I got a newsletter from "my" senator, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), the other day. It read, in part -
On Monday, I introduced the Children of Fallen Warriors AMT Relief Act, a bill that will remove the punitive burden that is currently imposed on the children of fallen servicemembers by our outdated tax code. Under our current tax laws, the children of a fallen servicemember who receive an annuity from the Uniformed Services Survivor Benefit Plan can unintentionally become subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). This bill recognizes that the children of fallen soldiers have already sacrificed enough for their country, and ensures that they are not subject to the AMT.
SO I SENT HIM A MESSAGE BACK, (and sent it to "my" Representative) as follows -
In your latest newsletter, you mentioned that you introduced an Act to keep children of fallen soldiers from being subject to the AMT.
That may be a good thing, but you could have saved EVERYONE ELSE along with them by simply changing the AMT to be indexed to inflation, with the RATE INDEX ONLY retroactive to when the AMT started, and any "refund" to taxpayers good only to 2008 (even though I would get money back if it went back to 1999, I recognize that the country needs the income from the past decade).
SO - how about it? How about introducing a BILL to make this a law?"
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Catholic Bishop Convicted for Denial of Holocaust
Recently a PRIEST from Germany DENIED THE HOLOCAUST !!! It made news because, though he did an AP interview in a different European country (AND asked that it NOT be shown in Germany because of "Non-Denial" laws there) it was shown on TV, and on the internet, in Germany.
"The interview was conducted near Regensburg and was granted shortly before Williamson's excommunication was lifted by Pope Benedict XVI, along with that of three other bishops from the anti-modernization movement of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre."
MY RESPONSE to the many comments made after the post - many also saying that either people were not mass-murdered, or that "we need an investigation" :
It is nearly 100% -- that every person who denies the Holocaust is also one who would do today if they could.
So if YOU want to kill millions, why deny that Nazis DID IT ??? The PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE, SURVIVORS (though very few now) ARE AVAILABLE (as is video of their stories).
I guess the main reason to deny it is so when they do it, no one will believe it, and they won't have to face JUSTICE.
It is probably illegal to deny it in Germany for this reason - that given the chance, many would do it again.
I ALSO posted that the Priest should be excommunicated -- then I went back and saw that HE WAS (by Pope Paul II ?) but that the current pope lifted that order. (And people wonder why I hate religions -- they are two-faced, and prey on the ignorant)
The 'church' should be demanding that all services this week include comments that the Holocaust DID happen -- fat chance that will happen; looks like Pope Benedict wants to deny it too, if he lifted the order.
"The interview was conducted near Regensburg and was granted shortly before Williamson's excommunication was lifted by Pope Benedict XVI, along with that of three other bishops from the anti-modernization movement of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre."
MY RESPONSE to the many comments made after the post - many also saying that either people were not mass-murdered, or that "we need an investigation" :
It is nearly 100% -- that every person who denies the Holocaust is also one who would do today if they could.
So if YOU want to kill millions, why deny that Nazis DID IT ??? The PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE, SURVIVORS (though very few now) ARE AVAILABLE (as is video of their stories).
I guess the main reason to deny it is so when they do it, no one will believe it, and they won't have to face JUSTICE.
It is probably illegal to deny it in Germany for this reason - that given the chance, many would do it again.
I ALSO posted that the Priest should be excommunicated -- then I went back and saw that HE WAS (by Pope Paul II ?) but that the current pope lifted that order. (And people wonder why I hate religions -- they are two-faced, and prey on the ignorant)
The 'church' should be demanding that all services this week include comments that the Holocaust DID happen -- fat chance that will happen; looks like Pope Benedict wants to deny it too, if he lifted the order.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Rape of the American Electorate by The Supreme Court - again
“the court’s opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self government since the founding, and who have fought against the distinctive corrupting potential of corporate electioneering since the days of Theodore Roosevelt.”
Justice John Paul Stevens, about the Jan. 21, 2010 ruling that corporations may spend all they want to get people elected in the USA. The Court has effectively ruled that corporations are more important than individuals in voicing, by money contributions, running advertisements, and all other election-related procedures, their "opinions and desires". There are still LIMITS ON PEOPLE giving money - but no longer on corporations!
