HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2010. May the new year be better than the old. May we look ahead and never forget what lies behind. May you be of good health and prosperous in the coming year. May God Bless you in all things.
Peter

RUSH LIMBAUGH UPDATE

Update From http://www.rushlimbaugh.com

Hey folks,

ALERT: Rush was admitted to a Honolulu hospital yesterday and is resting comfortably after suffering chest pains. Rush appreciates your prayers and well wishes. He will keep you updated via RushLimbaugh.com and on Thursday's radio program.

Peter

States Suing Feds Over Obamacare

Threatening to anyway.

Hey folks,

All is not well in Lib Land. I told you just a few days ago, that there are some, including California, that are NOT happy about some Senators, in turn the States they represent, getting goodies to buy their Votes on the Senate version of Obamacare. Now there are thirteen. According to the AP - 13 state AGs threaten suit over health care deal By MEG KINNARD, Associated Press Writer Meg Kinnard, Associated Press Writer – 3 mins ago

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Republican attorneys general in 13 states say congressional leaders must remove Nebraska's political deal from the federal health care reform bill or face legal action, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press Wednesday.

"We believe this provision is constitutionally flawed," South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and the 12 other attorneys general wrote in the letter to be sent Wednesday night to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

It's COMPLETELY unconstitutional. Not Flawed. Outright. I know, I know, legalese.

"As chief legal officers of our states we are contemplating a legal challenge to this provision and we ask you to take action to render this challenge unnecessary by striking that provision," they wrote.

In a rare Christmas Eve vote, Senate Democrats pushed sweeping health care legislation to the brink of Senate passage, crushing a year-end Republican filibuster against President Barack Obama's call to remake the nation's health care system. The 60-39 vote marked the third time in as many days Democrats posted a supermajority needed to advance the legislation.

The letter was signed by top prosecutors in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington state. All are Republicans, and McMaster and the attorneys general of Florida, Michigan and Pennsylvania are running for governor in their respective states.

I hope they win. However, California is also ready to sue. They may not have signed this letter, but they have spoken out against this openly a few times now.

Last week, McMaster said he was leading several other attorneys general in an inquiry into the constitutionality of the estimated $100 million deal he has dubbed the "Cornhusker Kickback."

EXACTLY What it is. A LOT of Buy Offs are in this Bill. That's the only way they could get 60 people to sell out and Vote for this insanity.

Republican U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint of South Carolina raised questions about the legislation, which they said was amended to win Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson's support.

"Because this provision has serious implications for the country and the future of our nation's legislative process, we urge you to take appropriate steps to protect the Constitution and the rights of the citizens of our nation," the attorneys general wrote.

Nothing about Obamacare is Constitutional.

A conference committee begins meeting next year to work out a compromise between House and Senate versions of the bill. Experts expect those talks will likely last into February.

McMaster says if the bill goes through to final approval with the benefit to Nebraska, taxpayers in the other 49 states will have to pay for it.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said the letter was a political ploy.

"This threat stinks of partisan politics," he said in a statement. "If Henry McMaster wants to write federal law he should run for Congress not governor."

Moron. 60 to 39 is nothing but Partisan. It is the Democrats that shut out Republicans, ignore YOU, and are attempting to shove this garbage down every one's throat. It IS unconstitutional. It is YOU who are attempting to write federal law to override the Constitution. It can NOT be upheld, LEGALLY, if someone actually has the gonads to fight it.

Meanwhile, Nelson is taking his message on health care reform directly to his constituents. In a television ad beginning during Wednesday night's Nebraska-Arizona Holiday Bowl football game, the Democrat says he stuck by his principles throughout the debate and doesn't want Nebraskans to be confused on his position.

While it's not uncommon for states to challenge federal laws in court, one legal expert said political bluster was likely behind the letter.

"I do think that it is some combination of the losers just complaining about the officiating, or complaining about how the game was played, in combination with trying to make the bill look as seedy and inappropriate as possible, for political purposes," says Andy Siegel, a former University of South Carolina School of Law professor now teaching at Seattle University School of Law.

"It is smart politics to try to tarnish it and make it look less like an achievement and more like some sort of corrupted bargain," he said.

IT IS A "corrupted bargain." It was done in back room in the dead of night. it IS against the Majority of Americans will. It IS NOT an achievement. Not one ANYONE should be proud of. Andy Siegel is just a card caring member of the LWL {Left Wing Loons} He most likely sees Obama as god-like and would back anything he does. Facts are facts folks. The truth is the truth. I DO truly hope that someone does fight this, challenge it's Constitutionality. Oh, by the way, Senator Nelson, YOU SOLD YOUR SOUL Sir. You did vote for this Bill because you got PAID to do so. So do not even TRY to say otherwise. Abortion is still in it. the Public Option is still there. The only thing that changed your Vote was MONEY.
Peter

Sources:
AP - 13 state AGs threaten suit over health care deal

Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With Rush

BREAKING NEWS - Rush Limbaugh rushed to a Hospital In Hawaii

Hey folks,

KITV reported Wednesday that paramedics responded to a call at 2:41 p.m. from the Kahala Hotel and Resort where Limbaugh is vacationing.

The station, citing unnamed sources, said paramedics treated Limbaugh and took him to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.

Queen's spokesman N. Makana Shook says the hospital is unable to comment on the report.

Limbaugh was seen golfing at Waialae Country Club earlier this week. The country club is next to the Kahala Hotel and Resort.

Our thoughts and Prayers are with you Rush, we Pray you make a full and speedy recovery.
Peter

Fox News / AP - Limbaugh Taken to Hospital With Chest Pains

We SHOULD Follow California

From the Energy Front for 123009

Hey folks,

As I have said in the past, we need to follow California's lead on this one. Look at California. That's right folks, California is one of the models that President Obama wants to use for America itself. It will come to the same end result as California. To help them out of the mess, they decided to DO what America SHOULD be doing. Why? Because the ANSWER is RIGHT HERE!

California decided to use a portion of its abundant Natural Resources to pay for services to its Citizens. An estimated $1.8 billion in State royalty payments are expected over the life of developing these resources, and the funds will help defray the State's budget shortfall as well as increase our entire Country's energy security. Again, as I have said in the past, it HAS been proven. Now we just have to do it. Not to mention more than $6 billion annually for the state and create more than 16,000 jobs. That should help boost any States Economy.

Not to mention the Trillion annually for the Federal Government, if we are allowed to Drill Here, and Drill NOW. That's a big step toward reducing the Deficient that all this out of control spending has done.

Well, we have a bit of an update on this. According to the Long Beach Press Telegraph - LB's black gold By John Canalis Staff Writer 12/26/2009 08:42:24 PM PST

Long Beach looms in the background as a pump extracts oil on the Tidelands Oil Production Company property in the Port of Long Beach. (Stephen Carr/Press-Telegram)

One of the solutions to Long Beach's ongoing budget problems may be buried deep underground.

Complex contract negotiations involving the Wilmington Oil Field in and around the Port of Long Beach could uncover a cash gusher for public and private interests.

Preliminary 10-year financial projections associated with the project include eye-popping numbers:

Get these numbers.

$130 million for the city's general fund, which pays for services such as police and firefighting;

$150 million for the city's Tidelands Fund, which pays for services such as lifeguards and coastal development;

$240 million for Occidental Petroleum, which is under contract with the city to extract oil from the Wilmington field.

