specific information on Edward Andrew Stumm from the Texas Tribune.  To view information on sample letters go to: Take Action...and make a difference.

July 4, 2011 Let Freedom Ring

Wounded vets saddle up and bike in the Warrior 100K bike ride out in southwest Texas this past July Fourth.  It was a gathering of wounded warriors and their former president, George W. Bush in the Big Bend Park.

A 12 Mile ride on day one followed by a 30 mile ride on day two, President Bush, now 64, was right in the middle of the pack of heros...peddling along and pushing the group onward.  He biked with them to bring awareness to the wounded warriors and their ongoing needs.

Day three is another 12 miles of difficult trails out in west Texas.  They get on the bikes bright and early to get out before the heat of Texas warms things up to much.

Incredible story about a president and the wounded soldiers he commanded.  Take a minute to hear the Fox News story here:  100K Bike Ride

9-11 Ten Years Later

With ten years having passed since our country was attacked on our own soil, I find myself asking questions and looking for some answers.  Here are a few interesting facts that I found.

Did you know that 2,403 people died in the attack at Pearl Harbor or that 168 people died in the Oklahoma City bombing.  Well, really there were 171 lives lost in Oklahoma because three of the women were pregnant when they died.  And then there is 9-11.  This was the largest loss of life on our soil and 2,976 people lost their lives as a result of these attacks.  Of these that died 236 were foreigners which makes the total number of America lives lost to be 2,740.

Four commercial airliners were involved with 19 terrorists who hijacked those planes.  Each group had at least one qualified pilot.  They crashed United Airlines Flight 175 which hit one tower and American Airlines Flight 11 that crashed into tower two.  The third airplane was American Airlines Flight 77 which smashed into the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia and the fourth plane was United Airlines Flight 93 in which the flight crew and passengers wrestled the terrorists literally to the ground where the plane crashed into a field near a Shanksville town in Pennsylvania.

All of the 246 people died on the planes.  The other 2605 people who died were either in the towers or on the ground when the towers fell.  There were 125 people who died in the Pentagon attack.  Of all the fatalities 343 were New York City Fire Department firefighters, 23 New York City Police Department officers and 37 Port Authority Police Department officers.  There were 24 people still listed as "missing". These numbers of course do not account for any homeless or people who were traveling or visiting who didn't have family to report them as missing.

What a sad day for our country.  Today there is a memorial in the spot where the towers stood and a new building is being erected that will reach 1,776 feet into the sky.  It will be called 1 World Trade (formerly the Freedom Tower).  The World Trade Centers were 1,368 feet.

Here was a good video that had some great images from that terrible day in our country's history.  God Bless America!  I Believe - a 9-11 Tribute

Seven Ways RICK PERRY wants to change the Constitution

I have to look at the scriptures whenever I am making of who to vote for.  Yes, the scriptures have even answered this question.  Let's look at Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  See if we seek FIRST the Kingdom of God (vote for people who understand this) and His righteousness (people who live righteousness.  Note this does not say who lives PERFECT, but righteous - there is a difference) then all these things will be added to you.  See if we vote for people who choose to put God first then God will take care of "all" the "things".   I vote righteousness - not change.

With that I am reading about different candidates and what they believe, what they have done and what they say they will do.  Some candidates have a record that we can look at to see what they have done and that will be an indication of what they will do.  Sure wish people would have thought about that back when they were voting for Mr. "present" who really hasn't done much good for our country since he came to office.  He did bring "change" alright and now I "hope" we don't have him four more years.

Chris Moody of The Ticket wrote this article called, Seven Ways Rick Perry wants to change the Constitution.  Get up to date with the facts....

Rick Perry has many ideas about how to change the American government's  founding document. From ending lifetime tenure for federal judges to completely scrapping two whole amendments, the Constitution would see a major overhaul if the Texas governor and Republican presidential candidate had his druthers.

Perry laid out these proposed innovations to the founding document in his book, Fed Up! Our Fight to Save America from Washington. He has occasionally mentioned them on the campaign trail. Several of his ideas fall within the realm of mainstream conservative thinking today, but, as you will see, there are also a few surprises.

