A Little Courtesy... Grows

In an article written by 'Lorri Sughroue' an Editor of the McCook Daily Gazette;

She talks about Esther Wissbaum and the lessons we can learn in Courtesy and Smart Agriculture.

Original Article found here: http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1594781.html

I was made aware of this via http://www.votehemp.com/ from their Facebook page, here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vote-Hemp/14979254919?ref=nf

Below is the article of which belongs to the 'McCook Daily Gazette' and written by 'Lorri Sughroue':

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Hillcrest resident, 99, stays involved with current events

Monday, December 14, 2009
Lorri Sughroue

Esther Wissbaum keeps her trusty manual typewriter humming. (Lorri Sughroue/McCook Daily Gazette) [Click to enlarge]

Some people become apathetic to the ways of the world as they get older. Not 99-year-old Esther Wissbaum of McCook.

Wissbaum keeps busy on her 1977 manual Smith Corona typewriter, pounding out letters to newspapers about a variety of issues, such as the decline of common courtesy ("What's wrong with saying 'You're welcome?'" "Nowadays people say 'No problem.' What does that mean, exactly?'") to legalizing industrial hemp.

Wissbaums's last letter about hemp prompted Gov. Dave Heineman, who disagreed with her stance, to writer her back.

"I was so mad, I threw the letter away," Wissbaum said. "He didn't approve of marijuana being grown -- I don't either -- but hemp is different than marijuana, with very little THC in it. Maybe he didn't understand what I was saying. Hemp would be a great crop for our farmers to grow, don't you think?"

Nowadays, she lives at Hillcrest Nursing Home and not much gets past this feisty senior. Despite her prolific letter writing, she still has no interest in a computer.

"Where would I put one?" Wissbaum asked, motioning her hand toward the side of her room, already filled with a desk and her trusty typewriter, along with a lamp, magazines and books, a stack of recycled paper to type on and a beefcake calendar.

The calendar is a favorite of Wissbaum's and her third one. Featuring swimsuit-clad hunks, she received the first calendar as gift and had trouble finding a new one the following year.

So she typed a polite letter to the company, explaining the difficulty and promptly received a couple of free copies. They sent her free copies again this year.

Although she may not be interested in the Internet, there are still some gadgets she's eternally grateful for, such as toilets and electricity.

She still remembers in the wintertime, sitting on her hands on the outhouse because it was so cold, along with pumping water and heating it up. It's the little things in life she doesn't take for granted.

"I appreciate water from the tap ... turning a light on, flushing a toilet," Wissbaum said, recalling when sewer lines were first set in the alley behind her house.

She's seen a lot of changes through the years and literally grew up with McCook, living on East Fifth and F, then considered the edge of town. She remembers when the courthouse was built, she said, and watching when bricks were laid on B Street.

"Big black men, working like an assembly line ... you never saw anything like it, they laid them down faster than you could blink," she recalled.

Norris Avenue back then was nothing but a dirt road that became notoriously slick with mud when it rained. The steep incline was not kind to the Model T-type cars, which usually became mired in the mud.

Wissbaum moved here with her family when she was seven and for a while, her parents operated the McCook Greenhouse on East Fourth.

After graduating from McCook High School in 1928, she went straight to work, although Wissbaum had wanted to study nursing. "We didn't have loans or scholarships back then," she said.

The Depression didn't hit her as bad as it did others, she said, as she was working at the Chitwood Haddock, a wholesale distributor of groceries, and earning the princely sum of $12 a week.

But it meant money in her pocket. "I could buy a dress for $1.98 back then."

Later, at 224 West B, she and her husband, Larry, operated Larry's Cafe -- from 1948 to 1959 -- known for home-cooked meals.

"We made our own salad dressing and used real potatoes, no instant," she said.

Through the years, Wissbaum's wit and curiosity have kept pace with the passing decades and she doesn't miss much. Just recently, another letter was published in the Gazette, this one about frugal spending at Christmas.

So what's her secret to staying so young?

"You're never too old to learn," she quipped.

-------------------------------------------------------------End Article---------------------------------------

I wish we had more people with the caliber of this 99-year young lady, who fights for common courtesy and smart agriculture.

This article was a pleasure to see and read, and reminds me why we need to stand up for our Rights as Citizens, and how losing our manors has brought a turn for the worse in our society.

This article also bears in mind what many still don't know but was common place knowledge just 70 years ago and before; like how Hemp farms were even mandated by law in most States in the U.S. because of Hemps usefulness to society for clothes, paper, medicine and other various items such as shampoo, etc. And also an economic cash crop for local communities and the States that they dwelled in.

In either case, whether or not you believe or understand the usefulness of Hemp in our daily lives, it is a good lesson to learn that 'Attentiveness Breeds Security', so stay on top of your local and national issues, keep writing and calling your representatives, and Alway... always remember, Common Courtesy only dies when we ourselves don't take care to keep it around.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Domo Wasabi?

So I walked into a 7-11 tonight with the full intention of going against my rules of no cheap snacks of sugary death, and I encountered something I never expected to find in such a place and in such a time.

'Feng Shui - Hot Wasabi Coated Green Peas', is what I found and I was like 何本ですか.(nanbon desuka).

So I proceeded to buy them and when I got home I surreptitiously opened them up and quickly popped one in my mouth after studiously studying the Wasabi covered dried pea for less than a nano-second.

The sharp wasabi taste assaulted my taste buds and then the dry crunchy pale-green pea filtered through my palette and I became ultimately aware that this was, at least for me, the greatness snack opportunity of a life time; combining two of my very favorite items in one succulent package!