This is just added to the already unconstitutional ruling that any municipality may force you out of the house you have owned (even without a mortgage) for 1 year or 100 years, because a rich person is willing to pay more in taxes than you currently pay (they are taking by "eminent domain", thought that is supposed to be strictly reserved for instances of public safety, public progress, and where no other reasonable alternative exists (such as building a court complex elsewhere). [Wiki says "The property is taken either for government use or by delegation to third parties who will devote it to public or civic use or, in some cases, economic development." BUT I have to point out that personal housing is NOT economic development, as "pubic housing" would be construed.] [[They took thousands of people's homes in NYC and Chicago, and elsewhere, so apartments could be built. As a kid that sounded fine, but now I question it because some company (person) got very rich building and renting apartments.]]
Back to the issue at hand -- This is a severe taking of our rights and we should be screaming the streets, but Americans have become too complacent. We watch places like Poland in the 80's, and Iran today, and say "way to go! Fight for your freedom! Down with totalitarian regimes!" But here we sit - most Americans are not even aware that their freedoms are being taken, many others are apathetic (the old 'there's nothing we can do about it' attitude), and the rest just are too stupid to understand what is being done to them by the Supreme Court. (I see this in many comments on USA Today, where people support "indefinite holding of terrorists", but that also means that THEY can be accused, grabbed, and held, sometimes for months before anyone knows [people reported as "missing" because no one knows] where they are or even what they are charged with. HOW DUMB they are to think that tossing the Constitution for someone else will never come back and affect them! The 'Bush era renditions' are another example of this - here a President acted like a King; or tyrant.)
There is a saying - "the constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is"; meaning that the Supreme Court is the final, and "correct", interpreter of what the Constitution means. But just as any law can be overturned when a court says it violates the constitution, so too can any ruling of the Supreme Court by a later court (as they have done here, taking TWO rulings from before 1950 that have limited corporate money in elections). I hope people wake up and start demanding the return of their individual rights.
WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO -- THE BEST CORPORATION (uh - Country) MONEY CAN BUY !!!
Justice John Paul Stevens, about the Jan. 21, 2010 ruling that corporations may spend all they want to get people elected in the USA. The Court has effectively ruled that corporations are more important than individuals in voicing, by money contributions, running advertisements, and all other election-related procedures, their "opinions and desires". There are still LIMITS ON PEOPLE giving money - but no longer on corporations!
This is just added to the already unconstitutional ruling that any municipality may force you out of the house you have owned (even without a mortgage) for 1 year or 100 years, because a rich person is willing to pay more in taxes than you currently pay (they are taking by "eminent domain", thought that is supposed to be strictly reserved for instances of public safety, public progress, and where no other reasonable alternative exists (such as building a court complex elsewhere). [Wiki says "The property is taken either for government use or by delegation to third parties who will devote it to public or civic use or, in some cases, economic development." BUT I have to point out that personal housing is NOT economic development, as "pubic housing" would be construed.] [[They took thousands of people's homes in NYC and Chicago, and elsewhere, so apartments could be built. As a kid that sounded fine, but now I question it because some company (person) got very rich building and renting apartments.]]
Back to the issue at hand -- This is a severe taking of our rights and we should be screaming the streets, but Americans have become too complacent. We watch places like Poland in the 80's, and Iran today, and say "way to go! Fight for your freedom! Down with totalitarian regimes!" But here we sit - most Americans are not even aware that their freedoms are being taken, many others are apathetic (the old 'there's nothing we can do about it' attitude), and the rest just are too stupid to understand what is being done to them by the Supreme Court. (I see this in many comments on USA Today, where people support "indefinite holding of terrorists", but that also means that THEY can be accused, grabbed, and held, sometimes for months before anyone knows [people reported as "missing" because no one knows] where they are or even what they are charged with. HOW DUMB they are to think that tossing the Constitution for someone else will never come back and affect them! The 'Bush era renditions' are another example of this - here a President acted like a King; or tyrant.)
