Barack and Rick???

So I don’t know about President-Elect Obama inviting Rick Warren to give the opening prayer at the inauguration. To me it seems pretty inappropriate for the first black president to invite a speaker that another minority group finds so inappropriate (There are other evangelicals he could have invited). I think President-Elect Obama is trying to make some kind of statement by doing this -I think everything he does is well thought out and has a message-and I don’t think this statement is inclusiveness. And President-Elect Obama didn’t mind making this statement at the expense of the LGBT. The whole thing is like pouring salt over open wounds after the passage of Proposition 8. On a brighter side California Attorney General Jerry Brown (and former governor of our wants Golden State) has asked that the California Supreme Court invalidate Proposition 8. Jerry Brown is a politician that wants to see something different and is not afraid to stand up against the crowd he has shown this throughout his entire long political career. Here is his official gubernatorial portrait and it says a lot about him:

On a persoanlly note after the Rick Warren thing it is hard for me to keep my mouth shut and people are starting to wonder what is going on in my head.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Or In My Case Never Take Of The Mask

My life because of what I believe to be my sexual orientation has become sort of a don’t ask don’t tell or you could say I live my life with a mask. And I am starting to see the absurdity of this all and the strain it puts on someone, so we will see how long I can keep this up. A lot of this is my own fault because I feel so uncomfortable with myself, but it is what I have to do to survive right now. I don’t think I will ever be able to stand up to my family and friends. Sometimes I grow so numb and I believe the whole thing isn’t real. The old me, who has no idea who I really was, comes back for a few moments or hours and says, “Just continue like you did in the past and everything will be fine”. I went to church with a friend of mine for the last two Sundays because I wanted to feel the familiar and I was giving into the voice in my head. I felt strangely like an outsider for the first time and felt like I had some deep hidden secret. This made me feel dishonest and the whole experience was actually pretty depressing. So next week it will be back to the church haven I have found in another denomination (That is totally different than the type of church I was raised in so that is one of the reasons some people find it kind of bizzare. This haven just had 700 churches break off and the publicity of these 700 churches is raising questions and concern from friends. And this is probably why I ran back to an “acceptable” church, because it helps with the whole mask thing.

The Ring of Fire

What an eventful time it has been since my last entry the passage of Proposition 8 (The feelings of alienation and for the first time in my life being a second class citizen are still there, but as my friend J said you just get use to it.). After this horrible realization I was looking forward to the weekend and my swimming class on Saturday morning. This Saturday the wind was strong and unpredictable even creating a current in the pool making swimming more laborious. This would be the day the wildfires would go out of control in Southern California. The class watched as the smoke gradually grew from a nearby city and we all thought the fire would just be put out (This is usually what happens). Driving home I began to realize it wasn’t a normal fire all the hills to the south of the road I drive home on were on fire with car loads of people pulled over to watch this surreal scene. Added to the dream likeness of this event I began to see news vans with satellite dishes. In the next few days friends, co-workers, and acquaintances would be evacuated and some would even lose their homes. The air would become so horrible it would hurt to breathe and the ash raining down was not just the small snow flake like stuff, but was heavy pieces of long black material. Roads and freeways would be shut down brining everything to a standstill. This is probably a little bit over dramatic, but I felt like I was getting a small glimpse of Armageddon. To further this dooms day type atmosphere my perfect niece (excellent student and soccer star) had some type of verbal altercation with another girl (stupid girl stuff) well this other girl has brought in her gang member cousins. So we now fear for my niece and she will most likely go to another school. An incident regarding this matter happened at school this week that resulted in some gang members being expelled and so the situation keeps on intensifying. So I and a lot of other people in California have been preoccupied and are minds have been taken off Proposition 8 which is probably not a good thing. Everything seems out of control lately.

Join The Impact - Look For Protest In Your Area November 15

I believe we have entered a time similiar to Dade County Floriday in 1977. I was a little girl back then, and remember the lady with the beautiful voice. This time I am an adult questioning many things about my own identity and it is getting very hard to do this in the aftermath of Proposition 8 that has created such a huge storm. What a hard and lonely time this whole thing has brought about in this once Golden State.


Look for a protest against Proposition 8 in your area:
http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/?t=anon

Melissa Etheridge Is Awasome

No taxation without representation read below the gay and lesbian reaction to Proposition 8:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Merrill-Lauds-Melissa-Etheridge/story.aspx?guid=%7B411D3C86-B4DD-4647-AA37-63107ED8770B%7D

Two Days After Proposition 8

Well, the sting of Proposition 8 is subsiding. I think the question is now where do we go from here? The hatred of gays and lesbians in this country is unbelievable. No wonder Dick Gephardt feared for his daughter when she told him her orientation. No wonder Lynne Cheney cried because she knew what a hard life her daughter would have becuase of the way she was born.

Melissa Etheridge Makes Best Argument Against Proposition 8

I just love Melissa Etheridge she is so logical and smart (And she is a really nice person). Read below for her statement regarding Proposition 8.

http://www.365gay.com/blog/102908-etheridge-comes-out-against-prop-8/

So we are into day two of a whole group of people being reduced to the status of second class citizens in California. Yesterday was not a good day it was stunning and hurt. But, we have to have faith that God will work everything out.

America Has Come A Long Way!!!!

Although President Elect Obama is to far to the left for my taste (I am a Kennedy Democrat) it shows the country has come a long way. And this in itself will do great things to change the country in a positive direction. I hope he is a great President and lives up to every one's expectations.

