tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89696071106637929122024-02-20T02:08:17.883-08:00Alignment AmendmentHere in the twenty-first century it appears that “We The People” have strayed some from the path laid out by the framers of the Constitution of the United States of America. Without malice the pendulum (or scales) has swung away from our intended path. This has occurred over time as a result of changes that were necessary for the good of the whole. Now it is time for us to regain our direction and get back on the path that has been laid before us.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-62736943931998976532009-04-19T08:00:00.000-07:002009-04-19T17:27:41.557-07:00Success story without affirmative actionLA Times article starting off Black History Month is a whopper of a true story showing that freedom, opportunity, and hard work are much better than a hand out or government support.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/features/kids/readingroom/la-et-story1a-2009mar01,0,1509942,print.story" target="_blank">Biddy Mason</a> was born a slave in 1818 somewhere in the South, her owner moved a few times before settling in FREE Southern California. In 1855 she was freed to begin her life in Los Angeles where by 1891 when she died as one of the richest women in Southern California.<br /><br />Read the article from the link above and rejoice in knowing that Bill Cosby is preaching the right message.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-12391498958191451812008-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:002008-11-15T00:41:02.696-08:00Open letter to Governor Schwarzenegger<span style="font-family: arial;">Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">While you are entitled to your belief on this matter and were well within your right to express you opinion during the campaign, as Governor of California you owe the people your support (or at least silence) once the people have expressed their will through a fair election. I was very disappointed to read in the LA Times about your CNN interview where you expressed your "hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Now as the week has progressed I continue to wonder where is your response is to the vigilantism carried out on supporters of Proposition 8 who are only guilty of legally supporting a proposition placed on the ballot as approved by the State's Attorney General and Secretary of State.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, again in the LA Times you are quoted as saying about Proposition 8 "that it's unconstitutional," which makes absolutely no sense given <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_18">Article 18</a>, Sections 3 and 4, of the California Constitution. It is apparent that the people are given the right to "amend the Constitution by initiative" and "if approved by a majority of votes thereon takes effect the day after the election." While I was surprised to learn how easy it is to amend the Constitution, there is no basis for the State Supreme Court to do anything but uphold the Amendment as written.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-61172684611221790032008-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:002008-11-09T17:58:56.956-08:00Are voters stupid?Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, believes the California voters are not able to understand the written election information produced by the Secretary of State and approved by the Attorney General, and make an informed decision. It is disappointing to hear the level on contempt the Speaker has for the voters of California.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Unfortunately, I think people</span> (voters)<span style="font-weight: bold;"> thought they</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">were making a statement about what their view of same-sex marriage was</span> ("Eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry." see below). <span style="font-weight: bold;">I don't know if it was clear that this meant that we are amending the Constitution</span> ("Changes the California Constitution..." see below) <span style="font-weight: bold;">to diminish freedom</span> ("...eliminate the right..." see below) <span style="font-weight: bold;">in our state.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">- Nancy Pelosi, November 7, 2008</span><br /></blockquote>Proposition 8 is only 14 words:<br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.</blockquote>Attorney General's <a href="http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/title-sum/prop8-title-sum.htm">official title and summary</a>:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.</span><br /><ul><li>Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.</li><li>Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.</li></ul></blockquote>Given the relative simplicity of Proposition 8, obviously the Speaker must question the results of the other 11 proposition voted on during the November 4, 2008, election.<br /><br />The Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (<a href="http://www.harrymclaughlin.com/SMOG.htm">SMOG</a>) Readability Index puts the information sent to the voters on par with Sports Illustrated and Time Magazine (Grade 11 to 12), which is judged to be significantly simpler than the IRS code (and text of the other propositions).