Tuesday, August 7, 2007
silence!
Well its been awhile since I have posted anything. I have been very busy with working and school. It all blends together lately. I will work up a great post soon.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Its my Constitution Too!!!
It is often said that everyone is equal under the law. There is even a specific reference made to this in the United States Constitution saying that “all men are created equal.” We know that when the founding fathers wrote the Constitution, it was done so to express the desire they had for equality, justice, and freedom. In today’s modern society it seems as though the majority of Americans constantly seek out the minority to point out how different the minority is. This seems to be done more often when the various minority groups stand up to demand what the Constitution appears to already give: liberty, life, and the all important pursuit of happiness. Yet, in 2007, there are still United States Citizens that have to fight for the right to be considered equal. The civil rights movement has not died; it has been transformed by an estimated gay population of nearly 27 million (Rubenstein et al). This current struggle to be treated equally is revolving around the right to be married and obtain the same social, financial and other benefits that our heterosexual counterparts enjoy everyday.
There are those that claim that allowing gay Americans the right to wed will add to the “current decline of the institution of marriage and it will be accelerated” (Dobson). The decline of marriage has nothing to do with Gay Americans having the same right to marry as others. In fact, this very argument was presented to the United States Supreme Court in 1892 when a black man wanted to marry a white woman. In oral arguments, The State of Louisiana claimed that “the white race deems itself to be the dominant race in this country. And so it is, in prestige, in achievements, in education, in wealth, and in power chooses to disallow a negro to marry a woman in our race, it should be so” (Brown). The court finally overturned that decision in 1954, and ruled that the separate but equal belief was unconstitutional (Brown). It is a hard sell to say that gay marriage or any other outside factor could have that much influence on whether a heterosexual couple chooses divorce over marriage. The factors can vary greatly. However it ultimately comes down to what’s best for the two people involved in the marriage. Using this argument is akin to saying that because someone’s neighbors happen to be a gay couple, caused a bitter divorce and ruined the sanctity of their marriage. That in itself simply sounds absurd.
It is clear to anyone looking purely at the numbers, heterosexual divorce percentages far surpass that of gay civil unions. It is also disturbing to see the amount of children affect by divorce. In July 2000, the State of Vermont allowed gays to commit to each other in civil unions. This law gives the same rights and privileges to gay couples as a marriage would. Between 2001 and 2003 there have been a total of 4,979 gay civil unions performed in Vermont. Of those unions, only eight have filed to dissolve them, and only two involved the custody of children. Compare that to 18033 heterosexual marriages performed, with a divorce total of 7,785. Of those divorces filed 5,320 had children (State of Vermont).
Children often come up in the argument against gay marriage. “This sort of marriage is not in the best interest of children. God has a plan for marriage and this isn’t it. Allowing this kind of marriage will pave the way for all sorts of moral depravity that will affect the children for years to come. Lest we forget about the sex predators” (Sprigg). As mentioned previously, the divorce rate among gay couples with children is basically nil. Knowing this fact, those with the opposing view choose to mention sexual predators when talking about gay marriage and children. According the United States Department of Justice 94 percent of convicted sexual offenders committed the crime against a child of the opposite sex. Of that 94 percent, all of the offenders identified themselves as heterosexual (Criminal Profile). It is very easy to argue emotion, and ever increasingly more difficult to argue fact.
When looking at the State sanctioned institution of marriage, gay and lesbian families are left out of the equal protection clause of the Constitution. In a limited number of States, they are given some of the legal equalities of a heterosexual marriage, called a civil union. Many State legislators claim that this is the same as marriage, but under a different name. When looking more closely at it, that is simply not accurate. The heterosexual marriage is recognized throughout the nation regardless of where the marriage was performed. However, a civil union is valid only in the state that it is sanctioned. The federal government and other states are not required to provide a civil union couple any rights they were provided upon entering their union (DOMA). When the DOMA act, or the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law for the first time in modern United States history, the United States Congress and the President wrote a law to specifically discriminate against other American Citizens. Article four of the Constitution states that “full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.” DOMA excluded the gay civil union for this clause of the very document that every member of Congress swore to uphold.
While there may be many emotional opinions on whether or not to allow gays to marry, it comes down to basic fairness. As a nation, we supposodly cherish the fact that we are a free people and attempt to spread the ideals of our Constitution globally. How can this country be so hypocritical when it comes to a minority? The answer is in our own history. Minorities have had to fight for the very basic rights all ready afforded them when they are born here. This horriable slap in the face has been perpitrated upon the African-Americans, the Native-Americans, and now the Gay-Americans. When removeing the emotion from the debate, one can not continue to argue that gay marriage would be detrimental to the institution of marriage as claimed by so many. An American is an American. The Constitution applies to us all.
Works Cited
Brown, Justice Henry B. "PLESSY V. FERGUSON." The United States Supreme Court. 1896. 2 June 2007.
"Criminal Profile of Sexual Offenders." United States Department of Justice. 2 June 2007.
