Christopher Jamison, Roman Catholic Priest, Accuses Walt Disney Co. of Corrupting Children's Minds

It seems like the Roman Catholic church is on a roll lately. Well, Christopher Jamison, the Abbot of Worth, West Sussex, has accused Walt Disney of "exploiting spirituality" to sell its products and of turning Disneyland into a modern day pilgrimage site. He argued that it pretends to provide stories with a moral message, but has actually helped to create a more materialistic culture. Wow, they have suddenly become morally upstanding.

In a guide to helping people find happiness, the abbot, who starred in the hit-BBC series The Monastery, warns that society is in danger of losing its soul because of growing consumerism and the decline of religion.

He suggests that many people have become obsessed with work, sex and eating in an attempt to ignore their underlying unhappiness, and criticises corporations and industries that have benefited from promoting false notions of fulfilment. Source: UK Telegraph

I wonder why religion is on such a rapid decline? Could it be that wolves dressed as sheep are in the highest positions in many churches? Starting with the Roman Catholic priests and their rampant molestation of little boys years ago?

Fr Jamison, who has been tipped as a contender to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor as the next Archbishop of Westminster, targets the behaviour of Disney in particular, which he says is "a classic example" of how consumerism is being sold as an alternative to finding happiness in traditional morality.

While he acknowledges that Disney stories carry messages showing good triumphing over evil, he argues this is part of a ploy to persuade people that they should buy Disney products in order to be "a good and happy family".

He cites films such as Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians that feature moral battles, but get into children's imaginations and make them greedy for the merchandise that goes with them. "The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children's world needs Disney," he says. "So they absolutely must go to see the next Disney movie, which we'll also want to give them on DVD as a birthday present."They will be happier if they live the full Disney experience; and thousands of families around the world buy into this deeper message as they flock to Disneyland."

Well, I really don't believe Disney is a major part of the problem today. Let's take a look at the programming on television today? Need I go on?

"This is basically the commercial exploitation of spirituality," he says, adding that as a result Disney and other corporations "inhabit our imagination"."Once planted there they can make us endlessly greedy. And that is exactly what they are doing."

I wish the pastors out there would focus on winning souls for Christ, instead of mixing religion with politics. Disney is a lot of things, but they have never influenced my spirituality. There are a lot of factors that play a great role in the consumerism and individualism and Walt Disney Co., is not the culprit. Churches everywhere need to examine themselves to figure out why people are leaving.

Christopher Jamison, Roman Catholic Priest, Accuses Walt Disney Co. of Corrupting Children's Minds

It seems like the Roman Catholic church is on a roll lately. Well, Christopher Jamison, the Abbot of Worth, West Sussex, has accused Walt Disney of "exploiting spirituality" to sell its products and of turning Disneyland into a modern day pilgrimage site. He argued that it pretends to provide stories with a moral message, but has actually helped to create a more materialistic culture. Wow, they have suddenly become morally upstanding.

In a guide to helping people find happiness, the abbot, who starred in the hit-BBC series The Monastery, warns that society is in danger of losing its soul because of growing consumerism and the decline of religion.

He suggests that many people have become obsessed with work, sex and eating in an attempt to ignore their underlying unhappiness, and criticises corporations and industries that have benefited from promoting false notions of fulfilment. Source: UK Telegraph

I wonder why religion is on such a rapid decline? Could it be that wolves dressed as sheep are in the highest positions in many churches? Starting with the Roman Catholic priests and their rampant molestation of little boys years ago?

Fr Jamison, who has been tipped as a contender to succeed Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor as the next Archbishop of Westminster, targets the behaviour of Disney in particular, which he says is "a classic example" of how consumerism is being sold as an alternative to finding happiness in traditional morality.

While he acknowledges that Disney stories carry messages showing good triumphing over evil, he argues this is part of a ploy to persuade people that they should buy Disney products in order to be "a good and happy family".

He cites films such as Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians that feature moral battles, but get into children's imaginations and make them greedy for the merchandise that goes with them. "The message behind every movie and book, behind every theme park and T-shirt is that our children's world needs Disney," he says. "So they absolutely must go to see the next Disney movie, which we'll also want to give them on DVD as a birthday present."They will be happier if they live the full Disney experience; and thousands of families around the world buy into this deeper message as they flock to Disneyland."

Well, I really don't believe Disney is a major part of the problem today. Let's take a look at the programming on television today? Need I go on?

"This is basically the commercial exploitation of spirituality," he says, adding that as a result Disney and other corporations "inhabit our imagination"."Once planted there they can make us endlessly greedy. And that is exactly what they are doing."

I wish the pastors out there would focus on winning souls for Christ, instead of mixing religion with politics. Disney is a lot of things, but they have never influenced my spirituality. There are a lot of factors that play a great role in the consumerism and individualism and Walt Disney Co., is not the culprit. Churches everywhere need to examine themselves to figure out why people are leaving.

Jdimytai Damour, 34, Dies in Valley Stream Wal-Mart Stampede, Did the Retailer Provide Adequate Security?

The stampede in a Nassau county, New York, Wal-Mart that left Jdimytai Damour dead is a disgrace. The people who trampled this man should be ashamed, acting as hooligans out to get the first XBox 360 or Nintendo Wii. They are no better than the common thug in the streets. It seems the stampede that entered the Valley Stream outlet did so with no good intentions. You see, according to NY Daily News, the "out-of-control" mob of frenzied shoppers smashed through the store's front doors and trampled this man. Black Friday will be remembered for this senseless death.

The Black Friday stampede plunged the Valley Stream outlet into chaos, knocking several employees to the ground and sending others scurrying atop vending machines to avoid the horde. Source: NY Daily News

When the dust settled, Mr. Damour, 34, was dead and four shoppers, including a pregnant woman, were injured. Was the XBox 360 or Plasma HDTV really worth trampling this man?

"He was bum-rushed by 200 people," said Wal-Mart worker Jimmy Overby, 43. "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. "They took me down, too ... I didn't know if I was going to live through it. I literally had to fight people off my back," Overby said. Source: NY Daily News

That is a disgrace. One would not expect a pack of marauding shoppers to trample innocent people for material gain. These shoppers were a pack of savages.

Roughly 2,000 people gathered outside the Wal-Mart's doors in the predawn darkness. Chanting "push the doors in," the crowd pressed against the glass as the clock ticked down to the 5 a.m. opening. Sensing catastrophe, nervous employees formed a human chain inside the entrance to slow down the mass of shoppers.It didn't work. The mob barreled in and overwhelmed workers.

"They were jumping over the barricades and breaking down the door," said Pat Alexander, 53, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. "Everyone was screaming. You just had to keep walking on your toes to keep from falling over."Source: NY Daily News

I have to wonder, what safety precautions did Wal-Mart take or did it ignore the sense of concern the workers at the door expressed about the crowd? The bottom line is that Wal-Mart, which has managed to stay profitable in this challenged economy, has repeatedly proven that it cares more about profits than the welfare of their workers. If they had the proper security detail in place, this may not have happened on such a scale. I don't know but I am not sure how the cops will find the people who trampled this man. If they do, they deserve to be punished. This is a sad turn of events, but to be honest, I really don't see anyone being imprisoned for this. If anything, this shows how materialistic and shallow some people are and they will do anything to get what they want, even if it means trampling an innocent man to death. Black Friday was indeed dark and sinister this year. Shameful, simply shameful.

Jdimytai Damour, 34, Dies in Valley Stream Wal-Mart Stampede, Did the Retailer Provide Adequate Security?

The stampede in a Nassau county, New York, Wal-Mart that left Jdimytai Damour dead is a disgrace. The people who trampled this man should be ashamed, acting as hooligans out to get the first XBox 360 or Nintendo Wii. They are no better than the common thug in the streets. It seems the stampede that entered the Valley Stream outlet did so with no good intentions. You see, according to NY Daily News, the "out-of-control" mob of frenzied shoppers smashed through the store's front doors and trampled this man. Black Friday will be remembered for this senseless death.