Though the formulas being used are proprietary to those in the negotiations, the forecasts are rooted in oil trading at an average of about $80 a barrel, the value of the dollar - which tends to move in the direction opposite of oil prices - anticipated demand, and other factors.

In addition to sharing in the net profits that could result from future drilling, the city could realize other income from a 41-cent-per-barrel tax and utility-users' taxes on electricity and natural gas, both of which are used in oil production, Assistant City Auditor James Johnson said.

The Wilmington field deal is far from done, but if it is realized, it would pump more money into public coffers than any other publicly known project on Long Beach's financial horizon.

"In terms of actual revenue that will fund general fund requirements, additional police, additional recreation, there's nothing like this that I know of," said Mayor Bob Foster, who later added, "If you could see additional revenue without significant environmental impact, why wouldn't you do it?"

EXACTLY. Why would we do it. Imagine this one a National Scale. Why would we not do it? Well, one reason is we have an Administration that is beholden to the Kooks. Another is that it does not fit their Socialistic Agenda. They do not own nor control the Oil and Natural Gas industries. So, if they do away with them, they can, and WILL own the "Green" Energy Industry. They then can and WILL regulate it in such a way as to force you to participate, or fine you if you do not. Either way, they win. They are not happy with merely SHARING in the wealth, they want it all.

Foster made it clear, however, while the project is the biggest thing on the table for the city budget when examined in purely financial terms, it would not mean nearly as many jobs as some of the proposals being discussed for the former Boeing 717 site, such as an electric car plant or film studio.

Difference is, Oil is a guarantee. Electric Cars? Film Studio? Well, not so much. Besides, in a rolling black out area, where are all those cars going to be plugged in? Of course the Kooks are against anything even remotely associated with Oil. However, and this has been proven true elsewhere,

Several city and state officials said in interviews over the last few months that the project would increase oil production without fouling the water or air, or widening the port's carbon footprint. Air pollution credits - exchanges between cleaner and more polluting projects - of some kind may be needed to achieve true neutrality, though.

Also, carbon dioxide and other emissions associated with oil production are markedly down in the port in the last decade, according to a Long Beach Gas & Oil Department chart shown to the City Council.

And the contract would need to pass muster with the state, which is controlled by a Democratic Legislature known for favoring the nation's tightest air quality regulations.

"We won't take anything to the commission for consideration if we are not comfortable with the environmental aspects of the project," said Greg Scott, chief of the State Lands Commission's Mineral Resource Management Division in Long Beach.

Because much of the oil field belongs to the state, administrators who work for the powerful State Lands Commission are in negotiations to increase production with the city's Gas & Oil Department and Westwood-based Occidental Petroleum.

City acts as trustee

The city oversees California's section of the oil field as a trustee, and money generated from production is paid into a trust that later goes to the state, explained Charles Parkin, a city attorney.

We are talking about a lot of money, for the State, and it's people, without the State having to do anything but say, "Go for it. Do what you do."

This is also why much of the money generated by the field feeds the city's Tidelands Fund, which can only be spent on a narrow range of coastal uses south of Ocean Boulevard, rather than the broader general fund for core services.

Negotiations are focused on the western flank of the Wilmington Oil Field, an area that roughly spans Pier J and Pine Avenue to the Dominguez Channel and the Los Angeles side of the harbor.

Occidental officials believe it would require a significant investment, some $50 million, to use modern recovery techniques to extract harder-to- reach oil. So Occidental has asked for new contract terms in an area it is already drilling that would reallocate how revenue is shared among the city, state and the oil company to make additional investment worthwhile.

That is NOT the State, nor tax payers. That is those big bad Oil company types that will be taken the risk.

"They're the ones who take the (financial) risk out there," said Curtis Henderson, manager of oil operations for Long Beach Gas & Oil.

It is, however, a calculated risk. Occidental engineers know the field well and would use both new and existing wells to extract more oil.

"We're reasonably confident that the investment should pay off for everyone," said James Eastlack, an Occidental executive who serves as general manager of the city's unit on the western half of the oil field, Tidelands Oil Production Co., or TOPCO.

But there is only one way to find out.

"Until you start drilling a couple of wells out there, that's the only true way determine whether the oil is there or not," Henderson said.

Not to mention, all to often, they find MORE than they had originally thought. Once they start Drilling, or course you may find a dry well here or there, but a lot of times you find FAR MORE than anticipated. Which of course, benefits ALL even more. Who is standing in the way? Yeah. Same Kooks that have put California where it is today. Same people that have refused to let America build any new Refineries, Nuclear sites, or Drill and use our own resources. Why? Political agendas. Their arguments are outdated and completely false. However, they have acquired more and more power over the years, and sometimes stupidity win outs. Here are facts and truths.

Also, supporters said, any new drilling would be subject to modern state air- and water- quality regulations, which are stricter now than they were in the 1970s.

In a recent interview, Karnette said she would ultimately like to see a shift from oil toward less-polluting fuel sources, but until that day arrives Long Beach and the state may as well benefit from job creation and revenue.

"If we're going to use it (oil) anyway, and Long Beach is my district, my city, we should be the ones to use it and make it as clean as possible," she said. "We have to go green, and we also have to be realistic."

Remember, going Green is NOT possible anytime in the near future. You driving to work today, IS. We need to use what we have an abundance of, and what makes the World hum, until someone, anywhere, can find a real alternative solution. On a mass scale. Affordable to all.

Lowenthal said there were assurances that the project would not lead to a significant spike in carbon emissions while also providing funding to the city and state.

"It really had a public benefit to it," he said in a recent interview.

It is a National Benefit, if we were to do this on a National scale. It goes on to talk about the negotiations and the cost to the Companies doing this, I encourage you to read the whole thing. It is interesting. However, the crust of this is simple. Drilling here, using our own resources, creates revenue, Jobs, and increases Security. It also brings down costs. Helps ALL who rely on Energy, which is of course, uh, ALL. It does not pollute, destroy, or affect the Environment in a negative way. It does NOT kill the planet. It helps may the Planet work better. It really is, just that simple.
Peter

Sources:
LB's black gold

History of Islamic Attacks, Chosen People Question Answered

Comment Section goes Mainstream

Hey folks,

We will get to the Energy Front Tomorrow. I feel this to be a bit more important to visit today. It's going to take a bit to explain my comment to Peter, who seemed to have become offended when I used the statement "Chosen People" when I refereed to the Jews. He seemed to already become offended by another, "Irish Godfather," who left a comment prior. So I will attempt to explain my comment and the point to the entire Article posted Tuesday, December 15, 2009 Terrorists, Good Muslims or Bad Muslims?

Now I have gotten what I expected to get. I even got some upset at what they saw as me calling all Muslims Bad. Some wondered privately, what Peter asked openly, how do I say Jews are the Chosen People of God. Especially since I am a Christian. So, I chose to do what I have done a few times in the past, take the Comment Section Mainstream and attempt to answer and expound on my original point.