What I am not happy about is the possible passage of Proposition 8 in California. I cannot believe people would vote in a Constitution Amendment to eliminate other people's rights. What a sad day and it is not a good feeling waking up knowing that some people are now second class citizens.

Ellen DeGeneres Vote No On Proposition 8 Commerical

Way to go Ellen for being a leader for equal rights for all. Your bravery and sacrifices are appreciated.

Economy

This is a really interesting article on the economy. I think there is massive change in the wind. Why are we all investing in things that don't exists?


http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/a-163516-trillion-derivatives-timebomb-958699.html

Excerpt:

"The market is worth more than $516 trillion, (£303 trillion), roughly 10 times the value of the entire world's output: it's been called the "ticking time-bomb". "

Ron Paul

You Cannot Place Value Into Assets That Are Worthless

OJ Finally Gets What He Deserves!!!

OJ Simpson (aka "The Brentwood Burcher") finally got what he deserves convicted of committing a crime. And he even can't get on bail that must be a big surpise to everyone's "All American". I have waited years for this and think God he didn't harm anyone else. Maybe now Nicole and Ron can rest in peace.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27010657?GT1=43001

Europe Is Now Considering Bailing Out Banks

These are indeed scary times we live in and now it appears Europe is having the same problems as the United States.

France seeks €300bn rescue fund for Europe
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/markets/article4864032.ece

Is Big Brother Here????

There are interesting questions raised in the below article about the rights of the middle class and poor. I have heard some talk for the last few months that the government wants to get eliminate the middle class. Also, is this some strange attempt to nationalize the banking interesting and will we now have government owned housing.

Bush's Economic 9/11 and the Rise of Big Brother Banking
http://www.alternet.org/workplace/100682/bush%27s_economic_9_11_and_the_rise_of_big_brother_banking/?page=entire

Barry Goldwater Jr.

This is great Barry Goldwater Jr. calls Pelosi, Franks, and Dodd dumb, dumber, and dumbest. He is right Congress are usually not great economic genisis. Food for thought when we are going through this scary time.

The Bailout Of The American Economy

I didn't know this Robert Reich has a blog remember President Clinton's old roommate and Labor Secretary. Well, he is teaching at UC Berkeley and has some pretty interesting comments. I just started reading so I will let you know what I think later. But, alot of people don't seem to care for this bailout idea. It is time for every American to become less interested in material things and more interested in what is going on around us.

http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2008/09/what-wall-street-should-be-required-to.html

And on an interesting note the early church (and alot of churches still say) "peace be with you". Brought up as an American evangelical I thought this was pretty profound, but then found out this has been going on for years.

Ron Paul On The Economy

Ron Paul is acutally and interesting and honest politician (That is why he could never be elected President.). I don't agree with him on everything, but his views should be examined.

Commentary: Bailouts will lead to rough economic ride
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/23/paul.bailout/index.html

America's Last Two Investment Banks

Wow, this should have been done months ago obviously the children and thieves need to be heavily regulated.

Goldman, Morgan to Become Bank Holding Companies

http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/goldman-morgan-to-become-bank-holding-companies/?em

Race May Play A Factor In The Presidential Election

This is an intereting article and too bad there are people who still this way (And that is an understament). In my opinion racism is indeed a sin. There is no way after the disaster term of President Bush that this election should be this close. But, is this because of race or because the Democrats chose the wrong candidiate.

Poll: Racial views steer some away from Obama
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26803840

White House Press Secretary's House In Foreclosure

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2008/09/wapo-white-hous.html

Soccer Player Is Suspected of Using Witchcraft During Game

This is strange and sad.

Football Witchcraft Deaths Probed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7618215.stm

Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin On SNL

This is funny watch!!! No mention of McCain or Obama on the show I have heard (I usually don't watch SNL because it has become so bad.). Great going McCain your Palin diversion is working.

Christian Singer Ray Boltz Announces He Is Gay

Well having grown up in the Church this isn't at all suprising. There are many gay/lesbian people in the church who are in hiding, don't really know themselves, or are fighting this part of themselves (You are taught you can't love God and be gay/lesbian). So may hat is off to Mr. Boltz and I pray the best for him. I hope he can set some sort of example for people in the Church who are like himself and others in the Church can learn from this. All those years he must have felt so alone.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1031866/ray_boltz_and_rob_halford_shared_a.html

Putin Says Bush Isn't In Charge It Is "The Court"!!!

Well, there is an answer to that and it is Darth Chaney. Puke is obviously very upset with the Administration and isn't Puke now sending war planes to Venezuela?

"George Bush isn't in charge, says Vladimir Putin"

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4734894.ece

Ron Paul Endorses Third Party Candidiates

Is this the beginning of a re-alignment in United States politics? I hope so as both parties seem to be out of touch, want to do nothing about what has been going on for the past eight years, and are just playing politics as usual. You have to give Ron Paul credit for not caving into the establishment and not changing his message. Another brave American politician is Dennis Kucinich (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Kucinich).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7608500.stm

Does Obama Accuse Palin of Being A Pig?

Interesting note he is using teleprompters so the comments were planned. And why does Obama have to speak off notes and use teleprompters all the time?

