This particular post was prompted by this article on CNN,
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/09/22/illegal.immigrants.healthcare/index.html
Though it is by no means the only reason to post it, just the latest.
Now, as you can see from what I have said, I'm a legal immigrant to the United States. I'm also a Democrat/Liberal that fully supports humanitarian efforts, peace initiatives, and the betterment of all people.
However, I have to say this...
If you are an illegal immigrant, this country cannot afford to pay for you. This country, and its people, have suffered the greatest blow to its economy that it has seen since the devastation of the Dirty 30's and the Great Depression. IT CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR YOU.
If you are here illegally, you are a burden to its people, you are a burden to its economy, and you are a burden period. Your presence is taking away things its citizens need, like jobs, and money for THEIR health care.
Either get legal and pay taxes like everyone else, or GET THE HELL OUT. Even if it means death. Better you than the people in this country.
And that goes for all country's. If you aren't there legally, get the hell out of any country you are in, and stop being a goddamned burden on the citizens. Whether you are Canadian, American, British, Nigerian, Lithuanian, Russian, Chinese, or from any other country in the world, get the hell out and stop being a burden on the country you are in. If you cannot help to better the country that you are living in because you just want to leech off them like a bloodsucker, then you have no business being there. Go fix your own damned country by actually gathering those around you who agree with you, and making it happen.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Its time to change the animal cruelty laws.
From the pitt bull that was lit on fire, to the cat that was duct taped up like a mummy, to the cats that were tortured in various ways including being cut up into little pieces and thrown on their owners lawns, right down to the horse murders (and lets face it, they WERE murders, as the vandals were chopping bits of their body's off them while the animals were still alive), animal cruelty seems to have taken on new meaning this year.
Never have I heard of so much of it in such a short space of time.
Its not a joke. Its not funny. Its a sign of more sadistic behavior to come.
Its not that far a jump from animals to human beings, and anyone that can do this to pets can easily do it to us.
The punishments need to be harsher.
I've seen "community service" as punishment. I've seen fine's. I've seen a few months to a couple years in the lowest level of prison (though thats extremely rare) as punishment.
This is not enough by a long shot. Serial murderers usually start out torturing animals. Its time that torturing animals, ANY animal, is no longer a slap on the wrist.
Never have I heard of so much of it in such a short space of time.
Its not a joke. Its not funny. Its a sign of more sadistic behavior to come.
Its not that far a jump from animals to human beings, and anyone that can do this to pets can easily do it to us.
The punishments need to be harsher.
I've seen "community service" as punishment. I've seen fine's. I've seen a few months to a couple years in the lowest level of prison (though thats extremely rare) as punishment.
This is not enough by a long shot. Serial murderers usually start out torturing animals. Its time that torturing animals, ANY animal, is no longer a slap on the wrist.
Monday, September 14, 2009
What has happened to the press and responsibility?
When I was in my early 20's, I had two cousins die in a car accident. My sister nearly joined them but we got lucky with fantastic doctors who saved her life.
This was one of the most tragic and horrifying car crashes that had ever happened in the over 150 years that my city had been settled, so naturally the press was interested. We ended up with over 1100 people in attendance at the funeral, and people donating to try to help my sister's recovery (contrary to popular belief, Canada Health does NOT pay for absolutely everything and there ARE limits).
Of course... I was interviewed.
Now, I am NOT a religious person. And that's putting it politely. To say that I think its a crock would be understating my opinion.
So during the interview I said "Thank goodness my sister is alive". In fact, after that sentence, I attributed my sisters survival to the wonderful doctors in my area. Which the press promptly changed to "The family thanks god for the one family member that survived and hopes those lost are blessed in heaven" from that one quote. Now... exactly where did I say that? I didn't. And I was pretty disgusted that they changed my words. I purposely chose not to let any "god" enter into what I said.
Thus was my introduction to the lies, and twists of truth, that the press is capable of.
Canada is one of the most free presses in the world.
