Pope Denies Knowledge of Pedophiles

As an American Catholic it is not only my obligation but my responsibility to stand up to ignorance of criminal behavior by my church leaders, criminal acts such as rape against children by members of my church, and scream at the top of my lungs that I am not putting up with this SHIT anymore! There is one hell of a serious problem inside the Catholic church where everyone is passing the buck as fast as they can when child molestation, rape, and pedophile acts are committed by people that are supposed to be servants of God. There is not one single phrase in all of the teachings of Jesus Christ that says it is okay to rape his flocks children. NOT ONE! Why is the Pope not fast tracking that rape of children is not okay? Why is the blame game being passed around as to who is not to blame? YOU OWN IT AS THE POPE! Belly up to the bar Benny!

How can people that are declared to be the leaders of the faithful even live with themselves knowing that a rape of a child occurred under their watch, ignoring and passing off that rape of a child to protect themselves or the “Church”? Cardinal Bernie (the wink and walk away) Law ran for the exit when his ass was on fire for pushing pedophiles off to new parishes when Massachusetts was ready to prosecute him for illegal crimes against children. He’s now a top servant to the Holy See. This is NOT acceptable in any Christian religion where you are supposed to be the teachers of Christ word! How many of these monsters disguised as priests confessed their sins against children to a fellow priest and NOBODY said a damn word? Rape is a crime against humanity, rape of a child is a crime not forgiven in the eyes of men like me that still call themselves a Catholic. How is this behavior of ignoring the acceptance of blame and ownership still acceptable within my Catholic church? This is a deep routed problem that the church needs to investigate and fix instantly! Not in a month, not in a week. TODAY!

Common sense tells me that if you have a fire in your church where the raping of children is actually happening you put the damn fire out. You make sure that EVERYONE that works in that church knows that you do not rape kids or your ass is going to jail because your direct report will dial 911 as soon as he or she hears of it. The investigation will happen by the proper authorities, you will be tried, you will be jailed if guilty, and you will be defrocked from the church. SIMPLE! Jesus would be happy because the child was spared REPEATED rapes because somebody said something.

Being a priest does not make you immune from the laws of man. Church and state law in the United States is sometimes vague but if a crime is reported to authorities then those separations go bye-bye. Investigate, arrest the pervert that is raping children, try him, convict him, put his ass in jail where you would put anyone else raping children. Why is the job of a priest immune to prosecution when numerous complaints are filed? Let me tell ya why! People file complaints with the church and not the police. CALL THE POLICE if your child has been molested by ANYONE!!!

That is the lesson that the Vatican needs to send LOUD AND CLEAR to not only every diocese but to the media. The Pope needs to make a stand for the children as Jesus Christ would do, rape of children is not acceptable by anyone, you will not be transferred to another parish, you will be reported immediately to law enforcement, you will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in your nation.

I refuse to give up my faith because it has been hijacked by assholes that are pedophiles and managers of the church that think it is okay for children to be raped and move them on to other families in another parish. Maybe the Holy See should listen to those of us actually practicing the faith.

Clean house Pope Benedict and get your act together! Policing yourself is never going to work and you my friend need to follow the words of Christ and not suffer the children. Send the word out loud and clear that 911 is the only number for local management to call when a crime is committed by your staff anywhere in the world!

My last word, I’m ashamed to be a Catholic because of this shit. It just scares me that generations of children will be lost or further abused because one single man refused to lay down the law of God to which he is actually entrusted with to uphold. That one man is the religious leader of over one billion practicing Catholics and the people that preach daily to them. Cowardice hides behind a Sheppard’s seal in Rome when it comes to ridding MY CHURCH of pedophiles. Why is this so difficult to understand?

Enough, I’m pissed.

Papamoka

GOP Conservative Train Wreck

Is it possible that the Republican Conservative movement is eating its own young? David Frum was just asked to serve up his resignation to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) because of his thoughts on where the GOP is going to far in the political forum. Granted, he was drawing a paycheck from the right wing group but he still should have the right to speak his mind on where he thinks his political party should be regarding current debates. This is a severe train wreck for the GOP and I'm almost happy about it. The party of "No" said no to hitting the breaks on the train even though all of the passengers were screaming at the top of their lungs that they are not happy with how the train is being conducted. Tea Party engine pulling on one end and the GOP pulling on the other end.