The Black Friday stampede plunged the Valley Stream outlet into chaos, knocking several employees to the ground and sending others scurrying atop vending machines to avoid the horde. Source: NY Daily News

When the dust settled, Mr. Damour, 34, was dead and four shoppers, including a pregnant woman, were injured. Was the XBox 360 or Plasma HDTV really worth trampling this man?

"He was bum-rushed by 200 people," said Wal-Mart worker Jimmy Overby, 43. "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. "They took me down, too ... I didn't know if I was going to live through it. I literally had to fight people off my back," Overby said. Source: NY Daily News

That is a disgrace. One would not expect a pack of marauding shoppers to trample innocent people for material gain. These shoppers were a pack of savages.

Roughly 2,000 people gathered outside the Wal-Mart's doors in the predawn darkness. Chanting "push the doors in," the crowd pressed against the glass as the clock ticked down to the 5 a.m. opening. Sensing catastrophe, nervous employees formed a human chain inside the entrance to slow down the mass of shoppers.It didn't work. The mob barreled in and overwhelmed workers.

"They were jumping over the barricades and breaking down the door," said Pat Alexander, 53, of Crown Heights, Brooklyn. "Everyone was screaming. You just had to keep walking on your toes to keep from falling over."Source: NY Daily News

I have to wonder, what safety precautions did Wal-Mart take or did it ignore the sense of concern the workers at the door expressed about the crowd? The bottom line is that Wal-Mart, which has managed to stay profitable in this challenged economy, has repeatedly proven that it cares more about profits than the welfare of their workers. If they had the proper security detail in place, this may not have happened on such a scale. I don't know but I am not sure how the cops will find the people who trampled this man. If they do, they deserve to be punished. This is a sad turn of events, but to be honest, I really don't see anyone being imprisoned for this. If anything, this shows how materialistic and shallow some people are and they will do anything to get what they want, even if it means trampling an innocent man to death. Black Friday was indeed dark and sinister this year. Shameful, simply shameful.

Bush grants pardons on a variety of offenses

I've always wondered how it's determined who will receive a pardon or not. I came across this amusing list of recent Bush pardons, which have excuse a wide variety of crimes:

_Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.

_Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.

_Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank embezzlement.

_William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was convicted of bank fraud.

_Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.

_Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

_Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.

_Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.

_Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.

Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.

Under the Constitution, the president's power to issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled. Source: Huffington Post

Okay so here's my question, why should any of these people be granted a pardon at all?

Bush grants pardons on a variety of offenses

I've always wondered how it's determined who will receive a pardon or not. I came across this amusing list of recent Bush pardons, which have excuse a wide variety of crimes:

_Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.

_Carey C. Hice Sr. of Travelers Rest, S.C., who was convicted of income tax evasion.

_Geneva Yvonne Hogg of Jacksonville, Fla., convicted of bank embezzlement.

_William Hoyle McCright Jr. of Midland, Texas, who was convicted of bank fraud.

_Paul Julian McCurdy of Sulphur, Okla., who was sentenced for misapplication of bank funds.

_Robert Earl Mohon Jr. of Grant, Ala., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

_Ronald Alan Mohrhoff of Los Angeles, who was convicted for unlawful use of a telephone in a narcotics felony.

_Daniel Figh Pue III of Conroe, Texas, convicted of illegal treatment, storage and disposal of a hazardous waste without a permit.

_Orion Lynn Vick of White Hall, Ark., who was convicted of aiding and abetting the theft of government property.

Bush also commuted the prison sentences of John Edward Forte of North Brunswick, N.J., and James Russell Harris of Detroit, Mich. Both were convicted of cocaine offenses.

Under the Constitution, the president's power to issue pardons is absolute and cannot be overruled. Source: Huffington Post

Okay so here's my question, why should any of these people be granted a pardon at all?

Curtis Lavelle Vance Arrested in the Fatal Beating of Arkansas Anchorwoman Anne Pressly

VANCE FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER!!!

Curtis Lavelle Vance was formally charged in Pulaski County Circuit Court Thursday with capital murder and rape, and also faces additional charges of burglary and theft.

Police in Little Rock, Ark., have apprehended a suspect, Curtis Lavelle Vance, in the brutal killing of local anchorwoman Anne Pressly, who died after being severely beaten in her home last month. Thank God they caught that scumbag. Words cannot express how sad I was when I learn this woman was brutally beaten and eventually succumbed. Why would someone do this to anyone is beyond me. I don't advocate violence but I am tired of the young black men who give decent, law-abiding hardworking and honest black men a bad name. This is reprehensible and I hope, if he is proven guilty, this scumbag rots in prison for the rest of his sorry life.

At a news conference earlier in the evening, a police spokesman identified the suspect as Curtis Lavell Vance, 28, Marianna, Ark. They said they believe Vance was driving a black 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora, and was believed to be armed with a 9mm High Point pistol with extra ammunition.

Vance was believed to be traveling with a woman named Sheanika Cooper, 25, and three small children, police said. Police have a Web-based service for people who want to submit tips or other information pertaining to the case or to Vance. Source: ABC News

If you recall, Pressly, 26, was attacked in her Little Rock, Ark., home on Oct. 24. She suffered blunt force trauma to her head and upper body that doctors say broke nearly every bone in her face. Ms. Pressly survived for five days after the beating, but doctors kept her heavily sedated because of the seriousness of her injuries, and detectives were unable to question her about her attack.

Pressly was one of the hosts of "Daybreak," a morning show at ABC News Little Rock affiliate KATV. She also had a small part in Oliver Stone's film "W." Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and ABC News contributor, said on "GMA" that the attack had many of the signs typically seen in crimes related to stalking."Someone who is struck multiple times tends to lend itself to someone who had an obsession with her or knew her, because it's personal versus someone who was going to steal," Garrett told "GMA."

This is a very sad moment for the family, but I am sure they are grateful that someone has been apprehended. It is sad that this woman was trying to do the right thing and this scumbag beat her. I am sure he never went to college and most likely did not have a career. At the very least, thank God this scumbag is off the street and if he is found guilty, he should rot in prison. There should be zero-tolerance for this man in the justice system, which he has probably been a guest of before. I am tired of seeing some of our young black men on the evening news being apprehended by the police for committing crimes, such as car jacking, burglary, murder, among other things. Where is the personal responsibility? I know parents cannot always be blamed for their children's behavior, but there was a serious breakdown along the way. It is a travesty and these scumbags are attempting to sully the good name of honest, hardworking black brothers out there. Sorry folks, we can't sweep this under a rug. What he allegedly did to this woman was heinous and he should be treated a murderer.

Let me end by giving a hat tip to Kim Wilson, one of my regular readers. She put the whole incident in the proper perspective. She reminded me that the crimes committed by blacks are disproportionately covered in the media than similar crimes committed by whites. Therefore, it seems that young black men are the only ones committing the crimes. I agree with her position because it is very valid. It, however, does not take away the overriding theme that personal responsibility plays a big role in the things we do. This is a very controversial subject and I suspect that there will be varying opinions, most likely split against race and social standing.

Curtis Lavelle Vance Arrested in the Fatal Beating of Arkansas Anchorwoman Anne Pressly

VANCE FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER!!!

Curtis Lavelle Vance was formally charged in Pulaski County Circuit Court Thursday with capital murder and rape, and also faces additional charges of burglary and theft.

Police in Little Rock, Ark., have apprehended a suspect, Curtis Lavelle Vance, in the brutal killing of local anchorwoman Anne Pressly, who died after being severely beaten in her home last month. Thank God they caught that scumbag. Words cannot express how sad I was when I learn this woman was brutally beaten and eventually succumbed. Why would someone do this to anyone is beyond me. I don't advocate violence but I am tired of the young black men who give decent, law-abiding hardworking and honest black men a bad name. This is reprehensible and I hope, if he is proven guilty, this scumbag rots in prison for the rest of his sorry life.

