Yeah, Right, Whatever

The National Academy of Sciences issued a 328-page report based on 253 journal articles, 99 books, 43 government publications, a survey of 80 different gun-control laws and some of its own independent study. In short, the panel could find no link between restrictions on gun ownership and lower rates of crime, firearms violence or even accidents with guns.

The panel was established during the Clinton administration and all but one of its members were known to favor gun control.

Meanwhile, a study released by the Justice Department suggesting background checks at gun shows would do little to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals.

The report was the result of interviews with more than 18,000 state and federal inmates conducted nationwide. It found that nearly 80 percent of those interviewed got their guns from friends or family members, or on the street through illegal purchases... Less than 9 percent were bought at retail outlets and only seven-tenths of 1 percent came from gun shows.

But U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Jan Egeland suggested that the United States and other Western nations were being "stingy" with relief funds, saying there would be more available if taxes were raised... "There are several donors who are less generous than before in a growing world economy," he said, adding that politicians in the United States and Europe "believe that they are really burdening the taxpayers too much, and the taxpayers want to give less. It's not true. They want to give more."

In response to Mr. Egeland's comments, Mr. Duffy pointed out that the United States is "the largest contributor to international relief and aid efforts, not only through the government, but through charitable organizations. The American people are very giving."

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. (Matt 24:7-8)

There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves (Luke 21;25)

Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. (Mark 13:29)

But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. (Mark 13:32-33)

Someone asked Francis what he would do today if he knew the Lord would return tomorrow.

"Plant a tree."

"Why would you plant a tree?"

"Because that is what I had planned to do today."

NASA's Mars rover Opportunity seems to have stumbled into something akin to a carwash that has left its solar panels much cleaner than those of its twin rover, Spirit. A Martian carwash would account for a series of unexpected boosts in the electrical power produced by Opportunity's solar panels....

Rover team leader Jim Erickson at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, told New Scientist that a process still not understood has repeatedly removed dust from the solar panels. "These exciting and unexplained cleaning events have kept Opportunity in really great shape," he says....

Whatever the process, it has taken place while Opportunity was parked during the Martian night. On at least four occasions over a six-month period, the rover's power output increased by up to 5% overnight. At the time, the team speculated that wind may have swept the dust off the panels or frost may have caused it to clump, exposing more of the panels.

1. "Adoro te devote, latens Deitas.'' "Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore."

On this night, the opening words of this celebrated Eucharistic hymn echo in my heart. These words accompany me daily in this year dedicated to the Eucharist.

In the Son of the Virgin, "wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger'' (Lk 2:12), we acknowledge and adore "the Bread which came down from heaven'' (Jn 6:41, 51), the Redeemer who came among us in order to bring life to the world.

2. Bethlehem! The city where Jesus was born in fulfillment of the Scriptures, in Hebrew means "house of bread.'' It was there that the Messiah was to be born, the One who would say of himself: "I am the bread of life'' (Jn 6:35, 48).

In Bethlehem was born the One who, under the sign of broken bread, would leave us the memorial of his Pasch. On this Holy Night, adoration of the Child Jesus becomes Eucharistic adoration.

3. We adore you, Lord, truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar, the living Bread which gives life to humanity. We acknowledge you as our one God, a little Child lying helpless in the manger! "In the fullness of time, you became a man among men, to unite the end to the beginning, that is, man to God'' (cf. Saint Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, IV, 20, 4).

You are born on this Night, our divine Redeemer, and, in our journey along the paths of time, you become for us the food of eternal life.

Look upon us, eternal Son of God, who took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary! All humanity, with its burden of trials and troubles, stands in need of you.

Stay with us, living Bread which came down from heaven for our salvation! Stay with us forever! Amen!

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirin'i-us was governor of Syria. And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

1. fresh fish (yum!)
   
2. lobster (yum yet again)
   
3. steak (They're joking, right? There are people who have never cut into a perfectly grilled steak? How sad...)
   
4. Thai food (great Thai place in town... love it)
   
5. Chinese food (T1 and T2 think this is comfort food)
   
6. Ice cream (uh... another joke?)
   
7. pizza (just had some last night)
   
8. crab ( mmm... crab legs with drawn butter... )
   
9. curry (I need to check the definition, but... see "Thai food")
   
10. prawns (where's the cocktail sauce?)
    
