Monday, March 03, 2008
Is fascism and a dictatorship on the horizon for the US?
A news article on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on June 4 — The government’s new system for trying Guantánamo detainees was thrown into turmoil Monday, when military judges in separate decisions dismissed war crimes charges against two of the detainees.
The rulings, the latest legal setbacks for the government’s effort to bring war crimes charges against detainees, could stall the military’s prosecutions here.
The decisions did not turn on the guilt or innocence of the detainees, but rather made essentially the same determination that the military had not followed procedures to declare the detainees “unlawful enemy combatants,” which is required for the military commission to hear the cases.
We are fortunate that reason has prevailed and that the rule of law still carries some weight. A recent Supreme Court decision has given me some concern. We have been heading down the path of a fascist government with a military dictatorship.
A news article on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on June 4 — The government’s new system for trying Guantánamo detainees was thrown into turmoil Monday, when military judges in separate decisions dismissed war crimes charges against two of the detainees.
The rulings, the latest legal setbacks for the government’s effort to bring war crimes charges against detainees, could stall the military’s prosecutions here.
The decisions did not turn on the guilt or innocence of the detainees, but rather made essentially the same determination that the military had not followed procedures to declare the detainees “unlawful enemy combatants,” which is required for the military commission to hear the cases.
We are fortunate that reason has prevailed and that the rule of law still carries some weight. A recent Supreme Court decision has given me some concern. We have been heading down the path of a fascist government with a military dictatorship.
Our Leadership...
There is an old proverb that states" The fastest way to find something you lost is to replace it" Well, we here in the United states have lost our leadership. Both the Bush administration and our Congress are both lost and appear to be incapable of effectively running our nation. Is it not time we replaced both? We may in the process find new and effective leadership.
There is an old proverb that states" The fastest way to find something you lost is to replace it" Well, we here in the United states have lost our leadership. Both the Bush administration and our Congress are both lost and appear to be incapable of effectively running our nation. Is it not time we replaced both? We may in the process find new and effective leadership.
Texas higher education?... A doctorate in creationism science?
I would be embarrassed to be associated, in any way, with the individuals on a Texas education panel. A recent article in the NYT states in part: "HOUSTON - A Texas higher education panel has recommended allowing a Bible-based group called the Institute for Creation Research to offer online master's degrees in science education."
I find it difficult to believe that a "higher education" panel of any kind would, or could, come to such a recommendation. How on earth can any, supposedly educated, group place creationism in the same category as evolution and have the gall to consider creationism a science and offer a masters degree in science education? To teach a course in religion is appropriate but to consider it a science is incomprehensible. If approved, the logical next step would be to offer not only a masters degree in creationism science but a doctorate as well.
I would be embarrassed to be associated, in any way, with the individuals on a Texas education panel. A recent article in the NYT states in part: "HOUSTON - A Texas higher education panel has recommended allowing a Bible-based group called the Institute for Creation Research to offer online master's degrees in science education."
I find it difficult to believe that a "higher education" panel of any kind would, or could, come to such a recommendation. How on earth can any, supposedly educated, group place creationism in the same category as evolution and have the gall to consider creationism a science and offer a masters degree in science education? To teach a course in religion is appropriate but to consider it a science is incomprehensible. If approved, the logical next step would be to offer not only a masters degree in creationism science but a doctorate as well.
War, greed, cost and value
The news media has apparently shifted its primary coverage from the Iraq war to the economy. The war will likely cost us over one trillion dollars (according to some economists). That is in addition to almost three thousand American lives lost. But what is the real cost and impact of the war and corporate greed to our nation?
It was Oscar Wilde who said that economists sometimes "know the price of everything and the value of nothing". When it comes to the Iraq war his point is valid. What and where is the value to be derived from the conduct of the war? To make a legitimate and fair estimate, we would have to consider the costs of the alternatives, which would have been leaving Saddam Hussein in power, as well as the possible benefits to be achieved by his removal. The bottom line is that from an economical standpoint what matters is whether you win or lose the war. I question not only whether the war can be won but what would be the tangible benefits from winning it. I see only a negative impact to our nation in both cases.
I am disheartened by the fact that our news media appears to have dropped the Iraq war as a significant reporting issue and is stressing the economy. It no longer gives the war the coverage it warrants. I do concur that our economy is in dire straights and that a forthcoming recession or worst is in the making; but that situation does not justify the reduced coverage of the war; coverage that is apparently lacking in our news.
I would like to think that the trillion dollars spent on the war and the 3,000 lives lost could have been far better spent on improving our health care system, education, and our nations infrastructure. Isn't it about time that "value" to the American people became the prime consideration of government and not the parochial interests of our leaders and the lining of corporate pockets?
The news media has apparently shifted its primary coverage from the Iraq war to the economy. The war will likely cost us over one trillion dollars (according to some economists). That is in addition to almost three thousand American lives lost. But what is the real cost and impact of the war and corporate greed to our nation?
It was Oscar Wilde who said that economists sometimes "know the price of everything and the value of nothing". When it comes to the Iraq war his point is valid. What and where is the value to be derived from the conduct of the war? To make a legitimate and fair estimate, we would have to consider the costs of the alternatives, which would have been leaving Saddam Hussein in power, as well as the possible benefits to be achieved by his removal. The bottom line is that from an economical standpoint what matters is whether you win or lose the war. I question not only whether the war can be won but what would be the tangible benefits from winning it. I see only a negative impact to our nation in both cases.