1. Abolish lifetime tenure for federal judges by amending Article III, Section I of the Constitution.

The nation's framers established a federal court system whereby judges with "good behavior" would be secure in their job for life. Perry believes that provision is ready for an overhaul.

"The Judges," reads Article III, "both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a Compensation which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office."

Perry makes it no secret that he believes the judges on the bench over the past century have acted beyond their constitutional bounds. The problem, Perry reasons, is that members of the judiciary are "unaccountable" to the people, and their lifetime tenure gives them free license to act however they want. In his book, the governor speaks highly of plans to limit their tenure and offers proposals about how to accomplish it.

"'[W]e should take steps to restrict the unlimited power of the courts to rule over us with no accountability," he writes in Fed Up! "There are a number of ideas about how to do this . . . . One such reform would be to institute term limits on what are now lifetime appointments for federal judges, particularly those on the Supreme Court or the circuit courts, which have so much power. One proposal, for example, would have judges roll off every two years based on seniority."

2. Congress should have the power to override Supreme Court decisions with a two-thirds vote.

Ending lifetime tenure for federal justices isn't the only way Perry has proposed suppressing the power of the courts. His book excoriates at length what he sees as overreach from the judicial branch. (The title of Chapter Six is "Nine Unelected Judges Tell Us How to Live.")

Giving Congress the ability to veto their decisions would be another way to take the Court down a notch, Perry says.

"[A]llow Congress to override the Supreme Court with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate, which risks increased politicization of judicial decisions, but also has the benefit of letting the people stop the Court from unilaterally deciding policy," he writes.

3. Scrap the federal income tax by repealing the Sixteenth Amendment.

The Sixteenth Amendment gives Congress the "power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration." It should be abolished immediately, Perry says.

Calling the Sixteenth Amendment "the great milestone on the road to serfdom," Perry's writes that it provides a virtually blank check to the federal government to use for projects with little or no consultation from the states.

4. End the direct election of senators by repealing the Seventeenth Amendment.

Overturning this amendment would restore the original language of the Constitution, which gave state legislators the power to appoint the members of the Senate.

Ratified during the Progressive Era in 1913 , the same year as the Sixteenth Amendment, the Seventeenth Amendment gives citizens the ability to elect senators on their own. Perry writes that supporters of the amendment at the time were "mistakenly" propelled by "a fit of populist rage."

"The American people mistakenly empowered the federal government during a fit of populist rage in the early twentieth century by giving it an unlimited source of income (the Sixteenth Amendment) and by changing the way senators are elected (the Seventeenth Amendment)," he writes.

5. Require the federal government to balance its budget every year.

Of all his proposed ideas, Perry calls this one "the most important," and of all the plans, a balanced budget amendment likely has the best chance of passage.

"The most important thing we could do is amend the Constitution--now--to restrict federal spending," Perry writes in his book. "There are generally thought to be two options: the traditional 'balanced budget amendment' or a straightforward 'spending limit amendment,' either of which would be a significant improvement. I prefer the latter . . . . Let's use the people's document--the Constitution--to put an actual spending limit in place to control the beast in Washington."

A campaign to pass a balanced budget amendment through Congress fell short by just one vote in the Senate in the 1990s.

Last year, House Republicans proposed a spending-limit amendment that would limit federal spending to 20 percent of the economy. According to the amendment's language, the restriction could be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress or by a declaration of war.

6. The federal Constitution should define marriage as between one man and one woman in all 50 states.

Despite saying last month that he was "fine with" states like New York allowing gay marriage, Perry has now said he supports a constitutional amendment that would permanently ban gay marriage throughout the country and overturn any state laws that define marriage beyond a relationship between one man and one woman.

"I do respect a state's right to have a different opinion and take a different tack if you will, California did that," Perry told the Christian Broadcasting Network in August. "I respect that right, but our founding fathers also said, 'Listen, if you all in the future think things are so important that you need to change the Constitution here's the way you do it'.

In an interview with The Ticket earlier this month, Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said that even though it would overturn laws in several states, the amendment still fits into Perry's broader philosophy because amendments require the ratification of three-fourths of the states to be added to the Constitution.

7. Abortion should be made illegal throughout the country.

Like the gay marriage issue, Perry at one time believed that abortion policy should be left to the states, as was the case before the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. But in the same Christian Broadcasting Network interview, Perry said that he would support a federal amendment outlawing abortion because it was "so important...to the soul of this country and to the traditional values [of] our founding fathers."

