Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News
The First Amendment to the Constitution is supposed to protect religion and government from each other by forbidding laws that promote a religion or hinder its private worship.
So what about swearing on the Bible?
To me, swearing is meant as an affirmation of one’s honesty and integrity that places something the swearer holds dear equivalent with the swearing in the event. Just as someone would not forsake the thing they consider sacred, they would not forsake the honesty required for the event. In that case, forcing people to swear on the Bible, promotes Christanity, unless the court provides equal substitutes not only for various religions, but anything else that someone might revere.
In America we are a diverse nation with many freedoms, including the freedom of religious expression and the freedom not to practice religion at all. Therefore the court should posses a Quran for a Muslim, a Torah for a Jew, a Satanic Bible for a Santanist, a Book of Shadows for a Wiccan, a Sceintology Bible for a Sceintologist, and all other texts for recognized religions. So what about Atheists and unrecgonized religions, like Rastafarianism and Voodoo?
I believe the court should produce a non religious law text, or should just have people sign some sort of contract to tell the truth, rather than having to produce what ever substitute that someone may recognize as sacred.
Filed under: Entertainment, Politics/History/Business/News | Tags: Election 2008, Ron Paul, The New Republic
At first glance, the glossy front cover of The New Republic tells you to expect politics. Blue, red, black, and white all make it look quite patriotic. In a collage layout on the cover are eight pictures of the front-runners of the presidential race. A smiling Mitt Romney is looking content next to an even happier Mike Huckabee. An angry Fred Thompson is raising a finger in the air as if he desperately wants to command attention. Below him is a joyful Hilary Clinton complete with big hair and pearls. Barack Obama has big lips, large ears, and a closed left eye. A white-haired John McCain is saluting with his left hand. Not included on the cover: Ron Paul.
As part of the mass media, magazines play a great part in determining our views presidential candidates. Compared to other politically charged magazines, The New Republic has done many in-depth articles on most, if not all, of the presidential front runners with an intimacy that no other publication has done. Although they’ve only written about a handful of stories on Ron Paul, they’ve caused their share of controversy to his campaign.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Ron Paul is important to me, but his involvement in the campaign will greatly impact the next wave of libertarian politicians. Although it should be obvious that Ron Paul has no chance whatsoever at the presidency, he has started a sort libertarian movement among young voters that are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going in and would much prefer a limited, constitutionalist government. He has paved the way for more grass root movements to emerge with a sense of confidence that they can make a difference.
Although Ron Paul might not seem to be so relatable, chances are anyone can agree with at least one thing he’s said in the past. Young people might agree that the war on drugs in outrageous because the government has no right to tell us what is and is not good for us. Older adults struggling to get by might like his idea that high taxes don’t benefit the common people and, under a Ron Paul administration, will lower taxes and never again raise them. Parents worried about their children’s education would see light in Ron Paul’s idea to take away the government’s control of education and put it in the hands of the parents and the states.
Even if Ron Paul’s ideas seem outlandish compared to other frontrunners that have a real shot at becoming president, his ideas are quite different and some even welcomed in a time when people seem to have lost all faith in their government and country. What other Republican do you hear talking about limited government? His biggest problem might be that he’s not so mainstream friendly. Some of his ideas are not the norm. Most people don’t want their dollars to be replaced with gold coins, to get rid of most government departments such as the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, or to make it legal for everyone to use and sell drugs. They want to play it safe. People would have to take a big risk if they voted for him to be the next president, and in these uncertain times, I just don’t think they’re up for it.
Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News
26 February 2008
The House the object of Foreclosure
Today Foreclosure is extremely important; it is the subject of choice: in congress, the media, with family and friends. It does not discriminate everyone has been affected directly or indirectly. For some this tragedy has been positive; because this is a buyers market for investors and families that are looking for a home. However, a lot of homeowners have had to make tough decisions, some of which were not pleasant. Because buying a home is personal I will describe the home my family built in 2002, the beginning of the first phase of interest only home loans.
All home buyers should put a lot of valuable time in choosing the house for their family and the best loan package that fits the family income. Prepare a five year budget that includes a savings account balance that totals a minimum of six months house payments.
This house must meet certain needs to accommodate each member of the family, in order to make the house a home. The needs of each family are different and your home should meet the main needs at the time of purchase. Items that can be done later must be included in your floor plan for future growth.
Our loan is structured to allow us to adjust the interest rate with out applying for a new loan because our lender owns our mortgage, they do not sale mortgages. Therefore we are not having a problem in making our house payments.
Do to the many different floor plans and family needs and wants the home of choice is unique to the home buyer. Therefore, I will describe for you the house that my family built to accommodate our current physical and medical needs:
· It is a three-sided brick ranch with three levels complete.
· The main level has all of the everyday necessities: bedrooms, kitchen, a walk in closet, alarm system, 2 ½ baths, living room, dining room, family room, garage entrance, washroom and front door entrance.
· The top level is complete with one bedroom and bath; future design is to add a theatre room with a mini bar.
· The lower level is the terrace level for entertainment.
· There are three decks on the back of the house.
· The location of the home is critical to maintaining its value. The DeKalb County’s marketing study indicated the types of homes and businesses that are scheduled for this area, which are positive.
· It is in an area with other homes of comparable price and size.
· We live in a subdivision, with a homeowners association, that has covenants and by laws in force for all homeowners. This structure forces owners to maintain their property.
· Our home site is in a cul-de-sac for privacy on an acre lot.
All of these amenities secure our investment for the future.
We worked hard to find what we needed and what we could pay for now and after retirement. Also, we made provisions for items that we have in our five year plan that will be added later. We missed some things, made a few mistakes that we will have to live with.