I am disheartened by the fact that our news media appears to have dropped the Iraq war as a significant reporting issue and is stressing the economy. It no longer gives the war the coverage it warrants. I do concur that our economy is in dire straights and that a forthcoming recession or worst is in the making; but that situation does not justify the reduced coverage of the war; coverage that is apparently lacking in our news.
I would like to think that the trillion dollars spent on the war and the 3,000 lives lost could have been far better spent on improving our health care system, education, and our nations infrastructure. Isn't it about time that "value" to the American people became the prime consideration of government and not the parochial interests of our leaders and the lining of corporate pockets?
The Bush administration and our military have recognized that we are losing the war in Iraq and have taken the only action that could appear to the American people to be successfull. That action is to arm and support different tribes and militias throughout Iraq. What is happening, in effect, is that we are separating the country into sectarian and religious conclaves. What is ongoing in Anbar Province is similar to what happened in Fallujah after the siege there failed. Our military was severely beaten. They couldn't take the city so they funded, armed and backed the militias in the city and left. As troop deaths decline they state that they have turned over control to the Iraqis and the situation has improved. The reality is that in Anbar they have returned to funding and backing Sunni militias on a huge scale. The immediate impression of all this is that there is less conflict and death. But is reality it has destroyed the central, democratically elected, government and has set the stage for conflict among the Sunni and Shia and will only magnify tribal conflict throughout the country. I can only assume the administration's actions are to place the burden on the next administration.
The economy, war, and survival
We are losing our nation to foreign elements, not in a war, but through internal economic collapse. There is no need for any country to take over militarily; we will being "bought out" by Asian countries. That process has been going on for some time and has recently accelerated.
We are losing our nation to foreign elements, not in a war, but through internal economic collapse. There is no need for any country to take over militarily; we will being "bought out" by Asian countries. That process has been going on for some time and has recently accelerated.
Where is reality in our Defense Department?
The news media states "The US defense secretary has angered NATO allies after he publicly criticized European NATO forces in Afghanistan, saying they do not know how to fight a "guerrilla insurgency".
Must I accept the statement that our Secretary of Defense knows how to fight a guerrilla war? His approach in Iraq has been to have our military leaders bribe the tribal leaders and ethnic groups in order to constrain terrorist activity. Does he really believe this is the solution to the terrorist problem in Iraq? If so, I am many other Americans should be concerned. As an ex-DOD employee, I find it difficult to believe that our Sec. Def. leadership and our military are that naive.
The news media states "The US defense secretary has angered NATO allies after he publicly criticized European NATO forces in Afghanistan, saying they do not know how to fight a "guerrilla insurgency".
Must I accept the statement that our Secretary of Defense knows how to fight a guerrilla war? His approach in Iraq has been to have our military leaders bribe the tribal leaders and ethnic groups in order to constrain terrorist activity. Does he really believe this is the solution to the terrorist problem in Iraq? If so, I am many other Americans should be concerned. As an ex-DOD employee, I find it difficult to believe that our Sec. Def. leadership and our military are that naive.
The Presidential election... Are we fools and easily swayed?
I define a demagogue as one who preaches falsehoods, knowing them to be untrue, to those he knows to be fools.
Isn't that the present situation in our country? Hasn't our president and his administration done just that?
When will the American people wake up to reality and recognize the demagogic nature of the present administration? I dislike thinking that the majority of our voters would be considered fools but the results of the last two presidential elections have demonstrated otherwise.
We have a new opportunity to elect someone honest, intelligent, with competence and whose intent is to help our nation and its people.
I sincerely hope that our electorate conducts a better evaluation of presidential candidates then it has done in the recent past.
I define a demagogue as one who preaches falsehoods, knowing them to be untrue, to those he knows to be fools.
Isn't that the present situation in our country? Hasn't our president and his administration done just that?
When will the American people wake up to reality and recognize the demagogic nature of the present administration? I dislike thinking that the majority of our voters would be considered fools but the results of the last two presidential elections have demonstrated otherwise.
We have a new opportunity to elect someone honest, intelligent, with competence and whose intent is to help our nation and its people.
I sincerely hope that our electorate conducts a better evaluation of presidential candidates then it has done in the recent past.
Why religious extremism?
Most of society, at one time or the other, will establish and relish some doctrine and defend it
with every aspect of communal stupidity. Religion is one such doctrine.
Most of society, at one time or the other, will establish and relish some doctrine and defend it
with every aspect of communal stupidity. Religion is one such doctrine.
America...Tighten your belt!
It has been a long time in coming but it finally here; the recession has begun. What concerns me is that it may be far more severe than most anticipate. This will probably go down as one of the worst recessions in the last 60 years. The problem is that its severity of it is still too difficult to gauge in that we still do not know the extent of the financial collapse of our banking industry nor have we seen the bottom to the housing market.
Japan's last major recession took almost ten years from which to recover and this one could last that long as well. What is difficult to fathom is why a recession in the US is so adversely impacting foreign markets. The US recession may yet trigger a world wide recession. Let us hope not, or another world war may be initiated to bring us out of it. It is belt tightening time for all Americans...a long overdo belt tightening.
It has been a long time in coming but it finally here; the recession has begun. What concerns me is that it may be far more severe than most anticipate. This will probably go down as one of the worst recessions in the last 60 years. The problem is that its severity of it is still too difficult to gauge in that we still do not know the extent of the financial collapse of our banking industry nor have we seen the bottom to the housing market.
Japan's last major recession took almost ten years from which to recover and this one could last that long as well. What is difficult to fathom is why a recession in the US is so adversely impacting foreign markets. The US recession may yet trigger a world wide recession. Let us hope not, or another world war may be initiated to bring us out of it. It is belt tightening time for all Americans...a long overdo belt tightening.