Although the pea comes out of the package looking like a pale-green puke version of its packaged photo, its savory sharp wasabi and dried pea taste reminds of some Space food that Nasa tried to pawn off on the public as the "Food of the Future".

However, although not necessarily very nutritious, it won't readily destroy any major diets at only 120 Calories per serving, (Serving size= 1/3 cup (32g) & Servings per container = 4 cups).

I looked up their website @ http://www.rolandfood.com/ and found the correct UPC# 041224837003 but the site only shows 'Wasabi Peas', here, at 30g per serving instead of the 'Hot Wasabi Coated Green Peas' at 32g per serving that I have, here:

But they seem to have a delicious and large selection of multiple products for every taste, though aimed at Asian style foods.

Roland Food even has a Recipes section, which is suitable for Vegetarians and Meat Eaters alike.

So if you are ever in your local 7-11, take a gander and dare to taste!

And don't forget to support Domonation and get one of many stylized Domo Characters, which also currently can be bought at 7-11's, too.

Here is Mine:

Happy All Hallow's Eve

Today is the noted infamous day known as All Hallow's Eve; at least in 2/3 of the World and mostly in the Western Hemisphere.

Halloween where it is fabled to be the most thinly veiled day between the physical and spiritual Worlds.

The History is as varied as current Hallowe'en traditions in current practice, but nonetheless, whether you have religious practice on this day, dress up and party, go out and 'Trick - or - Treat' to the commercialism beat of the night or could care less.

You have got to admit the tradition of Halloween holds a seductive and strange spell over most of the population each and every year, from the Fantasy to the Horror aspect.

No matter how you view today, Just remember that it is always important to be safe, whether your driving, partying, or trick - or - treating.

1) Drive safe and keep an extra eye out for the other drivers, treat it like any other big Holiday.

2) If your Partying it up, make sure you have a Designated Driver, are able to stay where you are at, or give enough time to let your self sober up before venturing out.

3) While Trick - or - Treating always use the 'Buddy System', have a flash light and some extra batteries with you, (unless you have a wind up), never venture alone as child or adult, if you have reflective material put it on you.

As for me I am going to dress up and go out and find me some fun!

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

A Lesson in Breaking Freedoms Beacon

It is amazing what slips through the cracks when all our toys, media, sports, hobbies and faux concerns have us looking the otherway; and not paying attention to what really should be concerning us.
the ardent phrase used so much especially since Sept. 11th, 2001; "Freedom Isn't Free."
Should really be, 'Freedom isn't free but attentiveness breeds security' -RWH Jr

If you are at all concerned about retaining your constitutional rights; be angry, be aghast, Demand immediate cessation of the President from signing this Treaty!

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

http://www.infowars.com/obama-poised-to-cede-us-sovereignty-claims-british-lord/
Link Excerpt Below From www.infowars.com, (Property of www.Infowars.com)

"The Minnesota Free Market Institutehosted an event at Bethel University in St. Paul on Wednesday evening. Keynote speaker Lord Christopher Monckton, former science adviser to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, gave a scathing and lengthy presentation, complete with detailed charts, graphs, facts, and figures which culminated in the utter decimation of both the pop culture concept of global warming and the credible threat of anysignificant anthropomorphic climate change.

A detailed summary of Monckton’s presentation will be available here once compiled. However, a segment of his remarks justify immediate publication. If credible, the concern Monckton speaks to may well prove the single most important issue facing the American nation, bigger than health care, bigger than cap and trade, and worth every citizen’s focused attention.

Here were Monckton’s closing remarks, as dictated from my audio recording:

At [the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in] Copenhagen, this December, weeks away, a treaty will be signed. Your president will sign it. Most of the third world countries will sign it, because they think they’re going to get money out of it. Most of the left-wing regime from the European Union will rubber stamp it. Virtually nobody won’t sign it.

I read that treaty. And what it says is this, that a world government is going to be created. The word “government” actually appears as the first of three purposes of the new entity. The second purpose is the transfer of wealth from the countries of the West to third world countries, in satisfication of what is called, coyly, “climate debt” – because we’ve been burning CO2 and they haven’t. We’ve been screwing up the climate and they haven’t. And the third purpose of this new entity, this government, is enforcement.

How many of you think that the word “election” or “democracy” or “vote” or “ballot” occurs anywhere in the 200 pages of that treaty? Quite right, it doesn’t appear once. So, at last, the communists who piled out of the Berlin Wall and into the environmental movement, who took over Greenpeace so that my friends who funded it left within a year, because [the communists] captured it – Now the apotheosis as at hand. They are about to impose a communist world government on the world. You have a president who has very strong sympathies with that point of view. He’s going to sign it. He’ll sign anything. He’s a Nobel Peace Prize [winner]; of course he’ll sign it.

[laughter]

And the trouble is this; if that treaty is signed, if your Constitution says that it takes precedence over your Constitution (sic), and you can’t resign from that treaty unless you get agreement from all the other state parties – And because you’ll be the biggest paying country, they’re not going to let you out of it.

So, thank you, America. You were the beacon of freedom to the world. It is a privilege merely to stand on this soil of freedom while it is still free. But, in the next few weeks, unless you stop it, your president will sign your freedom, your democracy, and your humanity away forever. And neither you nor any subsequent government you may elect will have any power whatsoever to take it back. That is how serious it is. I’ve read the treaty. I’ve seen this stuff about [world] government and climate debt and enforcement. They are going to do this to you whether you like it or not.

But I think it is here, here in your great nation, which I so love and I so admire – it is here that perhaps, at this eleventh hour, at the fifty-ninth minute and fifty-ninth second, you will rise up and you will stop your president from signing that dreadful treaty, that purposeless treaty. For there is no problem with climate and, even if there were, an economic treaty does nothing to [help] it.

