Thursday, March 31, 2005
He shoulda killed someone ...
SAN JOSE, Calif. - An animal rights activist was arrested on a domestic terrorism charge after seven years on the run in connection with the release of thousands of minks from commercial farms.
Peter Daniel Young, 27, could face life in prison if convicted of all charges, including conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce and animal enterprise terrorism, according to court papers.
Peter Daniel Young, 27, could face life in prison if convicted of all charges, including conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce and animal enterprise terrorism, according to court papers.
Dayum ... life in prison for releasing 1000's of minks .. If he had killed someone, he could have gotten off with 10 years. It is stories like this that give fodder to the opponents of the criminal justice system. I have to agree that the justice system does need some remodeling. Murderers and drug dealers are on the streets again in 7 years, while a mink liberator faces life in prison. This does seem rather topsy-turvy.
One of the things that the nay-sayers need to realize is that when we encroach on the rights of criminals, we encroach on the rights of every individual.
In Sweden, one can be taken into custody by the police and held for 48 hours without charges being filed or explanation given. I, for one, do not want to see that here in the US. I like the accountability to which the police must answer. I know there are extreme cases that grab the headlines and are manipulted by the media to give a kiltered view of the truth. I know there are loopholes which criminals use to stay one step ahead of incarceration.
This goes back to one of my beliefs about 'truth'. Truth is truth is truth. If something is a truth, then it is true all the time.
There are conditional truths. I can say that the sky is blue and that is the truth based on the condition of the sky. It is not true if it is night. It is not true if it is gray with clouds. So, while it is a truth that the sky is blue, it is a conditional truth. There are more conditional truths than we could ever count. The key, is to recognize the conditional truth and to be able to separate it from the absolute truth.
An absolute truth is true, regardless of the situation or who is involved. It can be applied unilaterally. If we really think about it, absolute truths are rare in our lives, but they do exist. The Bible tells us that the 'love of money is the root of all evil." This is a truth. Ecclesiastes tells us that 'whoever loves money never has enough."This truth can be applied unilaterally. To say, however, that riches are evil, is a conditional truth. Not everyone with money is bad.
We go through our days spouting out nuggets of knowledge. Some of these are misconceptions. Some are learned lies. Some are self made fabrications. Some are opinions. There is nothing wrong with these things until we try to apply the 'truth' label to them.
In Sweden, one can be taken into custody by the police and held for 48 hours without charges being filed or explanation given. I, for one, do not want to see that here in the US. I like the accountability to which the police must answer. I know there are extreme cases that grab the headlines and are manipulted by the media to give a kiltered view of the truth. I know there are loopholes which criminals use to stay one step ahead of incarceration.
This goes back to one of my beliefs about 'truth'. Truth is truth is truth. If something is a truth, then it is true all the time.
There are conditional truths. I can say that the sky is blue and that is the truth based on the condition of the sky. It is not true if it is night. It is not true if it is gray with clouds. So, while it is a truth that the sky is blue, it is a conditional truth. There are more conditional truths than we could ever count. The key, is to recognize the conditional truth and to be able to separate it from the absolute truth.
An absolute truth is true, regardless of the situation or who is involved. It can be applied unilaterally. If we really think about it, absolute truths are rare in our lives, but they do exist. The Bible tells us that the 'love of money is the root of all evil." This is a truth. Ecclesiastes tells us that 'whoever loves money never has enough."This truth can be applied unilaterally. To say, however, that riches are evil, is a conditional truth. Not everyone with money is bad.
We go through our days spouting out nuggets of knowledge. Some of these are misconceptions. Some are learned lies. Some are self made fabrications. Some are opinions. There is nothing wrong with these things until we try to apply the 'truth' label to them.
That being said, we must understand that the criminal justice system is not about absolute truths. Laws are stretched. Laws are bent a long time before they are broken. I think of the courts system as a fluid thing. It flows. Mostly it flows around the lawyers trying to erect dams in front of their clients to keep them out of the water. Justice is conditional. The idea of justice is noble. The administration of justice is flawed.
Still, this system beats all the others in the world.
So, lock the 'mink-inator' for life and turn some of the murderers and drug dealers free after 7 to 10 years.
Still, this system beats all the others in the world.
So, lock the 'mink-inator' for life and turn some of the murderers and drug dealers free after 7 to 10 years.
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
yep .. the ride is over again
15 hours after agreeing to extend the deadline for an emergency appeal, the court rejected the Schindler's motion.
The bus ride is over ... again.
The bus ride is over ... again.
A bus ride ...
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals one-sentence order said: "The Appellant's emergency motion for leave to file out of time is granted." Three times last week, the court ruled against the Schindlers.
Three times in the past this court has ruled against their motions to have the feeding tube reinserted. Three times they have dashed the hopes of the Schindlers in their efforts. Suddenly, for whatever reason, they extended the deadline for the Schindlers right to appeal. They didn't say they would uphold the appeal. They didn't say they would reverse the decisions that they themselves had made earlier. They didn't really offer the Schindlers any real hope or chance for a victory.
False hope is just a bus ride between prisons.
This is a sticky wicket. I can identify with both parties. I can identify with the husband, as I do know my wife's wishes should we ever be in this place. The rest of her family knows her wishes as well. I would honor my wife's wishes.
I can identify with the parents as well. I have children. The thought of having to make such a decision for one of them, or standing by while one of their husbands made that decision, is horrific to me. When you read the accounts of these more famous patients, you can see that this tragedy is not that far from any of us. There were no special conditions that precipitated these cases. They came out of the blue. In the absence of any expressed wishes from my children, I am sure that I would fight until my last breath to save them.
