It is starting to seem, that the deal is done very soon in U.S. debt crisis. That would be good, because the deadline that was put to this mission is soon here. the second of August is almost here. If the deal is done in time, the deadline could be extended for a few days to allow Congress to get legislation through. This deal if done, will raise the country's $14.3tn debt ceiling by about $3tn. Also the debt ceiling can be matched by an equivalent $3tn of cuts in the federal budget over the next decade. To me, that later part seems to be important, as it sends the message that people care about the future too, and not just the present like many have said about raising debt level of America.

There is a possibility of this deal to include the debt limit rise by $1tn this week and a further $1.8tn next year.

All together, I would say. That this deal should be done, because we run out of time in here. But like I said, I also like the fact that spending cuts are included in this. That is important factor, I just hope that the cuts are wise ones and work well.

Department of Defense makes first Strategic Strike on OPEC

By Alan Anderson

The Department of Defense has been talking a lot lately about its plans to put OPEC out of business for good.  Now more than 10 years into the 21^st century the United States is looking to change its National Security Policy from protecting oil interests in OPEC nations to developing its own renewable fuels program.  Leaders at both the DOD and DOE have for months been discussing ideas of changing the way the DOD it fuels the military arsenal.  Many defense contractors have suggested numerous types of future and far off ideas and technologies that will require years and years of wasted funds that can be put to use today. 

Since the Oil Crisis of the early 1970’s the United States has been in R&D mode looking for the replacement for oil and has studied everything from mice dung to emptying landfills to produce the world’s next great fuel source.  While the United States has been researching all these years, other nations such as Brazil and many European countries has taken action and already solved their National Security issues using the one fuel that has proven decade after decade to outperform petroleum fuels in every category.  Sugar ethanol has taken Brazil from one of the poorest countries in South America to now one of if not the fastest growing economies in the world.  It was less than 10 years ago that Brazil was a large oil import country and today it is a net exporter due to its countrywide use of ethanol for transportation.

As much of the world already knows, sugar is the one component to ferment alcohols to make ethanol.  Brazil was the world leader in sugarcane production so it was a simple transition that took many years to reach its goals of being the world’s largest producer of ethanol.  While Brazil flourished in the past decade with its new found Independence from oil.  America has stood still and watched the rest of the world take bold steps forward in the field of renewable fuels but only to now realize that it is 10 years behind in what is considered basis chemistry.  The United States has used the one abundant agricultural commodity it has to produce ethanol for well over 30 years now, corn.  Farmers are great at growing corn across America and ethanol producers here have adapted their production for the crop only to have the market stand stagnant for years.

When it comes to National Security here in the United States the farmers of America have always stood up and made the sacrifice to help feed or fuel the fighting forces of our great country.  Farmers stand ready today to do the same today.  When the military asks for fuels to supply the fight force in the battle field and here at home I think it deserves only the best America can give them.  The American ethanol industry has sat back and allowed countries like Iran and China to outperform them in the production of the simplest form of fuel, Sugar Ethanol.  As many new companies are now in research mode for the new alternatives, some businessmen and farmers are reinventing the most cost effective form of ethanol using the world’s highest yielding form of sugar, the Energy beet which has been developed to produce yields that corn growers can only dream of.

Today in America there are three plants in development that will utilize the new non-food Energy beet to produce ethanol and supply existing ethanol plants with beet pulp to make corn fermentation more energy efficient and lower cost for the whole industry.  This is the first step to better drop-in biofuels to come along since Henry Ford first used ethanol in every car that left his factories.  This is also the one way the United States can again start to consider itself Energy Independent from OIL.  But this is just the first step to my idea of shaking the OPEC monopoly, the second is the change in engine technology for our Military.

The Department of Defense and the Department of Energy have asked for ways to make their fighting vehicles more efficient and run on these new fuels, the one way this will happen is if the American auto industry makes every new vehicle produced for the military capable of 100% ethanol or methanol.  Now most of the auto manufactures will tell you that that will take up to ten years to make reality, which is simply not true.  Nearly 90% of all cars and trucks produced by GM today are already Flex Fuel Capable.  The only missing component to a non-FFV is the software upgrade in its On Board Computer.  All of the Big 3 American auto makers already produce FFV’s for markets abroad.  So what is needed for our military is Congress to pass a Bill to mandate FFV’s for all new government ordered vehicles including those for the military.

That similar type of Bill already exists in the halls of Congress today, The Open Fuel Standard Act of 2011 H.R. 1687.  If lawmakers can agree that for National Security reasons the Bill can be modified to include all currently contracted military vehicles it should be passed as soon as humanly possible.

The one issue I waited to address was the one of land use to produce drop-in biofuels for our military.  One major argument against agricultural biofuel is that of land use.  This issue has been one that was invented by industries that would lose support with the expansion of biofuels.  The claims made by these industries are all false and have been proven untrue by scientists and government research alike.  But let’s just consider for one moment that we were going to expand drop-in biofuels for just the military complex.  The Energy Beet is a crop that can grow in almost any type of soil found clear across the United States.  If unused land on military installations was used to grow these and other sugar crops such as sweet sorghum and switch grass and then produced into biofuel right on the installation, that would decrease the cost even more by eliminating the costs to transport the fuel to such sites.  In states like California, the production can continue year round.

The ideas I’ve provided you with today are ones I feel are things we can do today to change the course of our National Security and not kick it down the road for the sake of argument at a later time.  The men and women of our Armed Forces depend on use to make the tough decision now that help save their lives today.  This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue this is an issue of National Security and Independence from the OPEC oil monopoly.  In April 2011, The Energy Department sponsored a forum on energy security at the White House in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. William Lynn and Daniel Poneman announced a joint plan between the Defense and Energy Departments. The departments will work together on energy issues by developing clean energy technology and improving energy security.  Also attending was Jane Harman from The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, she made it clear during the forum that these are issues that are going to save lives of our brave men and women who serve our great nation and they deserve the best we have to offer them now.  So as you can see these issues go hand in hand, Energy Security equals National Security.

I just can't believe that Fox is cancelling the show.  Watching Americas Most Wanted has been a routine in my family since the show first aired.  It's said that Fox will air AMW specials periodical.  I just don't under stand why they would cancel just a great show that allows all of us citizens to try and do our part to catch the bad guy, or to find a missing child/person. 

Repeal of DADT ("Don't Ask, Don't Tell") is to be officially certified by Pentagon today, this Friday.That means allowing gays to serve openly in the military. President Barack Obama signed the repeal of the DADT in December, but it takes time to get all the necessary things done. After all the necessary things are fully done, this will become official and take effect 60 days after Obama formally certifies the repeal in writing to Congress. This a topic that really splits opinions, some of us really do want this to happen, and see it as a good thing. While others see great problems in this, and don't support or except this in general. This DADT has been around like seventeen years now, not meaning that it was 'cool' for everyone to be gay before that in the military.

I hope that as this seems to be reality now, things will go as well as possible.

One issue with this is what to do with military spousal benefits for gay couples, those include potential housing options and survivor benefits. The Defense of Marriage Act, bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages — keeping same-sex military couples from enjoying full spousal benefits.

Oklahoma hasn't released my grandchildren too me. My grandbabies are still be shuffled and shafted around in the foster care system. Going from one placement to the other and with out in contact with me their biological and maternal grandmother. It's been over 5 years and 4 months.

The judge Richard W Kirby, Asst DA Jane Brown, Asst PD Ryan Hauser and Tara Bone of the DHS has deliberately, maliciously, deviously and intentionally kept my grandbabies away from me.

Their actions are unprofessional and unethical.

Stop the Pain and Suffering.

My grandchildren has suffered a great deal behind these folks that hold their postions.

Please pray for me and my grandchildren as we have suffered tremendously due to the actions of these folks.

Thank You. God Bless All.

Juror speaks out on Fox News.  George did play a big role during their deliberations. 

Besides ending Bush tax-cuts for wealthy, I think that raising the tax for annual salaries over $100.000 - 180.000 would be a wise thing to do.

My point in this is based on the fact that the government needs more money, and it would be very effective way to increase revenue. To raise that tax level a little bit. I also know, that individuals making especially that $180k or more annually just whit they're salary alone, are able to deal with little bit more tax taken from they're salaries.

It is also clear, that raising the tax level of all the people this would relate to. Would really help the government to gather enough money to pay the bills.

In my opinion, this is one of those realistic ways that could be done, to handle the situation the U.S. is in.

This is a very sweet song about Caylee.

Dear Sweet Caylee,

I hope this letter will reach you.  I hope that you are restfull in the arms of the angels. 

You are loved by so many. I suspect you know that as many have prayed for you.  When your beautiful sweet face graced my heart I just couldn't ignore it.  I've looked at your photos, I've watched the videos of you reading and singing, I've listened to the stories about you.  One thing I know for certain, you were happy, smart, cute, sweet, loving, funny, and caring.  I wish your life wasn't so short.  It shouldn't have been taken away from you.  Those of us hear on earth will probably never know, Why? 

I think by getting to know you, even if only thru pictures and videos, you remind the world how precious our children are.  You remind us to love, unconditionally, every moment we breath.  Never to take for granted a single moment with our children.  When I hear you read a story, It reminds me to stop everything else and take in those very precious moments, 100 percent, because those are the moments that matter.  When I hear your voice singing I am reminded to listen..Listen to the sweet voices of our children. 

Your precious life was way to short.  Your impact, was astoundingly huge.  I will always remember you, I will always cherich you, and I will continue to be reminded when I see your sweet face, that no single moment with my child or the children I am so blessed to know will be taken for granted.  

Rest in Peace Sweet Caylee, Rest in Peace.

With the case off to the jury,  I suspect  the lack of sleep is getting to everyone involved.  

BUT,  this was funny...

http://www.wesh.com/r-video/28447624/detail.html

More than 932,000 acres have burned statewide in Arizona this year, a total closing in on the 975,000 acres in 2005, the worst year on record.

The Wallow Fire that has devastated parts of eastern Arizona and western New Mexico is 95 percent contained after burning 538,049 acres, or 840 square miles.

The U.S. Forest Service says the Monument Fire near Sierra Vistaire has burned 30,526 acres or 47 square miles and is now 98 percent contained.

The fast-burning Las Conchas fire in New Mexico exploded on the scene a week ago, it has since charred more than 123,500 acres, the biggest torching of the state's lands in history. This fire is more-or-less controlled but besides this, now there can be floods in there.

Here we sit in our homes after watching the end of the prosecution's case.  NO doubt in MY mind that Casey killed Caylee.....That really all I can say right now...

except...

RIP Caylee Marie Anthony...I pray justice will be served...you were a sweet little angel, you were so smart..you were so cute. you were so sweet....Damn it ... you had a life little Caylee..Your life was taken away...Im so sad and I am so sorry that you had to go thru such a horrible death...and to be left in the woods the way you were...I am so sorry that happened to you.  Bless you sweet child...Justice has got to come to you...

I have been reading, and chatting along with so many others.  I came across this comment and it's a fantastic write up about the premeditation of the murder of little Caylee Anthony.  I was given permission to quote this.  I was given permission to copy and paste this.  I did however delete the first few words.  Those words were addressing another Newsviner name.  The Newsviner who wrote the following is by:

Ally-1815249     

 "Premeditation". A forethought. That's what it is. Malice aforethought.

She didn't accidentally whip up a batch of chloroform. She had ample time to not research it, not create it, to pour it down the sink rather than use it, or after administering it to rush her child to the hospital for treatment. She didn't do that. This was intentionally created and intentionally administered.

She didn't accidentally place her child in the hot trunk of a car. This is Florida, late afternoon temp was 82 degrees, which is magnified in the confines of a car trunk. She could have stopped, she didn't have to put the kid in the trunk, there was ample time to turn around and not do what she did. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

She didn't discover a roll of duct tape laying about unused and accidentally rip up and tear off a long strip of duct tape and apply it to her child's face/head. She had ample time to not tear off the duct tape, to think twice about not applying it to her innocent child, she had ample time to rip that strip off the child's face. She didn't do that. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

She didn't accidentally rip up and tear off a second strip of duct tape and apply it to her child's face/head. She had ample time to not tear off that second piece of duct tape, to not apply that second piece of duct tape to her child's face/head, she had ample time to rip that second strip off along with the first. She didn't do that. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

She didn't accidentally rip up and tear off a third strip of duct tape and apply it to her child's face/head. She had ample time to not tear off that third piece of duct tape, to not apply that third piece of duct tape to her child's face/head, she had ample time to rip that third strip off along with the first and second. She didn't do that. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

She didn't accidentally discover a roll of plastic garbage bags and accidentally rip off a bag and place her child's body inside it and tie it off. At this point we do not know the child had died of chloroform OR asphyxiated due to duct tape, there is a chance she was still breathing minutely, so placement in a garbage bag and sealing it closed may have caused suffocation. She could have stopped. She didn't have to pull the bag off the roll or stick her child into it. She didn't do that. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

She didn't accidentally pull off a second plastic garbage bag from the roll to place her child's body into another plastic bag and seal it closed as well. She didn't do that. She didn't stop. She didn't seek help. This was intentional.

THAT my friend, is PREMEDITATION in a nutshell. Deliberate malice aforethought.

But it also illustrates that the intent to harm can be formed in seconds, and the court holds that to be true.

She may have accidentally killed the child by giving chloroform and sticking her in a hot trunk. It does not take away from the fact that the child died as the result of deliberate felonious acts of aggravated child abuse and under the Florida statute, when someone dies as the result of a commission of a felony it is Felony Murder and a capital offense. Death Penalty worthy, not that I think she'll get death, but the jury might surprise me.

Today was to be a full day of testimony in the Casey Anthony trial.  Initially there was an issue with a defense witness that required the attorneys to meet in the judges chambers.  Much later, Judge Perry stated that a legal issues had come up, other than the witness that was being discussed earlier before they went into chambers.  Judge ended court, recessing until Monday morning.  

Speculation is growing as to what happened.  Could Casey Anthony be considering a plea deal?

Friday June 24, 2011

Foster care here in the State of Oklahoma, is one of the worst place to have your love-one taken. It's even more horrific and challenging to get them out of the system.

Since I have relocated to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, I have dealt with some of the most cold hearted individuals, from dealing with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services/Foster Care.

I've never seen nothing like it. I was under the impression that DHS/CPS main mission or goal was to reunify the children as soon as possible! With the resources that the government agency has. Isn't it better to strengthened the families rather than rip and tear them apart.

I am aware of that each and every case are totally different! How ever when you have loving grandparent that's willing and able to provide and take care of the children, Shoudn't  the department work with the person? This is troubling to me! For the simple fact, that I my grandchildren, they have been through enough by the hands of the state. For the past 5 years!

I have been through a great deal from day one, although it's certainly nothing compared to what my adorable and most precious grandchildren have endured and suffered,and to say they are still going through it. Back when this major interruption in my families life first started this has been nothing short of a live living nightmare. That day would be March 2 2006, (which at the time I was residing in Reno Nevada),when my precious grandchildren were taken from my daughter.