So I end by saying to you the words that Winston Churchill addressed to your president in the darkest hour before the dawn of freedom in the Second World War. He quoted from your great poet Longfellow:

Sail on, O Ship of State!

Sail on, O Union, strong and great!

Humanity with all its fears,

With all the hopes of future years,

Is hanging breathless on thy fate!

Lord Monckton received a standing ovation and took a series of questions from members of the audience. Among those questions were these relevent to the forthcoming Copenhagen treaty:

Question: The current administration and the Democratic majority in Congress has shown little regard for the will of the people. They’re trying to pass a serious government agenda, and serious taxation and burdens on future generations. And there seems to be little to stop them. How do you propose we stop Obama from doing this, because I see no way to stop him from signing anything in Copenhagen. I believe that’s his agenda and he’ll do it.

I don’t minimize the difficulty. But on this subject – I don’t really do politics, because it’s not right. In the end, your politics is for you. The correct procedure is for you to get onto your representatives, both in the US Senate where the bill has yet to go through (you can try and stop that) and in [the House], and get them to demand their right of audience (which they all have) with the president and tell him about this treaty. There are many very powerful people in this room, wealthy people, influential people. Get onto the media, tell them about this treaty. If they go to www.wattsupwiththat.com, they will find (if they look carefully enough) a copy of that treaty, because I arranged for it to be posted there not so long ago. Let them read it, and let the press tell the people that their democracy is about to be taken away for no good purpose, at least [with] no scientific basis [in reference to climate change]. Tell the press to say this. Tell the press to say that, even if there is a problem [with climate change], you don’t want your democracy taken away. It really is as simple as that.

Question: Is it really irrevocable if that treaty is signed? Suppose it’s signed by someone who does not have the authority, as I – I have some, a high degree of skepticism that we do have a valid president there because I -

I know at least one judge who shares your opinion, sir, yes.

I don’t believe it until I see it. … Would [Obama's potential illegitimacy as president] give us a reasonable cause to nullify whatever treaty that he does sign as president?

I would be very careful not to rely on things like that. Although there is a certain amount of doubt whether or not he was born in Hawaii, my fear is it would be very difficult to prove he wasn’t born in Hawaii and therefore we might not be able to get anywhere with that. Besides, once he’s signed that treaty, whether or not he signed it validly, once he’s signed it and ratified it – your Senate ratifies it – you’re bound by it. But I will say one thing; they know, in the White House, that they won’t be able to get the 67 votes in the Senate, the two-thirds majority that your Constitution has stipulated must be achieved in order to ratify a treaty of this kind. However, what they’ve worked out is this – and they actually let it slip during the election campaign, which is how I know about it. They plan to enact that Copenhagen treaty into legislation by a simple majority of both houses. That they can do. But the virtue of that – and here you have a point – is that is, thank God, reversible. So I want you to pray tonight, and pray hard for your Senate that they utterly refuse to ratify the [new] Treaty of Copenhagen, because if they refuse to ratify it and [Obama] has to push it through as domestic legislation, you can repeal it.

Regardless of whether global warming is taking place or caused to any degree by human activity, we do not want a global government empowered to tax Americans without elected representation or anything analogous to constitutional protections. The Founding Fathers would roll over in their graves if they knew their progeny allowed a foreign power such authority, effectively undoing their every effort in an act of Anti-American Revolution. If that is our imminent course, we need to put all else on hold and focus on stopping it. If American sovereignty is ceded, all other debate is irrelevant.

Edited to add @ 8:31 am:

Skimming through the treaty, I came across verification of Monckton’s assessment of the new entity’s purpose:

38. The scheme for the new institutional arrangement under the Convention will be based on three basic pillars: government; facilitative mechanism; and financial mechanism, and the basic organization of which will include the following:

World Government (heading added)

(a) The government will be ruled by the COP with the support of a new subsidiary body on adaptation, and of an Executive Board responsible for the management of the new funds and the related facilitative processes and bodies. The current Convention secretariat will operate as such, as appropriate.

To Redistribute Wealth (heading added)

b) The Convention’s financial mechanism will include a multilateral climate change fund including five windows: (a) an Adaptation window, (b) a Compensation window, to address loss and damage from climate change impacts [read: the "climate debt" Monckton refers to], including insurance, rehabilitation and compensatory components, © a Technology window; (d) a Mitigation window; and (e) a REDD window, to support a multi-phases process for positive forest incentives relating to REDD actions.

With Enforcement Authority (heading added)

© The Convention’s facilitative mechanism will include: (a) work programmes for adaptation and mitigation; (b) a long-term REDD process; © a short-term technology action plan; (d) an expert group on adaptation established by the subsidiary body on adaptation, and expert groups on mitigation, technologies and on monitoring, reporting and verification; and (e) an international registry for the monitoring, reporting and verification of compliance of emission reduction commitments, and the transfer of technical and financial resources from developed countries to developing countries. The secretariat will provide technical and administrative support, including a new centre for information exchange [read; enforcement]."

PDF of Proposed Treaty: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/reports/ngo-copenhagen-treaty-legal

Other Sources:

1)

http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/15816

2) http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/15878

3) http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/10/16/obama-poised-to-cede-us-sovereignty-in-copenhagen-claims-british-lord-monckton/

4) http://republicbroadcasting.org/?p=4794

5) http://www.blacklistednews.com/?news_id=5961

6) http://www.infowars.com/obama-poised-to-cede-us-sovereignty-claims-british-lord/

From Yesterday to Today, and Today to Tomorrow; We find ourselves back at Yesterday.

