Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Note to Romney: How To Beat Obama.

Two experts write an excellent "how to" document for the next GOP Presidential Candidate running against the B.O.
After the primaries in Arizona and Michigan, leaving Romney with twice the number of delegates over the 2nd place Santorum, it looks like it may well be Romney. So, Romney (or whichever candidate gets the title come this August), here's some excellent and well-supported advice. . . . Take a look.

How to Beat Obama - By Karl Rove and Ed Gillespie | Foreign Policy


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Earth Wars Now Playing At A Sky Just Above You

Here's a fascinating account of the whole "drone" thing. Never mind Star Wars -- Earth Wars are here and they won't go away any time soon.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Drones - By Micah Zenko | Foreign Policy


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Will Some Organizations (Including the Church) Never Learn?

This is totally unbelievable -- that it is happening in 2012 in America today. How ignorant can educators really be? Read this and you'll find out. With all the information and disasters we've had with respect to residential schools and the treatment of our Native Americans and Canadian Aboriginals -- you would have thought someone in this Catholic school organization would have ensured this kind of ignorance had been erased. But no. It's still there.

World News: Native girl punished for speaking her language - thestar.com


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Dignity for Canada's Elderly Patients Needed Now

Your mother, your father, someone you love and maybe even you may be next. This approach to the aged must change.

Global Toronto | Ontario woman on crusade to demand hospital accountability


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Saturday, February 25, 2012

Jacob’s Prediction About Dan - Genesis 49:16-18


“Dan shall judge his people, As one of the tribes of Israel.  Dan shall be a serpent in the way, A horned snake in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that his rider falls backward.  For they salvation I wait, O Lord.”

Dan was Jacob’s fifth son, and the first from Bilhah, the handmaiden of Rachel, his second and most beloved wife.  His Hebrew name means ‘judge’ as we read in Genesis 30:6 that Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.”

So indeed, Jacob, as guided by God, predicts that Dan and Dan’s tribe will be a judge over the people.  In fact, later in Scripture we read that this tribe provided one of Israel’s greatest judges, Samson.

From there though the text becomes more complex.  It speaks of where Dan’s tribe will reside.  They will be so located (as indeed they were) in a place that is between the mountains of current day Lebanon and the Golan Heights.  Given that, and being a tough and hardy tribe (a serpent, a horned snake), they would protect the nation of Israel (be in the way of) from the attacks of enemies (bites the horse’s heels, so that his rider falls backward) coming from the north.  We would do well to also remember that this might apply simply to Samson himself who did indeed deliver the Israelites from the Philistines, both through his judgments and his physical actions.

But the reference to be “a serpent” may also allude to the fact that they are not all they should be for later we discover that it was Dan’s tribe that introduced idolatry to the people of Israel and Jeroboam set up an idol of a calf in the city of Dan, known as the center of idol worship.

It is also interesting to note that while Dan was a son of a concubine, yet he and his descendants were to be a tribe among God’s people.  This may well be an indication that in God’s society, or as Matthew Henry says, “in His spiritual Israel” there is not distinction between those that were from bondage and those that were free.

As I study this section on Jacob’s predictions about Dan, I realize that one could make a study of comparing Jacob’s predictions for each of his sons with what Scripture later says about either the son, or a descendant of the son, by examining other texts in the Bible which refer to the son’s name or to the son’s tribe.

This present section, however, does end with what I would call an emotional insert – perhaps a last plea to one’s God, an expression of one’s greatest desire – as one approaches his death.   Jacob has made predictions for seven of his sons and has five more to go.  I can imagine him having become very physically exhausted at this point, given his age, his health, and the heaviness of the implications of his words.  It is at this point that Jacob gives his audible aside – perhaps speaking for himself more than for his sons, although how wonderful it would be if they too were of the same mind.  Totally unrelated to any of the prophecies he has so far uttered, he says, “I wait for your salvation, O Lord.”

Let me suggest that this personal testimony to the hope in His God may well have been placed right here just to ensure that he simply got it said.  The risk was that he might not have been able to finish all his predictions about the remaining five sons, and might have died in the process without having made it clear to God, and to those willing to hear, that Jacob’s life was indeed all about “waiting for the Lord’s salvation”.