Is the world situation really that bad?
The middle east is in turmoil; we are involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; Islamic extremism and terrorism is active world wide; Iran wants a nuclear capability and is threatening Israel; Pakistan, who has nuclear weapons, is in turmoil; the Sudan is ramped with tribal warfare, the US economy is on the verge of collapse with an impending severe recession, the US educational system is on the decline, its infrastructure deteriorating and it is heavily in debt to much of the world.
But are things really as bad as they appear? Read the following...
"It is a gloomy moment in history. Not in the lifetime of any man who reads this paper has there been so much grave and deep apprehension; never has the future seemed so dark and incalculable. In France, the political cauldron seethes and bubbles with uncertainty. England and the English Empire is being sorely tired and exhausted in social and economic struggle. The United States is beset with racial, industrial and commercial chaos -- drifting we know not where. Russia hangs like a storm cloud on the horizon of Europe -- dark and silent. It is a solemn moment and no man can feel indifference, which happily no man pretends to feel in the issue of events. Of our own troubles, no man can see the end."
It should be noted that the preceding quote was written over 160 years ago and appeared in the Harper's issue dated Oct. 10, 1857. As the French philosopher said, "the more things change, the more they remain insane ... I mean the same."
The middle east is in turmoil; we are involved in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; Islamic extremism and terrorism is active world wide; Iran wants a nuclear capability and is threatening Israel; Pakistan, who has nuclear weapons, is in turmoil; the Sudan is ramped with tribal warfare, the US economy is on the verge of collapse with an impending severe recession, the US educational system is on the decline, its infrastructure deteriorating and it is heavily in debt to much of the world.
But are things really as bad as they appear? Read the following...
"It is a gloomy moment in history. Not in the lifetime of any man who reads this paper has there been so much grave and deep apprehension; never has the future seemed so dark and incalculable. In France, the political cauldron seethes and bubbles with uncertainty. England and the English Empire is being sorely tired and exhausted in social and economic struggle. The United States is beset with racial, industrial and commercial chaos -- drifting we know not where. Russia hangs like a storm cloud on the horizon of Europe -- dark and silent. It is a solemn moment and no man can feel indifference, which happily no man pretends to feel in the issue of events. Of our own troubles, no man can see the end."
It should be noted that the preceding quote was written over 160 years ago and appeared in the Harper's issue dated Oct. 10, 1857. As the French philosopher said, "the more things change, the more they remain insane ... I mean the same."
The age of lice and justice...
A recent finding through DNA analysis indicates that lice may have existed in the Americas as long as 15,000 years ago.
This shows that the parasite, lice, accompanied human hosts in the original populations of the Americas, probably as early as 15,000 years ago. It also goes to show that Christ, who lived in the middle east, probably had a good chance of contracting lice as well. Now if I had made that statement in a church in the southern US, I would probably have a good chance of being lynched.
It also brings to mind the unfortunate journalist in Afghanistan who was given a death penalty for repeating a question raised as to the justification of a Muslim male having numerous wives while a female is only permitted to have one husband.
I can only assume that free speech and justice are both in the eyes of the beholder.
A recent finding through DNA analysis indicates that lice may have existed in the Americas as long as 15,000 years ago.
This shows that the parasite, lice, accompanied human hosts in the original populations of the Americas, probably as early as 15,000 years ago. It also goes to show that Christ, who lived in the middle east, probably had a good chance of contracting lice as well. Now if I had made that statement in a church in the southern US, I would probably have a good chance of being lynched.
It also brings to mind the unfortunate journalist in Afghanistan who was given a death penalty for repeating a question raised as to the justification of a Muslim male having numerous wives while a female is only permitted to have one husband.
I can only assume that free speech and justice are both in the eyes of the beholder.
Frugality may be foolish in some fiscal matters...
I would be remiss if I did not rebuttal the letter written to the editor "Think frugal in fiscal matters". I agree that we must be frugal but we must not be foolhardy. It is not the time to cut government budgets at least for some of the mandatory necessities. As an example, Amendment 1 resulted in a proposed substantial cut to the Sarasota County Police Department's budget. The Department will be forced to cut services at a time when crime in on an increase. Data shows that there has been a substantial increase in both violent crime and robberies in Sarasota County this past year. It appears that many more in our county are turning to drugs and theft because of the degrading economic situation. Frugality is always the objective but reason and logic should prevail when the health and safety of the public is at stake.
I would be remiss if I did not rebuttal the letter written to the editor "Think frugal in fiscal matters". I agree that we must be frugal but we must not be foolhardy. It is not the time to cut government budgets at least for some of the mandatory necessities. As an example, Amendment 1 resulted in a proposed substantial cut to the Sarasota County Police Department's budget. The Department will be forced to cut services at a time when crime in on an increase. Data shows that there has been a substantial increase in both violent crime and robberies in Sarasota County this past year. It appears that many more in our county are turning to drugs and theft because of the degrading economic situation. Frugality is always the objective but reason and logic should prevail when the health and safety of the public is at stake.
Wake up Media... We are in a recession
All one has to do is look at the number of homeowners who are in foreclosure, the substantial increase in bankruptcies, the number of people being laid off and the numbers of small business concerns that are going under. We are in not only an economic decline but we are in a recession that is beginning to decimating the lives of many Americans. Political demagoguery appears to be have been more successful in influencing the masses than reality in tracking the financial collapse. There is a problem with our media's coverage because the coverage appears to be sporadic and confusing. The NY Times reported today that the subprime mortgages problem is part of a much larger story. That story has been with us for quite some time and was reported long ago in many business publications. I personally have see this collapse coming for the last two years and I am not a financial expert. Why has our government failed to address it until recently and were has our media been in addressing the subject?
