Right As Usual

I found this picture on Curmudgeonly & Skeptical .  I'm using the above picture to test out the Hello + Picasa software combo. It wasn't TOTALLY intuitive to set up, as it needed several tries to get it to publish correctly, but it does give me the ability to post my own pictures on my site, as well as stop piggy-backing on other's bandwidth, which I've long wanted to do. So, one thing I'll be able to do is use images of local sights and events, personal creations (oh Lord, watch out - this can get overly cutesy), Photoshopped stuff. To do that, I'm going to have to play around for a bit - you may have to be indulgent, as I'm less artistic than most. OK, that's completely without any discernable artistic talent or ability.

According to CNN, Vacations are not only good for the soul, your family, your marriage...they're good for your health too. Studies show that women who take at least two vacations a year are 50 percent less likely to develop heart disease than those who go rarely or not at all; men cut their risk by 30 percent. Therefore, I did the unheard-of, and actually took a day off from blogging. It was fun - I exercised, visited with family, puttered around the house, and watched "The Incredibles" on DVD. Although I read some blogs, I refrained from posting for a 24-hour period. In all, it was refreshing. I may start to make a day of rest a regular thing. Maybe I'll extend it to a total day off from the 'Net (wait a minute, that's a little fanatical!).

I've been thinking about so-called "living wills". For those who don't have one, think VERY carefully about whether or not you actually want one. It's been pointed out to me that the "living wills" are actually biased in favor of limiting medical choices. One that starts from a basis in favor of continued existence is the National Right to Life Committee's form, downloadable here . The Living Wills assume that, of course, if you are impaired, you will not want to live. This post, on Free Republic , explains that very issue, and why a Living will may be a bad choice for you. Most people, including the writers of the Webster’s Dictionary, think of “terminal” as “in the final stages of a fatal disease,” that is to mean, a person whose death cannot be prevented by medical treatment. But in many states, you are considered to be in a terminal condition even if your life could be saved by medical treatment, so long as you have a permanent disability of ...

I've been musing over the consequences of the courts' decisions on Schiavo, and I think this is one that will prove to be a sleeper (i.e., one that will change our society in ways unintended). One of the main outcomes of this case (and the other cases (Sun Hudson, a 6-month-old baby) and (Spiro Nikolouzos, whose right to continued life depends on medical coverage) that have reached the news recently) is that your right to continued existence is no longer a given. Anytime you reach a level that someone would consider less than optimal, you could be history. Sun's death marks the first time a hospital has been allowed by a U.S. judge to discontinue an infant's life-sustaining care against a parent's wishes, according to bioethical experts. Neither Hudson nor Nikolouzos were terminal. Hudson had continued much longer than it was believed he could - most babies with his condition die shortly after birth, if not before. His breathing tube was removed over his mother...

I didn't go to bed earlier; my son came home, and I ended up getting interested in some links I had not previously followed. I found this link at The Bad Hair Blog . I didn't realize that Ben Stein had a regular column in the American Spectator. He's one of the few self-identified conservatives in the entertainment industry that retain their popularity. A short excerpt from his column: This is a court system totally out of control, obviously committed to death, obviously bound by nothing beyond its morbid obsession with its own omnipotence and its fascination with the letting the innocent die. This is simply terrifying. The Falange followers of Francisco Franco had an evil cry: Long live death. Obviously, Justice Kennedy was listening.

I'm feeling under the weather - respiratory infection still lingering, tummy upset, general blah! feeling. I may post later, but right now I don't feel like it. Nighty night!

I found this information courtesy of A Mom and Her Blog . Forty PVS patients were studied. They were given therapy to promote communication. Seventeen of the patients (43%!) were found to be able to communicate. The conclusions? These patients were all originally misdiagnosed as PVS, and such a diagnosis cannot be easily made and requires a team of specialists. Perhaps this is an argument of semantics. Were they misdiagnosed or did they emerge from a PVS? It doesn't really matter. What matters is that in this sample 43% of people thought to be in a PVS were able to improve and learn to communicate. Another thing this study revealed is that a disproportionate number of those "misdiagnosed" were those that were visually impaired. The fact that Terri reacts to her mother's face when she gets very close to Terri may indicate that Terri does not see her well at a distance due to her brain damage. Even after Terri dies (and I've basically accepted that it WILL happen), ...