It is important to find some foundational tie to this ‘salvation’ Jacob was crying for in his last days.  First, we may notice the relationship of this plea to an earlier statement Jacob had made as part of his prediction about Judah in verse 10 of this chapter.  Clearly, there, the reference is to Christ, the Prince of Peace (Shiloh).  Now again here in this verse, he makes a direct reference to the fact that he personally is waiting for that Prince of Peace, that salvation, the Hebrew word for which is “Yashua” or Jesus.  In verse 10, Jacob has stated it as a fact – peace, salvation will indeed come.  In verse 18, he personalizes it, owning it, declaring it as his very own desire.

What then can we gain from this small section on Dan, but more significantly on Jacob’s signature line, “I wait for your salvation, O Lord”?

First, we need to realize that being in a position to ‘judge’ for or on behalf of others is a serious responsibility.  Those that are granted that privilege, especially in the body of God’s people, are to understand that they must rely on God’s wisdom and His direction in how they are to rule or judge.  And the rest of us have an obligation to pray for such judges that they may be ‘godly’ in the carrying out of their responsibilities.  One of the biggest problems with our world today is that men and women have attained seats of unquestionable authority such as in the Supreme Courts of our countries and have left God waiting on the sidewalk outside the hallowed chambers in which they rule.  But perhaps some of the blame for that must go towards the absence of prayers on their behalf from God’s people, from you and I.

Second, we need to accept, like Jacob, the fact that there is “salvation” to be found.  The Prince of Peace does exist and He does save.

Third, we need to personalize that “salvation”.  Jesus Christ must be our Lord, our Savior, our Hope, and our Salvation.

Finally, we are to be thankful that we, in one sense, have an advantage over Jacob.  We don’t have to wait for Shiloh.  The Prince of Peace has come.  Our Salvation is here.  And if we accept Him, we are saved – now, today, and forever.  We can rejoice in that as we in turn wait for His physical return.



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Monday, February 20, 2012

Why Sanctions Aren't Working & Won't Work; Yet U.S. Urging Israel to Trust That They Will.

I am convinced -- the West has aged to the point of senility. The attached article will explain clearly enough for even Obama to understand why sanctions are not and will not work. Yet elsewhere in the media, we read of U.S. diplomats traveling to Israel to convince them that they are working. And in fact, even the big B.O. has invited the Israeli P.M. to join him in Washington on March 5th (clearly there's no urgency at all according to B.O.) to convince Netanyahu of the same thing. But deep down when you read stories about what Israel is saying, you'll see that Netanyahu is giving the world every clue possible saying he can't and he won't wait.

Mr. Obama sir your foreign policy reeks of weakness. No one who wants America to be strong and a world leader has any more confidence in you. The world no longer believes they will be punished by the U.S. for any crimes against society they may commit. You have abdicated your role as the "nation that can bring hope to others whose hope is all but gone". The only ones that support you now for the most part (there are exceptions) are those that are unemployed, believe in legalized drugs, abortion, the GBLT movements, and big government doing it all for us, with the money of the hard-working Americas. You've helped make so many of these people, that you just might even win the next election. I hope you and your family and friends are very, very proud of your and their accomplishments.

Now for the rest of us, let's read some more realistic worldviews.

The West Is Losing The Chess Game With Iran


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Goal of Planned Parenthood Founder: 'To Stop the Multiplication of the Unfit'

When all else is smoke and mirrors go back to the autobiography of the movement's founder. You'll see how racist an organization I believe it really is.  Then go to the bathroom and throw up. Better still, sit down and write yourself a note: "I will never, never support anything that Planned Parenthood is involved in again."  Then remember that the current president of the U.S. is a big supporter.  Remember that when you are alone with your ballot next November.