I want everyone to know that, my grandchildren and i we are not from Oklahoma. We are here because of an unforeseen tragedy life turn of events. My daughter and her husband they decided to come to Oklahoma from Nevada. That was in November of 2005. With the events following the move something happened. I don't know what took place. The only thing i do know is that soon after my daughter, her husband and my grandchildren returned after my mothers funeral, out in Modesto California in January 2006, they were taken by the Oklahoma Department Of Human Services-- on March 2 2006.

From that day forward, I have never been the same. It's horrible and you go through so much emotionally, from worrying about your love-ones and wanting to just get through this. The main thing that one wants is to get their children back home again.

This case has been one to drag and linger on! I've encountered prejudice issues from the very individuals who are involved in my grandchildren case. (I'm not using the race card, that's not what I'm doing) I'm only stating the facts to what I've been subjected to.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services/ Child Protective Services/Foster Care,  those folks have not professionally and justicely processed my grandchildren case.

5 years and 31/2 months, since my grandchildren have been taken and put in the system. They have been shuffled around from placement to placement. Now! is that right for the children? It's certainly, not in the best interest of the children!

Currently, I am no longer included in the court proceedings, since on 2-8-2011. It was ruled by the Judge presiding over the case, that I be dismissed from my grandsons case, meaning I am no longer granted approval to be in any of the court hearings. This was at the request of Oklahoma DHS/CPS, their reasons why according to them, was because i wasn't present at the hearing!

There is no way, that i would have missed my babies court hearing! When I'm fighting to get them out of the foster care system. So how were they able to do this! Simple it was because of the Judges decision  back in 2009 December, he made sure that i wasn't able to pick up any court paper work from the file clerk. Every time i went to request a copy of the court hearing  it was denied. The judge had given instructions that the grandmother not be given any paper work of the case. The clerk would notify the judge himself to get approval to release to me such court documents.

Court documents would have the next court date to appear. So from that decision given by the Judge, back in 2009 December, was how they got away with that. The court date that was announced verbally, so that's how i was given the date and time of the next time to appear in court was 2-9-2011, but somehow they moved the court date up by one day, to 2-8-2011 and I wasn't notified of the change of scheduling. I was absent that day and for personal reasons of their own, I'm speaking of the--The Oklahoma Department of Human Services /Child Protective Services/ Foster Care and everyone involved felt that was reason to kick me out of the court hearings. That was justice for them. Evidently it was right according to the Judge, because he agreed. Guest what? You know the rest.

The judge approved the request.

To this day, I still remain in disbelief over that action that was taken. Not only that, their unprofessional and unethical manner in handling this case, shows me that the Oklahoma family court and the state government agency, both are broken. The system isn't trying to close the gap in returning the children to the families.

My grandchildren  case is only one case. This has been a nightmare for all of us. This is a truly American Tragedy. How our government continues to allow these folks who have these positions, where they can absolute do what ever they want to the families of this great country.

Oklahoma DHS hasn't tried to work with me to reunify my grandchildren! I have done a plenty to make sure to get my grandchildren home. Oklahoma DHS has denied me my foster care license. I'm no felon. They would not come do a home study of my home. Even the Judge he denied the request of ordering a home study of my home.

The children's mother, she went to prison and has since been released. She was released in 2008 a few days before Thanksgiving. Shortly there after she relinquished her parental rights on 9-15-2009. After being denied her request to return home to her mother, which is my self, in order to help her with her children. She needed help, she had just been released from prison and with the 6 or 7 felonies that she had on her, it was definitely hard for her. She was starting from scratch. She needed her mother to help get on her feet. It would have been a positive- for the children to get them out of the system. Yet! The Judge denied the request. Because of that it was overwhelming for my daughter and she relinquished her parental rights. Also the DHS had promised her that they would be giving me the children.

The DHS, The Oklahoma Department of Human Service/ Child Protective Service/ Foster Care, took my daughter behind closed doors, back in the back room before court, only minutes before court intervened,  without me being present ,  to sign her parental rights away! If i were there beside her, my daughter i wouldn't have let her sign her rights away. 9-15-2009.

They Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services/Foster Care, continues to deny me my grandchildren, Yet! they remain in the system and continues to be shuffled about from one placement to another. How cruel and demeaning to the children and families Is that?

How is that in the best interest of the children? I want to know, where do they see the logic in that? It's just not right! You know when they - DHS/CPS, they falsify documents as well as  make up their own reasoning's for not giving the children back to the families. The DHS/CPS case workers should leave their personal feelings out of the case only focusing on their professional behavior and manner, therefore processing the case with full justice and due process for the children and their families. They should  provide justice to the children and families, not aggravate and cause them more pain and suffering.

The Judge on the case now, He is the 2nd Judge to reside. He's been on the case since the end of 2006 about that time!

My grandchildren have had so many case workers, therapists, multiple foster placements, and group homes. It's horrible! My grandchildren are on medications and being over medicated, It's definitely terrible!

My grandchildren has been alienated from me for quite some time now! Those DHS/CPS folks aren't trying to help and work with me to get my grandchildren home and out of the foster care system. They aren't! Even the Judge as well! All they are doing are collecting a paycheck for their own family.

The players -- The individuals are as follows:

Judge Richard W Kirby, Assistant D.A. Jane Brown, Public Defender William Ryan Hauser, DHS Supervisor Tara Bone, which Tara Bone was the first case worker from the beginning dating back to 3-2-2006. She has moved up in rank since then.

Also the heavy hitters at the Main Department of Human Services are Director: Howard Hendrick at the DHS HQ'S, and his aid Margaret Noble whom I've met all of these person except for the Director himself.

All of these folks has denied me my grandchildren! I feel that i am being targeted and singled out because i voice my opinion and facts on what's going on here. I speak out and let the world know, everyone that will listen in hope that something will be done to prevent this from happening later on down the road to other families.

Everyone has a past of some sort. No one is perfect! If they think they are, then there is something most definitely wrong, wouldn't you agree?

I am curious to know why would something almost and nearly 29 years ago in my past would be reasons to deny  me my grandchildren. How would that interfere with me raising, loving and nurturing my grandchildren? I just want to get them out of the Oklahoma foster care system. My grandchildren are loved, wanted and missed. They have family that wants them. This has damaged my grandchildren in more ways than one.

I have it in writing that Oklahoma DHS/CPS has denied me my grandchildren, because of a 1982 Food-stamp case out of Modesto California. Oklahoma sees it as a felony. There they have kept my grandchildren in the system will not give them to me.  I contacted Modesto California, I spoke to a legal clerk. California states it as a misdemeanor.

It's not a felony! Shortly there after I enlisted into the United States Army. Ok! There's no way I would have been able to serve my country if i had a felony.

There is something wrong here in the state of Oklahoma! Seriously, there is!

My grandchildren haven't seen  me since last year- 2-16-2010. That was the only court ordered approved visitation. From the beginning of the case, Oklahoma DHS made sure that my grandchildren and i don't have family visitation. My grandchildren are all spread  out in the State of Oklahoma. We haven't heard each others voice. I haven't hugged my grandchildren! It's truly a horrible thing for a family to go through.

 It's about family, family values, family foundation and the strength of family core values.

So why are children in foster care all over the United States,  being short changed, shafted, shuffled and alot of times being adopted out? Where  the government agency are making a killing in the process, literary speaking! Do you know how much they are raking in the money?

Instead of helping the families that can be helped with reunifying those children, Yet! they decided and try to play God! That's the most ineffective process of elimination, destroying the children heritage of where they come from.

I am aware that some of you that will read this will not agree, But that's the value of having our own view points.

I am only a grieving and loving grand-parent that's doing what I can to let every one be aware that this is going on, not only here in this state of Oklahoma, which I don't claim this as my home. I'm not from here. It's wrong! My grandchildren are in the system. It hurts, So Bad! How you are stoned for fighting so hard to get your grandchildren out of foster care.

I've had three different attorneys at one part and time, at different stages of the case. I've spent ample amount of money. The retainers were #1- $4,500.00, #2- $1,500.00, #3 - $2,500.00. With the experiences that I've had with those past attorneys have not been a pleasant one, Let me tell you. So! please be aware of who you pick. Attorney's really work those families, who are in need of representation, when it comes to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services/Foster Care. Not all attorneys will bilk you, just be careful. Not all attorneys are crooked! You just need to find a good one.

For example-My last attorney he agreed that I be excluded from further court hearings, in regards to my grandchildren. (I have that in writing! I sure do). To no avail my precious grandsons, they still remain in custody of The Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services.  

Family reunification is the key and the foundation of healthy families. It's the strength of the families that would be the core and center for rebuilding the children's lives including my own grandchildren, that's in foster care.

I am Farina Thompson, a veteran of the United States Army, grandmother, that's in great disbelief at how the foster care system are destroying lives all across the board.

I haven't kiss, seen or hugged my grand babies. I'm just devastated and crushed. At night i continue to toss and turn, not being with my grand babies, It's like having a knife piercing my heart, my chest cavity. It's excruciating pain.

I hope and pray that none of you reading this will have to ever go through what i am facing and have endured for the past five years, and three and a half months.

Those of you who  haven't ever experienced something such as horrible as this! I hope you never do! The pain is definitely a nightmare!

Laws and Legislature need to change the laws so that the system operate such as they have. Children don't need to be in the system any length of time, especially when they have someone that's loves them and are willing to take them.  For five years I've been fighting for my grandchildren.

The Judge, Judge Richard W Kirby, and or the Oklahoma Department of Human Services/Child Protective Services/Foster Care,  has denied and or rejected everything that I've done to get my grand babies home and out of the Oklahoma Foster Care System. Such as my guardianship from both States, the fact that have a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage home, square footage, of 2,000 sq ft, I've completed my classes in the certification program, foster pride-adopt, relative and non- relative, I'm financially established, I've certificates and diplomas, I've work ethics,  I've work history, I'm a registered voter, I'm not a felon.

The judge he refused to let me adopt my grandchildren, at the request of the Assistant D.A., Jane Brown and DHS, her personal reason, the children aren't adoptable. They have just kept this case going. I just want my grandsons out of the system.

Isn't it about strengthening and helping the American families vs terminating them? That's the reason for the govenment giving the agency money for? Right? or Wrong?

This is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! OKLAHOMA HAS THE WORST DHS SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY.

I'm asking everyone to please pray for me and my grandchildren! Pray that this country of ours make changes in the foster care system, How they operate! The way they process the cases!, because so many children are suffering when ultimately they don't have to or should be expose to such traumatic experience as this.

My grandsons are living it, They are in it ,  all five of them!

FIVE YEARS! THAT'S HORRIBLE!

Thank You for taking the time to read my family's emotional story.

 PLEASE PRAY FOR US. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Thank You.

Farina Thompson

Could it be that Casey overheard another womans story of the drowning of a child? I admit, there are some coincidences.  This other womans child had drowned in an above ground pool and the grandfather found the child. 

Wow, Judge has been scolding Baez big time without the jury in the room  Court just went into recess. I'll post video as soon as it is available.  In a nut shell, Baez was not forthcoming about the witness that was on the stand.  He was trying to be tricky and get stuff in when it was not allowed.  The judge has ordered the defense to depose the witness today. This witness will not be back on the stand until next week.  It is also possible that the judge will let the jury know that Baez was not forthcoming about the witness.  The only reason the witness will be able to come back and testify, is because the judge believes, rightfully so, that Casey deserves a fair trial. 

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/videobeta/?watchCat=1f9c86f3-9038-4144-b367-e59d339e9e50

Update: Recovery progressing, my boy is 8 years old now, did great in school this year...except behavior...he likes to fight..shocking... Pervert Still getting time off his sentence for good behavior...MD

In November 2008 I sat in a courtroom with my wife, my 5 year old son and a couple of close friends for the plea & sentencing hearing for the 30 year old male preschool teacher who confessed to molesting my boy when he was 4yr old, during nap time at preschool. Just before the hearing got started he told the public defender he did not want to take the 20 year deal he was offered, and I agreed to, so that my boy would not have to endure a trial. The reason, his other victim, a 10 year old boy who he was charged with raping, had parents that would not cooperate with the state or sign off on any deal more than 5 years in prison. I was disappointed, but told the state to go to trial. After some communications between the molester and the public defender, he realized if he went to trial he was looking at life, and reconsidered.

I spoke for my son and family, it was all I could do to stand there and not attack him, but I kept my cool, said my piece with dignity and sat down. Then the circus started. First his mother, yelling what a "good boy" her son was, and how he needed help, not handcuffs. Then she turned and pointed her finger at me and screamed.."he is not a monster, no matter what that man says". Then his cousin..."we love you" she said, "we know you didn't mean it", "your a good person, and no danger, you've slept in the bed with my kids and never hurt them", "you don't deserve 20 years, maybe 5, we will be here for you". At that point my wife put her finger in the belt loop of my pants, I don't remember it, but apparently I started to get up, I do remember the courtroom went from 2 or 3 deputies to 10 very quickly and most were standing between where I was and the podium. It is a little funny, my wife is 5ft, and I am 6'2 and 260lbs, I am glad I didn't get up, if for no other reason, I would have broke her finger.

Then it was the molesters turn, he walked to the mic, told the judge he was sorry and said "but I didn't hurt anybody", then he turned to me and said, "I am not a monster, you know that". This is where I knew 20 years was not enough to protect the children that will be around if he gets out alive.

The perv wasn't making it up. He really believed, and I am certain still does that what he did was no big deal, and no one had been hurt. On the way out of the courtroom his mother said to me, "there you got your justice". Not even close was my response.

These people are absolutely sick in their mind, no doubt. Our society has tried, and is still trying in some places to find the key to "fix" these defects of nature. But until the professionals come up with something, we have no choice but to lock them away. They simply will not stop if the opportunity is available.

I was molested myself from age 5 through 11, then when I was 13, my mom threw me out because her latest husband did not like me. I lived on the streets and was raped repeatedly. So I don't buy the crap that these people do this just because they were abused. It takes a total lack of empathy and a deep desire to control and have complete power over another human being to commit any sex based crime, especially against a child. I certainly have not been a choir boy, but I did manage to avoid any felonies, serve my country, work as a state correctional officer, and raise one son to adulthood. I am still working on the other 3. It is a choice to hurt a child in anyway, and we have a long way to go in my state and this nation, but the justice system is starting to respond, with Jessica's Law and other great measures.

These crimes are not really even about sex, as stated earlier, they are about control and power. Growing up I used to ask myself what it was about me that was attractive to these men. It stayed with me so long that today I have enough tattoos etc.. that most people that don't know me assume I am a ex-con. Now it's just crazy women who like "bad boys" haha. But it was never me, it was them, they needed to have complete control and power over some one that was weak and vulnerable. They are cowards, but they are also very good at fitting in. I was taught as a child about the weirdo hanging around the park. Today & then, they were mostly in the schools, churches and our living rooms. My son's predator worked at that preschool for 6 years, it is sickening to me to think of the number of little children that have no idea why they feel ashamed and full of anger because of what he got away with all that time. These people do not just wake up in mid-life and say, "I think I will try kids for a while".

As a society we still, however well meaning, cause shame in these victims. We protect their identity, which overall make good sense, they are minors and sex abuse victims, but it starts a road that tells them, especially as kids that they have something to hide. Parents, in some cases, as mentioned in reference to the older victim's parents in this case, either don't get it, can't deal with it or blame themselves and don't want to hold the offender accountable. I can tell you from personal experience that will back fire. I still have not shed a tear for my mother and she passed over 10 years ago.