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-34252181459695534852008-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:002008-11-11T23:44:22.656-08:00California voters can change Constitution<span style="font-family:arial;">There has been some discussion about the ability of the people to change the California Constitution. Well by checking the document it is clearly, YES!</span><br /><pre style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION<br /><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.const/.article_18">ARTICLE 18</a> AMENDING AND REVISING THE CONSTITUTION<br /><br />SEC. 3. The electors may amend the Constitution by initiative.</blockquote></pre><div style="text-align: left; font-family: arial;">Hopefully, if Proposition 8 passes, no one challenges the voters decision and if they do, the California Supreme Court follows the writing of the Constitution.<br /></div><pre style="font-family: arial;"></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-45065858634250210062008-09-21T08:00:00.000-07:002008-09-22T00:30:53.777-07:00Presidential Qualification and Best ChoiceMany have ask weather the current Presidential and Vice President candidates are qualified for the position? The simple answer is "yes."<br /><br />Article II of the US Constitution provides for the qualifications for President...<br /><blockquote>No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.</blockquote>Constitutional Amendment XX, Section 3, covers the rules for the Presidency when either the President or Vice President are not qualified...<br /><blockquote>...if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.</blockquote>Given all of the candidates are qualified for the position of President of the United States, are they the "best" people for the position? This is too vague to be a realistic question. "Best" is based upon personal view and "best" takes every possible context of the candidate and the position they are running for.<br /><br />In the long run, yes, these are the "best" candidates for the positions because these are the people their parties have nominated for the election. The winner of the 2008 electoral college will be the "best" because the country selected that team to become our top executive.<br /><br />In a few short weeks we'll know our "best" <a href="http://www.billofrightsinstitute.org/catalog/curriculum/baat/deploy/main.html" target="new">choice of President</a> and Vice President for the next term in office.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-60346348870106497022008-09-08T08:00:00.000-07:002008-09-14T11:04:19.885-07:00Mr. Smith Goes to WashingtonThe recent nomination of <a href="http://gov.state.ak.us/" target="new">Alaska Governor</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin" target="new">Sarah Palin</a> and her story reminded me of Frank Capra's classic movie with one of the great American hero, Brigadier General, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Stewart_%28actor%29" target="new">James (Jimmy) Stewart</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.wowowow.com/post/whoopi-goldberg-sarah-palin-republican-national-convention-96289?page=0%2C0" target="new">Whoopi Goldberg</a>, <a href="http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hGtQYDFvFuzQ-OkSxVd2yYvCjfwwD9343JVG0" target="new">Matt Damon</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCEjIHwyw0c" target="new">MSNBC</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiarNdxouc&feature=related" target="new">Keith Olberman</a>, and others act similar to the "Taylor Machine" trying to crush and lick the VP nominee. Palin should feel comforted by the words from <a href="http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm" target="new">The Gettysberg Address</a> that inspired Smith to put up his fight <blockquote><span>"...</span><span style="font-family:arial;">that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - Abraham Lincoln</span><b><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></b></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;">Hopefully, like "Smith" the VP nominee will continue to speak to the people, not get discuraged by lies (even if it becomes a "hopeless cause"), and outlast the "corruption" trying to control the media.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-36811906644294476992008-09-01T08:00:00.000-07:002008-09-09T21:54:04.977-07:00The Second American Revolution...While a revolution is not needed since we are lucky enough to live in a country provides the people the power of representation to change the government. Here is an interesting YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKFKGrmsBDk" target="new">video clip</a> about their "Second American Revolution." There is some good support for a unifying common language.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-71443590249925993412008-08-16T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-28T22:11:38.893-07:00Candidate InterviewsNothing can be more American than exercising the right and fulfilling the responsibility to vote. Here is a great place to learn more...<br /><br />Saddleback Church and Dr. Rick Warren in their <a href="http://saddlebackcivilforum.com/" target="new">Civil Forum</a> provided a great first look at our upcoming presidential candidates. A series of identical questions were provided to each candidate during their own one hour conversation with Pastor Rick. This telling format gives an excellent glimpse into the the thought process and beliefs of the men wanting to become our next President.