Now the whole reason for writing the article was this. It was to point out the hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media, who were simply ATTACKING Lieberman for saying he was going to Vote against Obamacare. How they did it was not based on his actual STATEMENTS on the reason for his opposition, not the actual FACTS of what was and IS in the Bill, but it was Liberal Playbook, page one, Chapter 2. Attack the PERSON. Attack his Religious Beliefs. Attempt to shame him into going along with the program. The MMD, {Mainstream Media Drones, who simply report whatever they are told to} saw nothing offensive nor wrong with questioning his Faith. They saw nothing wrong with asking the question "Is Lieberman a Good Jew or a Bad Jew." It is the same tactic that they use all the time whenever someone who is Conservative, or a Christian, screws up in anyway whatsoever. They attack the entire Religion, and or, the entire belief system of ALL Conservatives, and or Christians. Someone attacks America, kills 3000 innocent Americans, and we can NOT question THEIR Religion? Get the point?

My point is this. Since 1783 off the coast of, what is now Libya, Muslims regularly attacked American ships of commerce using the same tactics as they do today, Ransom, Beheading, Pillaging, and antagonism to peaceful commerce UNLESS the "Tax" was paid to the Muslim Caliph.

Hostages taken at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran 1979, May 1981 Threats from Libya, April 18, 1983 Bombing of U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Oct. 23, 1983 Bombing of Marine barracks in Beirut, Dec. 12, 1983 Bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, March 16, 1984 CIA Station Chief William Buckley kidnapped, Sept. 20, 1984 Bombing of U.S. Embassy annex northeast of Beirut, Dec. 3, 1984 Hijacking of Kuwait Airways Flight 221, June 14, 1985 Hijacking of TWA Flight 847, October 1985 - January 1986 Hijacking of cruise ship Achille Lauro; Bombing of Rome, Vienna airports, April 5, 1986 Bombing of La Belle Discotheque, December 21, 1988 Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, 1993 World Trade Center bombing, 1998 United States embassy bombings and USS Cole bombing in 2000, 9/11, November 5, 2009 Fort Hood, December 25, 2009, North American Flight 253. Just to name a few, ALL professing Islam. Yet, it is frowned upon to question Islam. This Administration will not even use the word Terrorists that freely. Nor will they dare link Muslims to Terrorists. Although, the history and the FACTS are clear. Yet, question the Christian Faith or one's Jewish Faith, well, that's just fine, because they are ignorant boobs anyway.

So to show the hypocrisy, I asked, "Terrorists, Good Muslims or Bad Muslims?" Irish Godfather said this.

"There may be good Muslims out there but it's getting very hard to find them among the terrorist Muslims and my guns won't look for a difference if it ever comes to that.."

In which Peter replied this way.

"Wow. I assume "irishgodfather" is Irish. Do you know the history of oppression of your (mine, too) people? To wish that kind of blind hatred on any people is simply ignorant. But why expect more from an Irishman? And.. I thought people killed people, not guns. I wish you gun people could get it right. I think my guns don't discern among stupid people... if it ever comes to that."

Me: "Hey Peter,

Welcome to the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you stopped by.

I'll let Irish Godfather speak for himself. He is not shy. {Smile} But what I took his comment to mean is that he doesn't care WHAT anyone is. If they are terrorists, that is what they are, and he will not take time out to ask questions if they come a calling for him or his own. Neither would I.

However, YOUR comment here proves EXACTLY what my point was. David Gibson of Politics Today, was asking, in an attempt to SHAME Joe Lieberman into Voting for Obamacare, if he was truly following his Religion. Good Jew or Bad Jew. Kinda reminded me of someone talking about a Dog. Good dog or bad dog. My point was that's offensive and WAY out of bounds.

Now I like Joe. I do not agree with many of his Views on Politics, but I appreciate the fact he DOES stand up for what he believes in no matter what. I, unlike this Administration, AM friends of the Jews. I both respect them and believe that they ARE God's Chosen People that have been more repressed and prosecuted than ANY other group of people in history regardless of the reason.

So when I asked the question, are terrorist Good Muslims or Bad Muslims, I got what I figured I would get. Even in the Emails I got some telling me that my question is Racist, and they should not be surprised since I'm a Conservative Christian. {Which means in some people's warped and ignorant mind, that I am a Racist, bigoted, Chauvinistic, Homophobes. Which couldn't be farther from the truth. But that's the Lib Playbook. Page one, chapter 2.}

However, questioning Joe's Jewish Faith, Mitt Romney's Mormonism, or ANY ONE'S Christian Faith, is just hunky dory. Reasonable even, for the well being of the future of the Country. Yet Muslims? Even though EVERY attack on America has been conducted by those professing Islam. Yet we can not question their faith, that would be intolerant. Right?"

Then Peter claimed that I did not post his response. Not true, I never got it, so I told him to resubmit it and I would make sure it posted. He did. Here it is. With my response to him added in.

"I'll try to replicate my previous comment that never showed up. It went something like this:"

Thank you for re-posting it. Like I said, I do not censor. The only posts I do not allow is Spam. I'm not sure what happened to your original, but thank you for taking the time to resubmit.

"First, the is no such thing as good Muslims or bad Muslims or good Jews or bad Jews or good Christians or bad. There are simply PEOPLE who commit bad deeds."

I agree with you to a point. However, when you have a history like we have involving one specific group of people, we have to at least look into one possible motivation. It is not Christians or Jews going around blowing up innocent people on a recurring bases over hundreds of years. It IS Muslims. Now, I'm sure that there are many who feel Islam is peaceful. Yet we do not see any of those Peaceful Muslims pointing out the Evil and the wrong that those committing these acts of Terror are in. Yet, it is taboo and not PC to question if their Faith plays a role in these attacks?

"Until we can learn to live without these silly labels (Chosen People!??) we will never know peace. Until we can get beyond assuming some people are better than others (Chosen People!?? - this implies some people are NOT chosen; See?)"

Their not. I'll get into this in a bit. Just like it is NOT a fact that we are all Children of God. We are all God's Creation. But we are NOT all Children of God.

"we will always know conflict."

As long as there are those that wish to rule over all, yes we will.

"By treating people differently, then giving them special status you instantly create resentment. (This line of giving certain peoples special treatment always seemed odd to me - especially coming from conservatives. It's such a NON-conservative thing to do. It's just such a fundamental principle of the right to discourage entitlements, special treatment, to support a free market and in general to have government stay out of the way.) It's another one of those conflicts of this line of thinking."

Hmm, Special treatment based on Skin Color? Like Affirmative Action? Like forbidding one to question one Faith while attacking another? I agree with you. But that is more Liberal than Conservative. I have said, MANY times. If we are to have TRUE equality, we must treat all EQUALLY. The good, bad, and yes, even the ugly.

"Now for your final paragraph. This about sums it all up, doesn't it? Where to begin? I, personally, question EVERY faith - even my own! If you don't, you are merely blind - and ignorant. How can you learn ANYTHING without questioning? And to imply that Islam isn't questioned is preposterous. Ever watch the news? How about listen to AM radio? Religions have always raised more questions than they have answered. Religion by nature is a series of questions and leaps. Only you have the answers in your heart."

I agree with you here as well. I have written about and discussed many times over the years that there is a MAJOR difference in personal Faith, and Man-Made Traditions called Religion. I feel STRONGLY, that one must be careful, and YES, indeed question ANY Man-Made Tradition.

