50 States or 10 Commandments? You decide.

Show your patriotism by writing on the American Flag! Wave the emblem of our country as it really should be (with the 10 commandments proudly inserted).

On a side note, I believe there was a US Supreme Court case in the 1960s about a man who was arrested for taping a peace sign onto a US flag - good thing for Christians that the Supreme Court said he couldn't go to jail for that.

More Bible Accessories

What better way to proselytize your religious beliefs than with your necktie?

You have been searching for a way to say:

"Thou shalt not kill," and

"Do not covet thy neighbor's wife,"

without actually having to say it.

Well, here's the solution to your problems.

Enjoy!

FoxNews on Fashion

"This purse gives a whole new meaning to wearing your Sunday best," says FoxNews.

Always on top of the latest fashions (and in no way trying to influence its viewer's behavior), FoxNews reports on a new product by designer Femme Sud, "the Bible handbag."

"Each book-shaped Bible bag is nearly twice the size of a standard-issue Gideon . . . and comes with vamp-red lipstick and a coin purse that says 'Pennies from Heaven.'"

Here's one opinion on the new fashion: "Bible-shaped handbags are nothing more than a cheap way for Christian zealots to shove their religion down the throat of agnostics and atheists," said Catholic League chief William Donohue.

This "cheap way" to shove religion down the throat of atheists and agnostics retails for $495.

The Gov't Should Know Everything

Earlier this week, I posted a story about the Kansas Attorney General, Phill Kline, who, as I understoof it, sought to have doctors file a report with the state gov't when they believed that a minor had "engaged in sexual activity." At the time, I noticed the remarkably broad interpretation that phrase, "engaged in sexual activity," could be subjected to, but I did not look into it any further.

My post was incomplete.

Today, the New York Times ran a story on Mr. Kline's interpretation of that broadly worded phrase.

"This week, a federal trial judge in Wichita killed Mr. Kline's daft idea to require doctors, school counselors, and psychotherapists, among others, to report all sexual activity by people under 16, from kissing to sexual intercourse."

The reporting requirement is intended to alert authorities to incidents of abuse. To Kline, any activity, "from kissing to sexual intercourse," is automatically abuse - and could presumably be prosecuted as such.

The federal judge, Judge Marten, wisely observed that "Mr. Kline's blunderbuss reporting requirement would jeopardize the physical and mental health of adolescents by deterring them from seeking testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, birth control and counseling. It would also hurt efforts to combat real child abuse by overwhelming social service officials."

A report must be filed with the gov't every time a psychologist, school counselor, or doctor has any information that could be construed to indicate that a minor may have had sex or even just kissed someone?

Kline is expected to appeal this ruling and his position is gaining political might as anti-abortion groups are climbing on board, "eager to expand the use of child-abuse reporting laws."

This emphasizes the critical need that the judiciary must stay independent and that the people must be allowed privacy in their medical decisions and treatment.

Think to yourself, if this policy was in practice, would you have been reported to the gov't?

More on Entertainment

David Lee Roth's run as morning radio host is about done.

"Reviews were poor and Roth fought with management over the show's format."

I was annoyed by his radio show and I never even heard it. I didn't know that was possible.

Harry Potter Leads to Suicide

It is clear to any reasonable person that Harry Potter is not appropriate reading material for impressionable minds like those of Americans.

A group in Gwinnett county Georgia is trying to get these books banned from schools.

"I'm a true example of how Harry Potter books can open your life to witchcraft," said Jordan Susch.

Susch says she read the first Harry Potter novel when she was in the fourth grade. Two years later, she says, she and her friends were practicing witchcraft.

We wanted to know if spells, potions and curses worked. By the seventh grade, I was so depressed, I set a date to kill myself, Susch said.

Susch has joined Laura Mallorys fight to get the novels removed from the Gwinnett County Schools shelves.I want to protect my kids, children and others from evil, Mallory said. Not fill their minds with it.

***

"The hearing officer will make a recommendation within five days to the school board. The board has another ten days to determine whether the book will remain in the school systems libraries or not."

What the Gov't Thinks it Should Know

Kansas law requires that doctors report cases of suspected sexual abuse.

