ConservativeChristianRepublican-Report - 20090505

Motivational-Inspirational-Historical-Educational-Political-Enjoyable



"Daily Motivations"

Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own. -- Robert Heinlein



"Daily Devotions" (KJV and/or NLT)

A Mother's Work Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right (Eph. 6:1). Without the commitment of our stay-at-home moms we would not have some of our greatest leaders.

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19 -- NASB)



"The Patriot Post"

"Newspapers ... serve as chimnies to carry off noxious vapors and smoke." -- Thomas Jefferson

"I cannot find any authority in the Constitution for public charity." -- President Franklin Pierce (1804-1869)

"I feel obliged to withhold my approval of the plan to indulge in benevolent and charitable sentiment through the appropriation of public funds. I find no warrant for such an appropriation in the Constitution." -- President Grover Cleveland (1837-1908)

"I don't like the income tax. Every time we talk about these taxes we get around to the idea of 'from each according to his capacity and to each according to his needs.' That's socialism. It's written into the Communist Manifesto. Maybe we ought to see that every person who gets a tax return receives a copy of the Communist Manifesto with it so he can see what's happening to him." -- accountant and Commissioner of Internal Revenue T. Coleman Andrews (1899-1983)



UPRIGHT

"The GOP path to reclaiming power lies with candidates who can make a credible case that they will support and defend fiscal responsibility. That means acting on fiscal-conservative principles now, not paying lip service later." -- columnist Michelle Malkin



THE DEMO-GOGUES

Just being moderate: "To confront our economic crisis, we don't need a debate about whether to have a rigid, state-run economy or unbridled and unregulated capitalism is better -- we need pragmatic and responsible action that advances our common prosperity. To combat lawlessness and violence, we don't need a debate about whether to blame right-wing paramilitaries or left-wing insurgents -- we need practical cooperation to expand our common security." -- Barack Obama

Talk about a scalpel: "One of the messages that I delivered ... to all the members of the cabinet was, uh, 'As well as you've already done, we're going to have to [cut more].' I'm asking for all of them to identify, uh, at least a hundred million dollars in additional cuts to, uh, pare administrative budgets, separate and apart from, uh, the work that Peter Orszag and the rest of our team are going to go line by line in the budget and identify programmatic cuts that need to be made." -- Barack Obama, who doesn't have a line-item veto

Government is here to help: "We need to restore the American people's confidence in their government -- that it is on their side, spending their money wisely, to meet their families' needs." -- Barack Obama

Projecting their faults: "We will not sacrifice our values or trample on our Constitution under the false premise that it is the only way to protect our national security." -- Attorney General Eric Holder, who misses the fact that national security is one of the few things the federal government does that is constitutional



"The Web"

Dolly Parton - Coat of many colors - The article below "As I Faced My Last Judgment" reminded me of Dolly Parton's recorded "Coat of many colors", one of my favorite songs many year ago. Just "Listen to the words".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zJzr-kWsI



As I Faced My Last Judgment

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.

Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

Contributed by Elizabeth



Facts - What Homosexuals Hate

As much damage as this administration did in 99 days, Congress packed plenty of punch into its 100th day as the House helped the President check "hate crimes" legislation off the wish list. By a 249-175 vote, the liberal leadership delivered on its promise to create special protections for people based on their sexual behavior, gender identity, or disabilities. In addition to whom the bill would protect, it also adjusts where the victims are eligible for protection. In its current form, H.R. 1913 would overturn a prior rule that the victim of a hate crime had to be attacked while they were "engaged in a federally protected activity." Under the new language, Washington can intervene in just about any local or state crime. Because the bill doesn't define the term "sexual orientation," some fear that pedophiles and practitioners of other bizarre sexual fetishes would try to claim protection under it. Democrats refused to amend the bill to explicitly exclude such "orientations." If convicted, any American found guilty of a hate crime would face punishment above and beyond the original offense. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) tried to point out the ridiculousness of this caste system on the House floor yesterday. To the disgust of the homosexual crowd, she even took on the bill's "martyr," Matthew Shepard, whom the Left holds up as an example of why federal hate crimes legislation is necessary. "The hate crimes bill that's called the Matthew Shepard Bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we now know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay..." Rep. Foxx was referring to statements made to ABC's 20/20 by the local authorities, who investigated the crime and stated that Shepard's death was actually the result of his drug use--not his homosexuality. Since yesterday, Foxx has been publicly skewered for her comments, largely by homosexuals who want desperately to bury the truth about that crime so that Shepard's story can be used to galvanize support for their push to silence dissent from their agenda. The Left certainly has a right to their "feelings" but they don't have a right to their own "facts". Foxx and Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), deserve credit for their opposition to H.R. 1913 during yesterday's debate. To see how your representative voted, click here. Also, stop by www.fighthatecrimes.com to sign our petition and to watch FRC's video on where this type of legislation will lead, "Censoring the Church and Silencing Christians." http://www.frc.org:80/get.cfm?i=DV07E01&f=PG09B01

Additional Resources:
Learn more about how you can sign our petition to fight hate crimes http://fighthatecrimes.com/



Wild Bill Hickock Deputy Marshal's Code of Conduct

I will be brave, but never careless.

I will obey my parents. They DO know best.

I will be neat and clean at all times.

I will be polite and courteous.

I will protect the weak and help them.

I will study hard.

I will be kind to animals and care for them.

I will respect my flag and my country.

I will attend my place of worship regularly.



Obama: The Grand Strategy

By Charles Krauthammer

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/23/AR2009042302983.html?sid=ST2009042303388

Unified theory of Obamaism, fifth (final?) installment:

In the service of his ultimate mission -- the leveling of social inequalities -- President Obama offers a tripartite social democratic agenda: nationalized health care, federalized education (ultimately guaranteed through college) and a cash-cow carbon tax (or its equivalent) to subsidize the other two.

Problem is, the math doesn't add up. Not even a carbon tax would pay for Obama's vastly expanded welfare state. Nor will Midwest Democrats stand for a tax that would devastate their already crumbling region.

What is obviously required is entitlement reform, meaning Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid. That's where the real money is -- trillions saved that could not only fund hugely expensive health and education programs but also restore budgetary balance.

Except that Obama has offered no real entitlement reform. His universal health-care proposal would increase costs by perhaps $1 trillion. Medicare/Medicaid reform is supposed to decrease costs.