My own personal litmus test, if you will, is the Bible. If it is NOT in God's Word, I do not follow it. If some one tells me that I can not eat meat on Friday, drinking any amount of alcohol is a Sin, wearing Red is the evil, or killing people who do not believe as I do is Righteous, then I chose to follow God and not man. I chose to follow Jesus. I chose to believe in HIS words. I do not hold judgement over anyone for how they chose to believe or live, that is between them and whatever, or no, god they chose to accept. I will talk to them about God all day long if they ask. However, in the end, the choices we make in life are our own. I am guilty of enough to condemn me, yet thought the grace of God I am Saved from that. So why should I condemn another? I do not. I chose to see more importance in the one on one Relationship with God, than I do Religion. Many Religions have Dark Periods. Some more so than others. It is when Man chooses to act on his translations of what he THINKS God says, and NOT follow what God actually does say.

"And finally. EVERY attack on America has been conducted by those professing Islam? I hadn't realized Timothy McVeigh was a Muslim."

I'll give you THAT one. Although there are many that claim he was converted during Desert Storm, and that he had help by Muslim Terrorist, I have found no serious concrete PROOF of that. But he WAS a sympathizer. THAT is well documented. None of the rest of you examples are attacks on America. They may be the works of the evils of man's heart, which is evil continuously, but not the topic at hand.

As for me being Xenophobic? Nope. I love people of all nationalities, religions, and backgrounds. I have attended and hosted many "World Summit Dinners" where people representing the entire world was in attendance. I have no problem with, and fully understand WHY, so many people want to come here. Come here LEGALLY and attempt to become part of, this, the greatest Country on the face of the planet, I welcome you with open arms. Come here to steal, kill, and destroy, and yes, sorry, I will fight you to the death. BIG DIFFERENCE!

OK. Jews are God's chosen people. That is just a simple fact. God has always shown us great things, by using the least. Many wonder why God Chose the Jews, I personally feel that it is because they ARE the most oppressed people in history. All the way up to today. There is a vast difference in being a Jew, and following Judaism. You can be a Jew, and not be Jewish. You can be anything, and join any religion, but the Jews are a RACE of people. From the beginning. Jesus was a Jew. Born into the Jewish family of Mary and Joseph. Son of a Carpenter who became a Rabbi. It was be the Jews rejecting him, that Salvation was opened to all. That does not change the fact, that even though most of the Jews at the time rejected him, they were God's Chosen. Out of the least, came the Greatest.

The Simplicity of God's plan is astonishing. However, it is in that very simplicity that Mankind gets so lost. It is Man that complicates things by corrupting that simplicity into a bunch of rules and regulations, do's and don'ts, traditions set forth to attempt to make one "FEEL" more righteous or closer to God. Then, in all these traditions set forth by Man, we see time and time again, that Man CHANGES an incorruptible God, into the image of corruptible Man. "Do this or God will condemn you to Hell" Which by the way, is not in the Bible either. "Give us all your money, or else." "Kill the infidels." ETC. God has made it simple for ALL to find him. All to accept HIS plan. It is Man that complicates it.

I will not bow before a statue. I will not pray to this Saint or that Saint. I will not pray in vain repetitions. I will not become a Vegetarian. I will not refrain from wearing cloths I like, drinking an occasional glass of Wine or having a Beer here or there. I will not fast because someone tells me to. I will not condemn someone else. I will not kill innocent people. I will question any Religion that tells me I should. I WILL follow Jesus the Christ. I WILL follow, to the best of my ability, what God says. Not Man. I WILL attempt to be accepting of all, until they give me a reason not to. I will NOT judge how others live their lives, unless they are attempting to take mine. Or unless they are attempting to FORCE me to live theirs. Sorry, but it really is not that complicated. Good is Good. Evil is Evil. You are either with God, or you are against Him.
Peter

Sources:
PBS- Terrorist Attacks on Americas
Islamic Terror Attacks on American Soil

Pass Healthcare Raise Debt Ceiling to $12.4 trillion

Preview for Sunday 122709

Hey folks,

Did everyone have a nice Holiday? I hope so. I sure did. Joshua made out like a little Bandit. Now, another short week, and then back to normal. Whatever that may be. {Smile}

Welcome to the Our oPinion Network's, Big Sunday Edition, of the OPNTalk Blog. Glad you could make it. I am your humble Host Peter Carlock, and we have a lot to cover today. Glad to be back in The Chair.

Yeah, I know. The Kooks in the Senate passed their version of Obamacare. The Mainstream Media Drones, the Kooks in Congress, and the Lib Loon Blogosphere are all going nuts. They are touting this as a Historic, GREAT Accomplishment of Obama, and something that will help all Americans. All of which is complete BS. Nancy Pelosi released this statement.

"Today's vote in the United States Senate brings us closer to providing quality, affordable health insurance to every American. I commend Senator Reid for his strong leadership in passing this bill, which takes a critical step on behalf of the health and security of all Americans."

Absolute Bunk. It WILL kill the US Economy, HURT most Americans, LIMIT care, and cause unnecessary deaths. It WILL cost over TWO Trillion dollars, and it will be a HUGH Failure.

"We are proud of the House bill, which provides more affordable coverage for the middle class, covers 36 million currently uninsured Americans, begins health insurance reform in 2013, fully closes the prescription drug donut hole for seniors, mandates strong reforms of the insurance industry, and is fiscally responsible, cutting the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years."

Again, it does NONE of this. We have already talked about the TRUTH in this bill. We have and also will, in just a few minutes, talk about the TRUTH of what is STILL in this Bill, regardless of what they are telling you. It will also NOT cover 31 million more Americans at that.

"As we move forward through the legislative process, we will soon produce a final bill that is founded on the core principles of health insurance reform: affordability for the middle class, security for our seniors, responsibility to our children by reducing the deficit, and accountability for the insurance industry.

I look forward to working with Members of the House, the Senate, and President Obama to reconcile our bills and send the final legislation to the President's desk as soon as possible."

All Kook Liberal Socialist talking points. All ABSOLUTE BS. So what to do about the cost? Raise the Debt Ceiling to 12.4 Trillion. I'm not kidding. Spend to much, just raise the credit limit and keep spending more. {Sigh}

We'll get more into this coming right up, but Reid DID tell you the truth when he said this.

"This morning isn't the end of the process, it's merely the beginning. We'll continue to build on this success to improve our health system even more," Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said before the vote. "But that process cannot begin unless we start today ... there may not be a next time."

This IS only the beginning and a back door to Socializing the entire Country. Not all are happy about this. You know, besides the 85 percent of you out there against this, others are speaking out about it.

"Not even Ebenezer Scrooge himself could devise a scheme as cruel and greedy as Democrats' government takeover of health care," House Minority Leader John Boehner said in a statement.

"Senator Reid's health care bill increases premiums for families and small businesses, raises taxes during a recession, cuts seniors' Medicare benefits, adds to our skyrocketing debt, and puts bureaucrats in charge of decisions that should be made by patients and doctors," he said. "The bill also authorizes taxpayer-funded abortions, violating long-standing federal policy. It's no coincidence that the more the American people learn about this monstrosity, the more they oppose it."

Dr. Charmaine Yoest, President of Americans United for Life Action said this in a Statement.

"Americans don't want taxpayer funding for abortions and are opposed to a first-ever, mandatory abortion tax. Knowing this, the bill's proponents have rushed it through the Senate at a time when Americans are focused on celebrating Christmas with their families."

WAIT. They took that out to buy Senator Bill Nelson's Vote. Right? Wrong! They changed the language, yet set up a fund to collect money SOLELY for this purpose. More on THAT in a minute.

