Time's lame-ass "Person of the Year" has been the subject of much disgusted eye-rolling recently.
In case you haven'e heard, they gave it to "You". Well, you and I technically.
I don't know about you, but I don't want it.
This is the same award Time Magazine has given to Adolph Hitler and George W. Bush.
Not exactly esteemed company.
Personlly, I think that they should have given "Person of the Year" to the Amish in Lancaster, PA.
But apparently, that is just me.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
An Open Letter to American Christian Conservatives
You guys have a lot of nerve.
Many of you are acting as if there is nothing wrong; As if you have
done nothing wrong.
You have a LOT of repenting to be doing.
This Christmas season should be a time of reflection and introspection for you.
Spend it thinking about REAL Christian Values.
This past election should have been a wake up call for you.
I was there, in Washington D.C. BEFORE the war. I was standing there
with my sign that said "PEACE NOT WAR", not even saying anything, when a self-described "Conservative Christian" came up to me and started telling me in detail why I was going to hell because I opposed this war and that I should "repent my heathenish Liberal ways". I tried to explain to her that I am a Christian. I am an ordained reverend in a non-denominational church. She would hear none of it.
The people are NOW starting to wake up and are realizing that this
invasion and occupation of Iraq was a disastrous mistake.
Not a blunder.
Not an "oops".
It was a horrific, disastrous, catastrophic, apocalyptic Mistake of
BIBLICAL proportions!
A mistake that YOU openly supported.
A mistake by a man that YOU overwhelmingly supported!
All because of a narrow set of comparatively small wedge issues.
Shame on you for lacking perspective.
Shame on you for your incivility during that time.
Mine was not an isolated incident and you know it.
So many people have lost their lives, their limbs, their homes, their
loved ones and worst of all their HOPE because of this action that YOU
supported.
Because of a general, pervasive ignorance among the American
populace about Iraq, the culture or the people living there, you had
no idea what kind of powder keg it really was.
Now that powder keg has exploded.
Tribes of people who were thrown together less than a century ago by
the British and labeled the nation "Iraq" have gone back to fighting
each other, like they did for a thousand years before.
And 150,000 of our Soldiers, our Citizens, and our Children are
standing around in the middle of that nation while it explodes.
What the HELL were you thinking?
Who am I kidding? I know what you were thinking.
You were scared after 9-11.
You had your sense of security shattered and you realized that we can be attacked here on our soil. You realized that we Americans can be victims too. Unfortunately you failed to realize that we can personally experience repercussions because of what our government does thousands of miles away. Distance and verbal disassociation from our government's actions are no longer enough to keep us safe.
So what did you do, when God challenged you? What did you do in the face of fear? How did you react when confronted by people who hate you?
You sided with the Republicans based on a narrow set of wedge issues and you enabled them to do everything they did starting with the Patriot Act, including the invasion of Iraq and right up to doing away with Habeus Corpus and Posse Comitatus.
Do you feel any safer because of what we have done in Afganistan and Iraq?
Do you think Islamic Fundamentalists hate us any less or are reduced in numbers?
If you do then you are, in the words of journalist Michael Ware, "suffering from the luxury of distance".
An example of how REAL Christians react when they are attacked is
right here in America's heartland, right under your noses.
Earlier this year the Amish in Penn were attacked by an insane man who executed several of their children in cold blood. He put them on their knees and shot them from behind.
How did the Amish React?
Did they attack the outside world for its wickedness?
Did they rightfully mention that this is not an uncommon experience for them and that earlier this same year they had several of their daughters fall victim to rape?
Did they invade and occupy two countries? (Couldn't help myself)
No, they immediately held a press conference and publicly FORGAVE the man.
Then, when the money and gifts started pouring in from all over the world, their first action was to create a fund for the wife and children of the man who murdered their children.
Pay special attention to that.
For future reference, THAT is how a real Christian reacts when they are attacked.
You all really need to reevaluate your principles. You need to reexamine what "Christian Values" really are.
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who
strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who
takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to
everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do
not ask them back."
- Luke 6:27-30
Many of you are acting as if there is nothing wrong; As if you have
done nothing wrong.
You have a LOT of repenting to be doing.
This Christmas season should be a time of reflection and introspection for you.
Spend it thinking about REAL Christian Values.
This past election should have been a wake up call for you.
I was there, in Washington D.C. BEFORE the war. I was standing there
with my sign that said "PEACE NOT WAR", not even saying anything, when a self-described "Conservative Christian" came up to me and started telling me in detail why I was going to hell because I opposed this war and that I should "repent my heathenish Liberal ways". I tried to explain to her that I am a Christian. I am an ordained reverend in a non-denominational church. She would hear none of it.
The people are NOW starting to wake up and are realizing that this
invasion and occupation of Iraq was a disastrous mistake.
Not a blunder.
Not an "oops".
It was a horrific, disastrous, catastrophic, apocalyptic Mistake of
BIBLICAL proportions!
A mistake that YOU openly supported.