Obama's own budget projections show staggering budget deficits going out to 2019. If he knows his social agenda is going to drown us in debt, what's he up to?

He has an idea. But he dare not speak of it yet. He has only hinted. When asked in his March 24 news conference about the huge debt he's incurring, Obama spoke vaguely of "additional adjustments" that will be unfolding in future budgets.

Rarely have two more anodyne words carried such import. "Additional adjustments" equals major cuts in Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid.

Social Security is relatively easy. A bipartisan commission (like the 1983 Alan Greenspan commission) recommends some combination of means testing for richer people, increasing the retirement age and a technical change in the inflation measure (indexing benefits to prices instead of wages). The proposal is brought to Congress for a no-amendment up-or-down vote. Done.

The hard part is Medicare and Medicaid. In an aging population, how do you keep them from blowing up the budget? There is only one answer: rationing.

Why do you think the stimulus package pours $1.1 billion into medical "comparative effectiveness research"? It is the perfect setup for rationing. Once you establish what is "best practice" for expensive operations, medical tests and aggressive therapies, you've laid the premise for funding some and denying others.

It is estimated that a third to a half of one's lifetime health costs are consumed in the last six months of life. Accordingly, Britain's National Health Service can deny treatments it deems not cost-effective -- and if you're old and infirm, the cost-effectiveness of treating you plummets. In Canada, they ration by queuing. You can wait forever for so-called elective procedures like hip replacements.

Rationing is not quite as alien to America as we think. We already ration kidneys and hearts for transplant according to survivability criteria as well as by queuing. A nationalized health insurance system would ration everything from MRIs to intensive care by myriad similar criteria.

The more acute thinkers on the left can see rationing coming, provoking Slate blogger Mickey Kaus to warn of the political danger. "Isn't it an epic mistake to try to sell Democratic health care reform on this basis? Possible sales pitch: 'Our plan will deny you unnecessary treatments!' . . . Is that really why the middle class will sign on to a revolutionary multitrillion-dollar shift in spending -- so the government can decide their life or health 'is not worth the price'?"

My own preference is for a highly competitive, privatized health insurance system with a government-subsidized transition to portability, breaking the absurd and ruinous link between health insurance and employment. But if you believe that health care is a public good to be guaranteed by the state, then a single-payer system is the next best alternative. Unfortunately, it is fiscally unsustainable without rationing.

Social Security used to be the third rail of American politics. Not anymore. Health-care rationing is taking its place -- which is why Obama, the consummate politician, knows to offer the candy (universality) today before serving the spinach (rationing) tomorrow.

Taken as a whole, Obama's social democratic agenda is breathtaking. And the rollout has thus far been brilliant. It follows Kaus's advice to "give pandering a chance" and adheres to the Democratic tradition of being the party that gives things away, while leaving the green-eyeshade stinginess to those heartless Republicans.

It will work for a while, but there is no escaping rationing. In the end, the spinach must be served.



"The e-mail Bag"

MEMO FROM ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

It has come to our attention recently that many of you have been turning in timesheets that specify large amounts of "Miscellaneous Unproductive Time" (Code 5309). However, we need to know exactly what you are doing during your unproductive time.

Attached below is a sheet specifying a tentative extended job code list based on our observations of employee activities.

The list will allow you to specify with a fair amount of precision what you are doing during your unproductive time. Please begin using this job-code list immediately and let us know about any difficulties you encounter.

Thank you,
Accounting

Attached: Extended Job-Code List

Code Description

5316 Useless Meeting
5317 Obstructing Communications at Meeting
5318 Trying to Sound Knowledgeable While in Meeting
5319 Waiting for Break
5320 Waiting for Lunch
5321 Waiting for End of Day
5322 Vicious Verbal Attacks Directed at Coworker
5323 Vicious Verbal Attacks Directed at Coworker While Coworker is Not Present
5393 Covering for Incompetence of Coworker Friend
5400 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who is Not Interested in Learning
5401 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who is Stupid
5402 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who Hates You
5481 Buying Snack
5482 Eating Snack
5500 Filling Out Timesheet
5501 Inventing Timesheet Entries
5502 Waiting for Something to Happen
5503 Scratching Yourself
5504 Sleeping
5510 Feeling Bored
5511 Feeling Horny
5600 Complaining About Lousy Job
5601 Complaining About Low Pay
5602 Complaining About Long Hours
5603 Complaining About Coworker (See Codes #5322 & #5323)
5604 Complaining About Boss
5605 Complaining About Personal Problems
5640 Miscellaneous Unproductive Complaining
5701 Not Actually Present At Job
5702 Suffering from Eight-Hour Flu
6102 Ordering Out
6103 Waiting for Food Delivery to Arrive
6104 Taking It Easy While Digesting Food
6200 Using Company Resources for Personal Profit
6201 Stealing Company Goods
6202 Making Excuses After Accidentally Destroying Company Goods
6203 Using Company Phone to Make Long-Distance Personal Calls
6204 Using Company Phone to Make Long-Distance Personal Calls to Sell Stolen Company Goods
6205 Hiding from Boss
6206 Gossip
6207 Planning a Social Event (e.g. vacation, wedding, etc.)
6210 Feeling Sorry For Yourself
6211 Updating Resume
6212 Faxing Resume to Another Employer/Headhunter
6213 Out of Office on Interview
6221 Pretending to Work While Boss Is Watching
6222 Pretending to Enjoy Your Job
6223 Pretending You Like Coworker
6224 Pretending You Like Important People When in Reality They are Jerks
6238 Miscellaneous Unproductive Fantasizing
6350 Playing Pranks on the New Guy/Girl
6601 Running your own Business on Company Time (See Code #6603)
6602 Complaining
6603 Writing a Book on Company Time
6611 Staring Into Space
6612 Staring At Computer Screen
6615 Transcendental Meditation
6969 Beating off in Broom Closet
7281 Extended Visit to the Bathroom (at least 10 minutes)
7400 Talking With Divorce Lawyer on Phone
7401 Talking With Plumber on Phone
7402 Talking With Dentist on Phone
7403 Talking With Doctor on Phone
7404 Talking With Masseuse on Phone
7405 Talking With House Painter on Phone
7406 Talking With Personal Therapist on Phone
7419 Talking With Miscellaneous Paid Professional on Phone
7425 Talking With Mistress/Boy-Toy on Phone
7931 Asking Coworker to Aid You in an Illicit Activity
8000 Recreational Drug Use
8001 Non-recreational Drug Use
8002 Liquid Lunch
8100 Reading e-mail
8102 Laughing while reading e-mail



No Such Thing As A Free Ride

A farmer and his wife went to a fair. The farmer, who had never been on an airplane, was fascinated by a stunt plane and asked the pilot how much a ride would cost.