Dobson, Ph.d, James C. "Same-Sex "Marriage"" Focus on the Family. Fall 2006. 2 June 2007.
"DOMA-Denfense of Marriage Act." Government Printing Office. 21 Sept. 1996. 2 June 2007.
"FAQ." Vermont the State That Says I Do! 2 June 2007.
Rubenstein, William B., Bradely Sears, and Robert J. Sockloskie. "Gay Demographics in the United States." The Williams Institute. Jan. 2003. University of California Los Angeles School of Law. 1 June 2007.
Sprigg, Peter. "Just Who is Lying About American Families?" FRC: Family Research Council. 19 Jan. 2007. 2 June 2007.
"State of Vermont Vital Statistics." State of Vermont. 2 June 2007.
There are those that claim that allowing gay Americans the right to wed will add to the “current decline of the institution of marriage and it will be accelerated” (Dobson). The decline of marriage has nothing to do with Gay Americans having the same right to marry as others. In fact, this very argument was presented to the United States Supreme Court in 1892 when a black man wanted to marry a white woman. In oral arguments, The State of Louisiana claimed that “the white race deems itself to be the dominant race in this country. And so it is, in prestige, in achievements, in education, in wealth, and in power chooses to disallow a negro to marry a woman in our race, it should be so” (Brown). The court finally overturned that decision in 1954, and ruled that the separate but equal belief was unconstitutional (Brown). It is a hard sell to say that gay marriage or any other outside factor could have that much influence on whether a heterosexual couple chooses divorce over marriage. The factors can vary greatly. However it ultimately comes down to what’s best for the two people involved in the marriage. Using this argument is akin to saying that because someone’s neighbors happen to be a gay couple, caused a bitter divorce and ruined the sanctity of their marriage. That in itself simply sounds absurd.
It is clear to anyone looking purely at the numbers, heterosexual divorce percentages far surpass that of gay civil unions. It is also disturbing to see the amount of children affect by divorce. In July 2000, the State of Vermont allowed gays to commit to each other in civil unions. This law gives the same rights and privileges to gay couples as a marriage would. Between 2001 and 2003 there have been a total of 4,979 gay civil unions performed in Vermont. Of those unions, only eight have filed to dissolve them, and only two involved the custody of children. Compare that to 18033 heterosexual marriages performed, with a divorce total of 7,785. Of those divorces filed 5,320 had children (State of Vermont).
Children often come up in the argument against gay marriage. “This sort of marriage is not in the best interest of children. God has a plan for marriage and this isn’t it. Allowing this kind of marriage will pave the way for all sorts of moral depravity that will affect the children for years to come. Lest we forget about the sex predators” (Sprigg). As mentioned previously, the divorce rate among gay couples with children is basically nil. Knowing this fact, those with the opposing view choose to mention sexual predators when talking about gay marriage and children. According the United States Department of Justice 94 percent of convicted sexual offenders committed the crime against a child of the opposite sex. Of that 94 percent, all of the offenders identified themselves as heterosexual (Criminal Profile). It is very easy to argue emotion, and ever increasingly more difficult to argue fact.
When looking at the State sanctioned institution of marriage, gay and lesbian families are left out of the equal protection clause of the Constitution. In a limited number of States, they are given some of the legal equalities of a heterosexual marriage, called a civil union. Many State legislators claim that this is the same as marriage, but under a different name. When looking more closely at it, that is simply not accurate. The heterosexual marriage is recognized throughout the nation regardless of where the marriage was performed. However, a civil union is valid only in the state that it is sanctioned. The federal government and other states are not required to provide a civil union couple any rights they were provided upon entering their union (DOMA). When the DOMA act, or the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law for the first time in modern United States history, the United States Congress and the President wrote a law to specifically discriminate against other American Citizens. Article four of the Constitution states that “full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.” DOMA excluded the gay civil union for this clause of the very document that every member of Congress swore to uphold.
While there may be many emotional opinions on whether or not to allow gays to marry, it comes down to basic fairness. As a nation, we supposodly cherish the fact that we are a free people and attempt to spread the ideals of our Constitution globally. How can this country be so hypocritical when it comes to a minority? The answer is in our own history. Minorities have had to fight for the very basic rights all ready afforded them when they are born here. This horriable slap in the face has been perpitrated upon the African-Americans, the Native-Americans, and now the Gay-Americans. When removeing the emotion from the debate, one can not continue to argue that gay marriage would be detrimental to the institution of marriage as claimed by so many. An American is an American. The Constitution applies to us all.