That's another thing about all this. They wheeled and dealed, cut back room deals, and BOUGHT the Votes that they needed. Problem is, none of this is Constitutional. Then again, NONE of Obama's agendas ARE. But now some of the States that are NOT getting the "goodies," are SUING. {Laughing} Problem? Nevada's Medicaid is now going to be reimbursed 100 percent. Others, 91 percent. Some others? You get the point. Everyone is saying that it is the Commerce Clause that allows Congress to do all that, however:

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

"all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;" 100 percent, 91 percent, less, more. All these deals that have been cut, State Goodies, are hardly uniform. Should be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Coming right up today?

Proof: Our Enemies Do Not Fear Obama
Commerce Clause Back Door To Socialism
How You Live Effects Others
New Moms Be Extra Careful
Little Red Riding Hood Meets The Pope
DLA for 122709
IWA For Sunday 122709

I know, I'm going way long here, but did you catch this? According to the Christian Science Monitor - Will Yemen air strike change view of Fort Hood shooting? By Patrik Jonsson – Thu Dec 24, 3:02 pm ET

Atlanta – A counterterror airstrike in Yemen that may have targeted Anwar al-Awlaki, the extremist cleric linked to Fort Hood shooter Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, could raise new questions about whether Hasan’s rampage in Killeen, Texas, on Nov. 5 was the act of a lone wolf or part of a conspiracy.

There is no question about his Motives. Like I said "So they are seeking a motive for Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. That's easy, He is an Islamofascist.

He gave away the food in his freezer. He left a goodbye note. He spoke out AGAINST the War saying that it was a War on Islam. He made several statements about how he was a Muslim FIRST and an American second. He praise Suicide Bombers. Then when he carried out his attack, he jumped up on a table and yelled "Allahu Akbar!" which is a call to Jihad."

The strike Thursday morning reportedly killed two Al Qaeda leaders, and possibly Mr. al-Awlaki, and was conducted with the help of the US. The Pentagon is spending about $70 million this year to help Yemen fight Al Qaeda in a new front against terrorism.

The raid on Al-Awlaki’s home base is “likely to change the perception of the Fort Hood attack,” says I.M. Destler, public policy professor at University of Maryland and co-author of “Protecting the American Homeland.” “It’ll raise a strong question as to whether there was just this man who went over the edge and acted alone or whether it was part of a larger international plan.” Hasan is alleged to have killed 13 and injured dozens of others in opening fire on a crowded soldier deployment center at Fort Hood on Nov. 5. He faces a court martial for murder, but no terrorism charges have been added. Some critics have drawn parallels between intelligence failures that preceded 9/11 and the Hasan attack, as Hasan’s behavior may have raised red flags that were missed. Some of his colleagues at Walter Reed Hospital were aware of the Army psychiatrist’s conflicted view of a looming deployment to Afghanistan. And the FBI was aware of his e-mail communications with al-Awlaki, a Yemeni American cleric, though officials reportedly found those e-mails “benign.”

Fort Hood, a terrorist attack? Pending ongoing investigations, the Obama administration has resisted the terror label, and a November poll showed slightly more Americans view the Fort Hood rampage as a “killing spree” rather than an “act of terrorism.” But Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I) of Connecticut and others have cited the connection between Hasan and Al-Awlaki as proof that the Fort Hood shooting was a terrorist attack – which, if true, would be the first of the Obama presidency, and would have legal and political consequences for the investigation into the incident.

Thursday’s news from Yemen, if it proves that a terrorist group was behind al-Awlaki, may support that view and prompt an official reevaluation of the shooting.

"It is now inescapable for any seasoned expert on the Jihadist movement to see a wide and clear connection between Awlaki and Hasan," says Walid Phares, author of "Future Jihad: Terrorist Strategies against America," in an e-mail.

This is just FACTS folks. FACTS.

Regardless of whether al-Awlaki was killed or not, Mr. Phares says, the raid seems to show he was operating actively with Al Qaeda forces in Yemen. “Awlaki was part of an active Al Qaeda terror action and he was in contact with Hasan, who committed a violent action against the US military inside the US. Not seeing the connection would be a dangerous failure in national security analysis, which could have future consequences."

Yeah I know they have "experts" attempting to denounce this as just a crazy guy shooting people. However, that is not the FACTS. To claim that this was NOT the first, of now two, terrorist attacks since Obama took office, is to completely IGNORE the truth and Facts of the evidence in both cases.

Ok. Going to fill my cup. Be right back
Peter

Source:
AP - Senate OKs health care measure, reaching milestone
Source: Office of the Speaker of the House
Christian Science Monitor - Will Yemen air strike change view of Fort Hood shooting?

Proof: Our Enemies Do Not Fear Obama

Terrorist attack number TWO.

Hey folks,

If there was any question, if our enemies fear Obama, it was laid to rest at Fort Hood. But now we have yet another attack. This time, another Plane. According to Sphere-Passenger Tries to Blow Up Jet Arriving in Detroit

WASHINGTON (Dec. 25) -- A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaida's instructions, set off an explosive device Friday in a failed terrorist attack on the plane as it was landing in Detroit, federal officials said.

Flight 253 with 278 passengers aboard was 20 minutes from the airport when it sounded like a firecracker had exploded, witnesses said. One passenger jumped over others and tried to subdue the man. Shortly afterward, the suspect was taken to a front row seat with his pants cut off and his legs burned.

The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel, but were not specified.

At least they are willing to admit it this time.

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab. Others had slightly different spellings.

One law enforcement source said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaida to detonate the plane over U.S. soil.

So here is attack 2 in one year. After 9/11 Seven years of Bush? Nothing. Less than one year of Obama, two. Lesson to learn? Our enemies do not fear Obama. They do not fear America retaliation. They are stepping up planing and now even carrying out attacks against us.

Having a President weak on Foreign Affairs, and or, weak on National Security, matter? You bet it does. Whatever happened to the World loving us, and our Enemies just going away after The "One" Obama ascended to power? Whatever happened to World Peace? I guess our Enemies didn't get the message.
Peter

Sources
Sphere-Passenger Tries to Blow Up Jet Arriving in Detroit

Commerce Clause Back Door To Socialism

So saith the Kooks.

Hey folks,

U.S. Constitution - Article 1 Section 8
Article 1 - The Legislative Branch
Section 8 - Powers of Congress

The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;

To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;

To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;

To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

So, now we have the script, from the Left, that it is the Commerce Clause that makes it Constitutional for Congress to FORCE you to buy Obamacare and FORCE you to allow the Government to take over, well, ANYTHING they chose. It doesn't. Some even know that. But that is not stopping them from "Assuming" it does.

When Senator Kent Conrad was asked if he could point to the section in the Constitution that permits this, he said this.

“No, but I’ll refer you to the legal counsel for the Senate and they’re the ones that lead there as the full legal basis for the individual mandate -- and I assume it’s in the Commerce clause.”

At least he admitted that he is no Constitutional Lawyer. When our old friend, you know her, you love her, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) was asked the same question, she answered the same way.

The health care bills in both the House and Senate require that every American purchase a health insurance policy. At the Capitol on Tuesday, CNSNews.com asked Sen. Feinstein: “Where in the Constitution does Congress get the authority for an individual health insurance mandate?”

Feinstein said: “Well, I would assume it would be in the Commerce clause of the Constitution. That’s how Congress legislates all kinds of various programs."

CNSNews.com followed up by asking Sen. Feinstein whether this broad power had any limits: “If there’s a health insurance mandate, is there a limit to that authority? Is there something that can’t be mandated?”