It’s pretty much common knowledge that the GOP is not and will not participate in any debate on any topic offered up by the White House or the Democratic Party controlled House. Even John McCain is spouting off how he feels blue, screwed and tattooed over the latest health care debate which was basically his plan TOO! But, there was a capital D next to the legislation so anyone with an R even remotely around their political name tag was supposed to be against healthcare because of X, Y, and Z reasons dictated by the GOP.

This is why I find myself leaning towards leaving a formal political party. I’m a lifelong Democrat but they do not own my personal beliefs on any topic because I am affiliated with their organization as a voter. This is America, a place where your thoughts are your own, are encouraged, strengthened by your peers, and you as the individual are allowed to freely express those ideas.

Apparently, that isn’t the case in the real world of politics in the case of David Frum. My heartfelt condolences got out to you David and hopefully your friends in the GOP won't hold up your unemployment benefits for too long.

Politics is bullshit when two people on two different sides of the political street will have to argue for a year or more on how to best help a person that is bleeding to death right in front of them. Long after the victim has died of blood loss the two pukes will then debate on who was to blame for not acting quickly enough or for that matter blaming the victim for not helping himself.

Papamoka

Creedence

You have to love Creedence Clear Water! One of my favorite songs by this group is Have You Ever Seen the Rain. It just sums up the crappiest points in your life and makes you think that it really wasn't that bad after all. The calm before the storm is not what you need to worry about in life, its the storm when the rain pours down on your soul. Getting past the storm is recognizing the rain for what it really is and that my friends is how you appreciate a sunny day.

Video Link

Bush Wipes Hand Clean of Haitians

Just when you thought that it was safe to say that former president George W. Bush was in the history books he goes and pulls yet another stunt. Apparently, the former president is a germ-a-phobe and wiped his hands clean of the tent people of Haiti on former president Clinton's shirt. What the hell dude?

Video Link

Affordable Health Care for America

This is the meat and potato of the new AFFORDABLE health care for America plan according to the Ways and Means of the US Congress. Word for word or you can click here to go to the Committee on Ways and Means to see it for yourself. Nobody is hijacking your health care, and nobody is going to be screwed over anymore because of your age, a pre-existing health condition, or a lifetime cap set by your insurance company. This is the health care bill recently signed by the President and passed by the congress via reconciliation. I like the idea of health care for all but I'm not very comfortable with any legislation when one political party uses special rules to pass any bill. The Republicans jammed garbage down our throats under President Bush and I'm not so sure if tit for tat by the Democrats under President Obama is any better. Castor oil still tastes like crap and it doesn't matter who is holding the spoon as you are forced to take it. The end result is that you are the one left with the bad taste in your mouth. On the surface this looks like a good thing for the American people. According to some polling results people are coming around to liking it now that the truth is coming out as to what real health care reform is.

KEY PROVISIONS THAT TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UNDER SENATE BILL AS AMENDED BY RECONCILIATION BILL

FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESS TAX CREDITS—Offers tax credits to small businesses to make employee coverage more affordable. Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums will be immediately available. Effective beginning for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2014, small business tax credits will cover 50 percent of premiums.)

FOR SENIORS
BEGINS TO CLOSE THE MEDICARE PART D DONUT HOLE—Provides a $250 rebate to Medicare beneficiaries who hit the donut hole in 2010. Effective for calendar year 2010. (Beginning in 2011, institutes a 50% discount on brand‐name drugs in the donut hole; also completely closes the donut hole by 2020.)

FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER MEDICARE—Eliminates co‐payments for preventive services and exempts preventive services from deductibles under the Medicare program. Effective beginning January 1, 2011.

HELP FOR EARLY RETIREES—Creates a temporary re‐insurance program (until the Exchanges are available) to help offset the costs of expensive health claims for employers that provide health benefits for retirees age 55‐64. Effective 90 days after enactment

FOR THOSE PRIVATELY INSURED
NO DISCRIMINATON AGAINST CHILDREN WITH PRE‐EXISTING CONDITIONS—Prohibits health plans from denying coverage to children with pre‐existing conditions. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, this prohibition would apply to adults as well.)