I have a hearing impairment. In my family, it's quite common to lose a significant part of our hearing by middle age. Much of what we do hear comes through as though the speaker is mumbling. It leads to some interesting conversations: Did you say "spank me the goat?" No, I said "hand me the coat". I have a hearing evaluation scheduled for May. At that time, I fully expect to be told that hearing aids may be necessary. Whether or not that happens, I still must make adjustments for my loss of acuity. That's why I found I'm Listening as Hard as I can! to be such a treat. The author, like me, is a non-signing hearing-impaired adult. She talks about her life and the accomodations that she makes for her handicap. You probably know people with hearing loss. This site can give some insight into the realities of their life.

I'm having a little trouble with the idea of Christians accepting Schiavo's death as OK. I've been looking at the pictures of the scene outside the hospice, and everybody official (police, security, media, hospice staff) is just going about their job. How can these people just pretend that it's business as usual? How can they live with the consequences of their actions? Is it a case of moral blinders? Will they wake in the night, many years from now, as some of the women who aborted their children do, agonizing over the irreversibility of their decision? I mean, picture it: Situation Old Response New Response Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause? (Matthew, 19:3-6) What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Hey, you've moved on. She needs to go, of course, for her own good. Feeding the hungry disciples (Mark, 3:24-25) Have you never read what David did when he and those who were with him were in need, and hungry?...and ...

I'm restless today. I keep trying to get some work done, but I keep checking up on the Schiavo status. I've told myself that I am going to get off the computer and get the house back in order, and organize the papers for the 2004 taxes, but I keep returning to Blogger, and writing another post. While checking out my Stats, I found this link to Tom McMahon's page. He says: Ironic, isn't it? In this country a condemned man gets a Last Meal of whatever he wants -- steak, lobster, you name it. So the only thing you can conclude is that mass murderers have more rights than Terri Schiavo. But that's not the worst of it. If a demented disk jockey were to attempt to stage a wacky radio stunt that involved starving a bunch of small rodents, he would be run out of town on a rail. In this country, even gerbils have more rights than Terri Schiavo. Tomorrow is Good Friday. As a Catholic, I am obligated to fast (2 1/2-meals, 1 full meal, no meat). It always seems to be a l...

I work, most days, in a Cleveland-area suburb, substitute teaching. I've done it before, in the Cleveland school district, which was TRULY sucky. Subs in Cleveland are treated very badly, by both administration and students. However, I've had no complaints about my recent sub experience. Both the staff and students are cordial and courteous, and I've had a great year. One little thing that's been driving me nutty - I have a large number of Arabic students, and some of them seem obsessed with the question of Jewishness. As it happens, I am a Roman Catholic. When the first student asked, "Are you Jewish?", I evaded the answer. I didn't feel that my religion was pertinent (I teach technology and science). But this has happened again and again. Between the freckles and the red hair, I generally have my correct ethnic identity (primarily Irish) guessed without error. On multiple occasions in the past, I've been assumed to be Jewish (always by Jews)....

As the time to save Terri's life is dwindling down, I think we must begin to think about the possibility that our efforts may not succeed. Which means, what next? The immediate aftermath of death is often a confused time. People in the midst of the crisis don't function in a deliberate way, unless they have made their plans in advance. A plan that needs to be well-thought out now concerns any autopsy. Michael has already thought through this eventuality. He plans to yank the body, cremate, and get rid of any evidence. As the guardian, he has the right. Her parents' objections will have no effect. However, there is one entity that does have jurisdiction. The coroner's office. They can make the hospital send the body to them for autopsy, and refuse any family interference. Even the courts can't arbitrarily step in and block their actions. They also have the right to use the police to enforce their decision. We need to start talking to the people in the prope...

