I'm not sure I had even heard of the Swine Flu this time last week. When I first started hearing about it, last Friday and Saturday, it got my attention immediately. Concern was being expressed that it was coming from Mexico (I have kids that are planning to visit Mexico this summer, we have relatives that live there, and other relatives who visit there often.) Then there was talk about the students in a New York City School that had been confirmed with the Swine Flu. I have a daughter attending high school in New York City. I contacted my kids in NYC and the kids planning the Mission Trip to be on the alert -- not to be worried, but to be paying attention to what was going on. I sent them all links to the various sites I had found, such as the CDC, with information on the Swine Flu. And I pondered how quickly this had become something for us to follow.
But yesterday, it got even more personal. Two students at a local elementary school are suspected of having Swine Flu -- so all the schools in our area have been shut down, and all the local sports events have been canceled, at least through the weekend. And when I shopped at Walmart last night, the store clerks were wearing rubber gloves...I haven't determined yet whether folks are overreacting, or just taking proper precautions...But, meantime, I think I'll be reading over those websites a little more carefully.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
More on the Volunteerism Law
I am 100% against this law...I don't believe that it is the Government's place to "mandate volunteerism" -- or to do anything else related to volunteering!
But we need to be sure we react to the right portions of the Law. I read a blog recently that tried to prove the point that this law was in some way, shape, or form prohibiting religion. The claim was based on Section 132A. It claimed that this section forbid volunteers from participating in religious activities. It does not do that. Section 132A prohibits a volunteer position from being used for partisan political activities or from being used to engage in "religious instruction, conducting worship services, etc..."
In that section it is not clearly not prohibiting a volunteer from engaging in political or religious activities. It is prohibiting someone from using their volunteer position in those manners. There is a huge difference between the two.
We don't do ourselves any favors by misquoting or misapplying portions of a law like this!
But we need to be sure we react to the right portions of the Law. I read a blog recently that tried to prove the point that this law was in some way, shape, or form prohibiting religion. The claim was based on Section 132A. It claimed that this section forbid volunteers from participating in religious activities. It does not do that. Section 132A prohibits a volunteer position from being used for partisan political activities or from being used to engage in "religious instruction, conducting worship services, etc..."
In that section it is not clearly not prohibiting a volunteer from engaging in political or religious activities. It is prohibiting someone from using their volunteer position in those manners. There is a huge difference between the two.
We don't do ourselves any favors by misquoting or misapplying portions of a law like this!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Ac
So much has happened in the last week -- I've gotten behind on blogging!
H.R. 1388, Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, was signed into law today. I think the subtitle says it all: "A bill entitled 'The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, an Act to reauthorize and reform the national service laws.'" It even comes complete with uniforms...
H.R. 1388, Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, was signed into law today. I think the subtitle says it all: "A bill entitled 'The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, an Act to reauthorize and reform the national service laws.'" It even comes complete with uniforms...
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Today's TEA Party -- 1st Thoughts
It was exciting being with so many other like-minded folks today (~2,000)for the Taxed Enough Tea Parties.
We heard some great speakers, with thoughts we could certainly agree with:
Mo Brooks:
"...most of us work for a living."
"It's one thing to have power, it's another thing to do the right thing with it!"
"Everyone benefits from free enterprise."
Dale Jackson:
"We have a problem...Government Spending out of control"
Headline for today: "A Rally of Domestic Terrorists in Huntsville today."
Sam Gavan:
"If someone believes we're not heading towards socialism, they are out of touch with reality."
"Give people a hand up, not a hand out."
We saw many great signs, including:
"If I wanted European Socialism, I'd move."
"The Real Pirates are in Washington"
"If I wanted European Socialism, I'd move"
"Get out of my Piggy Bank"
"6th grader, Already in Debt"
"Save a Little Prosperity for our Children"
Only time will tell wither this is the beginning of any changes.
We heard some great speakers, with thoughts we could certainly agree with:
Mo Brooks:
"...most of us work for a living."
"It's one thing to have power, it's another thing to do the right thing with it!"