All one has to do is look at the number of homeowners who are in foreclosure, the substantial increase in bankruptcies, the number of people being laid off and the numbers of small business concerns that are going under. We are in not only an economic decline but we are in a recession that is beginning to decimating the lives of many Americans. Political demagoguery appears to be have been more successful in influencing the masses than reality in tracking the financial collapse. There is a problem with our media's coverage because the coverage appears to be sporadic and confusing. The NY Times reported today that the subprime mortgages problem is part of a much larger story. That story has been with us for quite some time and was reported long ago in many business publications. I personally have see this collapse coming for the last two years and I am not a financial expert. Why has our government failed to address it until recently and were has our media been in addressing the subject?
Wake up America! There is violence in our schools
A former student recently killed five students at N. Illinois University. When are we going to wake up to the fact that we are conditioning our young to be violent? When are we going to recognize that the violence portrayed daily on TV, in videos, and portrayed in interactive games only serves to promote this behavior? We are conditioning our young to violent action through the repetitive display of aggressive behavior. All one has to do is look at the number of school shootings in the United Sates over the last 12 years and the severity of the problem becomes obvious. This violence exists not only in the US but throughout the world as well.
Feb. 2, 1996
Moses Lake, Wash. Two students, one teacher killed, one other wounded when 14-year-old Barry Loukaitis opened fire on his algebra class.
Feb. 19, 1997
Bethel, Alaska Principal and one student killed, two others wounded by Evan Ramsey, 16.
Oct. 1, 1997
Pearl, Miss. Two students killed and seven wounded by Luke Woodham, 16, who was also accused of killing his mother. He and his friends were said to be outcasts who worshiped Satan.
Dec. 1, 1997
West Paducah, Ky. Three students killed, five wounded by Michael Carneal, 14, as they participated in a prayer circle at Heath High School.
Dec. 15, 1997
Stamps, Ark. Two students wounded. Colt Todd, 14, was hiding in the woods when he shot the students as they stood in the parking lot.
March 24, 1998
Jonesboro, Ark. Four students and one teacher killed, ten others wounded outside as Westside Middle School emptied during a false fire alarm. Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, shot at their classmates and teachers from the woods.
April 24, 1998
Edinboro, Pa. One teacher, John Gillette, killed, two students wounded at a dance at James W. Parker Middle School. Andrew Wurst, 14, was charged.
May 19, 1998
Fayetteville, Tenn. One student killed in the parking lot at Lincoln County High School three days before he was to graduate. The victim was dating the ex-girlfriend of his killer, 18-year-old honor student Jacob Davis.
May 21, 1998
Springfield, Ore. Two students killed, 22 others wounded in the cafeteria at Thurston High School by 15-year-old Kip Kinkel. Kinkel had been arrested and released a day earlier for bringing a gun to school. His parents were later found dead at home
June 15, 1998
Richmond, Va. One teacher and one guidance counselor wounded by a 14-year-old boy in the school hallway.
April 20, 1999
Littleton, Colo. 14 students (including killers) and one teacher killed, 23 others wounded at Columbine High School in the nation's deadliest school shooting. Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, had plotted for a year to kill at least 500 and blow up their school. At the end of their hour-long rampage, they turned their guns on themselves.
May 20, 1999
Conyers, Ga. Six students injured at Heritage High School by Thomas Solomon, 15, who was reportedly depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend.
Nov. 19, 1999
Deming, N.M. Victor Cordova Jr., 12, shot and killed Araceli Tena, 13, in the lobby of Deming Middle School.
Dec. 6, 1999
Fort Gibson, Okla. Four students wounded as Seth Trickey, 13, opened fire with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun at Fort Gibson Middle School.
Feb. 29, 2000
Mount Morris Township, Mich. Six-year-old Kayla Rolland shot dead at Buell Elementary School near Flint, Mich. The assailant was identified as a six-year-old boy with a .32-caliber handgun.
March 10, 2000
Savannah, Ga. Two students killed by Darrell Ingram, 19, while leaving a dance sponsored by Beach High School
May 26, 2000
Lake Worth, Fla. One teacher, Barry Grunow, shot and killed at Lake Worth Middle School by Nate Brazill, 13, with .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol on the last day of classes.
Sept. 26, 2000
New Orleans, La. Two students wounded with the same gun during a fight at Woodson Middle School.
Jan. 17, 2001
Baltimore, Md. One student shot and killed in front of Lake Clifton Eastern High School
March 5, 2001
Santee, Calif. Two killed and 13 wounded by Charles Andrew Williams, 15, firing from a bathroom at Santana High School.
March 7, 2001
Williamsport, Pa. Elizabeth Catherine Bush, 14, wounded student Kimberly Marchese in the cafeteria of Bishop Neumann High School; she was depressed and frequently teased.
March 22, 2001
Granite Hills, Calif. One teacher and three students wounded by Jason Hoffman, 18, at Granite Hills High School. A policeman shot and wounded Hoffman.
March 30, 2001
Gary, Ind. One student killed by Donald R. Burt, Jr., a 17-year-old student who had been expelled from Lew Wallace High School.
Nov. 12, 2001
Caro, Mich. Chris Buschbacher, 17, took two hostages at the Caro Learning Center before killing himself.
Jan. 15, 2002
New York, N.Y. A teenager wounded two students at Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
October 28, 2002
Tucson, Ariz. Robert S. Flores Jr., 41, a student at the nursing school at the University of Arizona, shot and killed three female professors and then himself.