Attorney General of Kansas, Phill Kline, issued an opinion stating that the law requires "all health care providers . . . alert the government when they learn that a minor had engaged in sexual activity or wants contraception."

Imagine the consequences! Would any young woman go to a doctor if she feared that the visit would lead to an official report about her sexual activity being reported to the government? At best, one expects patients would withhold potentially significant information from their doctors.

Fortunately, a Federal Judge struck down the Attorney General's interpretation. THAT is why we need an independent judiciary.

What the Gov't Wants to Know About You

Kansas law requires that doctors report cases of suspected sexual abuse.

Attorney General of Kansas, Phill Kline, issued an opinion stating that the law requires "all health care providers . . . alert the government when they learn that a minor had engaged in sexual activity or wants contraception."

Imagine the consequences! Would any young woman go to a doctor if she feared that the visit would lead to an official report about her sexual activity being reported to the government? At best, one expects patients would withhold potentially significant information from their doctors.

Fortunately, a Federal Judge struck down the Attorney General's interpretation. THAT is why we need an independent judiciary.

Progress Through Lawful Discrimination

A new bill proposes an amendment to the Higher Education Act. Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) is seeking an exception in anti-dicscrimination provisions that would allow private Christian colleges to legally exclude students based on sexual orientation.

Should schools have the right to ask you about your sexual orientation? Should they have the right to reject students who refuse to answer? May they expel a student if they begin to think that the student is gay? Does a private group's right to discriminate supercede a private individual's right to an education?

Why should Christian schools, such as Pepperdine, Notre Dame, Samford, and Brigham Young, who lobbied for this legislation have such an exception while others are prohibited from discriminating? If it is a moral issue, shouldn't anyone be able to reject any applicant if they believe for any reason that the student's lifestyle is immoral or is the law simply more willing to agree that homosexuality is immoral?

Would the Christian groups who seek to discriminate accept the alternative of schools only for gay students? Somehow, I think they'd object to that proposal. Many Christian groups did in fact protest when Harvey Milk High School opened as a school for gay students, with protestors yelling "die fags."

Isn't this just leading to a re-segregation of society? Is that going to improve society?

How "Swiftboat" Became of Verb

When Bush said he "listens to the Generals", clearly we missed where he qualified that statement with "if they agree with me."

As is done with everyone who criticizes the Administration, when the several Generals expressed their opinions the Rumsfeld is a failure, the right-wing attack dogs were unleashed.

The American Thinker:

Like so many CanCan dancers strutting their shapely legs before a lustful audience, the Clinton generals seem to be auditioning for the next Democrat administration But seeing retired general officers pick up the pompoms and cheerleading for the Democrats is really over the top: it shows nothing but contempt for military honor and tradition.

RedState:

A number of retired Generals have recently criticized SecDef Rumsfeld and demanded his departure. Big Lizards has a very interesting take on these ex-military types, including their Clintonoid backgrounds, plodding lack of originality in military matters, inefficiency, and outright dishonesty when comparing their statements before the Iraq War began and more recent statements on the situation in the Middle East.

Where is the Patriotism? Where is the concern for the state of this country?

War is Always the Answer

Uniting the topics of my two previous posts is some interesting material from the always reliable FoxNews.

Steve Forbes, apparently ignoring every lesson of recent history, argues that "the bottom line with Iran is, when we have the confrontation, which we will have, we can really deal with that crisis. Then the price of oil will come down. The longer we let it fester, the higher the price of oil will stay."

Can the US spare the military manpower? The military resources? The financial resources (can we afford all the tax cuts that war will bring)? Any remaining belief throughout the world that we are not a country that is willing to kill populations to promote our financial interests?

Gas Prices

The other day I paid about $3.25 a gallon for gas. This is where that money is going.

Thinkprogress.org posted a story about about Exxon CEO Lee Raymond's compensation and retirement packages.

Last year, Mr. Raymond was paid $190,915 A DAY, if you include weekends!
His retirement plan is also particularly generous:

"Nearly $400 million, including pension, stock options and other perks, such
as a $1 million consulting deal, two years of home security, personal security,
a car and driver, and use of a corporate jet for professional purposes."