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/10/pig-fight/

Barbara Streisand to Sing At Fund Raiser For Obama

Looks like Hollywood has been apart of Obama's campaign war chest besides the common person and he is starting to like 527s. And another question why haven't we heard from any of Obama's friends from his days at Columbia University?

http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2008/09/streisand-to-si.html

Where's The Beef With Barack Obama

Background behind the phrase:

Gary Hart and Walter Mondale

The phrase was associated with the 1984 U.S. presidential election. During primaries in the spring of 1984, when the commercial was at its height of popularity, Democratic candidate and former Vice President Walter Mondale ridiculed the candidacy of his rival, Senator Gary Hart by using the phrase during a televised debate before the New York and Pennsylvania primaries. The debate was televised March 11, 1984.
Hart had moved his candidacy from dark horse to the lead over Mondale based on his repeated use of the phrase "new ideas." When Hart once again used the slogan in the debate, Mondale leaned forward and said, "When I hear your new ideas I'm reminded of that ad, 'Where's the beef?'" The line got a great response from the audience. Thenceforth, the two campaigns continually clashed using the two dueling slogans. Mondale ultimately prevailed to win the Democratic Party nomination, only to lose the general election in 1984 in a landslide to incumbent Ronald Reagan (Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/where-s-the-beef).

Obama Clarifies Another Answer

Maybe I will re-register as a Independent:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13217.html

Is Obama's Free Ride With The Press Over?

Are we getting a glance of the real Barack Obama and how he would manage the government.

The New Republic "End of An Affair"
http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=6e9f4a42-9540-4d99-aba2-25adc276c25d&p=2

Barack Obama Looks To Hillary Clinton For Help

So Hillary Clinton being the good Democrat that she is willing to go to the swing state of Florida to help Obama against Gov. Sarah Palin. So the fight is on (And people think Obama's campaing isn't politics as usual). What an interesting election this is turning out to be and will certainly be one for the history books. On a side note is Barack Obama his own person or a puppet of Howard Dean? Dean certainly helped Obama get the nomination. And what has happened to the conservatives and moderates in the Democratic Party? It appears the utra-liberals have completely taken over. Boy, has Howard Dean done a good job of shutting down this part of the party. Wasn't the last person to become president from the Democratic Party a moderate?

Barack Obama looks to Hillary Clinton for a campaign boost
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/05/uselections2008?gusrc=rss&feed=worldnews

see more puppies

We Long For A Leader

This country is longing for a leader, but we better be careful that we are not just hoping someone is who we want them to be other than who they really are in reality. The least qualified candidiate often claims that they are the candidiate of change. And we must remember there is good change and bad change. And usually the candidiate of change is just the same old thing.

Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin really hit one out of the park last night. Wow, what a politician very impressive. Certain people seem to be really afraid of her thus these relentless attacks. I think the ultra-liberals in this country are scared.

Is Senator Obama Really What He Says He Is?

Let me begin by saying that I like the concept of Barack Obama. I like the things people believe that Senator Obama stands for and for the change people want in this country. The people of the United States are desperate for a leader to change the current status quo and to change what we have beome since September 11, 2001. However, are we just seeing what we want to see in Senator Obama and believing he is something people desperately want? And is Senator Obama captilizing on these feelings to catapult himself into the White House? I am growing leary of a person who is letting people so easily believe he is Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Kennedy all roled into one; and Senator Obama doesn’t miss a chance in speaches to lead people to thinking he is one of these great men. Isn’t this just a decpetive tactic to get votes? Senator Obama supports the ideas of these great men, but at this point in his life does he have the credentials to boast that he is anything like either one? What else concerns me is this major shift to the left in the Democratic Party; specifically it is Howard Dean who supports Barack Obama not the moderates who brougt the Democratic Party to victory in recents years. It is the same left wing of the Democratic Party who has lost two major presidential elections (which should have been easily won) and has given us and the world George W. Bush. And when is the left wing of the party going to answer for that?

Hillary Clinton Established Her Own Political Identity Last Night

Hillary's speech was great last night and she has now established her own political identity. It also seems her passion has been restored for her key issues. I hope she keeps going in this direction and this could be the beginning of something great.

I Feel Like I Am In An Episode of Queer As Folk

There was a ring on my door bell yesterday and standing there was a man and his daughter (the daughter was around 8 years old). Both were clean cut looking and looked very respectful kind of like every one's "All American". These two were what everyone expires to be (Everyone in the evangelical and fundamentalists church would be more proper to say.). The man handed me a handbill in support of Proposition 8. What is Proposition 8 you may ask well this proposition is as follows:

Proposition 8 is an initiative measure on the 2008 California General Election ballot that, if passed, would amend the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. The measure as submitted for the ballot by petitioners is called the California
Marriage Protection Act." (Cite: wttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Proposition_8_(2008)

So this is the stuff we are going to get inundate with between now and the election. I bunch of people who are going to save California from the evil which has been perceived to have fallen on the Sun Shine State (And zealous and persistent are these people.). Don't get me wrong I understand these people and don't mean anything harsh (I was raised as one of them.). Why would this man take his daughter door to door to hand out these handbills? That seemed kind of strange to me. But, anyway I visited a friends church a month ago and the pastor immediately went off on same sex marriages. I couldn't wait to get out of that church. I didn't feel any love there. This whole thing is non-ending and makes me feel like I am living in seasons 3 and 5 of Queer as Folk.

Madonna Compares John McCain To Adolph Hitler

The bad part about this is that the statement will just be used against the Democrats by the Republicans. The Republicans will make it look like just a bunch of elitists and out of touch celebrities support Obama.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080825004450.1xh64lbc&show_article=1

New McCain Ad - Was Shee Passed Over By Obama

"Barack America" - This is a Bidenism

Well, at least we know Barack Obama's secret super hero name now.

Really Weird Picture of Madonna

This is the weirdest picture of Madonna I have ever seen!!! What is she trying to do scare everyone.

What About Obama's Change Message?