There is a saying - "the constitution is what the Supreme Court says it is"; meaning that the Supreme Court is the final, and "correct", interpreter of what the Constitution means. But just as any law can be overturned when a court says it violates the constitution, so too can any ruling of the Supreme Court by a later court (as they have done here, taking TWO rulings from before 1950 that have limited corporate money in elections). I hope people wake up and start demanding the return of their individual rights.
WE ARE ON THE ROAD TO -- THE BEST CORPORATION (uh - Country) MONEY CAN BUY !!!
Not all Crooks are Americans - but this one needs a Bullet !
An article found on my Yahoo page, by BBC News - 'Bomb detector' maker Jim McCormick arrested
Here is another account of government "buyers" being too stupid to hold the job they get paid for. While this guy and everyone in his 'company' is a fraud, the buyers are also at fault for purchasing these devices. They are noted as the "ADE-651"
Look at what was reported - "The device consists of a swivelling aerial mounted to a hinge on a hand-grip. It does not operate by battery, instead promotional material says it is powered only by the user's static electricity." Now, can someone tell me how much static is generated in a high-humidity environment, or in a swamp, or a rain? (Hint - NONE. Static is bled-off by the moisture before it can build to any usable level.)
It also took a special investigation by BBC Newsnight which paid a computer laboratory to find out that the "device" is simply a store security/theft-prevention device, which sends out a signal to a large 'sensor' to detect items being shoplifted! It could no more detect bombs than your average doorknob!
Now just who has bought these devices? What government official "signed off" on millions of dollars worth useless "bomb detectors" -- as they posted - "The Iraqi government has spent US$85m (£52m) on the hand-held detectors, now used at most checkpoints in Baghdad." Now most likely, that is US TAX DOLLARS spent; and US SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS BEING KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS FRAUD. The article mentions that "no western government uses" these worthless things, but because Iraq is using them, certainly the US is involved in some way - purchase, promotion, and "protected by".
Nothing short of a trial to find all of the conspirators and then a bullet in each person's head is called for here. I am not far from also saying that the decision-makers for purchasing these bogus devices should be included in the lineup. At the least, anyone involved in any testing phase (they did more than read some one else's report) should be fired and jailed, and barred from collecting any pay, pension, etc. AND the "report reader" needs to be fired - the description provided should have raised "red flags" throughout the industry.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Making a case for "Life After Death" -- but false claims won't make it real
In CSM online version, 12/10/09 --- http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20091209/cm_csm/ydsouza
my letter to editor/CSM
Concerning Dinesh D'Souza, "Life After Death: The Evidence." [His words are in italics]
First, you print an "opinion" piece by him, but it is more like a testimonial for his latest book. Opinion too? Yes, but really.... it is more of a ‘buy my book, make me rich” piece.
Second, he, like ALL religionists, twists facts, or uses only the part that might support his opinion, rather than using everything available to reach a valid conclusion.
So that I am not accused of taking comments ‘out of context’, below are excerpts and my comment.
He takes facts from several sources and mixes them together, then draws a conclusion. But since he didn’t keep the facts straight, the conclusion is false:
Alarmed by the obvious implication of near-death experiences, atheists have been laboring assiduously to explain them away. Today, the best atheist explanation is that near-death experiences are the result of a dying brain. When the brain irreversibly breaks down, psychologist Susan Blackmore contends, it generates special effects that closely track the near-death experience.
There are several problems with this theory but one fatal one is that many survivors of clinical death are now going to work, looking after their families, and functioning just fine. So much for an "irreversible" breakdown.
Concerning Dinesh D'Souza, "Life After Death: The Evidence." [His words are in italics]
First, you print an "opinion" piece by him, but it is more like a testimonial for his latest book. Opinion too? Yes, but really.... it is more of a ‘buy my book, make me rich” piece.
Second, he, like ALL religionists, twists facts, or uses only the part that might support his opinion, rather than using everything available to reach a valid conclusion.
So that I am not accused of taking comments ‘out of context’, below are excerpts and my comment.
