Bergdahl - the Story Continues

The administration (all roads are pointing to Obama's Assistant National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes) has known the findings of the Army's investigation but still won't acknowledge the Army's charge of desertion against Bowe Bergdahl.  This claim was first made by retired Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer and he has quite a bit to say about the whole case while interviewed by FOX News.

Bergdahl was in my friend's son's unit. Those guys in his unit spoke out from the on-set that he was a deserter when the story broke that Obama had traded prisoners from Guantanamo for his release. Why won't the administration say what is going on?  Why are they stonewalling? 

This information of his desertion will be released (as it has now been done because the Army is pursuing Court-martial proceedings against Bergdahl), so what is the administration hiding? What is going on behind the scenes that this information is being kept from the public?

Why did the administration exchange five Taliban Guantanamo prisoners (who, by-the-way were exchanged without Senior leadership at the pentagon knowing anything about it before it happened) for a known deserter? What about the American's who were from his unit who went out "looking" for him and then lost their lives?

When will American's wake up to the fact that our National leadership is working against the interest of us, it's citizenry? What are we (as a nation) doing to protect us (as a nation) from this group called ISIS? Obama won't even use language to speak out against them by calling them what they are, Islamic Terrorists.  In his last State of the Union Address, Obama gave less than 5 minutes to the topic of "terrorism".  Even liberal journalists like Tom Brokaw and liberal Senator Diane Feinstein are concerned and speaking out that there is NO plan from this administration and that the administration needs to DO something.  Ahhh - but do date, this administration is doing little to nothing as these terrorists gain more territory (last week invading Yemen's presidential palace). 

Obama promised "change"!  If you voted for him, you are getting just that, change.  I would like some "un-change" please.  The world is a scary place, and it is getting scarier.

This is why I put my trust in the Lord - He is my source of peace in troubling times!

Death-Row; one man's plight

I have a dear friend who is facing an incredible family crisis, like none any of us have probably ever faced.  Today she informed me that her brother-in-law has lost his last appeal from The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday.  He is the longest person sitting on death-row in the state of Texas.  He has been there for 30 years.  That was before I even came to Texas.  That's longer than I have been married.  That is a lifetime.  He lives in an 8x10 cell and even now, doesn't know what you will know, that his appeal is denied and his execution date will be reset for sometime in the next two months.

First off, I am an advocate for capital punishment.  Yes, I believe people need to die for their heinous actions BUT, we need to be sure that the person we are punishing is guilty beyond ALL doubt.  This is where this case get's tricky.  Lester was a man who told a series a lies, had no alibi and was in the wrong place at the wrong time and because of his own discrepancies surround the truth made his credibly iffy and so was found more readily guilty.  Four people died that terrible day and other people reacted in fear, ran, accused, and lied, yes, even people who were supposed to defend the law, in the least, stretched it.  This story could be a movie plot, like some of your favorite movies we all enjoy in the theaters.  You know, like "The Fugitive", where a good man is wrongly accused and all roads seem to point to him except in this case, there are no cameras and there is no "cut" and there also seems to be no justice on this of heaven for this man.  Lester's wife has waited for him all these years, standing by him, as does his family and yet, because he is on death row, they can't even see him.  Her email's maybe will get delivered to him, days or weeks later, when the correctional institution seems to get to it and he is treated like an animal on some days by those who order him into his cell or out into the Texas heat or rain.  He is treated as, well, a criminal.  Hmmm - seems to fit when we are dealing with a "wicked" soul but from what I hear about the "rest of this story" he is just a man who failed to tell the truth while a series of crazy events unfolded.

Today, Les's health is failing and he is ready to "go home" but his family isn't ready to see his life come to an end for someone else's crime.  Les knows where he is going and he is at peace with God.  That is Good News, but what about justice and what is right?  This is a scary thing and we all need to be mindful that it is "just by the grace of God" that this could be someone you love. 

Several people have since come forward who KNOW what happened that day, risking their own lives to speak-up about who really was the "trigger" man and how he has gloated with "getting away with murder" and what really happened that day.  See, some of these people are evil in much of what they do.  They were the "bad crowd" your mother warned you about but because this whole incident was sketchy involving law people working the wrong side of the law, political appointed people with careers in play and reputations on the line and even elected officials trying to jockey for position, the truth keeps getting sidelined and Les sits.  He has been treated less than kindly by many during his incarceration, because, well, he is a criminal - right?  Well, my bible says differently.  We are to care and visit those who are in prison.  Even Jesus mentioned them.  I think that makes them in the least, noteworthy.