I do not know how I would be able to accept that my child was not there anymore. How could I let go of one of my precious lights? How could I stop seeing her through eyes of memory? How could I walk out of my heart and see her with only my mind?
The same is true of my wife. I will tell you that she has told me she does not want to be kept alive artificially. She has given me her wishes should we ever be in this position. Still, knowing her desire, it will be hard to let go. It is the paradox of love. How can I love her enough to let her go when my every fiber screams with the love the demands I keep her?
God willing, I will never know.
God willing, I will never have to make that decision.
It just rings in my ears. False hope is just a bus ride between prisons. I don't remember when I wrote that. I know I never finished the poem of which it was to be a part. Maybe soon.
Three times in the past this court has ruled against their motions to have the feeding tube reinserted. Three times they have dashed the hopes of the Schindlers in their efforts. Suddenly, for whatever reason, they extended the deadline for the Schindlers right to appeal. They didn't say they would uphold the appeal. They didn't say they would reverse the decisions that they themselves had made earlier. They didn't really offer the Schindlers any real hope or chance for a victory.
False hope is just a bus ride between prisons.
This is a sticky wicket. I can identify with both parties. I can identify with the husband, as I do know my wife's wishes should we ever be in this place. The rest of her family knows her wishes as well. I would honor my wife's wishes.
I can identify with the parents as well. I have children. The thought of having to make such a decision for one of them, or standing by while one of their husbands made that decision, is horrific to me. When you read the accounts of these more famous patients, you can see that this tragedy is not that far from any of us. There were no special conditions that precipitated these cases. They came out of the blue. In the absence of any expressed wishes from my children, I am sure that I would fight until my last breath to save them.
I do not know how I would be able to accept that my child was not there anymore. How could I let go of one of my precious lights? How could I stop seeing her through eyes of memory? How could I walk out of my heart and see her with only my mind?
The same is true of my wife. I will tell you that she has told me she does not want to be kept alive artificially. She has given me her wishes should we ever be in this position. Still, knowing her desire, it will be hard to let go. It is the paradox of love. How can I love her enough to let her go when my every fiber screams with the love the demands I keep her?
God willing, I will never know.
God willing, I will never have to make that decision.
It just rings in my ears. False hope is just a bus ride between prisons. I don't remember when I wrote that. I know I never finished the poem of which it was to be a part. Maybe soon.
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Another voice in the fray
Someone else has added their voice to the growing fray over the Schiavo case. Jesse Jackson has jumped into the middle of the battle.
US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson visited the hospice where Schiavo is being cared for and said she was being inhumanely "starved to death" and urged Florida lawmakers to take action.
So, we can now add medical expert to Jesse's impressive resume.
I was at an AIDS rally in Miami several years ago where Mr. Jackson was the keynote speaker. He addressed the problem of AIDS in the black community. At that time, the fastest growing group of AIDS patients were gay men of color. The second fastest growing group were black women, gay or otherwise. He is an impressive speaker. He knows how to woo the crowd. He uses the right words. He uses the right cliches. He is a grand actor.
I was more impressed with DR. Wright, the head of the CDC in Atlanta. He spoke of his brother which died of AIDS. He spoke of friends and colleagues. He spoke with compassion as well as knowledge.
Mr. Jackson speaks from lots of knowledge acquired from research on the subject he is speaking about. In this case, he says the words that the supporters of Terri Schiavo want to hear. He doesn't speak from compassionate. He doesn't speak from medical expertise. He doesn't speak from the heart of the community. He says the words people want to hear.
He has a habit of inserting himself into controversial places to keep his name in the paper. He is a glory hound. Romans tells us to live so that others might see our good works and glorify our father in heaven. Jesse seeks his own glory. This is just another Jesse grabbing the headlines stunt.
His insertion will not help Terri Schiavo. His insertion will not help the family. His insertion will only get his name in the news again. But, that is what he is looking for, anyway ... IMHO
US civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson visited the hospice where Schiavo is being cared for and said she was being inhumanely "starved to death" and urged Florida lawmakers to take action.
So, we can now add medical expert to Jesse's impressive resume.
I was at an AIDS rally in Miami several years ago where Mr. Jackson was the keynote speaker. He addressed the problem of AIDS in the black community. At that time, the fastest growing group of AIDS patients were gay men of color. The second fastest growing group were black women, gay or otherwise. He is an impressive speaker. He knows how to woo the crowd. He uses the right words. He uses the right cliches. He is a grand actor.
I was more impressed with DR. Wright, the head of the CDC in Atlanta. He spoke of his brother which died of AIDS. He spoke of friends and colleagues. He spoke with compassion as well as knowledge.
Mr. Jackson speaks from lots of knowledge acquired from research on the subject he is speaking about. In this case, he says the words that the supporters of Terri Schiavo want to hear. He doesn't speak from compassionate. He doesn't speak from medical expertise. He doesn't speak from the heart of the community. He says the words people want to hear.
He has a habit of inserting himself into controversial places to keep his name in the paper. He is a glory hound. Romans tells us to live so that others might see our good works and glorify our father in heaven. Jesse seeks his own glory. This is just another Jesse grabbing the headlines stunt.
His insertion will not help Terri Schiavo. His insertion will not help the family. His insertion will only get his name in the news again. But, that is what he is looking for, anyway ... IMHO
Hostage situation at my school
I am at school today. The kids are on Spring break. I have Tammy here with me and I am keeping her. News at 11.
Just kidding ... I am at school and so is she. She came to keep me company and help me out if I need it. So far, I have a new VCR/DVD player. I have been viewing some instructional DVD's on electrical wiring. The ones I have viewed cover several subjects that I have already taught. They will be a good review and good fodder for a test. WOW ! That 'test' word just falls out of yer mouth once ya become a teacher. LOL !