He takes facts from several sources and mixes them together, then draws a conclusion. But since he didn’t keep the facts straight, the conclusion is false:
Alarmed by the obvious implication of near-death experiences, atheists have been laboring assiduously to explain them away. Today, the best atheist explanation is that near-death experiences are the result of a dying brain. When the brain irreversibly breaks down, psychologist Susan Blackmore contends, it generates special effects that closely track the near-death experience.
There are several problems with this theory but one fatal one is that many survivors of clinical death are now going to work, looking after their families, and functioning just fine. So much for an "irreversible" breakdown.
NO ONE claims that near-death experiences are the result of “irreversible” breakdown. Here he OUT RIGHT LIES. The actual claim is that it results from oxygen levels being so low that people are close to, or in the process of, passing out. Just as several things can cause “tunnel vision”, low oxygen being a major cause, so too can it cause “a white light” as the eyes shut down, or the brain shuts down. “Irreversible” is just that - death of at least part of the brain; any later recovery of the person is because other parts of the brain can take over some functions, as shown BY SCIENCE.
He further states:
I don't claim to prove my case beyond a reasonable doubt, but I do claim to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.
He further states:
I don't claim to prove my case beyond a reasonable doubt, but I do claim to prove it by a preponderance of the evidence.
Well, at least the statement is rational, though I doubt he really means it. And he has NO evidence, but merely claims to have it.
He further states:
"Is it good for me to believe?" [His quotes, not mine]
For me, the clear answer is yes. If there is no life after death, we are like passengers on the Titanic: We can rearrange the deck chairs and turn up the music, but we are ultimately doomed. By contrast, if there is life after death, we can face death with serenity, viewing it is a gateway to another life. Also we have reason to hope that good will eventually be rewarded and evil held accountable. Moreover, recognizing that our terrestrial existence is part of a larger drama, we can forge a sense of lasting purpose in our lives. So not only is belief in an afterlife reasonable; it is also good for us.
He further states:
"Is it good for me to believe?" [His quotes, not mine]
For me, the clear answer is yes. If there is no life after death, we are like passengers on the Titanic: We can rearrange the deck chairs and turn up the music, but we are ultimately doomed. By contrast, if there is life after death, we can face death with serenity, viewing it is a gateway to another life. Also we have reason to hope that good will eventually be rewarded and evil held accountable. Moreover, recognizing that our terrestrial existence is part of a larger drama, we can forge a sense of lasting purpose in our lives. So not only is belief in an afterlife reasonable; it is also good for us.
He is making the case for “hey, what could it hurt?” or “let’s CLAIM to believe just to be on the safe side”. In other words, he ADVOCATES HYPOCRISY. He is clearly saying that you should attend church, and tell all your friends, and AT LEAST GIVE LIP SERVICE to “I Believe”, because IF there is an afterlife WITH GOD then you will be safe.
But that assumes that “God” would not know what is really in your heart - that you are doing it “just in case”. IF there is a god, and your bible tells you that making false claims is wrong, don't you think that you would be sent to ‘hell’ by your ‘god’ for false testimony? Face it, to claim all is OK is hypocrisy. (I had a co-worker claim to be a good Catholic, but daily he threatened to kill me, and said he would sleep fine afterwards. He even wanted me to attend his church so I could 'meet a nice girl'; I pointed out the hypocrisy - he said it was not, but soon after started down the hate road. Yea - typical christian.)
And he also try’s to put in some science by claiming that “Heaven” could be another dimension. Again, hypocrisy; Nothing in the bible, written by MEN with the “direction of God”, brings up alternate dimensions or anything even close to the concept. Here D'Souza is trying to trick non-believers and followers of science into “belief” by a ridiculous claim with no substance behind it.
His comment:
One of the direct implications of the Big Bang is that not only did the physical universe have a beginning, but space and time also had a beginning. Space and time are properties of our universe. This means that in realms beyond our universe, if such realms exist, there might be no space and no time. Suddenly the Christian idea of eternity is rendered intelligible.