IMMEDIATE HELP FOR THE UNINSURED WITH PRE‐EXISTING CONDITIONS (INTERIM HIGH‐RISK POOL)—Provides immediate access to insurance for Americans who are uninsured because of a pre‐existing condition ‐ through a temporary high‐risk pool – until the Exchanges up and running in 2014. Effective 90 days after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, health plans are banned from discriminating against all people with pre‐existing conditions, so high‐risk pools would phase out).

NO RESCISSIONS—Bans health plans from dropping people from coverage when they get sick. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NO LIFETIME LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Prohibits health plans from placing lifetime caps on coverage. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NO RESTRICTIVE ANNUAL LIMITS ON COVERAGE—Tightly restricts new plans’ use of annual limits to ensure access to needed care. These tight restrictions will be defined by HHS. Effective 6 months after enactment. (Beginning in 2014, the use of any annual limits would be prohibited for all plans.)

FREE PREVENTIVE CARE UNDER NEW PLANS—Requires new private plans to cover preventive services with no co‐payments and with preventive services being exempt from deductibles. Effective 6 months after enactment.

NEW, INDEPENDENT APPEALS PROCESS FOR NEW PLANS—Ensures consumers in new plans have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal decisions. Effective 6 months after enactment.

MORE FOR YOUR PREMIUM DOLLAR—Requires plans to put more of your premiums into your care, and less into profits, CEO pay, etc. This medical loss ratio requires plans in the individual and small group market to spend 80 percent of premiums on medical services, and plans in the large group market to spend 85 percent. Insurers that don’t meet these thresholds must provide rebates to policyholders. Effective on January 1, 2011.

NO DISCRIMINATION BASED ON SALARY—Prohibits new group health plans from establishing any eligibility rules for health care coverage that have the effect of discriminating in favor of higher wage employees. Effective 6 months after enactment.

EXTENDING COVERAGE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO 26TH BIRTHDAY THROUGH PARENTS’ INSURANCE – Requires health plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents’ insurance policy, at the parents’ choice. Effective 6 months after enactment.

GENERAL REFORMS

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS—Increases funding for Community Health Centers to allow for nearly doubling the number of patients served over the next 5 years. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

MORE PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS—Provides new investment in training programs to increase the number of primary care doctors, nurses, and public health professionals. Effective beginning in fiscal year 2010.

HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE—Provides aid to states to establish offices of health insurance consumer assistance to help consumers file complaints and appeals. Effective beginning in FY 2010.

CREATES NEW, VOLUNTARY, PUBLIC LONG‐TERM CARE INSURANCE PROGRAM—Creates a long‐term care insurance program to be financed by voluntary payroll deductions to provide benefits to adults who become functionally disabled. Effective on January 1, 2011.

MORE REFORMS THAT BEGIN IN 2014 (WHEN EXCHANGES HAVE FORMED)

NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ADULTS WITH PRE‐EXISTING CONDITIONS

BAN ON HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR WOMEN

PREMIUMS BASED ON AGE CAN ONLY VARY BY A MAXIMUM OF 3‐TO‐1 RATIO

CAP ON OUT‐OF‐POCKET EXPENSES for private health plans

OFFICE OF SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI MARCH 22, 2010

Do all of your friends and family a favor and email this post to everyone. There is so much dis-information out there that it isn't even funny anymore. Time to educate the masses that have been getting screwed over by the health care insurers as to what the real deal is under the new deal for affordable health care in America.

Papamoka

*** My twin brutha from anotha mutha at the Gun Toting Liberal has linked in! Thank you GTL!

Illegal Email Job Scams

Looking for a job online is filling up my email in box with all kinds of internet job scams. One of the problems of signing up for Monster or Career Builder to name a few job searching websites is the fact that any bozo or jerk around the world can access your email. The all time biggest scam that I see for new job proposals via email is the international check cashing scam which is very much illegal. Using the United States Post Office for such activity is a big "NO-NO" and you can go to jail!

Below is just one example of this email scam that was stuck in my IN box and not the JUNK box that is supposed to filter this kind of email crap out...