April 14, 2003
New Orleans, La. One 15-year-old killed, and three students wounded at John McDonogh High School by gunfire from four teenagers (none were students at the school). The motive was gang-related.
April 24, 2003
Red Lion, Pa. James Sheets, 14, killed principal Eugene Segro of Red Lion Area Junior High School before killing himself.
Sept. 24, 2003
Cold Spring, Minn. Two students are killed at Rocori High School by John Jason McLaughlin, 15.
March 21, 2005
Red Lake, Minn. Jeff Weise, 16, killed grandfather and companion, then arrived at school where he killed a teacher, a security guard, 5 students, and finally himself, leaving a total of 10 dead.
Nov. 8, 2005
Jacksboro, Tenn. One 15-year-old shot and killed an assistant principal at Campbell County High School and seriously wounded two other administrators
Aug. 24, 2006
Essex, Vt. Christopher Williams, 27, looking for his ex-girlfriend at Essex Elementary School, shot two teachers, killing one and wounding another. Before going to the school, he had killed the ex-girlfriend's mother.
Sept. 26, 2006
Bailey, Colo. Adult male held six students hostage at Platte Canyon High School and then shot and killed Emily Keyes, 16, and himself.
Sept. 29, 2006
Cazenovia, Wis. A 15-year-old student shot and killed Weston School principal John Klang.
Oct. 3, 2006
Nickel Mines, Pa. 32-year-old Carl Charles Roberts IV entered the one-room West Nickel Mines Amish School and shot 10 schoolgirls, ranging in age from 6 to 13 years old, and then himself. Five of the girls and Roberts died.
Jan. 3, 2007
Tacoma, Wash. Douglas Chanthabouly, 18, shot fellow student Samnang Kok, 17, in the hallway of Henry Foss High School.
April 16, 2007
Blacksburg, Va A 23-year-old Virginia Tech student, Cho Seung-Hui, killed two in a dorm, then killed 30 more 2 hours later in a classroom building. His suicide brought the death toll to 33, making the shooting rampage the most deadly in U.S. history. Fifteen others were wounded.
Sept. 21, 2007
Dover, Del. A Delaware State University Freshman, Loyer D. Brandon, shot and wounded two other Freshman students on the University campus. Brandon is being charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless engagement, as well as a gun charge.
Oct. 10, 2007
Cleveland, Ohio A 14-year-old student at a Cleveland high school, Asa H. Coon, shot and injured two students and two teachers before he shot and killed himself. The victims' injuries were not life-threatening.
Feb. 8, 2008
Baton Rouge, Louisiana A nursing student shot and killed two women and then herself in a classroom at Louisiana Technical College in Baton Rouge.
A former student recently killed five students at N. Illinois University. When are we going to wake up to the fact that we are conditioning our young to be violent? When are we going to recognize that the violence portrayed daily on TV, in videos, and portrayed in interactive games only serves to promote this behavior? We are conditioning our young to violent action through the repetitive display of aggressive behavior. All one has to do is look at the number of school shootings in the United Sates over the last 12 years and the severity of the problem becomes obvious. This violence exists not only in the US but throughout the world as well.
Feb. 2, 1996
Moses Lake, Wash. Two students, one teacher killed, one other wounded when 14-year-old Barry Loukaitis opened fire on his algebra class.
Feb. 19, 1997
Bethel, Alaska Principal and one student killed, two others wounded by Evan Ramsey, 16.
Oct. 1, 1997
Pearl, Miss. Two students killed and seven wounded by Luke Woodham, 16, who was also accused of killing his mother. He and his friends were said to be outcasts who worshiped Satan.
Dec. 1, 1997
West Paducah, Ky. Three students killed, five wounded by Michael Carneal, 14, as they participated in a prayer circle at Heath High School.
Dec. 15, 1997
Stamps, Ark. Two students wounded. Colt Todd, 14, was hiding in the woods when he shot the students as they stood in the parking lot.
March 24, 1998
Jonesboro, Ark. Four students and one teacher killed, ten others wounded outside as Westside Middle School emptied during a false fire alarm. Mitchell Johnson, 13, and Andrew Golden, 11, shot at their classmates and teachers from the woods.
April 24, 1998
Edinboro, Pa. One teacher, John Gillette, killed, two students wounded at a dance at James W. Parker Middle School. Andrew Wurst, 14, was charged.
May 19, 1998
Fayetteville, Tenn. One student killed in the parking lot at Lincoln County High School three days before he was to graduate. The victim was dating the ex-girlfriend of his killer, 18-year-old honor student Jacob Davis.
May 21, 1998
Springfield, Ore. Two students killed, 22 others wounded in the cafeteria at Thurston High School by 15-year-old Kip Kinkel. Kinkel had been arrested and released a day earlier for bringing a gun to school. His parents were later found dead at home
June 15, 1998
Richmond, Va. One teacher and one guidance counselor wounded by a 14-year-old boy in the school hallway.
April 20, 1999
Littleton, Colo. 14 students (including killers) and one teacher killed, 23 others wounded at Columbine High School in the nation's deadliest school shooting. Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, had plotted for a year to kill at least 500 and blow up their school. At the end of their hour-long rampage, they turned their guns on themselves.
May 20, 1999
Conyers, Ga. Six students injured at Heritage High School by Thomas Solomon, 15, who was reportedly depressed after breaking up with his girlfriend.
Nov. 19, 1999
Deming, N.M. Victor Cordova Jr., 12, shot and killed Araceli Tena, 13, in the lobby of Deming Middle School.