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-30147848955936240952008-08-09T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-28T22:10:55.001-07:00Amendment - Section 5<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >SECTION 5<br /><br />United States (US) Citizens shall not possess concurrent citizenship with any foreign entity. Claim of non-citizenship or possession of non-US citizenship documents voids all claims to and revokes US Citizenship.<br /><br />Only persons voluntarily rescinding their US Citizenship shall be provided with Lawful Permanent Residence status. All others shall be deported once all legal proceedings, incarcerations, and restitutions have been completed.</span><br /><br />Multiple citizenship provides no benefit to the US population as a whole, yet it does not place all citizens equally. Those wishing to be citizens and placing the US first in their commitment shall be granted all privileges and responsibilities of citizenship, while those not committed to the US shall continue to be welcomed as residents with the limitations imposed upon all foreign nationals.<br /><br />Just as important as it is for a common language, all citizens must be as willing as the original signers of the Deceleration of Independence were, to be committed first and foremost to these United States. Our forefathers were committing treason against the British Crown with risk of being executed as traitors, while we on the other hand must only be willing to protect their principals and guidance.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-74596491097464042832008-08-01T08:00:00.001-07:002008-08-28T22:14:17.854-07:00Amendment - Section 4<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >SECTION 4</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Persons born within these United States, territories, and Federal Government controlled land, after December 31, 1999 (local time), shall only obtain citizenship if at the time of their birth at least one parent is a citizen. All others are foreign aliens of their parents' country(ies) and must obtain citizenship through naturalization. </span><br /><br />Amendment XIV guaranteed citizenship to former salves and their families. After over 100 years, citizenship has been properly granted to all those it was originally intended to assist. Children of foreign nationals in the USA legally or illegally shall not become US citizens solely based upon the location of their birth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-71808119002003566492008-08-01T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-19T20:15:19.321-07:00Simple to ComplicatedCalifornia Attorney General, Jerry Brown, took the very simple Proposition 8 Amendment language in the <a href="http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/bp_11042008_pres_general/prop_8_text_law.pdf" target="new">proposed law</a> and created his own version with a significant bias.<br /><br />Here the law is in its entirety...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Section 1. Title</span><br /><br />This measure shall be known and may be cited as the "California Marriage Protection Act."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Section 2. Section 7.5 is added to Article I of the California Constitution, to read:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Sec. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.</span><br /><br />Very simple and straight forward... but Jerry Brown decided to embellish this text in his "<a href="http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/bp_11042008_pres_general/prop_8_titlesummary.pdf" target="new">Ballot Label</a>" (wording used on the actual ballot) and "<a href="http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/bp_11042008_pres_general/prop_8_titlesummary.pdf" target="new">Ballot Title and Summary</a>" (wording used on the Sample Ballot). The Ballot Label reads:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">ELIMINATES RIGHT OF SAME-SEX COUPLES TO MARY.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.</span><br /><br />Changes California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Fiscal Impact: Over next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little financial impact on state or local government.</blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">A description of this action can be located in a local <a href="http://cbs5.com/localwire/22.0.html?type=bcn&item=BROWN-PROP-8-RESPONSE-baglm" target="new">news broadcast</a>. The entire text for the ballot and sample ballot for this (and other propositions) can be found on the <a href="http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vig_11042008_public_display.htm" target="new">Secretary of State</a> website.<br /></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-33067004574973859862008-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-09T23:33:12.887-07:00Casa D' IceBill Balsamico has become a public figure (and presidential candidate) because of his lack of political correctness and his restaurant's <a href="http://www.casadice.com/outside_sign.htm" target="new">Famous Sign</a>. Bill speaks out frequently about current events that lack any common sense and upset him. Many of his statements, while strong, represent the thoughts of many Americans tired of giving away everything (including those paid for by American's lives) trying to relieve our collective "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060578629?ie=UTF8&tag=poofor-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0060578629%22%20target=%22_new%22%3EWhite%20Guilt%3C/a%3E">White Guilt</a>" (see Shelby Steele's book).