Dear ***

Our company – “QIT- Distribution” is dealing with substandard banking services throughout the world for more than 10 years. Now it is extending its presence and a package of services in the United States. One of our new accommodations is transferring of money with the US check for non U.S. citizens. Therefore we demand new employees for the job of "Check Processing Manager".
Duties include:

* Obtaining a check on USPS
* Check cashing
* Money transferring to the client the way they choose
* Accounting in the peculiar form for each check

Requirements , Demands , Claims:

* Real US address
* 1-2 hours of free time per day
* Good credit history

Benefits :

* High pay. From 100 $ up to 500 $ per day
* Guaranteed salary of min. 3 000 $
* Few working hours
* Our company takes care of all the taxes on employees’ done transactions.

In order to take this motion, please, register at our webpage and make the instructions.
Best regards.
TOP MANAGER
QIT-Distribution Inc.

The gist of this scam is that they get you to cash the bum checks on your personal checking account and transfer the funds overseas before your bank leaves you holding the bag. If you see that part where they mention obtaining checks by "USPS", that's the no-no part. These people are the scum of the earth and are the modern day equivalent to being pirates on the world wide web. How low of a person do you have to be to pray on people that are unemployed?

Just last week my phone number was obtained from Career Builder by someone in India and they had the audacity to call me for a scam job. How did I know it was a scam you might ask? Simple, high pressure call to get my Social Security number. Not once, but twice in the same day.

Protect yourself and always remember that if it sounds to good to be true, it probably isn't! Good luck with your job hunt and be careful out there.

Do your friends a favor and email this post around to them. With one out of ten people unemployed the odds are in favor of the scammers to screw somebody out of the last bit of savings they have left.

Papamoka

RELATED POSTS: Internet Jobs Scams and Job Offers

***This post is linked in by Crooks and Liars! Thank you Mike!!!
***Infidel753 has linked in! Thanks.

Grayson Embraces KISS Theory for Healthcare

Having worked in quality control for most of my adult life I am a very large supporter of the KISS theory. Keep It Simple Stupid is the entire theory. Basically, anyone should be able to follow the directions you give them if you keep the instructions as simple as possible and if you can't do that then you are stupid.

Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida has embraced the KISS theory, wrapped it up lovingly in the public option, and delivered it to the House of Representatives to deal with healthcare for all Americans once and for all. An opt in if you will plan. Not 1600 or 2200 pages long as most political hacks on the hill would like to propose for health care as they stuff it full to overflowing with pork; Grayson’s proposal is four (the number 4) simple pages long and you can read it for yourself. CLICK HERE

My quick summation is that it allows Medicare access for all citizens and permanent residents. It provides an age bracket for determining premiums. The brackets are: under 19, 19 to 25, 26 to 35, 36 to 45, 46 to 55, and 56 to 64. Beyond that, the existing Medicare age categories apply.

Video Link of Representative Grayson submitting the bill...


Or you can read it in its entirety as it was proposed by Congressman Grayson for yourself seeing that this is a CUT and PASTE HERE:

.....................................................................
(Original Signature of Member)
111TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION H. R. ll
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for an option
for any citizen or permanent resident of the United States to buy
into Medicare.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. GRAYSON introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on llllllllllllll
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide
for an option for any citizen or permanent resident of
the United States to buy into Medicare.
1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Public Option Act’’
5 or the ‘‘Medicare You Can Buy Into Act’’.
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
2
1 SEC. 2. UNIVERSAL MEDICARE BUY-IN OPTION. (a) IN GEN2
ERAL.—Part A of title XVIII of the Social Security
3 Act is amended—
4 (1) in section 1818(a), by striking ‘‘or 1818A’’
5 and inserting ‘‘, 1818A, or 1818B’’; and
6 (2) by inserting after section 1818A the fol7
lowing new section:
8 ‘‘UNIVERSAL BUY-IN
9 ‘‘SEC. 1818B.
10 ‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—(a) Every individual who—
11 ‘‘(1) is a resident of the United States;
12 ‘‘(2) is either (A) a citizen or national of the
13 United States, or (B) an alien lawfully admitted for
14 permanent residence; and
15 ‘‘(3) is not otherwise entitled to benefits under
16 this part or eligible to enroll under this part;
17 shall be eligible to enroll in the insurance program estab18
lished by this part. An individual may enroll under this
19 section only in such manner and form as may be pre20
scribed in regulations, and only during an enrollment pe21
riod prescribed in or under this section.
22 ‘‘(b) ENROLLMENT; COVERAGE.—The Secretary shall
23 establish enrollment periods and coverage under this sec24
tion consistent with the principles for establishment of en25
rollment periods and coverage for individuals under sec26
tion 1818, except that no entitlement to benefits under
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
3
1 this part shall be effective before the first day of the first
2 calendar year beginning after the date of the enactment
3 of this Act.
4 ‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—
5 ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The provisions of sub6
sections (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of section 1818
7 insofar as they apply to premiums (including collec8
tion of premiums) shall apply to premiums and col9
lection of premiums under this section, except
10 that—
11 ‘‘(A) paragraphs (4) and (5) of section
12 1818 shall not be applicable; and
13 ‘‘(B) the estimate of the monthly actuarial
14 rate under section 1818(d) shall be computed
15 and applied under this paragraph based upon
16 costs incurred for individuals within each age
17 cohort specified in paragraph (2) rather than
18 for all individuals age 65 and older.
19 ‘‘(2) AGE COHORTS.—The age cohorts specified
20 in this paragraph are as follows:
21 ‘‘(A) Individuals under 19 years of age.
22 ‘‘(B) Individuals at least 19 years of age
23 but not more than 25 years of age.
24 ‘‘(C) Individuals at least 26 years of age
25 and not more than 35 years of age.
VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:09 Mar 09, 2010 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 C:\TEMP\GRAYSO_059.XML HOLCPC
March 9, 2010 (1:09 a.m.)
F:\M11\GRAYSO\GRAYSO_059.XML
f:\VHLC\030910\030910.001.xml (461322|4)
4
1 ‘‘(D) Individuals at least 36 years of age
2 and not more than 45 years of age.
3 ‘‘(E) Individuals at least 46 years of age
4 and not more than 55 years of age.
5 ‘‘(F) Individuals at least 56 years of age
6 and not more than 64 years of age.
7 ‘‘(d) TREATMENT.—An individual enrolled under this
8 part pursuant to this section shall not be treated as en9
rolled under this part (or any other part of this title) for
10 purposes of obtaining medical assistance for medicare
11 cost-sharing or otherwise under title XIX.’’.

In the nutshell it’s the KISS theory that will put both political parties’ politicians to the test if they can comprehend how to KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID. If Nancy Peolosi, the Speaker of the House, can't understand the KISS theory or principal then she needs to pass the gavel to Alan Grayson and he will run the hill like it should be run.

Papamoka

Related posts:
Grayson Kicks Big Business Butt
Alan Grayson in Floridas 8th

Coffee Party Politics

I’ve heard some sound bites about the “Coffee Party” but mostly I’ve assumed it was the exact opposite of the “Tea Party” folks. I’m a middle of the road politics kind of person and that doesn’t make me comfortable with Tea Baggers and I’m certainly not ready for a double latte espresso light on the cream political group. Either way, I’m thinking that too much caffeine can’t be good for you. Anywho, I was looking into what the Coffee Party is all about and to be honest with you, they actually seem to be the Ying and Yang to the Tea Party. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Here is their blurb on the who or what the Coffee Party is all about…

About Us
Tue, 2010-02-23 17:43 — pcoughlin

We are diverse — ethnically, geographically, politically, in age and in experience.

We are 100% grassroots. No lobbyists here. No pundits. And no hyper-partisan strategists calling the shots in this movement. We are a spontaneous and collective expression of our desire to forge a culture of civic engagement that is solution-oriented, not blame-oriented.

We demand a government that responds to the needs of the majority of its citizens as expressed by our votes and by our voices; NOT corporate interests as expressed by misleading advertisements and campaign contributions.

