Dad charged court fees for protesters

A man was ordered to pay the court fees after anti military protesters came and picketed at his son's funeral. The man's son was a Marine who died in combat in 2006. The father, Albert Snyder, was ordered to pay the $16,510 owed to Fed Phelps, leader of the extremist Kansas Westboro Baptist Church. That church picketed Matthew Snyder's funeral. According to a Web site created in Snyder's honor, his relatives filed the civil lawsuit against the Westboro Baptist Church to "bring an end to the reign of terror and abuse that they inflicted" upon grieving families of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Snyder said that he is going to defy the court order. He has gotten a lot of support from people across the country. Even Bill Oreilly, who has a show on Fox News, said on the air that he will help Snyder with the legal fees saying, ""We have a foundation set up to help those in need of assistance, we will help Mr. Snyder who we feel is a victim of judicial injustice." Snyder also filed a brief with the Supreme Court. The high court agreed to consider whether the protesters message is protected under the First Amendment, or limited by competing privacy and religious rights of mourners.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/31/outrage-marines-father-ordered-pay-funeral-protesters-fees/

My Opinion: While it might be their First Amendment right, this is definitely wrong. This is adding insult to injury. I do not feel that Albert Snyder should pay the court fees for a group that was protesting his son's funeral. You may not respect the war, but you MUST respect the warrior. The warrior gives us the freedom to disagree with the war, along with every other freedom in America. The warrior serves his country for us, the United States of America. He needs to be respected for that. America, for the most part, learned that after Vietnam. Apparently some people didn't learn that.

Bullying led to Massachusetts Teen Death

Nine teens have been charged with "unrelenting bullying" in the death of 15 year old Phoebe Prince. Phoebe moved here from Ireland. She had been raped and endured months of torment from classmates. District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel said Phoebe was stalked and harassed from September until she killed herself January 14. The bullies-four girls and two boys- face charges including statutory rape, assault, violation of civil rights resulting in injury, criminal harassment, disturbance of a school assembly, and stalking. The case is still under investigation, and the DA hasn't commented on the circumstances of the rape.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/29/charged-bullying-massachusetts-teen-killed/?test=latestnews

My Opinion: It can be hard for people to fit in in high school. There have always been cliques and groups. Those are normal and a part of life. Not everyone fits in and gets along with everyone. However, bullying is purposely going out of your way to make somebody's life miserable. Teens have a hard enough time with acceptance today. We don't need other teens making our lives more miserable. This is sad, and it's terrible that it happened. But, hopefully people will start to realize that bullying is bad, and just doesn't occur on the elementary school playground.

Abortion ban on Colorado Ballots

An abortion ban will be on Colorado ballots this fall. The Secretary of State's Office said that Personhood, USA, which is based in Colorado, got enough valid signatures to put an abortion ending proposal on Colorado ballots this fall. This proposal would give unborn babies human rights in the state constitution. This would likely conflict with the U.S. Constitution and a woman's right to an abortion.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/27/abortion-ban-proposal-appear-colorado-ballots/?test=latestnews

My Opinion: I feel that this is good. It has potential to give babies the chance to live. I agree with this ballot. A person is a person, no matter how small. I like how babies would get human rights.

Play involving a "Gay Jesus"

Residents of Stephenville, Texas are furious Tarleton State University, which is in Stephenville, Texas. They are angry because just in time for Easter, the University has decided to perform a play involving a gay Jesus. This play is a student run shortened version of Terrance McNally's 1998 play "Corpus Cristi," in which a gay Jesus performs a same sex wedding for two of his apostles as well as kisses with Judas (known as Joshua in the play.) Residents of Stephenville plan to protest this Saturday as the play is this Saturday. "It infuriates me that somebody would be given a platform to be able to demean and degrade the Son of God," said David Harris, pastor of the town's Hillcrest Church of Christ. "I'm angry about it and every Christian should be." The student (John Jordan Otte) who decided to do this play said that it will bring people together. "It is being said often that this play is a direct attack on Christians — their faith and their deity. It simply is not true," wrote Otte, 26, who said he is a devout Christian. This play supposedly represents a modern day version of Jesus life and death in 1960 in Corpus Cristi, Texas. Except there are a few differences. All the apostles are gay, Joseph is an alcoholic wife-beater, and Mary gives birth alongside a chorus of moaning men. The University has said that legally, they have to protect the student's first Amendment right. Also, A British Islamic group put out a death warrant against McNally, in 1999 when "Corpus Christi" premiered in London's Pleasance Theatre. If he visits an Islamic country, he could face arrest and execution.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/25/texas-town-cross-plays-gay-christ/?test=latestnews