So what do we as caring parents, grandparents, and extended family do? It is more simple than you may think. I spent 5 years guarding these people in prison and talked to them, I was a victim and I am helping my little boy heal. There are 2 types of kids these criminals go after. The weak or the vulnerable. The weak normally include the young ones, 10 years old and younger. You should know who is around your kids when you are not, check, recheck and verify. I met this predator 2 different times and both times he made my skin crawl, he had no record, had been there a long time, the kids and staff loved him. I ignored my gut. DON'T! I cannot change what has happened, but I will never ignore that feeling you are given the moment your children are born again. The preschool had security cameras, but as I found out after the fact, were not recording, ever. They fed live into the director's office, and I guess she took naps the same time the kids did. Check, recheck and verify. Don't take anything at face value. The other type is the vulnerable older kids. They are usually sucked in by an offer of friendship, understanding and fun. Drugs or alcohol are good ice breakers. These kids are vulnerable because they are not getting love, understanding and friendship where they should..at home. Give it to them, if you don't some one will, and that person is not a bit concerned about your child's well being.

There are always those cases no one could have seen coming or stopped, or they just weren't. Healing is not only possible, it is absolutely happening. My son is already doing much better, although he will always carry the knowledge around that this happened. I finally got into therapy shortly after his molestation came to light, and am finding myself being a much more productive father to all my kids, for years I thought I was just nuts, and every now and then a bit of a drunk. Today I know I have a treatable condition called PTSD and I should not drink at all.

The anger lingers, and should. That is why I decided to try and write this. My son is ok, I am ok and our entire family is working through the various problems this has left us all with. No one needs to be sorry, except the man who caused it all, and I suspect all he is sorry about is getting caught. This is about doing everything you can to stop this. From the interaction with caregivers, to your relationships with your children and demanding that the law protects children, both by preventing the opportunities for these criminals to operate and by putting them away for life. You can ignore the constant storm of news stories about another child being molested or raped until it is one of yours or some one you know. Please don't wait.

MADdad

I added 2 of the pervert to this article, amazing how he went from innocent looking nice guy to pissed off criminal in just 5 months.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article893557.ece

From what we know, Caylee Marie Anthony died this date 3 years ago, June 16, 2008.  I came across a video that was so beautiful.  You can really see little Caylees personality thru these pics. 

Grab a tissue, the video and song is beautiful.

Rest in Peace our little Caylee.  We love you!

Ah, life as a Bishop!!!
Anyone besides me getting tired of these guys flaunting themselves in luxury daring to “pontificate’ on how we should live and continue to support their life style?
How many will visit with the 4,000 plus homeless on the streets of Seattle. How many will visit AIDS sufferers living with little or no money, sharing life in group homes scattered around Seattle.
In case you were wondering the “Excellencies” are bunking down at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. Here is a tidbit they will find next to the chocolate on their pillow:
"…Stroll through connecting sky bridges and discover more than 250 shops, 45 restaurants and lounges and plenty of entertainment options harbored inside this chic urban streetscape. Whether you want to explore the nearby wine country or conquer the great outdoors, start your adventure at the luxurious accommodations of the Hyatt Regency Bellevue..."
If you want to snap out of this Disney dream world watch the following Nightline production recently aired in competition to Leno and Letterman.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1889681365

N.Y. Times 14 June 2011
“…Despite recent cases in which Roman Catholic bishops failed to report or suspend priests accused of child sexual abuse, the bishops head into a meeting in Seattle on Wednesday proposing no significant revisions to the abuse prevention policies they passed in 2002 at the height of the scandal.
The bishops had promised that they would take a hard look at their policies in light of new accusations in Philadelphia and Kansas City, Mo., which have shaken many Catholics, not just in those dioceses, but across the country as well. The incidents have led some Catholics to question whether bishops are complying with their own policies, and whether there is any accountability for bishops who do not.
In the diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Bishop Robert W. Finn admitted last month that he allowed a priest who had taken pornographic pictures of parish girls to continue celebrating Mass and having access to children.
Bishop Finn also acknowledged he did not read a letter sent to his office a year earlier by a Catholic school principal warning that parents, teachers and staff members suspected that the priest, the Rev. Shawn Ratigan, was a child molester. Father Ratigan was arrested on May 19 on child pornography charges.
“There’s no accountability and there’s no transparent protocol,” said Pat O’Neill, the co-owner of a public relations and marketing firm in Kansas City, who once served as a consultant for the diocese there. “I have never seen the anger as deep and widespread as I have seen and heard and felt it these last three weeks. It’s coming from people that I know of as very conservative, very devout, especially younger people.”
In Philadelphia, a grand jury recently found that Cardinal Justin Rigali allowed 37 priests accused of abuse or inappropriate behavior to remain in ministry. The grand jury also indicted the former head of the archdiocesan office for clergy, Msgr. William Lynn, on charges of endangering the welfare of children — the first such indictment of a senior church official. William Lynn, on charges of endangering the welfare of children — the first such indictment of a senior church official.
In both of these dioceses, the bishops never informed their sexual abuse “review boards” about the cases. In his two years in the diocese of Gallup, N.M., Bishop James S. Wall never met with his review board even though the diocese was supposedly conducting a review of abuse cases, a situation first reported by the Gallup Independent newspaper…”
On and on and on it goes.
Should be as simple as, “Keep your hands off our kids!!”

The Judge may rule on Motion of Acquittal within the hour. 

Three years ago, to the date, June 15, 2008.  Caylee was singing, reading a book, cuddling with her great grandpa.  Later that day, she spent some time with her great grandma.  Grandma Cindy enjoyed that day with Caylee.  Later that day, Grandma Cindy took Caylee swimming. Little Caylee, having no idea that would be the last day she would spend with her Grandmother.  Grandma Cindy having no idea that would be the last day she would spend with her Granddaughter

HUMAN TRAFFICKING COALITION OF THE PALM BEACHES

Downtown at the Gardens to be Outreach Venue

Palm Beach Gardens, Fl: The Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches will host an Outreach event at Downtown at the Gardens on Friday evening, June 17th. Along with a constant video loop of PSAs informing Mall visitors about the warning signs of human trafficking, volunteers will be giving out pamphlets detailing services available to those in need.

Considered a form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking is a global industry affecting virtually every country as a source, transit or destination location. Experts estimate that anywhere from 700,000 to 4 million persons worldwide are trafficked across or within national borders every year. According to recent U.S. Government estimates, 18,000-20,000 persons are trafficked into the United States annually for purposes of sexual exploitation or forced labor.

With annual revenues of over $32 billion, human trafficking has surpassed the drug trade with only illegal guns sales being more profitable.

The Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beach's primary goal is to help reduce the incidence of trafficking in Palm Beach County. The Coalition provides community education and presentations to groups, agencies and other entities on how to identify victims. The HTCPB is staffed by a strong volunteer community response team.

For more information on human trafficking: www.htcpb.org

********************

Here are some staggering statistics:

83% of trafficking victims are used for sexual exploitation. 32% of those are children (starting around age 7).

71% of those trafficked for sex are under the age of 25.

70% of those trafficked for labor are over the age of 25.

20% of sex trafficking suspects (perpetrators) are women! 66% of suspects are U.S. citizens!

There are 27 million slaves in the world at any given time!

Here we are in the part of the trial that we knew would be difficult.  Seeing what was presented so far is a reality of what Caleys resting place was for soo long.  Seeing the vegetation , the blurred photo of her skull, the bags that held the rest of her body was heartbreaking to say the least.  She was there during the summer heat, hurricanes, rain, during what was to be her birthday.  She was there during Thanksgiving. 

And now, we see the tattered clothing that Caylee was wearing when she was essentially thrown away down the street from her home, her bed, her playhouse, her toys, her grandparents. 

Listening to the experts talk about the evidence so naturally and matter-of-fact is a reminder that they have a job to do.  They show no personalization, nor should they. 

And now as I type this,with tears and an ache in my heart, We hear about little Caylees bones, being chewed on by animals. 

A mother, a grandmother, a wife, a daughter and a nurse.                     

As a stranger to Cindy Anthony, I see her as all of the above.  When she learned that Caylee was missing, she made that desperate call to 911 that we all have become familier with.  Her life as she knew it would never be the same again.  It's amazingly clear how much Cindy loved her grandaughter.  It has also been clear as to how much she loves Casey.  She has defended her daughter, tooth and nail.  I imagine she couldn't bring herself to believe that her daughter killed her grandaughter.  As a mother myself, that would be so difficult to believe, I too would think there has to be another explanation.  Denial is deep.  Even being faced with lies that Casey told, and evidence that she knew, in her mind, it just isn't possible that her daughter Casey, killed Caylee.  Heartbroken, afraid, sad, concerned, helplessness, denial. 

We know that Cindy desperatly took to the airwaves to talk about her grandaughter, Caylee in a desperate search for Caylee.  We know that Cindy desperatly took to the airwaves to defend her daughter, Casey.  We know the Cindy tried desperatly to get answers from Casey in jail house visits.  We know that she held vigils at her home to hold on to hope that Caylee would be found, alive. We know that Cindy has been defient in defending Casey.  

As I watched Cindy testify, the emotions were so present.  It was almost as if all the feelings just exploded within her.  Perhaps the denial escaping from her, and reality and remembrance filled her in a way that was undeniable to her.

Should you be interested, see the following Youtube video to watch what was said by the girls in addition to the KING television airing referenced below.

On the right of this video, on Youtube, you will see a video entitled More With Tim that is the 2nd part of this afternoon visit. You will be very moved by part 2-
http://www.youtube.com/user/mickofthenorth?feature=mhee
___________________________________________________________________________________
Three years ago, when these girls were beginning 6th grade, I began introducing various situations to them showing people struggling in society, and in their community, that would allow the girls to reflect and approach solutions from the heart. Within a Language Arts/Humanities curriculum it is a stealth way to lead young people towards wanting to reach out with their very best. Once the kids see they have a voice, their reading and writing tends to improve almost immediately, as they want to reach out and be heard- (Bridget received the highest honors and recognitions for her writing at the graduation ceremony you can watch via the KING TV link below) These particular young ladies looked for ways to reach out to young girls in Afghanistan, kids in Children’s Hospital, people living in tents and on the streets, members of the Duwamish tribe who were seeking recognition as a legitimate tribe, kids on the streets and when they were ready, to a friend who is battling AIDS.
Their outreach has been recognized by the Washington State Legislature (resolution #4652), U.S. Congressman McDermott, the Seattle Mayor, Children’s Hospital, Chairperson of the Duwamish tribe and many homeless who sent special cards to the kids in thanks for their help and support.
As you will see in the first video (13 min) Tim and Friends, they have a true love for each other that transcends all barriers. In the second video (11 min) More with Tim you will hear them respond to questions about death and how they have hopes for the future knowing their lives, and hearts, have made a profound impact on a man who was a stranger two years ago.
It has been an honor to associate with these kids as they warm all who come in contact with their overflowing hearts-
“…By taking a chance, putting aside fears and stereotypes, three eighth grade girls discovered an unlikely friendship.
"I seldom get visitors," said Tim Owens from his bedroom at Bailey-Boushay House in Seattle where he receives residential care. "The days turn into one day into the next."
All alone in the world, and without anyone to talk to, Tim is also in pain. So much pain that it hurts to get up, and sometimes all he can do is stay in bed, close his eyes, and hope for better days.
But today is one of those days.
Bridget, Allison and Stephanie are like angels to Tim, three students who bring him something that numbs the pain -- companionship, laughter and love.
The unlikely friendship developed all because a teacher had an idea, hoping to open the girls' hearts and minds and to open their eyes.
"I could have said, 'No, I don't want to do this, I don't want to go to some hospital and meet some person with AIDS, I don't want to do that, I'd rather hang out with my friends,'" said Bridget. "And I would have missed this whole experience."
"It wasn't until they came that I started getting a hug on a regular basis," said Tim. "They don't think it's anything but a hug, but to me, it's life."
With every moment the girls spend with Tim, they've learned that something so simple -- a visit -- can mean so much.
"We didn't know that someone so sick with so much sadness in their life could look so happy," said
"I was just happy that I could just touch somebody's heart like that," said
That is what keeps the girls coming back to Bailey-Boushay every few months. Visits are never a chore, but just the opposite.
"I just come here to have fun," said ___. "I just come here to visit a friend."
The girls know Tim doesn't have much time left. Every goodbye could be their last. Which is why, despite the pain, despite the strength it takes just to get out of bed, there's something important Tim has to do.
On one of the most special days in a young person's life, Tim made the journey to see Bridget, Allison and Stephanie graduate from eighth grade at Holy Family School. For the first time in a long time, Tim feels good.
"I feel included, I'm not alone, I'm in a very good place," he said. "I couldn't imagine missing it for anything in the world."
This is Tim's way of saying thank you to the young women who give him a reason to keep going…”

Mimi Jung, Anchor on KING Television in Seattle, wrote the above intro to her segment that aired on Seattle television on 2 June 2011.
KING television shows Tim attending the girl’s graduation as well as scenes shot in his room before I took him to their school for the ceremony.
The link KING TV is as follows:  http://tinyurl.com/3qrvg8v

M.Barrett Miller
Managing Director
Let Kids Be Kids, Inc.
Connemara Productions Ltd.
206-604-6679
Advocacy for Those Seeking a Voice.

I think its time to pause and remember what this all about. 

Caylee Marie Anthony.  The sweet little toddler that captured our hearts when we learned that she was missing nearly three years ago.  It is truly amazing how she holds a spot in so many hearts, even though we never met her.  We came to know her.  In videos, pictures and little memories that her family has shared. 

Here are a few of those images.                 

I keep finding myself during this trial, remembering the 911 call that CASEY Anthony made when protesters where harassing the Anthony family while Casey was home from bail.  WHY , would she NOT call 911 for her baby, under any circumstances. In this audio, you will here one 911 call that night from Cindy, then you will hear a 911 call follow that from Casey.

Here is that 911 call

http://www.wftv.com/video/17505002/index.html

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to our Military. Those who have passed and to those who are serving!  God Bless!

“Hey buddy, ya got five bucks for a cuppa coffee?”

It wasn’t all that long ago that America faced hordes of people wandering the streets looking for food, shelter and a job.
Those “unwashed” looked for any kind of shelter - any kind of job.

Here we are, decades away from the “Great Depression”, watching more and more people hunker down in tent cities, overburdened shelters, alley ways, car parks, under bridges and overpasses, looking for food, shelter and a place to feel safe.

Presumably, we learned something about the causes of poverty and homelessness during those decades of reflection, study, and uncounted, and unread, dissertations on the root causes etc. etc. etc.

Seattle is mid-way through a “Ten Year Plan” to end homelessness. So far it has been a failure. Failure, well, I guess, that depends on whom you ask.
Yes, more shelter space is available and more social services are chasing the same set of challenges as they manage a bigger population of people needing a place to call home.
Most of the experts claim more affordable housing is the answer, combined with support facilities to meet the needs of those in dire circumstances.
Sounds good.
Is that the actually answer? I don’t know.