11. Moreton Bay Bugs (ok... you got me there... what is THAT?)
    
12. Clam Chowder (oooo... I need to make some of that... it's perfect weather for some chowder)
    
13. barbecues (uh... I live in Texas...)
    
14. pancakes (what? do they not have pancakes in England???)
    
15. pasta (one of the reasons Hubby married me is my spaghetti sauce...)
    
16. mussels (favorite meal with mussels was at a place in Virginia Beach- Hubby had something called a "Fish Bowl"- several kinds of seafood in a wonderful broth with rice noodles... maybe I need to figure out that recipe)
    
17. cheesecake (not my favorite, but The Cheesecake Factory is making me a convert)
    
18. lamb (yum... my garlic leg of lamb is "to die for", I tell you)
    
19. cream tea (got me again- never have had a proper tea)
    
20. alligator (tastes like chicken... no, really)
    
21. oysters (tried them... not a big fan... probably need to try them again)
    
22. kangaroo (can't say I've had that pleasure)
    
23. chocolate (oh, yeah... )
    
24. sandwiches (rubens are yum... so are O'Reilly's... otherwise... not a huge fan)
    
25. greek food (mmm.... baklava...moussaka... feta cheese...)
26. burgers (like I said, this HAS to be aimed at Brits)
    
27. mexican food (mmm.... real Mexican... not Texican or TeMex)
    
28. squid (not bad fried, but...)
    
29. American diner breakfast (I actually prefer the Full English, but...)
    
30. salmon (raw, smoked, grilled, poached, stuffed, baked... )
    
31. venison (have had jerky and in chili... I like it)
    
32. guinea pig (uh... no)
    
33. shark (a nice grilled shark steak is a beautiful thing)
    
34. sushi (also on T1 and T2's list of comfort food... no joke)
    
35. paella (hmmm... not that I know of...)
    
36. Barramundi (guess I need to make a trip to Australia)
    
37. reindeer (not bad... had it at a restaurant once)
    
38. kebab (yum)
    
39. scallops (I'm all in favor of all this seafood... I love scallops)
    
40. Australian meat pie (technically, I think I make this... isn't that a shepherd's pie?)
    
41. mango (not a big mango fan... but I have had it)
    
42. durian fruit (I've had Durian candy, and that's enough for me... eeewwww)
    
43. octopus (feels like you're chewing rubber bands)
    
44. ribs (once again, I'm in Texas... then again... you need to go to Tennessee for some good pork ribs...)
    
45. roast beef (with mashed potatoes and gravy... yummm)
    
46. tapas (haven't had the pleasure yet... need to remedy that)
    
47. jerk chicken/pork (hmmm... don't think I've had that... sounds yummy, though)
    
48. haggis (uh... no... not sure about that one... just sounds... nasty)
    
49. caviar (yum)
    
50. cornish pasty (my grandmother used to make these all the time... I love 'em)

MEMRI said the drama (called "For You, Palestine," or "Zahra's Blue Eyes") was written and directed by former Iranian education ministry official Ali Derakhshn.

The series is set in Israel and the West Bank, and it details an Israeli plot to harvest organs from Palestinian children, particularly eyes, for use in transplants.

Dude! MTV's "The Real World" is headed to Austin, Texas. "We've been thinking about Austin for a long time," co-creator and executive producer Jon Murray told The Associated Press Wednesday.... The show brings together seven strangers between the ages of 18 and 24 to live in a swanky loft or house and films them around the clock, at home and on the town....

Murray also wouldn't say where the house is (as if the kids at UT won't have it figured out within a week- 6th Street beware! - ed.), and he was tightlipped on the identities of the seven strangers, though he said his casting staff did "a bit of an outreach to people returning from Iraq."

Most presidents since the beginning of the 20th century have granted hundreds if not thousands of pardons and sentence commutations, led by Franklin D. Roosevelt's 3,687 over four terms. Only two presidents never used their constitutional authority to grant clemency: 19th century chief executives James Garfield (who held office less than a year before he was assassinated - ed.) and William H. Harrison (who passed away less than a month after taking office- ed.).