I was taking a break from posting pictures on a family website, and I read Open Book's post . It's one of those situations that has you slack-jawed and saying "wha----?" In a story about a Floridian A fourth-generation rancher who said he ran out of money to buy feed for his livestock has been charged with 120 felony counts of animal cruelty This is happening in FLORIDA? It's OK to starve a human being, but not animals, because, God forbid, they'll suffer. Which, we have been assured, that particular human (well, kind of - the people who want her to die don't really think she is a human in the true sense of the word, whatever that means) won't suffer, because, without higher level thought, she just won't experience pain. But the animals would, even though they don't have those high level thoughts. It reminds me of a time in my childhood when I visited a dentist. Although I had pretty good teeth, this time I needed a filling. Well, I was t...

As they said on Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventures, I'm not worthy. Once again, the Blue-Eyed Infidel blows away the rest of the blogging world with her clear-headed take on the nonsense around her. Regarding the Schiavo case: I can't wait to starve my dog to death I swear to you it's what she would want Now that I know that in America, many many people (mostly liberals) are totally fine with starving living things to death - specifically, living things with "rights", which would imply some sort of sentience or consciousness or soul but apparently that includes vegetables Click on the titled link, and read the whole thing .

I've added something to the sidebar. I've been watching PoliPundit , and admired the timer he had on the top of his blog. It referenced the promise Kerry made on the Tim Russert interview ( excerpt from the transcript below): MR. RUSSERT: Many people who’ve been criticizing you have said: Senator, if you would just do one thing and that is sign Form 180, which would allow historians and journalists complete access to all your military records. Thus far, you have gotten the records, released them through your campaign. They say you should not be the filter. Sign Form 180 and let the historians… SEN. KERRY: I’d be happy to put the records out. We put all the records out that I had been sent by the military. Then at the last moment, they sent some more stuff, which had some things that weren’t even relevant to the record. So when we get–I’m going to sit down with them and make sure that they are clear and I am clear as to what is in the record and what isn’t in the record and w...

The Schiavo case is tough for the average American to digest, because is hinges on a fundamental aspect of the American justice system that is often misunderstood. That aspect involves the FACTS in a court case, after the initial determination of that case is decided. In the initial case, the facts are of paramount importance. Afterwards, it's a different story. For example, in a murder case, the facts are placed in evidence, their importance is argued, and they are the at the core of the decision to convict, or not. In the appeal, the facts are totally unimportant. In an appeal, the lawyers focus on the PROCEDURES of the case - did everybody follow the RULES of the trial, did the accused have his/RIGHTS constitutionally protected, did the PROCESS fit within the guidelines? Whether the accused is actually INNOCENT is beside the point. So, in our system of justice, it's not only possible, but actually OK to overturn the conviction of a guilty person, and uphold the sentenc...

I did have to go out of town for a funeral. As deaths go, this one was easy - relatively quick, just like the person had told everyone she wanted. Her expressed wishes were followed to the letter. It was also a quality experience, as the extended family all gathered for several days of food, consolation, and family story-telling. They're of Irish heritage, so those stories were fueled by coffee and Irish whisky. The wake was memorable and noisy, just like we like it. One of the grandchildren is a bagpiper, so she received a wonderful send-off. I'll be posting again by tomorrow, when I catch up on sleep.

The Captain's Quarters re-visits McCain-Feingold, and brings together the issue of who decided that it was fine to limit on of our most important rights? The list: The vast majority of this money — $123 million, 88 percent of the total — came from just eight liberal foundations. These foundations were: the Pew Charitable Trusts ($40.1 million), the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy ($17.6 million), the Carnegie Corporation of New York ($14.1 million), the Joyce Foundation ($13.5 million), George Soros' Open Society Institute ($12.6 million), the Jerome Kohlberg Trust ($11.3 million), the Ford Foundation ($8.8 million) and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation ($5.2 million). Wikipedia has the list of groups exempt from the bill.