"$20 for 3 minutes." the pilot replied.

"That's too much." said the farmer.

The pilot thought for a second and then said, "I'll make you a deal. If you and your wife ride for 3 minutes without uttering a sound, the ride will be free. But if you make any sound at all, you'll have to pay me the $20."

The farmer and his wife agreed and went for a thrilling ride. After they landed, the pilot said to the farmer, "I want to congratulate you for not making a sound. You are a brave man." "Maybe so," said the farmer, "but I gotta tell ya, I almost screamed when my wife fell out."

Obama Repaying Unions?

“After pouring at least $300 million into supporting Democratic candidates for the White House and Congress last year, labor unions are hoping that the new president will help enact their number one legislative priority…”, - The Indypendent http://www.indypendent.org/2009/01/16/unions-hope/

“GM bondholders proposed April 30 they get a 58 percent ownership stake in the Detroit-based automaker in exchange for their $27 billion in unsecured claims. Bondholders are objecting to GM’s proposal they get a 10 percent share of GM equity while a union health fund would get $10 billion in cash and as much as a 39 percent stake for $20 billion in unsecured claims.” – Bloomberg.com http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awCyiNlvcfUA&refer=home

To bail out GM under the Obama administration, the UAW will receive $4.7 Billion equity of bondholders’ money plus an additional $10 Billion of taxpayers’ money; a grand total of $14.7 Billion. Taxpayers may be forced to pay the bailout of banks, again. Wow! What a win for the UAW!

Obama must be feeling charitable to fund almost $50 to the Unions for each $1 in partisan political investment. Remember, this is only the GM bailout. What an investment for Obama repaying the Unions at the price tag of the investors and taxpayers!

ConservativeChristianRepublican-Report - 20090504

Motivational-Inspirational-Historical-Educational-Political-Enjoyable



"Daily Motivations"

An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered. -- G. K. Chesterton



"Daily Devotions" (KJV and/or NLT)

Lighten Up! A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones (Prov. 17:22). One of the sad byproducts of an uptight lifestyle is the absence of fun and laughter.

"Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for."(Matthew 7:7)



"The Patriot Post"

"History affords us many instances of the ruin of states, by the prosecution of measures ill suited to the temper and genius of their people. The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy... These measures never fail to create great and violent jealousies and animosities between the people favored and the people oppressed; whence a total separation of affections, interests, political obligations, and all manner of connections, by which the whole state is weakened." -- Benjamin Franklin, Emblematical Representations



What did it say?

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad calls Rush Limbaugh and tells him, "Rush, I had a wonderful dream last night. I could see America, the whole country, and on each house I saw a banner."

"What did it say on the banners?" Rush asks.

Mahmoud replies, "UNITED STATES OF IRAN."

Rush says, "You know, Mahmoud, I am really happy you called, because believe it or not, last night I had a similar dream. I could see all of Tehran, and it was more beautiful than ever, and on each house flew an enormous banner."

"What did it say on the banners?" Mahmoud asks.

Rush replies, "I don't know. I can't read Hebrew."



"ADF Alliance Alert"

Last Updated: Friday, May 1, 2009 4:23 PM PDT

ADF: Court puts hold on flawed policy in ‘In God We Trust’ school censorship case

ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND NEWS RELEASE
May 1, 2009 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020 or www.telladf.org/pressroom

** PHOTOS LINKED BELOW **

Court puts hold on flawed policy in ‘In God We Trust’ school censorship case

Tenn. school ordered references to God and prayer covered up on posters

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal court Friday suspended a policy used by Wilson County Schools officials to censor “In God We Trust” and other phrases referencing God and prayer on posters in the hallways of Lakeview Elementary School. The court determined that parents and students represented by Alliance Defense Fund attorneys who filed suit against the school board are likely to succeed in their claims and ordered the policy halted while the case moves forward in court.

“Christian students shouldn’t be censored for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Counsel Nate Kellum. “It’s ridiculous as well as unconstitutional to cover up these references to God and prayer–one of which is the National Motto itself–on posters announcing a student-led activity. The court certainly did the right thing in making sure that this censorship doesn’t continue while it considers this case.”

At a hearing April 20, Kellum asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction in the case, Gold v. Wilson County School Board, and the court Friday granted the injunction. The order means that parents and students will be permitted to post uncensored posters for the upcoming National Day of Prayer. http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/pressrelease.aspx?cid=4911

According to the order issued by the court, “Mere receipt of an invitation to a religious activity does not rise to the level of support for, or participation in, religion or its exercise to create an Establishment Clause problem.”

The posters were hand-drawn by students and their families to announce “See You at the Pole,” a voluntary, student-led prayer event held outside of class time. The American Civil Liberties Union previously sued the school to stop it from recognizing such events, including “See You at the Pole” and the National Day of Prayer. In May 2008, a federal judge refused to grant the ACLU’s request. http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/pressrelease.aspx?cid=4538

Each year, students and parents affiliated with Lakeview Elementary School in Mt. Juliet have placed posters in the hallways of the school informing students of the “See You at the Pole” event. This year, each poster, made on personal time without the use of any school funds or supplies, included the disclaimer: “See You at the Pole is a student-initiated and student-led event and is not endorsed by Lakeview Elementary or Wilson County schools.” Nevertheless, the students and their parents were ordered to cover up references to God and prayer and any Scripture passages on the posters or else they could not be posted.

ADF-allied attorney David L. Maddox is serving as local counsel in the case.