Works Cited
Brown, Justice Henry B. "PLESSY V. FERGUSON." The United States Supreme Court. 1896. 2 June 2007
"Criminal Profile of Sexual Offenders." United States Department of Justice. 2 June 2007
Dobson, Ph.d, James C. "Same-Sex "Marriage"" Focus on the Family. Fall 2006. 2 June 2007
"DOMA-Denfense of Marriage Act." Government Printing Office. 21 Sept. 1996. 2 June 2007
"FAQ." Vermont the State That Says I Do! 2 June 2007
Rubenstein, William B., Bradely Sears, and Robert J. Sockloskie. "Gay Demographics in the United States." The Williams Institute. Jan. 2003. University of California Los Angeles School of Law. 1 June 2007
Sprigg, Peter. "Just Who is Lying About American Families?" FRC: Family Research Council. 19 Jan. 2007. 2 June 2007
"State of Vermont Vital Statistics." State of Vermont. 2 June 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
They need to watch out.
Long live the moral majority? Lets hope not. Jerry Fartwell is dead, is that justice? It would only have been so if he had died in the arms of an under aged male prostitute. That's justice. Decades from now, when I am asked how he died, that's how I will remember him. Tied with his hands behind his back, in a sleazy motel room, bible in the nightstand, blue, bloated, and dead.
Its hard to have any sympathy for a man that was so utterly hateful He spit hate with every speech. Surprisingly, the bible does not preach the hatred he and the "moral majority" have clung to. Is there a different bible these creeps are privy to? Perhaps.
As Americans we need to wake up and shake loose the chains of ignorance. We can, and should demand more. Get your fat asses in the streets and demand that your congress person stand up on the House floor and say NO MORE! No more money to Iraq. No more money for "faith based" groups. No more money to no bid contractors.
Its up to us to take back our country and lead it into an age of tolerance and enlightenment.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The greyness of religion
Does God, in her traditionally believed form actually exist? This is a question that many people with the ability to think abstractly will ponder throughout life. It is also a question that organized religion strongly discourages. Those that seek cult-like status have resoundedly answered that question by thrusting themselves up to loudly proclaim “yes, God does exist, and I am He.” With organized religion and cults there tends to be a very fine line separating the two. This is even more pointedly obvious when looking at a definition of the two. Religion defined is the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. Cult has a very similar definition as a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person or ideal. Both groups also teach using the same book, the Bible. The seemingly limited differences of the two are often only pointed out by the organized religions of the world. This fine line is primarily visible to those that have elected to think and act individually when seeking the comfort of a higher power.
Most religions/cults put forth the very notion that God “formed man of the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2.7). A member of either group that questions the creationism belief can lead to excommunication, the act of banishing a member of a church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the church thereby cutting them off from the religious society. Questioning
the teaching of an organized religion/cult on such a topic is considered heresy which, as defined by the Catholic Church is "a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas" (Aquinas).
Both groups offer a promise that whatever your past transgretions may be, everything can be forgiven. Beaten a little old lady for her purse? No need to fear, religions/cults have you covered if your concerned about your immortal soul, “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new” (2 Cor. 5.17). So, come to Christ and all is forgiven. There are many passages in the Bible that refer to the clearing of your transgresions by asking forgivness from God. While some of the religions/cults vary on the manner in which you must ask, the result is still the same, your entrance into heaven.
From a major organized religion such as the Catholic Church, down the newest cult Jesus wannabe, all need money to function. Since most use the same text of the Bible, there is no need to beg. Afterall, their God will do the begging for them. In the Old Testiment of the Bible it reads, “and all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, to of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords: it is holy unto the Lord” (Levi. 27.30). This passage is intruprited as everything you have is God’s and you need to share it. If this does not convince church going members to give, then maybe this will: “with blessings, I will bless you…” (Hebr. 6.19). Replacing the word blessing with the word money, one could develope the idea that God, not the Church needs the money. It is a generally accepted practice that your tithing should be ten percent of your gross income. Should that prove to be to much, we have yet another solution for that: “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9.7).
Many critics of cults come from organized religions themselves. The cult is often portrayed as violent, non comforming, and promotes evil doings to mindless followers. While with some cults that may be true, lets not forget the violent and mindless acts commited in the name of many of the worlds largest religious groups. One does not need to look very far into history to find the first of these countless events. For example, in 1994 a Catholic priest ordered that a bulldozer demolish a church in western Rwanda that was hiding 2000 Tutsi refugees from certain slaughter by the Hutus (NPR). All 2000 were killed. The Catholic church declined to comment. Another Catholic church evil doing was in 1935. The Pope canonised Sir, now Saint, Thomas More. Between 1513 and 1518 he “murdered and burned alive and estimated 300 heretics and reformers, just because their superstitious beliefs differed from his own” (Achroyd 115). The fact that he himself was killed for the same reason does not suddenly absolve him of his crimes. Indeed, it seems like justice. The Islamic religion is no stranger to murder, Andrew Bostom concludes that “the Islamic religion has enslaved and murdered an estimated 137 million christians and africans during the last 1400 year jihad that has been self proclaimed” (253).
While scholars will long debate the differences between religions and cults, I will not. When the line between two entities is so blurred, they in essance become one in the same. A cult can seem odd and distant to some people, just the way the Mormons, Catholics and Islamic people were looked at before their sects were established. I think the difference between cults and religions can only be defined by those sitting in their pews.