I still don't feel very well, but I'm going to go into work. I'm currently a sub teacher, and, if I don't work, I don't get paid. I mentioned to the sub center, when she called, that I still didn't feel great. She gave me a job at the high school (a little newer and cleaner building), that shouldn't involve too much running around. Hopefully, an easy day. Any time I have a respiratory infection, it tends to bring on an asthma attack. For the past few months, I've had one flare-up after another. One side effect of the meds I'm on is that it brings on insomnia. The beauty of the Internet is that it's available around the clock. Beats trying to find anything to watch on TV. I just stopped another nosebleed. The decongestants dry me up, but then I tend to get nosebleeding. Sometimes, I don't know what's worse - stuffy or irritated and bloody. I may be out of town for a few days. My husband's mother is quite ill. We will be trav...

During the Vietnam War, protesters could count on a large crowd by spreading the rumor that they would be napalming a dog in public. Once they gathered a crowd, they pointed out the absurdity of going over-the-top over an animal, but being perfectly OK with a human suffering the same fate. Maybe it's time to forcibly remove food and water from a dog - right in front of the hospice that holds Terri. That's WOODSIDE HOSPICE: 6770 102nd Ave. Pinellas Park, Florida, if you want to bring the dog. Picture that on the 6 pm news - a dog, whining in hunger and thirst. Those pitiful eyes being caught by cameras. Imagine how the public would clamor for an end to the "torture" and "cruelty" of a dog. Why won't they also care about the suffering of a person?

It's dangerous to be at home for extended time - I got so bored, I changed my template. I have long wanted a change, but hesitated to mess with it, as I feared losing the changes I had made to it. No problem. First, I saved a copy of the template. Then, I looked for another template I though would work. I picked this one, because it offered extra room to see the posts. Then, I cut and pasted the items on the sidebar I wanted to save. Then, re-publish. I had to Preview it, and make a few small adjustments (like graphic size). It worked. Hope everybody likes it. I may fool around with it again this summer, when I have more time.

I was avoiding housework taking a well-deserved break when I came across this reference to our latest step into the Brave New World . Doctors and health officials will consider whether more guidance on abortions is needed following the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute two doctors who authorised a late abortion on a foetus with a cleft lip and palate. Click on the title of this post for a full story. I honestly don't understand the entitlement some people feel about their children - as though they "deserve" a perfect child. There is NO SUCH THING - trust me on this one, I had 3 kids. They definitely weren't perfect. Not physically, mentally, or emotionally. Not major-league imperfect, just flawed, like all of us are. None of us are perfect. Except in God's eyes. And even He knows that we need to work on some things. That's why He gave us his most precious, and perfect, Son. The above teddy bears are mentioned on the Cleft Palate ...

OK, I know I'm not always the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I've written this post TWICE, and both times lost it. I just wish I could blame someone besides myself - any volunteers? Note to self - every 10-15 minutes or so - hit the Save as Draft button. I found part of a statement from Michael Schiavo on Becki Snow's site . He was talking to ABC's Nightline, and commented: Terry will not be starved to death. Her nutrition and hydration will be taken away. This happens across this country every day. Death through removing somebody's nutrition is very painless. That has been brought to the courts many of times. Doctors have come in and testified. It is a very painless procedure. Well, let's see just how painless this process is: From PBS - The Good War , the diary of a volunteer in a starvation experiment (at least he had the option to volunteer): My pervasive hunger. My hunger has taken on new dimensions that I could never have imagined. It seems that my bon...

I remember watching one of Robin Williams' better films, Awakenings, and being touched by the tender caring in that facility for the patients they believed were hopelessly incapable of sustained thought processes. In the course of that film, the Williams character finds a treatment that allows these patients, long unresponsive, to communicate with the external world. For a brief period, they regain their lives. Unfortunately, the treatment is only effective for a short time. In the end, they relapse into their isolation. That film received many awards. It was embraced by the Hollywood community. What has that to do with Terri's case? It has to do with the medical community's difficulty in judging just who is "aware", and who is not. From Right2Think Persistent Vegetative State is not easily diagnosed. Although accepted signs of PVS include the absence of awareness of oneself or one's environment, we cannot measure thought or awareness -- only behavior and ...