Dec. 6, 1999
Fort Gibson, Okla. Four students wounded as Seth Trickey, 13, opened fire with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun at Fort Gibson Middle School.
Feb. 29, 2000
Mount Morris Township, Mich. Six-year-old Kayla Rolland shot dead at Buell Elementary School near Flint, Mich. The assailant was identified as a six-year-old boy with a .32-caliber handgun.
March 10, 2000
Savannah, Ga. Two students killed by Darrell Ingram, 19, while leaving a dance sponsored by Beach High School
May 26, 2000
Lake Worth, Fla. One teacher, Barry Grunow, shot and killed at Lake Worth Middle School by Nate Brazill, 13, with .25-caliber semiautomatic pistol on the last day of classes.
Sept. 26, 2000
New Orleans, La. Two students wounded with the same gun during a fight at Woodson Middle School.
Jan. 17, 2001
Baltimore, Md. One student shot and killed in front of Lake Clifton Eastern High School
March 5, 2001
Santee, Calif. Two killed and 13 wounded by Charles Andrew Williams, 15, firing from a bathroom at Santana High School.
March 7, 2001
Williamsport, Pa. Elizabeth Catherine Bush, 14, wounded student Kimberly Marchese in the cafeteria of Bishop Neumann High School; she was depressed and frequently teased.
March 22, 2001
Granite Hills, Calif. One teacher and three students wounded by Jason Hoffman, 18, at Granite Hills High School. A policeman shot and wounded Hoffman.
March 30, 2001
Gary, Ind. One student killed by Donald R. Burt, Jr., a 17-year-old student who had been expelled from Lew Wallace High School.
Nov. 12, 2001
Caro, Mich. Chris Buschbacher, 17, took two hostages at the Caro Learning Center before killing himself.
Jan. 15, 2002
New York, N.Y. A teenager wounded two students at Martin Luther King Jr. High School.
October 28, 2002
Tucson, Ariz. Robert S. Flores Jr., 41, a student at the nursing school at the University of Arizona, shot and killed three female professors and then himself.
April 14, 2003
New Orleans, La. One 15-year-old killed, and three students wounded at John McDonogh High School by gunfire from four teenagers (none were students at the school). The motive was gang-related.
April 24, 2003
Red Lion, Pa. James Sheets, 14, killed principal Eugene Segro of Red Lion Area Junior High School before killing himself.
Sept. 24, 2003
Cold Spring, Minn. Two students are killed at Rocori High School by John Jason McLaughlin, 15.
March 21, 2005
Red Lake, Minn. Jeff Weise, 16, killed grandfather and companion, then arrived at school where he killed a teacher, a security guard, 5 students, and finally himself, leaving a total of 10 dead.
Nov. 8, 2005
Jacksboro, Tenn. One 15-year-old shot and killed an assistant principal at Campbell County High School and seriously wounded two other administrators
Aug. 24, 2006
Essex, Vt. Christopher Williams, 27, looking for his ex-girlfriend at Essex Elementary School, shot two teachers, killing one and wounding another. Before going to the school, he had killed the ex-girlfriend's mother.
Sept. 26, 2006
Bailey, Colo. Adult male held six students hostage at Platte Canyon High School and then shot and killed Emily Keyes, 16, and himself.
Sept. 29, 2006
Cazenovia, Wis. A 15-year-old student shot and killed Weston School principal John Klang.
Oct. 3, 2006
Nickel Mines, Pa. 32-year-old Carl Charles Roberts IV entered the one-room West Nickel Mines Amish School and shot 10 schoolgirls, ranging in age from 6 to 13 years old, and then himself. Five of the girls and Roberts died.
Jan. 3, 2007
Tacoma, Wash. Douglas Chanthabouly, 18, shot fellow student Samnang Kok, 17, in the hallway of Henry Foss High School.
April 16, 2007
Blacksburg, Va A 23-year-old Virginia Tech student, Cho Seung-Hui, killed two in a dorm, then killed 30 more 2 hours later in a classroom building. His suicide brought the death toll to 33, making the shooting rampage the most deadly in U.S. history. Fifteen others were wounded.
Sept. 21, 2007
Dover, Del. A Delaware State University Freshman, Loyer D. Brandon, shot and wounded two other Freshman students on the University campus. Brandon is being charged with attempted murder, assault, reckless engagement, as well as a gun charge.
Oct. 10, 2007
Cleveland, Ohio A 14-year-old student at a Cleveland high school, Asa H. Coon, shot and injured two students and two teachers before he shot and killed himself. The victims' injuries were not life-threatening.
Feb. 8, 2008
Baton Rouge, Louisiana A nursing student shot and killed two women and then herself in a classroom at Louisiana Technical College in Baton Rouge.
Here is a BBC news report that supports my contention that our young are becomming more violent.
There have been a series of high profile stories this week involving inhuman behaviour by children. Gareth Avery was brutally attacked because he confronted a group of young drunks relieving themselves in his garden.
A 15 year old girl admitted filming a fatal attack on Gavin Waterhouse in West Yorkshire by a 19 year old and a 17 year old. She then showed the footage to others even after it was known that Mr Waterhouse had died.
This was the response from a local criminal lawyer: "More than ever before young people are turning to extreme violence, in some cases for no reason other than entertainment. This case illustrates the gross callousness some teenagers are capable of."
Also this week Helen Newlove, the widow of Garry Newlove who was beaten to death by drunk youths has called for harsh measures for those selling alcohol to minors, and the ending of the glamorising of drinking on TV.
There have been a series of high profile stories this week involving inhuman behaviour by children. Gareth Avery was brutally attacked because he confronted a group of young drunks relieving themselves in his garden.