“There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.” – La Rochefoucauld

Today sites an important example of how a Democratic-Republic is supposed to work; it is unruly, it is unkempt and it is most assuredly not pretty.

But the end result is the majority rule of individual opinions, opinions that have made us the desire and ire of onlookers for over two hundred years.

The Obama White House, made a decision over this weekend that shows that there is still an element of hope within our fragile democracy; that the civilian head of our Government still listens to the peoples majority, even at the disappointment and exasperation of itself, (President Obama), and those that follow its objectives.

The White House is now looking at privatizing a Public Health Care option instead of Nationalizing it under Government influence, which will still create the needed competition between the other private health care providers, although assumed by the White house to not be as efficient.

I applaud all American Citizens for waking the ‘Sleeping Giant’ and taking action even against those who ask us all to follow what they want, but to not do as they do.

It shows that even in an Age, where the Civilian head of the Presidency has become more and more dictatorial in action in apparent direct opposition to its Constitutional powers, (citing more than just the current presidency). That there is still hope that the Civilian head of the Presidency is just that, a Position run by a Civilian.

A position that is designed and supposed to listen to its constituents and not ignore the desire and wishes of the Nation as a whole.

Although this does not change my opinion of the current presidency’s blatant objectives, (i.e. differing forms of Socialism and the systematic dismantling of Constitutional Amendmental Rights), It shows that what our Founding Fathers laid out for us still is functioning, albeit having lain stagnant for many years. 1]

In lieu of change, the Stimulus package that was stated by President Obama as, “was not designed to work in four months -- it was designed to work over two years. “ was the same Man who when promoting the Stimulus Bill said, “We must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do.”, and “Most of the money we're investing as part of this plan will get out the door immediately and go directly to job creation, generating or saving 3 to 4 million new jobs. And the vast majority of these jobs will be created in the private sector -- because, as these CEOs well know, business, not government, is the engine of growth in this country”. 2]

However even the original White House unemployment predicted peak of 8% is now above 9.4%as the Dept. of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics July report shows, with 14.5 Million Americans out of work, (A National Average). 3]

During the ‘Great Depression’ of the Early 1930’s, unemployment during the first full year of the Stock Market crash, (in 1930), climbed to 8.7% nationally. By 1931 it had risen to 15.9% and it the peak of the Great Depression unemployment rose to a startling 24.9%. 4]

We are already above the unemployment rate of 1930, in our first full year of our current economic depression and it is only slated by the government to rise, projected at over 10% by 2009 year end.

Now not to be a doomsayer, I do hope that our politicians and government officials make wise choices and decisions that help stimulate our economy, bring American businesses and other business back to our shores, as well as the wise use of tax payer money.

So that we do not end up in depression peak like that at the height of the Great Depression, but outlook is not rosy and initial promises are seemingly left empty at the current stage.

I hope that I and others are wrong and as the White House now currently admonishes, that the full effect of the Stimulus won’t start to be seen until the last quarter of 2009.

But in light of a White House reversal on the importance of Government run Health care and a rising unemployment rate. We do need to worry about the current continuous global sell-off U.S. Stocks which in turn decreases or GNP and the worth of the American Dollar. And also with China’s Shanghai Composite Index in a decline that was originally shown in recovery. This puts all of us Americans under an even deeper strain since China holds much of the U.S. National Debt, (Whether it be Governmental or Individual credit debt).

And as investors already are jumping ship from the U.S. causing great strain on the U.S. Market and economy, many of these investors are now looking to jump ship from China, too. Since there is a close U.S. economic relationship with China, this spells a certain amount of disaster for not only the Chinese people but for Americans as well. 5]

“Our virtues are most frequently but vices disguised.” – La Rochefoucauld

DOMA, or otherwise known as the ‘Defense of Marriage Act’, signed into being by former President Bill Clinton in 1996, is under the sights of President Obama for repeal. This act denies federal benefits to domestic partners, (Same Sex Partners), of federal employees while also allowing states to reject same-sex marriages in other states. President Obama believes this act to be discriminatory even though the Supreme Court currently upholds DOMA.

This will most certainly cause concern and ire in the conservative branch of both the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as some of the other Independents, while being a positive note for those in the liberal stance of our nation.

I personally think ‘Marriage’ is only suitable for that of a Male and Female coupling since Marriage is in lieu of physical reproduction and the continuance of our race, besides other elements faceted to coupling in the first place; although I believe this, I do not disdain my friends that are of a homo-sexual nature the burdens of marriage either.

My Conservative upbringing asks me to rail against the repeal of this act for the indecency it proposes without it there to protect the institution of marriage, while my libertarian fascinations urge me to be a supporter of the possibility of benefits to the homo-sexual community as long as they retain the term, ‘Domestic Partnership’ and not that of ‘Marriage’, since the two are wholly different in values and operation.

Yet in the end every Family whether one that is Married or is a Domestic Partnership should be afforded the same rights, whether or not I agree with the type of partnering. 6]

In other news, the [flag [at] whitehouse [dot] gov email address that was available for the use of snitching on those who voiced their opinions against the Health Care Plan. Is no longer available under Public pressure and complaints against the White House by Citizens who were receiving unsolicited emails from the White house after being anonymously signed up for a White House Email List and receiving emails from Senior Advisor David Axelrod.

The charges held against the White House which the White House expressly denied were that of ‘creating an enemies list’. The White House also stated it will work to reduce the number of incidences of people receiving unsolicited emails. Making an effort to blame this on third-party Advocacy groups and their online petitions.