My Opinion: I feel that this is not good. I do not agree with this. Jesus was not a homosexual. In fact, the Bible has a lot to say about homosexuality. "I Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." The Bible also has this to say: "Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." So while the Bible condemns homosexuality, it also condemns all other forms of sin. That is why Jesus came and died on the cross and rose on the third day, so that we might be forgiven of our sin. Homosexuality is included in this. His death covers ALL sin.

So anyway.......

I feel that this play is not right, and I do not agree with it. But I also know that it is their first Amendment right and I have to respect that. Just like it was my first Amendment right to put Bible quotes in this blog.

Health Care Passed/My Rant/Capitalism

Barack Hussein Obama's massive health care bill just passed the Senate -219-212. No Republicans voted for the Health Care Bill. House minority leader said this moments before the bill passed. "Can you say it was done openly, with transparency and accountability? Without backroom deals struck behind closed doors, hidden from the people?

"Hell no you can't!"

Nancy Pelosi had this to say about the Health Care Bill: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the health care legislation for its ability to "unleash tremendous entrepreneurial power into our economy."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/21/health.care.latest/index.html?hpt=T1

My Opinion: (Oh No!) Well America here comes more Socialism. I do not agree with this bill. I never have. I feel that it has way too much government intrusion into our lives. I feel that it was stupid for people to pass it, especially since very few people read it all the way though! Well that's smart isn't it? Let's just pass this thing and not even read it from cover to cover. Most of the "benefits" won't happen until 2014. I'll have graduated college by then! (Hopefully :) ) This thing will cost $940 billion dollars over ten years. That seems pretty expensive to me. I feel that government run health care is a big step toward American socialism. Not good. American was founded on Capitalism. Our founders were tired of the government running their lives. People have now bought into the idea that average people are too stupid and that we need the government to run our lives. Totally not true. The government is supposed to serve us, not vice versa. I also never liked the abortion ideas in this bill, although honestly I have no idea what the heck the final language was! At first it was "abortion" then it was "abortion only in rape or if the mom's life is in danger" now I don't even know what the final result of it was. There is far too much confusion in the public about this bill. I am glad that no Republicans voted for this bill. It's about time Republicans grew a pair and stood for something that they believed in. It's also interesting how many Democrats voted against this bill. People used to come to America to enjoy our somewhat expensive but GOOD health care. People who in Canada had to wait in lines for their care. I think that the only way the private industry that currently provides health care will survive is 1) if Obamacare sucks, 2) if Obamacare only covers a part and then private takes care of the rest. Like UPS/FedEx and USPS. USPS does letters and small packages. UPS/FedEx does bigger shipping.

Now Capitalism: Capitalism in its pure form is evil because it will stop at nothing to fulfill yourself. With pure capitalism you will screw over the other guy just to make a break. Socialism is bad because it can lead to Communism, and Socialism tends to prevent innovation. Communism is evil because "the government looks out for you." All they care about is equal poverty for everyone, while they get filthy rich. (Watch Dr. Zhivago sometime....) With Communism, you get rid of your freedoms in order for "government protection/them taking care of you for the rest of your life." I feel that Capitalism is the best, although not in its pure form. It promotes innovation and industry. It leaves the average individual the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is what our country is founded on. Now rules are important. Health insurance companies shouldn't screw people over based on pre existing conditions. For example, my uncle found out that his aoreata (some big vein near his heart) is like 2mm bigger than normal, so his insurance rates went up. That's not fair. His health is fine. Stuff like that shouldn't happen. But, we don't need a massive government package telling us what to do and how to do it. Watch this video that the Harding College put out in 1948 that talks about Communism v Capitalism.