The day has been a mild one. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. Spring has sprung.
We will see what my news hopping produces.
The day has been a mild one. The sun is shining. The birds are singing. Spring has sprung.
We will see what my news hopping produces.
Later.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Where does the crime start and end ?
I read an article about the judges decision to allow the testimony of several key witnesses and at least one of the kids with which Michael Jackson reached an out of court settlement over child molestation charges. The Judge ruled that it showed a pattern of 'grooming' boy for molestation.
Now ... Listen very carefully ... I am not discussing the guilt or non-guilt of Michael Jackson.
Something occurred to me, while I was looking over the facts lain out in the article. One of the cases dates back to 1990. The child in that case will testify (I guess he isn't a child anymore). The child of the 1993 case will not testify, but key witnesses in that case will testify. What occurred to me, is, that those cases were highly publicized. How could the parents of this years accuser allow their son to associate with a known 'accused' sex offender?
Now ... Listen very carefully ... I am not discussing the guilt or non-guilt of Michael Jackson.
Something occurred to me, while I was looking over the facts lain out in the article. One of the cases dates back to 1990. The child in that case will testify (I guess he isn't a child anymore). The child of the 1993 case will not testify, but key witnesses in that case will testify. What occurred to me, is, that those cases were highly publicized. How could the parents of this years accuser allow their son to associate with a known 'accused' sex offender?
My ex-wife's brother sexually molested his two sisters when they were young. Nothing was done about it. One of the molested sisters, allowed him to spend time with her son and daughter years later. He molested her children as well. My anger was directed at both of them. I was angry at him for what he did, but also at her for allowing him to be in the position to abuse them.
The parents of the abuse victim need to answer to this as well. Why would you allow your child to associate with someone suspected of sex crimes. I know he was not convicted. I know he doesn't have a record of sexual predatory crimes. Let me tell you, My kids were never in a place where my Ex-brother-in-law could abuse them. On top of that, he knew that I would prosecute him (if he lived). I convinced his sister to press charges against him for abusing her kids. He fled to somewhere in the Carolinas. He is back now, however, and his mother and sister treat him like it never happened. Scarier even, he has his own kid now.
Somewhere, parents have to make the move to protect their kids.
The parents of the abuse victim need to answer to this as well. Why would you allow your child to associate with someone suspected of sex crimes. I know he was not convicted. I know he doesn't have a record of sexual predatory crimes. Let me tell you, My kids were never in a place where my Ex-brother-in-law could abuse them. On top of that, he knew that I would prosecute him (if he lived). I convinced his sister to press charges against him for abusing her kids. He fled to somewhere in the Carolinas. He is back now, however, and his mother and sister treat him like it never happened. Scarier even, he has his own kid now.
Somewhere, parents have to make the move to protect their kids.
Not finished here .. more to come
100
Following the trend ... Here are 100 things about me.
1. I am 47 and proud of every year it took to get here.
2. I am married for the second time (18 months) after 20 years the first time and 6 years of being single.
3. I have seen 6 decades. I saw the last of the 50's, the 60's, the 70's, the 80's, the 90's, and now the 00's.
4. I have 3 daughters and share 2 sons and 2 daughters with Tammy.
5. Kyle IS my favorite 9 year old living in the house with me.
6. I have 4 grandkids and one on the way.
7. Occasionally, Tammy and I take leave of our senses and bring 3 of them to the house to spend the night.
8. I am a licensed Master Electrician in the state of Kentucky (go CATS)
9. After 27 years working in the construction end of electricity, I have changed careers and started teaching in a high school vocational school.
10. I have arthritis in my back
11. My thyroid is seriously screwed up.
12. No matter how comfortable you get in your skin, you never completely get over the 'want to be liked' syndrome.
13. I was an Ordained Minister for 20 years.
14. I was assistant pastor of a church at one time.
15. I was head of the Church Growth Dept for the state of KY in the religious organization to which I belonged.
16. I was also head of the Christian Education Dept (foreshadowing?).
17. I believe in miracles.
18. I believe in Angels.
19. I believe in God.
20. I believe there is a Devil and I believe he works zealously.
21. I got my first transistor radio in 1970 for my 13th birthday.
22. I began singing at 8 years old, singing in church.
23. My first song was "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho," a Negro spiritual.
24. I have sang a capella in front of a crowd of 400.
25. The first time I sang Karaoke was in a small lounge at a bowling alley and it terrified me.
26. That was about 4 years ago and now my repertoire includes almost 50 songs.
27. I love all kinds of music.
28. I listen mostly to country.
29. I can listen to anything except heavy metal.
30. Which is interesting, because I play the guitar and drums.
31. I played drums in elementary school until my grades dropped.
32. I played guitar in church (learned from my mom).
33. I miss the interaction of the construction site.
34. I do not miss the mud, rain, snow, sleet, cold, hot, crappy parking lots, and the general run of pricks ya run into on the average construction job.
35. I was and still am a dues paying union member.
36. I went to one year of college at UK when I was 17.
37. I got married the first time a few months before turning 20.
38. We separated 20 days after our 20th anniversary.
39. I have worked on everything from putting lights in a garage to the backup steam redundancy system on a nuclear reactor.
40. I have helped companies build Ford trucks, GM trucks, Saturns, Subaru/Izuzu's, and Toyota's.
41. This year, 18 years after starting that job in the middle of a mud field, I took a tour of Toyota Motor Manufacturing.