This however does not explain the fact that the system that was being used by the White House was designed to embed the emails and names of people on these petitions into its Email lists, (presumed automatically), even if these Advocacy groups were releasing too much personal data from their petitioners and the like.

But the White House has made some changes which are supposed to prevent most future issues of this nature. 7]

And speaking of Chicago politics, if you haven’t heard Mayor Daley of Chicago came up with what seemed to be a brilliant plan at first to save Chicago and its constituent’s money. But will in actuality incur a cost of much more money than its intent to save, and this is the plan.

Chicago City workers were forced to take 15 unpaid holidays of which were in effect supposed to save the city money, all except Emergency services. Now Daley continues with more forced unpaid holidays that don’t actually all coincide with actual holidays, and has pretty much all City employees, (except Emergency Services), like the City Library, the Office of Building and Permits, Garbage pick-up, etc. to take today, (Monday), off without any special notice to the public which requires many of these services. So you need to meet a deadline and require a Permit? Sorry, Closed! So you need to do research or just enjoy some literature at the library? Sorry, Closed! So your trash is out per City guidelines for Monday pick-up, (those applicable)? Sorry, No Pick-up!

What does this mean, well it will disgruntle many I am sure, it may cause some business deals and residential/business planning to go south, (although speculative), But it means possible law suits against the City of Chicago, it means overtime hours worked for those Garbage Men and Women who now have to do double the work to pick up garbage since they were forced to be off, it means more money spent to clean up the mess of a City Government being closed on a Business weekday due to lack of informing the Public affected and also well, due to being closed on a Business weekday.

So all that money that is supposed to be saved is now purported to be of waste, since this Daley plan causes more problems than it actually fixes.

If Chicago City officials really wanted to save money for the City of Chicago, they ought to think about taking an unpaid ‘work’ day in which they actually still are working, if they want something like this to work. 8]

Finally though, Today a worthy note goes to Democratic Governor of the State of Wisconsin; Jim Doyle who is refusing to run for a third term as Governor. He believes Governors should limit themselves to two terms just like the Presidency, so that it allows new leaders to develop, stating, “It gives the voters more choices. It allows us to draw new insights and inspiration from the wellsprings of renewal in each generation.” 9]

Whether or not this is a guise to benefit Democrat candidates; the move is truly an American style, Founding Fathers brewed sort of action that is worthy of praise. Since it allows for a renewal and helps to prevent political stagnation.

So a loud ‘Hurrah’ and a big ‘Thumbs up’, goes to Governor Jim Doyle for upholding values that once inspired those that helped create this great nation.

Maybe Governor Jim Doyle’s trend setting ideas will inspire other politicians to take action in a similar or equal light…?

Well one can hope.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sources:

1] http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/17/health.care/

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1719676,w-health-care-obama-public-081709.article

2] http://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/stories/2009/08/17/daily6.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE56A0VR20090711

http://www.cnbc.com/id/31862376

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/28/obama.stimulus/index.html

3] http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm

4] http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/Timeline.htm

5] http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-stocks-lower-in-global-sell-off-materials-cos-pace-drop-2009-08-17

6] http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2009/08/17/obama_makes_explicit_his_objec.html

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/24/elec04.prez.bush.marriage/

7] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/17/white-house-makes-security-changes-web-site-following-complaints-unwanted-e/

8] http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/1719199,CST-NWS-stein17.article

http://www.wgnradio.com/news/top/wgnam-daley-unpaid-holiday-city-worker-072809,0,5109657.story

9] http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/08/17/daily6.html

Fall of Civil Liberties

In light of the on-going onslaught of American 1st Amendment Rights. The only real Flagrant acts are being done by people like Daniel Mach of the ACLU.

It seems like something else out of an Orwell story, amongst all the current Orwellian mischief, propaganda and propagation in current years.

Although I do not disagree that a court order is in assumed violation. Something like this should be a non-issue to begin with.

Christianity, (specifically the one being attacked here), has been the single most attacked Religion of the past 20 years here in the United States of America.

The only Country; currently in the World that thought Freedom of Religion, Speech and Press where so important that we made it our 1st Amendment to our Constitution.

"Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression.

Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It has become the order of the times to make laws and conditions of which clearly violate the 1st amendment. Like the January out of court settlement the Santa Rosa County School District reached with the ACLU for supposed 1st Amendment Violations.

Let's think about this for a minute, since many people seem to not understand what a 'Real' 1st amendment violation is.

...

So how does one go about violating the 1st amendment?

Well put simply a 1st Amendment violation occurs when and if a Government, (U.S.of A.), makes a law to establish a State Religion, or prohibits the free practice/exercise of any Religion. Violations also occur if an individuals freedom of speech is abridged, (Moderated in such a way as the individual cannot sufficiently express open opinion and thought without reparation occurring.)

Also, preventing the freedom of Press; preventing peaceable assembly by the People and preventing petition for a redress of grievances. We however are currently concerned about Speech and Religion.

So if a violation of the 1st amendment is as stated above, then how do groups like the ACLU with people like Daniel Mach, get away with violating the Founding laws of the land for their own personal gain, or the personal gain of others?

This may be the question of the decade... If we are to follow Constitutional law, (Amendments being apart of that law), then this would in initial judgement assume that every court case, law and settlements that rule in favor against 1st Amendment rights; such as the Santa Rosa County School District Settlement with the ACLU. A settlement that seems to have been reached under a certain amount of duress against the school district for violations of the 1st amendment but turns out it is the ACLU that has and is violating the 1st amendment by prohibiting free speech and practice of religion.