A mistake by a man that YOU overwhelmingly supported!
All because of a narrow set of comparatively small wedge issues.
Shame on you for lacking perspective.
Shame on you for your incivility during that time.
Mine was not an isolated incident and you know it.
So many people have lost their lives, their limbs, their homes, their
loved ones and worst of all their HOPE because of this action that YOU
supported.
Because of a general, pervasive ignorance among the American
populace about Iraq, the culture or the people living there, you had
no idea what kind of powder keg it really was.
Now that powder keg has exploded.
Tribes of people who were thrown together less than a century ago by
the British and labeled the nation "Iraq" have gone back to fighting
each other, like they did for a thousand years before.
And 150,000 of our Soldiers, our Citizens, and our Children are
standing around in the middle of that nation while it explodes.
What the HELL were you thinking?
Who am I kidding? I know what you were thinking.
You were scared after 9-11.
You had your sense of security shattered and you realized that we can be attacked here on our soil. You realized that we Americans can be victims too. Unfortunately you failed to realize that we can personally experience repercussions because of what our government does thousands of miles away. Distance and verbal disassociation from our government's actions are no longer enough to keep us safe.
So what did you do, when God challenged you? What did you do in the face of fear? How did you react when confronted by people who hate you?
You sided with the Republicans based on a narrow set of wedge issues and you enabled them to do everything they did starting with the Patriot Act, including the invasion of Iraq and right up to doing away with Habeus Corpus and Posse Comitatus.
Do you feel any safer because of what we have done in Afganistan and Iraq?
Do you think Islamic Fundamentalists hate us any less or are reduced in numbers?
If you do then you are, in the words of journalist Michael Ware, "suffering from the luxury of distance".
An example of how REAL Christians react when they are attacked is
right here in America's heartland, right under your noses.
Earlier this year the Amish in Penn were attacked by an insane man who executed several of their children in cold blood. He put them on their knees and shot them from behind.
How did the Amish React?
Did they attack the outside world for its wickedness?
Did they rightfully mention that this is not an uncommon experience for them and that earlier this same year they had several of their daughters fall victim to rape?
Did they invade and occupy two countries? (Couldn't help myself)
No, they immediately held a press conference and publicly FORGAVE the man.
Then, when the money and gifts started pouring in from all over the world, their first action was to create a fund for the wife and children of the man who murdered their children.
Pay special attention to that.
For future reference, THAT is how a real Christian reacts when they are attacked.
You all really need to reevaluate your principles. You need to reexamine what "Christian Values" really are.
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who
curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who
strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who
takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to
everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do
not ask them back."
- Luke 6:27-30
Monday, December 11, 2006
The Hugs for Jacey Campaign
This is a very touching campaign of support for a little girl who is battling Lukemia. My heart absolutely breaks watching the videos her mother posted of her. This wonderful woman started this campaign and it is very uplifting to see the huge outpouring of love for this little girl from total strangers.
Her Mother posts videos of her here.
This is a great statement from Jacey's Mother.
Her Mother posts videos of her here.
This is a great statement from Jacey's Mother.
"We are NOT soliciting gifts or donations Please know that Most major cities have children's hospitals and they are full of kids like Jacey. Those kids would be just as happy to get gifts as Jacey would. People wanting to donate money should make a donation to the Leukemia Society or St Judes and all kids fighting leukemia and other cancers will benifit from it. THE BEST THING PEOPLE CAN DO IS DONATE PLATELETS. All kids fighting cancer need those to stay alive."
Sunday, December 10, 2006
A Travesty of Justice
Noisy cell call lands party's host in jail
December 5, 2006
BY DAN CORTEZ
Carmen Granata, 23, of Eastpointe is serving 30 days in jail.
Monday was Carmen Granata's first day back to work as a veterinarian technician in Sterling Heights.
But the night for her ended the same way every other night for the past two weeks has ended -- back in the Macomb County Jail.
Granata, 23, of Eastpointe was cited for violating the city noise ordinance when a friend used a cell phone on her front porch about 4 a.m. after a barbecue last month. The punishment? Thirty days behind bars -- a much tougher penalty than even some felons face.
And then there are the two years of probation she was given. That means two years of daily breath tests for alcohol at the Eastpointe Police Department or 38th District Court, two years of drug tests on a random date each month and twice-monthly meetings with a probation officer.
And if Granata wants to have another party, she must receive approval from her neighbors.
Any violation of those terms would mean 60 days in jail, according to court records.
Granata's father, Joe Granata of Warren, said he is outraged at the punishment handed down Nov. 21 after his daughter pleaded guilty.
"I've missed work, I'm not sleeping well, I've lost weight," he said Monday. "It's been an emotional toll on everybody. If my daughter had done something to deserve to be in jail, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But this is insane."
Granata has hired a lawyer to try to get his daughter's guilty plea thrown out -- a plea he said she made under the assumption that she would only face a small fine.