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-29187910747329463052008-07-25T22:29:00.000-07:002008-08-09T23:44:02.933-07:00Chuck Speaks<a href="http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27643" target="new">Chuck Norris</a> speaking out about cleaning up our language, taking us back to our founding philosophy, and move beyond old slanderous discussions.<br /><br />Case in point is George Carlin's classic early 1970's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_Nrp7cj_tM" target="new">monologue</a> of the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_dirty_words" target="new">Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television</a>," which seems tame by what is frequently overheard in today's society.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-36540713546280263692008-07-21T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-09T23:45:20.276-07:00Value of Responsibility<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92676216" target="new">Daniel Flanagan</a> is an American hero not because he is a celebrity, athlete, politician, or business mogul. He was a average high school dropout and as he termed it "looser." That is until in his early twenties, he became a father, looked himself in the mirror and decided to improve his life for his son's sake. Daniel was courageous enough to examine his life and pull himself up by his "boot straps." It would have been easy in today's society to shirk his responsibility but Daniel recognized his families needs and did hard things along the less traveled path. Read or listen to Daniel's essay about his transformation in NPR's <span style="font-style: italic;">This I Believe</span> segment "<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92676216" target="new">The Choice To Do It Over Again</a>"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-51130782485773807132008-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:002008-07-22T20:27:35.340-07:00Amendment - Section 3<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >SECTION 3<br /><br />Each House Representative shall be elected by a majority of the eligible citizens casting votes within their Congressional District. Each Congressional District boundaries shall follow state, county, city, or postal boundaries, be near rectangular in shape, as square in shape as possible, and consist of a near equal proportion of adult citizens as determined by each Census. </span><br /><br />Congressional Districts based upon established boundaries and geographically neutral establishes a consistent method for determining a representative government instead of one that continues to represent those that construct the boundaries to maintain their seats and power.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-479128256761326842008-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-10T00:16:09.303-07:00Amendment - Section 2<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">SECTION 2</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">There shall be one common language for the United States of America. It shall be the only language used by citizens in official business and communications with all federal, state, and local governments located within the several States and District of Columbia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The common language shall be selected by the members of both the Senate and House of Representatives on the first day of business of the second calendar year following passage of this amendment. In the event of a tie, the deciding vote shall be cast by the President of the Senate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Each subsequent 50 years Congress shall determine if the common language should change. A two-thirds majority is needed to change the common language. If the language changes, the change shall start within five years and be completed within twenty years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Federal, state, or local government funds shall not be utilized to communicate to the citizens in any language other than the common one.</span></span><br /><br />"...we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." <span style="font-style: italic;">Declaration of Independence</span> What more can be said? It's for <a href="http://alignamend.blogspot.com/2007/02/common-good.html" target="new">the common good</a>. See <a href="http://www.usenglish.org/" target="new">U.S. English</a> for 25 years of efforts to achieve one language by the group founded by the late, former California Senator S.I. Hayakawa.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-48112408568168181292008-07-05T08:00:00.000-07:002008-09-28T12:51:48.059-07:00Amendment - Section 1<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >SECTION 1<br /><br />No Bill shall become Law that consists of more than 5,000 words.</span><br /><br />For years there has been a desire to provide the President with a "line item veto;" however, that is not needed if each bill is limited in its size to accommodate one or a few concepts. Bills that are limited will assist congressmen in becoming statesmen again where their concern are for both their constituents as well as the country as a whole.<br /><br />The preamble and all seven Articles of The Constitution of the United States has less than 3,700 words. It is inexcusable that any law is longer and more complicated than our country's founding document. The Declaration of Independence has under 1,400 words.