As you can see from the above map which I got from wikipedia, and they got from Reporters without Borders 2008.
It is even more free than the United States. But I would also like to stipulate that they seem to lie alot less, they are less sensationalistic, and they twist the truth fewer times than the American press.
Lets examine the history of Freedom of the Press just a bit in the United States. Supposedly, the government is not allowed to interfere in the press whatsoever. At least that's what the Constitution states. And actually, the government keeps its word as well as any government. In fact, if the government (or anyone else for that matter) so much as remotely suggests that the press should not be able to say what its saying, even if what its saying is a lie, people run and hide because that Amendment to the Constitution as though its a shield and refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
There was a time when being part of the press meant something. It was considered a great coup to get a juicy real life story and many reporters would do anything to get it. They wouldn't have to stretch the truth because the truth was already so good.
The press in this country has lost its way. Lies, manipulation, leaving out parts of the truth, and twisting the rest of it until it barely resembles the truth. And all because no one can ever take the press to task over its behavior. They behave like the Paparazzi in England.
They have a golden opportunity to educate people on things like health care, but they do not do it. Instead, they seem to think that balance is the same thing as accuracy. It isn't.
Just to give a small example...
The reporting during the health care debates. They could make a big deal about the truth of health care and what the reforms really offer. Instead, they are focusing on the sensationalism of Sarah Palin's "Death Panels" remark, even after she has proven herself to be one of the most unreliable and fundamentalist religious members of the government. They could spread the truth about how National Health Care works instead of taking the minority of circumstances and over blowing them to resemble something horrific.
They report the less than 1% of Canadians that cross the border for care as though its common. Except that 95% of Canadians wouldn't get rid of their National Health Care plan (no matter how much the government complains about cost) for any reason.
The press could tell the truth, for a change. They could do their jobs, for a change. Instead they devote far too much time to Mark Sanfords cheating on his wife.
While Internationalization of media has been a truly amazing thing, deresponsibility of those who are part of it is truly disgusting.
It is not ok to tell lies, not even if you're a reporter looking for a sensationalistic story.
This was one of the most tragic and horrifying car crashes that had ever happened in the over 150 years that my city had been settled, so naturally the press was interested. We ended up with over 1100 people in attendance at the funeral, and people donating to try to help my sister's recovery (contrary to popular belief, Canada Health does NOT pay for absolutely everything and there ARE limits).
Of course... I was interviewed.
Now, I am NOT a religious person. And that's putting it politely. To say that I think its a crock would be understating my opinion.
So during the interview I said "Thank goodness my sister is alive". In fact, after that sentence, I attributed my sisters survival to the wonderful doctors in my area. Which the press promptly changed to "The family thanks god for the one family member that survived and hopes those lost are blessed in heaven" from that one quote. Now... exactly where did I say that? I didn't. And I was pretty disgusted that they changed my words. I purposely chose not to let any "god" enter into what I said.
Thus was my introduction to the lies, and twists of truth, that the press is capable of.
Canada is one of the most free presses in the world.
As you can see from the above map which I got from wikipedia, and they got from Reporters without Borders 2008.It is even more free than the United States. But I would also like to stipulate that they seem to lie alot less, they are less sensationalistic, and they twist the truth fewer times than the American press.
Lets examine the history of Freedom of the Press just a bit in the United States. Supposedly, the government is not allowed to interfere in the press whatsoever. At least that's what the Constitution states. And actually, the government keeps its word as well as any government. In fact, if the government (or anyone else for that matter) so much as remotely suggests that the press should not be able to say what its saying, even if what its saying is a lie, people run and hide because that Amendment to the Constitution as though its a shield and refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
There was a time when being part of the press meant something. It was considered a great coup to get a juicy real life story and many reporters would do anything to get it. They wouldn't have to stretch the truth because the truth was already so good.
The press in this country has lost its way. Lies, manipulation, leaving out parts of the truth, and twisting the rest of it until it barely resembles the truth. And all because no one can ever take the press to task over its behavior. They behave like the Paparazzi in England.