US NAVY SEALS

Got this photo saying this was the last thing Osama Bin Laden saw before he died.  Interesting.

American Exceptionalism

This Memorial Day week-end I happened across this video (from last years World Cup tournament when the USA team was playing in the first round of the play-off games).  The song OVER THERE was done as a re-mix in the video by Vandon Arms.

Ok - so what does all this have to do with Memorial Day you ask?  I was just reminded of how many people today are attacking our country (from within) and really hacking at the fiber of what made this country great - American Exceptionalism!  What is American Exceptionalism?  It is what this song was stating back then of the overall personal view that Americans had regarding our country and our standards.  It was written from the heart of that exceptionalism to support the young men/women heading out to war and to bring comfort to the worried loved ones waiting at home as the first World War was launched.  People KNEW that America was great, it was where the entire world wanted to run to to escape the tyrannies of their homelands and they even were so bold that they sang about it!

The headlines across American newspapers declared on April 6, 1917, that the United States had declared war on Germany and upon hearing that, one actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, playwright and Broadway producer stared humming.  Yes, that's right, humming!  George Cohan had already written many famous songs such as "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy."  He continued humming all morning and soon began to think of some lyrics.  By the time he arrived at work in the morning he had versus, chorus, tune and title already laid out.  It sold over 2 million copies by the end of the war and is still a recognized song today.  In 1936, Cohan was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for writing this song!  There was a sense of honor about what America was, who we were as a people and what we represented.  We were NOT ashamed of our endeavors, our victories or accomplishments.  We certainly did not bring apologies to the world stage about our exceptionalism back then or speak down about our successes.  We were PROUD Americans.  We put our trust in God and even declared it on our money.  As we have strayed from God we have strayed from our exceptionalism.  I pray that as we remember this Memorial Day we remember all that gave the highest price to pay for our freedom to live in such a great country!  God Bless America!

Here are the complete lyrics to the song in case you don't know them:


Complete Lyrics to "Over There" by George M. Cohan
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Take it on the run, on the run, on the run
Hear them calling you and me
Every son of liberty

Hurry right away, no delay, go today
Make your daddy glad to have had such a lad
Tell your sweetheart not to pine
To be proud her boy's in line.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
Over there.
Johnnie get your gun, get your gun, get your gun
Johnnie show the Hun you're a son of a gun
Hoist the flag and let her fly
Yankee Doodle do or die

Pack your little kit, show your grit, do your bit
Yankees to the ranks from the towns and the tanks
Make your mother proud of you
And the old Red White and Blue.

CHORUS (repeated twice):
Over there, over there
Send the word, send the word over there
That the Yanks are coming, the Yanks are coming
The drums are rum-tumming everywhere

So prepare, say a prayer
Send the word, send the word to beware
We'll be over there, we're coming over
And we won't come back till it's over over there.
Over there.

David Barton on Glenn Beck - Courage

With all that is going on in the world today it is difficult to know who to believe, who is right, who is really full of integrity, who do we listen too?  I am not into name dropping because we all know "someone" who is "somebody" and we think that proves something but basically all it means is that we "know" someone.

I don't listen to Glenn Beck as often as I used to but when I do, I am always challenged, impressed, convicted and stirred-up.  Today was no different when I listened to him.  I was challenged, encouraged and called to rally again.  Press through the beginning as it is a mocking the recent "end time" prediction - the rest of the message is great.

This show just aired on May 20, 2011 with Glenn Beck, David Barton, Pastor Tom Mullens, Rabbi Joseph Potasnik and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.  It is time for Courage people!  Let us not grow weary in these days but let us rise with God and stand in courage!

Obama and Israel

Yesterday was a tragic day in not only our nation's history but for all of humanity.  President Obama today announced that he is endorsing the Palestinians' demand for their future state to be based on the borders that existed before the 1967 Middle East war.  This announcement came just one day ahead of the scheduled arrival of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.  Netanyahu is vehemently opposed to even referring to these pre-1967 borders.