• Preliminary injunction order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division
• Before and after photos of one “In God We Trust” poster
• Before and after posters of one “Come Pray With Us” poster

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

www.telladf.org



"Simple Truths"
http://www.natureofsuccessmovie.com/



"The Web"

Mine-Eater 3 - This is all about protecting our US Military members from all the radical terrorist 'thugs' around the world.

http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=188597&ESRC=army.nl



Ex-envoy rejects Notre Dame award over Obama flap
By TOM COYNE, Associated Press Writer

http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_wires/2009Apr27/0,4675,USObamaNotreDame,00.html

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —

A former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican said Monday she won't accept the University of Notre Dame's top honor at commencement next month because of the Roman Catholic school's decision to have President Barack Obama speak to graduates.


Harvard University law professor and anti-abortion scholar Mary Ann Glendon said in a letter to the school president that giving Obama an honorary degree violates the U.S. bishops' 2004 statement that Catholic institutions shouldn't honor people whose actions conflict with the church's moral principles.

"That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution's freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it," she wrote in the letter to the Rev. John Jenkins.

The letter posted on the Web site of the conservative journal First Things.

Glendon was ambassador to the Vatican in the final year of President George W. Bush's administration. She was to receive the school's Laetare (Luh-TAR'-eh) Medal.

Dozens of bishops have criticized the Obama invitation because of his support for abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research.

Jenkins issued a statement Monday saying the university was "disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision."

"It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible," he said.

At the White House, Obama press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters the president looks forward to giving the commencement address May 17. He also said Notre Dame has a history of vigorous discussion and looks forward to visiting.

University spokesman Dennis Brown said he did not know of anyone else who had agreed to accept the award but then declined it.

The Laetare Medal, which the university describes as the most prestigious honor for American Catholics, has been awarded annually since 1883 to a Catholic "whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity."

Previous winners have included President John F. Kennedy, anti-death penalty activist Sister Helen Prejean, actor-activist Martin Sheen and jazz musician Dave Brubeck.

A message was left for Glendon at her Harvard office. She said in the letter to Jenkins she planned no further comment.



Gun Control

In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated

China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million ‘educated’ people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.

Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.

**********

It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars.

The first year results are now in: List of 7 items:

Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent

Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent

Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!

In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!

While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.

There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.

You won’t see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.

Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.

Take note my fellow Americans, before it’s too late!

The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind them of this history lesson.

With guns, we are ‘citizens’.

Without them, we are ’subjects’.

During WWII the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!

If you value your freedom, Please spread this anti-gun control message to all of your friends and post it on your sites…

http://TexasFred.net/
http://Reject-the-UN.blogspot.com/

Some of the numbers are open to debate and I don’t know all the countries history but I do know the Germans and Russians like gun control. If anyone has proof of discrepancies let me know.



What Thomas Jefferson learned from the Muslim book of jihad - Muslim "piracy" is not new to America.

By Ted Sampley
U.S. Veteran Dispatch
January 2007

http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm

Democrat Keith Ellison is now officially the first Muslim United States congressman. True to his pledge, he placed his hand on the Quran, the Muslim book of jihad and pledged his allegiance to the United States during his ceremonial swearing-in.

Capitol Hill staff said Ellison's swearing-in photo opportunity drew more media than they had ever seen in the history of the U.S. House. Ellison represents the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota.

The Quran Ellison used was no ordinary book. It once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and one of America's founding fathers. Ellison borrowed it from the Rare Book Section of the Library of Congress. It was one of the 6,500 Jefferson books archived in the library.

Ellison, who was born in Detroit and converted to Islam while in college, said he chose to use Jefferson's Quran because it showed that "a visionary like Jefferson" believed that wisdom could be gleaned from many sources.

There is no doubt Ellison was right about Jefferson believing wisdom could be "gleaned" from the Muslim Quran. At the time Jefferson owned the book, he needed to know everything possible about Muslims because he was about to advocate war against the Islamic "Barbary" states of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Tripoli.

Ellison's use of Jefferson's Quran as a prop illuminates a subject once well-known in the history of the United States, but, which today, is mostly forgotten - the Muslim pirate slavers who over many centuries enslaved millions of Africans and tens of thousands of Christian Europeans and Americans in the Islamic "Barbary" states.

Over the course of 10 centuries, Muslim pirates cruised the African and Mediterranean coastline, pillaging villages and seizing slaves.

The taking of slaves in pre-dawn raids on unsuspecting coastal villages had a high casualty rate. It was typical of Muslim raiders to kill off as many of the "non-Muslim" older men and women as possible so the preferred "booty" of only young women and children could be collected.

Young non-Muslim women were targeted because of their value as concubines in Islamic markets. Islamic law provides for the sexual interests of Muslim men by allowing them to take as many as four wives at one time and to have as many concubines as their fortunes allow.

Boys, as young as 9 or 10 years old, were often mutilated to create eunuchs who would bring higher prices in the slave markets of the Middle East. Muslim slave traders created "eunuch stations" along major African slave routes so the necessary surgery could be performed. It was estimated that only a small number of the boys subjected to the mutilation survived after the surgery.

When American colonists rebelled against British rule in 1776, American merchant ships lost Royal Navy protection. With no American Navy for protection, American ships were attacked and their Christian crews enslaved by Muslim pirates operating under the control of the "Dey of Algiers"--an Islamist warlord ruling Algeria.

Because American commerce in the Mediterranean was being destroyed by the pirates, the Continental Congress agreed in 1784 to negotiate treaties with the four Barbary States. Congress appointed a special commission consisting of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, to oversee the negotiations.

Lacking the ability to protect its merchant ships in the Mediterranean, the new America government tried to appease the Muslim slavers by agreeing to pay tribute and ransoms in order to retrieve seized American ships and buy the freedom of enslaved sailors.

Adams argued in favor of paying tribute as the cheapest way to get American commerce in the Mediterranean moving again. Jefferson was opposed. He believed there would be no end to the demands for tribute and wanted matters settled "through the medium of war." He proposed a league of trading nations to force an end to Muslim piracy.

In 1786, Jefferson, then the American ambassador to France, and Adams, then the American ambassador to Britain, met in London with Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja, the "Dey of Algiers" ambassador to Britain.

The Americans wanted to negotiate a peace treaty based on Congress' vote to appease.

During the meeting Jefferson and Adams asked the Dey's ambassador why Muslims held so much hostility towards America, a nation with which they had no previous contacts.

In a later meeting with the American Congress, the two future presidents reported that Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja had answered that Islam "was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Quran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman (Muslim) who should be slain in Battle was sure to go to Paradise."