42. My first ever plane flight was on a 30 passenger plane, in 1986. I was 28 yrs old.
43. I loved it and have loved flying ever since.
44. My best flight was a flight from Louisville to Ft Lauderdale, when my flight was canceled and I was bumped up to First Class. (sweet)
45. My worst flight was the same one. The original airline lost my luggage, forcing me to attend an AIDS rally in jeans.
46. I have been in love more than once.
47. I believe in soul mates.
48. I believe there is more than one out there, though.
49. I believe in kindreds.
50. I am a hopeless romantic.
Deep breath here ...
51. I am head over heels in love with Tammy.
52. I will always love Alex, which Tammy completely understands and it doesn't constrain our love at all.
53. I have dated a psycho or two.
54. I protect my friends vehemently.
55. I make friends easy and let them go reluctantly.
56. I am a passionate person.
57. While I do not hold much with ESP, I do acknowledge that I have an empathic spirit.
58. I believe there are things that are unexplainable.
59. I believe in UFOs in as much as they are Unidentified Flying Objects.
60. I do not believe in life on other planets.
61. I am a creationist.
62. I do not believe in evolution.
63. I am not put off by others that believe differently than myself, only by those that insist on shoving their beliefs down my throat without respecting that I am capable of forming opinions of my own based on both facts and feelings.
64. The best thing on my desk at work is a picture of Tammy.
65. I have a great life.
66. I do not have a perfect life.
67. A friend told me years ago that life was too short to work a job you do not love or be married to a woman you do not like. I have both.
68. For all the love that lives between Tammy and myself, I genuinely like her as well. I know how to keep those feelings separate.
69. I have wonderful kids and fully recognize that I am biased.
70. I worry too much about money, even when we have enough.
71. I can be a social butterfly and/or a loner, sometimes, in the same evening.
72. I am a procrastinator.
73. Tammy and Dad are both obsessive about getting things done NOW.
74. They drive me crazy with that as much as I drive them crazy with my procrastination.
75. When we began dating, Tammy and I were amazed at how alike we are. Now we see how different we are, and that enhances our love.
76. Love grows stronger when it reaches across a difference.
77. I am a poet.
78. I am a painter.
79. I am a singer.
80. I am an amateur photographer.
81. I love animals.
82. I have 4 sisters and 1 brother.
83. We are a close family.
84. My parents, both in their 70's are still living.
85. My granny is 90 and still going strong. She is a blog in and of herself.
86. My girls give me wings and provide me roots.
87. I have a slight heart condition.
88. I do not know why, but a cold or flu is the hardest thing on me.
89. I am overweight, if that matters, you may discontinue reading.
90. I do not smoke.
91. I do not drink.
92. I love and am faithful to my wife.
93. I am old fashioned.
94. I am a walking contradiction.
95. I own 65 plus neckties and I wear about 5 a year.
96. I prefer jeans over a suit, but am just as comfortable in either. The suit makes others uncomfortable.
97. I have way too many clothes.
98. I prefer passionate opposition to mediocre agreement.
99. I support my causes even if they wane in popularity.
100. I have only scratched the surface.
Sunday, March 27, 2005
Easter
Hope came
Like the sun streaking across the sky,
Following the cold of one dark night,
Multiplied by the whole of humanity,
Hope came in the sparkling of one eastern light;
That one hope visited mankind,
As the prophecy had foretold,
Hope walked with us collectively,
And the future lost a bit of its cold;
The Lion and the Lamb,
Walked in the form of one man,
The gap betwixt hope and hopeless,
He began to span;
His followers believed the spirit of the man,
As He walked and taught,
He built the foundation of His plan,
Still there was hope to be bought;
As freedom threatened the tyrants,
Popularity turned to oppression,
Ahead, a garden alone in prayer,
Sweat as blood, for the next progression;
The hill of the skull,
Laid waiting for the promise,
A wood cross, and three nails,
Hope taken from all of us;
Hope hung between heaven and earth,
The fury of the skies was rumbling,
In the holy place,
A barrier was crumbling;
Day one, day two, day three,
Hope was dead and in the grave,
But the end of the third,
The stone moved from the cave;
Like the sun streaking across the sky,
Following the cold of one dark night,
Hope finished the battle,
And brought the world marvelous light;
Hope came.
Ron Jr.
March 23, 2003
Like the sun streaking across the sky,
Following the cold of one dark night,
Multiplied by the whole of humanity,
Hope came in the sparkling of one eastern light;
That one hope visited mankind,
As the prophecy had foretold,
Hope walked with us collectively,
And the future lost a bit of its cold;
The Lion and the Lamb,
Walked in the form of one man,
The gap betwixt hope and hopeless,
He began to span;
His followers believed the spirit of the man,
As He walked and taught,
He built the foundation of His plan,
Still there was hope to be bought;
As freedom threatened the tyrants,
Popularity turned to oppression,
Ahead, a garden alone in prayer,
Sweat as blood, for the next progression;
The hill of the skull,
Laid waiting for the promise,
A wood cross, and three nails,
Hope taken from all of us;
Hope hung between heaven and earth,
The fury of the skies was rumbling,
In the holy place,
A barrier was crumbling;
Day one, day two, day three,
Hope was dead and in the grave,
But the end of the third,
The stone moved from the cave;
Like the sun streaking across the sky,
Following the cold of one dark night,
Hope finished the battle,
And brought the world marvelous light;
Hope came.
Ron Jr.
March 23, 2003
Friday, March 25, 2005
The narrow view
I pride myself on trying to see the various sides of issues and circumstances. I try to see the good in everyone. It is one of the most interesting differences between Tammy and I. I trust everyone until they give me a reason not to trust them. Tammy trusts no one until she has a reason to trust them. (Interestingly enough, she said she had an immediate trust of me, which undoubtedly surprised her.) I do not see the lurking conspiracy behind every event.
That being said, It never fails to amaze me when I run into those that do see the grand workings of the conspirators. They see the invisible strings which tie all the conspirators. They see the trail of deception. They see the web of lies. Above all, they see all those that oppose them as narrow minded or uneducated.