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-41770790601005356722008-07-04T08:00:00.000-07:002008-08-09T23:46:33.943-07:00Breaking Ground<span style="font-family:arial;"><a href="http://www.jackierobinson.com/" target="new">Jackie Robinson</a> may be best known for his ground braking efforts on the baseball field but it is not his athletic skills that makes him an American Hero. He is a hero because of his approach to life's difficulties and his ability to leverage his successes to help others. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-21131025890500172852007-07-04T07:34:00.000-07:002008-08-09T23:48:44.877-07:00Celebrate FreedomIf you have never seen the Declaration of Independence (DOI) performed, treat yourself to the awesome production available at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU" target="blank">DOI Road Trip video</a>.<br /><br />Make it part of your Independence Day celebration to watch and listen to the words spoken each year. What better way to "<strong><em>mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor</em></strong>" as those Founding Fathers did over 230 years ago.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-45048980359931894852007-06-11T15:49:00.000-07:002007-06-16T07:23:57.224-07:0015-year old mature enough for consensual group sex!The case of <a href="http://alignamend.blogspot.com/2007/02/could-this-happen-to-your-child.html">Genarlow Wilson</a> (click name for 2/10/2007 earlier post) is in the news again and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2900569&type=story" target="_blank">ESPN</a> is taking credit for helping to resolve this "injustice." I just want to be sick. How on earth can anyone think a 15-year old has the maturity needed for consensual sex? Given this logic, the driving, voting, and drinking ages should be dropped to 15 too. Maybe 15-year old kids should be allowed to join the military to fight and possibly die in battle too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-20765374472436634472007-04-11T10:00:00.000-07:002007-04-11T12:13:29.286-07:00I do not like Imus BUT...Given Rev. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson" target="_blank">Jesse Jackson</a>'s comment on <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?041007/041007_live_jackson&Imus%20Controversy&Live_Desk&Jesse%20Jackson%20weighs%20in%20&US&-1&Imus%20Controversy&Video%20Launch%20Page&News" target="_blank">Fox</a> about "power relationship" as criteria to be used for determining the appropriate punishment for use of "inappropriate" language, is not a 1984 presidential candidate (13% of popular vote and 9% of electoral vote) more powerful than a sports analyst (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Snyder" target="_blank">Jimmy "the Greek" Snyder</a>), baseball general manager (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Campanis" target="_blank">Al Campanis</a> - Jackie Robinson's travel roommate), professional golfer (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuzzy_Zoeller" target="_blank">Fuzzy Zoeller</a>), professional baseball pitcher (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rocker" target="_blank">John Rocker</a>), Washington, DC, mayor aide (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/jan99/district27.htm" target="_blank">David Howard</a>), and elementary school teacher (<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/frompost/dec98/hair3.htm" target="_blank">Ruth Ann Sherman</a>)?<br /><br />Since the Rev. Jackson's apology was accepted for using the term "Hymie" (excuse - "said but not recorded/broadcast") without employment consequences, it seems that the good reverend should now extent an apology for <strong>not coming to the aid</strong> of the people noted above when they received significantly harsher consequences to their "mistake" than he.<br /><br />It is apparent that both the good reverend and Rev. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharpton" target="_blank">Al Sharpton</a> (2004 presidential candidate) use this type of "error in judgement" as a stepping stone for their own power base without regard to their own "error in judgement."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-68131814131731677512007-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:002008-08-09T23:51:34.091-07:00One selfless actWhat is your selfless activity? Please share your thoughts too.<br /><br />As I was driving to <a href="http://www.givelife.org/" target="_blank">donate blood</a> at my local Red Cross the other day, I realized this was probably the only selfless act that I make an effort to do consistently. And even this I have had months and sometimes years that have slipped through between donations. I do have a wife, children, and contact with much of my extended family where hopefully I am more unselfish than not with them, but I gain way too much from them to consider any acts there selfless.<br /><br />Also, it is not to say that I have not donated money to worthy causes, that I have not helped out a friend in need, nor that I have not volunteered with my kids activities. But in all of those activities, I probably gained as much or more through my act than others did, and my driving force was to fill an immediate need within a group (volunteer) or support my causes (money). This is not to say they were selfish but I do not think they were truly selfless either. Miriam-Webster <a href="http://www.m-w.com/" target="_blank">OnLine</a> dictionary defines selfless as “having no concern for self.”