Usually when a politician speaks of change it just means that the politician has no experience. Now don't get me wrong I am willing to give Obama a chance, but it is to bad people did not see through this in the primaries. A great poltical television series to watch is "House of Cards" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098825/ this series will teach you alot about politics. I think Biden is a great choice, but the Republicans will use this to highlight Obama's lack of experience. And the Republicans will say "see Obama is not the change candidiate".

Todays News

This is scary I think the Cold War has started again haven’t we learned anything. Isn’t Condi Rice suppose to be a Russian expert?:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/08/21/russia.georgia/index.html
So Obama is not doing well with Hillary supporters. One in five of her supporters will vote for McCain. Also, a large majority of her supporters are also a large segment of the undecided voters. Hillary has even created her own team for the convention to quiet her supporters so the world can’t see what is acutally going on. It doesn’t look like Obama is doing that well and what type of Hillary supperter would vote for McCain?
http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0808/Clinton_Creates_Whip_Team_to_Quell_AntiObama_Protests.html
The coverage of this Olympics has been better than recent years (We acutally get to see the events not a bunch of made up human interest stuff). And congratulations to Great Britian for winning more models since 1920. And what happened to Canada maybe we should loan them Mike Phelps next time.
http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/medals
And go and read this at the Huffington Poast McCain doesn’t remember how may houses he owns. I sure wish I had that problem.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/21/mccain-doesnt-know-how-ma_n_120322.html
And lastely my pick for Obama’s vice presidential running mate is Joe Biden. This would be a great choice considering everything that is going on in Russia and elsewhere in the world. But, we will see what happens the Democrats are really good at losing elections that should be one. And in my opinion we can think them for the current Administration. So off to my job where all the employees are in fear of being laid off in this great new economy.

In The News

Interesting there was a fire at a California nuclear power plant resulting in the shutdown of one of the reactors:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D92KTP600&show_article=1
Let us say good riddance to Musharraf:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D92KQ5V00&show_article=1
Congratulations to Ellen and Portia:
http://www.okmagazine.com/news/view/8489
And on that note Mike Huckabee has begun to make phone calls (recorded) in California in favor of Proposition 8. But, isn’t he from Arkansas?
http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=California_Proposition_8_(2008)
And Marshall Law imposed in a small Arkansas town.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_on_re_us/arkansas_town_curfew

Bill Clinton and John Edwards

In my opinion John Edward's political career and reputation have been ruined. Why do you think Bill Clinton gets away with his womanizing and John Edward's does not?

Russian Cyberattack

The Soviet Union, I mean Russia, conducted the first cypberattack coinciding with a military attack against the country of Georgia (Although the Russians are totally denying that this happened). The attack started from somewhere in the United States and started around July 20. So Puke, I mean Putin, knew about it before he went to the Olympics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/technology/13cyber.html?ref=europe#

Bush Relaxing Protected Species Rules

I guess that Georgie just had to mess one more thing up before he left office. Now he is allowing developers not scientiest to determine what is an endagnered specicies. The Administration will grant alot of favors like this before this term is up.


Bush to relax protected species rules
Plan takes scientists out of decision making on species status

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26143098

The Return of The Soviet Union

They're back, the USSR (the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic for those of you who don't remember). I always thought it was a mistake electing the former head of the KGB the President of Russia (Kind of like electing the former head of the CIA or his prodigy, but never mind). Doesn't Putin sound an awful lot like puke?


Putin assails US over conflict with Georgia

3 hours ago
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is criticizing the United States for airlifting Georgian troops from Iraq.
Putin said Monday that the U.S. move will hamper efforts to solve Russia's conflict with Georgia over the breakaway province of South Ossetia. The U.S. military has begun flying 2,000 Georgian troops home from Iraq after Georgia recalled them.
The Russian-Georgian conflict blew up after a Georgian offensive to regain control of the breakaway province of South Ossetia.
Georgian troops fled South Ossetia on Sunday, yielding to superior Russian firepower, and Georgian leaders pleaded for a cease-fire. Moscow responded that Georgia was not observing its cease-fire pledge.

Associated Press

Independent Pastor Waves Gun At Fellow Motorists In Road Rage Case

Well this preacher needs to pray about patience notice he pastors some church called the First Commandment Church of the Living God I doubt this is a Lutheran Church. If you think you can make your own church you probably think you can make your own laws.


Ohio preacher, 71, convicted in road rage case

Tuesday, August 5, 2008
(08-05) 14:18 PDT CINCINNATI (AP) --
A 71-year-old Cincinnati preacher has been convicted of aggravated menacing, after another motorist said he waved a gun and cursed at her. Thomas Howell could get up to six months in jail on the misdemeanor charge when he's sentenced Sept. 4.
Howell says he was on his way to First Commandment Church of the Living God in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood when April Evans cut him off on June 23. During Monday's trial, Howell testified that he has a gun and permit but denied ever removing the weapon from its holster.
But a Hamilton County municipal court judge sided with Evans, who said the preacher threatened to shoot her and called her names as their cars chased each other.
___
Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, www.enquirer.com
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/05/national/a141829D75.DTL

5 Year Old Escapes From Day Care and Goes To Hooters

This story is really funny a 5 year old boy left day care and went to a Hooters across the street.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5918206.html

The Earthquake

Yesterdays earthquake was a fitting end to a truly horrible month (Probably the most horrible month I can ever remember.). And I learned after yesterday that my earthquake phobia still exist. I thought that I was fine, but when the ground started to move (Along with the loud noises that come with earthquakes) all the bad memories came flooding back. There was a time when earthquakes really didn't bother me, but then the house I lived in was destroyed in an earthquake and many parts of the city were also destroyed. There were also after shocks for months. So even though yesterday was a mild earthquake I had the misfortune of being very close to the point of origin. Added, to this parts of the ceiling came down were I was and a couple telephone poles also came down. This caused the electricity, phone lines, and the street lights to go out which causes havoc when so many people live in one place. But, this was a fitting end to a month which begun with over 100 people being laid off from work, four acquaintances I know under the age of 30 all dying within a week of one another, finding out some horrible disturbing secrets about close family members, and someone at work going into a screaming rage. So this month appropriately ended with an earthquake and I am glad there is only 23 hours left of this month now.