At a news conference earlier in the evening, a police spokesman identified the suspect as Curtis Lavell Vance, 28, Marianna, Ark. They said they believe Vance was driving a black 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora, and was believed to be armed with a 9mm High Point pistol with extra ammunition.

Vance was believed to be traveling with a woman named Sheanika Cooper, 25, and three small children, police said. Police have a Web-based service for people who want to submit tips or other information pertaining to the case or to Vance. Source: ABC News

If you recall, Pressly, 26, was attacked in her Little Rock, Ark., home on Oct. 24. She suffered blunt force trauma to her head and upper body that doctors say broke nearly every bone in her face. Ms. Pressly survived for five days after the beating, but doctors kept her heavily sedated because of the seriousness of her injuries, and detectives were unable to question her about her attack.

Pressly was one of the hosts of "Daybreak," a morning show at ABC News Little Rock affiliate KATV. She also had a small part in Oliver Stone's film "W." Brad Garrett, a former FBI agent and ABC News contributor, said on "GMA" that the attack had many of the signs typically seen in crimes related to stalking."Someone who is struck multiple times tends to lend itself to someone who had an obsession with her or knew her, because it's personal versus someone who was going to steal," Garrett told "GMA."

This is a very sad moment for the family, but I am sure they are grateful that someone has been apprehended. It is sad that this woman was trying to do the right thing and this scumbag beat her. I am sure he never went to college and most likely did not have a career. At the very least, thank God this scumbag is off the street and if he is found guilty, he should rot in prison. There should be zero-tolerance for this man in the justice system, which he has probably been a guest of before. I am tired of seeing some of our young black men on the evening news being apprehended by the police for committing crimes, such as car jacking, burglary, murder, among other things. Where is the personal responsibility? I know parents cannot always be blamed for their children's behavior, but there was a serious breakdown along the way. It is a travesty and these scumbags are attempting to sully the good name of honest, hardworking black brothers out there. Sorry folks, we can't sweep this under a rug. What he allegedly did to this woman was heinous and he should be treated a murderer.

Let me end by giving a hat tip to Kim Wilson, one of my regular readers. She put the whole incident in the proper perspective. She reminded me that the crimes committed by blacks are disproportionately covered in the media than similar crimes committed by whites. Therefore, it seems that young black men are the only ones committing the crimes. I agree with her position because it is very valid. It, however, does not take away the overriding theme that personal responsibility plays a big role in the things we do. This is a very controversial subject and I suspect that there will be varying opinions, most likely split against race and social standing.

Pro-Saxby Chambliss NRSC Plays Dirty With Latest Campaign Ad, Tries to Link Jim Martin to Terrorists

Once again, the Republicans have shown they have not learned one thing from the stinging defeat in the recent presidential elections. With less than a week to go before the Georgia Senate run-off, and the NRSC has its ad group working overtime. This time the object of their "wrath" is Jim Martin and they are hitting over his 1984 vote to allow convicted murderers and other violent felons to remain free on bail pending their appeals.

Have they not learned anything from John McCain and Sarah Palin's constant references that Obama hangs around with terrorist? What they are doing to Jim Martin goes a little too far when the ad references terrorist hijackers, which wouldn’t come under state law anyway, which was the context for this vote. Terrorist hijackings fall under federal jurisdiction. The NRSC wants to argue that Martin’s impulse as a Senator would be to allow this based on his 1984 vote. Totally ridiculous. But, did I expect any better from the GOP and their lackeys? No way.

If anything, the vote did show Martin’s concerns as a legislator being more focused on the perpetrators than on protecting community from them. Combined with other elements of Martin’s record, especially in championing parole for violent criminals. I am not overly thrilled with Jim Martin, but I am less convinced that Saxby Chambliss gives a damn about anything to help the middle class. Therefore, my vote will go to Jim Martin, the lesser of two evils, in my opinion.

To add insult to injury, Sarah "The Closer" Palin will be campaigning with Chambliss the day before the runoff. I guess, if I were the Chambliss campaign, the last person I would want to help me win is the person who got royally trounced in the election. But misery loves company. Just my thoughts, you be the judge....

Pro-Saxby Chambliss NRSC Plays Dirty With Latest Campaign Ad, Tries to Link Jim Martin to Terrorists

Once again, the Republicans have shown they have not learned one thing from the stinging defeat in the recent presidential elections. With less than a week to go before the Georgia Senate run-off, and the NRSC has its ad group working overtime. This time the object of their "wrath" is Jim Martin and they are hitting over his 1984 vote to allow convicted murderers and other violent felons to remain free on bail pending their appeals.

Have they not learned anything from John McCain and Sarah Palin's constant references that Obama hangs around with terrorist? What they are doing to Jim Martin goes a little too far when the ad references terrorist hijackers, which wouldn’t come under state law anyway, which was the context for this vote. Terrorist hijackings fall under federal jurisdiction. The NRSC wants to argue that Martin’s impulse as a Senator would be to allow this based on his 1984 vote. Totally ridiculous. But, did I expect any better from the GOP and their lackeys? No way.

If anything, the vote did show Martin’s concerns as a legislator being more focused on the perpetrators than on protecting community from them. Combined with other elements of Martin’s record, especially in championing parole for violent criminals. I am not overly thrilled with Jim Martin, but I am less convinced that Saxby Chambliss gives a damn about anything to help the middle class. Therefore, my vote will go to Jim Martin, the lesser of two evils, in my opinion.

To add insult to injury, Sarah "The Closer" Palin will be campaigning with Chambliss the day before the runoff. I guess, if I were the Chambliss campaign, the last person I would want to help me win is the person who got royally trounced in the election. But misery loves company. Just my thoughts, you be the judge....

List Of Government Expenditures Dwarf The Credit Crisis Bailout is Mindboggling

I came across an interesting article written by Barry Ritholtz about the true cost of the current bailout by the US government. Most people have a hard time comprehending the true cost of this "Mother of all bailouts" and what it means for our children and generations beyond. According to Ritholtz,

If we add in the Citi bailout, the total cost now exceeds $4.6165 trillion dollars. People have a hard time conceptualizing very large numbers, so let’s give this some context. The current Credit Crisis bailout is now the largest outlay In American history.

Jim Bianco of Bianco Research crunched the inflation adjusted numbers. The bailout has cost more than all of these big budget government expenditures – combined:

• Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
• Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
• Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
• S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
• Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
• The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
• Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
• Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
• NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion
TOTAL: $3.92 trillion. That is $686 billion less than the cost of the credit crisis thus far.

Isn't that astounding? That's beyond normal comprehension. Ritholtz further add that,

The only single American event in history that even comes close to matching the cost of the credit crisis is World War II: Original Cost: $288 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $3.6 trillion

The $4.6165 trillion dollars committed so far is about a trillion dollars ($979 billion dollars) greater than the entire cost of World War II borne by the United States: $3.6 trillion, adjusted for inflation (original cost was $288 billion). Go figure: WWII was a relative bargain.

No matter how you look at this, the amount of money that will dig us out of this financial mess is mind boggling and it isn't over yet. Why isn't the Congress seeking to bring up President Bush and his marauding posse up on crimes? I am sure there is ample evidence of gross mismanagement and crimes on their heads.

List Of Government Expenditures Dwarf The Credit Crisis Bailout is Mindboggling

I came across an interesting article written by Barry Ritholtz about the true cost of the current bailout by the US government. Most people have a hard time comprehending the true cost of this "Mother of all bailouts" and what it means for our children and generations beyond. According to Ritholtz,

If we add in the Citi bailout, the total cost now exceeds $4.6165 trillion dollars. People have a hard time conceptualizing very large numbers, so let’s give this some context. The current Credit Crisis bailout is now the largest outlay In American history.