Most religions/cults put forth the very notion that God “formed man of the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2.7). A member of either group that questions the creationism belief can lead to excommunication, the act of banishing a member of a church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the church thereby cutting them off from the religious society. Questioning
the teaching of an organized religion/cult on such a topic is considered heresy which, as defined by the Catholic Church is "a species of infidelity in men who, having professed the faith of Christ, corrupt its dogmas" (Aquinas).
Both groups offer a promise that whatever your past transgretions may be, everything can be forgiven. Beaten a little old lady for her purse? No need to fear, religions/cults have you covered if your concerned about your immortal soul, “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things become new” (2 Cor. 5.17). So, come to Christ and all is forgiven. There are many passages in the Bible that refer to the clearing of your transgresions by asking forgivness from God. While some of the religions/cults vary on the manner in which you must ask, the result is still the same, your entrance into heaven.
From a major organized religion such as the Catholic Church, down the newest cult Jesus wannabe, all need money to function. Since most use the same text of the Bible, there is no need to beg. Afterall, their God will do the begging for them. In the Old Testiment of the Bible it reads, “and all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, to of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords: it is holy unto the Lord” (Levi. 27.30). This passage is intruprited as everything you have is God’s and you need to share it. If this does not convince church going members to give, then maybe this will: “with blessings, I will bless you…” (Hebr. 6.19). Replacing the word blessing with the word money, one could develope the idea that God, not the Church needs the money. It is a generally accepted practice that your tithing should be ten percent of your gross income. Should that prove to be to much, we have yet another solution for that: “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9.7).
Many critics of cults come from organized religions themselves. The cult is often portrayed as violent, non comforming, and promotes evil doings to mindless followers. While with some cults that may be true, lets not forget the violent and mindless acts commited in the name of many of the worlds largest religious groups. One does not need to look very far into history to find the first of these countless events. For example, in 1994 a Catholic priest ordered that a bulldozer demolish a church in western Rwanda that was hiding 2000 Tutsi refugees from certain slaughter by the Hutus (NPR). All 2000 were killed. The Catholic church declined to comment. Another Catholic church evil doing was in 1935. The Pope canonised Sir, now Saint, Thomas More. Between 1513 and 1518 he “murdered and burned alive and estimated 300 heretics and reformers, just because their superstitious beliefs differed from his own” (Achroyd 115). The fact that he himself was killed for the same reason does not suddenly absolve him of his crimes. Indeed, it seems like justice. The Islamic religion is no stranger to murder, Andrew Bostom concludes that “the Islamic religion has enslaved and murdered an estimated 137 million christians and africans during the last 1400 year jihad that has been self proclaimed” (253).
While scholars will long debate the differences between religions and cults, I will not. When the line between two entities is so blurred, they in essance become one in the same. A cult can seem odd and distant to some people, just the way the Mormons, Catholics and Islamic people were looked at before their sects were established. I think the difference between cults and religions can only be defined by those sitting in their pews.
Friday, May 4, 2007
latest rant
So, I have been abit busy lately and have neglected all of you in cyber land. I will now make up for all that with a few rants about crap I heard on CNN in the last few days.
The head of the CDC said that during a flu pandemic you should wear a mask. Even though they have not been proven to be of ANY help....your best option, stay away from sick people.... THATS WHAT THIS DUMB BITCH SAID. stay away from sick people is the best thing to do. Thank god that Bush appoints only the most smartest peoples to head the very agencies that protect us. I feel so much safer.
Next, the government of Mexico said that since the year 2000 they have lost more citizens to immigration into the U.S. than death.
Way to go border patrol, keep up all that GREAT work.
Paris Hilton is in jail for 45 days...what can I say....HORRAY! Finally some good news. Maybe she will find a big lez to calm her skinny ass down.
The head of the CDC said that during a flu pandemic you should wear a mask. Even though they have not been proven to be of ANY help....your best option, stay away from sick people.... THATS WHAT THIS DUMB BITCH SAID. stay away from sick people is the best thing to do. Thank god that Bush appoints only the most smartest peoples to head the very agencies that protect us. I feel so much safer.
Next, the government of Mexico said that since the year 2000 they have lost more citizens to immigration into the U.S. than death.
Way to go border patrol, keep up all that GREAT work.
Paris Hilton is in jail for 45 days...what can I say....HORRAY! Finally some good news. Maybe she will find a big lez to calm her skinny ass down.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
AMEN!
Finally, it is gone. It has flown the coup. I began dreading my favorite reality show knowing it was on. American Idol some how let a complete no talent slip through its screening process. You could see by the body language of the other contestants that the prissy, clueless Sanjaya was not a welcome friend. Its doesn't take much in an arena of extreme talent for crap to stand out. In fact, I am sure that each of the remaining Idols could smell the shit that the pile was made of.