For the following 15 years, the American government paid the Muslims millions of dollars for the safe passage of American ships or the return of American hostages. The payments in ransom and tribute amounted to 20 percent of United States government annual revenues in 1800.

Not long after Jefferson's inauguration as president in 1801, he dispatched a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean, and informed Congress.

Declaring that America was going to spend "millions for defense but not one cent for tribute," Jefferson pressed the issue by deploying American Marines and many of America's best warships to the Muslim Barbary Coast.

The USS Constitution, USS Constellation, USS Philadelphia, USS Chesapeake, USS Argus, USS Syren and USS Intrepid all saw action.

In 1805, American Marines marched across the desert from Egypt into Tripolitania, forcing the surrender of Tripoli and the freeing of all American slaves.

During the Jefferson administration, the Muslim Barbary States, crumbling as a result of intense American naval bombardment and on shore raids by Marines, finally officially agreed to abandon slavery and piracy.

Jefferson's victory over the Muslims lives on today in the Marine Hymn, with the line, "From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli, We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea."

It wasn't until 1815 that the problem was fully settled by the total defeat of all the Muslim slave trading pirates.

Jefferson had been right. The "medium of war" was the only way to put and end to the Muslim problem. Mr. Ellison was right about Jefferson. He was a "visionary" wise enough to read and learn about the enemy from their own Muslim book of jihad.



Flyover Launcher
By The Prowler on 4.29.09 @ 11:26AM

This morning, at least one news organization and one citizen advocacy group was mulling filing a Freedom of Information Act request seeking the release of the manifest for the Air Force One New York flyover to determine if any Obama donors or other interested parties were on board the flight.

The suspicion that civilians -- or a high-ranking White House official -- may have been on the flight is the result, in part, of the involvement of Louis Caldera, the Obama Administration's director of the White House Military Office, who authorized the New York City flyover, and who was brought into the administration, say Obama donors and transition team members, for his understanding of the Pentagon's inner-workings, his relationship with high-powered donors with backgrounds in the defense industry, and his ties to both Bill and Hillary Clinton and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

"He's a fixer in the classic sense of the term, and I wouldn't be surprised if there is more to the flyover story than we know," says one former Obama defense transition team member. "He would not have been my first choice to put in that position given his background, but it wasn't my decision. The fact that he is in that position raises questions of judgment on the part of [chief of staff Rahm] Emanuel, I think."

Caldera served for two years as Bill Clinton's Secretary of the Army, and back then was tasked, according to former Clinton insiders, with identifying "politically friendly" military personnel who would be helpful to the Clintons, as well as interacting with VIPs from Hollywood and the defense industry to keep them happy. During Caldera's tenure at the Pentagon, his choice to serve as deputy inspector general, Maj. Gen. Larry G. Smith, was scuttled after it was revealed that an alleged sexual harassment complaint against him had been removed from his personnel record.

Caldera, who served in the California state assembly, also served as a vice chancellor of the California state university system. It was this background that allowed Gov. Bill Richardson to press for Caldera to be brought on as the president of the University of New Mexico. Caldera was not considered a top tier candidate for that post until Richardson's staff inserted a job requirement that the president be required to have a top security clearance. According to former Clinton administration sources, that job requirement almost ensured the only qualified candidate would be Richardson's friend, Caldera. Almost 80 percent of the faculty of University of New Mexico voted against the hiring of Caldera, but Richardson and the school's board of regents overruled the faculty's input.

Caldera's controversial background doesn't end there. In 2002, Caldera was placed on the board of IndyMac, before its failure and placement in receivership due to its poor capitalization as a result of poor mortgage investments, IndyMac Bank was the largest savings and loan in Southern California and seventh largest mortgage originator in the United States.

According to White House sources, while Caldera has apologized, and Rahm Emanuel's office has launched an "investigation" into the use of Air Force One for publicity purposes and a low flyover, the investigation's instigation began in the White House Counsel's Office, run by Gregory Craig.

The White House is already on record as saying that only Air Force personnel were on Air Force One. Yesterday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters: "I'm told that -- keep in mind this was a -- this was two training missions that, in the end, became a picture mission, which the President having quite clearly called today a mistake and one that he will ensure doesn't happen again. Because this was a training mission, the only people on that plane were Air Force personnel."

But there are suspicions there is more to it. "This is a bigger deal than the White House is letting on, and there are some nervous people there, and I'm not clear why," says the former transition team member. "If I were still advising them, I'd say live up to the transparency pledge and release all the documents. But from the get-go, this was a top secret operation, which raises a whole bunch of red flags."



"The e-mail Bag"

Growing Older Is...

Your back goes out more than you do.

A fortune teller offers to read your face.

You turn out the lights for economic reasons rather than romantic ones.

You remember this week that last week was your wedding anniversary.

You are startled the first time you are addressed as "Old Timer".

You answer automatically when someone addresses you "Old Timer."

You burn your midnight oil after 9:00 p.m.

You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.

Your pacemaker makes the garage door go up when you see a pretty girl walk by.

You get your exercise acting as a pallbearer for your friend who exercised.

You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.

The best part of your day is over when your alarm goes off.

The thought of getting out of bed never occurs to you.

Submitted by former Emmitsburg Mayor Ed



You Know You're Growing Older When

Everything hurts, and what doesn't hurt, doesn't work anyway.

The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.

You feel like you really hung one the night before, and you were in bed asleep by eight.

You get winded playing chess.

Your children begin to look middle-aged.

You join a health club and don't go.

You begin to outlive enthusiasm.

Your mind makes contracts your body can't meet.

You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions.

You look forward to a dull evening.

Your favorite part of the newspaper is "25 years ago today!"

You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.

Your knees buckle and your belt won't.

You're 17 around the neck and 42 around the waist.

You stop looking forward to your next birthday.

Dialing long distance wears you out.