It may be true that there are things about which I am narrow minded. There may be things about which I do not have room in my little world upon which to compromise. I have, however, prided myself on my ability to accept that there are other sides, other views, and other opinions. I respect your right to believe that which you believe, regardless of how radically different than what I believe.
Once again, that being said, I have managed, in my last few posts, to address issues that are important to me. They are, namely, the intrusion of the government or other agents of morality, into the private affairs of the free citizens of America. I have not commented on my view about ending the life of a terminally ill patient in a vegetative state. I have not commented on my position as to whether the spouse does or does not have the right to 'pull the plug'.
Some seem to have missed that point. I am not interested in discussing the merits of the case. I am not interested in discussing the life and death decision. In my own life, I am aware of my wife's opinion if it ever occurs to her. Whether I agree or not, I will honor her wishes. My opinion and her wishes are not your business.
The can of worms that I did open was the intrusion of the Federal Government and the practice of groups on both sides to attach their names to a personal issue to further their cause and increase their donations. If you want to discuss that, feel free. If you want to talk about a 30+ year old dad that brings his 14, 12, and 10 yr old children out to interfere with that LAWFUL process and cause them to be arrested, feel free. Is this the morality we want to teach our children ?
That being said, It never fails to amaze me when I run into those that do see the grand workings of the conspirators. They see the invisible strings which tie all the conspirators. They see the trail of deception. They see the web of lies. Above all, they see all those that oppose them as narrow minded or uneducated.
It may be true that there are things about which I am narrow minded. There may be things about which I do not have room in my little world upon which to compromise. I have, however, prided myself on my ability to accept that there are other sides, other views, and other opinions. I respect your right to believe that which you believe, regardless of how radically different than what I believe.
Once again, that being said, I have managed, in my last few posts, to address issues that are important to me. They are, namely, the intrusion of the government or other agents of morality, into the private affairs of the free citizens of America. I have not commented on my view about ending the life of a terminally ill patient in a vegetative state. I have not commented on my position as to whether the spouse does or does not have the right to 'pull the plug'.
Some seem to have missed that point. I am not interested in discussing the merits of the case. I am not interested in discussing the life and death decision. In my own life, I am aware of my wife's opinion if it ever occurs to her. Whether I agree or not, I will honor her wishes. My opinion and her wishes are not your business.
The can of worms that I did open was the intrusion of the Federal Government and the practice of groups on both sides to attach their names to a personal issue to further their cause and increase their donations. If you want to discuss that, feel free. If you want to talk about a 30+ year old dad that brings his 14, 12, and 10 yr old children out to interfere with that LAWFUL process and cause them to be arrested, feel free. Is this the morality we want to teach our children ?
We teach our kids to look both ways before crossing the street. We teach them to wait until there is no traffic. Then, we look and judge that we can make it and walk across the street with traffic in view. What are we teaching our kids? Are we teaching them by what we say or by what we do? How can we teach our young to respect the law and then teach them not to respect it? When we teach conflicting lessons, we leave it to the kids to decide to which they want to listen.
We are raising a generation that has no respect for the law and no idea how to fix what is wrong in it. You do not fix a sinking ship by throwing things at the hole from the outside. You fix it from the inside. You cannot fix the problems in the Government or society by standing on the outside throwing things. You have to be inside and apply pressure and work those changes, from the inside. Lawlessness and disrespect leave you on the outside. Do not be hypocritical. Be who you are, but be who you are from the inside.
That is my can of worms. That is my narrow view.
We are raising a generation that has no respect for the law and no idea how to fix what is wrong in it. You do not fix a sinking ship by throwing things at the hole from the outside. You fix it from the inside. You cannot fix the problems in the Government or society by standing on the outside throwing things. You have to be inside and apply pressure and work those changes, from the inside. Lawlessness and disrespect leave you on the outside. Do not be hypocritical. Be who you are, but be who you are from the inside.
That is my can of worms. That is my narrow view.
Comment on comment
I have to agree, Stacey
There are better ways to go (but it is still going). I have tried to keep my personal opinion about this one to myself as far as the core issue. My issue has been the numerous organizations that have felt compelled to intrude on this painful and private ordeal. Yes, I am sure the parents have relished the media attention and see it as an asset to their position. Still yet, it is a private ordeal. If I am ever in that position (and my wife has communicated her desires to me should she be in that position), I am unsure of how I feel if it is me in that bed. When I know, I will communicate that to my family.
What pains me the most is the blatant exploitation of this family's misery to push a choice through the media. I hate the use of personal tragedy to promote an issue. The issue is just as important, with or without a martyr for the cause. Is the issue of terminal patients a dead issue (pardon the pun) unless there is a prominent patient out there to rally around? Since we have (as a society) imprisoned Dr. Kevorkian, the issue of assisted suicide has fallen out of the limelight.
Right is right, with or without a name to rally around. AIDS is an issue based on the mass numbers of people that are HIV+. Even with that magnitude of infected people, it is still both an individual and societal issue.
The numbers of people facing a similar situation as Terri Schiavo cry out for a decision. Everyone of them is a voice. Where are the protestors? Where are the children bringing them water? Where are the countless background people working for them?
I know there are those that make it their life calling to address the issues facing our nation. It just galls me when some of these groups exploit the Schiavos of this world, to keep their name in the news.
That is my personal opinion on that.
There are better ways to go (but it is still going). I have tried to keep my personal opinion about this one to myself as far as the core issue. My issue has been the numerous organizations that have felt compelled to intrude on this painful and private ordeal. Yes, I am sure the parents have relished the media attention and see it as an asset to their position. Still yet, it is a private ordeal. If I am ever in that position (and my wife has communicated her desires to me should she be in that position), I am unsure of how I feel if it is me in that bed. When I know, I will communicate that to my family.