I am not sure if the producers booted him off, or if he really did get the least votes. I tend to lean toward the first. It was a wise decision either way.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Shooting
I know the blog world is all abuzz with the Virginia Tech shootings. Senseless. Horrific. Conspiracy?
I want each of you to think of the pollowing thoughts. Just ask yourself; is it possible?
*On Monday nearly every cable news show was going to be devoted to discussing the Alberto Gonzales hearings. That hearing was scheduled to be Tuesday.
*The FBI has a training facility in Quantico Virginia, not all that far from campus.
*Halliburton has a security training facility also near campus.
*On Monday there were severe bombings in Iraq
For the administration to divert the news off of Iraq and the Attorney General, they needed something big. But not something that would further damage the worlds view of the U.S. Solution: have a "crazy" foreigner attack a liberal campus, make it the worst masacre in U.S. history, and kill several foreign students to bring in international support.
Follow so far? Good. Now hopefully you can see that maybe, just maybe there may be something to this.
I want each of you to think of the pollowing thoughts. Just ask yourself; is it possible?
*On Monday nearly every cable news show was going to be devoted to discussing the Alberto Gonzales hearings. That hearing was scheduled to be Tuesday.
*The FBI has a training facility in Quantico Virginia, not all that far from campus.
*Halliburton has a security training facility also near campus.
*On Monday there were severe bombings in Iraq
For the administration to divert the news off of Iraq and the Attorney General, they needed something big. But not something that would further damage the worlds view of the U.S. Solution: have a "crazy" foreigner attack a liberal campus, make it the worst masacre in U.S. history, and kill several foreign students to bring in international support.
Follow so far? Good. Now hopefully you can see that maybe, just maybe there may be something to this.
Monday, April 9, 2007
tard
I am taking a few courses at Portland Community College this term. I thought it might be a good experience for me. I would hate to die, only to have the newspaper say, "and he was a high school graduate", only to stop there. How sad. To die in the greatest civilization on earth uneducated. I know education comes in many forms. Some have life education, street education, and then the edumacated from skol. LOL
So far I am taking retarted math. All right, its not total retard math, there is only course LOWER that I could have placed in. My course needed a minumu of 35 on the test, I scored a VERY respectable 35! Only two points away from needing someone to wipe my ass and catch the drool that flows, since I would be a total American tard. To my suprise, the "testor" said that I did not score all that low for most American born people. She tolf me that most asians, and europieans tend to score much higher. Not sure if I should be offended or embarrased by that. I be thinkin the latter of the two. As you can read, even my english if pretty American.
I dont know why we dont value education the way some other cultures do. Hell, we dont even value life the way some do.
Yet, despite all that, we are still the greatest civilization in history. The Romans, a close second.
I feel Cesar falling...dont you?
So far I am taking retarted math. All right, its not total retard math, there is only course LOWER that I could have placed in. My course needed a minumu of 35 on the test, I scored a VERY respectable 35! Only two points away from needing someone to wipe my ass and catch the drool that flows, since I would be a total American tard. To my suprise, the "testor" said that I did not score all that low for most American born people. She tolf me that most asians, and europieans tend to score much higher. Not sure if I should be offended or embarrased by that. I be thinkin the latter of the two. As you can read, even my english if pretty American.
I dont know why we dont value education the way some other cultures do. Hell, we dont even value life the way some do.
Yet, despite all that, we are still the greatest civilization in history. The Romans, a close second.
I feel Cesar falling...dont you?
Saturday, April 7, 2007
a day in the life....
When selecting a career, there are many variables to consider. Most people tend to look at what the pay and benefit package include, whether the job is indoors, or if they could be hurt while on the job site. However, there are those that do not consider pay, health care, or for that matter personal safety. So, at the ripe old age of twenty one, I entered the academy to become a Police Officer for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Being a street cop in Las Vegas was a daunting task. With the heat at times soaring to well over one hundred fifteen degrees, tensions were twice as hot. Racing along the scorching asphalt responding to call after call got very monotonous for me after three years. On a fateful day, I saw a posting in the briefing room advertising, no, taunting me to become a motorcycle traffic officer. The thought of riding a Harley Davidson all day, with the wind on your face and the sun at your back thrilled me to no end. The independence also drew me in. No longer would I have to knock on some crack heads door , waiting for the twelve gauge shotgun shell to greet me, just to say “hey, keep your music down.”
The duties of a traffic officer were very specific. Respond to citizen calls reporting accidents, and the task most tax payers hated us doing; radar and traffic law enforcement. Of course there were the very exciting special events of providing motorcade support for various visiting dignitaries. Being in a city called “Americas Playground” meant that there were many of those visits. All this made going to work very enjoyable.
Four days after my third anniversary of joining the traffic unit, the planets aligned and put into several sequences of time that would forever change many lives. On this fateful August day, the first sequence set in motion was that of fifty three year old Silly Sam. (name of course changed) Mr. Sam had an extensive criminal record dating back well over 30 years. His crimes ranged from petty theft to attempted murder back in the ‘70’s. On this day, he was on parole for his fourth driving under the influence conviction, and had only been out the Nevada State Prison thirteen days after serving five years and seven months. He had been on a party spree that would have put Paris and Britany to shame. Liquored up for three days, this day he decided to add meth to his litany of vices.