Feinstein responded: “My own view is that there is not, within health insurance.”

Yup. NO LIMITS. In their minds, this is an excellent way to open up all kinds of things. A back door to Socialism. So just how expansive is the Commerce Clause?

Wickard v. Filburn that was decided by the Supreme Court in 1942 is a good study. Filburn was a Farmer who was fined by the Kooks in Government at the time, because he harvested more Winter Wheat on his property than the amount that was approved by the Agricultural Adjustment Act. What is that? It is where the Government Limited Farmers to Eleven Acres. Franklin D. Roosevelt praised the "sound, consistent measure" of the "Conservation of National Soil Resources." AKA Kook, liberal Socialistic policy, and later to be found to be UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Well, Filburn harvested an additional twelve acres that he was going to use for personal consumption only. The Kooks in power would have none of that. They slapped him with a Fine that he refused to pay. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court and they unanimously ruled against Filburn, because any wheat that he personally consumed would not then be purchased on the open market. So they decided that THIS indirectly affected Interstate Commerce. None of this is even remotely connected to the Clause, but that did not stop them then. It's not going top stop THIS group of Kooks NOW.

This is why Obamacare is so important to them. Regardless of the form that any new Obamacare plan takes, the Government’s involvement, will exercise full authority to select your Doctors and Hospitals. They will DICTATE to you the Treatments you receive as each of these Providers and Procedures will be fully regulated by the Government. There will be rationing, regardless of the promises made. There will be long waits as well as treatments withheld because any one specific case may not be deemed worthy of the expense.

This is something else they are attempting to lie about. Life and death judgments will now be decided by someone other than the person affected or their family. These are the apparent things that can be envisioned because they are readily observable around the world. Anywhere you chose to look with a Socialistic Medical System in place.

Then you have them using this as a back door to Socialism itself. In the interest of saving money on "Healthcare," they will start dictating and regulating your everyday behaviors by simply relating them to healthcare in some manner, no matter however indirect it may be. Some of your habits that will begin to be attacked by them right from the get go? Smoking, Alcohol usage, Soda consumption, Exercise habits, the Foods you eat and how often etc. This will lead to your Hobby. How dangerous are they? Skydiving, Racing, going for long hikes, Skiing? Then every day activities. How long is your commute? What about your job itself? Firefighter? Cop? How dangerous is what you do for a living?

From cradle to the grave, from Sun up, to Sun down, the Government will be watching. More than watching, they will be DICTATING to you What, When, How, and Why. Talk about Big Brother. Where oh where are the Hippies of today?
Peter

Sources:
CNS

How You Live Effects Others

I really have nothing to add.

Hey folks,

Simply put, how you live your life, effects others. This ACTUALLY brought a tear to my eye, so I had to share it with you.

AP - Little boy's big legacy teaches others how to live By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner, AP Medical Writer – Thu Dec 24, 3:25 am ET

CHICAGO – The disarming smile of a 4-year-old boy with a buzz cut brightens an otherwise drab newspaper page, where whole lives are summed up in three inches of tiny newsprint.

Danny Stanton's death notice first makes you wonder how he died. But the eight haunting, final words make you want to know how he lived: "Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did."

A preschooler wise beyond his years, Danny was a pint-sized neighborhood ambassador. He high-fived elderly strangers, made small talk with a lonely relative, befriended shy kids and impressed boys twice his size on the baseball field.

Most of all, says his grief-stricken dad, Mike Stanton, Danny was always giving hugs, and never hesitated to ask for one in return.

"That's just how he expressed his life, and how he gave it. How he just let you in was so beautiful," Stanton said.

So when Danny died of a seizure 14 days before Christmas — after frantic attempts by his parents, neighbors, paramedics and doctors to revive him, after all the medical tubes were disconnected — Danny's dad lay down on the hospital bed. And he tightly hugged his little boy in return, as his body grew colder and colder.

"I kind of lost track of time," Stanton said. "I could have laid there with him forever."

Gray-haired priests and policemen dabbed their eyes, and children wept along with adults at Danny's standing-room only funeral, where more than 300 people crowded into the same Roman Catholic church where he was baptized. They all gathered to honor a little boy who in four brief years seemed to instinctively know the essence of a life well-lived.

"There was this otherness about him," said Julie Marske, his preschool teacher. "It's like he knows something that we don't."
___

Every neighborhood has a house where all the kids gather. The Stanton's two-story brick house in Chicago's northwest corner is that one. With a basketball hoop out front, a wooden swing set in the back, there's always something going on at the Stanton's.

Family friend Mary Duffy says it's a place where they raise kids, not grass. The Stantons had four, ranging from age 8 to almost 2, all cherished in their own way, but none quite like their second youngest, Danny.

Danny loved sports — soccer, kickball, football — but was stunning at baseball. He was too young to join a league but eagerly filled in playing fast-pitch with 7-year-olds when they were down a man, and the big kids always welcomed him into their games.

Watching the smallest boy on the field hit and run the bases in a winning championship game this past summer, parents were awed by Danny's talent, which was advanced beyond his age. "Everyone just sat there thinking, what is going to become of this little boy?" Duffy said.

Danny was buddies with Mary's son, Charlie, the same age but extremely shy. During one of the regular kickball games outside the Stanton's home, Danny noticed Charlie on the sidelines, grabbed him by the hand and brought him into the house.

"Danny thought, 'Well, he doesn't want to play sports, here's all my action figures,' and laid them all out in front of him," Duffy recalled. "Danny created that environment for him. Danny figured it out."

His charity didn't end once he left the ball field, or a neighbor's yard. He seemed to sense when people around him needed a hand, even the grown-ups. Danny loved to help next-door neighbor Betty Lazzara carry in her groceries.

"I'd always try to give him a light bag," Betty said, "but Danny would say, 'I can carry that gallon of milk'" and would lug it into her house. He knew a treat from Lazzara's snack drawer would be waiting — fruit roll-ups or Gushers were his favorites — and Danny always asked to take home enough for his brothers and older sister, too.

He remembered details about the lives of people he met. He'd call out to the older neighbor across the street, "Hey Jim, are you going golfing today?" And when he'd see older men at the local YMCA, Danny would give them a smile and a high-five.

"You were good to go when he smiled at you," Lazzara said.

On his first day of preschool this fall, Danny folded his hands and told his teachers, "I just want to learn."

Preschool's most important lesson is how to socialize. Danny already had that down cold. He got along with all the kids and seemed to make the most of every day.

"You never had to entertain Danny. He was content being by himself, or with people," Marske said.

The preschoolers keep journals, dictating to the teachers about the topic of the day. Danny's last entry was about what he was thankful for at Thanksgiving. Other kids said, "food," or "Happy Meals." Danny talked about his family.

"I'm thankful for Mom, Dad, Tommy, John, Mary Grace. I'm thankful for my toys. My mom and dad help me when my brother tackles me."
___

The Friday night before Danny's fatal seizure, the Duffys were over with their two boys to watch a Christmas special on TV. Mary brought a big chocolate castle cake, and Danny and the other kids playfully tore off the towers to eat first, then ditched the TV special and clamored downstairs to build a fort in the basement.

There, they discovered a hidden bag full of unwrapped Christmas presents, including the one Danny wanted most of all.

