A dozen minor children and the responsibility that comes with having children lies elsewhere?
One sad thing about this is that the children love their mother and are now separated from the only person they have known as their mother. Regardless of her state or the way she has raised them, she is still their mother and they will still love her and be hurt by this ongoing process.
I pray that God would give these children hope and a better future regardless of their past and the circus that surrounds them. Perhaps this will give the mother an opportunity to make some changes in her life that will help to reform her mindset on entitlement.
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Culture. Show all posts
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Need Free Health Care? Go To Jail
Verone didn’t want to scare anyone. He executed the robbery the most passive way he knew how. He handed the teller a note demanding one dollar, and medical attention. “I didn’t have any fears,” said Verone. “I told the teller that I would sit over here and wait for police.”
... he has a lot to say on the subject of socialized medical care. He suspects he wouldn’t be talking to a reporter through a metal screen wearing an orange jumpsuit if such an option were available in the U.S.
“If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything,” said Verone.
The man has high hopes with his recent incarceration.
He has seen several nurses and has an appointment with a doctor Friday.
The ideal scenario would include back and foot surgery and a diagnosis and treatment of the protrusion on his chest, he said. He would serve a few years in prison and get out in time to collect Social Security and move to the beach.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-What would you do given this situation?
-Do you consider James Richard Verone's actions to be noble or costing tax payers money?
-Given his situation, what alternatives could he have tapped into to get the help he wanted/needed without committing a crime?
-If you were the judge, how would you handle his sentencing?
... he has a lot to say on the subject of socialized medical care. He suspects he wouldn’t be talking to a reporter through a metal screen wearing an orange jumpsuit if such an option were available in the U.S.
“If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything,” said Verone.
The man has high hopes with his recent incarceration.
He has seen several nurses and has an appointment with a doctor Friday.
The ideal scenario would include back and foot surgery and a diagnosis and treatment of the protrusion on his chest, he said. He would serve a few years in prison and get out in time to collect Social Security and move to the beach.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-What would you do given this situation?
-Do you consider James Richard Verone's actions to be noble or costing tax payers money?
-Given his situation, what alternatives could he have tapped into to get the help he wanted/needed without committing a crime?
-If you were the judge, how would you handle his sentencing?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Can The Government Be Trusted With Our Health?
Two official investigations have begun into an unpublished study from the 1940s in which a US researcher deliberately infected Guatemalan prisoners and soldiers with syphilis and gonorrhoea.
These infections were carried out without consent or knowledge of what was being done.
You can read the rest here.
You can read the US Department of Health & Human Services fact sheet on this here.
Some questions:
-Is there ever a situation in which something like this would be justifiable? If so, what would that situation look like?
-Do we know what we are injecting into our bodies? Our children's bodies?
-How should they right this wrong? Can they?
-Do you trust the government with your health?
These infections were carried out without consent or knowledge of what was being done.
You can read the rest here.
You can read the US Department of Health & Human Services fact sheet on this here.
Some questions:
-Is there ever a situation in which something like this would be justifiable? If so, what would that situation look like?
-Do we know what we are injecting into our bodies? Our children's bodies?
-How should they right this wrong? Can they?
-Do you trust the government with your health?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Woman With A Story Waiting To Be Told
Hajiyani Abeda fought against the Soviets in Afghanistan and now the Taliban. She is well past her youth and living and fighting in a place where women are barely allowed to leave the home, let alone command men in battle. One commander said of her, "We don't even think of her as a woman when she comes to these meetings," he said. When the Guardian asked how many fighters she had under her command, she raised a bemused eyebrow.
"These are all my fighters," she said...
You can read the rest here.
This is one biography I would love to read. Tim?
Some questions:
-Why do you think, in an Islamic culture, her gender is overlooked? (Do you think this honors what they believe to be God's word?)
-She has earned respect of men, are other women afforded that same opportunity in Afghanistan today?
-Would you read her story?
"These are all my fighters," she said...
You can read the rest here.
This is one biography I would love to read. Tim?
Some questions:
-Why do you think, in an Islamic culture, her gender is overlooked? (Do you think this honors what they believe to be God's word?)
-She has earned respect of men, are other women afforded that same opportunity in Afghanistan today?
-Would you read her story?
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Our Facebook Youth & Abortion
"Im still thinkin if I shuld abort dis or not"
I am utterly speechless...