Goal of Planned Parenthood Founder: 'To Stop the Multiplication of the Unfit' | NewsBusters.org


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Sunday, February 19, 2012

The Way Greeks Live Now - NYTimes.com

A very detailed look at how Greeks live today. This is brilliant "wide-angle" writing. I can vouch for much of what is being said. It checks out with my recent experiences there as well as what I hear from my relatives and friends even this week. What is startling about it all is that the author seems to be describing a painting that is not still life, but rather spans a period of time in which a civilization is collapsing but there's no ultimate end result (will they make it? will Greece survive?). What we get is only the dire warning that the way Greece is going may well be ominous for many more nations in the world today. Get yourself a good cup of coffee and enjoy this full-length description of erosion.

The Way Greeks Live Now - NYTimes.com


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Santorum Should Deny His Denial on Obama's Faith

The link I've provided below gives you some pretty complex sides to this issue. I really do not care how screwed up Santorum gets in his campaigning. It's too bad that he has to back-pedal like this though.

Here's the crux of the matter for me. Santorum is saying that he is not attacking Obama's 'Christianity', only his "worldview". Give me a break. Christianity is indeed wrapped up in having a Christian worldview. If a person does not have that view, than he is not thinking or behaving as a Christian.

While I fully understand that thinking or behaving as a Christian, does not make one a Christian, and that not all Christians immediately adopt the Christian worldview, I am not prepared to assume that someone who says he is as steeped in the faith and keeps referring to it as much as Obama does, can possibly still hold the worldview that he does. And thus, while I am not to judge his personal status as a saved individual or not, I can certainly judge his actions and words. And Santorum should be able to do likewise, just as his actions and words are judged in return, as are mine.

The problem once again seems to be "PC" or "political correctness". Santorum is thinking he'll lose many votes if he comes and out and attacks Obama's faith. And he well may do so. But ideally he should be able to attack Obama on the grounds that the current White House incumbent is not thinking or talking or acting (just think of his views on abortion and homosexuality alone) as a Christian must. Enough said.

Santorum, please smarten up or go down like the rest of them.

Santorum denies questioning Obama's faith - World - CBC News


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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Diplomats Say Iran Poised for Big Nuke Expansion

Here's the latest from the Associated Press on Iranian nuclear developments -- and the diplomats involved in providing the information are fairly confident that the only reason for these developments is to employ the products with respect to nuclear warheads. [The president meanwhile may be out golfing -- I'm only guessing.]

Seriously though sooner or later (hopefully sooner) someone will not be taking chances like the current administration in Washington is.

Some people do not want to attack Iran at all. Most westerners would agree to attack Iran if we knew 100% that they had nuclear warheads.

The problem is we may never have that privilege. As I see it there are clearly two choices when it gets to this point: "A nuclear war with Iran having nuclear warheads and its associated consequences" or a "war, perhaps nuclear, without Iran having nuclear warheads and its consequences". If you were Israel, or if you were the president of the United States, which of the two choices would you pick?

News from The Associated Press:


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The Economic (Yes Dollar) Value of a Child To Society

I would never think of measuring the value of any of my children or grandchildren in dollar terms. However, some do and it's nice that their findings are positive. Take a look.

Myth Buster: Are children a net drain on society? � The United Families International Blog


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Friday, February 17, 2012

Just Keep Letting Obama, Harper and Others Pour Your Tax Dollars into Planned Parenthood so they can teach your 10-year old the "Pleasures of Sex".

You heard me right. This is totally ridiculous. Totally unacceptable. But what is truly immoral is the fact that they think they can accomplish this and that our governments are actually supporting this group to do "anything" in the world. I believe that Planned Parenthood support should become a real issue of the election. As a minimum, Americans can make it that with their own votes. Take a look, start pulling your hair out, and get ready to fight for your children and grand-children.

Planned Parenthood wants schools to teach 'Pleasures of Sex' to 10 yr old kids - YouTube


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New Canadian Legislation Will Revise the way we deal with fraudulent refugees. Oh my goodness, whatever will the liberal media do now?

This looks good. Good for Canada. Let's get it passed. It's already late in coming.

News Release – Harper Government Introduces the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act


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Cry, Our Beloved Greece. I had a hard time watching this.

Pretty thorough reporting. Pretty gut-wrenching if you are a Greek, or if you love Greece, and even if you've just enjoyed Greece. The future is just not there right now. Take a look.  Some are predicting a civil war.  I blame the Greek politicians of the last several decades.