We want a society in which democracy is treated as sacrosanct and ordinary citizens participate out of a sense of civic duty, civic pride, and a desire to contribute to society. The Coffee Party is a call to action. Our Founding Fathers and Mothers gave us an enduring gift — Democracy — and we must use it to meet the challenges that we face as a nation. - Coffee Party USA

It turns out that the Coffee Party people actually are the opposing force to the Tea Party folks but I’m hoping they aren’t as loony and destructive to the nice folks on the left as the Tea Party members are to the folks on the right.

Now I’m wondering if I should start another opposing party to the Tea Party and Coffee Party folks for all of us moderate middle of the road kind of people. How about the Milk and Cereal Party?

That might not fly seeing how so many of us moderates are fed up with both the left and right political parties and are now lactose intolerant. Worst case scenario, I just might end up checking out the Coffee Party just a wee little bit more.

Papamoka

Limbaugh Leaving US on Healthcare Passage

Some websites are reporting that good old Rush Limbaugh today on his radio program has pledged to leave the country if health care passes. I couldn't make it up if I wanted too!

Tomorrows headline across every liberal news organization will be the 1-800 hotline number you can call to send every extra penny you have as a donation for every Democrat in the House and Senate election campaign. What better reason could there be to donate to the DNC if they can get Rush Limbaugh to leave the country?

His words "I don't know. I'll just tell you this, if this passes and it's five years from now and all that stuff gets implemented -- I am leaving the country. I'll go to Costa Rica."

Roll the audio below courtesy of Media Matters...



It might have been taken out of context but we can dream can't we?

Papamoka

Thanks to Memeorandum for the link

Near Death Experience Exploration

Everyone on the planet is dying as soon they are born. That is a fact that none of us can ever escape. Depending on your religious philosophy or lack of any religion is where your belief system leads you to what actually happens to you when you die. Heaven, hell, and limbo have been spoken of in various ways in every corner of the world since man has kept records. In the same respect, so has the concept of near death experiences or as I would like to call it, a practice round for the permanent dirt nap.

Have you ever wondered to yourself what really happens to you when you die? Most people have asked themselves that very question and the best answer they get isn’t enough information to satisfy their curiosity.

One could call the phenomenon of near death experience (NDE) a paranormal science or just plain nutty science if you are not a religious person by nature. I’ve always found the discussion of near death experiences interesting but then again I am a rather strange individual to begin with anyway. Personally, I fall into the category of being a strong believer in life after death since I’m one of those pesky Catholics with the weekly kneel, stand, kneel, sing, pray, bow your head, kneel, stand, pray some more, attention deficit religion syndrome.

Anywho, to keep my politics and personal belief systems separated (No intentional government Constitution church and state separation thingy insinuated), I started another website for people interested in near death experiences (NDE) to explore the topic further called Life and Death is a Mirror Image…

I placed a link in the sidebar on the left for easy access or you can bookmark the site if you like. As time allows I will be adding more information to Life and Death is a Mirror Image and of course exploring even more related items such as psychic phenomenon, out of body experience, angels, ghosts, guardian angels, and other interesting subjects as they relate to the near death experience.

Check it out and feel free to let me know what you think.

Papamoka

Cape Wind or Cape Windless

What are people talking about when they mention the horrible view that the Cape Wind Associates project will have for Cape Cod residents? Could it be that the closest simulated view point from Cotuit, Massachusetts at 5.6 miles from shore is simply atrocious to some residents. What about the renewable energy benefits of 75% of the Cape’s electricity being supplied by the non stop winds off of Cape Cod and the proposed 130 wind turbines? Why is the Cape Wind project stalled even though at one point in time it had an 86% approval rating from Cape Cod residents?

The Cape Wind project has been in and out of the news as far as its progress or lack of progress goes. From all accounts this seems to be coming down to a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) mega watt deity with none of the perks enjoyed by Greek Mythology gods and goddesses. Massachusetts may still be the bluest of the blue states but when it comes to wind power projects it reverts back to the fossil fueled industrial age of power generation where you grab some stuff that will burn and boil some water to make an electric engine go broom-broom.

Cape Wind which was first proposed in 2000 has been in the development phase since the Corps of Engineers issued its initial impact study in November of 2004 and the NIMBY arguments have been going back and forth since. The latest gripes or approvals are coming from Indian tribes on Cape Cod where some are complaining that the wind turbines will interfere with important cultural ceremonies based on the sun rise and others argue the exact opposite.