I found the picture above on Yahoo News. Despite the title of the post, it's a picture of the graduation ceremony of Iranian police cadets in their burkas. I just thought it was a nice contrast to the way women in burkas are generally shown. Sort of how nuns in habits are portrayed in the media - quaintly cute, not fully part of life.

The above link takes you to a story about a man who is hospitalized, but whose family wants to keep him alive. He had been an invalid, but entered the hospital because of medical complications. While there, he suffered a "code", and was placed on a ventilator. The hospital wants him dead. The family's attorney said that he believes the hospital wants to discontinue care because Nikolouzos' Medicare funding is running out. His wife said he is not brain-dead and the part of the brain that controls breathing is still functioning. Although his eyes were open and fixed when he first was placed on the ventilator, he has started blinking Not good enough, ruled the judge. His 10 days of reprieve is up on Friday. So is Terri's time. It's getting depressing to ask "what's next".

Yesterday was Pi Day - chosen because the date, 3/14, is the first 3 digits of pi. Today, I'm operating on about 4 hours sleep, and planning a stop on the way to work at Einstein's Bagels for coffee. No day is so bad that quality coffee can't help. I'm still amazed by the woman who talked down the escaped prisoner, and the influence that the book, The Purpose-Driven Life, had on them both (see the link on the right). I'm not surprised that the book had an impact, I'm amazed that she was able to keep a cool head, and focus on establishing a relationship with him. I finished the book just last week, and I would STRONGLY recommend it to anyone as a life-changing experience. The slant in the book is heavily from a Protestant viewpoint, but, as a Catholic, I still found it to be very worthwhile. I placed a hold at my local library on the book "Radical Son" by David Horowitz, which I'm planning to read over the Spring Break. The Cleveland Public lib...

It's 3/14/2005 (International Pi Day), and those of us who have joined the fight for Terry Schiavo may be forgiven for feeling a little concerned about the clock ticking. Based on several court decisions handed down in the last few days, it doesn't look good. Judge Greer has: Denied DCF standing in the case Refused new medical tests Disallowed any attempt to feed by mouth I'm not sure what to do at this point. Bishop Sgreccia of the Vatican has said: "The gastric feeding tube cannot be regarded as an 'extraordinary' or as a therapeutic 'means.' It is an integral part of the modality in which Schiavo can be fed and hydrated." "To prevent someone access to food and water, represents a way of killing that person," That's pretty straightforward, without any weasel room. I appreciate that the Pontifical Academy for Life has spoken out, but I fear it may be too little, too late. At this point, we may be out of options except prayer.

I have to go to work in a few minutes, and, rather than just post something, anything, to fill this space, will spend my day mulling over the subject of my next post. I'll be home after 4 pm, and post then.

The above graphic is courtesy of Knowledge is Power: SondraK.com , a daily visit for me, and one that keeps me from going postal. I urge you to learn all about our outrage at this latest assault on our treasured 1st Amendment rights . Don't forget to tell Sen. McCain just how much you want him to share the love.

I was reading Richard Poe's blog , when I read about Tom Smith, at Right Coast saying: [the FEC can have the right to tell us what we can post]"when they pry our keyboards from our cold, dead fingers" Wait a minute, I said, didn't I just say that? Sure enough, when I checked, I clearly posted it a few days before that. Well, I huffed, maybe I should let them know the source of that quotation. I was going to email Poe, to let him know about his error, when I did the unthinkable. I checked. It turns out that Jim Robinson, of Free Republic , said it in 1998! As Emily Litella always said Never mind.