Danny came upstairs, and with a twinkle in his eyes, playfully announced, "Hey Dad, I'm glad I'm getting that remote control car for Christmas."

The next morning, Danny was gone. His parents found him in bed, his lips already blue.

He'd had occasional seizures for two years, always at night, always while sleeping, always frightening. After the first one, he slept in his parents' bed for six months. Doctors did tests, put him on medication, found nothing else wrong and said he might outgrow the problem.

Seizures, electrical disturbances in the brain, affect roughly 1 percent of all children. Dr. Douglas Nordli, an epilepsy specialist at Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital, said most otherwise healthy young children do outgrow them; deaths are extremely rare. Causes of these sudden, unexpected deaths are uncertain; it may be that brain signals for proper breathing get short-circuited, or the heart rate becomes too faint to get blood to vital organs.

"Danny's day-to-day behavior gave no indication of anything wrong with him," Mike Stanton said. "How many seizures did he have that we did not know about? We checked in on him thousands of times while he was sleeping."
___

Danny's death hit his little storefront preschool hard.

Each day, the teachers ask the class which students aren't there. "Danny Stanton," one student said. The teachers nodded, and added that Danny wouldn't be coming back.

That got the children's attention. Then came the words, "Danny died." As young brains struggled to process this news, one little girl said, "My cat died." Others asked, "Why?"

"We said because his heart stopped working," said teacher Deb Phillips.

His teachers asked each child to tell what was special about Danny. Some said they'd liked playing with him. Some said they liked to eat snacks with him. One child said, "I loved him."

Everyone's thoughts turned to the garden, a once trash-strewn vacant lot nearby that the school has been planning for a few years. It will be a place where the preschoolers can plant herbs and vegetables for homeless shelters; the first seeds are to be sown this spring. Now, plans are in the works for a big sign to post above the garden gate. The exact words aren't set yet, but Marske says perhaps it will read simply, "Danny's Garden."

"It will be this living place, where everyone can see" and remember Danny, Marske said.

There will be a place at the Stanton's Christmas table for Danny. And his family plans to start a foundation offering guidance for parents of children with night seizures. Its name will be "Danny Did."

It was his father who wrote those words on Danny's newspaper epitaph.

"It just came to me," Stanton said. "That says it all."

At their son's funeral, Mariann Stanton stood at the altar with her husband, a few feet from the small white casket. His friends left a soccer ball, football, baseball mitt and drawings in his honor. With haunting, palpable grief etched in her delicate face, she spoke to Danny through sobs, asking how she's supposed to get up in the morning when he isn't there anymore.

Father Kurt Boras told mourners there are no answers; "All we can do is hold onto each other," he said. Boras also said he's never been much of a hugger. But there he was after Mass, embracing people leaving the church.

"Danny got it right," the Rev. Gregory Sakowicz said in a eulogy. "He taught us how to live."

Folks, I do not know how I would react if Joshua was to leave us. I could not image laying there holding him as he grows cold. I can not imagine life without him. But I think the most important part of this story is not how he died, but how he lived. To many times we go through life thinking we are no one special. Not important at all. Yet the truth is, we effect more people than we will ever know. How we live our lives, DOES have a profound effect on many others. Maybe we should all try to keep that in mind a bit more often.
Peter


Sources:
AP - Little boy's big legacy teaches others how to live

New Moms Be Extra Careful

Health and Science for Sunday 122709

Hey folks,

Now we have known that Pregnant Women are at a greater risk. Basically, in layman terms, this is due to hormones being out of whack. The body is generating more for the Fetus than for the Mother. However, now we are learning that new Mothers, just after birth, are still in this high risk category. According to the AP - Study: Swine flu poses a threat to new moms. By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science Writer Alicia Chang, AP Science Writer – Wed Dec 23, 5:03 pm ET

LOS ANGELES – Swine flu is not only dangerous to pregnant women, but it's a threat to new mothers too, the first study to document this risk shows. An analysis of pregnant women and new mothers who were hospitalized with swine flu in California found that those who had a baby in the previous two weeks were at higher risk of severe flu complications.

The swine flu threat to pregnant women has been well-documented, and public health officials urged them to get vaccinated. Previous research showed expectant mothers infected with the virus are more likely to be hospitalized and face a greater risk of death than the general population.

The new report, released Wednesday by the New England Journal of Medicine, is the first to look at the risk to women who recently gave birth and highlights "the continued high risk immediately after pregnancy," the researchers wrote.

As a result of the research, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently revised its guidelines, recommending that flu drugs be given to women who show signs of the flu soon after they give birth.

Same reason as with Pregnant Women. As for the Flu Shot itself, that still remains your own personal choice.

The study was done by the California Department of Public Health and the CDC. California, the nation's most populous state, has stepped up surveillance of the disease since the 2009 H1N1 strain was discovered in April in two California children.

The study involved 94 pregnant women and eight new mothers who were hospitalized during the first four months of the pandemic before a vaccine became available, in October.

Most of those pregnant women were in their second or third trimesters, when the risk of flu complications is believed to be highest. Many were otherwise healthy and went to the hospital with mild symptoms like fever or cough, but their health rapidly declined.

A total of 22 women — 18 pregnant and four who had delivered — needed intensive care. Eight died including two new mothers. The study found all eight women who died did not receive prompt treatment with flu drugs.

Why would ANYONE, showing signs of the Flu, NOT be given Flu Drugs?

Researchers estimated that swine flu killed more than four pregnant women per 100,000 live births in California. The pandemic has proven so deadly to pregnant women that researchers say it may increase the nation's overall maternal mortality for 2009. The rate was 13.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006, the latest year for which data was available.

Death from childbirth remains fairly rare in the United States. One of the most common causes is excessively bleeding.

"This is unusual in that an infectious disease may increase the overall mortality rate," said Dr. Denise Jamieson of the CDC, who was part of the study.

In a separate study also appearing in the journal, doctors in Argentina determined the death rate from swine flu in children was 10 times higher than in a normal flu season. More than two-thirds of children who died had chronic health problems.

So all you new Moms out there, and those soon to be, please be extra careful. Take the extreme precautions. If you are in line at a store with someone showing signs of being sick, leave the line. Wash your hands. Do not be around ANYONE that may be showing signs of sickness. If you start feeling ill, see a Doctor right away.

This is good advice for anyone. But for those in High Risk categories, Kids, Pregnant Women, now Women who just gave birth, and the Elderly, please take extra care. It is far better to avoid any kind of sickness, than it is to treat it.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Study: Swine flu poses a threat to new moms

Little Red Riding Hood Meets The Pope

YCMTSU for Sunday 122709

Hey folks,

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up. Turns out that Little Red Riding Hood is not a big fan of the Pope. Or, perhaps she IS, however, extremely clumsy. Perhaps there is a new terrorist organization out there called the "Little Red Riding Hoods of Terror?" Maybe she is just an Atheist that is trying to send a message? Maybe the Wolf was Catholic, and she is just seeking revenge? Who knows. But it would appear that she has attempted to get close to the Pope TWICE in the past two years.

According to the AP - Woman knocks down pope at Christmas Eve Mass By ARIEL DAVID, Associated Press Writer Ariel David, Associated Press Writer – Thu Dec 24, 9:14 pm ET

VATICAN CITY – A woman jumped the barriers in St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI at the start of Christmas Eve Mass, but the 82-year-old pontiff got up unhurt and proceeded as planned with Thursday's service.