I keep thinking about a question a lady, with a lifetime of experience with the poor, asked me one day.
“When do you think it is that one becomes homeless?”
She wasn’t talking about the moment someone is actually without shelter. She was talking about that moment when a person integrates the acceptance of “homelessness” into their very core.
I’ve thought a lot about the question, being somewhat embarrassed that I don’t have some sage reply.

I think I have concluded that education is the ultimate answer to this and other societal challenges.
Relevant education to the present crop of lower and middle school students giving them basic skills to avoid seeing themselves as homeless in the future. If they learn how to honor themselves, armed with a quiver of critical thinking skills, they may avoid integrating the “I deserve this” syndrome that brings so much grief to so many.
 Comprehending how the system works, and the role they played delivering them to their present situation, challenges many on the streets and in shelters. Excluding those suffering from mental illness, chronic additions, debilitating illnesses, war, and natural calamities you may find many who just don’t have the education to see options. Options that might help them move into a different way of looking at themselves as they run into one barrier after another within the system.

Our schools are not delivering, to the mainstream citizen, critical thinking skills that help one reflect on any given situation analyzing objectively an exit strategy.

Daily headlines point to a population that may be, as a friend in Ireland put it, “Arrogantly ignorant.”
Some chase their ignorance while the schools, administrators, clerics of all stripes; parents and un-invested neighbors allow sub-standard education to take place at the neighborhood school.

I will be attending a graduation ceremony next week where a number of the graduating students are unprepared for the next level of educational challenges.
I know what will happen to those students without some “divine” intervention.
These kids, like those in shelters, deserve better!

Maybe its time to dust off a popular song from “back in the day.”

      Brother, Can You Spare a Dime,"
lyrics by Yip Harburg, music by Jay Gorney (1931)

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,

When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,

Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?

Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.

Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;

Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,

Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,

Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,

And I was the kid with the drum!

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.

Why don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Once in khaki suits, gee we looked swell,

Full of that Yankee Doodly Dum,

Half a million boots went slogging through Hell,

And I was the kid with the drum!

Say, don't you remember, they called me Al; it was Al all the time.

Say, don't you remember, I'm your pal? Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Any thoughts on how to solve this vexing challenge? Please comment-

From my perspective as a charter of the progress of American women, Couric was a total success. The first great mandate for a First Woman is not to screw things up for the Second Woman or the Third. On that count, Couric did great. She was under incredible scrutiny and pressure, and she held up her end. There was never a point at which American viewers turned to each other and said: “Well, that certainly didn’t work out.”

On 14 May a band of roving homeless left their temporary housing in a retired fire house and headed to a rain soaked bowl of land to pitch their tents.

About 120 people moved, after spending two days packing everything they would need, to their new locale just south of downtown Seattle. A little south and mighty out of sight! Their camp is well hidden, from the casual viewer, off an industrial road sheltered by plenty of trees and impenetrable brush.

The entrance to camp has become a mudslide offering visitors the opportunity to tumble their way down into the pools of collected rain surrounding the pallets that hold the tents up and out of the water.

Should you venture into camp spend some time chatting with the residents. You might find someone of interest or someone who makes you slightly uneasy. Either way you will gain some insight into why that particular person is living in a tent in a major American city.

If you come up with a way to balance all this and give these residents a shot in the majors please let those of us who have been trying to find an answer a heads-up. I for one have realized I just don’t have the brainpower to figure all this out.
Maybe elementary education needs to be more robust, offering more people the confidence to balance some of the curve balls tossed at them in life. I don’t know-there are a million stories…

If you visit try to be understanding to those that are on the margins-they are not taking anything from you….no need to be angry.

A long ago friend sent a reminder from a Starbucks cup. “Love Wins.”

See video at http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-608265

“Among the Truthers” is a remarkable book, not least because its author, Jonathan Kay, appears to have emerged with his sanity intact after immersing himself for several years in the wilder precincts of conspiracy theories about everything from President Obama’s birthplace to 9/11 to vaccines. Like a modern-day Gulliver, he has traveled widely and conducted numerous interviews to map what seems like every nook and cranny of the conspiracist universe. Yet Kay, an editor and columnist at the conservative Canadian newspaper The National Post, has not written a Swiftian satire on the foibles of humanity. Rather, he sounds alarms about what he depicts as a mounting paranoia inspired by an invisible and nefarious oligarchy.

For three years, middle school students, from a slightly improvised school in Seattle, have reached out to cheer an elderly group at a local Salvation Army.

When these kids were sixth graders they thought it “nuts” that they would go hang out with a bunch of old people once a month. When the idea was introduced to them many of them had little exposure to the elderly thinking the “old folks” would be the stereotypes they tried to avoid, rather than embrace.

These particular kids were that unique combination of kids that comes along once in a while as a gift to the unsuspecting. Within the group, most were full of intuition, inquisitiveness, empathy, excitement and the desire to reach out beyond their classroom or school.

When the idea of service to a group of elderly was presented the kids were already involved in a number of social justice outreach programs. These outreaches were at a distance rather than the one on one offered by direct service at the Salvation Army.
It was the direct contact that had a few of them nervous.
Because of the following successes they had the internal confidence to trust themselves, and me, and plunge in to hands on service

In preparation, and to build confidence, for their lunch service, to the elderly, the students had written letters to young girls in Kandahar, Afghanistan, who had been attacked on their way to school because they were girls who wanted an education. Federal Express delivered their letters and photos, of the girls in the class, to Dexter Filkins at the New York Times in Afghanistan. He delivered them to the school he had written about in the Times that sparked this particular class project.
These kids drafted a petition to recognize the Duwamish Tribe, which was delivered to Congressman Jim McDermott in support of his work towards this tribe’s federal recognition. The Congressman wrote them a wonderful letter commending their efforts.
A number of the kids began visiting a man living in Bailey-Boushay House who is fighting loneliness, isolation and abandonment issues that so often accompany the struggles with AIDS. He has become their friend and looks forward to seeing and hearing from them when they have the opportunity to visit.
Children’s Hospital received hundreds of hand designed Christmas cards for distribution to young patients staying in hospital over the holidays. Homeless shelters, hospitals, clinics and outdoor camps of homeless all received glad tidings from these students either in writing or by organized visits to various locations to share some hope and some support.

Once the kids had their first visit to the elderly under their collective belts they couldn’t wait for their next visit.
As the years rolled by relationships bloomed between the generations. The kids, and the “gray panthers,” shared holiday events, letters, short interviews and biographies, photos and best of all the love that developed through being together.

The State of Washington recognized the kids with a Resolution honoring all they have done for so many in their greater community.

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.2009-4652, by Representatives Cody and Nelson

WHEREAS, The people of Washington State acknowledge the community contributions and achievements of the student volunteers of Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. at Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, Washington; and

WHEREAS, The members of Let Kids be Kids, Inc. have established a regular visitation schedule to the elderly at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, and provide meal service and offer heartfelt companionship; and

WHEREAS, The students have exhibited compassion, sympathy, and friendship by creating and delivering Christmas cards for children in Seattle Children's Hospital; and

WHEREAS, The students have conducted a letter campaign in support of a girls school in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where girls have been attacked for attending classes, and have inspired courage, hope, and pride, and offered solidarity to the Afghan girls so that they might continue their path to acquire education and realize their own talents, dreams, and goals; and

WHEREAS, They exhibited their knowledge of local history, and empathy for treatment of

Washington's Native Nations, by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and drafting a petition supporting the tribe's request for achievement of federally recognized tribal status (I); and

WHEREAS, Let Kids Be Kids, Inc. has planned a campaign to support the poor and the homeless and those affected by HIV/AIDS in the community, by providing letters, visitations, and meals to the most vulnerable residents of our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and honor Let Kids Be Kids, Inc and Holy Family Parish School, West Seattle, for its exemplary service to Washington State and to members of the global community, and commend the high standard it has set for all residents of Washington for its commitment to social justice and its legacy to our future generations.

I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

Barbara Baker, Chief Clerk

Resolution 4652 adopted by the House of Representatives

These kids have humbled me more than once during these three years of watching them forge ahead, guided by their hearts.
It has been an honor and a pleasure to have the experience and the reconfirmation into what can be done when kids are honored and trusted-

This morning Congressman Jim McDermott had coffee with constituents at Cafe Vita, a well-known coffee hangout on Capital Hill, near Seattle University.

Congressman McDermott began the coffee hour with a few well thought out reflections on climate change, health insurance, nuclear power and its waste materials, unions under assault, Planned Parenthood under attack, pensions and what would happen if Social Security was left to float on the creative wreckage of Wall Street.

The Congressman’s intent was to hear from those who attended, rather than share his well-known positions on various topics with the assembled group.

Having attended this coffee, and other events, when public officials open themselves up to questions, it is becoming disappointedly clear that many don’t know how to frame a question-

Neither the Congressman, nor the crowd, cares about your thoughts on Ayn Rand, your contentious neighbors or your particular issue that is not within his Congressional bailiwick.
Please, when there is limited time keep your position to yourself asking the particular guest their position and what exactly they, and you, can do to remedy or support whatever it is you brought up.
Know what it is you want and research the guest’s position before you ask the question.
Questions should spark responses beyond well know campaign slogans.

Congressman McDermott was asked about immigration, which allowed him to give a well thought out complex reply. He said, “That country is gone” when he spoke about the “old days” full of white Anglo Saxon Protestants and their resistance to immigrants. He went on to speak about education, financing of higher education, green cards for college graduates, housing, health care and how we need to think within a new paradigm to create jobs and viable lives for our citizens in the future.

Concerns around women’s issues gave him the opportunity to share his long held positions on equality, women’s health care, educational opportunities, childcare and the continual financial support for Planned Parenthood.

The Congressman will be attending more coffee gatherings in the future in different neighborhoods, so get your questions ready-

On May 9th, Jury selection will begin.  We don't know exactly where the jury will be chosen from.  We should know that on the 8th. 

Opening statements will begin on May 17th.  Almost three years after Caylee was reported missing and sadly murdered. 

Some of the evidence that we know will be allowed into the trial are as follows.  The stain in Casey's trunk, The chloroform evidence, the heart shaped sticker found on duck tape that was on Caylee's skull, The hair that was found that shows a "death band", The growth of the roots that grew around Caylee.

I'll be watching and following the trial and I hope that in the end Justice for Caylee will come.

Do you believe anyone is deserving of the reward offered in the capture of bin Laden?  Maybe we don't know enough information right now, but I'm lead to believe that this reward will not be given to anyone. 

With bin Laden dead, a Scottsdale, Arizona man now takes the number one spot on the FBI List.

For centuries, cursive handwriting has been an art. To a growing number of young people, it is a mystery. Enlarge This Image Peter Stevenson for The New York Times Megan Porter of Brownsburg, Ind., is in the third grade, the last year of cursive training in many school districts. The sinuous letters of the cursive alphabet, swirled on countless love letters, credit card slips and banners above elementary school chalk boards are going the way of the quill and inkwell. With computer keyboards and smartphones increasingly occupying young fingers, the gradual death of the fancier ABC’s is revealing some unforeseen challenges.

In 2005 I had the pleasure of visiting Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  I was on a business trip with one of my owners and we flew in to Jackson, Mississippi and drove down to New Orleans.  We spent some time in New Orleans before making the drive north and east towards Tuscaloosa, where we were set up to begin training on a new software program for our industry.  Just for the record I'll state that the industry was flooring installation.

Our first night there I was too wiped out from the drive from New Orleans to do very much.  We attended training the next day and made it through that particular course.  After departing, my boss took me out to dinner and then back to our motel which was a Hampton Inn.  Across the street was a Ruby Tuesday's.  I had not seen a liquor store in quite some time and being the alcoholic that I am it didn't take me long to latch on to Ruby Tuesday's.  There I partied with a lot of people from the Mercedes plant and from the university. 

My most salient memory of that business trip was the day after I went to Ruby Tuesday's.  We ordered breakfast in a respectable diner, which is now reduced to rubble.  I remember asking to use the bathroom and eventually a waitress from the diner joined me in the restroom.  I remember her saying, "It smells like mule jew in here!"  Not knowing what "mule jew" was, I felt afraid.  When it was clear to the waitress that I was ignorant of her complaint, she explained further.  "You know, when water gets under there and acts with the air."  Then it hit me.  She was talking about mildew!  We talked for several minutes about mildew, and then I rejoined my party at the table. 

I spent the next three nights partying with people from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and the university, the Mercedes plant, and even the place where I received my training.

Today I say God Bless to all of them, and I hope they are safe and suffered no significant damage during this storm.  However, as I watch TV and am able to make out places where I ate and partied, I feel more and more deflated.  God bless Tuscaloosa, Alabama during these dark hours. 

I must tell you, there are two subjects that I am utterly worn out on.  They have both commanded headlines for many months prior to this date, but the press has recently stepped up coverage to the point that I cannot turn on my TV or radio without listening to some news on one of the two subjects.

The first is Obama's birth certificate.  I don't care if it was released in long form, short form, as a deposition or by personal witness.  Obama has been President for two years.  Give it a rest already.  Why don't you people obsessed with the time, place and circumstances of Obama's birth use your energy for another pressing problem of this country?  We have an unbalanced budget, sky-high gas prices, unrest in the Middle East and hate crimes happening everywhere.  Stop your war against Obama and start one against one of these causes instead.  Then you might earn my respect as a possible future leader of this great nation.  Yeah, I'm talking to you, Donald Trump.

Second is the Royal Wedding.  Notice how I capitalized the words.  You can hear it in peoples' voices when they speak of it.  The Royal Wedding.  See, I don't give a darn about that either.  I like Prince William and Kate Middleton just fine, or at least I did until the press got ahold of them.  Now I just want to puke when I see them.  Again, there are more pressing issues going on in the world besides what hat to wear to the wedding.  It is just a wedding, folks. 

The difference is that the Royal Wedding will be over on Friday.  Obama's birth certificate seems to be endless fodder for "birthers" whom I would like to thank for wasting taxpayer time and money on researching this issue.  Now, get back to work, lol!

Montana Judge Rejects Gay Couple Rights Suit Apr 21, 2011 – 9:14 PM HELENA, Mont.

Archbishop J. Peter Sartain Archbishop of Seattle Archdiocese of Seattle 710 9th AvenueSeattle, Washington 98104 22 April 2011 Your Excellency,

Oh lordy lord. Americans have officially managed to invent a new low.

The damaged reactors at Fukushima are pouring out radioactive material over Japan and around the world, but the solution may be tiny microbes that actually eat uranium and plutonium. These microbes are called extremophiles and they have been known about since 1956. They can withstand radiation 15 times what would kill humans and they actually seek out and eat uranium and plutonium transforming them into far less dangerous substances. These microbes actually live and thrive in environments that would kill almost anything else. They can grow on nuclear rods, in nuclear waste, in toxic waste, and in boiling water. Despite numerous studies that have been conducted on them, scientists aren’t sure how these creatures are able to survive exposure to intense radiation,. There are different theories about their origin. Some believe that they may have been brought to the Earth by an asteroid while others speculate that they were the first life forms on the planet when the Earth was forming. Extremophiles are considered to be a new category of life form known as: archea.