Napping Air Force Crew Broke Security Rules

Well this is scary an air force crew fell asleep while assigned to watch classified launch components (How many of you fall asleep at work). Reminds me of last summer when armed nuclear missiles were carried across the country.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/07/a_crew_of_three_air.html

Iraq Cost Nearing That Of Vietnam

With today's economic problems the question has been raised how is the war effecting our economy. Below is a news article which shows the cost of the Iraq War is nearing that of the Vietnam War (althought it is my understanding it was never officically called a war). Since September 11, 2001 the United States has spent $680 billion for military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere around the world. And just think all of this has been done on the backs of the middle class as the rich continue to get their tax breaks and become richer under the current Administration.


http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewFreeUse.act?fuid=MTMxOTkxMw==

Other interesting points from the article are comparisions to other wars some of which are as follows:

• 1% GDP Iraq
• 36% World War II
• 2.3% Vietnam

Is Obama The Anointed One

This is hillarious a must read from the London Times and great political satire. This article tells the story of Obama like he is Jesus:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/gerard_baker/article4392846.ece

John Edwards "Love Child" - Why Isn't This As Big Of Story As Larry Craig

Slate: Why the Press Is Ignoring the Edwards "Love Child" Story

http://www.slate.com/id/2195869/

I was watching "Contact" the other night and came to the conclusion most politicians are like James Wood's character in this movie (There are very few Margaret Thatchers). No wonder Edward's dropped out of the presidential race. What a disappointment he ran on all this family stuff and apparently it was just a big lie.

This is really cute.

My Lesbian Friend S

I have a friend named S (or I had a friend because she has completely vanished) who is a very nice person. My heart instantly warmed to her the minute I met her (For some reason we just really clicked and I cared very much about her.). She would come to church and it was a joy to be around her. Then one day she instantly disappeared. Even her best friend L had lost all contact with her (And I knew there had to be some reason behind this broken friendship.). Well, after some reluctance (I really don’t like going around snooping into things that happen at church) the reason came out. S (who had been going to one of those gay recovery groups) had announced she was still gay and that is the way she was going to stay. She was instantly cut off from all church relationships (which is just totally outrageous) and even her best friend L had ceased all contact with her. I have tried to contact S with no success. Anyway this entire situation has set me off on a journey that I could never have imagined (And I am finding out things about myself I never knew). At first I was stunned (I couldn’t believe these people I knew would act this way), then I felt total outrage and then I went on a journey of self-discovery. This journey in fact had begun long before this and started at my conservative Christian college with my best friend J who would also find out he was gay (Actually there was a lot of gay people on campus I would find out later.). On the first part of the journey when I found out my friend J was gay (I eventually just stopped going to church for this and other reasons), but I swore I would never do this again. So I have started attending churches that are progressive and I am really getting it from my conservative friends. So I will eventually, most likely, end up like S thrown out to the wolves and it is really hard to maintain friendships with these people.

Pravda (Is Now A Tabloid)

After reading the story below (George and Laura) it struck me as kind of weird I was still thinking Pravda was still some type of government newspaper. Well, the Pravda we all knew as the voice of the Soviet Empire was closed down in 1991 and then some former employees used the same name "Pravda" writing a tabloid (Below is a link to the history of Pravda). Anyway, I thought that was pretty interesting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pravda

George and Laura Bush To Divorce

According to Pravda George and Laura Bush will divorce after his second term in office is over. This is happening because of an alleged affair with Condi Rice (Who has been rumored to bat for the other team which makes the story even more unlikely.). This is a story by Pravda (and the things written about are really old) who quotes the National Examiner (The most unreliable tabloid rag in the world). I would find this high comedy if this actually happened (Watching all the evangelical/fundamentalists right wingers squirm.), but the whole thing probably isn't true. But, on the other hand Condi did accidently call President Bush her husband once.

http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/18-07-2008/105821-george_laura_bush_divorce-0

Yellow Sticky Notes (This is interesting and creative.)

Maybe I should try this at work.

This Weeks Weird News Stories

For 7/15/08

Police Save Doll Locked In Car
Police in Australia frantically break a car window to save a lifeless baby, it turns out to be a doll(The same thing has happened in the United States with the same doll.).
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24019578-1248,00.html?Ick

For 7/14/08

The Black Widow Granny
A grandson was alarmed when his grandmother wanted to take out a $100,000 life insurance policy on his life. This is because five of his grandmother’s husbands and her son had been killed and/or died of suspicious deaths. The grandmother was also involved in various other money scams.
Black widow granny killed five husbands

Mormon Missionary Shirtless Calendar Creator Excommunicated
The creator of a calendar featuring Mormon missionaries shirtless has been excommunicated. The Mormon Council of Elders in Las Vegas stated this is not the type of image the church wants display (Check out the picture below).
Mormon missionary calendar-maker excommunicated

What do the below seemingly uncontected celelebrities all have in common?