President Obama, who ran for President as a pro renewable energy candidate, recently sent his Secretary of the Interior to the Cape to weigh in on the decision to finally approve or deny the Cape Wind project.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who traveled to Nantucket Sound Feb. 2 with his team from the Interior Department on what he called a “fact finding mission,” gave no hint about which direction the administration is leaning toward. On the contrary, in discussing the pros and cons of the Cape Wind energy project, the secretary said he is as likely to approve the project as he is to deny it. - Indian Country Today

Hmmm? I have a strange feeling that this project with all the environmentally sound positive benefits will still be in the NIMBY mitigation phase in 2020, 2030, and 2050. The “he said, she said” banter regarding the Cape Wind Associates project will continue long after someone proposes a “clean” nuclear power plant, builds the nuclear power plant on Cape Cod, and that plant is shipping rail cars full of nuclear waste to Nevada to be buried for a million plus years.

At least the view from the beach won’t be interfered with. Cape residents should speak up loud and clear if they are a WIMBY (Wind In My Back Yard) or a "Go Nukes" proponent. I'm curious to see which view the folks on Cape Cod finally end up with for their electric energy needs.

Papamoka

FDA Begins HVP Recall

Check your food stores! According to a report issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there is a problem with HVP which is manufactured by Basic Food Flavors of Nevada. The food recall is voluntary by the manufacturers that use the additive in their processed food products.

Officials believe the public health risk is low, and no one is known to have fallen ill as a result of the contamination. But manufacturers voluntarily recalled 56 products Thursday, and that number is expected to balloon in the coming weeks into what could be one of the largest food recalls in U.S. history.

"We don't know precisely how large this recall will get," said Jeff Farrar, associate commissioner for food protection at the FDA. "The potential amount of products . . . is very large." - Washington Post

What the hell is HVP you ask? The answer to your question is Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein. Now the question you might be asking yourself is what the hell is HVP used in? It’s used as a flavor enhancer additive similar to MSG in dip mixes, soup mixes, salad dressings, snack mixes, and in pre-packaged meals to name a few. Which then leads us to why is HVP being recalled? The answer to that question is possible salmonella contamination. Finally, you are asking yourself what product brand names did the FDA actually recall? There are 56 items on the list so far, and this is just a short list of the retail brands but you can check the FDA web page for the full list of product brand names by category, description, package size, lot numbers, and UPC numbers.

Johnny's Fine Foods
T. Marzetti
Oak Lake Farms
Great Value
Castella
Hawaiian
Homemade Gourmet
Follow Your Heart
Trader Joe’s

Click here for the MS Excel spread sheet from the FDA

I’m off to get a bite to eat but I’m going to check the FDA recall list first to make sure I don’t get the creeping crud! And I’ll just bookmark the Net Doctor web page in case I know of someone that gets salmonella food poisoning.

Papamoka

Facebook Addiction Makes Money

Many people are ashamed to admit that they are Facebook junkies. I’m not afraid or ashamed to admit it. First thing in the morning I too find myself logging into my Facebook home page just to see what my online family, friends and buddies have to say as I sip my real world coffee. Being an admitted addict to Facebook I feel that I am obligated to check on my Farmtown, Yoville, Petville, Fishville, and Farmville activities to see if my bumper crop is ready for my personal intervention.

Hold on a second, Dawn from St Louis just sent me some Flair. Those badges with funny sayings just crack me up! I'll have to find a funnier one to send her in a few minutes. Where was I now?

In-between checking on my virtual farm animals, fish and crops I always feel the urge to send a few shots of whiskey to all of my virtual bar fly friends. And no, I do not feel that it is wrong to send a round of drinks at six thirty in the morning. This is Facebook and the internet; it is noon time somewhere in the world.

Hold on a second, Bob from Detroit just hit me with another virtual snowball and I have to retaliate. Sorry about that. Where was I?