<br /><br />Donating blood is a relatively small and simple act that I had not given much thought about until that day. I am blessed with having blood type o-negative, which is also know as the “universal donor” because nearly everyone can receive my blood in an emergency without worry of blood mismatch (I’m sure there is a technical term). Some how I never caught Cytomegalovirus (CMV), which is a common virus carried by more than half of the US population. Most people who have the virus never know it and for the average healthy person, CMV does not cause a problem. However, for patients whose immune systems are not functioning properly (e.g., premature babies, cancer patients, and others who cannot fight infection), CMV can be very serious. (<a href="http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/faqs.html" target="_blank">CMV info source</a>) Because of these two factors there have been times in my life where I have been called to donate blood when there was a critical need. Nowadays it seems like there is always a critical need for blood.<br /><br />This posting is not intended to influence others to donate blood; however, if it does that’s okay. While I hope I can continue to donate blood for many more years, as I age odds are against me because there continue to be new hazards in the world that can render someone blood harmful to others or hopefully I’ll just get too old. So I’ve decided in 2007 I need find and start that next selfless activity for me to continue when the time eventually comes that I can no longer donate blood.<br /><br />As I am looking for another selfless activity, it would be great for others to share their hidden selfless activities. I realize that many cannot donate blood because of societal regulations, health reasons (including fainting), and religious beliefs, so there must be numerous other activities available.<br /><br />It seems to me that the US (and world) would be much better off if each of us would find just one selfless act that we could make our own to pursue that provided good without direct benefit to someone we know and without promoting one of our causes. Until you find your selfless activity to pursue, please continue to volunteer for and donate to those many other unselfish opportunities you have in your life.<br /><br />If you are asking how does this tie in with the concept of this blog? I was there with you, until I realized that we have started to let governments perform acts that previously were provided by unselfish or selfless people. It seems to me that the more we pursue and support these activities first, the easier it will be to push governments back to the roll that they should do and do best.<br /><br />As I finish this post, I realize that donating blood may not be as selfless as I had hoped, it improves my well-being.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-31830868451258573082007-02-16T16:22:00.000-08:002008-08-09T23:56:26.483-07:00Housewives?Is it me or did <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/" target="_blank">Bravo</a> change the definition of housewife? Merriam-Webster <a href="http://www.m-w.com/" target="_blank">OnLine</a> defines housewife as “a married woman in charge of a household.” So, I have to ask what is Bravo’s definition for their show “<a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Real_Housewives" target="_blank">Real Housewives of Orange County</a>”? I thought you had to be married to be a wife, since one maybe two of the five women are married, they have missed the point. It is hard to call a “working mother” a housewife, in the traditional sense of the word, since their obligations are at least split between work and household.<br /><br />I give Bravo credit for finding some of the most dysfunctional people in Orange County to appear in this show. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&amp;q=Coto+De+Caza,+CA&ie=UTF8&z=12&ll=33.581447,-117.68383&spn=0.122703,0.344009&om=1&iwloc=addr" target="_blank">Coto De Caza</a> (a.k.a. Coto) is pictured as being typical Orange County but it is really just a bunch of want-a-bees. While it is not depicted that way in the show, Coto about 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean and at least another five miles further away from the “real” shopping of Southcoast Plaza or Fashion Island. Coto lacks the real money and prestige of Newport Beach, Huntington Harbor, San Clemente, Dana Point, or Laguna.<br /><br />There are plenty of “real” housewives in Orange County but I’m sure they would not make for “Bravo TV” because they are not much different than the housewives through out the country. They put their families before their careers; spend much of their time taxing kids with friends from event-to-event; help with homework; volunteer with school, scouts, sports teams, etc.; and skip the plastic surgery for funding for college or retirement. They are the unsung heroes whose hard work has been trivialized by Bravo.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-74498704677296203252007-02-12T18:02:00.001-08:002007-02-21T09:15:19.204-08:00Endowed by their CreatorWhile the Declaration of Independence includes the terms “Nature’s God” and “Creator” the Constitution of the United States is mute on the issue until passage of the Bill of Rights, Amendment I, which states:<br /><br /><blockquote>Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.