Please write your congress person to insist that these great American citizens who were wantonly murdered on their way to deployment should not only get a purple heart, but the increased benefits to their families that is required of our nation. That is, if are willing to be honest and insist that our dead, (they are dead brothers and sisters, and their children are without them!!). These American soldiers volunteered to serve the military mission of our nation. They were American service personnel. They would not have been brutally murdered if they were not on their way to carry out the commands of the American government. Yes, that means the orders of President Obama. (look folks, those are merely the facts and not anti Obama statements.) So let’s not be small-minded and childish in our treatment of these heroes. Yes, they did not die in combat, they were murdered. They were brutally and wantonly murdered by a fellow soldiers who was himself a secret terrorist. So they were killed by terrorists and we must demand that our military do the right thing and the right thing is NOT to allow Attorney General Holder’s insistence that this was “workplace violence”. Shame on us if we do not honor these service members with a purple heart and decent benefits to their spouses and children.
Category: Science
childlessness Could Doom the Childless and the Nation
This is a very extensive, interesting and insightful article on the “Childless Culture” of modern urban America. Will there be enough children to replace those who are growing older and those who are dying? If there are not enough children who will pay for the elderly? If the childless generation succeeds, then they too will suffer. For this writer, one area that the author of this article neglected, and probably could not gauge, was the effect of aging on those who are electing to be childless.
Now, these folk have living parents and often grandparents. But grand parents and parents will die leaving the childless children without family. Friends, yes. But are today’s friends the same as today’s children who remain your children when you are old! This idea of family as companions along the journey of life may be quaint, but I suggest a visit to a contemporary elderly life home, or a nursing home. The people in these places often have families and yet, they cannot stay at home because of illness, frailty, behavioral problems, or simply because their children do not want to take care of them.
So, we posit the idea of millions of men and women who today could have children we imagine that they successfully carry out their childlessness. So, imagine that they are now fifty or sixty. They are weaker than they are now. Some are sick. Some are frail. All are without grandparents, parents or children. They are also either out of a job because of technological advances eliminating their employment, or they are forced to continue working until they are dead because of the increasing costs of urban singleton living.
Hey, they may indeed be happy. But this is also true, there comes a point in biological life when it is no longer possible to have children. So, the decision to be childless becomes, at that point, not reversible. Hey, they may be used to being a “family” of one. However, the socially hip scene changes with age. The friends move away or die away. The body degenerates. So, what! They may think that is not their problem. And it isn’t.
As the article inferred, Obama will take care of them. Oh, I forgot, he will be old too. And surprise! Obama is married and has two children. His retirement will be generous. His wife is a successful business person. And although his parents and grandparents are dead, I am sure he will have plenty of friends to keep him company as he grows older. Maybe, using him as the image for ourselves is not the best idea. Well, to each his/her own.
L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology
Absolutely fascinating account of the life of L. Ron Hubbard. I read almost all his books, never subscribed to his religion because I am a Christian. But I still found him fascinating and find this latest revelation about his life to be the definitive conclusion to his fantasy.
Christianity Promotes Science not Prevents it!!
An Answer to those who perpetuate the lie that religion and in particular, Christianity, are anti science.
Ace I will not answer such silliness except to say, read your history and realize that learning was carried over from Greek and Romans by the Christian monasteries, to include languages and mathematics. geology, archeology,botany, astronomy, etc. Second, Almost all major Universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, USA, indeed the world were founded by devout Christians, many of them Priests, Pastors or Evangelists. Third, the great scientists of the early discoveries were Christian monks, Pastors or Scholars to include Gregor Mendel the father of modern botany and plant genetics, Newton, the father of modern physics, Kepler and myriad others. The great hospitals and institutions of charity were founded by Christians to include the more secular ones such as the Red Cross, Boy and Girl scouts. The great abolitionists were Christians, as well as the Woman suffrage leaders. Note that the Civil rights movement was led by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King and the Reverend Dr. Ralph Abernathy, and the Rev. Fathers Berrigan were stanch anti-war protesters. So, Ace, please read your history, get enlightened and realize that you are merely repeating parrot like the mantra of ignorant anti religion and anti Christian bigots and those who promote anti religion intolerance.
Catholic Colleges and Bishops
http://ncronline.org/news/theology/bishops-colleges-find-good-collaboration-ex-corde-review
This writer attended several Christian affiliated colleges. Many times I asked myself if the school I attended was Christian in any sense other than an active Chapel life. It seemed that the philosophy, theology, ethics and morality of Christianity had no interaction with classroom presentations. Once a student left the Chapel, it was exactly like every other secular based school.
During the Pontificate of John Paul II the relationship of Roman Catholic colleges and universities was highlighted by two events. This author is presenting this from memory so minor details may be missing but the gist is the same.