Shareholders are taking steps to rein in some of this spending.

Invading Iran?

Thinkprogress.org had an interesting post on potential plans for invading, or at least attacking Iran.

The post included the following point:

"Retired Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney, a military analyst for Fox News and the Weekly Standard, on war in Iran: “I can lay out a campaign today that will take Iran down very quickly.” McInerney on war in Iraq in 2002: “[I]t will be a war that is shorter than” the 1991 Gulf War, which lasted 42 days."

Additionally, consider viewing the links in the above paragraph - which will take you to a page with video of the O'Reilly interview discussed.

Listening to the Generals

Remember hearing words like these?

President Bush: "I'm saying I'm going to listen to the generals who say, Mr. President, we've got -- we need more, we need less, we've got exactly the right number."

Recently, Generals Newbold, Eaton, Zinni, and Batiste have gained prominent attention in called for Rumsfeld’s resignation.

That's four.

The list continues to grow. Ret. Army Gen. John Riggs, told the Washington Post recently: that he believes that his peer group is “a pretty closemouthed bunch” but that, even so, his sense is “everyone pretty much thinks Rumsfeld and the bunch around him should be cleared out.”

Now, another is speaking out. Retired Marine Lt. Gen Paul K. Van Riper said in an interview yesterday, “I admire those who have stepped forward, and I agree with the arguments they are making.” Further acknowledging, “I count myself in the same camp.”

That's six. Any more?

“I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him. … Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces there,” said retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, former commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Seven!

The All-Knowing Pharmacist

How much does your pharmacist know about your medical problems? How about your sense of morality? How much should they know, and how much authority should they have to make medical and moral decisions for you?

Some pharmacists are taking it upon themselves to make decisions implicating both areas of your life. Recently pharmacists have elicited controversy by refusing to fill prescriptions for drugs like Plan B or birth control pills for unmarried women. Now, some pharmacists have even refused to provide customers with vitamins or antibiotics prescribed by doctors who work at women's clinics were abortions are performed.

One customer was asked to explain why she visited the clinic before the pharmacist told her that she didn't need the medication her doctor prescribed and refused to provide it.
One group is arguing on behalf of these pharmacists asserting that "The right of conscience is a fundamental right recognized in the Washington Constitution. No citizen can be forced to yield that right when he or she enters the profession of his choice." This, however, is a fundamental misstatement of the law. A law of general applicability, not intended to regulate one's religious practices, need not allow exception because one asserts that their religious beliefs allow them to behave otherwise.

Further, the article notes that "If a pharmacist denies contraception to women, his or her actions, per state law, are discriminatory and unlawful."

In Washington, a state board of Pharmacy (which regulates the practice of pharmacists) is considering how to deal with the issue. Many fear that if the board decides to allow pharmacists religious based exceptions to performance of their duties "self-righteous pharmacists could prevent a woman from getting birth control pills if she couldn't supply a marriage license; prevent a recovering alcoholic from getting Antabuse; or stop someone from getting an AIDS cocktail."

Clearly, the Board of Pharmacy must decide whose rights are in greater need of protection. Does a patient's right to receive a medication that their doctor has determined is necessary trump a pharmacist's (a person who elected to be in that position) right to exercise their moral perspective regarding your actions?

The Political Interests of Hunters

As Bush's support continues to dwindle, even once reliable allies are expressing their displeasure with the failures of the administration. An editorial from the Magazine "Field and Stream" noted:

"Rod and gun in hand, and backing the Second Amendment right to own firearms, President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney have won the hearts of Americas sportsmen. Yet the two men have failed to protect outdoor sports on the nations public lands. With deep ties to the oil and gas industry, Bush and Cheney have unleashed a national energy plan that has begun to destroy hunting and fishing on millions of federal acres throughout the West, setting back effective wildlife management for decades to come."

The article goes on to express its concern that:

"Most disturbingly, Congress is now debating a national energy bill that would codify the policy, making it the law of the land rather than an executive order. Subsequent administrationsbe they Republican or Democraticwould be unable to institute a more balanced management plan for our western lands without resorting to new congressional legislation."