Here is a map of Israel (in green) to the right.  The area in red is Gaza and was under Egyptian rule until 1967.  The area in yellow was under Jordanian Rule until 1967.  Lebanon is the border to the north, Jordan is to the right and
Egypt is to the southwest.  The borders with Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria have now been formally recognized as part of the peace treaties with Israel and all were a part of the 1949 Armistice Agreement.   The agreements ended the official hostilities of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.  The borders with Syria and the Palestine territories are still in dispute to some and this is part of the reason for the constant unrest in this region.

To add to the events of yesterday's developments is that some thought this president was a friend to Israel.  Why did they think this?  Well because he campaigned saying he was a friend to Israel.  There were many clips of Barack Obama declaring his "intentions".  When will people ever learn?  You can read more about it with this link to the Washington Times story on Obama's faithless pledges to Israel.

Interesting to this whole discussion is the consideration of what did God give Abraham under the Land Covenant with Abraham?  Hmmm - seems like Israel is getting the short end of this deal - again.  Here is a map:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces. For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ‘Peace be within you.’”(Psalm 132:13)

Mike Huckabee & David Barton each on The Daily Show

Well I am normally not one to promote the Jon Stewart Daily Show but this clip I ran across was quite interesting to me as he had as a guest Mike Huckabee.  The former senator is so gracious and kind and just exemplifies a gentle spirit in all that he does.  At the end of the interview, Jon even references a genuine love for Mike based upon this kindness.  I also love how Jon states that he is challenged in his thoughts and beliefs after conversations with Mr. Huckabee.  Great interview and I hope you take the time to listen in it's entirety.

I like Mike Huckabee because what you see it what you get.  He is consistent and predictable.  We need people like him in leadership.

Mike Huckabee Part 1 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011
Mike Huckabee Part 2 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011
Mike Huckabee Part 3 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on April 6, 2011

Several times Mike Huckabee addresses the ongoing questions raised by Jon Stewart regarding David Barton and finally, repeatedly, Mr. Huckabee says to Jon, you should have him on.  Well, yesterday Jon did.  David Barton was on the Daily Show.  It was interesting to watch David bring the questions back to the topic when Jon was pressing for answers.  Very intelligent people here who entered into a civil discussion.  I do like that about Jon Stewart - he makes jokes, yes, but he doesn't do so with the malice and meanness that I have seen others do.  Jon Stewart seems to have a tender heart and is looking for truth and understanding.  May the Lord open the eyes of his heart to see.

David Barton Part 1 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Part 2 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Part 3 - The Daily Show with Jon Stewart on May 4, 2011
David Barton Bio for Daily Show

TSA and the Powers that Be...

Well it is all over the news that Osama Bin Ladin has been killed by American forces in Pakistan and there have been a wide range of emotions and postings related to the news of this terrorist's demise.

Because of the atrocities that he orchestrated on our soil back on that tragic September 11th morning in 2001 our lives have been changed, forever.  Out of fear of further attacks, Americans have willingly given up our freedoms one-by-one in the effort to "FEEL" safe.

What is troubling about all of this is now we have further and further infringements on our freedoms and it is beginning to cross some cultural lines that are raising some eyebrows.  Here is a link of a six-year-old girl who was "patted" down and drug-tested before being allowed to fly on one of our national airplanes.  We are a far cry from the days when me and my teen-age friends would play a friendly game of "trench-coat" at the airport or boldly storm a departing plane to sing a song for a traveling singer!

I have heard that some are talking about bringing litigation against the powers-that-be for pedophile crimes as these TSA agents can view "pornographic" images of children and also for fondling these same children in routine pat-downs.  We would NEVER allow teachers, priests, baby-sitters or any stranger out there the rights that we have given these TSA agents yet people continue along thinking these things are making us safe.

Israel, the country with the biggest target on their back doesn't do these silly and freedom stealing things.  They address the issue and TARGET the terrorist.  They PROFILE them!  If you have mean friends and you travel to slimy places in the world and you fellowship with known creeps then you will be targeted.  Seems like a plan to me!  Let's make this about the people DOING the crimes, not making us, the U.S. citizen the criminals.  Ridiculous!

