Let me start by saying that I am the most tolerant person I know. Everybody should be able to believe what they want to, after all, this country was founded on religious freedom! I have several neighbors who are scientologists, and they ALL are super nice people!
It seems that their doctrines are a mesh of many older religions and for the most part common sense based. I find myself agreeing with most of them. Like I said, everyone should be able to do what they want to…as long as no one gets hurt or exploited and herein lies my problem!
The church is tax exempt based on its not-for-profit status, but all members HAVE to buy certain books and materials, as well as participate in costly sessions to achieve the status of “clear”. Not sure about you, but this certainly sounds profitable to me! You may say that in Christianity you are urged to tithe also, so what’s the difference? Well for one, tithing is encouraged but not mandatory. The “suggested” amount is about 10% of your pay, but if you can’t afford to give money and instead give your time or other resources that’s OK. Heck, even if you can’t afford to give anything, you still can have a relationship with God and go to heaven. I don’t think it quiet works this way in Scientology. The other thing that disturbs me is all the coercing and cover-ups I keep reading about. Why does a religious organization need to use such tactics?
I know you cannot believe everything you read on the internet…I would love it if someone educated me about the truth!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
What's the deal with America???
So on Monday, scores of Americans took to the streets, waving flags and celebrating the death of Osama binLaden! And I ask you, where are the demonstrations - the public engagement - when taxes are raised, jobs are cut, and gas prices go through the roof??? Is it me, or does that seem a little backwards???
Hey, if binLaden is dead, GREAT, but personally, I think we have a few more important issues to deal with right here at the homefront!!! How about showing some support for our own??? Instead, it seems we're inclined to just bend over and take it...from "Big Brother" and Corporate America! (Usually without lubrication, ouch!) Why is that I ask you!!!
Have we become so complacent that individual thought is no longer a good trait? Are we all waiting to be told what to do and think??? Or have people become completly passive, because they figure that they can't make a difference anyway, so why bother???
This country voted for President Obama, because we the people were ready for change! Well, change is not easy. It's a process that takes time and committment from all parties involved. And all I see is a bunch of whining and complaining and name calling, but no effort or grit from the general populous (myself included). What gives???
Hey, if binLaden is dead, GREAT, but personally, I think we have a few more important issues to deal with right here at the homefront!!! How about showing some support for our own??? Instead, it seems we're inclined to just bend over and take it...from "Big Brother" and Corporate America! (Usually without lubrication, ouch!) Why is that I ask you!!!
Have we become so complacent that individual thought is no longer a good trait? Are we all waiting to be told what to do and think??? Or have people become completly passive, because they figure that they can't make a difference anyway, so why bother???
This country voted for President Obama, because we the people were ready for change! Well, change is not easy. It's a process that takes time and committment from all parties involved. And all I see is a bunch of whining and complaining and name calling, but no effort or grit from the general populous (myself included). What gives???
What's the deal with binLaden's death??? Part 2
Just a quick thought that popped into my mind as I read this mornings news...As more details of the "coup" emerge, it is made clear that the President gave the kill order! What do you think that binLaden sympathizers will do with this knowledge??? You can bet your bottom dollar that a retaliation is being plotted as we speak. I'm thinking that our President should be mighty careful from now on...I would hate to see him assassinated!!!
On second thought, maybe that's what this is all about!!! So many people want to get rid of him (myself NOT included!) and in order to pull off something like that you need a solid scapegoat!!! I guess al-Qaida is good for something...
On second thought, maybe that's what this is all about!!! So many people want to get rid of him (myself NOT included!) and in order to pull off something like that you need a solid scapegoat!!! I guess al-Qaida is good for something...
Monday, May 2, 2011
What's the deal with Osama binLaden's death???
Ding, dong the witch is dead!! But wait, isn’t the timing just a little too convenient? And he was buried immediately at sea? Really? I guess that means we’ll have to believe what the Government tells us, and you know that they never lie!!! Psshht!
To me this is just another move in a mighty “chess” game that we will never understand, because we just don’t have all the information. You can take to the bank that we are told ONLY what they want to tell us! Yeah, yeah, there she goes again with “they.” I know!