Check out the new "fashion". Yes, even though Valentine's Day has passed, you can show your "love" the modern way - by wearing the thong with the convenient pocket for condoms. The truly jaw-dropping part of it is that the designer and company founder, Caren Martineau, was inspired by her PRE-TEEN daughters. Isn't that precious! You know, most of us look at our elementary-age children and see - well, CHILDREN. Not Caren. She saw her kids, and immediately thought about sex - and how she could help them have sex on the spur of the moment. How nice to have a FUN mother! Go, read about the entire story on the Dawn Patrol (if it isn't on your blogroll - you're making a mistake).

I just sent the following message to Sen. Mike DeWine: I urge you to support the “Federal Terri’s Law”, the Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act, to give the Schindler family access to a federal court to argue for the life of their daughter, Terri Schindler Schiavo. This bill is vital to protecting the interests of disabled citizens. Without it, the right to continued existence is at risk, as judges like Judge Greer can block any efforts to stop a process, once the initial decision is made. That incapacitated citizens have fewer rights than convicted murderers is unacceptable. It's easy to reach legislators - just go to this site , and use their forms. You don't even have to have your own computer or email account. Full text on the bill is here . Thanks to Becki Snow for the tip.

The investigative arms of many state's Child and Family Services have often been criticized for being unnecessarily zealous in pursuit of abusers - even circumventing the law, in some cases. One can only hope that the Florida DCf is prepared to move in the panzers to protect Terry Schiavo. The latest decision: The judge in the Terri Schiavo case has ruled that a Florida state agency can't investigate the thirty allegations of abuse and neglect it says have come at the hand of Terri's estranged Michael. The Florida Department of Children and Families hoped to delay Terri's starvation death for 60 days to look into the concerns Courtesy of The Senescent Man .

I am reminded of the long, long winter at Valley Forge. We sometimes read about George Washington's troops, and take courage from the fact that their stolid sacrifice bore such bountiful fruit, in the form of America's victory over the British. What we forget is that they were DAMN cold, hungry, and, probably, totally worn out. That's a little of how I'm feeling today about the Schiavo fight. I've hit a point where I'm beginning to despair that my (and other's) efforts will ever pay off. I'm starting to lose hope. Guys, we're the Wintertime Soldiers. Although we would not be human if we did not become weary, we just need to hang in there. We need to do it without any assurance that our efforts will pay off. We need to keep punching, although our arms are numb. We need to help our comrades in the fight to keep their spirits up. This is where faith comes in - we can't see the outcome, we just have to believe that God is hearing us. We need to...

I've been reading over my most recent posts, and I can see that I have had little focus other than the Schiavo case. Truthfully, I am increasingly pessimistic. The judiciary is disinclined to step in, Jeb Bush isn't giving any signals that he will again intervene, and MSM is still playing the same broken record - she's in a PVS, let her die. I just heard the local news (channel 5 in Cleveland, OH) AGAIN refer to Schiavo as in a vegetative state. Time to write another letter. Update: Just fired off a quick note to the station.

I've been reading over my most recent posts, and I can see that I have had little focus other than the Schiavo case. Truthfully, I am increasingly pessimistic. The judiciary is disinclined to step in, Jeb Bush isn't giving any signals that he will again intervene, and MSM is still playing the same broken record - she's in a PVS, let her die. I just heard the local news (channel 5 in Cleveland, OH) AGAIN refer to Schiavo as in a vegetative state. Time to write another letter. Update: Just fired off a quick note to the station.

I can't say that this news is a tremendous surprise. The surprise would be if Judge Greer actually considered NOT automatically ruling against Terri's family. Judge Greer's rulings against the Schindlers on the matter of feeding by mouth and viaticum seem to me most indicative of his frame of mind: By precluding attempts, as a "last ditch" measure, to feed her by mouth, the Judge shows that his object is not merely to stop what he might argue (erroneously) is an "extraordinary" means of support, but to see to it that she dies. One might make an analogy to someone on a respirator: frequently respirators are removed from patients, but sometimes they continue to breathe on their own without support. It is as though a judge were to order not only that a respirator be removed, but that the patient's mouth and nose be sealed with duct tape, just to make sure he can't get any air by any means. Judge Greer's order makes him an active accomplice in d...