Sharia Law & American Declaration Independence

This is a clip from Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on HIS view regarding the American Declaration of Independence and Sharia Law.  According to him, America is a Sharia compliant state.  Not sure why his audience laughs when he shares his opinion because I believe he is quite serious that American Declaration and Sharia law go hand-in-hand.  This clip is a bit chilling to me, as a woman, as an American and as a Christian.  He states his beliefs so systematically, so precisely, charismatically and yet so alarming!  SCARY!

For the record, I am not anti-Muslim but I am against some of the behaviors that some who interpret the Q'uran say are ok.  I believe God loves all of us and we are to love as well.  Many Muslims too reject the teachings of wife beating, raping, murdering, anti-Christ teachings, pedophile, Muhammad's ultimate gold (according to their god, allah) to bring peace by converting or murdering people like me, my family and my friends.  The distinction has to be made between individual people what a "group" of people say or do.

Muslim populations in European Cities: (The "Islam in Europe" blog compiled the following statistics, with sources marked by an asterisk by Daniel Pipes.)


Marseilles - 25 percent (200,000 of 800,000) (*)
Malmö - ~25 percent (67,000 of 270,000) (*)
Amsterdam - 24 percent (180,000 of 750,000) ( *)
Stockholm - 20 percent (>155,000 of 771,038) (*)
Brussels - ~20 percent (some say 33 percent) ( *)
Moscow - 16 percent-20 percent (2 million of 10-12 million) (*)
London - 17 percent (1.3 million of 7.5 million) ( *)
Luton - 14.6 percent (26,963) (*)
Birmingham 14.3 percent (139,771) ( *)
The Hague - 14.2 percent ( 67,896 of 475,580) (*)
Utrecht - 13.2 percent (38,300 of 289,000) ( *)
Rotterdam - 13 percent (80,000 of 600,000) (*)
Copenhagen - 12.6 percent (63,000 of 500,000) ( *)
Leicester - 11 percent (>30,000 of 280,000) (*)
Aarhus - ~10 percent ( *)
Zaan district (Netherlands) - 8.8 percent (*)
Paris - 7.38 percent (155,000 of 2.1 million) (*)
Antwerp- 6.7 percent (>30,000 of >450,000) ( *)
Hamburg - 6.4 percent (>110,000 of 1.73 million) (*)
Berlin - 5.9 percent (~200,000 of 3.40 million) ( *)

Once Muslim communities are established, they start to seek and demand that their practices are observed regardless of the practices of their current area.  This means Sharia (Koranic Law) and Islamic practice.  To read more about what is Islam and distinctions between Muslims, Christians and Jews and what does all this Islam stuff really mean to you, go to: Wildolive

Don't Question the President

Last week, a local reporter from WFAA here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area was one of four reporters invited from across the US to go to the White House and each would be given a seven minute interview with the President.  Brad Watson is a very calm and cool reporter and I have never seen him get excited or rude to any person he has interviewed but he is always direct and to the point.

Well apparently, the current leader doesn't like his authority question.  This is an interesting topic to me because if a person is threatened by a question, it naturally implies they have an issue they don't want discussed, addressed or uncovered.  Think about it, questions only get us upset we don't want to answer - for whatever the reason.

Teachers are asked questions ALL the time and  can you imagine them responding with chastisement to the student JUST for asking a question?  Now if the question is personal (as in a student/teacher relationship) or the question is none of their business (again speaking from the student/teacher relationship) then I can see a person how a teacher could be withholding of information but this reporter was invited to ask questions of the President!  Of course there are boundaries that are considered respective and proper but I don't feel Mr. Watson crossed any of these boundaries. He was trying to get an answer to his question based on facts he was presenting that inferred there was "more to the story" than the President wanted to address.  He was just trying to get to the truth and not just a "canned" sound-bite.   Seems to me the reporter was just doing his job but this leader is threatened when people don't just "drink the Kool-aide" and follow along with the "pided-piper".  He doesn't like his agenda questioned at all!

A closing thought is that this administration PICKED the news agency to do the interviews out of HOW many stations across America?  WFFA usually leans left but deliver their bias through a very "family oriented" style so it is hardly noticed but always present.

Alcohol Kills More Than...

Back on February 11, 2011, Reuters reported out of Geneva from the World Health Organization (WHO) that alcohol causes nearly 4% of all deaths worldwide which is more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence.