Abraham Lincoln, Madonna, Fred Astaire, Sienna Miller, Gene Wilder, Mark Twain, Marilyn Manson (Yuck), Mary Kate Olsen, Johnny Depp, Pete Doherty, Brigham Young, Slash, Stevie Nicks, Britney Spears, Winston Churchill

Think!!!

Tip it is something that goes on your head.

Pastor Arrested In Illegal Snake Bust

So this is what happens when you take one verse and the Bible too literally. Sure glad I do not go to this church (Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name in Middlesboro, Kentucky - There is no church website that I couldn find these people probably don’t believe in the intranet because it is not in the Bible). A lady was killed in the church around 1995 from a snakebite. From what I gather the handling of snakes takes place in a minority of churches in the Appalachia region. This practice is taken from the Bible verese where it states true believers can take up serpents, Mark 16:17-18:

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. - Mark 16:17-18

These people call themselves “Sign Followers” and they don’t just hanlde snakes but take Mark 16:17-18 literally and practice handling fire, healing the sick, drinking strychnine, and casting out demons. And appearenlty this is done not to prove anything, but conform to the Word of God. The churches are independent and are connected to three American movements in Protestantism: Holiness, Pentecostalism, and Fundamentalism. These people generally consider themselves as Holiness, and like fundamentalist believe in the literal interpretation of scriputure.

There actually has been a book written about the Coots family (the pastor who was arrested was actually interviewed for the book). The book is The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith written by Fred Brown.

The whole thing sounds to me like Luke 4:12 where testing God is not trusting God.


See article about pastor being busted:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/07/11/pastor_among_suspects_in_illegal_snake_bust/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Latest+news

Well At Least I Am Not Going To Hell

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!

That is where I went...this was fun and I always have been interested in Dante's Inferno although theological he and I are different. Some of the questions I didn't like, because the questions took on certain assumptions (Like what conduct is sin). Below is my score in more detail click the link below my scores and take the test yourself:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Extreme
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Low
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very Low
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Very Low
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Low
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Very Low

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test

What Is A Super Bishop - And What is With The Pope?

What is a super bishop sounds to much like a super delegate which spells super trouble (Which Americans have seen first hand.). So good for the Anglican Church for again being the forerunners. I was raised in a denomination that didn't allow woman in leadership positions at all which I would later find was just pure legalism (And Jesus had his hardest time with these kind of people.). So now the Bishop of Rome is chiming in about his disappointed over this decision. Well, he doesn't recognize the Anglican Church or any other church other than the Roman Catholic Church for that matter soo why would he even comment. See here.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7494517.stm

A Week After Black Monday

It has been 7 days since "Black Monday" at work (Where 10% of the people were laid off in my huge division). We will see what today has in store. This Sunday I was talking to a lady I just met and she said her company was going to lease a parking lot from our company. So where are some of are people going to park?

Congratulations Rafael Nadal!!!

The third time is the charm in what is being called the best final of all time.

Amy Winehouse Needs To Say Yes To Rehab (Yes, Yes, Yes)

I love her music, think she is a great talent, but I have pretty much given up on her. Come on Amy start taking care of yourself for your sake (most importanlty) and ours.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx/?news=321650&GT1=28102

Previously I would have thought this was some type of publicity stunt or just Amy trying to mess with everyone's heads. But, now I just think she is just really messed up (Don't be a Janis Joplin, Amy!!!). And on a side note what about Madonna faking a story about divorcing Guy Ritchie for a publicity stunt? Crazy Madonna, but she knows how to make money.

Christie Brinkley Should Have Stayed Married To Billy Joel

It is unbelievable what a creep this guy is and then he has the nerve to ask for custody of his kids. Now that is a scary thought.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hkup5ZpxMcuIEYOKZ_pTMDJQmB_wD91M17DO0

I really don't think he understands what she is so upset about (He probably has gotten by with everything is entire life until now). Okay I love celebrity gossip. Gossip isn't good and I totally understand that and it is very undgodly. But, it is a good escape from other things unless you are the person being gossiped about (And I didn't buy a gossip magazine for five years after the Diana tragedy.). And Christie wanted this entire thing open so who am I to argue with her. On the other hand he did tell her he was sorry.

Ignoring God

Have you ever ignored God? Has He ever told you something so contrary to what you have been raised to believe that you just want to flee? You fear the reaction of those around you so much and the Church you were raised in that you just remain silent. Well, I now find myself in that place. How long I will remain in this place of silence I do not know, sometimes I wonder if it really was God. I now know what it feels like to be a coward or is this self-preservation.

Amy Winehouse Punches A Fan

Well a bunch of people got fired at work today and I found out my promotion has been put on hold. This story is a few days old, but it helps me to divert my attention from my horrible day.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/International_Buzz/Amy_Winehouse_punches_a_fan/articleshow/3180401.cms


Amy’s conduct is really bad, but she is tremendously talented. I think she may be a legend in the making; I just pray that she makes it in spite of herself.

Crazy Stuff That Happens In California

Read below to see the kind of crazy stuff that happens in California. This poor guy's arrest was all over the news and then it turns out he was framed. What kind of crazy deminted person would do something like that to someone?