Jim Bianco of Bianco Research crunched the inflation adjusted numbers. The bailout has cost more than all of these big budget government expenditures – combined:

• Marshall Plan: Cost: $12.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $115.3 billion
• Louisiana Purchase: Cost: $15 million, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $217 billion
• Race to the Moon: Cost: $36.4 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $237 billion
• S&L Crisis: Cost: $153 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $256 billion
• Korean War: Cost: $54 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $454 billion
• The New Deal: Cost: $32 billion (Est), Inflation Adjusted Cost: $500 billion (Est)
• Invasion of Iraq: Cost: $551b, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $597 billion
• Vietnam War: Cost: $111 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $698 billion
• NASA: Cost: $416.7 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $851.2 billion
TOTAL: $3.92 trillion. That is $686 billion less than the cost of the credit crisis thus far.

Isn't that astounding? That's beyond normal comprehension. Ritholtz further add that,

The only single American event in history that even comes close to matching the cost of the credit crisis is World War II: Original Cost: $288 billion, Inflation Adjusted Cost: $3.6 trillion

The $4.6165 trillion dollars committed so far is about a trillion dollars ($979 billion dollars) greater than the entire cost of World War II borne by the United States: $3.6 trillion, adjusted for inflation (original cost was $288 billion). Go figure: WWII was a relative bargain.

No matter how you look at this, the amount of money that will dig us out of this financial mess is mind boggling and it isn't over yet. Why isn't the Congress seeking to bring up President Bush and his marauding posse up on crimes? I am sure there is ample evidence of gross mismanagement and crimes on their heads.

NYC Ticket Blitz as 200 Traffic Agents Added, Watch Out

According to WCBS TV in New York City, more traffic tickets being written. It has to do with the city getting more money. Sticking to New Yorkers by any means necessary. Well, brace yourselves, the city is putting 200 more ticket-writing traffic agents to work.

I guess you may not be able to avoid a cop, no matter how hard you try. You are a walking target. Approximately 100 of the agents will be in Manhattan; the other 100 will be spread out across the other boroughs.

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly laid out the plan on Tuesday. "[We will put them] in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. We will not deploy them right now in Staten Island," Kelly said. The agents will be looking primarily for drivers who "block the box" at intersections. That ticket will cost $115. Source: WCBS TV

The city thinks it can raise $66 million this way. Of course, I am not suggesting that they are wrong to crack done on traffic violations, but it is very suspect that it comes now, during the economically challenging times we are now faced with. As I recall from living in New York City for many years, the traffic agents were a pesky bunch and I guess, they will become an even peskier bunch now that more are being deployed on the streets. I guess the idea may catch on in other metropolitan areas. Folks, watch out. Do the right thing and you won't get screwed with traffic tickets.

NYC Ticket Blitz as 200 Traffic Agents Added, Watch Out

According to WCBS TV in New York City, more traffic tickets being written. It has to do with the city getting more money. Sticking to New Yorkers by any means necessary. Well, brace yourselves, the city is putting 200 more ticket-writing traffic agents to work.

I guess you may not be able to avoid a cop, no matter how hard you try. You are a walking target. Approximately 100 of the agents will be in Manhattan; the other 100 will be spread out across the other boroughs.

NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly laid out the plan on Tuesday. "[We will put them] in Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. We will not deploy them right now in Staten Island," Kelly said. The agents will be looking primarily for drivers who "block the box" at intersections. That ticket will cost $115. Source: WCBS TV

The city thinks it can raise $66 million this way. Of course, I am not suggesting that they are wrong to crack done on traffic violations, but it is very suspect that it comes now, during the economically challenging times we are now faced with. As I recall from living in New York City for many years, the traffic agents were a pesky bunch and I guess, they will become an even peskier bunch now that more are being deployed on the streets. I guess the idea may catch on in other metropolitan areas. Folks, watch out. Do the right thing and you won't get screwed with traffic tickets.

Failing foster care system: Family members fight at funeral of 13-month old Christopher Thomas, murdered in foster care

Another child has become the victim of a failing foster care system in this country, and that is not the worst of this tragic story:

The 13-month-old Thomas died as a result of severe child abuse in a Milwaukee foster home.

His foster mother, Crystal Keith, who is also his aunt, is charged with murdering him. [...] Case workers are also required to pay monthly visits to foster homes, but in this case, 48 days went by without a visit. Keith told police she'd been abusing the boy for months. Source: TMJ 4 Milwaukee

It appears as if everyone failed this child. Those who should have protected him, his parents, his extended family, the foster care system, allowed this child to be murdered.

To make matters worse, the family broke out in a fight at the child's funeral (see video below of the fight) as raw emotions got the best of the mourners. I want to make it absolutely clear that I have absolutely NO sympathy for the family members who allowed this child to be bounced around, and ultimately murdered. Perhaps if they had fought over the child in life as they did after his death, he might still be alive today.

Another interesting detail of this story is that little Christopher was wanted by another family who was denied multiple adoption requests. I can't help but wonder if the fact that the family who wanted the child was white had anything to do with the rejection. It should be clear that any loving family (regardless of race) is better than an abusive family or institutionalization for the child.

I have no doubt that Christopher would be alive today if he had been placed with the white adoptive family that loved him and wanted him. What a tragedy!

Failing foster care system: Family members fight at funeral of 13-month old Christopher Thomas, murdered in foster care

Another child has become the victim of a failing foster care system in this country, and that is not the worst of this tragic story:

The 13-month-old Thomas died as a result of severe child abuse in a Milwaukee foster home.

His foster mother, Crystal Keith, who is also his aunt, is charged with murdering him. [...] Case workers are also required to pay monthly visits to foster homes, but in this case, 48 days went by without a visit. Keith told police she'd been abusing the boy for months. Source: TMJ 4 Milwaukee

It appears as if everyone failed this child. Those who should have protected him, his parents, his extended family, the foster care system, allowed this child to be murdered.

To make matters worse, the family broke out in a fight at the child's funeral (see video below of the fight) as raw emotions got the best of the mourners. I want to make it absolutely clear that I have absolutely NO sympathy for the family members who allowed this child to be bounced around, and ultimately murdered. Perhaps if they had fought over the child in life as they did after his death, he might still be alive today.

Another interesting detail of this story is that little Christopher was wanted by another family who was denied multiple adoption requests. I can't help but wonder if the fact that the family who wanted the child was white had anything to do with the rejection. It should be clear that any loving family (regardless of race) is better than an abusive family or institutionalization for the child.

I have no doubt that Christopher would be alive today if he had been placed with the white adoptive family that loved him and wanted him. What a tragedy!

Probe Sought Against African American Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield, 59, For Alleged Use of Racial Epithet During Arrest

UPDATE

The video of Judge Coffield's rants were shown in court this morning. Here is a transcript of her disturbing statements.

At 2:17 a.m. on Oct. 10, nearly two hours into the booking at headquarters, Cofield is seated at a desk and calls her husband on her cellphone. Washington, who like Cofield is black, is standing about 3 feet away.

Her end of the conversation, in part, is: "I don't need a ride home. ... I'm a criminal. ... What? What? ... Well, they got the head n----- in charge and he … Which one, the head n----- in charge? … Washington. OK. That's H-N-I-G...."

Then she hands the phone to Washington, who talks to her husband about getting the car off the highway. Washington asks, "Do you guys have Triple-A?"

Hearing that, Cofield interjects: "Oh, no. We don't. We're ghetto Negroes. We don't have Triple-A."

Earlier, when asked if she was injured, Cofield replied: "Yeah, I am. I'm humiliated by your f-----g attitude."

Asked if she was ill, Cofield replied, "I'm sick of being treated like a freaking Negro from the 'hood," and added: "Write it down, write it. Did you hear what I just said?"

Asked what her illness was, Cofield said: "Negro-itis."

"Do you need to take any medication now?" Washington asked.