But that assumes that “God” would not know what is really in your heart - that you are doing it “just in case”. IF there is a god, and your bible tells you that making false claims is wrong, don't you think that you would be sent to ‘hell’ by your ‘god’ for false testimony? Face it, to claim all is OK is hypocrisy. (I had a co-worker claim to be a good Catholic, but daily he threatened to kill me, and said he would sleep fine afterwards. He even wanted me to attend his church so I could 'meet a nice girl'; I pointed out the hypocrisy - he said it was not, but soon after started down the hate road. Yea - typical christian.)
And he also try’s to put in some science by claiming that “Heaven” could be another dimension. Again, hypocrisy; Nothing in the bible, written by MEN with the “direction of God”, brings up alternate dimensions or anything even close to the concept. Here D'Souza is trying to trick non-believers and followers of science into “belief” by a ridiculous claim with no substance behind it.
His comment:
One of the direct implications of the Big Bang is that not only did the physical universe have a beginning, but space and time also had a beginning. Space and time are properties of our universe. This means that in realms beyond our universe, if such realms exist, there might be no space and no time. Suddenly the Christian idea of eternity is rendered intelligible.
Again, selecting various facts out of context to support an invalid conclusion. Science states that other dimensions will almost certainly (we have not been there so there is no proof) have different qualities, including the passage of time. Perhaps a what would feel like a week to us there could be 1,000 years here (much like the Einstein equation shows that moving fast will make your timeframe be different from a person on Earth), but to claim that might be ‘heaven’, in fact he practically outright states so, is again just stupid.
To cut this short -- if you think “God” wants a bunch of hypocrites who give lip service to “believing”, go with his “proof”. But don’t expect “God” to forgive you. If you want to go with the REAL EVIDENCE, then do like I do: accept that THIS is all there is, and look for your “rewards” here in this 'plain of existence', do good, follow the “Golden Rule”, and refuse false claims.
To cut this short -- if you think “God” wants a bunch of hypocrites who give lip service to “believing”, go with his “proof”. But don’t expect “God” to forgive you. If you want to go with the REAL EVIDENCE, then do like I do: accept that THIS is all there is, and look for your “rewards” here in this 'plain of existence', do good, follow the “Golden Rule”, and refuse false claims.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Global Warming - Debate, not Politics
Posted on Global Warming FACEBOOK page (12/06/09)
Many doubt that GW is happening at all -- even with pictures of glaciers melting that are over 10,000, even millions, of years old. So for them - there is no stupidity quotient that can measure your brain function.
BUT - what is the main cause? Is man 95%, or 5%, of the problem? There are too many 'scientists' being paid to fit data to political agendas. Liberals want to paint man as the main cause, conservatives don't.
Other groups want to jump to action now, even though there is no solid evidence showing where to even start, beyond lowering emissions in general will help.
Face it - the whole thing can be looked at as a job creation exercise. Make jobs studying; jobs controlling pollution, etc.
So let's get some jobs done by scientists to provide real FACTS -
what are temp controlling gases and OTHER factors in GW?
what sources generate them, and at what amount per year / decade?
what part is man-made?
what part of animal"
what part is 'natural' (volcano, water, frozen methane underwater)?
what can be done about EACH SOURCE, even if totally natural?
what JOB can be created to fight each source?
"Conservatives" need to get behind the job aspect. They are always screaming about "private sector jobs", so they SHOULD be BEHIND all the debates, and pushing for answers so they can create jobs.
Of course, who would be the ultimate employer? YOU!! Because even though you will pay for a filter, or bottled water, etc, NONE of you want to pay for the air you BREATHE. Governments will be forced to TAX the COMPANIES that create (NOT barter like coal pollution) the problems, then dole out the money to companies that clean it up.
Maybe someone will find a good analogy -- how about garbage pickup? You pay a company directly, or through local taxes, to clean up the things produced by another company that you purchased.
Now you need to PAY TAXES TO BREATHE, and to not get FLOODED OUT on the coastal plains areas, to have DRINKING WATER in interior parts of the country (snow-melt provides a lot to the rivers), and much, much more.