I for one will never believe that a country as powerful as the US didn’t have an inkling that 9/11 was coming. “They” knew and allowed it to happen! Now in “their” defense, I’m sure that the “they” didn’t envision the enormity of the devastation. “They” needed a plausible reason to go to war, and voila’, 9/11. My guess would be that Mr. binLaden has been sitting pretty somewhere, courtesy of our Government. Because I also don’t believe for one minute that our Government hasn’t been able to find him in all this time. Hogwash!
Since I haven’t seen the body, I’m not even inclined to believe he is dead now (and he was buried at sea, how convenient)…or perhaps he’s been dead for quite some time, but they saved this revelation for the right moment. Could be that our current administration thought they needed a boost in their ratings, or a concrete reason to pull out of Afghanistan. Maybe the reason is more complicated. Either way, I’m not buying!
And lastly, just because he is dead doesn’t mean al-Qaida is no longer a threat. (Rhyme completely unintentional) And to all the Christian’s condemning the Muslim faith and celebrating his death…ahem, if I remember correctly, you’re supposed to love thy enemy…whatever happened to turning the other cheek??? Are you really any better???
To me this is just another move in a mighty “chess” game that we will never understand, because we just don’t have all the information. You can take to the bank that we are told ONLY what they want to tell us! Yeah, yeah, there she goes again with “they.” I know!
I for one will never believe that a country as powerful as the US didn’t have an inkling that 9/11 was coming. “They” knew and allowed it to happen! Now in “their” defense, I’m sure that the “they” didn’t envision the enormity of the devastation. “They” needed a plausible reason to go to war, and voila’, 9/11. My guess would be that Mr. binLaden has been sitting pretty somewhere, courtesy of our Government. Because I also don’t believe for one minute that our Government hasn’t been able to find him in all this time. Hogwash!
Since I haven’t seen the body, I’m not even inclined to believe he is dead now (and he was buried at sea, how convenient)…or perhaps he’s been dead for quite some time, but they saved this revelation for the right moment. Could be that our current administration thought they needed a boost in their ratings, or a concrete reason to pull out of Afghanistan. Maybe the reason is more complicated. Either way, I’m not buying!
And lastly, just because he is dead doesn’t mean al-Qaida is no longer a threat. (Rhyme completely unintentional) And to all the Christian’s condemning the Muslim faith and celebrating his death…ahem, if I remember correctly, you’re supposed to love thy enemy…whatever happened to turning the other cheek??? Are you really any better???
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
What's the deal with the Disability Act???
No, I’m not disabled for which I am eternally grateful! I also think that making “reasonable accommodations” like having handicapped accessible bathrooms, as required by the disability act, are a good thing. However, you have to draw the line somewhere; especially when the greater good of one individual impacts the quality of life of the majority…and common sense should be applied.
One example of lack of common sense is the presence of Braille on drive-thru ATM’s. I mean really?! A handicap shouldn’t mean a less full life than that of a non-handicapped person, but a handicap does indicate certain limitations. For example, a blind person is unable to operate a vehicle. Period! I’m sure there are many such examples. And there are equally as many examples of the majority having to sacrifice to accommodate a select few.
Sorry guys, but that seems wrong! Like this poor girl with such severe peanut allergies, that even second hand exposure could kill her. I do feel for her family. I can sympathize with her parents. All they want is some semblance of normalcy for their child! While I do understand their motives (being a parent of, thank God, healthy children); some things just can’t be forced. The kind of controlled environment that the school is attempting (rather being forced to by the disability act) to create doesn’t exist, and I see this misguided effort going bad, with the little girl getting hurt or worse. Then what? The parents sue for negligence?
Come on folks! Use your noggin! Having TTY access, Braille signs, handicapped accessible bathrooms, etc. should suffice. Anything beyond that is no longer reasonable!!!
One example of lack of common sense is the presence of Braille on drive-thru ATM’s. I mean really?! A handicap shouldn’t mean a less full life than that of a non-handicapped person, but a handicap does indicate certain limitations. For example, a blind person is unable to operate a vehicle. Period! I’m sure there are many such examples. And there are equally as many examples of the majority having to sacrifice to accommodate a select few.
Sorry guys, but that seems wrong! Like this poor girl with such severe peanut allergies, that even second hand exposure could kill her. I do feel for her family. I can sympathize with her parents. All they want is some semblance of normalcy for their child! While I do understand their motives (being a parent of, thank God, healthy children); some things just can’t be forced. The kind of controlled environment that the school is attempting (rather being forced to by the disability act) to create doesn’t exist, and I see this misguided effort going bad, with the little girl getting hurt or worse. Then what? The parents sue for negligence?
