In a recent article titled "Americans Deserve Better Politicians In Washington, Dr. Thomas Sowell, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute suggested that we pay our Congressmen and Senators a million dollars a year in salary. Why? Because according to him we deserve a lot better people in Congress than what we have.
He goes on to say that:
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quote:
"The cost of paying every member of Congress a million dollars a year is absolutely trivial compared to the vast amounts of the taxpayers' money wasted by cheap politicians doing things to get themselves re-elected"
And he says:
quote:
"The cost of paying every member of Congress a million dollars a year is absolutely trivial compared to the vast amounts of the taxpayers' money wasted by cheap politicians doing things to get themselves re-elected"
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The real problem we have in our elected politics is not corruption--it is the demise of the concept of "service" as a worthy ideal in our society. We have become a self serving and self obsorbed population. And our elected politicians mirror this back to us by their self centered actions. Unless we are willing to pad their pocket books, we don't have a voice in our "elects" agenda. I recently read where one high ranking congressman from California was caught accepting bribes. He had been a former war hero and had gained the publics trust. With tear filled eyes he stood before news camaras aplogizing for his mis-deeds. One has to wonder how many of those tears were actually being shed because he had been caught not because he was sorry and repentant.
George Washington, who took pride in his self-control, lost his temper completely when someone told him that a decision he was going to make could cost him re-election as President. He blew up at the suggestion that he wanted to be President, rather than serving as a duty when he would rather be back home.
Power is such a dangerous thing that ideally it should be wielded by people who don't want to use power, who would rather be doing something else, but who are willing to serve a certain number of years as a one-time duty, preferably at the end of a career doing something else.
Yes--Yodi, I'm afraid we are stuck with what we have until we change the image in the mirror of what society looks like. Until then, we will reap what we sowed.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Remaining Firm In The Face of Temptation
In times of stress we learn how loyal we are to our personal integrity. Are we willing to abandon our faith and moral values for the gratification of others or our mental and physical needs?
Stress plays out for me than it does for others. We all have had life experiences which we can blame for the failure to live up to our own values.This failure which involve the lowering of our standards may result in a relief grom the tension brought on by the stress but will result in a damaged character and tear in the fabric of our soul.
Faith, moral values, character, and soul make up who we are. It is the imprint we bring to the terestrial environment--our temporary home.
There will be an abundance of situations in our lives where stress will tempt us to choose the easy way out. to abandonwho we are in favor of temporary relief. We must always consult our conscience for guidance. It is the compass that guides us toward righteous behavior. Pray that this compass sings out so loudly that all voices of dissent are drowned out while allowing for the voice of "GOD" to win the day.
That's right Yodi, always stay the course.
Stress plays out for me than it does for others. We all have had life experiences which we can blame for the failure to live up to our own values.This failure which involve the lowering of our standards may result in a relief grom the tension brought on by the stress but will result in a damaged character and tear in the fabric of our soul.
Faith, moral values, character, and soul make up who we are. It is the imprint we bring to the terestrial environment--our temporary home.
There will be an abundance of situations in our lives where stress will tempt us to choose the easy way out. to abandonwho we are in favor of temporary relief. We must always consult our conscience for guidance. It is the compass that guides us toward righteous behavior. Pray that this compass sings out so loudly that all voices of dissent are drowned out while allowing for the voice of "GOD" to win the day.
That's right Yodi, always stay the course.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Medical researchers make me sick!
Here we go again. Another diet myth exposed and one has to wonder what next is on the list that will soon be proven false.
The belief that a high-fibre diet will keep your colon healthy and cancer-free -- a popular medical theory since the 1960s -- does not appear to be correct, according to a new study.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, who analyzed a number of long-term studies on the issue, said they "could not find support" for the notion that the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by regular consumption of fibre.
Still-- they said there are plenty of good reasons to eat the recommended five to 10 servings daily of fruits and veggies-- along with plenty of whole grains.
"It's still important to eat a high-fibre diet," said Yikyung Park, a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Washington and a member of the team whose research is published in today's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Even though our study didn't find a reduction in colorectal cancer, other studies show that high-fibre diets reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes."
Other researchers also cautioned that this is far from the final word on the topic.