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Parents Killing Children
A woman who said she strangled her 18-year-old daughter because she "pushed my last button" pleaded guilty Tuesday to first-degree manslaughter.
Her husband, who discovered the body, wept during the court session.
You can read the rest here.
Are our children really so defiant as to deserve death? That is the question that I first thought of when I read this article. I then quickly concluded that our children are only as defiant as we allow them to be. I would be curious to know how this girl was raised. Was she allowed to backtalk? Was she allowed to disobey without consequence? Did she only have to obey when the parents where so frustrated that they disciplined her in anger? Of course, I don't know the answers to those questions and it would benefit her not on this side of the situation. However, it should cause us to think about how we raise our children and the laxity of our current society's emphasis on discipline and the lack of weight given to any one set of morals and values. If you choose to teach your child that something is of value that isn't materialistic, you run the risk of being labeled extremist or intolerant. If you choose not to instill within your children any set of values or morals you run the risk of destroying your family either by the situation that played out in this article or some lesser form thereof, or by abdication and apathy corrupting the family bonds, but I digress...
My condolences to the father who now must endure the loss of a child and a wife.
Here are some questions:
-Is the state of our youth in the hands of their parents?
-Should the state enact legislation to help stressed mothers cope with undisciplined youths as a state funded service (similar to how Memphis responded to this situation)?
-How do we, as parents and citizens, remedy this epidemic of unruly teens or is it too late?
Her husband, who discovered the body, wept during the court session.
You can read the rest here.
Are our children really so defiant as to deserve death? That is the question that I first thought of when I read this article. I then quickly concluded that our children are only as defiant as we allow them to be. I would be curious to know how this girl was raised. Was she allowed to backtalk? Was she allowed to disobey without consequence? Did she only have to obey when the parents where so frustrated that they disciplined her in anger? Of course, I don't know the answers to those questions and it would benefit her not on this side of the situation. However, it should cause us to think about how we raise our children and the laxity of our current society's emphasis on discipline and the lack of weight given to any one set of morals and values. If you choose to teach your child that something is of value that isn't materialistic, you run the risk of being labeled extremist or intolerant. If you choose not to instill within your children any set of values or morals you run the risk of destroying your family either by the situation that played out in this article or some lesser form thereof, or by abdication and apathy corrupting the family bonds, but I digress...
My condolences to the father who now must endure the loss of a child and a wife.
Here are some questions:
-Is the state of our youth in the hands of their parents?
-Should the state enact legislation to help stressed mothers cope with undisciplined youths as a state funded service (similar to how Memphis responded to this situation)?
-How do we, as parents and citizens, remedy this epidemic of unruly teens or is it too late?
Friday, October 29, 2010
Social Networking Game Play Leads To Rise In Infant Mortality
Alexandra V. Tobias, 22, was arrested after the January death of 3-month-old Dylan Lee Edmondson. She told investigators she became angry because the baby was crying while she was playing a computer game called FarmVille on the Facebook social-networking website.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Is the mother alone to blame?
-Why do insignificant things such as game playing, social networking, etc. override the sense of duty and responsibility?
-Do you see this type of thing happening more and more?
-How did we come to such a place that values entertainment over responsibility?
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Is the mother alone to blame?
-Why do insignificant things such as game playing, social networking, etc. override the sense of duty and responsibility?
-Do you see this type of thing happening more and more?
-How did we come to such a place that values entertainment over responsibility?
Monday, September 27, 2010
Too Little & Too Much To Know?
So while there are plenty of good books by scientist-atheists, they sometimes under-emphasise the main lesson from science: that our knowledge is vastly outstripped by our ignorance. For me, a life in science prompts awe and exploration over dogmatism.
Given these considerations, I do not call myself an atheist. I don't feel that I have enough data to firmly rule out other interesting possibilities. On the other hand, I do not subscribe to any religion. Traditional religious stories can be beautiful and often crystallise hard-won wisdom - but it is hardly a challenge to poke holes in them. Religious structures are built by humans and brim with all manner of strange human claims - they often reflect cults of personality, xenophobia or mental illness. The holy books of these religions were written millennia ago by people who never had the opportunity to know about DNA, other galaxies, information theory, electricity, the big bang, the big crunch, or even other cultures, literatures or landscapes.
So it seems we know too little to commit to strict atheism, and too much to commit to any religion.
You can read more here.
Thoughts?