What pains me the most is the blatant exploitation of this family's misery to push a choice through the media. I hate the use of personal tragedy to promote an issue. The issue is just as important, with or without a martyr for the cause. Is the issue of terminal patients a dead issue (pardon the pun) unless there is a prominent patient out there to rally around? Since we have (as a society) imprisoned Dr. Kevorkian, the issue of assisted suicide has fallen out of the limelight.
Right is right, with or without a name to rally around. AIDS is an issue based on the mass numbers of people that are HIV+. Even with that magnitude of infected people, it is still both an individual and societal issue.
The numbers of people facing a similar situation as Terri Schiavo cry out for a decision. Everyone of them is a voice. Where are the protestors? Where are the children bringing them water? Where are the countless background people working for them?
I know there are those that make it their life calling to address the issues facing our nation. It just galls me when some of these groups exploit the Schiavos of this world, to keep their name in the news.
That is my personal opinion on that.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Decisions
5 minutes ago, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case of Terri Schiavo.
As much as it was a victory for one side, it was just that much of a defeat for the other. There are no clear lines in a case like this. Both sides have merit. Both sides have a personal stake. Both side will weep over this outcome.
As much as it was a victory for one side, it was just that much of a defeat for the other. There are no clear lines in a case like this. Both sides have merit. Both sides have a personal stake. Both side will weep over this outcome.
I, for one, will pray for both sides.
I hope this is an end to this case, even as I know it is not an end to the issues concerning it.
A shot in the crowd
Yesterday, at the high school, the students were not to go to 1st period when they arrived at the school. They were to go to their homerooms (they call it 'advisory' ?). There were about 30 or so students in the foyer at one particular time, when someone thought it would be a great joke to stomp a milk carton. You remember that from high school, right ? You drink your milk, close the carton, fold over the top, put it on the floor, and stomp. It produces a large popping sound. The students in the foyer all screamed. Several of my students were there. One told me that he thought WP (the kid arrested for plotting to kill students and teachers) had came into the school and had began shooting. It was humorous and scary at the same time.
Kids should not be at school wondering if someone is going to open fire at any time.
Ask me what the answer is. Go ahead, ask me.
I do not have a clue. The security guard and metal detectors did not stop the shootings in Minnesota. At the school itself, the security guard was the first one shot. It is deplorable that kids have to learn, while worried that their lives might be at risk. I know, from talking to my students, they do not dwell on it all the time, but it is in the back of their minds, always. I do not think about it while I teach. I do not think about it when I reprimand a student. I can't. If I dwell on it, I lose my effectiveness as a teacher. I have to maintain control of the class. I have to have control in the lab. If I have to worry that every student that I caution about safety glasses or horseplay is going to come back tomorrow and shoot me and students, I would go home now and never return.
The answer is consistency. I will come to this school, every day it is open. I will teach every day I am here. I will maintain order and allow my students the safety of learning. I am the first line of education.
Kids should not be at school wondering if someone is going to open fire at any time.
Ask me what the answer is. Go ahead, ask me.
I do not have a clue. The security guard and metal detectors did not stop the shootings in Minnesota. At the school itself, the security guard was the first one shot. It is deplorable that kids have to learn, while worried that their lives might be at risk. I know, from talking to my students, they do not dwell on it all the time, but it is in the back of their minds, always. I do not think about it while I teach. I do not think about it when I reprimand a student. I can't. If I dwell on it, I lose my effectiveness as a teacher. I have to maintain control of the class. I have to have control in the lab. If I have to worry that every student that I caution about safety glasses or horseplay is going to come back tomorrow and shoot me and students, I would go home now and never return.
The answer is consistency. I will come to this school, every day it is open. I will teach every day I am here. I will maintain order and allow my students the safety of learning. I am the first line of education.
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
A light in the Bush ?
In 1999, then-Gov. Bush signed the Advance Directives Act, which lets a patient's surrogate make life-ending decisions on his or her behalf. The measure also allows Texas hospitals to disconnect patients from life-sustaining systems if a physician, in consultation with a hospital bioethics committee, concludes that the patient's condition is hopeless.
Bioethicists familiar with the Texas law said Monday that if the Schiavo case had occurred in Texas, her husband would be the legal decision-maker and, because he and her doctors agreed that she had no hope of recovery, her feeding tube would be disconnected.
"The Texas law signed in 1999 allowed next of kin to decide what the patient wanted, if competent," said John Robertson, a University of Texas bioethicist.
Bioethicists familiar with the Texas law said Monday that if the Schiavo case had occurred in Texas, her husband would be the legal decision-maker and, because he and her doctors agreed that she had no hope of recovery, her feeding tube would be disconnected.
"The Texas law signed in 1999 allowed next of kin to decide what the patient wanted, if competent," said John Robertson, a University of Texas bioethicist.
Has President Bush seen the light ?
How was it that while he was Governer of the "Kill 'em all" state, he signed a bill into law that allowed the next of kin to terminate the life saving procedures of a terminally ill patient, and now that he is President, he lobbies against that very same principle? One comedian, talking about Texas and the death penalty, said, "while other states are trying to abolish the death penalty, Texas is putting in an express lane." Texas has streamlined the trial conviction to execution process. Who was instrumental in this process? GW Bush.
Now that the light of popularity has fallen on him and he has squeaked by on one of the narrowest margins in history, he thinks he has a mandate from the country to right all the 'moral' wrongs out there. Can we say, "Coughcoughbullshitcoughcough" ?
