Where do we stand?

Interesting.....
How long do we have?
About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some2,000 years earlier:"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.""A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.""From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years""During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. from bondage to spiritual faith;
2. from spiritual faith to great courage;
3. from courage to liberty;
4. from liberty to abundance;
5. from abundance to complacency;
6. from complacency to apathy;
7. from apathy to dependence;
8. from dependence back into bondage

"Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul,Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000Presidential election:Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29 Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000Republicans: 2,427,000Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:Democrats: 13.2 Republicans: 2.1Professor Olson adds:

"In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..." Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy,with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say goodbye to the USA in fewer than five years.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE HOW LONG DO WE HAVE?

Given the current events, my best guess we are at step 7.

Why we need to Vote yes on Prop 8

On November 4th, YOU will have the opportunity to vote, once again, on the definition of marriage. The deeper I have studied Proposition 8, the more I realize the lasting effects it will have on our families, our societies and our nation. This is why I would like to share five reasons why I AM VOTING YES ON PROPOSITION 8:

1. TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN AND MY PARENTAL RIGHTS - If proposition 8 does not pass, children in public schools will be taught that traditional marriage and homosexual marriage are equal and that marriage is simply between any two adults regardless of gender. Teachers will no longer be able to use the term “Mother and Father” when discussing families. In health and sex education, they will be taught how sexual relationships function between partners. In Massachusetts where same-sex marriage has been legalized, parents are not even allowed to opt their kids out in elementary school when being taught same-sex marriage and lifestyle issues.

2. PARENTS' RIGHTS ARE LOST. Whether you agree or not, parents should have the right to raise their own children according to their own beliefs. There will be serious clashes between the secular school system and the right of parents to teach their children their own values and beliefs. Please check out the following link: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/?pageId=77373.

3. TO PROTECT MY FREEDOM OF RELIGION – If Proposition 8 does not pass, religious adoption agencies will be challenged by government agencies to give up their long-held right to place children in accordance with their religious beliefs. Catholic Charities in Boston already closed their doors in Massachusetts because courts legalized same-sex marriage there. They were being pressured by the same sex marriage law to grant adoption to same sex couples. It went against their beliefs and their freedom of religion and therefore discontinued their adoption services. Also, the California Supreme Court ruled that fertility doctors and clinics may not refuse treatment to homosexuals based on religious objections. The decision declared that it violates the state's anti-discrimination laws to deny fertility treatment to homosexuals simply because the doctor is Christian. An actual case right here in Southern California involves two lesbians in Oceanside who sought insemination at a local fertility clinic. During their initial meeting with doctors, they were told that the clinic would not be able to assist them. Instead, they were referred to other doctors whose conscience would not be violated by inseminating a homosexual couple. The couple was able to receive treatment from another doctor and gave birth to a child as a result. Despite their successful pregnancy under the care of another doctor, the couple retaliated by suing the Christian doctors, citing California's anti-discrimination laws. The doctors lost. The issue is that our religious and moral beliefs will be stamped out because of this law.

4. TO PROTECT MY FREEDOM OF SPEECH – If Proposition 8 doesn’t pass, minister’s, or any of us for that matter, who preach or speak out against same-sex marriages may be sued for hate speech and risk government fines. It already happened in Canada, a country that legalized gay marriage. A recent California court held that municipal employees may not say: “traditional marriage,” or “family values” because, after the same-sex marriage case, it is considered “hate speech.”

5. TO PROTECT MY TAX DOLLARS - If Proposition 8 doesn’t pass, it will cost ALL of us money. Tax exemption status could be changed for religious groups and charities who do not want to ‘uphold the law’. This change in the definition of marriage will also bring a cascade of changing governmental forms and procedures, school books and curriculum changes, an increase in lawsuits, and changes in the workplace. Think of your hard earned money that will be spent on such legal battles.