A variety of species of extremophiles have been discovered such as Kineococcus, Geobacter sulfurreducens and Geobacter metallireducens. These microbes not only eat radioactive material, but they actively seek them out like a predator seeking out its prey. The U.S. Department of Energy and other government and private entities have conducted experiments using these microbes to help clean up the billions of tons of nuclear waste sites around America. The tests have proven very successful. For example the Rifle Mill in Western Colorado was used to mine uranium and was closed in 1972. The ground water in the area was contaminated with extremely high levels of uranium. This was the result:

“Researchers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy have used the microbe to reduce uranium in the water at Rifle Mill by over 70 percent and further research this past summer reduced uranium in water at the site by 90 percent.”

(Bacteria Genomes - GEOBACTER SULFURREDUCENS)
Another study found that extremophiles also can transform plutonium in such a way that it is easier to remove from solution.

“In this study we investigated the effect of two model metal-reducing bacteria, Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis, on the redox speciation of Pu. Our results show that in all cases, the presence of bacterial cells enhanced removal of Pu from solution.”

( Impact of the Fe(III)-reducing bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis on the speciation of plutonium )

Many other studies have been done with positive results. The U.S. Department of Energy speculates that the cost to clean up the nuclear waste sites around America to be at $260 billion, but they also note that these microbes could do the job at a fraction of the cost. Researchers have found that the growth of extremophiles can be encouraged with the use of vinegar among other things. Fortunately, extremophiles are harmless to humans. Some genetically modified versions are more problematic because of the many unknowns about what they will do once released into the environment. One of these genetic modifications have been labeled “Super Conan”.

The situation in Japan keeps getting worse and the best case scenarios would have Fukushima continuing to shoot radioactive material into the atmosphere for months, whereas the worse case scenarios predict that this could go on for years! Already the water in Tokyo has been declared unsafe to drink. Water samples in the U.S. have detected radiation levels in the water well above the federal government’s safety limits. It is also showing up in the milk supply which threatens all dairy products. The longer this situation drags on, the more people in Japan and around the world will be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation. These microbes could be a part of the solution in resolving this problem. Roughly 50 years of research have shown that these microbes are effective in helping to clean up radioactive material. Robots could be used to carry these microbes into position. Of course there are logistics involved such as how much of these microbes are readily available, how fast they can be grown, how much is needed, how much they can accomplish in a given period of time and so forth, all of which can be addressed. The sad fact is this option is not even being considered; at least it is not being discussed in the mainstream media by government and industry officials. The question is why? The data is out there, so why is this option not being considered as part of an overall plan to deal with this crisis. These tiny microbes might very well be the solution that helps save Japan and much of the world from a radioactive nightmare.

Extremophiles - weird animals - We Are The Aliens - BBC Space

Extremophile Hunter

The animal that can survive the deadliest conditions in the world - The waterbear

Super Microbes Eat Radioactive Waste

Metal vs. Life. Eating uranium, breathing rust

Impact of the Fe(III)-reducing bacteria Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis on the speciation of plutonium

Extremphiles

Atomic Extremeophiles Thrive Where the Life-Giving Energy of the Sun Never Reaches

For uranium cleanup ... bacteria?

Bacteria Genomes - GEOBACTER SULFURREDUCENS

Super Microbe Cleans Up Uranium

Energy Department-Funded Scientists Decode DNA of Bacterium that Cleans Up Uranium Contamination and Generates Electricity

It was the heroic perseverence and courage of the Wisconsin protestors that did it. They awakened the lost American in me. You know the person who fought for our freedom centuries ago and envisioned a great country of freedom, fairness and democracy.

We have been shopping at my favorite tool store all week. Chinese made tools abound and the deals and bargains to be had are amazing and for some reason seam unsustainable to me. I can outfit a shipyard with a tool set for about 3000 dollars that could build a 50 foot boat. If I had 5000 dollars we could probably do a hundred footer. The tools are even guaranteed for life. It's crazy!!

Today we bought a one kilowatt generator for 89 dollars. It is a small gasoline engine with a cheap generator on it (must have aluminum windings) for less money than a good dinner out for 4 people. In Massachusetts a Chinese generator costs the same as a carton of cigarettes which can be made from a few leaves of a tobacco plant grown in Virginia (quite a bit closer). How can the Chinese just keep dumping this stuff into our market? How long can the dollar maintain it's strength to keep buying all of this stuff with a huge trade imbalance?

Why are the American made cigarettes taxed so heavily and the Chinese generator not at all? The generator burns mixed gasoline and is a two stroke making it much more capable of pollution and health hazards than the carton of smokes. I am actually thinking of not paying my taxes for a month* so I can purchase some more Chinese junk and store it for some future projects that I have in mind. I cannot imagine there will ever be a time again when the US dollar will have this much purchasing power and another nation will have a free pass to dump tremendous amounts of products into our market to the detriment of the nation's economy.

* I pay taxes monthly as a voluntary thing so I can skip a month when money gets tight (or there is a big sale.)

There are many voices of alarm about the status of US trade. The dollar as the world's reserve currency may not have much of a future due to growing opposition from developing nations like the members of BRICS.

Sanya (China), April 14 (IANS) Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – the BRICS group of fastest growing economies – Thursday called for a revamp in the global monetary system and signed a pact to use their own currencies instead of US dollar in issuing credit or grants to each other.

The US- Chinese Ponzi Scheme on MSN Money

http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/News/087505-2011-04-11-former-chinese-central-banker-treasury-market-a-giant-ponzi-scheme.htm

This is totally unacceptable and the government response (thus far) is, to my opinion, totally unconscionable. With five incidents in barely over as many weeks, the weight of this matter (clearly) has not been addressed either appropriately or sufficiently.

The Presidents own remark, "They have let a lot of people down," sounded perfunctory, almost lackadaisical. It is a gross understatement reflecting lack of awareness in the seriousness of the matter, an issue which concerns the safety and welfare of not only the flying public, but (in deed) of people on the ground as well.

Mr. President, they have not "let a lot of people down", this professional incompetence has, "put thousands of individual lives in dire jeopardy."

The response to solutions implemented thus far are clearly inadequate. I suspect that until several hundred fatalities result , there will be no genuine effort to remedy the situation as it currently exists.

NOTE: Photos included all reflect daylight landings. All five incidents reported in recent months occurred during night landings without direction from the control tower as to either approach, landing and/or other air traffic in the immediate vicinity.

One thing that we have learned from history is that governments can not be trusted to give accurate and timely information about health risks. 911 rescue workers learned this the hard way. By the same token, the assurances being given by the EPA that there is nothing to worry about from the radioactive cloud from Japan, can not be trusted. The EPA does admit that elevated radiation levels are now in the milk and rain water. A University of Berkeley sampling of rain water found the radiation level to be 18,100% above the federal government’s standards of safety for drinking water! The actual UC report at first glance does not seem shocking until one analyzes the numbers. On March 23 the University of Berkeley measured an average of 20.1 Becquerels of Iodine 131 per liter of rain water. This translates into 543 Picocuries. The big problem with this is that the federal government’s safety standard for drinking water is 3 Picocuries per liter of water! Other high levels have been reported around the country. One would think that this should be enough for the federal government to declare a national emergency and begin advising people on what steps to take to protect themselves, but so far nothing.

It has been reported that the EPA is planning to raise its safety guidelines for the level of allowable radiation in drinking water, by 100,000%! This is shocking and extremely irresponsible! This would effectively make it seem like the elevated radiation levels in the water are harmless since they would be well within EPA standards. The only other thing that the EPA seems willing to do is to continue to monitor radiation levels across the country.

On the EPA’s website they provide summaries of their monitoring data, without the actual numbers. For example:

“April 12, 2011 As of 3:00pm (EDT) EPA's RadNet radiation air monitors across the U.S. show typical fluctuations in background radiation levels. The levels detected are far below levels of concern.”

(When I tried clicking into where the actual numbers supposedly were, it would not open.)

The Japanese have already declared the situation there to be a level 7 which is the most severe rating for a nuclear plant disaster. One of the other problems with the EPA’s assurances is the fact that the situation with the damaged nuclear reactors in Japan is far from over. It has been estimated that it could be months or even years before the radiation pouring into the atmosphere is brought to a halt. This means that America will continue to be bathed day after day, week after week and month after month in radiation from Japan. The implications if this happens are obvious. In the short term, Americans will not notice anything and everyone will go about their normal activities, because no one can feel, smell or taste radiation, but in the years ahead, there will be an explosion of new cancers across America. The population and environment will be devastated. It is ironic that the country which America dropped two atomic bombs on is now likely to destroy America with radiation.

Japan has already admitted to dumping 11,500 tons of radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean and plans to dumb more. The level of radiation for Japan’s ocean has now reached 7.5 million times the legal limit! In addition, plutonium which is one of the deadliest forms of radioactive material has been spotted on the grounds around the damaged nuclear reactors which is sending radiation into the atmosphere. Plutonium emits alpha radiation which is not detected by regular Geiger Counters.

Basic steps to consider. 1. Don’t drink milk or any diary products. 2. Don’t buy any foods or beverages such as wine, from California 3. Don’t eat any sea food from the West Coast. 4. Eat lots of seaweed. 5. Buy a good water filtration that can remove radioactive substances. 6. Always assume that whatever the EPA says is a gross underestimate of the actual dangers. 7. Consult a good holistic practitioner on ways to boost your immune system to reduce the impact of elevated radiation exposure.

The rich already have underground bunkers to run to, but the rest of us will have to do whatever else is possible to survive. The number 1 priority of the U.S. Government and the governments of the world should be to immediately seal up those reactors and the grounds around them.

Radiation Found In San Francisco, CA Tap Water — Rainwater Radiation 18,100% Above Drinking Water Limit

UCB Rain Water Sampling Results
WEST COAST RED ALERT! - Tap water has radiation 18,100 % higher than allowed by EPA
We are ALL radiated now

EPA is raising Radiation Standards for drinking water by 100000% - I Called EPA's Office and Spoke to an Engineer ...Unbelievable!

Group warns EPA ready to increase radioactive release
EPA SAYS RADITATION FROM JAPAN SO FAR NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT

EPA Daily Summaries

Japan Nuke Crisis Rating 'Same As Chernobyl'

"Kenji Hall and Julie Makinen" - Japan's ocean radiation hits 7.5 million times legal limit

Becquerel to Picocuries conversion

It's official: Fukushima now a new Chernobyl as radiation rises to max
(Japan) Radiation Information At Fukushima (Arnie Gundersen) Can you Handel The Truth?
The 100-year battle to make Fukushima safe: Grim prediction as brave workers expect to 'die within weeks'
Can water filters remove radiation?
Underground Shelters Are In Every US Capital Billion Dollar Emergency Shelter Business Booming

Abraham Rothberg, an author whose works, most of them fiction, roamed from the ghettos of medieval Prague through the counterculture upheavals of America in the 1960s to the machinations of Soviet Communism, died on March 28 at his home in Rochester. He was 89.

When people think of Gloucester they think of fishing, good seafood, historic buildings and icons of early colonial history. Today the historic fishing port also has surfing. At Good Harbor Beach a short but powerful swell with some truly beautiful curl enticed a group of surfers to brave April water temperatures and enjoy an epic day of surfing the North Atlantic. The waves brought long graceful rides with some opportunity to cut back and forth a bit before going ashore on the ankle high remnants of some nice break.

An anonymous surfer that has been surfing Good Harbor lately said, "It has been party waves here all day long."

Even as the sky darkened and the lights of the twin light houses off of Rockport could be seen clearly, some of the surfers lingered in the icy waters hoping for a few last rides. The evening surf did not disappoint and it was easy to see that a good time was had by all. With the summer crowds away the beach belongs to the residents and their playfull dogs and when the waves get good a hardy group of surfing enthusiasts that like to "Hang ten," in Gloucester.

JJ Johnson Gloucester Mass.

All images in this article are copyrighted material.

April is often celebrated as the official first month of Spring – a time when new life pokes its head out of the earth and heralds the arrival of warm days and sunny dispositions. April is also the month we recognize the victims of sexual assault and those in public service who have unselfishly given of their time and talents to bring about a different kind of rebirth – the transformation from victimized to victorious.

Surviving sexual assault is a many-tiered process. It begins with the arrival of law enforcement and continues through a conveyor belt of people and procedures that help guarantee the arrest, trial and conviction of the perpetrators of this heinous crime. One of the most instrumental people in the healing process is the victim's advocate. These men and women arrive within hours of an attack and remain at the side of the victim for as long as needed. They bring with them a lifeline back to normalcy in the form of everyday items that we take for granted – deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, soap, wipes, gum, etc.

With our economy struggling to maintain balance, funds to purchase these items have dwindled but the need for them them has grown. The Palm Beach County Victim Services Rape Crises Center asks your help in the form of donations of tangible products or money.

Travel sized items such as toothpaste, mouthwash, hand sanitizer, wipes, lotions, Kleenex, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, deodorant and baby powder are urgently needed. Additionally, comfortable clothing such as tee shirts, sweat pants, shorts, underwear and flip flops in all sizes are being requested. Add to the list mints, gum, protein bars and zip lock bags and you can see that the needs are many.

As the mother of a rape victim, I know how important it is to offer a helping hand out from under the dark cloud that is rape. I vividly remember my daughter opening a bar of soap while sitting on the examining table in the emergency room of the hospital, and inhaling its scent. Somehow that little bar of perfumed body cleanser gave her hope that life would return to normal.

Please consider adding the Rape Crises Center to your list of worthy charities. Your donations will be deeply appreciated in ways you cannot imagine. On behalf of my daughter and our family, thank you.

To make a donation, please contact:

Sandy Reynolds, Sr. Program Coordinator
Palm Beach County Victim Services
Certified Rape Crisis Center
205 North Dixie Hwy., Suite 5.1100
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Office: 561-355-2418
Fax: 561-355-2757
Cell 561-319-0005

This book began its life as a fizzy essay, published in The Atlantic Monthly in 2008, that contained at its core, like a radioactive pellet, a seemingly uncontroversial argument: Not every American kid is cut out for college.

Let's Fix The National Deficit And Re-establish Sustainable Government

The Us National Deficit is the highest it has ever been and The National Debt ceiling is going to need to be raised again because we can't balance the books in America. Shutting down our government could very well put an end to our flimsy and fragile recovery (so they say). Neither group of politicians has offered up any new ideas or real proposals to fix these problems it seems that our era of, "Hoping for Change," has become one of intellectual bankruptcy (perhaps soon to be followed by actual bankruptcy). With no fresh ideas coming from anyone in government on how to solve these complex issues perhaps the people can insert some common sense. I think we can fix this country and I have a couple of policy proposals to help with that.

Since I am speaking on behalf of the people today (the lower 90 percent) I will not be taking any entitlements off of the table. Social Security has been paid by those that are going to receive it when they are old, it is not a welfare program and the security it offers allows a lot of consumer spending that does not occur in countries that do not have a similar plan. There is no need to rush any cuts to medi-care either. We need to put the brakes on quite a bit of spending but starting with our legacy of elderly citizens, veterans, needy children, and education system is not my style and cuts in those areas don't really save money. We need to care for the old and invest in the young period. However if we fail in cutting spending we will need to raise taxes instead. (Oops I did have a slight cut for education, but it's more like a reset that would help).