Witness video obtained by The Associated Press showed a woman dressed in a red hooded sweat shirt vaulting over the wooden barriers that cordoned off the basilica's main aisle and rushing toward the pope before being swarmed by bodyguards.

The video showed the woman grabbing the pope's vestments as she was taken down by guards, with Benedict then falling on top of her.

The commotion occurred as the pope's procession was making its way toward the main altar and shocked gasps rang out among the thousands who packed the basilica. The procession came to a halt, the music stopped and security rushed to the trouble spot.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the woman appeared to be mentally unstable and had been taken into custody by Vatican police. He said she also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a checkup.

"During the procession an unstable person jumped a barrier and knocked down the Holy Father," Benedettini told The AP by telephone. "(The pope) quickly got up and continued the procession."

Wow. The Pope is a tough guy. But do you really think they have to add that this Woman is "Unstable"? One would hope that after such an incident, Security would be changed as to avoid this type of thing from taking place again. Right? Well, this is not the first time.

It was the second year in a row that there had been a security breach at the Christmas Eve service and this was the most serious incident involving the public in Benedict's five-year papacy. At the end of last year's Mass, a woman who had jumped the barriers got close to the pope but was quickly blocked on the ground by security.

OK. MILLIONS of people there, obviously, there would be no way of knowing who to look out for. Any one of them could be a potential threat to the Pope. But wait.

That woman too wore a red hooded sweat shirt, but Benedettini said it was not immediately known if the same person was behind Thursday's incident.

{Laughing} Once is odd. TWICE is just bizarre.

MaryBeth Burns from Paris, Texas, was about four people away from the woman who jumped the barriers and was filming the pope's procession as the commotion started.

"All of a sudden this person sort of flew over the barricade and the Holy Father went down and all the security people were on top of it, a whole pile there, getting her off and him back up," said Burns, who was visiting Italy with her family on a religious pilgrimage for Christmas.

"I'm really mad because I had a perfect shot lined up," she added. "I'm still shaking."

Worried about her Picture, not the Pope. {Laughing}

Benedict lost his miter and his staff in the fall. He remained on the ground for a few seconds before being helped back up by attendants. At that point, a few shouts of "viva il papa!" (long live the pope!) rang out, followed by cheers from the faithful, witnesses said.

Wait. Whats a Miter? OH, a mitre (sometimes also spelled miter), from the Greek μίτρα, 'headband' or 'turban', is a type of headgear now known as the traditional, ceremonial head-dress of bishops and certain abbots in the Catholic Church, as well as in the Anglican Communion, some Lutheran churches, and also bishops and certain other clergy in the Eastern Orthodox churches, Eastern Catholic Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Got it.

After getting up, Benedict, flanked by tense bodyguards, resumed his walk to the basilica's main altar to start the Mass. The pope, who broke his right wrist in a fall this summer, appeared unharmed but somewhat shaken and leaned heavily on aides and an armrest as he sat down in his chair.

Few people who were watching the Mass on giant screens set up in a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square even knew that the pope had fallen, with many saying that either they weren't looking or had arrived too late.

Benedict made no reference to the disturbance after the service started. As a choir sang, he sprinkled incense on the altar before opening the Mass with the traditional wish for peace in Latin.

The incident was the first time a potential attacker came into direct contact with Benedict, and underscored concerns by security analysts who have frequently warned the pope is too exposed in his public appearances.

No bubble car?

There have been other security breaches at the Vatican.

In 2007, during an open-air audience in St. Peter's Square, a mentally unstable German man jumped a security barrier and grabbed the back of the pope's open car before being swarmed by security guards.

Then there was the assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca in 1981. John Paul suffered a severe abdominal wound as he rode in an open jeep at the start of his weekly audience in the Vatican piazza.

The pope is protected by a combination of Swiss Guards, Vatican police and Italian police.

Since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S., the Vatican has tightened security at events where the pope is present. All visitors must pass by police to get into the square, with those entering the basilica going through metal detectors or being scanned by metal-detecting wands.

However, Sister Samira, an Indian aide to Vatican officials who attended the service and saw the incident, said she is never searched by security when she attends papal Masses, and said the same holds true for other people in religious garb.

Burns, the U.S. pilgrim, said security had been tight, and that it seemed there was no way to have prevented the woman from getting to the pope other than keeping the public out altogether.

"This is Midnight Mass in the heart of our church," she said. "I guess the Holy Father puts himself at risk every time he's around anybody, any crowds really."

In a similar incident, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi was attacked as he was greeting the crowd at a political rally earlier this month. A man with a history of psychological problems hurled a souvenir statuette at the politician, fracturing his nose and breaking two of his teeth.

Benedict celebrated this year's Christmas Eve Mass two hours earlier than the usual midnight starting time in a move by the Vatican to ease the pontiff's busy holiday schedule.

So a 10 PM Mass? Really?

Benedict has been remarkably healthy during his pontificate, keeping to a busy schedule and traveling around the world.

But in July, he broke his wrist during a late-night fall while vacationing in an Alpine chalet and had to have minor surgery and wear a cast for a month — an episode that highlights the risk he ran in Thursday's tumble.

In his homily, delivered unflappably after the incident, the pope urged the world to "wake up" from selfishness and petty affairs, and find time for God and spiritual matters.

"To wake up means to leave that private world of one's own and to enter the common reality," Benedict said in Italian. "Conflict and lack of reconciliation in the world stem from the fact that we are locked into our own interests and opinions, into our own little private world."

Benedict's next scheduled appearance is at noon on Christmas Day, when he is to deliver his traditional "Urbi et Orbi" speech (Latin for "To the city and the world") from the basilica's balcony.

Is that NOON? Or 10 am? Either way, look out for women wearing Red Hoods. Just a tip.
Peter

Sources:
AP - Woman knocks down pope at Christmas Eve Mass

UPDATE:

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi has identified the woman as Susanna Maiolo, a Swiss-Italian national with psychiatric problems. He said Maiolo was not armed and was taken to a clinic for treatment after the incident.

Vatican officials speaking on condition of anonymity said Maiolo was involved in a similar incident last year in which she jumped the barricade as the pope processed. In that case, however, Maiolo never managed to reach the pope and was quietly tackled to the ground by security.
AP - Vatican: Pope attacker tried to get him last year

DLA for 122709

An Honest Politician

Hey folks,

Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith



Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith announced Tuesday that he's switching parties – saying he can no longer align himself “with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy and drives us further and further into debt.”

“Unfortunately there are those in the Democratic Leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive new spending, tax increases, bailouts and a health care bill that is bad for our healthcare system,” Griffith said in a statement. “I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress – but after watching this agenda firsthand I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues."

So finally we see a Politician that simply has had enough. This is proof of what I have been telling you for years. Not all Democrats are LWL {Left Wing Loons} No. There are some sane Democrats. To bad the Party Leaders have Hijacked the Party. The Leaders ARE Socialists, and Loons, on a quest for Tyranny. They do not care about you. They do not care about this Country. The only thing that they care about is POWER, acquiring more power, and controlling every aspect of YOUR Lives from Cradle to the Grave.

Congratulations REPUBLICAN Rep. Parker Griffith, you are the winner of this weeks "Display of Logic Award." For being bold enough to make this move, I would LOVE to think, maybe, some other SANE Democrats will follow your lead. This very Country IS at stake here.
Peter