This is not only sad but scary indeed, not to mention that now two well respected teachers of their Community are now under criminal charges for saying a prayer for their meal around other consenting adults.

With the accusation that some school children over heard in another room? Hence violating the unconstitutional Settlement the ACLU won earlier this year. Well that remains to be seen, especially since the school, Students and teachers have come out in protest of this, Which seems promising.

What many others are failing to see and ask questions regarding, is:

What happens once one religion is attacked and sufficiently demonized and wiped away?

Well if history is a guide, and it usually is; this would mean that once the dominant religion is swept away in one fashion or another, then that leaves the other current religions and faiths in the eye of the target.

Once it is okay to take away freedom of one Religion, then no other religion is safe, this goes for speech as well.

This is just another good example of the slow erosion and chipping away of our most sacred of Civil Rights, until they no longer exist for us to exercise.

A Christian should be able to pray over their food without fear of reprisal, just as a Wicca(n)/Witch should be able to bless their food, a Hindu to pray over theirs as well, as well as those of Islamic faith and Buddhism and Taoism or any other Religion and Faith.

The 1st amendment allows for the free practice thereof as long as one does not force their practice upon another. And praying over ones personal food stuffs before a meal does not constitute a violation of the 1st Amendment. Nor is it a violation if all in specific tabling are in consent to a group-wide act of a specific religion or faith.

If others happen to be in listening distance but are in a separate room, this does not constitute a violation. However since the School district of Santa Rosa allowed a settlement to be reached, however unconstitutional, they are currently bound by that settlement since it is a contractual agreement between parties bound by current law.

One can only hope that an event such as this will wake Americans up to the travesty at hand so as to prevent future unconstitutional meanderings of organizations such as the ACLU and arrogant outbursts like litigators such as Daniel Mach.

All of whom shame their names as American Citizens by dragging the Constitution and its amendments through the mud; by violating it not only on a consistent basis, but by violating it just once.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sources:

1) http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,539741,00.html

2) http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/aug/14/criminal-prayer-case-stirs-protests/?feat=home_headlines

3) http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1

4) http://www.examiner.com/x-8280-Columbia-Evangelical-Examiner~y2009m8d15-Religious-liberties-under-assault-in-Florida

5) http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2009/03/religion-in-schools-lawsuit-settlement.html

6) http://www.californiabusinesslitigation.com/2009/05/aclu_wins_prayer_ruling.html

Technology and Design for Better Living

Urban Mole is looking to use old infrastructure, (i.e. Sewers, etc.), to incorporate a new delivery system for package transport.

http://www.good.is/post/what-would-happen-if-you-removed-all-delivery-trucks-from-the-streets/

Apparently there is going to be an infrastructure boom, (When? No stipulation), but if you have a degree in Urban Designing, Process Piping Design and or a degree in Nuclear Engineering; You're in luck!

http://www.good.is/post/the-infrastructure-job-boom-that-could-save-us-all/

If your in Surgery, (Assuming you are a Surgeon), and the power goes out or you are in an area with undesirable power. Here is an ingenious and fairly simple design to help you maintain light during surgery. Can also be useful for other circumstances including your average power outage.

http://www.good.is/post/another-genius-low-cost-solution-the-pie-pan-surgical-lamp/

Creating energy from a revolving door or an 'Energy Tail'.

http://www.good.is/post/how-to-generate-power-from-your-daily-activities/

Self-Sustaining Communities, that are also energy efficient and help create there own heating and cooling. The way of the future?

http://www.good.is/post/a-sustainable-living-laboratory/

The U.K. has given the go ahead to building 100,000 new Eco-Homes built with the latest technology in an effort to be as self sustainable s is possible.

http://www.good.is/post/eco-towns-a-pr-opportunity-smart-development-idea-or-both/

Fake architect designs brilliant energy producing buildings.

http://www.good.is/post/fake-architect-designs-awesome-building/

Not an energy efficient item, yet deserves mention.

A smart biking project by SENSEable City Labs in Copenhagen, has designed bikes with a 'SmartTag' technology. that tracks the bikers movements to somehow help with Traffic control and finding some biker you'd like to meet up with.

[My personal opinion, it has good intentions but will ultimately be used inappropriately]

http://www.good.is/post/copenhagen-gets-bicycles-of-the-future/

Let's try and save on paper and ink by opting for receipts instead of receiving them automatically.

http://www.good.is/post/do-we-need-all-these-store-receipts/

Do you like Beer? Maybe not... But either way one Beer company reinvests itself into the local communities it is apart of and is considered to be, "Conscientious Capitalism".

http://www.good.is/post/beer-summit/

R. Willia Holzkopf Jr.

I am an American! I am a Representative of America!

So Sen. Arlen Specter believes that, all these angry and upset American Citizens all over the U.S. are, "not necessarily representative of America"!?

What kind of crock of Crap is that supposed to mean?

That is absolutely the same thing as saying all of us who speak are minds and opinions are, "Un-American", as Nancy Pelosi had stated some days back!

This is just more of the Radical Democrat line of B.S. when they don't have the support of the Nation they think they are Royalty in!

It is always ever o.k. when these Democrats and Socialist Liberals pay to have people say "Hooray for our Side", or Support whatever Candidate is running or whatever reform or Bill is up for vote.

Yet if Regular Non-Democrat party or even Former Democrat party American Citizens, come out of their own free will and volition to exercise their 1st amendment rights. It is suddenly wrong, a travesty, "Un-American" and or "not necessarily representative of America".

There are two old sayings we use here in America to those who talk a lot of guff but can't seem to handle the task.

'If it's too hot, get out of the kitchen', and 'If you can't walk the walk, don't talk the talk.'