Raising taxes during a fledgling recovery is not a popular topic besides we just gave everyone in the US a tax cut so it would seem a little feckless to roll that back right away. There are however a few line items in the tax code that could be addressed that would go a long way in helping to reduce our dependence on foreign cash to fund our government spending. I would like to explore a few of those in the hopes of putting some revenue together to keep the lights on and government working. I will make a list of minor tax code changes and make my explanations below.

Make Charitablegiving truly charitable by halving the tax deduction on all charitable contributions. 2 dollars donated= 1 dollars tax deduction. (:

Reduce all subsidy on foreign made products by 15 to 20 percent (approx.) of tax rebates and other subsidy methods.

Put an additional federal tax on hydrocarbon production in the US use the money to add capacity to the national oil reserve and enable oil reserve to buy low and sell high the additional capacity in an attempt to offset the tax and put a damper on speculators. (That was fun to propose :)

Charitable giving's reduced deduction- Charitable giving used to be about doing something for people. In some cases it still is but increasingly it is about paying for advocacy. When polluters need to be green-washed....charitable donation, when corporations need their enemies demonized....charitable donation. The fact is non-profits and foundations are one of the only growth industries in the US right now. Most of them are just licenses to print tax deductions with political agendas that are not in the best interests of the tax base. We can't afford a circus the size of this one so it is time to downsize the tax-payers portion of all donations to better reflect what we can afford to do for an industry that is badly in need of reform and is unsustainable.

Subsidy reduction on foreign made products- This is not a protectionist proposal, isolationism is not the goal. When a product is tax payer subsidized if the product is made in the US the tax base recovers part of the money due to taxes, wages, and expense of manufacture at the American facility. With a foreign product that money goes to another country and is not recovered. Adjusting the subsidy to reflect this and give the tax payers a more equitable return for their investment is what I propose.

Oil tax- see above.

Now let's cut some spending...

Education- I will not cut numbers of teachers or teacher wage/benefit. I propose that we cut administrators and useless beurocrats from schools around the nation. When we were kids the schools had a staff where everyone on the campus except the janitor could teach a class now there are layers of administrative personnel, department heads, and assistants everywhere. They push all kinds of government forms back and forth, making good money doing it. The only thing they teach is the tax payers a lesson in what we don't want to pay for. I say we give at least half of them their pink slips. We need to make partnerships between upper schools and lower schools for a cooperative education program that makes higher grade students that are doing extremely well into teacher's assistants and administrative assistants for part of their school day. This would get more individual attention to students who need it and enguage students in the teaching process all for a very low cost to the tax payer.

Military- We need to cut military spending. If the administration insists on bombing, I wonder if they wouldn't consider naval gun fire instead of all of these missiles and smart bombs. Those fancy missiles and smart weapons cost money. Naval gunfire is cheap by comparison and really scares the heck out of everyone.

Public / Private partnerships- We really need to cut the waste out of these arrangements. Public organizations partnered with private always seam to turn the private organization into a subsidy grovelling basket case living on the government tip. If a project has public funding the private partner should not be encouraged with so much subsidy that it changes the nature of what was once a functioning for-profit enterprise.

I am going to stop there and ask if anyone else has an original thought on how to balance the budget in America or just something that would help....

Think you can balance the budget, give it a try

Contributors to the Huffington Post have begun to chafe at the no-pay policy. They could take a lesson from stand-up comedians who faced a similar insult in the 1970s.

… The Knights of the Highway champion a just cause

You may no longer see whip marks on the backs of men and women held captive by forced labor, but the scars on the souls of modern day slaves – those who are victimized by human trafficking – are no less deep, dehumanizing and destructive.

The last time I saw a man dressed in iron mesh riding astride a galloping steed in the quest of honesty, integrity and justice was on the movie screen at my local cinema. That doesn't mean that valiant men (and women) no longer cross the country with similar values and intent. Today, gasoline rather than oats powers their horses, and a tee shirt, jeans and baseball cap has replaced the suit of armor. Though less formal, the modern day knight's attire is no less noble and his/her purpose no less worthy.

As a member of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches, a recent Associated Press article out of Oklahoma City held my interest. The story, written by reporter Kristi Eaton, told the tale of retired cross-country trucker, Mark Brown. Thirty years ago, while resting at a California truck stop, a young girl – perhaps 15 or 16 – who was interested in selling her body for cash, approached Brown. He ignored her persistent efforts to get his attention and, eventually, she moved on down the row of trucks to where other, perhaps, not so disinterested drivers might have bought her services.

Brown is still beating himself up for not trying to help that girl and, in his present position as Director of Driving Instruction at Central Tech in Drumright, Oklahoma; he is making amends. Along with instructions on how to safely manage the big rigs, Brown teaches his students how to recognize victims of human trafficking. He is planning to expand his lessons via training videos to other driving schools around the country with the help of Chapter 61 Ministries.

In 2007, Lyn Thompson and her four daughters, along with a family friend, started Chapter 61 Ministries. Their mission is to put an end to human trafficking by utilizing long haul truckers. In partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking, the rush to educate and raise awareness about domestic sex trafficking is speeding along our nation's highways.

http://www.chapter61.com/

In the AP article, Thompson, the national coordinator for Chapter 61 Ministries and a Tulsa resident, is quoted as saying, "Traffickers have to transport their victims, whether by plane, train, ship, bus, car or truck. So, all the transportation industries are first-line defenders against this crime."

"Lot Lizards" is the term used to refer to the boys and girls who work the rest stops and plazas across the country, and according to Kendis Paris, a national coordinator for Truckers Against Trafficking, most of those who prostitute themselves are runaways who have been forced into the sex trade. If they are under the age of 18, the law considers them victims of human trafficking.

http://www.truckersagainsttrafficking.com/

"I don't honestly think anybody wakes up and says, 'I want to sell my body,' but the kids really have no choice," Paris said.

At trucking industry events and meetings Brown, Thompson, Paris and other like-minded humanitarians are handing out wallet cards on which is printed a hotline number to report offenses or get advice. Knowing that the police can't do it alone, TAT's intent is to encourage professional drivers to help put those who perpetrate such a horrific crime in jail.

The next time you are driving and pull up alongside a trucker, give him the high sign of approval. Let him or her know how much you appreciate his or her efforts to save the most innocent among us. You just might get a "toot" back as a show of gratitude. And remember, just because your car is a lot smaller than an 18-wheeler doesn't mean you can't join the crusade and become a Knight of the Highways. It doesn't take physical strength to carry their message, but it does take a pure heart and a desire to fight evil wherever it is found.

Could the Amish be secretly planning to takeover America? It seems incredible, but the facts speak for themselves, and the way they are going about it, the full might of the U.S. military may prove defenseless. Their strategy is simple; they will be the only ones healthy enough to run America! While cancer, autism, diabetes, heart disease and other diseases are rampant among most Americans, they are far rarer among the Amish. One study found that the cancer rate among the Amish was 72% lower than the general American population. Similar numbers have been documented for other diseases that are far less among the Amish.

The Amish don’t vaccinate their children and their children don’t have autism. This is a serious embarrassment to the drug companies which insist that there is no link between vaccines and autism. The Amish grow their own food so everything they eat is fresh and organic. This means there food is free of pesticides, Frankenstein genetically engineered “foods”, preservatives, dyes, etc. They don’t use cell phones, microwave ovens, computers or televisions, so they are exposed to far less radiation. They get plenty of exercise and exposure to fresh air and sunshine from their daily chores. The average American on the other hand is getting fatter and more addicted than ever to processed junk foods. Between smart phones, microwave ovens, wi fi, computers, mammograms, x-rays, and CAT Scans, the average American is exposed to all types additional radiation. Furthermore, the government has entered into an unholy alliance with the drug companies to require more and more doses of vaccines despite the overwhelming amount of documented evidence that vaccines are unnecessary and dangerous. In fact, the recent Supreme Court ruling now allows drug companies to make vaccines that are even deadlier, without fear, because Americans no longer have the right to sue them.

The Amish see what is happening and are waiting patiently for the inevitable downfall of America. As Americans become weaker and sicker from all of the massive amounts of toxins they are being exposed to, the only ones who will be healthy enough and sane enough to rule America will be the Amish. The Amish have indeed crafted an insidious plan to cease control of the United States and it seems that there is nothing that can be done to stop them.

Study of Amish shows many clues to cancer, good health
No Pharma Liability? No Vaccine Mandates
What Can You Learn From The Amish About Staying Healthy?
NO AUTISM FOR UNVACCINATED AMISH?

This is welcome news for job-starved journalists, especially those with wonk credentials. They get a chance to write, to become expert in complicated material, to hone survival instincts in a highly competitive arena, to receive guidance from veteran editors, and to score scoops that will be noticed by a hyper-wired Washington press corps.

Perhaps even more important for the news business, these new services could produce income streams to support additional serious reporting in the public interest, in more robust newsrooms.

Las Vegas-based lawfirm Righthaven has been suing everyone from bloggers to commenters -- anyone who has posted even a portion of the text or images to which it owns the rights. Righthaven doesn't actually make anything, they just buy the rights to stories and images that have gone viral on the web.

Here is some up to date information on the upcoming trial.
Chloroform evidence will be allowed.
The heart sticker found with Caylee's body will be allowed.
The stain in the trunk, believed to be from Caylee's body, will be allowed.

This article reveals some of the dirty little secrets of those HR personnel who make the hiring decisions. It is clear that job qualifications are not the most important criteria and some verge on the illegal. Here are a few highlights:

• If you have been unemployed for more than six months you are considered damaged goods.

• They judge you by your email address.

• If you’re over 50 don’t put the year you graduated from college

• They use tricks to find out if you have young kids. Many don’t want to hire someone with young kids.

• They don’t want to hire fat people.

• If your handshake it weak – forget it.

22 Secrets HR Won’t Tell You About Getting a Job

The nuclear plant in Japan is still leaking radioactive material and now they admit that some of the food and water supply in Japan have been contaminated. The nuclear cloud has reached American shores and no one really knows what the long-term impact might be especially as the power plant continues to send nuclear material towards the U.S. Human lives and the environment are being placed at risk for what? A week ago they could have dropped sand and concrete on the reactors as was done in Chernobyl and sealed up the damaged reactors which would have ended the crisis. Corporate financial interests seem to be the only reason for reluctance to shutdown this facility. This draws into question who should have the ultimate authority to shutdown a leaking nuclear powerplant and what criteria should be used to determine when a damaged plant should be sealed up. Should this decision rest in the hands of the company that owns the reactor? Should individual governments make that decision? Should an international body have that authority? Corporations will do what is in their best interests and these same corporations which build nuclear power plants have tremendous influence on local governments. This is why an international body should be the entity to make such a decision. The current situation is simply inexcusable, horrific and must be changed.

Two nuclear power plants in California are near fault lines. What if an earthquake damages those plants and radioactive material starts to leak from those plants? Should the American people and the world risk exposure to radioactive material week after week, just because the owners of the plant are more concerned about financial loses than public safety? How much radiation has to leak before someone says enough is enough - shut it down?

Workers pulled at Japan nuke plant as smoke rises

Men. Who needs 'em? Colleges don't. Employers don't. Women don't. Even their own parents don't. At least, that's how it feels to a lot of guys, according to prominent social critic Kay Hymowitz's controversial new book, "Manning Up."

The Washington Post suspended one of its most seasoned reporters Wednesday after editors determined that "substantial" parts of two recent news articles were taken without attribution from another newspaper.

Day 1 - March 1

We had approximately 60 prospective jurors to begin with. The small courtroom was pretty much full. We started by watching a video about trials by jury being a constitutional right, and of course saying our state has one of the most efficient trial systems in the country. (I have no idea how they came up with that so called fact.)

From the 60 prospective jurors, 38 numbers were drawn. The judge then asked these 38 people, of which I was one, various questions to determine if there were any conflict of interests, or reasons any of these prospective jurors may be biased in their decisions concerning this case. Next the prosecuting attorney asked a number of questions to make sure these prospective jurors would be suitable, followed by the defense attorney asking a number of questions to make sure the prospective jurors would be suitable.

One of the 38 was replaced by another person from the original 60, because this person had an alleged hearing problem.

The attorneys marked off the prospective jurors they didn't want from the list of 38 leaving 14 of us, 12 plus 2 alternates. The remaining prospective jurors were released to go home.

By this time it was 12:40, and we had a recess for lunch until 2:00.

After we returned from lunch, we were made aware of what the trial was about heard the attorney's opening remarks. This was followed by the prosecution bringing forth its witnesses. At 4:30 PM, we were told the next witness would take a while, so court went to recess until 9:00AM the following day.

Day 2 - March 2

The prosecution finished up with its witnesses, including the 12 year old girl who had allegedly been sexual abused by her father, the defendant, when she was 6 to 7 years old. This was the most difficult part for me, both when she was being questioned by the prosecutor and by the defense attorney. She was an emotional mess, and many people in the courtroom were in tears or close to tears.

At 12:00 we had recess for lunch until 1:30 PM.

Upon returning, the defense stated that it would have no witnesses and the defence rested. We had another long recess of about an hour and a half, for which time we were kept sequestered in the jury room while the attorneys prepared their closing arguments. One juror was allowed to leave because her child had gotten approval for heart surgery.

Next we heard closing arguments. After closing arguments a number of one of the remaining jurers was drawn to be dismissed to go home, leaving just 12 of us to go to deliberation.

During deliberation we went through the testimony and evidence with care, because the life of a man, the defendant, was in the balance and we didn't want to take this case lightly. Deliberation lasted for 3 hours, including a short break in which the bailiff brought us some food. (pizza)

We deliberated the first two charges one at a time, voted on each, and found the defendant guilty. These involved the defendant leaving the state and not notifying the authorities within 5 days as he was supposed to (not even within a period of months), and then not making his yearly appearance to authorities. He was caught when he ran a red light near where he was living with his girlfriend and their 3 month old twins in a neighboring state. He had previously been convicted of statutory rape in Missouri in 1998. Police questioned the defendant about new allegations of lewd conduct in 2009, which afterward is when he disappeared.

The last two charges we deliberated together, because they both were about sexual abuse to the daughter by the father. One count was doing this within the home, and the other was doing this within vehicles the father had been driving. We sent one message back to the judge during this time for clarification on one of the counts. Soon after, we found the defendant guilty on the two remaining counts as well.

The four charges were officially made up of two counts of failing to register as a sex offender and two counts of lewd conduct with a child under 16 years of age.

We notified the bailif, who then escorted us out to the jury box. The bailif was handed the verdict by the lead juror, and then handed it to the judge. The judge read the verdict, the defendant being guilty on all 4 felony counts, then read the verdict out loud to the defendant. From what I could see, there wasn't anyone very surprised by the verdict.

At 7:40PM, we jurors made up of 7 men and 5 women, were dismissed and allowed to go home.

Day 3 - March 3

Yes, the trial is over but I felt completely drained, both physically and emotionally. I ended up sleeping until early afternoon.

Over the following days I experienced nightmares about the trial.

Update: Sentencing is scheduled for May 23. The defendant faces a sentence of up to 10 years on each of the failure to register charges and a possible life sentence on each of the other two counts.