"Yeah, I need to take anti-Negro, ummm ..."

When he asked what she weighed, Cofield replied: "Why don't you look at me, tell what you think?"

Asked how much alcohol she had had that day, Cofield replied: "I had no alcohol to drink, Mr. Washington."

Cofield often talked over Washington as he tried to question her, saying again and again that she needed to go to the bathroom. Washington politely insisted that she answer the questions first, and said that she could get to the bathroom sooner if she did so.

"That's your interpretation, but we'll see what they say in court, won't we, Mr. Washington?" she said.

Washington asked if she was willing to take an intoxication test. She replied: "Mr. Negro Washington. I need to go to the bathroom, and then I will take the test."

"It's Sgt. Washington," he replied, adding, "Don't disrespect me, and I won't disrespect you."

At another moment, after she had given a urine sample, Cofield asked Washington: "Do you have a reading on my urine test, Negro trooper?"

When asked to sign a form that she understood her rights, Cofield said, "I'm not signing anything, because when it comes down to the bottom line, who's smarter — me or you? We'll figure it out, won't we?"

Asked if she took any drugs, Cofield responded: "Oh, yeah, I'm a crack addict. Do I look like that to you?"

Then she directed her attention to the first state trooper on the scene of her accident and asked him, "Can you tell me why you came first, and then you had to bring him [Washington]? Is it because you had to make this valid by bringing a Negro?"

According to the Hartford Courant, the co-chairman of the state legislature's judiciary committee wants a full review of allegations that Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield, 59, who was charged with drunken driving last month angrily hurled epithets at police officers during her arrest, called a black state police sergeant nigger and told officers she was a state judge.

Judge Cofield, who is black, also referred to state police Sgt. Dwight Washington as "Negro Washington" during her Oct. 9 arrest — which was captured by police video recorders — Courant columnist Kevin Rennie, a lawyer and former state legislator, wrote in his column in Sunday's Courant."Assuming it's true that she made those extremely racist comments, that can't be tolerated — from a judge, of all people," state Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, said Monday.

Nothing was said of Cofield's alleged conduct during her appearance Monday in Superior Court in Manchester, where Judge William Bright Jr. delayed a decision on her application to a pretrial alcohol-education program until Dec. 8. Those who are admitted to and successfully complete the program, open only to first-time offenders, will have their record of arrest wiped clean.

Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events in the judicial system. A judge allegedly calling a cop a nigger. Wow. They ought to kick her off the bench for drunk driving. She does not need to walk away from this with a slap on the wrist. She is a public threat. I wish the courts were so forgiving when a regular person has committed the same acts as this judge allegedly did. I agree with Mr. Lawlor's statement that Judge Bright should see the video of Cofield's arrest.

"At minimum, I would certainly expect that under the circumstances the judge would review the videotape before deciding whether Judge Cofield should be admitted to the program," Lawlor said.

It's appropriate, Lawlor said, for the judge to consider an applicant's demeanor during arrest and the injuries anyone suffered. "In this particular case, the comments are troubling," he said. "Beneath the surface there's more to the story than just someone who had too much to drink."The state Judicial Review Council should also open an investigation, if it hasn't already, Lawlor said.

According to a state police incident report, Cofield drove her 2003 BMW X5 into Kowal's state cruiser, which was parked in the right shoulder protecting a construction zone. Cofield was taken to the Glastonbury police station for processing and was charged with driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane. Her comments were captured on a video and audio monitoring system at the Glastonbury police station. This woman needs to be removed from the bench. It is so important for voters to know about the judges they are voting for. The last person who need on any bench is an alcoholic and someone who is quick to use racial epithets. No need to have a ticking time bomb handing down sentences to anyone.

Probe Sought Against African American Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield, 59, For Alleged Use of Racial Epithet During Arrest

UPDATE

The video of Judge Coffield's rants were shown in court this morning. Here is a transcript of her disturbing statements.

At 2:17 a.m. on Oct. 10, nearly two hours into the booking at headquarters, Cofield is seated at a desk and calls her husband on her cellphone. Washington, who like Cofield is black, is standing about 3 feet away.

Her end of the conversation, in part, is: "I don't need a ride home. ... I'm a criminal. ... What? What? ... Well, they got the head n----- in charge and he … Which one, the head n----- in charge? … Washington. OK. That's H-N-I-G...."

Then she hands the phone to Washington, who talks to her husband about getting the car off the highway. Washington asks, "Do you guys have Triple-A?"

Hearing that, Cofield interjects: "Oh, no. We don't. We're ghetto Negroes. We don't have Triple-A."

Earlier, when asked if she was injured, Cofield replied: "Yeah, I am. I'm humiliated by your f-----g attitude."

Asked if she was ill, Cofield replied, "I'm sick of being treated like a freaking Negro from the 'hood," and added: "Write it down, write it. Did you hear what I just said?"

Asked what her illness was, Cofield said: "Negro-itis."

"Do you need to take any medication now?" Washington asked.

"Yeah, I need to take anti-Negro, ummm ..."

When he asked what she weighed, Cofield replied: "Why don't you look at me, tell what you think?"

Asked how much alcohol she had had that day, Cofield replied: "I had no alcohol to drink, Mr. Washington."

Cofield often talked over Washington as he tried to question her, saying again and again that she needed to go to the bathroom. Washington politely insisted that she answer the questions first, and said that she could get to the bathroom sooner if she did so.

"That's your interpretation, but we'll see what they say in court, won't we, Mr. Washington?" she said.

Washington asked if she was willing to take an intoxication test. She replied: "Mr. Negro Washington. I need to go to the bathroom, and then I will take the test."

"It's Sgt. Washington," he replied, adding, "Don't disrespect me, and I won't disrespect you."

At another moment, after she had given a urine sample, Cofield asked Washington: "Do you have a reading on my urine test, Negro trooper?"

When asked to sign a form that she understood her rights, Cofield said, "I'm not signing anything, because when it comes down to the bottom line, who's smarter — me or you? We'll figure it out, won't we?"

Asked if she took any drugs, Cofield responded: "Oh, yeah, I'm a crack addict. Do I look like that to you?"

Then she directed her attention to the first state trooper on the scene of her accident and asked him, "Can you tell me why you came first, and then you had to bring him [Washington]? Is it because you had to make this valid by bringing a Negro?"

According to the Hartford Courant, the co-chairman of the state legislature's judiciary committee wants a full review of allegations that Judge E. Curtissa R. Cofield, 59, who was charged with drunken driving last month angrily hurled epithets at police officers during her arrest, called a black state police sergeant nigger and told officers she was a state judge.

Judge Cofield, who is black, also referred to state police Sgt. Dwight Washington as "Negro Washington" during her Oct. 9 arrest — which was captured by police video recorders — Courant columnist Kevin Rennie, a lawyer and former state legislator, wrote in his column in Sunday's Courant."Assuming it's true that she made those extremely racist comments, that can't be tolerated — from a judge, of all people," state Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, said Monday.

Nothing was said of Cofield's alleged conduct during her appearance Monday in Superior Court in Manchester, where Judge William Bright Jr. delayed a decision on her application to a pretrial alcohol-education program until Dec. 8. Those who are admitted to and successfully complete the program, open only to first-time offenders, will have their record of arrest wiped clean.

Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events in the judicial system. A judge allegedly calling a cop a nigger. Wow. They ought to kick her off the bench for drunk driving. She does not need to walk away from this with a slap on the wrist. She is a public threat. I wish the courts were so forgiving when a regular person has committed the same acts as this judge allegedly did. I agree with Mr. Lawlor's statement that Judge Bright should see the video of Cofield's arrest.

"At minimum, I would certainly expect that under the circumstances the judge would review the videotape before deciding whether Judge Cofield should be admitted to the program," Lawlor said.