They have a golden opportunity to educate people on things like health care, but they do not do it. Instead, they seem to think that balance is the same thing as accuracy. It isn't.
Just to give a small example...
The reporting during the health care debates. They could make a big deal about the truth of health care and what the reforms really offer. Instead, they are focusing on the sensationalism of Sarah Palin's "Death Panels" remark, even after she has proven herself to be one of the most unreliable and fundamentalist religious members of the government. They could spread the truth about how National Health Care works instead of taking the minority of circumstances and over blowing them to resemble something horrific.
They report the less than 1% of Canadians that cross the border for care as though its common. Except that 95% of Canadians wouldn't get rid of their National Health Care plan (no matter how much the government complains about cost) for any reason.
The press could tell the truth, for a change. They could do their jobs, for a change. Instead they devote far too much time to Mark Sanfords cheating on his wife.
While Internationalization of media has been a truly amazing thing, deresponsibility of those who are part of it is truly disgusting.
It is not ok to tell lies, not even if you're a reporter looking for a sensationalistic story.
Friday, September 11, 2009
hmmm
Most of the time I talk about politics, and the occasional interesting news tidbit. But this time I'm going to talk about something that will surprise, and maybe even shock, some people who read this.
As anyone who reads this has realized, though I'm passionate about many things, I prize logic and honesty above all other things. So it will probably come as a surprise to you that I believe in ghosts. I've had many people say "how can you believe in ghosts, but not believe in any god?". Well, I can assure you spirituality is not the same as religion or theism.
All ghosts are, are things we have yet to explain, nothing more.
I've found that, sometimes when people die they don't leave immediately. Some of them have the strength to remain longer than others, of course. But eventually their energy dissipates. Thats why you don't see 2000 year old ghosts.
Yes, Halloween is partly whats bringing this up, but its more than that.
For most of my life, I've had ghostly experiences of some sort. Its been happening since I was a child, and used to scare the daylights out of my mother, especially when she had an experience of her own that changed her opinion on the existence of them for the rest of her life.
No, I'm not going to bother you with telling you all the details unless I'm specifically asked. This post isn't about that.
But then what is it about? I can see you asking as you read this.
Simply this.
In 2004, I was in a bad car accident right before Halloween. And the sightings, the sounds, the smells, it all stopped. I had taken some brain damage, you see. My memory is still a bit effected sometimes, and my sense of taste and smell isn't very good. The doctors told me to give it time, and that my brain will likely heal itself.
I didn't believe them. Oh, I occasionally had sudden flashes where things would get better (Last Christmas, my sense of taste came back to me full blown for over a week. I can tell you I was stuffing myself with every bit of food I could get just because I could finally taste it. And then it went away again), but the ghostly experiences... I never thought I'd experience them again.
I have to say, I was rather glad of it. I never liked it when it happened, though I did get used to it over time. I don't know what causes it. Throughout my life, I've always noticed that ghostly happenings increased as we neared Halloween.
But it seems my brain is finally beginning to heal, because I'm having them again but only for the last few months.
The first time I saw something, it was in the hallway outside of one of the bedrooms. It wasn't big, not even up to my knees. It looked like a hazy orange ball surrounded by white and it sped past in only a second or two into the bedroom. I dismissed it as imagination or maybe one of the cats (we have an orange cat but he's so fat that he can't run fast or silently, though he can still run quite well).
A month or so later, I saw it again in the same spot. Only this time, it was at least as tall as I am (I'm five feet tall), but it looked the same, it was just huge. It also did the same thing.
And then there's last night.
I was in the kitchen, having just come out of the hallway that least to our bedroom and the bathroom and I heard it. The sound of an elderly persons walker moving on the ground. It was only a couple of feet from me and moving toward the back bedroom.