On Tuesday, which was yesterday in Japan, there were two more explosions and one of the explosions ripped through the protective dome of one of the reactors releasing deadly radioactive material into the atmosphere. The government is warning the estimated 140,000 people within 18 miles of the plant to stay indoors. Unfortunately, it is not clear how long they would have to stay indoors nor is it clear how much protection staying indoors would offer since people still have to breathe and drink water, both of which could be contaminated with radioactive particles. Even though Tokyo is 150 miles from the plant, the radiation levels there are 10 times their normal levels. The people in Tokyo are in a panic as more radioactive material heads their way. Many are fleeing the city and the country, while others are stampeding the stores stocking up on flashlights, batteries, candles and other supplies. An 18 mile no-fly zone has been imposed around the plant. Even more frightening is the fact that 750 workers have been evacuated from the nuclear facility, leaving behind only 50 workers. There is so much radiation around some of the buildings that no one can get near them to access what is happening. What makes the situation in Japan so much more potentially dangerous is the fact that it has multiple reactors next to each other, which means that when a disaster like this happens all of the reactors are at risk of a meltdown at the same time.

In the Chernobyl incident, deadly levels of radiation stretched 900 miles. This was from one nuclear reactor. Since the Japanese plant has multiple reactors this means that the danger zone could be far wider if radioactive material escapes from several reactors. Everyone within a 900 mile radius and beyond are in grave danger. Those within 18 miles and being told to stay indoors, are in a horrific bind, because it is not safe inside and it is not safe to try to leave the area now. Unless something is done immediately, Tokyo and everything within at least 900 miles will be exposed to deadly levels of radiation turning the whole area into a killing field with people slowly dying from cancers and other diseases. Physicist Micho Kaku warns that the Japanese Plant has reached the point of no return and advises that Japan initiate the Chernobyl option. This involves planes and helicopters dropping thousands of tons of sand and concrete on these reactors. He feels that this is the only way to stop the release of more radioactive material into the atmosphere.

A radioactive cloud is moving from Japan across the pacific and heading to the West Coast of the U.S. This has set off a panic on the Pacific West Coast and there is a rush on the purchasing of potassium iodine tablets. Meteorologists are not clear as of yet just how dangerous the radioactive cloud will be as it starts to reach the shores of the U.S. A lot seems to depend on the weather and the altitude of the radioactive material. Many people are planning for the worse.

The economic implications of all of this for Japan, the U.S. and the world are obviously horrific. Amazingly, the price of oil has actually gone down as a result of the crisis in Japan. The full economic ramifications will be better assessed over the weeks and months ahead. The health effects will take years to assess.

City of New York

How Likely Is Full-Scale Meltdown?

Japan braces for potential radiation catastrophe
Could radiation from Japan reach the U.S.?

No Bottom in Sight for Nuclear Disaster with Every Hour Bringing More Bad News

Michio Kaku on March 14, 2011, 1:35 PM

Journalism vs. Blogging. Those who criticize bloggers the most keep repeating that it will never be a substitute for Journalism. But is that the best way to compare them? Blogging will never be a substitute for conventional journalism, but that is besides the point. They complement each other.

Today the Pew Research Center for Excellence in Journalism released its annual "State of the Media" report, and it's a mixed bag of good and bad news. According to the report, there are signs that the industry is beginning to recover "after two dreadful years": hiring has picked up, as has revenue, and layoffs have slowed down somewhat.

Much of the overview is about shifting economics of news. A good read for any concerned media consumer.

In Japan, people are being evacuated up to twelve miles from the damaged nuclear power plant, but physicist Michio Kaku warns that the winds don't stop at twelve miles and advises that people be evacuated for at least 20 miles. So why isn't the Japanese Government taking his advise? Many people will be exposed to deadly radiation if they are not evacuated further back. Also the Japanese Government is advising people to stay in doors, but what good will that do against radioactive material floating in the air? Even if they sealed up their homes completely, how long can a person live in their home without fresh air? Also what is the risk to the water supply?

New worries at troubled nuclear reactor

Fears of Nuclear Meltdown in Japan

Just like gay is not about sexuality but about gender ... so-called 'homophobia' is not about a hatred for man desiring men (as the 'gay' identified third genders, like to believe), but its actually sissyphobia.

The gays (who are actually third genders who like men, not men who like men) like to believe that the strong stigma around 'gay' amongst who they call 'straights' (who are actually just manly males, not necessarily heterosexual), is because of religous sanctions. However, nothing could be far from the truth. The men's spaces actually cherish a real man who displays an open interest in men ... what is really stigmatized for men is male femininity -- that is what the concept of 'homosexuality' is all about.

Homosexuality is not about a man's desire for men, but about a third gender's desire for men.

In a matter of days, over 40,000 Change.org members have sent emails expressing outrage over a recent New York Times article that insinuated an 11-year-old Texas girl was to blame for her own gang-rape. This afternoon the public editor, Arthur Brisbane, took note of this outpouring by condemning the article's lack of "balance" in his blog on the paper's website. The appalling piece in question included community gossip about what the preteen victim wore and who she hung out with.

On top of all of the devastation that has struck Japan, there was a massive explosion at a nuclear power plant that was in the earthquake zone. Poisonous radioactive material could escape into the atmosphere bringing cancer and other illnesses to people for miles. People are being evacuated up to a 12 mile radius, but the threat could spread well beyond that radius. A full meltdown would be far more devastating to human life and the environment. Overtime time the threat could spread to other countries.

What most people do not realize is that there is a longstanding debate over whether HIV is the cause of AIDS and whether it even exists. Top scientists, doctors and researchers for years have challenged the HIV hypothesis. People like Dr. Peter Duesberg who is one of the world’s leading virologists have argued that HIV is not the cause of AIDS. A major report published in the Journal Bio/Technology provided extensive documentation on why HIV has never been isolated. Most people who believe in HIV have never read this report and those who have, typically are unable to refute the specific arguments contained in this report. Isolation simply means separating a virus from everything else and obtaining a purified sample of the virus. This is an extremely critical step before a virus can be proven to be the cause of a particular disease. If HIV has not been isolated, it means that the HIV tests are worthless because there is no gold standard to measure the accuracy of any such HIV test. In fact, none of the manufacturers of the HIV tests guarantee the accuracy of their tests and warn in their package inserts that their test should not be used alone to determine whether someone actually has HIV. This of course is quite shocking since people’s lives are forever altered based on these tests. At the recent Harlem AIDS Forum held in February of 2011, Dr. Nancy Turner Banks, who holds an MD from Harvard, also stated that HIV has never been isolated.

In many parts of the world such as in regions of Africa, people are diagnosed as having AIDS without even being given an HIV test! In fact, in Africa they use a different definition of AIDS. Those who have questioned the HIV hypothesis have been stunned by these inconsistencies. Dr. Nancy Padian did a study on sexual transmission of HIV over a ten year period. She tracked couples in which one partner was HIV positive and one was HIV negative, and they were having unprotected sex or using condoms inconsistently. The end result was that out of the 175 couples who remained in the study, none of those who were HIV negative converted to HIV positive! How is this possible if HIV is a sexually transmitted disease? Those who believe in HIV need to answer the following questions: 1. Who was the first person to succeed in obtaining a purified sample of HIV? 2. How did that person prove that HIV was the one and only cause of the different diseases listed under the heading of AIDS? 3. What standards do the manufacturers of the HIV tests use to determine the accuracy of their tests? Anyone who objectively addresses these specific questions will discover that there is still a great deal of debate over whether HIV is the cause of AIDS and whether it has really been proven to exist.

If HIV is not the cause of AIDS, this would be very positive and exciting news! Of course those raking in billions each year from research grants, test kits, and drugs, obviously would not be too many happy about such a revelation. This is why most of the general public has not even heard this information before.

Peter Duesberg: science vs."hiv/aids"
Inventing The AIDS Virus

By Peter Duesberg

Interview on Tony Brown’s Journal

Is a Positive Western Blot Proof of HIV Infection?

Eleni Papadopulos-Eleopulos, Valendar F. Turner and John M. Papadimitriou

Heterosexual Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in

Northern California: Results from a Ten-year Study

Nancy S. Padian,1 Stephen C. Shiboski,2 Sarah O. Glass,1 and Eric Vittinghoff3

WHAT IS AIDS?

By George Kent

The Harlem AIDS Forum

To that end, "Write for Arkansas" is a project to improve and increase local news coverage by placing five reporters in existing newsrooms throughout the state for two years, in areas that needed it the most. The project is funded in large part by a Knight Community Information Challenge grant and was organized by the Arkansas Community Foundation.

The public school system is doing a great job of taking the fun out of learning and turning kids off from school as early as first grade. Kids are being overwhelmed with too many concepts and too many tests while not enough attention is being paid to basic skills. They are given tests every week and essentially placed on a treadmill that does not stop. Children in first grade are being tested on converting inches to centimeter, less than and greater than symbols, learning the parts of a flower, and the parts of a story. The problem is that many of these same students are still struggling with basic spelling, addition, and forming sentences. The basics are being given less of a priority in favor of flooding students with multiple concepts. How many adults know how to convert inches to centimeter or know the parts of a flower? Many adults are able to function quite well without such knowledge. Children are being overwhelmed with all of this information at an early age as are many parents who struggle to try and help their kids keep up. Children get discouraged because they are led to believe that they are not smart and parents become frustrated because their ability to help their child is often limited. Teachers are also frustrated because they are forced to follow the curriculum dictated to them by school officials.

After years of this type of mental and emotional abuse, many students get discouraged and don’t try as hard. No one likes feeling like they are slow or dumb, year after year. This is one of the main reasons why so many schools are supposedly failing and being closed in cities like New York. The most shocking thing about all of this is that parents are sitting back and allowing this abuse of their children to take place. Parents should be up in arms over this madness. Parents must challenge the public school curriculum instead of accepting whatever nonsense that school officials try to ram down the throats of children. Parents must be intimately involved in the design of academic curriculum including what is taught, at what pace it is taught, and there being sufficient support structures in terms of tutoring and after school programs to help students. Teachers and principals can not do this because they are too afraid for their jobs. Parents are the only ones with the power to demand change!

Pupils face too many tests, school governors say in attack on exams

Testing of pupils at 11 has 'serious negative effect'
Pathways to Prosperity
Failing public schools

Jay Landesman, a writer and editor whose journal Neurotica analyzed the anxieties of postwar America and whose Broadway musical, "The Nervous Set," has been called the first (and only) Beat musical, died on Feb. 20 at his home in London. He was 91.

Last year, at the age of 14, Bobby Martinez, Jr. of Belle Glade, Florida kidnapped and repeatedly raped a ten year old girl. Martinez did not know this child. She was a stranger to him as he was to her. Yet, without reason, he brutalized her in the most horrific of ways and threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Then he further added to her pain and humiliation by urinating on her – a final act showing not only his total disregard for her as a human being but also confirming the lack of any humanity within him.

Last Friday, in a Palm Beach County courthouse, Bobby Martinez met his fate at the hands of Circuit Judge John Kastrenakes, and he got lucky. State Attorney Daliah Weiss had asked for a 40 year prison term. Instead, Judge Kastrenakes sentenced Martinez to 25 years and, upon release, a lifetime of intensive supervision reserved for sex offenders. My reaction: "Big Whoop!" A 25 year term is akin to a slap on the wrist and who, I ask you, is going to supervise him when he is once again free to roam and prey upon the innocent?

Consider this statistic: According to the San Diego Tribune (6/16/10), the State of California spends an average of $60 million a year tracking more than 7,000 convicted sex offenders with GPS. Yet, over 31,000 alerts went unresolved in an area ranging from Los Angeles through San Bernardino County to the Mexican border.

Did you follow that? In a limited area and even with a GPS tracking system in place, officers assigned to monitor the movements of repeat sexual offenders did not respond to over 31,000 alerts. That's a lot of women and children placed in jeopardy because rapists are allowed parole.

It is customary in the Florida prison system for sexual offenders to receive therapy in the final months before the culmination of their sentence. During Martinez's trial, a defense psychologist testified that he is at high risk of raping again if he doesn't receive immediate treatment. Hoping to avoid such a tragedy, Judge Kastrenakes urged that Martinez be extended whatever therapy is available now – not 25 years from now. Even with therapy, there is no guarantee that Martinez will not repeat his actions. So, let's consider why he is even eligible for parole.

The fault for that lies with the highest court in the land. In May 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that a sentence of life without parole for teenagers found guilty of crimes where death does not occur violates the constitutional guarantee against cruel and unusual punishment. Does the Court not consider the rape of a ten year old cruel? Aren't victims entitled to the constitutional guarantee not to live in fear for the rest of their lives? Since my daughter was the victim of a violent crime, I can tell you with absolute certainty that death takes many forms, and the survivors of violent crimes suffer the fear of death anew every day. They should never have to wonder if their attacker will one day be free to finish the job they started.

Let's consider a few of the cases in which teenagers were sentenced to life without parole prior to the Supreme Court's 2010 ruling and whose sentences could now be overturned. Bear in mind, there are 129 prisoners under the age of eighteen serving life terms for such crimes -- 77 of those convictions took place in Florida, which has the severest sentencing rate of any state in the country. Needless to say, Florida weighed heavily in the Supreme Court's deliberations.

Among those teenagers who have been sentenced to life without parole are Nathan Walker and Jakaris Taylor. Walker was 16 and Taylor was 15 in 2007 when they, along with other gang members, tortured and repeatedly raped a 35 year old woman, eventually forcing her to have sex with her 12 year old son, who they had also beaten. The details of this assault are so horrendous that revisiting them even for this article is painful. Information can be found online by researching the "Dunbar Village" case.

The life sentence of Milagro Cunningham is also in question. He was fifteen when he kidnapped an eight year old Lake Worth girl, raped and beat her and then disposed of her body like it was nothing more than a rag doll. To hide his crime, he took that little girl, still alive, to a deserted landfill, where he threw her into a recycling bin and covered her with a pile of rocks. Cunningham left her to die -- but she didn't. By some miracle, she was found and survived her injuries.

In all fairness, it should be noted that the Supreme Court's split vote (5-4) on this issue does not prevent states from putting juveniles who commit horrendous crimes in prison for life. What their decision means is that states must provide the possibility of parole should the offenders prove to be rehabilitated and each state is free to set its own standards.

What constitutes rehabilitation? How do the experts assure themselves (and us) that a rapist has been "cured?" These are complex questions with no definitive answers. Most experts agree that, if treatment is to be effective, it must be done early and often, especially with youthful offenders. Most experts also agree that therapy doesn't work for rapists and pedophiles. A 1997 report estimated the recidivism rate for rapists over a long period to be 25%. However --

(From the Center for Sex Offender Management) - Reliance on measures of recidivism as reflected through official criminal justice system data obviously omit offenses that are not cleared through an arrest or those that are never reported to the police. This distinction is critical in the measurement of recidivism of sex offenders. For a variety of reasons, sexual assault is a vastly underreported crime. The National Crime Victimization Surveys (Bureau of Justice Statistics) conducted in 1994, 1995, and 1998 indicate that only 32 percent (one out of three) of sexual assaults against persons 12 or older are reported to law enforcement. A three-year longitudinal study of 4,008 adult women found that 84 percent of respondents who identified themselves as rape victims did not report the crime to authorities. (No current studies indicate the rate of reporting for child sexual assault, although it is generally assumed that these assaults are equally underreported.) Many victims are afraid to report sexual assault to the police.