There are many who may be reading this who may know another side to this story, as it was local news before I got here, but I pray God will bring forth justice and that people will look long and hard and what they could do to help this man before he is put to death.  My understanding is that he wanted to buy an airplane and his wife said no.  He went out and bought one anyway, to cover up the purchase, he took the plane apart to bring it home, piece-by-piece; as if he would be "building" one.  He did have phone records calling this place, as he did buy an airplane that fateful day but no one knew he was there and he lied about it to cover his plan; his plan to have a plane and not tell his wife.  He is guilty of doing his own thing and MANY have come forward to speak on his behalf BEFORE this injustice is carried out.  How many of you have ever bought something against your mate's wishes and hid it?  What if events turned on you.  Who would "stand by you"?  I sure know a LOT of people who have lied on countless occasions and thank God a murder didn't go down on the day THEY did.

Their is also the part about the ammunition that he used.  That too has been played up by the prosecutors in this case, and it was taken a bit far for flavor.  I know SEVERAL people who "pack" their own bullets, buy and collect rare guns and yep, even have been caught in a lie but again, that doesn't make them guilty of capital murder!  It certainly shouldn't be shocking to have "criminals" (who were prepared for an altercation that day) to have their own unmarked bullets from rare guns on hand. There seems to be some common sense missing, which in and of itself is a theme we all have seen played out, again and again in our culture over the last few decades.  The connection was a stretch and unfortunately for Les, a hobbiest who enjoyed guns too, he was the perfect "fall guy" for this fateful day.  This was a perfect storm, to pin it on him, because legal people were involved with this sour drug deal that went south and we certainly don't want to see the "good guys" being exposed for their evil.

I am not saying Les was a totally innocent man nor was he clear of wrong doing, but I am saying, capital murder for a crime he didn't do, seems a bit strong in the least and downright wrong.  Why not give him a new trial and let ALL the evidence come out. I don't understand why he can't get a new trial when there are SEVERAL who will testify to the truth that were not heard from in the beginning.  This is someone's life here and we have to get it right.  We all have seen and heard of people who were incarcerated for years set free because of "new" evidence came for some even that maybe was withheld during the initial trial and people are released for mistakes made.

Praying this story ends with justice and a new trial will miraculously be given where ALL evidence can and will be heard.  There are TOO many questions about who is being punished for these murders and I am praying that God will move where man seems to be stalling.  Another thought is if Governor Rick Perry would step-in to help save this innocent man of capital murder before his execution is under his watch.  It is a scary thing to fall into the hands of the living God and on that day, many will not have a dry eye.  God have mercy!

The Lone Star State...blue? May it never be!

Well, whether you vote or not, the Republican Party is the ONLY party that protects the unborn (even after they are born). This is just ONE issue God cares about and so should we.  I personally am a conservative but I ALWAYS vote. I have read both parties platforms with my Bible in mind and I find more in the Republican stance that reflects my Christian values than I do with the Democratic platform. See my Bible says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God" and all these "things" will be added unto you. God cares about the Kingdom (Biblical teachings) not the stuff (economy).  I am NOT saying ALL Republicans are Christians or that all Dem's are not. I am saying that when you compare the PLATFORM in which the members embrace, the Bible and it's teachings seem to be more important to the Republicans than to the Democrats. With this, let us pray! We need GOD'S love to be seen in our hearts, in our homes, in our churches (yes - many churches don't even treat their members as they would themselves), in our cities, in our states and in our nation. Father God, we are SO far from you! Forgive our sins and please heal our land. BRING revival to wake people up to YOUR ways, YOUR truth, YOUR Word. As believers we need to always walk with HUMILITY! HUMILITY....wow, that seems to be a dying word in our culture. Even people in the church, well, sometimes we are the "chief priest" of this error. With this, I share a post I have put on several walls:

Here is a troubling thought...the Lone Star State being blue? What? Unheard of you say? Take a minute to read the article below and then realize that WE as a party really do need to wake-up to the changing times before they change OUR state. We (the Republican Party) have to be better listeners, kinder people and basically work on our presentation and perceived image.

I have watched the second election of a president that I was shocked to see win even once and I have had to ask myself how? Why? What happened? I have talked to many who have voted for him - twice! I have noticed some similar things and this article expresses many of the same issues I have experienced.