BBC News - A look at Greece's financial crisis from the inside


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Hey Canada Look -- Our Supreme Court Thinks Its American.

Here we go, Canada. Our Supreme Court with its decision today telling parents they cannot take their kids out of "Ethics and Religious Culture" course in Quebec, may as well have been appointed by the great Obama down south.

Unfortunately, I don't think the CCCC's have gone far enough in their commentary on this ruling. For example, I don't object to "comparative religion" as it is a parents and grandparents job to pass on their faith to children and grandkids.

What I do object to, though, is if indeed the "course" assumes or projects the idea that what I believe in is simply "legends" or "myths". At the very least the course needs to be neutral and say, "Christians believe that . . . ". I wonder if the CCCC's made that argument or whether they went for the right of parents to withdraw children instead and ended up losing the baby with the bathwater. Just wondering. You be the judge.

CCCC Media Release


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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Why Are Ex-Presidents Such Idiots?

First there was Carter. And now there's William Clinton. Two has beens that should stick to peanut-farming and golf, respectively.

Clinton is now blaming jihadist Islamic terrorism on "poverty". If the Muslims weren't so poor, they wouldn't be staging jihad he basically says. So, it's not their fault. It's everybody else's fault for all the inequality that they experience. Well, maybe Obama can come to their aid and take money away from Romney and Buffet and the rest of the 1%ers and spread it around the world to Muslims so that we can eliminate the threat or radical Islamic terrorists.

Yea, that will work Bill. Thanks so much. You're so smart. That's why Monica fell for you many years ago. (Wait, erase that, that's not fair.)

Man, these guys are really dumb, though, don't you think?

Take a look at the link.

In Nigeria, US ex-President Clinton warns poverty fueling religious violence tearing at nation - The Washington Post


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Colorado student quits high school choir over Islamic hymn proclaiming "There is no truth except Allah"

You can read about and see the video in the link below from Jihad Watch or you can go directly to the story on FoxNews without a video (from within the link). Either way, you need to realize what is going on in America today. Bottom line: Muslims complain about anything that is Christian in American public schools and to compensate, American schools seem to be embracing at least singing songs which state "there is no truth except Allah". Go figure. Better still go pray and then get involved.

Colorado student quits high school choir over Islamic hymn proclaiming "There is no truth except Allah" - Jihad Watch


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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Is this another way to attack Motherhood?

I am not sure how to take this latest research finding from Cornell University. So, it's best you read the article I linked to below on your own to form your own opinion.

But let me share a few thoughts. It appears that "motherhood" is taking another hit.  The research indicates that smart women are dropping out of their careers to be -- wait for it -- mothers, of all things.   It appears it is "motherhood" is detrimental to professional lives.   The authors and researchers say it's time to stop blaming other reasons women are not doing well in the field, and blame the true culprit -- their desires to be 'mothers'.

Okay, it makes sense -- if you want to 'leave' and have a family, you can't expect to climb the corporate ladder and reach the top from the nursery.  We get it.  But what's the point here?   Are you telling women to choose?  Clearly they're making their choices.    You certainly are not suggesting that the corporate world do anything to alter this.   So, what are you doing with this research?    Not much, except perhaps to ease your collective conscious that it's not bad hiring practices that cause women to fall behind in the business world.   Hope you feel better.

But there I'm not so sure, these guys are totally right.   Perhaps what they're saying is true when it comes to advanced scientific jobs -- but surely, if we studied other jobs -- would not men still be considered preferred for the very reasons that they won't go on 'maternity leave'?    Just thinking.  Here's the article.

Motherhood “Detrimental” to Women’s Scientific Careers, Study Concludes

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Isn't. Here's Why.

Okay, here is a good analysis of why Obama's 'compromise' is a joke. And it misses the point of the objection in the first place.  This does not fool anyone who doesn't want to be fooled.  Take a look.

Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test - Mary Kate Cary (usnews.com)


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Saturday, February 11, 2012

The President & The Prophet -- A Must Read Exposé of a Recent Washington Event.