During the sentencing proceeding for Bobby Martinez, Judge Kastrenakes said, "… we are going to have to deal with Bobby Martinez when he comes out of the prison system."

My question is "Why should we have to?"

When President Obama delivered his State of the Union last week, a new poll showed Americans are feeling better about the state of that union than they have in almost four years.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 43 percent of those surveyed say things are going well in the U.S. - that's up 14 points in just a month.

A majority - 56 percent - still say things are going badly. But that number is down sharply from 71 percent last month.

Jim Giles, a California-based freelance journalist, isn't taking that advice. He has teamed up with computer scientists from Carnegie Mellon on a project they're calling "My Boss is a Robot," to see what happens when mTurk workers attempt real journalism. Or, "journalism." In this experiment, Giles and his colleagues will use a team of mTurkers to read, report on, and then write a short article about a new paper in a scholarly scientific journal.

In the US we need cheap, renewable, reliable, clean electricity. We need it so we can stop building coal fired power plants. We need it because electicity is the go to power source when oil prices rise up rididculously high. The question is why do we need all of this new power? Why is our usage of the, "Juice," expanding. Where do we need all of this power to go and how is it supposed to get there? You might think these issues are irrelevant but if you want cheap, renewable, reliable, clean electricity then these are things that must be taken into consideration.

By now you are probably aware that our manufacturing capacity is and has been in a down-ward trend. We are using less power to manufacture goods and less work is being done over all. Our new power consumption is not coming from centers of industrial manufacture. (A lot of those places were run on natural gas for power anyway). Our new power consumption is directly attributed to all of the new structures (houses and such) that we have now and all of the new people (kids and such) that we have now. It is also related to all of the new gadgets we have now. You may have noticed that junior doesn't play outside as much as you did when you were little. That box he is staring at and the game system he is using those things use power and so does the screen you are staring at.

Our power needs are expanding in millions of little places all at the same time. With every new cell phone that needs a charge and every new must have device that does our thinking for us we use more power. This usage is more difficult to solve than expanding manufacturing capacity. A new factory requires one big power source and a giant wire to bring the juice. The same power consumption delivered to a million new places requires millions of miles of little wires and puts additional strain on a system of power (the grid) that was not designed to carry the new amounts of juice. Upgrading that system can be extremely expensive. This goes back to cheap and reliable as requirements for the power we need.

So you take our new power requirements distributed everywhere and the answer one big new power source ( the ocean windmill farm) and what you get is neither cheap nor all that reliable. It does nothing but put more power into a grid that is barely rated for what it is doing now. I know some people are getting mad right now because piling up the wind mills into the ocean is what the big energy companies want. Our current government represents them quite well so this article is for the rest of us. There is another answer to these problems that is more effective and meets all of the requirements of the power we need. It is called distirbuted generation and it is the right answer to our power needs.

Since our millions of points of light power problem is distributed all over, generating power to solve it should be distributed everywhere also. We need to remove road blocks to people that would like to generate power on their own property. This N.I.M.B.Y. (not in my backyard) attitude toward small whisper quiet wind mills is both wrong and serves no one but the big power conglomerates that abhore the idea of anyone being out from under their thumb. We need a new right in this country. The right to put up a small whisper quiet windmill (depending on size of land). I like the rule that if it would fall and hit your neighbor's property you must get an easement from them.

The right to connect to the grid (with accepted, listed equipment according to local and national codes) for the purpose of having standby power or even selling small amounts back to the grid to power the neighbors homes needs to be streamlined as well. You should be able to buy a solar panel at the Wal-mart and plug it in at your house (with the correct outlets installed) and start generating power the same day you buy it without contacting the power company or begging for the honor (or in many cases being asked to provide insurance for the purpose). The technology exists now to make it completely safe to do so. Today's new micro-inverters shut off with any interuption in power keeping linemen and other electrical workers safe in the event of local line work. The correct equipment can be mass marketed and would make really great Christmas presents for friends and relatives with high power bills or just care about the environment.

There is so much opportunity for people to take charge and satisfy all of our new power needs. We can turn off so many of those dirty coal fired and even natural gas powered plants just by putting up millions of little power producing devices. I am litterally talking about power for the people. We can all invest in solving the nations power issues and get the best kind of power there is.... free power. Subsidy is good for these efforts but I think it should function in the form of loans and manufacturing subsidy to bring manufacturers of the products we are going to buy a lot of here where the demand is. The answer is so clear that and good for the people, one is left to wonder who would be against it.

The big power companies and providers are very much against the customers producing their own electricity. There is billions of dollars at stake here and they are not going to give that up easily. They will tell you that the answer cannot entirely be distributed generation. They will say that we are going to need more coal fired, nuclear, and large installation power to meet our nations rising demands. We must learn to think of these things logically if it is our behavior that is causing these demands, we can solve the issue by behaving differently. The people being the answer to their own problems doesn't really suit the corporate and current political climate so you hear a lot of arguements against any solution that involves the individual.

200 watts of solar can be plugged in for less than 700 dollars now without subsidy if you know where to shop. That price is going down all of the time and installing one solar panel makes all kinds of sense. Your neighbor doesn't have to buy a towering turbine that kills all of the birds for miles around. A nice three kw roof top job would do the trick nicely and we should let him have it (unless you have stock in the local power company). You don't have to buy a bank of batteries and go off-grid. I recommend not doing that because battery replacement is expensive. You can just buy a solar panel or a baby wind mill and put it up. (Sun and wind charts are available to help with feasability). Do it your selfers should love these projects and the Home Depot can give classes.

The extremely corporatist green movement (the yellows) would lead you to believe that filling the ocean with wind mills, oil wells, and giant floating bombs that sterilize sea-water (liquefied natural gas storage facilities) is the best way to save our planet and provide the US with the power we need. The current administration is extremely invested in these ideas and has laid the plans to get it done. They have given a large amount of control to the PEW oil trusts for the purposes of planning the corporatization of a free and pristine wilderness (one of the last ones on earth). The same people that are responsible for the agreements needed to log two thirds of the great bear rain forest (the only one in North America.

Getting back to the big wind mill farms in the ocean. In Europe they allow fishermen to fish around the windmills and have a mixed use policy for the ocean that values the contirbution of food harvesters as well as clean power. There are wind mills in the ocean there but the wind mill owners do not need ownership of the ocean bottom for miles around. Here our corporate interests have been trying very hard to create ocean real estate and giving property rights to the wind mill owners is their way of making the ocean ready for exploitation. Ocean real estate is needed to exploit the wealth of minerals and resources that mining concerns and energy companies would like to have.

Fishermen are in the way of these plans because they want the fish stocks that will be harmed by these activities to thrive and have a clean environment to live in. They also want the freedom of navigation and access to the sea that has been enjoyed by mariners for all of recorded history. Wars have been fought over freedom of navigation and access to the waters of our world. Ocean real estate is a bad deal for the last truly wilderness area on Earth. The life giving waters of the sea have contained in them all of the resources that have been found on land times two. There are a lot of wealthy forward thinking people that would like to collect that wealth at the expense of others.

So when you hear fishermen asking that wind mill farms be placed somewhere besides the fishing grounds they count on to make their living. Please know it is because they care about the ocean and do not want to see it corporatized by the oil trusts and foundations of the wealthy and filled with industrial power equipment.

Writing An Article Has The Power To Change The World To Everyone That Feels This May Be A Waste of Time This One Is For You

In October of last year I wrote a pair of articles that got very little response on the internet. They were about a little known fishing issue that the regional media would take months to catch up to. With many industry jobs at stake and the fate of two or three factories on the line I worked very hard on the first article turning it out just in time to get it included in the request for government intervention.

Even though the internet response was indifferent that first article was printed into hard copy and handed out to the members of the New England Fisheries Management Council and a group of elected officials including Senator Bruce Tarr. The University of Dartmouth used some of the graphs for a presentation in the meetings for quota relief for the fishing industry in the North East that were held in New Bedford. The manager at Norpel Owen spoke very eloquently at the meeting on behalf of our industry and our jobs. He also wrote this letter about it.

The request for help went all the way to the Secretary of Commerce who denied it in a blanket statement of policy (something along the lines of how a sell-out like himself would never help the people scheduled to be screwed over by big eco-business). That seemed to be the end of it for us the loss of ten million dollars of income to our little industry per year sure to eliminate jobs and bankrupt vessels and factories. Then something happened at the groundfish council meeting last week that was unexpected...

FW- From last NEFMC council meeting that originated from the groundfish commitee........

When the matter was brought before the council, of the offshore herring fishery and the inability of the vessels to catch the allotted quota due to biologically unnecessary and predatory regulations the industry's detractors were strangely silent. The New Bedford fishermen turned out for the meeting and supported allowing the herring vessells to catch herring by upping the quota of haddock bycatch to 1 percent of the haddock quota. (Historically the actual bycatch has never even approached that amount).

The council vote was unanimously for the quota adjustment with two abstentions Sally Mcgee of the EDF and the guy from New Hampshire (Goethner).

Our efforts to show the people of the industry the kind of unfair regulation we were up against and the measure of the resolve of those who are paid to destroy it paid off with a win at council. With any luck in the middle of next year we should be able to harvest the George's bank herring stock and perhaps a few more members and boats in our little industry will survive because of it.

Sadly this may not help the two factories that are ready to go bankrupt from financial losses brought upon them by both poor mackeral seasons and the corruption that has interfered with their ability to freeze herring for domestic marine mammal food, (like Sea World......Shamoo has got to eat.), and for the foreign market where the fish is sold in Africa in many small markets for individual people to buy a few fish to eat.

I guess the moral of the story is fishermen having a unified voice can get things done. When we stick together our detractors have a lot more trouble getting rid of us than when we are divided against each other.

Also the power of words and facts......up until very recently the NGO's ruled the air waves with their singular and insistent message, "Fishermen are bad! The Ocean is over-fished. The greedy killers will catch everything unless we get more regulation now!!" They repeated that message for thirty years and there was less opposition to what they were saying all of the time. They divided us against each other by taking sides in our squabbles and used us to say negative things about each other to help the over-all message of negative imagery for fishermen.

Today there are other voices springing up. People that are not being paid to speak, write, rally or lobby. Keep speaking out fishermen!! Your voices are needed. Your stories should be told. Pushing back against those that would destroy hard working Americans and their communities for a quick profit is the only way we have left to preserve our way of life.

One year after J.D. Salinger's death, we know little more about him than we did in his lifetime. That has not kept outsiders from trying, or insiders from resisting.

Telltale hearts beat with anticipation during a rainy, midnight dreary and beyond, hoping the mysterious visitor to Edgar Allan Poe's grave would return after a one-year absence.

The board of directors of the Society of Professional Journalists has voted to retire a lifetime achievement award named for longtime journalist Helen Thomas, who has made a series of controversial statements in recent months.

While President Obama took the lead in celebrating Christina Taylor Green's life yesterday, will someone please tell me where Frau Palin was? That's right. Nowhere to be found.

If the assassination attempts on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a federal judge, a 9-year-old child and other innocents weren't tragic and horrific enough, what followed from the liberal media added serious insult to fatal injury.

Franklin Graham, successor to Billy Graham and head of the non profit relief agency, The Samaritan's Purse, has stepped into the latest political fray, apparently uninformed and unarmed for this discussion. He states:

"I have been shocked at the reports from those suggesting that former Governor Sarah Palin has some level of responsibility for the horrific shooting in Arizona. I got to know Governor Palin when she served as Governor of Alaska. She was extremely helpful to Samaritan’s Purse in providing relief to remote villages throughout the state. Most recently, she and members of her family traveled with me to Haiti where we visited Cholera clinics, temporary shelter communities, and participated in an Operation Christmas Child distribution.

She is a kind and compassionate God-fearing woman who believes with all her heart that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Whether you agree with her politics or not, it is outrageous to suggest that her political opinions encourage violence toward anyone. This is a time for mourning and prayer for the victims and their families." ( http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=7618)

Mr. Graham, while no one can condemn your efforts via The Samaritan's Purse, I have to ask you are you really this naive when it comes to one Sarah Palin and her continuous spewing forth the rhetoric of hatred?

Former Governor Palin's rhetoric and opportunism during the most recent presidential campaign is a matter of record. The opportunistic and parasitic nature of her campaign is obvious to any innocent bystander and her attempts to galvanize and stir up hatred are transparent. Now she uses the terminology "blood libel" and you still say she has no responsibility for the cultural atmosphere in which we find ourselves with this recent act of violence in Arizona? Shame on you. We all know you know better. You are a very smart man.

Her political rhetoric does encourage violence, it does stir hatred and division and I would suggest, sir, her involvement with Samaritan's Purse is yet another one of her attempts to use people for her political gain. In my opinion her declaration of faith is a religious stalking horse and her association with Samaritan's Purse just another piece of the puzzle in her attempts to gain political office.

How do you reconcile this mild mannered loving and caring person with the fact that she, while Governor of the State of Alaska, refused to defund the government of The Sudan via the Alaska Permanent Fund, citing that "it would not be in the financial intersts of the people of the State of Alaska" to defund genocide? I know you have been to The Sudan. You have seen personally what has transpired there. You can, in part, thank Sarah Palin for the genocide that has been occurring there for several years. She had the opportunity to prove her politcal metal....and did. Actions speak louder than words.

"By their fruit ye shall know them..." Remember that verse?

It seems to me that Sarah Palin is yet another example of the Religious Right's continuous attempts to play on the fears of a large number of very simple and politically naive people. Ms. Palin obviously does this for her own aspirations and the procurement of political office to her own enurement and ego. God only knows who really will be the beneficiary of her obtaining political office. Probably many of them are members of the Council for National Policy, (http://www.cfnp.org/) a group with which I am sure you are very familiar.

I find your categoric denial of Sarah Palin's contributions to our current volitile political environment at best naive. I also do not believe you are that naieve and can only speculate as to your true motives.

A step in the right direction for you, as you seem to have access to former Governor Palin, would be to exhort her to put her money where her mouth is and advocate the defunding of the genocide in The Sudan. The people of the Sudan and the State of Alaska deserve better, as do the rest of us in this country.

Sincerely,

A not so naive former fundamentalist.

Salem Witch Trials Salem. 1692. The events that took place in the town of Salem and nearby towns in Massachusetts will be forever regarded as one of our young nation's most tarnished moments in history. We won't forget. We can't forget.

Dick Winters, a highly decorated World War II hero who became a household name when his heroics were chronicled in a Stephen Ambrose book that later became the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," has died. He was 92.
A very private and modest man, he died last week but requested that the news be withheld until after the funeral, a family friend told the Associated Press.
After enlisting in the Army on Aug. 25, 1941, the Pennsylvania native enrolled in Officer Candidate School, eventually being commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 506th regiment of the 101st Airborne Division -- known as Easy Company -- and was deployed with his regiment to land by parachute in France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.