Groups targeting President Bush's economic agenda, the legitimacy of his election and the war in Iraq plan a week of events to counter his inauguration Jan. 20.

"Our intention is to show President Bush and the world our movement is energized, mobilized and determined to fight back," said Gael Murphy, of the activist group Code Pink.

"What I expect is more people will be here to protest Bush's inauguration than to inaugurate him," Lytel said.Lytel said his group will film events on Inauguration Day and release a documentary online that evening. They also plan a protest near the Capitol on Jan. 6, the day Congress will certify the electoral votes and officially declare Bush the winner.

"It's a no-win for people in the House," the moderate, 10-year House veteran from rural Illinois said recently. "We risk our political careers. We risk 30-second ads against you saying, 'You voted to gut Social Security.'"

Take the Polygeek Quiz at Thudfactor.com

17 March 1983 - 09 December 2004

We are here this afternoon not to mourn the passing of a Marine, but to celebrate the life of a friend, a brother. Cpl Kyle J Renehan was both of these and much, much more. Kyle was the type of person that you always enjoyed being around. There was something about him that would always make you smile. Whether a smart quip here, or a random comment there, he would always know how to raise your spirits. I would learn all this as we began our journey…

Aside from the actual job, Kyle’s main goal here was to “go down in Cherry Point ATC history.” In the summer of 2003 our NCOIC had gotten some word that we, Lance Corporals, were finding out some things that should never have reached our ears. As expected, plans were made to “squash the Lance Corporal Underground.” Due to this, Kyle, LCpl Foster and myself obviously could not go around calling ourselves the Lance Corporal Underground, so we made a joke of it and shortened the name to the “LCU.” Now I’m only throwing this in here because the LCU wasn’t just about work. The LCU started out as kind of a joke but soon became real. We formed a bond, a brotherhood, a group of best friends that would do anything for each other. Even our ’sponsors,’ as we called them, felt this same way. Sgt Yoder, Sgt Tims, Sgt Hutto, Sgt Setzer, Sgt Spaulding and Cpl Chastain all were major influences on our lives both at work and at home. We knew that they were there for us, and they knew that we would be there for them if they ever needed anything. The LCU encompassed so many and told the story of a tight-knit community that would soon become a family. In fact, we always had a rule that we would impose on each other, thanks to Kyle. “If one goes, two go. If two go, we all go.” This was the rule that Kyle made up so we wouldn’t be separated. Whether it be one person volunteering for field day, one person told to watch out for a new Marine, or one billet, the others were there side by side offering to help. Kyle liked to take advantage of his rule every now and then when it came to helping out the younger Marines. I remember one time a new Marine had failed a barracks field day because the room he was assigned was left in horrible condition. Amongst complaining from both Foster and myself, Kyle volunteered to help this Marine field day at 2100 on a Thursday night knowing we had a day watch the next morning. That’s the type of person Kyle was. He is what made the LCU strong and he is what kept us together. He is what made LCpl Tapia, LCpl Simmons, LCpl Woodard, LCpl Stewart, LCpl Foster and myself part of the self-proclaimed “Greatest Empire in Cherry Point ATC” history.

Kyle was always looking for ‘a way’ to go down in history. He thought about it so much one time, he tried to convince Foster and myself to go in on a Golf cart that was on display in a parking lot along Highway 70. Granted the golf cart was 4x4, had a CD player with external speakers, was equipped with NOS and was pulling a giant pig roaster, but Kyle wanted to use it as a vehicle for the crew. He wanted us to pour $2,000 into a yellow golf cart with red flames on both sides, so that our crew would have something that the other crews didn‘t. He always wanted to have and be the best.