If you have ever been around a person who's using one, you cannot mistake the sound. No other thing sounds like it. I used one after I was in my accident since my balance was too badly effected to use crutches. I know that sound because I heard it in my head for 8 months since it was the only way I could move.
I went through the kitchen, the living room, and even the back bedroom and the second bathroom and couldn't find what was making the sound.
Then I heard it again. It was farther away, like it was in the hallway, but it was unmistakable.
I went to talk to my husband about it and he told me that he had heard it too, ever since his grandmother had died. Something he doesn't like admitting to because he says he's never had a ghostly experience before. Though it didn't frighten him because he thinks its his grandmother. The thing she wanted most before she died was to go home. She lived in the front bedroom almost until the day she died until we had to send her to a hospital to be properly taken care of for her last days.
So it would appear that the ability is back. I hoped I had lost it. Damn.
As anyone who reads this has realized, though I'm passionate about many things, I prize logic and honesty above all other things. So it will probably come as a surprise to you that I believe in ghosts. I've had many people say "how can you believe in ghosts, but not believe in any god?". Well, I can assure you spirituality is not the same as religion or theism.
All ghosts are, are things we have yet to explain, nothing more.
I've found that, sometimes when people die they don't leave immediately. Some of them have the strength to remain longer than others, of course. But eventually their energy dissipates. Thats why you don't see 2000 year old ghosts.
Yes, Halloween is partly whats bringing this up, but its more than that.
For most of my life, I've had ghostly experiences of some sort. Its been happening since I was a child, and used to scare the daylights out of my mother, especially when she had an experience of her own that changed her opinion on the existence of them for the rest of her life.
No, I'm not going to bother you with telling you all the details unless I'm specifically asked. This post isn't about that.
But then what is it about? I can see you asking as you read this.
Simply this.
In 2004, I was in a bad car accident right before Halloween. And the sightings, the sounds, the smells, it all stopped. I had taken some brain damage, you see. My memory is still a bit effected sometimes, and my sense of taste and smell isn't very good. The doctors told me to give it time, and that my brain will likely heal itself.
I didn't believe them. Oh, I occasionally had sudden flashes where things would get better (Last Christmas, my sense of taste came back to me full blown for over a week. I can tell you I was stuffing myself with every bit of food I could get just because I could finally taste it. And then it went away again), but the ghostly experiences... I never thought I'd experience them again.
I have to say, I was rather glad of it. I never liked it when it happened, though I did get used to it over time. I don't know what causes it. Throughout my life, I've always noticed that ghostly happenings increased as we neared Halloween.
But it seems my brain is finally beginning to heal, because I'm having them again but only for the last few months.
The first time I saw something, it was in the hallway outside of one of the bedrooms. It wasn't big, not even up to my knees. It looked like a hazy orange ball surrounded by white and it sped past in only a second or two into the bedroom. I dismissed it as imagination or maybe one of the cats (we have an orange cat but he's so fat that he can't run fast or silently, though he can still run quite well).
A month or so later, I saw it again in the same spot. Only this time, it was at least as tall as I am (I'm five feet tall), but it looked the same, it was just huge. It also did the same thing.
And then there's last night.
I was in the kitchen, having just come out of the hallway that least to our bedroom and the bathroom and I heard it. The sound of an elderly persons walker moving on the ground. It was only a couple of feet from me and moving toward the back bedroom.
If you have ever been around a person who's using one, you cannot mistake the sound. No other thing sounds like it. I used one after I was in my accident since my balance was too badly effected to use crutches. I know that sound because I heard it in my head for 8 months since it was the only way I could move.
I went through the kitchen, the living room, and even the back bedroom and the second bathroom and couldn't find what was making the sound.
Then I heard it again. It was farther away, like it was in the hallway, but it was unmistakable.
I went to talk to my husband about it and he told me that he had heard it too, ever since his grandmother had died. Something he doesn't like admitting to because he says he's never had a ghostly experience before. Though it didn't frighten him because he thinks its his grandmother. The thing she wanted most before she died was to go home. She lived in the front bedroom almost until the day she died until we had to send her to a hospital to be properly taken care of for her last days.