I came home, and, as usual, grabbed a snack. I've been working hard to lose weight, and I find that if I don't re-fuel, I tend to graze on the high-calorie stuff. Then it hit me. I'M TRYING TO AVOID FOOD. I'm in a culture that's absolutely the living embodiment of all of history's starving masses wildest dreams. We have good, fresh, rich, tasty, widely available food. You have to work hard NOT to stuff your face. Except for Terri. Soon, if we don't succeed in reaching the heart of the American public (or at least the ones that have the authority to make the necessary changes), she will be deliberately kept away from food. Without having had a chance for a "swallow test" - the people in charge of her physical care literally DON'T KNOW whether she is able to take food by mouth. They had to work hard to avoid finding out - it's easy, you let her try to swallow - if she really can't, it will be obvious, and you will have to intervene t...

I was wakeful in the middle of the night, and I remembered that I had not posted yet for Blogs for Terri. We're within the 2-week window of opportunity. I've been trying to think of ways to stop the inexorable march to death, and I have to confess that I'm just about out of ideas. We've: Written and called legislators Taken the time to express our opinions to the media Posted on our blogs Talked to every human we know about the issue (side note: I had a decision at lunch, and was able to effectively make a few points. I've had some feedback, and the repeated refutations of the PVS identification are starting to have an effect) Some have donated money, others time, many both. Right now, some are participating in a fast in sympathy with Terri. And, yet, the deadline (how appropriately named) approaches. What more can we do? Round up some cute puppies, and threaten to starve and dehydrate them? When people angrily threaten action, ask why they won't protest a ...

Say it ain't so, Joe! Of all the things that prove how totally clueless the government functionaries can be, this idiocy leads the list. Guys, this is the big, bad Internet - the last stop of unfettered libertarian commentary on the planet. No rules, no restrictions (at least where the good guys rule), no limitations on free speech. It's not always wonderful - I have been a recipient of more MAKE MONEY FAST, BUY VIAGRA CHEAP, and HOME MORTGAGE pitches than I want to be, but, I figure that's the price I pay for relatively cheap access to the Big Top. What I like about the Internet is that it is relatively free, certainly the least contstrained and restricted media I know. I can easily find multiple points of view, speculation, gossip, and the down-and-dirty on those in power. And I like it. (I feel an urge to add a "by cracky" right about now). I'm contacting my representatives in Washington, right now. They are, for Ohio: Sen. DeWine Web Site: dewine.sen...

Thank you, Polipundit . You have said what I've been thinking about the latest stupidity from the Supreme Court (and when the He(( is Bush going to make the obvious move, and replace Rehnquist with Judge Scalia, a man who is unafraid to support the Constitution). Eliminating the death penalty from the under-18 crowd makes them the ideal recruit for the Best New Teen Job Alternative to Mickey D's! - Apprentice Hit-man! I've had this argument with educators and professors before - they seem to think of the 14-18 year-old crowd as needing training wheels before they can be expected to follow the law. Bad idea. Any kid over the age of 13 knows D**N well that it's not nice to kill people. As well as that, if they do, the courts should have the right to fry their A$$. I'm not in favor of pushing the limit on kids who do stupid things (which should be considered the definition of a kid - they do stupid things). That would include driving too fast, or hitting someone wit...

As have many people lately, I've been ill. Sometimes, life intervenes on our plans. It's already March 3rd, which means that there is a very narrow window of opportunity to get the word out about Terry Schiavo. If you haven't already, go down this list of possible steps, and do as many as possible: Join the petition, add your name to the list . This is sent to Governor Bush, to urge him to intervene. If you can make the trip to Florida, on March 12, there will be a vigil outside the hospice , to protest starving a human being to death. The more committed bodies, the better. If a trip is not possible at this time, please consider donating some cash to the Terri-Schindler-Schiavo Foundation . Financial assistance, even in small amounts, can make the continued fight possible. These continuing delays are costly and draining to family and friends that didn't start with the massive financial settlement given to Michael Schiavo, who then spent it to pursue the legal figh...