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

'I am neither a Democrat or Republican party member, I am a United States of America Citizen and I vote my conscious and voice my opinion. I am one of many representatives of this Great Nation that is America, and I am disgusted that some of our Senators and Representatives who are supposed to uphold Constitutional and Amendmental values, who are supposed to be 'our' Representatives of our collective individual voices and 'our' mirror to the World. That they would have the gall to break ranks, show arrogance and contempt for this Great Nation as well as talk down to and dirty the American name. I am R. William Holzkopf Jr.'

Health Care Reform: Protesters

Whether or not you agree with the current Health Care Reform or Not. You do have a Fundamental Right to voice your Opinion.

However, it is inappropriate, dangerous, and often illegal to cause disruptive or physical harm to people at "Town Hall Meetings", or other such similar Democratic events open to Public debate.

(I am speaking more of those on both Republican and Democrat sides who are strong arming the opposing side in an effort to sway opinion.)

These "Town Hall Meetings" are for Public Debate yes, but it is up to all of us to ask 'Strong' questions of our leaders and not accuse, consistently use verbal abuse and or physically beat up those who oppose what we believe to be right.

Accusations, verbal abuse and causing of physical harm are for street thugs and do not belong in a Public debate, no matter how heated a discussion may get.

If you feel a protest is the right course of action, you are perfectly allowed to protest outside the facility; picketing with signs and chants and speeches or whatever is lawful for your area.

But it is not lawful to disrupt a Public debate in such a way were you can be considered to be forcibly removed.

Also please refrain from violent actions against each other, this will only fuel the fire for the opposing group and give you and your whole movement a bad name and hurt your cause.

The opposition always is looking to prod and poke you so that you strike first. So much so that they are hoping to get you mad and irritated so that someone will take a violent course of action against them, so they can use it as a rallying cry to their mindless masses that follow them.

Do Not let this happen, for it will only help them win and give the opposition the ability to destroy everything that has been worked so hard for.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Sending Hope and Sincerity to Asia

For those who suffered in the earthquakes that tore through Japan on August 10 and 11th (U.S. date);

08.11.200908.10.2009

Magnitude	Location	Time
6.4	Near the south coast of Honshu, Japan		Map
4.5	Izu Islands, Japan region	08.10.2009	Map
7.1	Izu Islands, Japan region		Map

earthquake.usgs.gov

http://suomenkuvalehti.fi/kuvat/2009/08/11/japan-earthquake

For those in Taiwan affected by the Terrible Typhoon that swept through their Country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090810/ap_on_re_as/as_asia_storm

And also for those in China who also were affected by the Typhoon.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090809/ap_on_re_as/as_asia_storm

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/world/asia/11china.html

I send my hope and my sincerity in that all three countries, Japan, Taiwan and China's citizens recover from these disasters. I also send my condolences to any that lost family and friends to these disasters.

May your Recovery be quick, your patience be centered and your determination be successful!

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

Trading Freedom for Fascism: The State of Things

Such a strong word; Fascism is. It brings up thoughts and images of Mussolini Italy, Adolf Hitler and his puppet Socialist Nazi Regime, and even the Stalinist Regime of the former CCCP. Fascism conjures very strong feelings in all types of people. Emotions ranging from a strong like, to lackadaisical naivety, to extreme Anger and fear.

I cannot speak for Citizens of other countries, but as an American Citizen, I have heard varying view points from my fellow Citizens and except for a small minority of people, who fall into the, "I could Care Less" Category. We as a country seem to be split down the center. Although the definition of the split is not necessarily equal, when it comes to opinions on America, what we really stand for, and if we are truly still a Democratic-Republic or have slipped into Socialism and sliding head-fast into Fascism.

It is true many do not understand what Fascism truly is any more, at least by definition. It is used to label many things people do not like, whether it is people, business, laws, states, and governments, etc.

The root of Fascism comes from the Italian word Fascio which its root comes from the Latin; Fasces. 1]

Fasces is a bundle of sticks or rods that are bound together to signify strength. The more Fasces, the more Strength, also sometimes shown with an axe in it as well. The symbol of Fasces is similar to the phrase 'With Unity comes Strength'. (Also can be found on the back of the U.S. Mercury Dime.)

Fascism was first used by Benito Mussolini in 1919, but seems to be a reference to the Fasci Siciliani of the 1890's. The Fasci conducted early Trade Unions that were founded on Socialist ideologies, though had a mostly practical lure. However the term Fascism more applied to the government of Prime Minister Crispi on how he and his ruling elite behaved when striking down these Fasci and their trade Unions. PM Crispi used public fear of social revolution to strike at all "subversive" organizations, creating a broad and inaccurate agenda which affected both the good and the bad, as it were. 2]

So what does fascism do and what does it entail?

Fascism does not allow any unregulated domestic or foreign markets. The same thing happened with Italy and Germany, both countries accomplishing this through a militaristic empire building of 'Client' states. This ensures a steady flow of needed resources and the ability to prop up their weakening currency that is being inflated to fund domestic programs and military interventions.

Nationalism is the flag of Fascism, they use the Media, Public events and Schools as well as a leader embodied with charisma and the Nationalism movement. A Fascist state pushes compulsory national service for all young adults to drum up support for National Unity while slowly or quickly eroding the sense of individual as well as individual rights.

There is also the creation of external and internal enemies that are allegedly threatening the nation, along with the creation of Public Welfare Programs used to pacify the populous since these programs are offered as protection against unpredictability and the trials and tribulations of our lives.