Submitted by Kenneth, Shropshire, England

ConservativeChristianRepublican-Report - 20090501

Motivational-Inspirational-Historical-Educational-Political-Enjoyable



"Daily Motivations"

Our own well-being is always the result of healthy decisions for ourselves coupled with disengagement from the choices of others. -- Karen Casey



Making the Most of Your Meetings

Meeting … meetings … seemingly endless (and often unproductive) meetings! They’re one of the most common time and money wasters existing in business today – frequently thought of as “necessary evils.” But they don’t have to be! If your organization espouses the importance of maximizing its resources – which most do – it’s imperative that you and your fellow leaders walk that talk. One of the best places to start is effective meeting management. Here are four ideas that should help:

Does it make $en$e to have a meeting? Don’t meet if there’s a more cost-effective way to achieve your objective. Ask others to help you develop a list of ways to accomplish tasks and goals with minimal need for group meetings. Just for fun: Calculate the cost of your last meeting (salaries plus other expenses) and see if you got your money’s worth. Would you repeat that same meeting if its cost was coming out of YOUR pocket?

Supply all participants with a written agenda prior to each meeting. Make sure the agenda includes: meeting objectives; issues to be discussed; start/end times and location; who will be attending; how participants should prepare … and what they should bring.

Manage the meeting. Establish ground rules up front – including a list of “do” and “don’t” meeting behaviors. Then, keep the group on track, follow the ground rules, and strictly adhere to the time frames. If you manage the process effectively, the results will usually take care of themselves.

End all meetings with a short review of the results. Discuss what was accomplished – and what, if anything, needs to be done after the meeting.



"Daily Devotions" (KJV and/or NLT)

How to Have a "Quiet Time" He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray (Matt. 14:23). Here are some ideas to help you make your "quiet time" a habit...

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." (John 15:1)



"The Patriot Post"

"To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association, the guarantee to everyone the free exercise of his industry and the fruits acquired by it." -- Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph Milligan, 6 April 1816

"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite." -- James Madison, Federalist No. 45

"Besides, to lay and collect internal taxes in this extensive country must require a great number of congressional ordinances, immediately operation upon the body of the people; these must continually interfere with the state laws and thereby produce disorder and general dissatisfaction till the one system of laws or the other, operating upon the same subjects, shall be abolished." -- Federal Farmer, Antifederalist Letter, 10 October 1787



"Chuck Sproull"

American Moral-Political Momentum Going Down Hill

By: Chuck Sproull

If you were driving up hill, and stopped and turned off the engine, it would be wise to put on the brakes; because if you didn’t you would roll back down the hill out of control. That is what I believe is happening in America. I honestly believe (and have read other articles that agree with my observations) that the people who voted for Mr. Obama simply didn’t understand downward political and moral trends in history of civilizations.

According to Peter Marshall’s books “The Light and the Glory” and “From Sea to Shining Sea,” most of people who left Europe and England (200-500 years ago) had strong Bible-based convictions. Over 230 years ago our Founders left England and separated themselves by 3,000 miles of water from tyrannical monarchies, specifically for the purpose of establishing a new nation whose government was based on Biblical principles.

Our legal system was originally based, not on European standards, but on God’s standards – the Ten Commandments, not as an expression of a particular religion, but as an effective way of regulating secular society. These were given by God for protecting things of great value. Commandments 1-4 protect relationships between mankind and God. Commandments 5-10 protect relationships within normal marriages, families and communities, and protect private property, possessions and lives from robbery and murder by selfish dishonest enemies. These are not unique to Old Testament Judaism nor New Testament Christianity, but are practical standards of life found in many pagan religions, as a result of God’s influence in the conscience of mankind.

Several hundred years before God revealed the Law to Moses, Hammurabi, king of the Babylonians, developed a complex set of hundreds of laws to regulate his society. These could be summarized by Commandments 5-10. About 900 years later in India, Buddha fasted and prayed for a month and received the revelation of the 8-Fold Path to Perfection. Step 4 – Right Behavior – is a summary of Commandments 5-10 plus other wisdom found in the proverbs and prophets (about not getting drunk).

References to God in our Constitution and Bill of Rights are very discrete, but when you look at the context, they are actually an expression of strong Bible-based convictions. This Constitutional Republic they gave us turned out to be the most wonderful, most productive and most free form of government on all the earth. But maintenance of those freedoms for everyone, depended on the maturity of its individual citizens.

Did atheists, pagans, socialists, communists, Islamics, homosexuals and lesbians or abortionists cause America to become a great nation? NO.

I wonder where Mr. Obama would have been had he lived 230 years ago. Would he have been involved in writing the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and Bill of Rights? Would he have fought in the War of Independence? Where would he have been when our Navy and Marine Corps were commissioned to rescue American Maritime sailors from the Barbary Coast pirates (Islamic terrorists)?

We need honest unselfish political leaders with wisdom and understanding of failures of past civilizations, to get us going back up hill into the Constitutional Republic God inspired our Founders to give us.

Chuck Sproull, Springville IN



"Find Law"

Chrysler Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

IN RE: CHRYSLER, LLC

(U.S. Bankr. Ct., S.D. N.Y., April 30, 2009) - Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 protection today, becoming the first major U.S. automaker to declare bankruptcy. The global car company listed billions in debt and liabilities, and an extensive roster of creditors to whom it owes money. Read more...

Related Resources
• Chrysler files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (AP) http://news.lp.findlaw.com:80/ap_stories/f/1310/04-30-2009/20090430115005_37.html

• Chrysler Files for Bankruptcy; Small Business vs Big Business Chapter 11 (FindLaw's Free Enterprise) http://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2009/04/chrysler-files-for-bankruptcy-small-business-vs-big-business-chapter-11.html



Seattle Would-Be 'Craigslist Killer' Charged with Attempted Murder
STATE OF WASHINGTON V. SHAWN TYLER SKELTON

(Superior Ct., King Cty., WA, April 30, 2009) - Washington prosecutors charged a man with attempted murder after targetting him due to a disturbing Craigslist ad. He put an ad on Seattle Craigslist's "Casual Encounters" section, saying that he wanted to meet a woman who wanted to have sex, also stating that, "I want to kill her." Seattle Police (alerted by Craigslist) then set up an undercover operation. They told Skelton that they wanted someone murdered, he agreed to do it for money and was subsequently arrested in possession of a knife and heavy chain consistent with methods described in messages about the job. Read more... http://news.lp.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/craigslist/seattle-skelton42709crim.html

http://news.lp.findlaw.com/hdocs/docs/craigslist/seattle-skelton42709crim.html

http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2009/04/philip-markoff-the-craigslist-killer-college-student-charged-with-murder-of-julissa-brisman.html



"The Web"

SCOTUS Justice David Souter To Retire In June.