Hans Kung is the name. A Roman Catholic priest, writer, theologian and holder of the official chair of Theology at a German university, Father Kung wrote several items that were called into question by the official teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. He was required to clarify his positions and eventually, his explanations of what he taught were not judged adequate by the official Roman Catholic teaching authority. The case was refered to Pope John Paul II, who after review, decided that Father Kung could not accurately and sufficiently represent the official Roman Catholic theology on subjects under his purview. He was required by his bishop to relinquish the official chair of Roman Catholic theology. Father Kung was not forbidden to publish his thoughts. He was not stripped of his priesthood. He was not accused as a heretic. The narrow, and in this writers opinion, correct judgement, was that which was stated above. Father Kung was judged to be not sufficiently committed to official Roman Catholic teaching for him to remain the official teacher of that position at a university.
The second is similar but involves an entire university, namely, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. The Pope warned Notre Dame and other official Roman Catholic Universities that they could not have it both ways. Namely, the university could not teach, promulgate, or promote distinctly unchristian or antichristian positions and remain an official university of the Church. Please note, that his Holiness John Paul II did not say that presentations of other than Christian philosophies, theologies, ethics, morals or whatever, could not be treated at such a university. What was required was a distinctly Roman Catholic analysis, critique and answer to those presentations which a reasonable Christian would regard as not in keeping with the official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Also note, that the Pope did not require the school to stop academic freedom, however, if the school wanted to adopt, teach, promulgate and promote distinctly unchristian or antichristian positions, it should give up its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church and become just another secular institution.
Considering that so many of our finest American Universities, such as Yale and Harvard and just about all the ivy league schools were founded by Christians and supported throughout their founding years by the Christian Church. And considering that if we were to look at the founding documents and charters of these school, the founders intended for the schools to teach, promulgate, and promote the distinct teachings of the Christian Church. It is a sad commentary on academic fraud that these very schools attack, degrade, and dismiss Christianity and Christian philosophy, world view, ethics, morals and theology and even personal worship as not even to be tolerated.
It would be delightful and I think a meaningful exercise for all Christian denominations to begin dialog with colleges and universities that claim affiliation with the Church. Since, it is my belief that most of these institutions do not subscribe in any meaningful way to the teachings of the denominations to which they claim affiliation, they should voluntarily give up that affiliation and declare themselves purely secular schools. By the way, any specifically Church owned property, endowments, Teaching Chairs, fellowships, etc. should be returned to the founders. If such things as property, and the like cannot practically be returned, a monetary amount should be appraised and the school pay that amount to the Church. Of course, it would be hoped that the schools could reform themselves along the lines by which they were founded. Although, this writer holds out little hope for this.
A Citizens Call to Action On Gun Control
A very thoughtful and passionate prposal for citizen action in light of school invasion and children’s murder.
White Americans Versus White Americans
0users disliked this commentFrederick • 1 day 7 hrs ago
“We are in the midst of historic cultural and demographic changes,” What does that mean? And if it is true, how is President Obama the architect of cultural and demographic change? Surely, he is not the father of all those demographic people and he is not the author of their culture. Is this a reference to President Obama’s race? Isn’t that racist? Is it a reference to the Muslim influences on his life? Isn’t that also stereotyping and could be considered prejudice? Didn’t the father of modern racial attitudes say that we should judge a person by the content of their character and not the color of their skin? I am wondering how many media people see President Obama as a black man? Would MLK have preferred us to see Obama as a man who is is black? What does Obama himself want? Does he think of himself as a black man or a man who is black? Can a white person think of themselves as a white person or a person who is white and what’s the difference?
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M • 1 day 6 hrs ago
He is not their father but their representative. He is actually the architect because he is representing all of the different races and idealogies, instead of any other presidents who has only represented white christian bigots. And yes he is happened to be black.–Or is he?
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0users liked this commentThumbs UpThumbs Down0users disliked this commentFrederick • a second agoRemove
Sadly, you thing that White Christians are bigots. But that is the problems. White people are taught not to be proud that they are white and that they have a thousand plus years of illustrious history to include Christianity, Monasticism, the Universities, the hospitals, the Renaisance, the Enlightenment,Democracy, Industrial revolution, computer revolution, digital revolution and that white europeans are in the front of the latest innovations in every measurable field of human endeavor. But we are told to hand our heads down, and to stoop our shoulders and to recite the manta of Liberalism, namely, White and Christian is bad and black and Muslim is good.
Paying Medical Bills In Cash
4. Paying Medical Bills in Cash Slashes Costs
Most Americans are unaware that many hospitals and doctors offer deep discounts for patients who pay in cash — as long as they don’t use their health insurance.
One hospital in California lists the price of a CT scan of the abdomen on its website at $4,423. Blue Shield of California says it negotiated a rate at the hospital of about $2,400 for patients with coverage.
But when the Los Angeles Times asked for the cash price, the hospital said it was $250.
The newspaper cited the case of a woman who was charged $6,707 for a CT scan of her abdomen. Blue Shield said she needed to pay just $2,336. She later discovered that if she had not gone through her insurance plan and paid cash, the cost would have been $1,054.
David Belk, an internist in Alameda, Calif., who launched a website about medical costs, pointed to the vast differences in costs for routine blood work. He said a local hospital charged a patient $782, and her insurer said she owed $414.
“She could have gotten it for $95 in cash,” Belk said. “How does that make sense? The last thing the insurance companies want you to know is how inexpensive this stuff really is.”