Thank you to my real-life and virtual FB friend David Z. for sending me this wonderful account of two recent National Prayer Breakfast speeches -- Eric Metaxas (of Veggie Tales fame) and his highness, the B.O.

I think it's time to call the President's bluff on being who he says he is. But you decide for yourself. This article is the best evidence I can provide to any Christians for where I stand. Enjoy.

The President & The Prophet: Obama’s Unusual Encounter with Eric Metaxas - By Mark Joseph - The Corner - National Review Online


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Jacob’s Prediction About Issachar - Genesis 49:14-15


“Issachar is a strong donkey, Lying down between the sheepfolds.  When he saw that a resting place was good And that the land was pleasant, He bowed his shoulder to bear burdens, And became a slave at forced labor.”

Issachar was Jacob’s ninth son, the fifth son from Leah, his first wife.   He was named “man of hire” as Leah felt God was paying her ‘wages’ for allowing her handmaiden Zilpah to bear her husband children (sons number seven and eight, Gad and Asher).  What Jacob prophesies for Issachar is somewhat perplexing.

There is clearly implication that while Issachar was strong, he was also lazy, and that this perceived attribute would be carried over to the entire tribe.  His ‘strength’ was also a prophecy about his numbers and the size of the tribe that would result.  But his laziness indicated they would indeed be overtaken by the enemy and end up being slaves.  Jacob talks of the people of Issachar’s tribe settling down into agricultural work as they sought peace and quiet above all.  They were willing to take on burdens anyone placed on them, just like an ass or donkey.

Matthew Henry says they willingly accepted the burdens of both toiling the ground and paying rents and taxes. They chose laboring at home in the fields rather than being men of war, be it on land or sea.  Issachar and his tribe found solace in their love for the land and the quieter life.

It is difficult to ascertain with certainty how Jacob felt about Issachar.  There was something to be said about a “quiet life” but somehow I believe Israel saw more was needed if the Israelites were to persevere in the days ahead.

That same issue today challenges many a Christian.  “Do I stay quiet and out of the mainstream of what the Church and God’s people are facing or do I get involved?”  It is so easy to opt for the former.  No action is needed.  The latter requires prayer, thought, wisdom, and action.   But by choosing the former, we may well end up like the tribe of Issachar would end up, servants and slaves to the regimes that overtake, overburden, and overtax us.  As I write this, I am reminded of how the current American government imposed its agenda against the Catholic Church recently on the issue of contraceptives.  But the Catholic Church stood up to the challenge based on its beliefs.  The outrage was so loud and so clear, that the administration did an about-face.  Alternatively, it would have meant that the government’s wishes and desires trumped a people’s freedom of religion and beliefs.

The message for us is clear.  Are we prepared to take action when action is necessary?  Or, as an alternative, will we allow the enemy to erode our Christian values and beliefs to the point that we and our children and grandchildren become slaves?   The decision, I believe, is a ‘no-brainer’.  The execution of the decision is what takes discipline.  Ephesians 6:10 from the New Testament comes to mind, “
Finally, let the Lord make you strong.  Depend on his mighty power.’ (NIRV)



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Rex Murphy on Obama’s war against Christianity: When the Church Struck Back.

As usual Rex Murphy does a great job on telling it like it is. However, his story sticks with how we got there in the first place and ends simply with the 'shift' of the onus to provide free contraceptives to the insurance companies.

What he does not write about and I wish he would, is: First, the lameness of the B.O.'s about-face -- I mean, phrases like, "and as a Christian" -- oh, please, give me a break in life. And second, and perhaps more importantly that what he has done is really smoke and mirrors. In essence, the insurance companies will recover these increased costs by passing them on to the employers (perhaps especially religious ones) through increased rates for current programs minus the contraceptives. So you'll still have the Catholic institutions and others who object to paying for them, doing so indirectly but not being guilty of actually providing them. To those who are sincere in their beliefs -- this slight of hand just is not sufficient.

And finally, I would not put it past this administration to have even suggested to the insurance companies to take the 'virtual' hit (after all, look at what this administration has done for them with obamacare), but pass the costs on as they see fit. I mean, do you really hear any of them screaming blue bloody murder? I don't.