According to reports, Supreme Court Justice David Souter has told the White House he plans to retire at the end of the current term. Souter, 69, is probably the second current most liberal justice behind Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Unfortunately, I believe America is just before seeing the “change” they voted for in Nov. 2008. President Obama’s newest nominee may be the beginning of the most radical liberal anti-Judeo-Christian values candidate ever appointed to the SCOTUS.



"Hate Crime"

April 30, 2009, on a vote of 249-175, the US House of Representatives passed and sent to the Senate a bill backed by the new Democratic White House to broaden such laws by classifying as "hate crimes" those attacks based on a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, or mental or physical disability. We must pressure all US Senators to vote “NO” on this legislation. - oyh

Clergy In The Crosshairs

A Texas congressman who is a former judge warns that the "hate crimes" legislation reintroduced in the U. S. House could potentially lead to the arrest of Christian pastors who speak out against sexual immorality.

Representatives John Conyers (D-Michigan) and Mark Kirk (R-Illinois) are sponsoring the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H. R. 1913), also known as the "Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act." The bill would add sexual orientation to the list of categories covered under federal hate crime law. When Democrats passed the bill in 2007, they were divided over whether to add "gender identity and expression" to the list.

Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) says under the legislation, pastors, rabbis, or imams could be charged with encouraging or inducing a "hate crime" if they preach against homosexuality. Gohmert believes the Conyers-Kirk bill is also unnecessary because hate-motivated crimes are not a major national epidemic.

The U. S. House of Representatives seems very likely to pass this horrible bill. Contact your U. S. Representative anyway!

In the U. S. Senate there is yet some hope of defeating the H. R. 1913. Be sure to contact both of your U. S. Senators.



Dearly Beloved

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD NOW AND FOREVER. GLORY TO HIS PRECIOUS NAME!

So much distress. So much affliction. So much sorrow caused by sickness, disease and disaster. So many hurting believers. So many people facing financial crises. The Bible does tell us, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous…” However, the next phrase in this verse changes the meaning entirely: “…but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19).

David cried, “Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions” (Psalm 132:1). This godly man faced many troubles. His prayer was, “Lord, you have delivered others out of their afflictions. Don’t forget about me. Help me, deliver me.”

The apostle Paul also endured many afflictions. He wrote, “The Holy Ghost witnesseth [tells me] in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me [await me]” (Acts 20:23). Paul added, “No man should be moved by these afflictions” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). He was saying, “Dear saints, don’t question why I have to face so many great afflictions. These things do not cause me to question God.”

“But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses” (2 Corinthians 6:4). Note Paul’s emphasis here: “in much patience.” Have you been losing patience in your affliction? Have you become so discouraged that you’ve come to the point of casting aside your faith?

A pastor and his wife wrote to me, “We are so discouraged. We have been so mistreated and unappreciated. We are financially devastated, and we see very little fruit from our labors. We have prayed, believed and held onto faith. But now we are at the end of endurance. We do not want to doubt, but we need a miracle. We need to see at least some token for good, so we can go on.”

Any words I have to encourage the downcast seem inadequate. But this one thing I do know: we serve a kind and loving heavenly Father. His Word says he is touched with the feelings of our afflictions. And it is my firm belief that even now he waits for you to lay down all your fears, anxieties, questions – all your cares and burdens – and trust he will deliver you, because of his loving kindness for you.

Lay hold of the following Scriptures, and let faith arise in your heart. God has not forgotten you.

Psalm 117:2: “For his merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord.”
Psalm 119:76: “Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.”
Isaiah 54:7-8, 10: “For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy redeemer. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”



JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a......?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, [what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood!

What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".



25 Celebrity Commencement Speeches That Were Surprisingly Good

http://onlinecollegedegree.org:80/2009/04/23/25-celebrity-commencement-speeches-that-were-surprisingly-good/

By Heidi Taylor
When asking graduates who gave the commencement speeches on their graduation day, many are hard-pressed to remember who, if anyone, spoke. The fortunate graduates at these schools will probably always remember who spoke upon their graduation. Not only are these speakers famous celebrities ranging from actors to writers to the President of the United States, but their speeches were actually surprisingly well-done.

Steve Jobs: Stanford, 2005. This inspirational commencement speech draws off three key points in Steve Jobs’ life as examples of how life is what you make of it: connecting the dots (realizing paths in your life eventually prepare you for your future), love and loss, and death. Closing with a tagline borrowed from a 1970’s publication, "Stay hungry. Stay foolish," Jobs urges graduates never to settle for less than what they want from life.

Conan O’Brien: Harvard, 2000. Watch this hilarious commencement speech that illustrates the comic genius of Conan O’Brien. Just when you begin to think Conan skipped the typical inspirational pep talk requisite in commencement speeches, he comes in at the last minute with advice for Harvard graduates not to be afraid to step out of their comfort zone, or even fail, as these steps in life often lead to bigger success.

Barack Obama: Wesleyan, 2008. Substituting for Senator Ted Kennedy, Obama steps in to deliver a speech that points out that the ordinary daily existence most people live doesn’t have to be a separate life from the life of our country. Urging graduates to make a difference in their lives by making a difference in the live of others, this inspirational speech showcases the incredible oratory skill of President Obama.

Kermit the Frog: Southampton College, 1996. Don’t let this celebrity’s lack of mortality or the length of his short speech fool you. This commencement address at Southampton, a school recognized for its work in marine and environmental sciences, welcomes graduates into the world and thanks them for the work they have been doing and will continue to do in an effort to save the environment.

Will Ferrell: Harvard, 2003. With his characteristic humor, Will Ferrell welcomes the Harvard graduates 2003 into the "real" world full of limos running late and sloppy assistants that can’t get your coffee ordered correctly while also throwing in important pieces of advice such as the importance of questioning your leaders and realizing that a top-quality education may not translate into success for everyone.

Jodie Foster: University of Pennsylvania, 2006. When Jodie Foster was first announced as the commencement speaker, students were reportedly upset by the selection for commencement speaker. However, at the end of Foster’s address to the graduates where she challenged the graduates to make positive changes for the country and closed with a quote from rapper Eminem, she received a standing ovation from the Class of 2006.