A 15 year old girl admitted filming a fatal attack on Gavin Waterhouse in West Yorkshire by a 19 year old and a 17 year old. She then showed the footage to others even after it was known that Mr Waterhouse had died.
This was the response from a local criminal lawyer: "More than ever before young people are turning to extreme violence, in some cases for no reason other than entertainment. This case illustrates the gross callousness some teenagers are capable of."
Also this week Helen Newlove, the widow of Garry Newlove who was beaten to death by drunk youths has called for harsh measures for those selling alcohol to minors, and the ending of the glamorising of drinking on TV.
Our government is wrong...
Our government needs to wake up to the reality of the situation in the middle east. No matter how much it may want to win the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it cannot. The Rand Corp. report, recently published, states the U.S. military is seriously deficient in meeting "the threat of Islamist insurgencies" and states that "U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world" is "at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible." I agree with that report.
Are we so biased, egotistical and self centered that we refuse to acknowledge these facts? The facts are... Our engagement and our policies in the middle east are failing. Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and even Turkey are not proceeding in the direction the US wants. Our approach and foreign policy for these countries are wrong. Let us hope that reason prevails and that those in leadership positions accept the Rand Corporation report. Our foreign policy must change before many more lives are lost and before we bankrupt our nation. The present direction being taken has only exacerbated terrorism and has resulted in the destabilization of most of the middle east.
Our government needs to wake up to the reality of the situation in the middle east. No matter how much it may want to win the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, it cannot. The Rand Corp. report, recently published, states the U.S. military is seriously deficient in meeting "the threat of Islamist insurgencies" and states that "U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world" is "at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible." I agree with that report.
Are we so biased, egotistical and self centered that we refuse to acknowledge these facts? The facts are... Our engagement and our policies in the middle east are failing. Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, and even Turkey are not proceeding in the direction the US wants. Our approach and foreign policy for these countries are wrong. Let us hope that reason prevails and that those in leadership positions accept the Rand Corporation report. Our foreign policy must change before many more lives are lost and before we bankrupt our nation. The present direction being taken has only exacerbated terrorism and has resulted in the destabilization of most of the middle east.
A thought for the day...
Hillary could be thought as being "virago"; but I'm not sure which category to place her in.
virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.
Hillary could be thought as being "virago"; but I'm not sure which category to place her in.
virago \vuh-RAH-go; vuh-RAY-go\, noun:
1. A woman of extraordinary stature, strength, and courage.
2. A woman regarded as loud, scolding, ill-tempered, quarrelsome, or overbearing.
Democracy or Hypocrisy?
The Bush administration and our Congress does speak with forked tongue. They preach for the need for democracy throughout the middle east; yet in reality we continue to support dictators.
The upcoming Pakistani election, its impact and our actions, will be a good indicator or example of our real intent. The US has continuously supported Musharraf because of his position against Islamic extremism; but the coming election will place his position in jeopardy.
The people of Pakistan will overwhelmingly vote for an Islamic government; yet our government does not want that and wants to retain Musharraf as a dictatorial leader of the country in order to forward our objectives. If the elections are held honestly Musharraf will be removed from office and control of the military. This will result in a military takeover of the country by Musharraf.
History has demonstrated that the US supports democracies only when, and if, that democracy satisfies the needs of the US and is consistent with its objectives.
A true democracy is giving the people what they want. We force others to accept what we want. You might say that torture falls in the similar category. If we consider it to our advantage we will do it, independent of the moral or legal considerations. We do speak with a forked tongue.
The Bush administration and our Congress does speak with forked tongue. They preach for the need for democracy throughout the middle east; yet in reality we continue to support dictators.
The upcoming Pakistani election, its impact and our actions, will be a good indicator or example of our real intent. The US has continuously supported Musharraf because of his position against Islamic extremism; but the coming election will place his position in jeopardy.
The people of Pakistan will overwhelmingly vote for an Islamic government; yet our government does not want that and wants to retain Musharraf as a dictatorial leader of the country in order to forward our objectives. If the elections are held honestly Musharraf will be removed from office and control of the military. This will result in a military takeover of the country by Musharraf.
History has demonstrated that the US supports democracies only when, and if, that democracy satisfies the needs of the US and is consistent with its objectives.
A true democracy is giving the people what they want. We force others to accept what we want. You might say that torture falls in the similar category. If we consider it to our advantage we will do it, independent of the moral or legal considerations. We do speak with a forked tongue.
Global Poverty Act is cost effective
In response to the letter to the Editor "Global Poverty Tax will be taxing". I respect the writer's rationale and agree that it will result in a tax impact but I disagree with the writer's conclusions and his lack of support for the tax. It is a know fact that with poverty comes despair and with despair comes the need for relief. It has been shown that despair, to a great extent, is alleviated through acceptance of religion. The poverty throughout the middle east and Africa, in many areas, is so severe that the people are not only receptive but longing for psychological relief. That sense of relief is being offered by Islam. It is disheartening to say, but giving oneself to Islam is quite often the initial step toward Islamic extremism.
If those more affluent countries fail to do something to alleviate poverty, much of the world will be driven toward religious extremism. It is far more cost effective to help those in poverty then to fight a war against those who feel they have nothing to lose. The time for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and GSR (Government Social Responsibility) is long overdo. I wholeheartedly support the Global Poverty Act.