It doesnt matter if you are a Bush fan or not, hypocrisy is hypocrisy. I havent seen anywhere that he has made any life affirming changes in his religious or moral outlook to make the 180° turn about. The only change is the number of eyes on him now as president.
Now that the light of popularity has fallen on him and he has squeaked by on one of the narrowest margins in history, he thinks he has a mandate from the country to right all the 'moral' wrongs out there. Can we say, "Coughcoughbullshitcoughcough" ?
It doesnt matter if you are a Bush fan or not, hypocrisy is hypocrisy. I havent seen anywhere that he has made any life affirming changes in his religious or moral outlook to make the 180° turn about. The only change is the number of eyes on him now as president.
Again, I say, BACK OFF ! It is still a family decision. Terri Schiavo made a decision when she married her husband to link her fate with his. She trusted him with her life then. We need to trust him with it now.
I'm done.
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Out
A group in California has raised the bond for the Clark Co. student who wrote the zombie story without zombies, taking over a fictional high school that just happen to be named the same as the school he was attending. This group (and others) felt that the Clark County police over stepped their boundaries and violated his civil rights by arresting him based on writings.
I agree, that, if their arrest was soley on the writings, that there was a serious breach of his civil and first amendment rights. However, in his writings, he talked about his army. There are several students (some in my classes) that say they were approached to join this army. They were told that they would be protected from harm during the assault. It was implied to them that anyone else was fair game for the shooters.
This goes back to my post of yesterday. Some people need to butt out. This is not about a high school student in Clark County. It is about getting your name in the news.
The arrest and investigation has probably done a great deal toward the prevention of a school take over. The knowledge of it's possibility and planning has heightened security and awareness in the school and community. This is a great step in preventing such actions. In all the school shootings that I have read about, no one suspected.
Yesterday, a student killed his grandparents, possibly stealing his grandfathers guns, and went to his school, where he killed 5 students, a teacher, a security guard, and himself. No one suspected.
Where are the protectors of my right to live ? Where are the protestors of my right to work and not expect that, at any time, I might be confronting a student with a gun and no desire to live ? Where is the group that will comfort the widows and parents after they have made it impossible for the police to act on tips and writings ?
One of our founding father said that he was willing to give up some liberty in exchange for safety. There has to be a price for the security that we enjoy. If the price is that my writings be scrutinized, then so be it. If that price is that I explain my writings or actions from time to time, so be it. This is not the abolition of free speech. This is not the end of independent thought and expression. This is the security of our schools. This is the safety of our children.
I am a writer. I cherish the freedom to express myself, but there has to be responsibility attached to writing and expressing. Do we curtail the right of ministers to 'rightly divide the words of God" when we seek to stop the spread of hate speech in the guise of religious writings? Possibly, but is it a price we are willing to pay ? There are convincing arguments on both sides. It is hard to take the overhead view when it is your livelihood that is threatened.
I say, try the kid. Put it to a jury. Let a jury of his peers decide. Let the nay sayers be silent.
I agree, that, if their arrest was soley on the writings, that there was a serious breach of his civil and first amendment rights. However, in his writings, he talked about his army. There are several students (some in my classes) that say they were approached to join this army. They were told that they would be protected from harm during the assault. It was implied to them that anyone else was fair game for the shooters.
This goes back to my post of yesterday. Some people need to butt out. This is not about a high school student in Clark County. It is about getting your name in the news.
The arrest and investigation has probably done a great deal toward the prevention of a school take over. The knowledge of it's possibility and planning has heightened security and awareness in the school and community. This is a great step in preventing such actions. In all the school shootings that I have read about, no one suspected.
Yesterday, a student killed his grandparents, possibly stealing his grandfathers guns, and went to his school, where he killed 5 students, a teacher, a security guard, and himself. No one suspected.
Where are the protectors of my right to live ? Where are the protestors of my right to work and not expect that, at any time, I might be confronting a student with a gun and no desire to live ? Where is the group that will comfort the widows and parents after they have made it impossible for the police to act on tips and writings ?
One of our founding father said that he was willing to give up some liberty in exchange for safety. There has to be a price for the security that we enjoy. If the price is that my writings be scrutinized, then so be it. If that price is that I explain my writings or actions from time to time, so be it. This is not the abolition of free speech. This is not the end of independent thought and expression. This is the security of our schools. This is the safety of our children.
I am a writer. I cherish the freedom to express myself, but there has to be responsibility attached to writing and expressing. Do we curtail the right of ministers to 'rightly divide the words of God" when we seek to stop the spread of hate speech in the guise of religious writings? Possibly, but is it a price we are willing to pay ? There are convincing arguments on both sides. It is hard to take the overhead view when it is your livelihood that is threatened.
I say, try the kid. Put it to a jury. Let a jury of his peers decide. Let the nay sayers be silent.
Monday, March 21, 2005
clamping my hand over my mouth ... almost
I have watched the rising furior over the Terri Schiavo case in Florida and kept my mouth shut.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (March 21) - A federal judge weighed the fate of a brain-damaged Florida woman on Monday, acting hours after the U.S. Congress and President Bush intervened to push the highly charged right-to-die case back into court.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore issued no decision yet after holding a two-hour hearing to consider a request from Terri Schiavo's parents to reinstate tube feeding for their 41-year-old daughter that was halted three days ago.
U.S. District Judge James Whittemore issued no decision yet after holding a two-hour hearing to consider a request from Terri Schiavo's parents to reinstate tube feeding for their 41-year-old daughter that was halted three days ago.
I was online earlier, checking mail, and checking the news, when I came upon some pictures of protestors holding signs concerning this much publicized debate. One sign said, "She is disabled, not dead yet," and another said "Don't let the judges murder Terri." As near as I could tell, these protestors have never met Terri Schiavo personally. They have no family interest, nor will their lives be changed in any way by the passing of Mrs. Schiavo. Their interest is in furthering the power of their political might.