</blockquote>With the ratification of the Bill of Rights at the end of 1791 (now over 215 years ago), the debate and understanding of the “separation of church and state” is yet to be concluded. While the Supreme Courts over the years have been wrestling with this one sentence, there decisions have expanded the understanding beyond the words laid out for them.<br /><br />The founding fathers did include in the Constitution provisions to reasonably protect the rights of the minority while also retaining the rights of the majority. First was the idea of separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial Powers, in a form of checks and balances. Since laws can only be passed by Congress, this power was divested into two groups. The House of Representatives representing the populous (majority) viewpoint; therefore, replacing itself every two years to ensure updated representation of the views of the majority. The Senate represents the interest of the minority because each state no mater how large or small in population have equal representation (California and Rhode Island both have two senators).<br /><br />Lastly the Constitutional Amendment process was established in Article V, where support of two thirds of both legislative Houses (or state Legislatures) can “call for a Convention for proposing Amendments” to become part of the Constitution when ratified by three fourths of the states.<br /><br />The time may have come for the people to clarify their intent that what was said is what is meant. “…make no law…establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise…” This does not state or imply that all symbols or recognition of religion is to be removed from the government when deemed appropriate by the majority as long as there is no law or preference is given by the Government based upon religion. Also, that no law or preference is given against the free exercise of religion (or lack there of) as long as doing so does not conflict with areas of the Constitution.<br /><br />Therefore, unless there is a desire from the majority, there is no need to remove religious symbols from government property (e.g., money, buildings, documents, etc.) unless its existence establishes a shingle religion above all others (or lack there of). Wishes, wants, and lack of comfort are not addressed or prescribed in any of our founding documents. The rights of the minority are not superior to the rights of the majority (e.g., the right to “express” pornography does not supercede the right of the majority to control the display, distribution, sales, etc.).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969607110663792912.post-15217576018508060042007-02-11T14:13:00.000-08:002007-02-16T16:22:11.360-08:00Repaying sins of the grandparents?As we progress into 2007, it is unbelievable that we, the “grandchildren,” are paying for the countries past sins. The 1960s have come and gone. It is time to unite for the common good. All claims against the government and citizens as a whole made prior to the turn of the century must be resolved immediately in the favor of the “common good.” It has been said that those that forget the past are destine to make the same mistakes; however, those that live only in want of restitution for the past, never live at all.<br /><br />No citizen should have to endure the dishonor of their “class” being degraded to a “Hyphenated American.” In better times this country was affectionately known as the “melting pot.” Now many lack the understanding or desire to become part of the melt; thereby, they segregate themselves into a smaller “pot” sacrificing all of the benefits available to all that come to these shores.<br /><br />This is not to say that life is fair or equitable for all. Each person has their own set of challenges and their own contribution to make to society and the common good. Some have the burden of ethnicity, others of physical or emotional ailments, desire, motivation, timing, etc. But all have the opportunity to make the best they can of their own lives and improve the opportunities for their children, grandchildren, etc.<br /><br />Minority rights shall be respected and protected; however, never at the expense of the rights of the majority. A jury of your peers should never be based upon ethnic origin, sex, religion, etc., it should only consist of citizens willing to uphold their oath to perform their civic duty and the directions of the Court.<br /><br />There will not and cannot be adequate compensation for property (e.g., land) that has been taken, stolen, captured, concord, etc., to those enslaved during our early or more recent history, nor for those that have severely been discriminated against during the last century, etc. However, the past sacrifices have provided their descendents the one thing coveted by many around the world today, US Citizenship. The greatest “crime” is not the price that was paid in the past, but failure of the “now” to capitalize on the opportunities that have already been bought and paid for.<br /><br />It is important that we respect and remember our past, hereditary, history, and identity, as long as, we are willing to unite as one. “By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall” is as true now as it was during the Revolutionary War. We can no longer have separate “nations” within our boarders (e.g., reservation), except as set aside for delegates of solver friendly nations (e.g., embassy). Therefore, all land and inhabitants within the country must be governed by the same hierarchy criteria for federal, state, county, city, etc. laws, rules, regulations, etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0