It's appropriate, Lawlor said, for the judge to consider an applicant's demeanor during arrest and the injuries anyone suffered. "In this particular case, the comments are troubling," he said. "Beneath the surface there's more to the story than just someone who had too much to drink."The state Judicial Review Council should also open an investigation, if it hasn't already, Lawlor said.

According to a state police incident report, Cofield drove her 2003 BMW X5 into Kowal's state cruiser, which was parked in the right shoulder protecting a construction zone. Cofield was taken to the Glastonbury police station for processing and was charged with driving under the influence and failure to drive in the proper lane. Her comments were captured on a video and audio monitoring system at the Glastonbury police station. This woman needs to be removed from the bench. It is so important for voters to know about the judges they are voting for. The last person who need on any bench is an alcoholic and someone who is quick to use racial epithets. No need to have a ticking time bomb handing down sentences to anyone.

Scavenger Hunt Gone Terribly Wrong, Erik Nava, 17, In Critical Condition

Photo: Erik Nava, 17, Chicago Sun Times

Scavenger hunt gone terribly wrong. Especially for Erik Nava. I am appalled to learn about the latest in scavenger hunt techniques. Getting kicked in the groin. The elderly being pelted with muffins and now, a student, who took part in the underground St. Charles North High School seriously injured. He did the unthinkable -- jumping from a moving car. What is wrong with some of our young people today? What were they trying to prove? According to the Chicago Sun Times, all stunts were associated with the scavenger hunt were documented on film with a cash prize at the end. Nava, 17, jumped from the moving SUV to garnet "points for his team."

Erik Nava, of South Elgin, remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday after Friday night's prank. Police believe he jumped from a Dodge Durango moving at 25 mph as part of the game in which as many as 200 students participated. One former St. Charles North student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the scavenger hunt has been a tradition for at least three years.

Students make a list of dares they film for points, then destroy the video after the participants prove they completed the tasks. Some St. Charles students who participated in this year's event said each participant contributed $5. The group that earns the most points wins the cash. The students estimated that Nava's group won first or second place off the four-page list of scavenger hunt activities.

For what? The burning question I have is what was the school administration's role in this mess? Where is the oversight? The students are suddenly free to do as they please and with disastrous results. According to media reports, the stunt that injured Nava was supposed to consist of someone falling out of a car onto the grass. But the students said Nava fell onto gravel instead.

When Kane County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived around 10:20 p.m. Friday, Nava was lying in the middle of Mallard Lake Road near Old Homestead Road, unconscious with a puddle of blood under his head, police said. The police report said he was put on life support when admitted to Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva. Source: Chicago Sun Times

The state's attorney's office has called for a special grand jury to investigate. It will be very interesting to see the outcome of this horrible event. I am not sure what the legal ramifications are because Erik Nava jumped voluntarily from the vehicle. It just points to the deep level of immaturity in many of our teenagers and they would beg to differ. The school needs to discontinue this ridiculous tradition, if there will be no safeguards. No one's life is worth these ridiculous pranks. Is common sense such a scarce commodity?

Scavenger Hunt Gone Terribly Wrong, Erik Nava, 17, In Critical Condition

Photo: Erik Nava, 17, Chicago Sun Times

Scavenger hunt gone terribly wrong. Especially for Erik Nava. I am appalled to learn about the latest in scavenger hunt techniques. Getting kicked in the groin. The elderly being pelted with muffins and now, a student, who took part in the underground St. Charles North High School seriously injured. He did the unthinkable -- jumping from a moving car. What is wrong with some of our young people today? What were they trying to prove? According to the Chicago Sun Times, all stunts were associated with the scavenger hunt were documented on film with a cash prize at the end. Nava, 17, jumped from the moving SUV to garnet "points for his team."

Erik Nava, of South Elgin, remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday after Friday night's prank. Police believe he jumped from a Dodge Durango moving at 25 mph as part of the game in which as many as 200 students participated. One former St. Charles North student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the scavenger hunt has been a tradition for at least three years.

Students make a list of dares they film for points, then destroy the video after the participants prove they completed the tasks. Some St. Charles students who participated in this year's event said each participant contributed $5. The group that earns the most points wins the cash. The students estimated that Nava's group won first or second place off the four-page list of scavenger hunt activities.

For what? The burning question I have is what was the school administration's role in this mess? Where is the oversight? The students are suddenly free to do as they please and with disastrous results. According to media reports, the stunt that injured Nava was supposed to consist of someone falling out of a car onto the grass. But the students said Nava fell onto gravel instead.

When Kane County Sheriff's Department deputies arrived around 10:20 p.m. Friday, Nava was lying in the middle of Mallard Lake Road near Old Homestead Road, unconscious with a puddle of blood under his head, police said. The police report said he was put on life support when admitted to Delnor-Community Hospital in Geneva. Source: Chicago Sun Times

The state's attorney's office has called for a special grand jury to investigate. It will be very interesting to see the outcome of this horrible event. I am not sure what the legal ramifications are because Erik Nava jumped voluntarily from the vehicle. It just points to the deep level of immaturity in many of our teenagers and they would beg to differ. The school needs to discontinue this ridiculous tradition, if there will be no safeguards. No one's life is worth these ridiculous pranks. Is common sense such a scarce commodity?

Municipal Judge Paul Sacco Sentences Noise Ordinance Violators To Listen to Barry Manilow's Music

I have to give Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco a lot of credit for trying a novel approach at deterrence -- Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs" may begin with the line, "I've been alive forever,'" for noise ordinance violators. Wow. According to Rocky Mountain News,

Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco says his novel punishment of forcing noise violators to listen to music they don't like for one hour has cut down on the number of repeat offenders in this northwestern Colorado prairie town.

About four times a year, those guilty of noise ordinance violations are required to sit in a room and listen to music from the likes of Manilow, Barney the Dinosaur, and The Platters' crooning "Only You." "These people should have to listen to music they don't like," said Judge Paul Sacco for a segment about the program that aired Friday on Denver's KUSA-TV.

Sacco began the program years ago when he noticed that many of the repeat offenders simply showed up at his courtroom to pay their fine with cash."Most kids don't want to hear somebody like Glenn Close trying to sing opera," he said.

Our young people today have no idea who Barry Manilow is and they certainly won't like his music, considering what we have today. I saw Barry Manilow on "Entertainment Tonight," plugging his latest album, a compilation of the same songs he sang eons ago. I remarked out loud that how many ways does he think he can repackage the same songs over and over. Well, I guess I found the answer--Judge Sacco's novel idea. It may gain some traction. I can see it now in courts across the country, with more singers joining the line up -- Pat Boone, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, need I go on? Hah, this is too funny!

Municipal Judge Paul Sacco Sentences Noise Ordinance Violators To Listen to Barry Manilow's Music

I have to give Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco a lot of credit for trying a novel approach at deterrence -- Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs" may begin with the line, "I've been alive forever,'" for noise ordinance violators. Wow. According to Rocky Mountain News,

Fort Lupton Municipal Judge Paul Sacco says his novel punishment of forcing noise violators to listen to music they don't like for one hour has cut down on the number of repeat offenders in this northwestern Colorado prairie town.

About four times a year, those guilty of noise ordinance violations are required to sit in a room and listen to music from the likes of Manilow, Barney the Dinosaur, and The Platters' crooning "Only You." "These people should have to listen to music they don't like," said Judge Paul Sacco for a segment about the program that aired Friday on Denver's KUSA-TV.

Sacco began the program years ago when he noticed that many of the repeat offenders simply showed up at his courtroom to pay their fine with cash."Most kids don't want to hear somebody like Glenn Close trying to sing opera," he said.

Our young people today have no idea who Barry Manilow is and they certainly won't like his music, considering what we have today. I saw Barry Manilow on "Entertainment Tonight," plugging his latest album, a compilation of the same songs he sang eons ago. I remarked out loud that how many ways does he think he can repackage the same songs over and over. Well, I guess I found the answer--Judge Sacco's novel idea. It may gain some traction. I can see it now in courts across the country, with more singers joining the line up -- Pat Boone, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, need I go on? Hah, this is too funny!