Having met a lovely lady of the night, he decided to treat themselves to a swanky, stylish kitchenette room at the Budget Suites. Feeling himself approaching the dreaded “come down” of his high, he began driving faster and faster to get to his room. His new found friend decided that she did not want to continue the party elsewhere and insisted that he drive her home instead. Mr. Sam became irate, realizing that the date would not go as he planned; he made a perilous u-turn.
Making traffic stops in Las Vegas usually are simple and short. Most people know why they are being pulled over, and despite the verbal abuse that sometimes flowed, most tended to know they were in fact in violation of the law. The difficulty that arises out of a stop is always the location. Many of the major roadways in Las Vegas are three lanes each direction. The speed limit tends to be forty five mile per hour, and there is seldom a bike lane or break down lane. The only thing between the officer and a truck barreling toward him is twelve hundred pound motorcycle.
Now the second sequence of events unfolded. I usually did not do radar duty during the morning rush commute. Since the heat becomes even more unbearable later in the day, and sitting on a roasting street corner at four in the afternoon was getting old, I decided to conduct speed enforcement in the morning this day. My first stop involved a eighty nine year old World War One veteran, who’s momentum was at a snails pace to say the best. Realizing that he posed a danger to himself and those that are in the mad dash to work, I cranked my cycle on and pulled behind him. I switched on my lights and siren to signal him to pull over. He gave no indications of knowing I was there. I pulled along side of him and saw that he was elderly. After one half mile he turned to look left and saw me. Immediately after that, he pulled his car, ever so slowly to the curb. I positioned my cycle some fifteen feet behind his vehicle at an angle to provide the other drivers a clear view of my cycle and its lights. After listening to his explanation that he thought he was in a school zone, I asked for his license, and proceeded back to my cycle to conduct a radio check of his driver license and driver history.
Waiting for a driver’s history always took a several minutes when using the general information radio channel. This day was to be no exception. I was standing just behind my cycle, and about three feet from the curb. As usual, the sight of a police motorcycle with someone stopped was causing a small traffic bottleneck. I half heartedly began direction the rubber-neckers around the both of us. While waiting for the dispatcher to reply, I heard the
unmistakable squeal of rubber on asphalt. The sound was so close. Almost as if the sound was literality inside my ear canal. Instinctively I began to look around and simultaneously began backing up toward the sidewalk. I was about half way to the curb when I saw it; the grill of a full sized Dodge pick up truck staring me down. The driver made eye contact with me; we saw each others deepest fears. If one could see into the soul of another, it happened at that moment.
There was nowhere for me to go. I could only stand there; in the path of that careening truck. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and said goodbye to this life.
The pain was slow in coming. In fact, the first sensation I felt was that of being on a cloud. Later, the detectives told me that most likely that cloud like feeling I had was from soaring through the air twenty seven feet. That’s when the pain hit. Coincidently, at the precise moment I landed on the McDonalds parking lot pavement.
I don’t remember many of the details after seeing the truck’s grill. I awoke at University Medical Center with a fractured skull, a compound fracture to the left arm, broken pelvis, and one heck of migraine. And that’s not counting the many bumps and bruises that covered my body. Any major improvements during recovery took almost two tears.
Each person will make what appear to be random decisions daily. Choosing to go left instead of right, while seemingly random, can set into motion events that we could never imagine. Always choose wisely. It is with that in the forefront of thought, which my daily life continues.
Being a street cop in Las Vegas was a daunting task. With the heat at times soaring to well over one hundred fifteen degrees, tensions were twice as hot. Racing along the scorching asphalt responding to call after call got very monotonous for me after three years. On a fateful day, I saw a posting in the briefing room advertising, no, taunting me to become a motorcycle traffic officer. The thought of riding a Harley Davidson all day, with the wind on your face and the sun at your back thrilled me to no end. The independence also drew me in. No longer would I have to knock on some crack heads door , waiting for the twelve gauge shotgun shell to greet me, just to say “hey, keep your music down.”
The duties of a traffic officer were very specific. Respond to citizen calls reporting accidents, and the task most tax payers hated us doing; radar and traffic law enforcement. Of course there were the very exciting special events of providing motorcade support for various visiting dignitaries. Being in a city called “Americas Playground” meant that there were many of those visits. All this made going to work very enjoyable.
Four days after my third anniversary of joining the traffic unit, the planets aligned and put into several sequences of time that would forever change many lives. On this fateful August day, the first sequence set in motion was that of fifty three year old Silly Sam. (name of course changed) Mr. Sam had an extensive criminal record dating back well over 30 years. His crimes ranged from petty theft to attempted murder back in the ‘70’s. On this day, he was on parole for his fourth driving under the influence conviction, and had only been out the Nevada State Prison thirteen days after serving five years and seven months. He had been on a party spree that would have put Paris and Britany to shame. Liquored up for three days, this day he decided to add meth to his litany of vices.