Jon Stewart: William & Mary, 2004. A graduate of William & Mary in 1984, Jon Stewart returns to his alma mater to give a commencement speech with his trademark combination of humor juxtaposed with serious issues. Urging graduates to acknowledge and help those less fortunate, praising the new generation for its ability to fix what has been broken in the recent past, choosing a path in life, and realizing the difference between completing college and experiencing life are all points Jon Stewart makes during his commencement speech on the 20th anniversary of his graduation.

David Foster Wallace: Kenyon College, 2005. Just three years prior to the tragic death of this writer, Kenyon College Class of 2005 was honored with a commencement speech from David Foster Wallace that stresses awareness of the life the graduates will lead above simple knowledge gained while at school. The actual video of the commencement address is not available to the public due to copyright restrictions, but the speech is transcribed on the blog, marginalia.org.

Theodor Seuss Geisel: Lake Forest College, 1977. Children of many generations have grown up on the beloved Dr. Seuss books that embrace the silliness of life and the entertainment of words. A fortunate group of graduates in 1977 were honored with a reading by Dr. Seuss himself that, although brief, captures the essence of Dr. Seuss along with important advice for anyone, graduating college or not. Be sure to read the president’s account of Dr. Seuss’ visit for the commencement below the poem.

Bill Gates: Harvard, 2007. Perhaps one of the most famous Harvard drop-outs, Bill Gates delivers an inspirational, if not slightly controversial, speech calling graduates to not make the same mistake he did when leaving Harvard–not recognizing the terrible inequities in the world. Gates asks graduates to take their power and use it to help others in the course of their success.
Bono: University of Pennsylvania, 2004. Bono urges graduates to embrace their future and make it what they want it to be, and asks that part of that future be to challenge ideas that are accepted by society but may not be morally acceptable. Drawing off his strong desire to help right the inequalities among humanity, especially as occurs daily in Africa, Bono describes the type of action he hopes the graduates take to make their world a better place for all.

Seth MacFarlane: Harvard, 2006. The man behind many of the Family Guy voices, Seth MacFarlane brings a bawdy humor and his talent to play in this speech. Click through all four parts of this speech to get the full effect, complete with three of his characters, which not only offers comic relief, but good advice as well.

Jon Bon Jovi: Monmouth University, 2001. This rock-and-roller spoke about new beginnings and humble beginnings in his well-received speech at Monmouth University. Urging students not to downplay where they come from or whether their university has a big name or not, Bon Jovi, who includes himself as one of the "underdogs," inspired the 2001 graduates of Monmouth.

Kurt Vonnegut: Rice University, 1998. Don’t confuse this commencement speech with the Internet hoax that claimed Vonnegut addressed MIT grads with the request to wear sunscreen. This speech is quality Vonnegut and ends with a request just as beneficial as wearing sunscreen–that the graduates recognize and appreciate their happiness when it makes itself apparent.

Alan Alda: Connecticut College, 1980. Addressing his own daughter’s, graduating class, this actor delivered a speech to the entire graduating class as if it was directed solely to his daughter, Eve. The advice is loving, empowering, and exactly what makes a great commencement speech inspirational.

Barbara Kingsolver: Duke University, 2008. Threatening to stop after the two bits of advice, "quit smoking" and "observe posted speed limits," Barbara Kingsolver goes on to more serious and global concerns as success, the environment, and community. She offers a piece of herself in this address as well as inspiration to the graduates at Duke.

Oprah Winfrey: Howard University, 2007. Be true to yourself, stand up for what you believe in, and take advantage of your failures are three important themes in Oprah’s speech she addresses to the graduating class of this historically black college. Oprah’s inspirational speech is filled with emotion and wisdom.

J.K. Rowling: Harvard, 2008. This popular author talks about the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination as the graduates embark on their "real" life. This insightful speech is filled with humor and honesty as Rowling shares her experiences as a vehicle to urge graduates on to lives of success.

Bradley Whitford: University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2004. Whitford’s shares six principles he has discovered that have made his life a success that include such points as "do your work," "you are capable of more than you think," and "take action." He also asks the graduates to plant trees of hope for the future generations.

Katie Couric: Williams College, 2007. Couric talks about the evolution of technology, the benefits of hard work and humility, and being passionate in her commencement address, among other important and inspirational points. She brings in plenty of timely issues and offers advice on getting ahead in a world that is shifting quickly from how was when she was first starting out.

Jessica Lange: Sarah Lawrence College, 2008. This actress brings in politics as a way of introducing the great responsibilities the current graduates have to make the world a better place. She goes on to express the huge potential the new graduates have as the go out into the world and challenges them to make changes, appreciate life, be receptive to change, and the pursue peace.

Billie Jean King: University of Massachusetts, 2000. Famous tennis player and Olympic coach, King pumps up the crowd with her speech that addresses friendship, remembering your dreams, and accepting responsibility. She praises the graduates on their accomplishments and charges them with going out in the world to make changes for the better.

Ursula K. Le Guin: Mills College, 1983. This legendary author speaks to the women among the graduates, calling them to make their place in the world of men. She asks all students, and all people, to dare to live in failure as will happen as a member of the human race, and use that failure to make the world a better place for everyone. She finishes her speech by urging women not to live as prisoners, but as natives among humanity.

Dana Gioia: Stanford, 2007. This corporate executive-turned-writer and chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts spoke at his alma mater about the importance of not letting popular culture overshadow the arts. There was some controversy over his being named commencement speaker as many considered him too little of a celebrity, but this "minor" celebrity delivered a powerful speech that also acknowledged the importance of his father’s support to Gioia’s success.

Margaret Atwood: University of Toronto, 1983. Atwood speaks to the graduates about being delivered into a world full of both positives and negatives where they are charged with perceiving the world as a positive in order to affect change. The timeliness of the renowned author’s words apply as much today as they did over twenty years ago when she first spoke them.



"The e-mail Bag"

Just Clean Living

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars.

The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.

The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.

The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.

The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead

The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead

Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead

Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation - What did you learn from this demonstration???

An old lady was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, 'As long as you drink, smoke, and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!'

That pretty much ended the service -



THE CONGRESSMAN & LITTLE GIRL ON A PLANE

A US Congressman was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the Congressman turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about the banking crisis?' and he smiles.

OK, ' she said. 'That could be an interesting and timely topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass.. Why do you suppose that is?'

The Congressman, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.'

To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to discuss banking when you don't know shit?