If you haven't been following the story, it goes like this. Her husband wants to remove the feeding tube and allow Terri to live or die of her own volition. Terri's parents claim that she is sometimes responsive and could recover. They have gone to court to stop the tube removal. Now, the tube has been removed. It will take one to two weeks for Terri to die without the tube. She is brain dead. She will not suffer. Michael, the husband, claims that he has Terri's best interest at heart. He says that she would not want to be alive like this. Whether that is the case or not, I do not know. Whether she is responsive or not, I do not know.
I do know this much. This issue is a family issue. It is not a congressional issue. It is not a presidential issue. It is not a moral majority issue. It is not a Christian Conservative issue. all these sides that want to be involved have forgotten who is going to suffer from all this. When this is over, they will all go their way. Somewhere, in some archive, this story will be buried. Terri Schiavo will be forgotten. Her accomplishments as a person will be forgotten. Her impact on the lives of her family and friends will be forgotten by these political groups. The rift between the husband and the family will never heal, but will not even be a footnote in these archives.
Too many have lost sight of the issue, and the issue is not the issue, the issue is one woman. It is about one person. It is about a husbands right to act in the best interest of his wife.
My opinion in this is irrelavant, except to me and my wife. What I think should have no bearing on the outcome of this personal matter. That is my take.
Everyone needs to step back and let it be decided by those that will miss her when she is gone. Everyone else, back off !
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Weekend end
The weekend is coming to a close. It has been a good one in as much as little was accomplished and little effort was made to make it any different. I am sure, as the weather gets nicer, we will be much busier on the weekends, but for now, slow is a good thing.
We did get out and about for a bit today. Tammy and I went out to do a couple things. We stopped at the store for some feminine hygiene products. We made a few u-turns around the circle (legal, of course) and got some lunch at Wendy's. Then we went to the movie. We saw "Constantine". It was an OK movie. The premise was flawed, but it is a work of fiction based on a comic book, so that was to be expected. The acting was good. The special effects were good. Some of the Hell scenes were interesting. The movie did a fair job of explaining itself without becoming to bogged down with the origins.
After the movie, we came home and chilled.
Tammy fixed stir fry for supper. It was delicious.
We did get out and about for a bit today. Tammy and I went out to do a couple things. We stopped at the store for some feminine hygiene products. We made a few u-turns around the circle (legal, of course) and got some lunch at Wendy's. Then we went to the movie. We saw "Constantine". It was an OK movie. The premise was flawed, but it is a work of fiction based on a comic book, so that was to be expected. The acting was good. The special effects were good. Some of the Hell scenes were interesting. The movie did a fair job of explaining itself without becoming to bogged down with the origins.
After the movie, we came home and chilled.
Tammy fixed stir fry for supper. It was delicious.
The day has slowly slipped into the evening, which is just as slowly slipping into the night.
A good end to a good weekend.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Laziness, pure and simple
It has been another do nothing day. I think it is still part of the healing process from the flu. It is exhausting to work all week. I still tire more easily. I still have the cough. I know that this will pass ... Eventually. I am ready for it to be gone. It is like the poster, "God grant me patience, but do it now!!"
The good news ... UK beat Cincinnati
The good news ... UK beat Cincinnati
Friday, March 18, 2005
Friday finally
Whew ... It is finally Friday.
I don't think I will ever get rid of this cough. I have smokers hack and I don't even smoke. It just jumps up in the middle of talking. There is an irresistible urge to cough. It doesn't happen with any consistency. Sometimes I talk just fine. Sometimes, I can even sing. Other times, I get a verse out, almost, and I am coughing over and over. That is the aggravating part of it all. I love to sing. I need to talk. Singing makes my heart smile. Not talking makes my job impossible.
So, I get 2 days to rest my voice and try to figure out how to get rid of this thing. It may just be a time thing. It might be something else. Either way, it has got to go. Cough cough cough.
I think we decided not to go out tonight. It is 8 o'clock and I have no desire to put my shoes back on. I would much prefer some naked lick and tickle with Tammy. Hey ! We are a married couple that still greatly enjoys an active and fulfilling sex life. Get over it. Just think of us sitting in the bed talking ... Or knitting ... If that helps.
I doubt we will get a repeat of last weekend. It was like a vacation. This weekend promises to be busier. However, I am sure there will be time for feely touchy stuff. You know ... Stuff like knitting.
I don't think I will ever get rid of this cough. I have smokers hack and I don't even smoke. It just jumps up in the middle of talking. There is an irresistible urge to cough. It doesn't happen with any consistency. Sometimes I talk just fine. Sometimes, I can even sing. Other times, I get a verse out, almost, and I am coughing over and over. That is the aggravating part of it all. I love to sing. I need to talk. Singing makes my heart smile. Not talking makes my job impossible.
So, I get 2 days to rest my voice and try to figure out how to get rid of this thing. It may just be a time thing. It might be something else. Either way, it has got to go. Cough cough cough.
I think we decided not to go out tonight. It is 8 o'clock and I have no desire to put my shoes back on. I would much prefer some naked lick and tickle with Tammy. Hey ! We are a married couple that still greatly enjoys an active and fulfilling sex life. Get over it. Just think of us sitting in the bed talking ... Or knitting ... If that helps.
I doubt we will get a repeat of last weekend. It was like a vacation. This weekend promises to be busier. However, I am sure there will be time for feely touchy stuff. You know ... Stuff like knitting.
Anyway, I am off of here. I gotta trim the beard and mustache. I am getting a little shaggy looking.
Peace !
Peace !
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