The funny thing is, Kyle isn’t going to be remembered for what he did. He isn’t going to be remember for being the youngest, most junior Marine in the facility’s history with a TRACON rating before he departed for the MEU. He isn’t going to be remembered for creating the “Victory Run” along the airfield, he isn’t going to be remembered for the Meritorious Boards he went up on, and he isn’t going to be remembered for the board he won even though his right back pocket was discovered unbuttoned although he was closely inspected by one of his best friends who also happened to be his competition. Kyle J Renehan is going to be remembered for the person he was. He is going to be remembered for the motivation, dedication, loyalty, and care that he showed everyone he encountered. He’s going to be remembered as the friend that would offer to pick you up from the airport, wait around for a couple of hours because you told him the wrong flight time, and still be there when the plane landed to greet you with a smile and comforting words. He’ll be remembered as the comrade who offers to cancel his plans for a 96 because you need someone take you down to Atlanta to get your car back after a 6 month deployment. He’ll be remembered as the guy who would wake up at all hours of the morning and go out to Burger King or Dunkin’ Donuts to make sure you had a ride on base. He will be remembered as the brother that touched so many of our lives and helped make us who we are today.

“Can someone tell me how this can happen, I guess that God only knows…” I take this quote from a song written by Edwin McCain because that’s the question and answer that continues to run through my mind each and every day. I take solace in this answer only because I know Kyle’s Christian background. He is where he has always expected to be, in heaven, watching over us all. That’s the reason for his volunteering to go fight. He enlisted in the Marine Corps to do a job and he knew the consequences of war, and he was ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice. He actually told Foster and myself that he was going to come back with a scar on his face and two more ribbons than us. He was so proud to defend this great country of ours and dedicated this chance, this opportunity to God.

Now I have attempted the impossible. I have tried my best to come up with the perfect words to describe Kyle Renehan. There simply are not enough words in the English language to describe the friendship, loyalty, and love that Kyle displayed to us all. He talked us up when we were down, he led us through some rough times, and he helped to create an undying force within each and every one of us. Kyle you will not be forgotten, for you achieved your goal. You have gone down as the greatest friend in Cherry Point ATC history!

I found a poem online last week that I would like to read submitted by an anonymous writer:

Although Kyle never got his promotion ceremony and he never got to wear the rank that he deserved, he will forever be remembered by me as Cpl Kyle Renehan. He always enjoyed the rank he wore, we all did, but at the same time he continued to strive for the goal he had set forth for himself. He wanted to wear those 2 stripes with that cross rifle on his collar. He wanted to show the world those chevrons on his Dress Blues. He wanted to wear the rank that so many before him had made special so many years ago. He simply wanted to excel. And excel he did, beyond anyone’s beliefs. He was always the best, but he would always be the one pointing out someone better, whether it was true or not. Although he never got to stand behind the formation and raise his hand one more time pledging his determination to “set the example for others to emulate,” those that know him also realize that he lived by that concept every day of his life.

Cpl Kyle J Renehan, an outstanding Marine, a true friend, an amazing brother. Rest in Peace, Kyle, and keep those seats warm for the rest of the LCU. We will carry on and continue to fight as I know you desire. Besides you know the rule, “one goes, two go, two go we all go.” I can’t wait to see you again and reform the LCU for all eternity. Thank you for being a part of our lives, you live on forever in our hearts. And to slightly modify one of your favorite songs, WE will be the greatest fans of your life.

We Love You,

Brandon, Fred, J, Michele, Askia, and Drew

Kyle, Josh, Mike, Scott, Jon, and Sam

"LCU Forever!!!"

(Sheriff) Espey was frustrated that it took hours for a statewide amber alert to be issued. The mother was found around 3.30pm, and the amber alert didn't appear until nine hours later.

"We had a live baby, and I thought that should qualify as an amber alert," he said. "The information I was getting was that we didn't have enough information such as hair colour, eye colour, skin complexion, size and weight."

The RW fundies will use it as an argument that there should not be abortion, because, after all, if we had lots of healthy white babies up for abortion instead of being aborted, then whoever killed the mother for the baby would not have been so desperate.

It would probably not enter their minds that anyone insane enough to kill a mother and cut out the fetus/baby is not a good candidate for adopting any baby.

• but the fundy MSM prefers fetus for the sensationalist appeal.
• Sadly, I even heard the BBC refer to the fetus in the Peterson case as an "unborn child".
• If all life is valuable, why aren't there 100,000 amber alerts for Iraqis?
• a BABY does not mean the same to a fundies as a FETUS!!! fetus > baby! comprende?
• We are going to protect the unborn so they can be born into poverty and grow up in an under funded education system so when they fail at school and can not get a job, they will join the military and die in a senseless war to support the wealthy interests.