With incomes on the rise in countries around the world Africa, Asia, India and South Africa along with many other countries are now seeing binge drinking as a problem.  This is developing due to the added incomes according to the United Nations agency.   What is interesting about this is that many countries have weak control policies and this issue remains a low priority for most governments despite drinking's heavy toll on society from road accidents, violence, disease, child neglect and job absenteeism.

According to the Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health from WHO they said that approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes.  "The harmful use of alcohol is especially fatal for younger age groups and alcohol is the world's leading risk factor for death among males ages 15-59," the report found.

Every 5th death is due to harmful drinking in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)...the highest rate.  Binge drinking is often tied to and leads toward risky behavior and is now prevalent in Brazil, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the Ukraine and is rising elsewhere again according to WHO.

"Worldwide, about 11% of drinkers have weekly occasions, with men outnumbering women by four to one.  Men consistently engage in hazardous drinking at much higher levels than women in all regions," the report said.

Last May, 193 health ministers from WHO agreed to try and curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing restrictions but I doubt this will change the attitudes of people.

In a milder connection, alcohol is a casual factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries according to WHO's first report on alcohol since 2004.  It's  consumption is linked to cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, poisonings, road traffic accidents, violence, and several types of cancers including colorectal, breast, larynx and liver.

"Six or seven years ago we didn't have strong evidence of a causal relationship between drinking and breast cancer.  Now we do," Vladimir Poznyak head of WHO's substance abuse unit who coordinated the report, as he told Reuters.

The statistics revealed from this report are interesting as the alcohol consumption rates vary greatly from high levels in developed countries to the lowest levels in North Africa, sub-Sararan Africa and southern Asia along with the large Muslim populations that often abstain from drinking.  Homemade or illegally produced alcohol (or those falling outside governmental control as and tax nets) account for nearly 30% of total worldwide adult consumption...some is toxic.

In France and other European countries with high levels of adult per capital consumption, drinking is rather low for those who indulge in "episodic" drinking which suggests that those who drink more regularly tend to have more moderate drinking patterns.    According to WHO, light to moderate drinking can have a beneficial impact on heart disease and stroke, "however, the beneficial cardio-protective effect of drinking disappears with heavy drinking occasions," it said.

Again, to try and get this situation under control the WHO has found that one of the best ways to curb or control young people and their consumption is to raise taxes on alcohol the report said.  Setting perimeters on the buying, consuming and regulating the alcohol levels in drivers also reduced the abuse if enforced.

Another effort has been by some countries to restrict the sale and distribution of alcohol at sporting events.  "Yet not enough countries use these and other effective policy options to prevent death, disease and injury attributable to alcohol consumption" WHO said.

With this added information one might wonder what the breweries themselves have to say on the subject.  Diageo and Anheuser Busch InBev have said they recognize the importance of industry self-regulation and the need to address alcohol abuse and promote information on being drunk, drinking and illegal underage drinking.  The SABMiller brewery has warned that policy measure like minimum pricing and high excise taxes on alcohol could cause more public healthier harm than good by leading more people to drink homemade or illegally produced alcohol.  Not surprising on their "concern" for someone cutting in on their bottom-line.

In God We Still Trust - Diamond Rio

This song is not a recent release but the reason I am sharing it was because of the controversy that I have heard that surrounds it.  In God We Still Trust by Diamond Rio was apparently boycotted and not played by MANY radio stations in America because it was considered politically incorrect.  Really?  What has happened to America?  Where are the conservative Christians out there and why are we silent?  It is time to wake-up and more importantly SPEAK up!  Since when does a Christian based song offend because we are talking about God being in America?

This was shocking to me as I hear of rap-stars singing lyrics that are offensive to groups of people - directly degrading them, yet that is considered music and permissible.  There have been artists whose art defames Christianity yet it is covered under freedom of expression.  They have the right to degrade Christian images under the rights of freedom yet radio stations are not playing music because there may be a back-lash.  Am I the only one to see something wrong with this picture?  This is troubling in the least as this song should be played as any other song is played on the radio.  I am proud of my God and am not going to shrink back because some people may be afraid to offend a few listeners over this song.  This is ridiculous.