6. TO REDEFINE MARRIAGE BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN - Some will try to tell you that Yes on Proposition 8 takes away legal rights of gay domestic partnerships. THAT IS FALSE! YES on Proposition 8 DOES NOT take away ANY of those rights and DOES NOT interfere with homosexuals living the lifestyle they choose. Their rights to have civil unions and live together and have tax breaks, etc. WILL NOT change. Under California law, “domestic partners shall have the same rights, protections, and benefits” as married spouses. Their union is just not called “marriage.” YES on Proposition 8 is NOT an attack against those who have same gender attraction. It’s about standing up for our own moral beliefs, our freedom of religion, and freedom of speech that this great Nation offers each of us. While homosexuals have the right to their private lives, they do not have the right to redefine marriage for everyone else.
On November 4TH, Please join me in Voting YES ON Proposition 8 which will….
RESTORE the definition of marriage that was approved in 2000 by over 61% of voters “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
Overturn the decision of four activist judges, sending a message to these judges that they can’t take it upon themselves to change the voice of the people!
Protect our children, our freedom of religion and our freedom of speech.
Settle it once and for all! Think of all the unintended consequences that we cannot even foresee at this time. Where will it end? What will be next? Who will want to marry who going forward?
For more information about
YES ON PROPOSITION 8
Please go to the following websites:
http://iprotectmarriage.com/
http://www.protectmarriage.com/

Eating your sunscreen

I get these sort of articles every so often and I thought this one was especially interesting:)

Chemist Forces Children to Eat Sunscreen By Shane Ellison

My wife and I are unconventional parents. We didn't vaccinate our children. They don't go to public school. We don't let them drink their weight in soda. And we make them eat their sunscreen. Before you report me to Child Protective Services, let me assure you that I'm not talking about the conventional, synthetic sun block that is loaded with poisons. I m talking about edible sun block in the form of carotenoids. Carotenoids are members of a family of nutrients that protect plants and animals from excess sunshine. Just like melanin, they are colorful molecules that reflect UV rays. About 700 different types of carotenoids have been identified. Each of the pigments functions as Mother Nature's sunblock. When humans ingest carotenoids, they are deposited into the skin to prevent sunburn and (ultimately) oxidative stress, which can lead to cancer. Leading sources of carotenoids are eggs, spirulina, chlorella, dark-green leafy vegetables (kale, collards, and spinach), and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables (apricots, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, yams, and squash). The recommended daily intake of carotenoids is 100 to 200 grams per day of these foods. The most potent carotenoid is a red pigment found in algae, salmon, trout, shrimp, and lobsters. It is known as astaxanthin. The algae are normally green. But when subjected to sunshine, they produce the red pigment naturally. Once ingested, astaxanthin is 1,000 times more effective at protecting skin from UV damage than other carotenoids. Edible sunblock is your first line of defense against sunburn, cancer, and prematurely aging skin. So make sure you pack plenty of carotenoids in your kids' lunchboxes this summer.

Copyright © 2008 The Peoples Chemist.com

Shane Ellison's entire career has been dedicated to the study of molecules; how they give life and how they take from it. He was a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology. He is a bestselling author, holds a master's degree in organic chemistry and has first-hand experience in drug design.

All for a bagel

I cried over a bagel yesterday. Really, I did.

I had just finished up an acupuncture appt. and stopped at Einstein Bagels yesterday. Every fall they have pumpkin bagels and if that's not enough, they also sell pumpkin cream cheese. Yes....pumpkin cream cheese....I know. It is definitely one of my seasonal favorites. So after anticipating this experience all day, I finally got there at 4:15. But guess what time they close? 4:00!!!! Who the heck closes at 4:00???? In my moment of desperation, I did what any child would have done, I broke out the puppy dog eyes. One of the employees who took pity was actually kind enough to open the door and gently let me know they were in fact closed. I pleaded my case....I just needed ONE pumpkin bagel....and pumpkin cream cheese. He explained how they throw everything out and it was too late.....noticing that I was on the edge he mentioned he would see what he could do and closed the door. So I waited. Then the nasty manager came out and firmly said they were closed and he legally could not do anything for me. What's up with this legally crap? I am a desperate woman just looking for a pumpkin bagel and he pulls this legally thing on me. What is wrong with humanity? I again pleaded my case and he had not one sensitive or compassionate bone in his body.