Now here is an interesting website for you to take a look at. The title says "Choose the Blue." By searching the various categories through this website you can discover which political party PACs are supported by various corporations and corporate employees in several fields of business. The object of the website is to get loyal Democrats to stop spending their money with companies that lend the greater support to the Republican party.

Some examples:

• In the auto insurance category, Progressive Insurance shows a 91% support for Democrats while State Farm shows an 81% level of support for Republicans.
• Virtually all automakers, with the exception of Toyota, leaned heavily to the Republican side. The donation amounts from Toyota were so small as to be meaningless.
• Ditto for auto dealers. They leaned heavily Republican. Exceptions include the Don Beyer Automotive Group and the Potamkin Companies which leaned heavily Democrat; 100% for Don Beyer who operates in the DC beltway area.
• Grocery stores? Costco is 98% on the Democratic side. Wal-Mart grocery stores and employees donate heavily Republican Starbucks? Are you kidding? Solid Democrat.
• Do you like Brusters ice cream? 100% Democratic. Blue Bird and Flowers Industries? 100% Republican. Coca Cola? 66% Republican. Sara Lee? Democratic.
• How about some fast food! Arby's -- 100% Democratic. Wendy's --- 91% Republican. McDonalds? 80% Republican.
• Restaurants? Hard Rock Cafe International donates 100% Democrat. Waffle House is 99% Republican. No wonder I love Waffle House!
• Beer! Drink up. Anheuser-Bush donates 56% to 44% Republican.
• Retail stores? Barnes & Noble is 98% Democrat. No wonder I had such a rough times getting "The Terrible Truth About Liberals" stocked at Barnes and Noble. Home Depot ... 94% Republican. Bed Bath & Beyond .. 93% Democrat. Dollar General .. 100% Republican.
• For you fashion conscious folks. Anne Klein Inc. is 100% Democrat. Donna Karan is 91% Democrat. Ralph Lauren .. 100% Democrat. Tommy Hilfiger ... 91% Democrat. Fruit of the Loom, 100% Republican. Guess jeans? 83% Republican. Those Cintas uniform people? 100% Republican.
• Computers? Apple Computer, 81% Democrat. Dell Computers? 77% Republican. Vision? Republican.

I want you to cruise these categories ... you will see that there are occasional businesses who support Democratic Party politics to a greater extent than they do Republicans .. but for the most part you will see heavy support for Republican policies.

My hair’s turning white, my neck’s always been red, my collar’s still blue
We’ve always been here just tryin’ to sing the truth to you
Guess you could say we’ve always been red white and blue

My daddy’s worked hard and so have I, we’ve paid our taxes and gave our lives
To serve this great country so what are they complaining about
Yeah we love our families, we love our kids
You know it’s love that makes us all so rich
That’s where we’re at and if they don’t like it they can just get the hell out

Parent Jennifer Scott said, "I think it's ignorance, number one. Number two, it's very racist." Scott is outraged about the lyrics. "They're just disrespectful, and I don't agree with the school choosing that particular song for their Christmas pageant," she said.

A portion of the lyrics say, "Santa wrapped his bag with a Dixie flag, he was having the time of his life." That’s one section that has Scott upset. She said, "Rebel flag to me means Confederate flag. Confederate flag is the flag the KKK recognizes as being their flag."

Third-grader Andrew Milburn explained, "It makes me feel dishonor to my color." Scott's eight-year-old son, Andrew, is of mixed race. He won't perform in the pageant because of the song.

"Just makes me feel sad that they had to do this," said Andrew. "‘Cause of my color... ‘Cause they just don't like blacks."

Getting ready involved updating his medical credentials and re-establishing military security clearances. His pre-deployment preparation at Fort Benning, Ga., included making sure he was physically fit and could use a gun. Caulfield carries a gun in a holster strapped to his side, sometimes under his scrubs.

Caulfield said he is glad to be able to help. "I've been a soldier for 25 years," he said. "When your country asks, you do it."