Hospitals have been trying to increase revenue by encouraging patients to pay upfront so the hospital can avoid an uncertain collections process, the Times reported.
“Cash prices — typically available for hundreds of common outpatient services and tests — have a real appeal to millions of consumers who are on the hook for a growing share of their medical costs as employers and insurers cut back on coverage and push more high-deductible plans,” the paper observed.
The California Hospital Association asserted that discounted cash prices are intended for patients without insurance, not those with coverage, but added that most hospitals offer a different discount to insured patients who are willing to pay their bill upfront.
I copied this from Newsmax, Is it True?
What’s With the Gay Thing?
http://news.yahoo.com/jim-parsons-gay-10-relationship-213706907.html First the disclaimer: I do not hate gays, actually, I try not to hate anyone. Second: I do not know the fellow featured in this article and I do not wish him any ill. Third: I do not care what his sexual habits are!
I titled this article as a question because I am getting confused as to the passionate desire of our culture to snoop into other people’s private lives. Why are we fixated on the bedroom? We are not fixated on the potty. At least I do not think we are interested in what this fellow uses to wipe his ass. If he or any heterosexual person engages in sex, I really do not care what lubricant they use or which brand of condom. Yet, we get all hyped up to know that any particular male person engages in anal sex or oral sex with another male and we are thrilled that it is a ten-year long process. At least that is the breathless way this article is written. I read it because I wanted to know what is the fuss? And reading it I felt dirty, as though I was peeking into their bedroom and watching them conjoin. As I write this, there are probably hundreds of people in my town engaging in various forms of sex. So what! I mean really, folks, this fixation with Gays is adolescent.
And just one more thing. Again, the disclaimer, ( it seems we always need to defend ourselves these day), I do not care about the sexual habits of others. Yet, I wonder what it is that our society and its voyeuristic culture wants to promote. You see, I am able to write this blog and this man is able to have a ten-year relationship with another man because we had a father and mother. We were not born because we had father and father. Females are absolutely essential for the continuation of the species. And although Hilary Clinton thinks that it takes a village to raise a child, it starts with sex between a man and women and then a family. Yes, the family is faulty but so is the community. It is time to stop acting like twelve-year-old with binoculars peering into this handsome man’ or that beautiful woman’s bedchamber. And in so doing, let’s get away from the grunt and sweat of sex and pay attention to things that enhance our communities, like Art, Science, Literature, and even Religion and Philosophy.
USA Intervention prolongs Tyrany and Prevents Democracy
It is this authors opinion that the progress of democracy is inevitable. I also believe that it is the best form of government for all people’s worldwide. Additionally, I wholeheartedly support efforts to educate, advocate and promote peaceful democracy worldwide. However, war is a terrible thing and as we learned in our own Revolution and Civil War a great many people die prematurely for something which is so inevitable that we do not need bloodshed for its achievement. And for those conservative pundits who argue with me on this, well! Have you been in the US military? Is your child in the US military? Have you been confronted with the agony of mobilization and deployment? Yes, I have and so have my children. So, before we go wrapping everything in the flag, let’s talk. Okay.
Democracy has many forms, including limited democracy such as a real monarchy, and on to parliamentary democracy and a Republic like the USA. However, there is not one form that fits all societies. A tribal system such as Libya and Iraq may not be historically, culturally or ethnically suited for USA style democracy. Rather, ethnic, cultural, religious and societal uniqueness may require that democracy be tailored to the local situation.
And I completely agree that many societies in the Middle East of our world are seeking a greater form of democratic society. However, in distinction from my colleagues, I suggest that democracy was and is inevitable in these societies and that the modern interconnected Internet world, would and will, sooner than later, achieve that democracy, worldwide. However, in many countries and societal situations the so-called “powerful” need to learn the new methods of power and government. It is my belief that they would have, and they will learn the modern way without violence, bloodshed and death. It is inevitable.
But, many object, that in the societies of the Middle East, it is taking too long. First, I ask you, if you are a citizen of the country you criticise? If not, shut up. It is none of your business and don’t spout the crap about “you are your brothers keeper”. When you leave your USA armchair and travel to the streets of the struggle and face the bullets, then maybe, and only maybe, then you will have a little right to speak. Hey, brother, please don’t tell me what I must die for. You die in my place, okay? And then, I will religiously lay a wreath at your grave. Deal?
It is this author’s opinion that much of the violence and the death happening worldwide and especially in the Mid East is caused by geopolitical aims and seeks to falsely use democracy as the excuse for the extension of a western economic imperial model that has nothing to do with the “quality of life” of the protagonists and a lot to do with the wealth and continued economic imperialism of western governments and corporations.
Rather, let’s not arm the rebels. Let’s educate them on civil organization and political reality. But, you say, that we tried that and it failed. Did it? In my opinion, it did not fail. It simply did not meet our expectations. We will need to extend our timelines and get real about what is possible now and what can only be achieved later.
Friends, I will not dictate that for which you must die. Rather, I will do everything I can to promote your freedom within the context, society and culture in which you live. In the end, the result will be the same because freedom and I believe, democracy, are inevitable.
Progressive Politics 