So I got in my car....and cried. I always made fun of those silly pregnant women who claim to be extra emotional during commercials etc. Well....it caught up with me. I was legitimately distraught all over a bagel. I must be pregnant.

Mother Bear

So it finally happened. We've all had our mother bear instinct take over once in a while but once in a blue moon do we really feel the anger brought about when someone wrongs your child. Yesterday was the day and it took my 4 year old to call me out on my unforgiving moment. It was an afternoon like all the others. Chaos crowding our street with children running barefoot and riding bikes with a nonchalant glance for cars when they remembered. Well...it just so happened that I was the only parent out as all the others had left for back to school night leaving their 10 and 11 year-olds to watch the younger siblings...complete with lists of instructions for the hour long duration they would not be present.

The activity moved further up the culdesac as a I followed. One of the more energetic kids on our street whom exudes more confidence than any normal first grader ever displays was riding his bike faster than his ability to maneuver. That's when it happened 3 feet in front of me. In his lack of 6 year old logic in neglecting to anticipate Amy's move 6 inches to the right he mowed her over sending her skidding across the asphalt with a final smack to her right temple.

I immediately yelled "oh my gosh!" (not sure why "what the hell!" didn't come out but it seems my Mormon mouth is well established) and swooped her up running her home while she let out the piercing scream after the 4 second gasping breath....the kind that babies make in sacrament before their mothers can usher them out to the foyer...only this was worse.

At that point I feared two things. First was whether or not Amy split her head open and the second was if I could really keep myself from berating the 6 year old who clearly lacked every kind of judgement a teenage driver learns in drivers ed. Deep down I knew it really wouldn't help and I would forever been known and the evil mother on the street with red eyes and a foaming mouth. So I took Amy upstairs with both of us in tears by now...her from the pain and me from the emotions bubbling up from the mother bear inside me.

After we brought the crying down to a mere sob and sniffle here and there in the bath Jamison came upstairs telling me everyone was at the door to see if Amy was ok. Inside I was saying..."NO! of course she's not ok...some idiot kid just sent her flying across the asphalt giving her road rash up the side of her body and face," but of course I again amazed myself and firmly said it was time for everyone to go home and for Jamison to get in the bath. Sensing my anger he sat on the stairs with his back to me while I was still in the bathroom helping Amy. I asked if he was ok and he immediately starting sobbing...of course me rolling my eyes thinking, "why are you crying, you're not the one who just got rammed into the asphalt?" He walked over head down, shoulders slumped with his alligator tears already falling and said, "Mommy, I don't want you to be upset with my friend."

So now I feel mother bear anger, fear, AND guilt from my 4 year-old because I can't demonstrate forgiveness on top of restraint. Not to mention Greg had left right before this because he had a "rough" day and just needed to leave. Can't I just catch a break here?

So we all calmed down after I explained how Mommy was upset because so and so wasn't being careful and how I was worried Amy could have been seriously hurt but everything was going to be ok. Thank goodness that was all he needed to hear because I wasn't sure at the point whether I could dig deeper for anymore self control.

So the phone calls came in from the other kids parents which Greg answered at my request and gave the expected..."oh she's ok....it just happens....they're just kids." I of course still fuming.

This morning I was mostly calmed down and by the afternoon all was well. The cute kid came over to give Amy a card that said "I love you" with a 1st grader rendition of them holding hands. Amy loved it and I felt resolved.

I hope I can demonstrate the same restraint the next time mother bear rages within. So pin a ribbon on me:)

Non-Food Rewards

Non-Food Rewards

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Something to practice in your spare time

With a couple days of practice...or a couple of life times, you too can be part of Swan Lake. Just be sure to hang in there until the clapping. I think I could do the frog part....minus the upper body strength.