From as far back as I can remember, medical scientists have been telling me to quit eating my favorite foods for health benefits. Hey--I'm all in favor of doing what is right if it means I can get a few more miles out of this carcass. But---and it is a "big but"--I'm getting a little annoyed when one of these proven dietary links to disease becomes dis-proven.
Bacon, cows milk, coffee, tea, beef, catsop, butter, alcohol, cigars, and fast food have all been favorites of mine over the years. Why? Because they taste good and I like to eat what tastes good.
So now the researchers are telling me that all the fiber that I have choked down was for naught. I hate rabbit food but felt my colon needed it in abundance.
I'm going to pledge right now to eat exactly what I want and when i want it for the rest of my natural life. And I'm also letting Yodi do the same.
Please pass the capsop and I think I will have another cup of coffee--and a donut too. And anybody that doesn't agree--? I'll eat your donuts too!
The belief that a high-fibre diet will keep your colon healthy and cancer-free -- a popular medical theory since the 1960s -- does not appear to be correct, according to a new study.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, who analyzed a number of long-term studies on the issue, said they "could not find support" for the notion that the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by regular consumption of fibre.
Still-- they said there are plenty of good reasons to eat the recommended five to 10 servings daily of fruits and veggies-- along with plenty of whole grains.
"It's still important to eat a high-fibre diet," said Yikyung Park, a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Washington and a member of the team whose research is published in today's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Even though our study didn't find a reduction in colorectal cancer, other studies show that high-fibre diets reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes."
Other researchers also cautioned that this is far from the final word on the topic.
From as far back as I can remember, medical scientists have been telling me to quit eating my favorite foods for health benefits. Hey--I'm all in favor of doing what is right if it means I can get a few more miles out of this carcass. But---and it is a "big but"--I'm getting a little annoyed when one of these proven dietary links to disease becomes dis-proven.
Bacon, cows milk, coffee, tea, beef, catsop, butter, alcohol, cigars, and fast food have all been favorites of mine over the years. Why? Because they taste good and I like to eat what tastes good.
So now the researchers are telling me that all the fiber that I have choked down was for naught. I hate rabbit food but felt my colon needed it in abundance.
I'm going to pledge right now to eat exactly what I want and when i want it for the rest of my natural life. And I'm also letting Yodi do the same.
Please pass the capsop and I think I will have another cup of coffee--and a donut too. And anybody that doesn't agree--? I'll eat your donuts too!
Medical researchers make me sick!
Here we go again. Another diet myth exposed and one has to wonder what next is on the list that will soon be proven false.
The belief that a high-fibre diet will keep your colon healthy and cancer-free -- a popular medical theory since the 1960s -- does not appear to be correct, according to a new study.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, who analyzed a number of long-term studies on the issue, said they "could not find support" for the notion that the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by regular consumption of fibre.
Still-- they said there are plenty of good reasons to eat the recommended five to 10 servings daily of fruits and veggies-- along with plenty of whole grains.
"It's still important to eat a high-fibre diet," said Yikyung Park, a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Washington and a member of the team whose research is published in today's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Even though our study didn't find a reduction in colorectal cancer, other studies show that high-fibre diets reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes."
Other researchers also cautioned that this is far from the final word on the topic.
From as far back as I can remember, medical scientists have been telling me to quit eating my favorite foods for health benefits. Hey--I'm all in favor of doing what is right if it means I can get a few more miles out of this carcass. But---and it is a "big but"--I'm getting a little annoyed when one of these proven dietary links to disease becomes dis-proven.
Bacon, cows milk, coffee, tea, beef, catsop, butter, alcohol, cigars, and fast food have all been favorites of mine over the years. Why? Because they taste good and I like to eat what tastes good.
So now the researchers are telling me that all the fiber that I have choked down was for naught. I hate rabbit food but felt my colon needed it in abundance.
I'm going to pledge right now to eat exactly what I want and when i want it for the rest of my natural life. And I'm also letting Yodi do the same.
Please pass the capsop and i think I will have another cup of coffee--and a donut too. And anybody that doesn't agree--? I'll eat your donuts too!
The belief that a high-fibre diet will keep your colon healthy and cancer-free -- a popular medical theory since the 1960s -- does not appear to be correct, according to a new study.
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, who analyzed a number of long-term studies on the issue, said they "could not find support" for the notion that the risk of colorectal cancer is reduced by regular consumption of fibre.