Having met a lovely lady of the night, he decided to treat themselves to a swanky, stylish kitchenette room at the Budget Suites. Feeling himself approaching the dreaded “come down” of his high, he began driving faster and faster to get to his room. His new found friend decided that she did not want to continue the party elsewhere and insisted that he drive her home instead. Mr. Sam became irate, realizing that the date would not go as he planned; he made a perilous u-turn.
Making traffic stops in Las Vegas usually are simple and short. Most people know why they are being pulled over, and despite the verbal abuse that sometimes flowed, most tended to know they were in fact in violation of the law. The difficulty that arises out of a stop is always the location. Many of the major roadways in Las Vegas are three lanes each direction. The speed limit tends to be forty five mile per hour, and there is seldom a bike lane or break down lane. The only thing between the officer and a truck barreling toward him is twelve hundred pound motorcycle.
Now the second sequence of events unfolded. I usually did not do radar duty during the morning rush commute. Since the heat becomes even more unbearable later in the day, and sitting on a roasting street corner at four in the afternoon was getting old, I decided to conduct speed enforcement in the morning this day. My first stop involved a eighty nine year old World War One veteran, who’s momentum was at a snails pace to say the best. Realizing that he posed a danger to himself and those that are in the mad dash to work, I cranked my cycle on and pulled behind him. I switched on my lights and siren to signal him to pull over. He gave no indications of knowing I was there. I pulled along side of him and saw that he was elderly. After one half mile he turned to look left and saw me. Immediately after that, he pulled his car, ever so slowly to the curb. I positioned my cycle some fifteen feet behind his vehicle at an angle to provide the other drivers a clear view of my cycle and its lights. After listening to his explanation that he thought he was in a school zone, I asked for his license, and proceeded back to my cycle to conduct a radio check of his driver license and driver history.
Waiting for a driver’s history always took a several minutes when using the general information radio channel. This day was to be no exception. I was standing just behind my cycle, and about three feet from the curb. As usual, the sight of a police motorcycle with someone stopped was causing a small traffic bottleneck. I half heartedly began direction the rubber-neckers around the both of us. While waiting for the dispatcher to reply, I heard the
unmistakable squeal of rubber on asphalt. The sound was so close. Almost as if the sound was literality inside my ear canal. Instinctively I began to look around and simultaneously began backing up toward the sidewalk. I was about half way to the curb when I saw it; the grill of a full sized Dodge pick up truck staring me down. The driver made eye contact with me; we saw each others deepest fears. If one could see into the soul of another, it happened at that moment.
There was nowhere for me to go. I could only stand there; in the path of that careening truck. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and said goodbye to this life.
The pain was slow in coming. In fact, the first sensation I felt was that of being on a cloud. Later, the detectives told me that most likely that cloud like feeling I had was from soaring through the air twenty seven feet. That’s when the pain hit. Coincidently, at the precise moment I landed on the McDonalds parking lot pavement.
I don’t remember many of the details after seeing the truck’s grill. I awoke at University Medical Center with a fractured skull, a compound fracture to the left arm, broken pelvis, and one heck of migraine. And that’s not counting the many bumps and bruises that covered my body. Any major improvements during recovery took almost two tears.
Each person will make what appear to be random decisions daily. Choosing to go left instead of right, while seemingly random, can set into motion events that we could never imagine. Always choose wisely. It is with that in the forefront of thought, which my daily life continues.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
The crap we have to endure
I have been sitting on my ever growing ass lately watching c-span, cnn, and all the other news channels. I find myself becomming more angry with each passing segment. This shit with the Attorney General firing U.S. Attorneys, only to replace them with "bushies" is simply horrable. I know that a President has the right to replace them at his will, bit come on. When does your "loyality" to your henchmen end, and your obligation to the American people begin? There are few government agiencies that we as Americans can depend on to truely protect us. The Jusstice department was, yes, I said was one of them. When opression, crime, and terriosim befell each of us, the Justice department could be counted on to defend us. That integrity has been shattered just as if Lady Justice fell off the Supreme Court building and landed squarly on her head. Why would someone sworn to uphold our Constitution choose to ignore the basic principals it stands for? One word....MONEY. This administrations allegience to money is sickening. I know that many things have been done on the name of money, war, murder, pain....but to sell US, the American people out????? Screw you Mr. President. I count the seconds until your treacherous ass is out of the Oval Office, and office that is far more dignified then you will ever be.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
me on youtube!!
The below youtube videos are of me....yes all of me, from the March 18 protests in Portland. I started talking to this guy, and now I am on youtube. My screen debut!