Here's Rex. . . 

Rex Murphy on Obama’s war against Christianity: When the Church struck back | Full Comment | National Post


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Friday, February 10, 2012

Jacob’s Prediction About Zebulun - Genesis 49:13


“Zebulun shall dwell at the seashore; And he shall be a haven for ships, And his flank shall be toward Sidon.”

So far in this chapter of Israel’s prophecy concerning his sons, he has spoken of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.  These were his first four sons, addressed in the order of their birth.  But now for some reason of which we cannot be certain, Jacob skips over Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher (whose natural mothers were the servants of Rachel and Leah).  One would think that the reason for this is the very fact that they were not direct children of one of his two wives, but then he skips over the next son, Issachar, who was indeed borne by Leah.  Instead he goes to her next son, Zebulun.  It is possible that Issachar was skipped initially because of the meaning behind his name, which means “man of hire” and implying that he was God’s wages to Leah for allowing her maiden Zilpah to sleep with her husband in order to bear him children.  What we do know is that Jacob continued his prophecies staying with the children of Leah first.

Zebulun’s name meant “dwelling” as Leah felt that surely Jacob would now reside more with her than with Rachel since she had borne him six sons.

Jacob prophesizes that Zebulun’s tribe would be people who lived by the sea.  They would oversee one or more great ports.  In fact, one could say they were themselves the “haven” between two seas – the Mediterranean on the west and the Sea of Galilee further south and to the east.  The land they occupied was the northern part of Israel, now Lebanon.  One of its borders would be next to Sidon (or Saida), now a large city in Lebanon.  This positioned them well to be merchants and traders.

Later on in Scripture we learn of their various roles in God’s plan. They put to good use the geography that Jacob had prophesized they would occupy and which God later gave them.  Perhaps the take away point for us is simply this – wherever we are in the world today we must realize that God has ordained our very location.  It is our responsibility then to make the best use of it for His Kingdom.  What are you and I doing for Him right where we are today?

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Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Sometimes the Law Makes You Just Want to Scream

What we have here is really sad. Let me net it out for you.

A young kid (age 8 at the time) loses his mom to cancer. At nine he is diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. He is bullied at school. The older kid assigned to protect him graduates and moves on. The boy, then 11 years old, gets attacked by two boys (perhaps a couple of years older) one day and they still his iPhone on which he listened to music. He is hurt badly. In school, he identifies at least one of those that attacked him, and he does so a couple of times. He signs a paper saying so. But he can't take it any longer and he commits suicide at 11.

Fast forward to the trial of the accused who can't be identified because he's still a kid. He pleads "not guilty". His own lawyer admits the dead boy was likely telling the truth "per se" -- but because of the the law requiring "eyewitness evidence" -- the defense lawyer wants all the evidence of the dead boy to be rejected. And he's not accepting the written word since it wasn't also backed up with a video or tape recording. (As Rose DiManno in the article implies who expected the boy to be dead so that they would have recorded all this?)

The judge is still deliberating on what she will or will not allow. But here's my beef. . .

Any society that hides behind such rigid rules when even the defense lawyer says the boy was likely telling the truth and allows a couple of teenagers to get away with such bullying, isn't worth a heck of a lot. And maybe, just maybe this young boy who took his own life knew it.

Here's the unfortuante story.

Toronto News: DiManno: Trial of youth accused of assault and robbery could rest on words of victim, 11, now dead - thestar.com

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Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Catholics Reject Obama's Orders and Take Him On

This looks good on Obama. More components of Christianity should have the guts to stand up against this administration on many issues. This one alone is enough to defeat Obama -- not because it's about abortion, but because it's about a President who is basically saying, "I don't give a da__ about your religion."

Enough is enough. Didn't someone in part of Europe who was the cause of two world wars say something like that to a whole race once and then proceeded to try and annihilate them? I think so. Let's not go there. If Americans who do believe (or who believe in the right to believe if one so chooses) do not commit to doing all they can to defeat this current president in the next election, we can all kiss our right to faith good-bye.

The Catholic Church Has Launched A Fight Against Obama That's Unprecedented In American History

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