Earthquake in Japan

A person can hardly turn on a television and not hear some report about the devastation from the earthquake and then tsunami that destroyed parts of Japan.  Well, this footage was like NOTHING I had seen on television.

Starting out you will watch the water come up on the dry streets and by the time it ends, you will be concerned for the people on this building watching the disaster unfold before their eyes.  Not only were cars affected but buildings were uprooted. 

INCREDIBLY tragic and now lay on top of all of this the impending concern of the nuclear reactors in this region leaking radiation on these people and one can only hold their breath and cry out for God to have mercy upon these people.  I am praying for miracles to manifest and for this struggling nation to be spared further calamity.

Obama - Muslim?

To quote the disclaimer at the beginning of this video, Obama Admits He is a Muslim, "the writers, producers, editors, and publishers of this video are not stating, claiming, or implying that Barrack Hussein Obama is a Muslim, or that Obama himself claimed or admitted to being a Muslim.  Rather the writers, producers, editors, and publishers of this video are only examining the evidence surrounding the rumor that Barack Hussein Obama might be a secret Muslim".

There are plenty of sound-bites here that will give you an indication of who the real Obama is.  Sometimes we here a clip here and there and never take the time to link them all together.  This video will help you see the "big" picture.

Obama has publicly recited the "Muslim call to prayer" in a perfect Arabic accent and then went on to say that (the Muslim prayer) was "the prettiest sound on earth." He repeatedly quotes from the "holy Koran" indicating his love for this text and even on repeated occasions states that "America is no longer a Christian nation".  This is in line with being a Muslim.

Again, this is a fascinating video; you make up your mind.  Please take the time to listen.  Have we forgotten?

Actual Footage: Brainwashing in Elementary School

This is actual footage from a documentary done in an elementary school (Cambridge Friends School - a Quaker School) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  What is troubling to me is that in this day of "education" only one side of many issues is allowed to be taught.  They are focusing all the explicit attention to the tolerance of a few and "re-educating" these children.

Elementary schools should be a place where children learn to read (phonics), write, grammar, learn the English language (rules, spelling), practice reading, learn math (calculate numbers - add, subtract, multiply, divide, percentages, fractions), learn the introductions to science (and there is plenty to teach that is non-controversial like plant life, cell life, animal life, solar system, rocks, oceans) learn about history - US (our presidents, our founding of our nation, our wars, our government (the branches of government and what they do) and a limited amount of world history (the big items like wars and countries births, basic economics (money - the use of and it's influence on our society) and yet this school feels the need to "re-educate" on issues that are non-academic.  There was opinion shared throughout these interviews and it's allowed because it's the "lefts" agenda.  No one on the "right" would be able to share in such detail "their" opinions in the classroom on such topics or many other topics without an uproar yet these children are being "formed" by teachers on matters that should remain issues taught at home.

I don't remember my teachers sharing their "intimacies" and choices while I was in grade school; in fact, it wasn't until I was in high school that I ever knew much about the private lives of my teachers and the information I did receive was shared after school hours outside the classroom instruction.

There is such a double standard in this country.  Would these same teachers agree to have someone come into address Christianity and all the details of that with their students?  Would they feel that was education or indoctrination yet they are allowed to "share" because "they" have determined what is acceptable and what it not.  This is NOT surprising that this is in Massachusetts but still it is shocking how far they are pushing the envelope under the guise of "education".

Elementary School Brainwashing - Part 1
Elementary School Brainwashing - Part 2

Top 100 Items to Have During National Emergency

I found this list on the Internet and thought it would be a good reminder for each of us to take a minute to see how "prepared" we are.

I grew up in Minnesota and we were always prepared for the weather to give us some challenges. It probably didn't hurt that I grew up with parent who lived through WWII either and my mother survived the war in Vienna, Austria.  She knew war and she taught us to be prepared.  I understand that some of these items on the list are more for war-like scenarios but each of us will probably realize that we are not as prepared to take care of our own as we should be.  Lately there has been a thinking coming over our land that it is the governments responsibility to "help" in time of need.  Well, it is not.  It is each or our responsibility to be about the task of being adults.

Again, there is no way to be totally prepared for any crisis - that's why we need each other, but we can be diligent to take steps to be wise and in turn being prepared.  We live in such a culture that most people don't know how to do things that our grandparents did just to survive.

