Freedom, where art thou?

And then there was this:  NM Supreme Court Finds Refusing to Photograph Gay Wedding Illegal  <http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/356498/nm-supreme-court-finds-refusing-photograph-gay-wedding-illegal-sterling-beard>.

If we are to the point where the government can force owners of a business to service a client against their religious conviction, then we have reached a grave point of departure in our society.  Such is the point where communism and fascism overtake freedom and liberty.

Two very different but very interesting links

Daily treasury debt hasn't changed in 87+ days <http://cnsnews.com/news/article/treasury-ran-98-billion-deficit-july-debt-stayed-exactly-16699396000000> [You can check it yourself on Treasury's site here <https://www.fms.treas.gov/dts/index.html>]

Surprisingly pro-business, pro-personal-responsibiliy speech by Ashton Kutcher at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNXwKGZHmDc>

The first feeds into my desire to stock up on tin foil hats and discount every single word the government says.  The second, makes me think maybe, just maybe, there might be a chance to turn things around.  Especially if such high profile types assert themselves in such public arenas.

Time will tell which one eventually wins the day.

The Question That Pierces The Veil

Skimming an article today about the latest abortion “house of horrors” to follow the conviction of Philadelphia abortionist Dr. Kermit Gosnesll, this time located in Texas and run by Dr. DouglasKarpen <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2325786> (warning, extremely graphic descriptions—that’s why I was skimming it), I was struck by a question in the comment section:

I still want to know... When does the fetus become a "human?" I know and agree it is the woman's choice... but when is it considered a human?

- Xakk , Atlanta

This is an excellent question.  The answer, while complicated by those pushing the pro-abortion / women’s choice line, is exceedingly simple.  There is only one scientific, non-political, non-partisan answer to that question: Conception.

With the advent of newer and better medical technology, the tired line of “viability” (i.e., the age at which a child can survive outside of the womb) is being obliterated and replaced by a new line at an increasingly rapid pace.  Thus this “standard”, once the main-stay of abortion advocates, is shown to be no “standard” at all.  If “humanness” is only equitable to “viability” or “survivability,” then anyone who has ever used a heart-lung machine or feeding tube to survive for a period of time was not a “human” while they did so.

Though those pushing for abortion will balk, the reality is that the only unquestionably definable point at which a human being becomes a human being is at the point of conception, when the combination of genetic material from the mother and father creates the completely new and unique genetic makeup of a completely new and unique individual.

No doubt the acceptance of such a standard would cause massive shifts in modern humanistic thought and behavior.  No doubt this is why such a standard has been and will be so vigorously opposed by the pro-abortion camp.  But regardless how loud or vigorous the opposition, no matter how ardent the resistance, the fact still remains: there is no other, viable answer to the question, “When do we become human?”  Conception is the only unshakable standard.

And A Glimmer Of Optimism?

With some trepidation that I might spoil the "pessimism" theme, I present the following: 

Over the past few years I have been frustrated by three things: #1 never hearing individuals in positions of power or prominence articulate the underlying problems that need to be addressed, OR #2 hearing the problems articulated with no real solutions being offered (translation: just bellyaching), OR #3 hearing the proper things addressed but in ways that were completely obnoxious and frankly so offensive that I almost didn't want to agree.  That is what makes this short address by Dr. Ben Carson so refreshing.  Not only is he a man of high profile and intelligence (head of pediatric neurosurgery at John's Hopkins for 25 years), not only does he clearly articulate some of the most important problems in America AND point out some solutions, but he also does it in a way that is actually forceful and polite at the same time.  That's not to say I agreed with every detail, and at times it felt like it could have been somewhat self-promotional.  Then again, if I felt strongly about something and wanted to offer more detail to as many people as I could, I might reference my book or website too.  Long story short, the totality of his message added to an incredible life story coupled with an excellent delivery were something I've been needing for a while.  If men such as this still exist, then maybe there is more to be hopeful about in this nation than I have assumed.

Your Daily Dose of Pessimism #2

Welcome to the United States of America, wherein:

#1 An official poll worker who has held that position since 1988 can stand in bright daylight and announce with gusto and pride both "yes I voted twice" and "there was absolutely no intent on my part to commit voter fraud" after sending in an absentee ballot AND voting at the poll AND forgetting to flag her signature as "absentee voter" in the poll book as per polling place instructions.  In addition, the worker filled out absentee ballots for her granddaughter who also later voted at the poll.  She also filled out absentee ballots for her brother and at least 2 other residents at her place of residence.  But such is all OK because it was an "accident" and for a good cause.  When asked if she would fight the charge, she responded with righteous indignation, "Absolutely. Absolutely, I'll fight it for Mr. Obama and for Mr. Obama's right to sit as president of the United States."

 #2 An American businessman can be arrested, tried, and convicted to federal prison for 8 years and 1 month for violating the Lacey Act (which allows the US to prosecute a violation of another country's wildlife laws even if the US does not have such laws) by buying lobster from a fisherman who violated an arcane law from Honduras that requires, among other things, lobsters to be packaged in cardboard rather than plastic.  Courts of appeals upheld the conviction and the Supreme court declined to hear the case. The businessman spent more than 6 years in federal confinement and lost his business.  ... Oh yeah, and during the initial prosecution, the Attorney General of Honduras defended that US citizen with a letter stating, among other things, US prosecutors had "deemed as valid laws that the Government of Honduras, through all appropriate channels, has determined not to be applicable to the case."  In other words a US citizen lost his business and 6+ years of his life in US custody for breaking foreign laws that the foreign country said did not apply.

If either or both of of the above items frustrates you, consider: (A) Contacting your Senator or Representative, (B) forwarding this to others who will hopefully do the same, (C) learning how to hyperventilate in a paper sack.  As long as its not plastic...

Enjoy your stay!

Now For Your Daily Dose Of Pessimism

Welcome to the United States of America, wherein:

#1, As of today, it is now apparently* an illegal copyright violation for an American citizen to "unlock"  his cellphone even after his contract has expired. (In other words, it is now breaking copyright law to use a lawfully purchased device with a different carrier, EVER, even though such is NOT prohibited in the original contract.)

#2, The President's administration can violate the law (championed by said President) requiring quarterly reports on the use and effectiveness of the 2009 economic “stimulus” bill. (The last report covered June of 2011, and reports--by law--were required to continue through September of 2013.  FUN FACT OF THE DAY: As of the June 2011 report, each job "created or saved" by the stimulus only cost a measly $317,000!  What a bargain!)


If either or both of of the above items frustrates you, consider: (A) Contacting your Senator or Representative, (B) forwarding this to others who will hopefully do the same, (C) learning how to count to 10. Over and over and over and over and over...

Enjoy your stay!

*NOTE: I use the term "apparently" because ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox News, PC Magazine, etc, etc, all said so AND the 69 pate docket from the Library of Congress makes my head hurt.