One common lure is that people like something for free! All of us do. This isn't just the dirty Dem's who are like this. You know, like when you are at Sam's Club and they are handing out samples for FREE and people swarm the table for a morsel. The Dems are making their "tables" look inviting, hip, cool and trendy while the Republicans come across as arrogant, aloof, and bickering old relics. In the last week I have heard the adjective "pompass" before the name of a Republican several times yet the Dems are wearing the matching "shoe on the other foot" and getting by with it. It's a perception and in this culture of "image" being everything, I think the republican party could stand to find a good "personal trainer" so we can get back in the game.

I can hear it now, it's the liberal media's fault. Well, that IS true to some degree but with facebook, twitter, blogs, you-tube and a host of other social media devices I think we have to stop blaming and start doing! Again, this is a perception that Republicans complain and whine but offer no solutions. All of you reading this have a facebook account yet how often do YOU let YOUR voice be heard on the "issues"? Many of us are silent in our realm of influence (our personal facebook wall) and we wonder why things are changing. It's time we ALL engage our friends. WE have to talk to people around us about sometimes very personal and quite possibly politically incorrect views. Surely you have noticed that the left has NO issue sharing their opinions, anywhere, anytime. I am not advocating rude but we do need to speak up and many of you need to let people around you know your thoughts.

The Republican Party's platform have many of the solutions our nation needs but we have been failing to engage the changing national landscape, one person-at-a-time and therefore, adjusting our delivery of our message to the people. This is NOT about compromise, it's about presentation. A little love goes a long way and being a bit more swavey won't hurt.

Saying "I'm Sorry"

I have had this same discussion many times recently and so it was good to see Bill O'Reilly address this topic on his "Tip of the Day" segment this week.

There is a difference between saying you are sorry and making amends or restitution.  Seems many in our culture today don't understand the "rules" of an apology.  Saying you are sorry is a good place to start, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't DO anything to fix the relationship or the matter.

When we break something, we should FIX it.   Didn't you hear that as a kid growing up?  Well, maybe not as many today have not been taught manners but that is a topic for another day. The right thing to do, even though many in this culture have lost this art of civility, is to go to a person, say you were wrong and then ask what you can do to repair the damage you have caused.  It's what makes the world go round in a peaceful way...love!  If you love someone, you would do to them as you would want them to do to you.   Wouldn't you want someone to treat you with this kind of love?  Then you must DO this kind of love too! If you offend someone, you should make it right, not just say, "I'm sorry" but find out what they need from you to repair the damage you have caused.

This is seen everyday in our world we live in when we file an insurance claim for an "accident'.  When someone hits your car, there is a process that unfolds to repair the damage.  We have insurance to cover our mistakes when driving.  Well, the same thing should be true for our actions in life.  When we cause a "foul" there should be an exchange, a payment, a repair to make it right.

Actions ALWAYS speak louder than words and in this case, if you apologize to someone, you also must be willing to MAKE it right by doing something. Words are cheap!  What a wonderful world this would be if people would just OWN UP on what they have done.  We ALL fail.  We ALL need to be able to own it, address it, confess it and repair it.

2nd Amendment and Newtown

Bill Stevens a Newtown resident has this testimony right!  Rather than re-writing his entire testimony before congress here, you need to listen to this.  He is absolutely right, there is a CONSTITUTION still in America and DUE PROCESS.  Legislation is NOT due process.  Wake up AMERICA!

"911 will be called AFTER the security of my home is established." - Bill Stevens.  He went on to say, "Charlton Heston made the phrase, 'from my cold dead hands' famous.  And I will tell you here today you will take my ability to protect my Victory 'from my cold dead hands'."

'Nuf said.

US Capitol Tour - David Barton

If you have never had the opportunity to go to Washington DC and tour our nations capitol, I invite you to watch this video.  David Barton, historian and my friend, has an incredible knowledge of our capitol from the founders perspective.

Take a few minutes, grab a cup of coffee and enjoy this incredible teaching of history as it will come alive to you like never before.  Incredible country our founders laid out for us.  Here is your personal capitol tour.  ENJOY!

The Most Brilliant Daily Show Take Down Ever

So I don't have a lot of time to watch the Daily Show* but every now and then I catch one.  The show usually tends to defend the left and mock the right but a friend sent me this link and I had to share it.  Jon Stewart actually was being open to the hypocrisy that has been going on in the liberal media with this piece and allows his reporter, John Oliver, to address it!