Given these considerations, I do not call myself an atheist. I don't feel that I have enough data to firmly rule out other interesting possibilities. On the other hand, I do not subscribe to any religion. Traditional religious stories can be beautiful and often crystallise hard-won wisdom - but it is hardly a challenge to poke holes in them. Religious structures are built by humans and brim with all manner of strange human claims - they often reflect cults of personality, xenophobia or mental illness. The holy books of these religions were written millennia ago by people who never had the opportunity to know about DNA, other galaxies, information theory, electricity, the big bang, the big crunch, or even other cultures, literatures or landscapes.
So it seems we know too little to commit to strict atheism, and too much to commit to any religion.
You can read more here.
Thoughts?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Strippers Vs. A Church
Every weekend for the last four years, Dunfee and members of his ministry have stood watch over George's joint, taking up residence in the right of way with signs, video cameras and bullhorns in hand. They videotape customers' license plates and post them online, and they try to save the souls of anyone who comes and goes.
Now, the dancers have turned the tables, so to speak. Fed up with the tactics of Dunfee and his flock, they say they have finally accepted his constant invitation to come to church.
It's just that they've come wearing see-through shorts and toting Super Soakers.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Are these tactics "the Church" should employ?
-How do you think this situation should be handled?
-Is speaking the truth in love more powerful than speaking the truth in judgment?
-How can this issue be resolved? Or can it?
-If Lola repents, was this situation of God? Was it all worth it?
Now, the dancers have turned the tables, so to speak. Fed up with the tactics of Dunfee and his flock, they say they have finally accepted his constant invitation to come to church.
It's just that they've come wearing see-through shorts and toting Super Soakers.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Are these tactics "the Church" should employ?
-How do you think this situation should be handled?
-Is speaking the truth in love more powerful than speaking the truth in judgment?
-How can this issue be resolved? Or can it?
-If Lola repents, was this situation of God? Was it all worth it?
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Testing The Reaction Of A White Cop
Sgt. Matthew Grimes was asked to give a presentation to a church audience on July 24 at Municipal Gardens, in the 1800 block of Lafayette Road.
During the presentation, an altercation broke out in the crowd, and Grimes intervened. The officer was thrown to the ground and drew his Taser, ready to stun one of the people involved, police said.
At that point, someone stepped in and told the officer that the incident had been concocted to test the reaction of the officer to the situation, police said. Grimes suffered severe back spasms after the incident and was taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment.
James Harrington, pastor of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, said he set up the scenario to test a white officer's reaction to a fight between two black men.
"Their job is to protect and serve, and even though they have families and children, that they don't put any regard to their safety," Harrington said. "I don't think it was dangerous because it was in a controlled environment."
Harrington denied that the officer was injured.
"We are trying to do anything that we can to save the lives of our children," he said. "We have to have live demonstrations of violence carried on by professional actors who are trained to do what they do."
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Do you think this helps to further race relations in America?
-If the cop was not hurt, what benefit would have come from this scenario?
-Do you find this to be a good idea?
-Should churches be involved in such things as this?
-What do you think the motive was behind this alleged staged incident?
During the presentation, an altercation broke out in the crowd, and Grimes intervened. The officer was thrown to the ground and drew his Taser, ready to stun one of the people involved, police said.
At that point, someone stepped in and told the officer that the incident had been concocted to test the reaction of the officer to the situation, police said. Grimes suffered severe back spasms after the incident and was taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment.
James Harrington, pastor of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, said he set up the scenario to test a white officer's reaction to a fight between two black men.
"Their job is to protect and serve, and even though they have families and children, that they don't put any regard to their safety," Harrington said. "I don't think it was dangerous because it was in a controlled environment."
Harrington denied that the officer was injured.
"We are trying to do anything that we can to save the lives of our children," he said. "We have to have live demonstrations of violence carried on by professional actors who are trained to do what they do."
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Do you think this helps to further race relations in America?
-If the cop was not hurt, what benefit would have come from this scenario?
-Do you find this to be a good idea?
-Should churches be involved in such things as this?
-What do you think the motive was behind this alleged staged incident?
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It Has Begun
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is blocking certain websites from the federal agency's computers, including halting access by staffers to any Internet pages that contain a "controversial opinion," according to an internal email obtained by CBS News.
You can read more here.
The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 introduced in the Senate would allow the president to shut down private Internet networks. The legislation also calls for the government to have the authority to demand security data from private networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-What constitutes a controversial opinion and who declares it as such?