"Everyone benefits from free enterprise."
Dale Jackson:
"We have a problem...Government Spending out of control"
Headline for today: "A Rally of Domestic Terrorists in Huntsville today."
Sam Gavan:
"If someone believes we're not heading towards socialism, they are out of touch with reality."
"Give people a hand up, not a hand out."
We saw many great signs, including:
"If I wanted European Socialism, I'd move."
"The Real Pirates are in Washington"
"If I wanted European Socialism, I'd move"
"Get out of my Piggy Bank"
"6th grader, Already in Debt"
"Save a Little Prosperity for our Children"
Only time will tell wither this is the beginning of any changes.
Radicals on Right?
Warning, if you read this blog, or others like it, and care about the direction this country is headed, you may be labeled a radical extremest:
I just read a disturbing article in the Washington Times: Federal agency warns of radicals on right
The article starts with the disturbing news that:
"The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in 'rightwing extremist activity,' saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias."
So, because we are concerned about the recession and the war -- we are automatically associated with white-power groups. Excuse me, I don't think so!
The article continues:
"A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines 'rightwing extremism in the United States' as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority."
So, if we read and believe the Constitution limits federal authority -- we are rightwing extremists? All of the anti-federalists amongst our Founders would have been so labeled.
And the article, and the report continues:
"'It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,' the warning says." If to be opposed to abortion makes me a rightwing extremist, then I hope I am in good company!
The report in question, was apparently sent out by Homeland Security last week with the disturbing title: "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."
Searching for information on the report, I found a couple of interesting looking blogs that I will have to go back to including The Liberty Papers: Life, Liberty, Property, Defending Individual Freedom and Liberty One Post at a Time
I'll have to revisit the idea that my concern makes me a radical later: I'm off to prepare for my Government Club meeting, for today's T.E.A. Party, and an Economics class on the real problems (the government) in the Great Depression.
I just read a disturbing article in the Washington Times: Federal agency warns of radicals on right
The article starts with the disturbing news that:
"The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in 'rightwing extremist activity,' saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias."
So, because we are concerned about the recession and the war -- we are automatically associated with white-power groups. Excuse me, I don't think so!
The article continues:
"A footnote attached to the report by the Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis defines 'rightwing extremism in the United States' as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority."
So, if we read and believe the Constitution limits federal authority -- we are rightwing extremists? All of the anti-federalists amongst our Founders would have been so labeled.
And the article, and the report continues:
"'It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration,' the warning says." If to be opposed to abortion makes me a rightwing extremist, then I hope I am in good company!
The report in question, was apparently sent out by Homeland Security last week with the disturbing title: "Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment."
Searching for information on the report, I found a couple of interesting looking blogs that I will have to go back to including The Liberty Papers: Life, Liberty, Property, Defending Individual Freedom and Liberty One Post at a Time
I'll have to revisit the idea that my concern makes me a radical later: I'm off to prepare for my Government Club meeting, for today's T.E.A. Party, and an Economics class on the real problems (the government) in the Great Depression.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Great YouTube Video of John Wayne and America
Great YouTube video on 912Project site: John Wayne: "America, Why I Love Her"
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Alabama Legislation: Ignition Interlocks
Forwarded from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)…
In 2007, 389 people were killed in drunk driving related crashes in Alabama. This accounts for 35 percent of total traffic fatalities statewide.
Fortunately, ignition interlocks have the potential to eliminate these preventable deaths. Interlocks can prevent a vehicle from being driven by a drunk driver. If they are used correctly -- in concert with treatment, in addition to hard license suspensions and in the vehicles until they are no longer needed -- ignition interlocks can decrease repeat offenses by 64%.
Alabama is one of only three states that does not have an interlock law. House Bill 32 would require interlocks for all repeat DUI offenders and would allow judges to order interlocks for first-time convicted drunk drivers. HB 32 recently passed the House of Representatives and is now up for consideration in the Senate. Please contact your State Senator and urge their support of lifesaving legislation HB 32.
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