This is EXACTLY what is going on in our country; one side can't or WON'T hear the other.  This reporter even used the language of the very journalist he was interviewing; even their suggestions on irony on how to have a "confrontational" discussion and yet she still DIDN'T get it!  This was crazy, ironic and yet so sad because it shows the level of blindness people have in the media.

You will see Froma Harrop, a journalist and President of the Civility Project from the National Conference of Editorial Writers (NCEW).  She is absolutely CLUELESS in this piece and she looks foolish!

Take a few minutes and see how out-of-touch she was when interviewed.  The TROUBLING issues is that she is the one writing articles about the answers to the nations whoas regarding civility and communication; unbelievable!

*PARENTAL WARNING: please note - this piece has some offensive language in it.  Most of the language has been bleeped but it is still understandable.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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

Social Media Revolution

With the passage of new legislation (fully implemented this week - see post on February 20th) which fully empowers the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) by the Net Neutrality Act giving authorization to our government to "kill" our Internet whenever and however they so choose one would ask why?  Why does our government want this power?  What are they afraid of?  What is the big deal?  Right?

Well this clip on the Social Media Revolution will show you what our government already knows...YOU are a power that they needed to control.  The Internet has basically been running on it's own, with no control from the powers that be and this was a "problem" that needed a solution.

It is amazing the statistics that are posted here.  The numbers are very revealing.  Hope you see the power that you have and how our government has made moves to silence you.  The world watched in horror as Egypt's leader (Hosni Mubarak) shut off their countries ability to communicate with the outside world; well, that could happen here now as well.

Act Like a Patriot!

Many of us have heard about the Patriot Act and you may or may not know all that it deals with or what exactly is it suppose to do. 

Well, here is a light-hearted clip to get you up to speed with some of what is contained in the Patriot Act.  I believe this legislation needs a second look.  Let your US representatives know how you feel about it.

the Internet and the Power of the Government

As many of you watched, Hosni Mubarak's administration "pulled the plug" on the Internet during the beginning of the uprisings that took place in Egypt recently.  Many in the country could hardly believe as we watched the citizens there get thrown back into total communication darkness.  The reporters there were the only voices that were able to get the story playing there in that country to the rest of the world.  The citizens were unable to communicate to each other via wireless means yet alone to the world.

Why is this news today to you?  Well because the Obama administration has successfully empowered the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) with the Net Neutrality Act.  This Act was voted on December 21, 2010 and was passed by a 3-2 majority (along party lines) which gives the authorization to our government to "kill" our Internet.  The full impact of this Act was not to take place until 60 days after the date of passing or this February 21 of 2011.

So tomorrow our United States Federal Government will have the authority to control the Internet if they so choose.  The Government will have the ability to regulate the Internet and other interstate communication services they choose, WITHOUT Congressional oversight or input.

As Americans, we need to join together to challenge this Act and that is being organized right now.  The Conservative Action Alert is organizing the faxes.   Please FAX your representatives in the US Congress.  There are 100 Senators, 246 Democrat or Independent Congressmen & Senators, 289 Republican Congressmen & Senators or you can contact all 435 Congressmen.  Here is a map for you to use to find out the number for YOUR representation.


Here is a sample FAX to send:

[TITLE] [FIRST NAME] [LAST NAME] 

The Capitol 

RE: REIN IN THE FCC! 

Dear [TITLE] [LAST NAME] 

Please look into the FCC's unconstitutional and unprecedented power grab, including the potentially devastating Internet "Kill-Switch" regulation. I urge you to introduce whatever legislation is needed to reverse what Obama and the FCC have done to-date. 

I do not want my freedom to use the Internet taken away, or restricted, by the FCC or by Mr. Obama. 

The Obama administration feels that they have the right to regulate what I can do, what I can say, and what I can see on the Internet. Already, as you know, the FCC has started the implementation of its power over our Internet. 

I totally disagree with these new rules and regulations by the FCC, that were arbitrarily decided by an "aye" vote by three of the five FCC Commissioners, who lacked the authority to even have such a vote. 

Freedom and openness should continue to be the governing principles of the Internet. Already, three different federal judges, in three different court cases, have ruled that the Internet deserves the same First Amendment freedoms as printed material. And, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has told the FCC that they have no Congressional or Constitutional standing to regulate the Internet. 

Please, ACT NOW---before we experience demonstrations like we're now seeing in Egypt. The Internet shutdown was key to what is going on there; and, in America, the Internet must be kept free, for our Constitutional freedoms to flourish. 

Thank you for your time, and for your consideration and support, 

[YOUR NAME]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY], [STATE] [ZIP]