-Would religious views be considered controversial? Political views?
-How long should the President be able to shut down the internet? Is 4 months overkill?
-Is the government allowed to be above the law?
You can read more here.
The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 introduced in the Senate would allow the president to shut down private Internet networks. The legislation also calls for the government to have the authority to demand security data from private networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-What constitutes a controversial opinion and who declares it as such?
-Would religious views be considered controversial? Political views?
-How long should the President be able to shut down the internet? Is 4 months overkill?
-Is the government allowed to be above the law?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Don't Feel Connected With Your Church?
Some questions:
-Do you feel connected? Does the fault lie with you if you don't?
-Why is your mindset important?
-Is serving key to being plugged in?
-Why do you think this is a common consensus amongst churchgoers in America today?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
A Condom With Teeth
Rape-aXe
Once [the device] lodges, only a doctor can remove it -- a procedure Ehlers hopes will be done with authorities on standby to make an arrest.
"It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it's on," she said. "If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter... however, it doesn't break the skin, and there's no danger of fluid exposure."
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-Do you think this will help prevent rape or just infuriate the male during rape?
-Do you think girls/women will utilize this as an object of payback? If so, what legal consequences should be in place?
-Do you think this is a good invention or like the article states- an enslavement to women?
-Do you believe this to be a device of vengence?
-If you are a woman, what are your thoughts on this development?
-If you are a man, what are your thoughts?
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Explicit Picture Leads Father To Stun Man
An angry father is accused of using a stun gun on a 23 year old man who sent his 17 year old daughter an explicit cell phone picture.
William Atwood Sr., 45, was charged Wednesday with multiple felonies in connection with the case.
Authorities say Atwood lured Justin Moore to his home, ordered him to strip down to his boxer shorts, and tied him up and tased him with a stun gun before turning him over to a sheriff's deputy.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-If you have a daughter, how would you react to this scenario?
-If you are a daughter and your father did this, would emotions would this elicit in you?
-Is there something right about the father's anger?
-What type of punishment should the father get for his actions?
-If Justin Moore admitted to sending the picture to an underage teen, why is he not undergoing any punishment?
-If more fathers did things like this would young men behave themselves and act more like men?
William Atwood Sr., 45, was charged Wednesday with multiple felonies in connection with the case.
Authorities say Atwood lured Justin Moore to his home, ordered him to strip down to his boxer shorts, and tied him up and tased him with a stun gun before turning him over to a sheriff's deputy.
You can read more here.
Some questions:
-If you have a daughter, how would you react to this scenario?
-If you are a daughter and your father did this, would emotions would this elicit in you?
-Is there something right about the father's anger?
-What type of punishment should the father get for his actions?
-If Justin Moore admitted to sending the picture to an underage teen, why is he not undergoing any punishment?
-If more fathers did things like this would young men behave themselves and act more like men?
Friday, May 28, 2010
Memorial Day Tribute To A Fallen Marine
Billy Spencer was shot and killed while trying to drag his commanding officer, who was shot by a sniper, to safety. A truly heroic act of sacrifice.
May we not forget the sacrifices made by those who have come before us.
I have never been able to think of the day as one of mourning; I have never quite been able to feel that half-masted flags were appropriate on Decoration Day. I have rather felt that the flag should be at the peak, because those whose dying we commemorate rejoiced in seeing it where their valor placed it. We honor them in a joyous, thankful, triumphant commemoration of what they did. ~Benjamin Harrison
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Preacher Jailed For Calling Homosexuality A Sin
Dale McAlpine was charged with causing “harassment, alarm or distress” after a homosexual police community support officer (PCSO) overheard him reciting a number of “sins” referred to in the Bible, including blasphemy, drunkenness and same sex relationships.
The 42-year-old Baptist, who has preached Christianity in Wokington, Cumbria for years, said he did not mention homosexuality while delivering a sermon from the top of a stepladder, but admitted telling a passing shopper that he believed it went against the word of God.
Police officers are alleging that he made the remark in a voice loud enough to be overheard by others and have charged him with using abusive or insulting language, contrary to the Public Order Act.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Should people be arrested for saying homosexuality is a sin?
-Who determines what is okay to say and what isn't?
-Should this section of the Public Order Act pertain to those who preach scripture?
-Should pastors/preachers be more careful with the things they say so as not to offend anyone?
Monday, December 21, 2009
God Loves The Poor More Than The Rich?