http://nationaljuggernaut.blogspot.com/2009/09/this-cartoon-seemed-far-fetched-in-1948.html

Democrats aren't using 'Deem and Pass'

Democrats have decided to not use the controversial deem and pass strategy to pass their health care bill. Deem and pass is when House members would approve the Senate's version of the health care bill without an actual vote, before taking up a second "fix it" resolution, known as reconciliation. House majority leader Steny Hoyer said that he believed that Democrats have enough votes to pass the health care bill.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/20/house-opts-deeming-health-care-passed/

My Opinion: I am glad that the controversial tactic is not going to happen. However, I still hope that this bill doesn't pass without some major overhauls including abortion and reducing the cost.

Health Care Cost and Debt Reduction

The Congressional Budget Office just released their figures for Obama's health care reform package. The bill will cost America $940 billion dollars over the next ten years. Yet, this bill is supposed to reduce the deficit of America by $138 billion over the next ten years. However, then student loan package has also been put together with the health care package. That counts for $19 billion of the ten year savings. So the health care savings is really only $119 billion dollars.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Money/Donald-Marron/2010/0320/Hold-on.-Healthcare-reform-will-cost-more-than-1-trillion

My Opinion: Maybe I don't understand this bill. Maybe I just don't get it. However, I don't understand how spending money is supposed to save money. That just doesn't make sense to me. I have never fully agreed with this health care reform bill, and I don't agree with how expensive it is or some of the provisions. I also don't agree with the whole government run thing. Fiscally, I just don't understand how spending money on reform saves us money. I also feel that this bill costs a lot of money and that we are in debt enough as it is.

Colorado Medical Marijuana Growers Report Invasion

Some medical marijuana growers in northern Colorado had their house broken into. At the house the robbers tied up the residents, stole guns and marijuana, and ransacked the house. Officials are looking into it.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/03/16/colo-medical-marijuana-growers-report-invasion-1025547876/

My Opinion: This is one of the many reasons why I am against medical mary jane. I feel that it is too easy for people with "needs" to get their drugs. I also feel that it is too easy for people who are just plain addicted to it to get it. People who don't have a medical problem but are addicted to it can still get it. All they have to do is rob the grower or the supplier. What happened to these people's house is not good, however maybe medical marijuana needs reform (even more than health care). It's far too easy for people to get this stuff.

Republican Postpones Resignation

Georgia Republican Representative Nathan Deal has planned to postpone his resignation from Congress so that he can vote against health care reform. He was planning on stepping down on March 8, but now he will step down March 31. He plans to focus on his gubernatorial bid after stepping down. "Having been deeply involved in all health care legislation for the past decade, I knew it was important to stay and vote down this bill," Deal said. "Yesterday, as I listened to President Obama's aggressive push for a quick vote on 'Obama-Care,' it was clear that I must stay in Congress and continue to fight against the most liberal health care agenda ever proposed." Some critics have spoken against him leaving early, claiming that Democrats would have it easier when it comes to voting for a health care overhaul.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/04/republican-rep-deal-postpones-resignation-vote-health-care/

My Opinion: I feel that he is doing the right thing and that his vote against the health care system overhaul will help him with the Republicans in his potential race for the governors seat in Georgia.

Teen drugs and Alcohol

Teen usage of drugs and alcohol is on the rise. An annual survey found that the number of teens in grades 9-12 reported drinking in the last month rose 11% last year, with 39% (about 6.5 million) teens reporting alcohol use. Pot had 25% of teens smoking in the last month, up from 19% before that. From 1998 until last year, drug and alcohol use had been down among teenagers. Also, Ecstasy is on the rise. Six percent of teens said they used Ecstasy in the last month, verses four percent in 2008.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,587708,00.html

My Opinion: I feel that drugs and alcohol are bad. I feel that teenagers shouldn't be using them and that it is not their civil right to use drugs or alcohol. Alcohol should be used in moderation and when the drinker is over 21.