So it would appear that the ability is back. I hoped I had lost it. Damn.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I can't believe that I'm more patriotic toward the United States than many Americans are.
President Obama gave one of his best and most inspirational speeches last night. It had very strong wording, and very bold statements. I think it will go down as one of his best.
But then he got heckled by a childish Republican.
See... the problem is that it was done at all. All society's live by rules of conduct agreed upon by their people. They do this to prevent constant fighting among each other and its a natural progression that can sometimes cause problems with one society's rules don't agree with another's.
In THIS society, this behavior is bad. Just because Wilson could do it, doesn't mean he should. It was a Presidential Address to Congress, not a personal interview, and not on the street. If he didn't agree with Obama, the right thing to do was protest silently in a dignified way like the other Republicans were doing. Even booing isn't as bad as actually insulting the President through words publicly during his speech. Actual words have alot more power. This behavior was extremely disrespectful.
But, as childish as that behavior was, nothing compares to those that would actually dare to defend it. The sheer fact that anyone would defend it, while totally dismissing anything resembling logic, is frightening.
But its more than that.
I keep watching Republicans make excuses on why this country shouldn't have any form of nationalized health care.
But then he got heckled by a childish Republican.
See... the problem is that it was done at all. All society's live by rules of conduct agreed upon by their people. They do this to prevent constant fighting among each other and its a natural progression that can sometimes cause problems with one society's rules don't agree with another's.
In THIS society, this behavior is bad. Just because Wilson could do it, doesn't mean he should. It was a Presidential Address to Congress, not a personal interview, and not on the street. If he didn't agree with Obama, the right thing to do was protest silently in a dignified way like the other Republicans were doing. Even booing isn't as bad as actually insulting the President through words publicly during his speech. Actual words have alot more power. This behavior was extremely disrespectful.
But, as childish as that behavior was, nothing compares to those that would actually dare to defend it. The sheer fact that anyone would defend it, while totally dismissing anything resembling logic, is frightening.
But its more than that.
I keep watching Republicans make excuses on why this country shouldn't have any form of nationalized health care.
The health care in the US scares the daylights out of me (I currently live in New Orleans). I have a preexisting condition in that I have a metal rod in my left leg that will need to come out in 1-3 years and I'm terrified that the bloody insurance company will refuse us coverage just because I was in a car accident 6 years ago where I was hit by a car when I was crossing the street.
We cannot afford to go hundreds of thousands of dollars into debt. Not even with both of us working. We'd be paying for the rest of our lives. And if either of us ends up unemployed for some reason (like... oh... the economy crashing caused by REPUBLICAN OVERSPENDING like last year), we'd be homeless.
We HAVE insurance. For way too much money. But they have the right to refuse me treatment.
But no, Republicans would rather I suffer? They would rather the insurance company be allowed to screw us over, than forced to live by laws forcing them to cover me.
You Republicans claim to be Christian but you sure don't act like one, with your complete heartlessness and uncaring toward anyone else.
Despicable. Well guess what... I'm an Atheist, I'm a Democrat, and I support a form of nationalized health care in the form of premium payments like Obama has planned, as well as the rest of it including making the insurance company's cover preexisting conditions without increasing the monthly costs by astronomical amounts.
Why? Because I have a heart. Because I actually care about people. Unlike you Republicans who are more concerned with your ideals than with your people.
Guess what... without your people, you have no country. Stop taking things to extremism. If you don't, your mindset is going to ensure that the US falls from power. The only reason it hasn't happened yet is because you have one of the biggest army's in the world and because all your money that should go towards taking care of your fellow people goes toward illegal foreign religious wars because your ideals make you think its a good idea.
Stop destroying your country.
You know whats really scary? I'm a Canadian immigrant into the US and I care more about the people of your country than you do. Its frightening when a Canadian is more patriotic toward the US than its own people.
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