Still-- they said there are plenty of good reasons to eat the recommended five to 10 servings daily of fruits and veggies-- along with plenty of whole grains.
"It's still important to eat a high-fibre diet," said Yikyung Park, a postdoctoral fellow at the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Washington and a member of the team whose research is published in today's edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
"Even though our study didn't find a reduction in colorectal cancer, other studies show that high-fibre diets reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes."
Other researchers also cautioned that this is far from the final word on the topic.
From as far back as I can remember, medical scientists have been telling me to quit eating my favorite foods for health benefits. Hey--I'm all in favor of doing what is right if it means I can get a few more miles out of this carcass. But---and it is a "big but"--I'm getting a little annoyed when one of these proven dietary links to disease becomes dis-proven.
Bacon, cows milk, coffee, tea, beef, catsop, butter, alcohol, cigars, and fast food have all been favorites of mine over the years. Why? Because they taste good and I like to eat what tastes good.
So now the researchers are telling me that all the fiber that I have choked down was for naught. I hate rabbit food but felt my colon needed it in abundance.
I'm going to pledge right now to eat exactly what I want and when i want it for the rest of my natural life. And I'm also letting Yodi do the same.
Please pass the capsop and i think I will have another cup of coffee--and a donut too. And anybody that doesn't agree--? I'll eat your donuts too!
Friday, December 16, 2005
Torture --Why is this a subject of debate?
I should not have to use a quote such as the one pasted below in order to determine whether it is alright to torture and abuse others in order to extract information. This fact should already be present in my own conscience as well as the reader's here.
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quote:At a news conference about the peace message, Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Vatican's pontifical council on peace and justice, was asked if torture could be a legitimate tool to gain information that might prevent terror attacks.
The prelate replied that there was no justification for using torture, which is the "humiliation of the human person, whoever he is."
"The church does not allow torture as a means to extract the truth," Martino said. Terror suspects "sometimes say what the torturers want to hear. ... There are other ways to obtain the truth."
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If there is still a question in your mind, then ponder this:
Imagine for a moment that your mother, wife, or child was being held captive by an opposing force of soldiers. And--that this loved one held critical intelligence information needed by their enemy. How would you like them to be treated? Remember--they are being held captive and are not a threat to their captors.
Now picture yourself as a member of the apposing force and your own mother was seated across from you. You are the chosen interigator. How would you treat her?
I realize these are extreme questions and that your own loved ones will probably never be threatened as a captive nor will you ever be assigned to interigate your own dear mother.
But now answer my question.
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quote:At a news conference about the peace message, Cardinal Renato Martino, head of the Vatican's pontifical council on peace and justice, was asked if torture could be a legitimate tool to gain information that might prevent terror attacks.
The prelate replied that there was no justification for using torture, which is the "humiliation of the human person, whoever he is."
"The church does not allow torture as a means to extract the truth," Martino said. Terror suspects "sometimes say what the torturers want to hear. ... There are other ways to obtain the truth."
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If there is still a question in your mind, then ponder this:
Imagine for a moment that your mother, wife, or child was being held captive by an opposing force of soldiers. And--that this loved one held critical intelligence information needed by their enemy. How would you like them to be treated? Remember--they are being held captive and are not a threat to their captors.
Now picture yourself as a member of the apposing force and your own mother was seated across from you. You are the chosen interigator. How would you treat her?
I realize these are extreme questions and that your own loved ones will probably never be threatened as a captive nor will you ever be assigned to interigate your own dear mother.
But now answer my question.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Bogged down means time for a re-charge
Sometimes my brain and emotions outrun my normal reserved demeaner. It has happened more frequently lately which tells me it is time for a breather. To take some quiet reflective time away from the news and everyday problems that drag me down.
Evidence of this neededd break is all around me. I spend more time fretting and less time doing. I have neglected this blog and I have become less focussed on other important issues.
So in light of the fact that this is the season remembered for a re-birth of mankind through the birth of its savior. It is fitting to spend some time re-birth and renewal in my own life.
The next post here will be from a re-charged me. Yodi and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
Evidence of this neededd break is all around me. I spend more time fretting and less time doing. I have neglected this blog and I have become less focussed on other important issues.
So in light of the fact that this is the season remembered for a re-birth of mankind through the birth of its savior. It is fitting to spend some time re-birth and renewal in my own life.
The next post here will be from a re-charged me. Yodi and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
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