But to claim it is not happening at all -- your education system failed you. Ask for a refund because your IQ is still that of a 5 year old.
Many doubt that GW is happening at all -- even with pictures of glaciers melting that are over 10,000, even millions, of years old. So for them - there is no stupidity quotient that can measure your brain function.
BUT - what is the main cause? Is man 95%, or 5%, of the problem? There are too many 'scientists' being paid to fit data to political agendas. Liberals want to paint man as the main cause, conservatives don't.
Other groups want to jump to action now, even though there is no solid evidence showing where to even start, beyond lowering emissions in general will help.
Face it - the whole thing can be looked at as a job creation exercise. Make jobs studying; jobs controlling pollution, etc.
So let's get some jobs done by scientists to provide real FACTS -
what are temp controlling gases and OTHER factors in GW?
what sources generate them, and at what amount per year / decade?
what part is man-made?
what part of animal"
what part is 'natural' (volcano, water, frozen methane underwater)?
what can be done about EACH SOURCE, even if totally natural?
what JOB can be created to fight each source?
"Conservatives" need to get behind the job aspect. They are always screaming about "private sector jobs", so they SHOULD be BEHIND all the debates, and pushing for answers so they can create jobs.
Of course, who would be the ultimate employer? YOU!! Because even though you will pay for a filter, or bottled water, etc, NONE of you want to pay for the air you BREATHE. Governments will be forced to TAX the COMPANIES that create (NOT barter like coal pollution) the problems, then dole out the money to companies that clean it up.
Maybe someone will find a good analogy -- how about garbage pickup? You pay a company directly, or through local taxes, to clean up the things produced by another company that you purchased.
Now you need to PAY TAXES TO BREATHE, and to not get FLOODED OUT on the coastal plains areas, to have DRINKING WATER in interior parts of the country (snow-melt provides a lot to the rivers), and much, much more.
But to claim it is not happening at all -- your education system failed you. Ask for a refund because your IQ is still that of a 5 year old.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
MORE LIES ABOUT OBAMA - over U.S. STAMPS
Here we go again - a friend sent me a forwarded email about ‘Obama is issuing Muslim stamps’, so they wanted the stamps boycotted. It reads:
“ Now President Obama has directed the United States Postal Service to REMEMBER and HONOR the EID MUSLIM holiday season with a new commemorative 42 Cent First Class Holiday Postage Stamp.. “
The email goes on about how it is MUSLIMS that have attacked us in Lebanon, Saudi, NYC, etc. (Well, I guess that much is true.) and that we should not support anything having to do with them.
However, I can’t find, online, any special notices about these stamps in 2009, and if not, then it didn’t get issued “by Obama". BUT GEORGE BUSH DID ISSUE THEM. That’s right, the USPS under Bush, THREE TIMES, in 2001 and 2007 and 2008, issued the Muslim stamp as part of a “Holiday Series” commemorating Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah.
SEE THE POSTINGS --
But let’s add the rest of the questionable information - the stamps are noted in USPS documents as 41 cent and not the 44 cent (42 cent pictured) claimed in the email. If they reissued them again, at 42 cents, they forgot to post the notice on their web site. Otherwise, I have to ask - did someone FAKE this issuance, because the USPS cross out the price so it can’t be printed and used that way, and in the emailed picture the price was not crossed out. (The email mentioned both 42 and 44 cents - if true, it should be ONE price)
Let’s also try to be fair about this whole ‘so-and-so issued’ thing. The USPS is a quasi-independent organization, and maybe the President can stop an issue, but the chance of that happening is near zero. Everyone is “trying to be fair” and not pointing out the bad things about each religion, only the good, and therefore will include all the main religions, and since we are “not making war against all Muslims” then of course a general holiday issue will include a Muslim stamp.
One last comment, for the person who started this crap -- if you want to fight Muslims, and the faith in general, then strap on a gun, fly your ass into the midst of them, be it Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia, or any other place, and declare yourself as a fighter against all Muslims. But -- who are you going to shoot? The man on the street, the woman, the child? Who?
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