Bill O'Reilly: Freedom Fighter

O'Reilly and FoxNews, as always, are investing their time in the causes that are of the greatest concern and that are most pressing on the issues that really affect the lives of Americans. The war in Iraq? No. The devasting effects US fiscal policy might have on the country's future? No. Global Warming, pollution, and depletion of our natural resources? No, of course not, FowNews is only interested in the Truth - The Easter Bunny!

OREILLY: "Although some left-wingers in the media deny it, we have documented a number of cases where Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter have been attacked by secular interests. Lawsuits and corporate policies have proved this point over and over again."

What in the world will FoxNews cover during the summer? They can only hope that the Natalie Holloway case will not be solved by then.

Fossil Evidence

It is becoming more and more difficult to argue against evolution based on an incomplete fossil record. Today, an international team of scientists reprots that it has discovered fossils of a primitive human ancestor in Ethiopia.

The discovery of these "4.1 million year old fossils in eastern Ethiopia [fills] a missing gap in human evolution" between some of the most primitive bipedal humans and their more primate-like ancestors. The fossils are dated by their location in the geologic strata as well and are subjected to radiological dating procedures.

The fossils provides confirmation of our current understanding of the timing of human evolutionary progression both in the presence of bipedal mobility and the retention of a more primate-like cranial structure.

"The remains of the hominid that had a small brain, big teeth and walked on two legs, fits into the one million-year gap between the earlier Ardipithecus and Australopithecus afarensis which includes the famous fossil skeleton known as Lucy."

The Discontent Among Us

Approval ratings for the President and the GOP have hit new lows according to a new AP-Ipsos poll.

At this stage in their presidencies, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had approval ratings in the mid sixties. Bush's now stands at 36%.

The Republican Congress is gaining even less favor with an approval rating of just 30%.

This is patricularly significant during an electrion year where "there is more at stake than the careers of GOP lawmakers. A Democratic-led Congress could bury the last vestiges of Bush's legislative agenda and subject the administration to high-profile investigations of the Iraq war, the CIA leak case, warrantless eavesdropping and other matters."

- Bush's foreign policy - 40% approval

- Bush's Handling of Iraq - 35% approval

- "By a 49-33 margin, the public favors Democrats over Republicans when asked which party should control Congress."

- 69% of Americans believes the nation is headed in the wrong direction

- 6 in 10 Republicans disapprove of the Republican-led Congress

More Debate on Christianity . . . Will Christianity Miss This Opportunity to Benefit?

The Book of Judas, a gospel that has been lost for nearly 2,000 years, was discovered in the 1970s and has been in hiding since it was unlawfully removed frm Egypt. Now it has resurfaced for expert analysis.

The document appears to date to roughly 300 ce (common era, formerly AD). It is a copy of an earlier manuscript that was referred to as early as 180 ce.

Of course, only four gospels were selected for inclusion into the Bible although many more existed. "Eventually, one point of view prevailed and the others were declared heresy," Bart Ehrman, chairman of religious studies at the University of North Carolina said, "including the Gnostics who believed that salvation depended on secret knowledge that Jesus imparted, particularly to Judas."

"The text ends with Judas turning Jesus over to the high priests and does not include any mention of the crucifixion or resurrection. " Just as the other four gospels included in the Bible, this one makes little acknowledgement and includes no details or specifics on the crucifixion.

This appears to be a document that legitimately dates back to the same time as the other gospels and, realistically, should initiate a complex and analytical debate about its authenticity and the effect it may have on the authenticity of the other gospels.

Will Christianity take advantage of the debate and advance the religion or will it pigeonhole itself into the doctrine it presently accepts without giving fair consideration of evidence that is at least as valid as any evidence supporting extant ideological perspectives?

I never quite understood why religion hesitated to occasionally say, "you know, we just aren't 100% sure what happened, only God knows." Yet, I've never heard this from the church. It seems they fear that if they cannot offer answers to all who ask, they fear the loss of credibility. To me, acknowledging uncertainty would add credence.