Then of course I have to see if I can beat my family and friends Bejeweled Blitz score in the one minute of time allowed (I swear they cheat somehow). Not that I have a criminal mind but I have to then check in on my Mafia Wars role playing game to see if my energy pack has miraculously appeared so that I may continue building my underworld crime family. And seeing that I am a Mafia Wars by Zynga (aka almost an internet drug dealer feeding my Jones) addict, I must send all of my family members gifts on a daily basis or they whine and cry like babies. I’ve always wondered if real Mafioso people cry like some of these folks do. When my Mafia Wars game is acting up, as it does on a regular basis, I can be found in the fetal position sucking my thumb while one handed typing out my distress to my fellow Facebookers.

Hold on a second, Karen from Phoenix just sent me a virtual heart full of love. She is so sweet that I just have to find the right heart to send back to her. This will only take a minute or two. Now where was I again?

Not to be outdone by the chat rooms, I can harass my virtual real life internet friends with the Facebook quick chat link. Even though I have read every item they have ever typed for the last two months I somehow feel that they might have left some life changing detail out that I absolutely must know. Bathroom breaks and what happened while you were gone for two minutes could be critical information in a later chat session. Did the toilet water flush in a right to left pattern or was it left to right? Did your personal bodily function go down or did you have to send out a distress beacon with a new Facebook potty room application that you haven’t told me about?

Hold one second, Shannon in Houston just started another online pillow fight. She is such a riot! We had a battle royal pillow fight last night till two in the morning. Give me a second while I whack her with an overstuffed virtual pillow. Anyway, where was I again?

Oh, Facebook is making tons of money and I can’t figure out how? Who the hell has all the time for this nonsense?

Well, the very able Eric Eldon has done some educated reporting and the numbers are looking good for the privately held company.

He estimates that Facebook revenue rose as high as $700 million in 2009 and is on track to hit $1.1 billion in 2010. Facebook did not comment on the estimates. – Los Angeles Times

I have to run, I just signed up for Vampire Wars…

Papamoka

Senator Jim Bunning Holds Breath

Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) is throwing yet another tantrum in the US Senate. In the last few days he has literally told his colleagues in the Senate “Tough Shit” on his blocking of extensions for unemployment and COBRA payments, chucked the bird at the media when they asked to speak to him about it, and kicked people off of an elevator claiming it was for Senators only. (See the previous post here) His latest stunt is to hold his breath even when the Senate President, Harry Reid, agreed to his demands. The man is acting like a two year old throwing a tantrum to get his way and not even remotely close to what should be the behavior of a United States Senate member.

Again, I can’t make this stuff up…

Bunning is still insisting that the 30-day extension be paid for from stimulus funds before he allows a quick vote on the House-passed measure. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has offered to hold a vote on a Bunning amendment to offset the bill, but Bunning refused on the basis that his proposal would likely fail. – Roll Call 3/02/2010

Can I hear a chorus from everyone of “WTF”? He got what he wants but he still isn’t going to let the vote take place to extend benefits for thirty days? Once more from the chorus, “WTF”.

Even his fellow Republican Senate members can not manage to talk any sense into Jim Bunning. Senators Collins and McConnell have both given it their best shot and good old Jimmy Bunning is still holding his breath simply because he can.

I find myself shaking my head in utter disbelief thinking that this one Senator has the ultimate power to hold up unemployment insurance benefit extensions for over one million people just because he wants to be an ass. Forget about COBRA and all the federal projects and layoffs that started Monday of this week thanks to Bunning holding his breath. Even forget about the Medicaid payments to doctors because Bunning is holding his breath. That of course leads me to wondering why the hell the Senate President hasn’t grown a pair and found a way to go around the idiot Jim Bunning? Republicans in times past have never had a problem with ramming bills through so what is up with Harry Reid? If Harry Reid doesn’t know how to put Senator Bunning out to pasture or ram the legislation through then what the hell is he doing in the Senate President chair? Especially, at a time when many Republicans actually agree that Senator Jim Bunning is being an ASS with his filibuster tactics! Or could this actually be more of the same old politics in Washington where everyone is pointing the finger at the other political party to win bonus points in some mythical popularity contest?

Right now, Jim Bunning is a blessing in disguise to the Democrats and the evil troll brother that Republicans don’t want to admit to being related too. Either way, we the people still get the worst of both parties no matter who wins the idiot of the week contest.

Papamoka

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