From the Los Angeles Times
Police: Fullerton teacher was framed
Police say they are now investigating who set up the man by putting marijuana and a shotgun in his car at Sunny Hills High School.By H.G. RezaLos Angeles Times Staff WriterMay 30, 2008A Fullerton high school history teacher who was jailed this week when police -- acting on a tip -- found a shotgun and marijuana in his car in the school parking lot was actually the "victim of an elaborate setup," police said Thursday.Investigators are now convinced that Gregory Abbott, 31, of Placentia, who has taught at Sunny Hills High School for seven years, is innocent and was actually a victim, said Sgt. Mike MacDonald of the Fullerton Police Department.Detectives want to talk to Abbott's estranged wife and a male friend. MacDonald declined to identify the pair, calling them "persons of interest at this time" and not suspects.Abbott was pulled out of class Tuesday by officers who asked if they could search his car.An anonymous caller had phoned police to report that he had purchased drugs from a teacher at the high school named Abbott, who kept a weapon in his vehicle. The telephone call was made from off campus.MacDonald said Abbott was cooperative from the beginning and gave officers permission to search his car.They recovered an unloaded shotgun, about a gram of marijuana and prescription drugs packaged as if for sale.Abbott was arrested without incident and taken to the Fullerton City Jail, where he posted $25,000 bail.He said the gun and drugs were not his, and a follow-up investigation "revealed he was telling the truth," MacDonald said.Police said that they are still conducting a criminal investigation but that the focus is now on who framed Abbott."You could say the investigation has taken us in a different direction. We felt a duty to be impartial and fair, checking out Abbott's story," MacDonald said. "We're happy that the results vindicated him. He's had a tough week."Reached by telephone late Thursday, the teacher agreed."I'm a lot better today," he said. "I feel extremely grateful to the people who were with me through this time, especially the Fullerton police, who did an amazing and professional job by investigating to get to the truth."Abbott said he didn't blame them for arresting him, but that the ordeal seemed surreal."Nothing even close to this has ever happened to me," he said. "I come from a good family with a good background; to have the police come tell me that there's a shotgun in my car -- I can hardly believe it even now."hgreza@latimes.comTimes staff writer David Haldane contributed to this report.

I Acutally Did Something Good Today

I had my hair cut today and I actually did something good. My hairdresser’s son is gay and she told me about the time he went to church with his dad. Her son said he liked the church, but he knows the church doesn’t accept him so he wouldn’t go back. How sad is that when someone feels like a church doesn’t want him (For the most part the universal church has always made the gay community feel totally alienated-Something like the Samaritans in the New Testament). Someone could be a murderer and feel more accepted at church. We should all be ashamed of ourselves and I am included. I have supported churches like this for years simply accepting what I have been taught all my life. Anyway I told her that there are churches that will accept her son and I feel like I planted a good seed. We then went on discussing different ways to interpret the Bible and so it turned out to be a really good conversation.

My Horrible Week

I am really happy my week from hell is almost over. Some computer program (or the programmer) malfunctioned and a bunch of people didn’t get paid. I am just happy I am not the one who did this. And, actually it wasn’t a bunch of people it was like thousands. So this is what I have had to hear all week (Note I like to avoid conflict.). I empathize with them (Those that didn’t get paid), have compassion for them, but it is pretty sad when you get shorted $100 and your whole world falls apart and you have to totally freak out. So I have had to listen to this and try to get all my work done. And a lot of them need some real civility lessons and it is just incredible and scary (And they are rude even when they get paid so you can’t excuse their behavior because they are upset). THIS WHOLE THING REALLY ISN’T EVEN MY JOB ANYWAY SO THAT TICKS ME OFF TOO. I wonder what type of parents these people had or the problem is they just weren’t parented at all. Anyway I think God is trying to teach me some type of lesson what this lesson is I don’t know. Maybe He wants me to be nice to stupid people or maybe not to avoid conflict so He put me in a bunch of conflict. I try to be polite to people so I just can’t relate to some of these people who are just naturally rude. And this isn’t all just me (I thought maybe there is something wrong with me) other people say the same thing. Anyway I am afraid to go to work tomorrow. On a lighter note it was 94 degrees today and it is suppose to be 100 degrees tomorrow. The weather is really nice. So I went out for my walks during lunch and break and people were commenting how they hoped we weren’t going to have an earthquake (Whenever the weather changes drastically in California almost everyone thinks we are going to have an earthquake – there is some truth to this although scientist would say no). Because of this earthquak talk I didn’t get any peace on my walk at work either. And on a good note the California Supreme Court overturned the gay marriage ban , but I couldn’t discuss this with anyone because I didn’t want to out myself. (I purposely but that sentence towards the end because I didn't think you would have read this far.) So people asked me what I thought and I just looked at them kind of stupid this really disgusted me with myself. And then when I got home I called up my friend J and he said we were going to have hyperflation like Argentina during the 1980s and gas was going to be $10.00 a gallon so that just made me really happy. This whole week has been a drag.

China's Quake In Mid-Afternoon

Natural disasters seem to be happening more frequently around the globe (or maybe it is just my imagination) are increasingly becoming more troubling to my mind. Being from California the earthquake in China really strikes home (I can’t help but personalize the images). When hearing about the magnitude of the quake I was taken aghast (It is huge.). Having lived through much smaller quakes I can imagine the horror these poor people are going through. But, the part that really got to me is the quake happened mid-morning in California we are still blessed to have most earthquakes happen when the majority of people are asleep.

I Am Starting To Believe In Eugenics

I received a promotion at work and one of my new responsibilities is talking to sales people located all over the country on the phone. And it is frightening. Where do these people come from? I am being to think some people should not be allowed to breed (This is actually a philosophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugenics). This is a real horrible thing to think, but I have actually started thinking this way. I have never been around people like this in my life. I am almost afraid to pick up the phone sometimes. So this is my confession for the day.