Plans underway to microchip AIDS patients

Apparently the Paupa province in Indonesia is planning to implant microchips in people with HIV/AIDS much like we do dogs and cats in this country:

Under the bylaw, which has caused uproar among human rights activists, patients who had shown "actively sexual behavior" could be implanted with a microchip to monitor their activity, lawmaker John Manangsang said.

"It's a simple technology. A signal from the microchip will track their movements and this will be received by monitoring authorities," Manangsang said.

If a patient with HIV/AIDS was found to have infected a healthy person, there would be a penalty, he said without elaborating. Source: Yahoo News/Reuters

It should also be noted that the rates of HIV/AIDS in the Paupa province is about 20 times that of the rest of Indonesia. Experts attribute this disparity to prostitution and promiscuity, as well as lack of education on disease transmission.

In spite of these factors, people should not be "chipped" like effing shelter dogs. The bottom line is that this is not only inhumane and discriminatory, but an egregious human rights violation!

What next, chip people with hepatitis? Or perhaps diabetes? Hell, why don't we just go ahead and chip everybody so that our every move can be tracked by Big Brother?

This is a slippery slope, and the spread of an infectious disease is no excuse for microchipping human beings. What they need to do is get some comprehensive education programs underway instead of trying to usher in some New World Order type stuff.

I truly hope this bill does not pass, however if it does, I think we all have reason to be concerned, very concerned...

Plans underway to microchip AIDS patients

Apparently the Paupa province in Indonesia is planning to implant microchips in people with HIV/AIDS much like we do dogs and cats in this country:

Under the bylaw, which has caused uproar among human rights activists, patients who had shown "actively sexual behavior" could be implanted with a microchip to monitor their activity, lawmaker John Manangsang said.

"It's a simple technology. A signal from the microchip will track their movements and this will be received by monitoring authorities," Manangsang said.

If a patient with HIV/AIDS was found to have infected a healthy person, there would be a penalty, he said without elaborating. Source: Yahoo News/Reuters

It should also be noted that the rates of HIV/AIDS in the Paupa province is about 20 times that of the rest of Indonesia. Experts attribute this disparity to prostitution and promiscuity, as well as lack of education on disease transmission.

In spite of these factors, people should not be "chipped" like effing shelter dogs. The bottom line is that this is not only inhumane and discriminatory, but an egregious human rights violation!

What next, chip people with hepatitis? Or perhaps diabetes? Hell, why don't we just go ahead and chip everybody so that our every move can be tracked by Big Brother?

This is a slippery slope, and the spread of an infectious disease is no excuse for microchipping human beings. What they need to do is get some comprehensive education programs underway instead of trying to usher in some New World Order type stuff.

I truly hope this bill does not pass, however if it does, I think we all have reason to be concerned, very concerned...

Bill proposed that would prevent Bush for issuing Presidential Pardons to senior members of administration during final 90 days of his term in office

Obviously there are things that have transpired in the Bush Administration that people need to be held accountable for:

The concern is that a Bush pardon would frustrate forever any attempt to make his administration accountable. If you share that concern then you should contact your representatives and ask them to support Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) who introduced H.RES. 1531, which states, as follows:

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should not issue pardons to senior members of his administration during the final 90 days of his term of office.

Whereas Article II, section 2, clause 1, of the Constitution of the United States provides that ''[t]he President . . . shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment'';

Whereas Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist #74, stated, ''[a]s the sense of responsibility is always strongest, in proportion as it is undivided, it may be inferred that a single man would be most ready to attend to the force of those motives which might plead for a mitigation of the rigor of the law, and least apt to yield to considerations which were calculated to shelter a fit object of its vengeance'';

Whereas the Supreme Court has observed that ''[a] pardon reaches both the punishment prescribed for the offence and the guilt of the offender; and when the pardon is full, it releases the punishment and blots out of existence the guilt, so that in the eye of the law the offender is as innocent as if he had never committed the offence. If granted before conviction, it prevents . . . the penalties and disabilities consequent upon conviction from attaching; if granted after conviction, it removes the penalties and disabilities, and restores him to all his civil rights; it makes him, as it were, a new man, and gives him a new credit and capacity.'' Ex Parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333, 380 (1866);

Whereas during the Constitutional convention, George Mason expressed the concern that a president could abuse his pardon power to ''pardon crimes which were advised by himself'' or, before indictment or conviction, ''to stop inquiry and prevent detection'';

Whereas James Madison responded to Mason's concerns by stating that ''[i]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds [to] believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty'';

Whereas although not constitutionally binding, the Pardon Attorney's regulations governing the granting of presidential pardons states ''[n]o petition for pardon should be filed until the expiration of a waiting period of at least five years after the date of the release of the petitioner from confinement or, in case no prison sentence was imposed, until the expiration of a period of at least five years after the date of the conviction of the petitioner. Generally, no petition should be submitted by a person who is on probation, parole, or supervised release.'' 28 C.F.R. 1.2 (2000);

Whereas on President George H.W. Bush granted a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to Elliott Abrams, Duane R. Clarridge, Alan Fiers, Clair George, Robert C. McFarlane, and Caspar W. Weinberger for all offenses charged, prosecuted, or committed in connection with the Iran-Contra Scandal in which he was alleged to have been involved;

Whereas in a press conference on February 22, 2001, President George W. Bush stated, ''Should I decide to grant pardons, I will do so in a fair way. I will have the highest of high standards'';

Whereas investigations by Congressional committees, and press reports, raise serious concerns that senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush may have committed crimes involving the mistreatment of detainees, the extraordinary rendition of individuals to countries known to engage in torture, illegal surveillance of United States citizens, unlawful leaks of classified information, obstruction of justice, political interference with the conduct of the Justice Department, and other illegal acts;

Whereas President George W. Bush has been urged to grant preemptive pardons to senior administration officials who might face criminal prosecution for actions taken in the course of their official duties; and

Whereas pardons issued during the lame duck period of a President's term would not be subject to the judgment of the voters; Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That--

(1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the granting of preemptive pardons by the President to senior officials of his administration for acts they may have taken in the course of their official duties is a dangerous abuse of the pardon power;

(2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should not grant preemptive pardons to senior officials in his administration for acts they may have taken in the course of their official duties;

(3) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that James Madison was correct in his observation that ''[i]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds [to] believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty'';

(4) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that a special investigative commission, or a Select Committee be tasked with investigating possible illegal activities by senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush, including, if necessary, any abuse of the President's pardon power; and

(5) the next Attorney General of the United States appoint an independent counsel to investigate, and, where appropriate, prosecute illegal acts by senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush.

Source: Huffington Post

I really hope to see this bill pass because I desperately want to see the Bush Administration pay for their unethical behavior. If you agree, then I encourage you to contact your representative and ask them to support Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) who introduced H.RES. 1531.

If you do not know who your congressman is, you can look them up in this listing on the U.S. House of Representatives website.

Bill proposed that would prevent Bush for issuing Presidential Pardons to senior members of administration during final 90 days of his term in office

Obviously there are things that have transpired in the Bush Administration that people need to be held accountable for:

The concern is that a Bush pardon would frustrate forever any attempt to make his administration accountable. If you share that concern then you should contact your representatives and ask them to support Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) who introduced H.RES. 1531, which states, as follows:

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President of the United States should not issue pardons to senior members of his administration during the final 90 days of his term of office.