I know
I know, I know, I know....Its been way to long, and I am new to this. Dont get your thong in a bunch. Relax, I am here to set all your thoughts on the correct path to peace. HAHAHa
So, what have I been doing you may wonder? well....I went ot he Portland peace march on the 18th. Ok, I didnt actually march, as being fat is my only goal, but I did go to the end of the march to watch the splinter groups get beat by the police. That was fun. The link actually shows an "interview" I did with an aging hippie. He asked what I thought about what was going on, so I told him. Its interesting to listen to me blather on and on about the situation.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
stunned
It appears that I am getting wrapped up in the Idol drama. Oh well, call me silly, or just call me.
How can they still keep sanjaia? I dont understand...
I snapped this picture as I was driving by a nursing home for nuns.
I was alittle stunned to not see a little Jesus on the cross, and then I noticed the ladder. Does he climb down for lunch?
Waiting
27 whole minutes until Idol is on and I can see that train wreck Sanjaia (spelled something like that) get voted off. I know we should probably be pulling for him, but I just can't handle hearing his pre gone crazy michael jackson voice one more time!!
Besides, unless they come out to all of us, I dont fell that support is deserved. Are you hearing me Anderson Cooper??!! Come out so I can watch your show again!! KNOCK KNOCK, its big Andy at your back door!
I still keep thinking about Peter Pace. Dont know why. But I do. It would be nice to hear the entire recording to see how the gay issue came up, or if he brought it up on his own. MMMMMM, to many people thinking about what we all do in bed. If one thinks about it, are the actual visuals running through their head??????????? Is the Chairman is having daily gay porn video shoots in his mind??
Ok I will be back after Idol....on Fox....LOL
Besides, unless they come out to all of us, I dont fell that support is deserved. Are you hearing me Anderson Cooper??!! Come out so I can watch your show again!! KNOCK KNOCK, its big Andy at your back door!
I still keep thinking about Peter Pace. Dont know why. But I do. It would be nice to hear the entire recording to see how the gay issue came up, or if he brought it up on his own. MMMMMM, to many people thinking about what we all do in bed. If one thinks about it, are the actual visuals running through their head??????????? Is the Chairman is having daily gay porn video shoots in his mind??
Ok I will be back after Idol....on Fox....LOL
tonights Idol
Just got done watching tonight's American Idol. WOW. There were two outstanding performers tonight. Lakisha and Melinda. These tow just belt out amazing performances. Each time they stand up on the stage, they both not only exude pure joy when singing, they also SING!
I know only one can win, and I know it wont be Lakisha. Even though she is my Favorite, I just don't think that the votes will tally in her favor. She will go on to have a wonderful career, and I will be one of the first people in line to buy her first CD.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Halliburton
I don't want anyone to think that I am about to go on a rant about Cheneys company, Halliburton. I would not classify this as a rant, just a point to make to any congress folks out there that may stumble onto this blog.
It seems very interesting that Halliburton is opening another corporate HQ in Dubai of all places. In the press releases it says that the CEO will be based in that location. Thought: If the CEO goes, is given some sort of citizenship in Dubai then would he be subject to a subpoena? If Halliburton calls the Dubai location a "headquarters" and all of their records are shipped there, do they have to comply with a subpoena?
It would seem that this may be a motive....Like I said, just a thought.
The General
Well it seems another appointee of our scholar the President has given us another example of the term "foot in mouth".In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, and not widely reported by Fox News, OUR Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said:
"My upbringing is such that I believe that there are certain things, certain types of conduct that are immoral. I believe that military members who sleep with other military members' wives are immoral in their conduct."
Pace also told the paper, "I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts. So the 'don't ask, don't tell' [policy] allows an individual to serve the country ... if we know about immoral acts, regardless of committed by who, then we have a responsibility. I do not believe that the armed forces are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way, not just with regards to homosexual acts."
So, in essence they should not serve? I am not sure what the General was ultimately trying to get at. Was he saying that all gay and lesbian uniformed personnel should be booted out of the respective service they are in? If that is the case, then I would call upon all our brothers and sisters in Iraq to call General Pace and demand that they be allowed to leave the war theatre as they are "immoral".
I am also amazed that the highest ranking military officer publicly questioned an established policy of the armed services. This policy of don't ask, don't tell, while dumb as hell, is still that, POLICY. He should get behind it. (don't go there you filthy minded sex monkeys)
Of course, today he came out to clarify his remarks, and try to make nice. Funny how this administration continues to have their appointees flap their lips and gums, only to come out later and go....oops.
When will this country wake up and see that discrimination against ANYONE is soooo 1980.
All you have to do is look in our great nations history to see our mistakes. There was a time when white soldiers would not serve with blacks as it would destroy "unit cohesiveness". The same is said about our race. And yes, I believe we should call make ourselves a separate race. Just like, blacks, asians, etc. If we were in fact classified that way, then all the crappy laws banning us from equal rights would become mute. Instead of checking the box that says, white or black, check off OTHER and write in GAY. Then write it again, GAY GAY GAY!
When filing out your tax form, write GAY in occupation, write gay parent, write parent of a gay man/woman. Lets really track where our dollars go.
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