Fascist regimes offer such things as;

Social Welfare Programs... these are sold as protection from poverty and illness, but what really happens as has happened here in America. All welfare programs take money from taxes, taxes taken from Citizens who work. Welfare programs promote inconstancy and a populous trained to take from the Public Coffers, as well as creating a limited working environment in the process. This process is known as a Welfare Trap/ Unemployment Trap/Poverty Trap. These discourage movement into work due to the taxing out of the earned welfare from the people’s wage. 3]

"A person on welfare finds a part time job that will pay him/her a minimum wage of five dollars per hour, eight hours per week. The forty dollars he/she earns per week will be deducted from their welfare payments leaving him/her with no net gain. Frequently, in fact, they will recover a net loss as the government will also levy a tax on their forty dollars. There may also be extra child-care and commuting costs, now that he/she is no longer able to remain at home all day. Therefore, despite performing eight hours of work productive to society (and, theoretically, themselves) they are now worse off than before they acquired employment." 4]

In such creating strain on the Programs, because it is easier to take from the system than to get off the system, this causes a heavy strain on the welfare programs because less people end up working and so less are paying into the system. This becomes a vicious cycle that can only be gotten out of by the destruction of the system itself.

This is not to say all welfare is bad, however even well regulated welfare systems eventually all end up failing.

They first start with the initiative to help the poor and the elderly and orphans. Then they include the sick, the out of work and the disabled. Finally it covers minority and foreign groups, with usually a heavy lean to only minority and foreign groups and then, well eventually there is little left to support the system because everyone is on the system. The Systems debt increases because the Welfare state has to create money where there is none, this cause inflation... and so on, and so on.

Types of Welfare: (Just a Selection)

1. Social Security

2. Medicare

3. Nationalized/Government Healthcare

4. Food Stamps

5. Family Aid

6. Housing Assistance

Another thing sold to the populous is the Nationalization of Industry and Financial Markets.

This is sold as saving the country and the people from economic loss while subversively passing along debt to each individual citizen. In reality though it is said to be the savior of the Country it is actually the tightening of the Fascist control of finances and industry by the Government, while creating a poverty stricken government dependent society.

Fascism roots itself into the education centers of a country; spreading indoctrination where government is hyped in a positive light, while under-educating the students to their rights and individualism and giving them the belief that they must financially support the State otherwise they are the enemy.

Fascist States create heavy amounts of regulatory requirements of which they say are to protect people from free market systems. Yet in reality it helps favor those who gain from the government regulations at the populous's expense.

These systems create enemies from within and without. Not unlike the United States 'War on Drugs' and the 'War on Terror'. Supposed to protect the masses from these terrible things, however these things like the 'War on Terror' are in part caused by the U.S. of A.'s harmful foreign policy. Both become a War on Freedom turning a Free Republic into a Police State. With even Law enforcement resembling an occupying paramilitary force.

To top it all off, in the beginning of a Fascist take over the State promotes the Values of the Old regime while wrapping in their own distorted philosophies and ideology.

So in places such as the United States of America. Freedom of Speech is a fundamental Inalienable Right, so much so that it was made the 1st Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

But in a Fascist regime, they promote things like freedom of speech and press and vote, only if you are agreeing with the State. If you disagree, they allege or even directly call those in disagreement, (Whether Vocal or written), that they are, 'Crazy', they are 'Disruptive', they are 'Violent', they are 'Enemies of the State', they are ' Terrorists', they are; as in the case of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called: "Nazis" and "Un-American" 5], because hard working Americans are waking up and deciding to use their 1st Amendment Rights to speak their opinions on a wide variety of topics, but specifically Nationalized Health Care.

And these Citizens that are exercising their fundamental Constitutionally granted Rights are getting berated by their own Government for doing so?!

Well in the article 'Facts are Stubborn Things' by Macon Phillips. the 'White House Director of New Media'. Posted this blog asserting there is much disinformation about the 'Health care reform Bill', about how there are Email scams and rumors that are causing this problem and how the White house cannot keep track of all of them. Stating "Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to [email removed]." 6]

So what is a Fascist State?

An environment where they seduce family, friends and neighbors into snitching on each other for the safety and welfare of the State.

Where freedom of speech is hindered by the State only if you are on the opposing side.

Where the State gives everyone free healthcare, aid, and education although everyone seems to realize when it's too late that the only way to fund such things is through taxing those working and if most everyone is on the system; where is that money coming from. It isn't coming from the politicians and leaders pockets for sure.

Where the state, takes away your rights and freedoms for your safety and protection selling it as 'it will protect you from the criminal elements of society'. Although everyone seems to forget that Laws and regulation that take away personal rights and freedoms to protect them against enemies and Criminals, only protect Enemies and Criminals.

Because Enemies and Criminals DO NOT follow the laws and regulations!

What is a Fascist State?

A place where Freedom of thought, Speech and Action is considered to be a hindrance, a violation and a direct attack on the State and its Leaders themselves.

Where a list is made by a selection of the Government on those who vote against the Winning Party and vote for alternative Parties, (Like the Constitutionalist Party, Green Party, Libertarian Party, etc.)

Where a List is made against all those who oppose or have an opinion on Government action and Bills, etc.

So, what is a Fascist State?

Well I am talking about places like the Former Nazi Germany, and Mussolini's Italy; But Others may actually think I am talking about America.

R. William Holzkopf Jr.

1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasces

http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=fasces

http://www.bestcoin.com/F-coin-collecting-definitions.htm

2] http://redpill8.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-lockstep-with-fascism.html

3] http://www.strike-the-root.com/91/colyar/colyar1.html

4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_trap

5] http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/08/unamerican-attacks-cant-derail-health-care-debate-.html

6] http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/