Whereas Article II, section 2, clause 1, of the Constitution of the United States provides that ''[t]he President . . . shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment'';

Whereas Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist #74, stated, ''[a]s the sense of responsibility is always strongest, in proportion as it is undivided, it may be inferred that a single man would be most ready to attend to the force of those motives which might plead for a mitigation of the rigor of the law, and least apt to yield to considerations which were calculated to shelter a fit object of its vengeance'';

Whereas the Supreme Court has observed that ''[a] pardon reaches both the punishment prescribed for the offence and the guilt of the offender; and when the pardon is full, it releases the punishment and blots out of existence the guilt, so that in the eye of the law the offender is as innocent as if he had never committed the offence. If granted before conviction, it prevents . . . the penalties and disabilities consequent upon conviction from attaching; if granted after conviction, it removes the penalties and disabilities, and restores him to all his civil rights; it makes him, as it were, a new man, and gives him a new credit and capacity.'' Ex Parte Garland, 71 U.S. (4 Wall.) 333, 380 (1866);

Whereas during the Constitutional convention, George Mason expressed the concern that a president could abuse his pardon power to ''pardon crimes which were advised by himself'' or, before indictment or conviction, ''to stop inquiry and prevent detection'';

Whereas James Madison responded to Mason's concerns by stating that ''[i]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds [to] believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty'';

Whereas although not constitutionally binding, the Pardon Attorney's regulations governing the granting of presidential pardons states ''[n]o petition for pardon should be filed until the expiration of a waiting period of at least five years after the date of the release of the petitioner from confinement or, in case no prison sentence was imposed, until the expiration of a period of at least five years after the date of the conviction of the petitioner. Generally, no petition should be submitted by a person who is on probation, parole, or supervised release.'' 28 C.F.R. 1.2 (2000);

Whereas on President George H.W. Bush granted a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to Elliott Abrams, Duane R. Clarridge, Alan Fiers, Clair George, Robert C. McFarlane, and Caspar W. Weinberger for all offenses charged, prosecuted, or committed in connection with the Iran-Contra Scandal in which he was alleged to have been involved;

Whereas in a press conference on February 22, 2001, President George W. Bush stated, ''Should I decide to grant pardons, I will do so in a fair way. I will have the highest of high standards'';

Whereas investigations by Congressional committees, and press reports, raise serious concerns that senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush may have committed crimes involving the mistreatment of detainees, the extraordinary rendition of individuals to countries known to engage in torture, illegal surveillance of United States citizens, unlawful leaks of classified information, obstruction of justice, political interference with the conduct of the Justice Department, and other illegal acts;

Whereas President George W. Bush has been urged to grant preemptive pardons to senior administration officials who might face criminal prosecution for actions taken in the course of their official duties; and

Whereas pardons issued during the lame duck period of a President's term would not be subject to the judgment of the voters; Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That--

(1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the granting of preemptive pardons by the President to senior officials of his administration for acts they may have taken in the course of their official duties is a dangerous abuse of the pardon power;

(2) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should not grant preemptive pardons to senior officials in his administration for acts they may have taken in the course of their official duties;

(3) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that James Madison was correct in his observation that ''[i]f the President be connected, in any suspicious manner, with any person, and there be grounds [to] believe he will shelter him, the House of Representatives can impeach him; they can remove him if found guilty'';

(4) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that a special investigative commission, or a Select Committee be tasked with investigating possible illegal activities by senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush, including, if necessary, any abuse of the President's pardon power; and

(5) the next Attorney General of the United States appoint an independent counsel to investigate, and, where appropriate, prosecute illegal acts by senior officials of the administration of President George W. Bush.

Source: Huffington Post

I really hope to see this bill pass because I desperately want to see the Bush Administration pay for their unethical behavior. If you agree, then I encourage you to contact your representative and ask them to support Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) who introduced H.RES. 1531.

If you do not know who your congressman is, you can look them up in this listing on the U.S. House of Representatives website.

Citigroup, AIG Won't Drop Big Sports Sponsorships, Even As They are Bailed Out By Federal Government

It is unconscionable that Citigroup and AIG, as well as a number of other federally-bailed out financial institutions have no plans to cancel the hundreds of millions of dollars in sports team sponsorships, even as they take billions in taxpayer support. According to ABC News,

Despite collecting billions in bailout funds from the U.S. government, AIG and Citibank aren't giving up multi-million dollar sponsorship deals. AIG is paying the British soccer team Manchester United $125 million for the privilege of having its logo appear on Man U's uniforms, while Citibank has a 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field."

I can understand such frivolities in boom times, when the sponsorships were seen as a way to advertise the firms' "brands" and appeal to potential customers. But in these tough economic times, such spending decisions are pretty hard to justify, especially when taxpayers are bailing these companies out. It is indefensible and unacceptable. Citibank just sealed a multi-billion-dollar emergency "backstop" deal with the U.S. government. The company, suffering with billions in bad mortgage-related assets on its books, recently shed 53,000 workers and saw its stock price lose over half its value. Yet it's in a 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field." How smart is that? Now is the time to flood your congressman or woman and your senators' telephone lines. This is crazy. What is Main Street getting out of the deal?

To read more of the ABC News Report, CLICK HERE....

Citigroup, AIG Won't Drop Big Sports Sponsorships, Even As They are Bailed Out By Federal Government

It is unconscionable that Citigroup and AIG, as well as a number of other federally-bailed out financial institutions have no plans to cancel the hundreds of millions of dollars in sports team sponsorships, even as they take billions in taxpayer support. According to ABC News,

Despite collecting billions in bailout funds from the U.S. government, AIG and Citibank aren't giving up multi-million dollar sponsorship deals. AIG is paying the British soccer team Manchester United $125 million for the privilege of having its logo appear on Man U's uniforms, while Citibank has a 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field."

I can understand such frivolities in boom times, when the sponsorships were seen as a way to advertise the firms' "brands" and appeal to potential customers. But in these tough economic times, such spending decisions are pretty hard to justify, especially when taxpayers are bailing these companies out. It is indefensible and unacceptable. Citibank just sealed a multi-billion-dollar emergency "backstop" deal with the U.S. government. The company, suffering with billions in bad mortgage-related assets on its books, recently shed 53,000 workers and saw its stock price lose over half its value. Yet it's in a 20-year contract to pay the New York Mets $400 million to name the team's new stadium "Citi Field." How smart is that? Now is the time to flood your congressman or woman and your senators' telephone lines. This is crazy. What is Main Street getting out of the deal?

To read more of the ABC News Report, CLICK HERE....

Wendy Whitaker Faces Eviction Due to Decade-Old Consensual Sex Act

Photo: Creative Loafing

I came across an interesting article on Alan Colmes website about a Georgia woman who faces eviction for a decade-old sex crime. This case is eerily similar to Genarlo Wilson's case. According to Alan Colmes, Wendy Whitaker had consensual oral sex with her boyfriend when she was 17 and he was three weeks shy of his 16th birthday. She was convicted of sodomy in 1997 as a result, had to register as a sex offender for life, and can’t live within 1000 feet of schools or churches.

The Southern Center for Human Rights in Atlanta has filed a suit on her behalf to overturn parts of Georgia’s sex offender registry law, and she has just filed another suit to stop the state from evicting her from her home. She won’t be able to afford both a mortgage and a rent on a new home, so she would have to face foreclosure if she is forced from her house.

Whitaker’s case is reminiscent of that of Genarlo Wilson, a Georgia man who got 10 years for consensual sex he also had as a teenager. Wilson was finally freed after serving 2 years, and Whitaker is citing the cruel and unusual punishment in that case which will hopefully help her own cause.

Isn't this a clear violation of the Constitution and this woman's civil rights? It is so important for all voters to know the history of the judges we are voting for. You put one nutjob on the bench and all hell breaks loose. President Bush and his posse are engaging in nation-building, but yet we have people in this country are are not afforded a fair trial. This woman had consensual oral sex with her boyfriend, who is she being treated as a sex offender? She stands to lose everything, while her boyfriend walked away scotch free. Of course, this is not a cause for the politicians to champion. No sex is too scary for them to touch. This woman had consensual oral sex with her then boyfriend. Why is she meted the same treatment as the scumbag who preys on little children or women? That is simply not fair.