Seal the Boarders, Declare Amnesty

Lately Georgie has been talking about a "guest worker" program for the illegal immigrants already in the US. This solution does not suggest how we keep people from continuously streaming over the boarders. I personally think that anyone found in the country illegal should be immediately deported, but with sealing the boarders and putting adequate security on patrol, this won't do much to solve the problem. I don't think anyone should be rewarded for getting here and staying here illegally, but I think amnesty needs to be granted for those here already. The cost of deporting all the illegal immigrants is just too high, and removing them from the workforce could be devastating to the economy, though I blame Americans who won't take jobs they think are "beneath them" for that. Since they're here and they are receiving health care, education, and other government services, it's time we had everyone registered so that we at least have an accurate view of the problem. This means that I am for National ID cards, as long as they are used within limits.

Dateline THC

Last Sunday on Dateline NBC Melissa Etheridge discussed her cancer, her recovery, and her marijuana use. Her argument is the same as most people using medical marijuana. She said she could have taken five or more pills a day that barely helped at all, or she could go the natural route, smoke half a joint, and feel better immediately.

I was glad to see this interview on national TV, and I'm thrilled that this debate and the truth about this drug is finally gaining political credibility. Marijuana has been used medically for thousands of years, as evidenced by the link above. It has been used to treat menstrual cramps, stomach pains, and pain in general. Thomas Jefferson grew hemp at Monticello. In fact, it was only made illegal because of the Mexican immigration problem. The government thought it was the cause of socially deviant behavior and making it illegal may stop people from streaming over the boarder. We all know how well that worked.

Civic Duty

Something I read the other day stated that the hyper-rich in our country have lost their sense of civil duty. While I agree, I would say that all socio-economic levels in America have seen a decline in a sense of civic pride. The decision to enter military service is sometimes linked to patriotism, but more often than not, young men and women are looking for a way to support their families and get an education. Only 30% of Americans voted in the last Presidential election, and voting is the most important civic duty next to protest, which is rarely seen and seldom heard. Getting people to perform acts of community service is like pulling teeth, unless they're trying to beef up their college transcript or get in good with the Pastor. Most parents won't even volunteer their time at their child's school unless they're coaching some sport. Americans seem to feel so entitled to what our society has given them that they forget to give something back to society. Everyone has something to offer, even if it is only time.

HUMOR

I know this won't be well recieved, but I thought it was funny. NOTE: This is about Fundamentalist (Evengelical/Born-Again/Charismatic) Christians. It's meant to be a JOKE, but it has some good points.

You know you're a fundamentalist Christian when...

10 - You vigorously deny the existence of thousands of gods claimed by other religions, but feel outraged when someone denies the existence of yours.

9 - You feel insulted and "dehumanized" when scientists say that people evolved from other life forms, but you have no problem with the Biblical claim that we were created from dirt.

8 - You laugh at polytheists, but you have no problem believing in a Triune God.

7 - Your face turns purple when you hear of the "atrocities" attributed to Allah, but you don't even flinch when hearing about how God/Jehovah slaughtered all the babies of Egypt in "Exodus" and ordered the elimination of entire ethnic groups in "Joshua" including women, children, and trees!

6 - You laugh at Hindu beliefs that deify humans, and Greek claims about gods sleeping with women, but you have no problem believing that the Holy Spirit impregnated Mary, who then gave birth to a man-god who got killed, came back to life and then ascended into the sky.

5 - You are willing to spend your life looking for little loopholes in the scientifically established age of Earth (few billion years), but you find nothing wrong with believing dates recorded by Bronze Age tribesmen sitting in their tents and guessing that Earth is a few generations old.

4 - You believe that the entire population of this planet with the exception of those who share your beliefs -- though excluding those in all rival sects - will spend Eternity in an infinite Hell of Suffering. And yet consider your religion the most "tolerant" and "loving."

3 - While modern science, history, geology, biology, and physics have failed to convince you otherwise, some idiot rolling around on the floor speaking in "tongues" may be all the evidence you need to "prove" Christianity.

2 - You define 0.01% as a "high success rate" when it comes to answered prayers. You consider that to be evidence that prayer works. And you think that the remaining 99.99% FAILURE was simply the will of God.

1 - You actually know a lot less than many atheists and agnostics do about the Bible, Christianity, and church history - but still call yourself a Christian.

Euthanasia

I'm for it. I think it's a pretty simple argument. It's your body and your choice as long as you have the mental capacity to make it. If you're suffering and you chose to end your life, that is your choice. Your family should still have rights to insurance claims as long as your condition was chronic, terminal, painful, degenerative, or mentally debilitating. There are legal ways to handle it, and Oregon has done a pretty good job. If you are old and decide your time is over, your family should be eligible for insurance claims covering funeral costs only. If life is too hard and you decide to end it all, your family gets nothing.