It is my prayer that the current foreclosure situation never occurs again. Homeowners need to be totally informed concerning their loan package; the worst that can happen and the best that can happen. Then make their decision being prepared to handle the good and the bad with their current income. Always be able to make your mortgage payment when you cannot do anything else. Your home is your most valuable asset.
Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News
I am a conical-bored musical instrument and am considered a member of the woodwind family. I am usually made of brass and I am played with a single- reed mouthpiece. My cousin is the clarinet. I was invented in the 1840’s by Adolphe Sax. My main purpose was to perform in the military bands, but later I gravitated to jazz. Hello, I am the saxophone.
Adolphe Sax was a musical instrument designer and a musician. He played the clarinet, but he is best known for inventing the saxophone. He inherited his passion for designing musical instruments from his father. Sax started designing instruments at an early age in life. The saxophone was intended to form a tonal link between a clarinets and brass instruments. Although he did not end his career successfully, he made a major contribution for future musicians.
The saxophone consists of three different sizes. The alto saxophone is the average size of the saxophones, and it is most commonly used for classical compositions. Because of its prevalence, the alto saxophone is the common choice for beginners.
The simplest design of saxophone is the soprano saxophone. It is shaped like a straight conical tube. The soprano sax penetrates a high pitch sound. It is the smallest of the three saxophones. A more experience saxophonist will play the soprano sax because of alternate fingerings or vary breathing. It sometimes can be used as a substitute for an oboe.
The tenor is the second most commonly used saxophone. It uses a larger mouthpiece, reed, and ligature compared to the alto. The tenor sax is played in many different ensembles such as, concert bands, marching bands, big bands jazz ensembles, and symphony orchestras. The tenor sax is made similar to the soprano sax, but with a different sound.
Music lovers can appreciate the sound behind the voice of the singer or rapper. It would be hard to dissect the different instruments in the music. But a lot of the instruments are coherent such as the piano, drums, and the sax. If I was to play an instrument it would be the saxophone. The sound it produces is gratifying. I know a plethora of people who knows how to play the piano, drums or guitar, but not the saxophone.
Jazz was a new sound in America and it needed instruments to help compliment it. Among those instruments was the saxophone. The sax was altered many times before it produced the sound that satisfied all that heard. The sax has been effectively used in jazz bands and popular dance orchestras. Its smooth and sensual sound helped renovate the minds and souls of individuals.
Whatever your favorite instrument might be just know behind every instrument there is a rich history that helped shape music today. Yeah, the saxophone started off as a military instrument, but later it became a jazz instrument. Jazz led to Blues. Blues led to Rhythm and Blues. Rhythm and Blues led to Rap. Therefore there is a direct correlation between the purpose of music instruments and music it self.
Filed under: Politics/History/Business/News | Tags: 2008 election, Ron Paul, The New Republic
At first glance, the glossy front cover of The New Republic tells you to expect politics. Blue, red, black, and white all make it look quite patriotic. In a collage type layout on the left side of the cover are eight pictures of the front-runners of the presidential race. First is a smiling Mitt Romney, looking content next to an even happier Mike Huckabee. Fred Thompson has an angry look on his face, little hair, and is raising a finger in the air as if he desperately wants to stand out from the rest of the group and command attention. Below him is a joyful, smiling Hilary Clinton complete with big hair and pearls. Her outfit brings the only hot pink to the page. To her left is a small-eyed, balding man with glasses that is obviously Rudy Giuliani. To the right of Clinton is her rival, Barack Obama. He has big lips, large ears, and a closed left eye. Under Obama is a very white-haired John McCain, dressed in a black suit with a carefully placed star on the right side of his jacket, and is saluting with his left hand. Last but not least is an always pleasant looking John Edwards. Not included on the cover: Ron Paul. As part of the mass media, magazines play a great part in determining our views about a lot of different things, one such thing being politics, and more specifically, presidential candidates. Compared to other politically charged magazines, The New Republic has done many in-depth articles on most, if not all, of the presidential front runners with an intimacy that no other publication has done. Although they’ve only written about a handful of stories on Ron Paul, they’ve caused their share of controversy to his campaign. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that Ron Paul is important to me, but his involvement in the campaign will greatly impact the next wave of libertarian politicians. Although it should be obvious that Ron Paul has no chance whatsoever at the presidency, he has started a sort libertarian movement among young voters that are dissatisfied with the direction the country is going in and would much prefer a limited, constitutionalist government. He has paved the way for more grass root movements to emerge with a sense of confidence that they can make a difference. Although Ron Paul might not seem to be so relatable, chances are anyone can agree with at least one thing he’s said in the past. Young people might agree that the war on drugs in outrageous because the government has no right to tell us what is and is not good for us. Older adults struggling to get by might like his idea that high taxes don’t benefit the common people and, under a Ron Paul administration, will lower taxes and never again raise them. Parents worried about their children’s education would see light in Ron Paul’s idea to take away the government’s control of education and put it in the hands of the parents and the states. Even if Ron Paul’s ideas seem outlandish compared to other frontrunners that have a real shot at becoming president, his ideas are quite different and some even welcomed in a time when people seem to have lost all faith in their government and country. What other Republican do you hear talking about limited government? His biggest problem might be that he’s not so mainstream friendly. Some of his ideas are not the norm. Most people don’t want their dollars to be replaced with gold coins, to get rid of most government departments such as the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security, or to make it legal for everyone to use and sell drugs. They want to play it safe. People would have to take a big risk if they voted for him to be the next president, and in these uncertain times, I just don’t think they’re up for it. In the end, you just can’t help but feel sorry for him. I don’t believe he’s blind as to what his chances are. The results from the primaries speak for themselves. He might really believe that a lot of hard work and dedication really pay off in the end. But as we all know, it doesn’t always work out that way.