Come on folks! Use your noggin! Having TTY access, Braille signs, handicapped accessible bathrooms, etc. should suffice. Anything beyond that is no longer reasonable!!!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
What's the deal with under-aged sex???
I read an article today, were a young "man" age 18 was arrested for having consensual sex with a 13 year girl. Now mind you, I don't know all the specifics, but I do know a thing or two about being a teen aged girl. Sadly, most of them nowadays look so much older than they are, and most of them will lie about their age to "get" the guy. Heck, some of them even have a fake ID. So what's a young (and horny) guy to do??? I'm not sure than all of these arrests are warranted.
When I was 15, I dated a boy that was 3 years older than I. My parents knew and were OK with it, but even if they weren't, growing up in Europe nobody would have gotten arrested.
I know that as parents, we may not like the idea of our children becoming sexually active, but it can't really be avoided. Ages ago, a girl was married off as soon as she started her period. While personally, I think at that age kids today lack maturity, it is the parent's responsibility to educate their off-spring. Ya can't prevent "IT" from happening anyway, as much as you may want to. And to put a young (18-21) man to jail and label him for life seems excessive punishment(as long as the act was consensual).
It's time to make some changes to the law book, y'all!!! And remember, what's good for the goose is good for the gander (or vice versa).
When I was 15, I dated a boy that was 3 years older than I. My parents knew and were OK with it, but even if they weren't, growing up in Europe nobody would have gotten arrested.
I know that as parents, we may not like the idea of our children becoming sexually active, but it can't really be avoided. Ages ago, a girl was married off as soon as she started her period. While personally, I think at that age kids today lack maturity, it is the parent's responsibility to educate their off-spring. Ya can't prevent "IT" from happening anyway, as much as you may want to. And to put a young (18-21) man to jail and label him for life seems excessive punishment(as long as the act was consensual).
It's time to make some changes to the law book, y'all!!! And remember, what's good for the goose is good for the gander (or vice versa).
Thursday, March 17, 2011
What's the deal with the nuclear power plants in Japan (and elsewhere)?
The devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan is horrendous and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan!
Reading the news about the new threat of a nuclear meltdown on top of all the mess they are facing is frightening. It’s been too long since my last Physics class, so I did some research to see what problems they’re dealing with.
My first gut reaction was “Why don’t they just shut it down?” Well, apparently this is not possible. You can turn off the reactor, but the nuclear raw material is still there, still producing energy as it breaks down and is heating up in the process. Hence the need to continually douse water onto it to prevent above mentioned meltdown. Problem is, they cannot get enough water quickly enough to facilitate the process. The only way to stop the fission safely is to introduce a compound that absorbs the excess neutrons. The chemical element boron seems to be the compound of choice. Soooo, this begs the question why “they” don’t have large quantities of this stuff handy. Wouldn’t you want to cover your bases???
The next question is “What about here?” Are we prepared for a disaster of this proportion??? Answer: Ahh, no! Nuclear energy has for years been billed as a clean alternative to oil and coal, were the benefits supposedly outweigh the risks. Fine! As long as you properly prepare for said risks, and clearly we’re not! Hasn’t the world learned from Three Mile Island and Chernobyl???
Reading the news about the new threat of a nuclear meltdown on top of all the mess they are facing is frightening. It’s been too long since my last Physics class, so I did some research to see what problems they’re dealing with.
My first gut reaction was “Why don’t they just shut it down?” Well, apparently this is not possible. You can turn off the reactor, but the nuclear raw material is still there, still producing energy as it breaks down and is heating up in the process. Hence the need to continually douse water onto it to prevent above mentioned meltdown. Problem is, they cannot get enough water quickly enough to facilitate the process. The only way to stop the fission safely is to introduce a compound that absorbs the excess neutrons. The chemical element boron seems to be the compound of choice. Soooo, this begs the question why “they” don’t have large quantities of this stuff handy. Wouldn’t you want to cover your bases???
The next question is “What about here?” Are we prepared for a disaster of this proportion??? Answer: Ahh, no! Nuclear energy has for years been billed as a clean alternative to oil and coal, were the benefits supposedly outweigh the risks. Fine! As long as you properly prepare for said risks, and clearly we’re not! Hasn’t the world learned from Three Mile Island and Chernobyl???
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