Filling the Gaps

Scientists report the discovery of a 375 million year old fossil of a marine animal that displays the structural precursors of the yet to appear amphibians. This precursor to land animals has been considered to fill a significant gap in the fossil record.

Specifically, the appendages show development of digits, wrists, elbows, and weight bearing shoulders, features not present, or necessary, in fish. What few gaps remain in the fossil record are being filled as the fossil record becomes more complete clarifying our understanding of the evolutionary process.

More on Global Warming . . . Or Rather Less

As exposed previously within NASA, scientists in other federal agencies have been prevented or discouraged from speaking out about global warming.

Now, the Washington Post is reporting that "Employees and contractors working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with a U.S. Geological Survey scientist working at an NOAA lab, said in interviews that over the past year administration officials have chastised them for speaking on policy questions; removed references to global warming from their reports, news releases and conference Web sites; investigated news leaks; and sometimes urged them to stop speaking to the media altogether."

The prevention of the free flow of information is antithetical to science as well as Democracy and therefore is a threat to both.

Frist in Descent

A Time article describes Bill Frist's apparently descending position as the Senate Majority Leader for the GOP.

When asked on Frist's performance as Majority leader one Senator said "I hear he was a pretty good surgeon."

"He'll disappear," said a Republican consultant. "He's not built for heavy weather. He's just not an instinctive politician. And when you're a light candidate, every maneuver seems naked and tactical. With Frist, it's been college Republican sort of stuff."

He has been criticized from within his own ranks for his moves as majority leader. Are these intraparty attacks against Frist (and those against McCain) opportunitistic politics in a political party where everyone is jostling for a position as the next Republican Presidential Candidate, are they the result of a party merely recognizing that it has poorly selected its leaders (DeLay, Bush, Rove, Lott, etc.), or is there true discontent within the party of those at its helm?

Who Needs Facts When We Have Hatred?

Michael Savage is a right wing AM radio talk who appears to have completely lost his mind.

Recently, Savage went on a diatribe criticizing Mexicans for waiving the Mexican flag in this country and urging Americans to "go out in the street and show you're a man, burn 10 Mexican flags."

Is this consistent with the policy of spreading Freedom throughout the world?

He went on to say "No Mr. Bush, they do not come over here to work. They come over here to work the system, sell drugs, rape, and kill on contract. Don't lie to us." Apart from the point that now even righties believe Bush is lying to the public, I think Mr. Savage may not be basing his argument on many actual facts.

See here, for a transcript and an audio clip of Savage's tirade.

More on Morons

Jill Carroll, American journalist and recently released hostage of Iraqi insurgents, is now the subject of some mind boggling criticism.

While in the custody of the insurgents, they videotaped and distributed statements made by her that "The mujahedeen are the ones that will win in the end," adding that the insurgents "are good people fighting an honorable fight while the Americans are here as an occupying force treating the people in a very bad way."

After her release, while at Sunni party headquarters, still in Iraq, she stated that the insurgents treated her well and did not threaten her. After flying to Germany she stated that she still feared for her safety at that time and was not speaking freely.

Additionally, some have claimed that Carroll refused to travel with US military personell and that she refused to speak with US officials. Neither is true. Capt. Patrick Kerr of the US Marines spoke of her stating, "Her professionalism and objectivity were unparalleled within the media community."

Radio Personality Bernard McGuirk said, "She strikes me as the kind of woman who would wear one of those suicide vests. You know, walk into the try and sneak into the Green Zone."

A conservative writer for the LA Times, Jonah Goldberg complained that Carroll was "starting to bug [him]." He said, "it would be nice to hear her say something remotely critical of her captors."

Debbie Schlussell, in a particularly hostile tirade stated that Carroll, "HATES AMERICA and our Mid-East policy. And, oh yeah, she HATES ISRAEL, too." Schlussell went on to describe Carroll as a "spoiled brat America-hater from Ann Arbor" and stated that "Jill Carroll is the tool and partner of extremists and terrorists."

Now the victims of terrorists are also UnAmerican? Imagine how excited these three will get when they realize that there are nearly 3,000 Americans ripe for criticism, who died in NY and Washington a few years ago at the hands of terrorists, and they are dead and can't defend themselves.