Assistant City Prosecutor Richard Albright said he met with Granata before she entered the plea. He said he left the courtroom before a group of neighbors told the judge that Granata regularly caused problems in the neighborhood.
"I don't know what was said by the neighbors or by her," Albright said. "There was something that the judge felt deserved jail time."
Neighbors who testified that Granata was a disturbance to the neighborhood could not be reached Monday for comment.
Lori Shemka, the court administrator for 38th District Court, said Judge Norene Redmond could not comment on the case or the penalty she gave to Granata because it's considered an ongoing litigation.
Chrissy Dikowski lives across the street from Granata, who bought her house about a year ago. Dikowski, 29, said Granata was a good neighbor.
"She's a very nice girl, no problems at all," Dikowski said.
Granata's boyfriend, Erik Scudder, said she hosted the barbecue on Nov. 4 for about 70 friends. Most left in the evening to attend a concert at the Magic Stick in Detroit, but 20 returned about 2:30 a.m. to go to sleep.
Police were called to investigate a noise complaint, Scudder said, but no tickets were issued. When someone stepped out later to use a cell phone, an officer in the area moved in and ticketed Granata because she owned the house.
"We didn't want to wake up our friends, let alone our neighbors," Scudder said, adding that most in the house were sleeping.
Kristy Nadvornik, another neighbor of Granata, said that there's a group of people on the block notorious for calling police regularly to investigate noise complaints and other minor issues.
December 5, 2006
BY DAN CORTEZ
Carmen Granata, 23, of Eastpointe is serving 30 days in jail.
Monday was Carmen Granata's first day back to work as a veterinarian technician in Sterling Heights.
But the night for her ended the same way every other night for the past two weeks has ended -- back in the Macomb County Jail.
Granata, 23, of Eastpointe was cited for violating the city noise ordinance when a friend used a cell phone on her front porch about 4 a.m. after a barbecue last month. The punishment? Thirty days behind bars -- a much tougher penalty than even some felons face.
And then there are the two years of probation she was given. That means two years of daily breath tests for alcohol at the Eastpointe Police Department or 38th District Court, two years of drug tests on a random date each month and twice-monthly meetings with a probation officer.
And if Granata wants to have another party, she must receive approval from her neighbors.
Any violation of those terms would mean 60 days in jail, according to court records.
Granata's father, Joe Granata of Warren, said he is outraged at the punishment handed down Nov. 21 after his daughter pleaded guilty.
"I've missed work, I'm not sleeping well, I've lost weight," he said Monday. "It's been an emotional toll on everybody. If my daughter had done something to deserve to be in jail, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But this is insane."
Granata has hired a lawyer to try to get his daughter's guilty plea thrown out -- a plea he said she made under the assumption that she would only face a small fine.
Assistant City Prosecutor Richard Albright said he met with Granata before she entered the plea. He said he left the courtroom before a group of neighbors told the judge that Granata regularly caused problems in the neighborhood.
"I don't know what was said by the neighbors or by her," Albright said. "There was something that the judge felt deserved jail time."
Neighbors who testified that Granata was a disturbance to the neighborhood could not be reached Monday for comment.
Lori Shemka, the court administrator for 38th District Court, said Judge Norene Redmond could not comment on the case or the penalty she gave to Granata because it's considered an ongoing litigation.
Chrissy Dikowski lives across the street from Granata, who bought her house about a year ago. Dikowski, 29, said Granata was a good neighbor.
"She's a very nice girl, no problems at all," Dikowski said.
Granata's boyfriend, Erik Scudder, said she hosted the barbecue on Nov. 4 for about 70 friends. Most left in the evening to attend a concert at the Magic Stick in Detroit, but 20 returned about 2:30 a.m. to go to sleep.
Police were called to investigate a noise complaint, Scudder said, but no tickets were issued. When someone stepped out later to use a cell phone, an officer in the area moved in and ticketed Granata because she owned the house.
"We didn't want to wake up our friends, let alone our neighbors," Scudder said, adding that most in the house were sleeping.
Kristy Nadvornik, another neighbor of Granata, said that there's a group of people on the block notorious for calling police regularly to investigate noise complaints and other minor issues.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Richard Dreyfuss on Civil Discourse
A very intelligent and needed discussion about the lack of Civics being taught in America.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Bolton is Out! Who Should Replace Him?
I don't think anybody will miss Bolton at the U.N. but it is already time to look forward. Who should replace Bolton? Who would make a good diplomat to represent the United States?
Here I submit my list of recommendations:
Ok, so maybe Williams was a joke... maybe. But the rest of these people would make good replacements for Bolton, in my opinion.
Here I submit my list of recommendations:
Lincoln Chaffee
Joseph Wilson
Bill Clinton
Jimmy Carter
George HW Bush
Jesse Jackson
Jerry Springer (He has experience dealing with extremists)
Robin Williams (hey, CSPAN would be more interesting)
Ok, so maybe Williams was a joke... maybe. But the rest of these people would make good replacements for Bolton, in my opinion.
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