My Brother Is A Psychopath

I have come to the awareness that my brother is a psychopath. After experiencing the things he has done for years (actually it has been my entire life he is my older brother) it is obvious he has no conscience. A friend of mine, who is sociology major, suggested that he is probably a psychopath. At first I did not believe her, after all how could someone have no conscience. That is unreal like something out of a book. But any way, I did some research and found out my friend was most likely correct. Not that I am a psychologists or anything, but most of the information on the intranet describes him perfectly. I found an article on psychopathic behevior which perfectly fits my brother the link is http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm. I wish that I had this knowledge years ago, so that I would have realized you couldn’t deal with him like a normal human being. But, for me this is an earth-shattering discovery and explains alot of things.

Iranian Official Wants To Ban Barbie

O.K. I am getting really bored with the election here is the most interesting news story I read all day. An Iranian official has called for a ban on Barbie (Did you know Barbie's real name is Barbara Millicent Roberts?). I had everything Barbie growing up every single doll, car, motor home, etc...my grandma really spoiled me. I guess she (Grandma) was trying to introduce me to western culture. I also had a complete western set with horses, wagons, and dolls (including General Custer). Barbie went to visit my western village alot. This same Iranian official also doesn't like Batman.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7371771.stm

National Day of Silence - Lawrence King

This article brings up the horrific subject of Lawrence King the 15 year old student who was shot and killed by another student at school for being gay. How horrible that one student would hate another so much he would commit murder. Why aren't we more outraged as a society?


Capps Speaks on Slain Oxnard Student for National Day of Silence
Day Recognizes Plight of Oppressed Sexual Minorities
By Bianca Licata
Thursday, April 24, 2008

Expressing her support for the gay, lesbian and transgender (LGBT) community, Congresswoman Lois Capps spoke to House representatives yesterday to commemorate this year’s National Day of Silence to the death of Lawrence King, the 15-year-old Oxnard student who was shot at E.O. Green School on February 12 and died on February 15. Since King was gay and it appears that his sexuality prompted his murder, prosecutors have been treating the case as a hate crime. Capps’ district includes both Santa Barbara and Oxnard.
“I rise today in recognition of the National Day of Silence,” said Capps in a written statement. “On April 25th, hundreds of thousands of students around our country will observe a day of silence in memory of Lawrence King.”
The Day of Silence, held this Friday, recognizes the violent anti-gay hate crimes committed throughout the United States. Often, participants will not speak on this day in an effort to symbolize what they perceive as the silenced emotions, thoughts and fears of thousands of homosexual and transgender individuals.
During his life, King enjoyed drawing, studying bugs, singing, and crocheting despite the incessant anti-gay harassment of his peers. In the end, it was a 14-year-old classmate who shot him in the head. Capps reminded the House that King’s violent death was a harsh reminder of the numerous anti-gay hate acts that go unnoticed.
“Larry's death is incredibly tragic. It is also a sad reminder that pleas for help— from our young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population—are often met with silence,” said Capps. “I commend the courage of every student participating in the Day of Silence. I know that your efforts will bring much needed attention to the plight that students like Larry face every single day.”
Capps is not the only person to speak about King on National Day of Silence. CNN personality Larry King, noting that he shares his name with the slain student, has recorded a public service announcement in which he shares his views on the matter.

Bianca Licata is an Independent intern.

Modern Evangelism In The United States

This picture demonstrates the depths to which evangelism has sunk to in the United States. Can you believe this guy actually won Iowa?

Why A Different Church

What am I trying to say?

I took a quiz and I am still an Evangelical/Baptists in my way of thinking to some extent, but on the bright side at least I did not come out as a fundamentalists that would have been chilling (http://quizfarm.com/test.php?q_id=311716). However, this is not surprising since I was raised as an Evangelical/Baptists, but I hoped I had gotten somewhat beyond this mindset. So please have some patience with me, because sometimes I have these attacks and start thinking like an Evangelical/Baptists and it can be kind of strange. There is still this thought process in the back of my head that if I do not answer certain questions correctly (How old is the world?; Should the Bible be taken literally?; etc…) I may be falling into some type of serious error. This may sound silly, but it is true. So now I am trying to expand my way of thinking by being around some Christians who think differently and being exposed to different teachings. There has to be something more to Christianity that is what my heart is telling me. I think the first step to do this is to attend a church, unlike the one I was brought up in, and hear some brand new teachings on Christ. This is a far better option than the last time I got fed up with evangelism and stopped attending church all together. I went to the movies on Sunday morning instead

Church On Sunday

Church was really good on Sunday I actually received something for the first time in a long time (To be honest I have been getting really bored at church lately. I just have been going because I feel like I should.) Why at this church and why at this time I don't know. The church is more formal than I am use to and the service is more traditional. I have been getting bored at some churches because I feel like I am being constantly entertained (Which is really starting to turn me off). This is the only type of churches some people like and that is alright for them; but I feel I am being led to a more formal church right now. This is the third time I have been to this church and I felt comfortable and at home. I feel like I have been wandering for the last three years and maybe it is over. I have been going to more charismatic/pentecostal churches so going to a more traditional/formal church is suprising.

It Is Time To Totally Change Churches

I am going to a more progressive church tomorrow. This may seem perfectly normal to some people but I was brought up as an Evangelical Christian so a lot of friends and family are going to think this is pretty strange (And if it turns out to be serious an intervention will be planned.). I just want to get another prospective on Christianity. I am really tired of going to churches that almost everyone thinks God is a Republican and the Christian right wing is not questioned. I have been going to non-denominational churches and some of them are just totally out of control. I went to a conference at a church around a month ago and someone was actually passing around a political petition. I don’t want to go back to the denomination I was brought up in, because although I did learn and grow a lot I don’t want to be forced to fit into a mold. I find some churches very limiting and if you can't be yourself it is hard to know God.