Father Tim Jones, 41, broke off from his traditional annual sermon yesterday to tell his flock that stealing from large chains is sometimes the best option for vulnerable people.
It is far better for people desperate during the recession to shoplift than turn to 'prostitution, mugging or burglary', he said.
The married father-of-two insisted his unusual advice did not break the Bible commandment 'Thou shalt not steal' - because God's love for the poor outweighs his love for the rich.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Biblically does his advice have any foothold?
-Biblically is it ever okay to steal?
-How should this shepherd lead his people in regards to handling hard times? Perhaps this? Or this? Maybe even this?
-Is his argument even a logical argument for not breaking the commandment?
-Does God love the poor more? If so, why?
It is far better for people desperate during the recession to shoplift than turn to 'prostitution, mugging or burglary', he said.
The married father-of-two insisted his unusual advice did not break the Bible commandment 'Thou shalt not steal' - because God's love for the poor outweighs his love for the rich.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Biblically does his advice have any foothold?
-Biblically is it ever okay to steal?
-How should this shepherd lead his people in regards to handling hard times? Perhaps this? Or this? Maybe even this?
-Is his argument even a logical argument for not breaking the commandment?
-Does God love the poor more? If so, why?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
US Senator Boxer On Abortion & The Health Care Bill
"Why are women being singled out here? It's so unfair," Boxer said on the Senate floor Tuesday. "We don't tell men that if they want to ... buy insurance coverage through their pharmaceutical plan for Viagra that they can't do it."
Boxer was weighing in against an amendment offered by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., that would greatly restrict abortion services for women buying individual insurance through a new health care insurance exchange. Although the amendment was rejected in a 54-45 vote, it was not the last word on the issue.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Is this a legitimate argument?
-Is abortion really a woman's right?
-Does the child/embroyo/fetus have rights? If so, who is to defend them?
-How do you define abortion?
-Is this an abortion, or is this? ***GRAPHIC WARNING***
-How do you define abortion?
-Is this an abortion, or is this? ***GRAPHIC WARNING***
-Why do you think she changed her position after years on the other side?
Friday, November 20, 2009
When Scientist Stop Being Scientific
Hundreds of private emails and documents allegedly exchanged between some of the world's leading climate scientists during the past 13 years have been stolen by hackers and leaked online, it emerged today.
The computer files were apparently accessed earlier this week from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, a world-renowned centre focused on the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change.
Climate change sceptics who have studied the emails allege they provide "smoking gun" evidence that some of the climatologists colluded in manipulating data to support the widely held view that climate change is real, and is being largely caused by the actions of mankind.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Do you think it was okay to steal these emails if they result in the truth being exposed?
-Do you think "global warming" is caused by humans or a natural cycle of the earth/sun?
-Does this information cause you to rethink your current view?
-Are all scientists biased? If so, can anything be trusted in the realm of science?
The computer files were apparently accessed earlier this week from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, a world-renowned centre focused on the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change.
Climate change sceptics who have studied the emails allege they provide "smoking gun" evidence that some of the climatologists colluded in manipulating data to support the widely held view that climate change is real, and is being largely caused by the actions of mankind.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-Do you think it was okay to steal these emails if they result in the truth being exposed?
-Do you think "global warming" is caused by humans or a natural cycle of the earth/sun?
-Does this information cause you to rethink your current view?
-Are all scientists biased? If so, can anything be trusted in the realm of science?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Pro Choice Turned Pro Life
The director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in southeast Texas quit her job and is supporting a pro-life organization after watching an ultrasound of an abortion.
Abby Johnson, 29, worked at the abortion clinic for eight years and told FoxNews.com she had been "extremely pro-choice" during that time. That all changed in September when she watched an ultrasound of an unborn baby being vacuumed out of a woman's uterus. She quit in early October.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-What would it take to change your stance on abortion (either way)?
-If you are pro choice, how is abortion justifiable in your mind?
-Do you think protesting outside abortion clinics is an effective means to stop abortions?
Abby Johnson, 29, worked at the abortion clinic for eight years and told FoxNews.com she had been "extremely pro-choice" during that time. That all changed in September when she watched an ultrasound of an unborn baby being vacuumed out of a woman's uterus. She quit in early October.
You can read the rest here.
Some questions:
-What would it take to change your stance on abortion (either way)?
-If you are pro choice, how is abortion justifiable in your mind?
-Do you think protesting outside abortion clinics is an effective means to stop abortions?
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