Remember that this list is geared toward a National Emergency and the list addresses the top 100 items that disappear first during times of emergency.

1. Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
2. Water Filters/Purifiers
3. Portable Toilets
4. Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
5. Lamp Oil, Wicks, Lamps (First Choice: Buy CLEAR oil. If scarce, stockpile ANY!)
6. Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
7. Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Knives, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
8. Hand-can openers, & hand egg beaters, whisks.
9. Honey/Syrups/white, brown sugar
10. Rice – Beans – Wheat
11. Vegetable Oil (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
12. Charcoal, Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
13. Water Containers (Urgent Item to obtain.) Any size. Small: HARD CLEAR PLASTIC ONLY – note – food grade if for drinking.
16. Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur.)
17. Survival Guide Book.
18. Mantles: Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
19. Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
20. Washboards, Mop Bucket w/wringer (for Laundry)
21. Cookstoves (Propane, Coleman & Kerosene)
22. Vitamins
23. Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
24. Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
25. Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
26. Bow saws, axes and hatchets, Wedges (also, honing oil)
27. Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
28. Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
29. Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
30. Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
31. Milk – Powdered & Condensed (Shake Liquid every 3 to 4 months)
32. Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
33. Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
34. Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
35. Tuna Fish (in oil)
36. Fire Extinguishers (or..large box of Baking Soda in every room)
37. First aid kits
38. Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
39. Garlic, spices & vinegar, baking supplies
40. Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
41. Flour, yeast & salt
42. Matches. {“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first
43. Writing paper/pads/pencils, solar calculators
44. Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
45. Workboots, belts, Levis & durable shirts
46. Flashlights/LIGHTSTICKS & torches, “No. 76 Dietz” Lanterns
47. Journals, Diaries & Scrapbooks (jot down ideas, feelings, experience; Historic Times)
48. Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
49. Men’s Hygiene: Shampoo, Toothbrush/paste, Mouthwash/floss, nail clippers, etc
50. Cast iron cookware (sturdy, efficient)
51. Fishing supplies/tools
52. Mosquito coils/repellent, sprays/creams
53. Duct Tape
54. Tarps/stakes/twine/nails/rope/spikes
55. Candles
56. Laundry Detergent (liquid)
57. Backpacks, Duffel Bags
58. Garden tools & supplies
59. Scissors, fabrics & sewing supplies
60. Canned Fruits, Veggies, Soups, stews, etc.
61. Bleach (plain, NOT scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
62. Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
63. Knives & Sharpening tools: files, stones, steel
64. Bicycles…Tires/tubes/pumps/chains, etc
65. Sleeping Bags & blankets/pillows/mats
66. Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
67. Board Games, Cards, Dice
68. d-con Rat poison, MOUSE PRUFE II, Roach Killer
69. Mousetraps, Ant traps & cockroach magnets
70. Paper plates/cups/utensils (stock up, folks)
71. Baby wipes, oils, waterless & Antibacterial soap (saves a lot of water)
72. Rain gear, rubberized boots, etc.
73. Shaving supplies (razors & creams, talc, after shave)
74. Hand pumps & siphons (for water and for fuels)
75. Soysauce, vinegar, bullions/gravy/soupbase
76. Reading glasses
77. Chocolate/Cocoa/Tang/Punch (water enhancers)
78. “Survival-in-a-Can”
79. Woolen clothing, scarves/ear-muffs/mittens
80. Boy Scout Handbook, / also Leaders Catalog
81. Roll-on Window Insulation Kit (MANCO)
82. Graham crackers, saltines, pretzels, Trail mix/Jerky
83. Popcorn, Peanut Butter, Nuts
84. Socks, Underwear, T-shirts, etc. (extras)
85. Lumber (all types)
86. Wagons & carts (for transport to and from)
87. Cots & Inflatable mattress’s
88. Gloves: Work/warming/gardening, etc.
89. Lantern Hangers
90. Screen Patches, glue, nails, screws,, nuts & bolts
91. Teas
92. Coffee
93. Cigarettes
94. Wine/Liquors (for bribes, medicinal, etc,)
95. Paraffin wax
96. Glue, nails, nuts, bolts, screws, etc.
97. Chewing gum/candies
98. Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
99. Hats & cotton neckerchiefs
100. Livestock