In response to the letter to the Editor "Global Poverty Tax will be taxing". I respect the writer's rationale and agree that it will result in a tax impact but I disagree with the writer's conclusions and his lack of support for the tax. It is a know fact that with poverty comes despair and with despair comes the need for relief. It has been shown that despair, to a great extent, is alleviated through acceptance of religion. The poverty throughout the middle east and Africa, in many areas, is so severe that the people are not only receptive but longing for psychological relief. That sense of relief is being offered by Islam. It is disheartening to say, but giving oneself to Islam is quite often the initial step toward Islamic extremism.
If those more affluent countries fail to do something to alleviate poverty, much of the world will be driven toward religious extremism. It is far more cost effective to help those in poverty then to fight a war against those who feel they have nothing to lose. The time for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and GSR (Government Social Responsibility) is long overdo. I wholeheartedly support the Global Poverty Act.
Since Senator McCain has declared war on the NYT because of its report on his relationship with a campaign worker; do you think he will back off on Iraq?
No government bailout for the mortgage debacle...
I have concern for those homeowners who may have financial problems and who may be facing foreclosure on their homes; but to use federal funds to "bail out" those who made poor financial decisions is neither just nor wise. To a great extent it is the financial industry (the banks and mortgages companies) who really are pushing for this government bailout. When excessive profits were being made by those offering the mortgages there was no consideration of their giving profits away to help the people. Why should they be compensated from our government when they are in trouble? My philosophy is "let the buyer beware". Let the financial problems resolve on their own without government intervention. Government has done a poor job to date so why should anyone expect any difference relative to the mortgage debacle? The next irrational decision would be to compensate or relieve those who acquired excessive high interest credit card debt.
I have concern for those homeowners who may have financial problems and who may be facing foreclosure on their homes; but to use federal funds to "bail out" those who made poor financial decisions is neither just nor wise. To a great extent it is the financial industry (the banks and mortgages companies) who really are pushing for this government bailout. When excessive profits were being made by those offering the mortgages there was no consideration of their giving profits away to help the people. Why should they be compensated from our government when they are in trouble? My philosophy is "let the buyer beware". Let the financial problems resolve on their own without government intervention. Government has done a poor job to date so why should anyone expect any difference relative to the mortgage debacle? The next irrational decision would be to compensate or relieve those who acquired excessive high interest credit card debt.
The demise of our country and its president...
Friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears:
I come to bury debt, not to raise it.
The debt that men have lives after them;
The payoff is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Bush. The noble Bush
Hath told you that the economy was fine:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Bush acknowledged it.
Here, under reasoning of Bush and the rest --
For Bush is thought an honorable man;
So are they all, all honorable men --
Come I to speak at America's funeral.
It was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Bush thinks I am thoughtless;
And Bush is an honorable man.
True, He hath brought many debts home to America,
Which debts did the general corporate coffers fill:
Did this in Bush seem ambitious?
When that the poor had cried, Bush hath wept.
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet some say he was ambitious;
And Bush is an honorable man.
You all did see that on his ranch
We twice presented him a kingly crown, the presidency.
Which he did twice accept: was this ambition?
Yes, some say he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Bush hath done,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without just cause:
What cause withholds you then to support for him now?
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason! Bear with me;
My heart is in the failure there with Bush,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
Friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears:
I come to bury debt, not to raise it.
The debt that men have lives after them;
The payoff is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Bush. The noble Bush
Hath told you that the economy was fine:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Bush acknowledged it.
Here, under reasoning of Bush and the rest --
For Bush is thought an honorable man;
So are they all, all honorable men --
Come I to speak at America's funeral.
It was my friend, faithful and just to me:
But Bush thinks I am thoughtless;
And Bush is an honorable man.
True, He hath brought many debts home to America,
Which debts did the general corporate coffers fill:
Did this in Bush seem ambitious?
When that the poor had cried, Bush hath wept.
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet some say he was ambitious;
And Bush is an honorable man.
You all did see that on his ranch
We twice presented him a kingly crown, the presidency.
Which he did twice accept: was this ambition?
Yes, some say he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honorable man.
I speak not to disprove what Bush hath done,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without just cause:
What cause withholds you then to support for him now?
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason! Bear with me;
My heart is in the failure there with Bush,
And I must pause till it come back to me.
The validity and effectiveness of our policy in the middle east is based on the assumption that the countries can structure and function as democracies. The root of the problem is that this basic assumption is invalid.
Is Iraq sovereign?
Speaking in Australia, Secretary Gates urged Turkey to respect Iraqi sovereignty and improve communication with Baghdad about both the ongoing operation and other efforts against the PKK. He stated: "I think it's important for everybody to bear in mind the importance of the sovereignty of Iraq,"
Sovereignty is defined as exercising supreme authority within a limited sphere. How can he call Iraq "sovereign" when we occupy the country? I assume our Secretary of Defense is using a different definition.
Speaking in Australia, Secretary Gates urged Turkey to respect Iraqi sovereignty and improve communication with Baghdad about both the ongoing operation and other efforts against the PKK. He stated: "I think it's important for everybody to bear in mind the importance of the sovereignty of Iraq,"
Sovereignty is defined as exercising supreme authority within a limited sphere. How can he call Iraq "sovereign" when we occupy the country? I assume our Secretary of Defense is using a different definition.
I have spent time in China and found the Chinese people to be warm and friendly. The latest slap in the face to China by our country was the resignation of Steven Spielberg as consultant to the 2008 Olympics. This justifiably upset the Chinese. I can understand why it was done but it would be far better if we could stress the positive aspects of our relationships in areas such as sports and culture (music, etc.). These interchanges and relationships should not be denigrated by political considerations. Keep politics and social interaction separate and we may find that human right concerns and political differences tend to disappear.
